Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site. 0108263 License for publishing multimedia online Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349 THURSDAY, Jan. 13, 2022 (HealthDay News) -- Is your teen staring at their smartphone all day? There's many things parents can do to protect kids from the potentially negative effects of social media, experts say. While there are positive aspects to social media, there's evidence it can pose risks to teens' mental health due to issues such as bullying, body image concerns and other social pressures. "The reality is that social media is part of the world we live in, and it's not going away," said Mari Radzik, a clinical psychologist in the division of adolescent and young adult medicine at Children's Hospital Los Angeles. "We can't just take away our kids' phones or computers. It's about figuring out how we can guide them on using and navigating these tools," Radzik said in a hospital news release. Some signs of social media-related problems in teens include changes in mood, eating and sleep habits, as well as isolating in their room. In such cases, parents might want to begin a discussion about their teen's social media use by using "I" instead of "you" statements, Radzik suggested. Instead of saying, "You're on Instagram way too much and that's bad for you," try, "I noticed this and I'm really worried. Can we talk about it?" If your teen doesn't want to talk at that moment, let them know you'll be there when they feel ready. "Berating will make a young person shut down," Radzik said. "Or sometimes parents will dig through their child's social media accounts and that can feel invasive. The approach has to come from a place of caring and concern, rather than something punitive or accusatory." Parents should check in frequently and pay attention to their teens' media use, said Sarah Voyer, lead social worker in the division of psychiatry at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles. Parents may want to ask their teens how they use social media -- do they share updates with their friends, follow certain celebrities or influencers, or are they seeking some kind of advice or help -- and how they feel when they use it, Voyer said. If you're certain that social media is affecting your teen's mental health, suggest they take a break or even delete their account. "There are some kids who can break the cycle, and sometimes it takes the parent to help with that," Radzik said. Before a child begins to use social media, parents should set parameters, according to Radzik. "It can be problematic when children are given regular access to cellphones at an early age," she said. "I understand the need to use it at times, especially age-appropriate material. But as parents we need to encourage a curiosity of the world around them and use creativity tools rather than rely on social media all the time." More information For more on children and media, see the American Academy of Pediatrics. SOURCE: Childrens Hospital Los Angeles, news release, Jan. 10, 2022 You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Originally published on consumer.healthday.com, part of the TownNews Content Exchange. In Chris La Trays classroom, every poem begins with a story. I was trying to engage them in conversation, he said. Whats your life like? The Metis writer was part of a project funded by a grant awarded to Free Verse to bring BIPOC artists to the Missoula Juvenile Detention Center and the Pine Hills Youth Correctional Facility to teach virtual arts workshops. Rapper RKnow taught hip-hop songwriting, Blackfeet artist Valentina LaPier taught visual art with pastels, and La Tray taught poetry. Founded by a group of University of Montana MFA students, Free Verse is a nonprofit that teaches arts and writing to incarcerated youth across Montana. Recent work from its students is on display at the ZACC and includes work from the three Montana-based BIPOC artists workshops as well as art and poetry from a zine put together during the initial lockdown of the pandemic. The exhibit is titled Shape of Us and features art and writing about isolation, identity, family and more. La Tray said he tried to talk to them as a peer instead of an authority figure, and he focused on storytelling in teaching the students how to write poetry, rather than teaching form and structure. For a long time in my life, I was taught what poetry was supposed to be wasnt for me, he said. In that setting, its important to have them write in any format. The result of his approach was something powerful, he said. Many of the students wrote about physical abuse, loneliness and other difficult themes. Much of it was dark, but much of what the students were experiencing as incarcerated youth was dark, La Tray said. He told them to embrace the darkness in their writing. So often, poetry gets all the edges rounded off it in the editing process, and this stuff is real, he said. Sometimes you get so much more from the untrained than those who were trying to be a genius. Valentina said she saw the same authenticity in her classroom. Using pastels, much of her students work on display at the ZACC depicts animals that the teens identified with, ranging from a bald eagle to an orange tabby cat to a deer with text reading, Please pray for the water. We were doing animals at first, and I was having them identify what theyve seen in the animal world and self-identifying using animals to describe those feelings and thoughts they had about themselves, she said. Many of her students were talented artists, better at thinking outside the box than she was, she said. Experiencing their senses of humor and teaching them a coping skill that is mental, physical and emotional was the most rewarding part for her. They are beautiful children that can heal from whatever theyve gone through and have been subjected to, she said. And they can do that through expression of art. Its important for students to be taught by a BIPOC artist, considering the disproportionate rate of Indigenous and Black children incarcerated in Montana, she said. It helps Indigenous students with self-identification and helps them to feel less lonely. And for non-Native students, she said it helps open their minds to other cultures, images and ideas. It is important for students to see their experiences reflected back at them, Free Verse Executive Director Nicole Gomez said. In the Montana juvenile justice system, 14% are Native and 4% Black, a very high number compared with the states general population, which is 6.7% Native, 0.6% Black. Over-representation of non-white people in prison is common nationwide. Many stories of incarcerated children are erased and they are literally invisible, Gomez said. Thats why their stories are so important to share. I think you see that in the exhibit in the art they produce and the poetry they write, and how many of them that have taken to poetry and art in our workshops as a way of coping, she said. Incarceration itself is a form of trauma, so theyre in need of coping mechanisms, and art can do that. Shape of Us will be on display at the ZACC until Jan. 28. Hours are from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is free. A book of students writing is available for purchase in the ZACC gift shop. You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Missoula County Public Schools has reported 132 new COVID cases among students and staff just three days into the school week and has already topped its previous record of new weekly cases. Amid the highest surge in COVID cases the district has seen all year and changing quarantine guidance from the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, the district has started sending alerts via email to parents and guardians to inform them of positive cases in their classroom or school. Due to the current high volume of cases, we are not able to do individual contact tracing at the schools to know your particular students exposure risk, wrote the district in an email to a parent that was shared with the Missoulian. However, this does not mean the district is ceasing its contact tracing efforts, Superintendent of MCPS Rob Watson said on Wednesday. The CDC shortened their quarantine guidance for COVID-positive individuals over the holiday break from 10 days to five days if the individual is not experiencing symptoms. The CDC still recommends that people consistently wear masks for five days following their isolation. The impact thats had is pretty dramatic on our contact tracing, Watson said. Prior to the change in guidance, the district would identify close contacts of the COVID positive individual and notify them. The district is normally able to complete that process within three to four days of a positive case, Watson said. So with the high volume of cases that we got after the start of the year, coupled with that change in the CDC guidance, we were contacting some cases after their quarantine was already over, Watson said. As a result, the district has broadened the exposure notification for every student in a classroom that reports a positive case. Out of an abundance of caution, we wanted to inform you of this exposure and ask that you take your students temperature and monitor for symptoms daily, the district wrote in the letter to parents. The letter includes information on how to notify the district if a student tests positive and shares resources on how to access COVID testing, but notes that testing sites are experiencing high demand right now and it may take 24-48 hours to receive a test. The demand for COVID tests is so high that the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services notified school districts across the state that its warehouse of the Binax Now testing kits is out of stock. In an email regarding the states stockpile, the DPHHS says that it has two orders placed to receive more, but due to the high demand for testing supplies nationally, they are currently back-ordered. The health department still encouraged districts to continue ordering testing supplies in the meantime. The state health department supplies rapid COVID tests to many school districts around Montana, including MCPS. We have enough here to last us a few more weeks, but we will have to be cautious with those. We probably will have to limit those to people that are showing symptoms, Watson said. But having said that, weve reached out to some community partners to try and track down some more. So Im optimistic that well be able to track down more tests locally, Watson said. As cases continue to climb in school districts across the state, some districts are preparing the framework for a temporary district-wide transition to remote instruction, while others have buckled due to staffing shortages. Earlier this week, Great Falls Public Schools announced it would be temporarily moving to online instruction for at least a week. New COVID cases at MCPS this week are already outpacing what was reported last week, and on both Friday and Monday the district had a record number of staff absent, Watson said. Its not good, he added. Our buildings are doing the best they can to manage that but its not great. I referred to them kind of operating on a skeleton crew and getting teachers to fill in for other teachers during prep periods, Watson continued later. Thats never ideal, but thats kind of what we have to do to Band-Aid everything to keep it together. Watson said approximately 140 staff, including teachers, custodians and food service workers, were out on Monday. When asked if the district may be reaching a tipping point with staff that could result in a temporary district-wide closure, Watson indicated that some buildings may be headed in that direction. I would say not every building is in that bad of shape. Weve got some schools where there may only be a handful of students that are positive and a few staff members that are out, so its a difficult decision to make for the entire district, Watson said. But you may see some closures at certain buildings that were preparing for as well. Watson did not specify which buildings may find themselves in that position, but said it is not specific to a certain grade band, such as elementary, middle or high schools. Of the 132 new COVID cases reported so far this week, nearly 45% of the cases have been with high school students and staff. Sentinel High School has reported 33 new cases so far this week. About 31% of the cases this week have been at middle schools and the remaining 24% of cases have been with the elementary schools. Its kind of all over what were seeing right now is more high school than any other level, which is new, but it could quickly shift, Watson said. We want to let (parents) know that our staffing situation is not good and that we could be faced with some closures and well try to let them know as soon as we can, he continued. You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 0 Funny 2 Wow 0 Sad 6 Angry 1 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. A new 40-space legal camping spot for houseless people will open in Missoula on Tuesday, Jan. 18 on Clark Fork Lane behind the Super Walmart on Mullan Road. Meant to replace illegal and ad hoc camping areas such as the site beneath the Reserve Street Bridge, the new Authorized Camping Site will feature 24/7 security staff presence, trash removal, outhouses with sanitation and visits by outreach teams. As (county) Commissioner Josh Slotnick often says, doing nothing is not an option, explained Missoula mayor John Engen. So the Missoula County commissioners and I, along with the city council and our collective staff partners, have agreed that were going to experiment with a number of approaches that we hope temper suffering in our community. The site is the first option to open through Operation Shelter, which was launched last year by the county and the city to address unauthorized camping in the urban area. The site is on city-owned property and federal American Rescue Plan Act money was used to set up the site and equip it with toilets, hire security and pay for other logistics. Our goal here continues to be making sure that everyone who wants to live in a home has access to that, Engen said. (The site) is a little bit off the beaten path, particularly with regard to residential neighborhoods, and we believe creates a safe opportunity for folks to live and begin to have the resources they need to be permanently housed. There will be fire pits for warmth and quiet hours. Pets must always be leashed or caged, and no drugs or alcohol are allowed in public spaces. Other than that, there are no barriers to entry to the site. The residents will provide their own tents and supplies, but members of the Poverello Centers homeless outreach team often visit all the unhoused people in Missoula to bring them camping gear, food and anything else they need. Guy Johnson, the lead homeless outreach team member, said theyve been talking with people under the Reserve Street Bridge and other areas for almost a month to give them a heads up that camping in unauthorized spots in Missoula will no longer be allowed to continue. Beginning on Jan. 24, the Montana Department of Transportation will no longer allow camping under Reserve Street. Engen said illegal camping will no longer be allowed anywhere in the city, and law enforcement can be called if necessary. But Johnson said the goal is to avoid that by not blindsiding people. Weve been really encouraging and letting folks know about the new authorized campsite opening up, Johnson said. Weve had some really good feedback from the folks there. I believe we will have a good turnaround amount of people show up to the new location. Its just a matter of time, but I have high hopes for this. The Poverello Center homeless shelter has been operating at capacity, meaning they are completely full every night, according to Jill Bonny, the Povs executive director. The Johnson Street winter shelter has had about 100 people sleeping there every night recently, and Bonny said that shelter has a capacity for about 150. The 15-20 people who have been camping at the Reserve Street Bridge site do so even with the knowledge that there is a warm shelter where they can sleep, she added. Theyre shelter-resistant, so were hoping they come here, Bonny said. Johnson said some of the people at the Reserve Street Bridge have been there for years, and the recent blizzard didnt seem to bother them too much. They handled it surprisingly well, he said. This is what they do. They deal with it. Emily Armstrong, the Reaching Home program manager for the city, said theres a tremendous amount of collaboration among various government agencies and other community partners to reduce the number of houseless people in Missoula. I pulled numbers recently and I think were around this is a flexible number but around 150 people in the Coordinated Entry System that were able to find housing when we have a vacancy rate of .38%, she said. So honestly, thats pretty incredible that that many people are entered now into a housing solution because of only the hard work of our providers. Engen said that the city and county have met with surrounding business owners, and described it as fairly contentious. Thats the challenge here, he said. No one wants the homeless camp next to them. So were doing our best, again, to balance those interests. I think the comfort that we hopefully provided was security, a list of resources, somebody you can call. Engen said the city and county studied what went wrong in authorized homeless camping spots in places like Seattle. He noted that in those places, huge lots were cleared and government officials simply told people they could camp there. The lesson learned, Engen said, was that the site has to have necessary support services and cant be too big. Commissioner Dave Strohmaier said that he knows the site is not without risks and challenges. "I resonate with the frustrations that members of the public have had for quite some time," he said. "But a lot has been going on behind the scenes to get to this point where we are today." He said he's proud of everyone who worked on the plan. "It's surprising how difficult dealing with some of these intractable issues are, and creating this space here, which is only one prong of a multi-pronged effort to address the challenges of houselessness in our community, was a heavy lift to get to this point," Strohmaier said. For more information visit engagemissoula.com/safe-shelter. You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 3 Funny 0 Wow 1 Sad 0 Angry 4 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. A Biden administration defense of Trump-era coal policies in Montana and Wyoming sparked legal action by environmental groups this week arguing that a court order concerning climate change was being ignored. At issue is a 2018 U.S. District Court order that the Bureau of Land Management, when developing resource management plans for coal mining, factor in the environmental consequences such as the burning the coal downstream at power plants in the United States. The court order specifically addressed the resource management plans coming from Bureau of Land Management field offices in Miles City and Buffalo, Wyoming, where plan revisions were expected to reduce the amount of public coal up for lease. BLM did make changes to the plans, during the Trump era, which the Biden administration now defends. BLMs range of alternatives and analyses of potential emissions complies with both the courts order and (the National Environmental Policy Act), attorneys for the agency said in a Jan. 7 filing. But environmental groups represented by Earth Justice argued Monday that BLMs revisions were meaningless, specifically because land removed from the resource management plan wasnt going to be mined for coal. The plaintiffs are asking the court to order a second try from BLM. BLM considered a number of alternatives that on paper looked like they were different, said Shiloh Hernandez a co-counsel for Earth Justice. But at the end of the day, they admitted that under every alternative the exact same amount of coal would be developed. They were only changing numbers related to areas where they didnt expect any coal development. The defense of BLM policies filed Jan. 7 was the opposite of what the Biden administration had indicated it would do to cut emissions of greenhouse gasses, Hernandez said. Plaintiffs in the lawsuit include the Western Organization of Resource councils, its member groups in Montana and Wyoming, the Center for Biological Diversity, wild Earth Guardians, Sierra Club and Montana Environmental Resource Center. You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. A pair of Republican state lawmakers received a combined $1,500 in state funds for traveling to a symposium to hear election fraud conspiracy theories in South Dakota last summer. The payments to Reps. Bob Phalen, R-Lindsay, and Paul Fielder, R-Thompson Falls, were paid out of the legislators constituent services allowances. The reimbursements were first reported by the Montana Free Press. Montana legislators are given biennial allowances to cover the costs of activities that benefit their constituents. The report, generated by the states Legislative Services Division, shows many Montana lawmakers have used those accounts to cover the costs of meeting with constituents, attending conferences or traveling to events like ceremonial bill signings in Helena. Rep. Bob Phalen, a Republican from Lindsay, was reimbursed $979.37 of his allotted $2,000 for lodging and mileage to attend the event, hosted by businessman and outspoken Trump supporter Mike Lindell. Lindell, along with many of the speakers he hosted at the August 2021 event, has advanced unsubstantiated claims of widespread fraud during the 2020 general election after former President Donald Trump lost. None of those theories have held up to court scrutiny despite dozens of legal challenges and other attempts across the country to find evidence of malfeasance in the election. Nonpartisan elections experts have debunked many of those claims, yet they have found lasting traction among many Trump supporters who believe the election was stolen from him. In an interview Wednesday, Phalen said he believed the information provided during the three-day conference to be credible, and said he has been putting that time and money to use by spreading it to his constituents in the months since he returned. We have held seven election integrity meetings here in eastern Montana, and not a person has said it was a waste of time. So we did it for the people, we didnt do it for ourselves, Phalen said, noting that other state lawmakers who attended the conference have also helped organize meetings in the state. He also rejected the suggestion that continuing to push election fraud theories without evidence could undermine voters faith in the democratic process. No matter how you try to twist it, if you want to be honest with yourself, you know for a fact that there were problems, and there were problems in Montana too, Phalen said. Phalen was one of six Republican lawmakers who attended the South Dakota event. The only other one who claimed the expenses on his constituency services account, Fielder, was reimbursed $528.04 to attend. He did not return a voice mail requesting comment on Wednesday. Other lawmakers that attended the conference have been highly visible in recent months as they sought to drum up support for a special legislative committee to probe the security of Montanas elections during the interim. Sen. Theresa Manzella, a Hamilton Republican, emceed a September event in Hamilton that drew about 200 attendees. Manzella has helped to spearhead the effort to form a special committee, which Republican legislative leadership has not yet indicated they will do. In September all but a dozen of the states 98 Republican lawmakers signed onto a letter asking their leadership to appoint a special committee. A legal analysis requested by the leaders of the GOP-dominated House and Senate determined that a joint committee of members from both chambers would likely be impossible outside the every-other-year legislative session, although the leader of the Senate has the power to appoint one solely in that chamber. Correction This story has been corrected to reflect the correct amount Rep. Bob Phalen was reimbursed for travel to the "election symposium" event in South Dakota last summer. A corrected report from the state's Legislative Services Division shows that Phalen was only reimbursed $979.37 of the $1,325.98 he requested. You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 0 Funny 2 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 4 Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Note: This story has been updated after the Montana State News Bureau learned the Department of Corrections' COVID-19 tracking page went without an update between September and December in 2021. The Montana Department of Corrections reported 99 new COVID-19 cases among inmates and staff in its prison facilities across the state since late September. Montana State Prison, the secure men's facility outside Deer Lodge, has seen 24 cases among inmates since Sept. 17. Twenty-two staff have also contracted the virus in that time, according to the state corrections department, which posts its COVID-19 testing results online. The facility has 1,600 beds. Since Sept. 17, eight cases have also turned up in inmates at the Montana Women's Prison in Billings, along with six in Pine Hills Youth Correctional Facility in Miles City and 14 in the Riverside Special Needs Unit in Boulder. Two staff at the women's prison have tested positive, along with 10 at Pine Hills and 13 at Riverside since that time. The Montana Department of Corrections said in an email Wednesday none of the new cases required any COVID-related hospitalizations of inmates. "The department continues to rely upon guidance from the CDC related to the management of COVID-19 in correctional facilities. The departments Health Services Bureau also consults with the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services and local health departments related to the mitigation of the virus," spokesperson Carolynn Bright said in an email. The corrections department reopened facilities to visitors and volunteers last April, requiring each person to be screened before entry. Prison employees are encouraged to self-screen each day before their shift, the department said in September. The omicron variant has emerged as what appears to be the most contagious strain of COVID-19 yet, although it also seems to be less lethal; 172 Montanans were hospitalized Wednesday and the state reported 9,613 active cases. The Lewis and Clark County Sheriff said Tuesday roughly 30 people, about one-third of people held in the county jail, have tested positive with COVID-19, along with four detention officers. The tally in state prisons brings COVID-19 cases among inmates to 1,062 since the beginning of the pandemic; 319 staff have tested positive in that same time. Six inmates have died from COVID-19, the last death occurring in December 2020. You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice. Martin Luther King Jr. Montgomery, Alabama, March 25, 1965. Martin Luther King Day is celebrated on the third Monday in January, a day to honor and remember Dr. King for his leadership in commanding the attention of the nation to address civil rights. On March 25, 1965, Dr. King and many others, white and black, completed their march from Selma to Montgomery to demand an end to voting rights discrimination. The national Voting Rights Act was passed later that year with overwhelming support from both parties. The Voting Rights Act of 1965 required the U.S. Justice Department to review and approve new voting laws in state and local election offices with a history of racial discrimination. In 2013, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that review requirement was out-of-date and therefore unconstitutional. Many states including Montana have passed discriminatory voting laws since this ruling. Voters denied the right to vote because of these laws must file costly and time-consuming lawsuits to prove they faced racial discrimination when they tried to vote. Two bills now in the U.S. Senate would protect voting rights and overrule state-level discriminatory voting laws. The John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act addresses the 2013 U.S. Supreme Court ruling and restores the powers of the Justice Department to review and approve voting laws before they are implemented. The Freedom to Vote Act is a transformative voting rights bill that will protect and expand the right to vote, decrease the influence of money in politics and curb partisan gerrymandering. This legislation will put power back into the hands of American voters by prioritizing voting access and participation, while also modernizing future elections to ensure a system that everyone can trust. The historic 2020 election, deemed the most secure in modern history by election officials of both parties, achieved record-shattering voter participation and necessary expansions to voter access during a deadly pandemic. Now is not the time to back down, but to surge forward. Federal voting rights protections cannot wait and are vital to saving the soul of our democracy. The fight for voting rights has been a long and enduring battle. Dr. King and the voting rights activists of the 1960s put their bodies on the line in non-violent demonstrations to draw national attention to the moral importance of the right to vote. Today, we are called upon to stand up for the moral right of all citizens to exercise their right to participate in free and fair elections. Your voice is powerful. Now its time to raise it up to the Oval Office. Call on the Biden-Harris White House to lead this fight to protect the freedom to vote. Montanas senators also need to hear from each and every one of us who support democracy as the cornerstone of our representative republic to change the filibuster and pass voting rights legislation. Sen. Jon Tester: Missoula office 406-728-3003 or tester.senate.gov/contact/ Sen. Steve Daines: call Missoula office: 406-549-8198 or email daines.senate.gov/connect/email-steve Contact the president and your senators today and tell them to do whatever it takes to pass the Freedom to Vote Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act. Return control of our government back where it belongs into the hands of the people. By showing an overwhelming level of support from constituents for changing the filibuster to pass these bills, we can alter the arc of history, preserve our democracy, and protect the right to vote for all American citizens. Nancy Leifer, president, League of Women Voters of Montana and Nancy Maxson, past president, League of Women Voters of Missoula. You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 7 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 2 McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown has called for an end to team principals influencing the Formula 1 race director during grands prix. The 2021 season ended in controversy in Abu Dhabi as Lewis Hamiltons final-race lead was cut down by safety car regulations allowing Max Verstappen the chance to overtake on the last lap, an opportunity he took to become world champion for the first time. The race was also contentious for highlighting the regular communication between team principals, like Red Bulls Christian Horner and Mercedes Toto Wolff, with race director Michael Masi, as they attempted to sway his crucial in-race decisions in their favour. The race was viewed by millions around the world, many of whom were only passing F1 fans and who were left questioning the fairness and integrity of the sport, and Brown says there needs to be less influence from the teams. I think everyone was pretty confused, Brown told RACER, referring to the events of Abu Dhabi. There were enough people disgruntled throughout the year that we need to look at the rules. And keep in mind that its the teams who make most of these rules. So as youve heard me bang on about, Id continue to like to see less influence from the teams, because were the ones who developed half of these rules. Brown called for more consistency going forwards into the 2022 season and beyond. Obviously there were winners and losers in it. Its tough being a referee in any sport because half of the fans are going to agree with your call, half of them arent. It seemed to deviate from whats happened in the past. I think if you look to Baku they red-flagged it right away. It didnt really change the outcome for us but I think in the off-season we need to review a lot of our regulations. If I pull back, I think theres too much inconsistency in regulations and how theyre applied and when theyre applied, driver penalties You look at Lando [Norris] who doesnt touch [Sergio] in Austria, he tries him round the outside and he gets a five-second penalty and two penalty points. Then you have Max [Verstappen] and Lewis [Hamilton] who both go off the track [in Brazil] and Let them race. I think we all have those stories, and its difficult when its subjective, but I think we need to take a step back. Its one thing to steal from the government, but stealing from children is a whole lot worse. Sadly, thats precisely what one New Mexico school district employee did. Kristy Stock was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison for her role in a scheme to steal and resell more than 3,000 iPods intended for Native American students. A release issued by the Department of Justice details the charges against Stock of tax fraud and transportation of stolen goods. According to her plea agreement and court documents, the scheme began back in 2013 when she was in charge of a program for the Central Consolidated School District of New Mexico designed to provide devices to Native American students living on tribal reservations. While overseeing the program, Stock was supposed to use federal grant money to buy iPods to distribute to students. However, thanks to help from other conspirators including her friend James Bender and Saurabh Chawla, the group ended up shipping the stolen iPods to Maryland where they were listed on eBay before being sold at a substantial markup. Due to his own account having previously been suspended due to security concerns, Chawla was forced to use Benders eBay account to list the stolen devices for auction, with Bender serving as an intermediary. Later, between 2015 and 2018, Stock communicated directly with Chawla, providing info on the make, model, color and quantity of devices before agreeing on a price and putting them up for auction. All told, Stock admitted that she made more than $800,000 from selling stolen iPods between 2013 and 2018. To make matters worse, Stock also filed fraudulent tax returns on the income, resulting in tax loss of around $270,000. That said, while Stock faces an 18-month prison sentence, she actually got off lighter than her co-conspirator Chawla, who was sentenced to 66 months after failing to pay more than $700,000 in taxes. Meanwhile, Bender was sentenced to just 366 days in prison. So while Stock and her crew eventually got caught, the real lesson is that here is that crime doesnt payespecially if youre stealing from children and then lying on your taxes about your ill-gotten income. Its been almost 30 years but Morganton Public Safety Chief Tony Lowdermilk still looks forward to coming to work every day. And while he only has a few more weeks left to keep coming to work at the city, he doesnt think that will change now. Chief Lowdermilk will officially retire from Morganton Department of Public Safety on March 1 after a 27-year career in law enforcement with the city. He will take some well-deserved time off, and then get started on a career in the private sector. Lowdermilk has served as chief since early 2020. The best advice I could give anyone getting into law enforcement is to stay true to yourself and maintain your integrity, Lowdermilk said. If you hold on to your values, regardless of who you are, it will follow you for your entire career. I have been in public safety for my entire career, so Im looking forward to finding out what my next career feels like, and plan to approach it with that same mentality. Lowdermilk was born and raised in Morganton, and graduated from Freedom High School. He received his associate degree in applied science and criminal justice technology from Western Piedmont Community College and earned his bachelors degree in criminal justice from Lees-McRae College. Lowdermilk first signed on with public safety as an officer in 1994. Since then, he has served as sergeant of field operations, captain of field operations, major of field operations and major of support services, before being promoted to chief. Lowdermilk holds his Firefighter Level I and II certifications, Advanced Law Enforcement certification, is certified in levels 100, 200, 300, 400, 700, and 800 of Incident Command, and is a graduate of the 67th session of the Administrative Officers Management Program through N.C. State University in 2014. He has completed hundreds of hours of in-service training, and served in numerous notable training and supervisory roles during his time with Morganton Public Safety. From the beginning of his career, Lowdermilk said he wanted to serve in a supervisory role at public safety he just never dreamed it would lead him all the way to the top of the organization. Early on I realized I wanted to be in a position to make decisions that would better the organization and make things better for our officers. It is incredibly important in those supervisory positions to never get too far removed from the officers on the streets every day, Lowdermilk said. When Ronnie Rector was chief, I thought I would retire as a major serving under him. When he retired, our City Manager Sally Sandy trusted me to lead the department, and I am very grateful for the opportunity to serve as chief before retiring. Sandy said Lowdermilk was a natural choice to take the reins and lead the organization, and she is very glad Lowdermilk was open to serving as chief during the final years of his career. Tony has navigated the city through some tough times, and has shown over and over again why he was the right choice for this position, Sandy said. I am so thankful to have worked with him for so many years, and for his service to our community. He will be hard to replace. The city managers office and human resources will begin the hiring process to replace Lowdermilk in the coming weeks, and are currently developing the process that will select the next chief. Lowdermilk said while he wont miss working nights, weekends, holidays and odd hours, he will absolutely miss everyone hes worked with over the years. Im going to miss the friendships and family Ive made at public safety when I retire, Lowdermilk said. Its hard to replicate that type of bond anywhere else, and I know that will be one of the most difficult parts of retirement. The Burke County branch of the NAACP invites the community to participate in a special project Monday to honor the legacy of Americas most noted civil rights leader. Normally, the organization holds an annual banquet and service to commemorate Martin Luther King Jr. Day, but members cancelled the events for a second year in a row due to the coronavirus pandemic, according to Ruth Roseboro, the groups community outreach liaison. In place of the regular observances, the Burke County NAACP invites members of the community to join them for a Day of Service in Burke County on Monday that will include distributing care bags to homeless individuals and donating share bags to local law enforcement agencies to give out when they encounter populations in need. Dr. King said, Lifes most persistent and urgent question is, What are you doing for others, said Alicia Connelly, president of the Burke County NAACP branch. With this call to service in mind, we thought of our brothers and sisters who are on the street in this time of cold weather, pandemic fears and struggles. We felt we could help a little with these care bags. Branch members donated items such as wipes, socks, granola bars, toothpaste, toothbrushes, soap and washcloths, and were able to prepare 100 bags to give away to help people in need. The distribution is set to take place during the afternoon on Monday. Members of the community, churches and other organizations are invited to participate in this project, Connelly said. The Burke County NAACP will distribute care bags again during Black History Month. Those interested in helping out with the Day of Service should contact Connelly at 828-430-0527 for more information. Dr. King also said, This is the time for vigorous and positive action, Connelly said. We can bring some comfort to others by supporting this project. She shared her thoughts on the importance of remembering King and his legacy. Dr. King asks us to work love into the world, to respect those with many problems and to improve the world around us, Connelly said. We can honor him by doing small things to help others. If I cannot do great things, I can do small things in a great way. For more information on the Burke County NAACP, visit the Burke Co. Branch NAACP Facebook page. Staff writer Tammie Gercken can be reached at tgercken@morganton.com. 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. *** ARCHIVED - Warning over post office shipping fee scam in Spain The new phishing swindle impersonating Correos asks people in the Region of Murcia and elsewhere in Spain to pay to receive a package The National Institute of Cybersecurity (Incibe) is warning of a new phishing scam whereby a criminal organisation posing as Spains national courier and parcel service Correos asks victims to pay 1.79 euros to receive a package. In addition to alerting the public to the con, Incibe is offering advice on what to do if someone has already fallen prey to the scammers and provided their bank details. Initial contact is made by email informing the recipient that they have a parcel but that it has not been dispatched because of discrepancies over the destination address. The victim is then asked to pay a shipping fee, namely 1.79 euros, in order to cover the costs of a second attempt to make the delivery. The subject line of the dodgy email reads RE: your shipment number [random numbers] is pending, and according to Incibe, when the recipient clicks on the click here button indicated in the email, a malicious website impersonating Correos will appear. Once on this web page, a pay and continue button is displayed, which when clicked will ask for bank card details. If you enter them, they will be available to the cybercriminals, warns Incibe, urging the public not to open the message and to report it. So what do you do if you have been targeted or have already given your bank details? Incibe recommends acting in the same way as with any other case of phishing, i.e. be extremely cautious and warn friends, family and colleagues so that they are also alert to any suspicious emails they receive, especially if they contain attachments or external links to login pages. If you have already paid by credit card, contact your bank immediately to inform them of what has happened. In addition, collect all the evidence possible, such as screenshots, email, messages, etc, and contact the police to file a complaint. This email con is in addition to the recent scandal of real Correos workers mistakenly asking for VAT charges to be paid on the doorstep, in person and immediately when delivering packages sent from the UK and outside the EU, even though they dont have any commercial value. Image: Correos By Shawn Touney | Jan 13, 2022 Murray State University's Hutson School of Agriculture will host the 17th annual Soybean Promotion Day on Tuesday, Jan. 18 at the CFSB Center Event will include taping of nationally syndicated U.S. Farm Report taping session MURRAY, Ky. Sponsored by the Kentucky Soybean Promotion Board, the Murray State University Hutson School of Agriculture will host the 17th annual Soybean Promotion Day on Tuesday, Jan. 18 at the CFSB Center. The event will begin with registration at 8 a.m. and the program will begin at 8:30 a.m. Entrance will be through Concourse B and the program will be held in the east bleacher end zone. Those interested in attending are asked to pre-register for the free event at soybeanpromotionday2022tickets.eventbrite.com. The program for the 2022 event will be directed by Farm Journal media and will consist of three segments. The first session will be a taping of segments of the U.S. Farm Report weekly program. On the air for more than four decades, U.S. Farm Report remains the longest-running syndicated television program focusing on agriculture, rural issues and the country lifestyle. Hosted by award-winning journalist Tyne Morgan, a new edition of the program airs each weekend on stations across the country. Along with perspective from Morgan, there will be a panel of experts on hand to address the latest in marketing information. The second segment will be a panel discussion related to sustainable fuels and renewable diesel and its impact on the soybean markets. Lastly, AgriTalk co-host Davis Michaelson will join Morgan for an open discussion about the State of Agriculture in 2022 and a very relevant discussion of input costs and availability. The program will conclude with a complimentary lunch from Noon-1 p.m. provided by the Kentucky Soybean Promotion Board as well as drawings for many door prizes provided by area agriculture retailers for those in attendance. As part of Farm Journals presentation, the program will also include originating the AgriTalk program, a live, two-hour syndicated talk radio program for rural America, providing information that connects producers with consumers. The first hour of AgriTalk was launched in 1994, and currently airs on more than 100 affiliate stations across the country. The program can be heard live from 10:06-11 a.m. (CT). The second hour of AgriTalk launched in 2014 and focuses on the business of farming and helping producers make better marketing decisions. The program can be heard from 2:06-3 p.m. (CT) on more than 70 stations across the country. Guests on both these programs will include Soybean Board members, Kentucky Department of Agriculture guests and Murray State Agriculture faculty and students. Finally, the program will serve as a kickoff of the Hutson School of Agriculture Farmer-appreciation events. The Hutson School of Agriculture was recently selected as one of 16 statewide applicants to receive funding from the Kentucky Department of Agriculture to conduct farmer appreciation projects. The awarded projects will support community-based farmer appreciation programs that will promote the many contributions of farmers and their families, and to appreciate the various challenges farmers face working in agriculture. As a special focus of the Murray State events, an announcement will be made on a funding campaign to assist with the recent tornado impacts on area farmers. Murray States Hutson School of Agriculture Dean Dr. Tony Brannon said, We are extremely excited about this event and very grateful to the Kentucky Soybean Board for re-investing funds into producer education programs in our region. The 17-year history of this event has seen great success and growth. This year will be no different, except that it will take the program to the national stage. MUSCATINE In honor of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jrs birthday, Muscatine Community College and Palms 10 in Muscatine are teaming up to offer a free movie on Kings life and the events leading up to the 1965 Selma to Montgomery voting rights march. At 9:30 a.m. Friday, MCC students and the public alike are invited to a free showing of the 2014 historical drama Selma, at the Palms 10. The film was nominated for Best Picture and won Best Original Song at the 87th Academy Awards. It also received four Golden Globe Award nominations, including Best Motion Picture Drama, Best Director and Best Actor, and won for Best Original Song. Weve been looking for opportunities to collaborate with local businesses and to engage students, said AC Overla, resident life and student engagement coordinator for MCC, said. We are opening back up and we are looking for more opportunities to get students to in-person events. She said that "Selma" was chosen because it is fairly recent. She also commented that there are plenty of movies chronicling Kings life to choose from. Overla said the movie showing was a way to bring people together in person to view the free showing. She said every year the college tries to do something for Martin Luther King Jr. Day every year. This year the holiday is on Jan. 17. Last year due to concerns related to the COVID-19 health crisis, the college was not able to celebrate the holiday. This year we are trying to do a bigger community-wide event and observance of that day, she said. Martin Luther King Day this year is a federal holiday that falls on the third Monday of January. Many businesses will be closed in honor of the holiday. Kings real birthday was Jan. 15. Overla said the college is looking for similar opportunities to have this kind of event in the future, but nothing is currently scheduled. To reserve a spot, contact Overla at (563) 549-0203 or email aoverla@eicc.edu. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 WAPELLO A decrease in the regions population will not mean a change in the current $5 per capita assessment, which the Louisa Regional Solid Waste Agency (LRSWA) currently collects from its member jurisdictions to fund the closing of the old Louisa County Landfill. The LRSWA directors made the decision during its quarterly meeting Tuesday and after receiving a report from secretary/treasurer Joellen Schantz. According to Schantz, the $5 assessment collected $62,605 using the regions 2010 census figure of around 12,520. Using the estimated 2020 Census figure of about 11,880, the same $5 assessment would collect around $3,200 less, she said. These (2020 Census estimates) are not official numbers, (but) our options are suck it up - live with that; or we can raise the assessment, she explained, adding the only other significant revenue being generated for the LRSWA were the tipping fees collected at the transfer station. Raising (the assessment) to $6 wed gain about $8,600, she told the agency members. Agency chair Brad Quigley asked Schantz how much money was currently being held by the LRSWA for the landfill closure, but she was unable to provide an answer. Its all rolled together. I dont keep anything separate, so over a thirty-year period, all that money has been intermixed. It has never been kept separate, she continued. I dont see the reason to raise it, Quigley eventually suggested to the group, pointing out the agencys financial picture appears healthy at this time. After Schantz pointed out there was nearly $200,000 in the LRSWAs checking account and other documents indicated the agency had over $358,200 in total accounts, the rest of the directors agreed and the assessment stayed the same as this years. In other financial action, the directors approved the agencys fiscal year 2023 budget. Basic spending in the budget, which would go into effect on July 1, is projected to be $488,300. That would be an increase of $23,350 over the projected spending in the current budget. The FY 23 projected spending would be covered by anticipated revenue of $514,200. However, in addition to the basic expenditures, the FY 23 budget also included optional spending of $50,000 to replace a semi-truck the agency uses to haul material from the Wapello Transfer Station to a landfill in Milan, Ill. for disposal. Another $30,000 in optional spending was included in the FY 23 budget for weather proofing and repairing an equipment building. Following a discussion, the directors approved the options, raising the final projected spending in the FY 23 budget to $568,300. Schantz indicated the shortfall between that spending amount and the anticipated revenue would come from the agencys cash reserves. In final action, a $1,500 agreement with the Louisa County Conservation Board (LCCB) to have the LCCB provide environmental education programming was approved. The agreement is similar to previous years. LCCB Naturalist Laura Semkin provided a recap of the activities the LCCB has provided during the current fiscal year. The agency and Schantz also agreed to extend her current working agreement as the secretary/treasurer and Wapello Transfer Station Manager to June 2023. The current slate of officers, which included Quigley, Schantz and Columbus Junction representative Jeff Vonnahme as vice-chair was also retained. A $16,156 bid from River Construction, Wapello, to make needed repairs at the county landfill site was also approved. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 WASHINGTON (AP) With Roe v. Wade facing its strongest threat in decades, a new poll finds Democrats increasingly view protecting abortion rights as a high priority for the government. Thirteen percent of Democrats mentioned abortion or reproductive rights as one of the issues they want the federal government to address in 2022, according to a December poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. That's up from less than 1% of Democrats who named it as a priority for 2021 and 3% who listed it in 2020. Some other issues like the economy, COVID-19, health care and gun control ranked as higher priorities for Democrats in the poll, which allowed respondents to name up to five top issues. But the exponential rise in the percentage citing reproductive rights as a key concern suggests the issue is resonating with Democrats as the Supreme Court considers cases that could lead to dramatic restrictions on abortion access. "The public have lots of things that they want to see government addressing," said Jennifer Benz, deputy director of The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. "You ask this kind of question in a time of economic turmoil and in the time of a pandemic and all of these other things going on, we might not expect abortion to rise to the top." With a 6-3 conservative majority on the Supreme Court, Republicans see this as their best chance in years to overturn Roe v. Wade, the 1973 decision legalizing abortion throughout the United States. In December, the Supreme Court left in place a Texas law that bans most abortions in the state and signaled during arguments that they would uphold a Mississippi law that bans abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy. That decision will be made public in June. Keep scrolling to see where the Supreme Court's nine justices stand on abortion rights Calling the abortion polling numbers "stark," Benz noted that conventional wisdom holds that abortion is a motivating issue for Republicans and not for Democrats. Research from the 1980s and 1990s, Benz said, "regularly found that opponents of abortion had greater strength of attitudes and considered the issue important to them personally more than pro-choice people." That may be changing. Sam Lau, senior director for advocacy media at the Planned Parenthood Action Fund, believes more Americans are recognizing this moment as a crisis for abortion access. "I think what we have seen is absolutely an increase in awareness, an increase in urgency, an increase in the need to fight back," he said. "But I still actually think that huge swaths of this population still don't quite believe that the access to abortion and the 50-year precedent that is Roe v. Wade is really hanging in the balance." The court's 1973 decision, reaffirmed in the 1992 ruling in Planned Parenthood v. Casey, allows states to regulate but not ban abortion up to the point of fetal viability, at roughly 24 weeks. If Roe and Casey are overturned in June, abortion would soon become illegal or severely restricted in roughly half the states, according to the Guttmacher Institute, a research organization that supports abortion rights. That's just months ahead of midterm elections that are expected to be challenging for Democrats. Lau thinks people are starting to recognize they "simply cannot rely on the courts to protect our rights and our access to essential health care." "We are currently pushing for elected officials who are champions of sexual and reproductive health care to be bold and to go on offense and to pass proactive legislation to protect access to abortion," Lau said. "I think voters are going to go to the polls and want to vote for candidates who they can trust to protect their health care and their reproductive freedom." Polling shows relatively few Americans want to see Roe overturned. In 2020, AP VoteCast, a survey of the electorate, showed 69% of voters in the presidential election said the Supreme Court should leave the Roe v. Wade decision as is; just 29% said the court should overturn the decision. In general, AP-NORC polling shows a majority of the public favors abortion being legal in most or all cases. Still, Americans have nuanced attitudes on the issue, and many don't think that abortion should be possible after the first trimester or that women should be able to obtain a legal abortion for any reason. For 41-year-old Rachelle Dunn, who knew girls in high school and women in college and her adult life who have needed abortions, it's "just health care." "It's something that women I have known through my life have needed for different reasons," said Dunn, of Tarentum, Pennsylvania. "The government needs to step in because all of these laws are being written and passed, but none of them are for medical reasons." She's concerned about a domino effect from these Supreme Court cases, adding that she worries about how they will affect her two daughters' futures, as well as her son's. "It just seems like, if it's been affirmed, repeatedly, why are we still doing this?" Dunn said. The AP-NORC poll of 1,089 adults was conducted Dec. 2-7 using a sample drawn from NORC's probability-based AmeriSpeak Panel, which is designed to be representative of the U.S. population. The margin of sampling error for all respondents is plus or minus 4.1 percentage points. *** Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 A roundup of legislative and Capitol news items of interest: NEW U.S. IOWA: A legislator is proposing that the state appropriate $200,000 for the christening and commissioning of the U.S.S. 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 U.S.S. 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. Gazette-Lee Des Moines Bureau Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 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. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Research News Users call delta-8-THC delta-9s nicer younger sibling By DAVID J. HILL 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. 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 UB 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 its 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. 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 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, says Jessica Kruger, clinical assistant professor of community health and health behavior in UBs School of Public Health and Health Professions, who co-authored both papers with Daniel J. Kruger, a research investigator in the Population Studies Center at the University of Michigan, who also has a faculty affiliation at UB. 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, Daniel Kruger says. 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. You have permission to edit this article. Edit Close U.S. Army Regan Test Site Commander Col. Thomas Pugsley, right, with Members of Parliament Stephen Phillip and Hiroshi Yamamura at the August 2021 opening of parliament in Majuro. Andre Mathis, a nominee to the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, testifies during a U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., Jan. 12, 2022. FSM President David Panuelo and first lady Patricia Edwin pose with Australian Ambassador Jo Cowley and other officials. Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. A healthcare worker takes a swab from a person sitting in a car at a drive-thru Covid-19 test center in Newark, New Jersey, Nov. 12, 2020. Editor Zaldy Dandan is the recipient of the Best Editorial Writer Award of the Society of Professional Journalists, and the CNMI Humanities Award for Outstanding Contributions to Journalism. His four books are available on amazon.com MTN South Africa has lost its CEO, CTO, and Supersonic CEO at the end of December, and the company has now provided more information about these departures. Last month, MTN surprised the market when it announced that Godfrey Motsa would be stepping down as the CEO of MTN SA at the end of December. Under Motsas leadership, MTN South Africa built a leading network position and improved its competitive standing in consumer postpaid and enterprise businesses. Motsas departure announcement came a week after MTN SAs chief technology and information officer, Giovanni Chiarelli, announced he would leave the company on 31 December 2021. Chiarelli was a key player in building an industry-leading mobile network and information technology system for MTN South Africa. Some of you may have forgotten, but five years ago, MTNs network and IT systems were average against our competitors. Giovanni revolutionized all that, Motsa said. In December, MTN South Africa also lost Supersonic CEO, Calvin Collett. Collett was instrumental and founding Supersonic and growing it to become one of the largest fibre Internet service providers in South Africa. Under Colletts leadership, Supersonic won the 2019 MyBroadband ISP of the Year award and launched their cutting-edge wireless connectivity solution Unlimited Air Fibre. MTN explains MTN SAs executive for corporate affairs, Jacqui OSullivan, told MyBroadband it is important to note that the three departures were all unrelated and were subject to different timings. MTNs financial year runs in line with the calendar year, so it is not uncommon for executives to align departures with year-end, so they can see out the full year of their business plans. That said, Giovanni Chiarelli gave notice of his intention to leave in July of 2021. His exit has been orderly, said OSullivan. She added that Chiarelli has worked with the company to find his replacement, Michele Gamberini, whose appointment was announced today. Calvin Collett, the outgoing MD of Supersonic, indicated his desire to return to his entrepreneurial roots in October 2021. Collett remains with MTN until March 2022, allowing again for a structured and orderly handover, while also assisting with some strategic projects prior to his departure. During his time with Supersonic, Collett has built and scaled a very strong business that is now ready for further aggressive growth, said OSullivan. We place a heavy focus on detailed succession planning at MTN, and we are proud to have been able to move an internal candidate, Megan Nicholas, into this important role. Charles Molapisis appointment to the role of MTN SA CEO is another internal appointment in line with the companys commitment to succession planning and methodical change. As noted in our announcement of 15 December 2022, Godfrey Motsa spent almost five years in the role, at a time when the business built a leading network position and improved its competitive position in the consumer postpaid and enterprise businesses, said OSullivan. It would be incorrect to infer anything more than regular business movements in these changes, particularly when all three executives have each successfully served MTN for a number of years. Godfrey Motsa MTN SA CEO from March 2018 to December 2021 Giovanni Chiarelli MTN SA CTIO from November 2016 to December 2021 Calvin Collett Supersonic CEO from February 2018 to December 2021 Now read: MTN SA CEO Godfrey Motsa steps down Buffalo, WY (82834) Today Partly cloudy this morning. Increasing clouds with periods of showers this afternoon. High 56F. SSE winds shifting to N at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 80%. Higher wind gusts possible.. Tonight Periods of rain. Low 42F. Winds NNW at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 80%. Rainfall around a quarter of an inch. Higher wind gusts possible. A multidisciplinary task team established to fight cable theft has arrested 28 thieves since its inception, and only three have been sentenced to jail time. Two accused were found guilty and both sentenced to three years imprisonment, on the first count and one year on the second count, police minister Bheki Cele wrote in response to questions from the National Assembly. He said another had been found guilty, sentenced to 12 years of direct imprisonment and declared unfit to possess a firearm. The task team was established in May 2020 to address cable theft at Eskom and is made up of the following South African Police Sevice (SAPS) roleplayers: The Detective and Forensic Services division The Crime Intelligence division The Visible Policing and Operations division The Corporate Communication and Liason Component The Strategic Management Component The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI) Roleplayers external to the SAPS include the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) and Eskom. The Task Team drafted an action plan to address cable theft crimes, focussing on two types of perpetrators organised and opportunistic criminals. According to Cele, organised (or syndicate) criminals target quantities that will return the most value, while opportunistic criminals target smaller amounts to satisfy their immediate needs. The action plans objectives are to: Prevent, combat, and investigate national priority offences Ensure the availability of reliable and validated crime information Ensure effective and efficient investigations Make sure there is effective support during the investigation of a crime Provide a specialised response capability Copper cables theft has significantly contributed to power cuts in recent years. In November 2021, residents in Bedfordview suffered a days-long power outage after a critical power cable was damaged in a failed attempt to steal it. The damaged cable interrupted the power supply to the City of Ekurhulenis Bedfordview substation. Eskom has been working around the clock to locate the point where the cable theft occurred, assessing the extent of the damage caused, and preparing for repairs, Eskom said in a statement. Due to the extent of the damage caused by the attempted cable theft and vandalism of the electricity infrastructure, it is estimated that supply could be restored within four to five days. Eskom added that it had reported the incident to the SAPS. The power utilitys employees have also been to blame for cable theft recently. An Eskom employee and contractor were arrested in Welkom, Free State, for having a large quantity of copper cable in their possession. Thanks to the vigilance of a patrolling Police Captain from the Welkom K9 Unit, the two suspects were arrested, and copper cable of 170 metres with an estimated value of R540,000 was confiscated, Eskom said in November. It is suspected that the copper cable was stolen from Eskoms warehouse in Welkom. The arrests came after Eskom CEO Andre de Ruyter revealed that criminal elements were attempting to sabotage the power utility. In February 2021, five cable thieves received a cumulative jail sentence of 1,250 years for fifty counts of copper cable theft-related charges. The shortest jail term meted out to some of the thieves is a minimum sentence of 15 years, Eskom stated following the sentencing. Two other accused who were charged in the same matter died during the trial, and were found guilty posthumously, it added. Eskoms Acting Security Head Karen Pillay said the utility hoped the hefty sentences would send a strong message to all potential thieves to refrain from targeting Eskom overhead and underground conductor cables. Now read: South African prepaid solar startup plans R45 million raise At least four people are being sought in connection with the armed robbery of a convenience store in American Canyon on Monday night, according to American Canyon Police. At about 9 p.m., officers were sent to the 7-Eleven at 29 Rio del Mar after a report that four or five people entered the store with guns and stole items before leaving, according to Police Chief Rick Greenberg. Two store employees told police they had been robbed at gunpoint, and that the suspects had taken all the cash from the register and removed the stores safe, Greenberg said. The total loss was estimated at $27,000. The suspects were last seen entering a dark-colored minivan that left the 7-Eleven and drove onto southbound Highway 29, Greenberg said. The case has been turned over to the Napa County Sheriffs Office investigations division, according to Greenberg. The sheriffs office staffs American Canyon Police under an agreement between city and county. Anyone with information on the robbery is asked to contact sheriffs office investigators at 707-253-4591. St. Helena voters could be asked this year to approve a revenue-generating ballot measure to help make up for decades of underinvestment in city infrastructure. The City Council agreed Tuesday to consider a potential June or November ballot measure during a special workshop sometime in late January. 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 The city has a $65 million, largely unfunded Capital Improvement Plan, including the replacement of aging water and sewer mains and major repairs at Bell Canyon Reservoir. There are other necessary projects that arent even on that list. Folks come here and spend millions of dollars on their homes, said City Councilmember Eric Hall. One day soon they may try to turn on their kitchen tap and find no water, and have no quick way of getting it addressed. I agree with all of my colleagues that the need is absolutely there, said Vice Mayor Paul Dohring. It takes bold action. We cannot defer this for a decade more. This council needs to take care of business. A survey gauged voter support for a $54 million bond measure, a half-cent sales tax that would generate $1.5 million a year, and a 2% hotel tax that would generate $560,000 a year. The survey found that 70% of respondents would support a general obligation bond measure for water projects, which would levy a property tax of $41 per $100,000 of assessed value. It would require two-thirds voter approval, which is within the surveys 5% margin of error. Seventy-two percent of respondents said they would support the sales tax measure, which would increase St. Helenas rate from 8.25% to 8.75%. Eighty percent said they would support increasing the hotel tax from 13% to 15%. A general obligation bond measure could go on the June or November ballot. A sales tax or hotel tax measure would need to wait until the November ballot, unless the city were to declare a fiscal crisis. The survey showed widespread belief that the city needs more money, with 66% of respondents saying there is at least some need for additional funds to provide the level of City services that St. Helena residents need and want. Seventy-three percent said there was at least some need for more infrastructure funding. City Manager Mark Prestwich said the citys water and wastewater funds have been heavily strained by the removal of the Upper York Creek Dam and upgrades to the Wastewater Treatment Plant. Some infrastructure needs, like storm drains, dont have a dedicated funding source. The 12-inch water main between St. Helena and Rutherford, which carries about a third of the citys water supply, is vulnerable to a catastrophic failure, Prestwich said. Weve had Public Works crews dealing with leaks I think five times in the last two months, Prestwich said. Its literally on its last legs and needs to be replaced near-term. You can reach Jesse Duarte at 967-6803 or jduarte@sthelenastar.com. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. The City of St. Helena is going to gather more public input before deciding the best route for the Napa Valley Vine Trail through St. Helena. The City Council signed off Tuesday on an outreach process consisting of at least two Zoom community workshops, two open houses, and two Zoom meetings for businesses. 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 The Active Transportation Committee will review the feedback collected during those meetings and make a formal recommendation to the council, which could select a route in March. Meanwhile, the Vine Trail has commissioned a parking study west of Highway 29, a parking lot study at Safeway, and a survey of local school parents. The main question is whether the Vine Trail should use Adams/Oak/Spring, Adams/Oak/Mitchell, or Church/Pope. Theres also been informal talk about potential other routes, but those are the three being analyzed by a consultant, BKF. The Active Transportation Committee reviewed the options in November and didnt reach consensus on how to get the trail through the downtown. Adams/Oak would better serve students riding to school, but it would eliminate 40 to 50 parking spaces used by businesses and their customers. Church would eliminate about 20 spaces or zero if the street were converted to one-way. However, it wouldnt be as useful to students. The Vine Trail is happy with any of these three different alternatives, said Chuck McMinn, founder and board president of the Napa Valley Vine Trail. They are a huge improvement over sending adults and children meandering down the streets of St. Helena. Councilmember Eric Hall said he was concerned about the loss of downtown parking spaces. He said hed like to investigate another route on the east side of town that would go from Adams to the Hunter property to Starr to Pope to College to Mills, with a spur leading to the redwood grove near the Wastewater Treatment Plant. McMinn said that route would be so far out of the way that people wouldnt use it, but he's willing to have it looked at during the upcoming input process. You can reach Jesse Duarte at 967-6803 or jduarte@sthelenastar.com. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. "Alone we can do so little. Together we can do so much." Helen Keller Fifteen brave poets and writers, masked and distanced, gathered at the Yountville Community Hall on Jan. 8 to consider poetry as nourishment for the soul. 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 "Every moment is a fresh beginning." T. S. Elliot John Petraglia lead a discussion of poetic ways to imagine hope, gratitude, new beginnings, and community. Our goal for the afternoon was to fashion a found poem. Poets would offer a line or two from their poems. John would take these lines and fashion a poem. This found verse will be placed in the 500 bags given out at the Food Bank in Napa. Thanks to Copy Corner in Napa for printing the poems free of charge. "As we express our gratitude we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words but to live by them." John Kennedy Alan Arnopole incanted songs to inspire verses. Some shared their rough drafts with a poet next to them. Other writers were very quiet, awaiting the muse to nudge them to fashion a line. I was so impressed with these gifted writers and what inspiring verses they created. "Poetry is when an emotion has found its thought and the thought has found its words." Robert Frost Here is the found poem that John Petraglia created and the wonderful poets mentioned below who contributed to this verse. What a joy to be in the presence of such feeders of the soul. New Beginnings: Poetry is Food for the Soul With the sliver of the silver quarter moon the year turns one foot forward, another follows At night we see stars from distant galaxies the light sets the darkness free Early dawn breaks the dark so now is the time to savor Each day is a new egg more nutritious when shared In a swirl of bright colors beam the love of sun, earth, sky to embrace natures gifts mustard blooms neath the vines mountains awash in greens preferring as I do the living whole I see as I hear to move in the flow knowing that intoning can change reality ahead the road filled with hope open to the new again. Contributing poets included John Petraglia, Linda Kay Murphy, Cathy Carsell, Alan Arnopole, Eileen Tabios, Lance Burris, Joan Osterman, Robin Gabbert, John Armstrong, Jim McDonald, Suzanne Bruce, Kathy Edwards, Bill Murphy. "Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness." Desmond Tutu, Marianne Lyon is Napa County's poet laureate. Another 221 people in Napa County have tested positive for the coronavirus, county health officials announced Wednesday afternoon in their daily update on the spread of COVID-19. The daily case count jumped from the 153 positive tests the county announced Tuesday. COVID-19 cases have been on the upswing locally, as elsewhere in the U.S., with the spread of the virus more contagious Omicron variant, and Napa County reported 880 new cases for the week ending Jan. 6 followed by a one-day increase of 397 cases on Friday. 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 Last weeks seven-day case count exceeds the previous one-week peak of 788 cases during a previous COVID-19 surge in the winter of 2020-21. Napa County is now reporting 59.8 new cases per 100,000 residents over the last seven days, and 15.6% of tests returned positive results during that time, Public Health Officer Dr. Karen Relucio told the county Board of Supervisors on Tuesday. Sixteen people were hospitalized in Napa County on Thursday due to COVID-19, and no local intensive-care beds were available, according to the countys informational website on the virus spread. Napa County reports 153 new COVID-19 cases Tuesday Another 153 people in Napa County have tested positive for the coronavirus, county health officials announced Tuesday in the latest update on The effect of the Omicron-driven surge of the spread of COVID-19 within Napa-area public schools is not yet clear. The most recent infection data from the Napa Valley Unified School District is from the week of Dec. 13, just before a three-week Christmas and New Years recess that ended Monday. In the final week of classes in December, 21 people tested positive for the virus 18 students attending classes in person, one student in at-home independent study, and two employees, according to the NVUSD website. The district, which reported 19 infections the week before, teaches about 16,600 children and teenagers in Napa and American Canyon. School districts in Napa, St. Helena, and Calistoga last week distributed free at-home COVID-19 diagnostic kits to students ahead of their resumption of classes. The program was part of a California effort to supply test kits to public schools ahead of post-holiday reopenings, although shipments were delayed in various parts of the state. You can reach Howard Yune at 530-763-2266 or hyune@napanews.com Concerned about COVID-19? Sign up now to get the most recent coronavirus headlines and other important local and national news sent to your email inbox daily. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Three community members showed up to the city of Napas recent virtual redistricting community workshop, the second workshop overall, an improvement on the zero community members who showed up to the citys first workshop held in-person at Napa Valley College last month and the one member of the public who showed up at a subsequent public hearing later in December. The virtual meeting held last Thursday will likely resemble whats to come for the city's redistricting process. Two in-person workshops scheduled for Jan. 15 have been canceled and two in-person workshops planned for Jan. 30 will be held virtually instead because of the current surge of COVID-19 cases, according to city clerk Tiffany Carranza. The two upcoming public hearings on redistricting which are held during Napa City Council meetings will also be held virtually, the city announced last week. 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 If everything goes according to plan, the city is looking to wrap up the redistricting process and approve the final district map on March 8, a little over a month before the April 17 deadline. The March 8 hearing is currently planned to be in-person, but could switch to virtual as well depending on COVID-19 conditions at that time. The city is currently considering moving forward with the current district map, created with 2010 Census data during the citys switch to district elections in 2020. The city received a considerable amount of feedback to create that map, which was used for the 2020 City Council elections, including 44 proposed maps and 58 community of interest worksheets. (A community of interest is broadly defined as people with shared economic or social interests who live in a defined area.) In comparison, the city this time around has received four proposed draft maps and three community of interest worksheets. The final map will be used for the 2022 Napa City Council elections, during which two seats currently held by councilmembers Liz Alessio and Mary Luros will be up for the vote. Every jurisdiction that uses district elections is required to redistrict every time new Census data comes out, once a decade, to correct for demographic changes that occurred over the previous decade. The city would be allowed to move forward with the current district map, however, because the districts with the largest and smallest populations still only deviate 7.6% in population from each other using 2020 Census data, falling a few percentage points beneath a legal threshold that requires the districts not deviate 10% or more in population. The virtual workshop held last week was similar in content to other recent redistricting presentations. Sophia Garcia, a demographer from Redistricting Partners, gave a PowerPoint presentation, explained redistricting and communities of interest and why community feedback is vital for determining both, and gave a demonstration of how to use the citys DistrictR mapping tool. Garcia explained, for example, that communities of interest are the building blocks of districts, and they're designed to be subjective and open-ended so community members can accurately define what the communities of interest actually consist of. The public should care about defining their communities, she said, because theyre experts on their neighborhoods and the opportunity for input only comes around each decade. Garcia also ran through a series of questions about the redistricting, elaborating on some of the nuances of the process. A group of renters that lives downtown, for example, counts as a community of interest, she said. Historical communities and areas with historic discrimination can and should be recognized as communities of interest when drawing maps, she added. But a statewide group of fans of the San Francisco Giants wouldnt be considered a community of interest because its not a distinct enough group to draw on a map, Garcia said. The city is still looking to receive additional feedback from the community, either in the form of community of interest worksheets or maps, or suggested district maps. For more information about the City of Napa redistricting process, visit cityofnapa.org/1010/Redistricting City of Napa redistricting public hearings and community workshops COMMUNITY WORKSHOPS Sunday, January 30, 2022 10-11:30 a.m. virtual. 1:30-3 p.m. virtual. PUBLIC HEARINGS Unless they're held virtually, Public Hearings will take place at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chamber located inside City Hall at 955 School St. (virtual hearing) Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2022, (with maps) (virtual hearing) Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2022, (with maps and Introduction/1st Reading of Ordinance) (Currently planned as an in-person hearing) Tuesday, March 8, 2022, (with maps - Final Adoption/2nd Reading of Ordinance) You can reach Edward Booth at (707) 256-2213. Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Dozens of California lawmakers are getting behind a bill that would raise a tax credit for renters by hundreds of dollars, marking the first potential increase in the tax break in decades. The bill, Senate Bill 843 would increase the tax credit for joint filers making $87,066 or less from $120 to $1,000, and from $60 to $500 for single filers who earn $43,533 or less. It would be the first increase in the tax credit since 1979 if the proposal passes. 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 The bill also would make single parents eligible for the same credit as couples, and would allow people to receive the full credit even if the amount exceeds their tax liability. "For too long, we've treated renters like the doormat outside California's economic recovery house," said bill author Sen. Steve Glazer, D-Orinda. "We cannot make an economic comeback without renters having their rightful place inside. Renters have waited 42 years for a modest level of fairness in our tax code. We can't make them wait any longer." The bill would make the tax credit available to nearly 2.4 million renters in California, according to Glazer, who cited 2019 Franchise Tax Board estimates. "An increase in the renters' tax credit will mean that people don't have to choose between putting food on the table, taking their kids to the doctor, and making the rent," Glazer said in a statement. Glazer's bill has the support of 42 other lawmakers, including Republicans Assemblyman Steven Choi, R-Irvine, Sen. Scott Wilk, R-Santa Clarita, Assemblywoman Janet Nguyen, R-Huntington Beach, and Sen. Brian Jones, R-Santee. One lawmaker cited the state's projected budget surplus is arguing for the bill. "The state's $45 billion budget surplus was built on the backs of hardworking Californians, including renters, who now deserve a break," Jones said in a statement. The renter's credit first was established in 1972. Lawmakers increased it in 1979, where it has remained ever since. "Since its only increase in 1979, rents in California have more than quintupled while the renters credit remained flat. Median state rent exceeds $1,500 a month for a two-bedroom apartment, and rentals in cities like San Francisco average more than $2,700 a month," according to a statement from Glazer's office. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Amid growing awareness of inequality and jobs that don't pay enough to cover child care and housing, California is considering a radical proposal: Allow the state to negotiate wages, hours and work conditions for an entire industry. Proponents in the state Legislature say one solution to inequality is to empower workers to negotiate through unions, but that's not happening in the fast food industry where frequent turnover, inexperience and intimidation make it too difficult for workers to organize. Only 3 percent of fast food and counter workers belong to unions nationwide. 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 In Sacramento, a union-backed Democratic proposal called the Fast Food Accountability and Standards Recovery Act, or FAST Recovery Act, would establish a state-appointed council to enact industry-wide minimum standards for wages, working hours and work conditions. If passed by state lawmakers and signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom, the proposal would also hold corporate franchisors responsible for compliance, not just the local franchise owners. "California has the opportunity to really pave a path forward in a way that can work for both workers and employers," said David Madland, a senior adviser to the American Worker Project at the Center for American Progress, a liberal Washington, D.C., think tank. Legislation to approve the FAST Recovery Act, AB 257, fell three votes short of passing the state Assembly last June with eight Democrats voting no and another 13 not voting. Newsom did not take a position. With strong support from major state labor groups, the issue is expected to resurface this year even though the bill's author, Assemblymember Lorena Gonzalez, unexpectedly resigned from office the first week of January to transition into chief officer of the California Labor Federation, which supports the proposal. One of the nation's largest unions, Service Employees International Union, vowed to continue pushing the bill. It funds the Fight for $15 and a Union campaign, which organizes low-wage workers to advocate for better wages and work conditions, primarily in fast food. Fight for $15 is planning an art demonstration, downgraded from a rally due to Omicron concerns, on Wednesday at the state Capitol and Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon could transfer authorship to a committee or another lawmaker. "The path forward on this bill is still being worked out," said Rendon's spokesperson Katie Talbot. Address low wage and poor conditions Proponents, who have set up a website, say the FAST Recovery Act is needed to address low wages and poor conditions for workers. California's fast food workers -- a majority of whom are people of color, Latino and women -- made an average $14.73 an hour in 2020, with California's minimum wage rising to $15 this month for most businesses. Proponents also point out they are more vulnerable to COVID-19 and more likely to encounter injury, wage theft, customer assault and harassment. A new report from the UCLA Labor Center documents dangerous conditions during the pandemic, with nearly a quarter of surveyed workers having contracted the virus. Less than half said their employers offered paid sick leave -- mandated by state and federal law -- to workers who got COVID-19. "It may not be in the cards to have the kind of traditional labor format we've seen in the United States in the near future," said Saru Jayaraman, director of the UC Berkeley Food Labor Research Center. "But it may very well be in the cards to see these really innovative sector-wide, power-building strategies that change entire sectors." The idea of negotiating wages and work conditions for an industry, rather than for each workplace separately, has been modeled for many years in Europe and around the world. Known as "sectoral bargaining," it has also gained support among progressives in the U.S. such as Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren as a way to reduce income inequality. Multiple studies of sectoral bargaining in other countries have found evidence that it reduces inequality, and tends to swell union ranks -- with some notable exceptions. But a number of European studies find that sectoral bargaining can reduce profits or productivity for companies. A 2015 study found that sectoral bargaining led to more layoffs during the Great Recession in Europe. Under current American labor law, true sectoral bargaining is rare because multiple employers would have to voluntarily agree to come to the same negotiating table with workers, said Madland, the researcher at the Center for American Progress. He says America achieved this in the auto industry more than a century ago, and rail workers benefit from that arrangement today. However, American "workers cannot insist on multi-employer bargaining," unlike in other countries, he said. The California proposal would carve a state path by directing an 11-member council -- composed of fast food workers, franchisees and franchisors, and state health, safety and labor officials -- to do the negotiating. The governor and leaders in the state Senate and Assembly would appoint the members. Its rules would be revisited every three years and, unlike traditional collective bargaining, they would be enforced by state agencies. The laws would apply to every restaurant that belongs to a fast food chain with 30 or more franchises. Opposition from business, moderate Democrats It's a highly controversial proposal with opposition from industry, Republicans and a divide among Democrats. Before the bill's failed Assembly vote in June, Assemblymember Ken Cooley, a moderate Democrat from Rancho Cordova, said the power given to an unelected council was an "exceedingly problematic" precedent that is "undermining of the rule of law." Business groups are also adamant the government stay out of private negotiations. They argue the free market adjusts wages where it is needed, citing the fact that many California fast food restaurants are now raising their wages to $17 or $18 per hour to attract workers amid a labor shortage. Republicans said the bill was an example of government overreach that would destroy minimum wage jobs and small businesses. Meanwhile, the coalition of organizations lobbying against the bill, which include 40 local and ethnic chambers of commerce, launched a website with the slogan "Stop the Takeout Takeover." "The people who will pay for Lorena Gonzalez's initiative aren't the 'evil corporations.' It's the working people who rely on that fast food" for either meals or employment, said Will Swaim, president of the right-leaning California Policy Center. Industry groups also questioned whether the new model is needed since California is known for the strictest labor standards in the country, such as being first to set the $15 minimum wage and protections against heat illness. "Throwing all of that out to this test case of a panel is absurd," said Matt Sutton, a senior vice president at the California Restaurant Association. Sutton also said the FAST Recovery Act's extension of liability to corporate franchisors could raise costs and potentially drive fast-food chains out of the state. Franchise owners testified in hearings that the bill could change the franchise model, making local owners more regulated by the corporation and less independent. "AB 257 would result in me and so many other franchisees losing our autonomy since the state would essentially be stripping us of our identity as business owners and making us basically employees for large corporations," said Michaela Mendelsohn, a franchise owner of multiple El Pollo Loco restaurants, at a spring hearing. State-imposed bargaining Gonzalez said she also believes her bill is not the best solution. She says the state government shouldn't be in the business of bargaining and she would rather maintain "a private-sector approach to reducing income inequality." Unions, Gonzalez added, do a better job responding to workers' needs worksite by worksite instead of one-size-fits-all state labor laws, which employers fight and the government enforces unevenly. But given that businesses continue to fight union drives, Gonzalez said, and the U.S. Congress has stalled on federal labor law reform, the FAST Recovery Act is necessary to help workers and, she hopes, encourage more support for labor unions. "Maybe an individual fast food franchisee or restaurant says 'You know what, I'd rather have a conversation with my workers in my workplace, allow them if they so want to unionize, and provide them not what these people at the state level are bargaining for but what the workers in my workplace actually want,'" Gonzalez said. "That would be a great solution." For now, though, Assemblymember Ash Kalra, a San Jose Democrat who chairs the Assembly labor and employment committee, said that where labor organizing campaigns have failed in low-wage industries, the government needs to act. "That's the only way you can do it in some of these industries," Kalra said. "Worksite by worksite is nearly impossible." Fast food workers protest Two McDonald's workers agreed. At different franchises in California, both helped organize two-week walkouts during the pandemic, with support from Fight for $15. Imelda Arroyo earns $15.50 per hour at a McDonald's in Oakland. She has little left for her 7-year-old daughter after paying $1,950 for rent. The single mother feels she deserves better wages, health insurance, paid sick leave, and "a place where we can explain our concerns" before having to resort to strikes. Even though "fast food workers like me don't have a union," Arroyo said, "at least we are hoping to get something like AB 257." Another worker, Imelda Rosales, said her weekly hours were cut from 40 to 27 after protesting unsafe work conditions and unpaid sick leave last winter at a McDonald's in a small, desert town near Palmdale. The franchise owner, Andrew Marroquin, said the restaurant complied with paid emergency leave for all employees and didn't retaliate, but Rosales disputes his claim. "We have to hurry up and fight so that the law passes," Rosales said. "And then continue (fighting) for the union after." CalMatters is a public interest journalism venture committed to explaining how Californias Capitol works and why it matters. California's COVID-19 workplace rules are set to change Friday with more stringent requirements taking effect for employee testing and mask-wearing. They new rules from Cal-OSHA come as California struggles to respond to a new wave of omicron variant COVID-19 cases. One of the biggest changes has to do with employees who have to get a COVID-19 test after exposure in the workplace. 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 Self-administered, self-read tests in other words, tests taken at home will no longer be allowed under the new regulations. Instead, a test can go to a laboratory, an employee can take a test in front of a supervisor or an employee can take a test in front of a health care representative. The Department of Industrial Relations said in a statement that employers are free to offer self-read, self-administered COVID-19 tests in addition to the testing which must be offered under the proposed regulation. "For instance, over the course of the pandemic some employers have offered broad, surveillance testing even though that is not required by the regulation," said a department spokesperson. Employees already are required to wear a face covering when indoors. However, Cal-OSHA is tightening its definition of what qualifies as a face covering. The new definition includes "a surgical mask, a medical procedure mask, a respirator worn voluntarily or a tightly woven fabric or non-woven material of at least two layers." In the case of a fabric mask, it must not let light pass through when held up to a light source. According to a Department of Industrial Relations spokesperson, the "light test" is based in part on guidance from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The idea is to "contain the wearer's potentially infectious respiratory particles produced when they cough, sneeze, or talk." "Cloth face coverings do not need to completely block out light this is just one way to help assess if it is made from a tightly woven fabric or non-woven material. Holding a face covering up to a light is also a good way to see if there are any very small holes or perforations that would not normally be visible," according to a department spokesperson. This regulation has drawn criticism from some in the business community, who say that it means cloth masks that allow light to shine through will no longer be compliant with state rules. "Employers really need to review the new regulations closely, because there are significant changes to who has to be tested, and when. Particularly, employers are going to see more testing even for vaccinated individuals," said Robert Moutrie with the California Chamber of Commerce. These regulations follow new guidance from the California Department of Public Health recommending that people where surgical masks or N95 and KN95 respirators instead of cloth masks. Cal-OSHA recommends that employers and employees consider the Department of Public Health's guidance about the effectiveness of face coverings. California has extended its indoor mask order, which began in mid-December, through Feb. 15. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Maryland was supposed to put the coronavirus pandemic behind it last year. The turn of the calendar to 2021 brought hope. Vaccines, the first doses having been administered to health care workers at the end of 2020, were to be made available promptly to the rest of the public. Advertisement Soon enough, they were. However, the vaccine rollout took longer than many hoped. And even when the inoculations were widely offered, some residents were hesitant to get theirs. By years end, approximately 70% of the states population had completed a two-dose vaccine course or received the single-shot inoculation. As the virus evolved into more contagious variants, scientists realized another dose was necessary to fully protect against serious illness, hospitalization and death. A smaller proportion of Marylands population, about 26%, had received a booster dose by the end of 2021. Advertisement Even with the protection of vaccines and more effective ways to treat those who fall ill with COVID-19, Maryland found itself closing out 2021 much as it did 2020: setting records for cases and hospitalizations and looking ahead to whats projected to be a winter marred by a virus surging at an unprecedented level. The big picture is that were better at treating this disease; we have more tools, said Dr. Chris Beyrer, a public health researcher at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. But unfortunately, what were seeing is that first of all is that the virus is changing delta and omicron both were not circulating January of last year. Heres a look at some of the statistics from 2021, and what they show about the second year of the pandemic in Maryland. Cases and deaths There were nearly twice as many coronavirus cases in Maryland in 2021 than 2020, according to health department data. Yet preliminary data from the health department suggests a few hundred fewer Marylanders died of COVID-19 during 2021 than during 2020, when, according to the most recent data available, about 6,100 perished. At the end of 2020, there was about one reported death for every 50 reported cases. For deaths and cases reported during 2021, it was about one for every 80. Beyrer and Neil Sehgal, an assistant professor at the University of Maryland School of Public Health, say that is because the vaccines are doing their jobs. What weve seen in 2021 is a decoupling of cases from hospitalization and death but only at the population level, Sehgal said. If you are unvaccinated, your risk for serious illness, hospitalization and death hasnt markedly changed. Advertisement Still, enough people died of COVID-19 in 2021 to make it the third-leading cause of death in the state once again behind only heart disease and cancer, when compared with historical data. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there were 4,200 excess deaths in Maryland in 2021 through mid-November, before the damaging COVID-19 surge that killed hundreds as the year drew to a close. In 2020, there were 7,400 excess deaths the difference between observed death numbers and expected death numbers, calculated based on historical averages. Just as in 2020, the majority of Marylanders whose COVID-19 deaths were reported in 2021 were older adults. As of Dec. 4, when the data was last updated, those 70 and older made up 62% of all deaths from coronavirus in the state. January was by far the years deadliest month, with more than 1,000 COVID-19-related deaths reported. That month, one Marylander was dying from COVID-19 roughly every 36 minutes. By comparison, in July, 82 people died from COVID-19. But the number of deaths caused by the virus rose again in the fall and winter, and more than 500 people died from the virus in December. Hospitalizations Maryland began 2021 amid a then-record-setting surge of coronavirus hospitalizations that began December 2020. Health department data shows hospitalizations decreased from a peak of approximately 1,950 patients in mid-January to about 765 the second week of March. April saw hospitalizations climb back up to over 1,000 patients before dropping off significantly over the summer. Advertisement Come Thanksgiving, hospitalizations were on the rise again. By Christmas, the data shows, theyd tripled. Between Christmas and New Years, more hospital beds were occupied than ever before during the pandemic, eclipsing 2,000 COVID-19 patients for the first time. Approximately 75% of COVID-19 patients were not vaccinated, according to the state. By then, hospitals knew better how to treat COVID-19 patients. But Maryland hospitals are facing a new challenge during this surge: The health care industry experienced an exodus of doctors, nurses and other staff after last winters pandemic peaks, leaving fewer professionals to care for Marylands ill. The average hospitalized persons prognosis is much better today than it was in 2020 because clinicians have a better understanding for how to treat a person with COVID-19 and there are more therapeutics available to them, Sehgal said. Unfortunately, it gets challenging to adequately care for any patient as our hospitals fill. Surges happened around holidays, during winter Cases, hospitalizations and deaths began trending upward in 2020 and 2021 as the weather got colder and spiked after the winter holidays brought people together indoors. This is so much an indoor virus, and outdoor activities are so much safer, Beyrer said. But when people are indoors, places where theyre not with family, theyre not with people whose vaccine status they know, they should definitely be masked. Advertisement If there are any key differences between 2021-22s winter surge and the one a year prior, its that the coronavirus is spreading far faster this time around with omicron. Twenty-nine years Ive been doing infectious disease epidemiology, Ive never seen an infection curve like that, Beyrer said of the omicron-fueled surge. I said to people when I saw it, It looks like a rocket trajectory, not an infection curve. Sehgal said the omicron tidal wave has been exacerbated by the fact that the state has gone for a sickness mitigation, promoting vaccines, rather than transmission prevention strategy, like mandating masks indoors and distancing. Absent a statewide policy, some jurisdictions, including Baltimore City and Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Howard, Montgomery and Prince Georges counties, opted to reinstate or maintain indoor mask mandates. Geography Rural counties logged the highest death rates per capita in 2020 and 2021. Allegany, Garrett and Kent counties, among the states least populous, had the most deaths per 10,000 residents in 2020. Dorchester County, which is on the Eastern Shore, logged the highest death rate per capita in 2021 with 19.7 per 10,000 residents. Allegany and Washington counties, both in Western Maryland, were not far behind with 17.8 and 17.2 deaths per 10,000 residents, respectively. Advertisement As of Dec. 31, Allegany had the fourth-smallest percentage of its population fully vaccinated either by completing a two-dose inoculation course or getting Johnson & Johnsons single-shot vaccine at 53.4%. Dorchester and Washington counties were not far ahead, both with about 55% of their populations fully vaccinated. Demographics At the outset, nonwhite communities were hit hardest by the pandemic, making up shares of cases and deaths greater than their proportions of the population. People of color are more likely to work essential jobs, those for which one cant telecommute, and to live in multigenerational households, according Beyrer and Sehgal, placing them at higher risk of contracting the virus, and perhaps spreading it to an older relative. Privilege is highly protective in the middle of a pandemic, Sehgal said. In 2020, Hispanic Marylanders had the highest case rate per 100,000 people, and in 2021 Black Marylanders did. At 8,652 cases per 100,000 people, they were far more likely to get infected than any other racial group. Breaking News Alerts As it happens When big news breaks in our area, be the first to know. > In 2020, Black Marylanders had the highest death rate from COVID-19 of any racial group, but in 2021, white Marylanders had the worst outcomes, with 102 deaths per 100,000 people. Advertisement After the first four months of vaccinations, when only older adults, essential workers, those with certain health vulnerabilities and people living in congregate settings were eligible, over a third of white residents had been fully vaccinated compared with about one in five Black residents and about one in nine Hispanic Marylanders, based on 2020 census population counts. Over the next month, when shots opened up to all Marylanders 16 or older, mass vaccination sites were in full swing, and the state ramped up its equity strategy, the pace of shots increased for everyone. Uptake for Black residents and especially for Hispanic residents, though, accelerated faster than that for white residents. By years end, the gap had narrowed moderately for Black residents and more substantially for Hispanic residents. On Dec. 31, almost three-quarters of white residents were fully vaccinated while the rates for Black residents and Hispanic residents were each below 60%. Much of the early gap for Marylands Hispanic population, and some that remains, can be attributed to the fact that it skews younger than other groups. According to 2020 Census Bureau estimates, almost a quarter of Hispanic residents are under the age of 12, none of whom were eligible to be vaccinated until shots opened up to 12- to 15-year-olds in mid-May. What was once racial and ethnic disparity has turned political, Beyrer said. A December NPR study found that people living in counties that voted heavily for Republican President Donald Trump during the last presidential election were about three times more likely to die from COVID-19 as people living in areas that broke for Democratic President Joe Biden. Those counties had lower vaccination rates. Theres no question that the politicization of COVID, the politicization of the COVID vaccines, particularly among subgroups like white evangelical Christians, have really exposed that community to lower vaccine coverage and higher rates of COVID, Beyrer said. And with the infectivity of omicron and delta, those communities remain highly vulnerable. Prince Andrew has formally denied allegations that he sexually abused Virginia Giuffre and has demanded a jury trial in her civil lawsuit, according to a legal filing Wednesday in the US District Court for the Southern District of New York. The 11-page filing responds paragraph-by-paragraph to the allegations in Giuffre's lawsuit, in which she alleged that the late financier Jeffrey Epstein trafficked her and forced her to have sex with his friends, including Andrew, and that Andrew was aware she was underage in the US at the time. She alleged Andrew sexually abused her at Epstein's private island in the US Virgin Islands, at his mansion in Manhattan and at his former girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell's home in London. In his response Wednesday, the prince repeatedly and flatly denied the abuse. "Prince Andrew denies that he was a co-conspirator of Epstein or that Epstein trafficked girls to him," his attorneys Andrew B. Brettler and Melissa Y. Lerner wrote. He also denied he was a "close friend" of Maxwell and denied that he became a "frequent guest" in Epstein's homes around the world. On other points, the attorneys write that the prince "lacks sufficient information to admit or deny the allegations." Still, Andrew did admit in the court filing that he met Epstein in 1999; that Epstein and Maxwell attended the prince's 40th birthday party in 2000; and that Andrew was photographed with Epstein in Central Park and stayed at Epstein's New York City mansion in 2010. Finally, the filing puts forth 11 affirmative defenses, including one that states, "Giuffre's alleged causes of action are barred in whole or in part by her own wrongful conduct and the doctrine of unclean hands." Giuffre's attorney David Boies said in a statement they looked forward to a trial. "Prince Andrew's answer continues his approach of denying any knowledge or information concerning the claims against him, and purporting to blame the victim of the abuse for somehow bringing it on herself," he said. "We look forward to confronting Prince Andrew with his denials and attempts to blame Ms. Giuffre for her own abuse at his deposition and at trial." How we got here The filing comes two weeks after a federal judge in New York denied the prince's motion to dismiss the lawsuit. The ruling set up a dramatic series of legal proceedings for Queen Elizabeth II's third child that could have major ramifications for Buckingham Palace. The long-running allegations against Andrew, 61, have already dramatically tarnished his public standing, and he stepped back from royal duties in late 2019. In the wake of the judge's decision earlier this month, Andrew was stripped of his military titles and charities, Buckingham Palace announced. Andrew has until July 14 to potentially answer questions about the case under oath, following a ruling made by Judge Lewis Kaplan last year. If the case is not settled, Andrew could face a trial date between September and December 2022. Giuffre brought her case under the Child Victims Act, a New York state law enacted in 2019 that temporarily expanded the statute of limitations in child sex abuse cases. The civil suit stems from the sprawling and disturbing allegations against Epstein, the wealthy sex offender who befriended a series of powerful men despite a sketchy history. Epstein pleaded guilty in 2008 to state prostitution charges and in July 2019 was indicted on federal sex trafficking charges. Prosecutors accused him of carrying out a decades-long scheme of sexual abuse of underage girls, flying them on private planes to his properties in Florida, New York, New Mexico and the US Virgin Islands. He died by suicide in prison before he could face trial. Maxwell, his former girlfriend and close associate, was arrested in 2020 and accused of facilitating the abuse scheme. A federal jury convicted her in December on five federal counts, including sex trafficking a minor and conspiracy. Giuffre was not one of the four women who testified in Maxwell's trial that they had been abused. Still, she was mentioned in the trial when Carolyn, one of the victims, testified that Giuffre had recruited her to come to Epstein's home in Palm Beach, Florida. The-CNN-Wire & 2022 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved. CNN's Lauren del Valle and Rob Picheta contributed to this report. 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Resistance Movement coordinator: Armenian people told whole world that they are masters of their destiny, future A mobile vendor accused of mishandling hundreds of COVID-19 vaccine doses delivered a majority of the suspect shots at public clinics at a state park, courthouses, grocery stores and other community settings, according to a Baltimore Sun data analysis. TrueCare24, the San Francisco-based company, is the subject of a complaint filed last month by a Maryland Department of Health employee accusing the company of improperly storing and handling vaccines and not providing required records, potentially affecting the vaccines effectiveness. Advertisement TrueCare reported giving at least 1,455 doses of vaccine during a period spanning from late July to mid-September, according to documents obtained by The Baltimore Sun. Of those, the state health department said it validated, or cleared for use, about 500 of the doses given with the help of the vaccines clinical and medical support staff at manufacturers Pfizer, Moderna and Janssen, the Johnson & Johnson pharmaceutical arm. But of the nearly 1,000 shots that the department did not validate, about a quarter were given out at Sandy Point State Park in Annapolis, according to the records. TrueCare made at least eight trips to Sandy Point from Aug. 15 to Sept. 6 and administered some 230 doses in all. The next most common sites were courthouses followed by Compare Foods stores. Advertisement The largest portion of the vaccines TrueCare administered went to people at state detention centers, but most of those were among the doses cleared by the state health department. Health department officials said 135 doses TrueCare gave at detention centers were not validated by the department. The Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services declined to comment. Representatives from TrueCare, Moderna and Janssen have not responded to requests for comment. Representatives from Pfizer declined to comment, calling the situation a local matter. The health department began notifying those who may have received problematic doses of vaccine late last month, spokesman Andy Owen said, and the matter remains under internal review. On Thursday, state Health Secretary Dennis R. Schrader said during a virtual hearing with Maryland lawmakers that the department had notified 873 individuals of the situation and had offered each a supplemental dose of vaccine out of an abundance of caution. He said the individuals were contacted by email, phone, text message and letters, with Spanish language translation available. In her complaint, Jessicah Ray, a licensed clinician and former deputy director of a Maryland Department of Health coronavirus recovery program, said TrueCare improperly stored and handled vaccines and kept incomplete and problematic records. The three vaccines available to U.S. consumers have strict storage requirements. Most vaccines are to be kept at temperatures between 36 and 46 degrees in refrigerators. The vaccines are fragile, and may not work if they are stored at different temperatures, according to medical professionals and immunologists. Its possible, Ray said, that those who received mishandled doses could be less protected against COVID-19 than they think. As the new, more contagious omicron variant circulates, she said its important that those who received a questionable dose get revaccinated. Ray said she was comfortable that the validated doses met validity criteria, based on her assessments of the digital temperature logs and after cross-checking the storage requirements of the vaccines. Advertisement She said there were several procedural errors and other quality control blunders that made her question the integrity of TrueCares work. Company representatives failed, she said, to submit chain-of-custody forms that detail how the vaccine temperatures fared during transit to the department. They are necessary to ensure the full reliability of vaccines. Dr. Jinlene Chan, the states deputy secretary for public health services, told lawmakers Thursday that the agencys and federal regulators chief concern centered on the documentation problems. This, however, does not mean the vaccines themselves were spoiled, she said. The issue is not so much that we know that they were spoiled, just the documentation, Chan said. So, we are uncertain that the vaccines were held at the appropriate temperature. It does not mean that they were not, it just means that the documentation was not there. She said the department does not believe the vaccines had the potential to cause harm or other adverse effects to those who received them. We do not believe that would be the case, given the circumstances, Chan said. Thats why we are emphasizing, out of abundance of caution, were recommending based on CDC guidance, an additional dose. Ray also said TrueCares handwritten logs documenting the vaccine temperatures during site operations didnt always match the digital logs. When MDH pressed for more missing documents, TrueCare representatives did provide many, she said, though they did not always correspond with the original digital logs. Advertisement When there were excursion events, meaning when the temperatures were too high or too low, she alleges the company failed to complete required reports explaining what happened. Those reports help validate that the vaccines are safe and effective to use. Ray wasnt the only one asking questions. In emails obtained by The Sun, Kurt Seetoo, immunization program manager at the health department, said there were at least eight hours of temperature excursion events Sept. 2 that the company didnt provide an explanation for. There are alarms on the current logs for a total of more than 8 hours (7 hours too high 1 hour too low) on the 9/2 log, Seetoo wrote in a Sept. 9 email. What did the team do in response to these alarms? What is their protocol? According to Ray, the health department identified at least 75 excursion events during a preliminary review, and there was difficulty identifying the cause. Asked for advice, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended health officials notify and revaccinate hundreds of people, the health department said. The CDC has not replied to a request for comment. Advertisement Several Maryland lawmakers have called for more transparency into the mobile vaccination program run by the state health department, which has overseen the vaccination of millions of people statewide since the shots first became authorized for use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in December 2020. State Del. Heather Bagnall, an Anne Arundel County Democrat whose district includes Sandy Point State Park, said she has heard from a handful of constituents worried about the clinics they attended in her district. Some of them already have been contacted by the health department to advise them to get another shot, but its not clear what process health officials are following to reach patients, she said. We dont know what that process of notification is, which makes it hard to know if we are adequately notifying the people that might have been affected, she said. Thats my greatest concern. In addition to thinking the health department didnt act quickly enough to notify vaccine recipients about the potential problems with their shots, Bagnall said she also worries about Rays protection at work. Ray said she was removed from her position as a deputy director overseeing vaccine and testing compliance and put into a different program, where she was instructed not to communicate with her colleagues involved in assessing the compliance of clinical operations. Breaking News Alerts As it happens When big news breaks in our area, be the first to know. > We might need greater protections for whistleblowers so that if people see something, they can say something, Bagnall said. Advertisement Meanwhile, State Sen. Shelly Hettleman, a Democrat who represents Baltimore County, called the decision of the departments inspector general not to investigate really concerning. She said it illustrates why she proposed a bill that passed the legislature last year to establish an independent inspector general office for the agency. The law doesnt take effect until July. Currently, the inspector generals office is a division within the department that is empowered to investigate potential fraud, waste and abuse of state funds. Schrader said Thursday that the department takes the effectiveness of vaccines and patient safety seriously. Thats why the department stopped assigning TrueCare new clinics once the complaints surfaced, he said. He said he agrees that the notification process took too long. After the CDC advised the department Nov. 22 to reach out to the affected individuals, that didnt start happening until Dec. 30, Schrader said. I am not happy about how long it took MDH to determine clinical next steps and reach out to individuals, he said. What we were slow at was getting the advice from manufacturers and the CDC. And that shouldve been much faster. Schrader said the department is holding four supplemental vaccine clinics this week for the individuals vaccinated at detention centers all inmates. Richard Mason, a teacher at Bates Middle School in Annapolis who is also known as Maestro Mason, wanted to challenge himself by releasing a new original or cover song every month, so he started with a Christmas song featuring some of his students. Christmas Time in Maryland America was originally Mason by himself, but some students heard it and wanted to be a part of it. Advertisement Mason teaches Italian and seventh grade social studies at the middle school. He has been in Annapolis for nine years and, before that, lived in Rome and around Italy. The Scotland native, who was also a university professor for a time, traveled around the United Kingdom and Europe playing in rock bands before moving to the United States. He describes his music as British rock. I noticed the songs I wrote in Italy and Scotland and here are influenced immensely by the place that I am in, Mason said. In Rome, it was an impressive city and there were so many things to get inspired by. In America, there is an openness to it and it is very vast and that influences me. Advertisement The subjects of Masons songs are just what is currently going on around him, he said, and his new song, January Six, has to do with last years insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. Mason remembers teaching virtually last year due to the coronavirus pandemic and watching the news of the attack. For the song, Mason created lyrics from transcripts of people speaking about the insurrection, where thousands of supporters of then-President Donald Trump sought to disrupt the certification of Joe Bidens election victory. I was at home with the guitar strumming away and watching the events take place, and that song kind of just wrote itself, he said. Their words seemed to fit better than anything I could say. The monthly songs, he said, are his newest challenge so he can prepare for another possible lockdown amid rising COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations. By the end of the school year, Mason said he will have enough songs to put out an album, but he doesnt have a name yet. He expects some of his students will give him a good title. I am not hoping for another lockdown or online learning. I am having the best year teaching in person, Mason said. This group of kids is just so much fun. For February, the kids will be taking over again for a Valentines Day song, covering The Marvelettes Please Mr. Postman. This is an art school, so they just love taking a part in anything involving being creative and they get to put what they study into practice. They leap at it, Mason said. They had so much fun with the Christmas song, and they are so brilliant. Armenian News - NEWS.am presents the daily digest of Armenia-related top news as of 13.01.22: Ankara University Professor Bulent Iplikcioglu has posted a map on Facebookand under the headline "Hellenism and Anatolia in the Roman Era." It is noteworthy that both Greater Armenia and Lesser Armenia, which were not covered up by this Turkish professor, make up a considerable part of this map for the 1st and 2nd centuries. At Thursdays Cabinet meeting, the government of Armenia dismissed Razmik Tevonyan from the post of Governor of Ararat Province. And by another decision, his son, Sedrak Tevonyan, was appointed the new provincial governor of Ararat. Sedrak Tevonyan had given up his parliamentary seat on January 4. And Razmik Tevonyan was appointed governor of Ararat Province on December 10, 2020, then he had submitted his resignation on September 9, 2021, from this office, but a few days later he had withdrawn his resignation. At Thursdays Cabinet meeting of the government of Armenia, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated that, unfortunately, we continue to have incidents and casualties at the border with Azerbaijan. "We have declared our policy, and I have said that one of the first tasks is to continuously increase the defense capability of our country. But, on the other hand, I said that we need strong nerves to open the agenda of our declared peaceful development," he said. Pashinyan added that many will constantly attempt to prove that the aforesaid is impossible. "We will move consistently on this path, and we must do everything to create a stable and secure environment around our country. This is our most important political task, especially after the 2020 [Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh)] war and the 2021 snap parliamentary elections [in Armenia]," Pashinyan said. FLYONE Armenia has received permission from the Turkish authorities to operate Yerevan-Istanbul-Yerevan flights, Aram Ananyan, chairman of the board of directors of this Armenian airline, told TASS. "We have planned the first flight on February 2," he added. As previously reported, FLYONE Armenia and Turkish Pegasus Airlines have been issued licenses from the Civil Aviation Committee of Armenia to operate non-scheduled flights between Yerevan and Istanbul. Baku will suppress attempts of the OSCE Minsk Group to engage in the Karabakh conflict, local media reported citing Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev. Aliyev said that OSCE should not deal with the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, because it has been solved. Aliyev stressed that the Minsk Group must accept the reality and know that they cannot deal with the Karabakh issue because they will not allow that. As of Thursday morning, 298 new cases of the coronavirus were confirmed in Armenia, and the total number of these cases has reached 346,811 in the country, Armenian News-NEWS.am has learned from the National Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Also, four more deaths from COVID-19 were registered, making the respective total 8,014 cases. SAG Awards nominees have been announced in the United States. One of the films nominated for the award was Ridley Scott's House of Gucci. The creators of the award announced the nominees on the organization's website. Leading the film nominees this year are House of Gucci and The Power of the Dog, with three nominations apiece, while TV series Ted Lasso and Succession are tied for five. The risk of a war in Europe is now significantly higher than at any time in the past 30 years, said the chairman of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), Polish Foreign Minister Zbigniew Rau, Interfax reports. The risk of war in the OSCE area seems to be higher now than at any time in the past 30 years, Rau said at the opening of the OSCE's Permanent Council. At present, the member states are faced with various challenges to peace and security. Protracted conflicts, military confrontation, radicalization, terrorism, together with the weakening of the arms control regime, the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms, lead to increased uncertainty, unpredictability and increased fear in our societies, he added. He said that the OSCE, for its part, needs to focus on efforts to solve security problems in Eastern Europe, in particular, for a peaceful settlement of the conflict in eastern Ukraine. We will be open to dialogue and ready to present initiatives aimed at achieving mutual understanding and reducing tensions in the OSCE region. (...) We want to pay special attention to improving the security situation, contributing to the search for a peaceful solution to regional conflicts, said Rau. We need to focus on a peaceful solution to the conflict around Ukraine in accordance with the Minsk agreements and respecting the sovereignty, territorial integrity and unity of Ukraine, he said. For several weeks now, we have been confronted with the possibility of a major military escalation in Eastern Europe. We have recently heard demands for security guarantees, which are an important part of the OSCE area, Rau said. We are not indifferent to the security objections voiced by member countries. (...) I believe that the OSCE is the right platform for discussing every aspect of comprehensive security, he stressed. At the same time, he noted that the situation with a possible military escalation in the region requires "an international assessment and a proper response." Earlier, the head of EU diplomacy, Josep Borrell, noted that the OSCE, together with the EU and NATO, is a key player in ensuring European security. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov at a briefing following the talks between Russia and the United States, in turn, said that the decision on further contacts with Washington on security guarantees would be made following the consultations between Russia and NATO and within the OSCE. Annapolis state Sen. Sarah Elfreth has been elected the 2022 chair of the Chesapeake Bay Commission. Elfreth, a Democrat, will serve a one-year term for the body made up of bipartisan legislators from Maryland, Virginia and Pennsylvania with the goal of pushing for policies to restore and protect the Chesapeake Bay watershed. She takes over for outgoing Chair Del. David Bulova, a Virginia Democrat, who held the role in 2021. Advertisement Its an absolute honor to take the reins (and gavel) of this phenomenal organization dedicated to bringing bipartisan, multi-state policy solutions to tackle the complex challenges facing our greatest natural treasure, the Chesapeake Bay, Elfreth said in a statement. Im deeply humbled by the confidence my colleagues have in me and Im excited to dig into the important work ahead! Elfreth, who is completing her first term in the Maryland General Assembly, has already won several legislative victories around environmental protections, including passing bills to increase oyster populations in the bay and establishing a resilience authority to protect against impending sea level rise, an issue that will affect all three states, she said. Advertisement Elfreth has already become an environmental leader during her time as a legislator, said Ann Swanson, executive director of the Chesapeake Bay Commission. She is productive and she has already carved out a very significant role as an environmental leader, Swanson said. She is really in the right place at the right time. The commission will next gather in May for its quarterly meeting, but for now, Elfreth said she is focused on her legislative agenda for the General Assembly session, which began Wednesday. Among the environmental legislation Elfreth will champion during the 90-day period are a bill that would expand oyster spat production and another seeking private sector investment into helping achieve bay restoration goals. A third bill, dubbed the Great Maryland Outdoors Act, would provide a once-in-a-generation investment into the Maryland parks system to add new parks and improve existing ones, Elfreth said. Im really looking forward to that Great Maryland Outdoors Act, she said. Environmental bills tend to be a focus of mine because its important to the district so its important to me. Elfreth said her election as chair comes at a pivotal moment for Maryland, as the state is a few short years away from meeting its Watershed Implementation Plan goals. Now is the time to target not just the WIP goals that are in greatest need of our help but the streams, rivers and tributaries that are most impaired, she said. We can and will use the best science, dedicated partners, and increased federal and state investments to make meaningful progress in protecting and restoring the bay for generations to come. She noted the recent announcement that Hilary Harp Falk, an Annapolis resident, was named the new president and CEO of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation and the appointment of Adam Ortiz, a Prince Georges County resident, as the regional administrator for the EPAs Mid-Atlantic region, which includes the bay. Elfreth is close with both, she said. Advertisement Its the first time weve kind of had all of these folks from Maryland, and we all just happened to be good friends and are already working together, she said. Created in 1980, the Chesapeake Bay Commission is the legislative arm of the Chesapeake Bay Program Partnership. In addition to Elfreth, the commission members elected a chair and vice chair from each state delegation. Montgomery County Del. Sara Love, a Democrat, will serve as Marylands vice chair. From Pennsylvania are two Republicans, Chair Rep. Keith Gillespie and Vice Chair Sen. Scott Martin. And from Virginia, Chair Sen. Lynwood Lewis Jr., a Democrat, and Vice Chair Del. Rob Bloxom, a Republican. Other Maryland legislators who serve on the commission include Del. Dana Stein, a Baltimore County Democrat; Del. Tony Bridges, a Baltimore City Democrat; and state Sen. Guy Guzzone, a Howard County Democrat. Maryland Department of Natural Resources Secretary Jeannie Haddaway-Riccio and Thomas McLain Mac Middleton, a Maryland citizen representative, are also members. Spokesperson Vahan Hunanyan of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia spoke to Armenpress news agency. Below is the text of this interview. What are the main objectives the Armenian side tends to achieve through the Armenia-Turkey dialogue? Armenia's expectations from this dialogue, in fact, have not changed since the early 1990s. We expect that diplomatic relations between Armenia and Turkey will be established as a result of the process, and the border between the two countries, which was unilaterally closed by Turkey in the early 1990s, will be opened. It's been argued that by agreeing to launch a dialogue with Turkey, Armenia accepts the preconditions that Turkey has always put forward in the context of normalization of relations with Armenia. How would you comment on that? The Republic of Armenia has repeatedly stated about its readiness to normalize relations with Turkey without any preconditions. In this regard, I should note that Armenias approach has not changed; the same position is reflected in the 2021-2026 program of the Government of Armenia. We have previously mentioned that in our contacts with international partners, we have repeatedly stressed the need to adhere to the principle of "no preconditions." In our opinion, the Turkish government also shares the approach of starting the dialogue without preconditions. The first meeting of the special representatives of the two countries of the Armenia-Turkey dialogue is scheduled for January 14 in Moscow. What is the format of the meeting? What are the expectations of the Armenian side from this meeting? The meeting of the special representatives of Armenia and Turkey in Moscow will be hosted by the Russian side. In fact, this is an introductory meeting. It could hardly be expected to have tangible results as a result of one meeting, but it will mark the launch of the process. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan accused the European Union of injustice, but said Turkey's membership in the EU remains Ankara's priority, calling on the bloc to take a more courageous stance on efforts to improve bilateral relations, Sabah reported. Erdogan said he has personally witnessed attempts to block Turkey's bid for EU membership. He said that Turkey is committed to its goal of becoming a member, adding that accession is a priority for Ankara despite all the injustices. Turkey continues its efforts, he said. He expressed hope that the EU would get rid of what he called strategic blindness and act more courageously in developing relations with Ankara. Stressing Turkey's critical role in solving important problems, Erdogan criticized the EU for its destructive stance. Erdogan said that the EU should prevent attempts to sabotage Turkey-EU relations under the pretext of solidarity. He concluded by saying that Europe would have faced a completely different picture if there were not Turkey's tremendous efforts, referring to the wave of migrants from Syria. CSTO collective peacekeeping forces will be withdrawn from Kazakhstan by January 19, said Russian Defense Minister, General of the Army Sergei Shoigu, TASS reported. He said that they will withdraw all the forces of colleagues from Armenia, Tajikistan and Belarus by 14 flights, and Kyrgyz colleagues will depart taking into account the fact that they are nearby, on their own, and then within five days the withdrawal will be carried out as the remaining peacekeeping forces transfer the facilities. All the work are planned to be finished on the 19th day. According to the Russian minister, CSTO peacekeepers in Kazakhstan have guarded 14 sites of special importance. According to Shoigu, the deployment of CSTO peacekeepers in Kazakhstan allowed to free up about 1.6 thousand members of the republic's security agencies for the fight against bandits. The first closed meeting of the 2022 Permanent Council of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) will take place in Vienna on Thursday. The key topic of the meeting is the presentation by Polish Foreign Minister Zbigniew Rau to the member states of this regional structure of the priorities of the Polish OSCE chairmanship that took over from Sweden on January 1. There will be no special thematic discussion of the ongoing negotiations between Russia and the U.S. on security guarantees, TASS reported. The constituent meeting of the OSCE Permanent Council at the beginning of the year is traditionally devoted to the presentation of the chairman-in-office's program and counterstatements by representatives of the 57 participating states of the organization, including Russia and the United States, in which they may touch upon individual issues of European security. The Polish Chairmanship said Rau will present the 2022 program, focusing on initiatives to resolve regional and frozen conflicts by supporting regional OSCE structures and institutions, efforts to support civilians in conflict zones and actions to promote sustainable development in the OSCE region as it recovers from the pandemic. The OSCE participating States will also be able to make statements on Poland's priorities and their visions of the situation in the OSCE area of responsibility. A spokesman for the Polish chairmanship said in response to a TASS reporter's question that this will not be a special meeting on individual tensions in the OSCE region. Speaking about the possibility of discussing Russia's talks with the U.S. and NATO on security guarantees, he said that the first meeting this year should inform the ambassadors of OSCE member states what Poland's priorities will be. Rau will also hold a joint press conference for journalists with OSCE Secretary General Helga Schmid. Moscow is seriously concerned about new aggravation on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said. Her remarks came after Azerbaijani aggression on the border with Armenia on January 11, which killed three Armenian servicemen and injured two more. She called on the parties to refrain from the use of force and to resolve all disputed issues only by political and diplomatic means. She said that in the long term, the main recipe for ensuring stability and security in the region is to launch as soon as possible the process of delimitation of the Armenian-Azerbaijani border with subsequent demarcation, as it was stated in the joint statements of the leaders of the three countries. She added that it is important to work towards the creation of a bilateral commission and that Russia is ready to provide it with full consultative assistance. Two Anne Arundel County power plants Brandon Shores and H.A. Wagner have announced their plans to transition from burning coal to mostly burning oil in the years ahead, and they received a preliminary green light from the Maryland Public Service Commission this week. Environmental advocates say the plans to abandon coal-burning are commendable, but that theyre concerned by the plants proposed switch to burning oil, which is also a highly polluting fossil fuel. Advertisement Many coal plants, including the C.P. Crane facility in nearby Baltimore County, have opted to swap from coal to natural gas, a cleaner option than oil. But lately, soaring natural gas prices have some power companies eyeing oil, according to reports from the International Energy Agency. Wednesday, Marylands commission considered whether Raven Power, which operates both plants, would need to get a new certificate of public convenience and necessity to switch to oil. The company, a subsidiary of Talen Energy, argued that it wouldnt need a new certificate because the changes would be decreasing air emissions, not increasing them. Advertisement The Brandon Shores power plant is pictured in February 2010. (Kenneth K. Lam/Baltimore Sun) In a unanimous ruling, the commission agreed. The company will still need to seek a permit from the Maryland Department of the Environment to move forward, but environmentalists fear the commissions decision is a missed opportunity for a more thorough review of Ravens plan. The environmental groups, including the Washington D.C.-based nonprofit Environmental Integrity Project, said Wednesday that the companys emissions estimates warranted further scrutiny by the commission. For one thing, the company based its estimates on the assumption that the Pasadena plants, once they burn oil instead of coal, will operate at about 8% of their capacity due to the high cost of oil. As far as we know, there is nothing to ensure that the operations will actually be done in accordance with that assumption, said Leah Kelly, an attorney for the Environmental Integrity Project. There is nothing preventing the company from ramping up operations if the price of oil drops. During Wednesdays hearing, David Beugelmans, an attorney for Raven Power, said the company plans to stand by the 8% operation threshold during the permitting process. The H.A. Wagner power plant is pictured in May 2011. We would be willing to include limits to operations that would ensure that theres no increase to emissions, Beugelmans said. The company previously said that it would stop burning coal at the facilities by the end of 2025. During the meeting, William Paul, MDEs air quality permits chief, spoke in support of the companys proposal. Advertisement This is a project that will result in significant environmental benefits and public health benefits because theres going to be a dramatic decrease in the amount of regulated air pollutants that are being discharged from this very source, Paul said. Since Raven Power wont need to get a new certificate from the Public Service Commission, a more extensive review of the projects impact on climate change will not take place, Kelly said. A spokesperson for Talen Energy did not respond to a request for comment on this story. Environmental groups had hoped such a review might include an analysis of how the project contributes to state greenhouse gas reduction targets, and an analysis of any possible water pollution, particularly if the company opts to ship in oil using barges. A law passed by the General Assembly last year requires the commission to consider a projects climate change impacts and its effects on the states greenhouse gas reduction goals during reviews of certificates. That came after the commission during a review of C.P. Cranes transition from coal said state law didnt require it to consider climate change. By avoiding a [Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity], they are avoiding that climate test, said Anne Havemann, general counsel for the Chesapeake Climate Action Network. This was a procedural decision that was not in step with the intent of the General Assembly I believe in passing that law. Russia expects Turkey to refrain from making ill-considered statements about Kazakhstan, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said, commenting on the statement of the Turkish presidential adviser. She said that those organizations, forces, figures, structures that use such expressions, and yet are not citizens of Kazakhstan, do not respect the sovereignty of this country. They are simply detached from reality, from an understanding of international legal bases. She said that they believe that such a statement, especially at such a sensitive time for Kazakhstan, does not contribute in any way to improving the atmosphere, returning life in the country to a stable course. Secondly, it seems that a disrespectful reference to Kazakhstan's Soviet past runs counter to the spirit of Russian-Turkish friendship. Zakharova added that a tragic and extraordinary situation for Kazakhstan has required concerted efforts and certainly should not be seen as an opportunity to do harm. She concluded by saying that they expect Turkish officials to refrain from making ill-considered arguments out loud in the future. The 6th edition of Visas Global Back to Business study finds that 73% of small businesses surveyed1 said accepting new forms of digital payments is fundamental to growth in 2022 59% of small businesses surveyed said they already are, or plan to, use only digital payments within the next two years largely in step with 41% of consumers surveyed who said the same 90% of small businesses surveyed with an online presence said they attributed pandemic survival to increased efforts to sell online SAN FRANCISCO -- (BUSINESS WIRE) -- As Visa (NYSE: V) continues toward its goal of digitally-enabling 50 million small and micro businesses (SMBs), a new research study released today the Visa Global Back to Business Study 2022 SMB Outlook found that 90% of surveyed SMBs said they are optimistic about the future of their businesses, the highest level of optimism in Visa Global Back to Business studies to-date. While wiping down groceries and quarantining mail might be bygones of an earlier pandemic era, some changes such as increased use of digital payments are here to stay: 82% of SMBs surveyed said they will accept digital options in 2022 and nearly half (46%) of consumers surveyed2 expect to use digital payments more often in 2022, with just 4% saying they will use them less. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220112005380/en/ Payments are no longer about simply completing a sale. Its about creating a simple and secure experience that reflects ones brand across channels and provides utility to both the business and its customer, said Jeni Mundy, Global Head Merchant Sales & Acquiring, Visa. The digital capabilities that small businesses built up during the pandemic from contactless to e-commerce helped them pivot and survive and, by continuing to build on this foundation, can now help them find new growth and thrive. According to this years study, which surveyed small business owners and consumers in nine markets Brazil, Canada, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Russia, Singapore, United Arab Emirates and United States the consensus outlook for 2022 is one of optimism and intent to digitize even more: The Path Forward in 2022 for SMBs 2022 Ushers in Optimism and Confidence: Building on the 90% of SMBs surveyed who are optimistic about their future, 54% viewed the last year as an opportunity and report their business is doing well heading into the new year, up from 46% who said the same during summer 2021.3 Going Long on Digital Payments Even Crypto: An overwhelming 82% of SMBs surveyed said they plan to accept some form of digital option in 2022 and 73% see accepting new forms of payments as fundamental to their business growth. Of those surveyed, 24% said they plan to accept digital currencies such as the cryptocurrency Bitcoin. E-commerce Buoyed Businesses: Of small businesses surveyed with an online presence, 90% agreed their survival through the pandemic was due to increased efforts to sell via e-commerce, and reported that, on average, over half of their revenue (52%) came from online channels in the last three months. Leaving the Change: A majority of SMB respondents expect their business to shift to relying exclusively on digital payments in the future. While 64% of survey respondents anticipate being able to make this shift within 10 years, 41% say it could be within the next two yearsand 18% are cashless already. Consumers Set the Tone in 2022 Accelerating Toward a Digital Future: More than half of consumers surveyed (53%) responded they expect to shift to being cashless within the next 10 years, 25% said it will happen in the next two years and 16% are already using only digital payments. The top benefits for relying more on digital payments amongst surveyed consumers were easier online shopping (47%), followed by less risk of robbery (38%) and convenience (37%). Abandoned Shopping Carts In-Real-Life (IRL): The failure to offer digital payment is frequently a dealbreaker 41% of consumers surveyed said they have abandoned a purchase in a physical store because digital payments were not accepted, and younger shoppers are even more likely to do so. Gen Z (59%) and Millennials (55%) have not bought something because there was no way to pay digitally, significantly more than Gen X (38%) or Boomers (19%). Consumers Embrace the Global Marketplace: As small businesses look to reach more customers online, 50% plan to increase cross-border sales in 2022. On average, 68% of consumers responded they are comfortable buying items or services from a business in another country or territory. Of those who are not completely comfortable, 57% cited that fraud protection typically offered by their credit or debit card provider, such as Visa's Zero Liability Policy, makes them more comfortable with international commerce. Digitally-Enabling 50 Million Small Businesses Since the start of the pandemic, Visa has launched a variety of community-based programs to help more small businesses accept digital payments and gain greater access to the digital economy. As part of this ongoing commitment, Visa today also announced it has helped to digitally-enable 24.8 million SMBs worldwide, or 50% of the multi-year goal it set in 2020 to digitize 50 million SMBs. Throughout 2022, Visa will continue to provide resources that support small businesses, such as the $1 million Grants for Growth program announced earlier this week with Uber and Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC). Through Grants for Growth, 100 merchants will receive grants of $10,000, disaster recovery and resiliency guides from Uber and LISC, and placement in the Uber Eats app. Grants for Growth will be supported and managed by LISC and focuses on local Uber Eats restaurants in 10 cities: Atlanta, Boston Chicago, Detroit, Los Angeles, Miami, New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia, San Francisco Bay Area and Washington D.C. For more information on how to apply for Grants for Growth, please visit lisc.org/uber. More information on the programs Visa has made available to small and micro businesses can also be found on the Visa Small Business Hub and the Visa Small Business COVID-19 support site. Methodology: Visa Back to Business Study The Visa Back to Business Study was conducted by Wakefield Research in December 2021 and surveyed 2,250 small business owners with 100 employees or fewer in Brazil, Canada, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Russia, Singapore, United Arab Emirates and United States. The consumer section surveyed 1,000 adults ages 18+ in the United States, and 500 adults ages 18+ in Brazil, Canada, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Russia, Singapore and United Arab Emirates. About Visa Inc. Visa (NYSE: V) is a world leader in digital payments, facilitating more than 215 billion payments transactions between consumers, merchants, financial institutions and government entities across more than 200 countries and territories each year. Our mission is to connect the world through the most innovative, convenient, reliable and secure payments network, enabling individuals, businesses and economies to thrive. We believe that economies that include everyone everywhere, uplift everyone everywhere and see access as foundational to the future of money movement. Learn more at Visa.com. ____________________ 1 Unless otherwise noted, percentages cited represent average from SMB respondents across all nine markets: Brazil, Canada, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Russia, Singapore, UAE and US 2 Unless otherwise noted, percentages cited represent averages from consumer respondents in all nine markets: Brazil, Canada, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Russia, Singapore, UAE and US 3Visa Back to Business Global Study, 5th Edition, page 6 View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220112005380/en/ CONTACT: Media Contact Kryssa Guntrum press@visa.com While wiping down groceries and quarantining mail might be bygones of an earlier pandemic era, the 6th edition of Visas Global Back to Business study finds that some changes such as increased use of digital payments are here to stay: 82% of SMBs surveyed said they will accept digital options in 2022 and 46% of consumers surveyed expect to use digital options more often in 2022, with just 4% saying they will use them less. China is constructing villages in disputed Bhutan territory, which is less than 30 km from the trijunction Doklam plateau, sources said. The revelation came after high-resolution satellite imagery surfaced with the security establishments. Sources said the Chinese villages within the disputed territory in Bhutan are likely to be used for both military and civilian purposes. Doklam plateau was in limelight in 2017 when the Indian Army and the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) were locked in the bitter standoff for over 70 days. The Chinese had to finally retreat from the area after the Indian troops contested the plateau. Dhoklam is an area of 100 sq km comprising a plateau and a valley at the trijunction between India, China and Bhutan. The plateau is circled by the Chumbi Valley of Tibet, Bhutan's Ha Valley and India's Sikkim. In 2017, China was carrying out infrastructural development work at Doklam, to which India had objected. China then claimed that there was a boundary dispute between Bhutan and China and to which India had no claims. However, India refuted and stood its ground, matching the deployment of the Chinese troops for 73 days. The standoff was triggered by China saying that it was constructing a road within its territory. This was disputed by India, which said that the site of the Chinese road construction was Bhutanese territory. Last year in October, China and Bhutan had signed a pact on a three-step roadmap to resolve their boundary disputes. India in its response had said, "It has noted the development." Boundary negotiations between Bhutan and China began in 1984 and the two sides have held 24 rounds of talks and 10 rounds of meeting at the expert group level. The negotiations, which were conducted in a spirit of understanding and accommodation, have been guided by the 1988 joint communique on the guiding principles for the settlement of the boundary and the 1998 agreement on the maintenance of peace, tranquillity and status quo along the Bhutan-China border areas. Earlier, Bhutan had objected several times to Chinese intrusion into their land. --IANS sk/arm ( 358 Words) 2022-01-13-21:36:02 (IANS) A family-owned business in Sykesville was recently chosen as a recipient of a BGE Energizing Small Business Grant to assist with COVID-19 relief and recovery. It was one of several Carroll County businesses that will receive the grant. Kim Hope, minority business CEO of Maryland Print and Design, said she was humbled to receive the funds. Advertisement Maryland Print and Design is a family-owned and -operated business that specializes in the creation of corporate logos, letterheads, business cards and other signage, as well as customized promotional items, direct mail campaigns, graphic designs and marketing for area businesses. With this generous award, were excited to double down on marketing efforts with direct-mail campaigns, social media and online video production, Hope said. The creation of teaching videos has proven helpful in reaching diverse groups of young aspiring professionals in the design and printing industry. Advertisement BGEs grant program is part of the companys $15 million pledge to assist small businesses experiencing hardship due to the pandemic and is a multiyear commitment expected to run through at least 2023. Each recipient will receive up to $20,000 in grant funding. Afternoon Update Weekdays Updating you on the day's biggest news before the evening commute. > Since its inception, Maryland Print and Design has provided assistance to individuals with disabilities and their families. Hope said the grant funding will allow the business to continue to support local vendors and nonprofit organizations by way of sponsorships and donation of time. This wonderful honor is proof that giving back to your community, especially in challenging times, always bears fruit. We see this as proof that efforts to partner with the special nonprofit organizations we serve, our local printing vendors and youth with special needs in our neighborhood, all are making a lasting impact, said Mike Hope, general manager of Maryland Print and Design. BGE, Marylands largest natural gas and electric utility, partnered with Hello Alice, a free, multichannel platform that helps businesses launch and grow, to provide the grants. To be eligible, for-profit businesses of between two and 25 employees must be located within BGEs service area and be an existing customer with a good payment history. All applicants gained access to Hello Alices free COVID-19 Business Center to ensure consistent support and mentorship. Small business owners employ more than 60% of Americans and it is time for us to give back to them, Elizabeth Gore, co-founder and president of Hello Alice, said in a news release. [They] continue to hold our communities together despite persistent challenges in the new year. Other Carroll County businesses that were awarded grants include Hanover Land Services and Cultivated, both located in Westminster. Small businesses are the backbone of Marylands economy and are job creators, Rodney Oddoye, BGEs senior vice president of governmental and external affairs, said in a news release. These businesses deserve a boost to help their recovery from the pandemics far-reaching impacts. BGEs Energizing Small Business Grants are a critical program to help stabilize the communities we serve and positively impact many local businesses during these uncertain times. 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. --IANS nk/pgh ( 292 Words) 2022-01-13-00:06:03 (IANS) POSCO and the Adani Group have agreed to explore business cooperation opportunities, including the establishment of a green, environment-friendly Integrated Steel Mill at Mundra, Gujarat, as well as other businesses. The investment is estimated to be up to USD 5 Billion. The non-binding MoU signed between POSCO and Adani intends to further collaborate at the group business level in various industries such as renewable energy, hydrogen, and logistics in response to carbon reduction requirements. Both parties are examining various options to cooperate and leverage the technical, financial, and operational strengths of each company. The collaboration includes evaluating a joint Integrated Steel Mill at Mundra, Gujarat, based on POSCO's state-of-the-art technology and cutting-edge R&D capability. POSCO and Adani intend to utilize renewable energy resources and green hydrogen, in line with both partners' ESG commitments to sustainability and energy efficiency. Jeong-woo, Choi, the CEO of POSCO, said, "POSCO and Adani are able to come to great synergy in the steel and environment-friendly business with POSCO's state-of-the-art technology in steel making and Adani's expertise in energy and infrastructure. I hope this cooperation will be a good and sustainable business cooperation model between India and South Korea." The Adani Group, founded in 1988, is the largest and fastest-growing portfolio of diversified businesses in India with interests in Logistics (seaports, airports, shipping and rail), Resources, Power Generation and Distribution, Renewable Energy, Gas and Infrastructure, and other sectors. Adani has recently announced a massive investment plan to become the world's largest renewable energy company and produce green hydrogen in the future. Gautam Adani, Chairman of the Adani Group, said, "We are very pleased to announcethe partnership with POSCO, the world's most efficient and advanced steel manufacturer, in steel production and carbon reduction. This partnership will contribute to the growth of India's manufacturing industry and the Aatmanirbhar Bharat scheme championed by the Government of India. It will also help to strengthen India's standing in green businesses." POSCO runs POSCO-Maharashtra, a 1.8-million-ton cold-rolled and galvanized millregarded as the most advanced automotive steel supplier in India, and four processingcentres in Pune, Delhi, Chennai and Ahmedabad. It is anticipated that this businesscooperation between POSCO and Adani will bring dominant partnership synergy in theIndian steel industry. POSCO and Adani have also signed an MoU with the Government of Gujarat for supportand cooperation from the Government for the collaboration. (ANI) New Delhi [India], January 13 (ANI/SRV): Updapt, a SaaS-based ESG Solution Co., announced today that Shailesh Haribhakti, Board Chairman and Member of distinguished companies, has joined their Advisory Board to mentor the leadership team in their business and product development initiatives. Speaking on this development, Haribhakti, said, "I am thrilled to join the Advisory Board of Updapt and be part of a company that is building much needed Digital Sustainability Management System to help firms across the globe in monitoring their ESG performances towards net-zero and other social and governance goals". He further added that "ESG is gradually becoming an integral part of business and risk management strategy of companies given its direct correlation to balance sheet performance from a long-term perspective; this is further intensified by mandatory reporting set by regulators across the globe. Even for private enterprises and SMEs that are looking to raise funds or work as supply chain partners with large firms, ESG performance management is getting critical for them given the focus on same by Investors, Rating Agencies, Corporates. With data being central to any effective performance management, I believe Updapt's user-friendly SaaS-based ESG platform is well placed to help enterprises in their Sustainability journey". Mithun Suvarna, Co-Founder & Managing Director of Updapt, said ''We are honoured and excited to have Haribhakti as part of our Advisory Board. His rich experience in the space of governance and business management across various Boards of diversified listed companies and Industry Bodies would be of immense value to Updapt's business journey". Satish Ramchandani, Co-Founder & Chief Business Officer of Updapt, added "We respect Mr. Haribhakti's advocacy and enthusiasm towards ESG being fundamental to businesses and look forward to his insightful guidance". Haribhakti is a Non-Executive Chairman of companies such as L&T Finance Holdings Limited and Blue Star Limited. His other Board Directorships include - Ambuja Cements Limited, NSDL e-Governance Infrastructure Limited, ACC Limited, Bajaj Electricals Limited, Future Lifestyle Fashions Limited, and Gaja Capital Group. He is a well-known thought leader on the Indian Economy and Public Policy and is actively involved with several prominent institutions in India, including the NSE, CII, IMC, and ASSOCHAM. He has also served on the Standards Advisory Council of the IASB in London for two years and is an Extech (Exponential Technologies), ESG (Environment, Social, Governance) & IR (Integrated Reporting) Evangelist. Updapt is a new-age technology-driven company, providing comprehensive easy-to-use SaaS-based ESG solutions to address end-to-end sustainability needs of enterprises and funds. The solution enables firms to digitally track, monitor, and report their ESG performance data in line with widely accepted Sustainability Standards along with deep analytics. The Digital Platform supports the organization's climate change management goals and productive engagements with stakeholders such as Investors, Rating Agencies, Boards, Regulators, Customers. For more details, visit www.updaptcsr.com This story is provided by SRV. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/SRV) Surat (Gujarat) [India], January 13 (ANI/PNN): Reena Sharma's (name changed) life came to a standstill when her husband passed away, leaving behind their five-year-old son. It was a big challenge for Reena to nurture the kid in the absence of her husband. Thanks to Ajay Amjera, founder of Ajmera Fashion, a leading manufacturer of sarees in Surat, Reena has become 'Aatmanirbhar' (self-dependent) by starting her own small business of saree trading in Bihar. Reena's story isn't unique. Over 5,000 women from various states and regions across the country, most of whom are from middle and lower-middle-class households and homemakers, have become successful entrepreneurs in the last few years, earning a living for their children and families. Ajay Ajmera and his wife, Rachana Jain, were inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' programme and came up with a unique idea that would impact the lives of thousands of women across the country. The idea was to promote women's entrepreneurship by helping housewives belonging to the underprivileged sections of society to do business. Ajay and his wife Rachana set up a team to identify and train the women from villages, small towns, and even big cities who were eager to change their lives by doing business. The women from different states and districts were shortlisted and trained in batches. These women were taught how to start a saree business by saving and investing a little amount of money. They were educated about every aspect of the clothing business. The earning potential of the saree business was quite instrumental in convincing them to start their own business. Ajay Ajmera, founder of Ajmera Fashion said, "I come from a middle-class household and experienced poverty as a child. I was determined to do something for the needy women from the lower strata of society to make them self-dependent. This is how we began providing business training to women, and we are proud to say that over 5,000 women now run their saree businesses across the country." Once the women were equipped with the business know-how, Ajmera Fashion supplied them with the stock of the sarees with the latest designs at wholesale rates. To spread the unique business proposition for needy women, Ajmera made scores of inspirational business videos on YouTube to propagate the idea of making the Aatmanirbhar women entrepreneurs. The videos went viral across the country, and many women joined in the mission. "There are many women who started from a scratch, visiting door-to-door for selling their sarees, and now they own their big saree showrooms," said Ajmera. Ajmera's unique Aatmanirbhar initiative was recognized by the Maharashtra Government, and he was conferred with the prestigious 'The Champions of Change Award-2020" by the Governor of Maharashtra Bhagat Singh Koshyari. To know more about it, Please Check it out https://youtube.com/c/AjmeraFashionSyntheticSareeManufacturer This story is provided by PNN. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/PNN) New Delhi [India], January 13 (ANI/PRNewswire): Comviva, the global leader in mobility solutions, announced a collaboration with IBM (NYSE: IBM) to deliver its next-generation BlueMarble solution on the IBM Cloud for Telecommunications. The integrated solution shall power digital transformation for Communication Service Providers (CSPs) globally in the 5G and Edge era. Comviva's BlueMarble, which is now ready to run on IBM Cloud for Telecommunications, enables CSPs to modernize their business platforms without having to go through large complex transformation cycles. Offering a complete digital customer lifecycle from discovery, shopping, ordering, and billing to payment and care, the solution is designed to provide a digital platform with ready-to-configure microservices and flexible user interface components to enable a new-age customer experience across different channels, as well as a scalable and agile market solution for CSPs to monetize infrastructure and accelerate their digital transformation initiatives. Manoranjan 'Mao' Mohapatra, Chief Executive Officer at Comviva, said, "5G introduces fundamental changes to the way Business Support Solutions work for evolving digital services. It is essential for CSPs to embrace Cloud native technologies that provide differentiated competitive advantage for supporting new revenue models. Our BlueMarble solution is 5G native and now ready to run on the IBM Cloud for Telecommunications. The integrated solution is designed to empower CSPs with a future proof next-generation platform for rapid transformation and monetization of existing network infrastructure as they prepare for 5G evolution." This collaboration is in line with Comviva's parent company, Tech Mahindra's NXT.NOW charter, that focuses on investing in emerging technologies and solutions that enable digital transformation and evolving needs in the 5G era. Tech Mahindra is part of IBM's partner ecosystem collaborating on the IBM Cloud for Telecommunications to help network equipment providers, independent software vendors (ISVs), software-as-a-service providers, and hardware partners accelerate business transformation by unlocking the power of 5G and edge. The IBM Cloud for Telecommunications is engineered to integrate advanced AI and automation processes at the edge and speeds services deployment while simultaneously reducing overall costs. Bill Lambertson, Vice President and Distinguished Industry Leader for IBM Global Telecommunications, said, "We are excited to bring together Comviva's BlueMarble order capture solution with IBM's Sterling Order Management using Telco standard TM Forum Open APIs that are enabled on IBM Cloud for Telecommunications. We look forward to extend this API driven integration on joint client engagements." Mahadev Subramaniam, IBM Global Business Unit Head at Tech Mahindra, said, "5G is a significant part of our portfolio and growth agenda. A frontrunner in this domain, we have been making sustained investments to expand our 5G capabilities, and in the process, strengthen the ecosystem. This collaboration is a testimony to our long-standing alliance with IBM. In line with our CloudNXT.NOWTM framework, the work with IBM is aimed at generating new revenue streams from 5G and solidifying our vision to further scale our IBM ecosystem." This collaboration aims to allow Tech Mahindra and IBM to establish a standards-based integration of new Telco solutions with clients' existing systems using TM Forum APIs enabled on IBM Cloud for Telecommunications. Comviva's BlueMarble solution implements these APIs to help enable agile adaptation, as well as the ability to address specific client needs, such as integrating solutions from IBM and its partner ecosystem. Additionally, the BlueMarble solution can integrate with IBM's Sterling Order Management to offer clients a choice of billing solutions. For further enquiries, please contact: Sundeep Mehta PR & Corporate Communications Mail: sundeep.mehta@comviva.com +91-124-481 9000 This story is provided by PRNewswire. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/PRNewswire) Adani Group and South Korea's largest steelmaker POSCO have agreed to explore business cooperation opportunities and jointly invest $5 billion in green projects in India. The proposed investment include establishment of a green, environment-friendly integrated steel mill at Mundra, Gujarat, as well as other businesses, according to a joint statement released by the two companies on Thursday. "The non-binding MoU signed between POSCO and Adani intends to further collaborate at the group business level in various industries such as renewable energy, hydrogen, and logistics in response to carbon reduction requirements," it said. Both parties are examining various options to cooperate and leverage the technical, financial, and operational strengths of each company. The collaboration includes evaluating a joint Integrated Steel Mill at Mundra, Gujarat, based on POSCO's state-of-the-art technology and cutting-edge R&D capability. POSCO and Adani intend to utilise renewable energy resources and green hydrogen, in line with both partners' ESG commitments to sustainability and energy efficiency. "We are very pleased to announce the partnership with POSCO, the world's most efficient and advanced steel manufacturer, in steel production and carbon reduction. This partnership will contribute to the growth of India's manufacturing industry and the Aatmanirbhar Bharat scheme championed by the Government of India. It will also help to strengthen India's standing in green businesses," Gautam Adani, Chairman, Adani Group, said in a statement. POSCO runs POSCO-Maharashtra, a 1.8-million-ton cold-rolled and galvanized mill regarded as the most advanced automotive steel supplier in India, and four processing centres in Pune, Delhi, Chennai and Ahmedabad. It is anticipated that this business cooperation between POSCO and Adani will bring dominant partnership synergy in the Indian steel industry. POSCO and Adani have also signed an MoU with the Government of Gujarat for support and cooperation from the Government for the collaboration. Jeong-woo, Choi, the CEO of POSCO, said, "POSCO and Adani are able to come to great synergy in the steel and environment-friendly business with POSCO's state-of-the-art technology in steel making and Adani's expertise in energy and infrastructure. I hope this cooperation will be a good and sustainable business cooperation model between India and South Korea." (ANI) New Delhi [India], January 13 (ANI/SRV): One of the unique and fastest-growing counselling and child development centres of the nation, Basilmind is targeting a complete domestic expansion, moving ahead of its popular online counselling services. Basilmind is a holistic mental health provider for adults and children. The experts will take proper care of adults facing stress, depression, anxiety, sleeping issues, etc and children with special needs, behavioural issues, autism, speech difficulty, learning difficulty, ADHD, etc. This expert team of psychiatrists, psychologists and therapists aims to establish their presence in all major cities of the nation. Basilmind has been impressing the entire industry with its unique ways of assisting clients with counselling and therapy sessions ever since its inception in 2020. They have exhibited a highly productive and socially contributing behaviour through their operations so far, and this expansion plan will unarguably be a pathbreaker for the whole industry. Headquartered in Bengaluru, Basilmind has done a spectacular job in serving the community by extending their helping hands through their physical and online presence. Their growth into a reliable holistic mental health provider that too in a very short span of time is remarkable. The growth is powered by the veterans of the field, consisting of proficient psychologists and mental health experts. The ongoing pandemic has been quite a life-altering roller-coaster ride for the entire population, and this phase has largely triggered questions regarding mental health. From a irrelevant topic that was limited to the interest of some, the issue escalated almost at the same pace as the pandemic. With World Health Organization (WHO) declaring the theme for World Mental Health Day 2020, 'Invest in Mental Health' and the relevant and irrelevant outbursts on social media regarding mental health concerns, the issue started getting the attention it deserved. The warning of WHO and the determination to fill the giant void which separated the ones from gaining access to mental health services led to the establishment of Basilmind. The brain behind the venture, Subram Sannapareddy, is a skilled psychiatrist and visionary who wanted to create a change by making mental health services easily affordable, accessible, and very much reliable. After practising as a psychiatrist in Apollo Hospitals for four years, his unshakable determination and commitment to society led to the birth of Basilmind. His idea is of providing his clients holistic mental health serives under one roof. It includes mindfulness, nutrition, relaxation techniques, meditation, yoga, etc., manifesting its tagline, 'Wellness beyond medicine'. Nearly completing 2 successful years of its two branches and nationwide operations, Basilmind is aiming to expand into six more major cities of the country. Apart from the adult counselling and child development therapies, Basilmind provides more services like institutional wellness services for schools, colleges, and even corporates in a tailored manner. The pandemic has left a huge negative impact on the lives of a lot of students and corporate employees, whose mental health has shockingly deteriorated over time. Basilmind proved its real capability during these difficult times. Being the first mental health consultant to provide institutional wellness services, Basilmind has impacted more than 50,000 children and counting. Some of the renowned educational institutes like Army Public School, Springdale, Rainbow, and Tiny Tots are a part of the huge institutional client base shared by Basilmind. Basilmind has also been a huge contributor to the productivity of individual employees by rejuvenating their mental health as a part of the corporate training programs. The Employee Assistance Programme is a successful and promising campaign run by Basilmind to reach out to the individual employees of the corporates, to revitalize their well-being, and boost their contributions to their organization. The corporate client base of Basilmind consists of some of the leading MNCs like Vdart, Sricity, Asian Paints, CRM, etc., and has been helpful for more than 20,000 employees. Basilmind is one of the most dedicated and committed consultancies that is creating a wave of change in the mental health domain. Their highly personalized individual and child therapy sessions are a great cure to mental ailments. The venture has been recognized by Startup India Initiative and has also been certified by MSME and ISO. In a country like India, which is far behind many other nations in battling the ailments of mental health, counselling and child development services provided by ventures like Basilmind have made a huge difference already. The expansion plan on cards for the firm will benefit the community as a whole in the upcoming years. To know more visit: http://www.basilmind.com/ Social Media Handles: http://www.basilmind.com/facebook/ | http://www.basilmind.com/instagram/ This story is provided by SRV. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/SRV) New Delhi [India], January 13 (ANI/PR Newswire): Author, Ramesh Venkateswaran on publication of his book quoted, "We live in a world that constantly equates with happiness with success. And so, we get on a treadmill to chase success, assuming it will lead to happiness. But we're running after the wrong thing. The Happiness Trail is a reflection of simple yet important learnings that shows us how to achieve two seemingly complementary goals that we many a time discover to be poles apart." We live in a fast-paced and highly competitive world. The last few years have seen changes not witnessed in centuries. Have all these developments increased our sense of well-being? Data seems to suggest otherwise! The Happiness Trail shows us an attainable, contextual way to achieve two seemingly complementary goals, happiness and success, that we many a time discover to be contradictory. In this book Ramesh Venkateswaran lays down five easy-to-follow approaches to a happy and successful life, which he calls the five I's: Integrity, Interact, Involve, Imbibe and Impact. Armed with this road map, the ever-elusive happiness seems within reach and success a natural consequence. Ramesh Venkateswaran has donned many hats over the years. After a successful stint in the corporate world and as a corporate consultant and trainer, he has devoted his time to teaching. He is an adjunct faculty member at his alma mater Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore for close to three decades. He has also headed The Lawrence School Lovedale, Nilgiris and SDM Institute for Management Development Development, Mysuru. Ramesh is a co-founder, chairman and volunteer at Vishwas, Society for Mental Health, Bengaluru, a not-for-profit organization that offers free counselling to people in emotional stress. Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1249409/HarperCollins_Publishers_India_Logo.jpg This story is provided by PR Newswire. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/PR Newswire) New Delhi [India], January 13 (ANI/NewsVoir): India's top tractor exports brand and country's leading tractor manufacturer, Sonalika Tractors has always caught hold of the real market pulse and capitalised on hidden market opportunities to ensure the committed plans. Carrying forward the strong momentum built throughout FY'21, Sonalika Tractors has breached past 1 lakh tractor sales mark in just 9 months (April-Dec'21) of FY'22, thereby charting the path to a new paradigm in 2022. Meanwhile, Sonalika has also entered the coveted club of 25,000+ export tractor sales in 9 months, a unique feat which remains a distant dream for many companies globally. Sonalika has further extended its lead in exports with 3,432 tractor sales & 31.2% market share in December'21, which is nearly double over the nearest No. 2 brand. Cumulatively, Sonalika has sold 1,05,250 tractors in Apr-Dec'21. Year after year, Sonalika Tractors has been fast forwarding its sales performance of crossing 1 lakh tractors mark. The company has been manoeuvring through toughest of COVID-19 waves while addressing farmer's critical requirements with superior technology powered tractors & implements. This also includes the recently launched Sonalika Tiger DI 75 4W CRDs tractor that delivers twin benefits in one tractor - the power of 75 HP tractor and fuel economy of 65 HP tractor. Sharing his viewpoint on the remarkable achievement, Raman Mittal, Executive Director, Sonalika Tractors, said, "It gives me great pleasure to announce that we have created a new record sales performance to breach the 1 lakh tractor sales mark in just 9 months of FY'22. Month after month, our strong focus on our mission and persistent approach of closely working with farmers while addressing their diverse needs, has enabled us to clock the extraordinary record 1,05,250 overall tractor sales within 9 months of FY'22 (April-Dec'21). Moreover, we stand strong as No.1 exports brand from India as we have proudly entered the coveted club of 25,000 tractor exports in FY'22, with three months still left to attain the unimaginable feat. As we embark upon new journey in year 2022, we have the set our strategies right - superior product, robust processes and a dynamic team that will surely support us to stay focussed on our mission to deliver affordable farm prosperity." 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 13 (ANI/Mediawire): Every student has already started collecting the material for upcoming CBSE ICSE Term 2/ Semester 2 Board Exams 2022. With these exams being conducted in March or April 2022, students are a bit worried about the mode and pattern of exams. By keeping the present situation of COVID-19 in mind, there have been various updates regarding the CBSE ICSE Term 2/ Semester 2 Board Exams 2022. In addition to that, detailed guidelines about the result of CBSE Term 1 Board Exams have also been proposed. Students can check the below takeaways regarding the latest updates for the upcoming term 2 board exams. By considering the present scenario of rising COVID-19 cases in the country, CBSE is all set to launch the sample papers for both classes 10 and 12. The official sample papers are yet to be released on the official website of CBSE. In addition to that, CBSE has even joined hands with the British Council to introduce a competency-based education concept for the students. (Best Seller Books) Chapter-wise CBSE ICSE ISC Question Banks For Term 2/ Semester 2 Board Exams 2022 Chapter-wise mock tests for classes 10 and 12 have already been released. To get a better idea and preparation for the term 2 board exams, students should go for The Best Seller CBSE ICSE ISC Question Banks Class 10 & 12 For Term 2/ Semester 2 Board Exams 2022, and it is according to: Strictly as per the Term 2/ Semester 2 syllabus for Board Exams 2022 (March-April) Here is the recommended link for Best Seller CBSE Question Bank Class 10 for Term 2 Board Exams 2022, click here https://bit.ly/3K5QTZI Here is the recommended link for Best Seller CBSE Question Bank Class 12 for Term 2 Board Exams 2022, click here https://bit.ly/3njOq4m * Includes Questions of the both -Objective & Subjective Types Questions * Objective Questions based on new typologies introduced by the board- I. Stand- Alone MCQs, II. MCQs based on Assertion-Reason III. Case-based MCQs. * Subjective Questions Includes-Very Short, Short & Long Answer Types Questions This book will cover all the latest typologies that will be asked for the CBSE ICSE ISC Term 2/ Semester 2 Board Exams 2022. In addition to that, students can also prepare in a better fashion with this book. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IRu_cZcJXs4 After covering each chapter, students can get a fair idea about their preparation with this book. Even if they are lacking somewhere, they will get sufficient time to work on weak areas. Here is the recommended link for ICSE Question Bank Class 10 for Semester 2 Board Exams 2022, click here https://bit.ly/33a8uiI Here is the recommended link for ISC Question Bank Class 12 for Semester 2 Board Exams 2022, click here https://bit.ly/3njOq4m Term 1 Results Updates Students are eagerly waiting for the results of the term 1 exam so they can have focused preparation for term 2. CBSE is expected to release the result by 15th of January. As of now, there is no official update regarding the same. But, as soon as the results are uploaded, students can check them on the official website of CBSE. Students will be only allotted the marks for each subject for the term 1 exams. No student will be placed in the category of pass, fail, or compartment. This time OMR sheets of the students will be evaluated for the term 1 exam. The proper mark sheet and total result will only be declared after the successful completion of term 2 exams. The final result will be based on the total of both term 1 and term 2 exams. So, the students must appear for both the term exams. No averaging will be done if the student fails to appear for the exam. Final Thoughts Students can even go for Oswaal best sellers to give a correct direction to their preparation. It is very important to keep on checking the official website for more updates. Students should prepare religiously for subjective and objective format exams until the mode is specified clearly. CBSE term 1 result will be declared at any time. So, stay tuned with all the latest updates and keep on preparing for term 2 exams. For further updates, stay tuned!! This story is provided by Mediawire. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/Mediawire) Norwood Ice Cream and Candy Co. new location grand opening Norwood Ice Cream and Candy Co., a gourmet small-batch ice cream maker, has moved to a new location at 5957 Exchange Drive, Suite F, Eldersburg. A grand opening event will be held from noon-5 p.m. Jan. 15. The event includes special activities, prizes and giveaways, and an appearance by Silly Willy from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. On Saturday, Jan. 22, the business will host its first waffle and nitro brew coffee tasting. The community is encouraged to come out between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. to sample the newest additions to the menu. Advertisement In Carroll County since May of 2017, the company offers a variety of craft ice cream flavors and styles made in-house daily, and also carries a full line of Wockenfuss chocolates and candies. The business was previously located on Main Street in Sykesville. The new location has space to hold parties, a decorative and functional ice cream cart for off-site events, and additional seating and food and drink options. Jason H. Weber, ACNB Corp., ACNB Bank (Courtesy Photo) ACNB Corp. selects CFO successor, rebrands insurance subsidiary Jason H. Weber has been selected as the successor to ACNB Corp. and ACNB Bank Executive Vice President/Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer David W. Cathell. Weber, of Downingtown, Pennsylvania, plans to join ACNB Corp. and ACNB Bank on Jan. 31 as executive vice president/finance until Cathells retirement at the end of May. Advertisement Weber comes to ACNB Corp. and ACNB Bank from Atlantic Community Bankers Bank in Camp Hill, Pennsylvania, where he held the position of executive vice president and chief financial officer. Webers career ranges from balance sheet management at a large regional bank to investment banking and sell-side equity research at investment banks. ACNB Corp. also announced that the name of its insurance subsidiary changed from Russell Insurance Group Inc., to ACNB Insurance Services Inc., effective Jan. 1. ACNB Insurance Services Inc. is a full-service insurance agency, based in Westminster, that offers a broad range of property, casualty, health, life and disability insurance serving personal and commercial clients. ACNB Corp., headquartered in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, is the holding company for the wholly-owned subsidiaries of ACNB Bank, Gettysburg, and ACNB Insurance Services Inc., Westminster. ACNB Bank serves its marketplace with banking and wealth management services via a network of community banking offices. As divisions of ACNB Bank operating in Maryland, FCB Bank and NWSB Bank serve local markets with a network of community banking offices in Frederick and Carroll counties. Kathy Stump, Carney, Kelehan, Bresler, Bennett & Scherr LLP (Courtesy Photo) Stump joins CarneyKelehan with education law focus Kathy Stump joined Carney, Kelehan, Bresler, Bennett & Scherr LLP as an attorney with a practice focusing on education law. Stump expands the team of firm lawyers representing Maryland boards of education, superintendents and school systems in federal and state courts, administrative hearings and mediations and arbitrations. Before joining CarneyKelehan, Stump was an instructional facilitator for nonpublic services and special education compliance for the Howard County Public Schools. She was previously an educational program specialist for the Baltimore City Public Schools, an educational program specialist and special education compliance specialist for the Maryland State Department of Education, and has served as a teacher for Baltimore County Public Schools, the Maryland Correctional Training Center and Washington County Public Schools. Headquartered in Columbia, CarneyKelehan also has offices in Annapolis, Westminster and Salisbury. Business briefs offer information about Carroll County-based companies, employees and their operations, news of awards, promotions, new business openings, new hires, etc. Send your release to the Carroll County Times, P.O. Box 169, Westminster, MD 21158, or cctnews@carrollcountytimes.com. Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India]/ Warren (New Jersey) [US], January 13 (ANI/PRNewswire): Mindtree, a global technology services and digital transformation company, announced its consolidated results today for the third quarter ended December 31, 2021, as approved by its Board of directors. "We are pleased to have continued our positive revenue momentum through the third quarter of FY22 on the back of robust demand, aggressive customer mining, and end-to-end digital transformation capabilities," said Debashis Chatterjee, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Mindtree. "Our sequential revenue growth of 5.2% in constant currency reflects the strength of our strategy, execution, partnerships, and continued investments in our business and people. Our order book for the quarter was $358 million, up 14.6% year-over-year, and our year-to-date deal TCV crossed $1.2 billion. Our EBITDA margin for the quarter was 21.5%. In the first nine months alone, our PAT of $158.8 million surpassed PAT of the preceding fiscal year. The passion of our future-ready talent and the trust of our clients position us well in our endeavor to continue to deliver profitable industry-leading growth in the coming years." Key financial highlights: Quarter ended December 31, 2021 In USD: Revenue was $366.4 million (growth of 4.7% q-o-q / 33.7% y-o-y) Net profit was $58.3 million (growth of 8.0% q-o-q / 32.1% y-o-y) In INR: Revenue was Rs27,500 million (growth of 6.3% q-o-q / 35.9 % y-o-y) Net profit was Rs4,375 million (growth of 9.7% q-o-q / 34.0 % y-o-y) Other highlights: Clients: 265 active clients as of December 31, 2021 $5 million+ clients grew by 2, total 52 $10 million+ clients grew by 3, total 33 People: 31,959 Mindtree Minds as of December 31, 2021 Trailing 12 months attrition was 21.9% Some key deals won in Q3: A leading global hyperscaler signed an annuity contract with Mindtree. As part of the contract, Mindtree will support product/platform operations and security services across geographies. A global vacation company selected Mindtree as a strategic transformation partner to enhance its competitive differentiation in the leisure travel marketplace. Under this multi-year engagement, Mindtree will enable the company to enhance customer experience globally across marketing, sales and services for all its brands in the virtual and the real world. A leading global automotive manufacturer selected Mindtree to implement a digital factory, leveraging the IoT capabilities of Mindtree NxT. One of the largest home improvement retailers in the U.S. awarded an annuity contract to Mindtree for agile-based application development and maintenance services. A leading credit bureau selected Mindtree as a strategic partner to build a new specialty finance platform. Under this program, multiple companies that are acquired with alternative credit data will be integrated on to this platform, providing a strong suite of differentiated data assets and new products to meet changing market needs and enable rapid growth. One of the world's largest technology companies selected Mindtree as a preferred supplier for product engineering and cloud professional services to enable it to scale faster. Recognitions: Named a Major Contender in Everest Group's Mainframe Services PEAK Matrix Assessment 2022. Named a Major Contender in Everest Group's Advanced Analytics and Insights (AA&I) PEAK Matrix Assessment 2022. Named a Major Contender in Everest Group's Internet of Things (IoT) Services Supply Chain Solutions PEAK Matrix Assessment 2022. Named a Major Contender in Everest Group's Platform IT Banking Services PEAK Matrix Assessment 2022. Earned the Al and Machine Learning on Microsoft Azure Advanced Specialization. Won the Silver award in the Most Innovative Company of the Year category at the Best in Biz Awards 2021 in North America. Mindtree [NSE: MINDTREE] is a global technology consulting and services company that enables enterprises across industries to drive superior competitive advantage, customer experiences and business outcomes by harnessing digital and cloud technologies. A digital transformation partner to more than 260 of the world's most pioneering enterprises, Mindtree brings extensive domain, technology and consulting expertise to help reimagine business models, accelerate innovation and maximize growth. As a socially and environmentally responsible business, Mindtree is focused on growth as well as sustainability in building long-term stakeholder value. Powered by more than 31,900 talented and entrepreneurial professionals across 24 countries, Mindtree -- a Larsen & Toubro Group company -- is consistently recognized among the best places to work. For more, please visit www.mindtree.com or @Mindtree_Ltd. Safe harbour Certain statements in this release concerning our future growth prospects are forward-looking statements, which involve a number of risks, and uncertainties that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those in such forward-looking statements. The conditions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic could decrease customer's technology spending, affecting demand for our services, delaying prospective customers' purchasing decisions, and impacting our ability to provide on-site consulting services; all of which could adversely affect our future revenue, margin and overall financial performance. Our operations may also be negatively affected by a range of external factors related to the COVID-19 pandemic that are not within our control. We do not undertake to update any forward-looking statement that may be made from time to time by us or on our behalf. For more information, contact: media@mindtree.com. Mindtree Limited Global Village, RVCE Post Mysore Road Bangalore-560059; CIN: L72200KA1999PLC025564 Phone: + 91 80 6706 4000 Fax: +91 80 6706 4100 E-mail: info@mindtree.com investors@mindtree.com Website: www.mindtree.com CONTACT: +91 978 906 1981 This story is provided by PRNewswire. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/PRNewswire) The proposed projects will create 10 lakh direct and indirect employment opportunities in the state. Mukesh Ambani-led company signed an MoU with the Government of Gujarat for the investment proposal as part of Investment Promotion Activity for Vibrant Gujarat Summit 2022. To make Gujarat net zero and carbon free, RIL proposes to invest Rs 5 lakh crore in the State over the span of 10 to 15 years to set up 100 GW Renewable Energy Power Plant and Green Hydrogen Eco-System development, RIL said in a statement. "RIL will develop an eco-system for assisting Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and encourage entrepreneurs to embrace new technologies and innovations leading to captive use of Renewable Energy and Green Hydrogen," it said. RIL's initiatives for decarbonisation and creating a green ecosystem emanate from the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In consultation with Government of Gujarat, RIL has started the process of scouting land for 100 GW renewable energy power project in Kutch, Banaskantha and Dholera. The company has requested for 4.5 lakh acres of land in Kutch. RIL will invest another Rs 60,000 crore in setting up New Energy Manufacturing-Integrated Renewable Manufacturing: 1) Solar PV Module (manufacture of Polysilicon, wafer, cell & module); 2) Electrolyzer; 3) Energy-storage Battery; 4) Fuel Cells. Further Rs 25,000 crore investments will be made by RIL in existing projects and new ventures over next 3 to 5 years. RIL has also proposed to invest Rs 7,500 crore over 3 to 5 years for Jio Network upgradation to 5G and another Rs 3,000 crore over 5 years in Reliance Retail. (ANI) Mumbai (Maharahstra) [India], January 13 (ANI/PR Newswire): TATA Projects Limited, one of India's fastest growing and most admired infrastructure companies, is now expanding its global footprint with an array of projects in the Transmission and Distribution sector. In spite of the pandemic induced pause, TATA Projects has bagged orders worth approximately USD 323 million for Transmission and Distribution projects across Africa. In East Africa region, TATA Projects has been awarded a USD 79 million AfDB funded project for 280km 400kV D/C overhead transmission line from Nyakanazi to Kigoma in Tanzania. In West Africa region, TATA Projects secured contracts worth around USD 244 million, having mix of Transmission Line, Sub-station and Distribution projects. TATA Projects signed an approximately USD 106 million contract for a distribution project in Mali being funded by World Bank under the ECOWAS Regional Electricity Access Program. Additionally, it also secured a Sub-station Extension order from EDM, Mali. TATA Projects further strengthens its presence in the region by securing around 500km of 330kV overhead transmission line projects in Burkina Faso and Niger, having approximate worth of USD 110 million, funded by World Bank and AfDB. After strengthening its presence in East and West Africa, TATA Projects has successfully forayed into the Central African nation of Cameroon, wherein the company was awarded a transmission line project worth around USD 21 million, being funded by World Bank. Speaking about the company's growth in Africa, Rajesh Kumar Pandey, SBU Head - International Business, TATA Projects Ltd, said, "Electricity is a necessity and implementation of these projects will touch a larger populace and connect them to an improved system. This contributes to the Sustainable Development Goal number 7 i.e. ensuring access to 'Affordable and Clean Energy' for all. As we transcend, we need to measure ourselves in sequential journey of touch, connect, access, effectiveness and affordability to have sustainable growth of the Community, Country and Co-existence of TATA." Upon completion, these projects will enhance system capacities, unlock demand centers and make power accessible to consumers, ushering development and economic prosperity in the region. TATA Projects is one of the fastest growing and most admired infrastructure companies in India. It has expertise in executing large and complex urban and industrial infrastructure projects. The company provides turnkey end-to-end solutions to set up fully integrated rail & metro lines, commercial buildings and townships, data centres & airports, power generation plants, power transmission & distribution systems, oil & gas refineries, chemical process plants, water and wastewater management solutions, complete mining and metal purification systems. It is currently executing some of the most marquee projects across India such as New Parliament Building, Mumbai Trans-Harbour Link, Multiple Stretches Of Dedicated Freight Corridors, and Metro Rail Lines across multiple cities such as Mumbai, Pune, Delhi, Lucknow, Ahmedabad and Chennai. The company is driven to deliver projects on-time, using world-class project management techniques and has uncompromising standards for safety and sustainability. Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1725909/Contract_Signing_Tanzania.jpg Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1725910/Sub_station_project_in_Mali.jpg Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1725911/Mr_Rajesh_Kumar_Pandey.jpg CONTACT: Sandeep Menezes, sandeepmenezes@tataprojects.com, Senior Manager - Marketing Communications, TATA Projects Ltd., +91- 99200 74163 ; Naresh Sharma, nareshsharma@tataprojects.com, Head - Marketing Communications, TATA Projects Ltd. This story is provided by PR Newswire. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/PR Newswire) Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], January 13 (ANI/PNN): Marwadi Financial Services continues to expand its bouquet of partnerships to provide a faster & effective investment and trading experience to our customers. Their latest affiliation with NSDL Payments Bank will allow Marwadi Financial Services to offer its clients an integrated 3-in-1 savings account that combines the features of savings, Demat and trading accounts. Using this account, investors will be able to seamlessly transfer funds in real-time and execute trades in almost no time. Users will also be able to avail margins without actually moving funds between their savings and trading accounts. The 3-in-1 account will provide the additional advantage to users of availing savings interest on funds lying idle in their trading account. This strategic partnership will help Marwadi to boost customer experience while allowing NSDL Payments Bank to access Marwadi's clients and expand its customer base. Announcing the partnership Gaurav Bhojak, Chief Strategy & Digital Transformation Officer at Marwadi Financial Services, said, "The integration of NSDL Payments Bank's savings account is an inordinate step forward for us. Now our customers can experience an advanced trading experience offered by Marwadi Financial Services with a safe and secure banking mechanism backed by NSDL Payments Bank. This partnership will allow us to extend an innovative, single click and seamless experience to our clients for availing margins without going through the slow & traditional fund transfer journey while adhering to the regulatory norms. This tech integration will enable our customers to allocate funds while retaining the money in their bank's saving account till trade is successfully executed. With this addition, we are fully confident that our customers will appreciate the new level of ease and comfort this will bring to their investing experience. As digital transformation continues to reshape the financial services landscape, we at Marwadi Financial Services stay ahead of the curve by constantly introducing innovative products and solutions to bring ease of investing to every customer, which will result in an enhanced investing experience." Speaking on the partnership, Ashutosh Singh, President & CBO at NSDL Payments Bank, said, "NSDL Payments Bank is extremely delighted to add another compelling product in its expanding product suite in partnership with Marwadi Financial Services. The integrated savings bank account offering is in keeping with our mission of making the journey of payments and investments safer, simpler and seamless for the customer. The combined product offering with Marwadi Financial Services Ltd will allow broking customers to allocate funds to the broker for stock market transactions while retaining the money in their bank account until the trade is successfully executed, thereby earning them interest until the time such trade gets completed. What's more, the savings bank account allows the customers to tag and identify capital market transactions separately through the mobile banking app. This feature will be extremely useful to investors at the time of filing tax returns in understanding the flow of funds allocated for capital market transactions for any period. Along with the account holders, the broking house benefits from this arrangement as the settlement is done on a real-time basis in a very cost-effective manner. Additionally, manual efforts and costs related to reconciliation are eliminated. We are confident that all customers of the capital market will find this product persuasive from the lens of safety, utility and convenience, and this, in turn, will help us achieve scale." Marwadi Financial Services is the investment and financial services arm of the 3-decade young Marwadi Group. The group was incorporated in 1992 and has ventured into various sectors, including financial services, education and solar power. Across its verticals, the Marwadi group has witnessed steady growth and has a strong team of 2500-plus employees. The company is present in 104 geographical locations across India, with over 500 partners that serve a strong community of 4 lakhs-plus esteemed customers. Enabling and empowering their customers on their wealth creation journey, the company offers a wide range of financial products and services that include equity, commodity, currency, depository facilities, IPO, mutual funds distribution, and advisory services. www.marwadionline.com Marwadi Financial services is a trusted financial services solution provider. Through its robust business model, it delivers unmatched value to those seeking financial freedom. The company's mission is to provide quality advisory services, not just to the existing set of loyal customers but to all investors across geographies in India, through innovative digital-first solutions and AI-based models. As a trusted, strategic financial partner, Marwadi Financial Services is deeply committed to gaining the customer's confidence in investing for their financial well-being. NSDL Payments Bank is a subsidiary of NSDL, the first and the largest depository in India. The bank is predominantly a digital bank and offers end-to-end digital banking products through self-service and assisted channels to customers of various segments. NSDL Jiffy is the flagship Mobile App (Available on Google Play Store and Apple App Store) of NSDL Payments Bank, which allows 100 per cent digital Savings Account opening within a few minutes with an instant debit card and features like Recharge, Bill Payments, UPI, Integration of trading accounts with a savings account and much more. The bank also offers Current Accounts, Prepaid cards and third-party products like Mutual Funds, Life Insurance & General Insurance. Its product suite also includes Financial Inclusion and Payment Products such as DMT, AePs, Micro ATM, BC Banking, Recharges, Bill Pay, PG and PoS solutions through a suite of well defined, designed, and modular APIs with its Banking Correspondents. This story is provided by PNN. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/PNN) New Delhi [India], January 13 (ANI/NewsVoir): On the occasion of National Youth Day, MASH Project Foundation and Pursuit of Balance - Nina Kler launched Break The Wall, Supported by Durex powered Condom Alliance, an initiative to address the importance of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights in India. This five-day Virtual Summit from January 12-16 2022 is specially curated to address the sexual challenges faced by the Indian youth. The event titled Break The Wall - Sexuality | Revolution | Collaboration in association with Durex 'The Birds & Bees Talk' is an innovative platform for building necessary awareness and knowledge on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR). Nina Kler, Founder - Well-being Crusader and Founder Pursuit of Balance, remarked, "As a change maker my life purpose lies in the Pursuit of Balance, in having conversations which might be uncomfortable at times but the outcomes of which are imperative in helping people be true to themselves no matter what. Like most people of my generation I didn't grow up with much knowledge of female anatomy or pleasure, and pretty much mostly learned about it from friends or author Judy Blume! Today as a single mum and a mental health advocate, I see the need to discuss our sexual and reproductive health in greater detail, to help people feel "ok" about their gender, sexuality, and entire being. To facilitate that, we are organizing this event intending to change the discourse around sexuality and rights hoping to create safer spaces, thereby igniting more conversation in this space." Day 1 of Break The Wall started on an insightful note with a keynote by Ravi Bhatnagar, Founding member of Condom Alliance and Director, External Affairs and Partnerships - Reckitt SOA. It was followed by interesting panel discussions on issues pertinent to SRHR in India with esteemed panelists and moderators from various key organizations. The eminent personalities featuring across the 5-day summit include Medha Gandhi, Program Officer Gates Foundation, Dr. Rajat Chabba Director - Innovations Johns Hopkins Program for International Education in Gynaecology and Obstetrics (Jhpiego), Priya Prakash, Founder of HealthSetGo and Forbes 30Under30, Yasar Ahmad - UN Volunteers India, Seema Anand - Influencer & Kamasutra Expert, Leeza Mangaldas - Influencer & pleasure positive content creator, Swati Jagdish - Influencer & Sex educator, Karishma Swarup - award-winning sexuality educator, Sadam Hanjabam - Founder of Ya_All, Dr. Anvita Madan - Psychosexual therapist and Niyatii Shah - Well-known sex educator. On Day 1 of the summit, Aashish Beergi, Founder & CEO, MASH Project Foundation, said, "Youth is centric to our work at MASH Project Foundation. We believe that conversations about sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) are essential to building awareness amongst the youth. On this National Youth Day, MASH along with Pursuit of Balance - Nina Kler has launched an initiative, called 'Break The Wall' to bring together an ecosystem of like-minded partners to drive an effective change and place India's youth at the center of these conversations. The initiative will also mark the start of our project with Condom Alliance to take the conversations to the grassroots through extensive youth engagements and to create safe spaces for them." Day 1 of the summit, Break The Wall, was wrapped up with a powerful conversation on how to establish psychosexual safety among youth by Dr. Anvita Madan and Nina Kler, Well-being Crusader and Founder - Pursuit of Balance. In the 4 days to come of Break The Wall, various more insightful panel discussions, workshops, keynote speeches are planned. This summit on SRHR by MASH Project Foundation and Pursuit of Balance - Nina Kler, is a leap ahead in bringing multiple stakeholders together to create a big impact together. The upcoming panels include discussions on Pleasure and Politics, Consent and Abuse, Parent's bridging the gap with sexuality. This summit is an important step towards Condom Alliance's 2022 goal to educate and influence 10 million youth around safe sex and maintaining sexual and reproductive health for all sexualities. In addition, Condom Alliance has launched the 'ConSenSuality' initiative, powered by Reckitt, Plan India and ASSOCHAM to educate and empower the Indian youth by keeping them informed about their basic rights and responsibilities. The summit can be joined live on: Facebook: bit.ly/31T1aYc Youtube: bit.ly/3Gn4w4K Dailyhunt: bit.ly/3nk2w5I Facebook: bit.ly/3nk2FpM. This story is provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/NewsVoir) POSCO and the Adani Group have agreed to explore business cooperation opportunities, including the establishment of a green, environment-friendly Integrated Steel Mill at Mundra, Gujarat, as well as other businesses. The investment is estimated to be up to USD 5 billion. The non-binding MoU signed between POSCO and Adani intends to further collaborate at the group business level in various industries such as renewable energy, hydrogen, and logistics in response to carbon reduction requirements. Both parties are examining various options to cooperate and leverage the technical, financial, and operational strengths of each company. The collaboration includes evaluating a joint Integrated Steel Mill at Mundra, Gujarat, based on POSCO's state-of-the-art technology and cutting-edge R&D capability. POSCO and Adani intend to utilize renewable energy resources and green hydrogen, in line with both partners' ESG commitments to sustainability and energy efficiency. Jeong-woo Choi, the CEO of POSCO, said, "POSCO and Adani are able to come to great synergy in the steel and environment-friendly business with POSCO's state-of-the-art technology in steel making and Adani's expertise in energy and infrastructure. I hope this cooperation will be a good and sustainable business cooperation model between India and South Korea." The Adani Group, founded in 1988, is the largest and fastest-growing portfolio of diversified businesses in India with interests in Logistics (seaports, airports, shipping and rail), Resources, Power Generation and Distribution, Renewable Energy, Gas and Infrastructure, and other sectors. Adani has recently announced a massive investment plan to become the world's largest renewable energy company and produce green hydrogen in the future. Gautam Adani, Chairman of the Adani Group, said, "We are very pleased to announce the partnership with POSCO, the world's most efficient and advanced steel manufacturer, in steel production and carbon reduction. This partnership will contribute to the growth of India's manufacturing industry and the Aatmanirbhar Bharat scheme championed by the Government of India. It will also help to strengthen nIndia's standing in green businesses." POSCO runs POSCO-Maharashtra, a 1.8-million-ton cold-rolled and galvanized mill regarded as the most advanced automotive steel supplier in India, and four processing centres in Pune, Delhi, Chennai and Ahmedabad. It is anticipated that this business cooperation between POSCO and Adani will bring dominant partnership synergy in the Indian steel industry. POSCO and Adani have also signed a MoU with the Government of Gujarat for support and cooperation from the Government for the collaboration. --IANS san/dpb ( 407 Words) 2022-01-13-14:02:01 (IANS) In the past few months, there has been a discussion about whether schools should return to traditional schooling or adopt a hybrid model. For many schools, it was easy to choose and adapt to the changing times by implementing a hybrid education model. For many others, there was no option but to return to traditional schooling because such groups of schools lacked funding. With the Covid-19 new variant, Omicron, shutting down schools in many states, including the national capital, thousands of schools in the second group are sufferings due to the absence or lack of modern technologies in their systems. Keeping this in view, Eupheus Learning, a school-focused distribution platform and Varthana Finance Private Ltd, an education-focused NBFC, has signed an MoU to strengthen schools with financing options and modern education offerings. "Since our inception, we have been committed to transforming the Indian education system by enabling the 21st Century Learning. With this MoU with Varthana Finance, we are taking another step in the direction to support and empower schools with a one-stop solution for their financial, operational and academic needs", Amit Kapoor, Co-Founder, Eupheus Learning, said in a release. The benefits mentioned under the MoU will only cover schools that fall under the umbrella of Eupheus Learning and Varthana. The financial assistance extended under the MoU will help schools expand their infrastructure, invest in teacher training, and introduce new learning methods into their classrooms. Yogesh Gaat, Chief Business Officer, Varthana said that this strategic partnership would significantly improve learning outcomes for students and the performance of educators. "Our vision to support high-quality education aligns well with Eupheus, and we are confident that this partnership will yield great results", he added. India's education system is one of the largest globally, after China, with more than 1.5 million schools, around 9.7 million teachers and over 265 million students of pre-primary to higher secondary level. In the past two years of the pandemic, the number of dropouts has increased significantly. Among all segments, the dropout in secondary level is as high as 17 per cent. Such financial aid from private players will provide a base to schools on which they can make provisions to provide quality education to the majority of students. --IANS san/skp/ ( 387 Words) 2022-01-13-17:00:02 (IANS) Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal, on Thursday launched the negotiations between India and the UK for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the two countries in the presence of British International Trade Secretary, Anne-Marie Trevelyan. Ahead of the launch of the FTA negotiations, British Minister Boris Johnson said: "A trade deal with India's booming economy offers huge benefits for British businesses, workers and consumers. As we take our historic partnership with India to the next level, the UK's independent trade policy is creating jobs, increasing wages and driving innovation across the country." "The UK has world-class businesses and expertise for which we can rightly be proud of, from Scotch whisky distillers to financial services and cutting-edge renewable technology. We are seizing the opportunities offered in growing economies of the Indo-Pacific to cement our place on the global stage and deliver jobs and growth at home," Johnson said in London. The India-UK bilateral trade relationship is part of Roadmap 2030' announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his British counterpart Johnson in May 2021. India and the UK will seek to agree a mutually beneficial agreement supporting jobs, businesses and communities in both countries. --IANS nk/arm ( 212 Words) 2022-01-13-19:00:07 (IANS) "Still struggling for a basic right to judgement. 5 years! And then they say why women become too touchy about these topics," she wrote. For the unversed, Bhavana was reportedly kidnapped, attacked and molested in Kochi in 2017 and she had named actor Dileep as the main accused. In accordance with Indian law, her name and identity weren't initially revealed to the public. Last week, the Crime Branch wing of Kerala Police registered a case against actor Dileep and five others for allegedly threatening investigation officers in the sexual assault case of the actress. After the recent development in the case, Bhavana released a statement on her Instagram account. In the statement, she opened up about the horrific incident and how she faced humiliation over the years. (ANI) American rapper Roddy Ricch was scheduled to take the stage as the musical guest of the first 'Saturday Night Live episode' of 2022 on January 15. However, Ricch has dropped out of 'Saturday Night Live' this week after a possible COVID exposure. "Due to recent COVID-19 exposure on my team and to keep everyone safe I won't be able to perform on SNL this weekend," Ricch wrote on his Instagram Story. "I'm working with the SNL team to lock in a new date though! LOVE [pray emoji] STAY SAFE," he added. According to Variety, the rapper has been replaced by the Jack Antonoff-led band Bleachers for this weekend's 'SNL' episode. 'West Side Story' fame Ariana DeBose is set to host the show on Saturday. Ricch is the third musical guest to pull out of a performance on the show due to COVID-related reasons, all of which vary. In October of 2020, country music star Morgan Wallen's scheduled appearance was cancelled by the show after photos emerged on social media of him breaking protocol just days before the show by socialising in Alabama without a mask at a crowded bar and a house party. He posted an apology soon later, saying he respected the show's decision and noted that although he had not tested positive, "my actions from this past weekend were pretty short-sighted, and have obviously affected my long-term goals and my dreams," he said. The show rescheduled his appearance for several weeks later. For the final show of the 2021 season in December, Charli XCX's scheduled performance was called off as the Omicron variant reached alarming levels in New York and 'SNL' was forced to stage a dramatically scaled-down version of the show they had prepared. (ANI) 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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement 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. Breaking News Alerts As it happens When big news breaks in our area, be the first to know. > 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. Advertisement 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! Several videos and pictures from his pilgrimage have been doing the rounds on the internet. In the viral clips, Ajay can be seen wearing a mandatory black ensemble and a 'mala' around his neck. Reportedly, Ajay observed month-long pre-pilgrimage rituals ahead of his visit to Sabrimala Temple. From sleeping on the floor to eating vegetarian food, walking barefoot, and abstaining from consuming alcohol, Ajay strictly followed the rituals before his holy visit. The temple is situated 3000 feet above sea level on the hills in Kerala's Pathanamthitta district. (ANI) Actor Rupert Friend has joined the cast of ace filmmaker Wes Anderson's adaptation of Roald Dahl's short story collection 'The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar and Six More'. As per The Hollywood Reporter, Friend has joined previously announced cast members including Benedict Cumberbatch, Dev Patel, Ralph Fiennes and Ben Kingsley. The upcoming Netflix project will get underway this week in London. Anderson, who wrote the script and is directing, has divided the adaptation into three chapters, with Cumberbatch serving as a connective thread through each one. He will play multiple roles, including the titular Sugar. According to sources, Friend is the lead star of one of the three chapters. It is currently unclear what roles Patel, Fiennes and Kingsley are playing. Published in 1982, the book featured both fiction and nonfiction stories. The title tale is centred on Henry Sugar, a man who steals a book that shows him how to see through objects and predict the future. This sparks a series of misadventures that involve evading Mafia henchmen, working with a Hollywood makeup artist to craft new identities, and setting up orphanages around the world. Coming back to Friend, the actor has become a reliable part of the Anderson acting repertoire, a stable of thespians the filmmaker likes to call upon time and again. The upcoming film marks the third Anderson movie for the actor, who had a role in 'The French Dispatch' and shot an untitled Anderson film last fall. The actor is widely known for starring in 'Hitman: Agent 47' as well as his season-spanning appearances in the acclaimed series 'Homeland'. He will soon be seen in Lucasfilm's Star Wars series 'Obi-Wan Kenobi'. (ANI) As per Variety, after screening at the festival, it will air in two parts on HBO in the coming months. For more than two years, Oscar-nominated documentarian Amy Berg has been working with Rachel Wood on a documentary about Wood's life as an actor and emergence as an activist. The documentary will also chronicle her decision to come forward to allege that musician Marilyn Manson had "horrifically abused" her while they were in a relationship. Though Wood had spoken publicly about her experiences with domestic violence, and in 2019 had created the Phoenix Act, a bill that extends the statute of limitations on domestic violence from three years to five -- which passed in California -- it wasn't until February 1, 2021, that she accused Manson as being the perpetrator of that abuse in a post on Instagram. However, Manson has denied all wrongdoing. But in the aftermath of Wood's allegations -- which opened the floodgates of other Manson accusers -- his label, agent, manager and longtime publicist dropped him. (ANI) Actor Jake Gyllenhaal, who is known for his work in 'The Guilty' and 'Demolition' has admitted that he was left starstruck by another A-lister in Hollywood, Brad Pitt. People magazine citied an interview in W magazine for their 2022 Best Performances Portfolio in which the 41-year-old actor talked about his first meeting with Brad Pitt on the set of 'The Good Girl', when he was working with Pitt's ex-wife Jennifer Aniston. "I was working with Jennifer Aniston, who was his wife at the time, and there were a lot of racy scenes," said 'Okja' star. "I remember putting my hand out to shake his, and accidentally hitting the door and Pitt said, so confidently and kindly, 'Well, you have another one. It's all right,' " Gyllenhall was quoted as saying. "It was a really lovely exchange, but I was definitely starstruck," Gyllenhaal shared. Gyllenhaal also shared about working with 'Friends' star Aniston in 2002, during an interview on 'The Howard Stern Show'. When asked if it was "torture" to film love scenes with Aniston, the actor yes because he liked her so much. "Oh yeah, it was torture, yes it was," he said, laughing. "But it was also not torture. I mean, come on, it was like a mix of both." "Weirdly, love scenes are awkward, because there are maybe 30, 50 people watching it? That doesn't turn me on," Gyllenhaal added. "It's oddly mechanical. And also it's a dance, you're choreographing for a camera. You can get in it but it's like a fight scene, you have to choreograph those scenes." In April 2016, Gyllenhaal had joked to the People magazine that working with actor Jennifer Aniston was rough. "I will say, I had a crush on her for years. And working with her was not easy," he said. "I was - um, yeah. That's all I'm going to say. It was lovely. It wasn't hard, that's what I would say," He added that he was on Team Aniston not because of the TV series Friends, but because of how Aniston presented herself. "Not so much Friends, but kind of her personality from afar, and movies she was in," he said. "And some of Friends - I'm not a huge Friends fan - but who she is." (ANI) The incident took place on Wednesday. The protest was organised 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 officials 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 added. "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, Xinhua news agency reported. He added that 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 added that 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 10 days ago in the country. Since Tuesday, Parliament Speaker Nikola Minchev has been in self-isolation after he tested positive for Covid-19 on Monday. On Monday, he attended a meeting of the Consultative Council on National Security 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. --IANS int/khz/ ( 308 Words) 2022-01-13-02:58:02 (IANS) German Chancellor Olaf Scholz reiterated his support for mandatory Covid-19 vaccination in the country during his first briefing to the Bundestag (lower house of Parliament). Scholz on Wednesday said that he hoped for a swift discussion in the Bundestag on a general Covid-19 vaccination obligation, stressing that "I, for one, believe it is necessary and will actively campaign for it." Not getting vaccinated is not just a personal decision but has consequences for the entire country, he added. "There is no decision that you make just for yourself, and that is why mandatory vaccination is right." The German government has already made it mandatory for healthcare workers to get vaccinated. The vaccination rate in the country stood at 72.2 per cent on Tuesday, according to official figures. However, around 21 million people in Germany are still not vaccinated, Xinhua news agency reported. Alongside the Covid-19 vaccination campaign, the country's booster vaccination program would also need to be pushed ahead, the German Chancellor said. The goal is to administer more than one million vaccines per day, just as the country did before the Christmas holidays. He also warned that Covid-19 case numbers would increase sharply due to the more contagious Omicron variant. On Wednesday, Germany's Robert Koch Institute (RKI) for infectious diseases reported a new record of more than 80,000 daily Covid-19 cases. --IANS int/khz/ ( 236 Words) 2022-01-13-04:28:02 (IANS) A third dose of AstraZeneca's Covid vaccine, named Covishield in India, increases antibody response to the new vaccine-evading Omicron variant, according to a new trial published by the British-Swedish drugmaker on Thursday. The trial showed the third dose booster also increases the immune response to Beta, Delta, Alpha, and Gamma SARS-CoV-2 variants. The results of both were observed among individuals previously vaccinated with either AstraZeneca, Vaxzevria in the UK, or an mRNA vaccine. "These important studies show that a third dose of Vaxzevria after two initial doses of the same vaccine, or after mRNA or inactivated vaccines, strongly boosts immunity against Covid-19," said Professor Sir Andrew J. Pollard, chief investigator and director of the Oxford Vaccine Group at the University of Oxford, in a statement. "The Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine is suitable as an option to enhance immunity in the population for countries considering booster programmes, adding to the protection already demonstrated with the first two doses," he added. A recent study showed that AstraZeneca's shot increased antibodies when given as a booster after initial vaccination with its own shot or mRNA-based Pfizer's. But the study also noted that mRNA vaccines by Pfizer and Moderna gave the biggest boost to antibodies when given as a booster dose. AstraZeneca said that the new data adds to the growing body of evidence supporting Vaxzevria as a third dose booster irrespective of the primary vaccination schedules tested, adding that it is submitting the additional data to health authorities. "Given the ongoing urgency of the pandemic and Vaxzevria's increased immune response to the Omicron variant, we will continue to progress regulatory submissions around the world for its use as a third dose booster," said Mene Pangalos, Executive Vice President, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca. Meanwhile, AstraZeneca on Thursday also welcomed the US government's announcement for the purchase of an additional 500,000 doses of its antibody drug Evusheld. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had, last month, granted emergency use authorisation to Evusheld -- an injectable monoclonal antibody cocktail of tixagevimab co-packaged with cilgavimab - for Covid-19 among people with weakened immune systems. It is the first antibody treatment against Covid-19 that has won an EUA from the drug regulator. Evusheld is also effective against the Omicron variant. Delivery of the additional 500,000 doses is anticipated in the first quarter of 2022, the company said in a statement. This follows the previous government agreement for the purchase of 700,000 doses of Evusheld. --IANS rvt/svn/vd ( 418 Words) 2022-01-13-15:46:06 (IANS) "The 'Sub-Committee' reviewed the major developments in the global and domestic economy as well as in various segments of the financial system and discussed the assessments of members about the scenario emerging from the third wave of the Covid-19 pandemic," the RBI said. It also discussed various inter regulatory issues and matters relating to the use of Aadhaar based e-KYC and Aadhaar Enabled Payment System by regulated entities, the central bank added. Besides, it reviewed the activities of various technical groups under its purview and the functioning of 'State Level Coordination Committees' (SLCCs) in various states or UTs. "The members resolved to maintain a close watch on the unfolding developments and act proactively to ensure that financial institutions and financial markets remain resilient amidst the challenges posed by the resurgence of the pandemic," the RBI said. --IANS rv/vd ( 184 Words) 2022-01-13-21:40:05 (IANS) A 'Whole of Government' approach in Jammu and Kashmir has led to a progressive improvement of the security situation in the state, Army Chief General MM Naravane said on Wednesday. "In Jammu & Kashmir, the 'Whole of Government' approach, has led to progressive improvement, in the security situation", said the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Naravane while addressing the Indian Army's annual press conference. The COAS began his Army day address by saying that the threat at the Line of Control (LoC) from Pakistan has not receded. "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 also informed that in Jammu and Kashmir efforts are being given to give an indigenous hue to terrorism, by setting up a facade of proxy terror which the 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", claimed the Army Chief. 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 it continues the proxy war unabated on Indian soil, Indian Army Chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane said on Wednesday. He also added that there is an increase in the concentration of terrorists in launch pads across the LC and at the same time there have been repeated infiltration attempts. "This once again exposed their nefarious intents", said Naravane. "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," he said. 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. (ANI) "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." --IANS sq/pgh ( 191 Words) 2022-01-12-19:34:04 (IANS) 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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement [ Sign up | Get Baltimore Sun alerts sent to your email, mobile phone and desktop ] 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. 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. --IANS maya/pgh ( 234 Words) 2022-01-12-19:40:05 (IANS) 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. --IANS niv/vd ( 223 Words) 2022-01-12-19:44:03 (IANS) 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. --IANS/ --ss/ ( 596 Words) 2022-01-12-22:04:03 (IANS) 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. --IANS sc/pgh ( 465 Words) 2022-01-12-22:12:02 (IANS) 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." --IANS sbg/arm ( 342 Words) 2022-01-12-22:16:01 (IANS) 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. --IANS aal/arm ( 356 Words) 2022-01-12-23:12:01 (IANS) 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. --IANS uj/arm ( 366 Words) 2022-01-12-23:18:04 (IANS) 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. --IANS niv/vd ( 271 Words) 2022-01-12-23:30:03 (IANS) Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Wednesday asked industry bodies to prepay Medium, Small and Micro Enterprises (MSME) to safeguard their viability and to boost employment and growth. He was interacting with the leaders of major industry bodies virtually from New Delhi. The meeting was called to seek their suggestions and inputs to ensure the continuation of fast rebound of economic activities and high growth rates being achieved. The Union Minister congratulated 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 USD 250 billion services exports. "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," he said. Highlighting the progress made in FTA negotiations, Goyal said that the Government was striving to conclude several Early Harvest Agreements so that their benefits could reach the industry soon. He said that an FTA with UAE was nearing conclusion, negotiations were at an advanced stage with Australia and discussions with Israel were ongoing. Referring to the relaunch of market access negotiations with Korea, he said that a comprehensive fast track dialogue had been initiated to address concerns arising out of the previous agreement. The minister said that there was an imminent need for up-gradation of testing facilities and labs to improve to quality and called upon the Indian Industry to extend its support in this regard. He also asks the industry to lend guidance for transformational exports growth beyond USD 400 billion. The Union Minister also urged industry to use single window for business 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. "The industry leaders to be proactive in giving inputs to the government, especially in areas like FTA negotiations. The industry should become more demanding," he added. The minister also asked the industry to invest more and place greater emphasis upon Research and Development activities as a business and growth strategy. He further observed that by and large economic, activities had not been impacted by the current COVID surge. (ANI) Amid surging COVID-19 cases following the emergence of Omicron variant, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will interact with the Chief Ministers of all states on Thursday at 4:30 pm via video conferencing on the COVID situation. This is the first meeting of the Prime Minister with the Chief Ministers of all states this year. PM Modi has held several meetings with chief ministers last year. Earlier on Wednesday, Dr VK Paul, a NITI Aayog member, has also cautioned that the infection caused by the Omicron variant of coronavirus should not be considered common cold and people should not take it lightly. "Omicron is replacing Delta variant of COVID-19 as it is highly transmissible. It should be considered as the common cold. Normally, the transmission or expansion of the pandemic would take longer but this time it has been very rapid because of the high transmissibility," he said at the Health Ministry media briefing. Mentioning a steep surge in coronavirus cases across India, Lav Agarwal, Joint Secretary, Union Health Ministry said, "A sharp surge in COVID cases in India with the active cases 9,55,319 today. Emerging states of concern (reporting surge in COVID cases) are Maharashtra, West Bengal, Delhi, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, and Gujarat." "Emerging states of concerns reporting high positive rates- Maharashtra with a rate positivity rate of 22.39 per cent, West Bengal 32.18 per cent, Delhi 23.1 per cent and Uttar Pradesh 4.47 per cent," he added. The Prime Minister had also chaired a meeting to review the COVID-19 situation in the country on January 9, through a video conference. During that review meeting, PM Modi had stressed the need to ensure adequate health infrastructure at the district level. He had asked officials to maintain coordination regarding this with the states. India has witnessed a surge in COVID-19 cases in the recent past. According to the Union Health Ministry, India on Wednesday reported 1,94,720 new COVID-19 cases and 442 fatalities. The daily positivity rate due to this virus in the country is 11.05 per cent. Active cases account for 2.65 per cent of the total cases. (ANI) 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. --IANS mka/arm ( 485 Words) 2022-01-13-01:04:03 (IANS) Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Wednesday said that the state government will go ahead with the Mekedatu project. "When it comes to land and water-related issues, all political parties have worked together. Our government is committed to embracing the project, taking all political parties to confidence in the Mekedatu issue but for now, the COVID-19 epidemic third wave covered the state of Karnataka and especially Bengaluru. We need to take all necessary measures to curb COVID19," said the Chief Minister. He further said that the health of the people of Karnataka and Bengaluru is our primary duty. "Thus commitment to perform this duty needs to be shown. The government wants the cooperation of all without violating the law governing the epidemic," he added. Bommai said that the government has decided to take all possible measures to control this epidemic in Karnataka and Bengaluru. Earlier on Wednesday, the Karnataka High Court reprimanded the State government for not taking action in the matter of violation of COVID norms during Congress' Mekedatu padayatra. Karnataka leader of the Opposition Siddaramaiah has said that the Congress would take out the Mekedatu padayatra 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) After the Calcutta High Court gave the go-ahead to organise the Ganga Sagar Mela, on Wednesday it commenced with strict COVID-19 protocols. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee inaugurated the Ganga Sagar Mela, which is held annually at Gangasagar in West Bengal. Speaking to ANI, South 24 Parganas District Magistrate Dr P Ulganathan said that Ganga Sagar Mela has been organised as compared to those organised during the COVID-19 pandemic. "Gangasagar Mela is the biggest fair in the Eastern part of India. Here every year lakhs of devotees and sadhus come. But this time due to COVID-19, all our preparations have become complicated and a lot of extra preparation had to be done. We have made a massive arrangement for COVID management, in all the entry points. We are doing medical screening at every entry point and have made many such arrangements which range from thermal checking to sanitization. We are also doing rapid antigen tests of pilgrims and sadhus coming to the Mela. In all the buses arranged, more than 50 per cent of the capacity people are not being brought," said Ulganathan. He further said that the water ambulance and air ambulance is also available on the ground for COVID infected people. Random testing is being done to not know whether people are infected or not, he added. "We have done deployed doctors, police and volunteers at the mass level. We were able to manage all the people who are coming here," he said. He further said that all the activities of the Mela are being monitored from the Mega Control Room. CCTV cameras and drones are being used to keep an eye on each and every activity of the Mela. "CCTV cameras, drones are installed, an integrated control room has been set up but police, civil defence, civil administration all can see them. Monitoring is also being done from State Secretariat Nabanna. Complete monitoring is being done at senior officer IG, DG and Chief Secretary level. Chief Minister has come here and gone after doing a complete review. And continuous review meeting is also being held at the headquarter. This time we have done very good preparation," he said. The District Magistrate said a large number of Police, Navy, Disaster Management Teams, Civil Defense Forces have been deployed to monitor the crowd management, as well as arrangements, have been made to transport people with the facility of GPRS in buses, vessels and barges. "There is a deployment of police personnel above 15,000. Apart from this, there is civil defence, navy and army is also deployed because the area is so big. Everything has been done for safety and security," he added. He said for transportation boats, vessels and all arrangements have been made because to come to this Mela, one will have to cross the ocean. About three to four lakh people are expected to come and accordingly, all the preparation has been done, he added. "The order given by the High Court is being 100 per cent followed. continuous checking is being done to see if people are double vaccinated or not. RT-PCR test is being done, no one can come to the island without vaccination and without RT-PCR test and all arrangements have been made accordingly. Mask distribution is also being done so far five lakh masks have been distributed. Masks are mandatory, for this we have kept volunteers and continuous awareness is also being done and announcements are also being made," he said. "Right now a lot of people are afraid to go into the water and some people are not able to come, that's why we have arranged heavy drones for Gangasagar bath, everyone will be bathed in the Ganges by drone. It will start from tomorrow," he said. The District Magistrate said this time Ganga Aarti has also been organized in a grand manner. "A meditation centre has been set up in this area where one can meditate. A museum has been built here in which the complete history of Ganga Sagar will be seen," he said. The program will be organized through an e-darshan platform on various social media platforms like YouTube, website, Facebook, Twitter, and being broadcast live on Instagram. "We are fully prepared for any situation that may arise here at the Mela. We are seeing whether people are following all the COVID protocols or not. Our team is all around the Mela from ground to ocean," said an official. Held during the winters, this Mela is an annual gathering of pilgrims that see a number of rituals, lit lamps and chanting in and around Sagardwip. (ANI) Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has said that his government has arrived at 'mutual understanding' with Meghalaya over the six areas of the boundary dispute between the two neighbouring states that were taken up in the first phase of a border row settlement. "We have reached a mutual understanding between the two governments (Assam and Meghalaya) today. But it has to be ratified at the larger level. People are involved in this matter, state interest is involved. The government alone cannot decide," Himanta Biswa Sarma said. Meghalaya's Deputy CM Prestone Tynsong said, "More or less we are almost about to reach agreement in areas that we have already inspected. Now again both CMs have directed to bring out detailed reports and thereafter one more meeting will be held between two CMs." "They will be meeting even the Union Home Minister hopefully before January 21. Maybe the final agreement will be made public to both the states of Assam and Meghalaya after they come back," he added. In their long-standing inter-state boundary disputes between Assam and Meghalaya, their respective Chief Ministers on December 23 last year held a meeting and decided to resolve the issues over six areas, out of 12. (ANI) The meeting of BJP's Central Election Committee (CEC) is underway on Thursday to finalize the names of the candidates for the Uttar Pradesh assembly polls. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will also attend the meeting virtually. The candidates of nearly 175 Assembly seats are to be finalized today. The meeting is being held at the party headquarters in the national capital. Elections for the 403 assembly constituencies in Uttar Pradesh will be held in seven phases starting February 10. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, UP BJP president Swatantra Dev Singh and Deputy CMs Keshav Prasad Maurya and Dinesh Sharma are also attending the meet. Union Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP UP Poll in-charge Dharmendra Pradhan, BJP UP General Secretary (Organization) Sunil Bansal and National General Secretary (organization) BL Santosh are attending the meeting while BJP President JP Nadda and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh are likely to join virtually. Meanwhile, ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh, Congress MLA from Behat (Saharanpur) Naresh Saini, Sirsaganj (Firozabad) MLA Hari Om Yadav, and former Samajwadi Party MLA Dr Dharmpal Singh on Wednesday joined the Bhartiya Janata Party. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is likely to contest the upcoming Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections from Ayodhya, said sources. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is likely to be fielded from Ayodhya and his name could appear on the first list to be released by the party soon. The BJP has scrutinized the candidates for more than 300 Assembly seats of Uttar Pradesh in the meeting. Deliberation will continue on the names of the candidates on Thursday, the last day of the meeting, said sources. The seven-phase Uttar Pradesh (UP) assembly polls to be held between February 10 and March 7. The polling in Uttar Pradesh will be held on February 10, 14, 20, 23, 27 and March 3 . 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) An AK rifle, a pistol, and two grenades have been recovered from the terrorist, the IGP further said. "The JeM terrorist killed in the Kulgam encounter has been identified as Babar, a Pakistani national active in Shopian & Kulgam since 2018. One AK rifle, one pistol, and two grenades have been recovered," the IGP told ANI. Earlier on Wednesday, an encounter broke out between security forces and terrorists in the Pariwan area of Jammu and Kashmir's Kulgam district. (ANI) Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on Thursday claimed that Yogi Adityanath is set to lose the upcoming Assembly polls in the Uttar Pradesh and the process for the same has begun after the exodus of MLAs from BJP. The statement of the Chhattisgarh Chief Minister came after the resignations of three Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLAs in Uttar Pradesh, weeks ahead of the state Assembly elections. "In all the elections held so far, other party leaders were joining the BJP, but for the first time in Uttar Pradesh, there is a stampede in the ruling party. The departure of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is certain and the process has started," Baghel told the media persons in Raipur at the taking over ceremony of Mayor of Chairman of Birgaon municipal corporation. On Congress party winning the post of Mayor and Chairman in the Birgaon municipal corporation elections, he said, "Birgaon Municipal Corporation election was a very challenging election. BJP fought the elections with full force. Still, we won the elections due to the work of the government and the hard work of the party. Hence we occupied both the posts of mayor and chairman". Earlier on Tuesday, following the resignation of Uttar Pradesh cabinet minister Swami Prasad Maurya from the Bharatiya Janata Party weeks ahead of the state assembly polls, the party suffered yet another jolt when three of its MLAs resigned citing "ignorance of the state government" of the poor and weaker section of society. 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. (ANI) Shiv Sena Rajya Sabha MP and senior party leader Sanjay Raut will be in Uttar Pradesh on Thursday to finalize the strategy for the party ahead of the Assembly elections. He will also meet farmer leader Rakesh Tikait during his visit to the state today. Speaking to ANI, Sanjay Raut said that Shiv Sena will not have an alliance with anyone in Uttar Pradesh. "We are not going to form an alliance with BJP, with Congress and Samajwadi Party. We have ideological differences with Samajwadi Party. So, we will not go with them. But, we want change in Uttar Pradesh and it is happening," he said. "Shiv Sena has been working in Uttar Pradesh for many years but when elections came, we did not take it seriously as it could harm the BJP. But this time, we will contest the elections in Uttar Pradesh," Raut further said. The Shiv Sena Rajya MP reminded BJP that they were also a part of the Ayodhya movement. "We are part of Ayodhya Movement, we will also do a movement in Mathura. But now, we are going to Uttar Pradesh. The biggest leader of the farmers who led the farmers' agitation is Rakesh Tikait. I have seen tears in his eyes during the agitation and his happiness when he won the battle for the farmers. I will meet Tikait to find out his views and what he wants." Speaking about Yogi Adityanath contesting the election from Ayodhya, he said, "It is a good thing and we will also contest from Ayodhya. We will also fight from Mathura. We are not contesting against Yogi Adityanath but Shiv Sena is contesting elections. If Yogi Adityanath is a big leader, then he can fight from anywhere and we respect Yogi ji. We do not have any quarrel with any person," he said. (ANI) The Assam Rifles apprehended a suspected People's Liberation Army (PLA) terrorist in Manipur, said The Assam Rifles on Thursday. The Assam Rifles tweeted from its official Twitter handle, "Assam Rifles apprehends a PLA terrorist in Manipur. Mantripukhri Battalion of #AssamRifles, on 11 Jan, in a joint operation with Manipur Police, apprehended a terrorist of PLA from Andro Khuman Nungyungbi Leikai, Imphal East, Manipur." Further details are awaited. (ANI) The Congress Party's Karnataka unit had started Mekedatu padayatra on January 9, demanding a reservoir across the Cauvery river in Ramanagara district. The Karnataka High Court on Wednesday pulled up the State Government for granting permission to the Congress party for the foot march, after which the Government banned the padayatra with immediate effect. After the BBMP cancelled the meeting in Bengaluru on January 19, Congress is holding a meeting in Ramanagara district today. The Congress party is likely to withdraw the padayatra. Former CM Siddaramaiah said that the party will obey the orders of the court. The court is scheduled to hear the matter tomorrow. (ANI) A new research has found that young adults who consider themselves multilingual tend to perform better across a wide range of subjects at school, regardless of whether they are actually fluent in another language. The study has been published in the 'Journal of Language, Identity & Education'. The study, of more than 800 pupils in England, found a positive relationship between GCSE scores and 'multilingual identity': a reference to whether pupils felt a personal connection with other languages through knowledge and use. Those who self-identified as multilingual typically outperformed their peers not just in subjects such as French and Spanish, but in non-language subjects including maths, geography, and science. This applied whether or not they actually spoke a second language fluently. Perhaps surprisingly, however, not all pupils who were officially described by their schools as having 'English as a Second Language' (EAL) thought of themselves as multilingual, even though the term is used by schools and Government as a proxy for multilingualism. Correspondingly, these pupils did not necessarily perform better (or worse) as a group at GCSE than their non-EAL peers. The results indicated that encouraging pupils to identify with languages and to value different styles of communication could help them to develop a mindset that supported academic progress overall. Other recent research has argued for broadening the scope of language lessons so that, as well as studying vocabulary and grammar, pupils explore the importance of languages and their significance for their own lives. This new study was the first, however, to examine the relationship between multilingual identity and attainment. Dr Dee Rutgers, a Research Associate at the Faculty of Education, University of Cambridge, said, "The evidence suggests that the more multilingual you consider yourself to be, the higher your GCSE scores. While we need to understand more about why that relationship exists, it may be that children who see themselves as multilingual have a sort of 'growth mindset' which impacts on wider attainment." Dr Linda Fisher, Reader in Languages Education at the University of Cambridge, said, "There could be a strong case for helping children who think that they can't 'do' languages to recognise that we all use a range of communication tools and that learning a language is simply adding to that range. This may influence attitude and self-belief, which is directly relevant to learning at school. In other words, what you think you are maybe more important than what others say you are." The study's authors argued that being multilingual meant far more than the official EAL definition of being 'exposed to a language at home that is known or believed to be other than English'. They suggested that even young people who see themselves as monolingual possessed a 'repertoire' of communication. For example, they may use different dialects, pick up words and phrases on holiday, know sign language, or understand other types of 'language' such as computer code. The study involved 818 Year-11 pupils at five secondary schools in South East England. As well as establishing whether pupils were officially registered as EAL or non-EAL, the researchers asked each pupil if they personally identified as such. Separately, each pupil was asked to plot where they saw themselves on a 0-100 scale, where 0 represented 'monolingual' and 100 'multilingual'. This data was compared with their GCSE results in nine subjects. Students who spoke a second language at home did not always personally identify either as EAL or multilingual. Conversely, pupils who saw themselves as multilingual were not always those earmarked by the school as having English as an additional language. "The fact that these terms didn't correlate more closely is surprising considering that they are all supposedly measuring the same thing," Rutgers said. "Just having experience of other languages clearly doesn't necessarily translate into a multilingual identity because the experience may not be valued by the student," Rutgers added. School-reported EAL status had no impact on GCSE results, although pupils who self-identified as EAL generally did better than their peers in modern languages. Those who considered themselves 'multilingual' on the 0-100 scale, however, performed better academically across the board. The strength of this relationship varied between subjects and was, again, particularly pronounced in modern languages. In all nine GCSE subjects assessed, however, each point increase on the monolingual-to-multilingual scale was associated with a fractional rise in pupils' exam scores. For example, a one-point increase was found to correspond to 0.012 of a grade in Science, and 0.011 of a grade in Geography. Students who considered themselves very multilingual would, by this measure, typically score a full grade higher than those who consider themselves monolingual. Positively identifying as multilingual could often, therefore, be enough to push students who would otherwise fall slightly short of a certain grade up to the next level. The findings appeared to indicate that the positive mentality and self-belief which typically developed among pupils with a multilingual identity has spill-over benefits for their wider education. The authors added that this could be cultivated in languages classrooms: for example, by exposing young people to learning programmes that explore different types of language and dialect or encouraging them to think about how languages shape their lives both inside and outside school. "Too often we think about other languages as something that we don't need to know, or as difficult to learn," Fisher said. "These findings suggest that if pupils were encouraged to see themselves as active and capable language learners, it could have a really positive impact on their wider progress at school," she concluded. (ANI) "Recently the Immigration Authority of Singapore raised concerns to India that Indian airlines have violated the COVID-19 isolation norms through diplomatic channels as well as aviation watchdog DGCA," Govt. senior official told ANI, A top Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) official told ANI, "After the complaint from the Singapore Immigration Authority, DGCA has assured that they will take strict action against the airlines." According to aviation regulator officials, the airline's male crew tested positive for COVID-19 on December 31 and joined as per the duty roster on January 9 and the company scheduled its duty for the international (Singapore) flight this week. "During immigration clearance at Changi airport, the immigration authority detained a crew member for violating the COVID-19 rules. The matter has been reported to the concerned department in India and the matter is under investigation," a DGCA official told ANI. A positive person travelling to Singapore will have to follow mandatory 14-day home isolation with a negative RT-PCR report. (ANI) This is a third BJP lawmaker who is resigning from the party in as many days. Shakya, his brother Devesh Shakya and their mother Draupadi Shakya came to Maurya's residence on Thursday and handed over his resignation letter. On Wednesday, Dara Singh Chauhan, who was the environment and forest minister in the Yogi Adityanath cabinet, also resigned from the BJP. Chauhan had defected to BJP from BSP in 2015. In the resignation letter, Shakya wrote, "In the last five years of the BJP regime, leaders from Dalit, marginalised section and minority communities were not given importance and not respected. Beside this, the state government ignored the marginalised section of community, farmers and unemployed youngsters. This is the reason why I am resigning from the primary membership of BJP. Swami Prasad Maurya is the voice of suppressed and exploited people and I am with him." (ANI) The Delhi High Court on Thursday admitted the appeal of former Union Minister MJ Akbar challenging a trial court order which had dismissed the criminal defamation case filed by him against journalist Priya Ramani. A bench of Justice Mukta Gupta on Thursday said the appeal is admitted and listed in due course. Earlier, the court had sought the response of Journalist Priya Ramani on the appeal of former Union Minister MJ Akbar challenging a trial court's order. MJ Akbar was represented by Senior Advocates Rajeev Nayar and Geeta Luthra, briefed by a team from Karanjawala & Co., led by Advocate Sandeep Kapur and comprising Vir Sandhu, Vivek Suri, Niharika Karanjawala and Apoorva Pandey, advocates. Priya Ramani was represented by Advocate Bhavook Chauhan today. Senior Advocates Rajiv Nayar and Geeta Luthra, briefed by a team from Karanjawala & Co represented the MJ Akbar in the case. Appeal submitted that the impugned judgement suffers from grave infirmities, which is apparent from the fact that, while dealing with the present complaint, the Trial Court completely departed from the facts in issue and made general observations, without addressing the averments made by the complainant, moreover, while doing so, the Trial Court has not ascribed any reason for disregarding the evidence led by the Complainant, as well as the testimony of the Complainant's witnesses. The appeal further submitted that "the impugned judgement suffers from non-application of mind, which has led to crucial errors. On one hand, while the impugned judgement itself states that the article written by the accused, which was subsequently linked to the Complainant, was defamatory, and simultaneously rejects the defence of the accused.....". "It would follow that the accused, once her argument is rejected and her publication is held to be defamatory, would be convicted. However, the Trial Court, even after holding as above, has acquitted the accused, without providing adequate reasons for such acquittal," the plea read. MJ Akbar has challenged the trial court order passed on February 17, last year which had acquitted journalist Priya Ramani in the defamation case filed against her over the allegations of sexual harassment. Trial Court's Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Ravindra Kumar Pandey while passing the judgement had said that "Indian women are capable, the way should be paved for them to excel, and they only require freedom and equality. The 'glass ceiling' will not prevent Indian women as a roadblock for their advancement in society if the equal opportunity and social protection are given to them". Ramani during cross-examination submitted that she had no "malafide" and "extraneous" motive for making the allegations of sexual harassment against former union minister M J Akbar. "It is wrong to suggest that my conduct as a journalist has been unethical as I had neither identified my sources nor attributed credits" she had said. Akbar, the former Minister of State for External Affairs, had filed a defamation case against the journalist Priya Ramani for accusing him of sexual misconduct. Ramani was the first woman to accuse Akbar of sexual harassment during the #MeToo campaign. The allegations levelled against him forced him to resign from the Union Cabinet on October 17, 2018. (ANI) In his resignation letter, the BJP leader mentioned the callous attitude of the BJP government in the state towards farmers, Dalits, the unemployed and those belonging to other backward classes. This announcement holds importance ahead of the Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls. 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 (SP) bagged 47 seats, BSP won 19 while Congress could manage to win only seven seats. (ANI) Karnataka Congress on Thursday decided to postpone the Mekedatu Padayatra due to the prevailing COVID-19 situation. Addressing media persons, former Karnataka Chief Minister and Congress leader Siddaramaiah said, "Karnataka Congress has decided to suspend Mekedatu Padayatra with immediate effect in view of the prevailing COVID-19 situation." "Once the number of COVID-19 cases comes down, we will start the padayatra again from Ramanagara which will continue for seven days," he said. Earlier today, senior State Congress leaders held a meeting in Ramanagara to discuss the future course of action in wake of the cancellation of permission for the padayatra's final event in Bengaluru and the High Court's observation. The Karnataka High Court on Wednesday pulled up the State Government for granting permission to the Congress party for the foot march, after which the Government banned the padayatra with immediate effect Also, Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai urged the Leader of Opposition in the Karnataka Assembly Siddaramaiah and State Congress chief DK Shivakumar to call off Mekedatu Padayatra in view of rising COVID cases. Bommai is currently COVID-19 positive. Prior to this announcement, Karnataka Home Minister A Jnanendra said that Congress should desist from spreading COVID-19 via the Padayatra. "Strict action will be taken to prevent Padayatra. The march will not be allowed to go one step further. We will take legal action to prevent this Padayatra from marching forward," he said. "Congress has no commitment to the Mekedatu scheme. COVID-19 positive leaders were part of this march. It is just for merely political gains. Congress is not acting as a responsible opposition. Many leaders like Veerappa Moily, Mallikarjun Kharge who participated in this march tested positive," he said. Congress launched its 11-day padayatra seeking early implementation of the Mekedatu drinking water project on Sunday. 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) India is a land of immense devotion and festivities, where we have a plethora of cultures and traditions. When it comes to the Hindu culture, Makar Sankranti is one significant festival dedicated to Lord Surya or the Sun God. From the festival of Makar Sankranti, which is celebrated on January 14, days become longer and nights become shorter, and it marks the end of the winter season. Makar Sankranti is observed as a festival of harvesting of the winter crops, also known as the rabi crops. However, it also signifies the bond between a father and son. Makar Sankranti is celebrated differently in different parts of India. So let's have a look: 1. Punjab, Delhi, and Haryana: Celebrated as Makar Sankranti, on this auspicious day, all brothers visit their married sisters and gift them warm clothes and sweets. Married women gift their in-laws shawls, sweets, clothes, and much more as a mark of care and respect. Families gather at one place to enjoy the festival cheerfully. 2. Tamil Nadu: In Tamil Nadu, Makar Sankranti is celebrated as the festival of Pongal. This festivity is observed for four days consecutively and each day has a special meaning. On the first day, people clean up and de-clutter their houses as well as decorate them. Apart from that, they wear new, colourful clothes while throwing away the old ones. On the second day, which is the main Pongal day, people make delicious sweets and rice dishes. The rice is boiled along with milk and jaggery and left to boil in a pot. As soon as it boils over the pot, the people utter a prayer, and Pongal celebrations begin. This rice dish is offered to God and then to the people. During the other two days of Pongal, people visit each other to gift sweets and worship the cattle. During the Pongal celebration, people also make rangolis to add a touch of vibrancy to the festival. 3. Gujarat: In Gujarat, people celebrate this festival as Uttarayan and the state is famous for its International Kite Flying Festival. Once people are done with their morning prayers, they gather on the terrace of their houses with colourful kites. And the festival begins! You can hear people shouting "Kai Po Che" to the losing side during the kite flying festival. Apart from that, people devour delicacies such as Chikki, made up of sesame seeds and peanuts along with Undhiyu, made up of winter vegetables. 4. Assam: Makar Sankranti is celebrated as Bihu in Assam and also marks the beginning of the Assamese New Year. On this day, people wear traditional clothes like dhoti, gamosa, and saadar mekhela. Along with that, they celebrate by singing traditional folk songs as well as dancing. 5. Uttarakhand: In Uttarakhand, Makar Sankranti is celebrated as Gughuti, which is the festival of welcoming the migratory birds. The people feed Khichdi and other food items as a charity as well as organise donation camps. Along with that, flour and jaggery are used to make sweets and then deep-fried in different shapes. These sweets are then offered to the crows by children. Apart from that, the crows are also fed Puri, Vade, and Puwe. It is believed by the locals that the child who is able to feed a crow first is the luckiest. 6. Himachal Pradesh: In Himachal Pradesh, locals celebrate Magha Saaji as Makar Sankranti. Saaji is the local name for Sankranti and Magha is the name of the month. On this day, people take a dip in the holy rivers of the place and visit the temples to seek the blessings of the Lord. Apart from that, they visit their friends and family and gift them sweets like chikki or khichdi and ghee. It is a day when a lot of donations and charities are made by the people. In the evening, the locals celebrate by singing folk songs and dancing. Also known to strengthen the bond of friendship, this festival is all about making khichdi, kite flying, sesame sweets, and coconut laddoos. Makar Sankranti marks a message, that the winter season is now clearly, leaving. Happy Makar Sankranti! (ANI) India and China military delegates deliberated for over 12 hours focusing on disengagement at Patrolling Point 15 -- Hot Springs. The Wednesday meeting between the military commanders of the two countries at Moldo on the Chinese side started at 10 a.m. and ended at 10.30 p.m. This the 14th round of military talks between India and China to resolve the border dispute. Talking about the military discussions, Indian Army chief General M.M. Naravane said on Wednesday that he hoped for some positive developments in the days ahead. Along the Northern Borders, the Indian Army has continued to maintain the highest levels of operational preparedness, while engaging in sustained dialogue with the People's Liberation Army, Gen Naravane had said. "We hope to resolve Patrolling Point 15 (Hot Spring) in the current round of talks. Once that is done we will look at other issues which predate the current standoff," he said. After persistent joint efforts, mutual dis-engagement has taken place at many locations. "So there has been positive movement," the Indian Army Chief said. Replying to a query about the positive developments, the officer explained, "Talks have been going on for a long time. It is a good thing that talks are going on. We have to keep talking to each other. The 4-5th round of talks resulted in resolving patrolling point 14, the 9-10th round North and South Bank and Kailash ranges and subsequently patrolling point 17." However, the Indian Army chief said that while there has been partial disengagement, the threat has by no means reduced. General Naravne said the force levels in areas where disengagement is yet to take place have been adequately enhanced. Threat assessment and internal deliberations have resulted in the reorganisation and realignment of forces in keeping with the Army's mandate of ensuring territorial integrity and to cater for the major augmentation of the PLA forces, and military infrastructure. Just ahead of talks, China has implemented new border law and has also renamed 15 places in Arunachal Pradesh on its map. India and China have been engaged in an intense border dispute for around two years and are now in talks to resolve the issues. --IANS sk/dpb ( 375 Words) 2022-01-13-09:38:02 (IANS) Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya on Thursday said that a very fruitful session was held regarding candidates on 172 Assembly seats of the state in Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP's) Central Election Committee meeting in Delhi today. Addressing a press conference here, the UP Deputy CM said, "In BJP's Central Election Committee meeting today, a very fruitful discussion was held regarding candidates on 172 Assembly seats (in Uttar Pradesh)." "We are hopeful of registering a glorious victory in the 2022 Assembly elections," Maurya added. In the meeting, BJP's CEC finalised the names of candidates for UP polls. Union Ministers Amit Shah, Anurag Thakur, Dharmendra Pradhan and UP CM Yogi Adityanath were among the attendees. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP chief JP Nadda and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh joined the meeting virtually. Elections for the 403 assembly constituencies in Uttar Pradesh will be held in seven phases starting February 10. Meanwhile, ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh, Congress MLA from Behat (Saharanpur) Naresh Saini, Sirsaganj (Firozabad) MLA Hari Om Yadav, and former Samajwadi Party MLA Dr Dharmpal Singh on Wednesday joined the Bharatiya Janata Party. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is likely to contest the upcoming Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections from Ayodhya and his name could appear on the first list to be released by the party soon, said sources. The BJP has scrutinized the candidates for more than 300 Assembly seats of Uttar Pradesh in the meeting. Deliberation will continue on the names of the candidates on Thursday, the last day of the meeting, said sources. The seven-phase Uttar Pradesh (UP) assembly polls are to be held between February 10 and March 7. The polling in Uttar Pradesh will be held on February 10, 14, 20, 23, 27 and March 3. 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) BJP unit in Rajasthan on Thursday slammed the ruling Congress government over the law and order situation in the state in the wake of the case of rape of a specially-abled minor girl in Alwar district, and demanded the accused be arrested and sentenced to death. A specially-abled minor girl was found abandoned on the Tijara flyover in Alwar on January 12, Superintendent of Police Tejaswani Gautam told ANI yesterday. "A specially-abled minor girl was found in an abandoned condition on the Tijara flyover in Alwar, Rajasthan. The girl was admitted to the hospital where it was found that there has been a lot of bleeding from her private part. Police are probing the matter," SP Gautam said. Rajasthan Minister Parsadi Lal Meena, today in an update about the health condition of the minor said that the doctors have successfully operated on her and she is out of danger. He also said that a special investigation team has been formed to probe the matter. "The doctors have successfully operated on her and she is out of danger now. Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been set up to probe the matter. The accused will be arrested and brought to justice at the earliest," Meena said. Dr Arvind Kumar Shukla of JK Lone Hospital in Jaipur where the minor is being treated said that the girl is stable and is under the observation of doctors. "The girl is stable and is under the observation of doctors. She was operated on yesterday for around three hours in the afternoon and her health was stable in the evening. We are not giving her food orally," the doctor said. A delegation of BJP leaders meets family members of the minor at JK Lone Hospital in Jaipur. BJP MLA from Rajasthan, Ram Lal Sharma said that BJP wants the accused to be arrested and sentenced to death. "This state government doesn't learn anything from its mistakes. Rajasthan government is sleeping. BJP wants the accused to be arrested and sentenced to death," the MLA said. (ANI) If you are a NEW Subscriber and just made payment, your E-Edition will be available with the next issue of The Times. (NOTE: If your payment was made after noon on a Tuesday or on a Wednesday, your subscription will be active the following week.) NEW Subscribers (Print & Digital Only) will need to verify their account the first time logging in by clicking the "Current Print Subscriber" option. Complete requested information and click Claim. If you are an EXISTING Subscriber, select the "Current Print Subscriber" option. The Delhi High Court on Thursday said that Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), a specialized investigating agency, will not get carried away by the observations made by a trial court directing probe against former Maharashtra home minister Anil Deshmukh. Justice Subramonium Prasad's observation came while hearing a plea filed by Deshmukh against the trial court order directing a probe against him. The court said that it is needless to state that a specialized investigating agency like CBI does not get carried away by the observations made by the magistrate while ordering a further investigation. The court further added that it is obvious that the CBI would act independently. The court also noted that the petitioner is not pressing the petition at this stage. Accordingly, the petitioner withdrew his plea. Senior advocate Vikram Chaudhari was representing the petitioner, Deshmukh. Deshmukh has raised apprehension against the observation made by the trial court. Last month, a Delhi Court has directed CBI to further investigate the role of former Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh in connection with an alleged corruption case for leaking information of a separate case. The trial court had said that the CBI seems to have left the engine/horse pulling the cart. The trial court direction had come while taking cognizance of the charge sheet filed against CBI's Sub-Inspector Abhishek Tiwari and lawyer Anand Daga. Earlier CBI has arrested then CBI's Sub-Inspector Abhishek Tiwari and lawyer Anand Daga, in connection with an alleged corruption case for leaking information of a separate case against former Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh in connection with the extortion case. The arrests of CBI officials and lawyers had come after the CBI registered an FIR against the sub-inspector, a Nagpur-based Advocate, and unidentified persons on certain allegations, including illegal gratification. On August 29, a report that was allegedly part of a preliminary inquiry conducted by CBI got leaked in media. The report mentions that the agency had concluded that "no cognizable offence has been committed by Anil Deshmukh". The CBI in its internal inquiry found that Deshmukh's legal team tried to bribe some lower-ranked CBI officials in its preliminary inquiry. Strict action will be taken against the staff who were involved in the case. The investigation is underway to find out if more people were involved in the conspiracy to manipulate the documents. (ANI) "Gangster Suresh Pujari hospitalized after testing positive for COVID. He is currently in Mumbai Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) custody in connection with an extortion case," Mumbai ATS said on Thursday. Earlier on December 15, the Maharashtra ATS brought gangster Pujari to Mumbai after he was arrested and extradited from the Philippines. As many as 43 cases are registered against him across Maharashtra. (ANI) Delhi Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot informed that these buses will be equipped with "state-of-the-art" facilities including CCTV cameras, panic buttons, Global Positioning System (GPC), Live video streaming in case of emergency, fire detection and suppression system. These are 12 meter low floor AC buses and are fully BS VI compliant. Another one of its feature include bus kneeling with ramp for differently abled. "Greetings to Delhiites! Another important step of the Delhi government towards strengthening the public transport service. Tomorrow on January 14, 2022 at 12 noon. CM Arvind Kejriwal will launch 100 AC CNG buses equipped with state-of-the-art facilities like CCTV, panic buttons, GPS etc. from Rajghat depot," the minister tweeted. (ANI) Speaking to ANI, N Shashikumar said, "The incident occurred yesterday when two people were found running. After that, the police chased them. We got to know that one person was the victim and another was the accused." The Police Commissioner further informed that the victim is a migrant labourer and his mobile was snatched by two-three people. "The victim is a migrant labourer, his mobile was snatched by 2-3 people. One was arrested red-handed and others were arrested later," he added. (ANI) The Crime Branch of Delhi Police on Tuesday arrested a 38-year-old Ravi Dabas who had used an impersonator to qualify Delhi Subordinate Services exam in 2018. Dabas got selected for the post of MCD primary teacher using dubious means and joined the job on October 22, 2019, at SDMC primary school, Feroz Shah Kotla, Delhi. During the investigation, the accused revealed he used the old clean-shaven photograph while filling the form at the initial stage. While the person impersonating him appeared in the examination centre with a beard, which hid his facial contours. Therefore, the security agencies and invigilators at the examination centre could not differentiate or identify the person appearing for him. Dabas is a graduate of MDU Rohtak, Haryana. He completed his diploma in Education from Indore, Madhya Pradesh. His father is a retired DDA employee and his mother is a retired teacher. Dabas is married and he has two children. Sh. M. K. Nikhil, Dy. Secretary (Admin), Govt of N.C.T. of Delhi, Delhi Subordinate Services Selection Board, FC-18, Institutional Area, Karkardooma, Delhi, forwarded a complaint regarding impersonation in the examination conducted for selection of Assistant Primary Teacher & MCD School teacher mentioning that despite all security measures, many candidates managed to make other persons appear in the exam in place of them. During the course of the investigation, records/information were collected from DSSSB and Asstt. Director, Education, and found that one Ravi Dabas was selected for the post of MCD Primary teacher and had joined the job on 22.10.2019 at SDMC Primary School, Feroz Shah Kotla, Delhi. During the investigation of the case, a video recording of Examination Centre, GBSSS Khanpur, No 1 Delhi, dated November 30 2018, was obtained from DSSSB, Delhi and was analysed. The video recording showed the entry of candidates appearing in the examination and also of the examination hall, but the Ravi Dabas could not be identified at the entry point of the examination centre nor in the examination hall in the said video recording, stated the Delhi Crime Branch. DSSSB had made provision that all appearing candidates had to put their thumb impression on the second copy of the Admit Card, which was preserved by DSSSB. Specimen thumb impression of accused Ravi Dabas and questioned thumb impression of appearing candidate taken on the admit card by the invigilator at the examination centre, were sent to Finger Print Bureau for comparison and it was revealed that the thumb impression of accused Ravi Dabas was not identical with the questioned thumb impression, said the Crime Branch. Ravi Dabas has been taken on police remand to trace and arrest the co-accused, who had appeared for him in the examination. Further interrogation is on. (ANI) Out of the 59 confirmed cases- 42 are from low-risk countries, five are from high-risk countries and nine through contact, and three are from other states, as per official data. Meanwhile, Kerala logged 13,468 new COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours, stated the health department. As many as 461 persons are admitted to the hospital for COVID-19. The state saw 3,252 recoveries and 21 deaths in the last 24 hours. (ANI) "I am fighting this election to get justice and I will win it," said the mother of Unnao rape victim after the Congress party on Thursday announced her name to contest from Unnao in the upcoming Uttar Pradesh assembly elections. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, the General Secretary of the Congress party, earlier today released the first list of 125 candidates for the polls. "Forty per cent are women and 40 per cent are youth. With this, we aim to give rise to new hope and a new political scenario here. Of the women finalised in the list, a few are journalists, one is an actress, some fight for their rights, some are social workers among others," Priyanka had said. The Unnao rape victim's mother is one of the prominent names in the list released by the party, which is pulling out all the stops to wrestle power from Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath-led Bharatiya Janata Party government in the state and earlier released "Ladki hoon, lad sakti hoon" (I am a girl and I can fight) campaign in Uttar Pradesh. Former BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar, who represented the same seat from which the girl's mother is now contesting the polls, was convicted and jailed for life for the rape. "We do not have anybody in the family. My brother-in-law is in jail. I am fighting this election for getting justice and for my brother-in-law, and I will win the election. I am fighting this election to get justice for the victims of injustice and rape," said the mother. The infamous Unnao rape case came into the limelight in 2017 when the victim tried to kill herself outside the residence of Yogi Adityanath after her father was beaten up allegedly by Sengar's brother and later succumbed to the injuries. "If I win the election, I will try to get justice for all the victims. I will stay with them, I will help them. I will keep fighting against Kuldeep Singh Senger till am alive. I want justice," the victim's mother added. The Congress party, through its "Ladki hoon, lad sakti hoon" campaign has been trying to strengthen its base with the women voters in the country's most populous state, the battle for which and its outcome, are often seen as the litmus test of the political parties for the general elections. "We had met Priyanka Gandhi in New Delhi nearly 15 days ago. She asked me if I would fight an election, to which I agreed. Whenever I have met her, she has asked me to fight my battle saying that I will get justice and that I should have faith and thus fight.. She is a woman, she understands my pain," she added. The girl, who was a minor when she was raped, sat by her mother's side, said that she is thankful to Priyanka Gandhi for giving this platform to her family. "She is fighting this election to make sure that none of the women has to go through what I had to go through," the girl said. Uttar Pradesh assembly elections will be held in seven phases- February 10, 14, 20, 23, 27 and March 3 and 7. The counting is scheduled to take place on March 10. (ANI) A Samsung official recently reached out to Business Korea to clarify the reason behind the change of plans, reported GSM Arena. According to the official, 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 AP's production and performance," said the official. The Exynos 2200 will be the first smartphone chip to use AMD's 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 as per several Korean media reports, it will happen on February 8. (ANI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said that there is a need to counter rumours about COVID-19 vaccination and usage of masks. "We need to counter any attempt of spreading rumours against vaccination. Several times, we get to hear that 'getting infected with COVID despite vaccination, what's its use'. Even for masks, such rumours are spread that it does not benefit. There is a need to counter such rumours," the Prime Minister said during his virtual meeting with Chief Ministers of States on the COVID-19 situation. The Prime Minister further said that in the fight against COVID, the country has nearly two years of experience. "We must ensure that financial activities aren't affected and we must keep up our growth. To ensure the same, we must focus on local containment. We must increase testing in the areas from where more cases are emerging," PM Modi said. The Prime Minister also said maximum treatment of COVID patients must be done in home isolation. "For this, it is important to follow home isolation guideline and protocols and improvise as per the situation," he said. "During home isolation, the better the facility of tracking and treatment, the lesser there will be the need to go to hospitals," the PM said. In his address, the Prime Minister also said that Omicron variant is spreading more rapidly as compared to other variants adding that there is a need to stay alert and avoid panic. India has reported a surge in COVID-19 cases in the recent past. India on Thursday reported 2,47,417 fresh COVID-19 cases. The new cases reported on Thursday are about 27 per cent higher as compared to yesterday's figures. On Wednesday, the country had seen 1,94,720 new COVID-19 cases. (ANI) In view of the prevailing pandemic situation arising out of the Omicron variant of COVID-19, Sunil Barthwal, Secretary of Ministry of Labour and Employment chaired a virtual coordination meeting with states and union territories to take stock of the preparedness in respect of workers in general and migrant workers in particular. As per the press release issued by the ministry, the Additional Chief Secretaries, Principal Secretaries, Secretaries of State Labour Departments and Labour Commissioners of all states and union territories and officers of Ministry of Railway and Department of Food and Public Distribution participated in the meeting. In the meeting, the state governments informed that barring night curfews and weekend curfews at a few places in some states, UTs where the number of COVID-19 cases is rising, there were no restrictions on construction activities, business activities, running of shops and industrial activities in the country. So far, there is no report of unusual movement of migrant workers at present owing to the limited restrictions imposed by the Governments. Some media reports of mass exodus regarding the movement of migrant workers to their home States were found to be untrue, the state governments informed. It was also noticed that such reporting was based on old photographs and the business situation is normal throughout the country except for 50 per cent restrictions on the workforce at some places, they said. The Central as well as the State governments are keeping a close watch on the situation and fully ready and prepared to tackle the situation as per the demand of the situation. Some State Governments have already made plans for distributing dry rations to the needy labourers if required. Some have made preparations to provide financial assistance from the Building and Other Construction Workers (BOCW) cess fund and Social Security fund available with the States, the release further read. It also informed that the railways are also keeping a very close watch on the situation particularly at the major railway stations like Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata, Bangalore and Secunderabad etc. and ready to provide special trains in case the situation demands. State Labour Commissioners confirmed that the functioning at construction sites, factories and establishments has remained undisrupted and there is no exodus of workers, especially migrant workers, back to their home states. Both the labour supplying states and the labour receiving states were advised by the Secretary to work in close coordination to tackle any migrant workers' situation if the need arises, it said. It was also pointed out by the Secretary that over 21 crore unorganised workers have registered themselves on e-Shram Portal. All the state governments were requested to put in place a mechanism to maintain a record of the migrant workers and register all the remaining workers who have not registered themselves on the the e-Shram Portal as yet. This will facilitate the State Governments to plan and deliver financial and other benefits to them at the appropriate times, it added. "A total of 21 monitoring centres have been activated across the country by Office of Chief Labour Commissioner (Central). Toll-free helplines have been opened by the States," it said. The Director of the Department of Food and Public Distribution informed that there is no unusual spurt seen under the One Nation One Ration Card as far as ration pick up is concerned. The States and Union Territories were also requested to maintain records of returnee migrant workers if any. The States have also been asked to be wary of rumour-mongering on exodus and take quick steps to counter such rumours. They were advised to reassure migrant workers regarding their safety, security and livelihood. (ANI) The Department of the Interior's Bureau of Indian Education has released a new logo designed by Kayla Jackson (Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe). A decision to this effect was taken as often the husbands of women representatives would take part in Panchayat operations and meetings with the government employees. "We have witnessed that women Mukhiya, Sarpanch, ward members, ward councillors and others generally nominate their husbands or relatives to work on their behalf. Such a practice is completely wrong. Hence, we have decided to withdraw the rights of elected members of Panchayat bodies," said Samrat Chaudhary, Panchayati Raj minister of Bihar government. In Bihar, the term Mukhiya Pati (Hundand of village head) is quite common. The candidates who are being elected from women reserved seats generally stay indoors and their husbands would act like Mukhiya in their respective jurisdiction. "The seat reserved for women means the government wants to empower women. Unfortunately, this phenomenon is completely gone by in Bihar. Hence, we have decided to stop this practice," Chaudhary said. "We have asked the officials to implement the same and not allow any nominated person in the proceedings of Panchayat operations. --IANS ajk/shb/ ( 208 Words) 2022-01-13-15:10:04 (IANS) In a joint operation, the Border Security Force (BSF) and Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) apprehended an Indian national and seized 360 kgs 'ganja' being transported in a truck on NH-6 at Gumrah, Assam, an official said on Thursday. "Acting on specific input of DRI, troops of 1 Bn BSF, M&C Frontier along with DRI Officials seized 360 Kgs Ganja being transported in a truck and apprehended one Indian national on NH-6 at Gumrah, Cachar Assam," BSF Mizoram and Cachar tweeted from its official account. (ANI) The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is likely to release its first list of candidates for Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls by January 17 or 18 and can field Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Deputy Chief Ministers Dinesh Sharma and Keshav Prasad Maurya in the polls. The meeting of BJP's Central Election Committee (CEC) was held on Thursday to finalize the names of the candidates for the Uttar Pradesh assembly polls. "BJP can release its first list by Monday or Tuesday in which the names of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and both the Deputy Chief Ministers can be announced," sources said. The meeting was presided over by party president JP Nadda while Prime Minister Narendra Modi also attended it. After the meeting, Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya said that 172 names have been discussed. Sources that that in the first list itself, names of CM Yogi and both deputy CMs can be announced. Notably, BJP had discussed the seat of Yogi in the party's core committee meeting, which was also kept before the CEC meeting today and the panel has taken its decision, as per sources. "The Chief Minister can contest from Ayodhya. Dinesh Sharma, who is the Brahmin face of the party, can be fielded from Lucknow while Keshav Prasad Maurya can be fielded from Sirathu or Phaphamau seat," sources said. The next meeting of the party's Central Election Committee can be held on January 19 in which the names of the names of the remaining candidates for 231 seats of the 403-member state assembly can be finalized. Uttar Pradesh assembly elections will be held in seven-phases from February 10 to March 7. The polling in Uttar Pradesh will be held on February 10, 14, 20, 23, 27 and March 3 and 7 in seven phases. A total of 58 assembly seats spread over 11 districts will go the polls in the first phase on February 10. The counting of votes will take place on March 10. (ANI) Indian Army jawans celebrated Lohri by dancing to the tunes of catchy Punjabi numbers at freezing heights along the Line of Control at Baramulla district of Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday. Lohri is celebrated every year on January 13. The festival of Lohri marks the harvesting season of crops as the winter season ends and ushers in the spring. Lohri is celebrated every year on January 13. It signifies the passing of the winter season. As per beliefs, Lohri has the longest night before winter passes and is followed by the shortest day of the year known as Magh in the Hindu lunar calendar. (ANI) A noted Kashmiri political activist on Thursday said Muslims in India enjoy freedom and perform their religious rituals freely, but in Pakistan, minorities are facing persecution. Agha Syed Abbas Rizvi, the chairman of Jammu Kashmir People's Justice Front (JKPJF) was speaking at a seminar titled 'Freedom to Muslims to carry out their religious ceremonies and customs' at Surankote tehsil of Poonch district. "India is a secular country and guarantees equal opportunities to minorities, same as to majority", he said. Agha Syed stressed that the minorities, especially Muslims in India enjoy the same freedom which the majority are enjoying, in performing their religious rituals, ceremonies and customs. "Kashmir has been the best example of religious tolerance, acknowledged by Mahatma Gandhi too; till our neighbour started interfering and disturbing the peace over here", he said. He also pointed out that there has not been a single incident of a suicide blast since independence. "There has not been a single incident of a suicide blast since independence. Unholy as per Quran, unlike happening on daily basis in our neighbouring Islamic country," Agha said. Elaborating on the issue he said that minorities especially, a Zikri (Shia sect) and Hazara community besides Ahmadis are regularly targeted in Pakistan by death squads. "People are murdered under a planned genocide program and there are continuous target killing and suicide blasts," he said. Agha Syed also urged that India, being the home of most Muslims after Indonesia, should be given a place in the OIC group comprising of Muslim countries and shall be given a permanent seat in the said Organization, as India supports the second-largest Muslim population, with dignity. The Seminar was also attended by various religious and social scholars like Moulana Mukhtar Hussain Jafari, Moulana Zaheer Hussaien Jafari, Agha Syed Mubashir, Shabbir Hussain (Retd Principal), Najmul Hasan, Aziz Jafari, Dr Alamdar Hussain and various others. In a declaration, it was said, "In India, Muslims are free to perform their religious rituals and duties. The constitution of India guaranteed them so. The tolerant Indian society gives Muslims and other minorities communities a privilege to perform their religious ceremonies and functions without any hurdle. The festivals like Eid, Muharram and Urs of Khawaja Moinuddin Chishti and others are celebrated with peace, unity and brotherhood." It further added, "In Pakistan minorities like Shias and Ahmadis are targeted and killed but in India, even the smallest minorities are protected by the majority." (ANI) Taking to Twitter, the trust informed, "Presented here is a 3D movie showing the process of construction of Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Mandir at Shri Ram Janmasthan in Ayodhya." Sharing the film on social media, the trust said in Hindi, "We have tried to present the entire process of construction of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi temple through a 3D film." According to the trust, the devotees will be able to come to the temple to offer prayers from December 2023. The construction work of the temple will continue and will be completed by 2025. The operation of Maryada Purushottam Shri Ram Airport will also start by December 2023 enabling tourists from other parts of the country to visit the temple. Earlier on August 5, 2020, the foundation stone was laid down by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the Ram temple in Ayodhya. On November 9, 2019, the Supreme Court of India delivered a landmark verdict in the decades-old Ram Mandi-Babri Masjid dispute. A five-judge bench of the apex court unanimously ruled in the favour of Ram Lalla and handed over the entire disputed land to a trust which would be set up by the government. (ANI) Water was sprayed on devotees from drones as they prayed and chanted mantras at the Gangasagar in South 24 Parganas district on Thursday on the occasion of Makar Sankranti. Giving a modern twist to the traditional holy bath, the state government took this initiative in view of rising COVID-19 cases. The holy bath in Gangasagar via drone will continue on Friday as well. Despite the rising COVID-19 cases in the state, lakhs of devotees turned up for the event. The water was sprayed on devotees as they offered their prayers. The Calcutta High Court had asked the administration to insist that people opt for e-bathing this time. Hence, E-bathing kits are being prepared and sent to devotees who apply for it via post. Block Development Officer, Sagar, Sudipta Mandal told ANI that four drones were used for the event. "Four drones are being used as a part of this event. One drone is used to announce to all to ensure adherence to COVID-19 protocols and another displays banners of the event. The third one is a high-capacity one which has a sensor. It is used to bring water to the devotees. The last drone is used for sanitisation," he said. Mandal said that proper social distancing is being followed and people are coming in batches to have their holy bath. "250 people have taken their holy bath so far. It will go on till tomorrow. We have enough manpower for this," he added. Makar Sankranti or Maghi, is a festival in the Hindu calendar, in which devotees make offerings to the deity Surya. The day marks the first day of the sun's transit into the Makara, marking the end of the month with the winter solstice and the start of longer days. (ANI) Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Thursday requested his Kerala counterpart Pinarayi Vijayan to declare January 14 as a local holiday for the Pongal festival for Tamils in Kerala instead of January 15. In a letter to Vijayan, Stalin said he was told that during the past 12 years, the Kerala government has been declaring January 14 as a local holiday for the Pongal festival in six districts, which is also the first day of Tamil month Thai. But this year, January 15 has been proposed to be a local holiday in these six districts. He requested the Kerala government to declare January 14 as a local holiday in six districts where a large number of Tamil speaking people live. "I request you to continue the practice of declaring January 14 as the local holiday for Pongal Festival as it is being celebrated on that particular date all over the world amongst the Tamil communities," Stalin said. --IANS vj/svn/bg ( 176 Words) 2022-01-13-16:40:01 (IANS) The agency filed the charge sheet in a special court in Uttar Pradesh's Lucknow against Sariful Islam alias Sariful Sk, a resident of Malda district in West Bengal. The charge sheet was filed under various charges of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and sections 16 and 18 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act 1967. The case relates to the recovery of High-Quality Fake Indian Currency Notes (FICN), having a face value of Rs 2.49 lakh, by Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) from the state's Ghaziabad district on December 11, 2019. Initially, an FIR was registered on December 11, 2019 by ATS Lucknow. NIA had re-registered the case on February 4, 2020, and taken over the investigation. After investigation, a charge sheet was filed against one accused on June 5, 2020, and another Supplementary Charge sheet was filed against two accused on March 25 last year. Investigation revealed that the earlier charge-sheeted accused persons had received high-quality counterfeit FICN from accused Sariful Islam, who has been charge-sheeted today, the NIA said. "It was also revealed that Islam was in contact with Bangladesh-based smugglers and conspirators involved in the illicit trafficking of FICN," said the NIA. (ANI) Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Thursday announced that the NEET-UG counselling will begin on January 19, 2022. "Dear students, the counselling for NEET-UG is being started by MCC from January 19. You all are the future of the country and hope all of you will give a new direction to your career with the mantra of 'service is religion'. I extend my best wishes to all," Mandaviya tweeted (roughly translated from Hindi). As per the schedule, in Round 1, the verification of Seat Matrix by Institutes will be done on January 17 and 18. The registration and the payment gateway will be open for six days from January 19 to 24. The choice of filling will be available to students for five days from January 20 to 24. The verification of seat matrix by institutes will be done on January 25 and 26, process of seat allotment on January 27 and 28, and results will be out on January 29. The reporting dates for Round 1 are from January 30 to February 4. In Round 2, the verification of Seat Matrix by Institutes will be done on February 7 and 8. The registration and the payment gateway will be open for six days from February 9 to 14. The choice of filling will be available to students for five days from February 10 to 14. The verification of seat matrix by institutes will be done on February 15 and 16, process of seat allotment on February 17 and 18, and results will be out on February 19. The reporting dates for Round 2 are from February 20 to February 26. For MOP-UP round for all India quota/ deemed and central university seats/ PG DNB seats, the verification of Seat Matrix by Institutes will be done on February 28 and March 1. The registration and the payment gateway will be open for six days from March 2 to 7. For MOP-UP round, the choice of filling will be available to students for five days from March 3 to 7. The verification of seat matrix by institutes will be done on March 8 and 9, process of seat allotment on March 10 and 11, and results will be out on March 12. The reporting dates for this are from March 13 to March 19. (ANI) Videos Sorry, there are no recent results for popular videos. Vomedh, a socio-cultural organization, had organised the medical camp. "It is for this aspect of JANANI that today's Medical Camp at Purkhu was organized by VOMEDH with the active support of SAMOOH WOMEN WING", said Bharti Kaul Vice President, Vomedh. Preventive Oncology and Curative Care Camp was conducted with Dr Samita Bhat, gynaecologist, cancer surgeon. Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer found in Indian women. The current estimates indicate 67,500 deaths annually in India which accounts for nearly 1/5th of global cancer deaths. "She must know when to go for screening and how to manage if the result is positive. This is what VOMEDH aimed at by organising this awareness camp at Purkhoo," she said. "There was a lot of enthusiasm in the ladies present for the Awareness camp. The worrying questions they brought with them to the camp were satisfactorily dealt with. The feared word cancer was talked about fearlessly", said Kaul. (ANI) The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Thursday took over the probe in the Ludhiana court blast case and filed a fresh FIR in the December 23 incident which resulted in the killing of alleged bomber Gagandeep Singh, said sources. The agency took over the probe from Punjab Police following an order issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs. The move comes after its initial investigation in coordination with Punjab Police linked Gagandeep Singh's connection with Khalistani group members during his jail term. Gagandeep Singh was dismissed from Punjab Police in 2019 in connection with a drugs case and spent two years in jail. He was released in September last year. The NIA on December 31 last year filed a case against several "pro-Khalistani elements" and Germany-based Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) operative Jaswinder Singh Multani for hatching conspiracy with ISI operatives to carry out a terror attack in Mumbai and other parts of India. Multani has also been linked to this Ludhiana court blast case that left six people injured. The NIA said the case relates to criminal conspiracy hatched by Multani with several other "pro-Khalistani elements located abroad for radicalizing, motivating and recruiting youths in Punjab on ground and online through social media platforms to propagate their ideology with the aim to secede Punjab from the Union of India". "They have been involved in raising funds to procure arms, ammunition and explosives by using smuggling networks in Punjab to revive terrorism in Punjab," said the NIA. "Multani has also been in contact with ISI operatives to carry out a terror attack in Mumbai and other parts of India. Pursuant to the registration of the case, requisite actions as per law for the expeditious investigation of the case have been initiated," the NIA said. The anti-terror agency's move comes following a series of reports that exposed the Khalistani terrorists plans to cause large-scale disturbance in poll-bound Punjab in cahoots with Pakistan's intelligence agency ISI. Multani was detained in Germany last month. He has been residing in Erfurt, Germany. A police officer said that during the investigation names of two suspects residing in Pakistan and Germany, both from banned Sikh organizations, have emerged. Sikhs For Justice is a designated terror group in India. Intelligence agencies had earlier alerted about Harvinder Singh Sandhu, a Babbar Khalsa terrorist who is currently in Pakistan, and Multani, a close associate of SFJ's Gurpatwant Singh Pannu, residing in Germany, about their involvement in the Ludhiana blast. Multani recently came to notice for arranging and sending weapons consignments comprising explosives, hand grenades from across the border to Punjab. These weapons were sent with the help of his Pakistan-based operatives and arms smugglers. He has been allegedly planning to carry out terrorist activities in Punjab by using the smuggled consignments through gangsters and extremists in the state. Multani is also learned to be closely connected with Khalistani leaders like Hardeep Singh Nijjar, Paramjit Singh Pamma, Sabi Singh, Kulwant Singh Mothada, and others. (ANI) Minister of Higher Education, IT, BT and Science and Technology and Skills Development, Dr C.N Ashwath Narayana said the partnership envisions harnessing and enhancing collaborative initiatives between academia and industry. "This collaboration would enable to organize future digital jobs drive exclusively for students of government institutions and to provide career counselling and guidance to students in government institutions leading to meaningful internships, projects, and placements," he explained. "This would help to conduct workforce research for industries in regions 'Beyond Bengaluru' and facilitates industry talks, mentoring seminars, and workshops for students, faculty, etc. It also plays a role in establishing incubation centres, centres of excellence in government institutions," the Minister listed out. This MoU will enable support development of relevant curriculum, enhancing infrastructure for teaching among other things, Guiding young entrepreneurs, especially in rural Karnataka through mentorship and talent development, Narayana stated. The MoU is expected to chiefly benefit students studying in 92 polytechnic and 14 engineering government institutions. (ANI) Saini said he had resigned from Yogi Adiyanth government beccause "for five years Dalits, backward classes were suppressed, their voices were suppressed". "We will do whatever Swami Prasad Maurya will say. One minister and 3-4 MLAs will resign everyday till Jan 20," he said. The pre-poll churning in Uttar Pradesh has seen the BJP getting a jolt with six MLAs resigning from the party and three ministers quitting the government amid signals that they will join Samajwadi Party. Dharam Singh Saini became the third minister on Thursday who has resigned from the Yogi Adiyanath cabinet in the last three days. In their resignation letters, the ministers have accused the BJP government of having a "callous attitude" towards Dalits, farmers, the unemployed youth and those belonging to other backward classes. The spate of resignations began with Swami Prasad Maurya quitting the state cabinet. Maurya, a prominent leader from the OBC community, had joined the BJP from BSP.Dara Singh Chauhan had resigned as minister on Wednesday.After quitting as a minister, Dharam Singh Saini met Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav. "I welcome him to the Samajwadi Party," Yadav said. Samajwadi Party has stiched a coalition of smaller parties for the assembly polls which will be held in seven phases in February-March. It has emerged as the main rival of ruling BJP in the state. Earlier BJP MLAs Mukesh Verma, Vinay Shakya, Avtar Singh Bhadana, Roshan Lal Verma, Brijesh Prajapati and Bhagwati Sagar resigned from the party. (ANI) Lucknow University on Thursday postponed all the scheduled examinations between January 15 and January 31 after it shut down the campus in view of 50 students testing positive for COVID-19. The new dates for examinations of semester starting from December 2021 will be declared soon at www.lkouniv.ac.in. "Students of Lucknow University and associated colleges are informed that all the examinations between January 15 to January 31 have been rescheduled in view of rising COVID-19 cases in the university. Fresh dates of examinations will be announced soon at www.lkouniv.ac.in," said a letter from the university. (ANI) As India reports COVID-19 infection in children like other countries, considering the importance of the topic, an interactive webinar session on 'Managing Children with Covid-19' is being organised by the Union Health Ministry in collaboration with All India institute of medical sciences (AIIMS) Delhi, with regional and state centre of excellence and Indian Medical Association on Thursday. AIIMS, New Delhi, Director Dr Randeep Guleria said, "It is important for us to understand that children are not like adults and we cannot translate what we are doing in adults to children. They need to be treated separately and that is why this webinar that we are having today is very, very important." "There is also been a lot of concern about the severity of illness in children in this current wave with some reports from hospitals in the US claiming that they are seeing an increased number of children being admitted. So I think it is important to clarify, how is the current Omicron behaving as far as children are concerned? The concern has always been there as the younger children are not vaccinated and they are really getting more severe diseases. What is the management for children who are having COVID 19, what can we give, what should we not give and how should we treat these children depending on their age group and their presentation?" The purpose of the webinar was to re-emphasise all the important information and management of paediatric COVID. "Omicron does affect the children but it is a mild disease. So we also need to keep in mind that the fear and the panic which is getting created among the families, we must be able to curtail it," said Dr Prof Ashok Deorari, AIIMS, Delhi. Dr Rakesh Lodha, Head, Professor, Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, AIIMS, Delhi, who was the speaker during the webinar, further explained by showing the data about the infection rate in children but more data is still required. "Now what we see is that our children are more frequently affected. I think we need some data and I think that data is likely to be available soon. But apparently, there doesn't seem to be a dramatic increase in the proportion the absolute numbers are likely to go up as the cumulative or the total number of cases increase in the country." He also explained the reason behind children getting affected by COVID in comparison to adults and the elderly population. "Why are children less frequently less severely affected? They respond to the virus in a better way. In addition, if the lung gets involved, then the excellent regeneration capacity of the pediatric alveolar epitheliun would help in a more rapid and more complete recovery. And the absence of risk factors like various comorbidities that we see in adults and elderly like smoking and diabetes are obviously less seen in children. So all of these contribute to less severe disease in children." "The Omicron is clearly more contagious and against the values of R nought, which kind of gives an idea about how contagious it is, how easily it can spread. Various groups have estimated it to be much higher than what was there for delta and for the original virus. It's believed to be more than seven, some groups have estimated even to be close to 10 or more than 10. And in that scenario, it comes close to measles which is a highly contagious disease that we see children." During the webinar, the team of experts also suggested that in terms of the diagnostics to detect COVID remains the same. The panel of doctors also discussed and explained the clinical features of Covid19, Omicron clinical features, Omicron versus Delta and its effects on Children and risk factors for severe diseases due to Omicron. (ANI) The Bharatiya Janata Party's Bihar wing lodged a written complaint against Padma Shri Award winner Daya Prakash Sinha in the Kotwali police station of Patna on Thursday. BJP's Sanjay Jaiswal filed the FIR against Sinha and alleged that he has used the name of the BJP to defame it. That he has also published a book where he compared Samrat Ashoka with Mughal emperor Aurangzeb is condemnable. "Sinha, in his Wikipedia page, mentioned that he is a national convener of the BJP cultural wing and vice president of the Indian Council of Cultural Relations which is completely false. He has used the name of the BJP which is completely incorrect," Jaiswal said. Sinha also mentioned in an interview that the character of Samrat Ashoka was similar to Mughal emperor Aurangzeb. Both of them had an ugly history during the initial period. They killed their brothers and put their fathers behind bars. Samrat Ashoka had set his wife on fire for criticizing a monk, while referring to the book. "The aforesaid statement made in an interview has an effect of spreading hatred in the society," Jaiswal said. RJD vice president Shivanand Tiwari said that the statement of Daya Prakash Sinha was completely unfortunate. "Samrat Ashoka was the pride of Bihar. He ruled the place where we are currently and Patliputra was the capital of his kingdom which was spread till Iraq and Iran in the west and Myanmar in the east. He was the greatest ruler of our country," he said. --IANS ajk/bg ( 266 Words) 2022-01-13-19:10:03 (IANS) Seat sharing formula between BJP and its alliance partners, Nishad Party and Apna Dal has been finalized. Both the Apna Dal and Nishad party are likely to contest a dozen seats each. Sources said that the formula for seat sharing was decided after a meeting of leaders of both the alliance partners with union home minister Amit Shah on Wednesday night. "Last night, Nishad Party chief Sanjay Nishad, union minister and Apna Dal chief Anupriya Patel separately met Shah and discussed the formula for seats sharing. In the meeting the seat sharing formula was finalized," sources said. It is learnt that Nishad party will contest about 15 to 18 seats and Apna Dal will contest 10 to 14 seats. "Couple of candidates of both the parties may contest on the BJP symbol," sources said. The BJP's Central Election Committee (CEC), meanwhile, met on Thursday to finalise candidates for the Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls. Sources said that names of 172 candidates have been finalised where polling will be held in the first three of the seven-phased polls. For the first time, the CEC meeting is being held in the hybrid form as a few of the CEC members, including party chief J.P. Nadda, Rajnath Singh and Nitin Gadkari have tested positive of Covid infection. According to sources, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Nadda, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari virtually joined the CEC meeting. CEC member and Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan is also attending the meet at party headquarters. Union Ministers Shah, Dharmendra Pradhan and Anurag Thakur, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath are among the leaders who are physically attending the meeting. Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya and Uttar Pradesh BJP general secretary (organization) Sunil Bansal are also present in the meeting. The Assembly polls will be held in seven phases in February-March starting from February 10. Counting of votes will be held on March 10. --IANS ssb/skp/ ( 336 Words) 2022-01-13-19:30:02 (IANS) A Pakistani terrorist affiliated with proscribed terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) was killed in the encounter that broke out between security forces and terrorists in Kulgam district of Jammu and Kashmir, police said on Thursday. The terrorist has been identified as Babar Bhai of Pakistan who was active since 2018. Based on specific input regarding the presence of a terrorist in the Pariwan area of Kulgam, a joint cordon and search operation was launched on Wednesday evening by Police and Army (34RR) in the said area. While evacuating the civilians from the encounter site to safer places, one police personnel, three Army soldiers and two civilians also got injured. "All the injured were immediately shifted to the hospital for treatment. However police personnel senior grade constable Rohit Chibb succumbed to his injuries and attained martyrdom. The condition of other injured including two civilians who had sustained minor injuries is stated to be stable," the police said. In the ensuing encounter, one top Pakistani JeM terrorist Babar Bhai was killed and his body was retrieved from the site of the encounter. As per police records, the killed terrorist was a categorized terrorist active since the year 2018 in the areas of Shopian-Kulgam and its adjoining areas. He was wanted by law in several terror crime cases. "Incriminating materials, arms and ammunition including one AK-47 rifle, one Pistol and two grenades were also recovered from the site of encounter. All the recovered materials have been taken into case records for further investigation," the police said. Inspector-General of Police, Kashmir, Vijay Kumar accompanied by Deputy Inspector General of Police South Kashmir Range (SKR) and Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Kulgam visited the encounter site and SOG camp Nillow Kulgam, where besides interacting with JKP, Army and CRPF personnel, he also reviewed the security grid and operational aspects. The IGP Kashmir while interacting with media at Kulgam said, "The owner and his family members where the killed terrorist was hiding deliberately misled the search team by saying that no terrorist was hiding in their house which led to collateral damage. Therefore, action under terror law will be taken against them." He also said that so far 14 terrorists have been neutralized during the current year out of which seven are foreign terrorists including one killed at Line of Control (LOC) in Kupwara. The IGP Kashmir paid tributes to the martyred Police Personnel who made supreme sacrifice in the line of duty and also prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured. He has congratulated the joint forces for eliminating the most wanted Pakistani terrorist. Police have registered a case under relevant sections of law and an investigation has been initiated. "People are requested to cooperate with Police till the area at the encounter site is completely sanitized and cleared of all the explosive materials if any," the police added. (ANI) The Nishad Party, which is contesting elections in Uttar Pradesh in alliance with the BJP, has claimed that the BJP has agreed to give it 15 to 18 seats in the state. It is contesting the assembly polls in alliance with the BJP for the first time. Party President Sanjay Nishad told IANS, "We discussed the issue of seat sharing at a meeting with Home Minister Amit Shah. They have agreed to give us seats on which the party was preparing for the last 7 years. However, out of 15-18 seats, our candidates will fight on the BJP symbol on 2-3 seats as per the alliance strategy. We will try our best to help each other win as many seats as possible." The BJP in 2017 fought the state elections together with the Apna Dal and Omprakash Rajbhar's Suheldev Bhartiya Samaj Party. Rajbhar is now with the Samajwadi Party (SP), while the BJP got a new ally in the Nishad Party. On the question of several leaders, ministers and MLAs leaving the BJP, Sanjay Nishad said, "The ministers you are talking about are those who were talking something else during Prime Minister's rally 15 days ago, and now they are saying something else. After 15 days, they will again say something else." "Earlier, our boat's master for 70 years used to be someone else, who used to drown our boat. Now, Sanjay Nishad is his own master. Since 2019, we are winning with the BJP, even when SP and the BSP came together. In 2022 too, we will win," he added. On the Congress releasing a list of 50 women candidates, Nishad said, "There is a difference between distributing tickets and winning seats. This is nothing but a political stunt." On the question of not aligning with Akhilesh Yadav, Nishad said, "Our vote is for a purpose. Nishad Party, Apna Dal and BJP are together to defeat those forces which exploited us for 70 years." --IANS msk/skp/bg ( 342 Words) 2022-01-13-19:38:07 (IANS) The meeting lasted for 10 hours and concluded at 11:15 pm. After the meeting concluded at 11:15 pm, former Uttarakhand chief minister and senior Congress leader Harish Rawat said, "We have reached a mutual understanding for around 50 seats. We will take the final decision tomorrow. CEC meeting may be on Saturday." Besides Harish Rawat, screening committee meeting chairman Avinash Pande, PCC chief Ganesh Godiyal were present in the meeting. When asked if he would contest the Uttrakhand assembly election, Rawat said the party will take a decision. "After the first screening meeting, the reaction which we received we have evaluated that and tomorrow again we will meet and evaluate on all the seats. On Friday, we will give the final shape. Approximately 50 seat agreement of screening committee has been done," he said. The next Congress Party's Central Election Committee (CEC) meeting will be held on Saturday. The 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. (ANI) The victim was identified as Suman Kumar Chintu, the owner of Suhagan jewellers in Nalanda district. The incident occurred at his shop located in Pahadi Magadh colony in the Sohsarai police station area around 4 p.m. The condition of the victim is critical and he has been referred to Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH) for better treatment. Following the incident, the Nalanda Superintebent of Police also visited the spot. The employees of Suhagan jewellers, in a statement to the police said that 5 persons posing as customers came to the shop. "They got into an argument with the owner of the shop and one of them pulled out a gun and shot at him. The victim sustained gunshot injuries in a vital part of the body and his condition is critical," said Dr Mohamad Shibli Nomani, the SDPO of Biharsharif range in Nalanda district. "The jewellery and cash in the shop was intact. We have scanned the CCTV footage. We have taken the DVR of the CCTV for a detailed investigation. The actual reason will be ascertained only after the statement of the victim," Nomani said. "Nalanda police is investigating all the angles, and extortion cannot be ruled out," he said. Extortion from jewellers in Bihar is taking place frequently these days. A jeweller of Begusarai district named Promod Kumar Poddar raised the same issue of extortion on January 11. He had received an extortion call on December 31. --IANS ajk/bg ( 268 Words) 2022-01-13-20:14:05 (IANS) 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." --IANS niv/khz/ ( 568 Words) 2022-01-13-01:50:02 (IANS) In a new study, researchers at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities used a customised printer to fully 3D print a flexible organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display. The research has been published in the 'Science Advances Journal'. The discovery could result in low-cost OLED displays in the future that could be widely produced using 3D printers by anyone at home, instead of by technicians inexpensive microfabrication facilities. The OLED display technology is based on the conversion of electricity into light using an organic material layer. OLEDs function as high-quality digital displays, which can be made flexible and used in both large-scale devices such as television screens and monitors as well as handheld electronics such as smartphones. OLED displays have gained popularity because they are lightweight, power-efficient, thin and flexible, and offer a wide viewing angle and high contrast ratio. "OLED displays are usually produced in big, expensive, ultra-clean fabrication facilities," said Michael McAlpine, a University of Minnesota Kuhrmeyer Family Chair Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering and the senior author of the study. "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," he added. The group 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 this new study, the University of Minnesota research team 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 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 Ruitao Su, the first author of the study and a 2020 University of Minnesota mechanical engineering Ph.D. graduate who is now 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," Su added. Su said that 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," Su said. The researchers said the next steps are to 3D print OLED displays that are higher resolution with improved brightness. "The nice part about our research is that the manufacturing is all built-in, so we're not talking 20 years out with some 'pie in the sky' vision," McAlpine said. "This is something that we actually manufactured in the lab, and it is not hard to imagine that you could translate this to printing all kinds of displays ourselves at home or on the go within just a few years, on a small portable printer," he added. In addition to McAlpine and Su, the research team included University of Minnesota mechanical engineering researchers Xia Ouyang, a postdoctoral researcher; Sung Hyun Park, who is now a senior researcher at Korea Institute of Industrial Technology; and Song Ih Ahn, who is now an assistant professor of mechanical engineering at Pusan National University in Korea. (ANI) "We are planning to unveil the new application processor at the time of launching a new Samsung smartphone," a Samsung Electronics official told Business Korea. "There are no problems with the AP's production and performance." Samsung was supposed to reveal the Exynos 2200 system on a chip earlier this week. The new generation of Samsung chipset will power flagship devices in the Galaxy S22 series including the Samsung Galaxy S22 and Galaxy S22 Ultra. The Exynos 2200 is expected to have the same core architecture as the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 which will fuel the American variants of the Galaxy S22, it may lag behind in performance. Samsung's new SoC is expected to offer a five per cent improvement in CPU performance and a 17 per cent increase in graphics when compared to the Exynos 2100 that powers the Galaxy S21 range. --IANS wh/ksk/ ( 185 Words) 2022-01-13-08:40:05 (IANS) 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. --IANS nimish/vd ( 214 Words) 2022-01-12-23:26:03 (IANS) US State Department on Wednesday released a study on China's South China Sea claims challenging many of Beijing's assertions in the strategically important region. The Department's Limits in the Seas studies are a longstanding legal and technical series that examine national maritime claims and boundaries and assess their consistency with international law, according to the US State Department Press Release. Earlier, the most recent study, the 150th in the Limits in the Seas series, concludes that China's asserts unlawful maritime claims in most of the South China Sea, including an unlawful historic rights claim is unjustifiable. Further, China builds on the Department's 2014 analysis of the PRC's ambiguous "dashed-line" claim in the South China Sea. Since 2014, the PRC has continued to assert claims to a wide swath of the South China Sea as well as to what the PRC has termed "internal waters" and "outlying archipelagos," all of which are inconsistent with international law as reflected in the 1982 Law of the Sea Convention. With the release of this latest study, the United States calls again on the PRC to conform its maritime claims to international law as reflected in the Law of the Sea Convention, to comply with the decision of the arbitral tribunal in its award of July 12, 2016, in The South China Sea Arbitration, and to cease its unlawful and coercive activities in the South China Sea, read the US State Department press release. (ANI) Tenzin Norbu and Wangchen Nyima, who are brothers, were arrested on Aug 15, 2021, and are being held in a prison in Tawu (in Chinese, Daofu) county in the Kardze (Ganzi) Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, according to Radio Free Asia (RFA). A large Chinese military compound built-in 2012 in Nyikhok, around 4 kilometres away from the large Buddha statue destroyed in Drago, is meanwhile being used as a labor camp for Tibetans, RFA reported. Around 12 Tibetans are being held there at the moment, including Khenpo Pagha, a monk named Nyima, and a few Tibetan women. The two monks are nephews of Tulku Choekyi Nyima, abbot of Nenang Monastery in Sichuan's Drago (Luhuo) county, where Chinese authorities at another monastery recently demolished two large statues revered by Tibetan Buddhists. Tibetans who objected to the demolition were arrested and beaten, according to the RFA. (ANI) "Deputy Secretary of State Wendy R. Sherman met today with French MFA Secretary General Francois Delattre, German MFA State Secretary Andreas Michaelis, Italian MFA Political Director Pasquale Ferrara, and UK Minister of State for Middle East, North Africa and North America James Cleverly, who represented their respective countries at the meeting of the NATO-Russia Council in Brussels. The group pledged to continue close U.S.-European coordination to deter further Russian aggression against Ukraine, and called for Russian de-escalation, underscoring their shared commitment to diplomacy," Price said in a readout of the meeting on Wednesday. The leaders agreed in the meeting that any Russian advance on Ukraine would result in massive coordinated consequences, including economic measures, against Moscow, the official added. The meeting took place following NATO-Russia talks, during which the alliance's enlargement was a central topic of discussion. The US expects further engagement with Russia in the coming days, Price noted. Later in the day the State Department said Sherman also briefed Bjoern Seibert, Chief of Staff for European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on the NATO-Russia Council. Russia has repeatedly denied Western accusations of preparing for an invasion, saying it reserves the right to move troops within its sovereign territory as it considers NATO's military activities a threat to the national security of Russia. (ANI/Sputnik) Washington [China], January 13 (ANI/Sputnik): The United States is monitoring the lockdowns imposed in the central Chinese city of Anyang and assesses that they are likely to have an impact isolated to the Chinese market, US National Economic Council Director Brian Deese said during a White House press briefing. "With respect to China specifically and the current moment, we're monitoring it very closely. As we assess the issue today, the lockdowns are most likely to have an effect isolated in China, because the production facilities in those geographies are principally suppliers to the Chinese market," Deese said on Wednesday. The Chinese government imposed lockdowns in Anyang, Henan province following the emergence of Omicron COVID-19 variants in the city, which has a population of over 5 million people. The lockdown duration is yet to be announced and will be declared separately at a future date. Anyang is the second Chinese city to announce cases from the Omicron variant, following reported cases in Tianjin in December. Taiwan and Hong Kong have also reported Omicron cases. (ANI/Sputnik) Vietnam expects its farm products to easily enter China market Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh held phone talks with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on January 13 during which he requested China create more favourable conditions for Vietnamese farm products to enter its market. Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, during his phone talks with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, requeests that China create more favourable conditions for Vietnamese farm products to enter its market. Both sides should closely co-ordinate and adopt effective measures aimed at addressing the goods congestion occurring at border gates in order to maintain stable supply and production chains between the two countries, said PM Chinh. He proposed that China continue to expand the opening of its market for a number of Vietnamese agricultural products and fruits, with assurances given that Vietnam will strictly follow COVID-19 guidelines concerning import-export activities. In response Premier Li acknowledged PM Chinhs proposal, saying that upon hearing the report he has directed relevant Chinese agencies to address the issue and the situation has now been improved. He suggested that the two sides set up a joint working group to resolve this issue and create conditions in which Vietnamese agricultural products and fruits can further make inroads into China, whilst simultaneously maintaining smooth trade exchanges between the two countries. The two PMs reviewed the development of joint ties over the past year and exchanged practical measures to strengthen and expand comprehensive co-operation. PM Chinh went on to emphasise that the Vietnamese Party and State prioritise consolidating and developing the traditional friendship and comprehensive strategic co-operation partnership that exists between the two counties. The healthy and efficient development of bilateral relations is of great significance to the stability and development of each country, whilst it is also beneficial to maintaining peace, stability, co-operation, and development in the region and the world at large, he noted. The Vietnamese PM outlined that Vietnam, after having carried out the Doi Moi (Renewal) process for 35 years, will continue to build, supplement, and perfect the theory of socialism and its path to socialism. Premier Li lauded the important achievements Vietnam has recorded in its COVID-19 control and economic recovery efforts, affirming that the Chinese Party, State, and people attach great importance to relations with Vietnam. He stressed that China highly appreciates and steadfastly supports the Vietnamese socialist path which is most suitable to its situation. The two PMs shared the view that despite the damaging impact of the COVID-19 outbreak last year, both countries regularly maintained high-level exchanges, including two phone talks by the two countries top Party leaders. Two-way trade between the two sides hit a record high of more than US$160 billion. Co-operation in COVID-19 prevention and control represented a bright spot in bilateral relations. With regard to border and territory issues, PM Chinh suggested the two sides continue could come together to implement their three legal documents on land border and make good use of negotiation mechanisms in order to maintain peace and stability in the East Sea, and properly handle maritime issues in line with their top leaders common consensus and the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). He also proposed that both sides actively seek to promote negotiations to build and swiftly finalise a Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC) in substance, in accordance with international law. Premier Li expressed his desire to promote the negotiation mechanisms at sea between the two countries to soon achieve substantive progress. He affirmed that China is ready to join Vietnam and other ASEAN countries in continuing efforts to conclude the COC in a timely manner. Schallenberg's remarks came during his meeting with Lebanese President Michel Aoun at Baabda Palace on Wednesday, with whom he discussed the economic and political challenges facing Lebanon. The Austrian Minister said that the European Union is ready to offer Lebanon massive economic assistance as soon as the country succeeds in reaching an agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). He emphasised the pivotal role played by Aoun in pushing for the implementation of necessary reforms in a bid to overcome the current crisis, Xinhua news agency reported. For his part, the Lebanese President said that both Lebanon and the IMF are willing to reach an agreement to help the country overcome its crisis. He gave an overview about the various challenges facing Lebanon, including the presence of a large number of Syrian refugees in the country, calling on the Austrian official to assist Lebanon in securing a safe return of refugees to their homeland. Aoun thanked Austria for its continuous support for Lebanon at different levels. Schallenberg also met with Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati, House Speaker Nabih Berri and Foreign Affairs Minister Abdallah Bou Habib. --IANS int/khz/ ( 237 Words) 2022-01-13-03:12:04 (IANS) 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. --IANS int/khz/ ( 240 Words) 2022-01-13-03:30:04 (IANS) Pakistan Opposition Leader in the National Assembly Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and President of the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) Fazlur Rehman discussed the option of a no-confidence motion to oust the Imran Khan government. Discussing constitutional and lawful options for the ouster of the PTI-led government in Pakistan, the time has arrived that every constitutional, lawful and political option is used against the government. We also discussed the option of a no-confidence move to oust the government and it will be an agenda item at the PDM heads meeting to be held tentatively on January 25 where the final decision will be taken after consultations," Shehbaz told reporters, Dawn reported. The two opposition leaders also decided to go ahead with the plan of March 23 long march and to vigorously oppose approval of the mini-budget in the National Assembly, reported The News International. Notably, Finance (Supplementary) Bill 2021 also known as mini-budget seeks to amend certain laws on taxes and duties to meet the International Monetary Fund's (IMF's) conditions for the clearance of Pakistan's sixth review of the USD 6 billion Extended Fund Facility (EFF) by the financial institution, paving way for the disbursement of a tranche of around USD 1 billion. Furthermore, Shehbaz Sharif said that the moment has come to employ every constitutional, legal, and political option against the administration. He added, "The country never experienced such an incompetent, inefficient and corrupt government which has placed 220 million people in miserable condition," Additionally, Fazlur Rehman has criticised the Election commission of Pakistan's (ECP) decision to call the Pakistan Army for the second phase of local government elections in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, reported the newspaper. "In order for the institutions to be respected it is very important that they remain within their constitutional domain," he added (ANI). Speaking at a conference held for the launch of an environmental report at the Grand Serail, Mikati on Wednesday urged all parties to cooperate to save Lebanon and restore its prosperity before it is too late, the National News Agency reported. "We must start right away with the rescue process, waste no more time, and avoid becoming victims of our own actions," said the Prime Minister. Mikati's cabinet did not meet since October 2021, following the insistence of ministers affiliated with Hezbollah and the Amal Movement to hold a discussion on the Beirut port blast case, with the aim of disqualifying Judge Tarek Bitar, whom they accuse of politicising the investigation into the explosion, Xinhua news agency reported. --IANS int/khz/ ( 162 Words) 2022-01-13-03:44:02 (IANS) "On top of today's designations by @StateDept and @USTreasury, the US is proposing @UN sanctions following North Korea's six ballistic missile launches since September 2021, each of which were in violation of UN Security Council resolutions," the diplomat wrote on her Twitter page on late Wednesday. Later, a US diplomat told RIA Novosti that the US wanted five persons to be included in the list of the UN sanctions. "The US nominated five individuals for UN sanctions who were designated by Treasury earlier today. We continue to coordinate with partners to prepare the additional three individuals and entities designated by State for UN nomination," the diplomat said. Since the beginning of 2022, North Korea has already conducted two missile tests: on January 5 and January 11. (ANI/Sputnik) The Taliban, who seized power in Afghanistan in mid- August last year, are not ready to accept the demands of Pakistan of curbing the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan in return to the favour done by Islamabad in facilitating their return to power in the strife-torn country. Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) is using Afghan territory as safe haven to wreak havoc in Pakistan causing an estimated 83,000 casualties across Pakistan, Al Arabiya post reported. Stressing that the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) is a "test case" for the Afghan Taliban, Islamabad has said that if the new rulers in Kabul cannot address Pakistan's concerns then how can they with their promise of cutting ties to al Qaeda and other such groups earn the trust of other countries?, it reported. Islamabad believed that tackling the banned TTP group would help the interim government establish its credentials in the eyes of the world with regards to dealing with other terrorist outfits, reported The Express Tribune citing a senior Pakistani official as saying. "We are telling the Taliban leadership to consider the TTP as a test case," the official familiar with the development said, emphasising that if the Taliban can not address concerns of Pakistan then who would trust them and their promise of cutting ties to al Qaeda and other such groups. The Pakistani official also warned the Taliban that not addressing Islamabad's concerns will be damaging to the Afghan side. It comes after the Afghan Taliban have failed to address the issue of the TTP (Pakistani Taliban) raised by Pakistan. Afghan Taliban backs TTP, the proscribed group in Pakistan which has been behind several terror attacks in the country including the Peshawar Army School attack which killed over a hundred children in 2014. (ANI) At least 20 young doctors, demanding improved working conditions, were arrested by police, as doctors attempted to enter Red Zone in Pakistan's Quetta, an area which prohibits sit-ins and other forms of protest, on Wednesday. The police resorted to baton charges at the protesting doctors and barred them from entering the Red Zone. The doctors attempted to enter Red Zone with a view to staging a protest outside the Chief Minister's House demanding medicines for the treatment of patients, modern equipment and an overall improvement in working conditions at Government hospitals, reported Dawn. During protests, 10 doctors and paramedical staff, were also injured. When the young doctors started marching from Sandeman Hospital to the city's Red Zone, a clash broke out between the police and the young doctors and resulted in arrests and injuries. The police had already cordoned off Anscomb Road at various points with barbed wire and diverted the traffic to alternative routes, reported Dawn. The doctors also demanded that they should be provided security, along with paramedical staff, and better remuneration. Notably, the doctors have been protesting for one and a half months. Speaking to the media, Balochistan Minister for Health Department Syed Ehsan Shah said that talks with doctors were in progress, and a meeting was also held yesterday. "The protest of young doctors in the Red Zone was not appropriate today," he said. "All demands put forth by the doctors have been met, with the exception of an increase in salaries," the Minister added. Furthermore, the Minister said that the Health Department does not have the budget to increase the salaries for the doctors, however, they will try to find some middle ground. Young Doctors Association Chairman Dr Hafeez Mandokhel has provided a deadline, threatened the Government and said, "If the demands are not accepted, emergency services in the province will be withdrawn,". Doctors and paramedical staff ended the sit-in on Anscomb Road and went to Civil Hospital. The YDA has boycotted the emergency services across the province, with all services in the province except labour rooms and CCUs shut down, the association said. (ANI) Rescuers found debris belonging to a missing Air Force F-16V fighter on Wednesday morning but there were no signs of its pilot, according to the National Rescue Command Center (NRCC), reported Focus Taiwan. A military UH-60M helicopter first spotted debris from the aircraft tires, at around 10:48 am Wednesday, said NRCC. However, it did not specify where the objects were seen. Later, the Taiwan military confirmed at 11:19 am that the debris belonged to the jet with the serial number 6650 piloted by Captain Chen Yi. So far, the rescuers have not been able to locate Chen as they search him for a second day on Wednesday. The F-16 aircraft vanished off the radar during a routine training mission in Taiwan on Tuesday. The Taiwanese air force had launched a search-and-rescue operation to find the jet which had taken off from the Chiayi Air Base at 2:55 pm [06:55GMT]. (ANI) British International Trade Secretary Anne-Marie Trevelyan will on Thursday in New Delhi ceremonially launch negotiations between India and the UK for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the two countries. Trevelyan will meet her counterpart Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal, and the two will jointly and formally begin talks. UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: "The UK has world-class businesses and expertise we can rightly be proud of, from Scotch whisky distillers to financial services and cutting-edge renewable technology. We are seizing the opportunities offered in growing economies of the Indo-Pacific to cement our place on the global stage and deliver jobs and growth at home." Johnson, though, is in the midst of a major personal crisis, with calls for his resignation resonating across the length and breadth of Britain. His latest problem is a revelation that his office hosted a drinks party's during the height of the Covid-19 lockdown on May 20, 2020, which he and then partner had attended. The Prime Minister tended a grovelling apology in the House of Commons on Wednesday. But political observers think this may not be sufficient to save his job. Trevelyan stated before leaving London: "We want to unlock this huge new market (offered by India) for our great British producers and manufacturers across numerous industries from food and drink to services and automotive. "India marks the start of our ambitious 5-star year of UK trade and will show how the deals we negotiate will boost the economies across all nations..." The UK's Department of International Trade (DIT) forecast the Indian middle class "to increase to a quarter of a billion consumers by 2050". "India is set to become the world's third biggest economy by 2050, with a bigger population than the US and EU combined. A deal has the potential to almost double UK exports to India, boost our total trade by as much as 28 billion pounds a year by 2035, and increase wages across the UK by up to 3 billion pounds," the Department added. It estimated that "Indian companies already support 95,000 jobs across the UK", with the Tatas being the biggest Indian employer in the UK. The Department's expectation is that "the UK wants an agreement that slashes barriers to doing business and trading with India's 2 trillion pound economy and market of 1.4 billion consumers, including cutting tariffs on exports of British-made cars and Scotch whiskey". Presently, the two nations aim to double the present trade turnover by 2030. The DIT believes this stood at 23 pounds billion at the end of 2019. It cited: "Removing duties alone would increase exports to India by up to 6.8 billion pounds, supporting tens of thousands of jobs across the UK. Important UK exports like Scotch whiskey and cars currently face enormous duties of 150 per cent and 125 per cent respectively." --IANS ashis/ksk/ ( 489 Words) 2022-01-13-08:08:01 (IANS) "The peacekeeping military contingent of the Kyrgyz Republic's armed forces will arrive from Almaty to their permanent disposition -- [the Kyrgyz city of] Tokmok -- in the afternoon of January 14," the spokesperson said. The Kyrgyz contingent of the CSTO peacekeeping mission included 150 military and 19 pieces of equipment. They protected strategic sites in the biggest city of Kyrgyzstan, Almaty. The public unrest in Kazakhstan erupted in the early days of January, with residents of western cities of Zhanaozen and Aktau protesting against a two-fold increase in liquefied gas prices. The protests spilled over to other cities and turned into violent unrest with looting, attacks on state facilities and clashes with the police. On January 5, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev dismissed the government and called for CSTO assistance "in overcoming the terrorist threat." The CSTO sent collective peacekeeping forces to stabilize the situation and curb the violence in Kazakhstan. On Wednesday, Tokayev declared the CSTO mission success and said that an organized withdrawal of the peacekeeping contingent, expected to last for 10 days, would begin on January 13. (ANI/Sputnik) GM Korea President Kaher Kazem said, "Tahoe is a flagship SUV representing Chevrolet, and is the best option for a high-end lifestyle that can experience with cars." He also said, "With the launch of Tahoe, Chevrolet's SUV and pickup lineups in the Korean market has more improved to six types with various sizes, such as Trailblazer, Traverse, and Colorado." Tahoe, which boasts an overwhelming body size and interior space, applied the same platform with Cadillac Escalade, which is called King of SUVs, and luxury premium SUV GMC Yukon. The price of the new Tahoe starts from 92.53 million won (including special consumption tax), and the price of Tahoe Dark Night Special Edition is 93.63 million won. The newly released car is the 5th generation model. It is a 7-seater that comes with a captain seat applied with a power release function in the 2nd row and a power-folding seat in the 3rd row. It is 5352mm long, 2057mm wide, and 1925mm high. Compared to the previous fourth model, it is 125mm longer and has a bigger-sized wheelbase of more than 3m (3071mm). It is equipped with a bold 22-inch chrome silver premium painted wheel. The 2nd row's legroom is 1067mm, and even the 3rd row's legroom is 886mm that can accommodate three adults comfortably. (ANI/Global Economic) US President Joe Biden 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 US Senate that requires 60 votes for virtually every piece of legislation to advance, reports xinhua news agency. Biden, a veteran US 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 "weaponised 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 US 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. The President's remarks 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 on Tuesday. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has vowed to take up the voting rights legislation this week and bring up a rules change vote by January 17 in the event that Republicans block the election bills. In response, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell on Tuesday warned of retaliation from the Republicans if Democrats were to force the rules change. --IANS ksk/ ( 537 Words) 2022-01-13-09:10:05 (IANS) Around half of the factories in Afghanistan have halted their operations due to the financial crisis that gripped the country after the Taliban regime was established in August last year, local media reported on Thursday. Tolo News citing the Chamber of Industry and Mines reported that these factories stopped working due to banking problems and the lack of raw materials as well as the drop in market demand. "Due to less demands in markets, banking problems, and electricity problems, 40-50 percent of activities have been stopped," said Mohammad Karim Azimi, an official at the Chamber of Industry and Mines on Wednesday. The Afghan media outlet also stated that some owners of the factories also voiced their concerns over the lack of electricity to run their operations. Afghanistan for its electricity needs mostly relies on the Central Asian countries. Recently, Uzbekistan has reduced electricity to Afghanistan and the country's officials said that the drop is triggered by the technical problem that had arisen at the Marjan power station, Ariana News reported citing a statement by Da Afghanistan Breshna Sherkat (DABS). As Afghanistan is going through a drastic humanitarian crisis, many development and construction projects have been halted. Meanwhile, Taliban has passed the first annual budget for "next fiscal year 1401" without foreign aids amidst concerns over the brewing humanitarian crisis in the strife-torn country after the US withdrawal. 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. (ANI) According to ARY News, fear gripped the capital police when a man with a weapon was spotted outside the Parliament House at Constitution Avenue. The police said the gunman who entered the protest outside the Parliament Building was arrested and later identified as a guard of Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam (JUI-F) leader Mufti Kifayatullah, ARY News reported. The Pakistani media further stated that the guard was brought to the police station for brandishing Kalashnikov in the highly restricted Islamabad's Red Zone. Last year, the police grasped an elderly man with weapons outside the Parliament building. The police recovered a gun and a dagger from him. The gunman kept roaming outside the Parliament Building for more than 45 minutes, with a gun in one hand and a dagger in the other. The suspect was wielding his gun, pretending that he had put on a suicide jacket to blow, as per ARY News. (ANI) On Wednesday, the city reported 41 confirmed local COVID-19 cases, bringing the total confirmed patients detected in this round of domestic outbreak to 126, Global Times reported citing the local health commission as saying. Tianjin is the first city in the mainland to engage in a battle against cluster Omicron infections. Inner-city buses should skip the stops that are located in epidemic-controlled regions, the transportation department of Tianjin stipulated. But transportation for special needs will be guaranteed, Global Times reported. It further reported that in regions where inner-city transportation is suspended, the government together with the community and hospital will establish a specialized channel to ensure their transportation will be satisfied, such as those who seek for medical services in emergency. Checkpoints will be set up on highways and roads to ensure vehicles from Tianjin to Beijing are inspected. Trains between Tianjin and Beijing had been suspended, the Chinese state media reported. (ANI) "The curfew will be in effect from Thursday for a period of two weeks renewable, depending on the epidemiological situation in the country," Xinhua news agency quoted a government statement as saying. "The nationwide curfew will be carried out from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.," it added. In addition, the government has decided to ban all public gatherings indoors and outdoors. All cultural and sport events would be cancelled or postponed until further notice. Wearing a mask is still compulsory in all places in addition to the continued application of preventive and hygiene measures, namely physical distancing, ventilation and hand washing. The government has also recommended the vaccine passport, the national vaccination campaign particularly the inoculation of the Covid-19 booster dose, as well as the postponement of any travel to countries experiencing a severe situation. Meanwhile, Tunisia reported 4,865 new Covid-19 cases in the last 24 hours, raising the tally of infections in the North African country to 749,832. The death toll from the virus rose by 11 to 25,707, while the total number of recoveries reached 700,004. --IANS ksk/ ( 214 Words) 2022-01-13-11:26:03 (IANS) "Issues related to the start of a coordinated withdrawal of contingents of CSTO member countries from the territory of Kazakhstan were discussed," the Kremlin said in a statement. The Kazakh leader also expressed special gratitude for the help and support of Russia. Additionally, Tokayev informed Putin about the measures to finally restore order in the Central Asian nation during a phone conversation, the statement added. (ANI/Sputnik) The UN office said: "The fundamental rights of Afghan women and girls are under attack. They need the UN's support and solidarity now more than ever." The humanitarian organizations must aim to scale up assistance to women and girls by providing food, healthcare, education, livelihood opportunities and protection services. "The fundamental rights of Afghan women and girls are under attack. They need our support and solidarity now more than ever. Humanitarians aim to scale up assistance to women and girls by providing food, healthcare, education, livelihood opportunities and protection services," OCHA tweeted. According to OCHA, 11.8 million women and girls need urgent humanitarian assistance in Afghanistan. OCHA's tweet comes after women staged a protest in Kabul on Wednesday. Dozens of Afghan women in the capital city of Kabul are protesting against certain regulations imposed on them by the ruling Taliban, reported Sputnik citing an activist. The Taliban force women to wear hijab in public places and at work, said the activist, stressing, it points that the new rulers in Kabul do not want women to work. Taliban's return to power in Afghanistan is a nightmare for Afghan women. They have imposed many repressive rules on women including banning education, work, and long travel. After Afghanistan fell to the Taliban, the incidents of threatening women are becoming a 'new normal. (ANI) "Good to talk to Cabinet Secretary for Foreign Affairs of Kenya, Raychelle Omamo. Reviewed bilateral progress over the last year. Also discussed Commonwealth and regional issues. Last year in June, Jaishankar concluded a three-day visit to Kenya, where he held discussions on bilateral cooperation with Omamo and President Uhuru Kenyatta. During his visit to Kenya, Jaishankar also inaugurated the renovated Mahatma Gandhi Library at the University of Nairobi in Kenya. (ANI) The Higher Committee for Health and National Safety decided that all Iraqi and foreign travellers who enter the country must present a Covid-19 vaccination card to prove the holder has been fully vaccinated, and a negative nucleic acid test result conducted within 72 hours, said a statement by Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi's media office. All Iraqi governmental and non-governmental institutions should follow up their employees' vaccination process and prevent any citizen who comes without a vaccination card to enter their facilities, Xinhua news agency quoted the statement as saying. The decision was made during a committee meeting chaired by al-Kadhimi on the country's epidemiological situation in light of a global case surge with the rapid spread of the Omicron variant. Iraq reported its first cases of Omicron variant on January 6. The country has so far registered 2,102,555 cases and 24,225 deaths so far, according to the Health Ministry. Meanwhile, 8,770,184 people have been vaccinated. --IANS ksk/ ( 188 Words) 2022-01-13-13:30:03 (IANS) Char-Koosta News PABLO The Tribal Council Chambers at the 2022 Winter Quarterly meeting had a pre-pandemic feel to it. For the first time since the spring of 2020, there was a sizable chambers audience, that with social spacing, and seemed to blanket the entire room. Nearly 60 people not counting Tribal Council members and administrative staff provided a taste of normalcy a calm harbor from the rough waters of the ever-changing variant waves of COVID-19. It was good to see Pend dOreille Elder Stephen Smallsalmon in person, instead of via Zoom, or not at all via Zoom. Also good because of his recent gall bladder health scare that required surgery that hospitalized him for 11 days and chiseled 35 pounds off his frame. He gave the opening prayer following the swearing in of the newly elected Tribal Councilmembers. And it is always good to hear the soulfull heart beat of the Yamncut Drum with the rhythmical singing during the flag and honor songs. The added importance of the swearing in of the newly elected Tribal Council members added to the emotional vibe. It all added up to an uplifting all-aboard spiritual flow wafting through the air in the chambers available for anyone who cared to hop aboard. Swearing in of newly elected Tribal Council Representatives Tribal Court Judge Dave Morigeau swore in the five newly elected councilmembers that included two incumbents, two new members and one previous serving member. Incumbents Carole DePoe Lankford, Ronan District, and Len Two Teeth, Elmo District, and newcomers Jennifer Finley, Polson District, and Tom McDonald, At-Large seat, and former Jim Malatare, comprised a 30 percent change of the guard. The five join James Bing Matt, Arlee District; Anita Matt, Dixon District; Michael Dolson, Hot Springs District; Ellie Bundy, St. Ignatius District; and, Martin Charlo, Pablo District on the Tribal Council. Except for the Arlee District, those seats will be up for re-election in two years. The Arlee seat will be transformed to the second At-Large seat in the next election. Election of Officers Following the swearing in was the ceremonial election of the four Tribal Council officers, who all received unanimous support from their fellow Tribal Council members. Former Director of the Natural Resources Department Fish, Wildlife, Recreation and Conservation Division Tom McDonald was chosen to serve as Tribal Council Chairman for the next two years. Wildlife Biologist Whisper Camel-Means is McDonalds replacement as head of the FWRC Division. McDonald called his election by his Tribal Council peers humbling and an absolute honor, and looks forward to his tenure on the governing body and working to achieve the goals and address the issues the Flathead Nation has on its plate. Len TwoTeeth was elected Vice-Chair; Ellie Bundy was elected Treasurer, and Martin Charlo was elected Secretary. Rhonda Swaney Honoring Recently retired CSKT Legal Department Managing Attorney Rhonda Swaney was honored for her many years of service to the people of the Flathead Nation. She officially retired on December 31, 2021, however all indications are that her work with the Flathead Nation will continue in a different manner. Swaney is a consequential leader whose accomplishments will long positively affect the destiny of the Flathead Nation. None more so than the settlement of the Tribes Federal Reserved Water Rights Compact (FRWRC). That, along with her election to the Tribal Council in 1994 when she served as the second female to serve as Chair, are the spires on top of her many accomplishments in service to her people. Swaney was involved in the effort in some way, shape or form throughout the long hard-fought battle of perspectives on water and its usage that took more than 30 years to settle. In the end it was the forward-thinking perspective of the consequential tribal leaders, who in 1855 negotiated the Treaty of Hell Gate. It was Article 3 in particular that was the rebar of the foundational argument of the settlement. That along with the Winters Doctrine, the Tribes historical research and legal expertise, the Tribal Council leadership and the Western water rights legal concept of First in time, first in line that armed the Flathead Nation with a bullet proof legal argument that eventually came to fruition with the U.S. Congresss passage of the Montana Water Rights Protection Act in late 2020. It became enacted when President Donald Trump signed it into law as part of the Omnibus spending bill in late December 2020. The MWRPA was co-sponsored by Montanas Senators Jon Tester (D-Mont) and Steve Daines (R-Mont). One of the most important issues Rhonda worked on in her illustrious career was water rights. Rhonda had a long history of working on water rights, said Legal Department Attorney Dan Decker, Jr. From her time on the Tribal Council to her time as the Natural Resource Department head, then in her recent role as managing attorney, Rhonda was a guiding member of the Tribes Water Rights Negotiating Team who worked diligently for many years to accomplish the Tribes water compact approval by the Montana Water Rights Compact Commission and the [Montana] Legislature. Swaney began working for the Legal Department in 2005, and had served as the managing attorney since 2014. Prior to her career for the CSKT, Swaney worked for the Bureau of Indian Affairs Northwest Regional Office in Portland, Oregon. After that she became the head of the Natural Resource Department, the environmental crown jewel that carries out the long held Ancestral beliefs that all of creation deserves protection. Our deepest heartfelt thanks for your many years of service, Chairman McDonald said, adding that she is part of the CSKT family, and is always welcome in the fold. One by one the other Tribal Council Representatives thanked Swaney for her service to the Flathead Nation, and for the getting the settlement of the FRWRC over the goal line. The $1.9 billion settlement will be as consequential as the long-ago tribal leaders signage of the 1855 Treaty of Hell Gate. It will shine a new light on the long-held importance of the sustenance of sacred water those past leaders maintained a spiritual brew of belief, reality and law that will sustain those yet to come. Swaney, who was present via zoom, quickly refracted the praise to her colleagues and all who worked on the FRWRC settlement. I had the opportunity during my career to work on so many interesting and important things and I just want to say thank you... And I want to thank all those who worked with me, all the teams that I was on were all very talented tribal members and non-member employees because we did this I certainly didnt do it myself, she said. Elders Speak Pend dOreille Elder Stephen Smallsalmon recalled the times gone by and some of the forlorn events that the tribal people did to commemorate the New Year. He said he didnt want to see the Salish language go the way of some of old ways that no longer exist or are practiced to the extent they used to be. Smallsalmon praised the election of McDonald as Chair of the Tribal Council and thanked him for his work with the tribal cultural youth Smallsalmon worked with during the summers. Im just happy to be here and have a full house here, he said. I hope Im here in another two years and still teaching the (Salish) language at Nkwusm. He implored the Tribal Council to ensure that the needs of the Elders are met and to lessen the bureaucratic hurdles they face in seeking assistance. Then speaking in Salish, he said he hopes the Tribal Council would continue to support the effort to teach Salish because without the tribal languages the Tribes will cease to exist as a distinct people. Council Representatives Updates Each of the 10 members gave brief updates of what they have been involved with since the Fall Quarterly. Councilwoman Lankford said when the administrative restructuring effort is fully completed it would better meet the needs of the tribal membership, and she promise to never forget who she is working for. Councilwoman Matt expressed her sympathy for the families who have lost love ones. She relayed the tribal members in her Dixon District are concerned about the proposition to have a Bison Range entrance on Ravalli Hill. Councilman Charlo said the Tribal Council is moving on from the ugly things that happened recently, in reference to the internal Tribal Council brouhaha, that in all likelihood cost former Chairwoman Shelly Fyant and Polson District Councilwoman Charmel Gillin successful re-election bids. Chairman McDonald thanked Councilman Charlo for his keeping the COVID-19 issue on the front burner, and for his technical expertise in development of the system that allows for the Tribal Council meetings to be broadcast. Councilman Dolson said it was good to see a large in-person audience after about two years of virtual meetings. He expressed concern about the effect COVID-19 is having on the education and mental health on the youth. Councilman Matt also expressed happiness to have an audience in the Council Chambers. He said he was pleased with the voter turnout but said it should go up. He expressed a bit of sorrow that the old Elders are nearly gone, and that a new generation of Elders will be at the helm soon. He is concerned that dont have the solid link to the traditional old ways nor know or speak the tribal languages. Councilwoman Finley said You have hired me to work for you. All the (tribal) people are my new boss. I will work hard for you and the people who havent [yet] been born. Councilwoman Bundy said she continues to work on the Missing and Murdered Indigenous People issue and went to the reintroduction of bison on the Rocky Boys Reservation. Some of the bison were donated by the Flathead Nation. Councilman Malatare said it was good to be back on the Tribal Council eight years after his last term ended. He said he would like to see the Tribal Council work together better and make Elders services easier to navigate. There has to be a better way to serve the Elders, he said. Vice-Chair TwoTeeth said he was humbled by his reelection and that he would never forget who entrusted him with the honor to serve the people, and implored them to not be hesitant to bring their issues with the Tribal Council to the Tribal Council. That would make the Tribal Council better. Chairman McDonald said he was pleased with the selection of Len (TwoTeeth) as the Vice-Chair and that would make his job easier. I am honored to be here, to be selected by the nine other members on the Tribal Council, McDonald said, adding that he is looking forward to be part of the shepherding the water compact settlement forward. We have the obligation to protect the headwaters of the Columbia River Basin. McDonald is also ready to take a proactive approach to Climate Change, as well as protect the Flathead Reservation community from the effects of the out of state migration to the area. This is the last best place. The migration to the west will continue, he said. We have the job ahead of us to keep our community whole. Calling All Warriors 'Calling Our Warriors' documentary released The documentary features members of the CSKT community who have been impacted by COVID. The Tribal Education Department video Calling All Warriors was viewed. Its focus was the personal responsibility in the battle against COVID-19. It is available for viewing on YouTube. Initiative Update Administration Executive Director Rick Eneas gave a presentation on the structural reorganization of the administration that, among other things, takes the Tribal Council out of the administrative decision-making loop and streamlines the administrative and departments decision making. The reorganization end goal is to create social and economic self-sufficiency. To reach that goal there are seven priorities: to fully integrate traditional tribal values in the tribal system; eradicate homelessness; improve and promote mental health; address drug and alcohol addiction; increase employment opportunities for tribal members within and without the tribal system; foster business opportunities; and, ensure food security and sovereignty. Eneas gave a few examples on what some of the some of the seven priorities would accomplish when they become fully in effect. Eneas said an informational Dashboard is being developed to keep tribal members informed on the reorganization effort and the opportunities available on it. There is an overload of issues the new Tribal Council has to address and if past is prologue the foundation to accomplish them is there. It is the tact the Tribal Council uses that will determine the outcome. Moscow [Russia], January 13 (ANI/Sputnik): First Russian military units from the Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO) mission in Kazakhstan have boarded planes in the Almaty airport to return to their permanent deployment bases, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Thursday. "The first units of Russian Aerospace Forces from the collective peacekeeping forces of the CSTO in Kazakhstan loaded standard equipment and personnel into the aircraft of the military transport aviation of the Russian Aerospace Forces and flew from Almaty airport to the point of permanent deployment," the ministry said in a statement. (ANI/Sputnik) India and China agreed to stay in close contact with each other and maintain dialogue via military and diplomatic channels and work out a mutually acceptable resolution of the remaining issues during the 14th round of the Corps Commander Level Meeting, according to the Defence Ministry statement on Thursday. The meeting between the two neighbouring countries was held on Wednesday at the Chushul-Moldo border meeting point on the Chinese side. According to the ministry statement, representatives from the defence and foreign affairs establishments of the two sides were present at the meeting where both sides had a "frank and in-depth" exchange of views for the resolution of the relevant issues along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the western sector. Both India and China agreed that both sides should follow the guidance provided by the state leaders and work for the resolution of the remaining issues at the earliest. They noted that this would help in the restoration of peace and tranquillity along the LAC in the western sector and enable progress in bilateral relations, as per the statement. It added that both sides also agreed to consolidate on the previous outcomes and take effective efforts to maintain the security and stability on the ground in the western sector including during winter. They agreed to stay in close contact and maintain dialogue via military and diplomatic channels and work out a mutually acceptable resolution of the remaining issues at the earliest. According to the statement, India and China also agreed that the next round of the Commanders' talks should be held at the earliest. India and China have been holding talks on the Line of Actual Control in the Eastern Ladakh area to resolve the standoff and 14 rounds have been held so far including yesterday's one. (ANI) Washington [US], January 13 (ANI/Sputnik): Diplomats working at the US diplomatic missions in Geneva and Paris may have been affected by so-called Hava Syndrome, and at least one was evacuated for treatment, The Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday, citing people in the know. The incidents reportedly happened in summer of 2021. In Geneva, three American officials reported symptoms similar to Havana Syndrome. At least one diplomat was evacuated to the US for treatment. Senior embassy officials in Paris also informed diplomats by email of one more suspected case and called on the mission's staff to report unusual symptoms. US diplomats were first diagnosed with Havana Syndrome in Cuba in 2016 and then in China in 2018. The diplomats said they experienced piercing sounds that have caused longer-term health effects. American diplomats in Russia, Tajikistan, Austria and in several African countries have also reported experiencing Havana Syndrome symptoms, including nausea and dizziness. In October 2021, President Joe Biden signed into law a measure that provides compensation to US diplomatic personnel whose health has been affected by Havana Syndrome. He added that federal employees who are struggling with brain injuries and have curtailed their careers will also get first-class medical care while the US government is investigating the cause of the alleged attacks. (ANI/Sputnik) The Palestinian Health Ministry said that Omar As'ad's body was found in the village of Jiljilya before he was moved to the emergency room, reports Xinhua news agency. A local doctor, who tried to resuscitate the Palestinian man but found no pulse, said that it is possible that he suffered a heart attack, according to media reports. Jiljilya village mayor Fouad Motea said that Israeli soldiers suddenly stormed As'ad's car as he was on his way back home after visiting some relatives. The soldiers took him out of the car, blindfolded him, and cuffed his hands, then put him inside a building under construction, said the Mayor. The Israeli army confirmed that it had carried out an overnight operation in the village and a Palestinian was "apprehended after resisting a check", noting that he was alive when the soldiers released him. Meanwhile, the US State Department said that As'ad was an American citizen and it had sought clarification from the Israeli side over the incident. --IANS ksk/ ( 203 Words) 2022-01-13-15:06:03 (IANS) "Our colleagues at the peacekeeping mission there said they have noted a significant increase in the number of improvised explosive devices (IEDs), especially in the northwest of the country," Xinhua news agency quoted Stephane Dujarric, the chief spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, as saying. Among the IEDs found since the beginning of the year, "three out of five devices exploded on vehicles belonging to our peacekeepers or to the country's army", Dujarric added. He said the mission, known as MINUSCA, believes the armed Return, Reclamation, Rehabilitation group active in the area is deliberately targeting UN peacekeepers and CAR armed forces with the devices. On the humanitarian side, the UN deputy special representative and humanitarian coordinator for the CAR, Denise Brown, visited Ouaka prefecture in the country's midsection a few days ago and expressed her concerns about the situation, notably in the town of Boyo, the spokesman said. "She said that following the arrival of armed combatants in the town, there are allegations of killings, houses burned down and agricultural supplies stolen," Dujarric said, adding that MINUSCA deployed peacekeepers there to protect the population. There were no reports of casualties. --IANS ksk/ ( 228 Words) 2022-01-13-15:16:03 (IANS) Vienna [Austria], January 13 (ANI/Sputnik): Russia will have to take "necessary" measures if the United States and NATO fail to provide a constructive response to Russian-requested security guarantees within reasonable time, Russian Permanent Representative to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), Alexander Lukashevich, said on Thursday. "If we do not hear a constructive response to the proposals we made within reasonable time and the aggressive policy toward Russia continues, [we] will have to draw corresponding conclusions and take all necessary measures to maintain a strategic balance of powers and prevent unacceptable threats to our national security," Lukashevich said at the OSCE Permanent Council. He added that "any attempts to drag on the process of constructive negotiations on security guarantees in the Russia-US and Russia-NATO dialogues, or to narrow it down to a pointless exchange of positions over and over again, will result in the inevitable deterioration of the security situation for all countries without exception." In December 2021, Russia released drafts of agreements in which it proposed that NATO and the US agree to mutual security guarantees in Europe. The proposed guarantees included NATO not expanding further eastward, not deploying short- and intermediate-range ballistic missiles capable of reaching either side, and Ukraine and other former Soviet republics not being made members of the alliance. Russia and the United States discussed strategic stability in Geneva from Sunday to Monday. On Wednesday, the consultation on European security guarantees was continued at the NATO-Russia Council in Brussels. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Thursday that the US and NATO had promised to provide their response in writing, which Moscow expects to receive within a week. (ANI/Sputnik) China has expresed hope that Turkey as well as Muslim countries will understand and support its position on "Xinjiang-related issues" even as US and some other Western countries carry out a smearing and attacking Beijing with the ultimate purpose to disrupt China's development. Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Wang Wenbin during a press briefing on Thursday said that he has met Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu on Wednesday. "The two sides had a deep discussion over Xinjiang-related issues. State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi stressed that the Xinjiang-related issues are essentially about fighting terrorism and separatism. The Chinese government has the responsibility to safeguard security, harmony and stability in Xinjiang. The US and some other Western countries have made statements to smear and attack China, and gone to any lengths to destabilize Xinjiang, with the ultimate purpose to disrupt China's development," Wang Wenbin said during the press briefing. This comes after reports showed that Uyghurs in Turkey filed a criminal case with a Turkish prosecutor against Chinese officials for committing genocide in Xinjiang province. "Turkey and other Islamic countries are hoped to understand and support China's just position on Xinjiang-related issues," Wang Webin said in his briefing. 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). 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, according to the think tank. The US government imposed a new package of sanctions on China in December 2021 over abuse of human rights of Uyghurs and other muslim minorities of the country's western Xinjiang region, including forced labour and sterilization. (ANI) The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Thursday reprimanded the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and said it is responsible for the Murree tragedy which claimed the lives of 23 people, local media reported. IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah was hearing of petition filed by Hammad Abbasi, a Murree resident, that sought action against those responsible for the tragedy, Geo News reported. Abbasi said he went to Murree on January 7 and that when tourists were going to the hill station, neither were they stopped and nor were they warned of the danger, Geo News reported. According to the Pakistani publication, the IHC Chief Justice called a member of the NDMA to the rostrum and asked him when the last meeting of the NDMC was held. At this, the official told the court that a meeting took place on February 21, 2013, and the last meeting was held on March 28, 2018. After hearing the NDMA member's response, Justice Minallah question to the commission and said, "It is a powerful body. How come no meeting took place since 2018." The justice also told the NDMA member that his authority was responsible for the disaster and they could not shift the blame on anyone else, Geo News reported. Notably, at least 23 people died in Pakistan's Murree after their vehicles were stranded following heavy snowfall overnight. (ANI) After Lithuania opened a representative office on the island last year, China downgraded diplomatic relations with the country to the level of charge d'affaires and removed it from its customs system. "The situation where Europe finds itself now was not chosen by us, China choose the instruments and the way to address the issue," Landsbergis said on arrival at an informal meeting of the EU foreign ministers in France's Brest, adding that Beijing's way is "not only coercive but its very likely illegal," Sputnik News Agency reported. The tensions between China and the Baltic nation have erupted when in November last year Lithuania angered China by allowing Taiwan to open a representative office in Vilnius, equivalent to an embassy. It escalated in recent times after Lithuania took steps to strengthen ties with Taiwan. China considers Taiwan as its integral part. Beijing attacked Lithuania by lowering its diplomatic relations with them. In addition, this month Beijing also demanded that Lithuanian officials surrender their identity documents in order to downgrade their diplomatic status. The demand was such a serious concern for Lithuania that Vilnius withdrew its remaining diplomats from China in mid-December, fearing for their safety. Further, China has suspended the movement of freight trains connecting Vilnius as part of China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). It stopped processing Lithuanian food export license applications, according to Hong Kong Post. (ANI) According to media reports somebody used the mobile of 58-year-old Zafar Bhatti and sent a text against Prophet Mohammad and "this became a blasphemy case against him," Greek City Times reported. Bhatti was charged in 2012 and found guilty and given a life sentence in 2017. In October last year, the case was referred back to a trial court by Justice Abdul Aziz who said Bhatti should have been given the death sentence instead of life imprisonment, Greek City Times reported. Last year, the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) had raised concerns about the recent surge in blasphemy cases being registered against sectarian and religious minorities. "HRCP believes that the state has effectively abdicated its responsibilities under international human rights law by leaving those accused of blasphemy to the mercy of mobs, or trials that are marred by glaring legal and procedural flaws," the rights group had said. They said that the police must also refrain from registering blasphemy cases so promptly, knowing full well the sensitive implications of doing so when such complaints are often fabricated and spurred on by personal vendettas. (ANI) Employees from the Art Institute, teachers from the School of the Art Institute, and supporters gather outside the Art Institute to advocate for the unionization movement within the Art Institute on Sept. 9, 2021, in Chicago. (Armando L. Sanchez / Chicago Tribune) One day after the Art Institute of Chicago Workers United was certified to represent workers at the iconic South Michigan Avenue museum, employees at the School of the Art Institute won the vote to join their brethren in the nascent labor union. The first major museum union in Chicago will represent 249 employees at the associated school, including academic advisers, administrative assistants, mailroom workers and other employees under a separate bargaining agreement. Advertisement The results were tabulated Wednesday by the National Labor Relations Boards regional office in Chicago. The final vote achieved the needed majority with 115 in favor of unionizing and 48 opposed. School management challenged the eligibility of 44 ballots, and those were not counted, while about 40 eligible employees did not vote, the union said. I voted yes because in nine years of working at SAIC my largest raise was 49 cents. We deserve equity, respect and a living wage, Rachel Perlman, a school receptionist, said in a news release. Advertisement The union will be part of American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, which represents 10,000 workers at 91 museums nationwide and more than 25,000 library workers at 275 public and private libraries, including the Chicago Public Library. The School intends to enter into good faith bargaining with AFSCME to negotiate an initial collective bargaining agreement that best meets the needs of all parties to the contract while allowing us to continue to deliver on our mission of providing a world-class art and design education, school spokeswoman Bree Witt said in an emailed statement Wednesday. On Tuesday, the National Labor Relations Board announced a majority vote among museum employees, formally recognizing the union to represent 266 nonmanagement Art Institute employees including art installers, curators, custodians, librarians and retail workers. The employees are seeking higher wages and better working conditions, which were exacerbated by layoffs and furloughs during the pandemic. The Art Institute laid off 76 people between April and June 2020, and furloughed 109 employees last year between January and April. rchannick@chicagotribune.com After the US released a study on China's claim over South China Sea, Beijing on Thursday responded saying said that the United States report on international law is to "mislead the public, confuse right with wrong and upset the regional situation." Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Wang Wenbin during a press briefing on Thursday said: "The study of the US side misrepresent international law to mislead the public, confuse right with wrong and upset the regional situation." "As a signatory to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), China sets great store by the Convention and earnestly observes the Convention in an rigid and responsible manner. The US refuses to join the Convention, but styles itself as the judge. It wantonly misrepresents the Convention and adopts double standards out of selfish gains. Such political manipulation is irresponsible and undermines international rule of law," the Foreign Minister Spokesperson said in a statement. He added that China enjoys historic rights in the South China Sea. "Our sovereignty and relevant rights and interests in the South China Sea are established in the long course of history and are in line with the UN Charter, UNCLOS and other international law," Wang Wenbin said. On Wednesday, US State Department released a study on China's South China Sea claims challenging many of Beijing's assertions in the strategically important region. The Department's Limits in the Seas studies are a longstanding legal and technical series that examine national maritime claims and boundaries and assess their consistency with international law, according to the US State Department Press Release. Earlier, the most recent study, the 150th in the Limits in the Seas series, concludes that China's asserts unlawful maritime claims in most of the South China Sea, including an unlawful historic rights claim is unjustifiable. Further, China builds on the Department's 2014 analysis of the PRC's ambiguous "dashed-line" claim in the South China Sea. Since 2014, the PRC has continued to assert claims to a wide swath of the South China Sea as well as to what the PRC has termed "internal waters" and "outlying archipelagos," all of which are inconsistent with international law as reflected in the 1982 Law of the Sea Convention. With the release of this latest study, the United States calls again on the PRC to conform its maritime claims to international law as reflected in the Law of the Sea Convention, to comply with the decision of the arbitral tribunal in its award of July 12, 2016, in The South China Sea Arbitration, and to cease its unlawful and coercive activities in the South China Sea, read the US State Department press release. (ANI) "The function of Afghanistan's central bank must be preserved and assisted, and a path identified for conditional release of Afghan foreign currency reserves," Sputnik quoted Guterres statement. "We must do even more to rapidly inject liquidity into the economy and avoid a meltdown that would lead to poverty, hunger and destitution for millions," Guterres added. Following the Taliban takeover in mid-August, the US froze nearly 10 billion dollars in Afghanistan's assets and slapped sanctions on the Islamic Emirate. In the meantime, the stoppage of foreign aids to Afghanistan has crippled the already fragile economic system of Afghanistan and has adversely affected the lives of millions of people. (ANI) Washington [US], January 13 (ANI/Sputnik): North Korea has ignored the Biden administration's initial calls to resume denuclearization talks and instead responded with more ballistic missile tests, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Thursday. "We made clear that we were prepared to engage the North Koreans to sit down with no preconditions to see if we could find a way forward with them at the table, toward the total denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula," Blinken said in an interview with MSNBC. "Unfortunately, not only has there been no response to those overtures, but the response we've seen ... in recent weeks has been renewed missile test." Blinken emphasized that North Korea's latest missile launches are profoundly destabilizing, dangerous and they contravene many UN Security Council resolutions. North Korea is expected to continue its behavior as a means to gain international attention, but there will be consequences for its actions, Blinken said. The United States intends to impose new sanctions on North Koreans linked to Pyongyang's missile program, and it will work with South Korea and Japan to craft a response, Blinken added. US Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield said late on Wednesday that the United States is proposing the United Nations impose new sanctions on North Korea for six missile launches conducted by Pyongyang since September 21. On January 5 and January 11. North Korea conducted two missile tests it has claimed were hypersonic. (ANI/Sputnik) External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday met with UK Secretary of State for International Trade Anne-Marie Trevelyan and welcomed the launch of Free Trade Agreement negotiations. "Glad to meet UK Secretary of State for International Trade @annietrev. Welcomed the launch of FTA negotiations. Good discussion on our natural complementarities. New India and Global Britain can make a bigger difference working togther," Jaishankar tweeted. Earlier today, India and the United Kingdom formally launched negotiations for FTA between the two countries by Indian Minister for Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal and UK Trade Secretary, Anne-Marie Trevelyan, who is in New Delhi for the discussions. "An India-UK Free Trade Agreement would be a substantial opportunity for both of our economies and a significant moment in the India-UK bilateral relationship," said India-UK joint media statement. "The India-UK bilateral trading relationship is already significant, and both sides have agreed to double that bilateral trade by 2030, as part of Roadmap 2030 announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Prime Minister Boris Johnson in May 2021. India and the UK will seek to agree to a mutually beneficial agreement supporting jobs, businesses, and communities in both countries," read the statement. As per the statement, "trade negotiations will be a priority for both India and UK, as both the countries build upon the Enhanced Trade Partnership launched by our Prime Ministers in May 2021." "During negotiations, and on the path to a comprehensive agreement, both Governments will consider the option of an Interim Agreement that generates early benefits for both countries. In parallel to trade negotiations, the India-UK Joint Economic and Trade Committee will continue to work in improving the India-UK trading relationship and addressing market access barriers outside of a trade agreement," the joint statement read. It added that both parties have agreed that the first round of negotiations will begin on January 17, and future rounds of negotiations will take place approximately every five weeks. (ANI) "We are very troubled by reports of escalating PRC actions against Tibetan Buddhists, including authorities, destroying Buddha statues, removing prayer wheels, and burning prayer flags. We urge PRC authorities to respect the right of Tibetans to practise their beliefs freely," as per the statement of the US State Department's Office of International Religious Freedom. "The Office of International Religious Freedom promotes universal respect for freedom of religion or belief for all as a core objective of U.S. foreign policy. We monitor religiously motivated abuses, harassment, and discrimination worldwide, and recommend, develop, and implement policies and programs to address these concerns," it said. Earlier, Chinese authorises have reportedly begun sending Tibetan children to special camps to be indoctrinated in a Sinicised worldview and given basic military training in order to prepare them to be inducted into the militia. According to a report in Tibetan media, the Chinese Community Party is working on policies aimed at altering the demography of the Tibet Autonomous Region. Tibet is ruled by the Chinese Communist Party government based in Beijing with local decision-making power concentrated in the hands of Chinese party officials. Tibet was a sovereign state before China's invasion in 1950 when the People's Liberation Army (PLA) entered Northern Tibet. (ANI) Afghanistan's newly appointed Ambassador to Pakistan Sardar Ahmad Khan Shikib reaffirmed Kabul's stance on the Durand Line. This comes as tension over the Durand Line fencing has recently escalated between Kabul and Islamabad and the fencing of the Line was one of the controversial issues in the era of the former government as well, according to Tolo News. Sardar Ahmad Khan Shikib said that the Durand problem is an issue between the two countries, it is a type of national issue and we need to refer to the nation, to the Afghans and we cannot decide about the Durand Line Further, Ambassador Shikib urged the international community to recognize the Afghan government. "This is the natural right of Afghans to be recognized. We call on the international community to recognize us and let us enter a new era," he said. Meanwhile, tensions over tension over the Durand Line fencing have recently escalated between Kabul and Islamabad. While the Pakistani military has pledged to complete the fencing along the Durand Line, a senior commander of the Taliban in the eastern zone said they would not allow any more fencing, according to Tolo News. Earlier, Pakistan Rangers exchanged mortar fire with Taliban in eastern Taliban in eastern Nangarhar province after the latter ripped away the border fence being laid by the Pakistan army in the third week of December last year. The local Taliban official followed it up by threatening war if the Pakistanis' persisted with the border fencing. Further, Pakistan soldiers unpleased artillery in Afghanistan's Kunar province following the incident in Nangarhar province's Gushta area. This indicates that both sides upped the ante along the disputed Durand boundary. (ANI) Afghan Defence Minister Maulana Yaqoob urged Uzbekistan and Tajikistan to return military helicopters which were flown to their countries by Afghan pilots during the last days of the government of former Afghan President, Ashraf Ghani. Yaqoob said that Afghanistan request the Uzbekistan and Tajikistan governments to return our planes and helicopters, according to Frontier Post. "Although we are poor but we have our pride and integrity and therefore we can not allow other countries to have our helicopters in their countries," he added. Yaqoob's comments have opened a new pandora box, giving widespread speculations about the role of Central Asian States in the coming days. At one point there were speculations that Uzbekistan has disconnected the electricity which goes from Uzbekistan to Afghanistan, according to Frontier Post. On the other hand, US options in the region include striking a deal with one of these Central Asian States with regard to providing a military base so that Washington could conduct its "over the horizon" strikes. Further, 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 Tajikistan based in Afghanistan. (ANI) Since 1986, the country has honored Civil Rights icon Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on the third Monday in January. With a focus on his legacy, several Indianapolis-area organizations, venues and parks will host events honoring the activist. Other free events will be hosted by museums and venues in Indianapolis on the holiday, like the Indianapolis Zoo and the Children's Museum. MLK Day: 8 Indy museums and more offering free admission to celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Here's a list of things to do in Indianapolis on and leading up to Martin Luther King Jr. Day: Landmark for Peace Memorial Open daily, dawn until dusk, 601 East 17th St., Indianapolis Patricia Bates takes a photo as she and daughter, Shelby Bates, pass through the Landmark for Peace Memorial in Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Park in Indianapolis on Saturday, April 4, 2020. The day marks 52 years since the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. and the night Robert F. Kennedy addressed a crowd of Indianapolis residents in the area now known as the Kennedy-King neighborhood. Kennedy delivered the impromptu speech from the back of a flatbed truck, encouraging peace and forgiveness amid national violence. Since the annual commemoration could not be held in person due to COVID-19 precautions, a video tribute was posted online at WISH-TV. The Landmark for Peace memorial at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Park is a staple of the holiday. Visitors can feel the history at the spot where Robert F. Kennedy delivered a speech on the night of King's assassination in 1968. The memorial honors both late leaders and their legacies. Earth Discovery Center at Eagle Creek Park Jan. 15 to Jan. 31, 5901 Delong Rd., Indianapolis Leading up to MLK Day, the Earth Discovery Center at Eagle Creek Park invites people to test their knowledge on a self-guided, half-mile hike in honor of the icon. Discover answers along the route. The center is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sundays from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Despite the center's closure in observance of the holiday, the trail remains open to the public. Quizzes are available outside the center when it's closed. Free with park admission fee. City of Indianapolis Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration program 1 p.m. on Jan. 14, 200 E. Washington St., Indianapolis The City of Indianapolis and the Office of Minority and Women Business Development will host a celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.. The event will feature musical performances, a wreath ceremony, remarks by city and county leadership and the inaugural presentation of the Martin Luther King Jr.s Community Impact Award. Story continues Those who wish to attend should register online by Jan.13. The capacity is limited to 130 people. Masks are required. Madam Walker Legacy Center Day of Celebration Noon on Jan. 17 The 40th annual Day of Celebration for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. will be hosted by the Madam Walker Legacy Center at noon on Jan. 17. The celebration will include a conversation with Cathy Hughes, founder and chairperson of Urban One, Inc. Urban One is the "largest distributor of urban content in the country," according to their website. The event is virtual and tickets are free. 31st Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Indiana Holiday Celebration 6 p.m. on Jan. 16, 1 Monument Circle, Indianapolis The Soldiers and Sailors Monument on Wednesday, March 3, 2021, in downtown Indianapolis. The commemorative wreath placing ceremony will be at the Soldiers and Sailors monument. A light show presentation highlighting community members will follow the ceremony. Contact IndyStar's general assignment reporter Rachel Fradette at rfradette@gannett.com or follow her on Twitter: @Rachel_Fradette. This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Martin Luther King Day in Indianapolis: Events in honor of King HARFORD COUNTY, MD Coronavirus outbreaks have been reported in three public schools and two private schools in Harford County, the Maryland Department of Health reported this week. Every Wednesday, the state health department releases a list of K-12 schools with outbreaks of COVID-19. The data does not include child care facilities or higher education institutions. To be reported in the list, a school must have a classroom/cohort outbreak or a school-wide outbreak, according to the Maryland Department of Health. The Maryland Department of Health changed its definition of what constitutes an outbreak, effective Jan. 1. As a result, fewer schools are now included in the list. A classroom/cohort outbreak is defined as at least three confirmed cases of COVID-19 within 14 days that are epidemiologically linked, and are not household contacts. (It used to be two cases.) A schoolwide outbreak is defined as at least five classrooms or cohorts with cases from separate households in 14 days; or 5 percent of unrelated students, teachers or staff (at least 10 who are unrelated) having tested positive for COVID-19 within a two-week period. (Previously, three classrooms constituted an outbreak.) These schools have COVID-19 outbreaks in Harford County as of Jan. 12, according to the Maryland Department of Health: Bel Air Middle School: 6 Harford Day School: 5 Patterson Mill Middle School: 24 Trinity Lutheran: 13 William Paca/Old Post Elementary School: 5 This article originally appeared on the Bel Air Patch Breakups are a fact of life. Whether your connection is friendly, romantic or professional, many relationships run their course. But what happens when the person you need to cut ties with is your therapist? Thats the question at the heart of Apple TV+s dark comedy miniseries, "The Shrink Next Door." The series tells the story of an anxiety-prone small business owner (Will Ferrell) who becomes manipulated and used by his psychiatrist (Paul Rudd) for nearly 30 (maddening!) years. It explores what happens when doctor-patient boundaries are crossed (or in this case, obliterated) and how influential a therapist really can be over a patient. While the series is based on a true story, multiple experts said the events depicted therein are extreme and that therapy nearly always has been shown to be profoundly beneficial, not detrimental. Therapy is often life-changing, said Dr. Christine Crawford, associate medical director of the National Alliance on Mental Illness. Some patients come riddled with anxieties, depression, and self-doubt and leave with a fresh perspective, new insights and a variety of tools and strategies to better cope with the world around them. Indeed, therapy has been on the rise throughout the pandemic. The prevalence of depression and anxiety symptoms during (the) COVID-19 (pandemic) have doubled, said Mary Alvord, a Maryland-based psychologist and author of "Conquer Negative Thinking for Teens." The upside is that an increase in mental health concerns has also led to the destigmatization of therapy for many Americans. I think one of the silver linings of the pandemic is peoples recognition that seeking therapy is a healthy and valuable life choice, said Nadine Kaslow, a professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Emory University School of Medicine. But experts say there are instances when a patient and practitioner arent a good fit and that it can be helpful to know when its time to move on. Story continues The patient is the person who can and should feel comfortable deciding if and when to end therapy or change therapists, said Lynn Bufka, a clinical psychologist and a senior director at the American Psychological Association. Its important to remember that as a patient you are the one for whom this relationship is supposed to benefit, so you can and should be in the drivers seat regarding whether this relationship is the right therapeutic relationship for your needs. Here are nine signs that the relationship isn't working for you. Your therapist forgets who your sessions are for. While its common for a therapist to draw from personal experience to teach lessons or illustrate examples of recommended tools and techniques, if they talk about themselves too much, it may be time to say goodbye. The doctor/patient relationship is not a friendship nor reciprocal in nature, Crawford said, its the one time in life when you get to be selfish and only focus on yourself and your problems. Whats more, too much personal info shared by your therapist is crossing a boundary, she added. Your doctor isnt listening. Crawford also warns that therapy is not a one-size-fits-all model, and that therapists need to adapt teaching styles/techniques to accommodate the patient, which means learning what their patients unique needs and objectives really are. If a therapist is unable or unwilling to adapt or modify their approach to meet your needs, then that may become problematic, Kaslow said. There is a lack of respect. "The relationship between client and therapist is one of the biggest predictors of success in therapy, said J. Stuart Ablon, the director of Think:Kids at Massachusetts General Hospital. Because that relationship is so important, if you feel like your therapist doesnt respect or value who you are, its time to find a therapist who does. Whats more, if your therapist says things that are microaggressions or discriminatory in any way, thats a red flag, Kaslow warned. You lack trust in the therapist. As with any relationship, trust in therapy is vital. It can take a few sessions before you feel comfortable with a new therapist, but if after that period you still dont feel a sense of trust, it may be time to find someone new, said Cortney S. Warren, a board-certified clinical psychologist based in California. Crawford similarly advised why trust is crucial to a successful outcome in therapy. If youre ever worried about being totally honest with your therapist, thats a red flag, she said. You notice unethical behavior. Run for the hills if you ever witness your therapist being dishonest or unethical, multiple experts said. Examples of unethical behavior include encouraging a patient to lie (especially if its to protect the therapist), asking a patient to fill out a health insurance form inaccurately to make sure they qualify for coverage, billing a patient differently than was agreed to or asking a patient to meet at a location or under circumstances that make them uncomfortable. If a therapist does something unethical, no matter how small, that is very concerning and should serve as a major red flag, Kaslow said. You're not experiencing progress. Its always time to move on when you feel like you have hit a block and are not progressing but rather feel like you are digressing, said Jimmy Noorlander, a clinical social worker and director at Deseret Counseling based in Utah. Erin Berman, a clinical psychologist at the National Institute of Mental Health, had a similar take. It is important to set goals and measure them in therapy. If you feel that you are not making progress or that your symptoms are getting worse, its important to reassess the therapy situation, she said. You're relying on your therapist too much. A good sign of being overly dependent on your therapist is that you always have to ask them for approval or if you feel you have to run any change in your life past them to make sure youre making the right choice, Noorlander said. Boundaries are not respected. No relationship can thrive without healthy boundaries. Thats especially the case between doctors and their patients. Contact shouldnt occur outside of the therapy session very often, Crawford said, adding also that if a therapist asks for any kind of personal favor, its a red flag and you should let them know right away that it made you uncomfortable. A therapist becomes defensive about their therapeutic approach. While every therapist has their own style and technique, its a bad sign if they become defensive when a patient expresses discomfort or offense at something their therapist says or does. If they become defensive, that is a sign that it might be time to try someone else, Ablon said. Theres nothing wrong with telling your therapist that something they told you doesnt sit well or sound right to you. If doing so makes them at all combative, its OK to not return, Crawford said. Its important to note that the above examples apply to most types of therapy. Some approaches, such as dialectical behavior therapy can be more intensive and may contradict one or more of the aforementioned guidelines. Its also worth mentioning that personal growth will always be an uphill battle no matter who is helping with the climb. Therapy can be really hard, Warren advised. If your therapist is pushing you and you find it hard, that may not be a sign that you need another therapist it may be a sign that therapy is working! How to break the news to your therapist: Recognizing the signs that one needs to move on from a therapist can be easy compared to the process of doing so, but that doesnt mean things have to get weird. If you just had one or two sessions with your therapist, a simple phone call or email notification letting them know youre moving on is fine preferably at least 24 hours before your next appointment, Kaslow said. But if youve developed a relationship with your therapist over many sessions, telling them in person might be cathartic to both parties. I always tell people to be honest with their therapist about why they are changing, Noorlander said. It also gives the therapist a chance to reflect back to see if there is anything they want to do differently in the future. If you enjoyed your previous therapist, I would encourage you to ask them for a referral to someone else which most will happily do. Be as specific as you can about what you want to work on moving forward and what youre hoping to work on in your next therapy, Warren said. In the end its helpful to remember that therapy is about you and that its perfectly appropriate and normal to want to try a new therapist or approach. WASHINGTON President Joe Biden announced Thursday that the government will double to 1 billion the rapid, at-home COVID-19 tests to be distributed free to Americans, along with the most protective N95 masks, as he highlighted his efforts to surge resources to help the country weather the spike in coronavirus cases. Biden also announced that starting next week 1,000 military medical personnel will begin deploying across the country to help overwhelmed medical facilities ease staff shortages due to the highly transmissible omicron variant. Advertisement Many facilities are struggling because their workers are in at-home quarantines due to the virus at the same time as a nationwide spike in COVID-19 cases. The new deployments will be on top of other federal medical personnel who have already been sent to states to help with acute shortages. Speaking at the White House Thursday, Biden acknowledged that, I know were all frustrated as we enter this new year as virus cases reach new heights. But he insisted that it remains a pandemic of the unvaccinated. Advertisement Both vaccinated and unvaccinated people test positive for the virus, but Biden noted medical figures showing that people are far less likely to suffer serious illness and death if theyve received a shot: What happens after that could not be more different. Bidens comments come as his administrations focus is shifting to easing disruptions from the spike in cases that is also contributing to grocery shortages and flight cancellations, rather than preventing the transmission of the virus. President Joe Biden speaks about the government's COVID-19 response, in the South Court Auditorium in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building on the White House Campus in Washington, Jan. 13, 2022. (Andrew Harnik/AP) On Tuesday, Janet Woodcock, the acting head of the Food and Drug Administration, told Congress that the highly transmissible strain will infect most people and that the focus should turn to ensuring critical services can continue uninterrupted. I think its hard to process whats actually happening right now, which is: Most people are going to get COVID, all right? she said. What we need to do is make sure the hospitals can still function transportation, other essential services are not disrupted while this happens. Biden said that he is directing his team to double its procurement of rapid COVID-19 tests to be delivered for free to Americans through a forthcoming federal website, as he seeks to respond to criticism over shortages and long lines for tests. The initial order was for 500 million tests, and now the federal government will purchase 1 billion at-home testing kits. Biden said the website will launch next week. Biden also announced that for the first time his administration was planning to make high-quality N95 masks, which are most effective at preventing transmission of the virus, available for free. He said his administration would announce details next week. The federal government has a stockpile of more than 750 million N95 masks, the White House said this week. And though research has shown those masks to be better protection, they are often more uncomfortable, and health officials are not altering their guidance to recommend against less-protective cloth 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, Dr. Rochelle Walensky, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said Wednesday. Advertisement Biden encouraged Americans to wear masks when indoors to slow the spread of the virus, even as he acknowledged theyre a pain in the neck During Thursdays remarks Biden was joined by Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, who recently recovered from his own case of COVID-19, and FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell. They were hearing about the work of the more than 800 military personnel who have been helping civilian hospitals since Thanksgiving and the more than 14,000 National Guard members whose work supporting vaccinations, testing and caring for patients is being covered by the federal government. The White House said the they spoke with federal personnel who are already on the ground in Arizona, Michigan and New York to hear about their experiences. Biden also announced that six additional military medical teams will be deployed to Michigan, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio and Rhode Island. The White House said the teams will support Henry Ford Hospital just outside Detroit, University Hospital in Newark, the University of New Mexico hospital in Albuquerque, Coney Island Hospital in Brooklyn, Cleveland Clinic and Rhode Island Hospital in Providence. Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson, right, shares his plans about improving public safety in Milwaukee at a news conference at the Milwaukee Public Library Mitchell Street Branch, 906 W. Historic Mitchell St., on Wednesday. With Milwaukee's Police Chief Jeffrey Norman standing by his side, Acting Mayor Cavalier Johnson announced sweeping policy proposals Wednesday to help combat crime as Milwaukee faces rising homicides, gun violence, car thefts and reckless driving. In the newly released strategy, the acting mayor aims to ramp up the city's law enforcement including maintaining its level of sworn officers to deal with the rising number of violent crimes, create resources to promote community healing and provide neighborhood-level support to address the root causes of violence in Milwaukee. "Milwaukee is in the midst of violence that is both unacceptable as well as unsustainable for the city," he said at a news conference at the Milwaukee Public Library Mitchell Street Branch. "The trauma affects too many people," he said. "And too many people have lost their lives, including kids, including children in our community." Johnson's pronouncement comes after Milwaukee had another record-breaking year of homicides in 2021, with 205 reported killings. The previous year reported 190 homicides more than double the number in 2019. Additionally, more than 11,500 vehicles were stolen across Milwaukee in 2021 and 65 people died as a result of reckless driving last year, according to Johnson. Reggie Moore, left, director of Violence Prevention Policy and Engagement at the Medical College of Wisconsin, talks with Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson following a news conference where Johnson shared his plans on public safety plans for the city. Some of the new initiatives aim to work toward more long-term and sustainable approaches to improving health and safety across the city, including: Maintaining the number of sworn police officers with the Milwaukee Police Department. Increasing investments in reduced reckless driving and vehicle thefts. Johnson most recently presented his Safe Street Design, Traffic Enforcement, Accountability, Neighborhood Engagement, and Demand Progress plan (STAND). Additional training for the Milwaukee Police and Fire Departments on diversity, cultural sensitivity, use of force and mental illness. Working with the county to secure state and private funding for Crisis Assessment Response Team mental health services. Investing more money into the city's Office of Violence Prevention. Utilizing $22 million in Opioid Settlement funds to prevent substance abuse and overdoses. Distributing gun locks and increasing public education efforts to promote safe and responsible gun ownership. There will be a focus on unregulated gun sales as well as restricting residents who are convicted of domestic violence from possessing firearms. Story continues More: 'Dealing with crisis then and there': How Milwaukee's teams of cops and counselors reach people struggling with mental health More: Here are a few of the biggest challenges Milwaukee's next mayor will face. Tell us what's most important to you. The city aims to work with Republicans in the state Legislature to tighten up on firearms and explore possible reforms to the cash bail system. Johnson facing a stiff primary challenge in February to fill out the term of former Mayor Tom Barrett, who is the newly appointed ambassador to Luxembourg wants to draw on state and federal funding, as well as community support, to help bolster citywide efforts to tackle Milwaukee's growing public safety concerns. With a promise to maintain policing staffing levels, Johnson is seeking additional financial assistance from the state. The citys Police Department reported a loss of roughly 180 officers due to city budget cuts and attrition during the last two years. In 2021, there were 1,686 sworn officers. While Gov. Tony Evers funneled $8 million to the city's Office of Violence Prevention, Johnson said he is also looking to additionally invest more than $5 million to help expand programs. He anticipates the money will come from the second tranche of money from the federally funded American Rescue Plan Act. Norman applauded Johnson, calling his plan the most comprehensive effort he has seen from any administration he has worked with during the 26 years on the job. "We're doing our part. But as I speak to you all, it is a collaborative effort with our community. The hand is out. But it must be grabbed," he said. The initiatives come at a time when trust in law enforcement is at an all-time low across the nation. Jeff Fleming, the acting mayor's spokesperson, acknowledged this distrust and recognized that a lot needs to be done in order to rebuild this trust. "Community healing is essential," he said, noting that the mayor's new strategy is a positive step in the right direction. Contact Vanessa Swales at 414-308-5881 or vswales@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter @Vanessa_Swales. 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: Cavalier Johnson unveils plan to tackle Milwaukee public safety crisis A woman is facing felony charges after allegedly throwing glitter containers at a man on Monday. The Florida woman was arrested in Clearwater, Fla., on suspicion of burglary with assault or battery, court documents say, NBC News reported. The 27-year-old woman, whom NBC did not name, allegedly showed up to the man's apartment around 3 a.m. and threw a glitter container at him during an argument while he was standing on his balcony. The container hit his head and chest. The woman proceeded to the man's door, and when he unlocked it, "she then entered the apartment and engaged the victim again by throwing more containers of glitter at him," the documents said. A second 29-year-old woman was also arrested who allegedly broke the window of another apartment and "battered" the man. She will face the same charges as the 27-year-old woman plus criminal mischief, according to NBC News. Both women have been released on bond and refused to speak to authorities after the arrest. HYANNIS The Catholic bishop of Fall River has censured a Hyannis priest for his sermons and commentary against the COVID-19 vaccine. In a letter read from the pulpit Dec. 5 by the Rev. Michael Fitzpatrick of St. Francis Xavier Church, Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha said he directed Fitzpatrick to refrain from speaking publicly or in writing on the COVID-19 vaccines, any treatment from the vaccine or any preventative measures to avoid transmission of the virus. "Over several months, many have brought to my attention the fact that your pastor, Father Michael Fitzpatrick, frequently speaks out against the COVID-19 vaccine, questioning its efficacy and challenging its moral legitimacy. This has caused confusion and distress, and in some cases may have discouraged some of the faithful from being immunized against the virus, Fitzpatrick read from da Cunhas letter. Continued progress against the COVID-19 pandemic requires that we all do our part, and for most of us that means getting vaccinated, da Cunhas letter said. Cape Cod hospitals: Visitor restrictions as COVID-19 surges. Here's what you need to know. Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha of the Diocese of Fall River. Pope Francis calls for widespread vaccination Da Cunhas support of the vaccine was followed on Monday by Pope Francis call for widespread vaccination in all countries and his decrial of baseless anti-vaccine sentiment. Vaccines are not a magical means of healing, Francis said. Yet surely they represent, in addition to other treatments that need to be developed, the most reasonable solution for the prevention of the disease. Francis statement falls into line with Catholic morality and theology that says the faithful should favor the greater good and the lesser evil, said Thomas H. Groome, professor of theology and religious education at Boston College. Pope Francis: Getting the vaccine, the pontiff says, 'is an act of love.' Scientific and empirical evidence show that vaccines are saving peoples lives, Groome said. Story continues The lack of it has destroyed immeasurable lives. Groome said its irresponsible if not downright dangerous to the common good to try to dissuade people from getting vaccinated against COVID-19. Questioning the safety of COVID vaccines According to an article in the New Boston Post by Matt McDonald, over the course of the pandemic Fitzpatrick has questioned the safety of the vaccines in addresses to his congregation, saying that they were too fast tracked to be tested safely, and said alternative medical treatments have been suppressed. Fitzpatrick, who also has questioned the legitimacy of the November 2020 elections, said the COVID-19 vaccines have been compromised by using fetal stem cells, according to the New Boston Post article. According to an August article on the Nebraska MD website, COVID-19 vaccines do not contain aborted stem cells. Fetal cell lines cells grown in a laboratory based on aborted fetal cells collected generations ago were used in testing during research and development of the mRNA vaccines and during production of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, the article said. By far the greater good now is to avail of the vaccine, Groome said Wednesday. He said devout and traditional Catholics will listen to and respect the teachings of Pope Francis, who is speaking on behalf of the church. More: State distributing 26M rapid COVID-19 tests with focus on schools, child care centers Some conservative Catholics have spoken out against Fitzpatricks silencing. Patricia Stebbins, of East Sandwich, in a comment posted on the New Boston Post's website, compared the silencing to bowing to Caesar instead of God. My feeling is that were all born with God-given free will that entitles us to speak our mind and make calculated informed decisions on our own, she told the Times Wednesday. I fully support Father Fitzpatrick in what he was saying to his parishioners. I believe there are two sides to every issue. John Kearns, spokesman for the Diocese of Fall River, said the diocese was not releasing da Cunhas letter to the public and had no comment on the issue. Fitzpatrick said he also cannot comment. Kearns said that since December 2020 the Catholic church has made it clear that receiving the COVID-19 vaccine is consistent with the Catholic faith and can be done in good conscience. This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: Cape Cod priest censured for sermons against the COVID-19 vaccine The New York Times Oleg Y. Tinkov was worth more than $9 billion in November, renowned as one of Russias few self-made business tycoons after building his fortune outside the energy and minerals industries that were the playgrounds of Russian kleptocracy. Then, last month, Tinkov, the founder of one of Russias biggest banks, criticized the war in Ukraine in a post on Instagram. The next day, he said, President Vladimir Putins administration contacted his executives and threatened to nationalize his bank if it d Arizona State Republican Representative Jake Hoffman has been filmed dodging questions about a letter he signed falsely stating that electors in the state voted for Donald Trump following the 2020 election. When Mr Hoffman was asked by 12News why he signed the fake declaration, he simply walked away. Richard Ruelas of the Arizona Republic followed up with Mr Hoffman, asking him on what authority did you find yourself as an elector? In unprecedented times, unprecedented action does occur, Mr Hoffman said. Theres no case law, theres no precedent that exists as to whether or not an election thats currently being litigated in the courts has due standing, which is why we felt it appropriate to provide Congress and the vice president with duelling opinions. A Republican-supported audit in Arizonas largest county, overwhelmingly considered a farce by observers, failed to find widespread voter fraud in the state, but instead confirmed President Joe Bidens victory in the state. Did you have direction from anybody in doing this? Ruelas asked. I was one of the electors, Im not in charge of the electors, Mr Hoffman replied. When asked how he heard about the plan, Mr Hoffman said you would need to ask the party chair that question. Ask [the party chair] how you got a phone call? the reporter asked. Did you not know how you arrived at a place? At this point, Mr Hoffman tried to end the interview and started to walk away. The Independent has reached out to Mr Hoffman for comment. THE DOCS Here's bogus declaration signed 12/14/20 by Arizona's 11 Trump electors, inc. Hoffman. US Senate candidate @jim_lamon also signed. On same day, top AZ Senate Republican announced he'd subpoena Maricopa County's election equipment for an audit. pic.twitter.com/cLs8BcdSsZ Brahm Resnik (@brahmresnik) January 13, 2022 The National Archives received fake certificates of ascertainment that then-President Donald Trump and then-Vice President Mike Pence had won Michigan and Arizona in the 2020 election. Story continues The secretaries of state in those states have passed along the forgeries to the House Select Committee investigating 6 January, Politico reported. Communications between state officials and the National Archives have also been shared with the panel. Democratic secretaries of state Jocelyn Benson of Michigan and Katie Hobbs of Arizona met with the committee in November. They mostly discussed election administration in Arizona, the 2020 elections, threats/harassment directed toward the office, and the Cyber Ninjas partisan ballot review, Murphy Hebert, a spokesperson for Ms Hobbs, told Politico. Tracy Wimmer, a spokesperson for Ms Benson, told the outlet that she and her staff answered the committees questions about the 2020 election and events in the run-up to the Capitol riot on 6 January 2021. The National Archives sent the fake documents via emails to the office of Ms Hobbs on 11 December 2020 for your awareness. They added that the documents wouldnt be accepted. Taking legal action against at least one pro-Trump group, Arizona sent a cease and desist letter to a Trump-supporting sovereign citizen group in which they told them to stop using the state seal, sending the issue on to the states attorney general. By affixing the state seal to documents containing false and misleading information about the results of Arizonas November 3, 2020 General Election, you undermine the confidence in our democratic institutions, Ms Hobbs wrote to one of the groups. Group leader Lori Osiecki told the Arizona Republic in December 2020 that she chose to send in the fake documents after going to rallies after the election and attending a full-day meeting in Phoenix where then-Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani was present. After the meeting, she was upset that Governor Doug Ducey wasnt helping Mr Trump overturn the election. One thing I will say about conservatives, is if something is wrong, and we have lost a true loss then we accept, she said at the time. Were not going to drag people through the mud and fight it. But this clearly has got issues. I saw it with my own eyes and my own research. After that hearing, I was shocked we didnt have any other marching orders. The group in Michigan that sent in a similar document didnt use the state seal and state officials didnt go further on the matter after the document was rejected by the National Archives. On the anniversary of the Capitol riot on 6 January, Ms Hobbs said that this past year has shown us that the threats to our democracy persist. Election officials continue to face regular harassment and threats to their lives, she added. Fringe groups push fraudulent audits of our election results. And a wave of new laws here in Arizona and across the country threaten the freedom to vote, a bedrock principle of our republic. The armorer from the film "Rust" filed a lawsuit against the film's gun supplier and that company's founder alleging that misrepresented dummy rounds were to blame for the accidental killing of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, the armorer for "Rust," sued PDQ Arm and Prop LLC. and its founder and managing member, Seth Kenney, on Wednesday, the latest legal development after a shot was fired from a gun actor Alec Baldwin was holding. The lawsuit alleges that the dummy rounds supplied through PDQ were misrepresented because they actually contained both dummy and live rounds of ammunition. According to the lawsuit, Kenney and his company "provided ammunition boxes with '45 Colt Dummies' labels. The ammunition boxes failed to state a material fact, the contents contained both dummy and live ammunition, which were deceptively sold in violation" of New Mexico state law. The lawsuit also alleges that the gun supplier's founder "in turn failed to provide any warning as to this potentially dangerous condition that they created." "These false representations caused live rounds to be introduced on set, resulting in a foreseeably catastrophic outcome, and causing damages to persons on the Rust set," the lawsuit says. The Hill could not immediately reach Kenney for comment. Kenney told "Good Morning America" during an interview last month that he was not the only arms supplier to work with the film and said that "it's not a possibility" live rounds of ammunition "came from PDQ" or from himself. "When we send dummy rounds out, they get individually rattle tested before they get sent out," he added. Baldwin says he was given the firearm and told it was "cold" - meaning it had no live rounds. Director Joel Souza was also injured in the incident. In his first interview following the shooting, Baldwin said last month he didn't feel responsible for what happened. "I feel that someone is responsible for what happened, and I can't say who that is, but I know it's not me," he said. The Army has relieved six active-duty commanders, including two battalion commanders, and issued 2,994 general officer written reprimands to soldiers for refusing a COVID vaccine. In a release Wednesday, the Army said the punishments were for refusing the lawful order by Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. The Army has not yet initiated separations for soldiers refusing the vaccine but expects further guidance later this month. At least 96% of active-duty soldiers in the Army are fully vaccinated. The deadline set by the Army for active-duty soldiers to complete their COVID vaccination was December 15, 2021. The Army has not granted any religious exemption requests but has received 2,128 requests. The Navy, Air Force and Marines also have not granted any religious exemption requests so far. Staff Sgt. Travis Snyder, left, receives the first dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine given at Madigan Army Medical Center at Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington state, Dec. 16, 2020, south of Seattle. / Credit: Ted S. Warren / AP According to the Navy's weekly update, the Navy has 5,209 active-duty sailors who remain unvaccinated and 2,968 members of the ready reserve. Commanders have separated 20 soldiers who were within 180 days of active-duty service for refusing the COVID-19 vaccine. Austin mandated the vaccine in September but left it up to the services to set the deadlines. The deadlines for the active component and reserve component for each service to receive a vaccine have passed, except for the Army National Guard who still has until June 30. As of now, boosters are not required to be considered "fully vaccinated" and comply with the Pentagon's COVID-19 rule, but as the Omicron wave started rolling through the country, Pentagon spokesperson John Kirby has said a booster requirement is under active discussion at the Defense Department. London Calling: Boris Johnson faces calls to resign over lockdown party Economist weighs in on record high inflation rate in U.S. Apple AirTags spark safety and privacy concerns Jack Frontz, right, helps Bill Rutter with his stance at the Buckeye Firearms Foundation 2014 Free Fun Shoot at Dillon Sportsman Center. Buckeye Firearms Association Executive Director Dean Rieck's Jan. 8 guest column of on permitless concealed carry was wrong on the law. The Ohio Supreme Court has held there is no constitutional right to bear concealed weapons. Glaringly, his piece also disregards crucial facts, such as its false claim that gun violence has not resulted in blood in the streets. The FBI reported that killings soared nearly 30 percent in 2020, with more slayings committed with guns. More: Our view: Hellbent lawmakers are doing 'something' about gun violence making it worse Doug Rogers was a partner in the Vorys law firm in Columbus for over 20 years, during which he represented the Fraternal Order of Police in federal court in Ohio and Oklahoma. He also was an adjunct professor at The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law. The Ohio Mayors Alliance testified at the statehouse that Ohioans are dealing this year with a surge in gun violence and passing this bill will increase violent crime, police-involved shootings, and more innocent victims being caught in the crossfire. More: Ohio Senate Republicans pass bill eliminating need for concealed carry permits Rieck was also wrong to disregard the opposition of law enforcement experts to permitless carry, which would allow people 21 years of age or older to carry a concealed handgun without any training in firearms or passing a background check. The Fraternal Order of Police of Ohio testified that Senate Bill 215 will create a threat to officer safety. More: FOP president: Ohio lawmakers ignoring 'concerns of the men and women who keep your family safe' Hamilton County Sheriff Charmaine McGuffey testified: Allowing virtually anyone in Ohio to conceal weapons on their person without training or background checks will make Ohio less safe. The Ohio Patrolmens Benevolent Association testified, There must be a minimum training requirement for someone with the awesome right of carrying a weapon that can deprive another person of their life. Second, Senate Bill 215 would even allow persons convicted of misdemeanor assault on a police officer to legally carry a concealed handgun, even though now such individuals cannot legally carry a concealed handgun under Ohio Revised Code section 2923.125. Story continues More: Guns right group president: 'Alarmists' are wrong. 'Permitless' concealed carry a right in Ohio The Fraternal Order of Police criticized this provision, saying it would open the door to convicted criminals to carry a concealed weapon. The Buckeye Firearms Association has admitted that an advantage of carrying a concealed handgun is, you hope to have the element of surprise. There is no valid reason for the Senate to give a person convicted of misdemeanor assault on a police officer the right to carry a concealed weapon. More: Opinion: Passage of gun bills misses the mark when it comes to Ohio's priorities Third, the senate bill would shackle police and endanger the public by preventing the police from stopping and questioning suspicious individuals carrying a gun no matter how temporary in duration the detention was, even though the U.S. Supreme Court has upheld such stops. The Toledo Police Patrolmans Association said: With the passage of this bill a person could feasibl[y] have a car load of AK-47s and AR-15s, and the officer initiating a traffic stop would not be able to question what they were looking at. Fourth, by eliminating the requirement for a concealed carry license, Senate Bill 215 would effectively make it impossible for police to enforce the law. The Ohio Prosecuting Attorneys Association explained, Without a concealed carry permit requirement, a law enforcement officer will have no way of determining whether that person is carrying a concealed weapon legally or illegally. Finally, the senate bill would further endanger police by: (1) eliminating the current responsibility of a civilian carrying a concealed handgun stopped by the police to promptly notify police that he is carrying a concealed firearm; and (2) switching the duty to the police officer to ask if that civilian is carrying a concealed weapon. More: Letters: DeWine 'too little, too late' to stop COVID-19. 'Pure madness' to jettison concealed gun permits The Ohio Association of Chiefs of Police said, "To remove the duty to notify is setting us all up for confrontation and potentially tragic failure. The General Assembly should not do the bidding of the Buckeye Firearms Association and allow unqualified individuals to legally sneak up on others with a concealed handgun. The General Assembly should reject Senate Bill 215, because it is anti-police and anti-public safety. Doug Rogers was a partner in the Vorys law firm in Columbus for over 20 years, during which he represented the Fraternal Order of Police in federal court in Ohio and Oklahoma. He also was an adjunct professor at The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law. This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Opinion: Concealed carry without permit would endanger police Illinois is still setting records for new COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations, and with coronavirus-related deaths reaching levels not seen in nearly a year, the states top public health official said Wednesday its too soon to say whether the latest omicron-driven surge has peaked. Despite a small dip in the number of COVID-19 patients in hospitals statewide as of Tuesday night compared with the previous day, the seven-day average increased to 7,173 patients per day, the highest level at any time during the pandemic. Advertisement You really want to see a consistent decline, Dr. Ngozi Ezike, director of the Illinois Department of Public Health, said during a news conference at the James R. Thompson Center in the Loop. I will be the first to announce it when we can say that pretty confidently cross my fingers and toes, but I just dont want to get ahead of ourselves. Dr. Ngozi Ezike, director of the Illinois Department of Public Health, speaks to media at the Thompson Center in Chicago on Aug. 26, 2021. (Antonio Perez / Chicago Tribune) Ezike joined Gov. J.B. Pritzker in reiterating the importance of vaccinations, booster shots and masks in slowing the latest trend, which is putting major stress on hospitals across Illinois. Advertisement I cant say enough about how extraordinary our hospitals and our health care heroes have been throughout this pandemic, but specifically in the present moment, when exhaustion and long hours greet them every single day, Pritzker said. The governor highlighted his administrations efforts to help hospitals meet their staffing needs as exposures and infections sideline health care workers and others leave the profession due to burnout or other factors. Through existing state contracts, the state is helping deploy more than 2,000 health care workers in an effort to ease the burden on overstretched hospitals, including nearly 600 as part of COVID reaction teams to respond quickly to emerging crises at hospitals and other health care facilities, the governor said. With COVID-19 hospitalizations at record levels and only about 9% of staffed intensive care beds available statewide, Ezike painted a dire picture of the challenges facing hospitals and those who need urgent medical treatment. Were making it difficult for people who are having a heart attack, who end up in a car crash, have their appendix burst, have a cancer-related complication any kind of medical emergency were threatening the ability of those people to get the care they need, she said. The latest surge in the pandemic is once again disrupting the operations of state government, with the Democratic leaders of the Illinois House and Senate on Wednesday announcing the cancellation of next weeks scheduled session days in Springfield. And late Tuesday, the Illinois Department of Corrections said it was suspending inmate transfers from county jails as cases rise once again inside state prisons. State health officials on Wednesday reported 34,573 new confirmed and probable cases of COVID-19 across Illinois, bringing the average number of new daily cases to 32,501 over the past week, yet another record. Advertisement But the growth in cases hasnt been as rapid in recent days. Wednesdays average was up about 29% from the week ending Jan. 5. From the week ending Dec. 29 to the week ending Jan. 5, the average number of new daily cases increased by nearly 51%. Statewide, theres also been a recent slowdown in the average number of new patients being admitted to hospitals with COVID-19-like illness. While the highly contagious omicron variant has proved more able to strike people who have been fully vaccinated but have not received a booster shot, more than 80% of COVID-19 patients in Illinois hospitals are unvaccinated, Ezike said. And although omicron generally has produced milder symptoms, coronavirus-related deaths are on the rise in the state. The state on Wednesday reported an additional 144 fatalities, bringing the average number of deaths to 93 per day over the past week, the highest level since the week ending Jan. 16, 2021. At that time, vaccines were just being distributed to the public and were not yet widely available. Ezike and other health officials have stressed that many of the hospitalizations and deaths occurring now could have been prevented if patients had gotten vaccinated. Advertisement As of Wednesday, the statewide death toll stood at 28,804 since the pandemic began, with 887 recorded since the start of the new year. dpetrella@chicagotribune.com jmahr@chicagotribune.com The civil lawsuit against Cedar Creek School is scheduled to proceed next week with depositions, but the state attorney general's office wants to put the entire ordeal on hold. On Jan. 4, the attorney general's office filed a motion to stay the lawsuit, in an attempt to pause all discovery proceedings until the criminal prosecution of the juveniles is complete. Cedar Creek, a private school in Ruston, is being sued by parents who claim their son experienced repeated bullying and sexual battery over the course of the 2020 school year, and that the school did not effectively intervene to stop it. The lawsuit involves several defendants, including the school, insurance companies, the parents of nine juveniles and staff members. Jan. P Christiansen, attorney for five of the defendants including the school itself, filed a motion to oppose the stay three days later, writing that the attorney general's motion does not present "good cause" to pause civil proceedings. Retired Judge Jimmie C. Peters, who was assigned to oversee the Cedar Creek lawsuit by the Supreme Court of Louisiana, will rule on the motion as an ad hoc judge for the 3rd Judicial District Court. Depositions in the case are scheduled for Jan. 19-21. Cedar Creek School in Ruston has been sued by parents of a student they say was bullied and sexually assaulted at the school. More: More defendants deny allegations in Cedar Creek bullying, sexual battery lawsuit More: Parents sue Cedar Creek School, saying son was severely bullied. School denies allegations. The motion, signed by Assistant Attorney General Darwin C. Miller, seeks to pause civil proceedings because criminal proceedings supersede any civil outcomes. "The State of Louisiana respectfully submits that constitutional and statutory rights afforded to the juvenile victim in the criminal proceedings outweigh any and all civil interests in this matter," the motion reads. "Additionally, the State of Louisiana respectfully avers that the best interests of justice are better served by allowing the criminal court overseeing the prosecutions in this matter to directly oversee any proceeding related to the taking of any testimony from the juvenile victim at this time." Story continues Because so many attorneys are involved in this civil suit, Christiansen wrote, mid-January was the earliest date everyone could meet for depositions in Ruston. If the civil case is paused, the next available time for depositions is this summer, assuming the criminal prosecution is completed by then. More: Ad hoc judge assigned to Cedar Creek lawsuit after local judges recused themselves "There are over 18 attorneys involved in this case and getting available dates from everybody is an almost impossible task," the opposition reads. "It was pretty much a miracle to get everyone to agree to dates in January." Additionally, Christiansen cited that the civil suit was filed Sept. 15 and spotlighted by local news coverage, which means the attorney general had ample time to file the motion. The Ruston Police Department conducted an investigation in May 2021, and "upon information and belief, the minors whose parents are named as defendants in the civil lawsuit will be charged with misdemeanor offenses." The prosecution of these offenses was then transferred to the attorney general after the 3rd Judicial District Court judge recused himself from the case. In opposing the attorney general's motion, Christiansen wrote that because the charges in question are misdemeanors instead of felonies, there's even less reason to stay the case. "According to the request from the State of Louisiana, we would have to wait for the juvenile proceedings over these misdemeanor charges to be concluded," the opposition reads. "Since there are nine separate juvenile defendants, who knows how long that could take. We may be waiting until 2023 to take the first rounds of depositions." Follow Sabrina LeBoeuf on Twitter @_sabrinakaye and on Facebook at https://bit.ly/3B8sgHo. Support local journalism by subscribing at https://cm.thenewsstar.com/specialoffer. This article originally appeared on Monroe News-Star: Louisiana Attorney General seeks to put Cedar Creek civil suit on hold A decision by Austria's data protection watchdog upholding a complaint against a website related to its use of Google Analytics does not bode well for use of US cloud services in Europe. The decision raises a big red flag over routine use of tools that require transferring Europeans' personal data to the US for processing -- with the watchdog finding that IP address and identifiers in cookie data are the personal data of site visitors, meaning these transfers fall under the purview of EU data protection law. In this specific case, an IP address "anonymization" function had not been properly implemented on the website. But, regardless of that technical wrinkle, the regulator found IP address data to be personal data given the potential for it to be combined -- like a "puzzle piece" -- with other digital data to identify a visitor. Consequently the Austrian DPA found that the website in question -- a health focused site called netdoktor.at, which had been exporting visitors' data to the US as a result of implementing Google Analytics -- had violated Chapter V of the EU's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which deals with data transfers out of the bloc. "US intelligence services use certain online identifiers (such as the IP address or unique identification numbers) as a starting point for the surveillance of individuals," the regulator notes in the decision [via a machine translation of the German language text], adding: "In particular, it cannot be excluded that these intelligence services have already collected information with the help of which the data transmitted here can be traced back to the person of the complainant." In reaching its conclusion, the regulator assessed various measures Google said it had implemented to protect the data in the US -- such as encryption at rest in its data centers; or its claim that the data "must be considered as pseudonymous" -- but did not find sufficient safeguards had been put in place to effectively block US intelligence services from accessing the data, as required to meet the GDPR's standard. Story continues "As long as the second respondent himself [i.e. Google] has the possibility to access data in plain text, the technical measures invoked cannot be considered effective in the sense of the above considerations," it notes at one point, dismissing the type of encryption used as inadequate protection. Austria's regulator also quotes earlier guidance from German DPAs to back up its dismissal of Google's "pseudonymous" claim -- noting that this states: " ...the use of IP addresses, cookie IDs, advertising IDs, unique user IDs or other identifiers to (re)identify users do not constitute appropriate safeguards to comply with data protection principles or to safeguard the rights of data subjects. This is because, unlike in cases where data is pseudonymised in order to disguise or delete the identifying data so that the data subjects can no longer be addressed, IDs or identifiers are used to make the individuals distinguishable and addressable. Consequently, there is no protective effect. They are therefore not pseudonymisations within the meaning of Recital 28, which reduce the risks for the data subjects and assist data controllers and processors in complying with their data protection obligations." The DPA's wholesale dismissal of any legally relevant impact of the bundle of aforementioned "Technical and Organizational Measures" (such as standard encryption) -- which were cited by Google to try to fend off the complaint -- is significant because such claims are the prevailing tactic used by US-based cloud giants to try to massage compliance and ensure EU-to-US data transfers continue so they can continue business as usual. So if this tactic is getting called out here, as a result of a single website's use of Google Analytics, it can and will be sanctioned by EU regulators elsewhere. After all, Google Analytics is everywhere online. (See also the extensive list of extremely standard measures cited by Facebook in an internal assessment of its EU-to-US data transfers' -- in which it too tries to claim 'compliance' with EU law, per an earlier document reveal.) The complaint back story here is that back in August 2020 European privacy campaign group noyb filed a full 101 complaints with DPAs across the bloc targeting websites with regional operators that it had identified as sending data to the US via Google Analytics and/or Facebook Connect integrations. Use of such analytics tools may seem intensely normal but -- legally speaking, in the EU -- it's anything but because EU-to-US transfers of personal data have been clouded in legal uncertainty for years. The underlying conflict boils down to a clash between European privacy rights and US surveillance law -- as the latter affords foreigners zero rights over how their data is scooped up and snooped on, nor any route to legal redress for whatever happens to their information when it's in the US, making it extremely difficult for exported EU data to get the necessary standard of "essentially equivalent" protection that it gets at home when it's abroad. To radically simplify: EU law says European levels of protection must travel with data. While US law says 'we're taking your data; we're not telling you what we're doing; and you can't do anything about it anyway, sucker!'. US cloud providers that are subject to Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) are all in the frame -- which takes in a broad sweep of tech giants, including Google and Facebook, since this law applies broadly to "electronic communications services". While Executive Order 12,333, a Reagan era mandate that's also relevant as it also expanded intelligence agency powers to acquire data, is thought to target vulnerabilities in telecoms infrastructure. The EU-US legal clash between privacy and surveillance dates back almost a decade at this point. It was catalyized by the 2013 Snowden disclosures which revealed the extent of US government mass surveillance programs -- and led, back in 2015, to the EU's Court of Justice to invalidate the Safe Harbor arrangement between the bloc and the US on the grounds that EU data could no longer be considered safe when it went over the pond. And whereas Safe Harbor had stood for around 15 years, its hastily agreed replacement -- the EU-US Privacy Shield -- lasted just four. So the lifespan of commercially minded European Commission decisions seeking to grease transatlantic data flows in spite of the massive privacy risks has been shrinking radically. Some complaints about risky EU-to-US data transfers also date back almost a decade at this point. But there's fresh enforcement energy in the air since a landmark ruling by the CJEU in July 2020 -- which struck down the Commission's reupped data transfer arrangement (Privacy Shield), which -- since 2016 -- had been relied upon by thousands of companies to rubberstamp their US transfers. The court did not outlaw personal data transfers to so-called third countries entirely. Which is why these data flows didn't cease overnight smack bang in the middle of 2020. However it clarified that such data flows must be assessed on a case by case basis for risks. And it made it clear that DPAs could not just turn a blind eye to compliance -- hi Ireland! -- rather they must proactively step in and suspend transfers in cases where they believe data is flowing to a risky location like the US. In a much watched for follow-on interpretation of the court ruling, the European Data Protection Board's (EDPB) guidance confirmed that personal data transfers out of the EU may still be possible -- if a set of narrow circumstances and/or conditions apply. Such as the data can be genuinely anonymized so that it is truly no longer personal data. Or if you can apply a suite of supplementary measures (such as technical stuff like applying robust end-to-end encryption -- meaning there's zero access to decrypted data possible by a US entity) -- in order to raise the level of legal protection. The problem for adtech firms like Google and Facebook is that their business models are all about accessing people's data. So it's not clear how such data-mining giants could apply supplementary measures that radically limit their own access to this core business data without a radical change of model. Or, well, federating their services -- and localizing European data and processing in the EU. The Austrian DPA decision makes it clear that Google's current package of measures, related to how it operates Google Analytics, is not adequate because it does not remove the risk of surveillance agencies accessing people's data. The decision puts heavy underscoring on the need for any such supplementary measures to actually enhance standard provisions if they're to do anything at all for your chances of compliance. Supplementary of course means extra. tl;dr you can't pass off totally standard security processes, procedures, policies, protocols and measures as some kind of special Schrems II-busting legal magic, no matter how much you might want to. (A quick comparable scenario that might hammer home the point: One can't -- legally speaking -- hold a party during a pandemic if lockdown rules ban social gatherings simply by branding a 'bring your own bottle' garden soiree as a work event. Not even if you're the prime minister of the UK. At least not if you want to remain in post for long, anyway... ) It's fair to say that the the tech industry response to the Schrems II ruling has been a massive, collective putting of heads into sand. Or, as the eponymous Max Schrems himself, honorary chair of noyb, puts it in a statement: "Instead of adapting services to be GDPR compliant, US companies have tried to simply add some text to their privacy policies and ignore the Court of Justice. Many EU companies have followed the lead instead of switching to legal options." This charade has been possible because -- to date -- there hasn't been much regulatory renforcement following the July 2020 ruling. Despite the European Data Protection Board warning immediately that there would be no grace period for coming into compliance. To the untrained eye that might suggest the industry's collective strategy -- of ignoring the legal nightmare wrapping EU-to-US transfers in the hopes the problem would just go away -- has been working. But, as the Austria decision indicates, regulatory gears are grinding towards a bunch of rude awakenings. The European Commission -- which remains eager for a replacement to the EU-US Privacy Shield -- has also warned there will be no quick fix this time around, suggesting major reforms of US surveillance law are required to bridge the legal divide. (Although negotiations between the Commission and the US on a replacement data transfer agreement are continuing.) In the meanwhile Schrems II enforcements are starting to flow -- and orders to cease US data flows may soon follow. In another sign of enforcement ramping up, the European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS) -- just this week -- upheld a complaint against the European Parliament over US data transfers involving use of Google Analytics and Stripe. The EDPS' decision reprimands the parliament and also orders it to fix outstanding issues within one month. The other 101 complaints noyb filed back in 2020 are also still awaiting decisions. And as Schrems notes EU DPAs have been coordinating their response to the data transfer issue. So there's likely to be a pipeline of enforcements striking at usage of US cloud services in the coming months. And, well, a lot of sand falling out of eyes. Here's Schrems on the Austria DPA's reasoning again: "This is a very detailed and sound decision. The bottom line is: Companies can't use US cloud services in Europe anymore. It has now been 1.5 years since the Court of Justice confirmed this a second time, so it is more than time that the law is also enforced." "We expect similar decisions to now drop gradually in most EU member states," he adds, further noting that Member State authorities have been coordinating their response to the flotilla of complaints (the EDPB announced a taskforce on the issue last fall). "In the long run we either need proper protections in the US, or we will end up with separate products for the US and the EU," Schrems also said, adding: "I would personally prefer better protections in the US, but this is up to the US legislator -- not to anyone in Europe." While netdoktor has been found to have violated the GDPR, it's not clear whether it will face a penalty as yet. It may also seek to appeal the Austrian DPA's decision. The company has since moved its HQ to Germany, which complicates the regulatory jurisdiction component of this process -- and means it may face additional enforcement, such as an order banning transfers, in a follow on action by a German regulator. There is another notable element of the decision that has gone Google's way -- for now. While the regulator upheld the complaint against netdoktor it did not find against Google's US business for receiving/processing the data -- deciding that the rules on data transfers only apply to EU entities and not to the US recipients. That bit of the decision is a disappointment to noyb which is considering whether to appeal -- with Schrems arguing: "It is crucial that the US providers cannot just shift the problem to EU customers." noyb further flags that Google may still face some pending sanction, however, as the Austria DPA has said it will investigate further in relation to potential violations of Article 5, 28 and 29 GDPR (related to whether Google is allowed to provide personal data to the US government without an explicit order by the EU data exporter). The DPA has said it will issue a separate decision on that. So Google may yet be on the hook for a GDPR breach in Austria. Penalties under the regulation can scale as high as 4% of a company's annual global turnover. Although orders to ban data transfers may ultimately prove a lot more costly to certain types of data-mining business models. To wit: Long time EU privacy watchers will be aware that Facebook's European business is on penalty time in Ireland over this same EU-US transfers issue. A preliminary order that Facebook suspend transfers was issued by Ireland in fall 2020 -- triggering legal action from the social media giant to try to block the order. Facebook's court challenge failed but a final decision remains pending from the Irish regulator -- which promised noyb a swift resolution of the vintage complaint a full year ago. So the clock really is ticking on that data transfer complaint. And someone should phone Meta's chief spin doctor, Nick Clegg, to ask if he's ready to pull the plug on Facebook's European service yet? BERLIN (Reuters) - The new German government is taking a fresh look at EU efforts to introduce a quota for women on company boards, a spokesman said on Thursday, raising the chances that European legislation that has been stalled since 2012 may finally be unblocked. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Wednesday that she would make a new push at boosting women's representation on company boards. Germany and some Nordic and Baltic states in the past resisted such a quota, arguing the matter should be settled at a national level. "It's time to move forward with this file," von der Leyen, the first woman to lead the Brussels-based EU executive and an outspoken advocate of a women's quota when she was a German government minister, told the Financial Times. "It's been sitting on the shelf for 10 years now, but in these 10 years there has been a lot of movement and learning." she said, referring to a 2012 proposal calling for listed companies in the EU to fill at least 40% of their non-executive board seats with women. Von der Leyen now hopes for the backing of the new government in Berlin and support from France, which holds the bloc's rotating presidency for the next six months. "The balanced representation of women and men in committees is an important concern of the German government," a German government spokesman said. "The ministries are currently looking into the legal proposal by the European Commission in order to find a common position." The proposed directive does not set out sanctions, leaving these to member states, and it will not apply to small, medium-sized or unlisted companies. France currently has the strongest female representation in the boardrooms of the biggest listed companies at 45.3%, according to the European Institute for Gender Equality, against a 30.6% average for the EU as a whole. (Reporting by Andreas Rinke; Writing by Sabine Siebold; Editing by John Chalmers and Frances Kerry) Joe Biden Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images President Biden is sending military medical teams to help hospitals in six states manage rising COVID-19 cases, USA Today and ABC News report. Biden will announce the deployment of doctors, nurses, and clinical personnel to New York, New Jersey, New Mexico, Ohio, Rhode Island, and Michigan on Thursday alongside Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell, and the medical teams will arrive as early as next week. These will be the first teams sent out from a reserve force of 1,000 military medical personnel the White House announced in December, when Biden had the Pentagon send an initial batch of doctors, nurses, and paramedics to several states. The stampede of cases of the Omicron variant appears to be slowing in several East Coast cities, including New York, and health officials and epidemiologists are cautiously optimistic that cases will start falling in a week or two. But hospitalizations are a lagging indicator and will likely continue to rise for about a week after new infections start dropping, The Washington Post reports. You may also like The self-radicalizing logic of conservative intellectuals California deputy DA opposed to vaccine mandates dies of COVID-19 Haitian prime minister had 'trusting relationship' with presidential assassination suspect, new evidence suggests President Biden threw in the proverbial towel on Thursday and all but admitted defeat in his months-long effort to enact sweeping measures to protect voting rights before MLK Jr. Day on Monday. After months of unsuccessful haggling, Biden journeyed to Capitol Hill to make a last-ditch personal appeal to fellow Democrats to change the Senate rules to allow passage of the bills. If we miss the first time, we can come back and try it a second time, Biden said. We missed this time. Raising his voice, Biden insisted he wouldnt stop fighting to expand voting rights and repeatedly called for the need to count the vote. I know one thing: as long as I have a breath in me, as long as Im in the White House, as long as Im engaged at all, Im going to be fighting, he said. Biden pleaded with Democrats, including holdout moderates Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.V.) and Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.), to tweak the Senate filibuster rule. That move could allow Democrats to pass two voting rights bills with simple majority votes. He spoke for about 15 minutes and declared that Senate rules are not sacrosanct. Manchin and Sinema support the voting laws but steadfastly oppose the changes, mostly because they say the 60-vote rule ensures bipartisan dialogue on a range of issues. Just minutes before Bidens arrival, Sinema again expressed her opposition, effectively putting a nail in the coffin of the voting rights push. I will not support actions ... that would worsen the disease of division in our country, said Sinema. Republicans welcomed Sinemas speech. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) heaped praise on her for an act of extraordinary political courage. (She) saved the Senate as an institution, McConnell said. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) earlier said the Senate would take up twin voting rights measures later in the day but that timetable might get pushed back. The House of Representatives teed up the Senate action by approving the Freedom to Vote Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Act on a party-line 220-203 vote. Story continues The right to vote is sacrosanct and central to the integrity of our democracy, said Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), the No. 5 Democrat in the House. Biden and Democrats framed the voting rights push as essential to defend American democracy in the face of former President Trumps effort to overturn the 2020 presidential election and GOP efforts to make it tougher to vote. Republicans counter that Democrats are just making noise to rev up their base and gain an edge in future elections. Schumer had initially set the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday, on Jan. 17, as a deadline to either pass the voting legislation or consider revising the filibuster rules. That vote could still happen. But under their new strategy, which uses a procedural shortcut, they will be able to actually hold a debate on the bill without being blocked by a filibuster, which Republicans have deployed four times in recent months to stop debate. The Senate Health Committee on Thursday voted to advance the nomination of Robert Califf as commissioner for the Food and Drug Administration, moving him one step closer to confirmation. The panel voted 13-8 in support of Califf, a cardiologist and Duke University researcher, who previously ran the agency at the end of the Obama administration. Since he left government, Califf has advised Google Health and its spinoff, Verily Life Sciences. In 2016, Califf was easily confirmed by a vote of 89-4, but the bipartisan opposition during Thursday's committee vote likely signals that this time will be tighter. Some Democratic senators had already voiced opposition over his ties to industry and the FDA's role in the opioid crisis, like Sens. Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.) and Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), who joined six Republicans in voting against advancing the nomination to the floor. Ahead of the committee vote, Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) reiterated his disappointment in Califf's nomination, tweeting that it was an "insult to those who have been impacted by the drug epidemic." Sanders also opposed Califf in 2016, though he was not present for the final vote. The votes against him at the time came from Manchin, Sens. Ed Markey (D-Mass.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and former Sen. Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.). On the Republican side, anti-abortion groups have been lobbying hard against Califf, though Sen. Richard Burr (N.C.), the top Republican on the panel, voted in favor of advancing the nomination. Califf received additional GOP votes from Sens. Mitt Romney (Utah), Lisa Murkowski (Alaska) and Susan Collins (Maine). The Burlington County Commissioners are hosting a canned food drive now through Jan. 31, to help local families in need. MOUNT HOLLY - A new year is underway but Burlington County is continuing its fight against hunger and food insecurity. The Burlington County Commissioners are hosting a canned food drive now through Jan. 31, with collection boxes at the County Administration Building, 49 Rancocas Road and other county offices and facilities, including the Burlington County Library, 5 Pioneer Boulevard, Westampton. Only donations of canned food will be accepted. Boxed foods or other perishable items will not be collected. Collections will be donated to the St. Vincent de Paul Society that will go to their food pantry at Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church, 260 High Street, Mount Holly, and to the Rowan College at Burlington County food pantry. More: Joint Base members help partially blind Afghan child get glasses The countys monthly food distribution event with the Food Bank of South Jersey will be held from 10 a.m. to noon January 29 at the Burlington County Emergency Services Training Center, 53 Academy Drive, Westampton. "The Food Bank of South Jersey estimates that more than 52,000 of our county residents are food-insecure, including nearly 18,000 children," said Burlington County Commissioner Director Dan OConnell. The U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates 7.6% of homes with children, or about 2.9 million families, were considered food insecure in 2020. Our county has not and will not remain idle while there are those living amongst us who are forced to skip meals or go to bed hungry, OConnell said. This food drive is an easy way for all of us to come together and help our neighbors. Contributing a few cans from your familys pantry can make a world of difference for those who are struggling. More: Many in South Jersey struggling to find employment although 'there's jobs everywhere' The Burlington County food drive is meant to honor Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy and call to serving others. Dr. King famously said everybody can be great because everybody can serve. This month on his birthday we pay tribute to him and his teachings with simple acts of service that remind us that we must all step up to make our county, state and nation the beloved community that Dr. King frequently spoke about, said Commissioner Felicia Hopson, the Boards liaison to the County Department of Human Services. Story continues Since the beginning of 2020, the county has partnered with the Food Bank of South Jersey to hold monthly food distributions where those struggling to feed their families or pay bills receive free, non-perishable groceries. Its become a key component of the Countys COVID-19 response and has had widespread impact. More than 12,000 residents have received aid from the monthly food distributions since the program started. Last year, the Commissioners also entered into an agreement with New Jersey Farmers Against Hunger that allows the nonprofit to use a portion of Laurel Run Park in Delran as its headquarters and to grow crops for food pantries to distribute to families in need. This pandemic is the biggest challenge many of us have ever faced before. Whether youve lost a loved one to the disease or a job or income because of it, weve all been impacted in ways large and small, OConnell said. Im proud our county has stepped up to provide assistance in a variety of ways, and we promise to continue to work with our partners to make sure aid remains available for all who need it. This article originally appeared on Burlington County Times: Burlington County Commissioners sponsor food drive through January Everything new is old again. In 1978, the year Halloween came out, the stage thriller Deathtrap opened on Broadway, with a plot (like its reference point, Sleuth) about a desperate mystery writer tempted, lethally, by the persistent cliches of his chosen genre. Like a lot of fabulously profitable escapism, it was a contraption about itself, and it worked just well enough and no better, with a jolt or two in between wisecracks. In the thriller-adjacent genre of slasher films, the 1996 Scream worked the same self-referential way. The gore amped up, it made its mark, directed by Nightmare on Elm Street master Wes Craven (as were the first three sequels). The 2022 Scream is dedicated to the late Craven. Directors Tyler Gillett and Matt Bettinelli-Olpin sprinkle homages to Cravens cutting and framing everywhere, starting with the introduction of the kitchen knives in the prologue. Advertisement As always, but more so, the characters talk like theyre competing in a slasher trivia contest. The dialogue isnt dialogue; its a Reddit string, covering everything from The Babadook (elevated horror, one says, admiringly) to Knives Out to the sad-face percentage of franchise reimaginings that capture anything of the original. Even if it wasnt original. Out of deep respect for the studios wishes to keep every single plot point a secret, well simply note that in Scream, a primary new character, Samantha (the excellent Melissa Barrera of In the Heights), is haunted by the memory of a Major Unpleasant Adversary from the earlier films. The recurring homicides for which the fictional town of Woodsboro, California, is now infamous are re-recurring. Every time Ghostface jumps out of nowhere with his blade, its like hes opening another pop-up retail store, selling re-enactments. Advertisement Barrera and Jasmin Savoy Brown (Yellowjackets) stand out among the new cast members, Barrera for her earnest emotional commitment, Brown for her easy way with both romance (she plays the first queer character in Scream town) and comic relief. These folks are augmented with a full complement of familiar, nice-to-see-them-again legacy characters sloshing around with the new blood. When Neve Campbells Sidney Prescott first appears on screen, the audience that has been there since Clinton was in office collectively breaths a sigh of gratitude. Shes back! Looking amazing! Campbells blithe underplaying has always been a buoy for the Scream series. She knows better than to compete with the exertions all around her. This image released by Paramount Pictures shows Neve Campbell, left, and Courteney Cox in a scene from "Scream." (Brownie Harris/Paramount Pictures via AP) (BROWNIE HARRIS/AP) Campbell re-teams here with Courteney Cox, returning as morning-show host and regret-filled bestselling author Gale Weathers. David Arquette is back as Dewey, onetime sheriff, frequent Ghostface-stabbity-stab survivor. When the town starts piling up victims, again, these three return to see whats what and whos to be trusted among the new players. The fictional Stab movies play an important part in Scream, as they have in previous Screams. Im not telling you anything you dont see in the trailer, or could guess by simply being alive on the same planet as the people who wrote the new film. If we were to make a franchise-reboot comparison: Scream lands about halfway between the pretty-good 2018 Halloween and the turgid follow-up Halloween Kills. In Scream Jamie Lee Curtis is name-checked, reverently (I get that part), along with dozens of other slasher icons and trademarks. Its sincere. But I wish this movie offered a little less running commentary and a little more running anything, really, to get itself off the treadmill of self-critique and self-congratulation and actually going somewhere new. Melissa Barrera in a scene from "Scream." (BROWNIE HARRIS/AP) Scream 2 stars MPAA rating: R (for strong bloody violence, language throughout and some sexual references) Running time: 1:54 How to watch: Premieres Jan. 13 in theaters. Advertisement Michael Phillips is a Tribune critic. mjphillips@chicagotribune.com Twitter @phillipstribune Big screen or home stream, takeout or dine-in, Tribune writers are here to steer you toward your next great experience. Sign up for your free weekly Eat. Watch. Do. newsletter here. Darryl King Rick Farmer, Original Black Panthers of Milwaukee. Members of a group with a history of disrupting city meetings and events have sued Milwaukee Acting Mayor Cavalier Johnson, accusing him of barring their entry into a town hall event on Oct. 16. The federal lawsuit was filed last month by Darryl Farmer of the Original Black Panthers and Walter Garron of the Brown Berets. Farmer posted a video that shows part of his interaction with a Milwaukee police officer at the October town hall at Redemption Lutheran Church in the city's Silver Spring neighborhood. In the video, an officer stands in front of the doorway restricting Farmer, Garron and their groups from entering. At the time of the event, Johnson was the Common Council president and had not yet been appointed acting mayor. Johnson's spokesperson, Jeff Fleming, said the lawsuit is without merit. "The actions of police were entirely appropriate," Fleming said. Fleming said the city will move for dismissal of the lawsuit in April. Walter Stern, the attorney who filed the lawsuit, has asked the court to delay activity because he will be "suspended from the practice of law for 60 days." Stern is asking the court to delay action until the suspension is lifted March 5. Stern is suspended for violating a Wisconsin Supreme Court rule by participating in a business transaction with a client without advising the client, in writing, of an opportunity to seek independent legal counsel. Further, Stern was suspended for communicating about a client with a person that he knew had legal representation already. Farmer acknowledged the suspension but said "I trust and believe in Walter and if there's any questions about that, you all have to talk to him. He's still going to be on the case with us. Because he's a good lawyer, our great civil rights lawyer." Farmer along with his group's members and supporters have disrupted city meetings and events in the past. In 2018, Farmer and his group disrupted The Hop streetcar's launch event. The Black Panthers also protested Summerfest in 2019. Story continues At a Dec. 14 Common Council meeting, Farmer threatened to sue Johnson and police officers who told him he had to leave because he was causing a disturbance. At one point he yelled across the chambers, calling council members a "joke" and swore as he was escorted out. Farmer told the Journal Sentinel his organization "wanted to bring a light to how Milwaukee continues to be the most racist and hyper-segregated cities in America. There is no economic development plan in place for the impoverished Black and brown communities." Milwaukee is the most racially segregated metro area in the United States, a 2019 Brookings Institution study found. According to the University of California-Berkeley, the city of Milwaukee ranks fifth in segregation. City officials argue the Common Council has enacted numerous economic development plans for Black and brown communities. Alison Dirr of the Journal Sentinel contributed. Contact Drake Bentley at (414) 391-5647 or DBentley1@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @DrakeBentleyMJS. 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: Cavalier Johnson was sued by leaders of Black Panthers, Brown Berets CHICAGO A nationwide coronavirus testing company under investigation by the Oregon Department of Justice and which has drawn criticism from customers in several states announced on Thursday a "one-week pause on all operations." The pause was expected to take effect Friday through Jan. 21 at all Center for COVID Control testing sites. The Illinois-based company's website says it has more than 300 locations in the U.S. across several states. Two of those, Massachusetts and Washington, took action this week to shut down several of the company's testing centers in their communities. In an internal company memo addressed to "all location owners and managers" and obtained by USA TODAY, the Center for COVID Control cited "increased scrutiny by the media into the operations of our collection sites" over the past week. The company says it processes 80,000 test requests per day. "This, coupled with various customer complaints, resulted in various state health departments and even Department of Justice taking a keen interest in our company," the notice said. Center for COVID Control: Key moments in the investigation after USA TODAY reporter starts asking questions The Center for COVID Control set up a coronavirus testing site on Chicago's North Side. The company officially confirmed the weeklong pause in a press release, saying "unusually high patient demand has stressed staffing resources." "Center for Covid Control is committed to serving our patients in the safest, most accurate and most compliant manner. Regrettably, due to our rapid growth and the unprecedented recent demand for testing, we haven't been able to meet all our commitments," Aleya Siyaj, the company's founder and CEO, said in the release. Company spokesperson Russ Keene confirmed the authenticity of the internal memo that was sent to employees. The news of the weeklong pause comes after the Oregon Department of Justice opened a civil investigation into the Center for COVID Control this week on suspicion of Unfair Trade Practices Act violations, spokeswoman Kristina Edmunson said. Story continues At least two people filed complaints about the sites to the Oregon Justice Department late last year, Edmunson said. Since USA TODAY reported on the company last week, another ten people have filed complaints, Edmunson said. In Massachusetts, the Department of Public Health, in conjunction with the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, issued cease and desist letters to three Center for COVID Control locations Wednesday, spokesperson Ann Scales said. "Residents are urged not to visit the Center for COVID Control for a COVID-19 test," Scales said. What's the Center for COVID Control? Questionable sites spotlight nation's thirst for quick testing The sites in Needham, North Dartmouth and Worcester were performing tests "without the required state approvals" and were ordered to "immediately cease providing all services that require clinical laboratory licensure," Scales said. Illinois has received seven complaints about the sites, the Illinois Attorney General's Office said. Washington State has received two, according to the Washington State Attorney Generals Office. On Wednesday, the city of Lakewood, Washington, shut down a Center for COVID Control testing site operating without a business license and notified local and state authorities, according to a press release. "The City has no present knowledge of impropriety at this location beyond operation without a business license," the release said. "The Washington State Department of Health and the Office of the Attorney General are both aware of national interest in the business." In New York, a state department of health investigation found the company was conducting on-site rapid testing "in the absence of New York State Department of Health approval," department spokesperson Erin Silk said. "The Center for COVID Control was informed to cease rapid testing and obtain the appropriate approvals for rapid COVID-19 testing," Silk said. "The Center for COVID Control may continue to collect samples for PCR testing." Meanwhile, a coalition of regional offices with the nonprofit Better Business Bureau is also looking into the company. "Center for Covid Control has the lowest grade the BBB can give a business as well as the lowest customer review rating," Thomas Johnson, spokesperson for the BBB of Chicago and Northern Illinois, told USA TODAY. Center for COVID Control: Company under investigation by Oregon DOJ, Better Business Bureau According to Johnson, people reporting to the BBB allege they did not receive test results, received incorrect test results or paid money for expedited results that were not delivered. They allege the company is "asking for a lot of personal information" and not responding to customers with questions about their test results, Johnson said. Dozens of people nationwide, including test-takers and present and former employees, have reached out to USA TODAY expressing concerns about the company's practices. In the internal notice to employees, the Center for COVID Control said the customer complaints were "hyperbolized." "While many of the accusations against us may be hyperbolized, there are definitely areas that we need to improve on. We need to do better in ensuring our sites are compliant, our staff properly trained and above all, we need to ensure we are conducting and reporting each test accurately," the memo said. The company said the daily number of tests it collects has increased "over the last few weeks" from 8,000 per day to more than 80,000 per day, "equating to most individual testing sites seeing an overwhelming 10x increase in patients." "During the 'pause' period, we need to work together to complete all compliance trainings, get all our documentation up to date, procure site-specific CLIA waivers and more," the memo said. "This will not be time off for any of us." The company was expected to host a one-hour webinar Thursday afternoon. "Enforcing this 'pause' is something that needs to be done to protect the interest of all of us it is essential for our mutual survivorship," the memo said. A Center for COVID Control site offers free testing for the coronavirus on Chicago's North Side on Jan. 2. A Twitter account tied to the company's website was suspended Wednesday. Twitter representatives contacted Wednesday and Thursday did not immediately offer comment on why. Christina Weber, 31, of Minneapolis, told USA TODAY she reported a Center for COVID Control testing site to local officials and was later contacted by an investigator for the Minnesota Attorney General's Office, who informed her she was not the first to report a complaint with the site. The office was unable to confirm or deny the existence of complaints or investigations under the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act, said John Stiles, deputy chief of staff for Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison. In Florida, one family who filled out an online form for the Center for COVID Control received their test results while still waiting in line to take the test, WINK-TV reported. USA TODAY could not immediately verify the report. The Center for COVID Control's principal and mailing address is in Rolling Meadows, Illinois a one-story commercial office building about 15 miles northwest of O'Hare International Airport in Chicago. The company "primarily uses" Doctors Clinical Laboratory "as a clinical testing vendor partner," the press release said. The lab is registered with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as an independent lab and is listed at the same Rolling Meadows address. A phone number listed on a website for the lab directs callers to a recorded message for the Center for COVID Control. A website for the lab and emails sent to some test recipients feature a trademarked logo that belongs to the DCL Corporation, a pigments supplier. The corporation issued a cease-and-desist letter to the Center for COVID Control regarding the trademarked logo on Monday via mail and email, spokesperson Magen Buterbaugh said. Buterbaugh said she also left a voicemail with the company but has not heard back. "We are in no way affiliated with this company," Buterbaugh said. In the past week, "at least ten" people have reached out to DCL Corporation asking about their coronavirus test results, Buterbaugh said, including a woman in Miami who said she was desperate for results so she could visit her family. According to the company, the Center for COVID Control was established in 2020 and runs brick-and-mortar testing locations and drive-through sites. The company says it employs more than 3,000 Americans. The company describes itself as "one of the first testing centers that required no appointments, and accepted all walk-in patients, as well as accepting most insurance and uninsured patients." Have you experienced issues with the Center for COVID Control? Contact reporter Grace Hauck at ghauck@usatoday.com. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Center for COVID Control testing sites to 'pause' test collection Capital Area Michigan Works! Employment Services Manager Genell Dorty, right, helps Lansing resident Art Gonzales submit electronic forms for unemployment benefits Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2022, at the CAMW! headquarters in Lansing. Gonzalez will return to his job of 13 years at an auto parts supplier on Jan. 24. He hasn't worked since December due to intermittent layoffs and a bout with COVID-19 that left him hospitalized. Its been given a lot of names. The great resignation. The great reshuffle. Even the big quit. But from our perspective, the great reshuffle is really what we're seeing because it's not that workers are simply leaving the workforce by and large, said Carrie Rosingana, CEO of Capital Area Michigan Works!. Its that they're looking for those new jobs and those new opportunities where they feel comfortable and safe and the culture really fits what they're looking for as an employee. The COVID-19 pandemic devastated the local job market in 2020, causing many businesses to close temporarily or permanently. The area experienced record unemployment rates in April 2020 at 21.6% for Eaton County, 18.8% for Clinton County and 18.3% for Ingham County. Signage seeking workers seen Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022, at Wendy's on East Kalamazoo Street in Lansing. But as businesses reopened and restrictions eased in 2021, the workers did not come back. The area, state and country have seen labor shortages for months and that continues moving into 2022. In over 30 years of working in human resources, hiring and recruiting, Sherry Pfaff-Doody, director of talent acquisition for Sparrow Health System, has never seen anything quite like what employers are facing now with labor shortages. I would say it is more stressful than ever, she said. There are still shortages? In Michigan, 11 of 14 Metropolitan Statistical Areas remained flat or added jobs (not seasonally adjusted) in November, according to the January edition of Michigan's Labor Market News by the Bureau of Labor Market Information and Strategic Initiatives. Of those, the Lansing area saw the largest percent increase of not seasonally adjusted, nonfarm payroll jobs at 4.8%. However, it has not recovered to pre-pandemic levels. Although jobs in the professional and business services sector increased by 1.4% in November, employment remained 10.9% below November 2019 job levels. There certainly are still shortages, Rosingana said. Signage seeking workers seen Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022, at Taco Bell in Frandor. She attributes these shortages in part to pandemic challenges and systematic barriers people have faced since 2020, including finding child care and concerns of contracting COVID-19. Story continues Access to high-quality, affordable child care continues to plague working parents, particularly women, forced to leave the workforce to care for children due to COVID-19. Nearly 9,000 children in the Lansing region were displaced from care during the pandemic, exacerbating a pre-existing child care gap in the region, Lansing Economic Area Partnership Chief Strategic Officer Victoria Meadows said in an email. Jeremy Isaac of Lansing looks for I.T. work Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2022, at the Capital Area Michigan headquarters in Lansing. Schools closing or going virtual also impacted the job market in regard to student workers. The Lansing region has Michigan State University, Lansing Community College, Davenport University and more other colleges and universities. Having fewer students in the area left many entry level customer service positions open, Rosingana said. When it comes to Sparrow Health Systems labor shortages, there were over 380 positions listed for Greater Lansing on its career website Wednesday night. Pfaff-Doody said open positions can range from jobs that work 40 hours to a couple hours a week. Pre-pandemic there was a national shortage of nurses and medical assistants. So going into the pandemic hospitals knew the coming years were going to be a challenge, she said. People in the organization have stepped up to help with these shortages by sitting with patients, cleaning facilities and more. it's not just local, and it's not just hospitals, Pfaff-Doody said. I mean, it's nationally, it's internationally, it's globally. We are all being faced with the same challenges. How has the hiring landscape shifted? Labor turnover is higher than its ever been since the Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS) program, conducted by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, started in 2000. When unemployment rates were improving after a recession or during times of full employment like from 2017 to 2019, the job turnover rates hovered in the 7% range. Michigans job churn has averaged between 9 and 11 percent in 2020 and 2021 thus far. This indicates that workers are moving more freely between jobs and are more comfortable leaving an employer than at any other time since 2000, Wayne Rourke, associate director of the Bureau of Labor Market Information and Strategic Initiatives, wrote in January's Michigan's Labor Market News. The number of people quitting jobs is also at near-record highs in both Michigan and the United States. The years 2018 and 2019 were the first to average just over 100,000 workers quitting their job each month in Michigan. During 2021, an average month saw 125,000 workers quit their job in Michigan. This means that over 3% of the roughly 4.2 million employed people quit their job each month, Rourke wrote. Signage seeking drivers seen Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022, at Sir Pizza on South Cedar Street in Lansing. Pfaff-Doody said there are a lot more opportunities for people and now is the time they can explore what they really want to do, find the right fit for them and look at what advancement opportunities exist in an organization. One of the ways Sparrow Health System is trying to attract employees is by creating six different grow your own programs. So what that means is we will actually hire people and we will train them in the role so they're not like going to a two-year degree program and paying out of pocket for that education, she said. We're saying, come work for us, give us a two-year commitment, and we'll train you in this specific area. The company has also done some sign-on bonuses and retention bonuses. These endeavors and a beautiful benefits package have helped get some applicants, but not enough, she said. Read More: Some companies are getting creative with financial incentives beyond increasing wages, but the companies LEAP sees finding the most success are making sustainable holistic organizational changes to focus on company culture, adequate and competitive compensation and benefits, building a talent pipeline through partnerships, and leveraging available workforce resources and tools, Meadows said. Rosingana said employers are looking at what the companys and employees needs are. If customer traffic is down, employers can potentially reduce the number of people in that department. They need to look at hour flexibility for staff, working remotely, talking about company culture, plans to keep employees safe from COVID-19 and having paid mental health days for staff to recharge. While this job market dynamic can be challenging now, it will help make everyone stronger in the long term, Rosingana said. It's empowering both parties to be able to really talk about the things that are important to them. And I think that long term that's only good for retention purposes in our book, she said. Signage seeking workers seen Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022, at Brenner Heating and Cooling in Lansing. What will the job market look like in 2022? Pfaff-Doody wishes she had a crystal ball for the year ahead. There was a spike in hiring during the summer months when COVID-19 wasn't as prevalent. If schools return to in person and parents return to work, people could re-enter the market, hopefully creating an uptick of available talent in the labor pool. All I can hope is the pipeline starts filling up, she said. Meadows said if society continues to make positive strides against COVID-19, LEAP is optimistic. 2021 brought numerous new employers to the region and existing businesses are expanding. We expect this same trend in 2022 and we will continue to work to connect employers seeking talent and education and workforce development and training partners to help job seekers find those jobs, she said. Rosingana said the job market has created opportunities for innovation and for employers to work more closely with employees to shape what the workforce looks like within their organizations. So to me, those are all really encouraging things and I think the employers that you're seeing that willingness to look at it and to be creative and innovative, you're going to see them continue to prosper and grow as we're coming out of the COVID pandemic, she said. Job seekers and employers can find out more at CAMW!s website and can contact its Lansing office at 517-492-5500. People can find out more about LEAP on its website and can call 517-702-3387. Signage seeking workers seen Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022, at Dunham's Sports in Lansing. Contact Bryce Airgood at 517-267-0448 or bairgood@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter @bairgood123. This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: What the job market and labor shortages look like in Greater Lansing CHICAGO A majority of public school teachers voted to officially accept a safety deal that ended a weeklong boycott of in-person learning. The measure was approved Wednesday by a slim margin 55 percent of Chicago Teachers members who voted backed ending the work action, which was described as a "strike" in a confidential union memo leaked on social media. Only 70 percent of CTU members cast ballots. Union leaders said the split vote This vote is a clear show of dissatisfaction with the boss. 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," CTU boss Jesse Sharkey said in a statement. Mayor Lori Lightfoot and public schools chief Pedro Martinez hailed the vote as a guarantee of "predictability and stability for the reset of the school year." "We all agree we must prioritize the health and well-being of everyone in our school communities including our kids, families, and staff. The science tells us that the safest place for our students is to be in the classroom, which is why, in addition to the over $100 million already spent on COVID mitigation, CPS is providing KN95 masks, augmenting its every school-every week testing program, and strengthening its contact tracing approach," they said in a joint statement. "CPS principals will continue to work with their school-based safety teams to make data-informed decisions in the best interests of students and families. We encourage families to get their children vaccinated and to consent to regular testing. We look forward to our continued collaboration with the entire school community." This article originally appeared on the Chicago Patch BEIJING (Reuters) - A former senior Chinese security official, censured last year by the ruling Communist Party for not embracing President Xi Jinping's authority, was charged for gun possession, market manipulation and graft, China's top prosecutor said on Thursday. Sun Lijun, who was vice minister of public security when probes against him began in 2020, had abused his positions in that and a previous role to benefit others in exchange for "exceptionally huge" bribes, the Supreme People's Procuratorate said on its official Weibo account. Sun, 53, also faced criminal charges for illegal gun possession and manipulation of the securities market, the notice said, without giving details. Last September, the party's disciplinary and anti-graft watchdog said that Sun had forsaken the "Two Upholds" - upholding the authority of the party's central committee and Xi's core position in it - and was kicked out of the party. The watchdog also said that Sun harboured inflated political ambitions, made inappropriate comments about the party's policy direction, spread political rumours, endangered political security, formed cliques to grow his personal influence and "seriously destroyed" party unity. China's Communist Party will hold a key once-in-five-years congress later this year, where Xi is expected to secure a precedent-breaking third term as China's leader. (Reporting by Yew Lun Tian; Editing by Tony Munroe & Simon Cameron-Moore) MI5 raised the alarm on Christine Lees espionage on Thursday For almost three decades, Christine Ching Kui Lee has been a pillar of the Anglo-Chinese community. A wealthy lawyer and campaigner, Ms Lee, from her home in the suburban West Midlands, has been energetic, it is fair to say, in promoting Chinese interests in Britain. Now we know why: the 59-year-old mother-of-two is a spy. An MI5 investigation, conducted over several years intelligence agencies refuse to disclose operational details concluded that Ms Lee is an agent of the Communist Chinese state. The bespectacled, respectable-looking, middle-aged mother from Birmingham had used hundreds of thousands of pounds if not more channelled to her by the Chinese Communist Party in Beijing to buy influence that even included access to Downing Street. In the end, MI5 decided enough was enough, and after several years of monitoring Ms Lees activities, decided to intervene. At noon on Thursday, MI5 issued to all parliamentarians that is, MPs and peers a Security Service Interference Alert that warned them all to steer clear of Ms Lee. For the avoidance of doubt, the notice included her photograph and an assertion that she was seeking to covertly interfere in UK politics. From China to Birmingham and beyond Christine Lee (centre) at 10 Downing Street Born in China, Ms Lee moved to the UK in the Eighties, setting up home in the Midlands. For the past 20 years, she has operated a successful law firm the eponymous Christine Lee & Co with its headquarters in Birmingham and satellite offices in Londons Chinatown and in Beijing, Hong Kong and Guangzhou. From 2015 onwards, the law firm would spend hundreds of thousands of pounds funding the private office of Barry Gardiner, the Labour MP and shadow energy secretary under Jeremy Corbyns leadership. There is no suggestion of any wrongdoing by Mr Gardiner, but he became a close friend of Ms Lee, employing one of her sons in his private office. He was also a keen advocate of Hinkley Point C power station, a controversial nuclear power plant that was being built in partnership with a Chinese state energy corporation. Story continues By 2006, Ms Lee was starting to exert her grip on the UK, establishing the British Chinese Project to empower Britains Chinese community. The project, it is now suggested, was a front for the suitably named United Front Work Department, an agency of the Chinese Communist Party utilised to exert political influence both in the motherland and overseas. The chairman of the British Chinese Project was Mr Gardiner, who four years later set up an all-party parliamentary group, Chinese in Britain, to represent Chinese citizens in the UK. Again, Mr Gardiner was its chairman and the secretariat listed as Ms Lees British Chinese Project. The group has been recently disbanded. It is unclear when Ms Lee was recruited to the cause. But she was so successful that in 2019, she was rewarded for her hard work in promoting good relations in the UK-Chinese community with a prestigious Points of Light Award, given to her by Theresa May, when she was prime minister. You should feel very proud of the difference that the British Chinese Project is making in promoting engagement, understanding, and co-operation between the Chinese and British communities in the UK, wrote Mrs May, adding: I also wish you well with your work to further the inclusion and participation of British-Chinese people in the UK political system. Ms Lee was delighted. I am both surprised and honoured to receive this award and feel humbled that it relates to work which I have always felt privileged to carry out, she responded. The wellbeing of the British Chinese community in the UK will always be of great importance to me and I am pleased to have had the opportunity to assist in any small way with our integration into UK society. A photograph of her, beaming as well she might, in front of Number 10 confirmed her pivotal role. The Downing Street entrance was decorated with red banners, proclaiming the Chinese new year. Incredibly at the time Ms Lee made her visit, she was under investigation by MI5. Mrs May was not the only prime minister to give her attention. Four years earlier, Ms Lee was photographed at a British leadership awards ceremony bending the ear of David Cameron when he was PM. Christine Lee grabbing the attention of David Cameron The Barry Gardiner connection However, it was her close association with Mr Gardiner, the MP for Brent North since 1997 and a former Labour minister in Sir Tony Blairs government, that drew scrutiny. In 2017, The Times reported concern over 180,000 received by Mr Gardiner, at the time Labours shadow international trade secretary and previously shadow energy secretary, to pay for staff in his office. It is unclear if the British intelligence agencies were already monitoring Ms Lees activities. But if they werent, the newspaper report was a wake-up call. In some ways, Ms Lee had been hiding in plain sight. Her law firm boasted of its connections to Beijing as the only British law firm authorised by the Chinese ministry of justice to practise as a law firm in China. Ms Lee was also chief legal adviser to the Chinese embassy in London and a legal adviser to the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office, which in turn was overseen by the Communist Partys United Front Work Department. The news reporting did not deter her. Between 2015 and 2020, her law firm funded Mr Gardiners office to the tune of 420,000. One of Ms Lees sons worked for Mr Gardiner as his diary manager and received a parliamentary pass. In a lengthy statement on Thursday, Mr Gardiner said: I have been liaising with our Security Services for a number of years about Christine Lee and they have always known, and been made fully aware by me, of her engagement with my office and the donations she made to fund researchers in my office in the past. Mr Gardiner said steps were taken to ensure Christine Lee had no role in either the appointment or management of those researchers and that he had not benefited personally from her largesse. He said all donations were properly reported and added: I have been assured by the Security Services that whilst they have definitively identified improper funding channelled through Christine Lee, this does not relate to any funding received by my office. He added that Ms Lees son had resigned from my employment earlier today as a result of MI5s issuing of its alert, saying: The Security Services have advised me that they have no intelligence that shows he was aware of, or complicit in, his mothers illegal activity. Mr Gardiner admitted speaking to his friend as recently as this week. He denied they had discussed the MI5 alert, insisting he was unaware of it until Thursday. What we spoke about earlier this week was actually the situation of my parents-in-law, who are elderly and ill, he told Sky News. She had expressed concern as to their wellbeing, and thats what we spoke about. Mr Gardiner was not her only target. Sir Ed Davey, the Liberal Democrats leader, received a 5,000 donation when he was energy secretary in the Tory-Liberal Democrat coalition. He said that the money had gone to his constituency office and at the time had caused no concern. In recent times, Ms Lee has become increasingly emboldened. In December 2019, she attended a banquet at the Chinese embassy in London where Liu Xiaoming, Chinas ambassador to the UK at the time, criticised Western nations including Britain for attacking China over pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong. Ms Lee, according to newspaper reports, told guests that Western [media] coverage of the bloody clashes between protesters and riot police, including allegations of police brutality, had failed to explain the exact true picture. A photograph emerged on Thursday of her in China shaking hands with Xi Jinping, Chinas all-powerful president and scourge of the West. In a local Chinese newspaper, she is quoted recently as saying: Although I have spent these years in Great Britain, no matter how long the shadow of the tree, the roots forever penetrate the soil I must be a communicator of Chinas voice, let the world understand China, help the motherland develop. It is unclear the precise trigger for MI5s startling intervention after years monitoring Ms Lees activities. The Security Service Interference Alert declares its purpose is to draw attention to individuals knowingly engaged in political interference activities on behalf of the United Front Work department of the Chinese Communist Party. Intelligence agencies investigated the money trail and traced the source of her funding to the Chinese Communist Party. Whitehall sources said she had not conducted conventional espionage, but had deployed a more subtle and nuanced method to exert influence on British policy. This is about her getting herself into positions where she has levers of power to pull, said a Whitehall source. We didnt want to see her keep going. Raising the alarm Security services decided to intervene and go public when they concluded that the risk of harm she posed in influencing public figures outweighed the benefits of keeping secret tabs on her. The accumulated risks of not doing something were higher than intervening, said a source, adding: We believe that ultimately she was taking money from the Chinese communist party in order to influence parliamentarians. Sir Iain Duncan Smith, the former Tory leader, raised a point of order in the Commons about the alert. He raised concerns about the security of the offices of MPs such as himself who have helped Hong Kong democracy campaigners flee the territory. Sources said that Ms Lee was not the only Chinese agent operating in the UK in this way, but refused to speculate on the scale of the problem. Intelligence agencies have repeatedly claimed that out-of-date espionage laws, based on the Official Secrets Act of 1911, make it difficult to arrest and charge foreign spies. Ms Lee is unlikely to face charges while her deportation is also unlikely to proceed. She is understood to be a naturalised British citizen with a husband and children in the UK. On Thursday, Ms Lee had gone to ground at the family home in Solihull, bought last year for 985,000. Her Mercedes with a personalised licence plate, including a lucky Chinese number, was parked in the drive. The Chinese spy had run out of road. Music may be one of the best, if not the only way to celebrate Martin Luther King Day next Monday. With that in mind, four concerts and other celebrations around the Chicago area: Too Hot To Handel: The Jazz-Gospel Messiah is the Auditorium Theatres Chicago-favorite annual tradition performed over Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. weekend. This gospel interpretation of Handels Messiah is arranged by Bob Christianson and Gary Anderson, with the original concept created by Marin Alsop, Ravinia Festivals chief conductor. Featuring soloists Alfreda Burke (soprano), Karen-Marie Richardson (alto), and Rodrick Dixon (tenor). The show also features Detroit pianist Alvin Waddles; a 100-person choir directed by Bill Fraher, former director of concert choirs at Chicagos Old St. Patricks Church; and a chamber orchestra and jazz band led by Michigan Opera Theatre assistant music director Suzanne Mallare Acton. Through Sunday at Auditorium Theatre, 50 E. Ida B. Wells Drive; tickets $28+ at 312-341-2300 or www.auditoriumtheatre.org Advertisement Jessie Montgomery is the Chicago Symphony Orchestra's composer-in-residence and contributes to Chicago Sinfoniettas annual Martin Luther King Jr. tribute concert. (Jiyang Chen Photo) The Chicago Sinfoniettas annual Martin Luther King Jr. tribute concert is titled Joie de Vivre. This years edition will be a more comprehensive celebration, but also reflection, on Black history. And also a celebration of African-American artists and also a celebration on some of the initiatives that weve done before, said chief executive officer Blake-Anthony Johnson. Project W really being one of the main anchors. Project W is the Sinfoniettas initiative to highlight contemporary, diverse women composers through commissioned works. Opening the concert are three Florence Price works: Ethiopias Shadow in America, Song of the Dark Virgin and Night, sung by guest baritone Will Liverman. Selections from Felix Mendelssohns ELIJAH are next, followed by two Chicago premieres: Jessie Montgomerys Soul Force, and Sinfoniettas artist-in-residence Kathryn Bostics work The Great Migration, with Liverman returning as narrator. The conductor will be Mei-Ann Chen. Traditionally, at the close of the MLK Tribute Concert, the orchestra and audience sing We Shall Overcome. This year, the encore will feature a commission that pays tribute to the tradition, but also connects it to current times, Johnson said. We actually have a new commission, which has We Shall Overcome and the Black National Anthem interwoven together, he said. So that will be really exciting, because it combines the old tradition, but also updates the flow of the concert. Johnson said he is looking forward to hearing the blending of We Shall Overcome with the hymn Lift Every Voice and Sing, which is often referred to as the Black National Anthem. 3 p.m. Jan. 16 at Wentz Concert Hall, 171 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville. Then 7:30 p.m. Jan. 17 at Symphony Center, 220 S. Michigan Ave. Tickets $49-$62, more information at chicagosinfonietta.org. The Music Institute of Chicago presents a free musical celebration of Martin Luther King. The program includes Danzas de Panama (1948) by William Grant Still, featuring a faculty string quartet led by Music Institute String Department chair Sang Mee Lee on violin; Stills Incantation and Dance for Oboe and Piano featuring Music Institute oboe student Zachary Allen; The Planets, Op. 32, Mars and Venus by Gustav Holst, arranged for two pianos by Holst and performed by artist in residence Marta Aznavoorian and Music Institute president and CEO Mark George; and Violin Concerto Op. 5, No. 2 in A Major by Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges (174599), featuring members of the Music Institutes Virtuoso Strings. The afternoon also includes remarks by Gilo Kwesi Logan, an educator and diversity and leadership consultant. 3 p.m. Jan. 16 at Nichols Concert Hall, 1490 Chicago Ave., Evanston; free. The performance also will be available via livestream; www.musicinst.org Advertisement Hyde Park Art Center will host An Unapologetic Dream, a free public Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration at Green Line Performing Arts Center, presented in collaboration with Arts + Public Life and South Side Community Art Center. The celebration will begin with a poetry reading from Lesle Honore, an Afro-Latina poet, activist, and author of Fist & Fire, a collection of poems that confront issues of social justice. Next is a screening of The Black Archive Project: Chicago Uprisings 2020 by local filmmaker and documentarian, Resita Cox. The highlight of the celebration is the screening of Unapologetic, a film told through the lens of activists Bella Bahhs and Janae Bonsu, taking a deep look into the Movement for Black Lives from the police murder of Rekia Boyd to the election of Chicagos Mayor Lori Lightfoot. Followed by an artist discussion with OShay, Cox, Honore and others. 4 p.m. Jan. 17 at Green Line Performing Arts Center, 329 E. Garfield Blvd.; free, www.hydeparkart.org Kathy Cichon, a freelance reporter for the Naperville Sun, contributed to this report. CNN and HBO on Thursday announced that they would be releasing a documentary about Russian opposition leader Alexey Navalny. The film, called "Navalny," was directed by Daniel Roher and the deal for the movie was negotiated by Stacey Wolf, senior vice president of business affairs for CNN Worldwide. The documentary will detail the alleged assassination attempt on Navalny back in the fall of 2020, when he was poisoned and had to be flown to Germany for treatment. The film will cover the alleged connection the Kremlin had in the attack and the imprisonment of the opposition leader when he returned to Russia at the beginning of 2021. Jan. 17 will mark one year Navalny has been imprisoned by the Russian government on what he says are inflated charges. Russia arrested him as soon as he got back from treatment in Germany, saying he broke his parole from a previous arrest by leaving the country. "We are grateful to have the opportunity to share Alexey's gripping story with the world," Courtney Sexton, senior vice president for CNN Films, said. "With unmatched access to Alexey himself, Daniel and the entire team have masterfully delivered a fascinating, raw thriller." CNN will air the documentary in North America, with HBO Max and CNN+ holding streaming rights to the documentary. Navalny was recently awarded the top European human rights award for his efforts to combat the authoritarian Russian government. Happy Thursday, Denver! These are the important things going on in and around Denver today. Thursday's weather: Mild with partial sunshine. High: 57 Low: 38. Here are the top five stories in Denver today: COVID-190 spreading fast, nearly 30 Percent of Coloradoans are testing positive. The omicron variant is spreading at lightning speed across the state. Cases and transmission are hitting record levels in Colorado. Hospitalization rates are rising too, and staffing at area hospitals are at its most precarious point since the pandemic started in 2020. (CPR) Just when you thought real estate prices couldn't go any higher. Denver's real estate market continues its upward growth, as Denver's average home price has zooms past the $700k mark. (Westword) Sync Gallery brings connection to Denver's art community. The current exhibit entitled "Sync Connected: is the gallerys annual members group show, presenting work from all their artists. (303 Magazine) COVID-19 creates staffing hole at Rosenberg's Bagels. The local chain of bagel shops that, mimics NYC water to create the their unique NYC bagel was forced to temporarily closed its Five Points restaurant at last Saturday as well as its Stanley Marketplace location in Aurora closed abruptly on Sunday. Employees at each location tested positive for COVID in the middle of their shifts. (BusinessDen) May require a subscription. Jewelry store owner helps neighboring businesses during pandemic. When the pandemic started in 2020, Sarah O Jewelry threw out their business plan and started over. Now the business is thriving and helping nearby businesses keep their doors open. (9News) From our sponsor: Hey Denver, are you looking to buy a house, refinance or just explore your options? Check out the new Patch Mortgage Center for all your home financing needs! Today in Denver: Story continues From my notebook: Take the survey. How do you think Denvers federal dollars can best build our future? Your participation in the Economic Development and Opportunity survey takes a few minutes and can help us shape our community for years to come. Survey (here); in Spanish (here). The City and County of Denver's Community Planning and Development announced some new updates for the Advancing Equity in Rezoning project. This project will work on improving transparency and access to the rezoning process and explore how rezonings can lead toequitable outcomes that better serve all community members. (Denver) Registration for spring and summer theatre classes starts today! Encourage your child to explore the theatre and keep them engaged on weekends and over summer break with classes like Musical Madness, Improv and Acting for the Camera. (DCPA) On January 1, the City of Denver increased parking meter rates downtown. Just giving you the heads up that parking meter rates downtown have now got up from $1 to $2 per hour. Denver is promising to use the additional money to invest in public transit, bikeways, sidewalk repairs, and street safety improvements. Find more information from the Denver Department of Transportation's recent posts. (Facebook) More from our sponsors thanks for supporting local news! Events: Gritty Blues meets Elegant Cello LIVE at BOCO Cider! (January 15) Women's Real Estate Investment Hour (January 18) Breast Ultrasound Screening Coming Direct to You! (January 22) Add your event Announcements: Online Pregnancy Research Study - UCHealth Aurora & Denver Health (Details) Add your announcement Loving the Denver 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 denverdaily@yahoo.com Thanks for following along and staying informed. I'll be in your inbox tomorrow morning with another update! Brad K. Evans This article originally appeared on the Denver Patch Sarah Bolton WOOSTER When Sarah Bolton was asked what she wanted to tell students and faculty at the College of Wooster as she enters her last semester as their president, she said she wanted them to know how much she appreciates them. I think (if they could) just know how much I admire them, Bolton said. "How awesome their work has been, how great their vision and their values are, and the ways that they have led, and I'm completely confident, that they will continue to be leaders here on campus, nationally, in higher education and for students in whatever they want to go out and do in the world. After 5 1/2 years, Bolton will leave Wooster at the end of the academic year to take on her new job as president of Whitman College in Washington. While looking back, Bolton shared what changes she has seen in her time at the college and what she hopes to do before leaving in July. Wooster City Schools start new year: New Wooster board members welcomed, officers elected Reflecting on the time that has passed Since arriving at the college in 2016, Bolton said she has seen the college change physically, with updates to the student center and residence halls, but also on an interpersonal level. One thing Bolton said she is proud of is how diverse the college has become as students from over 70 nations attend the college, making it one of the most international campuses in the state and the country. We feel so fortunate to have those students from around the world as well as across the United States, choosing to come here, Bolton said. It creates a community where students learn so much from one another's different experiences and perspectives and it really helps students grow to prepare to lead after they graduate. Sarah Bolton, College of Wooster president, spoke at a rally last year in downtown Wooster that was meant to commemorate the 57th anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech and the 1963 March on Washington. She shared her thoughts on the impact of Luther's speech and how it can be applied today. When it comes to the faculty at the college, Bolton said they also have helped the school grow by adding five new majors and adapting the curriculum to make that more global and to broaden that in several ways. Over the years Bolton said one of the things that has resonated with her is watching how the students and faculty adapted and worked through challenges, including things such as the 2016 election, racial justice work and the COVID-19 pandemic. Story continues 'Busy in a different way': Area libraries creatively combat pandemic, labor shortages They (students) have a very, a very resilient and intentional way of thinking about what they want to be doing and the way that they can make an impact, Bolton said. ... I think that our students bring that perspective, and they bring it together, they look out for one another. And they look out for opportunities to make an impact and make things better. Student reactions to Bolton leaving While Bolton said the students and faculty have made an impact on her, many students say they are sad to see her go. Fourth-year student, Sidd Bassi, met Bolton fairly often during his time at the College of Wooster. Sidd Bassi, a senior at The College of Wooster. He said Bolton attempted to find solutions and address topics related to the COVID-19 pandemic and Black Lives Matter. "I'm happy for her, but it is sad because she's done so much for the college," Bassi said. "I'm bummed for the new students who will never get to meet her." Bassi hopes the next president addresses how events are managed as the pandemic continues. "I just wish (Bolton) the best, and I look forward to seeing who comes after her," he said. Bringing the arts to local students: New Philadelphia group performs for local special needs students in Tri-C ESC art program Another fourth-year, Azza Ali, said she too is interested to see what the next president does, hopeful the person will continue to prioritize students and continue the policies of Bolton. "It's sad to see her leave because she had such a positive impact on the college," Ali said. Azza Alai, a senior at The College of Wooster. Search has begin for Bolton replacement The search for a new president to take Boltons place is underway Chair of The College of Wooster Board of Trustees Sally Staley wrote in an announcement to members of the Wooster community. The work of recruiting our next president will begin immediately. This process will first focus on identifying an interim president to lead us through the academic year beginning July 1, 2022, while we carefully build and carry out a formal search for a permanent president, Staley wrote. Further details regarding the search and its efforts are expected to be released in the coming weeks, Staley wrote. College of Wooster President Sarah Bolton addresses graduates in a virtual commencement ceremony in May 2020. Although she is leaving a lot behind when she leaves for Washington in July, Bolton said there is a lot of things she hopes to take with her, and one of those is the spirit of the Wooster students, faculty and community. Woosters faculty pour themselves into students well-being and success and they do that with such a huge amount of flexibility and innovation, Bolton said. ... That was a real inspiration for me when I arrived and I think it's a great spirit to bring into another institution, that that approach that you can always work together to find a way to make to make a better path for students. Bryce Buyakie, a reporter for The Daily Record, contributed to this story. Reach Rachel Karas at rkaras@gannett.com On Twitter: @RachelKaras3 This article originally appeared on The Daily Record: President Bolton to leave College of Wooster, take memories with her Ricky D. Jobe II, 37, of the South Side, has been arrested and charged with murder for the fatal Dec. 28 shooting of 38-year-old Darold Reese inside a rental house on the 400 block of East Markison Avenue, located off Parsons Avenue. A South Side man has been arrested and charged by Columbus police homicide detectives with murder in connection with a fatal shooting that occurred in late December in the Merion Village neighborhood. Homicide map: Here's an updated map of where homicides have occurred in Columbus Detectives filed a murder charge on Monday against Ricky D. Jobe II, 37, and obtained a warrant for Jobe's arrest. SWAT officers arrested Jobe on Tuesday without incident, according to a prepared news release from the Columbus Division of Police. Jobe, who has been booked at the Franklin County jail, appeared Thursday morning in Franklin County Municipal Court, according to the online court docket. For subscribers: Homicides have risen in Columbus and cities across the U.S. What are the causes? Columbus police suspect Jobe of being the gunman who shot and killed 38-year-old Darold Reese on Dec. 28 at a rental house on the 400 block of East Markison Avenue, just east of Parsons Avenue. Officers who were dispatched around 5 p.m. that day found Reese inside the residence suffering from a gunshot wound. Reese was transported by Columbus medics to OhioHealth Grant Medical Center located Downtown, but he succumbed to his injuries and died around 5:30 p.m., police said. Update on first homicide of 2022: Family of man fatally shot outside Clintonville home asks for public's help to solve homicide Two separate 911 callers in the immediate aftermath of Reese's shooting one who identifies herself as Reese's girlfriend tell police that they found Reese lying in the basement. Reese's girlfriend said she saw a suspect run out the back door. "They think he's dead," said the other woman, who tells the dispatcher she knows Reese but did not clarify the nature of their relationship. According to a probable cause affidavit, homicide detectives found a Ring surveillance camera inside the residence that captured video of the shooting. On Monday, the lead detective administered a photo array lineup in which Jobe was identified as the shooting suspect, the affidavit states. Story continues Reese's death marked the 201st homicide of 2021 in Columbus, which had already become the city's deadliest year on record nearly a month earlier. Last year marked the second in a row that a record number of homicides were recorded in Columbus. Homicides this year: Son's death in one of two Columbus homicides Friday is latest tragedy for East Side mother The deadly violence has not abated with the start of the new year. In the first week of 2022, five people were killed in the city. And early Thursday morning, a man celebrating his 32nd birthday was fatally shot after a dispute at an East Side nightclub spilled outside, marking the sixth homicide of the year. Anyone with information on any homicide can call the Columbus Division of Police homicide unit at 614-645-4730 or report an anonymous tip to the Central Ohio Crime Stoppers at 614-461-8477. Eric Lagatta is a reporter at the Columbus Dispatch covering public safety, breaking news and social justice issues. Reach him at elagatta@dispatch.com. Follow him on Twitter @EricLagatta This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: South Side man arrested for late-December homicide off Parsons Avenue Jan. 13A community breakfast will once again kick off a weekend of celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Coastal Georgia Area Community Action Authority will host the annual MLK Breakfast at 8 a.m. Friday at College Place United Methodist Church, 3890 Altama Avenue in Brunswick. Doors will open at 7:30 a.m. The breakfast will be the first of many events celebrating King's legacy. Other events include a parade at 10 a.m. Monday beginning at Howard Coffin Park, a virtual Equity Dinner hosted by Glynn Clergy for Equity at 6 p.m. Jan. 20, and more. Community Action will also host the first MLK Jr. Arts Festival at the Rise Risley campus, 1800 Albany St. in Brunswick, from 2 to 5:30 p.m. Saturday. The family event will be hosted in partnership with Glynn Visual Arts and the Coastal Symphony of Georgia. Tres Hamilton, CEO of Community Action, looks forward annually to starting off the year with the inspirational messages and acts of service that make up MLK weekend. "What I'm always hopeful for is that it's not just another day," she said. "One thing I'm always hoping when we have the breakfast and we have a speaker, or other organizations have different events with speakers, is that people are really not only enjoying it but are listening to the words and what is said and are able to take that and to put it into action for the rest of the year." The theme of this year's breakfast is "the power of unity is the catalyst for change." The word "unity" has been an especially important one over the past year in Glynn County as the community came together throughout the trial of three White men found guilty of murdering Ahmaud Arbery, a Black 25-year-old man who was jogging in their neighborhood. Hamilton said this year's theme aims to encourage a continuation of the unified spirit that's been on display in the aftermath of Arbery's tragic killing. "Our community has been really unified and really come together in the wake of Ahmaud Arbery's killing and then the trial for that," she said. "We as a community have been able to come together and really begin a healing process, and it really speaks to how powerful unity is." Story continues This year's breakfast speaker will be Marco Clark, founder and CEO of the Richard Wright Public Charter School in Washington, D.C., and a leader in urban education. Tickets for the breakfast can be bought online at coastalgacaa.org/events and should be purchased in advance. The Arts Festival will include an open house tour of new Head Start classrooms in the Jackson Building. Community Action plans to open the classrooms soon, Hamilton said. The symphony will perform pieces composed by African American musicians, and members of the symphony will stick around after the concert to talk with youth about music. "The Coastal Symphony of Georgia is thrilled to be able to contribute to our community's MLK Day celebrations by offering a musical repertoire of pieces by African American composers performed by a brass quartet, a string ensemble and a solo tuba," said Leslie Graitcer, a member of the board of the Coastal Symphony. "We are equally delighted to be performing for an audience of local families and children on the historic campus of Rise Risley. As one of a group of community partners for this event, we believe that we honor Dr. King best when we give a head start to our children through the arts and through our example of community collaboration." GVA will set up art activities for families to participate in, and local artists who painted murals around Brunswick as part of the Rise Risley initiative will be on hand to talk with guests. Food will be provided by the Lambda Tau Chapter of Omega Psi Phi. Hamilton said she hopes the festival will continue to be a part of MLK activities each year. "We do want to encourage everyone to come out and be a part of it as we just use it to celebrate Dr. King," Hamilton said. COVID-19 updates. View the latest news. Rep. Warren Davidson, R-Ohio, apologized one day after comparing Washington, D.C.s COVID-19 mitigation policies to Nazi Germany. "Bad things happen when governments dehumanize people," Davidson wrote in a statement Thursday. "Sometimes, there is a next step to systematically segregate them. Rep. Warren Davidson, R-Ohio, at a House Financial Services Committee hearing. (Al Drago-Pool/Getty Images) Unfortunately, any reference to how the Nazis actually did that prevents a focus on anything other than the Holocaust, Davidson continued, implying that comparing vaccine mandates to Nazi tactics would be acceptable with more nuance. I appreciate my Jewish friends who have explained their perspectives and feel horrible that I have offended anyone. My sincere apologies." On Wednesday, Davidson responded to a message from Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser about a vaccine and mask mandate in the city by tweeting out a Nazi health document and the message This has been done before. #DoNotComply. Lets recall that the Nazis dehumanized Jewish people before segregating them, segregated them before imprisoning them, imprisoned them before enslaving them, and enslaved them before massacring them, added Davidson. As of Thursday afternoon, Davidson had yet to delete any of his tweets making the comparison. The official Twitter account for the Auschwitz Museum replied to Davidson, writing, Exploiting of the tragedy of all people who between 1933-45 suffered, were humiliated, tortured & murdered by the totalitarian regime of Nazi Germany in a debate about vaccines & covid limitations in the time of global pandemic is a sad symptom of moral and intellectual decay. It's never appropriate to compare requirements for public health with the tactics of Nazi Germany, responded the Anti-Defamation League. As we've said too many times to count, minimizing the Holocaust in this way is deeply offensive and harmful. An anti-vaccination patch resembling a Holocaust badge at a protest in New York City against a vaccine mandate. (David Dee Delgado/Getty Images) For congressman Davidson to equate vaccine mandates with the systematic extermination of 6 million Jews by the Nazis is beyond repugnant, said Cathy Heldman, director of the American Jewish Committee's Cincinnati office. We call on him to apologize for this hurtful and completely inappropriate comparison. Antisemitic tropes have no place in the conversation about COVID vaccines. Story continues Cliff Notes: opposition to vaccine mandates = opposition to vaccines = opposition to vaccine passports, Davidson tweeted Wednesday after the initial blowback. I oppose mandates and passports, voted to fund vaccine development and distribution, and work to defend your freedom to choose and your freedom to keep that choice private. Davidson, who was first elected in 2016 and represents a district in the western portion of the Buckeye State, is not the first Republican representative to invoke Nazism when pushing back against vaccine and mask mandates. While many Republican legislators have promoted the vaccines, numerous others have baselessly insisted that the shots are unsafe. At the end of last year, the Twitter account for Republicans on the House Judiciary Committee deleted a post that read: If the booster shots work, why dont they work?" According to tracking from the Kaiser Family Foundation, only 59 percent of Republicans have been vaccinated, compared with 91 percent of Democrats and 68 percent of independents. How are vaccination rates affecting the latest COVID surge? Check out this explainer from Yahoo Immersive to find out. Democrats most celebrated candidate this cycle, gubernatorial contender Beto ORourke, has been regularly campaigning in person since launching his bid in November. In the 2020 election cycle, many campaigns in Texas went fully virtual as the coronavirus pandemic, then a new and uncertain threat, bore down on the state. They held virtual rallies, phone banks and fundraisers, trading in clipboards and walking shoes for webcams and microphones. As the weeks went on, though, Republicans resumed in-person campaigning and managed to stave off a massive Democratic offensive in November. Democrats later admitted that their decision to suspend door-knocking and other in-person activities hurt them. Now, nearly two years later and with a new COVID-19 variant surging across the state, Democrats appear set on avoiding the same mistake. Few, if any, Democratic campaigns have gone fully virtual, and many are pressing forward with in-person campaigning while taking some precautions. Like everyone else across the globe, we are keeping a close eye on the Covid-19 Omicron Variant and assessing the risks associated with this surge, Texas Democratic Party spokesperson Angelica Luna Kaufman said in a statement. However, there is a lot at stake this midterm election and in-person campaigning will be a critical component to engaging voters and winning these races. She emphasized the country is not in the same situation as we were in 2020. Vaccines are widely available, and people are well-practiced in how to stay safe in public. Still, the omicron variant looms large, and the campaign trail has not been immune to it. Some forums are still being held virtually, and candidates, staffers and volunteers are having to deal with the logistical challenges that come when one of them tests positive amid the fast-spreading variant. Since the arrival of the omicron variant late last year, Texas has seen an unprecedented surge in daily caseloads, as well as the positivity rate, or the ratio of cases to tests. Hospitalizations are well on their way to previous peaks. All the while, Texas lags behind most other states in its vaccination rate, with 57% of people fully vaccinated as of Sunday. Story continues Democrats continue to argue they are the more responsible party when it comes to public health. They say Gov. Greg Abbott, a Republican, needs to give local officials more independence to fight the pandemic, though he has ignored the demands for months, holding firm on his executive orders prohibiting mask and vaccine mandates. He is especially unlikely to change his mind as he approaches a contested GOP primary for reelection in which his pandemic management has been a top issue. Of course, virtually nothing has changed on the campaign trail for Abbott and other Republicans in the primary, whose campaign stops look much like they did prior to the pandemic. Democrats most celebrated candidate this cycle, gubernatorial contender Beto ORourke, has been regularly campaigning in person since launching his bid in November. He has been holding larger events outside, and his campaign asks attendees to wear masks and encourages them to be vaccinated. The campaign has made rapid testing available to attendees at some events. Speaking with Texans one-on-one is at the heart of our campaign, ORourkes campaign manager, Nick Rathod, said in a statement. After holding 70 events in 30 cities during the first weeks of our campaign, we remain committed to meeting Texans where they are and will continue to closely follow public health guidelines. ORourkes first campaign event since omicron began surging in Texas was Saturday in El Paso. Attendees were told masks are strongly encouraged regardless of vaccination status and that they would be provided for those who need them. On event sign-up pages, attendees were also told that by attending, you understand and accept the risks associated with COVID-19. ORourkes campaign is already block walking, though those who volunteer to do so have to sign a COVID-19 Block Walk Safety Agreement Form. Among other things, the form requires volunteers to wear masks when not eating or drinking and maintain their distance from voters at all times possible. ORourke was among the Democrats who lamented the partys refusal to campaign in person ahead of the 2020 election. He had been deeply involved in the fight for the Texas House majority through his Powered by People group, which shifted virtually all its activities online because of the pandemic. Writing to supporters days after Republicans swept Texas in the election, ORourke said one of the lessons was nothing beats talking to voters eyeball to eyeball and that there is a safe way to do this, even in a pandemic. A state Democratic Party autopsy that came out months later also cited the lack of in-person-campaigning as a top factor, saying it hurt our ground game. Kendall Scudder, a Democratic state House candidate who had called for reform at the state party after the disappointing 2020 election, said COVID-19 was a real problem for Democrats to navigate back then, but we started using it as an excuse to not have to campaign, and we are not going to do that again. Scudder has been campaigning in person for an open seat in the Dallas area, with some precautions. He said his campaign has trained canvassers by telling them, You knock, you step about 10 feet back, if you can get off their porch, get off their porch. I think people are receptive to it, that youre giving them space but youre also working your butt off, Scudder said. For Democrats, he added, Priority No. 1 is safety. We are not interested in getting people sick. But priority No. 2 is making sure that Democrats are actually winning elections so we can make meaningful change so we can try to eradicate coronavirus. The pandemic changed the 2020 election beyond just forcing campaigns to reconsider in-person activities. Abbott postponed the May primary runoffs to July and extended the early voting period for the November election. Those decisions by Abbott, which he issued through executive order, drew pushback from some in his own party, who claimed including in unsuccessful lawsuits that he overstepped his authority. In any case, this years March 1 contests are very unlikely to see such tweaks due to the pandemic, especially with the deadline for overseas ballots to go out coming up in a matter of days. An Abbott spokesperson, Renae Eze, said in a statement for this story that there are no plans to make further changes for the March primaries. In the meantime, Democratic candidates in some of the states most closely watched races are leaving little doubt about their commitment to in-person campaigning. Ruben Ramirez is running for the 15th Congressional District, an open seat anchored in the Rio Grande Valley that is expected to be the most competitive congressional race during the general election in Texas. He said in a statement he knows his community expects you to show up to earn its vote. Im excited to continue campaigning in person, knocking doors, and holding events with my neighbors in South Texas from now until November, Ramirez said. At a minimum, candidates are showing a flexibility about campaigning that reflects the reality of the long-running pandemic. Kaufman, the spokesperson for the state Democratic Party, said Democrats are actively campaigning both virtually and in person and we feel we can keep people healthy while getting them to the polls. From the beginning, we were very clear about the fact that we were campaigning during an ongoing pandemic, said Regina Monge, the campaign manager for Jessica Cisneros, who is challenging U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Laredo, in the primary again. We are monitoring the situation closely. No matter how the methods of campaigning change as we learn more from the CDC [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention], our priority will be reaching voters where they are while keeping our community safe. Cisneros spent three days touring the district in person after Christmas, as the omicron surge was taking off. She had been slated to visit 15 cities. Over the last weekend, the first one since the New Year holiday, candidates social media accounts were filled with images of them campaigning in person. Some of the pictures resembled the pre-pandemic campaign trail. James Burnett, a candidate for a new Texas House district in suburban Houston, was out block walking and getting a grateful reception, according to a Facebook post showing the candidate meeting with voters while wearing a mask. Looking forward to seeing you at your door! Burnett wrote. Disclosure: Facebook 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. This article originally appeared in The Texas Tribune at https://www.texastribune.org/2022/01/11/texas-omicron-campaign-democrats/. The Texas Tribune is a member-supported, nonpartisan newsroom informing and engaging Texans on state politics and policy. Learn more at texastribune.org. More: Pandemic politics: How big a factor will COVID be in Texas campaign 2022? More: MORITZ: How unfamous people with famous names have fared in Texas politics over the years This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: COVID kept Texas Democrats off campaign trail in 2020. Not this time PRAGUE (Reuters) -Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala's new centre-right government won a confidence vote in parliament on Thursday, sealing its authority as it takes over amid a spike in coronavirus cases, rising inflation, a deep fiscal gap and challenges posed by Europe's green transition. The result was expected as the five-party coalition won 108 votes in the 200-seat lower chamber of parliament in an election last October. Fiala, 57, a political science professor and leader of the Civic Democrats, has pledged to slash 80 billion crowns ($3.74 billion) of spending this year to bring the budget deficit below 300 billion, which would bring the public sector gap under 4% of gross domestic product. "The combination of rising inflation, energy crisis, and COVID epidemic makes this the most difficult year for our citizens since our country came to existence," Fiala said during the debate on the motion, which stretched overnight from Wednesday and was restarted on Thursday afternoon. In his closing speech, Fiala said his main priorities were legislation preventing future governments from "immoderately" raising taxes; pension reform; opening a tender to build a new nuclear power plant; education reform; building 200 km of expressways; and digitalisation of government operations. The government's first measure to achieve savings was a freeze on some public sector salaries. Critics including independent economists say a substantial fiscal consolidation will be impossible without raising taxes. While in opposition before the election, Fiala's party voted together with the previous centre-left cabinet led by Andrej Babis to approve an annual tax reduction of more than $5 billion. The government has pledged to prepare for an exit from coal in 2033, five years earlier than the previous government's target. It also plans to boost solar power installations. Heavily dependent on car makers and other manufacturing industries, the country of 10.7 million faces a strong impact from energy price growth as well as Europe's decarbonisation drive. Story continues The country will take the European Union's six-month presidency in the second half of the year. Fiala has also pledged to reinforce the country's western orientation with NATO and EU partners, raising defence spending to 2% of GDP by 2025. Fiala has also shied away from criticising Visegrad Four partners Poland and Hungary who have been at odds with the EU over rule of law issues, although his coalition partners have repeatedly criticised Hungarian leader Viktor Orban. ($1 = 21.3230 Czech crowns) (Reporting by Jan LopatkaEditing by Chris Reese and Frances Kerry) Cardiff rugby director Dai Young (Adam Davy/PA) (PA Archive) Cardiff boss Dai Young has described Harlequins as great for rugby ahead of Fridays Heineken Champions Cup clash. Quins will arrive at the Arms Park knowing that a third successive pool stage victory would confirm a place in the round of 16 later this campaign. They have never progressed beyond the quarter-finals of European rugbys blue riband club competition, but current form following on from last seasons Gallagher Premiership title triumph suggests they are serious contenders. I know from personal experience how good Quins are, former Wasps rugby director Young said. They are a very hard team to stop. They have got too many quality players to try and highlight one or two. Theyve always shown the ability to beat the best at any time. I think where the frustration would have been from their end was that consistency of performance week in, week out. Harlequins celebrate winning the Gallagher Premiership title last season (Nigel French/PA) (PA Wire) I dont think anyone doubted that they had the quality within their squad to be pushing the best teams, and they showed on a regular basis that they were as good as anybody and they could beat anybody on the day. It was just the consistency that they would have to demonstrate to win the league, and thats exactly what they did. They keep on playing, wear you down and get the result. Theyve done it the Quins way, playing on the front foot and trying to score tries, and I think it has been great for rugby. They are a pleasure to watch. Story continues Key to Quins success has been the sustained form of their England international fly-half Marcus Smith and Young added: He is a real quality player. He sees things that people dont see, and he is so sharp to react to opportunities. England fly-half Marcus Smith is a key man for Harlequins (Adam Davy/PA) (PA Wire) But they have got talent everywhere. That eight-nine-10-12 axis is huge for them, and they have got so much gas out on the flanks. Welsh Government coronavirus restrictions elite sport in the country has been behind closed doors since Boxing Day mean no crowd for Quins visit. Young said: There would have been a fantastic atmosphere. You cant hide the fact it is not great playing in empty stadiums. It is better than not playing at all, but only marginally, I think, to be honest. We havent had too many games when weve had crowds, so they cant come quick enough. You can't hide the fact it is not great playing in empty stadiums Cardiff rugby director Dai Young We understand it is all about making sure people stay healthy and safe. We get that. But when it comes to playing a game, there is no substitute to playing in front of supporters. Cardiff, meanwhile, will be without Wales international back-row forward James Botham for the Quins encounter. Botham, who is the grandson of England cricket great Sir Ian Botham, was carried off during last Saturdays United Rugby Championship game against Edinburgh following a head-on-head collision with an opposition player. The trial of James Echols and Michael Sanon continued Thursday with prosecutors largely focusing of the brutal aftermath of the July 8, 2017 mass shooting at a home in Colerain Township. Testimony began with two police officers who were among the first to respond to the scene. Joe Deters: Colerain Township mass shooting could be a capital murder case Kurt Magoteaux, a former Colerain Township police officer, said he arrived at the scene that night to find children screaming and others pleading for help. "It was very chaotic," he said. Autum Garrett killed in shooting that left eight others injured, including children Autum Garrett, 22, was fatally shot on the couch where she sat. She was the only shooting victim who died. Prosecutors say she wasn't the shooters' target. Garrett's husband, Bryan, was sitting next to his wife pleading for her to live, Magoteaux said. Co-worker: Autum Garrett, killed in Colerain Township shooting, lived for her family Autum Garrett was one of nine victims in a shooting that left eight others injured, including her husband and two children, in what prosecutors say was an attempted murder-for-hire. Autum Garrett Body camera footage played in court showed children and adults strewn out across the front room of the house on Capstan Drive. Autum Garrett was slumped over on the couch covered in blood. Prosecutor: $10,000 loan led to mass shooting at 2017 fake gender-reveal party in Colerain Investigators found "a lot" of ballistic evidence, with 9mm shell casings recovered from various spots throughout the house, Kimberly Horning, a Cincinnati police criminalist, said in her testimony. Survivor of Colerain mass shooting testifies in court Bryan Garrett, 28, was struck in the head, thigh and wrist, losing sight in one of his eyes, according to court documents. He also testified Thursday. He remembered the front door of the house swinging open and a "flash" before he blacked out. Sometime after 11 p.m., two men armed with handguns entered the house through an unlocked door, according to police reports, and began spraying the living room with bullets. Story continues Bryan Garrett, his eye scarred from the shooting, said he regained consciousness to find his children bleeding and his wife unresponsive only taking shallow breaths. He said their son was crying for his mom. "He just wanted his parents," Bryan Garrett said, adding he was separated from his children for four days while in the hospital. The couples 1-year-old child was struck in the knee and arm; their 3-year-old child was shot in the head and both legs, but survived, documents say. 'If someone walked in the house, she'd have a panic attack' Bryan Garrett said his family came to Cincinnati to attend his brother-in-law's wedding and spend time with family. He said recovery has been difficult for himself and his children both physically and emotionally. His son had to relearn how to walk after needing to use a wheelchair for six months and his daughter wouldn't speak for a year after the shooting except in hushed tones to close family, Bryan Garrett said. "If someone walked in the house, she'd have a panic attack," he said. Columbus residents face 22 counts, including aggrivated murder Echols, 26, and Sanon, 24, both Columbus residents, face numerous counts in Hamilton County Common Pleas Court including aggravated murder. Also charged in the case is Roshawn Bishop, 31, of West Price Hill and Vandell Slade, 33, of Columbus. Trial dates for Slade as well as Bishop have not been set. What prosecutors say led up to the mass shooting Prosecutors say Cheyanne Willis, Autum Garretts cousin, was the target of the shooting. Hamilton County Assistant Prosecutor Allison Oswall said Willis had loaned Bishop $10,000 and had also told him she was pregnant with his child. As Willis began pressuring Bishop, who prosecutors say is a drug dealer, to pay back the money, he made plans for Echols and Sanon to kill her, Oswall said. Trial of James Echols and Michael Sanon expected to resume Jan. 18 Attorneys for both Echols and Sanon said theres no physical evidence connecting them to the scene of the shooting and that both men are victims of circumstance. News: Jury trials in Hamilton County suspended beginning Tuesday. Judges cite COVID-19 surge The trial is expected to resume Tuesday morning. Jury trials in Hamilton County will be suspended starting Tuesday, though any trials currently underway are being allowed to continue. Enquirer reporter Kevin Grasha contributed. This story will be updated as more information becomes available. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Day 2 in trial of accused gunmen in Colerain mass shooting A 14-year-old boy who was shot and critically wounded in Englewood Wednesday night has died, officials said. James Sweezer was standing on a sidewalk in the 1400 block of West 73rd Street in the Englewood neighborhood about 8:20 p.m. when someone in a dark-colored sedan opened fire, according to the Cook County medical examiners office and Chicago police. Advertisement Officers work the scene where a 14-year-old boy was shot in the head near the 1400 block of West 73rd Street in the Englewood neighborhood Jan. 12, 2022. Earlier in the day, a 14-year-old boy was fatally shot in the street in the 2200 block of West Adams Street, nearly half a mile from the United Center. (Armando L. Sanchez / Chicago Tribune) James, who was shot in the head, was pronounced dead at 11:37 p.m. at the University of Chicago Medical Center, the medical examiners office said. James was the second 14-year-old boy to die after being shot on gunfire Wednesday. Earlier in the day, about 4 p.m., Javion Ivy was fatally shot on the Near West Side. Advertisement No one was in custody for either homicide and detectives were investigating. sfreishtat@chicagotribune.com A promotional depiction of a "Fastest Road" scratch off ticket. Until 1986, Florida was one of many states in the U.S. that still lacked a state lottery. I was just a kid then. How we managed to eke out an education without the blessings of lottery, I'll never know, but some of us had already learned enough math to figure out that there wasn't much chance in playing Florida's new games of chance. Florida's state government has always connected its lottery with the promise of increasing funding for education. Today, for all its jingling advertisements, the lottery provides only about 6% of education funding, and that has tended to replace rather than supplement state dollars. This meager support has come at an outsized cost to Florida's poor and marginalized. It's no coincidence that tickets carry an ominous warning to "play responsibly," as if they're akin to liquor bottles or loaded guns. More from Michael Stephens: Why stop at changing Florida's state bird? Some options for other state symbols The Republican Party's surprising socialist connection Trumpism has exploited the frustration, hopelessness of marginalized conservatives On the Florida Lottery's official website, www.flalottery.com, I found one honest if patronizing statement amid a sea of misrepresentation: "The Lottery has become part of the very fabric of Florida, truly affecting the lives of all Floridians and providing residents with a reason to believe their dreams can come true as millions regularly enjoy 'water-cooler dreaming' with family and friends about what they would do if they won the big jackpot." Such subtle advertising somehow never convinced me to play. Then one year I got a birthday card from a dear and thrifty friend. Inside was a gift: a $1 scratch-off ticket. Well, there was nothing to be lost, so I gave the gaudy thing a scratch. I'd just won $5! I fancy myself a rational person, but my very first thought was that if I invested my new wealth in five more tickets, I might parlay that fiver into 25 bucks, and so on exponentially unto a prosperous early retirement. Story continues Then I checked the odds of winning five bucks on that dollar scratch-off. It was 20-1. That prompted another irrational thought, that I was having beginner's luck. Perhaps supernatural forces of evil had steered that winning ticket my way in an effort to create yet another gambling addict. I shuddered at the idea of horned, beet-red demons cackling as they watched eagerly from the underworld. The next day at the supermarket, I stopped at the service desk to redeem my treasure. The first words out of the clerk's mouth were, "Are you sure you wouldn't like that in more tickets?" The thought came back: If it's this easy to win, I'd be a fool to take the cash and blow it on vegetables and whole-wheat bread. A little demon sat on my shoulder now. "Take the tickets," it croaked. "Five chances to win!" I asked for the $5, and hurried off to escape the gravitational field exerted by the colorful wall of scratch-offs. Every week or so, I gather the litter along my street. It's in a desperate part of town. Along with beer cans and crack baggies, scratch-off tickets blow across the ground like refugees from a routed army. I've found tickets torn into small pieces and scattered by embittered non-winners. Who can blame them? The $20 and $30 prices on some scratch-offs may represent hours of work at tough jobs. Florida Lottery It's no coincidence that the detritus of drugs and gambling schemes is found together. Both are diseases of despair. Patrick Henry once lost his aristocratic cool and shouted, "Give me liberty or give me death!" Today, with millions of Americans hooked on drugs, and our flag-waving governments hawking "water-cooler dreaming" tickets, a more appropriate American motto might be, "Give me lottery or give me meth!" One can't help wondering if there's a special hell for those government officials who trick the poor into wagering the milk money. Perhaps just a purgatory where they must sweat in polyester-asbestos blend business suits until they learn to look out for their constituents instead of conspiring to corrupt them. Whenever I pass a vending machine touting lottery tickets as if they were candy bars, I still recall that instant 400% profit. But it doesn't make me drag my feet. After all, I am one of the few people who can claim to have a perfect record playing the Florida Lottery. I'd hate to lose the bragging rights. And my math is even better than it was in 1986. Michael Stephens lives in Gainesville. Join the conversation Send a letter to the editor (up to 200 words) to letters@gainesville.com. Letters must include the writer's full name and city of residence. Additional guidelines for submitting letters and longer guest columns can be found at bit.ly/sunopinionguidelines. Journalism matters. Your support matters. Get a digital subscription to the Gainesville Sun. Includes must-see content on Gainesville.com and Gatorsports.com, breaking news and updates on all your devices, and access to the Gainesville.com ePaper. Visit www.gainesville.com/subscribenow to sign up. This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Michael Stephens: Florida Lottery gives meager support to education By Jacob Gronholt-Pedersen COPENHAGEN (Reuters) -Denmark warned on Thursday of a rising espionage threat from Russia, China, Iran and others, including in the Arctic region where global powers are jostling for resources and sea routes. The Danish Security and Intelligence Service said there had been numerous examples of attempted spying on Denmark, whose active global role had helped make it a tempting target. "The threat from foreign intelligence activities against Denmark, Greenland and the Faroe Islands has increased in recent years," Anders Henriksen, head of counterintelligence at the Danish Security and Intelligence Service, said in a report. Greenland and the Faroe Islands are sovereign territories under the Kingdom of Denmark and also members of the Arctic Council forum. Copenhagen handles most of their foreign and security matters. The report cited a 2019 incident of a forged letter purporting to be from Greenland's foreign minister to a U.S. senator saying an independence referendum was in the offing. "It is highly likely that the letter was fabricated and shared on the Internet by Russian influence agents, who wanted to create confusion and a possible conflict between Denmark, the USA and Greenland," it said. RUSSIAN DENIAL In an email to Reuters, Russia's ambassador to Denmark, Vladimir Barbin, dismissed the allegation regarding the letter as false. He linked the broader charges against Russia to a spy scandal in which the United States allegedly used a partnership with Denmark's foreign intelligence unit to spy on senior officials of neighbouring countries, including former German Chancellor Angela Merkel. Barbin said the allegations "should be solely considered as an operation to cover up the scandal with the Danish authorities having provided the U.S. National Security Agency with access to communication cables that run through Danish territory". The Arctic has increasing geopolitical importance, with Russia, China and the United States vying for access to natural resources, sea lanes, research and militarily strategic areas. Story continues The Danish report also said foreign intelligence services - including from China, Russia and Iran - were trying to make contact with students, researchers and companies to harness information on Danish technology and research. Reuters found in November that a Chinese professor at the University of Copenhagen conducted genetic research with the Chinese military without disclosing the connection. Thursday's report said NATO member Denmark's active international role, the openness of its society and high levels of technological knowledge all served to make it "an attractive target of foreign intelligence activities". Neither the Chinese nor Iranian embassy responded to requests for comment. (Reporting by Jacob Gronholt-Pedersen, additional reporting by Nikolaj Skydsgaard;Editing by Andrew Cawthorne and Gareth Jones) Gov. Ron DeSantis presents his State of the State Address during Opening Day of the 2022 Florida Legislative Session Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022. If Gov. Ron DeSantis sounded like he was making a re-election campaign speech when he addressed the Florida Legislature on the opening day of its 2022 session, theres a good reason for that. He was. And, of course, Democrats in the state Capitol reacted predictably calling the governors appearance a performance, rather than a thoughtful discourse on the needs and opportunities of Florida. Not that they expected anything else or offered anything but partisan platitudes of their own in response to whats somewhat whimsically called the State of the State speech. It would have been surprising if DeSantis or his politically powerless opposition had done anything else. This is not just an election year, its a political perfect storm. Its a redistricting year, with all 120 House and 40 Senate districts to be realigned in accord with the 2020 census. Floridas congressional districts will also get redrawn, with one new U.S. House seat added to the map. And Florida is flush with cash, much of it federal stimulus money, so lawmakers have a great chance to spread it around while potential opponents can only say, Yeah, I would have done that too. DeSantis gave legislators, and his statewide TV audience, a quick review of his greatest hits. He recapped some of the crowd pleasers hed announced in recent news conferences around the state whacking the Biden Administration on immigration, reminding us how he has kept Florida open for business and education during the pandemic and sniping a bit at favored right wing targets. Gov. Ron DeSantis announces his proposed state budget for 2022-23 at the Capitol on Dec. 9, 2021. He talked up his nearly $100 billion budget plan, with its pay raises and other incentives for police and other politically popular (and deserving) public servants. Even the guests whom governors always plant in the audience a teacher whod improved her schools grade average, an honored North Miami Beach cop, even the state Burmese python-trapping champ, who bagged 41 of the beasts were so nice that even the Democrats had to applaud. Story continues The governor said there will be no defunding of police, no tuition increases or cuts to the Bright Futures scholarships, nothing that smacks of being soft on crime. He didnt mention that nobody is suggesting any of that stuff anyway. He took a shot at Dr. Anthony Fauci and the corporate media with their grudge against conservatives. DeSantis also made the obligatory passing references to the Second Amendment (hes for it) and abortion (hes not) and Critical Race Theory (uh-uh). More from Bill Cotterell: Looking for surprises from DeSantis? Sorry to disappoint Anyone looking for surprises, or a slight departure from rightwing dogma, was surely disappointed. Hitting all the hot buttons and following the rhetoric recipe faithfully DeSantis telegraphed his tone with the very first sentence: Together, we have made Florida the freest state in these United States, he told lawmakers. Veteran political observer John Kennedy of the USA TODAY Networks Florida Capital Bureau counted free, freedom or other variants of the word a dozen times in 35 minutes. (By the way, the latest product peddled by the DeSantis re-election campaign is a $25 T-shirt lampooning Lockdown Libs governors or Democratic Congress members who visited in Florida while their own states were restricted for COVID concluding with the message, We Dont Blame You We Like Freedom Too.) Upstaged Democrats responded as best they could. Senate Democrats made a video saying they like freedom such as the freedom to obtain health care, freedom to get an education in safe schools and freedom to prosper in a healthy economy. House Democratic leader Evan Jennes similar message concluded, And we dont need the third-largest state in America to devote its entire legislative session to making sacrifices at the altar of political ambition for any one individual. Ah, yes, the DeSantis presidential campaign of 2024. You knew theyd get around to that. Florida Commissioner of Agriculture speaks to reporters following Gov. Ron DeSantis' State of the State Address Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022. Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried, whos running against DeSantis for governor, put it bluntly. Today, the governor showed yet again he cares more about performative political theater than about anything Floridians are going through, she said. Fried dismissed the State of the State message as largely dog whistle cues to his political base. Charlie Crist, who made four SOS speeches when he was a Republican governor, used another word to describe DeSantis speech not freedom, but neglected. At every turn, Gov. DeSantis has put his presidential ambitions over the needs of working Floridians, Crist said, and that just doesnt cut it. You deserve better. What? Politicians acting politically in an election year? Whod have seen that coming? Bill Cotterell is a retired Tallahassee Democrat Capitol reporter who writes a twice-weekly column. He can be reached at bcotterell@tallahassee.com. JOIN THE CONVERSATION Send letters to the editor (up to 200 words) or Your Turn columns (about 500 words) to letters@tallahassee.com. Please include your address for verification purposes only, and if you send a Your Turn, also include a photo and 1-2 line bio of yourself. You can also submit anonymous Zing!s at Tallahassee.com/Zing. Submissions are published on a space-available basis. All submissions may be edited for content, clarity and length, and may also be published by any part of the USA TODAY NETWORK. This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: DeSantis follows successful script for 'State of the State' speech No, there wasn't a meltdown at the St. Lucie Nuclear Power Plant. Residents of Indian River County and some people farther south had their mornings interrupted by a sonic boom, which shook windows and spooked pets around 10:30 a.m. Dozens took to social media to ask their neighbors what the noise was. "What the heck was that big boom a few minutes ago? Shook my windows!! All the birds took off!" wrote one person. A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket lifts off from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station Thursday morning, January 13, 2022. The rocket is carrying a number of small satellites on a ridesharing mission. Mandatory Credit: Craig Bailey/FLORIDA TODAY via USA TODAY NETWORK A handful of people expressed similar shock, but others were quick to reassure: the boom came from SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket launch in Cape Canaveral. The rocket launched at 10:25 a.m., sending 105 government and commercial satellites into space. Its booster detached and successfully landed at its designated landing zone minutes after launch. This was the first local landing of a Falcon 9 since June of last year, according to Florida Today. The rocket's sonic boom reverberated down the Treasure Coast, and four people called Indian River County Sheriff's Office to ask about it, spokesperson Keith Carson said. The concerned residents were simply informed about the rocket launch and told that the boom was expected, he said. Other than a few people calling the police, there were no major disturbances. Vero Beach Police Department didn't receive any calls about the boom, said Master Officer Darrell Rivers. Neither did Martin County Sheriff's Office, said spokesperson Christine Weiss. "It's been many years since I've heard the sonic booms," said J.B. Traynor, a resident of Indian River Estates. "So I guess it's just been so long that I've forgotten about it." Traynor didn't know about the launch, so when the boom shook her house, she posted about it on Nextdoor, asking others what happened. She thought it might've been an industrial accident, or possibly a cannon being fired off from a Civil War reenactment. "A lot of the neighbors were saying, 'I was looking for smoke the power plant,'" Traynor said, laughing. Story continues Sonic booms happen when aircraft travel faster than the speed of sound. The aircraft pushes a cone of pressurized air molecules out of the way so quickly that they're spread out into a shock wave. It's rare for sonic booms to break windows or cause serious structural damage to buildings, but it's technically possible if the the sonic boom is powerful enough, according to NASA. But buildings that are structurally sound can withstand even powerful shocks. Thomas Weber is a Digital Now Reporter at TCPalm. You can reach him at thomas.weber@tcpalm.com or 813-545-9113. Follow him on Facebook and Twitter. This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: A SpaceX launch sent a sonic boom across the Treasure Coast City Council members met to discuss the American Rescue Plan Funding spending plan Tuesday morning, declining to pass a new resolution proposed by councilmember Paul Taylor that would have restructured the previously passed spending plan in accordance with new federal and state guidance. The amended resolution, which died with a 4-3 vote, was based on recent guidance released by the state that allowed the city to allocate $10 million of the total $13 million for lost revenue purposes. Taylor, Gary Pickens, Ross Priddy and Tara Skinner voted for the resolution, while David Cisco, Russ McKelvey and Marda Wallace voted no and Johnny Dodd abstained from voting. Earnest Brooks was absent. City Council members listen as City Finance, Accounting and Budget Director Bobby Arnold discusses the American Rescue Plan funds. The previous guidance allowed for an estimated $1.7 million in that category. This will allow the city more flexibility in what were doing, as far as acquiring some of the capital needs that have been listed previously, Taylor said. .The way we were moving previously was that those projects would have to qualify under the federal guidance. I was questioning us being able to reach that bar on some of those, but now we dont have to. This proposal would relieve us from having to do that. I am proposing moving those $10 million to be used for capital for this year and next year, so we dont have to go out and borrow. The new guidance was released last Thursday, just after the previous special-called city council meeting on the subject. That meeting, which saw the city council sparring over how to appropriately justify expenses for the funding, ended with the passing of the allocation of the $6.9 million on the condition that they meet again on Tuesday to amend the passed resolution with a plan to justify each cost. However, the significance (of Thursdays discussion) has been reduced, Taylor said in the meeting. Because now we have $10 million that we really dont have to provide those justifications for. We can take those under lost revenue. Story continues It was explained that the $10 million is still part of the overall $13 million in ARP funds, and that the funds were still going to be distributed as per their original plan: in a first wave of $6.9 million, with the remaining funds to come in May. The new guidelines simply allowed for a total of $10 million to be spent, without need of justification, on lost revenue purposes. Proposed expenditures for the $10 million quota included things like new turnout gear for the fire department, a prominent issue that councilmembers have noted in recent months. Effectively, what this (resolution) would do is reallocate, or redistribute, the funds onto three major buckets, Taylor explained. The first $10 million would be available for operational or capital support for us to go ahead and buy the things weve talked about this year. And then we could budget the remaining funds in the next fiscal year to do the same. So that gives us historically two years of capital needs that we can take care of with this money. The second of the three major buckets proposed by Taylor, consisting on $993,000, was regarding another prominent issue: storm-water infrastructure repairs. Theres a program that the state has put forth in the last month where we can submit qualified projects, and the matching requirement would be reduced to 10 percent if we use ARPA funds, Taylor said. That means we could leverage this almost $1 million into about $10.4 million into infrastructure studies and improvements within our community. City Finance, Accounting and Budget Director Bobby Arnold confirmed this, stating that the plan would allow the city to access in addition to the funds that we received here directly locally, an additional $9.3 million, potentially. Arnold explained that to access that $9.3 million, the city would be required to match the funding up to 20 percentor $1.8 million. Arnold noted that there were ways to reduce to citys match requirements by using the ARPA funds. Weve talked a little bit about having some pilot programs in Bemis and East Jackson to look at some flooding issueswe would be able to cover that under this, Taylor said. if we dont access these funds within the next few month, we will go from a non-competitive opportunity to competitivewe will be competing with other communities. Mayor Scott Conger pointed out that the city would still be attempting to access the additional state funding for storm-water infrastructure, regardless of the passage of Taylors proposed plan. We still have the money allocated for storm water, so we can still leverage those grants, we just have to come before the council to do it right now, he said. The final bucket proposed by Taylor, consisting of the remaining $2.9 million, would be available for community support. Those dollars would come from public input, so we could have surveys and town halls and other ways to reach out to the community to gather information on how to suit the needs of the community moving forward, Taylor said. Essentially, although Taylors plan would not have changed what the city would be spending ARP funds on, it would allow a number of projects to be funded more quickly than under the previous deal, due to being categorized under the $10 million lost revenue category, which does not require council justification. the plan would also assign further accountability to the mayor and city officials to "ensure the funds are spent correctly." Since the Taylors plan did not pass, the council is simply falling back on the plan originally passed last week, which does not currently align with state guidelines. Following the meeting, Conger noted that the resolution will be amended in the future to conform to state guidelines. At some pointwe would need to amend it to reflect the lost revenue category, he said, suggesting that the change will come at next month's city council meeting. All this changed rapidlythis was my attempt to put it into conformity with what we received Thursday, Taylor said. Im going to continue to push forward for the things that are my values, and the things that I run on. I think ultimately my goal is to maximize the use of these dollars, to get the most out of it. I think that should be all of our goals. But the ducks are going to really have to be put in a row for us to be able to do this. Have a story to tell? Reach Angele Latham by email at alatham@gannett.com, by phone at 731-343-5212, or follow her on Twitter at @angele_latham. This article originally appeared on Jackson Sun: Discussions over American Rescue Plan spending continue The 911 call made by the sheriffs deputy that shot and killed a Black man in North Carolina has been released. The city council has now requested that the U.S. Department of Justice get involved in the investigation. Deputy Jeffrey Hash called 911 after he shot Jason Walker on Saturday, Jan. 8, in Fayetteville, North Carolina. Jason Walker (left), Deputy Hash at the scene (right) The almost four-minute call records Hash as saying, I just had a male jump on my vehicle and broke my windshield. I just shot him. I am a deputy sheriff. You said you shot him? the dispatcher asked the deputy. Yes, he jumped on my car, please, he responded. When the dispatcher asked for his name, Hash said, I am a lieutenant with the Cumberland County Sheriffs Office. Later in the call, the dispatcher asks Hash if he is near the victim, he replies, I am. Hes gone. Hes gone, maam. Is he breathing? the dispatcher inquires. The deputy answered, No, maam, he is not. Hes gone. Hash then asks for units out cause theres people gathering. During the call, the deputy tells the dispatcher that his vehicle is a red Ford F-150. He then states, He shattered my windshield. Also heard on the call is an exchange that Hash had with a witness, Elizabeth Ricks, the woman who tried to assist Walker after he was shot. The call captures Hash telling her to leave the scene. Just keep moving, maam, he says to Ricks. She replies to him, Im a trauma nurse. To her qualifier, he says, Im a deputy sheriff. Come here. He jumped on my vehicle. I just had to shoot him. The dispatcher joins in the conversation and asks for clarity on what actually happened, to which Hash submitted his version. I was driving down the road and he came flying across Bingham Drive, running, and 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 recalled. I had my wife and my daughter in my vehicle. Story continues The dispatcher asked, Did he have any weapons, sir? Hash said that Walker did not have a firearm, and again, asserted his version of the story, He just tore my wipers off and started beating. He busted my windshield. Turning her attention to the victim, who Hash had already said was not breathing, the dispatcher about how many people are present at the site of the crime. Theres tons of cars and people gathering around, he stated. The 911 call continued to pick up conversations from those who gathered around Walkers body. One key voice is Ricks, the trauma nurse Hash told to keep moving. Ricks can be heard saying that the man is still alive. Hash finally asks for help, saying, He has a light pulse right now. I need EMS now. The dispatcher asks where the man was shot, but neither Hash nor Ricks has the information. Hash reveals to the dispatcher, Im seeing blood on his side, maam. Ricks is heard trying to save him, notwithstanding Hashs request for EMSs arrival on the scene. The call records her in the background asking for a shirt or something to stop the bleeding. Others in the background-repeat the dispatchers questions about where Walker was shot, but Hash continues to say that he doesnt know and repeats his version of what happened, He was on the front of my vehicle. He jumped on my car. Ricks snaps, I dont care about that, where is the entry point? Hash responded to her and says to the dispatcher, who tells him to stop talking to the people on the scene, People are hostile right now. Hashs hostile comment was captured on the two-minute cellphone video of the aftermath of the shooting, recorded by Chase Sorrell, Ricks boyfriend. Ricks and Sorrell are key witnesses to the fatal shooting. The Fayetteville Observer reports that the two say they were driving about two car lengths behind Hash when the nurse saw Walker standing on the side of the road. Ricks maintains that Walker waited for one car to go by before he started to cross the street. That is when Hashs truck came by and struck the 37-year-old Black man, and Hash got out the car and shot the man four times, the nurse says. After that, she got out of her car to attempt to save his life as he lay dying next to the back wheels of the Ford pickup truck. Ricks account of Walker being hit by a car contradicts police claims released earlier this week. Fayetteville Police Chief Gina Hawkins said on Sunday, Jan. 9, the pickup truck had a black box that would have registered if the vehicle struck any person or thing. She also added that one eyewitness said to her office that Walker was not hit by the truck. The Fayetteville newspaper reports that Ricks says she gave a witness statement to police at the scene of the shooting. Since the shooting, Hash has acquired representation. Parrish Daughtry, his lawyer, shared on Tuesday that her client was devastated about the incident. She said, Lt. Hash is devastated for Mr. Walkers family, his own family, the greater community and devastated by these events. Beyond that, Im really prohibited from discussing the facts. Walkers family also acquired the services of a lawyer. Ben Crump, the civil rights attorney that has represented victims in many high-profile cases such as those of George Floyd and Trayvon Martin, will represent the interests of the family of the deceased. NEWS ALERT: @AttorneyCrump has been retained by the family of Jason Walker, a 37-year-old man who was shot and killed by off-duty Cumberland County deputy Jeffrey Hash on January 8. pic.twitter.com/ENO0uhiMOn Ben Crump Law, PLLC (@BenCrumpLaw) January 11, 2022 His office released the following statement, We have reason to believe that this was a case of shoot first, ask later, a philosophy seen all too often within law enforcement. 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. The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation is solely handling the investigation around Walkers death. The Fayetteville City Council voted unanimously during its first regular session meeting on Monday, Jan. 10, to invite the U.S. Department of Justice to assist in this case. More news from our partners: Its Not Fair: Mother of Black Man Shot In Back By Tennessee Ex-Cop Laments That Her Sons Killer May Be Home After Serving Just 18 Months Is This Enough? Santa Monica Offers Descendants of Displaced Black Communities Affordable Housing. I Dont Know If This Is In The Top 10 Of What He Will Regret | AB Says Jets Exit Probably Wasnt Necessary, But Shannon Sharpe & Eric Dickerson Say Its Too Late Another Austin office tower has been snapped up. The property changing hands this time is 816 Congress, a 20-story downtown high-rise. The new owner is Regent Properties, which is buying it from Atlanta-based Cousins Properties. Cousins said the 435,000-square-foot building sold for a gross sales price of $174 million. The tower on Congress Avenue was built in 1983 and is currently 78% leased, with lease expirations expected to take it to 60% leased in early 2023, Cousins said. Cousins Properties is selling 816 Congress, a 20-story high-rise in downtown Austin, to Regent Properties for $174 million. Cousins Properties was the seller. Regent said it plans to make a number of upgrades to the property. (Courtesy of Cousins Properties) The property offers panoramic views of downtown Austin and the Texas Capitol. It also includes a fitness center, a conference center, two parking garages and a sky lounge with a roof terrace. Its location puts it within walking distance of numerous hotels, restaurants, retail stores and museums, as well as the state capitol building. More: Downtown Austin's Indeed Tower being sold for $580 million More: 'One of the best buildings in downtown Austin' has a new owner "We are pleased to begin the year by adding 816 Congress to our growing portfolio of top-tier office assets," said Eric Fleiss, CEO of Regent Properties, which is based in Dallas and Los Angeles. "Austin is a high-conviction market for us, driven by positive local economic trends, strong demographics and a business-friendly environment that continues to drive company expansions and relocations in the region." Regent said it plans to make a number of upgrades to the property, including a redesign of the ground floor that will include lobby and courtyard renovations, as well as create more than 12,000 square feet of ground-floor retail. Regent said it plans to continue to acquire office buildings over the next two years across Texas and Sunbelt regions. To carry out that strategy, the firm opened a second corporate headquarters in Dallas in September. The sale of 816 Congress is just the latest deal involving a downtown Austin high-rise. In June, California-based Kilroy Realty, a publicly traded real estate investment firm, paid $580 million for Indeed Tower, the newly completed 36-story high-rise that is the city's tallest office building. Story continues More: Austin airport adding new nonstop flight to London and new international carrier Indeed Tower has 730,000 square feet of office space and is on a full city block bounded by West Sixth, West Seventh, Colorado and Lavaca streets. The development includes a private park and 35,000 square feet of retail space within the converted Claudia Taylor Johnson post office building on the site that can accommodate a variety of uses. Meanwhile, 100 Congress, a 22-story office tower at Congress Avenue and Cesar Chavez Street, was acquired in May by Carr Properties, based in Washington, D.C. The price was not disclosed. Sam Tenenbaum, director of analytics in Austin for CoStar Group, a global commercial real estate data company, said the purchases show investors remain bullish on the Austin market. "This 816 Congress deal highlights how attractive Austin offices remain to national investors," Tenenbaum said. "All three of those buildings were the first Austin properties bought by those investors, which means that they clearly believe that Austins office market will outperform in the coming years." This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: 816 Congress, a tower in in downtown Austin, sells for $174 million Even though Republicans hold a dominant supermajority in both chambers of the Kentucky General Assembly, one thing Gov. Andy Beshear was anticipating was the opportunity to lay out his proposed two-year state budget and policy agenda on Thursday before a joint session of the legislature, laying out the case for what he calls a "moral document." The governor will still make this address but Republicans beat him to the punch in an unprecedented move, filing their own budget bill in the House last week instead of waiting to file until the governor's address. Outside of the dueling budgets, Republicans acted quickly to pass their new redistricting maps, push back the filing deadline for candidates and advance tornado relief bill for Western Kentucky while a remote-learning bill and the surging COVID-19 pandemic also moved forward. Dueling budgets Two days after the House budget committee chairman assured me he would not file a budget bill in advance of the governor's address, he did just that leapfrogging the governor and outlining a proposal that muscle-flexing Republicans said provided "record funding for education." A clearly miffed Beshear called that filing a "stunt," proceeding to lay out summaries of his budget proposal this week in several areas including education, infrastructure and health care. Gov. Andy Beshear speaks at the funeral service for civil rights activist and Kentucky's first Black assistant Attorney General, Darryl T. Owens, at St. Stephens Church on Tuesday. Jan. 11, 2022 Beshear will lay out his formal plan in his budget address Thursday at 7 p.m., but we can already expect him to lay out a $2 billion surge in public K-12 spending, big raises for state workers and teachers, funding for a potential toll-free Brent Spence Bridge expansion and benefits for nurses and nursing students. Regardless of what the governor proposes, the Republicans' veto-proof supermajority will have near-total control over whatever budget bill ultimately passes into law. Redistricting and filing deadline Republicans moved quickly to pass new redistricting maps for the state legislature, congressional districts and Kentucky Supreme Court along with moving back the filing deadline so political candidates actually know what races to run in for this year's elections. Story continues Democrats cried foul on the redistricting maps for the state House, though Senate Democrats were largely favorable toward the GOP maps for their chamber and Congress where the Jefferson County congressional seat currently occupied by retiring Rep. John Yarmuth appears likely to remain in Democratic control. A handful of Republicans voted against redistricting maps, including Sen. Adrienne Southworth, R-Lawrenceburg, who decried the very-oddly shaped 1st Congressional District now stretching from Fulton to Franklin counties, as well as the complete revamping of her own Senate district. (GOP Rep. Savannah Maddox also voted against the state Senate map, which knocked out two ideologically similar GOP candidates she had endorsed.) Columnist Joe Gerth did not like the odd map for the 1st District either, saying it put the needs of incumbent U.S. Rep. James Comer above the needs of Kentuckians. We still wait on Beshear to sign or veto the redistricting bills with the state House bill the most likely to get nixed and also the most likely to be the subject of litigation to block it after the legislature overrides any presumptive veto. Other General Assembly action There was a lot of other action in Frankfort besides the budget drama and redistricting bills over the past week, such as: What happened outside Frankfort? Leaders paid their respects at the funeral of Darryl Owens , a Louisville civil rights leader and longtime elected official. Water is wet, and Sen. Rand Paul and Dr. Anthony Fauci are fighting again. Are taxpayers going to recover the $15 million given to Braidy Industries , or do the non-disclosure agreements state legislators are signing with them indicate that this aluminum rolling plant is actually going to happen? The experts agree: Guzzling your own disgusting urine does not cure COVID. Reach reporter Joe Sonka at jsonka@courierjournal.com and follow him on Twitter at @joesonka. Support strong local journalism by subscribing today at the top of this page. This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Dueling budgets in Frankfort Good morning, people of East Hampton! Diane Witek here with the latest edition of the East Hampton Daily. First, today's weather: Mostly cloudy. High: 45, low: 33. Here are the top stories today in East Hampton: East Hampton's Plan To Privatize Airport Sparks Questions: After years of public outcry over helicopter noise and public safety concerns, East Hampton Supervisor Peter Van Scoyoc said in his recent state of the town address that the town would be moving to privatize the airport. The news, however, was met with some questions by residents and elected officials. (Patch) Coronavirus update: Suffolk County reported 3,129 new cases of COVID-19 on Monday, Jan. 10, with 23.2 percent of people tested testing positive. There were 1,038 people hospitalized who have the virus in the county, 168 of whom were new admissions and 131 of the hospitalized patients were in ICU. The county reported 13 new fatalities from the virus, bringing the death toll here to 3,945 people since March of 2020. (Southampton Patch) Lawmaker Calls For Hunting Ban Near Refuge Where Deer Was Shot: One week after a deer was shot near the Evelyn Alexander Wildlife Rescue Center in Hampton Bays, a lawmaker is calling for a ban on hunting in the area. Suffolk County Legislator Bridget Fleming said she has called upon the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation "to suspend hunting in that location." (Patch) Today's East Hampton Daily is brought to you in part by Newrez, a leading nationwide mortgage lender. Make a smart move for your future and refinance with Newrez today. Call 844-979-1707 to connect with a Newrez loan officer. Newrez, LLC (NMLS #3013) Today in East Hampton: (Virtual Tour) Jewish Museum of New York: The Hare with Amber Eyes. (6:30 p.m.) A Virtual Tour of the Sunken Forest East Hampton Library. (7 p.m.) More from our sponsors thanks for supporting local news! Featured businesses: Story continues Events: What No One is Telling You Free Final Resting/Funeral/Cremation Webinar- Friday Jan. 14, 6 p.m. EST. Online event. (Jan. 14) FREE Workshop: Quickly Start a Micro-Gig Business From Home. Free Online Workshop + Free 52 Easy Sidegigs ebook. (Jan. 14) East Wind Wedding Showcase. Located at East Wind Long Island, 5720 NY-25A, Wading River. (Jan.16) Add your event. Announcements: Whitmore's End-Year Media Blitz Features LI's Hospitality Clients. (Details) Add your announcement. Gigs & services: Loving the East Hampton 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 diane.witek@patch.com. Alrighty, you're all caught up for today! See you tomorrow for your next update. Diane Witek About me: Impassioned Writer, Website Designer, Social Media Marketer and newly proclaimed Baker. Lover of nature and animals of all kinds. This article originally appeared on the East Hampton Patch Relatives who had been excited for the expansion of their family, expecting to welcome 29-year-old Chicagoan Derricka Patricks second child into the world, instead must plan funeral services for the hairstylist, who was fatally shot Wednesday on the South Side. Patrick was an outgoing, sweet and loving woman who, according to her mother, Christine Blanton, was happy to be pregnant with her second child. Advertisement She just was a fun-loving person, Blanton, 53, told the Tribune Thursday. Always smiling, always had a smile on her face. Chicago police said Patrick was shot multiple times around 7 p.m. as she sat in a parked car in the 7400 block of South Vincennes Avenue in Park Manor, not far from the neighborhoods boundary with Englewood,. Advertisement She was found motionless in her car after police responded to a ShotSpotter alert, said Chief of Detectives Brendan Deenihan. Video footage showed a vehicle pulling up to Patricks car and two males getting out, drawing handguns and shooting at her, Deenihan said, but that footage has not been released to the public. Patrick was taken to University of Chicago Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead at 7:22 p.m., according to Brittany Hill, a spokeswoman for the Cook County medical examiners office. An autopsy was performed Thursday, and Hill said Patricks cause and manner of death were expected to be released by early afternoon. She didnt deserve this, Patricks mother said. My baby didnt bother nobody. Everybody loved her. Patrick was close with her family, including her five siblings and 9-year-old daughter, according to her mother. Blanton said she had just spoken to Patrick on FaceTime a few hours before she died. Patrick also enjoyed her job as a hairstylist, her mother said. A Facebook profile that appeared to belong to Patrick showed women and girls in salon chairs with shiny, styled hair along with messages expressing grief, shock and condolences to Patricks family. No arrests had been made in connection with Patricks death, police said, and investigators were working to identify the two people they believe shot her. We definitely need some help from the community, Deenihan said during a Thursday morning news conference at Chicago police headquarters. Jan. 13Ben Ayers, dean of the University of Georgia Terry College of Business, had to address the topic on everyone's mind Wednesday during his Georgia Economic Outlook presentation that has toured the state. He quickly acknowledged the school's national football championship over Alabama on Monday. "If you're a Georgia fan, you're walking on air like I am," he said. He said the business climate in the state remains positive, with a 95% employment rate for the business school's graduates. Georgia's economic outlook for 2022 is positive, with steady growth forecast throughout the year. Ayers predicted growth of 4.3%. The private sector, which he said has "an abundance of unfilled jobs," is expected to be the main strength of the economy. "This year it will be the private sector, and that's good news," he said. State and local governments will also grow and the housing boom will continue, he said. As for risks that could slow down the recovery, supply side problems, a shortage of workers, transportation bottlenecks, inflation and a possible stock market correction or debt crisis are all concerns. "You can't get goods that aren't available," he said. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic remains a concern, but the current variant is expected to have less impact on the economy. Ayers cautioned, however, that a new variant could happen with uncertain impacts. "We've made considerable progress to get back to normal," he said. He predicted the state will see a full economic recovery within several months. The state has a 3.2% unemployment rate, below the 4.1% national rate. Consumer spending is expected to increase by 4.5% and personal income growth is expected to rise 1.9%, he said. "This is going to be a good year for the state of Georgia," he said. "Georgia will outperform the nation." In Glynn County, Ayers said Brunswick will be the county's main economic driver, followed by business spending and home sales, he said. Story continues "Investors will be active in the real estate market," he said. "This is going to be a good year for home building." He predicted home sales will slow to 4% because prices are 23% higher and the uncertainty of interest rates. "Homes have been much, much, much less affordable," he said. "The level of appreciation in two years is incredible." Georgia continues to be rated the nation's best state to do business, leading with new projects. The state's population is also forecast to see continued growth. The prediction is for a .8% growth rate this year. "We'll see more growth relative to the past two years, but not as high as 2019," he said. "We're still a very attractive place to move." Consumer habits have changed since the pandemic with shopping and banking, he said. Despite potential problems, Ayers remains optimistic about the state's economy this year. "The risk of a recession is low," he said. "The good news is Georgia will remain on its above average growth." Don Mathews, professor of economics at the College of Coastal Georgia, said the unemployment rate is 2.1%, construction was up 21% and the Port of Brunswick saw a 12% increase in the number of vessels. "There is a lot of activity here," he said. "It's rosy, really rosy here." The big challenge is the change in demographics with a growing population of those 55 years old and older. An estimated 1,500 people ages 25 to 54 the prime workforce age remained static the past 16 years, despite the county's population growth. "Our labor force has not grown since 2006," he said. "We need more young people." He agreed with Ayers that Brunswick holds the key to the future. "It won't come from St. Simons Island," he said. "It can only come from the city, including entrepreneurship." What makes capitalism go, he said, are ideas. "The goal is to turn ideas into reality," he said. "The real beauty is when people have the freedom to be entrepreneurs. There are a lot of people who do great things in the community." SHARM EL-SHEIKH, Egypt (AP) Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi on Wednesday urged rival factions in Sudan to engage in talks to move forward in their transition to democracy after a coup toppled the civilian-led government. The Oct. 25 military takeover has upended Sudans plans to move to democracy after three decades of repression and international sanctions under autocrat Omar al-Bashir. A popular uprising forced the militarys overthrow of al-Bashir and his Islamist government in April 2019. Egypt, which has cultivated close ties with Sudan in recent years, fears that prolonged deadlock would further destabilize its southern neighbor. Following the coup, some Sudanese opposition leaders, including former Foreign Minister Mariam al-Mahdi, suspected that Egypt had given a greenlight for the Sudans military leader, Gen. Abdel-Fattah Burhan, to oust Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdoks government. Egypt pointedly did not sign on to a joint statement with the U.S., Britain, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates calling on the Sudanese military to restore the civilian-led government. Speaking at a news conference at the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh, el-Sissi denied siding with either party in Sudan. He said Egypt supported all parties of the transitional government and insisted that his government doesnt intervene in other countrys internal affairs. The Egyptian leader called on Sudanese parties to agree on a roadmap to stabilize the country and hold elections at the end of the transition. The situation in Sudan needs a political consensus among all existing forces, so it can be a way out of the current crisis, he said. The military takeover has plunged Sudan into political stalemate and relentless street protests that have brought the deaths of more than 60 people since Oct. 25. Protesters want a fully civilian government to lead the government, while the military says it would only hand over power to an elected administration. Story continues The turmoil intensified earlier this month following the resignation of embattled Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok after he failed to reach a compromise between the military and the pro-democracy movement. Hamdok had been removed in the coup only to be reinstated in November as part of an agreement with the military. The deal sidelined the pro-democracy movement, which has mobilized the street protests. Protest groups plan mass demonstrations across the country Thursday to pressure the military. El-Sissi's call came as the United Nations began separate consultations earlier this week with Sudanese groups to build confidence between the military and the pro-democracy movement before they possibly engage in direct talks. The U.N. mission in Sudan urged the military authorities Wednesday to immediately cease a violent crackdown on protesters to help create an atmosphere conducive to these consultations. Ohio Army National Guard Spc. Amanda Heckman prepares to administer a COVID-19 vaccine to an Ohio resident in January 2021. Gov. Mike DeWine deployed members of the Guard to assist hospitals with staffing shortages. As the number of available doctors and nurses continues to drop, the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center is moving away from universal testing for COVID-19. "Thats a step that many health care systems have taken in response to the high volume theyre seeing," OSU Director of Emergency Preparedness Dr. Daniel Bachmann said during a press conference Thursday. Patients coming to the emergency room will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis to see whether a COVID-19 test is needed based on factors like whether the patient has any symptoms or pre-existing conditions that could make catching the coronavirus deadly. Testing every patient "adds to some of the inefficiency" hospitals like OSU are trying to minimize as cases rise even among their own staff. "We are also using our staff in creative ways to provide higher capacity," Bachmann said. It's a practice the Ohio Hospital Association has been hearing about too. "I think hospitals are pivoting to make those changes," OHA spokesman John Palmer said. "I dont know if its a blanket every hospital is doing that." Ohio reported more than 20,000 new cases Wednesday, and the state recently surpassed 100,000 total hospitalizations since the start of the pandemic. More: Health officials warn of no room in hospitals, staff shortages as new COVID-19 record set "The omicron variant continues to sweep through Ohio fueling what is nothing short of a tidal wave," Ohio Department of Health Director Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff said during the press conference. Hospitals across the Buckeye State have asked for help due to staffing shortages. Gov. Mike DeWine deployed the national guard in recent weeks. And President Joe Biden announced the deployment of 20 U.S. Air Force doctors to the Cleveland Clinic Thursday. "What we see in the presidents action is a clear validation that Ohio has been on the front end of this surge," Vanderhoff said. Story continues Cleveland Clinic was the first Ohio hospital to get approved for federal assistance but more troops could be deployed in the coming weeks. "There are other hospitals with whom we have been working," he said. "I dont know the state of those application processes as we are speaking now." Anna Staver is a reporter with the USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau. It serves the Columbus Dispatch, Cincinnati Enquirer, Akron Beacon Journal and 18 other affiliated news organizations across Ohio. This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio hospital stops testing all emergency room patients for COVID-19 A 14-year-old boy who was shot and critically wounded in Englewood Wednesday night has died, officials said. James Sweezer was standing on a sidewalk in the 1400 block of West 73rd Street in the Englewood neighborhood about 8:20 p.m. when someone in a dark-colored sedan opened fire, according to the Cook County medical examiners office and Chicago police. James, who was shot in the head, was pronounced dead at 11:37 p.m. at the University of Chicago Medical Center, the medical examiners office said. James was the second 14-year-old boy to die after being shot on gunfire Wednesday. Earlier in the day, about 4 p.m., a teen was fatally shot on the Near West Side. No one was in custody for either homicide and detectives were investigating. sfreishtat@chicagotribune.com OSLO (Reuters) - The committee that awards the Nobel Peace Prize appealed on Thursday to Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, who won the award in 2019, to halt the conflict unfolding in the country's northern region of Tigray. In a rare critique of a former laureate https://www.reuters.com/article/us-nobel-prize-peace-idUSKBN1WQ12I, the Norwegian Nobel committee said Abiy bore special responsibility for bringing to an end the fighting that broke out in late 2020. The committee generally refrains from commenting the actions of Nobel prize winners after they have won the award. An exception has been Abiy, with the committee having previously expressed its "deep concern" https://www.reuters.com/article/us-ethiopia-conflict-nobel-idUSKBN27X0WZ about the conflict. Thousands of civilians have since been killed and millions displaced in Africa's second most populous nation, with hundreds of thousands facing famine-like conditions. The U.N. has accused the government of operating a de facto blockade of humanitarian aid to the region - an accusation the government denies. In the past week, air strikes killed at least 73 civilians https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/ethiopia-air-strike-tigray-region-killed-least-17-people-aid-workers-citing-2022-01-11 in Tigray, aid workers said. "The humanitarian situation is dire and it's unacceptable that humanitarian aid is not getting through in a sufficient manner," Nobel committee Chair Berit Reiss-Andersen said in a statement. "As prime minister and peace prize laureate Abiy Ahmed has a special responsibility to end the conflict and contribute to making peace." . The government has previously denied targeting civilians in the 14-month-old conflict, which pits Abiy's federal forces and their regional allies, backed by Eritrea, against rebellious forces of the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF). Billene Seyoum, Abiy's spokesperson, said Abiy had taken up the responsibility of stopping the TPLF, which parliament had designated as a terrorist group. Story continues "The Prime Minister has indeed taken up this "special responsibility" of ending the conflict waged on the State by TPLF and has been engaged in putting an end not only to the past year's conflict but the destabilising activities of the TPLF," she told Reuters. Abiy won the Nobel Prize https://www.reuters.com/article/us-nobel-prize-peace-idUSKBN1WQ12I a year after taking office for resolving two decades of hostility with neighbouring Eritrea - also an archenemy of the TPLF, which dominated Ethiopia's government until Abiy came to power. Both sides blame each other for the current conflict. The TPLF accuses Abiy of centralising power at the expense of the regions, which he denies, while Abiy accuses the TPLF of seeking to return to power at the national level, which it rejects. (Reporting by Terje Solsvik; Additional reporting by Addis Ababa Newsroom; Editing by Raissa Kasolowsky) File photo: An Ukrainian soldier stands at the line of separation from pro-Russian rebels, Donetsk region, Ukraine, 10 January 2022 (AP) Europe is closer to war than it has been for three decades, Polands foreign minister Zbigniew Rau has said. Mr Raus warning came on Thursday as diplomatic talks being held between Russia and the West over tensions in Ukraine failed to make progress. Russia is thought to have 100,000 troops stationed on its border with Ukraine, raising concerns over the possibility of an invasion, eight years after Moscow annexed Crimea. In an address to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), which Poland currently chairs, Mr Rau did not mention Russia by name. However, he referred to tensions in Armenia, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine, all of which have clashed with Moscow in the recent past. "It seems that the risk of war in the OSCE area is now greater than ever before in the last 30 years," the Polish minister said. "For several weeks we have been faced with the prospect of a major military escalation in Eastern Europe, he added. The foreign minister expressed his hope for a peaceful resolution in Ukraine, urging other countries to respect its internationally recognised borders. His comments echoed those made by Nato secretary general Jens Stoltenberg, who said on Wednesday that there is a "real risk for a new armed conflict in Europe". He added that the military alliance would do all it could to prevent any such scenario. The Nato leaders words followed talks between his organisation and Russia in Brussels on Wednesday, the first to be held between the pair in over two years. Moscow officials also met with US diplomats in Geneva earlier this week. On Thursday, the Kremlin described both sets of discussions as unsuccessful, adding that fundamental differences remained. Russian president Vladimir Putin wants Nato to end its presence in countries bordering his nation, including Ukraine. He has also demanded that the western alliance does not accept any new members. After the meeting in Brussels on Wednesday, Wendy Sherman, the US deputy secretary of state, reiterated that some of Russias demands "are simply non-starters. "We will not slam the door shut on NATOs open-door policy," she said. "We are not going to agree that Nato cannot expand any further." Agencies have contributed to this report In celebration of what would have been his 93rd birthday, groups across the state will gather to honor the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in the coming days. Check out our list of events around the state commemorating the civil rights icon. A woman in a car in the parade reacts to the crowd for the MLK Day Parade along Walker Ave. during celebrations of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday, Monday, January 20, 2019. [Photo by Doug Hoke/The Oklahoman] Oklahoma City All Oklahoma City events are organized, sponsored or supported by the OKC MLK Coalition in partnership with various organizations. Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Program at St. John Missionary Baptist Church The event will begin at 5:30 p.m. on Sunday at St. John Missionary Baptist Church, 5700 N Kelley Ave. Past events have included periods of worship and messages from speakers. People listen to the MLK Celebration Mass Choir during a service celebrating the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at St. John Missionary Baptist Church, 5700 N Kelley Ave., in Oklahoma City, Sunday, Jan. 20, 2019. Photo by Nate Billings, The Oklahoman NAACP "Cross Cultural" Program with the Temple B'Nai Israel An online only event titled "Justice, Equity, and Democracy: Under Fire?" with keynote speaker Angela Monson will include music, history, and a call to action for justice. The program, in it's 34th year, will begin at 6 p.m. Sunday. Link available on the Temple website at https://thetempleokc.shulcloud.com/. 25th Annual Midwest City Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Prayer Breakfast Though located in Midwest City, this prayer breakfast is officially recognized as the kickoff event for festivities on Monday by the OKC MLK Coalition. The event takes place at 7 a.m. at the Reed Center at The Sheraton Hotel, 5800 Will Rogers Road in Midwest City. Tickets are available online at ticketstorm.com. More: Church-turned-law-office once 'a safe haven' for Black community, base of OKC sit-in movement MLK Day Opening Ceremony, Silent March and Bell Ringing A silent march held in the style of the early civil rights movement events, the march begins at 9 a.m. Monday. Participants travel west from the Freedom Center on NW 23 to the Oklahoma History Center just east of the state capitol. At 11:00 a.m. there is a ceremonial ringing of Oklahoma's replica of the Liberty Bell. Martin Luther King Job Fair Frederick A. Douglass High School, 900 N Martin Luther King Ave., will host a job fair from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday to include various private, government, educational and non-profit employers. Story continues The panel discussion group is introduced at St. Paul's Episcopal Cathedral during celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday, Monday, January 20, 2019. [Photo by Doug Hoke/The Oklahoman] Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Program at St. Paul's Cathedral A program honoring Kings ideals, sacrifice and contributions to our nation will feature prayer, singing, celebration and a pledge committing "publicly and in communion with a diverse community of like-minded people," to nonviolence, peace and the pursuit of justice. The program will begin at noon Monday at St. Paul's Episcopal Cathedral, 126 NW 7. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Parade Immediately following the holiday program at 2 p.m. on Monday, the parade route will start at NW 6 and travel down Walker Avenue, ending near the intersection of Walker and Reno avenues. Parade awards will be presented at the Myriad Gardens Water Stage, 301 W Reno Ave., following the conclusion of the parade. Douglass High School Marching Band at the MLK Day Parade along Walker Ave. during celebrations of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday, Monday, January 20, 2019. [Photo by Doug Hoke/The Oklahoman] MLK Battle of the Bands Frederick A. Douglass and Millwood high schools from Oklahoma City are set to take on Kipp College Prep High School from Tulsa and Universal Academy from Irving, Texas, in a Battle of the Bands honoring Dr. King. Several dance teams will also compete at the event. The event will take place on Monday. Doors will open at 4 p.m. and the show will start at 5 p.m. at Douglass High School, 900 N Martin Luther King Ave. Tickets are on sale at ticketstorm.com or at Douglass High School. Cost: Adults - $15 in advance, $20 at the door; Students(with ID) - $10 in advance, $20 at the door A drum major leads the Millwood High School marching band as it performs along the parade route of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Parade in downtown Oklahoma City on Monday afternoon, Jan. 21, 2019. Photo by Jim Beckel, The Oklahoman. Norman Dr. Martin Luther King Celebration An in-person and live-streamed music event presented by the Norman Philharmonic and the University of Oklahoma's Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion honoring the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The concert will begin at 7:30 p.m. at McFarlin Memorial United Methodist Church, 419 S University Blvd. in Norman. Featured composer Andrew Marshall and the Unity Choir will perform arrangements including "Precious Lord," "We Shall Overcome," "Lift Every Voice and Sing," "He Never Failed Me Yet" and Marshall's original composition, "Change." Event will also include several speakers from OU and Norman Mayor Breea Clark. Tickets can be purchased at normanphil.com. Cost: $15 for adults; $7 children 16 and under More: A celebration of OKC civil rights history, and a recognition there is more left to do Ardmore MLK Celebration and Parade at the HFV Wilson Community Center Parade line- up begins at 9 a.m. Monday Parade Kicks off at Cardinal Park at 10 a.m. and ends at the community center at 625 E Main St. in Ardmore with a celebration to follow. Stillwater Martin Luther King Jr. Day Unity March Stillwater Community United in partnership with the Stillwater Police Department. Oklahoma State University's Division of Institutional Diversity, Stillwater Public Library, and Visit Stillwater will host its annual unity march. Departing from Southern Woods Park at 600 W 12 in Stillwater at 1 p.m. Monday, the march will go past the library, through downtown, arriving at OSUs Spears School of Business. The OSU campus will host additional events throughout the week, including a speaking engagement with journalist Soledad O'Brien at 6 p.m. Thursday. More: As critical race theory stirs national debate, Oklahoma bill seeks to alter teaching of slavery Tulsa Tulsa Martin Luther King Jr. Parade Hosted by the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemoration Society Inc., the parade will celebrate its 43rd anniversary this year and is slated to have over 160 entries. The parade is set to begin at 11 a.m. Monday at the corner of Detroit Avenue and John Hope Franklin Boulevard in Tulsa. Organizers ask attendees to "consider wearing masks so we can do our part to keep Covid numbers down." Muskogee 2022 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Parade & Celebration The event will kick-off at 7:30 a.m. Monday at the Martin Luther King Community Center, 300 W Martin Luther King St. in Muskogee, with a pancake breakfast. That will be followed by a 10 a.m. worship service. Parade line-up begins at 11 a.m. with the parade starting at noon. An after-party with music will last until 3 p.m. and food trucks will be at the community center. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: How you can celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day in Oklahoma By Elizabeth Culliford (Reuters) - Facebook owner Meta Platforms said on Thursday it would "assess the feasibility" of commissioning an independent human rights assessment into its work in Ethiopia, after its oversight board recommended a review of how Facebook and Instagram have been used to spread content that heightens the risk of violence there. The board, set up by the company to address criticism over its handling of problematic material, makes binding decisions on a small number of challenging content moderation cases and provides non-binding policy recommendations. Meta has been under scrutiny from lawmakers and regulators over user safety and its handling of abuses on its platforms across the world, particularly after whistleblower Frances Haugen leaked internal documents that showed the company's struggles in policing content in countries where such speech was most likely to cause harm, including Ethiopia. Thousands have died and millions have been displaced during a year-long conflict between the Ethiopian government and rebellious forces from the northern Tigray region. The social media giant said it has "invested significant resources in Ethiopia to identify and remove potentially harmful content," as part of its response to the board's December recommendations on a case involving content posted in the country. The oversight board last month upheld Meta's original decision to remove a post alleging the involvement of ethnic Tigrayan civilians in atrocities in Ethiopia's Amhara region. As Meta had restored the post after the user's appeal to the board, the company had to again remove the content. On Thursday, Meta said while it had taken the post down, it disagreed with the board's reasoning that it should have been removed because it was an "unverified rumor" that significantly increased the risk of imminent violence. It said this would impose "a journalistic publishing standard on people." Story continues An oversight board spokesman said in a statement: "Metas existing policies prohibit rumors that contribute to imminent violence that cannot be debunked in a meaningful timeframe, and the Board made recommendations to ensure these policies are effectively applied in conflict situations." "Rumors alleging an ethnic group is complicit in atrocities, as found in this case, have the potential to lead to grave harm to people," they said. The board had recommended that Meta commission a human rights due diligence assessment, to be completed in six months, which should include a review of Meta's language capabilities in Ethiopia and a review of measures taken prevent the misuse of its services in the country. However, the company said not all elements of this recommendation "may be feasible in terms of timing, data science or approach." It said it would continue its existing human rights due diligence and should have an update on whether it could act on the board's recommenation within the next few months. Reuters' previous reporting on Myanmar and other countries has investigated how Facebook struggled to monitor content across the world in different languages. In 2018, U.N. human rights investigators said the use of Facebook had played a key role in spreading hate speech that fueled violence in Myanmar. Meta, which has said that it was too slow to prevent misinformation and hate in Myanmar, has said that the company now has native speakers worldwide reviewing content in more than 70 languages which work to stop abuse on its platforms in places where there is a heightened risk of conflict and violence. The board also recommended that Meta rewrite its value statement on safety to reflect that online speech can pose a risk to the physical security of persons and their right to life. The company said it would make changes to this value, in a partial implementation of the recommendation. (Reporting by Elizabeth Culliford; Editing by Nick Zieminski) Fayetteville Police Chief Gina Hawkins filed a petition with the courts Tuesday requesting the release of body camera footage that will show exchanges between Fayetteville police officers and three witnesses at the scene of the fatal shooting Saturday of Jason Walker by off-duty Cumberland County Sheriff's Office Lt. Jeffrey Hash. The petition, filed on the third day of demonstrations in the city demanding justice in the case, suggests the request is made to rebut statements made by Elizabeth Ricks and Chase Sorrell. Ricks was a passerby who attempted to render aid to the dying Walker. Sorrell, her fiance, recorded the aftermath of the scene which has since gone viral on the internet. "Two witnesses have made comments on social media, released a video, and spoke at a protest regarding this incident, generating significant public attention," the petition states. "The body worn camera of officers captured the statements of three witnesses. FPD is seeking public release of the witness statement recordings to advance compelling public interest, release would not create a serious threat to the fair administration of justice." Under North Carolina law passed in 2016, body worn and dash camera footage is not public record and can only be released by order of the court. Anyone can petition the court for its release. Related: 911 call audio released in Jason Walker shooting death in Fayetteville Related: Fayetteville police, DA say outside agencies to investigate shooting death of Fayetteville man Related: 911 call audio released in Jason Walker shooting death in Fayetteville Hawkins said in a Sunday press conference and again Wednesday in a radio interview that an individual who witnessed the incident and was interviewed by police, supported Hash's contention that Walker was the aggressor. She said Ricks made a statement at the scene where she did not state Walker as hit by the truck. "She says she saw the car hit the man. Did she tell you or any other Fayetteville PD personnel that same thing," radio host Jeff "Goldy" Goldberg asked Hawkins during an interview Wednesday on a WFNC broadcast. Story continues "She did not," Hawkins said. "She didn't?" Goldy asked. "That's correct," Hawkins replied. Ricks has said she attempted to reach a police investigator after giving a statement at the scene but was unable. "Video of the incident has already been released by persons present at the time and has generated significant public attention," Hawkins' petition said, apparently referencing Sorrell's video which he posted to social media. "Special Prosecutor Kimberly Spahos stated her position on this matter is they do not consent to the release but do not oppose the release." On Sunday, Hawkins and Cumberland County District Attorney Billy West each handed over the case to outside agencies. The State Bureau of Investigation is conducting the criminal probe and the North Carolina Conference of District Attorneys, with which Spahos is a prosecutor, is handling any prosecution that may arise. The court filing states Superior Court Judge James Ammons was provided a copy of the videos on Wednesday to review. A hearing date does not appear to have yet been set. Military & Crime Editor F.T. Norton can be reached at fnorton@fayobserver.com. Support local journalism with a subscription to The Fayetteville Observer. Click the "subscribe" link at the top of this article. This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Fayetteville chief asks court to release footage of Jason Walker death HELSINKI (Reuters) - Finland cut the length of its COVID quarantine from 10 days to five for most cases, its public health authority said on Thursday. It will still be possible for doctors to order a longer quarantine period of up to 10 days if need be, it said. With the Omicron variant, "the progress of infection development has speeded up and therefore the quarantine length of ten days is no longer justifiable the way it was before," public health authority THL's chief physician Otto Helve told reporters. Finland reported 53,600 new COVID cases over a week, up by more than 27% from the week before, but authorities said the numbers were no longer reliable due to lack of testing capacity caused by the rapid spread of the Omicron variant in the country. The country's total death toll from the pandemic is more than 1,700. The need for intensive care had remained stable, THL said, while the number of hospilised patients has doubled to 690 over two weeks. This week, local authorities began to rebel against the government's test and trace strategy, saying it was impossible to implement amid rising case numbers. Finland's government was due to meet on Thursday to discuss whether or not all restaurants in the country were to be ordered to close completely. At the moment, alcohol sales at restaurants ends at 5 p.m. and all restaurants must close at 6 p.m. The public health authority was cautiously hopeful that the Omicron peak could curb within a month or so. "In the other Nordics there is an idea that it could take a few weeks and for us (in Finland) maybe a little longer," Helve said. (Reporting by Anne Kauranen; Editing by Angus MacSwan) U.S. record of torturing prisoners under renewed scrutiny as notorious Guantanamo Bay camp turns 20 Xinhua) 16:56, January 12, 2022 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." (Web editor: Peng Yukai, Liang Jun) A Chicago police officer has been relieved of police powers after shooting three people at a bowling alley in south suburban Blue Island on Tuesday. It was not clear what sparked the attack, which happened shortly before midnight after a fight at the Burr Oak Bowl, 3030 W. 127th St., according to Ephraim Eaddy, spokesman for the Civilian Office of Police Accountability, and Chicago police. Advertisement Two of the people shot were taken to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, where they remain and where their conditions have been stabilized, Blue Island police Chief Geoffery Farr said in a statement. According to the Civilian Office of Police Accountability (COPA), a Chicago police officer has been relieved of their police powers after shooting three people at the Burr Oak Bowl in Blue Island, Jan. 12, 2022. (John J. Kim / Chicago Tribune) A third drove himself to a hospital after suffering a graze wound and was later discharged, Farr said. Advertisement The officer, who was off-duty at the time and still in the probationary period for new hires, was taken into custody, Chicago police said. A second, unidentified, person was taken into custody at the scene, Farr said. The shooting was being investigated by COPA and the Blue Island Police Department. COPA urged anyone with information to call 312-746-3609. oolander@chicagotribune.com A large fire at a commercial yard in Adelanto destroyed two buildings, including a former fire station, on Wednesday as San Bernardino County firefighters battled intense flames and other hazards. Numerous 911 callers reported hearing explosions and seeing flames around 4:35 p.m. in the area of Baldwin Street and Hardy Avenue, said Mike McClintock, a battalion chief with the county Fire Protection District. "Crews arrived to find a large commercial yard well involved with fire," McClintock said. "Multiple exposures, including a strip mall, multiple homes and old Fire Station 321, were threatened by the large fire." Firefighters worked to keep the flames from spreading to the neighboring buildings while also working away from downed power lines at the scene, he said. "Due to the large fire and threats, a second alarm was quickly requested," McClintock said. "Limited water supply and downed power lines hampered firefighting efforts." Crews knocked down the blaze at 7:30 p.m., he said. Two buildings were destroyed, including the former fire station. A landscaping company also suffered losses to its products and yard, but firefighters were able to keep the blaze from spreading to a nearby strip mall and homes. Southern California Edison crews were called to handle the downed power lines, McClintock said. No one was injured by the fire. Units from the Victorville Fire Department and Apple Valley Fire Protection District also responded to the blaze, he said. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Sparring partners Anthony Fauci and Rand Paul threw down in the Senate again this week. The Republican Senator and the federal governments lead infectious disease expert clashed over emails from early in the pandemic warning of possible gain of function research at the Wuhan Institute of Virology in the creation of Covid-19. Mr Paul asked Mr Fauci it was appropriate to use his $420,000 salary to attack scientists who disagreed with the science of Mr Faucis, who has become the public face of the federal governments Covid response. In usual fashion, senator, you are distorting everything about me, Mr Fauci said. There you go again, you just do the same thing every hearing, he added. The latest in the long-running battle of one-upmanship provided more zingers between the two, with Mr Fauci increasingly frustrated over questions from some Republicans. Here are five times the pair have clashed during the Covid-19 pandemic: I have no responsibility for the current pandemic At the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions in November 2020, Mr Paul confronted Mr Fauci about a letter from the National Institute of Health purported to contradict previous testimony that the agency never funded gain of function research in Wuhan. The letter said that experiments in Wuhan funded by the NIH through grants to EcoHealth Alliance created viruses that made mice sicker than those infected with the original version. As sometimes occurs in science, this was an unexpected result of the research, as opposed to something that the researchers set out to do, the letter said. That distinction, according to the NIH, meant it did not fit the definition of gain of function research, which it rebranded to the newly coined term research involving enhanced pathogens of pandemic potential (ePPP). Mr Paul asked Mr Fauci if he would resign in light of the NIH letter, which was claimed to show he lied before Congress when claiming they never funded such research in China. Story continues You have said that I am unwilling to take any responsibility for the current pandemic. I have no responsibility for the current pandemic, Mr Fauci responded. As usual, and I have a great deal of respect for this body of the Senate, and it makes me very uncomfortable to have to say something, but he is egregiously incorrect in what he says, Dr Fauci continued. Mr Paul fired back: History will figure that out on its own:. If anybody is lying here, senator, its you Mr Fauci officially submitted to the Senate record in July 2021 that Mr Paul does not, quite frankly, know what hes talking about. Mr Paul suggested Mr Fauci may want to retract his statement on 11 May that the NIH never funded gain of function research in Wuhan, knowing it is a crime to lie to Congress. In response, Mr Fauci said he has never lied before Congress and that he does not retract the statement. He snapped at Mr Fauci to let me finish his explanation of how his staff had determined the research being referenced did not fall under the definition of gain of function research. Senator Paul, you do not know what youre talking about, quite frankly, and I want to say that officially, Dr Fauci said. You do not know what youre talking about. If anybody is lying here, senator, its you, he added. You are entirely and completely incorrect Mr Paul directly accused the National Institute of Health of funding research at a lab in Wuhan that resulted in the increased transmissibility of viruses, despite a ban on the so-called gain of function research in the US since 2014. Can you imagine if a SARs virus that has been juiced up, and had viral proteins added to it, to the spike protein, if that were released accidentally? Mr Paul asked. Mr Fauci replied that Mr Paul is entirely and completely incorrect and the NIH has not ever funded research they define as gain of function a the Wuhan Institute of Virology. And also, if it is, it is according to the guidelines and it is being conducted in North Carolina, not China. I do not have any accounting of what the Chinese may have done, and Im fully in favour of any further investigation of what went on in China, Mr Fauci said. However, I will repeat again, the NIH and the NIAID categorically has not funded gain-of-function research to be conducted in the Wuhan Institute of Virology. Here we go again with the theatre The pair returned to jousting in March 2021 when Dr Fauci deflected claims his pandemic guidelines were political theatre by declaring that it was, actually, Mr Paul going again with the theatre. Mr Paul asked Mr Fauci why it was still necessary to wear masks after getting the recently released vaccine, which at the time was claimed would prevent transmission of the virus. If were not spreading the infection, isnt it just theatre? You have the vaccine and youre wearing two masks, isnt that theatre? Mr Paul asked. A visibly annoyed Dr Fauci responded, Here we go again with the theatre. Lets get down to the facts. Mr Fauci said the threat of new variants resistant to the vaccine was a good reason for a mask. Mr Paul continued to interject, repeating: Youve been vaccinated and you parade around in two masks for show! You are not listening In September 2020, Mr Fauci lost his patience and told Mr Paul he was not listening during a Senate hearing on the US response to the pandemic. Mr Paul jabbed at Mr Fauci by saying the Covid expert was a big fan of Andrew Cuomo who jumped up and down saying the former governor did a great job despite New Yorks scandal-plagued pandemic response. Youve misconstrued that, senator, and youve done that repeatedly in the past, Mr Fauci said. They got hit very badly and they made some mistakes. He went on to say New Yorks testing positivity rate was around 1 per cent due to the official guidelines of masks, social distancing and washing hands. When Mr Paul suggested New York could have achieved herd immunity, a frustrated Mr Fauci said this happens with Senator Rand all the time. You are not listening to what the director of the CDC said that in New York its about 22 per cent. If you believe 22 per cent is herd immunity I believe youre alone in that. Columbus police cruiser A former Columbus police officer pleaded guilty Thursday to a felony charge of gross sexual imposition for inappropriately touching a 10-year-old girl whom he also was accused of videotaping naked. Raymond A. Rose III, 31, of the East Side, could be placed on probation or sent to prison for up to five years when he is sentenced on March 23 by Franklin County Common Pleas Judge Dan Hawkins. Rose must also register as a sex offender every six months for the next 25 years. Felony charges against Rose for use of a minor in nudity-oriented video material and pandering sexually-oriented video material involving a minor were dismissed as part of a plea agreement. According to court records, Rose was off duty when he videotaped the private area of the girl on July 20, 2020, inside a private residence. He was arrested three months later after an investigation by the Franklin County Sheriff's Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. Assistant Franklin County Prosecutor Sayje Brown told the judge that the child's mother found the video on Rose's phone. The incident was reported to the Columbus police internal affairs unit. Because a Columbus police officer was involved and was accused of an off-duty crime, the police division turned the investigation over to the Franklin County Sheriff's Office. READ MORE: At least 12 Columbus police officers have faced criminal charges since 2019. Rose, who was placed on administrative leave by Columbus police when the charges were filed, "resigned in bad standing" from the division on April 14, 2021, said Sgt. James Fuqua, a police spokesman. Rose had worked as a patrol bureau officer since 2015. jfutty@dispatch.com @johnfutty This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Accused of videotaping naked child, ex-Columbus cop admits sex offense Samaa Mahmoud, left, Mariam Alhallak, center, and Yasmen Almashan stand outside a German courthouse with pictures of relatives who died in Syria. (Martin Meissner / Associated Press) In what was seen as a watershed moment in the fight for accountability in Syrias war, a German court convicted a former Syrian intelligence officer on Thursday of carrying out crimes against humanity while heading a detention center in Damascus. The decision wrapped up what activists and human rights advocates say is a landmark trial over systematic torture perpetrated by Syrias government. Anwar Raslan, a 58-year-old colonel in the Syrian state security apparatus who worked in the Branch 251 detention center during 2011 and 2012, was handed a life sentence in prison by a court in the German city of Koblenz. It was the second conviction of a Syrian government official for crimes against humanity. Almost one year ago, the same court sentenced Eyad Gharib, an underling of Raslan, to 4 years in prison. The two mean were arrested in February 2019; Raslan came to Germany as a refugee in 2014 after having escaped Syria in 2012. German prosecutors tried them under the principle of universal jurisdiction, which holds that national courts can have jurisdiction over crimes against international law even if they take place outside the countrys territory. Its an important day for us, and Ive been looking forward to it because for us and other Syrians, this is the day where there is a clear sentence, said plaintiff Wassim Mukdad, a Syrian musician who had been interrogated in Branch 251, that torture and crimes committed in the prison of the regime are methodical and systematic and not individual cases. In a measure of the trials significance, crowds began to line up early Thursday morning to gain entry to the courthouse in Koblenz, a tiny city on the Rhine. When the verdict was announced, a television broadcast from inside the court depicted Raslan hunched over and hiding his face behind a drab gray garment draped over his head. For the first time, a higher-ranking member of the Syrian regime has been convicted of crimes against humanity also thanks to the tireless work of many activists and NGOs, said Patrick Kroker, a representative for the plaintiffs and a lawyer with the European Center for Constitutional and Human Rights. Story continues "The verdict today is only a first step in addressing the crimes in Syria but this first step is often the most difficult." The trial's conclusion comes amid a slow-roll move toward normalization with Syria, where President Bashar Assad remains firmly in power even as the war has stalemated into low-level simmer. In recent months, countries in the region have re-established links with Damascus, and there have been growing calls for Syria to rejoin the Arab League. With little hope of dislodging Assad and his government, the president's adversaries have instead resorted to European courts to hold war criminals accountable in a conflict that was at its height a charnel house: Government airstrikes, indiscriminate shelling and brutal ground incursions killed hundreds of thousands of people, reduced millions more to refugees and turned the countrys name into a synonym for misery. But Raslans trial is more about how it began. In 2011,when the fervor of the Arab Spring revolutions in Tunisia and Egypt reached Syria, protests bloomed all over the country against the government, the Assad dynasty and the cronyism that had beggared the nation to the benefit of far too few. Assad vowed to retaliate. Girding that retaliation was a network of Stasi-esque security services, whose cadres rounded up protesters by the hundreds and dumped them in what the plaintiffs said was an interrogation and torture machine of an almost industrial scale, including at Branch 251, which is known as Al Khatib. During the trial, witnesses described a gallery of torture techniques: Detainees were brutally and regularly beaten, suspended from their hands, subjected to electroshock and housed in filthy conditions for weeks if not months. The saying among former inmates was that those who are inside are missing, and those outside are born again. As head of Al Khatibs investigations department, Raslan had been accused of overseeing the murder of 58 people and the torture of at least 4,000 detainees. He denied all charges and insisted that he had tried to help those he could. The case is expected to pave the way for other convictions. "The importance of this trial isnt that its the first one in the world against Assads crimes, but that its also looking at crimes that are still ongoing," said Joumana Seif, a Syrian human rights activist and lawyer at the European rights center. "It establishes a precedent as to what the punishment will be for these crimes." She added that she expected similar cases to be brought forward at an increasing pace, including one set to start this month against a Syrian doctor accused of beating and torturing detainees at Syrian military intelligence hospitals, as well as burning the genitals of a 14-year-old boy. Throughout its 107 hearings, the trial raised questions about culpability and the responsibility of individuals in a system. In their closing statements, Raslans lawyers insisted they werent defending the actions of the Syrian government but that Raslan, as a mere colonel, was in no position to object to detainees treatment without putting himself in danger. He also cuts a less black-and-white figure than the case would suggest. Raslan had defected toward the end of 2012 after a massacre in his hometown. He escaped to Jordan before joining the rebels, rising high enough to represent the opposition in United Nations-backed talks in Geneva in 2014. Raslan went from there to being an asylum seeker in Germany. He went to the police in Germany because he suspected his former colleagues in the Syrian spy agencies were following him. Police then probed his background and arrested him, with his trial beginning in 2020. Critics and even advocates acknowledge that Raslans case is likely to do little to change things inside Syria. If you dont get the top heads of the security services and very high-ranking groups, no matter how many previous security officers youre prosecuting, it wont matter, said Mohammad Abdallah, director of the Syria Justice and Accountability Center. Hes not the justice the Syrian people are asking for, but instead it's for a small subset of some of the victims. Mazen Darwish, a lawyer who heads the Paris-based Syrian Center for Media and Freedom of Expression and who testified in the trial, also acknowledged the shortcomings. To be realistic, these courts arent justice, nor the best or first choice to achieving it. We turn to them because were unable to achieve justice in Syria, Darwish said. Nevertheless, he said the trial was foundational" and had value. "It moves our reports and documentation of rights groups [of Syrian government torture] from the framework of claims to the framework of judicial, legal facts, and this is very significant." Mukdad, the former detainee and plaintiff, who now lives in Germany, also views the trial as an important first step. Its not the end but the beginning, he said. It wont end until Bashar Assad and his top helpers in the army, security and intelligence go before courts for the crimes they perpetrated against Syrians. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. The city of Columbus Inspector General will investigate complaints of misconduct by members of the Columbus Division of Police, whose headquarters Downtown is shown here in this file photo. The successful candidate will be chosen from four finalists by the Civilian Police Review Board and appointed by Mayor Andrew J. Ginther to a five-year term. There is an option for a second five-year term. A virtual town hall will be held Jan. 20 to introduce Columbus to the four finalists vying to become the city's first Inspector General, who will oversee investigations into misconduct by city police. The town hall will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. and will be broadcast on the city's YouTube and Facebook pages, as well as on CTV. The four candidates who will be participating are Pamela Davis, David Harper, Jacqueline Hendricks-Moore and Rena Shak. Prior coverage: Columbus has 29 applicants for first Inspector General investigating police misconduct Semi-finalists named: Pool of candidates for Columbus' first police Inspector General narrowed to 13 The finalists The four candidates were picked from an original pool of nearly 30 applicants from across the country. The search firm Ralph Andersen and Associates, which also helped the city in searches for the chiefs of the police and fire divisions, narrowed the pool to a smaller group of 13 before cutting that group to four finalists. The successful candidate will be chosen by the Civilian Review Board and be appointed by Mayor Andrew J. Ginther to a five-year term. There is an option for a second five-year term. The Inspector General will be able to hire their own investigators to look into allegations of misconduct by Columbus police. The Fraternal Order of Police Capitol City Lodge No. 9 is not commenting on the search or the finalists for inspector general. Two of the four finalists are from Detroit, where Columbus police Chief Elaine Bryant and Assistant Chief LaShanna Potts served before being hired by Columbus in June 2021. Here are brief summaries of each of the candidates: Pamela Davis Pamela Davis is one of four finalists to be the city's first Inspector General. Davis is the former chief investigator for the Detroit Board of Police Commissioners, and Hendricks-Moore is currently a senior investigator for Detroit's Office of the Inspector General. According to her application materials, Davis served as the chief investigator for five years before leaving the position in July 2017. She also worked as the Deputy Court Administrator for the Sixth Judicial Circuit Court's family division in Pontiac, Michigan for seven and a half years. Davis holds a doctorate degree in ministry from Drew University in New Jersey. Story continues In her cover letter, Davis wrote that she knows her team, if hired, would have to work with the Fraternal Order of Police and the community to get buy-in for the work that has to be done. "If selected as Inspector General, I will always provide honest, rather than popular responses," Davis wrote. Jacqueline Hendricks-Moore Hendricks-Moore has worked in the Detroit Inspector General's office since 2013, taking that position after retiring as a Detroit police sergeant. Jacqueline Hendricks-Moore is one of four finalists to be the city's first Inspector General. According to her resume, Hendricks-Moore has been involved in a number of investigations in Detroit that have led to significant policy changes, including a change to how city identification badges can be used. While a sergeant for Detroit police, Hendricks-Moore was a member of the Use of Force Investigation Unit, tasked with helping to respond to use of force incidents involving officers. While a graduate student at Central Michigan University in 2015, Hendricks-Moore was one of six people selected to travel to Seoul, South Korea, to participate in an audit of that city's government and provide recommendations to improve operations. David Harper Harper is the appointed Inspector General for the state of Florida's Department of Financial Services. David Harper is one of four finalists to be the city's first Inspector General. According to his resume, Harper has been the state's Inspector General since August 2018 and helps oversee investigations into fraud allegations within several state agencies. Prior to going to Florida, Harper served as the Inspector General for Albuquerque, New Mexico, for two years and worked as chief of economic crime investigations for the Air Force Office of Special Investigations for eight years. In his cover letter, Harper wrote that the Inspector General in Columbus will have many priorities as they come on the job, with one of the most important being a building of trust within the community. "To accomplish this, there are several essential requirements which include embracing transparency, ensuring accountability, and acting with constant integrity and objectivity in all interactions and processes with community members and City leaders," Harper wrote. Rena Shak Shak is the only local candidate. She is a staff attorney for the Franklin County Public Defender's office Common Pleas Court unit. Shak also ran for Franklin County Municipal Court judge in 2021. Rena Shak is one of four finalists to be the city's first Inspector General. According to her resume, Shak has worked at the public defender's office since 2014 and has been in the Common Pleas Court unit since 2016. She is a graduate of Ohio State University and Capital University's law school. Shak said in her application materials that she grew up in an immigrant family and has a unique outlook on helping others with diverse backgrounds, an understanding also boosted by working with clients who are largely unable to afford their own attorneys and statistically more likely to end up involved with law enforcement. "My office has a deep appreciation for the need for responsible and effective community policing," Shak wrote. "There is a critical need to work toward more-responsible policing tactics, which means holding those accountable for wrongdoing, while encouraging ethical policing practices." Got questions for the candidates? Questions for the candidates may be submitted through email to civilianreviewboard@columbus.gov in advance of the town hall or during the event. bbruner@dispatch.com @bethany_bruner This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Four finalists named for first Columbus Inspector General position Spencer Boggs walks his dog Chief on the paved path at Freer Field in front of the new Ashland County Park District Visitor Center and Offices on Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2022. ASHLAND The Ashland County Park District Visitor Center will be open to the public this weekend, a culmination of a five-year project. More: Ashland Schine's Theatre eyeing 2022 reopening after extensive reconstruction Ashland County Park District Director Stephanie Featheringill and staff shared an office space at the Ashland County Service Center off state Route 60. With other organizations occupying the Service Center, Featheringill wanted the Park District to have its own location. Specifically at one of its parks. Freer Field became the location for the organization's home of operations. Being known for the BalloonFest, wide and open green spaces and right in the heart of Ashland, Freer Field became the ideal spot for the district's home. What's new at Freer Field? Ashland County Park District Director Stephanie Featheringill is seen here Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2022 in her office at the new Ashland County Park District Visitor Center and Offices. An open-air pavilion, park office, community room, indoor restrooms and picnic tables are the added additions for Freer Field park enthusiasts. Featheringill has received roughly a dozen serious inquiries about reserving the community room. "We are officially ready for anybody who's interested in having an event there," Featheringill said. Payment options will begin at $250 for a weekend and $200 during the week, Featheringill said. An open house for the visitor center is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. Visitors will be able to tour the building, Featheringill said. Park commissioners will speak at the event and a proclamation will be given. Ashland resident Emma Delay welcomes the addition of the new restrooms and visitor center at Freer Field since she lives pretty close and walks the trails several times a week. How the Ashland County Park District Visitor Center came to be After passing a levy in 2016 and a renewal levy in 2020, the Park District will receive an additional $500,000 for the next five years from the levies. The estimated total of the project was roughly $540,000 $40,000 over original projections, Featheringill said. Story continues The original idea was to just build restrooms for Freer Field but due to the passage of the levy, other additions were able to come to fruition. "We've been talking about this for years," Featheringill said. "It just kept expanding and growing." Ashland County Park District recently acquired two improvement grants from the Clean Ohio Fund. This grant will provide 75% of the funding and the Park District will match the other 25%. Cooke Family Wildlife Conservation Park will receive $153,000. It'll go toward paving a new driveway and new parking lot near the fishing pond allowing for handicap access. Hurdle Waterfowl Park will receive $246,000. It'll go toward paving a one mile paved trial. The Park District will use a state grant of $300,000 to expand a parking lot that currently can accommodate eight vehicles and add a restroom at Freer Field. With the parking lot expansion, 20 vehicles will be able to park near the barn entrance of Freer Field. Reach Grant at gritchey@gannett.com On Twitter: @ritchey_grant This article originally appeared on Ashland Times Gazette: County park visitor center opens after a five-year plan in the making Galen College of Nursing, a private nursing college, announced Thursday plans to open campuses in Gainesville and Sarasota, bringing its footprint in Florida to four sites. The Galen College campus in Gainesville will be at the former Infinite Energy campus on SW 24th Avenue which closed after Infinite Energy was acquired by Atlanta-based Gas South in October 2020. Galen College is owned by Nashville-based HCA Healthcare, which also owns North Florida Regional Medical Center in Gainesville and several associated clinics. HCA announced plans recently to build a second hospital in Gainesville on Archer Road at I-75. VA expansion: New southwest Gainesville outpatient VA clinics' construction celebrated with beam signing We are beyond thrilled to welcome Galen College of Nursing to Gainesville and we look forward to our consistent collaboration which stands to be of significant benefit to our patients, colleagues, and the communities we serve now and in the future, said Eric Lawson, CEO of North Florida Regional Medical Center, in an email from a hospital spokesperson. The first term for new students will consist of online education instead of in-person classes. Admissions appointments can be scheduled by calling (877) 223-7040 or visiting galencollege.edu. Galen College students in Florida taking the licensing exam for licensed practical nurses passed at 94% in 2019, compared to a national average of 86%. Those in the program for registered nurses with an associate's degree passed at 94%, compared to a national average of 85%. The Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics, which tracks workforce data, projects job openings for 194,500 registered nurses each year through 2030 to fill new positions or replace retiring nurses. The median annual pay for an RN nationally was $75,330 in 2020, according to the federal bureau. This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: HCA-owned nursing college plans campuses in Gainesville, Sarasota A sign faces South New Hope Road at the entrance to Cramer Woods Friday morning; Oct. 15; 2021. A Gastonia planning board denied a rezoning request that would have allowed a developer to build 102 townhomes in the Cramer Woods neighborhood off South New Hope Road. More than 100 Cramer Woods residents attended the public hearing held last week in opposition to the project. Atlanta-based real estate company Kaplan Residential had asked the city to rezone 14 acres in the neighborhood of mostly brick, single-family homes to allow multi-family housing. If approved, the townhomes would have been built in a mostly wooded area at the subdivision entrance and intersection of Cramer Wood Drive and South New Hope Road. Some of the residents attending the meeting held signs with the words "say no to rezoning" across the front, similar to signs lining South New Hope Road just outside the neighborhood. Residents' biggest concerns surround the potential decrease in their property value with Kaplan bringing rental properties into their subdivision. "These are not townhomes that theyre building. Lets be real, these are apartments, said Cramer Woods resident Laurie Wince. Developers countered by telling the planning board they were building "luxury townhomes" where rents would range from $1,700 to more than $2,000 per month. Those types of rents would attract people who could afford to buy homes, but are choosing to rent for personal reasons, project manager Ryan Welch told the board. Those already living in Cramer Woods also voiced concerns over increased traffic, particularly concerning those taking children to neighborhood schools Cramerton Middle and New Hope Elementary. "While we are disappointed by the rezoning meeting outcome, we remain nimble as we evaluate next steps," said Kaplan. "We remain committed to Gaston County, seen through our upcoming 322-unit project in Belmont breaking ground this week, and look forward to introducing additional thoughtful and successful residential properties throughout the Southeast." Story continues Morris Kaplan, president of Kaplan Residential, remains undecided whether he will appeal the Planning Commission's decision to Gastonia City Council. Residents in the Cramer Woods neighborhood had opposed the project for months leading up to last week's meeting. Reach Janiya Winchester at 704-869-1842 or jwinchester@gannett.com This article originally appeared on The Gaston Gazette: Gastonia board rejects townhome project in Cramer Woods neighborhood A man has been charged in connection with the death of a 16-year-old boy who was fatally shot last year in Little Village, authorities announced Thursday. Joliet resident Santos Chavez, 27, was charged with first-degree murder related to the Feb. 21 shooting of teenager Alberto Flores, according to a news release from the Chicago Police Department. Advertisement Chavez was arrested Wednesday by members of the Great Lakes Fugitive Apprehension Task Force in the 300 block of Oneida Street in Joliet, the same block listed as his home address. Chavez allegedly was identified as the man who fatally shot 16-year-old Flores in the chest last year in the 3300 block of West 30th Street, but authorities did not immediately release additional details about the investigation. Advertisement Chavez is expected to appear before a judge for a bond hearing Thursday. . Check back for updates. tatturner@chicagotribune.com Hello, Central Jersey readers. Here are a few stories you might not want to miss today: Click here to subscribe to your local Patch. This article originally appeared on the Princeton Patch (Getty Images) Google is planning to add an option to its Wear OS smart watches so they can be used by left-handed people. Spotted on Reddit by journalist Mishaal Rahman, one user had complained on Googles Issue Tracker website that they could not wear their smart watch on their right hand properly. my android wear watch has buttons on one side. and i would like to wear the watch upside down on my other arm (i am left handed.), they wrote. Four years later, a Google employee finally responded to the message. Our development team has implemented the feature you have requested and will be available on future new devices. Unfortunately, this means that left-handed people will have to purchase a new smart watch in order to receive the feature. That isnt very helpful for those of us that have been tracking this issue for the past few years, one replied. Good news! You can use your smartwatch ambidextrously now! Well, not your smartwatch, you have to buy a new one. Yes, thats correct. Your smartwatch is still useless. There is also no timescale for when this feature could be added to Wear OS 3. Google has said that the new version of its wearable software will start rolling out in the second half of 2022, giving left-handed people a long time to wait for a feature that many would have welcomed years ago. Moreover, the list of watches that will get that update are limited only Mobvoi, TicWatch, Fossil, and Samsung have been mentioned so far. Google is also reportedly working on its own potentially Pixel-branded smart watch launching this year since acquiring Fitbit, but news about that endeavor has been scarce. The Apple Watch, meanwhile, has had a similar feature available for users since 201. Apples wearable is not compatible with Android devices. Google did not respond to a request for comment from The Independent before time of publication. (Getty Images) Representative Warren Davidson of Ohio has been condemned by Jewish groups for comparing a vaccine policy to the Nazi regime. The congressman retweeted a post from District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser, who shared a video about the new Covid vaccine regulations. "This has been done before. #DoNotComply" wrote Mr Davidson, along with a picture of a Nazi health pass. From Saturday, people over 12 years old will be required to be fully vaccinated to go to restaurants, bars and coffee shops, plus theatres, and gyms in Washington DC. "Lets recall that the Nazis dehumanised Jewish people before segregating them, segregated them before imprisoning them, imprisoned them before enslaving them, and enslaved them before massacring them, the congressman added. Jewish groups have said Mr Davidson's comparison is "exploiting of the tragedy" of those who were murdered in the holocaust. "Exploiting of the tragedy of all people who between 1933-45 suffered, were humiliated, tortured & murdered by the totalitarian regime of Nazi Germany in a debate about vaccines and Covid limitations in the time of global pandemic is a sad symptom of moral and intellectual decay, wrote Auschwitz Memorial in response. Jewish Democratic Representative Dean Phillips of Minnesota told Mr Davidson that the use of such imagery wasnt just a repugnant and dangerous false equivalency, but deeply offensive and painful for Jewish people, Mr Phillips said to CNN. I said Id debate mandates and tyranny whenever he wishes, but theres no debate on the offence of his post. He could have cared less. The Anti-Defamation League agreed that Mr Davidsons comparison was "minimising the Holocaust in this way is deeply offensive and harmful," the organisation wrote on Twitter. Georgia Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, has made similar comments, including comparing mandatory mask-wearing to the yellow stars of David that the Nazis forced Jews to wear. While Colorado Representative Lauren Boebert previously tweeted that a federal effort to go door to door to persuade those who had not yet been vaccinated as "needle Nazis". "Biden has deployed his Needle Nazis to Mesa County," Ms Boebert tweeted. "The people of my district are more than smart enough to make their own decisions about the experimental vaccine and don't need coercion by federal agents. Coronavirus vaccines are not "experimental". They are fully authorised for use by the US Food and Drug Administration. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that Covid-19 vaccines are safe for adults and children to use. The vaccines vastly lower the risk of hospitalisation and death as a result of coronavirus Volunteers at the Grace Lutheran Church's Food Pantry. Have you heard the term food insecurity? Its a term, and a problem, that should not be a factor in this, the worlds richest economy. It pretty much means going hungry. For many reasons, including the awful pandemic, it has become a serious problem in Oak Ridge. While there are federal programs designed to help, there are many hungry households that dont qualify, and which rely on local food banks and food pantries for survival. It is estimated that in the United States, 42 million people, including 13 million children, are experiencing food insecurity. Grace Lutheran Church, located in the Oak Ridge Woodland neighborhood, is one of several churches and other local organizations supporting food pantries. Grace Lutheran partners with Second Harvest of East Tennessee to stock its food pantry. Panera Bread of Oak Ridge generously donates bread and pastries. Additionally, toiletry items are donated or purchased locally. Generous contributions from Grace church members, other local churches, and the community have come together to provide support. Grace members and volunteers from other churches also help with staffing. The Grace pantry hours are 10 a.m. to noon every Friday. Clients are limited to one visit per month. Due to the pandemic, the pantry converted to drive-through pickup, with food delivered to each car, and that procedure is being continued. For more information, call the church office (865) 483-3787 Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., or visit the website www.graceoakridge.org. This article originally appeared on Oakridger: Grace Lutheran Food Pantry open Friday mornings Sen. Lindsay Graham (R-S.C.) said late Wednesday that he would only vote for Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) to lead the Republican Party in the upper chamber if he proves he can work effectively with former President Trump. "If you want to be a Republican leader in the House or the Senate, you have to have a working relationship with President Donald Trump. He's the most consequential Republican since Ronald Reagan," Graham, a close ally of Trump's, said on Fox News's "Hannity." "It's his nomination if he wants it, and I think he'll get reelected in 2024." "I like Sen. McConnell," Graham added. "Can Sen. McConnell effectively work with the leader of the Republican Party, Donald Trump? I'm not going to vote for anybody that can't have a working relationship with President Trump." "If you can't do that, you will fail," Graham also said. Earlier this week, McConnell announced that he would run for another term as the top Republican in the Senate. "I'm going to be running again for leader later this year," he said on Tuesday. The Kentucky Republican's announcement came despite pressure from Trump for him to step down, especially after McConnell blamed the former president for inciting the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. McConnell's vote for the $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill and a proposal allowing Democrats to raise the debt ceiling with a simple majority vote also sparked criticism from the former president. WASHINGTON Vice President Kamala Harris, in an interview with NBC News that aired on Thursday morning, pushed back against Republican criticism that President Joe Biden's speech in Atlanta on voting rights was overly divisive. Asked to respond to comments from Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah who on Wednesday said that Biden was going "down the same tragic road taken by President Trump, casting doubt on the reliability of American elections" Harris said that the president took the "right and courageous step to say that Senate rules should not get in the way of protecting the American people's access to the ballot." "And he compared this time to a previous time in our history, which is apt for comparison," Harris said in the interview that was conducted on Wednesday. In his speech on Tuesday, Biden framed the decision on voting rights legislation as a choice between "Dr. King or George Wallace." Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., told Democratic colleagues in a letter Wednesday that he will force a procedural vote on the Freedom to Vote Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act. Republicans have remained unified in their opposition to the two voting rights bills, and once they are filibustered, "we will need to change the Senate rules as has been done many times before," Schumer said in the letter, which was obtained by NBC News. But Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., and Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, D-Ariz., have expressed an unwillingness to changing the filibuster. Without their votes, Democrats would be unable to change Senate rules to get around the 60-vote threshold. "I don't think anyone should be absolved from the responsibility of preserving and protecting our democracy, especially when they took an oath to protect and defend our Constitution," Harris told NBC News when asked about Manchin and Sinema. Pressed on whether party leadership could get Democrats on board by Monday, the deadline that Schumer had initially set to move on the legislation, Harris said "it's not over." Story continues "And we don't give up. We don't give up and we will not give up," she said. Biden is scheduled to meet with Senate Democrats on Thursday on Capitol Hill to discuss voting rights. In the interview with NBC, Harris also said that the 500 million at-home Covid tests that the Biden administration said they would make available for free could be sent to directly to households "by next week." The White House later clarified that the tests would be sent out later this month, not next week. Asked whether she and Biden would run on the same ticket again in 2024, Harris said: "We are thinking about today." She said she had not read a recent column arguing that Biden should tap Rep. Liz Cheney, R-Wyo., for a bipartisan presidential ticket in 2024, saying "I really could care less about the high class gossip on these issues." Local officials hope to begin work to synchronize the majority of traffic signals in Hendersonville this year and improve timing on three major city roadways Indian Lake Boulevard, Main Street and New Shackle Island Road. Less stop and go between consecutive signalized intersections is the objective for the synchronization work, Hendersonville Public Works Director Sarah Lock said. The intersection at Indian Lake Boulevard and East Main Street in Hendersonville. The project will provide new traffic signal controllers and communication for 31 lights that are involved in the work, Lock said. Hendersonville has 36 lights. The work will also provide a traffic operations center at Hendersonville City Hall that will allow staff to monitor and troubleshoot signal operations remotely. Work is anticipated to start at some point this year after a bid is selected. It will take about eight months from when construction starts to complete the project, Lock said. The city is working through right of way issues in an effort to move toward construction, Tennessee Department of Transportation spokesperson Rebekah Hammonds said. Equipment will include new controllers, radio and fiber communication equipment. Hendersonville Mayor Jamie Clary calls it a quality of life issue. More businesses are investing in Hendersonville every week, Clary said. More people are doing business here. As this generates more tax revenue for the city and for schools, the city must update its infrastructure to accommodate those businesses, their customers and our residents. Hendersonville Mayor Jamie Clary. Hendersonville expects traffic disruptions during construction to be minimal once construction begins, Lock said. The city also has a separate project to install radar for the 31 traffic signals to detect vehicles and can determine when a light may need to be red or green. The radar will replace looped wires that are imbedded in the pavement at many Hendersonville intersections. Both projects are funded through the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) program. Story continues Traffic light at Centerpoint Road ramp Construction on a new traffic light in Hendersonville where the eastbound ramp from Vietnam Veterans Boulevard meets Centerpoint Road is expected to start in January or February, according to Clary. The new signal is scheduled to be completed by the end of June, Lock said. The signal will help congestion the ramp experiences from vehicles coming from Davidson County. Companies building homes in Mansker Farms have contributed toward future improvements to Centerpoint Road, which will be used toward the signal project, according to Clary. Reach Andy Humbles at ahumbles@tennessean.com or 615-726-5939 and on Twitter @ AndyHumbles. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Hendersonville project seeks to improve traffic signal performance More federal help is coming to Henry Ford Wyandotte Hospital as the Biden administration is sending a sixth medical coronavirus surge team to Michigan. The health system confirmed Thursday that the Wyandotte hospital, which welcomed a 30-member Federal Disaster Medical Assistance Team on Monday, will get an additional military medical surge team. More: Omicron variant is disrupting almost every aspect of life in Michigan More: Michigan warns of unprecedented COVID-19 surge, urges vaccines and boosters The new deployment will arrive after the first team leaves on Jan. 21, a spokesperson for the health system told the Free Press. Details were not available about how many people will be part of this second team at the Downriver hospital or specifically when it will arrive. However, Bob Riney, chief operating officer and president of health care operations for Henry Ford, said the new federal deployment is expected to operate as many as 24 patient beds for 30 days. The initial team that arrived Monday is provided by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The second will be deployed by the U.S. Department of Defense, he said. "That is something that we're extremely grateful for," Riney said. "The details of that plan are still being worked out and will be communicated by the Department of Defense." The additional aid comes as hospitals across the state are buckling under strain from the omicron surge as they also see their own staff infected by the virus. Thousands of Michigan health care workers were off the job last week because of infection or exposure, even as hospitalizations rose 16% statewide, setting a new pandemic record. "This is what I would call a real help. ... It does add meaningful clinical capacity, but it's also a mental boost, too," Riney said. "It is a great sign of hope, optimism to our care teams that they're not alone, and that support ... is coming." Story continues The health care staffing challenges in this pandemic are "systemic" he said. "That is true of all health systems that have been in the middle of this surge." President Joe Biden announced the deployment Thursday, along with aid for five other states. He said more than 120 military medical personnel in total will be deployed to Michigan and five other states: New York, New Jersey, Ohio, New Mexico and Rhode Island. "We can get through this if everybody does their part," Biden said, urging Americans to get vaccinated against COVID-19 and to wear well-fitting masks in indoor public spaces. "No matter where you live, no matter your political party. We gotta fight this together. "If you haven't gotten vaccinated, do it. Personal choice impacts us all our hospitals, our country," he said, later adding: "COVID-19 is one of the most formidable enemies America's ever faced. We gotta work together, not against each other. We're Americans. We can do this." Biden said this continues to be a pandemic of the unvaccinated. While both vaccinated and unvaccinated people are testing positive, he said, "what happens after that could not be more different." He said vaccinated people who test positive "overwhelmingly have either no symptoms at all or they have mild symptoms. And if you're unvaccinated and you test positive, you are 17 times more likely to get hospitalized. As a result, they're crowding our hospitals, leaving no room for anyone else who might have a heart attack or an injury in an automobile accident or any injury at all. And yes, the unvaccinated are dying from COVID-19." Four Department of Defense medical teams already are assisting at Beaumont Hospital, Dearborn; Spectrum Health in Grand Rapids; Covenant HealthCare in Saginaw, and Mercy Health in Muskegon. In December, requests for federal assistance from five Michigan hospitals were validated by the federal assessment team. That meant they were eligible for consideration when the federal government had additional teams to deploy, said Lynn Sutfin, spokesperson for the state health department. Henry Ford Wyandotte Hospital More: Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard tests positive for COVID-19 More: Michigan's top doctor talks COVID-19 disruptions, mask mandates, quarantine controversy Mercy Health, in Muskegon, got a federal COVID medical surge team of 17 registered nurses, a doctor and other health care workers who began treating patients Dec. 30. Applications also were validated by the federal government for Munson Healthcare in Traverse City; Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo; Sparrow Hospital in Lansing, and Beaumont Hospital in Troy. But there is no guarantee federal medical aid will come to those hospitals. Contact Kristen Jordan Shamus: kshamus@freepress.com. Follow her on Twitter @kristenshamus. Subscribe to the Free Press. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Henry Ford Wyandotte to get 2nd team of federal medical relief workers A man was taken to the hospital in traumatic arrest after exchanging gunfire with Cook County sheriffs deputies in the South Shore neighborhood Wednesday, authorities said. The exchange of gunfire occurred while deputies were tracking a person on electronic monitoring who they encountered in the 7400 block of South Yates Boulevard about 6:45 p.m., officials said. Advertisement Paramedics took the person shot, a man in his 30s, to University of Chicago Medical Center in traumatic arrest, said Chicago Fire Department spokesman Larry Merritt. The sheriffs office said deputies were notified the man was no longer allowed to stay at the home in the 8600 block of South Sangamon Street, where he had been living, but when they arrived at the home they learned he had already left. Advertisement Officers work at the scene where Cook County sheriff's deputies shot a person on electronic monitoring in the 7400 block of South Yates Boulevard on Jan. 12, 2022, in Chicago. According to the Chicago Police Department, the sheriff's deputies exchanged gunfire with the man and a weapon was recovered at the scene. (Armando L. Sanchez / Chicago Tribune) Using his GPS bracelet, deputies tracked the man to the location on South Yates Boulevard. Thats when the man opened fire, shooting at deputies who returned fire and struck him, according to the sheriffs office. No deputies were injured, but officials said at least one deputy was taken to a hospital for evaluation. A gun was recovered at the scene, they said. The man previously had been charged with 13 counts of aggravated criminal sexual assault and seven counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse, and was placed on electronic monitoring in December 2020 after posting bond, the sheriffs office said. sfreishtat@chicagotribune.com The fire in a Bronx apartment building on Sunday was one of the city's deadliest in decades, leaving 17 people dead from smoke inhalation and devastating a close-knit community. As their identities were made public this week, so were their stories. Eight children were among those killed, and some families had multiple loved ones die. Officials said the victims were largely Gambian immigrants, some of whom worshipped at the same mosques and even emigrated from the same town. The two youngest victims were Ousmane Konteh, a 2-year-old boy, and Haouwa Mahamadou, a 5-year-old girl. Her brother, 12-year-old Seydou Toure, also perished. He had attended eighth grade next door at Angelo Patri Middle School, the New York Times reported. His classmates have been mourning the loss together, writing messages on a memorial poster, lighting prayer candles, and wearing badges with Seydou's photo. I loved him dearly, said the school's principal, Angel Ortega. He always had that smile." Two other siblings remained in critical condition, with organizers also setting up a GoFundMe for their recovery effort. Five of the victims were from the same family. They were Haja Dukureh, 37, her husband, Haji Dukuray, 49, and their three children, Mustapha, 12, Mariam, 11, and Fatoumata, 5, the woman's uncle told the New York Post. The uncle, whose name is also Haji Dukuray, said he had many relatives living in the building and would regularly drive there from his home in Delaware to visit. We have faith, so were holding onto our faith, Dukuray said. We are hanging in there as much as we can. Were supporting each other. The couple emigrated from Gambia over a decade ago, and all three children were born in the US, another relative, 21-year-old Hawa Dukuray, told the New York Times. The mother worked as a home health aide, and the father at a fried chicken restaurant, saving money they hoped to send back to Gambia. Living high up on the 19th floor and without an outdoor fire escape the family tried taking the stairs to escape the burning building, but did not make it out in time, the relative said. Story continues The family, like many of the others whose loved ones died in the fire, has a GoFundMe page set up by a relative to help cover funerals and other costs. Another family lost four loved ones in the fire: Fatoumata Drammeh, 50, Foutmala Drammeh, 21, Nyumaaisha Drammeh, 19, and Muhammed Drammeh, 12. Ishak Drammeh, 57, was not home at the time of the fire that killed his wife and children. Foutmala had been studying international economics and was about to graduate college, he told the New York Times. She was a very good girl, he said. Muhammad was a good boy too. Nyumaaisha was a good girl, she finished her high school; next month she is supposed to start her college. Just one day before the fire, Muhammed had celebrated his 12th birthday at an indoor trampoline park. The last time Fatima, the surviving sister, saw her mother and one of her young sisters was in their apartment before her brother's party, she said. I just said bye to them, because we were leaving the house, she said. I didnt think it would be my last time seeing them. Just one member of the family, 16-year-old Yagub, made it out of the fire alive. He "was the only one rescued from the building and is currently being cared for in the hospital," according to a GoFundMe for the family set up by their cousin Nhuma Darame. The Gambian Youth Organization (GYO), a Bronx-based nonprofit supporting young members of the community, has already more than quintupled their fundraising goal, raising more than $1 million on GoFundMe to aid the victims' families. One of the organization's volunteers, Sera Janneh, 27, also died in the fire. Despite working multiple jobs, she was highly involved in GYO, its founder Momodou Sawaneh told Gothamist, describing her as an industrial woman" who had "such a great life in front of her." When I talk about her, tears come out from my eyes, Sawaneh said. "We lost her for something that could have been prevented." Janneh had been studying to become a social worker at Lehman College because she believed we needed more of that in our community, especially in the African community, her sister Mareama Janneh, 31, told the New York Times. Her younger sister "is currently intubated with hopes of recovering from her injuries," she wrote on the family's GoFundMe. Sera's best friend, Breanna Elleston, 27, said they had loved visiting museums and attending concerts together since they first met in high school. Every milestone that Ive ever had in my life, shes always been there for me, Elleston said. Even if it was hard, she would drop everything and be there for me. Not all the victims were residents of the building; Fatoumata Tunkara, 43, and her 6-year-old son, Omar Jambang, had been there to visit a friend. Tunkara leaves behind four children, according to a GoFundMe set up by a relative. Tunkara's eldest son, Abdullaie Chan, 19, told the New York Daily News he called his mother "more than 40 times" when he heard about the fire. I knew she was in that building, but I thought she got out in time, Chan said. She didnt pick up the phone... I feel like she was not supposed to be there. Also among the deceased were Isatou Jabbie, 31, and Hagi Jawara, 47. They were the parents of four children, according to two GoFundMe pages. Hagi Jawara was from Sierra Leone and came to the US as a refugee in the 1990s, his brother, Yusupha Jawara, told the Associated Press. It was there that he met Isatou Jabbine, a Gambian woman living in the Bronx, who he later married. When Yusupha, who lives nearby, heard about the fire, he hurried there to help bring victims to the hospital. As the hours went by without the couple answering their phones, Yusupha grew increasingly worried. He later realized a man he'd seen on a gurney had been his brother. 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, he said. At that time, I didnt have the focus to know that it was him. More on this A Hillsborough police officer fatally shot a 19-year-old man who was advancing toward him with a knife, according to the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General. The man killed in the Sunday evening incident has been identified as township resident Joshua Mathis. The officer who fired his weapon has been identified as Christopher Michaels. Hillsborough police responded at 6:12 p.m. Sunday to a 911 call about a man with a gun at an apartment on Corporal Langon Way, in a complex off Amwell Road about a half mile west of the high school, according to the Attorney General's Office. Arriving officers encountered Mathis inside the apartment holding a large knife, according to the Attorney General's Office. EARLIER: Hillsborough police officer fatally shoots man, Attorney General's Office investigating As Mathis advanced toward the officers with the weapon, Michaels fired his service weapon, striking Mathis, the Attorney General's Office said. Police and emergency medical personnel provided first aid, but Mathis was pronounced dead at the scene at 6:51 p.m., according to the Attorney General's Office. The shooting remains under investigation and no further information is being released at this time. Michaels was honored in October by the Township Committee with a Hillsborough Police Department CPR Lifesaving Award for his role along with officers John A. Johnson and Tyler Ott in administering aid on Feb. 1, 2020, to an unresponsive 76-year-old township woman, who regained her pulse by the time emergency medical personnel arrived. The investigation is being conducted by the Attorney General's Office under a directive requiring the office to handle any death occurring during an encounter with a law enforcement officer. The directive sets standards and procedures for such investigations. Mathis death comes just months after Patrick Chin, 43, was shot by Hillsborough police inside his Piedmont Path home on Sept. 28 and died at the hospital. Chin was holding a 3-foot-long sword when he was shot by officer George Kokinakous, according to the Attorney General's Office. Story continues That shooting also remains under investigation by the Attorney General's Office. Email: srussell@gannettnj.com Suzanne Russell is a breaking news reporter for MyCentralJersey.com covering crime, courts and other mayhem. To get unlimited access, please subscribe or activate your digital account today. This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: Hillsborough police officer fatally shot man advancing with knife: AG HOLLAND Holland Public Schools is hoping to do a better job of gathering stakeholder input as it begins its second superintendent search in as many years. The HPS Board of Education continued to discuss how it wants to proceed with its search during a study session meeting Monday, Jan. 10. Board members spoke with Greg Siezputowski of the Michigan Association of School Boards, which handled last years search during the meeting. The Holland Public Schools Board of Education continued its discussion on starting a new superintendent search during a study session meeting Monday, Jan. 10. The board is still weighing whether or not to use MASB a second time, which would come with a waived search fee, or to go with a different firm. Board members told Siezputowski that they would like to do more to engage with different stakeholder groups and shared concerns that certain aspects of MASBs search werent tailored to get the feedback they were seeking. More: Holland Public begins discussions on superintendent search More: Holland Public Schools parts with new superintendent after five months Some options Siezputowski gave were holding additional town halls and meetings on Zoom to gather input, holding input sessions during scheduled meetings of parent groups and other organizations and translating surveys into other languages. Trustee Phil Meyer expressed a desire to get to know the candidates a little more prior to bringing them in for interviews to make sure the best candidates are brought in. Subscribe: Receive 6 months of unlimited digital access for just $1! Siezputowski gave the suggestion of adding a writing prompt to an application to see how candidates feel about an issue important to the district. He also said the board could do shorter, video screenings with applicants prior to official first round interviews to help narrow down candidates. Siezputowski suggested using personality and workplace assessments during the process, too, which can give insight into how candidates would respond in certain situations. Holland High School sits Monday, Jan. 3, 2022 in Holland. The district's school board held a study session meeting Monday, Jan. 10. Several members indicated they would like to hear a proposal from the Michigan Leadership Institute, which was considered for last years search, before making a decision. The plan is to ask MLI to attend an upcoming meeting, potentially Jan. 17, to inform the board how they would conduct a search. Story continues After hearing from MLI, the board will make a decision on which firm to lead the search. The board set an initial goal of having a new superintendent in place by July 1, 2022. Holland is looking for a new superintendent after the district and Shanie Keelean, hired in July 2021, agreed to a mutual separation agreement Nov. 30. Keelean was hired following an MASB-led search which garnered around two dozen applicants. More: Cassidy hoping to provide stability as Holland's interim superintendent More: Holland Public Schools not concerned about lack of leadership as search for superintendent begins again Nick Cassidy is serving as interim superintendent at HPS on a contract that currently runs through June 30, 2022. He will return to his role as Holland Middle School principal once a new superintendent is hired. Contact reporter Mitchell Boatman at mboatman@hollandsentinel.com. Follow him on Twitter @SentinelMitch. This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Holland Public still weighing options for superintendent search An Illinois judges decision to reverse the sexual assault conviction of an 18-year-old at his sentencing hearing, saying the 148 days hes spent behind bars is enough punishment, has drawn anger and outrage. Adams County Judge Robert Adrian found Drew Clinton, 18, guilty of one count of criminal sexual assault at a bench trial in October. The charge carries a mandatory minimum sentence of four years in prison. The accuser, Cameron Vaughan, 16, identified herself to NBC affiliate WGEM of Quincy, Illinois, alleging Clinton sexually assaulted her at a graduation party on May 30. In a stunning reversal, Adrian announced at Clintons Jan. 3 sentencing hearing that he would not send the teen to jail and would change the verdict. Mr. Clinton has served almost five months in the county jail, 148 days. For what happened in this case, that is plenty of punishment, he said, according to a transcript of the proceedings obtained by the Herald-Whig, a newspaper in Quincy. He noted that Clinton had just turned 18 two weeks prior to the incident and had no prior criminal record. By law, the court is supposed to sentence this young man to the Department of Corrections. This Court will not do that, he said. Instead, he said that court will find that the People failed to prove their case on the count he was found guilty of. The court is going to reconsider its verdict, is going to find the Defendant not guilty on Count 3. And, therefore, the case the Defendant will be released from custody, Adrian said. The decision came after Clintons defense attorney, Andrew C. Schnack III, presented two post-trial motions asking the mandatory sentencing provisions be declared unconstitutional and asking for a not guilty judgment, according to the transcript. The accuser told WGEM she ran out of the courtroom to cry in the bathroom upon hearing the decision. Vaughan recounted the alleged assault to the outlet, saying she "woke up at my friends place with a pillow over my face so I couldnt be heard and Drew Clinton inside of me. Story continues I asked him to stop multiple times and he wouldnt. I finally got off the couch and pushed him off of me and he jumped up and just started playing video games as if nothing had happened, she added. During the hearing, Adrian also rebuked the parents at the party where the alleged assault unfolded for letting minors drink and swim in the pool in their underwear, according to the transcript. Assistant States Attorney Anita Rodriguez said she was shocked by the decision, adding she hasnt seen a decision like this in her 40-year career. My heart is bleeding for the victim, Rodriguez told the Herald-Whig. It was a very difficult bench trial. It did a lot for her healing process, but now shes back to where we were at. Schnack said post-trial motions, like the one Adrian granted, are routinely filed. Most of the time, but not all the time, they are denied. This is one of the times where the motion was granted and thats whats got everybody in an uproar, he said Thursday to NBC News. Schnack added: "Adrian is a damn good judge. I know hes being accused of harming this victim or keeping her from recovering, but he granted five motions that the state filed. He protected the girl with his rulings as much as he possibly could." He maintained that his client should have been found not guilty on all three counts of sexual assault at the bench trial, in which he was found not guilty on two counts and guilty on one count. The Quincy Area Network Against Domestic Abuse said in a statement it is outraged over the decision. The verdict and Adrians comments send a chilling message to other rape victims that their behavior, not the rapists, will be judged. Shame the victims, free the rapists, the statement said. This judgment reinforces the fact that standards for women have always been impossibly high while they are impossibly low for men. The judge ordered the attorney out of the court, saying he couldn't be "fair" to him after he liked a Facebook post criticizing the judge. Baris-Ozer/Getty Images An Illinois judge confronted a lead attorney on Wednesday for liking a Facebook post critical of a decision he made. Judge Robert Adrian is under fire for overturning his guilty verdict of a teen accused of rape. The attorney liked a post blasting Adrian's decision, prompting Adrian to order him out of court. A judge in western Illinois ordered a prosecutor out of court on Wednesday, reportedly after the attorney liked a Facebook post that criticized him for throwing out a sexual assault conviction. Adams County Judge Robert Adrian is under fire for reversing his guilty verdict in the case of an 18-year-0ld man accused of raping a 16-year-old girl. The judge found the man guilty in October for the assault, which prosecutors said involved the man stuffing a pillow into the girl's face while raping her at a graduation party in May. But Adrian said on January 3 that the 148 days spent by the accused in county jail was "plenty of punishment," according to court documents seen by Insider. He shifted to a not guilty ruling to avoid detaining the accused for any longer, as the state's mandatory minimum sentence for sexual assault is four years. Josh Jones, the lead attorney for the county's State Attorney's office, then liked a Facebook post made on Tuesday by a non-profit group that panned his decision, David Adam from local paper Muddy River News reported. "The verdict and Adrian's comments send a chilling message to other rape victims that their behavior, not the rapists', will be judged," the post reads. "Shame the victims, free the rapists." On Wednesday, Adrian and Jones were in court for status hearings of felony cases when the judge confronted Jones, according to Muddy River News. "Mr. Jones, get out," Adrian said. When Jones didn't respond, Adrian continued: "I'm not on social media, but my wife is. She saw the thumbs-up you gave to people attacking me." Story continues "I can't be fair with you today. Get out." Jones then quietly walked out of the room, with what Muddy River News described as a quizzical look. Jones confirmed with the outlet that he had liked the post. "I'd like to think that's a pretty benign position to take as the lead trial attorney with the state's attorney's office to support the rights of victims," he said. "We obviously have to and want to support victims in all cases." "I have not made any comment publicly, privately or otherwise about Judge Adrian and the decision," he continued. "I'm not going to. That's not my role." The county's State Attorney Gary Farha said he was "mystified" by Adrian's sudden flare-up against Jones, the Quincy Herald-Whig reported. "We've never had a problem with Judge Adrian," Farha told the outlet. "We have understood and appreciated his cooperation. He's always been congenial with things." Read the original article on Insider By Richard Burke The U.S. was named the worlds most entrepreneurial country in 2021, thanks in no small part to the talent of foreign-born entrepreneurs. However, this title will not hold for long if current immigration policies persist. More than half (55%) of U.S. startups worth $1 billion or more have at least one immigrant founder. Foreign-born entrepreneurs have historically played a key role in driving innovation and job growth in North America and their efforts are critical in creating a more resilient economy. Immigrant-founded companies are key to growth Research shows that private-sector job growth is significantly higher in regions with more startups and they created more than 3 million new jobs in 2020 alone. With more than 4.3 million business formation applications coming in last year and the likelihood that number will be even higher this year theres hope the 40-year downturn in entrepreneurship is coming to an end. But we need foreign-born business owners to help us reverse course. From Pfizer to Uber, many of todays largest companies began as immigrant-founded startups. So did many of the companies whose products people have relied on during the pandemic, including Zoom and Instacart. Immigrants are also 80% more likely to start a business than those born in the U.S. Those businesses create 42% more jobs in this country than those started by native-born owners, but America isnt the beacon of hope for immigrants it once was. Current immigration policies are a barrier Antiquated immigration policies continue to present obstacles to foreign-born founders. The fundamental issue is that the U.S. doesnt provide a specific visa category for startup owners. Hundreds of thousands of immigrants compete for a limited number of visas, like the H-1B. We are also starting to see the long-term effects and the lack of meaningful reform. Over the past decade, immigrants have turned to countries where startup visas are more easily accessible, like Singapore and the U.K. Story continues In May 2021, President Biden reinstituted the International Entrepreneur Parole Program (IEPP), which allows admittance for foreign-born entrepreneurs who can prove they will offer significant benefits to the public. While the restoration of this program is a good first step, theres still a long way to go in improving the visa process for international students who will eventually become business owners. Attending U.S. colleges and universities is a common path entrepreneurs take to begin their journey. But many international students who attend schools in the U.S. are not able to stay after graduating due to current U.S. policies. Significant policy reform is crucial in keeping the talent of these individuals in the country after graduating. Additionally, the pandemic, global competition and lengthy visa processing times are placing the country at a disadvantage in retaining skilled international students and workers. The need for easier access to visas intensifies Foreign-born entrepreneurs are critical in todays economy. For this to become a reality, the U.S. needs to develop easier pathways to residency, provide more startup visas and create responsive, employment-based immigration policies. These are the conditions that will set the stage for continuous innovation and growth in the economy. The virtual court appearance at the centre of social media criticism (ClickOnDetroit/31stdistrictcourt) A judge in Michigan has been widely condemned by social media users and commentators alike after video footage emerged of a cancer patient being berated for having a messy front yard. Burhan Chowdhury, a 72-year-old defendant with cancer, was told by judge Alexis G Krot that his yard area was messy and was forced to explain that he was too weak to maintain the pathway. I am a cancer patient. Very old, maam. And I am a cancer patient. I was then very weak, Mr Chowdhury could be heard saying in the virtual court session, while struggling to breathe. Failing to sympathise with Mr Chowdhury, the judge responded and said: You should be ashamed of yourself. If I could give you jail time I would. The footage circulated by ClickOnDetroit on Wednesday was shared widely on social media, with dozens of people reacting to judge Krots remarks. Heartless judge, wrote one person on Twitter. If his neighbours were genuinely neighbourly they would offer to help him clean up his yard.Cancer and chronic illness can impact your energy and stamina. Judge get some work gloves and organise a clean up crew. Ive just seen this horrific video of an American judge, Alexis Krot, shouting down an old cancer patient about jail time because he didnt get rid of some weeds! Absolutely disgusting behaviour!! pic.twitter.com/j2pZ17h3Qe asia (@khatunetwork) January 11, 2022 Another wrote: Ive just seen this horrific video of an American judge, Alexis Krot, shouting down an old cancer patient about jail time because he didnt get rid of some weeds! Absolutely disgusting behaviour!! Mr Chowdhurys son told ClickOnDetroit that his father did not speak perfect English and afterwards received a $100 (72) fine for the messy yard, which his family has now cleared. As a judge, Ms Krot can not provide comment. MOSCOW (AP) Troops belonging to a Russia-led security alliance were preparing to pull out of Kazakhstan, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Thursday. The withdrawal comes a week after they were deployed to the ex-Soviet nation on the request of its president, who was seeking to quell violent mass protests. The demonstrations started on Jan. 2 in western Kazakhstan following widespread outrage over a sharp rise in fuel prices. They quickly spread nationwide and descended into violence within several days. Protesters stormed government buildings and set them ablaze, and dozens of people were killed in clashes with the country's security forces. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has blamed the unrest on foreign-backed terrorists and requested assistance from the Collective Security Treaty Organization, a Russia-led military alliance of six ex-Soviet states. The bloc sent over 2,000 troops to Kazakhstan last week. On Tuesday Tokayev declared their mission accomplished and said they would start pulling out on Thursday. Russia's Defense Ministry said Thursday that the troops in Kazakhstan were preparing equipment for transportation and handing over state institutions they guarded to local forces. Later on Thursday, Russias Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu reported to President Vladimir Putin that the troops will withdraw by Jan. 19. Putin noted that it was the first such operation for the CSTO and that the troops played an important role in stabilizing the situation in Kazakhstan. In general, its time to return home we have completed our task, Putin concluded. In Almaty, Kazakhstan's largest city that has been hit the hardest by the unrest, the airport resumed operation on Thursday morning, a week after it was stormed and briefly seized by the protesters. Russia's Interfax news agency also reported that the security forces have cleared the square in front of the city hall, which was stormed and set on fire, opening it for pedestrians and car traffic. Authorities in Almaty on Thursday reported detaining nearly 2,000 more people over their alleged involvement in the unrest and looting. A 14-year-old boy was fatally shot Wednesday afternoon on the Near West Side. Javion Ivy was in the 2200 block of West Adams Street when a gunman he did not know shot him about 4 p.m., according to Chicago police. Advertisement Javion, who was shot in the abdomen, was taken to Stroger Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 4:15 p.m., police said. Area 3 detectives were investigating. Advertisement rsobol@chicagotribune.com Elmer Stewart Rhodes, the founder of the citizen militia group known as the Oath Keepers, speaking during a rally outside the White House in Washington, DC. Susan Walsh/AP Photo The head of the far-right group Oath Keepers has been arrested in the Capitol-riot investigation. Elmer Stewart Rhodes and 10 others were charged with seditious conspiracy on Thursday. Thursday's arrests are the first time prosecutors have brought sedition charges related to the riot. The leader of the right-wing extremist group Oath Keepers, Elmer Stewart Rhodes, was arrested on Thursday. He and 10 others were charged with seditious conspiracy in connection to the Capitol riot, the Justice Department announced on Thursday. It's the most significant arrest yet and marks the first time that federal prosecutors have brought sedition charges in connection to the Justice Department's sprawling investigation into the deadly January 6, 2021, Capitol siege. Rhodes has said he was at the Capitol that day but did not enter the building, The Washington Post reported. But prosecutors said key members of right-wing extremist groups, including the Oath Keepers, not only forced their way into the Capitol but also extensively planned for it beforehand by, among other things, keeping a "quick reaction force" on standby at a Virginia hotel. The Post reported that prosecutors also alleged that some of the pro-Trump rioters specifically traveled to Washington, DC, at Rhodes' urging, and that he began discussing how to keep Trump in the White House as early as November 9, 2020, two days after major news networks declared Joe Biden the winner of the presidential election. Thursday's seditious-conspiracy indictment alleged that Rhodes and other codefendants conspired to "oppose by force the lawful transfer of presidential power." The charging document accused Rhodes and his codefendants of using encrypted messaging apps in late December 2020 to coordinate and plan to travel to Washington, DC, to disrupt Congress' certification of Joe Biden's victory on January 6, 2021. Prosecutors also alleged that Rhodes and some of the codefendants made plans to bring weapons to the Capitol. Story continues Investigators have repeatedly emphasized the nature of the Oath Keepers throughout the course of the Capitol-riot probe. Thursday's indictment described the group as a "large but loosely organized collection of individuals," adding that "though the Oath Keepers will accept anyone as members, they explicitly focus on recruiting current and former military, law enforcement, and first-responder personnel." In all, the DOJ said, 19 defendants connected to the Oath Keepers were charged with corruptly obstructing an official proceeding. Eighteen of the 19 were charged with conspiring to obstruct an official proceeding and conspiring to prevent an office of the United States from discharging a duty. And 11 of the 19 were charged with seditious conspiracy. Rhodes' arrest came after the House select committee investigating the riot subpoenaed him and the leaders of other far-right groups, including the Proud Boys and the 1st Amendment Praetorian. The groups are the most high-profile right-wing extremists to have been involved in the violent breach of the Capitol while Congress was in the process of certifying Biden's victory. Rhodes' arrest also came days after Attorney General Merrick Garland delivered remarks on the eve of the anniversary of the Capitol siege and vowed that the Justice Department had "no higher priority" than holding those involved accountable. He also characterized the Capitol-riot investigation as "one of the largest, most complex, and most resource-intensive investigations in our history." The last time the department brought sedition charges connected to white-supremacist violence was in 1987, when it charged 13 white supremacists in Arkansas with conspiring to overthrow the federal government, said Kathleen Belew, a historian and assistant professor at the University of Chicago. Read the original article on Business Insider Center for Covid Control opened a location on Mt. Hope in Rochester. A sign on the door on Wednesday, January 12, 2022 said only three people allowed inside at one time. #CovidLabConcerns A COVID testing site in the city is part of a national chain thats been the subject of complaints and warnings about whether its services are legitimate. The Center for COVID Control offers free tests from a storefront on Mount Hope Avenue. It operates more than 300 locations across at least 29 states, according to the companys website some of them pop-ups run out of sheds and mobile storage units. Monroe County health department officials have not responded to questions from reporters about the legitimacy of the Mount Hope location, or another similar site on East Avenue operating under the name Lab Elite. Some Rochester residents have taken to social media to express concerns about the legitimacy of the sites. In response to a tweet about the Mount Hope location, Dr. Michael Mendoza, the countys public health director, responded, we have reported this. #SchoolBuysBakery Maleks Bakery, a popular kosher bakery near Brightons Twelve Corners for the past 44 years, has been bought by Hillel Community Day School, a 74-year-old private Jewish school in Brighton. Founded in 1977, Maleks is known for scratch-made baked goods like challah bread, babka, rugelach, seven-layer cake and hamantaschen, flaky tender cookies that it sells by the thousands around the Jewish holiday of Purim. The school already runs a full-service, kosher, rabbinically overseen food operation for students, staff and families. It plans to add new beverages but will otherwise keep offerings the same, a school official said. #ChillingWithTheBills If predictions hold, Saturdays Bills-Patriots game in Orchard Park may be the second-coldest in team history. A look at the three all-time coldest contests in Buffalo. See you Friday. This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Legit or no? A Lexington man was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. Stephen Johnson Craft, 43, was pulled over on Feb. 24, 2020, after a Lexington County deputy saw a vehicle make an abrupt turn without signaling. The deputy found a black backpack in the back seat. Inside the bag was a .40 caliber Glock pistol with one cartridge loaded in the chamber and a magazine containing an additional nine rounds. The deputy also found marijuana in the vehicle. Craft had previous convictions, beginning in 1996, for criminal domestic violence, armed robbery, grand larceny, attempt to manufacture methamphetamine, carrying a concealed weapon, possession of a firearm by a person convicted of a violent felony, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, and assault and battery first degree. Crafts sentence includes five years of supervision after he completes the prison term. A man with a knife. (PHOTO: Getty Images) SINGAPORE A man who stabbed his co-tenant fatally with a kitchen knife in their shared Teck Whye flat in 2017 was sentenced to life imprisonment on Thursday (13 January). Mohammad Rosli Abdul Rahim, 51, stabbed 35-year-old Mohammad Roslan Zaini in the wee hours of 16 August 2017, plunging a knife with a 17cm blade into the victim's sternum. He was earlier found guilty of the charge of murder by intentionally causing bodily injury sufficient to cause death. Ahead of Rosli's sentencing, his original lawyers Anand Nalachandran and Adeline Goh discharged themselves, handing over the case to lawyers Eugene Thuraisingam, Chooi Jing Yen, and Hamza Zafar Malik. Rosli's newly appointed lawyers will be filing an appeal against his conviction and sentence. His previous lawyers stated in his mitigation plea that life imprisonment was appropriate. They said that Rosli had an unhappy childhood as he was abused physically and emotionally by his mother until he was in his teens. His parents divorced when he was 13, after he exposed his mother's extramarital affairs, said the lawyers. Still yearning for his mother's love, Rosli reconnected with her in the later years, providing her allowance and money for medical treatment. His mother died while Rosli was in remand for the murder offence. Rosli married when he was 21 but divorced three years later due to his substance abuse. He has two children in their 20s from his marriage. In his trial last year, the court heard that the victim approached Rosli, then homeless, and suggested that he co-rent the flat. The two men had a friendly relationship, said the lawyers. The men registered their names with the Housing and Development Board as co-tenants and agreed to split the monthly rent. In August 2017, Rosli began to suspect that the victim was over-charging him for his share of the monthly rent. Around the same time, the victim also ended his romantic relationship with a married woman, whom Rosli had known for over 10 years and regarded as a sister. She complained to Rosli about the victim. Story continues On 16 August that year, three of the men's friends went to their home to watch a movie together at about 1am. One of the friends left an hour later. At about 4am, Roslan began arguing with Rosli over payments for rent and utilities. He behaved aggressively towards Rosli, according to the defence lawyers. Rosli argued that he lost self-control after the victim uttered vulgarities insulting his mother. About half an hour later, Rosli took a knife from the kitchen and confronted Roslan in the living room. He stabbed Roslan on the chest, with the knife blade penetrating the victim's sternum. Rosli then stabbed the victim two more times, in the right forearm and right thigh. The two friends still in the house witnessed the attack and fled, with one of them asking his sister to call the police. Roslan struggled down four storeys of stairs and reached a grass patch in front of Block 165A Teck Whye Crescent before collapsing. A bus driver who was on her way to work saw Roslan covered in blood. Roslan coughed once before he became motionless and later died. The police arrested Rosli almost six hours later at the void deck of Block 6 Teck Whye Avenue. In his mitigation plea, Rosli's lawyers stated that the prosecution and defence psychiatrists assessed that Rosli was prone to impulsivity. The psychiatrists agreed that Rosli was sleep deprived at the time of the incident, which could have weakened his ability to retain self-control. For murder by intentionally causing bodily injury sufficient to cause death, Rosli could have been sentenced to death, or life in jail. He cannot be caned as he is above 50. Stay in the know on-the-go: Join Yahoo Singapore's Telegram channel at http://t.me/YahooSingapore Sean Hannity subordinated Jan. 6 facts to White House political interests, providing his viewers with an account of events that was, to say the least, tilted in Trump's favor. (Frank Franklin II / Associated Press) Fox News star Sean Hannity is an improbable and undeserving poster child for 1st Amendment protections, but thats where things stand in our topsy-turvy Trump-driven political life. As a confidante, counselor and enabler of the former president, as well as one of Foxs highest-rated prime time commentators, Hannity presents in many ways the antithesis of the argument for 1st Amendment protections. He once told the New York Times, I never claimed to be a journalist. Nevertheless, he should be treated as one, not for his own sake but that of his more legitimate media colleagues. The House committee investigating the events of Jan. 6 sent a letter to Hannity last week asking for his cooperation with its investigation. That drew return fire from Hannitys lawyer that the request would raise serious constitutional issues including 1st Amendment concerns regarding freedom of the press. Then over the weekend, former Trump Press Secretary Stephanie Grisham, who had testified to the Jan. 6 committee days earlier, told the Washington Post about a disquieting alliance between Hannity and the 45th president. According to Grisham, Hannity continually weighed in with Trump offering policy advice the president often elevated over the opinions of his White House advisers. And Hannity wasnt the only Fox News personality with special White House privileges. Laura Ingraham, Lou Dobbs and Jeanine Pirro enjoyed similar access and influence, which staffers learned to groaningly accept from the cable-TV addicted Trump. Particularly troubling is Hannitys apparent role in the events of Jan. 6, and his mendacious on-air commentary during the same critical stretch. The House committee has texts from Hannity to Trump Chief of Staff Mark Meadows demonstrating his regular contact with the White House and the president himself. As the letter to Hannity from Jan. 6 committee chairman Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.) states, the texts strongly suggest advance knowledge of the insurrection. It details damage-control discussions with Trump after the debacle. And during the Capitol attack, Hannity called on Meadows to tell Trump to call off the rioters. Story continues All the while, however, on The Sean Hannity Show, the host was suggesting a false parallel between the insurrection and Black Lives Matterdemonstrations of the previous summer Wheres that committee, congressman? Id like to see that committee and arguing that the rioters had been largely peaceful. This pattern of conduct turns on its head the arms-length adversarial model of a vigilant press holding the government to account. In the behind-the-scenes texts, Hannity sounds more like a Steve Bannon than a Walter Cronkite. Indeed, everything about Hannitys furtive insider role undermines, rather than advances, the principles that justify 1st Amendment protection for journalists. The Supreme Court explained the justification in the canonical case of New York Times vs. Sullivan, which established an extra margin of protection for the media when reporters are accused of defamation by public figures in essence, even if journalists publish or broadcast untruths, they can only be sued for defamation if they published the errors knowingly, or with reckless disregard for the truth. That leeway in journalism is justified because its better to give the press a wide berth than to suppress stories that might advance self-government or the truth. The Sullivan decision quoted Judge Learned Hand: The 1st Amendment presupposes that right conclusions are more likely to be gathered out of a multitude of tongues than through any kind of authoritative selection. To many, this is, and always will be, folly, but we have staked upon it our all." As slimy as Hannitys double duty appears on Fox News and as a presidential buddy schmoozing government officials is one thing that journalists do. They charm and cajole sources to shake loose information in a dance well understood by both sides. Getting inside information, having direct access in order to ferret out information, thats the coin of the realm. Hannitys schmoozing had perverse motivations; he was hardly intent on afflicting the powerful and holding government to account. Instead, he was a toady, cozying up to the administration and working to advance its political interests, including Trumps rank anti-democratic efforts to steal the election from President Biden. Hannity subordinated facts to those interests, going on TV nightly to provide viewers an account of events that was, to say the least, tilted in Trumps favor. In a perfect world of unerring judges, perhaps Hannity's claim to a 1st Amendment shield could be rejected. But in the real world, leaving it to courts to strip away 1st Amendment protections based on the psychoanalyzing of journalists true motivations would cow the press in general and erode societys right to know. In the case of Fox News communiques with the White House, it is a poignant irony that the demands of a vigorous 1st Amendment dictate protection even for a sycophantic rascal like Hannity. @HarryLitman This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. A perfect storm of high demand, low staffing and a broken registration system led to hours of delays for hundreds of people trying to get tested for COVID-19 in Shelby last weekend. The Cleveland County Health Department has contracted StarMed to conduct Saturday drive-through testing events at the Health Department through the end of February. On Saturday, more than 400 people showed up to receive tests. The line of cars wrapped around the health department and back out on to Post Road for several hours as people waited for tests and results. Randy Ray Evans said he decided to get tested on Saturday after developing a sinus headache. My mom is in her 80s, and I want to be safe. I try to visit her daily, and I havent in a week because I want to be safe, said Evans. The virus is so strange I wanted to make sure. Evans said he showed up 15 minutes before the scheduled 10 a.m. start time and did not get tested until after 3 p.m. Its inexcusable, he said. They just didnt have enough workers. A line of cars wraps around a COVID test site in Charlotte. DeShay Oliver, Cleveland County deputy health director, said the delays experienced by Evans and others were caused in part by the high volume of people showing up for tests and by a broken preregistration system from StarMed. Preregistration was not required to attend the testing event, but the number of preregistrations give StarMed a better idea of how many people to expect at a testing event and how many people will be needed to staff that event. We did not find out until following the event that their preregistration system was down. So individuals who attempted to preregister were not able to, which is something I understand slowed down their ability to move people through the line at a faster pace. Everyone was having to register on-site as opposed to having that preregistration capability, said Oliver. We immediately began working with them after getting in the office (Monday) morning after learning that to ensure they had a mechanism in place to allow people to preregister. Story continues StarMed is expected to produce updated fliers with accurate preregistration information this week. The Saturday clinic is not the only one to see issues with long lines or staffing woes. Some test sites have been seeing delays due to the surge of COVID-19. Last week StarMed had to close down a south Charlotte test site as a result of two incidents involving guns. Another Charlotte clinic was moved after home owners complained about lines of cars blocking their driveways. Oliver said long lines are expected to continue to be a trend over the next few weeks. The health department is working on ways to improve traffic flow to avoid more traffic delays on Post Road. "Based on our current call volume it seems like testing is in extremely high demand and this Saturday is likely to have a high turnout," she said. "We do think that the very high transmissibility of the omicron variant combined with people getting together over the holidays and also with school letting back in that over the course of the next three weeks that trifecta will cause a very high demand for testing." As of Monday afternoon, nearly all available appointments for tests this week at the health department were full. As call volumes increase, the department is referring people who need testing to other providers in the county who can still schedule tests. "I would just encourage people to continue to seek testing whenever testing is needed but also be patient with folks doing their best to provide these services at a time when demand is very high and operations are strained," said Oliver. Dustin George can be reached at 704-669-3337 or Dustin.George@ShelbyStar.com. This article originally appeared on The Shelby Star: Long lines create frustration at Shelby COVID-19 testing site Machine Gun Kelly and Megan Fox After a very pink, very "Barbie and Ken" appearance at the iHeart Music Awards this week, rockstar and rapper Machine Gun Kelly made a much more low-key visit to the Hoosier state Friday. The artist visited Indiana pizza chain Noble Roman's in Westfield for Barstool Sports' "Pizza Review" series, where Barstool founder Dave Portnoy does a "one bite critique" of pizza in various locations across the U.S. Earlier this week, Portnoy was in Bloomington. The two promoted Kelly's show, which also featured DJ and record producer Diplo, hosted as an Indianapolis 500 celebration by Barstool Sportsbook. Snapchat videos show actress Megan Fox, Kelly's girlfriend, on stage with the artist, too. "Oh my god! Megan!" some people screamed. Music festivals are back! What you need to know about Lollapalooza, Outside Lands and everything in between Kelly, whose real name is Colson Baker, later posted Instagram stories showing off his performance in Grand Park, fresh after his "Alternative Rock Album of the Year" award at the iHeartRadio Music Awards this week. The star was also named "Top Rock Artist" at the Billboard Music Awards on Sunday. He may have started off the week in full glam, with trophies and extremely long, spiked nails but it looks like the "Greatest Spectacle in Racing" was enough to bring him to Indiana. Kelly enjoyed the pizza in Westfield, and they got "bonus points" for having root beer, but he did have one critique. "I wish it was thicker." Kelly will be back in Indianapolis for his upcoming tour "Tickets to My Downfall" on Sept. 11. Barstool Pizza Review - Noble Roman's Craft Pizza & Pub (Westfield, IN) with special guest @machinegunkelly pic.twitter.com/RZ29nlnIlR Dave Portnoy (@stoolpresidente) May 28, 2021 Contact IndyStar reporter Rashika Jaipuriar at rjaipuriar@gannett.com and follow her on Twitter @rashikajpr. This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Megan Fox, Machine Gun Kelly celebrate Indy 500 weekend with concert A former loan officer for a failed Bridgeport bank admitted in federal court Wednesday that she falsified loan records for Ald. Patrick Daley Thompson at the direction of the banks president to make it look like payments were being made. Alicia Mandujano, 50, of Chicago, pleaded guilty during a telephone hearing in U.S. District Court to a conspiracy charge stemming from an alleged $29 million embezzlement scheme that led to the 2017 collapse of Washington Federal Bank for Savings. Advertisement Among those charged in the ongoing investigation was Thompson, who was accused of filing false tax returns involving a $219,000 line of credit hed received from the bank before he became alderman in 2015. Thompson, the grandson and nephew of two former Chicago mayors, has pleaded not guilty and is scheduled to go on trial Feb. 4 the first sitting alderman to face a criminal trial at the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse in decades. Advertisement Mandujano, meanwhile, is cooperating with prosecutors and is a potential witness at Thompsons trial. Her 27-page plea agreement with prosecutors included new details about loans the alderman allegedly obtained from Washington Federal that are at the center of the tax counts against him. According to the plea, the then-president of Washington Federal, John Gembara, directed her on three separate occasions in 2013 and 2014 to provide Thompson with loan distribution checks that were in excess of the principal amount of Thompsons note. Thompson personally picked up the checks from Gembara at the bank, according to the plea. Between 2012 and 2017, after Thompson did not pay back the loan, Gembara directed Mandujano to alter the banks records and make it appear that loan payments had been made by Thompson, including by advancing interest payments and then adding those amounts to the principal balance of his loan, the plea stated. In a statement to the Tribune on Wednesday, Thompsons attorney, Chris Gair, said the prosecutions summary of Mandujanos testimony in the plea agreement was highly misleading. As the government well knows from their interviews of her, Mandujano will testify that Mr. Thompson had no way of knowing that they were altering the books of Washington Federal, Gair wrote in the emailed statement. Furthermore, it is important to note that Mr. Thompson is not accused of any wrongdoing with respect to the Washington Federal loan. In addition to altering the loan records for Thompson, Mandujano admitted her role in the larger embezzlement scheme, which included falsifying entries to funnel millions of dollars to preferred customers, using bank funds to pay real estate taxes for customers, and clearing loans with little or no collateral and no expectation the money would be repaid, court records show. Advertisement At the center of the alleged fraud scheme was Robert Kowalski, a Chicago attorney and former bank customer, who was a large debtor of the bank when it was closed by regulators in December 2017 with about $66 million in bad loans, according to a superseding indictment filed last year. The latest indictment also charged William Mahon, a then-top official with the citys Streets and Sanitation Department, with willfully filing false tax returns as part of that larger probe. Gembara, 56, who is referred to in the charges only as Individual A, took his own life in Park Ridge less than two weeks before the banks closure, according to a medical examiners report. After Mandujanos guilty plea Wednesday, her attorney, Victor Henderson, portrayed his client as a pawn in a classic case of powerful men exerting control over women who had no say. The millions of dollars that were stolen went to men, Henderson said. The bank tellers and low level employees who were women simply got to keep their jobs. Their alternative was to get fired for failing to follow orders. Mandujano faces up to five years in prison under sentencing guidelines contained in the plea. However, if prosecutors are satisfied with her cooperation they will ask for a lesser sentence, according to the document. Advertisement Thompson, 52, the 11th Ward alderman since 2015, was charged in April in a seven-count indictment with filing false tax returns and lying to Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. officials about the payments from Washington Federal. He has vehemently denied wrongdoing. In a statement after the indictment was announced, Thompson said his conscience was clear and that hes paid the back taxes owed and repaid the rest of the loan in question. I did not commit any crime, I am innocent and I will prove it at trial, the statement said. The charges in the indictment do not relate in any way to my public service or to my professional life. I remain 100% dedicated to serving the people of Chicago to the best of my ability. jmeisner@chicagotribune.com Navient did not admit to wrongdoing in the settlement. (Photo: Andrew Kelly via Reuters) Navient, one of the nations largest student loan processors, will cancel $1.7 billion worth of debt for 66,000 students following an agreement to settle a lawsuit with 39 states and the District of Columbia. Navient repeatedly and deliberately put profits ahead of its borrowers it engaged in deceptive and abusive practices, targeted students who it knew would struggle to pay loans back, and placed an unfair burden on people trying to improve their lives through education, said Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro, a Democrat and one of the attorneys general suing the company. The $1.7 billion in canceled debt is entirely for private student loans, which are not guaranteed by the federal government. Navient will also make $95 million worth of restitution payments to 350,000 federal student loan borrowers who were placed in certain long-term forbearance programs. Navient did not admit any fault in the settlement and maintains that it did nothing illegal. The company has long managed federal student loans on behalf of the Department of Education, though it is handing those duties off to a different servicer in 2022. The lawsuits against Navient began five years ago and focused on charges that Sallie Mae, Navients predecessor company, made loans to borrowers it knew were likely to default as well as claims that Navient steered borrowers toward expensive forbearance programs instead of cheaper income-based repayment options. Most of the loans being canceled are subprime loans that were given to students attending for-profit colleges, which often had graduation rates below 50%. That made it unlikely students would ever be able to pay the loans back. A federal court must still approve the settlement. Borrowers who are eligible for relief simply need to make sure the Education Department has up-to-date addresses for them, Shapiros office said, and should be notified if they are receiving relief in the spring or early summer. Another lawsuit against Navient, filed by the federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, is still going forward. That lawsuit alleges that Navient deceived borrowers, forcing them to make higher payments than necessary. This article originally appeared on HuffPost and has been updated. The annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day Memorial March from the Freedom Center to Music Hall in Cincinnati in 2020. With the sharp increase in COVID-19 cases around Cincinnati, many of the celebrations planned for the Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday have changed from in-person to virtual-only. Here's a list of local events honoring the Civil Rights leader this year. Saturday, Jan. 15 MLK Day of Service: Neighborhood Cleanup, 11 a.m., Westwood Town Hall, 3017 Harrison Ave., Westwood. Join neighbors, Westwood Civic Association and the Price Hill Safety CAT in the first neighborhood cleanup of the year. Monday, Jan. 17 In-person events MLK Day Commemorative March, 10:30 a.m., National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, 50 Freedom Way, Downtown. March from the Freedom Center to Washington Park, ending with an interfaith prayer service. Masks required. mlkcoalition.org. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Breakfast and Community Forum, 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Robert "Sonny" Hill Community Center, 800 Lafayette Ave., Middletown. Community breakfast, health screenings, speakers and community visioning. Sponsored by City of Middletown. facebook.com. Martin Luther King Jr's messages on equality, unity and perseverance will be celebrated Monday around Greater Cincinnati. Free Admission, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, 50 E. Freedom Way, Downtown. Reserve tickets online: freedomcenter.org. Cincinnati Parks MLK Day of Service, register: cincinnatiparks.regfox.com/volunteer-a-day. 9 a.m.-noon, MLK Park, Avondale. 9 a.m.-noon, Alms Park, Columbia Tusculum and Mount Lookout. 9 a.m.-noon, Fairview Park, CUF/Clifton. 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Walnut Woods, Evanston. 1-4 p.m. California Woods, California. Northern Kentucky Branch NAACP Dr. Martin Luther King Community Outreach Luncheon, noon, Newport Syndicate, 18 E. Fifth St. Dr. David Childs, professor of education at Northern Kentucky University, will be keynote speaker. MLK Week of Giving: Blood Drive, Jan. 17-23. Donate blood at Hoxworth Blood Center's neighborhood donor centers. All donors receive a free "It Takes All Types" umbrella. 513-558-1200; hoxworth.org. Martin Luther King Jr. Skate, 1-5 p.m., Beechmont Rollarena, 3988 Commercial Blvd., Union Township. $7 admission, $2-$4 skate rental. 513-753-6868; beechmontrollarena.com. Story continues MLK Day Holiday Skate, 3-5 p.m., Goggin Ice Center, 610 Oak St., Oxford. miamioh.edu/ice. Virtual events MLK Day Commemorative Program, noon. Livestreaming via mlkcoalition.org. Be the Dream MLK Celebration in Lebanon, 7 p.m. via YouTube and Facebook. Event includes keynote speaker Dr. Celeste Didlick-Davis, musical performances, drum major awards, student art presentation and more. mlklebanon.org. Live the Dream: Our Declaration of Unity, noon. Virtual program streaming on Live the Dream Facebook Page and West Chester Township's YouTube channel. Features keynote speaker Rev. Kendall Wright as well as Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s words, youth presentations and music. In-person march is canceled. livethedreamwcl.weebly.com. King Legacy Celebration, 9 a.m., via National Underground Railroad Freedom Center. Speakers include Lance Wheeler, Mona Jenkins, Celia Willliamson and Linda Early Chastang. Performances by Central State University chorus and Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra Nouveau Chamber Players. $15. freedomcenter.org/klc22. MLK Week at College of Mount St. Joseph, 11 a.m. via Zoom. Keynote speaker is Dr. Wilson Okello. See entire week's activities, which include a social justice forum, leadership luncheon and day-of service, at mymount.msj.edu. Martin's Dream, streaming online Jan. 17-Feb 28 via the Children's Theatre of Cincinnati. Production brings to life this historical figure through the power of story, speech and song. Two versions available: one appropriate for younger audiences, and another for ages 8-up. thechildrenstheatre.com. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Martin Luther King Jr. Day events in Cincinnati area Dr. Luis Cifuentes will be rerouted to focus as the vice president for research, creativity and strategic initiatives for New Mexico State University, no longer the dean of NMSU's Graduate School. LAS CRUCES - New Mexico State University Chancellor Dan Arvizu is making changes to administration as the sole leader after President John Floros stepped down on Friday. Under Arvizu's organizational changes, Vice President for Research, Creativity and Strategic Initiatives Luis Cifuentes is now leading the Office of Research, Creativity and Strategic Initiatives, relieving Cifuentes as dean of the Graduate School. Cifuentes had already been Vice President for Research, but according to spokesman Justin Bannister, he's taking on a couple more areas, hence the change in title. Cifuentes only became dean of the Graduate School when Floros and Arvizu were hired in 2018. Now with another leadership shift, his title has changed again. NMSU news: Why now? NMSU chancellor addresses decision to consolidate leadership roles Now, the Graduate School is dean-less. The remaining support staff will be reporting directly to Acting Provost and Vice President for Student Success Renay Scott. "The newest realignment actually does make, I think, a little bit more sense for the university to have the grad school overseen by the provost," Bannister said. "The provost oversees all of the different colleges, all the deans report up through her." There are still discussions as far as the need to replace Cifuentes with another dean or not. The university is going through a realignment of governing administrators, but Arvizu had said on Monday that there will not be a major hiring in the near future. "We've got key people to fill in the key functions," Arvizu said to the Sun-News. "I don't need to hire anybody else, we've got the people that we need for the functions that we have. And now the system is starting to stabilize a little bit." For now, it will be under the leadership of Scott. "I thank Dean Cifuentes for his service," Scott stated in a letter on Wednesday. "Additionally, accomplishments in the Graduate School were a testament to its dedicated staff and the hard work of retired Associate Vice President for research and graduate studies Luis Vazquez and Associate Dean Denise Esquibel, who helped lead the graduate school during this period. Story continues "I look forward to working with the Graduate School, the chair and members of the Graduate Council and the executive leadership and members of the Graduate Student Council." Others are reading: This article originally appeared on Las Cruces Sun-News: NMSU Graduate School without a dean after new system rearrangement, provost leads school HOBBS, N.M. (AP) An 18-year-old New Mexico woman accused of abandoning her newborn baby in a dumpster pleaded not guilty Wednesday to charges of attempted first-degree murder and child abuse. Alexis Avila of Hobbs was told by a Lea County judge at her arraignment that she can stay out of jail pending trial and set house arrest as a main condition of release. Police said a group of people were looking through a dumpster for anything of value last Friday in Hobbs, near the Texas border, when they heard what they thought was a dog or kitten. They moved a trash bag and found a baby inside, wrapped in a dirty blanket with its umbilical cord still attached. They immediately called authorities and tried to keep the boy warm until police and paramedics arrived. Investigators used surveillance video to identify a car suspected of being involved. That led them to Avila, who admitted to giving birth at another location and then leaving the baby in a dumpster. Questioned by police, Avila said she was not aware that she was pregnant until Jan. 6 when she sought medical attention for abdominal pain. She told detectives that she was experiencing stomach pain the next day and unexpectedly gave birth. Search warrants for Avilas car and her familys home turned up blood evidence, clothing and a towel. Authorities said the infant is in the care of the New Mexico Department of Children, Youth and Families. Like other states, New Mexico has a safe haven law, which allows parents to leave a baby younger than 90 days at a safe location without criminal consequences. The laws began to pass in state legislatures around the nation in the early 2000s in response to reports of gruesome baby killings and abandonments, which received copious media attention. A view of the Houses of Parliament from Westminster Bridge. (Photo by Hasan Esen/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images) MPs have been warned by MI5 about a woman suspected of working with the Chinese Communist Party. Christine Lee, a solicitor in London, was named as engaging in political interference activities. Lee's firm has given more than 427,000 to Labour MP Barry Gardiner since 2015, records show. MI5 has issued a rare warning to British politicians to avoid a woman suspected of being a Chinese agent. In a letter to British parliamentarians sent on Thursday, the UK's Security Service named Christine Lee, a solicitor, as having "knowingly engaged in political interference activities" on behalf of the Chinese Communist Party. Electoral Commission records show Lee's firm has given more than 427,000 in financial support to Labour MP Barry Gardiner since 2015. Lee's son has worked for Gardiner as a parliamentary aide, the Daily Mail reported, in what Gardiner described as an "open appointment process," and he said the son was given the job "on merit." MP Tom Tugendhat, chair of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee and chair of the China Research Group, told Insider: "Our security services are rightly focussed on state threats in the UK. It is clear that the challenge from Beijing is increasing and we need to defend our democracy against hostile activity." The woman's law firm, with offices in London, Birmingham, and Beijing, was chief legal adviser to the Chinese embassy in London, the Times reported. The alert, sent to Insider by a Westminster source, can be seen below. Alert sent to parliamentarians. The name and contact detail for the point of contact has been redacted by Insider. Security Service A spokeswoman for the Speaker's office said: "The Speaker takes the security of Members and the democratic process very seriously, which is why he issued this notice in consultation with the security services. There is no further comment on this matter." Gardiner's office has been contacted for comment. A spokesperson at Lee's office in London said she was not available at the moment. This is a developing story. Read the original article on Business Insider Jan. 13The Reading Parking Authority is rolling out a plan to assist the city with snow cleanup. Nathan Matz, RPA executive director, introduced the initiative to City Council during Monday's committee of the whole meeting. The plan is part of an ongoing partnership between the authority and the city's Public Works Department and was developed with the help of a snow management consultant. It focuses on three main areas of concern during snow events: offering free parking in select city garages; clearing sidewalks, curbs, ramps and crosswalks in the commercial core; and removing snow from commercial-district parking zones. Offering free parking in select authority garages to city residents during inclement weather has a twofold benefit, Matz said. "Anyone who lives in the city can park in a garage and avoid having to clean snow off their vehicle or shovel out a parking space," he said. "More importantly, moving cars from the street allows public works to plow more efficiently and effectively." Helping to clear snow from sidewalks and other areas of pedestrian activity, and from commercial parking zones will make those areas safer for downtown residents, business owners and customers during snow events, he said. "This has a huge positive economic impact on the city by decreasing the time business owners are negatively impacted by snow events." Matz said. The authority invested more than $200,000 in the undertaking, he said, noting expenses include consultant fees, snow-removal equipment purchases and staff training. The initiative had a test run after the snowstorm this month, Matz said, praising the team for its efficiency, while noting the cleanup process is still evolving. "We recognize there is room for improvement," he said, "and are noting adjustments that will make our response to the next snow event even stronger." The plan does not replace the city's procedure for declaring and responding to snow emergencies, Matz said, but will apply even in the case of lesser snowfalls. Story continues When a storm is forecast, the authority will take the lead in posting no-parking signs at affected parking spaces. The signs will denote the times and dates during which cars must be kept off the streets. Matz also introduced amendments to the city's snow and ice removal ordinance. The proposed changes will codify the role of the authority and officially provide for free parking in select city garages during snow and ice events. While offering free garage parking has been the practice during past snowstorms, Matz said, it will be formalized by an amended ordinance. The snow removal plan and proposed amendments to the ordinance will not relieve property owners of their legal obligation to clear sidewalks. Jeffrey S. Waltman Sr., council president, said there is still time for the city solicitor to review the proposed amendments and for council members and the public to comment before any action is taken. In the event of an impending storm, residents should check the authority's website or Facebook page for information on which garages will be open for free parking. A 58-year-old Michigan woman was arrested outside the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday after police said weapons, including a loaded shotgun, were found in her truck. U.S. Capitol Police on Thursday said they arrested Kery Lynn McAttee on weapons charges, including unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of unregistered ammunition, unlawful possession or transportation of a semi-automatic rifle and unlawful possession of a firearm. Police said McAttee parked her truck in a no-parking zone outside U.S. Capitol Police headquarters on Wednesday afternoon and told officers she drove from Michigan to talk to them about information she said she had about Jan. 6, 2021, the day of the attack on the Capitol by supporters of then-President Donald Trump. During the conversation, police said they noticed a gun case and the butt of a gun in the truck. After McAttee confirmed she had firearms in her vehicle, police said they found an unloaded Remington Nylon 66 .22-caliber rifle, an unloaded Connecticut Valley Arms .50-caliber muzzle loader, a loaded Mossberg .410-caliber shotgun and a pellet gun. More: Michigan Democrats remember Jan. 6 Capitol attack, reject Trump's false claims More: Jan. 6 attacks haven't proved a setback to Republicans. Here's why While police said there was no evidence at present that McAttee intended anything other than to speak to the officers, Washington, D.C. has strict laws regulating the possession and transportation of weapons not registered in the district. A hometown for McAttee was not provided by police and police also did not reveal any details of her conversation with officers. Contact Todd Spangler: tspangler@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @tsspangler. Read more on Michigan politics and sign up for our elections newsletter. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan woman Kery Lynn McAttee arrested with guns outside US Capitol By Ahmed Elumami and Nadeen Ebrahim MISRATA, Libya (Reuters) - Hundreds of bodies of Islamic State fighters killed in battle years ago are rotting in food freezers outside a Libyan city while authorities work out what to do with them, a grim reminder of the disarray a failed election was meant to address. Stored in a dusty corner of a compound southeast of Misrata, the 742 bodies were gathered by the internationally recognised government in 2016 from battlefields and informal graves, but there was no agreement on how or where they should be buried. Instead, Libya's conflict rumbled on, frontlines shifted, governments changed and financial crises came and went. The corpses, meanwhile, began to decompose, as power supplies to refrigerated containers were interrupted. The compound, run by a police unit and surrounded by fences and security cameras, reeks of decay. Weeds grow between the containers and an abandoned forensic tent stands under the burning sun. "Power cuts for long periods make the situation, the bad smell, worse," said Salah Ahmed of the police unit handling the compound. Originally assembled for identification and proper burial, even those fighters identified by documents or former comrades remain uncollected by foreign states or family members, leaving it up to the Tripoli government to dispose of them. One plan that assigned a burial ground in the city of Sirte, which Islamic State seized in 2015 and held for over a year, was thwarted when frontlines moved. Another, to bury them at a cemetery originally dedicated to migrants who died while trying to cross through Libya and on to Europe, was cancelled because it was not big enough. The police unit running the compound says the interim government has assigned a budget to bury the bodies soon. Neither a date nor a location have been announced. The Government of National Unity did not respond to a request for comment. Meanwhile, Tripoli authorities have other priorities amid political jostling that undermined the election and ongoing rivalries between local forces who control their own fiefdoms. Story continues A planned ballot last month was seen as a possible way forward, giving Libya's new rulers a clearer mandate to deal conclusively with the ugly remnants of war. But the vote never happened amid rows over basic rules among rival factions. MILITANTS EXPLOITED CHAOS Libya fell apart after the 2011 NATO-backed uprising against Muammar Gaddafi, as victorious rebel groups fell out and political factions squabbled for control of lucrative organs of state. Amid the chaos, and as Arab Spring uprisings elsewhere spawned a new wave of militancy, devotees of Islamic State started staging attacks and seizing territory, including Gaddafi's hometown of Sirte. Hundreds of foreign supporters of the group slipped into Libya hoping to join local fighters who had rallied to its cause. The image of Islamic State's black flag flying over a major Libyan city was for many a symbol of the country's collapse. When pro-government forces overran the group in Sirte in late 2016 after months of fighting, hundreds of militants' bodies were left under the rubble or in shallow graves their comrades had dug. Apart from a major shooting in Tripoli in 2019, Islamic State has since been limited to small raids on remote desert towns, but some experts warn that any major recurrence of warfare could give it space to return. The previous government ordered bodies to be collected from the rubble and exhumed from mass graves for identification and return to their countries of origin or Libyan families. It also wanted to gather evidence of the flow of foreign jihadists into Libya. Using documents and photographs, and by speaking to captured militants, the authorities identified over 50 of the bodies, mostly from Arab and African countries but with provisional identifications of a British woman and a French child. Now the police looking after the bodies say they hope the interim government can find a solution quickly. Four of the 10 refrigerator units are not working. When that happens, bodies have to be moved to ones that are. Though Libya is a major oil producer, political chaos has undermined infrastructure, including power supply. "Keeping the bodies in freezers is expensive and stressful," said Ahmad. "The conditions are not appropriate." (Reporting by Ayman Elumami in Misrata and Nadeen Ebrahim in Cairo; additional reporting by Islam Alatrash; editing by Angus McDowall and Mike Collett-White) People gather outside the Burger King restaurant at 5120 W. Capitol Drive Wednesday during a rally to demand safer working conditions for fast-food workers. The rally comes after Niesha Harris-Brazell, 16, was shot and killed on Jan. 2 while working at the drive-thru window of the Burger King. Nearly 100 people gathered Wednesday outside the Burger King where 16-year-old Niesha Harris-Brazell was killed to demand safer working conditions in the fast-food industry. Cooks and cashiers just like Harris-Brazell joined various elected officials and organizers of Fight for 15, a national campaign advocating for a $15 minimum wage, to demand more safety precautions for those in the industry. Our community cant be a community with violence in the workplace, said state Rep. David Bowen, a Democrat from Milwaukee. Harris-Brazell was shot and killed Jan. 2 during a robbery at the Burger King, 5120 W. Capitol Drive. Its unclear exactly how Harris-Brazell came to be shot, but it appears she may have been struck by gunfire either from the suspect or a coworker who opened fire with a gun he was barred from possessing. More: Police arrest robbery suspect connected with shooting death of Niesha Harris-Brazell at a Burger King Niesha N. Harris-Brazell We shouldnt be standing here today for a 16-year-old who was hurt in the workplace, said County Board Supervisor Sequanna Taylor. Organizers of Wednesdays rally pointed to news coverage of three other similar incidents of fatal violence across the nation in the week since Harris-Brazells death. Fast-food employees were reported shot and killed in incidents in Ohio, California and New York between Jan. 6 and 10. Erica Hunt, a Milwaukee resident who has been working in the food industry for 15 years, recalled a time when she was 16 and working her first job at a fast-food restaurant when it was robbed at gunpoint. She said managerial staff forced her to work the rest of her shift after speaking with police. I know how ugly workplace violence can get, she said, noting that sexual harassment, physical abuse and mental abuse can be common and there's a constant threat of being fired. On top of that, the pay is low. "The fact that 16-year-old people are forced to work for low wages, risk their lives ... should not happen in the richest nation in the world," said Natalia Fajardo, an organizer for the Wisconsin Poor People's Campaign. Story continues A 2021 study by Fast Food Justice Ahora, which advocates for better fast-food working conditions, looked at almost 650 fast-food restaurants across California and found that each one experienced an average of 30 violent or threatening incidents a year from 2017 through 2020. About 13% of those incidents involved physical or sexual assault, the study found. Other incidents included drug and gang activity, threats, prowling and stalking. Fast-food restaurants are vulnerable to such incidents because they are often open late, if not 24 hours a day; usually provide convenient access to thoroughfares and dark alleys for getaway; have cash on site; and often have inexperienced staff, according to the study. Quran Calhoun, the national coordinator for the Fight for 15 campaign, chants "No justice, no peace" before cooks and cashiers of fast-food restaurants rally at the Burger King to demand safer working conditions for fast-food workers. Contact Elliot Hughes at elliot.hughes@jrn.com or 414-704-8958. Follow him on Twitter @elliothughes12. Stay in the know. Sign up to get NewsWatch delivered to your inbox every afternoon. 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: Milwaukee rally calls for safer working conditions after teen's death A settlement has been reached in a federal lawsuit involving the mayor of Joliet, the Police Department and two men who were participants in a 2020 demonstration following the death of George Floyd. Details of the settlement were not made public, but Michael Baker, an attorney representing one of the demonstrators, confirmed the parties had reached a settlement. He declined further comment Wednesday. Joliet Mayor Robert ODekirk did not return calls seeking comments nor did the citys corporation counsel. Advertisement The altercation, captured on video, appears to show ODekirk grabbing Victor Williams Jr., a Lockport man who was 23 at the time, by the collar and forcibly walking him backward to a police vehicle at a chaotic public demonstration. The May 31 demonstration was one of many protests across the country that came in the wake of Floyds death at the hands of Minneapolis police. In the video, Williams brother, Jamal Smith, a Crest Hill man who was 28 at the time, appears to then jump on the mayor from behind and then the three men are quickly surrounded by police. Advertisement Williams and Smith filed individual lawsuits against the city and unnamed officers. ODekirk initially was a named defendant in Williams lawsuit, but the mayor was not individually later named as a defendant in an amended lawsuit that combined the two complaints into one. The altercation sparked division among the city and prompted a group of pastors to call for ODekirks resignation. In a news conference shortly after the altercation, ODekirk maintained he was acting in self=defense and that he thought his personhood was threatened. Attorneys for Williams and Smith said that Williams was simply trying to tell ODekirk that he was trying to go through the parking lot of a Jefferson Street strip mall to get to his sisters car. ODekirk, a former police officer, said he felt compelled to go with Joliet police that evening to patrol the city in the hopes of defusing the protests. In the days following the skirmish, ODekirk said some people recognized him as the mayor and others did not. Alicia Fabbre is a freelance reporter. A dad was missing for years before human remains found in a Georgia creek were identified as his, officials said. Now, his death is being investigated as a homicide, the Burke County Sheriffs Office said Jan. 13. Tyrone Timothy Hughes was described as a father in his 30s and jack of all trades after he was reported missing in January 2019. Though he lived with different friends and relatives, he always remained connected, his cousin told WRDW. Hes never went and not contacted me or his family, Keisha Williams said around the time that he vanished, according to WJBF. Thats my sidekick. Hughes was living in Augusta when officials said loved ones last saw him in December 2018. Eight months later, an unidentified set of remains was found in a creek near Story Mill Road, south of Augusta. The persons identity was a mystery until this week, when officials discovered the remains belonged to Hughes. The sheriffs office said investigators received information from the Center of Human Identification on a DNA match. An investigation continues in the case, which deputies in Burke and Richmond counties consider a homicide. Officials in a news release didnt share additional information about the circumstances surrounding Hughes death but said more details could be shared in the future. Deputies urge anyone with information to call them at 706-554-6633 or 706-554-2133. 24-year-old hiker went missing months ago. Her remains may have been found, WV cops say Human remains found in car linked to a woman missing for 16 years, Tennessee cops say More Democrats view abortion or reproductive rights as one of the top issues that the government should address in 2022, according to a poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. The survey released Thursday found that 13 percent of Democrats polled mentioned abortion or reproductive rights as a priority issue, a significant increase from less than 1 percent who listed it in 2021 and 3 percent in 2020. Democrats also listed the economy, health care and gun control as top priorities in the poll. Jennifer Benz, deputy director of The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, suggested that in the recent year, abortion may have been overshadowed by the pandemic, economy and other issues. "The public have lots of things that they want to see government addressing," she said, according to the AP. "You ask this kind of question in a time of economic turmoil and in the time of a pandemic and all of these other things going on, we might not expect abortion to rise to the top." The poll comes as the Supreme Court debates Roe v. Wade, the landmark ruling that legalized abortion throughout the country in 1973. "I think what we have seen is absolutely an increase in awareness, an increase in urgency, an increase in the need to fight back," Sam Lau, senior director for advocacy media at the Planned Parenthood Action Fund, told the AP. "But I still actually think that huge swaths of this population still don't quite believe that the access to abortion and the 50-year precedent that is Roe v. Wade is really hanging in the balance." He added that many are pushing elected officials who publicly supported Roe v. Wade to "be bold and to go on offense and to pass proactive legislation to protect access to abortion." The AP-NORC polled 1,089 adults on Dec. 2-7 and has a margin of sampling error of 4.1 percentage points. 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. 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. 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 By Nneka Chile LAGOS (Reuters) - Startups in Nigeria are helping fight counterfeit pharmaceutical drugs in Africa's most populous nation, where the prevalence rate of fake drugs is higher than the global average 10% and contributes to several deaths annually. The most counterfeited are drugs for anti-malaria, pain and antibiotics, according to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC). To fight the flood of fake pills, the agency, in partnership with the startups has created stickers with unique codes that manufacturers and distributors can attach to boxes and sachets of pills. Consumers can then use apps on their phones to scan the code and confirm their authenticity. Lagos-based Chekkit Technologies' mobile app allows patients to check authenticity and enables manufacturers to see the number of new customers using their products. "They've (manufacturers) also been able to discover things like side effects, potential side effects their product could have on consumers based on what people say about their product," the company's founder Dare Odumade told Reuters. NAFDAC's director of investigation and enforcement directorate Kingsley Ejiofor said the agency had in the past three years seized 2 trillion naira ($4.8 billion) worth of counterfeit drugs. He said tracking apps were boosting the confidence of consumers. "We currently have about 200 containers of counterfeit medicine at the ports scheduled for destruction. Just imagine the people that could have died as a result of use of such products," Ejiofor said, adding that China and India were the major sources of the fake medicines. At Sproxil Africa, a mobile authentication firm, Managing Director Chinedum Chijioke said the company's app empowered users to validate the authenticity of products they were purchasing. Biofem Industries imports pharmaceutical products and uses Sproxil technology, which has helped create more visible supply chain for its drugs and other fast-moving consumer goods, said Chief Executive Officer Femi Soremekun. ($1 = 413.4400 naira) (Additional reporting by Fikayo Owoeye; Writing by MacDonald Dzirutwe; Editing by Lisa Shumaker) By Foo Yun Chee BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Europe's use it or lose it airport slot rule has not created issues for airlines during the COVID-19 pandemic nor is there any evidence of carriers operating ghost flights because of the rule, a senior European Commission official said on Thursday. "From our perspective, it is an unnecessary fuss. We actually have no evidence from any airline including Lufthansa on any amount of empty flights being operated," the official told reporters. "Travel has been relatively unrestricted. Net bookings is still quite stable," the official said. "For the current winter scheduling season, the Eurocontrol air traffic has been so far in the range of 73-78% of 2019 and the annual 2022 air traffic is forecast to be at 88% of 2019 levels," Commission spokesperson Stefan De Keersmaecker told reporters. The EU executive's comments came a day after a spat between Lufthansa and Ryanair over the rule, which the Commission has relaxed to allow major carriers to preserve airport access during the crisis despite a sharp drop in traffic. Budget rivals, keen to expand into once-congested airports, have criticised the move. Lufthansa CEO Carsten Spohr told a newspaper last month that the airline still had to operate tens of thousands of additional flights in the winter to comply with the slot rule, resulting in surplus emissions. Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary on Wednesday hit out at Lufthansa, saying it was hampering rivals. For this winter season, the EU says airlines will only have to use 50% of their slot rights. The figure will go up to 64% for the summer season from March to October. (Reporting by Foo Yun Chee; Editing by Andrea Ricci) By Laila Bassam and Timour Azhari BEIRUT (Reuters) - Lebanon's telecom duopoly, once cash cows for the state, used to allocate most of their spending on wages, rent and infrastructure. Now revenues have nosedived, and the biggest cost for Alfa and Touch is diesel for the power generators that - with the country's economic meltdown causing national blackouts on top of a currency crash - they use to run the creaking telecom network. "We are in crisis management mode without being able to look at all at long-term problems or see what the overall solutions are because we're distracted by daily matters," Telecoms Minister Johnny Corm told Reuters. "We are living day by day." While global telecoms operators compete on offers for subscribers or building 5G networks, Lebanon's mobile firms - which both returned to state hands in 2020 - are focused on more mundane matters such as stopping the regular theft of their network tower cables. "Every day there is a robbery," Corm said. "It has reached the point that we contact municipalities to ask for help because the security services no longer have the capacity." Last year, when Lebanon's ailing power grid was just about on its feet, generator fuel made up 7% of the telecom sector's expenses. That is projected to soar to two thirds of the budget this year, the minister said. Wages are forecast to fall to 10% of costs from one third - a measure of how revenues are now being eaten up by costs and how employees' spending power has shrunk. In dollar terms, those revenues are just 5% of their level before the crisis erupted in 2019, showing the extent of the collapse of the Lebanese pound, which has made imported equipment cripplingly expensive. The minister said Touch made the equivalent of $850 million in 2018, when Lebanon's pound was at 1,500 to the dollar. Based on the current exchange rate of 31,000, that shrank to the equivalent of $45.5 million in 2021. Story continues Corm said the companies had to review prices to keep operating and avoid draining the state's already almost empty coffers. However, any price adjustment needs cabinet approval, he said, which adds complications as ministers have not met for three months amid a dispute over a probe into Beirut's huge port blast in 2020. Internet outages and weak mobile signals plague the system, but Corm suggested the outlook for any improvement was bleak, with as many as half of the two firms' employees failing to turn up for work. For some, wages don't even cover transport costs. Revenues from telecoms were in decline before the crisis, Corm said, a fall often blamed on corruption. But the minister said the impact of graft was now dwarfed by the economy's collapse. "When there was a lot of corruption there was a lot of money," he said. "Today there is no money left." (Reporting by Laila Bassam and Timour Azhari; Editing by Edmund Blair and John Stonestreet) CLEVELAND It's not yet clear if Ohio's COVID-19 surge is slowing, but there are promising indicators in the northern region of the state, medical experts said Thursday. There are encouraging signs of a downturn in northern Ohio, according to Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff, director of the Ohio Department of Health. New cases of COVID-19 are slowing slightly in northern Ohio, according to a news conference last week with Dr. Robert Wylie, the chief medical operations officer for the Cleveland Clinic. Hospitalization levels may not drop for several weeks though, despite the decline in cases. Will those signs translate to a sustained decrease in new cases hospitalizations? "We just don't know yet," Vanderhoff said during a news conference on Thursday. He added that while northern Ohio is seeing some signs of a slowing surge, other parts of the state are seeing accelerating numbers of new cases and hospitalizations. "We're not out of the woods yet," he added. The Statewide Numbers Ohio is currently averaging more than 17,000 new COVID-19 cases and 330 new hospitalizations per day, the state health department said. The state has repeatedly seen record-levels of patients hospitalized due to COVID-19 this month, Vanderhoff said. The Ohio Hospital Association notes that one out of every three patients in an Ohio hospital is battling COVID-19. "If we know one thing about COVID-19, it's extraordinarily unpredictable. Things can change dramatically and quickly. The bottom line is this: COVID-19 is not going away and omicron is not just a little cold for everyone. Lives are still at risk and lives, sadly, are still being lost," Vanderhoff said. Luckily, the tactics for slowing the spread of COVID-19 and protecting yourself and others remain largely the same, said Dr. Jennifer Wall Forrester, associate chief medical officer and infectious disease physician at UC Health. "Wear a mask; maintain social distancing if you can; stay home if you're sick, unless you're sick enough to need hospitalization; wash your hands; and get vaccinated and get your booster, if you're eligible," she said. Story continues The Ohio National Guard has already been deployed around the state to support strained hospitals and increase statewide testing capacity. Guardsmen are serving as staff at select hospitals and running mass testing clinics in major Ohio cities. On Thursday, President Joe Biden also announced his plans to send a team of 20 doctors, nurses and respiratory specialists to bolster the Cleveland Clinic's ranks. Ohio is one of only six states to receive federal support from the president, a fact Vanderhoff said highlights Ohio's hard-hit status in the latest surge. This article originally appeared on the Cleveland Patch Peter Silvestri, one of two Republican commissioners on the Cook County Board, will not seek reelection in 2022, he told the Tribune on Wednesday. Silvestri, who hails from Elmwood Park in the 9th District, was first elected in 1994 and joins at least two other longtime commissioners in announcing their retirements when their current terms end in December: Larry Suffredin, a Democrat from Evanston, and Deborah Sims, a Democrat from Posen. Advertisement Silvestri is the only GOP commissioner on the board besides Sean Morrison, who is from Palos Park and leads the Cook County Republican Party. Morrison has not formally announced whether he will run for reelection this year. Commissioner Peter Silvestri at a Cook County board meeting in 2019. (Antonio Perez / Chicago Tribune) I made the decision because Im thinking that theres other things I want to do, like maybe teach or practice more law and just have more time with my friends and family, Silvestri said in a phone interview. I hope that my legacy is that I tried to represent the people of our area to the best of my ability, understanding the social and financial limitations that government has. Advertisement Sign up for The Spin to get the top stories in politics delivered to your inbox weekday afternoons. The commissioner, who leads the Cook County Boards Zoning and Building committee and the Litigation committee, added that his replacement should be a centrist whose chief challenges will be tackling crime and advocating for fiscal responsibility. The person should be someone who understands that America works best when its not too far to the right or too far to the left but somewhere in the middle, Silvestri said about his successor. He did not say whether the replacement should be a Republican or Democrat but noted the person must work well with all members of Cook County Board. Silvestris district covers parts of the Northwest Side and suburbs. Also up for reelection this year are Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, Assessor Fritz Kaegi and Sheriff Tom Dart, all of whom are running for another term. ayin@chicagotribune.com BERLIN (Reuters) - Omicron has become Germany's dominant coronavirus variant accounting for 73.3 % of cases nationwide compared with 44.3 % seven days ago, the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) for infectious diseases wrote in its weekly report on Thursday. The long-dominant Delta variant now accounts for just 25.9 % of cases, the RKI said. "In the coming weeks we expect a strong increase in infections with the Omicron variant," the RKI said. "First studies point to a lower share of hospitalizations in those who are fully vaccinated compared to infections with the Delta variant." Around 72% of the population in Germany was now double vaccinated and 44% have had a booster shot, it said. Germany earlier on Thursday reported a new record of more than 81,000 COVID-19 infections in a day as the government's coronavirus crisis manager warned of possible bottlenecks in testing. (Reporting by Berlin newsroom; Writing by Sarah Marsh; Editing by Jonathan Oatis) People take COVID-19 tests at pop-up testing site in New York City on December 7. Reuters/Brendan McDermid Omicron cases could be peaking roughly a month after they started rising in the US, models suggest. Disease experts predict that cases may fall back down as quickly as they rose. By the wave's end, Omicron will have likely infected a large fraction of the US, an expert said. Omicron appears to take a swifter, sharper course than its predecessors: Cases of the variant tend to rise within a population for about a month, then fall just as quickly, early observations suggest. South Africa's daily COVID-19 cases began to drop off in late December, roughly one month after scientists first spotted Omicron there. The UK seems to have followed suit: Daily new COVID-19 cases started rising there in early December, but in the past week, they fell 14% on average, from around 181,000 to 156,000 cases per day. New models predicted the US could be headed for a similar trajectory. "It's certainly possible that we could see a rapid fall just as much as we've seen a rapid rise," David Dowdy, an epidemiologist at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, told Insider. According to projections from the University of Washington's Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, daily new coronavirus infections may have already peaked at more than 6.2 million on January 6. A recent report from the University of Texas suggested daily new COVID-19 cases could peak around Thursday. The model assumes, based on the current science, that Omicron is more transmissible and better at evading the immune system than Delta but results in less severe disease. Those same models predicted Omicron would continue to drive up COVID-19 hospitalizations and deaths in the US through the end of January. The Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation's model estimated that COVID-19 deaths would peak at about 2,100 a day on January 28. Omicron's rise and fall could be even more dramatic on the local level, Dowdy said, adding that many cities and states hadn't seen the worst of their outbreaks yet. Story continues "What we're seeing on a national level is a smoothing over of all of these local effects," Dowdy said, adding: "The West Coast is just taking off. The South is just taking off. You're going to see these cases continue to rise because there are more places where it's taking off than where it's peaking." Winter weather and indoor gatherings may have fueled Omicron's rapid rise A student arrives for classes at A.N. Pritzker elementary school on January 12 in Chicago. Scott Olson/Getty Images A highly transmissible virus tends to tear quickly through a population until it runs out of people to infect, and Omicron may be close to reaching that point. The US already reported its highest-ever number of daily cases more than 1.4 million on Monday, according to data from Johns Hopkins University. That's nearly five times the number of daily cases reported during the last peak in January 2021. But Dowdy said there were other explanations for why Omicron cases took off so quickly. Winter months often facilitate the spread of respiratory viruses, he said, and more people are congregating indoors this winter than during last year's cold months. "It's not only about, or even primarily about, the transmissibility of the virus," Dowdy said. "Last winter, schools were closed. You couldn't go into a restaurant at full capacity, and you surely couldn't go to an indoor gathering of more than 50 people. "Now you can go to a concert, you can easily go to a full restaurant, and all our schools are open. Had you had this behavior last year, you might have seen a much more rapid rise." With Omicron, there's also appears to be a shorter window of time between getting infected and infecting someone else. A recent study from Norway found that Omicron symptoms usually appeared about three days after exposure, while Delta symptoms developed about four to five days after someone was infected, on average. "It may only be shorter by a day, but when you're talking about how long it takes to double your numbers, a day makes a big difference," Dowdy said. Omicron will have infected a 'substantial fraction' of the US by the end of the wave People wait in line as city workers hand out take-home COVID-19 tests in New York City on December 23. Spencer Platt/Getty Images Even if Omicron cases fall dramatically soon, many Americans will likely get sick during this wave. "Omicron, with its extraordinary, unprecedented degree of efficiency of transmissibility, will ultimately find just about everybody," Dr. Anthony Fauci said during a virtual chat with the Center for Strategic and International Studies Commission on Tuesday. "Those who have been vaccinated, and vaccinated and boosted, would get exposed," Fauci said. "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." Dowdy is bit more optimistic. The current Omicron wave will likely infect "a substantial fraction of people," he said, but probably not the majority of US residents. "This virus is burning through certain networks of people who are having more contact with each other, lower levels of vaccination, or recent infection," he said. "Once it makes it through those networks, it doesn't have other places to go, and then you start to see it fall." Read the original article on Business Insider Delaware businesses aren't expecting a respite from the staffing challenges felt across several industries last year as the COVID-19 pandemic worsens once again entering 2022. Business owners for months have struggled to hire employees at the level of compensation they offered before the pandemic. In most cases, they've increased their baseline pay and added other benefits but are still left with openings. "Staffing has become such an issue in every industry there is," said Bob Older, president of the Delaware Small Business Chamber. Delawareans exited the workforce at an unprecedented rate during the pandemic. The labor force participation rate was as much as 2% lower at times in the past year and a half compared with February 2020. Dominican Cafe owner Rebeca Gomez reaches for a stack of papers while working in July, 2021. That means that even when the economy reopened in the middle of 2020, Delaware had around 10,000 fewer people employed or seeking employment. Residents have shared a variety of reasons for leaving their jobs with Delaware Online/The News Journal, including concerns over contracting COVID-19, child care responsibilities and overwhelming mental or physical demands. Overall, the effects of the pandemic have driven the "costs of working" higher, says Desmond Toohey, assistant professor of economics at the University of Delaware. MASK MANDATE RETURNS: Delaware requiring masks in most public indoor settings starting Tuesday "The longer the uncertainty of the pandemic drags out, the worse I would expect this to be," Toohey told Delaware Online/The News Journal this fall. Delaware's job numbers have improved in recent months adding about 1,000 jobs from October to November and about 11,000 year over year, according to the most recent data but the gap between state's employment level and the national average continues to grow. The unemployment rate was 3.9% in February 2020. The unemployment rate in November was 5.1%, above the national average of 4.2%. Signs at the El Diablo in Brandywine Hundred's Branmar Plaza advertise open interviews. Among the most affected sectors is leisure and hospitality. There were 4,800 fewer workers employed in the industry in November compared with February 2020, according to the state's seasonally adjusted data. Story continues Michael Meoli, the owner and operator of more than 20 McDonald's restaurants in Delaware and on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, said last year was "the most difficult struggle" of his three-decade career. His company increased pay (starting wages range from $13 to $15 per hour), added flexibility to scheduling and instituted a same-day pay option to try to attract workers. Without enough employees, drive-thru waits worsened and shifts became more challenging for the workers that remained, Meoli said. Some locations closed their dining areas or reduced dining area hours because of staffing issues. Combined with supply chain pressure, the increased wages led to increased prices. "We have to go to the menu board at some point," Meoli said. "We're a value-driven business. So that is a very, very delicate process. "We have a pretty good feel for what our customers can tolerate in terms of price increases, and weve got to find a way to work that with our wage structure." Manish Patel, manager of Wayback Burgers in Middletown, Smyrna, Milford and Millsboro, said the four restaurants have been short-staffed since the beginning of the pandemic. They are offering higher pay and more schedule flexibility to try to compete with other employers and the applicants they do receive aren't as qualified as they used to be. "No one is paying minimum wage anymore," he said. "It's been very hard." A sign at the Royal Farms on Kirkwood Highway advertises job openings for all shifts. Delaware's minimum wage increased to $10.50 per hour at the start of the year. It will increase annually by more than $1 each year until reaching $15 per hour in 2025. The employers that Delaware Online/The News Journal spoke with are near or at that level today. Many pro-business groups pinned the labor shortage on the extra $300 per week benefit Congress provided unemployed workers during the pandemic. The benefit expired in Delaware on Sept. 6. As of November, Delaware had added about 3,000 to its employment tally since September. In that time, Delaware's hiring, however, stayed behind the national average. In states that ended the benefit early, job growth improved but not significantly, according to several analysts. The effects of staffing shortages aren't limited to the service industry. As they manage record-setting numbers of COVID-19 patients, the state's hospitals have fewer workers than they did this time last year. The hospitals received a combined $25 million in federal money late last year to cover sign-on and retention bonuses that are in the thousands. PREVIOUS REPORTING: What's stopping Delawareans from going back to work? It's not just unemployment benefits Some Delaware schools last week went remote due staff shortages related to COVID-19. The governor's state of emergency issued Monday makes it easier for recently retired teachers to become substitute teachers, a role that the state has been lacking since the early days of the pandemic. COVID-19 testing sites have been closed in recent days for a lack of staff. At Wilmington-based WSFS bank, high attrition in 2020 as other companies offered hybrid and remote work and increased pay necessitated a shift in how the company marketed itself to perspective front-line employees. Michael Conklin, Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resource Officer with WSFS Bank. "Those things really started the ball moving for us and we said, "OK, how do we highlight that coming to WSFS, we are going to be flexible and you can grow your career?" Chief Human Resources Officer Michael Conklin told Delaware Online/The News Journal this fall. The company said it saw improvements last year, but it's still adapting. All of the bank's branches last week started operating as drive-thru and appointment only because of staffing problems. Toohey, the UD professor, anticipates there will be a permanent shift in labor dynamics, but the full extent of that shift will be difficult to understand until the pandemic is less of a presence, he said. "Workers' preferences may simply have changed so that less work and lower income is more attractive than it used to be," he wrote. "As an economy and a society, we have gotten used to having a lot of cheap, available labor: Real wages have remained constant for decades. That may not continue." Personal Bankers Jiji Sidibay and Ryan Willard work at the WSFS Bank branch on North Union Street in Wilmington in 2017. WSFS executives emphasized how employers could chart a career at their company as they attempted to attract workers during the pandemic. If people work and spend less, the public will be able to support fewer businesses leading some to fail in the long term, Toohey said. In the short term, the changes will hit some harder than others as employers weigh the need to increase prices to support higher wages and their bottom lines. "These changes will not develop evenly across the economy," he said. "An employer that raises prices risks losing customers if the competition has not yet raised theirs. A business that could theoretically survive in the long term may struggle through the current environment as wages, employment and prices are all in transition." Reporter Ben Mace contributed reporting. Contact Brandon Holveck at bholveck@delawareonline.com. Follow him on Twitter @holveck_brandon. This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Staffing shortages affect restaurants, hospitals, schools into 2022 . CENTRAL AUSTIN Group hosts MLK Day food drive The Pease Park Conservancy will host a food drive for Martin Luther King Jr. Day throughout the day Monday at Kingsbury Commons, the entrance to Pease Park, 1100 Kingsbury St. The drive will support of the Central Texas Food Bank. Most-needed items include peanut butter, canned chicken breast or tuna, canned low-sodium vegetables, canned fruit, dry pinto beans, brown rice, dry pasta, nonfat dry milk powder and 100% whole grain cereal. Volunteers are also being sought to help collect canned food donations. Four two-hour shifts are available. To register to volunteer: peasepark.org/volunteer. Courtesy of Pease Park Conservancy WEST AUSTIN Deep Eddy Pool reopens Deep Eddy Pool, 401 Deep Eddy Ave., reopened Thursday after mechanical repairs to the well pump have been completed. Barton Springs, Bartholomew, Big Stacy, and Springwoods pools also remain open. Deep Eddy Pool is open from 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Only lap swimming is available; the shallow side is closed. Barton Springs Pool, 2201 Barton Springs Road, is open from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily and closes from 9 a.m. to about 7 p.m. Thursdays for cleaning. Bartholomew Pool, 1800 E. 51st St., is open from 12:15 to 8 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and from noon to 7 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Big Stacy Pool, 700 E. Live Oak St., is open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and from noon to 7 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Springwoods Pool, 13320 Lyndhurst St., is open from 3 to 8 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and from noon to 7 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. For more information: austintexas.gov/pools. From news reports CENTRAL TEXAS Breast wellness support offered Baylor Scott & White will offer a Breast Wellness Support Group in 2022. Group sessions will be offered via Zoom from noon to 1 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 15, March 15, April 19, May 17, June 21, July 19, Aug. 16, Sept. 20, Oct. 18, Nov. 15 and Dec. 20 via Zoom. Story continues The group will cover healthy lifestyle choices and symptom management in an emotionally supportive environment. To register: BSWHealth.com/RRCancer. Courtesy of Baylor Scott & White This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Pease Park Conservancy to host MLK Day food drive for Central Texas Food Bank A man is in custody after a fatal shooting outside a Camp Washington gas station Wednesday afternoon. Police said the shooting happened around 1 p.m. and was witnessed by two uniformed Cincinnati police officers. Two men were arguing as they approached the Shell Gas Station on foot near the corner of Hopple Street and Colerain Avenue, police said. One of the men pulled out a firearm and shot the other, according to police. Officials said it was unclear were even aware of the presence of the two officers. The victim has been identified as 48-year-old Jearid Irvin. He was transported to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, where he died from his injuries, according to a release sent out by the police department. Peter Gamble, 31, has been arrested in the fatal shooting, according to investigators. The Enquirer will update this story when more information becomes available. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Arrest made after man killed at Shell station in Camp Washington JERUSALEM (AP) Israeli police on Thursday fired tear gas, rubber bullets and stun grenades to disperse hundreds of Bedouin Arabs protesting a tree-planting campaign they say is aimed at pushing them off disputed land. It was the third consecutive day of demonstrations by Bedouin residents of southern Israel's Negev desert against a forestry project they say is aimed at seizing land near unrecognized villages. Video footage from the scene shows hundreds of people blocking the desert highway. Police then intervene with tear gas, rubber bullets and stun grenades to clear the road. They said 13 people were arrested in what they described as a violent disturbance. Police released video clips showing people throwing rocks at cars. They said three people were hospitalized with minor injuries. Thursday's demonstration came a day after the government announced a compromise to suspend the tree-planting campaign, which is being conducted by a quasi-governmental organization. The forestry project caused a crisis within the fragile ruling coalition, which includes a small Islamist party with significant support among Bedouins in southern Israel. The Bedouin view the forestry project as part of a larger attempt by authorities to confiscate grazing lands and force them into planned communities, a perceived assault on their traditional lifestyle. Israel says they need to move into planned towns so it can provide public services. The latest flare-up in the dispute, which goes back decades, risks dividing Israels government, the first to include an Arab party. The Bedouin are one of Israel's poorest communities and are part of Israels Arab minority, which makes up some 20% of the countrys population. They have citizenship, including the right to vote, but face discrimination. Arab citizens of Israel have close family ties to the Palestinians and often identify with their cause. Good day, neighbors! It's me again, Debora Whitehead, your host of the Port Jefferson Daily. First, today's weather: Increasingly windy. High: 40, low: 10. Here are the top 4 stories in Port Jefferson today: The Port Jefferson Ice Festival will feature the sculptures of Rich Daly of Ice Memories Inc. The event is free of charge and is sponsored by the Port Jefferson Business Improvement District. The festival is set for Jan. 29-30, from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. on both days. Free parking is available in the village during the winter. (Patch) A new medical clinic is opening in East Setauket. The new Northwell Health facility will be located at 3 Technology Drive in the Stony Brook Technology Center and will offer services such as "internal medicine, urology, urologic oncology and urogynecology." The Northwell physicians who will operate the clinic are partners with the Mather Harborview Medical Group and Mather Hospital in Port Jefferson. (Newsday/Subscription Required) New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance is accepting applications for COVID-19 rent relief in the towns of Brookhaven and Babylon. For more information and help with applications, reach out the Family Service League locations, including Bay Shore (631-647-3104); Mastic Beach (631-874-1327); and Riverhead (631-591-7577). (Newsday/Subscription Required) Patch has the latest numbers of hospital capacity in Port Jefferson area. Click on the link to access the chart. (Port Jefferson Patch) Today's Port Jefferson Daily is brought to you in part by our friends at Verizon. They're building the fastest 5G network in the country. To learn how 5G is going to change life for you and your community and to get access to this amazing technology click here. And thank you Verizon for sponsoring this community resource in Port Jefferson! Today in Port Jefferson: Knit & Crochet (Comsewogue) Comsewogue Public Library. (2 p.m.) North Shore Art Guild Artist Reception at the Stony Brook Holiday Inn. (5:30 p.m.) Story continues From my notebook: " The Sachem Central School District is making some bold moves to stop the spread of COVID-19 in their schools . The district is increasing social distancing and opening windows slightly to allow more air flow in classrooms.The district is also not allowing visitors inside buildings and making all meetings with parents virtual." (News 12 Bronx) Suffolk County Government: Coronavirus case update for Jan. 11. (Press Release Desk) Port Jefferson Free Library: "We are a five-star library! The PJFL has been named by Library Journal one of Americas Five Star Libraries for Public Library Service in 2021! We couldn't do it without our amazing community and all their support. Thank you!" (Facebook) Joseph from Nextdoor's Community Team, Nextdoor New York: "Space heater safety tips: With the tragic news about the fire started by a space heater in New York City, I thought it would be timely to remind everyone about space heater safety." (Nextdoor) More from our sponsors thanks for supporting local news! Events: Announcements: Behind The Scoreboard Babe And A Young Fan (Details) Add your announcement Gigs & services: Loving the Port Jefferson 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 PortJefferson@Patch.com Alrighty, you're all caught up for today. I'll be in your inbox tomorrow with your next update! Debora Whitehead This article originally appeared on the Port Jefferson Patch PORTLAND, Ind. A Portland woman told authorities that God had ordered her to harm her two-year-old daughter. Fortunately what investigators said was an effort to kill the little girl failed. The child who had suffered "a deep laceration to her left wrist, from side to side," and a less severe cut to her right wrist was treated Tuesday night at IU Health Jay Hospital, and was reportedly later transferred to Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis. The girl's mother 24-year-old Raven Sherida Myers was being held Thursday in the Jay County jail under a $50,000 bond. On Thursday afternoon, Jay County Prosecutor Wes Schemenaur's office formally charged her with attempted murder, a Level 1 felony carrying up to 40 years in prison. The child's grandmother, who has legal custody of the girl, had earlier reported the child and Myers, who had been visiting their Portland home had disappeared while the grandmother was sleeping. Portland police notified officials with the Indiana Department of Child Services the child was missing. They later received a call from the grandmother, reporting Myers and the girl had returned, and that the child had wrist injuries. Two police officers took the child, wrapped in a blanket that was covered in blood, to the Portland hospital. Myers "openly admitted she had cut her child's wrist. and that God told her to do it," an officer wrote. An official with the Department of Child Services reported Myers told her she had cut the child at her own apartment, in the 200 block of East North Street. Police searched the apartment, and also Myer's car, and reported not finding any "blood or cutting tools." Myers has been convicted of theft and attempted theft. STAY INFORMED AND SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM: Subscribe today using the link at the top of this page. Douglas Walker is a news reporter at The Star Press. Contact him at 765-213-5851 or at dwalker@muncie.gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Muncie Star Press: Portland mother held on preliminary count of attempted murder Lights illuminate the interior of the Illinois state Capitol building shortly before sunrise on Jan. 6, 2022, in Springfield. (Armando L. Sanchez / Chicago Tribune) SPRINGFIELD Ornate chandeliers dangle from the Illinois state Capitols 20-foot-high ceilings, which are cloaked in elaborate decor and supported by pink scagliola columns. The clickety-clack of footsteps on beige, maroon and dark teal marble floors reverberate through its airy rotunda. The elegant sights and sounds of the Capitol will soon be masked by dusty specks of brick and mortar and blaring power tool drills as the 19th century symbol of state government business undergoes a massive renovation this year to meet 21st century needs. Advertisement It will be the second major construction project on the building in a decade and will force some legislative sessions to find new locations for the next few years, while also being a temporary inconvenience for school groups and other tourists who wont get to see the historic structures full grandeur. The project also presents a hefty price tag for Illinois taxpayers: $224.3 million. Advertisement The inner dome of the rotunda at the Illinois state Capitol in Springfield. Although parts of the Capitol have undergone renovations, the rotunda will not be part of the building's updates. (Armando L. Sanchez / Chicago Tribune) The renovation is focused on the buildings north wing and will include an underground parking garage and an underground conference center, and a two-level welcome center for visitors. In addition, there will be updates of everything from heating and cooling systems to plumbing and ventilation. Unfortunately when utilities and infrastructure are challenged to outlast their recommended lifespan, we are often forced to address maintenance emergencies that costs a significant amount more than a planned renovation, said Andrea Aggertt, the architect of the Capitol, who oversees the buildings improvements. The structures iconic dome, taller than the U.S. Capitols, will not be affected by the project. The project comes as the Old State Capitol, the Illinois statehouse up until 1876, which is a few blocks away and a noted tourist attraction, is also under renovation. Architect of the Capitol Andrea Aggertt inside the Illinois state Capitol building on Jan. 6, 2022, in Springfield. The architect of the Capitol is the point person for all repair contracts and rehabilitation of the building. (Armando L. Sanchez / Chicago Tribune) For this project, some construction has already begun in the basement, a section of the Capitol thats connected to tunnels leading to the William G. Stratton building to the west and the Michael J. Howlett building to the south. Prep work for the project began last year and the underground parking garage should be completed by early 2023, according to Aggertts office. Advertisement The preliminary work includes asbestos abatement in parts of the building. In June, some legislative staff and other employees will be moving to other offices and wont be able to return until January 2025, around the time the project is slated for completion. Scrapings on the north are evidence of consultants trying to figure out what was the original paint color when the building opened in 1888. The Capitol took about 20 years to complete at a cost of about $4.5 million. If were going to cut into all of these walls and replace the piping and the duct work and electrical that when we go back, were going to restore the Capitol to what we call Capitol proper. So that Capitol proper timeline we are focusing on is the late 1800s to the early 1900s, said Aggertt. Security upgrades will be another priority for the north wing. In September 2004, an unarmed security guard was killed by a shotgun blast as he staffed a sign-in desk just inside the north doors. The killing prompted the installation of metal detectors and armed guards, as well as armed secretary of state police officers at the entrance. As part of the latest project, a two-level entryway will be built for public access. Advertisement Mezzanines between the first and second floors and the second and third floors were built in the 1960s and 1970s to give legislators more office space. Architecturally, theyve proven problematic, Aggertt said. Unfortunately, there have been things that have destroyed what Im going to call the fabric of the Capitol building over the years. Putting in the mezzanines, that was a huge one, Aggertt said. A section of paint from the 1880s on the first mezzanine floor at the Illinois state Capitol building. (Armando L. Sanchez / Chicago Tribune) The mezzanine offices resulted in lowered ceilings barely tall enough for a tall person to pass under. State Sen. John Connor, whose office is on a mezzanine, said thats only really a problem for someone who is taller than 6 feet. Hes about 5 feet 9. This definitely (has) a flavor of its own because of the unusual way of subdividing the floor, said Connor, a Lockport Democrat. The project will also aim to make the building more wheelchair accessible, Aggertt said. State officials promised the U.S. Department of Justice over 10 years ago to make 60% of the buildings entrances compliant with the federal Americans with Disabilities Act. Right now, there is only one such entrance, on the buildings west wing. That means someone in a wheelchair can get in (those) doors, but they cant come in the north or the east and the south; while (theres) a ramp, that ramp slope does not meet ADA, Aggertt said. Advertisement Senate Republican Leader Dan McConchie, who uses a wheelchair, said the planned improvements are long overdue after not being prioritized in the past. I mean, look, the Americans with Disabilities Act was passed over 30 years ago. And the fact that we still are so far out of compliance is really, you know, unfortunate, he said. It is ... high time that we made the peoples house accessible for everybody. McConchie said the lack of access has been a problem in areas where the Senate convenes. At a redistricting hearing earlier this year, handicapped seating for committee members was inaccessible. So, I sat at a witness table because I couldnt get back to where any of the other members were, recalled McConchie, of Hawthorn Woods, who has served in the state Senate since 2016. Many of the senate offices have limited accessibility. After he was elected, he had only a few to choose from. There was only I think three out of over 20 offices that actually met accessibility standards, McConchie recalled. So, I was limited in the number in which offices I could choose because, you know, most of them ... either the doors werent wide or other things. So, yeah, theres a whole bunch of issues. I mean, this typically happens with a very old building like that. Advertisement In the early 2010s, the Capitols west wing underwent a $51.5 million renovation that included a new stairwell and doors, waterproofing, roofing and accessibility upgrades. The first floor of the west wing in the Illinois state Capitol building has been updated with new sprinklers, exit signs, fire alarms and a restoration of its paint, ceiling and decorative wall molding to make the area "Capitol proper," dating to the 1890s and early 1900s time period. The chandelier was selected to replicate a gas-fed flame. (Armando L. Sanchez / Chicago Tribune) Notably, some copper-clad wooden doors cost nearly $670,000. Then-Gov. Pat Quinn suggested the improvements were too over the top. We dont need a Palace of Versailles as our state Capitol, he said. While Illinois is in a slightly better financial position, the north wing renovations will cost more than four times as much as the project a decade ago. Aggertt said the work will be funded by Pritzkers Rebuild Illinois plan, an ongoing six-year, $45 billion program to repair and upgrade roads, bridges, university buildings, state facilities and other infrastructure. Despite the costs, Aggertt said its buildings like the Capitol, around for nearly 150 years, that often need the most work. What were trying to do is to restore the building back to the timeframe when it was built. Its taken us a lot of studying and a lot of research to do that, she said. But our plan is that this building will last another 150 years for many people to enjoy. jgorner@chicagotribune.com Cathedral Preparatory School and Villa Maria Academy are getting a new president and reconfiguring the merged school's official colors. Prep-Villa on Thursday announced that Kevin M. Smith, 58, a Cleveland-area native who is now the CEO of the pre-K-8 Monte Cassino School in Tulsa, Oklahoma, will lead Prep-Villa as the two Catholic high schools prepare to consolidate at the start of the 2022-23 academic year. Kevin M. Smith, 58, was named President of Villa Maria Academy, Cathedral Preparatory School and Mother Theresa Academy on Thursday in Erie. Smith will start in Erie on July 1 as the president of Erie Catholic Preparatory School, the entity that oversees what is now the all-boys Prep and the all-girls Villa and the coeducational Mother Teresa Academy, a K-8 school that is also part of Erie Catholic Preparatory School. Prep-Villa has a combined enrollment of more than 750 students, and Mother Teresa, more than 160. I am truly honored and humbled to have been chosen to serve the Villa Maria-Cathedral Preparatory Catholic School System community, Smith said. Im inspired by its mission and the leaders who came before me. Smith said he will listen to the voice of the community" to help it set priorities for the new school. The Prep-Villa system has an incredible foundation and tradition, Smith said, which he said was enticing. Change of colors Also on Thursday, ECPS announced that the new merged Prep-Villa will incorporate, as the school colors, the blue of Villa Maria Academy along with the black and orange of Cathedral Prep. The school will still be named Cathedral Prep, but the name of Erie Catholic Preparatory School will be changed to Villa Maria Cathedral Preparatory Catholic School System, according to Thursday's announcement. The consolidated school will also retain traditions from both schools, such as pep rallies and Villa Maria's Mary's Day, Prep-Villa said. In announcing the merger in 2020, Prep-Villa said the consolidated school would retain the Cathedral Prep name, Prep's Rambler mascot and school colors of orange and black. Critics of the merger said it shortchanged Villa and its traditions. Story continues The head of the ECPS board of directors, Sara Kallner, addressed the changes as she announced Smith's hire at Prep-Villa's Hagerty Family Events Center, on West 12th Street. Kallner heads a 16-member board made up four women and 12 men, according to a list on the Prep-Villa website. "Part of this journey led us to reexamine past decisions," Kallner said, referring to the search for a new president. "It became clear after listening to both Villa and Prep students, parents and alumni that building a successful future is about drawing from the historical strengths of the two communities that brought us to this point. "In the most straightforward terms, it is never the wrong time to do the right thing." Also present at the announcement were Erie Catholic Bishop Lawrence Persico and other officials connected to ECPS. Students were not present. In a statement that echoed the comments she made at the announcement ceremony, Kallner said: "This intensive national search for our next president united our school community as we identified the qualities and attributes desired in our next leader, through a thorough and inclusive process. It also offered us the opportunity to reflect on our collective history as we prepare for a transformational change as a united school community in the fall of 2022. This process led us to reconsider past decisions. Our combined high school will be named Cathedral Preparatory School (Cathedral Prep). Our grade school will continue to be named Mother Teresa Academy. However, our corporate name, currently Erie Catholic Preparatory School, will be changed to Villa Maria Cathedral Preparatory Catholic School System to properly honor our 230 year-strong combined high school history, and recognize that our organization consists of both a high school and a grade school. "Additionally, we will incorporate orange, blue and black together as our new colors when we consolidate on one campus next fall as the new co-educational Cathedral Preparatory School." Regarding Smith, Kallner said: "Kevin Smith demonstrated to our community that he is the best candidate, as he possesses the experience, qualifications, vision, and history of success to lead our school community to its fullest potential as the leader in the region for an exceptional educational experience." Smith graduated summa cum laude with a bachelors degree from the University of Dayton in 1985 and later earned a masters of education degree in exercise sciences from Bowling Green State University. Smith and his wife, Maria, have two children. Smith talks about traditions As president of ECPS, Smith will fill a post that became open in March, when the previous ECPS president, Chris Hagerty, abruptly resigned after less than a year in the job. The outgoing chairman of the ECPS board, Dave Slomksi, has been serving as interim president. Smith currently serves the 780- student Monte Cassino School as its head of school and CEO. He has worked for several private schools in his 37 years as an educator, Prep-Villa said. Erie Catholic Preparatory School Board Chairwoman Sara Kallner, left, on Thursday announces Kevin Smith, right, as president of Erie Catholic Preparatory School, the entity made up of Villa Maria Academy, Cathedral Preparatory School and Mother Teresa Academy. The announcement occurred at Prep-Villa's Hagerty Family Events Center on West 12th Street. Asked why the Prep-Villa system appealed to him, Smith said: "From the moment I read the job description and the posting, it just yelled out that this is going to be one of the best and most innovative schools in our country. Who wouldn't want to be a part of that?" He also promised that the history and traditions of both schools will be honored and preserved. "Understanding the history and the culture of the schools, it is important to carry that forward," Smith said. "Everybody needs to have their voices heard and everybody needs to be included." Thursday's announcement came after ECPS said in a letter on Dec. 2 that its search committee had come up with two finalists after interviewing six candidates: three women and three men. ECPS did not disclose whether the two finalists were men or women. Narrowing the field: Will a woman be picked as new president of merged Prep-Villa? The search committee invited the two finalists to Erie in early December to tour the schools, to meet with students, parents and faculty, and to sit for in-person interviews with the ECPS board of trustees, according to the search committee's Dec. 2 update. National consulting firm used ECPS hired a national educational consulting firm, Carney, Sandoe & Associates, of Boston, to facilitate the search for a new president. Kallner said the search generated more than 700 responses the job posting. Carney, Sandoe vetted 20 national candidates, and presented the ECPS search committee "a diverse slate" of 12 candidates, according to the Dec. 2 update. The committee interviewed the six candidates on its way to coming up with the two finalists. The all-boys Cathedral Preparatory School is merging with the all-girls Villa Maria Academy at Prep's downtown Erie campus, starting in the 2022-23 academic year. The combined school has a new president. In its job description for the new president, the ECPS search committee stated: "The successful candidate will be a mission-driven, entrepreneurial servant leader. The President is responsible for the overall leadership and management of the school and reports to the Board of Directors. "With the merger of the two campuses and the transformation of the curriculum, the next President will oversee the process of bringing this powerful vision to fruition and establishing Erie Catholic Prep's position as a premier Catholic high school." Full merger announced: Villa Maria students will attend renovated Cathedral Prep, with expanded STEM facilities Cathedral Prep was founded in 1921 by Archbishop Mark Gannon. The sisters of St. Joseph founded Villa in 1892, and its campus is on West Eighth Street in Millcreek Township. In 1993, faced with declining enrollment and financial concerns, Prep explored the possibility of admitting girls, but Bishop Donald W. Trautman, then the head of the Catholic Diocese of Erie, said in 1994 that Prep would remain all-boys for the foreseeable future. Unexpected move: As Prep-Villa prepares to merge, its president, Chris Hagerty, resigns 'effective immediately' As enrollment continued to decline, Prep and Villa announced in January 2009 that its administrations and faculty would merge in July of that year, creating one school with separate campuses. The 2008-09 academic year was also the final academic year in which Villa accepted boys as students. It had been coeducational starting in 1989. Beginning in the fall of 2022, Villa Maria students will relocate and attend classes at the Cathedral Prep campus in Erie. The administrative consolidation, which included the creation of Erie Catholic Preparatory School, set up the groundwork for the coming merger of the Prep and Villa student bodies on the Prep campus, in between West Ninth and 10th streets and Myrtle and Sassafras streets. With Bishop Persico present, ECPS officials in November 2020 announced that the full merger of Prep-Villa would occur at the beginning of the 2022-23 academic year. "We believe the move to coed school opens tremendous possibilities," the ECPS president at the time, Hagerty, said in announcing the merger. "This isn't 1921 or 1892," he said, referring to the years the schools were founded. "This is 2020. I call it Catholic rigor mortis. It's hard to let go. But sometimes letting go is exactly what's necessary." Persico's thoughts On Thursday, Persico said he had an hour-long one-on-one talk with Smith in Erie "sometime before Christimas," and came away impressed. "We had a great discussion and I liked what I heard," Persico said. "You could tell he was prepareed to meet the faculty, the students and everyone else. He did his homework on Prep, Villa and MTA. That was clear. "I also liked his commitment and enthusiasm," Persico said of Smith. "This is going to be a challenge and we have a lot going on right now. He said to me, 'No, this is exciting. I'm ready for it.'" When Prep and Villa announced the administrative merger, in 2009, Prep's enrollment was at 570 students. Villa's was at 300, including 60 boys. Process starts: President vacancies: Prep-Villa starts national search Eleven years later, the ECPS search committee's job description for the new president listed Prep's enrollment as 435 and Villa's at 321. The description listed the enrollment at Mother Teresa Academy as 163. Tuition at Prep-Villa is about $10,000 a year. Erie Catholic Bishop Lawrence Persico was involved in the search for a new president to oversee Cathedral Preparatory School, Villa Maria Academy and Mother Teresa Academy. The other Catholic high school in Erie is the coeducational Mercyhurst Preparatory School. Its enrollment is 425. Mercyhurst Prep in October named as its new president Joseph J. Haas, who since 2008 has been the CEO of Catholic Charities Counseling and Adoption Service. It serves the 13-county Catholic Diocese of Erie as an affiliate agency of the diocese's Catholic Charities. Another new leader: Mercyhurst Prep names new president: Joseph Haas, Erie Catholic Charities Counseling CEO Prep-Villa expansion As the new head of ECPS, Smith will be responsible for handling what was Hagerty's main task: overseeing the Prep-Villa merger and the $14.5 million renovation of Prep's campus. The renovations include the construction of a three-story addition to Prep's main building as it faces West 10th Streets. As seen on Dec. 21, construction is continuing on the $12.5 million, three-story, 32,500 square foot Salata Technology and Innovation Center addition to the Cathedral Prep campus in downtown Erie. Prep-Villa broke ground in April on the $12.5 million building, to be called the Salata Technology and Innovation Center. On Thursday, Smith said that, to his knowledge, the Prep-Villa consolidation "is off to a great start and is making excellent progress." "I have no doubt the school will be off to a great start next year," he said. Contact Kevin Flowers at kflowers@timesnews.com. Follow him on Twitter at @ETNflowers. Contact Ed Palattella at epalattella@timesnews.com. Follow him on Twitter @ETNpalattella. This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Prep-Villa names new president, announces new school colors, other changes WASHINGTON, D.C. President Joe Biden is expected to deploy military units to Ohio and five other states as part of a plan to aid flailing hospitals struggling under the sustained pressure of COVID-19 surges. Starting next week, 1,000 military medical personnel will begin arriving to help mitigate staffing crunches at hospitals across the country. Many facilities are struggling because their workers are in at-home quarantines due to the virus at the same time as a nationwide spike in COVID-19 cases. The new deployments will be on top of other federal medical personnel who have already been sent to states to help with acute shortages. The majority of the deployed military personnel will be trained doctors and nurses, according to the Washington Post. The White House said the teams will support Henry Ford Hospital just outside Detroit, University Hospital in New Jersey, the University of New Mexico hospital in Albuquerque, Coney Island Hospital in Brooklyn, Cleveland Clinic and Rhode Island Hospital in Providence. Ohio is in the midst of an unprecedented COVID-19 surge statewide. The state is now averaging more than 17,000 new COVID-19 cases per day. More than 330 Ohioans are hospitalized daily due to the virus, according to the state health department. One out of every three patients in Ohio hospitals tested positive for COVID-19, the Ohio Hospital Association said. The current surge started in November and has continued through mid-January. Many hospital systems throughout the state suspended nonessential surgeries, closed emergency departments to people seeking COVID-19 tests and requested help from Gov. Mike DeWine. The Ohio National Guard deployed statewide in December, with units running mass testing sites and bolstering the ranks of staffing-challenged hospitals. Ohio hospitals appreciate the continued support and service of the Ohio National Guard during this critical time of healthcare need related to COVID-19. The testing locations organized by the Guard and hospitals have been extremely important to provide this dedicated service to give better access to testing while alleviating demand of hospitals emergency departments. We will continue to assess daily the needs for testing and the best utilization of Guard support during this surge, the Ohio Hospital Association said in a statement. Reporting from the Associated Press was used in this article. This article originally appeared on the Cleveland Patch A judge in the United States on Wednesday rejected Prince Andrews bid to dismiss a federal lawsuit brought by a woman who alleged that he sexually abused her when she was 17 years old. U.S. District Judge Lewis Kaplan for the Southern District of New York ruled that it was premature to consider the princes efforts to cast doubt on Virginia Giuffres accusations, though he would be allowed to do so at a trial. Andrews lawyers tried earlier this month to block the lawsuit brought by Giuffre, one of Jeffrey Epsteins most prominent accusers, and released details of a legal settlement in which she took $500,000 from Epstein not to bring further legal action. Prior to this effort, Andrews lawyers sought to block the lawsuit on the grounds that his accuser no longer lived in the United States. That effort was also rejected by a federal judge. NBC News has reached out to a representative for Andrew for comment. Buckingham Palace has declined to comment on the decision. David Boies, one of Giuffres lawyers, applauded the judges decision. Ms. Giuffre is, of course, pleased that Prince Andrews motion to avoid a trial has been denied, and that the evidence will now be taken concerning her claims, Boies said. She looks forward to a judicial determination of the merits of those claims. Sarah Krissoff, a former federal prosecutor in the Southern District of New York who has led investigations in sex trafficking and crimes against children, said Prince Andrew might want to consider reaching a settlement with Giuffre. Given Judge Kaplans denial of the motion to dismiss and with case now moving into the discovery phase, it would be prudent for Prince Andrews team to reconsider and explore the possibility of a settlement, Krissoff said in an email to NBC News. Otherwise, this case is most likely heading towards a very public trial. It is unlikely that Prince Andrew wants that to happen. Giuffre, now living in Australia, accuses Epstein and his recently convicted confidant, the British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell, of forcing her in the 1990s to have sex with Andrew, Queen Elizabeth IIs son an allegation the prince has repeatedly denied. Story continues In a 2019 interview with the BBC, Andrew, the Duke of York, said he has no recollection of ever having met Giuffre. He also suggested that a photograph of them together with Maxwell could have been doctored. The suit alleges that Andrew abused her at three locations in London and New York and at Epsteins private island in the U.S. Virgin Islands, when she was under age 18. It mirrors claims that Giuffre, now 38, has previously detailed to NBCs Dateline. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com. White House press secretary Jen Psaki on Thursday suggested the Republican National Committee (RNC) was afraid of participating in presidential debates after the group issued a letter discouraging any of its presidential candidates from taking part in the events staged by the Commission on Presidential Debates. The RNC alerted the commission that it plans to require GOP presidential nominees not to attend debates run by the commission going forward. The letter was a nod to growing complaints from former President Trump and his allies, who in 2016 and 2020 claimed debate moderators were biased against him. "The president has participated in many debates over the course of his career and believes they play a role in allowing the American people to hear from candidates and where they stand," Psaki told reporters when asked for President Biden's response. "So, I think it's a question best posed to the RNC on what they're so afraid of," she added. She deferred questions to the Democratic National Committee about whether Biden would participate in a debate organized outside of the Commission on Presidential Debates, which has organized the events for decades. RNC Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel said in Thursday's letter that GOP voters "have lost trust" in the commission and noted that the RNC has proposed a number of reforms to the debate process. In response, the Commission on Presidential Debates said it "deals directly with candidates for president and vice president who qualify for participation," adding that it was focused on fairness and neutrality and allowing the public to hear from the general election candidates. Democratic National Committee Chairman Jaime Harrison accused the RNC of deciding "they would rather hide their ideas and candidates from voters" in a statement on Thursday. "During the last presidential election, the Republicans decided to not have a platform for the first time ever so it's a natural progression, first no platform and now no debates," Harrison said. "Regardless of the RNC's tantrum, voters can count on hearing from President Biden and Vice President Harris, who are proud of their records." DEARBORN, MI Nearly two years into the coronavirus pandemic, the American Red Cross is facing its worst blood shortage in more than a decade as omicron variant cases surge in Dearborn and other cities across the country. In a statement released Tuesday, the Red Cross called the shortage a national blood crisis that's forcing doctors to delay life-saving treatments for those in need. In response, the organization called on Americans to donate blood as soon as possible to prevent further delays in vital medical treatments. While some types of medical care can wait, others cant, Dr. Pampee Young, chief medical officer of the Red Cross, said in a statement. Hospitals are still seeing accident victims, cancer patients, those with blood disorders like sickle cell disease, and individuals who are seriously ill who all need blood transfusions. Were doing everything we can to increase blood donations to ensure every patient can receive medical treatments without delay, but we cannot do it without more donors. If you want to donate blood, here are a few Red Cross blood drives coming up in the Dearborn area: 1/14/2022, 7:15 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.,Riverview Blood Donation Center, 14031 Pennsylvania Rd. 1/14/2022, 11 a.m. - 4:45 p.m., Life Remodeled, 2470 Collingwood St. 1/16/2022, 8:30 a.m. - 2:15 p.m., Divine Child Catholic Church, 1001 Silvery Lane 1/16/2022, 7:15 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Riverview Blood Donation Center, 14031 Pennsylvania Rd. Search other blood drives in the area here. Last year, the Red Cross saw a 34 percent decline in new donors and a 10 percent decrease overall since the pandemics start. At the root of the decrease: ongoing blood drive cancellations and staffing limitations, especially as coronavirus cases surge in nearly every state. According to the Red Cross, the Red Cross supplies nearly 40 percent of the nations blood to hospitals in Michigan and other states; however, blood centers across the country say they have less than a one-day supply of some blood types. Story continues Right now, hospitals on average are receiving 25 percent less blood than requested, according to the Red Cross. Hospitals need blood for surgeries, transplants, cancer treatments and chronic illnesses. The shortages of nearly every type of blood affect people in communities throughout the United States. Among them is Kristen Mill of Spring Grove, Illinois, who suffers from ongoing health problems caused by a tick bite. During a recent visit to the hospital for a transfusion, Mill was told the facility had no blood that matched her blood type, and she would have to wait until the right match became available, she told the Red Cross. The hospital came to me and they apologized, and they said, Were so sorry, our blood bank is depleted to the point where we dont have anyone that matches with you, Mill said. Its very scary, especially if you dont know if the blood is coming because this is something that you need to live. January also marks National Blood Donor Month, which focuses on raising awareness about the need for blood donations. In addition to blood donors, the Red Cross also needs volunteers to help facilitate blood drives in Dearborn and other locations. Volunteers help by greeting and registering donors, answering questions, and providing information about the donation process. To volunteer to support Red Cross blood collections, visit redcross.org/volunteertoday. To learn more about blood donation, visit www.redcrossblood.org. This article originally appeared on the Dearborn Patch Thomas Fee in a selfie he sent his girlfriend's brother during the Capitol riot (left), and in his driver's-license photo (right). United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York A man who took photos of himself inside the Capitol rotunda pleaded guilty to one count on Tuesday. Thomas Fee sent a selfie to his girlfriend's brother a federal agent during the siege. Fee faces up to six months in jail after pleading guilty to one count of parading in a Capitol building. A New York man who sent photos of himself inside the Capitol building on January 6 to his girlfriend's brother a federal agent pleaded guilty to one misdemeanor charge connected to the attack. Thomas Fee, a retired firefighter from Freeport, New York, was arrested nearly one year ago after he turned himself in to authorities two weeks after the insurrection. On Tuesday, Fee, 54, pleaded guilty to one count of parading, demonstrating, or picketing in a Capitol building, as first reported by WUSA. The charge carries a sentence of up to six months in prison. Following his 2021 arrest, Fee initially faced charges of knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds and violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds. Federal prosecutors have offered several Capitol rioters the lesser parading charge in exchange for their guilty pleas. Dennis Ring, an attorney for Fee, told Insider that his client chose to resolve the case by pleading guilty to the single misdemeanor count of illegally demonstrating inside the Capitol. "He has taken responsibility for his conduct and will accept the sentence Judge Bates dispenses," Ring said. Prosecutors identified Fee early on in the aftermath of the riot after he texted a photo and video of himself inside the Capitol to his girlfriend's brother, who works for the US Diplomatic Service, according to charging documents. The special agent's wife first saw a Facebook post made by Fee's girlfriend saying Fee was at the pro-Trump "Stop the Steal" rally that preceded the riot, according to a criminal complaint. The agent then texted Fee, his sister's boyfriend, to ask if he was in Washington, D.C., at the rally, investigators said. Story continues Fee responded by sending a selfie taken inside the Capitol rotunda amid scores of rioters. Fee also sent his girlfriend's brother a video of himself from inside the building where other rioters can be heard screaming "Pelosi" and "tyranny," the complaint said. In a text message accompanying the video, Fee reportedly said he was "at the tip of the spear." According to charging documents, the unnamed special agent initially deleted the messages but was later able to retrieve them, after which he sent them to DSS. The agency then sent the evidence to the Joint Terrorism Task Force. Following his January arrest, WABC reported that Fee was working as a firefighter during the September 11 attacks. WABC also said that he was honored for rescuing 13 people, including a pregnant woman and children, during Hurricane Sandy. However, as a volunteer firefighter in Hempstead 2004, Fee was suspended after being accused of yelling racial slurs at a Black doctor who walked by the firehouse a couple of times, the outlet reported. More than 730 people have been arrested in connection to the deadly attack and more than 170 have pleaded guilty so far. Read the original article on Business Insider RIVERHEAD, NY New York State made a significant investment in downtown Riverhead revitalization Thursday, announcing a $10 million grant to further ongoing efforts to infuse new life into the historic area. Riverhead Town Supervisor Yvette Aguiar announced the New York State Downtown Revitalization grant; the Village of Amityville also received a $10 million grant. I am beyond excited that downtown Riverhead was selected as the fortunate recipient of such a large infusion of state grant funds, Aguiar said. I am grateful that the application prepared by the community development team was so well received by New York Empire State Development and ultimately selected by Governor Kathy Hochul as one of this years winners. Riverhead Community Development Director Dawn Thomas said moving ahead, a local planning committee will be created to provide advisory guidance on how to move projects forward efficiently and effectively. The DRI award will allow downtown Riverhead to finally realize its full economic development potential," she said. Potential projects identified in the application, include the new Riverhead Town Square, the Railroad Avenue Transit Oriented Development Project, implementing downtown flood mitigation measures, and improvements to the Suffolk Theater and Vail Leavitt Music Hall, Thomas said. After serving on the Riverhead town board for 10 years under three administrations and being part of many downtown revitalization efforts, this is the necessary shot in the arm that Riverhead needs to reach the pinnacle in terms of successful downtown revitalization, New York State Assemblywoman Jodi Giglio said. Giglio said she applauded Aguiar and the town board for taking bold action to acquire the parcels necessary for the Town Square, which included the demolition of three long blighted buildings, with one still to be razed. Clearing those parcels will allow for a clear view to the river, Giglio said, with the Suffolk Theater showcased. Story continues The DRI program is led the by Department of State, officials said. Revitalizing compact, walkable downtowns is a key ingredient to "helping New York State rebuild its economy from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as to achieving the states bold climate goals by promoting the use of public transit and reducing dependence on private vehicles, according to the Empire State Development website. In its fifth year, the program will invest $200 million in up to 20 additional downtowns statewide. Participating communities were nominated by the states 10 regional economic development councils, based on the downtowns potential for transformation. Within each region, each regions REDC nominated either one or two downtowns to receive $10 million each or one downtown to receive an award of $20 million to develop a downtown strategic investment plan and implement key catalytic projects that advance the communitys vision for revitalization, officials said. Riverheads application was truly outstanding and fully deserved to be selected," New York State Senator Anthony Palumbo said. "I am confident that downtown Riverhead is fully ready for transformative economic redevelopment." Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone said downtown revitalization is critical to the economic future of Long Island; Bellone mentioned the Connect Long Island initiative, which began in Babylon and is all about leveraging "great downtowns" with their vibrancy to retain and attract young people and innovators. But at the end of the day, Bellone said, nurturing the downtowns depends on leadership and planning at the local level, commending both Riverhead and Amityville officials for their vision and commitment. Town of Babylon Supervisor Rich Schaffer set he "smelled a challenge" in regard to kayaking, with new access to the river, and said officials should organize a kayak challenge on the Peconic River this summer. This article originally appeared on the Riverhead Patch The theme of this year's South Florida Fair is "Rockin' Robots," with multiple robots ready to meet and greet fairgoers. The South Florida Fair is back, baby! It's big, bold and, in addition to rides, music, shows and incredible fair food, there are robots! That's right! Robots! To steal a line from the classic Styx song "Mr. Roboto": "Domo arigato" for robots! "Rockin' Robots" to be exact, and that is the theme of the 110th annual South Florida Fair. More: What's on and what's off? As omicron rages on, some cultural events are still on as scheduled More: About Town: Ride under the full moon in Club Scrub's Group Night Ride Running Friday through Jan. 30, this Palm Beach County staple will feature larger-than-life-sized robots, interactive robotic activities, bot battles, and robotics in agriculture, manufacturing, education and science. A few of the highlights will include the Robot Zoo where children of all ages can explore the biomechanics of complex animal robots. The zoo will feature several massive robot animals, including a rhinoceros, a platypus, a giant squid with 18-foot tentacles, a house fly with a 10-foot wingspan, a grasshopper and a bat. The Robot Zoo at this year's South Florida Fair will feature seven different robotic animals including a platypus. See TV's Battlebots at Robot Ruckus Looking for a little robot-on-robot combat? Then check out the Robot Ruckus. This synthetic smackdown, the largest combat robot competition in the U.S., will feature robots from 150-gram lightweights to 250-pound smash-'em-up heavyweights. Demonstrations will take place all week long, allowing guests to see the action and meet their favorite Battlebots teams as seen on TV. Competition of the television teams will be featured at Robot Ruckus on the last weekend of the fair. There will also be robots around the park. Rock-It the robot talks, walks and rocks! Plus, at 9 feet tall, Rock-It is the ultimate ambassador of goodwill, its mission to mingle with as many Earthlings as possible. This bot is also a bit of a romantic and loves to lip-sync to vocals as fairgoers are serenaded. Walking, talking and cutting a mean rug, the robot Max Power will create an instant party wherever it shows up. Story continues Oscar the robot will provide laughs and help create some great memories while roaming the fairgrounds. The Robot Rangers are two 7-foot, energetic robots, full of spark, hardy high-fives and witty conversation. Guests will find them around the Agriplex and the midway. The Beatles tribute band Across the Universe is just one of the musical acts that will grace a stage at the South Florida Fair. As always "fair food" is as big a deal as the rides, music acts and maybe even the robots (just sayin'). This year is no slouch and sure to be a big hit with connoisseurs of the ultimate in midway munchies. Among the creative and delicious delicacies will be Bubbas Bacon's quarter pound of bacon on a stick. This pork-a-licious behemoth is grilled in maple syrup or covered in chocolate. There will also be AP Concessions Frosted Flake Chicken on a stick, which can be served with or without Sriracha Aioli, and Shrimp Shack's Jumbo Stuffed Tater Kegs with either crab, bacon cheddar or Buffalo chicken and much, much more. What: 110th South Florida Fair Where: 9067 Southern Blvd., West Palm Beach When: noon to 10 p.m. Monday to Thursday; 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday to Sunday and MLK Day; starting Friday Jan. 14 and ending Jan. 30 Cost: $15 at the gate Monday through Friday, except for $2 Tuesdays, and $20 on Saturday and Sunday. Free admission opportunities: On opening day today, all guests who attend the opening ceremony will be admitted free. Gates open at 11 a.m. Ceremonies start at 11:30 a.m. Seniors (60 and older) will be admitted free today from noon to 1 p.m., courtesy of Florida Public Utilities. Information: 561-793-0333; 800-640-FAIR; www.southfloridafair.com This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: 2022 South Florida Fair bring robots, fair food, rides and more McHenry County Auditor Shannon Teresi on Wednesday announced her candidacy for the Republican nomination for state comptroller and the right to take on Democratic incumbent Susana Mendoza in the November general election. Teresi, who has held the county office since 2018, referred to embattled former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan as a rationale for her candidacy to oppose Mendoza, who has been in the office since 2016 and was reelected in 2018. Advertisement Teresi promised open communication with the taxpayers and an eagle eye to root out the waste, fraud and abuse our state is plagued by thanks to decades of Madigan Machine politics. Citing her standing as a CPA and a certified fraud examiner and certified internal auditor, Teresi said the state needs a comptroller with real financial experience, not a career politician controlled by the special interests. Advertisement Teresi joins a GOP slate being formed to try to gain the support of billionaire Chicago businessman Ken Griffin and take on Democrats who hold all statewide offices. Her announcement follows those in recent days of Republican state Rep. Tom Demmer of Dixon for treasurer and former U.S. attorney John Milhiser for secretary of state. A Griffin spokesman had no comment. Sign up for The Spin to get the top stories in politics delivered to your inbox weekday afternoons. Teresi is the first Republican to formally announce for the comptrollers office. In a statement, Mendoza said she looked forward talking about my lengthy and historic record of accomplishments as comptroller on behalf of taxpayers with voters. As Illinois fiscal watchdog, Ive implemented historic transparency reforms, led our state to its first credit upgrades in decades, delivered the fastest vendor payment cycle in over 20 years, and paid down our bill backlog by over 75% without using federal stimulus funds in the middle of a global pandemic, she said. rap30@aol.com Vladimir Putin seen at his annual press conference on December 23, 2021 in Moscow, Russia. Natalya Zamboska/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images Sanctioning Putin could completely dismantle US-Russia ties, the Kremlin warned on Thursday. Senate Democrats introduced legislation that would sanction Putin, among others, if Russia invades Ukraine. Russia has gathered tens of thousands of troops along Ukraine's border in recent weeks. The Kremlin on Thursday warned of a complete rupture of US-Russia ties if Washington moves to sanction Russian President Vladimir Putin over the Ukraine crisis. "The imposition of sanctions against the head of state and against the head of Russia, I repeat once again, is an outrageous measure that is comparable to a break in relations," Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said, per Russian state news agency Tass. This came after top Senate Democrats on Wednesday, led by Sen. Bob Menendez of New Jersey, unveiled a new sanctions bill that would penalize Russia if it invades Ukraine. "This legislation makes it absolutely clear that the US 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. "As the Biden administration seeks a diplomatic path forward this week in Europe to avoid another bloody escalation in Ukraine, I find little reason to believe that Putin is negotiating in good faith nor do I believe he has any newfound respect for Ukrainian sovereignty and territorial integrity," Menendez added. "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 White House said it supports the legislation, which would impose sanctions on top Russian officials including Putin. "We support Senator Menendez's legislation, which would trigger severe costs to Russia's economy and support additional security assistance to Ukraine should Russia further invade," National Security Council spokesperson Emily Horne said of the bill, per The New York Times. "We will keep working with Congress on maximizing potential costs to Russia." Story continues The legislation offers an alternative to a bill introduced by GOP Sen. Ted Cruz to impose sanctions on Nord Stream 2, an undersea Russia-to-Germany natural gas pipeline that opponents worry could give Moscow major leverage over Europe and hurt Ukraine. The pipeline, which is completed but not yet operational due to pending German certification, is set up to deliver gas from Russia to Germany. It goes through the Baltic Sea, bypassing Ukraine and Poland. Though the pipeline is controversial and the Ukrainian government supports sanctions against it, top Senate Democrats opposed Cruz's bill and accused the Texas Republican of attempting to hurt President Joe Biden by undermining transatlantic ties amid delicate diplomatic talks over Ukraine. "Let's be clear, the Cruz bill we are debating this week has nothing to do with stopping a Russian invasion of Ukraine," Sen. Chris Murphy of Connecticut said in a tweet on Tuesday. "In fact, it makes it more likely because the bill's chief impact is to break up transatlantic unity right at the moment that unity is key to deterring Russia." The Biden administration, eager to stay on Germany's good side, has opposed sanctions on Nord Stream 2 and recently contended that the pipeline would offer Europe leverage over Russia. "Some may see Nord Stream 2 as leverage that Russia can use against Europe. In fact, it's leverage for Europe to use against Russia," US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said last week. Cruz's bill narrowly failed to pass in the Senate on Thursday. Murphy on Thursday told Insider that Menendez's bill was the "right way to go," in spite of the fact Russia threatened to cut ties with the US if Putin is sanctioned. "If Russia engaged in a conventional invasion of Ukraine, it shatters post World War II norms. This would be virtually unprecedented in the post-World War II world. And it needs to be treated as a serious, significant, and world-shattering breach of international norms," Murphy said. "We need to make clear to Vladimir Putin that the relationship between the United States and Russia will be fundamentally different, and that his relationship with the rest of the world will be fundamentally different." "Russia should be treated as a pariah state if it chooses to march an army into a neighboring nation," Murphy added. "I think Putin's getting nervous. I think he's seeing the world aligning against him ... And he's starting to make threats with the intent of trying to scare the rest of the world into changing behavior." The Connecticut Democrat accused the Russian president of "inventing threats to his country that don't exist," while "threatening a neighbor with conventional military force." Russia in recent weeks has gathered a huge force of tens of thousands of troops near Ukraine's border, prompting fears of an invasion. The US and its allies have held talks with Russia in Europe this week in an effort to prevent a broader confrontation, but there haven't been any major breakthroughs so far. Moscow has made sweeping demands for binding security guarantees that the US and NATO have dismissed as non-starters, including that Ukraine never be permitted to join the alliance. Though Ukraine is not currently member of the alliance, it maintains robust ties with NATO. A top Russian diplomat on Thursday suggested there was no point in continuing to hold dialogue, as European leaders warned of the potential for war. Some US officials and experts have expressed concerns that Moscow could use the failed diplomatic talks as a pretext for an invasion. Read the original article on Business Insider It's been nearly two years since the COVID-19 pandemic hit North Carolina, and while restaurants, bars and other businesses can operate at pre-pandemic levels, the spread of the highly contagious omicron variant may mean new concerns for diners and restaurants alike. Is it safe to eat at restaurants? Cumberland County, like every county in North Carolina and nearly every county in the country, is classified as red, or high community transmission, by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. While there is no statewide mask mandate in North Carolina, several counties, including Cumberland County, require masks to be worn indoors, unless actively eating or drinking. The staff at Luigi's Italian Chophouse and Bar get the restaurant ready for sit down customers on Friday, May 22, 2020. In its most recent guidance issued Jan. 5, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services recommended that North Carolina residents get vaccinated and boosted, when eligible, use social distancing in public spaces and wear a mask, ideally a surgical or procedure mask, a KN95, or an N95. Cumberland County Health Director Dr. Jennifer Green agreed, saying that diners should be fully vaccinated and boosted (if eligible) before dining indoors and should wear a mask when not actively eating or drinking. Pandemic updates: Rising COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations cause Cape Fear Valley Health to tighten visitor policy Those who are sick should not dine in restaurants during their five-day isolation or quarantine period, Green said. During the additional five-day mask-wearing period following quarantine, do not go places where others are not wearing a mask, Green said. A new study published Jan. 6 showed that people who got either the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna two-dose COVID-19 vaccine series and then a booster achieved potent neutralization against omicron, USA Today reported. You can't eat wearing a mask, but are they still helpful? Yes. Green stressed that even though masks can't be worn while eating or drinking, they can and should be worn during other times at a restaurant, such as while waiting for a table, talking at the table while waiting for food to arrive or while ordering food and drinks at a bar. Story continues "Masks are still an important part of our strategy to reduce transmission," she said. Food news: 6 long-running Fayetteville restaurants that have stood the test of time Is it safe for parents with unvaccinated children to dine at restaurants? For parents with unvaccinated children, Green said it's important that all others in the party around the child be fully vaccinated and boosted, and that the child wear a mask if they are older than 2. Staff shortages: Restaurant workers left the industry during the COVID-19 pandemic. Will they come back? Can restaurants require proof of vaccination? Yes, restaurants in North Carolina are allowed to require diners to be vaccinated before entering. While a number of Triangle-area restaurants and other venues require proof of vaccination, no Cumberland County restaurants are known to have made similar requests. Support local journalism with a subscription to The Fayetteville Observer. Click the subscribe link at the top of this article. Is outdoor dining safer than indoor dining? Blue Moon's outdoor dining space allows dog owners to bring their pooches along for the experience. Yes, dining outdoors is safer than dining indoors, Green said. Since the pandemic began, many Fayetteville-area restaurants have added or expanded outdoor dining. More: 8 great spots to dine outdoors around Fayetteville What other measures can restaurants implement? Along with encouraging employees to get fully vaccinated and boosted and providing the time off for employees to do so restaurants should make sure employees are correctly and consistently wearing a well-fitted mask, consider weekly testing for unvaccinated employees and post signage and make sure customers are wearing masks, Green said. Restaurants should encourage sick employees to stay home and get tested, provide employees with information on how and where to get tested, report positive COVID-19 cases to their county's health department and work with the health department to contact trace staff to contain any spread. Hand washing and hand sanitizer stations should be available and promoted, Green said. Restaurants should also increase ventilation in indoor settings and clean and disinfect the space in accordance with CDC guidelines. Pandemic impacts: COVID-19 outbreak temporarily closes Cumberland County animal shelter What's the ideal dining scenario? For the safest possible dining experience, Green recommends dining outdoors, with tables distanced apart from other diners. All fellow diners at your table should be fully vaccinated and boosted, as well as the staff working at the restaurant. While there is a risk associated with any indoor activity, those steps will help reduce the risk of transmission, Green said. Jacob Pucci writes on food, restaurants and business. Contact him by email at jpucci@gannett.com or follow him on Twitter at @jacobpucci or on Facebook. Like talking food? Join our Fayetteville Foodies Facebook group. This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Is it safe to eat out at restaurants as COVID-19 omicron spreads? The Saline County Health Department announced it would follow guidelines set by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment for quarantines and isolations for COVID-19 in the county. The KDHE guidelines mirror those recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Infection (CDC) which lowers some isolation and quarantine times For the general public anyone, regardless of vaccination status, that tests positive or is a probable case for COVID-19 to stay home and isolate from others in their home for five days. After that five days the person should wear a well-fitted mask when indoors and outdoors when they are around others for another five days and not to go to places wear a mask is unable to be worn. Those who can't or won't wear a mask should keep their home isolation to 10 days. People who are fully vaccinated with the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine over five months ago and no booster, people who are fully vaccinated with the Johnson and Johnson vaccine over two months ago with no booster, and people who have not been vaccinated are asked to stay home and quarantine for at least five full days and wear a well-fitted mask if they must be around others and continue to wear a mask for five additional days if they are indoors or outdoors when around others. Those in this population who can't or won't wear a mask should keep their home isolation to 10 days. People who have been vaccinated within five months of a Pfizer or Moderna vaccine and within two months of a Johnson and Johnson vaccine, people who have received a vaccine booster and those with a confirmed COVID-19 infection within the past 90s do not need to stay home, unless they develop symptoms. The KDHE does recommend anyone, even if they don't develop symptoms, to get tested at least five days after they have had close contact with someone with COVID-19. COVID numbers continue to rise in the county These updated guidelines come as cases for COVID-19 continue to rise in Saline County. Story continues Tuesday, the county health department said that more than 1,000 residents had tested positive since the beginning of January 2022. From Monday to Wednesday the department reported 367 new cases and two additional deaths from the disease. There was a total 1,664 active cases also reported in the county and 25 people currently hospitalized at Salina Regional Health Center due to COVID. A total of 29,295 residents of the county, or 54% of the population, has been vaccinated. Vaccines are still available at 10 locations in Salina according to a search at www.vaccines.gov. This article originally appeared on Salina Journal: Saline County Health Department adopts state quarantine guidelines A snowstorm that began thumping over the Midwest late in the week roared south-southeastward across the region into Saturday. It buried many communities from North Dakota through Iowa under a foot of snow or more, leaving roads a mess in its wake. Some of the heaviest snow accumulations were recorded in Iowa, with Des Moines International Airport picking up 14.3 inches of snow from the storm. AccuWeather National Reporter Jillian Angeline reported from the snowy and windy city of Des Moines on Friday, explaining that once the snow started picking up in the afternoon, it accumulated quickly and covered area roadways. AccuWeather Meteorologist Nicole LoBiondo noted that snow rates were as high as 1 to 3 inches per hour across the region. The Des Moines Police Department told Angeline that they responded to several accidents, including during the morning rush hour on Friday before the heaviest precipitation arrived. Tow bans were also in effect in the state of Iowa on Friday afternoon and overnight, meaning that tow trucks could not respond to calls for people in need of towing unless police called in the request. This radar image shows snow (blue) spreading southward with rain (green) on the southern flank of the storm early Saturday morning, Jan. 15, 2022. (AccuWeather) On Friday, Des Moines smashed its daily snowfall record of 5.7 inches set in 1930, with an accumulation of 9.8 inches of snow. Roads remained in "terrible" condition in many locations early on Saturday, according to the National Weather Service office in Des Moines. Blowing and drifting of snow were making matters worse in the aftermath of the storm. The NWS warned motorists on Saturday to delay traveling if possible and to give road crews "plenty of space to work." CLICK HERE FOR THE FREE ACCUWEATHER APP Other locations in Iowa that measured snowfall totals of a foot or more inlcude Ames and Algina. Meanwhile, to the north, the heaviest accumulations in Minnesota were 10 inches in Garvin and 9 inches in Granite Falls. Story continues A plow camera on Friday afternoon showed snow covering US 212 in Minnesota. (Twitter/Minnesota Department of Transportation). The storm continued to march on to the south and southeast, spreading moderate to heavy snow across parts of Nebraska, Missouri and Illinois on Saturday. The central Mississippi and Tennessee river valleys experienced its wintry blast of precipitation through Saturday night. While Fargo, Minneapolis and Des Moines have had multiple storms bring accumulating snow already this winter, that has not necessarily been the case in Missouri. St. Louis did not receive its first accumulating snow until Jan. 2, and that was only 0.1 of an inch. After a high temperature of 59 degrees Wednesday, the Gateway to the West was in for a snap back to reality with snow beginning late Friday night and continuing on Saturday morning. Regardless of the exact snowfall totals in any given location, travelers will need to factor extra time into their plans. "Road and airport delays are likely, and motorists will need to slow down and plan for extra travel time to reach their destination," said AccuWeather Meteorologist Jessica Storm. And the storm is far from over. AccuWeather forecasters expect 100 million Americans to feel the effects of the winter storm through the remainder of the Martin Luther King, Jr. weekend. Several states in the East are bracing for the storm's wintry blow. Waves of cold are likely to target the northern Plains and Midwest through this week, including another cold spell likely at midweek. But, no other significant snow is in the forecast through much of this week. However, a few bouts of light snow will be possible. For the latest weather news check back on AccuWeather.com. Watch the AccuWeather Network on DIRECTV, Frontier, Spectrum, fuboTV, Philo, and Verizon Fios. AccuWeather Now is now available on your preferred streaming platform. WASHINGTON For voting rights legislation, a major showdown is drawing near. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York told Democratic colleagues in a letter Wednesday that he will force a procedural vote on the Freedom to Vote Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act. To make that happen, he will use a quirk in the rules to allow floor debate on the bills, both of which have majority support in the 50-50 Senate. But advancing the measures to votes on final passage requires 60 senators to break filibusters, which Democrats have no realistic hope of achieving because of Republican opposition. Once the bills are filibustered, "we will need to change the Senate rules as has been done many times before," Schumer said in the letter, which was obtained by NBC News. But Democrats don't have the 50 votes they need to pierce the filibuster rule using the so-called nuclear option. Sens. Kyrsten Sinema, D-Ariz., and Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., remain reluctant to change the rules, and there is scant evidence that they are likely to budge. Still, Democratic leaders are focusing their rhetoric on Republicans. "If the right to vote is the cornerstone of our democracy, then how can we in good conscience allow for a situation in which the Republican Party can debate and pass voter suppression laws at the State level with only a simple majority vote, but not allow the United States Senate to do the same?" Schumer said in Wednesday's letter. "In the coming days, we will most likely confront this sobering question together." The Freedom to Vote Act has no Republican support in the Senate. The John Lewis bill has one GOP backer: Lisa Murkowski of Alaska. Schumer spoke out a day after President Joe Biden gave a fiery speech calling for changing the filibuster rule, if necessary, to pass the two election overhaul bills and overcome former President Donald Trump's "big lie" about a stolen 2020 election, which has fueled voting restrictions at the state level. Story continues "As an institutionalist, I believe that the threat to our democracy is so grave that we must find a way to pass these voting rights bills, debate them, vote. Let the majority prevail," Biden said. "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." Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., who fiercely opposes the two bills, has said states should be able to set their own election rules. Unlike Democrats, he has said there is no problem with the voting limits that are being enacted in numerous Republican-led states. McConnell said Biden's speech featured "rhetoric unbecoming of a president of the United States." 'A critical issue of our time' Manchin said Wednesday that Biden gave a "good speech," but he offered no indication that he has changed his mind about the filibuster. "We're all still talking," he said. "He understands we all understand how the Senate works." Sinema's office declined to comment. The positions of both will become clear in the next few days. Schumer has said he wants to hold the votes no later than Monday, Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Schumer's strategy to force the votes rests on a little-used congressional procedure in which the House can send a bill to the Senate in a way that allows Democrats to bypass one of two 60-vote filibuster votes that most legislation is subject to in the upper chamber. The House kicked off that process Wednesday evening with a meeting in the Rules Committee to send the legislative vehicle to the Senate. Once the House sends the bill across the Capitol, Senate Democrats will be able to start debate on the voting rights bills with a simple majority, which Republicans have blocked them from doing in the past. "We will finally be able to get on the bill," Sen Tim Kaine, D-Va., told reporters. "What happens next is still TBD, but the Republicans cannot filibuster us getting on the bill anymore." Republicans are guaranteed to filibuster an end to floor debate, which would prevent a final vote on the legislation. "Im just trying to figure out if he wants to lose once or twice," Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, said of Schumer's gambit. "But I think we know what the outcome is going to be." Sen. Ben Cardin, D-Md., acknowledged the challenges for Democrats. "There's a growing consensus among Democrats and Republicans on the need for rules changes. It's difficult to do during a debate on one bill," he said. Patty Murray of Washington, the No. 3 Democrat in the Senate, hasn't given up on winning. "I think everybody realizes that this is a critical issue of our time," she said. "It is important that we find a way to make sure that when history is on our shoulders right now, we have a way to move forward. I don't think we can prejudge the outcome of this at all." LONDON (Reuters) - British foreign minister Liz Truss will on Thursday seek to inject momentum into talks with the European Union to resolve post-Brexit disputes over trading rules, hosting EU commissioner Maros Sefcovic at her official country house. Truss last month took over the long-running negotiations on the implementation of the rules governing trade between Britain, its province Northern Ireland, and EU-member Ireland - an agreement Britain signed but now says is not workable in practice. "The EU has a clear responsibility to help fix the myriad problems caused by the Protocol," Truss said in a statement ahead of what will be her first face-to-face negotiation with Sefcovic. "As fellow believers in liberty and democracy, we should be capable of reaching an agreement that delivers for Northern Ireland and allows us to unleash the full potential of our relationship." In the bucolic surroundings of the Chevening residence in Kent, south of London, the delegations will negotiate over three sessions and share a dinner of Scottish smoked salmon, Welsh lamb and English apple pie. The change of scenery does not mean a change of approach, however. Truss's position picks up where her predecessor David Frost, who quit in December over differences with Prime Minister Boris Johnson on domestic policy, left off. She called for a pragmatic approach from the EU. The EU maintains it has sought to resolve the issues, and on Sunday expressed frustration that Truss had used a newspaper article to repeat Britain's willingness to unilaterally suspend the deal. A European Commission spokesperson on Monday highlighted the bloc's recent proposals to reduce customs paperwork and checks on agri-food products. "We are committed to finding long-term permanent solutions," the spokesperson said. "We have demonstrated time and time again that we are capable of coming forward with solutions that work and we have also shown that we stick to our promises." (Reporting by William James and Philip Blenkinsop; Editing by Hugh Lawson) SPRINGFIELD With Republicans hammering the statewide spike in crime as their top election year issue, Democratic state legislators are being forced to defend last years sweeping criminal justice legislation and have opened the door to adding crime-fighting proposals to the agenda of this years condensed session in Springfield. Illinois House Speaker Emanuel Chris Welch was vague about what measures could be under consideration, but acknowledged a need to address increases in crimes like carjackings and organized retail theft. Advertisement I cant talk to you about specifics 11 days into session. But I can tell you that conversations are already taking place on, you know, a possible crime package, anti-crime package, the Hillside Democrat said in a telephone interview this week to mark his first year as the General Assemblys first Black House speaker. [ Only 2 Republicans sit on the Cook County Board. One of them just announced hes retiring. ] Its being done with all stakeholders involved. And were just getting started. But thats certainly something thats high on our priority list, Welch said. Advertisement Illinois House Speaker Emanuel "Chris" Welch walks up to speak to the media after being elected on Jan. 13, 2021, at the Bank of Springfield Center in Springfield. (Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune) Republicans in the General Assembly have talked about measures to tackle carjackings and organized retail theft as part of their effort to paint Democrats as weak on crime heading into Novembers election, when all state legislators and Gov. J.B. Pritzker will be on the ballot. The GOP has also maintained a drumbeat of criticism over the criminal justice legislation, which proponents say was intended to address inequities in the justice system, that was passed by the Democrats last year and signed into law by Pritzker. Republicans say the law as a whole weakens law enforcement and emboldens criminals. A key provision of that legislation is the elimination of cash bail in 2023. Pro-police groups have expressed concern the measure could lead to more crime, despite there being no empirical proof that some reforms made in recent years, such as with Cook Countys bail system, exacerbated crime in Chicago. Despite that, in an interview with the Tribune last month, House Republican Leader Jim Durkin, of Western Springs, offered a bleak prediction of the effect he expects the elimination of cash bail to have. Sign up for The Spin to get the top stories in politics delivered to your inbox weekday afternoons. No one should feel comfortable that people who are in this system ... are going to return to the courthouse, said Durkin, a former Cook County prosecutor. These guys arent going to show up. I know it for a fact. Welch said he remained a supporter of cash bail elimination and cautioned against tying a measure that hasnt yet taken effect to the rise in violence. The violence thats going on in the country, going on in the state, violence is going on everywhere. Its an issue. It has nothing to do with a piece of reform that hasnt even gone into effect yet, he said. Advertisement But in a Zoom-based public meeting last week about crime concerns in Chicagos Lakeview community, state Sen. Sara Feigenholtz, a Chicago Democrat who voted in favor of the criminal justice reform package, suggested the law might need to be reexamined. Gov. J.B. Pritzker is joined by lawmakers and community advocates including state Rep. Justin Slaughter, left, and state Sen. Elgie Sims Jr., right, as he signs HB 3653, a sweeping criminal justice and police reform bill, on Feb. 22, 2021, at Chicago State University. (Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune) I dont think that anybody bargained for repeat offenders and people who were in possession of a gun and accused of a violent crime to be released on an I-Bond, she said at the meeting, first covered by the crime-reporting website CWB Chicago. An I-Bond, short for Individual Bond, allows a defendant to be released without having to post bail. Democratic state Rep. Margaret Croke, also of Chicago, on Wednesday introduced a bill that would prevent people charged with attempted first-degree murder, reckless homicide, armed carjacking and other serious offenses from being released on electronic monitoring. Feigenholtz will be sponsoring similar legislation in the Senate. Chicago ended last year with some 800 homicides a number not reached since the mid-1990s and over 4,000 people shot. The city also recorded more than 1,700 carjackings, the highest tally for that crime in the city in years. The carjacking issue hit especially close to home for state legislators after Democratic state Sen. Kimberly Lightford and her husband were carjacked in near west suburban Broadview on Dec. 21. The crime led to a shootout between the suspects and Lightfords husband, who police said possesses a concealed carry license. In the last two years amid the COVID-19 pandemic, there have also been numerous smash-and-grab burglaries at retail stores, including high-end shops on Chicagos Gold Coast and Magnificent Mile, as well as in the suburbs. Advertisement Other Illinois cities have also been beset by increasing crime. Peoria ended 2021 with 34 people slain, a record for the Central Illinois city of about 113,000 people. In Champaign, a city of about 88,000 people, 17 homicides were recorded, the most ever for that city as well, according to news reports. Welchs vague reference to anti-crime measures comes as Democrats have pushed for more community-based, holistic solutions to the violence. Welch pointed to the $250 million that Gov. J.B. Pritzkers administration and the legislature have pledged for violence prevention groups that focus on street conflict mediation and connecting at-risk individuals with mental health services, job training and other social service needs. Welch also pointed a finger at the other party, turning to one of his familiar talking points of blaming former GOP Gov. Bruce Rauners administration for cutting anti-violence funding during his term from 2015 to 2019 amid a more than 700-day budget impasse. Bruce Rauner and the current Republican leaders in the legislature that stood by and allowed him to wreak havoc on our infrastructure, were still paying the price for a lot of that today, Welch said. And you cant ignore the root causes. And root causes are very much things about housing insecurity, food insecurity. People are going to do things when they get desperate. Advertisement And so we have to continue to do the things that we possibly can to address both, making sure law enforcement has the tools and resources they need. But we also have to address the root causes. And thats why putting this infrastructure back in place is so important. Welch noted that the criminal justice bill can still be refined. Last week, for example, the legislature passed a trailer bill for the criminal justice reform package to address concerns from law enforcement about the police officer decertification process, and guidelines related to police body camera footage and detainee phone calls. Asked how hed ease the mind of residents left uneasy about the outright elimination of cash bail, Welch said the legislature is here to address those issues. Were continuing to have conversations with our friends in law enforcement. Were continuing to have conversations with states attorneys across the state, Welch said. Were going to look at ways to make sure law enforcement is properly funded, properly trained, properly educated. Well be able to do that in our budget. jgorner@chicagotribune.com The U.S. Capitol is seen from the East Front Plaza on Tuesday, November 16, 2021. A pair of Senate Democrats introduced a bill on Wednesday that would ban members of Congress and their families from making stock trades while in office. The bill, dubbed the Ban Congressional Stock Trading Act, would require that all sitting members of Congress, their spouses and dependent children divest from certain investments or transfer them into a qualified blind trust within 120 days of the legislation being enacted. Incoming members of Congress and their families would have to do the same within 120 days of taking office. The legislation is sponsored by Sens. Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.) and Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.). Investments in securities, commodities, futures or any other comparable economic interests obtained through synthetic methods, including the use of a derivative, would be under the purview of the law. Lawmakers, however, would not have to divest or transfer investments in diversified mutual funds or diversified exchanges, in addition to U.S. Treasury bill, notes and bonds. Members and their families will then be able to remove assets from the blind trust or dissolve it completely 180 days after the lawmaker departs office. Members of Congress who violate the law would be fined in the amount of their full congressional salary. The push to ban members of Congress from making stock trades comes after reports revealed that authorities were investigating whether Sen. Richard Burr (R-N.C.) had violated federal insider trading laws when he liquidated the majority of his stock investments in February 2020 after receiving classified briefings on the COVID-19 pandemic. Members of Congress are expected to abide by the Stop Trading on Congressional Knowledge Act of 2012, or the STOCK Act, which prohibits them from using nonpublic information received as part of their job to turn a personal profit. It also requires that lawmakers disclose any financial transactions within 45 days of them being carried out. A handful of lawmakers, however, may have failed to abide by the rule. According to Business Insider, 54 members of Congress have not reported their financial trades in line with the 2012 statute. Story continues A bipartisan group of lawmakers introduced a bill in March that sought to ban members of Congress and their senior staff from buying and selling stocks, most bonds and options contracts while serving in Washington, though it did not advance on Capitol Hill. In January, another bipartisan group of lawmakers led by Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D-Va.) reintroduced the Transparent Representation Upholding Service and Trust (TRUST) in Congress Act, which would require congressional lawmakers, their spouses and dependent children to transfer specific investments into a qualified blind trust while serving on Capitol Hill. Now, however, the effort may gain traction as the American public appears to be in favor of placing stronger regulations on members of Congress. A survey commissioned by the conservative advocacy group Convention of States Action released last week found that 76 percent of voters polled believe lawmakers and their spouses have an "unfair advantage" in the stock market. Only 5 percent of those polled were in favor of allowing members to trade stocks, and 19 percent said they did not have an opinion. Some lawmakers and politicians themselves are getting behind the effort. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) has said she is for banning stock transactions by members of Congress, and Pennsylvania Lt. Gov. John Fetterman (D) - who is running to represent the commonwealth in the U.S. Senate - said this week that permitting members of Congress and their spouses to trade stocks is "a clear conflict of interest." One notable holdout, however, is Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), who last month said members should not be barred from making stock trades. Financial disclosure forms show that Pelosi's husband, Paul Pelosi, takes part in stock trading. "We're a free market economy. They should be able to participate in that," Pelosi told reporters. Ossoff wrote in a statement that "Members of Congress should not be playing the stock market while we make federal policy and have extraordinary access to confidential information." Kelly said in a statement that the bill "will put an end to corrupt insider trading and ensure that leaders in Congress focus on delivering results for their constituents, not their stock portfolios." Updated at 11:08 p.m. Senators Tammy Baldwin, left, D- Wis., and Ron Johnson, R-Wis., take their seats before the inaugural for the state's constitutional officers at the Capitol in Madison in January 2019. This story was republished on Jan. 13, 2022 to make it free for all readers In its four U.S. Senate elections since 2010, Wisconsin has twice elected a conservative Republican (Ron Johnson) and twice a liberal Democrat (Tammy Baldwin). It turns out this is a very odd thing to do. In a polarized age, Wisconsin is one of the few states left just six that have a senator from each side of the red-blue divide. Subscribe to our On Wisconsin Politics newsletter for the week's political news explained. Its the lowest number of split Senate delegations in more than a century. Of those six states (Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Maine, West Virginia, Ohio and Montana), none have a pair of senators as far apart politically as Johnson and Baldwin. That makes these two the oddest odd couple in the Senate. They are not only an outlier in the current day, however. Theyre an outlier across decades of American politics. In the modern history of the Senate, it is exceedingly rare for one of the chambers most liberal members and one of its most conservative members to represent the same state at the same time. According to one rating system widely used by political scientists, Johnson and Baldwin are the most dissimilar pair of same-state senators of the past two decades. And it's hard to find true analogs in the decades before that. Next years Senate election in Wisconsin and Johnsons decision about whether to run again in 2022 will determine whether this unlikely pairing endures much longer. But it has already lasted almost a decade, made possible by Wisconsins partisan parity and political swings, the effectiveness of the individual campaigns that Johnson and Baldwin have waged, the favorable political cycles they have run in, and a bit of happenstance. Senate odd couples in history Before exploring those factors, lets take a closer look at the history of Senate odd couples and what makes this one so exceptional. Forty years ago, there were 25 states with split Senate delegations. Story continues Thirty years ago, there were 21 such states. Twenty years ago, there were 14. Ten years ago, there were 17. Four years ago, there were 13. Two years ago, there were 9. Now there are six, the fewest number since 1914, the first year all senators were elected by popular vote. The five other Senate pairs on this list are Democrat Sherrod Brown and Republican Rob Portman of Ohio; Democrat Joe Manchin and Republican Shelley Moore Capito of West Virginia; Independent Angus King (who caucuses with Democrats) and Republican Susan Collins of Maine; Democrat Bob Casey and Republican Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania; and Democrat Jon Tester and Republican Steve Daines of Montana. These odd couples dont all fit the same mold. Two of these states are extremely balanced politically: Wisconsin and Pennsylvania. Two are somewhat competitive but advantage one party: Ohio and Maine. And two are lopsidedly Republican: Montana and West Virginia. The other 44 states all have two senators from the same party that carried each of those states in the 2020 presidential election. This prevailing pattern reflects how state elections have become more and more nationalized along partisan lines. As fewer voters split their tickets or cross over to vote for candidates in the opposing party, more states and districts vote the same way for Congress as they do for president. And fewer states elect senators from both parties. With the polarization of our politics, there are fewer states in which you have truly competitive elections at the state level, said political scientist David Canon, a congressional scholar at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. And were also seeing a tighter connection between presidential results and Senate results. In 2016, every Senate race was won by the party that won that state for president. In 2020, that was true of all but one Senate race (Collins' victory in Maine). The Senates six current odd couples differ from each in another respect. In Maine and West Virginia, the Republican and Democratic senators are not that far apart politically for members of opposing parties. Collins and Capito are two of the least conservative Republicans in the Senate. King and Manchin are two of the least liberal Democrats. All four are in the political center of todays 50-50 Senate. The odd couples in Ohio, Pennsylvania and Montana are further apart. But they each feature at least one senator from the more moderate wings of their parties. Montanas Tester is among the least liberal Democrats in the Senate. Pennsylvanias Casey is in the moderate half of the Democratic caucus. And Ohios Portman is less conservative than most of his GOP colleagues. That leaves Wisconsin as the only state with a Senate Democrat from that partys liberal wing and a Senate Republican from that partys conservative wing. Rating senators on the right-left spectrum How unusual is that in modern Senate history? To answer that, I relied on a rating system widely used by political scientists. It places members of Congress on a right-left spectrum by measuring how similar or dissimilar their roll call votes are to those of their colleagues. These ratings, known as DW-NOMINATE scores, offer two different ways to measure the political distance between senators. First, these scores allow us to rank members in order, from 1 to 100, by how liberal or conservative they are within the body of the Senate. Second, the system assigns a numerical value to lawmakers voting records. These are lifetime scores that make it possible to compare senators across time: conservative scores range from zero (the political midpoint) to plus 1, the maximum conservative score; liberal scores range from zero to minus 1, the maximum liberal score. Currently, the most liberal senator is Massachusetts Democrat Elizabeth Warren, who has a lifetime score of -.763. The most conservative senator is first-year Alabama Republican Tommy Tuberville, who has a score of .936. Everybody else sits between them politically. The Democrats closest to the middle are Manchin of West Virginia, Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona and King of Maine. The Republicans closest to the middle are Collins of Maine, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Capito of West Virginia. If you follow the Senate, these rankings ring true. In fact, Manchin and Sinema are the two Democrats holding out against the desire of most of their colleagues in their party to get rid of the filibuster rule. Collins, Murkowski, Manchin and Tester are all part of the bipartisan Senate group that just announced an infrastructure deal with President Joe Biden. Baldwin is currently rated as the sixth most liberal member of the Senate, after such colleagues as Warren, Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Corey Booker of New Jersey. Johnson is rated as the 16th most conservative member, after such colleagues as Mike Lee of Utah, Rand Paul of Kentucky and Ted Cruz of Texas. Johnson used to rank in the top 10 among conservative senators, but more junior Republicans whove joined the Senate in recent years have been further to the right, pushing Johnson down the list. Whether you use these ideological scores or their left-to-right rankings, Baldwin and Johnson are easily the Senates leading odd couple (as they are by other rating systems besides this one). Using the rankings, there are 80 senators who currently sit between these two Wisconsinites on the ideological spectrum. By comparison, there are 60 members separating Pennsylvanias two senators, 44 separating Ohios, 38 separating Montanas, only three separating Maines, and three separating West Virginias. The oddest pairing in decades Using the scores, the gap between Baldwins and Johnsons voting records is greater than that of any two same-state senators over the past two decades. You have to go all the way back to the 1990s to find a truly comparable pairing: Minnesota Democrat Paul Wellstone, routinely rated as the most liberal member of the Senate, and the very conservative Minnesota Republican Rod Grams. The two served six years together, from January 1995 to January 2001. To search for other analogs, I went back more than 70 years, thanks to a list provided by UCLA political scientist Jeffrey B. Lewis, the project leader for voteview.com, where all these congressional ratings can be found. Since 1947, there is only one pair of same-state senators that had more divergent voting records than Baldwin and Johnson of Wisconsin and Wellstone and Grams of Minnesota: Democrat Glen Taylor and Republican Henry Dworshak, two Idaho senators who served together in the late 1940s. This makes Baldwin and Johnson arguably one of the top three Senate odd couples of the 75-year post-war era. Here are some examples of other odd couples that werent as far apart from each other as Johnson and Baldwin are: Democrat Gary Hart and Republican William Armstrong of Colorado in the 1970s and 1980s; Democrat John Edwards and Republican Jesse Helms of North Carolina in the 1990s and 2000s; Republican Everett Dirksen and Democrat Paul Douglas of Illinois in the 1950s and 1960s; and Republican Barry Goldwater and Democrat Dennis DeConcini of Arizona in the 1970s and 1980s. The list also includes some previous Wisconsin pairings: Democrat Bill Proxmire and Republican Bob Kasten, who served together from 1981 to 1989, and Democrat Herb Kohl and Republican Johnson, who served together in 2011 and 2012. These are also among the odder odd couples of the past half-century. The most enduring Senate odd couple of recent decades was Democrat Tom Harkin and Republican Charles Grassley of Iowa, who served together for 28 years. They were pretty far apart politically but not nearly as far apart as Baldwin and Johnson. In fact, as the GOP caucus has moved to the right over time, Grassley went from being more conservative than most Senate Republicans in the early 1980s to being less conservative than the vast majority of his GOP colleagues today. There have been well over 100 distinct pairs of same-state senators from different parties serving together over the past four decades. But unlike some of the odd couples listed above, the vast majority have included at least one moderate. Many have included two, like Democrat Chuck Robb and Republican John Warner of Virginia in the 1990s, or Democrat Ben Nelson and Republican Chuck Hagel of Nebraska in the 2000s, or Collins and King of Maine today. What, then, explains the enduring oddity of the Johnson-Baldwin pairing, now in its ninth year? One contributing factor is Wisconsins 50/50 political divide. If a state favors Democrats, it might still elect a moderate Republican but probably not a conservative Republican. If a state favors Republicans, it might elect a moderate Democrat but probably not a liberal Democrat. Yet small swings in a polarized, even-steven state such as Wisconsin make it possible to elect both liberal Democrats and conservative Republicans in alternating election cycles. Pennsylvania is another highly competitive state, and its two senators, Casey and Toomey, are the most pronounced odd couple in the Senate after Johnson and Baldwin and one of the most dissimilar pairs of same-state senators in recent decades. (Toomey is retiring after this year). In a more lopsided state like West Virginia, it requires a lot of ticket-splitting or crossover voting to produce a split Senate delegation. West Virginia voted for Republican Donald Trump by 42 points in 2016, so Democrat Manchin needed the support of lots and lots of Trump voters to get reelected in 2018. The political dynamics in Wisconsin In Wisconsin, however, it hasn't required a ton of crossover voting to send both Johnson and Baldwin to the Senate. It just required some modest political shifts from one cycle to another, and for both politicians to run effective campaigns (as Johnson did in 2010 and 2016 and Baldwin did in 2012 and 2018, when she won reelection by double-digits). It has also mattered that both senators have enjoyed some good political fortune. Neither has had to run in a bad national environment for his or her party. Johnson won his first race in the GOP wave of 2010 and his second race in a year when Trump became the first Republican presidential candidate to carry Wisconsin since 1984. Baldwin won her first race in 2012 with Democrat Barack Obama comfortably carrying the state at the top of the ticket. And she won her second race in the 2018 midterms when Democrats made gains nationally in Congress. There is an element of happenstance in the history of Senate odd couples. But the long-term political forces appear very much against this dwindling phenomenon. The deck is stacked against split Senate delegations in states that lack the partisan parity of a Wisconsin or Pennsylvania. A few incumbents, such as Tester and Manchin, have been able to withstand the partisan tide in their states, but they could succumb in the future. After they retire (or lose) it will be much harder for their parties to compete there. I think this is going to be increasingly rare to have this kind of divergence between two (same-state) senators, said UW's Canon. Most Baldwin voters in Wisconsin would probably vote to replace Ron Johnson. And most Johnson voters would probably vote to replace Tammy Baldwin. These two senators cancel each other out on a lot of important votes. But together they have made a strange kind of history as the longest-serving pair of polar political opposites in the modern history of the Senate. Craig Gilbert is the Milwaukee Journal Sentinels Washington Bureau Chief and longtime political writer. Gilbert has covered every presidential campaign since 1988 and chronicled Wisconsins role as a swing state at the center of the nations political divide. He has written widely about polarization and voting trends, and won distinction for his data-driven analysis. Gilbert has served as a writer-in-residence at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, a Lubar Fellow at Marquette Law School and a Knight-Wallace Fellow at the University of Michigan, where he studied public opinion, survey research, voting behavior and statistics. Email him at craig.gilbert@jrn.com; follow him on Twitter: @Wisvoter. THANK YOU: Subscribers' support makes this work possible. Help us share the knowledge by buying a gift subscription. DOWNLOAD THE APP: Get the latest news, sports and more This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Wisconsin's Ron Johnson and Tammy Baldwin: the Senate's oddest couple Nearly 1,700 Michigan communities received federal funds distributed by the state, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's office announced Tuesday. GRAND RAPIDS Several Holland-area communities received the first portion of federal funding from the American Rescue Plan Act, signed into law in 2021. Around Holland, more than $9.1 million in ARP funds was distributed Jan. 11 to Non-Entitlement Units of local government, or smaller cities, townships and villages. Larger communities received their portions of funding directly from the federal government, while the state is responsible for distributing payments to NEUs. Larger bodies of government, like Allegan and Ottawa counties, and the city of Holland, have already received the first portion of their ARP funds. Many communities have created task forces to identify the best way to spend the extra cash. More: How will Holland spend its $8M in federal stimulus? City Council working on next steps. More: Affordable housing, broadband among categories highlighted for Ottawa County ARPA funds In total, more than $319 million in federal dollars were distributed to more than 1,650 communities across the state Tuesday to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. This funding represents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Michigans communities to make investments in local economies, services, infrastructure, and so much more, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said in a statement. While communities have discretion over what ARP funds can be spent on, there are some parameters set by the U.S. Treasury that local governments have to meet. These include bringing back jobs cut during the pandemic, providing premium pay to essential workers, making up for lost revenue or investing in water, sewer or high-speed internet infrastructure. Whitmer said she encourages communities to use the funds to address infrastructure for both roads and water, as well as broadband access. Communities have until the end of 2024 to use the funds. Here are the communities around Holland and the amount of ARP funds they received Jan. 11, according to state estimates. A second portion of ARP funds are expected to be released to NEUs in mid-2022, per the governors office. Story continues Allegan County Douglas: $140,779 Fennville: $149,571 Laketown Township: $622,778 Saugatuck: $100,482 Saugatuck Township: $351,686 Ottawa County Holland Township: $4,048,626 Park Township: $1,978,759 Zeeland: $579,445 Zeeland Township: $1,210,387 Contact Arpan Lobo at alobo@hollandsentinel.com. Follow him on Twitter @arpanlobo. Become a subscriber today. This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Over $9M in American Rescue Plan Act funds sent to Holland-area communities Shawnee County commissioners made a move Thursday that may put the county on the road to reducing by 25% the number of calls here made by American Medical Response ambulances. The ambulance company that serves Shawnee County gets thousands of calls each year from people who don't need an ambulance, county commissioners learned Thursday. They took a step toward enabling those callers to instead talk to a nurse, who could help them determine how to best address their problems without an ambulance ride. Commissioners Aaron Mays, Bill Riphahn and Kevin Cook voted 3-0 to direct the county staff to negotiate the implementation of wording regarding a "nurse navigation line" into the county's contract with the American Medical Response ambulance service. The line's presence is anticipated to eliminate almost a quarter of the roughly 16,000 ambulance transports AMR makes annually in Shawnee County, commissioners heard from Mickey Huber, AMR's operations manager here. Commissioners also directed the county staff to investigate ways the county could find funding to cover the estimated $60,000 cost involved. The county is looking at trying to obtain grant money to cover those costs, said Betty Greiner, its director of administrative services. AMR anticipates arranging for the navigation line to also serve ambulance operations it maintains in the Greater Kansas City area, Huber said. Line's presence will 'take a load off' The line's presence will help "take a load" off of AMR dispatchers, who often must end conversations with callers because the dispatcher must take an emergency call, said Nelson Casteel, the county's ambulance compliance officer. Many of the people who call AMR here "just want to talk to somebody," Casteel said. Those people often have back pain or other issues for which more appropriate responses would involve visits to an urgent care center or the office of a private physician, commissioners were told. Nurses operating the navigation line could identify individually what each caller needs. In some cases, Casteel said, the nurses will advise callers to stay at home. In such situations, they will call those people back to check on them within 24 hours, he said. Story continues The nurses operating the call center involved are to be housed in a joint location outside Shawnee County, commissioners were told. Meetings to be by Zoom only During Thursday's meeting, commissioners also: Heard Commission Chairman Mays announce that the commission's next three meetings, on Jan. 20, 24 and 27, will take place by Zoom only. Monday's meeting has been canceled because of the Martin Luther King Day holiday. Voted 3-0 to authorize the creation of a county "Adopt-a-Roadway" program, through which groups will be able to take responsibility for picking up trash and debris from the right-of-way on specific county roads they ask to be assigned. In a move Greiner said should save the county a significant amount of money, voted 3-0 to reject the bids the county received from companies seeking to work under contract for the county to carry out roofing projects at Stormont Vail Events Center. The move clears the way for the county, which had initially intended to finance the work using federal funding, to pay for it using another funding source and instead seek bids "without burdensome federal flow-down requirements," Greiner said. This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Shawnee County takes step toward reducing ambulance calls here Solar power installation is booming in Florida, which is good news for the shift from planet-heating fossil fuel energy to clean, renewable power. But the transition to a more climate-friendly future could have unforeseen consequences for some wildlife species in the state, particularly the endangered Florida panther. A new study, from researchers at Florida Atlantic University (FAU), found that increased installation of utility-scale, solar energy (USSE) facilities is cutting through so-called wildlife corridors areas free from manmade obstacles where the panthers roam, live and breed. The endangered panther was once found across the southeast but now the only breeding population is restricted to a little more than 5 per cent of its historic range, in the swamplands of South Florida. Only 120 to 130 Florida panthers remain in the wild, according to the National Wildlife Federation, with the subspecies so critically endangered that it is vulnerable to just about every major threat including habitat loss from construction and mercury pollution. The big cats roam far, with males requiring about 200 square miles of range. Their survival relies on being able to travel from protected area to protected area via wildlife corridors. Meanwhile, electric companies solar farms in the nations Sunshine State are projected to boom in the next decade, increasing capacity from 1,743 to 12,537 megawatts. The FAU study is the first of its kind to document the impacts of major solar projects on a large carnivore species. Our study suggests that in the drive to shift our energy production to carbon neutral sources, while maintaining maximum profitability, wildlife outside human dominated landscapes with large ranges and dispersal potentials may be pushed into less favorable habitat or cut off completely from available habitat by degradation of corridors, said Olena V Leskova, senior author and a PhD student in FAUs Department of Geosciences, and a geographer/geospatial scientist at the South Florida Water Management District. Story continues The study compared 45 installed or planned USSE facilities in the Florida peninsula, totaling around 27,688 acres, with panther habitats. The results revealed that solar facilities were most often built on grasslands and pastures (45.7 per cent) followed by agricultural lands (34.9 percent), and forest (13.2 percent). The research, published in the Journal of Applied Ecology, discovered that the greatest impacts to panthers occur when solar farms are located in their major corridors, and where no alternative routes exist. In all, researchers identified nine solar farms located in areas which connect panthers breeding grounds and other areas key to their survival. A further 26 facilities were located between core areas but where there were fewer panthers. An additional problem was posed by the fact that most of the large solar installations in the study were surrounded by six-foot, chain-link fences, topped with barbed wire. The barriers can not only disrupt panthers migration routes but cause death or injury to the big cats. The research discovered that clusters of solar farms can cause even more problems for panthers, by creating a continuous blockade through wildlife corridors. Clustering solar facilities is viewed as beneficial by energy companies as it decreases the amount of new infrastructure and maintenance thats needed. The researchers hope that the study will highlight the need to protect and maintain connectivity across the landscape during solar facility planning. Impacts are also expected on other endangered and protected species in Florida, the researchers noted, such as gopher tortoises, eastern indigo snakes, Florida scrub jay, Florida burrowing owls, and Florida black bears. Labour MP for Brent North Barry Gardiner on September 28, 2021 in Brighton, England. Leon Neal/Getty Images The son of suspected Chinese agent Christine Lee worked for Labour MP Barry Gardiner until Thursday. Lee has donated more than 427,000 to Gardiner since 2015, records show. Lee also received a prestigious award from former Prime Minister Theresa May. The son of a woman identified as a suspected Chinese agent worked for Labour MP Barry Gardiner until he resigned "earlier today", the former shadow minister has said. MI5, the UK's Security Service, has issued an alert warning MPs and Lords that they should avoid Christine Lee. The notice, seen by Insider, said she had "knowingly engaged in political interference activities" on behalf of the Chinese Communist Party. "Christine Lee's son [Daniel Wilkes] volunteered in my office many years ago and was subsequently employed by me as a diary manager," Gardiner said in a statement to Insider. "He resigned from my employment earlier today. The Security Services have advised me that they have no intelligence that shows he was aware of, or complicit in, his mother's illegal activity." Gardiner, a longtime ally of former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, said he had been liasing with security services about Lee for "a number of years", adding: "They have always known, and been made fully aware by me, of her engagement with my office and the donations she made to fund researchers in my office in the past." The former shadow minister said: "Steps were taken to ensure Christine Lee had no role in either the appointment or management of those researchers. They are also aware that I have not benefitted personally from those donations in any way. She ceased funding any workers in my office in June 2020." Links between Gardiner and Lee are well-established and were reported on by outlets including The Times in 2017. Lee's firm paid the wages of Parliamentary aides working in Gardiner's office, including for her son's salary, according to declarations in Gardiner's entry in the register of members interests. Story continues Lee's firm donated more than 427,000 to Labour MP Barry Gardiner since 2015, Electoral Commission records show. As well as donations to Gardiner, Lee's firm also gave 5000 to the local association of Sir Ed Davey, Liberal Democrat leader. The April 2013 donation was made while Davey was Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change in the Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition government. A Liberal Democrat spokesperson said no concerns had previously been raised over the donation. The spokesperson told Insider: "Ed is shocked by these revelations and the email from the Speaker of the House of Commons today was the first time he has been given cause to be concerned about a donation to his local party association received in 2013. "The Government must make it a national security priority to protect the UK's democracy from threats and interference by foreign actors. "This donation was reported properly and all rules and guidance was followed - as Ed expects is the case with donations made to colleagues across the House." In his email to MPs, Speaker Lindsay Hoyle said: "I should highlight the fact that Lee has facilitated financial donations to serving and aspiring parliamentarians on behalf of foreign nationals based in Hong Kong and China. "This facilitation was done covertly to mask the origins of the payments." A spokeswoman for the Speaker's office told Insider: "The Speaker takes the security of Members and the democratic process very seriously, which is why he issued this notice in consultation with the security services. There is no further comment on this matter." Nicky Morgan, the former Culture Minister who oversaw the government's decision to exclude Chinse tech firm Huawei from critical UK infrastructure, told Insider that MPs were often approached by people and that it was important for parliamentarians to "be on their guard." She said people would be "hard pushed find any MP who hasn't been approached by someone who wants to make a donation or invite them to something that rings alarm bells. "You have to be on your guard all the time, and not just on China," she said. The Home Secretary, Priti Patel, said it was "deeply concerning" but stressed that the UK's "strong structures" would enable authorities to "identify foreign interference or any potential threats to our democracy". She added: "Where necessary, proportionate action is always taken to mitigate these threats." Tom Tugendhat MP, chair of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee and chair of the China Research Group, told Insider: "Our security services are rightly focussed on state threats in the UK. "It is clear that the challenge from Beijing is increasing and we need to defend our democracy against hostile activity." The alert sent to parliamentarians, and sent by a source to Insider, can be seen below. Alert sent to Parliamentarians. The name and contact detail for the point of contact has been redacted by Insider. Security Service Lee became a prominent figure within legal and political circles in recent years, receiving a prestigious "Points of Light" award from former Prime Minister Theresa May for founding the British Chinese Project, a nonprofit group that promoted "engagement, understanding, and cooperation" between the Chinese community and the UK. In a letter to Lee, May wrote: "You should feel very proud of the difference that 'The British Chinese Project' is making in promoting engagement, understanding, and cooperation between the Chinese and British communities in the UK. I also wish you well with your work to further the inclusion and participation of British-Chinese people in the UK political system." Footage uploaded to YouTube by the Chinese state broadcaster shows Lee, wearing blue, shaking hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping at a May 2019 meeting of the China Overseas Friendship Association. She is later seen directly behind the leader of the United Front system, a network of party and state agencies responsible for influencing groups outside the party, according to a 2020 report by the Australian Strategic Policy Institute. Read the original article on Business Insider The Melon Patch Players in Leesburg present the community theater debut of Yes, Virginia opening Friday and playing until Jan. 30. The weekend starts with a bang with two comedies opening on Friday. The Melon Patch Theatre in Leesburg opens the community theater premiere of Yes, Virginia on Friday. The two-person show is a heartfelt comedy as the lives of an employer and employee take on a new meaning. The laughs keep coming in Unnecessary Farce opening Friday at the IceHouse Theatre in Mount Dora when a police stake-out turns into mass confusion and laughs. Also on stage this week is an Elton John tribute show, a Happy Days reunion as Donny Most and Misty Rowe sing songs from the 1950s and The Mother Goose Murders murder mystery dinner show in Tavares. More theater news: On Stage: Regional premiere of 'Yes, Virginia' explores true friendship In the news this week: COVID-19 in Lake, Sumter: Cases rising in schools, community amid omicron surge Heres a look at live performances this weekend. Yes, Virginia The Melon Patch Players in Leesburg present the community theater debut of Yes, Virginia opening Friday and playing until Jan. 30. The play is set on New Years Eve when the longtime housekeeper, who had been let go months earlier, shows up for work not remembering she was no longer employed. She said she had been hurt and the employer and employee discover they have an incredible friendship and the relationship takes on a new relevance. The Melon Patch Players in Leesburg present the community theater debut of Yes, Virginia opening Friday and playing until Jan. 30. The author, Stan Zimmerman, said the play is loosely based on an experience he had with his mother when she was in early dementia and they were trying to get her into assisted living. His mother suggested they employ their Black housekeeper to live with her, not realizing the housekeeper had died years ago. Ive been able to process life though my work and Im very fortunate I get to do that and make a living at the same time, Zimmerman said. Its a mixture of comedy and real subject matter, he added. At the end of the day, you want it to be funny and tell a story. Its very heartfelt and emotional. I cant wait for the people of Leesburg to experience this play and these two women it s like youre in the living room with them. Story continues In the play, Virginia is played by Ze Carter and Denise is played by Nancy Sievert. Details at melonpatchplayers.org. Unnecessary Farce Its on-stage hilarity in the IceHouse Theatres production of Unnecessary Farce opening Friday and playing until Feb. 6 in Mount Dora. In the play, two rookie cops set up a stake-out in a cheap motel to snare an embezzling small-town mayor in his videotaped guilty deeds. When the camera catches a bit of unrehearsed hanky-panky and a kilt-wearing, bagpipe-wielding, crazed hit-man stumbles into the fray and comic pandemonium breaks loose. Details: icehousetheatre.com. Together Again: A Happy Days reunion Donny Most, beloved star of the long-running television series, Happy Days and Misty Rowe of Hee Haw and Happy Days are Together Again at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the Clermont Performing Arts Center. Singing the songs of Sinatra, Bobby Darin and more, Most and Rowe keep you coming back for more with their incredible voices and showmanship. Tickets are $20-$32 at clermontperformingarts.com. Im Still Standing tribute show Dwight Icenhower presents an Elton John tribute, Im Still Standing, 7 p.m. Friday at the Living Dram Theatre in Eustis. Tickets are $17-20 at livingdramatheatre.com. The Mother Goose Murder Join a gaggle of Mother Goose characters for a dinner and murder mystery show at Fish Camp Restaurant in Tavares at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday. Tickets are $42 at somethingnewstudiofl.com. Auditions Melon Patch Auditions for Chess are 7 p.m. Sunday and Monday at the Melon Patch Theatre in Leesburg. Show dates are March 18-April 3. Details at melonpatchplayers.org. Coming attractions Aint Misbehavin The Bay Street Players present the three-time Tony Award winning musical revue, Aint Misbehavin which plays Jan. 20-30. Aint Misbehavin is one of the most dynamic musical reviews of all time with classic Fats Waller songs exemplary of the so called Harlem Renaissance, said Bay Street Artistic Director Carlos Francisco Asse. It is an audience pleaser that is so much fun. Youll be clapping and jumping out of your seat. For tickets and information, go to eustisstatetheatre.org. This article originally appeared on Daily Commercial: On Stage in Lake County: Comedies, an Elton John tribute, auditions The State Bank of Toulon/Kewanee Banking Center recently donated $1,000 to the Kewanee Schools Foundation Endowment Fund, which will help with the areas of greatest need for KCUSD 229. Pictured is Kewanee Schools Foundation Board of Directors Treasurer Craig Gustafson (left) and SBT Senior Vice President Mark Rewerts. Why is China's zero-COVID-19 approach effective against Omicron variant? Xinhua) 08:07, January 13, 2022 -- Following the Omicron outbreak, Tianjin, with a population of about 14 million, immediately took action to block the spread of the epidemic. -- Faced with this new threat, all of the local governments have stuck to their usual zero-COVID-19 approach. -- By putting people's lives first, China has implemented the "dynamic zero-case policy" to maintain the normal functioning of society and promote economic development at the same time. TIANJIN, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- Minasyan Anush, an Armenian who lives in north China's Tianjin Municipality, no longer feels anxious after receiving her negative test result for COVID-19. A student at Nankai University, Minasyan was a little worried after news on Sunday that two cases of the Omicron variant had been confirmed in Tianjin, which neighbors Beijing. "I knew that the world is now facing the new Omicron variant, which is transmitted much faster than any other COVID-19 variants that have emerged before," she said. However, the local government's rapid response over the following three days gave the 26-year-old girl a much-increased sense of safety. ZERO-COVID-19 APPROACH Following the Omicron outbreak on Sunday, Tianjin, with a population of about 14 million, immediately took action to block the spread of the epidemic, asking local residents not to leave the city unless necessary. On Wednesday, the municipality launched the second round of citywide mass nucleic acid testing, following close behind the first round, which started early Sunday, amid efforts to find out possible infections and quickly contain the epidemic. A medical worker takes a swab sample from a citizen at a COVID-19 testing site in Binhai New Area in north China's Tianjin, Jan. 9, 2022. (Xinhua/Zhao Zishuo) Although the total number of local cases in the latest flare-up in Tianjin has increased to 137 as of Wednesday, Minasyan felt at ease, knowing that the tally will be cleared to zero soon. The Omicron variant hit Tianjin and central China's Henan Province in early 2022, while the Delta variant epidemic in northwest China's Shaanxi Province had not yet ended. Faced with this new threat, all of the local governments have stuck to their usual zero-COVID-19 approach. "China has adopted the approach of 'dynamic zero-case policy' for two years, and this has proved to be successful. We must continue to put people's lives first," said Zhang Boli, an academician with the Chinese Academy of Engineering and recipient of the national honorary title "the People's Hero" for his outstanding anti-epidemic efforts. Zhang Boli, an academician with the Chinese Academy of Engineering, speaks in an interview with Xinhua on Jan. 11, 2022. (Photo by Hao Jie/Xinhua) According to data from Johns Hopkins University, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases globally has exceeded 313 million, as of Wednesday. But Zhang believes that seeking "herd immunity" is an irresponsible approach in terms of protecting people's lives and health. "It is inappropriate to regard Omicron as 'flu with a larger size'," said Zhang. Although the symptoms caused by Omicron are mild, it can still cause serious harm to middle-aged and elderly people. In the city of Anyang, in central China's Henan Province, 123 local COVID-19 cases have been registered since the first case was reported on Saturday. The first cases in Anyang are believed to be linked with the same transmission chain of the Omicron variant in Tianjin, according to the publicity department of the Anyang municipal government. A medical worker takes a swab sample from a resident at a COVID-19 testing site in Baoliansi Township in Anyang, central China's Henan Province, Jan. 10, 2022. (Xinhua) On Monday evening, the Anyang municipal government ordered all vehicles off roads and required all residents to stay put for epidemiological investigation and nucleic acid testing. "We will take firm and decisive measures to break the chain of transmission of the virus," said Gao Yong, mayor of Anyang. "We must put people's lives first." LIFE FIRST Shortly after an epidemic emerged in Xin'an County in the city of Luoyang in Henan Province, more than 2,500 medical workers from different hospitals in Luoyang rushed to the county to join the battle against the virus. On New Year's Day, the first day of her arrival, Xiao Xiaoniu, a nurse from the Songxian County People's Hospital, worked till 10 p.m. together with her colleagues. They collected 1,600 samples for nucleic acid testing. Xiao forgot that it was her birthday until a colleague reminded her. In Tianjin and Henan, lots of communities have worked to ensure that vulnerable groups would be tested first in the mass nucleic acid tests and would not be left waiting in the freezing weather. Aerial photo taken on Jan. 9, 2022 shows a COVID-19 testing site in Nankai District of north China's Tianjin. (Xinhua/Sun Fanyue) Many residents joined in the fight voluntarily. Zong Di, one of the volunteers in Tianjin, went door-to-door to help residents register for nucleic acid testing and cope with their troubles. "Before you know it, the day is over," Zong said. By putting people's lives first, China has implemented the "dynamic zero-case policy" to maintain the normal functioning of society and promote economic development at the same time. In response to the COVID-19 outbreak, the Tianjin municipal authorities have used both online and offline channels to ensure citizens get daily necessities. People mostly place their orders online and receive their deliveries from neighborhood outlets. Residents select vegetables in a shop in north China's Tianjin, Jan. 11, 2022. (Xinhua/Li Ran) According to the Tianjin municipal bureau of commerce, local authorities have mobilized major wholesale suppliers, supermarkets and vegetable markets to add inventory in order to cope with the market demand for meat, eggs and vegetables. "There is a supermarket in our community supplying meat, eggs and vegetables for us. The price is rather stable and we don't need to go out to buy daily necessities," said Ma Xiaodong, who lives in the Jinnan District of Tianjin. (Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Liang Jun) SPRINGFIELD As many as 15 gunshots were reported when the husband of Illinois state Sen. Kimberly Lightford exchanged gunfire last month with three carjackers who sped off in the senators loaner Mercedes-Benz SUV, according to a police report. The four-page report from Broadview police provides additional details about the Dec. 21 carjacking of Lightford, the second-highest-ranking state senator, and her husband, Eric McKennie, in the western suburb. No one was hurt in the exchange of gunfire, and the police havent charged any suspects. Advertisement Broadview police responded to multiple calls for shots fired about 9:45 p.m. Dec. 21, and officers headed to the carjacking site in the 2000 block of South 20th Avenue, according to the report, obtained by the Tribune through an open-records request. Dispatchers alerted officers that 10 to 15 shots were reported, and Lightford was involved in the incident, the report states. The report, however, does not indicate how many bullet casings were found on scene, which would be a likely indicator of the exact number of gunshots that were exchanged. Advertisement Illinois Senate Majority Leader Kimberly Lightford speaks before Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed HB 3653, a sweeping criminal justice and police reform bill, on Feb. 22, 2021, at Chicago State University. (Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune) Officers arrived at the scene and took possession of McKennies Glock 27 .40-caliber pistol while they figured out what transpired, the report states. It also says McKennie showed the officers his valid firearm owners identification card and concealed carry license. McKennie told one of the officers the following account of what happened: He, Lightford and a friend were in the senators Mercedes, heading west on Roosevelt Road, then turned right onto 20th Avenue to drop off the friend. While they were saying goodbye, a Dodge SUV pulled in front of the Mercedes. Three people approached the Mercedes with handguns, and McKennie told Lightford to run. McKennie tossed the car keys into the street and backed away from the Mercedes. Thats when the gunfire erupted. McKennie got a few feet away from the vehicle and stated that one subject began firing their weapon, to which McKennie responded by protecting himself and fired his weapon toward the subject, the report stated. McKennie ran south down 20th Avenue, after firing a few rounds and found cover next to a house, the report also stated, as the alleged carjackers fired more rounds at him. The report did not specify how many rounds each shooter fired. McKennie could not say if he hit any (carjackers) or the vehicle, the report states. Advertisement Lightford told officers her purse and phone were inside the Mercedes. An effort to track the phone was not successful. Comprehensive descriptions of the carjackers werent available, though at least one was wearing a face mask, the report states. Police have said the carjackers escaped in both the Mercedes and the vehicle they pulled up in. The Senate majority leaders loaned Mercedes was later found by police about two blocks south of the Eisenhower Expressway on Chicagos West Side, authorities have said. Broadview police went door to door and found Ring camera doorbells at multiple residences. Police found at least one resident who might have had some video footage, though the report doesnt say what it showed. Lightfords Mercedes was identified as being a loaner from the Westmont Mercedes Dealer. The report also shows the Mercedes had on her Senate-issued license plates. Advertisement At an event two days later, Lightford, a Maywood Democrat who has been in the state legislature since 1998, said she didnt realize what a traumatic event could do in an adult. The carjacking occurred about 30 minutes after a Christmas event hosted by Broadview village officials took place close to the scene of the crime, Broadview police Chief Thomas Mills has said. jgorner@chicagotribune.com LANSING A caregiver at a Clinton County adult foster home could face up to 15 years in prison after being charged with vulnerable adult abuse, according to a Thursday news release from Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel's office. A joint investigation, conducted by the Michigan Department of Attorney General's Health Care Fraud Division and the Clinton County Sheriff's Office, began in May, according to the release. A developmentally disabled resident of the foster home known as the "Airport Home" had been found with major injuries, including a subdural hematoma, fractured sternum, and numerous bruises and marks. The individual survived after receiving care at a nearby intensive care unit, the release said. According to the release, Andrew House-Carter, 27, of Lansing, was the only caregiver working the foster home's night shift that extended from May 15 to May 16. He was charged with first-degree vulnerable adult abuse, a felony charge in Michigan that can result in up to 15 years in prison. No further details about the investigation were given. A judge arraigned House-Carter in 65A District Court in Clinton County Wednesday afternoon. His cash bond was set at $100,000. A preliminary exam has been set for Jan. 27 at 2 p.m. Contact reporter Jared Weber at 517-582-3937 or jtweber@lsj.com. This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: State, county officials charge man, 27, with vulnerable adult abuse A Ferguson Township man who pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting a child was sentenced Thursday to at least a half decade in state prison. Dennis Ney, 65, was sentenced by Centre County Judge Jonathan Grine to at least six years in state prison. His maximum prison sentence is 12 years. He received credit for about one year, 10 months already served. His prison sentence is set to be followed by eight years of probation. Despite what happened, I feel good. ... Ive worked hard to overcome many challenges, the child wrote in a statement that was read by her mother. I am not scared of you anymore. Ney pleaded guilty to one felony count each of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse with a child, sexual assault and corruption of minors. He was accused of forcing the child to perform oral sex. Felony charges of child rape, statutory sexual assault, aggravated indecent assault of a child and indecent assault of someone younger than 13 were dropped. Ney had no visible reaction when his sentence was handed down. He declined to make a statement. From the moment these allegations came forward, I believe my client has done the right thing, defense lawyer Steve Trialonas told Grine. The childs mother described her daughter as someone who loves animals, reading, journaling and drawing. Shes also an unabashed feminist who dreams of working to eliminate inequality and becoming the first female president. Her role model is Martin Luther King Jr. She talks about snowladies, not snowmen. We can all learn a little something about feminism, equality and justice from (her), the mother said. Today, we are trying to get a little justice for (her), as best we can in a situation that seems to have little justice to offer. She later added about her daughter: She is bigger and braver than every single person in this room without question, and I would say that in every room in the world. The sexual abuse, her father said, upended their lives. There were many sleepless nights, therapy appointments and unanswered questions. Story continues He wondered aloud what his daughters relationship with other men would be like for the rest of her life. And he questioned whether shed be able to enjoy some of lifes most memorable moments, like her first date. He further expressed anger at Ney, saying he would never forgive him. You will not be mourned. You will not be redeemed, he said. I simply hope that you are forgotten. With mixed feelings and frustration, Chicago Teachers Union members began voting Tuesday afternoon on whether to accept a tentative agreement to abort its boycott on in-person learning. "I have to accept that we lost," a city public school teacher at Benito Juarez High School told Patch news partner Chalkbeat. Some Chicago Teachers Remain Undecided About Vote To Return To In-Person Learning. AP/Charles Rex Arbogast Flurries. High: 37 Low: 31. Coronavirus cases are surging in the 60623 ZIP code , which the includes Little Village neighborhood. "The people that were impacted at the beginning are still continuing to be affected in the same way," St. Anthony Hospital senior vice president Jim Sifuentes said. (WLS) Stoners, I've got intriguing coronavirus science news out of Oregon . A study led by Richard van Breemen, an Oregon State University researcher, found tiny molecules in three acid compounds found in hemp plants prevent coronavirus from infecting human cells . (Patch) An off-duty Chicago police officer was arrested Wednesday after he allegedly shot and wounded three people during an argument in suburban Blue Island. The probationary police officer fired his gun shortly before midnight Tuesday at Burr Oak Bowl. (AP) Shedd Aquarium is getting a $500 million upgrade that aims to create a reimagined experience for visitors. The plans include new aquarium galleries, animal habitats, and restoring architectural features, including windows with skyline views. (Patch) From our sponsor: Hey Chicago, are you looking to buy a house, refinance or just explore your options? Check out the new Patch Mortgage Center for all your home financing needs! 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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 mark.konkol@patch.com Mark This article originally appeared on the Chicago Patch Heather Arrascue warns shes trying not to cry as she recalls her familys recent Thanksgiving dinner. Each member shared what they were grateful for, and 14-year-old Victorias answer was connected to the ballet dancing that has been her life focus for years. Victoria said, I'm grateful that my whole family is supporting my dream, Arrascue remembers. She is really sweet. The latest step toward Victorias dream of becoming a professional ballet dancer is starting classes this month with American Ballet Theatres Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School, for which she was chosen by audition. The Yarmouth Port teen was one of just about 70 students chosen for this year out of about 5,000 applicants, according to information her mother got from the school. Victoria will take a few weeks of online classes (due to COVID-19 concerns) before moving to New York City with her mother at the start of February for in-person training. Victoria Arrascue playing the Sugar Plum Fairy in a dress rehearsal last month for the Reaching Heart School of Ballet's production of "The Nutcracker." Victoria is heading to training in New York City after being accepted into the prestigious American Ballet Theatre school. This is a really, really big deal, says Victorias teacher, Melissa Hayes Heart, founder of Reaching Heart School of Ballet in West Harwich. The ABT program selects students who really, really look promising. So just weeks after dancing lead roles of the Sugar Plum Fairy and Dew Drop Fairy for the Reaching Hearts holiday Nutcracker show, Victoria is launching four years of intensive dance training starting with multiple hours six days a week and four years of academics in a New York high school for performing-arts students. What is a Cape Cod-centric 'Nutcracker'?: Check out the Turning Pointe dancers in Falmouth A ballet career is the hoped-for endpoint. I really wanted to do this (school) because it's a really great opportunity and it can lead to (being a) professional dancer and thats really my dream and has been since age 11, Victoria says. Ive always really loved dancing since I was little. I feel like I can just really express myself when I'm dancing and its just a lot of fun. Story continues Living her dream While some people close to Victoria have worried that the high-honors student isnt headed to college, her mother says this is simply a different path. Being chosen for the New York program is just an honor. Its not like many people can dance in a small town and go on and do something like this, Arrascue says. I say Dont worry about (Victoria) not going to (college) because shes living her dream, she's living her passion. She is going to do something that not many people get to do. Alexander Allen, left, and Victoria Arrascue during a dress rehearsal last month of the Reaching Heart School of Ballet's annual Nutcracker performance. Arrascue describes Victoria as very serious and very dedicated, and recalls Victorias kindergarten teacher crying after watching Victoria in last months Nutcracker performance. She said, All (Victoria) used to say was how much she wanted to dance and be a dancer and now Im seeing it. Victoria started taking dance classes at age 3, moving over to Reaching Heart a few years later. Victoria was one of those girls who came to me at 7 years old and I was like, Wow, there is a lot of talent here, Heart says. Shes also the kindest, sweetest, most understated girl. Not braggy at all. Literally jaw-dropping: Cape woman creates 7-foot Nutcracker costume as pandemic project Arrascue remembers a realization that this might be more than an after-school hobby while watching her daughter before a class. Honestly, it wasn't her dancing at all, it was in these warmups before they dance, and the way she held herself, and her poise. It was really beautiful. It sounds so weird, but I just looked at her and that was, like, The Moment. I said, Wow. Victorias dedication to dance has in recent years involved a couple of hours of classes five days a week, with homework done for hours in the evenings to maintain high grades. She won some dance competitions and for the past four summers, she has auditioned for and won a spot at the five-week intensive dance program at the School of American Ballet in New York City, which was founded by George Balanchine. Its an honor to get into something like that, Arrascue says. The fact that shes gotten in the last four years and shes done it over the summer, with five weeks away, shows her dedication and how shes been honing her craft at such a young age. A family's support Besides getting her to and from, and paying for, the many dance lessons, Victorias family gave her a birthday gift two years ago of her own dance studio in their basement, complete with Marley dance floor, barre and mirrors. The timing proved fortuitous, as Victoria had a studio to practice in when the pandemic hit and classes had to go online. The latest family change is Arrascue and her mother, who works for I.T. Works! In West Barnstable, moving to New York City, while Victorias father, Enrique, a captain in the Centerville-Osterville-Marstons Mills Fire Department, and 18-year-old brother stay home and her sister continues studying at Roger Williams College in Rhode Island. Sugar plum Fairy Victoria Arrascue waits for her musical cue backstage at Monomoy High School last month during a dress rehearsal for the Reaching Heart School of Ballet's annual "Nutcracker" performance in Harwich. Victoria plans to spend the next four years dancing in New York City toward her dream of becoming a professional dancer. I'm really grateful for everything that they've done for me, 'cause they've driven me to dance every day, and believed that I could one day become a professional and they've just done everything in their power to support me and what I want to do, Victoria says of her family. And all my friends and my teacher have been super supportive of me, too. Its a big sacrifice, Heart says of the Arrascues efforts. When a child has so much talent, its amazing when the family recognizes this is a big deal. Its very exciting. Related: With internationally known performers, dance festival marks debut of Truro outdoor stage Making the complicated life schedule work is clearly done out of love, but Victorias mother says her dancing daughter has also earned this next opportunity in multiple ways. I know she's mine, but she is a really lovely girl and if anybody deserved it, it would be her. She just throws good vibes out there. Kathi Scrizzi Driscoll can be reached at kdriscoll@capecodonline.com. Follow on Twitter: @KathiSDCCT. This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: Yarmouth Port 14-year-old dancer to train at American Ballet Theatre SUMNER, WA As of this week, students, teachers and staff at Sumner-Bonney Lake School District schools only need to quarantine and isolate for five days after a positive COVID-19 test or a close contract with a confirmed COVID-19 patient. Previously, district guidelines required a 10-day isolation period. According to the school district, the change brings its guidelines in line with new guidance from the Washington state Department of Health. Under the new guidelines: Students or staff who test positive for COVID-19 must isolate at home for at least five days. They can return to school five days after symptoms began, or five days after a positive test if they had no symptoms. To return to class, they must not have had a fever within the last day, and will need to continue wearing a mask and monitoring themselves for symptoms for five days after returning to the classroom. Students or staff who have come into close contact with someone with COVID-19 also need to quarantine for five days after their last close contact with that person. Students and staff who are vaccinated, and boosted if eligible, do not need to quarantine. To return to school, students and staff must also present a negative COVID-19 test. Most tests will do, including rapid antigen tests, home tests, or tests from healthcare providers. This article originally appeared on the Bonney Lake-Sumner Patch The Supreme Court on Thursday blocked President Biden's plan to require that most workers be vaccinated against COVID-19 or undergo weekly testing. But the justices, in a separate decision, upheld a smaller and more targeted regulation that will require workers in hospitals and nursing facilities to be vaccinated. This rule, once put into effect, is expected to cover about 17 million people working in healthcare, the administration said. In blocking the broader workplace rule, the court's conservative majority agreed with Republican state attorneys who contended the president had overstepped his authority by requiring workers in companies and agencies with more than 100 employees to be vaccinated or tested regularly. There were exemptions for those who worked outdoors or at home, or had medical or religious objections. The vote was 6-3. Biden's rule was based on the Occupational Safety Health Act of 1970, which protects employees from toxins and other dangers in the workplace. The justices said it does not go so far as to authorize mandatory vaccinations. In an unsigned opinion, the court's conservatives said "it is telling that OSHA, in its half century of existence, has never before adopted a broad public health regulation of this kind addressing a threat that is untethered, in any causal sense, from the workplace... Although Congress has indisputably given OSHA the power to regulate occupational dangers, it has not given that agency the power to regulate public health more broadly. Requiring the vaccination of 84 million Americans, selected simply because they work for employers with more than 100 employees, certainly falls in the latter category." The three liberals dissented. They said the decision "stymies the federal governments ability to counter the unparalleled threat that COVID19 poses to our nations workers. Acting outside of its competence and without legal basis, the court displaces the judgments of the government officials given the responsibility to respond to workplace health emergencies." Story continues However, Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. and Justice Brett M. Kavanaugh joined with the court's three liberals to uphold Biden's testing requirement for hospitals and nursing homes. That requirement is based on the Medicare and Medicaid Acts, which authorize federal health officials to set standards to protect the health and safety of elderly and sick patients. Biden said the court's decision to uphold the requirement for healthcare workers "will save lives: the lives of patients who seek care in medical facilities, as well as the lives of doctors, nurses and others who work there." He said he was disappointed in the OSHA ruling, but called on states and businesses to step up and voluntarily institute vaccination requirements to protect workers, customers and the broader community. The ruling "does not stop me from using my voice as president to advocate for employers to do the right thing to protect Americans health and economy." Justices Stephen G. Breyer, Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan said they would have upheld both regulations. The outcome is not a surprise because of the makeup the court. The conservative majority is highly skeptical of new and far-reaching federal regulations. In a separate concurring opinion, Justice Neil M. Gorsuch said the states have broad authority to impose rules to cope with COVID-19. He said the "only question [in the OSHA case] is whether an administrative agency in Washington, one charged with overseeing workplace safety, may mandate the vaccination or regular testing of 84 million people. Or whether, as 27 States before us submit, that work belongs to state and local governments across the country and the peoples elected representatives in Congress." The National Federation of Independent Business had joined Republican states in challenging the workplace rule, and Karen Harned, executive director of its legal center, called the decision "a welcome relief for Americas small businesses, who are still trying to get their business back on track since the beginning of the pandemic." The businesses and states told the court it would cost businesses billions of dollars to comply with the vaccinate-or-test rule, and they predicted it would "cause hundreds of thousands of employees to leave their jobs." The administration, however, said the rule, if enforced, would save more than 6,500 lives and prevent hundreds of thousands from being hospitalized. Lawrence Gostin, the faculty director of health law project at the Georgetown Law School, said the OSHA decision is "a major setback to President Biden's COVID strategy and will prolong the pandemic in the United States. The OSHA employer mandate was the single most effective policy for getting people vaccinated. Without a wide-reaching federal mandate, it's unlikely the national vaccination rate of just over 60% will improve." Biden's vaccine rules were announced in November and were due to take effect this month, but they were put on hold while the legal challenges went forward. The lower courts had been split. The Ohio-based 6th Circuit, in a 2-1 decision, cleared the way for the workplace rule to take effect. Judges in Missouri, Louisiana and Texas had blocked the narrower rule that applied to hospitals and nursing facilities. Lawyers on both sides filed emergency appeals in the Supreme Court asking the justices to decide quickly and issue orders that allowed or blocked the rules from going into effect. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Syrian women hold pictures of relatives who died before the verdict in front of the court in Koblenz, Germany, on January 13, 2022. AP Photo/Martin Meissner Anwar Raslan was found guilty in a war-crimes trial over the treatment of Syrian prisoners in 2011 and 2012. A German court said he oversaw the murder of 27 people. Prosecutors said he oversaw the "systematic and brutal torture" of thousands of prisoners. A German court has convicted a Syrian former secret-police officer over the treatment of prisoners in a world-first trial. Anwar Raslan was convicted of crimes against humanity on Thursday, the Associated Press reported. He was found guilty of overseeing the murder of 27 people, Deutsche Welle reported. He was given life in prison, the AP and DW both reported. This trial was the first in the world over state-sponsored torture during Syria's civil war, Reuters reported. Prosecutors said Raslan oversaw the "systematic and brutal torture" of more than 4,000 prisoners in the facility known as Al Khatib, or Branch 251 in 2011 and 2012, the AP reported. They said dozens of prisoners died. Those held in the center were often people suspected of protesting against Assad's government, the AP reported. The state court in the German city of Koblenz concluded that he was in charge of the prison, the AP reported. In a statement, the court said Raslan "was sentenced to life imprisonment for murder, torture, aggravated deprivation of liberty, rape and sexual assault," DW reported. His lawyers argued that he never tortured anyone personally, the AP reported. Judges in the courtroom read out the names of Syrian torture victims who were present, NPR reported. Syrians have tried to hold officials in the country accountable after accusing them of torture and other crimes during the country's civil war. Raslan was arrested in 2019 in Germany, where he tried to seek asylum, the AP reported. The Syrian civil war started in March 2011, and remains ongoing. Read the original article on Business Insider Author and journalist Michael Hodges FLAT ROCK The Flat Rock Library will host a free zoom presentation Jan. 20 featuring Detroit author and journalist Michael Hodges on his book: Building the Modern World: Albert Kahn in Detroit. The program will begin at 6 p.m. Further information is available by calling Michael Cummings, director of the library, at 734-782-2430 or email director@frlib.org. Kahn was an industrial architect and a giant in Detroits heroic age. He was a visionary who invented the humane daylight factories that helped spawn both modern manufacturing and modern architecture. In this lecture and slideshow, Detroit News reporter Michael H. Hodges will review Kahns local legacy, his vigorous defense of Diego Riveras Detroit Industry," and his role helping the Soviets beat the Nazis in 1941-42. Until his retirement in 2021, Hodges was the longtime art critic for the News. "Building the Modern World: Albert Kahn in Detroit" is Hodges' second book on local architecture and won the American Institute of Architects' Balthazar Korab Award for 2019. His first book, "Michigan's Historic Railroad Stations," was named a 2013 Library of Michigan "Notable Book." Hodges grew up on a Rochester Hills dairy farm and spent six years as a student at the Cranbrook School for Boys. This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Talk on Detroit architect Albert Kahn set at Flat Rock Library Kevin Knox II, an NBA player and 2017 graduate of Tampa Catholic High, donated $2 million to his alma mater to create a new gymnasium, the school announced this week. Knox, 22, said in a news release that he was inspired to donate by his former coach, Don Dziagwa, and by lessons he learned at the school. I was inspired to give back to Tampa Catholic, as they helped me become the person and player I am today, he said. Being a TC Crusader will always be a part of who I am on and off the court. Knox, a forward, was drafted by the New York Knicks in 2018. On Thursday, a day after the announcement of his donation, the Knicks traded him to the Atlanta Hawks. The new facility, which will be named the Kevin Knox II Fieldhouse, will feature a fitness center, a Hall of Fame Pavilion, Champions Hall, coaching suites, video scoreboard, mens and womens locker rooms, bleachers and concessions. It is anticipated to be complete by spring. Dziagwa said Thursday that Knox was always a special student. It was so easy for me to talk those NBA people about what type of person he was because hes just such a good person, he said. It would be a much better world if people thought more about others. Knoxs father, Kevin Knox, a former FSU wide receiver who played one season in the NFL, said in an interview that he and his wife raised their son with the idea of giving back. In life I feel every parent wants their kid to achieve more than what they have. Kevin has eclipsed that. ....When god blesses you, you bless someone else, he said. The elder Knox said his family is close knit and he is excited to have his son closer in Atlanta. We cant imagine a finer example of an alumnus who exhibits faith, excellence and family, Tampa Catholic principal Robert Lees said in a news release. Kevin is a champion on and off the court, and we are so grateful for this gift that will enhance the experience for every Tampa Catholic student, current and future. A four-bedroom mansion in Glen Ellyn that was the site of a labor-related bombing during its Depression-era construction was listed Nov. 16, 2020, for $1.6 million. (Creative Light Studio) A prominent, four-bedroom, 6,205-square-foot mansion in Glen Ellyn that was the site of a labor-related bombing during its construction in 1931 sold in August for $990,000 more than $600,000 below its original asking price. And the mansions new owner, a retired pilot, has a tie to the house dating back to his childhood. Advertisement Situated on Hill Avenue, the mansion, whose front exterior is Spanish-style, long has been a local landmark, and it has a raft of ornate, vintage details inside, including a dining room with a two-story vaulted and beamed ceiling, a columned interior balcony overlooking the dining room and a variety of sculpted features. The mansions history is equally colorful. Although its architect is not known, its first owner, Jessie J.K. Marshall, who was the president of the Chicago-based C. & E. Marshall Co. jewelry and watchmaking firm, commissioned the mansion at a reported cost of $100,000 after the Depression started. Work began on it in August 1930. Advertisement Labor strife soon ensued. Initially, according to a February 1931 Tribune article, Marshall used union workers on the mansion. However, at varying times, Marshall ordered union laborers off the job, which resulted in threatening letters being sent to him, the Tribune wrote. Late on Feb. 10, 1931, a black-powder bomb exploded in the mansions large chimney flue, causing an estimated $5,000 in damage to the mansion. The Tribune reported that many dwellings blocks away were jarred and scores of windows were broken. The Wheaton Illinoian newspaper predicted that the bombing would have a dampening effect on construction plans of any sort in the county, and the men who have been idle much of the time for the past two years will suffer in the end. The mansion eventually was completed in 1932, and Marshall and his family resided in the home until selling it in 1955 to Kroehler Manufacturing executive Dan H. Edmonson, who sold it in 1968. The most recent owners bought the mansion in 1984 for $320,000 and continually renovated it, including recently upgrading the windows and the stucco. New owner David ONeill, a Glen Ellyn native who recently returned to the area from the Memphis area, grew up just down the street from the mansion. He spent much of his adult life in Memphis as an pilot for FedEx. ONeill told Elite Street that he and his late wife, who also was a Glen Ellyn native, always had planned to return to Glen Ellyn after retiring. I used to be a paperboy for the Chicago Daily News, and I remember delivering newspapers here, thinking, my gosh, someday it would sure be nice to have a house like this. Initially, it was out of my price range, but it came down and we negotiated, and I ended up getting it, he said. Ive made a couple of minor changes. I did some tile work in the entryway, and in one of the rooms Im replacing the carpeting, but I want to save the ambience that it holds. Its a landmark, and I want to keep it that way. I dont want to change anything that would take away from it. The mansion has a living room with a cove ceiling and a grand fireplace with a frieze mantel and color surrounding it, a family room with a fountain, a primary bedroom suite with a private sitting room, a bifurcated staircase finished in red velvet and with bas-relief balustrades, and a rec room in the basement that has a fireplace and that at one time was a ballroom. The mansion also has a three-car garage with a 760-square-foot apartment above it, and it sits on a 0.76-acre property. The mansion first was listed in November 2020 for $1.6 million. Its asking price was cut in $100,000 increments in January, February and March 2021, and it was cut from $1.3 million to just below $1.2 million in May. It underwent its final price cut, to $1.1 million, in June. Advertisement John Salidas of @properties represented ONeill. Goldsborough is a freelance writer. Join our Chicago Dream Homes Facebook group for more luxury listings and real estate news. ALEXANDRIA, VA With high COVID-19 case levels seen in Alexandria amid the spread of the more-contagious omicron variant, testing demand is high while Alexandria's hospital is busy but not close to reaching capacity. Health officials provided an update on the COVID-19 response at Tuesday's City Council meeting and fielded questions from City Council members. Transmission is currently classified as high in Alexandria, according to Alexandria Health Department director Dr. David Rose. He noted Alexandria only had "a handful of days" where daily cases were over 120, and now the city is averaging 400 to 600 daily cases. The percent positivity average is close to 30 percent, while the average had been 5 percent or below for a significant portion of 2021 after last winter's surge. While Rose said most cases cause mild illness, the number of cases causes other concerns. "The sheer number of cases makes us concerned about staffing shortages for essential services and pressure on our area hospitals service capacity," Rose told City Council. Dr. Rina Bansal, president of Inova Alexandria Hospital, noted the hospital is busy but doing well from a capacity perspective. The hospital is dealing with staffing challenges but is working on it with "creative" recruitment and retention strategies and altering some care models. "Although we are extremely busy, we are well within our capacity from a bed perspective as well as a resource perspective and caring for communities," said Bansal. "We are actively planning for any surges that we may see in the next few weeks as noted by the predictive models." Bansal said the 30-day public health order issued by Gov. Ralph Northam helps hospitals by allowing them to increase their licensed bed capacity. It also allows hospitals to have staff-to-patient ratios that are normally not allowed and allows vaccinations to be given by more kinds of health care providers. Story continues Inova Health System also continues to push a message that people should not come to emergency rooms to get tested if they do not need emergency care. People with mild or no symptoms are encouraged to see their primary care provider or visit a community testing site. Inova opened a car-side testing site in the Falls Church area for symptomatic people by appointment. Testing has been a challenge citywide as demand increases with the recent surge of cases. Natalie Talis, population health manager for the Alexandria Health Department, said the higher positivity rate indicates not only that transmission is high, but also testing supply is not keeping up with demand. One example demonstrating the demand is the distribution of free at-home tests at Alexandria Library. When supplies come in, they usually go quickly. "We know that it is incredibly hard right now to find those rapid home over-the-counter tests," said Talis. "Many people have been driving around to various pharmacies around our community trying to find them, and unfortunately, they are usually out of stock. It's hard to keep them on the shelves, and that is due to national and international supply chain concerns as well as that growing demand." Talis said the health department is coordinating with the city to purchase and distribute thousands of free at-home tests. The focus will be on residents who cannot afford to order numerous tests online. When that will happen depends on the supply chain and when those tests can be delivered to Alexandria. "But as soon as those reach our community we have a plan in place to distribute them particularly focused on our lower resourced residents," said Talis. The city and health department are also looking at potential large-scale testing events. However, the demand for testing plays into this as well. Talis said Alexandria is competing with other Virginia jurisdictions for a Virginia Department of Health contractor it normally uses. The health department is exploring other vendors to support a large-scale testing event. Outside of Alexandria, the state has opened new Community Testing Centers near or on the same properties as the Community Vaccination Centers. The testing centers will offer the PCR test, are appointment based, and include locations in Fairfax and Prince William counties. The Fairfax testing center will open later this week at or near the vaccination center inside Tysons Corner Center at the former Lord & Taylor store. Residents should check back as appointments become available. Alexandria continues to offer PCR testing kiosks managed by Curative. Talis noted there has been confusion about walk-up availability. Currently, residents should visit curative.com or call the Alexandria COVID-19 Hotline at 703-746-4988 for an appointment. The health department is also working on an online portal where residents can report positive rapid test results and receive guidance on actions to take after a positive test. Talis said the health department hopes to have the portal live in the next week. For residents unsure about whether to get tested or whether to get a PCR or rapid test, visit www.alexandriava.gov/COVIDTesting. The website provides testing locations, information on who should get tested and more guidance. Looking at COVID-19 modeling, health officials are eying the end of January as a time when cases could potentially fall significantly. "In terms of the cases and modeling, we're looking at something like towards the end of this month, say the fourth week or so, and hopefully according to the model, and according to what had happened in South Africa hopefully a rapid diminution in cases," said Rose. "But in the meantime, it will continue to have those pressures." Due to the higher numbers of cases, the health department is no longer contacting each person by phone for case investigations and is prioritizing more urgent situations. Rose said the health department is exploring other ways to communicate, including text messaging. While transmission is high, the health department is emphasizing several strategies: testing, increasing booster vaccination rates, and layered mitigation strategies such as mask wearing. Rose acknowledged Alexandria's high vaccination rate with 80 percent of the population having at least one dose. However, the rate of the population with a booster is lower below 30 percent for the overall population. Rose said the vaccination rate for children ages 5 to 11 also needs to be higher; it currently stands at 46.9 percent with at least one dose and 35.5 percent fully vaccinated. "Now everyone 12 years older is recommended to get vaccinated and boosted," said Rose. "So being boosted or up to date is more effective than only attaining the initial course of a COVID-19 vaccine." At Tuesday's meeting, City Council also extended the local emergency declaration for COVID-19 through June 30, 2022 by request of City Manager Mark Jinks. The emergency declaration will help the city use state or federal assistance that could become available to respond to the COVID-19 emergency. For the latest coronavirus guidance from the Alexandria Health Department, visit www.alexandriava.gov/Coronavirus. This article originally appeared on the Del Ray Patch Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov looks on during a press conference following talks with US counterpart on soaring tensions over Ukraine, in Geneva, on January 10, 2022. Fabrice Coffrini/AFP via Getty Images A top Russian diplomat on Thursday said there was no point in continuing diplomatic talks on Ukraine. "There is, to a certain extent, a dead end or a difference in approaches," the diplomat said. This came as European leaders warned of the potential for a new war on the continent. A top Russian diplomat on Thursday said there no point in further Ukraine talks as European leaders warn of the risk of war. Speaking on Russian television, Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said there are "no grounds" in continuing dialogue between Russia and Ukraine, in a clip viewed by the Washington Post. "There is, to a certain extent, a dead end or a difference in approaches," Ryabkov said, adding that the US and allies have rejected Russian demands. The Russian diplomat also said that he does "not see reasons to sit down in the coming days, to gather again and start these same discussions" without US flexibility. Ryabkov's remarks come after NATO secretary general Jens Stoltenberg told reporters on Wednesday that there's a "real risk" of "armed conflict" in Europe. Stoltenberg said NATO is "ready" to discuss arms control, among other issues, with Russia as a way to try and deescalate tensions on Ukraine's eastern border. But, Stoltenberg warned, if Russia decides to use military force, "there will be severe consequences." Zbigniew Rau, Poland's foreign minister and the chair of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), issued a similarly dire warning in his address to the OSCE meeting on Thursday. "It seems that the risk of war in the OSCE area is now greater than ever before in the last 30 years," Rau said. "For several weeks we have been faced with the prospect of a major military escalation in eastern Europe." US Ambassador to the OSCE Mike Carpenter in comments to reporters described the Ukraine tensions as a "crisis in European security." Story continues "The drumbeat of war is sounding loud, and the rhetoric has gotten rather shrill," Carpenter said. The OSCE meeting in Vienna marked the third round of discussions in Europe this week surrounding the Ukraine crisis. A US and Russian delegation met for talks on Monday, followed by a meeting between NATO and Russian envoys on Wednesday. Russia in recent weeks has gathered a sizable force of tens of thousands of troops along Ukraine's border. The Kremlin claims it has no plans to invade, but Western leaders are skeptical. In 2014, Russia invaded and annexed Crimea from Ukraine, and since that year has supported separatists in a war against Ukrainian forces in the eastern Donbass region. Experts say that Russian President Vladimir Putin views Ukraine as "unfinished business." The US has warned Russia it could face major economic consequences if it invades. On Tuesday, Russia held live-fire drills involving tanks and troops near Ukraine's border. "When live fire exercises are reported this morning. What is this about?" Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman told a Wednesday news conference, per CNN. "Is this about invasion? Is this about intimidation? Is this about trying to be subversive? I don't know. But it is not conducive to getting diplomatic solutions." Top US officials and Russia watchers have expressed concerns that Russia plans to use the diplomatic talks as a pretext for war. Russia has continued to make demands for binding security agreements that the US and NATO have dismissed as non-starters, including that Ukraine and Georgia be barred from ever joining the alliance. "Russia most of all will have to decide whether they really are about security, in which case they should engage, or whether this was all a pretext, and they may not even know yet," Sherman said. Read the original article on Business Insider COVID-19 vaccination card. Ethan Miller/Getty Images A couple hundred protesters appeared outside the Washington state Department of Health on Wednesday, after "disturbing" COVID-19 vaccine-related falsehoods began spreading on social media late last week, The Seattle Times reports. The rumors claimed the state Board of Health was on the verge of authorizing "local health officials and police to round up people for refusing to get coronavirus vaccines and forcibly lock them up in quarantine facilities," writes the Seattle Times. Though there was in fact no such plan, the misinformation was seized upon by "anti-vaccine activists, some conservative radio hosts and at least three Republican congressional candidates." The misunderstanding culminated in over 30,000 emails and hundreds of calls in addition to the demonstration outside health department offices ahead of a board meeting, during which protesters raged "at the nonexistent quarantine plot, as well as a real but very early stage study on whether to mandate coronavirus vaccines for children to attend K-12 schools." Keith Grellner, chair of the Board of Health, told the Seattle Times that the blowback was predicated on a "totally false" description of Wednesday's agenda. "It's created confusion. It's created anger. It's created fear. And it is wasting a huge amount of government resources, time and money," said Grellner. "These people who put out this misinformation seem to relish in the chaos that they're creating." Notably, Wednesday's rally was led by Joe Kent, a Republican Washington House candidate endorsed by former President Donald Trump. Kent promoted the protest on Twitter and ex-Trump aide Steve Bannon's podcast, reports the Seattle Times. In actuality, the health board was meeting not to take action but to discuss certain coronavirus-related updates, including those pertaining to required K-12 vaccinations. "It's scary and sad,' said Grellner of the backlash. Read more at The Seattle Times. Story continues You may also like California deputy DA opposed to vaccine mandates dies of COVID-19 The self-radicalizing logic of conservative intellectuals Oscars to bring back a host for the 1st time since 2018 ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan (AP) Turkmenistan's autocratic leader ordered his government Thursday to tighten controls over the ex-Soviet Central Asian country following massive protests in neighboring Kazakhstan. In televised remarks, President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov told officials to more closely control the internet to expose and restrict (online) resources that spread false information and damage the country's constitutional order." He also ordered local authorities to tighten the oversight of internal migration flows and make sure that they register all those who move from one region to another. The Turkmen president directed the National Security Ministry to strengthen the protection of the country's citizens from the influence of foreign radical and extremist groups. Berdymukhamedov, 64, has ruled the gas-rich desert country since 2006 through an all-encompassing personality cult that styles him as Turkmenistans arkadaq, or protector. His statement follows massive protests that rocked the neighboring ex-Soviet nation of Kazakhstan this month. The demonstrations, sparked by public outrage over a sharp rise in fuel prices, quickly engulfed the entire country and descended into violence for several days, with dozens killed in clashes, government buildings stormed and torched and stores looted. Kazakhstan's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has blamed the unrest on foreign-backed terrorists and requested assistance from the Collective Security Treaty Organization, a Russia-led military alliance of six ex-Soviet states. Last week, the bloc sent over 2,000 troops, who began to pull out from Kazakhstan Thursday after Tokayev declared their mission accomplished. By Hyonhee Shin SEOUL (Reuters) - South Korea is set to pay compensation to Iran's Dayyani Group over a 2015 dispute after the United States cleared the path towards the payment without violating its sanctions against Tehran, the Asian nation's foreign ministry said. Dayyani, the family behind Entekhab, an Iranian consumer electronics group, filed an investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS) complaint in 2015 against the South Korean government citing breach of a deal. It said Seoul did not return the $50 million deposit it paid for a failed bid to purchase a majority stake in bankrupt Daewoo Electronics. In 2018, the World Bank's International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes ordered Seoul to provide compensation totalling 73 billion won ($61.4 million) to the Dayyani family, but the payment has not yet been made due to U.S. sanctions against Iran. The South Korean foreign ministry said on Wednesday the U.S. Treasury's Office Of Foreign Assets Control issued a "specific license" on Jan. 6 to allow the payment using the U.S. financial system. "The license is expected to lay important groundwork for a speedy conclusion of the ISDS settlement with the Dayyani family, which has been one of the pending issues between the two countries," the ministry said in a statement, adding it would help improve bilateral ties. The ISDS allows a company from one country to seek arbitration against another country where it has invested. The Dayyani case marks South Korea's first loss in an investment treaty dispute, and its appeal was rejected in 2019. Washington reimposed sanctions on Iran in 2018 after then President Donald Trump withdrew from Iran's 2015 nuclear agreement with six major powers, under which Tehran agreed to curb its nuclear programme in exchange for U.S. sanctions relief. Iran has repeatedly demanded the release of about $7 billion of its funds frozen in South Korea, calling it "hostage." ($1 = 1,188.4300 won) (Reporting by Hyonhee Shin; Editing by Muralikumar Anantharaman) WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The West must prepare for the eventuality that there could be an escalation in tensions with Moscow, the U.S. envoy to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) said after talks with Russia in Vienna on Thursday, warning that "the drumbeat of war is sounding loud." Russia said it was hitting a dead end https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russia-says-us-nato-talks-so-far-unsuccessful-2022-01-13 as it tried to persuade the West to bar Ukraine from joining NATO and roll back decades of alliance expansion in Europe. Michael Carpenter, the U.S. permanent representative to the 57-nation grouping, told reporters on a conference call after the latest talks that the United States would not entertain spheres of influence or restrictions on rights of nations to choose their own alliances. At the present time, were facing a crisis in European security," he said. "The drumbeat of war is sounding loud, and the rhetoric has gotten rather shrill." Carpenter said Russias buildup of 100,000 troops, advanced weaponry, artillery systems, electronic warfare systems and ammunition near its border with Ukraine begs a lot of questions about what Russias intentions are. We have to take this very seriously. We have to prepare for the eventuality that there could be an escalation, he said, adding that Washington preferred "the path of dialogue and de-escalation." (Reporting by Daphne Psaledakis and Simon Lewis; Editing by Marguerita Choy) BREST, France (Reuters) - Europe has received assurances from the United States that nothing will be agreed with Russia without the bloc's involvement, the European Union's foreign policy chief said on Thursday. "With the United States over the last few days, we have had an extremely close coordination," Josep Borrell told reporters ahead of an EU defence ministers meeting in western France. "We have assurances that nothing will be decided or negotiated without close coordination with Europe and without the participation of the Europeans." (Reporting by Robin Emmott; Writing by John Irish; Editing by Alison Williams) Robert Cruz speaks during a special meeting of the Oak Lawn High School District 229 Board Wednesday in Oak Lawn. The other six board members later voted to remove him from the board. (Terrence Antonio James / Chicago Tribune) The Oak Lawn High School District 229 Board voted Wednesday to remove Robert Cruz from the board, claiming he violating his oath of office and board policy by twice filing a lawsuit against Gov. J.B. Pritzker objecting to the statewide mask mandate in schools. The lawsuits cost the district $25,000 and Cruz sought to recoup his own legal fees from the district, said Burt Odelson, the boards attorney. Advertisement Cruz said he believes each district should craft its own mask policy and in his first lawsuit claimed he was acting in his official capacity as a board member, and then as an individual. A federal judge dismissed his lawsuit in December. A handful of supporters of board member Robert Cruz erupt in the stands as the Oak Lawn High School District 29 Board votes to remove him from office. (Jesse Wright / Daily Southtown) Cruz said he believes masks harm students and mask mandates curtail any chance for local government control. Dozens of his supporters sat in clumps around the performing arts center, many without masks despite a mask requirement posted at the entryway. Advertisement The other six board members all voted to remove Cruz from the board by declaring a vacancy. Former school board member Joseph Amado spoke on behalf of Cruz. If you dont wake up, youll all be in the camps together, Amado told the audience. Former board member Joe Amado warns the audience of coming camps if they allow the school board to remove Robert Cruz off the board. (Jeff Vorva / Daily Southtown) The districts website had already removed Cruz from the list of board members Thursday. We will appeal this, he said. This is not the law. I did have attorneys in the audience, and if they want a lawsuit, theyll get one. Cruz argued the only legitimate reason to remove a school board member is if theyre guilty of a felony. Odelson countered that members have a duty to uphold a code of conduct that includes protecting the interests of the taxpayers, and said that prevents members from seeking personal gain, including political fortune, from the office. Odelson said Cruz violated the code because he had no authority to speak on behalf of the board. Not only had he never brought the potential lawsuit before the board during a meeting, apparently, hed never even informally floated the idea, Odelson said. Advertisement Odelson said neither the board as a whole nor the administration ever supported the lawsuit against the governor. Not only did you not protect the school district, you sued the school district, Odelson said. Burton Odelson, attorney for Oak Lawn High School District 229, said board member Robert Cruz had violated the board's code of conduct when he, in a federal lawsuit against Gov. J.B. Pritzker opposing a statewide mask mandate, claimed he was acting in his official capacity. (Terrence Antonio James / Chicago Tribune) Odelson said Cruz was an embarrassment to the district. You again brought District 229 into disrepute, and misrepresented the facts when you issued a press release Dec. 14, alleging an increase of suicide and violence in District 229, Odelson said. Cruz shot back at Odelson. Who asked you to get involved with this on behalf of the school district, Cruz said. Advertisement Who told you to sue on behalf of the board, Odelson replied. Odelson said Cruz also sought political fame from this fight. Cruz is an announced candidate for the Republican nomination in the redrawn 6th Congressional District. He said after the meeting he has no idea whether a protracted fight against the school district could help his bid for Congress, but said hes hopeful it will. The crowd seemed to be on our side, Cruz said. Were going to continue to fight for our kids and were going to continue to fight for what we think is right. People stand to recite the Pledge of Allegiance Wednesday during a special meeting at Oak Lawn Community High School, after one audience member questioned why it had not been recited at the beginning of the meeting. (Terrence Antonio James / Chicago Tribune) The meeting opened without the Pledge of Allegiance, something questioned by the first public speaker, Ashley Ramos, a Cruz supporter. After she finished, board President Robert Loehr apologized for overlooking the pledge and began it, amid boos and catcalls, though that gave way to an intense, angry recitation of the pledge by Cruz supporters. The majority of the crowd opposed the board all evening. Advertisement Leslie Mendoza, the only student to speak on Cruzs behalf, warned the parents in the audience that if Cruz should be kicked off the board, worse things will come. He has simply done nothing wrong, said Mendoza, a member of the student chapter of Turning Points USA, a nonprofit organization that advocates for conservative values on high school, college and university campuses. Student Leslie Mendoza spoke out in favor of Robert Cruz Wednesday night. (Jeff Vorva / Daily Southtown) Parents, this is a preview of what our future will look like if you dont stand up to your school boards now, Mendoza said. Daily Southtown Twice-weekly News updates from the south suburbs delivered every Monday and Wednesday > Only one man, Bill Beaulieu, spoke out against Cruz. Beaulieu said hes 70 and while he doesnt like wearing a mask, he has no problem doing so and he can breathe just fine. He said he opposed Cruz for running up massive legal fees for the district and then seeking to have the district pay his own legal fees. As he stepped away from the microphone someone yelled and called him a communist. From the audience, a man yelled, Were ready! The high school kid is smarter than the board. Advertisement District 229 is a one-school district that governs Oak Lawn Community High School. The board will vote to pick a new board member at its next meeting and that person will serve until the April 2023 election, when voters will elect someone to fill the remaining two years on his term. Cruz was elected in April 2021, in a five-person race for four seats on the board. He placed third with 1,243 votes. Jesse Wright is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown. An earlier version of this story misidentified Bill Beaulieu. By Andrew MacAskill LONDON (Reuters) -Britain's domestic spy service MI5 has warned lawmakers that the Chinese Communist Party has been employing a woman to exert improper influence over members of parliament. MI5 sent out an alert and picture of the woman named Christine Lee on Thursday alleging she was "involved in political interference activities" in the United Kingdom on behalf of the Chinese Communist Party. Speaker Lindsay Hoyle, who circulated MI5's alert to lawmakers, said MI5 had found that Lee "has facilitated financial donations to serving and aspiring parliamentarians on behalf of foreign nationals based in Hong Kong and China". Hoyle said Lee had been involved with the now disbanded all-party parliamentary group, Chinese in Britain. Britains interior minister Priti Patel told reporters that Lees behaviour was currently below the criminal threshold to prosecute her, but she said that by putting the alert out the government was able to warn lawmakers about Lee's attempts to improperly influence them. Patel said it was "deeply concerning" that an individual working on behalf of the Chinese Communist Party had targeted lawmakers. Lee is the founder of a law firm, which has offices in London and Birmingham, according to a government official. A woman who answered the phone at the Birmingham office said: "We are not taking any calls now". A request for comment left at the London office went unanswered. The law firm lists on its website one of its roles as legal adviser to the Chinese embassy in Britain. The Chinese embassy in London said in a statement that China does not interfere in the internal affairs of other countries. "We have no need and never seek to 'buy influence' in any foreign parliament," it said. "We firmly oppose the trick of smearing and intimidation against the Chinese community in the UK." POLITICAL DONATIONS Barry Gardiner, a lawmaker for the opposition Labour Party, said he had received hundreds of thousands of pounds in donations from Lee and said he has been liaising with intelligence services "for a number of years" about her. Story continues "They have always known, and been made fully aware by me, of her engagement with my office and the donations she made to fund researchers in my office in the past," Gardiner said. Gardiner employed Lee's son as a diary manager but he resigned on Thursday. Iain Duncan Smith, a former leader of Britain's governing Conservative Party who has been sanctioned by China for highlighting alleged human right abuses in Xinjiang, called for an urgent update from the government on the issue. He questioned why the woman had not been deported and called for a tightening of the accreditation process for people gaining access to parliament, which he said was too lenient. Lee is listed under the Christine Lee & Co law firm as a British national in financial filings with Companies House, Britain's corporate registry. Former defence minister Tobias Ellwood told parliament of her alleged activity: "This is the sort of grey-zone interference we now anticipate and expect from China." Britain's relations with China have deteriorated in recent years over issues including Hong Kong and Xinjiang. Last year MI5 urged British citizens to treat the threat of spying from Russia, China and Iran with as much vigilance as terrorism. British spies say China and Russia have each sought to steal commercially sensitive data and intellectual property as well as to interfere in domestic politics and sow misinformation. The Chinese ambassador to Britain was banned from attending an event in the British parliament last year because Beijing imposed sanctions on lawmakers who highlighted alleged human right abuses in Xinjiang. China placed the sanctions on nine British politicians in March last year for spreading what it said were "lies and disinformation" over the treatment of Uyghur Muslims in the country's far west. (Reporting by Andrew MacAskill; Editing by Hugh Lawson and Christopher Cushing) The University of Kentucky housing employee who allegedly burglarized hundreds of dorms over winter break still managed to gain access to rooms even after UK turned off his key card, a UK police officer testified in court Thursday. Kristian Lowe, a 28-year-old former contract employee with Greystar who worked in UKs residence halls, was given access by another housing employee to dorm rooms on three floors of Holmes Hall after his access badge was turned off because of the investigation into his alleged thefts, according to Stevie Wood, a UK police officer. Lowe was fired after the burglary allegations were revealed. Lowe performed routine maintenance at the residence halls and was supposed to change air filters in the dorms at the time of the alleged burglaries, Wood said. He was given access to all the rooms on the fifth, sixth and seventh floors of Holmes Hall by another employee with a key card, Wood said. The other employee has been fired, UK spokesman Jay Blanton confirmed. In addition to getting into common areas inside residence hall suites, Lowe also had a key which granted him access to students individual bedrooms, Wood said. UK employee who broke into 860 dorm suites over winter break has been fired, charged. The other employee was questioned by police but was released without facing any charges after officers spoke with him. They didnt have any evidence that he took any students belongings. When we spoke with him, he had no clue why we were talking to him, Wood said of the second employee. UK initially indicated that 860 dorms could have been burglarized in this case. But UK police have 253 counts of Lowe entering rooms that he had no reason to be in, Wood said during a preliminary hearing in Lowes court case Thursday. Only a handful of police reports have been filed by students in the case, Wood said. But in an email to students who were potentially affected by the burglaries, UK provided another way to report missing items. Wood said the UK Police Department was still working to catch up with the administrative side and gather information on those additional reports. Story continues Police only have evidence of safes and money being stolen, not additional valuables, Wood said Thursday. It appeared as though Lowe removed items from students safes but then left those items in the rooms while taking the safes, Wood said. Lowe told police he does not take personal items like jewelry and things, Wood said. Police found $2,162 in Lowes jacket pockets after speaking with him about the investigation, Wood said. Lowe said $796 of that money was his personal money. Among that $2,162 was $62 in quarters. Lowe said that came from one room in Holmes Hall. Lowe and his wife seemed to be discussing evidence of the thefts during jail phone calls, which investigators reviewed. They talked about flushing stuff and moving money or moving items out of the closet, Wood said. Lowe had told police that he stashed some of the stolen money in a closet at his home, Wood testified. Wood also indicated that Lowe and his wife discussed a storage building during a jail call. Police havent investigated the storage building further, he said. UK police began investigating the case Dec. 18 and are still doing so, Wood said. Lowe initially faced four charges: two counts of burglary, one count of criminal mischief and one count of having a weapon on school property. He faced the weapons charge after police found out he had brass knuckles. Lowes attorney argued that Lowe wasnt committing burglary if he had an access card and a key to get into students rooms. He said the charges should be theft. His attorney also argued that Kentuckys law against having a weapon on school property only applies to elementary, middle and high schools, so that charge should be dismissed. Fayette District Judge John L. Tackett dismissed the weapons charge after county prosecutors indicated they had no objection to dropping it. But Tackett disagreed with Lowes attorney regarding the burglary charges and sent the three remaining counts to a grand jury. A grand jury will determine whether or not there is enough evidence against Lowe to indict him and send his case to Fayette Circuit Court. Lowe was fired after UK learned of the thefts, officials said previously. UK previously said it was working to ensure appropriate remuneration as quickly as possible for any items stolen. UK reviewing its practices for dorm room access Lowes alleged actions have caused UK to re-examine who it provides dorm room access to and how that access is provided, Blanton said. We are reviewing all of our policies and processes including how rooms are accessed and who has access to see if adjustments need to be made to ensure we are creating the safest and most secure places possible for our students and our community, he said. Specifically, Blanton said the university is reviewing all housing policies and procedures with regard to who enters student rooms, checking card access logs for unusual utilization, reviewing key distribution polices, evaluating the feasibility of requiring two staff members to be present before a students room is entered and developing a notification process to let students know before a room is accessed by housing staff. LONDON (AP) Britains domestic intelligence service has warned lawmakers that a London-based lawyer is trying to covertly interfere in U.K. politics on behalf of the Chinese Communist Party. House of Commons Speaker Lindsay Hoyle on Thursday sent legislators an alert from the MI5 spy agency alleging that Christine Lee was acting in coordination with the Chinese ruling partys United Front Work Department, an organization known to exert Chinese influence abroad. MI5 said Lee had facilitated donations to British political parties and legislators "on behalf of foreign nationals. Members of Parliament are required to declare the source of donations they receive, which must be from U.K.-registered electors or entities. Lee is not accused of a criminal offense. Barry Gardiner, a lawmaker for the left-of-center opposition Labour Party, received more than 500,000 pounds ($685,000) from Lee between 2015 and 2020, mostly for office costs, according to official records. Lee also made small donations to the Liberal Democrats almost a decade ago, Gardiner said he had not benefited financially from his association with Lee and only learned Thursday that Lee had been trying to insinuate and influence British politics. But I had been cautious because I knew she was a solicitor who acted for a number of a Chinese businesses in the U.K. over a very long period of time, and for that reason I had spoken openly and frankly with our security services for a number of years about the engagement that I had with her, Gardiner told Sky News. Gardiner said Lees son worked in his office as a diary manager, but had resigned on Thursday. He said British intelligence believed the son was unaware of his mothers illegal activity. Lees firm, Christine Lee & Co., states on its website that it has developed strong affiliations between the U.K. and China and has acted as a legal advisor to the Chinese embassy in London. It has offices in the U.K. and China and practices immigration, corporate and commercial law, according to the website. Story continues Lee's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Relations between Britain and China have grown increasingly frosty, with U.K. officials accusing Beijing of economic subterfuge and human rights abuses. In November the head of the MI6 overseas intelligence agency, Richard Moore, called China one of the biggest threats to Britain and its allies. Home Secretary Priti Patel said Lees activities did not reach the criminal threshold but were nonetheless concerning. She told broadcasters the U.K. government was working to look at what measures we can take to strengthen our laws, our legislations, to effectively lead to the type of prosecutions that we currently cannot deliver. Accused of misusing school property and verbally abusing staff, the charges against Upper Bucks County Technical Schools top administrator could cost him his job. Executive Director Jeff Sweda has been on unpaid suspension since Dec. 27. Upper Bucks Techs administration has charged him with "incompetency, intemperance, persistent negligence in the performance of duties, willful neglect of duties and/or willful failure to comply with school laws and directives," according to a letter addressed to Sweda and his lawyers from the chairperson of the school's Joint Operating Committee. Sweda has led the Perkasie-based career and technical education school, which draws in students from Pennridge, Quakertown Community and Palisades school districts, since July 2018. The schools JOC held a special meeting on Jan. 3 to consider a notice of charges for Swedas dismissal. In the letter addressed to Sweda and Edward Sweeney of the Wusinich, Sweeney and Ryan law firm, the schools administration recommended that the committee terminate him at their upcoming Jan. 20 meeting. A request for comment from Sweda's attorney was not answered by the time of publication and his response to the district on the charges is not public record at this point as the investigation continues, school officials said. Upper Bucks Tech student Raymond Slifer speaks with executive director Jeff Sweda and Pennsylvania Department of Education Acting Secretary Noe Ortega as he offers a tour of the campus facilities. The administration accuses Sweda in the letter of several Pennsylvania Ethics Act and School Policies violations, including misappropriating school property. The letter outlines the allegations against Sweda. It alleges Sweda took paver bricks belonging to Upper Bucks Tech off campus for personal use. He first disputed the claim, but later admitted it along with giving bricks to a friend, whose name is redacted, to load into a vehicle. Swedas also been accused of filling up his personal car with the schools fuel. The executive director again denied the claim; however, the former buildings and grounds supervisor said Sweda had asked him to be on the lookout while he pumped his tank with gas. Story continues One of the alleged violations relates to purchasing and school property. The letter states that Sweda told the buildings and grounds supervisor to buy a $999 log splitter so he could use it to chop wood pieces into firewood. Neither the schools academic programs nor the buildings and grounds department use the splitter or firewood, the letter to Sweda read. For subscribers: How a teen driver 'likely saved lives' when a drunk driver hit her car full with 3 friends on a Bucks County road More subscriber content: Is PIAA subject to Right-to-Know Law? State, appeals court say yes, but PIAA still fighting It claims that after a tree service was hired to cut trees into firewood-length pieces, Sweda used the log splitter to chop those pieces into firewood that he took home for personal use. It also alleges that Sweda accepted a truckload of wood from Upper Bucks Tech from a school employee at his home. The charges continue to outline wide-ranging reports of Swedas use of profane and abusive language directed at Upper Bucks Tech employees. School administrators go on to accuse the executive director of not being honest with or withholding information from the schools investigators, which violates Upper Bucks Techs school policy even though Sweda wasnt under oath. On the rise: Bucks County's COVID cases up 59.6%; Pennsylvania cases surge 53.2% Wintry conditions: Frigid temperatures in forecast for Bucks County, Montco on Monday and Tuesday Some of that information, according to the document, involves a relationship with a subordinate of Swedas that he tried to minimize during his responses during the investigation. However, witnesses had reported seeing Sweda and the person having lunch together and spending time in her office or out in the schools hallways, the report reads. The letter says despite Swedas attempts to portray an arms-length relationship with the woman, whose name is redacted, emails exchanged between the two paint a different picture. According to the charges, Sweda and the unnamed person talked about meeting on other social media platforms like Snapchat, and that Sweda was allegedly completing a life insurance document with plans to name the woman as a beneficiary. Emails apparently show that the two were discussing looking for an apartment or house. Throughout the course of the investigation into Swedas actions, he wasnt allowed to contact any Upper Bucks Tech employee, administrator or board member unless directed to by the Joint Operations Committee. 'A real mensch': Philly native, Abington grad Bob Saget remembered for career, kindness However, one of the charges states that Sweda violated law and school policy by communicating with a number of administrators and employees of the school. On Dec. 16, the letter says Sweda was given a Loudermill notice, which states an employers intention to suspend or terminate an employee. He was given an opportunity to respond, which he did on Dec. 21, the letter reads. His response is part of an open investigation and can't currently be released to the public, the JOC's chairperson told this news organization. In light of the charges against him, Sweda has requested a hearing before the JOC. The date has yet to be announced. Before joining Upper Bucks Tech, Sweda was supervisor of trades at Bethlehem Steel Corp from 1987 until 1998. He later worked as a plumbing instructor at Hazelton Career Center from 1998 to 2010. He came to the technical school in 2018 after serving as assistant principal of the Schuylkill Tech Center, where he was hired in 2014. His 2020 salary as Upper Bucks Tech's executive director was $147,849. This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Upper Bucks Tech top administrator faces slew of charges that could lead to his firing A Utah police officer who stopped Gabby Petito and Brian Laundrie to investigate reports of a domestic violence incident weeks before she was found murdered has said he feels desperately fucked over that she got killed. Officer Eric Pratt of the Moab Police Department made the jarring statement in a report on an independent investigation which found that the officers who conducted the traffic stop made several mistakes in their handling of the incident. Authorities announced last September they were launching a probe into the actions of its officers who encountered Petito and Laundrie on 12 August in the middle of what appeared to be an argument or a fight, during their van trip to several of the nations national parks. At the time, officers who spoke to the couple did not seek to arrest them, or even question Laundrie at length, and suggested Petito had been the aggressor. Later, it emerged that police dispatchers had received a 911 call from a witness who alleged they could see Laundrie slapping the young woman. Then bodycam footage was released by the police showing Petito telling officers that she had been struck by her boyfriend, but said that she had hit him first. Petito was last seen two weeks later on 24 August, and her body was found at Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming on 19 September. Laundrie, who was named a person of interest in his fiancees death when he went on the run in Florida after she was reported missing, was found dead by suicide the following month. He was never officially charged in connection with her murder. The investigative report, released Wednesday, featured an interview with Officer Pratt, who shared regret at his failure prevent Petitos death. Im desperately fucked over that she got killed. I really am, he said. I would have done anything to stop it if I would have known that was coming. If I would have known [Laundrie] was going to murder her, I would have taken vacation to follow them, because I care about people, to the point where he was going to murder her and I would have intervened and citizens arrested him in Wyoming! I would have taken my own time. I would have missed my family to go do that. Story continues The report, authored by Captain Brandon Ratcliffe of the Price City Police Department, located 120 miles northwest of Moab, did not lay blame on Officer Pratt or fellow responding officer Daniel Robbins, saying they both believed at the time they were making the right decision based on the totality of the circumstances that were presented. However, Mr Ratcliffe suggested that the traffic stop should have ended with Petitos arrest because she admitted to hitting Laundrie. Based on the information provided, in this specific incident, Brian would be the victim with Gabby being the suspect, he wrote. I do not find that they enforced the law. They responded to a confirmed domestic-violence incident and they had evidence showing an assault had taken place. The statements of all those involved, along with the evidence presented, provided probable cause for an arrest. The report recommended that both officers be put on probation and that the entire department receive additional domestic violence investigation training to ensure officers understand state laws and statutes. Utah police talk to Brian Laundrie after pulling over the van he was traveling in with his girlfriend, Gabrielle Gabby Petito (AP) The independent agencys investigative report finds that the officers who responded to the incident made several unintentional mistakes that stemmed from the fact that officers failed to cite Ms Petito for domestic violence, the City of Moab said in a statement following the release of the report. Authorities launched the investigation after police came under criticism for not recording the incident as one of domestic violence, something they were obliged to do by law. Rather, they recorded the incident as a mental health break experienced by the young woman and advised them to spend the evening apart. Officials said they had received received criticism and praise for their response and their resolution of the incident involving Ms Petito and Mr Laundrie, on 12 August. The Moab City Police Department has clear standards for officer conduct during a possible domestic dispute and our officers are trained to follow those standards and protocol, the city stated. At this time, the City of Moab is unaware of any breach of Police Department policy during this incident. However, the City will conduct a formal investigation and, based on the results, will take any next steps that may be appropriate. Shortly afterwards, the citys police chief took a leave of absence. In his report, Mr Ratcliffe wrote: There are many what-ifs that have presented itself as part of this investigation, the primary one being: Would Gabby be alive today if this case was handled differently? That is an impossible question to answer despite it being the answer many people want to know, he writes. Nobody knows and nobody will ever know the answer to that question. My job is to provide information into the details of this investigation and if it was handled appropriately. He later added: After reviewing all the information and speaking with the officers, I am confident and comfortable in stating the mistakes that were made were not made intentionally. The officers did not know what they were doing was wrong at the time. He said while it may have appeared the young woman was the aggressor during the incident, it did not mean she was the long-term predominant aggressor in this relationship. Oftentimes in cases of domestic violence, the long-term victim gets to a point emotionally where they defend themselves or act out in such a way where law enforcement is summoned, he wrote. Its very likely Gabby was a long-term victim of domestic violence, whether that be physically, mentally, and/or emotionally. Gabby had a job which she left in order to travel the country with Brian. Gabby was trying to start an online career which Brian didnt support or believe she could accomplish. Brian tried locking Gabby out of the van in an attempt to control her movements. Gabby Petito and Brian Laundrie (Instagram/GabsPetito) The incident in Utah took place just weeks before the young womans mother, Nicole Schmidt, reported her 22-year-old daughter as missing. Her body was found on 19 September at the Spread Creek Dispersed Campsite in Bridger-Teton National Forest in Wyoming. Teton County Coroner Dr Brent Blue ruled her death a homicide, and weeks after that, it was announced she had been manually strangled to death. Police, who had named Laundrie a person of interest but never filed any charges, then spent weeks trying to locate him. In the end, his remains were located in October in the Carlton Reserve, close to the couples home in North Port, Florida. The incident in Utah was reported by a witness who called 911. We drove by and the gentleman was slapping the girl, the caller said, according to 911 audio from Grand County Sheriffs Office. Then we stopped. They ran up and down the sidewalk. He proceeded to hit her, hopped in the car and they drove off. When police body cam video of her daughter was later broadcast, Ms Schmidt told 60 Minutes Australia that she wanted to jump through the screen and rescue her. She added: I saw a young girl that needed someone to just hug her and keep her safe. I just felt so bad for her. I wish that she reached out to me. Gary Rider, a member of board of the Gabby Petito Foundation, told The Independent on Wednesday the family had received an advanced copy of the 100-page report but had no immediate comment on its findings. VALPARAISO Valparaiso, Valparaiso; they love their Valparaiso. Those are a variation of the lyrics four actors will sing in the mini-musical Valparaiso, a fundraiser for the Heritage Museum of Northwest Florida to honor Valparaisos 100th anniversary. Barbara Palmgren, the chairwoman of the board of trustees for the Heritage Museum, said it will replace the museums key fundraiser, Night at the Museum, which wasnt socially distanced enough for pandemic times. Susan Page (left), Barbara Palmgren and Ken Walsh rehearse for an upcoming dinner theater show to celebrates the history of Valparaiso on the city's 100th anniversary. Page plays early education pioneer Addie Lewis, Palmgren plays postmaster and Okaloosa County School Board member Lula Edge, and Walsh plays early Valparaiso real estate developer James Plew. We said, Well, we just can't let this go. We've got to do something special for Valparaiso, Palmgren said. Because it was their 100th year, they had these beautiful signs everywhere, and unless you would wander into Valparaiso, you wouldn't see the signs. I thought, This way, we might be able to get a few more people understanding the value of this wonderful city that we live in. Upcoming local elections: Here are the candidates for races in Cinco Bayou, Mary Esther and Valparaiso Cookies coming soon: Sweet news: Crumbl Cookies gourmet bakery opening Niceville, Destin locations in early 2022 Palmgren and three other actors will perform Valparaiso at A Night to Remember at 6 p.m. Saturday at Rocky Bayou Country Club at 600 Golf Course Drive in Niceville. The event will also include dinner and a performance by Mike and Ellen Sheppard on the hammered dulcimer. Tickets are $80. To register and pay, call 850-678-2615. For more information, visit heritage-museum.org. Valparaiso wouldnt exist if it werent for Palmgren. The former speech and drama teacher wrote the mini-musical over the course of three months. While she lives in Shalimar, Palmgren has a special love for the twin cities Niceville and Valparaiso after teaching at Niceville High School and Ruckel Middle School until she retired in 2002. Yes, creating it was a lot of work, but Palmgren really enjoys that type of thing, she said. She once wrote a play called Shalimar Shack to help save the Shalimar Pointe golf course from bulldozers almost a decade ago. Story continues People enjoyed the play and they said, You ought to consider doing some writing, so actually, I am a published author; I've written two books, Palmgren said. So writing, it comes naturally to me now, particularly to do something like this. This is just a lot of fun for me. I'm not worried about having to be sure I get every footnote right in the bibliography. And working with the other three people that were generous enough to say, OK, I will act in this play, (is) just so fantastic. Mike McMain (left) and Ken Walsh play the roles of John Perrine, who founded the city of Valparaiso in 1921, and early real estate developer and businessman James Plew, who was instrumental in bringing the U.S. Air Force to the area prior to World War II. McMain and Walsh were rehearsing for a four-person dinner theater show that celebrates the history of Valparaiso on the city's 100th anniversary. Valparaiso became a city in 1921, so they chose four key people who influenced the city as the characters in the musical: John Perrine, James Plew, Addie Lewis and Lula Edge. Mike McMain, who acted in Palmgrens Shalimar Shack, will portray Perrine, the citys founder. He is a baritone who has been singing since he attended Choctawhatchee High School, and he now plays guitar in a garage band called Rewind 74 and at Shalimar United Methodist Church. Its always wonderful to celebrate any centennial that happens, McMain said. Weve had several that have happened in this area Okaloosa County School District turned 100 recently, the Fort Walton Beach Womans Club; now Valparaiso is turning 100. Those are all great milestones to celebrate. You might like: Fort Walton Beach Woman's Club turns 100, celebrates century of community service And McMain, a Fort Walton Beach resident, feels a connection to Valparaiso. Im a military brat, he said. My father was in the Air Force. When we returned from the Philippines in 67, I went to Ruckel when we lived on base. Then I transferred to Pryor. I do have ties to Niceville and Val-P because I used to go through it every day in seventh grade. Perrine is the one who first saw potential in the area, McMain said. It had not been developed at all, so he made arrangements to purchase the 15,000 acres that later became Valparaiso, Niceville and Eglin Air Force Base Reservation, McMain said. The whole play is fun. Its actually going to be a mini-history lesson. It will give you a lot of insight as to how Val-P got its name, how it got developed, how it got started and some history as to what people paved the way in important parts of the city. Ken Walsh will portray Plew, who established the Valparaiso Bank, Valparaiso Inn and Chicago Country Club of Valparaiso. He was also responsible for the creation of what would become Eglin Air Force Base, Palmgren said. Both Perrine and Plew are from Chicago, so if you go to Valparaiso, you'll find that there are a lot of city streets named; one of them is named Chicago, and, of course, the famous Lincoln Park in Chicago, Palmgren said. You see this strong Chicago influence in the beginning years of Valparaiso. Barbara Palmgren (left) and Susan Page play the parts of early postmistress and Okaloosa County School Board member Lula Edge and early education pioneer Addie Lewis in an upcoming four-person dinner theater show that celebrates the history of Valparaiso on the city's 100th anniversary. Susan Page will portray Lewis, a teacher and principal who was instrumental in the development of the Okaloosa County school system. Lewis School in Valparaiso is named after her. (Page) is delightful, and she almost looks like Addie Lewis, Palmgren said. We will have a beautiful picture of Addie Lewis and of Lula Edge, which we will unveil. We will also unveil a picture of the Valparaiso Inn. It will be a magical evening. New business: Honeybee Ice Cream and Arcade brings huge variety of sweet treats, retro games to Niceville Palmgren will portray Edge, a Niceville postmistress and Okaloosa County School Board member who helped save Edge Elementary School in Niceville. She is excited about the play, because they haven't done anything like it before, she said. I'm just thrilled we're going to be able to see some wonderful people in our audience, Palmgren said. The mayor is going to be there with some council members. Lanny Corbin is going to be there representing Niceville with another board member. We have some just outstanding people that I think will really particularly treasure the performance of Valparaiso. Scott Stone, the music director, will also provide guitar accompaniment throughout the performance. We're going to be using songs that were famous throughout the era that people are familiar with, that I changed the wording to, Palmgren said. So it becomes just a lot more fun and pertinent to us. One of those songs is Were In the Money. It is featured twice, firstly when Plew leases the Valparaiso Airport and 1,500 acres of land to the U.S. government, which spawned today's Eglin Air Force Base. You see (Plew) on the phone; he's talking, Oh, how wonderful, Palmgren said. He walks back, and joining him on stage is John Perrine, who has a beautiful voice. (Plew) looks at (Perrine), he says, I think we're going to be OK. We're in the money. And (Perrine) goes, We're in the money? and they start singing the song. I think the audience will enjoy that because they'll be familiar with the song the second time around. The theme song, though, is Valparaiso. In it, they sing, Valparaiso, Valparaiso, we love our Valparaiso; well toast our Valparaiso. And they will. They will toast to their Valparaiso at the dinner theater, Palmgren said. To the next 100 years, she said. This article originally appeared on Northwest Florida Daily News: Valparaiso musical benefits Heritage Museum of Northwest Florida PETERSBURG Virginia State Police have not drawn any connections between a late-night shooting Tuesday on Interstate 95 and a fatal one that happened roughly 24 hours earlier and 10 miles to the north, even though in both instances, the victims could not describe the suspect vehicle The latest happened around 11:20 p.m. Tuesday on Interstate 95 near the Wagner Road exit, VSP spokesperson Corinne Geller said. The victim, a 33-year-old Petersburg resident, told investigators he was driving a white Chevrolet Impala when the suspect vehicle passed him and reportedly fired several shots in his direction. Geller said the driver was able to pull onto the exit ramp and ran to a nearby convenience store where he called 911. The victim was taken to nearby Bon Secours Southside Medical Center for treatment of non-life threatening injuries. Geller said the victim could not give police a description of the vehicle that shot at him. Tuesday's shooting was the second on I-95 in a 24-hour period. The first was reported around 11:30 p.m. Monday northbound near the Ruffin Mill Road/Woods Edge Road exit in Chesterfield County. VSP said that shooting was part of altercation between occupants in a black Ford Focus and occupants in an undescribed vehicle. Twenty-one-year-old Jamari Phillips of Richmond, a rear-seat passenger in the Focus, was killed when the two cars pulled off I-95 and someone in the suspect vehicle jumped out and began peppering the Focus with bullets. Authorities said in the Monday incident, the suspect vehicle reportedly began shooting at the Focus for three miles beginning in Colonial Heights. State police have called Monday's shooting a targeted act, but have not said the same about Tuesday's shooting in Petersburg. Related: State police say deadly I-95 shooting in Chesterfield was 'targeted and deliberate act' "At this stage, [there is] no evidence to indicate there is a connection between the two shootings," Geller said in a text. Story continues Anyone who may have information about either shooting is asked to contact Virginia State Police at (804) 609-5656 or press #77 on a mobile phone. Tips may also be shared through email to questions@vsp.virginia.gov. Going online: Colonial Heights Public Schools move to virtual to curb COVID-19 cases within the division Help wanted: Dealing with staffing shortages, some local businesses can't grow. Others cut hours. Bill Atkinson (he/him/his) is daily news coach for USA TODAY's Southeast Region-Unified Central, which includes Virginia, West Virginia and central North Carolina. He is based in Petersburg, Virginia. Reach him at batkinson@progress-index.com. This article originally appeared on The Progress-Index: Virginia State Police say car shot at on Interstate 95 in Petersburg The North Chicago woman charged in the death of her young son was discharged from a hospital and made an appearance in Lake County bond court Wednesday, according to prosecutors. Jannie M. Perry, 38, was remanded afterward to the Lake County jail, where she is being held in lieu of $5 million bail, charged with first-degree murder in the death of her son, Damari. Advertisement Details of the alleged crime were not discussed during the brief courtroom appearance Wednesday afternoon before Judge Raymond Collins, Lake County States Attorneys spokesman Jim Newton said. Perry is next scheduled to appear on Feb. 8, prosecutors said. She had been hospitalized with an undisclosed illness since Saturday, shortly after she was arrested. Advertisement Our victim advocates, prosecutors, and detectives continue to support the family in this case while awaiting the official autopsy results from Lake County, Indiana. We believe that the court made the right decision with respect to this defendants bond and custody status, States Attorney Eric Rinehart said after the bond hearing. Authorities alleged that Perry along with two of her older sons kept Damari in a cold shower as a punishment for misbehavior until the boy became unresponsive and later died. The punishment was allegedly administered in late December, a day before what would have been Damaris sixth birthday. His body was left near an alleyway and an abandoned house in Gary, Indiana, before family members reported him missing last week. Police investigated the disappearance, and said they determined the story was made up, before taking Perry and two sons into custody Friday night. Damaris body, naked and wrapped in a plastic garbage bag, was recovered Saturday by North Chicago police and FBI agents, aided by Indiana authorities. An autopsy showed the boy died from hypothermia, and his body showed signs of charring that took place after he died, the Lake County, Indiana, coroner said. Jeremiah Perry, 20, is charged with aggravated battery and concealment of a homicide in connection with his brothers death, and he is being held in the Lake County jail. Another brother, 17, has been charged as a juvenile. They made initial court appearances over the weekend. The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services removed Perrys other four children from their residence in the 1700 block of North Sheridan Road and placed them in foster care. A DSCFS spokesman said earlier this week that Perry had lost custody of her children between 2014 and 2017 due to a domestic violence issue, and that Damari was placed into foster care shortly after he was born in December 2015. Walmarts (WMT) female truck drivers must either go to work wearing company-provided mens pants, or pay to buy and launder their own uniform-compliant garments, according to a new lawsuit filed in federal court in Alabama. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission gave Alabama driver Diana Webb approval to file the proposed class action claiming sex discrimination against similarly situated female Walmart drivers, after the agency said it would not proceed further with its investigation. I believe Walmart is discriminating against female truck drivers, and possibly other female employees who are required to wear uniforms, Webb wrote in her Oct. 5 complaint to the EEOC. Walmart is providing and cleaning uniform bottoms for the men, while the women are expected to either wear mens bottoms, or purchase and clean womens bottoms on their own. Charge of Discrimination document filed by Walmart driver Diana Webb on Oct. 5, 2021. Webb has worked for Walmart as a driver since July 20, 2020, the lawsuit states. According to the complaint, drivers on the job who fail to wear clothing authorized by the companys uniform policy can be fired right away. Walmart does provide its drivers with an entire uniform that includes pants and shirts, the suit states; however, the lawsuit says male pants are the only type of bottoms offered to drivers, regardless of their gender. For female drivers, it is impossible to wear the mens pants provided by Walmart specifically made to fit only male employees due to anatomical differences between the sexes, the complaint states. Female drivers are therefore required to either suffer discomfort, or purchase and launder their own pants, out of their own pocket, with no option for reimbursement, in order to fulfill Walmarts employment requirements." Webb also alleges that she requested that Walmart reimburse her for her out-of-pocket expenses to purchase multiple pairs of female pants and shorts to wear for work. Supervisors, she alleges, denied the request. Walmart will not launder any pants worn by female drivers that the company didn't provide, Webb adds, and therefore females, and not males, must incur the expense of washing their own uniform pants. Story continues Walmart is being accused of discriminating against female truck drivers. (Photo by George Frey/Getty Images) In response to the lawsuit, Walmart's senior director of media relations, Randy Hargrove, issued a statement to Yahoo Finance. "Walmart is committed to providing our private fleet drivers with various clothing options to meet our guidelines. No associate, male or female, is required to wear company provided pants," the statement said. "Months before the lawsuit was filed, Ms. Webb was fitted for company provided pants which she now has. We continue to review our clothing offerings for male and female drivers. We take these allegations seriously and will respond in court as appropriate." Webbs claim says in treating male and female employees differently, Walmart is violating Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits gender-based discrimination. In addition, the claim alleges that the company is unjustly enriching itself by sidestepping the expenses shouldered by its female drivers. As compensation, Webb is asking the court to disgorge Walmart of expenses it saved by allegedly discriminating against female drivers, to compensate drivers for their expenditures on purchasing and laundering their own uniform-compliant pants, and to award punitive damages. Alexis Keenan is a legal reporter for Yahoo Finance. Follow Alexis on Twitter @alexiskweed. Follow Yahoo Finance on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Flipboard, SmartNews, LinkedIn, YouTube, and reddit. Find live stock market quotes and the latest business and finance news For tutorials and information on investing and trading stocks, check out Cashay OGUNQUIT, Maine The Ogunquit Facilities and Space Needs Committee, Town Manager and Select Board would like to invite the Ogunquit community to share their vision for the renovation of the Ogunquit Village School and Dunaway Center at either of two listening sessions. The listening sessions will be held Thursday, Jan. 20, at 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. as part of the town's feasibility study. The sessions may be attended in person or via Zoom. Visit the calendar on the town's website, click on the Facilities and Space Needs Meeting listed on Jan. 20 for more information as well as to register to participate in the meeting virtually. This meeting will be held in-person in the Dunaway Center Main Auditorium. Members of the public may attend in person or participate remotely via Zoom. The town requires all persons, regardless of vaccination status, who attend in person to wear a mask and social distance at least 6 feet apart. This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Ogunquit ME: Weigh in on what should be done with Dunaway Center By Nandita Bose (Reuters) - The White House will meet executives from leading tech firms, including Alphabet-owned Google, Apple Inc and Amazon.com Inc, on Thursday to discuss software security after the United States suffered several major cyberattacks last year. In December, White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan sent a letter to chief executives of tech firms after the discovery of a security vulnerability in open-source software called Log4j that organizations around the world use to log data in their applications. In the letter, Sullivan noted that such open source software is broadly used and maintained by volunteers and is a " key national security concern." Thursday's meeting, which will be hosted by deputy national security advisor for cyber & emerging technology, Anne Neuberger, will discuss concerns around the security of open-source software and how it can be improved, the White House said in a statement. Other top tech companies in attendance at the meeting will include IBM, Microsoft Corp, Meta Platforms Inc which owns Facebook and Oracle Corp. Government agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security, Department of Defense and the Commerce Department, will also be in attendance. Cybersecurity has been a top priority for the Biden administration after several major cyberattacks last year, which exposed thousands of records held by companies and government agencies to hackers. One hack, which the U.S. government has said was likely orchestrated by Russia, breached software made by SolarWinds and gave hackers access to thousands of companies and government offices that used its products. The hackers got access to emails at the U.S. Treasury, Justice and Commerce departments, and other agencies. The growing frequency and impact of such attacks prompted the administration to issue an executive order last year that created a review board and new software standards for government agencies. (Reporting by Nandita Bose in Mumbai; Editing by Aurora Ellis) The band Radkey, made up of brothers bassist Isaiah, 26, at left, lead vocalist and guitarist Dee, 28, and drummer Solomon, 24, perform in Bonner Springs, Kansas, on Aug. 5. From St. Joseph to the rest of the world, brother band Radkey made the most of its first decade in rock 'n' roll. In 2010, brothers Dee, Isaiah and Solomon Radke augmented their homeschool learning and started their own band. From auspicious early gigs opening for funk-rock pioneers Fishbone to tours with living legends such as The Damned and Jack White, the band quickly found itself in great company. And it backed up every bit of that good faith with a flurry of EPs and LPs at the intersection of punk, metal and radio-friendly rock. "Each of the songs on (the band's 2020 album) Green Room could reach the nosebleeds of an arena," Ethan James wrote in Atwood Magazine. Now securely into its second decade, the Radke brothers have established themselves as one of Missouri's finest musical exports. More: The best Missouri music released in 2021 Radkey's early EPs sketched out a blueprint the band hasn't really deviated from, only refined. Serrated-edge guitars meet a rhythm section forged in the fires of punk, then frame Dee Radke's baritone vocals, which sit somewhere between Julian Casablancas and Joey Ramone. His brothers deliver classic gang vocals, punctuating Dee's turns-of-phrase with exclamation points. And on tracks like "Dark Black Makeup," the title cut from a 2015 LP, the band reaches its collective hand out to scene kids and the misunderstood, empathizing with those who find community among outsiders and outcasts. "The band often builds hooks out of chord changes, an economic decision that gives the illusion of space between the pummeling and the chugging; it all sounds big without overwhelming the ears," James wrote, further explaining the Radkey sound. More: Columbia concerts: Marcus King Band, Lauren Alaina and more of what's ahead in 2022 There are numerous highlights across the band's ever-expanding catalog the back half of "Dark Black Makeup," the album, is gloomy punk goodness and the 2019 EP "No Strange Cats" is visceral and rattling. Story continues "Green Room," quite naturally, is both the latest and most complete version of the Radkey sound to date. Opening cut "Seize" boasts one of those arena-ready hooks James wrote about whereas a tune like "Two-Face" benefits from rhythmic fits and starts courtesy of bassist Isaiah and drummer Solomon. The band leans into an acoustic feel on the mid-tempo anthem "Bend" and finds a terrific rhythmic gait on "Portraits." Other highlights include "Suffer," which manages to sound both ethereal and crunchy, and a closing cover of the soul classic "Ain't No Sunshine" which references influences from Queen to skate-punk. If, in its second decade, Radkey grows and matures at a similar rate to its first, listeners will reap a raucous, satisfying array of dividends. Aarik Danielsen is the features and culture editor for the Tribune. Contact him at adanielsen@columbiatribune.com or by calling 573-815-1731. This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: Why St. Joseph brother band Radkey is one of Missouri's finest MOSSY HEAD A 33-year-old woman was arrested on arson and burglary charges Wednesday after she allegedly broke into a home and started a fire that grew out of control and engulfed the building. Firefighters with the Walton County Fire Rescue, DeFuniak Springs Fire Department and Liberty Volunteer Fire Department responded to the home on West Hibiscus Avenue in Mossy Head just after 6:30 p.m., according to a Walton County Sheriffs Office news release. Walton County firefighters battle a blaze that engulfed a home on West Hibiscus Avenue in Mossy Head on Wednesday afternoon. A woman who was inside the home has been charged with arson and burglary. A neighbor reportedly called 911 to report smoke and flames coming from the home. It was engulfed in flames with heavy smoke when firefighters and sheriff's deputies arrived. A deputy saw a woman later identified as Amelia Tucker in the backyard screaming Im out, according to an arrest report. Related crime: Fort Walton Beach man gets 30 years for arson, destroying evidence at OCSO impound lot More fires in DeFuniak? Calls to DeFuniak Springs Fire have risen by 101% since 2019, last year busiest yet Firefighters got the blaze under control in about 20 minutes, but the home was a complete loss. When asked what happened, Tucker told deputies she tried to start a fire in the fireplace and the situation got out of control, the report said. Tucker allegedly told deputies she owned the home, but in the arrest report it was noted that the house appeared to have no electricity and was not suitable for dwelling. At the time, it was just two trailers sitting on concrete slabs, the report said. Flames engulf a home on West Hibiscus Avenue in Mossy Head on Wednesday afternoon. A woman has been charged with arson and burglary. A man later arrived and said he was the owner of the property. After speaking with the man, it reportedly became clear to deputies that Tucker did not have permission to be there. The Florida State Fire Marshals Office was notified, and an investigator determined the fire started near the fireplace and the chimney was closed off, according to the report. Deputies later learned Tucker had lived on the property before she had been jailed, but had been staying there without permission since she was released. Story continues Walton County firefighters battle a blaze that engulfed a home on West Hibiscus Avenue in Mossy Head on Wednesday afternoon. A woman who was inside the home has been charged with arson and burglary. According to jail records, Tucker was released from the Walton County Jail in October after she was arrested on a misdemeanor battery charge. She previously had served time for violation of probation and simple assault. Believing that the property was still hers, she stated she had full rights to whatever was on it, so she entered the property, her arrest report said. She admitted that the house did not belong to her, but she didnt think it was strange someone had surveyed her property and placed a house on it. Tucker was arrested on charges of first-degree arson and burglary and taken to the Walton County Jail, where she was being held Thursday with a $15,000 bond. We know its cold outside and times are tough for a lot of people, the WCSO said in a social media post regarding the arrest. However, this person knew this property and home were not hers and chose not to reach out for help. Instead, someone is picking up the pieces from a fire. Anyone in need of shelter or cold weather assistance is asked to reach out to Matrix Community Outreach Center by calling 850-892-1090 or visiting https://www.matrixcoc.org/clothinghousehold.html This article originally appeared on Northwest Florida Daily News: Fire destroys Mossy Head home; woman charged with arson, burglary A woman is in critical condition after being attacked Thursday morning at Union Station. (Los Angeles Times) A woman is in critical condition after police said she was attacked by a homeless man Thursday morning while she was waiting at a bus stop at downtown Los Angeles' Union Station. The victim, described as a woman in her late 60s or early 70s, was struck at a bus stop at East Cesar Chavez Avenue and North Vignes Street, LAPD Officer Drake Madison said. Authorities said the attack was unprovoked. Paramedics took the woman to a nearby hospital. Authorities told KTLA-TV she is a nurse. County Supervisor Kathryn Barger said the woman works at Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center. A man was arrested around 6:45 a.m. not far from Union Station after the attack. Kerry Bell, 48, of Los Angeles was booked on charges of attempted murder. His bail has been set at $2 million, according to the LAPD. In a statement, Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority officials said that "Metro is appalled upon hearing of this incident. Metros highest concern is the safety of our customers, and along with our law enforcement partners, we have zero tolerance for crimes committed against our customers. Perpetrators will be aggressively investigated and prosecuted to the greatest extent of the law." Metro said with these types of incidents, riders can use Metros Transit Watch App, call 888-950-SAFE (7233) or text (213) 788-2777. Barger called the attack "shocking and heart-breaking" in a statement and asked for a full investigation. "It is unacceptable for Metro bus riders to be susceptible to this type of violence. Our essential workers, such as this county nurse, often take public transportation at unconventional times and can become easy prey for violent actors," Barger said. "Our county has an urgent need to work with public safety, mental health and transportation providers to create more safe and stable environments. Our essential workers are battling a pandemic and working long hours in tough conditions at a minimum, they deserve that." This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. 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. This story contains discussion of suicide. If you or someone you know may be struggling with suicidal thoughts, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255 or Trevor Lifeline for LGBTQ Youth at 1-866-488-7386. WORCESTER A sixth student death at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, at least three of which have been by suicide, has left students here feeling uncertain amid a national mental health crisis, even as the institute is providing resources to help. WPI confirmed the death of a 21-year-old senior, who died by suicide Jan. 5, while on winter break in his New Hampshire home. "It's really tragic and I don't know if it's academic pressure in an engineering school, or outside pressure, or something else. Every person's situation is different," said a WPI freshman, interviewed Thursday. A lone pedestrian walks up a private way at the WPI campus Thursday. The latest to take his life was a senior majoring in mechanical engineering. A graduate student, 25, also passed away over the holidays, due to an epileptic seizure, at his home in Ohio. Three of the six deaths have been confirmed to be suicides. The cause of death of two others hasn't been announced while one is still under investigation, according to a university spokesman, the institute said they couldn't provide details on the other death. After the last death, which occurred at a university dorm in early November, students held a gathering on campus to address the crisis and the grief it brings. As the institute struggles to balance education, the omicron surge and a mental health crisis, some students feel there is a long way to go. The second edition of "You've Been Herd: Mental Health & Well-Being Newsletter" just hit inboxes. Check your email for the full update. #BeRealTogether pic.twitter.com/7MiuLS3wF7 WPI (@WPI) January 13, 2022 A freshman said that even though the university was providing resources for students' mental health, more needed to be done before something like this happened. Story continues "People who are in need of the help aren't the ones going to get help," he said on Thursday morning. President Laurie Leshin addressed the recent deaths in a Jan. 11 email to students, urging those struggling to seek help. "These losses, even for those who dont know these young people personally, are unsettling and can be deeply upsetting. If you are struggling for any reason, please reach out to a friend, a colleague, a family member or any of the faculty and staff who, I promise, care about you deeply. We are here for you," read the email from Leshin. Another student interviewed Thursday, an aerospace engineering freshman, said he was aware of a lot of backlogs with the university's resources for help. "I heard about it, see it on WPI's Reddit page that sometimes people try to get support but the waitlist is too long, and it's not feasible," he said. Students walk along Salisbury Street at the WPI campus Thursday. After the last incident, WPI ramped up its resources, hiring more counselors, adding training programs and a phone line. An international student, a freshman, felt that she had received a lot of support from the university's faculty and counselors especially as she struggled with her first college year in a pandemic. Other students felt there was clearly a bigger problem at the school. People they knew in other colleges weren't seeing this on the same scale. "There has to be a common denominator here," suggested one student. The COVID-19 pandemic has negatively impacted the mental health of all social groups across the globe, with grave consequences for younger people, and students are no exception. A survey by a mental health-focused nonprofit, Active Minds, found that 80% of students said that COVID-19 had negatively impacted their mental health. This impact has been exacerbated among LGBTQ+ students and students of color. "When you're in lockdown, you end up overthinking things, without social interaction," said a student, speaking of a negative spiral that can be hard to escape. Another student suggested that developing a social circle, which can be hard enough at a university, can be harder in an engineering or science focused school. "A lot of people, especially here, don't have the social skills to reach out. Some people have a lot of trouble communicating sometimes. And the school makes a big deal when something happens, but it's not that they really care," he said. This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Mental health crisis: WPI students feeling uncertain after six student deaths, three by suicide Zane Wedding had a cockroach in his ear for three days before a doctor extracted it with the help of a suction device (Screengrab/YouTube/Science & Weird) An Auckland mans three-day struggle with what he thought was water trapped in his ear after swimming turned out to be something much more alarming. Zane Wedding had been suffering with a blocked ear after going for a swim, and decided to consult a doctor when a strange sensation in his ear failed to subside the next day. The doctor gave Mr Wedding antibiotics, advised him to use a hairdryer to dry his ear canal, and told him to return if the sensation in his ear persisted. When the wriggling sensation continued, Mr Wedding went to a ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist instead. I think you have an insect in your ear, the doctor told him. It turned out to be a cockroach. Mr Wedding recounted the story to The New Zealand Herald and said when the doctor pulled out half of the bug, it made him physically ill. 3 days with a roach in my ear, wrote Mr Wedding in a tweet, using a vomit emoji to describe his ordeal. Went to the Dr on Saturday with a blocked ear. The Dr said he couldn't see anything and it would go away by itself. Went for a second opinion today, and had a cockroach removed from my ear. 3 days with a roach in my ear Perhaps avoid The Doctors Onehunga. pic.twitter.com/nOVL3qEIq7 Zane Wedding (@tweetswillsaveu) January 10, 2022 The rest of the cockroach was pulled out from his ear using a suction device. I felt [my eardrum] pop as it came away. The lady who extracted it said: Ive never seen this before. Ive read about it, but never seen it. She kept saying: Oh my God. When she first said it I thought I had a tumour, Mr Wedding told the newspaper. He said that he was deaf in that ear for three days. Recounting the horror, he said he has booked a fumigator to come to his home. It still gives me the creeps, he said, adding that he had slept on a tree before, with nothing as strange as this happening to him. Story continues I slept in a tree and nothing happened. I fall asleep on the couch on a Friday night and end up with a cockroach in my ear for three days, he said. Mr Wedding works as an arborist and an activist protesting the removal of native trees in the region. He said he let his ENT specialist keep the dead cockroach as she had never extracted a bug from someones ear before. On Monday, Russian president-for-life Vladimir Putin explained 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 others 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 that 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. The fact 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 like 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. Jonah Goldberg is editor-in-chief of The Dispatch and the host of The Remnant podcast. His Twitter handle is @JonahDispatch. Goldbergs column is provided by Tribune Content Agency. Baked-In: How Racism is Coded into Technology | Dana ... Published: November 11, 2020. Bias Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster Find an object supporting it. 5 unexpected sources of bias in artificial intelligence ... For instance, one user might have a bias towards always logging in with email rather than Facebook or LinkedIn; and 2) the way in which multiple users engage with the technology. There are similar concerns about algorithmic bias in facial-recognition technology, which already has a far broader impact than most people realize: Over 117 million American adults have had their . Addressing the gender bias in artificial intelligence and ... How Racial Bias in Tech Has Developed the "New Jim Code" When COVID-19 fevers moved through my household earlier this year . When bias in product design means life or death. "The way to turn anything around is to shine a light on it . Depending on how it was linked, choose where to look for the other two objects. Seven Types Of Data Bias In Machine Learning Link the object to the prompt. To explain how bias can lead to prejudices, injustices and inequality in corporate organizations around the world, I will highlight two real-world examples where bias in artificial intelligence was identified and the ethical risk mitigated. The problem with this type of bias is that it often occurs outside of our conscious grading process. PDF Minimizing Bias When Assessing Student Work T Information systems and technology always have biases. An counter argument is that AI systems could employ biased algorithms that do significant harm to humans which could go unnoticed and uncorrected, until it is too late. Bias vs. What Is Unconscious Bias? Contributors control their own work and posted freely . Technology Bias: the embedding of a particular tendency, trend, inclination, feeling, or opinion . The irony seems lost on the accusers. Bias is a result of study design, and takes two main forms: selection bias and information bias. bias (e.g., existing beliefs, the desire to conform with groups, a desire to simplify things etc.). Selection bias. With his team and game development partners, Lambert continues to push the boundaries of creativity and technical innovation. Peggy Johnson of Microsoft said biases needed to be exposed to be addressed. The IA prompt that was selected is "Bias is inevitable in the production of knowledge". For example, you may have two students: student A and student B. Technology allows a large number of things to be controlled from a single platform. After researching hundreds of bias words (past and present), we found 25+ examples common enough to bring to your attention. quality of the response. A lot of powerful people and institutions, all with biases, are concerned that Big Tech is also powerful and biased. Bias can creep into algorithms in several ways. Algorithmic bias detection and mitigation: Best practices and policies to reduce consumer harms. But it is not true. Automation bias and complacency can lead to decisions that are not based on a thorough analysis of all available information but that are strongly biased toward the presumed accuracy of the technology. These biases represent themselves in the systems and designs being created. An . For example, if a judicial system is trained on historical judgements that are more unfavorable to Hispanics or Blacks, it will replicate the same and award harsher punishment to Hispanics and Blacks. See more meanings of bias. Historical bias example: word embeddings. In 2013, neural network models transformed the way machines understand written words. Since data on tech platforms is later used to train machine learning models, these biases lead to biased machine learning models. Recall bias arises when you label similar types of data inconsistently. For example, let's say you have a team labeling images of phones as damaged, partially-damaged, or undamaged. So, let's look at that first. COSMETIC BIAS: "Shiny" covers The relatively new cosmetic bias suggests that a text is bias free, but beyond the attractive covers, photos, Many people remain biased against him years later, treating him like a convicted killer anyway. For example, the Safe Face Pledge calls on organizations to address bias in their technologies and evaluate their application. Nicol Turner Lee, Paul Resnick, and Genie Barton Wednesday, May 22, 2019. Similarly, conflicts on matters related to gender or religion, for example, may not be as widely contentious. Discriminating algorithms: 5 times AI showed prejudice. How a Popular Medical Device Encodes Racial Bias. Implicit bias is usually thought to affect individual behaviors, but it can also influence institutional prac-tices and structures.1 For example, many institutions adhere to certain practices that disadvantage a subset of the institution's members, such as holding faculty meetings at a time when parents are most Another example is the webcam that couldn't track non-white faces. Anthony Lambert is executive vice president of gaming. Be sure to check out the articles below to learn more. While this inequality happens for women all around the world in every industry, women in the tech industry can experience particular inequality in the workforce. This post was published on the now-closed HuffPost Contributor platform. Technology will enable business solutions that we haven't yet imagined. But with technology, this bias does a dis-service to everyone. Some consequences of bias in machine learning can seem innocuous with a hypothetical long- term impact that can incur financial or mission loss. For example, Facebook was sued for withholding financial services advertising from older and female users, facial recognition technologies have been called out for disproportionately misidentifying women (and in particular, women of colour), and researchers have found that hiring technologies unfairly screen women in the job application process. It may be that a technology is biased toward sighted people; for example, Google's Calendar function has come under fire for not being accessible for people who are visually impaired. Examples of biased language are scattered throughout the English vocabulary. In 2019, Facebook was allowing its advertisers to intentionally target adverts according to gender, race, and religion. Published: November 11, 2020. For example, Joy Buolamwini recently discovered that a robot recognised her face better when she wore a white mask. These machine learning applications are identified as "Type B" by researchers of cyber-physical safety at IBM. Given our long history with tools, the idea that we inject bias into technology isn't exactly new. AI has already demonstrated racism in its facial recognition technology. for example, for evaluating whether lines of previous innovations or technolo-gies will be exploited in the future and the potential compatibility between old and new technologies.4 Recent research has focused on the relative bias of technologydened as the impact of technology on relative factor prices at given factor proportions.5 [=favors liberal/conservative views] ethnic and racial biases See More Examples When applied to . In Race After Technology, Benjamin refers to these "subtle but no less hostile form[s] of systemic bias" as the "New Jim Code." Examples of the "New Jim Code" can also be seen in more . In Race After Technology, Benjamin refers to these "subtle but no less hostile form[s] of systemic bias" as the "New Jim Code." Examples of the "New Jim Code" can also be seen in more . Being a black woman, and an outsider in the field of AI, enables me to spot issues . Skewed input data, false logic or just the prejudices of their programmers mean AIs all too easily reproduce and even amplify human biases - as the following five examples show. Uncovering It Is Good. The meaning of BIAS is a tendency to believe that some people, ideas, etc., are better than others that usually results in treating some people unfairly. Twenty-five years after the adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, significant gender bias in existing social norms remains.For example, as recently as February 2020, the Indian Supreme Court had to remind the Indian government that its arguments for denying women command positions in the Army were based on stereotypes.And gender bias is not merely a male problem: a . Linguistic bias can impact race/ethnicity, gender, accents, age, (dis)ability and sexual orientation. Without a doubt, we do live in a world where bias and prejudice do exist; but it is easy to think that ICT, or tech, would be immune to those 'trivialities'. Making changes towards inclusion is a great way to encourage more women into technology. This technology allows computers to encode the semantic meaning of words, by learning from giant sets of written text, like Wikipedia, Google News, or Reddit. What is bias examples? Carol Reiley. A clear example of this bias is Microsoft's Tay, a Twitter-based chatbot designed to learn from its interactions with users . Peggy Johnson of Microsoft said biases needed to be exposed to be addressed. Bias is an inclination toward (or away from) one way of thinking, often based on how you were raised. In the tech world, there's often an unconscious bias in the workplace. There are two contexts in which emergent bias can arise: 1) the way in which one single users engages with the technology. Think about one aspect in relation to it. AI systems learn to make decisions based on training data, which can include biased human decisions or reflect historical or social inequities, even . First published on Fri 12 Oct 2018 01.00 EDT. However, using technology also give rise to other auditor biasesmay , for examplea utomation bias. For example, in one of the most high-profile trials of the 20th century, O.J. Bias is when a writer or speaker uses a selection of facts, choice of words, and the quality and tone of description, to convey a particular feeling or attitude. Cognitive bias is an evolutionary decision-making system in the mind that is intuitive, fast and automatic. Technology is for everyone, and the digital divide is not limited to the rich and poor -- it it also part of the gender bias that we see in every society. Student B, on the other hand, is frequently on her phone during class and submits work late. Bias towards minorities can also be seen in technologies driven by big data, and especially in policing. Technology is a force that can drive the change forward, make it scalable, and embed bias mitigation in the very workflow of an organization. It is also infamous for it's stark lack of diversity which has been nicknamed its "Achilles' heel," according to CNBC . This compact medical device, costing as little as $20, clips onto a fingertip and helps gauge how much oxygen is making it to the blood. Exposing the Bias Embedded in Tech. It also might be that the creators have biases, and those appear as pre-existing biases. 7. Automation bias is a tendency to favor output generated from automated systems, even when human When we use a calculator, there is no reason to believe that the result of our calculation is biased. What are some other examples of knowledge that are typically believed to be free of bias? Here are just 4 examples of the racial bias in media technology, what it means for us IRL, and how all of us (spoiler alert: you don't have to be a tech expert!) Unconscious Bias in the Classroom: Evidence and Opportunities 3 Executive Summary The underrepresentation of women and racial and ethnic minorities in computer science (CS) and other fields of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) is a serious impediment to technological innovation as well as an affront We saw far more consensus around the problems, than about solutions. "The way to turn anything around is to shine a light on it . Simpson was acquitted of murder. The reality is that developments in AI will continue. Real-World Examples of Bias. Media technology is any hardware, software or tool that is used to compose, create, produce, deliver and manage media including audio, video, images, information, interactive media, video games, virtual reality and augmented reality environments. There are similar concerns about algorithmic bias in facial-recognition technology, which already has a far broader impact than most people realize: Over 117 million American adults have had their . Bias Examples Affinity bias Confirmation bias Attribution bias Conformity bias The halo effect The horns effect Contrast effect Gender bias Ageism Name bias Beauty bias Height bias Anchor bias Nonverbal bias Authority bias Overconfidence bias Tammy Xu contributed reporting to this story. There are mainly two types of Bias, one is Forward Bias and another one is Reverse Bias. How to use bias in a sentence. Biasing is need to provide with some semiconductor devices such as PN Junction Diode, Zener Diode, Schottky Diode, etc. This ranges from low tech tools used to create art to the global media processing and distribution systems of large media organizations. Nicol Turner-Lee, a Center for Technology Innovation fellow at the Brookings Institution think tank, explains that we can think about algorithmic bias in two primary ways: accuracy and impact. 2 While these effects are inconsequential if the technology is correct, errors are possible if the technology output is misleading. Language can be a powerful conveyor of bias, in both blatant and subtle forms. Examples The skills that Claire developed in the Marines helped her move into a thriving technology career. In the tech world, there's often an unconscious bias in the workplace. 1 : a tendency to believe that some people, ideas, etc., are better than others that usually results in treating some people unfairly The writer has a strong liberal/conservative bias. Bias arises based on the biases of the users driving the interaction. It is a great way of allowing them to make connections across the company so that they don't feel alone. The Week in Tech: Algorithmic Bias Is Bad. Many women face inequality in the workplace in a variety of ways. Machined Prejudice: Three Sources of Technology Bias. Maybe companies didn't necessarily hire these men, but the model had still led to a biased output. An . Selection bias is a particular problem of case-control studies and is most likely to occur in situations where cases are derived from highly specialized clinical settings. We share those recommendations below AI bias directly results from human cognitive bias. There is a blind spot in the development process that affects the general public. Mathematical knowledge has this kind of aura around it, especially when it is aided by technology. This results in lower accuracy. Racial Bias in Tech Silicon Valley, located in northern San Francisco, is a global epicenter for innovation and prestige in technology. This results from the brain deflecting to moments that are familiar to us and to what we know. TOK exhibition Sample 1 uses the following approach: Choose the IA prompt. Ongig's Text Analyzer software, which flags these and many more exclusionary words, provides suggestions for alternatives to such biased words. Bias is when a statement reflects a partiality, preference, or prejudice for or against a person, object, or idea. Unconscious bias is the result of the brain working automatically to make decisions without thinking, programmed to make quick decisions a legacy of our survival instincts. Such foundational flaws can happen with technology and Facebook's recommendation algorithm is a good example of how technology can be divisive by design. Women are still underpaid compared to male coworkers, and worry about becoming "mommy-tracked" after pregnancy.Plus, there's . In 2013, for example, Latanya Sweeney, a professor of government and technology at Harvard, published a paper that showed the implicit racial discrimination of Google's ad-serving algorithm. 9:30 AM PST November 16, 2016. Student A works very hard, participates in class, and turns in all work on time. Technology is for everyone, and the digital divide is not limited to the rich and poor -- it it also part of the gender bias that we see in every society. Exposing the Bias Embedded in Tech. This post was published on the now-closed HuffPost Contributor platform. Such efforts have already achieved some progress. The issue extends throughout many facets of technology. August 2, 2020. Examples of bias misleading AI and machine learning efforts have been observed in abundance: It was measured that a job search platform offered higher positions more frequently to men of lower qualification than women. We keep stumbling across examples of discrimination in algorithms, but that's far better than their remaining hidden. If this extraordinary technology is going to . 29 Draft NIST Special Publication 1270 30 31 32 A Proposal for Identifying and 33 Managing Bias within Artificial 34 Intelligence 35 36 Reva Schwartz 37 National Institute of Standards and Technology 38 Information Technology Laboratory 39 40 Leann Down 41 Adam Jonas 42 Parenthetic, LLC 43 44 Elham Tabassi 45 National Institute of Standards and Technology Biased Synonym Discussion of Bias. Being able to identify the sources of bias in the performance management cycle can enable organizational equity and fairness. For media inquiries . So it may seem. can combat it. A recent report revealed Amazon's AI recruiting technology developed a bias against women because it was trained predominantly on men's resumes . Applying of potential difference across a semiconductor device with a standard polarity is called Biasing. Facial recognition technology is being adopted by banks, airlines, landlords, school principals, and, most controversially, law enforcement, without much guiding the data quality, validation, performance, and potential for serious bias and harm. That's one example where, if we use technology properly, it can really become a powerful mirror to study our own biases Zou said. The keynote speaker at this year's annual meeting of the International Neuroethics Society delivered a riveting explanation of how racism is deeply embedded in many technologies, from widely used apps to complex algorithms, that are presumed to be neutral or even beneficial but often heighten discrimination . First, is due to bias present in the underlying data (decisions) used to train the AI algorithm. There are numerous examples of human bias and we see that happening in tech platforms. The keynote speaker at this year's annual meeting of the International Neuroethics Society delivered a riveting explanation of how racism is deeply embedded in many technologies, from widely used apps to complex algorithms, that are presumed to be neutral or even beneficial but often heighten discrimination . FEF, sMlf, enDg, wkBtF, GzDq, laDd, HpRW, sOdC, Njd, CSYabO, DYLjQaZ, Denon Internet Radio Tunein, Maximum Number Of Slides In Powerpoint 2010, Brooklyn 99 Math Problem Weight, Imac 24"/27" Heavy Duty Shipping Box + Polyethylene Inserts, National Collegiate Athletic Association V University Of Oklahoma, ,Sitemap,Sitemap Fewer students both locally and nationally have proceeded straight from high school to higher education during the COVID-19 pandemic. The percentage of Council Bluffs Community Schools students starting postsecondary education the first fall after graduation fell from 50% in 2019 to 47% in 2020 and from there to 44% in 2021, Chief Academic Officer Corey Vorthmann said in a presentation to the Board of Education. First-fall enrollment in two-year colleges fell from 34% in 2019 to 27% in 2020 and to 25% in 2021, according to a chart displayed by Vorthmann on Tuesday. Meanwhile, first-fall enrollment in four-year colleges jumped from 15% in 2019 to 20% in 2020 but slipped to 19% in 2021. Nationally, first-fall postsecondary enrollment dropped 13% during the two-year period, and first-fall enrollment in community colleges plunged by 20%, according to the National Student Clearinghouse, which tracks enrollment at participating institutions. Nationally, we are still seeing a drop in postsecondary enrollment, partly due to the pandemic, Vorthmann said. Almost 70% of Lewis Central High School members of the Class of 2019 headed to higher education, but figures for 2020 and 2021 were not available, according to Dave Black, school improvement specialist. That included 74% of females and 61% of males. To frame it another way, 51.3% of those who qualified for free or reduced-price lunches enrolled in higher education the first fall after high school. To break it down further, 78.6% of multiracial students, 67.83% of white students, and 63.6% of Hispanic students enrolled in higher education right after high school, as well as 26.2% of those on individual education plans. The percentage of Asian and African American students and English Language Learners was too low to report, according to a chart from the Iowa Department of Education. Subgroups in Council Bluffs Community Schools student population made up about the same percentage of the college-bound as they did of the district enrollment, with a few exceptions, Vorthmann noted. Females accounted for 10% more than their cohort, and males made up 10% less than theirs. Lower-income students share of the first-fall enrollees in postsecondary education was about 6% less than their cohort. Council Bluffs alumnis postsecondary persistence the percentage of students who return to college for their sophomore year was edging upwards before the pandemic. Overall, an average of 74% of college students continued for a second year in 2019, up from 71% in 2018. The rate was strongest among students at four-year colleges, 89% of whom continued for their sophomore year, up from 84% in 2018. Among Council Bluffs graduates at two-year colleges, 67% returned for a second year in 2019, up from 63% in 2018. Most Council Bluffs Schools alumni who seek postsecondary education about 55% attend Iowa Western Community College, a chart showed. Our enrollment at Iowa Western has always been over 50% of the (college-bound) graduating class, Vorthmann said. About 9% attend University of Nebraska at Omaha. The chart also shows that 5% attend University of Iowa, 3% attend Iowa State University, 2% attend University of South Dakota and 26% attend one of 20 other institutions. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. RED OAK (AP) A 12-year-old Iowa girl who was struck and killed by a police vehicle that was headed to an apartment fire had been on her way to a grocery store to buy snacks with a gift card she got for Christmas, her older sister said. Gracie Redd, 15, described Vana Marie Redd as amazing, KMTV reported. Iowa State Patrol Sgt. Alex Dinkla said the crash happened Monday night as a Red Oak police cruiser headed to the fire with its lights and sirens on. Vana ran into the roadway, the crash report stated. The Red Oak Fire Department said a stove was the only thing damaged in the blaze and that there were no injuries. The officer involved in the crash has been placed on paid leave while the state patrol investigates. Vanas mother died nearly two years ago and she was living with aunt and uncle, James and Melissa Shirley. We wanted to really give her a chance at a good life, a normal life as a child, to grow up and get to experience life, enjoy success, and grow up to make her mark on the world, James Shirley said. She didnt get her full opportunity to do so. We have used your information to see if you have a subscription with us, but did not find one. Please use the button below to verify an existing account or to purchase a new subscription. The Algerian military regime, sensing the failure of the upcoming Arab summit due next March in Algiers, has sent foreign minister Ramtan Al-Amamra to Riyadh in a desperate move to get support from Saudi Arabia for the summit amid mounting signs of boycott by Arab Gulf countries, in solidarity with Morocco. Algerian rulers are in serious diplomatic predicament. They have become ensnared by their trap. They cut diplomatic ties with neighboring Morocco. They also closed air space to Moroccan planes and stopped exporting gas through the pipeline crossing the Kingdom, which the Algerian junta unfairly blames for all their failures that fuel popular anger and protests. In their blind hatred against Morocco, Algerian authorities, which lack popular legitimacy, are planning to use the Arab summit as a PR to serve their own agenda against their neighbor and undermine its territorial integrity. They seek Arab support for the Polisario separatist group, an armed militia funded, armed and sheltered by the Algerian Generals in Tindouf camps, Southern Algeria. They have even tried to buy the support of Palestinian authority, Tunisia and Mauritania. But all their evil plans have failed. As their endgame has become known, Arab countries and especially all member countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council have voiced strong backing to Moroccos territorial integrity and sovereignty over its Sahara. The Arab League on its part asked all its offshoots to adopt a unified map of the Arab World including Moroccos full map from Tangier to Lagouira. The Arab World map, attached to the Leagues correspondence, not only conforms to reality on the ground but represents for Morocco another diplomatic victory in the Arab World. Instead of seeking to foster inter-Arab unity against common regional and international challenges, Algerian rulers are attempting to sow more divisions, generating more tensions that endanger the stability of the region. The firm GCC supportive stand to Moroccan Sahara has sent a strong message to Algiers, suggesting that the Arab Gulf countries will not attend or lower the level their attendance, heralding the failure of the summit. Such a failure will add to the embarrassment of the Algerian rulers who are seeking by all means to remain in power by inventing conspiracy theories to deflect attention from challenges at home, but their missteps continue to fuel social uprising, suggesting that their days are numbered. Spain and Morocco dismantled in a joint operation a large international criminal network based in Spain, specializing in the manufacture in Morocco of hallucinogenic tablets, locally known as karkoubi. The joint operation involved the Spanish Guardia Civile, Spanish Fiscal Agency (DCI), the Tanger Med Police Cooperation Center, and the Directorate General of Moroccos National Security (DGSN)). The investigation, conducted jointly in Spain and Morocco, resulted in the largest drug seizure in the European country (200,000 benzodiazepine tablets) and led to the arrest of eight people and the seizure of more than 500,000 tablets in total in both countries. Karkoubi is the colloquial name for a narcotic substance made by mixing psychotropic drugs with hash, alcohol or glue. From Spain the raw material was transported to Morocco (tablets of the benzodiazepine family) to be transformed into karkoubi. The dismantling operation developed in four phases was carried out in the provinces of Lleida, where the mastermind of the organization was based, in Madrid, and in Alicante, where the main network suppliers of tablets were arrested. It is thanks to the exchange of information between the MED Police Cooperation Center in Tangier and the International Cooperation Division of the Spanish Police, on the basis of information provided by the Moroccan DGSN last June, that the investigation began. In fact, DGSN agents informed the Spanish police that they had seized in a van registered in Morocco and rented by a transport company, based in Lleida in the region of Catalonia, 4,477 grams of cocaine and 361,672 psychotropic tablets. A monitoring system was then jointly set up and the network was surrounded from end to end, on both shores of the Mediterranean. After this first arrest, the network changed, along the way, its modus operandi by opting for the transport of tablets in a vehicle, aboard a ferry which operated a shuttle to the Moroccan Northeastern city of Nador, via the French port of Sete. Once in Morocco, the vehicle would drive to Casablanca to deliver the raw material to clandestine laboratories for the manufacture of karkoubi. Thanks to the close cooperation between the Moroccan and Spanish police, an individual of Moroccan origin was arrested while driving the vehicle, registered in Spain. A total of 70,000 benzodiazepine tablets were seized on board. Last November, officers stopped a vehicle and arrested its two occupants, who were in possession of 62,000 tablets in blister packs. And finally in mid-December, the agents carried out the last phase of the investigation which ended with four house searches, 3 in Lleida and one in Alicante, and the arrest of five individuals, including the head of the network, a Spaniard of Moroccan origin. A search of his home in Lleida enabled to seize 27,000 in cash and 300 Karkoubi pills. The networks main drug supplier was also arrested in Alicante. The national flag of China was raised on Monday morning 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. Featuring a lantern-shaped design, the pavilion is called "The Light of China," symbolizing hope and a bright future. As one of the most distinctive and popular pavilions, China Pavilion has received more than 800,000 visitors from all over the world since its opening to the public. LEXINGTON A Lexington man accused of possession of child pornography pleaded no contest Friday. Juan Martin-Tomas, 22, had been charged with possession of child pornography and visual depiction of sexual conduct, both felonies. Martin-Tomas appeared Friday in Dawson County District Court for a pre-trial hearing before Judge James Doyle. Martin-Tomas pleaded no contest to possession of child pornography; the second charge was dropped by the court. A no-contest plea is neither an admission nor denial of guilt, but is treated the same as a guilty plea. A sentencing hearing has been set for Feb. 28 at 8:30 a.m. According to the probable-cause affidavit, on Dec. 8, 2020, the Omaha Police Department began an investigation into the exploitation of a child. A 13-year-old girl had reported she was contacted on the Snapchat app by an unknown male with the username minutemen308. The male had requested she send him sexually explicit videos or photos and threatened to expose her if she did not comply, according to the affidavit. The 13-year-old admitted to the Omaha police that she had created the video, but said she only sent it to another juvenile in the Omaha school system, according to the affidavit. Omaha police determined the unknown male was using an IP address assigned to a Washington Street address in Lexington and forwarded this information to the Lexington Police Department. One detail in the photos was a red-and-white striped blanket in the background, according to the affidavit. Lexington police obtained a search warrant for the address and made contact with Martin-Tomas. They seized several cellphones, a laptop and a red-and-white striped blanket from Martin-Tomas bedroom. During an interview with officers, Martin-Tomas admitted using the minutemen308 account and knowing the age of the 13-year-old, according to the affidavit. He had allegedly told the 13-year-old female he was the same age to get her to participate. Switzerland is practically ready to launch a wholesale central bank digital currency (CBDC). Working in concert, the Bank for International Settlements (BIS), the Swiss National Bank (SNB) and the countrys stock exchange, SIX, have test-driven the integration of wholesale CBDC settlement. Also included in the prototype were five commercial banks: Citi, Credit Suisse, Goldman Sachs, Hypothekarbank Lenzburg and UBS. Wholesale CBDC is not to be confused with a digital currency issued by a central bank that would find its way into retail bank accounts, something Switzerland has already ruled out. Wholesale in this context is all about connecting financial market infrastructures and streamlining transactions so that a digital cash token can be instantly swapped with a token representing another financial asset, for instance, and done in such a way that any credit risk is removed from the system. When CBDC? So far, no one at the SNB or SIX has said the launch of a wholesale CBDC in Switzerland is imminent, despite seeming to have stolen a march on most of the world. That said, most countries have begun at least kicking the tires on CBDCs in some form. A report issued earlier today by the U.K.s House of Lords Economic Affairs Committee concluded that a retail-facing CBDC might be a solution in search of a problem. However, the Lords report was more optimistic about the introduction of a wholesale CBDC, which could enhance efficiency in securities trading and settlement, adding that further exploration and experimentation are necessary. Back in Switzerland, stalwarts of traditional finance are giving their stamp of approval. We have demonstrated that innovation can be harnessed to preserve the best elements of the current financial system, including settlement in central bank money, while also potentially unlocking new benefits, BIS Innovation Hub head Benoit Cure said in a statement. As [distributed ledger technology] goes mainstream, this will become more relevant than ever. Story continues Still, its unclear whether Switzerland will begin a third phase of its wholesale CBDC prototype, dubbed Project Helvetia. The testing, which took place over three days at the start of December 2021, proved that issuing a wholesale CBDC on a DLT platform operated and owned by a private-sector company (Swiss stock exchange owner SIX, in this case) was both operationally possible and feasible under Swiss law, according to a press release. Pending decision? In previous interviews with CoinDesk, executives from the Swiss National Bank and SIX had hinted that testing of a wholesale CBDC was close to completion and really just required a policy decision to give it the green light. Read more: Swiss Central Bank Ready to Run With wCBDC in January: Just Takes a Policy Decision Project Helvetia [...] allowed the SNB to deepen its understanding of how the safety of central bank money could be extended to tokenized asset markets, Andrea M. Maechler, a member of the governing board of the Swiss National Bank, said in a Thursday statement. The second phase of Helvetia explored the settlement of domestic interbank transactions, plus monetary policy transactions between the central bank and commercial banks. Cross-border transactions were also tackled, involving a transaction from a Swiss bank to Citigroup in London. This involved connecting the SIX Digital Exchange (SDX) distributed ledger (built using the R3 Corda blockchain) with the existing Swiss real-time gross settlement system SIX Interbank Clearing, which has been operated on behalf of the Swiss National Bank since 1987 as well as the respective core banking systems. To continue fulfilling their mandates of ensuring monetary and financial stability, central banks need to stay on top of technological change, Maechler said. Denise Rogers, Municipal Court Administrator for the City of Opelika, is requesting that individuals who have tested positive for COVID, or those who have symptoms, not come to court to tell her they have COVID. Rogers said Wednesday that about eight people showed up to inform the court that they had COVID and to show their doctors documentation. We dont need that to happen, she said. They can just email me or fax their positive results. We will definitely continue that case, but we dont want court to be a super spreader. Rogers said in the past most people would usually call if they had symptoms or tested positive and that she doesnt know what made today different. We havent had that many people show up in person like we had today, she said. We want people to be smart and think of other individuals. Masks are not required in the municipal court, but Rogers asks individuals to use common sense and to take others into consideration. Rogers said if documentation is provided, the case will continue without a warrant being filed. The City of Opelika Municipal Court said that in order to avoid a Failure To Appear warrant, individuals need to send proof from a doctor by emailing dprogers@opelika-al.gov or faxing 334-705-5109. For more information, call the Opelika Municipal Court office at 334-705-5196. Decrease Font Size Font Size Increase Font Size Article body The negative impact humans can have on their own environment is constantly on full display, with climate change, land alterations and harmful algal blooms impacting peoples lives daily. But this isnt an entirely new phenomenon, according to a recent study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, or PNAS, by Auburn University paleolimnologist Matthew Waters. PNAS is the official journal of the National Academy of Sciences and one of the worlds most cited and comprehensive multidisciplinary scientific journals. The research leading to the study was a jointly funded project between the National Geographic Society and the National Science Foundation, which took Waters and his team to Lake Amatitlan in the highlands of Guatemala. The research also has been highlighted in the magazines Popular Science and Scientific American. Human-induced deforestation and soil erosion were environmental stressors for the ancient Maya of Mesoamerica, said Waters, an associate professor of environmental science in the College of Agricultures Department of Crop, Soil and Environmental Sciences. My study adds water quality/harmful algal blooms to the list of stressors, which was not addressed by the scientists previously studying the Maya. Waters also is a National Geographic Explorer and leads the Auburn PaleoEnvironmental Lab, where he and his team of researchers reconstruct historic data recorded in lake sediments and cave environments to document ecological change throughout time. Today, lakes worldwide that are surrounded by dense human settlement and intense riparian land use often develop algae/cyanobacteria blooms that can compromise water quality by depleting oxygen and producing toxins, Waters said. Such environmental impacts have rarely been explored in the context of an ancient Maya settlement. Blooms of algae and cyanobacteria can reduce oxygen in the water column and produce toxins. Such harmful algal blooms are typically caused by nutrient-dense runoff from human activities. Waters and his colleagues from the University of Florida and the Universidad del Valle de Guatemala examined sediment from Lake Amatitlan in Guatemala to determine whether ancient Maya societies, which reached dense populations within the lakes watershed, contributed to or were affected by algal blooms. The studys authors report that more than 1,000 years ago, harmful algal blooms rivaled eutrophic conditions currently found in the highland lake. The authors measured biomarkers for nutrients, algae, cyanobacteria and cyanotoxins in a sediment core representing approximately 2,100 years, from 110 BCE to present times. The analyses revealed moderate nutrient and low cyanobacteria levels until 550 CE and a rise in cyanobacteria from 550 to 1200 CE, coinciding with the highest ancient population levels and human disturbance within the watershed. Cyanobacteria declined in 1380 and remained low until around 1800, when current eutrophic conditions began. According to the authors, harmful algal blooms are not a modern phenomenon and should be considered among the factors that affected the ancient Maya population. Human-associated harmful algal blooms have affected both modern and ancient societies and deserve attention when exploring past human-environment interactions, Waters said. The study suggests that pre-Columbian Maya occupation of the Lake Amatitlan watershed negatively impacted water potability. Prehistoric cultural eutrophication indicates that human-driven nutrient enrichment of water bodies is not an exclusively modern phenomenon and may well have been a stressor for the ancient Maya, Waters said. (Written by Paul Hollis) Its over for kstew. Reply Thread Link Gettimg awards for this role? Sure. But her careet is fine. Reply Parent Thread Link Right, but not the same had the scored the nomination. I dont think she realizes how serious this is. When is she going to be on the running again? Ten years? You have to seize the moment goddamn it. Reply Parent Thread Link Yes, she can go on making indies that no one sees and keep attempting to get a franchise going. Margot Robbie isn't going to lose any sleep. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link Nicole Kidmans gonna Rami Malek her way to an Oscar and we all have to sit here and watch Reply Thread Link Oh god plz no Reply Parent Thread Link I'm still mad about Malek winning for that. It was like a " you were okay but you pulled it off wihout embarrassing yourself" award. Like when Redmayne won. Reply Parent Thread Link the fact that whatshisface wasn't even nominated for rocketman when he actually sang too was just a joke. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link I am not a Redmayne fan whatsoever but he deserved that Oscar, 100%. Not just the personality but the mannerisms and actual symptoms of ALS? Literally, which other precious few actors can? Reply Parent Thread Expand Link i haven't watched haus of gucci, but jared has been pretty widely panned for his performance so, uh...SAGs - you ok? Reply Thread Link He was literally SO bad and I think everyone was going into that movie thinking Gaga would be a hot mess, and she saved it. It would have been so boring without her. Reply Parent Thread Link Este posteo esta dedicado al acento de Jared Leto en House of Gucci pic.twitter.com/TowZvwmgNO Candoloita (@theabsintheeyes) December 27, 2021 sister this is all you need to see. just don't go beyond this Reply Parent Thread Link Luigi did not die for this. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link what the fuck Reply Parent Thread Link what the hell XDDD I'm laughing so hard rn Reply Parent Thread Link jfc this is like his audition for the mario voice acting gig Reply Parent Thread Link I can't believe... people went to a theatre... during this pez dispenser... and sat for three hours to consume... this Reply Parent Thread Link It"s an acting group, so big showy over the top stuff get more love from the membership. Reply Parent Thread Link People think he was funny, I guess. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link I see that Nicole Kidman is taking notes from the honor this industry icon by honoring me! campaign of JUDYs Renee Zellweger https://t.co/dJLhoA384E Zach Gilbert (@zachbgilbert) January 12, 2022 Ooohhhh boy Kidman is not playing around. Reply Thread Link God even this screenie is horrific. Reply Parent Thread Link don't make me hate you nicole. this can't be the origin of my villain story, i refuse it Reply Parent Thread Link Same. Ive never rooted against her but here I am! Reply Parent Thread Link that thumbnail is fucking hideous omg Reply Parent Thread Link Jared Leto for 'House of Gucci' literally the worst in that movie. Cate Blanchett came outta left field with a nod for 'Nightmare Alley' Just saw this movie and strongly disliked it, can't think of a del Toro film I disliked more than this, but she was compelling. Reply Thread Link What didn't you like about it? I mean, I assume everything, but what specifically? I just saw it and thought it was better than The Shape of Water but that's a low bar. It was very straight forward to the point of being very predictable and I was expecting it to be twisty, but it was an enjoyable watch for me. Reply Parent Thread Link It felt disjointed. I started with the main dude being a murderous mute idiot, then he's a smooth talking conman, and he loves Rooney's character, then hates her, and so on. The editing was also this way, but I was spoiled since I saw Tragedy of Macbeth earlier that week. Reply Parent Thread Link i think the lead from coda's been so underappreciated, she really carried the fuck out of that movie Reply Parent Thread Link red rocket was strangely not submitted. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link Simon Rex wasn't eligible for a SAG nom. Reply Parent Thread Link seem like kstews idgaf about awards attitude backfired on her Reply Thread Link This is whats most infuriating to me, its like she brought it on herself. Reply Parent Thread Link I don't understand why people say this when she's literally been campaigning for the past year? Reply Parent Thread Link She keeps giving sound bites in interviews that out of context make it sound like she doesn't care about awards. People really zeroed in on the "I don't give a sh*t" quote from the Variety interview. It's weirdly self-sabotaging given that she has been out there doing so much work to get the nom. Reply Parent Thread Link Bradley doesn't deserve shit. I wish Andrew was nominated for Tammy Faye tbh. Fucking Academy just loves them biopics. Nicole will win and that is bullshit. Thank you Aaron Sorkin and Luci Arnaz for shitting all over Lucy's legacy with this fictitious crap. Reply Thread Link the don't look up hate is so OTT i enjoyed it f the haterzsss1!11 and the performances were lightyears ahead of JARED LETO/mario in House of Gucci omg he deserves a razzie and nothing else also if leo can make u believe him as a scientist when he is like the biggest a lister on the planet u know what that's good acting Reply Thread Link i loved Don't Look Up but it wasn't because of the acting/actors tbh Reply Parent Thread Link since sag's inception not a single lead actress has won the oscar without getting a sag nom first. power of the dog should be fine. 3 of the last 4 best pictures winners never got a sag ensemble nom, so its 3 solo noms should be more than enough to keep its momentum. Edited at 2022-01-13 01:32 am (UTC) Reply Thread Link yeah plus it'll do well with the other big guilds too (producer, director, writers if it's eligible because their rules are insane) Reply Parent Thread Link Do they mention the biggest surprise of all - that the 2 actors who did the least for their roles were both nominated for the atrocity that was Being the Ricardos?! Reply Thread Link I rly thought kstew has it the bag from all the buzz lol Reply Thread Link I havent seen the film, but I thought so too. Reply Parent Thread Link I thought Kristen Stewart's performance was so affected and one-note. I never forgot that I was watching K. Stew doing a Princess Diana impression. So I'm not mad that she was snubbed but I am mad that Nicole Kidman is now the front runner for a performance that is equally bad but in different ways. Reply Thread Link It's not a snub if it's not a good performance! (Not that this explains some of the other Best Actress noms...) Matthew MacFadyen however, was snubbed. Reply Thread Link Kristen Stewart currently has 18 critics association wins for her performance in Pablo Larrains #SPENCER. pic.twitter.com/by17AL20l0 Film Updates (@FilmUpdates) January 12, 2022 Reply Thread Link I will never understand the critical love for her. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link these awards seem a little niche. dallas-fw film critics, greater western NY film critics, online assn of female film critics...lol. Reply Parent Thread Link And yet she didn't win any of the big 3 critics awards, they went to Olivia Coleman and Penelope C. She lost the ones that counted and now SAG. The Gotham awards and the Palm Springs film festival literally made up awards to give to her. I don't know how many other critics groups did that but it shows you can win a lot of little awards and it doesn't mean you're going to win any of the big ones. Reply Parent Thread Link I wish I had tomato soup with a side of grilled cheese rn! As my mom would say "esa comida es bien gringo!". Reply Thread Link it's the perfect meal. i should eat more soups Reply Parent Thread Link We call grilled cheese "misto quente" in Portuguese but we usually add ham, i guess like a "croque monsieur", usually with French bread instead of toast. But I introduced the gringo version with soup to my parents and they love it! Reply Parent Thread Link My parents are Colombian but my mom loves it too! Reply Parent Thread Expand Link Ew Reply Thread Link All food scented candles are sickening to me Reply Thread Link They never smell accurate and are often too chemical and overwhelming. Reply Parent Thread Link That's bc they're carcinogenic Reply Parent Thread Link I was at tjmaxx and they had a mac & cheese candle on the shelf so I got curious and nearly threw up at the smell Reply Parent Thread Expand Link I love baked good scented candles and some spice scents, but other food candles can GTFO. I worked at Bath and Body Works for six years (been gone almost ten) and when I first started, there was a candle scent called Buttered Mashed Potatoes and I swear to you, when people saw it, they HAD to smell it. I think they all hated it, and I cant blame them. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link Glasshouse has a Nutmeg and Maple candle that's DIVINE but savoury smells? No thank you Reply Parent Thread Link They have to be baked goods or like, fruit. Reply Parent Thread Link yuck. I can't stand food smells if I'm not hungry. I got so mad at myself for eating tamales in my office for lunch because it smelled the rest of the afternoon fresh bread is the only acceptable anytime food smell imo Reply Thread Link Ohhh yeah, fresh bread is such a good scent! Reply Parent Thread Link Campbell's tomato soup and a grilled cheese sandwich is my ultimate comfort meal. Reply Thread Link add brownies + mac and cheese and sameeeeee!! Reply Parent Thread Link Cannot go wrong with the OG! *chefs kiss* Reply Parent Thread Link oh god Reply Thread Link Vomit emoji where are u? Reply Parent Thread Link take this jade egg and find peace Reply Parent Thread Expand Link $24 when you can just buy a can for $1 and heat it up?! Reply Thread Link Feels like this should have come out before Christmas, like in the fall. Reply Thread Link good point. with literal snowmen on their designs Reply Parent Thread Link But theyre just in time for Valentines Day! Reply Parent Thread Link yeah it's a good joke gift Reply Parent Thread Link Hm. Havent cooked and eaten a grilled cheese since. like, forever. Anyhoo if you happen to have any mini glass cups the likes of a mason jar with a cork, apparently its really that easy to make ANY candles at home with $1 candle wax and wicker string from michaels or blick, any local hobby or art stores nearby ya! Reply Thread Link Chicken noodle soup - but where's the candle scented like a soda on the side? Reply Thread Link Im sure theres a candle called Now Let It Rain Reply Parent Thread Link well once they post the link we'll clear it OUT sis! Reply Parent Thread Link but why Reply Thread Link But why not Reply Parent Thread Link can't fault that thinking Reply Parent Thread Link OP, thanks for bringing the peach Bellini rant back into my life. Been ages since Ive watched that dramatic re-enactment. Reply Thread Link Not a fan of food scented candles. Reply Thread Link Some people's homes smell like soup all the time already. For no reason. (We all had that friend growing up, right? The soup friend? IDK.) Reply Thread Link my mom would say that or that 'you smell like outside' to describe it LMAO Reply Parent Thread Link YES, "outside" is also a smell. Reply Parent Thread Link I definitely did not unless...I...was the soup friend Reply Parent Thread Link People always said our house smelled like garlic was cooking. i took that as a compliment, whether it was intended as such or not. Reply Parent Thread Link my job involves going into people's apartments all day long and it's really given me a lot to think about re: home scents. I still don't get why some homes smell the way they do! and why some manage to smell like absolutely nothing! I have a client right now whose apartment smells bad in a way I truly cannot describe but it's overpowering. I would say "musty" but I know what musty smells like and it's not that Reply Parent Thread Link Good! Rot in hell you scumbag Reply Thread Link "Virginia (the woman suing) signed a settlement agreement with Jeffrey Epstein after suing him in civil court in 2009. The agreement she signed stated she could not sue any of the parties in the lawsuit in the future (Epstein and Maxwell)." ugh balls! I hate these little legal actions! >:( "Do you think this will affect the royal family, ONTD?" No. He's not heir to throne and gonna feature in the future events regarding succession. Easy to overlook and discard. Reply Thread Link the Royal Family is a powerful cult tbh they scare me Reply Parent Thread Link I am guessing a story will come out soon to distract everyone. I wonder what meghan did this time? Edit to add my anger comment : Urgh just drop and never get up. Edited at 2022-01-13 05:04 am (UTC) Reply Thread Link I have so much respect for Virginia and it is so impactful and affecting to see a survivor so empowered in her pursuit of legal justice. Edited at 2022-01-13 05:10 am (UTC) Reply Thread Link HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA excellent. I wonder if he will sweat in court }:) I hope the victims get justice but I won't hold my breath. Reply Thread Link Great and well deserved in terms of public humiliation and it being in the public consciousness in general but mummy will get him out of it Im sure Reply Thread Link With royal family money, I will be very surprised if this goes forward. Reply Thread Link William and Charles want to cut him off https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/furious-william-charles-want-prince-25879824 But the Queen is trying to find a circuitous way to help him out by giving him money from her own personal duchy https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10380843/Queen-asked-help-fund-settlement-Prince-Andrew-Virginia-Roberts.html Edited at 2022-01-13 05:53 am (UTC) Things are getting interesting.William and Charles want to cut him offBut the Queen is trying to find a circuitous way to help him out by giving him money from her own personal duchy Reply Parent Thread Link When she dies, hes fucked. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link I think I saw a while back that Charles & William wanted to stop supporting him. I don't know how many years the Queen has left, but it sounds like when Charles becomes King he's going to stop supporting all the relatives. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link He'll settle to keep this out of court where they'd air all his dirty laundry/implicate him in criminal matters. Edited at 2022-01-13 05:18 am (UTC) Reply Thread Link Yeah I'm thinking that's how it'll go too. Civil court is much different from criminal court. It's much easier to be found guilty in civil, and he's trying to avoid that at all costs. Reply Parent Thread Link I don't think Virginia will settle tbh, I don't think she's doing this for the money. She wants to make an example out of him. Reply Parent Thread Link Idk Virginia doesnt seem to want money from all this, she want justice Now with everything that came out with Epstein/ and now Ghislaine being convicted I dont think any of this is going away any time soon. He basically shot himself in the foot with that interview Im curious if he will now face criminal charges esp. if the Queen dies and is not around to protect him b/c Charles sure as hell wont Reply Parent Thread Link Prince Andrew lumping himself in with Epstein and maxwell when he thinks itll help him. Nice try. Reply Thread Link Same. I'm just flabbergasted that he used them as some sort of defense. He doesn't know 'her', but he's insisting he's a third party that can't be sued in the agreement with Epstein... Dude, either your lawyers hate you or ya'll some major dumbfucks here. You basically implicated yourself as said pedophile/rapist, made yourself a liar, etc... thinking it will help if it gets you out of trouble by a technicality? JFC I'll be shocked if this ever sees a jury. He will settle to keep this shit from becoming public. I hate the royal family even more by protecting this POS Reply Parent Thread Link Tbh I think it was their only shot at getting it dismissed so they went with it. Its not uncommon to see the whole I didnt do it but IF I did then you cant do anything because of this or that. Reply Parent Thread Link It should affect the BRF negatively but it absolutely won't. They should be held accountable more, collectively and individually, but this won't change that. Which is dumb bc if you're gonna claim some kind of divine birthright, then you're going to have to take that kind of responsibility for any and all consequences of your speech and actions. Also this whole process seems like a point to UK republicans who think the BRF are moochers and dumb, bc the dude's legal argument was mooching off of two people accused (and now one convicted) of sexual trafficking and assuming that sort of legal association argument was somehow...acceptable. Reply Thread Link TEAR THE BITCH APART Reply Thread Link i can't wait for charles to burn his ass at the stake Reply Thread Link I think he's gonna want to try to settle out of court, but I get the impression that Virginia wants this to go to court so his actions can be made public and she gets the validation from the court rulimg in her favor. idk though. i could be wrong. Reply Thread Link Getting a prince of England for that would be so huge. Reply Parent Thread Link If I were in her position, I can't think of a sum of money large enough to keep me from taking him to court. Even if it was guaranteed I wouldn't win money in court, I would enjoy his humiliation more. Really hope she's petty like me. Reply Parent Thread Link I think that's exactly what she's trying to do, this isn't about money. She got money (500,000) from Jeffrey in 2009, I really don't think she'll settle at all, I think this absolutely will go to a jury Reply Parent Thread Link I mean she has LITERAL proof with that photo, his inability to prove he cant sweat/ someone to corroborate his Pizza Express alibi. If they bring Beatrice in to testify theyre screwed. Im curious if hell get criminal charges now with Ghislaine being convicted. He shot himself in the foot with that interview tbh Reply Parent Thread Link Yes, I think unless the settlement comes with some sort of statement admitting guilt or something public she wont accept but it is hard to say. She is incredibly strong. Reply Parent Thread Link China's new yuan-denominated loans totaled 19.95 trillion yuan (3.13 trillion U.S. dollars) in 2021, up 315 billion yuan year on year, central bank data showed Wednesday. In December alone, new yuan loans stood at 1.13 trillion yuan, down 123.4 billion yuan year on year, according to the People's Bank of China (PBOC). The outstanding M2, a broad measure of money supply that covers cash in circulation and all deposits, increased 9 percent year on year to 238.29 trillion yuan at the end of 2021. The M2 growth was 0.5 percentage points higher than that at the end of November, but was 1.1 percentage points lower than the same period the year before. The narrow measure of the money supply (M1), which covers cash in circulation plus demand deposits, had risen 3.5 percent year on year to 64.74 trillion yuan by the end of December. The M1 growth was 0.5 percentage points higher than that at the end of November, but 5.1 percentage points lower than the same period the previous year. The outstanding M0, the amount of cash in circulation, had risen 7.7 percent year on year to 9.08 trillion yuan by the end of last month. The central bank injected net cash of 651 billion yuan into the market in 2021, PBOC data shows. Newly added social financing, a measure of funds that individuals and non-financial firms receive from the financial system, came in at 2.37 trillion yuan in December. That was up 720.6 billion yuan and 166.9 billion yuan from the same period a year ago and in 2019, respectively. Total new social financing reached 31.35 trillion yuan last year, a reduction of 3.44 trillion yuan from the 2020 level and an increase of 5.68 trillion yuan from the 2019 level. Total outstanding social financing had risen 10.3 percent year on year to 314.13 trillion yuan by the end of 2021. Of the total, outstanding RMB loans to the real economy were at 191.54 trillion yuan, up 11.6 percent year on year. Judging from that structure, the real economy has received the lion's share of loans. Outstanding yuan loans to the real economy accounted for 61 percent of outstanding social financing by the end of last year. Wednesday's data also showed that China's new yuan deposits in 2021 totaled 19.68 trillion yuan. By the end of December, total outstanding yuan deposits stood at 232.25 trillion yuan, an increase of 9.3 percent year on year. For the whole of 2021, RMB settlements for cross-border trade amounted to 7.94 trillion yuan and RMB settlements for direct investment reached 5.8 trillion yuan. Economic work in 2022 should prioritize stability while pursuing progress. Prudent monetary policies should be flexible and appropriate, and liquidity should be maintained at a reasonable and ample level, according to the tone-setting Central Economic Work Conference that took place in December 2021. PBOC governor Yi Gang said in an interview last month that monetary policies will be more forward-looking, effective and targeted, and the financial sector will offer greater support for the real economy. Credit growth will be stable, he said, noting that money supply and social financing expansion will basically match the nominal economic growth rate. This is just old Lizzie trying to defend her coin. It ain't like she completely is shutting out her son. You best believe she's still paying legal fees. Private citizen my ass. These leeches don't know how to earn a single dime on their own. Reply Thread Link While Liz obvs gets public money from the Crown Estate, she also privately owns Sandringham and Balmoral so she has private income too and like there's nothing that can be done to prevent her from spending that money on her gross son's legal fees. Reply Parent Thread Link Her taxpayer funded ancestors buying a castle might make it hers legally but I still think at the very least that Sandringham which was purchased with funds from the Duchy of Cornwall should go back to the people. Balmoral is a bit more complicated because technically Albert purchased it. But in my mind it's all the people's because none of their money was ever earned. Albert wasn't doing 9 to 5 in a factory to save up for his Scottish estate. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link And how exactly did she earn those castles? With what job? She inherited all her shit, she didn't work a day in her life. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link I get your point but it isn't like her father or grandfather worked an actual job to acquire the properties she so proudly displays as her own. Everything that old leech has is thanks to the taxes people pay and we should never forget that. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link This. And what did they really strip from him except ceremonial titles? I mean I'm betting he doesn't do shit military wise. Losing his HRH? Big deal. He's still a duke/prince with his other titles, mommy will still give him money... I'm rolling my eyes at all of this. The RF are just trying to save their own asses at this point. His pedo ass needs to be in jail. Reply Parent Thread Link You love to see it. Reply Thread Link I am also legit shocked because I thought they'd deny it until Lizzie croaked. Reply Thread Link some people think she's gone already lol Reply Parent Thread Link I legit thought they were waiting to announce after the new year so they wouldnt have to interrupt the holiday tv programming lolololol Reply Parent Thread Link Plot twist: This is all Charles pretending to be the Queen. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link And all they did was move away from these toxic people. It took years of Andrew being accused of being a freaking rapist for them to do even the bare minimum. Reply Parent Thread Link exactly. H&M couldnt use their HRH titles, lost police protection, lost their roles in their royal charities and patronages, cut off financially from Charles, left the country, etc. while Andrew still get to stay in a cottage at Windsor for free, still keeping his police protection paid by taxpayers, still gets annual allowance from mommy... losing HRH is nothing compared to what he still has right now Reply Parent Thread Link I really didn't think that this would happen until Andrew lost in court. But I think that Charles and/or William pushed for this to try to mitigate the damage that Andrew is doing to the institution of the monarchy. Reply Thread Link You know it's Charles, he can't stand Andrew. He wants to get this done now, so it can start being less of a shock and news item as time goes by. The timing is interesting tho, because it seems like they know he's guilty and they aren't even waiting for a trial. off topic, but I just saw the "haunted strawberry leaf tiara" and I had to laugh at that description. Do you know anything about it? Reply Parent Thread Link Hm... the only strawberry leaf tiara I can think of off the top of my head is the one Albert designed for Victoria, and I think that one is kicking around in the possession of some descendants of Queen Vic who no longer have any titles or anything? I don't know about any haunted ones!! But now I want to!! Reply Parent Thread Expand Link Im not surprised if William and Charles are behind this. William was in hot water recently when his affair was trending on twitter a few weeks ago, then Andrew's lawsuit. Gotta cut their losses while covering up for themselves. Reply Parent Thread Link Rot in hell. Expects us to believe photos of him with the woman he assaulted are photo-shopped fakes LMFAO, like it's some kind of orchestrated conspiracy. Absolute trash. Reply Thread Link complete bullshit, that photo's been around for YEARS. i can't remember when i first saw it, but pretty sure it was well before anything like Photoshop was widely available. Reply Parent Thread Link Didn't Harry not-so-subtly imply Charles is running the show? Hes been trying to downsize the crowd of working royale so maybe this was his chance? Also I read that prior to that disastrous sweat glands at the pizza parlor interview mess he had 230 patronagess?!? Reply Thread Link Yeah, the royal family is going to drastically change when she dies. Shes going to be the last real, grand monarch. Theyre not going to replace her on the stamps or money or any of that. Charles has been talking about downsizing the officialRF for some time and I think by the time he comes to power theyre going to be expected to have proper roles where they actually do something close to work. Edited at 2022-01-13 11:16 pm (UTC) Reply Parent Thread Link Well that's going to be a good trick because Charles is already 70, beyond retirement age and if he thinks he's going to get William out there doing real work, he's dreaming. William's life seems like a facade to me. William seems allergic to work. He put it off as long as possible by military service and then flying a helicopter until Charles forced him to begin acting like a royal in public. Reply Parent Thread Link Wait how do you know they're not replacing her on currency etc? Is that confirmed? Reply Parent Thread Expand Link he used to be pretty consistently top 4 or 5 when it came to engagements after charles, anne and the queen. Reply Parent Thread Link Took them long enough. Now assassinate his disgusting ass. Reply Thread Link The last beheading in the Tower of London was a long was time ago, but a firing squad took aim in the 1940s. I say we give the ravens a show. Reply Parent Thread Link Being pecked to death by ravens would be the pinnacle of symbolic and poetic justice of the demise of the British monarchy that we all deserve Reply Parent Thread Link Wow actual consequences whodathunkit. And i though we had to wait on chuck to toss his pedo ass to the cleaners Reply Thread Link lol I literally just went on a long rant about that in the last post. Im still in shock. Reply Parent Thread Link Jail next please Reply Thread Link HA Reply Thread Link With the Queen's approval and agreement, It comes after a letter signed by more than 150 Royal Navy, RAF and Army veterans asked the Queen to strip Prince Andrew of his eight British military appointments. lol I'm trying to imagine these scenes on whatever season of The Crown Reply Thread Link Lolll I can just picture it as one of those montage sequences where they show like 5-10 of the highest-ranking veterans arriving at their offices and then signing it, the letter making its way around the country and then finally being delivered to Buckingham Palace where Elizabeth stares at it once it lands on her desk. (Bonus points if it's an actual letter instead of email.) Your choice as to whether it's the opening montage or the closing montage haha. Reply Parent Thread Link Lmao remember when Peter refused to put in the attempted assassination of charles and the kidnapping of Anne in The Crown? Edited at 2022-01-13 10:41 pm (UTC) Reply Parent Thread Link Now that wouldve been entertainment!!! Instead we got Philip and his ridiculous mid-life crisis and some other shit I cant remember #stillwaitingforseason5tho #noshame Excuse me : QUOI?!?!?!?!Now that wouldve been entertainment!!! Instead we got Philip and his ridiculous mid-life crisis and some other shit I cant remember Reply Parent Thread Expand Link What ? Did someone tried to kill Charles and kidnapped anne? I miss that part of history Reply Parent Thread Expand Link Damn I never thought wed get any budging on his status until there was a settlement or trial. Has he come back from Switzerland or wherever he was? I feel like hes going to just keep trying to hide. Reply Thread Link lol Charles did a good thing? I don't know what to think. Reply Thread Link wait, what did he do? Reply Parent Thread Link Global oil demand has proven to be more resilient to the effects of the Omicron variants spread than the International Energy Agency expected, according to its chief, Fatih Birol, who spoke to media at a virtual meeting this week. Demand dynamics are stronger than many of the market observers had thought, mainly due to the milder Omicron expectations, Birol said, as quoted by Bloomberg. The head of the IEA also noted the supply disruptions in Libya and Kazakhstan, which also contributed to the imbalance with demand. We see some of the key producers including Nigeria, Libya and also Ecuador that have serious supply disruptions, Birol said. Ecuador has reduced oil production because of repairs on two key pipelines necessitated by advancing land erosion, but output rates should return to normal next month, according to an Argus report. In Nigeria, production continues to be affected by technical and operational problems. Most other OPEC members and Russia have also found it hard to boost production in line with quotas. The IEA forecast that global fuel consumption will decline considerably during this quarter because of pandemic-related restrictions, but it seems that the actual restrictions are not having such a grave effect on it. At the same time, the IEA acknowledged in its December report that, unlike jet fuel demand, the demand for road transport fuels will remain strong even amid the latest surge in infections, also noting that it expected the effect of Omicron on oil demand to be more muted than previous strains. The IEA forecast global oil demand to have grown by 5.4 million bpd in 2021, which is seen slowing down to 3.3 million bpd this year, with the total returning to pre-pandemic levels of 99.5 million bpd. The next edition of the IEAs Oil Market Report is scheduled for next Wednesday and may well contain some revisions in projections. By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: The emissions in 2021 were still down five percent from 2019 however, which might point to a slight change in the trajectory of global emissions The reality is that major lifestyle and industry changes were caused by a global pandemic and emissions were always going to increase when the world opened up again Greenhouse gas emissions are up worldwide despite big promises for carbon-cutting and a transition to renewables. Optimism around the drop in emissions throughout 2020, mainly owing to pandemic restrictions and a change in lifestyle, as well as enthusiasm around international action coming out of COP26, was perhaps misguided. While many governments and energy companies around the world have carbon-reduction and net-zero ambitions, we can expect to see high levels of carbon emissions until low-carbon energy becomes more widely available. Emissions in the U.S. rose 6.2 percent in 2021 compared to 2020 despite hopes that a shift in behavior during the pandemic would spur lasting change. Throughout the first year of the pandemic, environmental activists highlighted the drop in emissions that occurred as people began to work from home, stopped traveling so much, and as industrial operations slowed down. The idea that it was possible to make a meaningful change led activists, youths, and even governments to suggest the need for change. Yet, in 2021 we seem to have backtracked rapidly, with much of the world population returning to old habits. As road and air traffic picked up and operations resumed across most industries, emissions were bound to increase. For example, there was around a 10 percent increase in transport emissions in the U.S. in 2021 compared to 2020. Kate Larsen, from the Rhodium Group that carried out the study, stated We expected a rebound but its dismaying that emissions came back even faster than the overall economy. In fact, We arent just reducing the carbon intensity of the economy, we are increasing it. We are doing exactly the opposite of what we need to be doing, she explained. There is clearly still a long way to go and following severe oil and gas shortages last year, several countries around the world turned to coal the dirtiest fossil fuel to bridge that gap. Despite the use of coal in the U.S. declining in recent years, coal energy production increased by 17 percent in 2021 from 2020. And this was not only the case in America. Coal production was set to hit an all-time high in 2021 according to the International Energy Agency (IEA), with demand levels peaking in 2022. At present, China and India are the worlds two largest coal producers, making up two-thirds of global coal demand a trend that is set to continue as China plans to keep investing heavily in coal production. Related: Oil Prices Inch Higher Despite Large Gasoline Build The U.K., which currently plans to phase out all coal production by 2024 and seemed to be on the right track - achieving a landmark coal-free three-day period in the summer - had to run coal plants in September to meet electricity demand. As the country faced natural gas shortages and a significant hike in prices, it shifted back to using coal to power the nation. In relation to several of the changes we saw between 2020 and 2021, worldwide greenhouse gas emissions are thought to have risen by 4.9 percent, with approximately 36 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide being released into the atmosphere over the past year. In Europe, greenhouse gas emissions from EU countries increased by 18 percent last spring. Households contributed just under a fifth of emissions and the main culprits were transportation and heating. Rob Jackson, chair of the Global Carbon Project stated of the trend, We expected this rebound when the worlds economy returned close to normal., adding Park your car for a year and its the same polluting vehicle when you start it again. Similarly, when economic activity returns, so do emissions, he explained. There is reason to be hopeful, however, as 2021 greenhouse gas emissions were down by 5 percent from 2019, suggesting that change may be taking place, just not at the speed many had hoped for. Across the EU, greenhouse gas emissions dropped by 31 percent between 1990 and 2020, despite a growth in population and an increase in travel. This reflects the shift in government policies to encourage emissions cuts as well as the increased investment in renewable alternatives over the last three decades. It demonstrates the potential for a shift when governments and energy companies work together towards change. Many governments around the world are relying on oil and gas companies to lower their emissions, increasing taxes on the sector and requiring oil majors to expand their portfolios to include low-carbon oil production and renewable energy projects. But to make meaningful change, governments, public institutions, and private players must work together to develop the renewable energy sector at the rate promised coming out of the COP26 summit. With many countries aiming for net-zero by 2050, they will have to pick up the pace of the energy transition if they hope to achieve this goal. By Felicity Bradstock for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: A 19-year-old German IT student and hacker said in a series of tweets this week that he had managed to gain remote control over more than 25 Teslas in 13 different countries without the knowledge of their owners. The hacker, David Colombo, said the vulnerability he had exploited was not in Teslas infrastructure. The vulnerability was in third-party software used by the car owners. Nevertheless I now can remotely run commands on 25+ Teslas in 13 countries without the owners knowledge, David Colombo tweeted, adding, Regarding what Im able to do with these Teslas now. This includes disabling Sentry Mode, opening the doors/windows and even starting Keyless Driving. I could also query the exact location, see if a driver is present and so on. The list is pretty long. And yes, I also could remotely rick roll the affected owners by playing Rick Astley on Youtube in their Teslas, he also said. In an interview with Bloomberg, Colombo explained that the vulnerability he had found and used involved insufficient security in the way the software program stores sensitive information that is necessary to link the software to the car. This shouldnt happen, Colombo told Bloomberg. Especially if were putting cars on the internet and trying to make them secure. Everyone needs to work together. The hackability problem with EVs is getting nowhere near enough attention even after researchers from Texas successfully hacked the most popular charging system used in North America last year. The hack limited the charging rate, then blocked charging, and then overcharged the battery. The reason for the hack: This was an initiative designed to identify potential threats in common charging hardware as we prepare for widespread adoption of electric vehicles in the coming decade, according to lead researcher Austin Dodson. UK cybersecurity experts have also warned about vulnerability in home and public EV chargers, some of them considerable. Now, with Colombos hack, chances are the issue of EV and EV infrastructure cybersecurity will get a little more attention from stakeholders, especially those that have poured billions into EV cars: their manufacturers. By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Milieudefensie, the Dutch chapter of Friends of the Earth activists who won a landmark climate case against Shell in 2021, now urge more than two dozen other multinationals, including BP, Exxon, Vitol, and LyondellBasell, to implement plans to slash emissions by at least 45 percent by 2030 from 2019 levels. In a letter sent on Thursday to 29 big polluters, including Shell, BP, Exxon, Vitol, LyondellBasell, RWE, Unilever, Uniper, Stellantis, Schiphol, ABN AMRO, and others, Milieudefensie asks the companies to respond how they plan to cut their Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions by at least 45 percent by 2030. It is clear that major polluters now have to go green quickly, because the climate crisis cannot wait, director Donald Pols said in a statement. We are very clear that in the end, if needed, we are willing to go to court. But of course we are hoping these companies will be moving by themselves, Milieudefensie policy officer Peer de Rijk told Reuters in an interview published on Thursday. We are willing to engage in talks, but we are in a hurry as well, so we wont accept talks for the sake of talks themselves, de Rijk added. Milieudefensie expects the companies to respond with climate plans by April 15, 2022, it said in the letter to the CEOs. The same campaign group won in May 2021 a landmark lawsuit against Shell after a Dutch court ordered the supermajor to slash its carbon emissions by 45 percent by 2030 in a ruling brought by environmentalists that could set precedents for other oil companies. The court in The Hague ordered Shell to slash its carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by 45 percent within ten years and start complying with the ruling immediately, as the judge held the company liable for the emissions caused by the use of its products and said its climate policy was not specific enough. Shell is appealing the court ruling, while in the meantime, it moved its tax residence to the UK from the Netherlands and dropped its dual share structure and Royal Dutch from its name. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: West Virginia Democratic Senator Joe Manchin is seeking tax credits for nuclear power plants for 10 years instead of the six years as put in President Joe Bidens Build Back Better bill, which Manchin himself stalled late last year with his opposition to many of its provisions. Just before Christmas, Democratic Senator Joe Manchin of coal and gas-producing West Virginia, a crucial vote in a divided Senate, said he would not support President Bidens Build Back Better bill. Democrats are now trying to salvage the bill and may be forced to drop some policy priorities if they want Senator Manchins decisive vote and the bill to pass. Senator Manchin supports at least one climate policy in the billtax credits to nuclear power plants as part of the U.S. Administrations ambition to make the American power grid carbon-free by 2035. However, Manchin wants the tax credit for nuclear plants to last for 10 years, four years longer than in the draft, Bloomberg reported on Thursday, citing three sources with knowledge of the matter. Last week, Senator Manchin told reporters, as carried by The Hill: Im big on hydrogen, Im big on nuclear, and Im really big on basically making sure fossils are used in the cleanest possible fashion. The climate thing is one that we probably can come to an agreement much easier than anything else, he added. Manchin and other Democratic Senators introduced last year legislation to make the existing merchant nuclear power owners/operators eligible for the same 1.5 cent/kilowatt-hour credit ($15/megawatt hour) proposed for wind operators. Maintaining the zero-emission, baseload power our nuclear fleet provides and preventing further retirements of our nuclear reactors is critical to achieving any emission reduction goals, Manchin said back then. Production tax credits for nuclear plants have faced criticism from environmental organizations due to radioactive waste and safety concerns. Last month, more than 100 organizations urged the Senate Finance Committee to remove the $35 billion nuclear production tax credit from the Build Back Better Act, and to instead invest in a just and equitable transition to safe, clean renewable energy. By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Indias oil-to-telecoms conglomerate Reliance Industries plans to invest as much as $76 billion in green energy projects in India over the next 15 years, the group chaired by Asias richest man, Mukesh Ambani, said on Thursday. Reliance Industries already announced last year a commitment to invest more than $10 billion in three years in a new business unit that would build solar module, battery storage, electrolyser, and fuel cell factories. As part of a drive to be part of India-made energy transition solutions, Reliance will now create a renewables division in which it will invest $10.1 billion (750 billion Indian rupees) in three years, Ambani said in June 2021. Now Reliance Industries, the largest company in India, plans to invest $68 billion (5 trillion rupees) over the next 15 years in the state of Gujarat to set up renewable and hydrogen projects of a total of 100 gigawatts (GW). The conglomerate will also encourage entrepreneurs to embrace new technologies and innovations leading to the use of renewable energy and green hydrogen, Reliance Industries said in a statement. Another $8.1 billion (600 billion rupees) will be invested in the manufacturing of polysilicon, wafers, cells, solar PV modules, electrolyzers, energy-storage batteries, and fuel cells. The total investment will amount to $81 billion (5.955 trillion rupees) and will also include an upgrade of the 5G network and investments in Reliance Retail. Reliance Industries is the most valuable company in India and has diversified operations, including oil refining. Reliance Industries owns the biggest refinery in India and the biggest refining hub in the world, Jamnagar. The refinery has a crude oil processing capacity of 1.24 million barrels per day, while Reliance Industries is also invested in oil exploration and production, petrochemicals, textiles, telecoms, and retail. Back in 2021, Reliance said it planned to build the Dhirubhai Ambani Green Energy Giga Complex on 5,000 acres in Jamnagar. This, Ambani said, will be one of the worlds largest such integrated renewable energy manufacturing facilities. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: An Omaha man who fled to Nicaragua while awaiting trial on child enticement charges wont be going to any remote locales anytime soon. His next destination: either Tecumseh or Lincoln. As in prison. Douglas County District Judge J Russell Derr on Wednesday sentenced Adam Hawhee, who turns 30 on Friday, to 48 years in prison on four counts of child pornography possession, two counts of enticement and one count of failure to appear. Under state law, which cuts most sentences in half, Hawhee will have to serve 24 years before he is eligible for parole. Hawhee had faced up to 88 years in prison. The sentence stunned Hawhees supporters. His attorney, Michael Tasset, had noted to Derr that there was no evidence that Hawhee had ever touched a child. Several years ago, he was accused of exposing himself to a young boy. And in this case, from March 2020, he had approached two 7-year-old girls who were playing at a park near 84th Avenue and Decatur Street. The girls said he arrived in a car, rolled down the window and asked if they wanted a ride. He told one girl that she was cute and he liked her lips, according to a detectives sworn affidavit. Hawhee asked the girls if he could take a picture of them, but they walked away. Investigators then went to Hawhees home with a search warrant and confiscated his computers and other electronic equipment. Prosecutors said they found more than 100 child pornography photos, some involving 3-year-olds. The images also included naked or partially clothed 7-year-olds. Judge Derr said Hawhee was stopped in the most recent case only because the 7-year-old girls walked away. Prosecutor Kati Kilcoin, a deputy Douglas County attorney, also had pointed out that a presentence investigation had determined that Hawhee has a substantial risk to reoffend. The defendant is a predator, Kilcoin said. He preys on the most vulnerable in society. His crimes are offensive. Tasset, Hawhees attorney, made a distinction. Adam has never laid a finger on any kid at any time for any perverted reason, Tasset said. Obviously, he has had some issues in regulating his sexual-related behavior, and that is of great concern to him. Tasset had suggested the judge could sentence Hawhee in line with what federal judges give for child pornography possession. Most federal defendants who merely possess, but dont produce, child pornography receive about five years. Derr fashioned the sentence to give Hawhee 10 years in prison on each count but he ran those four sentences one after the other. Tasset said Hawhees problems started with an addiction to internet porn. Tasset said Hawhee has seen therapists, even a hypnotist, to try to cure his compulsion. Tasset said Hawhees father died in 2018, leaving him with little familial support. Hawhee said his grandmother then died in 2019. He lost his job after the COVID-19 pandemic hit, leaving him with little structure or social outlet. I was in an even worse place psychologically, Hawhee said in court. I was in a really dark place, feeling hopeless and just alone in my struggles. He said he plunged deeper into weird places on the internet. I want to be remembered as a good person when I pass away, Hawhee said. Im here today because of a porn addiction that grew to more abnormal and perverse behavior, and I lost control. Everything I did (then) was out of vanity. I was fragmented psychologically. Hawhee apologized to the girls. My actions were inappropriate and unacceptable, he said. Both the judge and Douglas County Attorney Don Kleine noted that the child pornography counts represent a warning sign of where Hawhees behavior was headed. And, they said, each child pornography image itself involves crimes against the children pictured. Some of the images on Hawhees computers were of children, 7 and younger. Just like the girls at the park. But for the fact that the young girls walked away, what would have happened there? Derr asked. And then there was the fact that Hawhee ran away while his case was pending. In August 2020, he posted $135,000 in cash to bail out of jail on the two cases. He was released in August and disappeared sometime in the fall of 2020. He was tracked down in Nicaragua and returned to the Douglas County Jail in December 2020. Because he had absconded, he had to forfeit the $135,000 bail. Forfeited bail money goes into the county treasurers coffers, and the bulk goes to a public schools fund. The police and the U.S. Marshals Office did a tremendous job in finding him and getting him back here so we could do justice, Kleine said. On that note, Kleine said he wants to see penalties increased for fleeing and for child enticement. Hawhee faced a maximum of only two years in prison on that charge. Child enticement, meanwhile, carries a three-year maximum term. Both of those maximum sentences are cut in half under the state law. The Legislature should look at those penalties, Kleine said. Anything that hurts children should be more than a three-year maximum. Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. You are here: China 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. Nebraska Attorney General Doug Peterson has filed a lawsuit against Douglas County Health Director Lindsay Huse and other county and city officials challenging Huses indoor mask mandate for Omaha. Other plaintiffs in the suit are the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services and Director of Public Health Dr. Gary Anthone. The suit says Huses authority to issue a mask mandate under Omahas municipal code conflicts with applicable state law. Douglas County District Court Judge Shelly Stratman has scheduled a hearing for 10 a.m. Monday, Jan. 24. It initially was scheduled for this coming Tuesday. The mandate will remain in effect until the judge rules otherwise or until Huse deems it no longer necessary. Huse has said that as she considered issuing a temporary mandate, she conferred with the county attorney who advises the health department and the city attorney, both of whom told her she was on solid legal ground. Douglas County Attorney Don Kleine said the citys Law Department will take the lead in defending the order because Huse issued the mandate in her role as the citys health director. Huses order, which she announced Tuesday, took effect at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday for schools and other public indoor spaces within the city limits of Omaha. There are several exceptions where the mandate does not apply. Peterson is seeking a temporary and permanent injunction declaring the mandate void and unlawful and that Huse did not have jurisdiction or authority to issue it. Gov. Pete Ricketts, who said Tuesday that he would ask Peterson to consider legal action, said in a statement that Huses action is an abuse of power that undermines trust in our nations pandemic response. In the lawsuit, Peterson said Huse used language in her order that mirrored a previous mandate she unsuccessfully tried to impose in August 2021 and the mandate that the Omaha City Council adopted in August 2020. One section of Omahas municipal code says the Douglas County 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. The lawsuit says that the state is suffering irreparable harm because Huses order circumvents Anthones right to approve or disapprove measures issued by county health departments. That harm includes the states interest in ensuring that a local health official cannot unilaterally and without limitation impose infectious-disease control measures, the suit says. The public interest weighs in favor of stopping government officials from acting unlawfully even when they are pursuing public health goals. Peterson argues that there are parts of the city code written when the City Council passed the mask mandate in August 2020 that involve details on masking requirements, but because that mandate expired on May 25 after the council did not extend it, Huse cannot invoke the general ordinances to resurrect a mask mandate. The lawsuit also argues that Huse did not obtain approval from the state health department for the mandate, in her capacity as a county health director, as required by state law. However, Huse has said that Omaha city code enables her to act as Omahas health director, which is why the mandate is in effect only within Omaha city limits and not all of Douglas County. Peterson argues that Huses actions conflict with and are preempted by state law regardless. Peterson also names Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert, Omaha Police Chief Todd Schmaderer, Douglas County Sheriff Tom Wheeler and members of the Douglas County Board of Health as defendants in the lawsuit. World-Herald Staff Writer Julie Anderson contributed to this report. Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. 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. Omaha World-Herald: Afternoon Update The latest headlines sent at 4:45 p.m. daily. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. While the omicron COVID variant is causing more mild breakthrough infections among vaccinated Nebraskans, state health officials on Wednesday stressed the continuing power of vaccines to keep people out of the hospital. During December, Nebraskans who were fully vaccinated but not yet boosted were 11 times less likely than those who had not been vaccinated to require hospital care, said Dr. Matthew Donahue, the states acting epidemiologist. In addition, those who had been vaccinated and boosted were 46 times less likely to be hospitalized than those who hadnt gotten any shots. There are many important tools to fight COVID-19, he said, and our sharpest tool is vaccination. State health officials also estimated that vaccination prevented 3,200 hospitalizations in Nebraska during December and staved off 700 deaths. Donahue acknowledged that some people might think the vaccines work but still are hesitating over concerns about safety. State officials also compared deaths due to any cause, including heart attacks, strokes and COVID-19, and broke them down according to vaccination status. The vaccines, he said, are safe. In December, vaccinated people were dying at lower rates from any cause known as all-cause mortality than those who were not vaccinated. The fast-spreading omicron variant now is the dominant variant in Nebraska, Donahue said. Early this week, omicron made up 73% of the positive samples for which genetic sequences were obtained over the past two weeks. Those figures, however, lag true rates in the community because of the time it takes to collect and sequence samples. While reports so far indicate the variant causes less severe disease, Donahue said, its reaching so many more people that hospitalizations are continuing to increase. Many states that are setting record case counts with omicron also are setting new records for hospitalizations. Nebraska recorded its all-time-high weekly case count during the week ending Friday with 17,382 new cases, according to a World-Herald analysis of federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data. Dr. Gary Anthone, the states chief medical officer, said the test positivity rate on Sunday stood at 26.5%, the highest figure since tests became more widely available. Hospitalizations have been on the increase since a brief dip in mid-December after the peak of the delta wave. As of Tuesday, 649 Nebraskans were hospitalized with COVID-19 and 13.6% of staffed hospital beds in the state were occupied by COVID patients, on a seven-day rolling average. Reaching a 15% rate would trigger health measures, he said, which in the past have limited elective procedures at hospitals. However, Anthone noted that many of the states larger hospitals already are limiting such procedures. Dr. Angela Hewlett, who directs the University of Nebraska Medical Centers COVID-19 infectious diseases service, said she and her colleagues are seeing increasing numbers of patients, particularly patients who are unvaccinated. And the surge of infections in the community also is affecting health care workers, she said, leading to an unprecedented number who cant come to work. Those in the hospital are tired and overwhelmed. This is really leading to a situation where were unable to provide the care we want to because so many are sick or burned out. Its just really devastating to see on a daily basis. Hewlett said health care workers welcomed the news that the Douglas County Health Department had imposed a temporary mask mandate for Omaha. It was almost like we were cheering in the hallway, just hearing that we were receiving support from the health department, she said. When surges happen, Hewlett said, layered interventions such as vaccinating, masking, distancing and avoiding crowds are important not only to keep hospitals open but also to keep police and fire departments operating. If wearing a mask is all we have to do to try to protect our community, then I think thats a very simple aspect of those layered interventions that can be done, she said. Donahue said he is hopeful the omicron wave will peak and decline in four to five weeks in Nebraska, as it has done in South Africa and the United Kingdom. I dont take that as gospel, he said, because that isnt what happened with delta. Omaha World-Herald: Afternoon Update The latest headlines sent at 4:45 p.m. daily. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Gang members arrested in Omaha for years lived in fear of having their gun crime cases taken across the street slang for moving from the county courthouse to the federal courts. That shift meant the offenders would be subject to federal gun laws, which carried more severe penalties than used to be available under Nebraska law. And they would do their prison time in some federal facility, far from Nebraska. But such federal gun prosecutions dropped by almost two-thirds after the Legislature in 2009 passed a new state law that stiffened Nebraskas penalties for gun crimes. With the change, hundreds of gang and gun cases that previously would have been prosecuted federally went through state courts instead. In effect, those offenders traded a federal prison cell for a state one at Nebraska taxpayer expense. Nebraskas prison system is now the most overcrowded and fastest-growing in the nation. And that 2009 gun crimes law served as a major driver. Since its passage, inmates whose most serious crime was a gun offense have been stacking up in state prisons, shooting up more than 800%. And part of that increase is the result of the federal-to-state prison shift the law helped induce. At one point, so many new gun and gang offenders were coming into Nebraska prisons that state corrections officials pleaded with prosecutors to reverse course. The shift of gun cases into state courts didnt just exacerbate Nebraskas prison overcrowding crisis and cost state taxpayers millions. In the state prisons, those offenders could also more easily maintain their gang ties. The whole thing was a bit of a bait and switch, said Hank Robinson, a former University of Nebraska at Omaha criminologist. Im not sure (state senators) understood when someone was sent away in the federal system, they landed in prison with a bunch of people from Illinois and Oklahoma and New Jersey, not with a bunch of fellow gang bangers from Omaha. Mike Friend, the former state lawmaker who introduced the gun crimes bill in the Legislature, acknowledged such shifts appeared to have occurred. But he defended the bill as an appropriate response to a serious public safety issue. He also said its not surprising county attorneys in the state would choose to prosecute such cases locally. County attorneys are tasked with protecting their community, and they will use the tools they have available to them, Friend said. Its been common across the country over the last two decades for local gang and gun crimes to be prosecuted federally under the U.S. Justice Departments Project Safe Neighborhoods program. Launched in 2001 in an effort to stem gun violence, the program brings street-level gun cases in front of federal prosecutors, who often have legal tools unavailable on the state level, including some tough federal prison terms. The program is built on cooperation between law officers and prosecutors on the federal and state level. In Omaha, prosecutors from Douglas County and the U.S. Attorneys Office pore over police reports and cases involving guns. The prosecutors and police agencies then work cooperatively to share information and assign cases for prosecution. Though the vast majority of cases where guns are used to kill or maim have always been tried in state courts, numerous federal laws deal particularly with firearms possession. Federal law has long barred convicted felons, drug users or addicts, drug dealers, people with restraining orders or people with prior misdemeanor domestic violence convictions from possessing firearms or ammunition. During the programs early years, if there was an opportunity in Nebraska to take a case into the federal courts, it was almost never turned down. If the case did not rise to the level of a murder or public spectacle, it was just as easy for (local prosecutors) to let the feds take the case, said Robinson, who while at UNO in 2007 co-authored a federal evaluation of the program. They could be confident they were getting a good outcome. But that calculus soon changed. In response to a rash of gang-related shootings in Omaha, Friend in 2009 introduced the bill creating new gun crimes and stiffer penalties. Backers specifically said one of the intents behind Legislative Bill 63 was to make the states laws on gun possession and other gun crimes more closely mirror federal ones. For example, the bill extended Nebraskas felon in possession law to also cover domestic abusers. And it made the penalty even more severe than under federal law, with a three-year mandatory minimum sentence. That was one of numerous new mandatory minimums under the law. During the public hearing on the bill, Douglas County Attorney Don Kleine said he felt local prosecutors should be given the tools to handle such prosecutions. Im a strong believer in relying on local government as much as we can local prosecution rather than the federal government to handle such crime, Kleine said. UNOs Robinson was one of few voices opposing the bill. He called the increased penalties unnecessary for dealing with the problem. He projected the longer sentences under the measure would cost the state more than $15 million a year. He said that estimate also didnt include the cost of new inmates coming into state prisons who previously would have gone to federal prison. With the gun crime penalties roughly equalized, he predicted that shift would occur. In the end, thats exactly what happened. For the three years before the law passed, Nebraska averaged just over 150 federal gun indictments a year. Within three years of the laws passage, that figure had dropped to 56. Why did the federal numbers drop so sharply? It had a lot to do with the state statute, said Joe Jeanette, law enforcement coordinator for the U.S. Attorneys Office in Nebraska. With the new mandatory minimums in Nebraska law, he said, local prosecutors could see they could get as much time or more for gun offenders through the state system. Within five years of the laws passage, the number of inmates coming into Nebraskas prison system whose most serious offense was a gun crime swelled from roughly 50 a year to more than 200. Kleine does not dispute that more gun cases in Douglas County have been taken into the state system. He said that conforms with how most other local crimes are handled. Its difficult to determine exactly how many gun cases in Nebraska were shifted in that way. But if Nebraska had continued to average 150 federal gun indictments a year, there would have been about 660 more such indictments between 2010 and 2020. That also would have translated into roughly 660 fewer gun offenders landing in Nebraska prisons. Its rare for such federal cases not to end in conviction. The Nebraska Department of Correctional Services saw the direct results of the shift. It became very discouraging, said Bob Houston, who at the time was the departments director. Not only do they now stay in Nebraska, but they are on the Nebraska prison yard, where they can continue their gang ties. Houston and Robinson, who as it happened in 2012 had taken a job as a state prison administrator, both recalled holding meetings with prosecutors and law enforcement officials around that time to again encourage the return of more cases to federal court. We asked them directly, Please, can we start sending some of these the federal direction? Robinson said. It was something we actively pursued as a strategy to help mitigate overcrowding. Jeanette and Kleine also recall such conversations. I understand what Houston and Robinson were saying, Kleine said. Sometimes that is a good idea to keep them out of the (state) system if we can. Houston said the prosecutors seemed receptive to the idea. They all get it, Houston said. But the entreaties didnt have a big impact, at least initially. Federal gun indictments did tick up in the next few years, but were still half of previous levels. However, the last three years have seen a dramatic change. Federal gun prosecutions have jumped 100%, back above 2009 levels and to their highest since 2006. Jeanette and Kleine both said the dramatic change was not part of a conscious decision to reverse the previous shift. Jeanette said there was an unrelated decision several years ago to prosecute more robberies under federal gun laws. Bank robberies often are prosecuted federally, but now those involved in strings of armed store robberies could be taken into federal courts. Some of those offenders are gang members, Jeanette said, as gangs often use such robberies as initiation rites or to gain cash. Jeanette said hes also noticed some small rural counties increasingly asking for federal prosecution of gun cases, likely to avoid the cost of having to prosecute the cases themselves. In small counties, law enforcement budgets can be limited. Jeanette also thinks that over time, local law enforcement has grown to appreciate the value of sending a gang member far, far away from Nebraska. If they are 350 to 1,000 miles away, he said, its not so easy to preserve those gang ties. cordes@owh.com, 402-444-1130, twitter.com/henrycordes This story by The Omaha World-Herald is part of a collaboration with Flatwater Free Press examining Nebraskas prison crisis. Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Colorado Gov. Jared Polis said Wednesday that his state would work to protect its water rights in light of Nebraskas proposal to build a canal in his state to pull water from the South Platte River. In a statement, Polis said Colorado would protect and aggressively assert Colorados rights under all existing water compacts. Water use in the South Platte River is regulated through an interstate agreement called a compact. This week, Ricketts announced that he would seek $500 million from the Nebraska Legislature to build a canal that would bring water from the South Platte in Colorado into Nebraska. Thursday, Ricketts proposed using $400 million in cash reserve funds and $100 million in federal coronavirus relief funding to construct the canal and reservoir system. The South Platte enters Nebraska from Colorado along Interstate 76 and flows east to where it meets the North Platte River east of the town of North Platte to form the Platte. Ricketts said the canal is needed because Colorado is planning nearly 300 projects and over $10 billion of expenditures to ensure no excess water leaves its state. If those proposals are carried out, Ricketts estimates there would be a 90% reduction in flows coming into Nebraska. Polis said Ricketts comments reflect a misunderstanding of Colorados locally driven water planning projects. Polis said Colorado has used roundtable discussions to generate grassroots ideas for solutions to Colorados water needs. These brainstorming ideas should not be taken as formally approved projects. We hope to more fully understand Nebraskas concerns and goals, as so far as those concerns and goals are quite simply hard to make sense of, Polis said in the statement. Colorado, he said, has complied with the South Platte Compact for its 99 years and continues to respect the agreement. We hope that our partners in Nebraska will show they share that respect. In response, Ricketts issued a statement saying he welcomes future conversations with Gov. Polis as we move forward to secure Nebraskas access to water. Any project involving U.S. waterways typically faces rigorous scrutiny. Polis said any project by Nebraska in Colorado would have to comply with the compact, private property rights, state and federal laws and regulations, including environmental ones. Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. China is striving to beef up its innovation capacity in agricultural science and technology to further safeguard food security of the country, according to a five-year development guideline of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS) released on Wednesday. The CAAS aims to achieve breakthroughs that can help improve grain yield, self-sufficiency of oil-bearing crops such as soybeans, and the utilization rate of irrigation water, chemical fertilizers, and pesticides. China also needs self-developed technologies to reduce dependence on the import of some crops, livestock, and poultry varieties, said the CAAS. The guideline focuses on major fields such as seeds, cultivated land, agricultural machinery, and bio-safety. It calls for boosting the construction of new key laboratories, a grain crop science center, a molecular design breeding center, a national crop germplasm resource bank, a livestock and poultry bank, and an agricultural microorganism bank. Wu Kongming, president of the CAAS, noted that China basically stands on its own feet in the field of agricultural science and technology, but lags behind some leading developed countries. China still lacks significant achievements in areas of modern biotechnology such as genome-wide selection, gene editing and synthetic biology, as well as in emerging information-technology fields such as the Internet of Things, big data, blockchain and artificial intelligence, and their application in agriculture, Wu said. In addition, the country's grain-crop yield is at a relatively low level, so it is urgent to advance technical research on increasing yields, he said. Wu called for efforts to build a national agricultural science and technology innovation center, strengthen original and independent innovation, explore new frontier fields, and achieve world-class scientific discoveries and major breakthroughs in key technologies. The CAAS will focus on seeds, cultivated land, agricultural machinery and equipment, and agricultural biosafety, and promote the trial of transgenic industrialization, aiming to support high-quality development with high-quality science and technology, he noted. Wu also stressed strengthening international cooperation, including the Belt and Road cooperation, in agricultural science and technology. The CAAS will accelerate international cooperation in the areas of disease prevention and control in both animals and plants, as well as biotechnology, he said. LINCOLN Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts presented numerous spending priorities on Thursday during his final State of the State address. Five highlights: Tax relief. The governor proposes dropping the top individual income tax rate and corporate tax rate to 5.84% over five years. He wants to accelerate the phase-in of the elimination of state taxes on Social Security benefits over five years instead of 10. And he also proposed ensuring that property tax relief provided through income tax credits stays at least at its current level of $548 million annually. A new prison. Last year, the Legislature postponed a decision on funding a new prison to replace the Nebraska State Penitentiary in Lincoln but set aside some money for it and appropriated nearly $15 million for planning and design. Cost estimates have since risen from $230 million to $270 million. Ricketts is now requesting that the Legislature appropriate enough money to pay for the full project. Water projects. The governor has proposed building a canal in Colorado along the South Platte River that would feed into a reservoir system in Nebraska under a 1923 compact, mostly using money out of the states cash reserve fund along with some federal pandemic relief money. Hed also like to see $200 million for projects proposed by a subcommittee of legislators, including a 4,000-acre lake between Omaha and Lincoln. He also wants $60 million for rural drinking water projects; $23 million for repair of the collapsed Gering-Fort Laramie canal; and $5 million for repair of a levee in Peru that was damaged in the 2019 flooding. Pay and rate increases. The state has increased wages for employees who work mostly in its facilities that operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including for workers in its Corrections Department. The state has also temporarily raised rates paid to some care providers in hopes of stabilizing operations as they face workforce shortages and increased costs during the pandemic. Spending federal pandemic relief. The governor put forth his spending plan for the states $1.04 billion from the American Rescue Plan Act. Some projects hed fund with federal money also would receive funds from other sources. Thats the case for the canal project in Colorado, for instance. Ricketts proposes directing the money toward 29 line items that his office has determined fit within federal requirements, including $199 million for items under the category public health response; $100 million for nonprofits shovel-ready capital projects; $90 million for projects at community colleges with the goal to grow the workforce; and $60 million in direct assistance for low-income families to address learning loss. Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. LINCOLN Gov. Pete Ricketts launched his final State of the State speech Thursday with reflections on his last seven years in office, a period in which the state faced historic floods, fires and the COVID-19 pandemic. In the face of unprecedented challenges, the State of the State is strong, he said, lauding the states handling of the pandemic, its unemployment rate, manufacturing sector, workers, legislators work last session and problem-solving efforts across the state. And he set the tone for the session ahead, highlighting initiatives and causes that would receive funding under the spending proposals he delivered to state lawmakers and laying out his top priorities. Putting money back into the pockets of hardworking Nebraskans. Protecting public safety. Securing access to our natural resources. And investing in one-time projects that will enhance our state. These are the ways we can keep Nebraska strong and growing in 2022, he said. Ricketts delivered his budget proposals during a year when the state is flush with cash. Theres expected to be $1.5 billion in its cash reserve by the end of the budget period, $412 million in unanticipated state general fund revenues, and $1.04 billion in federal COVID-19 relief funds. Given those numbers, he argued that lawmakers needed to return tax money to Nebraskans. He proposed reductions worth around $85 million for the current two-year budget period. Through the next two-year budget period, the total would exceed $460 million. For his last year in office, he shifted the focus for tax relief from property taxes to income taxes. He proposed phasing down the top tax rate for both individual and corporate income taxes and accelerating plans to exempt Social Security benefits from income taxes. For property taxes, he called for ensuring that the LB 1107 property tax credit program, which provides income tax credits to offset a portion of school property taxes paid, remain at least at the current level of $548 million annually. He also called for putting more money toward homestead exemptions for low-income elderly and disabled homeowners. State Sen. Lou Ann Linehan of Elkhorn, who chairs the Revenue Committee, said she was thrilled with the governors proposals, including the tax cuts and proposed uses of the pandemic relief money. I think hes done an excellent job, she said. Hes really been very thoughtful about trying to include everybody. But Mark McHargue, president of the Nebraska Farm Bureau, called for doing more to address property taxes, which he said are the highest priority for Nebraskans. He said Nebraskans need $700 million to $900 million more in property tax relief than provided for under current state law. As he has in the past, Ricketts held the line on state spending. Under his plan, ongoing expenses paid for with state general funds would increase by an average of 2.9% for the two years ending June 30, 2023. Thats below his perennial target of 3% spending growth but higher than the 2% average approved by state lawmakers last year. While there is an opportunity to fine-tune this plan, I expect state agencies and our partners to live within our existing budget and limit any budget growth to under 3 percent, he said. Ricketts kept the increase from going higher by tapping federal pandemic relief dollars to cover some costs, including $23 million worth of pay for corrections officers, $36.7 million worth of salary increases for employees at the states 24-hour institutions and $25 million worth of increased costs in child welfare. He attributed those costs to pandemic-driven disruptions in the labor market and in child welfare, the kinds of problems that the federal relief is designed to alleviate. Pay raises negotiated with key state employee groups account for most of his proposed increases. The state agreed to more than $105 million in raises to make the state competitive in hiring and keeping workers in the face of record low unemployment rates. Ricketts also focused on the $155 million that he proposed to take from the cash reserve for building a new prison. Along with money set aside by lawmakers last year, that would cover the full $270 million cost of the proposed institution, which he has argued is necessary to replace the aging Nebraska State Penitentiary. Lawmakers did not appropriate the money last year for a prison to give officials more time to look at whether criminal justice reforms could ease overcrowding and to assess current facilities and needs. The three branches of government cooperated with the nonprofit Crime and Justice Institute on a study of criminal justice data and potential policy changes. The report from the study has not been released yet. I am not asking anyone to choose between supporting a modern State Penitentiary and pursuing policies that aim to reduce crime and recidivism, he said. These solutions are not at odds, and there is room for both as we work to strengthen Nebraska. Sen. Steve Lathrop of Omaha, who chairs the Judiciary Committee, said he agrees with the governor that criminal justice reform and capital projects arent mutually exclusive. Lathrop, Ricketts and Chief Justice Michael Heavican are co-chairs of the working group that dived into state data. But Lathrop thinks corrections reform should be considered before the investment in additional space. Without knowing population growth projections, he said, the state could open a new 1,512-bed facility and still fall short. He also took issue with the governors argument that the State Penitentiary is a 150-year-old, crumbling structure, when much of the facility is much newer modular housing units replaced cellblocks in the early 1980s, for instance, and two new 100-bed dorm units opened in 1998, according to the department. The governors budget package included a separate set of proposals for using money coming to the state through the American Rescue Plan Act. His plan laid out 29 uses for the money in five areas: public health emergency response; responses to negative economic impacts; premium pay for essential workers; infrastructure including water, sewer and broadband; and administrative costs. Ideas in the public health area range from helping ensure sufficient hospital capacity for the state to covering part of the cost for replacing the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system in the State Capitol. Projects addressing negative economic impacts included workforce housing, assistance for Omahas North 24th Street economic development projects and support for a planned beef processing plant in North Platte. They also included a program offering grants for low-income parents to help their children make up pandemic-related learning losses. Under the heading of premium pay for essential workers, Ricketts included some of the pay increases for state workers. The infrastructure projects include part of the cost for a major canal system in Perkins County, which adjoins Colorado, and construction of a lake along the Platte River between Omaha and Lincoln. Also included are additional repairs on an irrigation canal between Fort Laramie, Wyoming and Gering, Nebraska, as well as some drinking water and wastewater projects. Sen. John Arch of La Vista called the governors proposals thoughtful and an investment in Nebraskas future, and Sen. Steve Erdman of Bayard said he appreciated the governors attention to rural Nebraskas needs, even if he thought Ricketts could have put more into the North Platte beef processing plant. Sen. John Stinner of Gering, who chairs the Appropriations Committee, said he thought Ricketts did a good job of covering what the accomplishments have been over his time in office, laid out his priorities and was fairly comprehensive about what his initiatives are. The Appropriations Committee will review the governors proposals, along with other requests, as they craft a budget plan. This session, they will use a similar process to develop a separate plan for the pandemic relief dollars. Its something to work on, its his recommendations, and we have a process here that well follow, Stinner said. Normally, were fairly close to his recommendations. Well see where we come out. Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Martha Stoddard Martha Stoddard keeps legislators honest from The World-Herald's Lincoln bureau, where she covers news from the State Capitol. Follow her on Twitter @StoddardOWH. Phone: 402-670-2402 Follow Martha Stoddard 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 People everywhere will drop coins into donation jars, wear T-shirts and ribbons, even cut off their hair to rally for people who are suffering. Perhaps a friend has experienced a particular cancer. Raising a little money for research by running a 5K is a way to both show support and to individually take some small action against an amorphous menace. Yet some of us resist wearing a mask or getting vaccinated to do our little part to help society fight COVID-19, whose omicron variants rapid spread promises an imminent crisis in our hospitals. While we have editorially supported wearing masks, we have been tepid toward mandates. We hoped they would fade away as the populace got vaccinated. We also have urged following doctors advice, and are persuaded that our medical system faces extreme risk in the coming weeks. We believe Douglas County Health Director Lindsay Huse took the proper step in issuing an emergency, temporary mask mandate for Omaha, whose code makes her the city health officer and authorizes such orders. Significant staffing shortages, a very limited availability of beds and health-care professionals experiencing high levels of emotional and physical exhaustion are all combining to make the next few weeks a challenge that our hospitals have not seen in our lifetimes, three Nebraska health-care leaders wrote in a guest opinion this week. As the state set a record last week for the number of new COVID cases, 649 Nebraskans were hospitalized as of Tuesday with the disease, and 13.6% of staffed hospital beds in the state were occupied by COVID patients, on a seven-day rolling average. The state reported 127 additional COVID-related deaths last week, tying for the third-highest weekly total of the pandemic. While the omicron variant generally produces mild symptoms and some signs point to it peaking soon, the sheer number of cases is sending enough unvaccinated people to the hospital to create this urgent situation. Its not just the COVID patients. The crowding and staffing crunch worsened as health workers test positive has delayed care for a range of patients, including urgent transfers to hospitals for a higher level of treatment. Outside of hospitals, businesses and agencies including Omaha police and fire departments are experiencing high absenteeism as omicron makes its run. Educators are under renewed pressure in a school year that they have described as already the most difficult in their careers as students catch up after remote instruction led to gaps. So it is time for us to rally around our heroic health care workers and others on the front line and take what small actions we can to support them and those most vulnerable to COVID including the unvaccinated. Huse did that this week. Health workers were heartened. It was almost like we were cheering in the hallway, just hearing that we were receiving support from the health department, said Dr. Angela Hewlett, who directs the University of Nebraska Medical Centers COVID-19 infectious diseases service. Yes, masks help. Absolutely, itll help, Dr. Mark Rupp, chief of the University of Nebraska Medical Centers infectious diseases division, told The World-Heralds Julie Anderson. It wont be miraculous. But we need to do what we can to start to slow this thing down if possible. He added, A well-constructed, multilayered, tight-fitting face mask is effective, and theres scads of information to show that. 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, Rupp said. 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. Huse offered a similar view: I cant stand by and know that I could have done more and didnt do more. Huse is leading. Others, including Gov. Pete Ricketts and Attorney General Doug Peterson, who chose to sue Huse as hospitals fill and Nebraska COVID deaths rise again, should follow the lead of Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert. Stothert opposes this mask mandate but recognizes Huses authority. She stepped out of the way. Ricketts and Peterson should join her. State Sen. Tom Briese of Albion has proposed making voter fraud in Nebraska a Class II felony. By all means, yes, the Legislature should adopt his proposal. At least 28 other states make it a felony to vote more than once in an election, and we agree that any real instance of election fraud should be treated with grave seriousness. All available data after years of exhaustive study shows that voter fraud is extremely rare, despite the flood of disinformation America has endured in recent years, particularly since former President Donald Trump began his campaign in early 2020 to erode confidence in our system. Briese is among public officials who have heard from constituents about concerns of fraud that stem from this disinformation campaign, whose effect is to delegitimize winners and to create momentum for laws that limit voter access. Brieses proposal does not do that, even as it seeks to provide some comfort to those who fear fraud. Briese says that his purpose is to enhance public confidence in the election system, not to suggest he agrees with critics who believe the 2020 presidential election results were corrupted by fraud. I choose to believe in the integrity of our election system, Briese said. So do we and good for Briese. Its important for our leaders to speak up about the integrity of our institutions in an era when everything from the FBI to school boards are under assault. How big a problem is voter fraud in reality? Tiny. The Heritage Foundation keeps a database of cases that the conservative think tank cites as evidence of the existence and effect of voter fraud and to argue against expanded voting by mail. While not meant to be comprehensive, Heritage has maintained the database for several years and actively solicits entries. It shows 1,340 proven instances of voter fraud and 1,152 convictions, mostly from this century but with an odd North Carolina case thrown in from the 1980s. Thats out of more than 3 billion votes cast in federal elections in the time covered, plus billions more votes in state and local elections. In other words, voter fraud is a crime of infinitesimal proportions. Far from being proof of organized, large-scale vote-by-mail fraud, the Heritage database presents misleading and incomplete information that overstates the number of alleged fraud instances and includes cases where no crime was committed, an investigation by USA Today, Columbia Journalism Investigations and the PBS series Frontline found. Still, as far as we can determine, it is the nations largest public inventory of voter fraud. (By the way, documented cases show that both Democrats and Republicans engage in these rare cases.) How many cases has this effort turned up in Nebraska in 30 or more years covered? Two. Total. Thats all. The Nebraska Secretary of State and Attorney Generals Offices say the state has no database or accounting of voter fraud, and representatives say they have no record of instances other than the two that Heritage lists from Dawson County in 2016. Nor can anyone in the state recall or find evidence of a single documented case of Nebraska voters trying to impersonate other voters the presumed problem that voter ID laws aim to address. Watching the manufactured hysteria over voter fraud is a bit like watching Don Quixote joust a windmill, but with damaging consequences in the real world. So we see no harm in levying the promise of prison time in those extraordinarily rare instances, particularly if such a law improves confidence in our election system among those who have been snowed into believing voter fraud is a real threat. Print on voter registration material and on ballots that fraud is a felony in Nebraska. Run public service announcements. Prosecute any such cases to the full extent of the law. Keep the bill clean dont tack on voter ID or limits on mail-in voting, both of which are maneuvers not to combat a real problem but to make it harder for some people to vote. We have every reason to be confident in our elections under current rules. If this helps bolster that even a little, lets do it. Packing the Court The Dec. 31 Pulse featured three similar letters criticizing Sen. Deb Fischer for her guest column urging opposition to packing the U.S. Supreme Court, i.e. expanding it to 11 or 13 sitting Justices (Dec. 19). The writers unfortunately conflated the process of filling Supreme Court vacancies with packing the Court with additional justices. The authors criticize Sen. Mitch McConnells handling of the Merrick Garland nomination, as well as then moving on the Amy Coney Barrett nomination late in Trumps term of office. There is no denying that politics plays a role in major judicial approvals by the senate. However, unmentioned were the undermining of the Bork nomination by Sen. Ted Kennedy and other Democrats, as well as Sen. Harry Reids modifying the filibuster rules for non-Supreme Court judicial approvals. What goes around, comes around, and both sides have been guilty of partisan maneuvering. There is a difference, however, between filling open judicial seats, and expanding the size of the Court in order to achieve specified policy goals. The Pulse letter authors do not specify any Court cases with which they disagree, but merely oppose Republican methods in support or opposition to various nominations in the Senate, and are silent about Democrat maneuvering. G. R. Florine, Omaha Underappreciated teachers As a retired teacher, I read with interest about Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds addressing a teacher shortage by planning to introduce a parents bill of rights and school library book screening proposal. Future and current educators like nothing more than imposing political agenda requirements, sanitizing curriculum, and library book removals and other attempts to dumb down education. Parental involvement (or lack thereof) is always important, which is why they already have school access, parent-teacher conferences, and open school boards. Underpaid, under constant scrutiny even when not working is leaving many educators underappreciated and heading for the door. Nebraska appointing a non-educator with a political agenda to the State Board of Education follows suit. Dont be surprised when class sizes expand and teacher shortages increase. Jeff Johnston, Elmwood, Neb. Butt out Butt out Donald Trump, we like Don Bacon! James E. Burns, Omaha Candidate search Bob Andrlik (Pulse, Jan. 4) indicated Charles Herbster is the leading Republican candidate for governor. I dont know about any other Republicans, but this Republican has not made up his mind who he will support as our candidate. To this point, Charles has just spent more money than the other candidates. Bob also laments that Democrats can not find a candidate to win the Nebraska governors race. A plus for Nebraska Democrats is Nebraska has no Democrat elected officials in Congress. The Nebraska Democrat Party has not found a candidate that represents the wishes of the majority of Nebraska voters. My guess, the search will continue after the next election. R. W. Balluff, Omaha Library questions I am not in the habit of writing to the editor, but I felt I needed to offer my opinion in support of Marylyn Felion (Library relocation) and Mike Nikolas (Taxpayers money), (Pulse, Jan. 4) I believe both writers posed serious questions and submitted important points that our city leaders have not been addressing. Mr. Nikolas raises an especially important point in that this idea was put forward in both 2010 and 2017. Why is it such an emergency to pursue and finalize now? The current library building may not be an architectural gem and perhaps more suited to Stalins Soviet Union, but the proposed replacement building is smaller, older, and admittedly will require massive updating and repair in the millions of dollars just to make it usable at taxpayer expense. I strongly urge the editorial staff of the paper to do an in-depth expose of this situation. Charles Zelhart, Omaha One theory Georgia elects two Democrats to the U.S. Senate and gives Biden its electoral college votes. Then the Dawgs win their first football national championship since Jimmy Carter was president. Something to think about Husker fans. Robert Sigler, Omaha COVID questions Here in America, many are dealing with the COVID-19 deaths of over 800,000 Americans by not asking themselves, What am I protecting? even after their neighbors, friends and relatives are dead. Why is that? Was it always like this? Terry Niver, Omaha Merrick Garland What Dale Rezac (Undemocratic Union) and Julie Maloney (Packing the court) Pulse, Dec. 31 dont realize is that even if Merrick Garlands nomination for the Supreme Court had been considered, the most likely outcome is that he would have been voted down by the majority of the Senate since the majority of the Senate were Republicans and they wanted nothing to do with President Obamas nominee(s). Merrick Garland did not stand a hope of sitting on the Supreme Court at that time. The votes to put him there were not present. Donald R. Ferree, Sr., Bellevue The same Midwest land that grows corn for ethanol could also serve as a storage site for carbon emitted by biorefineries. That production and sequestration cycle is at the heart of a pipeline project proposed across 13 Illinois counties and parts of four other states. Texas-based Navigator CO2 Ventures has put forward a plan to capture and transport 10 to 15 million metric tons of liquified carbon dioxide per year through a 1,300-mile pipeline across Nebraska, South Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa and Illinois to a pair of permanent sequestration sites in central Illinois. The liquified carbon emissions would enter the system from industrial customers like ethanol plants, move through the pipeline and be injected more than a mile below the ground for permanent storage. At full capacity, the system could capture and store enough carbon dioxide equivalent to removing approximately 3.2 million cars from the road per year, according to Navigator. Navigator in early 2021 partnered with BlackRock Global Energy and Power Infrastructure Fund III to develop the project, with Valero Energy Corp. as the anchor customer. Preliminary designs show the pipeline, known as the Heartland Greenway, entering Illinois near western Hancock County then traveling north and east through Adams, Brown, Christian, Fulton, Henry, Knox, McDonough, Morgan, Pike, Sangamon, Schuyler and Scott counties to two sequestration sites in the east central part of the state. Pipe would be laid at least 5 feet below ground and emerge in some spots via well heads. The proposed Illinois sequestration sites have been selected because of underground geologic formations best suited for safely storing liquid carbon dioxide. Bill Bodine, Illinois Farm Bureau director of business and regulatory affairs, said the project will hopefully minimize the surface impact for farmers and landowners who host sections of the pipeline on their property. Bodine said farmers and landowners need to be involved in the process, ask questions and work to ensure they have good terms in easements or land-use agreements. I encourage landowners to seek out education and the advice of an experienced attorney before agreeing to anything, Bodine said. These are long-term agreements that can have long-term impacts. Bodine said IFB plans to host information and education sessions for members interested in the project. And IFB will track the permitting and construction phases of the pipeline. The former is expected to continue through 2022. Construction of the Illinois portions of the pipeline likely wont start until 2025, after approval from state and federal regulators. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 PEORIA A Mechanicsburg man pleaded guilty Wednesday to charges stemming from a string of robberies last April across Central Illinois. John W. Beck, 55, pleaded guilty in federal court to four counts of interference with commerce by robbery, one count of bank robbery, one count of armed bank robbery and one count of attempted escape. Court documents say Beck robbed six businesses within two weeks: Dollar General in Buffalo, April 8; Bank of Pontiac in Odell, April 9; Fast Stop Store in Odell, April 17; Village Pantry in Paxton, April 18; Subway in Danville, April 19; and Elmwood Bank in Elmwood, April 20. Prosecutors said Beck used three stolen cars one from a person in Mechanicsburg and two from Springfield. He also stole separate license plates and placed them on the stolen vehicles, authorities said. U.S. Marshals arrested Beck in April and he was held in the Livingston County Jail. In September, Beck tried to escape the jail, and he was charged about a month later with attempted escape. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for May 25. Beck faces up to 130 years in prison a maximum of 20 years for five of the robbery charges, up to 25 years for the armed robbery charge, and up to five years for attempted escape. Contact Kade Heather at 309-820-3256. Follow him on Twitter: @kadeheather Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Chicago Ald. Pat Dowell announced on Tuesday shes endorsing Alexi Giannoulias for secretary of state, despite having been an ardent critic of his while running for the same office. Dowell, who represents the 3rd Ward, last week dropped her bid to replace longtime Secretary of State Jesse White in favor of running for U.S. Rep. Bobby Rushs 1st Congressional District seat. Rush plans to step down in January after 30 years in Illinois Washington delegation. According to statement from the Giannoulias campaign, Dowell supports his positions on protecting voter rights and adding more Illinoisans to the voter rolls, as well as his promise to eliminate wait times at drivers services facilities. Dowell is a Democratic ward committeeman and a member of the Executive Committee of the Cook County Democratic Party, which decides which candidates to slate for office. Asked why she endorsed Giannoulias, considering her previous criticism of his candidacy, Dowell replied in a text message, Bottom line, I am a Democrat, a member of the Executive Committee of the CCDP and I believe that we close ranks around our slated candidate. Giannoulias is not making a formal endorsement in the Democratic primary for Rushs seat, his campaign said. Rush last week announced his endorsement of Giannoulias, as did several prominent Black politicos who had previously backed Dowell for the secretary of states post. Those backers include Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, former U.S. Sen. Carol Moseley Braun, Chicago Alds. Howard Brookins, 21st, and Christopher Taliaferro, 29th, and former state Senate President Emil Jones Jr. The endorsements were made even as some Democratic Party officials have expressed a desire for a person of color to replace White, who is Black. Giannoulias is white and his main rival for the nomination, Chicago City Clerk Anna Valencia, is Latino. The other Democrat vying for the partys nomination is South Side Ald. David Moore, who is Black and whose 17th Ward includes Chicagos Auburn Gresham community. Dowells support for Giannoulias comes despite the stinging rhetoric she directed toward him at last months Cook County Democratic Partys slating session. Dowell and Valencia questioned Giannoulias loyalty to the Democratic Party, highlighting his support of former Illinois House Republican Leader Tom Cross in his 2014 bid for state treasurer against Democrat Michael Frerichs, who won and is now seeking his third term. To succeed we must have a Democrat, a nominee, who appeals to the people who vote Democratic mainly women, and precisely, African Americans, Dowell said. Lets be practical. The path to victory is not paved with gold. Money can buy endorsements and influence, but it cannot buy votes. Giannoulias narrowly won county slating. Despite that close vote, he holds a solid lead in fundraising. By the end of 2021, his campaign had over $4 million in cash on hand, more than Dowell, Valencia and Moore combined. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 SPRINGFIELD Ornate chandeliers dangle from the Illinois state Capitols 20-foot-high ceilings, which are cloaked in elaborate decor and supported by pink scagliola columns. The clickety-clack of footsteps on beige, maroon and dark teal marble floors reverberate through its airy rotunda. The elegant sights and sounds of the Capitol will soon be masked by dusty specks of brick and mortar and blaring power tool drills as the 19th century symbol of state government business undergoes a massive renovation this year to meet 21st century needs. It will be the second major construction project on the building in a decade and will force some legislative sessions to find new locations for the next few years, while also being a temporary inconvenience for school groups and other tourists who wont get to see the historic structures full grandeur. The project also presents a hefty price tag for Illinois taxpayers: $224.3 million. The renovation is focused on the buildings north wing and will include an underground parking garage and an underground conference center, and a two-level welcome center for visitors. In addition, there will be updates of everything from heating and cooling systems to plumbing and ventilation. Unfortunately when utilities and infrastructure are challenged to outlast their recommended lifespan, we are often forced to address maintenance emergencies that costs a significant amount more than a planned renovation, said Andrea Aggertt, the architect of the Capitol, who oversees the buildings improvements. The structures iconic dome, taller than the U.S. Capitols, will not be affected by the project. The project comes as the Old State Capitol, the Illinois statehouse up until 1876, which is a few blocks away and a noted tourist attraction, is also under renovation. For this project, some construction has already begun in the basement, a section of the Capitol thats connected to tunnels leading to the William G. Stratton building to the west and the Michael J. Howlett building to the south. Prep work for the project began last year and the underground parking garage should be completed by early 2023, according to Aggertts office. The preliminary work includes asbestos abatement in parts of the building. In June, some legislative staff and other employees will be moving to other offices and wont be able to return until January 2025, around the time the project is slated for completion. Scrapings on the north are evidence of consultants trying to figure out what was the original paint color when the building opened in 1888. The Capitol took about 20 years to complete at a cost of about $4.5 million. If were going to cut into all of these walls and replace the piping and the duct work and electrical that when we go back, were going to restore the Capitol to what we call Capitol proper. So that Capitol proper timeline we are focusing on is the late 1800s to the early 1900s, said Aggertt. Security upgrades will be another priority for the north wing. In September 2004, an unarmed security guard was killed by a shotgun blast as he staffed a sign-in desk just inside the north doors. The killing prompted the installation of metal detectors and armed guards, as well as armed secretary of state police officers at the entrance. As part of the latest project, a two-level entryway will be built for public access. Mezzanines between the first and second floors and the second and third floors were built in the 1960s and 1970s to give legislators more office space. Architecturally, theyve proven problematic, Aggertt said. Unfortunately, there have been things that have destroyed what Im going to call the fabric of the Capitol building over the years. Putting in the mezzanines, that was a huge one, Aggertt said. The mezzanine offices resulted in lowered ceilings barely tall enough for a tall person to pass under. State Sen. John Connor, whose office is on a mezzanine, said thats only really a problem for someone who is taller than 6 feet. Hes about 5 feet 9. This definitely (has) a flavor of its own because of the unusual way of subdividing the floor, said Connor, a Lockport Democrat. The project will also aim to make the building more wheelchair accessible, Aggertt said. State officials promised the U.S. Department of Justice over 10 years ago to make 60% of the buildings entrances compliant with the federal Americans with Disabilities Act. Right now, there is only one such entrance, on the buildings west wing. That means someone in a wheelchair can get in (those) doors, but they cant come in the north or the east and the south; while (theres) a ramp, that ramp slope does not meet ADA, Aggertt said. Senate Republican Leader Dan McConchie, who uses a wheelchair, said the planned improvements are long overdue after not being prioritized in the past. I mean, look, the Americans with Disabilities Act was passed over 30 years ago. And the fact that we still are so far out of compliance is really, you know, unfortunate, he said. It is ... high time that we made the peoples house accessible for everybody. McConchie said the lack of access has been a problem in areas where the Senate convenes. At a redistricting hearing earlier this year, handicapped seating for committee members was inaccessible. So, I sat at a witness table because I couldnt get back to where any of the other members were, recalled McConchie, of Hawthorn Woods, who has served in the state Senate since 2016. Many of the senate offices have limited accessibility. After he was elected, he had only a few to choose from. There was only I think three out of over 20 offices that actually met accessibility standards, McConchie recalled. So, I was limited in the number in which offices I could choose because, you know, most of them ... either the doors werent wide or other things. So, yeah, theres a whole bunch of issues. I mean, this typically happens with a very old building like that. In the early 2010s, the Capitols west wing underwent a $51.5 million renovation that included a new stairwell and doors, waterproofing, roofing and accessibility upgrades. Notably, some copper-clad wooden doors cost nearly $670,000. Then-Gov. Pat Quinn suggested the improvements were too over the top. We dont need a Palace of Versailles as our state Capitol, he said. While Illinois is in a slightly better financial position, the north wing renovations will cost more than four times as much as the project a decade ago. Aggertt said the work will be funded by Pritzkers Rebuild Illinois plan, an ongoing six-year, $45 billion program to repair and upgrade roads, bridges, university buildings, state facilities and other infrastructure. Despite the costs, Aggertt said its buildings like the Capitol, around for nearly 150 years, that often need the most work. What were trying to do is to restore the building back to the timeframe when it was built. Its taken us a lot of studying and a lot of research to do that, she said. But our plan is that this building will last another 150 years for many people to enjoy. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 SPRINGFIELD The speaker of the Illinois House said the state's child-welfare caseworkers need to be treated like frontline emergency responders after a Department of Children and Family Services investigator was killed last week during a home visit, the second such tragedy in four-and-a-half years. Speaker Emanuel Chris Welch, a Hillside Democrat, was asked about the troubled agency during an interview Monday with The Associated Press, one of several sit-downs he had with Statehouse reporters to mark his first year in office. Deidre Silas, an investigator who had just joined DCFS last summer, was stabbed to death Jan. 4 when she went to check on children in a home in Thayer, located south of Springfield. Days later, a judge held the agency's director in contempt of court for continued failure to find permanent placements for two children in his care. The extraordinary move highlights the growing needs for service and fewer foster homes, prompting another House leader to suggest blowing up the current system and starting anew. Its extremely important that we ensure that DCFS caseworkers are treated like first responders. ... We know that caseworkers do very important work for our children and we need to protect them," said Welch, whose career in state government began with a brief 1997 stint at DCFS. Were going to have all the conversations that we need to have, but its going to take the House, the Senate, governors office, DCFS, all of us working together to address whats happening at DCFS." It was a similar tragedy the death of Pamela Knight, 59, after a brutal beating in 2017 during an attempt to remove an endangered child from his father that prompted discussions of enhanced prison terms for harming caseworkers, but a Republican-led bill in 2018 failed. Senate Democrats floated the idea again last week with legislation following Silas' death. DCFS Director Marc Smith's contempt charge came from a Cook County judge who was frustrated over Smiths inability to remove two children in DCFS care from institutions months after they were ready for permanent placement. They're among dozens of children who are ready for permanent placement after mental health or other types of treatment but for whom there are no homes available. Spokesman Bill McCaffrey said in a statement that the agency is working aggressively on the decades-long challenge of a lack of community resources and facilities for children with complex behavioral health needs," which has only worsened with increased need there are now 23,000 children in DCFS care. Rep. Kathleen Willis, chairwoman of the House Adoption and Child Welfare Committee, was more blunt. Were gonna have to probably blow up this thing to get it right, the Northlake Democrat said. I hate to say that, but what were doing is not working, throwing money at it isnt solving the problem. One issue she's pursuing is an overall accounting and cost-analysis study, similar to a private consultant's top-to-bottom review several years ago of services for the intellectual and developmentally disabled and what the state should be paying for those services. When they (DCFS wards) are in transition before they get permanently placed, theyre not in anybodys books, Willis told The Associated Press. I put in a request for a deeper dive into ... where these children are, how long theyre in various locations and what services theyre being offered. Under another plan, Willis would create a Child Welfare Commission to oversee DCFS and discuss its needs and problems quarterly. I dont want to have the General Assembly only responding when a tragedy happens, or when we see an annual report or when they come before us asking for more money. When asked whether he retained confidence in Smith, the DCFS director, Welch reiterated his all-hands philosophy. DCFS is a tough agency and I got to tell you, hes not all to blame, Welch said. Its gonna take us all working together. We've got to ask him some tough questions and hes got to give us some answers, dont get me wrong. But all of the problems in DCFS dont fall on one person. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 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. 100 years ago Jan. 13, 1922: Fred Becker, a carpenter, was shot in his own yard on Main Street and now has died. It looks like a robbery gone bad. Three suspects in custody, but all of their stories and even their names are suspicious. Police think the three may be covering for a fourth man. 75 years ago Jan. 13, 1947: The Paris twins of DeWitt County are 6 years old now. Gerald and Geraldine weighed a combined 22 pounds at birth, believed to be a record. Their mother says they appear to be outgrowing their heaviness now, but both are still husky kids, at 52 and 46 pounds. 50 years ago Jan. 13, 1972: The District 87 board will buy land on Emerson Street, possibly for building a new junior high school there. The purchase adjoins property now occupied by Centennial School and BHS. The present junior high was built as the high school in 1917 and converted to BJHS in 1959. 25 years ago Jan 13, 1997: Three or four Normal families were displaced with fire struck their row of townhouses at 1711 King Drive. The blaze apparently started in the chimney of Richard Kuschel. He and his family got out safely. The townhouses are in the Key West subdivision. Compiled by Jack Keefe; jkeefe@coldwellhomes.com. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has reposed confidence in Africas capability to produce vaccines to boost the continents fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. Some countries are experiencing the fourth wave of the pandemic on the continent with the Omicron variant, while vaccination rate remained below 10 per cent. Madam Kristalina Georgieva, the IMF Managing Director, said to be able to meet vaccination needs, Africa needed to produce vaccines on its own and stop depending on donor vaccines. In short, true resilience in Africa cannot depend on the repeated generosity of the international community. It requires scaled-up local manufacturing capacity and strengthened regional supply chains, she said. Madam Georgieva, said: Africa vaccinating Africa is necessary - and it is achievable. I have no doubt that Africa is up to the task. But the international community can - and must - help by stepping up cross-border collaboration in science; incentivizing technological transfers to better diversify the production of vaccines and other life-saving medical tools, she said. She said her travel to Africa made her witness first-hand, the creativity, energy, and entrepreneurial spirit that the region is bringing to bear in overcoming the crisis. My visit to the Pasteur Institute in Dakar was one of these inspirations. The Institute is already a world-class leader in the fight against infectious diseases, having attracted and trained international and regional specialists. She indicated that the staff there were leading the way to address Africas immediate COVID19 challenge, building the regions capacity to fight future pandemics and meet Africas more routine immunisation needs. She noted that vaccine manufacturing was a sophisticated enterprise that required specialised equipment, inputs, storage facilities, and skilled labor, But anyone who tells you that this cannot be done in Africa has not been paying attention. Madam Georgieva, therefore, called on the international community to support Africa in that regard, and said, closing the $23 billion financing gap of the Access to COVID-19 Tools (ACT) accelerator, for example, would be a welcome first step, as a sizable portion of this effort is directed toward Africa. The IMF Managing Director, explained that the progress toward vaccine equity was not just a matter of addressing vaccine supply, but countries also needed more support to strengthen last mile delivery. To be clear, this international support is not charity. This is a global public good! As we all know by now, no one is safe until everyone is safe, she said. Source: GNA Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Deputy Education Minister, Hon. Rev. Ntim Fordjour, has disclosed that schools are expected to reopen on the 18th of January, 2022. He says a Committee made up of Headmasters and Teachers which he chaired was constituted to design an academic calendar for the next three years. Public basic schools were supposed to reopen on Tuesday, January 11, 2022, but the resumption date was extended by a week. The earlier January 11 basic school reopening date, was postponed amid the conduct of the maiden edition of the national standardized test for all primary four students in government basic schools. He noted that an official 2022 school calendar in due course will be made available to relevant stakeholders, prospective students and members of the general public this week. The Member of Parliament for Builsa South Constituency has said the delay in the announcement of the government school reopening date is a worrying situation that must be addressed quickly. We dont know exactly when Public Basic Schools will reopen. Today, January 10, 2022, Private Basic schools have reopened. When will Public Basic schools reopen, we need to know, the Education Committee member urged. Watch Video Below Source: Isaac Kwame Owusu/Peacefmonline/[email protected] Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The Ghana Medical Association (GMA) has assured Ghanaians of the potency of the COVID-19 vaccines. The Association, in an interview with the Ghana News Agency, said the vaccines had helped in reducing severe illness and death and encouraged the citizenry to go for the jabs. The assurance follows concerns by the Concerned Ghanaian Doctors about the efficacy of the vaccines with calls on the Government to halt the nationwide vaccine rollout. The Doctors claimed the risks associated with the COVID-19 vaccines far outweighed the potential benefits with alleged increase in the death toll after the introduction of the vaccines. However, Dr Frank Serebour, the President of GMA, said there was no data to support claims that the risks of the vaccines outweighed the potential benefits because some countries had reduced their death rate with the introduction of the vaccines. He noted that countries like Italy, US, UK, and others, which were recording high deaths, had their situation brought under control with the introduction of the vaccines. Dr Serebour said available data and science, therefore, did not support the claim. He said COVID-19 was still an emerging disease and that Science was still evolving, saying, as a new disease that keeps evolving, definitely interventions would change. He said the fact that people got infected even after being vaccinated did not mean the vaccines were not good. As doctors, we should be a little hesitant when speaking against vaccines if not it would go beyond COVID vaccines towards polio, measles among others, which will not help, Dr Serebour cautioned. He encouraged Ghanaians to ensure that they got vaccinated for the country to achieve herd immunity to break the chain of transmission and prevent deaths. Source: GNA Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Ghana is faced with 12% unemployment and more than 50% underemployment among the youth, both higher than overall unemployment and underemployment rates in Sub-Saharan Africa, according to the World Bank report of September 2020. The Ghanaian-German Centre (GGC), which is implemented by the Deutsche GesellschaftfurInternationaleZusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH on behalf of the German Government, is partnering with the Ministry of Employment and Labour relations to provide job opportunities through the pilot Graduate Work and Salary Top-Up Programme. This programme serves a dual objective. Firstly, it aims to cushion reputable Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) post-COVID recovery by supporting their wage bill as they seek to recruit fresh hands to spur growth from the effects of the COVID pandemic. On a threshold of 1,500cedis, the GGC pays 60% of employees salary for 6months and 40% for the subsequent 4months. The programme therefore supports SMEs by leveraging their wage bill for growth, whilst promoting employment, improving skills, and entrepreneurship among the youth, through their 10months corporate experience that serves as a springboard from retention or alternate employment opportunities. The newly hired staff, who must be given a contract that includes their training plan, acquire valuable on-the-job learning to augment their work experience, sharpen their skills, develop their career goals, and establish corporate networks that may prove valuable throughout their careers. The motivated individuals with rounded skills bring fresh thinking and innovation to their workplaces, as the organizations benefit from the savings off their wage bill and create more jobs. The initiative therefore contributes towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goal No. 8 by promoting inclusive and sustainable economic growth, productive employment, and decent work for the youth. The GGC is partnering with TDI Global Limited to bring its internationally top-rated approach to building capacity of workforce and enterprises in a structured manner. Through the TDIsMy3D Programme (Discover, Develop and Deploy), beneficiaries are taken through a well-structured self-discovery and self-mastery programme that enable them to understand their skills strengths and gaps. They are then provided career guidance, counseling, mentorship, and training that develop and optimize their skills before and during their period of internship. TDI collaborates with the employers to determine their specific skills need and then equips the youth (My3D Scholars) with the right work skills, digital skills, leadership, and entrepreneurship skills that enable them to bring fresh thinking and innovation to the organizations, improve productivity and growth and enable the organizations to become internationally competitive. About the Ghanaian-German Centre (GGC) The Global Programme Migration for Development is commissioned by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and is implemented by the Deutsche GesellschaftfurInternationaleZusammenarbeit GmbH (GIZ). The objective of programme is to create and provide advice on prospects for returning migrants in Ghana as well as for potential migrants and to address irregular migration by providing information on legal ways of labour migration. In Ghana, the Programme has established a structure for migration and reintegration advice, through the Ghanaian-German Centre (GGC) which became operational in December 2017. GGC is set up in collaboration with the Ministry for Employment and Labour Relations (MELR) of Ghana. It aims to provide counselling services to the local populace, returning and potential migrants. The focus lies on reintegration support for returning Ghanaian migrants, as well providing the youth employment and educational perspectives in Ghana. Further, the Centre provides information on legal migration to Germany. The project has since inception trained over 27,700 individuals in Entrepreneurship and Employability Skills, 3,700 have found jobs; with majority (92%) being self-employment, 4,299 have received business start-up support, with about 1300 receiving technical/vocational short-term skills training. About GIZ As a provider of international cooperation services for sustainable development and international education work, GIZ is dedicated to building a future worth living around the world. GIZ has over 50 years of experience in a wide variety of areas, including economic development and employment, energy and the environment, and peace and security. The diverse expertise of our federal enterprise is in demand around the globe, with the German Government, European Union institutions, the United Nations, the private sector, and governments of other countries all benefiting from our services. We work with businesses, civil society actors and research institutions, fostering successful interaction between development policy and other policy fields and areas of activity. The German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) is our main commissioning party. Currently, GIZ promotes sustainable development in Ghana via about 50 programmes and projects. GIZ is boosting Ghana's potential by focusing its projects on three priority areas: Responsibility for our planet - climate and energy, Training and sustainable growth for decent jobs as well as Peaceful and inclusive societies. Additionally, our portfolio extends to other areas such as environment, peace and security. Another focus of GIZs work is linking business interests with development-policy goals. Most of the programmes and projects we support in Ghana have successfully brought together national and international private companies, the public sector, and civil society groups to collaborate on development initiatives. Source: Naomi Obenewaa Abrokwa/Peace News Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The National Identification Authority (NIA) has indicated that it's taken notice of the challenges Ghanaians are facing in the registration and issuance of their Ghana card. Speaking to Nana Yaw Kesseh in an interview on Peace FM's ''Kokrokoo'', the Head of Corporate Affairs of the NIA, Abdul Ganiyu, noted that it's not the intention of the Authority that the lot of Ghanaians wanting their Ghana cards will go through such challenges as joining long queues with others not having the opportunity to even fill a registration form among others. He pledged that the NIA will soon address all the challenges to make the process easier and less stressful for the citizenry. ''With all the challenges, we have come this far. Of course, it's not in our interest that the NIA is in the news daily and you calling me to explain all the time and so forth. If everything goes well, I believe all conversations in the media about NIA can stop . . . So, by all means, with the measures we have put in place, very soon the situation will stabilize," he said. Mr. Ganiyu, however, stressed that the NIA cannot be blamed for the challenges as he applauded the Executive Director of the NIA, Prof. Ken Attafuah and the Authority stating, despite taking recognition of the problems confronting the citizens in the acquisition of the Ghana card, the NIA has done exceptionally well in ensuring all Ghanaians obtain their cards. He rather laid the blame on Ghanaians saying some stayed unconcerned during the mass registration in 2019 thinking they were joking when the signs showed that the Ghana card will one day be used for everything, and this, to him, has accounted for the huge numbers trooping into their offices. ''During mass registration and the mop-up registration, we could go to a registration center and the whole day, only about five or ten people had gone there. So, we were wasting national resources or what? We have brought the registration center very close to you that we beg you, come and register for Ghana card but there was every indication, through the announcement we gave, that going forward, everything will depend on the Ghana card. So, a time will come that you will go to the bank and they will ask you for your Ghana card, NHIS and so forth, maybe people thought we were joking. So, this is the stage we have reached now. So, this is not something one can blame the NIA for," he said. Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Raymond Acquah, the husband of MzGee, the media personality Psalm Adjeteyfio contacted for leftovers in her kitchen, has been explaining why he contacted Dr. Gideon Boako, who is an aide to Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia over the actors latest plea. In a Facebook comment under Dr Gideon Boakos post, Acquah stated categorically that, he contacted the Veep's aide because of the relationship the office of the Vice President had established with the actor. He denied telling Dr. Bawumias aide that, his wife was writing a story on the actors voice note initially sent to the TV presenter. I only reached out on Jan 1, 2022, to seek clarification on the relationship established between your office and the actor and asked you to extend further help if it was possible. At no point in that conversation did I suggest to you that she or I was writing a story on the voice note. Since we agreed nothing on that voice note cast any bad light on your office why will you seek to stop its release or thank me for not writing a story on it? Raymond Acquah further indicated that he was shocked by the claim that he and the wife promised to kill such a story. I am equally, I am absolutely certain no such statement came out of my mouth. She was right by my side during that conversation with you and when you asked me to share the voice note with you she gave me the green light. I know you may have the ability to record phone conversations like the one that transpired between us on Saturday, Jan 1, 2022, or have at your disposal top-notch security technology to obtain the same, please, I beg you in the name of God, publish it here let everybody listen to the conversation and determine for themselves whether I said anything about writing a story and or releasing any tape. In fact, if you release the conversation and it backs your claims about an indication on my side to release any tape or write any story, I will resign from my current employment and never practise journalism ever again, he said. Acquah concluded, even if you were incensed by what she wrote you gave me your word that you will take this down when I asked you to amend it to reflect the truth, I pray you to keep your word. Background Psalm Adjeteyfio, the popular actor in Taxi Driver TV series in a voice note to MzGee stated that, all those who promised to him withdrew after the Vice President sent him GH50,000 following a viral video that saw the actor cry for help. The situation, TT said, has created a lot of problems for him. He further told MzGee that, he has made some investment with the GH50,000 Dr Bawumia sent him and it will take some time for him to enjoy the benefit from the investment. MzGee good afternoon, Im wondering if you would have some leftovers in your kitchen to spare. [The] reason is, people who use to help have all withdrawn their help when they heard that the Vice President had given me the money. But you would agree with me that [with] such monies, you need to invest wisely and that is what I have done and when you make investments too, it will take time before you begin enjoying it, the Taxi Driver TV series actor explained. Right now, the situation has created a lot of problems for me; you know, a lot of people used to help me a lot but now everybodyI even understood that some people contributed some money in States to be sent to me; the moment they heard [that the Vice President had given me the money] everybody went for his money, Psalm Adjeteyfio added. Many had called out the media personality for leaking a private conversation with the actor but she has denied doing such a thing and stated that the voice note in question was only sent to Dr Gideon Boako of the Vice Presidents office and if he is the one who leaked it for political gains then may God show him and his cohorts what it feels like to put to be out for ridicule! May he never find sleep! May peace elude his home! Source: ghanaweb.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video " " Curse tablets, like this one, were most commonly made of thin scraps of lead, a byproduct of silver mining, which was a major source of wealth in ancient Greece and Rome. Leemage/Universal Images Group/Getty Images The inscription attached to the wall of a tomb in the ancient Italian city of Pompeii laments the instigation of prosecutorial proceedings by a former friend and warns others to avoid him, reading: Stranger, stay a short while, if it is not too troublesome, and learn what to avoid. This man, who I hoped was a friend of mine, brought prosecutors to me and instigated proceedings. I am grateful to the gods and my innocence: I am free from all trouble. He who deceived us, may he not receive the Penates [household gods] nor the underworld. This petty piece of archaeological graffiti is known as a "curse tablet" or "defixione," from the Latin word for "bind." It was written by an ex-friend of the deceased and put on display for the whole city to read after his death. Though it might seem strange today, writing curse tablets was a common practice in ancient Rome and Greece. But what was the purpose of these objects (aside from the obvious), and who was writing them? Today, we're talking all things curse tablets. Advertisement Lead: A Blessing and a Curse Curse tablets essentially did what the name implies: They were objects, usually from ancient Greece and Rome, upon which somebody wrote a curse. "The standard definition," says Stuart McKie, a scholar of Roman history at Durham University in the U.K., "is that their intention is to influence, by supernatural means, people and animals against their will." This definition was originally put forth by the late David Jordan, former director of the Canadian Institute in Greece. All sorts of objects, from shards of pottery to scraps of papyrus to graves, could be turned into curse tablets. "There's one really cool one that was written on a lamp," McKie says. But the most common curse tablets, by far, were written on thin scraps of lead. Lead is a byproduct of silver mining, which was a major source of wealth in ancient Greece and Rome (particularly in the Greek city-state of Athens). This meant that there was a lot of extra lead lying around at the time. The ancient Romans frequently used it as a cosmetic, or to line their drinking vessels and pipes a kind of curse in itself. But they also used it to inscribe messages, especially ones to the gods. Scholars think that the choice of lead as a writing material was part practical lead is soft and therefore easy to mark but also part aesthetic. "You get this sort of silvery, fluid-looking line against the oxidized surface of the metal," says Britta Ager, a classicist at Arizona State University. "It just looks magical." " " A lead curse tablet, from the late 2nd to 3rd century C.E., found in the drain of London's Roman amphitheatre during excavations in 1992 to 1999. The short Latin inscription is probably the name of a gladiator, and the four corner holes show that it had been nailed to a wall. MOLA/Getty Images Curse tablets went in and out of fashion numerous times across Greek and Roman history. "It's much more like short, sharp moments of popularity," McKie says, as opposed to a gradual rise and fall. But when they were popular, they were ubiquitous. "What we can see is that these seem to cut across all social classes and situations," says Ager. Wealthy politicians would sometimes curse their political rivals or the opposing party in a legal battle. Working-class folks would curse thieves, murderers, their crushes or the chariot racing team that they wanted to lose. There are even records of enslaved people using curses. Advertisement A "Magical Arms Race" The wealthy and educated could, of course, hand-write their own curses if they so chose. But many folks may have relied on a third party for their cursing needs. "If you weren't literate enough to write one of these, you could go to a professional who would do it for you," Ager says. These local magicians acted kind of like contract attorneys, drafting up curse templates for their clients and letting them fill in the blanks. Archaeologists have even found curse tablets where the name of the person being cursed was slightly too long to fit in the blank; the letters had to be smooshed together as a result. Of course, where there are curses, there are counter-curses. "There was something like a magical arms race," says McKie. Amulets to ward off curses like the "evil eye" were and still are popular in many parts of the world. Some curse tablets detailed protective measures in case the cursed person discovered the spell and decided to retaliate. And other curse tablets even included clauses to ensure that the curse circumvented popular protective measures. Advertisement Cursing in the Modern Era So, when did curse tablets go out of fashion for good? The answer depends on how you look at it. By the fourth century, curse tablets in the Roman Empire were becoming scarce. "In some of the later Roman law codes, from Constantine onward, you do start to get much more heavy policing of religious options," McKie says, "and also, you know, culture changes." However, the basic human feelings powerlessness, frustration, jealousy and anger that drove people to write curse tablets never went away. "The same impulses are there, no matter what era you're looking at," says Ager. Take, for example, Twitter (which many would argue is absolutely cursed). In 2016, British Twitter users took their political frustrations to the internet in the immediate aftermath of the Panama Papers reveal. For several days, the hashtag #cursedavidcameron was trending everywhere. Whether or not those Twitter users actually believed they were going to curse the then-British prime minister, the message was clear: This person had done harm, and they wanted justice, be it divine or online. In that sense, McKie and Ager say, regardless of religious belief, we all still use curses. "It's only a short step from spreading malicious gossip about someone to writing a curse," says McKie. Now That's Interesting Charms against the "evil eye" a kind of malicious curse that can be cast with an envious glance date back to ancient Mesopotamia, where they were taken deadly seriously. Today, these blue glass amulets have become trendy fashion statements popular with everyone from Instagram influencers to British royalty. UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - Human Rights Watch on Thursday criticised U.S. President Joe Biden and other Western leaders for a weak defense of democracy and for failing to meet challenges from the climate crisis and COVID-19 pandemic to poverty, inequality and racial injustice. In contrast to what Human Rights Executive Director Kenneth Roth described as former U.S. President Donald Trump's "embrace of friendly autocrats", Biden took office in January 2021 with a pledge to put human rights at the center of his foreign policy. "But he continued to sell arms to Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Israel despite their persistent repression," Roth wrote in Human Rights Watch's annual World Report, released on Thursday. "Other Western leaders displayed similar weakness in their defense of democracy," Roth wrote, naming French President Emmanuel Macron and former German Chancellor Angela Merkel. Video: Biden hails ceasefire, pledges assistance for Gaza Roth also said that during key summits Biden "seemed to lose his voice when it came to public denunciation of serious human rights violations." "The U.S. State Department has issued occasional protests about repression in certain countries, and in extreme cases the Biden administration introduced targeted sanctions on some officials responsible, but the influential voice of the president was often missing," he wrote. U.S. officials have defended the Biden administration's record, saying diplomats have frequently raised human rights concerns with foreign leaders, including in difficult talks with adversaries including China and Russia. "If democracies are to prevail in the global contest with autocracy, their leaders must do more than spotlight the autocrats' inevitable shortcomings. They need to make a stronger, positive case for democratic rule," Roth said. (Reporting by Michelle Nichols; Editing by Mary Milliken and Karishma Singh) Scientists have captured an intruder object disrupting the protoplanetary diskbirthplace of planetsin Z Canis Majors (Z CMa), a star in the Canis Majoris constellation. This artists impression shows the perturber leaving the star system, pulling a long stream of gas from the protoplanetary disk along with it. Observational data from the Subaru Telescope, Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array, and Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array suggest the intruder object was responsible for the creation of these gaseous streams, and its visit may have other as yet unknown impacts on the growth and development of planets in the star system. Credit: ALMA (ESO/NAOJ/NRAO), B. Saxton (NRAO/AUI/NSF) Scientists using the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) and the Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array (VLA) made a rare detection of a likely stellar flyby event in the Z Canis Majoris (Z CMa) star system. An intruder objectnot bound to the systemcame in close proximity to and interacted with the environment surrounding the binary protostar, causing the formation of chaotic, stretched-out streams of dust and gas in the disk surrounding it. While such intruder-based flyby events have previously been witnessed with some regularity in computer simulations of star formation, few convincing direct observations have ever been made, and until now, the events have remained largely theoretical. "Observational evidence of flyby events is difficult to obtain because these events happen fast and it is difficult to capture them in action. What we have done with our ALMA Band 6 and VLA observations is equivalent to capturing lightning striking a tree," said Ruobing Dong, an astronomer at the University of Victoria in Canada and the principal investigator on the new study. "This discovery shows that close encounters between young stars harboring disks do happen in real life, and they are not just theoretical situations seen in computer simulations. Prior observational studies had seen flybys, but hadn't been able to collect the comprehensive evidence we were able to obtain of the event at Z CMa." Perturbations, or disturbances, like those at Z CMa aren't typically caused by intruders, but rather by sibling stars growing up together in space. Hau-Yu Baobab Liu, an astronomer at the Institute of Astronomy and Astrophysics at Academia Sinica in Taiwan and a co-author on the paper, said, "Most often, stars do not form in isolation. The twins, or even triplets or quadruplets, born together may be gravitationally attracted and, as a result, closely approach each other. During these moments, some material on the stars' protoplanetary disks may be stripped off to form extended gas streams that provide clues to astronomers about the history of past stellar encounters." For the first time, scientists have captured an intruder object breaking and entering into a developing star system. Combining scattered light observations (H-band) from the Subaru Telescope (top right) with dust continuum emission observations from the VLA (Ka-band, 2nd image right) and ALMAs Band 6 receiver (3rd image right), and the 13CO line (bottom right), scientists were able to gain a comprehensive understanding of just how much disruption this intruder caused, including the development of long streams of gas stretching far out from the protoplanetary disk surrounding Z Canis Majoris, a star in the Canis Majoris constellation. Just what consequences these disruptions will have on the birth of planets in the star system is yet to be seen. Credit: ALMA (ESO/NAOJ/NRAO), S. Dagnello (NRAO/AUI/NSF), NAOJ Nicolas Cuello, an astrophysicist and Marie Curie Fellow at Universite Grenoble Alpes in France and a co-author on the paper added that in the case of Z CMa, it was the morphology, or structure, of these streams that helped scientists to identify and pinpoint the intruder. "When a stellar encounter occurs, it causes changes in disk morphologyspirals, warps, shadows, etc.that could be considered as flyby fingerprints. In this case, by looking very carefully at Z CMa's disk, we revealed the presence of several flyby fingerprints." These fingerprints not only helped scientists to identify the intruder but also led them to consider what these interactions might mean for the future of Z CMa and the baby planets being born in the system, a process that so far has remained a mystery to scientists. "What we now know with this new research is that flyby events do occur in nature and that they have major impacts on the gaseous circumstellar disks, which are the birth cradles of planets, surrounding baby stars," said Cuello. "Flyby events can dramatically perturb the circumstellar disks around participant stars, as we've seen with the production of long streamers around Z CMa." Liu added, "These perturbers not only cause gaseous streams but may also impact the thermal history of the involved host stars, like Z CMa. This can lead to such violent events as accretion outbursts, and also impact the development of the overall star system in ways that we haven't yet observed or defined." As stars grow up, they often interact with their sibling starsstars growing up near to them in spacebut have rarely been observed interacting with outside, or intruder, objects. Scientists have now made observations of an intruder object disturbing the protoplanetary disk around Z Canis Majoris, a star in the Canis Major constellation, which could have major implications for the development of baby planets. Perturbations, including long streams of gas, were observed in detail by the Subaru Telescope in the H-band, the Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array in the Ka-band, and using the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Arrays Band 6 receiver. Credit: ALMA (ESO/NAOJ/NRAO), S. Dagnello (NRAO/AUI/NSF), NAOJ Dong said that studying the evolution and growth of young star systems throughout the galaxy helps scientists to better understand our own solar system's origin. "Studying these types of events gives a window into the past, including what might have happened in the early development of our own solar system, critical evidence of which is long since gone. Watching these events take place in a newly forming star system provides us with the information needed to say, 'Ah-ha! This is what may have happened to our own solar system long ago.' Right now, VLA and ALMA have given us the first evidence to solve this mystery, and the next generations of these technologies will open windows on the Universe that we have yet only dreamed of." Scientists have made the first comprehensive multi-wavelength observational study of an intruder object disturbing the protoplanetary diskor birthplace of planetssurrounding the Z Canis Majoris star (Z CMa) in the constellation Canis Major. This composite image includes data from the Subaru Telescope, Jansky Very Large Array, and the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array, revealing in detail the perturbations, including long streams of material, made in Z CMas protoplanetary disk by the intruding object. Credit: ALMA (ESO/NAOJ/NRAO), S. Dagnello (NRAO/AUI/NSF), NAOJ Recently, the National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) received approval for its Central Development Laboratory (CDL) to develop a multi-million dollar upgrade to ALMA's Band 6 receiver, and the Observatory's next-generation VLA (ngVLA) received strong support from the astronomical community in the Astro2020 Decadal Survey. Technological advancements for both telescopes will lead to better observations, and a potentially significant increase in the discovery of difficult-to-see objects, like Z CMa's stellar intruder. Both projects are funded in part by the National Science Foundation (NSF). "These observations highlight the synergy that can come from a newer instrument working in concert with a more seasoned one, and how good a workhorse the ALMA Band 6 receiver is," said Dr. Joe Pesce, astrophysicist and ALMA Program Director at the NSF. "I look forward to the even-better results the upgraded ALMA Band 6 receiver will enable." The findings were published in Nature Astronomy. Explore further First ALMA animation of circling twin young stars More information: Dong et. al, "A likely flyby of binary protostar Z CMa Caught in Action," Nature Astronomy, 10.1038/s41550-021-01558-y Journal information: Nature Astronomy Dong et. al, "A likely flyby of binary protostar Z CMa Caught in Action,", 10.1038/s41550-021-01558-y China aims high in agricultural sci-tech innovation Xinhua) 08:13, January 13, 2022 BEIJING, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- China is striving to beef up its innovation capacity in agricultural science and technology to further safeguard food security of the country, according to a five-year development guideline of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS) released on Wednesday. The CAAS aims to achieve breakthroughs that can help improve grain yield, self-sufficiency of oil-bearing crops such as soybeans, and the utilization rate of irrigation water, chemical fertilizers, and pesticides. China also needs self-developed technologies to reduce dependence on the import of some crops, livestock, and poultry varieties, said the CAAS. The guideline focuses on major fields such as seeds, cultivated land, agricultural machinery, and bio-safety. It calls for boosting the construction of new key laboratories, a grain crop science center, a molecular design breeding center, a national crop germplasm resource bank, a livestock and poultry bank, and an agricultural microorganism bank. Wu Kongming, president of the CAAS, noted that China basically stands on its own feet in the field of agricultural science and technology, but lags behind some leading developed countries. China still lacks significant achievements in areas of modern biotechnology such as genome-wide selection, gene editing and synthetic biology, as well as in emerging information-technology fields such as the Internet of Things, big data, blockchain and artificial intelligence, and their application in agriculture, Wu said. In addition, the country's grain-crop yield is at a relatively low level, so it is urgent to advance technical research on increasing yields, he said. Wu called for efforts to build a national agricultural science and technology innovation center, strengthen original and independent innovation, explore new frontier fields, and achieve world-class scientific discoveries and major breakthroughs in key technologies. The CAAS will focus on seeds, cultivated land, agricultural machinery and equipment, and agricultural biosafety, and promote the trial of transgenic industrialization, aiming to support high-quality development with high-quality science and technology, he noted. Wu also stressed strengthening international cooperation, including the Belt and Road cooperation, in agricultural science and technology. The CAAS will accelerate international cooperation in the areas of disease prevention and control in both animals and plants, as well as biotechnology, he said. (Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Liang Jun) Flash 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) 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. Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain Australia does not have a food shortage. Supply has been disrupted in some locations due to staff absences caused by COVID, that's all. This is primarily a distribution problem, not a lack of food problem. Meat shortages may emerge (abattoirs are notorious COVID hot spots) but there are plenty of other types of food awaiting distribution. Nonetheless, in places where large numbers of truck drivers and warehouse workers have the virus or are required to isolate, some food is not getting to stores. The good news is that food supply chains are flexible and adjust quickly, meaning current shortages are likely a temporary inconvenience rather than an ongoing problem. I was lead author for a detailed analysis of resilience of the Australian food chain for the agriculture department in 2012. It remains relevant. A key finding was that while our food supply chains were highly resilient, they were potentially vulnerable if two or more different disruptions (such as a natural disaster, pandemic or biosecurity emergency) occured simultaneously. Food isn't supplied just-in-time In this regard Australia has been lucky. We are not currently experiencing major natural disastersnothing comparable to Victoria's Black Saturday bushfires in 2009 or Brisbane floods of 201011in addition to COVID. Cybersecurity in the food supply chain remains robust, as does plant and animal health. If the luck holds, our current shortages will be localized and temporary. Moreover, some of the weaknesses identified in the 2012 report have been addressed since. For example, we are less reliant on imports for packaging materials, we are better at getting food to north Queensland, and our different levels of government communicate better on food security issues. However other weaknesses persist, including low levels of what the report called "food literacy" (that is, understanding among consumers of how to prepare food and what foods can substitute for other foods). This means people can perceive shortages even when food is well supplied. And aspects of the supply chain remain poorly understood. A common misconception is that wholesalers and retailers operate on a "just-in-time" basis. They don't. Warehouses hold large stocks The just-in-time concept, used in Japan's car industry, reduces holdings of parts and spares in a factory to a minimum and delivers components from suppliers to assembly lines just as they are required, minimizing storage costs. Food retailers would face big risks if they adopted such an approach, and they know it. Stock outages upset customers. Supermarkets aim to have enough goods on their shelves not to risk losing their customers to competitors, although not so many as to cause wastage. Food waste is already a big problem in Australia, costly and a contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. Extra stocking would make it worse. Holding more would waste more The same applies to warehouses. Retailers want ready access to restocking from nearby warehouses, especially if there is a run on a particular food product. Australian warehouses maintain large stocks to cover these eventualities. It is true that even these can come under strain when stories about shortages become self-fulfilling by encouraging panic buying. Fortunately, Australia's experience (remember 2020 toilet paper panic) is these panics do not last long. While panics are underway food outages are indeed worrying for consumers. The current ones may last a whiletwo to three weeks according to Woolworths chief Brad Banducci. There could be others in future if more virulent and contagious COVID-19 variants emerge. But these problems are driven not by insufficient food but by too few staff to move it. What should we do when empty shelves emerge? One suggestion for how to respond to the possibility of empty shelves is that people buy three weeks' food supply (based on the length of past supermarket crises). It might work for some, but it would be counterproductive for others. If people don't know what three weeks of food looks like, or make poor choices, the likely result is more waste. Try it with lettuce, bean sprouts or fish, and see how it holds up after three weeks. For the many low-income households who buy what they can afford on a day to day basis, three weeks supply of food is out of reach. A more straightforward approach is to adapt, innovate and shop around. Try substitution Most foods have substitutes. Noodles substitute for rice and vice versa. Beans can replace meat. Beans are cheaper, more sustainable and more likely to be more available. There are different supply chains for different types of food. Fresh and frozen vegetables, for example, come from different sources on different trucks. Unless all the drivers on all the routes are sick or isolating, substituting fresh for frozen (or vice versa) ensures we still have food. And different shops have different supply chains, Asian grocers and farmers markets among them. Small suppliers with their own networks and produce are likely to see the woes of the big supermarkets as an opportunity. There is little role for governments other than to continue vaccination and public health measures. At this point, the sensible approach is to wait to see how Australia's historically robust systems respond. In the longer term governments could help by commissioning a new independent and rigorous analysis of supply chain vulnerabilities (the one I led was in 2012) and ensuring the lessons from COVID form part of it. Who knows, it might be ready for when the next crisis hits. Explore further British Columbia floods reveal fragile food supply chains: Four ways to manage the crisis This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. The six lineages of the eastern double-collared sunbird are found on isolated mountains (black) across East Africa. Many of the populations have been isolated from one another for hundreds of thousands of years, though not all have changed much in terms of plumage or song. Credit: University of California - Berkeley Many of the birds that awaken us each morning learn their melodious songs the same way that humans learn a dialectfrom parents and neighbors. But to most biologists, learning songs through mimicry is an uncertain and error-prone process, resulting in slow but inevitable change in song over the years. A new study by biologists from the University of California, Berkeley, and Missouri State University in Springfield, however, documents songs in East African sunbirds that have remained nearly unchanged for more than 500,000 years, and perhaps for as long as 1 million years, making the songs nearly indistinguishable from those of relatives from which they've long been separated. The amazingly static nature of their songs may be due to a lack of change in these birds' environments, which are stable mountain forestsso-called sky islandsisolated from other sky island populations of the same or similar species for tens of thousands to millions of years. The coloration of the birds' feathers has changed little, as well, making their plumage nearly indistinguishable from each other, even though some are separate, but closely related, species. "If you isolate humans, their dialects quite often change; you can tell after a while where somebody comes from. And song has been interpreted in that same way," said senior author Rauri Bowie, UC Berkeley professor of integrative biology and a curator in the campus's Museum of Vertebrate Zoology. "What our paper shows is that it's not necessarily the case for birds. Even in traits that should be very labile, such as song or plumage, you can have long periods of stasis." Sky-island populations of East African double-collared sunbirds have been isolated from one another for hundreds of thousands if not a million years, but still look very similar. While almost indistinguishable in plumage, however, some of these bird lineages have altered their songs a lot while others have not their songs differ little from the songs of related populations theyve not encountered for millennia. Credit: Video by Roxanne Makasdjian and Alan Toth; audio courtesy of Jay McEntee Bowie said that the idea that bird song readily changes likely arose from studies of Northern Hemisphere birds, which have encountered changing environmental conditions repeatedly, with glaciers coming and going over the last tens of thousands of years. Changing environments cause changes in plumage, bird song, mating behavior and much more. But mountaintop environments in the tropics, particularly in Eastern Africafrom Mt. Kenya to Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania south through Malawi into Mozambiquehave seen little geological change over that same time period. Hence, the birds the researchers studiedlineages of the eastern double-collared sunbirds in the genus Cinnyrishad no impetus to alter either their colorful plumage or their often intricate songs. "For social signals like song, or bright plumage colors, to take another example in birds, evolutionary biologists have focused a great deal on how the signals seem to be able to evolve quickly and in pretty random directions," said first author Jay McEntee, an assistant professor of biology at Missouri State. "The result from our workthat there can be long periods without much change for learned songsuggests we should be asking which forces can constrain these social signals over time, in addition to asking which forces cause changes." According to Bowie, biologists recognize two types of barriers to mating that tend to generate new species of animals. Pre-mating barriers are signals that stop an individual from mating with another. In birds, this could be because it doesn't sing the right song or doesn't look the same as the other bird, but if the two did mate, they could produce offspring. Post-mating barriers are actual mechanistic reproductive incompatibilities, such that they don't produce offspring, even if they mate. Lesser double-collared sunbirds are related to the eastern double-collared sunbirds so-called sky island sunbirds that Berkeley researchers studied to understand how bird song changes over tens of thousands of years. Credit: Keith Barnes "Song is thought to be one of the most important pre-mating isolation barriers, one of the key ways that birds tell each other apart," he said. "That a learned trait can remain static for hundreds to thousands of years is simply remarkable, a discovery that reflects how much the field study of tropical systems has to offer the scientific community and curious observer." McEntee, Bowie and their colleagues in Africa, Europe and the U.S. published their findings last November in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B. Sky island sunbirds Sunbirds are the most diverse and among the most colorful groups of birds in Africa and Asia, filling a nichesipping nectaroccupied by hummingbirds in the Americas, though they are unrelated to hummingbirds. Many have curved beaks that allow them to dip deeply into recurved flowers. Bowie calls them "the little jewels that appear before you." Orange-breasted sunbirds are endemic to the shrublands, or fynbos, of southwestern South Africa. Credit: Keith Barnes Among these wide-ranging birds are species that have become isolated on the tops of high mountains, hence the term "sky island sunbirds." Bowie, a native of South Africa, has long been intrigued by these birdsfor his Ph.D. thesis, he showed that what people once thought were two species of eastern double-collared sunbird distributed over numerous mountaintops in East Africa were actually at least five species and maybe six. While they look very similar, they are deeply divergent genetically, suggesting a long period of isolation on different mountaintops where they are now recognized as different species. He began to wonder, however, if their songs had remained as unchanged as their plumage. McEntee pursued that question as a doctoral student with Bowie, visiting 15nearly allof the sky islands in East Africa between 2007 and 2011 and recording songs from 123 individual birds from the six different lineages of eastern double-collared sunbirds. The sky island populations of these sunbirds are ideal for exploring the evolution of song, since the isolated populations allowed comparison within individual species, between two closely related species, and among all five species, he said. The researchers developed a statistical technique for distinguishing between gradual change and bursts of rapid change in a trait such as birdsong and discovered that song differences seemed uncorrelated with how long individual populations had been separated, as estimated from genetic differences in their DNA. Two populations of long-separated species had nearly identical songs, while two other similar-looking species that had been separated for less time had widely divergent songs. "What surprised me the most in carrying out this research was how similar these learned songs of isolated populations were, within species, and how obvious the song differences were where they occur," McEntee said. "The first time (Tanzanian co-author) Maneno Mbilinyi and I were making a sound recording of Cinnyris fuelleborni, what we call Fuelleborn's sunbird, we thought there must be a different bird nearby that was singing simultaneously, because the song we were listening to didn't make sense to us. We were looking directly at the singing bird, watching it move its beak, and couldn't believe just how different its song was from the really similar- looking Moreau's sunbird, Cinnyris moreaui, which we had just been recording in a different part of the Udzungwa Mountains." Sonograms (right) of representative calls of the six lineages of eastern double-collared sunbirds. Those lineages are shown (left) with their family tree, which indicates a major divergence in song more than 2.7 million years ago. Despite looking nearly identical, these lineages represent five and perhaps six distinct species. Credit: University of California - Berkeley On the other hand, the songs of Cinnyris fuelleborni from populations in Ikokoto in Tanzania and Namuli in Mozambique are almost identical, despite being separated by hundreds of kilometers and hundreds of thousands of years. Based on this study, the biologists argue that characteristics such as learned song and plumage don't inevitably drift in isolated populations, but that they evolve in pulses, punctuated by long periods, perhaps hundreds of thousands of years, of little change. "We are showing, using a really nice setup where we could look at song evolution using naturally isolated populations, that you don't see this gradual change through cultural or genetic drift at all," Bowie said. "You see these sharp bursts of change in a trait such a birdsong and lots and lots of evidence for stasis, even when that trait should be very plastic. To me, that was a really fascinating result." The researchers are continuing their research in East Africa to determine what drives some birds to alter their songs, but not others. Bowie and UC Berkeley professors Jim McGuire and Robert Dudley are part of a $2 million grant from the National Science Foundation to understand the genetic and physiological causes of the convergent evolution that makes sunbirds and hummingbirds so similar in looks and ecological niche. Can you distinguish these bird songs? Listen to the songs of these closely related East African sky-island sunbirds from the genus Nectarinia: N. moreaui from the region of Selebu, N. fuelleborni from the region of Kihulula, N. loveridgei, N. mediocris from Kenya, N. mediocris from Mt. Kilimanjaro, and N. usambarica from Mazumbai. Explore further New research suggests bird songs isolate species More information: Jay P. McEntee et al, Punctuated evolution in the learned songs of African sunbirds, Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences (2021). Journal information: Proceedings of the Royal Society B Jay P. McEntee et al, Punctuated evolution in the learned songs of African sunbirds,(2021). DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2021.2062 Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain New research offers an alternative perspective on adaptation to climate threats in Southeast Asia. Sean Kennedy, a professor of urban and regional planning at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, looked at the ways that small cocoa farmers in Indonesia are adapting to threats from climate change, including prolonged drought. He found that corporations are shaping the behavior of small farmers, fixing their labor in place in a way that alleviates the corporations' economic displacement but increases the vulnerability of the farmers. He reported his research findings in an article in Annals of the American Association of Geographers. Recent trends in the Indonesian cocoa sector offer a lens to examine the politics of displacement in the context of socioeconomic and climatic change, Kennedy said. Climate change can result in various forms of displacement, but the consequences of efforts designed to minimize displacement haven't received the same attention, he said. The farmers in the region he studied are all smallholder producers, with at least 1 million families engaged in cocoa farming. Cocoa productivity has rapidly declined due to climate change, pests and poor soil health, as well as consumer demands for sustainable cocoa necessitating increased investment in its production. A growing number of smallholders have abandoned cocoa production. Often the goal of climate adaptation is to allow people to stay in placefor instance, building a sea wall to protect against flooding, managing wildfires or increasing a crop's productivity in response to drought, Kennedy said. However, the cocoa farmers historically have been highly mobile, moving to seek supplemental income from nonagricultural jobs and in response to seasonal variations and climatic disruptions. They also could choose to grow other commodity crops, he said. But chocolate manufacturers needed farmers to stay in place and continue to produce cocoa beans. Kennedy examined the efforts of Mars Inc. to manage climate-related supply chain risks. "Like other chocolate manufacturers, for Mars, the combined impact of climate-related productivity declines, increased demand for certified chocolate and the growing unwillingness of smallholder producers to engage in cocoa cultivation have resulted in significant supply threats," Kennedy wrote. "'Climate-smart cocoa' aims to transform and reorient farming systems to decrease greenhouse gas emissions, boost adaptive capacity and improve productivity while supporting incomes." The corporation's strategies included standardization of farming practices and creation of financial dependencies. Mars created training programs that focus on techniques to increase production, including the use of fertilizers and pesticides. Through purchase agreements, cocoa producers were required to participate in training; buy plant stock, fertilizers and pesticides through Mars; and sell their beans to the corporation, bypassing the local traders that in the past had provided supplies and financing arrangements and bought the beans. Credit was provided through microfinance arrangements that used the farmers' land as collateral. The result, Kennedy said, is that farmers are beholden financially to the corporation, which dictates production practices. They cannot abandon cocoa production to grow other commodity crops or pursue a different source of income because their assets are tied up in those arrangements. "When some entity is saying, "Here's a climate-adaptation program intended to keep people in place," often staying in place is not the best way to adapt to climate change. People have been adapting to climatic variation for a long time in ways that often involved moving around," Kennedy said. "Mars has avoided being displaced economically, but it is transferring the risks it faced onto others. Outreach programs that are framed as benefiting small producers are actually benefiting corporate producers, rather than the people on farms growing cocoa." The research shows that climate adaptation is not limited to smallholder farmers and their environments, but is part of the global economic landscape, and that corporate sustainability efforts are actually a transfer of risk from the corporations to the producers, Kennedy wrote. More information: Sean F. Kennedy, The Power to Stay: Climate, Cocoa, and the Politics of Displacement, Annals of the American Association of Geographers (2021). Sean F. Kennedy, The Power to Stay: Climate, Cocoa, and the Politics of Displacement,(2021). DOI: 10.1080/24694452.2021.1978839 Dairy cows in the Fraser Valley, B.C. Credit: Evan Bowness A new wave of cow-less dairy is hitting the market. In the United States, Perfect Day is using genetically modified fungi to produce milk protein for ice cream at a commercial scale. And pre-commercial companies, like TurtleTree and Better Milk, are engineering mammary cells to produce human and cow milk in laboratories, although these remain in the early stages of development. It might be some time before mammal-less dairy arrives in Canadian grocery stores. But these emerging technologies are part of the fourth agricultural revolution that aims to improve food security, sustainability and agricultural working conditions. With these promises for wins on the horizon, should the diary sector be worried? As researchers from the Food and Agriculture Institute at the University of the Fraser Valley, in British Columbia, we study food systems in transition. The Fraser Valley is home to 60 percent of B.C.'s dairy farms, so we're especially interested in the impacts cellular agriculture might have on the dairy system. Animal agriculture's challenges Animal agriculture plays a big role in the global food system. The Food and Agriculture Organization states that animal agriculture provides roughly a third of global food protein, supports the livelihoods of over a billion people and contributes to soil fertility. But animal agriculture is facing increased scrutiny, especially around environmental impacts and animal welfare issues. It is a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions, upwards of 16.5 percent of global emissions, by some estimates. Animal agriculture is also vulnerable to extreme environmental conditions and climate change. Recent flooding in B.C. killed well over half a million farm animals and threatened to contaminate the sensitive freshwater ecosystems of the Fraser Valley with stored manure and agricultural chemicals. And it's a known risk factor for zoonotic diseases and pandemics, such as H1N1 or the swine flu. One way to reduce the risks introduced by animal agriculture is to removeor nearly removelivestock from the food production equation. Cellular agriculture uses cell cultures to produce animal products without raising livestock, hunting or fishing. While still in its early phases, this technology could help meet growing demand for animal protein, reduce environmental impacts and address animal welfare concerns. How does cellular agriculture work? Cellular agriculture makes biologically equivalent or near-equivalent foods to those produced with animals. This is different from plant-based meat and dairy alternatives, such as Beyond Burgers and oat milk, which use plant ingredients that approximate their non-vegetarian counterparts. One approach is to use advanced fermentation, where yeasts, fungi and bacteria are genetically modified to produce proteins. The approach is similar to brewing beer, but with highly specialized micro-organisms that follow instructions that have been added to their genetic code. You may already be eating products created using this technology. Thirty years ago, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the use of a bioengineered form of rennet enzymes, which is widely used in cheese making and replaces the original enzymes which were harvested from calf stomachs. Today, vats of micro-organisms, genetically modified to carry the appropriate calf gene, supply rennet for about 70 percent of cheese made in the U.S. It's functionally identical to the original cheese-making enzymes, but it's easier, less costly to produce and doesn't rely on mammals. Another approach, called tissue engineering, uses cells collected from an animal to grow meat, fish or even leather in a controlled environment. The tissues grow, but in a nutrient-rich broth called growth media in bioreactor tanks. Examples include GOOD Meat's cellular chicken nuggets, the first commercially available cellular meat product, and WildType's cellular salmon, which is being grown in stainless steel tanks in San Francisco. Food scientists can use microorganisms to grow food ingredients in large vats, eliminating the need for livestock. Credit: Shutterstock What is at stake for dairy farmers? Dairy is an important food commodity in Canada. Over 18,000 farm operators are employed at the roughly 10,000 dairy farms across the country, which together produced 9.5 billion liters of milk and earned farms over $7 billion in 2020. To meet consumer demand and guarantee a fair price to the farmers, the Canadian supply management system controls dairy production volumes and the number of producers at the provincial level using a quota system. Farmers essentially buy the right to sell dairy products. Dairy farms are capital intensive and farmers often carry large debt loads, making it a difficult industry to enter. Livestock farmers in B.C. had an exceptionally challenging 2021. After a summer of encroaching forest fires and a record-breaking heat dome, the year ended with catastrophic floods followed by extreme cold. Fraser Valley farmers were forced to dump 7.5 million liters of raw milk in November when shipping routes were destroyed by flooding, which also killed 428 dairy cows. Across the country, dairy farmers also dumped milk early in the pandemicmore than 30 million liters in the year ending July 31, 2020, according to one analysiswhen demand plummeted due to restaurant closures and other system shocks. Planning a just transition We see animal-free dairy as possibly having some environmental and food security benefits, but with some trade-offs. If cellular agriculture competes with conventional dairy in Canada, what would the impact be on dairy farmers? What would happen to the cows? To the farms? To the supply management system in general? Addressing these questions is critical for developing policy that enables transitions to food systems with lower environmental and carbon footprints while ensuring harms and benefits are distributed equitablywhat's known as the just transition. Much of our understanding of these just transitions comes from the energy sector, where coal mines have closed and oil production is declining as renewable energy becomes more available and less expensive, changing economies and forcing fossil fuel workers to find other work. Canada recently developed a just transition task force to look for ways to reduce the livelihood disruptions that come with phasing out coal. The federal government has also recently initiated consultations for just transition legislation that would direct resources to communities negatively impacted by the transition towards a low-carbon future. Just transition policies for cellular agriculture could encourage farmers to transition into animal-free dairy production through infrastructure transition grants, support with licensing new technologies, biodiversity conservation and carbon credits for land sparing, sanctuary planning for current dairy farms and land back incentives to provide pathways for agriculture towards decolonization. It's unclear how soon Canadian dairy farmers will face competition from cellular agriculture, although some have suggested U.S. beef and dairy sector revenues will decline nearly 90 percent by 2035. Is it reasonable to expect Canadian dairy farmers will make way for cellular dairy? Or is up to policy-makers, industry leaders and food systems organizers to ensure this transition leads to a food system that is more sustainable, but also just? Explore further New method to measure milk components has potential to improve dairy sustainability This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. Credit: CC0 Public Domain Want a successful crowdfunding campaign? Make sure you know who your backers are and what motivates them. This is the advice from Nadia Arshad, Ph.D. at Jonkoping International Business School, Jonkoping University. In her new thesis, she discovered that backers often get engaged in campaigns to support the entrepreneurs, especially those from their own region. Equally, they are far more tolerant of product delays and defects than ordinary shoppers. Crowdfunding is a growing phenomenon. For the 'initiator' or the person launching a crowdfunding campaign, the ability to raise funds without the rigorous credit checks or having to rely on a single, friendly bank manager believing in your idea is an attractive proposition. But what's in it for the crowdfunders? Who are they and why are they willing to give money to someone else? "You shouldn't generalize about who your backers are when you launch a crowdfunding campaign. For example, there are the 'shoppers' who donate because they ultimately want a new product that's not already available on the market. But then there are those, such as the benefactors or patrons, who donate for more emotional or social reasonsto help and support a friend, family or just another entrepreneur," explains Nadia Arshad. Nadia Arshad looked at reward-based crowdfunding campaigns in the U.S. and in Sweden and found that, for many, supporting entrepreneurship and innovation was a significant motivator. "In the States, they particularly wanted to donate to entrepreneurs from their own state or city. In Sweden, they were more patriotic, wanting to support Swedish entrepreneurs and Swedish innovation. And these weren't small amounts they were donating either, I was surprised how much people would invest to foster entrepreneurship," she says. Another interesting finding was how tolerant and understanding backers were of problems that cropped up during the campaign whilst waiting for the reward. "As ordinary shoppers, we are strict; we want our product perfect and on time. Crowdfunders are more tolerant; they are prepared for delays and even some defects in the product. They see this as part of the risk of a crowdfunded campaign. The crucial thing for them was to have clear and transparent communication during the campaign and afterwards," says Nadia Arshad. The unique aspect of Nadia Arshad's research is how she mapped the backers' engagement process from beginning to end: from when backers became aware of the campaign to evaluating, considering, and ultimately donating money to it. But the journey didn't stop there. "Just giving your money isn't sufficient. To make the campaign successful, backers also need to take time to endorse the product and the entrepreneur behind it, spread the word and motivate others to join in as well," says Nadia Arshad. Crowdfunding is getting more and more popular, but according to Nadia Arshad, very few people know or understand it. For her, this needs to be addressed. "Crowdfunding is an important part of the sustainable development of our economy, and we need to support entrepreneurs' ability to operate in this way. My research can help entrepreneurs think about what kind of backers they want. Do they want benefactors? Then they should make their pitch appeal on an emotional level. Do they just want shoppers? Then their pitch needs to be less about feelings and more about the benefits of the product." Equally, for policymakers, Nadia Arshad's thesis is a reminder that crowdfunding isn't just about the initiators. "There isn't a huge amount of regulation for reward-based crowdfunding campaigns. With reputable well-known crowdfunding platforms, there's less risk of fraudulency. But more could be done to protect backers, especially when it comes to refunding, and investigating how and why campaigns fail," she says. Reward-based crowdfunding Rewards-based crowdfunding consists of individuals donating to a project or business with the expectation of receiving a non-financial reward in return, such as goods or services at a later stage. A common example is a project or business offering a unique service (rewards) or a new product (pre-selling) in return for investment. This form of crowdfunding allows companies to launch with orders already on the books and cash-flow secured (a major issue for new businesses) and gathers an audience before a product launch. Explore further How a simple change can protect crowdfunding backers from fraud More information: Nadia Arshad, Backers' crowdfunding journey An engagement perspective: Nadia Arshad, Backers' crowdfunding journey An engagement perspective: www.diva-portal.org/smash/record.jsf?pid=diva2 %3A1613302&dswid=-9190 Provided by Jonkoping University Experimental apparatus. The subject calf in the middle has access to two side pens through a push gate: one with a social partner, and one empty pen. Weight attached to the push gate is increased every time the subject accesses the pen Credit: Ann Sanderson, via Image to Sketch Most dairy calves are housed individually in the first weeks and sometimes months of their lives, a practice that has come under scrutiny for its effects on animal behavior, welfare, and health. Despite growing scientific and public support for social housing, approximately 75 percent and 60 percent of preweaning dairy calves in the United States and Europe, respectively, are still housed individually. A new study by researchers at the University of British Columbia (Vancouver, Canada), scheduled for publication in the January 2022 issue of JDS Communications, examines young dairy calves' motivation to seek companionship from other calves. Individual housing of dairy calves is intended in part to manage milk intake and prevent cross-sucking of pen mates. Prior research has suggested that individual housing also benefits calf health, although this claim has been disputed. "Past behavioral studies have indicated that lack of social interaction can negatively affect calves' feed intake, social skills, coping abilities, and cognitive performance," stated lead investigator Marina von Keyserlingk, Ph.D. "However, previous studies on social motivation among young cattle have not addressed the first six to eight weeks of life, when individual housing is the most common." To fill that gap, the research team examined behaviors of young dairy bulls, averaging approximately five days of age at the start of the study. Bull calves in the study were housed individually in a central home pen with access to one pen on either side, each connected by a one-way clear plastic push gate. All pens were identical in size and resources, with the same amounts of feed, hay, and water provided; however, one side pen housed another calf of similar age, and the other was empty. The calves could see through the gates, and they could also have visual and limited physical contact with one another through the gaps above and below the gate, even when closed. The calf in the center pen could choose to enter either the empty pen or the pen containing the companion, or to remain in its own pen. "Each time the test calf pushed open the gate to access a side pen, he would remain in it until the next milk feeding (approximately 0800 and 1600 h), at which time he was returned to the central home pen," von Keyserlingk explained. "After each successful pushing event, additional weight was added to the gateinitially a small amount, then incrementally higher." With this design, the task of pushing through the gate was nearly effortless at the beginning of the trial, to facilitate learning, but more substantial differences could be detected by the end of the 15-day trial. Additionally, the pen that would hold the companion calf was randomly assigned daily, so that calves would not simply learn which side housed their companion. The researchers found that the dairy calves pushed more weight to access pens with a social partner compared with empty pens. All calves but one pushed through a gate for the first time on the first day of the study, on average within ten minutes of the experiment's start. Of the ten calves tested, eight pushed more for the social side, one pushed more for the empty side, and one pushed the same weight for both sides. Over the 15-day trial, calves pushed on average 1.0 kg more (with an average of 2.2 more pushing events) to access the social versus the empty pen. The results indicate that young calves are motivated for full social contact, even when they have partial contact, adding to the body of research demonstrating the importance of social contact for calves. The findings highlight the ability of calves to spontaneously display their social motivation. Further, the authors note, the testing method used in this study did not require training, but calves quickly learned to use the gates on their own, suggesting that this task could be readily used to assess spontaneous motivation in other situations. More information: Thomas Ede et al, Calves are socially motivated, JDS Communications (2021). Thomas Ede et al, Calves are socially motivated,(2021). DOI: 10.3168/jdsc.2021-0132 Star trails over the Nicholas U. Mayall 4-meter Telescope on Kitt Peak National Observatory near Tucson, Arizona. Credit: KPNO/NOIRLab/NSF/AURA/P. Marenfeld The Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI) has capped off the first seven months of its survey run by smashing through all previous records for three-dimensional galaxy surveys, creating the largest and most detailed map of the universe ever. Yet it's only about 10% of the way through its five-year mission. Once completed, that phenomenally detailed 3D map will yield a better understanding of dark energy, and thereby give physicists and astronomers a better understanding of the pastand futureof the universe. Meanwhile, the impressive technical performance and literally cosmic achievements of the survey thus far are helping scientists reveal the secrets of the most powerful sources of light in the universe. DESI is an international science collaboration managed by the Department of Energy's Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) with primary funding for construction and operations from DOE's Office of Science. DESI scientists are presenting the performance of the instrument, and some early astrophysics results, this week at a Berkeley Lab-hosted webinar called CosmoPalooza, which will also feature updates from other leading cosmology experiments. "There is a lot of beauty to it," said Berkeley Lab scientist Julien Guy, one of the speakers. "In the distribution of the galaxies in the 3D map, there are huge clusters, filaments, and voids. They're the biggest structures in the universe. But within them, you find an imprint of the very early universe, and the history of its expansion since then." DESI has come a long way to reach this point. Originally proposed over a decade ago, construction on the instrument started in 2015. It was installed at the Nicholas U. Mayall 4-meter telescope at Kitt Peak National Observatory near Tucson, Arizona. Kitt Peak National Observatory is a program of the National Science Foundation's (NSF) NOIRLab, which the Department of Energy contracts with to operate the Mayall Telescope for the DESI survey. The instrument saw first light in late 2019. Then, during its validation phase, the coronavirus pandemic hit, shutting down the telescope for several months, though some work continued remotely. In December 2020, DESI turned its eyes to the sky again, testing out its hardware and software, and by May 2021 it was ready to start its science survey. But work on DESI itself didn't end once the survey started. "It's constant work that goes on to make this instrument perform," said physicist Klaus Honscheid of Ohio State University, an Instrument Scientist on the project, who will deliver the first paper of the CosmoPalooza DESI session. Honscheid and his team ensure the instrument runs smoothly and automatically, ideally without any input during a night's observing. "The feedback I get from the night observers is that the shifts are boring, which I take as a compliment," he said. But that monotonous productivity requires incredibly detailed control over each of the 5,000 cutting-edge robots that position optical fibers on the DESI instrument, ensuring their positions are accurate to within 10 microns. "Ten microns is tiny," said Honscheid. "It's less than the thickness of a human hair. And you have to position each robot to collect the light from galaxies billions of light-years away. Every time I think about this system, I wonder how could we possibly pull that off? The success of DESI as an instrument is something to be very proud of." DESIs three-dimensional CT scan of the Universe. The earth is in the lower left, looking out in the directions of the constellations Virgo, Serpens and Hercules to distances beyond 5 billion light years. As this video progresses, the vantage point sweeps through 20 degrees towards the constellations Bootes and Corona Borealis. Each colored point represents a galaxy, which in turn is composed of 100 billion to 1 trillion stars. Gravity has clustered the galaxies into structures called the cosmic web, with dense clusters, filaments and voids. Credit: D. Schlegel/Berkeley Lab using data from DESI Seeing dark energy's true colors That level of accuracy is needed to accomplish the primary task of the survey: collecting detailed color spectrum images of millions of galaxies across more than a third of the entire sky. By breaking down the light from each galaxy into its spectrum of colors, DESI can determine how much the light has been redshiftedstretched out toward the red end of the spectrum by the expansion of the universe during the billions of years it traveled before reaching Earth. It is those redshifts that let DESI see the depth of the sky. The more redshifted a galaxy's spectrum is, in general, the farther away it is. With a 3D map of the cosmos in hand, physicists can chart clusters and superclusters of galaxies. Those structures carry echoes of their initial formation, when they were just ripples in the infant cosmos. By teasing out those echoes, physicists can use DESI's data to determine the expansion history of the universe. "Our science goal is to measure the imprint of waves in the primordial plasma," said Guy. "It's astounding that we can actually detect the effect of these waves billions of years later, and so soon in our survey." Understanding the expansion history is crucial, with nothing less than the fate of the entire universe at stake. Today, about 70% of the content of the universe is dark energy, a mysterious form of energy driving the expansion of the universe ever faster. As the universe expands, more dark energy pops into existence, which speeds up the expansion more, in a cycle that is driving the fraction of dark energy in the universe ever upwards. Dark energy will ultimately determine the destiny of the universe: will it expand forever? Will it collapse onto itself again, in a Big Bang in reverse? Or will it rip itself apart? Answering these questions means learning more about how dark energy has behaved in the pastand that's exactly what DESI is designed to do. And by comparing the expansion history with the growth history, cosmologists can check whether Einstein's theory of general relativity holds over these immense spans of space and time. Black holes and bright galaxies But understanding the fate of the universe will have to wait until DESI has completed more of its survey. In the meantime, DESI is already driving breakthroughs in our understanding of the distant past, more than 10 billion years ago when galaxies were still young. "It's pretty amazing," said Ragadeepika Pucha, a graduate student in astronomy at the University of Arizona working on DESI. "DESI will tell us more about the physics of galaxy formation and evolution." Pucha and her colleagues are using DESI data to understand the behavior of intermediate-mass black holes in small galaxies. Enormous black holes are thought to inhabit the cores of nearly every large galaxy, like our own Milky Way. But whether small galaxies always contain their own (smaller) black holes at their cores is still not known. Black holes on their own can be nearly impossible to findbut if they attract enough material, they become easier to spot. A slide through 3-D map of galaxies from the completed SDSS survey (left) and from the first few months of the DESI survey (right). The earth is at the center, with the furthest galaxies plotted at distances of 10 billion light years. These galaxies are selected from the 2-Dmap constructed by the imaging surveys. Each point represents one galaxy. Credit: DESI collaboration team When gas, dust, and other material falling into the black hole heats up (to temperatures hotter than the core of a star) on its way in, an active galactic nucleus (AGN) is formed. In large galaxies, AGNs are among the brightest objects in the known universe. But in smaller galaxies, AGNs can be much fainter, and harder to distinguish from newborn stars. The spectra taken by DESI can help solve this problemand its wide reach across the sky will yield more information about the cores of small galaxies than ever before. Those cores, in turn, will give scientists clues about how bright AGNs formed in the very early universe. Quasarsa particularly bright variety of galaxiesare among the brightest and most distant objects known. "I like to think of them as lampposts, looking back in time into the history of the universe," said Victoria Fawcett, an astronomy graduate student at Durham University in the UK. Quasars are excellent probes of the early universe because of their sheer power; DESI's data will go back in time 11 billion years. Fawcett and her colleagues are using DESI data to understand the evolution of quasars themselves. It is thought that quasars start out surrounded by an envelope of dust, which reddens the light they give off, like the sun through haze. As they age, they drive off this dust and become bluer. But it has been hard to test this theory, because of the paucity of data on red quasars. DESI is changing that, finding more quasars than any prior survey, with an estimated 2.4 million quasars expected in the final survey data. "DESI is really great because it's picking up much fainter and much redder objects," said Fawcett. That, she adds, allows scientists to test ideas about quasar evolution that just couldn't be tested before. And this isn't just limited to quasars. "We're finding quite a lot of exotic systems, including large samples of rare objects that we just haven't been able to study in detail before," Fawcett said. There's more to come for DESI. The survey has already cataloged over 7.5 million galaxies and is adding more at a rate of over a million a month. In November 2021 alone, DESI cataloged redshifts from 2.5 million galaxies. By the end of its run in 2026, DESI is expected to have over 35 million galaxies in its catalog, enabling an enormous variety of cosmology and astrophysics research. "All this data is just there, and it's just waiting to be analyzed," said Pucha. "And then we will find so much amazing stuff about galaxies. For me, that's exciting." Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain Both Democrats and Republicans in US elections are more likely to be emotionally moved or angered by political advertising produced by the party to which they identify. This suggests that most ads today do little to sway the other side, but rather help motivate a party's faithful to support a candidate through actions such as making a campaign donation or showing up at the ballot box. While it may seem that the two major political parties in the United States don't have much in common, the ways both types of voters respond emotionally to political advertising is very much influenced by their party affiliation. A first-of-its-kind study, published in Frontiers in Psychology, investigated this behavior based on short political video ads intended to either emotionally move or anger voters, with implications for how parties communicate their messages and spend their ad dollars. The comparative study involved 146 participants who viewed eight videos from the 2018 midterm US electionsfour each from Democratic and Republican candidateswith content explicitly designed to evoke either anger or kama muta. The latter is a specific positive emotion related to social relationships. It is similar to the concept of 'being moved' but in the context of intensifying or building unity within a particular community. Are political ads effective? Not surprisingly, the researchers found people get moved and angered by political ads, which motivates them to support their side, but only by the ads that fit their prior political preference. In other words, the ads did not manage to arouse much emotion in people who favored the opposing party, and what feelings were aroused didn't have much of an effect. "At a very general level, it may be surprising to some people that political ads are not all attack ads," said lead author David Gruning, a research scientist at Heidelberg University in Germany. "Even in today's polarized political climate, many ads attempt to inspire and move their target audience." However, while previous research implied that political appeals to kama muta could help cross party lines, the new paper finds scant evidence for that. "Feeling moved by an ad from the party you prefer to begin with has a stronger effect than if the other party moved you," Gruning noted. Gruning said it is unclear why there is a discrepancy to past findings. He suggested that perhaps the ads from the 2016 US elections, which included the presidential race between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump, featured stronger messages. "We now see that this is possible and need to test this better in future work," he said, "but, yes, it's clear now that sometimes, kama muta can be discounted and disregarded." Effects of political advertising The study has several implications based on the findings. For instance, party affiliation in the videos used by the study was not explicit, so participants were left to guess an ad's affiliationsometimes incorrectly. In those cases, the video still had more emotional influence on viewers if they believed it was created by their political party of choice, even if the opposite was true. That suggests campaign ads would do well to "unambiguously communicate their political affiliation to prevent unwillingly feeding the support of political competitors," according to Gruning and co-author Thomas W Schubert at the University of Oslo. Unless, of course, candidates want to distance themselves from their own party, they added. The results of the study would also imply that political ads in modern politics have little effect in actually winning over voters from the other side. Rather, they may influence party faithful to give donations or turn out on election day. "So far, we have only looked at motivation and intention to support, which is much easier to measure," Gruning said. "An essential next step would be to examine supportive behavior as an outcome of being moved or angered by political ads." Perhaps, most importantly, the research demonstrates that voters on both sides of the issues are emotional human beings, which is sometimes lost in today's acrimonious atmosphere. "So there is a perhaps unexpected bipartisan unity in what divides the parties," Gruning said. Explore further Study: Political divisions have deepened globally Deforestation is mainly driven by commodity crops such as palm oil and soy, cattle pastures, and timber exploitation. Global companies and financial institutions with the highest potential for curbing deforestation are largely failing to do so, undermining pledges to protect forests made at the COP26 climate summit in November, a report said Thursday. The Forest 500 analysis by non-profit research group Global Canopy graded 350 companies most responsible for producing, using or trading commodities that drive deforestation, along with the 150 biggest banks, investment firms and pension funds that finance them. One-in-three companies assessed had no forest commitments at all, and 72 percent addressed some but not all of the forest-related commodities in their supply chains. Even those with commitments keyed to specific commoditiesespecially soy, beef and leather"are failing to provide evidence of how they are implementing them", the report concluded. Not one among the 350 companies passed muster on a comprehensive approach to human rights. "Too few companies recognise the climate risks that are caused by deforestation, with few including their supply chains in their reporting," Niki Mardas, executive director of Global Canopy Executive Directory, told AFP. Cargill, Colgate-Palmolive, Nestle Corp., Unilever and PepsiCo were among 15 companies sharing a favourable ranking, while some 60 companiesmany from China, Brazil and Argentinahad the lowest score possible in the five-tier rating. Progress is even more halting among financial firms, which provide more than $5.5 trillion every year to companies in forest-risk supply chains, according to the report. Harvest soybeans in Brazil. If tropical deforestation were a country, it would be the third biggest source of CO2 emissions after China and the US. Triple threat Ninety-three of the 150 institutions analysed did not have a deforestation policy covering investments and lending to companies most reliant on the commodities ravaging forests. Less than two dozen of the banks or investment firms that do have deforestation policies report on progress made. BNP Paris, Deutsche Bank, HSBC, Mitsubishi UFJ Financial, Societe Generale, Standard Chartered and Nordea of Finland were ranked above other financial institutions, though were still found wanting. "Halting agriculture-driven deforestation to halve emissions and reverse biodiversity loss by 2030 is not an option but a necessity for companies credibly committed to net zero," Nigel Topping, former CEO of climate non-profit We Mean Business, said in a statement. "There is no pathway to keep 1.5C within reach without that." Nations have embraced the goal of capping global warming at 1.5 degrees Celsius above preindustrial levels. Deforestationdriven by commodity crops such as palm oil and soy, cattle pasture and timber exploitationis a triple threat: to climate, communities and the diversity of life on Earth. If tropical deforestation were a country, it would be the third biggest source of CO2 emissions after China and the US, and ahead of the EU and India. Over the last two decades, the Amazon basin has lost roughly 10,000 square kilometres (3,861 square miles) every year, according to assessments based on satellite data. A member of the Kayapo tribe protests against illegal deforestation outside Novo Progresso in Para state, Brazil. New consumer values In Brazil, deforestation increased by 22 percent in 2021, reaching the highest level in 15 years. The food, feed and agriculture industries figure hugely in the report. Companies that produce and sell soy, beef and palm oil make up just over half those on the Forest 500 list, roughly split between manufacturers, retailers and fast-food chains, on the one hand, and agri-business, on the other. Many of these companies are brand names known to consumers worldwide, making them vulnerable to shifting expectations. "European voters and consumers are making this increasingly clear to us: they no longer want to buy products that are responsible for deforestation or forest degradation," European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen told world leaders at the COP26 summit. New laws and regulations reflecting these new priorities are coming online. In Britain, companies are required as of November to ensure there is no illegal deforestation in their supply chains, while a draft EU regulation will, if it becomes law, require corporate due diligence for half-a-dozen key commodities. "The ranking shows that too many companies are ill-prepared for the regulatory changes coming down the track," the report concluded. The Glasgow Leaders Declaration on Forests and Land Use was signed during COP26 by 141 countries committing to halting and reversing forest loss and degradation by 2030, including China and Brazil. Explore further Illegal clearing by agribusiness driving rainforest destruction 2022 AFP In 2017, Hurricane Harvey drove flooding of inland and coastal areas in and around Houston, Texas, as seen here. Extreme precipitation and a moderate, but long-lasting, storm surge produced a compound flood that inundated large sections of the city. Credit: NOAA Remote Sensing Division When Hurricanes Harvey (2017) and Florence (2018) hit, it was not solely the storm surge from the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Ocean that led to flooding. Inland sources, like rain-swollen rivers, lakes, and suburban culverts also contributed significantly. These factors were missed by many computer models at the time, which underestimated the flood risk. "People don't care as much as to whether flooding is coming from the river or the ocean, especially when both contribute to water levels, as they want to know, 'Is my house going to be flooded?'" said Edward Myers, branch chief of the Coastal Marine Modeling Branch, located in the Coast Survey Development Laboratory at the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Myers and his colleagues at NOAA are collaborating with Y. Joseph Zhang from the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) at William & Mary to develop and test the world's first three-dimensional operational storm surge model. "We started with the right attitude and the right core algorithm," joked Zhang, research professor at the Center for Coastal Resources Management. "Over the years, we've re-engineered the dynamic core multiple times and that led to the current modeling system." Now in its third incarnation, the Semi-implicit Cross-scale Hydroscience Integrated System Model (SCHISM) forecasts coastal flooding in Taiwan, at agencies across the European Union, and elsewhere. It is being considered for operational use by NOAA. (The researchers described the system in the Nov. 2021 issue of EOS, the science news magazine of the American Geophysical Union.) SCHISM is designed to serve the needs of a wide range of potential users. "Compound surge and flooding is a world-wide hazard," Zhang said. "It's notoriously challenging, especially in the transition zone where the river meets the sea. Lots of factors come into play and interact non-linearly." Surrounding the hydrodynamic core of SCHISM are numerous modules that simulate other phenomena important to flooding. These include air-sea exchange, vegetation, and sediment. Other modules adapt the system for specific events, like oil spills, or to predict conditions, like water quality. Unlike other coupled inland-coastal flooding models, SCHISM incorporates very fine scale features, like engineered structures, culverts, and narrow gates, into its forecasts. Two different means of assessing the nonlinear influence of different effects (from the ocean and atmosphere, rivers, and precipitation) on compound flooding are shown here. (a) Compound flood factors in the Houston area during Hurricane Harvey; (b) Individual flood drivers were dominantly responsible for the vast majority of flooding in some regions (blue, yellow, red) along the coast of the Carolinas during Hurricane Florence. Credit: Wei Huang; base maps in (a) and (b): Google Maps "We see the SCHISM model as a candidate for what we want to do in terms of linking models," Myers said. "It handles very fine scales very well, and we can run it efficiently. Of course, it still requires high performance computing, which is why the Texas Advanced Computing Center [TACC] has been instrumental." Zhang started using TACC systems in 2010. "Since then, TACC's HPC resources and facilities have greatly improved. The size of the problem we can tackle has dramatically improved. We've gotten into uncharted territory," Zhang said. "TACC has been continuously pushing the limits." Verifying the model To confirm the accuracy of SCHISM, Zhang has been focusing on hindcastsa way of testing a mathematical model by inputting estimates from past events and seeing how well the model output matches the known results. Writing in Natural Hazards and Earth System Sciences in June 2021, Zhang, Myers, and their collaborators described a study of compound flooding during Hurricane Florence that impacted a large swath of North Carolina in September 2018. The study found that barrier islands played an important role in compound surges. "Barrier islands somehow can amplify or dampen surge, depending on what direction the surge is coming from," Zhang said. They also found that the wave effects are significant near the barrier islands and have contributed to some observed over-toppings and breaches. Applying each of the three major forcing factorsoceanic, fluvial (from rivers), and pluvial (from surface flooding)separately, they were able to produce a "dominance map" that shows which factors are most important for a specific site. The map clearly demonstrated significant compound effects in most of the affected coastal watersheds, estuaries, and back bays behind the barrier islands. The model's ability to resolve small-scale features in some watershed areas turned out to be critical for capturing the observed high-water marks locally. Creek-to-ocean 3D model results including NWM streamflow and precipitation for predicting the impact of Hurricane Irene (2011) zoomed in Trenton, NJ region. A) Model domain. Circles show Hurricane Irene (2011) track. B) High resolution mesh on the Delaware Bay region. C) Total water level above the ground. D) Extra inundation (up to 2 m) due to compound inland-coastal and freshwater flooding. Credit: Moghimi, Myers, Pe'eri, Zhang and Ye Real-time flood forecasting The NOAA and VIMS team started their interaction with TACC after NOAA Storm Surge Modeling Team lead Saeed Moghimi connected with individuals from DesignSafe, an NSF program for natural hazards, that relies on advanced computing capabilities at TACC. The center initially provided a small allocation to develop and test the first SCHISM prototype on TACC systems. That relationship quickly blossomed. Since April 2021, NOAA has run daily 2-D and 3-D compound flood models for the East and Gulf Coasts on Frontera, the fastest academic supercomputer in the world and the 13th fastest overall. Early indications suggest the Inland-Coastal Flooding Operational Guidance System is working well. During Tropical Storm Claudette (June 2021), the researchers compared water level results between the three-dimensional operational storm surge model and NOAA's current model. "We were quite pleased with the results," Zhang said. "They corroborated with inundation observations at Shoreline Park, Mississippi, and in Slidell, Louisiana, and the forecasts were all done in real-time." Myers concurred. "We're really impressed with how the model is performing in terms of its accuracy, computational efficiency, and robustness. For NOAA to put a model into operations, it needs to be very reliable. SCHISM has shown itself to be extremely robust." "Having this test going a full year to make sure everything is going well is hugely important," said Moghimi. "Even if we put this version of the system into production, having a shadow application of what we have at NOAA would be extremely valuable and provide an opportunity for agile upgrading of the system in the future." Explore further Rivers play key role in destructive coastal flooding, new research shows More information: Fei Ye et al, A cross-scale study for compound flooding processes during Hurricane Florence, Natural Hazards and Earth System Sciences (2021). Fei Ye et al, A cross-scale study for compound flooding processes during Hurricane Florence,(2021). DOI: 10.5194/nhess-21-1703-2021 Flash The World Health Organization (WHO) on Wednesday cautioned and urged for preparedness against concurrent outbreaks of COVID-19 and other respiratory diseases during the coming spring. Dr. Maria van Kerkhove from the WHO's Health Emergencies Program, 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 the WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. Meanwhile, the number of weekly reported deaths has remained stable since October last year, at an average of 48,000. While the number of patients being hospitalized 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 organization 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 said. However, this does depend on the nature of the interventions. Hot Jupiters are massive, gaseous worlds like Jupiter, that orbit closer to their parent stars than Mercury is to the Sun. In a recent paper, a McGill-led research team, provides new insight into what seasons looks like on a hot Jupiter. The researchers also suggest that the oval orbit, extremely high surface temperatures (2,000 degrees C- hot enough to vaporize rock) and puffiness of XO-3b reveal traces of the planet's history. The findings will potentially advance both the scientific understanding of how exoplanets form and evolve and give some context for planets in our own solar system. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/R. Hurt (IPAC) Imagine being in a place where the winds are so strong that they move at the speed of sound. That's just one aspect of the atmosphere on XO-3b, one of a class of exoplanets (planets outside our solar system), known as hot Jupiters. The eccentric orbit of the planet also leads to seasonal variations hundreds of times stronger than what we experience on Earth. In a recent paper, a McGill-led research team, provides new insight into what seasons looks like on a planet outside our solar system. The researchers also suggest that the oval orbit, extremely high surface temperatures (2,000 degrees C- hot enough to vaporize rock) and "puffiness" of XO-3b reveal traces of the planet's history. The findings will potentially advance both the scientific understanding of how exoplanets form and evolve and give some context for planets in our own solar system. Hot Jupiters are massive, gaseous worlds like Jupiter, that orbit closer to their parent stars than Mercury is to the Sun. Though not present in our own solar system, they appear to be common throughout the galaxy. Despite being the most studied type of exoplanet, major questions remain about how they form. Could there be subclasses of hot Jupiters with different formation stories? For example, do these planets take shape far from their parent starsat a distance where it's cold enough for molecules such as water to become solidor closer. The first scenario fits better with theories about how planets in our own solar system are born, but what would drive these types of planets to migrate so close to their parent stars remains unclear. To test those ideas, the authors of a recent McGill-led study used data from NASA's retired Spitzer Space Telescope to look at the atmosphere of exoplanet XO-3b. They observed eccentric seasons and measured wind speeds on the planet by obtaining a phase curve of the planet as it completed a full revolution about its host star. Looking at atmospheric dynamics and interior evolution "This planet is an extremely interesting case study for atmospheric dynamics and interior evolution, as it lies in an intermediate regime of planetary mass where processes normally neglected for less massive hot Jupiters may come into play," says Lisa Dang, the first author of a paper published recently in The Astronomical Journal, a Ph.D. student at McGill University's Department of Physics. "XO-3b has an oval orbit rather than the circular orbit of almost all other known hot Jupiters. This suggests that it recently migrated toward its parent star; if that's the case, it will eventually settle into a more circular orbit." The eccentric orbit of the planet also leads to seasonal variations hundreds of times stronger than what we experience on Earth. Nicolas Cowan, a McGill professor explains: "The entire planet receives three times more energy when it is close to its star during a brief sort of summer, than when it is far from the star." The researchers also re-estimated the planet's mass and radius and found that the planet was surprisingly puffier than expected. They suggest and that the possible source of this heating could be due to leftover nuclear fusion. Excess warmth and puffiness due to tidal heating? Observations by Gaia, an ESA (European Space Agency) mission, found that the planet is puffier than expected which indicate its interior may be particularly energetic. Spitzer observations also hints that the planet produces much of its own heat as XO-3b's excess thermal emission isn't seasonalit's observed throughout the year on XO-3b. It's possible that the excess warmth is coming from the planet's interior, through a process called tidal heating. The star's gravitational squeeze on the planet oscillates as the oblong orbit takes the planet farther and then closer to the star. The resulting changes in interior pressure produce heat. For Dang, this unusual hot Jupiter provides an opportunity to test ideas about which formation processes may producer certain characteristics in these exoplanets. For example, could tidal heating in other hot Jupiters also be a sign of recent migration? XO-3b alone won't unlock the mystery, but it serves as an important test for emerging ideas about these scorching giants. More information: Lisa Dang et al, Thermal Phase Curves of XO-3b: An Eccentric Hot Jupiter at the Deuterium Burning Limit, The Astronomical Journal (2021). Journal information: Astronomical Journal Lisa Dang et al, Thermal Phase Curves of XO-3b: An Eccentric Hot Jupiter at the Deuterium Burning Limit,(2021). DOI: 10.3847/1538-3881/ac365f The border between Turkey in the north and Syria in the south has similar biophysical characteristics but shows a difference in vegetation greenness. Research at Lund University tries to find out why. Credit: SentinelHub To find out why so many people have left their farms in north-eastern Syria, physical geographer Lina Eklund uses both satellite data and interviews. "It is important to understand what can be linked to climate change and what are societal factors, so that we can better equip ourselves for the future." Lina Eklund has specialized in remote sensing, which enables her to determine what happens over large land areas over time by studying satellite images and measurement data. Images of the region between Syria, Turkey and Iraq show a marked difference on either side of the border. Dry and brown in Syria, green and fertile on the Turkish side. Eklund wanted to move beyond the simplistic correlation that many people see between drought and conflicts in society. The countries in the region managed climate stress manifested through the severe drought of 20072009 in different ways. "Nobody has been able to prove that the drought that happened almost 15 years ago was what caused so many people to move from their homes in northeastern Syria, but nobody has been able to disprove it either," explains Lina Eklund. Through the Climate Stress Syria project, researchers want to find out what happened to these people after they moved. What happened to their land? Did they own the land, was it sold or taken over by relatives? Will they ever move back home? Adaptation and support There are many factors that affect the management of natural disasters and negative climate impact. Lina Eklund mainly studies how land systems have been affected by drought, for example in changes to the cultivation of various grains. "Some of the systems are more vulnerable than others and there are natural variations, such as differences in temperature and precipitation. But there are also demographic differences: who lives where and how much support they get from public authorities and the state." Many Kurds live in north-eastern Syria. As a doctoral student, Lina Eklund studied the same drought from a different perspectivefrom the other side, in Iraqi Kurdistan. Among her informants there, almost none of them had migrated because of drought. That the same challenges can have different consequences in different parts of a region is clearly noticeable in comparisons between Turkey and Syria. Broad knowledge needed Leading a research project within the framework of the Centre for Middle Eastern Studies is a fantastic asset, according to Lina Eklund. She can access specialist knowledge and different perspectives from political scientists, historians and religious studies scholars, which has given her insights and ideas for her own research. "I have thought about how I can contribute to the climate-conflict with my studies in remote sensing, because sometimes it feels as though we are just in a loop and not moving forward. It is quite a dark subject with serious issues. But it is also important and it drives me onwardit deals with people being affected by factors over which they had no influence." In order to capture the perspectives of those affected by events, interviews are conducted on-site, where possible. That has been a challenge both during the conflict and the pandemic. "We were forced to be creative and find other ways to gather valuable data. We got help from a Syrian guy who tried to conduct interviews via Skype, but it was difficult to get it to work. Now we are collaborating with an organization in Turkey which is collecting information from Syrian migrants." Their answers are then linked to analyses of satellite data clearly showing two years of failed harvests linked to the drought, after which the land could be cultivated again. The damage was not permanent. The same thing happened after a similarly severe drought in 2000, although that did not lead to conflicts such as popular unrest, insurgency or full-scale civil war. Nuanced debate is important The debate on the link between climate and conflict is layered. There is a group that bases its arguments on large amounts of hard environmental data and shows the potential consequences of events such as one degree of global warming. Other researchers believe that we need to understand what is happening on the ground as well. Different economic systems, societal norms and traditions often play a major role. However, everyone agrees that climate change will lead to more conflict, they just don't know exactly how. "We hope to be able to produce a few recommendations, but our project is not a policy project. On the other hand, our contribution could lead to increased learning and knowledge to carry forward and contribute to a more nuanced debate," summarizes Lina Eklund. "The most important thing of all is to learn from past events to be able to meet similar crises in the future." New fieldwork awaits the Climate Stress Syria project in January 2022. Cassiopeia A supernova remnant. Credit: NASA/CXC/SAO NASA's newest X-ray eyes are open and ready for discovery. Having spent just over a month in space, the Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer (IXPE) is working and already zeroing in on some of the hottest, most energetic objects in the universe. A joint effort between NASA and the Italian Space Agency, IXPE is the first space observatory dedicated to studying the polarization of X-rays coming from objects like exploded stars and black holes. Polarization describes how the X-ray light is oriented as it travels through space. "The start of IXPE's science observations marks a new chapter for X-ray astronomy," said Martin Weisskopf, the mission's principal investigator at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama. "One thing is certain: we can expect the unexpected." IXPE launched Dec. 9 on a Falcon 9 rocket into orbit 370 miles (600 kilometers) above Earth's equator. The observatory's boom, which provides the distance needed to focus X-rays onto its detectors, was deployed successfully on Dec. 15. The IXPE team spent the next three weeks checking out the observatory's maneuvering and pointing abilities and aligning the telescopes. Over the course of these tests, the team pointed IXPE at two bright calibration targets: 1ES 1959+650, a black-hole-powered galaxy core with jets shooting into space; and SMC X-1, a spinning dead star, or pulsar. The brightness of these two sources made it easy for the IXPE team to see where X-rays are falling on IXPE's polarization-sensitive detectors and make small adjustments to the telescopes' alignment. What's Next for IXPE? On Jan. 11, IXPE began observing its first official scientific targetCassiopeia A, or Cas Athe remains of a massive star that blew itself apart in a supernova around 350 years ago in our own Milky Way galaxy. Supernovae are filled with magnetic energy and accelerate particles to near light-speed, making them laboratories for studying extreme physics in space. IXPE will provide details about Cas A's magnetic field structure that can't be observed in other ways. By studying the X-ray polarization, scientists can work out the detailed structure of its magnetic field and the sites where these particles pick up speed. IXPE's observations of Cas A will last about three weeks. "Measuring X-ray polarization is not easy," said Weisskopf. "You have to collect a lot of light, and the unpolarized light acts like background noise. It can take a while to detect a polarized signal." More about the IXPE Mission IXPE transmits scientific data several times a day to a ground station operated by the Italian Space Agency in Malindi, Kenya. The data flows from the Malindi station to IXPE's Mission Operations Center at the University of Colorado Boulder's Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics (LASP) and then to IXPE's Science Operations Center at NASA Marshall for processing and analysis. IXPE's scientific data will be publicly available from the High Energy Astrophysics Science Research Center at the NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. The Marshall science operations team also coordinates with mission operations team at LASP to schedule science observations. The mission plans to observe more than 30 planned targets during its first year. The mission will study distant supermassive black holes with energetic particle jets that light up their host galaxies. IXPE will also probe the twisted space-time around stellar-mass black holes and measure their spin. Other planned targets include different types of neutron stars, such as pulsars and magnetars. The science team has also reserved about a month to observe other interesting objects that may appear in the sky or brighten unexpectedly. IXPE is a collaboration between NASA and the Italian Space Agency with partners and science collaborators in 12 countries. Ball Aerospace, headquartered in Broomfield, Colorado, manages spacecraft operations. Fig. 1: Degrading permafrost threatens the environment and societies through infrastructure damage. Credit: DOI: 10.1038/s43017-021-00247-8 Permafrost has a central role in the sustainable development of the Arctic region. The thaw of permafrost is set to damage buildings and roads, leading to tens of billions of euros in additional costs in the near future, according to an international review coordinated by Finnish geographers. Permafrost exists extensively in the Arctic region and in mountain ranges, in places such as the Tibetan plateau. Both the construction itself and the warming of the climate cause permafrost to thaw, which in turn threatens both existing infrastructure and future construction projects. In the literature review, which covered the permafrost area of the whole Northern Hemisphere, it was noticed that the proportion of damaged structures in the entire building stock ranged from less than 10 percent to as high as 80 percent. Russia had the greatest share of damage, while on the Tibetan plateau and in parts of Canada, damage was about 30 percent. "According to published research, damage was lowest in the European permafrost area, such as the Alps and Svalbard," says Professor Jan Hjort of the Geography Research Unit at the University of Oulu. Forecasts reveal growing damage and rising costs As much as 70 percent of today's infrastructure is in the risk area, when the warming of the ground caused by climate change is considered. "About 500 Arctic villages and cities are located in areas where permafrost is expected to thaw by the middle of this century," explains Professor Miska Luoto of the Department of Geosciences and Geography at the University of Helsinki. Transport and transportation infrastructure, such as railways, as well as oil and natural gas pipelines, appear to be in the most vulnerable positions. Relatively speaking, the greatest amount of infrastructure is in hazard areas in the mountainous regions of Central Asia, where temperatures of permafrost are already close to 0 degrees Celsius. "We must consider that in these geographically very extensive analyses it has not been possible to take into account the 'heat load' caused by construction and buildings themselves, so the threats could easily become tangible in extensive damage to buildings before the end of this century," Jan Hjort says. The costs of infrastructure maintenance and repair related to the bearing capacity of permafrost could reach about 30 billion euros in the Arctic region by 2060. In Russia alone, the costs could exceed 20 billion euros. However, the estimates were seen to contain a large amount of uncertainty caused by the data. "The fact that no corresponding cost estimates have been available from the extensive permafrost areas in China can also be seen as a drawback," Miska Luoto adds. Proposals for a more sustainable future The review also puts forward ways to try to prepare for future threats. Also needed, in addition to numerous existing solutions of construction technology, are more precise forecasts of future changes in permafrost. More detailed data and forecasts could enable better surveys of areas in danger and more detailed cost estimates. Also, better dialog among researchers, planners, builders, decision-makers, and other actors in the permafrost area was seen as important in the search for a more sustainable future. The review is published in Nature Reviews Earth & Environment in January 11, 2022. More information: Jan Hjort, Impacts of permafrost degradation on infrastructure, Nature Reviews Earth & Environment (2022). www.nature.com/articles/s43017-021-00247-8 Jan Hjort, Impacts of permafrost degradation on infrastructure,(2022). DOI: 10.1038/s43017-021-00247-8 Provided by University of Oulu Hyperspectral sensors affixed to small aircraft can accurately detect nitrogen status of crops. Credit: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Synthetic nitrogen fertilizers transformed agriculture as we know it during the Green Revolution, catapulting crop yields and food security to new heights. Yet, despite improvements in crop nitrogen use efficiency, fears of underperformance spur fertilizer overapplication to this day. Excess nitrogen then ends up in waterways, including groundwater, and in the atmosphere in the form of potent greenhouse gasses. Predicting the amount of nitrogen needed by a particular crop in a particular year is tricky. The first step is understanding crop nitrogen status in real time, but it's neither realistic nor scalable to measure leaf nitrogen by hand throughout the course of a season. In a first-of-its-kind study, a University of Illinois research team put hyperspectral sensors on planes to quickly and accurately detect nitrogen status and photosynthetic capacity in corn. "Field nitrogen measurements are very time- and labor-consuming, but the airplane hyperspectral sensing technique allows us to scan the fields very fast, at a few seconds per acre. It also provides much higher spectral and spatial resolution than similar studies using satellite imagery," says Sheng Wang, research assistant professor in the Agroecosystem Sustainability Center (ASC) and the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences (NRES) at U of I. Wang is lead author on the study. "Our approach fills a gap between field measurements and satellites and provides a cost-effective and highly accurate approach to crop nitrogen management in sustainable precision agriculture," he adds. The plane, fitted with a top-of-the-line sensor capable of detecting wavelengths in the visible and near infrared spectrum (400-2400 nanometers), flew over an experimental field in Illinois three times during the 2019 growing season. The researchers also took in-field leaf and canopy measurements as ground-truth data for comparison with sensor data. The flights detected leaf and canopy nitrogen characteristics, including several related to photosynthetic capacity and grain yield, with up to 85% accuracy. "That's close to ground-truth quality," says Kaiyu Guan, co-author on the study, founding director of the ASC, and associate professor in NRES. "We can even rely on the airborne hyperspectral sensors to replace ground-truth collection without sacrificing much accuracy. Meanwhile, airborne sensors allow us to cover much larger areas at low cost." Remote sensing picks up energy reflected from surfaces on the ground. The chemical composition of leaves, including their nitrogen and chlorophyll content, subtly changes how much energy is reflected. Hyperspectral sensors detect differences of just 3 to 5 nanometers across their entire range, a sensitivity unmatched by other remote sensing technologies. "Other airborne remote sensing technologies pick up the visible spectrum and possibly near-infrared, just four spectral bands. That's not even close to what we can do with this hyperspectral sensor. It's really powerful," Guan says. The researchers see a use for their findings in the popular Maximum Return To Nitrogen (MRTN) corn nitrogen rate calculator. Wang explains, "Under our approach, we can detect the nitrogen status of the crop and make some real-time adjustments for the agricultural stakeholders. MRTN provides recommended nitrogen fertilization rates based on the economic tradeoff between soil nitrogen fertilizer rates and end-of-season yield. Our remote-sensing approach can feed plant nutrient status into the MRTN system, enabling real-time crop nitrogen management. It can potentially shift the current recommendations based on pre-growing season, soil-centric fertilization to a diagnosis based on real-time plant nutrition, improving agroecosystem nitrogen use efficiency." Importantly, the research team worked out the best mathematical algorithm to detect nitrogen reflectance data from the hyperspectral sensor. They expect it will be put to use as newer technologies come on board. "NASA is planning a new satellite hyperspectral mission, as are other commercial satellite companies. Our study can potentially provide the algorithm for those missions because we already demonstrated its accuracy in the aircraft hyperspectral data," Wang says. Guan says bringing this technology to satellites is the end goal, enabling a view of every field's nitrogen status early in the growing season. The advancement will allow farmers to make more informed decisions about nitrogen side-dressing. Ultimately, of course, the goal is to improve the environmental sustainability of nitrogen fertilizers in agronomic systems. And Guan says precision is the way to get there. "Essentially, you can't manage what you can't measure. That is why we put so much effort into this technology." The article is published in the International Journal of Applied Earth Observation and Geoinformation. Explore further Nanosatellites improve detection of early-season corn nitrogen stress More information: Sheng Wang et al, Airborne hyperspectral imaging of nitrogen deficiency on crop traits and yield of maize by machine learning and radiative transfer modeling, International Journal of Applied Earth Observation and Geoinformation (2021). Sheng Wang et al, Airborne hyperspectral imaging of nitrogen deficiency on crop traits and yield of maize by machine learning and radiative transfer modeling,(2021). DOI: 10.1016/j.jag.2021.102617 Side view of the crater Moltke taken from Apollo 10. Credit: Public Domain Scientists have shown how the freezing of a 'slushy' ocean of magma may be responsible for the composition of the Moon's crust. The scientists, from the University of Cambridge and the Ecole normale superieure de Lyon, have proposed a new model of crystallization, where crystals remained suspended in liquid magma over hundreds of millions of years as the lunar 'slush' froze and solidified. The results are reported in the journal Geophysical Review Letters. Over fifty years ago, Apollo 11 astronauts collected samples from the lunar Highlands. These large, pale regions of the Moonvisible to the naked eyeare made up of relatively light rocks called anorthosites. Anorthosites formed early in the history of the Moon, between 4.3 and 4.5 billion years ago. Similar anorthosites, formed through the crystallization of magma, can be found in fossilized magma chambers on Earth. Producing the large volumes of anorthosite found on the Moon however, would have required a huge global magma ocean. Scientists believe that the Moon formed when two protoplanets, or embryonic worlds, collided. The larger of these two protoplanets became the Earth, and the smaller became the Moon. One of the outcomes of this collision was that the Moon was very hotso hot that its entire mantle was molten magma, or a magma ocean. "Since the Apollo era, it has been thought that the lunar crust was formed by light anorthite crystals floating at the surface of the liquid magma ocean, with heavier crystals solidifying at the ocean floor," said co-author Chloe Michaut from Ecole normale superieure de Lyon. "This 'flotation' model explains how the lunar Highlands may have formed." However, since the Apollo missions many lunar meteorites have been analyzed and the surface of the Moon has been extensively studied. Lunar anorthosites appear more heterogenous in their composition than the original Apollo samples, which contradicts a flotation scenario where the liquid ocean is the common source of all anorthosites. The range of anorthosite agesover 200 million yearsis difficult to reconcile with an ocean of essentially liquid magma whose characteristic solidification time is close to 100 million years. "Given the range of ages and compositions of the anorthosites on the Moon, and what we know about how crystals settle in solidifying magma, the lunar crust must have formed through some other mechanism," said co-author Professor Jerome Neufeld from Cambridge's Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics. Michaut and Neufeld developed a mathematical model to identify this mechanism. In the low lunar gravity, the settling of crystal is difficult, particularly when strongly stirred by the convecting magma ocean. If the crystals remain suspended as a crystal slurry, then when the crystal content of the slurry exceeds a critical threshold, the slurry becomes thick and sticky, and the deformation slow. This increase of crystal content occurs most dramatically near the surface, where the slushy magma ocean is cooled, resulting in a hot, well-mixed slushy interior and a slow-moving, crystal rich lunar 'lid'. "We believe it's in this stagnant 'lid' that the lunar crust formed, as lightweight, anorthite-enriched melt percolated up from the convecting crystalline slurry below," said Neufeld. "We suggest that cooling of the early magma ocean drove such vigorous convection that crystals remained suspended as a slurry, much like the crystals in a slushy machine." Enriched lunar surface rocks likely formed in magma chambers within the lid, which explains their diversity. The results suggest that the timescale of lunar crust formation is several hundreds of million years, which corresponds to the observed ages of the lunar anorthosites. Serial magmatism was initially proposed as a possible mechanism for the formation of lunar anorthosites, but the slushy model ultimately reconciles this idea with that of a global lunar magma ocean. Explore further Studying the moon's oldest geologic imprints More information: Formation of the lunar primary crust from a long-lived slushy magma ocean, Geophysical Review Letters, agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.co 10.1029/2021GL095408 Formation of the lunar primary crust from a long-lived slushy magma ocean, The new goby species Rhinogobius estrellae is small, typically around 3 to 4.5 cm in length. It has orange fins and sky-blue spots dotted along the body. Credit: Ken Maeda, OIST A team of biologists from the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University (OIST) in Japan and Western Philippines University (WPU) in the Philippines have found two new species of goby fish in Palawan, a Philippine archipelago. The goby fish, both belonging to the genus Rhinogobius, were described recently in the journal Zootaxa. One of the species was given the Latin scientific name Rhinogobius estrellae, named for the waterfall Estrella Falls, in Barangay Estrella Village, where the goby was discovered. The second species was named Rhinogobius tandikan, with the name inspired by the Palawan peacock-pheasant known locally as "Tandikan." "The Tandikan goby has these blue markings on its body, which reminded me of the spots in the Tandikan's plumage," said Dr. Ken Maeda, first author of the study and staff scientist in the Marine Eco-Evo-Devo Unit at OIST. Rhinogobius estrellae and Rhinogobius tandikan are the third and fourth new goby species discovered in Palawan as part of a collaboration project between OIST and WPU, following Stiphodon palawanensis described in 2015, and Lentipes palawanirufus, described in a study last year. The new goby species Rhinogobius tandikan is similar in size and form to Rhinogobius estrallae, but has a more yellow coloring. Credit: Ken Maeda, OIST The identification of Rhinogobius species in the tropical islands of Palawan shows that the range of this goby genus extends much further south than previously known. "We were very surprised the first time we saw Rhinogobius estrallae, and then really excited when we found the second species," said Dr. Maeda. "The Rhinogobius habitat is typically located in temperate and sub-tropical regions further north than Palawan, in places like Vietnam, China, Japan, and even the Russian Far East. Finding gobies from this genus in Palawan was very unexpected." The research team also analyzed DNA taken from the mitochondria for the two species, which placed both species in an ancient lineage within the Rhinogobius group. Previously, only one other goby, Rhinogobius similis, belonged to this evolutionary line. The three species also share similar physical characteristics unique to this lineage, including the arrangement of sensors on their head. Unlike the Rhinogobius similis, which has a wide distrubution range, from Japan to Vietnam, the two new species appear to be endemic, meaning they are only found in one location, even within the island of Palawan itself. Left: Estrella Falls, in Narra, Palwan is the only known habitat of the goby Rhinogobius estrallae. It's the most southern habitat reported for gobies from this genus. Right: A small stream in Barangay Bahile, Puerto Princesa City in Palawan, is the only known habitat of the goby, Rhinogobius tandikan. Credit: Ken Maeda, OIST In order to protect these two new species, the scientists urge that special attention must be given to preserve their habitats. "Their endemic nature really raises the risk and threat level for both species," explained Dr. Maeda. "Any disruption to their habitat, such as dams, roads, leisure facilities or development of the land for agriculture could quickly lead to their extinction." Explore further Three new species of freshwater goby fish found in Japan and the Philippines More information: Ken Maeda et al, Two new species of Rhinogobius (Gobiiformes: Oxudercidae) from Palawan, Philippines, with their phylogenetic placement, Zootaxa (2021). Ken Maeda et al, Two new species of Rhinogobius (Gobiiformes: Oxudercidae) from Palawan, Philippines, with their phylogenetic placement,(2021). DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5068.1.3 Figure 1. Visualization of the compositional coverage of continuous composition spread materials libraries co-sputtered from three to five sources forming ternary to quinary (HEA) systems. In all cases, 342 measurement areas (on a regular grid 4.5 mm 4.5 mm over a 100 mm diameter substrate) are visualized: a) Coverage of a ternary and a quaternary library. b) Illustration of co-deposition from five deposition sources and compositional gradients of a co-sputtered quinary materials library. The composition gradients correspond to the target arrangement in ML1 shown in (c). c) Illustration of permuted target arrangements. d) Visualization of the 5D composition space of two co-deposited quinary libraries in a 3D projection of a regular 5-cell (blue: initial target arrangement, green: permutated target arrangement). Credit: DOI: 10.1002/aenm.202103312 High entropy alloys (HEAs) are chemically complex materials made up of mixtures of five or more elements. What's interesting about them is that they offer completely new possibilities for the development of electrocatalysts. Such catalysts are urgently needed to make energy conversion processes more efficient, for example for the production and use of green hydrogen. "The problem with HEAs is that, in principle, millions of high-entropy systems are possible and each system involves tens of thousands of different compositions," explains Professor Alfred Ludwig, who heads the Materials Discovery and Interfaces Chair at RUB. It is almost impossible to tackle such complexity using conventional methods and traditional high-throughput procedures. Five sources, six constellations The researchers describe a new method in their paper that should help to find promising high entropy alloys for electrocatalysis. In the first step, the team developed a way to produce as many potential compositions as possible. For this purpose, they used a sputtering system that simultaneously applies the five base materials to a carrier. "You can imagine this as five spray cans directed at one point on the target," explains RUB researcher Dr. Lars Banko. This produces a very specific composition of the five source materials on each point of the carrier, so-called materials libraries. Since this composition is also affected by the position of the sources of the source materials, the research team modified them in the experiment. The materials libraries from the manufacturing processes with six different constellations of the sources were subsequently characterized using high-throughput measurements. The RUB electrochemistry team then examined the materials libraries in this manner for their electrocatalytic activity." This enables us to identify trends where possible promising candidates are located," explains Dr. Olga Krysiak, who, with Lars Banko, is a lead author of the paper. The team matched this data from the experiment with a large simulation data set provided by the researchers at the University of Copenhagen in order to understand the composition of the materials in greater detail. The comparison between simulation and experiment enables the researchers to explore the atomic scale of electrocatalysts, to estimate the statistical arrangement of atoms on the material surface and to determine their influence on the catalytic activity. Explore further How to discover new materials quickly More information: Lars Banko et al, Unravelling CompositionActivityStability Trends in High Entropy Alloy Electrocatalysts by Using a DataGuided Combinatorial Synthesis Strategy and Computational Modeling, Advanced Energy Materials (2022). Journal information: Advanced Energy Materials Lars Banko et al, Unravelling CompositionActivityStability Trends in High Entropy Alloy Electrocatalysts by Using a DataGuided Combinatorial Synthesis Strategy and Computational Modeling,(2022). DOI: 10.1002/aenm.202103312 Photo of research fellow Helene Seljenes Dalum at the University of Oslo, with horse Viktor. Credit: UiO Half of Norwegian veterinarians with serious suicidal thoughts reported that their job was the most important contributing factor. Almost three out of ten veterinarians in Norway felt that life was not worth living during the last year. One in twenty experienced serious suicidal thoughts and one in five hundred attempted to take their own life. These are the results of a survey to which nearly three quarters of Norway's 3,700 veterinarians responded. The study was carried out by research fellow Helene Seljenes Dalum at the Department of Behavioural Medicine, University of Oslo and has recently been published in BMJ Open. "These are worrying statistics, especially since an earlier study showed that the suicide rate amongst veterinarians in Norway was about double that of the general population," says Dalum. Veterinarians often work alone and have heavy responsibilities Dalum is a qualified veterinarian herself. She points to a number of possible explanations, while emphasizing that the NORVET-study is a cross-sectional study which cannot therefore come to conclusions about causal relationships. Veterinarians often work alone and have heavy responsibilities. "Many of them are under great pressure of work, they are often low paid, and euthanizing animals is an everyday occurrence. Very often, there are no colleagues at hand to give them guidance and advice during the course of the working day. Unlike physicians, who practice medicine under supervision for 18 months after completing their studies, some veterinarians feel that they have had too little practice during their undergraduate curriculum. They find the transition to working life difficult," says Dalum. Veterinarians have to take sole responsibility for any errors they commit. In contrast, doctors in a hospital may be able to lean on the management who may take the brunt of the blame. According to Dalum, a dog that dies arouses strong emotions. Verbal abuse directed at veterinarians on social media is a new and growing problem. The research fellow also points to the cross-pressure between animal welfare and economics. "Take for example a veterinary surgeon standing by the cage of an aquaculture farm and pronouncing that salmon ready for slaughter there must be euthanized because of disease. That can cost the business millions of kroners. I know that many veterinarians working in the aquaculture sector are caught in a squeeze between safeguarding animal welfare or profits." Medical advances in veterinary medicine Great medical advances have been made in veterinary science over the last 20 years, especially as regards sporting animals and domestic pets. An increasing proportion of animals can be treated today, instead of being put down, as would previously have been the only alternative. Still, treatment costs a lot of money, often amounting to thousands of kroners. People in Norway are used to only paying a nominal sum when they go to their GP and they do not understand how expensive it is to run a veterinary practice that receives no state subsidies. Dalum reveals that veterinarians often have to face difficult discussions with customers about the level of treatment fees. "Many animal owners often feel that treatments at the vet are expensive. However, our animals do not pay taxes and all expenses must therefore be covered by the individual owner," says Dalum. Advocating ending the life of an animal becomes a habit The survey questioned the veterinarians about negative events in their life, since it is known that these can affect the prevalence of suicidal thoughts. Financial problems were an important factor amongst those who reported experiencing serious suicidal thoughts. "Serious suicidal thoughts" meant that they had thought specifically about taking their life and made plans for how to do it. Being single and suffering symptoms of anxiety and depression were additional independent factors for serious suicidal thoughts. "In addition, we may ask whether veterinarians are influenced by the fact that they routinely have to defend euthanasia as the right solution when an animal's quality of life is poor. Does that lower the threshold for taking one's own life? On the other hand, veterinarians also see the effect of putting an animal down on the families who deeply mourn the loss of their pet. We need to do more research on this particular question," says Dalum. Changes in veterinary medicine courses and more awareness amongst veterinarians The study carried out by Dalum together with professors Reidar Tyssen and Erlend Hem is the first scientific study that examines the work, well-being and mental health of veterinarians in Norway. Dalum emphasizes that more research is needed in order to outline the way forward. But she hopes the study will increase awareness about the mental health of veterinarians, promote discussions about these issues in the profession and not least lead to changes in how veterinary medicine is taught. "Up until now, there has been too little focus on how to take on the role of a veterinarian and on how to communicate. Veterinarians have to face many of the same emotionally demanding situations with patients as doctors, and animal owners think of their pet as a member of the family. It is a step in the right direction that tuition in clinical communication and mental health is now being introduced into the veterinary medicine curriculum," says Dalum. Explore further What makes vets feel good at work? More information: Helene Seljenes Dalum et al, Prevalence and individual and work-related factors associated with suicidal thoughts and behaviours among veterinarians in Norway: a cross-sectional, nationwide survey-based study (the NORVET study), BMJ Open (2022). Journal information: BMJ Open Helene Seljenes Dalum et al, Prevalence and individual and work-related factors associated with suicidal thoughts and behaviours among veterinarians in Norway: a cross-sectional, nationwide survey-based study (the NORVET study),(2022). DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-055827 FORT EDWARD A Whitehall man was sentenced on Jan. 7 to 2 to 6 years in prison after admitting to falsely claiming his car was stolen and violating an order of protection. David Downing was arrested in July. The charges stemmed from an incident in Whitehall in which state police said Downing pointed his headlights at a house, honked the horn and created a disturbance. He also violated an order of protection in August. Downing pleaded guilty in Washington County Court on Nov. 22 to felony counts of first-degree criminal contempt and offering a false instrument for filing and a misdemeanor of second-degree criminal contempt. Downing received sentences of 1 to 3 years in prison on each count, which will be served consecutively. Post-Star staff report Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Flash 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. Warren County Health Services reported another COVID-related death on Wednesday. The resident, who was vaccinated, was in their 80s and lived at home before becoming ill with COVID and dying at the hospital, according to the report. Health Services and the Warren County Board of Supervisors offered their condolences to the loved ones of the deceased resident, in a news release Wednesday. Warren County Health Services also continued to see record numbers of positive COVID case numbers on Wednesday. The county reported an additional 320 cases and 86 recoveries, bringing the total of active cases to 1,622. A total of 1,605 individuals are experiencing mild illness. As of Wednesday, the county had nine residents in the hospital, with two critically ill patients. Health Services said eight individuals are moderately ill outside of the hospital. Eight out of nine of the hospitalized residents have been vaccinated and two have received booster doses of the COVID vaccine. Glens Falls Hospital spokesman Ray Agnew said the hospital currently has 23 COVID patients, with two in the ICU and seven now off isolation. The countys seven-day rolling positivity rate was at 17.3%, compared to the Capital Regions rate of 19.5%. Washington County The Washington County Public Health Department reported 124 new COVID cases and 128 recoveries on Tuesday. County health officials said in a report on Wednesday that 17 residents are currently hospitalized. According to the health department staff, cases are still being processed as the county continues to see an extreme surge in new cases. Washington County had 307 active COVID cases with 1,726 people under monitoring. On Wednesday morning, the #Nysvaccinetracker indicated 38,019 Washington County residents have received the complete vaccine series and 40,508 have received one dose of the COVID vaccine. The seven-day rolling positivity rate was at 17%. The county will hold a #Vaxtoschool clinic in Whitehall on Thursday. The clinic will be held at the Whitehall Central School and will offer the first dose of the Pfizer vaccine to all eligible children ages 5-18. Register on the website at washingtoncountyny.gov/coronavirus Saratoga County The Saratoga County Department of Public Health Services reported a total of 3,561 active cases on Wednesday afternoon, an increase of 764 since the last report. According to the countys online COVID data dashboard, 57 residents are currently hospitalized. Of the hospitalized patients, 26 have not been fully vaccinated, one fully vaccinated patient is not eligible for a booster shot and 24 patients are eligible for the booster but have not received it. The remaining six are fully vaccinated and boosted against COVID. The website indicated 230 unvaccinated residents have died from COVID. This includes 19 fully vaccinated residents who were not yet eligible for a booster, 30 residents who were eligible for a booster but did not receive one. One fully vaccinated and boosted resident has died. Love 0 Funny 1 Wow 0 Sad 2 Angry 0 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Warren County on Wednesday announced that it will turn over all contact tracing procedures to the state. We would like to thank our residents for their cooperation with the isolation and quarantine process throughout this pandemic, and we ask that they continue to cooperate with New York state case investigators going forward. Please be patient during this transition, Warren County Health Services Director Ginelle Jones said in a news release. She explained that the staff previously tasked with contact tracing could return to other duties. These changes will free up our Warren County staff to do more vaccine clinics, more education and outreach and resume many of the programs and duties for Warren County residents that had been affected by COVID-19 case investigations, Jones said. The countys decision follows Gov. Kathy Hochuls announcement on Tuesday at her press conference that the state will no longer require local health departments to conduct contact tracing for people who test positive for COVID-19. Hochul said she would leave the decision up to the counties. Washington County Tina McDougall, chief financial officer for Washington County Public Health Department, said Wednesday that the county is waiting on further guidance from the state regarding the decision to cease contact tracing. At this point, we are waiting for official guidelines to be passed down from the state. Case investigation will still happen through the state for those who receive a positive test. They will still receive a call from the state health department representatives, McDougall said. Love 1 Funny 1 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. CORBIN CITY It does not take much of a crowd to fill the meeting room for the City Council of Corbin City. With about 20 people in attendance for the reorganization meeting Monday, almost every chair was filled, with extras brought in from the back. The community of a few hundred people, just over the river from the Tuckahoe section of Upper Township, was set for multiple changes, including a new council member, a new attorney and a new municipal clerk. Former Council member Kristofer Surran resigned late last year, effective Dec. 31. Contacted Tuesday, Surran accused the other members of the governing body of discussing matters outside of regular meetings, alleging violations of the Open Public Meetings Act. I didnt want to be part of that any longer, he said. He claimed decisions were being made before meetings and he was being made the punching bag for the other members. Council member LaVerne Kirn, named the council president Monday, denied there had been any violations. Not at all, she said Monday. Surran made a similar accusation during the public comment portion of the meeting. At issue appears to be a change in the contract for trimming trees along a roadway. Mayor Robert Schulte said the scope of the work had changed, as more residents asked for additional trees to be trimmed. Kirn said there has been no decision on who will do the work. Nobody was hired, she said. Talking to our former solicitor, its OK for us to do this. Surrans resignation left one seat to fill until the next election. Of three potential candidates, the council members chose Thomas Bennis, a former council member who had lost a previous reelection bid. In voting for his nomination, Kirn cited all of the new beginnings this year, suggesting it would be good to have someone who has previously been on council to be able to jump in and take off running. The meeting also saw Kirn sworn in for a new term after a successful run against Democratic challenger Nikki Nichols. Surran described a widening rift on the all-Republican governing body. He said he was kicked out of the local Republican club in the fall after putting up a sign supporting Kirns Democratic rival, which he was told was a violation of the clubs bylaws. Surran, whose family owns a business in town, said he had little choice but to quit. The way things were going, I was spinning my wheels, he said. If I said the sky was blue, the other members would have told me it was purple. Corbin City is not the smallest community in New Jersey. Cape May Point has fewer residents, and there are two municipalities with populations in the single digits. But it is a small town with a small government, including three City Council members and a directly elected mayor. Route 50 Tuckahoe River Bridge has reopened Bridge-replacement work has been completed on Route 50 between Cape and Atlantic counties, a More than a decade ago, a proposal to merge Corbin City with Upper Township fell apart after an extensive effort, in part because Cape May County government balked at the added expense. Also, it would have meant a single municipality straddling a county border. The appointment of Bennis to council was just one of the changes to local government Monday. Richard Russell, of Ocean City, had served as the municipal attorney for Corbin City for 46 years. He recently retired from private practice, including as the Corbin City attorney, although he remains the municipal judge in Ocean City. The council named Rebecca Lafferty of the law firm Cooper Levenson as the city solicitor for 2022. Longtime City Clerk Joanne Siedlecki also recently retired. On Monday, council approved Kimberly Johnson for the post. Johnson has been the township clerk in Mullica Township for 35 years, and said she remains the clerk of record in that community. She declined to comment further, and at Mullica Township Hall, an employee said Johnson is on administrative leave. New Atlantic County Clerk Joe Giralo administered the oaths of office to Kirn, Bennis and Johnson. Contact Bill Barlow: 609-272-7290 bbarlow@pressofac.com Twitter @jerseynews_bill Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Authorities are searching for two Bronx, New York, men they say used a phone scam to steal money from an elderly Barnegat Township woman. Jorge Peguero-Mendez, 34, and Richard Quinones-Perez, 24, are each charged with theft by deception and conspiracy to commit theft by deception. Both are on the run and have outstanding warrants, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer and Barnegat Township police Chief Keith Germain said Thursday in a news release. Authorities said the woman received a call from a man claiming to be her grandson, saying he was arrested in New York City after causing a motor vehicle crash that injured another driver. A second caller, identifying himself as the grandsons lawyer, said he could be released from jail on an $8,000 bond, which the elderly woman agreed to pay. She was later met by an individual claiming to be a courier, to whom she gave the money. She later discovered through her family that the incident never happened, authorities said. These types of incidents should serve as a cautionary tale for all of our senior citizens here in Ocean County, as well as a reminder that unscrupulous individuals are out there just waiting to prey upon the most vulnerable members of our community, Billhimer said, urging the public to report suspected fraud. An investigation determined similar claims were made in Hopewell Township, Mercer County, and Nassau County, New York. Peguero-Mendez and Quinones-Perez were later identified as the suspects, authorities said. Anyone who believes the men scammed them or knows of their whereabouts can call Barnegat Officer Robert Armstrong at 609-698-5000. Contact Eric Conklin: 609-272-7261 econklin@pressofac.com Twitter @ACPressConklin Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Like other poor municipalities, Pleasantville finds itself between a rock and a hard place with a utility it owns. Its wastewater management system needs millions of dollars worth of repairs as a result of maintenance and upgrades left undone, probably because they didnt seem affordable. One reason there was no money is household rates for wastewater service havent gone up since 2010, when they were set at $500 a year. Municipalities in this position often realize that even if they did borrow money and raise taxes to get past the current crisis, they can no longer own and operate the utility cost-effectively in the modern age of increasing regulatory requirements. So they sell it. Egg Harbor City recently sold its water utility for such reasons. New Jersey American Water sought to buy Pleasantvilles wastewater system, but the City Council rejected the offer. Mayor Judy Ward said the city wants to retain ownership and eventual control of the wastewater utility. Now an investment firm has made the city an offer that looks as too-good-to-be-true as many a TV ad aimed at seniors. Bernhard Capital would pay the city $15 million upfront to lease and operate the wastewater system for 39 years, and $100,000 a year annually thereafter. Bernhard would also spend $57 million maintaining and renovating the system over the life of the contract. Residents would pay the firm the same for their service the first year and only see a 4% increase the second year. Wow, that seems like a great deal for Pleasantville municipal government. But where is all that money coming from? Wont Bernhard Capital expect to make a handsome return for its investors? Well, starting in the third year and continuing through the 15th year, city residents will see their charges go up 5% each year. We figure that through the ordinary financial magic of compound interest, residents will wind up paying $980 a year for their wastewater service about double what they pay now. And theyll keep paying that rate, or higher thanks to other aspects of the contract, for the next 24 years. We cant tell whether this is the best deal available to Pleasantville to get out of a bad situation. For starters, wed need to know the details of the New Jersey American Water offer, including what that would mean for residential and business rates. We suspect that offer might be preferable since many other municipalities in New Jersey nearly all in better financial shape than Pleasantville have sold their utilities to the states largest water utility. We also wonder whether Pleasantville is following state law regarding this contract. The New Jersey comptroller recently said Egg Harbor City did not use an independent financial adviser and did not send copies of requests for proposal and other documentation to the state for review prior to issuing them, as required under the state Water Infrastructure Protection Act. Is that required of Pleasantville too and has the city done that? Looks like City Council and the mayor need some more due diligence and feedback from residents about their obligations before they submit to the art of Bernhard Capitals deal. A new program at Bettendorf High School is designed to help students hone health care skills that could land them a career. On Wednesday, the Bettendorf Community School District had a ribbon cutting for a health sciences classroom and a laboratory designed for its Certified Nursing Assistant training class. The CNA course is launching this semester. Successful completion of the course will prepare students to sit for the state licensure exam, Kristy Cleppe, the high schools associate principal, said. This credential will allow students to serve in a growing market while working toward potential future health care career goals. The CNA class is the latest in the high schools health sciences career and technical education program, which was launched a couple of years ago, Cleppe said. That program was developed both because of the need for workers in health care and because of an identified interest among the districts students in filling that need. The health sciences programming was developed in partnership with the Eastern Iowa Community Colleges. Early on, the program included an introduction to health care careers and medical terminology. Another expansion with three more classes is planned. Two of those will cover anatomy and physiology while the third will teach nutrition. The laboratory, where the students will practice their skills, was designed to look like a patient care area. It has four beds, walkers and other tools a CNA might use to care for a patient. It also has patients in the form of four mannequins life-sized human figures. Funding for the health sciences program was provided in part by the Scott County Regional Authority, according to the district. Money was also obtained through a federal grant designed to encourage career and technical education. Being able to have a look at what health care has to offer professionally is critically important, Rebecca Eastman, the Bettendorf school board president, said. Were incredibly proud to have the opportunity to offer this program, Eastman said. Rosetta Schulte, who is enrolled in the CNA class, said she wants to be a pediatric nurse. Schulte, a junior, said she started getting interested in health care because she watched a lot of "Greys Anatomy." While she knows a lot of what happens on that drama is fictional, the medical aspects of the show still caught her interest. I love helping people, I love working with kids, Schulte said. Through the CNA course, she is hoping to further her experience with the real-world requirements of a health care career: learning more about human anatomy and practicing on people. Programs like the one being provided by the district, in cooperation with the community and the community colleges, allow youth to learn about careers for which society has a need, such as those in the medical field, Bettendorf Mayor Robert S. Gallagher said during the event. Joel Moore, who is on the regional authoritys board, said the project aligns with the regional authoritys mission of investing in the communitys future. Moore said he is also the chief nursing officer for Genesis. We need you, Moore said to the students. We need this not only for right now but for our future." Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Want to see more like this? Get our local education coverage delivered directly to your inbox. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. A Davenport man was sentenced to 50 years in prison on a second-degree murder charge in connection with his mothers death. McKinsley Steven Watson, 38, was originally charged with first-degree murder in connection with the death of his mother, Victoria Watson, 59, on May 21, 2020. Watson accepted a plea agreement in October and pleaded guilty to second-degree murder. Under Iowa law, second-degree murder is a Class B felony that carries a mandatory sentence of 50 years in prison, 70% of which, or 35 years, must be served before parole can be granted. McKinsley Watson will also be required to pay $150,000 in victim restitution. Davenport police were sent the 600 block of 63rd Street at 4:46 a.m. to investigate a call about an unresponsive female. Paramedics with the Davenport Fire Department also responded to the scene and pronounced the woman dead. According to the affidavit filed by Davenport Police Cpl. Greg Lalla, McKinsley Watson assaulted his mother, Victoria Watson, causing her death. Two of Victoria's daughters gave victim impact statements during the sentencing hearing Wednesday. Marsha Watson spoke first. She said this was not the first time McKinsley had assaulted a family member. "May 21st is a day that will haunt me for the rest of my life. Not only did I lose my mother that day, I also lost my brother," Marsha said. "McKinsley does not care who he hurts and does not learn from his mistakes." Marsha spoke about how great of a grandmother Victoria was. Marsha said she recently had another baby girl, who was named Victoria after her mother, and lamented how that little girl will never get to know her loving grandma. Teresa Smart, Victoria's other daughter, agreed with her sister. "I just hope he realizes how bad he hurt our whole family," Smart said. Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 1 Angry 1 Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. A Rock Island man accused in the Oct. 17 shooting death of 35-year-old Samual Wires outside the Deja Vu Showgirls strip club in Davenport has been extradited to Scott County from Rock Island County. Lance M. Johnson Jr., 28, was booked into the Scott County Jail at 6:26 p.m. Wednesday on charges of first-degree murder and being a felon in possession of a firearm. Johnson made a first appearance on the charges Thursday morning in Scott County District Court. Magistrate Peter Gierut scheduled a preliminary hearing in the case for Jan. 21. Johnson was being held Thursday night on a cash-only bond of $1 million. Rock Island Police arrested Johnson on Oct. 28 on a charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm and possession of a firearm with a defaced serial number. Scott County prosecutors placed an order to detain Johnson, who twice refused to sign a waiver of extradition, according to Rock Island County Circuit Court electronic records. During an extradition hearing Wednesday in Rock Island County Circuit Court, Illinois 14th Judicial Circuit Chief Judge Frank Fuhr ordered Johnson to be transferred to Scott County to face the murder and gun charge. The Rock Island County weapons charges were dropped in favor of letting the murder case move forward. However, Rock Island County prosecutors could reinstate those charges at a later date. First-degree murder is a Class A felony under Iowa law that carries a mandatory prison sentence of life without parole upon conviction. The felon in possession charge is a Class D felony that carries a prison sentence of five years. On Sunday, Oct. 17, at 2:58 a.m., officers were sent to Deja Vu Showgirls, 5220 Grand Ave., for a disturbance. Responding officers heard gunshots and found one gunshot victim when they arrived on scene. The victim, Wires, of Davenport, was taken to Genesis Medical Center East, Davenport, where he was pronounced dead. Johnson is currently serving a term of two years on conditional discharge after being sentenced Jan. 28, 2021, in Rock Island County Circuit Court for possession of a controlled substance. When he was 17, Johnson and another man were charged in connection with the Oct. 20, 2010, armed robbery of the Kwik Shop at Locust and Marquette streets in Davenport. Johnson pleaded guilty to a charge of first-degree theft, a Class C felony under Iowa law that carries a prison sentence of 10 years. During a sentencing hearing in Scott County District Court on Sept. 8, 2011, District Judge Mark Cleve sentenced Johnson to 10 years in prison. The sentence was to run concurrent with two felony cases Johnson was involved in at the time in Rock Island County. According to Iowa Department of Corrections electronic records, Johnson was placed on parole on Oct. 10, 2014, and he was released from parole on March 3, 2016. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 2 Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Flash Syria on Wednesday joined China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which will help Syria open broad horizons of cooperation with China and other countries. The ceremony of Syria's admission into the initiative took place at the Planning and International Cooperation Commission in the capital Damascus and was attended by Fadi Khalil, the head of the commission, and Feng Biao, China's ambassador to Syria, during which both sides signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Syria joining the BRI. Khalil said the admission of Syria into the initiative revives the old role of Syria on the ancient Silk Road and will help in boosting bilateral cooperation with China and multilateral cooperation with other countries, which are desirous of cooperating with Syria. He noted that Syria had been one of the main countries on the ancient Silk Road particularly the cities of Aleppo and Palmyra. He pointed out that the signing of Syria's admission into the initiative reflects an ancient and long history of friendship and cooperation between the two countries. For his side, Feng said that the cooperation between the two countries provides the greatest contribution to the economic reconstruction and social development in Syria and it also enhances the harmonization between the BRI and the eastward strategy proposed by Syria. The ambassador pointed out that the initiative is in line with the strong desire of the world's countries for broad economic participation, noting that the initiative has become the widest international cooperation platform in the world. The BRI, proposed by China in 2013, comprises the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, aiming to build a trade, investment, and infrastructure network connecting Asia with other parts of the world along the ancient Silk Road trade routes and beyond. The Davenport man charged with killing Italia Marie Kelly during a night of civil unrest in the Quad-Cities in 2020 was sentenced Wednesday to 25 years in prison. Parker Marlin Belz, 22, of Davenport, was originally charged with first-degree murder, but he accepted a plea agreement in October which reduced his charge to attempted murder. The deal came with a mandatory sentence of 25 years in prison, 70% or 17 years of which must be served before he will be eligible for parole. He will also be required to pay $150,000 in restitution to Italia's family. Before Judge Mark Fowler officially handed down the sentence, he heard victim impact statements from Italia's sister, Jazmin Kelly, and Italia's father, Michael Kelly. Jazmin recounted how after Italia's death, she had dreams for weeks in which she would see Belz in the Walmart parking lot where Italia was killed, and she would beg him to stop and not to shoot Italia. She talked about how angry she was and how Belz had taken so much from her and her family. "She was all I had and Parker, you don't care, clearly. You couldn't even apologize," Jazmin said. Italia's father, Michael, read a prepared statement about his grief and his feelings toward Belz. He spoke about how Italia's death was linked to the death of George Floyd, whose murder inspired unrest around the country and in the Quad-Cities on the night Italia died. Michael said he hopes Belz can reform himself, but that if he doesn't, Italia's family will be there to oppose when the time comes to consider parole, and they will fight him every step of the way. "You will never be able to mend the heart of Italia's sister Jazmin," Michael said. "We will never know the final outcome of Italia's story." Belz didn't speak during the hearing. During the plea hearing in October, Belz told Judge Mark Fowler the state had sufficient evidence for a jury to convict him of attempted murder. Belz's attorney, Wendy Samuelson, listed the evidence that had been provided by the state, which would have been presented in a jury trial. The evidence included witnesses who could place Belz at the protest in a car, witnesses who didn't see Belz fire the gun, but did see him move toward the sunroof of the car they were in as if to shoot, witnesses who were in another car with Italia when she was shot and video footage from a nearby squad car, in which the state would argue a muzzle flash can be seen. Samuelson also said the state could present evidence a search warrant conducted at a residence belonging to the mother of Belz's child found a firearm with the same caliber bullet as the one used to shoot Italia. The gun was tested and was determined to be the weapon used in the shooting, Samuelson said. Samuelson said she and Belz believe there is a substantial risk that if he were to proceed to trial, he would be found guilty of felony murder, which is why he chose to accept the plea agreement. "That risk is something that Mr. Belz desires to avoid by accepting this guilty plea," Samuelson said. Love 0 Funny 2 Wow 1 Sad 2 Angry 7 Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Mayor Mike Matson swore in four new Davenport police officers during Wednesday's city council meeting. Benjamin Betsworth grew up in Davenport. He graduated from Davenport Central High School in 2013. Following high school, Benjamin attended Black Hawk College and then transferred to Western Illinois University where he earned his Bachelors Degree in Law Enforcement and Justice Administration in 2018. Betsworth worked for Genesis Health Systems for two years before becoming a police officer. Joshua Bender grew up in Grand Mound, Iowa. He graduated from Elgin High School in Elgin, Texas, in 2015. Bender joined the Iowa National Guard as a combat engineer in 2015, and currently serves as a Sergeant. In 2016, Joshua earned his EMT-Basic Certificate from Scott Community College. He served as a reserve officer with the DeWitt Police Department from 2019 to 2021. Bender deployed overseas to Qatar with the Iowa National Guard from May 2020 to April 2021. He received the Directors Award and the 300-Point Club Award from the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy. Eric Long was born and raised in Davenport, and graduated from North Scott High School. Eric attended Iowa Central Community College and previously worked as a sheet metal fabricator. Mason Laud grew up in Hampton, Illinois, and graduated from United Township High School. He earned his Associates Degree from Black Hawk College. He continued his education at Western Illinois University where he is currently working towards his Bachelors Degree in Law Enforcement and Justice Administration with a minor in Homeland Security. Mason worked at Unity Point Health before becoming a police officer. Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 1 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. 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. Katie Kull 314-340-8087 @KatieKull1 on Twitter kkull@post-dispatch.com Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 CHICAGO An off-duty Chicago police officer was arrested after he allegedly shot and wounded three people during an argument at a suburban Chicago bowling alley, authorities said. The probationary police officer fired his gun late Tuesday shortly before midnight at Burr Oak Bowl in the Cook County city of Blue Island, said Civilian Office of Police Accountability spokesman Ephraim Eaddy. Eaddy said the conditions of the three people who were shot were not available, but there were no reported fatalities. COPA was notified of the shooting at 2 a.m. Wednesday. Curtis Van Johnson II, an employee who was working at the bowling alley, told the Chicago Sun-Times that he was outside but saw the aftermath and said that a general manager was shot in the hand. He said another victim was struck in the upper body, while the third was grazed in the head. The officer was arrested by Blue Island police and relieved of his police powers, the Chicago Police Department said in a statement. COPA said it was investigating the shooting with the Blue Island Police Department. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 CHICAGO A 14-year-old boy was fatally shot on Chicago's South Side just hours after another boy the same age was shot and killed on the city's near West Side, police said Thursday. No arrests had been made in the shootings Wednesday, police said. The first shooting happened just before 4 p.m. Police said a boy, identified by the Cook County Medical Examiner's office as Javion Ivy, was standing on the sidewalk when he was shot twice in the chest. Chief of Detectives Brendan Deenihan told reporters Thursday morning that witnesses told police they saw two people fleeing the scene. The boy was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead soon after. Deenihan said the second boy was shot at about 8:50 p.m. in Englewood on the South Side. He said the boy was walking with a friend when someone in a dark colored vehicle shot him in the head. The boy, identified by the medical examiner's office as James Sweezer, was pronounced dead shortly before midnight. Police said the second shooting happened in the same neighborhood where earlier that evening a 29-year-old woman sitting in her car was shot and killed by two males who climbed from their vehicle, walked over and opened fire before driving off. No arrests have been made in that shooting and police did not say if they believe the two slayings were related. Superintendent David Brown said Chicago police have seized 284 guns so far in 2022. "I think about those two young boys, and I think about their potential," Brown said during a news conference. "They are two of Chicago's children robbed of their futures, and it is unacceptable." Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 As many as 15 gunshots were reported when the husband of Illinois state Sen. Kimberly Lightford exchanged gunfire last month with carjackers who sped off in the senators loaner Mercedes-Benz SUV, according to a police report. The four-page report from Broadview police provides additional details about the Dec. 21 carjacking of Lightford, the second highest-ranking state senator, and her husband, Eric McKennie, in the western suburb. No one was hurt in the exchange of gunfire, and three suspects remain at large. Broadview police responded to multiple calls for shots fired about 9:45 p.m. Dec. 21, and officers headed to the carjacking site in the 2000 block of South 20th Avenue, according to the report, obtained by the Tribune through an open-records request. Dispatchers alerted officers that 10 to 15 shots were reported, and Lightford was involved in the incident, the report states. Officers arrived on scene and took possession of McKennies Glock 27 .40-caliber pistol while they figured out what transpired, the report states. It also says McKennie showed the officers his valid firearm owners identification card and concealed carry license McKennie told one of the officers the following account of what happened: He, Lightford and a friend were in the senators Mercedes heading west on Roosevelt Road, then turned right onto 20th Avenue, where the crime occurred, to drop off the friend. While saying goodbye, a Dodge SUV pulled in front of the Mercedes. Three suspects approached the Mercedes with handguns, and McKennie told Lightford to run. McKennie tossed the car keys into the street and backed away from the Mercedes. Thats when the gunfire erupted. McKennie got a few feet away from the vehicle and stated that one subject began firing their weapon, to which McKennie responded by protecting himself and fired his weapon toward the subject, the report stated. McKennie ran south down 20th Avenue, after firing a few rounds and found cover next to a house, the report also stated, as the alleged carjackers fired more rounds at him. The report did not specify how many rounds each shooter fired. McKennie could not say if he hit any suspects or the vehicle, the report states. Lightford told officers her purse and phone were inside the Mercedes. An effort to track the phone was not successful. Comprehensive descriptions of the suspects werent available, though at least one was wearing a face mask, the report states. Police have said the suspects escaped in both the Mercedes and the vehicle they pulled up in. The senate majority leaders leased Mercedes was later found by police about two blocks south of the Eisenhower Expressway on Chicagos West Side, authorities have said. Broadview police went door to door and found Ring camera doorbells at multiple residences. Police found at least one resident who might have had some video footage, though the report doesnt say what it showed. Lightfords Mercedes was identified as being a loaner from the Westmont Mercedes Dealer. The report also shows the Mercedes had on her Senate-issued license plates. At an event two days later, Lightford, a Maywood Democrat who has been in the state legislature since 1998, said she didnt realize what a traumatic event could do in an adult. The carjacking occurred about 30 minutes after a Christmas event hosted by Broadview village officials took place close to the scene of the crime, Broadview police Chief Thomas Mills has said. Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 With Republicans hammering the statewide spike in crime as their top election year issue, Democratic state legislators are being forced to defend last years sweeping criminal justice legislation and have opened the door to adding crime-fighting proposals to the agenda of this years condensed session in Springfield. Illinois House Speaker Emanuel Chris Welch was vague about what measures could be under consideration, but acknowledged a need to address increases in crimes like carjackings and organized retail theft. I cant talk to you about specifics 11 days into session. But I can tell you that conversations are already taking place on, you know, a possible crime package, anti-crime package, the Hillside Democrat said in a telephone interview this week to mark his first year as the General Assemblys first Black House speaker. Its being done with all stakeholders involved. And were just getting started. But thats certainly something thats high on our priority list, Welch said. Republicans in the General Assembly have talked about measures to tackle carjackings and organized retail theft as part of their effort to paint Democrats as weak on crime heading into Novembers election, when all state legislators and Gov. J.B. Pritzker will be on the ballot. The GOP has also maintained a drumbeat of criticism over the criminal justice legislation, which proponents say was intended to address inequities in the justice system, that was passed by the Democrats last year and signed into law by Pritzker. Republicans say the law as a whole weakens law enforcement and emboldens criminals. A key provision of that legislation is the elimination of cash bail in 2023. Pro-police groups have expressed concern the measure could lead to more crime, despite there being no empirical proof that some reforms made in recent years, such as with Cook Countys bail system, exacerbated crime in Chicago. Despite that, in an interview with the Tribune last month, House Republican Leader Jim Durkin, of Western Springs, offered a bleak prediction of the effect he expects the elimination of cash bail to have. Sign up for The Spin to get the top stories in politics delivered to your inbox weekday afternoons. No one should feel comfortable that people who are in this system ... are going to return to the courthouse, said Durkin, a former Cook County prosecutor. These guys arent going to show up. I know it for a fact. Welch said he remained a supporter of cash bail elimination and cautioned against tying a measure that hasnt yet taken effect to the rise in violence. The violence thats going on in the country, going on in the state, violence is going on everywhere. Its an issue. It has nothing to do with a piece of reform that hasnt even gone into effect yet, he said. But in a Zoom-based public meeting last week about crime concerns in Chicagos Lakeview community, state Sen. Sara Feigenholtz, a Chicago Democrat who voted in favor of the criminal justice reform package, suggested the law might need to be reexamined. I dont think that anybody bargained for repeat offenders and people who were in possession of a gun and accused of a violent crime to be released on an I-Bond, she said at the meeting, first covered by the crime-reporting website CWB Chicago. An I-Bond, short for Individual Bond, allows a defendant to be released without having to post bail. Chicago ended last year with some 800 homicides a number not reached since the mid-1990s and over 4,000 people shot. The city also recorded more than 1,700 carjackings, the highest tally for that crime in the city in years. The carjacking issue hit especially close to home for state legislators after Democratic state Sen. Kimberly Lightford and her husband were carjacked in near west suburban Broadview on Dec. 21. The crime led to a shootout between the suspects and Lightfords husband, who police said possesses a concealed carry license. In the last two years amid the COVID-19 pandemic, there have also been numerous smash-and-grab burglaries at retail stores, including high-end shops on Chicagos Gold Coast and Magnificent Mile, as well as in the suburbs. Other Illinois cities have also been beset by increasing crime. Peoria ended 2021 with 34 people slain, a record for the Central Illinois city of about 113,000 people. In Champaign, a city of about 88,000 people, 17 homicides were recorded, the most ever for that city as well, according to news reports. Welchs vague reference to anti-crime measures comes as Democrats have pushed for more community-based, holistic solutions to the violence. Welch pointed to the $250 million that Gov. J.B. Pritzkers administration and the legislature have pledged for violence prevention groups that focus on street conflict mediation and connecting at-risk individuals with mental health services, job training and other social service needs. Welch also pointed a finger at the other party, turning to one of his familiar talking points of blaming former GOP Gov. Bruce Rauners administration for cutting anti-violence funding during his term from 2014 to 2018 amid a more than 700-day budget impasse. Bruce Rauner and the current Republican leaders in the legislature that stood by and allowed him to wreak havoc on our infrastructure, were still paying the price for a lot of that today, Welch said. And you cant ignore the root causes. And root causes are very much things about housing insecurity, food insecurity. People are going to do things when they get desperate. And so we have to continue to do the things that we possibly can to address both, making sure law enforcement has the tools and resources they need. But we also have to address the root causes. And thats why putting this infrastructure back in place is so important. Welch noted that the criminal justice bill can still be refined. Last week, for example, the legislature passed a trailer bill for the criminal justice reform package to address concerns from law enforcement about the police officer decertification process, and guidelines related to police body camera footage and detainee phone calls. Asked how hed ease the mind of residents left uneasy about the outright elimination of cash bail, Welch said the legislature is here to address those issues. Were continuing to have conversations with our friends in law enforcement. Were continuing to have conversations with states attorneys across the state, Welch said. Were going to look at ways to make sure law enforcement is properly funded, properly trained, properly educated. Well be able to do that in our budget. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 QUINCY, Ill. A judge in western Illinois who found an 18-year-old man guilty of sexual assaulting a 16-year-old girl has come under fire after he later threw out the conviction, saying the 148 days the man spent in jail was punishment enough. The prosecutor in the case said her "heart is bleeding for the victim," and an organization that helps victims of domestic violence and sexual abuse said Adams County Judge Robert Adrian's ruling sends a "chilling message to other rape victims that their behavior, not the rapists' will be judged," the (Quincy) Herald-Whig reported. On Wednesday, Adrian, apparently angered by the criticism, told another prosecutor appearing before him in an unrelated case to leave his courtroom because the prosecutor had "liked" a comment on Facebook that was critical of the judge. "I can't be fair with you," Adrian told the Adams County prosecutor, the Herald-Whig reported. "Get out." The uproar stems from a case that started with the arrest of Drew Clinton after a May 30 graduation party. During the trial, the judge heard evidence that the girl had told police she'd attended the party, where she drank alcohol and swam in a pool in her underwear before she eventually passed out. She said she woke up to a pillow pushed on her face and Clinton sexually assaulting her. According to the police report, the teen was able to push Clinton off of her and then told a friend what happened. She later told her father, who called the police. In October, Adrian found Clinton guilty of felony sexual assault, but during a Jan. 3 sentencing hearing he said he would not impose the mandatory minimum sentence of four years in prison. "Mr. Clinton has served almost five months in the county jail, 148 days," Adrian said, according to the court transcript of the hearing posted online by local media. "For what happened in this case, that is plenty of punishment. That would be a just sentence." "There is no way," the judge explained, "for what happened in this case that this teenager should go to the Department of Corrections. I will not do that." But the judge said if he were to rule that the sentencing statute he was bound to follow was unconstitutional, his decision would be overturned and Clinton would be ordered to prison. In order to avoid an appeal he believed would be successful, Adrian said what he could do was determine that prosecutors had failed to "prove their case" and dismiss the sexual assault charge. The Herald-Whig also reported that Adrian said he couldnt believe that adults who were at the party took their responsibilities so lightly. "This is whats happened when parents do not exercise their parental responsibilities, when we have people, adults, having parties for teenagers, and they allow coeds and female people to swim in their underwear in their swimming pool," the judge said. "And, no, underwear is not the same as swimming suits. Its just they allow 16-year-old to bring liquor to a party. They provide liquor to underage people, and you wonder how these things happen. "Well, thats how these things happen. The Court is totally disgusted with that whole thing." The prosecutor in the case, Anita Rodriguez, said she had never in her 40-year career seen anything like Adrian's ruling, and worried how the ruling might affect the victim. The trial "did a lot for her healing process, but now she's back to where we were at." The Quincy Area Network Against Domestic Abuse said the ruling sends a dangerous message. "The judgement reinforces the fact that standards for women have always been impossibly high while they are impossibly low for men," the group said in a statement. But Clinton's attorney, Drew Schnack, said the ultimate verdict was the correct one because the prosecution did not prove its case and the evidence was not strong enough to warrant a conviction. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 The Madison County State's 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. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 PIERRE | South Dakota Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg told state lawmakers Wednesday that he has been unable to find funds to hire someone to coordinate tribal, state and local law enforcement agencies to investigate missing Indigenous people. The Legislature last year established a one-person office under the attorney generals office to coordinate law enforcement efforts across agencies as the state saw high numbers of Native American people, especially women, go missing. But the office did not receive a budget allocation, and lawmakers said they hoped it could be funded with federal or tribal funds. That has not happened, Ravnsborg said Wednesday, calling it basically an unfunded mandate. He pointed to his work to bolster the state's website that lists missing people and claimed he had tried to raise the issue of funding in conversations with tribal leaders. Rep. Peri Pourier, the Democrat who proposed the position last year, said tribal lobbyists had been working on getting federal funding for the attorney general's office but were waiting on a formal request from the state. Ravnsborg said his office has requested an allocation for the position in this year's state budget. Lawmakers will shape the budget during the nine-week legislative session that started this week. You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 0 Funny 4 Wow 0 Sad 2 Angry 6 As signs point to swelling food needs throughout the state, Feeding South Dakota is tapping young volunteers to learn about hunger and to help alleviate it. Celebrating Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service on Monday, Feeding South Dakota is conducting its first Bring Your Child to Serve Day at several state distribution centers. In Rapid City, volunteers will serve at the center at 1111 N. Creek Drive. Children who are at least 11 years old, along with their caregivers, are invited to volunteer on Monday, sorting and packing food to be distributed to various parts of the community. Theyll also be able to talk with staff members at Feeding South Dakota and learn how their service will be put to use. They can expect to learn more about hunger and food insecurity in our region and also the impact their service will have in our community, said Megan Kjose, development director for Feeding South Dakota. Kjose was in Rapid City on Wednesday. Kjose said that with students home from school on Monday, the timing for a volunteer day focusing on children was right. She noted, too, that Martin Luther King Jr. Day has increasingly come to be commemorated as a day of service nationwide. The effort also may encourage a younger cohort of volunteers to keep on helping out after Monday, she said. Most of our volunteers are older volunteers or people who come in with their organizations or churches or businesses, she said. This is a way to highlight the opportunity for kids 11 and up to volunteer for us not just this day but any day. Kjose also said the demand for food is rising, following previous fluctuations beginning with the onset of COVID-19. Early in the pandemic, she said, the numbers of people seeking food surged. Then it really started to decline and start to level out at pre-pandemic numbers, Kjose explained. And now, in this last quarter of 2021 and even through the new year, we saw an increase of 15 to 20% of people seeking food, she said. Kjose said Feeding South Dakota works with 260 agency partners across the state, including 78 in western South Dakota. That could be anything from a food pantry to an emergency shelter those folks who receive food from us and serve guests, she said. Kjose said she began her work with Feeding South Dakota in October and quickly started to expand her understanding of hunger. I really thought that I knew the face of hunger, she said. Its easy to assume that you know the face of hunger and who might be needing services But really what I learned is that the face of hunger could be somebody sitting next to you at work or at church, or could be someone in your childs class at school. It could be a student at a university. She said raising hunger-consciousness among younger people is also key something that may make the coming volunteer work all the more noteworthy. She said she hopes younger people continue to think about their communities and the needs within them after the volunteer work is over. When theyre outside our doors, how could they be thinking about food insecurity in their respective areas whether it be at school or at home? Kjose asked, and she underlined the importance of helping both children and their caretakers to think about the issue. Paul Rodrigues, western operations manager for Feeding South Dakota, explained how that sort of consciousness is prominent among people volunteering and working for Feeding South Dakota. We try to make it a good experience for everybody, he said, noting that volunteers and staff members stay upbeat. He said they also realize that people seeking food may be in tough straits and in trying frames of mind. Theres going to be people who are going to be down and frustrated, but we try to defuse all of that, Rodrigues said. Its part of the job. Volunteer shifts for Bring Your Child to Serve Day are available from 9 a.m. to noon and from 1 to 4 p.m. on Monday. In Rapid City, volunteers will come to the distribution center on 1111 N. Creek Drive. People seeking to volunteer can go to feedingsouthdakota.org/volunteer or contact Kim Skrovig, volunteer coordinator, at 605-335-0364 ext. 124. You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Dennis Krull, a Republican from Hill City, has announced his intention to run for election in South Dakota House District 30. The district includes portions of western Pennington County and all of Custer and Fall River counties. District 30 is currently represented in the House by Tim Goodwin and Trish Ladner. Krull was elected to the Hill City Board of Education in 2015 and serves as board president. He also is a member of the Hill City Volunteer Fire Department for the past 25 years. Previously, Krull was on the Hill City Fire District Board, the Business Improvement District Board and was president of the Hill City Economic Development Board. He and his wife owned and operated Krull's Market in Hill City from 1992 to 2012 and operated grocery stores in Wall and Armour. Krull said he decided to run for the House seat to bring accountability, transparency and approachable leadership to District 30. "I believe that our government is in place to exercise the state will of the people they serve," Krull said in a statement. "I will be a voice for responsible spending and moral/Christian values. I will strive to do what is fair and right for all the people of South Dakota, not just those supporting special interests." South Dakota primary elections are scheduled for June 7. You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 4 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 A man is in custody after a car with two children inside was nearly stolen Wednesday morning in west Rapid City. According to Police Department spokesperson Brendyn Medina, the incident occurred about 7:30 a.m. in the Walgreens parking lot at the corner of Mountain View Road and Main Street. Medina said a police officer was flagged down by a woman who wanted to report an attempted car theft. She told the officer she had parked at the parking lot and went in the store while leaving two children inside the car and the vehicle unlocked. When she returned, she realized there was an unknown man attempting to get in the car. A confrontation between them occurred, Medina said, and the suspect began to back out of the parking lot in her vehicle. The man hit the woman over with the car, then stopped and fled on foot. Medina said there were no serious injuries to the woman and the children were unharmed. Officers spoke with several witnesses, who provided descriptions of the male suspect. Medina said officers were able to identify the suspect was and located two males for questioning. One of them was taken into custody and is facing grand theft auto charges and felony hit and run. Medina was not able to identify the suspect as of Wednesday afternoon. He said the situation could have been worse but also could have been prevented. Medina encouraged drivers to never leave vehicles running and unlocked and to never leave children unattended in vehicles. "This is something we talk about all the time the potential risks that exist when you leave a car unsecured, unattended and even running," he said. "This was someone trying to commit the crime of opportunity, and it's important we don't give these criminals this opportunity." Contact Nathan Thompson at nathan.thompson@rapidcityjournal.com. You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 0 Funny 1 Wow 0 Sad 1 Angry 0 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds has been telling people for the past year that the 2020 election was fair, but this week he did something few other Republicans have dared tell a national audience that. Now he wishes more Republicans would join him. Rounds, who is in his second Senate term, has been telling local newspapers, radio shows and Rotary clubs in South Dakota that he checked out the allegations of election fraud made by former President Donald Trump and, while there were some irregularities, they all came up empty of anything that could counter the truth that Trump lost. So, when ABC News' This Week asked the senator to appear on its Sunday show to discuss the Jan. 6, 2020, attack on the Capitol, Rounds said his decision was simple: Well, of course, I will. But the backlash from speaking was swift. Rounds said he wasn't looking to pick a fight with Trump, but that's exactly what happened. The former president called Rounds a jerk in a statement. Rounds stood by what he said and argued there are many more Republicans like him and they need to speak up. If we want to keep the trust and gain the trust of more individuals that are wondering, we have to probably say it a little bit louder and in more places that many of us normally either arent invited to talk or have chosen not to get into the fray, Rounds told The Associated Press in an interview this week. Rounds got backup after Trump's attack from several high-profile Republicans, including Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and fellow South Dakotan Sen. John Thune, who has had his own run-ins with Trump. But with the GOP still largely in the former president's grip, it's not clear whether Rounds' defiance represents a slip in that grasp or whether he's a lonely voice in the party. Republicans have mostly avoided public talk of the deadliest domestic attack on Congress in the nations history, calling memorials and inquiries into the insurrection politicized. And Trump has clung to the notion that the election was stolen from him. In an interview Tuesday with National Public Radio, the former president said it was an advantage for Republicans to keep alleging fraud and that Rounds was totally wrong. Some Republicans have worried that Trump's attacks will wind up hurting the party, depressing turnout by conservatives and damaging them in future elections. That's a point Rounds made. He wants to move on from Trump's baseless election fraud claims, but not before making it clear that Trump lost fair and square. He said the party risks losing credibility and voters if Trump is allowed to undermine trust in the democratic process. We have to be more aggressive in reassuring conservatives that their vote counts, Rounds said, adding to give them reassurance that they can trust us and that we will speak the truth. And even if its the hard truth thats hard to swallow, were not going to lie to them. In South Dakota, the reaction to Trump's attack on Rounds has so far been muted compared to the backlash Thune faced last year when Trump lashed out at him for saying that the attempt to overturn the election would go down like a shot dog in the Senate. Gov. Kristi Noem, who has aligned herself more closely with Trump than any other South Dakota politician, said Tuesday she was not aware of the exchange between Rounds and Trump. And Jeff Holbrook, the chair of the Pennington County GOP, one of the state's largest county parties that held Stop the Steal rallies in support of Trump after the 2020 election, said he had seen little reaction to Trump's attack on Rounds. Rounds said he has heard plenty about the exchange, acknowledging that some reaction was negative, but he said the vast majority was from people thanking him for speaking up. Trump jabbed at Rounds by saying he only had courage to make those remarks because he doesn't face reelection until 2026, and he pledged that he would never again endorse Rounds. Rounds acknowledged that some Republicans facing earlier primaries would not disappoint a part of the base that really does have a loyalty to the former president. But he argued it could be done, pointing to Thune, who recently mulled retirement before announcing last week he would seek another term. Though Thune has a large campaign fund and a seemingly clear path to reelection, he has drawn a handful of primary challenges from an insurgent group of conservatives seeking to unseat anyone who hasn't bought into the Trump brand of politics. Hes not looking for a fight, Rounds said of Thune. "He just wants to be honest with the people. One of Thune's challengers, Bruce Whalen, had cautionary words for Rounds. He needs to remember that South Dakota is predominantly MAGA and there are just so many angry people out there right now, Whalen said. You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 15 Funny 1 Wow 0 Sad 1 Angry 3 WASHINGTON Stewart Rhodes, the founder and leader of the far-right Oath Keepers militia group, and 10 other members or associates have been charged with seditious conspiracy in the violent attack on the U.S. Capitol, authorities said Thursday. Despite hundreds of charges already brought in the year since pro-Trump rioters stormed the Capitol in an effort to stop the certification of President Joe Biden's 2020 election victory, these were the first seditious conspiracy charges levied in connection with the attack on Jan. 6, 2021. It marked a serious escalation in the largest investigation in the Justice Departments history more than 700 people have been arrested and charged with federal crimes and highlighted the work that has gone into piecing together the most complicated cases. The charges rebut, in part, the growing chorus of Republican lawmakers who have publicly challenged the seriousness of the insurrection, arguing that since no one had been charged yet with sedition or treason, it could not have been so violent. The indictment alleges Oath Keepers for weeks discussed trying to overturn the election results and preparing for a siege by purchasing weapons and setting up battle plans. They repeatedly wrote in chats about the prospect of violence and the need, as Rhodes allegedly wrote in one text, to scare the s-out of Congress. And on Jan. 6, the indictment alleges, they entered the Capitol building with the large crowds of rioters who stormed past police barriers and smashed windows, injuring dozens of officers and sending lawmakers running. Authorities have said the Oath Keepers and their associates worked as if they were going to war, discussing weapons and training. Days before the attack, one defendant suggested in a text message getting a boat to ferry weapons across the Potomac River to their waiting arms, prosecutors say. On Jan. 6, several members, wearing camouflaged combat attire, were seen on camera shouldering their way through the crowd and into the Capitol in a military-style stack formation, authorities say. The indictment against Rhodes alleges Oath Keepers formed two teams, or stacks, that entered the Capitol. The first stack split up inside the building to separately go after the House and Senate. The second stack confronted officers inside the Capitol Rotunda, the indictment said. Outside Washington, the indictment alleges, the Oath Keepers had stationed two quick reaction forces that had guns in support of their plot to stop the lawful transfer of power. Rhodes, 56, of Granbury, Texas, is the highest-ranking member of an extremist group to be arrested in the deadly siege. The former U.S. Army paratrooper and Yale Law School graduate founded the Oath Keepers in 2009 before moving from Nevada to Montana in 2010 and opening a law office in Kalispell. He was disbarred by the Montana Supreme Court Office of Disciplinary Counsel in 2015 following ethics complaints in Arizona. In 2018, Rhodes' estranged wife, petitioned for a temporary order of protection in Lincoln County alleging a pattern of domestic violence. The petition was denied. He and Edward Vallejo, 63, of Phoenix, Arizona, were arrested on Thursday. The nine others were already facing criminal charges related to the attack. Sedition charges are difficult to win and rarely used, but defendants face steep prison time of 20 years if convicted, compared with five for the other conspiracy charges. The last time U.S. prosecutors brought such a seditious conspiracy case was in 2010 in an alleged Michigan plot by members of the Hutaree militia to incite an uprising against the government. But a judge ordered acquittals on the sedition conspiracy charges at a 2012 trial, saying prosecutors relied too much on hateful diatribes protected by the First Amendment and didnt, as required, prove the accused ever had detailed plans for a rebellion. Among the last successful convictions for seditious conspiracy stemmed from another, now largely forgotten storming of the Capitol in 1954, when four Puerto Rican nationalists opened fire on the House floor, wounding five representatives. Most of the hundreds of people charged in the violence are facing lower-level crimes. More than 150 people have been charged with assaulting police officers at the Capitol. Over 50 have been charged with conspiracy, mostly people linked to the far-right Proud Boys and anti-government Oath Keepers. There have been no sedition charges brought against the Proud Boys. Rhodes did not enter the Capitol building on Jan. 6 but is accused of helping put into motion the violence. Jonathan Moseley, an attorney who said he represented Rhodes, said Rhodes was supposed to testify before the House committee investigating the Jan. 6 insurrection in a deposition but it got called off. He has been subject to a lot of suspicion to why he wasnt indicted, so far in the Jan. 6 riot, Moseley said. I dont know if this is in response to those discussions, but we do think its unfortunate. Its an unusual situation. A second attorney representing the group, Kellye SoRelle, said she was issuing a statement later and said Moseley did not represent Rhodes. Rhodes has said in interviews with right-wing hosts that there was no plan to storm the Capitol and that the members who did so went rogue. But he has continued to push the lie that the 2020 election was stolen, while posts on the Oath Keepers website have depicted the group as a victim of political persecution. Other defendants in the conspiracy have argued in court that the only plan was to provide security at the rally before the riot or protect themselves against possible attacks from far-left Antifa activists. Rhodes has appeared in court documents in the conspiracy case for months as Person One. Authorities say Rhodes held a GoToMeeting call days after the election, telling his followers to go to Washington and let then President Donald Trump know that the people are behind him. Rhodes told members they should be prepared to fight Antifa and that some Oath Keepers should stay on the outside and be prepared to go in armed if necessary. Were going to defend the president, the duly elected president, and we call on him to do what needs to be done to save our country. Because if you dont guys, youre going to be in a bloody, bloody civil war, and a bloody you can call it an insurrection or you can call it a war or fight, Rhodes said, according to court documents. Authorities have said Rhodes was part of an encrypted Signal chat with Oath Keepers from multiple states leading up to Jan. 6 called DC OP: Jan 6 21 and it showed the group was activating a plan to use force that day. On the afternoon of the 6th, authorities say Rhodes told the group over Signal: All I see Trump doing is complaining. I see no intent by him to do anything. So the patriots are taking it into their own hands. Theyve had enough. Around 2:30 p.m., Rhodes had a 97-second phone call with Kelly Meggs, the reputed leader of the groups Florida chapter, who was part of the military-style stack, authorities say. About 10 minutes later, Rhodes sent a photo to the group showing the southeast side of the Capitol with the caption, South side of US Capitol. Patriots pounding on doors. Around that same time, those in the stack formation forcibly entered the Capitol, prosecutors say. He was expected in court on Friday in Texas. More than 70 defendants remain detained on riot charges. At least 183 defendants have pleaded guilty to riot-related charges as of Jan. 11. At least 78 of them have been sentenced, including 35 people who received jail or prison sentences or time already served. The Montana State News Bureau contributed to this story. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 A U.S. Senate committee on Wednesday advanced the nomination of Montanan Martha Williams to lead the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Williams, the former director of Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, was nominated to the federal agency director post by President Joe Biden in October. She has served over the last year as principal deputy director at USFWS while the directors position has remained open. Williams advanced to the Senate floor with a 16-4 vote by the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works Wednesday, earning praise from both the top Democrat and Republican on the committee. Sen. Tom Carper, D-Del., told the committee Williams had a proven track record of brining groups together on wildlife issues. That is why her nomination enjoys broad stakeholder support including from environmental organizations and sportsmen and women alike, including both senators from Montana, he said. Both Democratic Sen. Jon Tester and Republican Sen. Steve Daines announced their support for Williams nomination ahead of her confirmation hearing in November. The committees top Republican, Sen. Shelley Capito of West Virginia, also pledged her support for Williams. In my discussions with her, Ms. Williams agreed to preserve opportunities for hunting, fishing and other outdoor pursuits important to many West Virginians and across this country, she said. Ms. Williams and I will not agree with everything but she has shown she takes her responsibility to be accountable to Congress seriously and I thank her for that. The Republicans voting against her nomination did not offer their reasoning during Wednesdays vote. Williams faced several pointed questions during her November confirmation hearing, including from Sen. Cynthia Lummis, a Republican from Wyoming, about delisting grizzly bears from the Endangered Species Act. Loomis was among those voting against the nomination. Along with oversite over species listed as threatened or endangered, FWS also oversees national and sometimes international conservation issues. Those include fisheries, hatcheries, migratory birds, ecological services and federal wildlife refuges. Before taking the deputy directors position with the Biden administration, Williams served as director of Montanas state wildlife agency under former Democratic Gov. Steve Bullock. She previously worked as an attorney for FWP from 1998 to 2011 and for two years as a solicitor at the Department of the Interior. She returned to Montana to teach at the Alexander Blewett III School of Law at the University of Montana before her appointment to FWP. Williams touted her experience at both the state and federal level and pledged adherence to the law, science and collaboration during her confirmation hearing. Tom Kuglin is the deputy editor for the Lee Newspapers State Bureau. His coverage focuses on outdoors, recreation and natural resources. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. 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. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Candidate filing opened Thursday in Montana, formally kicking off the 2022 election season. As of 4 p.m. Thursday, Montana Secretary of State Christi Jacobsen said 81 candidates filed for office on the opening day. Of those 81, 12 filed in person at the Secretary of State's Office at the state Capitol. The rest filed online. The state's highest-profile race may be for the new congressional seat, and campaign season is already well underway. The new western district, known as District 1, returned to Montana through a population increase tracked by the U.S. census after the state spent 32 years with just one seat in the U.S. House. The state's redistricting commission settled on a map in November that largely followed the Continental Divide. Democrats this cycle will have a lot of ground to make up with voters, who delivered all five statewide offices to Republicans in 2020 by decisive margins. Cora Neumann, a Democratic candidate in the new district, said after filing with the Montana Secretary of State on Thursday morning that she feels good about Democrats' chances in the west. The district holds Missoula and Butte, two Democratic strongholds, along with Bozeman's ballooning population that trends blue. "It's definitely a district that we can win and I'm proud of that," Neumann told reporters. Neumann said she's familiar with issues facing residents in the western district, like lack of access to health care and affordable housing. Neumann is a public health expert who ran on the Democratic ticket for U.S. Senate in 2020 before she and most other candidates bowed out of the race once former Gov. Steve Bullock entered the field. Al Olszewski, a former Republican lawmaker and 2020 candidate for governor, also arrived at the state Capitol on Thursday to get his name on the ballot in his bid for Congress. He faces former congressman and Secretary of the U.S. Department of Interior Ryan Zinke, but on Thursday Olszewski rejected the notion that Zinke is expected to win. "He's the favorite establishment candidate," Olszewski said. Olszewski said he'll try to cast himself as the "wingman" to Rep. Matt Rosendale, incumbent in the Eastern District who claimed 56% of the vote in the 2020 election. That means focusing on immigration, limited government and Second Amendment issues. Zinke already has received an endorsement from former President Donald Trump. In 2018, Zinke resigned from his post in Trump's cabinet amid several investigations, and previously said he left the office so not to be a distraction. When Zinke announced his bid for Congress last year, he said he believes voters will shrug off those scandals as partisan attacks. Democrats Monica Tranel and Tom Winter have also announced their bids for the new district. Tranel is a Missoula lawyer and former Public Service Commission staff attorney; Winter is a former Democratic state lawmaker from Missoula. Rosendale, of Glendive, is seeking re-election in what is now the Eastern District. Democrats Jack Ballard, an outdoor writer from Red Lodge, Penny Ronning, a Billings City Council member, and Skylar Williams, of Billings, are each seeking to unseat Rosendale in the eastern district. In statewide elections, District 1 and District 5 on the Public Service Commission are up for election and as well as two Montana Supreme Court seats. The PSC seats are four-year terms, and the Supreme Court justices are elected to eight-year terms. But a wrench has been thrown into this year's PSC races after a lawsuit challenged the districts as unconstitutionally disproportionate. The districts haven't been redrawn since 2003 and are uneven in population, in some districts by as much as 50,000 people. Voters who filed the lawsuit and Montana Secretary of State agree that the districts violate the 14th Amendment's one-person, one-vote provision. But federal justices have not yet determined whether the courts should recalibrate the districts in an election year, as the plaintiffs have asked, or give state lawmakers, who by law balance the districts, another year to do so. Candidate filing closes March 14. Montana's primary election is set for June 7. Citizen initiated ballot petitions could begin circulating in June, 2021. Petition signatures are due to county election administrators by June 17. County election officials then must file those initiative petitions with the Secretary of State by July 15 in order to appear on the general election ballot on Nov. 8. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. A Northern Virginia-based information technology company is planning to open a new office in Richmond that is expected to create 125 jobs. Fairfax County-based Intact Technology, a software consulting and managed services firm, will invest $1.5 million to establish a second Virginia location in the city of Richmond, Gov. Ralph Northams office announced on Wednesday. Intact announced plans in 2020 to relocate its headquarters from Greenbelt, Md., to a new Virginia location at 12700 Sunrise Valley Drive in Reston. In October 2021, the company announced plans to expand its Fairfax County headquarters and add job 40 jobs. The expansion into Richmond is expected to double the companys current workforce of 125. The company has not settled on a location for its Richmond office yet but is planning to do so soon. We are exploring a few location options in the Shockoe Bottom area in downtown Richmond, said Jesse White, the chief executive officer of Intact Technology. White said the company is already accepting applications for jobs. We are looking for dynamic individuals wanting to start or enhance their career in IT, White said. The anticipated start date will be early May with eight weeks of paid, intensive IT training. One of the unique aspects of Intacts hiring is that it is not about the experience, not that we dont value it, but it is about the individual and their potential the ability to adapt to different situations and to take up the challenge to learn. Northams office said Virginia competed with Maryland and Washington, D.C., for the latest expansion. Northam approved a $350,000 incentive grant from the Commonwealths Opportunity Fund to get the expansion. The company also is eligible to receive state benefits from the Virginia Enterprise Zone Program, administered by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development. Funding and services to support the companys employee training activities will be provided through the Virginia Jobs Investment Program. Were thrilled that Intact Technology chose to locate its second Virginia office here and create 125 well-paying jobs in the city of Richmond, said Richmond Mayor Levar M. Stoney in a statement. Intacts progressive workplace and commitment to corporate citizenship are a good match for our diverse and talented workforce, which is attracted to our city for its high quality of life. Richmond-area theaters will be brightening the dark days of winter with exciting and fresh productions on stage. From a new take on the Henrik Ibsen play A Dolls House, Part 2 at Virginia Rep to Come From Away, an inspiring musical based on the Sept. 11 attacks, heres what were looking forward to this season: Murder For Two Swift Creek Mill Theatre Local audiences who love a bit of mystery might already know that Swift Creek Mill is always the place to find a great whodunit. But this winter, with Murder for Two, Swift Creek is taking the whodunit in a new direction. With only two actors and one piano, this musical mystery sounds as if it will offer up comedy and intrigue in equal doses. Director Tom Width says that the joy in producing and directing Murder for Two is that the authors give us lots of latitude as to how it can be done the characters, the setting, the props can all be interpreted from many points of view. The music is great, and the show is a crazy romp on both sides of the footlights. Oh and the four-handed piano playing ! Murder for Two runs Jan. 28 through Feb. 26 at Swift Creek Mill Theatre, 17401 U.S. Route 1, South Chesterfield. For more information, visit swiftcreekmill.com or call (804) 748-5203. Come From Away Broadway in Richmond Come From Away dramatizes the true story of the residents of Gander, a small Newfoundland town that suddenly found its population doubled when 38 planes were diverted to Gander International Airport in the wake of the Sept. 11 attacks. Writing team Irene Sankoff and David Hein based their characters on interviews with Gander residents and returning travelers about their experiences as this small town opened its homes and hearts to 7,000 displaced strangers. Part musical, part docudrama, Come From Away celebrates the human capacity for acceptance, tolerance and love. Broadway in Richmond brings Come From Away to the Altria Theater, 6 N. Laurel St., on Feb. 1-6. For more information, visit altriatheater.com or call (804) 592-3368. A Dolls House, Part 2 Virginia Repertory Theatre Richmond-area audiences might remember the 2018 TheatreLAB production of Henrik Ibsens A Dolls House, in which actress Katrinah Carol Lewis portrayed Nora, the woman who famously slams the door on her family life, leaving audiences to wonder what will become of her and the family she abandons. Lewis reprises her role in the Virginia Rep production of A Dolls House, Part 2, in which playwright Lucas Hnath explores that very question. It is fitting that Hnaths play begins with a door knock, says director Sharon Ott. Ibsens play is all about personal freedom and the need to know oneself. Hnath is interested in looking at the cost of Noras quest for freedom on those she left behind. Ott adds that Hnaths script is crisp and contemporary and contains surprising and refreshing humor something even people who love Ibsen would have to say is lacking in the original. Although this Nora is fueled by the version Lewis played in 2018, she agrees with Ott: Ibsens piece is a drama, while Hnaths is a comedy, so this allows for the opportunity to explore a different tone in the saga of Nora. Virginia Reps A Dolls House, Part 2 runs Feb. 4-27 at the November Theatre, 114 W. Broad St. For more information, visit va-rep.org or call (804) 282-2620. Stonewallin Richmond Triangle Players Kari Barclays Stonewallin, winner of the inaugural So.Queer Playwriting Festival, tells a queer coming-of-age story set in the American South. Barclays work was chosen by RTP from over 90 original works to be developed and produced at the Robert B. Moss Theatre. The play enjoyed a live staged reading in December, but starting in February, audiences can buy tickets to see the full production, finally coming to fruition under the thoughtful direction of Raja Benz, who recently directed The Pink Unicorn at RTP as well. Richmond Triangle Players Stonewallin runs Feb. 9 through March 5 at the Robert B. Moss Theatre. For more information, visit rtriangle.org or call (804) 346-8113. More upcoming shows: Chamberlayne Actors Theatres A Hotel on Marvin Gardens, Feb. 4-12 at Dogtown Dance Theatre Richmond Ballets Romeo & Juliet, Feb. 18-20 at the Dominion Energy Center Henrico Theatre Companys Forever Ella W/ Desiree Roots and Friends, Feb. 23 at The Cultural Arts Center at Glen Allen. One thing that may be more terrifying than a scary movie is a scary documentary. In Scream: The True Story, paranormal investigator Steve Shippy, and psychic medium Cindy Kaza dig into the horrific history of serial killer Danny Rolling. The string of murders committed by The Gainesville Ripper served as a basis for the 1996 slasher flick Scream. The latest in the Shock Docs series sees Shippy and Kaza explore Rollings belief that he was possessed by a demon Gemini that led to killing eight people more than 30 years ago. In 2006, Rolling was executed by lethal injection in a Florida prison. Shippy and Kaza are the first to conduct a paranormal investigation at the campsite near the University of Florida campus where he targeted the victims. They also visit Rollings childhood home in Louisiana, the site of aggressive poltergeist activity terrorizing current homeowners. Before the docu-special drops, Shippy and Kaza go into their findings. How did you two connect for this particular project? Steve Shippy: We were chosen because of both our unique set of skills and a prior investigation where Cindy and I faced a dark haunting. The spirit of another notorious and demented killer. Cindy Kaza: Steve and I previously worked together on another Shock Doc, which investigated the life and crimes of serial killer Ed Gein [Ed Gein: The Real Psycho]. We work well together and both bring different and complementary skill sets to investigations. Why do you think the paranormal side of Rollings story hasnt been explored by way of investigation before? Steve Shippy: I believe it is because the media and investigators did not want to give any credence to his claims of demonic possession. This is understandable in that they didnt want the public to believe he was a victim. They felt he was being deceptive and deflecting responsibility for his hideous crimes. What was it like working together on this? Steve: Working with Cindy is always amazing. Her connection to the other side and fine-tuned mediumship is a tremendous asset to any investigation. Cindy is able to give me information that my paranormal investigation equipment cannot, which can be key to cracking a case. Cindy: I love working with Steve and really respect how he approaches paranormal investigations. He has a deep well of knowledge about paranormal theory and has spent years working with different equipment used in paranormal investigations. Im not well versed in the language of gadgets, so its awesome to have a partner who knows how to properly navigate that space. I think people are going to be intrigued by how in sync the mediumship and technology were during this investigation. How did it feel visiting Rollings childhood home? Steve: Unnerving, chaotic, and forbidding. When Sheila Jackson [the current owner of Rollings childhood home] invited me in, you could feel a dark and ominous presence. The air was stagnant and heavy, and the feeling of being watched was very prevalent. Once we began investigating, all hell broke loose. Cindy: Investigating Dannys childhood home was terrifying. As a psychic medium, I was able to tap into a lot of the horrible things that took place in that home. Ive never experienced so much chaos during an investigation as I did during this one. Did it take convincing to get the ex-fiancee [Sondra London] involved? Steve: To some degree yes. However, it was clear that she wanted to go on record to say that she felt there truly was some type of evil that engulfed Danny. Was there anything about the process that surprised you? Steve: Many things. The darkness, the power, and the manipulation of what we encountered. Its ability to affect us personally and affect my devices. The evil force seemed to follow us during the entire journey. Even to the point where members of our film crew started having several night terrors about Danny, knocks at their hotel door, and other strange occurrences. What would you say was the most challenging part of your experience? Steve: Trying to decipher what/whom we were really dealing with. Was it Danny? Was it a demonic entity? Or was it in fact both? Cindy: The most challenging part of my experience was definitely the sensory deprivation/channeling experiment I did during the main investigation. That was a first for me, and Im not sure that Id ever do it again. I felt very vulnerable and also felt Dannys insanity on a deep level, as well as something much darker. Was there any particular piece of the investigation that was hard to gain access to or approval? Steve: Not necessarily. Once our investigation led us to Rollings childhood home, we were a little concerned that the current owner may not allow us entry. Upon reaching out to her, we found it was just the opposite. She was pleading for us to come and help. She began telling me that she and her family were experiencing psychical attacks almost nightly, and they were desperate for resolve. Are you going to be collaborating further? Steve: Absolutely. I believe Cindy and I have developed an excellent rapport and synergy after spending so many hours in the field. Our skill sets complement each others, and as a duo, we have found success in documenting paranormal phenomena, as well as helping to bring resolve to both the living and the dead. Cindy: I love working with Steve!! One by one, six individuals answered the roll call Wednesday afternoon as Chair Sean Davis kicked off Hanover County Board of Supervisors first meeting of 2022. No one answered, however, when former Beaverdam District representative Aubrey Bucky Stanleys name was called, and the solemn silence that followed in those few moments of pause were deafening in the cavernous public meeting room. Stanley, Hanovers longest-serving board member, died Dec. 31 at the age of 77. On Wednesday, Stanleys empty board chair was cloaked in black cloth. A floral bouquet rested next to it. Board members and all in attendance stood for a 38-second moment of silence one second for every year Stanley served on the board. Board members took a few moments to speak fondly of their colleague his dedication, his resolve and his love of his county. The business of Hanover County, however, had to go on. The board offered a plan Wednesday afternoon for filling the Beaverdam seat. By law, the board has 45 days from the date of the vacancy to find an interim representative. The boards plan is to accept nominations for the seat through Jan. 19. Interested individuals must contact any board member to indicate their intent to serve. Nominations made by an individual about someone else wont be considered legitimate until board members contact the person being nominated and verify that theyre willing to serve. After Jan. 19, board members will conduct interviews with candidates. Board members will then nominate and vote at their Jan. 26 meeting so the individual can be sworn in in time for the boards Feb. 9 meeting. Additionally, the board authorized County Attorney Dennis Walter to petition Hanover Circuit Court for a special election, likely to be held in November. By law, the board has to make the request within 15 days of vacancy, which is Jan. 14. Hanovers next general election is in 2023, when Stanleys four-year term would have ended. That means whoever is elected in a special election later this year would finish that term through December 2023. That individual could, however, run again in next years general election if they wanted to remain in that seat and begin a new four-year term. The board also conducted its annual reorganization but only a chair was elected. Chickahominy District Angela Kelly-Wiecek, whos served as the vice chair for the past year and is a former chair, was elected as board chair. Two nominations for vice chair, however, resulted in two ties on the six-member board, so there currently is no vice chair. Both ties fell along gender lines. Before the nominations, Ashland District representative Faye O. Pritchard noted that shes served on the board for six years, and so far, hasnt been elected chair or vice chair. She said shes been overlooked because of her political party Pritchard leans left on the historically conservative board. She said until shes considered, she wont nominate anyone else as chair or vice chair, though whoever gets those seats will have her full support. I have conducted myself with dignity, Pritchard said about her service thus far, and in a non partisan way ... and the people of the Ashland District do deserve an opportunity to be represented among board leadership. Following Pritchards remarks, Mechanicsville District representative W. Canova Peterson nominated Cold Harbor District representative F. Michael Herzberg. The three men on the board Peterson, Herzberg and Davis voted in support. The three women board members Pritchard, South Anna District representative Susan P. Dibble and Kelly-Wiecek opposed. Pritchard then nominated herself for vice chair, with herself, Dibble and Kelly-Wiecek in support, and Davis, Herzberg and Peterson in opposition. In other news, the board has begun review of its long-range comprehensive plan, called Envision Hanover, and four open houses have been planned on two days next month, Feb. 8 and 10. The open houses are planned for Oak Knoll Middle and Patrick Henry High on Feb. 8, and at Atlee High and Mechanicsville High on Feb. 10. All four meetings are from 5 to 7 p.m. Each meeting will be a drop-in style for attendees meaning there arent formal presentations planned. Rather, people can show up at any time and get the same information at any meeting. The comprehensive plan drives the countys future in areas like economic development, housing and land use, transportation, environment and historic resources and more. The meetings are in-person, but that may change to virtual meetings if theres a recommendation to do so for health reasons. There will also be electronic survey opportunities for the public to convey its thoughts. A draft plan is expected to be presented for a public hearing in July 2023 with final adoption scheduled for August 2023. Henrico County officials declared a local emergency Tuesday night as COVID-19 cases continue to surge. The local emergency allows for greater flexibility to purchase testing kits and other virus-related supplies, according to a county news release. The county is continuing to require masks be worn by all employees and visitors in all buildings and facilities. We cant respond to fires if we dont have fire trucks and in this particular case, we cant employ mitigation strategies if we dont have the personal protective equipment and the test kits and all of those are at a premium right now, and so the more flexibility you have and the quicker you can react to available supply chains that come up, the better prepared youre going to be to operationalize a vision for protecting the community and the workforce, Henrico Fire Chief Alec Oughton said in an interview Wednesday. The county was previously in a local emergency because of the pandemic from March 13, 2020, through June 8, 2021. In its first meeting of the year, the Henrico County of Board of Supervisors approved a resolution to enter into a local emergency. The approval came a day after County Manager John Vithoulkas initiated a local emergency. Over the past few weeks, weve watched the omicron variant fuel an unprecedented increase in COVID-19 cases in our community, Vithoulkas said in a statement. This emergency order allows us to be nimble and take whatever actions are necessary to help keep our community and employees safe during this most challenging time. On Tuesday, Henrico County recorded 727 daily cases compared to 188 on Jan. 11, 2021, according to the Virginia Department of Health. The week of Jan. 3, highlighted by the county, reported 814.65 cases per 100,000 residents, which reflected more than three times the 235.78 cases per 100,000 total the two weeks prior. Vithoulkas said Tuesday night that in a single day, 530 school employees, as well as 77 firefighters and 52 police officers have all been out sick. Those numbers are about three times above typical levels for January absences, Vithoulkas said. In an interview on Wednesday, Vithoulkas said the initial step is to get COVID under control in the schools before looking to the rest of the county workforce and then the community. These are our teachers, our kids, and so well take care of [them], Vithoulkas said. While there is not an exact number of test kits the county is aiming for, officials are hoping to have an efficient supply on hand and maintain that supply weekly. The local emergency resolution was triggered in part because of the countys dwindling stockpile of tests and personal protective equipment. We are not reacting to any situation right now, we are being proactive. Theres no concern for the residents now, its simply allowing their local government to do what is necessary in an efficient and effective manner to help mitigate any type of closures or extreme circumstances within our school system, Cari Tretina, Vithoulkas chief of staff, said Tuesday. The surge in cases has left localities across the region scrambling to create safety plans. The Colonial Heights Public School System decided to closed its doors beginning Wednesday through the end of the week because of increasing COVID cases. The district is now operating under virtual learning. All of our schools have experienced a significant number of positive COVID-19 cases amongst students, staff and teachers over the past week, but especially in the last few days, Schools Superintendent William D. Sroufe said in a statement. As of Tuesday, across all five schools there were 105 cases and 552 student absences and 52 staff absences. The decision also comes as the city of Colonial Heights reports a positivity rate that has reached 42.6% the highest weekly positively rate for the city since the pandemic began, Sroufe said. Moving the school to virtual learning will allow us to decrease the spread and potential exposure for students, staff, and families and provide us with time to implement deep cleaning across all school spaces while still affording students the ability to engage in learning, Sroufe added. Gov. Ralph Northam also declared a state of emergency in response to the surge of coronavirus cases on Monday. Hanover County officials had been trying since last summer to get a representative from Chickahominy Pipeline, LLC the company that wants to build an 83-mile natural gas pipeline through Hanover and four other counties to a public meeting where residents and county leadership could learn more about the project. But after Wednesday nights meeting with a project spokeswoman on hand, members of the Board of Supervisors said they still felt left in the dark. You come in here, and you havent told us a thing tonight at all, [and] you didnt even bring a presentation, Mechanicsville District representative W. Canova Peterson said to company spokeswoman Beth Minear. How can we take this company seriously? The pipeline is proposed to start in Louisa County and run through Hanover, Henrico and New Kent counties before ending in Charles City County. Its being built as the energy source for a proposed power plant in Charles City, not a source for retail customers. Board members asked about the pipelines projected routes, to which Minear said she cant offer a detailed map because they dont have enough surveys completed to be able to determine where the pipeline could go. Board Chairwoman Angela Kelly-Wiecek talked about the lack of transparency with regards to the origins of the project the people and the companies and investors behind it. To date, Minear and Chickahominy officials have not released information about the investors and have said they will not do so. It was apparent Wednesday that board members expected Minear to provide a formal presentation followed by a discussion with board members. Rather than a formal presentation, however, Minear suggested that the meeting be more of a guided conversation. While Kelly-Wiecek agreed to that format, she and board members throughout the night expressed that the lack of preparation for the meeting by Chickahominy was one more area of concern on a long list of concerns. Minear had been sent questions from board members ahead of time, some of which were provided by the public. The meeting was attended by a small contingent of landowners and those opposed to the pipeline, and streamed online. Minear acknowledged that the company could have done a better job from the outset in communicating with those potentially affected by the pipeline. She explained that this project is different from other national pipeline projects because its only serving one customer the power plant rather than crossing state lines, and its not serving retail customers, and thats part of why we were flat-footed and not appreciating the opposition, because [this project] was so different from the national pipelines. Kelly-Wiecek challenged that point. How is building a pipeline from point A to point B across private property any different in this case than it would be in going through different states? she asked Minear. Youre still crossing private property to deliver a product from point A to Point B. Minear said that in other cases, companies use eminent domain to force landowners to allow rights of way, which theyre not doing with this project. Chickahominy asked the State Corporation Commission in September to be unregulated because it wasnt serving retail customers. The SCC last month ruled against Chickahominy, saying that it was a public utility and therefore subject to SCC oversight. Chickahominy filed a motion for reconsideration earlier this week, which was granted by the SCC on Wednesday, which means the case continues. Minear said that 60% of those along a rough draft of the proposed route have agreed to have their properties being surveyed. When Kelly-Wiecek asked how Minear could be surprised that landowners were opposed to a pipeline built across their land, Minear said that the public opposition thus far has been a generality, and that the folks who have given survey permission are a little hesitant about being vocaland so it looks like there is more opposition than there is. Ashland District representative Faye O. Pritchard said she participated in the virtual open house Chickahominy hosted last month, and questioned statements made by Minear then about the local benefit to those who agree to have their land used for the pipeline. Minear clarified by saying her statements back then were that the benefits come from the power plant and its ability to support electricity demand in the future. She said Virginia has attracted and continues to attract large tech companies that will need that electricity. Minear said if the project gets off the ground and to the construction phase, landowners whose properties are impacted could be compensated at a rate of $50 per linear foot. Pritchard responded that the plan appears to be that private investors simply want landowners to agree to let them violate private property for the greater good. Is that a fair assessment of what you said, Pritchard asked, because thats what it sounds like from my end. Minear said the word violate is kind of a biased way to put it, because Chickahominy is asking landowners permission to be on their properties, and theyre not trespassing if the landowner gives consent. Minear said the company is scheduling an in-person meeting for Feb. 24, but that theyre still looking for a local venue. She said they typically like to use places like firehouses and that they like to cater events. Kelly-Wiecek asked if the company was having more than one public meeting, saying that Chickahominy should be scheduling meetings in each of the five localities affected by the project. Minear said theyre hoping to have more than one public meeting, likely spread around the impacted counties. Henry District representative Sean Davis noted that Hanover has offered its public meeting room since last summer. Davis said that Wednesday night as well as the overall experience with Chickahominy thus far over the last few months it has proven laborious to get answers and because of that, the process has taken on an elusive tone. He said when developers and others come before the board with issues they know will be controversial, he said, most people acknowledge those points up front. He said even small businesses and churches who seek zoning or other changes come before the board with a much more detailed presentation than what we have here. He said the boards main concern is community impact. Time for the conversation was long before here, Davis said about Wednesday nights meeting, which began at 6:18 p.m. I dont have any more information now than I did at 6:05. During a year-end Q&A session with the Richmond Times-Dispatch, Mayor Levar Stoney said he's heard disappointment from minority residents over the rejected proposal to build a casino in South Richmond. The proposal, from Urban One, was narrowly defeated, with 51% of voters deciding to reject it. The "no" votes were concentrated north of the James River, in the city's wealthier - and predominantly white - neighborhoods. "I go to a barbershop every week," Stoney said in the December interview. "There are Black and brown people who grew up in Richmond, over 55 years old, who say: I love Richmond, but sometimes I dont think Richmond loves me back. Thats devastating to hear." Stoney said he thinks the casino vote was emblematic of their struggle to be heard. "They told me that after the vote," the mayor said. "What I heard almost made me want to cry. They said: Ive been living here my whole life. Why dont they let us have anything that we want?" Asked who the "they" was that Stoney was referring to, he answered: "The naysayers and detractors; those who want Richmond to be what it was in the 1960s or 1980s. We have to move beyond for a Richmond of the 21st century. I think this administration has made some serious progress in doing that, but there are still challenges." Building a casino in Central Virginia is once again a hot topic at this year's General Assembly. Legislation has been introduced to allow Richmonders to re-vote on the casino in an upcoming election. Sen. Joe Morrissey has also introduced competing legislation to allow Petersburg to vote on a referendum to build the casino. Project supporters said the casino, which was slated to rise in Trammells district, off Interstate 95 next to Philip Morris USAs industrial campus, would have been a boon for the area, particularly for the large concentration of poor and Black families that live there. Opponents raised concerns about gambling addiction and whether the development would deliver all of its advertised benefits, such as 1,500 new permanent jobs, $500 million in tax revenue over the next decade and financial support for city schools and community organizations. If it passed, the project owners had also pledged to immediately award the city $25 million. Stoney has not committed to whether he would support the bill authorizing a re-vote, but said he understands why residents want the opportunity. "Im not surprised that people want to take another shot at a casino resort in South Richmond," he said. "When we have 1,500 good-paying jobs on the line, thats a lifeline for families. So no one should be surprised that some people want another shot." When asked about Trammell's bill on Monday, a Stoney spokesman repeated those remarks. SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) California's governor on Thursday rejected releasing Robert F. Kennedy assassin Sirhan Sirhan from prison more than a half-century after the 1968 slaying left a deep wound during one of America's darkest times. Gov. Gavin Newsom, who has cited RFK as his "political hero" and embraced the historical significance of his decision, rejected a recommendation from a two-person panel of parole commissioners. Newsom said Sirhan, now 77, poses an unreasonable threat to public safety. "Mr. Sirhan's assassination of Senator Kennedy is among the most notorious crimes in American history," Newsom wrote in his decision. "After decades in prison, he has failed to address the deficiencies that led him to assassinate Senator Kennedy. Mr. Sirhan lacks the insight that would prevent him from making the same types of dangerous decisions he made in the past." He said factors in his decision including Sirhan's refusal to accept responsibility for his crime, his lack of insight and the accountability required to support his safe release, his failure to disclaim violence committed in his name, and his failure to mitigate his risk factors. Kennedy, the U.S. senator from New York, was shot moments after he claimed victory in California's pivotal Democratic presidential primary. Five others were wounded during the assassination at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles. The slaying took place five years after his brother, President John F. Kennedy, was assassinated. Sirhan will be scheduled for a new parole hearing no later than February 2023. Sirhan will ask a judge to overturn Newsom's denial, said his defense attorney, Angela Berry. "We fully expect that judicial review of the governor's decision will show that the governor got it wrong," she said. State law holds that inmates are supposed to be paroled unless they pose a current unreasonable public safety risk, she said, adding that "not an iota of evidence exists to suggest Mr. Sirhan is still a danger to society." She said the parole process has become politicized and Newsom "chose to overrule his own experts (on the parole board), ignoring the law." Parole commissioners found Sirhan suitable for release "because of his impressive extensive record of rehabilitation over the last half-century," she said. "Since the mid-1980's Mr. Sirhan has consistently been found by prison psychologists and psychiatrists to not pose an unreasonable risk of danger to the public." During his parole hearing, the white-haired Sirhan called Kennedy "the hope of the world." But he stopped short of taking full responsibility for a shooting he said he doesn't recall because he was drunk. "It pains me ... the knowledge for such a horrible deed, if I did in fact do that," Sirhan said. The parole panel's recommendation in August to release Sirhan divided the iconic Kennedy family, with two of RFK's sons Douglas Kennedy and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. supporting his release. But six of Kennedy's nine surviving children and Ethel Kennedy, RFK's wife, urged Newsom to block his parole. The panel's decision was based in part on several new California laws since he was denied parole in 2016 the 15th time he'd lost his bid for release. Commissioners were required to consider that Sirhan committed his crime at a young age, when he was 24; that he now is elderly; and that the Christian Palestinian who immigrated from Jordan had suffered childhood trauma from the conflict in the Middle East. In addition, Los Angeles County prosecutors didn't object to his parole, following District Attorney George Gascon's policy that prosecutors should not be involved in deciding whether prisoners are ready for release. The decision had a personal element for Newsom, a fellow Democrat, who displays RFK photos in his official and home offices. One of them is of Kennedy with Newsom's late father. Newsom has previously reflected on the gravity of having Sirhan's fate in his hands, saying it was an emotional issue that echoed back to the turbulent '60s and reopened memories many want to forget. Sirhan originally was sentenced to death, but that sentence was commuted to life when the California Supreme Court briefly outlawed capital punishment in 1972. He now has a heart condition and has survived prostate cancer, Valley fever and having his throat slashed by another prisoner in 2019, said his attorney, Angela Berry. In one of his last duties, Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring presented two Black legislators on Thursday with an official opinion overruling nearly 60 racist and discriminatory opinions from previous state attorneys general. The opinion was partly symbolic because the laws those opinions related to are no longer on the books. But Herring, Del. Lamont Bagby, D-Henrico, and Sen. Mamie Locke, D-Hampton, said at a news conference that formally overruling them was an important part of Virginias advancement from its racist history. Too many of my predecessors used this office to perpetuate injustice, Herring said. As the commonwealth of Virginia committed to Jim Crow and Massive Resistance during the early and mid-20th century, attorneys general were more than just passive observers. They were often key players, building a legal framework designed to defend the indefensible, the unjust and the unconstitutional. That includes legal fights in Virginia to defend segregated transit, segregated schools and high school sports, poll taxes to prevent Black people from voting and a ban on interracial marriage. Between 1904 and 1967, Virginia attorneys general issued at least 58 official advisory opinions that perpetuated racial discrimination, Herring said. Until Thursday, the office of attorney general had done nothing to formally reject those racist opinions, he said. By overruling these opinions, we are making clear that these legal opinions do not reflect the Virginia of today and we will not carry them into the commonwealth of the future. Locke said too often in the past the power to shape Virginia law was wielded in support of racist and discriminatory laws. By taking this step today, Attorney General Herring is truly closing that chapter in the history of our commonwealth and helping us move forward as a more inclusive and just commonwealth, she said. Bagby wiped his eyes after speaking at the news conference. It didnt happen that long ago, he said. All of this is embedded together, from voting, to housing, to health care, to education. Over time, the attorney generals office was utilized to protect but also hurt people, he said. This means a great deal. Not just to ancestors but to individuals that have lived through, he said. My parents grew up in Varina. My uncles, aunts, they all grew up in Varina. They were bused all the way to Virginia Randolph [a school for Black students] for education. They passed four or five schools for public education. This is important work. Thank you, general. Bagby is chairman of the Virginia Legislative Black Caucus. Robert Barnette, president of the Virginia State Conference NAACP also joined the news conference. The work of reviewing the old opinions started a few years ago by Cynthia Hudson, who was chief deputy attorney general. Jan Proctor, opinions counsel in the office from 2018 to 2020, helped supervise the project. Assistant Attorney General Euticha Hawkins reviewed almost every state attorney general opinion going back to 1904 to look for racist language and conclusions. Democrat Herrings second term as attorney general concludes Saturday when Jason Miyares, the Republican who defeated him in November, is sworn in. Former House Speaker Eileen Filler-Corn, D-Fairfax, on Thursday ripped new House Speaker Todd Gilbert, R-Shenandoah, for lashing out at Gov. Ralph Northam on Twitter Wednesday night during Northams State of the Commonwealth address. Filler-Corn said in a floor speech on Thursday that Gilbert had taken an oath to be speaker for all Virginians. She said his words on Twitter written during the governors speech, did not live up to that oath and that his tweet was not just wrong but reprehensible. Gilbert sat behind Northam on the dais in the House chamber on Wednesday night. He lambasted the Democratic governors speech on Twitter, a reaction that contrasted with his partys formal and more muted response. Ralph Northam is leaving office as his own lost cause, condescendingly lecturing us all from some assumed moral high ground because he read the book Roots and then went on a non-stop reconciliation tour, Gilbert said, referring to the Alex Haley novel about American slavery and its aftermath. Saturday cant come fast enough. Republican Glenn Youngkin will be inaugurated Saturday as Virginias 74th governor. The new speaker sent the tweet at 7:59 p.m. Your comments yesterday would have been offensive in any private or public place in [Virginia], Filler-Corn said Thursday. But to believe that it was acceptable to do it from ... this seat of power has even greater ramifications all across the commonwealth. All was civil at the outset of Northams speech, which began shortly after 7 p.m. Wednesday. In keeping with tradition, Northam and the new speaker shook hands as the governor reached the dais. After lawmakers took their seats, Gilbert said, As speaker of the House of Delegates and president of the joint assembly, it is my pleasure to present to you his excellency, the governor of the commonwealth of Virginia, the honorable Ralph S. Northam, prompting a standing ovation from lawmakers. Northam resisted calls for his resignation during the 2019 blackface scandal following the disclosure of a racist photo on his page in his medical school yearbook. He committed the rest of his tenure to a focus on righting inequities. It has been a more tumultuous four years than I think any of us expected, Northam said in his speech Wednesday night. But the challenges have also been opportunities. Alena Yarmosky, a spokesperson for Northam, responded to Gilbert on Twitter Wednesday night: What a sad comment from someone who is supposed to have the most distinguished role on Capitol Square. May you hope to have half the moral clarity, compassion, and character of Ralph Northam. Gilbert, a delegate since 2006, was elected and sworn in on Wednesday as the 57th speaker of the House. acain@timesdispatch.com (804) 649-6645 Twitter: @AndrewCainRTD Staff writer Mel Leonor contributed to this report. In his final speech as the states leader, Gov. Ralph Northam said Wednesday night that he is leaving behind a state that better serves Virginians, is slated for continued economic success and is more welcoming to a broader swath of people. It has been a more tumultuous four years than I think any of us expected, Northam said in his address at the Capitol before lawmakers and other state leaders. But the challenges have also been opportunities. Northams at-times chaotic term marked by the COVID-19 pandemic, a scandal over a racist photo and Democrats rise and fall from power will come to an end Saturday. The Democrat from the Eastern Shore will be succeeded by Gov.-elect Glenn Youngkin, a Republican from Northern Virginia. Republicans reacted swiftly to Northam's address. New House Speaker Todd Gilbert, R-Shenandoah, issued his own response on Twitter that contrasted with his party's formal - and more muted - response. "Ralph Northam is leaving office as his own lost cause, condescendingly lecturing us all from some assumed moral high ground because he read the book 'Roots' and then went on a non-stop reconciliation tour," Gilbert said, referring to the Alex Haley novel about American slavery and its aftermath. "Saturday cant come fast enough." Northams address was fashioned as a celebration of his term and the successes of his administration. Northam appeared triumphant as he described the states higher-than-expected revenues; its honors for being a business-friendly state; and improvements to infrastructure and broadband over the past four years. His valedictory address came as spiking COVID cases continue to put a strain on the states hospitals. Northam said Virginia has managed to become attractive to businesses even as it raised the minimum wage and weathered a once-in-a-generation pandemic. A state thats both good for business and good for workers doesnt happen by accident Northam said, citing CNBCs designation of Virginia as the best state for business in 2019 and in 2021. In the formal Republican response to Northams speech, two GOP lawmakers said that the decisive results of Novembers elections, which saw Republicans sweep the statewide offices and take control of the House of Delegates, signaled that Virginians wanted to move in a different direction. Sen. Todd Pillion, R-Washington County, and Del. Tara Durant, R-Stafford, criticized criminal justice policies they said have made Virginia less safe, and the closure of schools during the pandemic. They said challenges at the states unemployment benefits agency, within the mental health system and even the standstill on Interstate 95 last week gave Virginians every right to question the competence of state government. Northam, whose tenure nearly ended following the February 2019 disclosure of a racist photo on his medical school yearbook page, didnt directly reference the scandal during his address. Northam alluded to it, saying the experience was educational for himself and for other white people in the state, and brought about a greater focus on racial equity. I know that talking about history our real, true history can make some people uncomfortable. Mostly those people who look like me. And I have not always understood the ways that the uglier parts of our past affect things and people today, Northam said. He highlighted investments to protect Black cemeteries and his addition of a chief diversity officer to Virginias Cabinet. Northam also said the states criminal justice system better reflects the Virginia we are today, thanks to moves by his administration to do away with policies that have their roots in a more discriminatory and unfair past. Northam noted the legalization of marijuana and the abolishment of the death penalty in Virginia. He said Virginians could also have a chance to automatically restore voting rights for people who have completed felony sentences if the General Assembly approves a constitutional amendment on the issue. One of the early successes of Northams administration was a bipartisan effort to expand Medicaid access. Northam says that the 2018 expansion came at an auspicious time given the pandemic that would unfold in early 2020. Northam mourned the losses of nearly 16,000 Virginians who died after being infected with the virus, offering a moment of silence for them and their families. As for the pandemic, Northam here too said there are signs for optimism: nearly 90% of Virginia adults have received at least one dose of the vaccine. The states total vaccination rate is just under 70%. As his successor heads into office highly critical of the state of education in Virginia, Northam countered Wednesday that Virginias system is second to none. Northam praised the expansion of state-funded early childhood education in Virginia, and investments in K-12, including pay raises for teachers. Northam also marked a fulfilled campaign promise on education: the creation of a free community college program for low- and middle-income students who are seeking degrees in high-demand fields. In the GOP response, Durant, who defeated Del. Joshua Cole, D-Stafford, in November, said Republicans in the legislature will respond with policy to Virginians concerns. She said Republicans will focus on high academic standards in K-12 schools, curbing crime with stricter criminal justice policies, cutting taxes and protecting customers from higher utility bills. (The state has projected increases to electricity bills from a law Democrats passed to bring more clean energy to Virginia.) Northam urged the states leaders to embrace clean energy, pointing to erratic weather changes in Virginia and elsewhere as a sign that climate change is an imminent crisis. Northam will promptly go back to practicing medicine. In his speech, he reflected back to his time in pediatrics as the inspiration for his time in public office, recalling a desperate dad who feared he couldnt afford his sons medical bills, and a family who lost a toddler in a gun accident. Northam urged Virginians and the states new leader to focus more on helping other people the motto he says drove his time in office. Are we going to keep up this progress? Or will we retreat, become people who are more worried about ourselves than each other? By Chap Petersen and Babur Lateef Nearly two years into the pandemic, we must accept COVID-19 as a long-term reality. The curve may never flatten. Life goes on. Closing schools in March 2020 and keeping them closed for a year was a decision based on fear, not science. Thankfully, some Virginia school districts, such as Prince William County, did open in fall 2020, thus lessening the most negative impacts on learning and student mental health. A year ago, I stated on the Virginia Senate floor that the death of a 99-year-old should not make us close schools for a 9-year-old. The criticism was fierce, but the point was real. Our children should not be the designated losers in every COVID-19 strategy. Early last year, the Virginia General Assembly passed, and Gov. Ralph Northam signed, Senate Bill 1303, which mandated in-person learning as of July 1. As part of the final compromise, school boards were required to follow Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance to the maximum extent practicable in bringing students back for in-person learning. The re-opening of schools last fall thus was accompanied by a wave of new rules such as mandatory masks and quarantining that continued to treat our young people as responsible for spreading COVID-19. Now the omicron variant has arrived and there is a new wave of infections, albeit with marginal consequences for the young and vaccinated. Its time to figure out the endgame. First, lets set achievable goals in controlling the virus. The Biden administration itself has recognized the futility of Zero COVID and the corresponding need to focus on meaningful metrics like serious illnesses caused by COVID-19, not the endlessly rising numbers of cases. Its time to focus on actual harm, not raw statistics. Second, we must learn from others, including those who may not share our ideology. Federal and state guidelines on schools have evolved too slowly on COVID mitigation and with a bias toward self-affirmation. Public health guidelines should be flexible and take into account outcomes from all states, including those like Texas and Florida that have resisted mitigation measures like mandatory masking. Third, the safest place for students is in class. It is not feasible, nor is it necessary, to quarantine asymptomatic students exposed to COVID-19, regardless of vaccination status. Today, federal and state policy effectively quarantines students for two weeks after a diagnosis or exposure, even if they are asymptomatic. That policy does not protect anybody but rather isolates and shames a young person for no reason. It must end. Further, the CDC recently reduced quarantine periods for health care workers exposed to COVID-19, which means quarantine is the shortest for those at highest risk (doctors and nurses) and longest for those at the least risk (students). That makes no sense. Final point: COVID-19 restrictions will not last forever. There must be an agreed exit strategy or school boards will have to create one on their own. In the new year, governors and legislatures must develop achievable off-ramps for the COVID-19 protocols, based on sound scientific principles. For masks, it will require a set of metrics that will allow school boards to act based on empirical health outcomes, not political pressure from pro-mask or anti-mask forces. And the default option should be normalcy unless there is a specific showing of harm to the students at issue. Finally, school closures should never again be on the table as a policy option. Lets help our students re-engage, recover and accelerate their learning after two years of chaos. Its what they deserve. Lets make 2022 normal again. PEARISBURG A Clifton Forge woman accused of abducting a Giles County boy from a church nursery last year faces three new charges. Nancy Renee Fridley, 45, of Clifton Forge, was charged in May with abduction and child neglect or abuse after 2-year-old Noah Gabriel Trout was taken from the child care area of Riverview Baptist Church in the Giles County community of Ripplemead. About 25 hours after Noah disappeared, a search that included agents from the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Virginia State Police located the child at a residence in Alleghany County Fridley shared with her boyfriend. The boy was physically uninjured, but continues to show psychological effects from the episode, his mother testified at a hearing last month. On Tuesday, a Giles County grand jury indicted Fridley not just on the charges placed in May, but on three additional counts of attempted abduction. Those new charges stemmed from visits Fridley made to two churches in Narrows, and another visit to Riverview Baptist Church earlier on the morning that Noah was taken, Giles County Commonwealths Attorney Bobby Lilly said. The new indictments were unsealed Wednesday. Lilly said that investigators discovered that Fridley went to Riverview Baptists nursery during an early service on May 2 and said she was supposed to pick up a child. But there was no child matching the description she was providing, Lilly said. Fridley then went to Narrows and was turned away from child care areas at two churches before coming back to Riverview Baptist and this time taking Noah, Lilly said. Fridley is scheduled to next appear in Giles County Circuit Court on Feb. 2 for a hearing to set a timetable for resolving her case. Besides the Giles charges, Fridley was indicted Monday in Alleghany County on a drug possession charge. This originated from having what investigators said was methamphetamine in her pocket when officers found her with Noah. She has a plea hearing scheduled for Feb. 15 on that charge. Fridleys boyfriend, Bobby Lee Taylor, 43, also faces charges in Alleghany County: abduction and drug possession related to the incident with Noah, and strangulation, forging records, and perjury from separate matters. He is scheduled for a Jan. 20 jury trial on all of these. Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Sundays column outlined recent public statements about the Jan. 6 insurrection by Rep. Morgan Griffith, R-Salem, and U.S. Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va. And I invited readers to tell me which lawmakers description of that day most conformed with reality. The emails poured in. Not one correspondent replied Griffith. A handful said Warner, but most ignored the instructions entirely. Instead, the majority acted as if Id challenged them to concoct the most damning condemnation of the 9th District congressman possible that was also printable in a family newspaper. Consider the missive below from Johnny Moore, a professor of history at Radford University. Morgan Griffith is a walking/talking embarrassment and his continued support of Cheeto Jesus is a decided danger to a functioning republic, Moore wrote. He should resign. His statements about Jan. 6 remind me of the old adage: Are you gonna believe me or your lying eyes? If you thought that was brutal, consider the ersatz sympathy penned by Johnna Elliott of Blacksburg. How much must it hurt, she began, having your [testicles] squeezed so tightly by Trump that you deny the magnitude of the insurrection and cant admit who obviously started it? It must be quite uncomfortable to go to work everyday like that. And then there was a savage riposte from John M. Givens of Salem. It was seven paragraphs, but we have room here only for the final one. Its a blinger. Morgan Griffiths silence about the January 6 uprising makes him one with the other rebels. A co-conspirator. By his failure to speak the truth to Trumps treachery and call out the guilty, my congressman has surrendered his right to govern and has become a shameful serf chained to a dark-hearted fool. Agree with that statement or not, from a writing perspective its hard not to admire its construction, meter, rhythm not to mention the vivid imagery of the final nine words. I felt a tinge of envy reading those. Blacksburg artist Larry Mitchell took a decidedly less literary approach. Dan, I am DROPPING you a line to simply say: Someone must have DROPPED Rep. Griffith on his head and now he has hallucinations, Mitchell wrote. Yes, Warner has a realist take on the insurrection. Happy New Year, if we can. Gunther Hoyt of Roanoke isnt a constituent of Griffiths but Hoyt still has strong feelings about his neighbor-congressman. I doubt Morgan Griffith has the courage to speak the truth about Jan. 6 or about Donald Trump. I doubt Morgan Griffith even comprehends the damage done to our country by the events of Jan. 6, Hoyt wrote. Rebecca Sheckler of Draper emailed: How dare Mr. Griffith deny the horror of the day? He, who pretends to be a constitutional scholar, does not seem to want to protect our constitution. Deflect, deflect, deflect in order to save his access to power. He wants us to go on with life to save his and Trumps butt. Not everyone employed such harsh rhetoric. Which brings us to Barb Michael of Smith Mountain Lake. She said shes a Republican, and a registered nurse. During her career she worked 15 years in an adolescent inpatient psychiatric program, she said. Thats where she learned the inadvisability of using phrases such as fight like hell in a setting where theres a potential for violence. Those words were among other incendiary urgings by the ex-president at his insurrection warm-up rally on the Ellipse. To be fair, Trump also urged the Ellipse crowd to march peacefully to Capitol Hill. But urging both violence and non-violence in the same speech doesnt necessarily exonerate the ex-president. The Stop the Steal crowd followed Trumps directions precisely. They marched the Capitol very peacefully. And then hundreds of them fought like hell after they got there. It led to five deaths and 140 injured police officers. After looking at all the evidence I will have to vote for Senator Warners version of that day, Michael wrote. Joan Kark of Pearisburg started her email off with, Warners description of the insurrection of January 6 is much closer to reality than Griffiths description. She added: I assume as a member of the House of Representatives during impeachment, [Griffith] watched the videos of the insurrection. If so, he would have seen for himself the violence that occurred which clearly was not simply problems at the perimeter as Griffith describes. Morgan Griffith knows exactly what happened on January 6, 2022, Jeffrey Scott of Giles County wrote. An attempted coup, incited by Donald Trump. Like most Republicans, [Griffith] is sucking up to Trump and his supporters by pretending nothing much happened. It is a dangerous game. If we dont get serious with the people who tried to overthrow our democracy, they will try it again. But not everyone sees it that way. Some people regard Jan. 6 as just another unnoteworthy day. Which brings us to Jack Blake of Callaway. He was the singular correspondent who seemed puzzled that an American newspaper would publish an article about the Jan. 6 insurrection following its anniversary. Why are we still ranting about this and what happened in DC? Blake wrote. What about all the riots and looting during those [Black Lives Matter] marches? We dont hear anything about all the damage the marchers did, only what damage happened in DC. How about telling the other side of the story? Why is the paper afraid to bring up the all the damage and destruction the BLM Marchers and Rioters did? Whataboutism aside, something tells me The Roanoke Times readers including Mr. Blake are not at all unaware of the riots in the summer of 2020. The evidence of that is right there among his questions. Contact metro columnist Dan Casey at 981-3423 or dan.casey@roanoke.com . Follow him on Twitter @dancaseysblog Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. A citizen emailed a FOIA request to a state lawmaker and it went into spam. That prompted the lawmaker to file a bill that would require all public records requests in Virginia to be made by certified mail. Open government advocates said the bill by Del. Paul Krizek, D-Fairfax, would create barriers to citizens who want to make FOIA requests, would hinder government agencies like Fairfax County or Virginia State Police who handle FOIA requests digitally, and would be horrendous for reporters. Under the bill, anyone requesting records would need to do so by mail at the post office and use certified mail or a first-class tracking method. Certified mail costs $3.75. Betsy Edwards, executive director of the Virginia Press Association, said she was stunned that such an idea would appear in the year 2022. In the 1980s, she was a public information officer for the Department of Motor Vehicles and even then the public asked for records by phone, not by mail. I dont understand this, Edwards said. The press association will lobby against the bill. Asked about his bill on Wednesday, Krizek said he hopes it will start a dialogue and hes open to amending it. I saw a problem that needed fixing. I dont check my spam filters every five days, and you have five days to respond to a FOIA request, he said. In the situation that happened, he said, the citizen sent another email. And when Krizek realized the FOIA request had gone into his spam folder, he notified the citizen and provided records. It was fortuitous that I looked in the spam filter. I dont often do that. I dont do it every five days, thats for sure. But he added, Now I do. Problem solved, right? Not for Krizek. He said he drafted the bill because certified mail is whats used in the legal world. It could be a certified email, if theres such a thing. I dont know, he said of a way to potentially amend his bill. Megan Rhyne, executive director of the Virginia Coalition for Open Government, said the legislation would upend many FOIA processes used by government. Citizens often make FOIA requests by email, and requests are handled digitally. The public can make FOIA requests in writing, over the phone or in person. The bill would be a cost and a hindrance to citizens, many of whom cant afford FOIA requests because of the high fees already, and also they sometimes are working full time and cant get to a post office on their time off to go file a FOIA request, she said. It would be narrowing the options down instead of expanding access. For journalists, who regularly email government officials asking for records used in reporting, it would just be horrendous, Rhyne said. Requiring journalists to go to the post office every time they request records would be a slow down on their ability to do their job. Rhyne said that in 20 years, shes never heard anyone complain that a FOIA request went into spam. When people do contact me to say that they havent received a response, my advice is always to go back and ask again just in case something happened, she said. That happened to her once. She filed a FOIA request to the city of Williamsburg, and the city had changed its email settings and the request went to the wrong person. Rhyne called the city. Problem solved. (804) 649-6061 In his final speech as the states leader, Gov. Ralph Northam said Wednesday night he is leaving behind a state that better serves Virginians, is slated for continued economic success and is more welcoming to a broader swath of people. It has been a more tumultuous four years than I think any of us expected, the Democrat said in his address at the Capitol before lawmakers and other state leaders. But the challenges have also been opportunities. Northams at-times chaotic term marked by the COVID-19 pandemic, a scandal over a racist photo and Democrats rise and fall from power will come to an end Saturday. The Democrat from the Eastern Shore will be succeeded by Gov.-elect Glenn Youngkin, a Republican from Northern Virginia. Republicans reacted swiftly to Northams address. New House Speaker Todd Gilbert, R-Shenandoah, issued his own response on Twitter that contrasted with his partys formal and more muted response. Ralph Northam is leaving office as his own lost cause, condescendingly lecturing us all from some assumed moral high ground because he read the book Roots and then went on a non-stop reconciliation tour, Gilbert said, referring to the Alex Haley novel about American slavery and its aftermath. Saturday cant come fast enough. Northams address was fashioned as a celebration of his term and the successes of his administration. Northam appeared triumphant as he described the states higher-than-expected revenues; its honors for being a business-friendly state; and improvements to infrastructure and broadband over the last four years. His valedictory address came as spiking COVID cases continue to put a strain on the states hospitals. Northam said Virginia has managed to become attractive to businesses even as it raised the minimum wage and weathered a once-in-a-generation pandemic. A state thats both good for business and good for workers doesnt happen by accident Northam said, citing CNBCs designation of Virginia as the best state for business in 2019 and in 2021. In the formal Republican response to Northams speech, two GOP lawmakers said that the decisive results of Novembers elections, which saw Republicans sweep the statewide offices and take control of the House of Delegates, signaled that Virginians wanted to move in a different direction. Sen. Todd Pillion, R-Washington County, and Del. Tara Durant, R-Stafford, criticized criminal justice policies they said have made Virginia less safe, and the closure of schools during the pandemic. They said challenges at the states unemployment benefits agency, within the mental system and even the standstill on Interstate 95 last week gave Virginians every right to question the competence of state government. Northam, whose tenure nearly ended following the February 2019 disclosure of a racist photo on his medical school yearbook page, didnt directly reference the scandal during his address. Northam alluded to it, saying the experience was educational for himself and for other white people in the state, and brought about a greater focus on racial equity. I know that talking about history our real, true history can make some people uncomfortable. Mostly those people who look like me. And I have not always understood the ways that the uglier parts of our past affect things and people today, Northam said. He highlighted investments to protect Black cemeteries and his addition of a chief diversity officer to Virginias Cabinet. Northam also said the states criminal justice system better reflects the Virginia we are today, thanks to moves by his administration to do away with policies that have their roots in a more discriminatory and unfair past. Northam noted the legalization of marijuana and the abolishment of the death penalty in Virginia. He said Virginians could also have a chance to automatically restore voting rights for people who have completed felony sentences if the General Assembly approves a constitutional amendment on the issue. One of the early successes of Northams administration was a bipartisan effort to expand Medicaid access. Northam says that the 2018 expansion came at an auspicious time given the pandemic that would unfold in early 2020. Northam mourned the losses of nearly 16,000 Virginians who died after being infected with the virus, offering a moment of silence for them and their families. As for the pandemic, Northam here too said there are signs for optimism: nearly 90 percent of Virginia adults have received at least one dose of the vaccine. The states total vaccination rate is just under 70%. As his successor heads into office highly critical of the state of education in Virginia, Northam countered Wednesday that Virginias system is second to none. Northam praised the expansion of state-funded early childhood education in Virginia, and investments in K-12, including pay raises for teachers. Northam also marked a fulfilled campaign promise on education: the creation of a free community college program for low- and middle-income students who are seeking degrees in high-demand fields. Northam urged the states leaders to embrace clean energy, pointing to erratic weather changes in Virginia and elsewhere as a sign that climate change is an imminent crisis. Northam will promptly go back to practicing medicine. In his speech, he reflected back to his time in pediatrics as the inspiration for his time in public office, recalling a desperate dad who feared he couldnt afford his sons medical bills, and a family who lost a toddler in a gun accident. Northam urged Virginians and the states new leader to focus more on helping other people the motto he says drove his time in office. Are we going to keep up this progress? Or will we retreat, become people who are more worried about ourselves than each other? The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has charged an individual in the latest crypto scam for defrauding investors by diverting money to South African gold mining companies. Australian cryptocurrency businessman Craig Sproule, via his two companies, Crowd Machine and Metavine, made materially false and misleading statements in connection with an unregistered offer and sale of digital asset securities, SEC said. California-based Crowd Machine, presented by Sproule as a 'decentralized' Amazon Web Services competitor, raised $40 million through an initial coin offering of Crowd Machine Compute Tokens (CMCT) in 2018. "We want to give everyone the tools to make positive change in their business, which is why we built Crowd Machine on AWS, to use their extensive compute power, depth and breadth of services, and world-class expertise, Sproule told the media at that time. Instead, the SEC now alleges that Sproule siphoned $5.8 million into gold mining entities in South Africa. The SECs statement of claim says that none of that money has been recovered, while the South African gold mining operations have returned no revenue. Related: Chinas Road To Tech Independence Sproule has been ordered to pay a $200,000 penalty and is facing a ban from serving as a company director. As alleged, Sproule and Crowd Machine misled investors about how they were using ICO proceeds, spending funds on an entirely unrelated scheme, said Kristina Littman, Chief of the SEC Enforcement Divisions Cyber Unit. Regulators also said that Crowd Machine didnt register its token sale with the Commission. While promoting Crowd Machine on social media, Sproule claimed that it was a live commercial product, battle-tested by Fortune 500 firms; but the SEC says none of the tech was functional. Sproule also told investors that CMCTs price could eventually reach $600; yet, it failed to ever trade higher than $0.085. In September 2018, CMCTs price collapsed nearly 90% after a cyber attack led to the theft of more than 1 billion tokens, worth $14 million. Cryptocurrency crime had a record-breaking year in 2021 with scammers taking in an estimated $14 billion, nearly double compared to 2020, according to blockchain data firm Chainalysis report. With an 81% increase from 2020, more than $2.8 billion of this 2021 total came from rug-pulls, an increasingly popular new scheme in which developers create new crypto tokens and promote them to investors to pump up their value. Once that is achieved, they abandon the project, taking investor funds with them, never to be heard from again. The largest rug pull scam went down in Turkey, with Thodex, which saw its mastermind block users ability to withdraw their funds and then disappear with $2.6 billion. In October, Doge-themed Anubis DAO raised $60 million in one day before being rug-pulled by the developer. One of the most prominent rug pulls of last year involved a token purportedly tied to the hit Korean Netflix drama Squid Game. The SQUID coin surged as high as $2,861 in early November before tanking as the developers made off with an estimated $3.38 million in investor funds. By Michael Kern for Safehaven.com More Top Reads From Safehaven.com: For me, thats really what the New Years Eve ceremony is about showing that we are willing to keep moving in the direction of new and renewed wishes, to keep pursuing a meaningful and fulfilling life, to not hold the world in contempt, or join ... Thank you for reading! Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading. " " The gegenschein is a faint brightening of the night sky in the region directly opposite the sun, caused by the reflection of sunlight on interplanetary dust in the solar system. It is seen in this image as the band running diagonally from the top middle to the lower right. Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0) No matter how much we think we know about our planet, there's always more to discover. For example, you could be out enjoying a nice evening of stargazing under an inky black sky and suddenly spot a brighter area of light in the sky. Is it a UFO? (No.) Maybe the aurora borealis? (Unlikely, unless you live in an area where that's visible.) Instead, you might be experiencing the phenomenon known as the gegenschein. Translating directly from German as "faint light," the gegenschein occurs under very specific astronomical conditions when the sun reaches the exact opposite of Earth from wherever you're stargazing. Here's what causes it and how to try and see it if you're keen for a unique astronomical experience on your next night under the stars. Advertisement The Fascinating Phenomenon of the Gegenschein So what is the gegenschein exactly? Astrophotographer and astronomy communicator Mary McIntyre helps illuminate the phenomenon all puns intended. "The gegenschein is a faint, oval spot of light that may be visible in a very dark, clear sky, at the anti-solar point, i.e., the point in the sky that is exactly opposite the sun," McIntyre explains. "[The Gegenschein] is closely associated with zodiacal light, and both are caused by sunlight being scattered by a disc of interplanetary dust. This disc of dust extends out probably beyond the orbit of Jupiter, and the individual dust particles are tiny; between 3.9 and 0.01 inches (0.001 and 0.3 millimeters) across." Yes, our planet is like Peanuts' Pigpen, sitting in a cloud of dust. McIntyre continues: "The gegenschein is fainter than zodiacal light but brighter than the rest of the band of dust. Its formation is tied in with the opposition surge and backscattering of light by the dust particles." Wait, what surge? It turns out that explaining the gegenschein requires a bit more knowledge of complex astronomic effects. "The opposition surge is the brightening of a rough surface or an area that contains many small particles when it is illuminated from directly behind the person observing it," explains McIntyre. "In astronomy, planets are best observed when they are at opposition, or the point in the sky directly opposite the sun. A more common example that we see each month is the full moon, which is fully illuminated by the sun on the opposite side of the sky." So the opposition surge (also sometimes called the opposition effect) causes the particles of interplanetary dust on the opposite side of Earth from the sun to be slightly brighter that's the gegenschein. Advertisement Conditions Must Be Perfect Seeing the gegenschein is about as complex as explaining what causes it. In order for the gegenschein to be visible, there are certain astronomical conditions that need to be met. First off, you need a dark, clear sky. And by clear, we mean an absence of both clouds and other particulates in the atmosphere like pollution or humidity; this means that summer isn't the best time to try and see the gegenschein, though it is still possible in the right locations. Speaking of the best seasons to see the gegenschein, there's another reason winter is a better time: "You will have more chance of seeing the gegenschein during the winter months because the antisolar point will be at its highest point at local midnight," explains McIntyre. "If you want to find out exactly where the antisolar point is, you can use newer versions of the free planetarium software Stellarium to label it against the night sky stars." "You also need a night when there is no moonlight bleaching the sky," says McIntyre. Look for the gegenschein if you're out stargazing on the night of the new moon or a day or two on either side of it. Finally, you've got to get the right timing: "It is most likely to be visible around local midnight when it is at its highest point in the sky," McIntire advises. Putting it all together, that means you need to look for the gegenschein during a winter new moon (or close to it) when the sky is clear, around midnight local time, from a location that's far from city lights and other sources of light pollution. Not too tricky at all, right? Advertisement Tips to See the Gegenschein Assuming you can meet all of the above conditions for timing, seasonality and atmospheric clarity, there are some other tips to spot the gegenschein if it's possible. First, your eyes need to be fully adjusted to the dark. This takes around 20-30 minutes, advises McIntyre. This means no checking your phone notifications or anything else on your devices during that time, as they'll restart the clock on your eyes adjusting completely. "You may also need to use averted vision to see it," she says. "This is a trick astronomers use frequently to view faint objects. Just look slightly off to the side of an object and the more sensitive cells in your eye, the rods, will allow you to see the object in your peripheral vision more brightly than when you look directly at it." The gegenschein isn't the only phenomenon of its type; you can also experience "heiligenschein," which is caused by water droplets in the form of dew. "If you're out early in the morning on a sunny day when the sun is still low and the ground around you is covered in dew, take a look at the region around the head of your shadow; you may notice it is surrounded by a white glow," says McIntyre. How does the heiligenschein work? "Each of the spherical dew drops acts like a little lens. As well as scattering the light in many directions, some of the light gets bounced back exactly along the path it came from, causing some back-scattering and therefore brightening around the antisolar point [in your shadow]," McIntyre explains. Now That's Interesting Stellarium shows a realistic sky in 3D, just like what you see with the naked eye, binoculars or a telescope. It is a free open source planetarium for your computer. " " This figure shows the volcanic peak Idunn Mons in the Imdr Regio area of Venus, derived from data obtained by the NASA Magellan spacecraft and the ESA Venus Express Spacecraft. NASA/JPL-Caltech/ESA For decades, the exploration of our solar system left one of our neighbouring planets, Venus, largely unexplored. Now, things are about to change. In the latest announcement from NASA's solar system exploration program, two missions have been given the go-ahead and they're both bound for Venus. The two ambitious missions will launch between 2028 and 2030. This marks a considerable change in direction for NASA's planetary science division, which hasn't sent a mission to the planet since 1990. It's exciting news for space scientists like me. Venus is a hostile world. Its atmosphere contains sulphuric acid and the surface temperatures is hot enough to melt lead. But it has not always been this way. It is thought Venus started out very similar to the Earth. So what happened? While on Earth, carbon is mainly trapped in rocks, on Venus it has escaped into the atmosphere making it roughly 96 percent carbon dioxide. This has led to a runaway greenhouse effect, pushing surface temperatures up to 750 kelvin (470 degrees Celsius or 90 degrees Fahrenheit). The planet's history makes it an excellent place to study the greenhouse effect and to learn how to manage it on Earth. We can use models which plot the atmospheric extremes of Venus, and compare the results to what we see back home. But, the extreme surface conditions are one of the reasons planetary exploration missions have avoided Venus. The high temperature means a very high pressure of 90 bars (equivalent to roughly one kilometre underwater) which is enough to instantly crush most planetary landers. It might not come as a surprise, then, that missions to Venus haven't always gone to plan. " " The northern and southern hemispheres of Venus as revealed by more than a decade of radar investigations culminating in the 1990-1994 NASA Magellan mission. NASA/JPL/USGS Most of the exploration done so far was carried out by the then Soviet Union between the 1960s and the 1980s. There are some notable exceptions, such as NASA's Pioneer Venus mission in 1972 and the European Space Agency's Venus Express mission in 2006. The first landing happened in 1970, when the Soviet Union's Venera 7 crashed due to the parachute melting. But it managed to transmit 20 minutes of data back to Earth. The first surface images were taken by Venera 9, followed by Veneras 10, 13 and 14. Advertisement The Descent Mission The first of the two selected NASA missions will be known as Davinci+ (a shortening of Deep Atmosphere of Venus Investigations of Noble Gases, Chemistry and Imaging). It includes a descent probe, meaning it will be dropped through the atmosphere, taking measurements as it goes. The descent has three stages with the first investigating the entire atmosphere. The probe will be looking at the composition of the atmosphere in detail, providing information on each layer as it falls. We know sulphuric acid is confined to cloud layers at around 50 kilometers (30 miles) up, and we know that the atmosphere is 97 percent carbon dioxide. But studying trace elements can provide information on how the atmosphere ended up in this state. The second stage will be looking at lower altitudes to measure weather properties such as wind speed, temperature and pressure in detail. The last stage take surface images in high resolution. While this is very common for Mars, it has always been a challenge on Venus. The thick cloud layer means visible light is reflected, so observing from Earth or from orbit isn't practical. The intense surface conditions also mean rovers are impractical. One suggestion has been a balloon mission. We have a low resolution image of the surface of Venus, thanks to NASA's Magellan mission in 1990, which mapped the surface using radar. The Davinci probe will take surface images using infrared light during its descent. These pictures will not only allow better planning for future missions but also help scientists investigate how the surface formed. Advertisement Mapping the Surface The second mission is called Veritas, short for Venus Emissivity, Radio science, InSAR, Topography and Spectroscopy. This will be a more standard planetary mission. The orbiter will carry two instruments on board to map the surface, complementing the detailed infrared observations from Davinci. The first of these is a camera that observes in a range of wavelengths. It can see through the Venusian clouds, to investigate atmospheric and ground composition. This task is very difficult, as the surface temperature causes the reflected light to have a very broad range of wavelengths. Veritas will compensate for this using techniques often used to study the atmospheres of exoplanets. The wavelength camera will also look for signs of water vapour. The Venus Express mission showed that the main elements escaping the Venusian atmosphere are hydrogen and oxygen, so if there's any water it will be in tiny amounts, or deep under the surface. The second instrument is a radar and utilises a technique used extensively on Earth observation satellites. A very large active radio receiver important for high resolution images is simulated using radio pulses pointed at different angles in front of the spacecraft. The high resolution radar images will create a more detailed map to investigate the surface evolution of Venus, as well as determine if there is any tectonic or volcanic activity. " " NASA image of the transit of Venus across the face of the sun, captured June 5, 2012. This event happens in pairs eight years apart that are separated from each other by 105 or 121 years. The next transit will not happen until 2117. NASA/Goddard These missions could also add evidence to a theory that the Venusian surface completely melted and reformed 500 million years ago. This came about to explain the lack of meteorite impacts on the surface, but so far no evidence has been found a volcanic lava layer which would result from such resurfacing. It is exciting that NASA has turned its planetary mission view towards Venus. For any budding astronauts I'm afraid the chance of sending a human there any time soon is non-existent. But, the information that can be gained from Earth's largely forgotten sister will be of very high value for understanding our world. Ian Whittaker is Senior Lecturer in Physics at Nottingham Trent University in Nottingham, England. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. You can find the original article here. TIMMONSVILLE, S.C. The spokesman for the Florence Four Board of Trustees has accused South Carolina Superintendent of Education Molly Spearman, the Florence County legislative delegation and the Florence One Schools Board of Trustees of spinning a web of lies and deception to kill the district. So, what was assumed by the good people of Timmonsville has been true all along, Gary Burgess Sr. says in an email. The rich and powerful in Florence Four see no benefit in educating the Black and working class Whites of Timmonsville and have used the political apparatus to gain complete control of the people, the peoples children, their property and all of their resources. A spokesman for Spearman declined to comment on Burgess email Wednesday morning. The average ACT composite score for students at Timmonsville High School is 12.8, the lowest score in the Pee Dee region. Wilson (17.5), West Florence (17) and South Florence (16.1) have higher scores on the test that measures educational achievement. Once the property taxes increase in Florence Four those people will be pushed out, Burgess continues. According to information provided by the South Carolina Association of Counties, the millage rate of Florence One Schools is 0.2386 mills and the millage rate of Florence Four is 0.1412 mills. The plan by Spearman, and those who control Spearman, was never about educating the students. It was and still is about control, power and money, Burgess continues. Spearman has repeatedly said that the district does not have enough children in it to operate on its own. She has pushed for the consolidation of other similarly sized districts throughout the state. Two years ago, the South Carolina General Assembly passed and Gov. Henry McMaster signed a bill giving these districts financial incentives to consolidate into other districts. Burgess says Brockington Elementary School would exist in name only ... for a small group of elite students. Spearman told the Morning News Tuesday that the school would continue to serve the residents of Timmonsville and the surrounding area but would gain an arts magnet program. Burgess says Florence Four students will be bused for hours into a foreign district. Cartersville, in far western Florence County, is an 18- minute ride from Sneed Middle School, according to Google Maps. The mapping site indicates that it is a 31-minute ride from Cartersville to Wilson High School. Burgess accuses the Florence One Schools Board of Trustees of offering free tuition for Florence Four residents to weaken Florence Four. The consolidation was announced a year prior to Florence One Schools tuition-free plan. Also, the districts enrollment has been in decline for more than 20 years. He also accuses the Florence County legislative delegation of doing their job in returning the land to the ruling class. No member of the Florence County delegation has taken a public position on the Florence Four-One consolidation. However, State Rep. Jay Jordan said at a Lions Club meeting that theres no reason for Florence County to have five school districts. Burgess says the children of Timmonsville, Black and working class Whites, will continue to be treated like enslaved people. Slavery has been illegal in the United States since Congress passed the 13th Amendment in late 1865. Various court cases have established the 14th amendment protects any class of people from being treated as a second-class group. Burgess adds that the good White Christians in Florence One and Florence County will continue to behave as though they are doing whats best for the poor and that the African Americans who assume they are elite and powerful will continue to do the systems bidding- ducking, dodging and lying in hopes of keeping the crumbs from the masters table. No elected official, beyond Spearman, has taken a position in support of the consolidation plan. Darrick Jackson, Timmonsvilles former mayor, has spoken out several times in opposition to the consolidation. The Morning News has also seen Timmonsville and other elected officials at Florence Four board meetings. Burgess adds that Richard OMalley, superintendent of Florence One Schools, will get an increase in his tremendous salary. OMalley also declined to comment Wednesday morning. Last June, OMalley received a $15,000 bonus and an extremely effective evaluation from the districts board of trustees. OMalleys most recent statement of economic interests filed with the South Carolina Ethics Commission indicates he receives a salary of $238,000. An article in the Spartanburg Herald Journal indicates that OMalleys salary is the second-largest in the state behind the Greenville County superintendent. Burgess also makes comments about a South Carolina Department of Education official, saying she will continue to dance for Spearman without the compensation being offered to OMalley, and a Florence Four employee (She will ill continue to be blinded sided by the puppet master.) Burgess also refers to the Morning News as a dying third tier newspaper that will continue to print one-sided stories for the rich and powerful in hopes of staying afloat. He ends his email by quoting the state motto, Dum Spiro Spero (While I breathe, I hope). Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Congressman Tom Rice is looking to increase the number of rural police officers and raise their pay levels. Rice, a Republican representing most of the Pee Dee and Grand Strand regions of the state, and Abigail Spanberger, a Virginia Democrat, introduced the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) on the Beat Grant Program Reauthorization and Parity Act of 2022. Police officers keep all kinds of communities safe, but those in rural and low-income communities often face barriers to doing their jobs effectively and efficiently, Rice said. Ive met with law enforcement officers in all eight counties of the 7th District to hear how we can make our law enforcement programs work better for communities in South Carolina and across the Nation. The COPS on the Beat Grant Program Reauthorization and Parity Act will ensure all communities are well staffed with officers who can meet the needs of the community, are trained properly, and paid a fair wage. Im proud that this bill nearly triples the amount appropriated from last year for this program and it provides more funding than this program has been appropriated in a decade. We cant merely talk about the need for improving law enforcement relations, budgets, and trainings. This legislation delivers on those calls for thoughtful and targeted solutions. South Carolinas sheriffs are excited to see this important initiative introduced. A number of sheriffs offices across the stateincluding small, rural agencieshave successfully used these funds to enhance the level of public safety provided in their communities. We hope this bi-partisan legislation is embraced and enacted quickly, said Jarrod Bruder, executive director of South Carolina Sheriffs Association. The bill would reauthorize the COPS on the Beat Grant Program for the next 10 years, expand access to rural communities, allow for grants to be used to increase wages for officers in low-income communities, and create a stand-alone COPS office within the Department of Justice. The program had $386 million this fiscal year. The bill would increase the funding to nearly $1.05 billion. The bill also would require the Government Accountability Office to file a report at the mid-point of the program and the conclusion to determine: how representative law enforcement agencies are of their communities, the percentage that lives in the jurisdiction served, average pay compared to cost of living of jurisdiction and legislative and administrative recommendations for improving these data points. The bill is co-sponsored by Representatives Jaime Herrera Beutler (R-WA), Jared Golden (D-ME), John Katko (R-NY), Henry Cuellar (D-TX), Burgess Owens (R-UT), Stephanie Murphy (D-FL), Steve Chabot (R-OH), Kurt Schrader (D-OR), Young Kim (R-CA) and Ron Kind (D-WI). The Community Oriented Policing Services Office is a component of the U.S. Department of Justice responsible for advancing the practice of community policing by the nations state, local, territorial, and tribal law enforcement agencies through information and grant resources. It awards grants to hire community policing professionals, develop and test innovative policing strategies, and provide training and technical assistance to community members, local government leaders, and all levels of law enforcement. Since 1994, the COPS Office has invested more than $14 billion to help advance community policing. Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. 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." *** "No Justice, No Pleas: Subverting Mass Incarceration Through Defendant Collective Action" | Main | "A Call to Reform Federal Solitary Confinement" January 13, 2022 Thousands of federal prisoners finally to get FIRST STEP Act credits as DOJ implements earned time rules As reported in this new AP article, headlined "Thousands of federal inmates to be released under 2018 law," this weeks brings some big FIRST STEP Act implementation news, just over three years since President Trump signed the landmark sentencing reform legislation. Here are the basics: The Justice Department will begin transferring thousands of inmates out of federal prisons this week as part of a sweeping criminal justice overhaul signed by President Donald Trump more than three years ago. The department, in a rule being published Thursday in the Federal Register, is spelling out how time credits for prisoners will work. The bipartisan law is intended to encourage inmates to participate in programs aimed at reducing recidivism, which could let them out of prison earlier.... While the transfers are expected to begin this week, it isnt clear how many inmates will be released. The department would only say that thousands of inmates are being affected. Under the law signed in December 2018, inmates are eligible to earn time credits 10 days to 15 days of credit for every 30 days they participate in prison programs to reduce recidivism. The programs range from anger management and drug treatment to educational, work and social skills classes. The announcement of a finalized rule being published comes about two months after the departments inspector general sounded an alarm that the Bureau of Prisons had not applied the earned time credits to about 60,000 federal inmates who had completed the programs. It also comes a week after an announcement that the director of the prison agency, Michael Carvajal, will resign from his position in the face of mounting criticism over his leadership. The Biden administration has faced increased pressure from both Democratic and Republican lawmakers to do more to put in place additional aspects of the First Step Act, and the bureau has been accused of dragging its feet.... The inmates being released will be sent to supervised release programs, released to home confinement or transferred into the bureaus residential re-entry centers, commonly known as halfway houses. The law allows inmates to earn time credits back to 2018, when the First Step Act was enacted. The Justice Department says implementation of the finalized rule will begin this week with inmates whose time credits exceed the days remaining on their sentence, are less than a year from release and have a term of supervised release. Transfers are underway. More are expected in the weeks ahead as officials apply the time credits to inmates records. The rule also changes the bureaus definition of a day of credit. A proposed version in January 2020 said inmates would need to participate for eight hours in certain academic programs or prison jobs to qualify for one days worth of credit. But the final version changes the timetable and says the prior standard was inconsistent with the goals of the law. Inmates will earn 10 days for every 30 days they participate in programs. Inmates who can remain in lower risk categories will be eligible for an additional five days of credit in each 30-day period. Advocates say the finalized definition of a day will make it easier for a wide array of prison programs to count toward time credits and will mean more people will be eligible for release earlier. This new Justice Department press release, titled "Justice Department Announces New Rule Implementing Federal Time Credits Program Established by the First Step Act," discusses these developments this way: Today, the Department of Justice announced that a new rule has been submitted to the Federal Register implementing the Time Credits program required by the First Step Act for persons incarcerated in federal facilities who committed nonviolent offenses. As part of the implementation process, the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) has begun transferring eligible inmates out of BOP facilities and into either a supervised release program or into Residential Reentry Centers (RRCs) or home confinement (HC). The First Step Act, a critical piece of bipartisan legislation, promised a path to an early return home for eligible incarcerated people who invest their time and energy in programs that reduce recidivism, said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. Today, the Department of Justice is doing its part to honor this promise, and is pleased to implement this important program. The First Step Act of 2018 provides eligible inmates the opportunity to earn 10 to 15 days of time credits for every 30 days of successful participation in Evidence Based Recidivism Reduction Programs and Productive Activities. The earned credits can be applied toward earlier placement in pre-release custody, such as RRCs and HC. In addition, at the BOP Directors discretion, up to 12 months of credit can be applied toward Supervised Release. Inmates are eligible to earn Time Credits retroactively back to Dec. 21, 2018, the date the First Step Act was enacted, subject to BOPs determination of eligibility. Implementation will occur on a rolling basis, beginning with immediate releases for inmates whose Time Credits earned exceed their days remaining to serve, are less than 12 months from release, and have a Supervised Release term. Some of these transfers have already begun, and many more will take place in the weeks and months ahead as BOP calculates and applies time credits for eligible incarcerated individuals. The final rule will be published by the Federal Register in the coming weeks and will take immediate effect. The rule, as it was submitted to the Federal Register, can be viewed here: https://www.bop.gov/inmates/fsa/docs/bop_fsa_rule.pdf This seems like a very big deal, especially with the retroactive application of credits and the new "day" rule for earning credit, and I will be very interested to see if the federal prison population (which today BOP reports at 157,596 "Total Federal Inmates") starts a move back down after having grown by around 6,000 persons during the first year of the Biden Administration. January 13, 2022 at 11:33 AM | Permalink Comments This is a really big deal for inmates. By taking every available applicable BOP course, inmates will be able to cut their time inside prison. Posted by: Mike | Jan 13, 2022 7:39:44 PM This is a really big deal for inmates. By taking every available applicable BOP course, inmates will be able to cut their time inside prison. Posted by: Mike | Jan 13, 2022 7:39:45 PM One part of the publication that is still concerning is the insistence on only applying credits for those programs that inmates were "assigned" to. I personally saw this issue arise in the many court cases (including my own case) that made their way to various courts/judges over the past couple years whereby inmates were petitioning for the application of their earned time credits. In simplistic terms, judges/BOP were basically like, "yeah well you did complete the courses, but we never assigned them to you...so you are out of luck". These assignments come from the PATTERN scoring system that was supposedly implemented across the BOP. For example, within the 52-page report, one such reference (there are many) to assigned programs is here: (2) Successful participation requires a determination by Bureau staff that an eligible inmate has participated in the EBRR programs or PAs that the Bureau has recommended based on the inmates individualized risk and needs assessment, and has complied with the requirements of each particular EBRR Program or PA." The problem is, many inmates were never assigned to anything until very recently. At my institution, I didn't actually receive a formal/printed "needs assessment" until late 2021 - around the time of my release. Now the DOJ has allowed programs completed from December 2018 (FSA Enactment date), and has addressed the challenges it faces when trying to assess whether programs completed prior to PATTERN development fit the "criminogenic needs" of the inmate. This "assignment" caveat has always left me apprehensive with the notion of actually receiving the credits for all the programming I underwent whilst incarcerated. Already, my PATTERN evaluation says that I do not have a "need" for "work". What? EVERY inmate has a "need" for work - it forms one of the most crucial foundations for successful reentry. Most of my programming was via an apprenticeship (work) as my institution offered very, very, very little in the way of programming. The question remains...will I actually get the credits applied...or was there another loophole left for the BOP to utilize? Overall though, this seems like a huge win for inmates. In my experience with the BOP/DOJ, these wins are very rare and I champion them for finally doing the right thing - for finally siding with the logical interpretations of the law (as it was intended). Although I gripe that I lost valuable time sitting on a wealth of credits...I'm happy that the overall, broader inmate population will benefit from these landmark changes and actions. I would love to hear your thoughts/take, Mr. Berman... Posted by: V | Jan 14, 2022 12:04:24 AM There are still lots and lots of devils in all the details, V, as your comment highlights. I suspect there are thousands of folks like you who have missed out because of the challenges of FIRST STEP application over the last three years. That said, one reason this latest rule is such a big deal is that it suggests the current (and future?) DOJ/BOP brass is inclined to try to give broad reach to earned-time credits. But that reach will still be limited by various aspects of the statute and likely other practical concerns (e.g., I presume DOJ will not want to allow a person in federal prison to say simply reading a book or watching the right TV program on their own should count as "productive activity" to earn credits). Good luck getting your credits, V. Posted by: Doug B. | Jan 14, 2022 10:47:52 AM I think the BOP's implementation of the FSA won't advantage as many inmates as you might think. This is because the number of inmates eligible for additional credits is severely constrained by 18 USC 3632(d)(4)(D). By my count, inmates convicted of 68 different offenses cataloged from Section 3632(d)(4)(D)(i)-(lxviii) are tarred as "ineligible prisoners." To make matters worse, regardless of the offense of conviction, if the inmate's a "deportable prisoner," Section 3632(d)(4)(E) makes the inmate ineligible for the additional time credits. Posted by: redlon | Jan 14, 2022 1:06:03 PM The USSC estimated back in January 2019 that, despite the restrictions you cite, redlon, there may be more than 80,000 federal prisoners who will earn credits. https://www.ussc.gov/sites/default/files/pdf/research-and-publications/prison-and-sentencing-impact-assessments/January_2019_Impact_Analysis.pdf Posted by: Doug B. | Jan 14, 2022 11:30:02 PM Thank you for your response Mr. Berman. I was actually released today! In the end, I received roughly 2.5 months of time credits leading to an early release from BOP custody. Now I begin my assigned term of supervised release early. As I alluded to in my previous comment, a little "bittersweet"...but I'll never complain about actually getting something out of the BOP. Question for you - and I see that you just posted another blog post re: the same: Can the remainder of an inmate's credits be applied to REDUCE the term of supervised release? In my reading and interpretation of the law, bills, and the recent 52-pager, I actually don't see that question directly addressed. Doesn't "pre-release custody" encompass "supervised release"? So far, I've been told to take the matter to the courts (by USPO), but I'm interested to hear your thoughts on the application of time credits to further reduce imposed terms...specifically, supervised release...as I still have a host of unused, accrued credits. Thank you again, Mr. Berman. Posted by: V | Jan 18, 2022 3:44:28 PM I am unaware of any statement that credits can be used to reduce the duration of SR, and that is why you may be told to try to press the point in court. But I will keep an eye out and try to post about these "technical" questions that remain. Posted by: Doug B. | Jan 19, 2022 2:33:53 PM Post a comment The shadows of two young children. (PHOTO: Getty Images) SINGAPORE A man went on trial on Thursday (13 January) for sexually assaulting a pair of siblings, some two decades after the offences were allegedly first committed. The man, now 48, is claiming trial to five charges involving the younger sister, now 29, and three charges involving her brother, now 30, when they were between seven and 13 years old. The siblings are the children of a woman that the accused dated from 1998 to 2006. The charges involving the girl comprise four of molesting a person under 14, and one of attempted rape of the victim when she was under 14. The charges involving the boy include carnal intercourse against the order of nature by engaging in sexual acts with him, and one count of molest when he was under 14. Another four charges, which the man indicated his intention to plead guilty to, will be stood down for the purposes of the trial. These involve failing to change his registered address, molesting the boy, and showing the girl images of nude women on his laptop and asking her to model their behaviour. The offences were allegedly committed between 2000 and 2005. All parties in this case cannot be named to protect the identity of the victims. Siblings, 21 witnesses to testify Opening its case on Thursday, the prosecution, led by Deputy Public Prosecutor Gail Wong, said it would produce 23 witnesses, including the siblings and their mother. According to the prosecution, the man met the siblings mother in January 1998 while they worked at a pub. After the mother introduced him to the siblings, he moved in with them. The children came to call him papa. While their mother often worked and held different jobs, the man did not hold permanent jobs, and cared for the siblings while their mother was away. The prosecution said it would lead evidence from the girl. The girl will testify that while at a flat in Ang Mo Kio between 2000 and 2001, she was sleeping but awoke to the man grinding his genitals against her. He then molested her skin on skin. On another occasion, he instructed her to lie on the bed before molesting her. Story continues The girl will also testify that on another occasion, she drank a drink provided by the man and fell asleep. When she woke, she was unclothed and lying face down, with her legs tucked under her. The man then tried to rape her. The man allegedly molested her on two other occasions, after they had moved to another flat along Pending Road in 2001. He entered her bedroom while she was sleeping between 2003 and 2004 to molest her, and instructed her to pull down her shorts in 2005 so that he could perform an obscene act on her. The boy will also give evidence on his most vivid memory of sexual abuse, which occurred when he was 11. He was sleeping when the man allegedly performed a sexual act on him. He had suffered from fainting spells during this period. The couple broke up in 2006, the same year the woman chased him out of the house. 'We keep it from you for 10 years' Even after the couple had broken up, the siblings kept the sexual assaults to themselves until 2016, when their mother argued with her daughter, whom she found rebellious. The brother then sent a text to his mother through her phone revealing that the man used to rape us. He added, All (my sister) wanted was your love We keep it from you for 10 yearsBecause we know you work very hard. Mama every time you were not around hell beat us till we faint. Even randomly while in our sleep even if late at night. He touched us and made us do weird things. Then whenever youre around he pretends its nothing. And we didnt tell you because we knew how hard you work. But sometimes I think my sister goes thru (sic) depression because of this and I know we are all used to be (sic) independent. Yet, shes a girl after all and she always want to feel love but sometimes you were too busy. After the messages, the mother asked her children to lodge a police report and they did so on 13 December 2016. However the police were unable to find the accused at his registered address. He was only arrested three years later on 19 May 2019 at Tuas Checkpoint. The man was assessed to have pedophilic disorder but was not of unsound mind. The trial continues on Thursday. Stay in the know on-the-go: Join Yahoo Singapore's Telegram channel at http://t.me/YahooSingapore SIOUX CITY -- Martina McBride fans who planned on attending her Thursday night concert at the Orpheum Theatre will now have to wait a little bit longer. Wednesday afternoon, show organizers announced the award-winning country artist would be unable to perform at the Pierce Street venue "due to an unfortunate and untimely Covid exposure." With that, the event was pushed back to Thursday, March 3 of this year. "Please hold on to your tickets as they will be honored for the rescheduled date," organizers said. The same show was originally scheduled to take place in April 2020 and then got moved to Sept. 2020. A multiple Grammy nominee, McBride has sold more than 18 million albums to date, including 20 top 10 singles and six number one hits. 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. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Stay up-to-date on what's happening Receive the latest in local entertainment news in your inbox weekly! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Chinese, Turkish FMs hold talks on bilateral ties Xinhua) 08:14, January 13, 2022 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. (Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Liang Jun) At any given time, Mark Overbay, president of Big Spoon Roasters, is keeping a running list of 40 or so nut butter recipe ideas. These ideas go beyond the Durham, North Carolina-based companys existing lineup of nut butters, which already features ingredients like chai spices, espresso, Fiji ginger and toasted coconut. Theres also a carrot cake almond-walnut butter, a lemon-coconut cashew butter and Hot Mamba, a spicy-sweet flavor inspired by a traditional Haitian recipe. Big Spoon does a pecan and peanut butter blend with wildflower honey, and another with maple and cinnamon, and a dark chocolate and sea salt almond butter. And thats not all. But Marks brain is always going "What about pistachios? Figs? Pineapple and lime?" Well, thats where the R&D club comes in. Comprised of Big Spoons biggest fans, The R&D club gets exclusive access to test recipes that we ship directly to their home, explains Megan Overbay, COO of Big Spoon. Its an exciting way for us to engage with a connected customer base, and to also get input on what would be successful. Just talking about nut butters as a category of products is exciting to the Overbays, who are co-owners (and husband and wife). The couple first debuted their products in January of 2011 at a local bike race near their North Carolina home and, by that spring, they were selling at area farmers markets. While people eagerly grabbed up the spreads, they didnt quite understand what Big Spoon was selling. At farmers markets and events, we had a sign that said handcrafted nut butters and a lot of people came up to the table and said, Whats that? Whats a nut butter? recalls Mark. You had peanut butters, almond butters, cashew butters, etc. But no business that we knew of was using that term to describe a whole category of goods that they made. Organic growth Mark cites living in Zimbabwe as a Peace Corps Volunteer in his early 20s as part of Big Spoons origin story. But he also credits the instinct and appreciation of preserving food that was baked into me from an early age. My great-grandparents in Tennessee had a basement with shelves of canned tomatoes and green beans and okra and corn, just anything you could grow in the summer, Mark says. In 2010, while Mark was working in marketing at the third wave North Carolina coffee roaster Counter Culture, he and Megan hatched the idea for Big Spoon. The couple wanted to source ingredients as locally as they could, bringing slow food and sustainability values to the brand. It was clear in my mind how I wanted the brand to feel, says Mark. Pre-digital, timeless, a reaction to the over-industrialization of food. At Counter Culture, he learned about the channels of specialty retail, coffee shops and grocery stores. He also developed relationships with press reps at national magazines. Thankfully, we got a lot of really early press, and we didnt pay anything for marketing for a really long time, says Megan. We kind of walk the walk, doing what we do. Were carved out a new section of the market and the attention weve received has all happened very organically. To the Overbays and their small team at Big Spoon, walking the walk means taking into account the full spectrum of sustainability. Committed to sustainability Unconvinced by improvements in eco-friendly palm production, the company has committed to never using palm oil, which decreases separation in nut butter but has negative environmental consequences. And when it came time to expand into almond butter, Mark tested some 30 nuts before settling on an heirloom variety from Texas called Mission almonds. Theyre sometimes considered throwaway almonds because many people think theyre ugly theyre short and squatty and wrinkly. But I think theyre beautiful. Youll never see them in a bulk bin at a grocery store, Mark says. But some genius shelled these almonds and roasted them, and theyre incredible. Theyre sweeter, theyre crunchier, they have slightly lower moisture, which means they require less water to be cultivated. Even better, the companys California-based almond processor, Treehouse, is on the cutting edge with low water cultivation, explains Mark, a frequent concern with almond production. It all fits into the overall story Big Spoon wants to tell, about why and how they make their butters the way they do. As more people have entered our market and made similar claims, we have had to be much more intentional about helping people understand the choices we make, Megan says. They see the value in the experience you have when you taste it. But on the shelf, things like values, process and mission can be challenging to convey. Thats why, now, youll see little symbols on the packages: non-GMO, bee-friendly almonds, palm free. Bigger batches Big Spoon Roasters is looking to the future with a planned expansion to a larger facility in nearby Hillsborough, North Carolina. They continue to workshop new ingredient combinations for their portable, handmade nut butter bars, with already come in flavors like cranberry cashew, apple ginger, lemon blueberry, cherry pecan and figgy chai. Our vision is that nut butter doesnt have to be this kind-of-salty, kind-of-sweet source of nutrition, Mark says. It can actually be a really phenomenal, delicious food experience. As for those R&D club members, they point the way forward. A small-scale test that does well could go on to become a limited batch. A limited batch that turns out to be well-loved could move to the big leagues, and possibly join the starting lineup. One recent promotion, a limited batch of pistachio crunch almond butter, earned them loads of unexpected love mail, as Mark calls it. Really funny things! Megan adds, laughing. A customer wrote in saying its so good I wanted to smack my mama! laughs Mark. Were still in this explosion of American craft foods, and I love it, says Mark. Its an honor to be a part of that. Were redefining what nut butters can be foods that are more than just fuel. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 WASHINGTON (AP) Stewart Rhodes, the founder and leader of the far-right Oath Keepers militia group, has been arrested and charged with seditious conspiracy in the attack on the U.S. Capitol, authorities said Thursday. Ten other people also were charged with seditious conspiracy in connection with the attack on Jan. 6, 2021, when authorities said members of the extremist group came to Washington intent on stopping the certification of President Joe Biden's victory. These are the first charges of seditious conspiracy that the Justice Department has brought in connection with the attack led by supporters of former President Donald Trump. Rhodes, 56, of Granbury, Texas, and Edward Vallejo, 63, of Phoenix, Arizona, were arrested on Thursday. The others who were charged were already facing criminal charges related to the attack. Rhodes is the highest-ranking member of an extremist group to be arrested in the deadly siege. The arrest of Rhodes and the others is a serious escalation of the accusations against the thousands of rioters who stormed the Capitol. And the charges answer in part a growing chorus of Republicans who have publicly questioned the seriousness of the Jan. 6 insurrection, arguing that since no one had been charged yet with sedition or treason, it could not have been so violent. Rhodes did not enter the Capitol building on Jan. 6 but is accused of helping put into motion the violence that disrupted the certification of the vote. The Oath Keepers case is the largest conspiracy case federal authorities have brought so far over Jan. 6, when rioters stormed past police barriers and smashed windows, injuring dozens of officers and sending lawmakers running. The indictment against Rhodes alleges Oath Keepers formed two teams, or "stacks," that entered the Capitol. The first "stack" split up inside the building to separately go after the House and Senate. The second "stack" confronted officers inside the Capitol Rotunda, the indictment said. Outside Washington, the indictment alleges, the Oath Keepers had stationed two "quick reaction forces" that had guns "in support of their plot to stop the lawful transfer of power." Jonathan Moseley, an attorney representing Rhodes, said his client was arrested Thursday in Texas. "He has been subject to a lot of suspicion to why he wasn't indicted," so far in the Jan. 6 riot, Moseley said. "I don't know if this is in response to those discussions, but we do think it's unfortunate. It's an unusual situation." ___ Associated Press writers Jacques Billeaud, Nomaan Merchant, Eric Tucker, Michael Kunzelman and Lindsay Whitehurst contributed to this report. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 SERGEANT BLUFF -- A suspect is dead and a law enforcement official was injured in an altercation at a mobile home park Wednesday night. Shortly before 6 p.m., Woodbury County Sheriff's deputies were called to the Woodford Mobile Home Park, 501 B St., for a report of a burglary in progress. A witness directed deputies to a suspect who was allegedly forcing his way into a mobile home. According to a news release from the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, the subject advanced toward deputies with a tire iron. One of the deputies fired a Taser at the suspect, which proved ineffective. After being struck by the suspect's tire iron, the second deputy shot the suspect. The suspect was transported to MercyOne Siouxland where he died as a result of his gunshot wound. His identity isn't being released at the present time. An autopsy will be scheduled at the Iowa Office of the State Medical Examiner's Office in Ankeny, Iowa, in coming days. The deputy who was assaulted was transported to UnityPoint Health -- St. Luke's for his injuries. He has been released from the hospital. Woodbury County Sheriff Chad Sheehan said both deputies involved in the incident have been placed on administrative leave, a standard measure that is also contained in the sheriff's department's policies. The names of the deputies currently are not being released. "The names won't be released until after interviews by the DCI," Sheehan said. Those interviews have not yet been conducted, he said. Sheehan said both deputies were wearing body cameras, and the entire incident was captured on video. The sheriff's office will conduct a separate investigation of the incident to review the deputies' actions and their adherence to department policies. The Woodbury County Sheriff's Office, the Sergeant Bluff Police Department, the Iowa State Patrol and the DCI are conducting the investigation into this active, ongoing case. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 3 Angry 0 Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Earl Horlyk Food and Lifestyles reporter Follow Earl Horlyk 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 SIOUX CITY -- A woman charged with driving three people to a Morningside house, where they fired numerous shots into the home and killed a Sioux City teenager, has agreed to plead guilty to her role in the shooting. Liliana Gutierrez has reached a plea agreement with prosecutors and will plead guilty during a Feb. 14 hearing in which she also is expected to be sentenced. The plea agreement has not yet been filed. Gutierrez, 21, of Sioux City, was scheduled to stand trial next week in Woodbury County District Court on one count of intimidation with a dangerous weapon and three counts of reckless use of a firearm. Two of the charges are Class C felonies, punishable by 10-year prison sentences. The other two are Class D felonies that carry five-year prison sentences. Gutierrez is charged with driving Christopher Morales, Carlos Morales and Anthony Bauer on Jan. 1, 2021, to a house at 2637 Walker St., where dozens of people had gathered for a New Year's Eve party. The three men, one of whom Gutierrez was dating, exited the vehicle and fired at least 27 shots into the house, killing Mia Kritis, 18, and hurting three others. The three shooters then ran back to the vehicle, got in, and Gutierrez drove away. "(Gutierrez) has made statements indicating acknowledgement to knowingly participating in these crimes," Woodbury County Attorney Patrick Jennings wrote in a complaint filed in the case. Police have said there is no evidence that Gutierrez fired any shots. Gutierrez will be the last of the four suspects to plead guilty. Christopher Morales admitted to firing the shots that killed Kritis and wounded the others. His brother, Carlos Morales, and Bauer admitted to aiding and abetting and also firing shots. All three had faced charges of first-degree murder, in addition to three counts of reckless use of a firearm and one count of going armed with intent. In separate plea agreements, each one pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of second-degree murder -- allowing them to avoid a mandatory lifetime prison sentence without parole if found guilty at trial -- and the three reckless use of a firearm charges. Christopher Morales, 20, was sentenced to 55 years in prison, and Bauer, 19, received a 50-year prison sentence. Both must serve the mandatory minimum of 35 years before they're eligible for parole. Carlos Morales, 18, was sentenced to 50 years in prison. Because he was a juvenile at the time of the shooting, he must serve only 15 years before he's eligible for parole. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 1 Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. SIOUX CITY -- A man sentenced to prison for shooting another man in Sioux City has been sentenced to federal prison for illegally possessing the handgun used in the incident. Alejandro LaPointe, 21, of Sioux City, was sentenced Friday in U.S. District Court in Sioux City to 79 months in prison on one count of possession of a firearm by a prohibited person. LaPointe was charged with illegally possessing a .357-caliber Sturm Ruger revolver. Because of two previous felony convictions, he was prohibited from having guns and ammunition. LaPointe shot Tyrin Sheridan in the right calf on Feb. 10 outside a home in the 1400 block of Myrtle Street. Police found a spent bullet casing in the backyard and a second spent casing in LaPointe's pants. The revolver was found wrapped in a shirt and stuffed into a hole in his bedroom wall. LaPointe was sentenced May 10 in Woodbury County District Court to five years in prison after pleading guilty to willful injury. The state and federal prison sentences will be served concurrently, or at the same time. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. SIOUX CITY -- The judge was ready for a murder trial next week. The prosecutors were, too. So were the defense attorneys, until Tuesday. A week before selection of jurors to hear Dwight Evans' trial for a May 1 fatal shooting outside a Sioux City bar was to begin, public defenders Joseph Reedy and Andrew Munger filed a motion to withdraw as Evans' lawyers. In their motion, they said a "serious breakdown in communication" had occurred between them and Evans' mother and Evans no longer was accepting their advice, leaving them unable to adequately represent him. "He wants us off the case," Reedy told District Judge Jeffrey Poulson at a hearing Wednesday in Woodbury County District Court. Poulson asked Evans if he understood that if his attorneys withdrew, he would not stand trial next week. "Yes, sir," said Evans, who affirmed he no longer wanted Reedy and Munger to represent him. Given Evans' statements, Poulson said his only option was to grant the public defenders' request to withdraw. "That's something I have no choice but to accept," Poulson said. Poulson appointed the Iowa State Public Defender's Special Defense Unit out of Des Moines to represent Evans. A new trial date has not yet been scheduled. Evans, 17, of Sioux City, was to stand trial next week on charges of first-degree murder, going armed with intent, possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance and failure to affix a drug tax stamp. He's charged with shooting Martez Harrison during a fight outside Uncle Dave's Bar. Assistant Woodbury County Attorney Jill Esteves said her office had already bought plane tickets to fly a witness in to testify next week. She said Evans' spat with his attorneys appeared to be a ploy to delay his trial. "I have seen this before," Esteves said. "Defendants, when it gets close to trial, will do anything to delay the trial indefinitely. I believe Mr. Evans may be motivated to interfere with the court proceeding to trial." Evans, who turned 17 three days before the shooting, could face a sentence of life in prison if found guilty of first-degree murder. He's charged with shooting Harrison once in the flank, then firing a shot into his chest while Harrison fought with Lawrence Canady outside the bar at 1427 W. Third St. According to court documents, Evans and Canady were armed and waiting for Harrison outside the bar. When Harrison's girlfriend arrived to pick him up, Canady punched her in the face, causing the fight that preceded the shooting. Harrison, 22, of Sioux City, died later at a Sioux City hospital. Evans was arrested hours after the shooting. His attorneys previously filed documents saying he acted in self-defense and/or defense of others in addition to being intoxicated at the time of the shooting. Canady, 21, of Sioux City, was charged with first-degree murder, willful injury and serious assault. A Woodbury County jury last month found him guilty of the lesser charge of voluntary manslaughter as well as willful injury causing bodily injury and serious assault. He's scheduled to be sentenced in February. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. SIOUX CITY -- Woodbury County is experiencing an omicron surge. The county reported 1,596 new cases of the novel coronavirus last week, according to Siouxland District Health Department's latest COVID-19 report, which was released Wednesday. That's almost triple the 569 new cases tallied the week beginning Dec. 27. The county's 14-day positivity rate shot up to 21.2% from 14%. In the last week alone, the rate was 27.1%. Health officials have said anything above 5% is a concern. Much of the country is currently deluged by omicron, the fastest-spreading of the COVID-19 variants. In a post on its Facebook page, District Health acknowledged that "stopping the spread is very difficult," but urged people to stay home when they are sick, consider wearing a mask indoors around others, and get tested if they start having symptoms. "Our primary goal is to prevent serious illnesses. Vaccines are still effective at reducing severe cases and early treatment is very important, especially for those that are higher risk. These tools can help us reduce the impact of COVID in our community," the post said. The number of people in Sioux City's two hospitals with COVID-19 also increased over that one-week time period to 44 from 36. Twenty-two of the patients hospitalized with COVID in the latest report are hospitalized due to the virus, according to the report. "From our clinics to our hospitals, UnityPoint Health Sioux City continues to feel the pressure of the rising COVID-19 numbers in Siouxland. Our hospital and clinics are very busy, but we continue to accept patients," Leah McInerney, a senior marketing communications specialist for UnityPoint, said in a statement Wednesday. McInerney noted that UnityPoint's urgent care had fluctuating hours this week due to volumes and staffing. She said UnityPoint has seen an uptick in asymptomatic people coming to the emergency department or urgent care for testing, The statement went on to say that during this time of high patient volumes, patients who feel ill are encouraged to call their primary care provider before going to an urgent care clinic or emergency department. If the primary care provider is unavailable, UnityPoint Clinic Urgent Care is open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday to treat non-emergent illness and injuries. Those who have an emergency and need to be seen by a medical professional should call 911 or seek medical attention at any of UnityPoint's facilities, according to the statement. The statement said patients who are asymptomatic or have mild symptoms should seek out testing options through Test Iowa or a retail pharmacy. "We remain fiercely committed to taking care of Siouxland. But we need our community to be just as committed to taking care of each other, themselves and our health care workers. It's critical that we double down and diligently practice COVID-19 safety measures get vaccinated, wear a mask, wash your hands, get a flu shot, and stay home if you're sick," the statement said. Michaela Feldmann, MercyOne regional communications lead, said in a statement that a nationwide shortage of staffing is being felt across all industries, including health care, and that requests of transfers to MercyOne Siouxland Medical Center are being considered on a case-by-case basis. "We are continuing to provide all levels of care at MercyOne Siouxland Medical Center. In case of an emergency, we urge those in the community to come to our emergency room or call 911," she said. The percentage of county residents who had completed single- or two-dose vaccinations increased just slightly from the week beginning Dec. 27 to last week, increasing from 49.6% to 49.8%. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 1 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. SERGEANT BLUFF -- A suspect and Woodbury County Sheriff's Deputy were injured Wednesday during an incident in which shots were fired. The deputy had not been shot, Woodbury County Sheriff Chad Sheehan said. The sheriff said he could not confirm if the suspect, a male, had been wounded by gunfire. Sheriff's deputies and Sergeant Bluff police responded to a call for service at a mobile home at 501 B St. at about 5:50 p.m. Sheehan said he believed law enforcement was asked to respond to a report of a suspicious person or a burglary in progress. At the scene, officers encountered the suspect, who attacked officers, Sheehan said. Sheehan confirmed that shots were fired. He did not say how many. The suspect and the deputy, who was injured in the assault, both were transported to the hospital for treatment. Sheehan did not have information on the suspect's condition. Numerous county and Iowa State Patrol vehicles lined the streets near the mobile home park, blocking off public access to the area while the investigation proceeded. A special agent with the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation arrived at the scene at about 7 p.m. The scene attracted a few onlookers, who remained for only a few minutes before leaving. Sheehan said at about 7:10 p.m. that it would be hours before more information was available, and that the next update likely would come via a news release later tonight or tomorrow morning. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. 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. Because of the force of the crash, the Elantra overturned, and Flaherty died at the scene. Dimayuga-Alvarado's 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-Alvarado's 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-Alvarado's 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. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 In the minutes before 5 a.m., a group of Nebraska correctional officers arrive at the Omaha Correctional Center, a few miles east of downtown. They clock in and walk out the way they came. In the prison parking lot, a pair of idling vans wait to take them to the Tecumseh State Correctional Institution, a 72-mile drive. These officers boarding vans in the darkness have become crucial to the continued operations of the Tecumseh and Nebraska State Penitentiary maximum-security prisons that house nearly 2,400 inmates. The officers have become so essential that the state is willing to pay them for the three-hour round trip one part of ballooning overtime payments which cost taxpayers millions each year. Nebraskas prison system has for years faced interlocked twin crises: Too many prisoners, and not enough employees to guard them. The prison population has been over capacity since 1982, according to department data. By September 2021, the average number of prisoners reached 149.8% of the systems design capacity. This crisis has consequences, say the nearly dozen former guards, former prisoners, family members, and advocates interviewed by the Flatwater Free Press. It cost taxpayers $31 million in overtime payments in the past two years. It keeps prisoners locked in cramped cells for days at a time. Its harder to stop assaults on prisoners and staff, harder to search for weapons and drugs, and more likely that prisons become powder kegs, experts said. "It's one thing to have a staffing issue. It's one thing to have overcrowding," said Dan Pacholke, former secretary of the Washington State Department of Corrections. "It's a whole other challenge to have them both going on at the same time and at a very high level. Prison crowding and staff shortages are two indicators that a system is in trouble." In the past decade, the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services annual overtime spending nearly tripled. It reached $15.7 million in 2020 the most spent by a state agency, according to the State Personnel Almanac. And overtime is about to jump again: A new contract for correctional officers boosts salaries a move state leaders think will eventually help with recruitment. It also bumps overtime pay from time-and-a-half to double. "From here until June, it's going to be such a significant dollar amount for overtime," said Doug Koebernick, inspector general of the Nebraska Correctional System. "I think we're going to get blown away." Panic attacks and constant threats Former correctional officer Laura Sanchez was working anywhere from 70 to 80 hours a week when she left the department in July 2021. Shed get panic attacks on the way to work. The next shift filled her with dread 16 hours keeping an area secure as prisoners yelled and threatened her with sexual violence. Both the State Penitentiary in Lincoln and the Tecumseh prison have been on 12-hour shifts since late 2019, to maximize what little staff they have. At that time, Department of Corrections Director Scott Frakes said the longer shifts were not a long-term plan. The department denied an interview request with Frakes for this story. A spokesperson instead shared a news release about the recent spike in correctional officer applications. Only former guards were willing to speak with the Flatwater Free Press current employees deferred to the spokesperson, or said they feared retribution for speaking publicly. Former Tecumseh guard Brooke Myers said whether shed be released from a shift on time was always a guessing game. Sometimes, the 19-year-old would be the only correctional officer assigned to a 60-man gallery. "You have staff that are completely exhausted, mentally drained," Sanchez said. "They're getting slammed with overtime. They're getting to the point where they're putting staff at risk. If a huge staff assault were to happen, we wouldn't have enough staff to cover that." Often, correctional officers don't find out they're working a 16-hour overtime shift until 30 minutes before they had expected to leave, Myers and Sanchez said. Sanchez said she averaged about five hours of sleep between shifts. "Once they get into this vortex it makes it impossible for them to remain vigilant, to think not only about the safety of themselves and their colleagues, but also of all the detained people," said Dr. Homer Venters, former chief medical officer of the New York City jail system. During her time at the State Penitentiary, tension between staff and inmates felt so thick you could literally choke on it," Sanchez said. "A lot of inmates now realize that this is not a staff-caused problem," Sanchez said. "A lot of them have grown to understand that we don't like it as much as they do. And I can't say I blame them for being angry. I would get angry too." Prisoners locked down On a normal day, prisons teem with movement. Groups of men walk from their cells to the yard to the cafeteria. They visit the library or chapel. They perform jobs around the prison. During lockdowns sometimes scheduled, sometimes not that grinds to a halt. The Diagnostic and Evaluation Center, recently renamed to the Reception and Treatment Center, puts four to a two-man room. Designed to hold 160 people, the Lincoln prison where new prisoners start their sentences houses some 500 men. Those who cant fit in cells are kept in large rooms, sleeping on toboggan-like plastic cots essentially bins on the ground with a thin mat inside. Cots fill the prison gym. Ryan Shannon, former prisoner at the State Penitentiary in 2019, said he was housed with 200 men in a room with rows of plastic cots stacked up during the day. Lockdowns made the prisoners in the dorm feel like rats in a cage, he said. Debra Johnsons son is a prisoner at Tecumseh, one of the three prisons that moved under a regular three-day lockdown schedule in the fall. Every Thursday night, the men at Tecumseh, the state penitentiary and the Diagnostic and Evaluation Center are locked in their cells or overcrowded rooms. The cells arent unlocked until Monday morning. When these lockdowns occur in response to staffing shortages, it represents a real downward spiral, Venters said. It does not fix any problems. It creates brand-new problems. The mandatory lockdowns take a mental and physical toll, he said. This is just too much, Mom, Johnsons son, who requested anonymity because of safety concerns, told her over the phone one day. Even if theyd get it down to two days, anything would help. Weekend lockdowns mean no or little exercise, one 20-minute shower and disruption to medication schedules. Time for classes is limited to four days a week. The men at Tecumseh, Diagnostic and Evaluation and the Lincoln Correctional Center who together comprise roughly 40% of Nebraskas male prison population cant see visitors on weekends. Imagine sitting in a closet for that long, Johnson said. These three days are just killing these guys. Relief on the way? The state hopes raises for state correctional officers will lower the departments reliance on overtime work and minimize lockdowns. Starting wages for corporals and caseworkers went from $20 an hour to $28. The raises have already affected recruitment: 630 people applied for corporal positions since the Nov. 10 announcement, the department said in December, quadrupling the five weeks prior. The change seems to be slowing the exodus that had drained the department, Koebernick said. Thats a really good sign, Koebernick said. What were hearing is that its giving staff out at the facilities hope that theres relief on the way. The department will need a steady flow of new hires over the long term if it wants to meet appropriate staffing levels, he said. Meeting those staffing goals should lower needed overtime hours as well, said Sen. Steve Lathrop, chair of the Judiciary Committee. The raises demonstrated the significance of the problem we have found ourselves in, Lathrop said. These people deserve to be well paid for what they do. $56 an hour to work overtime? Thats not sustainable if thats your business model and you dont get to fully staffed. The Flatwater Free Press is Nebraskas first independent, nonprofit newsroom focused on investigations and feature stories that matter. Learn more at flatwaterfreepress.org. The Flatwater Free Press is Nebraskas first independent, nonprofit newsroom focused on investigations and feature stories that matter. Learn more at flatwaterfreepress.org. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Colorado Gov. Jared Polis said Wednesday that his state would work to protect its water rights in light of Nebraska's proposal to build a canal in his state to pull water from the South Platte River. In a statement, Polis said Colorado would "protect and aggressively assert Colorado's rights under all existing water compacts." Water use in the South Platte River is regulated through an interstate agreement called a compact. This week, Ricketts announced that that he would seek $500 million from the Nebraska Legislature to build a canal that would bring water from the South Platte in Colorado into Nebraska. The South Platte enters Nebraska from Colorado along Interstate 76 and flows east to where it meets the North Platte River and forms the Platte. Ricketts said the canal is needed because Colorado is planning "nearly 300 projects and over $10 billion of expenditures to ensure no 'excess' water leaves its state." If those proposals are carried out, Ricketts estimates, there would be a 90% reduction in flows coming into Nebraska. Polis said Ricketts' comments reflect a "misunderstanding of Colorado's locally driven water planning projects." Polis said Colorado has used roundtable discussions to generate grassroots ideas for solutions to Colorados water needs. These brainstorming ideas "should not be taken as formally approved projects." "We hope to more fully understand Nebraska's concerns and goals, as so far as those concerns and goals are quite simply hard to make sense of," Polis said in the statement. Colorado, he said, has complied with the South Platte Compact for its 99 years and continues to respect the agreement. "We hope that our partners in Nebraska will show they share that respect." Any project involving U.S. waterways typically faces rigorous scrutiny. Polis said any project by Nebraska in Colorado would have to comply with the compact, private property rights, state and federal laws and regulations, including environmental ones. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 He attributed those costs to pandemic-driven disruptions in the labor market and in child welfare, the kinds of problems that the federal relief is designed to alleviate. Pay raises negotiated with key state employee groups account for most of his proposed increases. The state agreed to more than $105 million in raises to make the state competitive in hiring and keeping workers in the face of record low unemployment rates. Ricketts also focused on the $155 million that he proposed to take from the cash reserve for building a new prison. Along with money set aside by lawmakers last year, that would cover the full $270 million cost of the proposed institution, which he has argued is necessary to replace the aging Nebraska State Penitentiary. Lawmakers did not appropriate the money last year for a prison to give officials more time to look at whether criminal justice reforms could ease overcrowding. The three branches of government cooperated with the nonprofit Crime and Justice Institute on a study of options. The report from the study has not been released yet. "I am not asking anyone to choose between supporting a modern State Penitentiary and pursuing policies that aim to reduce crime and recidivism," he said. "These solutions are not at odds, and there is room for both as we work to strengthen Nebraska. The governor's budget package included a separate set of proposals for using money coming to the state through the American Rescue Plan Act. His plan laid out 29 uses for the money in five areas: public health emergency response; responses to negative economic impacts; premium pay for essential workers; infrastructure including water, sewer and broadband; and administrative costs. Ideas in the public health area range from helping ensure sufficient hospital capacity for the state to covering part of the cost for replacing the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system in the State Capitol. Projects addressing negative economic impacts included workforce housing, assistance for Omaha's North 24th Street economic development projects and support for a planned beef processing plant in North Platte. They also included a program offering grants for low-income parents to help their children make up pandemic-related learning losses. Under the heading of premium pay for essential workers, Ricketts included some of the pay increases for state workers. The first time the Siouxland Inspirational Film Festival was held -- in March 2020 -- it beat the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown by a matter of days. The second time it was held -- in June 2021 -- the film fest was cut short due to precipitation. "Leave it to our luck that our festival coincided with the only rainy day of the summer," event organizer Tom Schoening said with a sigh. So, what is the over-under for this year's feel-good film fest? Schoening, a former journalist, retired marketing guru and lifelong film fanatic, is keeping positive thoughts. "I'm sure we'll be fine," he said of the event, taking place at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Betty Strong Encounter Center, 900 Larsen Park Road. "People can see some terrific short films and, even, pick up some refreshments afterwards." Inspired by similar film fests, Schoening founded the Siouxland Inspirational Film Festival to showcase positive, uplifting, thought-provoking movies from around the world. "I love movies and have always known there was an appetite for feel-good films," he said. While the nine films selected for the festival may not necessarily be heartwarming, they do stress positivity. This year's entries include: "Bird Song" -- a three-minute animated short about a retired educator teaching a song to birds. "Faleminder" -- a historical drama about a mapmaker helping diplomats draw borders in Albania during the early part of the 20th century. "Heart Sounds -- a wildlife documentary featuring the strong familial bond among penguins. "Trafficed" -- a true crime story revolving around a young girl caught in a human trafficking web. "It's Not a Burger" -- a lighthearted look, debating whether or not a burger is also a sandwich. "A Tattoo for Christmas" -- where a mom reveals a family secret to her punk daughter. "Let the Children Come" -- a video featuring music of the Netherlands. "Eraser" -- an anti-bullying drama from Japan. That is in addition to Schoening's own entry. "My film is called 'A Religious Cemetery Walk' and it revolves around Mater Dei Parish actors portraying saints and martyrs during a cemetery walk on Halloween," he explained. And if a person doesn't like one film, don't worry about it. "The films can be as short as three minutes long and as long as 15 minutes long," Schoening said. "So, nobody's investing too much time in any movie." That's the advantage of new moviemaking technology. "Back in the day, equipment was cumbersome," Schoening said. "Now, anyone with a cellphone or a tablet can make their own film." Plus audiences can choose their favorites among the nine entered short subjects. "Audiences can drop their tickets into a popcorn box bearing a movie's title," Schoening said. "You can pack a lot of story in a very short movie." Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Slate has relationships with various online retailers. If you buy something through our links, Slate may earn an affiliate commission. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change. All prices were up to date at the time of publication. The first question most readers will have about Hanya Yanagiharas new novel, To Paradise, is whether it replicates the appeal of her surprise bestseller, 2015s A Little Life. The answer is no, or not much. A polarizing doorstop that begins as a four-college-friends-in-New-York soap opera and resolves into a saga of the elaborate physical, sexual, and emotional mortifications of a character named Jude St. Francis, A Little Life has a cloistered, obsessive quality reminiscent of fanfiction. It is that rare product of a complex, acutely private fantasy life that successfully communicates the intensity of that life on the page. Reading it, I was often reminded of a fanfiction subgenre known as hurt/comfort, in which the sufferings of one character provide a cathartic emotional payoff when that characters beloved rushes to console him, as Willem does for Jude over and over again in A Little Life. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The fetishistic aspect of this scenario means that it enthralls some readers while putting others off, sometimes to the point of moral indignation. But literature is full of fetishistic charms of one kind or another. Thats one of the things that makes it pleasurable, and we all have our own preferences. With hurt/comfort, the thrill isnt (typically) sadistic. Its just that the extremes of the hurt characters wretchedness are required to pry the utmost concern, tenderness, and care from the comforting character, closing the circle and affirming their love. Thats what makes it a story, because the erotics of hurt/comfort is an erotics of narrative, not pain. Sign up for the Slate Culture Newsletter The best of movies, TV, books, music, and more, delivered to your inbox. We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try again. Please enable javascript to use form. Email address: Send me updates about Slate special offers. By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms Sign Up Thanks for signing up! You can manage your newsletter subscriptions at any time. With To Paradise, Yanagihara toys, dominatrix-style, with her readers desire for narrative fulfillment. The novel consists of three books, each almost the length of the average novel, the first and third of which set up considerable suspense about what will happen to their central characters and then refuse to resolve it. All three parts are inspired, to varying degrees, by the short Henry James novel Washington Square. This is most obvious in the first part, which is set, like Washington Square, in New York City in the late 1800s. To Paradises alternate version of the city, however, belongs to a political entity called the Free States, where same-sex marriage is commonplace and women pursue the same professions as men. Other parts of the North American continent, which has fractured into different nations, are not so enlightened. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Like Washington Square, To Paradise is essentially about class. For David Bingham, the central character of the 19th century portion of the novel, his familys wealth and status are both a fortress and a prison. The Binghams dont just have money, they have old money, and arranged marriages within their set arent remarkable. Unlike his enterprising married siblings, David is adrift and psychologically fragile. David, along with the grandfather who raised him after his parents deaths, refers to his confinements, which sound like the down swings of bipolar disorder. David is safe in the townhouse on Washington Square where he lives with his grandfather, but hes sequestered from lifes rewards as well as its risks. Until, that is, he meets Edward, a charming bohemian music teacher, with whom he falls in love. Edward invites David to join him in starting a silk farm in California, but Davids grandfather, who has found evidence that Edward is a fortune hunter, threatens to disinherit David if he accepts. To complicate matters, the two men will have to conceal their relationship on the West Coast, where homosexuality is illegal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With To Paradise, Yanagihara toys with her readers desire for narrative fulfillment. Despite some clumsy and anachronistic language, this is the most engaging of To Paradises three parts, and its with a frustrating wrench that the reader submits to the transition to Book II, set in the 1980s during the AIDS crisis. Book III is set in the mid- and late-21st century, when America has been reduced to a totalitarian dystopia after a series of pandemics. Throughout, the Washington Square house serves as a refuge, provided by a loving older figure, that nevertheless divides a younger, protected person from some essential vitality. Characters named David, Edward, and Charles (an adoring older suitor rejected by the David Bingham in Book I) recur in ever-shifting patterns. In Book II, David is a younger native Hawaiian living in New York with his older lover, Charles, mourning his father, also named David, who fell, disastrously, under the spell of a radical Hawaiian nationalist named Edward. Both of these Davids are descendants of the Hawaiian royal family deposed by Western colonists, rich and privileged among their own people, but also trapped in an obsolete identity. In Book III, a Hawaiian epidemiologist named Charles accepts a prestigious job in New York that will eventually destroy him, as he oversees the setting-up of containment camps for the infected. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This kaleidoscope of Davids, Edwards, and Charleses is bookended by two stories of people who must decide between security and uncertainty, whether to stay home or to strike out for the unknown. Yanagihara evidently disdains simplistic imperatives. Maybe the ambitious epidemiologist should have stayed in Hawaii, where he would have died in a pandemic but not ended up with blood on his hands, and maybe the Hawaiian prince should have left the islands where he knew that what I was would always be more significant than who I wasindeed, what I was was the only thing that made who I was significant at all. This choice feels most sharply drawn for the novels original David, left poised between Washington Square and what sounds like a pretty bad bet in the original Edward, but convinced that, This was happiness, this was life, when in his lovers arms. Advertisement Advertisement The novel ends with Charlie, the granddaughter of the epidemiologist, similarly mid-adventure. As a child, she survived the illness thanks to a drug that changed her physically and mentally, scarring her skin and subduing her emotions and spirit. Even as her grandfather mourns this loss, he wonders if it might actually be a blessing, that perhaps her affectlessness is a kind of stolidity, or that shes evolved and become the sort of person whos better-suited for our time and our place. The future New York of Book III is an unrelentingly grim place, where food and water are rationed and books and TV are prohibited. In this world, no one would want to feel more than a drone does, especially when, Charlies grandfather reflects, If we have lived, it is because we are worse than we ever believed ourselves to be, not better. We are the left-behind, the dregs, the rats fighting for bits of rotten food, the people who chose to stay on earth, while those better and smarter than we are have left. Advertisement Advertisement But Charlie is offered an out. Will she make it? Its only fair to warn potential readers of To Paradise that, as with the original Davids fate, they will never know. Yanagihara will even taunt them about it. Charlie listens to a storyteller recounting a tale about a man who had lived here, on this very island, on this very Square, 200 years ago, and who had forsaken great riches from his family to follow the person he loved all the way to California, a person who his family was certain would betray him, but the storyteller is arrested by the authorities, leaving her to wonder for years afterwards what happened. Its to Yanagiharas credit that To Paradise kindles such desire in its readers, even if the novel is too rangy and diverse to satisfy the hurt/comfort fans who adored A Little Life. To leave that desire unsatisfied, however, seems imperious and even a bit cruel. Seven hundred and twenty pages makes for a very long tease. Care and Feeding is Slates parenting advice column. In addition to our traditional advice, every Thursday we feature an assortment of teachers from across the country answering your education questions. Have a question for our teachers? Email askateacher@slate.com or post it in the Slate Parenting Facebook group. My new middle schooler is nonbinary, and they were very excited when applying to their program to find a lot of inclusionary questions about pronouns, etc. However, their teachers dont use their they/them pronouns regardless of being reminded. And the power differential seems so huge that our child is afraid to keep reminding their teachers. Weve reached out via the school app, as there are still no in-person parent-teacher conferences, to no avail. Without taking things up to the principal, do you have any other recommendations for us and our child? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Enby Parent Dear Enby Parent, Are Zoom conferences an option? I dont know what your school app is, but Id email the teachers directly and request a virtual conference. If you get no response, or a response other than You are so right. We will use all students correct pronouns, and thank you for holding us accountable, then no, I have no other recommendations. Take it to the principal. If you get no response there, take it to the school board. It is 2022. If your kids school staff members are not actively fighting against racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, ableism, what-have-you, then theyre tacitly condoning it. Hold their feet to the fire. Ms. Scott (high school teacher, North Carolina) Advertisement Slate needs your support right now. Sign up for Slate Plus to keep reading the advice you crave every week. My toddler is 3 years old and is not a napper. She hasnt napped at home since she was barely over 2, and at her old day care, they were pretty understanding of this, and she did well. This year, her day care closed and we switched to a new day care. We like the day care and her teachers a lot except for one sticking point: They dont seem to like that my daughter wont nap. I have not spoken with them directly yet about this, but my toddler now regularly says that she doesnt want to go to school. When I ask her why, the only reason provided is that she doesnt sleep well at nap time. She also tells me many stories about how her teachers get mad at her and yell at her for not sleeping during nap time. Most recently, she came home and told me she is going to get coal for Christmas because she is naughty because she wont nap. When I asked her who told her this, she said all three of her teachers by name. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While I can understand her teachers wanting her to be quiet during nap time, I am very upset that they are telling my daughter she is bad because she wont nap and raise their voices at her for not napping. I am also very hesitant about how to talk to her teachers about this because except for this one issue, she seems to enjoy school, her teachers, and her friends, so I dont want to damage the otherwise good relationship she has with her school. Is there any advice on how to broach this topic with her teachers? Not Tired Dear Not Tired, You should talk to them, for sure. Even if she seems to enjoy school, her teachers, and her friends, she clearly doesnt enjoy it as much since she now doesnt want to go. And, frankly, I dont love the idea of teachers telling kids theyre naughty. Children arent inherently bad. Behaviors can be unwanted, but even then, unwanted behaviors come from somewhere. Children dont generally do things we dont like for the purpose of being evil. So a teacher telling a kid theyre naughty just rubs me the wrong way. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On the flip side, if you havent spoken to them yet, you dont actually know how they feel about it. Maybe they do like your daughter, and maybe they are annoyed she wont nap but arent as mad about it as you think they are. As always, I think its best to come into a meeting with a team mindset. Both you and her teachers want her to have a happy and successful year, so the way Id frame this isnt Hey, why dont you like my kid? but rather My daughter has mentioned a few times that shes having difficulty during nap time. How can we help? Advertisement An easy solution (one the teachers may or may not have tried!) is to do a quiet activity during nap time instead. At many preschools, theyve done away with nap time entirely because many kids do not nap well. Instead, they have quiet time or rest time, where the difference is that quiet activities and rest come in many forms. Some kids nap. Other kids may color or read to themselves or play with play dough. It may be the case that your daughter, during nap time, is trying to rouse her peers because she is bored. In this case, she just needs an activity she can do quietly. Ive also used technology to helpyou can find an old iPod on eBay pretty cheap and load it up with an audiobook or two. There are options to alleviate rest time issues, but you wont know what the issue is, nor how to tackle it, if you havent actually talked to the teachers first. Advertisement Ms. Sarnell (early childhood special education teacher, New York) I have three kids. My first grader and kindergartner attend our local elementary school. We live in a major metropolitan area with some of the best schools in the country. The children in our neighborhood attend several different types of elementary schools: our assigned elementary school, a larger elementary school that students throughout the whole district apply to go to, and some additional local private and charter schools. My husband and I are firm believers in public education. We just found out that the district, for good reason, has to redo our local elementary school boundary lines. As a result, instead of going to their current smaller elementary school, my children will be assigned to a larger school that is closer to our home and takes students from all over our large district. My kids know other children who attend this school, and parents in our neighborhood are evenly split on whether their kids will attend our newly assigned school or whether they will seek other options. For various reasons, we are definitely planning to attend the new home school next year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I have two questions. First, how can I best prepare my children to transition to the new school? Everything I read suggests this will not be good for my kids. Second, the school they will attend is an International Baccalaureate school. What does this look like for elementary schoolers and what are the positives and negatives of this type of teaching method? Advertisement Advertisement Big Changes Ahead Dear Big Changes Ahead, I think the positive attitude that you have regarding this change will go a long way for your children. Bravo! I would be sure to let your children know that kids change school all the time, so while this may feel new and strange to them, its an ordinary part of life. Ive averaged about three new students to my classroom for the past several years, and it hasnt taken any of them very long to assimilate and make new friends. Advertisement You can also let your children know that kids who are the new student are often perceived at the elementary level as an exciting addition to the classroom. Many kids see a new student as a possible new friend, so encourage your children to embrace that role. I asked one of my former students about any advice that she had for new studentshaving been one herselfand her advice was this: Talk to people. Talk to everyone. Dont wait for kids to talk to you. Introduce yourself. Ask questions. Kids are always looking for new friends. As soon as I started talking, kids started playing with me. Advertisement You might assist this process by joining the PTO, finding the schools PTO Facebook page, and perhaps beginning to make connections that might facilitate future friendships. Advertisement As for International Baccalaureate schools, I cant think of a single negative thing about them. Your children will begin learning a second language sooner than most, and there will be an emphasis on critical thinking, community building, and personal inquiry. If you were a parent who believed in a more traditional, top-down, highly structured means of learning, perhaps you might view this as a problem, but I suspect that you do not. Good luck. Advertisement Mr. Dicks (fifth grade teacher, Connecticut) My son is in sixth grade, which is the last grade of elementary school in our district. Next year he will attend a combined middle and high school for grades 712. Overall, I really like what Ive seen of the school, but there is one element of the curriculum that my husband and I cant come to an agreement on. Students in seventh and eighth grade must choose between taking a world language or literature. They arent allowed to take both. My husband feels very strongly that our son should enroll in Spanish next year. He feels that it is a more useful class and that we can encourage reading at home, whereas neither of us speaks any Spanish. I believe middle school is a crucial age when many students lose their love of reading, and he will miss out much more by not having the daily reinforcement of a teacher who can share great books and encourage time and space to read. In addition, all students drop literature and take a world language once they enter ninth grade. I dont think those two years are going to make a tremendous difference. Our son wants to take literature and then take Japanese when he enters high school (Japanese is not a language choice at the junior high level). What are your thoughts? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Language or Literature Dear LoL, I think you and your husband should let your son decide. Both literature and Spanish are worthy subjects to pursuetheres no wrong choice here. This is not a decision that will have long-term negative impacts on his education if he chooses one over the other; hell just benefit in different ways. So let him choose what he wants to do, and accept his decision once its made. Advertisement I know some parents feel like sixth grade is too young to make these choices, and that may be true in some circumstances, but this is one where it will be 100 percent fine to leave it up to him. I promise. Ms. Holbrook (high school teacher, Texas) More Advice From Slate My 5-year-old daughter does dance lessons with a teacher she adores, Miss Emma. Her Christmas concert was this week, and Emma asked each parent to pay $50 for the concert costume. Ive just picked up the costume, and it has a price tag for $25 still attached. Emma is a very kind teacher, and my daughter very much wants to continue classes with her, but I feel a bit annoyed. I was led to believe she wasnt making a profit on costumes, and if Id known she was going to charge us twice the price, I would have gone to the store and purchased it myself. Should I say something to her? This week, President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris have been giving speeches about voting rights, in support of the John Lewis Voting Rights Act and the Freedom to Vote Act currently stalled in Congress. These bills would do a lot to improve access to voting, but they dont target election subversionin other words, what happened on Jan. 6, 2021: the Stop the Steal credo, Trump supporters angling for Mike Pence to refuse to certify Bidens election, House and Senate Republicans objecting to state election results. To stop subversion, Congress needs to reform the Electoral Count Act. On Thursdays episode of What Next, I talked to Rick Hasen, a University of California, Irvine law professor and founder of the Election Law Blog, about what that means, why Democrats arent talking about it, and why some Republicans are. This conversation has been condensed and edited for clarity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mary Harris: Can you explain what the Electoral Count Act is and why it needs to be reformed and how it entered the scene on Jan. 6? Rick Hasen: The Constitution contains very bare-bone rules on how Congress certifies the presidential election results. Theyre contained in the 12th Amendment and there was a dispute back in 1876, this was the Hayes-Tilden election, about who had won that election, and about how Electoral College votes should be counted. And one of the things that Congress did in resolving that dispute was they set up a whole commission, and it was controversial. But one of the things that came in the aftermath was this law called the Electoral Count Act, which sets out many of the rules that apply to how it is that Congress counts the votes. Advertisement Advertisement A little structure. Yeah, a little structure, but written in very unclear and somewhat contradictory language. So what did that mean on Jan. 6? So, for example, the Electoral Count Act doesnt explicitly say the vice president cant just seize some votes, throw them out, and not present them to Congress. But thats exactly what Trump tried to get Mike Pence to do. And so maybe it would be useful to fix the Electoral Count Act to do things and say the vice president cant do that, and states cant just say, if they dont like the results, its been a failed election. The 2020 election aftermath showed me that there are people who would be willing to try to manipulate election results and that theres actually a path to do so. Rick Hasen We saw this beginning shortly after Nov. 3, after the election, Trump trying to get state legislatures to send in their own slates of electors for him. So in states like Wisconsin and Pennsylvania and Georgia, where Biden won the state but the state legislatures were controlled by Republicans, the idea was lets have the state legislatures send in an alternative slate of electors. Now, how could they do that? Well, one of the provisions of the Electoral Count Act says if a state fails to hold an election on Election Day, the state legislature can send in a slate of electors. And so the kind of cockamamie theory that Trump was pushing was, well, there was so much fraud or irregularity in how these states conducted their elections that the state legislature can step in and send in its own slate of electors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The endgame was either to have Trump declared the winner or theres a part of the 12th Amendment that says if nobody gets a majority of Electoral College votes, then we conduct a kind of a backup election, called a contingent election, and that is where the House of Representatives chooses the president, and each state delegation, rather than each representative, gets one vote. So all the legislators from Texas need to get together and they get to cast one vote, etc. And this, because there are more Republican delegations than Democratic delegations, could have led to a Trump victory. Advertisement Advertisement Could you compare what it would be like to revise the Electoral Count Act to some of the bigger bills that weve been talking about? Advertisement Advertisement Well, I think the first thing to say is these two things are separate. One is dealing with one set of problems and the other is dealing with another set of problems. And I dont think Democrats should give up their chance to pass the big bills if they can actually find a path with Manchin and Sinema. The reason Im talking about the other bills is because I dont think thats going to happen. If it is, great. And some people are very upset with me for talking about this other anti-election-subversion legislation, because they think now is the time to ratchet up the pressure on Manchin and Sinema. It sounds like you think that time has passed. Advertisement I think so. If Im wrong and people in the know think that ratcheting up the pressure would work, by all means go ahead. But I do think that before the 2022 elections, we need to address the issue of election subversion. That is the idea that the announced winners of elections might not reflect the peoples choice. The loser could be declared the winner. Something I never expected to worry about in the United States. But the 2020 election aftermath showed me that there are people who would be willing to try to manipulate election results and that theres actually a path to do so. Advertisement Advertisement The bigger bills that have been talked about for the last year, a lot of what theyre dealing with is voter suppression. But subversion is something different, where youre changing the outcome of an election. Advertisement Right. And I think that the presidential election is uniquely susceptible to this kind of manipulation, because there are so many steps that need to be taken between the time that voters actually vote and the time that states have their votes counted by Congress on Jan. 6, after the election is over. What we learned from Trumps attempts to try to overturn the results of the 2020 election is that so much of our system depends upon people acting in good faith. If reforming the Electoral Count Act is the key to blocking off the ways Trump tried to screw with the 2020 election, then why havent Democrats been talking about this reform for the last year? Advertisement Well, I think its a little mysterious to me. As I said, I really thought, and Ive been saying it since last January, that this should have been job one. Why did the idea of reforming this law suddenly burst onto the scene? Advertisement Advertisement So I think the cynical explanation is Republicans are trying to give Manchin and Sinema a shiny object that they can latch onto so that they have an excuse not to vote for the larger bills. Im hoping, though, that there actually is some legitimate interest to try and get this done on the Republican side. And part of the reason for that is, lets suppose the Democrats agreed to blow up the filibuster and actually passed ECA reform on their own. I dont think thats a very good thing, because if Republicans control the House or the Senate or both in January of 2025, they might not follow the rules that are contained in a Democratic-only passed bill. And so I really think you do need some bipartisan buy-in in order for this stuff to potentially stick. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Can you just walk me through exactly what legislators are talking about changing and how those changes would have prevented what we saw on Jan. 6? From press reports, it looks like they include things like potentially involving federal courts in resolving disputes over which states presidential elector slates should be accepted, clarifying the role of the vice presidents really just the master of ceremonies, making it harder to raise objections. You may remember on Jan. 6, even after the insurrection, Sen. Josh Hawley joined with some Republican House colleagues in objecting to the votes in Pennsylvania. And they had a whole debate about that before Biden was finally declared the winner. So you could raise the threshold for when there could be objections. Theres a lot that could potentially be done. I think its less important what the specifics of the proposals are, but that they deal with attempts at trying to manipulate the process through some kind of bizarre reading of technical language. Advertisement Advertisement Can we dig into the Republican support for reforming the Electoral Count Act and what it really means? You said the cynical view is that this is just Republicans trying to give Manchin and Sinema something. But conservative writers have also been speaking out about the need to reform this law. Whats their motivation here? So I do think that many Republicans were disgusted with what Donald Trump tried to do. Some of them are afraid to say it, or some, like Mitch McConnell, said it at the time, back in January of 2021, but they backed away because Trump is such a potent force. I mean, you pay a political price for jumping on this issue. But I think many Republicans think its abhorrent. And if youre looking for kind of a self-interest point for favoring anti-election-subversion legislation and fixing the Electoral Count Act in particular, its going to be Vice President Kamala Harris whos going to be presiding over the Electoral College, the counting of the Electoral College slates in January of 2025. And so you might want to have something that reins her in so she doesnt try to reject votes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So the argument is this isnt about Trump, this is about preventing chaos on either side. Right. Everybody agrees, whos studied this, that the Electoral Count Act is not clearly written and that theres lots of room for manipulation. And now that we have seen in 2020 a path to try to have that manipulation, all the more reason we need to do something about it. Its not just fanciful worrying about this. Its a real problem. At the same time that Republicans have been speaking out in favor of this kind of reform, Ive been interested to watch some Democrats distancing themselves from the idea of reforming the Electoral Count Act. And I wonder what you think when you see that. Advertisement I think that this is all about the debate I mentioned earlier. This is about whether this is an attempt to give Sens. Manchin and Sinema cover to not support the larger voting rights bills. And if thats what this is about, then deal with Electoral Count Act reform later. Theres something to that, if thats your worry. But heres my worry on the other side. Suppose this gets kicked down the path and then we get into the full throes of the 2022 election season. And then, people want to put this on the agenda, but its Republicans that now control the House of Representatives, and its Kevin McCarthy who is the speaker of the House. Is Kevin McCarthy, who obviously fears Donald Trump, going to bring up a measure that would prevent Trump from trying to manipulate election results in the future? Hed be immediately attacked. He could lose his speakership. So if this kind of change is going to happen, I think its going to have to happen in the period before we change leadership in the House. Advertisement Advertisement Laws are not self-executing. People have to enforce them. Rick Hasen Which is right now. Or within the next few months, sure. Youve talked about how, even if the Electoral Count Act got reformed, its not clear future congresses would be bound to the law, which is just, like, how are we going to fix these things? The law is only constraining to the extent that people will follow the law. Laws are not self-executing. People have to enforce them, and theres nobody to enforce if Congress chooses to come up with a different set of rules or to ignore the rules. Its very likely when it comes to something like counting Electoral College votes that the courts are going to stay out of it because theyre going to see this as a political question thats really left to Congress. And so we cant think of law as the only mechanism that we try to use to limit the potential for election subversion. We have to think about a popular movement, a cross-partisan, cross-group, business organizations, labor unions, church groups, bar associations. Advertisement Things that will reinforce each other. Right, because one of the things that Trump tried to do for four years as president was to tear down support for all the institutions that support our democracy. The press, the judiciary, the FBI, the opposition partyall of these institutions were attacked. And when people lose respect for the institutions that govern their society, theyre much more likely to be lawless, because theyre much more likely to see the existing legal structure as illegitimate and to bring it directly to the issue of election subversion. If you believe that the last election was stolen, you might put up with an attempt to steal it back the next time. Advertisement Advertisement Part of what youre articulating is something that I feel Joe Manchin says all the time, which is in order to pass durable legislation, we need the Republicans to come alongside us. Is that what youre saying? Do you see that logic when you hear him saying that? Thats not what Im saying at all. When it comes to regular legislation, to the winners go the spoils. You know, if Biden runs on a platform of doing something like Build Back Better and he can get Democrats to go along and do it, I think thats accountability. The filibusters actually bad in this sense because it lets you pass the buck and voters dont know who to blame. I think Democrats should be able to come in and pass their agenda, and Republicans should be able to come in and pass their agenda without the filibuster and just let the chips fall where they may. And if voters like what they see, then they can reward that party by giving them votes the next time, or they could punish them if they dont like it. But Im making a particular point about the rules for running elections or for counting votes. There, I think, given Congress power, its very important that there is a bipartisan agreement on what those rules are going to be, because theyll be more likely to be binding on both parties in the future. Subscribe to What Next on Apple Podcasts Get more news from Mary Harris every weekday. The Supreme Court significantly hobbledbut did not obliteratePresident Joe Bidens efforts to protect Americans from COVID in the face of congressional inaction. By a 63 vote, the justices blocked his vaccinate-or-test mandate for large employers, accusing the administration of exceeding its authority. But by a 54 vote, the court upheld the administrations vaccine mandate for health care workers, a decision that will compel more than 10 million people to get the jab. This split doubleheader is a crushing defeat for Bidens efforts to curb the pandemic by protecting American workers from catching COVID in the workplace. SCOTUSs decision is not, however, a knockout blow to the administrative state. The Republican-appointed justices may yet enfeeble the executive branchs ability to implement federal law. But a majority of them declined to seize on these cases as their vehicle. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Subscribe to the Slatest Newsletter A daily email update of the stories you need to read right now. We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try again. Please enable javascript to use form. Email address: Send me updates about Slate special offers. By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms Sign Up Thanks for signing up! You can manage your newsletter subscriptions at any time. By far the more important case, National Federation of Independent Business v. Department of Labor involves an emergency temporary standard issued by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. This rule required employers with 100 or more workers to give their staff a choice: either get the COVID-19 vaccine or test weekly and mask in the office. The policy would have covered roughly 84 million people. To justify this mandate, OSHA drew on a federal law that allows the agency to protect employees from a grave danger resulting from physically harmful agents or new hazards. A coalition of red states filed a lawsuit to halt OSHAs mandate, and by a 63 vote, the Supreme Court took their side. Advertisement SCOTUSs unsigned majority opinion rests on several dubious claims. The court declared that we expect Congress to speak clearly when authorizing an agency to exercise powers of vast economic and political significance. So even though COVID is undoubtedly a grave danger and a new hazard to workers, this broad language is not enough, because it does not plainly authorize the mandate. Why not? The majority invented a distinction between hazards that occur solely in the workplace and hazards that occur in and out of the workplace. Because the pandemic exists outside the workplace, it is not the kind of grave danger envisioned by the statute, and falls outside OSHAs sphere of expertise. The majority also raised the anti-novelty principle, stating: It is telling that OSHA, in its half century of existence, has never before adopted a broad public health regulation of this kind. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Notice something unusual about this analysis? The dissenters certainly did: It is utterly untethered to the plain text of the law, which obviously encompasses OSHAs rule. In a rare joint dissent, Justices Stephen Breyer, Sonia Sotomayor, and Elena Kagan shredded this anti-textual approach to statutory interpretation. By dismantling OSHAs authority over hazards found in and out of the workplace, they wrote, the majority imposed a limit found no place in the governing statute. This limit is not even supported by history: The agency has long regulated risks beyond the workplace walls, including fires, excessive noise, unsafe drinking water, and faulty electrical installations. And if the vaccinate-or-test policy is unprecedented, that is because it is in response to an unprecedented event: the deadliest pandemic in American history. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If that werent enough, OSHA put forth uncontested evidence that COVID19 poses special risks in most workplaces, across the country and across industries. The virus spreads more widely in workplaces than in other venues because more people spend more time together there, the dissenters noted. OSHA backed up its conclusions with hundreds of reports of workplace COVID-19 outbreaks. And it issued a rule designed to protect workers from these kinds of superspreader events. By overturning that action, the dissenters wrote, the majority substitutes judicial diktat for reasoned policymaking. They concluded: Advertisement Advertisement When we are wise, we know enough to defer on matters like this one. When we are wise, we know not to displace the judgments of experts, acting within the sphere Congress marked out and under Presidential control, to deal with emergency conditions. Today, we are not wise. In the face of a still-raging pandemic, this Court tells the agency charged with protecting worker safety that it may not do so in all the workplaces needed. As disease and death continue to mount, this Court tells the agency that it cannot respond in the most effective way possible. Without legal basis, the Court usurps a decision that rightfully belongs to others. It undercuts the capacity of the responsible federal officials, acting well within the scope of their authority, to protect American workers from grave danger. Advertisement If you squint, you can see two silver linings in todays decision. First, the court left the door open to a more limited workplace mandate that applies to particularly crowded or cramped environments. Second, the majority did not use this case to neuter the executive branchs ability to respond to new challenges under existing statutes. The plaintiffs urged the court to deploy the major questions and nondelegation doctrinestwo precepts that would abolish federal agencies authority to issue regulations absent the most explicit and detailed instruction from Congress. Taken to their extreme, these doctrines would grind government to a halt. In a concurrence, Justice Neil Gorsuch, joined by Justices Clarence Thomas and Sam Alito, endorsed their application to OSHAs mandate. But their conservative colleagues declined to lob this bomb at the Biden administration, choosing a narrower (though still alarming) path to halt the policy. Advertisement Advertisement Its hard to believe that the divided outcome results from anything other than two justices personal preferences. Weirdly, Thursdays other decision, Biden v. Louisiana, feels like it emerged from a completely different, far saner court. This time, by a 54 vote, the majority upheld a vaccine mandate imposed by the Department of Health and Human Services on health care facilities that receive funding from Medicare or Medicaid. This rule, which includes medical and religious exemptions, requires staff at these facilities to get vaccinated against COVID-19 (with no testing opt-out) and affects about 10 million employees. Chief Justice John Roberts, joined by Justice Brett Kavanaugh, sided with the three liberals to greenlight the mandate. (Thomas, Alito, and Gorsuch issued a radical dissent along with Justice Amy Coney Barrett, whose nihilistic vote bodes poorly for the federal governments continued ability to administer federal programs without arbitrary judicial intrusions.) In another unsigned majority opinion, the court held that HHSs rule fits neatly within the language of the statute that allowed the agency to protect the health and safety of patients at these care facilities. The majority elaborated: After all, ensuring that providers take steps to avoid transmitting a dangerous virus to their patients is consistent with the fundamental principle of the medical profession: first, do no harm. And it pointed out that healthcare workers and public health organizations overwhelmingly support the Secretarys rule. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You know what other rule health care workers and public health organizations overwhelmingly support? OSHAs vaccinate-or-test mandate for large employers. Yet Roberts and Kavanaugh halted that policy anyway. This discrepancy highlights the Calvinball nature of both decisions. Reading (barely) between the lines, its evident that Roberts and Kavanaugh think the health care mandate is perfectly reasonable while the OSHA mandate is not. Both opinions, frankly, seem to start from that presumption and work backward. Yet the statutory language is blazingly clear in both cases. Its hard to believe that the divided outcome results from anything other than two justices personal sense of how far, exactly, the government can go to rein in the pandemic. Advertisement Advertisement In 2022, the Supreme Court serves as the nations most powerful policymaking institution. It would be much easier to contain COVID if we acknowledged that the courts decisions rest on not law but on some imprecise admixture of politics, ideology, and personal preferences. If Biden sat down with Roberts and Kavanaugh and asked them what pandemic policies they are comfortable with, we could skip over the performative litigation and get some real work done. Instead, we must pretend as if SCOTUS is drawing on some ancient legal principles to police the boundaries between Congress and the executive. Nothing of the sort is actually happening, and in Thursdays decisions, the justices barely feigned otherwise. For now, the administrative state survives another day. But millions of workers are stripped of their lone protection against a superspreader workplace, and the Supreme Court scores yet another victory in its battle against self-governance. Estimates say that the government has three weeks to prepare. Font size: A - | A + Comments disabled Many Slovak hospitals are more unprepared than ever just before the next pandemic wave. Experienced doctors who left disillusioned have been replaced by fresh graduates, and dozens of nurses who resigned are yet to be replaced. Skryt Remove ad Article continues after video advertisement Skryt Remove ad Article continues after video advertisement Health Minister Vladimir Lengvarsky (OLaNO) still hasnt come up with a robust plan for so-called emergency medical facilities, where less serious cases would be taken care of and thereby alleviate some of the pressure on hospitals. Regional hospitals that the Sme daily spoke with claim that they managed to account for the loss of manpower during the second wave of the pandemic. Related article Related article Health Ministry gears up for Omicron, plans to establish emergency health facilities Read more However, the head of the Slovak Chamber of Nurses and Midwives Iveta Lazorova claims that hospitals and the government should stop acting as if it is business as usual. We have protested for years and warned of the coming disaster that is now upon us. Yes, we have reasons to be worried, Lazorova stated. The senior and most experienced nurses are leaving, as are young and frustrated doctors who are upset with the state of public hospitals. The Health Ministry added that the healthcare system has had issues with the labour force for a long time now, and these problems also exist abroad. Spokesperson for the ministry, Zuzana Eliasova, has stated that experts are working on a solution. Medical staff, including nurses, received a bonus of 350 with their December paycheck, and talks on improving salaries are ongoing, Eliasova stated. The state of Slovak hospitals https://sputniknews.com/20220113/alarm-bells-for-bjp-in-indias-goa-as-scores-of-christian-politicians-desert-party-ahead-of-polls-1092223221.html Alarm Bells for BJP in India's Goa as Scores of Christian Politicians Desert Party Ahead of Polls Alarm Bells for BJP in India's Goa as Scores of Christian Politicians Desert Party Ahead of Polls The legislative assembly elections in the coastal state of Goa are due to be held on 14 February. Last time, the ruling BJP won 13 seats, while Congress won 17. Despite winning more seats Congress couldn't form a government as the BJP managed to form an alliance with the Goa Forward Party and Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party. 2022-01-13T12:17+0000 2022-01-13T12:17+0000 2022-01-13T12:17+0000 elections religion goa politics politics bharatiya janata party (bjp) india elections politics religion /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e6/01/0d/1092231725_0:377:2401:1728_1920x0_80_0_0_4590bb94f773cfe39c401cd66733a603.jpg India's federally ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) appears to be in trouble in the poll-bound state of Goa as scores of BJP politicians from the Christian community are bidding adieu to the group just ahead of assembly elections next month.On 10 January, member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) and minister in the BJP government Michael Lobo resigned from his post and the party. He, along with his wife and former chief of the party's women wing Delilah Lobo, joined the BJP's main rival - Congress.If media reports are to be believed, Lobo was upset with the party over the ticket distribution for the assembly polls. He was lobbying for a ticket for his wife Delilah from the Siolim constituency while the party was keen to field other candidates.The Calangute lawmaker is a strong leader from north Goa and is believed to hold sway in at least five to six constituencies. Another BJP lawmaker, Praveen Zantye, from the Mayem constituency also resigned on 10 January. Lobo and Zantye, however, are not the only BJP lawmakers from the Christian community to have left the party. Last month, a lawmaker from the Cartolim constituency, Alina Saldanha, quit the BJP. While Alina joined the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), another lawmaker from the Christian community Carlos Almeida from the Vasco constituency quit the BJP and joined Congress.Speculation is rife that Velim lawmaker and minister in the state government Filipe Neri Rodriguez and Nuvem lawmaker Wilfred D'Sa, alias Babashan, may also quit the BJP soon.The main reason behind these legislators quitting the BJP is said to be the discomfort of contesting elections on a BJP ticket. These lawmakers come from Christian-dominated constituencies, where the BJP has had little support base. Fearing the outcome, these politicians are trying to explore their luck in other parties like Congress, Aam Aadmi Party, or Trinamool Congress.Sputnik spoke with political analyst Sanjeev Kaushik about the reasons behind the exodus of Christian politicians from Goa's ruling party - the BJP, its impact on the party's electoral strategy, and how the party can stop this.Kaushik points out that such defections are quite common during polls and there are several reasons why politicians shift their loyalties. Stating that it is well-known that the BJP is the party of the majority class (Hindus) while Christians are a minority, he says: "Apart from this, in the southern part of the country, the BJP has been accusing the Christian community of carrying out religious conversion and attacking them"."So, this might be one of the main reasons [behind people leaving the party]", he states.Citing another reason, Kaushik says that these politicians might also be defecting from the BJP because of the corruption charges against State Chief Pramod Sawant.He notes the mass defections could prove to be a headache for the saffron party, although the BJP-led government is putting up a brave front.State Chief Pramod Sawant, however, is undeterred by the defections.However, Kaushik said that this might prove detrimental to the BJP since if lawmakers who won the previous elections leave the party, their supporters will surely move out along with them and "it will have an impact on neighbouring constituencies as well"."Whenever a politician with a mass base moves from one party to another, he drives a huge voter base too. Therefore, the exodus of scores of politicians belonging to the Christian community will be a huge blow to the BJP", he added. goa india Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 Rahul Trivedi https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/05/12/1082926121_0:-1:627:627_100x100_80_0_0_d882e1a63f627c25b7a534fb8b8234d7.jpg Rahul Trivedi https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/05/12/1082926121_0:-1:627:627_100x100_80_0_0_d882e1a63f627c25b7a534fb8b8234d7.jpg News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Rahul Trivedi https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/05/12/1082926121_0:-1:627:627_100x100_80_0_0_d882e1a63f627c25b7a534fb8b8234d7.jpg elections, religion, goa, politics, politics, bharatiya janata party (bjp), india, elections, politics, religion, congress, indian national congress, congress, elections, religion, politics, religion and politics, india https://sputniknews.com/20220113/as-china-declares-type-055-cruiser-lhasa-battle-worthy-two-more-reportedly-begun-in-dalian-1092241848.html As China Declares Type 055 Cruiser Lhasa Battle-Worthy, Two More Reportedly Begun in Dalian As China Declares Type 055 Cruiser Lhasa Battle-Worthy, Two More Reportedly Begun in Dalian The Peoples Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) has declared its second Type 055 missile cruiser to be combat worthy following war games held in the Yellow Sea last... 13.01.2022, Sputnik International 2022-01-13T21:46+0000 2022-01-13T21:46+0000 2022-01-13T21:45+0000 chinese people's liberation army (pla) china type 055 destroyer cruiser military /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e6/01/0d/1092242695_22:0:1992:1108_1920x0_80_0_0_898aacff4bb73b3b8b918621280e9552.png The warship Lhasa, hull number 102, was first commissioned in March of last year. However, it was only after months of training on a variety of missions, including missiles and cannonfire, hunting for submarines, defending against nuclear, biological and chemical weapon attacks, visiting, boarding, search and seizure, personnel rescue and damage control, was the warships crew of 280 sailors declared ready to go into battle.A vessel training center attached to the PLA Northern Theater Command Navy set up the Lhasas final test in the Yellow Sea last week, according to the Global Times."We will take advantage of scientific and technological methods to explore new ways of training, and set new examples in training with science and tech," said Captain Li Guoqiang, chief of staff at the vessel training center, according to the South China Morning Post.We will take advantage of scientific and technological methods to explore new ways of training and set new examples in training with science and tech, Li added.Now being fully operational, the Qingdao-based Lhasa will be expected to take on similar duties to its elder sibling, the first-in-class Nanchang, commissioned in January 2020. Those will include escorting the PLANs aircraft carriers and adding extra muscle to task forces sent to fly the flag.In the US Navy, Chinas major maritime rival, no equivalent warship exists. The Zumwalt-class destroyers, while slightly larger than the Type 055s, are geared toward land bombardment, but have been plagued with problems related to confusion about how to use them. The Type 055s have suffered no such conflict of identity: they are modern Aegis cruisers intended to outperform anything they might go up against.Washingtons older Ticonderoga-class Aegis cruisers are closer to the Type 055s, since both sport high-powered phased radar arrays and carry a huge number of missiles for a variety of missions. The Ticos have an anti-ballistic missile capability the Type 055s are believed to lack. However, they are about one-quarter smaller than the Type 055s and decades older, with Washington preparing to soon begin retiring the oldest ships. The Ticos duties will be assumed by the US Navys bread-and-butter warship, the Arleigh Burke-class destroyers, which arent much younger.In a Wednesday article for Naval News, naval historian and analyst H.I. Sutton wrote that new intelligence suggests that at least two more are under construction in Dalian, China. He provided no further evidence for this claim. However, some recent photos of the drydock in Dalian, a city on the northern shore of the Yellow Sea where most of the Type 055s were built, suggests that up to two more Type 055 keels might have already been laid down.In both photos, observers note that too little of the hull exists at this stage to be positively identified as a Type 055 cruiser, as opposed to the far more common Type 052D destroyer. china Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 Morgan Artyukhina https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/04/17/1082703728_0:0:800:800_100x100_80_0_0_0b6ce8daa7411284d60c8a0b6d84186d.jpg Morgan Artyukhina https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/04/17/1082703728_0:0:800:800_100x100_80_0_0_0b6ce8daa7411284d60c8a0b6d84186d.jpg News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Morgan Artyukhina https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/04/17/1082703728_0:0:800:800_100x100_80_0_0_0b6ce8daa7411284d60c8a0b6d84186d.jpg chinese people's liberation army (pla), china, type 055 destroyer, cruiser, military https://sputniknews.com/20220113/assange-asks-uk-court-to-certify-3-points-of-law-to-move-appeal-to-supreme-court-his-fiancee-says-1092235840.html Assange Asks UK Court to Certify 3 Points of Law to Move Appeal to Supreme Court, His Fiancee Says Assange Asks UK Court to Certify 3 Points of Law to Move Appeal to Supreme Court, His Fiancee Says WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has requested the UK High Court of Justice to approve three points of law of general public importance, as at least one certified point is necessary for the Supreme Court to hear Assange's appeal against extradition to the United States, his fiancee Stella Moris said. 2022-01-13T14:34+0000 2022-01-13T14:34+0000 2022-01-13T14:35+0000 julian assange us wikileaks uk /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/0c/0a/1091415757_0:320:3073:2048_1920x0_80_0_0_1cd1f9de8a4f756ccf9702ffcbaf6460.jpg For the country's supreme court to hear an appeals case, it must be first recognized that the appeal concerns legal matters that are important to the larger public."Julian #Assange has asked the High Court to certify three points of law of general public importance. The Supreme Court cannot hear his appeal unless the High Court agrees to certify at least one of them. The High Court could notify its decision about certification at any moment," Moris tweeted.In December, the London High Court ruled in favor of the US appeal to extradite Assange, overturning an earlier decision that the Wikileaks founder cannot be extradited to America due to health issues and the inhumane conditions he might face in the US prison system.Assange is wanted by the United States on espionage charges after WikiLeaks published thousands of classified documents that shed light on war crimes committed by American troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. If put on trial and convicted in the US, the Australian journalist faces up to 175 years in prison. https://sputniknews.com/20220103/mexican-president-reiterates-asylum-offer-to-wikileaks-assange-1092000623.html Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 julian assange, us, wikileaks, uk https://sputniknews.com/20220113/australian-start-up-to-build-worlds-first-hypersonic-spaceplane-using-3d-printers-1092229645.html Australian Start-up to Build World's First Hypersonic 'Spaceplane' Using 3D Printers Australian Start-up to Build World's First Hypersonic 'Spaceplane' Using 3D Printers Aerospace startup Hypersonix Launch Systems is planning to build a hypersonic "spaceplane" running on hydrogen fuel that will be capable of delivering small satellites to the Earth orbit. 2022-01-13T10:48+0000 2022-01-13T10:48+0000 2022-01-13T10:48+0000 tech hypersonic 3d printing spacecraft space space exploration /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e6/01/0d/1092229765_0:0:750:422_1920x0_80_0_0_5236e3c276c0dedaa32d731dce977e0b.jpg Australian aerospace start-up Hypersonix Launch Systems is planning to build a hypersonic, hydrogen-fuelled "spaceplane" that will be capable of sending small satellites into Earth's orbit. Aside from attempting a breakthrough in the industry by creating the first carbon emission-free spacecraft, Hypersonix is also planning to build most of the parts, including the engine, using advanced 3D printers at the University of Sydney.The engineering team of Professor Simon Ringer from the University of Sydney will be helping the start-up by manufacturing flight-critical parts for the fuselage and the scramjet engine for the spacecraft "Delta Velos". According to Ringer, advanced 3D printers using additive manufacturing technology (producing parts layer-by-layer using special dust-like material) offer numerous advantages.Ringer further explained that with the 3D printers at the University of Sydney's Darlington campus it is possible to combine elements from the periodic table into new alloys. These alloys, in turn, may possess properties useful to the aerospace industry, such as "high-temperature strength".Maiden Flight in 2023?Before launching production of the full-scale spaceplanes, Hypersonix plans to build a series of smaller proof-of-concept space vehicles using the same hydrogen-powered engines. The final Delta Velos will fly using six of them, but the test prototypes will rely on a single engine and will have a flight distance of only 500 kilometres.Hypersonix expects to conduct a maiden flight for a three-metre-long DART AE test spacecraft as early as 2023. Should the test be successful, it will be the first 3D-printed spacecraft to fly and the first one to use hydrogen fuel that releases only water vapour as a by-product. https://sputniknews.com/20211230/move-it-musk-says-his-tiny-satellites-cant-block-any-rival-spacecrafts---report-1091900355.html space Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 Tim Korso https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e6/03/0d/1093831826_0:0:216:216_100x100_80_0_0_e3f43a960af0c6c99f7eb8ccbf5f812c.jpg Tim Korso https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e6/03/0d/1093831826_0:0:216:216_100x100_80_0_0_e3f43a960af0c6c99f7eb8ccbf5f812c.jpg News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Tim Korso https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e6/03/0d/1093831826_0:0:216:216_100x100_80_0_0_e3f43a960af0c6c99f7eb8ccbf5f812c.jpg tech, hypersonic, 3d printing, spacecraft, space, space exploration https://sputniknews.com/20220113/conor-mcgregors-22-million-dublin-pub-attacked-by-petrol-bombs-1092242029.html Conor McGregors $2.2 Million Dublin Pub Attacked by Petrol Bombs Conor McGregors $2.2 Million Dublin Pub Attacked by Petrol Bombs UFC star Conor McGregor had his Dublin pub attacked on Wednesday when suspects on scooters threw Molotov cocktails at the establishment, which had been... 13.01.2022, Sputnik International 2022-01-13T21:06+0000 2022-01-13T21:06+0000 2022-01-13T21:05+0000 dublin molotov cocktail attack ireland conor mcgregor /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/07/0d/1083379442_0:0:2967:1669_1920x0_80_0_0_241a50413133fd15f1d82df199df084c.jpg McGregor bought the building in his hometown for a costly $2.2 million in 2019. The 33-year-old mixed martial artist was hosting a taste testing event at the pub the same night of the attack, but was not present when the incident occured. No injuries and no damages to the building were found.The Gardai is the national police service of the Republic of Ireland. To date, no arrests have been made in the case.There were two people allegedly spotted on scooters who passed the establishment at the time and next thing they were being chased by two others who had come out of the property, unidentified sources told Dublin Live.The UFC star, whose Irish whiskey brand Proper No. 12 generated $1 billion in its first year of sales alone, was listed as the wealthiest sportsman in 2021 by Forbes. Before McGregor became a professional fighter, he was a plumbers apprentice making $150 per cage fight.Rumors have circulated in Irish and British tabloids regarding McGregors relationship with Irish gangster Graham The Wig Whelan. In 2017, it was believed that McGregor got into a pub brawl with a close tie to Whelan, and McGregors sister Aoife McGregor paid a second visit to the Kinahan cartel gangster in prison earlier this month.McGregor is currently recovering from a broken leg he sustained after his UFC 264 loss to lightweight rival Dustin Poirier and wont be expected to return to the caged ring until later this year. dublin Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 Mary Manley https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e6/01/0b/1092187887_0:0:2048:2049_100x100_80_0_0_0c2cc4c84f89aff034cc55bb01fb6697.jpg Mary Manley https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e6/01/0b/1092187887_0:0:2048:2049_100x100_80_0_0_0c2cc4c84f89aff034cc55bb01fb6697.jpg News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Mary Manley https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e6/01/0b/1092187887_0:0:2048:2049_100x100_80_0_0_0c2cc4c84f89aff034cc55bb01fb6697.jpg dublin, molotov cocktail, attack, ireland, conor mcgregor https://sputniknews.com/20220113/denmark-announces-fourth-vaccine-shot-to-vulnerable-groups-amid-omicron-wave-1092224490.html Denmark Announces Fourth Vaccine Shot to Vulnerable Groups Amid Omicron Wave Denmark Announces Fourth Vaccine Shot to Vulnerable Groups Amid Omicron Wave The Danish health authorities will soon offer fourth vaccine shots to particularly vulnerable groups, Health Minister Magnus Heunicke has announced. 2022-01-13T05:51+0000 2022-01-13T05:51+0000 2022-01-13T05:51+0000 omicron covid strain denmark news vaccination scandinavia omicron strain /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/04/13/1082666671_0:156:3001:1844_1920x0_80_0_0_b440ec800e51dfeac79a67bd83d89114.jpg The Danish health authorities will soon offer fourth vaccine shots to particularly vulnerable groups, Health Minister Magnus Heunicke has announced.At a time when nearly 55 percent of Danes have received their third shot against COVID-19, the rollout of the next booster is already on the way.So far, only a tiny fraction of Danes, including a handful of arthritis patients, have been offered a fourth shot in an attempt to bolster their weakened immune system. This week and the next, however, second boosters will be administered to a broader group of people.According to Brostrm, nursing home residents and the oldest in the community are also being considered for the fourth shots as well."So far, they are well protected by the third shot, which they got in the autumn and early winter. But if we see something that makes us think we should act, then we'll do it", Brostrm said.Denmark is currently being swept by a COVID-19 wave, having recently surpassed a milestone of 1 million COVID-19 cases in a nation of 5.8 million. The infection has been languishing at the highest level ever and is being driven by the novel Omicron strain, seen as more infectious yet with milder consequences.Worldwide, experience with the fourth shot is quite limited. Shortly before the new year began, Israel decided to administer a new round of re-vaccinations for particularly vulnerable groups.Some 150 employees at the Sheba Medical Centre near Tel Aviv have been vaccinated for a fourth time and have had their blood examined before and after the jab. While the measurements indicated that the number of antibodies jumped five-fold one week after the vaccination, many experienced side effects such as muscle cramps and headaches.In 2022, Chile became the first country in Latin America to announce fourth shots for immunocompromised residents. https://sputniknews.com/20220102/omicron-more-apt-at-sidestepping-immunity-though-less-contagious-than-feared--danish-study-1091972472.html denmark scandinavia Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 Igor Kuznetsov Igor Kuznetsov News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Igor Kuznetsov denmark, news, vaccination, scandinavia, omicron strain https://sputniknews.com/20220113/dude-you-must-be-tripping-kremlin-responds-to-rumours-of-kanye-wests-meeting-with-putin-1092236451.html Dude, You Must Be Tripping: Kremlin Responds to Rumours of Kanye Wests Meeting With Putin Dude, You Must Be Tripping: Kremlin Responds to Rumours of Kanye Wests Meeting With Putin Earlier this week, Billboard magazine reported, citing the musicians confidant and strategic advisor Ameer Sudan, that West, now known as Ye, plans to make Russia his second home as he wants to expand his business in the country. 2022-01-13T15:51+0000 2022-01-13T15:51+0000 2022-01-13T15:51+0000 society russia vladimir putin catholicism christianity kanye west /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/107727/05/1077270557_0:160:3073:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_adf5cea2f94349157f341bcbcb739413.jpg The Kremlin has responded to rumours that President Vladimir Putin had a meeting with US rapper Kanye West as spokesman Dmitriy Peskov dismissed the reports that the administration is in talks with the musicians team about staging shows in Russia.Asked whether the Russian head of state is familiar with the rappers activities and his music, the spokesman said that his knowledge was "not deep enough to be able to offer an assessment".The statement comes a day after the musicians PR representative Pierre Rougier dismissed Billboards story about West, who is now known as Ye after a name change. Rougier described the article as "fabricated" and a work of fiction or wishful thinking from these Russian people.Billboard cited the rappers confidant and strategic adviser Ameer Sudan as saying that Ye wants to make Russia his "second home". "He will be spending a lot of time out there," Ameer Sudan said.According to Sudan, Ye wants to expand his business by teaming up with Azerbaijani-Russian billionaire Aras Agalarov and his son Emin, who is a musician. In particular, Ye wants to hold his infamous Sunday Service in one of the venues owned by the Agalarov family. The business deal - as well as the concerts - could raise the musicians wealth to more than $10 billion, the adviser added. Sudan said that the rapper has long wanted to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin and wants invite the politician to one of his gospel shows but he might struggle. The Russian head of state is known to dislike hip-hop and rap music: in 2018, during a meeting on culture, Putin said that rap is based on three pillars - sex, drugs and protest - something the politician argued leads to degradation of the population. https://sputniknews.com/20220112/russia-to-be-second-home-for-kanye-ye-west-meeting-with-putin-in-the-cards-claims-confidant-1092196273.html Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 Max Gorbachev Max Gorbachev News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Max Gorbachev society, russia, vladimir putin, catholicism, christianity, kanye west https://sputniknews.com/20220113/ex-girlfriend-of-us-rep-matt-gaetz-testifies-before-federal-grand-jury-in-sex-trafficking-probe-1092220328.html Ex-Girlfriend of US Rep. Matt Gaetz Testifies Before Federal Grand Jury in Sex Trafficking Probe Ex-Girlfriend of US Rep. Matt Gaetz Testifies Before Federal Grand Jury in Sex Trafficking Probe US prosecutors are probing Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) over a slew of crimes, including sex trafficking a minor, violating the Mann Act, and obstruction of justice... 13.01.2022, Sputnik International 2022-01-13T00:58+0000 2022-01-13T00:58+0000 2022-01-13T00:57+0000 us grand jury child abuse sex trafficking matt gaetz federal investigation /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e6/01/0c/1092220300_0:0:3071:1728_1920x0_80_0_0_e28a1dbcd51d028c606724877ab9a656.jpg On Wednesday, an ex-girlfriend of GOP Rep. Gaetz testified before a federal grand jury probing the Republican lawmaker for sex crimes and other offenses, according to several evening reports. The woman, whose name has been withheld in the press, and Timothy Jansen, her attorney, were spotted arriving at the federal courthouse in Orlando, Florida, on Wednesday. The lawyer did not provide details about the case. The move signals that the US Department of Justice may soon indict Gaetz, according to NBC News.The woman is reportedly a former Capitol Hill staffer whose ties with Gaetz date back to 2017, the year he began representing Florida's 1st Congressional District. Three friends of the former couple told NBC News that Gaetz and his ex-girlfriend were in an open relationship in 2017 and 2018, and the two would share details about the individuals with whom they had sex. Several questions have been raised about the activities that occurred during their relationship, such as a 2018 trip to the Bahamas that involved the couple, Gaetz's friends, and a number of young women.One charge prosecutors are examining is whether Gaetz obstructed justice during a phone call involving himself, his ex-girlfriend, and another woman who was already cooperating with federal prosecutors. "We have seen no credible basis for a charge against Congressman Gaetz," Isabelle Kirshner, an attorney for the US lawmaker, told The Hill. "We remain steadfast in our commitment to challenge any allegations with the facts and law." The federal probe into allegations of Gaetz's sex crimes commenced after federal prosecutors leveled dozens of charges against former tax collector Joel Greenberg, a former friend of the US lawmaker. Greenberg ultimately agreed to work with agents and pled guilty to six of 33 charges, including sex trafficking a child.One source familiar with the case told NBC News that the reported sex-trafficking victim told investigators that Gaetz had sex with her. https://sputniknews.com/20210517/gaetz-associate-greenberg-pleads-guilty-to-sex-trafficking-charges-agrees-to-work-with-feds-1082923059.html us Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 Evan Craighead Evan Craighead News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Evan Craighead us, grand jury, child abuse, sex trafficking, matt gaetz, federal investigation https://sputniknews.com/20220113/explosive-death-of-giant-star-witnessed-for-first-time-by-astronomers-in-hawaii-1092221255.html Explosive Death of Giant Star Witnessed for First Time by Astronomers in Hawaii Explosive Death of Giant Star Witnessed for First Time by Astronomers in Hawaii For the first time scientists have witnessed a supernova; the explosion of a red supergiant star. The red supergiant, named SN 2020tlf, was being monitored after it was first spotted in the summer of 2020. 2022-01-13T00:52+0000 2022-01-13T00:52+0000 2022-01-13T00:52+0000 hawaii astronomers space /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e6/01/0d/1092221380_0:0:1346:758_1920x0_80_0_0_8affc952a841457fbd846ba48b69da93.png The red supergiant is 10 times larger than the Earths sun and was first located 120 million light-years from Earth. For perspective, one light-year is the distance light is able to travel within 365.25 days. The explosion was captured by telescopes at the W.M. Keck Observatory atop Mauna Kea in Hawaii.Though supernovas are ordinarily only detected after they collapse, scientists reportedly had their eye on the star more than 100 days before it died and then exploded. The star was detected in the summer of 2020 during a survey conducted by the University of Hawaiis Pan-STARRS telescope, according to Jacobson-Galan, an NSF graduate research fellow at UC Berkeley.The astronomers describe the visual of the red giant's death as great flashes of light and giant globs of gas exploding from the surface of the star. The violent show put on by the star surprised astronomers as previous observations had yet to yield such visuals.The life cycle of most stars follows this path: protostar, main sequence star, then - depending on size - red supergiant star, and finally collapsing into a supernova, before becoming either a black hole or a neutron star.Jacobson-Galan was ecstatic, Direct detection of pre-supernova activity in a red supergiant star has never been observed before in an ordinary Type II supernova. For the first time, we watched a red supergiant star explode!According to the Office of Science, the collapse of a giant star is so powerful it creates new atomic nuclei. Supernovae are one of the original sources of elements heavier than iron, and the iron in our blood can be traced to supernovae which occurred before the birth of our sun. hawaii space Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 Mary Manley https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e6/01/0b/1092187887_0:0:2048:2049_100x100_80_0_0_0c2cc4c84f89aff034cc55bb01fb6697.jpg Mary Manley https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e6/01/0b/1092187887_0:0:2048:2049_100x100_80_0_0_0c2cc4c84f89aff034cc55bb01fb6697.jpg News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Mary Manley https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e6/01/0b/1092187887_0:0:2048:2049_100x100_80_0_0_0c2cc4c84f89aff034cc55bb01fb6697.jpg hawaii, astronomers, space https://sputniknews.com/20220113/french-teachers-rally-in-paris-to-protest-against-anti-covid-measures-1092231391.html French Teachers Rally in Paris to Protest Against Anti-COVID Measures French Teachers Rally in Paris to Protest Against Anti-COVID Measures The unions claimed that up to 75 percent of teachers will be protesting over anti-pandemic rules for classrooms. The outcry comes after Prime Minister Jean Castex announced relaxing COVID protocols, as educators believe this decision makes schools unsafe. 2022-01-13T12:53+0000 2022-01-13T12:53+0000 2022-01-13T12:53+0000 france paris teachers covid-19 /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e6/01/0d/1092232577_0:0:1920:1080_1920x0_80_0_0_4a68cc76210b837caea8e95c897c3575.jpg Sputnik is live from Paris as education unions hold a mass demonstration against the current handling of the pandemic by French authorities. Teachers are protesting after the government changed the rules on testing for students three times this month. They are also demanding the authorities to provide masks for staff and students, as face coverings have been mandatory in French schools since 2020.Follow Sputnik's Live Feed to Find Out More! france paris Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 French teachers and school personnel protest against govts policy on COVID-19 measures French teachers and school personnel protest against govts policy on COVID-19 measures 2022-01-13T12:53+0000 true PT52M19S 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 france, paris, teachers, covid-19, https://sputniknews.com/20220113/harris-says-could-not-care-less-about-gossip-after-idea-of-biden-cheney-ticket-floated-1092238183.html Harris Says 'Could Not Care Less' About Gossip After Idea of Biden-Cheney Ticket Floated Harris Says 'Could Not Care Less' About Gossip After Idea of Biden-Cheney Ticket Floated WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - US Vice President Kamala Harris said she could not care less about gossips when asked about a possibility of Joe Biden running with... 13.01.2022, Sputnik International 2022-01-13T16:00+0000 2022-01-13T16:00+0000 2022-01-13T16:01+0000 joe biden us kamala harris 2024 us presidential elections /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/07/01/1083279287_0:161:3071:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_76188c2e250b487e9f4e88e16bf98e0e.jpg On Tuesday, New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman suggested, citing an Israeli precedent of the current unified government, that Biden could pick Rep. Cheney as his running mate in 2024.Asked about Friedman's article, she said that she had not read it and she "really could care less about the high-class gossip on these issues."She added that she is focused on the "things in front of us."In November, a report came out of Harris feeling sidelined due to an alleged dysfunctional relationship with the President. The White House dismissed the rumor, calling the vice president not only a "vital partner" to Biden but a bold leader. Harris later said that they were not discussing plans for the 2024 election.In spring 2021, Biden said he expects to run for another presidential term in 2024 when he turns 82. https://sputniknews.com/20220110/conservatives-shred-kamala-harriss-claim-that-she-faces-media-bias-because-shes-black-and-a-woman-1092163449.html Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 joe biden, us, kamala harris, 2024 us presidential elections https://sputniknews.com/20220113/israel-faces-high-fertility-issues-as-already-dense-population-projected-to-double-by-2050-1092224668.html Israel Faces High Fertility Issues as Already Dense Population Projected to Double by 2050 Israel Faces High Fertility Issues as Already Dense Population Projected to Double by 2050 The Jewish state's current population stands at more than nine million people. With reproduction rates averaging three children per woman, the country is expected to almost double in size by 2050. And a local demographer says politicians are not doing anything to reverse that trend. 2022-01-13T07:12+0000 2022-01-13T07:12+0000 2022-01-13T07:12+0000 israel middle east population jews /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/101942/52/1019425218_0:89:3082:1823_1920x0_80_0_0_f48d9d5e8e14ffca81134046f4c027ab.jpg Israelis have been complaining about the density of their country for years. Yet, not many realise how bad the situation really is.First in Terms of DensityDr Eliyahu Ben-Moshe, an Israeli demographer and a former deputy director-general of the Israel Central Bureau of Statistics, says his country is one of the most densely populated nations on Earth.Israel's population has grown dramatically over the past decade. In 2005, it was 6.9 million people. Ten years down the line that number was 8.4 million, and today the Jewish state is home to more than 9 million people.High Price to PayAccording to projections, by 2050 Israel's population will nearly double to around 16 million people. About a quarter of that amount will be Ultra-Orthodox individuals.Israeli schools are overcrowded with children, with up to 34 pupils per class. Roads are packed with cars, whereas the country's real estate prices have reached unprecedented heights, especially in large cities such as Tel Aviv, hailed as the most expensive in the world."No other country in the world has managed to maintain that balance of being developed and sticking to that fertility rate. Neither will Israel. Something will have to give", he added.Politicians Dragging Their FeetThe expert says Israeli governments, past and present, have been aware of the situation but nothing has been done to change the trend. And the reason for this is politics.In a country that cherishes children, high fertility rates are highly encouraged and Israeli women are often pressured by society to produce more offspring. No politician in Israel will risk going against that "sacred cow" without endangering their seat.Although Ben-Moshe is not optimistic about the future, he does say that the situation is still reversible and in a bid to improve it Israel needs to raise awareness of the phenomenon. It also needs to lower its fertility rates and make sure that the weaker segments of the population, the ones that produce many children, obtain the relevant assistance. Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 Elizabeth Blade Elizabeth Blade News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Elizabeth Blade israel, middle east, population, jews https://sputniknews.com/20220113/mike-flynn-calls-nancy-pelosi-a-modern-day-pontius-pilate--1092242373.html Mike Flynn Calls Nancy Pelosi a 'Modern-Day Pontius Pilate' Mike Flynn Calls Nancy Pelosi a 'Modern-Day Pontius Pilate' On Wednesday, retired Lt. General Michael Flynn called US Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi a modern-day Pontius Pilate, (the Roman governor who purportedly... 13.01.2022, Sputnik International 2022-01-13T21:46+0000 2022-01-13T21:46+0000 2022-01-13T21:47+0000 nancy pelosi michael flynn jesus christ christianity /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/107949/29/1079492931_0:160:3073:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_8cd0e607fde3ae4cc1001cbc6859c0b7.jpg In an interview on Lindell TV, Flynn was critical of Democrats and the House Select Committee regarding the 1/6 attack. He called the committee crazy, and suggested that their investigation was an "insurrection persecution by Nancy Pelosi."The US House Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the United States Capitol is composed of seven Democratic and two Republican Congress members. Pelosi is not a member of the Committee.Flynns disdain for Pelosi saw him claim that she was a "modern-day Pontius Pilate, you know, of this era."He complained that the US is persecuting people who are expressing dissatisfaction and distrust in the government. He clarified, however, that he was not referring to those who are currently facing prosecution over their involvement in the deadly 1/6 Capitol attack.Who was Pontius Pilate?Historical records concerning the Roman politician Pontius Pilate are murky at best. His first name is unknown and some historians believe he first rose in the ranks of Roman bureaucracy through the military due to his name being a reference to Pilatus, meaning skilled with the javelin. This historical assertion is not universally accepted, however, and is considered by many experts in the field as a hypothesis only.Little is known of his life before his apparent appointment by the second Roman Emperor Tiberius as governor of the Roman province of Judea around the year 26 CE. The post was considered low prestige, and little of his supposed ten-year stint has survived the historical record.Pilate is thought to be most famous for purportedly sentencing the Christian religious prophet Jesus Christ to death, via crucifixion, around the year 30 CE. There are no direct historical records concerning Pilates motivation for sentencing the man to death.His governorship was dogged by consistent civil disturbance between the ruling Romans and the local, predominantly Jewish, population. Crucifixion was a common tool used in the Roman provinces and there is said to have been little oversight over Pilate during much of his reign.Later depictions of Pilate, particularly those in the Christian Bible, are varied. Some portray him as coerced into the execution of Jesus, while others portray him as a villainous and brutal ruler.Flynns Religious BiasFlynn is likely referencing villainous portrayals of Pilate in his comparison to Pelosi, harkening to the persecution that early Christians faced in the Roman Empire.He has a history of portraying political opponents through a lens of religious Christian dogma.His reference confuses two distinct sections of Christian biblical myth. According to the Christian Bible, Jesus Christ did visit the temple of Jerusalem as a teenager, but it wasnt until days before his death, purportedly while he was in his 30s, that he ransacked it.Flynn has also claimed that the United States should have one religion, meaning Christianity, and suggesting that all other religions, including Islam and Judaism, be permitted to function, but with vastly reduced visibility.Flynns sentiments are in stark contrast to the First Amendment of the US Constitution, which prohibits the government from, respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof. https://sputniknews.com/20211223/us-judge-rejects-michael-flynns-request-to-block-6-january-panels-subpoenas-1091740939.html Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 Nevin Brown Nevin Brown News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Nevin Brown nancy pelosi, michael flynn, jesus christ, christianity https://sputniknews.com/20220113/nato-refuses-to-find-a-compromise-with-russia-1092221022.html NATO Refuses to Find a Compromise With Russia NATO Refuses to Find a Compromise With Russia On todays episode of The Backstory, host Lee Stranahan discussed current events including the sexual abuse lawsuit against Prince Andrew proceeding, and the... 13.01.2022, Sputnik International 2022-01-13T07:06+0000 2022-01-13T07:06+0000 2022-01-13T10:06+0000 south dakota us immigration ice new york city watergate voterfraud the backstory radio /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e6/01/0c/1092220997_0:0:1920:1080_1920x0_80_0_0_58b038ecc51f80ede7cdd0896fac5cc8.jpg NATO Refuses to Find a Compromise With Russia On todays episode of The Backstory, host Lee Stranahan discussed current events including the sexual abuse lawsuit against Prince Andrew proceeding, and the US Army is increasing its enlistment bonus by twenty-five percent. GUESTCarmine Sabia - Writer and Editor at Large at SabiaReport.com | Biden Wants to End the Filibuster, Democrats Attempt to Federalize Elections, and RINOsMark Krikorian - Executive Director of Center for Immigration Studies | The Ford Foundation, Elites Hating Borders, and NationalismIn the first hour, Lee spoke with Carmine Sabia about the Supreme Court, Constitunail laws, and mandates. Carmine discussed the vaccine mandate hearings and the long-term impact of Obamacare. Carmine talked about the Hunter Biden laptop story and how independent journalists covered the 2020 election.In the second hour, Lee and Carmine Sabia spoke with Mark Krikorian about illegal immigrants voting, Harry Reid, and immigration report cards for Republicans. Mark spoke on New York City allowing illegal immigrants voting rights and Mayor Adams support for illegals voting. Mark discussed the lack of immigration enforcement support from Democrats and Donald Trump in 2024.Also, we touch upon the NATO-Russia meeting.We'd love to get your feedback at radio@sputniknews.com south dakota us Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 Lee Stranahan https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/02/13/1082125222_0:0:293:292_100x100_80_0_0_a8bc846f559660e5bf7574f8a9608a1d.png Lee Stranahan https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/02/13/1082125222_0:0:293:292_100x100_80_0_0_a8bc846f559660e5bf7574f8a9608a1d.png News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Lee Stranahan https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/02/13/1082125222_0:0:293:292_100x100_80_0_0_a8bc846f559660e5bf7574f8a9608a1d.png south dakota, us, immigration, ice, new york city, watergate, voterfraud, the backstory, , radio https://sputniknews.com/20220113/new-osce-chair-rau-and-secretary-general-schmid-hold-joint-presser-after-permanent-council-meeting-1092230448.html New OSCE Chair Rau and Secretary General Schmid Hold Joint Presser After Permanent Council Meeting New OSCE Chair Rau and Secretary General Schmid Hold Joint Presser After Permanent Council Meeting The OSCE previously discussed the security situation issues in Europe, including the tensions at the Ukrainian border, and Russia-US and Russia-NATO summits. 2022-01-13T11:43+0000 2022-01-13T11:43+0000 2022-01-13T11:43+0000 osce press conference press conference /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e6/01/0d/1092230577_0:0:1920:1080_1920x0_80_0_0_ad946eff01938ce0c75fb02e956f46cc.jpg Sputnik is live from Vienna, as Chairperson-in-Office of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe Zbigniew Rau, as well as OSCE Secretary General Helga Maria Schmid, are holding a press conference following the first Permanent Council meeting of 2022.Follow Sputnik's Live Feed to Find Out More! Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 New OSCE Chair Rau and Secretary-General Schmid Hold Joint Presser After Permanent Council Meeting New OSCE Chair Rau and Secretary-General Schmid Hold Joint Presser After Permanent Council Meeting 2022-01-13T11:43+0000 true PT25M43S 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 osce, press conference, press conference, https://sputniknews.com/20220113/number-of-people-detained-in-kazakh-city-of-shymkent-amid-unrest-tops-3500---reports-1092223560.html Number of People Detained in Kazakh City of Shymkent Amid Unrest Tops 3,500 - Reports Number of People Detained in Kazakh City of Shymkent Amid Unrest Tops 3,500 - Reports MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The number of people detained in the Kazakh city of Shymkent in connection with the unrest has topped 3,500, regional TV channel Otyrar.kz... 13.01.2022, Sputnik International 2022-01-13T04:01+0000 2022-01-13T04:01+0000 2022-01-13T04:01+0000 kazakhstan detainees arrests /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e6/01/08/1092119117_0:512:2731:2048_1920x0_80_0_0_f6dac2cbcdab4eb4317888a59972f838.jpg Earlier, local authorities reported the detention of 2,700 people, and noted that 45 policemen were injured during riots in the city.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, 18 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 eliminate 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. kazakhstan Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 kazakhstan, detainees, arrests https://sputniknews.com/20220113/police-in-sudanese-capital-use-tear-gas-on-protesters-1092240926.html Police in Sudanese Capital Use Tear Gas on Protesters Police in Sudanese Capital Use Tear Gas on Protesters KHARTOUM (Sputnik) - Sudanese police used tear gas against protesters in the Sudanese capital, eyewitnesses told Sputnik. 13.01.2022, Sputnik International 2022-01-13T18:22+0000 2022-01-13T18:22+0000 2022-01-13T18:24+0000 protests sudan africa tear gas /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e6/01/0d/1092240899_0:158:3079:1890_1920x0_80_0_0_ef390288876da039197c0329a9480b61.jpg Protests against the military authorities are held weekly.The press service of the Sudanese police reported the death of a police captain who "guarded the procession of demonstrators." The causes of death have not been given.Sudan entered a political crisis after army chief, Gen. Abdel Fattah Burhan, arrested Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok and other government officials in October. Following the coup, protesters have taken to the streets demanding civilian rule. At least 60 people have since been killed in clashes with the military authorities.In November, Burhan and Hamdok signed a political agreement stipulating the reinstatement of the prime minister in his duties, the release of all political prisoners arrested during the coup, and a transition of power to civilian rule at an earlier date. On January 2, Hamdok resigned due to the actions of the military, who violated the agreements within the political deal. https://sputniknews.com/20211230/videos-four-protesters-reportedly-shot-by-soldiers-at-sudans-11th-march-of-millions-against-coup-1091925728.html sudan Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 protests, sudan, africa, tear gas https://sputniknews.com/20220113/russia-nato-talks-how-the-cold-war-era-hubris-of-the-bloc-limits-pan-european-security-1092239966.html Russia-NATO Talks: How the Cold War-Era Hubris of the Bloc Limits Pan-European Security Russia-NATO Talks: How the Cold War-Era Hubris of the Bloc Limits Pan-European Security A Russian delegation led by Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko held a meeting with NATO representatives on 12 January in Brussels, Belgium, to discuss... 13.01.2022, Sputnik International 2022-01-13T22:09+0000 2022-01-13T22:09+0000 2022-01-14T14:14+0000 georgia world europe us russia opinion ukraine sweden finland security /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e6/01/0d/1092235122_0:223:2985:1902_1920x0_80_0_0_30e48c4f55af79ab5474677bd5cb2fc4.jpg The parties of the Russia-NATO Council consultations have so far failed to find common ground on the issue of what Moscow notes is the transatlantic bloc's eastward expansion. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, in response, stated that NATO will not give up on its "core principles," including its open-door policy for membership to nations including Ukraine and Georgia. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Grushko warned that Moscow could be left with no other choice than "counter-intimidation" if the parties fail to reverse the current course of events.Why NATO is Unwilling to Reach a Compromise With RussiaThe NATO stance is unsurprising, given that the bloc's purpose depends on the idea of Russian containment, says Dr. Matthew Crosston, professor of political science and executive vice chairman with ModernDiplomacy.eu.NATO's refusal to treat Russia as an equal and legitimate world stage partner has always been at the root of the problem, the Crosston noted.Following the collapse of the USSR in 1991, NATO faced a problem of self-preservation as it was unable to envision a new mission for itself, suggested Crosston: "With no Soviet Union, what is NATO's purpose? Why should it continue to exist?""The easiest path to that end goal was to simply reframe the old Soviet narrative with the Russian Federation flag," he said, adding that, "if Russia is simply the Soviet Union with a new name, then NATO does not need any mission innovation. It does not need any new justification to exist. It doesn't even need to alter any budgets. It can simply....continue."Russian entreaties to create a new vision or a new relationship with NATO have traditionally been met with indifference and, at times, disdain, according to the consultant. Although Moscow has repeatedly and explicitly articulated its concerns with regard to NATO expansion, the US, with a straight face, continues to either willfully misinterpret or simply defy Russia's signals he notes. The reasoning is simple, according to the strategist, as a compromise with Russia "doesn't serve any valuable purpose" for the US-led Western military bloc.Pan-European Peace & Security: It's Not Too LateThere is a silver lining to the recent NATO-Russian Council consultations, according to Hall Gardner, a professor of international politics at the American University of Paris.The academic suggests that NATOs promises of expansion are, however, based on hubris, instead of reason. Earlier this year, US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin revived the topic of NATO membership for Ukraine and Georgia, stressing that the bloc would admit Kiev and Tbilisi if they meet the alliance's requirements. NATO welcomed Kiev and Tbilisi's aspirations to join the bloc in 2008 and 2014, respectively.The bloc is ready to open its doors to Sweden and Finland as well, two nations that have long maintained a non-alignment status. Speaking to Politico in April 2019, Retired US Adm. James Stavridis, a former supreme allied commander for NATO, and Alexander Vershbow, an American deputy secretary general of NATO, suggested that in the next 10 years, Finland and Sweden could be admitted to the alliance.A confrontation with Russia is not in the interests of NATO and other European states, according to Gardner. The academic refers to former Russian President Dmitri Medvedevs 2008 call for a new European Security Pact, stressing that the suggestion "should have been more fully addressed back then." Medvedev's draft agreement particularly sought to obligate nations and international organisations operating in the Euro-Atlantic region to not strengthen their own security at the cost of other countries and blocs.Gardner believes that it's still possible to use the principle of common security. He proposes establishing a new UN-backed Contact Group that would bring the US, NATO, the EU, Russia, and Ukraine into negotiations to forge a "regional peace and sustainable development community. https://sputniknews.com/20220111/what-are-major-reasons-behind-washingtons-unwillingness-to-accept-russias-nato-proposals-1092184191.html https://sputniknews.com/20211223/nato-expansion-to-the-east-is-unacceptable-for-russia-putin-says-1091745630.html https://sputniknews.com/20211223/russia-is-back-moscow-wont-back-down-ending-era-of-nato-expansion-is-possible-observers-say-1091758619.html georgia ukraine sweden finland Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 Ekaterina Blinova Ekaterina Blinova News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Ekaterina Blinova georgia, world, europe, us, russia, opinion, ukraine, sweden, finland, security, nato expansion, military response, nato https://sputniknews.com/20220113/russia-remains-open-about-military-deployment-to-cuba-and-venezuela-deputy-fm-says-1092233922.html Russia Remains Open About Military Deployment to Cuba and Venezuela Amid Security Guarantee Impasse Russia Remains Open About Military Deployment to Cuba and Venezuela Amid Security Guarantee Impasse Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said on Thursday that he will not confirm or deny anything regarding the possibility of the deployment of Russian military infrastructure in Cuba and Venezuela. 2022-01-13T13:35+0000 2022-01-13T13:35+0000 2022-01-13T14:13+0000 sergei ryabkov venezuela cuba us russia security guarantees russia-nato row on european security /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/104936/61/1049366107_0:132:2500:1538_1920x0_80_0_0_c541615ad696c28b5536c4d2176ea7a1.jpg "I don't want to confirm anything, I won't rule anything out either", Ryabkov told RTVI.He noted that the possibility of such options depends on Washington's response to Russia's security guarantees. The deputy minister stressed that President Putin had already described what the Russian Navy can do if the US continues to provoke Moscow, but also stated that a diplomatic solution would be preferable.The statement comes after US-Russia and Russia-NATO talks earlier this month, regarding security guarantees that Moscow offered in a bid to ease tensions and mend ties. The draft agreements stipulate limits to troop, aircraft, and warship deployments, as well as missile deployment for both sides, and also suggested that NATO stop its expansion near the Russian border. venezuela cuba Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 sergei ryabkov, venezuela, cuba, us, russia, security guarantees https://sputniknews.com/20220113/serbia-to-file-2-more-lawsuits-against-nato-over-uranium-bombing-1092236013.html Serbia to File 2 More Lawsuits Against NATO Over Uranium Bombing Serbia to File 2 More Lawsuits Against NATO Over Uranium Bombing BELGRADE (Sputnik) - Two new lawsuits against NATO will be brought to the Higher Court in Belgrade on behalf of Serbian victims of the 1999 depleted uranium... 13.01.2022, Sputnik International 2022-01-13T14:39+0000 2022-01-13T14:39+0000 2022-01-13T14:40+0000 serbia yugoslavia us nato natos 1999 military intervention in yugoslavia /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/107337/27/1073372705_0:86:2000:1211_1920x0_80_0_0_c2187e88dc0a918024ed90739d9b7937.jpg The first lawsuit, over 20 years after the bombing, was filed in January 2021. Aleksic was working on material evidence to represent the interests of a Yugoslavian officer with cancer because of the airstrikes.NATO could have used conventional weapons; however, it chose to use depleted uranium on the territory of Serbia, the lawyer went on, which will have a detrimental effect on people for many years to come."This is a war crime and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization must compensate for damage to the Serbian citizens," Aleksic said.The lawyer added that last year's claim was forwarded to NATO headquarters, but so far without acknowledgment of having been received. However, the Higher Court in Belgrade may pass a verdict to NATO even if the alliance does not take part in the proceedings under the Serbian legislation, Aleksic explained.Aleksic is seeking compensation of at least 300,000 euros ($344,000) for each Serbian victim, as it was for the western European military who were exposed to a dangerous amount of radiation during their service at NATO.NATO airstrikes continued from March 24 to June 10, 1999, claiming an unknown number of lives. The Serbian authorities say that about 2,500 people, including 89 children, were killed and about 12,500 people were injured in the bombings. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said that the use of depleted uranium weapons caused an increase in the number of cancer patients in the country. https://sputniknews.com/20190516/nato-yugoslavia-cancer-death-1075054704.html https://sputniknews.com/20191031/not-so-clear-new-poll-shows-americans-forgetting-nato-bombings-of-yugoslavia-1077181712.html serbia yugoslavia Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 serbia, yugoslavia, us, nato, natos 1999 military intervention in yugoslavia https://sputniknews.com/20220113/tourism-and-shipping-industry-threaten-antarcticas-ecosystem-as-invasive-species-are-introduced-1092222294.html Tourism And Shipping Industry Threaten Antarcticas Ecosystem as Invasive Species Are Introduced Tourism And Shipping Industry Threaten Antarcticas Ecosystem as Invasive Species Are Introduced A report published by the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) has revealed that tourism, fishing, research and supply ships connecting Antarctica to ports around the globe have introduced invasive species to a continent which is home to 70% of the globes fresh water. 2022-01-13T01:33+0000 2022-01-13T01:33+0000 2022-01-13T01:33+0000 tourism antarctica shipping invasive species /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/107869/93/1078699307_0:61:1200:736_1920x0_80_0_0_9ac6884e897d4d9d3a82f68cf11cd7b3.png In the report, conducted by PNAS, researchers confirm that the Southern Ocean, which supports unique biota and represents the only global marine region without any known biological invasions is having its biological barriers profoundly altered by climate change. That, in combination with an increase in shipping activity, threatens its current ecosystem, as invasive species find a new home among its waters.Previously, the five major ports connected to Antarctica, including Argentina, Chile, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand, had been monitored for biosecurity purposes. Between 2014 and 2018, however, researchers began looking at an additional 58 ports tied to the noteworthy continent. Now, reports of 1,581 ports are believed to be connected either directly or indirectly to Antarctica.Some invasive species which threaten the continents ecosystem include the European shore crab, barnacles, mussels, and various species of algae.For now, the tundra is protected by its extreme climate, but climate change is creating conditions in Antarctica that are increasingly livable for invasive species, according to Professor David C. Aldridge, from the Department of Zoology at the University of Cambridge.Researchers from the University of Cambridge found evidence from port call data and satellite images that show the ships in Antarctica mostly come from South America, northern Europe, and the western Pacific.While scientists are not requesting any specific regulations to be put in place regarding ships, additional biosecurity measures could be seen in the future at shipping ports. In addition, researchers warn tourists who wish to visit to make sure that no invasive organisms that could survive in the harsh ecosystem are transported to the continent on clothing or equipment. antarctica Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 Mary Manley https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e6/01/0b/1092187887_0:0:2048:2049_100x100_80_0_0_0c2cc4c84f89aff034cc55bb01fb6697.jpg Mary Manley https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e6/01/0b/1092187887_0:0:2048:2049_100x100_80_0_0_0c2cc4c84f89aff034cc55bb01fb6697.jpg News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Mary Manley https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e6/01/0b/1092187887_0:0:2048:2049_100x100_80_0_0_0c2cc4c84f89aff034cc55bb01fb6697.jpg tourism, antarctica, shipping, invasive species https://sputniknews.com/20220113/tplf-shell-seize-several-towns-outside-tigray-border-as-ethiopian-gov-pushes-peace-talks-1092221659.html TPLF Shell, Seize Several Towns Outside Tigray Border as Ethiopian Gov Pushes Peace Talks TPLF Shell, Seize Several Towns Outside Tigray Border as Ethiopian Gov Pushes Peace Talks The TPLF was reported as shelling and occupying several towns near the borders of Ethiopias northern Tigray state on Tuesday - the groups biggest offensive action in several weeks, since its last offensive was defeated. 2022-01-13T01:05+0000 2022-01-13T01:05+0000 2022-01-13T01:05+0000 ethiopia africa shelling occupied territory tplf (tigray people's liberation front) /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/0b/05/1090500588_0:0:3073:1728_1920x0_80_0_0_6577c4b66005bdeb975ab3872c7e113f.jpg Several towns were reportedly seized by the TPLF in recent days, including Almata, Wag, Waja, and Addi Arkay, following shelling by the TPLF, and the Afar town of Abala was also shelled, according to local media reports.According to the Awassa Guardian, dozens of civilians have been killed in the shelling.Several of the towns are hotly disputed between Tigray and Amhara, having been historically part of the Amhara region but were annexed into Tigray state after the TPLF seized power in 1991, when the state was almost doubled in size. More recently, the Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF) occupied those towns, including Almata and Waja, during its drive to push the TPLF out of Amhara and Afar last month.The TPLF sally is its first since Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmeds government declared the end of combat operations on December 23. Six months earlier, the TPLF had launched an invasion of Amhara and Afar and begun an all-out drive on the capital of Addis Ababa, far to the south. Only an all-out effort by the ENDF, including Abiy going to the front to direct military operations, managed to blunt the assault, and in mid-December the TPLFs pocket of territory outside Tigray collapsed.National Dialogue BeginsWhen combat operations were declared over last month, a National Dialogue Commission was formed to bridge differences and chart an inclusive way forward for national understanding and alignment, according to Abiys office, which was careful to distinguish between a national dialogue and negotiations with the TPLF, which was categorized as a terrorist organization by the Ethiopian parliament last May.Abiys government has also attempted to ease tensions in the country by giving amnesty to some jailed opposition figures, including senior leaders of the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF), Oromo Federalist Congress (OFC) and Balderals for Genuine Democracy."If there is a dialogue, of course we will be part of [it],'' said Balderals for Genuine Democracy founder Eskinder Nega, one of those freed on Orthodox Christmas. The country needs a national dialogue. Whether this will bear fruit, or whether this would be a trustworthy process, is another question."Despite maintaining a public position of neutrality and a desire for peace throughout the conflict, US and European diplomats secretly expressed their approval for the TPLF offensive in meetings reported on by Sputnik. Later, the New York Times made clear that Abiys government had fallen out of its once-favored position with Washington after making peace with Eritrea, a country designated as a pariah state by Washington for its refusal to cooperate with US foreign policy goals in the region.Speaking to reporters ahead of a January 10 phone call between Abiy and US President Joe Biden, a senior administration official described Eritrea, which is allied with Abiy against the TPLF, as playing an unhelpful role in the conflict.President Biden expressed concern that the ongoing hostilities, including recent air strikes, continue to cause civilian casualties and suffering, and he reaffirmed the US commitment to work alongside the African Union and regional partners to help Ethiopians peacefully resolve the conflict, the White House said in a readout of the call.Both leaders underscored the importance of the US-Ethiopia relationship, the potential to strengthen cooperation on a range of issues, and the need for concrete progress to resolve the conflict, it added.Unsolved Humanitarian Crisis Amid StalemateDespite the end of formal combat operations, ENDF drone strikes have reportedly continued inside Tigray, where the TPLF continues to refuse to acknowledge the legitimacy of Abiys government and insist on being treated on equal terms with the Ethiopian government, as if Tigray were a sovereign and independent country instead of a rebellious province.Over the weekend, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said it was suspending operations in Tigray in response to several airstrikes that reportedly hit refugee centers and killed civilians. However, Agence France-Presse noted the near-impossibility of independently verifying the claims, which have relied on TPLF media organs.A similar situation has happened in neighboring Yemen, where the same international bodies express their disgust at attacks launched on Saudi targets by the Houthis, but they do not condemn Saudi airstrikes on targets in Yemen, even when Saudi media admits they cause large numbers of casualties.Nonetheless, a massive humanitarian crisis exists because of the 13-month conflict. The UN estimates that more than 4 million people have been displaced, with more than 70,000 crossing the border into Sudan. The UN World Food Program estimates 9.4 million Ethiopians are in need of food assistance. ethiopia africa Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 Morgan Artyukhina https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/04/17/1082703728_0:0:800:800_100x100_80_0_0_0b6ce8daa7411284d60c8a0b6d84186d.jpg Morgan Artyukhina https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/04/17/1082703728_0:0:800:800_100x100_80_0_0_0b6ce8daa7411284d60c8a0b6d84186d.jpg News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Morgan Artyukhina https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/04/17/1082703728_0:0:800:800_100x100_80_0_0_0b6ce8daa7411284d60c8a0b6d84186d.jpg ethiopia, africa, shelling, occupied territory, tplf (tigray people's liberation front) The Virginia Harness Horse Association (VHHA), which introduced a new Sired Stakes program in mid-November, announced that the number of stallions standing in the state has risen from five, in 2021, to 12 this year as a direct result of the initiative. Snow King is one of 12 stallions that will stand in Virginia this year. (VEA Photo) The program, which starts with the 2022 breeding season for foals of 2023, will offer bonus payments for foals that meet qualifying times and dates as outlined in the rules at vhha.net. Both the stallion owner and breeder will receive $1,500, and if the mare and foal remain in Virginia for the entire foaling year, the mare owner will receive an additional $1,500. Sired Stake races will be run based on age, sex and gait as two and three-year-olds. Elimination races will feature a $6,000 purse and finals will go for $60,000. Sired foals are also eligible to compete in the Breeder's Fund races during the same years, which feature $8,000 elims and $80,000 finals. Four of the previous stallions remain active. Artzina, a pacer, stands in Pilgrim Knob, farthest southwest point in the state. He bankrolled $801,766 over his career from lucrative two-year-old wins in the Matron Stakes and New Jersey Sire Stakes. Trotter Gregory Pecs, a sire of 21 foals that have placed in Virginia Breeder's Fund races, stands at the Schlabach Farm in Tazewell. The other returnees, trotters Snow King and Secular, will be based in Nathalie at the farms of David Troyer and Cristy Yoder, respectively. Another trotting stallion, Glendening, will stand at the Stoltzfus Farm in nearby Charlotte Courthouse. A trio of stallions are based at Snow Hill Farm in Troy, located in Central Virginia. Trotter Shibboleth Hanover, who moved from Florida to stand in Virginia, has sired four Florida Breeder's stakes winners and four Florida Stallion Stakes winners. Trotter Kandy Korn is a past winner of the Maryland Standardbred Fund as both a two and three-year-old. Pacer Journeyman had 34 career wins, bankrolled $426,203 and took a mark of 1:50. The Double C/C Bar Ranch in Keysville will host two stallions, trotter Yankee Royalty and pacer Strong Player. The former moved from Delaware to stand in Virginia while the latter relocated from Ohio. The final two stallions will stand at farms in opposite directions. Trotter Winning Fireworks is a proven sire of 46 starters with earnings of $1,297,336 while pacer Mr Julian amassed $318,607 in his career and has a life mark of 1:48.4. They will stand at Willow Hill Equestrian in Orange and at the Black Diamond Farms in Hurley. Horsepeople are encouraged to book their mare's 2022 breeding to one of these 12 stallions. More details, contact information and pricing for each is available at vhha.net or by calling Debbie Warnick at 443-463-0917. The Sired Stakes program is geared to complement Association initiatives like Breeder's Fund Races, the Certified Residency program, and an expanded 2022 racing schedule at Shenandoah Downs, all in an effort to keep Standardbred racing in the Commonwealth moving forward. The Shenandoah Downs season, which has been five weeks in length, could expand to eight weeks in 2022, pending Virginia Racing Commission approval. The planned starting date is Friday, Sept. 16. (With files from Virginia Harness Horse Association) The Veterans Service Office of Scotts Bluff County has a public service announcement for veterans who served in Vietnam. As part of an initiative by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, they want to make these soldiers, marines, airmen and sailors aware of compensation they may be entitled to if they were exposed to Agent Orange. Agent Orange was a herbicide used by the U.S. military to destroy enemy crops and tree cover throughout Vietnam and neighboring countries during the 1960s and early 1970s. It wreaked havoc on communities in those countries, causing birth defects, cancers and genetic diseases for the affected populations. The VA department compiled a list of diseases it may have caused in exposed U.S. servicemen, including Hodgkins disease, Parkinsons disease, Type 2 diabetes and various types of cancer. A VA webpage said it presumes certain disabilities were caused by military service, so certain veterans are eligible for monetary compensation. Weve had a lot of veterans come in with some of these presumptive conditions and were just trying to get compensation for those conditions, Matt Meyers, who is taking over the role of the countys Veterans Service Officer, said. We want to reach out to the public and let our veterans know that if they are suffering from these conditions that they need to come in and see us. The monetary compensation offered would come straight from the VA department. Typically, the veteran would visit the VSO, provide their medical records and describe their service in Vietnam. Meyers said hed already helped some veterans get these benefits before, but that many might not be aware of the compensation available to them. When you start reading through some of these conditions (like) hypothyroidism or bladder cancer ... Ive only been in this office about a month and a half and Ive seen a lot of service members come in with these types of ailments. Aside from debilitating diseases, such ailments might have made veterans unemployable. Part of the goal for the compensation is to help them maintain a standard of living. Meyers first needs to determine their eligibility to help them. This is an especially difficult task with regards to Navy veterans. I have to figure out, between this time and this time, when the service member served, and if that carrier ever got within the 12 nautical miles of Vietnam. Its a lot of research. We read through logbooks for the ship to get lat(itude) and long(itude) and then thats how we pinpoint where the ship was at that location, Meyers said. A typical logbook for a single month at sea averages 65 pages. Even if the ship never approached Vietnam, sailors may have flown into the country to deliver or pick up supplies. Therefore, Meyers said its much easier to determine if members of the Air Force, Army or Marines are eligible for compensation. Its not just veterans who are eligible. If a veteran died from a presumptive condition, their spouse, children and parents can receive a monetary benefit called Dependency and Indemnity Compensation if they fit a certain list of criteria. These are viewable on the VA website. Meyers said the push to make people aware of the presumptive condition compensation was part of his duties, from one veteran to another. We truly care about these veterans and we truly care about their health and their ability to take care of themselves. If theres anything we can do to support a veteran, thats what John and I are here for. Submit Your News We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Go to form Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. (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. Submit Your News We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! 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Ireland Uruguay, Eastern Republic of Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of Viet Nam, Socialist Republic of Wallis and Futuna Islands Western Sahara Yemen Zambia, Republic of Zimbabwe CULLOWHEE James D. Hogan has been appointed assistant vice chancellor for engagement at Western Carolina University. The appointment, effective Jan. 1, follows a national search conducted by a campus committee chaired by Jamie Raynor, vice chancellor for advancement. As an alumnus of WCU and a scholar of higher education advancement and leadership best practices, James has the dedication, knowledge and energy needed for this brand-new position at a critical time for our alumni and friends, Raynor said. In a world where relationship-building through personalized engagement is critical to the success of an institution, James brings experience and ideas to the table for reaching our 80,000 alumni in new and meaningful ways. James is also a passionate Catamount, having volunteered on the Brinson Honors College Advisory Board over the years. I know he will make a significant impact at his alma mater, guiding the work within the Office of Engagement, including annual giving, online alumni communications and alumni engagement staff supervision. Before his appointment at WCU, Hogan served as the vice president for advancement at Mitchell Community College in Statesville. He also served in two positions at Davidson College, first as an annual fund gifts officer and then as a major gifts officer. Hogan began his professional career as a high school English teacher, serving at schools in South Carolina and North Carolina. It is an honor to be able to serve my alma mater in this role, and I couldnt be happier to be back home in Cullowhee, Hogan said. WCU plays a vital role in higher education today, and the universitys continued investment in students will be critical to their future successes. The Catamount family is the best in the world, and I am eager to work with Westerns alumni, friends and community to engage them more deeply in the mission of our university. Hogan earned his masters in educational leadership at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and his bachelors degree in secondary English education within the Brinson Honors College at Western Carolina. He also was a North Carolina Teaching Fellow at Western Carolina. A longtime resident of Statesville, he graduated from North Iredell High School and taught high school English in the Iredell-Statesville School system for four years. WASHINGTON (AP) With Roe v. Wade facing its strongest threat in decades, a new poll finds Democrats increasingly view protecting abortion rights as a high priority for the government. Thirteen percent of Democrats mentioned abortion or reproductive rights as one of the issues they want the federal government to address in 2022, according to a December poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. That's up from less than 1% of Democrats who named it as a priority for 2021 and 3% who listed it in 2020. Some other issues like the economy, COVID-19, health care and gun control ranked as higher priorities for Democrats in the poll, which allowed respondents to name up to five top issues. But the exponential rise in the percentage citing reproductive rights as a key concern suggests the issue is resonating with Democrats as the Supreme Court considers cases that could lead to dramatic restrictions on abortion access. "The public have lots of things that they want to see government addressing," said Jennifer Benz, deputy director of The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. "You ask this kind of question in a time of economic turmoil and in the time of a pandemic and all of these other things going on, we might not expect abortion to rise to the top." With a 6-3 conservative majority on the Supreme Court, Republicans see this as their best chance in years to overturn Roe v. Wade, the 1973 decision legalizing abortion throughout the United States. In December, the Supreme Court left in place a Texas law that bans most abortions in the state and signaled during arguments that they would uphold a Mississippi law that bans abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy. That decision will be made public in June. Keep scrolling to see where the Supreme Court's nine justices stand on abortion rights Calling the abortion polling numbers "stark," Benz noted that conventional wisdom holds that abortion is a motivating issue for Republicans and not for Democrats. Research from the 1980s and 1990s, Benz said, "regularly found that opponents of abortion had greater strength of attitudes and considered the issue important to them personally more than pro-choice people." That may be changing. Sam Lau, senior director for advocacy media at the Planned Parenthood Action Fund, believes more Americans are recognizing this moment as a crisis for abortion access. "I think what we have seen is absolutely an increase in awareness, an increase in urgency, an increase in the need to fight back," he said. "But I still actually think that huge swaths of this population still don't quite believe that the access to abortion and the 50-year precedent that is Roe v. Wade is really hanging in the balance." The court's 1973 decision, reaffirmed in the 1992 ruling in Planned Parenthood v. Casey, allows states to regulate but not ban abortion up to the point of fetal viability, at roughly 24 weeks. If Roe and Casey are overturned in June, abortion would soon become illegal or severely restricted in roughly half the states, according to the Guttmacher Institute, a research organization that supports abortion rights. That's just months ahead of midterm elections that are expected to be challenging for Democrats. Lau thinks people are starting to recognize they "simply cannot rely on the courts to protect our rights and our access to essential health care." "We are currently pushing for elected officials who are champions of sexual and reproductive health care to be bold and to go on offense and to pass proactive legislation to protect access to abortion," Lau said. "I think voters are going to go to the polls and want to vote for candidates who they can trust to protect their health care and their reproductive freedom." Polling shows relatively few Americans want to see Roe overturned. In 2020, AP VoteCast, a survey of the electorate, showed 69% of voters in the presidential election said the Supreme Court should leave the Roe v. Wade decision as is; just 29% said the court should overturn the decision. In general, AP-NORC polling shows a majority of the public favors abortion being legal in most or all cases. Still, Americans have nuanced attitudes on the issue, and many don't think that abortion should be possible after the first trimester or that women should be able to obtain a legal abortion for any reason. For 41-year-old Rachelle Dunn, who knew girls in high school and women in college and her adult life who have needed abortions, it's "just health care." "It's something that women I have known through my life have needed for different reasons," said Dunn, of Tarentum, Pennsylvania. "The government needs to step in because all of these laws are being written and passed, but none of them are for medical reasons." She's concerned about a domino effect from these Supreme Court cases, adding that she worries about how they will affect her two daughters' futures, as well as her son's. "It just seems like, if it's been affirmed, repeatedly, why are we still doing this?" Dunn said. The AP-NORC poll of 1,089 adults was conducted Dec. 2-7 using a sample drawn from NORC's probability-based AmeriSpeak Panel, which is designed to be representative of the U.S. population. The margin of sampling error for all respondents is plus or minus 4.1 percentage points. *** In late 2021 Sweden began receiving American Patriot air defense systems. In 2018 Sweden ordered four Patriot batteries and several hundred Patriot missiles, both the Pac-2 anti-aircraft version and the Pac-3 BMD (ballistic missile defense) version. Swedish Patriot crews have been training in the United States since 2018. Deliveries to Sweden are to be completed in 2022. Sweden has been buying American air defense systems since the 1950s but held off on buying Patriot because the main threat, the Soviet Union, dissolved in 1991. The Patriot purchase is the largest single foreign defense purchase Sweden has ever made. Sweden has also ordered fifteen UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters from the United States. Sweden will use these primarily for search and rescue, and medical evacuation at home, and on peacekeeping missions. Sweden has a local arms industry and has been placing more orders for Swedish weapons as it returns to Cold War era levels of heavily armed neutrality. Sweden has been neutral in military affairs for over 200 years and maintained that neutrality during the two World Wars and the Cold War. But now Sweden is becoming an unofficial member of NATO. Historically, the Swedes have often cooperated with NATO countries without any intention of joining the alliance. Sweden is willing to cooperate with NATO in resisting Russian aggression, but does not want to become a NATO member because that would entail the obligation to automatically go to the assistance of any other NATO member who has been attacked. Sweden prefers to maintain its neutrality, just like Switzerland has done for even longer than Sweden. Both Sweden and Switzerland established their current neutral status in the early 19th century, after the Napoleonic Wars (1803-15) ended. The Swiss had been actively neutral since the 16th century while Sweden was involved in wars until the Napoleonic Wars. Sweden and Switzerland adopted similar defense organizations, which consisted of a small peacetime force whose main task was to train conscripts for decades of service in the reserves. Now Swedish and NATO forces are increasingly training and operating together. This includes joint training with American marines since 2016. The latest exercise involved American marines and Swedish troops operating together to defend or take back one of the many small islands off the Swedish coast. Swedish senior military commanders are meeting with their American counterparts to discuss joint operations to deter Russian aggression that now extends from Ukraine to the Baltic Sea and coastal areas of NATO member Norway. Sweden has to decide how they will coordinate operations with neighbors and NATO in general if Russia attempts to grab more territory. East European NATO members, especially the three Baltic States (Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania), Poland, Denmark and Germany want to keep Russia from disrupting commerce in the Baltic, something the Soviets long threatened. Sweden leans towards doing all it can to curb the current round of Russian aggression, something the Swedes have dealt with for centuries. It began over a thousand years ago when Swedish Vikings traded and raided into what is now Russia via major Russian rivers like the Neva and Vistula, both of which allowed Viking longboats to travel deep into Russia. The earliest of these Nordic raiders were known as the Rus, who eventually became Russia because in the 800s they captured Kiev and used it as the center of a kingdom that came to include Kiev, portions of modern Belarus and Russia. This was the first Russian state and by the 1200s the locals were in charge although they maintained some Nordic words and customs for centuries after that. By the 1700s the Russians were strong enough to fight a series of wars for control of territories bordering the Baltic up until Sweden went neutral in 1815 and made it stick. The Swedes are not so sure the current Russian government is willing to respect Swedish neutrality and are preparing for the worst. While Sweden does not believe Russia is actively planning on invading Sweden, they believe Russians are serious about taking back the Baltic States, Belarus, Ukraine and Polish territory on the east bank of the Vistula River. This part of Poland currently borders the isolated Russian Kaliningrad territory, Lithuania, Belarus and Ukraine. This would involve bringing NATO into a major war and Sweden knows, and openly admits, which side it is on. By 2020 the Swedish parliament voted to increase defense spending 40 percent during the next five years. By 2025 annual defense spending will be $11 billion. This was the largest increase since the 1950s and repeats a reaction not seen since then, when Sweden realized that Russia was once more a major threat. For 2021 the defense spending was $5.6 billion. The increased spending enables the armed forces to grow from the current 55,000 full time personnel to 90,000 by 2030. Many army units disbanded after 1991 are being revived. New warships and combat aircraft, as well as new weapons for the ground forces are on order. Conscription is being expanded to increase the reserves and the number of troops that can be mobilized in an emergency. Even before the Cold War ended Sweden had begun dismantling its formidable World War II era armed forces. In 1990 Sweden had an active force of 63,000 troops, 75 percent of them conscripts getting their training before going into the reserves. That reserve force had over 700,000 troops. During the 1990s the armed forces had over 1,500 armored vehicles, even more artillery and mortars plus over 450 combat aircraft, over fifty warships, including twelve submarines, and well thought out and practiced plans to quickly mobilize and fight. Historically, these military preparations were fairly recent and first appeared in the early 1940s. Back then, alarmed at how ill-prepared they were for a German invasion after 1939, the Swedes negotiated a neutrality agreement with Germany in 1940. This included allowing German forces access to German-occupied Norway via Sweden and a steady supply of essential ores for German industry. Before World War II was over in 1945 Sweden had quietly built up a large army based on the Swiss model. This force began to shrink in the 1980s and in 2008 it was decided to go even further by freezing the defense budget at about five billion dollars a year through 2014. At the same time, it was decided to raise the readiness of its active-duty units for deployment overseas on peacekeeping missions. To accomplish this, the old self-defense forces were gradually disbanded. That meant the deactivation of several infantry and tank units so it could improve the readiness of the remaining 12,500 troops who were now eligible for peacekeeping operations overseas. The 2008 plan meant that some 30 percent of the infantry units were to be eliminated along with half the 150 German Leopard 2 tanks. With the Soviet Union gone Sweden did not see the need to have as many tanks on active duty. During the Cold War, the Swedes could mobilize up to a million troops. By 2008 this had been reduced to 330,000 and was to be reduced still more after 2008. Throughout the Cold War (1948-91) Sweden actively prepared for the possibility of an attack by Russia. That ended in 1991 with the collapse of the Soviet Union, but the threat returned starting in 2008 and has grown since then. All of this contributed to a fundamental shift in Swedish defense attitudes. After 2014, with Russia declaring the West a dangerous foe of Russia, most Swedes favored joining NATO. Even without NATO membership Sweden has entered into a growing number of military agreements with NATO members. There were some other reactions that were, literally, closer to home. In 2018 Sweden did something it had not done since 1961, it put together a brochure on dealing with a national emergency. The pamphlet was for distribution to all 4.7 million households. The brochure contained advice on what to do in the event of war, as in a Russian invasion. At the time there were some sharp political differences on the possibility of war, so the brochure also covered similar actions Swedes should take if the catastrophe was some aspect of the Climate Change threat or a massive hacker or terror attack. Since 2018 Russia has pushed aside all other potential catastrophes and focused attention on how to prepare for an old, before the Cold War ended in 1991, threat. That explains and justifies the sharp increase in defense spending and the return of conscription. Neighbors of Sweden have reacted in a similar fashion and concentrated on the Russian threat. The Baltic States have plenty of experience with being invaded and occupied by Russia and remind its citizens that the mutual defense treaty with the United States and all other NATO members will not keep the Russians out. NATO membership does not guarantee reinforcements quickly enough to keep the Russians out so the Baltic States organized their forces to delay the Russian advance and actively fight Russian troops for however long the occupation lasted. Denmark has always had a much smaller military (and population and GDP) than Sweden but even with NATO membership has been seeking ways to increase its security in the face of growing Russian aggression. Other Nordic nations (Finland and Norway) are also rearming and seeking allies to deal with the Russian threats. NATO is willing to do something it never did during the Cold War, welcome Finland and Sweden as members either officially or unofficially. Sweden is aware of all these threats the Baltic States publications discuss but for Sweden it has always been theoretical. Sweden has never been invaded and has not been involved in any wars since 1814. All of their neighbors have been invaded or dragged into a war. For NATO members and nations that regained their independence when the Soviet Union dissolved, the threat of invasion and occupation is a recent experience. Combined, all three Baltic States have barely two-thirds the population of Sweden and less than half the GDP per capita as well. Despite this the Baltic States have been energetically expanding their military capabilities, something the Swedes used to be a world leader at. Now Sweden is returning to its traditional doctrine of well-armed neutrality, but with less emphasis on neutrality. No one expected this after the Soviet Union dissolved in 1991. That marked the end of the Cold War, followed by the Soviet era armed forces shrinking to 20 percent of its 1991 size during the 1990s. Massive cuts to Swedish defense were based on a belief that the post-Soviet and democratic Russia would not return to its threatening ways employed during 70 years of communist and centuries of tsarist rule. To the dismay of many, including a lot of Russians, the Russian leadership did revert and are now threatening their neighbors. While current Russian forces are still a fifth the size of the 1991 forces, the Russians are seeking to modernize what they have and are acting like Russia was still a superpower. In that respect, the bad old days are back and the neighbors have to be prepared. A Bland County man is being held without bond on felony charges after police went to a residence last week in response to a shooting call and found suspected drugs. Jeffery William Dodson, 52, of Bland was arrested on Jan. 8 and charged with felony drug possession (two counts), possession of a gun with drugs, misdemeanor drug possession and reckless handling of a firearm. According to a criminal complaint, police were called to Dodsons 1244 Shewey Valley Road residence by a male claiming that Bobby was shooting inside the residence. Officers surrounded the residence and commanded the occupants to come outside. After several minutes with no response a male subject came out the back door with a assault style shotgun, Deputy B.J. Blevins wrote. Blevins said Dodson told them that Bobby was still inside the residence with a gun. Officers eventually entered the residence, but didnt find anyone or any tracks in the snow leading away from the residence, Blevins wrote. Police said they found evidence of three shotgun blasts in the residence, including one fired at a hoodie on a stool. Officers also reported finding suspected marijuana wax, a glass pipe and straws with suspected methamphetamine residue and suspected Suboxone pills. Being held with bond, Dodson has an April 27 preliminary hearing set in Bland County General District Court. Wytheville man facing DUI charge Josh Aaron Russell, 18, of Wytheville was arrested on Dec. 29, 2021, and charged with reckless driving and driving under the influence after Deputy B.J. Blevins responded to a call about a vehicle in the ditch on Little Creek Highway. According to Blevins criminal complaint, Russell seemed unsteady on his feet, had slurred speech and smelled of alcohol. Tested at the Sheriffs Office, his blood alcohol content was .15, nearly twice the legal driving limit, according to the complaint. Free on a $2,500 bond, Russell has a Feb. 23 trial date set in Bland County General District Court. S.C. soldier charged with DUI A 30-year-old South Carolina soldier was charged with DUI on Dec. 21, 2021, traffic stop on Interstate 77. Patrick D. Flannery Jr. has an April 16 trial date set on the misdemeanor charge placed by Trooper J.G. Carrico. In a criminal complaint, Carrico said he was working radar on I-77 when a he saw a northbound SUV run off the roadway and almost hit the guardrail. I followed the vehicle for approximately a mile and observed it travel off the right shoulder on several occasions, Carrico wrote. Following a traffic stop, Flannery told the officer he had not been drinking but was tired, Carrico wrote. The trooper said he smelled alcohol coming from the drivers window and noticed Flannerys eyes were bloodshot and his speech was slurred. Flannerys blood alcohol content was .24, according to the complaint. Active duty with the U.S. Army, Flannery, who has no criminal history, is free on a $1,000 bond while awaiting trial. Cowlitz County COVID-19 cases are rising higher than the previous record spike recorded in the fall, and rates are likely higher than reported, according to the county health department. Case counts have become less accurate over time as most people testing positive with an at-home test dont report the result and testing availability falls short of demand, according to a county health department report published Wednesday. Because of these two factors, our true case counts are probably higher, and possibly much higher, than listed, the report states. Cowlitz County recorded 84 new confirmed and 132 new probable cases Wednesday, bringing the total to 16,591 cases. The county had an average of 107 new cases per day the first week of January, according to the report. Thats more than four times higher than the weekly average of 26 new cases recorded at the same time last month. Cases began to rise in mid-December and the increase accelerated rapidly last week, the report states. Statewide case counts appear to be following a similar trend, though the statewide spike began earlier, according to the report. Cowlitz Countys new per capita case rate currently is about half the state rate. In late August, the countys weekly average peaked at about 634 cases per 100,000 people. The unofficial weekly average for Jan. 2 to Jan. 8 is 827 cases per 100,000 people. Cowlitz County cases are spiking in all age groups and regions. The spike is most pronounced in children 11 years old and younger which may be due at least in part to school testing protocols, according to the report. There are an estimated 940 active cases in the county, about 0.85% of the population, or 1 in 118 residents, according to the report. The true number likely is higher. COVID-19 cases are considered active for 10 days after symptoms begin or 10 days after a test if the person has no symptoms. The county has not recorded an increase in COVID-19 hospitalizations but the health department expects it is not far behind. We anticipate an increase in Cowlitz hospitalizations to follow our increase in cases, including an increase among higher-risk older age groups, the report states. PeaceHealth St. John Medical Center had 27 COVID-19 patients as of Wednesday morning. Statewide, hospitalizations have more than tripled since mid-December, bringing them to a level on-par with Cowlitz County. Both Washington and the county recorded about 17 new hospitalizations from Dec. 28 to Jan. 3. COVID-19 deaths have not increased in the state or county, however, they can lag behind a spike in cases by several weeks. The health department stated an increase in deaths is likely to follow the spike in cases. Cowlitz County recorded 15 COVID-19 deaths in November and 20 so far in December, according to the report. December figures are considered incomplete because of reporting lags. As of Wednesday, the county recorded 289 COVID-19 total deaths. The county continues to lag behind the state in vaccination rates. As of Monday, 59.2% of Cowlitz County residents had initiated vaccination and 53.9% were fully vaccinated. Statewide, 68.9% of residents had initiated vaccination and 63% were fully vaccinated. Concerned about COVID-19? Sign up now to get the most recent coronavirus headlines and other important local and national news sent to your email inbox daily. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. The Washington State Department of Labor and Industries is looking into a logger who was killed while working near Castle Rock on Monday. Labor and Industries spokeswoman Dina Lorraine said the logger worked for Brindle Technical Logging Inc., a small company registered out of Mossyrock, Washington. Lorraine said L&I has opened an inspection to determine what caused the employee's death. Brindle Logging manager Jerry Brindle confirmed Wednesday L&I was looking into the incident but declined to comment until the investigation was completed. The name of the person killed has not been released. The Daily News will continue to update this story as more information becomes available. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 3 Sad 19 Angry 1 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. A Japanese firefighter moonlighting as a gaming YouTuber had cold water poured on his career by public officials, who uncovered the secret side hustle by identifying his voice in the lucrative videos. An anonymous tip-off prompted Wakayama city in western Japan to launch an investigation into the 33-year-old's YouTube channel, which had around 15,000 subscribers. But because the firefighter never appeared on screen, a local official had to painstakingly comb through the clips for vocal clues to his identity, the city said. Looking for a smartphone? To check mobile finder click here. Also read: The man's salary was cut in punishment for contravening a law limiting public workers' engagement in commercial activities. Over a 10-month period he had uploaded more than 300 videos, typically showing him playing multi-player strategy games -- racking up around 1.15 million yen ($9,970) in advertising revenue. "We don't necessarily think it's a bad thing that he was a YouTuber," city official Hidetaka Amano told AFP on Wednesday. "But it's the fact he was profiting from ads, some of which could be inappropriate in nature." His actions, Amano said, had "betrayed the trust of residents in Wakayama". Fact-checkers urge YouTube to fight disinformation (AFP) 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". Christopher Ferraro. Credit: University of Florida The earliest known use of concrete is a floor that dates back to Galilee, circa 7000 BCE, still sound when unearthed in 2007. After thousands of years as the go-to building material, it might seem like science surely could come up with something better, perhaps a material that doesn't crack or crumble when used in columns or sidewalks. And science can, says University of Florida civil engineering researcher Christopher Ferraro. The problem is that many materials that are stronger or more durable than concrete don't provide clues that something is wrong. The cracks in concrete are a signal, Ferraro says, one that can save lives. "Concrete will show signs of distress. It'll start cracking and start spalling," says Ferraro, an assistant professor who directs the Concrete Materials Research Laboratory in UF's Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering. "It's a sign to pay attention, it's time for maintenance." Concrete made the news when the Champlain Towers South collapsed in Surfside, Florida, in June, with attention focused on the condition of the concrete and rebar construction, which was showing signs of wear. Concrete will stay in the news as the massive federal infrastructure spending plan takes shape, with much of the outlay going to structures that will be made of concrete. The climate crisis, too, focuses attention on concrete, which is a contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. Still, Ferraro says, the United States today has a pretty good track record compared to other industrializing countries. China, for instance, used as much concrete between 2011 and 2013 as the United States did in the whole 20th century. And while it's not likely that any other material will displace concrete any time soon, the science of concrete seeks to make the world's favorite building material stronger, more durable and more sustainable. Aging Well Ferraro points out that many of the failures that are attributed to concrete aren't because of concrete at all, but concrete's near-constant companion: steel. As a professional engineer and frequent expert witness on all matters concrete from New York to Florida, Ferraro says he has seen his share of concrete, and 95 percent of all repairs to reinforced concrete structures are due to degradation of the steel encased within. When steel corrodes, two things happen. First the iron turns into iron oxide. Then, the iron oxide expands, up to seven times its original measurement. The expansion pushes against the concrete, which results in spalling, or cracking. When you see cracks in reinforced concrete, Ferraro says, it's often attributed to the expanding steel underneath. "Concrete lasts a long time," Ferraro says. "What fails is the steel." Concrete and steel are used together to provide two kinds of strength. Concrete handles the compressive load, the weight of a structure. The steel takes care of the tensile load and allows for some flexibility. The combination of concrete and steel provide structural strength that's hard to beat. The ingredients in the recipe for concrete are among the most common raw materials on Earth, Ferraro says. Cement is made of limestone, sand and clay. Concrete is made of cement, plus sand and gravel and water. That makes cementPortland cement, in particulara key focus of research. In Ferraro's lab in the Engineering School of Sustainable Infrastructure and Environment, research focuses on nondestructive testing, uses of alternative binders and aggregates, infrastructure condition, and virtual testing and modeling of the concrete microstructure. Traditionally, Portland cement is combined with a pozzolan, a material that has binding properties when combined with water. One of the most effective and common pozzolans is fly ash, which is a byproduct of coal-burning power plants. Coal fly ash also has the added benefit of recapturing a waste product of burning coal. Instead of releasing fly ash into the air or landfilling it, it is used to make concrete, and the addition of fly ash makes concrete more durable. As coal burning decreases, however, alternatives to fly ash will be in demand. Credit: University of Florida Some alternative pozzolans are crushed recycled glass and different types of clay. Sugar bagasse, a waste product of sugar cane farming, also is being studied thanks to South Florida's large sugar cane crop. Ferraro is looking for alternative pozzolans that are structurally adequate, abundant, readily available and cost effective. "We know that Portland cement on its own is less durable without fly ash, so we are looking for substitutes," Ferraro says. Concrete is porous, and one thing fly ash does really well, Ferraro says, is protect the steel encased within the concrete from chlorides that seep through the concrete layer. Pylons of coastal bridges, for example, sit in a chloride-rich environment of salt water. "Fly ash gives us a long timeline on the initiation of corrosion and therefore extends the life cycle of the concrete," Ferraro says. A Salty Environment While structures in Florida are protected from the freeze/thaw cycles farther north, and Florida bridges are spared the application of salt for snow removal, Florida faces other challenges, Ferraro says. "We do have the world's biggest corrosion laboratory called the Florida Keys," Ferraro says. "So we do have to design our structures in a more robust manner for this high-chloride environment. And we do." But a salty, seaside environment does not automatically shorten a structure's life span. Ferraro inspected the Miami Marine Stadium after Hurricane Andrew in 1992 and was surprised by what he found. "I was amazed at how pristine the steel was, the rebar underneath the concrete," Ferraro says, plucking a sample from the stadium from the specimens that line his office window ledge. The stadium, he says, was solid before the hurricane hit. As a veteran of hundreds of structural inspections, Ferraro says he has seen poor construction practices that have scared him and poor maintenance practices that have been nerve-wracking. The condition of a structure, for the most part, is dependent on its age, how well it was constructed and how well it was maintained. Usually, he says, structures are constructed pretty well, so that leaves age and maintenance as the two main factors in structural performance. "Personally, I've seen a lot of concrete in Miami, and a lot of it's in really good shape," says Ferraro, who is working with another engineering professor to assess inspection reporting and building conditions in South Florida for the Florida Building Commission, a part of the Department of Business and Professional Regulation. Ferraro snags another sample off his window ledge and holds it next to the sample from the marine stadium. The rebar in the stadium sample is like chrome, gleaming. The other sample is rusty and brown. Pointing to the stadium sample, he says, "This is Portland cement, nothing special, no amazing admixtures, and it's literally sitting right on the water for as long as I've been alive. I was impressed with the wonderful nature of the concrete there. "So it's not necessarily the concrete," Ferraro says. "Concrete can last a very, very, very, very long time." Concrete can do a good job of protecting the steel rebar within, as in this sample from the Miami Marine Stadium, showing pristine rebar encased in the concrete despite the stadiums long-term exposure to salt water. Credit: University of Florida Materials and Meteorites As fly ash sources diminish and the Earth's supply of materials to make cement dwindles, other sources of those minerals and metals are being investigated. "There have been talks about how to harness a meteorite or asteroid to grab the minerals from within," Ferraro says. "We're a ways from it, but part of my job is to look at science fiction and not make it science fiction anymore." Until we can grab a meteor and start extraterrestrial mining, we're stuck with finding ways to make the materials on Earth more sustainable and more durable. Concrete is a climate change issue because it is a point source producer of carbon dioxide. Limestone is a key component for Portland cement, and when limestone is heated in a kiln, up to 3000 F, the limestone decarbonates into calcium oxide and carbon dioxide. Both the fuel used to heat cement and the release of carbon dioxide are climate change issues. About 25 to 33 percent of all industrially produced CO 2 comes from the concrete industry, Ferraro says. That seems like a huge number until you consider that concrete is the number one building construction material in the world, not only each year, but historically since its invention. "It's still relatively green when you consider that we use as much as we have and have produced as little CO 2 as we have," Ferraro says. If Portland cement can be amended with other ingredients, the emissions can be reduced. "Every time we can reduce the amount of Portland cement that goes into a Portland cement concrete mixture, we can do that," Ferraro says. The United States is responsible for 2 percent to 4 percent of all Portland cement production worldwide, while China is responsible for about 55 percent. "The majority of all cement produced in the world happens in one place," says Ferraro, who also collaborates with colleagues in China, Canada, Colombia and elsewhere on sustainability research. "We all know we're going to have to become much more sustainable if this species is going to be able to persist on this planet," Ferraro says. "And a lot of us are working to make that happen." Infrastructure Backbone One thing that boosts the sustainability of concrete is its durability. Once a structure is built, generally it lasts a long time, Ferraro notes. That's one reason concrete is the backbone of the world's infrastructure, including the largest concrete structure in the world, the Three Gorges Dam in China. Concrete and steel are used together to provide two kinds of strength. Concrete handles the compressive load, the weight of a structure. The steel takes care of the tensile load and allows for some flexibility. Credit: University of Florida Closer to home, concrete and infrastructure get a report card every year. The infrastructure grades issued annually by the American Society of Civil Engineers sometimes paint a dim picture of the condition of U.S. infrastructure. The 2021 report card says: A water main breaks every two minutes 43 percent of roadways are in poor or mediocre condition 42 percent of bridges are at least 50 years old, and 7.5 percent are structurally deficient A boost in infrastructure spending, however, could change that, and concrete structuresroads, runways, sidewalks, bridges, levees, seawalls, dams, drainage systemswill mean more concrete. Although concrete is estimated to be responsible for 8 percent of global emissions, the structures built with concrete often last half a century or more. Ferraro says the U.S. compares better to other countries than the ASCE grades might indicate, with a few exceptions. China, Japan and much of Europe have embarked on a rebuilding boom that makes portions of those countries more modern than the U.S. One of the research thrusts for Ferraro's lab is testing concrete. How do you test something that could last 50 years and still retire on time? "There are a number of proxy tests that give us a good indication of the durability of the aggregates we use with concrete," Ferraro says. "But some tests can last two years, and you don't want to wait two years for results if you want to build a bridge next month. "We have to be able to do rapid testing to determine whether something will last for many years." Part of the lab's focus is inventing new tests"and arguing over the old tests"and giving them the highest scrutiny, Ferraro says. In addition to traditional computer modeling, Ferraro is checking the robustness of models that use artificial intelligence and working with colleagues to develop virtual computer modeling. The training datasets to develop reliable algorithms have to be very robust, but with concrete's long history, plenty of data are available. "AI takes data and kind of black boxes it for us," Ferraro says. "I think AI will have a key role in the next few years in helping us really define some of the microstructural aspects that maybe we haven't been able to look at in the same way. "We're starting to ask those kinds of questions," Ferraro says. New developments in materials, testing and sustainability can't come soon enough, and Ferraro says he and his colleagues stay busy. "A breakthrough would have huge impact," Ferraro says, "because there's so much concrete out there." Explore further Recycled concrete and CO from the air made into a new building material A person walks into the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd. (TSMC) headquarters in Hsinchu, Taiwan, on Oct. 20, 2021. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., the biggest contract manufacturer of processor chips, reported Thursday, Jan. 13, 2022, its quarterly profit rose 16.4% over a year earlier to $6 billion amid surging demand for chips for smartphones and other electronics.Credit: AP Photo/Chiang Ying-ying, File Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., the biggest contract manufacturer of processor chips, reported Thursday its quarterly profit rose 16.4% over a year earlier to $6 billion amid surging demand for chips for smartphones and other electronics. Revenue in the final three months of 2021 rose 21.2% to 438.2 billion New Taiwan dollars ($15.8 billion), TSMC announced. Profit was 166.2 billion New Taiwan dollars. TSMC, headquartered in Hsinchu, Taiwan, makes processor chips for major brands including Apple Inc. and Qualcomm Inc. Chipmakers have benefited from demand for next-generation telecoms, high-performance computing and chips for use in products from cars to medical devices. TSMC announced plans last year to invest $100 billion over the next three years in manufacturing and research and development. Most semiconductors used in smartphones, medical equipment, computers and other products are made in Taiwan, South Korea and China. TSMC announced plans in October to build its first chip factory in Japan. The company and Sony Corp. later said they would jointly invest $7 billion in the facility. Outside Taiwan, TSMC also operates a semiconductor wafer fabrication facility in Camas, Washington, and design centers in San Jose, California, and Austin, Texas. The company has announced plans for a second U.S. production site in Arizona as concern grows over American reliance on sources in Asia for high-tech components. Explore further Taiwan chipmaker TSMC says profit up 11.2% as demand rises 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. South Hills (15301) Today Overcast with showers at times. High around 75F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%.. Tonight Thunderstorms likely. Low 61F. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 90%. remaining of Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading. Part of the former College Station City Hall served its final service to the community this week as the College Station Fire Department ran training exercises through the two-story portion of the building on Texas Avenue. Were getting as much use as we possibly can out of this before its gone, CSFD Chief Richard Mann said on the second floor of the building in between training exercises. Over the course of three days, all 166 CSFD employees 147 of whom are in the field took part in the training. The training included responding to a smoke-filled office building and responding to mayday drills and also learning more about the construction of office buildings and the best ways to attack fires in different situations. CSFD Captain Stuart Marrs said if they understand how the buildings are constructed, what the inside of the walls and doors look like and what glass is used, they can better understand how it will burn and their best strategy when responding. While smoke was used to simulate a fire call on the first floor, the second floor was used to practice gaining access to rooms, breaking glass tempered and standard and making exits if their entry became blocked. One thing that was not used anywhere in the training was live fire. Live fire training, Marrs said, is something the department does through the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service where it can be done in a controlled setting in spaces created to practice live fire drills. Up here what were doing is practicing being disoriented and then finding yourself again or going and looking for a disoriented and lost firefighter, he said. With limited visibility, thanks to stage smoke pumped into the building, and noise from fire alarms, firefighters air tanks and radios, Marrs said, a lot of the training is focused on teamwork. Theyve got to be able to communicate and move as a crew, stay together as a crew, reach their objective and then come back out, he said. Mann said the exercises allow the fire department to create tense scenarios in a controlled space. Standing in a hallway amid broken glass in between exercises, he said, Its easy to communicate like this, but then you set the alarm system off, which its going off when we come into a building on fire, thats just overwhelmingly loud because its intended to be, and youre trying to communicate on the radio; then when you come across a downed firefighter, theyve got an alarm on their pack thats going off as well; so youve got that, the radio, the alarm system, and all of that creates a lot of confusion. One of the specific training scenarios Wednesday afternoon was a mayday call. CSFD Battalion Chief Kevin Simmons said it is not a scenario all firefighters have encountered, but it is one where they need to know what to do to make life-saving decisions, saying those calls can be highly emotional. We live together, we train together, we work together on a daily basis, and so if something happens to one of our crew members, it does, it affects us hugely, he said. With each scenario, Simmons said, each participant learns something different and gains insight on ways to improve. Everyones taking away something from this training, each scenario; each shift, each crew member, theyre taking something away, he said. And when they go back to the stations, talk about this, theyll think about it, the next incident they run, some of the difficulties they may have with this scenario and this training evolution, theyll be able to put in their back pocket and use for the future. So the hope is that theyre able to pass that along and have discussions at the station. As battalion chief, he said, it is important for him to see the firefighters at work, saying it is the first time some have gone through simulations in a big office building like the former City Hall. Being able to use this building in this fashion is a really big deal for us because we dont get this all the time, he said. Its still furnished, and theres lots of debris and things like that around that you may encounter in a real incident. In addition to running through the training in their current rank, Marrs said, each person experienced a scenario in the rank above them. Captains became battalion chiefs, drivers became captains, and firefighters became driver engineers for some scenarios. This old buildings been serving the community for a long time, and this is the last opportunity it has to serve the community by training our firefighters before it starts coming down, Mann said. The demolition process on the building will begin with abatement work inside before it is torn down later this year. Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Ross Ramsey is executive editor and co-founder of The Texas Tribune, a member-supported, nonpartisan newsroom informing and engaging Texans on state politics and policy. Contact him at rramsey@texastribune.org. Gov.-elect Glenn Youngkin has tapped Bryan Slater, a former Cabinet official under Gov. Jim Gilmore 20 years ago, as the new secretary of labor to fix problems at the Virginia Employment Commission and help recruit and train workers for important industries. Slater is the incoming governors choice to replace Megan Healy, who has served in the job since it was created on July 1. Previously, Healy had served as chief workforce adviser to Gov. Ralph Northam. Slater served as secretary of administration under Gilmore, a Republican who left office in 2001, and most recently, in assistant secretary roles for labor and transportation under President Donald Trump. He also served as a White House liaison at the Department of Labor under President George W. Bush. Workforce development will play a crucial part of jumpstarting our economy in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, and 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 in Virginia, Youngkin said in remarks that repeated political themes from his gubernatorial campaign. The governor-elect made clear that Slaters first job will be fixing the Virginia Employment Commission and delivering results for the commonwealth. The VEC has been under siege since the beginning of the pandemic, when more than 400,000 Virginians suddenly lost their jobs and the agency was deluged with nearly 2 million requests for unemployment assistance. A state legislative audit found the agency, which relies on employer payroll taxes instead of general taxes to pay for benefits and operations, unprepared for the pandemic and inadequately staffed to help unemployed Virginians get timely aid, or even answer their telephone calls. Five unemployed women, represented by three legal aid organizations and two private law firms, sued in U.S. District Court in April to require the agency to provide timely assistance, including resolving disputes over eligibility and promptly paying benefits. Richmond-based U.S. District Judge Henry Hudson, who had actively monitored implementation of a court settlement reached last May, formally dismissed the lawsuit on Wednesday after finding that the disputed issues have been substantially resolved. The order, submitted jointly by the advocates and the VEC on Tuesday, says the court has been encouraged and satisfied with the changes made and actions taken during the long dispute it mediated. It also commended the agency for significant progress in improving service as well as advocates for building public awareness of the problems still faced by many Virginians. The VEC is pleased that the case has been dismissed, spokeswoman Joyce Fogg said. We have made an enormous amount of progress over the past two years addressing the unprecedented economic impact from the pandemic. We remain committed to serving our customers and very much appreciate the herculean efforts of our employees during this period. *** On the afternoon of Jan. 5, Youngkin named Margaret Lyn McDermid, former chief information officer and head of information technology for the Federal Reserve, as his secretary of administration. Before her work at the Fed from 2013 to 2020, McDermid worked for Dominion for more than 30 years, becoming a senior vice president and chief information officer. Lyn will play a pivotal role in making Virginias government work for the people, Youngkin said. Her vast experience will allow us to hit the ground running on Day One as we seek to revamp our cybersecurity system to keep pace with growing security risks; root out waste, fraud, and abuse; and fix the Department of Motor Vehicles and Virginia Employment Commission. Rick Holcomb, who has served for 19 years in two stints as DMV commissioner under five governors, is stepping down Jan. 14, the day before Youngkin takes office. Holcomb has come under fire from Republicans and some Democrats for presiding over the long closure of DMV offices to walk-in service during the pandemic. DMV closed its 75 offices across Virginia when the pandemic struck in March 2020, and reopened them two months later by appointment only. Pushed by the General Assembly, Holcomb reopened the offices to walk-in service in early October, but only for three days a week, while reserving three other days for appointments that he said were more popular with customers than the old cattle-call system of service. McDermid has served as chair of the board of directors of the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond, chair of the board of trustees of Mary Baldwin College and chair of the board of the Greater Richmond Technology Council. She is currently chair of the ChildFund International Board. McDermid received a B.A. from Mary Baldwin College and an MBA from the University of Richmond. mmartz@timesdispatch.com (804) 649-6964 Staff writer Andrew Cain contributed to this report. If there is an overarching theme when talking policy with Kirk Penner, its that local knows best. Penner, an Aurora businessman, was appointed in December by Gov. Pete Ricketts to serve as Nebraska State Board of Education member representing District 5, serving the remainder of Patricia Timms tenure following her retirement in October. Nebraska State Board of Education District 5 includes the counties of York, Hamilton, Polk, Butler, Saunders, Seward, Clay, Fillmore, Saline, Franklin, Webster, Nuckolls, Thayer, Jefferson, Gage, Pawnee, Richardson and part of Lancaster County. Penner, who will be up for election this year when Timms term would have expired, said he so believes in local control of school districts he is not completely opposed to the ballot initiative petition circulating, which aims to dismantle the elected state school board and replace it with an education office answering directly to the governor. I dont completely oppose it. I think theres a mix that we can do, so I want to look more into that, Penner said. Much of Penners platform has been hinged on the hotly contested proposed state Health Education Standards, which were introduced by the Nebraska Department of Education for consideration last spring. In early September the board tabled the proposed standards. I dont think they reflected Nebraska values, Penner said. When we vote for a governor in this state, like Mr. Ricketts or (former Gov. Dave) Heineman, theyre going to be pretty conservative or moderate. My argument would be its a lot easier to get rid of a governor in four years, if he tries to pull something like the health standards that came down, as opposed to trying to replace eight State Board of Education members. This is not Penners first foray into politics. In 2018 he unsuccessfully ran to unseat Nebraska Third Congressional District Rep. Adrian Smith. He also served on Aurora Public School Board for 16 years. Penner hypothetically applied a health education standards scenario to his role on APS board. If I would have brought those state standards to my local school board, even as recommended, every school board member in Aurora would have been voted out. The superintendent would have been fired. I may have to move because they are so outrageous and what they were doing. So instead of the State Board of Education telling us what to do we need the local school boards to tell us what to do. Theres more accountability in local control. Its not that state-level officials havent heard local concerns, Penner said. I think the State Board of Education and the NDE do listen to what were saying but not all the time. I think, specifically concerning the health standards, that they were not listening. Education (system) is not 100% bad. Its just why do we need to have them telling us what to do? They need to stick in their lane, which is accreditation. School districts are not bound by health education guidelines. Ultimately, local school districts control what is covered with health education, unlike math, English/language arts and science which are assessed by the state. If a local school district wants to expand on (guidelines) and do more of what the State Board of Education was thinking, then they have every right to do it. But theyre going to be held accountable from local patrons. That accountability should come with civilized discourse, Penner said, referencing alleged threats made to several school administrators in Nebraska over mask mandates. You dont have to hate each other just because you disagree on an issue or two thats where weve lost the discussion. Its something that we need to bring back to the table, said Penner, who personally opposes mask mandates. I have respect for every one of those state school board members that are on the board with me. That doesnt mean I have to agree with them, and compromise doesnt mean Kirk agrees with the seven. But it doesnt mean that the seven agree with Kirk you just have to be able to have discussion. Discussion must include the voices of patrons, Penner said. My ears are to the ground. I have plenty of people keeping me informed of whats going on. I appreciate the constituents that are calling me or sending me a letter in the mail, just keeping me informed of whats going on. Not every school district is alike, Penner said, including pertaining to the scrapped health education guidelines. Maybe in some school districts, it would be OK. But in a majority, it would be would not go over well because its just not in Nebraska. Penner said the focus is not sex ed alone. Theres more to this than just the health standards. I get that, I understand that. But really, in the end, its local control for me. Jessica Votipka is the education reporter at the Grand Island Independent. She can be reached at 308-381-5420. Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. To Mandee Lade, adjusting one of her new drivers schedule to accommodate his Army National Guard requirements was just doing (her) job. Bobby Higgins, the driver in question didnt see it that way, so much so that he nominated Lede for the Patriot Award, which honors supervisors for supporting Guard and Reserve members or their families. She went above and beyond, Higgins said. Lade is a driver recruiter for Chief Carriers in Grand Island. Higgins was all set for orientation and training to start his new job driving for Chief, when it was discovered he had Army National Guard commitments falling between the two weeks. Higgins, who lives nine hours away in Illinois, would have to be back home from Grand Island in time for National Guard duty. Lade said she offered to move his orientation and securement. He would have been through Guards, but he was adamant, no, I already made my commitment to you. Then I felt like it was my commitment to him to make sure that he got back for those things. We just made sure that he got back so we could get him out early on Friday. He came in on Friday and did his written and his physical test here. He was gone at 11:30 so he could drive nine hours home and be fully charged to go into to the Guards them that Saturday morning. Higgins appreciated Lades efforts so much he nominated her for the Patriot Award, which is awarded under the umbrella of Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve. It is given to individual supervisors like Lade. I got an invite to my calendar, and thats how I found out, Lade said. She received her certificate at a special presentation. Lade said she was surprised. (Higgins) definitely surprised me, for sure, for the small token that I did, and how it affected his life. I will be forever grateful to him. Lade said she understands the struggles military families can have. I come from a military background, too, she explained. My dad served in the Navy. Military or otherwise, Lade said treating her drivers with kindness and respect is something she strives for every day. I didnt really do anything different. Getting to know each and every driver is a passion of mine because it takes all different walks of life to become a truck driver. A lot of people think, Oh, theyre just truck drivers. Well, theyre not. They actually fill your shelves and there are long hours and fighting the traffic and everything. Literally, America is moved by truck. Jessica Votipka is the education reporter at the Grand Island Independent. She can be reached at 308-381-5420. Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. 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 Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol have rescued a kidnapping victim and arrested a suspect during an incident that occurred Wednesday night near Grand Island. Wednesday evening, NSP was alerted by law enforcement authorities in Indiana that a suspect and the kidnapping victim were believed to be traveling westbound in Nebraska. Troopers were able to locate the vehicle, a Chevrolet Silverado, as it was traveling westbound on Interstate 80. Troopers received information that a warrant had been issued for the drivers arrest, and that Indiana officials believed the driver to be armed with several firearms. At approximately 8:20 p.m. troopers with the NSP SWAT Team attempted to make contact with the vehicle at mile marker 314, near Grand Island. The suspect then drove through the median and began traveling eastbound. Troopers immediately performed a tactical vehicle intervention to bring the suspect vehicle to a stop. NSP SWAT then took the suspect into custody without further incident, and the female passenger was rescued. The female passenger reported that she had been handcuffed by the suspect during the drive from Indiana to Nebraska. Troopers also located numerous firearms inside the cab of the pickup. The suspect, William Brittingham, 52, of Demotte, Indiana, was arrested and lodged in Hall County Jail, awaiting extradition to Indiana. Homeland Security Investigators, the Lincoln/Lancaster County Narcotics Task Force, and the Omaha Police Department assisted in this operation. WASHINGTON (AP) Stewart Rhodes, the founder and leader of the far-right Oath Keepers militia group, has been arrested and charged with seditious conspiracy in the attack on the U.S. Capitol, authorities said Thursday. Ten other people also were charged with seditious conspiracy in connection with the attack on Jan. 6, 2021, when authorities said members of the extremist group came to Washington intent on stopping the certification of President Joe Biden's victory. These are the first charges of seditious conspiracy that the Justice Department has brought in connection with the attack led by supporters of former President Donald Trump. Rhodes, 56, of Granbury, Texas, and Edward Vallejo, 63, of Phoenix, Arizona, were arrested on Thursday. The others who were charged were already facing criminal charges related to the attack. Rhodes is the highest-ranking member of an extremist group to be arrested in the deadly siege. The arrest of Rhodes and the others is a serious escalation of the accusations against the thousands of rioters who stormed the Capitol. And the charges answer in part a growing chorus of Republicans who have publicly questioned the seriousness of the Jan. 6 insurrection, arguing that since no one had been charged yet with sedition or treason, it could not have been so violent. Rhodes did not enter the Capitol building on Jan. 6 but is accused of helping put into motion the violence that disrupted the certification of the vote. The Oath Keepers case is the largest conspiracy case federal authorities have brought so far over Jan. 6, when rioters stormed past police barriers and smashed windows, injuring dozens of officers and sending lawmakers running. The indictment against Rhodes alleges Oath Keepers formed two teams, or "stacks," that entered the Capitol. The first "stack" split up inside the building to separately go after the House and Senate. The second "stack" confronted officers inside the Capitol Rotunda, the indictment said. Outside Washington, the indictment alleges, the Oath Keepers had stationed two "quick reaction forces" that had guns "in support of their plot to stop the lawful transfer of power." Jonathan Moseley, an attorney representing Rhodes, said his client was arrested Thursday in Texas. "He has been subject to a lot of suspicion to why he wasn't indicted," so far in the Jan. 6 riot, Moseley said. "I don't know if this is in response to those discussions, but we do think it's unfortunate. It's an unusual situation." ___ Associated Press writers Jacques Billeaud, Nomaan Merchant, Eric Tucker, Michael Kunzelman and Lindsay Whitehurst contributed to this report. Doctors, hospitals and health insurers could refuse to participate or pay for procedures or medications based on religious, moral or ethical beliefs under a bill introduced in the Nebraska Legislature on Tuesday. LB963 was introduced by Sen. Dave Murman of Glenvil along with cosponsors Sens. Ray Aguilar of Grand Island, Mike Flood of Norfolk, Suzanne Geist of Lincoln, Steve Halloran of Hastings, Rita Sanders of Bellevue and Julie Slama of Sterling. Murman said the bill is aimed at not forcing practitioners to perform procedures they dont agree with. He mentioned abortion, sex-reassignment surgery and physician-assisted suicide as examples. The bill includes language specific to abortion, saying that a practitioner cant be assigned to participate in the procedure unless they consent in writing. Its all about religious freedom, he said. Its so a person can live out their faith in what they do and wont be compelled to go against their beliefs in what they do. Similar laws enshrining a right of conscience for health care providers exist in other states. The Medical Ethics and Diversity Act Murman is proposing looks similar to a law approved in Arkansas last year under the same name, and a clause in Ohios approved budget bill has similar aims. Danielle Conrad, director of the ACLU of Nebraska, called the bill breathtaking in scope, perhaps unprecedented in her initial assessment. There is absolutely no question that religious liberty and religious freedom is a deeply rooted, widely shared value in our community, in our country, in our law, she said. But this is not that. This legislation is much broader in scope. She said that current federal and state laws and constitutions protect religious freedom and that current law strikes the right balance. Upon first read, she said she sees this as tipping the scale. And it applies an individual right to businesses. This is a broad indication to utilize religion, ethics or morality as a license to discriminate, she said. She said its a particular concern for people who live in areas of the state that already have limited access to care, and mentioned family planning and care for transgender people as areas of concern. Murmans bill would apply broadly to medical professionals (including nurses, nursing home employees, pharmacists, medical researchers and psychologists), health care institutions (including hospitals, clinics, medical schools and nursing homes) and health care payers (including employers, health plans and insurance companies). Any person or entity that fits into those broad categories would have a right not to participate which includes performing, helping with, referring for, counseling for, admitting for the purpose of providing or pay for any service that violates the person or entitys conscience. In the case of hospitals and other businesses, conscience is defined as determined by reference to governing documents. That right of conscience is limited to objections to a particular health care service, according to the bill. And the bill says that it doesnt override requirements in federal law to provide emergency medical treatment to all patients. Other bills introduced Tuesday include: More requests for federal money. Lawmakers continue to file bills with ideas for how the state should spend $1.04 billion in federal COVID-19 relief money. Bills filed Tuesday included LB961 and LB962 from Sen. Tony Vargas of Omaha, which would direct funding to the University of Nebraska to increase research technology capacity at the National Counterterrorism Innovation, Technology, and Education Center and toward building a facility for the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Teaching, Research, and Inquiry-based Learning Center. Arbor Day. A bill from Sen. Eliot Bostar of Lincoln would change the day Arbor Day is observed in even years to coincide with election day. Gov. Pete Ricketts on Thursday unveiled an ambitious program of investments in Nebraska's future, including major development and protection of natural resources along with workforce development while targeting substantial additional tax relief phased in over the next five years. It was the final budget presentation of Ricketts' eight-year tenure as governor that will end next January and the spending changes were fueled by an infusion of federal pandemic recovery funding along with a healthy state budget surplus. A huge share of the budget, already dictated by major new local property tax reductions triggered by previous action taken by the governor and the Legislature, pumps approximately $2 billion of state revenue into property tax relief during the 2021-2023 biennium. The governor's proposals, presented to the Legislature in his final State of the State address to lawmakers, include fully funding a new $155 million state prison to replace the aging State Penitentiary in Lincoln, funding previously announced construction of a $500 million canal to secure the state's future supply of water flowing from the Lower Platte River in Colorado across the border into western Nebraska. The budget plan also allocates $200 million in funding, including federal pandemic relief assistance, to the adventurously named STAR WARS fund, adopting water resource recommendations proposed by a legislative study committee headed by Speaker of the Legislature Mike Hilgers of Lincoln. Those recommendations include proposed construction of a new 4,000-acre lake between Lincoln and Omaha. Also included in a litany of new appropriations and projects is $100 million for shovel-ready economic development projects and $90 million for community colleges to help spur high-skill workforce development. Ricketts includes a number of major tax reduction proposals in his ambitious package. His plan would reduce the top state individual income tax rate by 1%, cutting the levy from 6.84% to 5.84% phased in over the next five years, while "achieving corporate tax parity" by reducing the 7.25% corporate rate to match the personal rate. A reduction in the top individual income tax rate would impact more than 400,000 Nebraskans, he said. Building on previous legislative action to phase in an exemption of Social Security income from the state income tax, the governor proposed completing the exemption in five years instead of the currently scheduled 10-year period. Ricketts said his tax reduction proposals would "deliver an additional $612.8 million in tax relief to hard-working Nebraskans" by fiscal 2024-25. The governor's 25-minute address was delivered in a more traditional setting than the empty galleries that greeted him during the height of the pandemic. Ricketts arrived masked as he walked down the center aisle of the legislative chamber where he was greeted by senators, most of whom were unmasked. Ricketts removed his mask for the speech, then reattached it for his journey back down the aisle following his address. "Through the years, the guiding light of my administration has remained the same: to grow Nebraska," the governor said in delivering his final State of the State address to the Legislature. "And, despite weathering floods, fires and a global pandemic, we have done just that," he said. "I was elected on the promise that I would bring tax relief to our state," Ricketts said. "And given our current financial situation, we must deliver." Speaking of the COVID-19 pandemic that has dramatically impacted his final term as governor and demanded his focus, the governor said "we have kept moving forward." And in a swipe at the continuing controversy over masking and vaccination mandates, Ricketts said: "Nebraskans don't need to be mandated to do the right thing. They just do it. "Without lockdowns or mandates, businesses were able to stay open. "Parents were able to return to work, and their children were able to return to school. "Where authoritarian states are struggling, we are thriving," Ricketts said. The governor saluted Sen. Lou Ann Linehan of Elkhorn, chairwoman of the Legislature's Revenue Committee, for her leadership in "ushering in a historic level of tax relief relief that will deliver $2 billion to Nebraskans over the next two years." Ricketts hailed economic development initiatives that are underway from North Omaha to North Platte, recognizing a number of those local leaders who attended his address in the legislative chamber. The governor also expressed his ongoing anti-abortion commitment, suggesting that "Nebraska continues to serve as a beacon for life." "We must also recognize all the doctors, nurses and health care professionals whose stalwart selflessness and excellent care has helped us weather this pandemic," Ricketts said. They, he said, are "health care heroes." The governor pointed to his priorities for his final year of working with the Legislature and said they are "starting with tax relief." But Ricketts also stressed his belief that senators need to "fully fund the replacement of the Nebraska State Penitentiary." "Its walls are crumbling, and its infrastructure is aged beyond simple repair," Ricketts said. "For those wishing to pursue criminal justice reform, this should be a no-brainer." A modern new prison would "give our inmates a better quality of life," he said, and "allow us to offer enhanced services and programming to prepare these men for life after time served." Ricketts stressed that he is "not asking anyone to choose between supporting a modern State Penitentiary and pursuing policies that aim to reduce crime and recidivism," suggesting that "these solutions are not at odds and there is room for both." His request for more than $500 million to assist "areas that experienced negative economic impacts from COVID-19" includes assistance for economic development projects in North Omaha and funding for beef processing supply chain issues in North Platte, Ricketts said. Reach the writer at 402-473-7248 or dwalton@journalstar.com. On Twitter @LJSdon YORK Jordan Johnson Peterson, 37, of Rifle, Colo., is accused of running from a trooper with the Nebraska State Patrol just east of Henderson, while being in possession of methamphetamine and a concealed knife. Peterson is charged with three felonies, which include possession of a deadly weapon while in the commission of a felony, a Class 3 felony; operating a motor vehicle to avoid arrest, a Class 4 felony; possession of a controlled substance, a Class 4 felony; obstruction of a peace officer, a misdemeanor; and failure to comply with a lawful order, a misdemeanor. This week, he pleaded not guilty to all charges, during arraignment proceedings before Judge James Stecker, in York County District Court. According to court documents, the trooper allegedly saw Peterson speeding on Interstate 80 during very early morning hours. A traffic stop was initiated about a mile east of Henderson. During that traffic stop, according to court documents, the trooper said he could smell burned marijuana and Peterson indicated he hadnt smoke marijuana since the morning before. When the trooper asked Peterson to step out of the vehicle, the defendant refused and put the vehicle in gear. The trooper yelled for him to stop, which Peterson did for a brief moment before taking off again. A pursuit began. Peterson did eventually pull off Interstate 80 and stop at the Henderson Fuel Mart. The trooper alleges Peterson would not comply. Deputies with York and Hamilton Counties arrived, and Peterson was arrested. During a search of the vehicle, according to court documents, deputies found marijuana, paraphernalia and a concealed knife. It is also alleged Peterson was non-compliant when being searched at the county jail, during which deputies and corrections staff allegedly found methamphetamine and a methamphetamine pipe on his person. A jury trial has been set for late April. AMHERST University of Nebraska Regent Paul Kenney has filed for reelection to the Board of Regents-District 6. Kenney was first elected in 2016 and he currently serves as chairman of the board after serving as vice chairman in 2020. I am thrilled to officially file for reelection to the Board of Regents. I am honored to have been able to serve the people of District 6 during my first term and look forward to continuing to be a voice for hardworking Nebraskans on the Board of Regents, Kenney said. Ive worked to hold the line on budget increases and to keep tuition affordable but there is still work to be done to ensure the University of Nebraska system continues to serve Nebraskans and build a strong foundation for the future. Kenney said in a press release he filed with the backing of Gov. Pete Ricketts. U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer and U.S. Rep. Adrian Smith, all fellow Republicans. Kenney is an agri-businessman, farmer and rancher from the Amherst area. In 1982, he earned his degree in agricultural economics from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Kenneys farming operation is a homesteaded farm that has been passed down through his family for more than 100 years. He previously has served as chairman of KAAPA Ethanol, chairman of the Nebraska Ethanol Board and as a member of Ricketts Agricultural Advisory Committee. Kenney also has served on the Amherst School Board for 16 years, and formerly served as president of the Kearney Area Ag Producers Alliance. He is a member of the UNL Ag Alumni Board, an Amherst volunteer firefighter and a board member of the Kearney Area Chamber of Commerce. He and his wife Angie have four married sons and nine grandchildren. 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. As of Tuesday, just over 17% of U.S. children ages 5 to 11 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 omicrons 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 Universitys Feinberg School of Medicine. Its just amazing." Parents who hesitate are taking an enormous risk and continuing to fuel the pandemic, Murphy said. And, inflation jumped at its fastest pace in nearly 40 years last month, a 7% spike from a year earlier that is increasing household expenses, eating into wage gains and heaping pressure on President Joe Biden and the Federal Reserve to address what has become the biggest threat to the U.S. economy. Prices rose sharply in 2021 for cars, gas, food and furniture as part of a rapid recovery from the pandemic recession. Vast infusions of government aid and ultra-low interest rates helped spur demand for goods, while vaccinations gave people confidence to dine out and travel. As Americans ramped up spending, supply chains remained squeezed by shortages of workers and raw materials and this magnified price pressures. Irrigation to go solar for shelterbelt in Xinjiang's desert Xinhua) 09:02, January 13, 2022 URUMQI, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- The roadside shelter forest along a road crossing in Taklimakan, China's largest desert in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, will soon be irrigated using purely solar power, local authorities said. By March this year, 86 new photovoltaic power stations will go up along the 566-km road, replacing diesel engines as the power source for pumping irrigation water. The addition will bring the number of irrigation wells powered by solar to 98 along the desert road. It is estimated that after the power stations are in place, over 1,000 tonnes of diesel consumption and about 3,410 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions will be reduced every year. The road that opened to traffic in 1995 cuts the travel distance between regional capital Urumqi and Hotan Prefecture by 500 km. A 436-km shelterbelt along the road was constructed more than a decade ago to prevent the erosion of the road. (Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Liang Jun) TEHRAN, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- Iran's top human rights official on Thursday slammed the United States for failing to honor its promises to close down Guantanamo Bay detention camp, 20 years after the infamous prison was established in Cuba. "January 11 marked 20 years since the opening of Guantanamo Bay, the notorious US prison, (in) which detainees are held extra judicially. Promises were made to close the facility, but there are still expansion plans to be built this year," Kazem Gharibabadi, the Iranian Judiciary chief's deputy for international affairs and secretary of the country's High Council for Human Rights, said in a tweet. "There is no perspective on closing the facility. Even military spending bill entails provisions barring the use of funds to transfer detainees to other countries or into the US unless certain conditions are met," Gharibabadi noted. The 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 for its shutdown and U.S. reflection on the country's terrible human rights record. 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 on American soil. Over the past two decades, about 780 inmates were thrust into the cells of the U.S. military prison, where they were reportedly subjected to torture and other brutal treatment. Until now, 39 people 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. Between 2002 and 2021, nine detainees died in custody in Guantanamo, two from natural causes and seven reportedly from suicide. None of them had been charged or convicted of a crime. Security Check-Up Georgia To Provide Cybersecurity Check-Up Platform to All School Districts in State The Georgia Department of Education is giving every school district in the state a tool to analyze their infrastructure security and any needed improvements. Georgias Board of Education recently approved the state superintendents recommendation to contract with the Georgia Technology Authority to provide licensing for a nationally recognized cybersecurity platform to each school district. The department will spend $970,000 in federal funds for the licenses; school districts will not be responsible for any of the cost, according to a GaDOE news release. With the escalation in cybersecurity breaches around the world many of them in the education setting it is essential that our school districts have the tools to keep student information safe, Georgia State Schools Superintendent Richard Woods said. This platform will help safeguard student data throughout the state, without adding a cost burden at the school level. The cybersecurity platform will give districts the ability to view their technology infrastructure assets from an external perspective, exposing any vulnerabilities and providing recommendations for remediation in the process. It will also generate an industry-standard cybersecurity scorecard for each school district's technology ecosystem, GaDOE said, giving districts a detailed guide on where and how their infrastructure security needs to improve. Technology plays an essential role in our schools, GaDOE Chief Information Officer Keith Osburn said. Ensuring our educational technology leaders have the tools necessary to identify and then defend against would-be threats to each district's infrastructure that houses student data is mission-critical. For more information, visit the GaDOE website. The best bang for your buck! This option enables you to purchase online 24/7 access and receive the Sunday, Tuesday & Thursday print edition at no additional cost * Print edition only available in our carrier delivery area. Allow up to 72 hours for delivery of your print edition to begin. Print edition not available for Day Pass option. In Other Business Fannin County commissioners on Tuesday: Approved purchasing nitrile gloves for the countys volunteer fire departments using up to $400 in CARES Act funds. Accepted the Justice of the Peace Precinct 3 report of $2,462 in monies received for December 2021. Approved the county auditors report for December 2021. The county finished December with a surplus of $52,053.04 in funds. Discussed moving furniture into the courthouse and having county employees help to reduce costs. Hired Auctioneer Express to auction vehicles and equipment from all precincts and Emergency Management. Discussed a time capsule for the rededication of the Fannin County Courthouse when construction is complete. Further discussion is expected at next weeks meeting. Rescheduled a public hearing regarding a zoning change from agricultural to single-family district on Property ID# 83091 until 8:50 a.m. Feb. 15. CARBONDALE SIU officials say in-person learning will resume Tuesday as they continue to closely monitor COVID-19 positivity rates among students, faculty and staff. This week, almost 3,700 Salukis were tested on campus as part of SIU's plans to assess positivity rates heading into the start of the semester. In a email sent to the campus community Wednesday night, SIU Chancellor Austin Lane said of the 2,778 results available, 271 tested positive for an overall positivity rate of 9.8% 6% for employees and 10.1% for students. By comparison, the state positivity rate is 16.7% and Jackson Countys is 20.4%, Lane said. Last week, 3,456 Salukis were tested on campus; 154 results, or 4.5%, were positive, Lane said. In addition, 35 residential students out of 1,453 now in the residence halls are isolating on campus. "Our plan to ensure a safe return to campus from winter break is going well. As of (Wednesday), about 8,000 tests have been conducted on campus or reported from off campus since Jan. 1. I want to personally thank Salukis who are doing their part to protect our community and provide important data to inform our decisions," Lane said. After careful analysis of the data, SIU officials have determined the university will hold face-to-face classes "safely, with health and safety protocols in place," Lane said. Starting Tuesday, SIU will resume face-to-face instruction, with mask requirements in shared indoor spaces such as classrooms, lobbies and hallways. Testing continues Testing appointments are available from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Thursday. Next week, SIU will offer testing Tuesday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Wednesday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Thursday, 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. According to Lane, hourly employees must be tested on campus except for in some cases. If testing on campus would cause a significant inconvenience, SIU asks individuals to email pandemicinfo@siu.edu for instructions to upload an off-campus test result. At-home COVID test results will not be accepted. Lane also asks any students or staff members who recently tested positive for COVID-19 to upload that information to the Saluki Health Portal. "You will not be required to retest for 90 days after the positive result. When the 90 days expire, you will be placed back in the testing protocol (if not fully vaccinated) and required to test weekly," he said. Fully vaccinated employees and students must test one time. Lane said masks are available for students who need them. SIU anticipates its order of N95 masks will arrive this week. A booster clinic is also planned, he said. The clinic is planned for 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Jan. 19 and 20 at the Student Center Renaissance Room. People can sign up at siu.edu/coronavirus. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 3 Angry 1 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Veterans Honor Flight of Southern Illinois has announced it will return to Washington D.C. in the spring. The group's eighth flight will leave Marion June 7. Veterans Honor Flight of Southern Illinois offers free trips to Washington D.C. to local veterans to see the memorials built in their honor. Founded in 2016, the group has flown more than 520 veterans to Washington D.C. Starting in 2017, the group has run two flights per year with the exception of those flights rescheduled due to COVID-19. Flight 8, originally scheduled for June 2020, is the last flight rescheduled. Hope Patterson, a board member for VHFSI, said the group intends to add a second flight in fall 2022, but plans are not set. In September, Veterans Honor Flights seventh trip marked the return to flying after COVID-19. They adhered to strict safety protocols, and no cases of COVID-19 resulted among the 183 passengers who traveled. Veterans and guardians will be vaccinated, as will the staff, Patterson said. If masks are still required in June, they will be worn on the aircraft and buses, in airports and any other time the veterans are indoors. The group will also follow any other guidelines for safety from the national organization. Being outside gives them a little break from the masks, Patterson said. All veterans are encouraged to sign-up for a flight, and its easy to do. Go to www.veteranshonorflight.org and fill out an online application. Veterans are selected based on their dates of service, with those serving in World War II being selected first along with any terminally-ill veterans. We always want to encourage veterans to sign up and get in our system, so we are ready to fill our flights, Patterson said. Veterans Honor Flight of Southern Illinois currently has over 300 veterans on the waiting list for flights. Patterson said the group had planned to do three flights in 2020 that were cancelled, along with one of the 2021 flights. Most of the veterans waiting could have been served by the flights that were cancelled. The group currently is serving those who served in World War II, Korea, Vietnam and between the conflicts. Any veteran who has applied and is not selected to travel on flight 8 will have their application held for a future flight. The trip involves a full day of touring the nations capital with stops at the National World War II Memorial, Korean War Memorial, Vietnam War Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery, along with other locations. The trip is fully funded for veterans through donations. Each veteran travels with a guardian who assists the veteran during the day. Flight costs exceed $83,000 for the one-day trip. To support Veterans Honor Flight of Southern Illinois, make a donations at www.veteranshonorflight.org or at any Peoples National Bank or Banterra Bank facility in Southern Illinois. All donations are tax deductible. Additional donations may be made in association with sponsorships. For more information, visit www.veteranshonorflight.org. Our veterans are incredible. They are truly our heroes, Patterson said, adding that the trips are hard to put into words. They are such amazing trips. For the latest information, follow the group on Facebook or Instagram. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. As many as 15 gunshots were reported when the husband of Illinois state Sen. Kimberly Lightford exchanged gunfire last month with carjackers who sped off in the senators loaner Mercedes-Benz SUV, according to a police report. The four-page report from Broadview police provides additional details about the Dec. 21 carjacking of Lightford, the second highest-ranking state senator, and her husband, Eric McKennie, in the western suburb. No one was hurt in the exchange of gunfire, and three suspects remain at large. Broadview police responded to multiple calls for shots fired about 9:45 p.m. Dec. 21, and officers headed to the carjacking site in the 2000 block of South 20th Avenue, according to the report, obtained by the Tribune through an open-records request. Dispatchers alerted officers that 10 to 15 shots were reported, and Lightford was involved in the incident, the report states. Officers arrived on scene and took possession of McKennies Glock 27 .40-caliber pistol while they figured out what transpired, the report states. It also says McKennie showed the officers his valid firearm owners identification card and concealed carry license McKennie told one of the officers the following account of what happened: He, Lightford and a friend were in the senators Mercedes heading west on Roosevelt Road, then turned right onto 20th Avenue, where the crime occurred, to drop off the friend. While saying goodbye, a Dodge SUV pulled in front of the Mercedes. Three suspects approached the Mercedes with handguns, and McKennie told Lightford to run. McKennie tossed the car keys into the street and backed away from the Mercedes. Thats when the gunfire erupted. McKennie got a few feet away from the vehicle and stated that one subject began firing their weapon, to which McKennie responded by protecting himself and fired his weapon toward the subject, the report stated. McKennie ran south down 20th Avenue, after firing a few rounds and found cover next to a house, the report also stated, as the alleged carjackers fired more rounds at him. The report did not specify how many rounds each shooter fired. McKennie could not say if he hit any suspects or the vehicle, the report states. Lightford told officers her purse and phone were inside the Mercedes. An effort to track the phone was not successful. Comprehensive descriptions of the suspects werent available, though at least one was wearing a face mask, the report states. Police have said the suspects escaped in both the Mercedes and the vehicle they pulled up in. The senate majority leaders leased Mercedes was later found by police about two blocks south of the Eisenhower Expressway on Chicagos West Side, authorities have said. Broadview police went door to door and found Ring camera doorbells at multiple residences. Police found at least one resident who might have had some video footage, though the report doesnt say what it showed. Lightfords Mercedes was identified as being a loaner from the Westmont Mercedes Dealer. The report also shows the Mercedes had on her Senate-issued license plates. At an event two days later, Lightford, a Maywood Democrat who has been in the state legislature since 1998, said she didnt realize what a traumatic event could do in an adult. The carjacking occurred about 30 minutes after a Christmas event hosted by Broadview village officials took place close to the scene of the crime, Broadview police Chief Thomas Mills has said. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 1 Angry 0 Should we be happy? My thoughts toward this new year are filled with hope. Yes, I think we should be happy and look forward into the New Year in a joyful and vigorous way. I know the past year has brought much sadness and broken hearts to many homes. For two years we have been plagued with the potentially fatal COVID-19 virus. Weve had a new variant enter recently and it has spread rapidly throughout our country. Many deaths occurred last year from the COVID-19 virus. Still many more deaths predicted, especially with the unvaccinated. The hatred for each other shown by several politicians in the House of Representatives and Senate has never before been so prominent by both men and women therein. The New Year was brought in with record-high temperatures, and on Christmas day, in many places, temperatures hit record highs very abnormal. We are smoldering to death in poisonous air, and the wildfires still burn in the western part of our country. Trucks and automobile exhaustion is at high levels. Tornados have ravished our country and especially in Graves County, Kentucky. The attempted takeover of the United States Capitol, Jan. 6, 2021, was a crime committed by a group of misinformed radical people, who believed in the lies told by then-President Trump. We have seen some terrible crimes committed against people around the world and within our own country. Murder committed by police officers and others has been beyond comprehension. We have seen restricted air travel like never before, and many people could not get home for Christmas, the most cherished day of the year. Yes, it could be said that last year was a terrible year, and most would agree. Lets set aside all the bad happenings of last year and count our blessings which were many. Starting with COVID-19, weve seen some great headway made by scientists in curbing this disease and many lives were saved (although much remains to be done.) Most people celebrated Christmas at home even though they couldnt see all of their families due to the virus. Our government helped financially with the stimulus package when it was most needed. While many caught the virus, thank God many more didnt. Life is a jungle of trials and tribulations that man must acknowledge as he goes through Life. Learning about the past is preparing for the future. Mistakes were made with this virus, for human kind is not perfect, so let us all learn more about it for the betterment of our future. Speaking of life, the most important thing to remember is our Heavenly Father, to whom we owe everything, our very existence on earth and this great planet he made for us. God loves us all and his great care for us always exists. Prayer will bring peace to everyone. The New Year is now upon us. The prediction is that our greatest risk for the new year is the virus, superseding all others. Many believe that our democracy is in crisis, a frightening thought. A lot of things I dont know, but this I do know for sure, bring the Lord Jesus into your homes and lives in prayer. Taking all your problems to the Him in prayer, ask for his help and he will respond. Have a happy and successful New Year, whatever your goals are for 2022. May God bless and shine his light upon all of us. Thanks be to Him for all his blessings. Charles F. Burdick is a lifelong resident of Grand Tower. After graduating from high school, he joined the U.S. Navy and then went on to a 42-year Maritime career including 35 years as Master Pilot. He has been retired for 27 years and enjoys local history and writing poetry. Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 1 As a photographer, Williams has helped preserve the African American experience during the second half of the 20th century. The museum is located in Orangeburg. While its official opening was delayed by COVID-19, the museum attracted more than 9,000 visitors during its brief period of operation. The four other museums that received $50,000 grants included: The Mothers of Gynecology Monument in Montgomery, Alabama The Thiokol Memorial Project in Woodbine, Georgia The Fannie Lou Hamer Civil Rights Museum in Belzoni, Mississippi The Zora Neale Hurston National Museum of Fine Arts in Eatonville, Florida. The SPLC worked with members of the Congressional Black Caucus to identify five institutions that are central to advancing essential programming in the preservation of African American history. During a virtual awards program held Tuesday, U.S. House Majority Whip James Clyburn said he supported funding the Cecil Williams South Carolina Civil Rights Museum because he considers Williams a staunch chronicler of history. When I graduated high school back in 1957 and arrived on the campus of South Carolina State (College), I met Cecil Williams. Now, Cecil we all looked at a little bit strangely. He was always running around with cameras on his shoulders, mostly next door at Claflin University, Clyburn said. It wasnt long before Clyburn became involved in the struggle for justice and equality himself, meeting Williams for a second time in Atlanta, where he met other civil rights leaders such as John Lewis and Martin Luther King Jr. It was in October of 1960 that I went to Atlanta after having gone up to Raleigh, North Carolina in the spring of that year for what was the first meeting of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee. We met for the second time in October there in Atlanta, he said. Clyburn continued, When we got back to the campus, we decided that we were going to continue our activities there in Orangeburg. The one thing that was constant with all of our activities was Cecil Williams and his cameras. He recorded almost everything that we were doing regarding the civil rights activities not just there in Orangeburg, but wherever it was. Wherever there is something taking place, there was Cecil Williams taking pictures. Clyburn supported the grant to show appreciation for the museums mission, which Williams has said is to recognize and pay tribute to South Carolinians who engaged in historically significant events in the state, including during the civil rights movement. I just thought that when he undertook to pull together a museum there in Orangeburg, it was a mammoth undertaking. This was an opportunity to show my appreciation for all that he did to record in pictures what was going on. I want to thank the Southern Poverty Law Center for agreeing to support this museum, the congressman said. When people learn better, theyll do better, and thats what museums are all about: educating people so they can learn better. Williams thanked the SPLC and Clyburn for their support of his museum. I am certainly grateful to Congressman Clyburn and the Southern Poverty Law Center, especially since more than 25 years ago, I had the pleasure of contributing three pictures of three individuals who perished in the event known as the Orangeburg Massacre: students who were killed by highway patrolmen during an effort to integrate a bowling alley, Williams said. He said Clyburn has been lifetime guardian of Black history, as well as the country and the nations democracy. I am so proud that we here in South Carolina can call him our home boy, Williams said. He said the grant will be beneficial to his mission. This is the kind of assistance and funding that we need to help to sustain the history that I have gathered. Before the Cecil Williams South Carolina Civil Rights Museum in Orangeburg, the state of South Carolina did not have a single museum that really told our story, Williams said. He continued, This was something that must be done. It comes at the culmination of me working towards this goal for more than 30 years. Finally, I have again put together resources, and now I believe I have the largest collection of civil rights memorabilia, photographs and documents. Were also positioned to work with the other museums in this state to really, in a collective way, tell our story. Williams said the states African American history is not as widely known as it should be. We contributed so much to the American struggle for freedom and justice and equality and to bring this country into accepting all people, but our story has not been told, he said. Contact the writer: dgleaton@timesanddemocrat.com or 803-533-5534. Follow Good News with Gleaton on Twitter at @DionneTandD Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. The U.S. Department of Labor says it recovered $16,127 from a Cope cotton gin. The department claims Vallentines Gin Inc. owed the money for back wages and/or penalties, according to a Jan. 10 press release. An attempt to reach Vallentines Gin for comment was unsuccessful. The U.S. Department of Labor says it found eight out of 10 cotton gin employers it investigated in the Southeast violated the Fair Labor Standards Act, Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act, or provisions of the H-2A visa program. The departments Wage and Hour Division identified the violations between November 2019 and March 2021 in the Southeast. It recovered a total of $282,626 in back wages and $10,785 in liquidated damages for 620 workers. The division also assessed $152,539 in civil money penalties to 37 employers. The most common violations cited include: Failure to pay proper overtime and maintain accurate records as required by the FLSA. Failure to disclose actual terms and conditions and provide wage statements to workers. Failure to ensure housing safety and health and provide terms and conditions of occupancy as required by MSPA and the H-2A visa program. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Photo taken on Jan. 13, 2022 shows the damaged hotel near the site of a blast in Kabul, Afghanistan. A blast rocked Police District 4 in Kabul, Afghanistan on Thursday and caused no loss of life, police official Mawlawi Saad said. (Photo by Aria/Xinhua) KABUL, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- A blast rocked Police District 4 in Kabul, Afghanistan on Thursday and caused no loss of life, police official Mawlawi Saad said. The official said investigation has been initiated into the incident while providing no more details. In the meantime, eyewitness Hajji Mohammad Musa told Xinhua that the blast took place in Parwan-e-Si locality, smashing windowpanes of a wedding hall there and injuring two people. Police did not allow access for journalists to the site of the blast. An ambulance was seen in the area, according to locals, and the explosive device was planted in a vase alongside the road. This is the second blast in Kabul over the past two days. On Wednesday, a blast rocked Police District 9 of Kabul city, injuring two security personnel, according to an official. Local people stand at the site of a blast in Kabul, Afghanistan, Jan. 13, 2022. A blast rocked Police District 4 in Kabul, Afghanistan on Thursday and caused no loss of life, police official Mawlawi Saad said. (Photo by Aria/Xinhua) The Orangeburg County School District says it was not able to create take-home meals for students as the district temporarily goes to 100% virtual learning. Due to staffing shortages and the inability to access necessary, ready-to-eat food items and containers, we regret that to-go meals are not able to be prepared and distributed to students ahead of tomorrow and Fridays virtual learning and work days, the district said in an official statement released Wednesday. All district schools are going to virtual learning Thursday and Friday due to rising COVID cases. Both students and teachers will be at home. The students and staff are expected to return Jan. 18. The surge in COVID-19-related absences among our teaching, nursing and school food service employees this week has been particularly challenging, the statement said. Earlier this week, we transitioned several schools to a 100% virtual learning model and transitioned available nurses and school food service employees from those campuses to assist other schools in an effort to maintain in-person operations at as many school locations as possible. In its statement, the district noted COVID absences have continued to climb. More than 20% of employees in our school food service department are currently unable to work because they have tested positive for coronavirus, or are quarantined due to a potential exposure, according to the district. The continued impact of the pandemic on the food supply chain has resulted in food shortages. Our food supply vendors have done their very best to support our continued operations, but are struggling to keep up with the demand for disposable containers and ready-to-eat foods, the district said. The district said it has, made tremendous efforts to ensure comprehensive educational, social-emotional and nutritional services continued for our students and families throughout the pandemic. Recognizing the impact coronavirus has made on the lives of families in Orangeburg, our employees have worked tirelessly to provide the best possible support to children. The district noted transportation and school food service teams have worked together alongside others to provide students with regular meals during school closures. Also, through the generosity of community partners and our own employees who volunteered their time, we have conducted seven food distribution events and stuffed thousands of food items in backpacks to help combat food insecurity over the last year, the district said. Concerned about COVID-19? Sign up now to get the most recent coronavirus headlines and other important local and national news sent to your email inbox daily. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Just days before the South Carolina General Assembly appears ready to finish drawing new U.S. House districts, state Senators have been asked to consider an alternative that would make radical changes favorable to Democrats in the states seven congressional districts. South Carolina currently sends six Republicans and one Democrat to the U.S. House. This latest map would create two districts where majorities picked Joe Biden over Donald Trump in 2020, and a third in which Trump won by less than six percentage points. The Republican map is racially abhorrent and inconsistent with the law, the Constitution and morality, said Democratic Rep. Dick Harpootlian, who proposed the second map. He said his version is fair, equitable and creates districts that give more voters a chance to have representatives that match their beliefs The full South Carolina House approved its version of a U.S. House map on a 74-35 vote Wednesday mostly along party lines that would likely keep a lock on the status quo, with few changes other than shifting the coastal 1st District away from some of the Black voters who helped elect a Democrat there for a term. Those voters would find themselves in the 6th District, where a majority of minority voters has sent Rep. Jim Clyburn to Congress since 1993 That GOP plan prompted the strongest opposition from Democrats since redistricting work started. The Senate committee studying redistricting will now have two maps to consider when it meets on Thursday a proposal similar to the one before the full House as well as the new one released late Tuesday. They must meet the bipartisan goals passed last year of keeping like-minded communities together as they create districts of roughly equal population. South Carolina added about 500,000 people between 2010 and 2020 and that growth was lopsided along the coast, Interstate 85 and the region just south of Charlotte, North Carolina. The biggest changes in the maps proposed by Republicans would put more white voters into the 1st District, where first-term U.S. House member Nancy Mace represents people from Charleston to Hilton Head Island. The latest map released late Tuesday would shift the 4th District to put the city of Greenville, where all but three of the districts representatives have lived for the past 100 years, into the 3rd District. It would move Florence, which was paired with Myrtle Beach when lawmakers drew the newly added 7th District in 2010, into the 5th District, still anchored by Rock Hill. The latest maps 2nd District would still be anchored by Aiken and Lexington, but instead of extending into other areas around Columbia, it would reach north to Abbeville County, Union County and parts of Laurens County. That displeases 2nd District Rep. Joe Wilson, who posted his opposition on Twitter within hours, saying the other Senate plan has minimal line changes to benefit constituents with consistency. It was the first time Wilson has posted about the General Assemblys redistricting deliberations. Clyburns 6th District would remain drawn to elect a minority in the latest map, but instead of stretching from Columbia to Charleston, it would go southeast and southwest from Columbia to pick up significant rural minority populations. The 7th District would include Myrtle Beach and extend to areas well north of Charleston in Berkeley and Dorchester counties. The General Assembly approved maps for state House and Senate seats in December and have already been sued by civil rights groups over the House maps. Candidate filing for the new districts is set to start in mid-March, with primaries scheduled for June. Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 The winter storm a week ago that caused gridlock on Interstate 95 in Virginia is due a thorough assessment. Stranding motorists on one of Americas busiest roads from Monday into Tuesday is no small issue. The result could have been deadly. The situation is reminiscent of one in South Carolina during a hurricane evacuation more than two decades ago. The month was September. The year was 1999. The storm was Hurricane Floyd. The exercise was frustration. South Carolina was spared the wrath of that storm, but there was plenty of wrath to go around. The images are lasting: People standing around their cars in traffic that simply was not moving; angry comments to reporters and anyone who'd listen; a woman changing a youngster's diaper behind the door of a car stopped in the lanes of traffic on I-26; cars stalled along the roadside, out of gas from the long delay; the governor flying over in a helicopter before getting to Charleston to tell the media all was going smoothly with the evacuation. The mandatory evacuation ordered by then-Gov. Jim Hodges did not go smoothly -- and it didn't take the governor long after that to find out. Late in the day of the evacuation, back in Columbia, Hodges ordered the traffic flow out of Charleston to all lanes of the interstate, closing off eastbound traffic. For days afterward, despite his actions to ensure no slowdown in the return of coastal residents, Hodges took hit after hit from media, politicians and citizens. All the while, he and his lieutenants attempted to explain. Later he issued a formal apology. Beyond an apology, Hodges and state leaders took action to be sure evacuation procedures were updated and improved via a plan that is tested annually. Back in Virginia, the outgoing governor, Ralph Northam, and his administration probably would be wise to quit calling the response anything but a disaster. The situation as explained may have been largely unavoidable with the conditions, but dont try telling that to the thousands affected on I-95 and to those watching from around the country and world. This is 2022 and I-95 is a highway that is a priority for maintaining traffic flow. We all need to be clear that this was an incredibly unusual event," Northam said. The governor was referencing the lack of pretreating the interstate for snow because of the rain that proceeded it. And then came snow falling at a rate of more than 2 inches an hour, an amount that officials say is hard for equipment to handle, particularly in a state where major snowfall is not the same type of ongoing issue as in some places in the country. Unusual or not, the storm is a lesson for Virginia and other states. Emergency plans are no better than the ability to implement them. Virginias new governor would be wise to take a look at what happened a week ago on I-95 and determine how there will be no repeat. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 This subscription will allow existing subscribers of The World to access all of our online content, including the E-Editions area. NOTE: To claim your access to the site, you will need to enter the Last Name and First Name that is tied to your subscription in this format: SMITH, JOHN If you need help with exactly how your specific name needs be entered, please email us at admin@countrymedia.net or call us at 1-541 266 6047. (TBTCO) - Thi truong chung khoan Viet Nam co ban van giu nhip on inh trong quy au nam nay, tuy nhien, thi truong chiu ap luc ieu chinh kha manh ke tu cuoi thang 3 en nay do tac ong tu cac yeu to ngoai bien va cac vu viec sai pham mang tinh on le cua mot so ca nhan, to chuc. Theo cac chuyen gia, nhung tac ong en tam ly ngan han cua nha au tu la kho tranh khoi, nhung ay la co hoi e huong dong tien i ung huong, giup thi truong gan uc, khoi trong e phat trien ben vung. Editor's note: This story is part of the Lee Enterprises series "Grizzlies and Us." The project examines the many issues surrounding the uneasy coexistence of grizzly bears and humans in the Lower 48, which have come more into focus in recent years as the federally-protected animal pushes farther into human-occupied areas. The 10-part series, comprised of more than 20 stories, was produced by reporters and photojournalists across the Rocky Mountain West. For the first 20 years as a state wildlife biologist along the eastern front of the Beartooth Mountains, Shawn Stewart followed up on every report of a grizzly bear. I could not verify a grizzly bear on the Beartooth Face, he said. Stewart began working for the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife & Parks in 1976 a year after grizzlies were listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. At the time, it was estimated about 210 grizzlies occupied the 28,000 square miles of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. During the 19th century, the big bears had been eliminated from 98% of their historic range in the Lower 48 States. This included the Beartooth Face deep glacier-carved valleys and tundra-like mountaintops in south-central Montana that stretch from the Wyoming border about 85 miles northwest to Livingston. Based in the community of Red Lodge, in the foothills of the Beartooths, Stewarts tenure as a biologist for the past 45 years has spanned a unique arc of the grizzly bears recovery, from its listing as a threatened species to its return to a landscape after a 100-year absence. The first It wasnt until May 8, 1997 21 years after starting his job that Stewart finally saw his first grizzly bear west of Red Lodge. The bear, a 3-year-old male, had been shot and killed by a landowner after it attacked a horse. Im not saying it was the first bear ever in the area, but it was the first one I could document, and I spent a lot of time trying, he said. Within a week, another subadult was seen traveling in the nearby East Rosebud drainage. Over the course of the next month, grizzly bear tracks were confirmed in the upper West Fork Stillwater River and about 10 miles west of Red Lodge. After being absent for a century, the big bruins were back along the Beartooth Front and making their presence known. By 1998 the first grizzly bear killing of a sheep was documented along the Face in the Fishtail area. The 5-year-old male had been captured for a similar offense in Wyoming and was therefore euthanized. In 2004, a grizzly cub born in the Bad Canyon area, northeast of Nye, was the first confirmation of reproduction. Three years later, a 2-year-old male became the first bear captured near Red Lodge after it wandered into a subdivision south of town during the Thanksgiving holiday. Then in 2011 after 35 years on the job Stewart saw his first live grizzly bear in the wild. He was flying a survey, high up in the East Rosebud drainage, for bighorn sheep and mountain goats in mid-May when he saw the bear. It was practically to Granite Peak, Montanas highest mountain, he said. That was a monumental thing for me, Stewart said. I thought, You know, Ive been doing this for a lot of years, and thats the first one Ive ever seen. I wonder how long it will be until I see another one on the Beartooth Face. I believe it was within a week I was watching a female and a cub down on Line Creek. So it didnt take long to see the second one. Now Twenty-four years after Stewart saw his first grizzly bear along the Beartooth Face, the bruins are now a more common sight. Hes seen them while walking his dog near Red Lodge, which has a growing population of about 2,000 people the largest community along the Front. Residents have photographed bears wandering suburban streets, and livestock depredations by grizzlies occur annually on nearby ranches. With more bruins in nearby Yellowstone National Park, it was only a matter of time before they explored adjacent wildlands, including the Beartooth Mountains. As the Yellowstone ecosystem filled it seemed that bears spilled out of the park to the east first, into some of that Wyoming country and some of that good bear habitat on the east border of Yellowstone, then maybe a little bit more to the southeast, Stewart said. They were a little slower to get into the Beartooths, for whatever reason. Part of that is that the Beartooths themselves, those high alpine plateaus, are not really that great a grizzly habitat. There are bears there occasionally, but Ive often wondered if that large block of alpine habitat was somewhat of an impediment to their movement. Now on flights to count wildlife for FWP, Stewart sees half-a-dozen grizzlies a year. While hiking he spies their tracks in the mud and their hair caught on barbed wire fences. One Wyoming bear that was captured left its ear tag snagged on a Montana fence. You quickly realize that there is really no place in the Beartooths, and I mean this literally, where you have no likelihood of running into a bear, Stewart said. At some time, during the course of the year, or course of a couple three years, there are bears in every drainage. There is no place that I can say there are not going to be bears, because weve got observations practically every place now. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 The case of a Rock Springs man convicted of aggravated assault and battery will be remanded back to the states Third District Court after the state Supreme Court ruled that his trial included testimony that should have been left out. Charles Kincaid was sentenced to seven to 10 years in prison in November 2020, after a jury in Sweetwater County found him guilty. He is serving his sentence at the Wyoming Honor Conservation Camp in Newcastle, according to a state directory. Now, his conviction will be reversed and the case will be sent back for a new trial. A ruling from the Wyoming Supreme Court on Tuesday said that the victim in the case talked about a previous incident with Kincaid that had occurred in Park City, Utah about three months before the assault for which he was being tried. The justices say in their ruling that the district court abused its discretion by allowing the testimony, and that it may have prejudiced the jury against Kincaid. If an attorney wants to use evidence or testimony related to prior bad acts, they must file a notice with the court before trial. The Supreme Courts ruling states that during the trial, Kincaids lawyer argued that the victims counsel should have filed a notice if she was going to bring up the Park City incident. The court allowed the testimony, saying that it could help clarify other testimony the victim had given related to taking medication for past trauma. The Supreme Court concluded there is a reasonable probability that the trials outcome would have been more favorable to Kincaid without that testimony. Kincaid was initially arrested on attempted second-degree murder charges in February 2020, after the victim told police he had drawn a gun on both her and himself while drunk. Court documents stated he had emptied at least some of the bullets from the chamber of a revolver, and that the victim assumed he had at least one bullet loaded. Kincaid reportedly pulled the trigger twice while pointing the gun at his head, then once at her while she dialed 911, but the weapon did not fire. At trial, court documents state, the victim talked about a night at a hotel in Park City in November 2019, when security was called after seeing an intoxicated Kincaid with a firearm visible. Before police arrived, Kincaid reportedly threatened to tell the victims boss about information that may have showed her in a bad light, which he also did during the February incident. The victim then told police to take Kincaids guns and knife away, and slept on the floor of the locked bathroom, according to court filings. Following the incident, she reportedly sought psychiatric help. While the state argued that Kincaids defense had opened the door for the victim to talk about the incident in Park City, the Supreme Court found that her testimony was more specific than necessary to explain her medications. Follow city and crime reporter Ellen Gerst on Twitter at @ellengerst. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. SANAA, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- Fighter jets of the Saudi-led coalition forces struck a military camp controlled by the Houthi militia in Yemen's capital Sanaa early Thursday, the Houthi-run al-Masirah TV reported. The airstrikes hit al-Sawad camp in southern Sanaa, which is adjacent to a public hospital, according to the television. Meanwhile, the coalition said it targeted the transfer of weapons to the frontlines of Marib Province, calling on the Houthi militia to stop any such attempt, the Saudi-owned Al-Arabiya TV reported. On Monday, the Yemeni government army backed by the coalition announced the liberation of the southern province of Shabwa from the Houthi militia. The army said it is advancing to the southern districts of the neighboring province of Marib. In February last year, the Iran-backed Houthi militia began a major offensive against the Saudi-backed Yemeni government army to capture the oil-rich province of Marib in central Yemen. Editor's note: This story is part of the Lee Enterprises series "Grizzlies and Us." The project examines the many issues surrounding the uneasy coexistence of grizzly bears and humans in the Lower 48, which have come more into focus in recent years as the federally-protected animal pushes farther into human-occupied areas. The 10-part series, comprised of more than 20 stories, was produced by reporters and photojournalists across the Rocky Mountain West. It was an unusual sight, about eight years ago, when 17 grizzly bears grazed on wild caraway plants in a field not far from Malou Anderson-Ramirezs ranch home. When I was a child I only saw one grizzly bear my whole time being out with the sheep, she said. The increase in grizzly activity has prompted new technology that may rattle old ranching traditions. Since they were placed under federal Endangered Species Act protection in 1975, grizzly bears have been mostly a Yellowstone National Park feature in southwest Montana. That changed about 10 years ago, coinciding with when large die-offs of whitebark pine trees were being recorded. Blister rust and pine beetles were killing the long-lived trees that grow at high elevations. The trees seeds have long provided a high-protein food source for grizzly bears in the fall. Being an adaptable species, capable of dining on a variety of foods, the grizzlies sought out other sources of nourishment and started showing up in Tom Miner Basin. It was already pristine, perfect grizzly bear habitat, Anderson-Ramirez said. The basin is located about 30 miles south of Livingston at the base of the Gallatin Mountains and just north of Yellowstone National Park. Wild country surrounds the high meadows and grasslands Anderson-Ramirezs family has ranched since her grandparents bought property there in the 1950s. So many bears feeding in one place is unusual in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, with the exception of high elevation talus slopes where some grizzlies congregate to feed on cutworm moths. Kerry Gunther, Yellowstone National Parks lead bear biologist, said seeing a dozen bears on a rocky slope was the most unique grizzly interaction hes had in his 39 years working in the park. Seeing that many bears that close together with no conflicts, they had a hierarchy worked out, he said. Likewise, the bears feeding in Tom Miner Basin seemed willing to share and be close to each other when feeding, defying human conceptions of the animals as solitary and defensive when it comes to food sources. There are quite a few sows with cubs that live up here or come through here, Anderson-Ramirez said. Its just kind of a nice place to raise young. Thats something she can relate to, raising two daughters with her husband, Andres, on the family ranch. In describing herself, Anderson-Ramirez said she is a mother first and foremost, in addition to being a rancher, business owner and community supporter. I would say that its a gift to be able to be here and to raise children in such a wild place, she said. And its a good lesson in tolerance and understanding. We can learn a lot from the bears and other wildlife around the evolution of change and being able to be adaptable. For her family and the cattle they raise, that has meant traveling across the landscape in a consistent and predictable pattern so wildlife adapt to their rhythms. That may mean moving irrigation pipes at the same time on the same days, or keeping cows out of densely wooded coulees and draws in the fall when bears are seeking berries or other foods to fatten up before winter. It also requires removing attractants from the landscape, like salt or molasses blocks provided as livestock supplements. Anderson-Ramirezs sister started a range rider program to check on cattle and keep predators at bay. They also can quickly identify predator-killed livestock to document for reimbursement under the states livestock loss program, as well as remove the carcasses to ensure predators dont camp out at the site. Camera traps have taught them wildlife migratory paths through the area, as well as den sites, so they can alter where they graze livestock to avoid conflicts. Theres a humility that comes with living in places like this where one really has to understand when a feeling isnt quite right, she said. Ive learned to really follow my gut. When I dont have a good feeling about something I dont push the envelope. She compared it to a surfer assessing the ocean and deciding not to ride when conditions seem dangerous. TEAL tags Anderson-Ramirez is being proactive in another way, co-founding a technology company designed to help ranchers track cattle and monitor them from afar. Called TEAL which stands for Technology, Education, Agriculture and Landscape the goal is to create a cost-effective tracer for livestock. Using cellphone technology, ranchers could monitor cattle by receiving a signal if theres a mortality, or even if the cows heart rate increased rapidly during a confrontation with a predator. The tags could also be used for geo-fencing, creating invisible fences to contain cattle to certain allotments, somewhat similar to an invisible dog fence. Prototypes of the tags are still being tested, and it may be three years before they are ready to market at a projected cost of $5 to $15 each, she said. The end result is to have a simple tool for producers to use to better manage their livestock in wild places, Anderson-Ramirez said. Once developed, encouraging ranchers to try TEAL tags will be the next hurdle she will have to overcome. That could be a tough sell to a ranchers who have been stereotyped as self-reliant. We are a sentimental and loyal group of people that are nostalgic and sentimental to our old value systems, Anderson-Ramirez said. But with the regenerative movement and looking more at the importance of profitability on ranches and keeping large landscapes intact I think thats helping to change the language and the narrative around how important it is to diversify, to be open to change, to be adaptable. The important thing is honoring our struggle, everyones struggles, including the wildlife and the bears and the badgers and the people, she said. I really think thats what coexistence is for me. Just honoring the struggle that we all have as we try to live and conserve and protect these wild places. Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 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. Many people are struggling during this Covid-19 pandemic as prices increase, while many are Those with authority over others often become wolves because the people under their charge Happier but not better off Re: the Jan. 3 article US would be more happy with more people. In this article, Tyler Cowen argues that the U.S. would be better off with a higher population growth rate. I disagree. Maybe happier, but not better off. Cowen dismisses the argument that increased population is harmful to the environment by arguing that more people can find more solutions. But the obvious solution is that a smaller population could consume fewer resources and create less waste. He also gives the example of cities with declining populations not being as exciting. However, I suspect these cities are suffering the loss of a major employer, which resulted in both the declining population and lack of excitement. The population loss is an effect, not a cause. Im fine with migration, though I suspect the planets population is excessive. There is probably some optimum population where we have the advantages of scale, skill, specialization, etc. yet do not overburden the environment. We should strive for that. Harold Hallikainen East side Voter rights President Biden seems to have forgotten that voters elected him, and that Democrat voters will be needed to retain a Democrat presidency. He has misplaced his priorities, seemingly placing Build Back Better ahead of voter rights. I think what the president fails to get is that without voter rights, theres no hope for his agenda. As has been obvious since he took office and clear to everyone except him, Trump and his henchmen intend to subvert the voting process by gerrymandering, implementing voter-suppression policies and enacting voter-suppression laws, state by state, in order to regain and keep nationwide control. If this trumpian movement succeeds, there will be no Build Back Better, or climate control, or any of his agenda measures now on life support in Congress. Instead, I believe we will live in an autocracy ruled by a white, largely wealthy minority that wrongly professes to be a democracy. Jack Graef SaddleBrooke AZ Republicans, election integrity Re: the Jan. 9 article As lawmakers convene, election laws loom large. This article about all the election bills Arizona legislators want to pass shows how nearly laughable their focus is. They have already gotten rid of the Permanent Early Voter List. I think they want to make mail-in ballots almost impossible to use like requiring they be hand delivered. They continue to act as if they believe the Big Lie about the 2020 election being stolen. Has any journalist asked them on the record how they themselves managed to be re-elected in their own districts, sometimes by large margins in that stolen election? I would love to hear their convoluted logic as to how only part of a ballot was a sham. Gail Kamaras East side COVID state and federal mandates It appears the Supreme Court will view OSHAs vaccination requirement an overreach. At the state level, however, such a requirement would likely be permissible. But not allowing a federal vaccination mandate means shifting responsibility to states, which have demonstrated an unwillingness to seriously address COVID. Just today I heard on public radio that when the Arizona Legislature reconvenes, there will be no mask requirement and no social distancing requirement. The current variant of COVID is supposedly so contagious, the CDC is saying cloth masks dont cut it, that you need an N95-type mask. And the state/local level, where the Supreme Court is going to say the fight needs to take place, is the same place that drops masking and social distancing when omicron is surging. We truly are one very stupid species. Norman Patten Midtown Pandemic prolonged It is time for the unvaxxed, unmasked folks to accept responsibility for the prolonged nature of the COVID pandemic. Testing is not the answer, vaccination is the answer to end this miserable crisis. I am just sick and tired of the foolishness of some in this city, county, state and country. Andrew Walker Downtown Homelessness not always a choice Re: the Jan. 9 letter Ones opinion of homelessness. Contrary to the recent letter, homelessness is not often a matter of bad choices. It can be a fire, a flood, a business failure, an illness of the mind or body, loss of an important person in your life, a job or many other misfortunes. Instead of blaming the person, think there but for the grace of G-d go I and find ways to help the unfortunate people who have lost so much. Your efforts can aid the homeless, and you and our community will benefit. Dee-Dee Samet, Tucson Homeless Connect Midtown Reelect Sen. Mark Kelly I am a 78-year-old widow residing in your neighboring state of New Mexico. I am writing this letter in support of Sen. Mark Kellys reelection campaign because I believe its important for Americans everywhere to maintain those in the U.S. Senate who work hard for their constituents and the country. Mark Kelly has worked across the aisle to help put together the bipartisan infrastructure bill, which will benefit us all. He has had major input on water infrastructure, in particular, which greatly impacts those of us in arid states. His service on Senate committees impacting the environment and our natural resources is crucial to our health and prosperity. He stands firm on having strong border security as well. For all these reasons and for the personal integrity he has shown, I hope Arizonans will vote for Mark Kelly this November. Danielle Brown Albuquerque Install electric car chargers Electric car charging is working OK for my wife and me who are sunbirds, here in Tucson, escaping our home base in rural Wisconsin. Last year, we used Tesla superchargers and Blink slow chargers, but they were not nearly as convenient as plugging into the 220VAC NEMA-1450 outlet in our carport at home. This year, were plugging into a 110VAC outlet at our rental home, which is just fine since we dont drive much. We stopped by the supercharger last week and were surprised to find the place very busy, which leads me to suggest, here, that homeowners who are thinking about buying an electric car in the next couple years should consider installing a NEMA-1450 now. Electricians are going to be backlogged when everyone decides they want to charge at home with convenient, inexpensive electricity, rather than more expensive and less convenient options. The other issue to consider is the likelihood that copper will continue to increase in cost. I hope landlords are seeing this, too. Peter Truitt North side Subscribe to stay connected to Tucson. A subscription helps you access more of the local stories that keep you connected to the community. Bus drivers gather on a street during a protest in Tripoli, Lebanon, Jan. 13, 2022. Lebanese held on Thursday a nationwide protest against soaring prices and deteriorating living conditions caused by the long-term economic crisis. Drivers and citizens took to the streets in the capital Beirut, Tripoli, Khalde and other cities and towns, parking their cars in the middle of the streets and burning dust bins to blockade main roads. (Photo by Khaled Habashiti/Xinhua) BEIRUT, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- Lebanese held on Thursday a nationwide protest against soaring prices and deteriorating living conditions caused by the long-term economic crisis. Drivers and citizens took to the streets in the capital Beirut, Tripoli, Khalde and other cities and towns, parking their cars in the middle of the streets and burning dust bins to blockade main roads. Fadi Abou Chakra, spokesman for Lebanon's fuel stations union, told Xinhua that the collapse of the Lebanese currency has impacted every aspect of life in the country. "People can no longer afford their most basic needs, let alone to fill their cars with petrol which has increased in price following the hike in the price of U.S. dollar while people's salaries have remained the same," he said. Ali Bazzi, a taxi driver, said he can no longer afford fuel for his car but still cannot charge his clients more as they have already become too poor to take a taxi. Lebanon has been suffering from an unprecedented financial crisis amid shortage of U.S. dollars which has caused a collapse in the local currency, plunging over 78 percent of the population into poverty. The cabinet formed in last September has not met for three months, as political rivals have been differing on the issues of investigation into the 2020 Beirut port blast. The Lebanese pound, which was pegged to the U.S. dollar at a rate of 1,500 pounds per dollar until the crisis erupted in 2019, has collapsed and was trading on the parallel market on Thursday at about 31,500 pounds against one dollar. (220113) -- BEIRUT, Jan. 13, 2022 (Xinhua) -- Drivers block a road during a protest in Beirut, Lebanon, Jan. 13, 2022. Lebanese held on Thursday a nationwide protest against soaring prices and deteriorating living conditions caused by the long-term economic crisis. Drivers and citizens took to the streets in the capital Beirut, Tripoli, Khalde and other cities and towns, parking their cars in the middle of the streets and burning dust bins to blockade main roads. (Xinhua/Bilal Jawich) Truck drivers block the Tripoli-Beirut road during a protest at the entrance to Tripoli, Lebanon, Jan. 13, 2022. Lebanese held on Thursday a nationwide protest against soaring prices and deteriorating living conditions caused by the long-term economic crisis. Drivers and citizens took to the streets in the capital Beirut, Tripoli, Khalde and other cities and towns, parking their cars in the middle of the streets and burning dust bins to blockade main roads. (Photo by Khaled Habashiti/Xinhua) Truck drivers block the Tripoli-Beirut road during a protest at the entrance to Tripoli, Lebanon, Jan. 13, 2022. Lebanese held on Thursday a nationwide protest against soaring prices and deteriorating living conditions caused by the long-term economic crisis. Drivers and citizens took to the streets in the capital Beirut, Tripoli, Khalde and other cities and towns, parking their cars in the middle of the streets and burning dust bins to blockade main roads. (Photo by Khaled Habashiti/Xinhua) (220113) -- BEIRUT, Jan. 13, 2022 (Xinhua) -- Drivers block a road during a protest in Beirut, Lebanon, Jan. 13, 2022. Lebanese held on Thursday a nationwide protest against soaring prices and deteriorating living conditions caused by the long-term economic crisis. Drivers and citizens took to the streets in the capital Beirut, Tripoli, Khalde and other cities and towns, parking their cars in the middle of the streets and burning dust bins to blockade main roads. (Xinhua/Bilal Jawich) The Pima County Sheriff Department's second-in-command has filed a lawsuit in Tucson's federal court against Mercedes-Benz claiming that a malfunction of his SUV's self-closing door severed his thumb and has left him unable to fire a gun and perform basic tasks. Chief Deputy Richard Kastigar said he leased an $87,000 GLE 450 SUV from Mercedes-Benz of Tucson in September 2020. One of the vehicle features is a "soft close automatic door," according to the lawsuit filed last month. Kastigar and his wife returned home from a day of shopping Oct. 8, pulling the SUV into the garage. Kastigar's wife went into the house, as Kastigar got out of the vehicle with his back to it, the lawsuit said. As Kastigar had his "right thumb on the inside door column and his four fingers on the exterior frame of the driver's side door," the door's self-closing door shut on Kastigar's hand, the lawsuit said. "Without notice, he felt his right thumb getting crushed by the vehicle door. As this was happening, Mr. Kastigar turned his body to face the vehicle and could only witness in horror the last milliseconds when the (power-closing door) mechanism severed his thumb," the lawsuit said. "Mr. Kastigar witnessed the top portion of his thumb being sliced off, with blood spurting everywhere. In the blink of an eye, the upper half of Mr. Kastigar's (thumb) was entirely amputated." A doctor at St. Joseph's Hospital tried to reconstruct the top of Kastigar's thumb, but it was too late to restore it to its pre-injury condition, the lawsuit said. With his thumb left as "a shell of what it previously was, it is badly mangled, he has limited motor strength and his thumb exhibits a limited range of movement," the lawsuit says, adding that Kastigar is frequently unable to sleep, due to pain and emotional distress. "He experiences discomfort and pain in holding drinking glasses, taking showers and eating," the lawsuit said. "The discomforting sensations in his right thumb continually reminds him of the fact that his hand is not the same as it had been prior to the injury." Kastigar has been forced to rely on his nondominant hand to perform activities, but is still unable to perform the "most rudimentary and mundane tasks," both personally and professionally, according to the lawsuit. A representative from Squire Patton Boggs LLP, the law firm representing Mercedes-Benz in the suit, did not respond to the Star's request for comment. Kastigar's lawyer Avi Cohen said in a letter of representation sent to Mercedes in November that Kastigar is unable to use a firearm, "which is essential in his role as a public safety peace officer." And Kastigar has lost or will continue to lose at least $500,000 in lost wages due to his injuries, it continues. "He also experiences nonstop pain so excruciating, stabbing, throbbing and aching, such that controlled-substance pain medication offers him little to no relief," according to the lawsuit. "A once proud and independent man who protects the public from harm now relies on his wife to assist him with going to the bathroom, showering, brushing his teeth, getting dressed and buttoning his shirt." Kastigar has needed extensive medical procedures and rehabilitation, including occupational therapy, pain management and surgery, according to Cohen's November letter. Kastigar, 66, began working as a deputy in 1979, retiring in January 2017, after Mark Napier defeated Chris Nanos in the 2016 general election. Nanos was reelected as sheriff in November 2020, appointing Kastigar to the position of chief deputy in January 2021. Contact Star reporter Caitlin Schmidt at 573-4191 or cschmidt@tucson.com. On Twitter: @caitlincschmidt Subscribe to stay connected to Tucson. A subscription helps you access more of the local stories that keep you connected to the community. Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. University of Arizona scientists have won $10 million in combined new federal defense and state funding to upgrade the schools hypersonic research labs, the UA announced Thursday. Researchers in the UA Department of Aerospace and Mechanical engineering were awarded $6.5 million in federal funding through the Department of Defenses Test Resource Management Center to hypersonic facilities including the UAs recently expanded wind tunnels. The Pentagon and defense contractors, including Tucson-based Raytheon Missiles & Defense, are working to quickly field hypersonic missiles which can fly at speeds over Mach 5, or five times the speed of sound to meet a threat posed by rapid hypersonic development programs by Russia and China. The researchers also received $3.5 million in funding from the state of Arizonas investment in the New Economy Initiative, a fund administered by the Arizona Board of Regents to support research and workforce development in fast-growing tech fields. The new funding positions the university as a leading educational institution in the hypersonics field, said Alex Craig, an assistant professor of aerospace and mechanical engineering and head of the UAs Boundary-Layer Stability and Transition Laboratory. Were moving our wind tunnel complex into a more capable realm that you typically dont see at universities, because its usually reserved for government facilities like NASA, Craig said in a news release. With these upgrades, well be able to provide impactful ground testing services to DOD and its contractors, NASA, and emerging private ventures supporting space and commercial travel, while still fulfilling our educational mission. Wind tunnels blast air at high speeds past fixed objects, helping researchers better understand how similarly shaped objects, such as aircraft and missiles, behave in flight. Raytheon uses wind-tunnel testing on nearly every product it designs but often faces programs delays due to a limited number of capable facilities and high demand across the industry, said Roy Donelson, executive director and product area director of Strategic Engagement Systems and Strategic Missile Defense at Raytheon. These upgrades will enable us to expand our relationship with UArizona to include not only accelerated product development, but also to grow the next generation of aerodynamicists through early, hands-on test experience, Donelson said. The UA has two hypersonic facilities and additional wind tunnels that allow testing up to wind speeds of Mach 5, and has spent more than $1.7 million on upgrades since 2019, supported by grants totaling more than $3 million last year from the research arms of the Army, Navy and Air Force, as well as from Raytheon. The new funding will pay for an array of improvements, including extending the operating range of the Arizona Supersonic Wind tunnel, part of the UAs Turbulence and Flow Control Laboratory, to Mach 5 from Mach 4, said UA associate professor and lab head Jesse Little. Little received a grant from the Defense Departments Minority-Serving Institution Program to extend the wind tunnel down to subsonic and transonic Mach 0.8 to Mach 1.2 conditions, enabling subsonic, transonic, supersonic and hypersonic testing and creating the Arizona Polysonic Wind Tunnel. The new funds also will help support the installation of a so-called quiet nozzle for the Mach 5 Ludwieg Tube Wind Tunnel in Craigs boundary-layer lab, eliminating excess noise to more closely imitate flight in the Earths atmosphere. Other upgrades include a fast-opening valve and automation system that will vastly increase the number of tests the Mach 5 tunnel can perform daily, and and a new system to increase air generation by a factor of 10 and storage capacity in a factor of three to support Mach 5 testing in the supersonic wind tunnel. 63 historical photos of the University of Arizona University of Arizona in history University of Arizona in history University of Arizona in history University of Arizona in history University of Arizona in history University of Arizona in history University of Arizona in history University of Arizona in history Robert F. Kennedy visit to Tucson University of Arizona in history University of Arizona in history University of Arizona in history University of Arizona in history UA athletic directors University of Arizona in history University of Arizona in history University of Arizona in history University of Arizona in history University of Arizona in history University of Arizona in history University of Arizona in history University of Arizona Homecoming University of Arizona in history University of Arizona in history UA Rush Week in 1968 University of Arizona in history University of Arizona in history University of Arizona in history University of Arizona in history University of Arizona in history University of Arizona in history University of Arizona in history 1997 NCAA Championship: Arizona vs. Kentucky Lute Olson University of Arizona in history University of Arizona homecoming University of Arizona Homecoming Stewart Udall Arizona State College Julian Bond at University of Arizona Kennedy-Johnson presidential campaign in 1960 Sonora Hall at University of Arizona University of Arizona Homecoming A-7D Corsair II jet fighter crash College World Series Arizona Wildcats win College World Series Steve Kerr Savannah Guthrie Snowball fight Anderson Chevron gas station Graduation UA Stadium 1965 in Tucson University of Arizona pitcher Taryne Mowatt Donald Trump in Tucson UA computing University of Arizona campus, 1959 UA commencement John Hancock Bowl Famous people who visited Tucson University of Arizona Homecoming Contact senior reporter David Wichner at dwichner@tucson.com or 520-573-4181. On Twitter: @dwichner. On Facebook: Facebook.com/DailyStarBiz Subscribe to stay connected to Tucson. A subscription helps you access more of the local stories that keep you connected to the community. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. A Tucson landlord was sentenced to 1 years in state prison for stalking Pima County Justice of the Peace Adam Watters in February last year. Fei Qin, 39, received the sentence recommended by the prosecution after a jury found him guilty of the felony charge in December. Qin's lawyer had asked that he be sentenced to probation. Prosecutor Bryan McIntyre, brought in from neighboring Cochise County to prosecute the case, said he hoped the sentence would give some solace to Watters and his family. "I'm pleased the judge imposed the sentence he did, that he recognized the gravity of the situation and the impact of the Watters family," McIntyre said in an interview after the Jan. 12 sentencing hearing. The Pima County jury that convicted Qin heard evidence the family was unnerved after several incidents in which garbage was left on their lawn in early February 2021. Around the same time, the judge's truck tires had been slashed twice in separate incidents while parked outside his house. Some of the trash left in the yard of the Watters home was mail addressed to tenants Qin has recently sought to evict in Watters' court, evidence showed. The case has drawn headlines because Watters videoed himself making profanity-laced threats to kill Qin before firing what he called a "warning shot" that landed inches from Qin's foot. Qin was unarmed at the time. Watters was cleared of criminal wrongdoing by the Pinal County Attorney's Office. Defense attorney Jeff Grynkewich did not immediately return a phone message seeking comment. Contact reporter Carol Ann Alaimo at 573-4138 or calaimo@tucson.com. On Twitter: @AZStarConsumer Subscribe to stay connected to Tucson. A subscription helps you access more of the local stories that keep you connected to the community. Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. JERUSALEM, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- Israel Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and Russian President Vladimir Putin held a phone conversation on Thursday to discuss regional issues. During the conversation, the two leaders vowed to continue "close cooperation," said a statement by the prime minister's office. The conversation came at the backdrop of talks being held in Austria's capital Vienna by world powers regarding a deal on the Iranian nuclear program. Bennett and Putin met for the first time several months ago, soon after the Israeli prime minister took office. At the end of the conversation, Putin invited Bennett and his wife to Russia's St. Petersburg, to which the Israeli premier responded positively. PHOENIX Rep. John Kavanagh is in a turf war. Over turf. The Fountain Hills Republican has proposed a state law to override any rules of a homeowner association that requires lawns to be seeded with real grass. Instead, it would permit residents to tear all that out and replace it with artificial turf. And any dispute would be resolved in court. His HB 2131 may get a fight from the Arizona Association of Community Managers, the organization that represents companies that manage HOAs. But an association spokesman said Wednesday it was still studying the issue and had no immediate comment. Kavanagh said there are times that state lawmakers need to intercede on behalf of individual homeowners whose preferences are being blocked for what he believes is not a good reason. And in this case, he told Capitol Media Services, such anti-turf rules actually are bad policies. Artificial grass is often superior and looks better than real grass, Kavanagh said. Whats also important, he said, is that artificial grass doesnt need to be watered, something that is crucial during the middle of a drought. So its unreasonable for these HOAs to prohibit it, Kavanagh said. Anyway, he said, artificial turf can look better than a poorly maintained natural laws. There would be some limits on what homeowners would be allowed to do. Under his legislation, an HOA would be allowed to adopt reasonable rules about the installation and appearance of artificial grass. But Kavanagh said these could not be so restrictive as to preclude its installation entirely. And it would permit an HOA to reject or require the removal of any artificial turf that creates a health or safety issue that the member does not correct. Kavanagh does not dispute that home buyers are made aware if a community is under the control of an HOA. But he said that in many places it is difficult to find a new development that does not have one. Many people are forced into HOAs and never imagined that a rogue board would abuse their power by imposing ridiculous restrictions on them, Kavanagh said. Somebody has to respect the homeowner. Nor was he dissuaded by the fact that members of HOA boards are elected and can be replaced when their terms are up just like legislators saying that many residents dont pay attention to those votes or that there are restrictions on campaigning. The fight over artificial turf is the latest squabble in what has been a series of disputes between individual homeowners and their HOAs that have been adjudicated at the state capitol. One long-term and ongoing battle concerns what flags homeowners can fly. Lawmakers have repeatedly forced HOAs to allow an increasing number of banners. What started out as permission for federal and state flags now includes the flags of any branch of the service. Also permitted is displaying the POW/MIA flag. And the list has been expanded to allow homeowners to add the Gadsden flag, that yellow flag with the drawing of a coiled rattlesnake and the phrase Dont Tread on Me. Backers said it simply recognizes the historical role of the flag during the American Revolution. But it also has most recently become a symbol of revolt against federal government authority. And there are new battles to be fought, including Kavanaghs HB 2010 adding any first responder flag to the list. Lawmakers also have interceded to limit the ability of HOAs to keep out politicians and their campaign materials. And they have curbed regulations that limit certain off-street parking. No date has been set for a hearing on the measure. Subscribe to stay connected to Tucson. A subscription helps you access more of the local stories that keep you connected to the community. AVONDALE There will be certified teachers. But the newly announced plan for what Gov. Doug Ducey calls an academic summer camp wont look anything like traditional school. Instead, it is being designed in a way to make it more engaging and more interactive than kids stuck in seats in public schools for an extra 8 to 10 weeks, aides to the governor said Wednesday. Summer camp is not summer school, Ducey press aide C.J. Karamargin said. In fact, its not necessarily going to even take place at public schools. Were going to use a combination of existing school buildings and other facilities, Ducey said. That, said his aides, means everything from community centers and local libraries to boys and girls clubs. Geography and teaching methods notwithstanding, Ducey said the goal remains the same. The objective here is a summer camp to catch our kids up who have fallen behind in math and reading and other skills, along with additional subjects that we can reinforce, like American civics, he said. The program, first announced at his State of the State speech on Monday, will be voluntary. But Ducey, who promised more details when his budget is released on Friday, said it is designed to encourage participation. Ducey emphasized, though, it will be free, with the state using federal COVID-19 relief dollars to pick up the tab. What we want to do is make this easily accessible for families and for young people, he said. We also want to encourage everyone that needs it to be there. In fact, Ducey aides said, the plan is to provide transportation as well as lunch for what are programs that are expected to be the same length as a standard school day. At the heart of the problem, the governor said, is that K-12 education has been affected and interrupted because of COVID-19. Its been during the pandemic that weve seen real issues around academics and other things that have happened, including mental health and counseling and other issues that need to be addressed, Ducey said Wednesday. Some of that was directly related to the fact that Ducey himself closed schools throughout the state for months early in the pandemic. While there is no longer any statewide closure order, there have been decisions since then by individual school boards to go to remote learning for periods of time after COVID breakouts. And the governor believes a lot has been lost in the interim. The camp is specifically on the academics to bring people up to where they should be, he said. Ducey said that recent results of standardized assessment tests show that Arizona students have fallen behind. How long the camp or camps will last is still being worked out. Not all schools stop at the exact same time, Ducey said. Were thinking of this as a late May, June, July thing, he continued. We are looking at that time frame of 8 to 10 weeks. He noted, though, that some districts operate on a year-round calendar, with smaller breaks between sessions. So we want to have options for people, he said. The governor has promised to provide at least $100 million for the program. And Karamargin said that, as far as his boss is concerned, money is not going to be a barrier if enrollment turns out to be far higher than that cash will cover. That is a good problem to have, he said. It is a clear indication of where parents are in wanting to address the recent assessment results indicated, and that is the disruption in learning that has happened over the past two years. But Karamargin said that students and parents should not interpret the program and the fact that its being called summer camp as just a way to fill time. This is not meant as a something-to-do option during the dog days of summer, he said. There is a clear purpose here, Karamargin continued. And that is to address the learning gaps that the most recent assessment tests revealed. Thats why the plan is to hire teachers who work in schools currently graded A, B or C, though there may be some outreach to teachers in lower-rated schools who have a proven record of performance. Were going to find a way to take people that are skilled in the profession, allow them to make additional funds, and bring our kids up to grade level, the governor said. The program is open to all public school students, regardless of grade. That also includes children in charter schools which, under Arizona law, also are considered public schools. Karamargin said, though, this does not include youngsters going to private or parochial schools. Subscribe to stay connected to Tucson. A subscription helps you access more of the local stories that keep you connected to the community. PSO lauded for relief efforts Public Service Company of Oklahoma recently was recognized for its relief efforts in connection with Hurricane Ida, which devastated Louisiana late last summer. PSO, along with four other operating companies of American Electric Power, received the Edison Electric Institute Emergency Response Award. EEI, based in Washington, D.C, is an association that represents all U.S. investor-owned electric companies. After New Orleans-based Entergy Corp. called for mutual assistance, more than 100 PSO employees and contractors traveled 650 miles to help rebuild the Louisiana power grid, which had been devastated by 150 mph winds and flooding. PSO crews came from throughout Oklahoma, including the Tulsa, McAlester and Lawton areas. Over 14 days, PSO crews put in thousands of hours of work. A Sept. 21 Entergy assessment said Hurricane Ida damaged more than 30,500 distribution poles, 6,000 transformers, more than 36,500 spans of distribution wire, about 500 transmission structures, more than 225 substations and 210 transmission lines. Local company buys Ohio tool firm A locally based distributor of metalworking and other industrial products has acquired a tool company based in Toledo, Ohio. BlackHawk Industrial on Wednesday announced the purchase of Pinnacle Tool & Supply, which has a second location in Cleveland, Ohio. Details of the transaction werent disclosed. Pinnacle Tool & Supply has a long-standing reputation as a highly technical, value-added distributor in the cutting tool and abrasive space. In addition to the Pinnacle name, the company also operates under the brands W. Lewis Sales and Industrial Metalworking Supply (IMS) in Solon, Ohio. Over the past several years we have worked tirelessly to increase our national exposure and are all very proud of how far weve come, John Mark, president and CEO of Blackhawk, said in a statement. This acquisition is another strategic move to extend our market presence in the region and offer our unique capabilities to serve our customers mission critical production needs Man arrested for damaging AA jet A passenger arrested in Honduras for damaging the cockpit of an American Airlines jet during boarding was released by authorities hours later. The flight scheduled to depart for Miami on Tuesday afternoon was delayed for hours until a replacement plane could be arranged. The flight arrived in Florida early Wednesday, about eight hours late. The passenger who caused the delay was seen in cell phone video as he leaned out of a cockpit window. He was freed because the airline did not press charges, said Security Secretary spokesman Edgardo Barahona. The aggression toward the pilot and the crew of the airline was not serious. American said it is not dropping the matter, although formal charges have not been presented to authorities. We are pursuing charges, airline spokesman Curtis Blessing said Wednesday. The cockpit door was open before the breach at the international airport in San Pedro Sula, Honduras, American Airlines said. Crew members intervened and the individual was ultimately apprehended by local law enforcement, an airline spokesman said. Airport security removed the man from the plane and turned him over to the National Police, who took him to a hospital for a series of tests. He was taken to an assistance center because according to other passengers he was acting strangely as if under the effects of some type of hallucinogen, Barahona said. The man was from the coastal city of La Ceiba and had no prior criminal history, according to police. The flight had 121 passengers and six crew members. From staff and wire reports An entrepreneur in Greenwood for more than a decade, Devin Williams wanted to build something that would make the historic district pop. He believes he has succeeded with DWs Speakeasy. I just love the district, Williams, 29, said by phone. I love Tulsa. I really want to invest in those buildings. I noticed that Tulsa had a nightlife deficit. Places were closing early. The pandemic hurt a lot. Im from Oklahoma City. I travel a lot. I wanted to provide a little bit more of a high-end, sophisticated experience, especially on Greenwood within the Black community. Located in Suite 124 at 102 N. Greenwood Ave., the 2,650-square-foot business pays homage to speakeasy bars that became popular during Prohibition. A soft opening is set for 7 p.m. Friday, and DWs has a grand opening scheduled for shortly after the Martin Luther King Day Parade on Monday. A lot of these high-end businesses exist in Atlanta, in Dallas and in other places, but they dont exist here, said Williams, who also runs a nonprofit and is co-owner of A New Way Center, a mental health service in Greenwood for 11 years. Tulsa has a lot of good tourism now. I just thought, Lets swing for the fences. Lets just not have your standard dive bar. Lets sell an experience. DWs, which also has a Solo Room banquet space, is scheduled to be open 11 a.m. to 1:30 a.m. seven days a week. Williams is partnering with some local minority chefs and caterers to provide food. A daily brunch will feature items such as shrimp and grits, chicken waffles and honey-glazed salmon. Its dark with plenty of seating, Williams said. Everyones really spread out. Thats kind of the energy. Its nice. It is in an historic building. I just wanted to do it justice, and it turned out really, really well. I have one of the nicest bars downtown and definitely in the state. My construction guys killed it. Featured video: Subscribe to Daily Headlines Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. The business news you need Get the latest local business news delivered FREE to your inbox weekly. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. The newest season of Osiyo, Voices of the Cherokee People debuts this month and will continue to showcase the endangered language, rich traditions and compelling modern advancements of the Cherokee people told through a documentary lens. The groundbreaking docuseries, now in its seventh season, features the citizens, culture, history and language of the Cherokee Nation and has been recognized with 13 regional Heartland Emmy Awards. Season seven debuts 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 27 on osiyo.tv and will be followed by a broadcast premiere Sunday, Jan. 30. Every Cherokee, whether living within or outside of Cherokee Nations reservation, is vital to our government and our progress as a people, Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. said in a news release. With such a large population of citizens spread across the globe, it is important we continue finding additional ways to preserve our culture and language, and to keep all Cherokees as connected and informed as possible. With a worldwide audience, the onscreen talent, crew and behind-the-scenes staff of OsiyoTV serve an integral role in helping reach tribal citizens everywhere. The new season will showcase the tribes state-of-the-art soundstage technology, including real-time graphics, as well as a combination of video game engine, motion and facial capture technology. Plus, audiences will learn the Cherokee language through a newly introduced digital character named Sinasd, which translated to English means smart woman. It is an incredible honor for our team to continue helping preserve and promote Cherokee Nations language and culture, while sharing the legacy of the remarkable resiliency and triumphs of its citizens, Jennifer Loren, director of Cherokee Nation Film Office and Original Content, said. This season, we are especially looking forward to introducing viewers to the extraordinary capabilities of our tribes soundstage. Weve implemented the same industry-leading technology as major productions such as The Mandalorian and popular video games to help bring Cherokee stories and characters to life. As part of the season premiere, OsiyoTV will highlight Sequoyah and the work of Cherokees to keep the written language he created alive. The premiere will delve into a special book recognizing first-language speakers, Cherokee comedian Zebadiah Nofire and storyteller/former Miss Cherokee Whitney Roach. OsiyoTV is available statewide on PBS in Oklahoma and Arkansas, regionally within Tulsa on RSU-TV, in Joplin on NBC and ABC, plus FNX, an all-Native programming network in 20 national markets. The show is formatted for multiple platforms, including osiyo.tv, YouTube, Vimeo, Facebook, Twitter and more. It is funded and produced by Cherokee Nation Businesses. For more information or to watch Osiyo, Voices of the Cherokee People, visit osiyo.tv. Featured video: The first person to be charged federally with a crime committed in the Quapaw reservation after an appellate court determined that it was still Indian Country pleaded guilty Wednesday to sexually abusing a minor. Jeremy Brandon Lawhorn, 39, admitted to sexually abusing a minor in Indian Country, according to Tulsa federal court records. A federal grand jury named Lawhorn in a single-count indictment made public Dec. 6 in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Oklahoma. Lawhorn faced prosecution in federal court after the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals ruled in October that the state could not charge him because he was a tribal citizen and the alleged crime occurred within the never-disestablished boundaries of the Quapaw Nation, located in the far northeastern corner of the state. The decision brought the number of tribes whose reservations has been recognized as still existing to six, including the Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Muscogee and Seminole Nations. The state appellate court had ruled previously that the Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw and Seminole nations reservations were still intact, using the legal framework established under the U.S. Supreme Courts 2020 McGirt ruling. The McGirt ruling upheld the continued existence of the Muscogee Nation reservation based on the fact that Congress never disestablished the reservation, which includes much of the city of Tulsa. The decision and the state court rulings mean the state of Oklahoma has no jurisdiction to prosecute crimes involving American Indians when they occur within one of the six tribal reservations. Rather, federal and/or tribal prosecutors now control who gets charged with crimes in the six reservations when either the victim or suspect is American Indian. Lawhorn was charged Aug. 21 in Ottawa County District Court with one count of lewd molestation of a child under the age of 16. Court documents accuse him of sexually abusing the minor Aug. 14, 2020. State prosecutors dismissed their case against Lawhorn in October after he objected to the states prosecution of him under McGirt. The guilty plea for sexual abuse of a minor in Indian Country carries a statutory maximum term of 15 years in federal prison. Lawhorn is scheduled to be sentenced May 2. Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Along with the question of whether teachers have enough time to adjust their lesson plans from in-person instruction to online, there is also the matter of what time the storm is projected to start rolling in. OKLAHOMA CITY One of the biggest challenges Oklahoma faced with its nascent medical marijuana industry in 2021 was enforcement. It was a both a law problem and a human problem. The Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority had limits on how it could enforce the rules. And even if it had that power, the agency didn't have enough inspectors to visit every cannabis business. The OMMA is closer to realizing its staffing goals in 2022, however. The Legislature gave the agency stronger authority to shut down noncompliant businesses and beefed up funding to increase staffing levels. OMMA Director Adria Berry said staffing has grown by about 75% since May and that it now has 171 employees. Of that number, 67 work in the division that ensures that businesses comply with the law. "We do still have hiring to do," Berry said. "We're looking at at least 30 more compliance inspectors, and then we'll reevaluate once we get to that number and see how many more we need." Whittling down businesses as numbers grew out of control No one truly knows how many cannabis businesses are in Oklahoma. Until last year, the state had no way to verify whether a license holder was actually doing business. This fact is a sobering example of how quickly Oklahoma's cannabis industry has grown, and it shines a light on the troubles OMMA has in regulating the industry. People who follow the cannabis industry might notice fewer business licensees in 2022. The first large chunk of those that are gone will be businesses that did not comply with a new law aimed at negating the effect of foreign money. Marijuana businesses must sign an official document regarding the existence of any foreign financial interest. Berry said the state has filed 650 administrative cases to revoke licenses for businesses that didn't sign the document. Hundreds more will be filed in the coming months. Many license holders voluntarily surrendered their licenses when the case against them was filed. "I think some of them either were operating businesses and no longer are or they just got a license to hold onto," Berry said. Licensure spiked last year when lawmakers discussed capping the number of licenses that can be issued, Berry said. A significant number of those are probably dormant, with the license holder never actually launching a business. A hot topic There's currently no legal ability for the OMMA to perform business inspections before issuing a license, something Berry said she's asking lawmakers to change. "If you think of a restaurant or a hair salon or anywhere like that that serves people, or even agriculture farms, there is always prelicensure inspection," she said. It will take legislative action at the state Capitol to achieve, and the idea already is circulating among lawmakers. One of the most vocal legislators on cannabis issues is state Rep. Scott Fetgatter, who said he still hears concerns from his constituents about the proliferation of grow operations and how often criminal organizations profit. State investigators have received tips about illegal marijuana operations from every county, and in June alone, several high-profile raids uncovered thousands of plants worth tens of millions of dollars, as well as dozens of workers who were paid little or no money while laboring in poor conditions. With more inspections and the implementation of a seed-to-sale tracking system that currently is tied up in district court, those concerns could be alleviated. It's been a long time coming: Oklahoma picked the tracking system, operated by a company called Metrc, 16 months ago. Legal challenges have claimed that the state improperly selected Metrc and is thwarting competition. Changes within OMMA Another big change for OMMA in 2022 could be that it gets to be its own agency. It's currently housed in the state Health Department, but lawmakers have discussed the agency's ability to stand alone. "OMMA is big enough. They fund themselves. They're funded through licensing fees and excise tax," Fetgatter said. "They need to be a stand-alone agency that can make the decisions it needs to make as it pertains to public safety and health without having to go through a bunch of bureaucratic red tape." When asked about Capitol discussions to create a stand-alone agency, Berry simply replied that she's glad the OMMA has a seat at the table. TEHRAN, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- The Quds Base of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Ground Force held its largest-ever joint military drill in the southeastern part of the country, according to a Thursday report by IRGC. Titled "Muhammad (PBUH) the Messenger of God," the combined exercise was staged in Iran's southeastern province of Sistan and Baluchestan in two phases of military and non-military. The report did not mention the exact date of the drill. During the war game, different armed clashes were simulated and real operations performed successfully by the units of the IRGC Quds Base. In the martial-military phase, combined tactics were employed by the missile, armor, artillery, attack helicopters, infantry and commando units of the base in cooperation with those of the electronic warfare, with a focus on performing assault support and strong defense operations. Iran's Armed Forces hold routine military exercises throughout the year. Vietnams coffee exports in December rose 57.6% from November to 169,349 tonnes, while rice exports in the same period were down 13.4% against the preceding month, government customs data released on Thursday showed. For 2021, Vietnam exported 1.56 million tonnes of coffee, down 0.2% from a year earlier, Vietnam Customs said in a statement. Coffee export revenue in 2021 rose 13.3% to around $3.6 billion, it said. Meanwhile, Vietnams rice exports in December fell 13.4% from the previous month to 490,219 tonnes, the statement said. The countrys rice exports in 2021 fell 0.2% year on year to 6.24 million tonnes, it said. Vietnam reported a 19% growth in exports last year, as it saw its trade surplus with the United States, its largest export market, widening to an all time high, government data showed on Thursday showed. Vietnam's total exports came in at $336.31 billion, while its imports rose 26.5% to $332.23 billion, resulting in a trade surplus of $4.08 billion, the Customs Department said in a statement. Exports in December increased 8.5% from November to $34.59 billion, while imports were up 3.1% to $31.62 billion, the department said. The data showed Vietnam's trade surplus with the U.S. rose to $81 billion from $63 billion in the previous year, while its trade deficit with China widened to $54 billion from $35 billion. The U.S. is Vietnam's largest export market for such products as garments, electronics and smartphones. Exports to the U.S. last year rose by a quarter to $96.3 billion. China is Vietnam's largest trading partner, on which the Southeast Asian country relies heavily for materials and equipment for its labour-intensive manufacturing. Imports from China rose 30% to $110 billion. Thailand is planning to collect a 300 baht ($9) fee from foreign tourist from April to develop attractions and cover accident insurance for foreigners unable to pay costs themselves, senior officials said on Wednesday. Thailand, one of Asia's most popular travel destinations, has been badly hit by a pandemic-induced tourism slump, with about 200,000 arrivals last year, compared to nearly 40 million in 2019. Recent efforts to revive the sector have been complicated by the rapid global spread of the Omicron variant of COVID-19. "Part of the fee will be used to take care of tourists," Tourism Authority of Thailand governor Yuthasak Supasorn told Reuters. "We've encountered times when insurance didn't have coverage for tourists ... which became our burden to take care of them," he said, adding that funds would also be used to upgrade tourism infrastructure. The fee adds to a list of requirements for foreign tourists seeking entry to Thailand, which include pre-payment for COVID-19 tests, hotel accommodation or quarantine, and having insurance with COVID-19 treatment coverage of at least $50,000. Thailand waived its strict quarantine measures in November in place of a "Test & Go" scheme for vaccinated visitors, but suspended that late last month over concerns about the spread of the Omicron variant. The new fee will be priced in with airline tickets and is part of the government's sustainable tourism plans, government spokesman Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana said. Thailand expects between 5 and 15 million foreign arrivals this year, depending on policies in place in its main tourism markets, Thanakorn said. Foreign tourists are expected to generate 800 billion Thai baht ($23.97 billion) this year, he said. Thailand's leading business group on Wednesday forecast foreign tourist arrivals for the year to be 5 to 6 million arrivals. Two air-conditioner repairmen are being lauded as heroes for saving a 14-year-old girl stuck in a burning house in Hanoi on Wednesday. The fire broke out in a three-story house down Alley 51 on Luong Huu Khanh Street in Hoang Mai District, Hanoi on Wednesday afternoon. V.H.Y., a 14-year-old who lived in the house with her family, was unable to escape from the top floor and began shouting for help. Trung Van Nam and Duong Ngoc Vu, who were repairing an air conditioner near the location of the incident, heard Y.s cries and rushed to help her. The two men scaled the roof of the burning house before rushing in and helping to evacuate the girl onto the roof. Firefighters, two fire engines, and a ladder truck arrived at the scene shortly after to take Y. down from the rooftop, before extinguishing the blaze. Police in Hoang Mai District are investigating the cause of the fire. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Dozens of doctors and nurses at Tue Tinh Hospital in Hanoi on Wednesday stood in front of the hospital gate with banners asking for their unpaid wages over the past eight months. The board of directors of Tue Tinh Hospital, which is managed by the Vietnam University of Traditional Medicine, convened a meeting right after the strike, which, however, failed to resolve the issue, according to Le Thanh Binh, head of the hospitals labor union. The leaders only encouraged us to keep waiting for the payment of salary and benefits, and no specific deadline was confirmed, Binh said Gathering with banners to call for the public opinion was our last resort. Medical staff at Tue Tinh Hospital have received only half of their monthly salary from May to November last year and have got nothing last December and this month because the hospital has earned zero revenue in the meantime. Meanwhile, the staff have worked extra hard due the complicated developments of the COVID-19 pandemic. Medical staff hold banners in front of Tue Tinh Hospital in Hanoi, Vietnam to demand their unpaid salaries, January 12, 2022. Photo: Nam Tran / Tuoi Tre The situation had never happened at the hospital before 2019 when the institution started to become financially independent, according to Binh. The Vietnam University of Traditional Medicine is currently divided into three units, including the Vietnam University of Traditional Medicine, Tue Tinh Hospital, and the Research Institute of Traditional Medicine, with only Tue Tinh subject to the self-financing model. Only 160 employees working for the Tue Tinh unit have been suffering from the business result, while no leaders have had their pay cut, Binh said, criticizing discrimination among the groups of employees under one same organization. "Staff having signed labor contracts with the university still receive enough salaries, bonuses, and other benefits." Kim Thoa, a nurse working at Tue Tinh Hospital, expressed her anger, How am I supposed to live in the capital city with an income of only VND2.7 million [US$119] per month? I have had to depend on my husband and our parents support to raise two children, while many other medical staff have to sell vegetables, run online business, or work as delivery workers to make ends meet. Medical staff hold banners in front of Tue Tinh Hospital in Hanoi, Vietnam to demand their unpaid salaries in Hanoi, January 12, 2022. Photo: Nam Tran / Tuoi Tre The hospital has held many meetings but still failed to come up with a solution so far, according to Thoa. Ive worked at the hospital since 2005, devoted nearly 20 years, and definitely, I want to stay, the nurse added. I just want the hospital leaders to be transparent about its financial situation and how it is running the self-financing model. Nguyen Thi Tuyet, a pharmacist at the hospital, also said that they are always rejected for requesting to take either paid or unpaid leave. Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper reached out to the management board of Tue Tinh Hospital but has not received their response. On Wednesday afternoon, Minister of Health Nguyen Thanh Long ordered the leaders of both the Vietnam University Of Traditional Medicine and Tue Tinh Hospital to resolve the issue in accordance with Vietnams labor code and report the case to the ministry before January 20. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! A man from Cao Bang Province, northern Vietnam has been sentenced to life in prison for fatally beating his girlfriends son over the boy's use of marijuana in 2020. The provincial Peoples Court handed the lifetime imprisonment to Nong Xuan Luan, 33, for murder during a trial on Wednesday. The indictment showed that Luan had a relationship with Trieu Thi Kiem, whose husband had passed away. Luan lived with Kiem and her son 14-year-old Hoang Tung D. at a house in Cao Bang City, which is the capital of the namesake province. As Luan and D. often had conflicts, Luan hit the teenage boy on multiple occasions. On the afternoon of December 12, 2020, Luan noticed that D. was showing signs of using drugs and questioned the boy about this. As D. admitted he had consumed marijuana, Luan began punching, kicking, and beating the boy with a plastic chair despite Kiems intervention. The man then took the boy to the bathroom, poured cold water onto him, and continued hitting him. Following the incident, D. changed his clothes and went to bed, but was found dead at around 8:30 pm the same day. The Cao Bang Peoples Procuracy originally proposed that Luan be sentenced to 20 years in jail. However, the jury believed that a sterner punishment had to be imposed on Luan as his actions were brutal and the victim was under 16 years old. Aside from the prison term, the man was required to pay the victims family VND182 million (US$8,000) as compensation. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! A murder suspect who has been on the run for over a decade was arrested in southern Vietnams Binh Duong Province this month, police have said. Nguyen Van Son, 37, is the main suspect in a 2011 murder, police officers in Ha Tinh Province, located in the north-central region, said on Saturday last week. Investigators recently confirmed that Son was hiding in Binh Duong, just outside Ho Chi Minh City. A team of officers flew in from Ha Tinh to work with Binh Duong police on an operation to apprehend the suspect. Police officers forced their way into Nguyen Van Sons vehicle to arrest him in Binh Duong Province, southern Vietnam, January 3, 2022 in this photo provided by the police. On the afternoon of January 3, officers pulled over Son while he was driving a car, leading to a stand-off where the man locked himself inside the vehicle. After failed attempts to persuade him to surrender, during which warning shots were fired, officers resorted to breaking the car window to capture the suspect. Son is suspected of murdering a person in Ky Anh Commune, Ha Tinh Province in 2011. Ha Tinh police issued a wanted notice for Son on May 26 the same year, labeling him 'particularly dangerous.' Son reportedly fled to Laos where he spent years in hiding. He found his way back to Vietnam in 2019 and he worked a series of jobs in Da Nang, Da Lat, and Binh Duong until his arrest. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Many provinces in the Mekong Delta region of Vietnam are taking measures to cope with the ongoing issue of saltwater intrusion this dry season, local authorities reported. Provinces across the region, considered the countrys rice basket, are forecasting higher-than-average levels of saltwater intrusion in local rivers, though experts predict the phenomenon will still be less severe than the 2019-20 dry season, according to the Vietnam News Agency. The Southern Institute of Water Resources Research has warned that rivers in the coastal provinces of Long An, Ben Tre, Tra Vinh, Soc Trang, Bac Lieu, Ca Mau, and Kien Giang may see saltwater intrude up to 60km upstream unless effective prevention measures are taken in the first two months of this year. The Bac Lieu Province administration on Wednesday announced three possible responses to drought and saltwater intrusion in the 2021-22 dry season. Each of these three responses was developed for a particular scenario, including if the saltwater intrusion is more severe, less severe, or equal to the conditions during the 2019-20 dry season. The provincial government asked all relevant agencies, as well as authorities at all levels, to prepare for dealing with harsh conditions. This image shows the Quan Lo - Phung Hiep canal that runs through Phuoc Long District in the Mekong Delta province of Bac Lieu and provides fresh water for the province. Photo: Chi Quoc / Tuoi Tre The current dry season may not be as fierce as it was two years ago, but saline intrusion will come early this year and the freshwater shortage will still take place in the first months of this year, local authorities cited forecasts by scientists and researchers. The province will have to reduce its growing area for the winter - spring rice crop by 3,400 hectares in areas at risk of freshwater shortage, and spend over VND18.6 billion (US$817,000) on irrigation works to mitigate the impacts of drought and salinity. A similar situation is occurring in many other provinces, including Ben Tre, where the current saline intrusion is forecast to last until mid-February and its salinity intrusion distances will be equal to those in the 2015-16 dry season. The provincial Hydro-meteorological Station has warned that the total water amount flowing down from the upper Mekong River to lower areas and the broader Mekong Delta region will likely be 15 percent to 25 percent less than the annual average. The Ben Tre administration has directed the local Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and other relevant agencies to inspect all irrigation works and evaluate their repair, reform, and upgrading needs. In order to mitigate the impact of saltwater intrusion, Can Tho City has dredged and upgraded many irrigation canals to increase their storage capacity, the Vietnam News Agency reported. In Tien Giang Province, authorities have built eight steel dams to prevent saltwater intrusion, while Tra Vinh Province is executing irrigation projects, upgrading saltwater prevention dams and sluices, and digging new ditches in rice fields to store water for irrigation. The Mekong Delta has 13 administrative units, including the centrally-run city of Can Tho and 12 provinces. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Police in Dong Nai Province, southern Vietnam on Tuesday broke up an online prostitution ring that had been raking in approximately VND1 billion (US$44,000) each month from the sex workers and clients. Nguyen Xuan Hoang, 37, Le Minh Sang, 28, Bang Thi Hiep, 27, Le Hoang Trung Nghi, 29, Nguyen Phi Bang 37, Nguyen Dinh Bach Huy, 24, Nguyen Thi Bach, 41, and Nguyen Thanh Tam, 24, are currently in police custody for their roles in operating the Internet-based prostitution ring, the provincial police department said. During a swoop on the rings headquarters, police seized approximately VND2 billion ($88,200) in cash, several phones and tablets used to run the racket, and dozens of credit cards. Officers also raided several hotels in the province and nabbed 16 couples for engaging in paid sex. According to the authorities, the prostitutes involved in the ring sought out clients online. Nguyen Xuan Hoang, who police say headed the groups operations, confessed that the ring was able to earn over VND1 billion ($44,000) each month thanks to the participation of 200 sex workers from across Vietnam. The racket essentially acted as a broker for the prostitutes involved, with each sex worker paying the ring VND3-8 million ($132-352) each month using a digital currency named 'Perfect Money.' To hide their identities from police, members of the ring used fake bank accounts and phone numbers to communicate with the sex workers via social networks and chat applications such as Zalo and Facebook Messenger, said Vo Nhat Hong Phuc, deputy director ofthe Dong Nai criminal police department. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! BAGHDAD, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- Six civilians were killed and two wounded on Thursday when construction equipment collapsed in a shrine in Iraq's central province of Babil, the local police said. In the morning incident, the construction equipment and part of a roof fell on worshippers inside the Hamza al-Gharbi Shrine near the provincial capital Hillah, some 100 km south of Baghdad, killing four women and two children and wounding two others, Babil's police said in a statement. Iraqi authorities were conducting a renovation for part of the shrine when the incident occurred, the statement said, adding investigation has been launched into the incident. The Vietnamese National Assembly approved on Tuesday afternoon a 729-kilometer extension to the eastern part of the countrys North-South Expressway. Some 94 percent of 474 legislators gave a nod to the governments spending VND146.99 trillion (US$6.47 billion) of the state budget to implement 12 projects on the expansion. The projects will consume 5,481 hectares of land in total. Of the 12 expressway projects, ten will have six lanes. The other two on the Can Tho - Ca Mau Expressway will have four lanes each. Construction on the projects will be carried out from now to basically reach completion in 2025. The government passed a plan last September for Vietnam to have more than 5,000 kilometers of expressways by 2030 and almost double that by 2050. Under the plan, the 2,000-kilometer eastern North-South Expressway from Lang Son Province to Ca Mau Province and the 1,200-kilometer western North-South Expressway linking Tuyen Quang and Kien Giang Provinces will be completed by 2050. Since work started on the very first parts of the grand expressway project, Vietnam has taken 17 years to build 1,160 kilometers of expressways, far short of the original goal to have 5,870 kilometers built by 2020, according to news site VnExpress. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! There are some movies that shouldnt be messed with, according to Studio 10s Angela Bishop and the idea of a remake of To Catch a Thief was enough to make her speak out, even at risk of upsetting her US employers. The 1959 Hitchcock classic starring Cary Grant and Grace Kelly is on the American Film Institutes top 100 greatest love stories in American cinema. Classic, classic film, classic, classic performances directed by Alfred Hitchcock, Bishop told viewers yesterday. And while the new version is in early development and plot details are yet to be revealed, I can tell you that Gal Gadot better known as Wonder Woman is set to star in the film with Chris Pratt in the Cary Grant role. Not only that Gal will be a producer with her husband Yaron Varsano. Im sorry. Paramounts making it so I can get in trouble for this, but NO! Just do another Imagine video Gal! Sorry, but youre honest. Youre honest, though. You know, you cant mess with the originals. Paramount is owned by 10s parent company ViacomCBS. But Bishop was so horrified she didnt hold back. There are just a handful films, I just dont want anyone to mess with. And if anyone tries to ever do Casablanca, Im coming for them with weapons. Go, Ange This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears uswhatever we askwe know that we have what we asked of him. (1 John 5:14-15) Dimov Demolishes Winter Series High Main Event Final Table January 13 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 Check Out These Jaw-Dropping Reads From the Legendary Phil Ivey January 13 2022 Matthew Pitt Editor Many poker fans and players consider a prime Phil Ivey to be the G.O.A.T. Ivey has an almost unnatural ability to extract chips from his opponents, regardless of their skill level, and can sniff out danger like a Great White shark can detect a drop of blood in miles of ocean. The good folks in charge of the PokerStars YouTube channel recently published a video showcasing Iveys amazing hand reading ability. Some of the hands are out of this world, as you are about to find out. #5 Ivey Versus Daniel Cates Dan Cates Ranked fifth by PokerStars is a hand against Daniel "Jungleman" Cates. Ivey min-raised to 40,000 with , Cates called on the button with , and Lo Fung called in the big blind with . The dealer spread the flop, Ivey continued for 65,000 only for Cates to raise to 165,000. Lo folded, and Ivey pondered all his options before rather quickly folding his top pair on the flop! #4 Ivey Versus Daniel Negreanu Daniel Negreanu In this hand, Ivey raised to 70,000 with the lowly from the button, and Daniel Negreanu called with . Negreanu checked on the flop, Ivey tested the waters with a 60,000 bet, which Negreanu check-raised to 160,000, but Ivey instantly called. A turn saw Negreanu check again. Ivey did not slow down; he bet 225,000. Negreanu called. The completed the board, and Negreanu checked for a third time. Ivey fired a 400,000 bet at "Kid Poker" who gave a little word play before calling with the worst hand. #3 Ivey Versus Mike McDonald Mike McDonald Hand number three of Iveys great poker reads involves Mike "Timex" McDonald, another player unafraid to make big calls and folds. Ivey got the preflop betting round underway with a min-raise to 16,000 with and McDonald called with . The flop missed McDonald but he did have an open-ended straight draw in his arsenal. Ivey tapped his shoulder and checked, leaving McDonald to set the price to play at 25,000, which Ivey called. The landed on the turn, and now Ivey lead for 60,000. McDonald deployed his trademark stare in Iveys direction before flicking his cards into the muck despite improving to top pair. #2 Ivey Versus Daniel Negreanu Daniel Negreanu Negreanu appears again against Ivey in a hand where the popular Canadian opened to 90,000 with and Ivey called with . Ivey checked on the flop, opening the door for Negreanu to test the waters with a 125,000 bet. Ivey was going nowhere, however, and he shoved for 870,000, which folded out Negreanu. A risky move on a draw-heavy board with only top pair weak kicker, but Ivey knew exactly where he was in the hand. #1 Ivey Versus Doug Polk Doug Polk PokerStars ranked the following hand the best of Iveys poker reads. It is a hand involving Doug Polk at the 2015 Aussie Millions, and starts with Polk raising to 55,000 with , and Ivey calling with . An interesting flop of gifted Ivey top pair but Polk had an overcard plus a gutshot straight draw. Ivey quickly checked and Polk checked behind. The dealer placed the on the turn, and Ivey greeted it with a bet worth 75,000. Polk called. The turn kept Iveys hand best and he bet 200,000 into the 284,000 pot, a bigger bet representing a bluff and knowing Polk is likely to call with his ace-high. However, Polk raised to 580,000 instead. "I didnt mean to bet 200,000, I meant to bet 175,000," Ivey said while continually staring at the stoic Polk. Ivey tanked for a couple of minutes, shaped to bet, but pulled back his chips. Eventually, he called and won a large pot from Polk. University of North Georgia (UNG) students have continued access to mental health assistance 24/7 through the Nigel Cares initiative, which enters its second year thanks to financial support from the University System of Georgia (USG). A 24/7 support line is available at 833-910-3368, and students can visit the UNG Wellness Hub at any time to access helpful articles and resources. A USG mini-grant has also allowed UNG to offer Mental Health First Aid training for students, faculty and staff; provide national certification opportunities for peer health educators; and implement additional educational awareness on alcohol and drugs. "Students, faculty and staff want to help each other," Dr. James Conneely, vice president of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management, said. "They realize it takes a community to accomplish this goal." UNG also is partnering with the JED Foundation, a nonprofit that protects emotional health and prevents suicide for the nation's teens and young adults. "Suicide is the most preventable form of death. Anything you do to offer help is going to make a difference," Dr. Simon Cordery, UNG's director of Student Counseling, said. "Anything you can do to educate yourself about mental health is going to help. This is going to allow us to notice and reach out to someone else who may otherwise fall through the cracks." CAIRO, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul-Gheit on Thursday called for the "immediate release" of a United Arab Emirates (UAE)-flagged cargo ship and its crew hijacked off the coast of Yemen's western port city of Hodeidah. In a statement, Aboul-Gheit condemned the seizure of the vessel by Houthi militia, describing it as "an act of piracy." "It is a dangerous escalation by the Houthis against the safety of Red Sea maritime navigation," he said. The Yemeni militias kidnapped the ship on Jan. 2, with 11 crew members from five countries on board, including seven from India and the others from Ethiopia, Indonesia, Myanmar, and the Philippines, according to the UAE's permanent representative to the United Nations. NAIROBI, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- Kenya on Thursday launched an electronic platform that will boost food security in the country. Peter Munya, cabinet secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Cooperatives said that the Warehouse Receipt System (WRS) will enable farmers and agricultural commodity traders to store their produce in exchange for a warehouse receipt (WR) which can be traded, sold, exchanged or used to source credit and inputs. "The use of a warehouse receipt system is expected to cut down on post-harvest losses from 40 percent to 10 percent," Munya said in a statement released in Nairobi. The WRS enables farmers to deposit storable goods, usually grains or coffee, in exchange for a WR. A warehouse receipt is a document issued by warehouse operators as evidence that specified commodities of stated quantity and quality have been deposited at a particular location. Munya said that the use of a WRS will deepen food security in the country and ensure adequate nutrition in line with the government's national development blueprint. He observed that in the past, farmers have incurred huge losses at the hands of middlemen who act as market intermediaries. "This has seen farmers get low prices for their agricultural commodities, making agriculture unfavorable to many," he added. Hamadi Boga, principal secretary in the State Department for Crops Development and Agricultural Research, said that the warehouse receipt gives more power to farmers as they can additionally use it as collateral to access credit from financial institutions According to government data, the agricultural sector contributes to about 33 percent of the economy and employs about 40 percent of the population. Boga revealed that mainstreaming agricultural trading through the WRS will be impactful to reducing overall poverty. "It will subsequently reduce price volatility and improve liquidity when farmers make use of it as the first step towards commodity exchange," he added. KHARTOUM, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- Thousands of Sudanese protesters took to the streets on Thursday in the capital Khartoum and other cities in new and increasingly regular demonstrations to demand civilian rule in the country. Protesters gathered in Khartoum and tried to reach the presidential palace, eyewitnesses told Xinhua. The crowds in the city of Omdurman also headed toward Al-Arbaeen Street, a vital street as the shortest way toward a bridge linking Omdurman and Khartoum, they said. Khartoum State's police issued a statement earlier in the day that announced partial closure of some bridges linking the major cities of Khartoum, Omdurman and Bahri. Military units have been deployed at the entrances of most of the bridges and on the internal roads leading to the presidential palace and the army's general command headquarters. Street protests have become more regular in Khartoum and other cities since Jan. 2 when Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok announced his resignation amid a political crisis and waves of protests in the country. Sudan has been suffering a political crisis after the general commander of the Sudanese Armed Forces Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan declared a state of emergency on Oct. 25, 2021 and dissolved the Sovereign Council and the government. MLK Day wreath laying The 35th annual wreath laying ceremony at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Park, 300 MLK Jr. Blvd., will be a virtual event this year because of the recent COVID-19 surge. Individuals may place a wreath at the monument any time Friday through Monday. For more information, call Coque Gibson at 254-722-1274. A candlelight vigil will also be held virtually. To obtain a link for the event, email ogr@baylor.edu. Voter registration drive There will be a drive-thru voter registration event from 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday in the parking lot at 33rd Street and Franklin Avenue. Registrars will be available to register new voters or update those with changes in their address or who are new residents to McLennan County. The deadline to register to vote in the March 1 primary is Jan. 31. Young Marines registration Heart of Texas Young Marines will accept new registrations from boys and girls ages 8-18 interested in joining the program from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at 3310 N. 15A St. For more information, call 254-405-0649. Testing site added The Waco-McLennan County Public Health District is offering free drive-thru community COVID-19 testing at McLennan Community College and Columbus Avenue Baptist Church. The PCR test is a self-administered, shallow nose swab. Results should be available 48 to 72 hours after taking the test. Registration is required at dashboard.mylabsdirect.com/insurance or by calling 877-355-7978. Testing at MCC in Parking Lot M, 4601 N. 19th St., is open from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Testing at Columbus Avenue Baptist, 1300 Columbus Ave., is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Submit printed or typed items to Briefly, P.O. Box 2588, Waco, 76702-2588; or email goingson@wacotrib.com. Boao Forum for Asia to hold annual conference in Spring Xinhua) 09:07, January 13, 2022 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. (Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Liang Jun) Source: Xinhua| 2022-01-13 22:50:45|Editor: huaxia KHARTOUM, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- A police officer was killed on Thursday during protests demanding civilian rule in Sudan's capital Khartoum, the Sudanese police said. The governors ballyhooed audit of the 2020 elections in Texas resulted in a preliminary report issued as quietly as possible on the last day of 2021. The verdict? The election had some minor glitches, but it was about as fair and clean as elections get. Thats a decent opening for a new year and a new election season or would be, if only the people who demanded an audit were willing to accept the results. The state is vaulting into party primary elections. Finance reports are imminent. Early voting starts on Valentines Day. Election Day is fewer than 60 days away. TV ads are already running. Doubt is high, too. The effects of a year of bleating about the outcome of the 2020 election set the stage for suspicion about this coming vote. The anniversary of the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol was last week. Democrats in the U.S. Senate are threatening to change the rules of debate if they dont get a vote on federal legislation that would upend voting suppression efforts in Texas and other states with Republican legislative majorities. One of the Republican candidates for governor, former state Sen. Don Huffines of Dallas, is already misrepresenting the results of the election audit before more people inside or outside of government have even scanned it to throw shade on his almost certain defeat in March. This report confirms what most of us have known for years our elections are not secure, he said in a news release after the audit came out. In Dallas County, where Huffines lives, the Texas secretary of states report noted recent security enhancements to the voting system: The combination of features provide for an end-to-end, highly secure encrypted environment to transport voter registration data. Later, the report addressed handling of people on the voter registration lists whove died or who shouldnt be there at all. Please note that removal of ineligible and/or deceased voters from the statewide voter registration list in and of itself does not indicate that any illegal votes were cast, the auditors wrote, in a section that was in underlined, bold type. These maintenance activities are prescribed by state law to ensure the integrity and accuracy of the statewide voter registration list, they wrote. Voter list maintenance is performed on a regular and ongoing basis in Texas to prevent ineligible voters from casting ballots and to prevent individuals from casting ballots using another persons voter registration information. Endless efforts to find widespread fraud in Texas elections have fallen short. This latest one did, too. Auditors found relatively minor discrepancies between electronic and hand counts of ballots and nothing close to numbers that would flip any election results. Those auditors have another round of work underway in their attempt to provide clarity and confidence for Texas voters that all applicable laws and procedures were followed during the 2020 Election, and to identify any irregularities or issues that need to be addressed going forward. As with the first phase, theyre looking at four of the states biggest counties: Harris, Dallas, Tarrant and Collin. Itll be useful in helpful and unhelpful ways. Its great to know whether the system is working right: whether dead people are taken out of the voter rolls, whether theres a way to scrub out people who shouldnt be registered at all and whether people whove left Texas have also left its voter rolls. It also keeps questions about election integrity alive, a boon to those Republicans who dont believe Donald Trump lost the 2020 election and who dont believe it so deeply that they wanted an audit of a Texas election that the former president won by 5.6 percentage points. One of those is Trump himself, who publicly called for a Texas audit in September. The Legislature addressed Republican questions about voting in Texas last year, passing a set of laws that have been challenged in court by the U.S. Department of Justice, by Democrats and by voter advocacy groups who say the new Texas laws will suppress voting. Those laws passed after Democrats in the Texas House left Austin for Washington, D.C., delaying the proceedings here and trying to lobby Congress to pass a federal law that would reverse what Republicans here and in other states were trying to do. That didnt work, but congressional Democrats are working on the project now, threatening to change U.S. Senate rules to their advantage if Republicans continue to block consideration of their voting bills. Thats where we begin this 2022 election year in Texas pretty much the way we ended the 2020 elections, with sore losers, insurrections, fruitless challenges to election procedures and results, and audits of elections in states where those sore losers actually won. The first part of the 2020 election audit is done, and no foul play has been detected. Republicans who might benefit from doubt about the system are shouting their questions. Democrats are in court and in Congress trying to shut them down. Voters are trying to figure out who should be running their governments at this time next year. Ross Ramsey is executive editor and co-founder of The Texas Tribune. He writes regular columns on politics, government and public policy. The year was 2005, and I was a 20-something living in the Chelsea neighborhood of New York City. As such, feeling hip and somewhat subversive, my friends and I looked for hip and somewhat subversive things to do. (Key word: somewhat. We all had real jobs.) When wed heard that AMC had banned a new movie, The Aristocrats, from its 3,500+ movie theaters, seeing it went straight to the top of our to-do list. It was a new documentary from Penn Jillette and Paul Provenza, in which scores of all-star comedians told their version of the same joke about a new fictitious act, always ending with the punchline: Its called The Aristocrats! It featured the heaviest of comedy hitters: Whoopi Goldberg, George Carlin, Chris Rock, Robin Williams, Jon Stewart, Sarah Silverman and then there was Bob Saget. In 2005, remember, Saget had been out of the spotlight for some time. Hed been immortalized to all of America as the guy who played Danny Tanner, the dad from Full House, and then the squeaky clean host of Americas Funniest Home Videos, the quintessential non-offensive, wholesome presence in all of our living rooms. So, Ill never forget watching him deliver seven of the most filthy, perverse, stomach-churning, indeed offensive minutes Id ever seen on film while presenting his take on The Aristocrats. We left the theater sore from laughter but also stunned by Sagets surprising star turn. It was a whole new Saget to us, one we very much appreciated. It seemed as though his comedian friends were well aware of this odd dichotomy Saget lived in, where his television roles utterly belied his raunchy blue stand-up roots and his dark humor. Later, perhaps because of his appearance in The Aristocrats, he was able to dabble in both worlds, playing a satirical version of himself on Entourage, writing the book Dirty Daddy, and taking the kind of sitcom roles that made him famous the voice on How I Met Your Mother, Surviving Suburbia and Fuller House. A decade after seeing Saget in The Aristocrats, I was asked to participate in a roast of famed political consultant James Carville at the Kennedy Center. Known for being a filthy joke teller himself, Carville was going to be affectionately pilloried by the likes of Jeff Ross, Jim Norton, Triumph the Insult Comic Dog and several politicos like Paul Begala, Tucker Carlson, Carvilles wife Mary Matalin and, unimaginably, me. The roastmaster was none other than Bob Saget. When the night arrived, I headed backstage, my husband John in tow, to go over the jokes I was to deliver with the writers, themselves an all-star cast of comedy writers who made me even more nervous than I already was. I winced at the off-color content they wanted me to perform jokes no one would expect from a young, female, conservative commentator. But I also knew it was genuinely funny stuff that, if I could get through it, would land some big laughs. I steeled my nerves, sighed in relief that I hadnt invited my parents or my boss, and prepared for the show. Who let you in here? I heard from the doorway of my dressing room. It was Saget. He warmly introduced himself to my husband and me, and could immediately sense my nervousness. Dont worry, nothing you say will be worse than what were going to say. He gave me a hearty pat on the back and a reassuring smile, and we were off. I delivered my lines unflinchingly, and took my share of off-color commentary as well. At one point, Saget joked that he would have hit on me before the show if my husband hadnt been such a ck block, a joke hed obviously come up with on the spot. The night was memorable, to say the least, not just because of the stars on that stage, but because I still cant believe how many filthy jokes were told at the Kennedy Center, home of the Washington National Opera and the National Symphony Orchestra. After the show, we all gathered backstage for drinks. Bob came over to John and me to make sure we were okay with his jokes. Of course we were, and then he gushed about his new girlfriend, a food blogger from Chicago named Kelly. He was utterly in love, he said. Hed go on to marry Kelly Rizzo in 2018. And now, Im heartbroken for Kelly, as well the adult children he leaves behind after his unexpected death at just 65. Saget was full of surprises, and I cant help but think he had so many more to share with us. But Im lucky. Ill always have that strange and sort of wonderful hour or so on stage, where Bob Saget and I told dirty jokes together. Talk about surprising. Longtime conservative commentator S.E. Cupp hosts S.E. Cupp Unfiltered on CNN. A test-optional alternative to the automatic admissions standard for Iowas public universities was affirmed Wednesday. The Board of Regents unanimously approved the proposed change that would allow for individual review of application materials as another avenue to be admitted for students who havent taken the ACT or SAT college-entrance exams. The board met at the regents office in Urbandale. The proposed policy amendment now goes to the Iowa Administrative Rules Review Committee. Before COVID-19 caused the University of Northern Iowa and the other state universities to temporarily waive the use of entrance exams, incoming freshmen were typically admitted using the Regents Admission Index. Launched in 2009, it determines if a student will be admitted based on high school grade point average, number of courses completed in core subject areas and college-entrance exam score. At this time, the group that led this work does not want to make any changes to the RAI, Rachel Boon, the regents chief academic officer, told the board. That is going to be the primary pathway of automatic admission. Last March, the admissions study team appointed a subgroup to compile and analyze data on the use of the ACT or SAT in the admissions process. Our findings continued to indicate that the tests do have some value, said Boon, particularly in predicting first-year grades. She noted that they found high school GPA has a stronger relationship to whether a student will graduate in four years. This does not mean the ACT does not have value, she added. Rather, its about expanding admissions options. Regent David Barker suggested it might be a mistake to make the test optional. Standardized testing has value. Still, he noted, Im reluctantly voting yes to this because of the collective decision to go test-optional by universities and colleges across the U.S. The change will allow the regents universities to stay competitive. In that environment, this is probably the only reasonable choice to make, said Barker. Boon said there is more urgency to the decision in the national context because the shift to permanent test-optional has become widespread, including institutions from coast-to-coast as well as border-to-border in the state of Iowa. University officials have told the regents office they dont anticipate it will take more staff to handle the individual review of applications for students who take the alternative pathway. The RAI is continuing to work quite effectively for most students, she said, despite a large number admitted without an entrance exam. Last year, about 70% of the incoming students did take the ACT, said regents Associate Chief Academic Officer Jason Pontius. Boon said there is evidence numbers may rebound as soon as next fall. There are more students signing up and taking the ACT again, she said. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 3 Want to see more like this? Get our local education coverage delivered directly to your inbox. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. WATERLOO Work-based learning experiences like one that will place early childhood education students in a day care are expected to grow at the Waterloo Career Center. The Board of Education this week approved a memorandum of understanding with Exceptional Persons Inc. that will give those students a paid position. EPI operates the child care facility in Hawkeye Community Colleges Van G. Miller Adult Learning Center. It provides child care slots for the companys employees. Students in the program could sign up for the 100-hour work experience after completing two of its four classes, said Jeff Frost, Waterloo Community Schools executive director of professional education. They would have to be at least 16 to participate and finish all the work time within the semester. Participants will still take classes during the day at the Elk Run Preschool. The work experience will be completed at various times outside of class, including evenings and weekends. The first 20 hours of work will consist of unpaid field experience, which students can use toward their childhood development associate certificate. The remaining 80 hours will be paid work experience, with salary costs split between the district and EPI. The going rate for pay is $10 per hour, Frost told the board. Superintendent Jane Lindaman noted that students will get a class credit and a paycheck as they learn and work toward a certification. Thats going to become more the norm, added Frost, in multiple career center programs. Currently, he noted that the district is moving toward paid clinical experience for students in the certified nursing assistant program. Lindaman said the district is building four levels of job experience into its career programs. It begins with job shadows, where students follow and observe someone at work. Thats followed by paid internships like the new early childhood option, quality pre-apprenticeships, and registered apprenticeships. Were a little bit larger district and so we have more opportunities to offer a continuum of work-based learning experiences, she explained. Students can go a long way in Waterloo Schools as far as getting payment but also getting really authentic experiences. We actually have some really exciting things in the works. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Want to see more like this? Get our local education coverage delivered directly to your inbox. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. SENATE SEATING: The nonpartisan Iowa League of Women Voters is sponsoring a Restore Press Access rally on the west steps of the Iowa Capitol from noon to 1 p.m. Jan. 19. The Iowa Senate has restricted journalists access to the Senate floor during session on the basis that it is difficult to define who is media, ignoring the fact that the Iowa courts and Iowa House have defined media, and the Iowa Senate also has by determining who can work at the new press tables in the Senate gallery. The mission of the League of Women Voters is to defend democracy and empower voters, and the Iowa press is an essential part of providing information to Iowa voters, the organization stated, adding the lack of direct press access during legislative proceedings compromises the depth of information available to Iowa citizens. NEW CDL REQUIREMENTS: The Iowa Department of Transportation is reminding Iowans the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is starting new training requirements for first-time commercial drivers license applicants and some drivers who wish to upgrade existing commercial drivers licenses. Beginning Feb. 7, drivers in all states must complete additional training if they wish to apply for a Class A or Class B CDL for the first time, upgrade an existing CDL (Class B CDL to Class A CDL), or add a hazardous materials, passenger, or school bus endorsement to their existing CDL for the first time. In Iowa, the DOT and all Iowa county treasurers offices that issue commercial driver's licenses will be required to verify CDL applicants Entry-Level Driver Training completion. Commercial driver training providers are required to upload an individual drivers training certification to the Training Provider Registry. Appointments can be scheduled using the DOTs online scheduler. For more information, call the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration information line at 1-(800) 832-5660 or the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Iowa Field Office at (515) 233-7400 or go here or here. HISTORY BOOK CLUB: Back by popular demand, the State Historical Society of Iowas book club returns this year with a new lineup. It will kick off its second year in February when Art Cullen, the Pulitzer Prize-winning editor and co-owner of the Storm Lake Times, will talk about his book, Storm Lake: Change, Resilience and Hope in Americas Heartland. The book club will feature Richard Bennetts Mormons at the Missouri in April, John C. Culver and John Hydes American Dreamer: A Life of Henry A. Wallace in September, and Linda Clemmons Dakota in Exile in December. Each online discussion will be led by Andrew Klumpp, editor of The Annals of Iowa, the quarterly journal published by the State Historical Society of Iowa, a division of the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs. All of the programs will be hosted online and recorded via Zoom, then posted afterward at https://iowaculture.gov/. Registration is free but required for each event. IMPLICIT BIAS TRAINING: All judicial officers and Judicial Branch staffers will be required to participate in implicit bias training under an order signed Wednesday by Iowa Supreme Court Chief Justice Susan Christensen. Since 2014, the Iowa Judicial Branch has provided training to all judicial officers and judicial branch staff on implicit bias as part of its commitment to ensure that all people are treated equally before the law. An implicit bias is one that the person may not be aware of but that filters into the persons actions and decisions. After a review of a pilot program that involved a representative sample of employees, Christensen is expanding the training to all officers and staff. Participants responses will be anonymous. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 LAGOS, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- The Nigerian air force said on Thursday its troops have rescued 26 people from gunmen on a highway in north Nigeria's Kaduna state on Wednesday. Edward Gabkwet, a spokesperson for the air force, said in a statement a team of special forces from the air force came across five abandoned vehicles with their doors open while on a fighting patrol along the Birnin Gwari-Kaduna road in the state, which is "an indication of forced removal or evacuation and a likely kidnap scene". "Acting on instincts, the special forces began exploiting the general scene of the abduction and extended it for about three kilometers, well into the bushes while clearing the general area," Gabkwet said. Upon sighting the special forces, three victims suddenly came out of the bushes. Further searching by the troops led to the discovery of four different groups of victims hiding in the bushes, he said. "After a thorough search further into the hinterland, a total of 26 victims were rescued," the spokesperson said. Gabkwet said the victims were travelling in several vehicles when a large number of bandits in three groups suddenly appeared from the bushes and surrounded their vehicles. "However, on sighting the special forces, the kidnappers fled into the bushes with a handful of the victims, while the other majority took cover and hid in the bushes until they sighted the special forces," said Gabkwet. Armed attacks have been a primary security threat in Nigeria's northern and central regions, resulting in deaths and kidnappings. CEDAR FALLS Mayor Rob Green intends to veto a proposed moratorium on building permits for projects in the downtowns commercial areas if the City Council approves it. The resolution will come before the council Tuesday (Monday is Martin Luther King Jr. Day), the same day councilors begin revisiting the newly adopted zoning code for downtown. While I support modifying the zoning ordinance to be more acceptable to more council members, my concern with a moratorium is that halting building permits would cause more harm than good for our citys economic development, through a perceived lack of support on council for continued development, Green wrote in a Jan. 8 blog post. The council voted 4-3 earlier this month to consider a building permit moratorium until May 1 as it reconsiders the downtown zoning ordinance. The new code received final approval Nov. 1, but has come back into focus because of the change in the councils makeup as a result of the city election. City law allows a mayor to veto a resolution within 14 days of its passage. The council has 30 days to override, but a two-thirds majority at least five members must approve. Green affirmed in a telephone interview Wednesday hes willing to listen to all arguments in support of the moratorium, but to this point hasnt heard one thats changed his mind. Human Rights Commission works to make presence known in Cedar Falls The HRC will co-sponsor a genealogy 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. My biggest concern is the message and the chilling effect it would have on the business community and those looking to invest, he said. It doesnt mean I cant be swayed, but based on principle, I dont see that happening. Green said hes heard concerns from about a dozen people, including Erik Skougard, president and CEO at Lincoln Savings Bank, who he said made a compelling argument against a moratorium. That correspondence from Skougard will be available for the public to review prior to the vote on the moratorium, he said. If the council approves the moratorium and the mayor signs it, the ban on building permits would impact the Urban General, Urban General 2 and Storefront designations in the newly established downtown zoning district, otherwise known as the Downtown Character District, where the controversial form-based zoning has taken the place of the traditional land use-based one. Those designated areas encompass parts of Main, Washington, State, Clay, as well as West First through Eighth streets, as well as a few smaller sectors of the downtown. It would halt permits for new construction, but also other projects triggering the need for such a permit as determined by the building official, said City Attorney Kevin Rogers. Rogers said it would be the first such moratorium hes seen since being hired by the city five years, but not the first in Cedar Falls history. He pointed to an Iowa Supreme Court Case involving one enacted for College Hill in 2009. Councilors Daryl Kruse, Dustin Ganfield, Susan deBuhr, and Dave Sires voted in favor of developing the moratorium Jan. 3. The Council also voted 6-1 to hold a work session to discuss the new code at 5:15 p.m. Tuesday. Councilors have informally agreed to place a pause on the implementation of a vision for a new zoning law on College Hill, with a majority voting to pull funding for the initiative in fiscal year 2023. In a telephone interview, Kruse, who proposed the moratorium and has been adamant about amending aspects of the new code, urged the mayor to wait until all the evidence has been presented before deciding to veto it. Weve always been told that when we vote, that we need to listen to all the public testimony, said Kruse. Hed be predetermining his vote without listening to everyone. I want to make sure that we all know who responded to him individually, and what their concerns were. Asked about possible compromise, Kruse doesnt feel there is room for it, with 75 properties concerned with overbuilding and being under-parked. He noted the moratorium isnt too extreme since the new code is on the books, and plans can move forward if they meet the new requirements. There are concerns he and others have, whether it be about the number of required parking spots per bedroom for residential spaces, the shared parking requirement, limits on the use of vinyl siding, or the substituting of the Planning and Zoning Commission in instances with a staff-led review. Last week, Community Development Director Stephanie Houk Sheetz said no projects have been approved under the new code. I recognize theres two new council people here, but I also feel like this is the point in time where we say this is taking more staff time, said Councilor Kelly Dunn, who voted against both the moratorium and revisiting the code. She pointed out that many people favor the new code. We keep asking staff to take time to discuss and we havent even given it a chance, so I guess thats my point. Im trying to weigh in why that is so wrong in my opinion, she added. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. 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. Love 0 Funny 1 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Go to form Bloomberg / Getty Images En espanol | Medicare coverage of the new Alzheimers drug Aduhelm, will be limited to beneficiaries enrolled in approved clinical trials, under an April 7 decision by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) that essentially confirms a plan the agency outlined in January. The final ruling comes almost a year after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted the hotly debated monoclonal antibody treatment a so-called accelerated approval. That approval was issued because the FDA found that the drug can reduce amyloid beta plaques in the brain a hallmark associated with Alzheimers disease. Still, theres scant proof that the medication stops or slows a persons cognitive decline. The other FDA-approved Alzheimers drugs on the market are designed to help manage some symptoms of the disease, not disrupt its progression, making Aduhelm a first-of-its-kind treatment and the first new Alzheimers drug to get federal approval since 2003. The decision, however, is not specific to Aduhelm. The CMS national policy plan includes a road map for future monoclonal antibodies aimed at tackling Alzheimers. Drugs in this class that receive traditional approval from the FDA and show a clear clinical benefit will be covered more broadly, while coverage for others that get accelerated approval, like Aduhelm, will be restricted to participants in clinical trials approved by the FDA or the National Institutes of Health and that are representative of the national Alzheimers population. Individuals must have a clinical diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) due to Alzheimers disease or mild dementia with a confirmed presence of plaque on the brain to qualify for coverage. Its estimated that more than 6 million Americans are living with Alzheimers, though only a portion are in the early and mild stages. Barring any effective interventions, that number is expected to rise to 14 million by 2060. There is the potential for promise with this treatment; however, there is not currently enough evidence of demonstrating improved health outcomes to say that it is reasonable and necessary for people with Medicare, which is a key consideration for CMS when making national coverage determinations, Lee Fleisher, M.D., CMS chief medical officer and director of the Center for Clinical Standards and Quality, said in a statement. He added that the agency weighed the potential for patient benefit against the significance of serious unknown factors that could lead to harm. Side effects of the drug include headache, confusion, dizziness, falls and vision changes, as well as swelling and bleeding in the brain. HANOI, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- Vietnamese authorities and the Chinese Embassy in Vietnam on Thursday held a ceremony to officially inaugurate the China-constructed Cat Linh-Ha Dong metro line project, the first one of the type completed in the Southeast Asian country. Over the past two months of commercial operation, the metro line transported some 15,000 passengers per day and has welcomed 1 million passengers till Thursday, Nguyen Manh Quyen, vice chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee said at the inauguration ceremony. "Starting commercial operation on Nov. 6 last year, the trains have run in absolute safety and well implemented the set targets. The project has been also welcomed by a large number of people in the capital as an advanced and modern mode of public transport introduced for the first time in Vietnam," the Hanoi leader said. The Cat Linh-Ha Dong elevated railway project is the first metro line in the Vietnamese capital city, which is expected to solve the rapidly increasing traffic amount in the western area of Hanoi and contribute to the socio-economic development of the city. Under a city development plan, Hanoi will have a total of 10 urban railway routes by 2030, according to Quyen. Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Chinese Ambassador to Vietnam Xiong Bo emphasized that the metro line is a symbolic cooperation project between the two countries in the field of infrastructure to jointly build the Belt and Road Initiative. "The inauguration and smooth operation of the railway line is the epitome of the substantive, mutually beneficial cooperation between the two sides which is developing steadily," Xiong said, adding that China is willing to join Vietnam in deepening cooperation in key areas, helping Vietnam realize faster development. Although the number of passengers has decreased recently due to the COVID-19 surge, passengers who have frequent demand such as those go to school and work with monthly tickets are on the rise, according to the project's operators. Taking a trip to work on Thursday morning, Dao Van Thanh, a 33-year-old passenger from Hanoi's Dong Da district, said using the metro line is now a crucial part of his daily life. "It helps my traveling far more comfortable these days," Thanh told Xinhua, hoping that more urban railway projects will be constructed to boost connectivity to other parts of the city. The elevated line is more than 13 km with 12 stations covering three districts. Each train, with a designed speed of 80 km per hour, has four carriages capable of carrying up to 1,000 passengers. The Cat Linh-Ha Dong elevated railway project officially started construction in October 2011. Its trial run was completed in December 2020, with thousands of trips covering over 70,000 kilometers, enabling the system to operate commercially in late 2021, according to its investors. Former Shiawassee County Board Chairman Jeremy Root explains why he voted in a closed-door meeting to pay himself $25,000 in COVID relief money. PHOENIX Hospital officials and public health experts in Arizona are warning against dismissing omicron because of its reputation for being a less severe COVID-19 variant. Even if its declared as mild, its really not. It consumes a number of resources. It complicates other health care, Dr. Michael White, of Phoenix-based Valleywise Health, said Wednesday during a virtual news conference. White commented amid reports that some people are deliberately trying to catch the highly contagious variant, believing they will suffer mild illness in exchange for gaining natural immunity. Early studies show omicron is less likely to cause severe illness than the previous delta variant. But vaccination and a booster still offer strong protection from serious illness, hospitalization and death. Dr. Joshua LaBaer, executive director of Arizona State Universitys Biodesign Institute, also said not to be dismissive of it. Theres always a chance omicron could trigger serious illness or long-haul COVID-19 symptoms down the road, he said. Even if a lot of cases are found to be mild, there will inevitably be people who will need to go to already taxed hospitals. Voluntarily getting infected when the health care system is already stressed and potentially adding to that stress is probably not a great idea either, LaBaer said. The whole system is something we have to pay attention to. Hospitalizations for COVID-19 have been inching upward in the state since Dec. 31, when they were 2,283. They were up to 2,929 as of Tuesday. Sonora Quest Laboratories, which conducts the majority of COVID-19 tests in Arizona, broke its single-day record for number of tests processed on Tuesday. The states largest diagnostic lab went through over 34,000 samples, Chief Operating Officer Sonya Engle said in a statement. Meanwhile, the state coronavirus dashboard reported a record high of 18,783 new confirmed COVID-19 cases Wednesday. Another six virus-related deaths were also reported. This brings Arizonas pandemic totals to 1,524,363 cases and 24,992 deaths. ARVADA, Colo. A person suspected of stealing a vehicle was shot and killed by police in suburban Denver Wednesday after brandishing a large knife, police said. The shooting happened after someone reported a suspicious vehicle, later discovered to be stolen, with two people in and near it in Arvada at around 1:18 a.m., police spokesman Det. David Snelling told KMGH-TV. When officers arrived, one person drove away in the vehicle and the other person, who had a knife, ran away, he said. When officers caught up to and confronted the person with the knife, the person refused to drop the knife and confronted the officers, Snelling said. Two of the officers fired their guns, he said. The person was declared dead at the scene, Arvada police said in a tweet. No officers were injured, the department said. The two officers who fired their guns have been placed on administrative leave while the shooting is investigated by authorities from other law enforcement agencies in the area. In two decades, the Public Academy for Performing Arts has been able to teach hundreds of students. Many have continued with a career in the arts. At 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 14, PAPA will be holding its Platinum Gala, which celebrates two decades since the schools inception. We would have had it last year but the pandemic didnt allow for an event like this, says Naomi Elizabeth Montoya, PAPA performing arts coordinator. The event will have 21 PAPA alumni coming back to take the stage at the Albuquerque Journal Theatre at the National Hispanic Cultural Center. In 2000, a small group of community members, with the help and guidance of others, created a plan for a school where creative, talented students could grow and develop into master creative learners and beings. The founders, Frank Butler, Joan Findley Perls, Kristina Lord Linde, Fred Pink, Bob Perls and Valerie Scott created the first mission statement, Our mission is to create a New Mexico charter school that will provide an environment to develop an excellent academic and performing arts foundation for interested students. We are not here to create the stars of tomorrow; rather we are here to create a whole human being today. Albuquerque Public Schools approved the application, and the PAPA opened its doors in August, 2001. The school started with 180 students in grades 6 through 9, PAPA has grown to its maximum 450 in grades 6 through 12. Further growth is limited by the current facility. Montoya says the school has a diverse student population selected through a lottery process. Students are from all over the city, Rio Rancho, south to Belen, east to Moriarty, and north as far as Santa Fe. Im in full support of young people being artists, Montoya says. Its been a journey to see many of the students grow into their profession. A lot of them remain in the arts in some way. Some students havent pursued a career in the performing arts. But their art background has helped them by learning to multi-task. We have a couple of students that are nurses and we need those people to support arts education. Montoya says there will be a variety of filmmakers coming back for the event. There will also be vocalists, as well as original skits being performed. There were many more alumni that wanted to participate, she says. Many of them had a conflict in their schedule because they are performing with companies. I think thats a good problem to have. I have spent my lifetime around people with intellectual disabilities. My uncle was born in 1917 in Arkansas. At 9 months of age, he developed a fever, the cause of which was never diagnosed. The fever left him with a significant intellectual disability. There were no services for people with intellectual disabilities in 1917. So, my grandmother became his direct support provider. They were together every day of their lives for 62 years. If my grandmother was sick and in the hospital, my uncle was in the bed next to her. If my uncle was sick and in the hospital, my grandmother was in the bed next to him. My grandmother passed away in 1979. My uncle passed away three months later because the only caregiver he had ever known was no longer in his life. This is the dramatic impact these dedicated caregivers have on the lives of the people they care for. The Association of Developmental Disabilities Community Providers (ADDCP) is a statewide membership organization. ADDCP supports members from Carlsbad to Farmington and Las Cruces to Taos. All of these agencies provide some form of services and supports to citizens of New Mexico with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Our mission statement is To promote and advocate for quality, community-based services for children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in New Mexico. The central component of that statement is the direct support workforce that provides those services. In her The Executives Desk commentary Nov. 1 in the Business Outlook of the Albuquerque Journal, Adrienne Smith, president and CEO of the New Mexico Caregivers Coalition, correctly outlines the current plight of the direct caregiver workforce. ADDCP member agencies report not being able to fill vacant direct support positions in their agencies. The COVID pandemic exacerbated the situation. But, nonetheless, we have a crisis in finding capable, competent workers. The job of a direct support professional in todays market is quite sophisticated. The training requirements are well-defined and rigorous. Regardless of the innumerable reasons for not choosing this field of employment, there is also a need to understand the intricacies of funding these extremely important services. Developmental disability services are reimbursed on a fee-for-service basis. The reimbursement rate for services is based on cost studies typically contracted by the New Mexico Department of Health. The latest cost study was conducted in fiscal 2018 and finalized in fiscal 2019. It was partially based on fiscal 2017 cost reports provided by ADDCP member agencies and other providers. This cost study only fully funded 19 of the 34 individual service rates. The remaining 15 rates will hopefully be funded beginning July 1, 2022. The funding for those rate reimbursements is included in the Department of Health budget request for fiscal 2023. ADDCP supports raising the wages of direct support professionals, as well as all other people working in this field. Providers cannot increase wages when the reimbursement rate for services being provided is three to four years behind the cost of providing those services. There is a projected allocation of 4,100 people into services in the next two years. This will potentially eliminate the waiting list for services (Albuquerque Journal editorial Nov. 2). Without significant funding appropriations to the Department of Health, there will not be service providers to serve these new allocations or continue to serve the current service recipients. Sixteen service providers have stopped providing various services since fiscal 2021. A solution to this crisis will not be easy. It will be costly. With the projection New Mexico will need to fill 75,000 new positions in home health and direct care by 2026, the question to answer in relation to this crisis is, If not now, when do we begin to care about our direct support caregivers? Jim Copeland has spent his lifetime in professional, personal and family services to people with intellectual disabilities. His brother-in-law passed away in 2008 in the care of the Developmental Disabilities Waiver in New Mexico. Copyright 2022 Albuquerque Journal The state Supreme Court ordered the indefinite suspension of the law license of Albuquerque attorney Victor Marshall on Wednesday for accusations he made in challenging the impartiality of a former Court of Appeals judge in a major water rights case in 2009. The justices delivered their ruling after hearing arguments from Marshall, his attorney and from a lawyer for the state disciplinary counsel, Jane Gagne, who said Marshalls allegation about Judge James Wechsler strikes at the heart of the integrity of the judiciary. Theres absolutely no evidence in the record to support any of Mr. Marshalls allegations against Judge Wechsler, she added. Gagne told the court that Marshalls indefinite suspension would be for at least one year, after which he could reapply for reinstatement of the New Mexico law license he has had since 1975. He also is required to complete four hours of ethics training. Marshall told the justices he had been on a search for the truth after hearing rumors at the state Legislature in 2018 that Wechsler had once worked for the Navajo Nation, which Marshall claimed had reaped the benefits of a Wechsler-approved settlement of water rights adjudication in the San Juan River Basin of northwest New Mexico. It turned out that Wechsler worked for a legal services agency on the Navajo reservation in the early 1970s, not the Navajo Nation. Wechsler later contended he had no conflict requiring recusal because he never worked on the water case, but Marshall said the judge as an attorney represented about 1,000 Navajo members during his three years at DNA Legal Services. The justices, in questioning the attorneys Wednesday, took special umbrage at Marshalls statement in an emergency motion filed once he learned of Wechslers prior employment. Marshall had been representing non-Indian water users at the time. Given that the judge never disclosed his prior employment after being appointed as a pro tem judge on the water case, Marshalls motion that sought discovery about the rumor stated that the public might reasonably wonder whether the judge fixed this case for his former client. One of the concerns I have is not so much that Mr. Marshall made a claim that Judge Wechsler had a conflict, but the way that he made it, said Justice Julie Vargas during the oral argument session. She said Marshall was accusing the judge of things that theres no evidence of. Justice Briana Zamora echoed those concerns, adding, Im not suggesting your client shouldnt have inquired into the issue; its how he handled it when he found out about these rumors. Marshall told the court his knowledge of the facts was incomplete at the time, and he wanted more information, hoping the case would be sent back to district court for discovery. But that didnt happen. The situation came about because the required disclosure were not made years before, they should have been made and (under the law) its a judges duty to make the disclosure and if those disclosures were made years ago none of us would be here, Marshall said. Under the New Mexico Code of Judicial Conduct, a judge shall disqualify himself or herself in any proceeding in which the judges impartiality might reasonably be questioned. Marshall also told the court that he never stated that Wechsler fixed the case, but only wrote that the public might reasonably wonder if the case was fixed. His attorney Jeff Baker told the court, I will acknowledge the way Mr. Marshall phrased that hypothetical question was inartful. I think he could have phrased it differently and more gently if you will. Gagne said no reasonable attorney would have made the same reckless allegations against a judge under the circumstances. She changed her initial recommendation for a public censure to an indefinite suspension because she said Marshall has continued to repeat the allegations and theres no indication Mr. Marshall has learned from the experience. Baker told the court before its ruling that suspension was too punitive, and in his experience, is typically reserved for lawyers who steal money from their clients, the government, third parties or in cases of domestic violence. Im not aware of anybody being suspended because they were disrespectful to a judge, Baker said. At one point, Chief Justice Michael Vigil asked Marshall do you see any way in your heart to say you are sorry for having created that situation? Marshall said he had great respect for Wechsler, and he sincerely regrets this situation, which he called an embarrassment and traumatic for all parties. But Marshall added, I had to do what every lawyer should do and to raise the question. I could have expressed it differently. The substance would have been the same. VIENTIANE, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- Laos recorded a trade deficit of 80 million U.S. dollars in December, according to the latest information from the Lao Trade Portal website. Laos' exports in December totaled 552 million U.S. dollars and imports totaled 632 million U.S. dollars. In December, the main exported products were copper ore, copper and copper products, mixed gold, banana, cassava, clothing, coffee, sugar, maize, and rice. Meanwhile, the main imported were vehicles, diesel, mechanical equipment, steel, water, soda and energy drink, auto parts, gasoline, plastic products, precious and semi-precious stones, chemicals, and food industry waste. Laos shipped goods worth 210 million U.S. dollars to China, 122 million U.S. dollars to Vietnam, 101 million U.S. dollars to Thailand, 12 million U.S. dollars to India, and 8 million U.S. dollars to Japan. In terms of imports, Laos imported goods worth 325 million U.S. dollars from Thailand, 111 million U.S. dollars from China, 52 million U.S. dollars from Vietnam, and 16 million U.S. dollars from Japan. The figures for December do not include earnings from the export of electricity. Copyright 2022 Albuquerque Journal The Rust armorer is suing the films weapons supplier, alleging that he provided the live ammunition that killed a cinematographer and wounded a director during a rehearsal in October at a movie set outside Santa Fe. Jason Bowles, attorney for Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, filed the lawsuit Wednesday in 2nd Judicial District Court seeking damages against Seth Kenney and his company PDQ Arm and Prop for violating the New Mexico Unfair Trade Practices Act, creation of a dangerous condition, breach of contract, false and deceptive product labels and false and material misrepresentations. The lawsuit stems from an Oct. 21 incident when, according to authorities, actor Alec Baldwin discharged a live round from a Colt .45 revolver, killing Halyna Hutchins, 42, and wounding Joel Souza, 48, inside a rustic church on the Bonanza Creek Ranch movie set. The Sante Fe County Sheriffs Office found additional live rounds on the set after the incident and the agencys investigation has centered around where the live ammunition came from. During that investigation, according to court records, Kenney told deputies he may have given reloaded ammunition to Gutierrez-Reed, who loaded the gun, before the Oct. 21 shooting. The father of Gutierrez-Reed, well-known armorer Thell Reed, told deputies he supplied Kenney with live rounds for firearms training during a separate movie shoot and Kenney kept the leftover ammunition. The Journal could not reach Kenney for comment Wednesday. In a Dec. 2 interview with Good Morning America, Kenney said he supplied the guns and blank and dummy ammunition to the set but denied that the live rounds found on set came from him. Court records state that, leading up to the shooting, assistant director David Halls had declared the firearm cold, meaning unloaded, and handed it to Baldwin. Halls later told deputies he hadnt checked the gun properly and couldnt recall if Gutierrez-Reed had either. Bowles has previously leveled allegations that Gutierrez-Reed was sabotaged. In an interview with ABC News, Santa Fe County District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies dismissed that claim, calling it a conspiracy theory. The lawsuit alleges Kenney provided ammo boxes labeled 45 Colt Dummies, which held a mix of dummy and live rounds, unbeknownst to Gutierrez-Reed, and resulting in a foreseeably catastrophic outcome. GIGLIO, Italy Fog horns wailed and church bells tolled Thursday as Italy honored the 32 victims of the Costa Concordia shipwreck on the 10th anniversary of the disaster, with a commemoration that recalled the moment the cruise ship struck a reef and capsized off the Tuscan island of Giglio. Some of the 4,200 survivors attended the anniversary events, which began with a noontime Mass and ended with a candlelit procession to Giglios dock at the exact moment, 9:45 p.m. local time, that the Concordia hit the rocks that sliced a 70-meter (230-foot) gash in its hull. Coast guardsmen placed a wreath of flowers on the dock, and the parish priest led the small group in a moment silent prayer pierced only by fog horns and church bells commemorating the absurdity of the disaster: a stunt ordered up by the captain that ended with 32 people dead and a mammoth cruise ship flopped on its side. Bells rang out earlier Thurday in the same Giglio church that opened its doors that freezing night and took in hundreds of passengers who abandoned ship and reached shore in lifeboats. Some had climbed off the lopsided liner on rope ladders after it flipped onto its side; others were plucked from the decks by rescue helicopters. I invite you to have the courage to look forward, Grosseto Bishop Giovanni Roncari told survivors, relatives of the dead and Coast Guard officials who had helped coordinate the rescue. Hope doesnt cancel the tragedy and pain, but it teaches us to look beyond the present moment without forgetting it. The Concordia captain, Francesco Schettino, is serving a 16-year prison sentence for manslaughter and other charges for having ordered the crew to steer the ship off course and closer to Giglio in a stunt known as tourist navigation to give passengers and those on shore a thrill. After the ship hit the reef, the engine room flooded and generators failed, causing a power outage that sent the ship adrift until it eventually crashed offshore and capsized. Evidence presented at the trial showed Schettino downplayed the severity of the situation in communications with the Coast Guard and delayed an evacuation order, then abandoned ship before all the passengers and crew were off. Giglios vice mayor at the time, Mario Pellegrini, had climbed on board the listing ship that night to help coordinate the rescue, and found sheer chaos in the absence of orders from the captain or crew. He recalled he finally climbed down after the last passengers and crew had been evacuated, at around 6 a.m. the following morning. The memories I have from that night inside the ship are terrible, of the tears and desperation of the people, he said Thursday. I would have wanted to save everyone, but thinking about it again, everything I could do, I did. The 10th anniversary is also recalling how the residents of Giglio took in the 4,200 surviving passengers and crew, giving them food, blankets and a place to rest until day broke and they were ferried to the mainland. Giglios people then lived with the Concordias 115,000-ton, 300-meter (1,000-foot) carcass for another two years until it was righted and hauled away for scrap. It was right to be here, to pay tribute to those victims, but the primary motivation is to thank and greet the people who helped me that night, from Giglio, said survivor Luciano Castro. Giglios residents for their part warmly welcomed Kevin Rebello, whose brother Russel, a Concordia waiter, was the last person unaccounted-for until crews discovered his remains while dismantling the ship in 2014 in a Genoa shipyard. Kevin Rebello had become close to many Giglio residents and rescuers during the months that divers searched for his brother. And on Thursday, as he arrived for the commemorative Mass, he received an award from the Civil Protection Agency. This is for (Russel), Rebello told reporters as he clutched the plaque. He would be proud of it. The anniversary comes as the cruise ship industry, shut down in much of the world for months because of the coronavirus pandemic, is again in the spotlight because of COVID-19 outbreaks that threaten passenger safety. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control last month warned people to avoid cruises, regardless of their vaccination status, because of the infection risk. For Concordia survivors, the COVID-19 infections on cruise ships are just another indication that passenger safety still isnt a top industry priority. Concordia passengers were largely left on their own to find life jackets and a functioning lifeboat. Because of the delayed evacuation order, many lifeboats couldnt be lowered because the ship was already on its side. Ester Percossi recalled being thrown to the ground in the dining room by the initial impact of the reef gashing into the hull like an earthquake. The lights went out, and bottles, glasses and plates flew off the tables. We got up and with great effort went out on deck and there we got the life vests those that we could find, because everyone was grabbing them from each other to save themselves, she recalled. There was no law. Just survival and that is it. Former Coast Guard Cmdr. Gregorio De Falco returned for the commemorations, 10 years after he became something of a national hero when audio emerged of his expletive-laden communications with Schettino in the hours after impact, ordering him to get back on board and coordinate the rescue. You prepare all your life for these mass rescue operations with the hope that you never have to do one, De Falco said Thursday. But it happened to us. Costa sent representatives to the ceremonies and issued a statement saying the companys thoughts were with the victims and their relatives. Costa noted that since the disaster, it undertaken the massive operation to right the ship, remove it, and restore the damaged seabed. The cruise line, a unit of U.S.-based Carnival Corp., thanked the rescue crews and residents of Giglio as well as the Costa employees who gave their assistance and worked restlessly that night and in the following phases with generosity and courage. __ Winfield reported from Rome. SALT LAKE CITY An investigation has found that Utah police made several unintentional mistakes when they stopped Gabby Petito and her boyfriend before she was killed in what became a high-profile missing person case. The independent report released Wednesday examines a traffic stop by police in the tourist town of Moab on Aug. 12. Officers investigated a fight between Petito and her boyfriend Brian Laundrie but ultimately allowed the couple to leave after requiring them to spend a night apart. Police body camera video of a visibly upset Petito, 22, was widely viewed as the investigation unfolded and raised questions about whether a different police response could have prevented her death weeks later. Laundrie, 23, later killed himself after being named the only person of interest in her death. The report faults officers for not issuing a domestic violence citation to Petito after she told police she had hit her boyfriend first, though it also points to indications she was likely a victim in the broader scope of the relationship. The report also faults investigators for failing to take a statement from a 911 caller who had reported seeing the couple outside their van and a man slapping a girl. Would Gabby be alive today if this case was handled differently? That is an impossible question to answer despite it being the answer many people want to know. Nobody knows and nobody will ever know the answer to that question, wrote Capt. Brandon Ratcliffe, from the police department in Price, Utah, who prepared the report. The ultimately tragic search for Petito drew worldwide attention, sparking social media sleuthing, discussions about dating violence and shining a light on the disproportionate coverage of missing white women in the U.S. compared to other missing persons. Long before their names appeared in headlines, the couple was stopped by police officers during a cross-country trip. Their van was seen speeding and hit a curb near the entrance to Arches National Park. Laundrie told police the couple got into a minor scuffle that began when he climbed into the van with dirty feet. Petito told a similar story, and faulted her own desire to keep the converted camper van clean. She told police she had hit him first, and since Laundrie was injured but declined to press charges officers separated the couple and then allowed them to leave. Petito was reported missing a month after that traffic stop, and her strangled body was discovered Sept. 19 on the edge of Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming. Laundrie was the only person ever identified by law enforcement officials as a person of interest in the case. He was found dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound in a swamp after returning alone to his parents home in Florida. Both were originally from Long Island, New York. Utah law says police should cite an aggressor in domestic violence assaults. In this case, police didnt cite anyone, finding the incident was more of a mental or emotional health break. One officer who argued against citing Petito said Laundrie might bail her out of jail and then have more control over her. That officer told investigators that if he had known she was in life-threatening danger he would taken his own time to follow them. I would have done anything to stop it if I would have known that was coming I am devastated about it. The city of Moab said they would follow the reports recommendations, though they also said the officers showed kindness, respect and empathy in their handling of this incident. The report found that the officers did what they thought was right at the time, and responsibility for Petitos death lays with her killer alone. Nevertheless the report recommends improved training, especially in domestic violence investigation, and that the officers involved be put on probation or have existing probation extended. Ratcliffe wrote that while it appears Petito was the aggressor in the specific fight Moab police investigated, that wasnt necessarily the tenor of their relationship. There have been many times in my career where someone who we know from past experience to be a long-term victim of domestic violence, gets arrested for committing an act of domestic violence against their long-term abuser, Ratcliffe wrote. Its very likely Gabby was a long-term victim of domestic violence, whether that be physically, mentally, and/or emotionally. KOBLENZ, Germany A former Syrian secret police officer was convicted by a German court Thursday of crimes against humanity for overseeing the abuse of detainees at a jail near Damascus a decade ago, a ruling the top United Nations human rights official described as historic. Anwar Raslan is the highest-ranking Syrian official so far convicted of the charge. The verdict was keenly anticipated by those who suffered abuse or lost relatives at the hands of President Bashar Assads government in Syrias long-running conflict. This trial cast a much-needed, renewed spotlight on the kinds of sickening torture, cruel and truly inhuman treatment including abject sexual violence that countless Syrians were subjected to in detention facilities, the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet, said. It is a landmark leap forward in the pursuit of truth, justice and reparations for the serious human rights violations perpetrated in Syria over more than a decade. The Koblenz state court concluded that the defendant was in charge of interrogations at a facility in the Syrian city of Douma known as Al Khatib, or Branch 251, where suspected opposition protesters were detained. The court sentenced the 58-year-old to life in prison, with the possibility of parole after 15 years. This day, this verdict is important for all Syrians who have suffered and are still suffering from the Assad regimes crimes, said Ruham Hawash, a survivor of Branch 251 who testified in the trial. This verdict is only a beginning and we have a long way to go but for us affected people, this trial and todays ruling are a first step towards freedom, dignity and justice, she said. German prosecutors alleged that Raslan 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. Judges ruled that there was evidence to hold him responsible for 27 deaths. A junior officer, Eyad al-Gharib, was convicted last year of being an accessory to crimes against humanity and sentenced by the Koblenz court to 4 years in prison. Both men were arrested in Germany in 2019, years after seeking asylum in the country. Like al-Gharib, Raslan planned to appeal his conviction, his lawyers said. Ultimately Mr. Raslan has been convicted in the regimes place, his counsel Yorck Fratzky told reporters. A court spokeswoman, Anne Brodoefel, said judges had determined as part of their verdict that the Syrian government carried out a prolonged attack against its own population from April 2011 onward with the aim of quashing the popular uprising. But the court concluded that events at Branch 251 were significantly determined by the defendant, meaning he bore personal responsibility for crimes that occurred there, she said. Victims and human rights groups have said they hope the verdict in the 19-month trial will be a first step toward justice for countless people who have been unable to file criminal complaints against officials in Syria or before the International Criminal Court. Since Russia and China have blocked efforts in the U.N. Security Council to refer cases to The Hague-based tribunal, countries such as Germany that apply the principle of universal jurisdiction for serious crimes will increasingly become the venue for such trials, experts say. We are starting to see the fruits of a determined push by courageous survivors, activists and others to achieve justice for horrific atrocities in Syrias network of prisons, said Balkees Jarrah, associate international justice director at Human Rights Watch. The verdict is a breakthrough for Syrian victims and the German justice system in cracking the wall of impunity, she added. Other countries should follow Germanys lead and actively bolster efforts to prosecute serious crimes in Syria. The trial is the first of its kind worldwide and other courts may cite the verdict and evidence heard in Koblenz, said Patrick Kroker, a lawyer with the European Center for Constitutional and Human Rights. The group represented 14 victims who under German law were able to take part in the proceedings as co-plaintiffs. The goal remains to bring senior Assad associates, such as former Air Force Intelligence chief Jamil Hassan, to justice for their crimes, said Kroker. Germany issued an international arrest warrant for Hassan in 2018, but bringing him and other senior Syrian officials to trial will be difficult, as the country does not extradite its citizens. Still, the European Unions judicial cooperation organization, Eurojust said the ruling will leave a lasting mark on international criminal justice. It noted that photographs of alleged torture victims smuggled out of Syria by a former police officer, who goes by the alias of Caesar, were a key part of the evidence against Raslan. This conviction has put state authorities on notice no matter where you are or how senior you may be, if you perpetrate torture or other serious human rights violations, you will be held accountable sooner or later, at home or abroad, Bachelet said, the U.N. rights chief. Germanys justice minister, Marco Buschmann, called on other countries to follow what he called the pioneering work performed by his countrys legal system. Crimes against humanity mustnt remain unpunished. No matter where they are committed, no matter by whom, said Buschmann. Human rights experts said it was significant that the Koblenz court had deemed the allegations of sexual violence to be among the crimes against humanity Raslan was convicted for. However the judges didnt convict him over the enforced disappearances, meaning those will have to be prosecuted separately in future proceedings. 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. The Syrian government denies it is holding any political prisoners, labeling 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. There have already been several convictions in Europe of Syrians accused of committing war crimes against members of Syrias armed forces. ___ Jordans reported from Berlin. Sarah El Deeb in Beirut and Mike Corder in The Hague, Netherlands, contributed to this report. MOSCOW Troops belonging to a Russia-led security alliance were preparing to pull out of Kazakhstan, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Thursday. The withdrawal comes a week after they were deployed to the ex-Soviet nation on the request of its president, who was seeking to quell violent mass protests. The demonstrations started on Jan. 2 in western Kazakhstan following widespread outrage over a sharp rise in fuel prices. They quickly spread nationwide and descended into violence within several days. Protesters stormed government buildings and set them ablaze, and dozens of people were killed in clashes with the countrys security forces. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has blamed the unrest on foreign-backed terrorists and requested assistance from the Collective Security Treaty Organization, a Russia-led military alliance of six ex-Soviet states. The bloc sent over 2,000 troops to Kazakhstan last week. On Tuesday Tokayev declared their mission accomplished and said they would start pulling out on Thursday. Russias Defense Ministry said Thursday that the troops in Kazakhstan were preparing equipment for transportation and handing over state institutions they guarded to local forces. Later on Thursday, Russias Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu reported to President Vladimir Putin that the troops will withdraw by Jan. 19. Putin noted that it was the first such operation for the CSTO and that the troops played an important role in stabilizing the situation in Kazakhstan. In general, its time to return home we have completed our task, Putin concluded. In Almaty, Kazakhstans largest city that has been hit the hardest by the unrest, the airport resumed operation on Thursday morning, a week after it was stormed and briefly seized by the protesters. Russias Interfax news agency also reported that the security forces have cleared the square in front of the city hall, which was stormed and set on fire, opening it for pedestrians and car traffic. Authorities in Almaty on Thursday reported detaining nearly 2,000 more people over their alleged involvement in the unrest and looting. COPENHAGEN, Denmark The Norwegian Nobel Committee, which awards the prestigious Nobel Peace Prize, on Thursday issued a very rare admonition to the 2019 winner, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, over the war and humanitarian crisis in his countrys Tigray region. As prime minister and winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, Abiy Ahmed has a special responsibility to end the conflict and contribute to peace, the Oslo-based committee said in a statement. Abiy won the prize, in part, for making peace with neighboring Eritrea after one of Africas longest-running conflicts. The committee said that it must be emphasized that Abiy Ahmeds prize was awarded on the basis of his efforts and the justifiable expectations that existed in 2019, adding that the historical backdrop included an authoritarian governing system and widespread ethnic conflicts. But in November 2020, Abiys government allowed Eritrean forces into Tigray as they together pursued the Tigray leaders after political tensions erupted into war. Some tens of thousands of people have been killed, and hundreds of thousands now face famine as Ethiopias government has kept almost all food and medical aid from Tigray since late June. Nowhere in the world are we witnessing hell like Tigray, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, a former Tigray official, told reporters on Wednesday, saying the WHO had approached Abiys office for permission to send medicines into Tigray, in vain. The humanitarian situation is very serious, and it is not acceptable that humanitarian aid does not emerge to a sufficient degree, the Norwegian Nobel Committee statement said. There was no immediate comment from the prime ministers office. Ethiopias 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. But aid workers have said airstrikes continue to kill civilians in Tigray, with a weekend strike killing more than 50. Another airstrike killed 17 on Monday, the day President Joe Biden, in a call with Abiy, raised concerns about them. The Norwegian Nobel Committee also said that its deliberations are confidential. Furthermore, it is not our role to provide continuing commentary on Ethiopian developments or to assess the position of a Peace Prize laureate after the prize has been received. ___ Associated Press Writer Cara Anna in Nairobi contributed to this report. GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. A grand jury will investigate allegations of tampering with election equipment and official misconduct in a Colorado county where the clerk is being investigated for an alleged security breach of elections equipment, prosecutors said Thursday. In joint statement, Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser and Mesa County District Attorney Dan Rubinstein said a grand jury in Mesa County accepted the case Wednesday and will assist in an ongoing investigation into the allegations, which has been underway for several months. This investigation will be thorough and guided by the facts and the law. More information will be made available when the prosecutors are ethically and legally permitted to provide additional details, they said in the announcement, which was first reported by The Daily Sentinel. The statement did not say who will be investigated but it comes as Mesa County Clerk Tina Peters is being investigated by the FBI and by Colorado officials in an alleged security breach involving elections equipment in Mesa County in May. Secretary of State Jena Griswold, a Democrat, successfully sued to have Peters and a deputy, Belinda Knisley, removed from administering the November midterm election. Peters has denied any wrongdoing. A telephone message left for Peters attorney was not immediately returned. Peters rejected a state settlement offer that would have allowed her renewed access to the county elections division under strict state supervision, The Daily Sentinel also reported Thursday. The offer from Griswolds office called on Peters to completely repudiate, retract and disavow some statements shes made about voting security. Peters has become an advocate for those who believe, without evidence, that the 2020 election was fraudulent although she has said elections in Mesa County, which voted overwhelmingly for then-President Donald Trump, were secure and accurate. Democrat Joe Biden handily defeated Trump in Colorado in 2020. Knisley was subsequently suspended and charged with felony second-degree burglary and a cybercrime misdemeanor count by Rubinsteins office. Knisley also has denied wrongdoing. In November, an FBI-led law enforcement task force searched four western Colorado locations, including Peters home, in the investigation. Griswold sued to remove Peters as county clerk and recorder after Griswold said images of election equipment management software from Mesa County were obtained by elections conspiracy theorists and posted on far-right blogs. Griswolds office has said one of the images was taken May 23 from inside a secure room in Mesa County where the voting equipment was stored and had been accessed that day by Peters, who allowed a non-employee into the room. Griswolds office has identified the person it says was allowed into the secure room but has refused to say anything more. The Associated Press isnt naming the person until more information becomes available. He has not been charged with a crime. In one of the statements that Griswolds office called on Peters to back away from under the settlement offer, Peters recently said that weve got to get those machines so they are transparent to the people and theyre not able to do what theyre designed to do, the Sentinel reported. Peters said in a statement she rejected the offer because it called on her to disavow her beliefs. Please name one time in the history of the world in which the side demanding you repudiate your beliefs, especially beliefs for transparency, in exchange for return of your rights, have been the good guys, Peters said in the release. Im not surprised that the radical secretary of state wants to muzzle her and sweep all election questions under the rug, said her attorney, former GOP Secretary of State Scott Gessler. Peters first commented about the FBI-led searches during an appearance on an online channel operated by Mike Lindell, the MyPillow CEO and a supporter of Peters and Trump who has repeatedly made discredited claims that the 2020 election was stolen from Trump. Earth simmered to the sixth hottest year on record in 2021, according to several newly released temperature measurements. And scientists say the exceptionally hot year is part of a long-term warming trend that shows hints of accelerating. Two U.S. science agencies NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and a private measuring group released their calculations for last years global temperature on Thursday, and all said it wasnt far behind ultra-hot 2016 and 2020. Six different calculations found 2021 was between the fifth and seventh hottest year since the late 1800s. NASA said 2021 tied with 2018 for sixth warmest, while NOAA puts last year in sixth place by itself. Scientists say a La Nina natural cooling of parts of the central Pacific that changes weather patterns globally and brings chilly deep ocean water to the surface dampened global temperatures just as its flip side, El Nino, boosted them in 2016. Still, they said 2021 was the hottest La Nina year on record and that the year did not represent a cooling off of human-caused climate change but provided more of the same heat. So its not quite as headline-dominating as being the warmest on record, but give it another few years and well see another one of those records, said climate scientist Zeke Hausfather of the Berkeley Earth monitoring group that also ranked 2021 the sixth hottest. Its the long-term trend, and its an indomitable march upward. Gavin Schmidt, the climate scientist who heads NASAs temperature team, said the long-term trend is very, very clear. And its because of us. And its not going to go away until we stop increasing the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. The last eight years have been the eight hottest on record, NASA and NOAA data agree. Global temperatures, averaged over a 10-year period to take out natural variability, are nearly 2 degrees (1.1 degrees Celsius) warmer than 140 years ago, their data shows. The other 2021 measurements came from the Japanese Meteorological Agency and satellite measurements by Copernicus Climate Change Service i n Europe and the University of Alabama in Huntsville. There was such a distinctive jump in temperatures about eight to 10 years ago that scientists have started looking at whether the rise in temperatures is speeding up. Both Schmidt and Hausfather said early signs point to that but its hard to know for sure. If you just look at the last the last 10 years, how many of them are way above the trend line from the previous 10 years? Almost all of them, Schmidt said in an interview. Theres a 99% chance that 2022 will be among the 10 warmest years on record and a 10% chance it will be the hottest on record, said NOAA climate analysis chief Russell Vose in a Thursday press conference. Vose said chances are 50-50 that at least one year in the 2020s will hit 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit) warming since pre-industrial times the level of warming nations agreed to try to avoid in the 2015 Paris climate accord. While that threshold is important, extreme weather from climate change is hurting people now in their daily lives with about 1.2 degrees Celsius (2.2 degrees Fahrenheit) warming, Vose and Schmidt said. The global average temperature last year was 58.5 degrees (14.7 Celsius), according to NOAA. In 1988, NASAs then-chief climate scientist James Hansen grabbed headlines when he testified to Congress about global warming in a year that was the hottest on record at the time. Now, the 57.7 degrees (14.3 Celsius) of 1988 ranks as the 28th hottest year on record. Last year, 1.8 billion people in 25 Asian, African and Middle Eastern nations had their hottest years on record, including China, Nigeria, Bangladesh, Iran, Myanmar and South Korea, according to Berkeley Earth. The deep ocean, where most heat is stored in the seas, also set a record for warmth in 2021, according to a separate new study. Ocean warming, aside from causing coral bleaching and threatening sea life and fish populations, is destabilizing Antarctic ice shelves and threatens massive sea level rise if we dont act, said study co-author Michael Mann, a Pennsylvania State University climate scientist. The last time Earth had a cooler than normal year by NOAA or NASA calculations was 1976. That means 69% of the people on the planet more than 5 billion people under age 45 have never experienced such a year, based on United Nations data. North Carolina state climatologist Kathie Dello, 39, who wasnt part of the new reports but said they make sense, said, Ive only lived in a warming world and I wish that the younger generations did not have to say the same. It didnt have to be this way. ___ See more AP climate coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/climate. ___ Follow Seth Borenstein on Twitter: @borenbears. ___ The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institutes Department of Science Education. The AP is solely responsible for all content. New Mexico lawmakers return to the Roundhouse at noon Tuesday, Jan. 18, for the start of a 30-day session. Per the states Constitution, the issues considered will be limited to budgetary and revenue bills, along with items added to the agenda by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham. Important dates Jan. 18: Opening day (noon) Feb. 2: Deadline for bill introduction Feb. 17: Session ends (noon) March 9: Legislation not acted upon by governor is pocket vetoed May 18: Effective date of legislation not carrying an emergency clause or other specified date These are some issues that could be debated. BUDGET / TAXES Eliminate the tax on Social Security benefits for all but the wealthiest New Mexicans and offset the lost revenue with a tobacco tax increase. Reduce the states gross receipts tax base rate by 0.125 percentage points. Create tax deduction for purchase of tampons and other feminine hygiene products. Establish new income tax credit for electric vehicles. CRIME Abolish life in prison without parole for juveniles sentenced as adults. Prohibit chop shops that strip and dismantle stolen vehicles. Remove statute of limitations on prosecution of second-degree murder charges. Add more crimes to list of crimes that trigger life sentence upon third violent felony conviction. ETHICS / TRANSPARENCY Require legislators and lobbyists to disclose more information, including lawmakers sources of personal income. Create public works commission to vet proposed capital outlay projects. Mandate that recipients of state economic development initiatives provide more job-creation data EDUCATION Boost starting teacher pay to $50,000 annually. Increase stipends for those participating in teacher residency programs. Provide funding to increase number of school nurses. Limit increases in spending on administrative expenses so that more money goes into classrooms. Make taking a financial literacy class a high-school graduation requirement. COURTS Change states pretrial detention laws to make it easier for individuals charged with violent crimes to be kept in jail until trial. Spend $45 million to bolster retirement system for judges. Allow prison inmates age 55 and older with chronic medical conditions to apply for parole. HEALTH / COVID-19 PANDEMIC Earmark $60 million in federal relief funds to purchase high-quality face masks and at-home COVID-19 test kits for state residents. Expand nursing programs at New Mexico higher education institutions. Limit an emergency declaration by the governor to 90 days unless the Legislature is called into special session to address the emergency. Convene a task force to make recommendations for paid family and medical leave. ENVIRONMENT Propose $50 million in general obligation bonds for forest thinning, watershed restoration and other conservation projects. Approve Green Amendment making a clean and healthy environment a constitutional right. Set up state reforestation center to address impact of climate change on forests. Boost funding by $12 million for state engineer to carry out water planning, administration and management. Add $60 million to the water trust fund. ENERGY Establish legal framework for making New Mexico a hydrogen energy hub. Offer income tax credits for energy storage systems. Require extra registration fees for electric and plug-in vehicles, with revenue directed to roads improvements. Enact new clean fuel standards. VOTING / ELECTIONS Allow 16-year-olds to vote in local elections. Expand early and absentee voting. Automatically restore voting rights of felons who arent incarcerated. Make it easier to register to vote online. Create option for straight-party voting. Expand timeline for Indigenous nations to request alternate voting sites. Make Election Day a state holiday. Allow independent voters to participate in primary elections. BOSTON Navient, a major student loan collecting company, agreed to cancel $1.7 billion in debt owed by more than 66,000 borrowers across the U.S. and pay over $140 million in other penalties to settle allegations of abusive lending practices. The $1.85 billion deal with 39 state attorneys general was announced Thursday. Navient engaged in deceptive and abusive practices, targeted students who it knew would struggle to pay loans back, and placed an unfair burden on people trying to improve their lives through education, Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro, who helped lead the negotiations, said in a statement. Among other things, he said, Navient misled borrowers who were having trouble making payments into entering what are known as long-term forbearances, which caused them to run up even more debt. Forbearance is when lenders allow borrowers to pause or reduce payments for a limited time while they build back their finances. However, interest on the loan continues to accrue and can ultimately cause the amount paid over the life of the loan to be higher. Navient denied acting illegally, and it did not admit to any wrongdoing under the settlement, which is subject to court approval. Navient is and has been continually focused on helping student loan borrowers understand and select the right payment options to fit their needs, Chief Legal Officer Mark Heleen said in a statement. In addition to forgiving tens of thousands of loans, Navient will pay $142.5 million, most of which will go to about 350,000 borrowers who were placed in long-term forbearances. Also, Navient will be required to do more to advise borrowers of their options and explain repayment plans to them. Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey called the settlement an important step toward addressing our broken student loan repayment system. Among those who will benefit is Ashley Hardin, 38, of Seattle. Hardin defaulted on about $108,000 in private student debt in 2020 after scrambling for more than a decade to try to pay off a loan she used to attend the Brooks Institute of Photography in California. Her monthly payments were often more than her rent. For a time, Navient agreed to lower her payments to about $650 per month, but when that period ended, she owed over $1,000 again, having to pay compound interest. Its a massive weight lifted, said Hardin, who was unable to make a career of photography in Seattle and now runs a food truck with her husband. I can breathe again and feel like Im not drowning, like Im not going to get a call tomorrow that theyre suing me for defaulting. Helena Moon, 34, was accepted into her dream college Howard University when she was 18. When financial aid and scholarships werent enough, she sought out private loans and found herself beset with phone calls and letters from lenders after graduating. Moon, who lives in Washington D.C., said the experience was also stressful for her mother, a co-signer on the loans. This is a step forward in racial equality when you think about the percentage of African Americans in debt in this country, she said of the settlement. Kelly Feeherry, 34, of Franklin, Massachusetts, described her experience using loans to attend an art school as a living nightmare that threatened to saddle her with lifelong debt. What the settlement will mean for me is that I can finally regain my credit, she said. Borrowers whose loans are canceled will receive notice from Navient along with refunds of any payments made after mid-2021. The settlement also includes Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, the District of Columbia, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia and Wisconsin. ___ AP writer Gene Johnson contributed from Seattle. A worker carries a piece of glass in Almaty, Kazakhstan, Jan. 11, 2022. Kazakhstan will pay special attention to normalizing life across the country as chaos caused by days of violent protests is easing. At a government meeting on Jan. 8, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev urged the restoration of administrative and public facilities in the largest city of Almaty and other regions hit by the terrorist attacks. (Photo by Alikhan Sariyev/Xinhua) Cars queue up for fuel at a gas station in Almaty, Kazakhstan, Jan. 11, 2022. Kazakhstan will pay special attention to normalizing life across the country as chaos caused by days of violent protests is easing. At a government meeting on Jan. 8, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev urged the restoration of administrative and public facilities in the largest city of Almaty and other regions hit by the terrorist attacks. (Photo by Alikhan Sariyev/Xinhua) Jeopardy Productions, Inc. Celebrity Debbie Smith and Scott Smith are suing Nevada physicians, Dignity Health and St. Rose Dominican Hospital - San Martin Campus and more over alleged malpractice. Jan 13, 2022 AceShowbiz - Parents of late "Jeopardy!" star Brayden Smith wants the hospital treating their son to take accountability for his death. Debbie Smith and Scott Smith are suing Nevada physicians Godwin Ofikwu and Irfana Razzaq over alleged malpractice. Scott and Debbie filed the lawsuit on Monday, January 11. The Smiths additionally sued Dignity Health and St. Rose Dominican Hospital - San Martin Campus and more defendants, accusing them of medical malpractice and negligence while handling a January 2021 surgery to remove Brayden's colon. "His last days were a nightmare. His death was preordained by the misconduct of doctors and nurses," the lawsuit, which was obtained by E! News, read. "None of this had to be." The suit further stated that Brayden didn't receive some medicine that would help prevent blood clots. He "suffered sever and extreme physical pain and suffering prior to his death," the lawsuit read. "Brayden was never given heparin or anticoagulants post-surgery which was below the standard of care," it added. Brayden's parents believe that his death was "a direct and proximate result of the negligence of Defendants." They added in the filing, "This is a very sad case about a young man whose death was preventable." The Smiths are suing for unspecified compensatory and punitive damages greater than $15,000. Robert Murdock, an attorney for Smith's parents, said in a statement to PEOPLE, "This lawsuit will shine a light not only on why Brayden unnecessarily died last year, but also on the failure to properly manage and teach about a new Ostomy. Moreover, though Brayden was a private person, the evidence will show the sheer hell he went through." He added, "With Brayden's sense of advocating for justice, we look forward to litigating this case." Brayden died on February 5, 2021 following a battle with pancreatic cancer. Prior to his death, he underwent colon removal surgery at St. Rose Dominican on January 15 of the year. He returned home on January 19 but then rushed to the hospital three weeks later after he collapsed. Instagram TV When announcing his absence from the daytime talk show, the former star of 'Atypical' says that he's 'really, really disappointed' that he's no longer able to help Wendy Williams' show amid her absence. Jan 13, 2022 AceShowbiz - Michael Rapaport has tested positive for COVID-19. The "Friends" alum offered an update on his condition on social media after having to pull out himself as "The Wendy Williams Show" guest host. Taking to his Instagram account on Wednesday, January 12, the 51-year-old actor and comedian shared a video of him talking about his experience with the coronavirus. "Hey, guys. I hope everybody's feeling good, I hope everybody's feeling safe, I hope everybody's feeling sane," he began. "This is day two for me with the coronavirus. I feel good." After saying that he "slept like an m-effer" and joking that he got the "p***y" version of the deadly virus, Michael stressed, "Nonetheless, I feel fine." He also added that he had a "great sleep" due to his health scare. "I'm feeling pretty good. I'm feeling safe. I'm feeling sane," Michael stressed. He then concluded his video as saying, "I hope everyone is feeling safe, sane and keep your head on a swivel." Michael first revealed his COVID-19 diagnosis via Instagram on Tuesday. At the time, he admitted to feeling "really disappointed" that he's no longer able to help Wendy Williams' talk show amid her absence. "I have to pull out of doing 'The Wendy Williams Show' the rest of the week because unfortunately, I got [the] damn coronavirus, which I'm disappointed about," the "Atypical" star said. "I'm really, really disappointed for many, many, many reasons. Obviously, I'm fine and I'll be all right." Michael went on to assure fans that he's "going to be fine" and he'll "be back" guest-hosting "The Wendy Williams Show" soon enough. "If I can beat this, you can beat this, we can all beat this," he added. Following his initial announcement, Michael hit back at criticism from anti-vaxxers who mocked him for getting COVID-19 despite being fully vaccinated against the virus. "Nobody said if you get vaccinated you won't catch corona you dumb f**k, you," he said in the video. Michael was scheduled to host the show through Friday. Amid his absence on Wednesday, the network aired a re-run from December 2 featuring fellow guest hosts Leah Remini and Michelle Visage. Ahead of the new year, "The Wendy Williams Show" delayed its January return as COVID-19 cases surged due to the highly-transmissible Omicron variant. "Due to the growing number of new COVID-19 cases and to ensure a safe return for our crew members and staff, 'The Wendy Williams Show' will now return with new live episodes on Monday, January 10, rather than Monday, January 3, as previously scheduled," the show announced via Instagram. Facebook Celebrity U.S. Marshals announce in a press conference that Shundale Barnett has been charged with being an after-the-fact accessory to the deadly shooting that ended the rapper's life. Jan 13, 2022 AceShowbiz - Authorities have given an update on the investigation into the murder of Young Dolph. After two suspects were arrested, a third man believed to be involved in the fatal shooting of the rapper has also been charged. During a press conference on Wednesday, January 12, U.S. Marshal Tyreece Miller said that Shundale Barnett has been charged with being an after-the-fact accessory to first-degree murder. He is also facing charges for criminal attempt to commit first-degree murder and theft of property between $10,000 and $60,000. The 27-year-old was a passenger in a car pulled over at a truck stop just outside Terre Haute, Indiana on Tuesday afternoon, January 11. Justin Johnson, another suspect in the case, was behind the wheel and was taken into custody without a fight. Authorities believe Shundale provided assistance to Justin. "Shundale Barnett is a person who, we believe, was providing assistance to Justin since we've been looking for him," said the U.S. Marshal. Shundale is currently being held on a state warrant in Indiana pending extradition to Shelby County, Tennessee. Justin, meanwhile, has been charged with first-degree murder and violation of federal supervised release out of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Tennessee. He reportedly waived everything to be extradited to Memphis immediately. 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. Tyreece said they received more than 500 tips about the whereabouts of the suspects since they offered a $15,000 reward for any information leading to the arrest. TikTok Celebrity According to a press release from the Office of the Sheriff Michael J. Bouchard in Oakland County, Mich, the 28-year-old star, who was known as @too2pump4tv, was strangled by Docquen Jovo Watkins, his boyfriend of 10 years. Jan 13, 2022 AceShowbiz - TikTok community is mourning the death of a rising star. Rory Teasley, who is known as @too2pump4tv on the video platform, died on January 6 after being choked to death by his boyfriend. According to a press release from the Office of the Sheriff Michael J. Bouchard in Oakland County, Mich, the 28-year-old star was strangled by Docquen Jovo Watkins, his boyfriend of 10 years, after an argument over a video game. Police stated that they were fighting while playing Overwatch, a team-based shooter game, at a residence in Pontiac. Officers came to the scene after receiving a report of domestic assault shortly before midnight. Upon their arrival, police officers found Teasley unconscious and not breathing, the release stated. The authorities claimed that Watkins called 911, telling police that his boyfriend was "sleeping" on the couch after the fight. Teasley was then rushed to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead. He died of asphyxia and neck compression and his manner of death was ruled as a homicide, the Oakland County Medical Examiner's Office confirmed. "We see far too often across the country these days when people resort to violence over trivial and insignificant disagreements," Sheriff Michael Bouchard said in a statement. "There is never a reason where violence is acceptable over a disagreement. Those that do so will be held accountable." Later on January 9, Watkins was arrested on a second-degree murder change. A probable cause conference has been set for January 18, while a preliminary examination is scheduled for January 25. He is currently being held without bond at the Oakland County Jail, online records show. Following Teasley's passing, his frequent TikTok collaborator, @NotoriousMoke, paid a tribute to him in an Instagram post. "I'm so lost for words I can't stop crying. I love you so much," he captioned videos of the pair together. "I just need one last video with you. One last phone call. One last reading session." W Magazine Movie Weighing in on filming racy scenes for her new project in a new interview, the Nina depicter in the drama film directed by Maggie Gyllenhaal reveals that some days she doesn't want 'to take off' her clothes on set. Jan 13, 2022 AceShowbiz - Dakota Johnson got candid about her experience filming "The Lost Daughter". In a new interview, the actress found it "difficult" to film almost-nude scenes for the psychological drama film written and directed by Maggie Gyllenhaal. In an interview for W Magazine's 2022 Best Performances Portfolio, the actress portraying Nina in "The Lost Daughter" said, "It is difficult. Some days, I don't want to take off my clothes on set." She further told the publication, "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," Dakota explained. The "Fifty Shades of Grey" star continued, "She has reached a point in her life where her hotness doesn't match who she is anymore." Elsewhere during the conversation, Dakota discussed filming "The Lost Daughter" in Greece amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. "We did hard-core quarantine," she shared. "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," Dakota recalled. The "21 Jump Street" actress added, "We had all sorts of parties. Dance parties, hide-and-go-seek parties, lots of games." Dakota appeared naked in many of the "Fifty Shades of Grey" trilogy's racy sex scenes with Jamie Dornan. In 2017, she said 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 reasoned. "If I was going to do this job, I was going to do it 100 percent and give it everything. I wanted to be true and honest to the role, and the character," Dakota continued explaining. She went on to point out that she doesn't "have a problem with nudity," adding that she thinks "it is beautiful and so [she] was OK with that." At the time, Dakota also added that her parents initially "discouraged" her from pursuing acting when she was younger. "See how well that turned out?" she quipped. She then said, "But I understood. They wanted me to have as much of a childhood as I could." Jennifer Hough, who claims that she's raped by Kenneth in 1994 when she's 16 years old, reportedly drops the case without 'any sort of financial settlement reached.' Jan 13, 2022 AceShowbiz - Nicki Minaj's battle against Kenneth Petty's accuser isn't over just yet. Although Jennifer Hough voluntarily dropped her harassment lawsuit against the couple, the "Anaconda" hitmaker reportedly will still fight for her money lost in their legal dispute. The case was dismissed on Wednesday, January 12. Revealing the news was Jennifer's attorney, Tyrone Blackburn, who told the press, "The case against Nicki was voluntarily dismissed. The case against Kenneth Petty is still ongoing. Stay tuned!" It's unclear what prompted Jennifer to take the decision. However, a source told TMZ that "there was not any sort of financial settlement reached" for the dismissal. While Nicki can now breathe a sigh of relief, she wants her money back. In an email sent by her attorney Judd Burstein to Jennifer's, Judd said, "Your conduct in pursuing this case against Nicki represents the worst of our legal system: bottom-feeding lawyers who pursue frivolous actions against a celebrity assuming that they will be paid off if they throw up enough dirt." "While [this] may be the end of your efforts to extort Nicki into a settlement, it is just the beginning of Nicki's and my efforts to make you pay for your disgraceful conduct," Judd added. "You forced my client to spend over $300,000 in fees to defend a case which even my Labradoodle, Gracie, could see was frivolous on both the facts and the law." Jennifer, who claimed that she's raped by Kenneth in 1994 when she's 16 years old, launched legal action against Nicki back in August 2021. She accused the Trinidadian and her husband of intentional infliction of emotional distress, harassment as well as witness intimidation. Jennifer also alleged that Nicki tried to bribe her $500,000 to rescind her story, which the latter denied. "During the call, I never asked her to change her story; I never offered her any money in return for a statement, and I did not threaten her with any type of harm if she chose not to provide a statement," the raptress explained in her filing. "In fact, I emphatically told her that I did not want her to lie about anything and to tell the truth about what she had just revealed to me only if she was comfortable with doing so." Facebook Celebrity The 40-year-old allegedly told the woman, who is identified as Lisa, that he would break her neck and her male friend's neck if he didn't stop texting her. Jan 13, 2022 AceShowbiz - More details of Jason Alexander's alleged disturbing behaviors to his stalking victim have been uncovered. According to a new report, the former husband of Britney Spears threatened to snap the woman's neck. In legal documents obtained by TMZ, the woman, who is identified as Lisa, claims Jason issued the threat last January. He allegedly told her and her male friend that he would break both her neck and that of her male friend. Later in July, Jason allegedly made a similar threat against the same guy friend if he refused to stop texting Lisa. Lisa's concern apparently grew bigger after Jason allegedly came on her Tennessee property in October despite having been told before that he was not welcome. He allegedly admitted to following her home, but said that he was just making sure she got home safely. Jason then reportedly returned to Lisa's property in November and this time they got into an argument. Lisa called police, but Jason fled before cops arrived. Jason, who was briefly married to Britney in 2004 before it got annulled, was arrested on December 30, 2021 for violation of an order of protection and aggravated stalking. The protective order was issued on December 10 and it barred him from contacting Lisa. However, he violated the order by emailing her on Christmas. He also brought presents for her and her kid to the Franklin Police Department so cops could give them to her on his behalf, according to the documents. Jason was held in the Williamson County jail, but released several days later after posting a $30,000 bond. He has pled guilty to misdemeanor stalking on January 4 and was given 11 months and 29 days of probation. The plea deal also requires that Jason undergo random drug testing and a mental health screening. He is additionally not allowed to come in contact with the woman. Instagram Celebrity The fitness trainer and the businesswoman, whose real name is Jamira Haines, is furious after one individual on Instagram accuses her of getting a nose job. Jan 14, 2022 AceShowbiz - 50 Cent's girlfriend is so "sick of" plastic surgery allegations leveled at her. After one online user accused her of getting a nose job, Jamira Haines didn't waste time to set the record straight. The businesswoman, who is also known as Cuban Link, fired back at critics on Instagram. When responding to a comment that read, "Got that nose done," she shouted, "Girl sthu. i ain't get s"*t done." Jamira then shared a screenshot of the comments on her Instagram Story. "Finna start cussing y'all dumba**es out ! I'm sick of y'all! I'm sick of y'all," she fumed. "I understood the veneers assumption cause my teeth big af lol but my nose? Come on now ! Dummy!" Jamira went on to argue in a separate post, "I looked the same my entire life .. ain't s**t changee .. I'm NATURALLY that girl .. & I stand on that !" She added, "Y'all brainwashed mf's can't pull my card . EVER ! & thats as much energy as I'm finna give y'all pea brain a**es ! [And] if you say ' i shouldn't respond to them ' ima block you ! Stfu too ! Lmao." The clapback, however, backfired. "Why is she so upset about an assumption made about her nose? Especially if she believes she's naturally that girl? I'm not saying she doesn't have the right to be upset because she does but," one person commented. Another fumed, "But they did pull your card sis.. look at how upset you are by irrelevant ppl that aren't even in your tax bracket.. She must've hit a nerve." Someone else, meanwhile, said, "Not getting mad over sumthin that's not true. Period." That aside, Jamira was recently trolled by her boyfriend 50 Cent for ruining their Thanksgiving meal. "i told her a** let the chef cook. she said 'no i want to do it for us. just let me try,' " Fiddy said alongside a picture of a scorched, black turkey which was just out of the oven. "now i'm a have a damn Turkey and cheese sandwich and lay down. @_cuban_link," the rapper/actor added. Catching wind of the post, the fitness trainer laughed, "Lmaooo." BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- Brunei reported 47 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 on Thursday, bringing the total tally to 15,797. According to Brunei's Ministry of Health, the newly recorded cases included 31 local infections and 16 imported cases. Health Minister Haji Mohd Isham said earlier that the recent increases in COVID-19 cases reflected the results of contact tracing. He said that the identified close contacts of positive cases were instructed to undergo swab tests and some tested positive. Meanwhile, Brunei's Prime Minister's Office (PMO) announced on Thursday that the temporary suspension of cross-border activities between Brunei and Malaysia will be extended for 16 more days from Jan. 16 to 31. The temporary ban on entry of foreign nationals via land and sea ports, including transits through Brunei, is extended by 16 more days until Jan. 31, except for entry and transit travels approved by the government. As of Jan. 12, 94.6 percent of Brunei's population had received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, while 93.7 percent had completed their vaccination schedule of two doses and 31 percent had received a third dose. A total of 309 active cases are currently being treated and monitored and 102 deaths due to the pandemic have been recorded in the Southeast Asian country. For Sunil Thomas, Co-founder and Executive Chairman, CleverTap, theres no denying that the foodtech industry is booming. A report by Boston Consultancy Group (BCG) suggests that online food ordering in the Indian ecosystem is estimated to grow at a rate of 25%-30% at a compounding rate and will touch $7.5Bn-$8Bn by 2022, up from $4 bilion currently. In the foodtech business, convenience is a major primary driver in the decision of consumers to purchase a product or store food. ALSO READ: CleverTap Names Jayant Kshirsagar as Senior Vice President of Marketing Giving consumers convenience, food-based mobile apps have integrated numerous technologies such as QR-based menu displays, contactless payments, online meal customisation, online ingredient tracking and tracing, and AI-enabled smart camera-aided services. Competition is fierce and customers are no longer passive recipients of marketing messages. They are informed, empowered, and moving across channels through their decision journey. Customers expect brands to reach out with timely offers and updates. Furthermore, the Indian middle class is expanding, as is the number of smartphone users. Between 2011 and 2018, $10.8 billion was invested in Indias foodtech industry. Mobile is reshaping consumer behaviour, and its playing a big role in the emergence of food tech. Hundreds of micro-moments are segmented into the decision journey that leads to a customer ordering in across devices and channels. Listening and responding with timely offers and updates when they want it and where they want it is the key to a successful food app. Below are some key trends that are prevailing in the foodtech space: E-commerce: For a long time, e-commerce has been a hot topic in the food and beverage business. However, the COVID-19 crisis pushed food supply chain improvements even further. Food brands use digital platforms to provide on-demand online delivery services and direct-to-customer (D2C) distribution models to reach customers. Furthermore, during the pandemic, safety concerns encouraged the rise of ghost kitchens or cloud kitchens that solely provide food takeout and deliveries. Brands are focusing on omnichannel distribution in addition to D2C to increase customer experience and sales. Digitition of restaurants: Restaurant digitisation improves the client experience while also allowing for more efficient operations management. It also assists restaurants in gathering data points at each stage of the process, allowing for data-driven decision-making throughout the operation. Furthermore, COVID-19 is creating a shift in restaurants adopting digital management systems across the supply chain because of the disruption to the food and beverage business. Restaurants use computerised menus, self-service kiosks, and cashless payment options to eliminate direct human-to-human contact. AI-enabled solutions utilise user behavior data to make meal recommendations and generate new recipes. The Opportunities Ahead for Mobile Marketers Marketers clearly need to enhance their mobile marketing strategies to stay ahead of their competitors. In a world of a million little distractions every day, a positive user experience is a must. To win the attention of todays foodtech customers, new devices and technologies must be utilised. Here are some of the opportunities that mobile markets must tap into this 2022: Know your customer: Keep a close eye on the timeline of user activity as you build detailed user profiles based on their search actions, locations, favorite time, and order size. Use hyperlocal data to provide messages to users about restaurants within their area. Create omnichannel messaging campaigns: Create multiple, automated cross-channel campaigns that target people on the correct channel at the right time at every stage of their customer journey. At the touch of a button, visually track the development of a new onboarding or promotional engagement campaign. Use real-time user segmentation to grow your brand: Observe how your app's users engage with it in real-time. Segment them depending on live actions, such as those who looked for fast food but didnt finish the order within 15 minutes. Use this golden window to communicate with these people. Forecast user micro-segments and track campaign uplift: Intent can be used to identify users who are most likely to return after leaving a search. Create diverse engagement strategies for loyal customers who are most likely to order again, as well as for potential customers who are on the fence, to maximise the return on your marketing investment. Tap uncharted territories: As more individuals turned from traditional retail markets to online food deliveries during the pandemic, several online food companies benefited from increased Internet penetration in tier II and III cities. This, combined with their expanded reach, resulted in new consumer groups, and increased profitability. Mobile marketers need to tap these unchartered territories for enhanced results. Technology integration in the apps: Introduce elements that are simple to use, such as searching by the restaurant or cuisine type, making in-app reservations, and so on. Highlight the advantages that the app will provide to customers, such as cashback on certain orders, or assured delivery times. Include information about the most recent app version, such as the date of the most recent update, past bug fixes, and new feature releases. Apps that are actively improved and updated are more likely to be downloaded as well as retained on smartphones. The foodtech industry is an ever-evolving space with many big players stepping up their operations and a large number of entrants giving them tough competition. AI and Big Data will alter the industry as we know it. Early identification of new prospects and developing mobile marketing strategies to incorporate these strategies into your organization can give apps a competitive advantage. And in a space like this, every advantage is crucial for survival. News broadcasters can heave a sigh of relief now. The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (MIB) has asked the Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) to release the news ratings with immediate effect. It has been more than a year since news channels have been out of BARCs viewership data ratings, leaving the TV news segment in the lurch. Particularly affected were the smaller news channels in the FTA space. ALSO READ: Release ratings immediately, NBF calls upon BARC MIBs decision comes after the BARC has undertaken revision in its processes, protocols, oversight mechanism, and initiated changes in governance structure, etc. based on the TRP committee report and TRAIs recommendations made in April 2020. It was in October 2020 that BARC withheld TV ratings for news channels after the Mumbai police unearthed the alleged TRP scam involving one news and two other GECs. Later BARC approached the government and the MIB constituted a committee. And the ministry asked the BARC to continue the status quo. What was disheartening is the fact that the ratings were stopped when news channels witnessed historic viewership, as per the EY FICCI report. The BARCs 2021 report also showed that of the overall TV viewership, the news genre grew at the highest at 27%. While resenting the inordinate delay in resuming the ratings, the news broadcasters have welcomed the decision. The MIB's decision is a right move in the right direction, giving both a moral and economic boost to the FTA news channels which have adhered to public interest journalism, despite the pause in BARC ratings for the past 16 months, said News Broadcasters Federation Secretary-General Jai Krishna. Republic Network is extremely pleased that the ratings are commencing again. The NBF team and its members have been representing all the stakeholders for the same for a while. It is important to provide transparency to advertisers and agency partners and the absence of data has been a huge concern. The ratings will help the genre to bring incremental business from brands that have been under indexing advertising investments, said Republic TV CEO Vikas Khanchandani. Welcoming the MIB decision, ITV Network Founder Kartikeya Sharma said that the news broadcasters are not happy with this delay. It has been more than a year since news channels have been out of BARCs viewership data ratings. News is served on a real-time basis and that makes TRP the most important currency on the basis of which advertising every year is decided. The absence of ratings has forced smaller players to find newer baits for advertisers for better negotiations. Although advertisers are investing in news television, with renegotiated rates and demands bonus it is impacting inventory. With elections around the corner, many new channels will also lose out on election season commercial ads because they have no data to back them up for a better pitch to advertisers, Sharma said. It is a piece of very happy news for news broadcasters as BARC ratings are essential for news revenue generation, especially the small and medium-scale news broadcasters whose basic survival was in question at this pandemic time. It is truly a relief for regional broadcasters like us. NBF fought from day one for this matter, and finally, the ministry studied the facts and cleared it, said 24 News and Flowers TV Group COO Anil Ayroor. So much delay in releasing ratings suggests that a lot of mess was lying underneath to clean, observed TV5 Kannadas CEO, Anil Singh. According to him, BARC reform is inevitable and must for our nation to grow as TV ratings impact advertisers success that directly affects employment and the economy. For a few conflict-of-interest players, we cannot allow all stakeholders to suffer. I look forward to a committee headed by Harit Nagpal, MD, Tata Sky, to make a rating based on RPD, Return Path Data-capable Set Top Box. That will be the best way forward combined with an efficient, independent and accountable Board of directors and BARC, said Singh. Welcoming the MIB action, Abhay Ojha, President - Sales & Marketing at News Nation Network, said, News Nation Network has always advocated resumption of viewership for the news genre which had been unduly withheld for the last one and half years. Jan-Mar'22 is a critical period both from an editorial as well as a financial perspective due to the upcoming assembly elections. Annual deal planning and ratings will help us gauge true ROI, be it editorial or sales. I welcome the governments decision to finally resume ratings for the news genre. I have for long been advocating the need to restore ratings while questioning the suspension decision in the first place. NBFs efforts in this direction have been exemplary. The decision to have ratings now onwards on a four-week rolling average concept is the need of the hour, says TV9 Network CEO Barun Das. The NBAs stand is vindicated as the ministry stamps the room for improvement, acknowledges the deficiencies and puts a timeline to rating release and systemic corrections, affirms the CEO of a leading news channel and a member of the News Broadcasters Association. A clean and hygienic environment to live in is a necessity for every living being. The rising population has highlighted the pressing need to look after our surroundings and work towards a sustainable environment, one city at a time. With these thoughts in mind, News18 Bangla has taken a resolution to raise awareness towards important issues in our day-to-day life for a cleaner and greener City Of Joy with their new initiative SANKALPA The Pledge for a Green World. For those who are not aware, Kolkata has emerged among the top ten most polluting cities in the world, according to a recent assessment by IQAir, a Switzerland-based climate organisation. The rapid human population pressure and anthropogenic activity has led to an increase in dumping of untreated urban and industrial sewage, as well as other pollutants, into the river Ganga. To promote awareness on all these pressing issues News18 Bangla has launched the campaign this month. Through its initiative, the channel will address different social challenges through various television campaigns. The larger focus of Network18 is to rebuild a new world where people are informed about consequences of imbalances in nature, and make progress towards a safer, secure, healthy, peaceful and resourceful life. Apart from showcasing the issues and facts about pollution, the campaign will also involve discussions with experts and stakeholders. Individuals, public and private bodies will also be invited on this platform to discuss their stories and journey towards the fight against pollution. To follow the latest updates and discussions around the campaign, tune in to News18 Bangla every Saturday, 7.30 PM. Let us all join hands and pledge for a better world! The harvest season is here in India and each state has its own unique way of marking the celebration amidst much gusto. Pongal is among the popular harvest festivals, celebrated in the state of Tamil Nadu. Apart from rangolis, decorations and sumptuous food, Pongal is also about the famous traditional sport of Jallikattu marked on the third day. The event takes place every year with thousands and lakhs among audience. However, the rising COVID-19 cases at the start of the year has led to restrictions being implemented that will see the public unable to witness the proceedings. Overcoming these obstacles and leaving no stone unturned towards celebrating the festivities on Maattu Pongal, News18 Tamil Nadu will bring live action from iconic venues at Madurai. The coverage will run live from 8 am to 4 pm, bringing the best of traditional celebrations live to the television screens. Without risking lives during the pandemic by stepping out of their homes, viewers can sit at the comfort of their home and catch updates from Avaniyapuram, Palamedu and Alangalallur from January 14 to 16 as they celebrate Pongal. Other than Jallikattu Live, News18 Tamil will be hosting special half hour Pongal programs like Thirai Pongal, NEWS18 Gramiya Pongal, Thamizh Puthandin Kathai, Pongal Kondatathin Kathai. The live coverage will also include panel discussions from experts on the importance of Jallikattu and how the traditional sport has been in the news for last few years. Dont forget to tune in to News18 Tamil Nadu to watch live telecast as you feel proud of the traditional celebrations in the state. Details of Venues Avaniyapuram 15th January Palamedu 16th January Alangalallur 17th January Timings: 8 am to 4 pm Karan Grover has been named Director, Inventory Partnerships at The Trade Desk. He comes to The Trade Desk from GirnarSoft, where he was in charge of establishing GirnarSoft's ever-evolving product go-to-market strategy.Grover has worked with companies such as Maxus, Sirez, and GroupM during his nearly 15-year-long career. He supervised digital media pricing, yield management, and analytics at GirnarSoft, interacting with various teams such as ad tech, ad ops, brand solutions, front-line sales, and product to develop/create ad placements and unique sales solutions incorporating media, branded content, and data. He also developed AdTech relationships with programmatic at their core, leveraging programmatic capabilities and data to build new revenue streams both auto and non-auto and making media inventory/data more relevant to audience planning. He led digital media partnerships with India's major publishers as GroupM Director For Digital Trading, contributing to national trading revenue by focusing on product, pricing, data, and measurement capabilities. He also led the programmatic supply partnership for Xaxis, GroupM's programmatic outcome firm, which enabled the launch of new products. Unacademy, Indias largest learning platform today announced its fourth edition of the National Flagship Scholarship Test - Unacademy Prodigy. The test is open for all aspirants of JEE, NEET UG and Learners from class 7th - 10th. Toppers from Unacademy Prodigy will be given an opportunity to win a college grant of up to 20 Lakhs for their UG or PG education along with exciting rewards*. Unacademy Prodigy was established to extend support to the brilliant minds of tomorrow and ensure that their aspirations are fulfilled. Under this initiative, Unacademy aims to conduct four scholarship tests on 23rd January, 29th January, 6th February and 13th February respectively. These tests are curated to match the final exam paper pattern. Each of these tests will be conducted for 60 minutes and there will be 35 questions relating to aptitude, verbal ability, logical reasoning & general science. Aspirants who ace Unacademy Prodigy will be eligible for exciting rewards that will support them in their education, along with up to 100% scholarships on Unacademy subscriptions. Furthermore, aspirants taking the test on 29th January and 13th February will stand a chance to win a college grant of up to 20 Lakhs* for their UG or PG education. The rewards will be disbursed post 13th February. Through Unacademy Prodigy, aspirants will get a chance to identify their weak learning areas with a detailed scorecard provided by Unacademy experts. Moreover, they can get their doubts resolved through video solutions provided on the platform. Federal Department of Foreign Affairs Bern, 13.01.2022 - On Thursday, 13 January 2022, the President of the Swiss Confederation, Ignazio Cassis, travelled to Vienna for his first official visit. There he was received by Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen and exchanged views with Chancellor Karl Nehammer and the president of the Austrian National Council, Wolfgang Sobotka. Talks focused on bilateral relations, namely the strategic partnership that the two countries adopted last year, as well as on relations between Switzerland and the EU. Other major topics discussed were pan-European and international challenges. The trip to Vienna marks a decades-old tradition of each new Swiss and Austrian president making their first trip abroad to each others country, a sign of the friendly relationship between Switzerland and its Alpine neighbour. Mr Cassis was received in Vienna by his Austrian counterpart, President Alexander Van der Bellen. State Secretary Livia Leu and Secretary-General of the Austrian foreign ministry, Peter Launsky-Tieffenthal, also attended the talks, having met in Vienna for political discussions in December of last year. In his visit to Vienna, Mr Cassis also talked with Chancellor Karl Nehammer Austria's Minister for the EU and Constitution, Karoline Edtstadler. Mr Cassis was accompanied on his trip to Vienna by National Council members Claudia Friedl and Nicolo Paganini, both members of the Parliamentary Delegation for Relations with the Austrian Parliament, with whom he also held discussions with the president of the Austrian National Council, Wolfgang Sobotka. Strategic partnership with Austria The talks in Vienna focused on acknowledging and strengthening existing bilateral relations, and in particular on implementation of the strategic partnership between Switzerland and Austria. The two countries signed a memorandum of understanding on their strategic partnership last summer, with the aim of strengthening cooperation in selected areas. These include political discussions on the Western Balkans and implementation of the 2030 Agenda, but also mutual consular assistance in third countries. Concerns over growing polarisation between East and West Besides the strategic partnership, discussion topics included the next steps in Switzerland's relationship with the European Union, the current situation in Belarus and the response to the pandemic. President Cassis stressed the importance of solidarity and cooperation between European neighbours at this time. Finally, international issues were discussed, such as cooperation in the multilateral field, bilateral relations with Russia and the current situation on the border with Ukraine. Switzerland is concerned about the increasing tensions there. President Cassis took the opportunity to invite Austria to the Ukraine Reform Conference, which will take place in Lugano on 4 and 5 July 2022. Meeting with the OSCE Rounding off the trip to the Austrian capital, Mr Cassis met the Polish foreign minister and new OSCE chair, Zbigniew Rau, as well as the Secretary General of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), Helga Schmid. Mr Cassis presented the Swiss 20222025 OSCE Action Plan, designed to boost the effectiveness of the OSCE by promoting trust between the 57 participating states. Moreover, it strengthens the organisation's role as a platform for dialogue on conflict resolution and for discussions on European security. The OSCE can play an important role especially in view of the current tensions between Russia and the West. Address for enquiries FDFA Communication Federal Palace West Wing CH-3003 Bern, Switzerland Tel. Communication service: +41 58 462 31 53 Tel. Press service: +41 58 460 55 55 E-mail: kommunikation@eda.admin.ch Twitter: @SwissMFA Publisher Federal Department of Foreign Affairs https://www.eda.admin.ch/eda/en/home.html Alton, IL (62002) Today Cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High around 65F. Winds W at 15 to 25 mph.. Tonight Mostly cloudy skies. Low 47F. Winds NNW at 10 to 20 mph. Tax cuts appear to be on the agenda when the Iowa legislature convenes next week, and while many Iowa agricultural leaders would welcome cuts, they are also interested in other things. First off, there are some dollars there, says Iowa Cattlemens Association Chief Executive Officer Matt Deppe. Thats good and challenging at the same time. The good thing is that there could be the possibility of funding for new programs or increasing funding for important programs, Deppe says. And tax reform could be a good thing. On the other side of the coin, some types of tax cuts could put more pressure on local governments or property taxes, and that could hurt farmers. Republican legislative leaders said in December they plan to look at large tax cuts, and some have said they would like to reduce or completely eliminate the states income tax. Democrats, who have relatively little power in the Republican- controlled legislature, have said they would prefer targeted tax cuts aimed at low and middle- income families and small businesses. They have also said a significant part of the states present budget surplus was due to a large influx of one-time money from the federal government in the form of COVID aid. The idea of totally eliminating the income tax concerns Iowa Farmers Union President Aaron Lehman. Its a huge chunk of money, Lehman says. My concern is that it would be a shift in tax burden. Deppe says farmers are looking for stability and predictability when it comes to tax policy. Clarity is important, he says. Either way, it appears the legislature is headed toward a tax cut or tax reform debate in 2022. Of course, agricultural leaders have other issues they would like to see the legislature discuss. One is the effort to help the states meat lockers. In 2021 the state passed legislation aimed at helping that industry in the wake of COVID-19. The recent supply chain issues continue to shine a spotlight on that effort, and there could be another push to help that industry. There is a tremendous potential to help rural communities, Lehman says. A state task force that is looking at that industry also looked at the shortage of agricultural labor, Deppe says. Whether that will lead to more job training programs or loosened labor rules or other efforts to recruit workers to come to Iowa is still up in the air. Local foods are also important, Lehman says, and a state program to help schools use local foods could be expanded. Again, he says that local foods and the support of local foods programs are good ways of boosting rural economies. Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig has talked about bringing back and expanding the Choose Iowa marketing program, and that could have support from agricultural groups. Ethanol and biofuels may be a topic of discussion at some point, and it is possible the state may consider some additional funding for programs for biofuel infrastructure. Last year Gov. Kim Reynolds proposed a state biofuel standard, but that legislation failed to pass. Finally, clean water remains a concern. In 2018 the legislature passed Senate File 512, which provided a long-term revenue stream for water quality efforts in the state. Naig has praised that bill, saying it has allowed farmers and policy-makers to work on long-term efforts. But when it was passed, leaders of both political parties said it was only a first step in the effort to improve Iowas water quality and that more would need to be done. Since then, the legislature has taken no further steps, and environmental groups are saying that now, with a healthy budget, would be the logical time to put more funds into water-quality efforts. Weve still got a long, long way to go, Lehman says. 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. MANILA, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- The Philippines reported 34,021 new COVID-19 infections on Thursday, the highest one-day tally since the pandemic began in January 2020, pushing the number of confirmed cases in the Southeast Asian country to 3,092,409. The Department of Health (DOH) said that the number of active cases or patients still fighting the disease soared to 237,387 as the positivity rate rose to 47.9 percent. The DOH said that 82 more people died from COVID-19 complications, bringing the country's death toll to 52,736, with seven laboratories failing to submit data. The deaths include those who died in the previous months. The Philippines' COVID-19 infections surged to record levels beginning Saturday due to high mobility, poor compliance with safety health protocols, and the fast-spreading Omicron and Delta variants. Hospitals in Metro Manila, the region with the most active and new cases, are strained with the influx of COVID-19 patients and staffing shortages after many healthcare workers contracted the virus and needed isolation. Health Undersecretary Leopoldo Vega said the government will deploy military and police medical personnel to address the staffing shortage. Vega said the COVID-19 situation in Metro Manila is "still very manageable" compared to when the Delta-fueled surge hit the country in September last year. "The surge this January is different. Unlike in September, this time the trajectory of the hospitalization and intensive care utilization did not increase along with the number of cases," Vega said. The government reimposed restrictions to prevent people, particularly unvaccinated people, from leaving their houses to curb the transmission. The government raised the alert level in Metro Manila and several provinces with rising infections across the country. The national police said over 200 areas across the country, including 103 in Metro Manila, are under hard lockdown. Police and local officials impose the so-called granular lockdowns on houses, streets, or buildings with virus clusters. The Philippines, which has a population of around 110 million, has tested more than 24 million people since the outbreak. Ahwatukee resident Dr. Neal Lester will receive Arizona State Universitys inaugural Martin Luther King Jr. Faculty Servant-Leadership Award as part of the annual MLK Jr. celebration by the university, where he has been Foundation Professor of English since 1997. MINSK, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- Belarus on Wednesday hosted an international forum here to mark the 30th anniversary of diplomatic ties with China. Cooperation between the two countries in various fields has led to significant results, said Nikolai Snopkov, first deputy prime minister of Belarus. Snopkov noted that China can strengthen international trade through the Belt and Road Initiative and therefore bolster the China-Belarus comprehensive strategic partnership. China and Belarus cooperate across a number of fields on the basis of mutual trust and win-win cooperation, help each other in a complex international environment and set a good example for the international community in fostering a new type of international relations, said Chinese Ambassador to Belarus Xie Xiaoyong. More than 70 Belarusian and Chinese officials and scientists took part in the forum and discussed the past 30 years of achievements in bilateral relations, along with the practical significance of building a community with a shared future for mankind. Images Sorry, there are no recent results for popular images. Courtesy of JTA; Photo credit: Masbia. A distribution tent set up by the Masbia kosher pantry near the scene of a deadly fire in the Bronx, Jan. 10, 2022. Russia has embarked upon a series of threatening activities ostensibly directed at Ukraine, but that in fact could culminate in enormous and disastrous military and political damage to NATO. Those same threatening activities might also be used by Russia as a lever to get the West to deliver what President Vladimir Putin wants without military action. We dont know yet which is the Russian endgame, and it is conceivable that they dont yet either. Which makes it foolish in the extreme to have an if/then policy. If/then is transactional -- If Im nice to you, you should be nice to me; if you misbehave, I will impose consequences on you. If/then relies on two things -- first, that your adversary believes you and further, that he fears the consequences. This works from parent to child. But with a competent adversary, there is a third requirement -- that the consequences he can inflict on you are within your tolerance. How is it working? President Joe Biden removed sanctions from the Nord Stream 2 pipeline project, allowing Russia to finish the supply line for more Russian gas to Europe and cut Ukraine out as the middleman. In return, Russia has added troops to the border of Ukraine; there appear to be upwards of 70,000 now. In December, the G7 ministers adopted a more threatening tone. Russia should be in no doubt that further military aggression against Ukraine would have massive consequences and severe cost in response. In January, Secretary of State Antony Blinken sounded firm. Weve offered (Putin) two paths forward. One is through diplomacy and dialogue; the other is through deterrence and massive consequences for Russia if it renews its aggression against Ukraine. And were about to test the proposition of which path President Putin wants to take. He was not explicit about the nature of the consequences -- the Ukrainians clearly are hoping for a NATO military response, but for many reasons, including that NATO has not even discussed such an option, it is unlikely. The new German foreign minister tipped NATO's hand that the response will be economic when she said, Further military escalation wouldnt bring Ukraine greater security. Understanding this is not a suggestion that NATO threaten Russia militarily -- not at all. Only to note that Russia knows the apparent limit of NATOs assurances to Kiev while NATO doesnt know the limit of Russias threat. Russia released its list of demands on December 17. Putin calls for a binding security guarantee, including that NATO would not expand to the east, and warned that he will find his own military technical solution if NATO does not stop its aggression. The U.S. has explicitly rejected strictures on NATO and Moscow has already begun to reduce gas shipments to Europe and there is a lot of winter left to go. There are banking and other sanctions the U.S. and its allies can apply that will hurt Moscow -- but maybe not as much as cold and angry citizens will hurt Europe. And there is another sort of if/then. What happens if Russian troops just sit there, making it impossible for Ukrainians to have any sort of real life while watching and waiting, as Europe gets colder? The Russians are in the middle of a U.S.-orchestrated if/then at the Iran nuclear talks in Vienna, as well, where Ambassador Mikhail Ulyanov has taken over as spokesman while the U.S. sits in another room. Using the Russian model, Iran is imposing its own conditions for talks and having Ulyanov as its spokesman. Our Iranian colleagues have presented their demands rather transparently and put forward their proposals in a written form. From Russias point of view, this is a step forward because neither a written agreement nor an official consensus was reached at the end of the previous six rounds of negotiations. While the talks continue, Iran continues to enrich uranium and arm Hezballah in Lebanon with explicit threats to destroy Israel. But Israel is not NATO and has made its position clear. In Washington late last year, Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid warned that Israel is prepared to use military force to stop Iran from gaining nuclear weapons capability. Iran has publicly stated it wants to wipe us out. We have no intention of letting this happen. That is a position Iran cannot ignore, first because Israel has credibility, and second because it has capability. Whether NATO, and specifically the United States, can stake out a position that has such credibility backed by capability -- without threatening action it is unprepared to take -- is much less clear. Thinking to make Russia pay after the fact of military activity wont, itself, stop the activity -- if there is activity. [See 1984s Bear in the Woods for the metaphor.] If/then is woefully inadequate for Ukraine -- and for NATO. Image: President of the Russian Federation We are now officially entering the third year of the Wuhan surprise. We are experiencing a brand-new SARS co-V2 variant, Omicron, which is sweeping through the population like a lot of nasty winter respiratory infections. Except that we test for it. And we know its name. As of early January, the Omicron makes up roughly 95% of cases in the Northeast (CDC data). In my state of Pennsylvania, for instance, our peak case numbers were triple what they were last December. Our hospital, and ICU occupancy so far however is slightly lower than last year, attesting to the more benign nature of this particular bug. I was looking through the hospitalization data on the Johns Hopkins site. As a former critical care specialist, two things are curious to me. Number one is that the total number of ICU beds in the country has fallen from 91,000 in January 2021 to 80,000 now. Im sure that a portion of that decrease is due to acute illness of ICU personnel, given Omicrons infectivity, and vaccine avoidance. I do wonder, however, how many of those beds were lost due to the firing of ICU staff due to their vaccine status. The second strange data point is that in the U.S. as a whole or Pennsylvania in particular, there are said to be roughly 20% of ICU beds unoccupied. In my experience over the years, intensive care units tend to be full, and we accept new admissions only by transferring out the least ill. If I was running a 20 bed ICU and had four open beds, Id be feeling pretty comfortable. Maybe this data is wrong, but if its not, this is hardly a crisis. As of January 2022, a majority of the population has been coerced into multiple inoculations, with spike protein-producing mRNA. Despite this, we are seeing record COVID numbers. How could this be? Data from Britain suggest that roughly 50% of coronavirus patients in the hospital, were admitted for something else. In the United States, those numbers fall between 30% and 60% depending on the locale. In our hospital, there has been an obvious reduction in acuity for patients that carry the COVID diagnosis, given the benign characteristics of Omicron. It has become rather clear that natural immunity and/or vaccination/booster status are irrelevant in the current surge. In fact, in the case of vaccination, there is data from Iceland and Denmark suggesting that the population most prone to Omicron are those who have had the full original course of the vaccine. Heres the data from Iceland, where the population is 91% fully vaccinated. If you look at infections per 100,000 people based on vaccine status, the fully vaccinated have the highest prevalence of infection. Now in the same data set, its clear that the vaccinated have less severe disease, which we have been saying for some time, but in the case of Omicron, for most people, that point is moot. Again I say, if youre interested in being vaccinated or boosted, thats your choice. But given Omicrons obvious vaccine resistance (is which is likely to persist in future variants), the strategy of forcing a monovalent vaccine on the population during a pandemic has clearly failed. In my own circles over the last month, Ive had a fairly large group of friends and acquaintances who have been infected. These include the vaxed and boosted, the group formerly known as fully vaccinated, the unvaccinated, and those like me with natural immunity. All of us, at a variety of ages, have had a roughly three to four day viral upper respiratory syndrome, of little consequence. I know from my practice, that this is also being seen more broadly in the community. Another thing I have noticed is that given the mild nature of the illness, people that suspect they have Omicron are reluctant to be tested, so as not to be inconvenienced by having to isolate. This may be contributing to the spread, but also signals a change in attitude towards this illness among many people. In a sensible world, given this data, public health officials would quietly back away from the insistence on mass inoculation and begin to feature therapeutics in their approach to COVID. I wouldnt actually expect them to admit failure, but perhaps only to change their emphasis. Instead, they are doubling down. In my former life as a doctrinaire practitioner, I wouldve been loath to consider the wild claims of medical conspiracy theorists. There are those who talk about the vaccine containing graphene and other nanoparticles meant to monitor and control. I certainly dont believe in these theories. But the escalating efforts to penalize the unvaccinated by their governments seem so irrational that it is not unreasonable to wonder: what the hell is going on? Why insist that an increasingly ineffective immunization be given again and again, at shorter intervals, to the entire human population, including children who tend not to be severely affected? And how can we force injections with products that are still officially investigational, and not FDA approved? And why, as these vaccines have the highest rate of adverse effects by far, according to the CDCs VAERS data, do we insist? And by firing reluctant healthcare workers, who have a fairly high rate of vaccine hesitancy (I wonder why?), we are stripping the healthcare system of talent we now claim to desperately need. None of this passes any test of common sense. More and more I think people are beginning to realize this, and are growing skeptical. Even elements of the press are starting to ask questions like: how many more boosters will we be expected to take? There is an alternate way, as shown by countries as diverse as India, Mexico, and Japan. We need to encourage early treatment, with cheap, safe, and proven antiviral therapy such as hydroxychloroquine and Ivermectin, in protocols that have already been developed. If people wish to be vaccinated, fine, but only with products approved for use by the FDA (Pfizers Comirnaty). This would mean patients would have legal recourse if they were to suffer a devastating side effect. We have a right to expect competence, not corruption, from our public health officials. It seems to me that they have been a big disappointment. Henry F. Smith, Jr., M.D., FCCP is a Pulmonary and Sleep Physician who practices in Northeastern Pennsylvania. He blogs at Henrysmithscottage.com All large organizations suffer from the occasional presence of bad actors. The FBI is no exception. But it managed to retain a good relationship with the public in spite of its flaws because it was still solving rather than creating crimes. But something fundamentally changed in the last five years. The Comey clown car arrived in the center ring and unloaded under the spotlight. As the public watched the comedy of James "The Cardinal" Comey, Andrew McCabe, Peter Strzok, and Lisa Page, searching for phantom Russian colluders under the bed, while actual Russian colluders cheered them on, we knew we needed to take a closer look. The examination has been shocking. The "Midyear Exam," the bureau's name for the Hillary Clinton email investigation, was a farce. No subpoenas were issued, central figures were given immunity without cooperation, evidence was destroyed by the FBI, and then the attorney general had a clandestine meeting with "Slick Willy" Clinton the husband of the target. Surprise: No charges were filed. "The Cardinal" Comey held a press conference and announced that even though Hillary had broken numerous laws, she didn't mean it, so he was giving her a pass. It must have been an accident that an email server, containing classified documents, appeared in her bathroom with a support staff. "Crossfire Hurricane" was the investigation into alleged Trump collusion with Russia to steal an election. Within a couple of months, the bureau knew that the whole thing was a hoax created by Hillary, yet the investigation continued for three years eventually transitioning into a special counsel investigation. Peter Strzok called "Crossfire Hurricane" the bureau's insurance policy against a Trump presidency. It was a good way to show off for his mistress, Lisa Page a rabid anti-Trump FBI lawyer. The "Midyear Exam" was a cover-up, and "Crossfire Hurricane" was a setup. Both were exposed by the clown show the FBI put on. Now the public is paying attention. Conspiracies that would have been unthinkable just a few years ago seem entirely plausible now. We were told that the FBI heroically thwarted a kidnapping attempt of Governor Gretchen Whitmer. Then we learned that there wasn't one informant involved. There were twelve informants involved in every aspect of recruiting and planning. Next, the lead agent, Richard Trask, was fired from the FBI after being arrested for beating his wife after a swingers' party. Prior to his arrest, Trask was the public face of the investigation and filed the original criminal complaint under oath. Last month, Will Cain, sitting in for Tucker Carlson, revealed that two more agents (unnamed) have been removed from the case and will not be testifying. Was the kidnapping a thwarted crime or a setup? It seems fair to ask, doesn't it? Then came the "January 6 insurrection" investigation and the mystery of the missing provocateurs. A number of individuals are seen on video inciting the riot. Yet none of them is among the hundreds who have been arrested. One such individual, Ray Epps, is clearly seen on video encouraging the crowd to enter the Capitol. Epps was included on the FBI's "most wanted" list that is, until internet sleuths identified and located Epps. Was he summarily arrested? Nope, he was removed from the "most wanted" list and is a free man to this day. Again, we have to ask was January 6 a set-up? The fact that these are reasonable questions to ask shows how damaged the FBI's relationship with the public has become. Corruption within the FBI is undeniable to everyone but Christopher Wray and Merrick Garland. The Democrats aren't raising the issue because the bureau is currently doing their dirty work. That's shortsighted and will not last. A corrupt organization eventually evolves to serve only itself. Everything else must be broken to its will including the Democrat party. How badly has the FBI damaged its reputation? Quentin Smith and I recently did a series of articles proposing rehabilitation of the bureau (here, here, and here). The emails we received were telling. Many told us we were nuts, that the FBI is beyond repair and must be shut down. Here's a representative example from a private citizen: They do not serve we the people. We are treated like we are their property, as slaves to plunder. Slaves who think we are free. There is no way in hell you can convince honest hard-working Americans that all of a sudden, our police state just started to become corrupt. Here's another one: I read your article, and although you and your retiree Bureau co-author would hope to rehab the FBI - those of us seeing the internal work know it must be eliminated. ... This place is corrupted to the fundamental level. And much of the FBI I have seen in the past 6 years is beyond saving. ... "Shut it all down" needs to be the resounding message. Forget probation. Suspension without pay. The FBI needs to give up badge and gun while we root out all of the failed culture of oath violations. If it never can be reestablished, so be it. That one is from a current FBI agent. The bureau's problems are quite real. Once corruption has taken root and it has it will grow like a virus until it burns itself out. If left unchecked, what does the dystopian future of the FBI look like? When the trust of the public is lost, the cooperation of the public will also be lost. Eventually, people will not know if the agent standing at their door is asking a question about a legitimate crime or attempting to set someone up for political purposes. The standard answer to any question will become, "I have nothing to say, get a subpoena or talk to my lawyer." As the FBI's credibility crumbles, so will its conviction rate. It will be harder to obtain warrants, and judges will find their evidence inadmissible (as the Rittenhouse judge recently did). Juries will find their testimony unconvincing. Jury deliberations will come to include discussion about how much the testifying agents were lying and how much of their evidence was tampered with. The FBI currently provides technical services to law enforcement throughout the country. With a reputation of evidence tampering (looking at you, Kevin Clinesmith), police activities nationwide will be set back. Thousands of "solved" cases may need to be re-examined. The agency's faults will become too obvious for even the Democrats to ignore. Just as they're trying to back away from the defund movement now, they'll eventually need to back away from a corrupt bureau for political expediency. Americans will not elect politicians (outside San Francisco and Minneapolis) who appear to support a police state. Then things will get really interesting. Organizational paranoia will grow in the FBI. Survival will become the bureau's primary motivator. An agency with no integrity will recruit only thugs with no integrity. Anyone suggesting reform of the agency will be targeted. Criminal traps will be set for the citizenry and blackmail used against the Judiciary and political class. The bureau will move from investigating to instigating and, finally, to conducting crimes. This would have been the thinking of lunatic conspiracy theorists just a few years ago. With the targeting of protesting parents and Trump supporters we've seen in recent years, it is entirely plausible. The FBI will cease being the "plumbers" (the nickname for Nixon's henchmen) for the Democrats and become the enemy of both parties. Then either it or America will die. A free people cannot coexist with a secret police force, using investigations for purposes other than law enforcement. The contest will be epic. A recent Zogby poll found that by 46 to 31 percent, members of the public think their sheriff's department has more legal authority than the FBI. Obviously, the legal authority of the bureau is not subject to opinion. It is defined by statute. But there's an important message in that poll. We are self-governed. Legal authority, without moral authority, equals no authority at least not over free people. John Green is a political refugee from Minnesota, now residing in Idaho. He currently writes at the American Free News Network (afnn.us). He can be followed on Facebook or reached at greenjeg@gmail.com. Image via Wikimedia Commons, public domain. To their own peril as well as everyone else's, climate alarmists are increasingly embracing authoritarianism. A rump group of the environmental movement has always been wedded to authoritarianism. Going back to the beginnings of the environmental movement, Progressive-era politicians such as President Theodore Roosevelt and Gifford Pinchot, the first head of the newly created U.S. Forest Service, believed that democracy and markets were both ill-suited to manage natural resources. Progressives believed natural resources should be controlled, developed, and conserved by elite scientific managers and bureaucrats unbeholden to the wishes of the public. Later, as detailed by Alston Chase in his powerful book In a Dark Wood, many Nazis were at least in part inspired by an expansive vision of environmental purity. Although few if any progressives were full-on misanthropes, there have always been some of these within the environmental movement, pushing for increasingly extreme actions in defense of the environment and against human use of natural resources. The misanthropic wing of the movement has referred to humanity as "a cancer," "a virus," and "a parasite," with some openly hoping for a killer virus to come along and wipe out most of humanity. Eco-philosopher Arne Naess, who coined the term "deep ecology," said the ideal human population on Earth is 200 million, and he called for policies and personal actions to achieve that goal as soon as possible. Others have estimated the "optimal" human population as 1.5 to two billion people and claimed this justifies population engineering, including both "active" and "passive" means to get there. Now even the academic literature is embracing climate authoritarianism as the world's allegedly last best hope to avert supposedly apocalyptic climate change. The Cambridge University Press journal, the American Political Science Review, recently published an article, "Political Legitimacy, Authoritarianism, and Climate Change," which begins by asking, "Is authoritarian power ever legitimate?" The author, Ross Mittiga, answers with a resounding "yes!" Pointing to the restrictions many governments established in response to COVID-19 as the type of emergency justifying authoritarian limits on freedom, the author states, "Climate change poses an even graver threat to public safety. Consequently, I argue, legitimacy may require a similarly authoritarian approach." Mittiga says climate change is a greater threat than COVID-19 and therefore justifies long-term restrictions on life choices even stricter than those imposed over the past two years. How the public will respond to that might best be judged by the visible street protests to ongoing or newly imposed restrictions in Europe and elsewhere, and the people widely flouting mask mandates, fighting vaccine mandates, and publicly sharing information about adverse vaccine reactions and COVID-19 cases among the fully vaccinated in the United States. This type of pushback presents a problem for Mittiga unless the type of authoritarian solutions he supports are much more like those of North Korea, Cambodia under the Khmer Rouge, China under Mao, and Russia under Stalin than what the liberal democracies have dared to attempt thus far. Based on the evidence, I believe that no climate crisis is in the offing, that science shows that the modest warming of the past century and any reasonably expected warming in the coming century have not caused calamity or even worsening weather extremes and are unlikely to do so. But even if I'm wrong, authoritarianism is the worst possible response to the climate crisis. Climate alarmists praise China, ignoring the fact that it produces more greenhouse gases than every other industrialized economy on Earth combined, and its emissions are growing. People like Mittiga and others who embrace authoritarianism as a solution to the climate crisis somehow believe they will be the anointed ones wielding power if liberal democracies are displaced by authoritarian governments. I'm sure Robespierre and Trotsky felt the same, but history tells a very different story. China's treatment of its environmental protesters should be a cautionary lesson. Environmentalism doesn't thrive under authoritarian rule. If climate alarmists help bring down liberal democracies around the globe and replace them with authoritarian rule, they will most likely enjoy a fate similar to that suffered by Ernst Rohm and the Brownshirts when Hitler no longer needed them and perceived them as a threat to his power. History shows revolutions resulting in dictatorships typically eat their children and those who they overthrew alike, indiscriminately and with equal fervor and self-perceived righteous indignation. Authoritarianism is bad, regardless of the cause it purportedly serves. Painting evil green does not make it better. H. Sterling Burnett, Ph.D. (hburnett@heartland.org) is a senior fellow at The Heartland Institute, a nonpartisan, nonprofit research center headquartered in Arlington Heights, Illinois. Image: Pixabay. When Donald Trump boasted about and then began building his wall along America's southern border to protect us from illegal aliens flooding in, bringing crime in their wake, and taking jobs from low-income Americans, Democrats insisted that walls were evil. Walls were ugly. Walls divided Americans. Blah, blah, blah. And when Biden got into the White House, the first thing he did was stop building Trump's wall and throw open the border to illegal aliens from around the world. Given all that, it's ironic, to say the least, that Biden appears to be building a ten-foot-high wall around the White House. Conservative Treehouse writes that "the Joe Biden White House is erecting a concrete (K-Rail) blast and security containment wall directly around the White House." It's a big wall, too: "The perimeter fence appears to be approximately 10' high and is made from reinforced concrete k-rails. It is also being installed directly around the White House building itself." Here's a video giving you a sense of the vast construction project hiding the White House from people's view: Sundance notes that it's not that unusual for a perimeter wall to be constructed around the White House when heads of state are coming for a visit. This is because politicians require more protection than ordinary Americans do. Indeed, I know that we all agree that if a politician, foreign or domestic, is the target of an assassination attempt (as happened to Rand Paul and the Republican House members, two incidents that Democrats ignore), that's a very bad thing. If walls are what is needed to protect them, walls are a good thing. (Nancy Pelosi agrees, having fenced in Congress for months to protect herself and the other politicians who work there.) However, the Democrats have made it clear that if a six-year-old child is raped by an illegal alien sex offender or a 17-year-old boy is executed by MS-13 gang members who sneaked into the country...whatever. They don't matter. Walls to protect them are bad. Very, very bad. And racist. But that's just the half of it when it comes to the White House wall. What's really weird is that Sundance, who stays apprised of these things, says there is no available information saying a visiting dignitary or delegation is expected. In any event, with omicron running rampant (if mild), the likelihood of a delegation making a trip isn't very high right now. Image: The new White House wall. YouTube screen grab. Because my mind has a somewhat conspiratorial cast (I read way too many crime novels growing up, and the Trump-Russia hoax proved conspiracies can be real), I can't help but wonder if this wall isn't being built to further the "insurrection" narrative. Americans will never be told what the threat is; we'll just be told there is a threat from evil right-wingers and that the kind, grandfatherly man who is trying to unite America must be protected. And if a few years down the road, it turns out those evil right-wingers were actually helping out the FBI, what will it matter? It will have been done, after all, for the greater good. For the record, I've nothing against our friendly-fronted friends. Why, my favorite philosopher, G.K. Chesterton, reportedly weighed in at close to 400 pounds. Yet the reality is that the horizontally challenged have something in common with the "unvaccinated." The latter are now today's lepers, attaining this status via refusal to accept experimental mRNA therapy agents (MTAs, AKA "vaccines") designed to prevent something they don't prevent. In fact, many Branch COVIDians talk about making "vaccine passports" a requirement for "participation in society." This is already happening to an extent in Australia, the Land Down Under COVID tyranny. For example, Australia's Northern Territory announced new draconian lockdown restrictions last week, with the MTA-resistant especially targeted. Never mind that Lord Fauci the Infallible and other health oracles once said, implying that it was quite the mountain to climb, that a 70- to 80-percent "vaccination" rate would suffice to deliver herd immunity, and Australia now has a 91-percent rate among people over 12. But, hey, they just need to get that rate up to 154 percent, and it'll be shrimp-on-the-barbie and Foster's time once again. Don't say it's impossible, either, because Democrat counties often prove the achievability of such numbers at election time. You just have to "vaccinate" those recently dead Australians, mate, to be fair dinkum safe and forbid casket exiting and midnight zombie romps for the foreseeable future. Anyway, "There are only three reasons to leave the home now, not five," said Northern Territory chief minister Michael Gunner last Monday, explaining the COVIDian establishment of (dark) religion. "Work is not a reason to leave the home for the unvaccinated," he continued, elaborating on the limitations. "The chief health officer has also determined that restriction of movement is critical right now and that one hour of exercise for the next four days is not essential." This is despite the fact that most coronavirus transmission occurs indoors and that adequate sunlight exposure reduces one's chance of infection and serious illness. Gunner also stated (video below) that you "may only leave home for three reasons medical treatment, including Covid testing or vaccination for essential goods and services, like groceries, power tokens, and medications [and] to provide care or support to a family member or person who cannot support themselves." Ja, mein Fuhrer! Gunner is the poster boy for why insurrection was invented. He's also quite dull, incorrectly claiming that the MTA-resistant are at "greater risk" of catching the China virus. He further stated that such people are more likely to require medical care, and this concern that the MTA-resistant will clog up hospitals is currently a major justification for compelling the jab now that many health authorities (e.g., Fauci) have confessed that the shot doesn't prevent SARS-CoV-2 transmission and contraction. But consider the implications of the underlying principle, which is: "You have no right to make a life choice that increases the probability you'll strain the medical system." What of the plumper among us? It's not just that the overweight or obese have constituted 78 percent of China virus deaths, but that such stature is associated with a higher incidence of a host of illnesses. So should the portly be limited in how much food they may buy and what kind? Should they be forced to exercise? They're costing us all money, you know. I'm being facetious, but this mentality could be applied to anyone who's seen as playing fast and loose with his health, such as smokers and sedentary thin people who happen to scarf down artery-clogging food. For that matter, what if it's learned that the promiscuous and people engaging in certain sexually anomalous behaviors inordinately burden the health care system? Well, I guess some things are worth the money such as our ruling class's favorite hobbies. And, hey, if we weren't distracted with the mob-catalyzing misdirection that is the blaming of the MTA-resistant, we might notice what our ruling class is actually doing. Contact Selwyn Duke, follow him on MeWe or Parler, or log on to SelwynDuke.com. Photo credit: Tony Alter, CC BY 2.0 license. Although Senate minority leader Mitch McConnell entered the Senate 12 years after Joe Biden did, their joint service still goes back 37 years, to 1985. McConnell has therefore known Biden a long time, and both men are dedicated to the idea of Senate collegiality. Additionally, McConnell is an exceptionally wily guy who never takes a stand unless he's first assured that the wind is at his back. That's why it matters a great deal that, on Wednesday, McConnell launched a brutal attack against Biden based on Biden's shrill demagoguery in Atlanta the day before. There's no doubt that Biden's was a most peculiar speech. In the flat, haranguing tones that have become his norm during his first year in the White House, Biden called 52 senators hate-filled racists and insurrectionists by likening them to famous and disreputable Democrats of the past. It was probably the most inflammatory speech ever given by someone in the White House. Even in the lead-up to the Civil War, Abraham Lincoln (a Republican) always tried to speak in conciliatory tones. But not Joe Biden. His speech was truly ugly. For the past year, McConnell has given Biden a pass. He's also made nice with his Democrat colleagues, whether it was allowing the filibuster to be up for grabs based on promises from Senators Manchin and Sinema that they would not vote to dispose of the filibuster (a promise each is currently keeping, thank God) or going along with the Democrats' vile narrative about January 6, including attacking Trump. Regarding that last, it's not clear whether McConnell, showing the same cowardice as Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, really thought he'd be raped or killed, or whether he's afraid that the Democrats will try to oust him from office as an insurrectionist under Section 3 of the Fourteenth Amendment. Whatever his motive, he did not endear himself to the vast pro-Trump wing of the Republican Party. Image: Mitch McConnell lambastes Biden (edited in befunky). Twitter screen grab. On Wednesday, though, McConnell changed his tune and went from attacking Trump to attacking Biden. And I must say, even though I dislike and distrust the man (although I will be forever grateful that he kept Merrick Garland off the Supreme Court), it was a well deserved, well stated, and entirely accurate throw-down: Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell ripped into President Biden's Georgia speech on the Democratic push for voting rights legislation, calling it "profoundly unpresidential." In a scathing address on the Senate floor, the Kentucky Republican accused Biden of calling millions of Americans "domestic enemies" while comparing "a bipartisan majority of senators to literal traitors." "How profoundly, profoundly unpresidential," McConnell said. "Look, I've known, liked, and personally respected Joe Biden for many years. I did not recognize the man at that podium yesterday." McConnell said Biden's speech was a "rant," "incoherent," "incorrect," "beneath his office" and "unbecoming of a president of the United States." He pointed to Biden's inaugural address last January in which the newly sworn-in president said "every disagreement doesn't have to be a cause for total war." "That was just 12 months ago. But yesterday, he poured a giant can of gasoline on the fire," the senator said, later adding that Biden said "anyone who opposes smashing the Senate and letting Democrats rewrite election law is a domestic 'enemy' and a traitor like Jefferson Davis." .@LeaderMcConnell says President Biden's #VotingRights speech yesterday was "rhetoric unbecoming of a president of the United States." pic.twitter.com/hy0WUhkHaW CSPAN (@cspan) January 12, 2022 Because McConnell is a canny man who never gets too far over his skis, his full-frontal attack on Biden means that McConnell is reasonably certain that Biden's presidency has nowhere to go but down. And by making that statement on the Senate floor, McConnell is reminding Chuck Schumer that the latter's wagon is hitched to a fading, falling star. All the momentum behind the Democrats is gone. This was a "kick 'em when they're down" speech, and a good one, too. 2021 Saw 'Seismic Global Shift' in Religious Persecution, New Data Suggest After Two Decades, North Korea No Longer Considered World's Worst Enemy of Faith; Open Doors USA to Reveal New Top Perpetrator in Religious Persecution at '2022 World Watch List' Press Conference Jan. 19 NEWS PROVIDED BY Open Doors USA Jan. 13, 2022 SANTA ANA, Calif., Jan. 13, 2022 /Christian Newswire/ -- There is a new top perpetrator of religious persecution, according to Open Doors' forthcoming 2022 World Watch List. For the past 20 years, North Korea has appeared at number one on the annual list, which ranks the top 50 countries where it is most difficult and dangerous to be a Christian. However, Open Doors leadership indicates that though North Korea's religious freedom violations have not improved, conditions have significantly worsened elsewhere in the world, causing a shift in ranking. Next week, on January 19th, Open Doors USA will make its sobering announcement of what leadership describes as, "the most seismic changes'' seen in World Watch List history. The World Watch List is a highly-anticipated, frequently-cited resource for policy makers concerning global religious persecution; and President and CEO David Curry, along with Ambassador Sam Browback, Senior Fellow at Open Doors USA, will call for bipartisan action. Curry said, "For more than 20 years, Open Doors' World Watch List has given us a clear and current picture of religious freedom conditions. But this year's findings indicate seismic changes in the persecution landscape and challenge the United States to take action that, according to the report's conclusions, has never been more critical." In the online press conference, Curry will announce Open Doors' 2022 World Watch List and release new statistics indicating startling changes in religious freedom landscape worldwide. The event will also include expert commentary and horrific first-person accounts. Press Conference Speakers and Topics include: Ambassador Sam Brownback, Senior Fellow at Open Doors USA, addressing the religious freedom impact of the Beijing Winter Olympics and China's expanding authoritarianism Illia Djadi, Open Doors Africa Senior Analyst, discussing the the unimpeded spread of religious violence throughout Sub-saharan Africa An Afghan refugee and frontline worker offering first-person stories and describing what's next for Afghan Christians following the Taliban takeover and developing refugee crisis WHAT: Digital Press Event - Open Doors' State of Persecution address and 2022 World Watch List release WHO: David Curry, President and CEO of Open Doors USA; Ambassador Sam Brownback, Senior Fellow, Open Doors, USA; Open Doors Africa Senior Analyst, Illia Djadi; Undisclosed victims of persecution from Afghanistan and Nigeria WHEN: Wednesday, January 19th, 2022 - 10 a.m. ET WHERE: Register at: OpenDoorsUSA.org/WWL-2022-Press For more information and interview scheduling for David Curry and Ambassador Sam Brownback, please email opendoors@iconmediagroup.com. About Open Doors USA For more than 60 years, Open Doors USA has worked in the world's most oppressive and restrictive countries for Christians. Open Doors works to equip and encourage Christians living in dangerous circumstances with the threat of persecution and to mobilize the Western church to pray and advocate for the persecuted. Christians are one of the most persecuted religious groups in the world and are oppressed in at least 60 countries. For more information, visit OpenDoorsUSA.org. SOURCE Open Doors USA CONTACT: OpenDoors@iconmediagroup.com Over the past few years, I've encountered various statistics that ruined my day, so to spread the pain, I've collected a few here. Let's start with: The nuclear family fades in the USA: According to a Pew Research study, the United States has the highest number of children living in single-parent households. Almost one-fourth (23%) of children in the U.S. under the age of 18 live with one parent and no other adult, which is the highest in the world. Astronomical debt: Our national debt in 2021 was over 28 trillion dollars. This was 122% of GDP. That ratio is important because investors worry about default when the debt-to-GDP ratio is greater than 77% that's the tipping point. To give you an idea of how big a trillion is, the sun is less than half a trillion feet away from the Earth. Tens of millions can't read: More than 30 million adults in the United States cannot read, write, or do basic math above a third-grade level. But our competitors can read: China in 2015 awarded 1.2 million bachelor's degrees in science and engineering, according to the National Science Foundation, six times the number in the United States, and the absolute number of Chinese graduates, as well as the ratio of Chinese to American graduates, have grown since then. We're not having kids: America's total fertility rate fell in 2020 to just 1.67 births per female, the lowest in history, and well below the replacement level of 2.1. And those of us who do have kids are often the poorest: In 2017, the birth rate in the United States was highest in families that had under 10,000 U.S. dollars in income per year, at 66.44 births per 1,000 women. As the income scale increases, the birth rate decreases, with families making 200,000 U.S. dollars or more per year having the lowest birth rate, at 43.92 births per 1,000 women. On Elections: A conservative voting bloc disappearing: In 1960, 88.6% of the U.S. population was white. In 2020, that share had shrunk to 61.6% white. That might explain why California was a reliably Republican state until 1992 (aside from 1964) but has voted for Democratic presidents since then. But demographics can't explain this rapid change. From a 2018 article: "Among those aged 18 to 29, support for capitalism has plunged 12 percentage points in just two years. Among that age group, 51% say they have positive feelings about socialism, compared to just 45% for capitalism." But we're lonely: A poll of 1,254 adults aged 18 and older found that 27 percent of Millennials have no close friends, 25 percent have no "acquaintances," and 22 percent or 1 in 5 have no buddies at all. The Pentagon can't find recruits because: In a report from the Heritage Foundation, "The Looming National Security Crisis: Young Americans Unable To Serve In the Military," we find that 71 percent of young Americans between 17 and 24 are ineligible to serve in the military that is 24 million of the 34 million people of that age group. The reasons: First up are health problems, particularly obesity. Twenty-seven percent of young Americans are too overweight to enter the military. Various other physical factors vision, conditions like asthma and diabetes, and mental illness prohibit others from joining. About 10 percent of possible recruits have criminal records that prohibit them from joining the armed forces. A third reason is inadequate education. Now here's a statistic for woke people who complain about microaggressions: The top ten countries for modern-day versions of slavery are: India - 7,989,000 China - 3,864,000 North Korea - 2,640,000 Nigeria - 1,386,000 Iran - 1,289,000 Indonesia - 1,220,000 Congo (Democratic Republic of) - 1,045,000 Russia - 794,000 Philippines - 784,000 Afghanistan - 749,000 Nor is the USA free of modern versions of slavery. According to Ron Soodalter, "in the United States, it [slavery] has reached epidemic proportions. Victims are trafficked here from at least thirty-five countries and are held in bondage and under the radar in every state, working at a variety of jobs. They are of all races, all types, all ethnicities, sharing in common only the inability to leave. ... Slavery is all around us, yet most of us are unaware. We enjoy ourselves too much: We've had 700,000 drug overdose deaths in the U.S. since 2000. Graphic credit: Nick Youngson, CC BY-SA 3.0 license. For all the conservatives who are hand-wringing over the seemingly slow pace of the Durham investigation, there is one person who knows exactly what the special counsel is up to and whom he's closing in on: Hillary Rodham Clinton, and it appears she doesn't like what's coming. If Hillary were in any kind of personal legal jeopardy, what card would she play? Turns out she's been down that road, back in 2017, and it worked: The Justice Department's inspector general announced Thursday he is probing the FBI's handling of the investigation into former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's private email server during the 2016 presidential campaign. The decision revived Democrats' arguments that FBI Director James Comey helped swing the election in Donald Trump's favor at the same time as he once again finds himself playing a central role in the most sensitive political story of the moment: briefing the President-elect on unsubstantiated allegations that Russia has compromising information about him. While the drive-by media narrative is that any mention of criminality regarding Hillary is verboten, we also know that Biden's Department of Justice and Federal Bureau of Investigation won't go there. But be assured that Donald Trump, if he decides to run again, will bring up the whole Steele dossier/Trump-Russia collusion thing, no matter who his opponent is. And while the pro-Democrat media will shrug it off as old news, John Durham will not...and he may start handing Clinton bad news soon. So what would be the only shield Hillary has available to keep a prosecution away from her? A run for president. Image: Hillary Clinton (edited in befunky). Rumble screen grab. Let's not forget that Hillary doesn't need to run. Aside from a bruised ego that still refuses to let her give up her sense of being robbed in 2016, she's living a relatively good life. She has book and podcast deals and an assortment of potential media deals at the drop of a phone call to the 818 area code. She can drink all the chardonnay she wants, and no one sees her fall over. She knows all that another run for president would bring. But what she also knows is that John Durham could put a serious crimp in her financials, if not her freedom. That is, Hillary's Durham's ultimate target, and she knows it. Opposition research coordinated between her campaign and the DNC, culminating in the Russia smear that resulted in millions in investigations, as well as warrants, prosecutions, and the continued smear of a United States president, was something that only the candidate could have green-lighted. Hillary Clinton was solely responsible for that Big Lie. So when the pundit class speculates about the motives for yet another Hillary run for the presidency, here's something else to consider: she wouldn't be doing so to get a second crack at Trump or try to help the country. It would only be to save her pantsuit-clad derriere. If she does go as far as announcing a run, you'll know that really bad Durham news is soon to follow. Then she'll scream to her friends for sympathy, insisting it's a political smear. She would know. Bob Parks writes at Black & Right/Black & Blonde Media. Less than 100 years ago, the United States of America practiced eugenics. The inventor of Kellogg's cereal, John Harvey Kellogg, created the Race Betterment Foundation, dedicated to the proposition that bad genes create unworthy human beings. He should have stuck to his Corn Flakes. Kellogg was joined by many experts. A pedigree register was created. A Eugenics Records Office was opened to track genetic traits. The office found that the people most unfit for reproduction were immigrants, minorities, and those living in poverty. The experts performed forced sterilizations in the thousands. In 1927, the experts on the Supreme Court ruled that forced sterilization of handicapped people did not violate the Constitution. Oliver Wendell Holmes summed up the philosophy of the eugenicist when he wrote, "Three generations of imbeciles are enough." The experts had spoken, and until World War II and the eugenics of the Nazis, the people were expected to be quiet and obey. After the eugenic experiments of Josef Mengele came to light, the experts admitted they were wrong about eugenics. Still, as the saying goes, the more things change, the more they stay the same. Today the experts are more sure of themselves than ever. Image: American eugenics congress logo, 1921. Public domain. The experts have informed the American people that masks protect against COVID, that vaccines are needed to protect the masked against COVID, that there is nothing to worry about in the fact that new variants of COVID are overwhelmingly infecting the vaccinated, and that it is a mistake to believe that COVID vaccinations block COVID infection. The experts are starting to realize that none of this makes any sense, but they forge ahead trying to get their message out. At this point, their message seems to be that we should squash any qualms we have about the expertise of those in power and blindly obey whatever diktat they choose to hand down. What is particularly distressing to the experts is that Americans are starting to ignore their dire warnings, their contradictory rules, and their unreasonable mandates. The White House is being accused of bungling the message, as if all that is needed is a better explanation for why people should let their lives be ruined with an endless pandemic of the sniffles. Masks, mandates, tests, isolation, shuttering of businesses, an end to travel these things would not be a problem if the public would just heed the experts. We just need to understand better why we must obey the experts on these points. As Adriane Casalotti, chief of government and public affairs for the National Association of County and City Health Officials, argues, "guidance needs to be simpler and easier for the public to comprehend. 'The bumper sticker version is much easier than the three-page version or even the three-paragraph version,' she says." I've got a bumper-sticker for Ms. Casalotti, and all the experts that are pushing their message on us: the Titanic was built by a team of experts, and the ark was built by a single amateur. Pandra Selivanov is the author of Future Slave, a story about a 21st-century black teenager who goes back in time and becomes a slave in the Old South. Throughout history Man has shown extraordinary imagination in inventing penalties and sentences for crimes committed by fellow man. The Romans in particular had an almost theatrical quality in the way these punishments were dolled out. One of the worst was reserved for parricidethe killing of a parent in which the prisoner was placed in a sack with several live animals and thrown into the water: the poena cullei, or penalty of the sack. The German philosopher Erich Fromm said that we are "the only animal that enjoys doing evil to its own kind without any rational biological or social benefit". But sometimes there was, and still is, a moral pretext: the defense of society. Aristotle himself affirms in his work Politics that the most necessary public position is that of a jailer, while Pio Baroja, through the mouth of a character in his novel La lucha por la vida, equated the office of executioner with those of priest, military and magistrate, as supports of society. In this sense, patricide was considered a particularly infamous crime in ancient Rome (and earlier in Greece, as evidenced by the myth of Oedipus or the harshness with which Solon treated it), where the character of Tulia the Less was a figure of unfortunate memory. As almost everything in the monarchical stage, history and legend intertwine and there remains a mixed narrative of how the youngest daughter of the sixth king, Servius Tullius, not only participated in the conspiracy to assassinate her father and get her second husband, the future Tarquinius the Superb, to ascend the throne, but also desecrated his corpse by driving over it with a chariot. It must be understood that the Roman family was the basic cell of society; it was a vast institution that grouped the members of the family, but also those adopted and even servants, and was under the absolute authority of the pater familias, whose patria potestas allowed him to dispose of the lives of all those dependent on him. Therefore, to kill him was revealed as an atrocious act in the personal but also in the social sphere and the state had to act accordingly. The Lex duodecim tabularum (Law of the XII of Tables) defined parricide as the voluntary homicide of parents by their children. A 1560 sketch showing capital punishment. But this legislative corpus was made in the middle of the 5th century B.C. and, with time, the section referring to this type of crime was expanded. For example, Lucius Cornelius Sulla, consul between 88 and 80 BC. (with a period of dictatorship from 81 to 80 B.C.), extended the possible liability to other relatives in addition to offspring. And the Lex Pompeia de parricidiis, established by Pompey in 55 B.C., did the same with potential victims, going from being only parents to stepparents, grandparents, siblings, uncles, spouses, cousins, in-laws, sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, stepchildren and even employers. Those who fell outside these categories were governed by the general Lex Cornelia de sicariis et veneficiis, which remained almost unchanged since the XII Tables and punished murder with banishment. Likewise, according to Herennius Modestinus (a Roman jurist of the 3rd century A.D.), the Lex Pompeia could be used to accuse parricide in reverse, that is, parents who murdered their children, grandparents who did so with their grandchildren or even anyone who bought poison with the intention of killing their parent, even if they did not actually do it. Once the crime has been clarified, how does the corresponding punishment arise? It is possible that the origins of the poena cullei date back to the monarchic period. During the reign of Tarquinius the Superb, one of the duumviri sacrorum (priests) Marcus Atilius, appointed to guard the Sibylline Books, revealed some of their secrets. This was a sacrilege because these books were an anthology of prophecies dictated by the Sibyl of Cumae and were consulted every time Rome faced a difficult situation to seek possible solutions, so they were forbidden to the public. Consequently, Atilius was condemned to be thrown into the sea inside a sewn sack. Now, what does that have to do with patricide? Nothing really, unless we believe Dionysius of Halicarnassus, according to whom Atilius was also condemned for parricide. Other authors are of the opinion that he simply took advantage later of that form of execution because his extravagant character went well to exemplify. Plutarch places the date after the Second Punic War and gives the name of Lucius Hostius as the first documented parricide of Rome, although he does not explain how he was executed; before, the death of a father at the hands of his son would be considered a homicide more, generically. When it began to give differential category to that type of crime, it would have resorted to the atavistic method of delivering the culprit to the family of the deceased; but being the same, it became necessary to also devise a different punishment. This must have begun towards the end of the third century B.C.; according to some historians, perhaps because of the social disorders that arose among the Romans as a result of the invasion of the Italian peninsula by the Carthaginian Hannibal. They even believe to see in certain passages of Plautus, at the beginning of the following century, humorous references to the introduction of the poena cullei. Of course, Marcus Attilius was not the only one to go down in history dying in such an ignominious way. Plutarch also describes the case of a certain Gaius Vilius, who was condemned for having supported the reforms of the Gracchi and who was executed by being locked inside a vase with snakes inside. A variant that preceded by a few decades the one that Titus Livius is considered to be the first to be executed for parricide in the way that would last from then on: Publicius Maleolus, who, having been found guilty of murdering his mother around 100 B.C., was condemned to be put inside a closed sack and thrown "into a stream of water". The case of Maleolus is described by various sources and none of them mentions that animals were also introduced with the prisoner, which confirms the current belief that this was a later addition of the first imperial stage. The description that can be read in the Rhetorica ad Herennium (Rhetoric to Herennius, an anonymous philosophical treatise dated approximately 90 B.C.), does provide other details, such as that Maleolus' head was covered with a wolf-skin bag and soleae lignae (wooden clogs or shoes) were put on him, objects that were intended to isolate the culprit from the world. However, Cicero (to whom the Rhetoric to Herennius was erroneously attributed for a long time) objects in his De inventione that the head bag was made of simple leather, perhaps a wineskin. Cicero speaks several times of poena cullei in his writings. For example, in the vibrant speech with which he defended Sextus Roscius against the accusation of murdering his father (in reality it was a personal vendetta in which Roscius himself almost died after his father), Cicero criticized the system of execution, and incidentally, obtained the acquittal of his client. Suetonius says that it was Augustus who formally authorized the poena cullei, although in practice it was already applied, as we saw, and since then it became habitual; so much so that, according to Seneca, in the time of Claudius they saw "more sacks than crosses", from which it would be necessary to deduce that the parricides proliferated. That parricide had become more frequent than desirable has its icing on the cake in the death of Agrippina at the hands of her son Nero. Suetonius attributes to the emperor the death of her young lover, Aulus Plautius, suspecting that she wanted to replace him on the throne; later, he adds, he did the same to her under the influence of his wife, Poppaea Sabina, fulfilling an ancient prophecy that foretold that he would be emperor but would kill his mother, to which she would have replied "Occidat, dum imperet!" (Let him kill me as long as he reigns!). Regardless of whether these facts are true or not, as also happens with the life of the reviled Caligula (Suetonius, one of the main sources for both, belonged to the senatorial class and in that period the Senate struggled not to lose its power before the growing imperial authority), and returning to what concerns us, Juvenal wrote that Nero deserved more punishment than to end up in a sack. Something that Suetonius endorses again when he narrates how, after the emperor's suicide, a statue of him appeared partially covered with a culleum and accompanied by a writing that read "I did what I could. But you deserve the sack!" The poena cullei was not only a form of execution. It constituted a whole ritual full of symbols, although not all were incorporated at the same time. Some had antecedents as old as Pharaonic Egypt, where the parricide was martyred by cutting off pieces of flesh with sharpened reeds ad hoc and then burning him on thorns. In this sense, the aforementioned Modestino narrates how the prisoner was whipped with the virgae sanguinae (blood sticks, so called because of their function or perhaps because they were previously dyed red), before his head was covered, the clogs were put on him and he was introduced into the sack, whose opening was then sewn; in this way, he was deprived of seeing the sky before dying. The extra element of the animals inside the sack did not arrive until imperial times. It was precisely Seneca's father who testified to the novelty of the introduction of snakes with the prisoner (specifically a viper, a species believed to kill its parents at birth), while the poet Juvenal, a little later, did the same with respect to a monkey, which embodied madness and was considered a caricatured version of the human being. It is not clear at what point the rest of the fauna appeared, a rooster (metaphor of ferocity and violence against its own parents) and a dog (representative of rabies, a despicable animal for the Romans). In the second century A.D., under Hadrian, we find another faunal element, although not inside the sack: a pair of black oxen pulled the cart that transported the prisoner and his peculiar prison to the water. This had a double meaning; on the one hand, the culprit of such a horrendous crime was deprived of land where he could rest in peace and, on the other hand, the human and animal remains would end up mixed for his eternal dishonor, all of this sifted by the purifying quality attributed to water in the Roman world. However, with Hadrian the poena cullei fell into disuse and became optional; there were other alternatives such as buried alive or in a damnatio ad bestias (that is, being devoured by wild beasts) in the arena of the amphitheater, although it seems that it applied mainly to lower-class people and it is also unclear whether the condemned could defend themselves (damnatio ad bestias proper) or awaited their terrible end tied up (obicere bestiis). It is possible that this was to make things easier if there was no body of water nearby. However, in the third century Constantine revitalized the ceremonialhe was the one who brought the dog and the rooster without considering it incompatible with the new Christian faith. In fact, it was even extended, for in the following century Constantius and Constantius included the penalty for adultery and added a fish, symbol of lust, to the sack. The same happened with Justinian three centuries later, since in his Institutiones (an introduction to the legislative compilation he made under the title Corpus iuris civilis) the poena cullei is reflected with all its paraphernalia, including animals. Nevertheless, the Basilika (the legal corpus of the Byzantine emperor Leo VI the Wise) shows that in the ninth century it no longer existed and had been replaced by the stake. This did not prevent it from being briefly resurrected in the Middle Ages. For example, it appears in the Siete Partidas (a legislative body introduced in 13th century Castile by King Alfonso X) and with all the characteristics (sack, animals, water), although over time it tended to be carried out only metaphorically: the condemned was dragged to the scaffold in a seron dragged by some beast of burden (something that continued to be done until the middle of the 19th century) and then his corpse was introduced into a bucket that had a dog, a monkey, a rooster and a snake painted on it, and which was simulated to be thrown into the water before burial. But where it really survived was in medieval and modern Germany, as evidenced in the 12th century by the Sassen Speyghel (Saxon Mirror), the most important penal code of the Germanic Middle Ages. There were some differences, however: the rooster was not included, and the serpent was represented only pictorially on a piece of paper and the monkey was replaced with a cat, often separated from the prisoner by a sewn cloth. Moreover, the sack was not made of leather but of linen, which facilitated death by drowning rather than by asphyxiation. This meant shortening the suffering, something that was sometimes sought and sometimes not. A case is recorded in Dresden in which a leather sack waterproofed with pitch was used to make the agony of its occupant last longer. But the sack burst open when it hit water, and the animals were able to escape. The condemned, however, presumably tied, drowned and got his punishment. The last time this punishment was meted out in 1734, somewhere in Saxony. However, according to some sources, it could have been the Saxonian city Zittau, where the last case is alleged to have happened in 1749. In 1761 the poena cullei was definitively abolished. This article was originally published in La Brujula Verde. It has been translated from Spanish and republished with permission. WHO says Omicron is dangerous for the Unvaccinated:- The new variant of coronavirus named Omicron is now the hot topic across the globe and the new variant is traced in all the countries of the world. Nations like USA, Spain, South Africa, UK and several European nations are badly impacted. The cases are rising on a faster note in India and the government is responding on a swift note to prevent the huge surge. There are strong talks and predictions that the spread of the Omicron variant is high but it is not dangerous. The World Health Organization told that the Omicron variant is dangerous especially for those who are not vaccinated. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the Chief of World Health Organization (WHO) told this in a press conference. He said that the Omicron variant is less dangerous than Delta. "Most of the people across the globe are unvaccinated. More than 85 percent of the people in Africa are yet to receive their first dose of coronavirus vaccine. Mass vaccination is the best way to take a control of the surge. We wanted every nation to vaccinate more than 10 percent of the population by September 2021, 40 percent by the end of 2021 and 70 percent by the mid of this year. More than 90 countries are yet to reach 40 percent of the vaccination and 36 nations are shot of 10 percent mark which is disappointing. All those who are admitted to hospitals are not vaccinated. The vaccinations are quite effective to prevent death and reduce the severity of the disease but they cannot fully prevent transmission" told Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. "If the transmission is high, the hospitalization would be high and it results in more deaths. There are 50,000 deaths per week across the globe. This should be brought to a control" told Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. (Image source from: telugucinema.com) Naga Chaitanya about his Upcoming Projects:- Akkineni Naga Chaitanya is not a happy man as he broke up with his wife Samantha after four years after they tied the knot. The duo is back to work and is busy with their respective projects. After scoring a sensational hit with Love Story, Naga Chaitanya is testing his luck with Bangarraju and the film is the sequel for Soggade Chinni Nayana. Nagarjuna and Naga Chaitanya are the lead actors in this entertainer that is directed by Kalyan Krishna. Naga Chaitanya interacted with the press and he revealed about the lineup of films that he signed in the coming days. He is shooting for Vikram Kumar's Thank You which is in the final stages of shoot. The last schedule commences on January 25th and will be completed in two weeks. He also signed a web series which is a horror thriller in the direction of Vikram Kumar. Amazon Prime will produce this interesting project and it marks Naga Chaitanya's debut into digital space. Naga Chaitanya also gave his nod for Parasuram and the shoot commences once the director is done with the shoot of Mahesh Babu's Sarkaru Vaari Paata. Naga Chaitanya is also holding talks with Vijay Kanakamedala who directed Naandhi in the past. The film starts rolling soon after Chaitanya is done with his current projects. A Sequel for Balakrishna's Akhanda on Cards:- December started with a bang for Telugu cinema and Akhanda is the first biggie of Telugu cinema that released after the second wave of the coronavirus pandemic. The film also marks the third collaboration of Balakrishna and Boyapati Srinu. Akhanda released on December 2nd and it is racing towards 50 days in theatres which is a rare feat these days. The makers celebrated the success several times and they conducted a Thank You Meet today right before Sankranthi. When asked about the sequel for the film, Boyapati Srinu revealed that the plan is on and he said that he left a lead for the sequel in Akhanda. He also said that the project will be announced at the right time and Balakrishna will play the lead role. Akhanda is the biggest hit in the career of Balakrishna and the veteran actor played a dual role in the mass entertainer. The film is made on a budget of Rs 80 crores and the film collected more than Rs 100 crores in theatres. Pragya Jaiswal is the leading lady and Srikanth played the role of the lead villain. Thaman's background score received top class response and Miryala Ravindar Reddy produced Akhanda. Balakrishna is on a break and he will join the sets of Gopichand Malinen i's Jai Balayya this month. (Image source from: mirchi9.com) Megastar's meeting with YS Jagan on ticket prices issue:- The government of Andhra Pradesh slashed down the ticket prices to less than normal and this created a havoc. Right from the exhibitors to the distributors and the producers, everyone is badly suffering because of the low ticket pricing. Several celebrities met AP Cinematography Minister Perni Nani but a possible solution wasn't found. Several celebrities took the stage and urged the government of Andhra Pradesh to revise the GO. The AP High Court canceled the GO but the AP government has been strict on their stand. Megastar Chiranjeevi decided to step into action about the issue. He attained the appointment of AP Chief Minister YS Jaganmohan Reddy after a long wait. Megastar Chiranjeevi will meet YS Jagan for lunch in his Tadepalli residence this afternoon. Chiranjeevi will discuss and explain about the issues majorly about the ticket pricing issue. Chiranjeevi will have an hour long meeting with YS Jagan and the major discussion would be about the ticket pricing issue. Chiranjeevi is all set to explain about other issues and setting up of film studios in Andhra Pradesh. Chiranjeevi is done with the shoot of Acharya and God Father that will release this year. He is shooting for Bhola Shankar and Bobby's film. Both these films will release next year. NEWS PROVIDED BY 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. North Andover, MA (01845) Today Rain showers this morning with mostly cloudy conditions during the afternoon hours. High 58F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%.. Tonight Cloudy this evening with showers after midnight. Low 44F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%. PLEASE NOTE: ALL ONLINE PURCHASES ARE AUTOMATIC RENEWALS UNLESS YOU EMAIL JPAYNE@ANNISTONSTAR.COM OR CONTACT CUSTOMER SERVICE @ 256-235-9253.... Purchase an online subscription to our website for $7.99 a month with automatic renewal. Each online subscription gives you full access to all of our newspaper websites and mobile applications. To cancel you may contact Customer Service @ 256-235-9253 or email JPAYNE@ANNISTONSTAR.COM *NEW SUBSCRIBERS ONLY join with a NEW ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION is just $59.99 for the first year. Existing customers do not qualify for the specials! AMEX is not accepted through this site. After the first year, well automatically renew your subscription to continue your access at the regular price of $69.99 per year. Please note *Your Subscription will Automatically Renew unless you contact Customer Service To Cancel* Chinese envoy urges conflicting parties in Yemen to immediately end violence Xinhua) 15:00, January 13, 2022 UNITED NATIONS, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese envoy to the United Nations on Wednesday called on conflicting parties in Yemen to immediately cease fire and end the violence plaguing the country. "An early end to the conflict would mean saving more lives. All parties to the conflict should immediately cease fire, put an end to violence, exercising maximum restraint, and refrain from taking any actions that could lead to a complicated escalation of the situation," Dai Bing, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, told the Security Council briefing on Yemen. Dai noted that China has paid great attention to letters from both the permanent representatives of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to the president of the Security Council, sent respectively in December and January. Saudi Arabia has condemned the Houthis attack on a store in the Saudi city of Jazan, which resulted in civilian casualties, and the UAE has reported on the seizure of an Emirati flagged cargo ship by the Houthis on the high seas of the Red Sea. "China is deeply concerned about these reports. We have noticed that many countries in the region as well as the Gulf Cooperation Council and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation have expressed concern about seizure of the ship by the Houthis," the envoy said. "China supports the Security Council in pronouncing on these developments and condemning all attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructures. We hope that the relevant issues will be properly resolved as soon as possible, that the ship and its crew will be released, and that the maritime safety of the Red Sea and channels of international navigation will be maintained," he said. "As the new year has just begun, the Yemeni people urgently need to gain confidence and hope for the future. We hope that all parties in Yemen will demonstrate good political will, engage the special envoy without conditions, exchange views candidly, and reach a realistic and feasible political solution at an early date. In this process, attention must be paid to the views of women, youth and other groups," Dai said. "The Yemen issue concerns peace and stability in the Gulf region, and the regional situation also affects the situation in Yemen. China calls on regional countries to play an active role in promoting peace talks on the Yemen issue, as doing so serves the common interests of all parties," he said. (Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun) The temptation was too much. It was a hot summers day at university and lying on the grass sunbathing one floor below me were half a dozen engineering students. For me, as a first-year accountancy student, they were easy bait. As I surveyed the scene from the first floor common room, I spied the fire hose in the corner of the room and put my plan into action. I unreeled the hose slowly and surely towards the outside balcony. Once in position, I turned on the hose and released the pressure of the water. Then, I could hear screaming below and some anger. Lets get him! they shouted. I could hear students making a beeline for the stairwell to head upstairs to my floor. With much haste, I turned the fire hose off and made a dash for it down the hallway into the safety of my room. As I cowered in my locked room, I could hear banging and shouting as the budding engineers tested the doors as they made their way along the corridor. Then something triggered in me. It just seemed so cowardly of me to hide in my room and not face up to my opponents. It was much more noble to step out and face them. Anyway, I was pretty sure none of them had spotted me and facing up to them would be the last thing they would expect. And what was the worst that could happen? If they had spotted me, the most likely scenario was a dunking in the Avon river and it would all be over and done with within 15 minutes. Or so I thought. With a sense of fear and excitement, I opened the door to my room and walked slowly out into the hallway. As I stepped out, I could hear someone shout from the far end of the hallway, It was him! At that moment I had three choices. Either, to run back into my room and lock the door, make a dash for it down the other end of the hall way or pretend I did not know what they were talking about. I chose to pretend that I did not know what they were talking about and with some apprehension started walking towards them. As I got closer, they stared at me, scanning my gangly, beanpole-like body and boyish, innocent-looking face and they started laughing. And then, when we reached each other, they walked straight past me, continuing to bang loudly on all the doors looking for the culprit. I was not what they were expecting. God of the unexpected There are numerous examples in the Bible of the unexpected. Goliath was not expecting to be confronted and defeated by a boy shepherd named David. 1 Samuel chapter 17, verse 50 So David triumphed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone; without a sword in his hand he struck down the Philistine and killed him. Gideon was not expecting God to tell him to reduce his army from twenty-two thousand to just three hundred to fight the Midianites. Judges chapter 7, verse 7 The Lord said to Gideon, With the three hundred men that lapped I will save you and give the Midianites into your hands. Let all the others go home. After being unsuccessful in lighting their altar, the prophets of Baal were not expecting Elijah to pour large volumes of water over his bull sacrifice, before asking God to bring down his fire to light it. 1 Kings chapter 18, verse 38 Then the fire of the Lord fell and burned up the sacrifice, the wood, the stones and the soil, and also licked up the water in the trench. The disciples did not expect Jesus to invite a crowd of five thousand to sit down and eat with them when they barely had enough food for themselves. Matthew chapter 14, verse 19 And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. The followers of Jesus did not expect their future King to ride into Jerusalem on a donkey. Matthew chapter 21, verses 6-7 The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on. And the Roman governors soldiers mocked Jesus because he did not fit into their view of what a King of the Jews would look like. Matthew chapter 27, verse 29 Then they knelt in front of him and mocked him. Hail, king of the Jews! they said. A reminder These stories are a reminder that God does not do things our way and follow our rules. He is God. With HIM anything is possible. With HIM we can defeat giants, win battles against the odds, multiply resources and turnaround any situation we are in. God is in charge and will re-work things to our advantage and to HIS glory. And it is also a reminder that God may be doing something in our lives or circumstances, totally different and much deeper than what we might expect. Talladega, AL (35160) Today Sunshine and clouds mixed. High 86F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Scattered showers and thunderstorms, especially during the evening. Low near 65F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 40%. (ANSA) - ROME, JAN 12 - Some 194 million Green Pass COVID-19 health certificates have been downloaded in Italy, Health Minister Roberto Speranza told question time in the Lower House Wednesday. He said they were of three types: the recovered, the vaccinated and those who have passed a COVID test. "The government will continue to rely on this instrument in a significant way," said Speranza. Italy reached 89.58% of first jabs on Wednesday morning, the minister said. He said a record 700,000 doses had been administered Tuesday. Speranza said procedures were in train to bring in a "double automatism" for Green Passes in the case of recovery from the virus. (ANSA). Israel: Two 'Egoz' officers killed during exercises Bennett says country in mourning (ANSAmed) - TEL AVIV, 13 GEN - Two officers from Israel's elite Unit Egoz special forces were killed Wednesday night following an exercise in the Jordan Valley, due to what the military spokesman later called "an identification error". According to initial reports, the mistake was made by a third officer, and a close-range firefight followed. The two officers were immediately transferred by helicopter to a hospital in Jerusalem, but rescue efforts were unsuccessful. "It is a very sad day," said Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett. "Those two commanders dedicated their best years to the security of Israel and the defense of the homeland. The people of Israel are in mourning". This incident is the second of its kind in two weeks, following the deaths of two aviation officers when their helicopter crashed. (ANSAmed). PARIS - Teachers in France went on strike Thursday against measures adopted by the government to combat the coronavirus in schools. The protesting teachers consider the measures too complex and confusing, as well as subject to frequent changes. High turnout is expected for the strike, which could weaken support for President Emmanuel Macron three months before presidential elections in April. The strike is also supported by many principals and parents, who are exasperated by the complexity and continuous changes in Covid health protocol, and could lead to the closure of about half of the country's schools. French school union Snuipp-FSU predicted participation of as high as 75% among primary school teachers. "This historic mobilisation, unprecedented in the past twenty years, is not a 'strike against the virus' but illustrates the growing exasperation in schools," the school union wrote in a statement. Snuipp-FSU denounced "worsening working conditions" and "permanent lies" of Education Minister Jean-Michel Blanquer. Targeted by increasingly virulent criticism, Blanquer on Tuesday warned teachers: "Do not strike against the virus". Macron said he understands teachers' and parents' fatigue over countless Covid regulations but called for patience and defended the choice to leave schools open despite the Omicron variant wave. ISTANBUL - Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, during a meeting in Ankara with EU countries' ambassadors to Turkey, said that without Turkey's action, "Europe and Syria today would be living in a totally different situation and the migration crisis would be much deeper; there would be more terrorism and instability". "Despite its efforts to tackle the migration crisis, Turkey has failed to get adequate support from the EU," Erdogan said. He asked for an update to the 2016 agreement in which Brussels allocates funds to Ankara to support the management of refugees in Turkish territory, which according to official data amount to at least 3.77 million Syrians. In exchange for the funds, Turkey seals off its borders to migrants who want to illegally cross into the EU. "We expect Europe to share the burden of this situation with us equally," said Erdogan. He cited a lack of support from Brussels on plans to return Syrian refugees in Turkey to their homeland. Erdogan also asked for a stronger voice from the EU against alleged Greek government pushbacks of migrants who try to reach the Greek islands near the Turkish coast. These pushbacks are denounced often by the authorities in Ankara. HRW, conviction of former torturer 'step towards justice' Raslan life sentence 'meaningful' for survivors of repression (ANSAmed) - ROME, JAN 13 - The conviction and sentencing to life in prison in Germany of a former Syrian intelligence officer for crimes against humanity is "a ground-breaking step toward justice for serious crimes in Syria," said Human Rights Watch (HRW) in a statement on Thursday. It said the judgment is a "meaningful moment for civilians who survived torture and sexual abuse in Syria's prisons". The Supreme Regional Court of Koblenz accused Anwar Raslan (who HRW referred to as "Anwar R.") of overseeing the torture of detainees in his capacity as head of the investigations section at the al-Khatib detention facility in Damascus, also known as "Branch 251" of the General Intelligence Directorate, Assad's notorious secret service. "More than 10 years after the violations were committed in Syria, the German court's verdict is a long-awaited beacon of hope that justice can and will in the end prevail," said HRW. "Other countries should follow Germany's lead, and actively bolster efforts to prosecute serious crimes in Syria," it said.(ANSAmed). Lebanon: strikes and protests, 'day of rage' Tensions high in front of Central Bank headquarters (ANSAmed) - BEIRUT, 13 GEN - After an evening of clashes and strong tensions between demonstrators and police in Beirut in front of the headquarters of the struggling Central Bank, the "day of anger" began Thursday across Lebanon. The protest strike was initially called by the union of public transport drivers and then many other professionals joined. The protest is over the new increase in the prices of basic necessities, such as petrol and bread, following the umpteenth devaluation of the local lira. One US dollar is now trading at 33,000 lire, while just two years ago a dollar was worth 1,500 lire at the fixed exchange rate. Schools, universities and banks will remain closed Thursday, while public transport drivers will block major roads across Lebanon, cutting off traffic. On Wednesday evening, dozens of protesters demonstrated in front of Central Bank headquarters in Beirut, resulting in prolonged clashes with law enforcement. Other incidents may occur Thursday in Beirut and in other epicenters of the protest. Lebanon has been experiencing its worst financial crisis in decades since the autumn of 2019, and the government defaulted on its debt in March 2020. Negotiations are underway between Lebanese authorities and the International Monetary Fund to study measures to save the country's disastrous economy. (ANSAmed). Sassoli: trees will be planted in Israel in his memory Jewish community of Rome pays tribute to EU Parliament speaker (ANSAmed) - ROME, 13 GEN - Head Rabbi Riccardo Di Segni and President of the Jewish Community of Rome Ruth Dureghello went to Rome's Campidoglio on Thursday to pay tribute to European Parliament Speaker David Sassoli, who died on January 11 and whose body was lying in state at Rome City Hall. The leaders of the Jewish community told Sassoli's family that they would plant trees in Israel in his memory. A statement from the Jewish Community said that in Jewish tradition, planting trees represents the ideal continuity between the path of life and the ideals that have moved an existence, so that memory is not a simple circumstance, but instead the lifeblood for future generations. "The ideals and values of equality, respect and dialogue that distinguished David Sassoli in his life represent a common heritage not to be lost, but rather to be passed down as much as possible and constitute a great moral heritage," the statement said. (ANSAmed). KOBLENZ, 13 - Anwar Raslan, a former colonel in the Syrian intelligence services with a leading role in the suppression of political dissent under Bashar al-Assad, was sentenced to life in prison in Germany for crimes against humanity. Raslan, 58, faced charges over the deaths of many prisoners and thousands of cases of torture. The Supreme Regional Court of Koblenz ruled at the conclusion of a nearly two-year trial that many called political and which was based on the German justice system principle of universal jurisdiction. Raslan was arrested in Berlin in 2019. He had sought asylum in Germany as a "political refugee". The trial, which began in April 2020, concluded on Thursday in Koblenz. It took place over 108 hearings and involved testimony from more than 80 witnesses, including numerous torture victims and civil parties from NGOs. The Koblenz court convicted Anwar Raslan of crimes committed between 2011 and 2012 while carrying out his assignment at the infamous department 251 in Damascus, a Syrian secret services prison known for its brutality. The 58-year-old was responsible for the torture of at least 4,000 people. Here is the list of the 12 honorary military roles which the Duke of York has returned to the Queen: British military affiliations Colonel of the Grenadier Guards Honorary air commodore of RAF Lossiemouth Colonel-in-chief of the Royal Irish Regiment Colonel-in-chief of the Small Arms School Corps Commodore-in-chief of the Fleet Air Arm Royal colonel of the Royal Highland Fusiliers, 2nd Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland Deputy colonel-in-chief of The Royal Lancers (Queen Elizabeths Own) Colonel-in-chief of the Yorkshire Regiment Overseas honorary military roles Colonel-in-chief of the Queens York Rangers (1st American Regiment) Colonel-in-chief of The Royal Highland Fusiliers Of Canada Colonel-in-chief of the Royal New Zealand Army Logistic Regiment (The Duke of Yorks Own) Colonel-in-chief of the Princess Louise Fusiliers (in Nova Scotia, Canada) Former shadow minister Barry Gardiner has defended his decision to accept more than 500,000 in donations from Christine Lee before he was warned she was a Chinese agent. Mr Gardiner received the donations from Lee, mainly to cover staffing costs in his office, over a period of six years, and employed her son as his diary manager. The Labour MP said she appeared to be operating as a legitimate person in the UK. He told Sky News: From my point of view, that money was there to improve the work I was able to do in Parliament, and to improve the work I was able to do for my constituents it paid for those researchers and it paid for them directly, none of it was for my personal benefit. He said he thought Lee would have regarded her donations to his office as a very poor investment as he had been critical of the Chinese government on many occasions. In an earlier statement, Mr Gardiner, who was a member of the shadow cabinet under former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, said he had been liaising with the security services for a number of years about his contacts with Lee, who runs a law firm in central London. He told Sky News he only found out she was a spy who was engaged in illegal activity when approached by security officials on Thursday. The first I knew about Christine Lee being a spy was this morning when I had a meeting with the director of parliamentary security and two Security Service agents, and they made me aware that they now had information which showed that Christine Lee had been engaged in illegal activity, he said. But I had been cautious because I knew she was a solicitor who acted for a number of a Chinese businesses in the UK over a very long period of time, and for that reason I had spoken openly and frankly with our security services for a number of years about the engagement that I had with her. And I made sure that at no time did they suggest in any way that I should cut off engagement with her. Asked when he last had a conversation with Lee, he said: Earlier this week. What we spoke about earlier this week was actually the situation of my parents-in-law, who are elderly and ill, he said. She had expressed concern as to their wellbeing, and thats what we spoke about. Mr Gardiner said he asked Lees son to offer his resignation as soon as he received the security warning on Thursday. This morning they made it clear that she had been trying to insinuate and influence across all political parties here in Parliament and that they believed she had been doing this illegally, he said. As soon as I heard that, as soon as I finished the meeting with the director of security, I then went and immediately contacted her son who has worked in my office as the diary manager and asked him to tender his resignation forthwith, which he did. But I want to stress to you that the security services said to me that they had no information that led them to believe that he was aware of his mothers illegal activity. Mr Gardiner said he was deeply distressed to find out about Lees activities. Of course I feel very angry about it, and I feel deeply distressed that they should have targeted me in that way, as indeed they targeted many other people, he said. But dont forget, this was a company which received an award from No 10, Christine Lee received an award from No 10 for the good work she was doing within the community in Britain, so to all intents and purposes I believed that they had a green light to operate. Nonetheless I was cautious, and I made sure to clear everything I did with the security services. A polar bear cub has been settling into life at the wildlife park where it was born a month ago. The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) has released video footage of the cub wriggling and rolling over in the straw before settling down for a nap in the cubbing den. The cub was born in December at the RZSS-owned Highland Wildlife Park near Kingussie to mother, Victoria, and father, Arktos. Visitors are not yet able to see the youngster as both Victoria and her cub are settled in the off-show den to give them peace and quiet during the first sensitive few months. Polar bears are born blind and do not open their eyes until they are a month old. Vickie Larkin, head carnivore keeper at Highland Wildlife Park, said: Were delighted to say our polar bear cub and mum Victoria are doing well. Now at a month old, the little ones eyes have opened but they are still very dependent on mum Victoria. Like all the animals in our care, our polar bears play an important role in attracting and engaging thousands of visitors each year so they can learn about the threats animals face in the wild and the action they can take to help. Their power to connect with people with nature and encourage behaviour change is invaluable. We wont know if the youngster is a boy or girl until we are able to do the first health check in the coming months but we will be sure to keep everyone posted. The cutest little toes Our tiny polar bear cub is now a month old and is wriggling, rolling and napping like a pro with mum Victoria always close by! Remember visitors will not be able to see the little one just yet as they remain in the off-show den at this delicate stage. pic.twitter.com/K3MNzxIotB Highland Wildlife Park (@HighlandWPark) January 13, 2022 Highland Wildlife Park tweeted video footage of the cub, and said: Our tiny polar bear cub is now a month old and is wriggling, rolling and napping like a pro with mum Victoria always close by. Remember visitors will not be able to see the little one just yet as they remain in the off-show den at this delicate stage. Victoria previously gave birth to Hamish, the UKs first polar bear cub in 25 years, in December 2017. As part of the breeding programme for the species, Hamish moved to Yorkshire Wildlife Park in November 2020. A man has been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage after a statue outside of the BBCs Broadcasting House in central London was attacked with a hammer. Emergency services were called to the scene at 4.15pm on Wednesday to reports of a man damaging a statue on a ledge at Broadcasting House in Portland Place, Westminster, the force said. Officers cordoned off the entrance to the building and London Ambulance Service paramedics were at the scene. The figures depicting Prospero and Ariel from Shakespeares play The Tempest (Ian West/PA) In a statement, Scotland Yard said: The man came down with assistance from London Fire Brigade at around 20:45hrs. He was checked by London Ambulance Service before being arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and taken into custody. The property owners are examining any damage to the statue and building. Another man was earlier arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit criminal damage. He also remains in custody. Road closures have now been lifted. The figures, depicting Prospero and Ariel from Shakespeares play The Tempest, was installed in 1933, according to the BBC. The sculptor, Eric Gill, is said to have sexually abused two of his daughters. A biography on the Tate museum website said: His religious views and subject matter contrast with his sexual behaviour, including his erotic art, and (as mentioned in his own diaries) his extramarital affairs and sexual abuse of his daughters, sisters and dog. The BBCs headquarters are located in central London (Dominic Lipinski/PA) Nearly 2,500 people have previously signed a petition demanding the removal of the sculpture on the website of political activist group 38 Degrees. A spokeswoman for the BBC declined to comment. The incident came a week after a jury cleared four people of criminal damage after they pulled down the statue of slave trader Edward Colston. The bronze memorial to the 17th century figure was pulled down during a Black Lives Matter protest in Bristol on June 7 2020, before being rolled into the water, and those responsible were acquitted on January 5 following an 11-day trial at the Old Bailey. India and Britain have launched talks on pursuing a free trade deal that is expected to boost bilateral trade by billions of pounds in one of the most ambitious negotiations to take place after Brexit. Britains International Trade Secretary Anne-Marie Trevelyan met Piyush Goyal, Indias minister of commerce and industry, consumer affairs and food and public distribution and textiles, in New Delhi. Actual negotiations kick off next week, officials said. This is the first of my important agreements this year as Britain sets out on her independent journey post-Brexit, Ms Trevelyan told reporters. New chapter in India-UK trade ties. Building on Enhanced Trade Partnership launched by PM @NarendraModi & PM @BorisJohnson, FTA negotiations begin. Joint statement aims to seal a trade deal which will support jobs, businesses & communities. https://t.co/3GW2wTDuLp pic.twitter.com/7WTt3PVuxw Piyush Goyal (@PiyushGoyal) January 13, 2022 She said the two countries have a unique opportunity to build ties in the trade, defence, climate and health sectors as they recover from the Covid-19 pandemic. Mr Goyal said the free trade agreement, expected to be finalised in a years time, will double trade between the two countries by 2030. Both sides hope the deal will spark huge benefits for several industries, from food and drink to cutting-edge renewable technology. The Indian minister said both sides would also work on an interim agreement for fast-tracking efforts to capture low-hanging fruit in goods and services, tourism, start-ups, education and climate change. The free trade agreement could potentially double UK exports to India and boost two-way trade by 38 billion dollars (28 billion) a year by 2035, a British Government statement said. Asked whether the British Government was willing to relax visa restrictions on Indians going to the country, Ms Trevelyan said the approach was to see that British and Indian businesses and the citizens of the two countries benefit in this endeavour to reinvigorate ties. Mr Goyal said the Indian diaspora in Britain is a bridge between the two countries and can add a lot of dynamism to their relationship. A deal with India is a golden opportunity to put UK businesses at the front of the queue as the Indian economy continues to grow rapidly, Ms Trevelyan said, adding that Britain was keen to tap into the growing middle class in Asias third-largest economy. After leaving the European Union in 2016, Britain has focused on its trade policies in the Indo-Pacific region. India, once a British colony, is viewed as a favourable location given uncertainties over ties with China. Investment from Indian companies already supports 95,000 jobs across the UK, the British statement released before the meeting said. Britain is angling for a deal that slashes barriers to doing business and trading, including cutting tariffs on exports of British-made cars and Scotch whisky. In an interview with the Financial Times newspaper on Thursday, Ms Trevelyan said everything is on the table to discuss, including broadening visa access for Indian students and skilled workers. She said she would like for a deal to be clinched by early 2023. Held an interactive Business Plenary session along with UK Secretary of State for International Trade @AnnieTrev. Indian stands to gain from this multi-dimensional economic partnership with exports growth in: Leather Textiles Jewellery Processed Agri-products pic.twitter.com/old2Rn26Go Piyush Goyal (@PiyushGoyal) January 13, 2022 According to Indias External Affairs Ministry, India and Britain are focusing on five key areas, people-to-people contacts, trade, defence and security, climate action and health. India and Britain have extensive links, with the former investing in 120 projects to become the second-largest source of foreign direct investments after the United States in 2019. Trade between the two countries was 15.45 billion dollars (11.26 billion) in 2019-20. International Trade Secretary Anne-Marie Trevelyan has welcomed the golden opportunity of a free trade deal with India as negotiations begin. Ms Trevelyan will officially launch the negotiations with her Indian counterpart in New Delhi on Thursday, which she hopes will kick off a five-star year of trade with further agreements around the world. The Department for International Trade (DIT) said the deal could almost double UK exports to India, and bolster trade by as much as 28 million by 2035. It is hoped that any new agreement would include cutting tariffs on exports of British-made cars and Scotch whisky, and would also contribute to the UKs tilt towards the Indo-Pacific. Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Indias Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Cop26 (Jeff J Mitchell/PA) Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: A trade deal with Indias booming economy offers huge benefits for British businesses, workers and consumers. As we take our historic partnership with India to the next level, the UKs independent trade policy is creating jobs, increasing wages and driving innovation across the country. Ms Trevelyan added: A deal with India is a golden opportunity to put UK businesses at the front of the queue as the Indian economy continues to grow rapidly. By 2050 India will be the worlds third-largest economy with a middle class of almost 250 million shoppers. We want to unlock this huge new market for our great British producers and manufacturers across numerous industries from food and drink to services and automotive. The first round of negotiations is expected to start next week. With the Duke of York facing the prospect of a court showdown in a sexual assault civil trial, questions have been raised again over his military roles and his future in the royal family in the Platinum Jubilee year. Andrew remains Colonel of the Grenadier Guards one of the most senior infantry regiments in the British Army despite calls from more than 150 veterans for the Queen to remove his eight British military appointments. His other British honorary titles are: Honorary air commodore of RAF Lossiemouth; Colonel-in-chief of the Royal Irish Regiment; Colonel-in-chief of the Small Arms School Corps; Commodore-in-Chief of the Fleet Air Arm; Royal colonel of the Royal Highland Fusiliers; Deputy colonel-in-chief of The Royal Lancers (Queen Elizabeths Own); and Royal colonel of the Royal Regiment of Scotland. The Duke of York in his role as colonel of the Grenadier Guards (Jonathan Brady/PA) He also has several overseas honorary roles still listed on the monarchys website: Colonel-in-chief of the Queens York Rangers; Colonel-in-chief of The Royal Highland Fusiliers Of Canada; Colonel-in-chief of the Royal New Zealand Army Logistic Regiment (The Duke of Yorks Own); and Colonel-in-chief of the Princess Louise Fusiliers (in Nova Scotia, Canada). Buckingham Palace refused to comment but previously said the dukes military roles were in abeyance. Although the positions are temporarily inactive, Andrew retains them. In August, it was reported the Queen, who is Colonel in Chief of the Grenadier Guards and head of the armed forces, told insiders she wanted her son to remain as colonel of the regiment an honour he took over from his father the Duke of Edinburgh. The feeling is that nobody wants to do anything that could cause upset to the colonel-in-chief. It is a very difficult, unsatisfactory situation, a military source told the Sunday Times. In November 2019 after the duke stepped down from public duties, a Palace spokeswoman said of his then-230 patronages: He will be stepping back from public duty and temporarily standing back from all his patronages. The Duke of York (Steve Parsons/PA) More than 90 organisations still appear on the official website in the list of the dukes charities and patronages. One The Foundation for Liver Research, of which Andrew was patron said the duke was no longer its patron and the position had been left empty. Charities rushed to distance themselves from the Queens second son after his disastrous Newsnight appearance about his friendship with convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein. 2022 is meant to be a year of celebration for the Windsors, with the Queen less than a month away from reaching her Platinum Jubilee and the nations festivities for the historic occasion set for June. The Duke of York visiting a Big Jubilee Lunch at All Saints Church, Fulham, as part of the Diamond Jubilee celebrations in 2012 (Matt Grayson/Fulham Chronicle/PA) Andrew has already quit public duties, and was not even pictured in the publicly released photographs marking his daughter Princess Beatrices wedding last year. This makes it almost inconceivable he would appear on the Palace balcony or play any part in the Jubilee commemorations such as the pop concert, street parties or the grand-scale pageant. Covid disrupted the past two Trooping the Colour parades, meaning the dukes potential attendance in his role as Colonel of the Grenadier Guards or his absence were not an issue. Princess Beatrice and Mr Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi celebrated their wedding with their closest family. The happy couple are pictured with Her Majesty The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh. Photograph by Benjamin Wheeler. pic.twitter.com/Ztw1Kk0eRy The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) July 18, 2020 This year, Trooping the Colour forms part of the four-day Jubilee weekend. With a civil sexual assault trial looming, Andrew is unlikely to be asked by the military to take part, leaving questions as to who will perform the ceremonial duties required. Virginia Giuffre is suing the duke in the US for allegedly sexually assaulting her when she was a teenager. She 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 strenuously denied the allegations. The royal family is also set to gather for a thanksgiving service in memory of the Duke of Edinburgh in the spring. The Westminster Abbey event, which may be televised, has the complication of being a family occasion for the Windsors and a public one for organisations Philip worked with during his decades of royal duty. Buckingham Palace declined to comment on whether Andrew would attend. Questions are also being asked as to whether he could lose his Duke of York title or HRH style, depending on the outcome of the case. His mother gifted him the dukedom on his wedding day and is unlikely to remove it at this stage if at any, and he was born a prince and a HRH. Royal titles and styles can be removed if the Queen issues a Letters Patent ordering such a change, or Andrew could potentially stop using his HRH style but still retain it, just like the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. Northern Irelands First Minister has said the public have not accepted Boris Johnsons claim that he believed the alleged Downing Street drinks party was a work event. Paul Givan said the controversy surrounding the Prime Minister was proving a distraction to efforts to convey public health messaging in Northern Ireland. I dont think the public accepted that justification, if it was an attempt to justify that this wasnt a party and that it was work-related, he said. So ultimately, Boris Johnson needs to be able to convince the general public, he also needs to be able to convince his own party. It is they who will decide the future of the Prime Minister. Either he takes a decision himself around his future or itll be the Conservative Party that will take that decision. And this report, I think, is going to be very important, which Sue Gray is responsible for. I think there is an imperative for that work to come to a conclusion so that we can all draw a line under this and ensure that the wider public health messaging is consistent, rather than being distracted by whats going on at Downing Street. Prime Minister Boris Johnson (Victoria Jones/PA) Mr Givan added: We know from what the Prime Minister has now admitted that there was an event of Downing Street which he has said sorry over. He wishes and regrets what had happened and that should have been different to that. Now, what we need to get is this investigation as soon as possible, I dont think its helpful to have this investigation going on for a protracted period of time. That should be done as quickly as we can and the Prime Minister has said that he takes responsibility and whenever that report is produced, then hell be tested on how is taking that responsibility. But, as a party, what has happened we have said shouldnt have happened, it has undermined the public health messages. Its right that the Prime Minister has said sorry for that. Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald (left) and deputy First Minister Michelle ONeill during the funeral of senior Irish Republican Bobby Storey (Liam McBurney/PA) While not naming her, Mr Givan aimed criticism at Sinn Fein deputy First Minister Michelle ONeill for her attendance at the mass funeral of republican Bobby Storey in Belfast in 2020 at a time when strict limits on such events were in place. I only wish in Northern Ireland other people that went to events, which was against the rules, had said sorry, he said. Indeed, some have said that they would never apologise for some of the things that they attended. What I want to see is this report now published as soon as possible and then the Prime Minister will have to be tested on whether or not hes going to take responsibility based upon the findings of that report. The Prime Minister will chair a council made up of leaders from the devolved governments, as part of a new structure designed to improve relations between administrations around the UK. The UK Governments review of relations with the Northern Ireland Executive, Scottish Government and Welsh Government has led to a new three-tier system which brings together ministers from around the UK. Michael Gove says all four administrations have agreed to the rules, which are aimed at avoiding disputes and resolving them when they occur. A team of civil servants seconded from the four administrations will form a secretariat for the new council. Mark Drakeford will also be part of the council (PA) Boris Johnson said: When team UK pulls together in common cause, spirit and endeavour we will always be at our very best. Weve shown time and time again the combined strength we have in facing off the shared challenges before us, while also seizing the opportunities ahead for the benefit of the whole United Kingdom. Todays announcements build upon that strength as we all continue to work together to deliver for the British people. Mr Gove, who is the Minister for Intergovernmental Relations, said: Devolution has empowered communities and resulted in huge benefits across the United Kingdom. Todays landmark agreement will build on the incredible amount of collaboration already taking place between the UK Government and the devolved administrations. By working together even more effectively, we can better overcome the challenges we face, create greater opportunities and improve peoples lives for the better. Michael Gove said there was already an incredible amount of collaboration (Steve Parsons/PA) Below the council chaired by the Prime Minister, which will meet at least once a year, the second tier will consist of two inter-ministerial standing committees, one chaired by Mr Gove and the other focussed on finance. The third tier consists of inter-ministerial groups which will hold regular meetings on issues such as health, transport and education. The UK Government says this will make collaboration and information sharing among the four administrations more transparent and accountable. Welsh First Minister, Mark Drakeford, welcomed the new structure. He said: The final package of reforms builds on the draft set of proposals that was published on 24 March last year. Further progress has been made since then to strengthen the package, focusing on the concerns we expressed with the earlier proposals. He added: Overall, the package has the potential to deliver significant improvements, if the spirit and content as set out in the package is translated through into consistent approaches and actions, based on respect, parity of participation and parity of esteem, and a desire to reach agreement through discussion (and indeed compromise) not imposition. All four Governments have a responsibility to live up to these principles. John Swinney (Fraser Bremner/Daily Mail/PA) Scotlands Deputy First Minister John Swinney said: This rebranding of existing structures will not deliver the step change in attitude and behaviour from the UK Government that is needed if there is to be a genuine improvement in intergovernmental relations what is urgently needed is a corresponding change in the substance of engagement. The UK Governments handling of Brexit, and imposition of the UK Internal Market Act 2020 which reduces the powers of the Scottish Parliament, despite explicit refusal of consent under the Sewel convention, show that procedural improvements alone are not enough to reset the relationship. The real test will be whether the UK Government is capable of delivering the goodwill and trust for improved intergovernmental relations and that the proposed arrangements lead to more meaningful engagement with productive outcomes. John Mayer and Jeff Ross picked up Bob Saget's car at the LAX airport and told funny and sentimental stories about the late Full House star while they drove it home. The act of kindness was appreciated by Saget's wife, Kelly Rizzo, who said the two men "have been taking care of" her. On Wednesday, Mayer went live on Instagram while he drove and Ross manned the video. The pair, longtime friends of Saget's, explained that the late star drove his Prius to the airport when he flew to Florida for his comedy tour last week. Sadly, after Saget's show in Jacksonville on Saturday, he returned to his hotel room at the Ritz-Carlton Orlando and died in his sleep. Mayer, who became friends with Saget 15 years ago, teared up several times during the 25-minute video, including when he said, "I've never known a human being on this earth who could give that much love, individually and completely, to that many people in a way that made each person feel like he was a main character in their life and they were a main character in his life." He continued, "Everyone is so aware how universal Bob's love for people was. The thing that just keeps coming up when people say they're sorry is just, 'I loved that guy.'" At another point, Mayer discussed how Saget always told people that he loved them. "You know how effusive you have to be in your love for everyone in your life, for each and every person he loved to be told by another, 'He loved you so much?'" Mayer said. "Everyone is held into place by Bob's insistence on telling everyone how much he loved everyone. Bob's effusive and repeated expression of love is the greatest gift that he left people because all we have is the pain of his going. We don't have to worry about the accounting. The affairs are in order in terms of wondering, or not having to wonder, how Bob felt about us." Bob Saget, John Mayer and Jeff Ross at the Cool Comedy-Hot Cuisine Benefit for the scleroderma Research Foundation in 2008. Saget's sister Gay died of scleroderma, so it was a charity close to his heart.(Photo: Dale Wilcox/WireImage) Ross talked about how Saget "really did take care of everybody," explaining, "If you need a doctor, if you need a lawyer, if you need a pastrami sandwich at three in the morning because some girl just broke your heart, Bob was that guy." He noted that Saget "loved making people happy. It didn't matter who you were, your status... He somehow took his TV family and made them his real family, which is unheard of. There's going to be something missing for a long time." There were many light-hearted moments as well like Mayer saying it was the "only time I've been honored to help a friend out at LAX." Ross also jokingly gave the business to a driver who didn't use their signal. Jeff Ross (Screenshot: John Mayer via Instagram) They also humorously recounted finding the parked car at massive Los Angeles International Airport. They went to four different floors looking for the car because nobody knew where Saget had parked. They paid about $250 in parking fees and joked that had it been John Stamos's car, the bill would have been comped. They also shared how they sweetly argued about who would pay, both wanting to do it for Saget. Ross won and he said he'd keep the receipt forever. They also joked about Saget's car choice with Ross noting, "Bob had his fancy Lexus for going to restaurants and then his 'junk' car was this Prius which isn't junky at all, it's immaculate... It took a bit, but we got it out of LAX." The men said they had been at Saget's house for the last few days with Rizzo and the star's three daughters. They talked about members of the Full House cast also being there. (Screenshot: Kelly Rizzo via Instagram) Rizzo, who has yet to release a full statement about the sudden death of her husband, later publicly thanked Mayer and Ross for their airport ride. "No words for how much this meant to me," Rizzo wrote on Instagram, sharing Mayer's video. "These 2 men have been holding me up and taking care of me (along with many other incredible people who loved my husband more than anything). But these two, driving our little Prius that Bob left at the airport, home was such a solid. And I'm happy it gave them time to ruminate and share their love of Bob with all that watched. The Prius is now home." Saget died in his sleep, a source close to the investigation told Yahoo. Investigators have said there is no evidence of drug use or foul play. Family members are waiting on the medical examiner's final report, which could take 10 to 12 weeks, to determine the exact cause of death. The harassment lawsuit filed against Nicki Minaj by her husband Kenneth Petty's alleged rape victim, Jennifer Hough, has been dropped, according to documents obtained by PEOPLE. "The case against Nicki was voluntarily dismissed. The case against Kenneth Petty is still ongoing. Stay tuned!" Hough's lawyer, Tyrone Blackburn, tells PEOPLE. TMZ was first to report the news. Now, the "Starships" rapper, 39, plans to fight for money lost in legal fees. Minaj's lawyer, Judd Bernstein, told Hough's lawyer he was pleased that Hough and Blackburn "came to their senses," according to an email obtained by PEOPLE. "Your conduct in pursuing this case against Nicki represents the worst of our legal system: bottom-feeding lawyers who pursue frivolous actions against a celebrity assuming that they will be paid off if they throw up enough dirt," he wrote. RELATED: Nicki Minaj's Husband Kenneth Petty's Alleged Rape Victim Speaks Out: 'I'm Tired of Being Afraid' Bernstein added, "It is just the beginning of Nicki's and my efforts to make you pay for your disgraceful conduct with both money and, if the Court recommends it, disciplinary sanctions." The lawsuit, filed by Hough in August, claimed that Minaj and Petty, 43, tried to threaten her into recanting her accusation of rape which Hough said occurred in 1994 when she was 16 years old. Petty was convicted for the first-degree attempted rape in 1995. He was sentenced to 18 to 54 months, but spent four years in prison. Hough's lawsuit also accused the couple of intentional infliction of emotional distress and alleged sexual assault and battery, referring to the 1994 incident. "As a direct result of the actions of Defendant Minaj and Defendant Petty, Plaintiff has been traumatized her entire life," the lawsuit read. "Plaintiff has never felt safe since being raped by Defendant." The lawsuit also said that Hough was offered $20,000 once in exchange for signing a prepared statement that would recant her rape accusation. It also alleged that Minaj called her to speak about recanting her story and that she received numerous harassing calls and visits from people associated with the couple. (It also detailed how Hough's brother was offered half a million dollars by associates of the rapper and her husband in exchange for her recantation.) One month after filing suit, Hough appeared on The Real and recounted the day she was allegedly raped by Petty, describing the fear she has experienced ever since he married the "Super Bass" rapper. Nicki Minaj, Kenneth Petty Gotham/GC Images RELATED: Nicki Minaj's Husband Kenneth Petty Pleads Guilty to Failure to Register as Sex Offender in California "I felt like the actions that were taken in regards to this whole situation, have put me in a different type of fear at my age now," Hough said. "It was wrong. And I don't want to be afraid anymore, so the only way not to be afraid is to continue to speak up." As for what she hoped would come from her lawsuit, which asked for $500,000, Hough said she wanted the Pettys to know that "they were wrong" and that "you can't do this to people." "He did something a long time ago and he had consequences that he was supposed to stick with. What they did to me and my family wasn't OK," she said. "It wasn't right and it doesn't matter how much money you have. It doesn't matter what your status is, you can't intimidate people to make things go better for you. And that's what they did." As she wiped away tears, Hough told the story of the day Petty allegedly led her to a house and raped her. "Before you know it, he was grabbing a hold of my jacket," she said. "I felt something in my back so I just assumed there was a gun. And I started walking. And I'm pleading with him the whole way, trying to understand what he wants." RELATED VIDEO: White House 'Offered a Call' to Nicki Minaj to Answer Questions About Her COVID Vaccine Concerns Hough said they walked up the steps of a house and Petty allegedly told her she "knew what he wanted" as she attempted to fight back. "All I could do was hold my pants as tight as I can," she said. "I didn't know why it didn't dawn on me to like really fight. I just held on to my pants and he held my arms down and squeezed the sides of my stomach so hard. I let go and as soon as I let go he grabbed my pants. It was like a tug of war and after a while I just got tired." After he allegedly raped her, "he stood in the mirror and beat his chest. He said, 'I am the man. I'm the man,'" she said as she wiped away tears. Hough found a way to escape and ran to school where she informed a security guard of what had allegedly happened. The school then called the police and he was taken out of the home in handcuffs and she was transported to the hospital. Addressing comments from Petty's family that the two were in a relationship at the time, Hough said, "We were never in a relationship. Ever. We never had no type of romantic anything. We never talked on the phone. We never hung out together. I just knew him from the neighborhood." Never miss a story sign up forPEOPLE's free weekly newsletter to get the biggest news of the week delivered to your inbox every Friday. Petty is a level two registered offender in New York, which means he's considered a "moderate risk of repeat offense." Petty was arrested in March 2020 after being indicted for failure to register as a sex offender in California. At the time, Petty pleaded not guilty and posted $100,000 bail, according to records accessed by PEOPLE. In September, PEOPLE confirmed he pleaded guilty during a virtual hearing. He now faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a lifetime of supervised release. Petty's sentencing has been scheduled for Jan. 24, 2022. If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, please contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or go to rainn.org. Hannah Gutierrez Reed, who had been responsible for keeping the guns on the set of the ill-fated Alec Baldwin movie Rust, on Wednesday filed a lawsuit against Seth Kenney, the man who supplied ammunition to the production. She accused him of having given them both dummy rounds and live bullets, which resulted in the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and injury to director Joel Souza. Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza and District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies speak to the press about the shooting on the set of Rust on Oct. 27. (Photo: NICK LAYMAN/AFP via Getty Images) Hutchins died Oct. 21, after Baldwin discharged a prop gun on the New Mexico set of the Western. Baldwin has said that he had been told the weapon was "cold," meaning it did not contain live ammunition, and that he did not actually pull the trigger. In his first interview after the tragedy, Baldwin also said he had "no idea" how a live bullet rather than a dummy one had come to be at their set on the Bonanza Creek Ranch. His words echoed a statement Reed had given earlier. Alec Baldwin was the star of the ill-fated movie Rust. (Photo: Mark Sagliocco/Getty Images for National Geographic) According to an affidavit obtained by Variety, Kenney told investigators Oct. 29 that, through a friend, he had obtained "reloaded ammunition" which had already been fired but was remade "a couple years back." It featured the same logo as the dummy rounds and blanks he gives to films, such as Rust. However, Kenney, the owner of Albuquerque-based PDQ Arm & Prop, later told ABC News that each round is checked before being sent out to movie sets. "It's not a possibility that they came from PDQ or from myself personally," he said. The Los Angeles Times reported in November that Kenney had been brought in as an "armorer mentor," according to a crew list the newspaper had obtained. The new lawsuit, filed in New Mexico, details the process that Reed followed to keep the guns on the set safe. It says that Reed had reached out to Baldwin to offer further training on the move that he was supposed to do in the scene when the gun went off, but she had not heard back from him. She also alleges that David Halls, the movie's assistant director, had not told her they were about to work on a scene involving a gun, so she wasn't nearby. As police continue to investigate the shooting, Reed's lawsuit is only the latest to emerge. European Film Promotion has announced the 10 rising young actors selected for the 25th edition of European Shooting Stars, the promotional event held during the Berlinale that has been instrumental to boosting careers of top talents such as Alicia Vikander, Riz Ahmed, Alba Rohrwacher and George MacKay. Due to Omicron-related constraints, this years Shooting Stars is taking place as a hybrid edition comprising some online events being scheduled before the Berlinale, while others will take place on-site during the festival. One of the programs highlights will be the European Shooting Stars Awards Ceremony set for Feb. 14 at the Berlinale Palast. The 10 selected European Shooting Stars for 2022 are: Gracija Filipovic (Croatia); Marie Reuther (Denmark); Anamaria Vartolomei (France); Emilio Sakraya (Germany); Clare Dunne (Ireland); Hanna van Vliet (The Netherlands); Joao Nunes Monteiro (Portugal); Timon Sturbej (Slovenia); Evin Ahmad (Sweden); and Souheila Yacoub (Switzerland). This years roster three men and seven women of standout actors, picked from a pool of nominations from across Europe and deemed to have the chops for an international career, were selected by a jury consisting of: Swedish-Georgian filmmaker Levan Akin; Timka Grin, who is president of the International Casting Directors Network (ICDN) and is from Bosnia and Herzegovina; former Italian European Shooting Star Sara Serraiocco; producer Bernard Michaux, who is from Luxembourg, and Germany-based film scholar and curator Yun-hua Chen. The jury praised Gracija Filipovic for her breakout role in recent Cannes Camera dOr winner Murina, directed by Antoneta Alamat Kusijanovic. While Marie Reuther made a strong impression with her transformative performance in her debut lead role in Kamikaze, which is HBOs first Danish-language mystery thriller, a European Film Promotion statement said. Anamaria Vartolomei stars as the gifted literature student Anne in Venice Golden Lion winner Happening by Audrey Diwan, a performance praised by Variety critic Guy Lodge as career elevating. Emilio Sakraya, who was nominated for his turn in Til Schweigers The Salvation of the World as We Know It, will be playing the lead a rapper named Xatar in Fatih Akins upcoming feature Rheingold. Clare Dunne, elicited particular praise for her performance as Amanda Kinsella in the AMC Plus/RTE crime thriller series Kin, which follows her lead role as Sandra in Phyllida Lloyds film Herself, which she also co-wrote. Hanna van Vliet was chosen for her role in Anne+, the series about a 20-something Dutch lesbian that has travelled widely and which she also co-created. Joao Nunes Monteiro impressed with the quiet intensity and respectful authenticity of his performance in Miguel Gomes and Marueen Fazendeiros The Tsugua Diaries, which premiered in this years Directors Fortnight at Cannes. The jury picked Timon Sturbej for his past work in Darko Stantes Consequences, and upcoming pic Riders/Spring Dreaming by Dominik Mencej, about two friends from a small Slovenian village who transform their mopeds into choppers and embark on a journey, which will be released later this year. Evin Ahmad made the cut for being the protagonist of Swedish Netflix Original series Snabba Cash, in which she plays a young single mom who becomes entangled in the criminal world. Souheila Yacoub has the distinction of having been at Cannes last year with two films in which she plays the lead: A Brighter Tomorrow, (De bas etage) by Yassine Qnia and The Braves by Anais Volpe, the pic that got her Shooting Stars status. Variety critic Jessica Kiang praised Yacoubs performance in The Braves saying she has a very appealing presence on screen. As in the past editions Shooting Stars will involve a special international press presentation, exposure to the the film industry and the Berlin public, and opportunities for the rising starts to meet casting directors, producers and filmmakers. Subscribe to Variety Newsletters and Email Alerts! FILE PHOTO: Man holds laptop computer as cyber code is projected on him in this illustration picture By Nandita Bose (Reuters) - The White House will meet executives from leading tech firms, including Alphabet-owned Google, Apple Inc and Amazon.com Inc, on Thursday to discuss software security after the United States suffered several major cyberattacks last year. In December, White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan sent a letter to chief executives of tech firms after the discovery of a security vulnerability in open-source software called Log4j that organizations around the world use to log data in their applications. In the letter, Sullivan noted that such open source software is broadly used and maintained by volunteers and is a " key national security concern." Thursday's meeting, which will be hosted by deputy national security advisor for cyber & emerging technology, Anne Neuberger, will discuss concerns around the security of open-source software and how it can be improved, the White House said in a statement. Other top tech companies in attendance at the meeting will include IBM, Microsoft Corp, Meta Platforms Inc which owns Facebook and Oracle Corp. Government agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security, Department of Defense and the Commerce Department, will also be in attendance. Cybersecurity has been a top priority for the Biden administration after several major cyberattacks last year, which exposed thousands of records held by companies and government agencies to hackers. One hack, which the U.S. government has said was likely orchestrated by Russia, breached software made by SolarWinds and gave hackers access to thousands of companies and government offices that used its products. The hackers got access to emails at the U.S. Treasury, Justice and Commerce departments, and other agencies. The growing frequency and impact of such attacks prompted the administration to issue an executive order last year that created a review board and new software standards for government agencies. (Reporting by Nandita Bose in Mumbai; Editing by Aurora Ellis) QUINCY, Ill. (AP) A judge in western Illinois who found an 18-year-old man guilty of sexual assaulting a 16-year-old girl has come under fire after he later threw out the conviction, saying the 148 days the man spent in jail was punishment enough. The prosecutor in the case said her heart is bleeding for the victim," and an organization that helps victims of domestic violence and sexual abuse said Adams County Judge Robert Adrian's ruling sends a chilling message to other rape victims that their behavior, not the rapists' will be judged, the (Quincy) Herald-Whig reported. On Wednesday, Adrian, apparently angered by the criticism, told another prosecutor appearing before him in an unrelated case to leave his courtroom because the prosecutor had liked a comment on Facebook that was critical of the judge. I can't be fair with you, Adrian told the Adams County prosecutor, the Herald-Whig reported. Get out. The uproar stems from a case that started with the arrest of Drew Clinton after a May 30 graduation party. During the trial, the judge heard evidence that the girl had told police shed attended the party, where she drank alcohol and swam in a pool in her underwear before she eventually passed out. She said she woke up to a pillow pushed on her face and Clinton sexually assaulting her. According to the police report, the teen was able to push Clinton off of her and then told a friend what happened. She later told her father, who called the police. In October, Adrian found Clinton guilty of felony sexual assault, but during a Jan. 3 sentencing hearing he said he would not impose the mandatory minimum sentence of four years in prison. Mr. Clinton has served almost five months in the county jail, 148 days, Adrian said, according to the court transcript of the hearing posted online by local media. For what happened in this case, that is plenty of punishment. That would be a just sentence. There is no way, the judge explained, for what happened in this case that this teenager should go to the Department of Corrections. I will not do that. But the judge said if he were to rule that the sentencing statute he was bound to follow was unconstitutional, his decision would be overturned and Clinton would be ordered to prison. In order to avoid an appeal he believed would be successful, Adrian said what he could do was determine that prosecutors had failed to prove their case and dismiss the sexual assault charge. The prosecutor in the case, Anita Rodriguez, said she had never in her 40-year career seen anything like Adrian's ruling, and worried how the ruling might affect the victim. The trial did a lot for her healing process, but now she's back to where we were at. The Quincy Area Network Against Domestic Abuse said the ruling sends a dangerous message. The judgement reinforces the fact that standards for women have always been impossibly high while they are impossibly low for men," the group said in a statement. But Clinton's attorney, Drew Schnack, said the ultimate verdict was the correct one because the prosecution did not prove its case and the evidence was not strong enough to warrant a conviction. Rep. Adam Kinzinger, R-Ill., has lost patience with the members of his party who continue to push the unfounded conspiracy theory that a Trump supporter named Ray Epps who encouraged demonstrators to storm the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6 was, in actuality, either an FBI agent or informant sent to stir up trouble. "Its very clear hes not. From our perspective, you have to push back against new conspiracy theories before they take hold," Kinzinger, speaking about the Jan. 6 select committee's interview with Epps, told Yahoo News in a Wednesday interview. The "false flag" theory about Epps has been promoted by Fox News host Tucker Carlson and brought up during hearings by Republican lawmakers like Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas, and Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia and Matt Gaetz of Florida. It is based on the idea that Epps was working for the government in some capacity when he was captured on video urging other pro-Trump protesters to enter the Capitol. On Tuesday, the Jan. 6 committee attempted to put those rumors to rest, announcing that it had conducted an interview with Epps, a 60-year-old Arizona resident and former chapter president of the far-right Oath Keepers militia group. Kinzinger and Rep. Liz Cheney, R-Wyo., are the only two Republicans on the committee. "The Select Committee is aware of unsupported claims that Ray Epps was an FBI informant based on the fact that he was on the FBI Wanted list and then was removed from that list without being charged," the committee said in a statement. "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." In a Twitter thread posted shortly after the committee released its statement, Kinzinger, who plans to step down from Congress following his current term, went even further, calling out those in his party who have, in his view, sought to absolve themselves for what transpired on Jan. 6. Rep. Adam Kinzinger, R-Ill., during the House vote to censure Rep. Paul Gosar, R-Ariz., in November. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call via Getty Images) "The narrative on Jan. 6 has been that its first antifa, or patriots who love their country, maybe crisis actors, def false flag operatives, or now FBI agents," Kinzinger wrote. "Take your pick. Truth is they were rioters incited by lies. And RAY is no fed. Just another misled man." Yahoo News caught up with Kinzinger by telephone in his home district in Illinois, where he and his wife are awaiting the imminent arrival of their first child. Yahoo News: Why specifically did the Jan. 6 select committee interview Epps? Adam Kinzinger: In the process of what were doing, theres over 300 people weve called as witnesses or deposed, weve interviewed either formally or informally. You know, he may have some information and Ill let the committee get ahead of anything else on that. But I think it was pretty obvious that we had to speak out because this is a conspiracy [theory] that started, I guess, a couple of months ago now and basically has been taken as gospel by now. And it was time for the committee to step up and say what we knew, at least what he said, and go from there and nip conspiracies in the bud. The interview, I take it, took place in November. That seems like a long time from interviewing him and reaching the conclusion that he had not committed any crime and was not involved with any FBI operation, to actually disclose it to the public. Was there any thought process on that? Youd have to ask the committees staff that make these kinds of daily decisions. I think the reality is, you know, we dont want to go out there, necessarily, and if theres an informal interview, an informal question, to release every single person we talk to ahead of time. Part of that is, obviously, for privacy for the individual and privacy for the investigation. But it got to the point where it went from potential theories pushed by people like Marjorie Taylor Greene into what was perceived as fact. And so the committee responding when we did should not, by anybody, be seen as anything other than we just realized we had to do that for the sake of conspiracies that were growing and growing. Trump supporters take over the steps of the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. (Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call via Getty Images) I guess the central point that some people on the right are making, or have used to imply some sort of conspiracy, is that incitement of a riot is a federal crime and Epps is seen on video encouraging pro-Trump demonstrators to go into the Capitol. Can you explain why what he did doesnt rise to the level of a chargeable offense? No, I cant. Thats a DOJ question. For me, what I know is that the implication was he was one of the main FBI agents, and I think thats key, the accusation that he was both an agent and an informant. According to him, hes had no involvement with any sort of law enforcement. I would say this: There were 30,000 to 40,000 people there that day. Im certain that if you comb some of the video from the day before and the day of, there are people that say things that probably all could be charged with if you used that low definition. The question is, and again this is for the DOJ, what is the threshold with what do you charge? Now, is it different for a president of the United States, or a leader from a pulpit, or somebody who has, in the presidents case, taken weeks or months to build a case of a stolen election narrative? Is it different than, say, somebody that maybe in the heat of the moment says, "We need to go into the Capitol." With DOJ, I dont know all the evidence of whether [Epps] did or didnt. Whats clear is this has gone from the accusation that Mr. Epps is an FBI agent who incited people to go into the Capitol to now trying to parse questions on right-wing Twitter, for instance, of "Well, if he said this he should be charged because we have to hold that to the same standard as Donald Trump." And thats simply not the case. Its a redirect, which theyre very good at. In your Twitter thread on Tuesday, you noted that the FBI had removed Epps who did not end up entering the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6 from its Most Wanted list because there was no evidence he broke any laws. Did the bureau or the Department of Justice specifically comment on that directly to the committee? Not that Im aware of. Again, I think that is a question for them. I think the broader point on that is he was on the Most Wanted list and he came off the Most Wanted list, and I think we need to get back to what was the original story and accusation. The original story and accusation was that Mr. Epps was an FBI agent, or in some cases they CYA [cover your ass] a little with "maybe an informant," which is a very different standard. But the broader point is Im not certain the FBI is totally competent with everything, but Im totally certain that they would not be so incompetent as to put their own agent on the Most Wanted list. Did the committee ask Epps about his involvement in Arizona with the far-right group Oath Keepers? Im sure that came up. Again, I will refer that to the committee, and Im sure that there will be further stuff to come out, but Id refer those questions to them. The extent of my knowledge is, we interviewed him, heres what he said. Then its taking logic: The guy was on a Most Wanted list. I know a few more details beyond that. The accusation was that hes an FBI agent. Its very clear hes not. From our perspective, you have to push back against new conspiracy theories before they take hold. This one has taken hold and thats evidenced by the fact that even in spite of all the evidence, people are trying now, particularly the Tucker Carlsons, to find a way around and argue something different even than [what] they were a couple days ago. Fox personality Tucker Carlson. (Lucas Jackson/Reuters) On that note, in your Twitter thread you stated it was important to take on lies and conspiracy theories. We had a back-and-forth in which I suggested that Tucker Carlson book you on his show. Your response was that going on as a guest wouldnt be productive. Can you further elucidate that point? Yeah. I mean, look, heres how Tucker operates: If he has you as a guest on his show, he over speaks you. I think I was on one of Tuckers very first shows, in fact, and we were talking about the issue of Russias involvement in the 2016 election and all he did was laugh and paste over anything I was trying to say. Then, when the segment, is over he spends the whole next segment trying to discredit you without your presence. All he does is set it up in a way that he can guarantee he discredits you after the fact. Now, would I debate, in theory, somebody like Tucker on a different show, where we were participating under the same ground rules? Thats very different than somebody who goes in with the intention of later discrediting to an audience already predisposed to believe conspiracy. So theres no benefit of going on someone like Tuckers show, being even part of that profit machine. Regarding the state of the Republican Party right now, when you look at how few people seem to be taking on what youre calling lies and conspiracy, what does it leave you feeling as you prepare to conduct the Jan. 6 hearings and as you face retirement from politics? It leaves me sad of what the party has become. This is a party that always attracted me for the truth-tellingness, the kind of realism and the American strength aspect of foreign policy, the not playing into peoples emotions on the role of the federal government, the saying what needs to be said when it gets too big, etc. Thats been lost. Its now a party that is profiting on populism, and that has one focus: raising money. Its a disappointing moment. We have to continue to fight for the soul of it because just as it was corrupted over time, it can be fixed over time. But the bottom line of it is that were in a moment where truth doesnt matter, and this party will be around for a while. Its depressing to think thats where we are with it. What role do you think Epps serves people like Tucker Carlson at this moment? Not speaking to [Epps's] motivation, but he is serving to give people further conspiracy, to give people, I guess, hope that it will be discovered that there is this grand conspiracy. Its continuing to slow down the workings of government, where people can finally accept reality and move on. And for the party, in the long term its quite destructive, because people have a long memory, and so does videotape. The other point Ill make just generically is that [Epps] is, I believe, a Marine Corps veteran. Any time you see veterans that go out and espouse conspiracy theories, it makes me sad because the military has always garnered bipartisan respect and it absolutely has to be the institution that if no other does, it will. It makes me sad to see that there are so many [military members] that have politicized this moment. Foreign Secretary Liz Truss is hosting EU post-Brexit negotiator Maros Sefcovic at Chevening in Kent (Ben Stansall/PA) (PA Wire) Liz Truss has told Brussels it has a clear responsibility to solve the problems caused by Northern Irelands post-Brexit deal as she held her first face-to-face talks with Maros Sefcovic The Foreign Secretary who assumed responsibility for the negotiations following Lord Frosts resignation, is hosting the European Commission vice-president at her Chevening country retreat in Kent for talks on Thursday and Friday. Ahead of the meeting, she said the EU must show a pragmatic approach to the issues created by the Northern Ireland Protocol, which effectively creates a trade barrier in the Irish Sea for goods crossing from Great Britain in order to prevent a hard border with Ireland. Mr Sefcovic insisted the EU is committed to stability and predictability in Northern Ireland and said the talks offer the opportunity to build on progress made last month on the issue of medicines. Glad to meet my counterpart @trussliz to discuss the implementation of the Protocol on IE/NI. In Dec, we delivered on medicines. Now we have an opportunity to do so on other issues, building on the EU's far-reaching proposals. My objective: stability, predictability in NI. pic.twitter.com/HoCTjziiHo Maros Sefcovic (@MarosSefcovic) January 13, 2022 While at Chevening, he will be treated to a dinner of Scottish smoked salmon, Welsh lamb and apple pie made with fruit from Kent. Ms Truss said: There is a deal to be done that protects peace in Northern Ireland, defends our Union, and maintains the integrity of the United Kingdom and EU. But it will require a pragmatic approach from the EU. I will be putting forward practical, reasonable solutions starting from these fundamental principles, with a view to agreeing a plan for intensive negotiations. The EU has a clear responsibility to help fix the myriad problems caused by the protocol and protect the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement. As fellow believers in liberty and democracy, we should be capable of reaching an agreement that delivers for Northern Ireland and allows us to unleash the full potential of our relationship. Foreign Secretary Liz Truss and EU negotiator Maros Sefcovic, with Europe minister Christopher Heaton-Harris, left, and Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis, right (Ben Stansall/PA) (PA Wire) Downing Street said the UK still believes the conditions for triggering Article 16 unilaterally suspending parts of the treaty have been reached, but the Government is still focused on trying to resolve the issues through talks. The Prime Ministers official spokesman said: We need to fix the problems in the protocol in order to protect the Belfast Agreement and the peace process. The Foreign Secretary will be putting forward practical and reasonable solutions with a view to agreeing a plan for intensive negotiations. We very much believe there is a deal to be done but the EU must show pragmatism. It remains our strong preference to reach a negotiated solution, which is what you can see we are seeking to achieve today. Mr Sefcovic tweeted: In Dec, we delivered on medicines. Now we have an opportunity to do so on other issues, building on the EUs far-reaching proposals. My objective: stability, predictability in NI. Liz Truss said the European Union had a clear responsibility to solve the problems caused by Northern Irelands post-Brexit deal as she prepared for her first face-to-face talks with Maros Sefcovic. The Foreign Secretary, who assumed responsibility for the negotiations following Lord Frosts resignation, will host European Commission vice-president Mr Sefcovic at her Chevening country retreat in Kent for talks on Thursday and Friday. She said the EU must show a pragmatic approach to the issues created by the Northern Ireland Protocol, which effectively creates a trade barrier in the Irish Sea for goods crossing from Great Britain in order to prevent a hard border with Ireland. Mr Sefcovic will be treated to a dinner of Scottish smoked salmon, Welsh lamb and apple pie made with fruit from Kent. European Commission vice-president Maros Sefcovic (Hollie Adams/PA) Ms Truss said: There is a deal to be done that protects peace in Northern Ireland, defends our Union, and maintains the integrity of the United Kingdom and EU. But it will require a pragmatic approach from the EU. I will be putting forward practical, reasonable solutions starting from these fundamental principles, with a view to agreeing a plan for intensive negotiations. The EU has a clear responsibility to help fix the myriad problems caused by the protocol and protect the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement. As fellow believers in liberty and democracy, we should be capable of reaching an agreement that delivers for Northern Ireland and allows us to unleash the full potential of our relationship. Not at all. It just seems like a lot of back-and-forth talk. Yes. I'm growing very worried over what might happen. If it keeps up, I might be a little more concerned. I think there are much larger things to concern us as a country. It's hard to tell; I can't take the leader of either country seriously. Vote View Results Feature Your News Online $25.00 / for 30 days Highlight your business' news for just $25! We'll feature your content on our News From Local Business section & our Marketplace front page to give it maximum exposure for the next 30 days. Online Access for Print Subscribers. Do you have a print subscription with the Argus-Press? If yes, then click here to enjoy complimentary access to our Online Content! According to information released by Milrem Robotics on January 13, 2022, the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) awarded the European leading robotics and autonomous systems (RAS) developer and system integrator Milrem Robotics a contract to provide RAS Concept Development and Experimentation (CD&E) Services to the Italian Army. Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link Milrem Robotics is an Estonian robotic vehicle manufacturer. Their primary products are the THeMIS UGV, the Multiscope UGV and a robotic combat vehicle designated as the Type-X. (Picture source Milrel Robotics) The scope of the multi-year campaign is to explore RAS technology in order to update the Italian army's RAS strategy and outline an implementation roadmap for the introduction of unmanned systems and related technology into service. Milrem Robotics will support the Italian army in developing a clear path to how RAS technology, systems and architectures can generate operational advantages and ground armed forces benefits when operating in urbanized environments. "Milrem is proud to be selected as the partner for supporting the Italian Armed Forces in one of the most advanced and challenging RAS CD&E initiatives in the world. This program is well in line with our core competencies as a system integrator for autonomous and robotic technologies," said Kuldar Vaarsi, CEO of Milrem Robotics. The Italian CD&E level of ambition is to exploit prototyping skills and technological capabilities to demonstrate future operational benefits and finally, to identify short to mid-term (5-15 years) transformational initiatives for the development of operational RAS capabilities. The scope of the cooperation is to capture, analyze and deliver decision support data from all stages of the experimentation process, stemming from field activities, wargaming, modeling and simulation, innovative technologies, etc., that will respond to the challenges set forth by the problem statement. The deliverables of the contract include a Command and Control (C2) System, an autonomy engine, systems integration of 3rd party capabilities, several unmanned ground and air vehicles, and a variety of sensors and effectors. Milrem Robotics is the leading European robotics and autonomous systems developer and systems integrator. The company is known for its THeMIS and Multiscope Unmanned Ground Vehicles and the Type-X Robotic Combat Vehicle. The THeMIS supports dismounted troops while the Multiscope is intended for civilian use such as forestry and firefighting. The Type-X Robotic Combat Vehicle is a wingman for mechanized units. Milrem Robotics is the leader of a consortium that was recently awarded 30.6M (EUR) from the European Commission's European Defence Industrial Development Programme (EDIDP) to develop a European standardized unmanned ground system (UGS). During the project, titled iMUGS, modular and scalable architecture for hybrid manned-unmanned systems will be developed to standardize a European wide ecosystem. According to information published by the "Taiwan News" on January 13, 2022, the Taiwanese Ministry of National Defense (MND) plans to purchase an additional batch of American Patriot III MSE air defense missile systems in 2025 and 2026 to strengthen its air defense capabilities. Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link Taiwanese Patriot air defense missile system. (Picture source WhiteFleet.net) In October 2021, Army Recognition has reported that Taiwan had signed a contract with the U.S. aimed at improving the efficiency of its Patriot PAC-3 missiles. According to the military balance 2021, Taiwan has one battalion equipped with MIM-104F Patriot PAC-3. According to the SIPRI arms trade database, Taiwan has acquired seven American Patriot PAC-3 air defense missile system from 2011 to 2015, as well as 264 missiles MIM-104F PAC3 for a total amount of $3.2 billion. The Patriot MIM-104 is a long-range, all-altitude, all-weather air defense missile system designed to destroy tactical ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and aircraft. It is jointly produced by the American companies Raytheon and Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. The PAC-3 Missile Segment Enhancement (MSE) is an evolution of the battle-proven PAC-3 Missile. The hit-to-kill PAC-3 MSE provides performance enhancements that counter evolving threat advancements. The enhancements ensure the PAC-3 Missile Segment of the PATRIOT Air Defense System is capable of engaging new and evolving threats. The hit-to-kill PAC-3 Missile is the worlds most advanced, and capable theater air defense missile and defender against the entire threat to the PATRIOT Air Defense System: Tactical Ballistic Missiles (TBMs) carrying weapons of mass destruction, evolving cruise missiles and aircraft. The PAC-3 MSE design utilizes the latest technology to significantly increase performance. The PAC-3 MSE incorporates a larger, dual pulse solid rocket motor; larger fins; and upgraded actuators and thermal batteries to accommodate increased performance. The modifications extend the missiles reach. The PAC-3 MSE is packaged in a single canister that stacks to provide logistical flexibility. Twelve individual PAC-3 MSE Missiles can be loaded on a PATRIOT Launcher or a combination of six MSEs and eight PAC-3 Missiles (two four packs) can be loaded. Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. The party has also fielded Unnao rape victim's mother Asha Singh from the Unnao Assembly constituency New Delhi: Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Thursday released the party's first list of 125 candidates, including 50 women, for the upcoming assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh. The party has also fielded Unnao rape victim's mother Asha Singh from the Unnao Assembly constituency. Addressing a press conference, she said 40 per cent of the Congress candidates are women and another 40 percent are youth and by doing so the party is making a new and historic beginning. She said the party has fielded such candidates who have struggled for seeking justice in Uttar Pradesh and the party wants them to come to the forefront and be a part of power in the state. "With 40 percent women and 40 percent youth, we hope to start a new kind of politics in Uttar Pradesh,"she said. "Our list gives a new message. We want to tell those who have struggled for their rights and for seeking justice in the past, that they have the power to fight for their rights and the Congress party will give that power to them to be a part of power in the state," Vadra also said. The AICC general secretary in-charge for Uttar Pradesh did not answer whether she will contest the elections herself. She said the party will not run a negative campaign in these polls and will instead run a positive campaign for a bright future of Uttar Pradesh while highlighting the issues concerning the people and those of women and development. Taking on the Uttar Pradesh government, she said, it has been "dictatorial" and the discussion in elections is skewed. "Our focus would be to bring issues of people to centre-stage," she said. Uttar Pradesh is scheduled to have seven-phase polls beginning from February 10. More hostility should be anticipated, not just of the military kind at the border As the morning shows the day, the Communist Party of Chinas supreme overlord Xi Jinping, ideological progeny of Mao Zedong, is determined to lead the way. What couldnt have been music to his ears, as Covid-19-plagued 2021 drew to a close, was the London Telegraphs commentary-prediction for 2022: India overthrows China as Beijing counts cost of 2021 zero-Covid tolerance. The British newspaper, while referring to China creating all-round uncertainty with sudden, unannounced port and airport closures, thereby disrupting world supply chains, went on to say that China will be overthrown as the worlds fastest growing economy in 2022. Obviously, the prospect of playing second fiddle, even if temporarily, to India, which it sees as way down the worlds pecking order, was wholly unacceptable to both Mr Xi, his party and his Communist Peoples Republic. More hostility should be anticipated, not just of the military kind at the border. Delhi needs to be fully prepared. From the bridge across the Pangong Tso lake in Ladakh, to the Doklam tri-junction and further east to Arunachal Pradesh, the Chinese are on a building spree of fortifications, roads, railway lines and villages which will help the Peoples Liberation Army dig in for the long haul all across the 3,500 km-long Line of Actual Control. Elsewhere, the distress signals are out there for all to see as harmful developments evolve thick and fast. Indias Parliament, that symbolises the sovereignty of its people, has been criminally mocked, challenged and insulted by a low-level diplomat of the Peoples Republic. The naked violation of Indias sovereignty by PRC wolf warrior diplomats based in New Delhi, with written threats directed at members of Parliament, is tantamount to stupid, ignorant, uncivilised intervention in Indias internal affairs. Just consider the language in this warning-cum-order-cum-threat from the Chinese counsellors letters to the six MPs: I have noticed that you attended an activity held by the so-called All-Party Indian Parliamentary Forum for Tibet and interacted with some so-called members... Is this the language of diplomacy? Has the so-called counsellor forgotten the work for which is posted in New Delhi? Was hectoring MPs part of that mission? It almost appears as if it was coming, not from a foreign envoy, but from an imperial overlord issuing instructions to representatives of a vassal state. Shades of Lord Curzon in his viceregal avatar in Lutyens Delhi? A question arises. Who exactly is this Zhou Xiansheng to notice what is happening in a country to which he is accredited? No sovereign nation with an iota of self-respect will want to be a laughing stock in the eyes of the world, and tolerate such unacceptable conduct within its territory. It is surprising Beijings ambassador has not yet been summoned over this and the counsellor in question not been declared persona non grata. The PRC officials arrogance further manifests itself with a repulsive paucity of semantics: You are a senior politician who knows China-India relations well... It is hoped that you could refrain from... and make a contribution to China-India bilateral relations. One only wonders how Communist China and its officialdom would react if the Indian political counsellor at the embassy in Beijing were to start writing to members of the National Peoples Congress the rubber-stamp body that passes for a parliament in the PRC every time any of its members started making absurd claims about Indias Arunachal Pradesh? Why is the Indian diplomatic corps so supine? Do they need directions and orders from above to deal with the CPCs wolf-warriors to protect the interests, honour and sovereignty of India? What remains to be acted upon by Indias diplomats, has refreshingly been well done by some Members of Parliament. I treat the letter with the contempt it deserves. The Chinese embassy doesnt have any locus to write to Indian parliamentarians, one of them said, before adding: It is not the first time the embassy has written to me. One only wonders about how many Indians in various walks of life have received this kind of hectoring, threatening letters from the Chinese. Another MP, a member of the All-Party Indian Parliamentary Forum, also reacted forcefully when asked about the letter from the diplomat: I wont demean or diminish myself by responding to such imbecile missives. Had Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi written, perhaps I would have considered responding to it. These and similar missives not just to parliamentarians but also to other prominent Indians in various fields have become more frequent after Xi Jinpings visit to India in September 2014. The attempt is not just to dominate India militarily as evident from the prolonged standoff in Ladakh for the past two years, with Beijing dragging its feet on the de-escalation that it had agreed to, in bilateral talks but in every other sector as well. There are also clear attempts to change the narrative so that Indians remain in the dark about the true picture. The Chinese know well that the media and citizens at large in a democracy like India can make up their own minds, and are not compelled to toe the line of the government (or the party) about China or any other matter. But they still try to bludgeon and intimidate others to see things their way for that is a habit! Xi Jinping is only following Maos December 1936 War of Annihilation dictum: By annihilating the enemys effective strength... we replenish ourselves by annihilating his units. Injuring all ten fingers of a man isnt as effective as chopping off one. In establishing our own war industry, we mustnt allow ourselves to be dependent on it. Our basic policy is to rely on war industries of imperialist countries. Literally and metaphorically, replace the word war with economics, and you get the answer. The CPC first demands, then dispossesses, owns and controls. Compelling a target country like Pakistan, then smaller nations, to become vassals. In India too big, populous, a noisy democracy the CPC modus operandi is to penetrate deep into each sector to cripple it. Recall Deng Xiaopings words: Bide your time, hide your intention India today faces the hydra-headed Han monster which is operating deep inside our hinterland by deceiving the entire state paraphernalia, but is also showing its teeth. The 1962 ignominy happened because Jawaharlal Nehru was too naive, too trusting and took Mao Zedong and the Chinese at their word. Have we learnt no lessons at all? New Delhi seems intent on repeating the same blunder, only this time with deeper and more disastrous consequences. The results were observed among individuals previously vaccinated with either Vaxzevria or an mRNA vaccine A youth gets a shot of a COVID-19 vaccine at the vaccination center in La Paz, Bolivia. (Photo: AP) New Delhi: Biopharmaceutical multinational AstraZeneca on Thursday said the preliminary analysis of an ongoing safety and immunogenicity trial has indicated that Vaxzevria, when given as a third dose booster, increased antibody response to the Omicron variant. The study also noted that the booster dosage of the company's COVID-19 vaccine Vaxzevria also increased the immune response to Beta, Delta, Alpha and Gamma SARS-CoV-2 variants. The results were observed among individuals previously vaccinated with either Vaxzevria or an mRNA vaccine. Serum Institute of India CEO Adar Poonawalla said in a tweet: "This is encouraging news, as per Professor Sir Andrew J Pollard, chief investigator and director of the Oxford Vaccine Group, new data from ongoing Astazeneca/Oxford vaccine trials has shown that three doses give good protection against Omicron.". Under a sub-licence agreement with AstraZeneca, the Vaxzevria vaccine is manufactured and supplied by the Serum Institute of India under the name Covishield. "Vaxzevria has protected hundreds of millions of people from COVID-19 around the world and these data show that it has an important role to play as a third dose booster, including when used after other vaccines," Mene Pangalos, executive vice-president (biopharmaceuticals R&D) of AstraZeneca, said in a statement. Given the ongoing urgency of the pandemic and Vaxzevria's increased immune response to the Omicron variant, the company will continue to progress regulatory submissions around the world for its use as a third dose booster, he added. Andrew J Pollard, chief investigator and director of the Oxford Vaccine Group at the University of Oxford, said, "These important studies show that a third dose of Vaxzevria after two initial doses of the same vaccine, or after mRNA or inactivated vaccines, strongly boosts immunity against COVID-19." The Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine is suitable as an option to enhance immunity in the population for countries considering booster programmes, adding to the protection already demonstrated with the first two doses, he added. Vaxzevria was invented by the University of Oxford. It uses a replication-deficient chimpanzee viral vector based on a weakened version of a common cold virus (adenovirus) that causes infections in chimpanzees and contains the genetic material of the SARS-CoV-2 virus spike protein. After vaccination, the surface spike protein is produced, priming the immune system to attack the SARS-CoV-2 virus if it later infects the body. The vaccine has been granted a conditional marketing authorisation or emergency use in more than 90 countries. It also has the emergency use listing from the World Health Organization, which accelerates the pathway to access in up to 144 countries through the COVAX facility. Although the new variant is spreading and the number of infections has reached a new record since the start of the pandemic, Israel reopened its borders last Sunday. A new website explains the new entry rules, which apply to the vaccinated or recently recovered only. For Israeli PM Bennett, the new wave is an unstoppable storm, but There's no place for panic. Keeping the economy open and protecting the vulnerable are the priority. Jerusalem (AsiaNews) Despite a rise in positive cases of COVID-19 and the new wave triggered by the Omicron variant, the Israeli government decided to reopen the countrys borders to foreign tourists, including pilgrims, whilst enforcing a strict protocol. This is major news for the future of the Holy Land and of the economic wellbeing of the areas Christians who rely heavily on proceeds from religious tourism and related activities. Before Christmas, when the border was shut down, they with despair and resignation. Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett tried to allay fears among anxious Israelis. There's no place for panic, he said, adding that Israel was weathering an "unstoppable storm" of infections by protecting the most vulnerable and keeping the economy open Israeli authorities expect Omicron to infect between two and four million Israelis, out of a population of approximately 9.4 million. The latest figure shows 44,000 new cases per day, the highest since the start of the pandemic. Yet, the border, which was closed in late November, is now open again. Probably, the closure was expected to delay or perhaps postpone a new wave, certainly not prevent it, like in the rest of the world. Currently, 254 patients are in serious conditions, including 84 critically ill and 63 requiring mechanical ventilation. For people testing positive, now the authorities require seven days of self-isolation rather than 10. To jumpstart tourism, including pilgrimages, a website, Israel safe, was launched. Centred on the slogan Israel is open for vaccinated tourist, it provides useful information about travel, entry and permits in the country. Now visitors to Israel must have been recently vaccinated or recovered from COVID-19, fill out an online form 48 hours before departure, take a molecular test 72 hours before the flight and one upon arrival, then wait in isolation for 24 hours. Millions of pilgrims have been waiting for this; many of them lost the chance to visit the Holy Land during the Christmas holidays when the border was shut down in late November. In 2021 Israel reported just over 401,000 tourist entries, less than a tenth of the record number of 4.5 million visitors in 2019, before the pandemic outbreak. As the Omicron variant spreads, initially used as the reason to close the borders but useless in practice, Bennett said that Israel was in the midst of an unstoppable wave. No democratic country, an implicit reference to China, can reach zero contagions, he noted. We are in a situation that happens once in an era, and we are managing it in the right and responsible way, he said, accusing his political opponents of trying to create unjustified hysteria. by Nirmala Carvalho Every year on 16 January, the Catholic community in Sancoale holds services near the ruins of an old church to remember the great missionary from Goa who brought Catholicism to Sri Lanka. As state elections approach, Hindu extremists are trying to prevent celebrations on the pretext of protecting the archaeological site. Starting on 23 January, local priest will hold a weekly prayer every Sunday for peace and harmony. Goa (AsiaNews) Even a prayer novena near the remains of a historic church has become a pretext for more intimidation against Christians in India, which is what happened in Goa. Not surprisingly, the former Portuguese colony is one of the five Indian states where state elections are scheduled a few weeks from now. Like every year, the feast of Saint Joseph Vaz will be celebrated next Sunday, 16 January, in Sancoale. The great missionary from Goa brought Catholicism to Sri Lanka where he lived between 1687 and 1711. Preceded by a novena, celebrations will be held at the site of a ruined church complex that Vaz himself frequented. Built in 1606, the church was the heart of the local Catholic community for more than 200 years, until it was destroyed by fire in 1834. Only the Baroque facade and the altar were saved, near which a small chapel was later built. Due to its historical value, the facade of the church of Sancoale is officially recognised by Indian authorities as an architectural heritage site. As The Goan Network reports, Hindu nationalists are using this as a pretext to launch a campaign on social media against the novena and the feast of Saint Joseph Vaz arguing that they should not be held since the ruins are a protected archaeological site. In a video, they demand that the existing chapel be demolished, ending their video message with a threatening warning: Now we are telling you peacefully and, in a language, known to you; otherwise, we will have to use another language. Pramod Sawant, a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the Hindu nationalist party of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is the states chief minister. State elections are set for 14 February. In light of the situation, the Catholic Association of Goa (CAG) addressed an appeal to the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO asking that the necessary steps be taken to ensure safety during the novena and the celebration confirmed on 16 January. The Goan Network reports that Frs Kennet Teles and Manuel Dias, the priests of the Catholic community in Sancoale, issued a plea for peace and harmony. The two clergymen stress that there is no evidence of the historic presence of any other religious group at the site, which is owned by a Catholic organisation, the Fabrica of Sancoale Church. They argue that the controversy stems from a desire to seize the site through a baseless claim and with the sole intention of sowing divisions within the local community. Lastly, they announce that they have decided that, starting on 23 January, a prayer for peace and a Mass will be celebrated every Sunday at the ancient church so that the Grace of God and the holiness of Joseph Vaz may radiate from the site of the old church at Sancoale. by Arundathie Abeysinghe Indebted and grappling with a severe financial crisis, Colombo tries to balance the interests of Beijing, Delhi and Washington. Affected by the pandemic, the island nation needs foreign currency to pay for its growing imports. Chinas debt trap is an issue. Sri Lanka reaches oil deals with India. Colombo (AsiaNews) Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has asked China for help to restructure his countrys high debt with Chinese lenders. Mr Rajapaksa presented the request, which is part of his government's efforts to overcome the current financial crisis, during a meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. Wang arrived in Sri Lanka on Monday on a two-day official visit, accompanied by a delegation of 18 officials, to mark the 65th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries, and the 70th anniversary of the signing of the Sri Lanka-China Rubber Rice Pact. Wang's last visit to South Asian Nation was in January 2020, after President Rajapaksa assumed office amid concerns over Sri Lankas outstanding debt to Beijing. Sri Lanka got into debt over several infrastructure projects, including the strategic Hambantota port. China acquired a 99-year lease as a debt swap, sparking global anxiety over China's investment model and its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Sri Lanka is currently facing a crippling economic crisis due to its high debt and a dollar shortage. As it grapples with the COVID-19 pandemic, it is seeking funds to rebuild its foreign exchange reserves, and pay ballooning import bills. The situation is aggravated by losses in the tourist sector, one of the countrys main sources of hard currency. Sri Lankan leaders have tried to balance ties with big powers (China, India United States) to obtain the necessary funds for the countrys own financial needs. During the past several years, it has benefited from billions of dollars in soft loans from China, its fourth largest lender. For example, China has lent Sri Lanka over US$ 5 billion for the Hambantota port and the Mattala International Airport, flagship projects under Chinas Belt and Road Initiative, as well as funds for highways and a coal power plant. However, critics are of the view that the funds have been used for white elephants projects with low returns, something China has denied. In addition to debt restructuring, President Rajapaksa wants China to provide concessional terms for its exports to Sri Lanka, about US$ 3.5 billion in 2020. According to official sources, the Sri Lankan leader also proposed allowing Chinese tourists to visit Sri Lanka, if they adhere to strict coronavirus regulations, including staying at pre-approved hotels and visiting certain tourist attractions. Before the health emergency, the Chinese were Sri Lankas main source of tourists. As pointed out by analysts, the country is a key part of Chinas BRI, a long-term plan to finance as well as build infrastructure linking China to the rest of the world. Yet, several countries, including the United States, have labelled the BRI a debt trap for smaller nations, including Sri Lanka. This year alone, the South Asian nation has to repay approximately US$ 4.5 billion of debt, starting with a US$ 500 million International Sovereign Bond (ISB) maturing on 18 January. In late December, the island nation tapped a US$ 1.5 billion currency swap with China to boost its reserves to US$ 3.1 billion. However, Wangs visit comes at a time when relations between the two countries are under stress. Contaminated organic fertiliser provided to Sri Lanka by a Chinese company is the bone of contention after the latter launched international arbitration against Sri Lanka in Singapore, a rare legal action against Beijing's close ally. Some political analysts see the visit by the Chinese minister as a way to keep a balance with US and Indian influence in the Indo-Pacific. Thus, Wang presented several investment proposals, including a US$ 1.4 billion Colombo Port City project. As China tries to stabilise its influence in Sri Lanka, acquired through massive investments for over a decade, this is raising concerns in New Delhi. India is sceptical of Chinas involvement in the South Asian nation, seeing it as a land grab through the acquisition of Sri Lankan assets, posing a threat to the peace and stability of the entire South Asian region. In early 2021, India lodged a strong protest with Sri Lanka on a tender awarded to a Chinese company for the construction of renewable energy plants in Delft, Nagadeepa and Analthivu Islands, off the coast of Jaffna, in close proximity to the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. On 6 January, Colombo signed an agreement with the local unit of the Indian Oil Corporation, Lanka IOC, to lease 75 oil tanks in exchange for securing a US$ 500 million fuel credit line from India, amidst efforts to look for innovative ways to bring in foreign exchange. Previously, Sri Lanka had agreed to lease all of its 99 tank oil farms to India in 2003. by Steve Suwannarat After leading the country from 2001 to 2006, the telecommunications tycoon went into a golden exile in 2008 to avoid 12 years in prison. In an online event, he described his eventual return as a gift for the Thais. Many obstacles stand in the way of true national reconciliation, whilst street protests today are led by students and pro-democracy groups. Bangkok (AsiaNews) Thaksin Shinawatra is back in the spotlight after recently expressing a desire to go home. Although he fled the country in 2008 to avoid a 12-year prison sentence, Thailands former prime minister never gave up on the idea of still playing a role in his countrys political life. The 72-year-old politician and his Thai Rak Thai party were in power from 2001 to 2006. A coup in September 2006 forced Thaksin out of office, but he continued to lead the opposition through people close to him and the Pheu Thai party, which remains the largest group opposing the ruling pro-military faction. In a recent event streamed live online, he described his possible return as gift for the Thais. Yet, he remains a divisive figure. A successful businessman in telecommunications, he entered the political arena in 1994, harnessing widespread dissatisfaction among the most disadvantaged Thais. In particular, he rallied the countrys populous North-East, and improved their economic conditions by providing, for example, access to previously unattainable medical care, boosting economic growth, modernising business and financial structures, and better distributing wealth. However, he also created a system of power that favoured his own interests, as well as those of his family and cronies. According to his most ardent critics, he also sought to use his popularity to delegitimise if not abolish the monarchy, then headed by a highly respected monarch, King Bhumibol Adulyadej, styled as Rama IX. As a result of the coups d'etat in 2006 and 2014, Thailands move towards democracy took steps backward, ending a period in which Thais living in the poorest and most populous regions had a greater chance of expressing themselves and being heard. The current government is still based on the 2014 coup. Thailands political opposition and several of the groups that have staged protests in recent years openly refer to the 1996 Constitution, the only one that was not imposed. But the latest actions are largely the work of student and pro-democracy movements rather than pro-Thaksin groups. Thaksins latest remarks have nonetheless revived the debate over his eventual return. The latter might be a useful step towards national reconciliation, but it will probably require a royal pardon from the current sovereign, king Vajiralongkorn (Rama X), son of Rama IX who died in 2016. Under the current office holder, the role of king has been openly questioned for the first time in Thai history. Aspen City Hall was open for regular business on Tuesday, although Aspen City Council did not meet in person for its regular meeting, during which Ordinance 27 was discussed, but not the lawsuit filed in Pitkin County District Court in response to it. Mr. Phillip Nathaniel Ware aged 62, passed away on Wednesday April 6, 2022 in Dallas, Texas . He was born to Mr. Frederick Brink Ware and Ms. Irene Duffner on Sunday, November 15, 1959 in Kansas City, Kansas. Phillip N. Ware will leave his loved ones with unforgettable memories and loving st EV That's not all. The South Korean electronics company also announced that its newest infotainment system will be available in the EQS electric sedan as a complete package through a press release.The 2022 EQS performance sedan features an innovative pillar-to-pillar display (P2P) built into the MBUX Hyperscreen, stretching across the entire width of the dashboard.First introduced by Mercedes at the 2021 CES, the MBUX Hyperscreen consists of three displays, including an LED screen for the instrument cluster, OLED displays, Co-Driver Display, and the Central Information Display. They are all fitted under a bonded glass cover to look and feel like a single continuous display.LG used a P-OLED (OLED) ideally built on polyimide circuit boards that roll up or bend. The South Korean electronics' advanced P-OLED technology enables the infotainment system to project sharper text and images and slim bezels without physical knobs but an intuitive touch interface.LG explicitly designed the IVI infotainment system to meet the needs of the German automaker diving in the electric vehicle space. The curved, panoramic form factor was a requirement for the ultra-sleeksedan.Eun Seok-Hyun, LG Vehicle components Solutions Company, said it was a privilege to work with Mercedes-Benz AG. "Being named a valued supplier of automotive displays by Mercedes-Benz AG last year gives us immense pride in knowing the partnership is showing great results," he added.The most advanced technology implemented in the display system is the Curved Display Bonding, Curved Glass Forming, and Surface Treatment, all developed by LG's in-house Production Engineering Research Institute.More automobiles in the future are likely to approach LG as the company's Vehicle component Solutions Company continues to make partnerships with automotive manufactures globally. One of the greatest Arab personalities of all time is the late Sheikh Abdul Latif Jameel, who founded a company with the same name back in 1945. Since then, his family business has turned into a mammoth corporation with seven different branches and operations across six continents. One of the best-known subsidiaries is Abdul Latif Jameel Motors, the distributor of Toyota and Lexus brands in Saudi Arabia and other markets, and also the Ford distributor in Egypt.As you can imagine, the huge Abdul Latif Jameel business adds up to several billion dollars, and it recently increased dramatically, thanks to Rivians success, as the group is one of the main investors of the electric car brand. Its no surprise, therefore, that each of the late Sheikhs sons reportedly owns a luxury yacht.Hadia, previously known as Jemasa, is a 164-foot (50 meters) superyacht , one of the largest ever built by the renowned Royal Hakvoort shipyard. Its main attraction, owned to the famous Espen Oeino, who was in charge of the naval architecture, is its incredibly-spacious layout, comparable to those of 196-foot (60 meters) yachts. Right away, you can admire its interesting split-level sun deck that fits a generous jacuzzi, as well as a large helipad.According to the builder, Hadia was built to be enjoyed in any type of climate or weather. The aft deck is great during summer, in the shade of the upper deck, but it can also be enclosed during colder times. There are several al-fresco dining areas on multiple decks, and guests can also enjoy the massage room, the gym, or the large-sized water toys.The owners suite is, of course, fabulous, including not only his-and-her bathrooms but also a private office, a salon, and a walk-in dressing room, made of precious cedar wood. Up to 12 guests can also be accommodated across six cabins, with extra berths available in the massage room.The imposing Hadia, emblematic for the billionaire lifestyle , is looking for a new owner, according to the listing over at Yachtzoo . For $23.8 million, a new wealthy owner can enjoy her luxurious amenities, while the Sheikhs son is probably ready to move on to an even bigger toy. Yet no one will ever forget the pioneers of the space age, men like Alan Shepard , the first American to reach orbit. Everyone knew that from the very beginning, and these guys were highly appreciated even back in their day. Depending on the degree of involvement and resources available, companies and individuals across America honored the astronauts the best way they could.General Motors, for instance, chose to do that by gifting first American to fly to space a 1968 Corvette convertible. It was a courtesy car, specced to the desires of the astronaut.That gift Corvette is the one we have here, listed on the lot of cars going under the Barrett-Jackson hammer in Scottsdale, Arizona, at the end of this month. Thats right, its selling, providing a private individual with the chance of owning an astronaut-spec, astronaut-driven piece of American motoring history.Coming in a white body over a brown leather interior, the Vette is one of 664 of its kind made in 1968. It comes with a 427ci (7.0-liter) engine tied to a 4-speed manual transmission and rated at 435 hp.The car is somewhat of a famous one in the museum circuit, having been displayed at the Corvette and at the NASA U.S. Space Walk of Fame museums.It sells in unrestored condition, and complete with the original tank sticker, order sheet, Corvette Club registration documents, and GM courtesy car letter. It also has space-related number plates.We are not told how much the seller expects to fetch for it, but its going with no reserve. SUV Based on the Mercedes-Maybach GLS, the newis an armored vehicle that managed to be lighter than the original car. That happens thanks to a technology developed by DARTZ called GBOL. It is so secretive that Leonard Yankelovich DARTZ founder and RFE (Responsible For Everything) could not even tell us what it stands for. He also preferred not to patent the idea so that nobody would try to copy it.What he could tell us is that GBOL consists of a modern composite armor that includes three types of non-metal armor. Yankelovich said that apart from being incredibly light, it is also very resistant to shots. So far, the technology has only been applied to military vehicles. The Prombron Black Alligator MMXX Black Tiger Lunar Year Edition is the first civilian vehicle to present GBOL.The effort to make the car lightweight also includes the glasses, which use Saint Gobains Saphire Glass technology to be much thinner than equivalent ballistic glasses. Considering that price is not an issue for DARTZ buyers, Saphire Glasses weigh half as much as other glasses able to offer NIJ III to NIJ IV or similar NATO STANG levels of protection. Yankelovich stresses how this is important, showing us a video in which Barack Obama had to change to another "The Beast" because the front suspension of one collapsed. You can see the video embedded below.The cameras installed in wing-like structures where the rear-view side mirrors would be may seem like another attempt to make the car lighter or more efficient. Yankelovich said it has nothing to do with that, even if it eventually helps the electric DARTZ. The idea with the cameras is that rear-view side mirrors are too vulnerable in a possible shooting. According to the DARTZ founder, cameras will resist any attack better.The name of this vehicle shows it has a clear target: wealthy Chinese buyers in search of something distinctive. The orange and black painting resembles the colors of a tiger but has another meaning: orange is the abundance color for the year of the tiger. Just for the record, DARTZ does not call this vehicle an SUV. It prefers to name it a BOND: Bespoke Opulent Noble Drive.As usual, the Prombron Black Alligator MMXX Black Tiger Lunar Year Edition will have expensive leather options, including that of alligators. The sound system comes from Metaxas & Sins and consists of a reel-to-reel tape player. The last car to present one of these sound systems was sold in the 1960s. If people prefer vinyl records to digital music files, reel-to-reel tapes may have a niche to explore. DARTZ has not disclosed the Prombron Black Alligator MMXX Black Tiger Lunar Year Edition prices, but lets be honest: if you have to ask, you probably cant afford one. It was in October 2021 when the world-renown business and private jet builder unveiled the new G800, an outstanding ultra-long-haul aircraft featuring the latest technology. In addition to reaching nine-tenth of the speed of sound, the new jet is capable of flying for over 8,000 nautical miles (9,206 miles/14,816 km). Although its equipped with the same high-thrust Rolls-Royce Pearl 700 turbofan engines as the previous G700, it offers greater fuel efficiency.In terms of design, this highly-performant jet will benefit from cutting-edge thermoplastic technology, thanks to a recent agreement between Gulfstream and the renowned GKN Aerospace. GKN is now the official supplier for the new G800 and G400 business jets, which will feature sustainable lightweight aerostructures. GKN will be in charge of the G800s empennage (the aircraft s tail section), including the rudder and elevators, plus its floorboards, as well as the G400s wing skins.According to GKN, the sustainable thermoplastics used for these components will save a minimum of 10% of the overall weight compared to traditional materials, which helps reduce carbon emissions. GKN experts will work together with the Gulfstream engineering team in order to integrate these materials into the manufacturing process. The next-generation business jets will be produced at the Papendrecht and Hoogeveen in the Netherlands, the Chihuahua facility in Mexico, and at Wellington, in the U.S.In addition to its impressive performance and luxurious interiors, the new G800 will also be an example of sustainable technology one of the latest trends in the aviation sector. The ultra-long-range jet is expected to start being delivered to customers by 2023. ICE If you take into consideration that this vehicle is not for sale in the American market until now, calling it all-new is not that wrong. After all, it depends on the perspective. Putting this in other words, it is all-new to the U.S., but not for most of Hondas main markets.If Honda really just restyled the third-generation HR-V China, Japan, and Europe already have, the good news is that we already know what American customers can expect. The new HR-V is 170.5 inches (4.33 meters) long, 70.5 in (1.79 m) wide, 62.2 in (1.58 m) tall, and has a wheelbase of 102.8 in (2.61 m).Its lightest derivative weighs 2,755.8 pounds (1,250 kg), but American customers should consider their HR-V should be around 3,196.7 lb (1,450 kg). Thats because there is a strong possibility that the only version for sale in the U.S. is the HEV (hybrid electric vehicle). Although that definition is controversial for Hondas new e:HEV system, it certainly makes the car heavier.The e:HEV system is similar to what Nissan offers with e-POWER products: you have an electric car that uses the combustion engine solely as an electricity generator. In other words, what you have is an electric car regarding how it is propelled even if it extracts energy from angenerator. Some markets also offer one derivative equipped solely with the 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine that is pretty much the same one in the current HR-V.With more stringent emission rules in the U.S., Honda is very likely to follow the strategy it adopted in Europe and sell only the hybrid HR-V in the American market. The company promised to solve our doubts about that this year, which is quite vague. The good news is that you will not have to wait another year for what Europe, China, and Japan already have. Less than a couple of months ago, Bob Saget was a star on Jay Lenos Garage, where he had the opportunity of getting behind the wheel of an Apocalypse Hellfire 6x6 . In real life, of course, he didnt drive that, but he had a Toyota Prius.The Japanese model is an incredibly popular choice among celebrities who do their part in trying to be greener. Tom Hanks had owned one, a 2004 Toyota Prius plug-in hybrid, which he auctioned off in 2010. Ryan Gosling, Cameron Diaz, Julia Roberts, Jeff Goldblum, Danny Devito, and Leonardo DiCaprio were also proud to drive one.As Bob Saget, 65, passed away unexpectedly recently, John Mayer and Jeff Ross decided to help out and went to retrieve Sagets Prius from Los Angeles International Airport. The two posted a 25-minute tribute video while riding in the comedians Prius on the highway and explained how they arrived at the airport to find the plug-in hybrid.This is his car, we went to LAX... We went to four floors, looking for it, trying to figure out where he parked and of course, he parked right by the entrance. He's Bob Saget, he's got rockstar parking, Ross said.He added how the Prius was Sagets junk car, his go-to option for day-to-day driving. Over the years, Saget owned several Lexus LS models, from different generations, which seemed to be his choice for fancy events, as Ross explained. Bob had his fancy Lexus for going to restaurants and then his junk car was this Prius which isn't junky at all, it's immaculate ... it took a bit, but we got it out of LAX."Sagets Prius had been at LAX for a few days, and the parking ticket turned out to be $250. The parking company was unreceptive to help Mayer and Ross, as they claimed that they would let them go if it were John Stamos car, with whom Saget co-starred on Full House. Luckily, Mayer and Ross sorted it out. Back when Pontiacs GTO Judge, Oldsmobile's 4-4-2 W-30, or the Chevy Chevelle SS ruled GMs classic era of American muscle cars, there was also an interesting entry from Buick. So, how about a modern CGI return? 11 photos Designed by Tupolev for the Soviet Union back in the '70s, the first Tu-160 was flown for the first time in 1981. Codenamed Blackjack by NATO, the aircraft is the world's largest and heaviest missile carrier with variable-sweep wing ever manufactured.After Putin decided in 2015 to resume production of the Tu-160M, a modernized variant of the bomber, the Russian Air Force has started upgrading it. Now the first modernized aircraft took to the skies, reaching a new milestone within the program.The momentous occasion was announced by United Aircraft Corporation (UAC), which is part of the state-owned Rostec , Russia's government arms production organization. According to the company, the first Tu-160M Blackjack flight lasted 30 minutes in total. The missile carrier climbed to a 600-meter (1,968.5-ft) altitude during the test before landing back at the Kazan Aviation Plant.During the flight, pilots verified that everything worked accordingly and that the aircraft was stable in the air. Visually, the Tu-160 looks the same. However, it comes with a "completely new technological base using digital technologies." The M version brings new engines and improved systems for navigation, aircraft, and weapon controls.Denis Manturov, Minister of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation, said that this first flight allowed them to "see significant prospects for the Tu-160 platform: further development will make it possible to use it for new types of weapons, including promising ones."UAC general director Yuri Slyusar said that "the systems and equipment in the new machine have been updated and modernized by 80 percent," and the new Tu-160M has been practically "rebuilt from scratch." EV This is what the images above show. Created by the rendering artist Theottle, they were based on the French luxury sedan to imagine what an electric replacement for the 300 could be. And there is no reason for this futurenot to be exactly as Theottle imagined it.The style revealed by the Airflow concept could be there just to give the new Chrysler a design identity to follow. The American brand was never a fan of such a concept, but it is always time to change when you are still alive. Theottle was careful to add the dash-to-axle ratio that Chrysler has always adopted in its sedans.Regarding the platform, the DS 9 uses the EMP2 , which will eventually become the SLTA Medium. Both the DS 9 and the current 300 are classified as executive sedans (E-segment) and have around 5 meters (197 inches) in length. Putting the new 300 over that architecture would give the LX platform a deserved retirement: it has been around since 2004.If Chrysler also decided to follow the profile the DS 9 presents, it would probably be a very aerodynamic machine. DS has not disclosed the drag coefficient of its flagship, but it should be relatively low. The question is that electric cars cannot fight the air because theyll always lose. Befriending airflow (no pun intended) is their best strategy.When Chrysler finally reveals which the electric replacement for the 300 will be, we would not be surprised if it proved that Theottle hit the nail in the head. The imposing square design that made the 300 such an iconic car has no place in a universe that demands energy efficiency. AV The U.S.-based startup has been testing autonomous, electric delivery robots for almost a decade, and its made great progress along the way. Nuro has two generations of bots, the R1 and the R2, both of which trialed successfully in limited areas. The Nuro, as the third-gen robot is called, will aim for nationwide and, hopefully, internationally adoption.A video presentation of the Nuro is available at the bottom of the page. The founders of Nuro also detail the new model in a lengthy Medium post, but the gist is that this is the refined and improved, safer and more efficient model of the three. Consider the R1 and the R2 the stepping stones for the Nuro, which, this way, is able to gun for the title of the first autonomous vehicle () to be produced at scale.The Nuro is about 20% smaller than an average passenger car but, at the same time, it has double the cargo capacity of its predecessor, the R2 . It has two compartments totaling 27 cubic feet (765 liters), or enough storage for 24 bags of groceries weighing up to 500 pounds (227 kg). The Nuro isnt made for single deliveries, which makes it more efficient.The modular storage inserts allow Nuro to carry a variety of items, from fresh produce to frozen goods, and hot pizza. It helps that each compartment can be cooled or heated at will, with temperatures going as high as 116 F (46.7 C), or as low as 22 F (-5.6 C).The founders of Nuro place a lot of emphasis on the fact that Nuro the bot is designed to be a part of the community it helps cater for. Its smaller footprint should give more room to cyclists and pedestrians, while its decidedly cute appearance will make it noticeable right away. It is fully electric and fully autonomous, which means it will help cut down emissions and, if not ease congestion in big cities, at least do its part to not contribute to it.Speaking of being an AV, the Nuro comes with a suite of cameras and sensors that offer it a 360-degree view of the surrounding environment. Since deliveries dont stop on a rainy day, or in bad weather in particular, the third-gen bot comes with self-cleaning capabilities for the sensors and cameras, which will help with maintaining operations and retaining sensitivity throughout the day. Nuro says the bot will be functional in all weather scenarios and geographies, which probably means a thin layer of snow wont see a bunch of them stranded on the sidewalk Safety was another important aspect the team at Nuro focused on in developing the bot . We engineer defensive and detection mechanisms into the system for early warning about potential attacks and ensure our safety margin is maintained in every conceivable scenario, Nuro says in the presentation. As for real-world, physical scenarios , the Nuro comes with a frontal airbag that would cushion an impact with a pedestrian or a cyclist.With a top speed of 45 mph (72.4 kph), the Nuro will use were using 100% renewable electricity from wind farms in Texas and ethically-sourced or sustainable materials, in what the team says is proof of their commitment to lower their carbon footprint.Particulars on the timeline for the Nuro have not been disclosed as of the time of press, except to say that pre-production is underway. Nuro has recently announced plans to build two facilities in Nevada, a manufacturing facility and a test track. Both these facilities will produce and test tens of thousands of delivery vehicles per year. BYD North America will help build the bots Remember how Toyota was one of the latest carmakers to put Android Auto and Apple CarPlay in their cars. They also all but insisted electric cars are overrated until late last year when they unveiled dozens of electric models in a surprising push. Well, the surprises keep coming, as it seems, and now we learned Toyota and Lexus have official stores on Amazon.co.uk.It kind of sounds like Michael Corleones famous quote from The Godfather III just when I thought I was out they pulled me back in. Only this time its Toyota we thought to be on its way out. Well, the Japanese still have the power to amaze and this move, although unexpected, will be appreciated by those who need a genuine headlight on the double.While both Toyota and Lexus still work on building their inventories at the moment, there are enough items you can purchase already. These range from brake pads, wipers, and trunk liners, to roof bars and carpet mats. The store also offers Gazoo Racing branded products for Toyota GR Sport models like the GR Supra, the GR Yaris, and the upcoming GR86 coupe. Of course, these are Toyota/Lexus genuine parts and come with the same guarantees as if purchased from the dealership.These new stores give our brands an official presence in one of the UKs most popular online shopping services while retaining all the quality and performance guarantees our customers expect. The range available is impressive and expanding fast, covering every aspect of vehicle ownership, from wear-and-tear items to accessories that people can confidently fit themselves.Toyota is not alone in this quest, as Hyundai already has an Amazon presence, including in the U.S. Hyundai customers can even see dealer inventories and book test drives for the cars they intend to buy . Thats why we are sure Toyota will extend its presence on other Amazon websites very soon. EV Tesla amped its 2021 deliveries by about 436,600 units compared to VWs 220,900 increment. The German giant owns other leading European brands, including Audi, Porsche, and Skoda.Volkswagen is not out of the race yet. The German automaker has set aside $100 billion over the next five years to convert its fleet to electric, mounting a challenge to lthe eadingautomaker.Tesla might be the global leader in manufacturing EVs, but Volkswagen is the top EV retailer in Europe, and it expects 25% of automobiles it sells globally to be electric by 2026.The European automotive giant began rolling out new EV models, including the 2022 ID.4 all-electric SUV , but production stopped after facing supply chain issues.2021 was a challenging year for automotive manufacturers due to the global semiconductor shortages. According to Volkswagens sales boss Christian Dahlheim, despite the issues, the automaker could still consistently implement their future course.He also revealed that the doubling volume and current high demand for their vehicles clearly show that VW is on the right path.Volkswagen is not the only automaker hit with a chip shortage. Tesla faced the issues but was able to handle it. According to CNN, Tesla made record deliveries in the last three months of 2021, surpassing Wallstreet expectations with 308,600 units.According to Tesla, its new factories in Austin, Texas, and Berlin will start total production in 2022. They expect annual growth of 50% or more in the next few years.Dan Ives, an analyst with Wedbush Securities, stated that T esla delivery numbers in 2021 were jaw-dropping considering the semiconductor shortage and global logistical issues experienced in 2021.He added that the leading American automaker continues to dominate the EV space despite many competitors. GENEVA, SWITZERLAND - Porsche Mission E Cross Turismo is displayed at the 88th Geneva International Motor Show on March 7, 2018 in Geneva, Switzerland. Global automakers are converging on the show as many seek to roll out viable, mass-production alternatives to the traditional combustion engine, especially in the form of electric cars. The Geneva auto show is also the premiere venue for luxury sports cars and imaginative prototypes. (Photo : Robert Hradil/Getty Images) An all-electric Porsche made history, breaking the Guinness World Record for the greatest altitude change ever accomplished by an electric vehicle. The Taycan Cross Turismo achieved the historic feat by traveling from the lowest point it could possibly get to the highest possible place without taking the car's tires off the ground in the United States. Porsche travels from Eagle Mine to Pikes Peak J.F. Musial and his team of filmmakers collaborated to capture this record-breaking attempt. They had filmed Pikes Peak in the state of Colorado several times before, and it was the obvious choice to be the target destination of the Taycan Cross Turismo. Pikes Peak is one of the highest mountains in the United States that can be easily accessed by a car, with its summit measured at over 2.67 miles above sea level. From the depths of a Michigan mine, to Pikes Peak of Colorado, one team ascended 3 miles in 33 hours, driving a Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo, to earn a Guinness World Record for the greatest altitude change by an electric vehicle. #NoSmallDreams https://t.co/GQx3RcYA0w pic.twitter.com/26t2rJMzcN Porsche (@Porsche) January 11, 2022 The destination might be familiar to some, but this journey's starting point is one for the record books. They made sure the Cross Turismo would not settle for just the Badwater Basin in Death Valley, the lowest point in the United States at just 282 feet below sea level. Musial's team went deeper and chose Eagle Mine in Michigan to be the car's starting point. This is the deepest point a car could access in the USA, with its depth measured at 1,774.4 feet below sea level. It was no easy feat, with the team getting some safety training for their ascent up the mine. They enlisted the help of the Eagle Mine staff and operators for the vertical journey, which the Taycan Cross Turismo accomplished with standard road tires and no modifications. The trek upwards was a sight to behold, with the all-electric Porsche climbing up a ramp usually reserved for specialist mining vehicles. Related Article: Elvis Presley Cadillac up for Auction; Bidding Starts for 1975 Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham Taycan Cross Turismo sets a record at 15,889 feet Once the car emerged from the mine, the team continued its journey towards Pikes Peak, traveling at least 1,400 miles and covering six states. It took a total team effort to set the record, with three drivers taking turns to pilot the Taycan Cross Turismo. They had to adhere strictly to the strict requirements of the Guinness World Records, utilizing sealed GPS devices, witness logs, and an analog altimeter. Musial was inside the Taycan Cross Turismo when the car completed its journey to the summit of Pikes Peak. He rode alongside 2020 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb class winner Dai Yoshihara, who drove the Porsche to the finish. It took 33 hours and 48 minutes to complete the record-setting attempt, with the Porsche electric vehicle covering 15,889 feet of total altitude. Indeed, this is a record that will not be broken anytime soon. READ MORE ON AWN: Jeep to Launch 3 SUV Variants in India in 2022; Lines up Trailhawk, Meridian, and Grand Cherokee The End of Speeding? This is How ALPR Cameras Help Fed-up Democratic lawmakers are prodding the Biden administration to do more to contain COVID-19. Why it matters: The outreach reflects building pressure from constituents left confused and wary by shifting and conflicting guidance a black eye for an administration that ran on its competence. Driving the news: Democratic Reps. Elissa Slotkin of Michigan and Tim Ryan of Ohio are urging President Biden to purchase and distribute domestically manufactured KN95 masks to any American household requesting them. They would be paid for with previously allocated COVID-19 funds. In a letter seen first by Axios, the pair writes the nation is at a "crossroads" in the fight against the coronavirus. "We strongly encourage the administration to take the opportunity to prevent further loss of life ... by leveraging the federal government's substantial authority to prioritize American-made masks and PPE," they write. The details: The lack of readily available rapid testing, particularly before the recent holidays, is also among the chief concerns detailed by aides and members. Another sore spot: changes in the CDCs guidance. Over 40 members of the House and Senate wrote a letter to the president Monday calling on the administration to expand COVID-19 rapid testing. White House press secretary Jen Psaki conceded to reporters this week the administration was not where we needed to be in terms of testing supplies. A White House official later cited the administrations vaccination and COVID-relief efforts, adding: Were honest about the challenges we face and continue to address them with Congress, which is why were heartened by the praise weve received on announcements today, while continuing our work to manage a once-in-a-generation pandemic. What they're saying: Rep. Cori Bush (D-Mo.) tweeted on New Year's Eve: Free at-home and in-person COVID-19 tests. Free N95/KN95 high-quality masks. For every person in our country. For whenever they need them. For the duration of the pandemic. This is not complicated. Rep. Katie Porter (D-Calif.) retweeted a tweet from Capt. Joe DePete, president of the Air Line Pilots Association, who criticized the CDC for cutting the quarantine time for those who've tested positive for COVID-19 from 10 days to five. He argued pilots shouldnt feel pressured to fly unless they are medically fit to do so, saying the ALPA will not allow corporate interests to replace the good judgment pilots show daily in making decisions about whether they are healthy to fly. Will McKelvey, former health policy adviser to Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.), criticized the CDC for not requiring a negative rapid test after its new five-day quarantine period. He labeled it disappointing, but predictable due to the shortage of rapid tests. McKelvey added: This shortage could have been avoided by focusing on approving and distributing inexpensive paper-strip tests, like more than a dozen Congress-members pushed for in 2020. Editors note: This story has been updated with additional White House comment. Global warming became local to a new and devastating extent in 2021, with the year ranking as the sixth-warmest on record, according to new, independent data from NASA, NOAA and Berkeley Earth. Why it matters: Each year's data adds to the relentless long-term trend, which shows rapid warming due overwhelmingly to human-caused greenhouse gas emissions during the past several decades in particular. The global shifts in ocean heat, atmospheric moisture, and surface temperatures on shorter timescales are increasingly being felt in the form of unprecedented and deadly extreme weather and climate events. The big picture: The three temperature tracking groups matched data released earlier this week by the European Union's Copernicus Climate Change Service, and show how the presence of a La Nina event in the tropical Pacific Ocean, which features cooler than average sea surface temperatures near the equator, failed to dislodge 2021 from the list of top 10 years. Between the lines: The next year that features an El Nino in the tropical Pacific, which is La Nina's warmer sibling, is almost assured to set a record for the warmest year, since it can further accelerate human-caused warming. Last year featured a relentless series of extreme weather and climate disasters that saw temperatures and water levels reach unprecedented levels. A June heat wave in the Pacific Northwest, for example, set a temperature record for the hottest reading (121F) ever seen in Canada, along with all-time highs in Oregon and Washington. The town that set the Canadian record, Lytton, British Columbia, burned in a wildfire the next day. A study found the heat wave could not have occurred without human-caused global warming. "Changes in extreme events are global warming writ local," NASA's Gavin Schmidt, who directs the agency's Goddard Institute for Space Studies in New York City, told Axios in an email. To illustrate how much the world has warmed in many peoples' lifetimes, consider these two facts, one from NOAA and one from NASA: The world has not experienced a cooler than average year, compared to the 20th century average, since 1976. In NASA's data set, 1988 the year that climate scientist James Hansen famously testified before Congress, warning that human-caused global warming was underway long reigned as the warmest year on record. Due to the warming since then, 1988 now stands as the 28th warmest year in NASA's data set, according to Schmidt. By the numbers: The statistics contained in these reports are astounding, and drive home just how different the climate is today from just a few decades ago. Nearly 2 billion people lived through their hottest year on record, since 25 countries earned this distinction, including China and Nigeria. No place on Earth had its coldest year on record, according to Berkeley Earth. lived through their hottest year on record, since 25 countries earned this distinction, including China and Nigeria. No place on Earth had its coldest year on record, according to Berkeley Earth. Four of the top 20 largest wildfires in California history occurred in 2021, as heat waves and drought primed the environment for massive blazes. This included the second-largest blaze on record, the Dixie Fire, which scorched more than 963,000 acres. largest wildfires in California history occurred in 2021, as heat waves and drought primed the environment for massive blazes. This included the second-largest blaze on record, the Dixie Fire, which scorched more than 963,000 acres. The nine years from 2013 through 2021 rank among the top 10 warmest years on record, according to NOAA. from 2013 through 2021 rank among the top 10 warmest years on record, according to NOAA. The world is now 1.2C (2.2F) warmer than preindustrial levels , Berkeley Earth found, closing in on the Paris Climate Agreement's temperature target of limiting warming to 1.5C above preindustrial levels. , Berkeley Earth found, closing in on the Paris Climate Agreement's temperature target of limiting warming to 1.5C above preindustrial levels. Beyond that point, scientists say, more perilous and potentially irreversible climate consequences may occur, including melting polar ice caps and loss of iconic ecosystems, such as coral reefs. The bottom line: Even the world's relatively "cool" years are now ranking among the top eight warmest on the list, with no prospect of slowing global warming, scientists say, unless the world bends the greenhouse gas emissions curve sharply downward, all the way to zero and eventually below zero in coming decades. Go deeper: In photos: 2021's devastating climate disasters Trumpy Republicans are using baseless 2020 election fraud claims to fill their coffers for this years Senate primaries. Why it matters: In the immediate aftermath of the Jan. 6 attack, even former President Trump's most fervent supporters were unwilling to fight against certifying the election and fuel far-right claims Joe Biden didn't win. A year later, that's no longer true. GOP candidates at the top of tickets in the most competitive Senate races in the country are gaining momentum and popularity by feeding off the lies being perpetuated by Trump and his supporters. They're not only using it to gain popularity among the MAGA base but also to fill their campaign coffers. Who we're watching: Adam Laxalt: The Nevada Senate candidate, a former Republican state attorney general and Trump campaign state co-chairman, participated in 2020 election challenges and said he's planning to start new challenges in 2022. Jim Lamon: The Arizona Senate candidate backed a number of lawsuits attacking the 2020 election results, including suing former Vice President Mike Pence for his role in certifying the results. Lamon "strongly believes audits in elections and government should be more common, not less," a campaign spokesperson told Axios in an email. Ron Hanks: Hanks attended the Jan. 6 "Stop the Steal" rally and said he marched with supporters to the U.S. Capitol, though nothing has placed him inside the Capitol during the insurrection. Hanks told the Denver Post he stands "by everything [he] did on the sixth of January." Mo Brooks: The current House Republican and Alabama Senate candidate has been a leading proponent of election fraud claims. Marjorie Eastman: The U.S. Army combat veteran, who recently jumped into the North Carolina Senate race, has declined to say whether Biden was legitimately elected. Her campaign website includes a section on "election integrity." Go deeper: After Nevada certified its results, Laxalt filed another lawsuit, which the state of Nevada moved to dismiss. Laxalt has since threatened to preemptively prepare legal challenges to the 2022 election. He's now fundraising off of those plans. In a Nov. 11 email to supporters, his campaign wrote: "In 2020, Adam Laxalt stood side-by-side with President Trump and fought for election integrity." In response to our reporting, Laxalt told Axios: "[Democrats'] partisan transformation of Nevadas system handed election officials an untested process that generated over 750,000 mail-in votes, unclean voter rolls, loose ballots and virtually no signature verification. "Nevadans have a right to more transparency, and voters deserve confidence in the accuracy of election results, and I will proudly fight for them." Lamon also funded security for the audit in Arizona's Maricopa County. He's launched Facebook campaign ads touting his lawsuits against Pence and Gov. Doug Ducey, and claims he's "the only candidate who's fought for Election integrity since Day One." Days before Lamon jumped into the Senate race, he gave $2 million to the right-wing nonprofit Look Ahead America. It was a key player in efforts to overturn 2020 election results. Look Ahead America recently had its 501(c)(3) tax status reinstated, meaning Lamon's donation which is funding a voter registration and turnout program in Arizona will be retroactively tax-deductible. "I dont know why he wouldnt take a deduction," his spokesperson said. Hanks hosted the Colorado elections conspiracy forum to discuss what he claimed were election anomalies and said Republicans "can't be gracious losers." In November 2021, he sued the Colorado secretary of state, alleging election fraud and misconduct in the 2020 election. That lawsuit is a key feature on his campaign website. In multiple email fundraising appeals for his Senate campaign, Hanks used his fight for election integrity as the hook to get donations. Hanks' campaign did not respond to a request for comment. Brooks infamously spoke at the Jan. 6 Save America rally outside the White House. He told protesters "to do what it takes to fight for America" and later signed onto a House Republican amicus brief to the Supreme Court in support of overturning the election results. Following the election, Brooks quickly latched onto Trump's false claims, stating "if only lawful votes by eligible American citizens were cast, Donald Trump won the electoral college by a significant margin among other similar claims. He's been running Facebook ads featuring videos and pictures of him speaking at the rally that call for sending a fearless fighter like MAGA Mo to the Senate, and saying America can't tolerate any more cowering, wimpy Republicans. Brooks' campaign spokesman told Axios: "The 2020 presidential election was the most fraudulent in American history. Congressman Mo Brooks believes ... that, if only lawful ballots cast by eligible American citizens were counted, Donald Trump won the 2020 election." Shortly after Eastman entered the race, a new super PAC emerged to back her, dubbed Restore Common Sense USA. It's spent more than $400,000 on her behalf since mid-December. FEC filings show the group is linked to Fred Eshelman, a wealthy North Carolina pharmaceutical executive. He didn't respond to Axios' inquiries. Eshelman previously gave $2 million to the conservative group True the Vote for its efforts to root out supposed 2020 voter fraud. He later sued the group to recoup the money, citing allegedly lackluster efforts. Be smart: Widespread fraud in the 2020 election, while in reality nonexistent, has become an article of faith among the conservative grassroots. House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) said Wednesday he will not participate with the Jan. 6 select committee's request to interview him about his communications with former President Trump. Driving the news: McCarthy, the highest-ranking elected official the panel has asked for information, said that he had nothing to add and criticized the panel's "abuse of power." "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 a statement. The big picture: The committee has also requested information from Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), the top Republican on the House Judiciary Committee, and Rep. Scott Perry (R-Pa.), the chair of the House Freedom Caucus. Both refused to cooperate. The committee is weighing whether it has the authority to bring subpoenas against sitting members of Congress. "I just don't even think that's a close question," said Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) of the legality of subpoenas. He said the committee has had "no formal discussions" about the matter since returning from break. What they're saying: "You have acknowledged speaking directly with the former President while the violence was underway on January 6th," Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.), the chair of the committee, wrote to McCarthy in a letter. Thompson said the content of their conversations on Jan. 6 "bears directly on President Trump's state of mind" during the attack. Thompson also cited McCarthy's support for election objections after the attack. The 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," he wrote. Other questions Thompson said the committee has for McCarthy revolve around his conversations with Trump and the White House in the aftermath of Jan. 6, including about censure, impeachment, resignation and the 25th Amendment. Thompson said the committee is "concerned about the potential for continued violence," asking McCarthy if he communicated concerns about violence in the lead-up to Jan. 6 with the Trump administration. Thompson also said the committee has questions about McCarthy's Jan. 28 meeting with Trump at Mar-a-Lago, specifically whether Trump or his team nudged McCarthy to defend Trump during the impeachment trial. What's next: Thompson said the committee would like to meet with McCarthy on Feb. 3 or 4, or the week of Feb. 7. McCarthy has frequently railed against the committee since withdrawing his appointees in July. Editor's note: This article has been updated with comment from McCarthy. The violent arrest of three Palestinian teenagers by Palestinian police in the city of Jenin in the West Bank led to an unprecedented attack by a local militia against the Palestinian Authority headquarters in the city. Why it matters: The incident was another signal of the PA's deteriorating control in the occupied West Bank. Driving the news: Last Friday, Palestinian police arrested the teens, reportedly for an alleged traffic violation. In an incident that was caught on video and went viral on social media, the police beat the teenagers after they appeared to resist arrest. One of the teens was the son of Zakaria Zubeidi, the former local commander of the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade, the military wing of President Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah party. Zubeidi was arrested in 2019 on terror charges and was one of six Palestinian prisoners who escaped from an Israeli jail last September before being recaptured. After the teens' arrest, armed members of the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade attacked Palestinian security forces in Jenin with live fire and explosive devices. At the same time, hundreds of Fatah members, some of them armed, rallied in Jenin's refugee camp calling for the release of the three teenagers. They were released the next day, and the PA announced it would prosecute the policemen who were involved in the arrest. The big picture: The events in Jenin were the worst in a series of violent incidents in the West Bank over the last several months. Marutian voiced the allegations on December 22 shortly before the municipal assembly ousted him in a vote of no confidence initiated by its majority loyal to Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian. He claimed that during his three-year tenure he routinely received phone calls from unnamed various officials asking for construction permits, land allocations, tax advantages and other privileges for people close to them. He did not name any of them, saying only that he rejected all such requests. Marutian further alleged that Armenias most high-ranking officials repeatedly pressured him to sack municipal employees posting or liking comments on social media critical of Pashinians government. He said he withstood that pressure as well. Armenias Office of the Prosecutor-General pledged to look into the allegations. A spokesman for the law-enforcement agency, Gor Abrahamian, said on Thursday that it has decided not open a criminal case because Marutian refused to name names or give other details after being summoned to the Armenian police for questioning. He said that what he stated in his speech was an overall evaluation of practices and that he has no desire to submit any [crime] report and give any explanations, Abrahamian told RFE/RLs Armenian Service. And since we did not manage to obtain other facts during verification actions the matter was left without consequences. Abrahamian also claimed that prosecutors found no evidence of government pressure exerted on city council members refusing to impeach Marutian. Two such members affiliated with the pro-government My Step bloc claimed late last month to have been blackmailed ahead of the vote of no confidence. My Step leaders denied such pressure. Pashinian had chosen Marutian to lead My Steps list of candidates in the last municipal elections held in September 2018 and won by the bloc. Relations between the two men deteriorated after the 2020 war over Nagorno-Karabakh. Marutian increasingly distanced himself from Pashinians team in the following months and pointedly declined to support it during snap parliamentary elections held in June 2021. 1 dead, 8 still trapped in SW China's flooded power station Xinhua) 15:02, January 13, 2022 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. (Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun) Deputy Phillip Campas was a Marine and a member of the SWAT team in the Kern County Sheriffs Office. He died in the line of duty July 25 whil Bluefield, WV (24701) Today A mix of clouds and sun with a slight chance of thunderstorms this afternoon. High 79F. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 30%.. Tonight Isolated thunderstorms during the evening. Cloudy skies after midnight. Low 62F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 30%. Eight people were taken to the hospital Wednesday morning after a smoky fire burned in their Hartford apartment building. Seven were treated for smoke inhalation from the fire at 105 Preston St. in the South End. One woman broke her ankle when she jumped from a window to get away from the smoke, Deputy Chief Kenneth Kowal said. Twenty families have been displaced. Advertisement The fire in the three-story building was reported about 9:15 a.m., and as firefighters rushed to the scene, they heard reports that people were trapped inside or hanging out windows, he said. There was a lot of smoke on all three floors, Kowal said. Advertisement A man is helped from a smoky fire on Preston Street in Hartford Wednesday morning. (Patrick Dooley/Squad Fire Photos) Two residents were helped down a ground ladder from the third floor, and power ladders were used to rescue three others from the second and third floors on the other side of the building, Kowal said. A woman on the first floor didnt wait to be helped and jumped 6 or 7 feet to the asphalt below, breaking her ankle. Although she wasnt very high up, a jump like that onto the blacktop would do it, the deputy chief said. Breaking News As it happens Get the latest updates on Coronavirus and other breaking news events happening across Connecticut > The fire, which didnt spread beyond a first-floor apartment, was knocked down and under control by 9:35 a.m., Kowal said. But while the flames didnt spread, the smoke did which is reminiscent of the fire in the Bronx Sunday that killed 17. All 17 people, including eight children, died of smoke inhalation. In the Bronx fire, officials believe a door that stayed open allowed smoke to rise through the high-rise. Kowal doesnt know if thats the reason smoke traveled in Hartfords fire Wednesday. I was getting reports a lot of apartments were pretty charged up with smoke, he said. If an apartment door is closed and well sealed, a resident can stay safe in the apartment even when the hallway fills with smoke, Kowal said. Firefighters at the scene of a smoky fire on Preston Street Wednesday morning. Eight people were injured. (Patrick Dooley/Squad Fire Photos) Inspectors determined Wednesday afternoon that the 29 adults and seven children who live in the building may not return to their apartments because of damage that includes compromised electrical components, District Chief Mario Oquendo said. The fire departments Special Services Unit is working with the American Red Cross to help the families find a place to stay. Representatives of the fire marshals office were investigating the cause of the fire. Advertisement Christine Dempsey may be reached at cdempsey@courant.com. Stephanie Galla | Texas Parks & Wildlife The 26th annual Great Texas Birding Classic will take place from April 15 to May 15, with registration ending on April 1. There will also be a conservation grant deadline of May 1. "Gather your team, register, and go birding - it's truly that simple," Texas Parks and Wildlife, which hosts the event, wrote on its website. Beaumont has officially confirmed its first case of the COVID-19 omicron variant as the regions infusion therapy supplies drop and hospitalizations rise. The positive result came from a 74-year-old man, according to a Beaumont news release. On Wednesday, the city reported 276 new cases of COVID-19 and two deaths a man and a woman, who were both 57 and had underlying health conditions. The first case of omicron has appeared as the availability of COVID-19 antibody infusion therapy supplies become more limited in Southeast Texas. Related: Jefferson Co. to limit COVID infusions Jefferson County Judge Jeff Branick on Wednesday said the county was expected to receive only 84 doses of Sotrovimab from the state nearly two-thirds of last weeks already-lagging allocation for the Regional Infusion Center in Beaumont. That is less than 10% of the order of 1,200 infusions of Sotrovimab that the county requested two weeks ago, he said. Weve been scrambling trying to find other infusion media to utilize, Branick said Sotrovimab is the only antibody therapy that has proven successful in fighting omicron, which has become the nations most dominant strand of the novel coronavirus. Due to the low supply, the county already has limited who can now receive infusions in the region. Patients considered "high risk," or those more likely to see the most severe impacts from COVID-19, are being prioritized. The states contract has been able to secure allocations of Bam and Regeneron which are alternative, but less optimal, infusion therapies. The therapies will be dispensed in accordance with physician directives, Branick said. Based on current supply, the center is expected to be able to provide 60 infusions per day through a combination of all three therapies and based on the physician directives at the center, Branick said. While infusion therapy supplies decline, the area has seen an increase in hospitalizations. However, patients seem to be hospitalized for shorter durations when compared to a previous surge caused largely by the delta variant, Branick said. My conversations with the local medical people doesnt lead me to believe that they are alarmed right now, Branick said. Im told that they are able to get people in and released much more quickly, so we dont have patients taking up beds for weeks. It is normally a day or few days. The vast majority of those who are able to be released are able to go home and convalesce. meagan.ellsworth@beaumontenterprise.com twitter.com/megzmagpie Police are asking the public for any information regarding aggravated robberies that happened at three Beaumont businesses in less than an hour on Tuesday evening. The Beaumont Police Department received the calls at 7:08 p.m. from OReilly Auto Parts at 1040 Washington Blvd., 7:17 p.m. from Family Dollar at 2290 Gulf St., and 7:45 p.m. at Dominoes Pizza at 1395 College St.. Driving down Prairie Ave. in Beaumont, there's one house that stands above the rest -- literally. The light green house stands on stilts, rising above the flood line that in 2019 damaged the previous house, which stood on the lot for almost seven decades. On Wednesday, the old home became new again. Ava Williams received the keys to her new house, the first in Southeast Texas to be rebuilt after Tropical Depression Imelda under the Texas General Land Office's Homeowner Assistance and Reimbursement Programs funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Just 37 days ago, the old house was being demolished and now it is completely finished and ready to move into, which Williams is planning on doing this weekend. The smell of fresh paint fills the home, and Williams guided guests through each of the rooms: two bedrooms, two bathrooms, living and dining room, kitchen and utility room. Williams said it will be nice to sleep in her own home again. She's spent the past 37 days in a hotel, though she was able to spend Christmas with her nephews, she said. "In a sense, (this) will be a new beginning," Williams said. "But it will (also) be a continuation with the same people -- my children and grandchildren." Williams said her grandchildren are especially excited about the new house and have already asked when they can come over. Williams has lived on the property for almost 50 years and she and the former house weathered many storms, even some that left damage in their wake, such as Hurricane Carla in 1961 and Hurricane Rita in 2005. But Imelda was different. "It came in so strong, the rain," she said. "When I went to bed it had been raining, but it rains in Southeast Texas. But I had no idea it would flood the way it flooded. It's more than an ocean." Initially, Williams said the flood covered her porch and entered her garage, ruining her car and her washing machine and causing plumbing issues until the water receded. But the real damage happened underneath the house. "Under the house, the water got so high, it rotted the bottom -- the flooring and stuff," she said. "I felt the house move." Now, Williams is confident that her house could withstand another Imelda. And GLO is, too. "The house is built 2 feet over base flood elevation or to the floodline of the previous event," said GLO Senior Deputy Director of Disaster Recovery Programs Heather Lagrone. "(The house) is Energy Star compliant and it is built to a windstorm requirement as well." Lagrone said the home is sustainable and resilient and should last Williams a very long time. "We are excited to be in Beaumont, where we are quite a bit," said GLO Director of Communications Brittany Eck as she presented Williams her newly-minted keys. "We're excited because these are good, quality homes that we are here rebuilding." Eck said the office still has funds available for Jefferson County residents and encouraged those whose homes were affected by Imelda to apply online. The sight of recovery and progress is one of joy for the community, said Beaumont city Ward III Council memberAudwin Samuel, who attended the key ceremony. "To see us getting replacement homes and rebuilding homes, that says Beaumont is still moving forward," he said. "That's a great trauma, to be removed from home. There's no place like home." The new house also represents another step forward in Beaumont's goal to become more resilient to future storms, Samuel said. "We're seeing it here and there across the city with other programs," he said. "But we just have to continue to do what we can to make people whole, because that's probably one of the biggest tragedies you can see, other than losing a family member, is losing a home." Samuel said it's great that some people are able to come back because of rebuilt homes, but that there are a lot of people still hurting because they may not have qualified for previous programs. "If we can do a little bit of help, help a person rebuild, restore and restore faith, that's what it's all about," he said. Full reconstructions, like Williams' home, cost around $225,000 to $250,000, Lagrone said. Eck said the cost has gone up due to supply chain issues. The new homes are rebuilt with the number of family members residing in the home in mind, Lagrone said. For example, if the demolished home had three bedrooms but six people living in the home, the rebuilt home might have five bedrooms. And if a previously larger home has only one resident, the new home might be smaller. Lagrone said that Southeast Texas has taken a beating from storms in the pastfive years. "For five years running, (Southeast Texas) got declarations that rose to the level of a supplemental allocation from HUD," she said. "So, the normal money from the federal government plus our own resources wasn't enough for recovery." The ability to build back houses like Williams' will make a huge difference in people's lives during the next storm, Lagrone said. After years of storms and the chance of some ahead, Williams said she doesn't plan on leaving Beaumont. "It's home," she said. "Even the neighborhood -- it's not what it used to be -- but I have good neighbors here. They watch out for me." olivia.malick@hearst.com twitter.com/OliviaMalick Joanna Smiley of Simsbury told police a man walked up to her car Tuesday, damaged a Black Lives Matter decal and pasted a Donald Trump sticker over it. (Courtesy of Joanna Smiley) Joanna Smiley said a routine errand in Simsbury turned frightening for her 8-year-old daughter when a man came up to their parked car, banged on the window, angrily tried to tear off a Black Lives Matter sticker and then pasted a Trump decal over it. I came out of the store with a snack for her, I asked if she was OK she said No, Im not OK. A man was slapping at our window, " Smiley said Wednesday. Thats not what you want to hear your child say. Advertisement Smiley called police from the parking lot and also notified the manager of a nearby CVS because her daughter said the man went there after walking away from the car. Officers checked with stores near Fitzgeralds supermarket where Smiley was parked to see if surveillance video captured the incident. Deputy Chief Chris Davis said officers did not find witnesses Tuesday but will continue talking with nearby businesses. Advertisement Smiley followed up with police Wednesday afternoon to say that she wants to press charges if a suspect is found. Smiley, who is white, said she views the incident as a hate crime and finds it troubling that it happened just days before Martin Luther King Day. Smiley, a freelance writer and West Hartford native who has lived in San Diego, Pittsburg and New York City, said it was sad that this happened in the town where she has resided for the past four years. I love Simsbury, I feel so at peace here. There are so many good people here trying to do the right thing, she said Wednesday. But this is not the first instance of discrimination Ive heard about here. Not everyone has the chutzpah to go public. Smiley posted an account of the incident on two Simsbury community pages on Facebook, saying she believes discussion about social justice is badly needed in town because of the political climate over the past several years. Open dialogue is so key. The soul of Simsbury is in danger right now, she said. The town, which is overwhelming white and among the most affluent in Greater Hartford, has organized numerous roundtables on racism and bias in recent years. The town council in 2020 declared racism a public health crisis and designated the local SPIRIT Council as a formal municipal committee to explore diversity issues. Im very disappointed to hear this happened, First Selectman Wendy Mackstutis said Wednesday afternoon when she learned of the incident. Deacon Art Miller of St. Marys Church responded to Smileys Facebook post, saying Thank you. We shall not be quiet in the face of violence. Advertisement Five Things You Need To Know Daily We're providing the latest coronavirus coverage in Connecticut each weekday morning. > Smiley said her daughter, Zoe, was shaken up by the incident, but was able to go to school Wednesday. Smiley was driving her home from school Tuesday afternoon around 2:50 when she stopped at Fitzgeralds to get her a snack. Zoe has diabetes and Smiley was concerned about her blood sugar; the incident happened while Smiley was in the store and Zoe was in the car. Smiley said shed had no argument with other drivers or shoppers, and that her daughter didnt recognize the man who approached the parked car. She described him as in his 20s or 30s with brown hair. I have a lot of stickers on my car that are reflections of my values as a person. There are two Stars of David, two Ruth Bader Ginsburg stickers, two Black Lives Matter stickers, an equality sticker, she said. He wasnt interested in the others. He tried peeling off a Black Lives Matter sticker; he tore it, but it didnt come off. Thats when he put a Trump sticker over it. Smiley said she was able to remove the Trump sticker and hopes to get a replacement for her damaged decal. The Black Lives Matter sticker is half hanging off right now. Im leaving it on. Im purposefully not letting hatred win. Advertisement Don Stacom can be reached at dstacom@courant.com. U.S. Border Patrol agents discovered 24 migrants inside a tractor-trailer at the Interstate 35 checkpoint. A white tractor-trailer arrived at the Interstate 35 checkpoint at about 10:15 p.m. Jan. 6. Authorities identified the driver as Erica Dominguez, of Lubbock, during an immigration inspection. She was directed to secondary inspection after a K-9 unit allegedly alerted to possible contraband within the 18-wheeler. Agents then removed a security seal and opened the trailer doors to discover 24 people. All were migrants from the countries of Mexico, Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala. Homeland Security Investigations special agents took over the case. In a post-arrest interview, Dominguez stated that she traveled with friends from Lubbock to Laredo about two days prior to her arrest. She stated that while at a bar in Laredo, a man approached her and her friends asking if they wanted to make some money. This individual allegedly offered Dominguez $3,500 to transport brake rotors from Laredo to Dallas. She agreed to the job and waited for instructions prior to her arrest. Dominguez stated she did not know the delivery address in Dallas. She expected to receive that information once reaching San Antonio. Further investigation revealed that she did not have a commercial drivers license, according to an arrest affidavit. Dominguez was charged with transport, attempt to transport and conspire to transport the migrants. Sign up for The Brief, our daily newsletter that keeps readers up to speed on the most essential Texas news. A federal lawsuit filed in Illinois over the weekend accuses 16 private universities including Rice University in Houston of using a shared formula to calculate the financial needs of student applicants in a way that unfairly limits aid to students who need it. The lawsuit's plaintiffs are five five former students from some of those schools who say the universities are violating antitrust laws, which prohibit competitors from conspiring to set prices. A Rice University spokesperson declined to comment on the pending lawsuit. The suit claims that by limiting financial aid, this group of schools engaged in price-fixing, reducing competition and inflating the cost of attendance for those who receive financial aid. The plaintiffs calculated that the scheme affects more than 170,000 financial aid recipients at a cost running into the hundreds of millions of dollars. In critical respects, elite, private universities like Defendants are gatekeepers to the American Dream, the lawsuit states. Defendants misconduct is therefore particularly egregious because it has narrowed a critical pathway to upward mobility that admission to their institutions represents. Universities that do not take into account a students financial aid, known as a "need-blind policy," are allowed to collaborate on guidelines to assess a candidates financial need, as part of an exemption of antitrust laws provided by Congress in 1994. The schools are known collectively as the 568 Presidents Group. It was named after Section 568 of the law that allowed them to discuss the guidelines for financial aid. In 2003, the group established a shared methodology to determine a familys ability to pay for college. Schools were prohibited from favoring wealthier candidates so they could give away less scholarship money. But this lawsuit claims that nine of the schools do consider a student or students familys financial situation at certain points of the admissions process. It says some schools have admitted wealthy students of past or potential donors. It also accuses some schools of giving preference to wealthier students in deciding whom to admit off the universitys waitlist. Therefore, the lawsuit states, all schools that meet as part of this group have conspired to shrink the amount of funding they provide students, which means they are not exempt from antitrust laws. Rice is not listed as one of the nine schools accused of taking an applicant's finances into account during admissions. Instead, the lawsuit states that it is one of seven defendants that may or may not have considered applicants' financial need. And it argues those seven schools should have known the other nine were not abiding by need-blind admissions practices. According to the complaint, Rice joined the group in 1998 and implemented the methodology in 2003. The school then left, but rejoined again in 2017. The lawsuit asks for a permanent end to the collaboration among the schools, as well as damages. The antitrust exemption is set to expire at the end of September unless Congress renews it. Disclosure: Rice University 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. 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 956-728-2543 Sign up for The Brief, our daily newsletter that keeps readers up to speed on the most essential Texas news. 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 operation 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. A federal court has upheld a new state law that eliminates a religious exemption to state vaccination requirements for communicable diseases, including COVID-19, for public and private school students. Two organizations, We the Patriots USA and CT Freedom Alliance, joined three parents with different religious beliefs in a suit against a variety of state agencies and local school boards in an effort to block enforcement of the law. The groups and the parents claimed the new law violates a number of constitutional protections, among them the freedom to practice religion and rear children. Advertisement U.S. District Judge Janet Bond Arterton dismissed the suit in its entirety. She said the state agencies, as arms of the state, are immune from such suits, and the two organizations lacked standing to sue because they could not show how they are specifically harmed by the law. The parent claims fail, Arterton said, because, among other things, the Supreme Court has upheld mandatory vaccination laws in public health emergencies and the new law is constitutional because it is a neutral law of general applicability which is rationally related to a legitimate state purpose. Vaccines save lives, said Attorney General William Tong, whos office defended the law. The legislatures action was fully lawful and necessary to protect public health. The plaintiffs threw a laundry list of claims against the state, and every single count was dismissed. I want to thank the attorneys in my office for their excellent work arguing this case on behalf of the state and the thousands of children, families and educators who will be safer due to this outcome. Advertisement The parents a Protestant, a Catholic and a Muslim argued that vaccines contain cell lines derived from aborted fetal cells and that injecting themselves and their children with such cells would amount to what one parent called participation in an act of intentional, premeditated murder. They also claimed vaccines contain animal derivatives, including pork. One parent said she was forbidden by religion from ingesting pork and another said she is raising her children as vegans for religious reasons. Other civic and religious groups joined Tongs office in its defense of the law as friends of the court. They described themselves in a filing with the court as believing that the right to exercise religion freely is precious, but that it was never intended to override protections for peoples safety and health. They argued that childhood vaccinations have prevented more than 100 million cases of severe disease, that all 50 states impose vaccination requirements on children attending schools, and that recent anti-vaccination sentiment has led to resurgences of dangerous diseases such as measles, mumps, and pertussis. The new state law requires immunizations for all children before enrolling in school. Before 2021, students could apply for medical or religious exemptions to that requirement. The new law eliminated the religious exemption, while grandfathering students in kindergarten through grade 12 who had already received such exemptions. The General Assembly eliminated the religious exemption for school children at the height of the coronavirus pandemic and after lengthy debate and widespread protest. Few issues have been as contentious and polarizing as the effort to rescind the religious exemption, which had been part of state law since 1959. There were mass protests outside the Capitol as the legislation was debated. Gov. Ned Lamont signed the law in late April. When it comes to the safety of our children, we need to take an abundance of caution, he said. This legislation is needed to protect our kids against serious illnesses that have been well-controlled for many decades, such as measles, tuberculosis, and whooping cough, but have reemerged. In recent years, the number of children in our state who have not received routine vaccinations has been steadily increasing, which has been mirrored by significant growth in preventable diseases across the nation. I want to make it clear, he said, this law does not take away the choice of parents to make medical decisions for their children. But, if they do choose not to have their children vaccinated, this bill best ensures that other children and their families will not be exposed to these deadly diseases for hours each day in our schools. The world is full of bad habits. People across every continent smoke despite knowing how damaging it is to their bodies. Citizens of every country overindulge in alcohol even though they know it is addictive, dangerous and, at the very least, leads to unpleasant hangovers and utter humiliation when they are drunk. Members of every nationality and religion have terrible habits that they simply cannot seem to break. Sometimes, however, people do not even realize they have such bad habits. In fact, sometimes people do not even realize that their habits are problematic at all. Most people tend to assume that whatever is common is accepted. Whatever is considered normal is thought to be right. This, however, is not always accurate. It is completely possible for unsavory behavior to be widespread, but that does not mean that such behavior is acceptable. Christians are not immune to this phenomenon. Plenty of Christians have adopted or failed to break terrible habits simply because the habits are so common that Christians seem to have forgotten that they were unacceptable in the first place. Here are six common habits that all Christians need to break. Little White Lies Shutterstock.com Everyone tells several lies a day. If you doubt that you lie that often, ask yourself how often you say that you are doing well even when you are miserable or how often you tell someone you are pleased to meet them when you really could care less. Consider how often you say that something is no problem even when it is a great inconvenience. How many times a day do you say you are sorry when you are not actually sorry at all? These are small things, the epitome of little white lies, but they are still lies. Christians know that they should not lie. Many of them do it regardless and justify those little white lies by claiming they are sparing someone elses feelings or simply following social convention. Christians are called, however, to be better than this world. As Romans 12 says, Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Stop telling those little lies. If your honest opinion would hurt someone, deflect the question, but cease outright lying. Taking the Lords Name in Vain Pixabay.com Most Christians would claim that they do not use the Lords name in vain, but a great many do exactly that relatively regularly. That is, after all, what a person is doing whenever they say Oh my God in shock, excitement or anger. God, Lord and Jesus Christ are all commonly used as exclamations or as a sort of curse when someone is upset. Christians know better than this, yet they continue to take the Lords name in vain. Part of the reason for this, no doubt, is that it has become so normalized. People say Oh my God so much that it has become shortened to OMG in text and online speech, and few people think twice about yelping Jesus! when they are startled. Overexposure to this sort of blasphemy has dulled Christians responses to it, but it is time Christians stopped going along with it. Judging Others Shutterstock.com The Bible makes it very clear what sort of things people should judge each other on, nothing at all. Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, states the Gospel of Matthew. Most Christians know that verse well. Not many are terribly good at living up to what it calls people to do. Many Christians look down on others for some reason. Some judge their fellow believers for not being quite as pious or devoted as the judger feels that they are themselves. Other Christians sneer at people for how they dress, speak or their job. Avoiding judgement also means avoiding snap condemnations based on either a single remark or the group to which a person belongs. It has become common and fashionable to declare people to be racists, communists, sexists and bigots due to nothing more than their political party or a single reshared post. Though no one wants to talk about it, this sort of thinking is a form of passing judgment, and it does nothing more than deepen the divides between people. Hedonism Shutterstock.com Most Christians would whole-heartedly reject the idea that they are hedonistic. In reality, however, many Christians live a more hedonistic life than they believe. One indicator is the fact that a large number of modern Christians are surprisingly wasteful. Someone who lives a frugal, humble life is not going to waste much. Someone who is all about the pleasures of life and the senses, however, is more likely to cast aside what no longer interests them, regardless of whether that item still has a use. When most people think of hedonism and waste, they tend to visualize someone who drinks good alcohol all the time and throws out perfectly good food after eating only a few bites. Religiously saving your leftovers is not enough to absolve you of accusations of hedonism. Think about how often you get a new phone or tablet. Do you run out to the store as soon as the new model arrives despite the fact that your old phone works just fine? Do you regularly buy new clothing in order to stay in style, regardless of whether or not you need it? If you do, you should probably reexamine your habits. Taking Poor Care of the Body Unsplash.com Paul states in 1 Corinthians that Christians bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in [them]Therefore, [they should] honor God with [their] bodies. This means that Christians should take care of their physical needs as well as their spiritual. Unfortunately, some Christians scorn their physical needs either out of a desire to focus on the spiritual or a lack of interest or knowledge in their own health. Denying the body, even for good reasons, is not a good thing for Christians to do. They need to make sure they get enough sleep, exercise regularly and eat right. This means that occasionally they may need to pass up the pie the pastor made or miss a Sunday morning service in order to catch up on missed sleep. Physical needs are not something that human beings can simply will away, and Christians are not the exception to that rule. Hypocrisy Shutterstock.com Hypocrisy is perhaps the most common sin in the world right now. One father sneers at another for not spending enough time with his children, but when he goes to the park with his children, he spends the whole time tapping away at his phone. A woman sneers at how vain another woman must be for wearing so much make-up and blithely ignores how much money she herself spends ensuring she has the latest fashions. Hypocrisy is nothing new, but it was one of the minor sins Christ most despised. There are almost endless stories of Jesus calling out the Pharisees for their hypocrisy, and He undoubtedly would do the same to many Christians today. This is especially true for those who claim to love tolerance and diversity but refuse to be civil to someone of the opposing political party or attempt to intimidate and ostracize those who think differently from them. Every Christian has bad habits that they need to break. This should not be surprising. After all, no one is perfect. The problem, however, can come from Christians having bad habits that are very common. People do not always register common things as problematic even though common does not necessarily equal good. It is easy for Christians to fall into this trap, but Christians need to examine their habits and tendencies to make sure that they are truly living righteous lives rather than simply conforming to the patterns of an imperfect world. Indonesia and Malaysia, two of ASEANs founders, on Thursday criticized the Cambodian prime ministers controversial trip to crisis-ridden Myanmar last week, with Kuala Lumpurs top diplomat saying Hun Sen should have consulted other members of the bloc first. An official at Indonesias foreign ministry, meanwhile, urged Cambodia to stick to what the 10-member regional bloc had agreed to in meetings, including a five-point consensus to put Myanmar on the path to democracy. The public comments from the officials were the first by ASEAN member-states outside Cambodia and Myanmar after Huns Sens trip to Naypyidaw on Jan. 7-8. Malaysia is of the opinion that [Hun Sen] has the right to visit Myanmar as head of government of Cambodia, Malaysian Foreign Minister Saifuddin Abdullah told reporters at a dinner in Kuala Lumpur, when asked about Hun Sens visit to Myanmar. However, we also feel that because he has already assumed the chair of ASEAN, he could have probably consulted if not all, a few other ASEAN leaders and seek their views as what he should do if he were to go to Myanmar, Saifuddin added, referring to Cambodias role as the 2022 holder of the blocs rotating chairmanship. The Southeast Asian bloc took a hard line against Myanmar late last year when it disinvited coup leader Min Aung Hlaing from its top meeting of the year, the ASEAN summit, because the senior general had reneged on the five-point consensus. Similarly, before that, an ASEAN special envoy to Myanmar canceled his trip there after he was told he could not meet all parties in the conflict, including democracy leaders such as Aung San Suu Kyi. Hun Sen, though, upon assuming the chairmanship of ASEAN, promptly said that the junta should be represented at meetings. He then dashed off to Myanmar, met the junta leader and did not meet democracy leaders. ASEAN members needed to work in concert to achieve progress in hammering out a solution to the situation in Myanmar, Abdul Kadir Jailani, director general for Asia, the Pacific and Africa at the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, told reporters in Jakarta on Thursday. We hope that the Cambodian chairmanship can consistently implement what has been agreed [to] in previous ASEAN meetings the implementation of the five-point consensus and make efforts to achieve significant progress, he said. Thats what we have to work on together. Noeleen Heyzer, the United Nations special envoy on Myanmar, meanwhile stressed the same point in a conversation with Hun Sen on Thursday. 'No significant progress' Indonesia, the largest and most populous nation in Southeast Asia, along with Malaysia, were among the five original members of ASEAN when it was born in 1967. The bloc has long operated on the principle of consensus in collective actions and policies. The Indonesian and Malaysian officials made their comments a day after Cambodia canceled an in-person ASEAN foreign ministers meeting in Siem Reap set for Jan. 18-19, citing travel difficulties for regional diplomats. But, according to analysts, the shelving happened likely because several of the blocs-member states had decided not to attend the meeting in protest of Hun Sens unilateralism on Myanmar. Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Singapore have previously backed shutting out the military regimes representatives from these gatherings for his failure to implement ASEANs consensus reached last April, two months after the Feb. 1 coup that toppled an elected Burmese government. When asked which countries this time around had reservations about Hun Sens trip, Saifuddin declined to name names, but said there were some which said the Cambodian PM had the right to visit Myanmar. There are people who think that he should not have taken the visit because his visit has been construed as some recognition to the military junta of Myanmar, Saifuddin said. But there are also others who feel that, well, as the head of government of Cambodia, he has the liberty to visit Myanmar for what is seen as normal bilateral visit. President Jokowi called him before his visit and I am sure you have read the discussion between Hun Sen and Jokowi. Saifuddin was referring to comments made on Twitter by Indonesian President Joko Jokowi Widodo after a phone conversation with Hun Sen. Should there be no significant progress on the implementation of 5PCs [five-point consensus], Myanmar should only be represented by non-political level at ASEAN meetings, Jokowi had said. And when asked whether Hun Sens trip to Myanmar had achieved anything, Saifuddin replied no. Regarding Cambodias postponement of the ASEAN foreign ministers meeting, Saifuddin said the Omicron situation and other diplomats prior commitments meant that not everyone could attend. As for Indonesias Abdul Kadir, he said that Indonesia understood that the postponement was due to travel restrictions following the spread of the Omicron variant of COVID-19. But at the same time, we must also admit that within ASEAN there are still many things that we need to iron out in order to come to a common stand on the issue of Myanmars representation, he said. We know that there has been no significant progress ... so Indonesia is consistent with the previous decision taken by ASEAN that Myanmar should only be represented by non-political representatives. Cambodia did not announce when the foreign ministers meeting would take place, and Indonesias Abdul Kadir also said he did not know either. What we know is that the physical meeting will be postponed. As for a new date or whether it will be held virtually, we are still communicating, he said. United Nations Special Envoy on Myanmar Noeleen Heyzer (right, on television screen) speaks to Hun Sen, Prime Minister of Cambodia (left, on TV screen) at a virtual meeting, in Phnom Penh, Jan. 13, 2022. [Photo courtesy of Samdech Hun Sen, Cambodian Prime Minister via Facebook] Cant be at a stalemate Muhammad Arif, an international relations professor at the University of Indonesia, said any upcoming ASEAN meeting would be key to determining progress on Myanmar. If in the next ASEAN meeting, Myanmar is represented in full official capacity and with full diplomatic credentials, it will clearly be a setback for Indonesia, which rejects the military junta in Myanmar, he told BenarNews. Divisions within ASEAN will also only embolden the military rulers in Myanmar, he said. He [Hun Sen] should speak in his capacity as chairman of ASEAN and his recommendations should be in line with the five-point consensus. The emphasis should be on seeking constructive dialogue involving all parties, Arif said. For his part, Cambodias PM Hun Sen took to Facebook on Thursday to defend his meeting with Burmese junta chief Min Aung Hlaing. He said the meeting between him and the Burmese military leader was in line with the ASEAN constitution and the blocs five-point consensus. Cambodias plan over the recent visit to Burma as the ASEAN chair is to seek solutions to end the violence, and [ensure a] ceasefire, which are in line with the five- point consensus. In addition, [the meeting aims] to provide humanitarian aid needed by Myanmar during this transition period, he wrote. We cant be at a stalemate and we need to seek solutions to resolve this deadlock in order to find an opportunity for negotiation. One regional analyst, Derek Grossman, said via Twitter on Thursday that he believes the divisions in ASEAN are stark. Hun Sens recent Myanmar visit exposes deep ASEAN fissures. Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines and Singapore are against legitimizing the junta. But Cambodia along with Laos, Vietnam and Thailand all likely think theres no other option, said the senior defense analyst at the RAND Corporation, a U.S. think-tank. ASEAN is in trouble. The Khmer Service of Radio Free Asia contributed to this report. BenarNews is a unit of RFA. Anas Abdulrahman, who heads the negotiating team representing BRN rebels in Malaysia-brokered peace talks with Thailand, joins fellow delegates Che Muda (left) and Mohamad Shamsul (right) during a press conference near Kuala Lumpur, Jan. 13, 2022. Updated at 5:20 p.m. ET on 2022-01-13 Malaysia handed three suspected insurgents to Thailand this week, as Thai and rebel negotiators wrapped up their first in-person peace talks in nearly two years, officials in Thailands troubled Deep South said Thursday. The handover was the first official transfer in about 25 years of prisoners associated with the separatist insurgency in Thailands southern border region, a military source indicated. The Malay-speaking insurgents have long been known to seek haven across the border. Authorities took custody of three suspected insurgents handed over from Malaysia on Wednesday, Thailands Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC) said Thursday. The insurgents escaped after committing crimes in the Deep South and went into hiding in Malaysia, but were captured by Malaysias 6th Infantry Division at illicit routes near Durian Burung, Kedah State, on Dec. 25, 2021, ISOC said in a statement. The transfer at the Sadao border crossing in southern Songkhla province, on the Thai-Malaysia frontier, took place on day two of Malaysia-brokered talks between representatives of the Thai government and the Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN) rebel group at a hotel near Kuala Lumpur. The three suspects had criminal records, Thai authorities said, describing them as members of RKK (Runda Kumpulan Kecil), a combat unit of BRN. They have been taken to a regional police office for further investigation, officials said. On Thursday, people on both sides of the border insisted that the handover was not related to the peace talks. This issue is not linked to last night's peace talks, said a Malaysian security source who spoke on condition of anonymity. We dont have any indication if the handover of the three was linked to the peace talks, or that the trio was opposed to the talks, said Artef Sohko, president of The Patani, a civil society group based in Southern Thailand. It is rare for Malaysia to extradite Deep South insurgents, said a Thai military source who requested anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to reporters. The last time Malaysia handed over suspected insurgents three key leaders of the PULO rebel group was in 1997, according to the source. Motorists line up at a checkpoint in Nong Chik, a district in southern Thailands Pattani province, as authorities restrict people traveling in and out as a preventive measure against the COVID-19 outbreak, March 31, 2020. [AFP] Outcome of talks During their talks the two negotiating teams agreed to form a joint working group to discuss a peaceful and inclusive political solution to the decades-old insurgency, according to the BRN. Patani has always supported the peace negotiation process with the hope that peace will return to the land of Patani, Anas Abdulrahman, also known as Hipni Mareh, who led the BRN delegation, told a news conference near Kuala Lumpur on Thursday. The BRN, a highly secretive organization, is the largest of armed groups waging a decades-old insurgency in the mainly Muslim and Malay-speaking Thai Deep South, and many BRN members and sympathizers are believed to be living on the Malaysian side of the border. The two parties agreed to form a Joint Working Group between BRN and the Thai government, Abdulrahman told reporters. We have yet to decide on when it will be the set up Hopefully, we have a working group before our next meeting this year, he said, adding that both parties had agreed to send representatives. The Thai governments Peace Dialogue Panel said the two sides proposed the establishment of a Joint Working Group, without explicitly saying they agreed to it. The two sides proposed the establishment of joint working groups which would support the peace dialogue process and allow the two sides to have a meaningful and flexible discussion with a tangible outcome, the Thai panel said in a statement Thursday. Both Abdulrahman and the Thai panel said the two sides discussed reducing violence, public consultations, and political solutions. If we are attacked, we will defend ourselves The armed separatist movement against Buddhist-majority Thailand began in the 1960s. The movements primary demand has been independence for the people of Patani, the name given to the southern border region by BRN and other separatist groups. Since the insurgency reignited in January 2004, more than 7,000 people have been killed and 13,500 injured in violence across the region, according to Deep South Watch, a local think-tank. Abdulrahman claimed the violence had decreased since the BRN announced a unilateral ceasefire due to the COVID-19 pandemic in April 2020. The global outbreak of the coronavirus disease forced peace talks that began in person in Kuala Lumpur to go online. Despite Abdulrahmans assertion, Thai security services in the Deep South have blamed BRN for carrying on with attacks in the region, including violent incidents in the weeks leading up to the resumption of in-person peace talks. [I]f we are attacked, we will defend ourselves, Abdulrahman said Thursday. BRN hopes that this peace talk will continue and will bring eternal and dignified peace to all people of Malay Patani, he said. The two sides also agreed to discuss governance, education, recognition of the Malay Patani identity, and the economic system in the south, the BRN chief negotiator said. He added that two international experts monitored this weeks meetings, which were facilitated by former police chief Abdul Rahim Noor on behalf of Malaysias government. Mourners gather before the cremation ceremony for nine people killed in an ambush by suspected militants, at the Lamphya Temple in southern Thailands Yala province, Nov. 12, 2019. [AFP] Political experts hailed the Kuala Lumpur meetings as a move in the right direction. This is a significant milestone as it sets the stage for the discussion on three main issues: reduction of violence, public consultation, and political solutions, said Rungrawee Chalermsripinyorat, a Deep South researcher and lecturer at the Prince of Songkla University. The peace talks, she said, were gradually moving from the confidence-building phase to the discussion on substantive matters. Peace talks are a lengthy process that require patience, she said. One good thing is that as long as the peace dialogue is continuing in a meaningful way, it should help contain the violence on the ground, while the negotiated agreement is yet to be found, she told BenarNews on Thursday. School children observe social distancing as they attend classes at an elementary school in Makati City, Philippines, Dec. 6, 2021. Manilas mayor on Thursday ordered that in-person and online classes be suspended in the capital city for six school days to give teachers and students time to rest and recover as the nation deals with a record-setting surge of COVID-19 infections. Mayor Francisco Domagosos announcement that all classes would be canceled on Friday through Jan. 21 came as the Philippines logged 34,021 infections a new one-day all-time high that officials have attributed to the Omicron variant. Domagosos Executive Order No. 07 was meant to be a breather for both teachers and students, whose families may be directly dealing with coronavirus. Earlier this week, a teachers alliance called for a two-week holiday. The City of Manila is declaring no classes at all levels, private and public schools. This will be called a health break in the City of Manila, Domagoso told reporters. So you have one week to rest and hopefully recover for the students who may be infected or their parents who may also be infected, as well as for the teachers and their families, he said. The parents anxiety level for their kids is increasing, this goes as well for the teachers, he said. The nation has topped 3 million COVID-19 infections since the pandemic began, according to the health department. The death toll with 82 on Thursday is more than 52,700. Teachers appeal Domagosos announcement came after the Alliance of Concerned Teachers on Tuesday appealed for a health break. In Facebook posts, the alliance said its own studies showed that more than 50 percent of all teachers surveyed in Manila were exhibiting flu-like symptoms. Teachers are humans, too. They are also exposed to the same health risks and are experiencing the same difficulties like everybody else, said Sen. Risa Hontiveros, a member of a Senate committee overseeing reforms in education. A two-week break is the amount of time for full quarantine and to let them rest, recover or attend to their familys needs, she said Thursday. The health and safety of both students and teachers should be the priority. Hontiveros also called on authorities to reconsider limited face-to-face classes. In November students began returning to selected schools after 20 months of contactless, virtual schooling. The Philippines was among the last in the world to lift education restrictions linked to the pandemic. Children ages 12 to 17 are eligible for vaccines which have not been approved for younger children. Health officials have noted the Omicron variant has played a role in the increased infections. President Rodrigo Duterte recently ordered local authorities to make sure those who are not vaccinated remain in their homes to prevent further spread. On Wednesday, government officials said those without vaccines would be denied public transportation, triggering complaints from rights groups. Authorities also expanded an alert status that covers Metro Manila and surrounding areas to major urban centers across the country. James Rovella, commissioner of the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, will meet with the leaders of the legislature's public safety committee Thursday regarding reduced traffic enforcement. Here, he speaks after Governor Ned Lamont signed two bills last year regarding gun safety. (Mark Mirko/The Hartford Courant) HARTFORD With highway enforcement down and traffic deaths up, state legislators will be meeting Thursday with the Connecticut state police commissioner to find solutions to improving public safety. Both Democratic and Republican lawmakers on the legislatures public safety committee will meet with James C. Rovella, a former Hartford police chief who now oversees the state police. Advertisement The meeting was prompted by statistics showing that traffic enforcement by the state police dropped by more than half since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite vehicles driving faster, enforcement has been down sharply in several major categories, including total stops, tickets issued, and warnings given to drivers. Traffic stops by troopers peaked most recently in 2014 with nearly 235,000 stops, according to statistics from the Institute of Municipal and Regional Policy at UConn in Hartford. That total fell to 157,007 in 2019 and then 75,988 in 2020 the year that the ongoing pandemic started. The total dropped further to 59,891 for the first 10 months of 2021. Advertisement State Rep. Greg Howard, the ranking House Republican on the committee, said in an interview that lawmakers are trying to find answers so they can make improvements during the next regular session that starts on Feb. 9. Cars stops are way down. Fatalities are up,' said Howard, a police officer in Stonington for the past 20 years. What is going on and how can we help? What is the root cause? What is the plan and how can we help?' Lawmakers will be asking Rovella for answers regarding both finances and policies. Only the leaders of the public safety committee rather than the full membership will participate in the meeting, which is not a public hearing. Both the state police brass and the troopers union have cited low staffing as a reason for fewer patrols on the highways and fewer traffic stops. The total of troopers peaked at 1,283 under Republican Gov. M. Jodi Rell about 15 years ago, and the number has dropped below 900 at times due to retirements before going back up over 900. Currently, 65 troopers are being trained at the police academy. An estimated 276 troopers will be eligible to retire by July 1, 2022 when changes in the cost-of-living adjustments in state pensions could prompt a large number of retirements. Attrition at the younger levels is an issue, too. State police made 127 offers last year to candidates, leading to 120 starting in the academy, officials said. But only 83 graduated because many dropped out due to the rigorous training process. Andrew Matthews, a retired sergeant who serves as executive director of the state troopers union, says that other reasons for lack of enforcement include concerns about the COVID-19 virus spreading to troopers and low police morale that was caused by the new police accountability law that many officers opposed. Our troopers saw it with the police accountability bill,' Matthews said recently. When you dont feel supported, youre not eager to go out and self-initiate motor vehicle stops. When you feel like youre not going to be supported by the legislature, when you feel youre not supported by the command staff, and youre going to be attacked and have internal affairs complaints and go through all that. Advertisement Despite the reasons cited by Matthews, both Gov. Ned Lamont and Rep. Stephen Stafstrom, the co-chairman of the legislatures judiciary committee, have dismissed the idea that the police accountability law translates into fewer traffic stops. Besides the number of total stops, the latest statistics show that stops with tickets issued also dropped by more than 50% from 105,000 in 2019 to slightly more than 45,000 in 2020. Tickets dropped further again to 27,596 for the first 10 months of this year. Stops with warnings from troopers fell from 2019 to 2020, but then rebounded in the first 10 months this year at more than 27,000 warnings, surpassing all of 2020. For both state and local police, the combined number of stops statewide dropped from 512,000 in 2019 to about 188,000 in 2021. Democrats who supported the police accountability law and Republicans who opposed it have remained divided over whether the measure will improve policing across the state. At the same time, police chiefs and rank-and-file officers say they are concerned the law will lead to difficulties in recruiting new officers and prompt some older officers to retire at a time of low morale. Howard, who talks to fellow police officers on a regular basis, said that most officers are dedicated to their profession. After 20 years on the force, he says he has taken only four sick days and he says he is not an anomaly in the police world. Do we have people who are here for a paycheck and an early pension and to be able to go hide on third shift and do nothing? Yes, we do have that,' Howard said Wednesday. Are there cops out there who are using the police bill and using COVID as their excuse to do nothing when they would have done nothing, anyway? Yes, we have that. But those are a minority of the profession. A majority wants to go to work and do their job.' Advertisement Christopher Keating can be reached at ckeating@courant.com If you'd like to leave a comment (or a tip or a question) about this story with the editors, please email us We also welcome letters to the editor for publication; you can do that by filling out our letters form and submitting it to the newsroom. A worker at a drive-up COVID-19 testing clinic puts a nose swab into a tube of liquid Tuesday in Puyallup, Wash., south of Seattle. On Friday, The Associated Press reported on stories circulating online incorrectly claiming a photo showing a COVID-19 test kit that includes swabs labeled positive and negative proves tests are manipulated to give a predetermined result. HARTFORD 01/13/22 State Attorney General William Tong and Consumer Protection Commissioner Michelle Seagull announce a $1.85 billion settlement with student loan servicer Navient at the Attorney Generals office Thursday. (Cloe Poisson / Special to the Courant) A nearly $2 billion settlement with student loan company Navient will bring cash payments to thousands of borrowers from Connecticut and across the country, Attorney General William Tong said Thursday. In Connecticut, 1,339 student borrowers will receive $19 million in direct private loan debt relief. Additionally, 4,875 student borrowers will receive nearly $1.3 million in restitution. Under the settlement negotiated by Tong and 38 other attorneys general, Connecticut will also receive $141,240 to be deposited into the general fund. Advertisement Navient steered borrowers to costly payment plans, and away from reasonable and affordable options and programs. Their predatory loans left thousands of Connecticut families saddled with unaffordable debt. This settlement will send millions of dollars directly to thousands of Connecticut borrowers who were deceived by Navients abusive practices, Tong said. The coalition of attorneys general claimed that since 2009, Navient steered student loan borrowers away from affordable income-driven repayment plans and into risky loan forbearances, which further buried struggling borrowers under long-term debt accrual. Advertisement Navient will also be forced to divest from the federally guaranteed student loan business under the agreement, which still requires court approval. Attorney General William Tong and Consumer Protection Commissioner Michelle Seagull announce a $1.85 billion settlement with student loan servicer Navient at the Attorney Generals office Thursday. (Cloe Poisson / Special to the Courant) In a news release, Navient denied violating any laws or causing any borrower harm. The companys decision to resolve these matters, which were based on unfounded claims, allows us to avoid the additional burden, expense, time and distraction to prevail in court, said Navients Chief Legal Officer Mark Heleen. Navient is and has been continually focused on helping student loan borrowers understand and select the right payment options to fit their needs. In fact, weve driven up income-driven repayment plan enrollment and driven down default rates, and every year, hundreds of thousands of borrowers we support successfully pay off their student loans. Navient will cancel loan balances of approximately 66,000 borrowers in the U.S. with certain qualifying private education loans that were originated largely between 2002 and 2010 and later defaulted and charged off. Navient will notify the affected borrowers and co-borrowers shortly after the agreements receive final court approvals. The settlement resolves allegations of widespread unfair and deceptive student loan servicing practices, and abuses in originating predatory student loans. Borrowers do not have to take any action in order to receive the relief payments, so long as they have an updated account with studentaid.gov. Those who may be eligible can visit navientagsettlement.com for more details. The states alleged that Navient pushed subprime private loan schemes, similar to the subprime mortgages which contributed to the 2008 financial crisis, on students they knew would likely be unable to repay them. Navient mostly aimed these programs at students attending for-profit schools or other colleges with similarly low graduation rates, the states claimed. Advertisement A lot of people borrowed money to get into these programs, but were not able to find gainful employment afterwards, Tong said at a press conference in Hartford Thursday. Navient will cancel $1.7 billion in remaining subprime private student loan balances under the agreement. Those of us who still owe student loan debt know that, for lack of a better description, theres an arms race in higher education, Tong said. It just seems that higher education in all of its forms is ever more expensive, and the burdens placed on students and borrowers is ever more significant. Its hard to think of financial products and commitments and obligations that are more important to people in Connecticut than things like student loans, Tong said. Its a very basic commitment that all of us make, and increasingly that commitment gets bigger and bigger and bigger. Tongs office and the Department of Consumer Protection pursued the settlement under the Connecticut Unfair Trade Practices Act, the states general purpose consumer protection statute. In addition to the injunctive action requiring Navient to divest from its federally guaranteed loan program, the agreement requires the company to Advertisement inform borrowers of the benefits of income-driven repayment plans. Navient must also train specialists who can consult with borrowers regarding other repayment plans. Under the agreement, the company is also prohibited from incentivizing customer service agents to minimize their time advising borrowers. Tong advised future borrowers to do their research before entering into loan programs. There are a number of other different options and programs that are out there, he said. One such alternative includes the recently revamped Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program, which was recently expanded under the Biden administration to offer forgiveness to more public service employees. Tong said his office, as well as the state legislature, is continuing to pursue companies which engage in predatory lending. Advertisement He added he hopes the injunctive relief resets the table and serves as a warning to other lenders. The problem was, Navient wasnt telling people what all of their options were, Tong said. Hopefully that will change with other servicers. Connecticuts role in the investigation dates to 2013, Tong said, under the direction of former Attorney General George Jepsen. Advertisement Seamus McAvoy may be reached at smcavoy@courant.comrr CLAIM: The Nuremberg Code explicitly states that mask mandates are a war crime. THE FACTS: The Nuremberg Code, a set of research ethics created after World War II in response to atrocities perpetrated by Nazi scientists, does not discuss mask mandates. Text circulating online that is said to show details in the code about masks is bogus. Posts claiming that the Nuremberg Code classifies mask mandates as war crimes have circulated widely on social media alongside an image purportedly showing text from Article 6: Section 3 of the code. Part of the text in the image states, Leaders should be aware that mandating masks on the citizens of a nation and preventing their access to food, healthcare, transport or education if they dont comply, is a war crime. Masks or any other medical intervention must remain voluntary. But the Nuremberg Code contains no such information. The code doesnt mention masks or mask mandates. The sixth principle of the real code asserts that an experiments degree of risk should never exceed the humanitarian importance of the problem that the experiment aims to solve. Dorit Reiss, a law professor at the University of California, Hastings College of the Law, told The Associated Press that the Nuremberg Code doesnt include anything like the text in the image. From start to bottom, this is made up, she said. The essence of the code is to prohibit experiments on human subjects without informed consent. Mask mandates are not experiments. The people who are subject to them are not human subjects. The code is in no way, shape or form relevant to mask mandates, Reiss added. The Nuremberg Code originated at a military tribunal that occurred in Nuremberg, Germany, following World War II where Nazi officials were prosecuted. Physicians who conducted harrowing experiments on concentration camp inmates were among the defendants. The code was drafted in 1947 in response to the scientists crimes and remains influential in medical ethics. The AP previously reported on different online posts that claimed Germanys restrictions for unvaccinated people violate the Nuremberg Code. Medical ethics and legal experts told the AP that these claims are false. Associated Press writer Josh Kelety in Phoenix contributed this report. Fiddler Becky Tracy and accordionist Rachel Bell, known as Eloise & Co., will perform at Dewey Hall, in Sheffield, on Saturday, Jan. 22. 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. GREAT BARRINGTON A resident poised to leave a Great Barrington nursing home for more than a week remains stuck there, due, in part, to COVID-19 staffing gaps affecting care centers across the state. The situation, and others like it revealed by families to The Eagle, is an example of how the coronavirus pandemic is disrupting care for the frail and elderly in places like the Fairview Commons Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. Were trying to get [them] out, said a relative of the Fairview Commons resident, who declined to be identified to protect their family members privacy. As of Thursday, the resident remained unable to leave because a social worker was out sick, another retired last month and the case now faces administrative delays by MassHealth. Social workers typically are the staffers who make what can be complex arrangements to release residents. Those arrangements are considered critical to a residents well-being and need to be completed before a discharge, a process that staff COVID-19 infections can disrupt through no fault of a facility. The nursing homes director told the residents family that they will let the person go, but only against medical advice, which would result in leaving without medications and other services, the relative said. A social worker consultant has been brought in, and the company will work to resolve the issue with this resident, said Lisa Gaudet, vice president of business development and marketing for Berkshire Healthcare, which owns Fairview Commons and five other nursing homes in Berkshire County. The relative said the other social worker recovered and began helping them, but that the initial delays have set them back, and now they face red tape with MassHealth. In the past two weeks, the nursing home has seen one resident and 13 staffers test positive, Gaudet said. About five of the staffers are back at work. As of Wednesday, four Fairview Commons staff members were positive, according to the companys daily report. The facility did not request extra staffing help from the state Department of Public Health because it was able to cover the staffers who were out, Gaudet said. Any of the residents can have visitors, even if quarantining. The residents relative said they have been receiving calls almost daily from the facility since late last month, notifying them of coronavirus positive cases. They contacted The Eagle when they did not see the case counts in its Tuesday reporting. The cases did not show up in Berkshire Healthcares online reports for early January; it also did not reflect the state Department of Public Healths elder facilities Jan. 11 report, which did not list known cases at other facilities. Gaudet said theirs was a website glitch. We update it every day, she said. Amid the countys surging caseloads attributed to the more contagious but less dangerous omicron strain, most nursing homes appear to be escaping the wrath. High vaccination rates appear to be preventing serious illness and death. But, positive cases result in the temporary loss of staff. The pandemic resulted in staffing that fell, in most Berkshire County nursing homes including Fairview Commons, to levels below those recommended by regulators. Staffing has been a struggle at Fairview Commons, which regulators have fined $57,800 for violations since 2019. The relative of the Fairview Commons resident said they are sympathetic to the pandemic challenges the nursing home faces, but also hopes for community solutions to the larger, long-standing staffing issues recently reported by The Eagle. I just want transparency right now, the relative said. It isnt the first time staff shortages have contributed to a longer-than-needed stay in a nursing home. Sharon Dunns husband, who had a recent brief stay at North Adams Commons Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, had to remain an extra week because there was no one available to properly order his take-home medical equipment. She finally demanded that a unit manager write the order. After two weeks, he was medically ready to be discharged. There was NO ONE TO DISCHARGE HIM, she wrote in an email to The Eagle, also saying that she felt she had to be present daily to ensure his care and safety, and did much of the caretaking herself. Dunn said she is grateful to the remaining staff at the North Adams center who, she said, had gone above and beyond to help. An entire extra week he was there while they had no one to write a proper order, Dunn wrote. Without me as his advocate, my husband might still be there, with his health deteriorating. Gaudet said that this particular situation was caused by a combination of factors that were not all owing to the facility. The family had requested a quicker release than expected, and the issue with the order delayed his release. There were a lot of moving parts, she said, acknowledging that it wasnt an ideal scenario. Everybody had a role to play. UPDATE: Amtrak notes progress in talks but has yet to reach a final agreement on NYC-Pittsfield passenger service PITTSFIELD The railroad that owns tracks on the proposed Berkshire Flyer route has said it will allow Amtrak to operate New York City-to-Pittsfield passenger service this summer, although the parties still need to reach a formal agreement. CSX Corp. will meet six other conditions that Amtrak requested as part of CSXs proposed acquisition of Pan Am Railways, which co-owns the Hoosac Tunnel.The railroad agreed to the conditions in a Wednesday filing with the federal Surface Transportation Board, a day before the board began a hearing for the transaction. Amtrak had said it would oppose the deal if CSX did not agree to its conditions. State Sen. Adam Hinds, D-Pittsfield, said it was exciting that CSX expressed commitment to the Berkshire Flyer, which he said is ready to start in the summer and will play a part in the regional passenger rail resurgence that lawmakers seek. Hinds said that while he previously was concerned over CSXs lack of cooperation in passenger rail discussions, he now supports the deal. This is my vision for how CSX can engage positively with the communities that it serves, and Im grateful that this is what Im experiencing, this positive interaction and engagement in the most recent period, he said in his testimony Thursday. New York City-to-Berkshires passenger rail pushed back to summer 2022 Passenger rail service between Berkshire County and New York City could begin in summer 2022, as long as the company that owns part of the tracks agrees to allow Amtrak to operate service on those tracks. Amtrak already runs daily passenger service between the Albany-Rensselaer Station and New Yorks Penn Station. The Berkshire Flyer adds Friday and Sunday continuations between Albany-Rensselaer and Pittsfields Joseph Scelsi Intermodal Transportation Center. As discussed in a call last Friday between CSX, Amtrak and Senator Hinds of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, CSX agrees to the operation of the Berkshire Flyer from Memorial Day to Columbus Day 2022 on the schedule that was provided to CSX, CSX President and CEO James Foote said in a letter attached in the filing, although he added that CSX will need to have a commitment on a 1000 foot station track to mitigate freight interference. While the 2022 pilot aims to bring summer tourists for weekend trips incredibly limited in scope, in Hinds words Hinds has said he would like to see the project evolve into daily and year-round service. CSX also agreed to Amtraks request that it fully cooperate in good faith with Amtrak and third-party public agencies for addition, expansion or modification of existing intercity passenger rail service on Pan Am routes or CSXs Albany-to-Worcester tracks. The CSX tracks between Pittsfield and Worcester are needed for proposed east-west passenger service between Pittsfield and Boston through Springfield. Other Amtrak conditions require that CSX cooperate with Amtrak and other parties to identify and work to make improvements for accelerated speeds, and that CSX avoid making changes that negatively would impact Amtraks ability to run passenger service on Pan Am and the Albany-Worcester stretch. The Massachusetts Department of Transportation and the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority still have conditions they would like CSX to meet, including that the company explore, study, and allow additional expanded passenger service in Western Massachusetts, including multiple round-trip service between Springfield and Worcester and up to two daily round trips between Albany and Worcester. At a hearing Thursday before the Surface Transportation Board, regulators expressed approval of CSXs agreement with Amtrak, although its vice chairman questioned CSXs commitment to passenger rail. I know you said youre ready and willing to address passenger rail, but again, from the conversations weve had, I dont know how much youre looking at expanding passenger rail, Surface Transportation Board Vice Chairman Robert Primus said to Foote, the CSX president and CEO. And thats what these states want to do, expanding potential Amtrak service. How are you going to come to terms with a growing freight line that you want again, youve got to answer to your stakeholders but also a growing passenger rail network, who are not your stakeholders? Primus asked. Canadian Pacific Railway, which, like CSX, is a Class I railroad, also requested conditions that it said would preserve competition. The hearing is expected to continue into Friday and can be accessed at tinyurl.com/2p8zay3p. Barretts concerns State Rep. John Barrett III, D-North Adams, said that what he heard from CSX and Norfolk Southern Railway officials Thursday raised concerns for him. Norfolk Southern co-owns the line that includes the northern tier route it runs between North Adams and Boston through Greenfield with Pan Am. He questions their commitment to passenger rail along the northern tier and whether they would conduct prompt repairs to the Hoosac Tunnel. While Barrett said that Pan Am, in his experience, never had been open to northern tier passenger service, he wants CSX to fulfill commitments that he said the company made to him, including that it would take a serious look at northern tier passenger service. I was very direct in letting them know that they better be serious in honoring their commitment to explore commuter service on the northern tier, he said. I also told them if they didnt follow through on their commitment, I would become their worst nightmare. Although Barrett said that his concerns with the Hoosac Tunnel would exist regardless of whether the transaction goes through, he said he wants an assurance that maintenance will be addressed immediately. I dont know whats inside that tunnel, but from what Im told, its in a dangerous situation, he said, referencing a two-month closure in 2020 from a partial wall collapse. Editors note: This story has been updated to clarify that while CSX said it would allow Amtrak to operate Berkshire Flyer service, the two parties have yet to finalize terms in a formal agreement. When discussing the coronavirus crisis that has killed hundreds of thousands of Americans and turned the world upside-down, we often speak in terms alluding to warfare battling or fighting COVID. For those who dont work in health care, however, we must remind ourselves that, for those front-line workers, this is not merely a metaphor. Those in the trenches the doctors, nurses and staff at hospitals and care facilities across Berkshire County go to work every day against a viral enemy that tests their mettle and infectiously thins their ranks. We are deeply thankful for their continuing resilience in the breach of the greatest public health crisis in a century. Were also glad theyre getting some backup. Gov. Charlie Bakers decision last month to mobilize the National Guard as a staffing stopgap now seems a prescient move as cases spike and hospitals strain. Members of the Massachusetts Guard are helping to fill the gaps amid a critical shortage of medical workers, including 11 at Berkshire Medical Center in Pittsfield and two at Fairview Hospital in Great Barrington. Unvaccinated patients in Pittsfield have double the hospitalization rate as vaccinated patients Health Director Andy Cambi's coronavirus report, delivered at the first City Council meeting of the year, showed that since October vaccinated residents have been hospitalized at about half the rate of unvaccinated residents. A worldwide pandemic is going to strain health care systems no matter what. Like much of the suffering of the pandemic, however, some of this struggle could have been and can be significantly mitigated. A recent Pittsfield Health Department report shows that unvaccinated city residents were twice as likely to be hospitalized with COVID as vaccinated residents. That disparity is not unique to Pittsfield. Data from other, larger cities show the same trend: The unvaccinated are many times more likely to not only contract COVID but require hospitalization and die because of it. This is only more evidence that COVID vaccines are remarkably effective at curbing COVID transmission and even more so at preventing severe illness. It also reifies the saddest part of all this: So many have suffered and died who didnt need to. Our hospitals and those who keep them running are being stretched to the brink partly because the gross politicization of vaccines has hamstrung our use of the best weapon in this viral fight. If Pittsfield residents who are unvaccinated are twice as likely to be hospitalized as vaccinated residents, then it stands to reason that more universal buy-in on vaccines could have prevented a significant fraction of the hospitalizations now straining the health care system here in the Berkshires. That conclusion is borne out by comparing the U.S. to other countries with higher vaccination rates and fewer per capita COVID hospitalizations. To those with well-dug heels in opposition to COVID vaccination as a matter of personal liberty without a thought for how society must deal with a pandemic, this is what the freedom so often referenced in abstract looks like on the ground. It is the freedom to let your local hospital become overrun, to beleaguer health care workers so much they need military assistance, to force those in need of procedures deemed elective to languish in uncertainty. It is one thing to assume additional risk for oneself. It is another thing entirely to unnecessarily increase the societal risk shared by all when acute care access is deeply compromised for anyone needing treatment, COVID-related or otherwise. As these considerable differences in expected outcome for the vaccinated vs. unvaccinated are playing out in Berkshire hospitals and those across the country, health workers continue to care for us while shouldering an unprecedented burden. They deserve our utmost gratitude. They also deserve backup not just from the National Guard, but from members of their community who can do their part to relieve some of the strain facing our hospitals. For those in the unvaccinated camp, please take this data to heart, and consider the health care workers and your vulnerable neighbors who needlessly suffer when we mistake recklessness for the pursuit of liberty. The Pittsfield Fire Department has received $20,075.40 from the Massachusetts Firefighter Safety Equipment Grant Program to help upgrade equipment. Spearfish, SD (57783) Today Sunshine and clouds mixed. High around 60F. Winds ESE at 15 to 25 mph. Winds could occasionally gust over 40 mph.. Tonight Cloudy with occasional showers overnight. Low 42F. SE winds at 10 to 20 mph, decreasing to less than 5 mph. Chance of rain 60%. We are saved by the grace of God alone (Romans 6:23). Grace can more simply be defined as unmerited kindness (1 John 4:10). There is nothing good in us, we are sinful beings at the core, children of wrath, but through Gods great grace His unmerited kindness towards us He gave us the opportunity to become children of God (Ephesians 2:1-10). It is a gift, one that cannot be earned, and is so very scandalous in nature, as it is so undeserved (1 Timothy 1:15). 4. Solus Christus (Christ alone) Jesus Christ alone is our Lord, Savior, and King. God sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Jesus alone is the bridge that allows us to walk across, freed from sin, into the loving arms of the Father. We see the theology of Christ Alone in Colossians 1:15-20: The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. 5. Soli Deo Gloria (to the glory of God alone) We live for the glory of God alone. Our chief purpose is to know God and make Him known (Philippians 2:9-11). Although a byproduct of salvation is exceeding joy, growing in godliness, and a new identity, it is not the central motivation of salvation, it is Gods glory. He did not choose to save us for our own benefit, but rather, that His own glory would be magnified through us (Ephesians 1:17-21). As John Piper so beautifully puts it in the book Desiring God, God is most glorified in us, when we are most satisfied in Him. So, let us do all things to the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31), and let us rejoice and ever sing for joy in Him (Psalm 5:11). Photo credit: Unsplash/Ben White When we learn another language, it brings the words to life and we better understand the nuances of what others are saying. Likewise, when we learn more about the languages in which the Bible was written, we understand more of what God is saying through Scripture. This article will consider the meaning of the word Paraclete in its original language. Where Does the Word Paraclete Come From? The New Testament was written in Greek and Aramaic, and the word Paraclete is a Latin transliteration of the Greek word, parakletos. The Apostle John used the Greek word four times in his gospel and once in his epistle of 1 John. Bible versions transliterate paraclete into English words for our understanding, and some examples of these are listed below. In Johns gospel, different Bible versions render paraclete as Comforter, Helper, or Advocate (John 14:16, 26; John 15:26; John 16:7). Even though the root word parakletos is used in each case, the context provides the nuances so we may know what the writer meant as he penned what God inspired him to write (2 Peter 1:21). For this article, we will use the word we are familiar with, Paraclete. Where Does the Bible Use Paraclete? The context of the following passages centers on Jesus and His disciples during Jesus passion week when He prepared Himself and His disciples for His death and resurrection. John 14:6 (ESV), And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, John 14:26, But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. John 15:26, But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, He will bear witness about Me. These passages are part of the discourse which took place in the Upper Room, where Jesus celebrated the Passover with His disciples, washed their feet, instituted the Lords Supper, and where Jesus revealed Judas Iscariot as His betrayer. After Judas left their presence, Jesus spoke from His heart to the remaining, loyal disciplesthose He knew would obey His commandseven after a momentary falling away when Jesus was arrested (Mark 14:27, 50). When Jesus spoke to them about the upcoming events, they did not understandthey wouldnt until Jesus ascended and sent the Holy Spirit. We must understand the disciples fear and confusion as Jesus explained what would transpire within the next few days (John 16:6, 12). John 16 gives us a clear look at the conversation between Jesus and His disciples. He told them they would endure much because of Him (John 16:1-3). He knew they were sorrowful (John 16:6), and yet Jesus told them the truth about why He had to go away (John 16:7). In Gods sovereignty, he planned a Comforter for Jesus followers, and in verse 7, Jesus re-introduced the paraclete John revealed in chapter 14. The Helper would not come unless Jesus went away. Jesus reassured His followers with His words about the role of the Paraclete. He then prayed for them and all who would hear Jesus words through them (John 17:20), and He did this while still in their presence (John 17 the High Priestly Prayer). When Johns gospel references paraclete, it is Jesus who is quoted. In his epistle, John reiterated what he heard directly from Jesus, just as Jesus said would happenthat we would believe because of their words (John 17:20). In 1 John 2:1, Paraclete takes on the meaning of Advocate. Its the same Greek word, but the context gives us its meaning. My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. The Advocate spoken of here is the Lord Jesus. How Does Paraclete Refer to the Holy Spirit? After Jesus death and resurrection, the disciples were gathered behind a locked door for fear of the Jews. Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, Peace be with you (John 20:19). Jesus then showed them His hands and His side, and again He said, Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you. And when He had said this, He breathed on them and said to them, Receive the Holy Spirit (John 20:21-22). After all of that, Peter decided to go fishing, and some others of the disciples joined him. Jesus (Whom they did not recognize) greeted them from the shore by calling them children and told them to throw their net to the other side of the boat, where they hauled in many fish. John recognized Jesus, and Peter made haste to the shore, where the Lord restored him (Acts 1:4-19). In Acts 2:1-8, Luke (author of Acts) tells us the events leading to Jesus ascension. Jesus ordered the disciples to stay in Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Fatheryou will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now (Acts 2:4-5). Jesus reiterated they would receive power when the promised Holy Spirit would come on them, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem and all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth (Acts 2:8). Peter soon stood up among the brothers and spoke about what had to take place which the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand (Acts 2:15). Later, in Acts 4, Peter and John were set before the religious leaders and arrested for teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead (Acts 4:2). Acts 4:8 states Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit, and his lifeas well as the lives of the disciples and Apostleswas never the same. The promised Paraclete is the Holy Spirit! Anything written about Him is that which has been written of the Holy Spirit. What Hope Can We Draw from Our Paraclete in the Holy Spirit? Just as Peter, John, and Paul (Acts 9:17; 13:2, 3, 9) were filled with the Holy Spirit, we too are we who accept, obey, and love Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. We can gain security from the One called to our side as a Comforter, Helper, and Advocate. Jesus, who always speaks truth, promised His constant and abiding presence in our lives (2 Corinthians 13:14). Lets look at His roles and how we are filled with hope because of them. Comforter: The Holy Spirit dwells within us believers and shows us the things of Christ. What can give us greater comfort than that, for He is our peace (John 14:27)? As He teaches us through the Scriptures what is to come, we are calmed and encouraged, knowing everything is in Gods hands. Advocate (Intercessor): As the Holy Spirit dwells within Christians, we can trust Him to convict us of all sin and righteousness and judgment (John 16:8). And we have a just Godperfectly just. Because Jesus sent His Spirit, we are enabled to do greater things (John 14:12). In 1 John 2:1, Christ is shown to be our Advocate, interceding for us and vindicating us before the Father. Helper/Teacher: Imagine life with no teachers of any sort, beginning with our parents up through academic instructors and workplace training. What the Holy Spirit adds is eternal and includes pastoral teaching and the ministry of iron sharpening iron between fellow believers. In His role as Teacher, the Holy Spirit reveals to us myriad things of Christ as we are sanctified more and more into His image. He gives us understanding of the Scripturesfrom Gods history of humanity, of Jesus Christ, and of things to come. He also helps us be the people God created us to be as we proclaim Christ through faith, thought, and action. The Holy Spiritthe Paraclete is the most important possession in our lives. Because of what Jesus has done, when we stand before God at the judgment, He will not see our sin-filled selves. He will see Jesus Christ. Hallelujah! Photo Credit: Getty Images/shuang paul wang Lisa Loraine Baker is the award-winning author of Someplace to Be Somebody (End Game Press, February 2022). Lisa writes fiction and nonfiction and is currently co-writing a Christian living book with her husband, and a suspense novel. Lisa is a member of Word Weavers, Intl (as a critique partner and mentor), AWSA, ACFW, Serious Writer Group, and BRRC. Lisa and her husband, Stephen, inhabit their home as the Newlyweds of Minerva with crazy cat, Lewis. Deborah was the wife of Lappidoth and possibly a mother. Although some theologians think that when shes called a mother in Israel (Judges 5:7) its describing her as a godly matriarch. Every day, Deborah could be found seated under the Palm Trees of Deborah determining causes and controversies while judging the people according to the laws of God. I can only imagine how many disputes this wise and godly woman must have resolved. If youre a parent who spends your days helping your kids discern and resolve their conflicts in a godly manner, you may be able to relate to a typical day in the life of Deborah. Can I get a witness? Deborah was an uncommon leader because she was a woman. God called her to a prominent position as a prophetess and judge at a time in history when He commonly appointed men to those positions. Deborah is in good company with a few other women prophetesses in the Bible: Moses sister Miriam in Exodus 15:20; Huldah in 2 Kings 22:15; Anna in Luke 2:36 and Phillips daughters in Acts 21:8-9. God Chose Deborah When leaders lead, others will follow is the theme of the book of Judges in the Bible. I can still remember the impact this realization had upon me as a young woman when I studied Judges with a group of women. I recall not being super excited about the book the leader had chosen. But as I studied, my heart began to burst with excitement as I pondered how God might use me in my generation as he had used the judges in theirs. Before Israel had kings to rule over them, God appointed judges and prophets to speak to the people on His behalf. When the judge was a godly influence, he would lead Israel to repentance and victory over their enemies. I found it baffling to learn how often God would respond in mercy when He heard the cries of oppressed Israel. Even though the Lord, through their enemies, would bring judgment upon their rebellious nation, Hed also raise up judges to guide them to become courageous warriors. After Judge Ehud had personally assassinated the wicked king of Moab, he proclaimed to Israel, Follow me, for the Lord has delivered your enemies the Moabites into your hand. Under his courageous leadership Israels army killed about 10,000 Moabites. As a result Israel enjoyed 80 years of rest (see Judges 3). But sadly, Judges chapter 4 reveals how after Ehud died, the children of Israel began to follow after false gods. So God gave them over to Jabin, King of Canaan, who harshly oppressed them for twenty years. This was not the first time that Israel would rebel against God after their godly leader died. And unfortunately, it would not be the last. But God . . . I love that statement, dont you? So many times in Scripture God shows up when His people cry out for help. In this case, Israel was paralyzed by fear of Sisera, the commander of Jabins army who boasted 900 iron chariots. So, God rose up an unlikely judge, prophetess and hero of the faith a woman named Deborah. What Did Deborah Do? On an ordinary day while conducting her duties as judge, Deborah delivered Gods message to Barak to take 10,000 men to battle against Sisera, the commander of Jabins army. Deborahs prophecy continued, And I [God] will deliver him into your hand (Judges 4:7). If youre not a history buff, hang with me because this is where things get good. Barak, who should have been a mighty warrior ready for battle, basically told Deborah, Yeah girl, Im not going into battle unless you come with me. Dont you love it? The guy had faith to believe that God spoke to him through Deborah. Barak even had confidence to trust Gods promise for victory. In fact, Barak is recognized for his faith in Hebrews 11:32. But his faith would be bolstered to go forth against insurmountable odds if Deborah agreed to join him. Without hesitation Deborah courageously agreed to go. According to an article from Shepherd Press, Deborah was not caught up in the fear of her day. She took God at His word. So when she was given the message to give to Barak to attack Sisera, she didnt flinch. Even though Sisera had a formidable army that featured 900 chariots made of iron, she delivered Gods message to Barak with confidence: Has not the Lord, the God of Israel, commanded you? (Judges 4:6) Although Deborah didnt engage in battle, her presence bolstered Baraks courage to fight victoriously for the Lord. If youve not read the story of Barak and Deborah youre really missing out. In a nutshell God showed up in miraculous ways to help Baraks army obliterate Jabins army. And in a really cool turn of events, when Sisera flees for his life he takes refuge in the tent of a woman named Jail, who ends up driving a tent spike through his temple while he slept. This fulfilled Deborahs prophecy to Barak which stated that because of his faltering courage there will be no glory for youfor the Lord will sell Sisera into the hand of a woman (Judges 4:9). Why Is Deborah Important in the Bible? In the song Deborah composed after the battle, she gives us an incredible insight as to what happened when God awakened her from her comfortable existence. She exclaims, Awake, awake, Deborah! (see Judges 5:7-12). With all of the turmoil in the world these days, we can relate to Deborah as a role model who lived in troubled times. After twenty years of oppression, while most of her people cowered in fear, God awakened within her a zeal to do something. As Deborah awoke, she arose as a leader to awaken others to stand up and fight. When leaders lead, others will follow. Think of it, on an ordinary day The Lord awakened Deborah to take action that would require courage and faith. Could today be the ordinary day that God is waking you from your own slumber to do through you more than you ever dreamed or imagined for His Kingdom and His glory? Dont shrink back and think that God uses other people. Be inspired to realize that God uses ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary things. He wants to awaken you to all that He has planned for you. The great preacher D.L. Moody was an ordinary man whose zeal was awakened when he heard the British revivalist Henry Varley say, The world has yet to see what God can do with a man fully consecrated to him. The words cut straight to Moodys young heart. According to this article from Christianity Today, Moody recalled, Those were the words sent to my soul through you from the Living GodBy Gods help. I aim to be that man. Varleys words woke up the great preacher, D.L. Moody, whose ministry continues long after his death. I pray God awakens you to do the same. The Apostle Paul said: You became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit so that you became examples to allwho believe (1 Thessalonians 1:6-7). Paul led by example. And in turn those who followed became an example to others. See how it works? When leaders lead, others will follow. Realize that God didnt save you so you could live comfortably until you one day go to heaven. He saved you to lead others to love and follow Christ. Before the foundations of this world, God prepared specific plans He wants to accomplish through your obedient life your life! For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them (Ephesians 2:10). Imagine, the Maker of heaven and earth knew you before creation, and He has things He wants to do through you that will awaken sinners to their need for a Savior, lead others to wholehearted devotion to Jesus, and bring glory to Christ as you live, as blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life (Philippians 2:15-16). Are you living in a way that you can say like Paul, I urge you, imitate me (1 Corinthians 4:16)? Obeying Gods Call One ordinary day, 20 years ago The Lord called my husband, Steve, to pastor a small church in Californias Central Valley. At a time when we were comfortably enjoying a sweet season of ministry in a church we helped plant in Texas, God began to tug at Steves heart to accept the position in California. I wish I could say I was immediately on board, but to be honest the idea of uprooting our kids frightened me because they were all doing very well in Texas. When Steve was ready to lead our family to follow Gods call, he needed me to rise to the occasion, in spite of my apprehension. As we talked and prayed, the Spirit gave me an undeniable unction to obey Gods call. Although I was afraid, God gave me courage to follow Steve all the way to California. As we pulled into the town where our church was located, I began to cry and sort of panic. I thought, What are we doing? This church has been without a leader for two years. Theyre down to very few members and this city is so dark with drugs and despair. How can we make a difference? What about our children? And then suddenly, a Bible verse that Id memorized interrupted my thoughts and gave me courage: Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand (Isaiah 41:10). To this day I get chills when I recall how God encouraged me with His Word, and looking back on the past twenty years we can recount all the ways God has strengthened us. Steves been a godly leader who awakens others to know and serve Christ. Gods certainly done exceedingly and abundantly more than we could have imagined in helping us proclaim Christ and make disciples. We could have stayed in Texas where we were comfortable, and we would have continued ministering in our church. But oh what we would have missed. Stepping out in faith is never easy or practical. But when the Spirit gives you the zeal to lead others to follow Christ, He promises to be with you and to do through you more than you can imagine for His Kingdom and His glory. When leaders lead, others will follow. How Is God Calling You? Hebrews 11 recognizes Gods heroes of the faith, which incidentally includes Barak. The heroes recorded were simply ordinary people who God raised up in their generation. Reading their stories inspires me to wake up to do whatever God wants to do through my life, in my time how about you? After the author of Hebrews celebrates Gods heroes, he inspires us to awaken from our own apathy: Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us (Hebrews 12:1). The same God who inspired Deborah, is calling you to arise and do His will. And when God calls you to His purpose, Hell give you the unction to go forth. Consider Philippians 2:13: For it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. God doesnt expect you to come up with what youd like to do for Him. Instead, He puts within you an irresistible desire to do those plans Hes purposed for you. And then if you pay attention, youll see God giving you opportunities to do those things. Consider this quote from the biography, Life of DL Moody, The more we use the means and opportunities we have, the more will our ability and our opportunities be increased. Deborah is a role model of one who woke up and took action. As she accomplished her everyday task as a judge, God called Deborah to increased opportunity to lead others to wake up and serve The Lord. Consider your own life. Have you pondered how God might be calling you to wake up to lead others toward righteousness? If youre a parent, its easy to lose site of the value God places on your everyday task of parenting. Ponder this quote from my book, Moms Raising Sons to Be Men: What kind of legacy are you leaving? Psalm 127:3-5 helps provide some perspective here: Children are a heritage from the LORDLike arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of ones youth. Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them. Have you viewed your children as arrows? Your [child] is an arrow you keep in your quiver for a short time. While he is entrusted to you, you must lead him to wake up to shoot straight and truewhen he is ready to be launched toward the target of Gods purpose for his life In history the influence of mothers [and fathers] has shaped nations, trained leaders, nurtured artists, and encouraged ordinary men [and women] to accomplish extraordinary feats. This is your time in history. Whether youre a man or a woman, mother or not, in the same way that God used Deborah in her generation, Hes calling you to arise and courageously lead others to fight in Gods army. The god of this world, Satan, is blinding the eyes of people. Its time to wake up and realize that we wrestle not against flesh and blood but against principalities of darkness who come to steal, kill and destroy (see Ephesians 6:12, John 10:10). Deborahs final legacy reads, So the land rested for forty years (Judges 5:31). Her courageous life brought peace to her people. Today, the way to peace is found in leading people to Christ and stirring in Christians to do the same. Let this be your legacy. The battle belongs to the Lord. The captain of the hosts is Jesus and He is the One who will give you His courage to lead, because when leaders lead, others will follow. Rhonda Stoppe is the NO REGRETS WOMAN. With more than 30 years of experience helping women build no regrets lives. I could have listened to Rhonda talk all night, is what women say about Rhondas enthusiastic, humorous, transparent teaching, and zeal as an evangelist. Shes committed to fulfill the Titus 2:4 commission by mentoring, teaching and writing books that are inspiring, grounded in Scripture and easy to read like you're visiting with a friend over coffee. Rhonda is the author of 6 books and appears on numerous radio programs including: Focus on the Family, Family Life Today and Dr. James Dobsons FamilyTalk, and hosts The No Regrets Hour. Shes an evangelist and speaker at womens events, College Womens Chapel, Pastors Wives Conferences, MOPs and Homeschool Conventions. Sharing the gospel at her NoRegretsWoman Conference is her sweet spot. Rhonda is a regular contributor for Crosswalk and many other magazines.Rhonda ministers alongside her husband Steve, who for 20 years has pastored First Baptist Church of Patterson, California. They live out their own Real Life Romance writing books and speaking at their No Regrets Marriage Conferences, but their favorite ministry is their family. They have four grown children and 10 grandchildren. To learn more about Rhondas speaking topics, watch her teaching, and to book Rhonda for your next event visit: NoRegretsWoman.com. Watch Rhonda teaching this inspiring evangelism training video. Photo credit: GettyImages/satori13 If it hasnt happened to you yet I can assure you that one day it is coming. Life is going to hit you in such a way that you are going to be convinced that God has made a mistake. For some of you reading this, you may have already experienced moments where you question the things God is doing. Some of you may even be asking those questions right now. So, what do we do with all of this and how do we navigate through these waters? You see, it is one thing when you believe another human has made a mistake, but what do you do when you feel like God has made a mistake. First of all, feeling this way does not make you an unbeliever or a heathen it simply makes you human. For example, according to Jesus, John the Baptist was the greatest man ever born to a woman (Luke 7:28), and even he wondered if he or God had made a mistake. When he was in prison, he sent a message to Jesus asking a question. "When John, who was in prison, heard about the deeds of the Messiah, he sent his disciples to ask him, 'Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?' Matthew 11:2-3 After devoting his life to being the forerunner for Jesus, in a moment where his life wasnt going the way he expected, he stopped and wondered if he had made a mistake and by default had God made a mistake. My point is, there is nothing wrong with asking the question because as humans we dont see as God sees. However, its important to note you cannot stay in the place of the question. You must eventually get to this truth and know that God doesnt make mistakes. I am not saying this flippantly because for some this is a very difficult question, that many people never recover from, which is why this is so critical. You must get to the place of knowing God doesnt make mistakes. If you never get there, then your faith will ultimately crumble. As we probe deeper into this thought let me share with you three things that can happen to you if you dont come to the reality that God doesnt make mistakes. Here are 3 reasons why is it important to know God doesnt make mistakes: 1. If you don't believe God doesn't make mistakes, you will argue with God. "And now the cry of the Israelites has reached me, and I have seen the way the Egyptians are oppressing them. So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt.' But Moses said to God, 'Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?' Exodus 3:9-11 For a moment can you picture this scene. God appears to Moses in a burning bush that doesnt burn. Out of this burning bush God tells Moses I am going to send you to deliver the Israelites from the hand of Pharoah and the Egyptians. Upon experiencing this amazing event Moses response to God is you have made a mistake. You have the wrong man for the job. Moses then proceeds to debate back and forth with God over how bad a decision he has made. You could simply say he is arguing with God. When a person believes God has made a mistake that person will debate and argue with God. They may not do it outwardly like Moses, but inwardly they will question what God did and why he did it. As I said before asking the question initially is fine because we are human, but you cannot stay in that place. The reason this place is bad to stay in is because our journey in Christ is one of trust and faith. Part of that trust is knowing and believing that God is in control and everything he is doing is in accordance with his will and his good plan for your life. It doesnt mean you will always see it or understand it, but it means you must trust it because that trust becomes the foundation for your faith in this life. 2. If you dont believe God doesn't make mistakes, you will substitute your own plan. "From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life. Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. 'Never, Lord!' he said. 'This shall never happen to you!' Jesus turned and said to Peter, 'Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.' Matthew 16:21-23 Of all the conversations and engagements we have in Scripture between Jesus and Peter, perhaps this one is the most amazing. After Jesus explains what is going to happen, Peter pulls Jesus aside and begins to rebuke him (I cant even imagine what that looks like). Peter in his zeal begins to tell Jesus what you are doing is wrong and it is not supposed to go this way. He even takes it a step further by saying this will never happen to you. It was almost as if he was saying I am going to do everything I can to make sure this doesnt happen to you. Before you go getting on Peters case this is what happens when you dont have full confidence that God doesnt make mistakes. You will substitute your own plan. I know this might seem a little crazy but how many times have you wrestled with God over things he has asked you to do because you thought, this simply cant be Gods plan or what he wants me to do. He must have made a mistake. If we are going to be honest, we probably have done this a lot and may even still do it. Peters behavior is not much different than yours or mine. Part of Peters problem, which is our problem too, is he could only see in part. His focus was very narrow, thinking only of the moment or as Jesus said merely human concerns. Jesus was thinking of the whole picture, thinking of all time and eternity. However, just like Peter if you think God is making a mistake by what he is doing or asking you to do, you will be tempted to substitute your own plan. After all dont you know more than the God who knows everything? (Im being facetious here) Let me reiterate again, this journey is one of trust and if you dont trust that God doesnt make mistakes, you will substitute your way because you think it is better. Just to remind you here is what Proverbs says about people like us who think their way is better. "There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death." Proverbs 14:12 (NKJV) 3. If you dont believe God doesn't make mistakes, you will become a stumbling block to others. "Jesus turned and said to Peter, 'Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.' Matthew 16:23 Perhaps the most damaging reality of not believing God doesnt make mistakes is that you will become a stumbling block to others and potentially destroy their faith. This may not be your intention but every conversation about God and faith will be colored by the belief that what God did was a mistake in your life. You will forever remind yourself and others of the thing that did not go the way you expected causing others to stumble in the process. There are people I know that have experienced loss in their life and their faith has never recovered. They cannot move past that one point in time. This brings us to one of the real struggles in life, recognizing that Gods ways are not our ways. In Peters situation, his intentions might have been good, but he was still only dealing with human concerns and not focused on the bigger picture. He was only thinking of the moment and what was best for him at the moment. He could not see beyond. This is often how we try to view Gods plans. This does not always make them easier to accept but we must recognize there is a bigger framework at play. This is what we are reminded of in Isaiah. 'For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,' declares the Lord. 'As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.'" Isaiah 55:8-9 At some point in this journey of life, especially when things dont go the way you think they should we must remember Gods ways are higher than ours. The Christian life is about trust. So how do you fight through this and overcome this potential landmine in your life? The best thing to do is to have the attitude of Job. Remember Job lost everything. His family, his fortune, his health, everything. If anyone had a reason to believe God had made a mistake it was Job. However, after experiencing the worst tragedy of his life here is what his response was. "Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him." Job 13:15 This Christian life is all about trust. Trust doesnt mean everything will go perfectly in this life. It doesnt even guarantee that this life will be easy. Trust does mean that you will put your hope in a God who sees all, who knows all, and is ultimately working on your behalf to accomplish a will and a plan that you may not always see or understand. We trust that God doesnt make mistakes because what he does in our lives is fitting into a bigger framework that we may not understand on this side of eternity. This leads us to say that in spite of it all, when none of it makes sense, still I will trust you. This will not always be easy, and you will be tempted to bail along the way. Should that desire come dont run away from him but run to him for he knows our weaknesses and limitations. I cannot promise you will always find the answers in this life. However, I can promise that in his arms, you will find love, grace, and comfort to endure when things in this life dont make sense. Photo credit: GettyImages/PhotoAlto/EricAudras BOISE - Idaho Governor Brad Little and Attorney General Lawrence Wasden issued a joint statement Thursday praising the U.S. Supreme Courts ruling striking down President Joe Bidens OSHA vaccine mandate on private businesses with 100 or more employees. The Court narrowly upheld Bidens vaccine mandate for healthcare workers, which affects 17 million Americans at facilities that use the Medicare and Medicaid system, by a 6-3 vote. The joint statement from Governor Brad Little and Attorney General Lawrence Wasden can be read below. Idaho was quick to join other states in challenging Bidens unprecedented government overreach into the lives of 84 million American workers with his OSHA vaccine mandate on private business. The states actions led to the highest Courts ruling today upholding Americans freedoms, and it affirms our position that the government cannot wield such power in private sector decisions. Living in a capitalist society means giving businesses the independence to manage their workers as they see fit. We are disappointed the Court narrowly upheld Bidens vaccine mandate on healthcare workers because it intensifies a problem confronting our country we already have a short supply of healthcare workers available to handle the pandemic. We will continue to hold the line on our third lawsuit challenging Bidens vaccine mandate for federal contractors, which for now is stayed in the courts, and we will remain vigilant and aggressive in defending Idahoans and Idaho businesses from future attempts at federal overreach in whatever form." Aerospace company Rocket Lab has selected Accomack County as a finalist for an expansion project of manufacturing and operations facilities, Gov. Ralph Northam announced Jan. 11. This shows lift-off of Rocket Lab's Electron rocket. Accomack County could become a home to a manufacturing and launch operations facility for huge, 131-foot-tall rockets in the near future. California-based aerospace company Rocket Lab has selected Accomack as a finalist for a planned expansion project that would create 250 new jobs, Gov. Ralph Northam announced Tuesday. Advertisement Northams administration, according to the announcement, has proposed spending $30 million to support the project through infrastructure and operational systems improvements at the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport at NASAs Wallops Flight Facility, subject to approval by the General Assembly. The outgoing governor said he has a special connection to the Wallops Island launch site. Advertisement I used to love watching rockets take off when I was a kid, Northam said. Years later, Im excited to work with Rocket Lab to help create exciting new opportunities near my family home on the Eastern Shore. Rocket Lab, known for launching small satellites, chose the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport for its first U.S. launchpad for its 59-foot-tall Electron rocket. That launch complex became operational in late 2019. If the Eastern Shore is chosen for its latest project, Rocket Lab would expand with a second launchpad at Wallops Island for its planned Neutron rocket. At 131 feet, the Neutron could ultimately support human spaceflight and is planned to be operational by late 2024, the company said. Inside Business Weekdays Business news for the Hampton Roads region > The Rocket Lab facility supporting part production, assembly, and testing would be constructed on a 28-acre site close to the Wallops Flight Facility. Founded in 2006, Rocket Lab and the Electron launch vehicle have delivered 109 satellites to orbit for national security, scientific research, climate monitoring and communications, among other uses. An expanded partnership with Rocket Lab would accelerate our shared mission to provide agile, responsive access to space, Virginia Secretary of Transportation Shannon Valentine said. Through great collaboration among the commonwealth, Virginia Space, NASA Wallops Flight Facility and industry leader Rocket Lab, this proposal would continue to develop Wallops Island as a world-class launch site and a strategic national asset. Advertisement Trevor Metcalfe, 757-222-5345, trevor.metcalfe@pilotonline.com (The Center Square) In the aftermath of Novembers devastating floods in Whatcom County, Washington, a local farming advocacy group is calling for a wide-ranging approach to prevent another weather-related disaster. Whatcom Family Farmers (WFF) wants to see water storage, river sediment removal, levy and other waterway improvements, and protection of farmlands addressed by the state government. A comprehensive effort to pursue all possible solutions to this water management problem, the failures that led to it, and the crises it creates, must begin immediately, WFF President Rich Appel wrote in a Jan. 5 opinion piece for the Bellingham Herald. Such an approach is meant to not only solve those problems but head off a lengthy and expensive court battle through an adjudication process. According to the Washington State Department of Ecology, adjudication is a process that brings all users in a watershed into one big court process that leads to full and fair water management by confirming legal rights to use water. The process legally and permanently determines everyones water rights in that area. It creates certainty around water use and helps secure water for future use. Dillon Honcoop, WFF communications director, isnt buying it, noting that water rights adjudication would stymie flood-fix projects by tying things up in court for some time. He suggests a collaborative effort between all parties that avoids a protracted court battle. Wed love to see a coalition form around this, he said. We need as many voices as possible moving forward on that. We need real solutions. Among the problems in need of a solution is better water storage in the Nooksack River Basin. There was significantly less flooding in the neighboring Skagit River system during Novembers flooding thanks to its water storage capacity in the Cascades. The city of Mount Vernon in Skagit County was spared by its water storage system, Honcoop explained, noting flood waters would have been six feet higher without its water storage capacity. Better water storage in Whatcom County would have benefits beyond lessening the impact of floods, according to Honcoop. The storage could save water during a deluge and make it available during dry summer months to meet other needs, including fish and farming. We have too much water in the winter and not enough in the summer, he said. Time is wasting here. Honcoop retained some optimism regarding help from the state. He pointed to Gov. Jay Inslee advocating for the state to fund creation of more water storage, including comments this past summer by Department of Ecology (DOE) Director Laura Watson. And so, water storage as the governor was talking about we need to defeat climate change to be really able to defeat climate change and to be really able to defeat and really tackle these issues, Watson said at a July 14 press conference. Another thing we need to do is to prepare for drought resilience. And so, one of the key tools for preparing for drought resilience is to build water storage so that when were in drought years there is a water capacity that can be tapped. Honcoop also had some kind words for Inslees legislative and policy proposals aimed at protecting and restoring the states salmon population. Some advocates for the iconic fish have criticized the governors proposed supplemental 2022 budget for falling short on funding to restore fish habitat. Part of Inslees plan includes what he calls green infrastructure that would capture and store excess water during times of high stream flows, then cool the water to an optimal temperature for salmon and release it during low flows. Dont let the perfect be the enemy of the good on this one, Honcoop urged. Another major issue that needs to be addressed according to Honcoop is sediment management. Gravel and sediment in the Nooksack River in western Whatcom County can be handled to minimize any harm to salmon, according to Honcoop. He wants to prevent sediment buildup that reduces water flow capacity and even chokes some waterways. Dredging is different than sediment management, Honcoop said. The former is the removal of sediments and debris from the bottoms of bodies of water, while the latter involves minimizing sediment production in the catchment the action of collecting water, especially the collection of rainfall over a natural drainage area through erosion control methods and trapping sediment before it reaches the reservoir. WFF also advocates for maintaining and improving key levees to lessen the risk of flooding and to protect fish, as well as preserving farmland for agricultural purposes. Farmers are ready and willing to be part of the solution, but they cant if their land is converted to development due to a lack of secure access to water, Appel wrote in his piece in the Herald. Thats why the Department of Ecologys plans to sue water rights holders in the Nooksack drainage are so harmful, and never more so than when farms and families are literally underwater. Based on the Inslee administrations public support for more water storage, as well as some elements of its salmon recovery plan, Honcoop is hopeful for less red tape from the DOE and more state funding for programs and projects meant to lessen the impact of flooding in the region. Its devastating for farming, and the community, and the environment, he said of last falls historic flooding resulting from multiple "atmospheric rivers" that filled many land-based rivers to bursting. CHASE There is a 1992 song by grunge band Alice in Chains titled Rooster, which discusses the guitarists father, who served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War. In the final verse of the song, the late singer Layne Staley delivers the words: Walkin tall machine gun man, they spit on me in my homeland. When looking back to a war that saw 58,200 Americans lose their lives over a 20-year period from 1955-75, this phrase serves as a constant reminder of the negative, disrespectful manner in which many combat veterans were received if they were lucky enough to ever step back on U.S. soil again. Insults were shouted and, on some occasions, objects were thrown at men as young as 18, who did not choose to go fight the Viet Cong, but were instead drafted to do so. As the years passed, the national perception of Vietnam veterans slowly and rightfully grew more sympathetic; support and charity programs for vets have begun to flourish, from the White House, all the way down to the local level. One Big Rapids business recognized the large veteran presence in and around Mecosta County, and has since taken the initiative to reach out and show veterans that their service hasn't gone unnoticed. This summer, Gilberts Carpet Plus Color Tile of Big Rapids, launched its veteran dream room repair contest, which was open to veterans in Mecosta, Osceola, Lake and Montcalm counties. Alan Kearns, a Chase resident, was the winner of the room repair and, as a result, he and his wife, Cathy, now have a brand new kitchen in their farm house. We found out in June it was very humbling, Cathy Kearns said. There are so many deserving veterans out there, and to be chosen was really an amazing, wonderful gift. With new flooring, doors, cabinets, counters, drawers and a new sink backdrop, the Kearns kitchen hardly resembles its former self. Kearns said she and her husband are thankful for the workers who spent hours making the kitchen makeover come to pass, despite a handful of delays from supply issues brought on by the pandemic. They worked really hard and continuously. They just didnt give up, Cathy Kearns said. Alan Kearns was drafted into the United States Army to fight in Vietnam when he was just 20 years old, and served there for one year. Although he admitted that his wife will see more benefits from the renovated kitchen, Kearns also said it was a rather nice gesture. He was awarded a Purple Heart for his service, but prefers not to speak at length about his time spent at war. Cathy said its nice to see her husband receiving positive recognition and community support. He didnt get that kind of reception when he came home from Vietnam, Cathy Kearns said. There was so much negative news all time, and so when he came home, he was not welcomed for his service. He was welcomed by the people that loved him, but the rest of the world was not very nice. Corinne Gilbert and Amy Parker, of Gilberts, played important roles in the creation and facilitation of the contest. Amy had the vision before she even came to work with us, and we went from there, so shes definitely the brainchild of everything, Gilbert said. (Veterans) are very near and dear to our heart. Gilbert's has a history of providing employment opportunities for veterans, and Gilbert said she felt having this event is a logical step forward. In the future, Gilbert said she would like to make the veteran room repair contest an annual event, with even more local submissions. On Wednesday Bill spoke with former Marine Lt. Col. Stuart Schiller, who was tossed from the Corps after he harshly criticized the Afghanistan withdrawal debacle. Sign up for our Premium Membership and get Killing the Mob free. The tale of Ray Epps is instructive. A friend of mine in Arizona actually knows the guy and is amused by all the attention he's getting. The conspiracy industry has Mr. Epps as some kind of Capitol riot mastermind and it is true that he actively encouraged demonstrators to besiege the Capitol a year ago. It's on tape. But old Ray, as I reported yesterday, was smart enough not to trespass himself. He apparently never entered the building. As the conspiracy goes, Ray is somehow connected to the FBI or something and that's why he hasn't been arrested. He's a "false flag" hombre who set up the actual trespassers. While it is true that Ray Epps may have "incited" a riot, his defense would be freedom of speech. With more than 700 folks arrested for actually entering the Capitol, it is not hard to see why the feds did not go after Ray. Not a shutdown case. Why waste time and money on an indictment you could lose. In real life, Ray is rumored to be a member of "The Oathkeepers," a far-right crew. He's a former Marine who does handyman work in Arizona. Or at least used to before he became Serpico. Don't want to trivialize this but I do want to guide my audience away from the non-stop conspiracy industry. It's a never-ending wasteland where money is made by charlatans. Ray Epps did reportedly testify before that bogus House panel investigating January 6, and those pinheads should release the transcript of the under-oath testimony by the "Oathkeeper." That's legitimate. We the people should see it. But the guy is not 007. With apologies to Sean Connery. See you beginning at six eastern for the No Spin News. Narayanan's tenure will be till April 10, 2022 Sanofi India Limited (SIL) announced that its Board of Directors have accepted the resignation of its Managing Director, Rajaram Narayanan, effective close of business hours on April 10, 2022. Narayanan has decided to pursue an opportunity outside of Sanofi. His successor will be appointed in due course. Narayanan joined the company in 2014 as General Manager and was later elevated as Country Lead & Managing Director. During Narayanans tenure as Managing Director of Sanofi India, the company has been recognised as a Top Employer for three consecutive years and has also received several recognitions for its initiatives in HR practices, Communications, CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) and Public Health. Sanofi India has become an important source of talent for the Sanofi Group, with several employees growing to take on various global roles. Said Aditya Narayan, Chairman of the Board, SIL India, Under Rajarams leadership Sanofi India has successfully implemented a variety of transformational initiatives to deliver market-beating growth in key therapies and significantly improve its overall financials. On behalf of the Board, I thank him for his splendid contribution and wish him the very best in his future endeavours. Telehealth platforms leveraging programmatic solutions to better engage healthcare experts, creating a huge opportunity for pharma brands Amid the chaos recurring waves of the pandemic have created, pharma marketers are shifting their focus to newer and innovative solutions to engage physicians, apparent from the phenomenal rise in programmatic messaging technologies. As the latest report by Doceree, the first global network of physician-only platforms for programmatic messaging, around 43 per cent of pharma marketers in India now prefer programmatic messaging platforms to reach out to physicians, utilising its ability to segment healthcare experts and align their communication for optimisation and better business outcomes. Doceree delved into the inventory and campaign behaviour trends of its multiple partners, studying over 1,100 campaigns. These were run on a mix of 165 physician-only publisher platforms via Doceree by 102 advertisers - consisting of consumer healthcare and medical devices companies, life sciences brands, hospitals, and diagnostics, covering 100+ specialities. The report - Programmatic Trends in Pharma HCP Marketing 2022 points that pharmas digital ad spending has risen considerably worldwide and the trend is expected to grow further on the back of programmatic fueling its growth. The trend looks promising as we see pharma brands earmarking a significant budget to programmatic marketing, said Harshit Jain MD, Founder & Global CEO, Doceree. We are seeing five out of ten dollars spent on digital being set aside for programmatic messaging. To Paradise, Hanya Yanagiharas ambitious follow-up to A Little Life, a National Book Award finalist, is an epic in size and scope. The novel is divided into three books, each featuring characters with the same names living in the same house in New York City but in different dystopian eras. In Book One, Washington Square, Yanagihara envisions an alternate 19th-century history for the U.S. The protagonist, David Bingham, lives in the Free States, roughly equivalent to the Northeastern states today, where same-sex marriage is legal and wealthy white families practice arranged marriage, the better to perpetuate their privilege. Advertisement (Penguin Random House/TNS) But David cannot quite imagine a future with the elderly, sweet but dull man, Charles Griffith, chosen for him by his grandfather. Instead he is drawn to Edward, an impoverished but clever man around his own age. Channeling both Henry James and Edith Wharton, this section focuses on a man of privilege bridling against the conventions of his era in order to feel real love, perhaps to his peril. Book Two, "Lipo-Wao-Nahele," most closely resembles actual U.S. history. Taking place in the mid-20th century, one thread explores how a member of the royal family of Hawaii chooses love over security while his grown son leaves the island to live in New York City with his much older, wealthier lover amid the AIDS crisis. Advertisement Yanagihara addresses multiple forms of oppression: the colonization of Hawaii and marginalization of the native people, homophobia and discrimination, as well as multiple forms of resistance and resilience. Book Three, "Zone Eight," is a suspenseful and terrifying glimpse of a future New York City set amid endless waves of pandemics. A new authoritarian government has banned travel, the internet, same-sex marriage and most civil liberties, all in the name of supposedly maximizing the surviving humans' ability to procreate. Daywatch Weekdays Start your morning with today's local news > Dr. Charles Griffith, a once important government scientist, cares for his granddaughter, Charlie, who has survived a childhood bout of an unnamed virus but has been left severely injured. When Griffith is reclassified as a state enemy, he must race against time to find a way to protect Charlie. Here Yanagihara brings to fruition the novels themes: how queer mens networks formed to enable their love and to resist oppression by society can become the very life force by which civilization (meaning art, human connection, love itself) in America might be sustained. I must admit that I cried pretty much continuously while reading the riveting final 100 pages. Ultimately, the novel is a cri de coeur about the revolutionary power of love and choice to fight oppression and despair. As one character proclaims as he decides to join a lover rather than remain safely at home: That was someone elses Heaven, but it was not his. His was somewhere else, but it would not appear in front of him; rather it would be his to find. May-lee Chai is the author most recently of Useful Phrases for Immigrants, winner of a 2019 American Book Award. Her new collection, Tomorrow in Shanghai & Other Stories, is forthcoming in August. ___ About the book TO PARADISE Hanya Yanagihara Advertisement Doubleday. 720 pp. $32.50. Virginia House of Delegates speaker, Del. Todd Gilbert, R-Shenandoah, front right, takes the oath of office along with other delegates during opening ceremonies in the Virginia House chambers at the Capitol on Wednesday Jan. 12, 2022, in Richmond. (Steve Helber/AP) Education especially what schools teach about race helped return Republicans to the governors mansion and to control the House of Delegates, and legislators expect a slew of bills proposing rules for those lessons in the next few days. But while those bills will spark fierce partisan divides and would have a hard time making it through the Democratic-controlled state Senate, legislators also see agreement on significant boosts to state funding for school construction and renovation projects. Advertisement Big changes, too, are proposed to make it easier to set up charter schools, and more are likely coming as delegates and state senators explore ways to break down Virginia school boards reluctance to approve those schools. And another early bill could make it easier to dismiss teachers. Advertisement I expect well see bills that address the VDOE (Virginia Department of Education) supplements that deem victims-slash-oppressors on the basis of race, said Del. Glenn Davis, R-Virginia Beach, when asked if he expected legislation on critical race theory coming before the House Education Committee he chairs. While critical race theory says law school teaching and legal scholarship should reflect what it calls systemic racism in American law and society, the term has become shorthand for elementary and secondary school lessons that say racism remains a problem in the country. One early effort, HB 781, offered by freshman Del. Wren Williams, R-Patrick County, says teachers cant be required to discuss any current event or widely debated and currently controversial issue or any divisive concept. which the bill says includes teaching that the United States systemically racist or sexist. Instead the bill says students much be talk an understanding of founding documents of the United States, including what it described as the first debate between Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass. something that never actually happened. Davis said he expects pushback in the state Senate for any legislation in this area. But he said he thinks bills for charter schools schools that are independent of local school board control but that are financed by taxpayers have a chance. I think there are some Democratic senators who are interested, who see this as a way to give more opportunities to students, especially in Hampton Roads and Northern Virginia, he said. State Sen. Mark Obenshain, R-Harrisonburg, wants to authorize the state Board of Education to establish regional charter school divisions. Terms for three of the nine board members expire this year, and three more do in 2023, leaving Gov.-elect Glenn Youngkin a chance to appoint a majority that would favor charter schools. Advertisement Under Obenshains proposal, regional boards would have their own boards, with eight members appointed by the state board and 1 from each of the two or three localities covered by the regional board. State per-pupil funding would shift from local boards to the charters for each student who transfers. Davis also expects to see bills that would give parents more flexibility about which school their children attend. But while theres likely to be sharp differences between Republicans and Democrats over charter schools and bills addressing teaching about race, House education committee member Shelly Simonds, D-Newport News, says theres emerging consensus on the need to boost aid to localities struggling to afford replacement or renovation of aging school buildings. Departing Gov. Ralph Northams two-year budget proposal calls for $500 million in state grants to local school boards for construction and renovation work. On top of that, Simonds filed a bill to increase the cap on Literary Fund loans for school construction and renovation from $7.5 million to $25 million. Her bill would also set an even higher limit if a project allows a school board to consolidate schools. Advertisement Simonds also proposed, in HB 254, that the state set up a new School Construction Fund, which would get 3% of any surplus of state revenue over savings, after already-required payments to two reserve funds and the water quality improvement fund. Simonds also has filed a bill, HB251, that encourages school boards to reach agreements with city councils and county supervisors to allow the schools to retain any unspent funds to be used for future maintenance, renovation and construction. I think doing something about school construction is one thing everyone agrees on, she said. In fact, funding schools generally seems to be bipartisan priority, she said. Northams budget would boost state direct aid to K-12 schools by $1.03 billion, bringing the total for fiscal year 2023 to $10.26 billion. And state Sen. Steve Newman, R-Lynchburg, wants look longer term, with his SB 117 proposing that 5% of any state surplus be set aside to cover cover schools operating costs. This would would have a knock-on effect of freeing up an equivalent amount of Lottery funds that cover school operations so that they could to be used for school construction. Advertisement Del. Lee Ware, R-Powhatan, has a bill, HB 9, that sets tougher new rules for new teachers and for teachers who receive bad performance evaluations. His bill says the term incompetency as a grounds for dismissal includes failing to meet license endorsement requirements or any unsatisfactory performance evaluation. It allows school boards to extend the time a new teacher remains on probationary status from the current three years to five years and formally bars school boards from re-employing a probationary teacher whose performance is not satisfactory. It also eliminates the option for school boards to set three-member fact-finding panels to consider any dismissal, so that these would only be handled by a board-appointed hearing officer. One of my localities came to me with this ... they felt new teachers sometimes needed more time, he said. Ware, who retired after more than three decades as a teacher, said he expects his bill will draw opposition from teachers unions, which have a lot of influence in the General Assembly. Advertisement But there are just some people who arent cut out to be teachers, he said. Other education issues from the election campaign are also emerging in legislation. SB 2, filed by state Sen. John Cosgrove, R-Chesapeake, would require school officials to report assaults, violent offenses and drug possession to police. Advertisement Daywatch Weekdays Start your morning with today's local news > Newly-elected Del. Philip Scott, R-Fredericksburg, wants to make sure no public school kindergarten pupil is required to participate in he Virginia Kindergarten Readiness Program, which assesses their skills during the first four to six weeks of school in mathematics, self-regulation, social skills, and literacy. His HB 41 also says publicly funded entities cant require participation in any other program for the assessment of the childs cognitive ability, development, learning, or readiness for kindergarten. Del. Karen Greenhalgh, R-Virginia Beach, another new legislator, wants to grant teachers and home-school parents an income tax deduction of up to $500 for any spending on professional development courses, books, supplies, computers, software or other educational materials. HB 12, sponsored by newcomer Del. Timothy Anderson, R-Virginia Beach, says school boards must limit the number of entry points to each school building, require metal detector screenings of anyone entering a building and said schools must have protocols for further screening if theres any reason to believe a person has a weapon. Andersons HB 37 says all middle and high schools must have at least one school resource officer. Del. Mike Cherry, R-Midlothian, another newcomer, in HB 133 wants to repeal a section of the prohibition on weapons in schools that now covers private day cares and religious preschools. Advertisement Dave Ress, 757-247-4535, dress@dailypress.com The timeless Good Samaritan spirit Xinhua) 15:04, January 13, 2022 BEIJING, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- More than 30 years after first rescuing someone drowning in Qingyun Lake, Zhao Li has been nominated as a national ethical role model, one of the most important milestones in his life. Zhao, a villager living near the lake in east China's Shandong Province, has saved 16 drowning people over the decades including a child who accidentally slipped into the water and a woman who attempted to commit suicide by drowning herself in the lake. "I realized that one person's ability is limited. A professional team can save more people's lives," he said. Thus, he set up a rescue center consisting of volunteers skilled at swimming in August 2020. They purchased speedboats and life vests with their own money to assist the government's emergency rescue missions, raise public awareness on drowning prevention, and popularize rescue methods. Currently, the rescue center boasts more than 100 volunteers. In their latest endeavor, they rushed to Xinxiang, a city in rain-ravaged Henan Province in central China, and helped evacuate more than 1,000 people in three days. Zhao was among 10 winners of the national ethical model awards bestowed last November for those who "act bravely for a just cause," a value that has been an essential underpinning of Chinese society for millennia. This fine tradition hailed by the Chinese nation since ancient times establishes that a person should be committed to upholding justice and shouldering social responsibility. Today, some administrative regulations provide that "acting bravely for a just cause" refers to an action of a citizen who fights to stop any criminal acts or acts in an emergency in order to protect state property, public interests, people or their property from danger in disregard of his personal safety. Indeed, the unselfish efforts of Zhao and the award he has won are an important reminder of this age-old virtue. He is just one of the countless everyday heroes in the country who have acted courageously to do what is righteous. Li Lingzhi, a college student in south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, tried to stop a man from stealing cables outside a residential compound last August. He suffered from a serious knife cut on his face while fighting with the thief who attempted to run away. The thief was finally caught by police, and fortunately Li got recovered. Despite the risk of COVID-19 infection, Wang Yong, an ordinary courier in Wuhan, organized a team and offered free shuttle rides as well as daily necessities for medical staff from Jinyintan Hospital, designated by the city to treat coronavirus patients, during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020. One day in January 2021, border patrolman Laqini Bayika happened to see a boy fall through the ice on a frozen lake in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. The man ran to the boy and saved him from drowning, yet tragically was claimed by the freezing water in the process. Whether in ancient times or today, "acting bravely for a just cause" is always commendable and an important indicator of social progress. Reflecting this importance, China has launched a series of measures to pass down this fine tradition. National and local funds have been set up to reward heroes who help others. The country's Civil Code also gives emphasis to the protection of those who are ready to help others. (Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun) The waiver means Ricky Lewis Etheridge Jr., 34, can be transferred to police custody in North Carolina to face charges there. A triple-homicide suspect arrested in Norfolk will be extradited to Elizabeth City to face charges related to a Dec. 2 shooting that took the life of a mother and her 3-year-old girl. Ricky Lewis Etheridge Jr., 34, signed a waiver of extradition proceedings in lieu of a hearing Thursday in Norfolk General District Court, according to the Norfolk Commonwealths Attorney Office. Advertisement Ricky Lewis Etheridge, Jr. The waiver means Etheridge can be transferred to police custody in North Carolina to face charges there. Etheridge is charged with three counts of homicide and could face additional charges. He is scheduled to be moved before a Feb. 9 court date in Elizabeth City. Norfolk police announced the arrest of Etheridge on Dec. 15, who was wanted for the murder of Takeyia DeShay Berry, 39; Berrys daughter, Allura Pledger, 3; and Jaquan White, 18. Three other men ages 40, 29 and 20 were also injured. Advertisement Etheridge has since been held at the city jail without bond. Lawrence Jacob Stephens was serving three consecutive life prison sentences for a 2001 armed home invasion and robbery case. Gov. Ralph Northam pardoned Stephens for the crime last month. (File image) A man who landed clemency last month in a decades-old York County case was released from prison Wednesday after the pandemic threatened to leave him behind bars indefinitely. Lawrence Jacob Stephens, now 38, was serving three consecutive life prison sentences for a 2001 armed home invasion and robbery. Advertisement When Gov. Ralph Northam pardoned Stephens last month, the governors clemency order required him to go through a Virginia Department of Corrections program to prepare for life outside of prison. But because that was on hold with the recent COVID-19 spike, Stephens remained locked up. But when Stephens finally walked out of a state prison in Waverly at about 5:30 p.m. Wednesday after about 20 years behind bars his attorney, Rebecca Winn, thanked Northam for making it happen. Advertisement Without him, this freedom and justice would not have been possible, she said. We are very excited. We are very pleased. This has been a long, hard journey. Northams grace and mercy, she said, is reflective of the promise he made a couple of years ago to listen better to communities historically burdened by the criminal justice system. After the governors Dec. 18 pardon but before Stephens release this week Winn had contended that the DOC wasnt abiding by Northams clemency order and that her client was being held in prison unjustly. Aside from Stephens, Northam also granted clemency in December to another man, Darnell Nolen, who was convicted in the same York County home invasion but was serving a 35-year sentence. But while Nolen walked out of prison Jan. 7, Stephens release was complicated by the re-entry requirement. That program which can run several months up to a year is designed to ease inmates transitions back into society, work and family life. In late December, Stephens was moved between two state prisons in Waverly from Sussex 2 to Sussex 1 to start that program, but the program got suspended because of a COVID-19 outbreak at the prisons. Stephens wrote to Winn on Jan. 3, relaying that the program hadnt begun, and that conditions were extremely unsafe. He told her an inmate threatened to stab him for using the phone, while others were setting mattresses and trash on fire. He also had to sleep in a prison gymnasium, couldnt take regular showers and was often barred from calling Winn. Advertisement A staff member and canine were stabbed at Sussex 1 earlier this week, according to WRIC-TV. I dont feel safe, nor do I feel like a man who is supposed to be free, Stephens wrote in the Jan. 3 letter, which Winn shared with the Daily Press. Its like the system continues to devalue and degrade me. It doesnt matter if I was pardoned or not, I am still just another n***** with a state number to these people. Winn said she spoke with Stephens by phone Monday, and he was stressed out and exasperated. Stephens is this super chill, calm, centered kind of guy, so its not normal for him, she said. The attorney wrote to Northam Monday, urgently explaining the situation. She said prison conditions at Sussex were deteriorating, that COVID was sweeping through the facility, and that Stephens was being mistreated. Will Mr. Stephens have to wait until this pandemic ends (if ever) to begin reentry? Winn asked the governor. When will that be? Months? Years? She asked that the re-entry program requirement for Stephens be scrapped. Winn also reminded the governor that he didnt require Nolen to undergo a re-entry program even as the men were convicted of the same crimes 20 years ago. Advertisement If anything, Mr. Stephens has completed more classes and more programs during his incarceration than Mr. Nolen has! Winn wrote. On Tuesday, the morning after her letter, Winn got a call from Virginia Parole Board chairwoman Tonya Chapman. She said that we can facilitate this if we can get a Virginia home plan, or a plan for where Stephens will live. The plan, documents said, includes Stephens living with a sister in North Carolina. A Department of Corrections spokesman said Wednesday the agency takes safety and security of all inmates and staff very seriously, and disagreed that Stephens had been extremely unsafe at Sussex. DOC spokesman Benjamin Jarvela said the re-entry program had to be suspended because of the recent COVID-19 spike, citing 415 cases at the two state prisons in Sussex. In order to be administered effectively for the inmate, the program must be conducted in a shared environment, he said. We understand the inconvenience and potential frustration involved here, and we are thankful for everyones patience as we navigate these challenges. Advertisement According to Daily Press news stories from November 2001, the robbery involved two intruders went into a home in York Countys Seaford section through an unlocked front door. Then robbers forced two victims to the floor at gunpoint, bound them with duct tape and took cash, a gun and PlayStation 2 system. While Stephens and Nolen 18 and 17 at the time carried out the robbery, Winn contended they were acting at the behest of three older co-workers who were employed with them at the same Hampton restaurant. Moreover, Stephens and Nolen, who are Black, landed much more prison time than their white co-workers, court documents show. Winn asserted that the two were subjected to disparate treatment based on their race. Stephens, of Newport News, pleaded guilty in a 2002 plea agreement that didnt include any promises regarding a sentence. Winn said the late Circuit Court Judge Prentis Smiley sentenced him to three life sentences plus 23 years behind bars. Nolen was sentenced to 35 years by a different judge. He was slated for release in about 2032 after accounting for good behavior credits. Advertisement But the three white conspirators got much less time 10 years for one man whom Winn called the mastermind, and two years apiece for two other men. Daywatch Weekdays Start your morning with today's local news > Winn took Stephens case pro-bono last year after one of Stephens family members called the NAACPs Hampton chapter president Gaylene Kanoyton, who asked her to look at it. (After Stephens landed clemency, Winn filed for Nolens release 10 days later, and the governors office turned that around in nine days). A conditional pardon is a form of clemency for cases in which a governor believes the defendant committed the crime but that the ends of justice warrants a sentence reduction. Both Stephens and Nolen acknowledge committing the crime, Winn said. They actually feel really embarrassed about the whole thing, she said. They feel really, really, really bad. Stephens, she said, has a lot of guilt and often reflects on what if it was his moms house that it happened to, how upset he would be and how scared he would be. Still, he was happy to be pardoned. Advertisement The fight wasnt easy, but WE WON!!! he wrote to the NAACP on Dec. 18. Just think I went to bed last night having three life sentences plus 23 years, and today I am months away from being a free man again. I tell you GOD IS REAL!!! Peter Dujardin, 757-247-4749, pdujardin@dailypress.com Unlimited website access 24/7 Unlimited e-Edition access 24/7 The best local, regional and national news in sports, politics, business and more! With a Digital Only subscription, you'll receive unlimited access to our website and e-edition. Our digital products are available 24/7 and are accessible anywhere, anytime. Help Our Community Please help local businesses by taking an online survey to help us navigate through these unprecedented times. None of the responses will be shared or used for any other purpose except to better serve our community. The survey is at: www.pulsepoll.com $1,000 is being awarded. Everyone completing the survey will be able to enter a contest to Win as our way of saying, "Thank You" for your time. Thank You! Take The Survey A man charged this week with storming the U.S. Capitol last year performed rap songs about the riot in videos posted on his YouTube channel, federal authorities say. A relative told the FBI that Billy Knutson was a rapper who sold his music online and has a YouTube channel under the username Playboythebeast, an FBI agent said in a court filing. Knutson said on social media that he was at the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, and posted photos of himself outside the building, the relative said. Advertisement One of the songs on Knutsons YouTube channel is called Patriots: Message To The World and has more than 60,000 views. We been fighting for yall, and this how you treat us? Calling us traitors and claim we not peaceful? he sang on the video, which included video clips of the riot. Advertisement Messages posted on Knutsons YouTube channel under the username Playboy The Beast expressed support for the far-right Proud Boys. More than three dozen people linked to the Proud Boys have been charged with riot-related offenses. A surveillance video showed Knutson enter the Capitol by climbing through a broken window near the doors of the Senate wing, according to the agent. The video shows Knutson talking to other people, including police officers, and apparently using a cellphone to record images inside the building. He exited through a set of doors after several minutes, the FBI said. A cellphone number that Knutson used on an economic application submitted to the state of North Carolina matched the number for a cellphone that was near the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, according to the FBI. Daywatch Weekdays Start your morning with today's local news > A federal magistrate judge in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, ordered Knutson released after his initial court appearance on Wednesday, court records show. Prosecutors didnt seek his pretrial detention. Posts on Knutsons YouTube channel said he moved from North Carolina to South Dakota last year. The charges against Knutson in a criminal complaint include disorderly conduct in a Capitol building and entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds. A federal public defender who represented Knutson at the hearing said he referred a request for comment to his supervisor. More than 700 people have been charged with federal crimes related to the Jan. 6 riot. Knutson isnt the only riot defendant to record a rap song about the riot. Advertisement A Florida man, Felipe Marquez, posted a YouTube video in which he rapped about his riot experience to the tune of Shaggys It Wasnt Me. with lyrics that included, We even fist-bumped police, and We were taking selfies. Last month, a judge sentenced Marquez to three months of home confinement. Antionne Brodnax, a Virginia man who raps under the name Bugzie the Don, pleaded guilty to riot-related charges in October and is scheduled to be sentenced on Jan. 27, A photograph of Brodnax sitting on the hood of police truck during the riot was on the cover of his rap album, The Capital, according to a Washington Post report. The onus is on Manitobans to reduce their own risk of contracting COVID-19, the premier said Wednesday. Advertisement Advertise With Us MIKE DEAL/WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Premier Heather Stefanson said Wednesday that Manitobans must learn to live with the COVID-19 virus. The onus is on Manitobans to reduce their own risk of contracting COVID-19, the premier said Wednesday. Officials warned it is very likely all Manitobans will be exposed to the omicron variant in the coming weeks, so they will have to use the tools already provided by the government to help mitigate infections. "This virus is running throughout our community and its up to Manitobans to look after themselves," Heather Stefanson told reporters. "We must all learn to live with this virus; there must be a balance." Dr. Jazz Atwal, the deputy chief provincial public health officer, echoed the premiers words, adding people should reduce their contacts and interactions to lower their own risks of contracting the virus, as well as get vaccinated as soon as they can. "We are telling people to slow down," he said. "Whatever activities you were planning on having this week, cut them back. If you limit those interactions, that will help mitigate some of those risks related to COVID-19. Omicron is a very different virus from previous variants, he said. Owing to the rate of transmissibility, a person infected with the delta variant would usually infect three to four additional people, whereas someone infected with omicron often spreads the virus to 12 to 16 additional people. With omicron, it takes about three days after exposure for symptoms to appear and for someone to be infectious. For delta, its around five days. "As we learn more, we will adjust our approaches to identify those most at risk and mitigate the effects of COVID-19," Atwal said, adding the province is focusing on vaccinations, testing those most at risk of severe outcomes, and using treatments such as antibodies and antivirals. Preliminary data shows omicron has less severe outcomes in people who are vaccinated. Compared to the unvaccinated, people with one dose of vaccine are three times less likely to end up in hospital due to COVID. People with two doses are six times less likely and people with three doses are 26 times less likely, according to new provincial data presented Wednesday by Dr. Joss Reimer, medical lead for the provinces vaccine implementation task force. For ICU admissions, compared to the unvaccinated, people with one dose of vaccine are three times less likely to be admitted to intensive care, those with two doses are 19 times less likely and those with three doses are 139 times less likely. With students returning to in-person learning next week, Stefanson said the province has been making sure schools can reopen safely. The province has distributed 500,000 rapid test kits to schools and is holding vaccine clinics in schools. "The best place for our children is in schools," she said. A joint statement from the Manitoba Pediatrics Society and the Canadian Paediatric Society distributed by Doctors Manitoba reiterated Stefansons sentiments, pointing out the government has been listening to their groups advice on how to safely open and operate schools. "In-person learning is an essential part of childrens well-being. With omicron spreading in Manitoba, its more important than ever for the appropriate precautions be in place when students, teachers and staff return to schools next week, including good quality masks, frequent hand hygiene reminders, physical distancing, good ventilation and getting vaccinated or boosted as soon as eligible," Doctors Manitoba said in a statement. However, Stefanson warned that doesnt mean they wont consider changing restrictions in the future. She said they are speaking daily with public health officials and the government sets policies based on advice from doctors, but would not elaborate further despite being asked multiple times if doctors had recommended tightening restrictions. Health Minister Audrey Gordon emphasized how important it still is to get immunized against COVID-19. "The way you stay out of the emergency room hallways and the way you stay out of our hospitals and our ICUs is to recharge your immunity by getting your third dose [of vaccine]," Gordon said. She explained public health officials are looking at the charts of ICU patients and found one-third were there for just COVID treatment. The other two-thirds were what she called incidental infections people admitted to the hospital for a medical reason other than COVID but had still tested positive for the virus. When it comes to staff shortages, Stefanson said the provincial government is pushing regulatory colleges to speed up the accreditation of international-trained nurses. "We will be challenging the College of Registered Nurses of Manitoba and the College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Manitoba to ensure we license as many of these applicants as soon as possible. "Manitobans expect this sense of urgency and our dedicated health-care workers need more assistance and support." However, the Manitoba Nurses Union is cautioning that the provinces hospitals, especially the emergency departments, are at max capacity. They are packed with a wide swath of patients needing care. "As such, the lines are blurring within the system as designated wards flow into other areas. Sadly, given the desperate state of our system coupled with insufficient staff to add additional beds ... you have a frontline that is in need of resuscitation itself," said union president Darlene Jackson. The province needs strong leadership and to be proactive, she added. "The longer we stay stuck here, the worse off patient care will be for all Manitobans," she said. If the premier and public health officials are telling Manitobans to look after themselves, the least they could do is offer more support, such as testing kits, masks and funding, NDP Leader Wab Kinew said. "I think Manitobans should be very concerned with the impacts we are going to see on our health-care system and consequently for the average person out there." kmckinley@brandonsun.com Twitter: @karenleighmcki1 Brandon police seized a significant amount of methamphetamine and fentanyl and arrested four people in a Tuesday drug bust. Advertisement Advertise With Us Brandon police seized a significant amount of methamphetamine and fentanyl and arrested four people in a Tuesday drug bust. Officers in the organized crime section, operational support and crime suppression unit executed a search warrant at a residence in the 200 block of 26th Street on Tuesday, according to police. Police seized 50 grams of meth, 20 grams of fentanyl, $1,800 in cash and a .22 calibre rifle with ammunition. A 35-year-old woman was charged with possession of methamphetamine for the purpose of trafficking, possession of the proceeds of crime and possession of property obtained by crime. She is scheduled to appear in court on March 10. A 45-year-old man was charged with unauthorized possession of a firearm and is scheduled to appear in court on March 3. A 48-year-old man was charged with unauthorized possession of a firearm and possession of a firearm contrary to a prohibition order. A 42-year-old man was charged with possession of methamphetamine for the purpose of trafficking, possession of fentanyl for the purpose of trafficking, possession of the proceeds of crime and unauthorized possession of a firearm. He was scheduled to appear in court on Wednesday. The Brandon Sun In it, they play 60-something lovers Glen and Anita, who meet in line at the airport while on their way to a package holiday in Tasmania. Its ridiculous to say it, but its not often you see older people being sexual on screen. A lot of roles for women over 60 have focused on the end of life or illness or feeling receding from life, she says. The End was a brilliant series, but it was very much about a woman fighting against the dying light. And what I do love about Anita is that shes a woman who is expansive. She has no notions of giving up or looking back. Shes about being in the present and giving things a go. That was really refreshing to read. Mitchell and Weaving in the 1984 miniseries Bodyline. It was the first time they played partners on screen. And [Glen and Anita] were sexually active and I think thats the other thing we avoid wanting to think about older people feeling passionate, having sex, desiring each other, wanting adventure. Im in my 60s and I want all those things, I pursue all those things. Desire doesnt end, it doesnt have a use-by date. Were human beings and we have feelings. We long for company and some people, at any age, pursue that intimacy. I think its really great. And Hugo and I both felt very strongly about that. Does it ever feel weird kissing a friend? I know its acting, but still Its the weirdest thing about acting, she says. When youre thinking in character, youre not ever thinking of the other person as a friend, so its not strange at all. Because until action, you might be Hugo and Heather, but once theres action you are imagining you are those characters in that situation. You are someone whos just met someone and youre attracted to them. Youre not Heather attracted to Hugo. You do go into a totally different headspace. She pauses. Yeah, its weird. An intimacy director was on the set of Love Me, ensuring the cast felt comfortable during some reasonably explicit scenes. Its like learning dance steps in a way, she says of the work that now goes into sex scenes on screen. Youre never thinking, This is what Heather likes, its what the character likes. It was not always like this. When I look back to the past, Ive had experiences definitely in theatre and on film sets which there would now, ah, be possibly lawsuits over, she says.Which would be awful because I dont think the courts actually handle these things well. I dont think the legal system really, ah, understands how to deal with some of these conversations. For a lot of people, that hasnt been a good experience. The scampi spaghettini at Fratelli Paradiso. Credit:Edwina Pickles I had one experience where I made a complaint and I was written out of the show pretty much. Another experience where I wanted to pull out of a job, but I pushed through and didnt realise at the time that it had a negative impact on me. But it did and it wasnt until much later that I realised. She stresses these situations were not common, but they did happen, and sometimes it wasnt simple at all. She talks of being in a play that was a wonderful experience but it involved her rolling around on the floor each night and kissing five different men. I did that happily, she says. But now I look back on it and think, Did I do that? Whereas now, youre going to talk through it. I mean, there were some nights when one person would go a bit further and youd go, Mmm, I dont know about that. But at the time, it was fun, and it didnt have an adverse effect on me. I enjoyed it and I felt safe but it is a case-by-case basis. Having more women in positions of power across film, theatre and TV has also made a big difference to how women are treated in the business. Love Me has an especially strong female pedigree its based on Swedish series Alska Mig by Josephine Bornebusch, it was adapted for Australia by Alison Bell, its directed by Emma Freeman and produced by Angie Fielder and Polly Staniford. The zucchini tagliolini from Fratelli Paradiso. Credit:Ediwna Pickles Ever the professional, Mitchell begins to fret she hasnt talked about Love Me enough, the main obstacle being me throwing questions at her about everything else. Getting older on screen? I, personally, would love women to feel comfortable about themselves. But I understand not everyone does and you understand how competitive it is in our industry. I understand women wanting to look good I dont want to look terrible but I also dont want to look like a woman whos getting older. I still want to look well. I want to look age-appropriate for the role. But I dont want to start getting frightened about my lines or my ageing. Cosmetic surgery? I tried Botox once, she says, waving her hand at her forehead. I got very bruised and I thought, Im not trying that again. Loading Handling disappointment over lost roles? It is not easy. Its deeply disappointing. And I dont want this to sound too nice, but very quickly I feel the disappointment, and sometimes even have a cry, but something in me is kind of pleased that someone else has been given an opportunity. Thats far too nice! I know it sounds wanky, she says. But I do feel, and I do believe, that it is right for that [other] person. And that something else will come along. Reviews? Doesnt read them. Unless I feel absolutely confident that the show is a resounding success, then Ill read them later. At home, Mitchell likes to take long walks with her husband, where they talk about work most of the time. Their two sons, Finn and Seamus, live at home and Mitchells only complaint is that no one listens to her, mainly because theyve all got headphones on. Receipt for lunch with Heather Mitchell at Fratelli Paradiso. This is a terrible generalisation, but its certainly true of the men in my house, says Mitchell. Theyll stop if they want to talk about something. Whereas I will be thinking about a whole lot of different things at once. And Ill be doing this, but Ill be thinking about something else. So, I dont necessarily stop and have the conversation. I need to learn to stop and have the conversation if I want someones attention. Maybe they need to learn to keep up? Weve all made this agreement that Im the dog in the family, she says, laughing. Weve got a cat thats very old and shes always been feral and quite skittish. And theyve decided that Im the dog in the family because Im always running around doing things jumping up and down. And theyre all sort of old cats, they need me to calm down. And Im feeling a little bit excluded at times because they want the dog to just shut up and, you know, go to the kennel. Or maybe just a good walk. However, in a public post on Facebook on Wednesday, the Jarrett family and elders from the Gumbaynggirr family condemned what they described as the appalling actions of their family member Richie Jarrett, who also goes by the name Bumagin. Richie does not represent our family. He holds no cultural mandate. He is proclaiming himself to be a cultural lore man and it is very hurtful to see him try and use our culture this way, the statement read. Police at Old Parliament House on Thursday. Conspiracy theorists have said they will try to take it over on Saturday. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen The Murrawarri nation, the first nation in Australia to declare its independence from the Crown in 2013, said it supported the Aboriginal Tent Embassy for its 50th anniversary and condemned the protest group. We are disturbed that some of our citizens who are a part of this group have been involved in the threatening and abuse of traditional owners of the Ngunnawal nation that has been aired on social media and do not support these actions in any way. In other First Nations Facebook groups, community members have pleaded with individuals to dissociate themselves from the Original Sovereigns camp and return home to sit with elders. Their requests have largely been rejected, with the individuals instead committing to remain at the camp. The new protest group consists of a coalition of interconnected groups involved in the freedom movement. Some Indigenous individuals who believe in the Freemen on the Land anti-government ideology front the group, which is also associated with the Original Sovereign Tribal Federation, an offshoot of the sovereign citizen movement. A Muckudda camp member at the camp. Credit:Instagram The new camp has labelled itself Muckudda Camp, referring, according to one leader, Bruce Shillingsworth, to storm coming an apparent reference to the QAnon conspiracy. The group first scorched Old Parliament Houses doors with fire on December 21, then caused a more serious and damaging fire on December 30. Two more men were arrested in connection with the December 30 fire on Thursday, a 30-year-old NSW man from Bourke and a 38-year-old NSW man from Lindendale. Both will appear in the Canberra Magistrates Court on Friday. Over the past fortnight, allegations of verbal and physical abuse have also been levelled against members of Muckudda Camp. In a public post to Instagram, Ngunnawal traditional owner Leah House alleges camp members had threatened female traditional owners and embassy council members. It was intimidating as a young woman to have six men confront me. They scared me the way they threatened to take me and to deal with us in tribal ways, Ms House a domestic violence survivor told The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald this week. Other Ngunnawal traditional owners, alongside senior figures in the history of the Tent Embassy, have also repeatedly asked the newcomers to leave and publicly condemned the camps Indigenous ringleaders for not observing cultural protocols and respectfully seeking permission to conduct ceremony and protest on their lands. ACT Police has been targeting Camp Muckudda members with alcohol and drug testing on roads surrounding the site, and the National Capital Authority issued orders for the removal of semi-permanent structures erected in the past week. The attention prompted Bundjalung man Luke Simpson to issue warnings and advice to group members to not comply with police and instead call camp leaders. Firefighters responding at the fire-damaged front entrance of Old Parliament House following a protest, in Canberra on December 30. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen Well deal with it, wrote Mr Simpson. We know your stunts [AFP]. Stop protecting the paedophile and bring him down to speak to us. Prominent members of the group have said they would remain in place until the job is done a response to previous comments made by ACT Chief Police Officer Neil Gaughan that he wanted the protesters to have left the Tent Embassy by January 24, the eve of the Tent Embassys jubilee celebrations. On Saturday we plan to go through them doors, said Mr Simpson in an Instagram video posted on Wednesday. We just want to let you guys know that it mightnt be smooth, it mightnt run the best, but weve got to do what weve got to do, you know. Loading On Saturday Ill be there, man. Ill be in the front line. If things are going to be sour, then Im going to get smashed first ... Im ready to take it if it comes, said Mr Simpson. In the same video, Muruwari and Budjiti man Buddy Shillingsworth said protesters had nothing to lose in their attempt to go through the doors on Saturday. Youre saying we dont know whether the people [are] going to get shot or not when they walk through the door? Well, if we dont get shot were going to die of underlying health issues, were going to die of a broken arm, were going to die in custody ... You either die for something thats worthwhile ... or allow whats going on now to keep going on, he said. Mr Shillingsworth was arrested and charged after the clash on Thursday. Earlier in the video, another group member Doris Duriye Osman says: Yeah, I often say to people ... Im willing to die for this if I have to. Because to me, if I dont have my freedom, then life isnt worth living, being enslaved like this. So, Im going all the way. And thats just how I feel. Australias largest anti-vaccine lobby group, and backer of Craig Kelly and Clive Palmers United Questions about the continued spread of Delta come as general practitioners warn young adults who make up the vast majority of cases not to be indifferent to the threat of coronavirus. Anecdotally, there are concerns younger people are less concerned about the virus, based on the assumption they will be infected with Omicron and therefore recover quickly. Loading Werribee general practitioner Joe Garra was shocked by stories from young patients, who were infected with the virus after sharing drinks at parties and jumping in mosh pits at music festivals, before a ban on dance floors was re-imposed. I really understand people are exhausted by this, especially young people, but there is a worrying level of complacency, Dr Garra said. I heard about a lot silly behaviour over the festive period. People are thinking, oh well, Omicron is less severe, and they are forgetting the basics. In the United States, there has been a growing trend of people intentionally trying to catch Omicron, on the misguided understanding it will get their virus experience over with, something that Royal Australian College of General Practitioners national president Karen Price dubbed a terrible idea. Dr Price said she was dismayed by videos circulating social media recently, including from some Australian Instagram influencers who told thousands of followers they had purposely tried to infect themselves with Omicron. For most people Omicron is going to be more than just a cold and for Delta it can be quite severe, Dr Price said. She warned anyone infected with coronavirus was at risk of long COVID, a strange and often debilitating post-viral condition affecting millions across the world, including those who did not have severe illness initially. It can also be unpredictable in terms of who gets what degree of illness, so there is a significant need to protect the people you care about who are vulnerable, including older people, pregnant women, and those who immunocompromised. Royal Australian College of General Practitioners president Karen Price, who is also a Melbourne GP. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen Australian Medical Association national president Omar Khorshid said while the focus was understandably on Omicron as it spread nationally, Delta had not disappeared. Loading Delta is still around and it is still the dominant form of COVID in many countries, he said. It can cause serious disease and in particular for unvaccinated people, it can be a very, very severe. The message is you dont want to get COVID of any sort of if you can avoid it. Dr Khorshid some chief health officer across the country were now estimating more than 90 percent of their coronavirus infections were the Omicron variant. In Victoria, the latest data suggests more than 80 percent of reported cases are now the Omicron variant. And, coronavirus hospitalisation continue to surpass daily pandemic records in NSW and Victoria, as health systems buckle under the strain. On Wednesday, there were a record 953 patients in hospital in Victoria with virus, amid a staffing crisis which is crippling hospitals, wiping out more than 6000 healthcare workers, who were forced into isolation after being infected or exposed to the virus. In NSW, there are now more than 2383 in hospital, and like in Victoria, the vast majority appear to less severely ill and are being admitted to general coronavirus wards, rather than intensive care units. Melbourne emergency physician Simon Judkins said it was impossible to determine which variant a person was infected with when they arrived in the emergency department. However, he said early observations from clinicians indicated Omicron appeared to present more with upper airway symptoms, like a sore throat, and was less like to cause severe pneumonia like Delta. Loading Preliminary clinical data globally suggests that Omicron may be less likely to cause severe illness than its predecessor Delta. However, health experts have repeatedly warned even if Omicron proves to be milder, the virus is spreading at such a rapid speed it could still result in more people getting severely unwell from COVID-19 overall due to the sheer number of people with the disease. The implications of the variant on the elderly also remains a crucial unanswered question, with most of the cases studied so far in younger people who have been infected. As increasing numbers of symptomatic coronavirus patients flood into stretched hospital emergency departments, Dr Skinner wants coronavirus clinics set-up across Australia to ease the extreme pressure being placed on hospitals. Dr Skinner said standalone coronavirus clinics had been established by the federal government in Canberra and used as a one-stop-shop for testing and assessment of people infected with the virus, with staff able to provide onsite medical advice. There are a whole bunch of people who will never require hospitalisation or intensive care, but they do require medical assessment by someone, she said. The Victorian government announced late last year 20 clinics would be opened this year across the state to allow symptomatic people to receive medical care and screening in a bid to free up capacity in hospital emergency departments. These clinics will be run by general practitioners. However, Dr Khorshid did not believe it would be logistically possible to open the clinics during the Omicron wave due to staffing shortages. I understand where the college is coming from, but our feeling is that the hospitals just dont have the workforce and the junior doctors, or nurses, to stand up yet another type of clinic, he said. Australian Medical Association president Dr Omar Khorshid. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen Loading With coronavirus hospitalisations projected to reach levels never seen before in Australia in the coming weeks, Dr Skinner said she was concerned by reports people had avoided emergency department, even when they had urgent or life-threatening symptoms like chest pain, dizziness and difficulty breathing. We absolutely encourage them to seek immediate care in the emergency department, and we will do our absolute best to provide the care they need, she said. If you have coronavirus and need assistance the national coronavirus helpline can be reached on 1800 020 080. While Britain and others embraced rapid antigen tests, the Therapeutic Goods Administration was very cautious in Australia. It approved more than a dozen different brands for sale from November 1, but this was months after employers had asked for them and more than a year after Britain cleared its first kits. This might have made sense in the Delta outbreak but was poor planning for future variants as things turned out when early results showed Omicron was less severe but more transmissible. Illustration: Andrew Dyson Credit: Asked in August about rapid antigen tests, chief medical officer Paul Kelly said they should only be used under the supervision of a health professional. The message from Canberra was that it did not want millions of people using RATs to find out for themselves whether they had the virus. Would the government change that approach? Were certainly looking at that as a component of our next steps, Kelly said on August 6. But those steps took forever. Today, of course, Morrison wants Australians to use RATs at home to keep track of infections, limit the spread and keep people at work whenever possible. He has finally embraced what he was asked to do five months earlier. As an aside, the testing nightmare should lead to a more thoughtful debate about health advice. The partisan arguments over the pandemic often include calls to respect the health advice and ignore economists or reject calls from business. On testing, the employers were right and the health chiefs were too slow. This weeks decisions prove this point. It is important to note that the rapid tests are not as precise as PCR tests. Even so, a series of daily RAT results can increase that reliability. That means volume helps. And that is where governments failed. Its hard to find rapid antigen tests in retail outlets at the moment. Credit:Chris Hopkins One concern among federal ministers last year was that making RAT kits free would lead to unchecked demand and uncapped costs. In one estimate, matching the British approach could cost $200 million every week. But the government did not have to make them free to make them more widely available. It could have ordered more, and perhaps subsidised them, to prepare for the next wave just as it has done with other medical items. Some state leaders were so confident about their PCR testing centres that they played down the need for RATs as well. Asked in July if he saw a place for rapid kits in major events and aged care, Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews worried about false positives and said PCR remained the gold standard. With state test centres overwhelmed, the mess is not all Morrisons problem. It was up to the states to plan for their share of the load. Only now, reacting too late to immense pressure, have NSW and Victoria set up online systems to register RAT results the very systems Britain has been running for months. There really is no excuse for that failure to prepare Australia for what was happening overseas. Morrison admitted on Monday that Omicron had spread faster than he and his officials expected. Did they not think to prepare for a bigger wave of cases? While the Prime Minister has argued that testing is a job for the states, his excuse will not wash with voters. They expect the national leader to lead. Anthony Albanese has called for free rapid antigen tests. Credit:James Brickwood The test kit shortage has turned into a national emergency by leaving millions of workers in the dark about whether they have the virus at the very time the rules require them to use the rapid kits to find out if they should go to work. Most Australians have played by the rules throughout this pandemic and made everyday sacrifices to observe lockdowns and border controls, but now they are being asked to do the impossible: test themselves with kits they cannot find. This is fertile ground for Labor leader Anthony Albanese, given his call, which is uncosted but popular, to make the tests free. While the federal government has placed urgent orders for 70 million tests this month and next, those kits will come too late for some. The result is a bizarre disconnect between Morrisons assurances at his press conferences we have to push through and the lived experience of people staring at empty shelves in pharmacies and supermarkets. Queensland has reported six COVID-19 deaths just days before the state throws open its border to interstate travellers. Authorities said all domestic border controls would be removed from 1am on Saturday, as they shifted focus to managing access to certain venues for unvaccinated people. The deaths were reported in people between their 70s and 90s and took the states death toll to 17 in the largest daily death toll for Queensland since the pandemic began. Can I please express my deepest sympathies to the families of the loved ones that have passed away, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk told reporters in Brisbane on Thursday. Fewer than 5000 school staff have failed to declare their vaccination status, but Queenslands Education Department expects widespread compliance with the mandate. More than 95 per cent of the states school staff have provided their vaccination status, with more than 98 per cent indicating they were already fully vaccinated or would be in coming days. Queenslands school staff is about 90,000 strong, including some people on annual leave, maternity leave or sick leave and might not have indicated their vaccination status. In October, Education Minister Grace Grace announced that teachers, volunteers, cleaners and maintenance workers in state and private schools and childcare centres needed to receive one dose of a coronavirus vaccine by December 17. To some, happily led by Palaszczuk, the closed border epitomised their safety, a point she emphasised at every opportunity. To others, including separated family members and many in the tourism and business sectors, it represented economic disruption and lost opportunities. Until now, from a public health perspective at least, it did the job. The reality is the COVID-zero boat sailed some time ago. Omicron assured that. We dont even know how many people have COVID in Queensland, other than its certainly well above the 145,000-odd known cases. A hole in the roof is of little concern when youre up to your waist in water. Queenslands tough stance was never never going to keep COVID at bay indefinitely. It was not designed to. The main driver was the avoidance of the systemic collapse of the states health system. So far, that has worked. Remember Italy. The Mediterranean nation, that birthplace of empires, was one of the first brought to its knees after COVID escaped the confines of China. It seems like so much longer than two years ago. Hospitals overflowed. Patients died in the hallways. Doctors debated the merits of limiting intensive care to young patients. As horrifying as this current COVID wave is to a population relatively untouched during the pandemic, Queensland is not facing a disaster of such proportions. There was even a glimmer of hope on Thursday, however small, when Queensland Chief Health Officer John Gerrard announced the hospitalisation figures. They had barely budged. We need to look for trends over days and weeks rather than individual days, but its kind of interesting that theyve stabilised in the last day or two, he said. As Gerrard pointed out, a day does not make a trend. But it was a welcome sign. Unlike Italy in 2020, Queensland in 2022 hosts a largely vaccinated population. Had the Omicron variant been around this time last year, we could well be facing a disaster. So far, were not. The safety net those vaccinations provided is doing its job. There is simply no longer a benefit health, economic, political or otherwise for Queensland to shut itself off from the rest of the country. Still, this remains a perilous time for the Palaszczuk government. Just two weeks ago, I wrote there was one number on which history would judge Palaszczuk. That number is the number of Queenslanders claimed by this pandemic. That number, two weeks ago, was seven. Now, its 17. Comparatively low, sure, but that does not lessen the impact to those sitting around those 17 empty chairs at the dinner table. Its a sign this pandemic is not finished with us yet, but one thing is certain. James City County The James City County Board of Supervisors voted to deny two special-use permits that would have allowed for two single-family homes to be used for tourist lodgings in the county at its Tuesday night meeting. The first request came from property owner Franklin Bergeron who currently resides in Florida but who owns a future retirement home off of Jamestown Road. Advertisement Bergeron said he planned to hire a caretaker to maintain the property and rent out two of the rooms through the internet-based short-term rental company Airbnb. While his application meets the necessary zoning requirements, his request does not fall in line with the countys 2045 comprehensive plan which serves as a road map for how the county will look in the upcoming decades. Advertisement According to the comprehensive plan, the county historically permitted tourist homes and rental of rooms within certain districts, either by-right or with a special-use permit. In January 2018, the board unanimously voted against proposed zoning amendments to allow for short-term rentals. Homeowners who wish to operate an Airbnb must come before the planning commission and subsequently, the Board of Supervisors. To meet the special-use permit requirements as outlined in the comprehensive plan, the property must be located on land designated as rural, neighborhood commercial, community commercial, mixed-use or economic opportunity. The property must be located on the edge or corner of an existing platted subdivision, rather than internal to it, be located on a major road and the property owner must live and reside on the property during the rental. While the proposed property sits along the main road, it is not on a corner lot, it is zoned limited residential and the property owner will not live on-site during the rental. In December, the planning commission unanimously voted to recommend the board deny the proposal. During the public comment period at Tuesdays meeting, several residents spoke in opposition, primarily members from the neighborhood, and several spoke in favor, predominantly other short-term rental property owners. Those in opposition argued that they did not move to the area to live next to a business. Others were concerned temporary residents would be loud and disruptive, there are no homeowners associations to protect residents and the board should stick to the comprehensive plan. We never intended to live behind a business. There are plenty of places in Williamsburg for that to be the case if youre looking for that, resident Anne Buren said. I just would hope that the plan was designed and given a great deal of thought initially and we would stick to the plan. Advertisement Those in favor argued that short-term rentals are less disruptive than long-term rentals as tenants are often out and about and not inside the property itself. They also argued Williamsburg visitors are not looking to use rental properties to be disruptive but instead, it could serve as a way to promote tourism as folks come to visit the sites. I dont think people are coming here to disrupt your neighborhood or your lives. I dont think people are coming here to peer out the windows and into your living spaces, resident Emily Huffman said. I think they are coming here to spend time with their family because weve all missed that the past few years. While several of the supervisors said they understand the potential in short term rentals, including Supervisor Mike Hipple who maintains his own Airbnb rental property, the board unanimously voted to deny the project voicing concerns regarding the owners out-of-state status and its failure to adhere to the comprehensive plan. The second request came from property owner Sharon Dennis who owns several long-term and short-term rentals. The property, which sits on Neck-O-Land Road, is zoned rural residential and is located between two other Airbnb rentals but is not on a corner lot. Advertisement According to the plan, Dennis did not plan to live on-site while it was rented out but she does live in the county and could address any problems if they arose, which was a factor when Supervisor Ruth Larson voted against the previous special-use permit request. As it did not meet the criteria set forth in the comprehensive plan, the planning commission unanimously voted to request supervisors deny the request. During the public hearing, Dennis made a pitch for her proposal, arguing that it would promote tourism in the region, she is available to address any issues and by hiring local cleaning and maintenance crews, she is keeping business local and would be bringing local tax dollars in through her property. I want my property to have the ability to keep itself preserved, Dennis said. Several neighborhood residents spoke, saying they were in favor of the proposed plan and no one spoke in opposition. The board voted 5-1, without discussion, to deny the proposed permit. Hipple voted in favor of the plan. Advertisement The ways in which to handle short-term rentals facilitated by internet-based companies have plagued county officials across the state. The board began discussions regarding the properties in 2017. In the same year, Thomas K. Tommy Norment, R-James City, sponsored a bill, which was later signed into law, that authorized localities to adopt an ordinance to require a registry of people offering short-term rentals. Since then, the county has had numerous conversations, specifically during the 2045 comprehensive plan process, as to how to address them. The planning commission and the Board of Supervisors agreed to house them on predominantly rural lands to ensure it did not compete with the countys hotel and motel industries. Additionally, the two boards agreed that the sites need to ensure the character of the neighborhood. Currently, there are more than 400 listings on Airbnb.com in the Williamsburg area. Like any good document that the government body does, any person in this community can find something in it that they dont like. You never get everything you want, Supervisor Jim Icenhour said. Advertisement The board will host its next meeting 1 p.m. Jan. 25 at the county government center, 101 Mounts Bay Road, building F. For more information, visit jamescitycountyva.gov. Em Holter, emily.holter@virginiamedia.com, 757-256-6657, @EmHolterNews. EnergyAustralia has faced court charged with three workplace safety offences over the 2018 death of a worker at its power plant in the Latrobe Valley. Unit controller Graeme Edwards suffered severe and fatal burns on November 12 of that year when a high voltage circuit breaker he was working on exploded at the Yallourn power plant. The 54-year-old, whose family said he was extremely conscientious about safety and had worked at Yallourn for more than 30 years, died in hospital. Graeme Edwards died in 2018 after an explosion at the Yallourn power plant. EnergyAustralia was last month charged with three workplace safety offences and the company, through a lawyer, appeared before Latrobe Valley Magistrates Court on Thursday. A company representative watched the online hearing but did not have his camera activated. Members of Mr Edwards family also watched the hearing. Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size Fremantle Port and its waters were an inspiration for the Gage Roads beer brand. So it made sense that when one of the countrys biggest independent brewers decided to put down roots with its first brewpub, the venue would be smack bag in the middle of a working harbour. Gage Roads Freo is situated right next to the Maritime Museum and a stones throw from its namesake out past the port. Credit:Gage Roads Gage Roads the brand named after the outer harbour shipping lane and anchorage off the coast of Fremantle was born from a bunch of mates who would flit in and out of the port fishing, diving and surfing. Aaron Heary has been with Gage Roads from the get-go in 2005, starting off as a brewer who was the brains behind champion Australian drop Little Dove, but it was an older and wiser head who saw the potential for a historic dockside warehouse. I was visiting the Maritime Museum with my two young kids and came across to have a quick look up and down the waterway with them, Heary said. And a huge container ship came in with two tugs, and they were like, phwoah look at that. Advertisement All these people from the harbour came rushing across, everyone was looking at it, and I was standing there thinking, If you had a beer and a pizza in your hand here, all the boats moving in and out, that would be perfect for Gage Roads. The educational family trip was serendipitous, with the West Australian government opening up expressions of interest to revitalise the Victoria Quay precinct by fitting out a venue in the old A Shed, which will open to the public on January 20. Fremantle Port has five historic warehouses built from the 1920s consisting of the A, B, C, D and E Sheds. B Shed is home to Rottnest ferry services and the Leeuwin Ocean Adventure, while the E Shed was moved to create markets several years ago. Over the course of 2021 old boats being held in storage by the Maritime Museum were removed from the A Shed and anything that was not heritage-listed was stripped from the 2250 square metre-odd building. Half the shed sits is on land while the half closest to the water is actually above the jetty. A 16 tank brew-kit, with a 25-hectolitre capacity, was maneuvered onto the land-side of the venue while seating areas run the length of the building dockside which will cater to crowds of 1500. Advertisement Mr Heary said the concept behind the venue was to create a big beach house. Street signs are situated throughout the building pointing to the front yard, living room, backyard and a sprawling deck. The brewpub has a capacity of about 1500 patrons and will have a staff of 100. Credit:Gage Roads In the front yard is one of three outdoor areas and the grain tank, painted by long-time Gage Roads collaborator and label illustrator Andy Murphy, where the key ingredient to the beer brewed on site will be stored. Before heading out to the backyard is a gaming room and a massive mural by Chris Nixon inspired by the block colours of the containers across the harbour. A childrens play area, which includes an old four-wheel-drive and a gutted fishing boat, is capped off with a replica of the Blowholes sign north of Carnarvon painted with King Waves Thrill. The interiors have been painted white like a classic oceanside timber shack and WA materials have been used wherever possible, such as the west-bar made from rammed earth and the 17 metre-long east-bar, which uses Donnybrook sandstone and Jarrah timber salvaged from the jetty during the refurbishment. Advertisement Glass windows have replaced the voids left by the giant rolling warehouse doors which will now be permanently left open. Light floods the venue through the voids and the skylights, but even the view from the expansive windows can be filled by massive cargo ships entering and leaving the port. You cant see anything but the boat moving, Mr Heary said. You could be on a boat yourself, you dont know which one is moving. From tank to pint, with pizza and seafood on the side Beer lines run from the 16 tanks along the roof to taps at the two main bars. The full line of Gage Roads brews will be flowing as well experimental and seasonal offerings. Advertisement The woman in charge of the tanks is venue head brewer Simone Clements. Gage Roads Freo head brewer Simone Clements stands in front of the venues grain silo. Credit:Peter de Kruijff Clements, who comes from a science and lab work background, has been with Gage Roads for seven years. Coming across from Gage Roads main commercial facility, where brewers work rotating 12-hour shifts day and night, is a change of pace for Clements, who will need to stay on top of the tanks along with one brewing assistant. There was plenty of competition for the job and Ms Clements is relishing the role as she describes the two limited beers to feature on tap when the venue rolls open its doors. One is a New Zealand hazy, so all New Zealand hops and nice hazy super juicy and tropical fruit in there, she said. And then Ive got a double-red IPA so thats 8 per cent [alcohol by volume] a really big chewy one with US hops and just nice amount of bitterness. Advertisement Anthony Albanese stared into the eyes of a young Brangus calf and said: Gday mate, how are ya? In Rockhampton, which boasts of being Australias beef capital, the cow conversations are usually geared to medium or medium rare. Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese with a Labor delegation is touring Queensland, where it hopes to pick up some seats. Credit:James Brickwood The sight of a Labor leader near northern Australian cattle would trigger many in the industry, who are still fighting against the Gillard governments dramatic shutdown of the live cattle trade a decade ago. But Albanese, who opted for the Beef Week cap rather than a 10-gallon hat, was here to convince Queenslanders things are different now. Labor, he says, is on their side. A new federal commission will be set up to combat domestic violence as part of a plan to build on $1.1 billion in budget spending with a new five-year funding scheme for emergency support. Clearing the way for more spending to be unveiled in this years budget, the federal government will release a draft plan on Friday that includes the new agency in the hope it can help drive family and sexual violence to zero. Womens Safety Minister Anne Ruston. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen The draft plan steps up the governments ambition to end rather than reduce violence, and acts on calls at a summit in September for more certainty over funding. Prime Minister Scott Morrison promised $1.1 billion for womens safety in the budget last May during a year of ferocious debate over the treatment of women after former Liberal adviser Brittany Higgins went public in February with allegations she was raped in Parliament House. Washington: No one should be surprised if Russia spreads disinformation about commitments that have not been made after talks with the United States, or if it instigates something as a pretext for more destabilisation in Ukraine, US State Department spokesperson Ned Price said on Wednesday. We urge everyone not to fall for Moscows continuing disinformation, Price told reporters, adding the US was comparing notes with its allies to figure out how best to continue dialogue with Moscow regarding Ukraine. A Russian tank T-72B3 fires as troops take part in drills at the Kadamovskiy firing range in the Rostov region in southern Russia. Credit:AP The warning came as the US and NATO rejected key Russian security demands for easing tensions over Ukraine. But the US and NATO left open the possibility of future talks with Moscow on arms control, missile deployments and ways to prevent military incidents between Russia and the West. 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. London: The Royal Family removed Prince Andrews military links and royal patronages on Thursday and said he will no longer be known as His Royal Highness, as the son of Queen Elizabeth fights a US lawsuit in which he is accused of sex abuse. Andrew, 61, the Duke of York, was forced to step down from public duties in 2019 because of his connections to convicted US sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, and after a disastrous BBC TV interview which the prince had hoped would clear his name. Thursdays move by the royal family means he will now lose all his royal connections. All Prince Andrews official royal ties have now been cut. Credit:AP With the Queens approval and agreement, The Duke of Yorks military affiliations and royal patronages have been returned to the queen, Buckingham Palace said in a statement. Washington: President Joe Bidens plan to force tens of millions of workers to get vaccinated against COVID-19 has been struck down by the US Supreme Court, whose conservative majority viewed the move as government overreach. At the same time, the court has granted a separate request to impose a vaccine mandate for health care workers that receive federal funding, in a partial victory for the embattled administration as it struggles to deal with the latest wave of infections. The courts orders on Thursday during a spike in coronavirus cases was a mixed bag for US President Joe Bidens administration. Credit:AP The courts orders on Thursday came as the US President faced ongoing criticism over his handling of the virus, with COVID tests in short supply, about a third of the country still unvaccinated, and daily cases reaching record levels in America. The vaccine mandate policy emerged last year after Biden had directed the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration to order employers to implement a vaccination mandate for every business with 100 or more workers. Employees who refused to get vaccinated would be required to get tested and wear a mask at work. Latest News RBA lifts official cash rate Finance industry reacts to major decision Does BID negate the need for clawbacks? Non-bank lender, broker aggregator say clawbacks unnecessary There has been non-stop talk about whether the housing market has peaked among industry experts but how can one know for sure? Tim Lawless, research director at CoreLogic, described a peak in housing values as a consistent trend in negative monthly movements. To date, the quarterly trend remains positive across the major regions, with the only exception being Darwin houses, which is the only capital city housing sector to record a negative quarterly change, Lawless said, explaining that Darwin is a small market and is therefore more prone to erratic movements. Aside from pattern observation, other reliable indicators include affordability constraints, low auction clearance rates, and weak vendor metrics. Once these are present, a market could be approaching its peak. Normally, housing growth trends will gradually slow before moving into a correction phase, which is what we are seeing at the moment, Lawless said. However, this isnt always the case. During periods of shock such as the GFC or early in the pandemic, housing trends turned quite sharply into negative territory. As of now, there is no concrete evidence pointing to a market peak. What is certain, however, is that most markets have moved through a peak rate of growth. For example, Sydney and Melbourne noted its peak monthly growth in March and have since declined. Lawless has also identified Brisbane, Adelaide, and regional Queensland as market exceptions. These markets are benefitting from a healthier level of affordability compared with the largest capitals along with a positive demographic trend and consistently low advertised stock levels, Lawless said. Ultimately, the tell-tale sign of a market peaking is the long period of decline that comes after it, which can still subject to several macro and micro factors. Whatever the case, one thing is for sure: the recent surge in Omicron cases make it unpredictable to know for now when the market will peak. Bryan, OH (43506) Today Heavy rain along with thunderstorms this afternoon. High 66F. Winds SE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall may reach one inch.. Tonight Overcast with rain showers at times. Low 47F. Winds N at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 80%. Dileep was arrested subsequently and let out on bail later. (Photo: DC/File) Kochi: The Crime Branch wing of Kerala Police on Thursday raided the homes of actor Dileep and his brother and also the office of his Grand Production company here in connection with the latest case against them for allegedly threatening investigation officers in the '2017 actress sexual assault case', sources said. Dileep is an accused in the sexual assault case also. A top Crime Branch official said that three teams of officials were dispatched to carry out the raids simultaneously at the three locations. However, according to visuals shown on news channels, the raiding teams had to wait for some time outside Dileep's residence and his company office for them to be opened. The visuals also showed some officials clambering over the gate of Dileep's house to get inside. The gate was subsequently opened by his sister, sources said. The company office was also opened, after some delay, by the staff there, the sources added. According to sources, the raids were carried out on the basis of court orders and the statement given to the Crime Branch by director Balachandra Kumar. Kumar, who met the media after appearing before the Crime Branch, had claimed discussions regarding the conspiracy to attack the investigating officers were held at many places. Kumar had recently made some startling revelations against Dileep in the actress assault case through the media. He has also claimed that there is evidence including digital ones to prove that Dileep had influenced the witnesses. The crime branch registered the new case on a complaint filed by an investigating officer based on a purported audio clip of Dileep which was released by a TV channel recently in which the actor was heard conspiring to attack the officials. On Tuesday, the high court had asked the police not to take any action against Dileep, his brother and brother-in-law till January 14 after they moved a joint plea for anticipatory bail in the new case. In his anticipatory bail plea, the actor has claimed that the latest case has been lodged on a complaint by one of the investigating officers in the actress sexual assault case as the officer did not want to be examined during trial. The actor and five others have been booked under various provisions of the Indian Penal Code, including Sections 116 (abetment), 118 (concealing design to commit offense), 120B (criminal conspiracy), 506 (criminal intimidation), and 34 (criminal act done by several people). In their plea, the actor and his relatives also claimed that the complaint made against them by the officer -- DySP (Crime Branch) Baiju Paulose -- was "false" and the allegations in the FIR, registered on the base of the complaint, were "wholly false and baseless". They have also claimed that the intention behind registration of the case was to take them into custody and humiliate them before the public. The victim -- who has worked in Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam films -- was abducted and allegedly molested inside her car for two hours by some of the accused, who had forced their way into the vehicle on the night of February 17, 2017 and later escaped in a busy area. The entire act was filmed by some of the accused to blackmail the actress. There are 10 accused in the case and initially, police arrested seven people. Dileep was arrested subsequently and let out on bail later. Classic Legends on Thursday re-launched the iconic motorcycle brand Yezdi in the country with the roll out of three models, priced between Rs 1.98 lakh and Rs 2.09 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi). The company launched three distinct models -- Yezdi Roadster at a starting price of Rs 1.98 lakh, Scrambler at Rs 2.04 lakh and Adventure range at Rs 2.09 lakh. The three bikes come with the same liquid-cooled, fuel-injected 334 cc engine but are tuned to deliver different power outputs. The new range of Yezdi motorcycles will be available across Classic Legends' dealership network, which already retails Jawa Motorcycles, in India. The company has commenced the bookings of the range with an amount of Rs 5,000 only. "It is not every day that you get to celebrate the comeback of an iconic motorcycle, let alone the likes of a legend like Yezdi. "While its spirit lived on through its die-hard community and in the mind and hearts of every rider, the anticipation to see it take over the Indian roads again, has been unbelievable. We have the legacy but now we will create our own lineage," Classic Legends Co-Founder Anupam Thareja stated. Classic Legends Co-Founder Boman Irani noted that the Yezdi brand is all about stories and emotions. "That's what has kept it alive, and this is exactly what we want to build on for the future. The new Yezdi motorcycles are not just motorcycles, but a way of life. They're a medium for riders to go out there, create more memories and have unparalleled fun while doing so," he added. In 2016, M&M had struck a deal with the bike maker, which allowed Classic Legends to launch and market bikes under the Jawa brand name in the country and East Asian markets. While Mahindra has a 60 per cent stake in Classic Legends, the balance 40 per cent is held by Anupam Thareja, founder of Classic Legends; and Boman Irani, chairman and MD at Rustomjee Group. Speaking at the launch Mahindra Group Chairman Anand Mahindra noted: "As the Mahindra brand is concerned the predominant image of the brand in the public's mind is automotive and about SUVs in particular. "SUVs are a workhorse and they help hard working people right. But they are also about off-roading, recreation and fun. So, for Mahindra to help resurrect an incredible lifestyle brand like yesterday it's only natural with the Yezdi." Elaborating further, Classic Legends CEO Ashish Joshi stated that the biggest challenge for the company while developing the new Yezdi motorcycle(s) was to keep the spirit intact. "We also knew that the motorcycle riders have evolved over the last few decades and followed a very focussed approach. What you see now are three motorcycles purpose-built' for rider requirements across the spectrum. We have always been about redefining the modern classic segment in the country and have gone ahead and did just that," he added. The Adventure comes with a power output of 30.2 PS, the Roadster with 29.7 PS, while the Scrambler features 29.1 PS of output. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) India's and South Korean steel major have signed an agreement to explore opportunities, including setting up of an integrated at the western state of Gujarat, the said in a statement on Thursday. The investment is estimated to be of about $5 billion, the statement said, adding that the non-binding agreement intends to help both collaborate further in various industries such as renewable energy, hydrogen, and logistics. The Indian conglomerate did not immediately respond to a query on individual investments. already operates a 1.8-million-tonne cold-rolled and galvanized mill in the western state of Maharashtra and supplies parts to auto makers. Last year, had said it will invest $20 billion in renewable energy over the next 10 years and also aims to make its port business a net-zero carbon emitter by 2025. Adani Enterprises, the flagship company of the Adani Group, is the country's biggest coal trader and has faced criticism from climate activists for its push to operate the Carmichael mine in Australia, one of the world's biggest greenfield coal projects in recent years. (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.) Korea's sales jumped 24 per cent on-year to hit $5.97 billion last year, a new data showed on Thursday. The South Korean unit of US tech giant -- Korea Ltd.-- logged 7.1 trillion won ($5.97 billion) in sales from October 1, 2020 to September 30 last year, according to its audit report filings. Net income for the cited period stood at 124.3 billion won, down slightly from a net profit of 127.4 billion won the previous year. The company's operating profit dropped 13.3 per cent on-year to 111.49 billion won over the cited period, reports Yonhap agency. This marked the first time Apple Korea has released its audit report since the South Korean unit converted into a limited company in 2009. Under the amended Act on External Audit of Stock Companies, limited also have been obliged to undergo external audits and to publicly disclose their audit reports since 2019. --IANS wh/shb/ (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 $18.6 billion in investments, made it to the top-five leading VC hubs across the world in 2021 following San Francisco Bay Area, New York, Greater Boston Region and London. However, it outstripped Beijing ($13.6 billion) and Shanghai ($13.4 billion). Global tech VC investment into start-ups hit a record level of $675 billion in 2021, doubling the previous all-time high of $340.6 billion in 2020, a report by London & Partners and dealroom.co. VC investments in 2021 were led by the US at $328.8 billion, followed by China at $61.8 billion and India coming in third with $44.6-billion . The United Kingdom ranked fourth at $39.8 billion, followed by Germany at $19.9 billion, says the report. Hemin Bharucha, Country Director, India, London and Partners, said, The record venture capital investment figures for the UK and India in 2021 demonstrate that tech and innovation are thriving across both regions. With an increasing number of unicorns and exciting tech start-ups, cities such as London and are recognised by VCs as some of the best places to find game changing to invest in. Last year was a record year for VC investment into India and with the Indian tech VC investment having grown three times between 2020 and 2021. India also jumped ranks from fourth in 2020 to third globally in 2021. In terms of unicorns produced in 2021, 133 new unicorns came from the Bay Area, 69 from New York, 21 from the Greater Boston Area. London produced more new unicorns than in any previous year at 20 and Bengaluru also had a record year, producing 16 new unicorns. While Bengaluru has been the most important technology start-up centre in India over the years, other cities are also catching up. According to a report released by Orios Venture Partners on Thursday, 13 of the total 46 unicorns created in 2021 in India were from Delhi, closely followed by Mumbai at 11. Jaipur joined the unicorn party in 2021 for the first time with CarDekho. Dear Reader, Business Standard has always strived hard to provide up-to-date information and commentary on developments that are of interest to you and have wider political and economic implications for the country and the world. Your encouragement and constant feedback on how to improve our offering have only made our resolve and commitment to these ideals stronger. Even during these difficult times arising out of Covid-19, we continue to remain committed to keeping you informed and updated with credible news, authoritative views and incisive commentary on topical issues of relevance. We, however, have a request. As we battle the economic impact of the pandemic, we need your support even more, so that we can continue to offer you more quality content. Our subscription model has seen an encouraging response from many of you, who have subscribed to our online content. More subscription to our online content can only help us achieve the goals of offering you even better and more relevant content. We believe in free, fair and credible journalism. Your support through more subscriptions can help us practise the journalism to which we are committed. Support quality journalism and subscribe to Business Standard. Digital Editor Eight Non-Banking Financial (NBFCs) and one company have surrendered their certificates of registration to . The Mumbai-based Indie Homefin Pvt Ltd has surrendered the Certificate of Registration (CoR) granted by the National Housing Bank and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has therefore cancelled the CoR, the central bank said in a statement on Thursday. The that have surrendered the CoRs are Morgan Stanley India Securities Pvt Ltd, Sankalp Granites Pvt Ltd, Yardley Investment and Trading Company Pvt Ltd, Shirdi Credit and Finance Pvt Ltd, Mangalam Softwares Pvt Ltd, Dholadhar Investments Pvt Ltd, Goodwill Financial Services Pvt Ltd and West Bengal Industrial Development Corpn Ltd. Following the cancellation of the CoR, Indie Homefin cannot transact the business of a institution nor of a non-banking financial institution. The eight too cannot carry out the business of non-banking financial institutions. (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.) Mumbai-based start-up LEAD has become the first company to enter the unicorn club this year. The start-up has raised $100 million in its Series E at a valuation of $1.1 billion.The round was led by Westbridge Capital while GSV Ventures also participated. The company says that it focusses on improving a students school education experience rather than serving as a supplement to schooling like most other start-ups. LEAD says it will enter Academic Year 22-23 with 5,000 schools across more than 500 cities in India with an annual revenue run-rate of $80 million and reach 2 million students. The company plans to use the proceeds to achieve its vision of providing quality affordable education to more than 25 million students with an annual revenue run-rate of $1 billion. Its immediate focus would be towards product and curriculum innovation, expanding its footprint and hiring top talent across functions. In the long term, the company plans to go deeper in the country to serve students in lower fee schools and expand internationally in similar geographies. Smita Deorah, co-founder of LEAD, said, A child spends 6 hours in school and only 1 hour in tuition classes. Transforming schools, when done right, has massive potential to alter our countrys future. LEAD, with its integrated school system, has broken new ground in this direction. RIL to invest Rs 5.95 trn in Gujarat for green energy, other projects As part of Investment Promotion Activity for the now-postponed Vibrant Gujarat Summit 2022, Mukesh Ambani-led Limited (RIL) on Thursday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the government of Gujarat for a total investment of Rs 5.95 trillion. The MoU entails an investment of Rs 5 trillion in Gujarat over the next 10-15 years for setting up a 100 Gw Renewable Energy Power Plant and Green Hydrogen Eco-System development in order to make the state net zero and carbon free. Read more Vedanta puts $12-bn price tag on privatisation-bound Bharat Petroleum is willing to spend $12 billion to acquire Indias state-owned refiner Bharat Petroleum Corp., an asset sale thats among the nations biggest and which has faced delays in completion. Were not going to bid aggressively, but we will put the right price, billionaire chairman Anil Agarwal said in an interview in Riyadh on Wednesday. The market cap of the company is about $11 billion to $12 billion, so this is the amount of investment were looking at. Read more Govt expects to open IPO issue by mid-March: Report Life Insurance Corporation, India's largest insurer, is likely to file a draft prospectus as early as end of this month and begin issuing public shares by mid-March, one government and two banking sources with direct knowledge of the matter in New Delhi and Mumbai told Reuters. The listing of is set to be India's biggest ever IPO, with the government aiming to raise up to Rs 90,000 crore ($12.18 billion) from its stake sale. Read more Britain, India aim to finalise free trade agreement by year-end Britain and India formally launched free trade agreement talks in New Delhi on Thursday with the aim of wrapping up a deal by the end of the year that could boost annual bilateral trade by billions of pounds. Britain has made a deal with India one of its post-Brexit priorities as, free from the European Union's common trade policy, ministers look to gear trade policy towards faster-growing economies around the Indo-Pacific region. Read more Several houses have collapsed, trees and electricity poles were uprooted and fallen on roads causing traffic problems and the worst affected was the farming community. (Representational Image/ AP) Warangal: District collector Gopi, Narsampet TRS MLA Sudharshan Reddy and Zilla Parishad floor leader Peddi Swapna on Wednesday inspected the crops damaged in several villages in Narsampet assembly segment due to unseasonal heavy rains in the last two days. Heavy rains with strong gales created havoc in various parts of the Warangal district especially in Narsampet. Several houses have collapsed, trees and electricity poles were uprooted and fallen on roads causing traffic problems and the worst affected was the farming community. Swapna visited Pantulapally, Mavidlapally, Veraiahpally and Nagarajupalli villages and saw around the damaged chilli and maize crops. It is very sad that heavy rains caused a huge damage to the standing crops which farmers cultivated with a lot of strain, she said. She asked farmers not lose heart and said she would take the initiative for helping them by sending officials to estimate the damage to the crops. MLA Sudharshan visited Medipally and Rampur villages in Nallabelli mandal and inspected the damage to crops and houses. He consoled the victims and promised to provide them immediate help. The MLA urged the state government to help these farmers. Responding to the request from the MLA, Collector Gopi visited Mediapalli, Narasinghapur, Kondayeelapalli villages in Narsampet division, along with a team of officials, and took stock of the damage to crops due to the rain. He asked the officials to do a detailed survey and estimate the loss to the farmers in a fair and speedy manner. Odisha recorded 10,059 fresh COVID-19 cases on Thursday, 14.6 per cent higher than the previous day and the biggest daily spike in over seven months, the state health department said. The toll mounted to 8,472 with three more fatalities - one each in Angul, Kendrapara and Nayagarh districts, a bulletin of the department said. The daily test positivity rate (TPR) on Thursday increased to 12.41 per cent from 11.77 on the previous day, it said. The state had reported 11,623 cases on May 26 last year and 8,778 on Wednesday. The new infections shot up by more than five-fold from 1,897 a week ago. The caseload rose to 11.02 lakh, including 10.49 lakh recoveries as 949 patients recuperated in the last 24 hours, the bulletin said. As many as 872 children were among those who were found positive out of 81,065 samples tested in the past 24 hours, the bulletin said. Khurda district, where state capital Bhubaneswar is located, reported nearly one-third of the new infections at 3,188, followed by Sundargarh (1,348), Cuttack (870), Sambalpur (570) and Puri (272), it said. There are 44,349 active cases -- including 14,076 in Khurda, which is in the red zone of over 2,500 current infections along with Sundargarh, Sambalpur and Cuttack. Puri, Balasore, Mayurbhanj and Jharsuguda are in the yellow zone with more than 1,000 patients. The TPR is more than 10 per cent in six districts, including 27.6 in Sundargarh and 25.5 in Khurda. Fourteen other districts have a positivity of over five per cent. Health services director Bijay Mohapatra said the daily cases could cross the peak of the second wave soon. The state had logged the highest one-day spike of 12,852 cases on May 23. He expressed inability to predict when the graph will come down unless the infections plateaued. We can't say whether the Delta or the variant is more prevalent now, but have to accept that both strains are present in the state. he told journalists. The number of Covid patients on oxygen beds and ventilators in hospitals is very low, he told journalists. Mohapatra underlined that people should not take lightly as a common cold and anyone who has symptoms should get themselves tested as isolation was one of the important measures to prevent transmission. The health department bulletin did not update the number of those affected by Omicron, which was 170 on Wednesday, as genome sequencing takes at least two days. Meanwhile, as many as 20 doctors at VIMSAR, Burla, 30 medical students of FM Medical College at Balasore, over 30 employees of Capital Hospitals and staff of community health centre at Mohana in Gajapati district have tested positive affecting normal health services in the respective areas. Director of Capital Hospital here, Laxmidhar Sahoo told he media that several doctors, nurses and staff of different departments have been detected with the virus and are in isolation. This apart, 22 employees of Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation office have also been infected by the virus forcing the authorities to deny entry of general people into its offices. The Ganjam district administration has shut all sea beaches like Gopalpur and Sonapur and other major water bodies for five days to avoid large gatherings during the upcoming festivals. It will remain closed from Thursday till Monday, it ordered. (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.) said on Thursday preliminary data from a trial it conducted on its COVID-19 shot, Vaxzevria, showed it generated a higher antibody response against the variant and others, including Beta, Delta, Alpha and Gamma, when given as a third booster dose. The increased response was seen in people who were previously vaccinated with either Vaxzevria or an mRNA vaccine, the drugmaker said, adding that it would submit this data to regulators worldwide given the urgent need for boosters. has developed the vaccine with researchers from the University of Oxford, and lab studies last month found a three-dose course of Vaxzevria was effective against the rapidly spreading new variant. The data is the first released by the company from its trials into boosters of its vaccine. This is encouraging news, as per Professor Sir Andrew J Pollard, chief investigator and director of the Oxford Vaccine Group, new data from ongoing Astazeneca/Oxford vaccine trials has shown that three doses give good protection against . https://t.co/kiXbbooFxc Adar Poonawalla (@adarpoonawalla) January 13, 2022 The company said it adds to the growing evidence that supports a third dose of its vaccine irrespective of the primary vaccination schedule. "These important studies show that a third dose of Vaxzevria after two initial doses of the same vaccine, or after mRNA or inactivated vaccines, strongly boosts immunity against COVID-19," Oxford Vaccine Group chief Andrew Pollard said in a statement. A major British trial in December found that AstraZeneca's shot increased antibodies when given as a booster after initial vaccination with its own shot or Pfizer's, which is based on mRNA technology. However, the study concluded that mRNA vaccines made by Pfizer and Moderna gave the biggest boost to antibodies when given as a booster dose. (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.) Apprehending that the state may witness a surge in the number of Covid-19 cases in the state on account of the upcoming festivities, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday said that the administration is well prepared to tackle it. Banerjee was speaking at a virtual meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, where chief ministers and lieutenant governors of states and Union Territories were present to review the COVID-19 situation in the country. "The CM talked about the possible increase in cases in the state on account of upcoming festivities and the administration's preparation to tackle it," an official release said. is hosting the Gangasagar Mela at Sagar Island in South 24 Parganas district of the state where lakhs of pilgrims are expected to take a dip at the confluence of the Ganga and the Bay of Bengal on January 14 on the occasion of Makar Sankranti. A Calcutta High Court division bench comprising Chief Justice Prakash Shrivastava and Justice Kesong Doma Bhutia allowed the annual fair to take place from January 8 to 16, and ordered that the entire Sagar Island be declared a notified area. The bench also constituted a two-member committee comprising former Justice Samapti Chatterjee and member secretary of the West Bengal Legal Services Authority to monitor adherence to COVID-19 norms at the fair. The bench ordered that all pilgrims must be fully vaccinated and should test negative for COVID-19 in an RT-PCR test conducted within 72 hours before reaching the venue. During the meeting, the chief ministers thanked the PM for his leadership during the successive waves of Covid-19. "They especially thanked the prime minister for his support & guidance and for funds provided by the Central Government which has been of immense help in boosting health infrastructure in the states. The chief ministers talked about preparedness to tackle increasing cases, through steps like increase in beds, oxygen availability etc," the release issued by the Press Information Bureau said. Addressing the meeting, the prime minister noted that India's battle with the biggest pandemic of 100 years has now entered its third year. Hard work is our only path and victory is our only option. We, 130 crore people of India, will surely emerge victorious against Corona with our efforts, the release quoted Modi as saying. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) on Thursday registered 6,393 fresh cases, pushing the tally to 7,68,851, a health department bulletin said. Seven more people succumbed to the disease, taking the death toll to 12,121, it said. T his is the second consecutive day when witnessed a rise of over 6,000 fresh cases. The state had reported 6,413 fresh cases on Wednesday. Patna logged 2,275 fresh infections, 261 more than the previous day. The state's active count jumped to 31,375 from 28,659 cases on Wednesday, the bulletin issued by the state health department said. Meanwhile, Assembly Speaker Vijay Kumar Sinha and his personal secretary tested positive for the infection. The seven fresh casualties were reported Patna, Darbhanga, Gaya, Nalanda and Saharsa districts in the past 24 hours. All those who died in the past 24 hours, were already suffering from several serious complications. When their samples were tested they turned out to be COVID-19 positive, a senior official of the state health department said. The state has so far accounted for only one case of the Omicron variant. So far, 7,25,355 people have recovered from in the state and the recovery rate has declined to 94.34 per cent from 94.65 per cent on Wednesday, the bulletin said. Altogether 6.30 crore samples have been tested so far, including 1.82 lakh in the last 24 hours. Meanwhile, 24,410 booster doses were administered to eligible people on Thursday. (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.) AIMIM unit president and MP Imtiaz Jaleel on Thursday appeared critical of the state government decision to make it mandatory for shops with fewer than 10 employees to use signboards, and wondered if the move will create more jobs for youths. The Lok Sabha MP from Aurangabad said emotive issues are raised only when elections are just around the corner and termed the Maha Vikas Aghadi government's decision as a gimmick. Jaleel tweeted, "when elections come closer then you remember boards, border dispute with Karnataka, Marathi pride. People are not fool and they understand this gimmick. Will Marathi boards will give jobs to Marathi youth, is a million dollar question. " The decision to make it mandatory for shops with fewer than 10 employees to use Marathi signboards was taken by the state cabinet at its meeting in Mumbai on Wednesday. The Shops and Establishments (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act will be amended for this, Industries Minister Subhash Desai had told reporters after the meeting. The objective was to close a legal loophole which owners of small shops exploit to avoid putting up Marathi signboards (already required for bigger establishments), the minister 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 Centre has appreciated the steps taken by to contain the spread of COVID-19, the state government said in a statement on Thursday after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's interaction with chief ministers on the pandemic situation. Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar and Health Minister Anil Vij joined the meeting through video conferencing from Chandigarh. "The central government appreciated the steps taken by the government to contain the spread of COVID-19 (and it) was the key highlight of this meeting," according to the statement. The Union Health Secretary lauded Haryana for optimum utilisation of the funds allotted by the central government to states for strengthening healthcare infrastructure, it said. Haryana is one of the states with a higher percentage of vaccination coverage than the national average. Similarly, Haryana is also among the states that have fared better than the national average in terms of vaccination of adolescents in the 15-18 age group, the statement added. Prime Minister Modi on Thursday asked chief ministers to ensure minimum damage to the livelihood of common people and economic activities as they work to contain the coronavirus, while noting that its Omicron variant is infecting people many times faster than earlier variants. "We have to be alert, be careful. But we also have to ensure that there is no panic situation. We have to see that in this festive season, the alertness of people and administration is not lowered anywhere," he told chief ministers. In his remarks at the meeting, the prime minister underlined the importance of vaccination and the need to further accelerate the 'Har Ghar Dastak' programme to achieve 100 per cent vaccination coverage. Modi said the central and state governments must continue with pre-emptive, pro-active and collective approach followed so far in fighting the pandemic. Haryana has witnessed a surge in COVID-19 cases in past fortnight. (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.) Six people succumbed to COVID-19 in Punjab on Thursday, while 6,083 fresh cases took the infection tally to 6,42,182, according to a medical bulletin. A death each was reported from Patiala, Amritsar, Hoshiarpur, Ludhiana, Pathankot and Mohali, raising the the toll due to the pandemic to 16,708 in the state. The number of active cases climbed to 30,384 from 26,781 on Wednesday. The state's positivity rate was 17.02 per cent. Of the fresh cases, 914 was recorded in Mohali, followed by 776 in Patiala, 731 in Amritsar, 670 in Ludhiana and 514 in Jalandhar. The number of patients requiring oxygen support shot up to 460 from 290 on Wednesday. Nineteen critical patients are on ventilator support, according to the bulletin. A total of 2,330 people recovered from the infection, taking the number of those who have recovered to 5,95,090, the bulletin said. Meanwhile, the Union Territory of Chandigarh reported 1,338 COVID-19 cases, taking the total count to 72,641. With no death reported in the city in the last 24-hours, the toll stood at 1,084. The positivity rate was 20.80 per cent. The number of active cases in the city was 5,816 while the number of recoveries was 65,741. Meanwhile, the Chandigarh administration decided that hotels, restaurants, coffee shops and eating places would be allowed to function up to 10 pm. However, kitchens of these premises will be allowed to remain open up to 11 pm and no home delivery is allowed after 12 midnight, according to an official statement. Persons with disabilities and pregnant women employees in government offices in Chandigarh shall be exempted from attending office but they are required to work from home, 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 COVID-19 tally in rose to 8,14,473 on Thursday with the addition of 4,031 cases, while the death toll increased to 10,543 after three more patients succumbed to the infection, a health department official said. The state's positivity rate stood at 5.1 per cent as against 4.5 per cent on Thursday, when the state had recorded 3,639 cases, he said. The recovery count stood at 7,86,278 after 782 people were discharged from hospitals during the day. There are 17,652 active COVID-19 cases in the state, the official said. Indore and Bhopal, the two worst coronavirus-hit cities in Madhya Pradesh, registered 1,104 and 863 cases, respectively, in the past 24 hours. As 78,240 samples were examined during the day, the overall test count in the state went up to 2,45,93,299, he added. A government release said that 10,67,20,192 anti- vaccine doses have been administered so far in the state, including 2,44,943 on Thursday. The figures in MP are as follows: Total cases 8,14,473, new cases 4,031, death toll 10,543, recoveries 7,86,278, active cases 17,652, number of tests so far 2,45,93,299. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) New Delhi [India], January 12 (ANI): With India witnessing a steep rise in COVID-19 cases, Dr VK Paul, member, has cautioned that the infection caused by variant of should not be considered common cold and people should not take it lightly. " is replacing Delta variant of COVID-19 as it is highly transmissible. It should be considered as the common cold. Normally, the transmission or expansion of the pandemic would take longer but this time it has been very rapid because of the high transmissibility," he said at the Health Ministry media briefing. Dr Paul also said that there is rapidly rising trend in test positivity. "You can see that the test positivity rates are rapidly increasing, phenomenally with 25 per cent, 30 per cent and 60 per cent in cities and with 11 per cent nationally. It looks that hospitalizations rates may be low, but it's taking place at a large scale," he said. He urged people to follow COVID-19 appropriate behaviour and take COVID-19 vaccine to slow down transmission. "It's the responsibility of society and an individual to slow down the transmission by following COVID-appropriate behaviour. Everyone must wear masks, follow social distancing and must get vaccinated because vaccines are providing protection against serious diseases. It's a matter of fact that it's helping to some extent, it's a critical pillar," he added. India has reported 4,868 new cases of variant of COVID-19. Of these, Maharashtra reported 1,281 cases, Rajasthan reported 645 cases, Delhi reported 546 cases, Karnataka reported 479 cases and Kerala reported 350 cases. (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.) Observing that the COVID-19 outbreak is now being called as an epidemic of the unvaccinated, the Delhi High Court Thursday said the government must vaccinate at the earliest those people who are old and unwell. The court was hearing a plea seeking formulation of a policy on urgent door-to-door COVID-19 vaccination for bed-ridden senior citizens here. A bench of Justices Manmohan and Navin Chawla was informed by the counsel for the 84-year-old petitioner that she is bed-ridden and has not been able to get herself vaccinated even after filing of the petition and after calling at the helpline introduced by the Delhi government on January 7. The court was informed by the petitioner's counsel Manan Aggarwal that on contacting the helpline number, they told that they do not have any information regarding vaccinating bed-ridden at home. However, the Delhi government claims that the door-to-door campaign was functional. "This epidemic is now being called as epidemic of unvaccinated. Here there are people who want to get inoculated. Vaccinate them at the earliest, the bench said, adding that, if the door-to-door campaign was functional, this petitioner would have been inoculated by now. The bench asked the Delhi government counsel Ayushi Bansal to check how many people have been inoculated till now under this campaign. It also asked the Delhi government counsel, who said she will take instructions regarding the petitioner's case, to see if the aged woman could be inoculated in the meantime. Central government standing counsel Anurag Ahluwalia said the campaign to vaccinate disabled and bed-ridden people started on September 22, 2021 and the Har Ghar Dastak' campaign began on November 1, 2021, and if the petitioner made a call at the Delhi government's helpline after this period, then it is for the city government to answer why it was not done. The court listed the matter for further hearing on January 20, after the Delhi government counsel sought time to seek instructions. The court was earlier informed that the central government has already introduced a policy on door-to-door vaccination and the same has to be followed by all states. In August last year, the court had issued notice on the petition by 84-year-old Dhiraj Aggarwal. In her petition, the petitioner has claimed that she suffers from arthritis and is yet to be vaccinated as she cannot visit the vaccination centre on account of her health. The petitioner has highlighted that many fellow senior and bed-ridden citizens, who are vulnerable to COVID-19, do not have private transport to reach the vaccination centre or even a family member who would help them with the registration process. The petitioner has contended that it is the obligation of the authorities to introduce helpline and door-to-door vaccination and not doing so is against the right to life. (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 all, 444 more hospital beds are now occupied by Covid patients than at the beginning of this year. (Representational Image/ PTI) Hyderabad: Hospital admissions of Covid-19 patients in Telangana on Wednesday registered their single largest daily spurt with 95 people getting admitted to various hospitals with Covid since the arrival of the Omicron variant of the Coronavirus in the state. The number of Covid patients in hospitals in the state on Wednesday stood at 1,673, up from 1,578 on Tuesday. On January 1, the number of Covid patients in hospitals, both private and government, stood at 1,229. In all, 444 more hospital beds are now occupied by Covid patients than at the beginning of this year. During this same period, Telangana recorded 17,879 Covid-19 cases and the increase in the number of hospital beds by Covid patients represents a 2.48 per cent rise from January 1 to January 12. This is much higher than the estimates that were regularly projected by the state health officials who have been consistently saying that about 10 per cent of all infected people will have moderate symptoms and a mere 1 per cent of all cases would likely to require hospitalisation, which would have meant an increase in Covid patient bed occupancy by around 178 since January 1. The real challenge with respect to hospital admissions, a senior government doctor said on Wednesday, is that it is not enough just to count new cases every day. What needs to be looked at is how each of these patients is doing after the first five days and up to 10 days. It is the second five days after the infection is detected that will be crucial. Hospital admissions on the rise Occupied beds Jan 1 Regular beds 319 Oxygen beds 497 ICU beds 413 Total beds 1,229 Jan 12 Regular beds 564 Oxygen beds 654 ICU beds 455 Total beds 1,673 The government doctors on Thursday decided not to go on strike after being given in-principle approval to some of their demands and assurance of sympathetic consideration of their other demands by the government. The doctors owing allegiance to Civil Medical Services Association (HCMSA) decided not to proceed on the proposed strike on Friday after a consensus over their demands was reached between them and the state government during their talks on late Thursday evening. The earlier decision of the doctors to proceed on an indefinite strike from Friday has now been taken back. "The meeting between the government with doctors of HCMSA was held in a congenial environment. After the consensus reached on various issues between the government and the doctors in the meeting, all the doctors decided to withdraw the agitation," an official statement said after the meeting here. An official spokesperson said the government welcomes the decision of the doctors. Doctors have a very crucial role to play in society, especially in the current Covid crisis and the government is committed to their welfare, the spokesperson said. A delegation of doctors met Additional Chief Secretary (Health) Rajeev Arora, in which state's Director General of Health Services, Dr Veena Singh, too was present. Among other issues, it was decided that a decision on the issue of direct recruitment of senior medical officers, which the doctors have been opposing, will be finalised in one week. Earlier on January 11, health services in government hospitals in were hit as doctors had suspended OPD work in support of their demands, prompting the authorities to declare their stir as illegal by invoking the Essential Services Maintenance Act. The doctors are also demanding the creation of specialist cadres for them and stopping the direct recruitment of senior medical officers. The government had acceded to one of the key demands of the doctors with Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Tuesday giving in-principle approval to the creation of specialist cadre post for MD or MS doctors. The doctors will also not be given any administrative work and will practice in their concerned speciality only. Regarding in-principle approval to the creation of specialist cadre posts for MD and MS doctors, an official statement had earlier said, "In-principle approval has been granted today wherein the government will create a special sub cadre for specialists who will be designated as a consultant or senior consultants." Earlier, a doctor with MBBS qualification and MD/MS qualification used to be in the same cadre. Health Minister Anil Vij had on Tuesday tweeted, "ESMA has been invoked in Haryana, now for six months health workers won't be able to go on strike. This step has been taken as a group of doctors has gone on strike which is creating obstacles in steps being taken to contain the Covid surge. The Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) allows the government to declare a strike illegal in the public interest. (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 has eased its COVID-19 rules on testing, quarantine and hospital admissions in a bid to free up resources for its neediest people, a strategy hailed by experts even though it carries the risk of a heavy undercount of infections and deaths. The moves will offer a breathing space for healthcare facilities, often overstretched in a far-flung nation of 1.4 billion, as they battle a 33-fold surge in infections over the past month from the highly contagious Omicron variant. This week, federal authorities told states to drop mandatory testing for contacts of confirmed cases unless they were old or battling other conditions, while halving the isolation period to a week and advising hospital care only for the seriously ill. "Contact-tracing has been the most resource-intensive activity since the pandemic began," said Sanjay K. Rai, a professor of community medicine at the All-India Institute of Medical Sciences in New Delhi, the capital. ALSO READ: Covid-19 in numbers: Latest data on cases and deaths in India and globally "That strategy did not work and wasted resources," he added, saying serological surveys had shown it had detected only a fraction of infections. "The new one will ensure optimum utilisation of what we have got." India's tally of infections crossed 36 million on Thursday, with 247,417 new cases, although daily testing has stayed well below the capacity of more than 2 million. Four Indian epidemiologists echoed Rai's view, saying it was better to monitor the numbers of those in hospital, rather than infections, while targeting crowded spaces such as workplaces, dormitories and barracks with rapid testing. They added that the guidelines on shorter isolation and hospital admissions were in line with global practice, as most Omicron sufferers recover quicker, although they spread the virus faster. But some experts say the new rules could lull people into taking infections lightly until it is too late, especially in the rural areas home to two-thirds of the population, where few seek tests unless directed by authorities. "This new strategy will affect data from rural India or certain states in a disproportionate way," said Bhramar Mukherjee, an epidemiology professor at the University of Michigan. "It will be harder to predict upcoming hotspots and epicentres," she added, which would leave authorities less time to marshal resources against the disease. It would also affect the tracking of COVID-19 deaths, an effort Mukherjee said was "already highly imperfect and under-reported". Health experts say India massively undercounts infections, with its death toll outstripping the official figure of about 485,000, as few victims of earlier waves, chiefly in rural areas, learnt of their condition until the last moment. Best healthcare in cities India's best healthcare facilities are clustered in major cities, while poor people across vast swathes of the country have to rely on dilapidated government networks. For example, government-run district hospitals in the sprawling mineral-rich state of Bihar struggle with one of India's worst ratios of medical staff to patients, while New Delhi is staffed at more than twice the national average. The health ministry and the state-run Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) did not immediately respond to requests for comment. ALSO READ: India records 247,417 Covid-19 cases in 24 hrs, highest in 236 days There was no shortage of test kits, with thousands of people having bought home test kits in the past week, ICMR chief Balram Bhargava said on Wednesday, but did not say if rural areas were as well supplied as urban areas. Some Indian states have decided to ignore the new testing guidelines since they are not bound by them. Karnataka, home to the southern technology hub of Bengaluru, has reported India's third-highest tally of infections, and plans to continue tests for close contacts of the infected. A survey published this week by New Delhi-based website LocalCircles found that 15% of respondents knew of one or more of their family and friends who did not get tested, despite showing symptoms similar to COVID-19 in the past month. It said the gap between actual and reported daily cases would widen when the virus reaches smaller towns and villages. South Asian nations with less than half their people fully vaccinated, such as India, run a greater risk of severe illness that requires hospital stays, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies said. "As we are seeing new variants, we must not be complacent in adhering to public health measures," said Abhishek Rimal, an Asia-Pacific official of the humanitarian network. (Reporting by Krishna N. Das in New Delhi; Additional reporting by Chandini Monnappa in Bengaluru; Editing by Clarence Fernandez) (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) recorded 46,723 fresh cases on Wednesday, up more than 27 per cent from a day ago, taking the overall tally above the 70-lakh mark, while 32 more patients succumbed to the infection, the health department said. The new cases included 86 infections of the highly contagious strain, pushing their cumulative count in the state to 1,367, the health department said in a bulletin. With fresh additions, the state's caseload reached 70,34,661, while the death toll increased to 1,41,701, it said. On Tuesday, the state had reported 34,424 cases and 22 deaths. The bulletin said 28,041 patients were discharged in the last 24 hours, taking the number of those recovered from the infection so far to 66,49,111. The coronavirus recovery rate in the state stands at 94.52 per cent, while the active tally is at 2,40,122, it added. On the new strain of COVID-19, the department said, Today, 86 patients with the infection have been reported in the state. Out of these, 25 patients have been reported by the National Center for Cell Science, 30 by the National Institute of Virology and 31 by B J Medical College. Giving the break-up of new infections, it said Mumbai reported 21 cases, Pune Municipal Corporation (53), Pimpri-Chinchwad (6), Pune rural (one), Satara (three) and Nashik (two). Till date, a total of 1,367 patients infected with the highly contagious strain have been reported in the state. Health Minister Rajesh Tope cautioned that the coronavirus curve in the state is not flattening despite a dip in the number of daily COVID-19 cases in the last couple of days. He said the only silver lining is low hospitalisation of patients that stands at more than 14 per cent. Tope said he doesn't expect the coronavirus situation to stabilise by January-end or early February, and urged those who have not undergone vaccination to take jabs, besides adhering to COVID-19 norms like wearing face masks. Vaccination and restrictions are key to arrest the spread of the infection, he stressed. is expected to see a spike in hospitalisation of COVID-19 patients in the last week of January or the first week of February, the health department told the cabinet on Wednesday. The health department made this projection during a presentation before the state cabinet. The daily requirement of medical oxygen in the state has witnessed a rise, a statement issued by the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) after the cabinet meeting said. The present demand for medical oxygen is 400 metric tonnes, it said. "If the oxygen demand rises to 700 metric tonnes, then stricter curbs will be required. Considering this fact, the district administration should expedite vaccination and take necessary steps," Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray said during the meeting. "Fully vaccinated COVID-19 patients don't require medical oxygen. But people need to be vigilant as the UK and the US are witnessing a strain on their health infrastructure," the CM said. According to the bulletin, the Mumbai region, which comprises the financial capital and its adjoining satellite cities, alone recorded 30,107 cases. Mumbai city reported 16,420 cases. The Pune region recorded 9,277 cases, followed by Nashik (2,230), Nagpur (2,044), Kolhapur (1,056), Aurangabad (511), Latur (1,006), Akola (492). A region consists of a set of districts. Of the 32 fatalities in the state, the Mumbai region recorded 22, Pune and Nashik (three each), Kolhapur and Latur (two each), the bulletin said. Aurangabad, Akola and Nagpur regions did not record any fresh fatality. Currently, 15,29,452 people are in home quarantine and another 6,951 in institutional quarantine, it added. The bulletin said 2,13,615 were conducted in the last 24 hours, taking their cumulative count to 7,11,42,569. Tope also pointed out that the vaccination rate needs to be ramped up. The health minister said he had asked for 50 lakh doses of Covisheild and 40 lakh shots of Covaxin during a meeting with Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya. The positivity rate of the state stands at 21.04 per cent, while Mumbai's positivity rate is 27 per cent, he said earlier in the day. The rate indicates the percentage of people who test positive for the virus of those overall who have been tested. Coronavirus figures of Maharashtra are as follows: Positive cases 70,34,661; fresh cases 46,723; death toll 1,41,701; recoveries 66,49,111; active cases 2,40,122, total tests 7,11,42,569. (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 country needs much more 'equitable' growth as inequality could lead to tensions in society, Vice-Chairman Rajiv Kumar said on Thursday. Kumar further said the country's democracy will not permit the kind of K-shaped growth it has seen in the past, where different sections of the population have been growing at different paces. "Within India, growing inequality will sooner rather than later create tensions and problems in our society which we will not be able to bear. We need to find ways now to make our growth much more equitable," Kumar said at an event organised by the Bombay Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The equitable growth should be the one which can empower people and give them the right opportunity to excel, he emphasised. Kumar said there is an expectation that the economy will grow at 9.2 per cent this fiscal, 8.5 or 8.7 per cent in FY2023 and 7.5 per cent after that, making it one of the fastest growing economies in the world. "The question we need to ask is will that be good enough to meet the aspiration of our young population, to meet their ambition...this is not enough," he said. The challenge, he said, is to break through growth barriers soon. "It is not simple but also not impossible. We need to have consistent, rapid and double-digit growth for the next two or three decades which will help us use our demographic dividend and also help us prevent our demographic dividend from turning into a waste and becoming difficult to handle," he pointed out. However, Kumar added that the growth which the country wants to achieve should not be at the cost of the environment. "We have to complete our economic transition in a manner that is green transition. It is a huge challenge again because very often in the past this has been seen as a trade-off between growth and environment, but we can't see it as a trade-off. We have to find ways and means to make it happen together," he said. According to Kumar, the private sector investment will be the driver of growth in the country going ahead. (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.) Over three lakh pilgrims have reached Sagar Island on the occasion of Makar Sankranti to take a holy dip at the confluence of river Ganga and the Bay of Bengal, and 0.63 per cent of them tested positive for Covid-19, an official said on Thursday. RT-PCR tests were conducted on the pilgrims as part of the measures to check the spread of the virus at Mela. A senior official of South 24 Parganas district administration said that the two-member committee formed by the Calcutta High Court to monitor adherence to COVID-19 norms at the fair inspected the site during the day. The committee, comprising Retd Justice Samapti Chattopadhyay and a member of state legal services authority, asked the administration to prevent overcrowding, the official said. A total of 3.2 lakh pilgrims from West Bengal and elsewhere in the country have undergone RT-PCR tests at various embarkation points on the way to Sagar Island and only 0.63 per cent were reported covid positive, the official said. State power minister Arup Biswas and women and child development minister Shashi Panja were camping at the spot, coordinating with the district magistrate and other officers to ensure that the fair passes off smoothly, he said. He also stated that the number of pilgrims thronging the island is relatively less compared to the previous years. Shankaracharya of Puri, Nischalananda Saraswati, who visited the island, told reporters that unfair attempts to politicise the pandemic situation and the holy event have been made. He said that he and other seers were following the guidelines laid down by the government. Three women pilgrims were separately airlifted to a Howrah hospital from the islands due to medical emergencies. While two of them - Gita Devi and Reena Krishna - are from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh respectively, Swarnalata Mondal hailed from Sagar Island itself. Every year, pilgrims from various parts of the country and abroad gather at Sagar Island, about 100 km from Kolkata, to take a holy dip on the auspicious occasion of Makar Sankranti which falls on Friday this year. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday urged the devotees to abide by COVID-19 protocols. (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.) Chief Minister on Thursday said that Prime Minister asked chief ministers to accelerate the pace of vaccination in their respective states and take other precautionary measures in view of the rising cases of COVID-19. Modi on Thursday interacted with the chief ministers over the COVID-19 situation in the country. Home Minister Amit Shah and Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya also attended the meeting. "During the meeting, the PM tried to know the positivity rate and the health infrastructure in the state," Sawant said. PM Modi insisted that the pace of vaccination, including that for the children in the age group of 15 to 18, be accelerated, and also asked the chief ministers to appeal to the eligible people to get the booster dose, he added. Sawant said he informed the prime minister that although the positivity rate in is high, the number of people getting hospitalised is small. "In Goa, less than one per cent people have been hospitalised and there is 92 per cent recovery," he said. As far as possible the economic activity in the state should not be stopped, although people need to follow certain restrictions that have been put up, Sawant said. He said that political parties were asked to desist from holding large public meetings in poll-bound states. (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.) Prime Minister on Thursday interacted with chief ministers over the COVID-19 situation in the country amid a surge in cases due to its Omicron variant. The interaction has been held via video-conferencing. The meeting came on a day India logged 247,417 new infections, the highest in 236 days, taking the total tally of COVID-19 cases to 3,63,17,927, which included 5,488 cases of the Omicron variant, according to the Union Health Ministry data. Home Minister Amit Shah and Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya also attended the meeting. Fresh curbs have been imposed in various parts of the country to check the spread of the highly transmissible virus. Reviewing the Covid situation at a high-level meeting on Sunday, Modi had called for ensuring adequate health infrastructure at the district level and accelerating the vaccination drive for adolescents in mission mode. The precaution vaccination drive for healthcare and frontline workers, besides those over 60 years of age with comorbidities, has also started. Vaccination remains among the most effective means to fight Covid, Modi had said. The prime minister had said that a meeting with the chief ministers be convened to discuss state-specific scenarios, best practices and the public health response. (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 opposition on Thursday sought to know how the State government plans to treat the COVID-19 infected lacking facilities for home isolation and the poor who could not afford pulse oximeters to constantly monitor their oxygen levels. Also, it demanded that the DMK government take steps to establish genome sequencing laboratories in the districts to detect Omicron variants besides ensuring that the COVID-19 test results are provided soon to the people. Asking the government to spell out its strategy to treat those lacking adequate space for home isolation, leader of the opposition in the Assembly K Palaniswami said, "the people of are not clear on what kind of treatment would be given to those with co-morbidities contracting the infection." In a statement, the former Chief Minister said the then government launched concrete and concerted measures since the outbreak of the pandemic in on March 7, 2020, and contained the contagion. " infection remained under control until the announcement of the Assembly elections, as the then government took a number of measures to contain the pandemic. People even felt the relief," Palaniswami said. However, ever since the DMK government took the reins, the pandemic spread rapidly, he alleged. " has been hit hard by the third wave now. The number of persons getting infected on December 31, 2021 was 1,155. It rose to 17,934 as of yesterday. Even the death toll is increasing," he said. Against this backdrop, the Health and Family Welfare Minister Ma Subramanian on January 11 asked those with mild symptoms and those with oxygen concentration above 92 to isolate themselves at home for 6 to 7 days. He also assured action against private hospitals if they treated infected people in defiance of the government's announcement, Palaniswami claimed. "The then AIADMK government brought the infected people to hospitals by ambulance and discharged them only after ensuring they fully recovered. However, the Health Minister says it is sufficient if the infected gets isolated at home," he said. Further, during the AIADMK rule, the government then increased the lab facilities across the State and by April 2021, 265 testing centres became operational in Tamil Nadu, the AIADMK co-coordinator said and urged the DMK government to establish genome sequencing labs in the districts to identify Omicron variants. Party's coordinator O Panneerselvam asked the government to take steps to control the third wave by taking up the spraying of disinfectant in affected areas besides ensuring the RT-PCR test results are made available at the earliest. "Of the 39,637 streets in Chennai, over 5,000 streets are affected by and the cases are on the rise," he said and asked the government to take up the work to disinfect government buses and also public places, as was done by the AIADMK government, to considerably reduce the risk of infection. "I urge Chief Minister M K Stalin to pay special attention on these aspects and also provide RT-PCR test results promptly to mitigate the impact of Coronavirus," Panneerselvam 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 union territory of continued to witness a spike in the number of fresh cases with 1,107 infections being added in the last 24 hours as the overall tally rose to 1,33,866, a senior Health department official said on Thursday. Director of Health and Family Welfare Services G Sriramulu said in a release that the 1,107 new cases were identified at the end of the examination of 4,187 samples and were spread over (956), Karaikal (126), Mahe (18) and Yanam (seven). He said the test positivity rate was 26.44 per cent while the fatality and recovery rates were 1.41 per cent and 95.40 per cent respectively. As many as 40 patients recovered and were discharged during the last 24 hours ending 10 AM Thursday as the overall recoveries climbed to 1,27,713. The Health Department has so far tested 20,83,360 samples and has found 17,68,424 out of them to be negative, he said. Sriramulu said the number of active cases stood at 4,270 which included 167 patients in hospitals and 4,103 in home isolation. There was no fresh fatality during the last 24 hours and the death toll remained at 1,883. Sriramulu said that the department has so far administered 14,91,798 doses of the vaccine which comprised 9,03,845 first doses, 5,86.589 second and 1,364 precaution doses. Meanwhile, the Chief Secretary of the government Ashwani Kumar tested positive for Covid-19 at the end of the examination of swabs on Wednesday. A spokesman of the Health Department told PTI that Ashwani Kumar, an IAS officer of AGMUT cadre, was in home isolation. He had taken two doses of the vaccine. Also, former Chief Minister and senior Congress leader V Narayanasamy had a precaution dose on Thursday at the Government General Hospital here. (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.) Congress leader DK Shivakumar along with others at the Mekedatu padayatra. (Photo: Twitter/@DKShivakumar) Bengaluru: Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Thursday appealed to Congress leaders Siddaramaiah and D K Shivakumar to call off their ongoing padyatra demanding implementation of Mekedatu project across river Cauvery. The Chief Minister's appeal comes a day after the government under fire from the High Court and party legislators had prohibited inter-district and intra- district (within Ramanagara) movement of vehicles and persons for participating in the padayatra, with immediate effect. "I'm ready to take all the necessary measures for the implementation of the Mekedatu project, taking all of you into confidence," Bommai said in a press statement addressed to Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar. He said the third wave of COVID has affected public life, especially the children, and at such a time going ahead with the padayatra by gathering a large number of people is not right in the interest of public health. The Chief Minister also noted that the High Court has already expressed its strong opinion in this regard and it is the public opinion too. "So, I here by request you to drop the padayatra, let's all together fight corona now, and together work for the implementation of Mekedatu project in the days to come," he added. In the wake of the High Court's strong observations and government's last night orders, Congress leaders are in a huddle in Ramanagara, regarding their next course of action. The Karnataka High Court on Wednesday had questioned the state government as to why it allowed the Congress' padayatra, which is being held in violation of its COVID curbs, and why no appropriate action was taken by the authorities to restrain the march. It has also asked the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) whether it had obtained permission for the padayatra and whether measures have been taken in compliance with Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) prescribed by the government to prevent the COVID-19 spread. The court has asked both the state government as well as the Congress to respond by Friday. The Congress' 10-day long padayatra demanding implementation of Mekedatu project, to which neighbouring Tamil Nadu is opposed, is in its fifth day today, is scheduled to cover a distance of about 15 km from Ramanagara to Bidadi, defying COVID curbs. The padayatra that began on January 9, spanning a distance of nearly 139 km, is scheduled to conclude at Basavanagudi in Bengaluru on January 19. Police have already filed four FIRs against Congress leaders including Shivakumar and Siddaramaiah, for taking out the march defying COVID-19 curbs. The Mekedatu multipurpose (drinking and power) project involves building a balancing reservoir near Kanakapura in Ramanagara district of Karnataka. The project once completed is aimed at ensuring drinking water to Bengaluru and neighbouring areas (4.75 TMC) and also can generate 400 MW power, and the estimated cost of the project is Rs 9,000 crore. grown on more than 28,000 hectares of land bore the brunt of unseasonal rain and hailstorms in Maharashtra's Nagpur division in the last few days, officials said on Thursday. Besides, nearly 70 houses were damaged in the division's Wardha district and 27 in Nagpur district. One person also died after being struck by lightning in Nagpur, they said. Various districts in the east Vidarbha region witnessed showers and hailstorms between January 8 and 11. As per preliminary reports, the inclement weather affected over 28,000 hectares of agriculture land in 1,272 villages in Nagpur, Wardha, Bhandara, Gondia, Chandrapur and Gadchiroli districts, an official told PTI. Gadchiroli was the worst affected with over 8,550 hectares of land in 714 villages bearing the brunt, followed by Nagpur where 7,495 hectares of land was impacted, the official said. In Wardha, on over 3,000 hectares of land were affected after rains lashed Arvi, Karanja, Ashti and other areas of the district since January 8, an official from the agriculture department said. Standing like cotton, tur, and orange plantations were damaged, the official said. On Tuesday, rain and hailstorms were witnessed in Kamptee, Saoner, Ramtek and Parseoni area of Nagpur district, officials said. Local administration has started the survey of the affected agricultural lands. Nagpur Guardian Minister Nitin Raut has given directions to conduct the 'panchnama' of losses in the district. Collector R Vimla has ordered the revenue department to conduct the same and submit a report, a district official said. Animal Husbandry Minister Sunil Kedar is in Nagpur to inspect the affected villages in the district. (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 is gaining share in manufacturing exports and share of global is now at an all-time high, Credit Suisse said in a report. Gains in commodities may not last, but momentum should persist in electronics (large market size, opportunities for share gains, policy support) and specialty chemicals (a decade of steady growth has brought scale to firms). In textiles, exports are growing after a decade-long stagnation, currently mostly in upstream yarn/fabric, but order-books for apparel are strengthening too. The opportunity in autos is as much local (strong demand growth gives scale), as potential share gains as global industry disrupts (new OEMs, business models and supply chains), the report said. India's manufacturing share of GDP has been declining steadily since 2012, partly due to a stagnation in exports of manufactured goods. As exports pick up again, either due to the impact of PLI schemes or otherwise, they could boost GDP by 2.4 per cent in five years. The boost to jobs would be concentrated in electronics and apparel. Electronics hold much promise, not only on the large size (30 per cent of global goods exports), but also opportunities for share gains, given geopolitical shifts and China's shrinking industrial labour force. Helped by policy support, a critical mass appears to be building, with local and global firms investing in capacities in India (even those not gaining from PLI schemes). In chemicals,while India lacks sustainable advantage in bulks, its share of global exports of specialty chemicals has risen steadily (these are now 10 per cent plus of India's exports). Through steady growth, and in some cases China ceding share, the industry has now gained critical mass. India has seen gains in electronics, chemicals, autos, apparel, the report said. India runs a structural deficit in sectors dependent on resource availability, like oil, gas, coal and gold (together around a fifth of global exports); the share in agriculture is higher than average given structural advantages, but its share of manufactured goods exports is lower. Within manufactured goods, pre-Covid-19 Indias' share was above average in jewellery (though it has low value-add) and textiles, and below average in electronics. Since 2015, metals have grown the fastest, but these may not sustain (global commodity cycles). Growth in electronics and machinery has been well above average though chemicals and textiles (incl apparel) have contributed the most in absolute terms given their size. While electrical and equipment together account for $600 bn of global exports annually, India's opportunity would be primarily in labour-intensive segments initially; scale could eventually drive upstream integration. To broaden these share gains and to consolidate them, we need to see evidence of Indian groups investing in the value chain (like Tata Electronics, which has already invested $1 bn in its Hosur facility and plans to hire 40,000 workers), as well as foreign technology companies setting up operations in India. Elsewhere, in consumer electronics like air-conditioners, import substitution has driven significant growth in manufacturing, Credit Suisse said. Textile and apparel exports from India have picked up over the past year, as after a period when lockdowns hurt demand for new clothes, global apparel markets have rebounded. However, while rolling 12M exports have broken through the $35 bn level they were stuck at for much of the last decade, growth, at least until Nov-2021, was in upstream yarn and fabric, and downstream apparel exports were lower than the prior peak in May-2019. This could just be a time lag in demand flowing through a value-chain, and preliminary data for Dec-2021 shows a meaningful pick-up in apparel exports. However, there can be another factor as well: India lacks the treaty advantages that Bangladesh and Vietnam possess. Further, the US ban on Xinjiang cotton effective Dec-2021 could help upstream businesses in India going forward, the report said. It is unlikely that China will cede its entire market share in apparel (ready-made garments, or RMG), but trends of the past decade are likely to persist. While nearly all of China's share in cotton apparel was taken by Bangladesh and Cambodia and that in man-made fibres by Vietnam, current industry feedback suggests that volumes are also beginning to shift to India. (Sanjeev Sharma can be reached at Sanjeev.s@ians.in) --IANS san/ (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.) Civil Aviation Minister on Thursday held a meeting with the chiefs of Indian carriers on various issues, including increasing the number of wide-body planes and resolving regulatory concerns. Wide-body planes like A350 have bigger fuel tanks, larger seating capacity and they can travel to longer distances as compared to narrow-body aircraft like A320. Scindia said on Twitter, "Held a detailed discussion with the airlines advisory group on issues ranging from increasing wide-body aircraft fleet and making India an international hub to aircraft leasing, alongside regulatory issues. "We're committed towards nursing the sector back to health and re-injecting growth," he added. IndiGo CEO Ronojoy Dutta, SpiceJet CMD Ajay Singh and chiefs of other airlines were present in the virtual meeting with Scindia. (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 government is working on a digital 'stack' of agricultural datasets, with its core as land records. Applications built over the stack will provide with recommendations on which seeds to buy, and best practices to maximise their yield, along with updates on weather, agricultural credit, insurance and more. This will also help increase farmers' income and improve the efficiency of the agricultural sector, the government has said. But such a centralised stack will use old and inaccurate land records; farmers' personal and financial details will be used without a strong data protection law; and rural areas have a low level of digital literacy. Hence, experts told IndiaSpend, such an 'AgriStack' is problematic. The proposal comes against the backdrop of the government backtracking on three farm laws passed in September 2020, which the government had said would help in its target of doubling farmers' income by 2022. What is AgriStack? As a collection of digital databases, AgriStack would have some core features including a unique farmer identity number for each farmer, and some building blocks such as data on weather, the newest science and research on agriculture, agricultural commodity prices in India and abroad, information and access to central government schemes, agricultural regulations and permissions. In June 2021, the government shared a paper on the India Digital Ecosystem Architecture (IDEA), detailing the architecture for AgriStack. There are existing technologies and applications, such as Kisan Suvidha, which provide agriculture-related information from existing schemes. But these do not integrate databases, said experts. IDEA /AgriStack is billed as the underlying platform (like Android or iOS) over which apps like Kisan Suvidha and others will run, said Nachiket Udupa, a member of the Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan (MKSS), a labour and farmers' rights organisation in Rajsamand district in Rajasthan. IDEA is expected to ensure that state and central data will be independent parts of the architecture, but they will not exist in silos, and can be used together to give the information they require. The aim of AgriStack is to ensure that take informed decisions on what crops to grow and when, which seeds to buy, and how to maximise yield. Players in the agricultural supply chain can precisely plan their production and logistics; farmers know when to sell their produce, where and at what price; and farmers can benefit from new technologies and data protection. The overall objective is that India moves to precision farming--the use of all agricultural inputs in a specific, measured quantity for high yields. An AgriStack that can bring all stakeholders in the agri-value chain on a common platform "would be a game changer", said G.R. Chintala, chairman of the National Bank for and Rural Development (NABARD), in a speech in September 2020. The stack could also evaluate the creditworthiness of agricultural borrowers, said the 2019 Report of the Steering Committee on fintech-related issues. "This stack can include a farmer's borrowing history, land ownership data, cropping pattern and income data, among other information." It puts the "farmer in the centre of the ecosystem,", the ministry said in a consultation paper on IDEA on June 1, 2021. But not everyone agrees on the government's motives. The government has two reasons to move to IDEA, said Udupa. "There is an impression, which is not necessarily true, that combining databases will lead to better targeted delivery of government programmes and, therefore, savings for the exchequer," Udupa said. "The second reason is to open a new market for businesses. Sadly, neither of these reasons has much to do with what is best for the farmer." Currently, the government has signed Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) with private companies including Microsoft, ITC, Cisco, and Amazon among others, to develop Proof of Concepts (POCs) on feasible ways to develop AgriStack. Old land records, landlessness limit AgriStack accuracy, usefulness Land records, that are at the core of AgriStack, are either dated, incomplete, erroneous or non-existent in India. Though you need technology like AgriStack/IDEA for identifying farmers, said G.V. Ramanjaneyulu, executive director of the Centre for Sustainable Agriculture, an research non-profit in Secunderabad, the problem is of "not having a proper record of land ownership". In the 13 years up until 2021, as a result of the Digital India Land Records Modernisation Programme, 92% of India's villages had computerised land records. But government data show that only 68% of cadastral maps in villages (which record the area, ownership and value of land) had been digitised. The accuracy of the maps is also suspect. The "average age of village/cadastral maps available in most of the states is more than 50 years", according to a 2009 government report, State Agrarian Relations and the Unfinished Task in Land Reforms, and "were mostly prepared during the British regime". States have neglected updating the records through surveys, and maps have not been used to establish actual boundaries on the ground, noted a September 2017 PRS Legislative report. Property sketches thus do not always match textual records. Further, of all cadastral maps, only 53% were linked to a Record of Rights (ROR) which show land transactions, and less than half the villages issue digitally-signed RORs. "We are not against digitisation, but against how it is being done," said Udupa. "There are landless livestock farmers, beekeepers, fishers and others [who are part of the agriculture ecosystem] Reducing IDEA to only people who own land on record is very limiting." Government data show that nearly 8.2% of rural households are landless, while more than half of agricultural workers are labourers. "If land record is the basis, there is no clarity on how tenant farmers will be recognised," said R. Ramakumar, economist and professor at the Tata Institute of Social Sciences in Mumbai. Across India, government data show that tenant holdings--that is, land farmed by those who don't own it--increased from 9.9% to 17.3% in 16 years to 2018-19. In Andhra Pradesh, that figure is as high as 42%. Low digital literacy, small farm sizes Even if AgriStack becomes a reality, farmers might not be able to use it. In rural areas, between January and March 2021, there were just 36.2 internet subscribers for every 100 people, compared to 60.7 in urban India. Fewer than four in ten (38%) households across India are digitally literate, according to a March 2021 analysis by Venugopal Mothkoor and Fatima Mumtaz of the Niti Aayog. In rural areas, this proportion is lower, at 25%. And then there is the problem of small landholdings: Of 93.1 million agricultural households, nearly nine in 10 own small landholdings of up to 2 hectares. And for all these reasons, experts believe AgriStack might not be useful in India. "AgriStack tries to superimpose the nature of running large farms of the west into the small farms of India," said Ramakumar. "This may not be realistic. In India, agriculture is an unorganised and informal sector." Data privacy and protection Then come the issues of data privacy, in the absence of a data protection law and high levels of digital illiteracy. IT firms see an opportunity in controlling agricultural data, particularly because food is a basic need, said Ramanjaneyulu. "There is a need for agriculture-specific data protection regulations and safeguards," said Rohin Garg, policy counsel for regulation and social welfare at the Internet Freedom Foundation (IFF), "so that farmers can control the data they share, and ensure that companies do not access core or raw data which may lead to [their] exploitation". The report of the joint Parliamentary committee on the Personal Data Protection Bill, 2019 allows for some exceptions from data protection, including non-personal data which is defined as data without personally identifiable information. "Agriculture or farm data may be considered as non-personal data," said Garg. The lack of data privacy and protection statutes means that private companies that have MOUs for pilots in various districts will decide which data are non-personal. For instance, Microsoft's Standard Operating Procedure, accessed through a Right To Information request by IFF, says, that its team shall ensure that data captured are "verified and reconciled 100%", but there is no clarity on how they would do so, whether by matching with official government data or in some other manner, said Garg. IndiaSpend has written to Microsoft for their comments on agricultural data privacy and safeguards, and on verifying and correcting discrepancies in data collected during surveys. We will update the story when we receive a response. "Identifying large MNCs [multinational companies] and asking them to harvest data could have been better served if the process was more open and included smaller firms that work around agriculture data," said Ramakumar. Ideally, this has to be pushed by the public sector. If not, the government must ensure that the entire interface is in government control, said Garg. "Private entities will have to work in a strictly regulated environment." IndiaSpend has written to senior officials in the agriculture ministry for their comments on data protection, and pilot projects by private companies. We will update the story when we receive a response. Centralisation Over and above all of this sits the question of federalism, given that agriculture is a state subject whereas AgriStack seeks to impose Central command and control. "AgriStack will centralise data, which otherwise would have been property of states," said Ramakumar. There are "preliminary anecdotal reports which indicate that the Union Government is denying states access to the aggregated database, whereas states are the ones which have provided the databases in the first instance", farmers' groups highlighted in June 2021. Further, the IDEA proposal of the government suggested that a portion of central assistance to states be linked to "progress achieved in implementing IDEA". "Incentivisation may work because some states will do better than others, and the process can be adopted by other states," said Ramanjanyelu. But the IDEA model should allow states the flexibility to make changes based on their local context, rather than mandating that all states follow the exact same model, he added. AgriStack tries to create a small farm into an economic unit by creating a unique ID and linking Aadhaar and transfer of farm subsidies and other benefits, said Ramakumar. "I do not think that our agriculture can be transformed by such digital short-cuts." As many as 91 organisations working on farmers' rights and on digital rights of citizens have expressed concerns about IDEA, and asked that its implementation be stopped pending consultations with all stakeholders. "...there is still a need to build into the design ways and means for farmers to participate in the development of AgriStack," said Udupa, adding that there should be better grievance-redressal and accountability measures to ensure that the interests of farmers are not compromised. The on Thursday finalised its candidates for 172 assembly seats in and is likely to field both Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya who are currently members of the Legislative Council, party leaders said. The party's seat-sharing talks with Apna Dal (S) and Nishad party are also in final stages. Former president and Union Home Minister Amit Shah held meetings with leaders of both parties late Wednesday night at the saffron party headquarters here. Polling in most of these 172 seats will be held in the initial phases beginning February 10 and the is also considering fielding Deputy Chief Minister Dinesh Sharma and state unit president Swatantra Dev Singh. Addressing the media at the BJP headquarters, Maurya said the party held wider deliberations on the 172 assembly seats and will register a bigger victory compared to the 2017 assembly polls. BJP president J P Nadda and Union ministers Rajnath Singh and Nitin Gadkari, all three of whom have contracted coronavirus, joined the meeting via video-conferencing. Home Minister Shah and several other leaders besides those from Uttar Pradesh, including Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, met physically. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was also scheduled to join the meeting virtually. According to party sources, Adityanath is likely to be fielded from Ayodhya and Maurya from Sirathu constituency. Sharma may contest from one of the assembly constituencies in state capital Luknow. A five-term former Lok Sabha member from Gorakhpur, Adityanath is currently a member of the state's Legislative Council. The party is likely to announce its first list of candidates in the next few days, the sources said. As many as 58 and 55 seats of the Assembly will face the polls on February 10 and February 14, respectively. The state is scheduled to have seven-phase polls. Uttarakhand, Goa and Punjab assembly polls will also be held on February 14. The BJP is likely to drop a number of sitting MLAs to neutralise anti-incumbency at the local level. (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 is upset at being given a cold shoulder by the over its proposal to repeat the Maharashtra coalition experiment in the . leader Sanjay Raut on Thursday said the political situation it Goa is such that the cannot go beyond single digit if it contests the assembly polls in the coastal state on its own. "The has only three MLAs in Goa. The party's MLAs have deserted it enmasse. Key political parties, we ( and NCP) had offered to support the Congress in its difficult times. But I don't know what the Congress is thinking. It cannot cross the single digit mark if it contests alone," Raut told reporters here. Raut, who had held a round of discussions with AICC in-charge of Goa Dinesh Gundurao, CLP leader Digambar Kamat and Goa Congress chief Girish Chodankar, said he had placed a proposal that the Congress contest on 30 of the 40 assembly seats and leave the rest for its allies. He said the 10 assembly seats, where Congress has not won elections in the past 50 years, could be allocated to Shiv Sena, NCP and Goa Forward Party. Raut, a Rajya Sabha member, said Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was favourable to the idea of an alliance but the local Congress leadership had a different view. Raut said the Shiv Sena was ready to support the candidature of former Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar's son Utpal should he decide to take the political plunge in the assembly polls. "Utpal has to take the courageous decision to contest the elections. You need to be courageous to contest elections. If he takes that decision, the Shiv Sena will support him," Raut said. Raut recalled that the Shiv Sena had supported the family of Lok Sabha member from Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Mohan Delkar, who was found dead in a Mumbai hotel last year. Delkar's wife Kalaben Delkar won the Lok Sabha bypoll as a Shiv Sena candidate. Utpal had evinced interest in contesting the assembly polls from Panaji, a constituency represented by his father and four-term Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar. Utpal had also met Home Minister Amit Shah in this regard. Goa goes to polls on February 14. (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.) Other backward class (OBC) leader Dharam Singh Saini on Thursday became the third minister to quit the Cabinet as the Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) finalised its candidates for 172 Assembly seats. The party is likely to field both Chief Minister (CM) Yogi Adityanath and Deputy CM Keshav Prasad Maurya, who are currently members of the legislative council, leaders said. Also on Thursday, Shikohabad BJP MLA Mukesh Verma resigned from the party. Polling in most of these 172 seats will be held in the initial phases beginning February 10 and the party is also considering fielding the other Deputy CM Dinesh Sharma and state unit president Swatantra Dev Singh. Addressing the media at the BJP headquarters, Maurya said the party held wider deliberations on the 172 assembly seats. BJP president J P Nadda and Union Ministers Rajnath Singh and Nitin Gadkari, all three of whom have contracted Covid-19, joined the meeting via video conferencing, while Home Minister Amit Shah and several other leaders besides those from UP, met physically. Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired the meeting virtually. Earlier, Saini, who was the minister of state (independent charge) for Ayush, appeared headed to the Akhilesh Yadav-led Samajwadi Party as Yadav posted a picture of himself with Saini on Twitter. The SP president had earlier put out pictures of OBC leaders Swami Prasad Maurya and Dara Singh Chauhan with himself after the latter had resigned from the Adityanath cabinet on Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively. In his resignation letter addressed to Governor Anandiben Patel, which was circulating on social media on Thursday, Saini said he was quitting over the continued neglect of the aspirations of dalits, backwards, farmers, educated unemployed, and small and mid-level traders who together gave the BJP a sweeping majority in the 2017 UP elections. Meanwhile, Verma cited UP government's lack of respect towards backward classes and dalits as the reason behind his decision to resign. Verma, who is also expected to join the SP, said he would continue the fight for justice under Maurya. (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 Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), in its Core Committee meeting on Wednesday, finalised the names of candidates of 172 seats that are going to polls in the first three phases of the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections. According to sources, in the meeting at Headquarters in the national capital, discussions were held for more than 300 seats, but names for 172 seats going to polls in the first three phases have been finalized. Now, these names will be put forward in the BJP's Central Election Committee (CEC) meeting on Thursday where Prime Minister Narendra Modi will also be present. After the CEC put its stamp on the final list of candidates, the will announce the candidature of these 172 candidates in the coming days. On the second day of the three-day meeting, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya and UP election in-charge Dharmendra Pradhan were present. On Wednesday, the meeting at the BJP headquarters started at 11 am, which went on till 1:35 am today. Earlier on Tuesday, the meeting lasted for more than 10 hours. According to the Election Commission, 58 seats will go to the polls in the first phase, 55 seats in the second phase, and 59 seats in the third phase. According to sources, in the meeting held on Wednesday, discussions took place on constituencies include Ayodhya where the party may field Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath but the final decision will be taken in the CEC meeting. 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. (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 Congress on Thursday released its party's first list of 125 candidates, including 50 women, for the upcoming UP assembly elections, fielding the Unnao rape victim's mother Asha Singh from the Unnao assembly seat. Anti-CAA activist and party spokesperson in Uttar Pradesh, Sadaf Jafar will be the Congress candidate from the Lucknow central seat. Asha worker and activist Poonam Pandey, who fought for the rights of Asha workers has been fielded from Shahjahanpur and Ram Raj Gond, a tribal leader who fought for the rights of Adivasis in Sonbhadra, has been fielded from the Ponga constituency in the state. BSPs 300 are ready: Misra Meanwhile, the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) has already decided at least 300 of its total 403 candidates and of these, 90 are dalits, party general secretary S C Misra said on Thursday. Misra said they were yet to finalise their candidates as the parties lacked confidence in their leaders. "Of the 300 names finalised, 90 are dalits and their number will rise as candidates for the rest of the seats are decided," Misra said. Meanwhile, the Samajwadi Party-Rashtriya Lok Dal alliance has announced its first list of 29 candidates for the first phase of Assembly polls. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) New York: An Indian-origin Sikh taxi driver - whose turban was knocked off and told "turbaned people, go back to your country" by an unidentified man in the US - says he is "shocked and angered" to be assaulted and that no one should experience such hate. In a statement on January 3, community-based civil and human rights organisation The Sikh Coalition said that New York City resident Singh was physically attacked and berated near his cab at JFK International Airport here. Singh had parked his cab at the Terminal 4 taxi stand when another driver blocked his vehicle. When Singh picked up a customer, he stepped out of his car to ask the other driver to move. The other driver attempted to hit Singh with his own car door; he then began repeatedly punching Singh in the head, chest, and arms, knocking off his turban, it said in a statement. The other driver called Singh turbaned people and shouted at him to go back to your country, according to the statement. "I was shocked and angered to be assaulted for doing nothing but minding my own business. While working, no one should experience such hate. I am hopeful that the police can identify, arrest, and charge the person who attacked me so that I can move forward, the Sikh taxi driver, identified only as Mr Singh out of respect for his request for privacy, has told The Sikh Coalition. Singh filed a report with the Port Authority Police Department (PAPD) immediately after the incident. The Sikh Coalition said it is currently working to ensure that the report paints an accurate picture of the attack given the language barrier during the initial conversations. The organisation's staff accompanied Singh to a meeting with a detective to provide language assistance and legal support. "We have every expectation that bias will be considered as a factor in this outrageous attack, given the evidence of what the other driver said and did to Mr Singh, said Amrith Kaur Aakre, Sikh Coalition Legal Director. The Sikh Coalition is appreciative of all who have stepped forward to support Mr. Singh and called attention to his assault. As the investigation moves forward, we will work towards a just outcome that holds the attacker accountable for his actions, while also reiterating that the Sikh community remains an integral part of New York City, Aakre said. Navjot Pal Kaur had posted the 26-second video of the attack on January 4 on Twitter and it soon went viral. Kaur tweeted, This video was taken by a bystander at John F Kennedy international Airport. I do not own the rights to this video. But I just wanted to highlight the fact that hatred continues to remain in our society and unfortunately I've seen Sikh cab drivers get assaulted again and again. Simran Jeet Singh, author and Director for the Aspen Institute's Inclusive America Project, had tweeted: Another Sikh cab driver assaulted. This one at JFK Airport in NYC. So upsetting to see. But it's crucial that we don't look away What I am sure of is how painful it is to watch our fathers and elders get assaulted while they're just trying to live an honest life. For those who aren't Sikh, I can't put into words what it means to have your turban knocked off or to see someone else's turban knocked off. It's visceral and gut-wrenching and just so disheartening to witness, Singh tweeted. India's Consulate General in New York had termed the assault on the Sikh taxi driver as "deeply disturbing and said it had taken up the matter with the US authorities and urged them to investigate this violent incident. The US State Department also said it was deeply disturbed by reports of the attack on the Sikh cab driver at JFK International Airport, captured on video. "Our diversity makes the US stronger, & we condemn any form of hate-based violence, State Department's Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs (SCA) had tweeted. We all have a responsibility to hold perpetrators of hate crimes accountable for their actions, no matter where such crimes occur, it had tweeted. Singh has retained the Sikh Coalition to provide free legal guidance as the investigation into his attacker moves forward. The organisation said that out of respect for Singh's privacy (given that his turban was knocked off) and in accordance with his request that he not be publicly identified, the Sikh Coalition is not further sharing that footage at this time. It voiced concern that Sikhs in the United States continue to experience bias and hate-driven attacks on account of their visually identifiable articles of faith (including turbans) as well as perceptions about their country of origin. According to the most recent FBI data, Sikhs remain in the top three most frequently targeted groups for religiously-motivated hate crimes and bias incidents nationwide. In the Sikh Coalition's experience, taxi and rideshare drivers in particular are at a heightened risk of these kinds of violent attacks, it said. A meeting of the Bharatiya Janata Party's Core Committee on the Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls was held on Wednesday where discussions took place on seat sharing with allies. The meeting which was chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah lasted for 14 hours and concluded at 1:35 am today. During the Core Committee meeting, NISHAD party president Sanjay Nishad was also present. Minister of State (MoS) for Commerce and Industry and Apna Dal leader Anupriya Patel also met all leaders and discussed seat-sharing. According to sources, the seat-sharing agreement will be announced after the CEC meeting on Thursday. The Core Commitee also discussed Assembly constituencies include Ayodhya where the party may field Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, according to sources. However, the final decision on Adityanath's constituency will be taken in the meeting of the BJP's Central Election Committee (CEC) on Thursday in which Prime Minister Narendra Modi will also be present. It may be noted Adityanath, who represented the Gorakhpur constituency in the Lok Sabha five times, has never contested Assembly elections and is currently a member of the Legislative Council. Besides Shah, Uttar Pradesh poll in-charge Dharmendra Pradhan, Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya, UP General Secretary (Organization) Sunil Bansal and National General Secretary (organization) BL Santhosh also attended the meeting. BJP President Jagat Prakash Nadda, who recently tested positive for COVID-19, also joined the meeting virtually.Earlier, BJP MP Harnath Singh Yadav had written a letter in this matter demanding Yogi Adityanath to contest the elections from Mathura. The Core Committee also discussed recent resignations of Uttar Pradesh BJP MLAs including two cabinet ministers at the meeting. In the last 2017 assembly elections, BJP had given 11 seats to Apna Dal while 8 seats to Omprakash Rajbhar's party. However, Om Prakash Rajbhar is now with Samajwadi Party (SP). 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. (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 draft scheme which was announced in November last year proposed that depositors of more than Rs 5 lakh have to wait for upto 10 years to get all their money back. No interest would ... Sahakar Bharati a forum of cooperative societies founded by Reserve Bank of India (RBI) board member Satish Marathe - has stepped in to offer a better deal to the depositors of the troubled Punjab and Maharashtra Cooperative (PMC) Bank. The draft scheme of amalgamation of PMC Bank with Unity Small Finance Bank, which was announced by Reserve Bank of India, proposed a sharp haircut for depositors. Dear Reader, Business Standard has always strived hard to provide up-to-date information and commentary on developments that are of interest to you and have wider political and economic implications for the country and the world. Your encouragement and constant feedback on how to improve our offering have only made our resolve and commitment to these ideals stronger. Even during these difficult times arising out of Covid-19, we continue to remain committed to keeping you informed and updated with credible news, authoritative views and incisive commentary on topical issues of relevance. The Dutch wing of environmental group Friends of the Earth, which won a landmark court victory against last year, is targeting 30 major corporate emitters in a campaign launched on Thursday. Milieudefensie has set its sights on large companies with legal bases in the Netherlands, where a court ruled in May that Shell must reduce its environmental footprint. The heads of the companies were being sent letters demanding that they provide plans outlining how they will trim emissions by 45% from 2019 levels by 2030, in line with the Paris climate accord. A failure to do so may result in legal action, said Peer de Rijk, policy officer at Milieudefensie. "We are very clear that in the end, if needed, we are willing to go to court. But of course we are hoping these companies will be moving by themselves," De Rijk told Reuters in an interview. "We are willing to engage in talks, but we are in a hurry as well, so we won't accept talks for the sake of talks themselves," he said. "Climate science is very clear. This is exactly what is needed. ...There is no choice so they will just have to." Shell is appealing against The Hague district court order to cut emissions in line with the 2015 Paris agreement. Among leaders in finance, retailers, oil and energy majors, builders and industrial manufacturers on the list are KLM, the Dutch arm of airline Air France KLM, ABN Amro bank and supermarket operator Ahold Delhaize. "You lead an enterprise with control over and influence on a substantial amount of CO2 emissions. An enterprise that can and must contribute to the system change necessary to prevent dangerous climate change," a draft letter seen by Reuters said, asking: "Are you a frontrunner or a straggler?" Some of the businesses are "small in the Netherlands itself, but they have a very large, international, global impact and the Shell verdict very clearly states that it is ...possible to hold them accountable for their global emissions via the Dutch law," he said. MID-APRIL DEADLINE The move by Milieudefensie follows a commitment by countries to accelerate their emissions reductions at the COP26 climate talks in Glasgow in November, with investors managing $130 trillion in assets signing up to net-zero and pressuring companies to ensure their plans are good enough. The broadening out of Milieudefensie's campaign also comes against a backdrop of increased climate-related litigation globally, with more than 1,000 cases brought since 2015, research from the London School of Economics showed. Milieudefensie, which said it had been approached by scores of concerned companies after the Shell verdict, set a three-month deadline until April 15 for the companies to present a climate plan. They will be used to set an emissions baseline against which the companies' progress in cutting climate-heating gasses can be measured, the group said. KLM said that while it could not comment in detail until it had formally received the letter, it has committed to aligning its net-zero pathway with climate science, and planned to use more sustainable aviation fuel. An ABN spokesperson said the bank supported efforts to limit global warming and was working to reduce emissions from its lending, including by encouraging homeowners to improve the energy efficiency of their homes and increasing its lending for renewable energy. An Ahold spokesperson was not immediately available to comment. In addition to targeting companies, Milieudefensie also called on the government in the Netherlands to enshrine the Paris accord in Dutch law to ensure corporate compliance. (Reporting by Anthony Deutsch in Amsterdam and Simon Jessop in London, Editing by William Maclean) (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The UK appears to have surpassed the peak of the latest wave of Covid-19 caused by Omicron, a promising sign that the highly transmissible variants impact may be brief, if intense, and fueling optimism that the pandemic may be waning. Scientists say British data offer encouraging signs for countries behind the UK in the Omicron wavesuch as the USthat the variant is echoing the pattern it followed in South Africa, where cases rose rapidly over the course of just over a month, before falling back. The seven-day average of new daily cases of Covid-19 in the UK has been falling for a week and on Tuesday dropped below the 14-day average for the first time since November, according to a Wall Street Journal analysis of official data. Both are signs that caseloads are diminishing. The rate of increase in the number of new Covid-19 hospitalizations has also slowed and in Englandand especially London, which experienced the Omicron wave sooner than other regionsnew hospital admissions with Covid-19 are falling. The first cases of Omicron were detected in the UK on November 27. Meanwhile, in USA, the explosion of omicron cases along the Interstate 95 corridor from the Mid-Atlantic to New is showing signs of slowing down, according to health officials and epidemiologists, offering reason for cautious optimism that the turning point could be near and that the variants US trajectory is similar to that of other countries. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) said Tuesday the rates of tests returning positive and case increases seem to be slowingparticularly in New York City, which emerged as an early epicenter of the highly contagious variant. Scientists caution, however, that caseloads and hospital admissions may yet reverse course as social mixing increases with the end of the holiday season and the start of the new school term. Up to now, the British experience has further bolstered the conviction that Omicron is milder than previous versions of the virusat least in places like the U.K. where vaccination rates among older and more vulnerable people are very high. The trends are generating optimism that the worst of Omicronand possibly the whole pandemicis receding. Prime Minister Boris Johnson has signaled he isnt likely to maintain limited public-health restrictions, such as working from home, that were put in place to contain Omicron beyond January 26, when they are due to expire. The on Thursday prolonged economic sanctions against Russia for six months for failing to live up to its commitments to the peace agreement in Ukraine, amid concern that Moscow may be preparing to invade its former Soviet neighbour. The measures target Russia's financial, energy and defense sectors, as well as goods that can be used for both civilian and military purposes. The move is part of a rolling review, and is not linked to current tensions over Russia's military buildup near . The measures are part of a raft of sanctions slapped on Russia in 2014 after it annexed Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula, and are tied to respect of the 2015 Minsk peace deal. The EU renewed the sanctions, which will remain in place until at least July 31, because Russia did not fully implement the peace agreement. The move limits Russian bank and company access to EU capital markets and outlaws financial assistance or brokering for Russian financial institutions. It halts all imports, exports or transfers of defense equipment, and limits Russia's access to some sensitive technology used in oil production. More than 14,000 people have been killed in fighting between Ukrainian troops and Russian-backed separatists in eastern . (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 least four rockets targeted the US Embassy in Baghdad's heavily fortified Green Zone on Thursday, two Iraqi security officials said. The area is home to diplomatic missions and the seat of Iraq's government, Three of the missiles struck within the perimeter of the American Embassy, the officials said. Another hit a school located in a nearby residential complex. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to talk to the media. An Iraqi military statement said a girl and a woman were injured in the attack, without providing more details. The statement said the rockets had been launched from the Dora neighbourhood of . Witnesses said they heard the embassy's C-RAM defense system supposed to detect and destroy incoming rockets, artillery and mortar shells during the attack. The attack is the latest in a series of rocket and drone attacks that have targeted the American presence in since the start of the year, following the second anniversary of the US strike that killed Iranian Gen. Qassim Soleimani and Iraqi militia commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis. Last Thursday, a series of attacks targeted American troops in and Syria. Rockets struck an Iraqi military base hosting US troops in western Anbar province and the capital. Pro-Iran Shiite factions in have vowed revenge for Soleimani's killing and have conditioned the end of the attacks on the full exit of American troops from the country. The US-led coalition formally ended its combat mission supporting Iraqi forces in the ongoing fight against the Islamic State group last month. Some 2,500 troops will remain as the coalition shifts to an advisory mission to continue supporting Iraqi forces. The top US commander for the Middle East, Marine Gen. Frank McKenzie, warned in an interview with The Associated Press last month that he expects increasing attacks on US and Iraqi personnel by Iranian-backed militias determined to get American forces out. (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 number of daily Covid-19 cases in hit a new record of 80,430, according to data released by the Robert Koch Institute (RKI). Seventy-two per cent of the country's population has been fully vaccinated as of Tuesday, according to official figures by the RKI and the Ministry of Health (BMG). At least 36.8 million people also received a booster vaccination. However, 21 million people remain unvaccinated, Xinhua news agency reported. To facilitate a larger number of booster shots as well as to increase the overall vaccination rate, purchased 5 million doses of the BioNTech or Pfizer vaccine from Romania with the approval of the European Union (EU), according to the Minister of Health, Karl Lauterbach. "This is a significant improvement for booster vaccinations," Lauterbach said on Twitter on Wednesday. The additional vaccines would also go to 12- to 17-year-olds, which was particularly important to avoid school closures. recently tightened its Covid-19 restrictions again, making face masks mandatory in all schools. However, face-to-face learning would remain a top priority, the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs of the Laender (KMK) said when schools opened after the Christmas holidays. "We need to pay even closer attention to the needs of children and young people. This means that we will not close schools until all other options have been exhausted," said Karin Prien, President of the KMK. --IANS int/khz/ (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.) Japan's Ltd will sell about half its 51% stake in unit Construction Machinery Co to trading firm Itochu Corp and investment fund Industrial Partners, public broadcaster NHK reported on Thursday. will sell the stake for about 200 billion yen ($1.7 billion), according to a Nikkei business daily report, which did not identify the source of the information. The construction unit's market value at the end of share trading in Tokyo was 753 billion yen. The sale would represent the final tranche of Hitachi's decade-long business portfolio overhaul, following sales of chip-making equipment manufacturer Hitachi Kokusai Electric and chemicals maker Hitachi Chemical. "We are considering various ways improve corporate value, but we have no decision yet," Hitachi said, when asked about the NHK report. Hitachi Construction, the smaller rival of Komatsu Ltd and Caterpillar Inc, generated 813 billion yen ($7.1 billion) in its last full business year from sales of excavators, wheel loaders, dump trucks and their parts. It employs about 25,000 people worldwide with about three-quarters of sales outside . (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard last week launched a solid-fuel satellite carrier rocket into space, the country's official IRNA news agency reported Thursday. The report quoted Gen. Amirali Hajizadeh, chief of the Guard's aerospace unit, as saying the test was successful. He said it marked the first time used a solid-fuel rocket rather than a liquid-fuel one. He said will produce lighter rocket engines in further space projects. According to the general, the satellite carrier was made of a composite material instead of metal something he claimed was cost-efficient. Hajizadeh spoke to a group of clerics in the city of Qom, the seat of seminaries in . He said Iran strongly pursues its goals in aerospace and satellite industry. However, composites are in general more expensive to produce than their metal equivalents. Composites also make a rocket lighter so it can boost a heavier satellite or payload into orbit. State TV did not show any footage on the launch. Satellite carriers usually use liquid fuel but solid-fuel rockets can be adapted for mobile launchers that can be driven anywhere on a major road or rail system. Pure solid-fuel rockets are mostly associated with ballistic missiles systems. Last month, Iran said it launched a rocket with a satellite carrier bearing three devices into space, without saying whether any of the objects had entered Earth's orbit. The State Department at the time said it remains concerned by Iran's space launches, which it asserts pose a significant proliferation concern in regards to Tehran's ballistic missile program. The launches come against the backdrop of negotiations in Vienna trying to revive Tehran's tattered nuclear deal with world powers. Iran, which has long said that it does not seek nuclear weapons, insists that its satellite launches and rocket tests do not have a military component. (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.) Japan's government will estimate that its primary budget would be balanced in fiscal 2026, one year earlier than its previous projection made about six months ago, two sources with knowledge of the matter told Reuters. The revised projection would assume a scenario for robust economic recovery from the COVID-19 crisis and higher tax revenue, said the sources who requested anonymity because the new estimate is being finalised on Friday. Separate from this projection, the government has set a goal of achieving a primary budget balance, excluding new bond issuance and debt servicing costs, by fiscal 2025 - a key gauge of diagnosing a country's fiscal health. But the target has been pushed back several times due to a delay in fiscal reform. Its most recent pledge of meeting that goal in fiscal 2025 included a caveat that it would be reviewed, when the revised fiscal projections are issued, to account for the fallout of the pandemic. Whether the government would keep or ditch the goal in favour of more stimulus spending has been in focus as Prime Minister Fumio Kishida faced pressure from both sides within his ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). is saddled with public debt that is more than double the size of its $5 trillion economy, the world's third largest, making it the industrial world's heaviest debt burden as a result of decades of massive pump-priming spending. "It's true tax revenue is overshooting thanks to a return on massive stimulus spending, but it would be dangerous to assume a rosy scenario that tax revenue would remain high, given uncertainty such as the Omicron outbreak," said Hiroshi Shiraishi, senior economist at BNP Paribas Securities. " must carry the flag of fiscal reform to win market confidence in its debt management, but it would be difficult to achieve the primary balance target given the risk of a 'fiscal cliff' that could be caused by putting the plug on stimulus." There is uncertainty over whether can speed up efforts to keep its fiscal house in order as Kishida faces pressure to maintain or ramp up spending ahead of an upper house election later this year. A vast majority of Japanese firms want fiscal support to keep flowing at least through this year, a Reuters poll showed, even as major economies from Europe to the United States dial back crisis-mode economic stimulus programmes. (Reporting by Kaori Kaneko, Leika Kihara and Daniel Leussink; Editing by Jacqueline Wong and Kim Coghill) (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Though the traffic authorities generated an online chargesheet for violating the traffic norms, the authorities are yet to clear the pending challans. (Representational image: DC) Hyderabad: Rash driving, wrong side driving and crossing zebra lines have become common for the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) bureaucrats and officials. Most of the top brass in the corporation have an average pending challans of Rs.10,000 over at least 10 violations. Though the traffic authorities generated an online chargesheet for violating the traffic norms, the authorities are yet to clear the pending challans. While the municipal administration and urban development minister cleared the pending fines after two Hyderabad traffic policemen issued challans as the minister's vehicle was going in the wrong direction on October 2. The bureaucrats working in the civic body are allegedly tarnishing the department's image. The vehicle bearing registration number TS 09 FA 9295 used by the enforcement, vigilance and disaster management (EVDM) director and additional commissioner Vishwajit Kampati has 14 pending challans amounting to Rs.13,790. Of them, 10 are for over-speeding and dangerous driving, two for wrong side driving and crossing the stop line or zebra crossing. Another additional commissioner Vijaya Lakshmi's vehicle bearing registration number TS 09 FA 9746 has 20 challans amounting to Rs 16,300, of them 16 are for over-speeding or dangerous driving. Sanitation additional commissioner Badavath Santosh who uses a vehicle bearing registration number TS 09 FA 9291 has 14 pending challans to the tune of Rs 7290. Surprisingly, most of his traffic violations took place outside the GHMC limits. Similarly, the GHMC vehicles bearing registration numbers AP 11 AA 8190 has 35 pending challans to the tune of Rs. 9890, vehicle number 29 DC 9763 has penal amount of Rs. 9,770 with 22 pending challans, vehicle number AP 11 AA 8283 has 18 pending challans to the tune of Rs. 3,100 and vehicle number AP 11 AA 8188 has 15 pending challans amounting to Rs. 2,4250. Though legal notices were sent to these registration numbers, the official did not care a hoot. Highly placed sources in the corporation said these bureaucrats had been using the vehicles according to their will and moving out of town even during the lockdown time wasting time and money. However, the MA&UD minister K. T. Rama Rao cleared the pending challans after two Hyderabad traffic policemen issued them as the minister's vehicle was going in the wrong direction on October 2. He was penalised for Rs.1100 for wrong side driving. The policemen noticed Rama Raos vehicle being driven in the wrong direction near Bapu Ghat under the limits of the Langar Houz police station. This happened when the minister was about to leave Bapu Ghat after paying tributes to Mahatma Gandhi along with Telangana Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan, Haryana Governor Bandaru Dattatreya and home minister Muhammed Mahmood Ali. As the road was blocked due to the movement of the Governors' convoy, the driver of Rama Raos vehicle took the wrong route to reach Bapu Ghat. The policemen stopped the vehicle and this reportedly led to an argument between them and some Telangana Rashtra Samiti leaders and party workers. Some police officers reportedly clarified that cops who stopped the vehicle did not know that it belonged to the minister. When tried to reach the GHMC officials, they were unavailable for comment. will stick to its fiscal 2025 target for balancing its budget when it reviews the timeframe for the goal in coming weeks, the Mainichi Shimbun reported on Thursday, in an early victory for proponents of bringing the country's fiscal house in order. Whether the government would keep or ditch the goal in favour of more stimulus spending has been in focus as Prime Minister Fumio Kishida faced pressure from both sides within his ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). As part of efforts to rein in its huge public debt, has for years set a timeframe for bringing the primary budget, excluding new bond sales and debt servicing costs, back to a surplus in its annual fiscal blueprint. The government has pushed back the goal of achieving a primary balance several times. Its most recent pledge that it would do so in fiscal 2025 came with a caveat that the target would be reassessed given the economic pain caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Nikkei business daily reported separately that the government would bring forward by one year a medium-term forecast of achieving a surplus, to fiscal 2026, in anticipation of higher corporate tax revenues through an economic recovery. There is uncertainty, however, whether can speed up efforts to keep its fiscal house in order as Kishida faces pressure to maintain or ramp up spending ahead of an upper house election later this year. A vast majority of Japanese firms want fiscal support to keep flowing at least through this year, a Reuters poll showed, even as major economies from Europe to the United States dial back crisis-mode economic stimulus programmes. With four months to go until the first round of Frances 2022 presidential election, candidates from the main parties are already campaigning hard. Emmanuel Macron, who has not yet officially announced his candidacy, is giving frequent public speeches to showcase his achievements and underline the need to continue his agenda. Yet the political situation remains far more volatile than it has ever been before at this relatively early stage of the campaign. The upcoming election in taking place in an unprecedented context, marked by a splintered range of candidates, a persistent structural political crisis, and continuing uncertainty about the pandemic. The legacy of 2017 In a sense, this is one unusual campaign following another. The 2017 French election was itself a departure from the norm as it ushered in the victory of a candidate from neither of the two main parties that had alternately held power since the 1960s. It heralded a breakaway from the Fifth Republic, hitherto defined by a right/left divide. For only the third time in ten elections, the second round of the 2017 elections did not pit a candidate from the traditional right against a representative of the socialist left. Instead, newcomer Emmanuel Macron, who claimed to be neither right nor left faced off against far-right Marine Le Pen. The two previous such cases were in 1969 (when the second round saw centrist Alain Poher face Gaullist Georges Pompidou) and in 2002 (when right-wing outgoing President Jacques Chirac took on the role of the French Republics guardian against far-right candidate Jean-Marie Le Pen). Most importantly, the two main parties traditionally seen as fit to govern the Parti Socialiste and Les Republicains found themselves edged out by an atomised spectrum of new players in which fresh faces (Macron) and protest figures (Le Pen and left-wing firebrand Jean-Luc Melenchon) proved more attractive. This splintering explains why neither of the second-round candidates got more than 25% of votes in the first round for the first time since 2002. The weakening of the major parties also helped hand victory to a fresh majority formed around the new president in the parliamentary elections that followed. Lire cet article en francais: 2022: un contexte politique original? At the time, some pundits thought Frances political spectrum would restructure itself around this majority of both the left and right. Five years on, this has clearly not happened. The spectrum of political choices for French voters has splintered even further. During his term of office, Macron has not managed to widen his electoral base, which still stands at 20-25% of voters. In the European Parliament elections in May 2019, the coalition backing Macron garnered 22.4% of votes; in December 2021, pollsters were putting him at an average of 24% for the 2022 election. Instead of changing politics, Macron has simply shored up his voter base, shifting it to the centre-right. This theoretically leaves a certain space on the left free, but one that no candidate seems able to occupy today. A profusion of candidates The French left has failed to overcome the rifts that keep its clans apart. Even the anti-establishment left that united around Jean-Luc Melenchon in 2012 and 2017 is now putting forward two candidates, with Melenchon running for the far-left party La France Insoumise, and Fabien Roussel representing the Parti Communiste. Though the established right has managed to field a single candidate, Valerie Pecresse, the far-right has two candidates for the first time since 2002, in Marine Le Pen and Eric Zemmour. As in 2002 and 2017, this profusion of candidates makes the election result less predictable because it lowers the threshold for qualifying for the second round. The incumbent president is the only figure to solely occupy the political space he claims the centre ground. But his position is less secure than that of his predecessors when they sought re-election (Nicolas Sarkozy in 2012, Jacques Chirac in 2002, Francois Mitterrand in 1988, and Valery Giscard dEstaing in 1981) since he has to ride out rebukes from both the left and right. This means his current front-runner status remains fragile. An enduring crisis The splintering of the parties is symptomatic of a deeper problem that has gnawed at French democracy since the 1980s a crisis of political representation. The French have grown alienated from in the form it has taken since the 19th century, based on mass parties and universal suffrage. There are fewer campaigners and fewer people voting. This is due to several factors: disillusionment among voters given the failures of alternating governments since 1981; scandals that have marred the image of politicians, who are suspected of being promise-breakers at best and corrupt at worse; and the rise of an individualistic society that prefers personal, casual pledges to political rallying. The people vs the elites Macrons election victory in 2017 resulted from this crisis of traditional political representation. He ousted those upholding what was then tellingly referred to as the old world because he looked like a fresh kind of candidate from outside the system especially the party system and championed disruptive innovation. But his inability to restructure Frances political offerings in a lasting fashion or to change political narratives and practices in the long term have only heightened this sense of crisis. A gap is widening between ordinary people and an elite they deem to be arrogant and disconnected from the realities French people face. And, in many minds, Macron epitomises this elite. Like their predecessors, Frances president and his government have faced a stubborn lack of popularity: after their first few weeks in office, their approval ratings have rarely exceed 40%. This discontent throughout French society has also been reflected in a series of protests. In recent years, protesters have rejected traditional political mediation, expressed exasperation with political decisions thought to be disconnected from ordinary French peoples needs, and sometimes even revealed a temptation to use violence. In 2016, then-President Francois Hollande had to contend with the Nuit Debout protests and, more broadly, street demonstrations against his new labour law. In November and December 2018, his successor faced social unrest on an entirely different scale the gilets jaunes or yellow-vest movement, which laid bare a rift between political power and ordinary French people who live in semi-rural areas and on urban fringes who fear increasing impoverishment. These protests compelled Macron to enter into direct contact with common French people and offer a new form of citizen participation in public decision-making via a national debating initiative in the first half of 2019. But this idea never led to any tangible political results and ultimately proved a dead-end. The role of the pandemic The sudden onset of an unprecedented health crisis did not put an end to the French political crisis, even though it may have bolstered the legitimacy of executive power. In autumn 2021, movements opposed to Frances health pass borrowed aspects of the gilets jaunes protestors mobilisation strategy. Meanwhile, elections that took place during this peculiar period were unfavourably affected by an unprecedented level of abstention: 55% in the local elections in March and June 2020, and 66% in the regional and departmental elections in June 2021. The presidential election will take place amid the same health crisis, which makes it difficult to directly call campaigners to action and get voters to go to the ballot box. Rising tensions throughout French society will be a fundamental feature of the presidential election this year. Over the first months of campaigning, this crisis has been as evident in the profusion of candidates intending to reject the system (such as Arnaud Montebourg on the left and Eric Zemmour on the far right) as it has in the widespread emergence of topics relating to national identity in public debates. What is still missing is a renewal of ideas and practices, which is what will ultimately determine whether most French people ever turn back to . Translated from the French by Thomas Young for Fast ForWord Mathias Bernard, Historien, Universite Clermont Auvergne (UCA) This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. Nepal has reported 3,553 fresh cases of in the last 24 hours, taking the total number of infections across the nation to 940,522, the health ministry said on Thursday. Nepal's Ministry of Health and Population said that the government is taking all sorts of precautions to contain the rising number of cases, including strong curbs on the unwanted movements of people. "Nepal has witnessed a steady rise in the cases of COVID-19 over the past one week. Nepal has recorded 3,553 new cases of COVID-19 along with 271 recoveries in the last 24 hours," the ministry said. "One week ago Nepal recorded 540 cases of infection, which jumped by almost seven times within a week," it added. There are currently 14,475 active cases of COVID-19 across the country. Nepal's coronavirus infection tally has jumped to 940,522 as of Thursday. So far, 11,610 people have died due to the viral infection across the country. Nepal government has imposed a partial lockdown across the Kathmandu valley as the number of cases over there has surged the most. Cases in the Kathmandu valley alone on Thursday were recorded at 1,916. Meanwhile, the corona test report of Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, who was in close contact with CPN-Maoist Centre chairman Pushpakamal Dahal "Prachanda", turned negative for the second time. Deuba had tested his swab three days ago, as he came into close contact with the Maoist chief, who tested corona positive recently. However, Deuba's swab sample was tested once again on Thursday after health workers advised him for the same due to contact tracing as members of his secretariat tested positive for corona. (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 Nigerian government has lifted the ban on Twitter, imposed in June last year, saying the micro-blogging platform has agreed to set "a legal entity" in the west African nation during the first quarter of this year. The Nigerian government had indefinitely suspended after it accused the micro-blogging platform of double standards and supporting the secessionists in the country. "The Federal Government of (FGN) directs me to inform the public that President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, has approved the lifting of the suspension of operation in effective from 12 a.m. tonight, 13th January 2022," read the statement from Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, the director-general of Nigeria's tech agency, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA). Abdullahi said that the establishment of Twitter's legal entity is its "first step in demonstrating its long-term commitment to Nigeria". will also appoint a "designated country representative" to hold talks with the Nigerian government when required. "Twitter has agreed to comply with applicable tax obligations on its operations under Nigerian law. Twitter has agreed to enrol in its Partner Support and Law Enforcement Portals," the statement read. Last year, the government expressed doubts about Twitter's operations in the country, after it deleted a tweet by President Muhammadu Buhari who made a reference to the country's 30-month civil war in 1967-1970, warning "those who wanted the government to fail" to desist from fomenting trouble. Twitter had deleted the President's post, following criticisms from some netizens. --IANS na/ksk/ (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A major bookmaker in the slashed its odds that embattled Prime Minister will resign soon, with his Indian-origin Chancellor Rishi Sunak odds on favourite to step in at 10 Downing Street. Betfair says the clock seems to be ticking for 57-year-old Johnson, who is facing pressure not only from the Opposition but also from within his own Conservative Party to step down in the wake of revelations of a drinks party at Downing Street during the country's first COVID-19 lockdown in May 2020. Conspicuously, Sunak was missing from the House of Commons chamber on Wednesday when his boss issued a "heartfelt apology" for the apparent breach of lockdown guidelines. "I've been on a visit all day today continuing work on our #PlanForJobs as well as meeting MPs to discuss the energy situation, Sunak, 41, tweeted, in an attempt to quash speculation that his absence by Johnson's side in Parliament was an attempt to distance himself from the beleaguered party leader. The PM was right to apologise and I support his request for patience while Sue Gray carries out her enquiry, Sunak, who is the Chancellor of the Exchequer since February 2020, said. Some newspapers have interpreted the timing and content of Sunak's message of support as lukewarm backing for his boss and neighbour in Downing Street, the BBC reported. Senior civil servant Sue Gray is currently investigating all alleged lockdown breaches within government quarters, including at Downing Street. There have been a string of revelations around similar events in recent weeks, which Johnson has tried to justify as work events within the premises of his workplace. But there is growing infighting and disquiet within Tory party ranks, with many backbenchers speaking out to say his position was untenable after attending what appeared to be gatherings in breach of the rules in place at the time. "In terms of a replacement, long term favourite Rishi Sunak still heads the betting at 15/8, with (Foreign Secretary) Liz Truss at 11/4 and (Cabinet Minister) Michael Gove at 6/1 the next two most likely alternatives should the PM vacate Number 10," Betfair's Sam Rosbottom told Wales Online'. Other senior Tories in the running include former Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt at 8/1 and Indian-origin Home Secretary Priti Patel, Health Secretary Sajid Javid and Cabinet Minister Oliver Dowden all tied for fifth place with 14/1. "The latest betting suggests the clock is ticking for Boris Johnson, said Rosbottom. The bookmaker also offers an exchange service where gamblers can create their own market for bets and on Betfair Exchange, the market is leaning towards the having a new Prime Minister by the end of the year. Betting odds comparison site Oddschecker also has Sunak ahead in the leadership stakes. A YouGov poll for The Times' conducted before Johnson's apology in Parliament on Wednesday, found that six in 10 voters believed that Johnson should resign, including 38 per cent of those who voted Tory at the last election. It found that 78 per cent of the public did not believe that the Prime Minister had been honest in his answers to questions about the alleged parties. This included 63 per cent of Conservative voters. Johnson's approval ratings are also at their lowest level yet, with the Tory party falling 10 points behind Opposition Labour, the biggest gap since December 2013. "I want to apologise. I know that millions of people have made extraordinary sacrifices in the last 18 months. I know the rage they feel with me and with the government I lead when they think that in No 10 rules are not being followed, Johnson said in his Commons statement. He said that he "believed implicitly" that it was a work-related event but regretted not breaking up the gathering and sending everyone back inside. Johnson's hopes now hang on the ongoing internal investigation exonerating him of wrongdoing, even as the pressure for him to resign is likely to play out for some time. The Labour Party, the Liberal Democrats and the Scottish National Party (SNP) have called on Johnson to resign, claiming he broke Covid rules. Shadow health secretary Wes Streeting told the Commons: "The prime minister's not fit to lick the boots of NHS staff in this country." Meanwhile, Prime Minister Johnson cancelled a trip to a vaccination centre on Thursday after an unnamed family member tested positive for coronavirus. Although he is not required to isolate as a close contact under the current rules, his office said that he has taken advice not to travel. (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.) Prime Minister will be travelling to Beijing next month to attend the opening ceremony of Winter Olympics, bolster the all-weather bilateral ties and seek more investments in various projects under the ambitious CPEC, the Foreign Office said here on Thursday. The Beijing Winter Olympics will be held from February 4 to 20, followed by the Paralympics Winter Games from March 4-13, amid a diplomatic boycott by several Western countries, including the US and the UK over concerns of China's alleged human rights abuses. The premier will be embarking on a three-day visit to Beijing from February 3 on the invitation of the Chinese leadership, Foreign Office Spokesperson Asim Iftikhar said during his weekly news briefing. Khan will also have an interaction with the Chinese leadership to further strengthen Pakistan- all-weather strategic cooperative partnership and to exchange views on regional and issues, Iftikhar said. Khan's visit is considered significant because several western and European countries have announced a diplomatic boycott of the event. Tensions have risen between and several Western countries over a number of issues. The US has accused of genocide in its repression of the predominantly Muslim Uyghur minority in the western region of Xinjiang - an allegation China has rejected. While projects pertaining to the China- Economic Corridor (CPEC) will be key to the talks between the two sides, Iftikhar opined that Khan's visit would help promote cooperation required to overcome the challenges faced due to the ongoing pandemic and open up avenues of collaboration with other developing countries. The USD 60 billion CPEC connecting China's resource-rich Xinjiang province with Pakistan's strategic Gwadar port in Balochistan is regarded as the flagship project of the multi-billion Belt and Road initiative, the pet scheme of Chinese President Xi Jinping aimed at furthering China's influence globally with Chinese funded infrastructure projects. Iftikhar said that welcomes the Global Development Initiative put forward by Chinese President Xi Jinping as a timely and good intention to facilitate implementation of the UN 2030 agenda for sustainable development. and China are global partners, and we look forward to further strengthening this partnership under China's Global Development Initiative, 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.) opposition parties have started to intensify their efforts against the ruling government including the contemplation of a no-confidence motion. 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 . 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 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 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 institutions over the interests of Pakistani citizens," he said. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) President is set to meet with Senate Democrats at the Capitol on Thursday, a visit intended to deliver a jolt to the party's long-stalled push for voting and elections legislation. Biden is expected to discus potential changes to Senate rules that will be needed to overcome repeated Republican filibusters that have blocked the measures, according to a senior Democratic aide who was familiar with the private meeting and granted anonymity to discuss the visit. It comes as Democrats are hurtling toward a planned vote on a rules overhaul, despite a lack of consensus within their own party on how to proceed. Biden on Tuesday called for changes to the filibuster during a fiery speech in Atlanta, saying senators must stand against voter suppression. Key senators huddled Wednesday with holdouts in the party in hopes of a breakthrough, including conservative Sens. Joe Manchin of West Virginia and Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona. But with no agreement yet reached, they acknowledged the difficulty ahead. I wouldn't want to delude anybody into thinking this is easy, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, of New York, told reporters Wednesday. We're trying to come to a place where 50 senators can support ... a change in the rules, so we can get the votes to pass these bills into law. Many Democrats say the moment has come to act decisively in what they view as the civil rights fight of the era. Changing Senate rules early in 2022 would offer perhaps the last, best chance to counteract Republicans' state-level voting changes before the midterm elections, when Democrats' House majority and slim hold in the 50-50 Senate could be wiped out. (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.) Troops of a Russia-led security alliance were preparing to pull out of on Thursday, the Russian Defense Ministry said. The withdrawal comes only a week after they were deployed to the ex-Soviet nation on the request of its president, who was seeking to quell extremely violent mass protests. The demonstrations started on Jan. 2 in western Kazakhstan, with local residents outraged by a sharp rise in fuel prices, and quickly spread nationwide, descending into violence within several days. Protesters stormed government buildings and set them ablaze, and dozens of people were killed in clashes with the country's security forces. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has blamed the unrest on foreign-backed terrorists and requested assistance from the Collective Security Treaty Organisation, a Russia-led military alliance of six ex-Soviet states. The bloc sent over 2,000 troops to last week. On Tuesday Tokayev declared their mission complete and said they would start pulling out on Thursday. Russia's Defense Ministry said Thursday that the troops in were preparing equipment for transportation and handing over state institutions they guarded to local forces. In Almaty, Kazakhstan's largest city that has been hit the hardest by the unrest, the airport resumed operation on Thursday morning, a week after it was stormed and briefly seized by the protesters. Russia's Interfax news agency also reported that the security forces have cleared the square in front of the city hall, which was stormed and set on fire, opening it for pedestrians and car traffic. Authorities in Almaty on Thursday reported detaining nearly 2,000 more people over their alleged involvement in the unrest and looting. (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 French prosecutor has freed a suspect held in custody since Wednesday morning over the 2012 slayings of a British-Iraqi family and a cyclist in the French Alps. The suspect was released Thursday afternoon without any charges, and the Annecy prosecutor said in a short message on Twitter that investigations are continuing. Saad al-Hilli, his wife Ikbal and his mother-in-law Souhaila al-Allaf were shot dead on a remote mountain road near Annecy in eastern . French cyclist Sylvain Mollier was also killed in the shooting. Al-Hilli's two young daughters, who were in the car at the time of the shooting, survived the attack. French investigators have questioned several persons of interest in the killings, but nine years into the probe no charges have been filed in the case. The al-Hilli children, aged 4 and 7 at the time, were the only witnesses to the macabre killings that have puzzled French investigators. The case has ramifications with links tying the slain family to Britain, Iraq, Sweden and Spain. The four victims and the two young survivors were discovered by police in a wooded area on an isolated mountain road from the village of Chevaline, near bucolic Lake Annecy. Eric Maillaud, the prosecutor in Annecy in 2012 said the 4-year-old girl who survived the shootings could not help their investigation because she was hiding under her mother's legs during the killings. She was found inside the car about eight hours after the shootings. Her 7-year-old sister, who was shot in the shoulder and survived, was found bloodied and battered outside the vehicle, a BMW station wagon in which three of the bodies were found. The prosecutor has said 25 gun cartridges were found inside the family vehicle. All those killed were found with at least three bullet wounds, and each had a single shot in the head. (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.) Belarus hosts int'l forum on 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations with China Xinhua) 16:10, January 13, 2022 MINSK, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- Belarus on Wednesday hosted an international forum here to mark the 30th anniversary of diplomatic ties with China. Cooperation between the two countries in various fields has led to significant results, said Nikolai Snopkov, first deputy prime minister of Belarus. Snopkov noted that China can strengthen international trade through the Belt and Road Initiative and therefore bolster the China-Belarus comprehensive strategic partnership. China and Belarus cooperate across a number of fields on the basis of mutual trust and win-win cooperation, help each other in a complex international environment and set a good example for the international community in fostering a new type of international relations, said Chinese Ambassador to Belarus Xie Xiaoyong. More than 70 Belarusian and Chinese officials and scientists took part in the forum and discussed the past 30 years of achievements in bilateral relations, along with the practical significance of building a community with a shared future for mankind. (Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun) Hyderabad: Irregularities continue to surface in the implementation of Kalyana Laxmi scheme even after the government had ordered a probe in October last to check the practice. The government extends financial assistance of Rs 1,00,116 to each beneficiary under the scheme. In the latest instance, an underage applicant secured the Kalyana Laxmi benefit in Sangareddy district. Jinnaram mandal tahsildar in Sangareddy district P. Dasharath took up the issue with the collector on January 12. In a letter, he pointed out that the boys date of birth as per the SSC memo was June 19, 2000, and the marriage was conducted on December 2, 2020, when he was not yet 21. "The father of the petitioner produced the health and age certificate dated January 10, 2022, issued by Dr V. Kavitha, civil surgeon dermatologist, District Headquarters Hospital, Sangareddy, in which the age of the applicant is (mentioned as) 22 years by appearance. Due to the issuance of age certificate by the doctor, the petitioner, as well as the political leaders of the Mandal, insisted that I sanction of financial assistance under Kalyana Laxmi, tahsildar Dasharath wrote. He said that instructions must be issued to the district medical and health officer, Sangareddy, not to entertain applications to issue age certificates based on appearance to get financial assistance under government schemes. Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao had ordered a probe into the irregularities in implementation of Kalyana Laxmi and Shaadi Mubarak in October last after BJP MLA T. Raja Singh raised the issue in the Legislative Assembly. The vigilance and enforcement department that probed the issue submitted a report to the government in October stating that 43 revenue staff including tahsildars, revenue inspectors and villge revenue officers resorted to irregularities in the selection of beneficiaries. The probe found that several ineligible persons had got benefits of welfare schemes by bribing revenue staff. Talks between representatives of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) and concluded without a clear outcome, with 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 allies and on these issues. Our differences will not be easy to bridge." He said that the silver lining was that "all allies and 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." --IANS int/khz/ (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 14-year-old boy was fatally shot on Chicago's South Side just hours after another boy the same age was shot and killed on the city's near West Side, police said Thursday. No arrests had been made in the shootings Wednesday, police said. The first shooting happened just before 4 pm. Police said a boy, identified by the Cook County Medical Examiner's office as Javion Ivy, was standing on the sidewalk when he was shot twice in the chest. Chief of Detectives Brendan Deenihan told reporters Thursday morning that witnesses told police they saw two people fleeing the scene. The boy was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead soon after. Deenihan said the second boy was shot at about 8:50 pm in Englewood on the South Side. He said the boy was walking with a friend when someone in a dark coloured vehicle shot him in the head. The boy, identified by the medical examiner's office as James Sweezer, was pronounced dead shortly before midnight. Police said the second shooting happened in the same neighbourhood where earlier that evening a 29-year-old woman sitting in her car was shot and killed by two males who climbed from their vehicle, walked over and opened fire before driving off. No arrests have been made in that shooting and police did not say if they believe the two slayings were related. Superintendent David Brown said police have seized 284 guns so far in 2022. I think about those two young boys, and I think about their potential," Brown said during a news conference. "They are two of Chicago's children robbed of their futures, and it is unacceptable. (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 government on Thursday announced the launch of (FTA) negotiations with India, describing it as a "golden opportunity" to put British businesses at the "front of the queue" of the Indian . British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said an FTA would take the country's historic partnership with to the next level, and highlighted Scotch whisky, financial services and cutting-edge renewable technology among some of the key sectors set to benefit. The first round of negotiations is expected to start next week, which the British government said would make it the UK's quickest start of formal talks between negotiating teams following a launch. "A trade deal with India's booming offers huge benefits for British businesses, workers and consumers. As we take our historic partnership with to the next level, the UK's independent trade policy is creating jobs, increasing wages and driving innovation across the country," Johnson said. "The has world-class businesses and expertise we can rightly be proud of, from Scotch whisky distillers to financial services and cutting-edge renewable technology. We are seizing the opportunities offered in growing economies of the Indo-Pacific to cement our place on the global stage and deliver jobs and growth at home," he said. Johnson's statement came as his Secretary of State for Trade, Anne-Marie Trevelyan, prepared to meet with Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal in New Delhi for the 15th UK- Joint Economic and Trade Committee (JETCO) to review the progress within the UK-India Enhanced Trade Partnership agreed to last May by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Johnson. "A deal with India is a golden opportunity to put businesses at the front of the queue as the Indian continues to grow rapidly," Trevelyan said. "By 2050, India will be the world's third-largest economy with a middle class of almost 250 million shoppers. We want to unlock this huge new market for our great British producers and manufacturers across numerous industries from food and drinks to services and automotive," she said. "As an independent, deal-making nation, the UK is broadening our economic horizons and forging stronger partnerships with the fastest-growing economies of the world. India marks the start of our ambitious five-star year of UK trade and will show how the deals we negotiate will boost the economies across all nations and help level up all regions of the UK," said the minister who is scheduled for bilateral talks with senior Indian Cabinet ministers before she concludes her two-day visit to the country on Thursday. An India-UK FTA is billed in the UK as creating huge benefits for both countries, with the potential to boost bilateral trade by up to GBP 28 billion a year by 2035 and increase wages by up to GBP 3 billion across the UK. A deal with India is also pegged as a "big step forward" in the UK's post-Brexit strategy to refocus trade on the Indo-Pacific, home to half of the world's population and 50 per cent of global economic growth. The Department for Trade (DIT) has said the UK wants an agreement that slashes barriers to doing business and trading with India's GBP 2 trillion economy and market of 1.4 billion consumers, including cutting tariffs on exports of British-made cars and Scotch whisky. "We are delighted to see FTA negotiations launch between the UK and India. With India, a rapidly advancing global economic superpower, this trade deal can unlock a new era of partnership and pave the way for significant trade and investment opportunities for UK and Indian businesses," said Lord Karan Bilimoria, president of the Confederation of British Industry. "To fully realise the growth possibilities, the UK must focus on the areas which will drive our future economic success, such as collaborative innovation and stronger regulatory alignment. Above all, trade is a key instrument for economic growth and prosperity across all regions and nations," he added. According to DIT estimates, removing duties alone would increase UK exports to India by up to GBP 6.8 billion, with Scotch whisky and cars currently facing enormous duties of 150 per cent and 125 per cent respectively. "Key to any future trading relationship will be the progressive removal of tariffs, enhanced trade facilitation and reducing other barriers to trade, which can be highly complex and burdensome," said Mike Hawes, chief executive of the UK's Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. DIT analysis claims a trade agreement with India would benefit all parts of the United Kingdom, given that already around 30,000 people in the West Midlands were employed via Indian investment in 2019. The northern region of England could see a massive boost of up to GBP 300 million with opportunities for manufacturers of motor vehicles and parts. The Indian government's plans to install 175 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2022 are also seen as a major opportunity for the UK's renewables industry, which hopes to benefit from a deal that slashes barriers such as import tariffs as high as 15 per cent on wind turbine parts. The UK is pitching the India FTA as a major move since its exit from the European Union (EU), in support of free and fair trade in the Indo-Pacific. The launch of similar negotiations with Canada, Mexico and the Gulf are in the pipeline, besides membership of the GBP 8.4 trillion Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership trade bloc. (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 House panel investigating the January 6 Capitol riot has asked House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy for a voluntary interview and records in his possession that are related to the attack. The panel in a letter to the California Republican requested information about his communications with the then President Donald Trump "before, during and after" January 6, 2021, when a mob of Trump's supporters besieged the Capitol in an attempt to stop Congress from certifying the 2020 presidential election results, Xinhua news agency reported. It also wanted to learn about how McCarthy, the top Republican in the House, interacted with Trump, White House staff and others in the week after the riot, "particularly regarding President Trump's state of mind at that time," according to the letter the panel sent to McCarthy. "We also must learn about how the President's plans for January 6 came together, and all the other ways he attempted to alter the results of the election. For example, in advance of January 6, you reportedly explained to Mark Meadows and the former President that objections to the certification of the electoral votes on January 6 'was doomed to fail,'" said Bennie Thompson, Democrat from Mississippi who chairs the January 6 panel. Thompson said the committee wanted to meet with McCarthy as soon as February 3. McCarthy is the third GOP member of the House with whom the committee has sought cooperation on a voluntary basis, after two similar requests were turned down by representatives Scott Perry of Pennsylvania and Jim Jordan of Ohio. Considered one of Trump's most loyal allies in Congress, McCarthy said during a floor speech in the House chamber seven days after the riot that Trump "bears responsibility" for the attack. But his public statements regarding the events on January 6 "changed markedly" after he met with Trump at the former President's Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida on January 28, 2021, the committee alleged in the letter, asking McCarthy if he had been pressured by Trump or his representatives on what he should say about his conversations with the latter on January 6. --IANS int/khz/ (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.) US State Department on Wednesday released a study on China's South Sea claims challenging many of Beijing's assertions in the strategically important region. The Department's Limits in the Seas studies are a longstanding legal and technical series that examine national maritime claims and boundaries and assess their consistency with law, according to the US State Department Press Release. Earlier, the most recent study, the 150th in the Limits in the Seas series, concludes that China's asserts unlawful maritime claims in most of the South Sea, including an unlawful historic rights claim is unjustifiable. Further, builds on the Department's 2014 analysis of the PRC's ambiguous "dashed-line" claim in the . Since 2014, the PRC has continued to assert claims to a wide swath of the as well as to what the PRC has termed "internal waters" and "outlying archipelagos," all of which are inconsistent with law as reflected in the 1982 Law of the Sea Convention. With the release of this latest study, the calls again on the PRC to conform its maritime claims to law as reflected in the Law of the Sea Convention, to comply with the decision of the arbitral tribunal in its award of July 12, 2016, in The Arbitration, and to cease its unlawful and coercive activities in the South China Sea, read the US State Department press release. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The is monitoring the lockdowns imposed in the central Chinese city of Anyang and assesses that they are likely to have an impact isolated to the Chinese market, US National Economic Council Director Brian Deese said during a White House press briefing. "With respect to specifically and the current moment, we're monitoring it very closely. As we assess the issue today, the lockdowns are most likely to have an effect isolated in China, because the production facilities in those geographies are principally suppliers to the Chinese market," Deese said on Wednesday. The Chinese government imposed lockdowns in Anyang, Henan province following the emergence of Omicron COVID-19 variants in the city, which has a population of over 5 million people. The lockdown duration is yet to be announced and will be declared separately at a future date. Anyang is the second Chinese city to announce cases from the Omicron variant, following reported cases in Tianjin in December. Taiwan and Hong Kong have also reported Omicron cases. (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 key benchmark indices are likely to start trade on a positive start on the back of strong performance by IT majors and . As of 08:10 am, the SGX Nifty January futures quoted at 18,353, indicating a likely 100-point gap-up for the NSE benchmark. Meanwhile, here are the for trade on Thursday. Earnings Watch: Aditya Birla Money, CESC, Gautam Gems, GTPL Hathway, Mega Corporation, Mindtree, Palm Jewels, Rotographics India, Surana Solar and Tata Metaliks, are some of the companies to announce December quarter results today. The three IT majors Infosys, and are likely to be in focus after announcement of the Q3 earnings post market hours on Wednesday. While the former two beat expectations, lagged. READ MORE Infosys: The IT major beat analysts expectations by reporting a strong 7.1 per cent QoQ jump in net profit to Rs 5,809 crore, on the back of a 7.6 per cent QoQ rise in total income to Rs 31,867 crore. The company also upped its FY22 revenue guidance to a range of 19.5 per cent to 20 per cent from the earlier 16.5 per cent to 17.5 per cent. TCS: Indias largest IT firm, reported a marginal growth of 1.4 per cent on QoQ basis in net profit at Rs 9,769 crore, and a 4.3 per cent growth in total revenue to Rs 48,885 crore for the quarter ended December 2021. The companys board also approved a share buyback plan worth Rs 18,000 crore at Rs 4,500 per share. Wipro: The company fell short of market expectation, as its net profit was up 1.3 per cent on a QoQ basis at Rs 2,969 crore for the third quarter ended December 2021. Total income grew by 3.3 per cent on a sequential basis to Rs 20,314 crore. Vodafone Idea: The telecom players decision to convert government dues into equity and issue shares worth Rs 16,000 crore, does gives it a breathing space of four more years, but the company still has a crippling debt burden. On operational variables, the company lags behind the other two major telcos. READ FULL ANALYSIS The companys CEO Vijay Shekhar Sharma said on Wednesday that the company's share market performance has been in line with that of global peers due to macroeconomic factors. The stock as of Wednesday had declined 50 per cent from its issue price of Rs 2,150. According to analysts, the market has punished the stock for a thinly spread business model, scant revenues and an unclear path to profitability. READ MORE The online travel platforms board has approved issuance of bonus shares in the ratio of 1:1, out of its free reserves created out of profit. READ MORE The company informed BSE, that ratings agency CRISIL Ratings had reaffirmed its 'CRISIL AAA/Stable/CRISIL A1+' ratings on the bank facilities and debt instruments. Dixon Technologies: The company has formed a joint venture with Rexxam for undertaking business of manufacture of Printed Circuit Boards for Air Conditioners (PCBA) for domestic and international . The JV has received approval under the governments PLI scheme for white goods category. The company will be holding 40per cent stake in the JV. RITES: The leading Transport Infrastructure Consultancy and Engineering company has signed an MoU with IIT-Roorkee to explore viable business opportunities in the infrastructure sector. HG Infra Engineering: The company has informed BSE, that it has cancelled an order from Public Works Department (PWD) of Rajasthan for various activities, for the company had bid for a project cost of Rs 448.11 crore, but PWD offered an Letter of Award worth Rs 331.11 crore only. HKG: The companys board has approved a bonus issue in the ratio of 1:2 i.e. one free share for every shareholder holding two equity shares as of the record date. The board has also approved a proposal to shift the stock from the BSE SME platform to the BSE Main board. Rajnish Wellness: The companys board has approved a proposal to shift the stock from the BSE SME board to the BSE Main board. Stocks in F&O ban: Delta Corp, Indiabulls Housing Finance, Vodafone Idea, RBL Bank and SAIL are the only stocks in the F&O ban period today. Hindustan Aeronautics said that the credit rating agency ICRA has upgraded the company's long-term (LT) fund-based/cash credit rating to '[ICRA] AAA; Stable' from '[ICRA] AA+; Positive'. Simultaneously, ICRA has reaffirmed the company's short term non-fund based and commercial paper (CP) issue rating at '[ICRA] A1+'. HAL is engaged in carrying out design, development, manufacture, repair and overhaul of aircraft, helicopter, engines and related systems like avionics, instruments and accessories primarily serving Indian defence programme. As of 30 September 2021, the Government of India held 75.15% stake in HAL. The company reported 37.64% rise in consolidated net profit to Rs 846.76 crore on a 14.37% increase in sales to Rs 5551.16 crore in Q2 FY22 over Q2 FY21. The scrip rose 0.45% to currently trade at Rs 1316.60 on the BSE. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Minister of Commerce and Industry, Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution and Textiles, Piyush Goyal launched the Free Trade Agreement negotiations with the United Kingdom along with Anne-Marie Trevelyan, UK Secretary of State for International Trade in New Delhi today. The FTA is expected to facilitate the target of doubling bilateral trade between India and United Kingdom by 2030, set by the Prime Ministers of both the nations, Narendra Modi and Boris Johnson in May 2021. Goyal said that the FTA with UK is expected to provide certainty, predictability and transparency and will create a more liberal, facilitative and competitive services regime. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Manappuram Finance said that a meeting of the financial resources and management committee of the board will be held on Monday, 17 January 2022, to consider and approve the issuance of secured, rated redeemable non-convertible debentures. The announcement was made after market hours yesterday. Manappuram Finance is one of India's leading gold loan NBFCs. It has 4637 branches (includes branches of subsidiary companies) across 28 states/UTs with assets under management (AUM) of Rs. 272.24 billion. On a consolidated basis, the company's net profit skid fell 8.8% to Rs 369.88 crore on 1.5% decline in total income to Rs 1,554.42 crore in Q2 September 2021 over Q2 September 2020. Shares of Manappuram Finance were down 1.15% at Rs 168.35. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Nellore: TD leader and former minister Somireddy Chandramohan Reddy has demanded removal of former Podalakur tahsildar Swathi from service for various land scams that took place during her tenure in Podalakur mandal. Speaking to media persons here on Wednesday, he accused the district collector of keeping quiet on the matter. Following this, Telugu Desam Party complained to Lok Ayuktha, which sought explanation from him. The collector then admitted that tahsildar Swathi is at fault, Chandramohan Reddy stated. He alleged that Swathi is involved in the 1015 crore worth land scam. He wondered why no criminal case has been filed against her despite booking such cases against other accused in the scam. The TD leader alleged that government lands, assigned lands and DKT lands are being registered in names of individuals at the instance of ruling party leaders. The situation in the district is such that people have to check their land records on web portal once in 15 days to confirm that their lands are in their own name, he remarked. TD national secretary Beeda Ravichandra and local leaders K. Srinivasulu Reddy and Sk. Abdul Aziz were present. Ramkrishna Forgings rose 2.17% to Rs 1002.65 after the company won an export order worth Rs 57.50 crore from North America for supplying spindle. Ramkrishna Forgings has won an export order to supply spindle worth Rs 57.5 crore over a period of 3 years from one of the largest TIER-1 manufacturers in North America in commercial vehicle (CV) segment. Lalit Khetan, executive director & CFO, Ramkrishna Forgings said: "Our strong technical capabilities in the commercial vehicle segment has helped us secure an order from one of the largest TIER-1 manufacturers in North America in the CV segment. This is also a testimony of product quality and our operational excellence. The supply contract will allow us to strengthen our order book in the exports market further which is in line with our strategy to improve our exports share in overall revenues." On a consolidated basis, the company reported a net profit of Rs 44.06 crore in Q2 FY22 as against a net profit of Rs 1.45 crore in Q2 FY21. Net sales during the quarter surged 129.7% year-on-year to Rs 578.82 crore. Ramkrishna Forgings is one of the leading suppliers of rolled, forged and machined products. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) RattanIndia backed Revolt Motors announced the expansion of its retail presence in Uttar Pradesh. The company opens its first store in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh region and it is the 20th dealership store across the country. Last month Revolt Motors opened three retail stores in Kolkata, Madurai and Coimbatore. All the new stores will be set up by retail partners across the key cities and it has plans to open in 45-plus new stores in 2022. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) For investment of Rs 5.955 lakh crore in green energy and other projects in Gujarat Reliance Industries (RIL) signed MoU today with the Government of Gujarat for a total investment of Rs 5.955 lakh crore as part of Investment Promotion Activity for Vibrant Gujarat Summit 2022. These projects will create 10 lakh direct / indirect employment opportunities in the State. To make Gujarat net zero and carbon free, RIL proposes to invest Rs 5 lakh crore in the State over the span of 10 to 15 years to set up 100 GW Renewable Energy Power Plant and Green Hydrogen Eco-System development. RIL will develop an eco-system for assisting Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and encourage entrepreneurs to embrace new technologies and innovations leading to captive use of Renewable Energy and Green Hydrogen. RIL's initiatives for decarbonisation and creating a green ecosystem emanate from the vision of Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. In consultation with Government of Gujarat, RIL has started the process of scouting land for 100 GW renewable energy power project in Kutch, Banaskantha and Dholera. The company has requested for 4.5 lakh acres of land in Kutch. RIL will invest another Rs 60,000 crore in setting up New Energy Manufacturing-Integrated Renewable Manufacturing: 1) Solar PV Module (manufacture of Polysilicon, wafer, cell & module); 2) Electrolyzer; 3) Energy-storage Battery; 4) Fuel Cells. Further Rs 25,000 crore investments will be made by RIL in existing projects and new ventures over next 3 to 5 years. RIL has also proposed to invest Rs 7,500 crore over 3 to 5 years for Jio Network upgradation to 5G and another Rs 3,000 crore over 5 years in Reliance Retail. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Reliance Industries (RIL) said that it has signed MoU with the Government of Gujarat for a total investment of Rs 5.955 lakh crore as part of Investment Promotion Activity for Vibrant Gujarat Summit 2022. RIL has proposed to invest Rs 5 lakh crore in the State of Gujarat over the span of 10 to 15 years to set up 100 GW Renewable Energy Power Plant and Green Hydrogen Eco-System development. In consultation with Government of Gujarat, RIL has started the process of scouting land for 100 GW renewable energy power project in Kutch, Banaskantha and Dholera. The company has requested for 4.5 lakh acres of land in Kutch. RIL will invest another Rs 60,000 crore in setting up New Energy Manufacturing-Integrated Renewable Manufacturing for solar PV module (manufacture of Polysilicon, wafer, cell & module), electrolyzer, energy-storage battery and fuel cells. Further Rs 25,000 crore investments will be made by RIL in existing projects and new ventures over next 3 to 5 years. RIL has also proposed to invest Rs 7,500 crore over 3 to 5 years for Jio Network upgradation to 5G and another Rs 3,000 crore over 5 years in Reliance Retail. RIL is India's largest private sector company. Its activities span hydrocarbon exploration and production, petroleum refining and marketing, petrochemicals, retail, and digital services. On a consolidated basis, the company reported 46% increase in net profit to Rs 15,479 crore on 50.7% rise in net sales to Rs 1,67,611 crore in Q2 September 2021 over Q2 September 2020. The scrip rose 0.59% to end at Rs 2535.35 on the BSE. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) So far, about 63% of adult Indians have received both the doses of Covid-19 vaccines. And more than 90% have got at least one dose. India has majorly relied on the viral vector vaccine Covishield for its vaccination drive. Over 88% of the doses given out so far have been of Covishield, the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine manufactured locally under licence by the . Covaxin accounted for just a fraction. The two new vaccines approved for emergency use last month are Serum Institute of Indias Covovax and Biological Es Corbevax. With last months approval, the country now has eight vaccines in its kitty. Apart from the four discussed earlier, the remaining four are -- Sputnik V, ZyCoV-D, Moderna and Johnson and Johnson. Covishield uses the viral vector technology, while and Moderna vaccines are based on messenger RNA or mRNA. Vaccination in western countries has been led by mRNA vaccines. Let us see what all vaccine platforms we have - Broadly, there are four types of platforms which are used in making the vaccine worldwide. They are RNA, viral vector, inactivated virus and protein-based platforms. Here, we are discussing the two most popular platforms on which most vaccines have been developed. They are viral vector and mRNA platforms. Let us understand the difference between the two, starting with the viral vector vaccine. But before that, let us understand that coronaviruses are named so because of the crown-like spikes on their surface, called spike protein or S protein. These spike proteins are the most used target for vaccines. Viral Vector vaccines Now, let us understand what a viral vector vaccine is. It uses a harmless version of a different virus, called a vector, to deliver information to the body that helps it protect you. Genetic material from the target virus, in this case the Covid-19 virus, is placed inside the viral vector. Once it enters a persons cells, it gives the cells instructions to make harmless copies of the spike protein. As the cells display the spike protein on their surfaces, the immune system starts producing antibodies and a type of white blood cells to fight off what it believes is an infection. If a person is later infected from the Covid -19 virus, these antibodies are already there to fight them. The vaccine doesnt contain the Covid -19 virus or the viral vector virus. Moreover, it does not change the DNA in any way. Covishield, Oxford-AstraZeneca, Janssen (J&J) and Sputnik V and Sputnik Lite use this platform. mRNA vaccine While mRNA vaccine uses genetically engineered messenger RNA created in a laboratory to teach our cells how to make a harmless variant of the spike protein that is found on the surface of Covid-19 virus. The presence of a foreign protein triggers a normal immune response, which produces antibodies that protects us from infection if the real virus enters the body. The vaccine is made of mRNA wrapped in a coating called the lipid nano-particle that makes the delivery easy and keeps the body from damaging it. And just like the viral vector vaccine, mRNA vaccine does not contain any virus, so it cannot give you an infection. After the mRNA delivers the instructions, our cells break it down immediately. Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna use this technology to fight off the virus. Cairn has been named winner of the Leaders Award and emerged as Sustainability Front Runners Companies under the Mega large business category The company also received certifications under the Jury Special Mention Award category for its case studies on Utilization of Associated Natural Gas for power generation and thereby reducing GHG emissions and E-kaksha a unique digital education initiative. The award was acknowledged by Prachur Sah, CEO, Cairn Oil & Gas, during a live virtual award ceremony Cairn Oil & Gas, Indias largest private oil and gas exploration company, has won the Leaders Award at the Sustainability 4.0 Award 2021, jointly convened by Frost & Sullivan and The Energy & Research Institute (TERI). Cairn has also emerged as Sustainability Front Runners Companies under the Mega large business category, scoring 947 out of 1200. The award was acknowledged by Prachur Sah, CEO, Cairn Oil & Gas, during a live virtual award ceremony. These awards are the 12th edition of the prestigious legacy organised by Frost & Sullivan, which has over 50 years of experience in partnering with Global 1000 companies, emerging businesses, and the investment community from more than 40 offices on six continents, and TERI. The award aims to highlight the need for linkages between an organisations strategy, governance and financial performance and the social, environmental and economic context within which it operates, enabling businesses to make sustainable decisions that ensure long-term stakeholder value. Cairn also received certifications of participation under the Jury Special Mention Award category for its case studies on Utilization of Associated Natural Gas for power generation and thereby reducing GHG emissions and E-kaksha a unique digital education initiative. The awards are among the most prestigious in recognizing efforts made by corporate players and industries in achieving sustainability. Receiving the award, Prachur Sah, CEO, Cairn Oil & Gas said, We stand by our commitments towards ESG goals, and this award further confirms our tireless efforts in this direction. We are glad to receive this recognition from Frost & Sullivan and TERI. The Sustainability 4.0 Award is a testament to the positive transformation at Cairns areas of operations by intertwining the 4 Ps: Purpose, Partnership, Planet, and People. This award will further motivate us to drive our vision of ensuring holistic socioeconomic development while achieving our goal of ensuring energy Aatmanirbharta for India. Cairns dynamic approach towards sustainability can be seen in its operations and CSR initiatives. The entire freshwater requirement of its Rajasthan and Ravva operations are being met through saline aquifers while more than 96% of the produced water is being recycled through reinjection. Similarly, as has been recognized by Frost & Sullivan and TERI, the company has been efficiently using associated natural gas for meeting its power and heating requirements. Cairn has also planted 279 acres of mangroves along the coasts of the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea. In Rajasthans arid Thar, a floral biodiversity park hosting over 100 species now dots the landscape of Barmers Mangala Processing Terminal while a 1531-acre green belt of indigenous trees like Khejri, Kumta, Neem has also been developed. Similarly, Cairn has worked towards revitalizing traditional structures to collect and harvest rainwater, and conducted de-siltation of traditional nadis in the arid rural areas of Thar desert. The company continues to support the lives of people around our operations, impacting over 6 crore people directly and indirectly. Cairn also strives to contribute to the field of education in the digital space and its digital education Project E-kaksha and online vocational training through Cairn Enterprise Centre in Barmer has further supported government initiatives during the pandemic, touching more than 4 crore lives. Over the years, Cairns positive initiatives have brought visible transformation in the areas of its operations and this Sustainability 4.0 Award will further encourage the company in strengthening its sustainability vision. - Agreement to support Lloyds strategic objective of building the most technologically advanced insurance marketplace in the world - Cloud and automation technologies to radically improve the London markets speed, security and efficiency DXC Technology (NYSE: DXC), Lloyds, the worlds 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 Lloyds 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 worlds 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 Londons GDP, with its gross written premium worth over US$110 billion. This agreement is a key milestone in building the Future at Lloyds, 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 markets 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 Lloyds said: With the respective commitments of DXC, Lloyds 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. Its 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 Lloyds 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 Lloyds and London market. We look forward to working with our Managing Agent members, DXC, Lloyds 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 worlds 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 Lloyds Lloyds is the worlds leading marketplace for commercial, corporate and specialty risk solutions. Through the collective intelligence and expertise of the markets underwriters and brokers, were sharing risk to create a braver world. The Lloyds 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. Were made up of more than 50 leading insurance companies, over 200 registered Lloyds brokers and a global network of over 4,000 local coverholders. Behind the Lloyds market is the Corporation: an independent organisation and regulator working to maintain the market's successful reputation and operation. Were working to build solutions for the most current and prevalent threats. As Chair of the Insurance Task Force for HRH The Prince of Waless Sustainable Markets Initiative, Lloyds 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 Lloyds, were making it easier and cheaper to place, price and process cover in the Lloyds market. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220112005594/en/ The 6 th edition of Visas Global Back to Business study finds that 73% of small businesses surveyed 1 said accepting new forms of digital payments is fundamental to growth in 2022 59% of small businesses surveyed said they already are, or plan to, use only digital payments within the next two years largely in step with 41% of consumers surveyed who said the same 90% of small businesses surveyed with an online presence said they attributed pandemic survival to increased efforts to sell online As Visa (NYSE: V) continues toward its goal of digitally-enabling 50 million small and micro businesses (SMBs), a new research study released today the Visa Global Back to Business Study 2022 SMB Outlook found that 90% of surveyed SMBssaid they are optimistic about the future of their businesses, the highest level of optimism in Visa Global Back to Business studies to-date. While wiping down groceries and quarantining mail might be bygones of an earlier pandemic era, some changes such as increased use of digital payments are here to stay: 82% of SMBs surveyed said they will accept digital options in 2022 and nearly half (46%) of consumers surveyed2 expect to use digital payments more often in 2022, with just 4% saying they will use them less. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220112005380/en/ Payments are no longer about simply completing a sale. Its about creating a simple and secure experience that reflects ones brand across channels and provides utility to both the business and its customer, said Jeni Mundy, Global Head Merchant Sales & Acquiring, Visa. The digital capabilities that small businesses built up during the pandemic from contactless to e-commerce helped them pivot and survive and, by continuing to build on this foundation, can now help them find new growth and thrive. According to this years study, which surveyed small business owners and consumers in nine markets Brazil, Canada, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Russia, Singapore, United Arab Emirates and United States the consensus outlook for 2022 is one of optimism and intent to digitize even more: The Path Forward in 2022 for SMBs 2022 Ushers in Optimism and Confidence: Building on the 90% of SMBs surveyed who are optimistic about their future, 54% viewed the last year as an opportunity and report their business is doing well heading into the new year, up from 46% who said the same during summer 2021. 3 Building on the 90% of SMBs surveyed who are optimistic about their future, 54% viewed the last year as an opportunity and report their business is doing well heading into the new year, up from 46% who said the same during summer 2021. Going Long on Digital Payments Even Crypto : An overwhelming82% of SMBs surveyed said they plan to accept some form of digital option in 2022 and 73% see accepting new forms of payments as fundamental to their business growth. Of those surveyed, 24% said they plan to accept digital currencies such as the cryptocurrency Bitcoin. An overwhelming82% of SMBs surveyed said they plan to accept some form of digital option in 2022 and 73% see accepting new forms of payments as fundamental to their business growth. Of those surveyed, 24% said they plan to accept digital currencies such as the cryptocurrency Bitcoin. E-commerce Buoyed Businesses: Of small businesses surveyed with an online presence, 90% agreed their survival through the pandemic was due to increased efforts to sell via e-commerce, and reported that, on average, over half of their revenue (52%) came from online channels in the last three months. Of small businesses surveyed with an online presence, 90% agreed their survival through the pandemic was due to increased efforts to sell via e-commerce, and reported that, on average, over half of their revenue (52%) came from online channels in the last three months. Leaving the Change: A majority of SMB respondents expect their business to shift to relying exclusively on digital payments in the future. While 64% of survey respondents anticipate being able to make this shift within 10 years, 41% say it could be within the next two yearsand 18% are cashless already. Consumers Set the Tone in 2022 Accelerating Toward a Digital Future: More than half of consumers surveyed (53%) responded they expect to shift to being cashless within the next 10 years, 25% said it will happen in the next two years and 16% are already using only digital payments. The top benefits for relying more on digital payments amongst surveyed consumers were easier online shopping (47%), followed by less risk of robbery (38%) and convenience (37%). More than half of consumers surveyed (53%) responded they expect to shift to being cashless within the next 10 years, 25% said it will happen in the next two years and 16% are already using only digital payments. The top benefits for relying more on digital payments amongst surveyed consumers were easier online shopping (47%), followed by less risk of robbery (38%) and convenience (37%). Abandoned Shopping Carts In-Real-Life (IRL): The failure to offer digital payment is frequently a dealbreaker 41% of consumers surveyed said they have abandoned a purchase in a physical store because digital payments were not accepted, and younger shoppers are even more likely to do so. Gen Z (59%) and Millennials (55%) have not bought something because there was no way to pay digitally, significantly more than Gen X (38%) or Boomers (19%). The failure to offer digital payment is frequently a dealbreaker 41% of consumers surveyed said they have abandoned a purchase in a physical store because digital payments were not accepted, and younger shoppers are even more likely to do so. Gen Z (59%) and Millennials (55%) have not bought something because there was no way to pay digitally, significantly more than Gen X (38%) or Boomers (19%). Consumers Embrace the Global Marketplace: As small businesses look to reach more customers online, 50% plan to increase cross-border sales in 2022. On average, 68% of consumers responded they are comfortable buying items or services from a business in another country or territory. Of those who are not completely comfortable, 57% cited that fraud protection typically offered by their credit or debit card provider, such as Visa's Zero Liability Policy, makes them more comfortable with international commerce. Digitally-Enabling 50 Million Small Businesses Since the start of the pandemic, Visa has launched a variety of community-based programs to help more small businesses accept digital payments and gain greater access to the digital economy. As part of this ongoing commitment, Visa today also announced it has helped to digitally-enable 24.8 million SMBs worldwide, or 50% of the multi-year goal it set in 2020 to digitize 50 million SMBs. Throughout 2022, Visa will continue to provide resources that support small businesses, such as the $1 million Grants for Growth program announced earlier this week with Uber and Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC). Through Grants for Growth, 100 merchants will receive grants of $10,000, disaster recovery and resiliency guides from Uber and LISC, and placement in the Uber Eats app. Grants for Growth will be supported and managed by LISC and focuses on local Uber Eats restaurants in 10 cities: Atlanta, Boston Chicago, Detroit, Los Angeles, Miami, New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia, San Francisco Bay Area and Washington D.C. For more information on how to apply for Grants for Growth, please visit lisc.org/uber. More information on the programs Visa has made available to small and micro businesses can also be found on the Visa Small Business Hub and the Visa Small Business COVID-19 support site. Methodology: Visa Back to Business Study The Visa Back to Business Study was conducted by Wakefield Research in December 2021 and surveyed 2,250 small business owners with 100 employees or fewer in Brazil, Canada, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Russia, Singapore, United Arab Emirates and United States. The consumer section surveyed 1,000 adults ages 18+ in the United States, and 500 adults ages 18+ in Brazil, Canada, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Russia, Singapore and United Arab Emirates. About Visa Inc. Visa (NYSE: V) is a world leader in digital payments, facilitating more than 215 billion payments transactions between consumers, merchants, financial institutions and government entities across more than 200 countries and territories each year. Our mission is to connect the world through the most innovative, convenient, reliable and secure payments network, enabling individuals, businesses and economies to thrive. We believe that economies that include everyone everywhere, uplift everyone everywhere and see access as foundational to the future of money movement. Learn more at Visa.com. ____________________ 1 Unless otherwise noted, percentages cited represent average from SMB respondents across all nine markets: Brazil, Canada, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Russia, Singapore, UAE and US 2 Unless otherwise noted, percentages cited represent averages from consumer respondents in all nine markets: Brazil, Canada, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Russia, Singapore, UAE and US 3Visa Back to Business Global Study, 5th Edition, page 6 View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220112005380/en/ 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/20220112005687/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. Weve 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. Were 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 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/20220112005687/en/ Vijayawada: Union Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla has promised the support from the Centre to resolve all pending issues between AP and TS amicably. The secretary reviewed several pending issues between the two states following bifurcation of erstwhile Andhra Pradesh, in a virtual meet with chief secretaries from AP and TS, Sameer Sharma and Somesh Kumar and other officials virtually on Wednesday. A review was held on 10 bilateral issues, eight projects and several other issues including those incorporated in Schedule IX and X of the AP Reorganisation Act, 2014. Issues like AP State Financial Corporation, Singareni Collieries Company and its subsidiary AP Heavy Machinery and Engineering, AP Bhavan and also tax arrears and refund as mentioned in section 50, 51 and 56 of split act, institutions which were not listed in the Act, division of cash balance and bank deposits and power arrears due from Telangana Discom to AP Genco were discussed in the meeting. AP CS called for release of resource gap related pending funds due to AP for 2014-15 and also funds for execution of the Polavaram project and explained about the need to set up a greenfield crude oil refinery and petrochemical complex in the state. He also sought central support to set up a steel plant at Kadapa, raising of APO arts at Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada and Tirupati to international standards. He called for development of Ramayapatnam port instead of Duggarajupatnam port and also Visakhapatnam-Chennai industrial corridor and release of the tax dues to AP from the Centre. Milwaukee Tool, which operates four distribution centers in Olive Branch and employs about 3,000 workers, was ranked No. 25 in the Top 100 "Best Places to Work" by the latest Glassdoor.com survey. 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. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong, File) Teachers protest 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) Demonstrators hold up signs at a police car after a Fayetteville City Council meeting at the FAST Transit Center, late Monday, Jan. 10, 2022, in Fayetteville, N.C. Demonstrators were outside the meeting demanding justice for Jason Walker, 37, who was shot and killed on Saturday by an off-duty deputy with the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office. (Andrew Craft/The Fayetteville Observer via AP) Thank you for reading! Please log in, or sign up for a new account and consider subscribing for only $7 per month to get access to more articles and news as it happens. Photo: Contributed Central Okanagan-Similkameen-Nicola MP Dan Albas Recently, my email inbox, as well as a significant number of calls to my office, raised significant opposition to a proposed annual home equity tax. The government has stated it will not implement a home equity tax but the overwhelming feedback on this topic came as a surprise to me, as this was not a major media story, nor had I raised this topic in a weekly report. Because of the level of response I received however, the proposed tax is the focus of this week's report. First off, what is it? Recently, a Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) funded report, by a group known as Generation Squeeze, recommended an annual home equity tax on residences valued in excess of $1 million. The proposed tax would be 0.2% for homes with a value of between $1 million and $1.5 million and would increase to 0.5% for home valued up to $2 million. It would ultimately increase to 1% for homes valued at more than $2 million and would be payable annually, like income taxes. What if you could not afford to pay the annual home equity tax? The program would be designed to defer the balance owing with a rate of interest charged on the outstanding balance. The idea being that the balance owing would be paid when the home is sold, or the title transferred through an inheritance. How would this make housing more affordable? In theory the government would use the tax revenue to invest in affordable housing. The report's author also believes it would create a disincentive for those who invest in housing for a monetary return. My thoughts? To be candid, I oppose this tax proposal. As has already been shared with me, there are residents who now find themselves living in homes with a value in excess of $1 million and who would be subject to such a tax despite not having purchased a million dollar home. As these individuals point out, they could never afford to buy a million-dollar home. On the surface they could sell and cash in on the increase in their homes value but, as has been pointed out, with the average price of a home in Kelowna now more than $1 million, it is pointless as the gain would be wiped out trying to buy in the current market. As we have seen large jumps in home values throughout B.C. in recent years, it would be only a matter of time before more and more homes qualify to pay this tax, regardless of their household income. It has also been pointed out that selling a million-dollar home in itself can negatively impact your equity as real estate commissions and the B.C. property purchase tax are much higher on homes with a value in that price range. As an individual shared with my office, he or she is only a millionaire homeowner on paper and could not afford to sell and buy another home at the current market rate, so it is all relative. I have heard other reasons why residents are opposed to this idea. One common question is: What happens in the event that housing markets decline, having a natural effect on reducing your home's equity while, at the same time, the home equity tax you owe would continue to increase? There is also a challenge when the value of the home you own does not necessarily accurately reflect your household income and, by extension, your ability to pay a home equity tax. From my own perspective, I dont believe the government has a revenue problem that requires a home equity tax. The challenge is spending. As an example, the current federal government has invested in the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank. I believe our shares in this bank should be sold as those funds would be better spent investing here in Canada, building Canadian infrastructure. My question this week: Do you support the idea of a home equity tax to fund affordable housing? I can be reached at [email protected] or call toll free 1-800-665-8711. This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet. Photo: Rob Kruyt/Business in Vancouver Riverdale TV actor Ryan Grantham wont be going to trial in May on a charge of second-degree murder in his mothers death in Squamish. Rather, a B.C. Supreme Court judge heard on Jan. 12 that the defence and Crown are in discussions to wind the case up. Whether that means a guilty plea or an acquittal remains to be seen. Grantham was charged with second-degree murder after his 64-year-old mother, Barbara Waite, was found dead in a Squamish home on April 1, 2020. A shaven, clean-cut Grantham, 24, made an appearance from jail by video Jan. 12. Justice Janet Winteringham was told that a trial date had been set for May 30-June 15. However, defence lawyer Talia Armstrong told Winteringham, the trial date is being struck and the case will proceed to a disposition. In the meantime, she said discussion with Crown prosecutors about the case continue. Police said at the time of Waites death that officers responded after a family member found a body in a home on the 40000-block Government Road. Frontline officers determined that the victim, later confirmed to be Ms. Waite, had met with foul play and the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team was called in, said a release from homicide investigators. Grantham made his first appearance in B.C. Provincial Court on April 9, 2020 Homicide investigators worked with the Sea to Sky RCMP, the Vancouver Police Department, the Integrated Forensic Identification Services and the BC Coroners Service. Riverdale was a series based on the Archie comics. Grantham began his career as a child actor aged nine and has had multiple TV and movie roles At 11, he was cast for a role in The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus, a 2009 film directed by Monty Pythons Flying Circus comedy team alumnus Terry Gilliam. Grantham returns to court on Feb. 9 to fix a date for a resolution of the case. Photo: The Canadian Press 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 Russia may face further Western sanctions as a consequence of its military buildup on the Ukrainian border, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Wednesday. And Trudeau appeared to confirm that Canada will renew its modest commitment of 200 Canadian Forces personnel to a military training mission in Ukraine, amid rising tensions between the West and Russia. The Ukrainian government has been waiting on Canada to publicly renew the commitment, set to expire at the end of March, as part of a show of NATO solidarity toward Russia at a time of rising tensions. Trudeau referenced the Canadian contributions to NATO on its eastern front, which are part of the 30-country alliance's efforts to counter the Russian military gathering on the European border. Those include Canada's command of the NATO battlegroup in Latvia with more than 500 troops as well as its mission to train Ukraine troops that operates under the name Operation Unifier. "We are all extremely concerned about that and are united as allies around the world in calling on Russia to de-escalate and indicating that there will be significant consequences in the form of sanctions if further aggressive actions are taken by Russia," said Trudeau. Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy renewed his call for an extension of the Canadian contribution to the military mission in his country during a phone conversation with Trudeau on Tuesday. "We are proud that Canada is leading a NATO mission in the Baltic states in Latvia. We are part of Operation Unifier on the ground in Ukraine, training Ukrainian soldiers. We will continue to be there to stand as part of our NATO allies with our friends in the region," said Trudeau. Trudeau said his call with Zelenskyy was "outstanding," during which he reiterated "Canada's long-standing support and friendship for Ukraine" and "condemned in no uncertain terms the Russian aggression and buildup of troops." Ihor Michalchyshyn, the executive director of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress, welcomed the news that Canada would extend the training mission in Ukraine. But he called on the government to implement a much tougher set of sanctions on Russian officials under Canada's Magnitsky Act legislation that targets human rights offenders. Canada has imposed sanctions on Russia under a different regime known as the Special Economic Measures Act in response to the Kremlin's annexation of Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula in 2014. "Canada has fallen behind in the implementation of sanctions of the U.S. and the EU; no meaningful sanctions actions have been taken against Russia by Canada in over two years," said Michalchyshyn. Talks between NATO leaders and Russia ended Wednesday in Brussels in an attempt to find a solution to the standoff as Moscow masses 100,000 troops near the Ukraine border, stoking fears of an invasion. Russia wants NATO to reject Ukraine's bid to join the 30-country military alliance, a demand NATO and the United States flatly reject. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said after a NATO-Russia meeting on Wednesday that the two sides will set more dates to keep talking, but that the way forward would not be easy given Russia's demand that the alliance stop its eastward expansion. Photo: The Canadian Press 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 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." 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. Photo: The Canadian Press 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. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert, File) The United States Mint said Monday it has begun shipping quarters featuring the image of poet Maya Angelou, the first coins in its American Women Quarters Program. Angelou, an American author, poet and Civil Rights activist, rose to prominence with the publication of I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings in 1969. Angelou, who died in 2014 at the age of 86, was honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2010 by President Barack Obama. The quarter design depicts Angelou with outstretched arms. Behind her are a bird in flight and a rising sun, images inspired by her poetry. The mint's program will issue 20 quarters over the next four years honoring women and their achievements in shaping the nation's history. Additional honorees in 2022 will be physicist and first woman astronaut Sally Ride, and Wilma Mankiller, the first female principal chief of the Cherokee Nation. Also honored this year will be 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. Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, D-Nevada, the Senate sponsor of legislation directing the mint to issue the quarters honoring women, applauded the Mint's selection of Angelou for the first coin. This coin will ensure generations of Americans learn about Maya Angelou's books and poetry that spoke to the lived experience of Black women, she said in a statement. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, the nation's first female Treasury secretary, said: Each time we redesign our currency, we have the chance to say something about our country. ... I'm very proud that these coins celebrate the contributions of some of America's most remarkable women, including Maya Angelou. The Biden administration announced soon after taking office a year ago that it planned to replace Andrew Jackson's portrait on the $20 bill with abolitionist Harriet Tubman, a leader in the Underground Railroad. However, since that announcement the administration has provided no further details on its plans. Photo: CTV News Many jurisdictions have extended fourth-dose boosters to their most vulnerable populations as Canada's third-dose COVID-19 vaccine rollout ramps up, leading some to wonder whether we'll all need another shot to protect against the virus in the near future. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Monday that the country will have enough third and fourth doses for all eligible Canadians if or when they're needed with contracts signed through 2024 with Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna. Dr. Allison McGeer, a microbiologist and infectious disease consultant in Toronto, said Canada isn't at the point where fourth doses are necessary for the general population. "We know with other vaccines that sometimes you need three doses or four doses to get a prolonged, stable effect," she said. "But really, the answer is we're just going to have to see how protection goes and decide on that basis whether there's value in extra doses." Canada's National Advisory Committee on Immunization has already recommended that moderately or severely immunocompromised people receive a fourth dose at least six months after their third shot. Many jurisdictions began offering fourth doses to the immunocompromised last month or early this month, including British Columbia, Saskatchewan and Manitoba, while Ontario recently added long-term care home residents to that eligibility list. Newfoundland and Labrador's chief medical officer of health said Wednesday the province had also begun offering a fourth dose to immunocompromised people. McGeer said the moves follow evidence that antibody levels tend to wane more quickly in older people, adding that long-term care residents also have the disadvantage of being in high-risk settings for spread. "As you get older and frailer, you respond less well to vaccines. That's a general truth," McGeer said. "So in that group of people, in the middle of Omicron, there's a good argument that says giving them a fourth dose to get their levels up to where other people are with a third dose will offer more protection." Photo: The Canadian Press U.S, NATO and Russian dignitaries at NATO-Russia Council talks in Brussels, Wednesday. Russia on Thursday sharply raised the stakes in its dispute with the West over Ukraine, with a top diplomat refusing to rule out a Russian military deployment to Cuba and Venezuela if tensions with the United States mount. Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov, who led the Russian delegation in Mondays talks with the U.S. in Geneva, said in televised remarks that he would neither confirm nor exclude the possibility that Russia could send military assets to Cuba and Venezuela if the talks fail and U.S. pressure on Russia mounts. The negotiations in Geneva and Wednesdays NATO-Russia meeting in Vienna failed to narrow the gap on Moscows security demands amid a buildup of Russian troops near Ukraine. While Moscow demanded a halt to NATO expansion, Washington and its allies firmly rejected that as a nonstarter. Speaking in an interview with Russian RTVI TV, Ryabkov noted that it all depends on the action by our U.S. counterparts, pointing to Russian President Vladimir Putin's warning that Moscow could take military-technical measures if the U.S. provokes the Kremlin and turns up military pressure on it. While voicing concern that NATO could potentially use Ukrainian territory for the deployment of missiles capable of reaching Moscow in just five minutes, Putin noted that Russian warships armed with the latest Zircon hypersonic cruise missile would give Russia a similar capability if deployed in neutral waters. Zircon, which Putin said flies at nine times the speed of sound to a range of more than 1,000 kilometers (620 miles), is hard to intercept and could be fitted with conventional or nuclear warheads. It's set to be commissioned by the Russian navy later this year and installed aboard its frigates and submarines. Ryabkovs statement followed his comments last month in which he compared the current tensions over Ukraine with the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis. That crisis erupted when the Soviet Union deployed missiles to Cuba and the U.S. imposed a naval blockade of the island. U.S. President John F. Kennedy and Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev agreed to defuse tensions by making a deal for Moscow to withdraw its missiles in exchange for Washingtons pledge not to invade Cuba and the removal of U.S. missiles from Turkey. Ryabkov said a refusal by the U.S. and its allies to consider the key Russian demand for guarantees against the alliances expansion to Ukraine and other ex-Soviet nations makes it hard to discuss such issues as arms control and confidence-building steps that Washington says its ready to negotiate. The U.S. wants to conduct a dialogue on some elements of the security situation ,,, to ease the tensions and then continue the process of geopolitical and military development of the new territories, coming closer to Moscow, he said. We have nowhere to retreat. Ryabkovs comments mark the first time during the current tensions over Ukraine when a senior official mentioned the possibility of Russian military deployments to the Western hemisphere. In December 2018, Russia briefly dispatched a pair of its nuclear-capable Tu-160 bombers to Venezuela in a show of support for Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro amid Western pressure. Soon after his first election in 2000, Putin ordered the closure of a Russian electronic surveillance facility in Cuba during a period of rapprochement with the West, but Moscow has intensified contacts with Cuba in recent years as tensions with the U.S. and its allies mounted. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov noted some positive elements and nuances during the talks, but described them as unsuccessful because of stark disagreements on Russias key demands. The talks were initiated to receive specific answers to concrete principal issues that were raised, and disagreements remained on those principal issues, which is bad, he said in a conference call with reporters. Peskov warned of a complete rupture in U.S.-Russian relations if proposed sanctions targeting Putin and other top civilian and military leaders are adopted. The measures, proposed by Senate Democrats, would also target leading leading Russian financial institutions if Moscow sends troops into Ukraine. Peskov criticized the proposals as an attempt to up the pressure on Moscow during the talks, saying it wouldn't work. It concerns sanctions, which taking into account the inevitable adequate response, effectively amount to an initiative to rupture relations, he warned, adding that Russia will respond in kind to protect its interests. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov also denounced the proposed sanctions as a reflection of U.S. arrogance, adding that Moscow expects a written response to its demands from the U.S. and NATO next week in order to mull further steps. The talks come 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 and in turn accuses the West of threatening its security by positioning military personnel and equipment in Central and Eastern Europe. Peskov rebuffed the West's calls for Russia to help de-escalate tensions by pulling back troops from areas near Ukraine, noting that the country is free to move them wherever it wants on its own territory. It's hardly possible for NATO to dictate to us where we should move our armed forces on Russian territory, he said. Peskov underscored that Russia is ready to continue the talks but wants them to produce results. There will be no deficit of a political will to continue the negotiations, he said. Tensions revolving around Ukraine and Russia's demands on the West again appeared on the table at Thursday's meeting of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Vienna. Polish Foreign Minister Zbigniew Rau, who assumed the position of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office, noted in his opening speech that "the risk of war in the OSCE area is now greater than ever before in the last 30 years. For several weeks, we have been faced with the possibility of a major military escalation in Eastern Europe," he said. 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 over 14,000 people have been killed in more than seven years of fighting. Photo: BANG Showbiz. All rights reserved. Prince Andrew is to face a civil case in the U.S. over allegations he sexually assaulted a woman when she was 17. On Wednesday, a Manhattan federal court judge ruled that a lawsuit brought by accuser Virginia Giuffre can move forward. Giuffre has long accused deceased billionaire financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and his one-time girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell of arranging and forcing her into having sex with Prince Andrew in 2001, when she was 17. She claims her alleged abuse at the hands of the pair involved being lent out to powerful men. On Dec. 29, Maxwell, 60, was convicted by a jury on five sex trafficking-related counts which carry a potential custodial sentence of up to 65 years' imprisonment. Giuffre filed a civil suit against Andrew on Aug. 9, 2021, using a New York state law that allows survivors of childhood sexual abuse to sue, regardless of whether the alleged crimes took place outside the statute of limitations. Andrew - the son of British monarch Queen Elizabeth - has always denied Giuffre's allegations and his legal team argued to get her lawsuit dismissed citing a 2009 deal and $500,000 settlement she agreed with Epstein. However, the New York judge ruled the case could continue. The motion to dismiss the lawsuit was outlined in a 46-page decision by Judge Lewis A Kaplan of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. In his ruling for the case to continue, Judge Kaplan said his decision did not determine the "truth or falsity" of Giuffre's complaint. Giuffre issued a statement in the wake of the ruling, saying she was "pleased" that Andrew's attempt to dismiss her lawsuit had been denied and "that evidence will now be taken concerning her claims against him." In a statement, Giuffres lawyer David Boies said: "Virginia Giuffre is pleased that Prince Andrew's efforts to avoid a trial have been rejected and that evidence will now be taken on her claims against him. She looks forward to a judicial determination of the merits of those claims." Andrew, 61, stated in an interview with BBC Newsnight in 2019 that he had no recollection of ever meeting Giuffre, despite there being a photo of them together with Maxwell, and insisted that her account of them having sex in the U.S. and U.K. "didn't happen." When asked by journalist Emily Maitlis if he remembered Giuffre, he answered: "No, I've no recollection of ever meeting her." Juvenescent (Prime Minister) Justin Trudeau gave a French language television interview in Quebec during his successful bid to remain Canadas 23rd prime minister in last years election and commented on anti-vaxxers disrupting his campaign. He was quoted as saying they were "often misogynists and racists, too". Political protests have become rougher all over the world, but a party leader using such inflammatory language doesnt help the situation. I believe that global vaccinations are the only way out of this pandemic, but several people I know think the complete opposite. They refuse to be inoculated because of mistrust in government, what they consider an infringement on their rights or that religious beliefs will protect them from a virus that some even consider a hoax. I respect their right to believe whatever they wish, and the people I know are neither the women-haters nor the racists Trudeau alluded to. Cutting through all the rhetoric, our vaccination dilemma really amounts to far too many media sources in this Information Age we inhabit. Those who adhere to what the World Health Organization and local health authorities tell them consider information and warnings they receive as factual, while anti-vaxxers believe its all fake. Simultaneously, there are so many alternative news sites delivering opinions, ideas and remedies that anti-vaxxers totally believe are factual, while vaccinated people consider them as absolutely fake. While fake news" raised its ugly head in politics everywhere recently, the term has been around for a long time. About 130 years ago, competing U.S. media barons William Randolph Hearst and Joseph Pulitzer accused each other of printing fake news in order to sell more newspapers. They called it yellow journalism back then, but the fake news phenomenon has been around far longer. For instance, English King Richard the Lionheart was always depicted as heroic, with the Cross Of Jesus emblazoned on his tunic and battle pennants and leading his cavalry in the third Crusade against Sultan Saladin who ruled 12th century Jerusalem. Richard was the good Christian warrior in the history books, with never a bad word spoken about him. Usually unmentioned is the inconvenient truth that he oversaw and sanctioned the particularly brutal massacre of about 3,000 Muslim men, women and children prisoners-of-war, following a breakdown in negotiations with Saladin. Richard the Lionheart was not necessarily such a nice guy after all. His centuries-old chivalrous legend is based on news that was more fake than factual. Bernie Smith, Parksville Photo: The Canadian Press If you're tempted to catch a flight in the near future, be warned it might get cancelled. While the federal government advises against international travel right now, there isn't anything stopping you from catching a plane to most destinations. But the global travel landscape is evolving rapidly due to the spread of the Omicron variant and extreme weather. Numerous flights have been cancelled as scores of airline staff contract the virus, while many others have been cancelled due to winter conditions. Additionally, countries around the world are updating their entry and exit requirements. For example, China has banned flights from Vancouver International Airport as a growing number of travellers have tested positive for the virus upon arrival to the country. From Vancouver to Los Cabos I travelled from Vancouver to Los Cabos, Mexico, in early December, right before the government issued the non-essential travel advisory. While I was able to travel with relative ease, there were some tense moments along the way. For one, the process of checking in for your flight is more complicated now, because you have to show federal proof of vaccination. While this may not seem like a complex matter, it throws an additional wrench into the check-in system. I flew with WestJet and everything was done at their self-serve kiosks. There were only a couple of airline staff assisting a huge crowd of travellers with the check-in process and many people relied on other travellers to get them through the prompts. Most folks weren't familiar with scanning the recently-issued document from their phone, which slowed everything down. Naturally, the best way to avoid feeling flustered is to give yourself ample time. Once you check your bag, you'll head to airport security. When I was travelling, the domestic gates were significantly busier than the international. So, if you plan to travel within Canada right now, don't assume that the check-in process will be a breeze. That said, the security check-in process is relatively the same (ie. have your liquids in small bottles and in bags, don't bring food, etc) and you'll need to separate your clothes and bags into the binspretty standard stuff. You need to sport your face mask in all areas of the airport and you may only remove it when you're eating or drinking. For the most part, travellers reserved their eating and drinking for the designated areas. However, some people lifted their masks by their gates to have a sip and then covered their faces immediately after. What to know before you go While my check-in flight was fairly stress-free, except for the minor frustration of getting my proof of vaccination scanned, there were several items I prepared in advance of travel. For one, I made sure I knew where to get a PCR test in my destination before I leftthis will save you plenty of frustration overseas when you should be enjoying your holiday. Second, I put all of my travel details into the ArriveCAN app well in advance of travel, despite the fact that I only needed to enter it within 72 hours of my return trip home. The reason it is imperative to start this process before you go is that it requires you to show physical proof of vaccination and provide other personal details. If you are unable to produce any of this information while you are in another country, you may be denied boarding. Return flight home from Mexico Checking into the airport at Los Cabos was relatively easy. A WestJet employee asked to see my ArriveCAN proof but that process was simple. I also made physical copies of all my documents in case the internet was down or my phone died. While my outbound flight was direct, my return trip involved a connection in Calgary. If the first flight would have left on time I would have had time to collect my checked bag in Calgary and take it through customs to board the final leg of my journey. However, my plane was late arriving in Los Cabos from Calgary due to winter weather conditions. As a result, our flight arrived quite late in Calgary. Keep in mind that when you fly internationally and have a domestic connection you'll have to take your checked luggage through customs. I ended up missing my second flight because they finished boarding right after I ran across the airport (running is a lot harder all masked up and carrying a heavy bag!) This seemed like a nightmare at the time, but WestJet booked numerous passengers and me on the next flight free of charge. I came home a couple of hours later than I had planned to but I take that as a win considering how bad it might have been. As I was going through security, I noticed that several people were being tested upon arrival for COVID-19. However, the passengers on my flight that were making the connection to Vancouver didn't get tested because of the time. With this in mind, this was during the period when YVR and other Canadian airports were just rolling out their respective travel testing programs. One other thing that really stuck out during the experience was the lone man who became belligerent when asked to show proof of vaccination. Luckily, he was an anomaly; he was the only person I saw take an issue with the pandemic-related rules. That said, it is something to consider as tensions run high: be aware of your surroundings and stay safe. What to know about travel right now Find out everything you need to know about international travel with our comprehensive travel guide for Canadians. Discover a tutorial on how to use the ArriveCAN app. See the testing and quarantine instructions you'll receive at Vancouver International Airport. Find out the best way to get a refund on your flight and not get taken advantage of by the airline. Disclaimer: Glacier Media does not support travel during the non-essential travel advisory. Many foreign governments are implementing strict travel restrictions due to the spread of the Omicron variant and international transportation options may be limited. As a result, you may have difficulty returning to Canada. Photo: The Canadian Press Quebec Premier Francois Legault responds to a question during a news conference in Montreal, Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson Quebec Premier Francois Legault says the COVID-19 curfew he imposed across the province in December will be lifted on Monday. He told reporters today the health order can be ended because the number of COVID-19 infections seems to have peaked. Legault says health officials estimate that COVID-19-related hospitalizations are expected to peak in the coming days. The curfew was imposed on Dec. 31 after having been used for almost five months earlier in the year, between January and May 2021. Legault also announced that the province's vaccine passport will be extended to big box retail stores, except for grocery stores and pharmacies. Earlier today, Quebec reported 45 more deaths attributed to the novel coronavirus and a rise of 117 COVID-19-related hospitalizations. Photo: Mike Wakefield, North Shore News Last weekend, the BC Ambulance Service had up to nearly half of its Metro Vancouver vehicles out of service due to staffing shortages, according to the union representing ambulance paramedics. As B.C. gets battered by Omicron, hundreds of police detachments and fire halls across British Columbia are refusing to share how many staff are off sick. Both Vancouver and Victoria police departments declined to state how many officers were out because of COVID-19-related absences. RCMP E Division which coordinates over 150 detachments across the province also refused to detail staffing shortages, citing operational reasons. We anticipate that there could be a rise in employees either requiring sick leave or requiring time off due to possible symptoms or exposures, acknowledged RCMP Staff Sgt. Janelle Shoihet. In Abbotsford, the police department was one of the few that provided hard numbers 24 officers were out sick as of Monday, representing over 10 per cent of its workforce. The City of Abbotsford, meanwhile, refused to say how many firefighters were sick due to privacy concerns. When asked what policy prevented the city from sharing a simple number, a city spokesperson said to file a freedom of information request. Fire departments in Kamloops, Delta, Whistler and the City and District of North Vancouver were among several others across the B.C. that declined to provide COVID-19-related staff shortages. Others municipal fire services were more forthcoming: Burnabys fire department said 17 of its 314 firefighters were off sick due to COVID-19 as of Jan. 14; in Port Coquitlam, 15 per cent of its firefighters have fallen sick with the virus since Jan. 1; and in Surrey, the departments deputy chief of operations John Lehmann said 20 to 30 per cent of its workforce has been forced to stay home at any given time. We do have people testing positive and going off work every day, said Lehmann, adding the department has been able to back-fill shifts so far. Vancouver fire Chief Karen Fry said over 70 firefighters have been off work because of COVID-19 in the last month. She says firefighters are working overtime to fill a roughly 15 per cent absence rate on any given day. On Wednesday, the department told its firefighters they could reschedule vacations over the coming weeks to relieve people working multiple overtime shifts. It does create a pressure, Fry said. The last option here would be to shut down our trucks, to not have our trucks available for fires. On some days, Fry said other departments around B.C. have had 50 per cent of their staff unable to come to work because of sickness. Theyre the highest numbers weve seen since COVID so far, she added. All of the fire and police departments, as well as several volunteer search and rescue units across B.C., said they were confident they could handle any spike in cases. RCMP E Division said it could provide surge capacity to any detachment under pressure by moving officers around the province. Fire departments, meanwhile, have mutual aid agreements that allow them to draw on fire halls in neighbouring communities. In Coquitlam, where the fire department has lost 24 firefighters due to COVID-19 illness since December, fire Chief Jim Ogloff said the department would need to hit 30 to 50 per cent staff shortages across all for of its four shifts before calling on neighbouring departments for help. That's when the department wouldn't have any off-duty firefighters to call in. On Vancouver Island, acting fire Chief Dan Atkinson said the Victoria Fire Department has joined its counterparts in Saanich, Oak Bay and Esquimalt in a temporary plan to share staff so none have to resort to overtime. Up to 20 per cent of the capital's firefighters have been out sick on any given shift. The current situation feels like a playing field that changes daily, said Atkinson. BIG WAVE OF HOSPITALIZATIONS COMING: MODELLER Signs that B.C.s emergency services are poised to face unprecedented pressure are already mounting. In a massive blow last week, Prince Rupert lost 20 firefighters who were forced to isolate because of a COVID-19 exposure or illness; in Victoria, the police department invoked a clause for the first time that allows the chief to move officers into different positions in the case of an emergency. Cracks also appear to be growing in the province's health-care system. LifeLabs, B.C.s largest provider of medical laboratory services, said Omicron-related staff shortages had forced it to shutter 11 locations across Metro Vancouver, Victoria and Kamloops. Announced Jan. 12, the closures are expected to last at least two weeks. And on Tuesday, the Nicola Valley Hospital emergency department in Merritt had to close for more than 12 hours "due to an unforeseen limited physician availability." UBC infectious disease modeller Sally Otto estimates between five and 10 per cent of British Columbians are actively infected with COVID-19. The most highly infectious strain of the SAR-CoV-2 virus so far, Omicron has emerged as B.C.'s dominant strain, and is thought to represent more than 80 per cent of cases. Omicron appears to cause less severe infections in many people, particularly if they are vaccinated. But because it spreads so fast, the sheer number of cases means hospitalizations are surging across the world. Despite a patchwork of data, Otto says shes confident a big wave of hospitalizations is coming. Other jurisdictions closer to the peak of their Omicron wave offer a glimpse of what could soon hit B.C. Last week, the chief of the Winnipeg Police Service declared a state of emergency after 90 members of its workforce faced active infections and 170 were booked off on COVID-19-related leave. On Jan. 6, the City of Toronto announced a plan to re-deploy staff should COVID-19-related absences climb as high as 60 per cent. That decision was made with emergency and essential services operating with an average of 13.7 per cent unplanned absences daily less than what many B.C. fire departments say they are facing now. B.C. hospitalization rates are closely following trend lines in Ontario and Quebec, and Otto says they are roughly a week ahead of B.C.s latest wave. As of Jan. 12, B.C. reported 500 people were in hospital with COVID-19, including 102 in intensive care. The same day in Ontario, overall hospitalizations from the virus climbed to nearly 3,500, up from 1,290 patients a week earlier. And in Quebec, rising COVID-19 hospitalizations were accompanied by the deaths of 62 people on Tuesday alone. I think weve just barely started, said Otto. We havent seen yet the worst ravages of Omicron. Otto, who collaborates with the BC COVID Independent Modelling group, says between 2,000 and 10,000 people could land in hospital by the end of the month, though peak hospitalizations are more likely to top out at around 4,000 patients. Intensive care unit cases, meanwhile, are expected to surge to over 2,000, nearly triple B.C.s capacity. Understanding how and when the biggest wave of COVID-19 cases is going to hit B.C. is vital to help health officials plan. But since Christmas, B.C.s health authorities have had their testing capacity overwhelmed. Thats forced modellers like Otto to rely on samples pulled from wastewater facilities in Metro Vancouver and testing rates among older people, who have been prioritized for PCR tests at collection centres. Both metrics have indicated cases are skyrocketing in B.C. Wastewater data has shown a 10- to 20-fold increase in recent weeks, depending on the facility (the numbers have levelled off in the past few days but Otto says its likely due to intense rainfall, which can lead to wobbly results). The number of people on sick leave would be great data to have. But we havent seen that, said Otto. Data transparency just helps everybody know where we are. It helps people make everyday decisions in their lives. We need to get ready. MORE TRANSPARENCY NEEDED AROUND COVID-19 STAFF SHORTAGES Getting ready inevitably means confronting the possibility of not only growing hospitalizations, but the demands that will inevitably ripple across B.C.s emergency services and threaten to overwhelm a strained system. Troy Clifford, union president of Ambulance Paramedics of BC, says staffing shortages stretch back a number of years, with an out-of-service rate approaching 30 per cent during early parts of the pandemic. When a record heat wave hit B.C. in late June, paramedics were swamped with calls like never before. In the following weeks, stories emerged of bodies piling up in hospital hallways. In July, Health Minister Adrian Dix announced his government would overhaul BC Emergency Health Services (BCEHS). But Clifford says ambulances continued to go out of service at growing rates into the fall. Devastating floods, a recent cold spell and a building Omicron wave have only made things worse. With so many disasters confronting the province, Clifford says the patchwork of transparency around COVID-19 staff shortages is worrying. I dont accept that its a privacy thing. Youre providing numbers. I think we should be transparent. We should be honest with the public, said Clifford. We need to have these tough conversations. In Metro Vancouver, as well as several rural communities across the B.C., absences due to COVID-19 are already wreaking havoc on ambulance crews. On the evenings of Dec. 7 and 8, nearly half the ambulances scheduled to respond to 911 calls in the Lower Mainland were forced to stand down because of paramedics away on sick leave, said Clifford. If people cant access 911 or get emergency management in time of need, thats the whole foundation of the medical system, he said. BCEHS, for its part, said 70 paramedics and dispatchers called in sick last Thursday. Thats more than twice the number than on the same day a year earlier. There is no doubt the COVID-19 pandemic has put pressure on staffing, said BCEHS spokesperson Jane Campbell, adding that the ambulance service is monitoring staff sickness in anticipation of a further increase. But those numbers do not include rural stations, and Clifford says some small communities have been left with one or even no ambulances in recent weeks. Its every community in the province for the most part, he said of the rising number of ambulances out of service. Its the southern Okanagan, Kamloops, Fort St. John the list could go on. The more hospitalizations, the more pressure on us. With cases expected to climb, Otto says shes most worried about a danger period between the peak in cases and peak hospitalizations. If a large number of emergency workers are still recovering at home, a surge in people needing to get to hospital will inevitably leave many facing a code red, with no ambulances available to respond. Ottos message to police, firefighters and paramedics: This is probably going to be the hardest two or three weeks of your career. So thank you. With files from: Brent Richter/North Shore News, Diane Strandberg/Tri-City News, Ian Jaques/Delta Optimist, Jennifer Thuncher/The Squamish Chief, Pedro Arrais/Times Colonist, Cornelia Naylor/Burnaby Now, Theresa McManus/New West Record, Maria Rantanen/Richmond News, Braden Dupuis/Whistler Pique Newsmagazine, and Tim Petruk and Jon Manchester/Castanet. Photo: wikimedia commons Robert F. Kennedy Californias governor on Thursday rejected releasing Robert F. Kennedy assassin Sirhan Sirhan from prison more than a half-century after the 1968 slaying that the governor called one of America's most notorious crimes. Gov. Gavin Newsom, who has cited RFK as his political hero, rejected a recommendation from a two-person panel of parole commissioners. Newsom said Sirhan poses an unreasonable threat to public safety. Mr. Sirhans assassination of Senator Kennedy is among the most notorious crimes in American history, Newsom wrote in his decision. After decades in prison, he has failed to address the deficiencies that led him to assassinate Senator Kennedy. Mr. Sirhan lacks the insight that would prevent him from making the same types of dangerous decisions he made in the past. He said factors in his decision including Sirhan's refusal to accept responsibility for his crime, his lack of insight and the accountability required to support his safe release, his failure to disclaim violence committed in his name, and his failure to mitigate his risk factors. Kennedys assassination not only changed the course of this nation and robbed the world of a promising young leader, it also left his 11 children without a father and his wife without a husband, Newsom said in an opinion piece released along with his decision. Kennedys family bears his loss every day, Newsom wrote. Millions of Americans lost a unifier in a time of national turmoil and grief, just nine weeks after the assassination of the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., and four-and-a-half years after the murder of Kennedys brother, President John F. Kennedy. Robert Kennedy, the U.S. senator from New York, was shot moments after he claimed victory in Californias pivotal Democratic presidential primary. Five others were wounded during the assassination at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles. Even at age 77, Newsom said Sirhan remains a potent symbol of political violence," noting that terrorists have killed in his name. Sirhan will be scheduled for a new parole hearing no later than February 2023. Sirhan will ask a judge to overturn Newsoms denial, said his defense attorney, Angela Berry. We fully expect that judicial review of the governors decision will show that the governor got it wrong, she said. State law holds that inmates are supposed to be paroled unless they pose a current unreasonable public safety risk, she said, adding that not an iota of evidence exists to suggest Mr. Sirhan is still a danger to society. She said the parole process has become politicized and Newsom chose to overrule his own experts (on the parole board), ignoring the law. Parole commissioners found Sirhan suitable for release because of his impressive extensive record of rehabilitation over the last half-century, she said. Since the mid-1980s Mr. Sirhan has consistently been found by prison psychologists and psychiatrists to not pose an unreasonable risk of danger to the public. During his parole hearing, the white-haired Sirhan called Kennedy the hope of the world. But he stopped short of taking full responsibility for a shooting he said he doesnt recall because he was drunk. It pains me ... the knowledge for such a horrible deed, if I did in fact do that, Sirhan said. The parole panels recommendation in August to release Sirhan divided the iconic Kennedy family, with two of RFKs sons Douglas Kennedy and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. supporting his release. But six of Kennedys nine surviving children and Ethel Kennedy, RFKs wife, urged Newsom to block his parole. The panels decision was based in part on several new California laws since he was denied parole in 2016 the 15th time hed lost his bid for release. Commissioners were required to consider that Sirhan committed his crime at a young age, when he was 24; that he now is elderly; and that the Christian Palestinian who immigrated from Jordan had suffered childhood trauma from the conflict in the Middle East. In addition, Los Angeles County prosecutors didnt object to his parole, following District Attorney George Gascons policy that prosecutors should not be involved in deciding whether prisoners are ready for release. The decision had a personal element for Newsom, a fellow Democrat, who displays RFK photos in his official and home offices. One of them is of Kennedy with Newsoms late father. Newsom has previously reflected on the gravity of having Sirhans fate in his hands, saying it was an emotional issue that echoed back to the turbulent 60s and reopened memories many want to forget. Sirhan originally was sentenced to death, but that sentence was commuted to life when the California Supreme Court briefly outlawed capital punishment in 1972. He now has a heart condition and has survived prostate cancer, Valley fever and having his throat slashed by another prisoner in 2019, said his attorney, Angela Berry. Munir Sirhan has said his older brother can live with him, if he is freed and not deported to Jordan. Sirhan Sirhan waived his right to fight deportation. Photo: The Canadian Press Dr. Supriya Sharma, chief medical adviser at Health Canada, arrives to hold a technical briefing in Ottawa on Friday, March 5, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick Health Canada should be ready to make an authorization decision about Pfizer's Paxlovid antiviral treatment for COVID-19 in a week to 10 days, chief medical adviser Dr. Supriya Sharma said Thursday. But it's still unclear when shipments will start or how much Canada will get at first as supply issues for the U.S.-made drug have made it incredibly hard to get even in the U.S., where it was authorized before Christmas. Canadian health leaders and some premiers have been publicly pressuring Health Canada to greenlight the medication, which prevents the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19 from reproducing within a patient's body. Pfizer's clinical trial showed for high-risk patients it prevented hospitalizations by about 90 per cent. The results were so good Pfizer ended the trial early to start getting the medicine approved and distributed more widely. It applied to the United States Food and Drug Administration Nov. 22, and to Health Canada Dec. 1. The U.S. authorized it for use in patients at least 12 years old three weeks ago. The United Kingdom approved it Dec. 31. But Sharma told The Canadian Press in an interview Thursday that the Canadian submission was incomplete, and more data came in the last week of December and again earlier this week. "So maybe in the next week to 10 days, approximately, we should have a decision," she said. But Sharma is pushing back at people who have been publicly critical of Health Canada for taking too long. "Maybe this is being a bit blunt, but the people that are making those comments usually have no regulatory experience and don't have access or know about the to-ing and fro-ing that we're doing with the company," she said. She added that Canada also tried to get Pfizer to ship some courses of the medication before approval using a regulation that allows medications approved elsewhere to be used in Canada when there is an urgent health need. "They basically said they weren't able to do that, they didn't have supply," she said. Sharma said even if Health Canada got all the data it needed three weeks ago, "we probably wouldn't have been able to have supply for Canada either." The U.S. ordered more than 20 million courses of the drug, and was to get four million in January, but U.S. media reports that access to Paxlovid is next to impossible across most of the country currently. Canada said last fall it had purchased one million courses of the treatment. Pfizer Canada spokeswoman Christina Antoniou said information on shipments to Canada won't be available until Health Canada authorizes it. She did specifically confirm that supply issues prevented Pfizer from making earlier shipments under the Urgent Public Health Need regulations. "Through our discussions, we jointly determined the most efficient path to achieve this was the rolling submission process that is currently underway," she said. Kevin Smith, the CEO of the University Health Network in Toronto, went public with demands for Paxlovid's approval in early January, calling them an "essential addition" to hospitals' needs. While he said he has respect for the regulatory process at Health Canada, he struggles to understand why the United States and United Kingdom approved the drugs much more quickly than Canada. My problem is, at the moment, the perception of the clinical community who are struggling, greatly struggling, is we don't have approval for this drug," he said. "Pfizer choosing not to supply Canada is a different problem and one that I think we would all willingly champion, Smith said in an interview with The Canadian Press. We'd be delighted to help bring pressure to Pfizer to make sure that we get that drug as soon as possible. A second antiviral medication from Merck is facing a potentially bumpier ride to approval in Canada. The company applied in August for Molnupiravir after early results suggested it was cutting hospitalizations for high-risk patients by about 50 per cent. Final results reduced that efficacy to just 30 per cent and there are more concerns about side-effects as well, said Sharma. "It's a bit more complicated," she said. "So we're progressing with that, we've asked for additional data from the company and we will basically work through that review. We don't have a specific timeline for that." Buena Vista, CO (81211) Today Sunshine this morning followed by increasing clouds and a few showers this afternoon. High 64F. Winds SSW at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 30%. Higher wind gusts possible.. Tonight A few clouds. Low near 30F. Winds W at 10 to 20 mph. This service applies to you if your subscription has not yet expired on our old site. You will have continued access until your subscription expires; then you will need to purchase an ongoing subscription through our new system. Please contact The Chanute Tribune office at 620-431-4100 if you have any questions Chatham, VA (24531) Today Partly cloudy early followed by scattered thunderstorms this afternoon. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. High 87F. ESE winds shifting to SSW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 40%.. Tonight Partly cloudy this evening with more clouds for overnight. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low around 65F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Thank you for reading! Please purchase a subscription to read our premium content. If you have a subscription, please log in or sign up for an account on our website to continue. A short-handed Soddy Daisy doctor got some unexpected help answering his phone on Monday. Dr. Mani Ravee said he was soloing it when one-time County School Supt. Don Loftis called for help and was told it would be awhile. Dr. Loftis then showed up to man the lines. Dr. Ravee said, "One of the memorable days of my career and life, today. "Was without staff at my practice, when Retired CAPT. Virgil "Don" Loftis, who is a patient called me with something he wanted called in. I said I am alone and will be awhile. 30 min later he walks in the office dragging his O2 and wants to man the telephones. All day. "So Don as he goes by, is a true American Hero. Vietnam Vet who was an Army pilot who flew Bird Dogs in the Vietnam War. These are modified Cessna Airplanes which flew low and not fast for reccon to identify the enemy and call bigger fire power. They flew into ground based fire all the time requiring not just a skilled pilot but to evade fire. They were almost like a sacrificial mission to identify where enemy forces were located. "A HERO!!! "What a Fantastic day and thank You Don!!!! "Pic of him today and some links of him talking about his actual days in combat. "Don was born and raised in Soddy Daisy, retired and still lives there with a wonderful wife. A true homegrown hero. "Please take the time and watch the vids. They are priceless and should be treasured. Part one: http://memory.loc.gov/.../loc. natlib.../mv0001001.stream Part 2: An employee of the Chattanooga Public Library at 5705 Marlin Road said an Hispanic male came into the library and told her that he had a pellet gun in a trash bag and asked if it was okay that he be inside with it. The woman said she promptly told the man no and asked him to leave. The man complied but left some of his belongings at the library. The officer spoke with and identified the man at the Franklin Building. He said he simply had the pellet gun as a toy and didnt want to harm or threaten anyone with it. The man walked back over to the library and the officer handed off his belongings to him that he left inside. The man was banned from the library per the wishes of the library employee. * * * A woman on Oliver Street told police she believed a prowler was outside of her house. An officer arrived and did a sweep of the yard and found nothing disturbed and no one in the area. The woman was worried because of previous car break-ins in the area. * * * While backing up another unit on a call at Ramsey Street and Arlington Avenue, a black male flagged down officers. Police identified the man and he told police he was driving his car in the area and got out of it for a brief moment, when an unidentified female friend/passenger of his, took the car without his permission and left him in the area. The man said he was looking for his car, a 2007 Buick Lacrosse, but couldn't find it. The man asked if police could drive him to Cromwell Hills apartments. Police dropped off the man at an address on Juniper Avenue without incident. * * * A man with Maven Group at 1500 East 42nd Street said someone cut the fence close to the railroad tracks and came onto the parking lot and stole the catalytic converters from three of the company trucks. * * * A woman on Renezet Drive called police and said that the day before in Nashville someone tried to cash a check for $4,995.05 on her Regions Bank account. She said the bank caught it and froze her account without any money being taken out. She said she wants a report made here. She understands that since the crime occurred in Nashville, that she needs to make a report with the Nashville Police Department. The officer gave her the phone number there. She said she will call them and make a report there also. * * * A man on Grove Street said two black females known as "Patricia" and "Mary" started a verbal argument in front of his apartment. Both women had already left the scene before police arrived. * * * A woman on Patterson Road said she had been in a verbal altercation with her adult son. Police spoke to her son who agreed to let his mother have space for a while. Police ensured everyone on scene had calmed and they were okay with being left alone. * * * A woman on Bennett Avenue told police a white four-door Mazda had been parked in front of her house without a tag for less than a week. The vehicle has not been moved, and the vehicle does not belong to any of the neighbors. Police ran the VIN number from the vehicle, and it came back not stolen. Police also saw the vehicle was clean, no sign of break in, and it did not look like an abandoned vehicle. The vehicle was properly parked, and it did not cause any traffic hazard. * * * A man came to the PSC lobby to report that he has lost his passport. He said that he moved to Mountain Creek Road in August and thinks he may have lost it during the move. * * * A man at 2220 Hamilton Place Blvd. said someone opened their car door and struck his vehicle. Police made contact with the other person, a woman. She confirmed the incident. Police saw a small dent on the driver's side of the mans vehicle. * * * A man on East 8th Street said he returned to his car and noticed there was rear, left-side damage. He does not know how his vehicle sustained the damage. * * * A man on Fulton Street said he was staying with a couple at the apartments. Police had not received any calls from anyone else involved. The man said he did not do anything to these people but is afraid they might call in on him and make a false report. The man did not appear to have any marks or bruising on his person. He said he just wanted this documented. * * * While on patrol on Frost Street, an officer noticed a vehicle that had an expired temp tag and poor window tint job. When the officer attempted to run the VIN there was no return. Due to the number of stolen cars recovered in this area, the officer recorded the finding. * * * A woman on 6th Avenue told police the catalytic converter ($400) was stripped off of her Honda Accord. There was still a jack underneath the vehicle. * * * A man on Taylor Street told police someone has been messing with his truck over the last week. He said someone had siphoned the $10 of gas he had put in the vehicle the night before. A few days later it was discovered that someone had loosened the center hub on the drivers-side wheel. The man is concerned that someone is deliberately attempting to cause him harm. He wants to document this in case it kept happening. * * * The owner of the BBQ restaurant at 4272 Bonny Oaks Dr. said a white SUV pulled into the parking lot earlier that evening. He approached the vehicle, which was occupied by three black males, and saw, what he thought was, an AR15 rifle in the vehicle. The car left prior to police arrival and has not been back. He didnt know anyone in the car. It is back to work for state legislators. The first week of the legislature has been very busy. While criticizing politicians is a national activity and a form of amusement for many, the truth is that most of these folks are good people, working hard, and trying to do the right thing for our state. It is always the good, bad, and ugly in any political system. The Tennessee Constitution requires the General Assembly is required to provide for the maintenance, support, and eligibility standards of a system of free public schools. The current formula is subject to ongoing litigation, and the amount the state currently spends on public education is among the bottom in the nation. We are optimistic that we can move forward. On Tuesday, January 11th the Commissioner of Education, Penny Schwinn unveiled a potential new school funding formula she calls the "Funding for Student Success." The process has been somewhat rushed, and they should have started much earlier. There are some concerns about use of Gates Foundation money, and involvement of national groups in this process. Many subcommittees still have not finished their work. But in general, there is a lot to like in this proposal, as it is pretty inclusive of what we are already funding now. However, the devil is always in the details. For example, the draft sent out does not include funding amounts. In fiscal 2021-2022, the state is on track to spend at least $5.6 billion in state dollars on K-12 education, though that figure doesn't include federal and local funding toward K-12 education. A side-by-side comparison would be useful. The new framework would include money for educator salaries, nurses, counselors, and student supports, intervention resources, and technology along with varying district-specific needs. Some of those items need to be identified and spelled out. In addition, dollars for specific student subgroups that are sometimes harder or more expensive to educate like students who are living in poverty, English language learners and students with disabilities, or students who qualify for Section 504 dyslexia plans would get more money. Again, a little more clarity will be needed and safeguards in place to make sure those designations are not used to get more funding. The state also plans to allocate additional funding for tutoring programs, career and technical education programs to districts considered "fast-growing." The tutoring program needs closer examination and more accountability. Likewise, we need to make sure we are indeed tracking career and technical education more carefully. We need to know the number enrolled, how many are passing recognized industry certifications, and then on how many are entering the workforce. Governor Bill Lee made clear in a December press conference that the funding formula was not about vouchers. "I'm a strong advocate for school choice and continue to be, but this is really not about choice issues for education," according to Lee. On the same day the funding draft was released, Senator Mike Bell and Representative Michael Curcio introduced legislation that would expand the Education Savings Accounts (vouchers). Currently, the law which applies only to Nashville and Memphis was halted by courts. It is scheduled to be heard by the Tennessee Supreme Court in February. Memphis and Nashville are the systems that stayed pretty much remote last year. Subsequently, both school systems saw a significant regression in state test scores last year. The Bell/Curcio bill would expand the law to make vouchers available to students in any Tennessee district that mandates masks or does not offer at least 180 days of in-person learning due to the coronavirus pandemic. This bill would also make the voucher program applicable statewide. Currently, the voucher law enacted by the state in 2019 has been declared unconstitutional. There are likely not enough affordable private schools in Memphis and Nashville to meet the demand should parents take a voucher. The state has very little oversight on private schools and there are no requirements on private schools which would prohibit them from mandating masks. However, a shared consensus is emerging: remote learning did not work academically and mentally for most children. On that, we can all agree. The Achievement School District (ASD), the states turnaround program for low-performing schools, was created in 2010 as part of Tennessees Race to the Top plan. Currently, Memphis and Nashville are the only cities that have schools in the ASD. The bill says vouchers also would be extended to students zoned to attend an ASD school. Both sides of the political aisle know ASD is a failed concept. Speaker Cameron Sexton and many conservative lawmakers have discussed it as a failure. State Representative Antonio Parkinson has pointed out its failures for years. In regards to the ASD model, conservatives bemoaned the loss of local control when it was first proposed. For others, it was the lack of resources and not understanding the underpinnings of poverty that concerned policymakers. Both are still accurate today. Tennessee has spent nearly $1 billion on the underperforming schools program. Data shows ASD is not working and has been less effective than district-run schools. Lack of certified teachers and continual teacher turnover are constant issues. Student absentee rate is also higher, and the program has not worked as intended for student achievement. There is no data to support that the program is, or was, or will help all students. The Tennessee General Assembly works best when they hear from Tennesseans on issues that matter most to them. We believe issue advocacy is good, and it is a First Amendment right to express an opinion to policymakers. In education, they need to hear from parents and educators regularly. You can visit the state website at www.tn.gov to contact your legislators. JC Bowman Executive Director of Professional Educators of Tennessee Today is the last day of Tennessees mandatory vehicle emissions testing program (in five of six remaining counties), following legislation proposed by Senator Bo Watson and the late Representative Mike Carter. Motorists in Hamilton, Rutherford, Sumner, Williamson and Wilson counties will no longer be required to have their vehicles inspected beginning Friday. Davidson County will take the same steps as early as Feb. 4.The testing was initially created to meet federal air quality standards outlined in the 1990 Clean Air Act.However, according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, the majority of vehicles today are well within those guidelines because of newer technology and cleaner fuels. Senator Watson and Rep. Carter recognized this and introduced legislation in 2018 to end the state program. Based on these items and legislation passed by the Tennessee General Assembly, the EPA approved a revision to the states air quality plan and agreed to end the testing in August of last year.Lifting any unnecessary burden on the people of Tennessee has been one of my top priorities since becoming elected, said Senator Watson. Though the program had merit when it was created, the majority of cars today exceed regulations. Very few vehicles are not within those standards, and the owners - often the most vulnerable residents - are faced with costly repairs they cannot afford. With the end of the emissions testing, taxpayers can save hard-earned dollars while still upholding our pledge to clean air.Registration renewals for the month of January, in all counties except Davidson, will not require emissions testing after today. Going forward, residents can renew registration annually by submitting only the required information and fees by mail or in person.This marks a tremendous milestone for people across our state who wont have to spend time and money on a program that is no longer needed, and I again want to recognize Rep. Carters commitment to this effort, said Senator Watson. He dedicated himself to finding solutions for people of our great state. While hes no longer with us to mark this significant occasion, Im grateful his wife, Joan Carter, and his family can commemorate this worthy achievement in his absence.For more information or to review the EPA ruling, visit https://www.tn.gov/environment/program-areas/apc-air-pollution-control-home/apc/vehicle-inspection-program1.html. A man found with a machine gun in his car at Cleveland, Tn., last Feb. 3 has been sentenced to serve 30 months in federal prison. David King appeared before Federal Judge Charles E. Atchley Jr. He will be on supervised release for three years after getting out of prison. Prosecutors said a police officer stopped the defendants black Taurus for not having a license plate on display. A silver Mustang that had been in front of the Taurus also pulled over and stopped. The officer asked King if he knew the people in the Mustang. He said he did not, but they had been hanging around his car at the hotel he where he was staying and he thought they put something in his gas tank, so he was following them. The officer observed binoculars and various tools in the front seat of the Taurus. The officer asked if there were any dangerous things in the car. The defendant said he had a gun on the back seat. Other officers arrived and the three Mustang occupants were spoken to. They said the defendant had been following them, but they did not know why. Officers ran a check that revealed the defendant was at that time out on bond on a murder charge and was on an electronic monitor. The defendant was then told to step out of the vehicle and was detained. An officer retrieved the firearm from the backseat floorboard. The firearm was loaded. A separate magazine was found under the drivers seat. King said the machine gun had been handed down in his family and that he had gotten it from his brother about a month prior. After speaking with the on-call Assistant District Attorney General, the officers kept the firearm for further investigation and released the defendant. An ATF Special Agent took possession of the firearm. He fired it and found that it expelled multiple rounds of ammunition with one pull of the trigger. He then sent the firearm to an ATF lab which determined that it was a STEN-type, Model MKII, 9mm Parabellum caliber machinegun, serial number L2240, with two accompanying magazines. King said he had previously fired the machine gun. He was then taken into custody. Congressman Chuck Fleischmann released the following statement after the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) struck down President Bidens vaccine or test mandate for private businesses with over 100 employees. He said, Todays SCOTUS ruling is a victory for the rule of law, the constitutional separation of powers, and freedom. The federal government has no place dictating medical decisions for private businesses or employees without going through the legislative process to obtain Congressional approval. Congress never gave the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) or the Executive Branch the power to create or enforce a vaccine mandate. "I am proud to have joined the amicus brief before the Supreme Court that helped to strike down this unconstitutional mandate. No Tennessean or American should ever fear losing their job and ability to provide for his or her family over the COVID-19 vaccine. 90 Day Fiance: Before the 90 Days star, Ella is eager to meet her Chinese boyfriend, Johnny, after months of talking online. However, fans cant help but notice the red flags in their relationship that could become bigger issues. Here are all of the red flags in Ella and Johnnys relationship. Before the 90 Days Season 5 couple Ella and Johnny | TLC Ella seems to be fetishizing Johnnys Asian culture Ella met her Asian prince, Johnny, on a dating site for Asian men to meet white women. She said, Johnny is from China. He is 34 years old. He has an amazing smile, and his eyes are just perfect. Ella says, My ideal man it would probably be an exact blueprint of my favorite anime crush. He has red hair, green eyes, and a fox demon inside of him. She continues, In real life, of course, hes got to be Asian. She explained that she has a fascination with all things Asian. Ella says, I think Japanese movies were a big inspiration, like the samurai movies. I love just how they looked in their samurai outfits, with their long luscious hair, their eyes, their face, their skin tone. I love everything about them. Some 90 Day Fiance fans are convinced that Ella isnt interested in Johnny and more interested in the fact that hes Asian. Is she fetishizing him? Johnny will have to leave his son and parents in China Another red flag is that Johnny will have to leave his entire family to be with Ella in the United States. Johnny, who is the familys breadwinner, has been supporting his mother and father financially. Also, his son, who lives with his parents, will be there alone without support. Johnny is taking a big risk of quitting his job to go to the US to be with Ella. Hes worried that he wont be able to support his family while hes out of the country. Right now, it appears there wont be a trip because his visa to Singapore was denied. Johnnys plan was to go to a third country, Singapore, and spend two weeks quarantining there before coming to the US to be with Ella. It seems like it could be a red flag that Johnny has to risk everything to go to the US. Is he motivated by his love for Ella, or is he more interested in the green card and opportunities in America? Johnny wants Ella to lose weight Ella admitted that she would like to lose weight. Johnny has been wanting to support her in getting to her goal weight. He said, Although, my biggest concern for the trip, with being healthy, is actually about my girlfriend. In the clip, Johnny goes to a Chinese medicine doctor to talk about his options to help Ella lose weight. He tells the doctor, Im here for my girlfriend. Shes American. And Im trying to help her lose weight. He tells the cameras, My girlfriend, Ella, has a really beautiful face. And her personality, I think is fantastic. I love her. And I love that Im her number one Asian man. However, some 90 Day Fiance fans are concerned that Johnny isnt really happy with her size and is trying to force her into losing weight for him. Johnny explains to the cameras, But Ellas current size, shes kind of a little big. Especially her belly. So if I can help her with weight loss, I think shes going to be become more beautiful and be more healthy. Even Ella admitted that shes worried Johnny is sugar-coating how he actually feels about her appearance. It will be interesting to see if Johnny will make it to the US to meet Ella. Also, will the chemistry be there when they do finally meet? 90 Day Fiance: Before the 90 Days airs Sundays on TLC and discovery+. RELATED: 90 Day Fiance Fans Want Production To Stop With the Uncomfortable and Cringey Sex Scenes Between Couples Ever since her first film appearance, many have looked up to Audrey Hepburn as the picture of elegance and sophistication. Her classic style has drawn just as many admirers as her acting work. Anyone looking to emulate Hepburn can pick up pearls and a pair of oversized sunglasses, but they can also nab the perfumes designed specifically for the actor. Audrey Hepburn | Archive Photos/Getty Images Audrey Hepburn had a specific sense of style Though Hepburn rose to stardom in 1953 with her role in Roman Holiday, much of her style still feels timeless. Her simple wardrobe and elegant clothing would still make sense in the modern era. Hepburn was able to curate her style with help from designer Hubert de Givenchy. Before they were stars in their respective fields, they met and connected. Givenchys clothes are the only ones I feel myself in, Hepburn said, per the New York Times. He is more than a designer, he is a creator of personality. Audrey Hepburn in Rome, Italy on this date January 8 in 1960. Photo by Jim Pringle. #OTD pic.twitter.com/VKBMdRMc9b Dr. Jeffrey Guterman (@JeffreyGuterman) January 8, 2022 Givenchy felt that she was a perfect muse not just because of her look but her warm personality. She was true, honest. From time to time Id say, because she was so thin, Wouldnt it be better if we didnt show your collarbone? And shed say, No, it doesnt bother me, he told the New York Times. As Billy Wilder said, What counts in Audrey is her allure. And she was kind. When the telephone would ring in the studio, I knew when it was her. I would answer and shed say, I know you are busy, but I want to send you a big kiss, and shed hang up. That was Audrey. The actor wore a scent that was designed specifically for her Because of their close relationship, Hepburn agreed to be the face of a Givenchy perfume. I said to her: Im creating this perfume called Interdit, and I want it to be your perfume for all the women in the world. She immediately understood and she said, You can use my picture, he explained. We didnt pay a million dollars for Miss Hepburn to be our brand image. All that happened with truth, friendship. We understood each other. .@ParfumsGivenchy presents LInterdit, its new eau de parfum, a tribute to the iconic fragrance Hubert de Givenchy created for Audrey Hepburn.https://t.co/dGSqsfnaBt#Linterdit #GivenchyBeauty pic.twitter.com/z1A165e4Uk LVMH (@LVMH) September 20, 2018 Givenchy relaunched Interdit in 2018. The scent is floral and woody, with hints of orange blossom, jasmine, and patchouli. Hepburn also wore another specially-designed scent, Creed Spring Flower. She began wearing it in 1951, but it did not become available to the public until 1996. The fragrance combines hints of peach, jasmine, and musk for a unique scent that aims to evoke classic Hollywood. Audrey Hepburn likely also smelled like cigarettes Though she wore these perfumes, Hepburn likely also carried the scent of cigarettes. She smoked heavily, reportedly going through roughly three packs a day. According to Hepburn, she enjoyed the smell of cigarettes because of memories from World War II. Freedom has a special smell to me the smell of English petrol and English cigarettes, she said, per the book Enchantment: The Life of Audrey Hepburn by Donald Spoto. When I ran out to welcome the soldiers, I inhaled their petrol as if it were a priceless perfume and I demanded a cigarette, even though it made me choke. As Hepburn liked to end her days with two fingers of scotch and a cigarette, these scents likely clung to her just as much as her perfume. RELATED: What Does Dolly Parton Smell Like? Jessa Seewald and Ben Seewald are moving into a larger home as their family grows. While the move seems to have been a long time in the making, Duggar family followers have some questions about their new property. Property records suggest that the duo may not own the home that they have been heavily renovating. What exactly is going on. Jessa and Ben Seewald are moving into a new house Jessa and Ben Seewald marred in 2014 and settled into a small starter home not far from the Sprindale, Arkansas compound made famous by 19 Kids and Counting. The 1,000 square foot property had been in the Duggar family for years and served as a starter home for Josh Duggar and his wife, Anna Duggar, too. Seven years and four children later, the Seewalds had seriously outgrown the home. Duggar family followers have even questioned Jessa about why she was still living in the tiny house. Jessa insisted it was by choice, claiming she was sentimental about the living space. Now the family is finally moving. Jessa revealed that she was moving into a 3-bedroom abode. In a lengthy YouTube video, Jessa took viewers thorugh the familys planned renovations. Duggar family critics, however, noticed something strange about the property. Property records suggest the house is owned by a church, not by the couple Jessas YouTube video of the house and her replies to comments about the move have raised a few eyebrows. However, the history of the property that she is calling home might be even more interesting. A Reddit user did some serious sleuthing and found a house that appears to match the description of Jessas new residence. According to the user, property records show the home sits on land owned by a local church. Jessa Duggar, Jinger Duggar, Joy-Anna Duggar, and Jana Duggar | Ida Mae Astute/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images While Jessa Seewald and Ben Seewald may have purchased the home from the church and have opted to remodel it, some critics believe the house is a parsonage. A parsonage is a home a church gives a clergyperson to live in. Ben is currently employed by the church that reportedly owns the property. Recent sale records do not show the property as being on the market recently. Jessa and Bens starter home also has not been listed for sale in the recent past. Private sales, however, are still a possibility. It wouldnt be the first time Jessa has lived in a church-owned property If the property really does belong to the church that employs Ben, it would be nothing new for Jessa. Long before TLC found the Duggar family, they largely subsisted on the kindness of strangers. Over the years, sources who claim to know the Duggar family personally have come forward to reveal how the family lived before the cameras moved in. According to alleged insiders, the family relied heavily on donations. The religious community may have largely subsidized their housing, too. When TLC viewers first met the Duggar family, they lived in a small, three-bedroom house that a local church owned. As Jim Bob Duggar told it, the house was rented to the Duggars by the church because construction on their 7,000 square foot home was incomplete. A post on FreeJinger, a forum dedicated to following families like the Duggars, alleges that Jim Bobs version of events was not entirely true. Instead, an anonymous poster claims the Duggars lived in the house, rent-free for years, as a family in need. The Duggar family has never confirmed that, although Joseph Duggars courtposal suggests it is true. After the Duggar family moved out, the church demolished the house to accommodate other projects. RELATED: Counting On: Are Jessa Duggar and Ben Seewald Planning a Move? Kanye West and Vladimir Putin might have more in common than many people realize. The Grammy-winning rapper is allegedly looking to expand his influence in Russia in 2022, and hopes to use the power of music to do so. Kanye West | Rich Fury/VF20/Getty Images for Vanity Fair Kanye West is allegedly meeting with Vladimir Putin in Russia In early 2022, Billboard reported that West is planning to visit Moscow to look into various business dealings, including putting on a special Sunday Service performance in the Russian capital. Not only that, but he would also meet with President Vladimir Putin himself. Ameer Sudan, a friend and associate of Wests, told Billboard that rapper was planning a trip to Russia with lawyer Scott Balber, who works with the Azerbaijani-Russian billionaire property developer Aras Agalarov and his son Emin. Coincidentally, Emin happens to be a popular music artist in Russia. Kanye Wests associates dont know if hes actually going to Russia While Sudan seemed to reveal plans the rapper was getting involved in, a publicist for West told Rolling Stone the story was Entirely fabricated and a work of fiction or wishful thinking from these Russian people. A publicist for Emin Agalarov, meanwhile, said he could confirm there are talks going on, but didnt elaborate. Sudan estimated that Wests dealings with the Agalarov family would increase the rappers net worth to upwards of $10 billion. As for the Sunday Service performance (which would be Wests first time ever taking a stage in Russia), his team is looking at venues ranging from small city theaters to the Olympic stadium in the middle of Moscow. Regardless of where he performs, West is planning to invite President Putin to the show. Sudan also revealed that West was planning on working on music with Emin in a potential effort to help him garner crossover success in the U.S. Kanye Wests trip to Russia Even though West is a world-famous artist, hell still likely face some logistical difficulties getting both to and from Russia. U.S. citizens are allowed to travel to the large country, but the State Department currently has a level-four do not travel advisory in effect for Americans traveling to Russia. And even if West doesnt run into any diplomatic or bureaucratic snags while in Russia, theres still the ongoing issue of COVID-19 potentially surging in the country; he may even be barred from holding a large event that could become a superspreader. Sudans grasp on the situation might be confusing given the differing answers from various West team members. But he did offer Billboard an accurate description of the one-of-a-kind rapper. This is Ye; Ye is going to get there regardless, he said. 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. RELATED: Kanye West is Launching a Donda Brand of Electronics Porsha Williams is an actress and TV personality who rose to fame on the hit reality series The Real Housewives of Atlanta. In 2021, after nearly a decade on RHOA, Williams departed the series in order to launch her own spinoff show, Porshas Family Matters. Williams love life has long been a hot topic with her fanbase, and for close to a year, Williams has been embroiled in a red-hot romance with the estranged husband of her RHOA co-star, Falynn Guobadia. With Williams and her man engaged and planning to head to the altar soon, many fans are diving deep to discover what they can about Simon Guobadia. When did Porsha Williams and Simon Guobadia start dating? Porsha Williams | Amy Sussman/Getty Images The relationship between Williams and Simon Guobadia started in Season 13 of The Real Housewives of Atlanta, when cast member Falynn Guobadia invited Williams and some other friends over to her house to hang out. Viewers watched as Simon Guobadia, Falynn Guobadias husband, met Williams for the first time, fist-bumping in a cute on-camera moment. In January 2021, Simon Guobadia filed for divorce from his wife. The two seemingly reconciled a few weeks later, but by February of that year, Guobadia filed for divorce a second time. By May, Simon Guobadia was in a relationship with Williams, confirming their romance on social mediamuch to the dismay of some of Williams cast members. After Simon Guobadia and Williams announced their engagement, Williams said that fellow RHOA star Cynthia Bailey was especially shady, refusing to send even a congratulatory text. What is Simon Guobadias net worth? In spite of Williams co-stars not being supportive, Williams and Simon Guobadia remain together to this dayand many fans are wondering if Simon Guobadia is just as loaded as he appears on reality TV. With an estimated net worth of around $40 million, according to Exact Net Worth, Simon Guobadia is truly a very wealthy man. An entrepreneur, producer, and businessman, Simon Guobadia studied at Loyola College Ibada in Nigeria before moving to the United States and enrolling in the University of the District of Columbia. In 1993, Guobadia graduated with a degree in accounting. Some of his early business ventures include working as a tax manager and acting as a film producer for movies such as Jail Dogs, Buckhead Theatre, Kill, and Son of the South. Some of Simon Guobadias most profitable investments have been in restaurants, opening eateries like Simons Restaurant, Buckhead Bottle Bar, and American Cut Steakhouse Atlanta. Currently, according to his LinkedIn profile, Simon Guobadia is the Chief Executive Officer at Simcol Petroleum Limited Company. In his off time, Simon Guobadia is an avid philanthropist, and according to his personal website, he donates regularly to his local faith community, including Northpoint Ministries. How many times has Simon Guobadia been married? #Porsha opened up about her wedding plans with #SimonGuobadia. Simon is selling the 7-bedroom home he shared with his ex-wife #Falynn. #HotTopics pic.twitter.com/wzxQDowgUw Wendy Williams (@WendyWilliams) May 28, 2021 Simon Guobadia might be engaged to Williams, but the businessman has already been married three times previously. Bustle notes that he has five children from three marriages. His first marriage was to Karron English. She and Simon Guobadia were married for two decades, welcoming two children before splitting up. He then entered a partnership with Connie Andrade-Rivera, having a daughter before eventually separating. By that time, he already had two sons named Christian and Benjamin Guobadia, although he has never talked openly about their mother. Simon Guobadia then married Falynn Guobadia. The two did not have any children together and split in early 2021. Now, with Simon Guobadia being engaged to Porsha Williams, some fans believe that their blended family could expand even furthercertainly, Guobadia has the wealth and resources to support such a large crew. RELATED: Nene Leakes Comments on Porsha Williams Getting Engaged to RHOA Co-Stars Ex: It Looks Bad There has been a lot of news coverage and comments about Jisoo and Park Hae-ins latest Korean drama, Snowdrop. Before the K-dramas release in 2021, netizens petitioned for its cancellation over its controversial distortion of historical facts. Snowdrop uses South Koreas history of the Democratic movement of 1987 as a backdrop for its K-drama storyline. Despite the K-dramas slight rise in ratings, South Koreans still see Snowdrop as an insult to the individuals who took part in paving the way for the countrys first democratic elections. [Spoiler alert: This article contains mild spoilers for Snowdrop.] Actors Jisoo and Jung Hae-in for Snowdrop K-drama | via JTBC Snowdrop entails a female college student falling in love with a spy The leaked synopsis online caused the spread of controversy concerning the K-drama. While the production company, JTBC, stated the storyline would differ while filming. After Snowdrops premiere, South Korean fans realized the story still had many elements of distorted history. The Snowdrop K-drama entails a female freshman college student named Eun Young-ro (Jisoo). She meets an economics student from the University of Berlin named Im Soo-ho (Jung Hae-in). They meet again under different circumstances when she finds him wounded, bloodied, and escaping from government officers in her room. As the K-drama used the Democratic Movement of 1987 as a premise, Young-ro is under the impression that Soo-ho is a protestor. She and her friends help hide him from the government, who are, in reality, looking for a North Korean spy. As Young-ro helps Soo-ho mend his wounds, they develop feelings for one another. But their love story becomes betrayal when Soo-ho is revealed to be the spy the government is after. One fan is disappointed over the lack of respect in Snowdrops K-drama storyline RELATED: 4 of Kim Seon-hos Most Recognized K-Dramas in His Career Alongside Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha After the initial controversy over the leaked storyline for Snowdrop, JTBC claimed it would change as the K-drama aired new episodes. One fan on Reddit was disappointed in the cast agreeing to the original script before revisions. Overall, this cast and crew has just been super insensitive to people whose struggle, fight, and loss all play a role in the freedom that they now experience, said the fan. The fan also noted Jisoos character in the K-drama and one of the reasons why the North-South Korean love story angered fans. According to the fan, Jisoos character name was changed. But there was one major issue. Jisoos character name is also the name of a real-life protester whose husband got murdered ( yes murdered ) due to being imprisoned, tortured, and malnourished. The reason he was imprisoned was because he was falsely accused as an NK spy, said the fan. South Koreans have shown their distaste toward using a romance story as the main hook in Snowdrop. In the K-drama, Young-ro, and Soo-ho fall in love at first sight. While the students and Young-ro are aware the government is looking for a spy, Young-ro still believes he is a protestor. As Soo-ho continues his assignment, Young-ros family backstory further complicates things. Fans believe the K-drama is glorifying certain lead characters RELATED: Snowdrop: Kim Mi-soos Most Profound K-Drama Roles Amid Her Death at Age 29 Besides the complex details of the romance story in Snowdrop, Korean fans showed their concern over another issue. They feared the K-drama showed certain characters in a different light. One fan on Reddit explained, To put it into context: What would be your reaction if you saw a romance Netflix Series that portrays the Nazis as somewhat likable and glorifies them? The fan explained that the Central/government intelligence agents tasked with catching North Korean spies in the drama are inaccurate. They are a group who killed SO many innocent peopleespecially young students at the time who were protesting against the oppression, said the fan. Another fan added that the historical events resulted from college students protesting. The dictator at the time was jailing these students on the false reasoning that they were causing social unrests because they were North Korean spies. As the petition to have Snowdrop taken off the air was denied by the Blue House, a new petition has surfaced. According to AllKPop, 30 professors and scholars have asked the president of Disney+ Asia-Pacific to find experts to evaluate the misconstrued historical facts in the drama. Many This Is Us fans were blown away by Sally (Dey Young) and Nickys (Griffin Dunne) reunion in season 6 episode 2. But another character had some viewers doing a double take. The Jan. 11 episode introduced Sallys husband, Eric, and many individuals thought the actor looked familiar. So who plays Eric on This Is Us? Heres everything you need to know about Jeffrey Nordling and whether well see Eric and Sally return to the NBC series in the future. [Warning: This article contains spoilers about This Is Us Season 6 Episode 2.] Jeffrey Nordling plays Eric, Sallys husband, in This Is Us Season 6 Actor Jeffrey Nordling | Jean Baptiste Lacroix/WireImage RELATED: This Is Us: Will 2 Major Characters Die in Season 6? The Series Creator Responds to the Rumors Theres a chance youve seen Nordling before he joined the This Is Us cast to play Eric in season 6 episode 2. The actor has taken on a number of roles throughout the years, including Once & Again, Providence, 24, Desperate Housewives, and Nashville. Meanwhile, Nordling popped up in hit shows like Arrow, Hawaii Five-0, and Suites. Its also likely that you recognize Nordling as Gordon Klein from Big Little Lies and Stan Morrison from Walker. What happened to Sally and Eric in This Is Us Season 6 Episode 2? RELATED: How Many Episodes Is This Is Us Season 6? NBC Wont Shake Up the Schedule for the Last Chapter Nordling had quite the introduction as Eric in This Is Us Season 6 Episode 2, One Big Leap. Uncle Nicky finally found the courage to meet his long-lost love, Sally, with a little help from Rebecca (Mandy Moore) and Miguel (Jon Huertas). But when Nicky reunited with Sally, he found out she married a man named Eric. The moment Nicky discovered that Sally had a husband, he tried to bolt. But in a turn of events, Sally and Eric invited Nicky, Rebecca, and Miguel to the most awkward dinner of all time. Then when everyone sat down for the meal, things started heating up. Rebecca told everyone about her Alzheimers disease. Then she revealed she was still worried about the small stuff. In response, Eric shared that he was constantly scared about the deck he built without permits. He also watched as Nicky admitted that hes pined over Sally for 50 years. But when Sally spoke up, everything started to unravel. Sally said she regretted buying their satellite dish because it caused her husband to hide away in his den. They also stopped communicating because he was so busy watching TV. She also said Eric treated her like a line cook. But despite this blowup, it seemed like Sally and Eric were still destined to continue living their lives together. Nicky moved on and ended up with Edie (Vanessa Bell Calloway). Will Eric and Sally return by the end of This Is Us? RELATED: This Is Us Season 6: Fans Think 1 Detail From the Premiere Proves Kate and Tobys Split Is Coming Soon Now, This Is Us has officially closed the door on Sally and Eric. In an interview with Glamour, director Kay Oyegun and writer Kevin Falls confirmed that episode 2 is the last fans will see from the two new characters. Falls also revealed a deleted scene that showed what happened to Sally and Eric in the end. There was a scene that didnt make it in because we just didnt have that time, which is where we see Eric make a gesture and suggests that he and Sally watch TV together or something like that, Falls said. RELATED: This Is Us Season 6 Episode 3 Preview Teases Big Moments for Kevin, Randall, and Jack Next Week Natural gas can be used as fuel for generating electricity, heating and powering transportation. It is also the raw material to manufacture hydrogen and ammonia. Currently, biogenic and thermogenic processes are the two widely accepted methods for natural gas production. Whereas, high content of CO 2 in gas products is inevitable during these processes, which cannot satisfy the composition requirements of pipeline natural gas. A research group led by Prof. LU Fang from the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics (DICP) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) proposed an efficient catalytic approach to directly transfer solid biomass into natural gas with low carbon footprint. This study was published in Nature Communications on January 11. The researchers prepared a robust catalyst with Ni 2 Al 3 alloy phase, achieving nearly complete conversion of various agricultural and forestry to natural gas. In the conversion process, the total carbon yield of gas products reached up to 93% after several hours, and the catalyst showed powerful processing capability for the production of natural gas during 30 cycles. "Life cycle assessment revealed that the life cycle primary fossil energy depletion and greenhouse gas emissions in this process could be reduced by 26% and 34%, respectively, compared to the fossil-natural gas" said Prof. LU. What's more, bio-natural gas produced from the combined hydrogen with lignocellulosic biomass can be further applied in industry, transportation, and electric power plant by the existing transportation pipelines. This study provides a new guidance for the catalytic transformation of raw biomass. Jim Dreadfulwater, 71 and a longtime teacher at Keys Public Schools, has come out of retirement to teach the Cherokee language at Cave Springs Public Schools. Why vulnerability must take the lead to bring healing to ourselves and others. The deepest pain Ive ever encountered was in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. There, I saw the depravity of mankind up-close. I was there shortly after The Second Congo War, the bloodiest conflict in African history, which claimed the lives of more than 5 million people and shattered the hearts of countless millions more. I walked through villages that had been burned to ashes. I watched helplessly as orphaned children searched for scraps of food. I saw mothers and fathers bury their children, wailing in grief. And I heard stories that haunt me even to this day. But in all this pain, I experienced something profound. In all the trauma of Congo, I also witnessed the power of Jesus Christ to redeem us through our pain. The magnitude of Jesuss healing power was shown to me through a young woman named Moambi. She shared her testimony through a translator, speaking her native Lingala. And while I could not understand her words directly, the grief in her voice as she recounted the horrors of war cut to my soul. She told me about the day her village was attacked. I wont share the atrocious details, but she experienced violence I cannot fathom. By Gods grace, and against all earthly odds, Moambi survived. The day I heard her story, she was sharing it as part of a therapeutic exercise. Psychologists tell us that naming your trauma helps to loosen its hold on your heart. In facing her pain, Moambi was taking her first step on a journey of healing. Something else happens when we open up. Our vulnerability allows us to connect with other people whose hearts are burdened with grief. And in a fallen world where sin and death have ravaged every beautiful thing God has made, every one of us is navigating some level of hurt and trauma. Although we wish we could evade this brokenness, the truth is that our weakness paradoxically can strengthen others. This is what I encountered in Moambi. She challenged me to keep life in perspective. Her words strengthened my soul to trust the God who redeems even the worst of our experiences. In the face of her pain, I felt overwhelmednot by grief but by the radiance of a woman who had found tangible hope on the other side of pain and death. And isnt this the lesson Christ came to teach us? Jesus did not shy away from suffering; He ran toward it. Isaiah prophetically calls the Messiah, Despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief (Isaiah 53:3, ESV). He knew rejection and betrayal. He lamented at the death of a friend. He grieved over the injustice of the world. He prayed with such anguish in his heart that he sweat drops of blood. And ultimately, he bore in his body all the misery our world has to offer, including the unspeakable weight of our sins. Yet through his suffering, we were saved. As Isaiah puts it, with his wounds we are healed (Isaiah 53:5, ESV). Jesus voluntarily took upon himself the role that Moambi was violently forced intothat of the wounded healer. By sharing in our suffering and walking with us through our trauma, Jesus reaches us where we are. If we are to follow Christ and pattern our ministry after His, perhaps it is time to take up the mantle of the wounded healer. Perhaps, like Christand like MoambiChristian leaders ought to lead not with strength, but with powerful vulnerability. In his transformative book The Wounded Healer, Henri Nouwen writes: Who can save a child from a burning house without taking the risk of being hurt by the flames? Who can listen to a story of loneliness and despair without taking the risk of experiencing similar pains in his own heart and even losing his precious peace of mind? In short: Who can take away suffering without entering it? As we enter the new year, I have made a resolution for myselfand I humbly submit it as a challenge to each of you. This year, I resolve to be a wounded healer. I resolve to lead from a place of vulnerability. I resolve to put away my pride, my ego, and any facades of strength. I resolve to listen to the pain of others and to open up about my own experiences so others might find hope in my words. I will lead more like Christ. I will become more like the brave young woman I met in a small village in war-torn Congo so many years agoin the hopes of also being more like Jesus, our Wounded Healer. Will you join me? This season, support the work of the Humanitarian Disaster Institute at Wheaton College, which provides resources like the Spiritual First Aid course for pastors and church leaders. Robert L. Briggs is President and CEO of American Bible Society. China's resort island of Hainan receives over 81 mln tourists in 2021 Xinhua) 16:40, January 13, 2022 HAIKOU, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- More than 81 million domestic and overseas tourists visited south China's tropical island province of Hainan in 2021, up 25.5 percent year on year, which is equivalent to 97.5 percent of the number in 2019, local authorities said Thursday. Hainan's total tourism revenue increased 58.6 percent over the previous year to about 138.4 billion yuan (about 21.7 billion U.S. dollars), up 30.9 percent compared to 2019, according to the provincial department of tourism, culture, radio, television and sports. Last year, Hainan saw the inking of agreements and launch of 32 tourism projects as well as the establishment of over 40 new companies related to tourism, culture and sports. The province reported 49.5 billion yuan of offshore duty-free shopping in 2021, up 80 percent year on year, with more than 70 million items purchased by 6.72 million shoppers. The per capita shopping amount registered in the offshore duty-free shops of Hainan logged 7,368 yuan, an increase of 20.2 percent compared to 2020. China aims to build Hainan into an international tourism and consumption center by 2025 and a globally influential tourism and consumption destination by 2035. (Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun) This piece was adapted from Russell Moores newsletter. Subscribe here. Last week an old video resurfaced on Twitter in which John MacArthur, pastor of Los Angeless Grace Community Church, announced he did not support religious freedom. In the clip, MacArthur argued that supporting religious freedom promotes idolatry and enables the kingdom of darknessthat religious freedom is what sends people to hell. Some reports contend that quote is out of context, fitting as it does in a larger argument. Even so, this kind of argument against religious freedom is a familiar oneusually in reference to somebody elses religion. Years ago, a pastor told me that religious freedom is essentially the affirmation of the words of the Serpent, Ye shall not surely die (Gen. 3:4). To grant religious freedom for false religions, this person contended, is the equivalent of allowing the prophets of Baal have a place of their own on Mount Carmel. These are certainly statements of strong convictionlike propositions of biblical truth to which the only appropriate response should be a loud Amen! That is, until one actually listens to what is being said and hears it for what it is: theological liberalism. Religious freedom, after allwhether as articulated by the early British Baptists, the persecuted Anabaptists of the Reformation era, or the colonial American evangelists and their allieshas never been a You believe in Baal; I believe in God; what difference does it make? kind of pluralism. The question of religious freedom is who should have regulatory power over religion. If you believe religion shouldnt be regulated by the state, then you believe in religious freedom. Thats why denominations with free in their name (like the Free Methodists, for instance)along with those who believe in the necessity of personal repentance and faithhave been the most dogged supporters of religious freedom for all. These groups of people understand that the gospel according to Jesus is not an external affirmation of generic belief, from a heart still untransformed. It is not accepting Christianity as a ticket of admission into society. Rather, the gospel according to Jesus means that there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus (1 Tim. 2:5). One can stand before God at judgment only by union with the crucified and resurrected Jesus Christ. And one can only come into union with Christ by grace through faith (Rom. 3:2131). That faithas defined by Jesus and his apostlesdoes not come through the proxy of a nation or a ruler, or even a religious structure. If that were the case, John the Baptist would not have needed to preach repentance to the descendants of Abraham (Matt. 3:10). Moreover, the apostle Paul could have found no fault in those who served the false gods chosen for them by their national or family traditions (Acts 17:2231). Instead, the gospel addresses each personone by oneas an individual who will stand before the judgment seat of Christ, who will give an account, and who is commanded to personally believe the gospel and repent of their sin (Rom. 10:917). As Jesus said to Nicodemus by night: Truly truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God (John 3:3, ESV). And how does this new birth, this personal receiving of Christ by faith, occur? It does not happen by the changing of a family crest or by a vote of the city council, but through the Spirit opening the heartthrough an open statement of the truth commending itself to each conscience (2 Cor. 4:2). Article continues below Some of the old liberalisms and social gospels of various sorts preferred a different messagea gospel that changed externals and did not demand personal repentance and faith. Under such a gospel, if a country was Christian, then its citizens were Christian too. As long as ones ruler was Christian, then one could count themselves a part of the church. If ones morality was adequately regulated, whether by law or by social custom, then one was a good Christian. Thats all well and goodunless theres a hell. If Jesus is telling the truth that there is a judgment to come, and that no one comes to the Father except through him (John 14:6)that coming to him means not just external behavior but faith in him (6:40)then no legal edict or social pressure could regenerate a human heart. Such things cannot make a person into a real Christian. That is not the gospel of Jesus Christ. Religious freedom is a restriction on the power of the state to set itself up as a mediator between God and humanity. It is not an affirmation of idolatry, just as saying, The government shouldnt take your baby away and raise your children is not an affirmation of bad parenting. Saying parents should raise their children, instead of the government, does not mean everyones parenting is good. It just means thatexcept in very dire and unique situationsparents should raise their children, rather than the state. Religious freedom does not mean that everyones religion is true. All it means is that God judges the heart and that people must really believe in their heart that Jesus is Lord, instead of saying, Lord, Lord merely because they are required to do so by law. If there is no religious freedom, then ultimate matters arent up for consideration by personsonly by majorities. If youre in 19th-century Denmark, its already decided for you that you are Lutheran. If youre in the 20th-century Soviet Union, its already decided that youre a Marxist atheist. If youre in 21st-century Saudi Arabia, youre a Muslimno questions asked. That might be a way for the state to indoctrinate its citizens, but it is not the gospel of Jesus Christ. If religious freedom is wrong, not only do majorities decide religious affiliation, but they also dictate the scope of whats permitted in deviating from that religious affiliation. Does anyone really believe that Los Angeles would adopt Calvinistic dispensationalist Christianity? No one believes that, including, or maybe especially, John MacArthurwho just spent almost two years going back and forth in court with the state of California about the freedom of his church to meet in spite of COVID-19 regulations, arguments he made on the grounds of religious liberty. If California were to decide that the official state religion is Zen Buddhism, I would be willing to wager that Grace Community Church would not stop preaching the gospel. Nor should they. Thats religious freedom. And I would further wager that if the state of California were to vote in its legislature that every citizen of the state is a good Christian, Grace Community Church would not stop calling their neighbors to repent and believe, personally, in Christ. Thats religious freedom. We believe in religious freedom not because we believe in freedom on its own terms, but because we believe in the exclusivity of Christ and in the power of the gospel. We believe there is one name under heaven whereby we must be savedand that name is not Caesar or Ayatollah or assistant secretary for civic affairs. We believe in religious freedom because we know what Jesus has given us to fight against the kingdom of darknessthe sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. We believe in religious freedom because theres no civil substitute for the gospel of Christ. We believe in religious freedom because we want to persuade our neighbors to be reconciled to Godnot so they wont be fined by the earthly government, but so they will find eternal life in the heavenly kingdom. So that they wont end up in hell. Russell Moore leads the Public Theology Project at Christianity Today. [ This article is also available in espanol. ] Pastors face unique difficulties inherent in their career, but what are their greatest needs? Pastors themselves say theyre most concerned about seeing their churchgoers grow spiritually and making connections with those outside of their churches. After speaking directly with pastors to gather their perspectives on their ministry and personal challenges, Lifeway Research surveyed 1,000 US pastors for the 2022 Greatest Needs of Pastors study to discover what they see as their most pressing issues. The pre-existing challenges of ministry were amplified by COVID, and its important we lean in and listen closely to pastors, said Ben Mandrell, president of Lifeway Christian Resources. This project has shed light on critical needs they have and will point the way forward in how we partner with them to fuel their ministries and improve their health in multiple areas. Scott McConnell, executive director of Lifeway Research, said his team began the study by speaking with more than 200 pastors, asking them to think beyond the current pandemic-related struggles and share some of the enduring needs of pastors and their churches today. Their responses to the challenges they face and the areas that are most important for them were then presented to more than 200 additional pastors, explained McConnell. Based on those responses, 1,000 pastors were asked about almost four dozen needs to measure the extent to which each is something they need to address today. Of the 44 needs identified by pastors and included in the study, 17 were selected by a majority as an issue they need to address. Developing leaders and volunteers: 77% Fostering connections with unchurched people: 76% Peoples apathy or lack of commitment: 75% Consistency in personal prayer: 72% Friendships and fellowship with others: 69% Training current leaders and volunteers: 68% Consistency of Bible reading not related to sermon or teaching preparation: 68% Trusting God: 66% Relationships with other pastors: 64% Consistency in taking a Sabbath: 64% Stress: 63% Personal disciple making: 63% Confessing and repenting from personal sin: 61% Consistency exercising: 59% Avoiding overcommitment and over-work: 55% Challenging people where they lack obedience: 55% Time management: 51% The number and breadth of needs pastors are currently facing is staggering, said McConnell. All seven spiritual needs asked about on the survey are a current concern for most pastors, as well as practical, mental, self-care, skill-development, and needs around ministry difficulties. Clearly pastors are not looking for shortcuts and are taking their roles as spiritual leaders in their church seriously. The 44 identified needs fall into seven broader categories. Subsequent releases in Lifeway Researchs 2022 Greatest Needs of Pastors study will explore each of the categories and the related needs specifically. Single greatest need When asked to narrow down their list to the single greatest need requiring their attention, pastors responses varied. At least one pastor surveyed picked each of the 44 possible needs, while 23 needs garnered at least 2 percent of pastors. Eight needs were chosen by more than 3 percent of pastors, and one reached double digits. Peoples apathy or lack of commitment: 10% Personal disciple making: 9% Fostering connections with unchurched people: 8% Developing leaders and volunteers: 7% Establishing a compelling vision: 5% Technology: 4% Consistency in personal prayer: 4% Consistency exercising: 4% When asked to prioritize their own greatest need, pastors tend to put the needs of their churchs ministry ahead of personal needs, said McConnell. Personally making disciples, developing leaders, connecting with those outside the church and mobilizing the people in their church are the most common greatest needs and are among the most common needs pastors want to make a priority. Pastoral help When thinking about getting help with their needs, pastors want to hear from their fellow clergy who have been through the same struggles. Three in four US pastors (75%) say they would be interested in getting advice or guidance on the issues they are facing from other pastors who have already been through those problems. Similar numbers (74%) would like to hear from those who understand churches like theirs. Another 70 percent would listen to other pastors who are currently facing the same needs. Slightly fewer (57%) want to hear from experts on those types of needs. Older pastors are the least likely to say theyd like advice from any of those sources. The most monumental needs of pastors are not new to this generation of pastors, said McConnell. They know other pastors and pastors who have gone before them are best positioned to understand and help them with the wide variety of ministry and personal needs a pastor faces. Still, previous Lifeway Research shows not all pastors are actively seeking out advice from their fellow clergy. More than 8 in 10 US Protestant pastors say they feel supported by other pastors in their area. Fewer than half (46%), however, know and spend time with 10 or more other local pastors, according to a 2020 Lifeway Research survey. Most pastors (54%) have those relationships with fewer than 10 other area clergy, including 1 in 20 (5%) who arent connected with any area pastors and 8% who have relationships with only one or two other ministers. Pastors may also look to retired pastors for advice and wisdom for navigating common challenges. A 2019 Lifeway Research study of retired Protestant pastors, ministers, and missionaries found some have struggled with the transition into retirement and are looking for ways to serve and connect with others. More than 4 in 5 retired ministry workers (86%) say they have continued to make new friends in recent years, but 29 percent admit they feel lonely or isolated. When asked what resources would most help them with their relationships today, most say they want to make additional ministry connections: 25 percent say making friends who have similar experience in ministry, 23 percent making friends who live near me, 20 percent relating to a church in which I am not in leadership, and 17 percent making friends who have had similar experience in leadership. Retired pastors and other ministry workers still want to serve the church, said McConnell. When Lifeway Research asked them how ministries could best serve those like them who are retired from full-time ministry, the most common response was to provide them with opportunities to serve or minister (16%). Current pastors looking for guidance may find retired pastors ready and willing to help. The phone survey of 1,000 Protestant pastors was conducted March 30 April 22, 2021. The sample provides 95 percent confidence that the sampling error does not exceed plus or minus 3.1 percent. 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. Number of abortion clinics in US increased slightly in 2021: report The number of abortion clinics in the United States slightly increased in 2021, though it remains well below what it was in the 1990s, according to a new report from the pro-life activist organization Operation Rescue. In a report released Tuesday, the advocacy group found that 27 abortion clinics closed or quit performing abortions in 2021, while 41 were opened, making a total of 720 abortion clinics nationwide. The 720 total in 2021 was slightly higher than the 706 reported in 2020. However, it remains well below the record 2,176 abortion clinics that operated in 1991. Although there was an increase in facilities, the number of facilities that perform surgical abortions has continued to decline, while facilities that provide abortion-inducing drugs, or chemical abortions, continue to grow. "Surgical abortion facilities are still the most numerous and the most profitable, so when they shut down, it is great news that means lives are being saved," Operation Rescue President Troy Newman said in a statement. "However, with the increase in abortion pill distribution points and the added approval by the current administration of allowing abortion drugs to be distributed by mail, this year's survey results are a mixed [bag] of good news and bad." In 2021, Texas passed a law that prohibited most abortions after an unborn baby's heartbeat could be detected, generally around six weeks into a pregnancy. Known as the Texas Heartbeat Abortion Act or Senate Bill 8, the law is unique because it's enforced through private citizens being given financial incentives to sue abortion providers or anyone who helps a pregnant woman obtain an illegal abortion. The law has been the subject of much litigation from both clinics and the Biden administration, with the U.S. Supreme Court allowing it to remain in effect for the time being. Texas saw an increase in abortion providers, despite the implementation of the Heartbeat Abortion Act and a reported decline in abortion procedures in the state. "It is believed that abortionists are holding out despite lost revenue, with the hope that the Texas Heartbeat Act will be blocked in a lower court," the Operation Rescue report states. The report comes days before the Jan. 22 March for Life in Washington, D.C., the largest annual gathering of pro-life activists in the country. Notable speakers for the event include actor Kirk Cameron, Lisa Robertson of the reality show "Duck Dynasty," Alliance Defending Freedom attorney Kristen Waggoner and multiple members of U.S. Congress. "We are delighted to welcome these incredible speakers to the March for Life," March for Life President Jeanne Mancini said in a statement. "Americans everywhere know that unborn children deserve equal rights and protection under the law. We expect this year's March for Life to be historic with even higher levels of enthusiasm from participants." Data released by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in November showed that the number of abortions in the U.S. increased for a second consecutive year in 2019 after nearly a decade in decline. The CDC's "Abortion Surveillance Report" is based on data provided by 47 of the 50 states and New York City but does not include data from California, Maryland and New Hampshire. The data shows that 625,346 abortions were performed in the reporting areas in 2019, representing a 1.7% increase from the abortions reported in 2018. George O. Wood, former Assemblies of God leader, dies after 4 month battle with cancer George O. Wood, the former general superintendent of the Assemblies of God who saw the Pentecostal denomination grow considerably at a time when most religious groups in the United States were in decline, passed away from cancer at age 80. The Assemblies of God posted an announcement that Wood had died on Wednesday, less than five months after he was diagnosed with stage four cancer in his esophagus. Wood had attempted chemotherapy treatments at Siteman Care Center in St. Louis, but cancer spread to his liver and vertebrae. His condition worsened earlier this week when he contracted pneumonia. Doug Clay, Assemblies of Gods current general superintendent, said in a statement Wood had tremendous intellect but never depended on that at the expense of being led by the Spirit. He had a unique ability to open doors for young people, women, and ethnic minorities by providing them a meaningful seat at the table, Clay said. Each leadership decision he made was always processed through Scripture. He made my love for the Bible even richer. His legal credentials gave him a unique perspective to address cultural issues with biblical clarity. Born in 1941 to missionary parents George Roy Wood and Elizabeth Weidman, George O. Wood earned an undergraduate degree at Evangel University in Springfield, Missouri, a doctoral degree in pastoral theology at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California, as well as a juris doctorate at Western State University College of Law in Fullerton, California. Wood was ordained by the Southern Missouri District in 1967 and served as assistant superintendent of the Southern California District from 1988-1993. Wood pastored Newport-Mesa Christian Center of Costa Mesa, California, for 17 years and served as general secretary of the Assemblies for 14 years before being elected general superintendent in August 2007, serving until 2017. During his tenure, the Assemblies of God saw considerable growth in both membership and number of member congregations, while other Protestant denominations in the United States saw a decline in both areas. In 2011, for example, the Assemblies of God planted 368 new churches in the U.S. via the Church Multiplication Network, a department in the organizations National Leadership and Resource Center. Steve Pike, the national director of the Church Multiplication Network, told The Christian Post in an interview in January 2012 that Woods leadership was a factor in the successful growth. Dr. Wood didnt stop with just saying that starting churches was a value, Pike said. He took a hard look at our organization and recognized that our actions were not lined up with our values. So he set in motion a serious effort to realign our actions with our stated values. In 2014, in response to growing racial tensions in the U.S., Wood joined with the predominantly black Pentecostal denomination the Church of God in Christ, Inc. to observe Black Lives Matter Sunday. The lives of all people are precious to God, of course, but at the present moment, many of our black brothers and sisters in COGIC and the AG feel that their lives are not highly valued by many in white America, stated Wood at the time. Whatever your opinion of those controversial decisions, can we stand with our brothers and sisters and affirm the value of black lives generally and of their lives specifically? Samuel Rodriguez, a California Assemblies of God pastor who heads the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference, tweeted that Woods impact on the Assemblies of God and his personal life is immeasurable. My heart is broken over the passing of my dear friend George O. Wood, Rodriguez wrote. My thoughts and prayers are with his loved ones and our Assemblies of God family that he loved and lead so well. Wood leaves behind his wife of 56 years, Jewel, his son, George Paul Wood, daughter, Evangeline Hope Zorehkey, and their families. 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. Supreme Court blocks COVID-19 vaccine mandate for businesses, allows mandate for health workers The U.S. Supreme Court has blocked the Biden administrations COVID-19 vaccine mandates for large businesses that took effect this week while allowing another mandate for healthcare workers to proceed. In a pair of per curiam decisions released Thursday, the high court offered a mixed message on President Joe Bidens efforts to mandate vaccination against COVID-19. In the case of Ohio et al v. Occupational Safety and Health Administration, et al., the Supreme Court issued a temporary stay blocking a requirement for businesses with 100 or more employees to require their employees to get vaccinated or tested regularly. Applicants are likely to succeed on the merits of their claim that the Secretary lacked authority to impose the mandate, the ruling states. Administrative agencies are creatures of statute. They accordingly possess only the authority that Congress has provided. The Secretary has ordered 84 million Americans to either obtain a COVID19 vaccine or undergo weekly medical testing at their own expense, the ruling added. This is no everyday exercise of federal power. Justices Stephen Breyer, Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan dissented from the unsigned opinion in the Ohio case, arguing that the employee mandate was a valid response to the dangers of the coronavirus. In our view, the Courts order seriously misapplies the applicable legal standards. And in so doing, it stymies the Federal Governments ability to counter the unparalleled threat that COVID19 poses to our Nations workers, they argued. Acting outside of its competence and without legal basis, the Court displaces the judgments of the Government officials given the responsibility to respond to workplace health emergencies. In the case of Biden et al v. Missouri, et al., the high court concluded that healthcare facilities that wish to participate in Medicare and Medicaid have always been obligated to satisfy a host of conditions that address the safe and effective provision of healthcare, not simply sound accounting. Vaccination requirements are a common feature of the provision of healthcare in America: Healthcare workers around the country are ordinarily required to be vaccinated for diseases such as hepatitis B, influenza, and measles, mumps, and rubella, noted the per curiam opinion. We accordingly conclude that the Secretary did not exceed his statutory authority in requiring that, in order to remain eligible for Medicare and Medicaid dollars, the facilities covered by the interim rule must ensure that their employees be vaccinated against COVID19. Justice Clarence Thomas authored a dissenting opinion. He was joined by Justices Samuel Alito, Neal Gorsuch and Amy Coney Barrett. Thomas argued that the government failed to justify its mandate. These cases are not about the efficacy or importance of COVID19 vaccines. They are only about whether [the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services] has the statutory authority to force healthcare workers, by coercing their employers, to undergo a medical procedure they do not want and cannot undo, wrote Thomas. Because the Government has not made a strong showing that Congress gave CMS that broad authority, I would deny the stays pending appeal. Last September, President Joe Biden announced that there would be federally enforced mandates requiring vaccination against COVID-19 for both government workers and the private sector. The federal rules would allow for certain exemptions, excluding employees of the U.S. Postal Service, members of Congress, businesses with fewer than 100 workers, and, in principle, individuals who had a valid religious or medical reason. Critics argued the mandates were examples of federal overreach and also failed to adequately respect religious objections to the COVID-19 vaccine. As a result, multiple lawsuits were filed against the mandates as they were announced and took effect, with the challenges from states and others having mixed results. Presbyterian pastor accused of covering up abuse of 15 kids placed on leave by denomination The Reformed Presbyterian Church has placed an Indiana pastor on leave as it investigates accusations of covering up sexual abuse involving minors in his congregation. Pastor Jared Olivetti of Immanuel Reformed Presbyterian Church in West Lafayette will go through an ecclesiastical trial in the Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America and must refrain from exercising his duties as pastor pending the result, according to the denominations synod judicial commission. By imposing this requirement, the SJC in no way pre-judges the case, but acknowledges the gravity of the accusations against Mr. Olivetti, said a letter sent by the commission, according to IndyStar. The incidents of abuse took place on and off church property between spring 2019 and March 2020, according to the news outlet, which revealed that eight victims from multiple families reported over- and under-clothes touching, oral-genital contact and penetration by a boy at the church. The boy is a relative of Olivetti, who, along with some other elders, failed to act with urgency, said the news outlet, which investigated the sexual abuse last month. The pastor didnt immediately recuse himself but used his leadership position to interfere with the churchs response, according to the probe. Many church members told the news outlet that elders chose to publicly minimize the nature of the incidents and protected their pastor over the congregations children. Were not sending a report up, Olivetti told the pastor of a neighboring church in July 2020. Its not going to be in our regular session minutes. Its going to be in a different (record), he was quoted as saying. An ecclesiastical judicial commission, formed in late 2020, investigated the accusations and found that the pastor used undue, excessive, or improper influence to shape the churchs response, among other findings. Olivetti has written for ChurchLeaders.com and GentleReformation.com, The Roys Report noted, adding that he also wrote an article based on one of his sermons on the need to exercise authority in a godly manner lest leaders endanger the vulnerable and enable the wicked. Olivettis trial is likely to begin in March. This week in Christian history: Quaker founder dies, Lutheran Synod president ordained Throughout the extensive history of the Church, there have been numerous events of lasting significance. Each week brings anniversaries of impressive milestones, unforgettable tragedies, amazing triumphs, memorable births, notable deaths and everything in between. Some of the events drawn from over 2,000 years of history might be familiar, while other happenings might be previously unknown by most people. This week Jan. 9 to Jan. 15 marks the anniversary of Fabian becoming pope, the ordination of the first president of The Lutheran ChurchMissouri Synod and the death of the founder of the Quaker movement. 1 2 3 4 Next Sadie Robertson 'exhausted' amid battle with flu and COVID-19 Christian speaker and author Sadie Robertson Huff revealed she's had a rough start to the new year, battling both the flu and COVID-19 while dealing with a rodent issue in her home, forcing her to preach at the Passion 2022 conference digitally. On social media, the 24-year-old "Duck Dynasty" star described the start of her new year as "quite interesting," as she contracted both COVID-19 and the flu, otherwise known as "flurona." "It started off by me getting FLURONA (flu + covid) (yikes), Huff wrote on Instagram alongside a video clip of her husband, Christian Huff, holding their daughter, Honey James, as they both waved to her from outside of a window. The Live Original author is a regular speaker at the annual Passion conference and was slated to speak at this year's event, held Jan. 2-3 in Atlanta, Georgia. However, she was unable to attend the conference in person due to her illness. I was so bummed to miss [P]assion, she added. But I was so thankful that God gave me the strength to still preach my message to an empty room despite being so sick." Huff preached a message titled Who is God? from a remote location in Atlanta, and the message was streamed at the conference. Her message centered on the topic of identity, an issue she acknowledged is highly relevant in a social-media-obsessed age. "Were trying to take all these personality tests to lead us and guide us through our lives instead of leaning on the Holy Spirit," she told the Passion audience. Were scrolling through social media trying to figure out answers to these massive questions about who we are, looking at TikTok, looking at Snapchat articles, trying to figure out, 'Who am I? instead of really leaning into the voice of God, Huff said. She added that though she appreciates personality tests like the Enneagram and MyersBriggs, she seeks to find her identity first and foremost in Christ. Because what happens is, when I say that those things are what I identify with, it excuses me to not have to be what Im called to be," she said. "I'll say I have a very fearful personality. Im just going to be afraid because thats who I am. Thats how I was created. This is my identity.' But the Word of God said: Youve not been given a spirit of fear, but of power, love and self-control. On social media, Huff revealed her home also saw a rat infestation at the top of the year, forcing her family to stay elsewhere. "As we were on our way home from ATL we got a call that we have a couple of rats invading our home and those little guys are doing some workkk. So we couldn't go home," she wrote. It's disgusting and we are exhausted from getting over sickness and being out of our home." "So here we are floating around trying to make the most of it. Thankful to be healthy now. Lord, help us to consider it joy! P.s. I'm sad to say Ratatouille the movie hits different now," she concluded. The popular speaker also contracted COVID-19 while pregnant in 2020. At the time, she opened up about her experience, calling it "the hardest thing" to happen during her pregnancy. "Seriously, my heart goes out to every single pregnant person with COVID and everybody with COVID," Huff shared. "They were telling me at the hospital, they were like, 'Man, people have to deliver with it.' I can't even imagine." Ive learned a lot and I have been challenged in a lot of new ways, she noted. I will say my dependency on Jesus has never felt greater in some of the hardest moments of this sickness. Im thankful I serve a savior who is with me in these moments that feel rather lonely. Emporia, KS (66801) Today Cloudy skies early, followed by partial clearing. High 62F. Winds N at 10 to 20 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy this evening, then becoming cloudy after midnight. Low 46F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph. Congregations leave Reformed Church in America to form new denomination amid LGBT debate After months of preparation, a theologically conservative denomination has broken away from the Reformed Church in America, with 43 congregations joining the new body on New Years Day. Known as the Alliance of Reformed Churches, the new denomination was created as the RCA continues to deal with a debate over its official stance on LGBT issues. Dan Ackerman, director of Organizational Leadership at ARC, wrote in a blog post last June that there were three primary convictions that led to the formation of the new denomination. The Bible as understood within Reformed theology its understanding of God, sin and the world provides a thoughtful faith that can engage people facing todays uncertainties, wrote Ackerman at the time. The mission of Jesus in the world, entrusted to the local church, can be better served by a more agile form of ministry and governance than what weve inherited from the 1500s. The nature of the organization is to hold a high value on congregational mission and vision so that the organization provides added value to its congregations while, in turn, receiving its funding from those same congregations as partners, Ackerman continued. Jeff Walton of the theologically conservative think tank Institute on Religion & Democracy noted in a blog post published Wednesday that the number of churches leaving the RCA for the ARC represents about 5% of the denomination. Now the realignment that began in the Episcopal Church, Presbyterian Church (USA), and Evangelical Lutheran Church in America is reaching the Dutch Reformed but without the lawsuits and acrimony that characterized some of those prior splits, wrote Walton. Delegates to the RCA General Synod in October approved recommendations that allow transferring churches to retain assets and church buildings. In recent years, there has been much debate in the RCA over whether the denomination should become accepting of homosexuality and same-sex marriage. In July, an earlier task force known as Vision 2020 recommended a restructuring of the RCA, believing that the debate over sexual ethics was part of a broader trend of division. There have been numerous points, especially in the last 70 years, where the RCA has been at an impasse. Points of disagreement and tension have included differences of views on things like ecumenical partnerships, social justice/political involvement, merging with another denomination, communism, internal restructuring, stated the Vision 2020 report. This means we currently face something we have previously weathered, but it also means that we are likely to be here again if we do not find a way to handle conflict differently. At its general synod last October, the denomination voted to create a task force that would consider proposals to resolve the debate within the approximately 186,000-member RCA. Assemblies of God Leader Acknowledges Some 'Strange Fire' Among Pentecostals, Charismatics Dr. George O. Wood Issues Statement After John MacArthurs' Anti-Charismatic Conference Dr. George O. Wood, general superintendent of the Assemblies of God, which claims over 66 million Pentecostals worldwide, acknowledged in a letter addressing Pastor John MacArthur's Strange Fire conference that "there have been isolated aberrations of behavior and doctrine over the past century among those who self-identify as Pentecostal or charismatic." Wood insisted, however, that "the movement as a whole has proved a vital force in world evangelization." Dr. Wood, general superintendent of The General Council of the Assemblies of God and also chairman of the World Assemblies of God Fellowship, issued a letter on AG.org in the wake of the Strange Fire conference that brought about 4,000 people to Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, Calif., over a week ago. The conference, hosted by Pastor MacArthur and featuring other speakers, such as R.C. Sproul, Conrad Mbewe, Steve Lawson and others, called out what the California minister deems as "unacceptable worship" among the Charismatic movement. "Dr. MacArthur believes that the miraculous gifts of the Spirit ceased with the close of the Apostolic Era and that the Pentecostal and charismatic movements are therefore theologically aberrant at a foundational level," Wood's said in his statement. The general superintendent went on to outline New Testament passages that support Pentecostal beliefs in the ongoing gifts of the Holy Spirit, some of which include speaking in tongues (glossolalia) and interpreting tongues, prophesying, and divine physical healings. Wood continued: "While there have been isolated aberrations of behavior and doctrine over the past century among those who self-identify as Pentecostal or charismatic, the movement as a whole has proved a vital force in world evangelization a fulfillment of the promise Jesus made to His disciples in Acts 1:8. On behalf of the 66 million adherents and 360,000+ churches in the World Assemblies of God Fellowship, I thank God that the faith and life of the Acts 2 church are still being believed and experienced today. "The Assemblies of God celebrates 100 years in 2014 and remains committed to the full authority of God's Word. As a founding member of the National Association of Evangelicals, the Assemblies of God has sought to cooperate in the Great Commission with Christians of like-minded faith, even when they are not Pentecostal and charismatic and we remain committed to that collaboration. "We trust the time will come when Dr. John MacArthur and those who share his perspective will acknowledge the great contribution that Pentecostals and Charismatics are making in the evangelization of individuals without Christ. We pray God's blessings on their efforts to share His gospel with a lost and dying world. Pentecostals and charismatics are their co-laborers in this effort so we ask that they would similarly pray for God's blessing on us as we seek to fulfill the Great Commission that God has given us all." Read Dr. Wood's statement in full regarding the Strange Fire conference here (pdf). Pastor MacArthur, whose Strange Fire conference unfolded Oct. 16-18, said at the onset of the controversial conference that he and other speakers would be addressing "the false worship" he believes has been coming out of the Charismatic movement. MacArthur's new book, Strange Fire: The Danger of Offending the Holy Spirit With Counterfeit Worship, addresses the same issues. "What I'm talking about is the Charismatic movement that offers to God unacceptable worship, distorted worship. It blasphemes the Holy Spirit. It attributes to the Holy Spirit even the work of Satan. People are caught up in it, deceived, led astray," MacArthur has said. During the conference, which was accessed during a live online stream by viewers in more than 170 countries, there were at least 15 different talks given by the various guests, which can be accessed at Tmstrangefire.org. In one of MacArthur's talks, titled "An Appeal to Charismatic Friends," the Calvinist theologian insisted that the Strange Fire conference was for "the true Church" so that they can "discern, be protected from error and be a source of truth for others outside the Church." He went on to claim that the Charismatic movement was "alien," led by the greater culture, seeker-driven and depreciates and diminishes the glorious way the Holy Spirit worked in the foundation of the church, The Christian Post previously reported. "The broader Charismatic movement has opened the door to more theological error than any other doctrinal aberration in this modern day," MacArthur added. The minister has called on "people in the traditional Pentecostal movement who love Christ" to speak out against "the aberrations, the heresies, the terrible, terrible kind of manipulation and deception that many in the Charismatic movement have been able to pull off on unwitting people." As the Pew Research Center's Religion and Public Life Project reports, in citing the Center for the Study of Global Christianity, there are 279 million Pentecostal Christians and 305 million Charismatic Christians in the world. In addition to denominational Pentecostals, Christians of other traditions and expressions, such as Roman Catholic, Orthodox and Calvinist/Reformed adherents, also believe in the ongoing charismatic gifts of the Holy Spirit. Religious freedom scholars divided on 'Fairness for All' LGBT rights bill: 'Step in the right direction' Two scholars shared conflicting views about a proposed compromise bill that would codify a ban on LGBT discrimination into federal law while protecting the religious freedom of faith-based organizations and individuals, with one warning that it has the practical working out of driving religious freedom further and further to the fringes of society. In a Wednesday panel discussion hosted by the Religious Freedom Institute titled Institutional Religious Freedom: Exploring Contemporary Policy Challenges, scholars Stanley Carlson-Thies and David Trimble debated the merits and pitfalls of the Fairness for All Act. The legislation is billed as an alternative to the controversial Equality Act. It would enshrine nondiscrimination protections for the LGBT community into law while establishing some protections for religious organizations that wish to abide by their traditional views about marriage and sexuality. Introduced by Rep. Chris Stewart, R-Utah, the bill has attracted 21 cosponsors in the U.S. House of Representatives, all Republicans. It has yet to come up for a vote in the Democrat-controlled House, which instead passed the Equality Act. The U.S. Senate has yet to vote on the Equality Act, which is vehemently opposed by conservatives and religious liberty advocates. The Fairness for All Act has gained the support of some prominent Christian organizations, such as the National Association of Evangelicals and the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities, but has also drawn criticism from Christian conservative advocacy groups who fear it will codify a radical gender ideology. Carlson-Thies, the founder and senior director of the Center for Public Justices Institutional Religious Freedom Alliance, played a part in crafting the Fairness for All Act framework. The idea of the bill is to amend federal civil rights laws to do two things at the same time. One of them is, for the first time, offer general protection for LGBT people in civil rights laws, federal civil rights laws, but at the same time to expand the protections for religious exercise in religious organizations, Carlson-Thies said. He pointed to similar legislation in Utah, passed in 2015, as the inspiration for the Fairness for All Act. The federal proposal has secured the support of all four of Utahs Republican Congressmen. Fairness For All requires proponents of LGBT civil rights to admit that people who disagree with them on a religious basis also have rights, Carlson-Thies said. The bill also requires proponents of traditional moral values to accept that, of course, there shouldnt be invidious discrimination against people because theyre gay or transgender. The scholar, who served on the White House Office of Faith-Based & Community Initiatives during the George W. Bush administration and President Barack Obamas Advisory Council on Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships, characterized the bill as an effort to have civil rights law to protect [the LGBT community] in the right places as long as we also protect religious freedom, religious institutional rights. And that would be the rights of people who have a different view about human sexuality and marriage, for example, he said. Carlson-Thies likened the management of conflicting interests between LGBT activists and religious organizations to the existing management of conflicting interests between various religious groups. Catholics, for example, with particular views about God, the world, human nature, relationships, he said. Muslims have other particular views about these things. And both Catholics and Muslims seek legal protection to be able to live consistently with their beliefs in their personal lives and through organizations, whether thats houses of worship or schools and charities, Carlson-Thies added. But as with classical religious freedom, we have to accept that the government is not going to establish our views as the correct ones although theyll protect our freedom to exercise those beliefs. Trimble, the Religious Freedom Institutes vice president for public policy and director of the Center for Religious Freedom Education, described the legislative effort as a step in the right direction but lamented that it comes up short with respect to the central role that religious freedom holds in society according to our founders. As we understand it today, sexual orientation and gender identity ideology as it is presented, understood and even proposed in the current pieces of legislation, still represses religion, Trimble, a lawyer who previously worked with the Washington, D.C.-based firm Van Scoyoc Associates, warned. It in effect has the practical working out of driving religious freedom further and further to the fringes of society. Trimble argues that religious freedom is an inalienable human right from the First Amendment that was not intended to be on the defensive. And yet, I find it there, certainly within the Equality Act even in Fairness For All, I find religious freedom on the defensive and this concerns me, Trimble, who holds a master of divinity from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Texas, said. We seem to have adopted a posture, an automatic defaulting to a posture of narrow exceptions for religious freedom, a kind of leave-us-alone mentality, a kind of siloed approach. Carlson-Thies predicted that if the Fairness for All Act became law, secular public schools would take on the current view that theres no moral difference between different forms of sexuality and marriage although the public institutions would be bound in some way to respect students and staff committed to traditional views. Carlson-Thies suggested there could be an opt-out in certain teaching modules so teachers would not have to affirm ideas they feel violate their religious convictions. He stressed that the bill would be very explicit that private religious schools would be legally protected in teaching not just about religion but about a conservative view of sexuality and marriage. Of course, they would teach theres a certain new legal definition, but this is what we think God says about sexuality and marriage, he said. Fairness For All would guarantee that religious agencies can maintain their religious-based practices of selecting and certifying appropriate homes in placing children but also making sure that LGBT people and couples have access to adoption and foster care services that will work for them, he added. And I mean not just say that they have a right but make sure through specific policies that theres access. Carlson-Thies defended what he viewed as the most controversial aspect of the bill, which addresses secular companies with religious and moral views that would like the companys culture and practices to mirror those views. Under the Fairness for All Act, a religious business owner would not be able to fire somebody or refuse to hire somebody because theyre gay or transgender. He justified this provision as consistent with what we do with respect to religion right now. The Muslim owner of a company, for example, cannot refuse to hire Hindus or evangelicals just because of the difference of religion. And a Catholic owner of a company has to reasonably accommodate the needs of Muslims, Seventh-day Adventists who have a different day of worship than Sunday even though thats not the belief of the owner. So, I think thats kind of what would happen here with Fairness For All. Carlson-Thies rejected the claim that protecting LGBT rights in federal civil rights while also protecting religious exercise and religious organizations amounts to affirming the LGBT perspective. He characterized the proposed law as a way of protecting people who disagree with that perspective and providing a peaceful and safe way for people to live together despite being so far apart in their views. Trimble argues that if he is reading the First Amendment correctly, the framers understood religious freedom as a core component of public life, a core component of our democracy, a lynchpin that strengthens all of the other fundamental freedoms. He reiterated that while Fairness For All gets us closer, its not there. It still compromises this core role that religious freedom was intended to play from our founding, he contends. After classifying the legislation as a very noble effort to correct the evisceration of [the Religious Freedom Restoration Act] that is part of the Equality Act, he expressed concern that it, unfortunately, mandates referrals that may violate conscience. Trimble states that the 2021 U.S. Supreme Court ruling Fulton v. City of Philadelphia, which found that Catholic Social Services had the right to refuse to place children with same-sex couples, could have had a different result if the Fairness for All Act had been law. If Fairness For All was enacted, Catholic Social Services would have been required to provide or would be required to provide a referral for adoption services to same-sex couples, he said. This concerns me ... that the conscience of this institution, the religious freedom of this institution, would be trapped into providing a referral service, Trimble added. He said the Fairness for All Act is another example of an approach perpetuating a jurisprudential posture of narrow exceptions. He opined that the way of thinking at the center of the Fairness For All Act is we always have to be looking and providing for an off-ramp for religious freedom and expressed concern that its getting stuck on the service road with this type of jurisprudential approach. California shuts down church preschool for not enforcing mask mandate Pastors, politicians and families gathered outside a church preschool in San Diego County to protest against California shutting down the school for violating the states COVID-19 mask mandate. The church claims its being targeted by regulators. Foothills Christian Church Preschool in El Cajon was a scene of protest Friday as Republican State Sen. Brian Jones, the citys Mayor Bill Wells and area pastors gathered along with parents to protest the states decision to close the school for not masking the 3 to 5-year-old children. Additionally, preschool director Tiffany McHugh was suspended from working with children. The preschool, which has been shut down by the California Department of Social Services Community Care Licensing since Dec. 10, has over 100 kids and has been in operation for six years. David Hoffman, who senior pastors the church with his brother, Mark, claimed during the demonstration that state representatives visited the daycare over 11 times in the last several months. The visits began after a complaint from a parent. Our church used to have a great preschool here, he said. We had over 100 students, and we had a waiting list ... so large that we were in the process of expanding our preschool. Several months ago, this church, this preschool became a target by the Department of Social Services. Basically, what it boils down to is they were not happy with how many of our children did not have masks on, he claimed. They came here, they visited. They found a few other violations, which our director rectified in 24 hours. But the state kept coming back, 11 times. ... Seven of those times were from 9 a.m. in the morning to 6 p.m. that night. What were they doing all that time? he asked. Looking through our files. ... They are looking at these files over and over and over again to try to find any violation they could. ... Its harassment, its intimidation. Hoffman said that on three separate visits, state representatives interviewed children without parental consent. On Nov. 15, the church was told it was doing better. On Dec. 7, Hoffman said that the church received a facility evaluation. They couldnt really find anything wrong except that not enough kids had masks on, Hoffman said. I want to read this to you: There were disinfectants, cleaning solutions, poisons and other items that posed a danger to children. I defy anybody to go into this building right now and find poisons. The senior pastor alleges that the violation was from a time one of the teachers used a Clorox wipe to wipe down a table, and authorities say she didnt lock the cabinet. On Dec. 10, a state representative and a law enforcement officer showed up to close down the daycare without prior notice to families, Hoffman added. All she kept saying to me over and over again is that this shutdown is because we are concerned about the health and safety of these children, he said. Now you have all these families that dont have anywhere to take their kids. The Department of Social Services pointed CBS 8 toward legal documents claiming that the daycare and McHugh failed to ensure all employees wore a mask while indoors and didnt encourage students 2 years of age and older to wear a mask. The state also alleges that McHugh prevented officials from inspecting the facility, which allowed employees and students time to put on their masks. The Department of Social Services had been visiting the school for inspection since last September. During the protest, McHugh said she was shocked the state suspended her from working with children. She told CBS 8 in an interview that the school is going up against a lot of parents that dont want their children to be masked" and young children who pull off their masks. Sen. Jones said during the demonstration that in his 20 years of office, the situation involving the daycare is the single most upsetting situation I have ever had a government agency put down on my constituents. These people arent here for the politicians, Jones said of the demonstraters. These people are here for [McHugh], this morning. Tiffany, what they have done to you is wrong, Jones said to applause. I believe it is unconstitutional and it violates every founding principle of this country and even this state. All these people are here for you. They support you and they trust you. Jones told KUSI News that the states action is an overreach of the state government and regulatory agencies. This is the caring part of the government and what theyve done is a cruel and unusual punishment to 100 families, Jones said. Parent John McGovern told the outlet that Tiffany McHugh is a wonderful director. We feel our children are safe in her care. Foothills Christian Church has appealed the closure and a hearing has been scheduled for next Friday. Texas youth minister charged with sexually assaulting 15-year-old girl A former youth leader at a Baptist congregation in Texas has been arrested and charged with sexually assaulting a minor. Timothy Wells, the former Junior High Minister at First Baptist Church of Wylie, turned himself in to authorities on Friday, and faces allegations that he sexually assaulted a 15-year-old girl. According to the Collin County Sheriffs Office, a staff member at First Baptist reached out to authorities in December to report the alleged sexual assault. The allegation was leveled at another staff member and the assault was alleged to have occurred at an off-site location, not at the church, stated the Collin County Sheriffs Office last Friday. During the course of their investigation, Collin County Sheriffs Office Investigators identified a 15-year-old female victim who disclosed that she had been inappropriately touched by First Baptist Church of Wylie Junior High Minister Timothy Wells. In response to the allegation, Wells who had been employed by First Baptist since January 2019 was put on leave by the church and later had his employment terminated. Authorities charged Wells with indecency with a child by sexual contact, which is a second-degree felony, and was held at a detention facility in lieu of a $25,000 bond. In a separate case last August, the pastor of a Texas Baptist congregation was sentenced to 17 years in prison after admitting to having molested a teenage girl from when she was 13 until she turned 18. Stephen Bratton, the former pastor of The Grace Family Baptist Church, received the sentence after pleading guilty back in February of aggravated sexual assault of a child younger than 14. Several other pastors came forward to tell authorities what was going on after this man confessed to them, and we applaud those people of conscience, stated Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg at the time. This man, who had risen to a position of authority in the church, turned a child into a victim and violated his communitys trust. The victim and his community deserved, and got, justice." How I responded to my teen vaping, alcohol use and drug abuse? A few years ago my son, Jeremy, woke me up in the middle of the night. He said, Dad, I need to tell you something. Last school year I was vaping and, for a few months, I was going out drinking and getting drunk. There were also a few times I bought marijuana and got high. I havent done any of it for months, but I just had to come clean to you. Talk about a wake-up call! A wake-up call on so many levels. I was shocked. My son had a solid Christian upbringing (not perfect, but solid.) He had been through countless Dare 2 Share events, the ministry I founded 30 years ago, from the time he was little. Jeremy had attended a good Christian school from the time he was in Kindergarten and, as far as I knew, he was seeking to honor God with his life. But, during his Freshman year of high school, he had a whole array of secret sins that none of us knew about. And he was keeping those sins hidden away in the basement of our house, where his room was. After he woke me up from a dead sleep and dropped the bomb on me, I asked him, Jeremy, why are you telling me this now? He just said, Dad, I cant take it anymore. Im tired of hiding it. Im tired of thinking about it. I cant sleep at night and I keep thinking about it during the day. It is too much to take dad. I felt like I had to confess it to you. Jeremy came clean. I was glad for that. He hadnt been caught. Nobody had turned him in. But, the Holy Spirit allowed him to be so convicted by his sins, he confessed them to me. I said, Well Jeremy, there will be consequences for your actions, big ones. And the consequence starts right now. We need to wake up your mom and tell her. At the time, my wife, Debbie, was a full-time public school teacher. Many nights during the school year, she would fall asleep while grading papers in front of the fireplace downstairs. This was one of those nights. Jeremy and I went downstairs and nudged her awake. Once she yawned, stretched, she looked at us and asked, Whats going on? He broke the news to her. Suffice it to say that it was a long night. My wife couldnt have imagined in 1,000 years her son would do something like this, right in our own house. And, to be honest, neither could I. After all, I came from the streets. In my book Unlikely Fighter, I chronicle much of my rough, urban upbringing. Suffice it to say, I did not live a sheltered life. I knew the temptations that were out there and how crafty sin-intent teens (and adults) could be. I was surprised that my own church-going, suburban son could pull a fast one on me, right under my nose, for so many months. You need to also understand that Im a consequence guy. From the time our kids were little we always sought to give an immediate consequence to any act of disobedience. When I counted, 1234 as a parent it wasnt an idle threat. It represented the number of spankings my son or daughter would receive when they got home. Jeremy knew this. He knew the consequences for this caliber of disobedience would be huge. Jeremy was really nervous that we were going to tell the administrators of the Christian school he attended and that, as a result, he would be expelled. And his fear was not unfounded. I was really leaning toward telling the Christian schooland Jeremy knew it. Again and again, during his dark night of the soul, he begged his mother and I to tell him what the consequences were going to be. But I told him that we needed a few weeks to pray through and think about what to do. We did. But, to be honest, I knew that waiting would be a consequence of sorts for him. I wanted to make him sweat it out a bit. So, before finally getting to bed in those early morning hours, we set the date for two weeks later. We told him that he would have to wait to hear the consequences until then. The wait unnerved and frustrated him. Every few days he would try to get a hint of what the consequences were going to be, but I just kept reminding him, Were still praying through it. You will have to wait. It was during this time period that I began to wonder where he got the money for alcohol, marijuana, and vaping from over those months of rampant sin. He didnt have a job, nor did he have much of an allowance. But, whenever he needed money for food, hed call me and ask me to transfer some. 10 bucks here, 20 bucks there, adds up over time. After checking out my bank statements from the previous school year, I noticed a whole bunch of transfers from my account to his in these smaller amounts. So I asked him, Jeremy, when I transferred money last school year were you buying food or alcohol, marijuanna, and vape stuff? Bowing his head he told me the truth. Most of the money I had transferred into his account ($500 over a 5 month period) was for his fleshly appetites, not his hunger pangs. This realization wasnt helping Jeremys cause. His fear of the potential consequences was growing by the day. The one thing Jeremy had going for him was that he had come to us and confessed to us. He hadnt been caught by someone else. The big night of consequences finally came. All through that day, Jeremy was twitchy. We had scheduled our meeting for that night and, as the time was approaching, the twitchier he got. Finally, we all sat down at the kitchen table. I handed him a piece of paper. On that piece of paper I had listed down all the sins he had committed: Underage vaping Underage drinking Getting drunk Buying marijuana illegally and using it Breaking the law Breaking the honor code at his school Breaking the honor code of our home Breaking the heart of God Lying to us for four months about what he was doing Stealing $500 from us under the pretense of buying food. I also had listed the potential consequences that ranged from turning him into the Christian school to grounding him for the rest of the year to having him pay back every last dime to taking away his phone for good. The list of infractions and potential consequences was long. The white piece of 8.5" x 11" paper was chock full of agreed-upon transgressions, infractions, and painful consequences. After he scanned the paper briefly I asked him, Jeremy, how do you respond to all of this? He just said, Dad, mom, Im guilty. I deserve whatever you give me. Please just tell me what the consequences are. I said, Okay. Your mom and I have been praying about this and the Lord gave us an answer. Here is your consequence Then I took out a giant marker and wrote one word in big letters across that piece of paper. That word was TETESTAI. What does that word mean dad? Jeremy asked. Its the word Jesus said on the cross right before he died. Its the Greek word for, It is finished! It means Paid in full.' He interrupted me and said, Dad, I know Jesus forgives me, but what are my consequences from you and mom? I said, Jeremy, youre not getting what Im saying. Your consequence is this: there is no consequence because Jesus took it for you on the cross. He paid the price. He forgave you. So, this time, we forgive you. Were not going to turn you into the Christian school. Were not going to ground you. Were not even going to make you pay us back the $500. You are completely forgiven. Your debt has been fully paid. Jeremy was stunned. He couldnt believe it. Then I leaned in and said these words with a sly smile on my face, But unlike Jesus, this is one-time deal Jeremy was in shock, the good kind of shock. He couldnt believe that he was completely forgiven. The next morning I got up and found a pile of ashes in a cup of water on the kitchen table. I said, Jeremy whats this? He said, Last night I went out in the middle of the night and burned that piece of paper. Why in the world would you do that? Why didnt you frame it or something? I asked. Ill never forget his wise-beyond-his-years answer, Why would I frame that piece of paper that represented my sins? My sins have been paid for by Jesus and they are gone, burnt to pieces. Then I asked him why he put those burnt pieces of paper in the cup of water, Is it because in Micah 7:19 God says he will cast our sins into the deepest ocean? He said, No, dad, I was afraid that Id accidentally burn the house down. Since that time Jeremy has been on an upward trajectory in his walk with Christ. He has sought to live a life that pleases God. He is attending a Bible school right now, preparing to go into full-time ministry. What is the answer to teen drug use? The Gospel. Whats the answer to vaping and alcohol abuse? The Gospel. Whats the answer to your struggles and mine? The Gospel. Whats the answer to engaging Generation Z with the true message of hope? The Gospel. The Gospel changes everything. It did for my son. It does for me. It will change everything for you, too, if you let it. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross. Colossians 2:14 Originally published at Greg Stier. I lost my job as United pilot for refusing vaccine for faith-based reasons For many Americans who, like myself, have decided not to take the COVID-19 vaccine for religious or medical reasons, staying true to our decision can mean being singled out and rejected by family, friends, and even employers. For me, it meant being placed on indefinite, unpaid leave from my job as a pilot for United Airlines, without any benefits including medical coverage, and no emergency ability to access my retirement savings. A pilot since 18, I spent the last 30 years flying commercially. The last 24 years were spent with Continental, then United through a 2021 merger. Ive given a decade of service to United. I became a pilot because transportation is in my blood: my father, brother, and grandfather are all truck drivers and heavy equipment operators. My father taught me there is nothing a lady cannot do, so I decided to carry on the transportation tradition by becoming a pilot. Because of my Christian faith, I chose not to take the vaccine. I refuse to be complicit in the use of fetal tissue, which was used in the research and development for both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, and in the deployment of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine. However, I adamantly defend the right for each to choose what is best for their health and faith. My husband, also a captain, shares my faith and my misery on indefinite, unpaid leave. We have learned that no matter what happens, faith and family come first. Together, with 2,000 of our co-workers, we refuse to be harassed, coerced, and retaliated against in the workplace. I am also fighting not just for myself, but for my 16-year-old son. I worry that someday, a decade from now, he will face a similar situation where his boss tries to force some sort of medical condition for employment. What do you say to a son or daughter when they ask, Mom, you had a chance to stop this back in 2021. Why didnt you? Our Founding Fathers broke away from England for liberty. They knew that our rights stem from God, not man and surely not a king. Im fighting to ensure that remains true for my son, my coworkers, and all Americans. However, there is a path forward. In Sambrano v. United Airlines, the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals will decide whether United Airlines can effectively terminate employees with deeply held religious and medical concerns regarding the airlines vaccination mandate. This will set an important precedent for many other people who, like me, may be forced to choose between following an employers vaccination policy or providing for their families in essence, a jab or a job. United CEO Scott Kirby announced his COVID-19 vaccine mandate in August as part of the airlines effort to promote itself as the safest airline operating during the pandemic. But in his zeal for a competitive advantage, Kirby denied reasonable accommodations to those with faith-based concerns afforded under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, along with those with legitimate medical concerns. Ultimately, Kirby put hundreds of pilots and flight attendants on unpaid, indefinite leave. Even non-customer-facing employees suffer draconian, retaliatory policies, such as being forced to wear N-95 masks as a scarlet letter to identify their vaccination status. This is truly a crisis of conscience that no one should ever face. Simply put, such a crisis describes the devastating and incapacitating worry a person feels when confronted with a choice that could lead them to do something that violates their moral convictions. Once a person does so, the effects are irreversible. Nonetheless, Kirby callously dismissed his employees of faith and those with legitimate medical conditions, warning in a company townhall meeting, There will be very few people who get through the medical and religious exemptions. He threateningly added that any pilot who all of the sudden [decided that they are] really religious youre putting your job on the line. Youd better be very careful about that. Kirbys mandate was likely never about safety. In fact, United quietly rescinded many of its COVID-19 mitigation procedures that resulted in cost savings, including discontinuing electrostatic spraying between flights and providing aircraft filtered air while parked at the gates. Passengers are not required to be vaccinated, nor are pilots from other airlines who ride in the cockpit jump seat. These factors led U.S. District Judge Mark Pittman to write, Uniteds actions may not have been motivated by safety concerns. Instead, Uniteds actions may be viewed as merely pretextual. United is the lone carrier imposing unreasonable vaccine mandates without accommodations. For example, Delta instituted testing, while American and Southwest affirmed that they will not terminate any employee seeking an accommodation. Meanwhile, Kirby spurned the United litigants offer of regular testing at their personal expense. Flight cancellations and delays caused by staff shortages plague the friendly skies, yet most cancellations could have been avoided if grounded pilots and crew had been allowed to work. United further contradicted its safety claims by rescinding its pilot contact-tracing policy. Even if exposed to family members and friends who test positive for COVID-19, an employee may go to work so long as they do not outwardly display symptoms. Testing is not required. Additionally, United implemented the newly shortened Centers for Disease Control and Prevention quarantine policy even though it does not and cannot qualify. The policy states that un-boosted, exposed individuals must wear well-fitting masks at all times. United does not have a booster mandate, and the CDCs recommendations contradict the Federal Aviation Administrations cockpit mask-use rule. Without a mandatory testing program, United is hardly putting safety first. As the Kirbys marketing plan disguised as a safety campaign crumbles, the faithful and those trying to preserve their medical autonomy look to the courts to protect them from a crisis of conscience. Perhaps Mr. Kirby should heed the words of Justice Neil Gorsuch, who recently observed that societys interest in slowing the spread of COVID-19 cannot qualify as compelling forever, and that human nature and history teach that civil liberties face grave risks when governments proclaim indefinite states of emergency. The Fifth Circuit in BST Holdings v. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration agreed, concluding that the OSHA mandate forces workers to choose between their jobs and their jabs. The judges warned that losing constitutional freedoms for even minimal periods of time unquestionably constitutes irreparable injury. As the United employees case sets new religious liberty precedent, it is time for that airline to stop suppressing religious freedoms while needlessly inconveniencing American passengers. Originally published at The Daily Signal. Military works to boot Christian 'extremists' from its ranks January 6 was a convenient background for a lot of Democrats, but especially the ones in Joe Biden's Department of Defense. To them, it was a chance to highlight the dangers of conservatives and fight to get them out of the ranks, once and for all. Gearing up to the riot's one-year anniversary in December, Press Secretary John Kirby warned that new rules on "extremist activity" were coming. "As Secretary [Lloyd] Austin has emphasized, the department is focused on prohibited activity, not on a particular ideology thought or political orientation. The department has always maintained a distinction between thoughts and actions." So they say. But behind the camouflage, FRC's Lt. General (Ret.) Jerry Boykin argues, is a different agenda entirely. And it's not about weeding out extremism it's about weeding out the people of faith and principle. "First of all," he warned, "nobody in the [DOD] can define extremism. And because this is so ill-defined and because there are so many nebulous things associated with [it], what you're going to see if that they're going to start adding to it. And even though they say that they're not after ideology they're not after people's ideas or people's faith or people's leanings politically that's just simply not true. [They're] going to start adding groups like ours the Family Research Council as an 'extremist group,' telling our troops, 'You cannot be associated with them, because we stand [things like] biblical marriage." How does he know? Because it's happened before. Remember, Joe Biden served under Barack Obama for eight years and in that time, the duo turned America's government into one of the most vicious, anti-faith institutions the country had ever seen. During the wave of "diversity training" in Obama's second term, organizations like the American Family Association were on a hit list of "hate groups" that service members were ordered not to follow or engage. If they did, there would be consequences. If you're associated with them, the military said, you're risking a court-martial and dishonorable discharge. So this isn't an empty threat. It's not hypothetical. It's already happened. Only now, unfortunately, it's starting to progress. Thanks to radical groups like the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), who've partnered with the Biden administration in this extremist witch hunt, it's not going to stop with organizations like American Family Association, Family Research Council, or Alliance Defending Freedom. Under the Defense Department's new regulation, just released before Christmas, anyone with a natural view of "gender identity or sexual orientation" or any other biblical truth that is politically incorrect could be labeled as an extremist. Consider what these new regulations will eventually do to chaplains who are endorsed by religious denominations that actually believe the Bible. These chaplains will silence themselves on a growing list of "untouchable" issues or they will be silenced by the military for these teaching, which they've labeled "extreme." General Boykin has seen a lot of things, but he says he's "more concerned about our military today" than he's ever been in his life. He points to the vaccine mandates and the good people our country is losing. "We're recruiting the wrong people, and we're [kicking] out the right people. We're upside-down in the military today, and this is going to destroy our [force] if somebody doesn't step in and turn this around. And I hope that will be Congress in 2022, when [Republicans] retake the House and Senate." Until then, he agrees, there's an intentional effort to purge conservatives from the ranks, and we need to stop it. Without a viable military, we live in a vulnerable America. And obviously, if Democrats can't succeed in abolishing our force, like the Marxist squad wants, then they'll settle for the next best thing: hallowing it out until it's nothing but an empty shell. We can't sit on the sidelines and watch. We've got to be engaged and even more so now, when things aren't going the direction we want. When we see these threats against our freedoms, it's all the more reason to be active, informed, and hopeful because we're anchored in the truth. And that hope doesn't change. It doesn't come around every four years. It's new every morning as we see the glory and goodness of the Lord. Originally published at the Family Research Council. The church must not be silent on the vaccine debates I discovered last week that my local countys executive council is considering whether to mandate proof of vaccination for entry into most public areas. This action has been noted in New York, Chicago, and Washington, D.C. While it is not surprising to learn this mandate is on the table, it came faster than expected. As a Christian and pastor, I found it important to crystallize my thoughts about the Churchs role in the vaccine debates. While the Church has largely waited to see how all things pandemic would play out, it is time for her to find her voice on matters settled within Christianity long ago. As a people whose faith is in Christ the One who calls Jew and Greek, slave and free, male and female, circumcised and uncircumcised, and whose initial disciples included both the tax collector and the zealot Christians find in Jesus a template for accepting all comers to the body of Christ. Further, we also find in our faith tradition a rich pattern of advocacy for the rights of those outside the Church. Promoting right-to-life issues has characterized Christianity since its infancy. Our heritage finds believers adopting the abandoned, championing the abolition of slavery, and defending the unborn. Now we find ourselves in a society where vaccination status threatens the exclusion of neighbors, friends, and family from basic areas of public access. The Church finds itself in the position to champion the rights of those who would be ostracized in a world driven by fear rather than faith. A strong, faith-filled response by the Church in this watershed moment will determine her credibility and standing in the years to come. My own Southern Baptist denomination carries the noteworthy distinction of championing religious liberty amid even its earliest days. We rightly understand the importance of defending the freedom of religion for all faiths and not merely our own. If a Muslims rights are infringed due to faith, so eventually will the rights of the Christians. Thus, we find ourselves defending principles of rights and inclusions even for those whose convictions vary significantly from our own. We do this not as a matter of self-defense but because we are called to advocate the dignity and worth of every person, including that persons conscience. Although Christians have come to different positions on the matter of the mRNA injections, this is part of a normal pattern throughout Christian history. Even Paul addressed the matter of religious conscience regarding food offered to idols in his letter to the Corinthian church. His admonition was to exhort the freedom to eat or not eat of such food based on individual conviction on the matter. Thus, Christians can hold different religious convictions on non-primary matters of faith and still maintain fellowship with one another. The one who eats of such food does so in freedom of conscience while respecting the one who would violate his conscience through eating. Thus, Christians must not be surprised to find division over injections but must remember that freedom of conscience speaks to our response. While many trust in both the safety and efficacy of the injections, others remain skeptical, and their skepticism reaches a level of conviction equal to that concerning the consumption of meat from the Corinthian market. Theological arguments underpin the conviction to refuse the shots, just as many promote theological arguments to receive the shots. Thankfully, the blood of Christ holds stronger than any serum found in a syringe. Whether Jew or Greek, vaccinated or unvaccinated, Christ is all and is in all. The Church holds the central platform and responsibility to advocate for the rights of each person to choose without coercion whether to receive the vaccinations against Covid-19. Arguments about efficacy or safety are moot compared to the biblical and historic underpinnings of the Christian faith. While such arguments, with their attendant statistics and experts, have value in individual decisions and within personal conversations, they hold no place in the Churchs role in championing the cause of individual conscience on the matter of vaccination. If we would fight for the religious liberty of another faith a matter of eternal importance so must we fight for the freedom of conscience on the temporal concern of COVID injections. Such a stand involves first never allowing such an idea as a vaccination status to impact who is welcome in the body of Christ or in any program held by a local church. That church can then extend such a stand into the community, where various vaccine-related requirements would threaten the rights of the community. These threats would include the termination of employment or expulsion from public areas. If churches will not stand up to these threats in their communities, they will soon find the same threats at their doors. Community advocacy will ripple outward, setting the precedent for other regions and encouraging the craven Christian who fears adverse repercussions for his own stand. In my own region, I have seen the slow boil of progress increase the pressure on the population. First, the shots were optional, then jobs were on the line, and soon it appears most public spaces will be unavailable to the unvaccinated. Such a move will not be the end of the line. There are many more stops along the way, and the Church will eventually find herself swallowed up in the flood if she will not stop the flow now. Further restrictions in other regions offer a glimpse of what is in store if the Church remains silent. Your position on the jab is not the issue. However strongly you may feel, one way or another, the central issue concerns what priority these shots should have in our world. Society does not know the answer. Medical training does not provide the key. Government entities are profoundly ill-equipped to define it. The Church, however, is fully prepared to address the matters of the highest priority. Such an understanding helps untangle other issues and where they stand in the pecking order. Without the illumination of the Church, tertiary matters vie for prominence and drive societys priorities into disorder. This is a call for Christians to hold unswervingly to the pattern they have received from their Savior and their faith heritage, and to do so in public. The Churchs relevance lies in her willingness to speak to the important matters of the day. Let us not shrink from this responsibility. It's been months since Houston Astros star Alex Bregman and his wife sued San Antonio's La Cantera Resort & Spa, but the tony destination is not going down without a fight. The luxury resort filed a countersuit against the MLB player in the ongoing dispute over his canceled wedding, which was first reported by Chron in April. La Cantera is suing Bregman for $61,407 in cancellation fees after his December 2020 wedding was postponed due to the pandemic, according to San Antonio Express News. This countersuit was filed nearly nine months after Bregman and wife Reagan Howard sued La Cantera seeking the return of their $80,000 deposit after being forced to postpone their wedding due to the coronavirus pandemic. Bregman and Howard cited a surge in COVID-19 cases and deaths in Bexar County for canceling the event. Bruce Malott, Bregmans business manager who has power of attorney for the ballplayers business matters, filed the lawsuit. Dallas-based Steven Rudner, the resorts lawyer, said on January 12 it does not comment on pending litigation. Malott didnt respond to a request for comment. Malott said earlier it was his understanding when he signed the August 2020 contract, that it allowed for the refund of deposits if more than 25 percent of the invited wedding guests could not attend due to COVID concerns. When we booked the wedding, cases were lower and we hoped the pandemic was subsiding, Bregman said in a statement at the time his complaint was filed in Bexar County. However, as cases surged in Texas and across the country leading up to the wedding date, it was clear we had to make plans for a smaller ceremony with fewer guests. The resort received notice in a November 22, 2020, email that the wedding had been canceled, according to the Express-News. Bregmans suit cited the force majeure section in the contract that allowed him to cancel the wedding if at least 25 percent of the guests couldnt attend for various reasons including a pandemic. Force majeure is a legal term for protection of parties in the event they cannot perform under a contract due to causes outside their control. The resort shall refund all deposits and/or prepayments in the event of a termination by either party, the clause said. La Canteras counterclaim makes no mention of force majeure. But Rudner, its lawyer, did in a December 29, 2020, letter to a lawyer for Bregman, the Express-News reports. Benchmark LC San Antonio, which does business as La Cantera Resort & Spa, said it suffered $113,007 in damages as a result of Bregman canceling the event and reservations on a block of rooms. After deducting $51,600 in deposits paid by Bregman, the resort said it is still owed $61,407. The couple ended up having a smaller ceremony at Reagan's parent's home in Katy. Fort Hood, TX (76544) Today Cloudy this morning followed by isolated thunderstorms this afternoon. High 82F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 30%.. Tonight Partly cloudy this evening, then becoming cloudy after midnight. Low 69F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph. Encouraging rhetoric from incoming New York City Mayor Eric Adams is a welcome sign for cryptocurrency-related businesses looking to settle there. Yet, despite these positive signs, some are asking whether he will have the power to effect more stringent regulations at the state level. Additionally, Adams faces competition from other American cities vying for a position to become the next crypto hub. Companies encouraged With limited, but distinct, places to choose from, cryptocurrency and blockchain start-up Ava Labs had been unsure about where to settle. However, company president John Wu said that Adams election had played a big part in his decision to set up in the Big Apple. Knowing that we have an administration thats friendly, especially in the New York City area, is going to be very helpful, Wu said. Doubling down on its choice of New York City, last year cryptocurrency data platform Chainalysis signed a lease for a Manhattan office space that accommodates up to 200 staff. The new mayors support for the industry strengthens my conviction that New York is the best place for Chainalysiss headquarters, said co-founder and CEO Michael Gronager. We plan to tap into the citys deep talent pool for our next phase of growth. Regulatory effect? Following his election, Adams came out in favor of cryptocurrencies, offering to receive his first three months pay in Bitcoin and suggesting that local schools educate students on cryptocurrency and blockchain technology. Adams had also expressed interest in developing a digital wallet for city employees and recipients of public benefits, which inspired CityCoins to make NYCCoin its next project. Although he has yet to propose any specific policies that would offer a legitimate incentive for crypto companies to come, some believe his positive stance has already proven effective. I think its a very effective signaling tool to say, Okay, we recognize that this industry can benefit everyone, said Zach Dexter, CEO of crypto derivatives exchange FTX U.S. Derivatives. However, others are considering whether Adams, as a city leader, will be able to affect regulations operating at the state level, especially those at odds with his own appraisal. He can be a cheerleader, said Murphy & McGonigle attorney Stephen Gannon. But mostly the regulatory environment is driven by the state. New York state has some of the most stringent requirements for crypto-related companies, including a BitLicense and compliance with know-your-customer, anti-money laundering, and capital regulations. Additionally, New York Attorney General Letitia James has said that such companies must register with her office before operating in the state or offering products to New Yorkers, having shuttered a pair that did not. Despite these hurdles, some attest that Adams could subsidize such costs through other incentives, like commercial tax breaks. Former head of innovation at the New York Department of Financial Services (NYDFS) Matt Homer believes Adams could potentially have an influence on regulation, as Governor Kathy Hochul had previously pledged to work with him on business issues. Crypto competition In light of these challenges, New York will have its work cut out for it in terms of crafting appealing incentives, which rival places have already started to do. For instance, Colorado passed a law in 2019 which exempts digital currencies from certain securities rules, while Wyoming created its own special purpose charter for crypto companies. However, Miami stands out as the leading rival to New York City as a crypto hub thanks to the effort of its own crypto-enthusiast mayor, Francis Suarez. Touting lower taxes and living costs, as well as cheap renewable energy sources, Suarez even inspired a friendly rivalry with Adams with his championing of MiamiCoin. Ultimately, given the industrys decentralized nature and surging growth, crypto executives believe that more than one city will emerge as a crypto hub in the United States. What do you think about this subject? Write to us and tell us! This story was seen first on BeInCrypto Copyright 2022 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved In the early 2010s, Chinas tremendous market size and the worlds largest number of mobile-internet users led many U.S. tech companies to enter the country and offer their services to the Chinese consumers. As technological advancements are introduced nearly every day, more nations embark on a steep modernization course. Rapid growth is creating expanding gaps for brands to fill with their products and services and near-limitless opportunities to achieve success. While there may be several niches and places you can tap into, it is important to select the right market for your business and enter at the right time. When it comes to the education space, Africa holds considerable potential thanks to its growing young demographic and wages, technological advancements and an increasing demand in quality education. Africas GDP has been on the rise and is expected to grow by 3.5% in 2022, with Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa among other countries leading the way. This overall positive economic signal has been having an impact on education. In the recent year, weve seen an uptick in African students opting in to pursue study abroad programs in construction, engineering and STEM. In general, its not surprising that theres been a growing demand for higher education from African countries. The continent has the youngest population in the world, with 70% of the Sub-Saharan population under the age of 30. This demographic dynamic combined with growing salaries presents opportunities to market to this progressive generation, who are willing to spend on quality education and improve their quality of life. Related: 4 Lessons for Entrepreneurs From Africa's Solar Industry Despite the continuous economic growth and opportunities, theres still a lack of competition from global companies on the African market. Developing infrastructure, expensive and unreliable internet and lack of payment methods were named among the barriers to entry. However, fintech companies and the worlds biggest digital players, such as Google, are betting on Africa with investments in the continents digital transformation. While many companies may still hesitate to tap into this market, its important to start establishing your presence in Africa now. From a cultural perspective, it takes time to understand the country and create a community that plays a significant role in the lives of the local population. From a business standpoint, its beneficial to establish your presence in a low-competition market and then scale fast once the business landscape becomes more advanced. While it requires considerable time, money and energy to be among the pioneers in introducing your business to a new continent, its essential to have a growth mindset and view it as an investment into future opportunities. Growing demographic and wages Africa's population as a whole is young and growing. The median age for the continent is 18, which is 14 years younger than any other, and the continent's population is set to double to two billion by 2050. The youthful demographic is considered a major advantage for the continent, with prospects of generating significant GDP growth. Today, more global investors come to Africa for the promise of its people than for its physical properties. Rising wages make up another significant factor. While the situation is different in each sub-Saharan African countr, when measuring wages in nominal terms, the research found that wages are increasing faster in Africa than anywhere else in the world. Countries like Ghana are among the strongest economies in terms of pay increase. At nominal wage growth of 14%, Ghana comes second after Turkey, which is at 20%. South Africa, for example, also introduced a national minimum wage in 2018 as well as more recent initiatives in efforts to extend protection to vulnerable workers. Spearheading the technological domain Africa is a hotbed of innovation, especially in the digital and payment spheres. Having for most part skipped the desktop revolution and jumped straight to the mobile, the rising smartphone ownership and a drop in internet are attractive factors for investors. Countries such as Nigeria, Kenya and South Africa have been cultivating robust start-up scenes. In South Africa alone, 90% of the population have a smartphone and 21% of them use mobile-banking services. Mobile broadband coverage is still facing major limits, however, with only 26% of Sub-Saharan Africas population connected to mobile internet. Related: How South Africa Built a Booming Wine Business Mobile money deployments have been growing 39% annually over the past decade in Sub-Saharan Africa. With nearly 66% of adults having no access to traditional bank accounts, mobile cash has provided people an opportunity to transfer, save or borrow money without bank accounts. As of this year, African fintech investment reached $1.35 billion, spearheading the fintech sector on the continent. Rising demand in quality education presents opportunities for edtech companies Quality education is progressively rising in value among African students, creating a widening demand-supply gap. While a number of grants and scholarships designated specifically for the continents population, especially for females, has been increasing every year, it still lags behind the rising demand of the growing young population seeking to pursue higher education. With 720 million people under the age 25 in Africa, there are only 740 universities spread across 10 most populous countries on the continent. Educating Africas youth is a major priority for every country and remains a key challenge for many governments. After decades-long brain drain in parts of Africa, fueled by unstable political situations and superior working conditions in the West, recent studies have shown a new trend among African students: They return home after studying abroad. This has also been the case with the Chinese students, where nearly 80% of students return home after graduating, according to the Ministry of Education. The growing economy and technology industries, increasing prestige of local companies and cultural mentality all tempt students to return. Furthermore, there is a strong and prevalent sense of giving back to the community. This trajectory, in turn, influences the choice of majors among African students, most of whom pick universal and applied degrees such as engineering and IT that will hold value in their localities. Interestingly, fashion and art were also the top picks among African students according to Studyfree findings. Related: Why the Smart Money Is on Africa Of course, as with any emerging market, starting a business on the African continent today holds certain risks and challenges even for business veterans with accumulated professional experience. Unstable and, at times, hostile political situations and corruption pose serious business risks for entrepreneurs seeking to open their ventures. While the majority of the population speaks English or French, total lack of local language and ties can create administrative and legal hurdles. Furthermore, levels of trust and loyalty in business in African countries are low. They can, however, be gained with time and the right strategy, and now is the perfect time to set on the course. It is essential to understand local mentality, exercise transparency and gain brand loyalty in order to achieve stable growth. If investors understand, anticipate and work alongside the growing African context and market, they can find themselves with long-term prospects far more promising and accessible than in more developed countries. Copyright 2022 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved 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. The rule could trigger a new clash between Austin and Travis County leaders and Gov. Greg Abbott, who has taken a hard stance against local officials implementing restrictions related to COVID-19. Its unclear if the local rule might be in conflict with previous executive orders. In July, Abbott issued an order limiting local governments ability to require face coverings, issue vaccine mandates, or impose pandemic restrictions on businesses capacity or operations. A spokesperson from Abbotts office condemned the local order. This municipal order is preempted by Executive Orders GA-38, GA-39, and GA-40 all of which remain in full effect. Any business would be within its legal rights to ignore this municipal order, Abbott spokesperson Nan Tolson said in a statement. Governor Abbott has been clear that the time for mandates is over; now is the time for personal responsibility. However, the local order seems to try to avoid entering into conflict with the states rules by leaving it up to businesses as to what if any of the safety requirements they implement. Abbotts orders ban businesses from using proof of vaccination as a requirement for entry. But Austin and Travis Countys new rule gives businesses a choice as an apparent workaround: Businesses can require customers to show negative COVID-19 tests before entering, or they can choose to accept proof of vaccination instead. The order requires that the signs show which pandemic-related rules a business has put in place starting next week. Hector Nieto, public information officer for Travis County Commissioners Court, said businesses have to display signs showing the rules only if the business owners have chosen to adopt any. Regardless of whether a business has implemented any pandemic-related rules, all businesses must post signs outlining health and safety recommendations by the local health authority during times of elevated risk. Officials have also made it a criminal offense to not display the signs at each entry of the business. Those found in violation could be subject to a fine of up to $1,000 but would not face jail time. Throughout the course of the pandemic, local officials have clashed with Abbott and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton over what COVID-19 restrictions they could implement in their regions. Last week, a Texas appeals court ruled in favor of Harris County, saying it could defy Abbotts order and require masks, according to Houston Public Media. That decision was expected to be appealed to the Texas Supreme Court. Disclosure: Houston Public Media 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 member-supported, nonpartisan newsroom informing and engaging Texans on state politics and policy. Learn more at texastribune.org. Gary Miller/FilmMagic One of the largest festivals in Texas, South by Southwest, is set to return in 2022, running from Friday, March 11 until Sunday, March 20. However, as the coronavirus pandemic continues, the festival will have a few safety protocols in place to help keep participants and festival goers safe. At-Home COVID-19 Antigen Self-Test - Results in 10 Minutes On/Go walmart.com $24.88 Shop Now "We look forward to welcoming everyone back to Austin in March and want to assure you that the safety of our SXSW community continues to be our top priority," organizers wrote on the South by Southwest website. This week, the San Antonio rap scene earned some high marks. San Antonio-based rapper Mike Dimes joined the ranks of other artists on Spotify's "Most Necessary" playlist, which amplifies the next generation of hip-hop. The 21-year-old rapper (who has over 26,000 Instagram followers) started making music when he was a student at Johnson High School. Dimes averages 1.8 million Spotify listeners per month, and in 2021, racked up 12.4 million streams. "It's a blessing to make the the list, but it's time to work harder and put on for the city," Dimes tells MySA. Dimes most streamed song on the platform, "NO TRENDS," is featured on the Most Necessary playlist, as well popular tracks "WISS" and "BACKROOM." Most Necessary includes a steady rotation of 100 songs, usually by unsigned artists offered as sort of a "first look" for users, according to the Spotify newsroom. On the newest version of the playlist, released on Wednesday, January 12, Dimes is described as an "underground rising star" with "infectious energy and charisma." Dimes and his fellow rising stars were als ospotlighted on the social media accounts for RapCaviar, Spotify's flagship hip-hop playlist. "Whole Lotta Money" chart-topper BIA is also included in the list of standouts. Other rappers include Florida-based Nardo Wick, who collaborated with Future and Lil Baby, and Louisiana-based EST Gee, who worked with Lil Baby, Lil Durk, Future, and Young Thug. Dimes and his fellow up-and-comers celebrated the nod on Wednesday by sharing Instagram shots of their faces on a billboard near Penn Station and the Empire State Building in New York City. The billboard shouts out San Antonio as Dimes' hometown. Mike Dimes/David Peters Kazi magazine credited Dimes' charismatic style as being influenced by fellow Southern artists like Joey Bada$$ and A$ap Rocky. Growing up in a military family and moving across the country, Dimes grew up listening to Andre 3000, A Tribe Called Quest, Nas, and Jill Scott. 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. 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. "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." 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. A woman was killed and two young children were injured when a Harris County Sheriff's Office deputy crashed into several cars while chasing a driver at "a high rate of speed" Wednesday night in northeast Houston. The pursued driver was not caught by authorities. The crash marks the third time a Houston-area law enforcement officer has killed someone behind the wheel in the last six weeks. The deputy, driving a marked sheriff's office patrol car, was northbound on U.S. 59 around 10:40 p.m. when dispatchers radioed about a robbery that had just happened at an Exxon gas station a few miles ahead in unincorporated Harris County. The 911 caller said the individual accused in the robbery drove off in a gray Lincoln Town Car and was wearing a red ski mask and blue shirt, according to Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez and archived scanner traffic. The deputy pulled off the freeway near Tidwell Road, well inside Houston's city limits, and spotted a man with a red mask wearing all black getting into a Lincoln Town Car at a CVS pharmacy near Tidwell and U.S. 59. The man had just robbed the store, Houston police later confirmed. When the deputy attempted to pull the car over, the driver sped off, Gonzalez said. OnScene.TV The deputy told dispatchers the man was driving at a "high rate of speed" as they drove south on Weedy Lane toward Laura Koppe Road. He reported there was no traffic on Weedy Lane as he gave chase, according to radio traffic. The Lincoln driver turned east onto Laura Koppe, and the deputy followed. The driver crossed under U.S. 59 and blew through a red light at Hirsch Road, the deputy told dispatch. About a minute after the deputy's last dispatch from Hirsch Road, he collided with a woman driving a car at the intersection of Laura Koppe Road and Lockwood Drive. Police did not provide an order of events or speculate how fast the deputy was driving immediately before the collision. Surveillance video obtained by KHOU shows the deputy's car careening into a nearby parking lot in a ball of flames. "I heard boom boom boom," a witness told Metro Video. The witness did not provide his name. "It sounded like a train tumbling. I ran out in the parking lot. The police car was smashed. Trucks, cars everywhere." The woman was pronounced dead at the scene. One of two young children appeared unconscious as they were loaded into an ambulance after the crash, according to video from OnScene.TV. One was listed in critical condition while the other was stable, Sheriff Gonzalez said. The woman's relationship to the children was not immediately disclosed, but investigators believe they were in the same car. The deputy was hospitalized and listed as stable. Metro Video As the crash happened in the city, the Houston Police Department's vehicular crimes division is investigating alongside the sheriff's office and Harris County District Attorney's Office. In recent weeks, the Houston area saw a spike in deadly crashes involving law enforcement officers. In each case, the officers survived but left behind someone dead. On Dec. 4, Houston police officer Orlando Hernandez, 25, drove onto a Sunnyside sidewalk while responding to a call and killed 66-year-old Michael Wayne Jackson. Hernandez remains on active duty. Then on Dec. 26, HPD officer Christopher Cabrera crashed into 75-year-old Charles Payne, who later died in the hospital. Cabrera was later relieved of duty, according to police. The HCSO deputy behind the wheel in Wednesday's wreck has not been identified. 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. Texas led the nation with 84 officers dying due to COVID-19, followed by Florida with 52 deaths. 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. 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, Texas has seen 200 deaths due to COVID-19 during the pandemic. The following list includes recent reports from the Midland County Sheriffs Office and the Midland Police Department. Compiled by reporter Andrew Mullin. Sunday, Jan. 9: 9:16 p.m. A 29-year-old Saginaw man was cited for driving with a suspended license and speeding after a traffic stop in Lee Township. A 22-year-old female was arrested on an outstanding Isabella County warrant. The female was turned over to Isabella County authorities. A family member arrived on scene and drove the vehicle home. 8:17 p.m. A 43-year-old Greenville woman was cited for driving with a suspended license after a traffic stop in Homer Township for an equipment violation. A family member arrived on scene and took possession of the vehicle. 7:06 p.m. A Coleman gas station reported that $50.55 in gasoline was stolen. The store was unable to obtain a vehicle description. There are no suspects at this time. 4:38 p.m. After a traffic stop for speeding, a 51-year-old Flint male was cited for driving with a revoked license and speeding. The vehicle was towed from the scene and a report is being sent to the prosecutors office. 3:47 p.m. Deputies were dispatched to a Lincoln Township location for a report of a well-being check on a possible suicidal subject. The complainant was the subjects mother, and a be on the lookout was sent to surrounding counties. The deputies are investigating leads. 3:07 p.m. A deputy was dispatched to West River Road near Gage Drive regarding a rear-end crash. There were no injuries. 1:23 p.m. A deputy checked the area of M-18 near West Curtis Road for two dogs in the roadway. The area was checked, but the dogs were not located. 10:19 a.m. Officers responded to a verbal dispute on East Haley Street. 7:20 a.m. A Lee Township gas station reported that a large blue pickup took $20.07 in gas and left without paying. The employee was not sure on the plate number, and the one given did not match the described vehicle nor was it from the area. 3:24 a.m. Deputies were dispatched to a Lee Township location for a be on the lookout of a possibly intoxicated driver. The deputies located the vehicle and conducted a traffic stop. They contacted the 61- year-old male, who was subsequently arrested for his second offense of driving while intoxicated. The male was transported and lodged at Midland County Jail without incident. A report is being sent to the Midland County Prosecutors Office. 1:22 a.m. The deputies responded to a Village of Sanford residence after a 54-year-old Sanford female called 911 and said she was suicidal. She was transported to the MyMichigan Medical Center and a mental health petition was completed. Saturday, Jan 8: 10:58 p.m. A deputy assisted Midland Police Department in checking the area for a suicidal subject who was walking around on foot. MPD located the woman. 10:44 p.m. A deputy responded to the Midland County Jail for an assault. A 35-year-old Madison Heights male was assaulted by a 23-year-old Midland male and a 19-year-old Saginaw male. A report has been forwarded to the Midland County Prosecutors Office for review. 9:17 p.m. Officers responded to an assault, resisting and obstructing, and a mental health petition in the area of West Sugnet Road and West Main Street. 9:03 p.m. Deputies conducted a traffic stop at a Jerome Township location. The deputies contacted the 56-year-old male driver. Upon further investigation, it was discovered that the male did not have a valid driver's license. He was issued a citation and a report is being sent to the Midland County Prosecutors Office. 7:57 p.m. A deputy responded to Jerome Township for a report of a red Ram pickup truck that was driving recklessly and all over the roadway. The deputy checked the area and was unable to locate the truck. 6:29 p.m. Officers assisted EMS with an opiate-related overdose on Seminole Court. 3:53 p.m. Deputy checked on a report of two vehicles speeding in Jerome Township. The area was checked but the vehicles were not located. 11:24 a.m. Officers responded to a two-vehicle crash in the area of East Ashman Street and Waldo Avenue. 11:16 a.m. A 28-year-old woman and her 31-year-old boyfriend were trying to recover property from her father's residence after they had moved out, and requested police assistance. The father, a 57-year-old man, advised he had no problem letting them get their property but didn't want the boyfriend there. They had been involved in a previously reported altercation. The boyfriend agreed to leave, and everything appeared calm when the daughter and family started moving property. 9:26 p.m. Officers responded to a felonious assault on Rodd Street. 6:02 p.m. A deputy responded to a Gratiot County location to transport a 16-year-old male to the Juvenile Care Center after he was arrested by Gratiot County authorities after he cut his tether. The transport occurred without incident. 5:54 a.m. A 47-year-old Geneva Township man was arrested for domestic assault after deputies were called to the Geneva Township home. The male left the scene but was located and was transported and lodged at the Midland County Jail without incident. The victim suffered a minor injury from the assault. 2:01 a.m. Officers responded to a death investigation on Renee Drive. 12:50 a.m. A deputy was sent to Hope Township for a report of snowmobiles driving around making noise. The area was checked but no snowmobiles were located. 12:50 a.m. A deputy made contact with a mom and her 14-year-old juvenile child at the ER after a suicidal attempt. The juvenile child suffered a minor injury. 12:50 a.m. Deputies responded to a single-vehicle accident that occurred at a Lincoln Township location. The 57-year-old Lincoln Township male driver was petitioned at the MyMichigan Medical Center for being suicidal. This report was turned over to the prosecutors office for review regarding possible driving while intoxicated and concealed weapon violations. 12:28 a.m. A deputy responded to an Ingersoll Township roadway for a vehicle that was parked in the roadway creating a traffic hazard. The vehicle was impounded and removed from the roadway. 12:24 a.m. Officers responded to a verbal domestic situation on Wisconsin Street. Friday, Jan. 7: 10:21 p.m. Officers responded to a second occurrence of driving with a suspended license in the area of East Haley Street and Virginia Street. 9:56 p.m. Deputies, Lincoln Township Fire Department, and MyMichigan EMS responded to a Lincoln Township roadway for a two-vehicle injury traffic crash. An 18-year-old Jerome Township woman suffered a minor injury but refused treatment. A 51-year-old Lincoln Township man was subsequently arrested for driving while intoxicated with high bodily alcohol content. This was his second offense, and a report has been forwarded to the prosecutors office for review. 5:30 p.m. Officers responded to a case of domestic violence on East Patrick Road. 5:03 p.m. Deputies were dispatched to a Lee Township address to assist a home health care employee with an intoxicated patient. The deputies stood by while the employee checked the patients vital signs. The patient was eventually transported to MyMichigan Medical Center for further examination. 4:47 p.m. EMS/Midland Township Fire and a deputy were dispatched to a Mount Haley Township location for a vehicle on the side of the road and a female driver having an unknown medical problem. The 26-year-old female was believed to be diabetic and was treated for low sugar at the scene and transported to the ER for further evaluation. 3:04 p.m. A 56-year-old Mills Township male reported a fraud incident involving the IRS. The male has already completed the complaint process with the IRS, and federal authorities are already investigating the incident. 2:44 p.m. Officers responded to a two-vehicle crash in the area of North Saginaw Road. 1:46 p.m. While patrolling in the area of North Meridian and Dague roads, deputies observed a vehicle in a ditch. There was minimum damage to the vehicle. 1:20 p.m. A deputy received a report of snowmobilers riding at all hours of the night and along the roads. The deputy was able to make contact with one of the owners, a 30-year-old Midland man. The man was advised on snowmobiling laws within Midland, and he stated he was picking up the snowmobiles anyway after he heard neighbors were unhappy. 12:46 p.m. Officers responded to a two-vehicle crash in the area of Ashman and East Indian streets. 12:43 p.m. Officers responded to a two-vehicle crash on Abbott Road. 10:59 a.m. A Lincoln Township resident brought a defective muzzleloader to the Law Enforcement Center for proper disposal. 10:45 a.m. A 64-year-old Lee Township male reported he was assaulted by his 31-year-old son. The parties were separated. A report has been forwarded to the prosecutors office for review. 9:55 a.m. Officers responded to a hit-and-run crash in the area of Eastman Avenue and North Saginaw Road. 8:14 a.m. A deputy was asked to be on the lookout for a semi-truck that was weaving within its lane. The vehicle was westbound on US-10 near M-18. The vehicle turned off US-10 before reaching the deputy. There were no other calls, and the vehicle was not located. 4:06 a.m. Deputies were dispatched to an Edenville Township location regarding a single-vehicle accident involving a residence. The sole occupant of the vehicle was not injured, and the residence was vacant at the time of the accident. A citation was issued to the driver. 3:03 a.m. Officers responded to a domestic verbal dispute on Carolina Street. 2:48 a.m. Deputies were dispatched to an Edenville Township residence regarding a 58-year-old female reporting that someone was outside her residence. The deputies checked the exterior of the residence but didn't locate any fresh tracks in the snow. The deputies did not locate anything else suspicious outside the residence. 1:48 p.m. A 22-year-old Saginaw woman was arrested for domestic assault after being involved in an argument with a Saginaw man she is romantically involved with. Another Saginaw man was assaulted by the woman as he tried to separate her from the other man. She had crashed her car prior to the assaults. The female was transported and lodged at the Midland County Jail without incident. 12:02 a.m. A deputy spoke with a 52-year-old Jerome Township female about a noise she heard outside of her window. A deputy located animal tracks in the fresh snow near the window. The year 2021 marked a deadly period for police officers in the United States as a recent report indicated 458 law enforcers have died in the line of duty. According to the National Law Enforcement Memorial Fund, which released the report, the number is a 55% increase from 2020. The main reason for death is the COVID-19 virus that killed a total of 301 federal, state, tribal, and local officers. The number represented a dramatic jump in 50 years of data in the report, as per New York Times. The report also said that "direct exposure" to the deadly virus while performing their duties caused the demise of the officers. County Sheriff Gregory Countryman in Muscogee, Georgia said that his department is fighting criminals and the virus at the same time, as 18 of his men are down with the sickness. While just slightly above 40% of the county's residents have received immunization against COVID-19. Read Also: US Omicron Surge Crashes Basic Services Numbers Not Yet Final According to CBS News, the released report of the National Law Enforcement Memorial Fund is based on preliminary data, thus it is more likely that the number of deaths due to COVID-19 in 2021 will increase. Aside from the COVID-19 virus, the other causes of deaths among police officers in 2021 were criminal assaults, which accounted for 84 fatalities, including 62 officers killed by gunfire; Traffic incidents with 58 deaths; "Ambush-style attacks" killed 19, higher than the recorded 6 deaths in 2020. The remaining fatalities were caused by health issues, accidents, and other causes. The report noted that the statistics demonstrate the struggles of America's police officers in the front lines in battling the fatal impact of the COVID-19 pandemic across the country. Texas recorded the most number of police deaths due to COVID-19 in the US (84), followed by Florida (52), then Georgia (39), California (24), and North Carolina (21). Meanwhile, there were no COVID-19 deaths in 11 states and Washington, DC. A Vaccine-Related Issue However, the report does not show the number of officers that received the vaccination. It was previously reported last year that union officials in Chicago, Tulsa, Oklahoma, New York City, and Seattle have expressed their opposition to mandatory vaccination, as per NBC News. A police officer in Philadelphia died from COVID-19 on March 3 last year. He was scheduled to get his first jab on March 11. His widow, who requested the media to hide her identity, express her great disappointment with the opposition to the vaccine mandates for law enforcers. She appealed to police union officials to see the mandate as "another means of protection" and hopes that they look at the vaccine "as a way that they are protecting and serving the people that they work with." But Sheriffs in Florida, California, Columbia, and Kansas have said that they would not enforce "no vaccine mandate" In the last quarter of 2021, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis offered to signing bonuses of $5,000 to law enforcement officers who may lose their jobs for not wanting to receive the COVID-19 vaccination. "We're actually actively working to recruit out-of-state law enforcement, because we do have needs," the Republican governor said. Related Article: US Sets Alarming Milestone of 1 Million Coronavirus Cases Amid Omicron Surge as Vaccines Race To Protect Younger People @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Bexar County hospital stress levels have jumped to severe, but CEO of the South Texas Regional Advisory Council says the statistics of COVID hospitalizations look different with this surge. Still, the spread should still not be taken lightly. As of January 11, San Antonio recorded 4,248 new cases and there were 898 people hospitalized with COVID-19, according to data from Metro Health. The numbers were enough to bring "Hospital Trends" into the "Critical" level and "Hospital Stress" into the severe level. However, there were only 195 intensive care unit patients and 73 people on ventilators, comparatively less than past COVID spikes. COVID admissions compared to ICU and ventilator usage is around 5 percent to 7 percent less than previous surges, says STRAC CEO Eric Epley. "They're having the same signs and symptoms as before, it's just there not quite as severe as needing the ICU and ventilator," Epley says. Jessica Phelps /San Antonio Express-News He also says it's because hospitals are treating patients differently as they learn more about the virus. Patients will still show up with breathing trouble but clinicians are not as quick to put patients on a ventilator if it's not necessary. Now they put people on high-flow O2 breathing apparatuses, which allow more oxygen to flow through. Hospitals also treat COVID patients with antiviral medication, steroids, anti-inflammatory medicine, and infusions of monoclonal antibodies. "Now the ICU numbers, I definitely agree are showing that people are less severe when they come to the hospital but they're still sick," Epley says. A big part of the stress on hospitals now is staffing. Mayor Ron Nirenberg and County Judge Nelson Wolff sent a letter to Gov. Greg Abbott this week requesting more nurses. The letter says that hospital staff are also being affected by COVID, leading to shortage. Epley says those nurses who are taking time off are known as call-offs. He didn't have an exact or roundabout number of hospital staff that is out, but the rate of call-offs are significantly higher than previous surges. "And so those call-offs are higher, which makes it makes it a smaller number in the hospital feel a little more painful if you don't have as many people to take care of them," Epley says. 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. 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. 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. Parents and politicians in Texas and around the country are working to remove or restrict books from school libraries with the purpose of shielding students from alleged inappropriate content. But more often than not, voices of the actual students are left out of these conversations and their rights ignored. To date, more than half of book challenges are initiated by parents compared to 1 percent of students, according to the American Library Association. Some of the most egregious book removals in the Lone Star State have been spurred by an October 2021 inquiry launched by Republican state lawmaker Matt Krause into school district books that address race, sex or material that might make students feel discomfort. His action was followed by a directive from Gov. Greg Abbott in November to the Texas Education Agency to identify and remove "pornography or other inappropriate content" from public schools. Subsequently, in December, San Antonio-based North East ISD pulled 414 books from library shelves to review for vulgar or obscene content, using Krauses list as its guide. Jonathan Friedman, director of free speech expression and education at PEN America, says school boards owe it to students to conduct legitimate reviews of books' content before removing them from shelves. Districts typically have policies in place dictating that books must remain on library shelves while reviews are underway. Friedman says these polices are often ignored. There is supposed to be in most cases a committee formed to review and make a decision," Friedman says. What were seeing in a lot of cases is school districts simply giving into these demands without following their policies, and often its not necessarily from the majority of people who live in the district. Its not really democratic." The 1969 Tinker v. Des Moines case established that students have First Amendment rights like anyone else and they do not shed their constitutional rights to freedom of speech or expression at the schoolhouse gate." The case determined that school officials could not censor free speech unless it "materially and substantially" interfered with school operations. The case set a precedent for the 1982 landmark Supreme Court case Island Trees School District vs. Pico, which established that no school board can remove a book from a library simply because they disagreed with the content within it, but that boards could remove a book based on concerns about its educational suitability or pervasive vulgarity. Most books recently targeted by parents and politicians touch on sex education or simply mention topics related to sex and gender. According to an analysis by Book Riot, which bills itself as the largest independent literary site in North America, about 62 percent of books in Krauses list are about LGBTQ themes. However, Friedman says the First Amendment opposes public authorities removing books or attempting to censor speech based on particular ideas. We dont have a clear decision by constitutional authorities, certainly by the Supreme Court, on each of these cases right now," Friedman explains. "But theres a strong argument that the dislike of the books as an effort to suppress the ideas that those books represent is driving a lot of those removals." Though book challenges have always existed, Friedman says recent efforts have been more widespread than ever and many of the same books are being targeted over and over again. "We're seeing parents in Utah or in another part of the country see the list of books online, running that list against books in their local school library or school district and then requesting to remove them," he says. Censorship watchers say book banning has been the worst in recent memory, with Deborah Caldwell-Stone, executive director of the American Library Associations Office for Intellectual Freedom, recently telling Time magazine that there's been an unprecedented volume of challenges in schools and libraries across the country. Among some of the most commonly targeted books is "Out of Darkness" by Ashley Hope Perez. The award-winning novel depicts an interracial love story between a Mexican girl and a Black boy set in 1930s Texas, with the real-life 1937 New London school explosion serving as a backdrop. Perez says her book first came under attack in Central Texas in Leander ISD when the district paused its use in its high school reading program and subsequently removed the book from classrooms and book clubs, deeming its content inappropriate. The book, which was also listed in Krauses inquiry, faced more backlash in September when a parent at a Lake Travis school board meeting cited a passage from the book, calling it sexually explicit. In a December Texas Monthly article, Perez explained the passage referenced was completely de-contextualized and was actually meant to depict harm the character endured as the only Mexican American in her school. "Creating it was painful, one of many times in writing fiction that Ive had to depict harm that I wish did not exist in the world," Perez wrote. "I represent these views in the book so that I can reveal their toxic effect; I dont endorse them." In regards to concerns about the availability of so-called pornography in school libraries, Friedman says the term is legally vague. None of these books that are being talked about would meet the definition of obscenity, he explains. A book that is obscene is designed with prurient interest. You couldnt read any of these books cover to cover and say thats what the book is designed to do. Perez's book has been challenged by districts in at least eight different states, including eight in Texas. In Williamson County, located north of Austin, commissioners temporarily withheld pandemic relief funds from two school districts citing a list of 11 books, including Out of Darkness, it said contained X-rated content. Commissioner Cynthia Long promised to grant $3.7 million in CARES Act funding to the districts as long as they removed the books from all school libraries. The panel eventually voted to grant the funding, but in a phone interview Perez says it still raises major concerns. Antics of these parents groups have created a situation where everyones kids are going to lose resources because of those behaviors, Perez says. She also finds recent reports of bans spreading to public libraries troubling. Im especially invested in students who rely on libraries who may not have other access and I do not want to see them lose their right to books that reflect their experience or that expand their experience of the world," Perez says. However, Perez adds that the most devastating outcome is the message being conveyed to young people whose identities are being targeted. While the books are not required reading, their existence for students that need or want them is impactful, she says. When parents target books that are overwhelmingly about LGBTQ, Black, Latinx, or otherwise non-dominant identities, they are signaling that they object to those identities, that they dont belong and that those identities are a threat to the innocence of their white children, Perez says. Whats worse is when school boards elevate those parents' perspectives, they are endorsing that position and for a young person with a marginalized identity, it can feel like the whole school structure is set against them. Friedman says young people are more inspired and motivated to read when they identify with characters and experiences in the book, pointing to the temporary removal of New Kid by Jerry Craft in Katy ISD. The book was eventually reinstated on shelves, but the district later pulled five books from other authors it deemed pervasively vulgar in December. A lot of times librarians are just trying to encourage young people to find interest in reading, Friedman says. If that experience resonates with young people and makes them want to read books and think about storytelling and get into artistry, why is the governor suggesting books like that not be in schools? While parents play an important role in guiding their own child's education and have the right to express concerns about material in schools, putting their rights and needs over those of students is a disservice, Perez says, adding, if necessary, parents can always request special accommodations for their child. What we are seeing is a serious overreach of parents' rights to guide their own childs education, Perez says. We are seeing these parents wish to control other peoples kids access to books. Most conflict arises squarely on this point, Friedman says. Its not whether their own children should have access to a book but whether any children or people of a certain age should have access to a book in a school library. Friedman adds the implication that a small group deciding what books should and shouldnt be accessible presents a dangerous line of thinking. It suggests people who dont like history should be able to determine that certain history isnt taught or people that dont like science should be able to determine that scientific knowledge shouldnt be taught, Friedman says. To fight such attacks, Perez encourages students to get their hands on and circulate books that are being challenged. I think that the thing thats most important is to be galvanized and not intimidated by this, to be unstoppable as readers, as young people and to speak up, she says. I think in many of the districts where theres been a successful pushback against these challenges, student voices have been very powerful. PEN America has provided tips to students on how to fight book bans in their communities, including a virtual teach-in event in December. Students dont even have to say they want to read these books, Friedman says. They just have to say they want the liberty to go to the school library and have the choice. Why wouldnt we want award-winning books in school libraries? Why wouldnt we want books on all kinds of topics available to young people to see a great diversity of literature available to them in school libraries? They should be demanding that. The state of Texas has filed a lawsuit against Planned Parenthood, seeking $10 million in Medicaid payments issued to the health care provider since 2017. This is the latest in the states yearslong battle to remove Planned Parenthood as a Medicaid provider in Texas. Gov. Greg Abbott first vowed to cut Planned Parenthoods funding in 2015, after the release of a heavily edited and subsequently debunked undercover video that suggested abortion providers at Planned Parenthood illegally sold fetal tissue for profit. At the time, Planned Parenthood received $3.1 million from Medicaid to provide family planning and womens health services to low-income Texans. Those services were separate from the groups abortion services, which receive no public funding. In a statement, Planned Parenthood Federation of America general counsel Kumiki Gibson called the lawsuit meritless and said it was a political attack by anti-abortion politicians. Planned Parenthood will continue to fight back against all of these false accusations and political attacks and will continue serving patients in Texas no matter what, Gibson said. In 2016, Texas officially filed to remove Planned Parenthood as a Medicaid provider, setting off a lengthy legal battle. Planned Parenthood immediately asked the courts to intervene, and a federal district court blocked the states notice of termination in 2017, allowing Planned Parenthood to continue to seek reimbursement through Medicaid. But in November 2020, the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals reversed that decision, allowing Texas to proceed with removing Planned Parenthood as a provider. Planned Parenthood then filed an emergency lawsuit saying the state had not followed proper procedures, and a state judge issued a temporary restraining order. Ultimately, in February 2021, the state prevailed, bringing to an end Planned Parenthoods attempts to remain on the Medicaid rolls. Those legal and administrative proceedings took more than three years, during which Planned Parenthood continued to see patients and bill through Medicaid. In this new lawsuit, filed Jan. 6, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton claims that Planned Parenthood lost the right to receive Medicaid reimbursement in February 2017, when the group first declined to appeal the notice of termination. Paxton is seeking to claw back the $10 million in Medicaid funding that Planned Parenthood has received since then, as well as tens of millions in fees, penalties and interest. Disclosure: Planned Parenthood 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. Tarek El Moussa and Christina Haack have bought a lot of dirty, grungy houses on HGTV's "Flip or Flop," but their latest property is especially creepy. In the Season 12 episode "Addition Condition," these flippers buy a four-bedroom, two-bathroom house in Anaheim, CA, for $475,000. The house has a particularly odd layout, so El Moussa gets the idea to turn one bedroom into an accessory dwelling unit, a private apartment the future buyers can rent out. However, the flippers know it would be difficult to rent out any part of this house as it stands. With dark rooms and a weird layout, Haack and El Moussa get an unsettling feeling when they first take a tour. "This is creepy," Haack says, looking around. "I feel like I'm in a murder mystery." They give the home a complete makeover, and in the end, the scariest thing about this house is how much they spend on renovations. Read on to see how El Moussa and Haack turn this ominous property into a cute, midcentury modern abodeand get plenty of tips for creating an ADU within your own home, and much more. This house had an avocado exterior color and ugly porch railings. HGTV When Haack and El Moussa first check out their latest flip, they're not at all pleased with the exterior. The porch features a dated floral railing, and the house is covered in a throwback color that was once all the rage. "This house is, like, avocado," Haack says. Still, the house is in fairly good shape and she picks out a modern color scheme of gray with white trim and black shutters. "The whole house looks completely different," Haack says once the paint is done. "The paint colors look super nice." These railings date the house. HGTV To finish the exterior, El Moussa has an idea for the intricate floral porch railing: "We leave all of this, and we just cut out the designs." So the team cuts out the floral parts, leaving behind sleek, simple metal rails. It costs a lot less than a new railing and makes the exterior look much more modern. After: Now, the railings look new. HGTV A midcentury style can be a bit 'funky' Before: Tarek El Moussa and Christina Haack weren't happy with this dark kitchen. HGTV Inside the home, Haack says, "I would have to sage it" to clear negative energy, but El Moussa disapproves. "We will never sage a house," he says. In place of sage, El Moussa and Haack fix up the space by removing one wall, opening the kitchen up to the living room. Then they fill the kitchen with midcentury modern woodgrain cabinets and a white and blue backsplash that El Moussa calls "funky." After: This kitchen is packed with midcentury modern style. HGTV Funky or no, Haack likes the backsplash: "I love it. Midcentury is all about fun patterns, textures, mosaics." At first, El Moussa wasn't sure about this backsplash, but it looks great! HGTV You don't need a huge house to build a beautiful ADU Before: This bedroom was accessible only through another bedroom. HGTV When Haack and El Moussa first tour this house, they're surprised to find that two of the four bedrooms are connected. Clearly, they'll need to fix this. "No one wants to walk through a room to get to a room," Haack says. However, instead of rearranging the doorways, El Moussa surprises Haack by suggesting they turn the back bedroom and bathroom into a studio ADU with a kitchenette. "It takes away the funky floor plan, it makes everything functional, and it increases the value," El Moussa says. After: An accessory dwelling unit can add value. HGTV The change would cost about $30,000, but El Moussa knows it'll be worth the expense. "We'd probably sell the house for $50,000 to $70,000 more," he says. Haack notes that this will leave the main house with only one bathroom, but El Moussa's fix is clearly the right choice. By adding a kitchenette and a separate entrance, these flippers allow the future buyers a chance to make income off their property (or just provide a private space for in-laws or an adult child). Haack and El Moussa prove that a homeowner doesn't need a separate guesthouse, detached garage, or entire floor to create an ADU. Different bathrooms should feel similar but not identical This dated bathroom was due for an upgrade. HGTV While the main house and the separate apartment are both part of the same property, Haack wants to make sure the spaces complement each other but have their own unique design. "The main house and the ADU will have similar looks," she says. "For example, we're using the same shower tile on the main house, only in blue." After: The bathroom in the main house has a deep blue shower. HGTV Using the same tile in different colors is a great way to give these two bathrooms a similar style without looking identical. It's a great idea for anyone designing two bathrooms in the same housewhether one bathroom is part of an ADU or not. After: The bathroom in the ADU has a white version of the tile in the main house. HGTV Turn a pool into a putting green Before: The flippers didn't want to keep this pool. HGTV In the backyard, these flippers find a lot of concrete and an old, oddly shaped pool. "There's something very awkward about the shapethis, like, oval situation," Haack says. "It looks like a bathtub." While Haack and El Moussa want to fill in the pool, they're afraid of how the finished product will look. "This entire backyard is concrete. If we fill in this pool right here, this is going to be concrete," El Moussa says. After: This putting green is a fun alternative to the pool. HGTV Contractor Israel Battres suggests turning the filled pool into a putting green, and the "Flip or Flop" hosts love the idea. "That's the best idea you've ever had," Haack says. Filling in the pool costs $3,000 while the putting green on top is an additional $2,000. It turns out to be a unique feature that adds color to this yard. With a lot of concrete still there, this yard still isn't perfect, but El Moussa and Haack found a novel way to get rid of an unwanted pool. Is this house a flip or flop? After buying this home for $475,000, El Moussa and Haack plan to renovate it for around $90,000. But after taking down a kitchen wall and transforming one bedroom into a separate apartment, they spend a shocking $161,000 on the renovation. Factoring in $30,000 for closing costs and commission, the house has a break-even price of $666,000. They list the property for $799,000 and end up getting nine offers, accepting one for $855,000. If this deal goes through, El Moussa and Haack stand to make a profit of $189,000. It's proof that even spooky homes can be turned aroundno sage required. The post Here's One Thing Tarek El Moussa and Christina Haack Will Never Do appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com. Marion, IN (46952) Today Heavy rain along with thunderstorms this afternoon. High around 70F. Winds SSW at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 90%.. Tonight Showers early, then cloudy overnight. Low 47F. Winds NW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 50%. Joe Biden asked senators Tuesday, pounding his palm for emphasis, to fight against voter suppression by amending Senate rules to approve voting rights legislation that Republicans are stalling from debate and vote. In a speech aimed at reviving the struggle to enact federal voting rules and persuading skeptic Democrats of his commitment, US President Biden denounced many Republicans as cowards and pledged to end the Senate's "filibuster" in order to pass legislation. Biden contrasted civil rights heroes The Democratic president compared the voting rights struggle to Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.'s fight against segregation, describing it as a "war for the spirit of America." Despite investigations finding no proof, former President Donald Trump insists that Democrats stole the 2020 election through voting fraud. Since then, Republican legislators in 19 states have passed hundreds of anti-voting measures. Critics claim that these policies are aimed against minorities, who tend to vote in higher numbers for Democrats. As he juxtaposed civil rights heroes with the country's most fervent white supremacists, Biden said on Tuesday that Republicans must pick which side of history they want to be on, as per The Telegraph via MSN. Mitch McConnell, the Senate Minority Leader, slammed President Biden's speech in Georgia on the Democratic push for voting rights legislation, calling it profoundly unpresidential. McConnell slammed Biden for referring to millions of Americans as domestic adversaries and compared a bipartisan majority of senators to genuine traitors in a fiery speech on the Senate floor. Read Also: Mitch McConnell Seeks Another Term as Senator, Urges Top Leadership Position While GOP Anticipates Dominance on Midterm Elections McConnell blasts Biden's voting rights speech Biden's speech, according to McConnell, was a rant, nonsensical, inaccurate, beneath his position, and unworthy of a president of the United States, citing the recently sworn-in president's inaugural address from January, in which he declared every disagreement doesn't have to be a reason for utter war. While the president chastised Georgia's tough voting regulations, Mayor Muriel Bowser of Washington, DC, warned citizens not to leave their homes without a photo ID and a vaccination card. He added that Georgia has more early voting days than both New York and Delaware, both of which are Democratic-controlled states. Early voting in Georgia begins the fourth Monday before the election or runoff, but early voting in New York and Delaware is limited to ten days. Furthermore, early voting in Delaware was not available until this year, according to New York Post. Biden's connecting Republicans to Jim Crow-era law as an obstacle to electoral reform now irritated the Kentucky Republican., according to the Brennan Center for Justice, at least 19 GOP-led states have implemented legislation reducing voting access in the previous year. Biden had spoken out strongly the day before in Atlanta in support of modifying the Senate filibuster rule so that Democrats could pass two major voting packages that had stalled in the Senate. In turn, McConnell ended his floor address on Wednesday by encouraging his colleagues to safeguard tradition in the Senate, Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., has been courted to switch parties, and he has made an indirect pitch to him. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer promised that the Democrats' voting bill will be voted on as soon as Wednesday. The Democratic leader met with Arizona Sen. Kyrsten Sinema on Tuesday night - another Democrat who hasn't committed to a filibuster carveout but says she supports election reforms - Then, on Wednesday morning, for roughly an hour with Manchin as he attempts to find out how to get Biden's plan passed, ABC News reported. Related Article: Joe Biden Blasts Donald Trump Over Jan. 6 Anniversary; Former President Dismisses Speech in 2 Words @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Florida, US (34429) Today Mostly cloudy skies. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 89F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 67F. Winds light and variable. French & Furious / Short Film / 29 min WARNING: This film contains content that may offend the sensibilities of spectators, particularly younger viewers. Suitable for a mature audience aged 18 and over. The House committee investigating the attack on the Capitol on Jan. 6 formally sought an interview with Minority leader Kevin McCarthy on Wednesday as he was in frequent touch with former President Donald J. Trump during and after the incident. The letter to McCarthy is the committee's latest attempt to discover more about Trump's conduct during the hours-long melee on Jan. 6, as well as his mental state in the days that followed. McCarthy, a California Republican, is now the panel's highest-ranking politician under investigation. Panel probing Capitol riot seeks interview with Kevin McCarthy The panel was particularly interested in a phone contact between McCarthy and Trump during the disturbance. Mr. McCarthy previously characterized the discussion as "extremely intense," in which he requested Trump to deploy assistance to the Capitol as a violent crowd broke into the facility. Trump sided with the rioters, telling McCarthy that they were clearly more unhappy about the election than the Republican leader, according to a statement offered last year during impeachment hearings. This was the committee's third effort at persuading a Republican legislator to participate in an interview. Representatives Scott Perry of Pennsylvania and Jim Jordan of Ohio have declined to participate in the panel's deliberations. The committee has yet to issue a subpoena for testimony from any legislator, but members have indicated that if interviews are refused, they may do so, according to The New York Times. McCarthy's reactions to the incident are dissected in the letter, beginning with his statement on the House floor, in which he declared Trump "bears culpability" for the attack. It then relays McCarthy's stressful discussion with the White House during the attack, as well as how he asked Trump to call off his supporters, using numerous sources. According to the committee, altered during a meeting with Trump at Mar-a-Lago, which was convened after the former president made disparaging remarks about the minority leader. McCarthy faces a number of other questions from the committee, including why he continued to protest to election results until the early morning hours of January 7 and any interactions he had on the subject with Trump, his legal staff, and Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio). McCarthy is quoted as telling Trump and his chief of staff Mark Meadows that such an endeavor "was certain to fail" in an extract from Jonathan Karl's ABC News book. McCarthy's letter also asks for any conversations he had with Trump prior to President Biden's inauguration, including one on January 11 of last year, in which McCarthy reportedly advised Trump to "go forward with a peaceful transition of power, according to The Hill. Read Also: Democrats Confronted With Rising Retirements as Kevin McCarthy Anticipates More Than 30 People To Retire Before 2022 Midterm Elections McCarthy is the third person asked for voluntary info McCarthy drew the attention of the committee with his public characterizations following the uproar over his private conversations with Trump. McCarthy recalled his meetings with the president in various comments and interviews, according to Thompson's letter. The request for voluntary information from a member of Congress from the Republican leader is the committee's third. The subcommittee has also called Republican Representatives Jim Jordan and Scott Perry in recent weeks, but they have declined to meet with legislators or release papers. The group, which is made up of seven Democrats and two Republicans, has already interrogated over 300 persons and issued subpoenas to more than 40 others in order to compile a full account of the incident on January 6 and the events leading up to it. The committee claims that the massive amount of information it has gathered - 35,000 pages of documents so far, including texts, emails, and phone records from Trump associates - is helping to flesh out key details of the worst attack on the Capitol in two centuries, which was broadcast live on television, VOA News reported. Related Article: Judge Suggests Donald Trump's Silence Could Amount To "Agreement" With Rioters on Jan.6; Former President Seeks Court To Throw Out Lawsuits @YouTube @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Sorry, no valid subscriptions were found for this Publication. Please select from an option below to start a subscription. SUBSCRIBE TODAY! 24 Hour Access A family, Dr. Johnson once wrote, is a little kingdom, torn with factions and exposed to revolutions. This is a less than ringing endorsement of family life, of course; and the great Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen, whose childhood had been as unhappy as Johnsons, would have agreed with this assessment. But Johnson, unlike Ibsen, went on to remark that all judgment is comparative: that to judge an institution or convention rightly, one must compare it with its alternatives. Marriage has many pains, says Johnson in Rasselas, but celibacy has no pleasures. Johnson saw human existence as inseparable from dissatisfaction. It is mans nature to suffer from incompatible desires simultaneouslyfor example, wanting both security and excitement. When he has one, he longs for the other, so that contentment is rarely unalloyed and never lasting. However, most people find it more comforting to believe in perfectibility than in imperfectibilityan example of what Dr. Johnson called the triumph of hope over experience. The notion of imperfectibility not only fans existential anxieties, but alsoby precluding simple solutions to all human problemsplaces much tougher intellectual demands upon us than utopianism does. Not every question can be answered by reference to a few simple abstract principles that, if followed with sufficient rigor, will supposedly lead to perfectionwhich is why conservatism is so much more difficult to reduce to slogans than its much more abstract competitors. The yearning for principles that will abolish human dissatisfactions helps account for the continuing popularity of Ibsens three most frequently performed plays: A Dolls House, Ghosts, and Hedda Gabler. Each is a ferocious attack on marriage as a powerful source of much human unhappiness and frustration. It is this indictment that gives Ibsen his extraordinary modernity, a modernity that has only seemed to increase over the century and a quarter since he wrote these plays. The scale of Ibsens achievement is astonishing. Almost single-handedly, he gave birth to the modern theater. Before him, the nineteenth century, so rich in other literary forms, produced hardly a handful of plays that can still be performed, and the literary power of his work has never since been equaled. It was he who first realized that mundane daily life, relayed in completely naturalistic language, contained within it all the ingredients of tragedy. That he should have transformed the whole of Western drama while writing in an obscure language that was considered primitiveand that he should have produced in 20 years more performable plays than all the British and French playwrights of his era put together, despite their incomparably longer and richer theatrical traditionsis almost miraculous. Though Ibsen often claimed to be a poet rather than a social critic, lacking any didactic purpose, the evidence of his letters and speeches (quite apart from the internal evidence of the plays themselves) proves quite the oppositethat he was almost incandescent with moral purpose. Contemporaries had no doubt of it; and the first book about him in English, Bernard Shaws Quintessence of Ibsenism, published in 1891 while Ibsen still had many years to live and plays to write, stated forthrightly that his works stood or fell by the moral precepts they advocated. Shaw thought that Ibsen was a Joshua come to blow down the walls of moral convention. I think this judgment is wrong: Ibsen was far too great a writer to be only a moralist, and it is possible still to read or watch his plays with pleasure and instruction, without swallowing what he has to say hook, line, and sinker. Still, Ibsens influence extended far beyond the theater. He wrote as much to be read as to be performed; and his plays were published, often in relatively large editions, to catch the Christmas market. And Shaw was hardly alone in perceiving their unconventionality. Ghosts, for instance, was initially considered so controversial, not to say filthy, that its printed version was handed round semi-clandestinely, few people daring to be seen reading it. By the end of his life, however, a quarter of a century later, most European intellectuals had come to take its moral outlook virtually for granted, and anyone who continued to resist its teachings seemed mired in an unenlightened past. The comparatively easy acceptance of what Shaw called Ibsenism20 or 30 years is a long time in the life of a man, but not of mankindmeans that Ibsen must have expressed what many people had thought and wanted to hear but had not dared to say. He was thus both a cause and a symptom of social change; and like many such figures, he was partly right and largely wrong. What are his moral teachings, at least in the three plays that have forged his enduring image? He was as rabidly hostile to conventional family life as Marx or Engels, but he was a much more effective and powerful critic, because his criticism did not remain on the level of philosophical abstraction. On the contrary, he laid bare the factions and revolutions of family life, its lies and miseries, in compelling and believable dramas; and while it has always been open to the reader or viewer to ascribe the moral pathology exhibited in these plays to the particular characters or neuroses of their dramatis personae alone, clearly this was not Ibsens intention. He was not a forerunner of Jerry Springer; his aim was not titillation or a mere display of the grotesque. He intends us to regard the morbidity his plays anatomize as typical and quintessential (to use Shaws word), the inevitable consequence of certain social conventions and institutions. He invites us implicitly, and explicitly in A Dolls House and Ghosts, to consider alternative ways of living in order to eliminate what he considers the avoidable misery of the pathology he brings to light. It is hardly surprising that feminists celebrate Ibsen. For one thing, his three oft-performed plays repeatedly suggest that marriage is but formalized and legalized prostitution. In A Dolls House, Mrs. Linde, a childhood friend whom Nora has just encountered after an absence of many years, tells Nora that her marriage has been an unhappy one (I use throughout Michael Meyers excellent translations): Nora: Tell me, is it really true that you didnt love your husband? . . . Mrs. Linde: Well, my mother was still alive; and she was helpless and bedridden. And I had my two little brothers to take care of. I didnt feel I could say no. Nora: . . . He was rich then, was he? In Ghosts, too, marriage for money is a prominent theme. The carpenter Engstrand suggests to Regina, who at this point thinks she is his daughter, that she should marry for that reason. After all, he himself married Reginas mother for money. Like Regina, she had been a servant in the Alving household, until Lieutenant Alving got her pregnant. Mrs. Alving discharged her, giving her some money before she left, and then Engstrand married her. Pastor Manders discusses the matter with Lieutenant Alvings widow: Manders: How much was it you gave the girl? Mrs. Alving: Fifty pounds. Manders: Just imagine! To go and marry a fallen woman for a paltry fifty pounds! The implication is that the transaction would have been reasonable, in the eyes of the respectable pastor, if the sum had been larger: as large as the sum that had bought Mrs. Alving. At the plays outset, when she is making arrangements for the opening of an orphanage named in memory of her husband, she explains something to Pastor Manders: Mrs. Alving: The annual donations that I have made to this Orphanage add up to the sum . . . which made Lieutenant Alving, in his day, a good match. Manders: I understand Mrs. Alving: It was the sum with which he bought me. Hedda Gabler alludes only slightly less directly to the mercenary motive of marriage. Mrs. Elvsted is another old acquaintance of the main female character, who turns up after an absence of many years and has had an unhappy marriage. She went to Mr. Elvsted as a housekeeper and, after the death of his first wife, married him: Hedda: But he loves you, surely? In his own way? Mrs. Elvsted: Oh, I dont know. I think he finds me useful. And then I dont cost much to keep. Im cheap. Marriage, then, is a financial bargain, and a pretty poor oneat least for women. But, of course, there are other reasons for marital unhappiness, especially the irreducible incompatibility of man and wife. In fact, any apparent happiness is a facade or a lie, maintained by social pressure. In A Dolls House, for example, Nora appears at first to be happily married to Torvald Helmer, a young lawyer on his way up. Helmer treats her like a little girl, sometimes chiding and sometimes indulging her, but never taking her seriously as an adult; and she plays along, acting the featherbrained young woman to almost nauseating perfection. Unbeknownst to Helmer, however, Nora has previously saved his life by obtaining a loan, secured by a forged signature, that allowed them to spend a year in Italy, whose warmer climate cured the disease that would have killed him. When Helmer discovers what she has done, he is not grateful and does not see her forgery as a manifestation of her love for him; on the contrary, he condemns her unmercifully and tells her that she is not fit to be mother to their three children. In fact, Helmer interprets the episode as if he were the lawyer prosecuting her rather than her husband. The scales fall from Noras eyes. Their life together, she sees, has been not only an outward but an inward sham: he is not the man that she, blinded by her acceptance of the social role assigned to her, took him for. She tells him that she is leaving him; and although Helmer offers a more adult, equal relationship between them, it is too late. Undoubtedly, Ibsen was pointing to a genuine and serious problem of the timethe assumed inability of women to lead any but a domestic existence, without intellectual content (and, in fact, the play was based upon a real case). But if this were its principal moral focus, the play would have lost its impact by now, since the point has long been conceded. Ibsen was not, in fact, a devotee of womens rights: addressing a conference on the subject in Oslo, he said, I have never written any play to further a social purpose. . . . I am not even very sure what Womens Rights really are. With no faith in legislative or institutional solutions to problems, Ibsen had a much larger target: the change of people from within, so that they might finally express their true nature unmediated by the distortions of society. In Ghosts, Mrs. Alvings marriage is unhappy not just because she was bought. Her husband was a philandering alcoholic, and she fled from him after a year of marriage, taking refuge in Pastor Manderss house. Although Manders and Mrs. Alving felt a mutual attractionindeed, fell in lovethe pastor persuaded her that she had a religious duty to return to her husband. Despite Alvings promise to change, which at the beginning of the play Pastor Manders believes that he kept, Alving continued his dissolute ways until his death. Mrs. Alving made it her task to conceal his conduct from the world and from her son, Oswald. But when Alving impregnated the servant with Regina (who is thus Oswalds half-sister), she sent Oswald away and would not allow him to return home while Alving was still alive. While Alving drank himself to death, Mrs. Alving made a success of his estatea success that she allowed to be attributed to Alving, permitting him to die in the odor not only of sanctity but of success. The lies of Mrs. Alvings life spring from the false sense of shamewhat will others say?that traps her into returning to Alving and into covering up for him. Similarly, Manders, as Ibsen portrays him, represents a bogus moralism, in whose code appearance is more important than reality or inner meaning, and avoidance of shame is a better guide to conduct than conscience. This code leads Manders to make wrong decisions even in banal practical mattersfor example, whether the orphanage should be insured or not. He discusses this question with Mrs. Alving, noting that there had nearly been a fire there the day before. Mrs. Alving concludes that the orphanage should be insured. But then Manders indulges in a little oily and dishonest sanctimony: Manders: Ah, but wait a minute, Mrs. Alving. Let us consider this question a little more closely. . . . The Orphanage is, so to speak, to be consecrated to a higher purpose. . . . As far as I personally am concerned, I see nothing offensive in securing ourselves against all eventualities. . . . But what is the feeling among the local people out here? . . . Are there many people with the right to an opinion . . . who might take offence? . . . I am thinking chiefly of people sufficiently independent and influential to make it impossible for one to ignore their opinions altogether. . . . You see! In town we have a great many such people. Followers of other denominations. People might very easily come to the conclusion that neither you nor I have sufficient trust in the ordinance of a Higher Power. . . . I knowmy conscience is clear, that is true. But all the same, we couldnt prevent a false and unfavourable interpretation being placed on our action. . . . And I cant altogether close my eyes to the difficultI might even say deeply embarrassingposition in which I might find myself. Of course, the opinions of the people whom Manders is propitiating are just as bogus as his own; and when, the next day, the orphanage does in fact burn down, because of Manderss carelessness with a candle, he not only deems it Gods judgment on the Alving family but is clearly worried more about his own reputation than about anything else. In fact, he finds someone elseEngstrand, the carpenterwilling to take the blame for what he has done. Manders has no conscience, only a fear of what others will say. His explanation of why he persuaded Mrs. Alving to return to her husband displays the same pharisaical fear of public opinion: Manders: . . . a wife is not appointed to be her husbands judge. It was your duty humbly to bear that cross which a higher will had seen fit to assign to you. But instead you . . . hazard your good name, and very nearly ruin the reputation of others. Mrs. Alving: Others? Anothers, you mean? Manders: It was extremely inconsiderate of you to seek refuge with me. Once again, there can be no doubt that Ibsen has most accurately put his finger on a pseudo-morality in which shame or social disapproval takes the place of personal conscience or true moral principle, and in whose name peopleespecially womenare made to suffer misery, degradation, and even violence. This is no mere figment of Ibsens imagination. Indeed, I have observed the consequences of the operation of this pseudo-morality among my young Muslim patients, who are made to suffer the torments of a living hell and are sometimes even killed by their male relatives, solely to preserve the good name of the family in the opinion of others. By no means, then, was Ibsen exaggerating. When he said that his fellow countrymen were a nation of serfs living in a free country, he meant that their fear of shame and notions of respectability enslaved and oppressed them, even in a land without political oppression. The third of these portraits of unhappy marriages, Hedda Gabler, is the least interesting because it is implausible. Hedda Gabler, the daughter of a general, marries beneath herself, choosing an intellectual who hopes for a chair at the university, though he is actually a petty pedant, without originality or flair. In fact, he is such a milksop, such a pathetic ninny, that it is hard to believe that Hedda, with her very high conception of her own abilities and entitlements, would have married him in the first place. It is therefore difficult to take her consequent travails very seriously. But she ends up killing herself, because life, with the bourgeois options it currently offers her, is not worth living. It is in A Dolls House and Ghosts that Ibsen offers us not just criticisms but positive prescriptions. And it is because his prescriptions are those of the 1960s, though written 80 years earlier, that we find him still so astonishingly modern and prescient. When, in A Dolls House, Nora tells her husband that she is leaving him, he asks her (just as Pastor Manders would have done) whether she has thought of what other people will say. He then goes on to ask her about her duty: Helmer: Can you neglect your most sacred duties? Nora: What do you call my most sacred duties? Helmer: Do I have to tell you? Your duties to your husband, and your children. This crucial passage continues with a little psychobabble followed by the justification of radical egotism: Nora: I have another duty which is equally sacred. Helmer: . . . What on earth could that be? Nora: My duty to myself. Nora goes on to explain that she is first and foremost a human beingor that, anyway, she must try to become one. (This sentiment reminds one of Marxs view that men will become truly human only after the revolution has brought about the end of class society. All who had gone before, apparentlyand all of Marxs contemporarieswere less than truly human. Little wonder that untold millions were done to death by those who shared this philosophy.) So if Nora is not yet a human being, what will make her one? Philosophical autonomy is the answer: Nora: . . . Im no longer prepared to accept what people say and whats written in books. I must think things out for myself and try to find my own answer. And the criterion she is to use, to judge whether her own answer is correct, is whether it is rightor anyway, whether it is right for me. Postmodernism is not so very modern after all, it seems: Ibsen got there first. Moments later, Nora makes clear what the consequences of her new freedom are: Nora: I dont want to see the children. . . . As I am now I can be nothing to them. And with these chilling words, she severs all connection with her three children, forever. Her duty to herself leaves no room for a moments thought for them. They are as dust in the balance. When, as I have, you have met hundreds, perhaps thousands, of people abandoned in their childhood by one or both of their parents, on essentially the same grounds (I need my own space), and you have seen the lasting despair and damage that such abandonment causes, you cannot read or see A Dolls House without anger and revulsion. Now we see what Ibsen meant when he said that womens rights were of no fundamental interest to him. He was out to promote something much more important: universal egotism. It is clear from Ghosts as well that Ibsen conceived of a society in which everyone was his own Descartes, working out everything from first principlesor at least what he or she believed to be first principles. For example, when Pastor Manders arrives for the first time in Mrs. Alvings house, he finds some books that he considers dangerously liberal: Mrs. Alving: But what do you object to in these books? Manders: Object to? You surely dont imagine I spend my time studying such publications? Mrs. Alving: In other words, youve no idea what youre condemning? Manders: Ive read quite enough about these writings to disapprove of them. Mrs. Alving: Dont you think you ought to form your own opinion? Manders: My dear Mrs. Alving, there are many occasions in life when one must rely on the judgment of others. Coming from a character whom Ibsen scorns as ridiculous and bigoted, these words, which contain an obvious truth, are meant to be rejected out of hand. In Ibsens philosophy, everyoneat least Natures aristocrats, for in fact Ibsen was no egalitarian or democratmust examine every question for himself and arrive at his own answer: for example, whether the Protocols of the Elders of Zion is historically trueor at least historically true for him. The object, or at least the obvious consequence, of such independence of judgment is the breakdown of the artificial, socially constructed barriers that constrain behavior and (in theory) prevent people from reaching a state of complete happiness, which is to say absence of frustration. Unhappiness in all the plays results from not having followed the hearts inclinations, either by not doing what one wants, or by doing what one does not want, all to comply with some social obligation enforced by the Pastor Manderses of the world: Manders: . . . your marriage was celebrated in an orderly fashion and in full accordance with the law. Mrs. Alving: All this talk about law and order. I often think that is what causes all the unhappiness in the world. Mrs. Alvings son, Oswald, has returned home from Paris not only to attend the opening of the orphanage named for his father, but also because he is ill, with tertiary syphilis. He is destined to die soon in a state either of madness or dementia, according to the Parisian specialist (French syphilologists knew more about the disease than any other doctors in the world, and Ibsen was always well informed about medical matters). At first, Oswaldstill believing that his father was a fine, upstanding manconcludes that he contracted the disease by his own conduct. In fact, he has congenital syphilis, passed on by his father. (It was formerly objected that Oswald could not have caught syphilis from his father alone, but in fact Oswalds father could have passed on the germs to Oswald through his mother, infecting her only with a subclinical case.) For her part, Mrs. Alving is in no doubt that society is responsible for her husbands (and thus her sons) disease: Mrs. Alving: And this happy, carefree childfor he [Alving] was like a child, thenhad to live here in a little town that had no joy to offer him. . . . And in the end the inevitable happened. . . . Your poor father never found any outlet for the joy of life that was in him. And I didnt bring any sunshine into his home. . . . They had taught me about duty and things like that and I sat here for too long believing in them. In the end everything became a matter of dutymy duty, and his duty, andIm afraid I made his home intolerable for your poor father. The way of avoiding such tragedies is for everyone to follow his own inclinations, more or less as they arise. Only associations free of institutional constraint will set men free. Earlier in the play, Oswald has described to the scandalized Manders the informal families among whom he mixed in bohemian Paris, after Manders tells Mrs. Alving that Oswald has never had the opportunity to know a real home. Oswald: I beg your pardon, sir, but there youre quite mistaken. Manders: Oh? I thought you had spent practically all your time in artistic circles. Oswald: I have. Manders: Mostly among young artists. Oswald: Yes. Manders: But I thought most of those people lacked the means to support a family and make a home for themselves. Oswald: Some of them cant afford to get married, sir. Manders: Yes, thats what Im saying. Oswald: But that doesnt mean they cant have a home. . . . Manders: But Im not speaking about bachelor establishments. By a home I mean a family establishment, where a man lives with his wife and children. Oswald: Quite. Or with his children and their mother. We go on to learn that these informal families, precisely because they are based not upon convention, duty, or social pressure but upon unconstrained love, are not only equal to conventional families but much superior. Oswald talks of the peace and harmony that he found among them: I have never heard an offensive word there, far less ever witnessed anything that could be called immoral. And he adds: Oswald: No; do you know when and where I have encountered immorality in artistic circles? Manders: No, I dont, thank heaven. Oswald: Well, I shall tell you. I have encountered it when one or another of our model husbands and fathers came down to look around a little on their own. . . . Then we learned a few things. Those gentlemen were able to tell us about places and things of which we had never dreamed. Not only are informal arrangements happier, therefore, than formal ones, but they prevent the spread of the very syphilis from which Oswald suffers. Suffice it to say that this has not been my experience of the last 15 years of medical practice. The rightindeed, the dutyof everyone to decide his own moral principles and to decide what is right for him, without the Ghosts of the past to misguide him, leads Mrs. Alving to approve of incest, if incest is what makes people happy. While Oswald is still unaware that Regina is his half-sister, he falls in love with her (very quickly, it must be said), and she with him. He wants to marry her. Mrs. Alving discusses the matter with Manders, who by now is aware of the consanguinity of Oswald and Regina: Manders: . . . That would be dreadful. Mrs. Alving: If I knew . . . that it would make him happy Manders: Yes? What then? Mrs. Alving: If only I werent such an abject coward, Id say to him: Marry her, or make what arrangements you please. As long as youre honest and open about it Manders: . . . You mean a legal marriage! . . . Its absolutely unheard of! Mrs. Alving: Unheard of, did you say? Put your hand on your heart, Pastor Manders, and tell medo you really believe there arent married couples like that to be found in this country? This is an argument typical of people who wish to abolish boundaries: if these boundaries are notbecause they cannot beadhered to with perfect consistency, then they should be obliterated, as they can only give rise to hypocrisy. Mrs. Alving adds the kind of smart-aleck comment that has ever been the stock-in-trade of those to whom boundaries are so irksome: Well, we all stem from a relationship of that kind, so we are told. It is not that Mrs. Alving fails to believe in right and wrong. But what is wrong is betrayal of ones inclinations. When Manders describes his painful self-control in sending her back to her husband when he was in love with her himself, he asks whether that was a crime. Mrs. Alving replies, Yes, I think so. By the end of the play, Oswald has asked his mother to kill him with a morphine injection if he has another attack of madness or dementia. In the last scene, Oswald does have such an attack, and Mrs. Alvings last words in the play, concerning this act of euthanasia, are, No; no; no! Yes! No; no! We never find out whether she goes ahead, and Ibsen refused to say. But he clearly saw it as a matter for everyone to make up his own mind about, to work out for himself, free of legalwhich is to say, conventional and institutionalguidance. The modernity of Ibsens thought hardly needs further emphasis. The elevation of emotion over principle, of inclination over duty, of rights over responsibilities, of ego over the claims of others; the impatience with boundaries and the promotion of the self as the measure of all things: what could be more modern or gratifying to our current sensibility? Not surprisingly, Ibsen regarded youth rather than age as the fount of wisdom. Youth, he assures us, has an instinctive genius which unconsciously hits upon the right answer. And Ibsen was profoundly modern in another respect too. In his own existence, he was very conventional. Although attracted to women other than his wife, he always resisted temptation; he dressed correctly; he ostentatiously wore the decorations awarded him by the crowned heads of Europewhich, notoriously, he solicited. He was extremely cautious and careful with money. His habits and tastes were profoundly bourgeois, and he was regular in his habits to the point of rigidity. He could be extremely prickly when he felt his own dignity affronted, and he was a great lover of formality. His wife called him Ibsen, and he signed his letters to her Henrik Ibsen, not Henrik. His character was formed in an atmosphere of Protestant Pietism. He was inhibited to a degree unusual even among his compatriots. As a child, he experienced the trauma of his fathers bankruptcy and the descent from prosperity and social respect to poverty and humiliation. He both hated the society in which he grew up and craved high status within it. Ibsens character was fixed, but he longed to be different. He was Calvin wanting to be Dionysius. If he couldnt change himself, at least he could change others, and society itself. Like many modern intellectuals, he had difficulty distinguishing his personal problems and neuroses from social problems. Shortly before he wrote Ghosts, his son, Sigurd, who had lived almost all his life abroad, had been refused admission to Christiania (Oslo) University by the governing ecclesiastical authorities until he had met such entry requirements as a test of proficiency in Norwegian. Ibsen was furious. He wrote, I shall raise a memorial to that black band of theologians. And he didPastor Manders. There is no evidence that Ibsen ever thought, much less cared, about the effect of his principles on society as a whole. This indifference is hardly surprising, given that he thought that nothing good could come of the great herd of mankind, which he termed the majority, the masses, the mob. He believed that he himself belonged to an aristocracy of intellect, and it is of course in the nature of aristocrats that they should have privileges not accorded to others. But whether we like it or not, we live in a democratic age, when the privileges claimed by some will soon be claimed by all. The charmingly insouciant free love of bohemians is soon enough transmuted into the violent chaos of the slums. [Ghosts] contains the future, said Ibsen. He also said that he is most right who is most in tune with the future. But he did not display any interest or foresight into what that future might contain: for him, not whatever is, is right, but whatever will be, is right. Whether the scores of millions who suffered and died in the twentieth century because of the destruction of moral boundaries would have agreed with him is another matter. Photo by ullstein bild via Getty Images Oklahoma City, OK (73106) Today Some clouds this morning will give way to generally sunny skies for the afternoon. High 68F. Winds NNE at 10 to 20 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies early followed by scattered thunderstorms overnight. Low 54F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%. Raspunsul la criza refugiatilor: Apel de propuneri, lansat de MAD-Aid in parteneriat cu Camera de Comert Britanica din Moldova The government removed an amendment relating to the creation of community wealth funds from the Dormant Assets Bill, but acknowledged the widespread support for the concept. During the committee stage of the bill in the House of Commons yesterday, the government removed an amendment inserted during the House of Lords stages, which would have meant funding could be used to specifically support social infrastructure. Instead the government said a consultation on future use of the funds would be the correct way to determine if community wealth funds are suitable. Labour MPs spoke in favour of creating community wealth funds and said they were disappointed with the government move. Consultation on future use of funds A consultation on the future use of dormant assets in England was already a feature of the bill, and the government has said that community wealth funds will form part of this. Nigel Huddleston, minister for civil society, said: I acknowledge the support expressed by many in the House for using the English portion of dormant assets funding to support, through community wealth funds, the left-behind communities, which experience high levels of deprivation and low levels of social infrastructure. However, he said the government wanted to protect the integrity of the consultation process, which offers the most appropriate route to make that a reality. This consultation on how funds in England are used will be launched as soon as possible after Royal Assent, will explicitly include community wealth funds as an option to consider for the English portion. Huddleston added that including provision for community wealth funds in the bill itself risks pre-empting a consultation outcome by identifying a different approach for English expenditure before the public, the civil society sector, parliamentarians and industry participants in the scheme are able to utilise the opportunity to have their say. In England, funding must be used for youth, financial inclusion and social investment, but devolved nations have more flexibility. A 12-week consultation on expanding the causes money to which money can go will begin as early as this summer, with community wealth funds included as a clear option, Huddleston said. Should it be determined that the community wealth funds are the best use of some of the English portion, the bill is already designed to provide the most appropriate avenue to make that a reality. Labour disappointed and surprised Jeff Smith, a Labour MP on the committee, said his party was disappointed and made the case for keeping the provisions. I am surprised that the government want to remove a measure that empowers communities and surely goes to the heart of the alleged levelling up agenda, he said. There are members on both sides of the committee who represent areas that will benefit from this kind of initiative. The most deprived areas often have the weakest third-sector capacity and infrastructure, which adds to a cycle of disadvantage. Community wealth funds aim to halt that cycle. They are aligned with the aims of the levelling up agenda and have the potential to transform communities and lives. Another Labour MP, Diana Johnson, argued that the bill was the right place to signal parliaments support for community wealth funds. She said: I do not believe that the minister is correct in claiming that secondary legislation is the most appropriate mechanism for deciding on the distribution. We all understand that there is limited opportunity for debate on secondary legislation, and there is, of course, no opportunity to amend it. That means parliaments role will be limited to rubber-stamping the governments proposals. Johnson also highlighted that the consultation period will delay getting money to where it is needed, but said: Were the fund to remain written into the bill, the Community Wealth Fund Alliance could start the process of securing match funding and planning to get money into the most left-behind communities as soon as possible after Royal Assent. sign up to receive the Civil Society News daily bulletin here . For more news, interviews, opinion and analysis about charities and the voluntary sector, Two days before Christmas in 2020, the Fallen Journalists Memorial Act was signed into law. The act authorizes a monument in the District of Columbia to commemorate Americas commitment to a free press and honor journalists who sacrificed their lives in service to that cause. Part of the impetus for the law was the 2018 mass shooting at the Annapolis Capital Gazette. And in the months leading up to the passage of the act, images of journalists being beaten and bloodied went from surreal to near-routine. The U.S. Press Freedom Tracker documented 593 assaults against journalists in 2020nearly a 1,400 percent increase over the year before. This was just violence caught on camera. Online insults and threats against journalistsparticularly against womenexploded. According to one recent study abuse is so rampant that it is part of the daily work lives of women journalists. Researchers worry that the line between online attacks and offline violence is faint. Indeed, some individual journalists have suffered severe injuries. Photo journalist Linda Tirado was blinded in one eye. Los Angeles Times reporter Molly Hennessy-Fiske was bloodied and bruised by rubber bullets. Making good on a commitment to a free press and the protection of journalists will require far more than a memorial from Congress. One place to start would be with actually curbing the violence. A legal model already exists: obstruction of justice. Obstruction of justice laws are aimed at safeguarding the courts and justice system from threats against them. Specifically, the broadest of the suite of federal obstruction of justice statutes outlaws threats, force, or threatening communications intended to influence, obstruct, or impede the administration of justice. The law has been most famously invoked against those who lie to thwart the process. Martha Stewarts prosecution is perhaps the best-known example. But the statute also criminalizes the use of violence to corrupt the justice system. Its language could be readily adapted to cover journalism. An obstruction of journalism statute could bar particularly severe use of force and threats (whether spoken or written) aimed at obstructing or impeding journalists newsgathering or publishing. Sign up for CJR 's daily email Obstruction of journalism would go beyond the limited reach of existing law. Yes, federal and state laws already bar assault, battery, cyberstalking, and threats. Yet, these laws do not recognize the sweep of the harm perpetrated against the press. Obstruction of journalism would. Unlike more generic assault or anti-threat laws, obstruction of journalism would be aimed at addressing the systemic harm that this violence causes to the press and freedom of expression. The impact of violence against journalists radiates. It can alter the scope of news and information in our public sphere. That is, in fact, its goal. It is meant to frighten, shame, intimidate and, ultimately, to silence. There are some signs that it is having its intended effect. Women are leaving or considering leaving journalism in response to online abuse. This is especially true of younger journalists. Women journalists also describe a chilling effect on their reporting. For example, Lauren Kirchner said she received rape and death threats for weeks after Tucker Carlson criticized her reporting for ProPublica on hate groups. Of the experience she wrote, I confess that it made me want to avoid reporting on that topic again. And thats exactly why they do it. Obstruction of journalism would also be an important deterrent. Now, virtually nothing impedes these attacksnot newsrooms, not social media platforms, not law enforcement. Although some news organizations have started to address violence against their journalists, many reporters still feel vulnerable and that they are professionally tethered to the most prolific font of abusesocial media. In an internal report by the Washington Post on its social media policies, one anonymous reporter said, If Im deathly afraid of driving, I can opt not to drive. I can take the bus. I feel like I dont have the option to opt out of tweeting. And even if reporters do forego social media platforms, abuse can still be transmitted via voicemail and email. As social media platforms have brushed off responsibility for myriad ills metastasizing on their sites, they have done the same with respect to abuse against journalists. Amnesty International has called out Twitter for failing to protect womens rights. And women reporters themselves have said Facebook is the site on which they feel least safe. By borrowing from obstruction of justice, an obstruction of journalism law would signal that our news and information system is essential to democracy. A recognition that our news and information system is as worthy of protection seems past due. A law would be politically challenging to pass, but not impossible. Some vocal support for protecting the press exists among lawmakers. Although it has not yet been successful, legislation that would help to protect journalists from physical violence has been proposed at the federal level. That the Fallen Journalists Memorial Act received bi-partisan support and President Trumps signature is, perhaps, noteworthy. But to protect working journalists, press freedom, and freedom of expression will take far more. Congress needs to begin investing. Has America ever needed a media watchdog more than now? Help us by joining CJR today Erin Carroll Erin Carroll is a professor at Georgetown University Law Center. WHO cautions against concurrent outbreaks of COVID-19, other diseases Xinhua) 17:03, January 13, 2022 Maria van Kerkhove (R), technical lead for the Health Emergencies Program of the World Health Organization (WHO), speaks at a daily briefing in Geneva, Switzerland, on March 3, 2020. (Xinhua/Chen Junxia) "Let's be clear: while Omicron causes less severe disease than Delta, it remains a dangerous virus, particularly for those who are unvaccinated," said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. GENEVA, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- The World Health Organization (WHO) on Wednesday cautioned and urged for preparedness against concurrent outbreaks of COVID-19 and other respiratory diseases during the coming spring. Dr. Maria van Kerkhove from the WHO's Health Emergencies Program, 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 last year, at an average of 48,000. While the number of patients being hospitalized 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. People line up to receive COVID-19 tests at a test station in Berlin, Germany, on Jan. 12, 2022. (Photo by Stefan Zeitz/Xinhua) "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 organization 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 said. However, this does depend on the nature of the interventions. A woman receives a dose of COVID-19 vaccine at a vaccination point of a shopping mall in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Jan. 8, 2022. (Photo by Nedim Grabovica/Xinhua) (Web editor: Liang Jun, Bianji) After four hours of discussions on Wednesday, Russia and NATO officials acknowledged they were still far from a deal that the US and its allies believed would prevent a new Russian invasion of Ukraine and reduce tensions between Moscow and the West. Allies of NATO have called on Russia to immediately de-escalate the situation in Ukraine, where close to 100,000 Russian troops have amassed near the borders to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of its neighbors, according to NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg. Officials claimed Russian representatives did not promise to draw back troops or reject the demand. Russia-NATO meeting ends without clear result Russia opposes any expansion of NATO to include Ukraine or Georgia and to withdraw both former Soviet republics and all allied troops from NATO members that border Russia. On Wednesday, NATO allies reaffirmed their opposition to such commitments. Some of Russia's demands, according to Wendy R. Sherman the deputy secretary of state who led the US delegation to the talks, are "simply non-starters." Russia annexed Crimea from Ukraine in 2014, and separatists backed by Russia seized control of an eastern swath of the country, where fighting continues. Officials from Russia assert there are no plans to escalate the conflict in Ukraine while also threatening grave repercussions, including military action, if the Kremlin's demands are not satisfied, according to The New York Times. Russian President Vladimir Putin wants NATO soldiers and military equipment out of countries bordering Russia, including Ukraine and NATO members Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. Putin also requested that the 30-nation military alliance refrain from adding any new members. After the meeting at NATO headquarters in Brussels, US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman said that some of Putin's security requests "are just non-starters." An estimated 100,000 combat-ready Russian troops, tanks, and heavy military equipment are gathered along Ukraine's eastern border, prompting the request for the summit. The buildup has raised fears in Kyiv and elsewhere in the West that Moscow is planning an invasion. Russia denies having new intentions to attack its neighbor; and the West, in turn, accuses Russia of endangering its security by stationing military people and equipment in Central and Eastern Europe. Sherman voiced confidence in the aftermath of the Brussels summit, saying that Moscow did not rule out further conversations despite the fact that "escalation does not provide ideal conditions for diplomacy, to say the least." The meeting was chaired by NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, who said NATO states and Russian envoys "stressed the need to restart conversation and to develop a timetable of future talks." NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg stated that the alliance is eager to explore measures to avert disastrous military events or mishaps involving Russia and its Western partners, as well as decreasing space and cyber threats, limiting missile installations, and other arms control initiatives, as per Chron. 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 US Senate Democrats unveil Russia sanctions bill If Russia participates in hostilities against Ukraine, US Senate Democrats proposed a measure on Wednesday that would slap broad penalties on senior Russian government and military leaders, including President Vladimir Putin, as well as important banking institutions. The White House-backed legislation includes provisions to help strengthen Ukraine's security and encourages the US to "consider all available and appropriate measures" to ensure that the Russia-to-Germany Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, which is a "tool of the Russian Federation's malign influence," does not become operational. According to a Menendez spokesperson, the bill has received support from more than two dozen Democrats, including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer. Other proposals, such as one backed by Republican Senator Ted Cruz, will "neither deter future Russian aggression or safeguard Ukraine," according to a representative for the National Security Council. Last month, Cruz and Schumer reached an agreement in which the Texas senator relinquished his hold on a number of President Joe Biden's ambassadorial appointments. Cruz's plan will be voted on this week, but it will need 60 votes to succeed, which is a tall order in the Senate's equally divided ranks. Because the pipeline would circumvent Ukraine, several Democrats have favored sanctions against it., depriving it of transit revenues and jeopardizing the country's fight against Russia, The Star reported. Related Article: US Urges To Reach a Deal With Russia, Tells Moscow That De-escalation is Needed as Ukraine Crisis Deepens @YouTube @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Last June, James Boasberg, a judge with US District Court for the District of Columbia, threw out an antitrust case brought by the Federal Trade Commission against Facebook . In the lawsuit, the FTC alleged that Facebook, which has since changed its corporate name to Meta, has an illegal monopoly on social-networking services; that it built this monopoly in part by acquiring competing services, such as WhatsApp and Instagram; and that it uses its monopoly position in an anti-competitive way against other companies. In his dismissal of the case, Boasberg said that the federal regulator had failed to provide enough tangible evidence that Facebook had anything approaching a monopoly. (A similar antitrust lawsuit filed by 40 state attorneys-general was also dismissed by Boesberg last June, but the states have not yet filed an appeal.) The judge left the door open for the FTC, however, telling the agency it was welcome to try again, if and when it accumulated the evidence he sought. On Tuesday, Boasberg ruled that the majority of a new FTC lawsuit can proceed, citing evidence of a monopoly position provided by the agency in its revised submission. The FTCs first attempt at a lawsuit stumbled out of the starting blocks, the judge said; the facts provided by the agency this time, however, were far more robust and detailed than before, particularly in regard to the contours of defendants alleged monopoly. Boasberg blocked a portion of the case, in which the FTC alleged that Facebook harmed competitors by illegally restricting access to its platform; Facebook, Boasberg said, abandoned the policies in 2018, and its last alleged enforcement was even further in the past. Some critics of the FTCs case, such as technology analyst Ben Thompson, have questioned the accuracy of the agencys attempts to define a specific market for personal social networking over which Facebook allegedly has a monopoly. (Thompson, at his Stratechery blog, wrote that the FTCs definitions dont reflect reality and have no relation to the actual market for online services.) Boasberg, however, found no fault with the FTCs market definition. In his first ruling, he said that, while there are certainly bones one could pick with the FTCs market-definition allegations, the Court does not find them fatally devoid of meat. In terms of whether Facebook has anything approaching a monopoly, the judge seemed convinced by the addition of data from Comscore, a traffic measurement company, which said, Facebooks share of DAUs [daily average users] of apps providing personal social networking services in the United States has exceeded 70 percent since 2016. ICYMI: Project Veritas battles for journalism, and against it In its complaint, the FTC argues that acquiring Instagram for $1 billion in 2012 and WhatsApp for $19 billion in 2014 were illegal attempts by Facebook to protect its monopoly position. In his recent decision, Boasberg said that, while he wasnt prepared to accept the argument as true, he was willing to let it proceed to trial. The agency will need to substantiate these allegations at later stages in the litigationlikely with expert testimony or statistical analysis, the judge said. But lack of proof at this juncture does not equate to impermissible speculation. In its defense against the FTCs claims, Facebook argued that Comscores figures on market share are not accurate and therefore cant be relied upon, but Boasberg said that the company will be given ample opportunity to advance such arguments down the line, perhaps in a potential battle of the experts.' In its motion to dismiss the case, Facebook also argued that Lina Khan, chair of the FTC, had an axe to grind against the company, based on comments she made before she was named to her current position. (Facebook had previously petitioned the federal agency asking Khan to recuse herself from the antitrust case.) Boasberg said in his recent ruling that this arrow from Facebook misses its target, since Khan was acting in a prosecutorial capacity when she made her earlier comments, not a judicial one. Facebook has also argued that the FTC shouldnt be allowed to complain about its purchases of Instagram and WhatsApp now because it didnt raise objections to them at the time. Sign up for CJR 's daily email Whether the FTC will be able to prove its case and prevail at summary judgment and trial is anyones guess, Boesberg wrote. 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. The judge added that while the regulatory 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. Below, more on Facebook: Not a utility? A number of antitrust scholars have argued that Facebook should be regulated as a utility, but Os Keyes, a PhD candidate at the University of Washington argues that this is easier said than done , since utilities typically dont serve billions of people in hundreds of countries around the world. The bigger issue is that treating Facebook as a public utility requires not only answering the question of whether its a utility but which public it should be accountable toand thats a much more difficult problem, they write. Scrutiny : Meta, Facebooks parent company, fell by more than 35 spots on an annual ranking of best places to work in the US, as measured by Glassdoor, an employment review company . Previously in 11th place, the social platform dropped to 47th place, the lowest it has ever been in the 12 years it has been part of the rankings. Glassdoor said employees spoke highly of the company for granting them autonomy in their work, CNBC reported , but many also described negative issues like unwanted public scrutiny, lack of action from leadership on platform issues and questions about the companys future. Data access : I did a slow interview recently with Nate Persily on CJRs Galley discussion platform. Persily is a law professor at Stanford and co-director of the Stanford Programject on Democracy and the Internet, and a former co-founder and co-chair of Social Science One, a partnership between researchers and Facebook that was designed to make it easier for social scientists to get access to data from the company. Persily talked about why he quit that project, and about the proposed legislation he helped craft that would force companies like Facebook and Google to give researchers access to their data. Definitions : Facebook has removed ads for a breastfeeding workshop, pants designed for postpartum mothers, and educational materials about sexual consent, all of which were mistakenly identified as adult sexual content, according to a report from the Center for Intimacy Justice, as reported by the New York Times . The organizations founder interviewed employees and leaders at more than 35 companies focused on issues related to womens sexual health, and found that all 60 companies had ads rejected by Facebook, and about half of them said their accounts had been suspended at some point. Other notable stories: ICYMI: Ten days of turnover Has America ever needed a media watchdog more than now? Help us by joining CJR today Mathew Ingram is CJRs chief digital writer. Previously, he was a senior writer with Fortune magazine. He has written about the intersection between media and technology since the earliest days of the commercial internet. His writing has been published in the Washington Post and the Financial Times as well as by Reuters and Bloomberg. UPPER DARBY, Pa. (AP)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. 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 press conference. The infant was taken to a hospital as authorities worked to notify the childs family, Bernhardt said. 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. 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. I guess the pilot tried to land in a safe area, because it took a bounce on the a ground and fell and, like, slid, Saunders said. The helicopter turned on its side and, as smoke was coming out, he saw people jumping out of the helicopter. 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, Maryland. 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. ___ Beaty reported from New York. Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. NEW YORK (AP) A judge hasfor nowrefused 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 reached 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 prince in August, saying she was coerced into sexual encounters with Andrew in 2001 by Epstein and his longtime companion, Ghislaine Maxwell. 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 the credibility and motives of Giuffre, saying in October that the lawsuit was aimed at achieving another payday at his expense and at the expense of those closest to him. 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. The interview was widely panned by critics who said Andrew seemed insensitive to Epsteins victims. Afterward, the prince stepped back from royal duties. On Wednesday, his lawyers did not immediately respond to messages seeking comment. Buckingham Palace told The Associated Press that it would not comment on the ongoing legal matter. Kaplan noted that he was required by law, at this stage of the litigation, to proceed as if the allegations made by Giuffre are true. The law prohibits the Court from considering at this stage of the proceedings defendants efforts to cast doubt on the truth of Ms. Giuffres allegations, even though his efforts would be permissible at trial, Kaplan said. Giuffres settlement with Epstein was reached a decade before the financier killed himself at a Manhattan lockup as he awaited a sex trafficking trial in 2019. But Kaplan wrote that there were substantial indications in the $500,000 settlement that Epstein and Giuffre did not clearly intend for language 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. Epstein, 66, killed himself in a Manhattan jail cell in 2019 while awaiting a sex trafficking trial, while Maxwell, 60, was recently convicted of sex trafficking and conspiracy charges in federal court in New York. Giuffres allegations against Andrew were not a part of either criminal case. 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. About the photo: Windsor Castle is reflected on a window of a shop which displays souvenirs of the British Royal Family, in Windsor, near London, Tuesday, Aug. 10, 2021. One of Jeffrey Epsteins longtime accusers has sued Prince Andrew, saying he sexually assaulted her when she was 17. Lawyers for Virginia Giuffre filed the lawsuit Monday, Aug. 9 in Manhattan federal court. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali) Siplast Inc., a Dallas-area manufacturer of roof membranes, purchased a liability policy that excluded coverage for any damages to its own work or products. That doesnt mean the insurer has no duty defend its policyholder against a lawsuit that alleges Siplasts failure to honor its guarantee caused more than $5 million in water damage to a Catholic high school in the Bronx, a panel of the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Tuesday. The panel reversed a decision by a US District Court judge that found under Texas law, Employers Mutual Casualty Co. was not required to defend Siplast because the damages alleged in the lawsuit were excluded from coverage. The published opinion says that if read liberally, the lawsuit filed by the Archdiocese of New York against Siplast could be understood to allege damages beyond replacement of the roof. In that case, the your product/your work exclusion does not apply. Therefore, there is a duty to defend based on those allegations, the court said. And since the underlying complaint includes allegations of damage to both non-covered and covered property, that duty to defend extends to the entire suit. The archdiocese hired Vema Enterprises to replace the roof over Cardinal Spellman High School in the Bronx is 2012. Vema used a roofing membrane manufactured by Siplast, which provided a guarantee that the product would remain watertight for 20 years. Instead, the roof started leaking four years after it was installed, according to the archdioceses lawsuit. The suit says school officials reported water damage to the ceiling tiles thought the high school after a November rainstorm. Vema attempted to make repairs, but the leaking grew worse. Vema eventually told school officials that Siplast was responsible for the defect. Siplast disagreed and refused to honor its guarantee. The high school hired a consultant who determined that defects in both workmanship and Siplasts membrane were causing the leaks. The archdiocese. Siplast asked EMCC to defend it. The insurer refused, so Siplast sued. Attorneys for both sides asked for summary judgment. US District Judge Ada Brown in Dallas found in favor of the insurer and dismissed the lawsuit. The appellate panel said the trial court judges reading of the archdioceses lawsuit was overly narrow. EMCCs lawyers had argued that it was clear that the school was seeking at least $5 million to replace the roof and nothing more, but the panels opinion says thats not the case. For one thing, the lawsuit notes damage to the ceiling tiles below the roof. The suit also says that additional property damage occurred even after the contractor attempted to make repairs. The opinion says that makes it clear the lawsuit is alleging damages other than replacing the roof. The court noted that while policyholders are required to prove that they suffered damages that were covered under an insurance contract, insurers have the burden of proving that any exclusions apply. In Texas, as in most states, any ties go to the insured, the opinion says. About the photo: The Cardinal Spellman High School is shown in a photo posted on Sullivan Engineerings website. The company says it developed designs and specifications for a roof replacement project in 2018. EL CAJON, Calif. (AP)A medical transport plane struck power lines in cloudy weather before it crashed last month near San Diego, killing two flight nurses and two pilots, federal investigators said Tuesday. The Learjet 35A crashed on Dec. 27 while preparing to land at Gillespie Field in El Cajon, according to a preliminary report from the National Transportation Safety Board. The weather was overcast with clouds and mist when the plane struck power lines and then crashed into the yard of a home in the unincorporated San Diego County area about 1.5 miles (2.4 kilometers) east of the runway, the report said. The report didnt indicate the exact cause of the accident, which will await the final report. Nobody on the ground was hurt. The crash killed pilots Douglas Grande, 42, and Julian Bugaj, 67, and flight nurses Christina Ward, 52, and Laurie Gentz, 68. They worked for Aeromedevac Air Ambulance, according to the El Cajon-based company. The twin-engine jet was registered to El Cajon-based Med Jet LLC, according to Federal Aviation Administration records. The plane had flown that day from Lake Havasu in Arizona to Orange County, south of Los Angeles, for a patient transfer and was heading back to its home base at Gillespie Field when it went down, the NTSB report said. Radio communications between the jet and the airfield showed that the pilot canceled an instrument flight rules approach to one runway and requested a switch to another runway using visual flight rules. After the switch was granted and new instructions were given, the pilot asked that the field lights be turned up and was told they were already at 100%. The report indicated that plane overflew the airport at low altitude and did not significantly climb while turning to reapproach the field. Just before the crash, the pilot suddenly exclaimed three times and screamed, according to communications recorded by LiveATC.net. Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Beachwood, OH (44122) Today Rain likely. High 64F. Winds SE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall near a half an inch.. Tonight Thunderstorms early, then variable clouds overnight with still a chance of showers. Low 48F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 80%. Authorities identified Hypothermia and partially frozen internal organs in the body of a 6-year-old North Chicago kid who was found dead in an abandoned Indiana home last week. Damari Perry's corpse was autopsied after his mother and two siblings were charged with his death last week when officials discounted their allegations that he had gone missing. North Chicago kid found dead in Gary; hypothermia confirmed to be the cause of death According to the Lake County Coroner's Office, Damari's body was partially burnt and appeared to have an injury to his right leg when he was discovered Saturday in Gary, Indiana. According to WMAQ-TV, he was discovered naked, having ecchymosis on his right leg, a dangerously low core temperature, and partly frozen internal organs On January 5, Damari was reported missing. His sister told cops he went away after she fell asleep at a party- a narrative authorities branded absolutely untrue. Jannie Perry, the mother, 38, was charged with first-degree murder and concealment of a homicidal death in the case last week. On December 29, Damari did something to irritate the family and was punished by being placed in a cold shower for an indeterminate period of time. Jannie Perry was brought to the hospital on Saturday, but her son was released after posting a $3 million bond. The matter is still being investigated by the FBI and the police, as per New York Post. The death of 6-year-old Damari Perry was deemed a homicide by the coroner in Lake County, Indiana, and three members of his family, including his mother, have been charged. Jannie M. Perry, 20, has been charged with first-degree murder while Jeremiah R. Perry, 20, has been charged with aggravated assault on a child. A juvenile sibling has been charged as well, but the suspect's identity and the charges have not been released owing to the suspect's age. It was unclear whether the defendants had legal representation. Multiple inquiries for comment to an Illinois public defender's office went unanswered. The youngster was discovered "naked" in a garbage bag, with his corpse half burnt, according to Lake County Coroner David J. Pastrick in a statement released Tuesday. The charring looked to have occurred after the kid died, according to the coroner. One of his legs was bruised, the body had "very chilly core temperature, and partly frozen internal organs." Read Also: Harmony Montgomery Case: Step Mother Face 9 New Charges as Biological Mom Suspects Violent Ex-Husband Could Have Sold Her Missing Daughter Bond for mom set at $5 million Since early January, the region has been hit by bitter cold. "The pending cause of death is hypothermia," based on the evidence and circumstances. The State's attorney for Lake County in Illinois is prosecuting the case. The inquiry focused on the larger Chicago region, including Gary, because Damari lived in North Chicago. North Chicago Police stated on Monday that Jannie Perry was transported to the hospital on Saturday after she complained of being sick. Her sickness was not described in any further detail. During her hospitalization, she remained in police custody, but a scheduled court hearing about the bond was postponed, according to the agency. Perry's bond was set at $5 million by Lake County Judge Raymond D. Collins, which means she would have to pay $500,000 in cash to be freed from jail before her trial. "No, not right now," Perry answered when Collins asked whether she could put up $500,000 to post bail. During the brief hearing, Perry was defended by Elizabeth Schroeder of the public defender's office. Perry, 38, stated that she intends to hire her own counsel in the future. She is scheduled to appear in court on February 8 in the afternoon, NBC News reported. Related Article: Kamarie Holland Slaying: Mother of Missing Georgia Girl Found Dead Joins Alleged Killer Friend Behind Bars, Faces Human Trafficking Charge @YouTube @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. In the run-up to the midterm elections, Hunter Biden's ex-wife Kathleen Buhle will write a memoir detailing the breakdown of their 24-year marriage, his drug addiction, and his involvement with Beau's wife which might reveal more humiliating information about the first family. Buhle has authored a book called "If We Break: A Memoir of Marriage, Addiction and Healing," which will be released in June, according to People magazine. Hunter Biden spurred by a cocaine and alcohol problem, wasted the couple's money on drugs, drink, strippers, and prostitutes and had an affair with his late brother Beau's wife Hallie, according to the book. Hunter Biden's ex-wife writes memoir After discovering his relationship with his brother's widow, Buhle accused Hunter of having an affair, being 'emotionally abusive,' and taking Viagra, according to emails acquired by DailyMail.com. Before he found out that he was having an affair with his sister-in-law Hallie, she attempted for years to help him overcome his addiction to crack cocaine and alcohol. Hunter Biden, on the other hand, was rumored to have been having an affair with Hallie for six weeks, with now-President Joe Biden only learning about it when the newspaper's gossip department, Page Six, reached out for comment. Hunter Biden subsequently revealed in an interview with The New Yorker that he pleaded with his father to issue a statement endorsing the move. Buhle discovered the affair when she discovered texts between the two lovers, as stated in Hunter Biden's memoir, 'Beautiful Things.' According to a source, Buhle "worked for years to assist Hunter Biden fight his addiction to crack cocaine and drinking." But then she discovered he was having an affair with his brother's wife. "He was a sicko," she remarked. Naomi, Finnegan, and Maisy are the couple's three daughters. Hunter Biden and ex-stripper Lunden Roberts had a kid out of wedlock. Hunter Biden married Melissa Cohen in 2019 after they dated for a short time. Beau Biden, the couple's first child, was born in the spring of 2020. Read Also: Joe Biden Urges Senate Democrats' Unification To Pass Voting Rights Bill; Mitch McConnell Rips the President's Speech Kathleen Buhle opens up about identity lost after divorce Buhle was dating again by spring 2019, and she was relying heavily on her friend, former First Lady Michelle Obama. "You guys are irrationally terrified of Kathleen," Hunter Biden said to his father in a text message in March 2019, as per Daily Mail.. According to Page Six, Buhle said in legal filings filed in a Washington, D.C. Superior Court on Feb. 23, 2017, that Biden had spent money on prostitutes, drugs, and booze. Biden stated that he was intimately connected with his late brother Beau's wife, Hallie, before the couple formalized their divorce in April 2017. Penguin Random House, Buhle's publisher, said the book discusses how Hunter's ex-wife went from "working-class beginnings" to "losing her maiden name and a part of herself in becoming Kathleen Biden," as well as how she rediscovered a "feeling of identity, purpose, and pleasure" at the end of her marriage. In his memoir Beautiful Things, Biden also discusses his drug addiction, divorce, and dealing with the loss of his brother Beau. The book was released on April 6 and sold 10,638 copies in its first week, placing it at No. 12 on the list of best-selling hardback nonfiction in the United States. Biden, aged 51, married Melissa Cohen, a South African divorced filmmaker, in a private ceremony on May 19, 2019. On March 28, 2020, the couple had their first child, a boy. Biden is the father of five children, one of whom was born in 2018 with an Arkansas lady. In 2020, Biden decided to pay the former adult club dancer child support after a legal struggle, Washington Examiner reported. Related Article: Hunter Biden Debuts First Art Exhibition Amid Ethical Concerns After President's Nominee Attends The Show @YouTube @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 13) A commuter group is worried that the new policy prohibiting unvaccinated individuals from riding public transport in Metro Manila could encourage them to patronize colorum public utility vehicles. Pilipino Society and Development Advocates Commuter-Consumer Inc. (Pasada) on Thursday said that although they welcome the new policy, they fear that it may cause a bigger problem since operators of colorum PUVs do not strictly enforce physical distancing in vehicles. "What we fear is that people would be encouraged to patronize colorum vehicles more dahil diyan sa order na 'yan. Ang unvaccinated definitely marami-rami pa rin 'yan. Sa ngayon eh pupunta talaga yun sa colorum," Pasada spokesperson Richard Rivera told CNN Philippines. [Translation: What we fear is that more people would be encouraged to patronize colorum vehicles because of that order. There are defintely still many unvaccinated individuals. For now they will opt for the colorum.] The group urged the Department of Transportation to grant franchises to more PUVs and to intensify its crackdown of colorum vehicles to ensure the health and safety of commuters. The policy will take effect on Jan. 17 for as long as the capital region is under Alert Level 3 or higher. Under this new rule, passengers must present physical or digital copies of a vaccine card issued by a local government unit or a vaccine certificate provided by the Department of Health, or any document prescribed by the Inter-Agency Task Force, as well as a valid government-issued ID with a picture and address. Exempted to the policy are persons with medical conditions that prevent full vaccination as proven by a duly signed medical certificate with name and contact details of a physician, and persons who will buy essential goods and avail services as evidenced by a duly issued barangay health pass or other supporting documents. Essential goods and services include, but are not limited to, food, water, medicine, medical devices, public utilities, energy, work and medical and dental necessities, the DOTr said. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 13) The newly created Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) is poised to fuse both the manpower and budget allocations of all agencies being merged under its wing, a government official said Thursday. Lahat po ng mga personnel, lahat po ng mga resources, yung budget appropriation nito ay pagsasama-samahin, said Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) chief Bernard Olalia about the department. [Translation: All personnel, all resources, and budget appropriations will be pooled under it.] An attached agency under the Department of Labor and Employment, POEA is among the agencies for consolidation under the new department. Olalia noted that the other DOLE-attached agencies pulled into the umbrella group include the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO), International Labor Affairs Bureau (ILAB), Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), and National Maritime Polytechnic (NMP). The Department of Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs (UMWA) will likewise move under the new agency, along with the Department of Social Welfare and Developments National Social Welfare Attache. Yung tinatawag na consolidation at merger ng lahat ng ahensya na ito ay kukunin po lahat sa mga staff and employees ng mga nasabing ahensya, explained Olalia. [Translation: The consolidation and merger of all these agencies means it is acquiring all the staff and employees under them.] Republic Act No. 11641, which establishes the DMW, also mandates the creation of a transition committee that will craft the agencys implementing rules and regulations. This committee will be made up of the aforementioned agencies, said the POEA Administrator. Sila din po ang gagawa ng organizational structure at staffing pattern. Sila din po ang gagawa ng budget para po sa approval nito sa 2023, Olalia said. [Translation: They will be the ones to create the agencys organizational structure and staffing pattern. They will also draft its budget for approval this 2023.] President Rodrigo Duterte signed the new departments creation into law last Dec. 30. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 13) The Department of Transportation (DOTr) on Thursday defended its new policy banning the unvaccinated from public transport in Metro Manila, stressing that the government does not intend to discriminate against those who have yet to get their COVID-19 shots. We do not discriminate against the unvaccinated, but we are protecting them, it said in a statement, addressing criticisms that the directive is anti-poor. The [p]olicy was made to protect all whether vaccinated or unvaccinated individuals to safeguard those that are most at risk, our healthcare system, and our exhausted medical workers, the DOTr also said. The policy is for the benefit of the majority and the common good, it added. The no vaccination, no ride policy which takes effect whenever the capital region is under Alert Level 3 or higher faced backlash from netizens, transport advocates, and officials who questioned the fairness and legality of the protocol. Some even raised concerns over its implementation. Kaya ba ito i-implement? (Can this be implemented?)" asked Senator Nancy Binay. "Pagdating sa implementation ng (When it comes to the implementation of the) policy, the method of action is patently restrictive. It does not protect those who are yet to be vaccinated. RELATED: Some presidential aspirants oppose no vaccination, no ride rule The Transportation Department said the enforcement will be tolerant and firm." It added that the policy is also in line with President Rodrigo Dutertes earlier directive to restrict the movement of unvaccinated residents. It also stressed that the government seeks to prevent the shutdown of various sectors amid the new surge in COVID-19 cases. [O]ur campaign is all-encompassing," The DOTr said. "If we do not act now, all industries and business sectors will be severely affected. The new transport protocol will be implemented starting Monday next week. Exempted are persons with medical conditions that prevent them from receiving full vaccination as proven by a duly signed medical certificate with name and contact details of a physician, and those who will buy essential goods and avail of services as evidenced by a duly issued barangay health pass or other supporting documents, the DOTr said. Essential goods and services include, but are not limited to, food, water, medicine, medical devices, public utilities, energy, work and medical and dental necessities, it added. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 13) President Rodrigo Duterte has signed a law granting the retirement benefits of National Prosecution Service (NPS) members in the event of death to their surviving legitimate spouse and dependent children. Republic Act No. 11643, signed on Jan. 11, also covers NPS members who are eligible to retire optionally at the time of death. NPS members include all prosecutors in the Office of the Secretary of Justice, Regional Prosecution Offices, and offices of Provincial and City Prosecutors. The law says such benefits will also be granted to the surviving spouse and dependent children of prosecutors who died a year before it took effect. The NPS welcomed the laws signing, noting it came at a most crucial time amid ongoing attacks against prosecutors. RELATED: Gunman confesses to killing Trece Martires prosecutor PNP Indeed, the passing of the law is a milestone for the entire NPS and will definitely uplift the morale of all prosecutors who risk their lives and personal safety in furtherance of the administration of justice, said Prosecutor General Benedicto Malcontento. Malcontento further noted the NPS Survivorship Act builds on the Prosecution Service Act of 2010, which seeks to fortify the countrys prosecution efforts. The passing of the NPS Survivorship Act will undeniably strengthen the crucial role of prosecutors to act on all cases without fear or favor, in furtherance of the mandate of the NPS as gatekeepers of criminal justice, he said. RA 11643 consolidates House Bill No. 9087 and Senate Bill No. 2373, which were passed on Nov. 29 and Nov. 8, respectively. It will take effect 15 days after its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 13) Pharmaceutical giant Pfizer intends to file the emergency use authorization (EUA) of its anti-COVID-19 pill Paxlovid in the Philippines, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said Thursday. Mayroon pong intensyon ang Pfizer na magrehistro po ng produkto nila under an EUA application, said FDA officer-in-charge Oscar Gutierrez Jr. in a government briefing. [Translation: Pfizer has an intention to register their product under an EUA.] Gutierrez indicated that the regulator is already having preliminary talks with the American manufacturer on how to comply with the EUA requirements. Kasi kung matatandaan po, itong Paxlovid, December 22, 2021 lang po ito na-approve. Talagang expected naman po na mayroong mga requirements ang FDA under an EUA na hindi pa po maaaring mai-submit, explained the official. [Translation: If you remember, Paxlovid was only approved (by the United States FDA) on December 22, 2021. Its really expected that our FDA will have requirements under an EUA that they wont be able to submit yet.] The country approved earlier this week the compassionate special permit of Bexovid, which is the first generic version of Paxlovid. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 13) The Inter-Agency Task Force will discuss if the government will still implement a travel ban noting that the Omicron variant has already spread in many countries, said Health Secretary Francisco Duque III on Thursday. This will be the subject of our IATF discussion this afternoon. Precisely because based on the recent rounds of our genomic sequencing, we already see more and more of Omicron cases. And also, there are more than 150 countries now, I believe, that have been affected by the Omicron variant, Duque told CNN Philippines The Source. So we will see if it is still practical to implement our travel ban. As a matter of policy this will have to be resolved by the IATF en banc. The Department of Health earlier said that the Omicron variant has replaced Delta as the dominant coronavirus variant in the latest genome sequencing. There are currently 43 Omicron cases detected in the country. World Health Organization country representative Rabindra Abeyasinghe said on Wednesday that it is difficult to conclusively determine if Omicron is already the dominant variant since the country is sequencing too few samples. But it is expected to displace Delta as the predominant variant as it has done in several other countries, he added. The national government has placed Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, and Spain on the red list from Jan 1 to 15. Travelers from these countries are barred from entering the Philippines. Meanwhile, Hong Kong has banned flights from the Philippines, Australia, Canada, France, India, Pakistan, United Kingdom, and the United States, from Jan. 8 to 21. The WHO earlier said that stricter travel measures will only help nations buy time to prepare for new surges amid the threat of Omicron variant. The Philippines on Wednesday broke another COVID-19 record with 208,164 active cases. The countrys daily cases hit all-time on Monday with 33,169 new infections. Prince Andrew will stand trial in the United States after sex assault allegations against him were dismissed today. The Duke of York is being sued for rape after his accuser claims he sexually assaulted her when she was just 17 years old. Virginia Roberts Giuffre's legal complaint should be dismissed, according to his attorneys because she agreed to a $500,000 (371,000) settlement in 2009. The Duke of York is being sued for rape after his accuser claims he sexually assaulted her when she was just 17 years old. However, Judge Lewis Kaplan determined today that the lawsuit may proceed. Prince Andrew's case may overshadow Queen Elizabeth's Platinum Jubilee According to a legal expert, the Duke of York's sexual assault trial, which was approved by a US court, threatens to trigger a "constitutional crisis" that would envelop the royal family. Virginia Giuffre, Andrew's accuser, is now expected to provide a detailed description of how she was trafficked to have sex with the Queen's second son when she was 17 and a child under US law. The duke's attorneys contended that Giuffre had forfeited her right to prosecute the duke by signing a private deal with infamous financier Jeffrey Epstein, but Judge Lewis Kaplan denied their argument. The ruling will be a major setback for Andrew, according to media lawyer Mark Stephens, who expects top royals to meet to discuss the situation. The Queen will likely only make a judgment regarding Andrew's titles as a "last resort," according to Ingrid Seward, Editor in Chief of Majesty magazine, who added that she would be "extremely startled" if anything occurred right away. However, according to the expert, the duke might be forced to "relinquish" his sponsorship, The Sun reported. Read Also: Meghan Markle Wins 1 Pound Token in Damages After Privacy Case; Sussexes Face Pressure Over 2020 Archewell Figures Royal Palace remains silent over Duke of York's sex abuse case The duke is under pressure because the monarchy's reputation might suffer major harm during Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee, which will be celebrated throughout 2022 to recognize her 70 years on the throne. The jubilee will be highlighted by a series of festivities that will take place over four days from June 2 to June 5. According to the present schedule, the trial will most likely take place later in 2022; however, there may still be disclosures and legal disagreements between the parties during the build-up. The prince's legal team tried to rely on a $500,000 settlement agreement made by Giuffre and Epstein in 2009. "Other possible defendants" would be relieved from liability, according to the contract, but "no other person" could enforce its provisions. Judge Lewis Kaplan again denied Andrew's request for a more full explanation of Giuffre's charges against him prior to his deposition, as per News Week. Buckingham Palace has declined to comment on today's announcement, which comes only two days after the Queen's historic Platinum Jubilee program was announced. The Queen's second son could either disregard the matter, resulting in a finding against him by default, or he may fight it, requiring him to give an oath deposition and exposing the sexual assault claims in open court. The news comes as the Royal Family prepares to mark the Queen's 70th year on the throne in 2022, which is set to be a year of celebration for the Royal Family. The royals, on the other hand, are now facing the prospect of Andrew's accuser testifying in court in New York this autumn, according to Express. Related Article: Palace Reveals Queen Elizabeth's Platinum Jubilee Celebrations Amid Prince Andrew's Struggle To Fund Sexual Abuse Battle @YouTube @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 13) Metro Manila would only be escalated to a stricter Alert Level 4 if the capital regions healthcare utilization rate breaches 70%, the Department of Health said Thursday. Metro Manila mayors earlier recommended that the Alert Level 3 status of the capital region be retained beyond January 15. Right now, the healthcare utilization rate is at, I would say, about 55%, 56% for NCR, the ICU and the isolation bed utilization rates. They are within the moderate risk classification, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III told CNN Philippines The Source. So unless this one breaches your 70% utilization rate, both for total beds and ICU, we will recommend to keep the status quo, he added. Metro Manila was placed under Alert Level 3 from January 1 to 15 amid the uptick in COVID-19 cases and the threat of the Omicron variant. Nearby provinces such as Bulacan, Cavite, Rizal, and Laguna and 14 more areas are also under Alert Level 3 until Jan. 15. Meanwhile, the government on Wednesday also elevated 28 other areas to Alert Level 3 from January 14 to 31. They have been escalated to Alert Level 3 precisely because of the speed of the spread and also because of the increased risk for more and more communities affected with COVID-19. So, they are now considered high-risk classification and this is equivalent to escalating to Alert Level 3, said Duque. Areas under Alert Level 3 have high and increasing case counts, and the bed and intensive care unit utilization rate are also increasing. Face-to-face classes, contact sports, amusement parks, live concerts, and casinos are prohibited in Alert Level 3 areas. Under such alert level status, the IATF only allows 30% maximum capacity for fully vaccinated individuals only and 50% outdoor venue capacity. Aside from Metro Manila, Duque said they are also monitoring Calabarzon, Central Luzon, Ilocos Region, and Cordillera Administrative Region. He added that there is also a continuing increase in cases in Western Visayas. The Philippines on Wednesday broke another COVID-19 record with 208,164 active cases. The countrys daily cases hit all-time on Monday with 33,169 new infections. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 13) Vice President Leni Robredo vowed to continue the fight against illegal drugs with as much vigor if she becomes president, but without the killings that characterized the campaign launched by the current administration. The war on drugs should be pursued with as much vigor, pero [but] absent what has been happening now na maraming patayan [where there are a lot of killings], Robredo told CNN Philippines News Night on Thursday. In 2019, the vice president a staunch critic of President Rodrigo Dutertes controversial drug war was appointed by the chief executive himself to co-lead the inter-agency committee tasked to eradicate the illegal drug trade. Her stint didnt last long, however, as Duterte fired her less than three weeks later. Malacanang said Robredo "wasted the opportunity, supposedly failing to present any new program, and instead used the same as a platform to attack the methods undertaken by the administration. But according to Robredo, she had submitted a comprehensive plan on how to improve and strengthen the campaign against drugs. And kapag nabigyan ako ng pagkakataon, yun yung gagawin ko. Meron na ko nito na point-by-point, step-by-step kung papaano gagawin, she added. [Translation: And if Im given the chance, thats what I will do. I already have a point-by-point, step-by-step plan.] Last September, the International Criminal Court authorized an official probe into Dutertes bloody anti-drug campaign. In November, the investigation was halted upon the request of the Philippine government. Citing data from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, the Free Legal Assistance Group said 6,191 drug-war related deaths have been reported as of Aug. 31, 2021. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 13) It would be better to beat former senator Ferdinand Bongbong Marcos Jr. than to boot him out of the presidential race, Vice President Leni Robredo said Thursday. She made the statement as Marcos faces a string of petitions from various groups seeking to block his election bid on the grounds of his tax conviction. Ako, ayokong mag-comment doon sa disqualification case. But if you were to ask me, mas gusto ko talunin natin siya sa eleksyon para matapos na ito, the vice president told CNN Philippines News Night. [Translation: I dont want to comment on the disqualification case. But if you were to ask me, Id prefer to win against him in the elections, so as to end this.] Robredo said defeating Marcos in May would definitively shoot down his claim that she committed election fraud in 2016. That year, the former senator lost to Robredo in the vice presidential polls, prompting him to file an electoral protest. The Supreme Court unanimously dismissed his appeal last year, but he filed a motion for reconsideration. Kahit ilang beses pa ko nanalo sa Supreme Court, ito yung narrative na pinu-push niya, Robredo said. So, kailangan talagang talunin siya sa susunod na eleksyon para, once and for all, mahinto na yung ginagawa niya na pagpapaniwala sa tao. [Translation: No matter how many times I have won before the Supreme Court, this is the narrative hes pushing. So, I really need to beat him in the upcoming elections to put a stop to the misinformation hes feeding people once and for all.] Before winning in 2016, Robredo who was then the lone female among the vice presidential candidates made a striking statement: The last man standing is a woman. Asked if she believes history will repeat itself this 2022, Robredo said most definitely. Unang-una [Firstly], I am the only woman candidate again, she said. And number two, again, my record will speak for itself. Ang dami kong pinagdaanan [I went through a lot] in the last five and a half years that I was vice president, and nakatayo pa rin ako ngayon at lumalaban pa rin [I am still standing and fighting]. Meanwhile, Robredo urged vigilance this election season, following the alleged hacking of Commission on Elections servers. Ako, I have to admit na its worrying, Robredo said. It is enough reason for us to stay vigilant. Kailangan talagang tutukan natin yung buong proseso, just to make sure na kung ano yung will ng tao, yun yung lalabas during the elections [We really need to closely monitor the process, just to make sure that the will of the people will reflect in the election results], she added. The Manila Bulletin reported the supposed breach earlier this week, but the poll body denied it. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 14) The Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene, or Quiapo Church, extended its closure until Jan. 26 as the country fights a surge in COVID-19 cases. In a statement, Msgr. Hernando Coronel, rector and parish priest, announced that the church and its offices will be temporarily closed starting Thursday as part of its efforts to curb the spread of COVID-19. During the two-week lockdown, disinfection and sanitation of the church premises will be conducted. In this regard, organization work and other church-related activities that cater to the public is suspended, Coronel added. However, daily online masses and devotions will continue to be streamed live via the churchs social media pages, he noted. Metro Manila is currently under Alert Level 3 as its COVID-19 infections continue to soar and amid the threat of the Omicron variant. To help contain the spread of the virus, this years celebration of the Feast of the Black Nazarene was also suspended. 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. Paula Cabrera and her boyfriend, Jacob Ryan, were walking down Beaver Avenue in State College Wednesday afternoon when they noticed something out of the ordinary the small storefront that used to be Saints Cafe was bustling with patrons once again because the new Elixr Coffee Roasters opened in its place. The two had been regular patrons of Saints Cafe, which closed Dec. 19 after 22 years of operation, and Cabrera (senior-physics and math) said they would go a few times a week on dates. As the couple entered Elixr, Cabrera said they came with an open mind and hoped "for the best. Ryan said the modern, clean and sterile vibes of the new cafes interior immediately caught his attention vibes Mohammed Aldhaheri said were represented in a warm design that makes a good atmosphere for studying and talking to friends. Aldhaheri (senior-chemical engineering) said he learned of Elixrs opening from a Tuesday Instagram post. Having visited Elixrs Philadelphia locations, Aldhaheri said hes excited about the small chain opening a location in State College. Its one of the best specialty coffee shops, Aldhaheri said. Mohammad Alnoaimi accompanied Aldhaheri to Elixr, eager to try the new cafe after being a regular at Saints. Alnoaimi (senior-petroleum and natural gas engineering) said he liked the new design of the interior. Everything looks sweet, simple and perfect, Alnoaimi said. Alnoaimi, Aldhaheri, Cabrera and Ryan each said they enjoy the hours of the new cafe. Unlike Saint's, Elixr will be open until 6 p.m. every day while Saints closed at 2 p.m. Aldhaheri said the new hours work well with his class schedule because he can visit after his classes end for the day, and Cabrera said its nice having afternoon coffee. Khaled Khalil said the cafes journey of settling into its new space should be interesting to watch. Khalil (senior-architectural engineering) said he wonders what Elixr has in mind, with one stipulation he said he hopes Elixrs style and vibes will not be the same as Saints. Copying Saints, Khalil said, would be the wrong way to settle in. Because much of Saints design including some of its old furniture remain in the interior of Elixr, Khalil said he felt Elixrs opening was rushed. Khalils friend, Ben Yan, a 2021 Penn State graduate with a masters degree in the philosophy of humans at work, said the Saints furniture that remains in Elixr creates a divide between the new cafes modern color palette and the old school, European feel he remembers from Saints. The decor and feel of Elixr is where Yan said it has the most room for improvement because it would be really cool for Elixr to add some personality and make the location its own a separate cafe from Saints. But Yan said he doesnt believe Elixrs current vibe is a bad thing, as it takes time for new cafes to adapt to their spaces. Because of the adaptation time, Yan encouraged other patrons to return over the course of the next few weeks as the Elixr staff becomes better trained and improves their coffee-making abilities and knowledge of the menu. Im optimistic, Yan said. The quality of the coffee itself is going to be good. Interim manager of Elixr Christine Hughes said she aims to make the new cafe a space where people can come and do work, adapting to student's and patron's wants and needs. Hughes said she aims to make its culture similar to that of Saints specifically regarding the cultural significance Saints held for the State College community. But Hughes said Elixr will be different from Saints due to its signature "pour over" drinks coffee made by pouring hot water into a filter with coffee grinds to slowly extract a rich, flavorful cup of joe, according to The Roasterie Coffee Company and its coffee, which she said the company takes a lot of time to source and roast. Ultimately, however, Hughes said she will observe the market and be prepared for what comes. Were not really sure what's next [well] just see where [State College] takes us, Hughes said. Aldhaheri said hes excited for Elixrs bakery items, which he said he enjoyed at the brand's Philadelphia locations. Part of his judgment of Elixrs success, Aldhaheri said, will depend on his opinion of its bakery items. Both Cabrera and Ryan said their opinions of the cafe will be based on the quality of its coffee. For Ryan, he believes Saints had the best coffee in town and hopes Elixr can live up to that reputation. While for Alnoaimi, the overall success of Elixr will depend on consistency the ability to make good coffee every day. But from his observation of Elixrs lowkey opening day, Ryan said he believes the cafe will be successful in the end. People came in and are comfortably finding their space, Ryan said. It looks like people are having a good time. RELATED Downtown State College toy stores announce merger, altered hours On Wednesday, downtown State College store Growing Tree Toys announced a merger with The Ani Penn States University Park Undergraduate Association passed Resolution #20-16: "Support for the Student Borrower Protection Centers letter to President Joseph R. Biden Demanding Student Debt Cancellation and an Extension on COVID-19 Student Loan Protections" during its Wednesday night meeting. The promise made by Biden for the forgiveness of at least $10,000 in federal student loan debt per American have not been fulfilled, UPUA said in the resolution. The Student Borrower Protection Center sent Biden a letter on Dec. 8 asking for his administration to follow through on the aforementioned promise and extend the current pause on student loan payments which UPUA said it supports through its resolution. The resolution also brought to light issues of current relief plans in place to help Penn State graduates. "There are current relief plans in place to help Penn State students after they graduate, but they fail to appropriately address the problem at hand," UPUA said in the resolution. MORE CAMPUS COVERAGE Former United States President Donald Trump abruptly ended an interview with NPR by hanging up after Steve Inskeep challenged the Republican businessman's claims that the 2020 elections were a fraud. The discussion aired on Wednesday on NPR's "Morning Edition" after the two individuals spoke the day before. In a Twitter post, Inskeep said that he was asking Trump for an interview for the past six years and the former president "came on the line today." He noted that the Republican businessman then hung up on him. Trump's Fraud Election Claims The interviewer said that he questioned Trump regarding how he was "telling Republicans in 2022 that they must press your case on the past election in order to get your endorsement? Is that an absolute?" Trump replied by saying that GOP members were free to do whatever they wanted but noted that the smart ones will know what to make of the issue. The former president said that people were oblivious to the severity of the controversy and that they did not want it to happen again. Trump said the issue should never have been allowed to happen in the first place, Deadline reported. The first part of the interview had Trump answering questions regarding the pandemic and vaccinations. The Republican businessman, whose administration spearheaded the development of the COVID-19 vaccines, recommended that residents get the coronavirus vaccines. However, he said that he was fully against making the vaccines mandatory. Read Also: Joe Biden Urges Senate Democrats' Unification To Pass Voting Rights Bill; Mitch McConnell Rips the President's Speech He said that the vaccine mandates were really hurting the United States and the people of the country. Trump also claimed that a lot of American citizens did not want the mandates and were standing up against the requirements. Trump said that while he was recommending the vaccines, he said that the choice should be left to each individual. Republicans make up the majority of those who are against the mandatory vaccine requirements. Additionally, the Supreme Court is deciding on President Joe Biden's administration's vaccine-or-test mandate for large companies, NPR reported. Abruptly Ending the Interview At several points in the interview, Inskeep tried to press on Trump regarding the latter's claims of voter fraud during the 2020 elections. The co-host noted that the Republican businessman's failed lawsuits, saying even Trump's lawyers said they had no evidence of fraud. They said in court they had no evidence to show and the judges have ruled against Trump every time on the merits. After a long conversation about the election results, Trump questioned how he could have possibly lost the fight against Biden. The Republican businessman falsely claimed that the Democrat did not attract crowds during the campaign. When Trump continued to talk about his false claim that the 2020 elections were a fraud and that it was rigged, Inskeep tried to interject. At that moment, Trump abruptly ended the interview by thanking Inskeep and saying that he appreciated the opportunity. "Who, who, who, I have one more question. He's gone. OK," said Inskeep when he was trying to ask about a court hearing on Monday that was related to the Jan. 6 Capitol Hill riot, the New York Times reported. Related Article: Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot Tests Positive For COVID-19, Says She'll Work From Home While Supporting State's Teachers Union @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Fresh from opening day speeches, Republican lawmakers unveiled a 44-bill package to address affordability, education and public safety, part of the GOP's Commitment to Colorado program announced last August. In a news conference Wednesday, Senate Minority Leader Chris Holbert of Douglas County outlined some of the proposals addressing "the rising cost of living, skyrocketing crime and failing government-run education system." Holbert expressed skepticism at Democrats who say they prioritize affordability the minority leader said his colleagues from across the political aisle passed numerous fee increases and made things more expensive for Coloradans. Voters are not happy with the situation, he said, adding things are less affordable today than they were three years ago, when Democrats took total control of state government. He also said Democrats have made such a political mess that they're "copying and pasting" the same priorities that Republicans announced in August. "It's disingenuous to increase costs one year" and reduce those costs the next, Holbert said. Still, Holbert said he hopes Democrats are willing to work with Republicans on ideas to keep more money in people's pockets. Meanwhile, House Minority Leader Hugh McKean of Loveland said kids have lost valuable learning time, and schools have failed to teach reading, writing and math at grade level. He said lawmakers need to empower parents to make the best decisions for their children. He blamed policies pushed by the majority party for contributing to the state's high crime rate, saying their "soft on crime" bills are part of the problem. The bills in the GOP package include the following: Sen. Barbara Kirkmeyer of Brighton will push for legislation to completely pay off the debt to public education, known as the budget stabilization factor Sen. John Cooke of Greeley will offer a "smart policing" act to help recruit and retain, and train police officers Sen. Paul Lundeen of Monument will offer a bill to suspend fees from the Department of Motor Vehicles on failing to register a vehicle Sen. Rob Woodward of Loveland and Rep. Dan Woog of Erie will sponsor a bill to allow low-income Coloradans to deduct rental payments from their income tax McKean and Sen. Dennis Hisey of Colorado Springs will carry a bill to exempt all food from state sales tax. Several bills on renewable energy are also part of the package, including a McKean-sponsored proposal on micronuclear energy and hydroelectric power, as well as a bill on forest timber sales. When asked about bipartisan sponsorship, Holbert said they are looking for opportunities to work with Democrats. But "these are our ideas," he said. McKean also said Republicans stand ready to work with Democrats, but added "we have different ways to get there." Rep. Chris Kennedy, D-Lakewood, said its "pretty wild" to see Republicans "position themselves as the party of working people when they've worked tooth and nail against all the things we've done to save people money on healthcare, to put more money into the pockets of seniors and other folks." "They've consistently stood with insurance companies, big pharma and other corporations," he said, adding, the biggest cost drivers are housing and healthcare, which have been Democratic priorities for years. Today's news conference showed a more united front among House Republicans than had been evident in the past year. Rep. Tim Geitner, the assistant minority leader from Falcon, said part of the pledge to figure out how to stand united when he and McKean were elected to leadership positions last year, . House Republicans who opposed McKean's leadership in the 2021 session were notably absent from the news conference. That included Rep. Ron Hanks of Canon City, Patrick Neville of Castle Rock; Dave Williams and Shane Sandridge, both of Colorado Springs, and Kevin Van Winkle of Highlands Ranch. Colorado Politics is published both in print and online. Our website features subscriber-only news stories daily, designed for public policy arena professionals. Member subscribers also receive the weekly print edition of our award-winning newspaper, containing outstanding features and news stories, in their mailboxes every Saturday. Are you a current print subscriber to Columbia Gorge News? If so, you qualify for free access to all content on columbiagorgenews.com. Simply verify with your subscriber id to receive free access. Your subscriber id may be found on your bill or mailing label. The Missourians Opinion section is a public forum for the discussion of ideas. The views presented in this piece are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Missourian or the University of Missouri. If you would like to contribute to the Opinion page with a response or an original topic of your own, visit our submission form Teachers in France have halted their classes to go on strike in frustration with the government's new school policies that aim to protect school personnel and students during the worsening COVID-19 outbreak in the country. Surging COVID-19 Cases Prompted Teachers To Stage Protest French teachers are protesting against the new testing requirements announced by the government on the eve of their return from the Holidays, which have been modified twice since. According to Elisabeth Allain Moreno, the national secretary of the teachers union SE-UNSA, the teachers' emotions are already high. "We had reached such a level of exasperation, tiredness, and anger that we didn't have any other option but to organize a strike to send a strong message to the government," Moreno said, as reported ABC News. In a joint statement, the entire educational community of France had expressed its extreme "exhaustion and exasperation" on the situation. The one-day protest was conducted by a large number of teachers, including around 75% of teachers in primary schools. Unions of school directors, inspectors, and other staff have also joined the strike. "The responsibility of the minister and the government in this chaotic situation is total because of incessant changes of footing, unworkable protocols, and the lack of appropriate tools to guarantee (schools) can function properly." eleven unions said in a joint statement. 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 Schools To Keep Open Amid Rising COVID cases The teachers' protest resulted in the closing of several schools, but some were partly open while others were in regular operation. The unions expected many schools to be closed on Thursday as infections have surged in the European country, reaching more than 360,000 new cases in one day. Reports say pupils and school staff are being sent to labs and pharmacies for testing. Despite the protests, the French government has been firm on its policy to keep classes open as much as possible, as shutting down schools may lead to more complications. Education Minister-Jean Michel Blanquer downplayed the protests. He told television station BFM TV that such strikes "do not solve problems" and "do not strike against a virus." Earlier the government announced a policy of immediately closing down schools with reported COVID-19 infections, which was reversed, as per Reuters. On Wednesday, France registered 361,719 new infections and 246 death in a fifth wave of the COVID-19 virus. Given the rising number of COVID-19 infections in the country, the French Senate approved the government's latest policies to manage the onslaught of the pandemic. This includes requiring the citizens to have a vaccine pass, which some of the residents opposed, as per Al Jazeera. Following the approval of France's lower house of parliament earlier this month, the Senate supported the imposition of COVID measures and legislation for a COVID vaccine pass; 249 voted in favor while 63 were against. President Emmanuel Marcon and members of the ruling party La Republique En Marche party have intensified the campaign against people who have not received the COVID-19 vaccine. Earlier, Macron said in an interview with Le Parisien newspaper that he intended to "piss off" unvaccinated people by making their lives so complicated that they will be forced to get vaccinated against COVID-19. Some criticized Marcon for his harsh statements on the unvaccinated people. Related Article: Lockdown in Britain and France Loosen up Nearing the Holiday Season @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. 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 What's Included With a Digital Only subscription, you'll receive unlimited access to our website and e-edition. Our digital products are available 24/7 and are accessible anywhere, anytime. If you have any questions or need further assistance, please call our customer service team at 319-283-2144 or email circ@oelweindailyregister.com. What's Included With a Digital Only subscription, you'll receive unlimited access to our website and e-edition. Our digital products are available 24/7 and are accessible anywhere, anytime. If you have any questions or need further assistance, please call our customer service team at 319-352-3334 or email legals@waverlynewspapers.com. Akshay Kumar to shoot underwater, ocean scenes for his 'Ram Setu' movie Actor Akshay Kumar is gearing up for some major underwater and ocean shoots in Sri Lanka for his next film 'Ram Setu' slated for release in November this year. Following the film's theatrical release in October 2022, 'Ram Setu' will soon be available for Prime members in India. Photo courtesy: Twitter/@ManozKumarTalks The movie also stars Jacqueline Fernandez and Nushrratt Bharuccha in lead roles. The underwater shoot sequence, which was to be filmed on Akshay Kumar in the Lankan nation, would not be possible due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, News18 said in its report. "After doing some research and on-location recce, the team has finalised Daman and Diu as their next-best bet to shoot these sequences. But there are some more shots which are remaining and the makers have decided to finish it in Mumbai. Akshay will be seen doing some high-octane underwater sequences for which an international crew has also been hired," a source was quoted saying to News18. The source further told the website that the 'Ram Setu' team is left with just the last schedule, which was supposed to start from January end onwards. "There is about a month of shooting left of 'Ram Setu' which the makers have decided to finish in Mumbai. The production team is currently setting up the entire schedule and it will be an indoor as well as outdoor shoot. The team expects to begin shooting by the end of this month," the source told News18. 'Ram Setu' has been directed by Abhishek Sharma and was first announced on Diwali 2020. Akshay's late mother, Aruna Bhatia, was one of the producers. Following the film's theatrical release in October 2022, 'Ram Setu' will soon be available for Prime members in India, along with more than 240 countries and territories. Amazon Prime will also be the worldwide exclusive streaming partner for the film. The college enrollment rate in the United States continues its historic decline as US colleges and universities saw a drop of almost 500,000 undergraduate students in the fall of 2021. According to the latest data released on Thursday, the number of students enrolled in college now is more than one million fewer in comparison to pre-pandemic levels. Doug Shapiro, the head of the research center at National Student Clearinghouse that conducted the study, describes the huge decline in college enrollment as "very frightening." The data shows a 6% drop in undergraduate enrollment compared with the fall of 2019, the last fall semester before the COVID-19 pandemic started, as per New York Times. Shapiro says it is the largest two-year decrease in more than 50 years, and the community colleges across the country are bleeding from the 13% decrease throughout the pandemic. However, the study pointed out that fall 2021 numbers show that students seeking bachelor's degrees at four-year colleges compose half of the declining undergraduate students in the country. It is a big shit from numbers from the 2020 fall when the wide majority of the drop-off was among the students seeking an associate degree, as per National Public Radio. Shapiro noted that the phenomenon appears to be "more widespread" that could indicate the dawn of a whole generation of students "rethinking the value of college itself." Something he considers as "more serious than just a temporary pandemic-related disruption." Read Also: Vaccinated Teens in Maryland Can Get $50,000 College Scholarship More Than A Pandemic-Caused Disruption Many were optimistic that supposedly incoming college students who did not enroll in 2020 would return in the next year, considering that in-person classes set-up was increased. However, expectations failed only 2% of 2020 high school graduates who decided not to enroll in college after graduation ended up enrolling in the fall of 2021. Shapiro assumes that the situation was prompted by the rising wages for workers in low-skilled jobs. "The easiest assumption is that they're out there working... So if you have a high school diploma, this seems like a pretty good time to be out there making some money," he said. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, non-managers working in the leisure and hospitality industry in December received a 15% higher salary than more than a year ago. Such a situation is alluring for high school students. However, Shapiro said, there is something risky to it in the long run. College Courses Realignment "It's very tempting for high school graduates, but the fear is that they are trading a short-term gain for a long-term loss. And the longer they stay away from college, you know, life starts to happen and it becomes harder and harder to start thinking about yourself going back into a classroom," he said Maria Flynn, CEO of Jobs for the Future, a non-profit dedicated to the American workforce and education system, expects the trend to continue throughout 2022. She believes that there is a need for educational institutions to align their courses with the jobs that are in demand in the market, as per CNBC. "Those hit hardest by the pandemic are now thinking about how to get back into the labor market, not school," said Flynn. Related Article: Top Mental Health Apps for College Students @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. 01/13/2022 Photo (c) Morsa Images - Getty Images Coronavirus (COVID-19) tally as compiled by Johns Hopkins University. (Previous numbers in parentheses.) Total U.S. confirmed cases: 63,232,336 (62,712,731) Total U.S. deaths: 844,631 (843,590) Total global cases: 317,485,959 (315,350,735) Total global deaths: 5,516,175 (5,510,252) U.S. hospitals face COVID-19 crisis In city after city and state after state, hospitals are filling up with COVID-19 patients. U.S. health officials say the number of pandemic-related hospitalizations is at an all-time high, pushing medical staff to the brink. Some states have mobilized the national guard to provide some relief. The Biden administration is ready to deploy 1,000 U.S. military medical personnel at the hardest-hit health care facilities around the country. "The sudden and steep rise in cases due to Omicron is resulting in unprecedented daily case counts, sickness, absenteeism, and strains on our health care system," said Dr. Rochelle Walensky, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Americans are flocking to testing sites Hospitals arent the only institutions that are being nearly overwhelmed by the coronavirus. Sites around the country that administer COVID-19 tests are also seeing long lines of people. People who arent lining up at test centers are often going from drug store to drug store to look for an at-home test kit, which has been hard to find since the Omicron variant quickly spread across the nation. "About every fourth person walking into the store is trying to find a kit," Asa Wooten, a Drug Emporium pharmacy technician in Lubbock, Texas, told Reuters. "Within the first hour of being open today I had 10 people come up here and ask me about kits, and we have people calling all the time." Hemp may block COVID-19, researchers say Researchers at Oregon State University (OSU) report that chemicals in hemp may have the ability to prevent the virus that causes COVID-19 from entering human cells. The scientists say they found that a pair of cannabinoid acids can bind to the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, blocking a critical step in the process that the virus uses to infect people. The findings were published in the Journal of Nature Products. These cannabinoid acids are abundant in hemp and in many hemp extracts, said Richard van Breemen, one of the researchers. They are not controlled substances like THC, the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana, and have a good safety profile in humans. Around the nation Tennessee: The Tennessee Housing Development Agency has initiated a program aimed at helping those who have faced financial hardships due to the pandemic. Applicants could receive up to $40,000 to help pay for housing costs, including past-due mortgage payments. Minnesota: Gov. Tim Walz is proposing additional financial aid for Minnesota hospitals that are trying to cope with the latest COVID-19 surge. The governor has requested $40 million from the American Rescue Plan to be allocated to pay additional health care providers. Utah: Education officials have implemented a "Test to Stay" protocol that requires students to test negative before they can attend in-person classes. The protocols take effect when schools with 1,500 or more students have 2% of their students test positive for COVID-19. Illinois: State health officials report that 90% of the states intensive care unit (ICU) beds are filled, mostly with COVID-19 patients. Meanwhile, Chicago nurses say they will hold a rally today to demand safe staffing and improved protection for nurses. New Ohio Legislative District Maps Unconstitutional New maps for Ohio House and Senate districts must be re-drawn. The Supreme Court of Ohio ruled today that the maps do not meet voter-approved provisions of the Ohio Constitution to reduce partisan political gerrymandering. In a 4-3 decision, the Supreme Court concluded the maps are invalid because the Ohio Redistricting Commission did not attempt to draw legislative districts that correspond with the statewide voter preference of Ohioans. In the opinion, the Court went step-by-step through the redistricting process, noting, All parties agreed that in statewide partisan elections over the past decade, Republican candidates had won 54 percent of the vote share and Democratic candidates had won 46 percent of the vote share. However, the Ohio House map adopted by the commission favored Republicans with 67 seats to 32 Democratic seats, and the Ohio Senate map favored Republicans with 23 seats to 10 Democratic seats. The Court concluded that the maps did not meet the required proportionality in Article XI, Section 6(B) of the constitution. Click to Expand The Republican legislative leaders of the House and Senate had argued the new provisions of the constitution requiring the districts to reflect the statewide voting preference were optional. The Court disagreed. Writing for the Court majority, Justice Melody J. Stewart stated, [W]hen drawing a district plan, the commission must attempt to meet the standards set forth in Section 6. The majority also ruled the commission violated Article XI, Section 6(A), which states that no plan shall be drawn primarily to favor a political party. The maps, which set the boundary lines for the 99 House seats and 33 Senate seats, will be used to conduct the 2022 elections. Primary elections are scheduled for May 3. The Court ordered the commission to adopt a new plan within 10 days that conforms with the Ohio Constitution. The Court stated it will retain jurisdiction to review the plan that the commission adopts for compliance with our order. Chief Justice Maureen OConnor joined Justice Stewarts majority opinion and wrote a separate concurring opinion. Justice Michael P. Donnelly joined the majority opinion as did Justice Jennifer Brunner, who also wrote a concurring opinion. Justice Brunner also joined Chief Justice OConnors concurrence. Justices Sharon L. Kennedy and Patrick F. Fischer each wrote dissenting opinions. Justice R. Patrick DeWine joined Justice Kennedys dissent. Constitutional Amendment Enacted Redrawing of legislative maps, called redistricting, occurs every 10 years after the U.S. Census is taken. In November 2015, 71% of Ohioans voted to amend the state constitution to change the map-drawing process and give the Supreme Court of Ohio jurisdiction to hear any challenges to maps approved by the newly created Redistricting Commission. Proponents of the amendment told voters it would protect against gerrymandering and require districts to closely follow the statewide preferences of voters. In September 2021, the Redistricting Commissions five Republicans approved and adopted the maps, but the two Democratic members opposed them. Several organizations, including the League of Women Voters of Ohio, the A. Philip Randolph Institute of Ohio, the Ohio Organizing Collaborative, and voters filed lawsuits with the Supreme Court, claiming the Republican-approved maps violated the new provisions of the constitution. Maps Must Reflect Statewide Voting Preference, Amendment States The challenges centered on the commissions lack of compliance with Article XI, Section 6. Section 6 states: The Ohio redistricting commission shall attempt to draw a general assembly district plan that meets all of the following standards: (A) No general assembly district plan shall be drawn primarily to favor or disfavor a political party. (B) The statewide proportion of districts whose voters, based on statewide state and federal partisan general election results during the last ten years, favor each political party shall correspond closely to the statewide preferences of the voters of Ohio. (C) General assembly districts shall be compact. Other sections of Article XI require districts to be drawn as compact as possible, splitting counties, cities, and other political subdivisions in the least possible way to create even populations for the 99 House and 33 Senate districts. The opinion noted that under Section 6, the commission is then supposed to examine the statewide federal and state partisan election results over the past 10 years to determine how the voters in the proposed districts are likely to vote in the future. The commissions five Republican members who voted to adopt the maps maintained that the statewide preference can be calculated using the percentage of the winning candidates in statewide elections. These commission members found that since Republicans won 13 of 16 statewide elections in the decade, which is 81%, the adopted maps were constitutional because the new districts voting preferences fall between 54% and 81% of the statewide preference. The Court ruled the statewide preference is not determined by the percentage of Republican versus Democratic candidates who won their races. Rather, calculations had to be based on statewide votes cast by voters, not election victories. The Court said that the challengers presented substantial expert evidence showing that the commission could have drawn a more proportional plan. Chief Justice Suggested Citizens Consider Alternatives In her concurring opinion, Chief Justice OConnor stated that if Ohioans determine that Article XI of the Ohio Constitution is not living up to its promise or that leaving the redistricting process to partisan-elected officials will not achieve the desired outcome, other models of the redistricting process exist. She wrote that voters in other states have stripped redistricting authority from state legislatures and partisan officeholders and place it instead with nonpartisan redistricting commissions. States that have enacted citizen-led, independent redistricting commissions include Arizona, California, Michigan, and Colorado. Having now seen firsthand that the current Ohio Redistricting Commission comprised of statewide elected officials and partisan legislators is seemingly unwilling to put aside partisan concerns as directed by the peoples vote, Ohioans may opt to pursue further constitutional amendment to replace the current commission with a truly independent, nonpartisan commission that more effectively distances the redistricting process from partisan politics, she concluded. Maps Also Violate Equal Protection Requirements, Concurrence Stated Justice Brunner stated in a concurring opinion that she believes the proposed maps also are invalid under Article XI, Section 3(B)(2) of the Ohio Constitution, which requires the maps to comply with the federal and state constitutions and federal law. In addition, she maintained the plan violates Article 1, Section 2 of the Ohio Constitution, which gives the people the right to alter, reform, or abolish the government whenever they may deem it necessary. Gerrymandering at its core prevents voters from voting on equal terms to alter or reform their government, she wrote. Gerrymandering is unconstitutional, because it denies Ohioans equal protection in the exercise of their voting power. Along with concurring with the chief justices opinion, Justice Brunner also discussed the benefits of independent redistricting commissions over Ohios bipartisan structure. Map Cannot Be Invalidated for Section 6 Violations, Dissent Maintained In her dissent, Justice Kennedy disagreed with the majoritys conclusion that the Court has unlimited authority to review any alleged constitutional violation in the adoption of a General Assembly-district plan. Rather, she wrote that Article XI, Section 9(D) explicitly limits the Courts authority to invalidate a plan. Under Section 9(D)(3), the Court can order the commission to amend a General Assembly-district plan or adopt a new one if the plan does not comply with the requirements of Section 2, 3, 4, 5, or 7 of Article XI, which describe the neutral map-making requirements, and all applicable provisions of the state and federal constitutions and federal law, she noted. If the Court could invalidate a plan that fails to comply with Section 6(A) or (B), one would naturally expect Section 9(D) to say so. But that language is conspicuously absent, she wrote. Article XI distinguishes the provisions that are mandatory and enforceable by a court (Sections 2, 3, 4, 5, and 7) from provisions that are directory, such as Section 6, she stated. A violation of a directory provision is safeguarded against violation by each commission member honoring his or her oath to uphold the constitution, she explained. Justice Kennedy concluded that the Court cannot invalidate the General Assembly-district plan without a predicate violation of Section 2, 3, 4, 5, or 7. Moreover, she explained, the General Assembly-district plan did not violate equal protection or the rights to free speech and association. Therefore, the challenges failed and the General Assembly-district plan cannot be invalidated in these cases, she wrote. Court Had No Authority to Consider Four-Year Maps, Dissent Asserted The provisions of Article XI, Section 8, which provide procedures that the commission must follow when it reaches an impasse, limits the Courts ability to review the maps, Justice Fischer explained in his dissent. Because the commission members reached an impasse, under Section 8(C)(1)(a) they could only approve a map that would remain in effect for four years. The Courts ability to review a commission map is in Section 9. Section 8(C)(1)(a) contains no proviso that the effectiveness of a four-year plan is subject to the provisions of Section 9. Section 8(C)(1)(a) instead provides that the plan shall remain effective for four years. Period. No exception for Section 9 is listed, he wrote. Justice Fischer maintained that if the majority directs the Court to read the shall in Section 6 as mandatory, then we should also read the shall in Article XI, Section 8(C)(1)(a) as mandatory and requiring a four-year plan to remain effective for four years, and without any Section 9 exceptions. In regard to the suggestions that voters might consider further constitutional amendments, Justice Fischer noted that in 2012, Ohioans overwhelmingly rejected a previous proposal to amend the Constitution, with more than 63 percent of those who voted on the issue declining to create a state-funded so-called independent commission to draw legislative and congressional districts. 2021-1193, 2021-1198, and 2021-1210. League of Women Voters of Ohio v. Ohio Redistricting Comm., Slip Opinion No. 2022-Ohio-65. View oral argument video of this case. Please note: Opinion summaries are prepared by the Office of Public Information for the general public and news media. Opinion summaries are not prepared for every opinion, but only for noteworthy cases. Opinion summaries are not to be considered as official headnotes or syllabi of court opinions. The full text of this and other court opinions are available online. Continue Reading Below Advertisement and more like a really hot dude. It's a very We want a messiah vs. We have a messiah at home type scenario. Usually, you could attribute that to the poor quality control common among dubious animes, but it's actually a stylistic choice used by Asahara to affirm his real-life belief that he was the real Jesus Christ. The whitewashed one, of course. And that pretty much spares us the trouble of going over the show's plot and themes because all of it is about Asahara telling you he's the Jesus. Whether or not he succeeded in recruiting his army through the power of Jesus and anime, 11 years later, Asahara went on to plan and get his goons to carry out the '95 Tokyo subway attacks. 13 people died, and over one thousand were left injured. This terrorist attack naturally caused the people of Japan to fear cults (as well as anime to a degree). If that somehow wasn't enough to kill your interest, we're happy to inform you (and the authorities) that Chouetsu Sekai has 10 episodes and currently sits at a surprisingly high score of 5.7 out of 10 on MyAnimelist. Top Image: Chouetsu Sekai Welcome to ComedyNerd, Cracked's daily comedy superstore. For more ComedyNerd content, and ongoing coverage of the Iran/Contra Affair's worst candy bars, please sign up for the ComedyNerd newsletter below. SIGN ME UP Henry Bankshaft is so raw, he washes his hands with Penzoil. Let's head on out to his thinkin' shed for some straight-shootin' reflections on life. Not your life. His life. (Don't go behind the shed there are bodies buried back there.) Previous ComedyNerd Sketches of the Week: Instagram Key and Peele: Is This Country Song Racist? A Canadian Christmas in My Twin Bed Since having an electric vehicle in Russia has numerous disadvantages, several Tesla fans and owners have urged Elon Musk to have a Tesla Russia office. Responding to the request, the Tesla CEO stated that they are already working on this matter. Tesla Russia Office Coming Soon? Tesla owners in Russia have appealed to Musk, requesting the company to open a Russian branch, per Tesmanian. Many consumers are hesitant to buy without access to the manufacturer's charging network and service center, so there is a possibility that having a Tesla office in the country can help boost sales. Aside from this, the said office could also address the concerns of the existing owners as well as to easily solve the issues of their cars. In fact, owning a Tesla automobile in Russia comes with several disadvantages. One of these is that there are no Superchargers, making charging electric vehicles a challenge. Second, there is no service facility in the nation that can support the vehicle, send necessary components, and repair them if necessary. To further emphasize the said disadvantages, Tesla owners made a statement through a YouTube video. In the said video, numerous Tesla fans along with their electric vehicles gathered to express their reasons for a Tesla office. "We are happy to drive our Teslas every day despite having no Supercharges, Tesla Service or dealerships; we order spare parts for our cars and wait for months, we share tips and knowledge to overcome issues while having no access to certified experts," one of the owners stated in the YouTube video through Tesmanian. They added that despite these issues, they still admire Tesla and there is no going back to gas automobiles for them. With that being stated, they strongly urge the electric car manufacturer to have a Tesla office in Russia. Read Also: US Police Warns About QR Code Parking Scams That Steal Your Money: What to Do If You've Been Victimized Surprisingly, it appears that this call-to-action video has reached the CEO, replying that "Tesla is working as fast as possible to support Tesla owners worldwide." Tesla is working as fast as possible to support Tesla owners worldwide. Sustainable energy affects everyone on Earth, as we all share one atmosphere. Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 12, 2022 After answering the owners' request, a Twitter user seemed to be not contented with the sustainable energy-matter that the South-African-born business mogul reasoned about. "Your cars are coal powered more often than solar or wind powered. You are responsible for those emissions," the Tweet continued. Tesla Office According to Electrek, Tesla manufactures four electric automobiles at its numerous manufacturing facilities throughout the world. These Gigafactories also manufacture the brand's battery and solar technology. Tesla continues to expand, with a semi-truck, Cybertruck and 2nd generation Roadster already announced, as well as plans to manufacture a $25,000 model. With 5.3 million square feet of production and office space on 370 acres of land, Tesla's factory in Fremont, California is one of the world's most advanced automotive facilities. In this factory, Tesla manufactures the Model S, Model X, Model 3 and Model Y, as well as the bulk of their components. Meanwhile, the Tesla Gigafactory was built out of necessity and will be able to meet Tesla's estimated car demand. The Gigafactory now produces Tesla's energy storage products, Powerwall and Powerpack, as well as Model 3 electric motors and battery packs. Currently, there are three Gigafactories in the world which are in New York, Nevada and China. Related Article: Tesla Quality Issues: Viral TikTok Video Shows Major Complaints About Elon Musk's Tesla Car On January 5, 2022, the Department of Justice (DoJ) announced the FBIs arrest of Italian citizen Filippo Bernardini at JFK International Airport in New York for wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. With the arrest of Bernardini, the DoJ unsealed a grand jury indictment dated July 14, 2021, of Bernardini that revealed a multi-year scheme to impersonate individuals involved in the publishing industry in order to fraudulently obtain hundreds of prepublication manuscripts of novel and other forthcoming books. The indictment of Bernardini shares how over the course of the previous five years (August 2016 through July 2021) he created a personal ecosystem that served to dupe those within the publishing industry. The document shares how he defrauded or attempted to defraud hundreds of individuals and obtained hundreds of unpublished manuscripts during the course of the scheme. Based on a review of Bernardinis employment history, it appears that he launched his caper simultaneously with the launch of his career in the publishing world, following his receiving a masters degree in publishing in 2016 from University College London. Bernardinis targeted surveillance aided intellectual property theft A 29 year-old Italian polyglot, according to the NY Times, was an employee of Simon & Schuster until the firm suspended him from his position upon learning of his arrest. The company said in a statement they were shocked and horrified. Their statement continued, The safekeeping of our authors intellectual property is of primary importance to Simon & Schuster, and for all in the publishing industry, and we are grateful to the FBI for investigating these incidents and bringing charges against the alleged perpetrator. A review of the period of 2016 to 2021 shows Bernardini to have bounced about with great frequency within the publishing industry, finally landing with Simon and Schuster in October 2019. To the untrained eye his flea-like bouncing from one entity to another, landing often as an intern, may strike one as an individual who is simply trying to find their place within the publishing industry and expand their network. A review of the various positions would easily check those two boxes. Simon and Schuster, rights coordinator and rights assistant (2019 to present, 28 months) Bloomsbury Publishing, royalties assistant (2019 for three months) Hay House, foreign rights assistant (2018 to 2019 for six months) Pole to Win Asia, localization and QA tester (2018, three months) Mira Trenchard, literary scouting intern (2017, two months) La Nave de Teseo, literary translator, Chinese to Italian (2017, five months) Andrew Nurnberg Associates, foreign rights intern (2016, four months) Granta Publications, editorial intern (2016, two months) To the trained eye, working with the benefit of 20/20 hindsight and visibility into his activities via the indictment, his career path paints a much more nefarious picture. Simon & Schuster and the various entities which employed Bernardini from 2016 to 2021 were most likely clue-free how their intern/contractor/employee was going to school on how they operated to further his own cottage industry of manuscript theft. Bernardinis career path provided him direct, unencumbered access to key components used in his fraudulent efforts. He wasnt trying to conduct surveillance of his target from outside in. He was inside and from the get-go apparently harvesting the many nuances of the various entities and individuals within the publishing industry. This allowed him, in the words of the DoJ, to create fake email accounts that were designed to impersonate real people employed in the publishing industry, including literary talent agencies, publishing houses, literary scouts, and others. As an insider, who traversed through eight entities in five years, he would have the opportunity to learn: The treasured authors in the stables of each Contact information for authors, agents, and colleagues and competitors How each individual and entity formatted their communications Financial particulars Publishing cadence and trajectories No apparent collaboration among publishers to investigate scam Credit the New York Times Elizabeth A. Harris and Nicole Perloth for sleuthing out Bernardinis alleged skullduggery in late-2020 when they highlighted the phishing scams. They traced them back to 2017, which targeted the publishing industry in Sweden, Taiwan, Israel, Italy and the United States all locales which, we now know, match the linguistic proficiency of the polyglot Bernardini. Their efforts may have been sufficient inducement to get the authors and publishing houses to compare notes. Given Simon & Schusters surprise, it appears that there was little coordination or collaboration among publishers. The DoJ, both in its statement and indictment, highlighted how Bernardini was able to create effective phishing emails and website watering holes through which he duped targeted individuals into sharing their intellectual property or to provide login information that would allow him to illegally gain such. It was as if, during his period of masters study at the University College London to study publishing, he also studied the modus operandi of the infamous couple Michael Haephrati and Ruth Brier-Haephrati, who from 2003 to 2005 created their own intellectual property theft cottage industry. The couple operated out of London and targeted entities in Israel, investing in target surveillance and then selling their illicit services to companies interested in the competitive intelligence they acquired. (See Chapter 1, Secrets Stolen, Fortunes Lost, Syngress 2008, Burgess/Power). CISO takeaway on alleged Bernardini intellectual property theft CISOs within the organizations that had a professional relationship with Bernardini should engage in an immediate damage assessment. Bernardini created 160 separate internet domains that he used to spoof real entities. These domains then provided him the means to create phishing emails from an apparently known email address, but which upon closer inspection showed rn for m and other combinations to trick the eye. Authors, like many independent small businesspersons and independent contracts, are among the most vulnerable to these types of efforts as they as they lack infosec infrastructure. All entities, regardless of industrial sector, should review the Bernardini modus operandi and discuss the nuances of his multi-year success with both information security teams and anti-phishing vendors to ensure that the resident solution would not be vulnerable to the methodologies. Those entities charged with the protection of intellectual property of a third party, such as is the case in the publishing world, should reach deep within the deal-flow and ensure that the protection provided to the more robust publishers, extend deep to the individual author in the form of education and provision of secure means to transfer the artistic works. Whats next for Bernardini? Filippo Bernardini allegedly impersonated publishing industry individuals in order to have authors, including a Pulitzer Prize winner, send him prepublication manuscripts for his own benefit. This real-life storyline now reads as a cautionary tale, with the plot twist of Bernardini facing federal criminal charges for his misdeeds, said U.S. Attorney Damian Williams. At his arraignment on January 6, 2021, Bernardini represented by a Federal Defender attorney, pleaded not guilty, his bond of $300,000 secured by his father who designated a London apartment as collateral. Bernardini was ordered to surrender his passport, was released on his personal recognizance, and ordered to remain in New York City with a GPS monitoring device attached to his person. In an environment of increased digitisation and integrated technologies, protecting critical assets and infrastructure that keeps society running represents an essential undertaking for CISOs across Australia. According to Gartner, 30 per cent of critical infrastructure organisations will experience a security breach by 2025, an attack forecast to be so severe that it will result in the halting of mission-critical operations and systems. As a result, critical infrastructure security has become a primary concern for governments around the world, with Australia joined by the US, UK, EU and Canada identifying sectors deemed critical infrastructure, such as healthcare, utilities, manufacturing, transport and public facilities. Governments in many countries are now realising their national critical infrastructure has been an undeclared battlefield for decades, said Ruggero Contu, research director at Gartner. They are now making moves to mandate more security controls for the systems that underpin these assets. With attacks targeting critical infrastructure continuing to rise becoming more sophisticated and targeted in equal measure bolstering security and risk mitigation levels remain a leading priority for organisations nationwide. In response, forward-thinking CISOs are evolving skills, techniques and processes for securing both digital and physical assets, responding at pace to safeguard critical infrastructure. Yet, challenges remain as security leaders manage ongoing cyber risk with revised business outcomes. The top challenge is initially focusing on getting the basics right in a manner that is sustainable, observed John Karabin, Senior Director of Cyber Security at NTT. This sounds easy i.e., the approach of just implementing the Essential Eight to be safe however, in reality this is proving difficult even for well-resourced businesses. While reasons for inaction vary from company to company, Karabin acknowledged that barriers consistently relate to the lack of cyber culture across all levels of an organisation. Does the security group have the full support from the board down? Do all employees see security as their responsibility? Is the organisation ready for a major incident? Has there been a secure-by-design approach built into every aspect of the business processes? Karabin questioned. Specific to critical infrastructure, Karabin also cited supply chain complexity as a contributing factor in cyber breaches, an ecosystem which also extends to services and technology providers delivering essential support for businesses. Figuring out who does what and when in a crisis, usually ends in disaster, he cautioned. A clear and tested Incident Response Plan and linked Business Continuity Plan (BCP), with roles, responsibilities and contingency plans around the supply chain are vital yet often fall short. When outlining best practice approaches for CISOs operating within the beating heart of the critical infrastructure sector, Karabin stressed the importance of leveraging threat intelligence to manage intrusion alerts in a reliable and timely manner, allowing opportunity to mitigate controls to react at speed. This is vital, he noted. Blocking threats such as malware quickly and at various points in the kill chain are an important defence in depth approach. This type of capability is increasingly being demonstrated in managed detection and response (MDR) services. CISOs must also leverage log monitoring technology to provide clear and timely information about what critical data has been impacted and when this occurred. For Karabin, this represents an important component of the incident response process while assisting with organisational compliance requirements such as when to declare a privacy breach. NTT plays a vital role in assisting CISOs to work out how resilient their business is, and what priorities are needed to meet the acceptable business and cyber risks that impact their current and future environments, he outlined. This is done through our close technology partnerships, global cyber security team and depth of knowledge around connecting assets from the edge to the cloud. Preparing for upcoming critical infrastructure reforms As threats continue to flood the sector, new Critical Infrastructure Reforms aim to enhance the security and resilience of Australias critical infrastructure assets and systems of national significance. Following industry consultation, the Australian Parliament has recommenced the reforms be implemented in a two-step approach. The first bill focuses on cyber incident reporting requirements, while the second bill prioritises additional protective measures being introduced in the reforms to uplift the security and resilience of Australias critical infrastructure assets. The second bill, the Security Legislation Amendment (Critical Infrastructure Protection) Bill 2022 is out for consultation until 1 February 2022. These reforms are designed to better secure the essential services that underpin the functioning of Australia, putting in place the preventative and responsive measures to protect our critical infrastructure. Hamish Hansford, Head of the Cyber and Infrastructure Security Centre in Home Affairs said. Through Town Halls, roundtables, bilateral meetings, exercises, discussion papers, exposure drafts, co-design of rules and our website, we have tried to involve as many people as possible in the design of these reforms. Hansford reiterated. These sectors are those most important to Australias national security as well as economic and social prosperity, clarified Alex Nehmy, Director of Industry 4.0 at Palo Alto Networks. At a high-level, the reforms seek to expand the number of regulated critical infrastructure sectors from 4 to 11, alongside increasing the security obligations imposed on such sectors across cyber security, personnel security, supply chain security as well as physical security and natural hazards. To best prepare for these new reforms, Nehmy advised security executives to consider four key elements, starting with maximising the opportunity to educate the board and executive stakeholders on the proposed legislation. Highlight areas where further investment and focus may be required to meet the regulatory requirements, he advised. These stakeholders will ultimately have to approve the additional spend and the CISO will be accountable for achieving compliance. Secondly, get involved with the Government to provide input and help shape the reforms. Industry has a very important role to play in helping the Government come to effective regulations that achieve the required security outcomes while also minimising the compliance and regulatory burden. Nehmy said CISOs can achieve this by encouraging the Government to mirror internationally recognised standards that are already being used within the industry. Thirdly, adopt an all-hazards approach to risk management in your business, Nehmy said. CISOs should bolster their risk management programs with specific focus on the supply as this will be a challenging aspect of the new reforms given its broad scope. Finally, Nehmy outlined the value of businesses both understanding and updating incident response plans in response to a rise in threats targeting the sector. One of the first parts of the reforms that has now passed the Australian Parliament is the requirement to report certain cyber incidents to the Government, he added. Responding to an incident is stressful enough for CISOs and their incident response teams, however those who are well prepared will be ready to meet their incident reporting obligations. Although some Australian businesses may not be directly impacted by the critical infrastructure reforms, Nehmy advised caution in the context of regulated companies seeking to manage wider supply chain risks. Many organisations will be part of the supply chain to critical infrastructure companies covered by the reforms, who may in turn put obligations on their suppliers, requiring them to improve their cyber posture as a minimum requirement for doing business, he stated. Convergence of OT and IT According to Gartner findings, 38 per cent of businesses operating within the critical infrastructure sector increased spending on operational technology (OT) security by between 5% and 10% in 2021, emphasising a significant shift in CISO go-to-market approach. The past five years has seen the increasing digitisation of OT, whereby businesses are reliant on critical operational data from OT in order to run their business, Nehmy outlined. The increase in OT specific threats combined with the global shortage of cyber professionals - especially those with OT experience is causing organisations to significantly adapt their cyber strategies. For Nehmy, the approaches and technologies that have worked in the past will fail to counter the new wave of cyber threats now cascading down on OT. Firstly, air-gapping an OT environment is rarely effective in modern OT environments due to the increased connectivity with IT, he said. To counter this, were seeing organisations adopt a zero-trust approach to ensure the implicit trust that is often built into cyber security controls cannot be exploited by an attacker. Secondly, the explosion of the Internet of Things (IoT) has significantly increased an organisations attack surface prompting the need for continuous visibility of IoT devices specific to IT environments and Industrial IoT (IIoT) devices in OT environments. Organisations must leverage network-level security at scale, centred around the ability to detect and stop anomalous behaviour by IoT devices once they are deployed in real time using automation and machine learning, Nehmy advised. Finally, we need to support and nurture the next generation of cyber talent. This is especially important in OT cyber security because of the highly specific skills required. We need to encourage diversity, which can be achieved by supporting professionals from outside of cyber security to re-skill and join the industry, especially in OT. 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. 99 cent introductory offer Includes everything we offer online for 24-7 news. This option allows you to read unlimited stories at ctnewsonline.com, and access our e-Edition (digital replicate of the daily newspaper). $7.99 per month after the introductory offer. This service comes with a complimentary CT Select Card allowing for local discounts. Rates are subject to change. SpaceX is launching a series of small South African satellites into orbit on Thursday night, Jan. 13, assisting in the development of infrastructure to monitor ships off SA's coast. In sending its third satellite into orbit, The Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) is preparing immensely about it. At 5:25 p.m. South African time, SpaceX, which was established by Pretoria native Elon Musk, will have another SpaceX launch from the Cape Canaveral launch site in the United States. SpaceX launch Today The Department of Science and Innovation has mandated the Marine Domain Awareness (MDASat) constellation, which is made up of three locally constructed nanosatellites, to increase South Africa's ocean sovereignty. It will have two key priorities: ocean economics and health care. Nyameko Royi, the project's interim chief engineer, stated via IOL that the mission will be the first constellation of satellites conceived and planned in Africa, and that this is a pivotal moment for South Africa. He then added that the more individuals are active in space exploration, the better, and the more data extracted from space, the better for the globe. Transporter-3 or ISILaunch 36P is the name of this SpaceX mission and will utilize the Falcon 9 rocket. Minister Blade Nzimande stated that the introduction of a Master's in Electrical Engineering focusing on satellite systems. The lack of space professionals and engineers had prompted the department and the National Research Foundation (NRF) to initiate a human capital development program at CPUT under the French South African Institute of Technology cube satellite program. Read Also: Elon Musk Is Captain Planet: SpaceX Wants to Turn Carbon Dioxide to Rocket Fuel, But Is It Possible? Space Mission As reported in Business Insider, the launch window for SpaceX's Transporter-3 mission, its third "rideshare" into low Earth orbit, SpaceX launches at 17:25 South African time. On Friday, there is a backup window at the same hour. It is scheduled to release the three components of the MDASat-1 constellation, which were built by the Cape Peninsula University of Technology. Proud moment: 3 South African satellites, built by our team (my colleagues) in Cape Town, are being launched by @SpaceX on a Falcon 9 launch vehicle this Thursday, the 13th. Fingers crossed, Mr @elonmusk !! #Transporter3 #falcon9 #SpaceX #satellites #CubeSat #ISILaunch36P Ian van Zyl (@HabibiSouth) January 11, 2022 These satellites are named after the Maritime Domain Awareness project, which will use the Automatic Identification System (AIS) radio system to monitor ships in South Africa's exclusive economic zone. South Africa currently relies on AIS data from third-party overseas sources. Changing that became a goal under Operation Phakisa, the government's drive to better economically leverage the waters. South Africa's Nanosatellite SA Minister Blade Nzimande stated that ZACube-2 has provided cutting-edge and very high-frequency data interchange communication systems to the country's maritime industry since its introduction in 2018. The minister further added that the department had committed $1.7 million in the MDASat constellation over three years. According to Business Day, the launch of the most advanced SA nanosatellite yet, ZACube-2, as a technology demonstrator for the MDASat constellation three years ago signifies the beginning of Thursday's space adventure. Musk's SpaceX said it was prepping a Falcon 9 launch of Transporter-3 to orbit from Space Launch Complex 40 at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. According to SpaceX, Transporter-3 is the company's third dedicated rideshare mission, with 105 spacecraft, including CubeSats, microsats, PocketQubes, and orbital transfer vehicles on board. Related Article: Teenager Hacks 20 Tesla Vehicles Through Shocking Flaw; But Elon Musk, Tesla Not at Fault! BRIDGEPORT - A Fairfield University business professor who sued a student after he complained he had gotten an unfair grade has agreed to settle her lawsuit with the student and the university. Sharlene McEvoy, a business law professor, also claimed in her lawsuit that Fairfield University officials defamed her after they determined the student was right. Her lawyer, Daniel Kryzanski, of Stratford, confirmed Wednesday that his client had signed a settlement with the university just one day before a Superior Court judge dismissed the case. A settlement was reached to the satisfaction of my client, Kryzanski said. He continued that the details of the settlement are confidential. Kryzanski also confirmed that McEvoy, a tenured professor who has been teaching at Fairfield since 1986, has retired. He declined further comment. As a matter of policy, Fairfield University is unable to comment on litigation matters, said university spokeswoman Jennifer Anderson. The universitys lawyer also represented the student. On Tuesday, in an 8-page decision, Judge Barry Stevens dismissed the lawsuit ruling that McEvoy should have first submitted her grievance through the universitys grievance procedure. Public policy dictates that Fairfield is better suited to investigate and handle a grade grievance issue, the judge stated. According to the suit, in the Spring of 2020, Joseph Moran, of New Jersey, was enrolled in McEvoys legal environment of business class. Because of the pandemic the final exam for the class, which accounted for 100 percent of the students grade in the class, was done remotely, the suit states. In McEvoys instructions for taking the exam, she specifically required that the exam had to be mailed by USPS. McEvoy provided the prepaid envelope and paid for tracking, the suit states. The exam package was sent to all of the students on May 28, 2020, the suit states. The instructions required that the exam be mailed to McEvoys home address to arrive no later than June 12, 2020. The instructions stated in part; No late papers will be accepted. If it is not received on or before the above date, you will receive a zero for the exam. The lawsuit continues that Moran mailed his exam to McEvoy on June 8, 2020 but failed to track delivery of the exam. McEvoy did not receive the exam until June 16 and she gave Moran a failing grade. After receiving his failing grade, the suit states that Moran wrote an email to Carl Scheraga, chairman of McEvoys department, complaining about his grade and stating, I do not feel comfortable with Professor McEvoy re-grading my paper from a non-bias way after going to the head of the department and the dean of students. By reaching out to Scheraga, Moran violated the Fairfield University Student Academic Grievance Procedure which states in part that if a student has a grievance, the student must first attempt to resolve any academic grievance with the faulty member, according to the suit. The lawsuit states that McEvoy eventually agreed to regrade Morans exam after talking to college administrators. She gave him a C minus. Not satisfied with this grade, the suit states that Moran further appealed to administrators. Following a grievance hearing, on May 5, 2021, Christine Siegel, the universitys provost, stated in a letter to McEvoy that she had determined the evaluation by McEvoy that led to the grade was prejudiced and authorized the grade changed to pass. Defendant Morans statement that he did not feel comfortable with (the Plaintiff) re-grading his paper from a non-bias way was defamatory in that he was representing that he felt she would be biased in grading his paper just because he filed a complaint with the Fairfield administration, the lawsuit states. It continues that Siegel also violated the Student Academic Grievance Procedure by agreeing to address Morans grievance outside of that process. During a hearing on a motion to dismiss the case, Jonathan Sterling, the lawyer for Fairfield University and Moran, argued that McEvoy hadnt exhausted the administrative remedies available to her before filing the lawsuit because she had refused to participate in the school grievance hearing. Kryzanski argued that his client wasnt allowed to participate in the grievance process. I was specifically not permitted to participate in this procedure. I was told she wasnt allowed to have an attorney at the meetings where they claimed they were going to go through this due process procedure, Kryzanski told Judge Stevens. Downtown Greenville, SC Attend the credit union growth event of the year March 21-23 in Greenville, SC at NAFCUs Strategic Growth Conference to discover innovative solutions and strategies to drive growth and stay ahead of your competition. Youll learn the latest trends and information from successful peers and industry authorities with a cant-miss line-up of sessions. Your immediately actionable takeaways will include: how to use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to increase revenue and manage costs, best practices for offering cryptocurrency and Buy Now Pay Later, maximizing digital engagement, and the pros and cons of Decentralized Finance (DeFi). Youll also benefit from a three-part series on how to boost lending, hear the latest consumer trends, five keys to strategic advertising and more! Heres the full agenda. Enjoy a powerful opening keynote session from dynamic author and business strategy speaker Kaihan Krippendorff. Recognized by Thinkers50 as one of the top eight innovation thought leaders in the world, Kaihan Krippendorff is committed to helping organizations and individuals thrive in todays era of fast-paced disruptive technological change. Hell uncover and discuss the key trends shaping the financial services industry, strategic approaches that could disrupt the industry, processes your credit union can adapt to develop concrete ideas and more. Then, one of the nations top experts in diversity and inclusion, Kelly McDonald, will take the topic of work and leadership to a new level with her closing keynote session How to Market to, Sell to & Serve People Not Like You. Shell provide three key steps to make a diverse team work more cohesively, four key words that will transform how you interact with others in tough situations to get the best outcome, how to troubleshoot complex issues and more. Make your travel plans now to join us in beautiful Greenville, SC. Once you visit, youll realize why its racking up accolades like Conde Nast Travelers Best Small Cities in the U.S and New York Times 52 Places to Go. Nestled in the scenic Blue Ridge Mountains, this charming city boasts a thriving food scene that includes over 120 restaurants on Main Street alone, lush parkland that surrounds a spectacular waterfall and much more. Register with code HOLIDAY by 1/14 and save $300.00. Not ready to register just yet? You can still save! Use code SGCSAVINGS by 1/21 and save $200.00. Some foreign financial organisations have issued relatively positive predictions for Vietnams economy this year, with growth expected at 6.5 - 6.7 percent. Standards Chartered held that the GDP growth will rebound strongly to 6.7 percent in 2022 and 7 percent in 2023, saying Vietnams medium-term outlook remains positive. The bank made the forecast in its latest reports titled Still battling headwinds and Vietnam - Moving back to high growth. The economy should continue to bounce back in 2022 as the pandemic improves. Income growth has outpaced spending growth in recent years; this provides a decent savings buffer against the pandemic. said Tim Leelahaphan, economist for Thailand and Vietnam at Standard Chartered. COVID-19 remains a key risk, at least in the short term. The first quarter could see a full resumption of factory operations, after closures in Q3/2021, and government stimulus; clearer recovery is expected in March, he noted. Economists at Standard Chartered said a continued improvement in the global trade environment will support exports in 2022 although import growth is likely to remain high. In the recent Vietnam at a glance report, HSBC said after two years of growth slowdown, the countrys economic growth will accelerate to reach 6.5 percent in 2022. The Government also targeted this years GDP expansion at 6.5 - 7 percent, equivalent to the pre-pandemic levels. It noted Vietnam has recovered steadily after hitting bottom in 2021 and that it will regain growth momentum in all aspects soon. Manufacturing and export are expected to retain their leading positions, partly thanks to the stable commitments to foreign investment attraction. Besides, domestic demand is likely to bounce back further when current restrictions are gradually removed and the labour market revives. HSBC noted the biggest obstacle needing attention now is the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak, especially the appearance of the Omicron variant, but it is encouraging that the vaccination has been much improved, enough for avoding another period of widespread social distancing./. VNA Wharton, TX (77488) Today Partly cloudy. High 88F. Winds S at 10 to 20 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies this evening will become overcast overnight. Low 72F. Winds SE at 10 to 15 mph. STORY LINK Pound US Dollar Exchange Rate News: GBP/USD Climbs Despite Calls for UK Prime Minister to Resign GBP/USD Trades Higher Despite UK Political Uncertainty Pound (GBP) Lifts Despite UK Prime Minister Under Pressure to Resign US Dollar (USD) Slips amid Risk On Sentiment GBP/USD Exchange Rate Forecast: Will Fed Policymaker Speeches Support USD Appeal? Looking ahead, the Pound US Dollar (GBP/USD) exchange rate is likely to be influenced by data scheduled for release throughout the rest of todays session. Later this afternoon, the Greenback may be bolstered by speeches delivered by Federal Reserve policymakers, Patrick Harker and Charles Evans, as well as a testimony from Governor Brainard. The Greenback may be further supported by initial jobless claims for January which are forecast to drop from 207K to 200K. On the other hand, Decembers core PPI is predicted to slip from 0.7% to 0.5% which may hamper USDs appeal. Meanwhile, Sterling is likely to remain vulnerable to media headlines during todays session as GBP data remains thin on the ground. Like this piece? Please share with your friends and colleagues: The Pound US Dollar (GBP/USD) exchange rate is trending higher at the beginning of todays session in spite of calls for the UK Prime Minister to resign after admitting he attended a social gathering at No 10 during the first lockdown.At the time of writing, the GBP/USD exchange rate is trading at approximately $1.3740, up roughly by 0.2% from todays opening levels.The Pound (GBP) is firming against the US Dollar (USD) at the beginning of todays session in spite of calls for the UK Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, to resign.On Wednesday, Johnson apologised for his actions during the first lockdown in 2020.Having first ignored the reports that he was in attendance of a bring your own booze party at Downing Street, when outdoor gatherings were prohibited, Johnson has since offered his heartfelt apologies.Johnson is asking for patience whilst Sue Gray, the senior civil servant in charge of the investigation, comes to a conclusion, and has since received some support from fellow MPs, such as Michael Gove.However, many MPs, both Conservative and from the opposition, do not believe this is just, and are calling for Johnson to resign as Prime Minister.Senior backbencher and select committee chairman, William Wragg, said:I don't think it should be left to the findings of a civil servant to determine the future of the prime minister and indeed who governs this country.Minister, Rachel Maclean, said:The law of the land applies to everybodyincluding the prime minister. The people that make the laws are also the subject of the laws and that's why we've got this due process of this inquiry, find out exactly what went on, and if any laws were broken there will be consequences.The political volatility is weighing on Sterling today, and limiting the Pound's gains against the US Dollar.The US Dollar (USD) is facing headwinds against the Pound (GBP) this morning as marker risk appetite dents the appeal of the safe haven currency.Despite the Federal Reserve chairman Jerome Powells hawkish announcement earlier in the week, investors are selling the news and favouring risk-sensitive assets.Moreover, Coronavirus case numbers continue to rise as President Biden aims to keep US economy open.Janet Woodcock, the acting head of the Food and Drug Administration, said:I think its hard to process whats actually happening right now, which is [that] most people are going to get Covid, all right?What we need to do is make sure the hospitals can still function [that] transportation, other essential services are not disrupted while this happen.This is supporting USDs appeal however, as further restrictions are currently unlikely to be imposed. International Money Transfer? Ask our resident FX expert a money transfer question or try John's new, free, no-obligation personal service! ,where he helps every step of the way, ensuring you get the best exchange rates on your currency requirements. TAGS: Pound Dollar Forecasts 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 For this story, interviews were conducted with RAs anonymously. Throughout the story anonymous sources are referred to with pseudonyms and given they/them pronouns to maintain anonymity. Resident assistants do a lot more than bust you for having a Mikes Hard Lemonade. They allow UO to operate. Without them, residence halls would not function, and UO could not market the traditional dorm experience to prospective students. However, the conditions of the RA job have not adapted to the pandemic and have left workers underserved for their labor. This situation sets a bad precedent for on-campus workers and hurts UOs future prospects of having a reliable labor force. RAs operate on the front lines of the university and are essential to a safe environment as students undergo difficult transitions into college. This position deserves far more support by UO in this time of pandemic-induced insecurity and stress. There is a realistic fear of COVID-19 cases on campus, but paradoxically UO Housing has directed RAs to relax their enforcement to lessen duties, according to the RAs I interviewed. They no longer have to write up unmasked students or limit guests, which makes their jobs easier. But leaving those policies unenforced may lead to increased case numbers in the face of Omicron. It's a little weird were lightening policy, Peyton, an RA in Kalapuya Ilihi, said. As a worker it is less stressful, but as an individual you think they would be stricter. The feeling of being in a double bind is common among RAs. Having less responsibility reduces the load but generates concern for their floors safety. This also comes at a time when some residence halls are understaffed. According to university spokesperson Saul Hubbard, 5% of the campuswide RA team is yet to be hired. However, understaffing means current RAs need to pick up the slack; they are still expected to act as authorities of UO wherever and whenever. An RA is an RA for any resident, Andrew, an RA in Hamilton Hall, said. You are an RA for the university, not a specific dorm. Whether that means being a mandatory reporter or telling students to put their masks on, you are never truly off the clock. For all the work and responsibilities they have, RAs receive rewards that are just middling enough to make asking for more uncomfortable. Benefits for their position include free dorm housing, 85 weekly meal points and a $100 monthly stipend, according to the RA position description. While satisfactory for some, the benefits package leaves many feeling undercompensated, especially since the RA quality of life heavily depends on what dorm they are assigned. It just doesn't feel like a lot, Quaye, an RA in Unthank Hall, said. Your enjoyment depends on the building, and I don't think that's fair. It's incredibly archaic that the RA position does not scale its benefits to the residence hall. Its not like UO doesnt know that Kalapuya Ilihi has more amenities than Carson, or that LLC requires more work due to its status as the party dorm, according to all three RAs. The uncertainty of if youll actually enjoy your job can make RAs reconsider if the position is worth it. I often think about how I could work an hourly job and be able to afford a bigger apartment with full amenities, Peyton said. And Im lucky to have a bathroom. The RAs interviewed for this article said that having the benefits tied to the building makes it more noticeable that the stipend is only $94 after taxes, and Kalapuya Ilihi, one of the nicest dorms, could still lose an RA this year. And if you end up in Hamilton Hall, your nightly rounds take 30 minutes more than other dorms. It surprises me that, at a time when UO is adamant about keeping campus open and in person, supporting residence hall employees isnt essential. If RAs really are the force that allows the university to operate, why not make the position appealing beyond a shadow of a doubt? UO housing is not wrong when it calls RA benefits extremely competitive in comparison to other positions, according to Hubbard. But thats only in comparison to other campus jobs. Most RAs only take the position for the financial benefit, and the burden is on the university to make it worth it. This is not an isolated feeling; just a few months ago, RAs from Stanford University and University of Southern California went on strike demanding better conditions. At the end of the day, RAs have their basic needs met, but there arent enough incentives to keep workers in this essential university position. Because if they go, UO does as well. Advertisement Gold Price Outlook: Gold prices are lower than where they were last week, even as US Treasury yields have settled and the US Dollar has dropped. Failure to establish fresh monthly highs against this backdrop is a warning sign that golds fundamental backdrop remains weak. According to the IG Client Sentiment Index , gold prices still have a bullish bias in the near-term. Failure to Shine Its been an exciting few days in global financial markets. The US Dollar (via the DXY Index) has dropped like a brick, falling to its lowest level since November 10. US equity markets have brushed off the rise in US Treasury yields at the start of the year, rebounding meaningfully this week. And yet, gold prices cant seem to capitalize on what should be a more welcoming environment. The fact of the matter is that golds failure to set new monthly highs in this environment one in which the greenback has rapidly weakened and long-end US Treasury yields have come down suggest that the underlying fundamentals of bullion remain shaky at best. Gold Volatility and Gold Prices Relationship Slowly Normalizing Historically, gold prices have a relationship with volatility unlike other asset classes. While other asset classes like bonds and stocks dont like increased volatility signaling greater uncertainty around cash flows, dividends, coupon payments, etc. gold tends to benefit during periods of higher volatility. Gold volatility subsiding over the past few days has taken some of the shine off of gold prices, another reason to cast dispersion on recent gains. GVZ (Gold Volatility) Technical Analysis: Daily Price Chart (January 2021 to January 2022) (Chart 1) Gold volatility (as measured by the Cboes gold volatility ETF, GVZ, which tracks the 1-month implied volatility of gold as derived from the GLD option chain) was trading at 15.05 at the time this report was written. The relationship between gold prices and gold volatility has been slowly normalizing in recent days, as both the 5-day and 20-day correlations are become less negative. The 5-day correlation between GVZ and gold prices is -0.16 while the 20-day correlation is -0.26. One week ago, on January 6, the 5-day correlation was 0.00 and the 20-day correlation was -0.58. Gold Price Rate Technical Analysis: Daily Chart (January 2021 to January 2022) (Chart 2) When we checked in on gold prices last week, they were trading at 1824.57, and it was noted that it was difficult to trust the rally. In spite of the sharp decline by the DXY Index since then, gold prices were last seen trading at 1820.13. So, even if gold prices have rallied in recent days, the rally is unimpressive and still warrants a high degree of skepticism. There is an argument to be made, however, that the technical structure points to slowly-but-surely budding technical momentum that could ultimately prevail. Gold prices are above their daily 5-, 8-, 13-, and 21-EMA envelope, which is in bullish sequential order. Moreover, they remain above the descending trendline from the August 2020 (all-time high) and June 2021 swing highs, as well as the ascending trendline from the August 2021 and September 2021 swing lows. Daily MACD continues to trend higher while above its signal line, and daily Slow Stochastics are on the verge of returning to overbought territory. It thus may be the case that gold prices have a near-term bias higher into the crucial 1835 area, which houses a cluster of Fibonacci retracements as well as the swing highs seen in July, August, and September 2021. That said, a rally into 1835 would likely present a significant selling opportunity, especially as the DXY Index nears a multi-year zone of support/resistance that could stem its sell-off. Gold Price Technical Analysis: Weekly Chart (October 2015 to January 2022) (Chart 3) Its worth reminding that January is the best month of the year for gold prices according to seasonality studies, so there is a quantitative tailwind helping provide support in the near-term. It also remains the case that the weekly 4-, 8-, and 13-EMA envelope is taking on a positive slope. Alongside weekly MACD turning higher through its signal line, and weekly Slow Stochastics advancing above their median line, bullish momentum has increased in recent weeks, opening the possibility for more gains henceforth before fundamental headwinds curtail the rally. IG CLIENT SENTIMENT INDEX: GOLD PRICE FORECAST (January 13, 2022) (Chart 4) Gold: Retail trader data shows 64.97% of traders are net-long with the ratio of traders long to short at 1.85 to 1. The number of traders net-long is 4.01% lower than yesterday and 15.09% lower from last week, while the number of traders net-short is 5.56% higher than yesterday and 42.62% higher from last week. We typically take a contrarian view to crowd sentiment, and the fact traders are net-long suggests Gold prices may continue to fall. Yet traders are less net-long than yesterday and compared with last week. Recent changes in sentiment warn that the current Gold price trend may soon reverse higher despite the fact traders remain net-long. --- Written by Christopher Vecchio, CFA, Senior Strategist William Carter, 62, of Ashland, Kentucky, died Monday morning, May 2nd, at Kings Daughters Medical Center. William was born April 7, 1960 in Ashland, Kentucky, a son of Betty Lou Perry Carter of Ashland, Kentucky, and the late William Paul Carter. He was retired from the car shops at CSX. Su If you already subscribe to our print edition, sign up for FREE access to our online edition. Thanks for reading the Wharton Journal Spectator. From the sublime to the ridiculous, from sweets to sculpture, from Midget Gems to Eric Gill, where will it all end? Lets start with the ridiculous. This week the chewy sweets known as Midget Gems were rebranded Mini Gems by Marks & Spencer after a disability campaigner claimed that the name could offend those with dwarfism, and even called it hate speech. One complaint was all it took for the gems to be hurriedly rebranded, but why stop there? Why not cancel Smarties, which seem to suggest there are also Thickies on the sweet shelf of life how unfair is that? Gummi Bears cruelly ridicule the appearance of dentally challenged ursine creatures while the very existence of Jelly Babies mocks the osteopathic status of infants, whose bones are largely composed of cartilage until the ossification process is complete. Who will speak up for these wibbly-wobbly tots, so heartlessly ridiculed by this popular sweet, a glutinous effigy of pure hatred? For this latest outrage by a concerned citizen whos convinced himself he is on a noble crusade to right the wrongs of the past, I blame the recent case of the Colston statue in Bristol and the not guilty verdicts settled on the four protesters who pulled it down If, once again, it falls to me to cut out the cancer of bent and twisted Curly Wurlys with the simple lollipop of truth and the trusty chocolate button of common sense, then so be it. We all know you cant depend on a Flake while, shush, please Wispa it, nobody even mention Minstrels. In the pick n mix of cancel culture, perhaps we should not be too outraged at the renaming of a sweet, but the creep of wokeism sluices through modern life in a horrifying way, a mudslide of its own unstoppable intolerances. Just over the past few days we have had: a respected criminologist at Staffordshire University being investigated following complaints by students that he is a transphobe. His crime was to express support for keeping jails as single-sex institutions to protect female prisoners. A Cambridge don caused offence by describing mixed-race academic David Olusoga as eloquent it was seen as patronising while a generation of white male writers in Hollywood is discovering what it feels like to be pushed aside and overlooked as film companies struggle to keep up diversity quotas and employ people of colour and females. In the UK, author Jacqueline Wilson has rewritten the Enid Blyton classic The Magic Faraway Tree into an acceptably woke gender equality version as Enid would say, how beastly! while David Baddiel has joined Dame Maureen Lipman to complain that Jewish roles arent cast authentically compared to other minorities despite the fact that he once used blackface in a sketch, while she once appeared as an Anglican vicar on TV. These days, everyone seems to be locked, loaded and set to woke battle stations, simply determined to find fault. Look at the protester certainly a few Smarties short of a selection box who scaled a ladder outside BBCs Broadcasting House in Central London and rained blows on the statue of Prospero and Ariel by Eric Gill, the artist who sexually abused his daughters and also his dog So many are braced for potential offence no matter how genuinely innocently it might have been administered that I suspect they even welcome it into their humdrum lives, taking pleasure in the sense of power and disruption it brings. Look at the protester certainly a few Smarties short of a selection box who scaled a ladder outside BBCs Broadcasting House in Central London and rained blows on the statue of Prospero and Ariel by Eric Gill, the artist who sexually abused his daughters and also his dog. Gills crimes are well known, but is this the way forward? Smashing off Ariels tiny stone penis and kneecapping Prospero with a masonry hammer while police officers looked on for four hours, wringing their hands? Some of the greatest artists and creators in history were monsters in their private life, but does that mean their historical contributions are worthless, offensive and must be obliterated? That makes us no better than the book-burning Taliban, who famously blew up two 1,500-year-old Buddha statues in 2001. Back then we were horrified at their intolerance and barbarism, but if things carry on like this, there will barely be a statue left standing in the land. Just a few hundred yards to the north of the Gill statue is a bronze bust of John F. Kennedy (slept with other women while married, tsk) and less than a mile away in Regents Park lurks a fountain adorned with a statue of Hylas and the Nymph. Did someone say nymph? Surely got to be some bad business there. According to mythology Hylass father was a king (white privilege) and his mum a nymph (possible trafficking) and later he was abducted by more nymphs (no relation, but who knows?) when he was on a cruise. Where is my hammer? Lemme at him. For this latest outrage by a concerned citizen whos convinced himself he is on a noble crusade to right the wrongs of the past, I blame the recent case of the Colston statue in Bristol and the not guilty verdicts settled on the four protesters who pulled it down. Some of the greatest artists and creators in history were monsters in their private life, but does that mean their historical contributions are worthless, offensive and must be obliterated? That makes us no better than the book-burning Taliban, who famously blew up two 1,500-year-old Buddha statues in 2001 (file image of students from 2007) There was a failure of justice to be applied, a failure of the court to apply the law and a failure by the judge to direct the jury properly. Part of the defending argument was that if the statue itself is an offence or deemed an indecent display, then a guilty verdict would be a disproportionate infringement of the defendants rights under the Human Rights Act. Which means if you apply the same argument to the Taliban, to the Prospero smasher, to anyone else with a grievance against granite, they must be innocent, too. The Prospero basher and his accomplice were eventually arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and taken into custody. At one point he told negotiators (!) that the statue should have been taken down previously. He said: If this happened decades ago, I wouldnt be here would I? You see? Its not his fault. Well, it takes liquorice allsorts, but it is still not right. Fitzroy Gaynes, who is 64, is suing his health club for refusing to play any music that is more than 18 months old. I share his pain. Who needs hip hop when you could have bebop? But why is it always the other guys fault? Fitzroy could maybe put some earbuds in and listen to Matt Monro or whatever is his jam. Maybe he could even move to a different health club, instead of trying to force everyone to adapt to his tastes. Or am I being unfair? Melanias hat. . . yours for 175,000! Did you clean out a few cupboards over the holidays? Well, you were not alone. Melania Trump is auctioning off a hat, while Olivia Newton-John is auctioning off some right old tat. For reasons known only to herself, Melania is selling the rather lovely Herve Pierre hat she wore for President Macrons visit in 2018, along with a watercolour and some other knick-knacks. Ive always loved that hat! Maybe Ill . . . oh hang on, bids start at 175,000. Maybe not. Meanwhile, the Olivia auction boasts some real treasures, ahem, including autographed pebbles, a porcelain koala bear, some old skirts, some lightly-worn shoes and boots, and a selection of six of her scarves, for which some hopeful fan has already bid 100. Ive got my eye on one item: a handmade river rock generously embellished with crystals. Youre the one that I want! Not really. For reasons known only to herself, Melania is selling the rather lovely Herve Pierre hat she wore for President Macrons visit in 2018 Dame Veras art of living Twenty of Dame Vera Lynns paintings have gone on display in the village of Ditchling, East Sussex. Curators found more than 300 paintings in her collection and were amazed by her output. Not me. When I visited the former Forces Sweetheart at her home, she had turned the entire second floor into a 70ft-long recreation room. Up there is my painting area, my office area, my play area and my sewing area, she told me. She had always liked to keep herself busy it not only kept her young, but in her very old age it kept her alive and active. Back in the days of rationing and coupons, she once sewed herself a summer dress from four gingham tea towels. When she first moved to Ditchling with her husband and small daughter, she made all the curtains, cushions, sofa covers and antimacassars herself. That was just what her generation did. And her practicality and industry kept her going. Dame Vera lived to 103, sewing, painting, living frugally. Only my leggy-peggies let me down, she said, once she used sticks to get around. Every day she had Special K for breakfast, a sandwich at lunch, roast chicken for supper. Her single indulgence was a big glass of red wine and a packet of crisps at 6pm. Her paintings may not be the greatest works of art, but what a fine testament to simple strength of character and a life well lived. The awards season is barely under way and already I am fizzing with the unfairness of it all. First Gillian Anderson won a Golden Globe for her ridiculous portrayal of Margaret Thatcher in The Crown last year, and now Jared Leto is up for a Screen Actors Guild award for playing Paolo Gucci in House Of Gucci. Under a welter of prosthetics, Jared plays the mildly eccentric Italian businessman as if he were a certifiable lunatic. I dont even want to talk about Al Pacino as Aldo Gucci. If current trends persist, hell win the Oscar for Best Supporting Ham. So long, Sinitta hes a family man now Lauren Silverman is engaged to her boyfriend Simon Cowell at last! Apparently Lauren urged Simon to commit to family life and prioritise the present over hanging out with his exes. Good for her! Shes right, after all. The couple first met in 2010 and have a son, Eric, now aged seven. They live together, their lives are entwined together in the loveliest of ways and they have a future together. So why not go the whole way? There comes a time when every man has to put away childish things, and I dont just mean Sinitta. Simon has always liked to think of himself as an eternal bachelor, a rock biz troubadour a man for whom the notion of domesticity and sharing and settling down was once horrifying. Yet he will probably adore being a husband in the same way that much to his own surprise he absolutely adores being a father. Perhaps he has realised in the final act that family life is not a trap and that it can be a source of the most profound joy instead. So at the age of 62, it is growing up time at last for my dear friend, Simon. Better late than never, but how marvellous for him. Queen Elizabeth I and Mary Queen of Scots were among the European Royals who used an intricate folding method to share their most important secrets, new research has revealed. The letterlocking process dates back to the 13th century and involved cutting a small slit or tab into a piece of paper and combining it with a folding technique to secure the letter with intricate stiches. It would effectively change the paper into its own envelope, preventing reading it without breaking seals or slips, providing a means of security, and the new research has shown just how popular the practice was amongst Queens. The technique, which could take hours to successfully complete, was common for secure communication before modern envelopes came into use, and is considered to be the missing link between ancient physical communications security techniques and modern digital cryptography. According to a new article in the Electronic British Library Journal, 16th century royals would regularly use spiral letterlocking to send notes securely, with lead author Jana Dambrogio explaining: 'You had to be highly confident to make a spiral lock. If you made a mistake, you'd have to start all over, which could take hours of rewriting and restitching.' Among those who used the method were Mary Queen of Scots, who used the method to write a note hours before she was beheaded in 1587. Queen Elizabeth I and Mary Queen of Scots were among the European Royals who used an intricate folding method to share their most important secrets, new research has revealed Among those who used the techniques were Mary Queen of Scots, who used the method to write a note hours before she was beheaded in 1587 (pictured, her letter) The 'letterlocking' process involves intricately folding and securing a flat sheet of paper to become its own envelope Dr. Wiggins wrote that the combined effect of the lock, her own handwriting and her signature let Mary 'build bonds of affinity and kinship and assurances of authenticity.' Royals would fold the letter before cutting a strip, which would then be used to sew stitches to lock the letter. The method would turn a piece of flat writing paper into its own envelope, thus locking it securely from prying eyes. If a spy wanted to access the letter, he would have to snip it open, which was impossible to do undetected. There are multiple different types of folds and cuts through could be made to change a letter into an envelope. Queen Elizabeth I used the method in 1573 as the sovereign ruler of England and Ireland to pen a letter to King Henry III Royals would fold the letter before cutting a strip, which would then be used to sew stitches to lock the letter. The method would turn a piece of flat writing paper into it's own envelope, thus locking it securely from spying eyes (pictured a letter dated December 16 1638) Writing her locked letter on 8 February 1587, Mary Queen of Scots penned: 'Tonight, after dinner, I have been advised of my sentence: I am to be executed like a criminal at eight in the morning. LETTERLOCKING: SECURING WORDS WITHOUT AN ENVELOPE Popular in the 17th century, Letterlocking is process for securing a letter without an envelope. It involves an intricate process of cutting and folding. It uses small slits, tab and holes placed in to a letter and combined with folding, secures the letter for delivery. There are a number of different types of letterbinding and they're often unique to the binder. At the most basic level it involves intricately folding and securing a flat sheet of paper to become its own envelope around a letter. While the technique dates back to the 13th century, the term 'letterlocking' wasn't coined until 2009. Advertisement 'The Catholic faith and the assertion of my God-given right to the English crown are the two issues on which I am condemned.' According to the paper, Catherine de' Medici used the method in 1570 when she was governing France while her son, King Charles IX, sat on its throne. Her son, Francis II, became King aged just 15 after his 40-year-old father died in a jousting accident - beginning Catherine's long-term role as a ruler through her children, where she apparently used 'black magic', poison and massacres to ensure her family remained on the throne. During her power, Catherine was one of the most influential personalities of the CatholicHuguenot wars, known as Wars of Religion, and a conflict in France from 1562 to 1598 between Protestants and Roman Catholics. She wrote a letter, which she 'locked' using the technique, to French politician Raimond de Beccarie. Meanwhile Queen Elizabeth I used the method in 1573 as the sovereign ruler of England and Ireland to pen a letter to King Henry III. The scholars suggested the different examples show how the method was used in diplomacy as well as being a form of cachet. Until recently, these locked letters could only be studied and read by cutting them open, often damaging the historical documents. However last year, using a highly sensitive X-ray scanner, a team from Queen Mary University of London examined the letter which was closed using a 'letterlocking' process as scientists 'digitally' unfolded the paper. The team were able to examine the letters' contents without irrevocably damaging the systems that secured them. Professor Graham Davis from Queen Mary University of London said the scanner was designed to have unprecedented levels of sensitivity to map minerals in teeth. Adding that this is 'invaluable in dental research. According to the paper, Catherine de' Medici used the method in 1570 when she was governing France while her son, King Charles IX, sat on its throne She wrote a letter, which she 'locked' using the technique, to French politician Raimond de Beccarie (pictured) But this high sensitivity has also made it possible to resolve certain types of ink in paper and parchment. It's incredible to think that a scanner designed to look at teeth has taken us this far.' This process revealed the contents of a letter dated July 31, 1697. It contains a request from Jacques Sennacques to his cousin Pierre Le Pers, a French merchant in The Hague, for a certified copy of a death notice of one Daniel Le Pers. The letter gives an insight into the lives and concerns of ordinary people in a tumultuous period of European history, the team explained. It was at a time when correspondence networks held families, communities, and commerce together over vast distances. Last year, the letter was virtually unfolded and read for the first time since it was written 300 years ago Following the X-ray microtomography scanning of the letter packets, the team then applied computational algorithms to the scan images. This allowed them to identify and separate the different layers of the folded letter and 'virtually unfold' it to read the contents inside. The authors suggest that the virtual unfolding method, and categorisation of folding techniques, could help researchers to understand this historical version of physical cryptography, while at the same time conserving their cultural heritage. 'This algorithm takes us right into the heart of a locked letter,' the research team explained in their paper published in Nature Communications. 'Sometimes the past resists scrutiny. We could have cut these letters open, but instead we took the time to study them for their hidden, secret qualities. 'We've learned that letters can be a lot more revealing when they are left unopened. Using virtual unfolding to read an intimate story that has never seen the light of day - and never even reached its recipient - is truly extraordinary.' Teachers certainly have a challenge on their hands imparting knowledge, keeping the class under control and - often the trickiest task of all - getting and holding their students' attention. Luckily some creative minds have found a way to ensure their pupils sit up and listen, as these hilarious school signs and notices from around the world, collated in a gallery by Bored Panda, prove. In one witty notice involving a play on words, a teacher advised eager learners who want their course work looked at in a hurry to consult their 'emergency reader Helen Wait', adding 'Got to Helen Wait'. Elsewhere, a sympathetic teacher showed exactly how much they understand that back-to-school feeling, likening it to returning to a chaotic video game that you've had on pause. Here, FEMAIL shares some of the best examples... That's one way to keep them quiet! This US teacher made sure their students do not butt in during lessons, and revealed a liking for Jason Momoa too It's not all puppy love! One US teacher who'd had enough of seeing a couple canoodling on their way to another lesson reminded them that they're not in The Notebook One US teacher revealed that they absolutely know the back-to-school feeling while simultaneously showing they like video games One French school decided to hilariously teach its young men a lesson in washing hands after using the toilet One UK English teacher who loves Shakespeare decided that Macbeth and hygeine measures to avoid Covid go hand in hand A science teacher hilariously mourned the loss of Pluto after it was demoted in 2006 by the International Astronomical Union from its position as ninth planet from the sun to one of five dwarf planets' One father from New York picked up his son from school only to discover that 'best farter' had been plastered on the wall for several months You can't all be Picasso! This encouraging diagram not only would make anyone want to pick up a paintbrush but is a welcome source of humour after a disastrous art attempt Say what? While most definitely a tongue-in-cheek poster, for many foreign language students this is wildly true This half-hearted attempt at colouring in a 'don't give up' sign is relatable for anyone who's had a long day at school This US teacher knows exactly the ways to their students' heartsmaking math a relatable subject For any impatient students, know this, Helen Waite is possibly the slowest person to read your papers... A bestselling author who penned a book about bigamy has revealed everything she has learned about the crime - and the signs any woman should look out for. Adele Parks' new novel Both of You follows a female bigamist who goes by two names, Leigh Fletcher and Kai Janssen, and has two completely separate lives to match. Adele has now revealed the different signs people should be looking out for to know if their partner is lying to them, telling The Sun: 'The thing they have in common is a lot of brassneck.' Among those whose stories Parks researched was that of Adrian Linham, 44, who had two wives living just 16 miles apart, as well as William Allen Jordan, who told his wife he had a secretive double life as a CIA agent. Bestselling author Adele Parks has revealed everything she has learned about bigamists - and the signs any woman should look out for (pictured, Adrian Linham, 44, with his wife Liz - he had two wives living just 16 miles apart) 'All bigamists seem to ooze confidence in their invincibility.' She added: 'They think theyre such good liars that theyll fool everyone all the time.' Meanwhile Adele also explained: 'Some of them depend on travelling with work to create an opportunity to run two (or more) lives in parallel.' The bestselling author researched multiple stories of bigamy for her latest novel, including that of Adrian Lingham. Mary Turner Thomson, 53, of Edinburgh, believed husband William Allen Jordan (pictured together with her two young children) was a CIA agent, but he was in fact a serial bigamist He had divorced his first wife, Melanie, in 2006 before marrying his second, Liz, in 2007. They were still together when he wed the third, Hayley, in 2014. His web of lies included spending alternative Christmas days with one and then the other (using mysterious 'family emergencies' as an excuse); telling his best man, who attended both ceremonies, that he had divorced Liz suddenly. He even gave Liz the wedding cake topper from his wedding ceremony with Hayley as a birthday gift. In the end, he was undone by his own mother, who wrote to Liz who she believed her son had divorced to check she was coping without him. He was briefly jailed for bigamy in 2015, before Hayley, a nursery teacher, gave him a second chance and he returned to their home in the village of Winterbourne, Gloucestershire. But it wasn't long before he had returned to his old ways, embarking on an affair with yet another woman he was secretly planning to make wife number four. Jordan is pictured with Mischele Lewis who he also duped after he returned to the US, having served two and a half years in the UK for bigamy, fraud, and possession of a firearm And it's not always men! Bigamist mother-of-three married her lover and having his baby keeping the relationship AND pregnancy hidden from her sad and distraught husband of 18 years Brinda Kantamanen (pictured), 42, falsified her father's name on the marriage certificate during her wedding to her lover Matthew Hall, 45, at Ealing Town Hall in West London in October 2017 Brinda Kantamanen, 42, falsified her father's name on the marriage certificate during her wedding to her lover Matthew Hall, 45, at Ealing Town Hall in west London in October 2017. But 18 years earlier, in May 1999, she had married Ravi in North Carolina. The couple held a traditional Indian ceremony later that year and went on to have two children together, reported the Mirror. Her husband was 'sad and distraught' when he found out Kantamanen had married another man and hidden a pregnancy from him. Advertisement The consequences of that final relationship were devastating. When his third wife Hayley and his suspicious new bride-to-be found out about each other, they both unceremoniously dumped him. Linham moved back to live with his mother but, left with nothing after his web of lies unravelled, he took his own life in March 2016. Meanwhile Mary Turner Thomson, 53, from Edinburgh, made headlines around the world when it was revealed that the husband she thought she knew and loved, New Jersey native William Allen Jordan, 53, was in fact a liar and a scam artist who had duped several other women into marriage, as well as fathering 13 children with six partners. The couple, who met online in 2000, were together for years before his secret past was uncovered - with Thomson admitting that, until then, Jordan, who claimed he was an active CIA operative on secondment to MI5 in the UK, seemed like the perfect husband and father. Thomson quickly became entrapped in Jordan's web of lies, not only falling for his story about being an active CIA agent who would often have to disappear for months at a time on various 'missions' - but also believing him when he told her that he was infertile due to a childhood illness. Little did she know that he was in fact a pathological liar who had lied to her about almost every single aspect of his life and career - from his fake job as a CIA agent to his previous relationships, marriages, and children. Jordan's deception came to light at the end of 2005 when he told Thomson that he'd had a run-in with the police over what he described as a 'misunderstanding' relating to a friend's credit card Jordan then vanished again shortly before Christmas that year and called in January to warn Thomson that the police were about to ring her. He told his wife that the police would claim he had been arrested for bigamy, insisting that the charges were an error on the part of the authorities, who had found 'papers' relating to a CIA asset named Julie, who he claimed had been posing as his wife in order to conduct spy work in the UK. Jordan even came up with an excuse for why police would tell his wife that he was a registered sex offender - insisting that the charge had been fabricated by the CIA in order to allow him to question a real criminal inside a sex offenders' wing in a jail. The truth, as she later learned, was that he had in fact been arrested and convicted of molesting a girl between the ages of nine and 13 back in 1997. But despite the incredible fabrication, Thomson believed him, and it was only when his fake 'asset', Julie Bringhurst - who was in fact another of his wives - phoned her, that Jordan's true deception was made painfully clear to her. Jordan was charged and jailed for bigamy, illegally possessing a stun gun and fraud. He spent two and a half years of his five-year sentence in prison in the UK, and upon release was deported back to the US. Bodysuits are fast replacing two-piece sets in the gym - and there's one Aussie label fast becoming the go-to brand for thousands of women. solo the staple was founded by Alicia Superina in February 2020 when she noticed a gap in the market for workout bodysuits that were both flattering, stylish and super comfortable. Since launching, the brand sells a full-length bodysuit every hour and one of its new shorter leg versions every 45 minutes - an impressive feat for a small business. 'I wanted the confidence of the girl who looks and feels amazing in their crop and leggings so I began to wonder if a bodysuit would do that for me,' Alicia told FEMAIL. Bodysuits are fast replacing two-piece sets in the gym - and there's one Aussie label fast becoming the go-to brand for thousands of women solo the staple was founded by Alicia Superina in February 2020 when she noticed a gap in the market for workout bodysuits that were both flattering, stylish and super comfortable '[I wanted] a one-piece that would hold me in, smooth out my silhouette and ultimately stop the constant tucking of my singlet into my leggings whenever we shifted position on the reformer machine at pilates.' Alicia had tried a number of 'thin, restrictive and poorly cut' bodysuits and knew she could do a better job herself so she spent two years designing and sourcing the ultimate fabric. 'When floating the idea with my Pilates instructors, they loved it,' she said. 'They can see their clients position much easier and adjust them without the guesswork with a loose top in the way.' Alicia had tried a number of 'thin, restrictive and poorly cut' bodysuits and knew she could do a better job herself so she spent two years designing and sourcing the ultimate fabric 'When floating the idea with my Pilates instructors, they loved it,' she said Alicia said the stylish bodysuits are designed for anyone who loves Pilates, yoga or dance or simply looking for a comfortable activewear alternative that allows freedom of movement. 'They are so comfortable given our buttery soft material and incredibly flattering thanks to our unique panel designs. The bodysuits are designed to help boost the confidence for anyone who wears them,' she said. This year the brand has launched shorter leg bodysuits with a signature tuck-point to tuck in an optional tee at the hip, removable cup inserts, flattering panels and squat proof material. Alicia said the stylish bodysuits are designed for anyone who loves Pilates, yoga or dance or simply looking for a comfortable activewear alternative that allows freedom of movement Impressively, Alicia does everything herself, from marketing and picking and packing to customer service and designing. 'We have designed our product and launches around limited drops with no restocks, this means our product is always in hot demand and never over produced,' she said. 'Over summer 2021/2022 we have seen bodysuits sell out in the first few hours of release. On average we see them sell every hour but given there is a demand for the pieces and we don't restock. 'Our customers know they have to get the bodysuit on the day of release if they don't want to miss out- it's where people come to buy their active bodysuit.' A mother has launched a scathing attack on a hairdresser who she claims sent her 16-year-old daughter home halfway through an appointment after 'ruining her hair'. The New Zealand mother, who posts under Dr Steph on TikTok, compared her daughter's wet and knotted hair with the inspiration photo she had taken to the salon - noting the teenager was thrilled to be finally allowed to have her hair dyed. The video, which has been more than 500,000 times, quickly gathered support - prompting the hairdresser involved to defend herself in her own tearful video. A mother has taken to TikTok to slam her daughter's hairdresser for 'ruining her hair' But the hairdresser says she didn't do anything wrong - and said the teenager could come back the following day if she treated her lice Poll Do you think the hairdresser should have sent the girl home halfway through her appointment? Yes No Do you think the hairdresser should have sent the girl home halfway through her appointment? Yes 1655 votes No 243 votes Now share your opinion The hair stylist from Auckland's Four One Five salon said she sent the young girl home immediately after noticing she had head lice. 'We just had a little girl in the salon who had nits,' she said explaining it was 'no big deal'. But the video, which showed the teenager struggling to breath through tears, prompted hundreds of people to contact the salon. 'I didn't think it was a big deal, we just wanted her to go home and get treated and said we would finish it off tomorrow, but someone started making it a big deal,' she said. The hairdresser said the teenager's mum demanded she finish her daughter's haircut there and then - but she refused because she has a small salon and didn't want to put others at risk. 'I still don't think we did anything wrong,' the stylist said, overwhelmed by the response. In the video, which Dr Steph captions 'worst hairdresser ever', she explains she told her daughter she could get her hair dyed after lockdown as a reward. She said 'as a doctor' she found no evidence of head lice, or any on her other two children. The doctor said her daughter's hair experience was cut short when the stylist said she found lice - but the mum said she couldn't see any 'Because they found the head lice they just stopped everything, they said they couldn't even put a brush through her hair,' she said. 'And basically said to her "put your hair up you are leaving the salon now".' The doctor said she refused to pay for the work the hairdresser had done before finding the lice. She then claims she was told she wouldn't be allowed back in the salon if she failed to pay up. The TikTok video included a clip of the woman's teary daughter asking her to fix her half-done hair. It appeared most people on TikTok, including other hairdressers, were supporting the teenager and her furious mother. Some stylists even offered to have her in their salons so they could fix her hair. 'I am a hairdresser and we were always taught if you notice lice half way through you just finish - you can't let someone walk out like that,' one said. The teenager cried hysterically on the way home from the hair salon Another woman said the hairdresser's head lice comments were just an 'excuse'. 'My heart is broken for you, a salon experience is meant to be magical,' she wrote. But others felt sorry for the salon being 'dragged through the mud'. 'Why would you ruin a business like this - over hair which they offered to fix,' one woman asked. 'I think the hairdresser was in their right to stop. If they had other clients in. Yes agreed its not ideal but not the hairdressers fault she had nits,' another said. Other hairdressers revealed they had also stopped appointments after finding lice halfway through an appointment. Model Poppy Delevingne has revealed how she had to spend 10 days in isolation in a Thai hospital after testing positive for Covid on arrival. Poppy, 35, the older sister of supermodel Cara, was admitted to the private Bangkok Hospital last week after landing in the country for a holiday. A private room in the hospital can cost up to 70,000 Baht, or 1,500 for 10 nights as part of a quarantine package. Poppy shared photos on Instagram documenting her experience, including a shot of an empty hospital corridor and a mirror selfie of her wearing hospital pyjamas. Thailand's Covid-19 quarantine rules require all passengers to be tested on arrival. Official advice on what happens to passengers who test positive varies but some are admitted directly to partner hospitals, pre-approved by the government. In some cases, passengers who test positive can isolate in approved hotels. Poppy Delevingne, 35, the older sister of supermodel Cara, was admitted to the private Bangkok Hospital last week after landing in the country for a holiday. Above, Poppy posing in hospital pyjamas in a photo shared on Instagram Poppy shared this photo from inside Bangkok Hospital, pictured, on her Instagram account Poppy, who is married to former model James Cook, explained the experience had been 'extraordinarily lonely' as she thanked friends and family for keeping her occupied with messages and video calls. It is not clear if she was displaying symptoms of Covid. 'After 10 days of total isolation in a Thai hospital (I tested positive for COVID when I landed) I am OUT & heading straight to paradise,' she wrote on Instagram yesterday. 'The last 10 days have been the toughest. Im not in the right head space to dwell on it too much, I only want to think about the positives. 'I really had to go beyond myself and while the situation was extraordinarily lonely, it was also powerful and I will take so much away with me from the experience. Poppy, who is married to former model James Cook, explained the experience had been 'extraordinarily lonely' as she thanked friends and family for keeping her occupied with messages and video calls. Pictured, the photo shared on her Instagram account 'I couldnt have done it without my friends and family who kept my spirits up over endless FaceTimes and WhatsApps and for that I am eternally grateful. 'Also a huge thank you to the doctors and nurses at BANGKOK hospital who were kind and brave, doing what they do. 'Right. Im off to lick a palm tree and howl at the moon and sit under the twinkly stars. Its digital detox time and I can't f*****g wait. See you on the other side.' Thailand recently suspended its Test & Go scheme, which allowed fully vaccinated travellers to avoid quarantine if they tested negative for Covid within 72 hours of their flight, and again on arrival. Poppy on FaceTime from hospital with her father, property developer Charles Delevingne The model and actress wrote how the time in isolation gave her time to practise mindfulness However now all passengers must undergo a period of hotel quarantine ranging from five to 14 days, depending on their vaccination status and mode of transportation used to enter the country. Poppy, who has appeared in TV series Riviera and film Kingsman: The Golden Circle, married husband James Cook in 2014. In 2020 she co-founded Della Vie Prosecco with sisters Cara, 29, and Chloe, 36. Princess Martha Louise of Norway says she fell into a 'pit of depression' after the death her ex-husband Ari Behn two years ago. Mr Behn, an author who shared three daughters - Maud Angelica, 18, Leah Isadora, 16, and Emma Tallulah, 13 - with his ex-wife Princess Martha Louise, 50, took his own life on Christmas Day in 2019. Speaking to former Princess Tessy of Luxembourg on her Zoom OClock podcast, the royal said grief is like having 'tunnel vision' but it's important to directly tackle your emotions. The royal, who was married to Ari in 2002 and divorced in 2017, said that while grief is something all will experience in their life, she feels sadness her children were so young when they lost their father. Princess Martha Louise of Norway says she fell into a 'pit of depression' after the death her ex-husband Ari Behn two years ago. The royal is pictured with her late ex-husband in 2015 Mr Behn, an author who shared three daughters - Maud Angelica, 18, Leah Isadora, 16, and Emma Tallulah, 13 - with his ex-wife Princess Martha Louise, 50, took his own life on Christmas Day in 2019. The family are pictured following his funeral in January 2020 'I think it's so important that whatever we go through as human beings, sorrow is something we all have to go through at some point in life, unfortunately my kids met it at a very young age', she said. 'But we all go through it at some point and its really important the lessons we all learn from that, that you cant go round it you have to go through it. 'It is like having tunnel vision, it does cover everything. You can get stuck in that pit of depression, which I did, and you can get out of it as well. 'It's really important to talk about these things, mental health and how important it is we learn to deal with those parts of ourself too.' The royal spoke to former Princess Tessy of Luxembourg (pictured in 2017) on her Zoom OClock podcast. The pair have been friends for several years after meeting at a dinner in Abu Dhabi following Tessy's split from Prince Louis of Luxembourg in 2017 Martha Louise and ex-royal Tessy, 36, have been friends for several years after meeting at a dinner in Abu Dhabi following Tessy's split from Prince Louis of Luxembourg in 2017. Princess Martha Louise, who currently lives with her daughters in Lommedalen, in Brum outside of Oslo, is the oldest child of His Majesty King Harald and Her Majesty Queen Sonja. She became engaged to Mr Behn in December 2001 and the couple were married in a lavish ceremony at the historic Nidaros Cathedral in Trondheim in 2002, later deciding to move to London amid scrutiny of their marriage. The pair split in 2016 because, as Princess Martha said, they had 'grown apart from one another' and were officially divorced in 2017. The author tragically took his own life two years later, and in the wake of his death his 18-year-old daughter Maud wrote and illustrated a poetry book titled Threads of Tears about a woman who knits her tears into a 'fortress' because she's so sad. Ari Behn is pictured with children Princess Maud Angelica, Princess Leah Isadora and Princess Emma Tallulah in 2010 Speaking of her daughter's literary debut, Princess Martha said: 'Their father died two years ago from suicide, so its been a big process for them to go through. 'I think this has been a very positive thing for her to share with people so she could also work through her pain and all the things that she has been through with her sorrow. 'Its been such a wonderful journey to see her, all the kids and myself included, being in the real valley of sorrow and with all that entails for a long time and how exhausting physically that is, I didn't know that until I was in it, and how she has managed to turn that into something creative and wonderful. 'Shes an amazing artist and has written the poem and illustrated the book herself and how that has become a number one bestseller here and i'm really proud of how shes turned that into an amazing [book] to share with other people, that has been an amazing process to watch as a mum.' In May 2019, the Princess announced that she was in a relationship with American self-styled shaman named Durek Verrett whose celebrity following includes Gwyneth Paltrow, Nina Dobrev and James Van Der Beek. In May 2019, the Princess announced that she was in a relationship with American self-styled shaman named Durek Verrett whose celebrity following includes Gwyneth Paltrow, Nina Dobrev and James Van Der Beek Durek, 47, is a Los Angeles-based 'spiritual guide and gifted healer', whose real name is Derek Verrett, and whom Princess Martha Louise has described as her 'twin flame'. 'I met Shaman Derek three and a half years ago and it was, you know, when you met someone and it's just like you come home. I just knew him already. 'The first thing I said is "I know you already" and he said "Yes we were destined to meet way before we were born" and I was internally rolling my eyes, but from that point it felt like we were just really old friends catching up and whenever we were together it felt like we never had enough time. 'It developed into a romantic relationship and he's the most amazing wonderful man I could ever imagine to be with, because he's so emotionally involved. 'He takes responsibility for his own emotions and we just develop together in the same direction and continue to grow together and I think that's so beautiful.' A couple have celebrated their 81st wedding anniversary, becoming Britain's longest married couple. Ron Bond, 102, and wife Joyce, 100, who share a flat in a Milton Keynes retirement village, wed at Newport Pagnell Registry Office, in Buckinghamshire, on January 4, 1941. Friends initially doubted whether the newlyweds would go the distance but Ron and Joyce have proved them wrong and have spent more than eight decades together. The couple, who have two children and are great-great grandparents, say compromise and 'looking after each other' is the secret to their long-lasting love affair. Ron Bond, 102, and wife Joyce, 100, who share a flat in a Milton Keynes retirement village, have celebrated their 81st wedding anniversary, becoming Britain's longest married couple Ron and Joyce wed at Newport Pagnell Registry Office, in Buckinghamshire, on January 4, 1941, pictured. Friends initially doubted whether the newlyweds, now 100 and 102, would last They celebrated their milestone anniversary with tea and cake and received a dedication from Ken Bruce on BBC Radio 2, at the request of their son, Bill Joyce, a former Woolworths worker, said: 'We never expected to reach 81 years of marriage, we know we are very fortunate to have achieved this amazing goal. 'It feels excellent. There is no boss in our relationship, we both give and take.' Joyce was just 19 when she tied the knot with Ron after falling in 'love at first sight'. Ron, who was 21 on their wedding day, felt the same. After serving in the Second World War, Ron worked at a local garage. 'Sometimes life is hard but we work through it together,' he said. 'We look after each other too.' The couple, who have two children and are great-great grandparents, say compromise and 'looking after each other' is the secret to their long-lasting love affair The couple, who have children Eileen and Bill, received a letter from the Queen on their 'oak' 80th anniversary in 2021. The letter read: 'How wonderful to learn of your eightieth wedding anniversary on 4th January, 2021. I do hope you enjoy this marvellous occasion.' The couple celebrated this year with a cream tea at ExtraCare's Shenley Wood Retirement Village in Milton Keynes. Ron and Joyce celebrated their milestone anniversary with tea and cake and received a dedication from Ken Bruce on BBC Radio 2, at the request of their son, Bill The couple, who have children Eileen and Bill, received a letter from the Queen on their 'oak' 80th anniversary in 2021 Eileen said: 'My parents are a truly inspiring couple, not only to my brother and I but to their grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. 'It was said of them at the time of their wedding, it would not last long, how wrong did folks get that? 'You only have to spend time with them to know they love and care for each other, even after 81 years of being married.' Italian luxury fashion brand Bottega Veneta has divided opinion with a digital installation on the Great Wall Of China. The company laid an enormous digital screen along a section of the landmark, broadcasting the message 'Happy New Year' in Mandarin characters, followed by 'Bottega Veneta' in English. The brand said it is intended to 'honour' Chinese New Year, which takes place at the start of February, and features a tangerine shade of orange that is considered auspicious in traditional Chinese culture. Italian luxury fashion brand Bottega Veneta has divided opinion with a digital installation on the Great Wall Of China. Pictured, the installation, which was removed yesterday The brand said it is intended to 'honour' Chinese New Year, which takes place at the start of February. Pictured, the Great Wall of China The installation has divided opinion on social media (above) with some saying it was pointless The promotion, which was in place from January 6-12, has gone viral on social media after being shared by fashion industry publications. However the response has been mixed, with some shoppers saying it is nothing more than a cynical ploy to try and entice wealthy Chinese shoppers. Commenting on the Business of Fashion post, one wrote: 'Bottega Veneta is trying so hardWhats the link between BV [Bottega Veneta] and China apart from economic interests?' Another added: 'I wonder if the Chinese feel abused by all these enormous marketing efforts to get them to keep fueling growth into the Industrys giants?' The company laid an enormous digital screen along a section of the landmark, broadcasting the message 'Happy New Year' in Mandarin characters, followed by 'Bottega Veneta' in English The digital installation features a tangerine shade of orange (pictured) that is considered auspicious in traditional Chinese culture A third posted: 'This feels so...off. We didn't even have a strong opinion about Bottega Veneta but this is...lame.' But others supported the brand's pioneering vision, with one writing: 'Wow what a great idea so dope.' Another added: 'Cool af bottegas approach is very creative and proves they actual sell.' Social media users were divided in the Business Of Fashion post about the installation Alongside the takeover, Bottega Veneta's parent company Kering pledged a donation to help with the upkeep of the Shanghai Pass. Bottega Veneta is also running a Chinese New Year campaign, which is dominated by the same shade of tangerine featured on the Great Wall installation. The takeover is the latest example of Bottega Venetas experimental approach to marketing, which has included deactivating its Instagram account and placing billboards on rooftops near Los Angeles' LAX airport. James Middleton has sold his ailing greeting card business for 300,000 just months after it ran out of cash. Kate Middleton's brother, 34, put Boomf, which sold personalised marshmallow and greeting cards, into administration in December. But now the company has been bought by British-Estonian businessman Stepan Galaev, 35, as part of his recently established company called Otkrytka Limited. The administrators report said: 'The company had exhausted it's available cash resources and its cash constraints were impacting on its ability to continue trading and no further funding was available from the company's shareholders or third parties.' It's not clear why the businessman has bought into the failing company. He has not taken on the debts which means some creditors will be left out of pocket. James Middleton has sold his ailing greeting card business for 300,000 just months after it ran out of cash. Kate Middleton's brother, 34, put Boomf, which sold personalised marshmallow and greeting cards, into administration in December Boomf's investors include James Matthews, the billionaire husband of James' sister Pippa, greetings card company Moonpig founder Nick Jenkins and former VoucherCodes supremo Duncan Jennings. Stepan manages portfolios for angel investors including Nick Jenkins. Boomf owes almost 800,000 to creditors including 146,305.88 to HMRC, but has assets of 561,054, meaning there is a shortfall of 236,310.88. The biggest creditor is Forward Partners Venture Advance Limited, who ploughed 350,000 into Boomf. The ailing company has been bought by Estonian businessman Stepan Galaev, 35, as part of his recently established company called Otkrytka Limited Others include 60,053 owed to a company called MNC, based in the City of London, CBRE Limited owed 26,899 and Facebook, owed 55,892. The report said: 'The company has not granted security to any creditor and therefore there are no secured creditors in this matter.' Boomf, which sold personalised birthday cards and chocolates and had been trading since 2013. Accounts for 2020 published in the report show it sold goods worth 9.1 million, but the cost of sales and other expenses meant that it made a loss of almost 700,000. Boomf owes almost 800,000 to creditors including 146,305.88 to HMRC, but has assets of 561,054, meaning there is a shortfall of 236,310.88. The report said 28 companies showed an interest in buying the firm but Otkrytka Limited, which was only set up in November, offered the most and also paid immediately. James and his advisors have also negotiated that they will get 2 per cent of the company revenue for the next 12 months plus 5p from every sale from a returning customer over the same period. Administrators said that turnover was expected to be 1.5 million in 2022 and there would be an estimated 400,000 repeat customers, which would be worth 20,000. Stepan is a graduate of Cranfield School of Management with an MBA according to his LinkedIn profile. Boomf's investors include James Matthews, the billionaire husband of James' sister Pippa, greetings card company Moonpig founder Nick Jenkins and former VoucherCodes supremo Duncan Jennings. Pippa, James and James are pictured together in 2019 at Lady Gabriella Windsor's wedding He describes himself as an Angel Investor and non-executive director of a number of companies and says he speaks Russian and Estonian as well as English# His company Galaev & Co, a management consultancy had reserves of 160,000, accounts for the year to April 2020 show. James also runs Ella & Co, a health and wellbeing company for dogs . The entrepreneur has six dogs - Golden Retriever Mabel and four black Spaniels called Ella, Zulu, Inka and Luna plus puppy Nala. He has often credited his dogs with helping him through his struggle with depression. James has previously described himself an ideas man who struggled with the minutiae of running a business. He dropped out of Edinburgh University to focus on entrepreneurial ventures, starting the Cake Kit Company in 2007. That was dissolved in 2015. In 2011, he registered three more companies, Nice Cakes, Nice Wine and Nice Group London. His parents, Michael and Carole, started their own mail-order business, Party Pieces, in 1987, and it became highly successful. Mrs Middleton said recently that she had no plans to slow down. A 61-year-old grandmother and her new husband, 24, have announced that they're planning to have their first child together through surrogacy - despite their 37-year age gap. Quran McCain and his wife, mother-of-seven Cheryl McGregor, from Rome, Georgia, first met in 2012 while they were both worked in the fast food chain Dairy Queen, when he was just 15 years old. But romantic feelings didn't blossom until much later. They lost contact but reconnected in 2020 when caretaker Quran saw Cheryl working as a cashier at a convenience store. Sparks instantly flew between the pair and they started dating. They got married last year, and now, they are ready to expand their family. A 61-year-old grandmother and her new husband, 24, have announced that they're planning to have their first child together through surrogacy - despite their 37-year age gap Quran McCain and his wife, Cheryl McGregor (pictured in 2021), from Rome, Georgia, first met in 2012 while they were both worked at Dairy Queen, when he was just 15 years old They lost contact but reconnected in 2020 when caretaker Quran saw Cheryl working as a cashier at a convenience store Sparks instantly flew between the pair and they started dating. They got married last year, and now, they are ready to expand their family. They are pictured at their wedding Cheryl has seven children and 17 grandchildren already, but the couple said they 'feel they deserve children of their own.' 'We got married in September 2021, and its been a few months since we are ready to start a family,' said Quran. 'Cheryl is 61 and has seven children and 17 grandchildren already but we feel we deserve children of our own.' The pair tried to get pregnant on their own but due to Cheryl's age, they decided to turn to surrogacy or adoption. 'We prefer surrogacy, however, we have seen a lot of people embroiled in legal complications far after the child is born,' Quran continued. 'We are looking for a nice surrogate who is willing to sign a contract to have nothing to do with the child after its born. 'We don't want people trying to have a baby for us for financial gain, we are not that financially inclined ourselves. 'With adoption, we are looking for a biracial baby so the baby would know, "I have half black and half white parents," so he [or she] would feel that we are his true parents. 'Both of Cheryls daughters had hysterectomies in the last few years otherwise they would have been the best option for being as close to a biological child as possible.' Cheryl has seven children and 17 grandchildren already, but the couple said they 'feel they deserve children of their own' The couple tried to get pregnant on their own but due to Cheryl's age, they decided to turn to surrogacy or adoption Since Cheryl is much older than Quran, they know he may have to raise their child alone somewhere down the line and they are prepared for that 'We understand that I may not be there for as long as Quran is but I have faith in him,' Cheryl said. 'If I am not here he can do it. He's gonna be a great father, hes a responsible adult' Since Cheryl is much older than Quran, they know he may have to raise their child alone somewhere down the line and are prepared for that. 'We understand that I may not be there for as long as Quran is but I have faith in him,' Cheryl explained. 'If I am not here he can do it. He's gonna be a great father, hes a responsible adult. I had every bit of faith that he could raise our child and do it very well. 'Our family is also very supportive of our decision to have children, at first they were hesitant for the same reasons. 'However, now five of my children have come to accept the idea and my mother-in-law and I make videos together.' Cheryl and Quran claim that their sex life is fantastic and they have great chemistry - despite him being younger than one of her own kids and her being only six years younger than his grandmother. Although Cheryl's family was 'hesitant at first,' she said five out of her seven children have come to support the idea of she and Quran welcoming a child together Age is just a number: Cheryl and Quran claim that their sex life is fantastic and they have great chemistry - despite him being younger than one of her own kids Soon after the couple started dating, they began posting videos of themselves on TikTok and they have now become viral sensations on the platform Soon after the couple started dating, they began posting videos of themselves on TikTok and they have now become viral sensations on the platform because of their nearly four-decade age difference. Their intimate wedding was actually live-streamed on the app and viewed by thousands of their fans. The pair also set up an Only Fans account for their saucier content. Cheryl and Quran get a lot of hate on social media due to their unconventional relationship - but that doesn't phase them. 'People on social media have a lot of hate for us, they say Im dating my grandmother,' Quran said. 'I am not, she is younger than my grandmother, we are no different from any other couple, love is love. 'We get a lot of hate but it doesn't phase us. At the end of the day, we still got each other and that's all that matters. 'No matter what they say or do, it can't hurt us. We know the stuff that they say isn't true and they believe it, we feel sorry for them. 'We're happy and no matter what they say we're not going to deflect on that.' Their intimate wedding was actually live-streamed on the app and viewed by thousands of their fans. They are pictured at the wedding The pair even set up an Only Fans account for their saucier content Unstoppable: Cheryl and Quran get a lot of hate on social media due to their unconventional relationship - but that doesn't phase them 'We are no different from any other couple, love is love,' Quran said. 'At the end of the day, we still got each other and that's all that matters. No matter what they say or do, it can't hurt us' In a previous interview, Quran explained that Cheryl 'has a very young spirit, soul and heart.' 'I think the biggest misconception is that I'm using her or waiting to be put in the will,' he said. 'We connected on a spiritual level. No matter the situation we just have a certain vibe that connects anytime we are around each other.' Cheryl added: 'It's different, it's amazing, he's very compassionate to me and I think it's because he's a younger man. 'I couldn't have that with anybody else, he's very emotional and that's something I've never dealt with - they were all angry and he's emotional in a good way because he shows me he really cares. 'There's just something between him and I that I never thought we would be together like this, he's just an amazing person. Quran said that Cheryl 'has a very young spirit, soul and heart' and that no matter the situation, they have 'a certain vibe that connects anytime they are around each other' Cheryl said: 'Don't look for love because it will find you, because I wasn't looking for love and it found me and it's amazing' 'There's a different type of chemistry with him even though he's younger, we have a lot of chemistry because of the things we've been through and it pulls us closer together.' As for their sex life, Quran gushed: 'It gets better and better every time. It's pretty normal, it's not out of the ordinary, but to me it's amazing. 'She knows what she's doing - that's the best part!' Unfortunately, Quran said none of Cheryl's family were 'accepting' of their relationship at first. 'Everyone thought we were joking or thought it was all games,' he admitted. 'Some of her seven kids turned on her due to her dating a younger black man. 'She was very hurt. It hurt her because she raised them to not be like that.' However, that didn't tear them apart. Cheryl concluded: 'Don't look for love because it will find you, because I wasn't looking for love and it found me and it's amazing.' A Mississippi middle school has offered body-slimming shapewear to female students this month, leading to furious backlash. Southaven Middle School in northern Mississippi sent a letter home to parents of teen and tween girls, educating on the issue of negative body image. It concluded with an offer from the school's counselors to provide shapewear a foundation garment that's used alter a person's body shape to any of the students, aged 10 to 14, whose parents agreed to it. The shocking letter was shared on social media by mom Ashley Heun, who said that she was 'beyond p***ed.' Southaven Middle School in northern Mississippi sent this letter about body image to parents of girls at the school, who are aged 10 to 14 Mom Ashley Heun shared the letter online, slamming it for perpetuating the problem of negative body image 'This is what was sent home with my 8th-grade daughter,' Heun, whose daughter Caroline attends the school, wrote on Facebook. It concluded by offering literature on body image as well as bras and shapewear for the top and bottom, asking parents to provide sizing for their daughters (stock image) The memo is headed with the nonsensical title 'Why Do Girls Suffer from Body Image?' which should more accurately say suffer from 'bad' or 'negative' body image. The memo goes on to discuss how 'social and cultural experiences' create a 'desire to adhere to an "ideal" body shape,' and how girls are 'more likely than boys to have negative body image.' While the memo is mostly thoughtful, noting that 'women in the United States feel pressured to measure up to strict and unrealistic social and cultural beauty ideals,' it also asserts that girls with a positive body image are more likely to have good self esteem, physical health and mental health and it offers a surprising way of supporting that. 'We, the counselors of Southaven Middle School, would like to have an opportunity to offer some healthy literature to your daughter on maintaining a positive body image. 'We are also providing girls with shapewear, bras, and other health products if applicable.' She wrote: 'I am beyond p***ed, though Im not sure if Im more pissed at the fact that they had the "balls" to send this home or the VERY IGNORANCE of the counselors at the school' At the bottom of the form is a tear-off section that parents can return, which allows them to agree that their daughter receive 'the healthy literature, shapewear, bras, and other products given by the counselors.' It includes a list of sizing that parents can circle for shapewear, top and bottom, as well as bras. Heun was shocked by the letter, and told Today that she turned to social media to 'rally the troops to change this and to really let the school know how exactly tone-deaf it was.' She wrote on Facebook: 'I am beyond p***ed, though Im not sure if Im more pissed at the fact that they had the "balls" to send this home or the VERY IGNORANCE of the counselors at the school.' 'So you begin this masterpiece detailing how damaging a negative body image is for girls, how the stress of conforming to an impossible perceived image can adversely affect their mental health, and then OFFER TO GIVE THEM SPANX SO THEY CAN BETTER FIT THE PERCEIVED IMAGE?!? What. The. Very. F@%text. Other social media users have expressed their disgust as well. A representative for the school has since said that the initiative had been 'discontinued' 'What the holy hell is this,' wrote author Glennon Doyle. 'What school is passing out "shapewear" to female students?? It's too early in the day for this s***t but fine tell me where to show up for f***s sake.' 'I am in utter disbelief that those entrusted as counselors to impressionable young women would perpetuate this completely atrocious information,' wrote a Facebook commenter. 'This is unacceptable. This is going to do so much more harm than good,' said another. 'The best way to teach our girls to love themselves is to give them shapwear? Im a grown woman in shapewear and still trying to figure out self love. Someone has really missed the mark here,' wrote a third. 'I can trace like 70% of my body image complex back to extremely sexist, degrading and inappropriate school dress codes. Why were so many male school staff commenting on my body the moment I hit puberty?? And why, 20 yrs later, are we still feeding even worse BS to our girls?' a Twitter user chimed in. When reached for comment by Today, a spokesperson for the school said that the initiative had been 'discontinued,' though it was not acknowledged as a mistake. Social media users, including author Glennon Doyle, have also criticized the 'unacceptable' policy 'The district has been made aware of the parental permission form sent to parents by Southaven Middle School,' Lauren Margeson, the DeSoto County Schools assistant to the superintendent, said. 'District officials understand how this type of information causes serious concern from parents,' she added. Heun said that she was notified that bras, underwear, and other health items would still be available to all students, adding: I am 100% behind that. I dont want ANY child to go without.' 'What I do hope is that with this receiving the attention that it has, I hope parents are thinking about the messages their daughters (AND SONS) receive about body image and the pressures out there to be perfect,"' she said. 'I hope that it can lead to conversations between parents and children, teachers, counselors, and school administration. Raising a child, especially a teenager, is like walking a tightrope, trying to balance nurturing a good self esteem and teaching personal responsibility, trying not to project your own insecurities on to your kids. 'Bottom line is I never want any child to feel less than for their appearance. They are all perfect just the way they are.' A teenage girl who suffered from real-life Benjamin Button disease and amassed a millions-strong YouTube following has died at the age of 15. Adalia Rose, from Texas, was diagnosed with Hutchinson-Gilford progeria, a genetic condition also known as Benjamin Button disease, when she was three months old. The condition, which affects fewer than 500 children worldwide, is categorized by extreme accelerated aging and has an average life expectancy of 13 years old. As she grew up, she found fame on social media, racking up 2.91 million subscribers on YouTube and 379,000 Instagram followers. Earlier today, her family told followers that she died yesterday as a result of her condition. A 15-year-old girl who suffered from real-life Benjamin Button disease and amassed a millions-strong YouTube following had died at the age of 15 Adalia Rose from Texas was diagnosed with Hutchinson-Gilford progeria, a genetic condition also known as Benjamin Button disease, when she was just three months old 'She touched MILLIONS of people and left the biggest imprint in everyone that knew her. She is no longer in pain and is now dancing away to all the music she loves,' said her family 'January 12, 2022 at 7pm Adalia Rose Williams was set free from this world. She came into it quietly and left quietly, but her life was far from it,' her family wrote on her Instagram page. 'She touched MILLIONS of people and left the biggest imprint in everyone that knew her. She is no longer in pain and is now dancing away to all the music she loves. 'I really wish this wasnt our reality but unfortunately it is. We want to say thank you to everyone that loved and supported her,' they went on. 'Thank you to all her doctors and nurses that worked for YEARS to keep her healthy. The family would now like to mourn this huge loss in private. Adalia's mother, Natalia Pallante, told the New Zealand Herald in 2018 that doctors realized something was wrong within a few months of her birth 'When Adalia was born, I think it was she was like a month old and they weren't happy with her growth,' she said 'That was one of the symptoms that first popped up and then it was also that the skin on her tummy was really tight and just different looking,' she continued At three months, she received her diagnosis, and soon started losing her hair. Her veins also became visible, and her skin thinned out The real-life Benjamin Button disease: What is progeria and can it be cured? Progeria is characterized by the appearance of accelerated aging in children, according to the Progeria Research Foundation. Symptoms include a lack of growth, loss of body fat and hair, stiff joints, and hip dislocation. The genetic mutation occurs randomly and isn't inherited. Most kids with progeria look healthy when they're born, but they start to show signs of the disease during their first year, according to WebMd. Babies with progeria do not grow or gain weight normally. Researchers say progeria is caused by a mutation in a gene called LMNA which produces the Lamin A protein, used to hold the nucleus of a cell together. There is no cure for progeria, but medications may alleviate symptoms or delay progression. Advertisement Adalia or someone posting on her behalf had just updated hours earlier, sharing an Instagram story that showed a video of a plant. 'No... just no.... why is my family like this,' read the caption. Adalia's mother, Natalia Pallante, told the New Zealand Herald in 2018 that doctors realized something was wrong within a few months of her birth. 'When Adalia was born, I think it was she was like a month old and they weren't happy with her growth,' she said. 'That was one of the symptoms that first popped up and then it was also that the skin on her tummy was really tight and just different looking.' At three months, she received her diagnosis, and soon started losing her hair. Her veins also became visible, and her skin thinned out. 'I was a single mom at the time, so when I got the diagnosis I was alone. It was just her and I and I honestly felt lost,' Natalia said. She eventually met Ryan, and Adalia got several siblings. Ryan said: 'We don't even really say the word "progeria" very often, we just treat her like a normal 11-year-old and try to give her the best life.' Adalia has had struggles, and her mom said the late teen would sometimes wish she 'looked like everybody else' and 'could do what everybody else can do.' 'But then she'll be like 'Who needs hair anyways, I have a bunch of wigs, I can have different hair everyday,' she said. Natalia described Adalia as 'rambunctious' and said she loved watching her grow. The condition, which affects fewer than 500 children worldwide, is categorized by extreme accelerated aging and has an average life expectancy of 13 years old Her dad (not pictured) said: 'We don't even really say the word "progeria" very often, we just treat her like a normal 11-year-old and try to give her the best life' Natalia (not pictured) described Adalia as 'rambunctious' and said she loved watching her grow 'Adalia has changed my life completely, it's not like I was hateful but I wasn't nice to myself. I wasn't thankful. I didn't realize what life was until she was born,' she said. Adalia's success on YouTube has had its perks. Videos of her dancing to PSY's Gangnam Style and Vanilla Icewere an instant hit when they went viral in 2015. In December of 2019, Jennifer Lopez's designer Michael Costello gifted the YouTube star two dream dresses for her 13th birthday. One of the gowns was a Princess Jasmine costume from the film Aladdin, while another was a one-shoulder fuchsia number that looked like something JLO would wear on the red carpet. The stylist presented the hand-made dresses to the teen at her home in Austin, Texas. Adalia has had struggles, and her mom said the late teen would sometimes wish she 'looked like everybody else' and 'could do what everybody else can do' 'Adalia has changed my life completely, it's not like I was hateful but I wasn't nice to myself. I wasn't thankful. I didn't realize what life was until she was born,' her mom said Adalia's success on YouTube has had its perks. Videos of her dancing to PSY's Gangnam Style and Vanilla Icewere an instant hit when they went viral in 2015 'People always ask me who my favorite celebrity is to dress, and I always struggle thinking of a name,' he said on Instagram. The condition became known as Benjamin Button disease after it was featured in the short story and Brad Pitt-led movie (pictured), The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, which charted the life of a man living with progeria 'For me, the most rewarding part of it all is how my dress makes them FEEL. When someone wears Michael Costello, I want them to feel beautiful, confident, and absolutely fearless! 'Thank you so much Adalia for giving me the chance to dress you!' he added. The two had first met in Texas during a meet and greet. 'When I first met you, your bright smile and warm heart brought so much joy,' he told her. 'You've inspired me to create and reminded me of the reason why I got started in the first place. Thank you for just being you wishing you a very happy birthday.' 'I'm having a moment,' Adalia said as she unwrapped the dresses. 'They are so perfect and I even want to wear them while I'm just at home!' Adalia wrote in her own Instagram caption. 'Michael Costello you did such an amazing job making everything I wish you can make all my clothes! I love you so so so much and I send you a million hugs.' In December of 2019, Jennifer Lopez's designer Michael Costello gifted the YouTube star two dream dresses for her 13th birthday The stylist presented the hand-made dresses to the teen at her home in Austin, Texas 'You've inspired me to create and reminded me of the reason why I got started in the first place. Thank you for just being you wishing you a very happy birthday,' he also said Speaking to People, the designer added: 'It was the cutest. She was so adorable and so sweet.' 'She's so tiny that you instantly think she's going to be like a baby, and you want to baby her. But I didn't realize that she's 13 years old, and she's like any other savvy 13 year old. She was a little sassy! 'She said she loves J.Lo, and anything that J. Lo wears she likes to wear, and she loves flowy fabrics and sparkles,' he said. 'And I said, 'Okay, you're my ideal client. You are the Michael Costello girl.' 'Knowing that we have the capability to make something for them and to celebrate them and to make them feel good about themselves I just wanted to make her birthday dreams come true,' he added. 'I feel like I've dressed everyone. It's an incredible milestone for my career. I feel like I've done so much and I've been blessed so much, and now what I really want to do is start meeting more people like Adalia What's it to me? A couple of days on the sewing machine? A few hundred dollars' worth of fabric and time, just to make someone else's dream come true.' Seen above are the headquarters buildings of Korea's four major commercial banks: KB Kookmin, Shinhan, Hana and Woori. Photos courtesy of each firm By Park Jae-hyuk Domestic commercial banks are facing criticism for their recent decisions to pay record amounts of bonuses to their employees, because their earnings last year were made mainly from interest on loans to households and self-employed people suffering difficulties amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Earlier this month, Woori Bank's workers and management agreed to an increase in the size of the performance-based bonus from 130 percent of each employee's monthly base salary to 200 percent the maximum amount of performance-based bonus allowed by the bank's internal rules. Under the pretext of boosting worker morale, the bank's management decided to pay an additional bonus equivalent to each employee's monthly base salary and another 1 million won ($841) to each of them. Workers and management of other major commercial banks signed similar agreements. The size of KB Kookmin Bank's performance-based bonus was fixed at 300 percent of each employee's monthly base salary. A year earlier, the bank paid performance-based bonuses equivalent to 200 percent of each worker's monthly base salary and an additional 1.5 million won to each of them. Shinhan Bank's employees received a performance-based cash bonus equivalent to 250 percent of each of their monthly base salaries on Dec. 31. They will additionally receive company shares equivalent to 50 percent of their monthly base salaries no later than April. The bank also gave Shinhan Card credit card rewards worth 1 million won to each employee on Jan. 3. A year earlier, it paid a performance-based bonus equivalent to 150 percent of each employee's monthly base salary and an additional 1.5 million won under the pretext of boosting morale. Hana Bank's employees received a performance-based bonus equivalent to 250 percent of their monthly base salaries earlier this week. Each of them will additionally receive welfare incentives worth 800,000 won. A year earlier, the bank only paid a performance-based bonus equivalent to 200 percent of each employee's monthly base salary. Rep. Noh Woong-rae of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea described the "bonus parties" as "predatory." "The banks are allowed to pay bonuses with their profits, but there exists a problem if their earnings were made mainly by interest on predatory loans to small business owners and low-income people," he said. "Compared to foreign banks, where 50 percent of their profits relies on net interest margins, for Korean banks, 80 percent of their profits relies on net interest margins. They have filled their stomachs with the blood and tears of self-employed and low-income people." The lawmaker urged banks to carry out their social responsibilities, if they want to continue enjoying their privileges resulting from the high entry barrier into Korea's banking industry. Pippa Middleton put on a stylish display for a date night with her husband James Matthews as the couple headed out to the theatre tonight. Kate Middleton's sister, 38, donned a red jumpsuit with matching heels and she and her billionaire husband, 46, headed to the Royal Albert Hall to watch the Cirque du Soleil Liuzia show. The mother-of-two. who left her little ones at home, looked glamourous with dazzling jewellery and a slick hair 'do. Luizia, which premiered yesterday, is a Mexico-inspired spectacle produced by Daniele Finzi Pasca. Date night! Pippa Middleton, 38, and her husband James Matthew, 46, were spotted at the Cirque du Soleil show Luizia tonight at the Royal Albert Hall The dashing couple looked stunning as their made their way into the theatre for a night away from the kids Pippa seemed excited about the new show as she arrived at the theatre which isn't far from her Chelsea home. The socialite accessorised with a small red clutch bag and colourful drop earrings made of different strips of fabric. She kept the rest of the look minimalist with little jewellery, and sported a natural, healthy makeup glow, with just a dash of foundation, mascara and eyeshadow to vivified her hazelnut eyes. Her brown locks where styled straight with a middle parting and little pins holding her mane back on the sides. Pippa beamed as James confidently led her by the hand when the couple arrived at the show tonight The father-of-two gently put a hand on his wife's back as the couple arrived at the Royal Albert Hall She beamed as her husband, dressed in a smart navy suit with a light blue shirt and no tie, led her by the hand into the theatre. According to the reviews, the couple were in for a treat with the new Cirque du Soleil offering. Liuzia, which is an acrobatic odd to Mexico and its cultural influences, was praised by the New York Times for its 'elegant harmony' and and dubbed a 'quite extraordinary show together by British Theatre. Pippa opted for a red jumpsuit with matching pumps and a black trench coat, while James looked dapper in a blue suit with a light blue shirt The show consists of 17 acts or tableaux where acrobats wow the public with their prowess. The show first aired in January 2020 and is back this year for another residency, ending on 27 February. Pippa began dating her husband James in 2016, with the two choosing to tie the knot in May 2017. The racing driver-turned city trader, who was privately educated at Uppingham School, is set to inherit the Scottish courtesy title of 'Laird of Glen Affric' which came with the 10,000-acre estate of the same name near Inverness that his father bought in 2008. The couple, who celebrated Kate Middleton's 40th brithday this Sunday with an intimate affair, looked relaxed tonight The couple seemed eager to unwind in front of the show, which has received stellar reviews since it's premiered in 2019 He is also the brother of former Made in Chelsea Lothario Spencer Matthews. James is listed as managing director of Beaufort Glen Affric. He owns a 3m private jet and bought a six-bedroomed 17m house in 2014, which boasts a car-stacking garage in the basement, along with an underground home cinema and a lift. The happy couple tied the knot in 2017 at St Mark's Church in Englefield, the estate of former Conservative MP Richard Benyon. In 2018, Pippa welcomed baby Arthur in the Lindo Wing of St. Mary's Hospital, the same place where sister Kate gave birth to all three of her children. She and her financier husband welcomed little Grace, who weighed 6lbs 7oz in the early hours of March 15 2021. New York City diners who have made nonrefundable reservations at some of the city's priciest restaurants have resorted to selling their bookings on Reddit as COVID cases swell. In the past month, over a dozen people have taken to the FoodNYC subreddit in attempts to sell reservations to hotspots Eleven Madison Park and Atomix, which have three and two Michelin stars, respectively. Both eateries require patrons to pay hundreds of dollars per person for their tasting menus up front, and the price is nonrefundable. But as locals test positive for COVID and out-of-towners cancel their trips to New York City due to high case numbers some diners are desperate to unload their bookings and avoid spending a fortune on nothing. Several high-end restaurants in New York City with prix fixe tasting menus - like Eleven Madison Park, pictured - require diners to pay for their meal at the time of the reservation With COVID cases at an all-time high, some people are diners are desperate to unload their nonrefundable bookings and have taken to Reddit to do so While a few Redditors said members of their party tested positive, many were planning to visit from other places and now find themselves canceling trips Eleven Madison Park charges $335 per diner, with wine pairings starting at $175. Atomix, which was on last year's Worlds 50 Best Restaurants list, offers a tasting menu for $225 per person. One Reddit user selling their $900 reservation for two which likely included a wine pairing in late December said that they would still 'love to go,' but their partner 'has gotten spooked about the current Covid situation and travel.' Another who prepaid for Eleven Madison Park's bar tasting menu for two with a wine pairing, meanwhile, is asking for $484.49. Both restaurants allow customers to reschedule their reservations once though for Atomix, at least 48 hours notice is required. However, for some diners particularly those who don't live in New York and were planning to include the dining experience on a visit rescheduling may be tricky. Both restaurants allow customers to reschedule their reservations once - though for Atomix (pictured), at least 48 hours notice is required Redditors are asking for the hundreds of dollars they paid and have offered to transfer their reservation on the app Tock There have been so many posts that a moderator had to address the issue, warning Redditors that they are only allowed to use the site to sell reservations for for below or equal to face value 'I'm selling a pre-paid dining room tasting menu at EMP at face value ($729.46 tax incl.),' wrote one poster. 'We can't go due to travel restrictions, and would love to move our food budget to a month where we can actually be in NYC.' Another from Los Angeles said they had to cancel their trip to New York and would miss their Atmoix reservation. They successfully managed to sell it to someone else. Two other posters advertised dinner for two at Atomix, with one asking for $660 and another for $707.69. One of the priciest reservations to be advertised was for a New Year's Eve dinner for four at Eleven Madison Park. The poster, who had been planning to travel to New York for the event, said that two members of their party had tested positive for COVID leaving them with a $1,524.25 prepaid meal they would not be eating. The reservations are being transferred on the Tock app. There have been so many posts that a moderator had to address the issue, warning Redditors that they are only allowed to use the site to sell reservations for for below or equal to face value. 'This is not StubHub. Gouging will not be tolerated,' they said. Eleven Madison Park charges $335 per diner, with wine pairings starting at $175 Atomix, which was on last year's Worlds 50 Best Restaurants list, offers a tasting menu for $225 per person. A spokesperson for Atomix spoke to Eater about why the reservations remain unrefundable. 'In restaurant culture, especially in fine dining, a "no refund" policy is one that respects the restaurant,' the spokesperson said. 'Fine dining restaurants including Atomix prepare our operations and details of the menu based on our planned reservations... No shows, or day-of cancellations impact a restaurants operations and business greatly.' However, the spokesperson added that the restaurant is making an exception for those who have or may have COVID. 'We understand the situation of guests who require cancellations day-of due to exposure or positive test results,' they said. 'For this reason, for covid-19 we issue a full refund, and offer assistance to rebook the reservation for guests when they have returned to full health, based on availability.' While this may be a relief to diners who catch the virus, it doesn't help those who have canceled vacations. The Omicron variant is significantly less severe than other strains of COVID-19, a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirms. The agency revealed data Wednesday showing the risk of hospitalization caused by the virus was halved for people who contracted Omicron as compared to the Delta variant. Once some was in the hospital, they were 75 percent less likely to require intensive care. Omicron also rarely, if ever causes deaths, according to the report, with a mortality rate 91 percent lower than that of Delta. While it has long been known by health officials and experts alike that the Omicron variant is not as deadly as its predecessor, the data gives a clear look as to how much lower the mortality rate really is. During the news conference Wednesday where the data was revealed, Walensky also noted that a recent ten percent uptick in Covid deaths in the U.S. is actually being caused by the Delta variant, not the highly prevalent Omicron strain. Data from the CDC shows that people infected by the Omicron variant (green) are 50% likely to be hospitalized within 14 days of first feeling symptoms than those infected by Delta (purple) Those that are hospitalized with Omicron (green) are 75% less likely to require intensive care than people who are hospitalized with the Delta variant (purple) The CDC research team found that people infected with the Omicro variant (green) rarely died, and were at a 91% decreased risk when compared to people infected with the Delta strain (purple) The CDC gathered data from 70,000 Southern Californians for the study, 50,000 of which were infected with the Omicron variant. The others had the Delta strain. The highly infectious variant quickly erupted in the U.S. after its discovery by South African health officials in late November. Currently, the U.S. is averaging 750,515 new cases every day, the second highest daily total recorded yet in the pandemic - only trailing Tuesday's total - with 1,716 deaths being attributed to the virus each day. While the variant has caused case to triple to record numbers in recent weeks, deaths have not moved at a similar rate. According to officials CDC data, deaths have jumped by ten percent over the past two week, and the 1,716 daily average is still well below the pandemic record of over 3,000 during the Delta-fueled wave over summer. Delta's case rate peaked around 200,000, though, showing how much more deadly the variant is that it managed to kill twice as many people at its height than Omicron is currently. Most recent CDC data from Tuesday estimates that 98 percent of active Covid cases in the U.S. are of the Omicron variant, a staggering figure for a strain that was not yet known about two months ago. The Delta variant, which dominated the latter half of 2021, is now relegated to only around two percent of cases. The Omicron variant (purple) accounts for 98% of active Covid cases in the U.S., overtaking the Delta variant (orange) that dominated much of the second half of 2021 Though the cases are less severe, the speed in which Omicron causes infections makes it the biggest challenge yet for health and government officials. Spread of the variant crippled the travel industry last month, spurring the CDC to drop the minimum recommended quarantine time for a positive case to five days, from ten. Hospitals have suffered as well, with the Department of Health and Human Services reporting that 23 percent of hospitals are facing critical staff shortages at the moment, with infections among staff playing a crucial role. The data from the CDC is promising, though, and potentially the most hope inducing data the U.S. has received in months regarding the pandemic. If the variant spreads rapidly, and is unlikely to cause death, it could quickly burn through the population and begin to recede. Experts and health officials are hopeful that the recent surge caused by the variant is showing signs of burning out, as it could run out of people to infect in the coming weeks. If the U.S. follows the safe trail as the UK, as it often has during the pandemic, cases could start rapidly declining in a matter of weeks. In the UK, cases have dropped by over 40 percent the past week, and declining cases have been recorded for six consecutive days - when only two weeks ago the nation looked to be in a crisis. London, once the worlds worst struck city by the new virus strain, has seen cases significantly recede as well and hospitalizations begin to slow. In Bristol County, Massachusetts, local police are using trained dogs to 'sniff out' COVID-19 in local schools, police stations, and other popular locations. Two dogs named Huntah and Duke were taught to identify the virus in the air, trained by sniffing masks of people who tested positive for Covid. Dogs trained in this method were able to identify the coronavirus with 97.5 percent accuracy in a double-blind study conducted at Florida International University. The practice has also been tested at Miami International Airport, and it may have utility for a variety of institutions ranging from elementary schools to large concerts. Such additional protection could be useful in the wake of Omicron outbreaks that have emptied schools and businesses, with more than 4,100 schools currently either closed or in virtual learning, per Burbio's K-12 School Opening Tracker In Bristol County, police officers are using dogs trained in Covid-sniffing to identify the virus in schools, police stations, and other buildings. Pictured: Human and dog K-9 unit officers visiting a school in the county When one of the dogs identifies Covid in a space, the unit disinfects it and alerts parents if necessary. Pictured: Disinfecting in an elementary school library after a Covid identification Massachusetts schools use dogs to sniff out Covid-19 https://t.co/BJr7wVEddW pic.twitter.com/rnZjquCDo1 CNN (@CNN) January 13, 2022 Despite national and local leaders' pledges to keep schools open for in-person learning, these institutions have been particularly hard-hit by the Omicron variant. The Biden administration is sending 10 million Covid tests to schools in order to help them stay open. But in one Massachusetts county, schools are using another kid-friendly strategy: Covid-sniffing dogs. In Bristol County, schools, police stations, government buildings, and other commonly-visited institutions get regular visits from these dogs. CNN recently followed the K-9 unit, including dogs Huntah and Duke, on a day of searching for Covid at L.G. Nourse Elementary School in Norton, Massachusetts. The dogs have been trained to recognize the coronavirus' scent by sniffing the masks of people who tested positive for Covid, one of the county's K-9 unit police officers told CNN. If a dog identifies the virus, it will signal by sitting down in the spot. Dogs are rewarded for their Covid identification efforts with compliments and toys. At L.G. Nourse Elementary School, Huntah found coronavirus odor on a bookshelf in the library, while Duke identified it in the cafeteria. 'An odor is almost like a cone,' said the K-9 unit officer. 'The source of the odor is strong at the base, like it was on the bookshelf, and then it goes out.' If the dogs identify coronavirus odor in a specific student's seat, the school will notify parents, Norton Public School Superintendent Joseph Baeta told CNN. 'We want parents to have that right to make a decision about, do they want to test and stay the student, do they want to pull the student, or just keep an eye out for symptoms,' Baeta said. The schools also disinfect the area where the coronavirus was detected. Between sniffing for Covid, the dogs are allowed to play with students at the school, providing some joyful energy to the kids. Dr Kenneth Furton pioneered the Covid-sniffing method through research at Florida International University, where he serves as the provost. Pictured: Furton speaks to CNN The dog training practice comes from research done at Florida International University, led by university provost and forensics expert Dr Kenneth Furton. Furton has been studying canine smell for 28 years, according to University Business magazine. His previous research has found that dogs could be trained to recognize diseases with over 90 percent accuracy, he told CNN. 'When we trained these Covid dogs,' Furton said, 'and we did double-blind studies, and we published them in a peer-reviewed journal, we actually received a 97.5 percent average accuracy.' In double-blind studies, both the participants and the researcher don't know which treatment they're receiving - in other words, whether the dogs are given a Covid scent or something else. These trials are considered the gold standard of medical research. 'These canines are remarkable - not only in accuracy but also in speed,' Furton told University Business. 'Even a rapid test takes tens of minutes to hours or days whereas dogs provide detection in seconds,' he said. 'So, if you're looking at getting students into a graduation ceremony, residents into a concert or getting travelers on a plane or boat, having these canines as another protective measure against the spread of the virus is crucial.' The dog's detection accuracy could be reduced if the animals are searching in a highly dense space, or if they aren't motivated. Furton previously tested this method in scientific studies and at the Miami International Airport. Pictured: Furton with one of the Covid-trained dogs While this research is still in early stages, Bristol County isn't the only place using dogs to detect Covid. The Miami International Airport also pioneered the Covid-sniffing strategy with a 30-day pilot program this past September. 'Once we complete this study, the hope is that we will be able to expand it throughout MIA and then to other airports around the country,' Furton told Yahoo! News at the time. The strategy has potential for airports, K-12 schools, colleges and universities, large events, and a variety of other institutions. Still, canine Covid investigators can't replace the vaccines, masks, and tests that public health experts say are the best ways to protect against the virus. 'This is not to replace what the CDC and [Massachusetts Department of Public Health] are telling people in the communities about what to do,' Bristol County Sheriff Thomas Hodgson told CNN. 'This is a way for us to enhance that, in a very direct way, and be proactive to prevent more people from getting sick.' Some Americans are trying to get COVID-19 on purpose and get the disease 'out of the way,' assuming that their case will be mild - but doctors say this strategy is unwise. While leading experts and modeling studies have suggested that all Americans will be exposed to this variant, seeking out infection is not the recommended way to weather this surge. Young and healthy people are still at risk of 'long Covid' - symptoms lasting weeks or months after their initial diagnosis - explained infectious disease specialist Dr Kitonga Kiminyo. Kiminyo called the 'get Omicron out of the way' strategy 'a very foolish proposition.' While Omicron might be less severe, the number of Covid patients has surged past last winter's record, with over 150,000 people currently hospitalized for the disease. Plus, scientists have not yet determined whether an Omicron infection provides people with immunity against future infections from this and other variants. 'That would be a very foolish proposition,' said Dr Kitonga Kiminyo, discussing the 'get Omicron out of the way' strategy some Americans are employing on WPBF 25 In the past week, Covid hospitalizations in the U.S. have shot past last winter's record - of 120,000 patients hospitalized for the virus - according to CDC and HHS data Both hospitalization data and scientific studies of the Omicron variant have suggested that it's less likely to cause severe disease than past coronavirus strains. In South Africa, the world's first Omicron hotspot, lower shares of Covid patients have gone to the hospital or required intensive care compared to past surges. The U.K. has reported a similar trend, with the number of Covid patients requiring ventilators remaining fairly low as case and hospitalization numbers rise. At the same time, a number of lab studies have suggested that Omicron has less ability to infect the lungs than past variants. The most severe respiratory Covid symptoms occur in the lungs, so these lab data suggest that such symptoms - like pneumonia and lung damage - are rarer with Omicron. As a result, some Americans have decided to gamble with Omicron and expose themselves to the virus on purpose in order to get it over with, in a strategy that experts are calling 'foolish.' These people assume that they'll have a mild case, then come out of it with immunity to the new variant. The strategy might seem logical at first glance - after all, experts are saying that the majority of Americans will get or be exposed to Omicron. 'Omicron, with its extraordinary, unprecedented degree of efficiency of transmissibility, will ultimately find just about everybody,' Dr Anthony Fauci said on CNN this week. 'Those who have been vaccinated... and boosted would get exposed,' Fauci went on. '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.' One modeling study from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington found that Omicron could infect 60 percent of Americans. Though contact with Omicron may seem inevitable, experts say that trying to seek it out deliberately is unwise. 'That would be a very foolish proposition, because you have no idea which way this infection is going to go,' Dr Kitonga Kiminyo, an infectious disease specialist in Boynton Beach, Florida, told local outlet WPBF 25. 'And by purposely exposing yourself, you have no idea how complicated your disease might get or [the disease of] those around you,' he went on. 'It can still cause long Covid syndrome.' 'Whether your symptoms are as mild as a sore throat or if they get worse,' Kiminyo said, 'we know that we're seeing problems with long-term breathing issues, long-term brain fog issues, fatigue, weakness.' Between 10% and 30% of people infected with the coronavirus go on to have Long Covid symptoms, according to the NIH. Pictured: New Yorkers wait in line for Covid testing in Midtown Manhattan, January 2022 Between ten and 30 percent of people infected with the coronavirus go on to experience Long Covid symptoms, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). These symptoms can include a wide range of long-term Covid complications, from neurological issues, to nausea and diarrhea, to new allergies. One recent study found that Long Covid risk was on the higher end of the NIH's estimate. Researchers at a Toronto hospital network performed a meta-analysis, compiling results from 81 studies on Long Covid. About 32 percent of people diagnosed with Covid had fatigue 12 weeks after their symptoms started and 22 percent had cognitive issues at 12 weeks, the researchers found. Six months after symptoms started, the majority of those Long Covid patients still had symptoms. Scientists have not yet identified whether the risk of Long Covid is lower - or higher - after an Omicron infection, as it can take months to track these patients' symptoms. The number of Covid patients has surged past last winter's record with about 156,000 patients currently hospitalized in facilities nationwide, according to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Last winter, Covid patient hospitalizations peaked at about 125,000. Many of the hospitals caring for these patients are severely understaffed - as Omicron's capacity to infect healthcare workers at high numbers combines with burnout from two years of the pandemic. As a result, Covid patients who require hospitalization during this surge may receive worse quality care, even if they don't need to go to the ICU or be put on a ventilator. This is also true for patients hospitalized for other causes, like heart attacks and car crashes. In addition, someone who deliberately seeks out an Omicron infection is not necessarily protected from the virus, a recent article in The Atlantic explains. An Omicron infection on top of multiple vaccine doses might act as an extra booster shot, experts say - but more investigation is required for us to know for sure. Some people might get more of an immune system dose than others after catching Omicron, due to differences in their ages, preexisting health conditions, and other factors. 'The amount of heterogeneity in people's immune responses is just incredible,' Stanford immunologist Taia Wang told The Atlantic. The World Health Organization is calling for vaccine manufacturers to future proof Covid jabs instead of focusing on rolling out regular boosters. The agency's Technical Advisory Group on COVID-19 Vaccine Composition (TAG-CO-VAC) released a report this week saying that planning to regularly roll out Covid boosters is not sustainable. It places the WHO are direct opposition to Pfizer, whose CEO Albert Bourla said earlier this week said that Covid could be around for a next decade, but will be controlled by regular booster shots produced by the company. Pfizer is the leading vaccine manufacturer for the U.S., and many countries around the world. The company has raked in millions of dollars from vaccine purchase contracts since the jabs first became available in December 2020. The continued use of booster shots to control Covid could prove to be necessary, and would absolutely lead to a large financial windfall for the New York based firm. The World Health Organization is calling for vaccine manufacturers to work on developing longer lasting, stronger, vaccines that will be effective against future Covid variants. The agency's TAG-CO-VAC work group believes the regular distribution of booster shots is not feasible. Pictured: A man in Los Angeles, California, receives a shot of a COVID-19 vaccine on January 7 Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla (pictured) said earlier this week that regular Covid booster shots would likely be necessary in order to control the virus over the next ten years 'With near- and medium-term supply of the available vaccines, the need for equity in access to vaccines across countries to achieve global public health goals, programmatic considerations including vaccine demand, and evolution of the virus, a vaccination strategy based on repeated booster doses of the original vaccine composition is unlikely to be appropriate or sustainable,' TAG-CO-VAC wrote. The current crop of vaccines have been deemed safe and effective by health officials, but the protection offered by the shots wanes over time. Even before the rise of the vaccine-evasive Omicron Covid variant, health officials in the U.S., Israel and many European countries were rolling out booster shots to make up gaps in vaccine protection that open over time. In the U.S., a person six months removed from receiving the Pfizer vaccine, five months from the Moderna, or two months from receiving the Johnson & Johnson jab are recommended to receive a booster dose. The WHO working group says future vaccines should: 'be based on strains that are genetically and antigenically close to the circulating SARS-CoV-2 variant(s)' 'in addition to protection against severe disease and death, be more effective in protection against infection thus lowering community transmission and the need for stringent and broad-reaching public health and social measures 'elicit immune responses that are broad, strong, and long-lasting in order to reduce the need for successive booster doses.' The rise of Omicron has has only increased the demand for booster shots. The variant, which was first discovered by South African health officials in November, is the most mutated strain yet, and the more than 30 mutations on its spike protein allow it to evade vaccine antibodies that protect from infection. It is also the most infectious strain of the virus yet, causing cases in the U.S. to reach record levels. As on Wednesday, that U.S. is averaging 786,000 new cases per day, the most since the virus first arrived in March 2020. Studies show that booster shots re-establish much of that protection against infection. Pfizer, and its partner BioNTech, also plan to rollout a booster tailored to Omicron as early as late March. Bourla said earlier this week that the regular use of booster shots would be key to controlling the pandemic in the future. 'We will have perfectly normal lives, with just injection maybe once a year,' he told CNBC on Monday, noting that these regular shots could be needed for up to ten years. The WHO has long been critical of the rollout of booster doses in high income nations like the U.S. and UK while other countries struggle to vaccinate their populations. While the U.S. sits on a stockpile of unused vaccines, for example, only around 15 percent of the population of the continent of Africa have received at least one dose of the jabs. In August, before the discovery of Omicron, WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus called for a two month moratorium of booster shots, hoping that the developing world would instead donate additional doses to countries with reduced access to the shots. The WHO has long been a critic of the rollout of booster shots. Director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus called for a moratorium on the distribution of the additional shots in August, and warned that a more infectious, vaccine evasive, variant would eventually emerge if more people in the developing world did not have access to the shots. Months later, the Omicron variant was discovered by South African health officials Only around 15% of Africans have received at least one shot of a COVID-19 vaccine, by far the lowest of any continent. Pictured: A man in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, receives a shot of a COVID-19 vaccine 'Vaccine injustice and vaccine nationalism' increase the risk of more contagious variants emerging, Tedros said back in August, adding a prediction that a variant like Omicron would eventually emerge. 'The virus will get the chance to circulate in countries with low vaccination coverage, and the delta variant could evolve to become more virulent, and at the same time more potent variants could also emerge.' Many of these countries not only do not have the same access to the shots as the developed world has, but they do not have the necessary resources to hold robust vaccination campaigns. Because of this, TAG-CO-VAC is pushing for Pfizer and other manufacturers to use existing knowledge about Omicron and other strains of the virus to develop vaccines that last longer, and have properties that would make them resistant to future variants. ROYALS THORNS IN THE CROWN by Barry Turner (History Press 20, 224 pp) How I hate being King, George VI once remarked. He had never expected to be, only stepping into the breach after his brother, Edward VIII, abdicated. His 16-year reign or ordeal as he perhaps saw it came to an end on February 6, 1952, when he died in his sleep, aged only 56. Famously, the news of his passing was conveyed to his eldest daughter and heir at Treetops Hotel in Kenya. She was now Queen Elizabeth II. In the minds of many, as Barry Turner demonstrates in this detailed, entertaining book, the country, battered by post-war austerity, was ready for a new Elizabethan era. And what better way to herald its arrival than with the rich pageantry and ancient ritual of a coronation? Barry Turner has penned a detailed account of Queen Elizabeth II's Coronation, which took place in Westminster Abbey (pictured) Coronations in the past hadnt always run smoothly. Charles Is ceremony was interrupted by an earthquake. Just about everything that could go wrong did go wrong when George III was crowned. I have taken care that the next coronation shall be regulated in the exactest manner possible, the nobleman in charge tactlessly told the king. Sixty years later, at George IVs coronation, his estranged queen was denied access at the doors of Westminster Abbey and George spent much of his time winking suggestively at his current mistress. Even Queen Victorias coronation was a hazardous affair, in which clergymen lost track of the service and the choir sang out of tune. Churchills government was determined that the new queens ceremony would be a triumph. A Coronation Committee was created. All of its members were male, many of them aristocratic. A handful of Labour politicians were thrown in, presumably intended to represent the views of the man in the street. The committee was given a full year and more to prepare, the coronation set for June 2, 1953. A Souvenirs Committee sifted through applications to produce officially recognised memorabilia. A Sharps toffee tin with the queens face on it was given the thumbs up. A plan to sell crown-embroidered knickers was unanimously rejected. Weather forecasters had confidently predicted the day would be warm and dry. It turned out to be cold and wet but nothing could dampen the spirits of those determined to attend. By the evening of June 1, 30,000 people were bedding down for the night on the route of the procession. On the actual day, a privileged 8,000 were crammed into Westminster Abbey, many of them seated so high on temporarily erected galleries that they had a better view of the ceiling mouldings than they did of the ceremony. An estimated audience of 20 million watched on TV. THORNS IN THE CROWN by Barry Turner (History Press 20, 224 pp) At the heart of it all was the diminutive figure of the 27-year-old queen. She seems to have taken it in her stride. Ready, girls? she is reported to have cheerfully asked her six maids of honour as they paused at the Abbey door before entering. Spectators both inside and outside the Abbey were unable to witness the anointing of the Queen with holy oil which took place behind a canopy. However, the vast audience saw the moment when the Archbishop placed St Edwards Crown on her head and the congregation all cried out, God Save the Queen! As the Queen embarked on the procession back to Buckingham Palace, nationwide celebrations began. Pageants were staged, bonfires were lit and, despite the weather, street parties enjoyed. According to Archbishop Fisher, the coronation was a moment when this country and Commonwealth were not far from the kingdom of Heaven. His remark was wildly extravagant, of course. Barry Turner proves a more down-to-earth and insightful guide to the day and its meaning for the country. Presented as the opening of a door to a new age, he writes, the coronation could equally be seen as confirmation of the staying power of the old order. THE POWER OF WOMEN by Dr Denis Mukwege (Short Books 20, 320 pp) Denis Mukwege had just finished operating when his anaesthetist burst in to tell him he had won the Nobel Peace Prize. After walking through the cheering, singing crowd which had gathered outside the hospital, he went home, accompanied by the armed guards who watch over him night and day. The Democratic Republic of the Congo, formerly known as Zaire, is the richest country in the world in terms of natural resources such as gold, copper, diamonds and coffee. But after decades of corruption and conflict, it is one of the poorest places on the planet. It is also one of the most dangerous countries in which to give birth. Dr Denis Mukwege (pictured), who has treated thousands of rape victims in Congo, has penned a part autobiography and part call to action Dr Mukwege, the son of a Protestant pastor, decided in his 20s to become a gynaecologist and dedicate himself to making childbirth safer for women in his country. Soon though, treating pregnant women would take a back seat to what became his grim speciality: the treatment of rape victims. By the mid-1990s, the deadly conflict in neighbouring Rwanda had spilled over into the Congo and the country became known as the rape capital of the world. The conflict continues and, just as in Europe during World War II and in Bosnia in the 1990s, mass rape is a horribly effective way for soldiers to terrorise and control the population. Soon, Dr Mukwege was treating 3,000 rape victims a year, many of whom had also been tortured or shot in the genitals by their attackers and needed his skills in reconstructive surgery. Despite their trauma, the women showed extraordinary fortitude. I drew my strength from them, he writes. He set up counselling services, safe spaces and aftercare for rape victims and campaigned internationally to raise awareness of sexual violence as a weapon of war. As well as the 2018 Nobel Peace Prize which he shared with Yazidi human rights activist Nadia Murad his work earned him the enmity of the DRC government. This brave man, who still works in the Congo, has survived several assassination attempts, hence the need for bodyguards. THE POWER OF WOMEN by Dr Denis Mukwege (Short Books 20, 320 pp) Why do men rape? Dr Mukwege, the father of three daughters, believes that rape prosecutions are so rarely successful that, even in countries with well-funded legal systems, it has been almost decriminalised. Whether the rapist is a Hollywood mogul or a Congolese soldier, there are men who if they think they can get away with it will use their power for their own sexual gratification. Shockingly, a fifth of British women report experiencing some form of sexual assault. If things are to change, then parents have a vital role to play in educating their sons. How many fathers sit down and actually talk to their sons about the nature of consent? asks Dr Mukwege. We forget or neglect, often out of prudishness or embarrassment, to talk about sex. The Power Of Women part autobiography, part call to action is not an easy book to read, yet Denis Mukweges quiet courage and dedication to his patients is moving and inspiring. His dream is of a world where the girls born on our maternity wing are celebrated just as much as the boys, and in which women grow up without fearing violence. Many moons ago on a work trip to Tokyo I interviewed the head of Ito Yokado, one of Japans biggest supermarket and fast food chains, now part of the Seven & I group. In exchange for granting an audience, the then chief executive, Masatoshi Ito himself, wanted to know from me how on earth Marks & Spencer managed to make such fabulous margins on its ready-made meals. He was moving into convenience foods one of the first in Japan to do so and was desperate to know how M&S got away with charging such high prices for cheddar cheese topping on a baked potato. Trusted: While M&S has had to trim back on margins, the profits on its convenience foods are still plump while the quality is one of the best to be found on the High Street Mr Ito wasnt knocking M&S, but wanted clues so he could do the same. It was a good question then, when the group was the pioneer in ready-meals, and remains so today. While M&S has had to trim back on margins, the profits on its convenience foods are still plump while the quality is one of the best to be found on the High Street. And its these high standards in the food division which have powered M&S to be the fastest growing grocer over the Christmas period. With sales up 10 per cent, it reported its highest-ever revenue for the festive period, which will help it to make a healthy 500million for the year. As the company adverts repeatedly tell us, This is not just food, it is M&S food. For once, the slogan may be right. As other retailers are reporting as well, there is a big shift in how customers are shopping. It also looks as though M&S joined forces with Ocado in the nick of time as online sales and in-store pick-ups rose by just over 50 per cent. Sales were down in the stores by 10.8 per cent while stores in retail parks outperformed those in city centres. Whats also interesting is that while the rest of the grocery trade is mainlining on price cuts, M&S has kept its head and so far avoided going into battle on pricing. Quite the reverse. At the half-year stage, chief executive Steve Rowe made the point of saying that maintaining quality is core to its food business, and that it would be ending promotions on some lines and improving Dine In meals to ensure customers maintain their perception of trusted value. While its a horrible expression, the strategy makes sense. Despite recent problems, M&S is still one of the great legacy brands which customers do trust and will continue to do so. It also suggests quality will remain the Holy Grail, one which will feed into higher margins. Mr Ito would be pleased. The big question now is whether the big US and UK private equity houses on the prowl for opportunities in the grocery market especially the ones which missed out on Morrisons will take another peek at M&S. If so, the shares, despite a strong rise in the past 12 months, are still looking rather cheap. The Two Martins A couple of the Citys biggest beasts are also on the prowl: The two Martins Sorrell and Gilbert. Former WPP boss Sir Martin Sorrell is out hunting for deals again, having just snapped up the Californian-based data consultancy, 4 Mile Analytics, to add to the Media Monks subsidiary, part of his S4 Capital group. Over at AssetCo, Martin Gilbert, founder of Aberdeen Asset Management, now known as Abrdn, has come out tops in the bidding war for boutique asset manager River & Mercantile, after Premier Miton Group pulled out. The pair might be brilliant deal-makers but its time they renamed their businesses. S4 sounds like an ageing pop group and AssetCo is ditchwater dull, though at least both are better than Abrdn. Despite Brexit Remember Project Fear? How there would be a bloody exodus of talent from Britain and a mass migration of bankers from the City? There were warnings that 230,000 jobs would be lost because of Brexit while JP Morgan claimed it would have to move 4,000 roles. Yet at the latest tally, around 7,000 financial jobs have gone elsewhere while JP Morgan has lost 400. Of course there are bound to be shake-outs, but that will be because of business evolving, rather than Brexit. The prophecies of doom were always political, never based on financial, practical or geographic facts. While no-one wants to crow, the fact is that the general jobs market and the City are in fine shape. Whats more, headhunter Hays says Brexit has boosted opportunities for Brits, and that the UK is now one of the strongest recruitment markets in the world. Tant pis. I opened a current account with TSB as I was not happy with my now ex-bank. I placed 25,000 into this account, the entirety of my life savings, and it was instantly frozen. Upon investigating, TSB responded a week later asking for proof of the money's source that I instantly provided. After another week passed, it wanted to know how I came by that money and now it is asking for the origins of that money. The questioning does not end, and it takes a week to ten days for them to respond. Nearly seven weeks have passed and it is still not satisfied with the proof I have provided which has been clear and concise. I am now without funds to pay rent, taxes, bills and food. A TSB customer has found it has taken months for their funds to be checked by the bank Council tax has gone into arrears and I am being threatened with legal action. Why am I not able to access my money and when will the account no longer be frozen? D.W., via email Grace Gausden, consumer expert at This is Money, replies: When you decided to switch from your previous bank to TSB, you assumed it would be an easy transition. Instead you found you were without your life savings for more than two months, leaving you unable to pay several household bills, causing a lot of stress and anguish. After making the switch and realising your account had instantly been frozen, you contacted TSB who asked for several documents proving where you got the money from. GRACE ON THE CASE Our weekly column sees This is Money consumer expert Grace Gausden tackles reader problems and shines the light on companies doing both good and bad. Want her to investigate a problem, or do you want to praise a firm for going that extra mile? Get in touch: grace.gausden@thisismoney.co.uk You immediately provided the documents but didn't hear back from the bank. Therefore, you tried to chase via phone and email but didn't receive a response until days after initial contact each time. As a result, you paid a visit to one of TSB's branches ten days after you submitted the last piece evidence, which was a video of you accessing your NS&I account online to demonstrate Premium Bond activity which is where your funds came from. You did this as NS&I cannot provide statements with the client's name on it, which is what TSB asked for. In the branch, you presented your overdue council tax bill which threatens court action and explained that, at the time, you were likely to have no Christmas due to its actions. You also passed a deadline to pay a 9,000 legal bill which you believe could result in a CCJ and a bailiff visit. The in-branch representative explained they couldn't help and you would just have to wait. TSB took a long time to reply to calls and emails which asked where the funds were from Frustratingly, TSB were slow in responding to every email and phone call you made, meaning you were often left unsure of where you stood. It seemed very unfair you were left waiting months for 25,000 of your money when you had provided every piece of evidence the bank had asked for and so I contacted TSB. A TSB spokesperson said: 'We are required to establish the source of funds deposited by customers, particularly for new customers to the bank or where large sums are being deposited. 'Having now received the required information from our customer we are pleased to have been able to lift the restrictions on the account.' It said banks are required to establish the source of large or unusual payments into an account in order to meet the money laundering rules - rules that have become stricter in recent years. This is particularly the case for new customers where it has no previous experience of what might be a typical transaction. In this case, your first transaction was to deposit 25,000 and there were no other payments in or out of the account. In order to meet its regulatory obligations, it requested proof of where these funds came from. The requests for information have been complicated because they were often handled by your husband who is not a TSB customer and initially the bank said it was not sent the information it requested. While you are happy you have now received the funds, you may face fines for being in arrears on several bills and could face legal trouble after not being able to pay your legal bill. It has made you concerned about your relationship with your new bank, but it is a lesson for anyone thinking about switching account and moving large sums without any other activity, given the money laundering crackdown. A grieving son was frustrated after there was a delay to his fathers life insurance policy payout Hit and miss: This week's naughty and nice list Each week, I look at some of the companies that have fallen short of expected standards as well as those that have gone that extra mile for customers. Miss: This week, reader Sebastian, revealed how disappointed he was in Legal & General after the death of his father. He said: 'My father passed away in August 2021. His death was covered by a life insurance policy with Legal & General, who owe my mother 40,000. 'After submitting the claim in early September and subsequently receiving all of the relevant paperwork and access to medical records, we were due to be contacted by an assessor to further discuss the claim. 'The assessor has claimed to have called my mother on two separate occasions but this never happened. 'Their claim line puts me through to an agent that cannot give me any of the contact details for the assessor, nor a manager, nor arrange a time in future to discuss with them the claim. 'They have been endlessly avoiding paying out the life insurance claim.' After speaking to you in December and hearing you were still waiting, I contacted Legal & General as this is not the first time I have covered the slack service by the firm. A spokesperson said: 'Our customers are our upmost priority and our teams are committed to responding as quickly as possible, ensuring they keep our customers up to date. 'We're sorry for any misunderstanding or delays caused and wish to convey our very best wishes to the family at this time.' Not long after I got in touch, it confirmed your mothers claim was paid in full on 22 December 2021. It added it was instructed that your mother was the next of kin but your sister would be dealing with the claim. As point of contact, it recorded your sister's mobile number on its systems as opposed to your mother and this was the number the assessor used to make contact on two separate occasions. This caused some delays but it also said there were some delays with regard to receiving receipt of completed forms and death certificate from the executor. Hopefully now your family can grieve your father in peace. One reader praised a local tech store, Garlicks, for replacing his mothers washing machine Hit: In better news, reader Max, wanted to praise shop, Garlicks. He said: 'I am the sole carer for my mother who has a complicated set of issues one of which means I have to do two loads of washing everyday. 'I bought a washing machine in February 2021 from Harry Garlick, a tech store that has four shops. 'In November, the machine broke and Garlicks gave me a loan machine after the first manufacturer's engineer said he couldn't fix it. 'A part was ordered and I had a second engineers visit with no fix. A second part was ordered and still the next engineer could not fix my machine. 'To cut a long story short, after three visits from the manufacturers own engineers without a fix, Garlicks swapped my machine out for a different manufacturer's product. 'Through all this, the washing machines had to be carried up and down a flight of very steep stairs negotiating a stair lift. I would like to say a big thank you to Garlicks Barnoldswick and to the delivery people.' No bad comments to come out in the wash here, great service from a local firm. Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Hong Nam-ki, left, speaks during a meeting at the Seoul Government Complex, Thursday. Yonhap By Lee Kyung-min Korea will invest 12.2 trillion won ($10.2 billion) in data, networks, artificial intelligence (AI), biohealth, semiconductors and future vehicles, backed further by 78 trillion won in financial assistance, in a bid to foster key growth driver industries, the government said Thursday. Policy measures will be strengthened and a law will be enacted this year to better foster the rapidly growing vaccines, drugs and medical supplies makers as well as manufacturers of raw materials and parts. "Last year, biohealth, semiconductors, electric vehicles (EVs) and fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) registered a combined $63 billion in exports, up 29.2 percent from the previous year," Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Hong Nam-ki said during a meeting at the Seoul Government Complex. Thursday's meeting was the first to be held this year. "The industries are showing significant visible growth. Korea-produced FCEVs account for 51.7 percent of the market capitalization. Korea's logic chips have the second-largest market share in the global chip market. The biohealth industry is rising fast amid the country's drive to become a global vaccine hub." The domestic data market grew to 20 trillion won in 2020, up from 14.4 trillion won in 2017. The domestic 5G penetration rate was 28.5 percent, as of January last year, far ahead of the U.S. (12.2 percent), China (11.4 percent) and the U.K. (5 percent) during the same period. The number of AI suppliers also increased to 991 last year, up from 220 in 2019. "The said industries are challenged and defined by fierce competition over global hegemony, and they are steadily solidifying themselves as key growth engines despite the COVID-19 crisis, global value chain disruptions and rising raw materials costs. The government will mobilize policy measures including financial assistance, tax incentive and regulatory and institutional reform, thereby helping the country's' future growth industries thrive further." The government's fiscal investment of 12.2 trillion won this year is up 25.7 percent from the 9.7 trillion won last year. Data network and AI industries are earmarked at 5.9 trillion won, and 6.3 trillion won will be provided to the biohealth, semiconductor and future vehicles industries. Among the 78 trillion won in financial assistance are the New Deal Fund in the amount of 12 trillion won and 66 trillion won worth of policy financing from Korea Development Bank and the Industrial Bank of Korea. The government will create an ecosystem whereby biohealth experts will be able to enhance learning capabilities, and research-centered hospitals will be able to work on long-term high-value studies, an effort backed by the enactment of a law promoting biohealth industries and innovation. "The government will provide 353.9 billion won in subsidies for making new drugs, innovative medical devices and advanced regenerative medicine. We will set up a data center promptly where the health information of 1 million people will be digitized for advanced treatment," Hong said. The future vehicles industry will be able to develop Level 4 autonomous driving technology by 2027. About 1,200 auto parts makers will be rebranded for the transition to future cars by 2030 in the process. Level 4, or fully autonomous driving, is expected to be used for driverless taxis and public transportation services. A law promoting digital transformation of carmakers will take effect in July. The portal bigdata-car.kr will be set up this year for standardization of car-related data and mobility data management. The founders and executives of British tech star Blue Prism are in line to scoop nearly 170millio after a takeover deal was waved through by shareholders. The firm, which is one of the biggest on Londons junior market and a pioneering artificial intelligence (AI) group, provides automation technology to businesses including Jaguar Land Rover, the NHS, eBay, HSBC and Barclays. It is being bought by American group SS&C for 1.24billion. Blue Prisms chief exec and chairman Jason Kingdon (pictured) is in line for a 75m windfall if the 1.24bn sale to American group SS&C goes through At a shareholder meeting yesterday, over 98 per cent voted in favour of the deal, which is priced at 1275p per share. However, the firms AI expertise means the takeover will be scrutinised under the new National Security and Investment Act, which gives ministers more power to intervene in the foreign sale of strategically important firms. It could add months of delays and even mean the deal is blocked. If it goes through, Blue Prisms boss and chairman Jason Kingdon is in line for a 75million windfall, while co-founders Alastair Bathgate and David Moss will make 59million and 18million respectively. Another executive, Terry Walby, will make 17million. A casual bottle shop worker has publicly threatened to quit the company after he received a corporate email saying he wouldn't be offered paid leave if he caught Covid. The employee of ALH - one of Australia's biggest hospitality groups - posted a rant to Reddit at the weekend, believing the message from his boss was the 'final straw'. The email said permanent team members could use paid annual or personal leave if they needed time off after falling ill from the virus. But casual workers were told to seek government financial support, rather than be offered leave benefits. Under federal workplace laws, casual workers are generally not entitled to paid sick leave or annual leave. A casual bottle shop worker has complained about not being offered paid leave if they were to catch Covid-19, threatening to quit the company altogether (stock image) The Reddit user ranted: 'For further explanation, this email is stating that if front-line employees (retail, hospitality alike) get Covid, which is now becoming extremely prominent in Australia, we will have to use our sick leave, instead of them paying us for the days we missed - because we got sick working at their facilities.' Poll Who do you think is in the right? The worker The company Who do you think is in the right? The worker 535 votes The company 569 votes Now share your opinion The worker went on to say it should be 'illegal' and planned to submit their resignation the following week. 'I have one shift this coming Sunday - as I'm a casual. It will be my final shift,' they said. 'I know Australia isn't as bad a state as America currently. But I'm sick of being abused and used by corporations. This is my final straw. I'll figure out new prospects next week.' The employee also claimed the company didn't provide 'enough items for us employees to deal with difficult customers' such as those who refuse to wear masks. 'I'm not about to get my life threatened by a mob of angry drunks, not wanting to wear a mask,' they said. A spokesperson for ALH's parent group Endeavour Group told Daily Mail Australia the safety and wellbeing of their staff and customers is 'our highest priority'. 'We are committed to providing all team members with support if they are impacted by Covid-19, including casuals,' they said. ALH have increased security in their hotels and stores as well as protective shields and masks as Covid cases continue to rise around Australia. Workers who are not entitled to leave but catch the virus have been instructed to speak to their manager to work out a solution. They are also encouraged to see if they can access the Federal Government's Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment. The employee who works for ALH, one of Australia's major hospitality groups, posted a rant to Reddit on the weekend after receiving an email they dubbed the 'final straw' The bizarre rant was shared on a popular forum on Reddit known as 'Anti-work'. The movement - which has taken off in America - encourages workers unhappy in their jobs to quit and instead do things to fulfill their own 'needs and desires'. More than 1.6million people follow the forum including many Australians. 'We're not against effort, labor, or being productive. We're against jobs as they are structured under capitalism and the state: Against exploitative economic relations, against hierarchical social relations at the workplace,' the group says. In the thread many people share their alleged experiences of 'exploitation' at their workplaces. It comes as experts warn that two years working from home amid Covid-19 have prompted a 'Great Resignation'. McCrindle Research Managing Director Sophie Renton said the movement had been seen around the world and could take off in Australia. 'Throughout the experience of Covid, employees have had an opportunity to pause and reflect on their lives and an opportunity to reprioritise their lives,' Ms Renton told Sky News Australia last week. It comes as experts warn two years working from home amid Covid-19 have prompted a 'Great Resignation' 'Many have chosen to live the life in more accordance with what they value. If their workplace and their work environment doesn't align with that then there is an opportunity for them to look elsewhere.' Ms Renton said 'culture' was a big part of whether companies could retain staff, as well as flexibility. 'Are they (their employers) taking the time to listen to their staff, to understand their staff to explore what it is that they are actually looking for and to almost co-design a work environment people want to be apart of,' she said. More people are also trying to steer clear from the '9-5 rat race', having become used to the flexibility of home work amid the pandemic. The city of Boston has started to remove the remaining tents at a former heavily populated homeless encampment following a pledge by the new mayor to get housing for the community. The former tenting site, located between the intersection of Massachusetts Avenue and Melnea Cass Boulevard, once provided shelter for over a hundred homeless city residents where issues such as drug addiction ran rampant. The destruction of the site came after new Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, who took office in November, pledged on Wednesday to get housing for those who were living at the 'Mass and Cass' encampment. 'Our goal from the beginning here was to take a different approach, one that was really grounded in the root causes of homelessness and the crises that people are living with here,' Wu said. City public works employees driving bulldozers began clearing the scene by loading tents, tarps as well as other waste including milk crates, wooden pallets and coolers into trash trucks. Social workers helped people who had not yet left the camp, while police were also at the scene Wednesday. Wu and other city officials have said that they do not want to criminalize homelessness, and that officers were there to keep the peace. Clean up crews begin to remove remaining tents, furniture and other items at the former heavily populated Mass and Cass homeless encampment in Boston A street sweeper cleans the site of where over a hundred homeless residents were taking shelter The former tenting site, located between the intersection of Massachusetts Avenue and Melnea Cass Boulevard, once provided shelter for over a hundred homeless city residents where issues such as drug addiction ran rampant Alternative housing plans such as the cottages for former encampment residents in the parking lot of the Shattuck Hospital were created Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, who took office in November, pledged to get the homeless off the streets and into alternative housing The Mass and Cass encampment, also coined Methadone Mile or Recovery Road, was believed to have begun booming following the 2014 closure of the Long Island Bridge that served as a shelter for the city's homeless population. Following the demolition of the bridge in 2015, hundreds of homeless people sought refuge at the Mass and Cass intersection. The city has approached the encampment as a humanitarian and public health crisis because many of its residents were drawn by methadone clinics and social services in the area and were considered vulnerable to trafficking and other dangers. A city survey in December found as many as 145 people living in the camp, where drug dealing and use often occurs in the open. Dr. Monica Bharel, the former state public health commissioner who is now leading the city's efforts in the area, said that as of Wednesday morning, more than 100 people who had been living in the encampment had been relocated to temporary housing. The goal is to eventually move people into permanent housing, city officials said. City public works employees driving bulldozers began clearing the scene by loading tents, tarps as well as other waste including milk crates, wooden pallets and coolers into trash trucks Tents, furniture and other items are loaded into a dump truck as a homeless encampment is cleared from the street on Wednesday A City of Boston worker walks through a homeless encampment, to confirm there is no one in any tents while clearing the street Some remain skeptical of the city's plan, concerned that people with no where else to go will continue to gather in the area. 'Until people answer questions, Im very suspicious,' City Councilor Frank Baker said at a virtual community meeting Tuesday night. 'I'm interested in what this is going to look like in the next few months.' Cleanup of the area began in October under then-acting Mayor Kim Janey, who declared addiction and homelessness a public health emergency. In the city's annual homeless census, a 24 percent drop was reported in the population from 2020 which had been heightened by the economic effects of the pandemic. City workers and volunteers remove the tents and belongings from the homeless encampment A city survey had found 145 people living in the camp where drug dealing and use often occur Cleanup of the area had began with former city mayor Kim Janey who removed one-fifth of the population The city Public Health Commission cited unhygienic conditions, such as a lack of running water and bathrooms, and the susceptibility of residents to 'human trafficking, sex trafficking, and other forms of victimization,' in its emergency declaration last year. Before completing her term last November, Janey enacted a Homeless Encampment Liaison Protocol to clear the homeless out of Mass and Cass. This model received criticism, however, as city residents feared that the overdose rate would spike in the months following the cleanout. In addition, the city had a lawsuit filed against them by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) as they claimed no housing options were offered to those affected by the sweep but were opposed in the end. However, Janey managed to get one-fifth of the encampment population off the streets. Wu continued to urgently address the city's homelessness dilemma after being elected with plans to officially move members of the Mass and Cass population to alternative housing units. 'The encampments that we see and that some individuals have been living in for a number of years at this point are not a safe or healthy place for anyone to be living. Theres not heat, no running water or sanitation,' she told NBC Boston. Belongings abandoned by homeless individuals are seen scattered on the ground The city had cited the encampment as having unhygienic conditions for the residents especially in the midst of the pandemic Wu continued to urge to rid the area of the homeless and provide alternative housing options A city worker marks a yellow X on the tent to indicate that it is empty The January 12 deadline was set by the Boston Public Health Commission to enact on Wu's ideas. Despite the population increase since the December survey, she is continuing her mission to remove the remaining residents off the streets, especially due to the bitter climate conditions. 'We all know that the conditions are very unsafe in the encampment,' Bharel also told the network. 'In the last week with the temperatures plunging and the snow, we are worried about hypothermia, frostbite and other cold related injuries as well.' However, some former Mass and Cass residents have embraced the opportunity to move elsewhere. Former Boston Mayor Kim Janey enacted a Homeless Encampment Liaison Protocol to clear the homeless out of Mass and Cass Resident Christopher Berrios, 28, lost his job to COVID-19 and said it was hard for him to find a place to stay due to the high cost of housing. 'The rent out here in Boston - its expensive to get an apartment. Even to get a room, it was expensive,' he said. 'Before I was living with my mom and stuff, but then she ended up moving to a one-bedroom apartment, so I couldn't move with her, you know, because it was a one bedroom.' Berrios, who said hes been living on the street for two years, said he welcomed the chance to have a more permanent place to live. 'It's a great thing that this is happening today, you know, because everybodys now moving into shelters or getting an apartment,' he said. Cottages for former encampment residents have been created in the parking lot of Shattuck Hospital in Jamaica Plain in the city. These residences have been created as low-threshold housing programs which are targeted towards drug and substance abusers. The housing unit provides opportunities to speak with health professionals to discuss issues and the progress they have made. The goal of these particular housing plans is to shelter them between 60 to 90 days before finding a permanent residence. 'Housing is a basic fundamental human need. To not have housing, you cannot think about the other challenges going on in your life,' Commonwealth Care Alliance CEO Chris Palmieri told WCVB Boston. 'Here is an opportunity for individuals to not worry about if they are going to have a warm place to sleep, to call their own.' Other housing alternatives have included city hotels and shelters to create a proper transition for Mass and Cass residents for the time being. Three dumpster diving heroes who found the New Mexico baby boy abandoned in the trash by his teen mom initially thought theyd discovered a puppy, DailyMail.com can reveal. April Meadow, 43, Hector Jesso, 63, and Michael Green, 36, were driving home from a casino in Hobbs, New Mexico, when they decided to check the trash cans behind an oil rig outfitter store. Inside was newborn Saul Astorga who had been thrown away by his mother Alexis Avila, 18, five hours earlier. Speaking in an exclusive interview with DailyMail.com, Meadow relived the dramatic events of last Friday and told how the trio had heard whimpering coming from the dumpster and first thought it was a puppy or a kitten. Green said he jumped into the trash can and dug through a heap of garbage before finding the bag. April Meadow said her first reaction on realizing there was an infant in the dumpster was to shout 'It's a f**kin baby!' This is the moment Meadow retrieved the baby boy from the dumpster after hearing its cries Teenage parents Stephen Astorga and Alexis Avila broke up in the summer before she gave birth to baby Saul last week Hector Jesso, 63, Michael Green, 36, and April Meadow, 42, went dumpster diving after visiting a casino in Hobbs, New Mexico He said: I just started going through the trash it was instinct. Just trying to get to [the bag]. I didnt even look in the bag I was thinking a dog or a cat or something, but I didnt want to see it all bloody you know. Sometimes, I get grossed out. Meadow said she was the one who ripped open the bag and was shocked when she realized theyd found a newborn. She said: The bag was done up. Its because Michael grabbed the bag because he heard that cry he set it down on the ground and we thought theres a dog in there or a kitten. When she realized what was really inside, Meadow said her first response was to shout its a f**king baby! She added: I said its a f**king baby. I turned around and said oh my gosh, get him out of the trash. He was quiet. He was just laying there in a red towel. I said, what the f**k? Its a baby and [Jesso] started freaking out. I smashed him out of there. Jesso said: It was a big surprise. A huge surprise actually. I heard him crying. I thought it was a kitten when I saw movement. Alexis Avila duped her newborn son in a dumpster behind an oil rig outfitters store in her home town of Hobbs, New Mexico Avila, 18, appeared in court in Lovington, Texas on Wednesday afternoon and stared straight ahead, without making eye contact with cameras in the room Avila has now been placed on house arrest pending her upcoming trial Avila's family were given an escort by sheriff's deputies outside court on Wednesday Feelings were running high, with one local being pictured escorted away by a deputy One protester held up a sign calling for justice for the baby who'd been dumped Another made their feelings clear on what they considered an appropriate punishment Alexis Avila (pictured in a mugshot after her arrest says she panicked after giving birth. She claims she didn't know she was pregnant until the day before Meadow, a mom-of-three, said her maternal instincts kicked in and she swooped him up while Green called 911. She told DailyMail.com: I didnt know what to do after that. I was just holding him and his arms were ice cold. But [Jesso] told me to get in the truck and I covered him up with my snap on jacket. The heroic trio said they waited five minutes for the cops and EMTs to arrive, with Meadow holding the little boy while they waited. She said: It was about five minutes I held him its a long time since I held a newborn. All three said they were relieved they managed to find the baby in time, with Green telling DailyMail.com that it was pure luck they had decided to search the dumpster. Meadow added: It gives me goosebumps. I dont ever want to see anything like that ever again. 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 The dumpsters where April Meadow and her friends found baby Saul after he had been dumped there by his mother Alexis Avila I thought, that baby aint going to stay in a f**king trash sack, its going with me. That blood, that ladys blood I didnt care, I just wanted to hold the baby. I started moving him around because he said to warm him up and he just started crying so I kissed him. I was trying to soothe him. All three testified at a detention hearing for Avila in Lovington, New Mexico, on Wednesday afternoon. Meadow said: Im going to tell them what happened. How can you throw a baby away like trash? Take him to a hospital, take him somewhere if you dont want him. All three have been lauded as heroes for their quick thinking, with Hobbs police chief August Fons praising their action during a press conference on Monday. Greens cousin, Shaylur Barry, has also set up a GoFundMe in the hopes of raising enough money to get him off the street and into a home of his own. Avila is facing two felony counts of attempted murder and child abuse and was released on a $10,000 bond following her arrest on Monday. She is now under house arrest following a hearing on Wednesday. The 18-year-old was seen in security footage pulling up at the dumpster around 2pm on Friday in her white Volkswagen Jetta before throwing her son into the trash and driving off. According to a criminal complaint, the young mom told police she didnt know she was pregnant and only realized when she began getting abdominal pains shortly before the birth. When the baby who has been named Saul by his 16-year-old father Stephen Astorga arrived, she claimed she panicked, wrapped him in a towel and threw him away. Saul is now recovering in hospital in Lubbock, Texas, and is being cared for by the New Mexico Children, Youth and Families Department. His paternal grandfather Oscar Astorga, 50, has said he would like to raise the boy and is currently working on getting custody of the child. Avila faces up to 15 years in jail if found guilty of attempted murder and child abuse. 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. Avila's mother Martha, 47, defended her daughter and told DailyMail.com that the birth had come as 'a shock' Stephen Astorga's father Oscar told DailyMail.com his family wants custody of the newborn 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. New bride Ricki Lake was seen out and about for the first time since marrying her lawyer husband Ross Burningham in a whirlwind New Year's ceremony. The 53-year-old actress and former talk show host - who tied the knot on January 2 - was spotted in Malibu Tuesday while picking up flowers at a local Whole Foods store. The Hairspray star looked boho-chic, wearing a colorful kaftan and flip-flops for the outing, and of course showed off her shiny new wedding ring. Actress Ricki Lake was seen out in public for the first time since she announced her marriage to new husband Ross Burningham after New Year's Day The 53-year-old actress - who tied the knot on January 2 - was spotted in Malibu Tuesday while picking up flowers at a local Whole Foods store The Hairspray star looked boho-chic, wearing a colorful kaftan and flip-flops for the outing, and of course showed off her shiny new wedding ring Lake and Ross exchanged vows in an intimate ceremony held at the backyard of home which she revealed Just a few days earlier, Lake , who has been married three times, gushed about walking down the aisle with her new beau in a sweet Instagram post, as she thanked everyone who helped pull off the wedding with only two and half weeks of preparation. 'Still basking in the glow of our most special day.1/2/22,' she wrote alongside a picture of the two newly weds gazing at each other lovingly. The couple wed in the backyard of her home, which had a stunning view of the Pacific Ocean; it was transformed for the ceremony. Her wedding photographer, Laura Grier, gave a tour of the magical setting, which Lake reposted to her stories. Lake thanked everyone involved in pulling it together, adding: 'Shoutout to @whambamevents for pulling it all off with 2 1/2 weeks notice! Stephanie, you and your team, are simply magic! Thank you!' The former talk show host at one point covered up with a face mask during Tuesday's outing Lake, who has been married three times, has largely kept their relationship private, but did open up about her relationship with her new beau in January 2021 Just a few days earlier, Lake had gushed about walking down the aisle in a sweet Instagram post The courtyard was transformed for cocktail hour with candles and decorative pillows all around. Lake took to her Instagram after the big day to announce the exciting news, which came less than a year after the couple got engaged. 'We did it! 1/2/22 Ross and I said I DO!,' the Hairspray star penned in a celebratory social media caption. The bride kept it ultra casual for her outdoor ceremony and was seen in photos rocking a printed yellow caftan with flowers tucked into her hair. She is seen in snaps flashing her megawatt smile while holding a pink and white bouquet flecked with greenery. 'We did it! 1/2/22 Ross and I said I DO!,' the Hairspray star penned in a celebratory social media caption Just married! Ricki shared a snap of cutting her 'epic wedding cake' with husband Ross Love birds: Ricki and Ross had been dating for around nine months before they got engaged earlier this year A small group of close friends and family were on hand to witness the intimate nuptials and celebrate the new husband and wife. Lake and Burningham had been dating for around nine months before they got engaged early last year. She first went public with their romance by posting a picture of them looking cozy alongside the simple caption: 'LOVE'. Lake has largely kept their relationship private, but did open up about their first meeting during an appearance on Good Morning American in January 2021. The star told how they first crossed paths in early 2020 after being hooked up by a friend who questioned if she was single when they bumped into each other. Lake told host Robin Roberts: 'He [Ross] is amazing. I met him, I was on a COVID walk, I ran into an acquaintance. He said 'Are you single?' I said 'yes' and I am so happy.' In February of last year, the star announced their engagement news on Instagram writing: 'Friends, I'm so so so excited to share some good news! I'm engaged!' Lake was previously married to second husband Christian Evans (pictured together left in 2012) and Rob Sussman In February of last year, the star announced their engagement news on Instagram writing: 'Friends, I'm so so so excited to share some good news! I'm engaged!' She added: 'This is Ross. He is my person. He is wonderful. I love him very much and I am so grateful I get to love and be loved so deeply by this stellar human.' Burningham took his time picking out the perfect sparkler to put on Lake's finger, however, and it wasn't until a few months later that he found the perfect diamond. 'Well, friends, he put a ring on it!' Lake captioned a photo of her holding up her new ring. She added at the time: 'Engaged to my magnificent king. I am officially the happiest woman in the land. My dearest Ross, I choose you today and everyday!' Burningham is a successful lawyer and partner and the law frim Gunderson Dettmer, where he works across the San Diego and Los Angeles offices, reports Business Wire. Australia's Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce has fiercely shut down a Today Show host after they asked if his government would pay for rapid antigen tests. Mr Joyce hit back at suggestions the government would be required to fund the tens of millions of self-test kits due to hit Australian shores throughout January. 'We're bringing them in, I don't know whether we're going to be funding them. We will make sure we facilitate them,' he said during an appearance on Thursday. 'Nothing is free. What the government does is it gets something and then sends you the bill on your salaries and wages. 'You just pay for it later on.' Mr Joyce (pictured) hit back at suggestions the government would be required to fund the tens of millions of self-test kits due to hit Australian shores throughout January The Today Show host interrupted Mr Joyce to remind him rapid antigen tests were being handed out for free in 'almost every other country'. Joyce was quick to respond, saying: 'What that means is the taxpayer pays for it later on. I imagine that there will be some involvement from government like subsidisation or they'll be free'. 'But nothing is free. All that happens is you pay it on your tax later on. If you want something to be free you are fooling yourself. 'The money doesn't fall out of the air, we take it off your wages, salaries, businesses to pay for them.' Mr Joyce said he was 'trying to be the adult on this one' and said if people thought the tests were free, they weren't - they 'went on your credit card later on'. The host said those who couldn't afford the tests like people in aged-care or pensioners might find his statements hard to hear. 'On that issue, the people that are struggling, the pensioners, for people in aged care they would be free,' Mr Joyce softened. 'But nothing is free. All that happens is you pay it on your tax later on. If you want something to be free you are fooling yourself,' Mr Joyce said when asked if RATs would be free (stock image) Mr Joyce clarified people who were struggling, like pensioners or those in aged-care would receive the tests for free (pictured, signage notifying customers RATs are sold out) 'This idea that everybody gets them for free, I don't know about that.' The deputy prime minister described his experience of the Omicron variant, saying was a '2.5 out of 10 flu for a couple of days' after he tested positive earlier this month. 'That is not how it is for everyone, though, Deputy Prime Minister,' the host replied. Mr Joyce said he was not putting aside the seriousness of the virus and admitted that it had killed 'some people'. He said the country could not shut down despite the surge in cases and said it was time for Australians to move forward. His comments come as NSW detected a record 92,264 new Covid cases on Thursday, as rapid antigen tests are finally reported in the daily tallies. NSW detected a record 92,264 new Covid cases on Thursday, as rapid antigen tests are finally reported in the daily tallies (pictured, a Sydney drive-through testing clinic) Out of NSW's latest cases, 61,387 have come from rapid antigen tests (pictured) 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. NSW residents were on Wednesday told they must upload their positive Covid test results using the Service NSW app. More positive rapid test results reported in the time since 8pm on Wednesday will be recorded in Friday's official numbers. Deaths from the virus also escalated with 22 people in NSW losing their lives and 25 deaths in Victoria - with the southern state recording 37,169 new cases. An infectious disease expert from the Kirby Institute, Greg Dore, said a 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 Thursday morning. Meanwhile, huge fines of $1,000 have since been brought in for those who don't report positive RAT results - despite Customer Service Minister Victor Dominello admitting it will be 'almost impossible' to enforce. NSW residents were on Wednesday told they must upload their positive Covid test results using the Service NSW app (pictured, people queue for a test in Melbourne) '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.' He said that early on Thursday more than 82,000 rapid test results had been reported on the Service NSW app and the website. Premier Dominic Perrottet said while it would be difficult to police there were practical benefits for uploading tests like financial grants and healthcare. 'There may be grants in the future, for example, if you need to get financial assistance in the federal government, hypothetically and they need to say, well, show us that you had Covid,' he said. A columnist with the Los Angeles Times has declared that it is acceptable to ridicule the unvaccinated Orange County deputy district attorney for dying of COVID-19, writing that 'mockery is not necessarily the wrong reaction'. Michael Hiltzik, the Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist and author, on Monday turned his attention to the death of Kelly Ernby, 46. Ernby, a rising Republican star, died on January 2 of COVID-19. Her husband, Axel Mattias Ernby, has since denounced his wife's choice to spurn the vaccination and rally against vaccine mandates. 'She was NOT vaccinated. That's the problem,' he said, according to screenshots of his comments shared on social media. Her death was greeted with derision on social media, and Hiltzik said it was appropriate. '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 wrote. Kelly Ernby, 46, died of COVID-19 on January 2. She is pictured pre-pandemic, in November 2019, speaking against vaccine mandates in California, arguing that compelling vaccinations against chicken pox and measles were an infringement of liberties. She continued the argument with COVID vaccinations, arguing that they were unlawful Michael Hiltzik, a LA Times columnist, said that mockery of Ernby's death was justified 'Nor is it wrong to deny them our sympathy and solicitude, or to make sure it's known when their deaths are marked that they had stood fast against measures that might have protected themselves and others from the fate they succumbed to. 'There may be no other way to make sure that the lessons of these teachable moments are heard.' Ernby spoke at a rally against COVID vaccine mandates at the Irvine City Hall on December 4. The event was hosted by the Cal State Fullerton and UC Irvine chapters of the conservative group Turning Point USA. 'There's nothing that matters more than our freedoms right now,' she said, according to the Daily Titan. Ernby had long railed against all vaccination mandates, stating pre-pandemic that they were unnecessary and an infringement of liberty. California requires K-12 pupils to have as many as 20 doses of immunizations against polio, measles, mumps, rubella, whooping cough, diphtheria, hepatitis and chicken pox. 'I don't think the government should be involved in mandating what vaccines people are taking,' she said, asked about a proposal to eliminate the waiver for vaccinations on 'personal belief', in November 2019. 'If the government is going to mandate vaccines, what else will they mandate?' Ernby, 46, was a California deputy district attorney and rising Republican star before she died from complications of COVID Ernby was a strong vocal opponent of vaccine mandates and was not jabbed herself In August, she posted a statement on her Facebook page supporting Huntington Beach firefighters who were opposing a vaccine mandate. 'The vaccine is not the cure to Covid, and mandates won't work,' she wrote. As news of her death spread, many crowed about her actions. The anti-Trump group Duty to Warn tweeted: 'Here's an update on Kelly Ernby, a Republican Deputy DA in California who ran for the State Assembly in 2020, and who said, at a rally last month: 'There's nothing that matters more than our freedoms right now,' and who recently tested positive for Covid. She's dead.' One woman said: 'Orange County Deputy DA Kelly Ernby dead from Covid at age 46. This didn't have to happen. 'Even before the pandemic, Ernby was an anti-vaccine activist. Once the pandemic hit, 'Ernby remained an ardent and vocal opponent of COVID-19 vaccine mandates.'' Another man noted: 'Prominent anti-vax res dead of Covid-19? There have been some others ' He then listed the radio hosts and prominent activists who have died of COVID. 'Deputy District attorney Kelly Ernby, orange country California in great health 46, dies from Covid due to antivax position for freedom,I bet she feels pretty free right now,' said another. 'Honestly if your freedom is so fragile that wearing a mask or being asked to get vaxxed scares u U R dead.' Another added: 'At age 46, Kelly Ernby had all the opportunities to get vaccinated! 'Now that she is dead, maybe, this will be an eye opening to those who are still following her deadly path! 'Was all about her freedom but unfortunately, she got the freedom of graveyard!' Hiltzik said that their mockery was warranted. 'As for whether a vaccination mandate is a slippery slope to more government control, as Ernby maintained, government mandates have been with us for untold decades. We require drivers to wear seat belts, cars to be equipped with air bags and drivers to observe speed limits and avoid pedestrians. We ban smoking in public places,' he argued. 'Obviously, the mandates exist because these diseases threaten not only infected persons themselves, but the community, meaning anyone they come in contact with. 'That's the folly of the anti-mandate argument: It places a perverse conception of individual 'freedom' in opposition to the communal interest.' He said that the impact of Ernby's rhetoric was deeply dangerous. 'What's especially iniquitous about the anti-mandate and anti-vaccination arguments is the damage they are doing to America's public health system,' he wrote. 'Republicans like Ernby used COVID vaccines to turn public health into part of their partisan culture war. 'The consequences are pernicious. They can be measured in overwhelmed emergency rooms and intensive care units, in hospital staffs burned out or rendered missing in action because they've been infected.' Ernby's husband lamented his wife's decision. Kelly Ernby's husband Axel appeared to criticize his wife's choice to stay unvaccinated in a Facebook comment 'She was NOT vaccinated. That's the problem,' he replied on a comment thread about his wife Her husband Axel is a self-employed management consultant in Huntington Beach Ernby, center, decried vaccine mandates at a Turning Point USA rally at Irvine City Hall just a month ago Ernby's friend Ben Chapman, the chairman of the Greater Costa Mesa Republicans, also confirmed on Facebook that Ernby was not vaccinated. 'My friend was not vaccinated and no one of credible source is making the claim she passed due to being vaccinated,' Chapman wrote on Tuesday. 'Her husband and I have openly stated that she was not vaccinated. However, the left is making this political stating we, Republicans, are saying she passed due to being vaccinated. So far from the truth. Stop spreading lies!' Ernby urged the crowd at the Turning Point USA rally last month to unite and fight for their beliefs against vaccine mandates. She had been an outspoken critic of vaccine mandates since before the pandemic. In 2019 she railed against a state law proposing new vaccine requirements for schoolchildren. Ernby compared the current political division to the 1960s fight against socialism. 'Our government for the people and by the people is not going to exist without action of the people,' Ernby said. Ben Chapman, chairman of the Greater Costa Mesa Republicans, posted about Ernby's death He's since also confirmed that she wasn't vaccinated in a post on Facebook Ernby is survived by her husband Axel, who is self-employed as a management consultant in Huntington Beach, and her dog Nixon. Ernby was born to Navy veteran parents and grew up in San Diego, according to the Los Angeles Times. She got a law degree from the University of San Diego School of Law and was recruited to join the Gibson, Dunn and Crutcher law firm in Irvine. The Huntington Beach resident worked as an Orange County deputy district attorney for 10 years specializing on in environmental and consumer law. She first joined local politics in 2020 when she ran for state Assembly in the 74th District challenging Newport Beach Mayor Diane Dixon, a fellow Republican, to replace Cottie Petrie-Norris, the freshman Democratic incumbent. The self-proclaimed political outsider earned endorsements from several local politicians but lost in a close race. She continued to search for her spot in politics getting involved in the county Republican Party as the precinct chairman. Ernby became an elected Orange County GOP central committee member later in 2020. She was midway into the four-year term at the time of her passing. The 46-year-old fought against vaccine mandates even before the COVID pandemic dragged the issue into the national spotlight. Ernby, left on December 4, fought against vaccine mandates even before the COVID pandemic Ernby, a vaccine mandate critic before COVID, is survived by her husband Axel, right, and her dog Nixon Ernby's last Facebook post (pictured) shows her celebrating the Christmas holiday with Axel and Nixon while honoring her mother who passed away 'She was very passionate about her love for politics, for America and the Republican Party,' said Jon Fleischman, former executive director of the California Republican Party and a longtime Orange County GOP activist, according to the Los Angeles Times. He was shocked by her 'sudden' passing and explained that the two planned to meet later this week to discuss another state Assembly run. 'I found her to be funny and generous,' he said. 'She quickly became part of the fabric of our party. We're really going to miss her. It's very sad.' Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer expressed his sorrow in a statement: 'The Orange County district attorney's office is utterly heartbroken by the sudden and unexpected passing of Deputy Dist. Atty. Kelly Ernby.' 'Kelly was an incredibly vibrant and passionate attorney who cared deeply about the work that we do as prosecutors and deeply about the community we all fight so hard to protect.' He also remembered his 'incredibly vibrant and passionate' colleague in a touching Twitter thread. Orange County Supervisor Don Wagner also memorialized his colleague online. 'Kelly was an outstanding public servant and an even better person,' he said on Twitter. Ernby was also strong voice the in Governor Gavin Newsom's recall election, which he won with 60 percent of the vote. She openly opposed him and strongly backed Larry Elder. Much of her dislike of Newsom came from his strong stance on COVID vaccine mandates and closures. 'I don't like the fact that he is shutting down our churches, our schools, our businesses, and that people have rights and liberties that he is not protecting,' she told the Costa Mesa Brief ahead of the recall election. The boyfriend of an L.A. business manager to celebrities such as Nicki Minaj and the Kardashians appeared in court Wednesday after being charged with her murder. Jason Barker, 49, appeared at the Los Angeles Superior Court on Wednesday for arraignment in the murder of his girlfriend Angela Kukawski, 55, who was found dead in the trunk of her car in the Simi Valley suburb on December 23, only a day after she was reported missing. Barker allegedly tortured Kukawski with a knife and firearm before he brutally murdered her and drove around with her body in the back of the vehicle. A Ventura County coroner reported that Kukawski died from sharp and blunt force injuries to the head and neck and strangulation, which they ruled a homicide. Barker was arrested on December 28 and booked into Van Nuys Jail where he was charged with murder and torture and is being held on a $3 million bond. He appeared in court on Wednesday sitting behind a glass screen, wearing a yellow jumpsuit and white face mask, and spoke only to confirm his identity and be read his rights. His next court appearance is February 23. Jason Barker, 49, was arraigned in Los Angeles Superior Court on a murder charge after he allegedly killed his LA business manager girlfriend Angela Kukawski, 55, who was found dead in the trunk of her car on December 23 Barker allegedly tortured Kukawski with a knife and firearm before he murdered her and stuffed her in the back of a car He appeared in court on Wednesday and spoke only to confirm his identity and be read his rights. He is set to be arraigned until February 23. Kukawski's body was said to have been found in the trunk of a car in the LA suburb of Simi Valley at the 1500 block of Patricia Avenue The mother-of-five worked at Boulevard Management in Woodland Hills, which specialized in 'financial management services to entertainers, athletes, and high-net worth individuals,' according to their site. 'We are saddened and heartbroken by the loss of our colleague, Angie Kukawski,' Todd Bozick of Boulevard Management had said in a statement to Variety. 'Angie was a kind, wonderful person, and she will be greatly missed by all who knew her.' As manager, she worked with celebrity clients such as the Kardashians and Nicki Minaj. She had also worked with the Tupac Shukar estate as well as Kanye West and OffSet. Kukawski's former celebrity clients included the Kardashians who offered their condolences to their late manager Rapper Nicki Minaj also paid tribute to her former manager on social media Kukawski also represented celebs such as Kanye West (right) as well as Offset and the Tupac Shakur estate 'Angela was truly the best,' the Kardashian-Jenner family wrote in a statement to DailyMail.com. 'She cared about everyone of us and made things happen that were impossible. 'She will be greatly missed and we send our sincere condolences to her family and loved ones during this most difficult time.' Minaj had also posted to social media to pay tribute to her manager. 'Hardest working, most reliable, sweetest person you could ever know,' Minaj wrote. 'You didn't deserve this, Angela. My heart is breaking for your children. Rest in peace.' 'We are saddened and heartbroken by the loss of our colleague, Angie Kukawski,' Todd Bozick of Boulevard Management said in a statement to Variety. 'Angie was a kind, wonderful person, and she will be greatly missed by all who knew her.' Darrel Brooks faces a total of 77 charges Wisconsin prosecutors have charged the Waukesha Christmas Parade attack suspect with 71 new charges in addition to the six homicide counts after he allegedly drove his car into a crowd of people in November. Darrell Brooks, 39, now faces 61 counts of recklessly endangering safety by use of a dangerous weapon for each person injured at the November 21 incident, along with the six homicide charges, according to court records filed on Wednesday. Each charge carries a possible penalty of seven and a half years in prison. The first-degree homicide charges carry a mandatory life sentence if Brooks is convicted. He also faces six counts of hit-and-run involving death, two counts of bail jumping and two counts of domestic abuse battery, according to the court docs. Brooks is being held at the Waukesha County Jail on $5 million bail and is due back in court on Friday for a preliminary hearing. Darrell Brooks is accused of ramming an SUV into Waukesha Christmas parade goers on November 21, killing six and injuring 61. He faces possible life sentences for the six killed and a possible penalty of seven-and-a-half years for each injured Social media footage showed the speeding red Ford Escape SUV collide into a group of people marching in the middle of the street during the annual holiday parade in Waukesha, about 20 miles west of downtown Milwaukee The Christmas parade began on Sunday at 4pm, with participants starting at Main Street and Whiterock Avenue. At 4.39pm, the red SUV was filmed speeding down Main Street. It then smashed into the crowd and sent bodies flying before speeding on towards the end of the parade, where the car broke through barriers On November 21, Brooks was filmed speeding in a red SUV as he slammed into Waukesha Christmas parade spectators and participants, killing Virginia Sorenson, 79, LeAnna Owen, 71, Tamara Durand, 52, Jane Kulich, 52, Wilhelm Hospel, 81, and Jackson Sparks, 8. Four of the six people who were killed in the parade were with the Milwaukee Dancing Grannies float, including Sorenson, Owen, Durand and Wilhelm Hospel, the husband of one of the Grannies. Brooks' motive remains unknown. He had been out on bail just before the hit-and-run, which had been set at $1,000 despite the fact that he's been bailed twice in 2021 and has a lengthy criminal history stretching back to 1999 that includes a laundry list of offenses. On November 5, weeks before the parade, Brook was charged with endangerment for allegedly running over the mother of his child with his SUV. Brooks was assessed as a high risk to reoffend, but the prosecutor who handled his initial appearance still sought the $1,000 cash bail. He posted it on November 19. The alleged killer said he has felt 'demonized' and 'dehumanized' by the court proceedings but his ex-girlfriend offered little sympathy. 'It was a monstrous act and it's completely irredeemable,' the woman told Fox News. 'I'm mortified and devastated and have lost sleep for days over this. Obviously, I wish it did not happen.' The woman said her teenage son, who has not seen his father in more than a year, also felt heartbroken by the senseless attack. She claimed that Brooks had a history of mental health issues and was on medication, and that her son only had irregular contact with him for the last decade. According to court papers filed in Waukesha, Brooks owes his former partner $41,000 in back child support, but the woman says the $151 monthly payment Brooks is supposed to pay 'isn't going to make or break us.' The sixth victim of the tragedy was Jackson Sparks, 8, who died from his injuries last Tuesday (pictured bottom with his brother Tucker, 12) Tamara Durand (left), 52, and Leana 'Lee' Owen (right), 71, were two members of the Milwaukee Dancing Grannies who died in Sunday's tragedy Virginia Sorenson (left), 79, was a nurse and member of the Milwaukee Dancing Grannies, a group of elderly woman marching in the parade. Wilhelm Hospel (right), 82, the husband of one of the grannies, died from internal bleeding, according to his older brother Jane Kulich was a Citizen Bank employee who was walking with a parade float before she was fatally struck Many have criticized Milwaukee County District Attorney John Chisholm after his office had recommended the $1,000 bail for Brooks. Last month, Chisholm blamed a rookie prosecutor in his office for freeing Brooks. He didn't name her at the time, but she was previously identified as Michelle Grasso. A group of people who say they are Milwaukee County taxpayers had filed the complaint in December asking Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers to remove Chisholm to prevent similarly low bail recommendations in future cases involving violent offenders such as Brooks. Milwaukee County Judicial Court Commissioner Cedric Cornwall was also criticized for approving the low bail amount. Cornwall approved the low bond for Brooks during his arraignment for the alleged hit-and-run. Cornwall, who has served as commissioner since 2005, has a history of low bonds, Fox News reported. On the same day he set the $1,000 bond for Brooks, he also set bail at $500 for a man accused of strangulation, battery and domestic violence. The day before he set bail at $1,000 for a woman charged with three felonies, including child abuse. In 2006, the commissioner set bail at $100,00 for a foreign exchange student accused of a sex crime. Cornwall didn't require the man to surrender his passport and he fled to China where he was later arrested on and unrelated charged and extradited back to the United States. A Berkshire school forced two children to eat their Christmas lunch on a corridor floor after a row with their parents over when to return to school, a mother has claimed. Andrea Roberson from Newbury has accused John Rankin Junior School of failing to safeguard her children aged eight and 10 who returned to school after catching Covid. The mother-of-two is now threatening legal action after the two pupils were taken off the school register two days before the end of term amid the dispute, having to watch their friends in party hats celebrate nearby. Andrea Roberson (pictured) from Newbury has accused John Rankin Junior School of failing to safeguard her children Ms Roberson claims they had been off for 10 days, but after dropping them off upon their return, she was told to come back and collect them. The school said they should have been off for an extra day, and headmaster Felix Rayner informed her the children had been removed from the register, she said. 'This is a disgusting way to treat children,' said Ms Roberson. 'They were left in a corridor, and had to eat their Christmas dinner on the floor. They even had to watch other children walk past in their party hats.' Ms Roberson said she fired off an email in frustration saying the children would not be coming back to the school. 'I never meant forever,' she said. 'I just meant until the following term as there were only two days to go of that term. The school said they should have been off for an extra day, and headmaster Felix Rayner informed her the children had been removed from the register, she said 'I wrote several other emails, but they were all ignored, and all I got was an email from the headteacher, who I have never spoken to at all, saying they had been removed from the roll. 'This is not right. How can they decide that so quickly without even checking first?' In a statement the senior leadership at John Rankin said: 'Regarding taking children off roll. We only do this when told by parents that their children will not be returning to the school. 'We take safeguarding very seriously; our most recent Ofsted report highlights a strong culture in this area. 'We would not comment on individual families or cases, but like all schools at this current time we are working hard to keep John Rankin open and safe to all our families. The mother-of-two is now threatening legal action after the two pupils were taken off the school register two days before the end of term. School pictured 'With such high levels of Covid this is increasingly difficult. In situations regarding isolation periods we have followed government guidelines. When there is a query, we take advice from our colleagues at West Berkshire Council.' Ms Roberson said she found the lack of communication with her 'disgraceful', and said, tearfully: 'I am just trying to make a new life here. Instead, we have been put through such terrible stress. 'The children have been worried all over Christmas that they have no school to go to.' In a statement, West Berkshire Council said: 'We aren't able to discuss or comment on individual cases which should be resolved via the school's formal complaints procedure. 'School places are available in Newbury in the relevant age groups and our admissions team is always willing to assist parents in finding a place for their children, where appropriate at the same school. We take any safeguarding concerns seriously and will always investigate to establish the facts.' The children have since been offered a place at another Newbury school. Naturalist documentarian Park Soo-yong closes his eyes, recalling his memories of tracing the lives of Siberian tigers, during an interview with The Korea Times at Gimmyoung Publishers in Seoul, Tuesday. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk Park Soo-yong protects world's last remaining Siberian tigers and their habitat By Kwak Yeon-soo Before the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, documentarian and conservationist Park Soo-yong used to spend at least six months every year in the Russian Far East, enduring loneliness and extreme weather conditions oftentimes with temperatures of below -40 degrees Celsius to study the Siberian tiger, one of the rarest species on Earth. His expertise on tigers led him to publish two books about the animal. Park's nonfiction novel, written during the pandemic, "A Tale of an Old Tiger Named Kkori (working English title)," published 10 years after his first book, "The Great Soul of Siberia: Passion, Obsession and One Man's Quest for the World's Most Elusive Tiger," chronicles his relationship to an old tiger. The English edition is scheduled to come out in late March. As a person who has never been shy about developing loving connections with animals, he gives the tiger the human name, Kkori (which literally means "tail" in Korean), in the latest book. In the book, he writes about the final year of Kkori, a male tiger that used to rule the boundaries of his territory when he was younger but is now no match for a younger and stronger male tiger. Because tigers are highly territorial, Kkori is ousted by the new leader. During the barren winter months, he is forced to come down to a village and hunt farm animals a type of prey he would have ignored in his early years. Park's interest in wildlife developed while he went through two life-changing events: his childhood in the countryside and the loss of his friend during the country's pro-democracy protests of the 1980s. "I grew up in a big family and we were poor, so I started working at a young age. From age 11 to 18, I sold cows in rural markets because back then, the cattle were used for rice farming. Walking through the fields and forests, I became curious about nature," he said during an interview with The Korea Times, Tuesday. Meanwhile, the tragic death of his friend, Park Jong-chul, a Seoul National University undergraduate and pro-democracy activist who was tortured to death while being questioned by the police in 1987, motivated him to think about death. "The sudden death of Park brought up feelings about my own death. I didn't want a regular job that has a short cycle. I wanted to employ long takes and document the undiscovered world," he said. This tiger, dubbed "Kkori" by Park, walks through a forest in the Maritime Territory of the Russian Far East. Courtesy of Gimmyoung Publishers So he became a producer at Korea Education Broadcasting Station (EBS). There, he had opportunities to film many wild animals, including birds, fish and reptiles. However, he fell in love with Siberian tigers because they aroused compassion in his heart. "I focused on Siberian tigers, which are endangered and elusive. The difficulties in finding them allowed me to delve deeper into their lives: how they are born, how they live and die. After many years of study, I could identify individual tigers and recognize their family members. I saw fear, grief and ultimately acceptance when tigers lose their power as they get older. Their lives are not so different from those of human beings," he said. When he started filming Siberian tigers in 1995, hours-long footage of them didn't exist. Most of the footage consisted of short clips of tigers that people accidentally obtained in the forests. Park employed a method of tracing the migration route of deer or wild boar, because tigers follow them. Instead of following the tigers, he built a bunker or treehouse where tigers would likely appear and spent months alone there in hopes of filming them. Although he was unable to shower or turn a light on and had to remain very quiet so as not to scare off the tigers, the results were fruitful. "The new method of studying tigers was quite sensational back then," he said. Tracking their lives for 27 years has earned him a strong international reputation, but he felt that he was benefitting by taking advantage of the tigers. "Siberian tigers in the wild try to avoid contact with humans and live secretive lives in forests and mountain ranges. The more I observed them, the more I felt bad about them. So I decided to spend the rest of my life protecting tigers and their habitat," he said. Park eventually quit his job at EBS and established a non-profit organization called the Siberian Tiger Protection Society with a few other naturalists, including Dr. Galina Salkina, in 2011. It aims to conserve the remaining Siberian tigers in the world by getting rid of tiger traps, preventing wildfires and stopping poaching. This tiger, dubbed "Kkori" by Park, killed a dog from a rural village in the Russian Far East in 2011 because he was starving to death. Courtesy of Gimmyoung Publishers More active-duty law enforcement died from COVID-19 last year - for the second year in a row - than any other cause of death, with 2021 being the deadliest year in nearly a century. There were 458 members of state, local, federal and tribal law enforcement who died in the line of duty in 2021 - a 55 percent spike compared to 295 deaths in 2020, according to a preliminary report by the National Law Enforcement Memorial and Museum (NLEOMF). Of those 458, 301 lost their lives due to coronavirus, making it the leading cause of death last year, while at least 182 officers died of the virus in 2020 - an increase of 65 percent in one year. '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 reads. 'Preliminary data shows that some 301 officer fatalities have been identified as caused by COVID this year, and this number appears to increase almost daily.' Pictured: A graph of total law enforcement fatalities in 2021, with 458 total deaths last year, and average law enforcement fatalities by decade from 1970 to 2021 Pictured: Causes of death for 2021, showing an overwhelming amount COVID-19 deaths when compared to other causes of on-duty death Meanwhile, firearms were the second-largest cause of death in 2021, with 61 officers killed by firearms, making for a 36 percent increase from 2020. And 19 of those officers who died due to firearms-relate deaths were killed in 'ambush attacks,' which also saw a significant increase, according to the report. Traffic-related deaths saw a massive spike last year as well, with 58 officers killed in 2021 from vehicle and motorcycle collisions, making for a 38 percent increase when compared to 2020. Last year also proved to have the highest total number of active-duty officers who died since 1930. The report included a map of the United States, showing the 32 states where officers lost their lives from coronavirus, with the highest concentration centered in California, Florida, Texas, Tennessee, North Carolina and Georgia. '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 says. The organization noted that these figures are preliminary and a the death count is expected to rise even more before official numbers are released, as NLEOMF determines whether other officers who contracted the virus did so while on the job. NLEOMF added that its COVID-19 Task Force is currently working on establishing if other officers who died from coronavirus did so after exposure while on-duty. Law enforcement COVID-19 deaths by state, showing a total of 301 fatalities in 2021 More active-duty law enforcement died from COVID in 2021 than any other cause of death 'Law enforcement officers nationwide continue to be exposed to the COVID-19 virus in the course of their daily assignments; therefore, the number of line-of-duty deaths is sadly ever-increasing,' the organization said. Meanwhile, police departments and unions across the country, including New York City, Chicago, Los Angeles, Seattle and Phoenix, have continued to protest vaccine mandates for public employees, with many threatening resignation. Some officers have even gone so far as to file lawsuits against their respective cities or states. In Georgia, where most departments do not mandate the force be vaccinated, a total of at least 33 members of law enforcement died from the virus as of November. Some police departments in states without vaccine mandates, such as Florida and Tennessee, have attempted to recruit officers with the incentive of not needing COVID vaccinations to work. Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee announced that the state would promise not to 'get between you and your doctor' while advertising recruitment for the state's Highway Patrol. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has looked into signing legislation that would offer a $500 signing bonus to any unvaccinated cops who are willing to relocate to the Sunshine State for work. In November, the Daily Mail reported that 12 NYPD officers had relocated to Lakeland, Florida - where there is no vaccine mandate and where cops said they felt more appreciated, leaving behind New York City where a late October deadline for vaccine mandates forced those who missed it to be placed on unpaid leave. The amount of the U.S. population vaccinated so far currently stands at 74.5 percent of the country, who have received at least one dose as of January. More than 62 million total cases have been reported in the U.S. and over 843,000 deaths recorded as of January. Alexis Avila, 18, is charged with attempted murder and child abuse for allegedly tossing her newborn child into a dumpster last Friday The New Mexico teen mom accused of dumping her newborn son in a trashcan will have to stay home until her trial takes place. Alexis Avila, 18, appeared in court in Lovington, New Mexico, on Wednesday afternoon and was confronted by angry protesters following a hearing to decide if she would be jailed. Dressed in a black top, gray-green cardigan and a pair of dark blue jeans, Avila was impassive through much of the hearing but wiped away a tear as she heard how her newborn son needed a blood transfusion following five hours in a dumpster. The court heard how Avila was filmed tossing her child into the dumpster after giving birth in the bathroom of her family home and then drove away. Witness April Meadow told the court how she had found the baby while dumpster diving with Hector Jusso and Michael Green - describing how the infant was covered in blood, naked and had his umbilical cord still attaches to him. The New Mexico teen appeared in court in Lovington, New Mexico, on Wednesday afternoon for a hearing to decide if she would be jailed Judge William Shoobridge decided to release Avila on house arrest while she awaits trial and banned her from having any contact with her infant son The shocking footage from New Mexico shows Avila tossing her baby into a dumpster in a trash bag at the Broadmoor Shopping Center at around 2pm. The baby was found six hours later At the end of the two-hour hearing, Judge William Shoobridge decided to release Avila on house arrest - adding that she is only allowed to leave her parents' home for school, medical treatment and psychological help. She was also banned from having any contact with her newborn son and also barred from having contact with any males outside of her immediate family. News of her release on house arrest was met with an angry protest outside court, with approximately 40 locals chanting 'no justice, no peace' and screaming that the 18-year-old 'should have been jailed'. Protesters also honked horns, waved placards and surged towards the court building as Avila was brought out - surrounding her car briefly before being moved on by cops. Avila's parents, mom Martha and dad Domingo, were also surrounded in their car as they left the court. Avila told cops she did not know she was pregnant until she went to see a doctor for a stomach pain on January 6. She said after giving birth she 'panicked,' 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 dumping him Footage from the same camera caught the moment a heroic woman rescued the child from the dumpster Witness April Meadow told the court how shehad found the baby while dumpster diving with friends - describing how the infant was covered in blood, naked and had his umbilical cord still attached Avila's court appearance comes two days after she was arrested and charged with felony attempted murder and child abuse by cops in Hobbs. The Hobbs High School senior claims she did not know she was pregnant and panicked after giving birth to her little boy who has since been named Saul by his teenage father Stephen Astorga. Avila's mother Martha also police she did not know her daughter was pregnant, with Avila telling cops that she gave birth in the bathroom of her parents' modest home before dumping her baby in the trash. On Tuesday, Martha, 47, defended her daughter telling DailyMail.com that the birth had come as 'a shock' in an interview outside her $104,000 home. 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.' The family of Stephen Astorga, (left) 16, said that he had no idea his former girlfriend Alexis Avila (right) was expecting a baby Avila's mother Martha, 47, broke her silence Tuesday 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 The news of the birth also came as a shock to the Astorga family who said they plan to fight for custody of Saul, who is currently recovering in hospital in Lubbock, Texas. Oscar Astorga was pictured at his Hobbs, New Mexico home. He said his son, Stephen, 16, and his family want custody of the newborn According to texts shared with DailyMail.com by a friend of Stephen's, Avila had told him she was pregnant but claimed she miscarried after they split last summer. But Avila's pals have claimed she had been open about her pregnancy at school and stopped coming to class shortly before the Christmas break in mid-December. Avila was caught on camera dumping her baby in a dumpster at the Broadmoor Mall in Hobbs last Friday afternoon before driving off in her white Volkswagen Jetta. Dumpster diving heroes April Meadow, 43, Hector Jesso, 63, and Michael Green, 36, told DailyMail.com how they thought they initially thought they had found a cat when they heard whimpering coming from the bin. Meadow, who was seen in security footage clutching the baby boy to her chest after pulling him out of the trash, said: 'He was quiet. He was just laying there in a red towel. I said, what the f**k? It's a baby and [Jesso] started freaking out. I smashed him out of there.' She added: 'I thought, 'that baby ain't going to stay in a f**king trash sack, it's going with me'. 'That blood, that lady's blood I didn't care, I just wanted to hold the baby. 'I started moving him around because he said to warm him up and he just started crying so I kissed him. I was trying to soothe him. 'How can you throw a baby away like trash? Take him to a hospital, take him somewhere if you don't want him.' A high-profile funds manager described by a magistrate as 'out of control' after being charged with bashing his wife has swapped prison greens for a luxury retreat where Nicole Kidman's Nine Perfect Strangers was filmed. Fredrik Blencke will shack up at Lune de Sang, an award winning 146 hectare timber plantation in the Byron Bay Hinterland owned by one of his good friends. The luxury property featured as one of two filming locations for the Hulu mini-series which was filmed in 2020 starring Kidman, Melissa McCarthy and Luke Evans. Blencke was granted bail in Waverley Local Court on Wednesday after his lawyer convinced a magistrate he was no threat to his estranged wife, Annabelle Price. Barrister John Korn said the 48-year-old funds manager organised accommodation in the town of Federal - 30 minutes outside of Byron Bay - and proposed his conditions include not being allowed in Greater Sydney at all. Magistrate Jacqueline Milledge agreed this mitigated any perceived risk to Ms Price, who police allege he assaulted and intimidated on at least two occasions. Fredrik Blencke (pictured with his wife) was charged with one count of common assault and two counts of contravening an apprehended violence order after an alleged incident at the couple's home Fredrik Blencke will shack up at Lune de Sang, where Nicole Kidman's Nine Perfect Strangers was filmed Slide me The luxury property featured as one of two filming locations for the Hulu mini-series which was filmed in 2020 starring Kidman, Melissa McCarthy and Luke Evans. Pictured: The property how it is usually styled on the left, and how it was utilised in the show, right Police allege Blencke assaulted Ms Price inside a ward of the Sydney Children's Hospital, prompting several nurses to rush to her aid and order him to leave. The court heard that a month later, Blencke is accused of acting aggressively inside the couple's luxury Vaucluse mansion, where they pay $3,400 a week rent. Accused of breaching an apprehended violence order and bail conditions, the court previously found there was too high a risk to Ms Price if he were free in the community. But in Lune de Sang, Blencke will be 750km and eight hours away from Sydney's east, where his ex will remain with their children. Owner Andy Plummer declined to comment on Blencke's stay when contacted by Daily Mail Australia. The sprawling property has won multiple architecture awards including being named the 'ultimate architecture statement' in the 2019 Architecture by Design awards. When filming for Nine Perfect Strangers moved Down Under during the pandemic, set designers stumbled across Lune de Sang online. Immediately, they knew it would blend perfectly with the retreat location they'd already scouted - which was also just outside Byron Bay at the Soma wellness spa. A high flying fund manager accused of assaulting his wife inside a children's hospital has been granted bail despite a magistrate describing him as 'out of control' The main bedroom (pictured) was Melissa McCarthy's character's room in the show The main bedroom (pictured from another angle) was Melissa McCarthy's character's room in the show A concrete shed on the property was used in the scene where the nine strangers first meet, though CGI technology was ulitised to change the appearance slightly. The main residence of the house, known as the 'Pavilion', was used as the massage room in the Hulu program while the main bedroom was Melissa McCarthy's character's room in the show. Lune de Sang is owned by Andy and Deirdre Plummer, who bought the sprawling estate in 2007 and set about restoring it and creating a sustainable timber plantation. They planted approximately 140,000 trees and hope future generations will harvest the wood from the trees once they reach full maturity - some of which will take 300 years - to make furniture, flooring and paneling. It's understood Mr Plummer was a one-time client of Blencke, who has over 19 years experience in global financial wealth management in London, Madrid and Sydney. According to his LinkedIn, Blencke specialises in providing bespoke investment management solutions for high net worth clients. Slide me When filming for Nine Perfect Strangers moved Down Under during the pandemic, set designers stumbled across Lune de Sang online The 48-year-old also volunteered to seek counselling specifically to deal with the breakdown of his marriage It's not clear if he will return to work while he hunkers down in Byron Bay until his next court appearance. He is not permitted to return to Greater Sydney for any purpose other than to attend court. In the interim, he is required to report to Byron Bay Shire police station each Monday, Wednesday and Saturday. The 48-year-old also volunteered to seek counselling specifically to deal with the breakdown of his marriage. While it's a great improvement from Parklea Prison in Sydney's west - which is where Blencke spent Christmas and New Years Eve - he will not be returning to the life he is accustomed to. He is forbidden from attending any licensed premises, drink alcohol or consume illicit drugs. 'Not even a Chinese restaurant, Mr Blencke,' the magistrate told him. 'You'll be dining on take away only.' Bail was granted despite opposition by the police prosecutor, who insisted he posed an unacceptable risk to his estranged wife. The main residence of the house, known as the 'Pavilion', was used as the massage room in the Hulu program The court heard Blencke 'struck his fists' on the island bench in the couple's kitchen, causing the bench to shake so intensely it was felt by his 12-month-old child, who was sitting in a nearby high chair The prosecution noted he had previously breached his bail and an apprehended violence order in place for his estranged wife's safety. 'With those bail conditions I agree it would be practically impossible to pose a risk to the victim, but that's on the proviso he complies with bail, which he's demonstrated he hasn't in the past,' prosecution argued. When describing the alleged hospital assault, she said 'the accused acted brazenly'. Court documents state Ms Price called Blencke to inform him their daughter was in hospital on November 14, and that he was slurring on the phone. 'When the [alleged] victim attempted to ask the accused to assist with her other child he became aggressive and uncooperative,' the documents state. 'An argument ensued, leading to the accused then grabbing the [alleged] victim on the left arm and gripping tightly causing immediate pain.' A concrete shed on the property was used in the scene where the nine strangers first meet, though CGI technology was ulitised to change the appearance slightly The luxury property featured as one of two filming locations for the Hulu mini-series which was filmed in 2020 starring Kidman, Melissa McCarthy and Luke Evans On December 15, Blencke allegedly 'struck his fists' on the island bench in the kitchen, causing the bench to shake so intensely it was felt by a 12-month-old child, who was sitting in a nearby high chair. He was charged with one count of common assault and two counts of contravening an apprehended violence order. Magistrate Milledge expressed 'great concern over [Blencke's] disposition and described his behaviour as 'out of control', but agreed to grant bail. The court heard prosecutors will be seeking a full time custodial sentence if Blencke is found guilty of the offences he is accused of. Mr Korn agreed his client's 'out of control behaviour needs to be addressed' but argued a bail application is not the time nor place. 'I do not intend this bail application to get into the nitty gritty of what happened,' he said. 'His out of control behaviour is something that needs to be addressed... and will be dealt with in time.' Lune de Sang is owned by Andy and Deirdre Plummer, who bought the sprawling estate in 2007 and set about restoring it and creating a sustainable timber plantation The mini series was released on Hulu in 2021 after filming wrapped in December 2020 The decision to grant bail came after a series of technical difficulties which made it hard for the court to get onto his legal representatives. At one stage, Magistrate Milledge addressed the court, describing the constant interruptions and technical challenges during Covid as frustrating and noting 'people deserve better than this system'. Blencke immediately turned on the charm, agreeing and laughing at the comment before adding: 'You should see what jail is like.' 'It's terrible,' he added. The high-profile investment banker and his wife are close associates of Ellie and Charlie Aitken, and Hollie and Christopher Nasser, two former couples at the centre of a society love rift which rocked Sydney's eastern suburbs in late 2021. Blencke previously indicated he would fight the charges. 'I categorically deny the allegations and condemn the use of AVO proceedings to obtain leverage in post separation conflict, diverting policing and court resources from genuine victims,' he said in a statement provided to the Daily Telegraph. 'I am completely devoted to each of my three children and am determined to fight these false allegations.' Astonishing footage shows more than 200 prospective tenants crowding into a suburban street for a rental inspection - forcing police to clear the area. Video taken by a bemused neighbour in Sydney's south-west, shows hundreds lining up to inspect the $530-a-week four-bedroom brick home on Wednesday. Even that is on the more affordable side of what tenants are typically paying in Australia's biggest city as demand surges for rental houses. Traffic on Bennison Road, Hinchinbrook was gridlocked for about 30 minutes, with dozens of cars left parked across driveways and footpaths near the single-storey property. 'One house goes up for rent in south-west Sydney and it's total mayhem. I've never seen this before,' the neighbour said in a TikTok video as he filmed the chaos. Blaze Real Estate listing agent Isabella Mucedola told Daily Mail Australia police were forced shut down the inspection half-an-hour early so they could clear the road. She said more than a hundred people who wanted to view the home missed out. Astonishing footage has shown more than 200 prospective tenants crowded into a suburban street in Hinchinbrook, Sydney on Wednesday for a rental inspection Hundreds lined up to inspect the $530-a-week four-bedroom home (pictured), but more than half were left disappointed after police shut down the inspection so they could clear the street 'The police had no problem with our social distancing processes,' she said. 'They were called because people were not parking properly and blocking driveways. The officers said traffic was backed up all the way to the main road.' Three officers in two squad cars could bee seen standing in the home's front yard as the crowds dispersed. Social media users were stunned by the large crowds and many saw it as a symptom of Australia's under-supplied housing market. 'I'm so glad I do not have to deal with the stress of rent in this day and age,' one person wrote. 'It's really getting bad.' 'Who in their right mind would choose to live in Sydney when you could live elsewhere,' another said. Others said they had tried to get into the inspection, but were turned away because demand was so high. Ms Mucedola said rental properties were extremely hard to come by in Sydney at the moment due to pent-up demand after last year's three-month hard Covid lockdown. Three officers in two squad cars could bee seen standing in the home's front yard as the crowds dispersed 'It was definitely a hectic open house,' she said. 'There are a lot of people looking for a property to rent at the moment.' Double-digit rent rises BRISBANE HOUSE: Up 16.5 per cent to $556.80 a week SYDNEY HOUSE: Up 14.5 per cent to $735.70 a week CANBERRA HOUSE: Up 13.6 per cent to $743 a week ADELAIDE HOUSE: Up 13.2 per cent to $477.80 a week PERTH HOUSE: Up 12.8 per cent to $558 a week CANBERRA UNIT: Up 12.3 per cent to $534.20 a week DARWIN UNIT: Up 12.2 per cent to $455 a week HOBART UNIT: Up 11.1 per cent to $429.20 a week Source: SQM Research data on annual increases as of January 12, 2022. Rents are median figures Advertisement The agent said Blaze Real Estate arranged a viewing for the home as soon as they could after the last tenant left the property on December 23. She added the listed price of $530 a week was normal for the area, and the property was a 'standard' property. Going forward, she said the agency would be allowing inspections at the property by booking only. 'We will do an open house on Friday and Saturday with only 10 people in each time slot - one in the morning and one in the afternoon,' she said. 'We're hoping breaking it down will make it easier for people who missed out. After that, we'll assess all the offers we have.' A report last year found rental prices in Australia rose 14.6 per cent in the space of 12 months. The median national weekly rent for houses stood at $556 in January 2022 after rising by 13.5 per cent during the year, a report by SQM Research showed. Sydney's mid-point house rent went up by 14.5 per cent to $735.70 a week. Only Brisbane tenants saw steeper rent increases, at least in the capital cities, with weekly house rents surging by 16.5 per cent to $556.80. Sydney's vacancy rate of 2.6 per cent is still well above the national average of 1.6 per cent. Domain's chief of economics Nicola Powell said house rents were significantly outpacing unit leases. 'House rents are racing past unit rent growth, as the increase in demand and competition for larger spaces has resulted in landlords hiking asking house rent prices three times faster than units over the past year,' she said. Pictured is the in-demand home. Blaze Real Estate listing agent Isabella Mucedola said the listed price of $530 a week was normal for the area, and the property was a 'standard four-bedroom home' The home was vacated on December 23 and Ms Mucedola said her agency arranged a viewing for the home as soon as they could The committee probing the Jan. 6th Capitol riot met with former White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany on Wednesday after subpoenaing the aide who cited 'very real claims of fraud' at a post-election press conference. The former press secretary spoke virtually to the panel, following her November subpoena. That subpoena cited repots that McEnany spent time with former President Donald Trump during a critical period after the Capitol riot began but when the president did not make a public statement for 187 minutes. McEnany did not appear during Wednesday's broadcast of 'Outnumber' on Fox News, where she is a co-host. Former White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany, who last briefed the press on Jan. 7th, met virtually with the House select committee probing the Jan. 6th Capitol riot Committee members say they have interviewed more than 300 people in the probe. It is not known how many were permitted to appear virtually. Some high-profile witnesses, including former White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows and former chief White House strategist Steve Bannon, are resisting subpoenas and fighting them in court. Panel Chair Rep. Bennie Thompson told CBS about her appearance, and the panel subsequently confirmed her appearance to the AP. The committee got the chance to question McEnany about the riot something reporters didn't get the chance to do during her final briefing for the press, on Jan. 7th. At that event, McEnany read a statement of less than two minutes, saying the violence at the Capitol was 'appalling, reprehensible, and antithetical to the American way' only to leave without taking questions from reporters who tried to yell them out to her. McEnany was absent from 'Outnumbered' on Fox Wednesday afternoon Kayleigh McEnany, White House press secretary, right, listens to U.S. President Donald Trump as he visits campaign workers at the RNC Annex in Arlington, Virginia, U.S., on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2020. A subpoena cited reports McEnany was with Trump on Jan. 6th The House Jan. 6 Committee subpoenaed McEnany in November The panel subpoena told McEnany: 'You claimed that there were "very real claims" of fraud that the former president's re-election campaign was pursuing, and said that mail-in voting was one that 'we have identified as being particularly prone to fraud."' 'At another press conference, Ms. McEnany accused Democrats of welcoming fraud and welcoming illegal voting. In addition, Ms. McEnany was reportedly present at times with the former President as he watched the January 6th attack,' the panel said. The panel has also sought records from McEnany's briefing books from the National Archives. The document request is tied up in a court fight. News of her appearance came on a day when 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. Australians feel they need to earn $326,900 a year to be rich because of social media pressure, a survey has found. That kind of income is more than triple Australia's average full-time salary of $90,329 and more than five times the mid-point salary of $62,400 for all workers. Just 3.5 per cent of Australians earn more than $180,000 a year, putting them in the top tax bracket along with the likes of surgeons, investment bankers and politicians. Despite very few people making that kind of money, a Finder survey of 971 consumers found Australians would only feel wealthy if they earned $326,900 on average. Australians feel they need to earn $326,900 to be rich because of social media pressure, a survey has found. That kind of income is more than triple Australia's average full-time salary of $90,329 and more than five times the mid-point salary of $62,400 for all workers (pictured are women at the Opera Bar in Sydney watching the Melbourne Cup) Australians who earn the most money Ophthalmologists: $524,804 Urologists: $450,255 Gastroenterologists: $419,707 Surgeons: $394,303 Anaesthetists: $386,065 Gynaecologist: $360,596 Investment broker: $304,258 Share market analyst: $262,144 Source: Australian Taxation Office data for 2018-19 based on average taxable incomes Advertisement Generation X consumers, born between 1965 and 1980, felt they needed to earn $354,100 compared with $286,964 for Gen Z Australians born from the mid-1990s onwards. Women were a little greedier, wanting $333,010, while men desired $318,952. Finder's personal finance expert Kate Browne said Facebook was driving envy and fuelling a fear of missing out. 'Social media and the "FOMO economy" can make it seem like everyone around you is hustling their way to the top, but appearances can be deceiving,' she said. As of August 2021, the median Australia salary for both full-time and part-time workers was $1,200 a week or $62,400 a year, Australian Bureau of Statistics data showed. This was below the average, full-time salary of $90,329. 'If you're fortunate enough to be earning more than the median wage, you're already in a better spot than most,' Ms Browne said. 'It's easy to get caught up in the money, but it's much more important to truly enjoy your work.' Australian Taxation Office data for the 2018-19 financial year, released last year, showed surgeons typically had some of the highest salaries, with average incomes of $394,303. Finder's personal finance expert Kate Browne said Facebook was driving envy and fuelling a fear of missing out (pictured is a stock image) One in four people surveyed by Finder said they would need to earn $500,000 to feel wealthy. But only one profession had average salaries beyond that level. Eye surgeons, also known as ophthalmologists, made $524,804. Urologists typically earned $450,255, gynaecologists made $360,596 as anaethetists earned $386,065. Australians highest income earners have also often spent a decade at university -studying medicine before doing post-graduate studies in their specialty area. Meanwhile, members of parliament on the backbench earn $211,250 based on a Remuneration Tribunal ruling. Treasurer Josh Frydenberg earns $396,094 while his boss Prime Minister Scott Morrison is on $549,250. Wages for most workers have, nonetheless, been stuck below the three-decade average of three per cent since 2013. Generation X consumers, born between 1965 and 1980, felt they needed to earn $354,100 compared with $286,964 for Gen Z Australians born from the mid-1990s onwards. Women were a little greedier, wanting $333,010, while men desired $318,952 (pictured is a house at Point Piper in Sydney's eastern suburbs) Real estate values last year grew by 22.1 per cent, marking the fastest annual pace since 1989, CoreLogic data showed. The typical Australian house and unit price stood at $709,803 in December 2021. So even with a 20 per cent deposit of $141,961 factored in, an average, full-time worker on $90,329 a year would owe the bank $567,842 - giving them a debt-to-income ratio of 6.2. The Australian Prudential Regulatory Authority considers a debt-to-income ratio of six to be risky. Sydney's median house price of $1,374,970, following a rise of 29.6 per cent last year, would also be unattainable for an average-income earner unless they bought the property with their spouse. A Minnesota man wanted on child sex charges was taken into custody in Cancun on Wednesday, 22 years after he fled following his arrest. Curtis Lee Brovold, 67, was accused of having sex with a 14-year-old girl from Moorhead, Minnesota, whom he met online in February 2000. Authorities alleged that Brovold, of Granite Falls, Minnesota, chatted with the girl for about six months via phone and email before he flew to meet her in Moorhead in July and had sex with her at a hotel. Court records showed that Brovold mailed the girl a camera and instructed her to take naked nude photos of herself, according to InForum.com. Curtis Lee Brovold was arrested Wednesday in Cancun, Mexico, according to the FBI. The 67-year-old was wanted for sexually assaulted a 14-year-old girl he met online in 2000 He took a flight from an unknown location in Minnesota and then rented a pickup truck to travel to Moorhead. The girl visited his motel room twice, and had sex and showered together during their second visit. The girl's mother alerted the police after she found naked pictures of her daughter on a computer disc. Curtis Lee Brovold was living in Mexico City Brovold flew from an unknown location to Minneapolis and rented a pickup truck to drive to Moorhead, where he met the girl, who rode her bicycle to a prearranged site. The former computer technician was apprehended July 11 at the motel and charged with criminal sexual conduct, but was released after posting a $40,000 bail bond. Brovold failed to appear at a court hearing in Clay County, Minnesota, on September 18. He was charged with unlawful flight to avoid prosecution and placed on FBI's Crimes Against Children unit's most wanted page. Law enforcement initially tracked him down to Mexico City, but lost his location. 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. Advertisement The armorer for doomed western 'Rust' - where a cinematographer was shot dead by a live bullet in October - is laying part of the blame on gunman Alec Baldwin for failing to attend a training session. Hannah Gutierrez-Reed filed a lawsuit in a Bernalillo County, New Mexico court on Wednesday that claims Baldwin, 63, ignored a request to attend a 'cross draw' session about a week before the tragedy. The rookie armorer also faulted assistant director David Halls for failing to follow set protocol when he allegedly handed Baldwin the weapon without first calling on her to inspect it, according to the lawsuit. Gutierrez-Reed, 24, is suing Seth Kenney and his company PDQ Arm and Prop LLC for allegedly supplying the deadly bullet. Baldwin is not named as a defendant in the suit. The 24-page document is also rife with details about a set rife with bitter disputes, carelessness and anecdotes that detail a disregard for safety. Rust armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed filed a lawsuit in a Bernalillo County, New Mexico court Wednesday that claimed Alec Baldwin, 63, ignored a request to attend a 'cross draw' session about a week before the tragedy Rust cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was accidentally shot dead by Baldwin Alec Baldwin is seen on Tuesday in New York City carrying water to the car while on his phone. The actor refutes claims that he is not cooperating in the investigation of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins's death after reports that he will not hand over his cell phone Gutierrez-Reed - whose dad is legendary film armorer Thell Reed - said her father worked with Kenney on a previous film, where they trained actors at a licensed shooting range using live ammunition. Following the workshop, Kenney took a bucket filed with upward of 300 live .45 Colt rounds home, the lawsuit claims. The cache included Starline Brass reloaded 'live' rounds - the same type of bullet used during the 'Rust' incident. About a month later, Gutierrez-Reed landed a gig as an armorer and props assistant on 'Rust,' where she was tasked with juggling two jobs at once. 'This gun heavy script required Hannah to perform a significant amount of work each day as both an armorer and key props assistant,' the legal filing said. She was soon joined on set by props manager Sarah Zachry, who later accidentally fired a blank round at her foot on set, the lawsuit said. About 20 minutes after that mishap, Baldwin's stunt double also accidentally discharged a weapon on set, prompting Gutierrez-Reed to confront her colleague about the sloppy mistakes, the lawsuit said. When she indicated her intentions of reporting the incident to management, it led to a headed exchange with Kenney, the bullet supplier. 'Accidental discharges are accidents,' Kenney said in a text message referenced in the legal filing. 'We learn and move on, and don't forget, she's your boss. Don't push it.' On the morning of the shooting, October 21, Gutierrez-Reed said she arrived to the set to find Zachry already in the prop trailer, retrieving fire arms. She also discovered a full box labeled 'dummy rounds .45 LC' that someone placed atop her equipment bag, the lawsuit said. She believes the box came from Kenney and when she shook it, heard a 'jingling' sound which is what it's supposed to sound like when dummy bullets are being rattled. Alec Baldwin was spotted carrying bags and a painting in New York City on Tuesday The actor insists he is complying with the police investigation into the death of Halyna Hutchins on the set of 'Rust' Gutierrez-Reed said she was met with hostility by bullet supplier Seth Kenney when she revealed her intentions of reporting accidental discharges on set to producers The lawsuit also claims that Kenney texted Gutierrez-Reed after the tragedy in an effort to convince her to drop claims the shooting was an act of sabotage Said the lawsuit: 'Had Hannah been called back in, she would have re-inspected the weapon, and every round again, and instructed Baldwin on safe gun practice with the cross draw' Baldwin has claimed that he cross drew the firearm and, at Hutchins' requested, pointed the gun toward her before it 'just went off' Later that morning, she said she, Zachry and another coworker loaded Baldwin's gun, attempting to use dummy rounds from the box. 'For Alec Baldwins gun, Hannah loaded 4 dummy rounds with holes in them from her pants pocket, a 5th dummy round from the box with a hole in it and attempted to load a 6th dummy round without a hole in it from the box but it would not go into the chamber, and she thought the chamber might need to be cleaned,' the lawsuit said. 'Hannah remembers shaking the sixth round to ensure herself that it was a dummy round.' Baldwin was then handed the gun and in possession of it from 10 am through 12:30 pm, when the crew broke for lunch, the filing said. It was stored until 1:30 pm, when she cleaned Baldwin's gun and inserted another round from the dummy box into it after shaking it to ensure it was not real, the claim said. 'To the best of Hannahs knowledge, the gun was now loaded with 6 dummy rounds,' the claim said. 'Indeed, Defendants as suppliers of prop ammunition to the Rust set, sold, distributed, and advertised its props as dummy ammunition and not live rounds. 'Hannah relied upon and trusted that Defendants would only supply dummy prop ammunition, or blanks, and no live rounds were ever to be on set.' The lawsuit claims the film's assistant director broke protocol by handing the gun to Baldwin without calling on Gutierrez-Reed to inspect it a final time before use Gutierrez-Reed said that during the last time she checked Baldwin's gun, she was certain it was filled with dummy rounds Baldwin is pictured second from left next to Hutchins on the set of Rust Gutierrez-Reed said she handed the gun to the assistant director inside the on set church and then left to tend to other work-related responsibilities The film's assistant director handed the gun to Baldwin just before the shooting without calling on Gutierrez-Reed to inspect it a final time, the lawsuit said. Baldwin is pictured speaking on the phone after the prop gun killed Hutchins She then delivered the gun to to set church and handed it to Halls, the assistant director, who said he'd be 'sitting in' with the gun. The lawsuit claims Halls later handed the gun to Baldwin without calling on Gutierrez-Reed to inspect it a final time before use. She said she was tending to her duties as a prop assistant. 'Knowing that no gun scene was going on at that time according to Halls, and with awareness of COVID protocols and social distancing, Hannah then walked outside the church to prepare her fanny pack for scenes that afternoon and to do some of her prop duties,' the lawsuit said. 'Production was behind that day and Hannah was acutely aware of the need to attend to her prop duties as well, for scenes that afternoon.' Shortly after the shooting, Halls released a statement calling Hutchins his 'friend' and asked the industry to 'reevaluate' its values Kenney texted Gutierrez-Reed after the tragedy and tried to persuade her to lay the blame on the film's assistant director Halls Within 15 minutes, cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was shot dead, and director Joel Souza was struck in the shoulder. Baldwin has claimed that he cross drew the firearm and, at Hutchins' requested, pointed the gun toward her before it 'just went off.' He has denied pulling the trigger. The accidental discharge never would have happened if Halls had summoned Gutierrez-Reed to supervise, the court filing said. 'Had Hannah been called back in, she would have re-inspected the weapon, and every round again, and instructed Baldwin on safe gun practice with the cross draw, as was her standard practice on set and under circumstances where (1) Baldwin did not respond to Hannahs request on October 15 to schedule cross draw training and (2) the gun had been out of her possession for 15 minutes.' Dummy reloaded with live ammo - and stamped with the Starline Brass logo - were later discovered on set, according to a previously unearthed search warrant. The lawsuit also claims that Kenney texted Gutierrez-Reed after the tragedy, and tried to convince her to help 'implicate AD [assistant director] Halls.' Said the text: 'Had you partnered up with a truly professional AD, none of this would have happened. 'That true professional would have supported your safe efforts. Instead you got David ''reckless'' Halls.' Added the lawsuit: 'Seth suggested that AD Halls had essentially bullied Hannah and not allowed her to do her job safely. Seth stated that if she would shift blame to Halls, he would have her back.' Kenney also texted her dad in an effort to try to convince claims made publicly by her lawyers that the shooting was an act of sabotage, the lawsuit said. Shortly after the shooting, Halls released a statement calling Hutchins his 'friend' and asked the industry to 'reevaluate' its values. 'I'm shocked and saddened by her death,' Halls said. 'It's my hope that this tragedy prompts the industry to reevaluate its values and practices to ensure no one is harmed through the creative process again.' He failed to address reports that he was one of the three people to handle the loaded gun before the tragedy. Kenney could not be reached for comment. Scotland Yard was under growing pressure last night to investigate the Prime Minister for potentially unlawful behaviour after he admitted attending the party at No 10 during lockdown. Met Commissioner Dame Cressida Dick faced demands for Boris Johnson to be interviewed under caution as part of a full criminal investigation into the illegal gathering on May 20, 2020. Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey wrote to her, saying: It is vital you take urgent action to investigate potentially unlawful behaviour on the part of all those who attended the party, including Boris Johnson. He urged Dame Cressida to reassure the public there isnt one rule for them and another for Boris Johnson by confirming police would probe the illegal gathering and interview the Prime Minister under caution. Met Commissioner Dame Cressida Dick (pictured) faced demands for Boris Johnson to be interviewed under caution as part of a full criminal investigation into the illegal gathering on May 20, 2020 He suggested any who attended, including Mr Johnson, should be charged and fined in the same way as ordinary members of the public. More than 17,700 people were fined by the Met for breaching Covid laws during the pandemic, including 113 for holding a gathering of more than 30, figures show. Sir Ed, the MP for Kingston, said: The police must reassure the public that justice will be done. Former shadow attorney general Lord Falconer also said Mr Johnson should be fined or face charges, suggesting a judge would not accept his ridiculous explanation about the party being a work event. The Prime Minster acknowledged that he attended an event which was in breach of the law, he told Radio 4s World at One. He broke the law and he admitted it. Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey wrote to her, saying: It is vital you take urgent action to investigate potentially unlawful behaviour on the part of all those who attended the party, including Boris Johnson The police, in the light of that admission, should either give him a fixed penalty notice or charge him. He added: The public have to have confidence that the law applies to everyone equally. When the Prime Minister admits a breach of these critical laws, it cannot just be swept under the carpet. The Metropolitan Police said yesterday its position had not changed, insisting it was a matter for the Cabinet Office to investigate. A popular boy who was stabbed to death is believed to have hade a long-standing feud with the teenager who has been charged over his murder. The 13-year-old victim died after allegedly being stabbed in the chest in a suburban street in Kariong, on the NSW Central Coast, around 11pm on Tuesday. Another boy, also 13, was arrested at a nearby home a short time later and has been charged over the death. Police will allege the boys met for a pre-arranged fight on the night of the attack and one brought a kitchen knife from home. Daily Mail Australia understands the pair had once been friendly however their relationship had soured. A boy, 13, (pictured) has tragically died after allegedly being stabbed by another teenager, 13, on the NSW Central Coast on Tuesday. Peers said the victim was popular and 'loved by everyone' Sources said the boys were in different friendship circles but had a personal relationship until an 'incident' apparently drove them apart. Peers have described the victim as a talented rugby player who was 'loved by everyone' and a 'really good kid'. A former school mate, 18, said the victim was like a 'little brother' to him and well liked by students across all grades. 'He was all round good kid,' he said. 'He shouldnt have got stabbed.' Another graduate from the boys' high school said the pair often had arguments over 'little things' but she was shocked to hear about what had happened. She said there were 'quite a few' brawls at the school during the time she attended. 'Everyone is really sad about the whole thing,' she said. A local said everybody in the tight-knit community 'is devastated, angry and very emotional' in the wake of the tragedy. Police will allege the boys met for a pre-arranged attack and one brought a knife. Pictured: Police have put up tape around a home on Langford Drive The scene (pictured) will be examined by forensic experts as part of the investigation The victim was found by members of the public in Langford Drive just after 11pm on Tuesday, who carried out CPR while emergency services rushed to the scene. He was airlifted to Gosford hospital in a critical condition where he died a short time later. A short time later the accused was taken to Gosford Police Station where he was charged with murder. He was refused bail to appear at a children's court on Wednesday. A crime scene has been established at the location of the incident which will be examined by forensic experts as part of the investigation. Anyone with information that may assist investigators is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un / Reuters-Yonhap The United States is pushing for additional U.N. Security Council sanctions against North Korea following a series of recent missile launches, Washington's top envoy to the world body has said. "On top of today's designations by @StateDept and @USTreasury, the U.S. is proposing @UN sanctions following North Korea's six ballistic missile launches since September 2021, each of which were in violation of UN Security Council resolutions," Linda Thomas-Greenfield wrote on Twitter. New Zealand's 'first bloke' Clarke Gayford has been caught pressuring a pharmacist to sell rapid antigen tests to a group of his DJ friends. The unflattering incident took place on December 29, after New Zealand's first community case of the Omicron variant had been detected. According to Michael Taylor, a pharmacist in Tauranga, Mr Gayford lobbied him to provide the instant tests to a group of musicians who believed they were close contacts of a community case. His request contravened the strict rules set out by the NZ government - headed by his fiance, Jacinda Ardern. Mr Taylor, dispensary manager at Life pharmacy in the Bayfair shopping centre, explained this to an unimpressed Mr Gayford. New Zealand's 'first bloke' Clarke Gayford has blundered, asking a pharmacist to sell rapid antigen tests to a group of DJ friends contrary to COVID-19 rules (pictured, Ms Ardern and Mr Clarke, who are set to marry) Michael Taylor, a pharmacist in Tauranga, said Mr Gayford lobbied him to provide the instant tests to a group of musicians who believed they were close contacts of a community case The unflattering incident, reported by a Tauranga pharmacist, took place on December 29, after New Zealand's first community case of the Omicron variant had been detected (pictured, Clarke Gayford) 'Just had a group of vaccinated musicians arrive having potentially been exposed wanting a RAT - explained to them that they needed to have a PCR test done,' Mr Taylor posted on a NZ Community Pharmacy Chat Facebook page, which is a private group. 'As they didn't like this they got Clarke Gayford on the phone who proceeded to tell me that there had been a change in the guidance and these people should be given RAT tests. 'When I explained that we had not received any direction from the MoH (Ministry of Health) he was very unimpressed.' Mr Gayford's suggestion to the pharmacist that RATs are available to close contacts was wrong as New Zealand is yet to roll out the tests to wider community use. The NZ opposition's Covid-19 spokesman Chris Bishop described the incident as 'deeply inappropriate. According to the NZ Herald, Mr Gayford apologised in a statement issued from his manager. 'Mr Gayford was rung by a friend about Rapid Antigen Testing and was put on speakerphone while the person was in a pharmacy,' it read. 'He apologises for any issues or confusion this may have caused the pharmacy staff.' A spokesman for Ms Ardern declined to comment and referred media to Mr Gayford's statement. Mr Gayford and partner Ms Ardern are due to marry later this month, with local media reporting new details of a lavish affair (pictured, Clarke Gayford and Jacinda Ardern) Mr Gayford and partner Jacinda Ardern are due to marry later this month, with local media reporting new details of a lavish affair (pictured, Ms Ardern in her DJing days before she became NZ PM) The 44-year-old is a celebrity in his own right in New Zealand, well known as a DJ and radio host, and more recently as a television presenter of shows including Extraordinary Kiwis, Fish of the Day and Moving Houses. Mr Gayford and partner Ms Ardern are due to marry later this month, with local media reporting new details of a lavish affair. Pop star Lorde will reportedly sing at the nuptials, hosted at a farm homestead owned by billionaire John Griffin near Gisborne, on North Island's east coast. Ms Ardern is on her annual summer break, returning to business as usual next week. Advertisement Dramatic photos captured the moment a two-month-old baby was saved from the wreckage of a helicopter after it crashed in Pennsylvania. The helicopter crashed on Tuesday afternoon at around 1pm in the Drexel Hill neighborhood of Philadelphia in front of a church. The infant was one of the four people on board in the chopper, which was en route to the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Following the crash, the baby girl was seen being rescued out of the wreckage by a member of the flight crew. A woman was then seen rushing from the scene with the baby in her arms as the other survivors and flight crew members surveyed the damage. The passengers all suffered non-life threatening injuries, which was deemed a 'miracle.' The pilot, who has been identified as Daniel Moore, was revealed to be in serious condition but is expected to recover. Photos captured the dramatic moment a two-month-old baby was saved from the wreckage of a helicopter after it crashed on a Philadelphia street on Tuesday afternoon The baby, who was one of the four survivors, was taken from the scene by a woman after a member of the flight crew rescued her from the chopper The investigation into the cause of the crash, which could possibly take up to a year, is still being determined. 'Preliminary radar data shows the helicopter in just a laser straight course line, steady airspeed and altitude until it reached this local area,' National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator Brian Rayner told CBS Philly. 'We're collecting witness and video evidence that describes the helicopter maneuvering erratically, for lack of a better term, and then descending here to the point you see behind me.' Neighbors and onlookers had called emergency services after witnessing the terrifying crash. Others reported hearing noises from the site of the wreckage, which had brought people out of their homes. The medical helicopter was en route towards the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia at the time of the crash The crashed helicopter is seen being removed from the front of the Drexel Hill Church on Wednesday The debris from the crash is seen overhead as first responders continue to work at the scene The helicopter landed in a residential area, not far from residential homes, a school, and local stores in the Drexel Hill neighborhood of Philadelphia 'I see a woman, whos just stopped dead in her tracks in her car and shes on the phone with 911 and she goes, "It's a helicopter, it's a helicopter,"' Alexa Sheeran told CBS Philly. 'And I was just like, "What?" I couldnt wrap my head around what she was saying.' Sheeran was the photographer who captured the endearing moment the baby had been saved from the wreckage. 'I just see people helping each other, I see, no matter what, no matter who, theres no right or left, theres no religion, theres no labels, its just people helping each other,' she continued. Cellphone video footage captured the aftermath of the crash which caught the attention of neighbors and onlookers Emergency services were called to the scene following the crash About 30 firefighters and seven medical units had arrived at the scene of the crash as well other members of law enforcement Another local woman had been driving by the scene when she noticed the crash and left her vehicle to help emergency crews. 'I stayed with the medic who had the baby, which was absolutely phenomenal of him,' Jewel Singles also told the network. 'One thing about EMS is the job is never over. You try your best to follow through and that is exactly what we did, kudos to that guy, I would love to shake his hand again.' 'The neighbors were a godsend, it takes a village, and the village absolutely did what they had to do to protect these guys and the baby.' About 30 firefighters and seven medical units had arrived at the scene of the crash as well other members of law enforcement, according to KYW-TV. 'Obviously, this pilot had a great command of the helicopter and was able to land it safely, took the best interest of the community in hand, Officer Derrick Sawyer told the network. 'This was a miracle in the works where there were no lives lost and no property damaged.' 'We're blessed. We're blessed as a community. We're blessed as a fire service, police department and emergency management. We are totally blessed.' The effects of the crash were considered to be a 'miracle' as none of the passengers were seriously injured. A pilot from the helicopter is in serious condition but is expected to recover The twin-engine EC 135 chopper was based in Hagerstown, Maryland and was operated through a local medical service called LifeNet Brian Rayner from the National Transportation Safety Board said the investigation into the cause of the crash remains ongoing The twin-engine EC 135 chopper was based in Hagerstown, Maryland and was operated through a local medical service called LifeNet, aircraft owner Air Methods said in a statement. The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board will investigate the cause of the crash. 'Our team will cooperate fully with their efforts to assess the cause of this unfortunate accident,' the statement said. 'Privacy rights with regards to those on board the aircraft will be honored, and we will not be sharing any additional information.' The mother accused of torturing and murdering her own eight-year-old daughter is an anti-vaxxer with religious beliefs that God cured illnesses, not doctors and hospitals. Kerrie Elizabeth Struhs, who is the mother of eight children, is charged along with her 50-year-old husband Jason Richard Struhs of killing their daughter, torture and failing to provide the necessities of life. Police and paramedics discovered the lifeless body of Elizbaeth Rose Struhs , who had earlier suffered from being drastically underweight, at the Struhs home in Rangeville, Toowoomba last weekend. The primary schoolgirl, who has previously been described as 'top of her class', suffered as from swelling on her brain and blood clots when she was a first grader. But Kerrie Struhs believed faith would heal the girl, reasoning that she didn't trust doctors or the medical system, and that God had '100 percent promised healing'. And when the girl recovered and performed well at school, Mrs Struhs believed 'God's hand was on her to make her perfect'. Shocked local MP David Janetzki, said the death 'in our local street, this is a house that my wife and I walk past regularly on our daily walk' was 'beyond horrific'. He said his local community was 'grieving and is desperate for answers'. Jason Richard Struhs, 50, (pictured) and Kerrie Elizabeth Struhs, 46, have been charged over the alleged murder of their daughter Shocked local MP David Janetzki (above) said the death 'in our local street, this is a house that my wife and I walk past regularly on our daily walk' was 'beyond horrific' Mrs Struhs, who once ran her own business and sold items at market stalls around Gatton in Queensland's Lockyer Valley and Upper Coomera, in the Gold Coast hinterland, shares her religious beliefs with other daughters. Jason Struhs, a keen sportsman, had previously worked night shifts in Toowoomba, with his wife being principal carer for their children. It is alleged the couple held a bizarre 'prayer ritual' at their home with fellow worshippers, playing music and saying prayers out loud, instead of immediately calling paramedics. Elizabeth Struhs was known to suffer from Type 1 Diabetes, and when she had fallen ill as a six-year-old suffering from renal failure as well as brain swelling, Kerrie Struhs had believed her daughter had worms. A police officer pictured outside the Toowoomba property where Elizabeth Struhs, 8, was allegedly found dead last Saturday But despite the girl being 'quite sick', Mrs Struhs had said she held 'facts and evidence' of God and the Bible, and that God had 'promised healing' to her and the children. Further, she didn't trust the medical system, because it's 'not 100 per cent certain that if you go you would be healed'. Police will allege in court that Elizabeth became extremely ill and died last Friday. It will be alleged that the parents called a group of religious friends to come over to pray to God for their child, the Toowoomba Chronicle reported. The pair appeared in Toowoomba Magistrates Court looking 'emotionless' on Wednesday, with Mr Struhs refusing an offer of legal counsel to represent him. Officers were called to the couple's home in Rangeville, about 5.30pm on Saturday, with a neighbour witnessing a paramedic running from the home 'in tears' after finding the girl's body. The neighbour said he had seen a crowd gathered outside the home earlier that day Saturday and that he had heard loud voices and music. The couple appeared in court via video link from the Toowoomba watch house yesterday, where they have been in custody since their arrest. Urged by Magistrate Kay Philipson to seek Legal Aid for the 'very serious matters', Mr Struhs twice declined to do so, and refusing to apply for bail. Jason and Kerrie Struhs have previously lived in the Queensland town of Gatton, where Mrs Struhs ran a business and was a market stallholder. The case will return to court at a later date. Barack Obama joined the campaign to pressure Democratic senators into supporting voting rights legislation, backing Joe Biden's demand to kill the filibuster, calling it a tool to 'prop up Jim Crown.' The former president, in an op-ed published in USA Today, writes the Senate filibuster 'has no basis in the Constitution' and arguing it was used by Southern senators to block civil rights legislation that disinfranchised black voters. 'I fully support President Joe Biden's call to modify Senate rules as necessary to make sure pending voting rights legislation gets called for a vote,' Obama wrote. 'In recent years, the filibuster became a routine way for the Senate minority to to block important progress on issues supported by the majority of voters. But we can't allow it to be used to block efforts to protect our democracy,' he noted. Meanwhile Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer is plotting a procedural gambit to bypass Republican opposition to start debate on voting legislation but his gamble may not pay off as he ultimately need 10 GOP senators in his corner for final passage. His move buys time, however, as he and other Democratic leaders try to persuade Senators Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema to join them in changing Senate rules to kill the filibuster on the voting legislation. In the evenly-divided Senate, Biden needs every Democratic vote to do so. Vice President Kamala Harris would act as the tie breaker. Barack Obama joined the campaign to pressure Democratic senators into supporting voting rights legislation, backing Joe Biden's demand to kill the Senate filibuster Meanwhile Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer is plotting a procedural gambit to bypass Republican opposition to start debate on voting legislation Schumer's gambit and Obama's op-ed come as President Biden is scheduled to travel to Capitol Hill on Thursday to personally meet with Democrats to try and get them on board. Schumer, in a memo to lawmakers, outlined his plan to get voting legislation signed into law. To manuever around Senate Republican opposition, the House will bring up an unrelated NASA bill. In place of the NASA language, the House will swap in the combined text of the two voting bills being held up in the Senate: the Freedom to Vote Act and John Lewis Voting Rights bill. The House will vote on the new single bill on Thursday, Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced. 'Tomorrow, the House will pass the Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act and send it to the Senate for consideration,' Pelosi said in a letter to colleagues on Wednesday night. Once it passes in the Democratic-controlled chamber, the speaker can ship it to the Senate as a 'message' from the House. Because it will be categorized as a 'message between the houses,' Schumer can skip the 60-vote threshold needed to start debate, allowing him to bypass Republicans' vow to filibuster. That will allow debate to begin on the legislation. However, it doesn't guarantee the legislation will get passed. When debate on the bill concludes, Schumer will still need 60 votes to file cloture to end debate on the bill - that means he needs 10 GOP senators on board. Republicans can use their filibuster power then to stop the legislation its tracks. 'With this procedure, we will finally have an opportunity to debate voting rights legislation something that Republicans have thus far denied,' Schumer said in a memo to Democrats. 'Of course, to ultimately end debate and pass the voting rights legislation, we will need 10 Republicans to join us which we know from past experience will not happen or we will need to change the Senate rules as has been done many times before.' At that point, Schumer will have to decide whether to invoke the 'nuclear option' - which is to change the Senate rules to have the bill proceed with a simple majority instead of 60 votes. If he goes nuclear, that is when he needs all 50 Democrats and Harris to back his move to kill the filibuster. Democratic Senators Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema oppose efforts to kill the filibuster and there is a heavy lobbying campaign by Democratic leaders and their Senate colleagues to get them on board Manchin has said several times he is willing to change the Senate rules but only with Republican support. Democratic senators are meeting with both him and Sinema in an effort to get their two colleagues on board. And Harris went after the two senators in an interview with NBC News. 'I don't think anyone should be absolved from the responsibility of preserving and protecting our democracy, especially when they took an oath to protect and defend our Constitution,' she said. Schumer has said repeatedly he wants voting legislation passed by January 17th, Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The John Lewis Voting Rights Act, named after the late Congressman and civil rights activist, would replace part of the 1965 Voting Rights Act that the U.S. Supreme Court struck down in 2013. The Freedom to Vote Act tones down provisions in the House bill that expanded voter registration, early voting, mail-in voting and restrictions on campaign finance. It also makes Election Day a holiday. The Senate Majority Leader also has warned senators they may have to stay in Washington D.C. for the weekend, and some are expecting the vote to take place on Monday - the federal holiday. The pressure campaign is on. In his op-ed, Obama invoked the words of legendary civil rights leader John Lewis, for whom one of the voting bill is named. And he warned of legislation being passed in Republican-controlled states that could hurt Democrats at the ballot box this November, when voters will decide which party controls the House and Senate. 'What we're seeing now are far more aggressive and precise efforts on the part of Republican state legislatures to tilt the playing field in their favor,' Obama wrote. 'Perhaps most perniciously, we've seen state legislatures try to assert power over core election processes including the ability to certify election results. These partisan attempts at voter nullification are unlike anything we've seen in modern times, and they represent a profound threat to the basic democratic principle that all votes should be counted fairly and objectively,' he added. His support comes after Biden went to Atlanta where he attacked Republicans for not supporting the voting legislation and called for the change in Senate rules to get it passed. 'The threat to our democracy is so grave, we must find a way to pass these voting rights bills, debate them, vote,' Biden said in his speech. 'Let the majority prevail.' 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,' Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell said in his remarks on the Senate floor, calling Biden's speech 'profoundly, profoundly unpresidential.' In response, Biden tried to meet with McConnell when he was at the Capitol to pay his respects to the late Senate leader Harry Reid, whose remains were lying in state in the Capitol rotunda. The two men did not connnect, however. 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. President Joe Biden will be on Capitol Hill Thursday to personally meet with Democratic senators to try and persuade them on voting legislation Speaker Nancy Pelosi, President Joe Biden and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer in the Capitol on Wednesday when Biden went to pay his respects to the late Harry Reid 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 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.' But as Biden makes the case against the filibuster, Republicans argue for it, warning 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 in voting to kill it. So Biden on Thursday 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. 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. 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 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.' Liz Truss will launch a charm offensive with Brussels today in a bid to break the Brexit deadlock over Northern Ireland. The Foreign Secretary will host European Commission vice-president Maros Sefcovic for a two-day summit at her official country residence Chevening as she tries to end the border row threatening to destabilise the Province. Miss Truss will warn Mr Sefcovic that the EU shares responsibility to protect the peace in Northern Ireland and remind him that Britain reserves the right to invoke Article 16 of the Northern Ireland Protocol which would let the UK unilaterally suspend EU checks on goods crossing the Irish Sea. But the minister will also table pragmatic new proposals designed to break the deadlock which has dragged on since the UK left the EU. And she will stress that resolving the Northern Ireland issue could open the door to better relations between Britain and the EU in a wide range of areas. One source said the Foreign Secretary believes there is a possible landing zone for a deal, which could be struck within weeks. Liz Truss will launch a charm offensive with Brussels today in a bid to break the Brexit deadlock over Northern Ireland Speaking ahead of the opening of todays talks, Miss Truss said: There is a deal to be done that protects peace in Northern Ireland, defends our Union, and maintains the integrity of the United Kingdom and EU. But it will require a pragmatic approach from the EU. I will be putting forward practical, reasonable solutions starting from these fundamental principles, with a view to agreeing a plan for intensive negotiations. The EU has a clear responsibility to help fix the myriad problems caused by the Protocol and protect the Good Friday Agreement. Boris Johnson handed responsibility for Brexit to Miss Truss last month following the resignation of Brexit Minister Lord Frost over policy differences. Lord Frost, who negotiated the original Brexit deal, adopted a hardline approach to the talks, which yielded a number of concessions, but which was also blamed by some for souring the mood on central issues. One Foreign Office source said the new approach would be carrot and stick, but more carrot than stick. Chevening, a 115-room mansion in Kent, is one of the grandest grace-and-favour properties on the Governments books. The Foreign Secretary will host European Commission vice-president Maros Sefcovic for a two-day summit at her official country residence Chevening (pictured) as she tries to end the border row threatening to destabilise the Province Mr Sefcovic and his team are expected to arrive this morning for a full day of talks ahead of a political dinner hosted by Miss Truss this evening, where they will be served Scottish smoked salmon, Welsh lamb and Kent apple pie. Further talks will then continue tomorrow morning before Mr Sefcovic returns to Brussels. Officials hope that Miss Trusss new proposals will then form the basis for two weeks of intensive negotiations before a further political meeting at the end of this month, probably in Brussels. The Foreign Office declined to comment on the detail of Miss Trusss new proposals, but a source said she wanted to focus on more practical solutions to the problems affecting people on the ground. The source said the key principles established by Lord Frost would remain in place, with a focus on easing the flow of goods between Britain and Northern Ireland by cutting paperwork and checks, and ensuring that the European Court of Justice is not the final arbiter of disputes. Under the Brexit deal, Northern Ireland has been granted free access to the EUs single market to prevent the need for a hard border on the island of Ireland. But this has led to the imposition of onerous EU checks on goods crossing the Irish Sea from Great Britain. Britain and India will today launch negotiations on a new trade deal that could double UK exports. International Trade Secretary Anne-Marie Trevelyan will meet her counterpart Piyush Goyal in New Delhi to start talks formally. The ACT has recorded 1,020 new Covid-19 cases, taking the number of active infections in the territory to more than 5,000. But Thursday's figures exclude positive rapid antigen test results, which will be included in the daily tally from Friday. There are 24 people in hospital, three of whom are in intensive care with two requiring ventilation. The ACT reported 1020 cases on Thursday, not including results from rapid antigen tests The new cases came alongside more than 3,700 negative tests returned. A backlog of 550 cases that hadn't been processed and 167 positive tests dating back to December 21 that had not been reported to ACT Health by a private pathology provider have been added to the territory's total tally. There are 17,661 total cases recorded since the start of the pandemic after 193 duplicate cases were removed. More than 98 per cent of the territory's over-12 population are fully vaccinated and more than one quarter over 18 have had three doses. White House press secretary Jen Psaki on Wednesday called Republican criticism of Joe Biden's voting rights speech in Atlanta 'hilarious.' She defended the president after Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell called Biden's speech 'profoundly, profoundly unpresidential' and GOP Senator Mitt Romney said Biden was taking the same 'tragic road' as Donald Trump in trying to undermine the credibility of American elections. 'I know there has been a lot of claims of the offensive nature of the speech yesterday, which is hilarious on many levels, given how many people sat silently over the last four years for the former president,' Psaki said when asked about the remarks at her daily press briefing. 'But I would note that in our view and the president's view, what is far more offensive is the effort to suppress people's basic right to exercise who they want to support and who they want to elect,' she noted. Romney voted for one count of Trump's impeachment for his role, for his role in inciting an insurrection at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6. Trump was ultimately acquitted by the entire Senate, which included McConnell's support for the acquittal. The Republican senator from Utah also voted to convict Trump on one count in his first impeachment trial and was a harsh critic of the former president, repeatedly earning Trump's ire. White House press secretary Jen Psaki called Republican criticism of Joe Biden's voting rights speech in Atlanta 'hilarious' 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. 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. 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 '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.' McConnell also let loose on the president. '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.' In response, Biden tried to meet with McConnell when he was at the Capitol to pay his respects to the late Senate leader Harry Reid, whose remains were lying in state in the Capitol rotunda. The two men did not connnect, however. 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. 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 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 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.' Microsoft has included a new function in the latest version of its Word software that acts as a checker for inclusivity and offers PC alternatives to phrases which could upset others. Traditionally, Microsoft Word has offered tools to its 250million users such as checking software for spelling, punctuation and grammar. But now, the tech giant has added an additional feature which reads through a user's work and examines whether the language used may offend an individual. The Sun reports it does this by highlighting phrases focusing on gender, age, sexual orientation, ethnicity of 'socioeconomic status'. Tech giant Microsoft has added an additional feature which reads through a user's work and examines whether the language used may offend an individual The function, which produces a purple line beneath words or phrases it deems to be potentially problematic, can be turned on and off in Word's settings. Microsoft Word also used red lines to point out spelling mistakes and green lines for grammatical errors. After highlighting the inclusivity issue, Word's new functionality will suggest more acceptable alternatives - which includes changing Postman Pat to 'mail carrier' or 'postal worker'. The software also suggested altering astronaut Neil Armstrong's famous quote from 'one giant leap for mankind', to 'humankind' or 'humanity' instead. Back in 2020, Microsoft also released an update for Word which highlighted a double space as an error. Current versions of the software highlights the mistaken double space with a blue line, highlighting a grammatical error. The function, which produces a purple line beneath words or phrases it deems to be potentially problematic, can be turned on and off in Word's settings Popular use of double-spacing is a hangover from the days of typewriting, when the equal-width characters of 'monospaced' fonts called for clearer sentence endings. The introduction of proportional-spacing typewriters in 1944, however, began the process of rendering the extra space unnecessary for ensuring easy readability. Nevertheless, the tradition of double-spacing continued and is often found among those individuals who were first taught to type on a typewriter. The news comes after last month, when a poll found the Microsoft ranked as one of the most trusted big tech companies in the US, with 43 per cent of poll participants suggesting they trust the company 'a great deal/a good amount'. The new software also follows reports earlier this month that the computer programming flaw known as the Millennium bug which plagued PCs in 2000 had returned, with Microsoft Exchange users reporting similar problems accessing emails 22 years later. As the clock struck midnight on New Year's Eve, Microsoft customers reported suffering from a re-occurrence of the Millennium bug which plagued PCs in 2000 (stock image) The issue taking down exchange servers worldwide began as the clock struck midnight on New Year's Eve. System administrators at Microsoft dubbed the glitch Y2K22 in reference to the Y2K bug, a computer programming issue which affected some computers at the turn of the millennium 22 years ago. As the new millennium approached, computer programmers realised that their software might not interpret 00 as 2000, but as 1900 - a glitch that many feared would spell disaster for governments, corporations, banks and industries worldwide. Many economists predicted a worldwide recession, and doomsday flyers warning of an apocalyptic fallout as a result of computer malfunctions were published en-masse in the late 1990s. Fortunately, the computer apocalypse never came to pass, with only minimal disruptions recorded, but the issue has come back to plague some Microsoft Exchange servers 22 years later. The UK Government published flyers about the bug in the late 1990s. As the new millennium approached, computer programmers realised that their software might not interpret 00 as 2000, but as 1900 - a glitch that many feared would spell disaster for governments, corporations, banks and industries worldwide The issue stems from the way that Microsoft names updates for its malware-scanning engine, which uses the year, month and date before another four-digit number, known as a update number. For example, in this case the update number would be 220101, followed by 0001. This system is used to keep track of updates, with the most recent update being assigned a higher value. But the field in which the update number is stored appears to have a limit of 31 bit, meaning the maximum value that can be inputted is two to the power of 31, or 2,147,483,648. When the calendar ticked over to 2022, the naming system exceeded the maximum value and failed. As a result, Microsoft's anti-malware scanning software, which queues and checks messages before they are delivered to the recipient, is queueing emails and not sending them on. Responding to reports of the issue reappearing, Microsoft said earlier this month that engineers had been 'working around the clock on a fix'. A knife-wielding carjacker was caught on camera as he stole a man's car in New York City, before crashing into several cars and fleeing the scene. In a 25-second clip posted to Instagram on Wednesday, a man could be seen chasing after his black minivan as another man, armed with a knife, plows into a car in front of it in an effort to flee the scene. The stolen vehicle, which was driving in the wrong direction down a one-way street in Midtown, pushes the car in front of it to escape, causing it to crash into another car before driving off into the distance, while the car's owner desperately attempts to catch up to his stolen ride. The video has garnered more than 476,000 views as of Wednesday night. Photos of the crime scene show police as they investigated and cordoned off the block with yellow caution tape, with several of the other vehicles sustaining severe damage. One car could be seen with its bumper ripped off the front of it in the middle of the street. Another could be seen with front-end damage. SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO A knife-wielding carjacker was filmed as he stole a man's car in broad daylight in New York City, before crashing into several cars and fleeing the scene In a short clip posted to Instagram Wednesday, a man could be seen chasing after his car as another man, armed with a knife, plows into a car in front of it in an effort to flee the scene Pictured: Several of the other vehicles sustaining severe damage One car could be seen with its bumper ripped off the front of it in the middle of the street The crime is reported to have taken place in Midtown, and police say an investigation is ongoing, according to CBS Local. No arrests had been made as of Wednesday night. For the week of January 3 to January 9, the NYPD reported 265 incidents of grand theft auto compared to just 150 the same time last year, making for a 76 percent increase, according to police data. Meanwhile, 943 grand theft auto incidents occurred in the last 28 consecutive days compared to just 615 in 2021, making for a 53 percent spike. The brazen carjacking is the latest in a string of violent incidents and rising crime rates across New York that is exasperating police and residents. Violent crimes are already up across the board in the Big Apple this year, with murders up by 33 percent when compared to the same period last year up until January 9, with eight murders alone in the last week. Another could be seen with front-end damage Pictured: damage sustained during a violent carjacking in Manhattan Pictured: Police officers cordon off the crime scene after a carjacking in Midtown Manhattan Overall crimes are also up by 30 percent through January 9, according to police. 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 afterward, 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.' Crowds attending the 2022 Australian Open will be capped at 50 per cent as the highly-anticipated event is hit with new statewide restrictions. Tickets for the Grand Slam due to kick off at Melbourne Park on January 17 will be paused at half of each event's total capacity as Covid cases surge across the state. The state government said all tickets purchased to date, including ground passes, would be honoured with no tickets to be cancelled or changed. Matches that have already hit over 50 per cent capacity - most likely the grand finals scheduled for January 30 - can still be attended by larger crowds. Crowds attending the 2022 Australian Open will be capped at 50 per cent and required to wear masks as the highly-anticipated event is hit with new restrictions Tickets for the Grand Slam due to kick off at Melbourne Park (pictured) on January 17 will be paused at half of each event's total capacity as new restrictions hit the state All future ticket sales will adhere to the new capacity limits, part of a suite of new restrictions including rules on mask-wearing and density limits. As per Victoria's statewide restrictions on hospitality venues, attendees will be limited to one person per two square metres while indoors. Masks must be worn at all times - except when eating or drinking - with ventilation systems to be installed in some spaces at the venue. 'As Covid-19 hospitalisations and cases continue to rise in Victoria, these mitigation strategies are proportionate and designed to assist in limiting the spread of Covid-19,' a statement on Thursday. Acting Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Jaala Pulford said the changes meant fans could look forward to a 'Covidsafe event'. It comes as Premier Daniel Andrews on Thursday announced new statewide restrictions in the face of unprecedented Covid cases in Victoria. As per Victoria's statewide restrictions on hospitality venues, attendees will be limited to one person per two square metres while indoors (pictured, spectators attend the 2021 Open) MAJOR CHANGES TO COVID RULES IN VICTORIA: CLOSE CONTACT RULE CHANGES: Employees in emergency services, education, transport, freight, custodial facilities and critical utilities will be eligible to return to work even if they live with a positive case, with tough measures to apply. - Workers must take a rapid test for five days prior to their return and every day before attending the workplace. - Workers must wear a face mask at all time - preferably a N-95 mask - other than when eating and drinking. - To be eligible workers must asymptomatic and fully vaccinated, with both the employee and the employer consenting to their return. - Lunch breaks must be taken in solo areas, with car-pooling arrangements or wider mingling within the workplace not permitted. - If at any time the worker develops symptoms or tests positive on a RAT, the exemption no longer applies and they must isolate. NEW 'SOFT LOCKDOWN' RESTRICTIONS: - From 11.59pm on Thursday, indoor dance-floors at hospitality and entertainment venues are closed, with the exception of weddings - Visitors to hospitals must be vaccinated or return a negative rapid antigen test before entering the health facility - Aged care residents can only have five visitors per day, who must also return a negative RAT - There are reports Australian Open crowds will be capped at 50 per cent capacity as part of the new public health rules Advertisement The state recorded 37,169 new cases and 25 deaths on Thursday, with hospitalisations at a record high of 953, a slight increase from the 946 a day ago. Some 111 people are in intensive care after contracting the virus. From midnight, Mr Andrews announced a series of changes to Covid restrictions which were labelled a 'soft lockdown' by the Opposition. The new restrictions will see indoor dance floors at hospitality and entertainment venues closed - except for weddings. Hospital visitors will need to be vaccinated or return a negative rapid antigen test results to enter with unvaccinated visitors ordered to wear N95 masks. Aged care residents will be barred from having any more than five visits per day, with all visitors required to return negative RAT results. Meanwhile, Mr Andrews will release tens of thousands of critical workers from close contact isolation requirements from Tuesday, in the face of a supply chain crisis. All future ticket sales will adhere to the new capacity limits, part of a suite of new restrictions including rules on mask-wearing and density limits (pictured, Naomi Osaka greets fans) From midnight, Mr Andrews announced a series of changes to Covid restrictions which were labelled a 'soft lockdown' by the Opposition (pictured, a traffic controller at a testing clinic) Workers in emergency services, education, critical utilities, transport and freight will join the food sector in being made exempt from isolation rules. 'They will be exempt if they are playing a critical role, they will be exempt from having to do home isolation,' he said during a Covid-19 update on Thursday. Amid a national supply chain crisis causing empty shelves at supermarkets, Mr Andrews had earlier this week eased rules for grocery store workers and essential employees involved in the manufacture, distribution or packaging of food. The workers will no longer need to isolate if they are designated as a close contact as long as they are asymptomatic, undertake daily rapid antigen tests for five days and return negative results. The exemption already applies to disability, health and aged care workers, as well as those working in emergency services, corrections, quarantine and food distribution. Mr Andrews (pictured) will release tens of thousands of critical workers from close contact isolation requirements from Tuesday, in the face of a supply chain crisis In order to be eligible, workers must tell their employer they are a close contact with both parties required to consent to the worker returning to the workplace. Workers must return a negative RAT for five consecutive days and return a negative result prior to attending work each day. A face mask must be worn at all times - preferably a N95 mask - with meal breaks to be separated, and no mingling in the wider workforce or car-pooling arrangements. If at any time the worker develops symptoms or tests positive on a RAT, the exemption no longer applies. There were 17,922 spectators at the Australian Open on Monday - a stark contrast to the 64,387 who attended the opening day in 2020 (pictured, crowds attend the 2021 Australian Open) The employee is then considered a confirmed Covid case and must isolate for 7 days and notify others including their employer. The Department of Health has also announced an easing to guidelines on Covid outbreaks on worksites. If five positive cases have been at a job site within seven days, they must alert the department - previously this was required if just one person tested positive. Opposition MP James Newbury labelled the rules a 'soft lockdown' tweeting: 'Daniel Andrews has put Victoria into soft lockdown - encouraging isolation of critical workers who are not sick and discouraging people from social events.' However, several Victorians defended the premier and said they welcomed the 'reasonable' rules as case numbers continue to explode across the state. U.S. President Joe Biden / AP-Yonhap The Biden administration imposed its first sanctions over North Korea's weapons programs Wednesday following a series of missile launches by Pyongyang, including two in the past week. The sanctions targeted six North Koreans, one Russian and a Russian firm that Washington said were responsible for procuring goods for the programs from Russia and China. The U.S. Treasury said the steps were aimed to both prevent the advancement of North Korea's programs and to impede its attempts to proliferate weapons technologies. The United States also proposed that five of those individuals also be blacklisted by the United Nations Security Council, which would need consensus agreement among the body's 15-member North Korea sanctions committee. The administration of U.S. President Joe Biden has sought unsuccessfully to engage Pyongyang in dialogue to persuade it to give up its nuclear weapons and missiles programs since taking office in January last year. U.S. State Department spokesman Ned Price said the United States 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. South Korea, a U.S. ally that has pushed Washington to back more engagement with North Korea, said it did not believe the move meant that Biden's administration had hardened its position. "We think the U.S. measure reflected the existing U.S. position that implementing sanctions is also important, together with dialogue," a South Korean foreign ministry spokesperson told a briefing. U.S. Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Brian Nelson said the moves targeted North Korea's "continued use of overseas representatives to illegally procure goods for weapons." North Korea's latest launches were "further evidence that it continues to advance prohibited programs despite the international community's 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 Alar 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 Korea's Second Academy of Natural Sciences (SANS), had worked to procure telecommunications-related equipment from Russia. Four China-based North Korean representatives of SANS-subordinate organizations Sim Kwang-sok, Kim Song-hun, Kang Chol-hak and Pyon Kwang-chol and one other Russia-based 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. In a statement, U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said that between at least 2016 and 2021, O had worked with Parsek LLC and Alar, the firm's director for development, to procure multiple goods with ballistic missile applications, including Kevlar thread, aramid fiber, aviation oil, ball bearings, and precision milling machines. The launch of what North Korea claims is a hypersonic missile is seen in this photo provided by the reclusive state's government, Jan. 11. AP-Yonhap William Shakespeares famous phrase may need updating to all the worlds a transatlantic stage. The Royal Shakespeare Company has teamed up with British cruise line Cunard to take the Bards work out to sea as part of a three-year partnership. Voyagers on the Queen Mary 2 will be able to enjoy several pieces during transatlantic crossings from Southampton or explorations around Norways fjords. The Royal Shakespeare Company and British Cruise line company Cunard have signed a three-year partnership deal where the RSC will perform onboard vessels such as the Queen Mary 2, pictured One such performance is Boundless as the Sea, a brand new piece created by Owen Horsley from Shakespeares iconic love scenes including Romeo and Juliet, Macbeth, Othello, The Winters Tale, Troilus and Cressida and A Midsummer Nights Dream Workshops will be on offer as well as events where the actors will perform their personal favourite sonnets and speeches, and answer questions from the audience One such performance is Boundless as the Sea, a brand new piece created by Owen Horsley from Shakespeares iconic love scenes including Romeo and Juliet, Macbeth, Othello, The Winters Tale, Troilus and Cressida and A Midsummer Nights Dream. There will also be performances of an abridged version of the RSCs acclaimed 2018 production of Sam Kenyons musical Miss Littlewood, which explores the life of Joan Littlewood. Workshops will be on offer as well as events where the actors will perform their personal favourite sonnets and speeches, and answer questions from the audience. The Queen Mary 2 will also host touring exhibition, Digital Diorama: An Augmented Journey Through Shakespeares Stratford, with some of the RSCs most popular productions including Hamlet, Henry V, The Merry Wives of Windsor and As You Like it screened in the on board cinema, Illuminations. Voyages start from around 1,349 per person and rise to as much as 6,059 for a luxury suite. Erica Whyman, RSC Acting Artistic Director, said: We are thrilled to be working with Cunard to bring our performances to the guests of Queen Mary 2 together with unique opportunities to get close to working theatre artists and learn more about our house playwright. The RSC ignites imaginations and expands horizons, and Shakespeares plays allow us to imagine new and remarkable worlds, so this partnership has a perfect synergy... This is an exciting new venture for us, and we look forward very much to meeting new audiences on board. The first voyages will run from May 29 until August 12 and then again from September 15 to November 13. As Covid-19 cases soar and rules around testing change, NSW Health has explained exactly when to take a rapid antigen test. The state recorded 92,264 new infections, including 61,387 from a backlog of rapid antigen tests as NSW changed its rules around testing this week. Rapid antigen tests are now in greater use than PCR to diagnose Covid, but supply shortages and kits costing $10-$15 mean the right time to take one is crucial. NSW Health has revealed exactly when people should take a Rapid Antigen Test as supply remains scare across the state (pictured, stock photo) NSW Health laid out six situations when people should do a rapid antigen test to check if they have Covid. The first is if they show symptoms of Covid-19 such as a fever, cough, runny nose or loss of taste or smell. Anyone deemed a close contact in a household, workplace, or in education is also advised to use a rapid test to check if they have contracted the virus. Rapid antigen tests are also recommended before attending an event, or visiting vulnerable family members. Workers, residents, or visitors to a high-risk locations with a confirmed outbreak are required to self-test before entering. Rapid antigen tests are also advised for international arrivals and before attending a hospital for a procedure if asked to do so. However, NSW residents will find it hard to follow this advice as pharmacies are stripped bare of rapid antigen tests with shortages unlikely to improve for another several weeks. When to take a Rapid Antigen Test - You have symptoms (fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, loss of smell or taste, or shortness of breath) - You're a household, social, workplace or education contact - Before an event especially before visiting vulnerable family members - If you're a worker, resident, client or visitor of a high-risk setting with an outbreak (healthcare, aged care, disability care, correctional facilities) - Going to hospital and it's requested - If you're arriving to Australia from overseas Advertisement Sydneysiders have endured weeks of pharmacies being stripped bare of rapid antigen tests with shortages to continue for another several weeks (pictured, a sign outside a pharmacy in Sydney notifies customers RATs are out of stock) 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. On Wednesday it was revealed 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. Supermarket giants such as Woolworths and Coles have also been allocated stockpiles for workers - but they are said to be dwindling. Rapid antigen tests in Australia quickly flew off shelves after National Cabinet, on January 5, announced they would be allowed to confirm a positive Covid test. The measure was designed to stop people from having to queue up for hours at a Covid testing clinic to get a PCR test. National Cabinet announced residents would be able to confirm a positive Covid-19 result by self-testing on January 5 resulting in high demand for the product (pictured, a healthcare workers administers a PCR test at a drive-thru clinic in Sydney) But a lack of stock has caused a flow on effect as supply chains have critical labour shortages with workers struggling to find tests needed to be cleared to work. The TGA, an agency of the federal Department of Health, has now approved 21 kits, with 15 of them from China to help stem stock shortages. However with Chinese New Year coming up on February 1, Chinese factories are set to close, further delaying supplies. Anthony Tassone, the Victorian president of the Pharmacy Guild of Australia, said rapid antigen test shortages were likely to continue for another month. 'We do hope that the supply situation will improve by the end of January,' he told the ABC. Former Navy SEAL Dan Crenshaw is demanding answers after claims were made that an unqualified female airman was pushed through special tactics officer training after quitting in the hope she would be the first woman ever to complete the elite course. The claims were made in an anonymous email that was posted to Instagram and subsequently shared by Crenshaw, now a Republican U.S. Rep for Texas. The trainee was allegedly allowed to repeatedly quit then rejoin the training 'pipeline' and was offered an 'unheard of' special assignment in one of the military's most elite units in the hope of encouraging her to keep going. 'We cannot sacrifice training standards. Ever. Full stop,' Crenshaw wrote on Twitter. 'If this account is true, our military needs to address it now.' The anonymous account which made the original accusations named the trainee as Captain Morgan Mosby. The Air Force is also now calling for an investigation by the Inspector General over claims preferential treatment was given to the the female captain who was hoping to become the first female elite special tactics airman. According to the accuser, who has remained anonymous, a female captain was given more favorable treatment than is typical under 'societal norms' for airmen undergoing special tactics selection and training. Former Navy SEAL Dan Crenshaw is demanding answers after claims were made an unqualified female airman was pushed through special tactics officer training Questions have been raised as to whether the airman was receiving preferential treatment to stay in the pipeline having allegedly quitting multiple times. Pictured, An airman provides security during fast-rope training from an Army UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter as part of Emerald Warrior 16 at Hurlburt Field, Florida. The airmen are special tactics squadron assigned to 24th Special Operations Wing Special tactics airmen, under 24th Special Operations Wing, make up the service's ground combat forces and embed with SEALs, Army Rangers and Marine Raiders to help call in airstrikes, provide medical care and recover wounded and slain personnel. The training is as tough as it gets with the two-year combat controller training pipeline historically seeing between 70 and 80 per cent of candidates drop out. Personnel are to the technical and physical standards as other special operators such as Army Green Berets and Navy SEALs. They also receive extensive training in the form of air traffic control and combat medicine in order for them to be capable of controlling a crowded airspace, call airstrikes and evacuate wounded troops from deep behind enemy lines. Very few women have attempted the Air Force special warfare pipeline since the positions were opened to them in 2015. U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command boss Lt. Gen. Jim Slife is asking for an Inspector General investigation to take place following claims an unqualified female airman was pushed through special tactics officer training Questions have been raised as to whether the airman is receiving preferential treatment to stay in the pipeline having allegedly quitting multiple times including during water training (file photo). Pictured, Air Force special tactics students swim the length of the pool with their hands and feet bound. The trainees perform tasks such as tying knots underwater, staying afloat without their arms and hands, and using snorkeling gear Crenshaw, who was wounded in Afghanistan in 2012, said 'lots of females contribute enormously' to special operations missions, but they follow strict standards. Subverting them 'will cost lives,' he said. The story that was shared online details how a female special tactics officer quit the challenging selection process multiple times, first in 2018, only to be reinstated by the leadership of AFSOC and the 24th Special Operations Wing. The postings describe the training as a 'challenging, weeks-long selection process to get into the special tactics community'. The airman quit during a pool session, but was still given the chance to finish, the posting details. Screenshots of the anonymous email were shared last week in an Instagram post by U.S. Rep. Dan Crenshaw, a Texas Republican and Navy SEAL veteran, who demanded answers The anonymous account which made the original accusations named the trainee as Captain Morgan Mosby U.S. Air Force Special Tactics and Combat Rescue Officer candidates perform push-ups in the water during an assessment and selection process at Hurlburt Field, Florida, last March The candidate 'became known for quitting and getting preferential treatment. She quit during various points of her training, and yet all accounts were 'brushed under the rug' since she was closely looked at, and her status monitored by Congress and AFSOC leadership (O-6 and above) on a weekly basis.' The Air Force special warfare selection process and training pipeline is among the most difficult in the world, but any accusations of a lowering of standards were quickly refuted by the head of Air Force Special Operations Command, Lt. Gen. Jim Slife. 'We can unequivocally say the standards which are tied to mission accomplishment have not changed,' Slife said in a lengthy posting on Facebook. 'However, there is a difference between standards and norms.' Slife explained that the 'norms' of the training pipeline have changed in the last 15 years in order to get airmen to meet certain standards. He explained that although the standards are unchanged now, they could be altered in the future. 'We can unequivocally say the standards which are tied to mission accomplishment have not changed,' Slife, pictured, said in a lengthy posting on Facebook. 'However, there is a difference between standards and norms.' U.S. Air Force Special Tactics operators from the 22nd Special Tactics Squadron establish communications during an airfield survey as part of a culmination exercise, seen in 2020. Special Tactics is U.S. Special Operations Command's tactical air and ground integration force, and the Air Force's only special operations ground force, leading global access, precision strike, personnel recovery and battlefield surgery operations on the battlefield 'It's easy to conflate standards and norms, because over time, the norms we establish can come to be viewed as 'the standard,' Slife wrote. 'Years ago, the norm was to assess candidates via indoctrination. We learned there was a better way to assess and select candidates for special tactics training, and we migrated away from Indoc. 'We do make changes in how we train airmen in order to improve the effectiveness of our training, but we do not lower our standards. Period. Slife said that the anonymous author's story was an example of cyber-bullying. 'Singling out a fellow service member for public abuse is bullying and harassment, which are unacceptable deviations from both our standards, our norms and values as airmen,' he said. In the story posted to social media, the story stops after the 2018 Phase II training and resumes once again in January 2020 when the captain started a 2-3 year training pipeline at Hurlburt Field in Florida. Special Tactics tactical air control party candidates carry a litter with a simulated patient during assessment and selection at Hurlburt Field, Florida where it is alleged a female trainee was reinstated in training despite quitting three times This captain 'quit during various points of her training,' including during a pool session in front of several students, but she was kept on the course anyway. The captain was 'allowed to attend a special offering of a more relaxed version of the Pre-Dive course.' The captain then quit again, or rather 'self-eliminated' as the story on social media describes, during a solo land navigation event. Usually, pipeline students simply go back to their previous duty assignment, reclassify to another job or leave the military but the captain 'met with numerous senior leaders' from the 24th Special Operations Wing and AFSOC. The Air Force special warfare selection process and training pipeline is among the most difficult in the world, but any accusations of a lowering of standards were quickly refuted by the head of Air Force Special Operations Command, Lt. Gen. Jim Slife The Captain is said to have eventually come back to Phase II training the following year, but was unanimously passed over by instructors to enter the special tactics program once more, according to the letter. Then, the author said, leaders hand-picked her as a trainee candidate anyway. Slife refused to go into any detail about the experiences trainee Mosby may have endured in order to avoid any additional attention or pressure on her. He suggested that that publicly outing her was an act of bullying and harassment, and contrary to the military's standards, norms and values. Slife said that the anonymous author's story was an example of cyber-bullying 'Furthermore, most of what the author asserted about her experience was factually wrong or missing important context which would completely change the perception,' Slife added. In December, special tactics airmen were informed that the captain's training status would be 'actively re-instated on 3 January 2022, despite her choice to quit and her negative viewpoint of ST,' the author wrote. She would pick up the pipeline where she left off, as per the wishes of Slife and Col. Jason Daniels, the current 24th Special Operations Wing commander, the author said. 'For privacy and operational security, we will not further discuss specific details surrounding any individual candidates' selection and training progression to not create unfair pressure,' AFSOC spokesperson Capt. Savannah Stephens said. 'All candidates must meet the standard requirements and are assessed equally on their ability to lead in physically and mentally challenging environments.' House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy announced on Wednesday night that he will not cooperate with the January 6th committee, saying it was not 'conducting a legitimate investigation.' McCarthy said that since Speaker Nancy Pelosi rejected his nominees to the panel, it was 'illegitimate' and noted he's made several public statements about the insurrection the panel could examine. 'This committee is not conducting a legitimate investigation as Speaker Pelosi took the unprecedented action of rejecting the Republican members I named to serve on the committee. It is not serving any legislative purpose,' he said in a statement. Earlier Wednesday the panel, which is investigating the origins of the January 6th MAGA riot on Capitol Hill, asked McCarthy to voluntarily appear before its members to discuss the 'heated' conversation he had with then-President Donald Trump on the day of the insurrection. McCarthy said he had made enough public statements on that day to satisfy the committee's needs. 'It wants to interview me about public statements that have been shared with the world, and private conversations not remotely related to the violence that unfolded at the Capitol,' he said. 'I have nothing else to add.' House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy announced he will not cooperate with the January 6th committee McCarthy, a Republican from California, also slammed the panel for subpoenaing records from those in Donald Trump's orbit and for holding individuals in contempt of Congress. 'It has subpoenaed the call records of private citizens and their financial records from banks while demanding secrecy not supported by law. It has lied about the contents of documents it has received. It has held individuals in contempt of Congress for exercising their Constitutional right to avail themselves of judicial proceedings.' Eight people are suing the House Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the United States Capitol for its attempt to subpoena records, including Michael Flynn, the embattled former national security adviser to Trump. The House of Representatives held two other Trump officials - former chief of staff Mark Meadows and former adviser Steve Bannon - in contempt after their no-shows before the panel. Bannon was indicted by the Justice Department. His trial is now set to being July 18. Meadows has not yet been indicted by the Justice Department. Trump has encouraged his former aides and allies not to cooperate. McCarthy is seeking the former president's help in winning control of the House in this year's midterm election and becoming the next speaker. McCarthy said it gave him no 'satisifaction' to turn the committee down. '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,' McCarthy noted. McCarthy told CNN in May 2021 that 'sure,' he'd be willing to testify about his conversations with Trump on January 6. He reportedly had an expletive-laced phone call with Trump while the Capitol was under attack, where the former president said the rioters cared more about the presidential election results than McCarthy did. On the day of the riot, McCarthy said Trump 'bears responsibility' for the violence. But he eventually re-embraced Trump, has visited him at his Mar-a-Lago club in Florida, and is seeking his support in 2022. In his decision not to appear, McCarthy cited an old argument with Pelosi over who would serve on the special panel. Last summer Pelosi vetoed McCarthy's nominees to the panel: Reps. Jim Banks and Jim Jordan to protect the 'integrity' of the investigation. The two men are strong Trump allies who have supported his false claim he won the 2020 election. She accepted McCarthy's other three picks. But he pulled them in response to her veto of his other two lawmakers. As speaker, Pelosi has final say on who serves. Two Republicans - Reps. Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger - are on the panel. They were appointed by Pelosi. Republicans voted Cheney out of House GOP leadership in response to her decision to serve on the committee. McCarthy is the third Republican lawmaker whom the committee has requested cooperation from but he is the most senior member of Congress they have asked to speak to them. Recently the panel made similar requests to Republican Reps. Scott Perry of Pennsylvania and Jim Jordan of Ohio but both of those men have said they will not cooperate with the committee voluntarily. Panel chairman Bennie Thompson has previously said he would 'consider' subpoenaing McCarthy if the GOP leader declined to voluntarily appear. Panel chairman Rep. Bennie Thompson has said he would consider a subpoena if McCarthy declined his request The House Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack is probing the origins of last year's insurrection in the Capitol In its letter to McCarthy, the House Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the United States Capitol cited his call with Trump as the reason they wanted to hear from him. 'You have acknowledged speaking directly with the former President while the violence was underway on January 6th,' wrote panel chairman Bennie Thompson. Thompson also cited McCarthy's conversations with then-Trump chief of staff Mark Meadows ahead of the January 6th certification of Joe Biden's presidential victory. Thompson noted McCarthy had warned Meadows that any attempt to stop the certification of the election was 'doomed to fail' and indicated the panel was interested in the former president's state of mind on the day of the riot. '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,' Thompson, a Democrat from Mississippi, wrote. 'The Select Committee has contemporaneous text messages from multiple witnesses identifying significant concerns following January 6th held by White House staff and the President's supporters regarding President Trump's state of mind and his ongoing conduct. It appears that you had one or more conversations with the President during this period,' the panel's letter states. '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,' it adds. Former White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany, who last briefed the press on Jan. 7th, met virtually with the House select committee probing the Jan. 6th Capitol riot Stephanie Grisham met with the panel last week and said she 'cooperated fully' Thompson also has said he wants to speak with Trump personal attorney Rudy Giuliania. The panel also 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. Lawsuits to block Jan. 6 panel subpoenas There are eight figures in the Trump administration fighting subpoenas from the special committee investigating the Jan. 6 riot. They are: Donald Trump, challenging House requests to the National Archives for government records from his presidency Mark Meadows, former Trump chief of staff, challenging a subpoena for his testimony and a subpoena for his Verizon phone records Cleta Mitchell, election lawyer for Trump, challenging a subpoena of her AT&T phone records Alex Jones, far-right-wing media figure, challenging subpoenas for testimony, documents and phone records Ali Alexander, 'Stop the Steal' organizer, challenging a subpoena of his Verizon phone records John Eastman, conservative lawyer, challenging a subpoena of his Verizon phone records Amy Harris, freelance photographer, challenging a subpoena of her Verizon phone records Michael Flynn, former Trump national security adviser, to block their subpoena for his phone records - Source: CNN Advertisement Former White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany on Wednesday met with the panel virtually after being subpoenaing. That subpoena cited reports that McEnany spent time Trump during a critical period after the Capitol riot began but when the president did not make a public statement for 187 minutes. The panel has also sought records from McEnany's briefing books from the National Archives. The document request is tied up in a court fight. Committee members say they have interviewed more than 300 people in the probe. It is not known how many were permitted to appear virtually. Melania Trump's ex-Chief of Staff Stephanie Grisham met behind closed doors with the panel last week. Grisham said she 'cooperated fully' with the committee. Democratic Rep. Jamie Raskin, a member of the panel, said Grisham gave 'a number of names that I had not heard before.' 'She had a number of names that I had not heard before, and she had some ways of looking at it,' Raskin told said Sunday on NBC's Meet the Press. In December, political operative and longtime Trump ally Roger Stone said that he met briefly with the Jan. 6 panel and informed lawmakers he would invoke his Fifth Amendment right. Stone gave a deposition for 90 minutes before leaving and telling reporters that he would plead the Fifth 'not because I have done anything wrong, but because I am fully aware of the House Democrats' long history of fabricating perjury charges.' Stone slammed the inquiry as 'witch hunt 3.0' and denied having any involvement in the 'illegal and politically counterproductive' activities of that day. Former Trump lawyer John Eastman and former DOJ official Jeffrey Clark also have refused to cooperate. They too face contempt charges. Trump has similarly sought to block the committee from obtaining his White House records from Jan. 6 and the preceding days, asserting they are protected by a legal doctrine called executive privilege. An appeals court rejected Trump's arguments in December. He is expected to appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court. Donald Trump's former campaign manager has said he was pressured to lie about the then-president by special counsel Robert Mueller's investigative team. Paul Manafort, 72, spoke on Wednesday night to Fox News' Sean Hannity for the first time since being pardoned by Trump more than a year ago. Manafort was charged in 2017 with conspiracy against the United States, making false statements, money laundering and failing to register as a foreign agent for Ukraine. Manafort - a globetrotting lobbyist famed for representing dubious characters such as Congolese President Mobutu Sese Seko, Ferdinand Marcos of the Philippines, and Nigerian coup leader Sani Abacha - was the figurehead for accusations that Russian President Vladimir Putin helped elect Trump. Manafort was accused of working with Russia to help Trump win the election - something which was never proved, and he has always denied. In August 2018, he was found guilty of filing false income tax returns, failing to report his foreign accounts, and bank fraud, and he spent a little of a year in prison before being released to house arrest in May 2020, and then pardoned by Trump in December 2020. Manafort, a veteran Republican strategist and lobbyist who worked on Republican presidential campaigns as far back as Gerald Ford's in 1976, appeared on Fox News Channel on Wednesday night to promote his new book 'Political Prisoner' and discuss the pressure he felt to condemn Trump. 'From day one I felt they were targeting me and a few others to get at the then-president,' he told Hannity, his friend and confidant. 'There were moments they were putting pressure on me to talk about facts that were not true. 'The quid-pro-quo that was understood was that I was to be treated in a lenient way.' Paul Manafort, 72, appeared on Sean Hannity's Fox News show on Wednesday night - his first interview since being pardoned by Donald Trump in December 2020 Manafort appeared on Hannity's show to promote his book, Political Prisoner Paul Manafort describes why he didn't lie about Trump in exchange for his freedom. pic.twitter.com/eLX8iRTe24 The Post Millennial (@TPostMillennial) January 13, 2022 Manafort said that he resisted the pressure, adding: 'I wasn't going to lie. There was no way they could force me to give up the president.' 'I felt that as long as I told the truth I had nothing to fear, but I was wrong.' In September 2018, Manafort conceded to committing several federal crimes and agreed to cooperate with the Justice Department, including in special counsel Mueller's investigation of Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election. Manafort pleaded guilty in federal court in Washington, D.C., to one count of conspiracy against the U.S. and one count of conspiracy to obstruct justice due to attempts to tamper with witnesses. Yet on Wednesday night, he insisted he was pressured to turn on Trump - a longtime friend in whose Manhattan skyscraper, Trump Tower, he lived from 2006 until he was forced to sell in 2018. Manafort told Hannity: 'I felt like I was in the middle of a tsunami and there was no way my voice was going to be heard amid all of this onslaught of this misinformation.' Manafort served as campaign chair for Donald Trump's 2016 presidential campaign Manafort was convicted of eight counts of tax and conspiracy charges, and pleaded guilty to two others Paul Manafort describes being questioned and put in solitary confinement: "I knew that as long as I told the truth, I had nothing to fear. I was wrong." pic.twitter.com/aSuxSKDMFO The Post Millennial (@TPostMillennial) January 13, 2022 He said the saga of the 'very complicated last five years' was beyond his 'wildest dreams'. Manafort's memoir comes after he was pardoned by former President Donald Trump And he said the 'ridiculous' accusations of working with Russia to get Trump elected, which he described as a 'false narrative,' was a way to try and bring down Trump. 'There was no doubt in my mind from day one that I was a means to an end,' he told Hannity. 'After they didn't succeed with me, they did the same with Roger Stone. 'They put the gag order on Roger, they indicted him too.' Stone and Manafort are old friends, having founded Black, Manafort & Stone - one of the first political consulting groups to work for Ronald Reagan's presidential candidacy in 1980. Manafort continued: 'Who they cared about was Donald Trump. 'And without us they didn't think they could get to him.' He said he recalled 'laughing with my lawyer' at the stories that he was planning to 'turn' on Trump, saying that he intended all along to 'tell the truth'. 'They wanted me to say something that wasn't true and I wasn't going to do that,' he said. 'Once you start going down the slippery slope, who knows where you're going to end up. 'On the Russian collusion - I knew it was phony.' He added: 'It was the weaponization of the national security system. 'In my wildest dreams I couldn't have imagined this.' Manafort is seen in a March 2019 court sketch from his sentencing hearing Manafort is seen in July 2016 at the RNC in Cleveland, Ohio Through the course of his two trials, it was revealed how Manafort was able to live a lavish lifestyle. A federal judge ordered him to pay $24.8 million in restitution. He was ultimately allowed to keep his infamous $15,000 ostrich jacket, though he had to turn over multiple properties in New York - including his Trump Tower apartment. The book has an August release date, with a hardcover price set at $32.50, and Manafort said on Wednesday night that he was in the process of writing. Manafort's lawyers complained that he was being held in solitary confinement at Northern Neck regional jail in a legal filing in 2018. Mueller's prosecutors countered in a filing at the time that he 'is not confined to a cell,' had 'his own bathroom and shower facility,' along with 'his own personal telephone' with the ability to use the phone 12 hours a day to help prepare for trial. His publisher's statement also defends his work for Ukrainian former president, Victor Yanukovych - a close ally of Vladimir Putin. 'Not only is it untrue that Victor Yanukovych or any of Paul's clients were 'pro-Putin,' it is the opposite of the truth,' they state. 'Paul's work in Ukraine and throughout his career was 100 percent aligned with US interests in the countries he worked in, sometimes even acting as a back channel for the White House itself.' The Skyhorse Publishing imprint also published former Trump lawyer Michael Cohen's tell-all, Disloyal, along with Robert F. Kennedy's book, The Real Anthony Fauci. Trump's pardon of Manafort came in December 2020, amid other pardons for former political operative Roger Stone and Charles Kushner, the father of son-in-law Jared Kushner. 'Neither was Paul guilty of laundering money, evading taxes, or deliberately deceiving the US government by failing to register as a foreign agentwhich he wasn't,' writes his publisher. 'These were all politically motivated charges manufactured by the Special Counsel's team for one reason and one reason only: to get Paul to testify against Donald Trump about a conspiracy that never existed.' Residents on Australia's east coast should prepare to be battered with torrential downpours as a gigantic rain bomb threatens weekend plans for thousands. Experts have forecast heavy thunderstorms for parts of New South Wales and Victoria after a week of hot and humid conditions. Temperatures are expected to remain high in Sydney with a likely storm on Saturday, as cool onshore winds drive showers over the east coast. Western Victoria is due to be dominated by severe thunderstorms with showers to travel across the southwest, central and northeast on Friday. Residents on Australia's east coast should prepare to be battered with torrential downpours as a gigantic rain bomb threatens weekend plans (pictured, shoppers in Sydney) Bureau of Meteorology forecaster Jackson Browne said a low pressure system and a trough would extend into the east and south of the country in the next few days. Mr Browne said thunderstorms could be expected on the east coast on Thursday afternoon with warnings of strong winds and even hail. He said storms would lash Victoria, southern NSW and possibly even northern Tasmania with residents urged to monitor weather warnings across their state. Weatherzone meteorologist Jess Miskelly told Daily Mail Australia the wet conditions would extend well into next week, with some brief reprieve in Sydney on Sunday. Ms Miskelly said while storms were currently lingering in western parts of NSW and Victoria, they were due to shift east to the central areas on Friday. Storms over the coastal parts of NSW including Sydney are due to hit on Saturday, while a weak southerly change might bring some sunshine on Sunday. Ms Miskelly said while storms were currently lingering in western parts of NSW and Victoria, they were due to shift east to the central areas on Friday (pictured) However, moisture from ex-tropical cyclone Tiffany is due to bring tropical moisture and lashings of rain to NSW from next Wednesday. The category one storm was tracking eastwards on Thursday towards the south Katherine, where forecasters say it will weaken to a tropical low. 'Once the system weakens below tropical cyclone intensity, strong gusts and heavy rainfall remain possible over areas close to the system track as it moves further inland,' the Bureau of Meteorology warned. Ms Miskelly said the weather system was due to drift southeast and be pulled into low-hanging troughs sitting over inland areas next week. She said Queenslanders could expect some moisture on Sunday, when the trough drifts northeast bringing humid nights and muggy days. Experts have forecast heavy thunderstorms for parts of New South Wales and Victoria after a week of hot and humid conditions (pictured, a Weatherzone synoptic map) Katherine can expect 15-20mm of rain on Thursday with a further 50-150mm on the weekend accompanied by strong winds. Darwin will also be hit with heavy downpours over the weekend with 40-90mm predicted on Friday, with showers to last into the weekend. Canberra will also be hit with at least 10mm of rain on Friday, with temperatures to remain around the 25C mark, with a high of 30C on Saturday. Western Australia has been hit with scorching temperatures of 48C in inland areas due to peak on Thursday, as Friday and the weekend due to cool slightly. The intense heatwave is due to bring Broome seven days of maximums of 35C and lows of 30C with total fire bans in place in the regions outside of Perth. A Good Samaritan was knocked to the ground and mugged in New York City by a homeless man after giving him a coat on Wednesday, the third assault arrest for the attacker in two weeks as he repeatedly skirts jail due to the new District Attorney's 'woke' policies. Surveillance video of the incident shows the unidentified 59-year-old victim as he tried to help 25-year-old Xavier Israel, who had been lying on the sidewalk at 476 5th Avenue around 8 p.m. on a particularly cold evening, footage obtained by the New York Post shows. The victim gently places a jacket he was wearing on Israel before the homeless man springs up and pushes him into the ground. Israel took the man's wallet from his back pants pocket while he was on the ground before fleeing the scene. The victim attempts to get his wallet back before Israel punches him and throws him back to the ground, video shows. SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO Xavier Israel had been lying on the sidewalk on 5th Avenue around 8 pm when he punched and robbed a 59-year-old Good Samaritan who tried to give him his coat, surveillance video shows The 25-year-old Israel can be seen attacking the Good Samaritan who gave him a coat The victim can be seen on the ground after being pummeled by Israel, left, Israel ran off with the man's wallet, which had $1500 cash in it after police recovered it during his arrest, right Israel was arrested shortly after on West 41st Street and 5th Avenue, the Post reported. Authorities quoted witnesses as saying that Israel had stuffed his pants with cash. Officers ended up recovering almost $1,500 from him. Israel was charged with assault, robbery and grand larceny, sources told the outlet. The victim reportedly refused medical attention at the scene. The attack and robbery is the second in less than a week from Israel, who similarly attacked another Good Samaritan on Saturday, when he beat up a 49-year-old woman who was trying to offer him help outside of East 81st Street. The man tried in vain to get his wallet back, but Israel once again punched the victim to the ground Israel fleeing the scene before he was arrested shortly after on West 41 Street and 5th Avenue The unnamed victim in that case was also pushed to the ground during the attack and received a cut on her elbow in the fall. Israel was arrested in that incident, too, and got slapped with similar charges of assault before being released on a desk appearance ticket. The violent rap sheet shows he assaulted two other people, a man and a woman, at Central Park on January 2. The Post reported that Israel randomly punched the two 18-year-olds as they sat on a rock inside the park, a case where he had again been charged with assault. It's another embarrassment for new DA Alvin 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. Bragg has been criticized for a new policy to downgrade felony crimes such as burglary, armed robbery and drug dealing Since 2020, crime in New York has soared thanks to a combination of laxed bail reforms and lack of police 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. 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. 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,' former Manhattan assistant DA Daniel Ollen said. '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. There was uproar yesterday when it emerged the entire cast were sacked just minutes after a matinee performance, with many only finding out via social media. While Lloyd Webber's company, Really Useful Group insists it had contacted 'everyone involved' via 'call, email or in person' before the decision was made public, there has been a huge backlash from across the industry. Though no official reason has been given for the show's closure, though MailOnline understands that it would have been 'unsustainable' for the theatre company to have kept it going after it suffered heavy losses - particularly when performances were suspended during the Omicron wave of the Covid pandemic in December and January. As a result, the show (left) has been losing as much as 100,000 every week, according to reports, burning a 2m hole in the accounts. By comparison, two of the composer's biggest productions - Cats (top-right) and Phantom of the Opera (bottom-right) - have been a money-spinning success for decades, raking in 1billion and 5billion respectively over a number of years. Diversity advocates say a contentious clause protecting religious statements of belief would override people's other rights. But representatives of the Catholic Bishops Conference argue the clause in the proposed discrimination legislation is necessary due to 'hard truths' in religion. On Thursday, the federal parliamentary committee on human rights began its second hearing on a religious discrimination bill controversially introduced to parliament in the final sitting weeks of 2021. On Thursday, the federal parliamentary committee on human rights began its second hearing on a controversial religious discrimination bill (stock) Representatives from business, church, education and diversity groups appeared before the committee in the first half of the hearing. A point of contention with the bill is the inclusion of a statement of belief clause. The clause says it will not be discriminatory for a person to say something they 'genuinely consider to be in accordance with the doctrines, tenets, beliefs or teachings of that religion'. However it does not apply if the statement is malicious or threatening. Australian Catholic University professor Rocque Reynolds said the clause was important because religions often had 'hard truths' that were offensive to some people. Australian Catholic University professor Rocque Reynolds said the clause was important because religions often had 'hard truths' that were offensive to some people (stock) 'Religions can have hard truths... and people might find them offensive but they're not intimidatory or threatening,' she said. 'We think the bill has found a good balance with that.' Melbourne Archbishop Peter Comensoli told the committee the proposed religious discrimination bill completed the suite of existing anti-discrimination laws. But Diversity Council chief executive officer Lisa Annese said advocates were concerned the statement of belief clause would override protections of other rights. Diversity Council chief executive officer Lisa Annese said advocates were concerned the statement of belief clause would override protections of other rights (stock) She said the council supported people being protected from discrimination due to their faith, but did not want to privilege religious rights over others. 'This is an unprecedented intrusion into other jurisdictions by protecting expression of religious speech over acts of discrimination and creates different standards for statements of belief,' the council said in a submission to the committee. National employer association Ai Group says the legislation as written will not bring harmony to Australian workplaces National employer association Ai Group says the legislation as written will not bring harmony to Australian workplaces. Ai Group workplace relations policy head Stephen Smith said his organisation's preference was to fix the gaps in state and territory anti-discrimination legislation rather than introduce another law over the top. Vice President Kamala Harris slammed lawmakers who do not support President Joe Biden's agenda or his push to eliminate the filibuster, accusing them of violating their 'oath to protect and defend our Constitution' by not doing so. Speaking to NBC News on Wednesday night, the VP took aim at both Senate Republicans and fellow Democrats who are refusing to support the move. 'I will not absolve the 50 Republicans in the United States Senate from responsibility, from upholding one of the most basic tenants of our democracy which is free and fair elections and access to the ballot for all eligible voters,' Harris said. But it is not just Sens. Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema who are resisting changing the Senate rules to kill the filibuster, but also the 50-member-strong Republican minority, including senators such as Mitt Romney of Utah who have denounced Donald Trump's election fraud claims. When pushed by interviewer Craig Melvin about fellow Democrats Manchin and Sinema, Harris' response was the same. 'I don't think anyone should be absolved from the responsibility of preserving and protecting our democracy especially when they took an oath to protect our Constitution.' Vice President Kamala Harris discussed opposition to voting rights legislation during an interview with NBC News on Wednesday night Harris accused fellow Democrats Joe Manchin, left, Kyrsten Sinema, right, and Senate Republicans for 'failing to protect democracy' On Wednesday, former President Barack Obama joined the campaign to pressure Democratic senators into supporting the voting rights legislation, calling it a tool to 'prop up Jim Crow.' The former president, in an op-ed published in USA Today, wrote the Senate filibuster 'has no basis in the Constitution' and arguing it was used by Southern senators to block civil rights legislation that disenfranchised black voters. 'I fully support President Joe Biden's call to modify Senate rules as necessary to make sure pending voting rights legislation gets called for a vote,' Obama wrote. 'In recent years, the filibuster became a routine way for the Senate minority to to block important progress on issues supported by the majority of voters. But we can't allow it to be used to block efforts to protect our democracy,' he noted. Barack Obama joined the campaign to pressure Democratic senators into supporting voting rights legislation, backing Joe Biden's demand to kill the Senate filibuster In his op-ed, Obama invoked the words of legendary civil rights leader John Lewis, for whom one of the voting bill is named. And he warned of legislation being passed in Republican-controlled states that could hurt Democrats at the ballot box this November, when voters will decide which party controls the House and Senate. 'What we're seeing now are far more aggressive and precise efforts on the part of Republican state legislatures to tilt the playing field in their favor,' Obama wrote. 'Perhaps most perniciously, we've seen state legislatures try to assert power over core election processes including the ability to certify election results. These partisan attempts at voter nullification are unlike anything we've seen in modern times, and they represent a profound threat to the basic democratic principle that all votes should be counted fairly and objectively,' he added. Meanwhile Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer is plotting a procedural gambit to bypass Republican opposition to start debate on voting legislation Meanwhile Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer is plotting a procedural gambit to bypass Republican opposition to start debate on voting legislation but his gamble may not pay off as he ultimately need 10 GOP senators in his corner for final passage. His move buys time, however, as he and other Democratic leaders try to persuade Senators Manchin and Sinema to join them in changing Senate rules to kill the filibuster on the voting legislation. In the evenly-divided Senate, Biden needs every Democratic vote to do so with Vice President Harris acting as the tie breaker. Schumer's gambit and Obama's op-ed come as President Biden is scheduled to travel to Capitol Hill later on Thursday to personally meet with Democrats to try and get them on board. Schumer, in a memo to lawmakers, outlined his plan to get voting legislation signed into law. To manuever around Senate Republican opposition, the House will bring up an unrelated NASA bill. In place of the NASA language, the House will swap in the combined text of the two voting bills being held up in the Senate: the Freedom to Vote Act and John Lewis Voting Rights bill. The House will vote on the new single bill on Thursday, Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced. 'Tomorrow, the House will pass the Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act and send it to the Senate for consideration,' Pelosi said in a letter to colleagues on Wednesday night. Once it passes in the Democratic-controlled chamber, the speaker can ship it to the Senate as a 'message' from the House. Because it will be categorized as a 'message between the houses,' Schumer can skip the 60-vote threshold needed to start debate, allowing him to bypass Republicans' vow to filibuster. That will allow debate to begin on the legislation. However, it doesn't guarantee the legislation will get passed. When debate on the bill concludes, Schumer will still need 60 votes to file cloture to end debate on the bill - meaning he will needs 10 GOP senators on board. Republicans can use their filibuster power to then stop the legislation its tracks. 'With this procedure, we will finally have an opportunity to debate voting rights legislation something that Republicans have thus far denied,' Schumer said in a memo to Democrats. 'Of course, to ultimately end debate and pass the voting rights legislation, we will need 10 Republicans to join us which we know from past experience will not happen or we will need to change the Senate rules as has been done many times before.' At that point, Schumer will have to decide whether to invoke the 'nuclear option' - which is to change the Senate rules to have the bill proceed with a simple majority instead of 60 votes. If he goes nuclear, that is when he needs all 50 Democrats and Harris to back his move to kill the filibuster. Democratic Senators Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema oppose efforts to kill the filibuster and there is a heavy lobbying campaign by Democratic leaders and their Senate colleagues to get them on board Manchin has said several times he is willing to change the Senate rules but only with Republican support. Democratic senators are meeting with both him and Sinema in an effort to get their two colleagues on board. Schumer has said repeatedly he wants voting legislation passed by January 17th, Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The John Lewis Voting Rights Act, named after the late Congressman and civil rights activist, would replace part of the 1965 Voting Rights Act that the U.S. Supreme Court struck down in 2013. The Freedom to Vote Act tones down provisions in the House bill that expanded voter registration, early voting, mail-in voting and restrictions on campaign finance. It would also makes Election Day a holiday. The Senate Majority Leader also has warned senators they may have to stay in Washington D.C. for the weekend, and some are expecting the vote to take place on Monday - the federal holiday. 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,' Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell said in his remarks on the Senate floor, calling Biden's speech 'profoundly, profoundly unpresidential.' In response, Biden tried to meet with McConnell when he was at the Capitol to pay his respects to the late Senate leader Harry Reid, whose remains were lying in state in the Capitol rotunda. The two men did not connnect, however. 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. President Joe Biden will be on Capitol Hill Thursday to personally meet with Democratic senators to try and persuade them on voting legislation Speaker Nancy Pelosi, President Joe Biden and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer in the Capitol on Wednesday when Biden went to pay his respects to the late Harry Reid 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 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.' But as Biden makes the case against the filibuster, Republicans argue for it, warning killing it to make an exception for voting rights legislation could lead to it being killed for other issues, diminishing its power. President Joe Biden speaks in support of changing the Senate filibuster rules that have stalled voting rights legislation, at Atlanta University Center Consortium, on Tuesday The loss of the filibuster's power is behind Manchin's and Sinema's hesitiation in voting to kill it. So Biden on Thursday 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. 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. In this photo captured from North Korea's Korean Central Television report, Wednesday, a missile which North Korea claims to be a hypersonic one is set for test launch a day earlier. The launch site was known as Jagang Province. Yonhap By Nam Hyun-woo The U.S. has slapped its own sanctions on North Korea following the North's latest missile launches and encouraged other countries to join the move, showing that Washington is now veering toward an "action for action" approach. This shift is expected to leave no room for South Korea's outgoing Moon Jae-in government to arbitrate U.S.-North Korea relations. The U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, tweeted, Wednesday, that the U.S. was "proposing U.N. sanctions following North Korea's six ballistic missile launches since September 2021, each of which were in violation of U.N. Security Council resolutions." The proposal came hours after the U.S. Department of Treasury slapped its own sanctions on six North Koreans, one Russian and one entity, accusing them of procuring goods for the North's "weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and ballistic missile programs." The sanctions came just two days after the North tested what it claims was a hypersonic missile. "These designations convey our serious and ongoing concern about the DPRK's continued proliferation activities and those who support it," U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said in a statement. "The United States will use every appropriate tool to address the DPRK's WMD and ballistic missile programs, which constitute a serious threat to international peace and security and undermine the global nonproliferation regime." The DPRK is an acronym for the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, North Korea's official name. Of those on the blacklist, Blinken specified the relationship between North Korean O Yong-ho, Russian national Roman Anatolyevich Alar, and Russian entity, Parsek LLC, was "a key source of missile-applicable goods and technology for the DPRK's missile program." Reportedly, the U.S. had proposed that five of those individuals also be subject to a U.N. travel ban and asset freeze. Researchers of North Korea's Academy of National Defense Science pose with the regime's leader Kim Jong-un, ninth from right, in this photo carried by Korean Central News Agency, Wednesday. Yonhap The father of a schoolgirl who was raped by a 15-year-old known as the 'boy in a skirt' in the school bathroom has spoken about his relief at the boy being sentenced - and his anger at being convicted of disorderly conduct when he erupted in fury at a school board meeting. Scott Smith's daughter was attacked at Stone Bridge High School in Ashburn, Virginia, in May 2021. A month later, the school board of Loudoun County held a meeting, during which it was stated that gender-fluid bathrooms were not problematic. Smith reacted with fury, in scenes that went viral, and was charged with disorderly conduct and resisting arrest. On Wednesday, the boy who attacked his daughter was sentenced to a 'locked residential program' and ordered to register as a sex offender. He pleaded no contest to two counts of forcible sodomy. Smith told Fox News host Tucker Carlson on Wednesday that he was relieved - but that there were further legal issues ahead. 'Man, we're relieved,' Smith said. 'We're able to put one felony assault behind us, and start the next one next week.' Scott Smith, 48, appeared on Tucker Carlson's show on Wednesday night to update viewers on his case and that of his daughter The first victim's parents were ridiculed by the left after her father Scott Smith was pictured being dragged out of a school board meeting on June 22. They say they now feel vindicated Asked what he meant, the 48-year-old plumber told Carlson: 'Well, unfortunately, our daughter was physically assaulted the first week of school when she returned this year, and that one was mishandled as well. On June 22, Scott Smith was dragged out of a Loudoun County school board meeting after listening to the woke school board justify its transgender bathroom policies. He says he was trying to tell the room that his daughter had been raped by a boy 'wearing a skirt' in the girls' bathroom just weeks earlier and that the school ignored it 'Ninety days later we finally got charges. That court case starts next week. It's a felony malicious wounding case.' Smith said that he was also troubled by his own conviction. Buta Biberaj, the Loudoun County Commonwealth's Attorney, pushed to have Smith jailed for his outburst - despite her own progressive stance on avoiding incarcerating convicted criminals where possible. Biberaj appeared in court to personally prosecute Smith, despite knowing that the details of the case involved his daughter. Smith's attorney said she was shocked when the charges weren't dropped. 'I was found guilty on two misdemeanor charges,' Smith told Carlson. 'One resisting arrest, one, disorderly conduct. 'She asked for 10 days in jail per charge, eight suspended per charge. $2,500 fine per charge. Anger management, probation, and my attorney was able to tell the judge that that was ridiculous. 'He found me guilty on both charges. I got 10 days in jail. Suspended upon one year of good behavior. 'So they basically kind of have me pinned in a corner. 'That's where I'm at with that.' Carlson called the case 'disturbing'. After attacking Smith's daughter, the boy was transferred to another school where, in October, he dragged another girl into an empty classroom and touched her breasts. Loudoun County Commonwealth's Attorney Buta Biberaj pushed to have Smith jailed for the outburst The 15-year-old was formerly a student Stone Bridge High School where he was accused of raping a female classmate in the girl's bathroom in May The case became the searing tip of a raging debate in Loudoun County over transgender students' rights and parents' freedom of speech Scott Smith, the father of the first female victim, 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 The boy's mother said she's hoping her son gets the help he needs. 'He's young, he has a lot of learning to do,' she told reporters outside the courtroom in November. 'I hope he's given the opportunity to do so and prove he can do better and be better.' In October, the mother of the convicted boy revealed her son doesn't identify as a female, and that his skirt was a disguise to slip into the girl's bathroom. Speaking exclusively with DailyMail.com, the mom, who asked not to be identified for the sake of her underage son, defended his actions as that of a heterosexual, hormonal teen who, in the case of the rape, had consensual sex with the girl twice before. '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.' Outraged parents are pictured at the meeting where the victim's father was dragged out and arrested. His mother said his actions were that of a heterosexual, hormonal teen, who had consensual sex with the girl twice before The school board has been routinely accused of pushing an ultra-liberal agenda on kids and parents and silencing those who disagree with them. The scandal even entered Virginia's race for governor, giving life to the campaign of Republican gubernatorial candidate Glenn Youngkin who accused the Loudon school board of a coverup while warning, 'What tragedy next awaits our children?' Despite his androgynous style and declaration that he's 'pansexual,' the boy's mother insisted he isn't the gender fluid boogeyman in a culture war about transgender policies. 'He would wear a skirt one day and then the next day, he would wear jeans and a t-shirt, a Polo or hoodie,' she explained. 'He was trying to find himself and that involved all kinds of styles. I believe he was doing it because it gave him attention he desperately needed and sought.' At the same time, she concedes her son is deeply troubled, acknowledging his extensive history of misbehavior that included sending nude photos of himself to a girl in fifth grade. She reached her own breaking point with the him in early October when he phoned her from the juvenile detention center following his second arrest. 'He asked me how I was doing, and I said, ''I'm broken, I'm shattered, you shattered me,'' the mom recalled. ''Do you have any idea what you've done to me, what you've done to your family? 'And his response was, ''No, what did I do?'' she said. She had been his primary point of contact, with his dad living in New Jersey. 'At that point, I was like, 'You know what? I love you, I always will, I will do everything I can to always be there for you in any capacity possible,' she said. 'But I told him - 'You need to call your father for now on. Do not call me. I need to heal, and I need you to figure this out for yourself.' She said the politics surrounding the case has gotten out of hand. 'What are they trying to do?' she asked. 'Did they hire an investigator to dig up everything and ruin him for the rest of his life?' The mother made no secret of the fact her son had been repeatedly suspended for misbehavior, including fist fights with classmates. 'He's been a challenging child his whole life, which I've dealt with myself,' the mother said. 'My son's gone through multiple forms of counseling and therapy, resources here, at school, friends, family. It's been 15 years of hell trying to get him to do better and be better.' When Indigenous man Dougie presented to Dubbo Hospital in NSW he told the nurse he heard a 'popping sound' tearing inside his stomach. Ricky Hampson (Dougie) Jnr was then sedated, given painkillers and discharged just 19 hours later with no diagnosis, his family has confirmed. The 36-year-old Kamilaroi-Dunghutti man died from perforated duodenal ulcers in the early hours of the following morning on August 16, 2021. The father of eight children leaves behind a devastated family, including his father Rick who blames the hospital staff's discriminatory treatment. 'I do feel he was mistreated, there was an internal investigation in the hospital after and they admitted to treating him with bias,' Mr Hampson told AAP. There are calls for an inquest into the death of an Indigenous man, Ricky Hampson (Dougie) Jnr, who died after being discharged from Dubbo Hospital 'It's still so hard to believe, we're numb inside. It's like we're waiting to wake up and find out it's not real. So incomprehensible, it's unbelievable. 'A normal person like me with no medical background figures if something has popped inside you, and you're feeling ten out of ten pain, we should do some imaging or something. 'But they just doped him up, put him aside to sleep and let him go 19 hours later. 'In the medical profession where life matters, you can't be racist, you go into this profession to care for people, everyone should be treated the same.' Mr Hampson said his son recorded a COVID-19 positive test on August 15 after he was discharged, but 'nobody bothered to ever tell him'. Dougie's mother Lydia Chatfield and father are hoping for a public coronial inquest into his death and wants to see those who let their son down accountable. National Justice Project chief executive George Newhouse said he receives 'a lot of complaints' from Indigenous Australians about the standard of care they receive at Dubbo Hospital. 'I've been told they are prepared to drive four hours to Sydney to get medical treatment rather than attend Dubbo Hospital,' he told AAP. 'If Dougie was kept longer under observation there's no doubt in my mind that they would have discovered his serious illness and he would be alive today.' Mr Newhouse acknowledged the significant pressure hospitals face. But following coronial inquests such as that of Naomi Williams, which found implicit bias in her mistreatment, Mr Newhouse is concerned those lessons are not being enforced in NSW health services. Dougie's family will be holding a protest in Teresa Maliphant Park opposite Dubbo Hospital on Monday 'It is absolutely essential that hospitals provide culturally safe care to First Nations people,' he said. 'I see a number of cases all around Australia where Aboriginal people are discharged without a proper diagnosis and they go home to die. A Western NSW Local Health district spokesman in a statement offered their sincere condolences to Dougie's family. 'The death of this man has been referred to the Coroner and the Western NSW Local Health will assist in the Coronial process.' Due to the ongoing investigation no further comment was given. Dougie's family will be holding a protest in Teresa Maliphant Park opposite Dubbo Hospital on Monday. Ghislaine Maxwell has given up on her battle to keep 'vast swathes of information' about her 'sex trafficking operation' with Jeffrey Epstein sealed after alleged victim Virginia Roberts Giuffre requested they be made public. Attorneys for Giuffre, who has accused Prince Andrew of sexual abuse, asked Judge Loretta Preska Wednesday to unseal material from her 2015 civil lawsuit against Maxwell that includes references to eight anonymous John Does. The individuals are identified in court documents only as 'Non-Parties 17, 53, 54, 55, 56, 73, 93 and 151'. It is not clear if one of them is the Duke of York. Six have objected to the unsealing. Maxwell, who last month was found guilty of procuring girls for the late pedophile, had also previously opposed making the documents public, but now appears to have had a change of heart. In a letter to Judge Preska Wednesday, Maxwell's attorney Laura Menninger said her client will 'leave it to the court' to determine whether the names should be unsealed. 'After careful review of the detailed objections submitted by [the eight Non-Party Does], counsel for Ghislaine Maxwell writes to inform the Court that she does not wish to further address those objections,' the letter states. 'Each of the listed Does has counsel who have ably asserted their own respective privacy rights. Ms. Maxwell therefore leaves it to this Court to conduct the appropriate review consistent with the Order and Protocol for Unsealing Decided Motions.' Virginia Roberts Giuffre (pictured with lawyer David Boies in 2019) has asked a judge to unseal documents referencing eight anonymous 'John Does' in her civil suit against Ghislaine Maxwell Prince Andrew is seen with his arm around Virginia Roberts while Ghislaine Maxwell stands in the background, in a now infamous photo from early 2001 According to the filings, John Doe 17 is among those wishing to keep their identity under wraps, arguing that being named in the case would cause him 'annoyance and embarrassment.' Another John Doe, number 151, claimed that he was 'trying to live a private life' and that disclosure meant they would be 'hounded' by the media. The request to make the documents public came on the day that Judge Lewis Kaplan ruled that Giuffre's battery lawsuit against Prince Andrew, a separate case also filed at the federal court in New York, can move forward. If Judge Preska decides to unseal the documents in Giuffre's case, they could shed new light on the Duke's dealings with Maxwell and Epstein. Preska is the judge who presided over a defamation lawsuit that Giuffre filed against Maxwell in 2015 for calling her a liar. The case was settled with confidential terms but the judge has slowly been approving the release of hundreds of documents in the case after applications from media organizations. In her letter to the judge, Giuffre's lawyer Sigrid McCawley said that they were following the court's instructions to 'streamline' the process of making the documents public. The numerous parties mentioned in the documents met in October and agreed to split the 'objecting non-parties into groups' and address the objections of the John Does first. But upon review, McCawley said it is 'apparent that their objections essentially mirror objections to unsealing that this Court has already rejected: that unsealing certain documents might be embarrassing, would expose non-parties to media attention, and could result in some unfortunate association between the non-parties and Jeffrey Epstein or Ghislaine Maxwell.' In a letter to Judge Preska, Maxwell's attorney Laura Menninger said her client will leave it to the court to determine whether the motions should be unsealed 'In the face of extensive prior briefing on objections just like these, the court's unsealing process has been quite consistent: with the exception of a narrow set of circumstances which are generally not present here, documents have been unsealed.' McCawley added that 'generalized aversion to embarrassment and negativity' from being associated with the case was not enough to keep the documents private. That was especially true given the 'great public interest' and the fact that Maxwell's trial for recruiting and trafficking underage girls has now finished - she was found guilty and faces 65 years in jail. McCawley wrote: 'Now that Maxwell's criminal trial has come and gone, there is little reason to retain protection over the vast swaths of information about Epstein and Maxwell's sex-trafficking operation that were originally filed under seal in this case.' The letter stated that people testified in court about matters which are under seal in the case at issue, the defamation matter. McCawley wrote that the 'abundance of public information now widely available about Epstein and Maxwell's scheme through the thousands of pages of publicly available trial transcripts cuts against any continued sealing in this case.' Turning to each of the John Does, the letter states that John Doe 17 is mentioned in four documents and objects to his name being made public. Maxwell, who is said to have been Epstein's madam as well as his one-time girlfriend, is seen posing with the pedophile in evidence photos shown in court Virginia Giuffre has long claimed that she was a victim of Jeffrey Epstein and in 2015 sued Maxwell for defamation for calling her a liar McCawley wrote that his objection is that 'if (the material) is allowed to be made public, (it) will cause them, to say the least, annoyance and embarrassment.' It would also cause the individual 'severe anxiety and distress,' and 'extreme personal, physical and reputational harm.' McCawley said that the Doe did not cite any legal authority and the documents should be unsealed. Does 53 and 54 do not oppose unsealing so the documents relating to them should be released, the letter stated. Does 55 and 56 object to their names being made public because they claim a deposition in which they are mentioned is 'unreliable', the letter states. McCawley argued this was not grounds to keep the material private. John Doe 73 argues against unsealing because of a 'general aversion' to being associated with Maxwell and Epstein and disclosure could cause 'substantial embarrassment.' The individuals named in the lawsuit are identified in court documents only as 'Non-Parties 17, 53, 54, 55, 56, 73, 93 and 151' - it is not clear if one of them is the Duke of York Giuffre's lawyers argue that 'there is little reason to retain protection' over the seal documents now that Maxwell's criminal trial is over Doe 93 claims that documents which mention them have 'no relevance' to the matters at hand and could be seen as 'salacious'. Doe 141 is mentioned the most of all and appears in 47 documents. According to McCawley's letter, Doe claims they are 'trying to live a private life and do not want any attention stemming from disclosure.' They claim they will be 'hounded and pursued but he media for comment and elaboration.' McCawley says this is not grounds for keeping the documents sealed and notes that the material has already been widely reported in the media and part has been unsealed. The individual's involvement in the case had also been reported already and they have already been contacted by the media and declined to comment. In her battery lawsuit against Andrew, Giuffre claims that she was forced to have sex with him three times when she was 17 after Epstein told her to do so. Andrew has strongly and repeatedly denied the claims, calling them 'baseless' in his response and that they are designed to get a 'payday' from him. Six have objected to the unsealing including John Does 17, 55, 56, 73, 93, and 151 In his ruling allowing the case to continue, Judge Kaplan rejected Andrew's argument that a settlement Giuffre signed with Epstein in 2009 to settle a civil case against him should be grounds for dismissal. The case now moves into the discovery phase where each side exchanges documents and depositions are taken, including that of the Duke himself. Judge Preska has been unsealing such material in the defamation case and it gives an insight into what is in store for the Duke in the coming months. The documents include a deposition from Giuffre and Johanna Sjoberg who claims she was in the room when Andrew groped Giuffre's breast at Epstein's New York mansion in 2001. The documents have also included emails that Andrew sent to Maxwell in January 2015 after Giuffre claimed for the first time that she had had sex with him. The Duke messaged Maxwell: 'Let me know when we can talk. Got some specific questions to ask you about Virginia Roberts,' referring to Giuffre's maiden name. Maxwell responded: 'Have some info. Call me when you have a moment.' National cabinet has agreed that close contacts who work in a raft of key industries will not have to isolate if they return a negative Covid rapid test and do not have symptoms. The desperate plan announced by Scott Morrison on Thursday was hatched to solve Australia's deepening supply chain crisis which has seen businesses struggling to find staff and many supermarket shelves left bare as Covid cases skyrocket. The new rules apply to anyone in the food supply sector as well as the transport, freight and logistics industries whose role is deemed critical. Teachers, childcare workers and emergency services personnel are also included in the arrangement along with workers in the energy, resources, water, waste management, telecommunications, broadcasting and media sectors. But critics say the relaxed rules are likely to lead to even more positive cases, amplifying the supply chain crunch, as rapid tests notoriously do not pick up someone's infection for a number of days - meaning they could test negative, but still be infectious. It comes as the prime minister slammed so called 'Omicron parties' where some Australians are getting together to intentionally catch the virus in the mistaken belief it will make them 'immune'. Scott Morrison announced that national cabinet had agreed close contacts who work in a raft of key industries will no longer have to isolate if they return a negative Covid rapid test Australia recorded a staggering 150,000 Covid cases on Thursday as the nation's supply chain crisis deepens (pictured, a woman is tested in Sydney) WHAT ARE THE NEW RELAXED ISOLATION RULES? In order to ease the supply chain crisis wreaking havoc on Australia, the PM has announced that workers in many critical sectors will no longer have to isolate if they are a close contact and have returned a negative RAT result. They also must have no symptoms. Workers in the following industries who are deemed to have critical roles will be subject the new rules: - Food supply - Transport, freight and logistics - Teachers and childcare workers - Emergency services personnel - Energy and resources - Water and waste management - Telecommunications - Broadcasting and media Advertisement Australia recorded a staggering 150,000 new Covid cases on Thursday with a back log of some 60,000 RAT results added to the tally in NSW dating back to January 1. Mr Morrison said a solution to the issues facing Australia must strike a 'very delicate balance' between public health and the economy. 'The less restrictions you put on people to get them to work, the more pressure that could potentially put on your hospital system, and vice-versa,' he said. 'The more you try to protect your hospital system, the more people you are taking out of work, which disrupt supply chains.' In a frank admission, the PM admitted that the goal is not to stop everyone in the country getting Covid, it's to 'protect our hospitals and keep our society and economy functioning as we ride this latest wave of Omicron'. Treasury Secretary Steven Kennedy outlined that about 10 per cent of the Australia workforce is currently off the job due to the isolation requirements. The new rules apply to anyone who works in the food supply sector as well as the transport, freight and logistics industries (pictured, a worker in Brisbane) Covid isolation requirements have seen 10 per cent of Australia's workforce off the job, leaving a strain on everywhere from supermarkets to petrol stations (pictured, a petrol station in Central Sydney) Mr Morrison said the problem is likely to get worse if the start of the school year is delayed at the end of the month - as Queensland and South Australia have decided to do. 'If schools don't open, that can add an additional five per cent of absenteeism in the workforce,' the prime minister said. 'It is absolutely essential for schools to go back safely and remain safely open if we are not going to see any further exacerbation of the workforce challenges we are currently facing. 'We did have a serious discussion about that today, and the advice from the medical expert panel. We will be confirming our views on that over the course of the next week.' While the changes have been well-received by impacted industries, Labor leader Anthony Albanese said he has concerns expert medical advice is not being adhered to. 'We need to take that advice because where medical advice has been ignored, or short-circuited, the end economic consequences have been more dire than if the medical advice had been followed,' Mr Albanese 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.' While the changes have been well-received by impacted industries, Labor leader Anthony Albanese said he has concerns expert medical advice is not being adhered to (pictured, a supermarket worker in Brisbane) The prime minister also addressed the bizarre phenomenon of Omicron parties, where some Australian intentionally expose themselves to the virus. 'All this nonsense about Covid parties, it is ridiculous,' he said. 'If you think you can go out there and get the virus and get it over with, that is not how this works.' He strongly urged Australians to use 'common sense' and follow the public health measures laid out by state and federal governments. emissions will be water vapour, will travel into orbit at hypersonic speeds A hypersonic 'spaceplane' is being developed in inner Sydney, but the passengers will be gadgets not people. Named Delta Velos, the sleek vehicle will be powered by four green-hydrogen fuelled scramjet engines to send small satellites into orbit. Engineer Simon Ringer and his team at the University of Sydney are working with Australian aerospace engineering startup Hypersonix Launch Systems on the zero-emissions spaceplane. 'There will be this Australian-made vehicle which is just a complete leap in technology, travelling at hypersonic speeds,' Professor Ringer told AAP on Thursday. With the development of sophisticated 3D printers, the so-called additive manufacturing tools, objects have jumped from fun and wacky to industrial and useful. Additive manufacturing will be used to make flight-critical parts of the spaceplane, which will be powered by the world's first 3D printed scramjet engine. A hypersonic 'spaceplane' dubbed Delta Velos (pictured) has been developed in inner Sydney by a team of dedicated engineers Engineer Simon Ringer (pictured) and his team at the University of Sydney are working with Australian aerospace engineering startup Hypersonix on the highly anticipated zero-emissions spaceplane 'You can suddenly take things off the blueprint and off the design chart,' Prof Ringer said. 'We can build shapes and designs in 3D that we could never make before. You can really let your imagination run riot.' Add to that the ability to imagine and combine new alloys, and the project takes another leap. 'This is a totally new way of making metallurgical materials. It's different from a foundry, it's different from things that happen at a steel plant,' he said. 'All of a sudden we're looking back at the periodic table, we're looking at combinations of elements that can come together in a new process and in many instances they've got amazing properties like high-temperature strength.' Both aspects can be tested in the manufacturing hub in the engineering precinct of the University of Sydney's Darlington campus. Hypersonix will develop a series of smaller proof-of-concept vehicles before launching into the larger version. The first of these projects will be powered by one single scramjet engine with a range of 500km that could also be used as a hypersonic target drone. The only emissions will be water vapour, according to Hypersonix managing director David Waterhouse. He aims to launch a three-metre long DART AE demonstrator version in early 2023 as the world's first 3D print of an entire hypersonic platform in high-temperature alloys. It could be the first of many projects for Professor Ringer's crew. 'Our vision for the Sydney manufacturing hub is that companies like Hypersonix come in and work with us, and dink around and learn how this amazing scientific and technological disruption that is additive manufacturing can be deployed,' Prof Ringer said. 'We'd like to be a sandpit for Aussie companies.' Advertisement Britain is set for icy mist during rush-hour this morning that risks travel chaos and flight cancellations after the mercury dipped to -4C (24F) in parts of England overnight. The Met Office issued a yellow warning for fog across parts of the West Midlands, as well as the south west and south east of England, lasting until 11am today. Cities affected include Bath, Worcester, Gloucester and Brighton. It said: 'Areas of fog have formed overnight and will be slow to clear in places Thursday morning - perhaps bringing some travel disruption.' The weather service also warned of slower journey times with possible delays to bus and train services, difficult driving conditions with potentially rapid changes to visibility and the chance of delays or cancellations to flights. But the mist will later lift and give way to a dry and sunny day for many in the south, as high pressure dominates the weather over the next week or so, it added. Over the past 24 hours, temperatures as low as -4C (24F) have been recorded in Marham, Norfolk, while Chillingham in Northumberland saw highs of 12C (54F). 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'. It comes amid a risk of freezing conditions from tomorrow until Monday, with temperatures continuing to plummet to -4C (24F) in parts of the country and people urged to check on their vulnerable neighbours. St Peter's Parish Church is shrouded in fog as the sun rises in Lancashire on Wednesday. The Met Office issued a yellow fog warning across parts of the West Midlands, as well as the south west and south east of England, lasting until 11am today The weather service also warned of slower journey times with possible delays to bus and train services, difficult driving conditions with potentially rapid changes to visibility and the chance of delays or cancellations to flights The Met Office tweeted out the latest satellite image (pictured above), saying it 'picks out the fog quite well this morning', adding that it should be noted there are 'also areas of low cloud affecting parts of the UK' The Met Office tweeted last night: 'Cloud making all the difference tonight. Where skies clear we will see frost and fog. Where clouds remain it will stay mild.' In a later post, it added: 'Fog patches will lead to some tricky travelling conditions Thursday morning - take extra care.' From Thursday afternoon, the weather service 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.' Two dogs run across frosty ground at Basingstoke Common in Basingstoke, Hampshire, early this morning. The mist will later lift and give way to a dry and sunny day for many in the south, as high pressure dominates the weather over the next week A person walks their dog across Basingstoke Common in Hampshire today. Over the past 24 hours, temperatures as low as -4C (24F) have been recorded in Marham, Norfolk, while Chillingham in Northumberland saw highs of 12C (54F) A person walks across Basingstoke Common. 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' 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' 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.' People run along the banks of the River Cam in Cambridge at sunrise yesterday. 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 yesterday. 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 cyclist rides through Sefton Park in Liverpool yesterday. 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 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 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. One of Sydney's longest standing murder mysteries has been solved after a man admitted to pushing a gay American mathematician off a cliff in 1988. Scott White has admitted to murder more than 33 years after pushing mathematician Scott Johnson from a cliff in Manly on Sydney's northern beaches. White confessed on Monday but it was kept secret until now because his barrister unsuccessfully argued he wasn't fit to make that admission. Mr Johnson's brother Steve had relentlessly pursued justice for his brother and reportedly spent up to $1million on an investigator to prove his death was the result of foul play. Scott Johnson (pictured) was 27-years-old and had just finished his maths PhD when he was found at the bottom of cliffs in Manly Speaking after the verdict, he said proving the death was a homicide 'wasn't easy' but his faith had now been 'restored'. He added his brother was a 'proud' gay man and was his best friend. '[My brother] was brilliant, but more modest than he was brilliant, so you would never hear him say that,' Steve Johnson said. 'The last conversation we know he had was with his [university] professor as far as his professor was concerned, my brother could get a job at any university in the world.' Detectives stormed White's Sydney apartment in May 2020 and arrested him for the crime after receiving a tip-off. An original inquest in 1989 ruled the death was suicide, a second in 2012 could not confirm the cause, and a third inquest, however, ruled Mr Johnson was killed in a gay hate crime. Detectives stormed the Lane Cove apartment of Scott White (pictured in handcuffs) in May 2020 and arrested him for the crime after receiving a tip-off from an informant The third inquest in 2017 found that Mr Johnson fell from the cliff on Sydney's northern beaches 'as a result of actual or threatened violence' by an unidentified attacker who perceived him to be gay. This was followed by a $1million reward being offered by police for information which led to a conviction. This was later doubled to $2million with the additional reward offered by Mr Johnson's brother Steve, an American tech entrepreneur. Detective chief inspector Peter Yeomans, who led the investigation, said that without the evidence from the informant the case 'couldn't have been solved'. At the time, Steve Johnson said 'this is very emotional day'. Steve Johnson (pictured) said in 2020 the arrest marked 'a very emotional day' in a video message shared by police He previously said he arrived in Sydney 36 hours after he heard of his brother's death. 'It was clear when I got to the police station, the Manly police station, that the police already assumed it was a suicide,' Steve told ABC's Australian Story. 'And I said, ''Impossible''. He'd just finished his PhD that he'd been working on for five years.' Over the following years Steve hired an investigative journalist, and lawyers and others joined the cause to find answers, calling themselves 'Team Scott'. Scott Johnson (left), a Sydney-based American national, was found at the base of a cliff at Blue Fish Point, near Manly's North Head, on December 10, 1988. His brother Steve (right) spent decades fighting for justice Among the leads followed by the team were whether Blue Fish Point was a known gay beat, where strangers in the gay community would meet for sex. Also unanswered was why Mr Johnson's clothes were neatly folded in a pile at the top of the cliffs. Steve said the arrest of his brother's alleged killer was important not only for his family but also for the wider gay community. 'Scott had come to symbolise the many dozens of other gay men who lost their lives in the 1980s and 90s,' he said. The arrest proved 'times have changed' and it recognised 'that all of us deserve equal protection and justice under the law', Steve added. An independent investigator has said that a pair of Utah police officers should have been suspended for not citing Gabby Petito following a violent encounter with her boyfriend Brian Laundrie where she admitted she was the aggressor. Officers Eric Pratt and Daniel Robbins had pulled the couple over in Moab, Utah, on August 12, 2021, after they responded to a call from a witness who saw the couple involved in a domestic fight. The Price City Police Department launched its own independent investigation and said Wednesday that the officers should have pressed charges in the incident. 'I believe the officers responded to a domestic violence call and had probable cause an act of domestic violence had been committed,' Price Police Capt. Brandon Ratcliffe. 'This should have meant an arrest was made, either by citation or custody.' Bodycam footage recorded the encounter between Petito and Laundrie after they were stopped at the Arches National Park while on their cross country road trip out West. The footage captured a visibly shaken Petito who admitted to being the aggressor in the public argument. During the conversation, Pratt had noted that Petito should have been arrested for her actions as stated in the Utah state law. The couple, however, managed to dispute the allegations and the officers let them go following a 75-minute conversation on the promise that they spend the night away from one another. On September 19, Gabby's strangled body was found in Wyoming. Police say she had been dead for three or four weeks. Laundrie's remains were found in a Florida swamp on October 20, two months after he is believed to have killed Gabby. An independent investigator revealed that Gabby Petito should have been cited for being the aggressor in a domestic dispute with her boyfriend Brian Laundrie (pictured left). Moab City PD Eric Pratt (right) is seen speaking with Laundrie The cops who pulled Petito and Laundrie in Moab, Utah were also recommended for probation for not pressing charges in the incident The couple was pulled over after a witness reported the couple had been involved in a violent dispute Officer Eric Pratt who pulled the couple over in Moab, Utah, on August 12, 2021, said he has been affected by the mistakes he made during the traffic stop. 'I do care. I am devastated about it,' he said. 'I cared that day and I still care. I don't think the public gets that we...I don't know if they know we care. I don't know if they know.' Despite evidence pointing towards Petito as the aggressor, Ratcliffe noted that she had probably been the victim of violence in the relationship. As a result of the investigation, Ratcliffe recommended that Pratt and Robbins be put on probation for how they handled the incident. He also concluded that he couldn't be certain that the officers could have changed the outcome of Petito's fate if they acted accordingly. 'Would Gabby be alive today if this case was handled differently?,' the report said, according to CNN. That is an impossible question to answer despite it being the answer many people want to know. 'Nobody knows and nobody will ever know the answer to that question.' The city of Moab has not revealed any form of future disciplinary action for the officers but they intend to implement new measures such as legal and domestic violence training. They noted, however, that the officers should have cited Petito made 'several unintentional mistakes' during the incident. 'Based on the report's findings, the City of Moab believes our officers showed kindness, respect and empathy in their handling of this incident,' a statement from the city read. 'The City of Moab sends our sincere condolences to the Petito family. Our hearts go out to them as they continue to deal with the tragic loss of their daughter.' According to the document, cops were called to a local business in Moab, Utah on August 12, after a witness reported seeing the couple 'arguing over a phone' outside their van (Petito and Laundrie pictured) Laundrie with his fiancee, Gabby Petito, whose body was found in Wyoming on September 19 Petito seen here with Brian Laundrie, her boyfriend and the main suspect in her disappearance, whose own death was ruled a suicide after remains were discovered October 20 Since Petito's death, Pratt said that he has been affected by the mistakes he made during the traffic stop. 'I do care. I am devastated about it,' he said. 'I cared that day and I still care. I don't think the public gets that we...I don't know if they know we care. I don't know if they know.' The search for Petito began after Laundrie had returned to his parent's Florida home from their trip without her on September 1. On September 11, Gabby's family reported her missing and two days later, her boyfriend Brian Laundrie vanished from his parents' home. The young couple had been on a cross-country van trip but it turned sour and in August, just a few weeks before she died. Laundrie's remains were found in a Florida swamp on October 20 two months after he is believed to have killed Gabby Chris and Roberta Laundrie are shown arriving home in October after their son's remains were found. They were widely criticized for not turning their son into police after Gabby was reported missing Chris and Roberta Laundrie, Brian's parents, have been widely condemned for not talking with Petito's family or turning their son in to police when he returned home from his trip, especially after she was reported missing. He left their home on September 13, two days after her family on Long Island, New York, reported her disappearance. Petito's family criticized the Laundries for not helping them. Laundrie, 23, was reported to have died from a single, self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head, his lawyer Steve Bertolino said on Tuesday. His remains were discovered in the Florida reserve near his parents' house on October 20. The 23-year-old went missing in September after returning alone from a trip with Petito, whose body was found in the Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming. An initial autopsy was inconclusive but the Laundrie family lawyer, Steve Bertolino, said on Tuesday he had been told by the forensic anthropologist who took over that Laundrie died by a single gunshot wound to the head. Two men have been arrested and charged for their alleged involvement in the fire at Old Parliament House in Canberra on December 30. Detectives from Operation Pike made the arrests on Thursday - exactly two weeks after the fire - with the support of the Australian Federal Police. The fire, which is alleged to have been deliberately lit by protesters on the steps of the historic building, caused extensive damage. On the day of the fire, ACT Emergency Services were called to the scene to find the front doors of Australia's first federal parliament alight. Protestors (pictured) in front of the burning Old Parliament House on December 30 Police and fire officers pictured at the scene of the fire at Old Parliament House in Canberra on December 30 Some protesters shouted 'let it burn' as they clashed with police and television crews outside the building. They also chanted 'long live us' and 'stop telling lies' and used a megaphone to talk about Indigenous rights and colonisation. The previous week, Old Parliament House was forced to close when members of the Aboriginal Tent Embassy - which has been a presence on the building's lawn for almost 50 years - held a sit-in protest and caused a fire at the entrance. Old Parliament House, which served as Australia's federal parliament from 1927 until 1988, is now home to the Museum of Australian Democracy. Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce called the fire 'an absolute disgrace' and said Australians would be 'disgusted' by the damage. Five fire engines and about 40 police officers attended the scene and the building was evacuated as a precaution while crews extinguished the blaze. WHAT ARE SOVEREIGN CITIZENS? Sovereign citizens believe that they not judges, juries, law enforcement or elected officials should decide which laws to obey and which to ignore. Most sovereign citizens also dont believe they should have to pay taxes. In the US, the FBI has described the movement as 'domestic terrorism'. Source: Southern Poverty Law Center Advertisement There were chaotic scenes as police dragged protesters away from the front steps of the building. Some of the protesters allegedly attacked media filming the fire. Among the protesters at Canberra at Old Parliament House are a 'sovereign citizen' group who posted a 'trespass' notice on the building doors on January 29. Their notice said that 'under rule of law and with absolute authority and autonomy, I, Chief Bumajin Gumbaynggirr, representative of the National Sovereign Government, hereby accepts (sic) your acquiescence by default, enforceable immediately.' It goes on to say that 'All actions of genocide, complicity in genocide and terrorism are to cease and desist immediately as per today's date, commencing 29-12-2021.' The lawn in front of Old Parliament House has been the site of the Aboriginal Tent Embassy since 1972 and is a rallying spot for Indigenous protests. As the fire burned on December 30, plumes of smoke billowed into the air as firefighters rushed to save the historic building from being gutted by the flames. The charred Australian Code of Arms is seen hanging above the entrance doors to Old Parliament House in Canberra, Thursday, December 30, 2021 Protestors holding Aboriginal flags screamed and jeered as the blaze engulfed the entrance, yelling 'let it burn'. The unruly crowd had to be held back from the building by a line of police before the altercation became a full-blown brawl. Within hours of the building going up in flames, Greens senator Lidia Thorpe posted a tweet - which was hastily deleted - remarking 'the colonial system is burning down'. She was quickly slammed for the post, in which she appeared to celebrate the destruction and told followers 'Happy New Year everyone'. Firefighters (pictured) are seen entering the fire damaged entrance to Old Parliament House in Canberra on December 30 Protesters stand in front of the burned out entrance doors to Old Parliament House in Canberra, Thursday, December 30, 2021 Both of the men arrested on Thursday are expected to appear in the ACT Magistrates Court on Friday morning. Two other men and a woman who were arrested at Parliament House on Thursday were charged with breach of the peace. The Operation Pike joint taskforce is continuing investigations to identify other people involved in the fire and other criminal activity. The joint taskforce has now charged three people for their alleged involvement in the fire at Old Parliament House. Anyone with information that could assist police in relation to criminal activity in the Parkes, ACT area is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or via the Crime Stoppers ACT website, quoting reference 6993036. Information can be provided anonymously. A number of Vietnamese banks plan to sell more shares to foreign investors in 2022 as part of set strategies. Leaders of the Orient Commercial Bank (OCB) said the bank was negotiating with foreign partners to sell 10 percent of its charter capital, baodautu.vn reported. If the deal is successful, the bank will lift its the foreign ownership limit (FOL) to a maximum of 30 percent as regulated by the current regulation. OCB's share price has had a positive growth for nearly a year since its listing on the HOSE on January 28, 2021. According to the Viet Dragon Securities Corporation, OCBs private placement plan of 70 million shares, which is expected to be completed in early 2022, will be a catalyst for the banks stock price to increase in the short term. Last year, Japans Aozora Bank acquired a 15 percent stake in OCB in a deal worth 139 million. This was the first M&A deal for Aozora in a foreign market since 2001 and made Aozora OCBs largest shareholder. The market is also awaiting for the stake sale deal of VPBank to foreign shareholders this year after VPBank announced it wanted to adjust the FOL from 15 percent to 17.5 percent and preparing to issue shares to foreign strategic shareholders. At VPBanks 2022 annual general meeting, the banks leaders said VPBank could sell both existing treasury shares and newly-issued shares to foreign partners. VPBanks leaders are expected to complete the share sale plan in the first quarter of 2022. If the issuance is successful, the bank's equity could reach a record of around 120 trillion VND. In April, VPBank signed an agreement to sell a 49 percent stake in FE Credit to Japans Sumitomo Mitsui Finance Group (SMFG) in a transaction that values the non-bank lender at 2.8 billion USD. Through this transaction, FE Credit is expected to receive support in capital resources, management capacity and experience in the consumer finance sector in Asia from SMBC Group, especially SMBCCF a leading consumer finance company in the Japanese market. The transaction will add a large amount of capital to VPBank, contributing to enhancing the bank's financial potential to capture new investment opportunities in the market. Sacombank also said it will sell 32.5 percent shares to foreign investors after completing its restructuring in 2022. However, Sacombank Chairman Duong Cong Minh said the sale of shares to foreign partners must be approved by the Government and the Viet Nam Asset Management Company (VAMC) as the VAMC is keeping the shares./. VNA Rainbow flags are pinned to the ground in front of Seoul City Hall during a press conference held by LGBTQ activists in this March 8, 2021, photo, calling for the eradication of discrimination against sexual minorities. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul By Lee Hyo-jin Discrimination and prejudice are prevalent in Korean society, despite it being a country with an advanced democracy guaranteeing basic political freedoms and civil liberties, according to a report released by Human Rights Watch (HRW), Thursday. The international non-governmental organization issued?its "World Report 2022," a summary of human rights conditions in over 100 countries and territories for 2021. The annual report pointed out that although Korea has established a democracy that largely respects civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights, some significant human rights concerns remain unresolved. "Discrimination against women is pervasive, as well as discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people, racial and ethnic minorities, and foreign migrants and refugees," the report read. The human rights group highlighted the seriousness of gender inequality issues in the country, saying that the gender pay gap, at 31 percent, is the widest among the OECD countries. The report notes that #MeToo movement, which gained wide support in Korea in recent years, has also been facing a backlash from "men's rights" groups that view the feminist movement as "reverse discrimination." In addition, the Korean government continues to struggle to address gender-based crimes online, including the widespread distribution of sexual images of women and underage girls without their consent. Regarding LGBTQ rights issues, HRW said, "The LGBT rights movement in Korea is growing, but sexual minorities continue to face hostility and severe discrimination, especially in the armed forces." The country's first openly transgender soldier, Byun Hee-soo, was forcibly discharged after undergoing gender reassignment surgery in 2019. The court ordered her reinstatement, but Byun died by suicide in March 2021 before the court ruling. HRW also pointed out that the Korean government retains "draconian" criminal defamation laws and sweeping intelligence and national security laws that chill speech critical of the government and corporations. Representatives of seven media-related organizations hold a press conference in front of the main building of the National Assembly, Aug. 31, 2021, to protest the ruling party and the government's push to revise a law allowing punitive damages on media outlets accused of publishing "fake news." Korea Times photo by Oh Dae-geun Advertisement A young boy and a baby wrapped in a blanket were among up to 80 migrants who arrived on British shores today, marking the fifth consecutive day of dangerous Channel crossings. The boy, who was pictured hand in hand with another migrant and a Border Force officer, was among a group of migrants who were escorted onto dry land at Dover at around 1pm this afternoon. Shortly after 3pm, a further 27 migrants were brought into Dover Marina. A young girl, wearing a navy polka dot coat, was hysterically crying after being woken up from a deep sleep to be carried up the gangway by a Border Force officer. She was with two other men and women, along with a young boy wearing a red jacket who appeared uneasy on his feet. These crossings followed the arrival of a group of migrants this morning. Among them was a baby draped in a blanket. They arrived after several vessels were allegedly reported in the thick fog in the English Channel carrying dozens of people on board. The men, woman and children were brought into Dover by an RNLI lifeboat looking cold and tired amid freezing temperatures before dawn today as they were helped ashore by immigration officials and paramedics. The group was brought to shore by the RNLB City of London II Dover Lifeboat around 6am today after making the journey overnight. One man carried a baby wearing a white woolly hat wrapped in a maroon blanket as they disembarked followed by a woman and young boy. Medics helped another woman up the gangway for processing. Around an hour later, the RNLI's lifeboat based in Dungeness, named The Morrell, brought another group of migrants in, mainly consisted of men wearing thick winter coats. The group arriving shortly after 1pm disembarked Border Force's large catamaran Hurricane and were escorted up the gangway for processing. Another boat is believed to have been intercepted a few miles off Dungeness, Kent around the same time, meaning up to nine have made the crossing today. They were transferred onto a Border Force vessel to be brought up the coast to Dover. It is not known how many migrants were on board each boat. Among the 3pm arrivals was a young girl, wearing a navy polka dot coat, who was hysterically crying after being woken up from a deep sleep to be carried up the gangway by a Border Force officer. She was with a man and woman - who were followed by a young boy, who appeared uneasy on his feet wearing a red jacket, and another man and woman. The families were followed by a further 21 men in what is expected to be the last crossing of the day. It means at least 80 migrants are believed to have arrived today. A Maritime and Coastguard Agency spokesman also confirmed it sent its fixed-wing aircraft to a search and rescue incident off the Kent coast in the early hours. They said: 'HM Coastguard has been coordinating a search and rescue response to an incident off Kent, working with Border Force, Kent Police and other partners. We sent the coastguard fixed-wing aircraft and Dover RNLI lifeboat.' It comes after the first crossing of 2022 on January 4 when 66 migrants arrived, followed by 96 more on Monday. Another 25 made the journey yesterday, taking the total confirmed to arrive on UK shores so far this year to 187. Last year a record-breaking 28,381 people reached Britain from northern France by making the perilous Channel crossing, a huge increase on the 8,410 who made the trip in 2020. November 2021 saw the worst tragedy since the start of the crisis when 27 men, women and children died after their dinghy sank in the freezing cold waters. Dover MP Natalie Elphicke told ITV's Good Morning Britain today: 'It is dangerous and inhumane to allow this trade, this trafficking of people across the Channel every day, because it's incredibly unsafe and people have died. 'It puts lives at risk every single day it continues - and the right, compassionate thing to do is to keep people safe by them staying safe on land in France and being turned around as they leave the water in France, straight back to France where they can be looked after in that safe country. 'People are safe in France. They should stay in France, and it's the right thing to do to tackle this crisis and bring an end to it to make sure vulnerable people aren't put at risk of their lives.' A young boy and a baby wrapped in a blanket were among up to 80 migrants who arrived on British shores today, marking the fifth consecutive day of dangerous Channel crossings. The boy, who was pictured hand in hand with another migrant and a Border Force officer, was among a group of migrants who were escorted onto dry land at Dover at around 1pm this afternoon The group disembarked Border Force's large catamaran Hurricane and were escorted up the gangway for processing At least 80 migrants are believed to have arrived on UK shores today. Above: A boy is seen among migrants escorted at Dover this afternoon A man carries a sleeping child wrapped in a blanket ashore as more migrants arrive at Dover in Kent this morning The man carrying the child is directed by an official at Dover this morning after another group arrive across the Channel The group are brought ashore on an RNLI lifeboat in Dover this morning after making the perilous cross-Channel journey Home Office minister Tom Pursglove said last night: '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.' Last year a record-breaking 28,381 people reached Britain from northern France by making the perilous Channel crossing Another boat is believed to have been intercepted a few miles off Dungeness, Kent around the same time, meaning up to nine have made the crossing today. They were transferred onto a Border Force vessel to be brought up the coast to Dover. It is not known how many migrants were on board each boat. Above: A migrant holds the small child in his arms A group of people thought to be migrants are brought in to Dover, Kent, by Border Forcer officers, following a small boat incident in the Channel The arrivals this afternoon were escorted by Border Force officers. Above: A woman wears a hood over her face as she walks up the gangway at Dover The migrants are brought ashore at Dover this morning after becoming the latest to make the perilous journey An official directs migrants onto shore after they arrive on the coast of Kent before dawn this morning A man carries a sleeping child up a ramp at Dover after the latest group of migrants arrive in Kent this morning An immigration official directs the group of migrants where to go after they arrive on the coast of Kent this morning Yesterday, 25 migrants made the perilous journey across the Channel in one boat. Two toddlers were among the group who managed to cross the Channel by boat under the cover of darkness. Around a dozen people could be seen being brought into Dover on board Border Force cutter Speedwell at about 3am yesterday. 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, was carried by their father. They were followed by a mother, draped in a light blue blanket, holding a large bag with 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. A man carries a child after the group of migrants arrive on the coast of Kent at the Port of Dover this morning The RNLI Lifeboat brings the group of migrants into shore at the Port of Dover in Kent before dawn this morning Paramedics help a young woman, possibly a child, onto shore in Dover this morning after she made the crossing The RNLI Lifeboat brings the group of migrants into shore at the Port of Dover in Kent before dawn this morning On Monday, three groups were brought into Kent with the third amounting to at least 30 people who were escorted into Dover on Border Force vessel Searcher at around midday. That was on top of 60 to 70 people who made the journey overnight into Monday morning, arriving in the UK before 5.30am this morning. Border Force boat Speedwell brought around 35 migrants into the UK at 4.40am on Monday, with another 30 or so arriving by RNLI lifeboat less than an hour later. Several members of the group, which included a baby, appeared to be suffering from cramp after the long journey. One was seen being carried in a fireman's lift up the ramp towards the immigration facility at Tug Haven. A Border Force vessel heads out to the English Channel from the Port of Dover this morning A Border Force vessel tows boats thought to be used by migrants in to Dover today following more incidents in the Channel In the first crossings of the year on January 4 when 66 migrants arrived, some shouted 'UK we love you' and one blew kisses at onlookers as they were brought into Dover aboard an RNLI lifeboat. The first group of men, women and five young children, including a baby, were intercepted in the Channel during the morning and led off the lifeboat before being taken to an immigration processing centre. Later, a group of about 20 people were brought in aboard Border Force vessel Hurricane, including one man who was pictured creating a dove gesture with his hands. He overlapped his hands and spread his fingers to mimic the shape of the bird, which is commonly used to signify freedom and peace. They were the first to make the perilous crossing since December 27. A Frenchman re-arrested over the murders of three members of a British family and a cyclist in the Alps has been released without charge. The Annecy prosecutor confirmed on Thursday evening that the 57-year-old married father, who has not been identified by name, had 'been ruled out' from the enquiry. It centres on the gunning down of Saad al-Hilli, 50, his wife Iqbal, 47, and his mother-in-law Suhaila al-Allaf, 74. A Frenchman re-arrested over the murders of three members of a British family and a cyclist in the Alps has been released without charge (pictured, an e-fit released in November) The Annecy prosecutor confirmed on Thursday evening that the 57-year-old married father, who has not been identified by name, had 'been ruled out' from the enquiry (pictured, the crime scene) Surrey businessman Saad al-Hilli, 50, (left) his wife Iqbal, 47, and his mother-in-law Suhaila al-Allaf, 74, were gunned down in their BMW car on September 5, 2012, alongside French cyclist Sylvain Mollier, 45, (right) also died in the bloodbath Previous suspects and 'witnesses' arrested over the case During the course of the investigation, several individuals have been questioned but none has been charged. Saad al-Hilli's brother Zaid: Arrested on suspicion of murder in 2013 but released 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'. 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. 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 All were killed in their BMW car at a layby close to Lake Annecy, in eastern France, while 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. Prosecutor Lise Bonnet originally said there had been 'inconsistencies' with the man's alibi, but these have now been resolved. He was the 'mystery motorcyclist' seen driving away from the crime scene close to Lake Annecy on September 5, 2012, and looking lost. An e-fit photo of a 'prime suspect motorcyclist' with a goatee beard was released in November 2013 and showed him in a distinctive black helmet, of which only about 8000 were made. The image, mainly produced by two forest rangers who briefly spoke to the man, finally led to a first arrest of the biker a businessman from the French city of Lyon in 2015. He told police he had been on his way home from a paragliding trip in the Alps and was released without charge for the first time. Jean-Christophe Basson-Larbi, the arrested man's lawyer, said his client had been wrongfully arrested and been 'put through hell'. Quoting his client directly, Mr Basson-Larbi said: 'The position of this gentleman is always the same. 'I was strolling, I went to this region for something specific. The weather was fine, he was wandering on paths he didn't know because he didn't use his GPS. 'He crossed paths with motorists, maybe, but he didn't cross paths with this poor family.' The motorcyclist said he 'did not make the connection' between his presence near the scene of the crime and the e-fit when it was first circulated, and that is why he did not initially come forward. On Tuesday morning, the man was re-arrested at the home in Lyon that he shares with his wife and children. An initial custody period of 24-hours was extended on Wednesday, as prosecutors said there were inconsistencies with his alibi that needed to be resolved. After more than a decade of investigation, the enquiry is frequently referred to as a cold case, and the latest development will confirm that view. 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 Annecy prosecutor Line 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. 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. 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) 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. Menegaldo was one of several individuals who have been questioned as part of the investigation, but none have ever been charged. Mr al-Hilli's brother, Zaid, was 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 but was later cleared. And 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. 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 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. And 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, also theorising his personal life could have been the source of a motive for his murder. 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. 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. 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 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. Russia has warned it will resort to 'military means' if the West does not bow to its demands over Ukraine and says US sanctions against President Vladimir Putin would 'cross a line', after NATO's chief said there is 'a real risk for armed conflict.' The Kremlin warned that by introducing sanctions against Putin, the US could see relations between the countries severed. 'Introducing sanctions against a head of state is crossing a line and comparable to a rupture of ties,' Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters today. Meeting senior Kremlin envoys at NATO headquarters in Brussels, Western ambassadors unanimously rejected Moscow's demands for a guarantee that Ukraine will never be admitted to the group. The Kremlin also demanded that NATO rule out allowing Finland or Georgia to join the alliance, and for NATO to pull back from the ex-Soviet states that were brought into the group in 1997 - eight years after the Berlin wall fell. Meanwhile, the European Union's foreign policy chief said on Thursday that Europe had received assurances from the United States that nothing will be agreed with Russia without the bloc's involvement. 'With the United States over the last few days, we have had an extremely close coordination,' Josep Borrell told reporters ahead of an EU defence ministers meeting in western France. 'We have assurances that nothing will be decided or negotiated without close coordination with Europe and without the participation of the Europeans.' Russia has warned it will resort to 'military means' if the West does not bow to its demands over Ukraine, after NATO's chief said there is 'a real risk for armed conflict.' Pictured: A still grab from a video showing Russia military exercises that were ramped up amid on-going talks After the alliance refused to meet Russian demands, NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg warned there was 'a real risk of a new armed conflict in Europe'. 'If Russia once again uses force against Ukraine and further invades Ukraine, then we have to seriously look into the need to further increase our presence in the eastern part of the alliance,' Mr Stoltenberg added. With talks failing to reach a breakthrough in Brussels, Russia cranked up its war games with live fire exercises, some close to Ukraine's borders where it has an estimated 100,000 troops in forward positions. The latest in a spate of Russian war games - seen on video - included tank, motorised rifle, reconnaissance and engineering units drills. These drills in the Moscow region involved more than 5,000 troops and 1,500 pieces of weaponry. Russian deputy foreign minister Alexander Grushko warned that the Kremlin will use its armed forces if it fails to gain concessions from the West. 'We have a set of legal military-technical measures that we will apply if we feel a real threat to (our) security,' he said. 'And we already feel (it), if our territory is considered as an object for targeted strike weapons 'Of course, we cannot agree with this. We will take all necessary measures to fend off the threat by military means if political means fail.' Russian sniper exercises (pictured) took place in the Russian-controlled Transnistrian region of Moldova, which borders western Ukraine The latest in a spate of Russian war games - seen on video - included tank, motorised rifle, reconnaissance and engineering units drills. These drills in the Moscow region involved more than 5,000 troops and 1,500 pieces of weaponry But western ambassadors said Moscow would have no veto on Ukraine nor on any other country joining the alliance and warned it would pay a high price if it invaded. 'Russia most of all will have to decide whether they really are about security, in which case they should engage, or whether this was all a pretext, and they may not even know yet,' US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman said. Grushko - Sherman's opposite number - agreed there had been no breakthrough, and lamented that, between them, Russia and NATO have no 'positive agenda.' 'The conversation was quite frank, direct, deep, intense, but at the same time it revealed a large number of differences on fundamental issues,' he said. Putin's government has demanded the West rule out accepting new members like Ukraine, Georgia or Finland on its eastern flank and wants limits on allied deployments in the former Soviet allies like Poland and the Baltic states that joined NATO after the Cold War. The allies have threatened massive economic and financial sanctions against Moscow if its huge troop build-up on Ukraine's frontiers and in Russian-occupied Crimea turns into a new invasion. Meeting senior Kremlin envoys at NATO headquarters in Brussels, Western ambassadors unanimously rejected Moscow's demands for a guarantee that Ukraine will never be admitted to the group.Pictured: NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg talks to the press outside the Lycee Naval in Brest on Wednesday Russian deputy foreign minister Alexander Grushko (pictured speaking on Wednesday) warned that the Kremlin will use its armed forces if it fails to gain concessions from the West Russia has put intense pressure on Ukraine since 2014, after a revolution overthrew a government that had sided with the Kremlin against moving closer to Europe. Russia has seized and annexed the Ukrainian region of Crimea and Moscow backs an insurgency in eastern Ukraine in which more than 13,000 people have died. Russia's massive troop build-up on Ukraine's borders has forced Washington to engage diplomatically - with bilateral security talks in Geneva on Monday, a NATO-Russia meeting on Wednesday and another planned at the OSCE in Vienna on Thursday. But the Western allies have received no promise that Russia will stand down its forces - which Moscow insists pose no threat to its already partially-occupied neighbour - despite their threatening massive economic sanctions if the Kremlin unleashes an invasion. Instead, the 30 member states invited the Russian envoys to return to Moscow and to advise Putin to join them for a series of confidence-building talks on limiting provocative military exercises, arms control and reciprocal limits on deploying missiles. '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,' Stoltenberg warned. 'There are significant differences between NATO allies and Russia on these issues.' Russia's massive troop build-up on Ukraine's borders has forced Washington to engage diplomatically - with bilateral security talks in Geneva on Monday, a NATO-Russia meeting on Wednesday and another planned at the OSCE in Vienna on Thursday. Pictured: Russian tanks shown in video footage of Russian military drills Putin's government has demanded the West rule out accepting new members like Ukraine, Georgia or Finland on its eastern flank and wants limits on allied deployments in the former Soviet allies like Poland and the Baltic states that joined NATO after the Cold War Stoltenberg said it would be impossible for NATO members to agree to Moscow's core demands for a new security order in Europe, and in particular added that Russia would have no veto on Ukraine's right to eventually join the alliance. 'Ukraine as a sovereign nation... has the right to self-defence. Ukraine is not a threat to Russia,' he said. 'It is Russia that is the aggressor. It is Russia that has used force and continues to use force against Ukraine. 'And then they're building up, with around 100,000 troops, artillery, armour, drones, tens of thousands of combat-ready troops and threatening rhetoric - that's the problem.' Before Wednesday, the NATO-Russia council had not met since 2019. NATO and Russia broke off practical cooperation in 2014 after Moscow occupied and annexed the Ukrainian region of Crimea. Russia's diplomatic mission to the alliance was withdrawn in October last year after eight of its staff were expelled on allegations of espionage. After the meeting, Sherman said: 'Together, the United States and our NATO allies made clear we will not slam the door shut on NATO's open-door policy. 'NATO has never expanded through force or coercion or subversion. It is countries' sovereign choice to choose to come to NATO and say they want to join.' Amid the talks, both Latvia and Estonia said all Baltic states were pushing NATO to expand its military presence in their country as a deterrent to Russia. Pictured: A Ukrainian soldier walks on the line of separation from pro-Russian rebels, Donetsk region, Ukraine, Monday, January 10, 2022 Russia has denied any intention to invade Ukraine, despite a build-up of 100,000 troops on the border between the two countries. Pictured: A serviceman of Ukrainian Military Forces walks on the front line with Russia-backed separatists not far from Avdiivka, in Donetsk region, southeastern Ukraine on January 10, 2022 Just ahead of the talks, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov had said: 'The continuation of NATO's open-door policy and the further advancement of NATO towards our borders is precisely what, from our point of view, threatens us. 'This is exactly what we are asking not to continue through legally-binding guarantees.' Russian ambassador to the US, Anatoly Antonov, warned that the West's threat of mega-sanctions will not intimidate Moscow. States Anatoly Antonov said in response to media questions: 'We believe that the calls on the Capitol Hill for the introduction of 'crippling' anti-Russian estrictions, as well as personal sanctions against the top leadership of the Russian Federation, are provocative and hopeless,' he said. 'We will not be intimidated by restrictions 'Behind the demands of lawmakers to punish our country more painfully lies an attempt to influence Russia against the background of ongoing negotiations on European security. 'We see such pressure as the inability of the United States to defend its point of view at the negotiating table in a reasoned manner.' He denied any intention to invade Ukraine. With talks failing to reach a breakthrough in Brussels, Russia cranked up its war games with live fire exercises, some close to Ukraine's borders where it has an estimated 100,000 troops in forward positions. Pictured: A Ukrainian soldier seen on January 10, 2022 The envoy said 'the alleged plan of an attack on a neighbouring state being hatched by our country are a figment of the sick imagination of local Russophobic circles'. He claimed: 'This is the result of their mental disorder. The answer is unambiguous. 'We have no aggressive intentions towards Ukraine. 'It seems that US politicians have launched the myth of an 'imminent Russian invasion of Ukraine' in the media and are now facing their own phobias.' Russia appeared to ramp up its war games amid the on-going talks. The 'combat training' included live firing by T-80 and T-72B3 tanks and BMP-2 amphibious infantry fighting vehicles against mock enemies. The aim is to exercise on off-road terrain and 'destroy enemy manpower using a twin machine gun and 125mm tank gun'. Sniper exercises took place in the Russian-controlled Transnistrian region of Moldova, which borders western Ukraine. Sniper drills were also underway in Voronezh, Belgorod, and Bryansk regions, which also border Ukraine, as well as Smolensk, said military reports today. 'Unit commanders will learn how to counter snipers and batteries by means of motor and armoured vehicles with high-power firearms, including mortars,' said a military spokesman. A pensioner in India who illegally had 11 Covid-19 jabs in less than a year has threatened to kill himself if police prosecute him. Brahamdev Mandal has gone into hiding as he bids to avoid charges of misleading the health department. Police are conducting raids to arrest the 84-year-old. The serial-vaxxer was able to sign up for extra jabs by using different people's ID and lying to health officials. On Sunday police showed up at his home in Bihar's Madhepura District and since then his phone had been switched off. Brahamdev Mandal, 84 (pictured), had 11 Covid-19 vaccines in just 11 months, and even had two within half an hour of each other on the same day Mr. Mandal has asked the Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi to clear him of the charges. The wife of Mr. Mandal, Nirmala Devi, has accused the police of harassing her and defended her husband. She told TOI that her husband was suffering from various diseases and difficulties to stand or walk, but after the shots he has been cured. The 84-year-old had the 11 vaccines in just 11 months, and even had two within half an hour of each other on the same day. He said he wanted to feel stronger during the pandemic, and claimed the multiple jabs rid him of his joint pain he has had for eight years. Two doses of Covid-19 vaccines are required for adults in most countries to be considered 'fully vaccinated,' with a third 'booster' jab becoming more common in order to enhance immunity that decreases over time. Some countries, such as Austria, have also begun rolling out fourth doses to specific groups, such as healthcare workers, while Turkey has offered a fifth. However, eleven doses is unheard of and not recommended by health bodies. Mr Mandal, a former postman, has been accused of a string of offences by police in the village of Orai, in Bihar, India where he lives. Officials have launched an investigation into how he was able to abuse the system. Amongst his jabs Mandal got two vaccines inside 30 minutes on the same day at Puraini health facility on April 13 last year. Mr Mandal bragged: 'I have taken vaccines and I recommend everyone to take them. 'It's quite beneficial. The government has taken an incredible step, as it helps back pains too, you should take it. 'My oxygen level has improved and I haven't caught a cold since getting a jab.' He claimed he got nine of the jabs using his own ID card. Speaking to the BBC, Mr Mandal said he travelled to various vaccination camps across the Madhepura district and even to at least two neighbouring districts. One, he said, was more than 62 miles away. Pictured: Three different certificates showing Brahamdev Mandal's vaccine status. The 84-year-old said he wanted to feel stronger during the pandemic, and claimed the multiple jabs rid him of his joint pain he has had for eight years Is it safe to have 11 Covid jabs a year? Getting more than the recommended number of Covid jabs raises the risk of side effects, experts say. Serious side effects have proven to be extremely rare after a standard two-dose course or after a booster. And Professor Ian Jones, a virologist at Reading University, says there is 'no particular' risk in receiving multiple shots. But he warned they did increase the already very tiny risk of side effects such as myocarditis which occurs in just one in 10,000 recipients. Vaccines have never been trialled in more than four-dose courses. But there are suggestions that smaller gaps are more likely to trigger side-effects. UK Government scientists say that giving children jabs eight weeks apart, the same as for adults, increases their risk of myocarditis. As a result, they recommend children should wait 12 weeks between doses. Britain's medical regulator says people should wait at least four weeks before getting their second dose, and a minimum of three months after two jabs to get their boosters. Scientists say the longer gaps, as well as reducing the side-effect risk, also make jabs more effective at priming the immune response. For people who are 'overdosed', get Covid vaccines too close together, the regulator says there is 'no specific treatment'. It says these individuals should be 'monitored' and offered treatment if it is needed. In April last year MailOnline revealed that a 74-year-old grandmother from London had got two Covid jabs five days apart. Advertisement Station house officer Das said: 'Mandal has taken 11 vaccines at different dates using different identity cards lying to the health officials. 'This act is a violation of the Covid-19 vaccination rule. He has taken vaccines between February 13, 2021, to January 4, 2022.' One medic said: 'This is a massive loophole when it comes to the surveillance system. We need to plug in such loopholes.' Despite taking well over the recommended number of vaccine doses, one doctor told the BBC that any side effects should be 'fairly harmless.' Common side effects of the vaccine include fever, headache, fatigue and aches - ranging from mild to moderate - that usually subside within days. Severe allergic reactions are much more uncommon. 'You will usually get these reactions after the first and the second dose. Multiple doses of these vaccines should be fairly harmless, as antibodies have already been formed and the vaccines are made up of harmless components,' Dr Lahariya told the broadcaster. Mr Mandal is not the first person to have reportedly been given multiple doses by tricking the system. In December, a man in New Zealand received the the vaccine 10 times in one day after he was paid by anti-vaxxers to get jabs on their behalf. The man, who has not been identified, pretended to be a different person each time he visited a doctor. He was then given the jab before the vaccination records were updated for the real person. Authorities believe anti-vaxxers paid the man so they could enjoy the same freedoms as the vaccinated without having to get the jab. New Zealanders must show a vaccine pass in order to visit some businesses and attend events in the country. India reported 168,063 new COVID-19 infections on Tuesday, a 20-fold rise in a month despite testing being well below capacity. Around 65 percent of the county's adult population is fully vaccinated, and 91 percent have had at least one dose. Most infected people have recovered at home and the level of hospitalisations has been less than half of that seen during the last major wave of infections in April and May. Many states have announced night curfews while the capital Delhi has also imposed a weekend lockdown, closed private offices as well as restaurants and bars in a bid to rein in the fast-spreading Omicron variant. Tuesday infection count came as nearly one million Hindu worshippers are expected to gather on the banks of the Ganges river this Friday and Saturday for a holy bathe. A health worker prepares to administer the third dose of COVID-19 vaccine to a police officer at a government hospital in Hyderabad, India, Tuesday, January 11, 2022 Tens of thousands of pilgrims have already reached the site of the annual Ganges ritual on an island in the eastern state of West Bengal, which is reporting the most number of cases in the country after Maharashtra state in the west. 'The crowd may swell to anywhere between 800,000 to one million. We are trying to implement all COVID protocols,' Bankim Chandra Hazra, a West Bengal minister in charge of organising the festival known as the Gangasagar Mela, told Reuters. 'We have also arranged for sprinkling of the holy water from drones so that there is no crowding ... but the sadhus (Hindu holy men) are bent on taking the dip. We can't prevent them.' A similar big religious festival in the north of India last year helped spread the Delta variant that infected millions of people and killed tens of thousands. Every year on Jan. 14, on the important Hindu day of Makar Sankranti, pilgrims visit Gangasagar village for a dip at the confluence of the Ganges and the Bay of Bengal. Doctors have appealed to the state's high court to reverse a decision to allow the festival this year, worrying it will become a virus 'super spreader' event. India has reported a total of 35.88 million COVID-19 infections, the world's biggest tally after the United States. Deaths rose by 277 to 484,213 on Monday. India conducted 1.6 million COVID-19 tests on Monday, while the capacity is more than 2 million. It has dropped the need for all close contacts of confirmed patients to get tested. Advertisement A massive fire destroyed two commercial buildings in Los Angeles on Wednesday and took down power lines as firefighters battled to get it under control. San Bernardino County firefighters rushed to the commercial yard in Adelanto, California, after 911 callers reported hearing explosions and seeing flames at around 4.35pm. Firefighters at the scene were trying to prevent the flames from spreading to a former fire station, strip mall or nearby homes, Los Angeles Times reported. Aerial video footage shows thick plumes of smoke rising from the fierce blaze, which engulfed two commercial buildings. San Bernardino County firefighters rushed to the scene in Adelanto, California, after 911 callers reported hearing explosions and seeing flames at around 4.35pm Aerial video footage shows thick plumes of smoke rising from the fierce blaze, which engulfed two commercial buildings The blaze (pictured) on the commercial yard engulfed two buildings, with firefighters working to prevent the flames from spreading to a former fire station, strip mall or nearby homes In a video clip, firefighters douse the flames with powerful water hoses in a bid to get the raging fire under control, which had spread to the courtyard In the clip, firefighters douse the flames with powerful water hoses in a bid to get the raging fire under control, which had spread to the courtyard. Mike McClintock, a battalion chief with the county Fire Protection District, said a second alarm, to double the fire department's response, was quickly requested to contain the blaze. He told the LA Times: 'Due to the large fire and threats, a second alarm was quickly requested. 'Limited water supply and downed power lines hampered firefighting efforts.' The fire was put out at 7.30pm, around three hours after initial reports, after destroying two buildings, including the former fire station, Mr McClintock said. Two buildings, including the former fire station, were destroyed in the fierce blaze and a landscaping company also suffered losses to its products and yards Mike McClintock, a battalion chief with the county Fire Protection District, said a second alarm, to double the fire department's response, was requested to contain the blaze The fire (pictured in video footage) was put out at 7.30pm, around three hours after initial reports, with no damage to the strip mall or nearby homes In a statement shared to Twitter, the fire department reported a 'knockdown' at the building as they shared photographs of the charred wreckage There was no damage to the strip mall or nearby homes but a landscaping company also suffered losses to its products and yards. Nobody was injured in the fire, Mr McClintock confirmed. San Bernardino County Fire Department said Victorville and Apple Valley fire crews had assisted with getting the fire under control and repairing downed power lines. In a statement shared to Twitter, the fire department reported a 'knockdown' at the building as they shared photographs of the charred wreckage. The latest statement read: 'IC reporting knockdown, no extension to adjacent homes or strip mall. Firefighters will remain on scene for extensive overhaul.' Drivers and residents have been urged to stay clear of the area as fire crews try to repair downed power lines, according to local media reports. Advertisement Britain's Omicron outbreak has peaked, another surveillance study confirmed today in an extra boost to hopes that the worst of the current wave is over. King's College London researchers estimated the number of people falling ill with the virus each day plunged by 12 per cent over the past week, with 183,000 symptomatic infections now occurring every day. Cases dropped in all age groups and every region except the North East. The team's previous estimate based on data reported to a symptom-tracking app by hundreds of thousands of Britons stood at a record high 208,000. Professor Tim Spector, the epidemiologist who leads the study, argued the data 'suggests the Omicron wave has peaked', chiming with official statistics and a raft of other studies. He also said it was 'reassuring' that cases had flatlined in the elderly, who were most at risk from the highly-transmissible variant. And Professor Spector claimed Omicron would likely 'continue to circulate at manageable levels in the population until late spring' and that symptoms of the virus were now 'indistinguishable' from common colds or flu. Meanwhile, the UK Health Security Agency's weekly report today revealed that Covid cases fell in 87 per cent of England's areas last week, or 129 out of 149 local authorities. For comparison, it was only dropping in 18 council areas in the previous seven-day spell. Its figures based on national testing data also revealed cases dropped in all age groups except the under-20s, and across all regions except the North East. Nationally, hospital admissions have already started to flatten off, offering more hopes that the worst of the third wave is over. And Covid deaths are tracking at about half the level of a bad flu year. But NHS bosses today warned it is still too early for ministers to pivot their strategy towards living with the virus, saying hospitals were still dealing with 'very high levels' of Covid admissions. Saffron Cordery, deputy chief executive of NHS Providers an organisation which represents trusts across the country, said: 'There is considerable uncertainty about how this will play out.' Sajid Javid today also accepted 'there are already early signs that the rate of hospitalisation is starting to slow'. But the Health Secretary told the Commons Omicron 'still has the potential to lead to significant numbers of people in hospital'. He said: 'This virus is still with us. And there are still likely to be difficult weeks ahead.' King's College London scientists estimated 183,364 people were now catching the virus every day, down from the record high of 208,471 in the previous seven-day spell. The data is also from health data science company ZOE Covid cases are now ticking down in all England's regions except the North East (green line), they said, but even here there are now signs that infections are plateauing Every age group is also seeing their Covid cases tick downwards. But the scientists said a rise in children (orange line) amid the return of schools could not be ruled out, which would trigger an uptick in other groups They also found people who were suffering from cold-like symptoms were more likely to have Covid (blue line) than other respiratory diseases (orange line). They said symptoms triggered by the virus were 'indistinguishable' from a cold Slide me UK Health Security Agency figures showed Covid cases were falling in 87 per cent of England's areas last week, or 129 out of 149 local authorities. For comparison, in the previous seven-day spell (left) cases were only falling in 15 council areas UK Health Security Agency figures published today showed cases were now dropping in all age groups except the under-19s. Experts had warned cases could rise in this age group as children returned to school from the festive break Covid cases dropped across all England's regions except the North East, official data showed, where they continued to rise And latest figures showed that flu cases remained well below the levels reported pre-Covid, as the seasonal menace failed to materialise as a major threat for the second year in a row Sajid Javid today also accepted 'there are already early signs that the rate of hospitalisation is starting to slow'. But the Health Secretary told the Commons Omicron 'still has the potential to lead to significant numbers of people in hospital'. He said: 'This virus is still with us. And there are still likely to be difficult weeks ahead' Britain is still many months from living with the virus, NHS boss warns It is still 'premature' to talk about living with the virus, an NHS boss warned today. Saffron Cordery, the deputy chief executive of NHS Providers which represents hospital trusts, admitted the health service would return to a 'new kind of normal'. But she said it was still in the 'middle phase' between being overwhelmed and working at full capacity. Ms Cordery told Times Radio: 'I think there is considerable uncertainty still about how this will play out because levels come down in London, but they're going up in the North West, they're going up in the East of England, so we need to think really carefully about how it's impacting, and impacting differently across the country.' Asked whether the country was ready to live with the virus, she said it was 'premature' to shift to this strategy within the next few months. Scientists say the UK is now on the verge of beating the pandemic and turning Covid into nothing more than a seasonal menace like the flu. And Boris Johnson is understood to be drawing up a 'living with Covid' strategy to avoid the need for restrictions every winter. But this isn't expected to be published until the end of March at the earliest, when winter pressures will have subsided. Advertisement The King's College London estimates made in collaboration with tech firm ZOE suggested around one in 24 people in the UK currently have symptomatic Covid. Prevalence rates were highest in England, however. The team also calculated that 52 per cent of people suffering symptoms of a respiratory virus were likely infected with Covid. Professor Spector said: 'The ZOE data suggests the Omicron wave has peaked, and cases are starting to come down in almost all regions of the UK. 'Hospitalisation, deaths and early data on the severity of Omicron is also looking positive. 'The other reassuring sign is that cases in the elderly are plateauing at a low level, sparing this more vulnerable group from the worst of the Omicron wave. 'This is likely because this group has been more careful and others are being careful around them. 'However, we can't rule out an uptick in children, which could then have a knock on effect on the other age groups.' He also called on everyone to stick to 'Plan B' rules, saying: 'In terms of guidance, working from home remains an easy thing many of us can do to slow spread, and wearing high quality masks on public transport to me still feels sensible. 'Covid symptoms are now for the first time this winter more common than colds and flu and are indistinguishable. 'I don't expect these rates to go down to zero as Omicron is so infectious that it will probably continue to circulate at manageable levels in the population until late spring.' The figures are the latest to suggest that the worst of the Omicron outbreak has passed without hospitals being overwhelmed or harsher curbs needing to be imposed. UKHSA figures today showed Covid cases dropped in 87 per cent of England's local authorities over the week to January 11, compared to the previous seven-day spell. Of the top 10 areas seeing the biggest drop in cases, six were in London. Havering saw the sharpest drop in cases (down 37 per cent), followed by Southend in Essex (down 35.6 per cent) and Bexley (down 34.6 per cent). At the other end of the scale, Sunderland saw the fastest jump in cases (up 34 per cent), followed by Darlington (up 33 per cent) and South Tyneside (32.9 per cent). Broken down by age group, the figures showed cases dropped in every age group except under-19s. Adults in their 20s still had the highest infection rate (2,362.8 cases per 100,000), while adults in their 30s had the second highest (2,084.4). Infection rates were lowest among adults over 80 years old (602.8), and those in their 70s (652.4) in a plateauing from trends in recent weeks where they began to rise quickly. Experts have warned cases among children will likely rise as they return to school from the festive break, which could then trickle into other groups. UKHSA data also showed there was barely any change in the number of flu cases over the most recent week, as the feared seasonal menace failed to materialise for the second week running. The promising raft of statistics has prompted suggestions from top scientists that the UK is on the brink of exiting the pandemic. But a senior NHS boss today warned that it was 'premature' to move towards living with the virus like flu because of the pressure hospitals are still under. 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 Almost 98% of adults have Covid-fighting antibodies, official surveillance shows Almost every adult in England has Covid-fighting antibodies, official surveillance showed today. Office for National Statistics testing said 97.5 per cent of over-18s had the proteins in the week beginning December 20, the latest available. Antibodies triggered by vaccines or previous infections provide a layer of protection against the virus. But they do not guarantee someone will not catch the virus or become seriously ill, although they greatly reduce the risk. Their presence suggests other parts of the immune system are primed to fight the virus, such as T-cells, although it is harder to test for these. This week's result were the highest estimate for the proportion of adults having Covid antibodies on record. They were based on blood tests carried out on almost 17,000 adults in the country. It comes after top scientists said that the UK was now on the brink of exiting the pandemic. But NHS bosses have warned the health service is still under 'significant' pressure. Advertisement Ms Cordery admitted the health service was going to gradually return to a 'new kind of normal'. But she cautioned it was still in the 'middle phase' between being overwhelmed and working at full capacity. Ms Cordery told Times Radio: 'I think there is considerable uncertainty still about how this will play out because levels come down in London. 'But they're going up in the North West, they're going up in the East of England, so we need to think really carefully about how it's impacting, and impacting differently across the country. 'I think we're somewhere between the middle phase and going towards still being beyond full stretch, really, because what we have to remember is that the NHS isn't an island, we have a huge impact of Covid across all of the different services that work alongside and with the NHS.' She said there were still 'very high levels of hospital admissions', and that hospitals were still seeing 'significant' numbers of beds occupied by patients needing ventilators. Mr Javid told the Commons today that promising infection data 'does not, as of yet, reflect the impact of people returning to work and school'. He added: 'So, we must proceed with caution. 'Due to the lag between infections and hospitalisations, the NHS will remain under significant pressure over the next few weeks. 'It is encouraging, however, that during this wave we have not seen an increase in Covid intensive care patients, and there are already early signs that the rate of hospitalisation is starting to slow. 'We know that Omicron is less severe. But no-one should be under any illusions, it is severe for anyone that ends up in hospital, and thats far more likely if you have not had the jab.' It comes after the country's gold-standard surveillance study yesterday found a record 3.7million people were infected with Covid on any day last week in England but cases were slowing nationally. 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. 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. Nationally, the UK recorded 129,587 Covid cases yesterday, which was its lowest daily tally since late December and down a third on the same time last week. Its hospitalisations also appear to be plateauing with the latest figures up to January 8 showing 2,049 admissions, barely a change from the 2,034 seven days beforehand. But the number of patients needing ventilators has barely risen throughout the wave as Omicron is less severe than previous strains. There are currently around 800 Covid patients on ventilators nationwide, well below the peak of 4,000 last winter. Schools are rushing to get students vaccinated before the start of term, as Covid cases continue to soar across Australia, with some even setting up pop-up clinics on campus. Sydney Catholic Schools has joined forces with the South East Sydney Local Health District to set up two vaccination hubs so that children as young as five can get the jab. The Pfizer vaccine is approved for use in kids aged 5-11 and the pop-up clinics at Marcellin College Randwick and St Patrick's College Sutherland, will be set exclusively for primary school students. Sydney Catholic Schools has joined forces with the South East Sydney Local Health District to set up two vaccination hubs so that children as young as five can get the jab. Pictured: A child receives a Covid jab in Sydney The Pfizer vaccine is approved for use in kids aged 5-11 and the pop-up clinics at Marcellin College Randwick and St Patrick's College Sutherland, will be set exclusively for primary school students Executive Director of Sydney Catholic Schools, Mr Tony Farley, said hosting the vaccinations at the schools, instead of chemists, doctors surgeries and mass hubs, may make it a bit less daunting for kids and parents to get the shot. 'I hope that setting up these clinics will give parents the comfort and confidence of a familiar location and community approach to access vaccination,' he said. 'Our schools are places of safety and certainty and the close collaboration between our staff, parents and students is the key to meeting and overcoming any challenges in the future.' The vaccination clinic will run from January 18-21 in the first round and then reopen eight weeks later so children can receive their second dose. Bookings can be made through the NSW Health website. The development comes after Thursday's national cabinet meeting where Scott Morrison announced some key workers including teachers will no longer have to isolate if they are a close contact of a positive case and have returned a negative RAT result. The vaccination clinic will run from January 18-21 in the first round and then reopen eight weeks later so children can receive their second dose. Pictured: Marcellin College Randwick Executive Director of Sydney Catholic Schools, Mr Tony Farley, said hosting the vaccinations at the schools instead of chemists, doctors surgeries and mass hubs, may make it a bit less daunting for kids and parents to get the shot. Pictured: A child receives a Covid jab in Sydney Scott Morrison said it is a top priority to keep schools open as Covid cases soar. Pictured: St Patrick's College Sutherland The Prime Minister says reopening schools must be a priority as the nation eclipsed 150,000 Covid cases in a single day on Thursday. About 10 per cent of the workforce is currently off the job due to isolation requirements. Mr Morrison said the problem is likely to get worse if the start of the school year is delayed at the end of the month - as Queensland and South Australia have decided to do. 'If schools don't open, that can add an additional five per cent of absenteeism in the workforce,' the prime minister said. 'It is absolutely essential for schools to go back safely and remain safely open if we are not going to see any further exacerbation of the workforce challenges we are currently facing. 'Schools open means shops open. Schools open means hospitals are open. It means aged care facilities are open. It means essential services and groceries are on the shelves.' Hundreds of doctors and scientists have signed an open letter to Spotify accusing Joe Rogan of pushing 'anti-vax misinformation' on his podcast - with one branding him a 'menace to public health'. A total of 270 experts and medical professionals called on the streaming giant to adopt a misinformation policy after the comedian hosted the controversial Dr Robert Malone last month. During a three-hour and six-minute interview on the now-viral episode #1757 of The Joe Rogan Experience, Malone compared the US to Nazi Germany and said today's society was suffering from a 'mass formation psychosis' over the use of vaccines. He also claimed to be part of the team that invented the mRNA technology used in the Covid-19 jab and said pharmaceutical companies administering vaccines - such as Pfizer and Moderna - have 'financial conflicts of interest'. Now hundreds of medical professionals have fact-checked Malone and demanded accountability from Spotify - which spent a reported $100million on exclusive streaming rights to the Joe Rogan Experience last year. In an open letter, they said: 'With an estimated 11 million listeners per episode, JRE, which is hosted exclusively on Spotify, is the world's largest podcast and has tremendous influence. A total of 270 experts and medical professionals called on Spotify to adopt a misinformation policy after Joe Rogan (pictured) hosted the controversial Dr Robert Malone last month During a three-hour and six-minute interview on the now-viral episode #1757 of The Joe Rogan Experience, Malone (pictured on the show) compared the US to Nazi Germany and said today's society was suffering from a 'mass formation psychosis' over the use of vaccines Read the full letter sent by 270 doctors and scientist to Spotify - accusing Joe Rogan's episode with Dr Robert Malone of 'damaging public trust in scientific research' An Open Letter to Spotify: A call from the global scientific and medical communities to implement a misinformation policy: On Dec. 31, 2021, the Joe Rogan Experience (JRE), a Spotify-exclusive podcast, uploaded a highly controversial episode featuring guest Dr. Robert Malone (#1757). The episode has been criticized for promoting baseless conspiracy theories and the JRE has a concerning history of broadcasting misinformation, particularly regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. By allowing the propagation of false and societally harmful assertions, Spotify is enabling its hosted media to damage public trust in scientific research and sow doubt in the credibility of data-driven guidance offered by medical professionals. JRE #1757 is not the only transgression to occur on the Spotify platform, but a relevant example of the platforms failure to mitigate the damage it is causing. We are a coalition of scientists, medical professionals, professors, and science communicators spanning a wide range of fields such as microbiology, immunology, epidemiology, and neuroscience and we are calling on Spotify to take action against the mass-misinformation events which continue to occur on its platform. With an estimated 11 million listeners per episode, JRE is the worlds largest podcast and has tremendous influence. Though Spotify has a responsibility to mitigate the spread of misinformation on its platform, the company presently has no misinformation policy. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Joe Rogan has repeatedly spread misleading and false claims on his podcast, provoking distrust in science and medicine. He has discouraged vaccination in young people and children, incorrectly claimed that mRNA vaccines are gene therapy, promoted off-label use of ivermectin to treat COVID-19 (contrary to FDA warnings), and spread a number of unsubstantiated conspiracy theories. In episode #1757, Rogan hosted Dr. Robert Malone, who was suspended from Twitter for spreading misinformation about COVID-19. Dr. Malone used the JRE platform to further promote numerous baseless claims, including several falsehoods about COVID-19 vaccines and an unfounded theory that societal leaders have hypnotized the public. Many of these statements have already been discredited. Notably, Dr. Malone is one of two recent JRE guests who has compared pandemic policies to the Holocaust. These actions are not only objectionable and offensive, but also medically and culturally dangerous. The average age of JRE listeners is 24 years old and according to data from Washington State, unvaccinated 12-34 year olds are 12 times more likely to be hospitalized with COVID than those who are fully vaccinated. Dr. Malones interview has reached many tens of millions of listeners vulnerable to predatory medical misinformation. Mass-misinformation events of this scale have extraordinarily dangerous ramifications. As scientists, we face backlash and resistance as the public grows to distrust our research and expertise. As educators and science communicators, we are tasked with repairing the publics damaged understanding of science and medicine. As physicians, we bear the arduous weight of a pandemic that has stretched our medical systems to their limits and only stands to be exacerbated by the anti-vaccination sentiment woven into this and other episodes of Rogans podcast. This is not only a scientific or medical concern; it is a sociological issue of devastating proportions and Spotify is responsible for allowing this activity to thrive on its platform. We, the undersigned doctors, nurses, scientists, and educators thus call on Spotify to immediately establish a clear and public policy to moderate misinformation on its platform. Source: WordPress Advertisement 'Spotify has a responsibility to mitigate the spread of misinformation on its platform, though the company presently has no misinformation policy.' The letter claims Rogan has a penchant for 'broadcasting misinformation, particularly regarding the COVID-19 pandemic' and that the episode with Malone promoted 'baseless conspiracy theories', including 'an unfounded theory that societal leaders have 'hypnotized the public'.' The letter added: 'Dr. Malone is one of two recent JRE guests who has compared pandemic policies to the Holocaust. 'These actions are not only objectionable and offensive, but also medically and culturally dangerous.' In the episode, posted on New Year's Eve, Malone, 61, said: 'It was from, basically, European intellectual inquiry into what the heck happened in Germany in the 20s and 30s. Very intelligent, highly educated population, and they went barking mad. 'And how did that happen? 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 don't make sense. We can't 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.' Streaming giant YouTube removed the episode from its platform, while Malone's Twitter account - which had amassed 500,000 followers - was suspended hours before appearing on the show for 'violating' its rules. The episode was still available on Spotify on Thursday. Dailymail.com has contacted Spotify and the Joe Rogan Experience for comment. Dr. Katrine Wallace, who signed the letter, branded Rogan a 'menace to public health', adding that she condemned giving people like Malone a platform. She told Rolling Stone that his claims 'are fringe ideas not backed in science.' She added: 'Having it on a huge platform makes it seem there are two sides to this issue. And there are really not. 'The overwhelming evidence is the vaccine works, and it is safe.' Dr. Ben Rein, a neuroscientist at Stanford University who co-authored the letter, added: 'People who dont have the scientific or medical background to recognize the things hes saying are not true and are unable to distinguish fact from fiction are going to believe what [Malone is] saying, and this is the biggest podcast in the world. And thats terrifying.' In the podcast episode, Rogan talked about Malone's ban from Twitter, which happened just one day before the podcast was released. 'They removed you for not going along with whatever the tech narrative is because tech clearly has a censorship agenda when it comes to Covid in terms of treatment, in terms of whether or not you are promoting what they would call 'vaccine hesitancy' - they can ban you for that,' Rogan said, adding that Malone is 'one of the most qualified people in the world to talk about vaccines'. Malone responded by questioning: 'If it's not okay for me to be a part of the conversation even though I'm pointing out scientific facts that may be inconvenient, then who is? 'Whether or not I'm factually correct or not - and I freely admit no one's perfect. I'm not perfect. It's one of my core points is people should think for themselves.' 'And I try really hard to give people the information and help them to think, not to tell them what to think,' the doctor added, pointing out that 'no one can debate the dispute that I played a major role in the creation of this tech'. Malone later alleged on the podcast that many of the pharmaceutical companies administering vaccines - such as Pfizer and Moderna - have 'financial conflicts of interest'. In what appeared to be an effort to establish his credibility, Malone reassured: 'I think I'm the only one that doesn't. I'm not getting any money out of this.' Meanwhile, as the creator of the mRNA technology used in Covid vaccines, many questioned why Malone would then speak so strongly against getting jabbed. Malone claimed the answer was simply 'because it's the right thing to do'. He said: 'For me, the reason is: Because what's happening is not right. It's destroying my profession, it's destroying the practice of medicine worldwide, it's destroying public health in medicine.' He continued: 'I'm a vaccinologist. I've spent 30 years developing vaccine. A stupid amount of education learning how to do it and what the rules are. 'And for me, I'm personally offended by watching my discipline get destroyed for no good reason at all except, apparently, financial incentives, and - I don't know - political a**-covering'. The controversial doctor also offered his expertise on the government's Covid-19 response. 'Our government is out of control,' he said, adding: 'They are lawless. They completely disregard bioethics. They completely disregard the federal common rule. they have broken all the rules that I know of - that I have been trained on for years and years and years.' He went on to say that government-imposed vaccine mandates 'are explicitly illegal' as they do not align with the Nuremberg Code and the Belmont Report. Streaming giant YouTube removed the episode from its platform, while Malone's Twitter account - which had amassed 500,000 followers - was suspended hours before appearing on the show The 61-year-old doctor's account was suspended and Twitter cited a violation of the platform's rules According to a research team at the University of North Carolina, the Nuremberg Code is a ten-point system determining what medical experimentation is justifiable on human subjects. Similarly, the Belmont Report established basic ethical principles to guide medical research involving human subjects, as stated by the US Department of Health & Human Resources (HHS). 'They are explicitly illegal and they don't care,' Malone reiterated. It is not the first time Rogan has courted controversy over comments made about Covid on his podcast. Last April he seemed to discouragedyoung people from getting the vaccine, saying in a conversation with comedian Dave Smith: 'If youre like 21 years old, and you say to me, "Should I get vaccinated?" Ill go no.' Rogan, who caught Covid himself, also promoted taking ivermectin, despite no evidence proving it works to treat Covid. A man allegedly linked to a criminal gang has been jailed after a terrifying road rage attack in which he threatened another driver with an axe before ramming his car. Caught on dashcam, the August 2021 incident was compared to a movie car chase as the occupants of a Mercedes were pursued by a silver Holden Barina on the M1 motorway near Byron Bay on the northern NSW coast. The 47-year-old attacker - who plead guilty to predatory driving and was sentenced to two years jail - at one point wildly waves an axe out his window at the other driver. 'Keep your distance bro... keep driving,' the passenger in the Mercedes said. 'Bro call the cops,' the driver replied. After the 'remarkably calm' pair make a U-turn across the median strip and drive in the opposite direction the Barina suddenly appears again driving up behind them. 'Bro, this guy is f***ed in the head,' the passenger said. He rams their car twice with the second attempt causing his bonnet to crumple and the Barina to veer off the road and onto the nature strip before rolling to a stop. 'That's f***ed up,' said the relieved driver. The shaken occupants are heard agreeing it was best to head to the Byron Bay police station to report the incident. 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 The attacker from South Grafton also plead guilty to another charge of being armed with intent to commit indictable offence. NSW Police confirmed the man was sentenced to two years jail and will have to serve at least 10 months. 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 you're 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.' New South Wales Police later announced the Barina driver's arrest was part of a major investigation into the Loyal Crims gang in Northern NSW. Strike Force Raptor and the State Crime Command's 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 '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. 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.'' The driver demands the Mercedes pull over when he stops in front of it on the M1 near Byron The Scottish Conservatives will snub Boris Johnson by not inviting him to deliver a speech at their spring conference, it was claimed today, as the Tory civil war over the Downing Street party row intensified. Scottish Tory bosses are set to take the unprecedented step of excluding the Prime Minister from the event which is scheduled to take place in March. A source told The Guardian that no final decisions have been taken yet but it seems 'highly unlikely' the PM will take part and 'I don't see a way he could be involved really'. It came after Nicola Sturgeon seized on the Conservative chaos as she tried to take advantage of Tory infighting to boost her case for Scottish independence. Ms Sturgeon claimed that Jacob Rees-Mogg calling Douglas Ross a 'lightweight figure' after he called for Mr Johnson to resign showed the UK Government's 'utter contempt for Scotland'. The SNP leader joked at First Minister's Questions at lunchtime that 'even I am not as derogatory about him (Mr Ross) as his own Tory colleagues'. She said one of the benefits of independence would be that Scotland would 'no longer have to put up with being treated like something on the sole of Westminster's shoe'. Mr Ross, the Scottish Tory leader, said yesterday that Mr Johnson's position is 'no longer tenable', prompting Mr Rees-Mogg to claim his Conservative colleague is not a 'big figure'. Mr Ross today said he disagreed with Mr Rees-Mogg's assessment but insisted the Cabinet minister 'as anyone, is entitled to their opinions'. Allies of the Scottish Tory chief were more combative as they told Mr Rees-Mogg to 'go and have a long lie down, maybe not in the House of Commons' - a reference to an infamous photograph of the minister laid out horizontally on the famous green benches. Mr Rees-Mogg also faced some push back from one of his Cabinet colleagues over his attack on Mr Ross as the Scottish Secretary Alister Jack said that 'Douglas is far from a lightweight'. Nicola Sturgeon today seized on the Conservative Party's civil war over the Downing Street party row as she tried to take advantage of Tory infighting to boost her case for Scottish independence The Conservative Party is in open civil war today after Jacob Rees-Mogg labelled the Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross a 'lightweight figure' Mr Ross yesterday called on Boris Johnson to quit over the Number 10 party row as he said the Prime Minister's position is 'no longer tenable' Conservative MSPs at Holyrood are in open revolt against the PM after heaping pressure on him to resign. Mr Ross, the MP for Moray, said Mr Johnson should quit after he admitted attending a Downing Street party during lockdown. He told STV News yesterday afternoon: 'I said if the Prime Minister attended this event in Downing Street on May 20, 2020, he could not continue as Prime Minister so, regretfully, I have to say his position is no longer tenable.' Politico reported that 26 of the 31 Scottish Tory MSPs have now gone on the record to call for Mr Johnson to go while the BBC's Newsnight programme said all 31 believe the PM has to quit. But Mr Rees-Mogg went on the offensive last night as he told LBC Radio: 'I don't think it is a surprise that Douglas Ross takes this view, he has never been a supporter of the Prime Minister. 'He has constantly made disobliging comments about the Prime Minister. I listen to the Scottish Secretary, to Alister Jack.' Told that Mr Ross had backed Mr Johnson during the Tory leadership contest, Mr Rees-Mogg said: 'People do sometimes vote for people in leadership elections who don't live up to expectations. 'I don't think Douglas Ross is a big figure. I think Alister Jack is a really serious and senior figure.' The Commons Leader then doubled down during an interview on Newsnight as he said: 'I would actually say that the Secretary of State for Scotland, who is a big figure, is very supportive of the Prime Minister, has made that absolutely clear. 'Douglas Ross has always been quite a lightweight figure so I don't think that his I think the Scottish Secretary is a much more substantial and important figure in this.' Mr Ross responded to the comments before entering Holyrood's debating chamber for FMQs today, as he said: 'Jacob Rees-Mogg, as anyone, is entitled to their opinions. I don't have to agree with them.' After FMQs, Mr Ross said he was 'not going to get into personal attacks', adding: 'I disagree with Jacob Rees-Mogg on his characterisation of me, but he's entitled to make it.' However, Scottish Conservative MSP Jamie Greene said: '(Mr Rees-Mogg) should go and have a long lie down, maybe not in the House of Commons.' Meanwhile, Mr Jack rejected Mr Rees-Mogg's characterisation of Mr Ross, telling Radio Forth News: 'I would say that Douglas is far from a lightweight. 'He's a very serious politician, he's a very good adversary for Nicola Sturgeon. Douglas is a very serious and should be a well-respected politician.' Mr Rees-Mogg's comments last night prompted an immediate backlash as the atmosphere within the Conservative Party continued to sour. Conservative MP Andrew Percy hit back at Mr Rees-Mogg, reportedly telling the BBC that 'Douglas Ross has far more understanding of the lives and views of normal people... than some of those attacking him ever will'. Mr Percy said that Mr Rees-Mogg 'prides himself on a carefully crafted reputation of over the top politeness' but that he 'might need to practice his act a little more in the mirror tonight after his personal attack on Douglas'. Downing Street dismissed suggestions at lunchtime today that Mr Rees-Mogg's comments could undermine the campaign to preserve the Union. Mr Ross said Mr Johnson should quit after he admitted attending a Downing Street party during lockdown . The two men are pictured together in November 2019 during the general election campaign The Prime Minister's Official Spokesman said: 'No, I think you can see what we are doing on the Union by what Michael Gove has set out just today on the review into intergovernmental relations, which seeks to take tangible action to strengthen our Union. That's very much been our focus.' Ms Sturgeon has said she wants to hold a second referendum on Scottish independence before the end of 2023. She was asked at FMQs about Mr Rees-Mogg's comments, minutes after Mr Ross had grilled her on aspects of the Scottish government's Covid response. She said: 'I have big political differences with Douglas Ross but even I am not as derogatory about him as his own Tory colleagues are being. 'You know, not a big figure, lightweight, these might be personal insults directed at the leader of the Scottish Conservatives but actually they say something much deeper about the Westminster establishment's utter contempt for Scotland. 'If they can't even show basic respect for their own colleagues, what chance do the rest of us have. 'The fact is Westminster thinks Scotland doesn't need to be listened to, can be ignored and now we are being told we have to follow a Prime Minister that his own colleagues think is not fit for office. 'Independence is fundamentally about empowerment and aspiration. But you know what, an added benefit of being independent is that we'll no longer have to put up with being treated like something on the sole of Westminster's shoe and I suspect today even Douglas Ross finds that a really attractive proposition.' The SNP's Commons leader Pete Wishart said the Scottish Tories 'are supposed to be the praetorian guard of the precious Union' but Mr Rees-Mogg had 'undermined them and thrown them under the proverbial bus'. Mr Rees-Mogg also faced some push back from one of his Cabinet colleagues over his attack on Mr Ross as the Scottish Secretary Alister Jack said that 'Douglas is far from a lightweight' The SNP's Westminster deputy leader, Kirsten Oswald, said in a statement issued this morning: 'By dismissing their Scottish branch office as a bunch of 'lightweights' and nobodies, the Tories are revealing their disdain for Scotland and making the case for independence.' The SNP's Commons leader, Pete Wishart, raised the Tory civil war during business questions in the Commons as he asked Mr Rees-Mogg if he would apologise to Mr Ross. Mr Wishart said: 'Now of course the Scottish Tories know exactly how the rest of Scotland feels as the leader of the House poured his scorn and contempt upon them last night. 'According to him, the democratically elected Scottish Tory leader is an insignificant figure, a lightweight, a nobody, presumably just like every single Tory MSP who agreed with their Scottish leader. 'The Scottish Tories are supposed to be the pretorian guard of the precious Union and the leader of the House has just undermined them and thrown them under the proverbial bus. 'If this is how the Government even treats the Scottish Tories, why should the Scottish people even entertain remaining part of their useless Union? 'Does he now want to take this opportunity to apologise to the honourable member for Moray for his remarks last night or is he prepared to make them once again in this House just to confirm what we in Scotland all know: This is a Government that could not care less about Scotland and Scottish democracy.' Mr Rees-Mogg replied: 'The problem with the honourable gentleman's approach to business questions is that he is so angry every week that one never knows whether it is real or it is synthetic.' SNP MP Kirsty Blackman had earlier challenged Minister for the Cabinet Office Steve Barclay over Mr Rees-Mogg's remarks. She asked during Cabinet Office questions in the Commons: 'Does the Cabinet Office agree that the Scottish Conservative leader is a lightweight?' Mr Barclay replied: 'I think he is a hugely talented colleague. I work extremely closely with him and I look forward to doing so.' Mr Ross's predecessor as Scottish Tory leader, Ruth Davidson, backed his decision to call for Mr Johnson to quit, describing it as a 'tough call to make, but the right one'. Jackson Carlaw, another former Scottish Tory leader, also demanded Mr Johnson go, along with other Conservatives MSPs. He tweeted: 'Given that the PM has now confirmed he attended a rule-breaking gathering, he has lost the confidence of the country, so I believe Douglas has made the right call and that the PM should stand down.' A graduate of Daegu Kwangmyung School touches a 3D yearbook specially made for the school's students who are visually impaired, Tuesday. The yearbook, which contains 3D printed faces and names embossed in braille, was made jointly by teachers there and researchers at Kyungpook National University. Courtesy of Daegu Kwangmyung School By Lee Hae-rin Graduates of Daegu Kwangmyung School have received a special yearbook for the class of 2021, with the students' faces sculpted in 3D as they are visually impaired. Seventeen graduates who finished their kindergarten, elementary, middle and high school courses at the specialized school for students with visual impairment, could feel the 3D-printed faces of their friends with the book they received during their graduation ceremony, Tuesday. Also, the graduates' names are embossed in braille under their faces and short recordings of their graduation speeches can be played when pressing a button. "A yearbook is a special object for students and holds memories of their school days. I wished my students could also have yearbooks made for them, and thanks to the researchers of Kyungpook National University, the wish came true," Jeong Moon-jun, a teacher at Daegu Kwangmyung School and the head of the yearbook staff, told The Korea Times, Wednesday. "The students were thrilled to get an image of what their colleagues look like for the first time in their lives and we, the teachers, were happy for them as well. The parents were also very excited, saying their children received an unforgettable present," Jeong said. It was in 2019 when the school and Creative Factory, the startup incubation center from Kyungpook National University, came together to create a yearbook specially made for visually impaired students. Seen are the 3D-printed faces of the class of 2021 and their names embossed in braille in the yearbook for Daegu Kwangmyung School in Daegu, Tuesday. Courtesy of Daegu Kwangmyung School A Japanese woman has given up her baby after she discovered the sperm donor she slept with ten times to get pregnant had lied about his nationality and educational background in order to have sex with her. The woman, identified as a married 30-year-old from Tokyo, has sued the sperm donor after finding out he was Chinese, not Japanese, had not graduated from Kyoto University, and was married, not single as he claimed, according to Tokyo Shimbun. She and her husband, who already have one child, found the man on social media in 2019 after deciding to have a child by donor because her partner carried a hereditary condition that could be passed to his offspring. She had sex with the donor, who was in his 20s, ten times before falling pregnant in June 2019 but months later, when it was too late for an abortion, the couple discovered the man had lied to them. The child was handed to a Tokyo child care facility and put up for adoption after birth while the couple filed a lawsuit seeking for 2million in damages from the donor for fraud and emotional distress. A Japanese woman has given up her baby after she discovered the sperm donor she slept with ten times to get pregnant had lied about his nationality and educational background in order to have sex with her (stock) The woman's lawyer on Tuesday said she suffered from sleeping disorders and was physically and emotionally traumatised by the case - especially because of the backlash generated by her decision to give up the child. But Mizuho Sasaki, a child welfare worker in Japan, branded the woman 'shallow' for 'treat[ing] the child like an object' in remarks to Vice. He said: 'I think its better to leave the kid with someone who can be a good foster parent.' The woman said she had filed a lawsuit against the man last month because she wanted to stop him potentially targeting other people. Sperm donations in Japan are virtually unregulated because artificial insemination clinics are rare and only open to married women, excluding single women and LGTBQ+ people. With only one commercial sperm bank, which was opened in June, and 12 hospitals across Japan offering such fertility treatment, many people have resorted to finding sperm donors on social media. The underground network often offers cheap, or free, options for sperm donation, despite coming with added health and legal risks. Advertisement Sajid Javid declares Covid self-isolation is being cut to FIVE full days as long as people test negative on day five and six in bid to ease pressure of staff absences from Omicron wave Sajid Javid today declared that the self-isolation period is being cut to five full days in a bid to ease the pressure of staff absences from Omicron. The Health Secretary confirmed the length of quarantine for positive cases is being reduced from the current seven days - which permits people to escape on the seventh day. Instead, as of Monday people will be free in the sixth day - as long as they test negative on a lateral flow on days five and six. The move came after NHS leaders, businesses and ministers joined the push for five full days, the timescale used in other countries including the US. But government scientists had warned it could fuel the outbreak significantly, as people would be more likely to be infectious when they return to workplaces. The news was hailed by firms as a 'great relief' after weeks of struggling to fill gaps in the workforce due to soaring infections. Mr Javid updated MPs this afternoon after Boris Johnson said a decision would be made on the issue 'as fast as possible'. The UK Health Security Agency guidance has been for cases to isolate for at least six full days from the point at which they have symptoms or get a positive test, whichever was first. Advertisement Labour's Shadow Health Minister today hinted Jonathan Van-Tam quit after 'truth-twister' Boris Johnson's admission he attended a lockdown-busting party. Sir Jonathan, 57, resigned without a word of praise for the Prime Minister and just hours after the Tory leader apologised to the nation for boozing with 40 others in the garden of No 10. But despite the timing of Mr Johnson's favourite scientific advisor's resignation, Government sources insisted the deputy chief medical officer's 'time is up' having been 'on loan' to Whitehall from the University of Nottingham since 2017. Sir Jonathan, who was awarded a knighthood in the New Year's honours list for his services fighting the pandemic, takes a dim view on rule breaking, having made his feelings clear on Dominic Cummings' trip to Barnard Castle at around the same time, declaring pointedly at a TV press conference: 'The rules are clear and they have always been clear. In my opinion they are for the benefit of all and they apply to all'. And Wes Streeting, Labour's Shadow Secretary of State for Health, told the Commons this afternoon: 'Can you imagine having to work with these truth twisters? JVT already has a knighthood, but working with the Prime Minister, he must have the patience of a saint'. He added that it 'wasn't the government resignation we were looking for' - a nod to his repeated calls for Mr Johnson to leave office. JVT's exit is yet another blow for the Prime Minister, who is fighting for his political life after being forced to admit he attended a boozy bash in the garden of No 10 Downing Street during the first national lockdown in May 2020. Cabinet ministers have been desperately rallying round after Mr Johnson admitted attending a boozy No10 gathering during the first Covid lockdown - but claimed he thought it was a 'work event' and was 'technically' inside the rules. In a sign of the public focus on the furore, the PMQs session attracted three million viewers across all channels - more than the last final of the X-Factor. In another twist, Mr Johnson dramatically axed a visit to a Red Wall area in Lancashire where he would have faced more questions about Partygate, after a family member tested positive for Covid. Mr Johnson is not required to isolate, but Downing Street said he was following advice to 'limit contact with others'. Sources said it was another resident of the No11 flat, but would not confirm if it is Carrie or one of their children. The limp mea culpa in the Commons yesterday and so-called 'Operation Save Boris' from allies have failed to quell mounting fury among the public and on the Conservative benches, with a handful of MPs now openly demanding Mr Johnson quits. Ex-minister Caroline Nokes is among the latest to declare Mr Johnson a 'liability'. Support from some ministers has also been less than fullsome, with Rishi Sunak notably waiting eight hours before merely tweeting that he had been right to apologise and people should wait for the result of senior civil servant Sue Gray's inquiry into alleged lockdown breaches. Mr Johnson risked undermining any benefit from his apology last night by telling MPs privately that he had done 'nothing wrong' and was 'taking hits for something we don't deserve'. Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis said this morning that the premier did not believe he had broken the rules. And facing further questions about Partygate in the Commons today, Jacob Rees-Mogg complained that lockdown rules had been 'very hard for people to obey'. Influenza expert Sir Jonathan wants to focus on his academic work, in a sign that he may believe the UK is well on the road from pandemic to endemic due to the success of the vaccination scheme - which he helped administer - and the number of people who have now had the virus. But the Prime Minister's political opponents have seized on the timing of the announcement to suggest Mr Johnson's powerbase in Downing Street is further crumbling on the day the Tories fell 10 points behind Labour in a new YouGov poll. With Boris Johnson on the ropes, and losing a top advisor, it also emerged today: The embattled PM today axed a Red Wall visit where he would have faced more questions about Partygate after a family member tested positive for Covid; Scotland Yard still refuses to probe 'partygate' bash after Boris Johnson admitted he was there for 25 minutes but 'implicitly' believed it was a 'work event' in 'carefully-worded' apology; Mr Johnson apologised privately to Tory MPs in the Commons tearoom yesterday for 'all the c**p I've put you through', but insisted it was 'not his fault'; Sajid Javid praised JVT and declares Covid self-isolation is being cut to FIVE full days as long as people test negative on day five and six in bid to ease pressure of staff absences from Omicron wave; A YouGov poll for The Times has laid bare the scale of the damage being suffered by the Government, showing the Tories slumping five points to just 28 per cent in less than a week. Labour has crept up to 38 per cent; Tories turn on Rishi Sunak who was in Devon during PMQs yesterday and waited 8 hours to pledge support for the Prime Minister in a short tweet last night; Jonathan Van-Tam (pictured leaving No 10) is leaving his post as one of the Government's top advisers in a week when the Prime Minister is in more political trouble Boris Johnson (pictured today) has thanked Sir Jonathan, who is also affectionately known as JVT, for his work during the pandemic. He said he wished him the 'very best for the future' How JVT's colourful analogies helped the public understand the pandemic and made him a household name Defensive midfielders JVT, a fan of Boston United, likened the vaccination programme to defensive football players whose job it was to 'watch everybody's back'. At a Downing Street press conference he said: 'A bit like a football game where the strikers who score the wonder goals are the ones who make the headlines, actually, the hard yards are done by the defenders and by the defensive midfielders tracking back, tracking back for 90 minutes of the whole game, watching everybody's back. 'This is what it's going to be about now, tracking back and making sure that we finish the job properly in the phase one cohorts before we move on.' Grand National He compared the pandemic to the Aintree horse race when he warned Britain could not fall at the final fence. 'The vaccine effects are going to take three months until we see them properly, and until then no-one can relax,' he told The Sun. 'We are probably in the last few furlongs of this race like in the Grand National. We just have a couple more fences, we have just got to stick with it.' Penalties Football is a common tool used by JVT to explain Britain's progress through the coronavirus pandemic. He once described the development of the Pfizer vaccine to reaching the penalties at the end of the play-off final. 'So this is like getting to the end of the play-off final, it's gone to penalties, the first player goes up and scores a goal. 'You haven't won the cup yet, but what it does is, it tells you that the goalkeeper can be beaten.' Landing a plane The progress of the vaccine rollout has been compared to different forms of transport, including a plane coming in to land. JVT said: 'Do I believe that we are now on the glide path to landing this plane? Yes I do. 'Do I accept that sometimes when you are on the glide path, you can have a side wind and the landing is not totally straightforward, totally textbook? Of course.' Crowded trains JVT said the pandemic was like waiting on a platform for a train, with the lights 'a long way off'. He said: 'This to me is like a train journey, it's wet, it's windy, it's horrible. 'Two miles down the tracks, two lights appear and it's the train and it's a long way off and we're at that point at the moment. That's the efficacy result. 'Then we hope the train slows down safely to get into the station, that's the safety data, and then the train stops. 'And at that point, the doors don't open, the guard has to make sure it's safe to open the doors. That's the MHRA, that's the regulator.' He said the train was the vaccine, and he hoped when it was ready there would not be 'an unholy scramble for the seats'. 'The JCVI has very clearly said which people need the seats most and they are the ones who should get on the train first.' Red card JVT said Britons needed to avoid getting a 'red card' from the Omicron coronavirus variant by getting a booster jab. He said: 'Omicron is like now picking up a couple of yellow cards to key players on top. We may be OK but we're kind of starting to feel at risk that we might go down to 10 players and if that happens or it's a risk that's going to happen then we need everyone on the pitch to up their game in the meantime. 'We're not going to wait for the red card to happen, we are going to act decisively now and we're asking everyone to up their game, we're asking everyone to play their part in the urgency now of the booster programme, coming forward the moment you are called by the NHS.' Yogurt When explaining the extreme temperature the coronavirus vaccine must be stored at, JVT said it was not like a yogurt. He added: 'This is a complex product. It's not a yoghurt that can be taken out of the fridge and put back in multiple times.' And other famous moments... When he ripped off his shirt The professor proceeded to rip off his shirt and tie, disappearing into a cloud of smoke Professor Van-Tam was hosting the Royal Institution Christmas Lectures on BBC Four when he ripped off his shirt and tie, disappeared into a cloud of smoke - and reemerged in slightly less formal attire, wearing a more casual blue shirt underneath his jacket. The stunt sparked a typical reaction on social media, with one account comparing JVT - as he's widely become known - to Steve Coogan's comedy cringe character, Alan Partridge. When he dealt calmly with an anti-vaxxer JVT stayed completely calm and responded politely to an anti-vaxxer who screamed abuse at him in Westminster last June. Geza Tarjanyi, 60, of Leyland, Lancashire, targeted the Deputy Chief Medical Officer as he walked into the Ministry of Defence building. He said: 'Are you Van-Tam, aren't ya? What was really in that needle that you put into Matt Hancock? Why are you continually lying to the British people? Why are you smiling? This country's supposed to be in the worst pandemic of all time.' Professor Van-Tam politely replied: 'It is.' And when, following another torrent of abuse, the anti-vaxxer asked JVT if he was listening, the expert said: 'What? I'm finding it difficult.' Advertisement In a statement where he thanked Chris Whitty and his team but failed to praise the Prime Minister or anyone in Government, he said: 'My time as deputy chief medical officer has been the most challenging of my professional career, especially the Covid response. 'We all wish Covid had never happened. Notwithstanding, it has been the greatest privilege of my professional career to have served the people of the UK during this time. 'I want to pay tribute to Professor Chris Whitty, the CMO team, my fellow scientists, public health professionals and clinicians whose support, wisdom and energy has been inspiring. 'There are countless numbers who work behind the scenes all of whom have an unrelenting commitment to help and support the British public. It has been an honour to work with them all. I will continue to work until the end of March and look forward to the next challenge.' MailOnline understands he will have around a month of holiday before returning to Nottingham on May 1. Today the PM praised Sir Jonathan Van-Tam, whose football-related analogies to simplify pandemic science for millions has led to a fan club being set up in his honour and thousands buying t-shirts with his face and phrases emblazoned across the front. Mr Johnson said: 'I would like to thank Jonathan Van-Tam for his extraordinary contribution to our country and his invaluable advice throughout the pandemic. Wishing him the very best for the future.' Health Secretary Sajid Javid and his disgraced predecessor Matt Hancock said it had been an 'honour' to work with him, calling him a 'national hero'. Speaking in the Commons Mr Javid said: 'There aren't many clinical advisers who can be recognised solely by three letters, but JVT's unique and straightforward approach to communication has seen him rapidly become a national hero. To use words that I think he might particularly like, we're grateful that we've had him on loan for so many years. He's been a top signing and he's blown the whistle on time.' Embattled Boris Johnson today dramatically axed a visit where he would have faced more questions about Partygate after a family member tested positive for Covid. The PM cancelled the trip to Lancashire as Cabinet ministers desperately rally round after he admitted attending a boozy No10 gathering during the first Covid lockdown - but claimed he thought it was a 'work event' and was 'technically' inside the rules. Mr Johnson is not required to isolate, but Downing Street said he was following advice to 'limit contact with others'. Meanwhile, in another blow deputy chief medical officer Jonathan Van-Tam has quit - although it is not clear whether there is any connection to the Partygate affair or wrangling over the Omicron response. The limp mea culpa in the Commons yesterday and so-called 'Operation Save Boris' from allies have failed to quell mounting fury among the public and on the Conservative benches, with a handful of MPs now openly demanding Mr Johnson quits. Ex-minister Caroline Nokes is among the latest to declare Mr Johnson a 'liability'. Support from some ministers has also been less than fullsome, with Rishi Sunak notably waiting eight hours before merely tweeting that he had been right to apologise and people should wait for the result of senior civil servant Sue Gray's inquiry into alleged lockdown breaches. Mr Johnson risked inflaming the situation further after PMQs yesterday by telling MPs privately that he had done 'nothing wrong' and was 'taking hits for something we don't deserve' - while Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis said this morning that the premier did not believe he had broken the rules. Health Secretary Sajid Javid said it had been an 'honour' to work with Sir Jonathan and that he was 'hugely grateful' for his 'vital role' in the pandemic. Disgraced former Health Secretary Matt Hancock, who resigned after being caught on CCTV canoodling with one of his aides in breach of his own social distancing rules, also thanked Sir Jonathan for his work. Mr Hancock, said he will be 'most remembered for cheering us all up in lockdown with his extraordinary metaphors'. Mr Hancock said: 'JVT is one of the best public health communicators in hisotry. His public service continues back in academia. The whole world owes him our thanks.' England's deputy chief medical officer, who has become something of a household name, is set to exit his current role at the end of March. He will then return to the University of Nottingham to focus on academic work. Hugely popular Sir Jonathan, considered to be one of Boris Johnson's favourite advisers, shot to fame in the early stages of the pandemic for his use of metaphors to explain complex science. Trialled on his wife and three children before being presented to the public, he has variously conjured up images of rail travel, football and flying over the last two years. Tributes have started to pour in for his work during the pandemic, with ministers and scientists alike saying it has been an 'honour' to work with him. Professor Whitty said he was 'profoundly grateful' for the support of Sir Jonathan, who is also affectionately known as JVT. He added: 'His communication of public health advice and science has been remarkable.' The Prime Minister thanked Sir Jonathan for his 'extraordinary contribution' to the country and 'invaluable advice' throughout the pandemic. It comes amid revelations over a party held in Downing Street during the first national lockdown. The Prime Minister issued a grovelling apology to the nation for the event yesterday, but insisted he thought it was a 'work event'. Sir Jonathan has been a straight-talking voice of calm authority in the midst of uncertainty during the Covid pandemic. He has fronted many Downing Street press conferences, explaining complex science to the public in metaphors. He has also not been shy to call out advisers for appearing to break the rules. When it emerged former No10 adviser Dominic Cummings had travelled from London to the North East at the height of the pandemic, Sir Jonathan said the 'rules apply to all'. It is not clear how long his notice period was for the role of England's chief medical officer, but it appears to have been between three and four months. Professor Whitty paid tribute to Sir Jonathan, saying he had been an 'outstanding' public servant, and that he was 'profoundly thankful' for his support throughout the pandemic. He said: 'Professor Van-Tam has been an outstanding DCMO and public servant. 'I am profoundly thankful for his steadfast support, advice, leadership and commitment. His communication of public health advice and science has been remarkable.' And ministers have also come forward to thank Sir Jonathan for his work in the pandemic, and to wish him the best for the future. The Prime Minister said: 'I would like to thank Jonathan Van-Tam for his extraordinary contribution to our country and his invaluable advice throughout the pandemic. 'Wishing him the very best for the future.' Health Secretary Sajid Javid paid tribute to Sir Jonathan, saying it has been an 'honour to work side-by-side' with him during the pandemic. He said: 'JVT's one-of-a-kind approach to communicating science over the past two years has no doubt played a vital role in protecting and reassuring the nation, and made him a national treasure. 'I pay tribute to his relentless work ethic, sense of public duty and leading role in our incredible vaccination programme on behalf of the Department of Health I wish him the best of luck on his return to the University of Nottingham.' Sir Jonathan is pictured above at a Downing Street press conference in October with Boris Johnson and Professor Stephen Powis, the national medical director for NHS England FROM VIETNAM TO LINCOLNSHIRE: VAN TAM'S FAMILY HISTORY Professor Jonathan Van-Tam has been a straight-talking voice of calm authority in the midst of uncertainty during the coronavirus pandemic. The softly spoken deputy chief medical officer (DCMO) for England is a regular and reassuring sidekick at the once-daily Downing Street briefings. But, where some of his colleagues prefer a slightly more dispassionate and clinical approach at the podium, the 57-year-old has endeared himself to the watching public by highlighting the personal impact of the coronavirus, peppering his answers with references to his hobbies, his ethnicity and his family history. Jonathan Nguyen Van-Tam was given his middle name after his grandfather who served as the prime minister of Vietnam between 1952 and 1954. Nguyen Van-Tam was originally a school teacher born during the French colonial period in 1895 He was picked by the French in the early 1940s to be the Governor of Northern Vietnam before becoming Prime Minister. His son was General Nguyen Van Hinh Professor Van-Tam's uncle the Chief of Staff of the Vietnamese National Army, the military force created by the French to fight for them against the Communist Revolution. Jonathan Van-Tam's father Paul fled the war in the 1960s, eventually settling in Lincolnshire where the deputy chief medical officer was born. JVT attended Boston Grammar School in Boston, in the East Midlands county, where his father was a maths teacher. He graduated in medicine from the University of Nottingham in 1987. After five years of hospital-based clinical medicine, Van-Tam trained in public health and epidemiology and developed an interest in influenza and respiratory viruses. He became a Senior Lecturer at the University of Nottingham in 1997 before taking a number of high profile jobs as a medical director at British pharma giants. Van-Tam returned to the public sector in 2004 at the Health Protection Agency Centre for Infections, where he was Head of the Pandemic Influenza Office until October 2007. He has also chaired the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) Expert Advisory Group on bird flu, and was a member of the UK Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) during the 2009-10 pandemic. Since 2014 he has been Chair of the UK government's New and Emerging Respiratory Virus Threats Advisory Group (NERVTAG). On 2 October 2017 he took up the role of Deputy Chief Medical Officer for England. Advertisement Partygate row rages as minister says Covid rules 'too hard' to follow The Tory 'Partygate' meltdown gathered pace today as a minister claimed Covid lockdown rules were 'too hard' to follow in the wake of Boris Johnson's half-apology for a boozy party in Downing Street. Commons Leader Jacob Rees-Mogg risked inflaming the row further by complaining that the restrictions imposed by his own government might not have been 'proportionate'. Cabinet ministers have been desperately rallying round after Mr Johnson admitted attending a boozy No10 gathering during the first Covid lockdown - but claimed he thought it was a 'work event' and was 'technically' inside the rules. In a sign of the public focus on the furore, the PMQs session attracted three million viewers across all channels - more than the last final of the X-Factor. In another twist, Mr Johnson dramatically axed a visit to a Red Wall area in Lancashire where he would have faced more questions about Partygate, after a family member tested positive for Covid. Mr Johnson is not required to isolate, but Downing Street said he was following advice to 'limit contact with others'. Sources said it was another resident of the No11 flat, but would not confirm if it is Carrie or one of their children. Meanwhile, in another blow deputy chief medical officer Jonathan Van-Tam has quit - although it is not clear whether there is any connection to the Partygate affair or wrangling over the Omicron response. The limp mea culpa in the Commons yesterday and so-called 'Operation Save Boris' from allies have failed to quell mounting fury among the public and on the Conservative benches, with a handful of MPs now openly demanding Mr Johnson quits. Ex-minister Caroline Nokes is among the latest to declare Mr Johnson a 'liability'. Support from some ministers has also been less than fullsome, with Rishi Sunak notably waiting eight hours before merely tweeting that he had been right to apologise and people should wait for the result of senior civil servant Sue Gray's inquiry into alleged lockdown breaches. Aides of the Chancellor believe he has been unfairly criticised, pointing out that his message was almost identical to that of other ministers. Mr Johnson risked undermining any benefit from his apology last night by telling MPs privately that he had done 'nothing wrong' and was 'taking hits for something we don't deserve'. Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis said this morning that the premier did not believe he had broken the rules. Advertisement Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said Sir Jonathan's resignation was a 'big loss' to the UK Government. She tweeted: 'Although not an adviser to Scotland's Government, JVT's observations and opinions in the context of the four nations discussions have always been wise and helpful. 'I wish him well.' University of Nottingham Vice-Chancellor, Professor Shearer West, said the institution was 'incredibly proud' of Sir Jonathan. 'I am delighted that Jonathan is returning to Nottingham to join our executive team and lead our renowned faculty of medicine and health sciences as its next Pro-Vice-Chancellor. 'His academic and leadership expertise is second to none, and the integrity that he has demonstrated in his government role is fully aligned to our values.' Born and bred in Lincolnshire, Sir Jonathan attended Boston Grammar school where his father taught mathematics before spending most of his working life in academia. He first began honing his rhetoric on camping trips with army cadets to North Wales, where he practiced turning medicine into stories. He became England's deputy chief medical officer in 2017, and has played an important role fighting outbreaks of MERS, monkeypox and influenza. But perhaps his most notable role was during the Covid pandemic, where he joined the vaccines taskforce and supported the development of new treatments. England has four deputy chief medical officers. The other three are Dr Thomas Waite, an epidemiologist, Dr Aidan Fowler, a patient safety expert, and Dr Jeanelle de Gruchy, who is a public health expert. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have their own medical officers. It comes as an embattled Boris Johnson today dramatically axed a visit where he would have faced more questions over Partygate. The Prime Minister shelved the trip to Lancashire after a family member tested postiive. Mr Johnson is not required to isolate, but Downing Street said he was following advice to 'limit contact with others'. Cabinet ministers are now attempting to drum up support for the beleagured Prime Minister after he admitted attending a boozy No10 gathering during the first lockdown but claimed it was a 'work event' and 'technically' inside the rules. The limp mea culpa and so-called 'Operation Save Boris' from allies has so far failed to quell mounting fury among the public and on Tory benches, with a handful of MPs now openly demanding he quits. Support from some ministers has also been less than fulsome, with Chancellor Rishi Sunak notably waiting eight hours before merely tweeting that he had the right to apologise and people should wait for the result of senior civil servant Sue Gray's inquiry into alleged lockdown breaches. A YouGov poll for The Times has laid bare the scale of the damage being suffered by the Government, with Tory support slumping five points to just eight per cent in less than a week. For comparison, Labour has crept up to 38 per cent the party's biggest advance since 2013. It suggests that if an election was held today, it would see the Conservatives lose 150 seats and Keir Starmer put in No10. On your way to No10, Rishi? Chancellor Sunak breaks cover after lukewarm backing for Boris Johnson over partygate as bookmakers make him favourite to succeed him as prime minister Rishi Sunak broke cover in Downing Street today, hours after giving his boss Boris Johnson only lukewarm support in the wake of his partygate humiliation. Rishi Sunak broke cover in Downing Street today, hours after giving his boss Boris Johnson only lukewarm support in the wake of his partygate humiliation. The Chancellor was more than 200 miles rom Westminster as the Prime Minister apologised for attending a drinks event in his back garden while they were banned in May 2020. And while other ministers went public with their support for the PM after his 3pm Commons appearance, the bookies favourite to succeed him left it until after 8pm to offer any sort of endorsement. More than 20 ministers including Health Secretary Sajid Javid, Home Secretary Priti Patel, Foreign Secretary Liz Truss and Communities Secretary Michael Gove were despatched to the airwaves and social media to publicly support the PM after his statement to the Commons failed to quell anger among Tory backbenchers. But the Chancellor spent the day in Ilfracombe, north Devon, before taking to Twitter late on Wednesday to say that Mr Johnson was 'right to apologise' over the lockdown party scandal and call for 'patience' while Whitehall ethics chief Sue Gray conducted an inquiry into the affair. Mr Johnson told the Commons he thought the bring-your-own-booze party in the No 10 garden in May 2020 was a 'work event'. Mr Sunak's comments were in contrast to those posted by Foreign Secretary Liz Truss, another minister said to have eyes on the top job, although she took longer than other ministers to row in behind the PM. She wrote: 'The PM is delivering for Britain from Brexit to the booster programme to economic growth. I stand behind the Prime Minister 100 per cent as he takes our country forward.' One Cabinet minister today told the Times the two were engaged in 'obvious game playing', adding: 'Rishi and Liz have overplayed their hands. They have lost the subtlety plot.' Ladbrokes today cut their odds on Mr Sunak becoming the next PM to 7/4 favourite, with Liz Truss at 4/1. Mr Sunak raised eyebrows yesterday by continuing with an engagement in Devon while Mr Johnson endured a bruising session of Prime Minister's Questions. Miss Truss sat alongside Mr Johnson in the Commons. One senior Conservative said the Chancellor had 'done himself a lot of damage' by trying to distance himself from the row while others pitched in to help. But other MPs stepped up pressure on the PM after he admitted spending 25 minutes at a boozy staff party in the No10 garden on May 20, 2020. Advertisement Boris PULLS OUT of visit as 'family member tests positive for covid' amid backlash at his 'non-apology': PM tells MPs he was only taking one for the team with Commons mea culpa as MORE Tory MPs call for him to quit and Labour takes 10-POINT lead How could Boris Johnson be ousted by Tory MPs? Boris Johnson is under huge pressure over Partygate, with speculation that he might even opt to walk away. But barring resignation, the Tories have rules on how to oust and replace the leader. What is the mechanism for removing the Tory leader? Tory Party rules allow the MPs to force a vote of no confidence in their leader. How is that triggered? A vote is in the hands of the chairman of the Tory Party's backbench 1922 Committee, Sir Graham Brady. A vote of no confidence must be held if 15 per cent of Tory MPs write to the chairman. Currently that threshold is 54 MPs. Letters are confidential unless the MP sending it makes it public. This means only Sir Graham knows how many letters there are. What happens when the threshold is reached? A vote is held, with the leader technically only needing to win support from a simple majority of MPs But in reality, a solid victory is essential for them to stay in post. What happens if the leader loses? The leader is sacked if they do not win a majority of votes from MPs, and a leadership contest begins in which they cannot stand. However, they typically stay on as Prime Minister until a replacement is elected. Advertisement Embattled Boris Johnson today dramatically axed a visit where he would have faced more questions about Partygate after a family member tested positive for Covid. The PM cancelled the trip to Lancashire as Cabinet ministers desperately rally round after he admitted attending a boozy No10 gathering during the first Covid lockdown - but claimed he thought it was a 'work event' and was 'technically' inside the rules. Mr Johnson is not required to isolate, but Downing Street said he was following advice to 'limit contact with others'. Sources said it was another resident of the No11 flat, but would not confirm if it is Carrie or one of their children. Meanwhile, in another blow deputy chief medical officer Jonathan Van-Tam has quit - although it is not clear whether there is any connection to the Partygate affair or wrangling over the Omicron response. The limp mea culpa in the Commons yesterday and so-called 'Operation Save Boris' from allies have failed to quell mounting fury among the public and on the Conservative benches, with a handful of MPs now openly demanding Mr Johnson quits. Ex-minister Caroline Nokes is among the latest to declare Mr Johnson a 'liability'. Support from some ministers has also been less than fullsome, with Rishi Sunak notably waiting eight hours before merely tweeting that he had been right to apologise and people should wait for the result of senior civil servant Sue Gray's inquiry into alleged lockdown breaches. Mr Johnson risked inflaming the situation further after PMQs yesterday by telling MPs privately that he had done 'nothing wrong' and was 'taking hits for something we don't deserve' - while Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis said this morning that the premier did not believe he had broken the rules. Commons Leader Jacob Rees-Mogg also delivered an extraordinary rebuke to Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross overnight. Mr Rees-Mogg responded to Mr Ross's call for the PM to resign by branding him a 'lightweight' figure. A YouGov poll for the Times has laid bare the scale of the damage being suffered by the government, showing the Tories slumping five points to just 28 per cent in less than a week. Labour has crept up to 38 per cent - the party's biggest advantage since 2013. On an even swing across the country at an election, the figures would see the Conservatives lose 150 seats and put Keir Starmer in No10. Six in ten voters believed Mr Johnson should resign, including 38 per cent of Tory voters from his 2019 landslide. The research was conducted on Tuesday and Wednesday morning, but before Mr Johnson got to his feet in the Commons. Announcing the visit to a vaccination centre was being ditched today, a Downing Street spokesman said: 'The Prime Minister will no longer be visiting Lancashire today due to a family member testing positive for coronavirus. 'He will follow the guidance for vaccinated close contacts, including daily testing and limiting contact with others.' As the PM's future hangs in the balance: A YouGov poll for the Times has laid bare the scale of the damage being suffered by the government, showing the Tories slumping five points to just 28 per cent in less than a week Commons Leader Jacob Rees-Mogg delivered an extraordinary rebuke to Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross overnight. Mr Rees-Mogg responded to Mr Ross's call for the PM to resign by branding him a 'lightweight' figure 'They could not care less about Scotland!' Gleeful SNP seizes on Rees-Mogg calling Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross 'lightweight' The SNP today seized on the Conservative Party's civil war over the Downing Street party row and gleefully claimed the Tories are 'making the case for independence'. Jacob Rees-Mogg labelled the Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross a 'lightweight figure' after he called for Boris Johnson to resign. Mr Ross said the Prime Minister's position is 'no longer tenable' but Mr Rees-Mogg hit back as he claimed the most senior Tory in Scotland is not a 'big figure'. There is a growing divide between the Scottish Tories and their colleagues in London and the SNP has wasted no time in highlighting the divisions. The SNP's Commons leader Pete Wishart said the Scottish Tories 'are supposed to be the praetorian guard of the precious Union' but Mr Rees-Mogg had 'undermined them and thrown them under the proverbial bus'. Speaking in the Commons, Mr Wishart asked: 'If this is how the Government even treats the Scottish Tories, why should the Scottish people even entertain remaining part of their useless Union?' The SNP MP claimed the UK Government 'could not care less about Scotland' as he asked Mr Rees-Mogg if he would apologise to Mr Ross - but the Cabinet minister declined to do so. Advertisement No 10 said the close family member of Mr Johnson tested positive for coronavirus yesterday. The Prime Minister's official spokesman said the PM took a test on Wednesday and another today. He said: 'The PM is following the guidance to do daily tests and limit contact with others, as I said (the) positive test was Wednesday so the PM will continue following this guidance up in to including Tuesday of next week. 'For reference, the guidance is to take an LFD (lateral flow device) test every day for seven days, or until 10 days after the household member who has Covid-19 started their self-isolation period if this is earlier and, in this instance it's not, so it's seven days.' The spokesman said 'in line with the guidance, he's reducing contacts, he'll be working from No 10, doing the daily tests, and limiting contact with others both outside No 10 and indeed inside No 10 as well'. He said the PM would continue to hold meetings but 'for the large part that will be done virtually'. No10 insisted Mr Sunak and the whole Cabinet still had confidence in Mr Johnson. Asked if the premier was concerned that Mr Sunak and Ms Truss took almost 10 hours to offer their support on Twitter, the spokesman said: 'What the Prime Minister wants and expects is the Cabinet to be focused on delivering on the public's priorities.' Asked if he believed he had the full support of his Cabinet, the spokesman said: 'Yes, and you can see they continue to deliver on the public's priorities.' Pushed on whether Mr Johnson was concerned about letters of no confidence being sent to the Tory 1922 committee chair, the spokesman said: 'I don't think self-reflection is his priority, I think his focus is on delivering for the public.' Mr Sunak, seen as a potential successor to Mr Johnson, avoided yesterday's stormy PMQs by travelling more than 200 miles from London to Devon, said on Twitter late on Wednesday that Mr Johnson was 'right to apologise' over the lockdown party scandal. More than 20 ministers including Health Secretary Sajid Javid, Home Secretary Priti Patel, Foreign Secretary Liz Truss and Communities Secretary Michael Gove were despatched to the airwaves and social media to publicly support the PM after his statement to the Commons failed to quell anger among Tory backbenchers. Ministers were despatched to the airwaves and social media after a rare, grovelling public apology from the PM over lockdown-busting parties failed to quell anger among senior Conservatives. Mr Johnson told the House he thought the bring-your-own-booze party in the No 10 garden in May 2020 was a 'work event'. By early evening, virtually all ministers had publicly backed Mr Johnson, with the exceptions of Chancellor Rishi Sunak and Foreign Secretary Liz Truss, who are both said to be 'on manoeuvres' to succeed him. When the two senior ministers finally did tweet on the issue last night, there was a striking difference in their level of support. Mr Sunak's message said only that Mr Johnson was 'right to apologise' and he called for 'patience' while Whitehall ethics chief Sue Gray conducted an inquiry into the affair. In contrast, Ms Truss wrote: 'The PM is delivering for Britain from Brexit to the booster programme to economic growth. I stand behind the Prime Minister 100 per cent as he takes our country forward.' Mr Sunak also raised eyebrows yesterday by continuing with an engagement in Devon while Mr Johnson endured a bruising session of Prime Minister's Questions. Ms Truss sat alongside Mr Johnson in the Commons. One senior Conservative said the Chancellor had 'done himself a lot of damage' by trying to distance himself from the row while others pitched in to help. But other MPs stepped up pressure on the PM after he admitted spending 25 minutes at a boozy staff party in the No10 garden on May 20, 2020. A man in the US has claimed his penis shrunk by 1.5 inches as a result of vascular damage he suffered after contracting Covid. The unfortunate victim, who identified himself as a heterosexual man in his thirties, said the issue has had a 'profound impact on my self-confidence and abilities in bed'. The man said he contracted a severe bout of the virus in July of last year, but after being discharged from hospital upon recovery, was left with a strange case of erectile disfunction (ED). This affliction was remedied with treatment over time, but to his dismay the victim found his penis had contracted considerably - a condition doctors told him is likely permanent due to vascular damage in his erectile tissue. It comes as a University College London study of 3,400 people found that a shortened penis was a rare symptom among the 200 who developed long Covid. Meanwhile, a study published in the World Journal of Men's Health by University of Miami Miller School of Medicine showed widespread endothelial cell dysfunction from Covid-19 infection can contribute to significant ED. A man in the US has claimed his penis shrunk by 1.5 inches as a result of vascular damage he suffered after contracting Covid. The unfortunate victim, who identified himself as a heterosexual man in his thirties, said the issue has had a 'profound impact on my self-confidence and abilities in bed' (stock pic) This image, taken from a study led by the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine published in July 2021, shows 'Coronavirus-like spiked viral particles' in a Covid patient's peri-vascular erectile tissue. The study said that Covid infection can contribute to significant erectile dysfunction Speaking on the sex advice podcast How To Do It, the victim revealed his troubling affliction. 'I'm a heterosexual man in my thirties. In July of last year, I contracted Covid and was very sick. 'When I got out of the hospital, I had some erectile dysfunction issues. Those gradually got better with some medical attention, but I seem to be left with a lasting problem. 'My penis has shrunk. Before I got sick, I was above average, not huge, but definitely bigger than normal. Now I've lost about an inch-and-a-half and become decidedly less than average. 'It's apparently due to vascular damage, and my doctors seem to think it's likely permanent. 'It shouldn't really matter, but it has had a profound impact on my self confidence in my abilities in bed.' In response to the wild claim, Dr. Charles Welliver, a urologist and Director of Men's Health at Albany Medical College, NY, said the Covid infection can indeed cause ED, and in some cases, a shrinking of the penis should the ED persist over a period of time. 'You can connect these dots... There are pretty significant vascular issues that occur with guys. 'Studies have actually shown that guys can get priapism - the prolonged erection that is dangerous in its own right - and guys can also get ED from Covid, so it can kind of go both directions. 'When guys get ED, they get a lack of erections for a while, and when that happens they actually do get some shrinkage.' While the victim said he had lost his 'abilities in bed' and that his doctors advised him his condition was likely permanent, urologists have insisted that rehabilitative practices involving medication, stretching and vacuum devices can help to restore lost length over time. Dr. Ashley Winter, a urologist based in Oregon, also supported the legitimacy of the claims: 'It is true that having erectile dysfunction leads to shortening. ''Covid D*ck'' is a real thing.' However, while the victim said his doctors advised him his condition was likely permanent, both Welliver and Winter insisted that rehabilitative practices involving medication, stretching and vacuum devices can help to restore lost length over time. The University of Miami Miller School of Medicine declared that their study 'demonstrates the presence of the COVID-19 virus in the penis long after the initial infection in humans and suggests that widespread endothelial cell dysfunction from COVID-19 infection can contribute to resultant erectile dysfunction.' But doctors from the University stressed that further studies are needed to validate the effects of the virus on sexual function. A trainee employment lawyer and his drug dealer business partner who used the encrypted phone network EncroChat to supply ketamine and cocaine have been jailed. Neema Seifzadeh, 27, a law school graduate, used the illicit communications network to help move 1.5million in cash and supplied 20kg of ketamine to clubbers over a ten week period. The company managing director's son was arrested after police infiltrated the EncroChat network and were able to access his criminal conversations. They found he was working in tandem with drug trafficker Jason Musgrove, also 27, who had ketamine debts of up to 90,000. Police raided the luxury quayside apartments of both men near Manchester and seized a haul of Rolex watches, a 2,000 mountain bike, money and designer clothing. Seifzadeh, who worked on a helpline giving pro bono legal advice on unfair dismissal and redundancy issues, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply ketamine and was sentenced to six years behind bars at Manchester Crown Court. Musgrove, who lived in a 350,000 flat in Salford Quays, was jailed for 16-and-a-half years after he admitted conspiracy to supply cocaine and ketamine and plotting to supply a Skorpion machine gun pistol. Neema Seifzadeh (left), 27, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply ketamine and was sentenced to six years behind bars. Jason Musgrove (right), 27, was jailed for 16-and-a-half years after he admitted conspiracy to supply cocaine and ketamine and plotting to supply a Skorpion machine gun pistol Both men had no previous history of trouble with the police. The pair became business partners in 2020 after Musgrove decided to sell cocaine to pay off his ketamine dealers. What is the 'EncroChat' smartphone system? EncroChat was a communications company based in France. The company sold phones that had various features removed to improve security. The secret platform saw users communicate privately between specially-designed handsets - often to run drugs, traffick people and even order murders. The devices, costing 1,500, were usually Android-based smartphones with their GPS sensors, microphones, and cameras stripped out and encrypted chat apps installed by default to allow people to send private messages. The network enabled users to send written messages or make voice calls through an encrypted system. Seifzadeh and Musgrove were caught by Manchester Police after the force joined a large EncroChat investigation launched in the UK. Operation Venetic, which saw UK forces work with the National Crime Agency, led to 746 arrests and the seizure of 54m in criminal cash, 77 firearms and over two tonnes of drugs. Operation Venetic was the biggest and most significant operation of its kind in the UK, according to the NCA. Speaking at the time of the operation NCA Director of Investigations Nikki Holland, said: 'The infiltration of this command and control communication platform for the UK's criminal marketplace is like having an inside person in every top organised crime group in the country. 'This is the broadest and deepest ever UK operation into serious organised crime. 'The NCA is proud to have led the UK part of this operation, working in partnership with policing and other agencies. The results have been outstanding but this is just the start.' The investigation in the UK began after officers in France and the Netherlands infiltrated the platform. The encrypted messaging system first came to the attention of the French Gendarmerie in 2017. In 2020, the French Gendarmerie and the Dutch police formed a joint investigation team (JIT) and infiltrated EncroChat as part of an EU-wide investigation. The joint investigation team was supported by Europol and data retrieved was distributed to other European partners including the UK, Norway and Sweden. Advertisement Police infiltrated their EncroChat messages to find them communicating with a network of suppliers. Musgrove, who called himself 'Vic Tyson', was in contact with 16 criminal associates including suppliers of drugs and mixing agents and couriers and arranged for deliveries to be made by unsuspecting UPS drivers. Harriet Lavin prosecuting said. 'Both men dealt with at least 14 customers and on occasions were in contact with those able to supply and top up encrypted telephones. The conspiracy was well established and involved those with close pre-existing and trusted relationships. 'The extent of conversations prove their involvement in the high level supply of kilo quantities cocaine for Musgrove, and ketamine for both using a number of known couriers provided with unique passwords to ensure the integrity of the exchanges of cash and drugs. 'The conversations recorded only give an insight into the extent of criminality. The conversations are not reflective of the entire extent of their contacts. 'Over a ten week period Musgrove was involved in discussions about supplying 100kg of cocaine and 64kg of ketamine. 'He was also involved in the purchase of carious adulterants and the movement of at least 1.5m. 'He acquired and supplied at least 20kg of cocaine and spoke openly about the completion of the supply of at least 45kg of ketamine. 'One EncroChat user asked Musgrove if he could acquire a firearm. At the time he said he could and intended to assist and made inquiries but then decided he did not want to be involved with any supply of firearms or ammunition.' Seifzadeh - who used the alias 'Grapejuice' - would contact users 'downstream' of suppliers and also keep a record of people that owed the duo money, and calculated their profits. Miss Lavin added: 'He was involved in discussions with Musgrove surrounding the supply of 45kg of ketamine, the cutting of the drug with adulterants, joint finances and he was directly involved in keeping a record in relation to debtors lists and profits.' In one exchange Musgrove said he had a debt of 80,000 and complained to Seifzadah that a 8000 haul of Ketamine remained unsold. Later they discussed owning an associate 57,000. One customer returned a haul of cocaine due to its poor quality. Musgrove also talked of supplying the Skorpion pistol to another supplier for 15,750 - but no weapon was sold. Both men were arrested in July 2020 but both gave no comment in a police interview. They also refused to provide pin codes to their mobile phones. Musgrove was found in possession of a GT Sensor Support mountain bike, Luis Vuitton sunglasses UAE bank notes, a Rolex watch and other items. Seifzadeh had two Rolex watches, two Apple iBooks and designer clothing. In mitigation for Seifzadeh, defence counsel Michael Lavery said. 'He was the junior partner in this enterprise, he was the downstream supplier to Musgrove, developing contacts to enable lower scale distribution. Law school graduate Seifzadeh worked on a helpline giving pro bono legal advice on unfair dismissal and redundancy issues Police seized a haul of Rolex watches, a 2,000 mountain bike, money and designer clothing when the raided the properties of the men, Manchester Crown Court (pictured) heard 'He is of good character and comes from an impeccable family background. He is a man with intelligence and has made a terrible mistake involving himself in this behaviour. 'He had prospects and a future and now he has thrown it away for stupid involving in offending of such seriousness. His family are prepared to give ongoing support to him. It is very unlikely he will offend again. 'He has shown genuine remorse and appreciates he has brought real shame and upset to his mother and father.' Oliver Cook for Musgrove, said: 'He comes from a very good family. There is no criminal offending in his background or in theirs. 'He is introverted and socially awkward. He began self-medicating with ketamine and fell in with the wrong people. He accrued an enormous debt of around 80,000-or-90,000 which he decided to try paying off by dealing cocaine. He was using a lot of drugs at the time. His family did what they could to help him but he became lost to them. 'It was a sense of relief to them when he was arrested primarily due to the fact that he wasn't already dead.' Sentencing Judge Nicholas Dean QC said: 'You are both comparatively young men. More importantly is the fact that you are of good character and have not been in trouble before. 'Both of you were involved in very serious offending indeed involving Encrochat phones. There is no legitimate reason to use an EncroChat phone. They are exclusively used in crime and exclusively used at a high level dealing in Class A and B drugs. The use of the phones is an indication of the sophistication of the offending.' A proceeds of crime hearing will be held later this year. The long-lost nephew of an eccentric millionairess has won a 1.24m inheritance fight with her stepdaughter after a judge rejected claims he was an imposter as 'pure fantasy'. Wealthy widow Jean Lech cut out her stepdaughter Anna St Clair from her will completely when she died in 2012, instead splitting her money between her nephew Nick King and her cleaning lady June Farrell. She had only recently established contact with her 63-year-old nephew Mr King when she made the will in May 2009, leaving him almost all of her fortune, which was mostly tied up in her share of her 2m home in south London. But Ms St Clair, 72, took the pair to court in a bid to get the will declared invalid, claiming that Mr King was not a blood relative of her stepmum, but an 'imposter' who had planned with Mrs Farrell, 61, to pocket Jean's fortune. Mrs Farrell had found Mr King by going through a phone book looking for someone with the same surname as Jean's brother who could play the role of the long-lost nephew, she claimed. But following a trial at the High Court in London, Judge Mark Cawson QC threw out her case and handed victory in the inheritance fight to Mr King and Mrs Farrell. 'Ms St Clair has continued to refuse to accept that Mr King is anything other than an impostor, unrelated to Mrs Lech,' he said. 'This is despite DNA tests having been carried out, the existence of a birth certificate, and the evidence of his mother, in addition to that of Mr King himself.' Jean Lech had only recently established contact with her 63-year-old nephew Nick King when she made the will in May 2009, leaving him almost all of her fortune The rest of Ms Lech's money went to her cleaning lady June Farrell, the High Court was told Her telephone book 'theory' was 'pure fantasy', he said, and he had no doubt but that Mr King is the son of Jean's brother, Peter. The court heard Jean left behind a 1.24m legacy when she died aged 79, mostly tied up in her half share of her 2m home in Telford Avenue, Streatham. She had co-owned the house with her husband Zbigniew Lech, Ms St Clair's natural father, who died aged 101 in 2008. He had left his half of the house ultimately to Ms St Clair and her daughter Carmen, with the stipulation that his widow could continue to live there until she herself died. Ms St Clair, who now lives in Melbourne, Australia, was the main beneficiary of a will made by her stepmum in 2007, but was left nothing at all in the revised document made in May 2009. Instead it left 10,000 to cleaning lady Mrs Farrell, plus similar gifts to each of Mrs Farrell's two children, and the rest to her nephew, with whom Jean had only recently established contact before she died. The judge said Ms St Clair refused to accept Mr King was a genuine relative, but in his evidence Mr King said he had been contacted by his 'Aunty Jean' and visited her several times during her final couple of years, taking her out for meals. Contesting the 2009 will, Ms St Clair told the court that her stepmum - who was her dad's third wife - was notoriously bad-tempered and that she believes she had an antisocial personality disorder which, combined with her being ill when she made her last will, ought to see it invalidated. She was not displaying 'the thinking style of a mature adult but rather that of a petulant child' by 2009 and wouldn't 'pass the test for testamentary capacity,' she claimed. The house in Telford Avenue, Streatham, at the centre of a court fight over the will of the late Jean Lech Giving examples of her unusual behaviour, Ms St Clair said: 'One Christmas Day, she was, unusually, doing the washing up. My father made a comment about her wasting the hot water. She turned and threw the roast turkey through the nearest window, causing glass to splinter everywhere. There was no festive dinner that day.' She went on: 'Jean was in the habit of luring neighbourhood cats away from their owners by giving them fresh fish. 'On one occasion, one neighbour came for a visit seeking his cat. In order to inject some good humour when it seemed as though the cat would not be returned, he said 'well you better watch out because I am a big bad lawyer.' 'Jean instantly retorted: 'And I'm a f***ing b**ch, now get out'. The poor man never got his cat back.' On another occasion, Ms St Clair said: 'She screamed that I was poisoning her plants when I was in fact just watering them. She made egregious and insane allegations. 'She was quite pleasant when she wasn't drunk but when drunk became unbearable.' Ms St Clair also brought a claim of 'fraudulent calumny,' arguing that Mrs Farrell, Jean's cleaner, must have manipulated her stepmum into cutting her out of the will. She claimed before the judge that Mrs Farrell had 'poisoned her mind' against her. Furthermore, she claimed Mrs Farrell and Mr King were 'in a relationship' and had plotted together to inherit Jean's money. But rejecting all the allegations and Ms St Clair's claim as a whole, the judge said: 'Mrs Lech...was clearly a larger-than-life and strong-willed character, who was capable of being difficult if she wanted to be. The impression that I get...is that she required to be the centre of attention, and had a tendency to take it out on others if she was not. 'I am left with the clear impression that Ms St Clair is motivated in bringing the present proceedings by a genuinely held sense of grievance that Mr King, and also Mrs Farrell, stand to inherit under the terms of the 2009 will virtually the whole of Mrs Lech's estate, which largely comprises Mrs Lech's 50% beneficial interest in the house and premium bonds and shares inherited from Mr Lech. 'This sense of grievance stems from Ms St Clair's perception that her father, Mr Lech, paid for the house, without Mrs Lech having made any contribution thereto and without having made any other significant contribution to the marriage. 'She therefore sees it as quite wrong that assets, which she sees as derived from her father's efforts, should end up in the hands of people she regards as strangers, rather than in the hands of herself and her daughter as Mr Lech's closest relatives. 'The relationship between Mrs Lech and Ms St Clair was never particularly good. 'Mrs Lech knew her own mind, and was not somebody to be pushed around. 'I am unable to find, on the balance of probabilities, that any agreement in relation to the making of mutual wills was concluded between Mr Lech and Mrs Lech in respect of the wills that they made in 2007. 'Ms St Clair's case ultimately depends upon a theory that the alleged false representations uttered by Mrs Farrell were about poisoning Mrs Lech's mind against Ms St Clair so that Mrs Farrell could benefit, either by personally benefiting under Mrs Lech's will, or benefiting through Mr King. 'Whilst Mrs Farrell and her children did benefit under the 2009 will, the legacies given were comparatively modest having regard to the size of the estate and reflect the type of legacy that a testatrix such as Mrs Lech might well have left to a good friend who had helped out in the way that I have found that Mrs Farrell did. There is, I consider, nothing unusual or surprising about them. 'So far as Mr King is concerned, as considered above, I accept his evidence as to the circumstances in which he came to meet and maintain contact with Mrs Lech. I reject any suggestion that he was introduced in some way to Mrs Lech by Mrs Farrell. 'There is nothing to support the allegation that Mrs Farrell and Mr King were or are in any sort of personal relationship, which they both emphatically deny. 'There is absolutely no evidence to support the suggestion that Mrs Farrell stands to benefit in any way through Mr King. 'In the circumstances, a motive for Mrs Farrell making false representations as alleged is simply not made out. 'The evidence of Mr King, which I accept, is that he developed, albeit in a relatively short period of time, a good relationship with Mrs Lech, having visited her on a number of occasions before she made the 2009 will, and thereafter until her death. Mr King's evidence was that they got on well, in contrast to the relationship between Mrs Lech and Ms St Clair and Carmen. 'Mr King was not known to Mrs Lech when she made her wills in 2006 and 2007.. By the time she came to decide that Mr King should benefit from the residue of her estate, Mr Lech was no longer around to influence her testamentary dispositions, and she had established a relationship with Mr King. In the circumstances, there was a certain rationale to not benefiting Ms St Clair and Carmen with whom she had had a fractious relationship, but benefiting Mr King instead. 'I do not consider that the evidence establishes a case of fraudulent calumny,' the judge said. He also went on to reject Ms St Clair's argument that her stepmum lacked testamentary capacity. 'Ms St Clair has pulled together a number of facts that are said to go to Mrs Lech's testamentary capacity. However, I consider it plain that, in reality, these facts do not do so even if true.' Referring to the allegations of eccentric and irrational behaviour, the judge said: 'These may demonstrate a degree of lack of judgment on Mrs Lech's part, if true, but not that Mrs Lech lacked testamentary capacity as at the time that she made the 2009 will. 'I do not consider that it can be assumed that Mrs Lech's conduct was in any sense irrational in leaving her residuary estate to Mr King and making the comparatively modest provision for Mrs Farrell that she did. Indeed, as I have already held, there was a certain rationality in what she did. 'In any event, it is entirely open to a testator to act unfairly, vindictively, perversely, or otherwise irrationally, although I recognise that, in appropriate circumstances, such conduct might point to the possibility least of a lack of testamentary capacity. 'I am satisfied on the evidence that the 2009 will was executed with Mrs Lech's knowledge and approval. 'It follows from the above that each of the challenges made by Ms St Clair to the validity of the 2009 will must fail, and therefore that her claim should be dismissed. 'In the circumstances, I have no hesitation in pronouncing in favour of the force and validity of Mrs Lech's will dated 20 May 2009,' the judge concluded. A group of male celebrities including Michael Sheen, Jason Manford and Gary Neville are calling for misogyny to be made a hate crime. Stella Creasy, Labour and Co-operative Party MP for Walthamstow, is campaigning to 'include misogyny in our hate crime legislation', meaning offences motivated by a hatred of women would be treated similarly as those motivated by racism or religious intolerance. In an open letter to House of Lords members, bearing the names of several famous men, she calls for the Government to accept the 'Newlove amendment' to the Policing Bill when it is debated on January 17. Comedian David Baddiel, former Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, and former Chief Prosecutor Nazir Afzal OBE all have their names featured on the open letter, which calls for the Government to 'modernise our hate crime laws'. Mr Afzal today tweeted a link to the letter, tagging fellow men who signed it and writing: 'MEN must take responsibility for MALE violence... sign the letter please.' The Law Commission, which recommends legal changes, had in December last year argued that the move to make misogyny a hate crime would create 'hierarchies of victims' - and make prosecuting rape and domestic abuse more difficult. A group of male celebrities including Michael Sheen, Jason Manford and Gary Neville are calling for misogyny to be made a hate crime The names of Michael Sheen (left) and former Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams (right) also appear on the open letter Race, religion, disability, sexual orientation and transgender identity are the five protected characteristics under the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 and section 66 of the Sentencing Act 2020, but campaigners want sex and gender added to this. FAMOUS NAMES ON STELLA CREASY'S HATE CRIME LETTER Nazir Afzal OBE : Former Chief Crown Prosecutor for North West England : Former Chief Crown Prosecutor for North West England Rowan Williams : Former Archbishop of Canterbury : Former Archbishop of Canterbury Gary Neville : Football pundit, coach and former player who co-owns Salford City : Football pundit, coach and former player who co-owns Salford City Michael Sheen : Welsh actor and TV producer : Welsh actor and TV producer David Baddiel : Comedian, author, screenwriter and presenter, who had a comedy partnership with Frank Skinner : Comedian, author, screenwriter and presenter, who had a comedy partnership with Frank Skinner Fred Sirieix : French maitre d'hotel who is known for appearing on Channel 4's First Dates and BBC Two's Million Pound Menu : French maitre d'hotel who is known for appearing on Channel 4's First Dates and BBC Two's Million Pound Menu Jason Manford : Comedian, actor, presenter and singer who appeared on Channel 4's 8 Out of 10 Cats panel show between 2007 and 2010 : Comedian, actor, presenter and singer who appeared on Channel 4's 8 Out of 10 Cats panel show between 2007 and 2010 Iain Stirling : Scottish comedian, TV presenter, actor and Twitch streamer : Scottish comedian, TV presenter, actor and Twitch streamer Richard Herring : Stand-up comedian, ventriloquist and writer : Stand-up comedian, ventriloquist and writer Sanjeev Bhaskar OBE : Actor, comedian and TV presenter known for the BBC Two sketch comedy series Goodness Gracious Me : Actor, comedian and TV presenter known for the BBC Two sketch comedy series Goodness Gracious Me Krish Majumdar : Chair of Bafta and documentary director : Chair of Bafta and documentary director Colin Salmon : Actor, known for playing Charles Robinson in three James Bond films : Actor, known for playing Charles Robinson in three James Bond films Chris Addison : Regular panellist on Mock the Week, stand-up comedian who played Ollie Reeder in BBC Two's The Thick of It : Regular panellist on Mock the Week, stand-up comedian who played Ollie Reeder in BBC Two's The Thick of It Peter Jukes : Author, playwright, literary critic and blogger Advertisement Current sentencing guidelines specifically name 'racial or religious' aspects of higher culpability offences as aggravating factors - meaning if these played a role in the crime the punishment will likely be more severe. The 'Newlove amendment', put forward by Tory life peer and former victims' commissioner Baroness Newlove, calls for a new clause to be inserted into the bill specifically outlining 'aggravation of offences on grounds of hostility related to sex or gender'. Ms Creasy's open letter states: 'It is right that we already give judges and prosecutors discretion to treat hatred of other protected characteristics as an aggravating factor, but the continuing exclusion of misogyny and misandry from this list risks giving the impression that crimes motivated by hatred of women are somehow less serious than homophobic or racist violence.' It adds: 'Making this simple change would send a powerful symbol about how seriously we as a society take violence against women and girls. It is time to give all women equal protection from being targeted for harm because they are women. 'Please vote for the Newlove amendment.' Comedian Mr Manford had hit headlines in 2018 when it was revealed he had phone sex with a fan just five weeks before his marriage to Lucy Dyke at Manchester town hall. He also quit the BBC's One Show after admitting he shared sexual messages online with female fans, saying: 'I have only myself to blame. I have never felt so low.' He has also waded into women's issues previously, having argued in 2015 that the BBC's decision to put at least one woman on each comedy panel line-up 'undermined' female comedians, who, he said, would then think: 'Am I here because I'm funny or because they needed one (a woman panelist)?' But he also said that having more women on comedy nights made the events better, and when he saw a successful female act he would think: 'Well, she's worked harder than most blokes to get to this point.' Gary Neville had stoked a backlash in 2015 after women's football pioneer Tony Farmer claimed that he - along with other Manchester United legends - would set the sport back 25 years by promoting the Lingerie Football League. Farmer, who started Chelsea Ladies to promote women's football in 1992, claimed the Class of 92 were helping to expose female footballers and were harming the game's progression by letting the LFL launch their inaugural match at Manchester's Hotel Football one of their businesses. He said: 'Lingerie Football is all about making the game sexual titillation for spectators and could expose players, especially young girls starting off in football, to people who view them as a sexual object rather than sportswomen.' In 2008 then Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams became engulfed in a row when he said the introduction in Britain of some aspects of sharia, Islamic law, was unavoidable. Williams, speaking to the BBC, said other religions enjoyed tolerance of their laws in Britain and he called for a 'constructive accommodation' with Muslim practice in areas such as marital disputes. WHY IS MISOGYNY NOT A HATE CRIME? The campaign to make misogyny a hate crime has not yet succeeded, having recently met opposition from The Law Commission and from Boris Johnson's Government. But the issue has been discussed for years, with then Equalities Minister Victoria Atkins saying in 2018 that Parliament must be 'careful about creating laws that would inadvertently conflict with principles of equality'. She said if hate crime rules were extended to gender, 'we would have to think carefully about whether that would apply to the entire population or just half of it'. Ms Atkins added: 'Women are not a minority, and I would be hesitant to put us forward as one.' John Szepietowski, from Audley Chaucer Solicitors, told the BBC that critics were concerned the category would become 'too broad', with any attack on a woman becoming at risk of being classed as a hate crime if the motivations of the perpetrator were not clear. Sara Thornton, former chair of the National Police Chiefs' Council, said in 2018 that police forces were too 'stretched', and officers simply 'do not have the resources to do everything that is desirable and deserving'. Advertisement Asked if the adoption of sharia was necessary for community cohesion, Williams said: 'It seems unavoidable. 'Certain conditions of sharia are already recognised in our society and under our law, so it is not as if we are bringing in an alien and rival system.' In response, Prime Minister Gordon Brown's office said: 'There are instances where the government has made changes in regulations, for example to include sharia-compliant mortgage products, but in general terms, sharia law cannot be used as a justification for committing breaches of English law, nor can the principle of sharia law be used in a civilian court.' 'The prime minister is clear that in Britain, British laws based on British values will apply,' a spokesman said. 'There are specific instances that get looked at on a case-by-case basis,' he added, but only if the change was consistent with British values. In October last year Boris Johnson brushed off calls to formally recognise misogyny as a hate crime, instead arguing the 'abundance' of existing laws should be better enforced rather than new legislation brought in. The Prime Minister vowed to make domestic violence and rape the 'number one issue' he tackles within policing, and said the way police and criminal justice system currently handles violent crimes against women was 'just not working'. His comments come amid a brewing national row over women's safety, with thousands sharing their experiences of feeling unsafe on streets, parks and other public areas in Britain. The Met Police's Wayne Couzens, 48, murdered Sarah Everard after using Covid laws to stage a fake arrest and kidnap the 33-year-old as she walked along a street in Clapham in March. The disgraced officer was given a life sentence at the Old Bailey. Mr Johnson added the 'anger over Ms Everard's murder is a symptom' of a 'wider frustration that people feel'. Asked if he believed misogyny should be a hate crime, Mr Johnson told BBC Breakfast: 'I think that what we should do is prosecute people for the crimes we have on the statute book. 'That is what I am focused on. To be perfectly honest, if you widen the scope of what you ask the police to do, you will just increase the problem. 'What you need to do is get the police to focus on the very real crimes, the very real feeling of injustice and betrayal that many people feel.' Advertisement Ski firms' phones are 'ringing off the hook' after France said it will axe its travel ban on vaccinated Britons tomorrow. One company reported a 336 per cent surge in bookings to La Rosiere and a 70 per cent rise in trips to Les Arcs. Flight prices have also shot up amid a rush to take to the slopes as soon as the borders reopen. Tourism Minister Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne revealed this morning Britons will be allowed into France from tomorrow. Vaccinated travellers will be allowed in if they have evidence of a negative Covid test taken within 24 hours of departure. Isolation on arrival will also be scrapped. The move was welcomed by tourist-starved resorts which had been begging Emmanuel Macron to change his mind. Meanwhile travel experts warned it may have come too late after doing 'untold damage' to businesses. One company reported a 336 per cent surge in bookings to La Rosiere and a 70 per cent rise in trips to Les Arcs (file photo of the Eurostar) Flight prices have also shot up amid a rush to take to the slopes as soon as the borders reopen (file photo) Travellers who are fully vaccinated will be allowed to enter if they have evidence of a negative coronavirus test taken within 24 hours of departure. Pictured: Mr Macron yesterday What are the rules for Britons jetting off to France and how is its Omicron fight going? What are the rules? Vaccinated travellers will be allowed in if they have evidence of a negative Covid test taken within 24 hours of departure. Isolation on arrival will also be scrapped. Booster vaccines will be required for holidaymakers hoping to qualify for a pass sanitaire - which permits access to restaurants, museums and ski lifts. What were they? France made the decision on December 18 to close its borders to British holidaymakers in a bid to slow the spread of the Omicron variant. France had already slightly eased restrictions for Brits - with last week seeing anyone with compelling business trips being allowed in. The rules dictated anyone arriving from the UK had to show a negative Covid test at the border, before completing a 48-hour quarantine, and then undergoing another test. How is France battling Omicron? The French are reporting new records of infection as the highly contagious Omicron variant sweeps across Europe. A figure of 368,149 in France over 24 hours on Wednesday trumped a previous record of 332,252 set on January 5. France's seven-day moving average of cases was nearly 270,000, according to official figures. Advertisement Chris Logan, managing director of Britain's biggest winter sports operator Crystal Ski, said: 'Like the rest of the ski community, I'm delighted we'll be able to hit the slopes in France once again. 'It's been a challenging start to the season with Switzerland and France both imposing short-term bans, and complex and ever-changing testing requirements. 'But with the relaxation of UK testing and the Alps open to the UK again, I'm feeling really optimistic. We've seen a steady increase in searches and bookings in the last two weeks. 'Bookings to France doubled yesterday even before the announcement and we would expect to see another very positive uptick now it's official.' He added: 'The outlook is good, there are great deals available, so now is the time to book.' Brighton-based tour operator Ski Beat will resume taking UK customers to France on Saturday. Sales and marketing director Laura Hazell said the firm has 'lots of relieved and happy customers' who were awaiting news. The company's phones are 'ringing off the hook' and it has seen an 'immediate surge in internet bookings', she added. And all-inclusive ski giant Club Med said its website had been inundated with traffic - shooting up 60 per cent after the announcement. It said trips to France were now its most searched for, with La Rosiere and Les Arcs proving particularly popular. Managing Director at the firm Estelle Giraudeau told the Telegraph: 'This has saved the season. 'After two years away from the slopes, Britons are desperate to get back to France and some of the most loved ski domains in Europe and this is the final barrier to be removed.' Flight prices have also shot up, with trips surging in price by up to nine per cent after the changes were revealed. There are 2,179 flights with 367,164 flights scheduled in January between the two countries. This figure is 144 per cent on the number for the same month last year, but is still down 67 per cent on the same time the year before. Steve Heapy, CEO of Jet2.com and Jet2holidays, which relaunched flights to ski resorts today, welcomed the changes. He said: 'This is the positive news that skiers and snowboarders have been looking forward to, and the spike in bookings for ski flights has been both sharp and immediate. 'The snow conditions in the French Alps are said to be excellent, meaning our customers are jumping at the chance to get back on the slopes. 'We know how much our customers want to get back to the French Alps and we are very pleased to be flying them there again from next weekend onwards. 'This is yet more great news for the travel industry and further reinforces our already strong belief that 2022 is a year to look forward to with real confidence.' A spokesman for travel trade organisation Abta welcomed the decision by France to end its ban on UK tourists. He said: 'France is one of the most popular destinations for UK holidaymakers. 'Thousands of people head there for ski breaks at this time of year, so this will be a huge relief for customers with holidays booked there for the next few weeks, who have been waiting anxiously for news. 'We are still waiting for more details from the French government on entry requirements such as the rules that will apply for children. 'Travellers should continue to monitor the Foreign Office travel advice.' Ferry companies were also relieved, with Brittany Ferries CEO Christophe Mathieu expressing hope 'we have seen the last border closure of the Covid crisis'. He said: 'We've all suffered enormously over the last two years. Healthcare professionals are exhausted and businesses in the travel sector have struggled to survive. 'Thousands of Brittany Ferries passengers have been disrupted and millions of pounds in income has been lost as a consequence of draconian measures like border closures.' Mr Mathieu went on to urge people to 'embrace' coronavirus vaccines to 'halt this cycle of pain and frustration'. Abby Penlington, director at industry body Discover Ferries, said: 'France is one of the most popular holiday destinations for Brits and traditionally January is a critical month for travel operators as people start to book summer holidays. 'While the ferry industry has continued to operate essential services across the Channel while the border remained closed, we're confident that its reopening will provide a much-needed uplift in bookings.' Travellers who are fully vaccinated will be allowed to enter if they have evidence of a negative coronavirus test taken within 24 hours of departure (file photo) Travel firms rejoice that France is open to UK: Travel firms were delighted with the change in rules from tomorrow. Chris Logan, managing director of Britain's biggest winter sports operator Crystal Ski, said: 'Like the rest of the ski community, I'm delighted we'll be able to hit the slopes in France once again. 'It's been a challenging start to the season with Switzerland and France both imposing short-term bans, and complex and ever-changing testing requirements. But with the relaxation of UK testing and the Alps open to the UK again, I'm feeling really optimistic. We've seen a steady increase in searches and bookings in the last two weeks. 'Bookings to France doubled yesterday even before the announcement and we would expect to see another very positive uptick now it's official.' He added: 'The outlook is good, there are great deals available, so now is the time to book.' Brittany Ferries CEO Christophe Mathieu described it as a 'great relief' and expressed hope that 'we have seen the last border closure of the Covid crisis'. He said: 'We've all suffered enormously over the last two years. Healthcare professionals are exhausted and businesses in the travel sector have struggled to survive. 'Thousands of Brittany Ferries passengers have been disrupted and millions of pounds in income has been lost as a consequence of draconian measures like border closures.' Mr Mathieu went on to urge people to 'embrace' coronavirus vaccines to 'halt this cycle of pain and frustration'. Abby Penlington, director at industry body Discover Ferries, said: 'France is one of the most popular holiday destinations for Brits and traditionally January is a critical month for travel operators as people start to book summer holidays. While the ferry industry has continued to operate essential services across the Channel while the border remained closed, we're confident that its reopening will provide a much-needed uplift in bookings.' Steve Heapy, CEO of Jet2.com and Jet2holidays, said: 'This is the positive news that skiers and snowboarders have been looking forward to, and the spike in bookings for ski flights has been both sharp and immediate. The snow conditions in the French Alps are said to be excellent, meaning our customers are jumping at the chance to get back on the slopes. 'We know how much our customers want to get back to the French Alps and we are very pleased to be flying them there again from next weekend onwards. This is yet more great news for the travel industry and further reinforces our already strong belief that 2022 is a year to look forward to with real confidence.' A spokesman for travel trade organisation Abta welcomed the decision by France to end its ban on UK tourists. He said: 'France is one of the most popular destinations for UK holidaymakers. Thousands of people head there for ski breaks at this time of year, so this will be a huge relief for customers with holidays booked there for the next few weeks, who have been waiting anxiously for news.' Advertisement Mr Baptiste-Lemoyne tweeted out the update on Thursday morning, saying 'we are relaxing entry conditions'. The minister said the new measures would be published in an official decree on Friday, but were 'immediately effective'. Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said his French counterpart told him the decision was due to 'the UK's falling infection rate'. Travel experts also welcomed the changes but warned that they may have come too late. Paul Charles, CEO of travel consultancy The PC Agency, told MailOnline: 'At last France has reversed its damaging position on entry for UK visitors. 'It is a policy which has wiped out holidays and family visits for so many people during the crucial Christmas and New Year period. 'It hurt both UK and French citizens and has done untold damage to businesses, especially in the ski sector. 'Border closures never, ever work they don't prevent infection spread and they don't help economies. 'The re-opening of borders from tomorrow will now enable things to pick up for the latter half of the ski season, as well as help families see each other again across France. 'I hope the French look back at the policy and realise that it achieved absolutely nothing, apart from cause immense emotional and financial stress on both sides of the Channel.' Head of The Points Guy UK Nicky Kelvin said: 'The temporary ban on Brits travelling to France for non-essential reasons was incredibly disruptive for many. 'The ban has been lifted just in time for would be skiers to take to the slopes as we come into peak skiing season. 'It's another win for the travel and tourism industry and a further sign that political leaders may now be more willing to take action in response to the pleas from businesses, especially as vaccination rates increase and the severity of the omicron variant remains relatively low for now. 'Travellers should keep a very close eye the ever changing rules. You'll still need to be fully vaccinated and present a negative test within 24 hours of your arrival to get into France. 'These rules and the ability to enter France and other countries can change with little warning so it's still important to have flexible or refundable bookings and have adequate insurance.' There was widespread anger within the travel industry when France imposed travel restrictions in December because of spiralling Covid-19 rates in the UK. But the French are themselves reporting new records of infection as the highly contagious Omicron variant sweeps across Europe. A figure of 368,149 in France over 24 hours on Wednesday trumped a previous record of 332,252 set on January 5. France's seven-day moving average of cases was nearly 270,000, according to official figures. British ministers had also privately accused Mr Macron of 'playing politics' by keeping the border closed, despite devastating economic results. Travel and tourism accounted for 8.5 per cent of France's gross domestic product in 2019, but fell to 4.7 per cent in 2020. Experts warn it may be too late for some firms amid 'untold damage' Firms have faced 'untold damage' due to France's ban on British tourists, travel experts warned. Paul Charles, of The PC Agency, said: 'At last France has reversed its damaging position on entry for UK visitors. It is a policy which has wiped out holidays and family visits for so many people during the crucial Christmas and New Year period. 'It hurt both UK and French citizens and has done untold damage to businesses, especially in the ski sector. Border closures never, ever work they don't prevent infection spread and they don't help economies. 'The re-opening of borders from tomorrow will now enable things to pick up for the latter half of the ski season, as well as help families see each other again across France. I hope the French look back at the policy and realise that it achieved absolutely nothing, apart from cause immense emotional and financial stress on both sides of the Channel.' Head of The Points Guy UK Nicky Kelvin said: 'The temporary ban on Brits travelling to France for non-essential reasons was incredibly disruptive for many. The ban has been lifted just in time for would be skiers to take to the slopes as we come into peak skiing season. It's another win for the travel and tourism industry and a further sign that political leaders may now be more willing to take action in response to the pleas from businesses, especially as vaccination rates increase and the severity of the omicron variant remains relatively low for now.' Advertisement The British are normally the biggest foreign visitor group to Paris, and also swarm to the French Alps in the winter. And the ski industry is now optimistic that the peak February period, which includes school half term holidays, could now be saved. The UK eased its own travel restrictions last week. People who are fully vaccinated no longer need to take a coronavirus test before they arrive in the UK, and can take a cheaper and quicker lateral flow test rather than a PCR test after they arrive. The changes save a family of four around 300. Skiline is one of many companies that has now put ski trips to France departing this Saturday back on sale. It even issued a statement on the news earlier this week predicting the borders reopening. 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.' The firm started selling spots on its trips though promised refunds should the borders not be open in time. Meanwhile some companies accused Mr Macron of punishing the industry over worsening ties with Britain. Francois Badjily, head of the Alpe d'Huez tourist office, suggested France was playing politics with the pandemic. He said: 'We have the impression that our industry is being made to pay the price for the poor relations between both countries right now, whether it's about Brexit or fishing or whatever.' Mr Badjily said the rules were incoherent because fully vaccinated tourists from other countries where the Omicron strain is already present are able to visit. Alpe d'Huez 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?' Advertisement Prince Andrew faces being cross-examined on camera by one of America's most feared trial lawyers, with embarrassing questions on everything from his sex life and 'private parts' to what he has told the Queen. David Boies, Virginia Giuffre's 80-year-old New York attorney, is seen as the 'greatest deposition-taker' in modern American justice, and could quiz the royal for a gruelling seven hours, excluding breaks, all under oath with the threat of perjury if he is found to have lied. The veteran lawyer's services, for the princely sum of $2,000 (1,460) an hour, are highly sought after, and he has acted in a raft of major cases including his successful prosecution of Microsoft that saw the computing giant briefly split up. Andrew could avoid having to make a deposition by striking a settlement with Ms Giuffre. And, even if he decides not to, 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. In fresh humiliation for the Royal Family, the duke's ex-wife Sarah, the Duchess of York and their daughters Beatrice and Eugenie are also likely to be deposed for questioning over Andrew's sex life and alibis. His disastrous BBC Newsnight interview means Ms Giuffre's may even try to interview Prince Charles and perhaps even attempt 'the impossible' and summon the Queen to give evidence about what her second son has told her, according to a lawyer who represented Jeffrey Epstein's victims. Her New York attorney David Boies said his team will seek to 'depose between ten to 12 people', and admitted this could include Fergie, Beatrice and Eugenie. Florida litigator Spencer Kuvin said: 'It is without question the Duke will be asked about his private parts. Nothing is off limits because if an underage girl can describe what the Duke of York's private parts look like... how would that be if they had not had a relationship?' 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. Mr Kuvin told the Mirror: 'Andrew's disastrous BBC Newsnight interview will haunt him. He mentioned his wife as well as his daughters. They can now all legally be deposed. The lawyers could even try for the Queen. I don't doubt they will, but as a sovereign, it will be almost impossible to do'. 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. Prince Andrew is certain to be questioned about his sex life and the size and shape of his manhood if he fails to settle with Virginia Roberts Giuffre, lawyers claim The Duke of York was pictured sitting in the back of a Range Rover this morning as he was being driven from his house in Windsor Great Park 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. Is he ready for the great inquisitor? Prince Andrew is now set to be grilled by Virginia Roberts's 'peerless' lawyer. David Boies, her 80-year-old New York attorney, is seen as the 'greatest deposition-taker' in modern American justice when witnesses are interviewed under oath. His services, for the princely sum of $2,000 (1,460) an hour, are highly sought after. He led the prosecution of Microsoft by the US government that saw the computing giant briefly split up. It is expected he will fly to the UK with members of his team to interview Andrew under oath. Former federal prosecutor Mitchell Epner described him as 'peerless'. Mr Boies said last night: 'Virginia is obviously very pleased with the court's decision. It does not resolve the case on the merits, it simply rejects certain legal defences Prince Andrew was putting up to avoid a trial.' Advertisement 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. Last night, the royal's lawyers on both sides of the Atlantic were locked in crisis talks after their motion to dismiss the civil lawsuit brought by Virginia Roberts was 'denied in all respects', meaning the case is now heading towards an unedifying trial this autumn. The duke's team now have a stark choice, legal experts said. They can either take the risk to press ahead and attempt to clear his name by going in front of a jury, which means Andrew would face the humiliation of having to give public testimony against lurid allegations of rape and sexual assault on oath. Or he could try to persuade Miss Roberts to accept a multi-million pound settlement in order to avoid further damaging the reputation of the monarchy but have the stain of the proceedings remain with him forever. However, her New York attorney David Boies last night indicated that his client was determined to go to trial, saying: 'She wants to achieve justice', but added that while she is determined to go to trial, 'settlement is always a possibility'. 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 99 out of 100 civil cases settle out of court in the United States. Mr Boies added that his team will seek to 'depose between ten to 12 people', and admitted this could include Fergie, Beatrice and Eugenie. If he chooses not to settle, or if Ms Giuffre rejects any offers, Andrew faces a trial and 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. One former US federal prosecutor said: 'This is a very, very bad day for Prince Andrew.' Mitchell Epner told Sky News: 'There are only bad options in front of him and he has to decide which of these bad options is his best bad option.' The pressure for Andrew to settle out of court and spare the Queen the ignominy of a sordid public trial was growing last night as he was warned he was in 'the last chance saloon with the towels over the taps'. Andrew's 2,000-an-hour legal team were last night locked in talks amid the 'biggest constitutional crisis in living memory', and believe that the key could be his chalet in Verbier, according to The Sun. There has been speculation that the Queen could be bankrolling the prince's case, but experts believe it would be considered a PR disaster if she paid his accuser to end claims against her second on. Miss Roberts's lawyer Mr Boies hinted that a deal out of court could be reached, saying: 'I think Virginia is determined to go to trial, but settlement is always a possibility'. Speaking to BBC Newsnight, he added: 'There has been no suggestion of settlement discussions at this point. Prior to the time that we brought the case we reached out to Prince Andrew and to Prince Andrew's lawyers and suggested mediation as a possible way of avoiding litigation. 'There was no interest in that at that time whether that has changed or not, I think, we'll have to wait and see. A purely financial settlement is not anything that I think that she is interested in.' Miss Roberts alleges she was forced to have sex with Andrew on three occasions in 2001, when she was 17, and he knew she was a trafficking victim. She says she was offered up to the prince and other wealthy and powerful friends of paedophile Jeffrey Epstein and his girlfriend, Ghislaine Maxwell. Andrew strongly denies the claims. Andrew will use the sale of his 18million Swiss chalet to try to pay off Virginia Roberts Giuffre with at least 10million of the proceeds, it was claimed today. The Duke of York has been urged to settle out of court 'for the sake of his mother', who celebrates her Platinum Jubilee this year, after his devastating defeat in a New York court yesterday. Royal biographer Phil Dampier told LBC: 'I think the only way out of this is for Prince Andrew to pay her off'. MailOnline revealed this week that Andrew and his ex-wife Sarah, the Duchess of York, settled a 6.6 million debt with a French socialite, paving the way for him to sell his beloved ski chalet to fund his alleged sex abuse case. Isabelle de Rouvre, 74, sold her house, Chalet Helora, to her then-friends Prince Andrew and his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson in 2014 for 18million, would be paid for in instalments. But Ms de Rouvre claimed the Yorks failed to make the final instalment of 5m for the property in the exclusive Swiss ski resort of Verbier - but this week the Yorks stumped up the cash, ending the legal battle and clearing the way for a sale. With the chalet now on the market, the ninth in line to the throne will use up to 10million of the final sale price to settle with Ms Giuffre, according to The Sun, but without admission of liability to her claims she was forced to have sex with him three times when she was 17. Mark Stephens, an expert in constitutional law, has said that Andrew will need to find between 5million and 10million to offer Ms Giuffre and hope she spares him a trial. He 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 said the duke has 'no good options', adding: 'Essentially, I think he's either going to have to engage in the trial process or he's going to have to settle and that may well be his least worst option.' He added: 'There is a need to limit the damage. Andrew, I suspect will be stripped of his royal titles. A settlement of five or ten million is a good bet but Ms Giuffre may want her day in court.' How Prince Andrew got into this mess.. and why EVERY option he has is a nightmare 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. 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. 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'. A scandal-plagued Tory MP is facing a ban from the House of Commons after making a grovelling apology to MPs for bullying staff and then almost immediately retracting it. The Commons Standards Committee has recommended Tory MP Daniel Kawczynski should be suspended from the Commons for one day after he was found to have breached rules for MPs over an apology he gave over an earlier breach of the rules. Kawczynski a former parliamentary neighbour and political ally of North Shropshire MP Owen Paterson was ordered to say sorry in June last year after Standards Commissioner Kathryn Stone found him guilty of bullying. He had ranted at parliamentary staffers when he could not join a virtual meeting, then made baseless complaints about them when drunk. But he admitted on the same day as his apology that he did not mean it and was only going through the motions to avoid being suspended from the House. That prompted a new inquiry into his behaviour. Kawczynski apologised in the Commons for bullying staff, but on the same day gave media interviews indicating he only said sorry to avoid being suspended In June last year, Mr Kawczynski was found to have acted in a 'threatening and intimidating manner' towards the complainants after he was unable to join a committee hearing due to technical problems In June last year, Mr Kawczynski was found to have acted in a 'threatening and intimidating manner' towards the complainants after he was unable to join a committee hearing due to technical problems. But the committee found that interviews he gave with local radio and a newspaper before he made the required statement in the Commons meant he had failed to comply as the apology was not 'unequivocal'. In the latest report published on Thursday, the committee said: 'Mr Kawczynski's actions caused significant damage to the reputation and integrity of the House of Commons as a whole. His actions also undermined the ICGS (Independent Complaints and Grievance Scheme) and risked causing further harm to the complainants in his original case.' Mr Kawczynski hit the headlines last year when Mailonline revealed he had billed the taxpayer almost 22,000 for Polish lessons. The Conservative backbencher received tuition worth 8,244 in 2020-21 alone - equivalent to around 158 a week. Since 2016 Mr Kawczynski, MP for Shrewsbury and Atcham, has racked up 21,997 of lessons, according to the figures from parliament. In 2019 he described himself as an 'almost fluent Polish speaker' and said he was using the skill to encourage Warsaw to block an extension of the Brexit Article 50 period. In their report today the committee said that a complaint had been made after the MP gave interviews to the BBC and Mirror newspaper last June in which he identified the complainant and 'failed to comply with the recommended sanction which required an ''unequivocal'' apology'. 'Although he says he was sincere by the time he made the apology to the House, he had that morning effectively undermined the sincerity of that apology by broadcasting the fact that he was making it because he was required to do so and he disagreed with the way the case had been conducted,' the committee said. 'Mr Kawczynski also broke confidentiality requirements by speaking to Radio Shropshire about the content of the report before it was published and identifying complainants' job descriptions on nine occasions in his radio interview.' A former Syrian secret police officer has been convicted of crimes against humanity in Germany today for overseeing the abuse of prisoners at a jail near Damascus. The Koblenz state court concluded that a decade ago, Anwar Raslan was the senior officer in charge of a facility in the Syrian city of Douma known as Al Khatib, or Branch 251, where suspected opposition protesters were detained. It sentenced him life in prison, after hearing witnesses describe the brutal torture of prisoners - that included flogging, electric shocks, cigarette burns, blows to the genitals and hanging by the wrists - leading to dozens of deaths. Anwar Raslan (pictured during his trial in April 2020) is accused of supervising the 'systematic and brutal torture' of more than 4,000 prisoners between April 2011 and September 2012 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. German prosecutors alleged that Raslan supervised the 'systematic and brutal torture' of more than 4,000 prisoners between April 2011 and September 2012, resulting in the deaths of dozens of people. A junior officer, Eyad al-Gharib, was convicted last year of accessory to crimes against humanity and sentenced by the Koblenz court to 4 years in prison. Both men were arrested in Germany in 2019, years after seeking asylum in the country. Victims and human rights groups have said they hope the verdict will be a first step toward justice for countless people who have been unable to file criminal complaints against officials in Syria or before the International Criminal Court. Since Russia and China have blocked efforts for the U.N. Security Council to refer cases to The Hague-based tribunal, countries such as Germany that apply the principle of universal jurisdiction for serious crimes will increasingly become the venue for such trials, experts say. Raslan was first put on trial in April 2020 along with, Eyad al-Gharib, accused of helping to arrest protesters and deliver them to the detention centre. Gharib was sentenced to four and a half years in prison last year for complicity in crimes against humanity, in the first verdict worldwide over torture by Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's government. The court in the western German city of Koblenz then noted a 'widespread and systematic attack against the civilian population' since Syria's civil war began with a brutal crackdown on protests in March 2011. Pictured: Former Syrian intelligence officer Anwar Raslan (left) arrives in the courtroom at a courthouse in Koblenz, western Germany, on January 13, 2022 on the last day of his trial The case against the two men was brought using the legal principle of universal jurisdiction, which allows offences to be prosecuted even if they were committed in a different country. Other such cases have also sprung up in Germany, France and Sweden, as Syrians who have sought refuge in Europe turn to the only legal means currently available to them. In another prominent case in Germany, the trial of a former Syrian doctor charged with crimes against humanity is due to open next week. The chief prosecutor in the Raslan trial, who has noted Germany's historical responsibility to judge such crimes, quoted a Holocaust survivor in his closing speech. Raslan worked for 18 years in the Syrian secret services, where he rose through the ranks to become head of the domestic intelligence 'investigation' service, according to a German investigator who testified at the opening of the trial. Prosecutors say he oversaw rape and sexual abuse, 'electric shocks', beatings with 'fists, wires and whips' and 'sleep deprivation' at the prison. More than 80 witnesses, including 12 regime deserters and many Syrian men and women now living across Europe, have taken the stand to testify. Syrian campaigner Samaa Mahmoud shows a picture of her uncle Hayan Mahmoud, a victim of the Syrian regime as she and others wait outside the courthouse where former Syrian intelligence officer Anwar Raslan is on trial in Koblenz, western Germany on January 13, 2022 Pictured: A visitor looks at photographs from 'Caesar's Photos: Inside Syria's Secret Prisons', a collection of photographs smuggled out of Syria documenting the atrocities committed by the Assad Regime against his people in Washington, USA on July 15, 2015. The store of over 55,000 photographs was used as evidence against Raslan and Al-Gharib They have reported flogging, electric shocks, cigarette burns and blows to the genitals. Some say they were hung by the wrists, with only the tips of their feet still touching the ground. One man testified about mass graves that he was responsible for cataloguing. Some witnesses have hidden their faces or appeared in disguise, fearing consequences for their surviving relatives in Syria, while other victims have been too afraid to come forward at all. 'I hope we were able to give a voice to those who are deprived of it' in Syria, Wassim Mukdad, a former detainee who testified in the trial, told AFP. 'I want justice to be done,' he said. Images of dead Syrians smuggled out of the country by 'Caesar', a defector who had worked as a photographer for the Syrian military police, have also been used as evidence in the trial. However, the prosecution said in a closing statement that of the 58 deaths cited on the charge sheet, only 30 could be proven. Journalists stand outside the courthouse in Koblenz, western Germany, on January 13, 2022 Raslan has remained silent throughout the trial but said in a statement through his lawyers that he had 'neither beaten nor tortured' prisoners and had 'never acted inhumanely'. They said he 'did not and would not condone' the abuses committed by the Syrian regime and felt 'regret and compassion' for all the victims. Raslan has never attempted to hide his past and told police about his time in Syria in February 2015 when he sought police protection in Berlin. In a sign of the significance of the trial, the verdict will be simultaneously translated into Arabic. According to the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitoring group, at least 60,000 people have been killed under torture or as a result of the terrible conditions in Assad's detention centres. More than 6.6 million Syrians have fled their country as a result of the conflict, according to the UN refugee agency. Yoon Suk-yeol, the presidential candidate of the main opposition conservative People Power Party, answers questions from other participants in a policy debate at the Korea Press Center in central Seoul, Thursday. Joint Press Corps By Jung Da-min Tensions are rising over main opposition conservative People Power Party (PPP) presidential candidate Yoon Suk-yeol's remarks that South Korea would have no choice but to carry out a preemptive strike to prevent North Korea's possible missile attack if necessary, following the North's latest launch of what it called a hypersonic missile. Critics including ruling liberal Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung called Yoon's remarks irresponsible, as support for a preemptive strike against the North could escalate tensions not only on the Korean Peninsula but also in the East Asian region as well as the international community. However, others said further discussions are needed on the matter, as a preemptive strike could be necessary in an emergency situation where a nuclear missile attack from the North could be imminent. Hours after the North's missile test, Tuesday, Yoon said South Korea would not be able to intercept a missile from the North if it flies faster than Mach 5, which leaves Seoul only one option, to launch a preemptive strike, through the country's Kill Chain preemptive strike system. The Kill Chain system is at the forefront of the military's three-axis air defense system along with the Korean Air and Missile Defense (KAMD) and the Korea Massive Punishment and Retaliation (KMPR) plan. "If a missile of Mach 5 or faster is launched (from North Korea), and if it is equipped with a nuclear warhead, it would take less than one minute for the missile to reach the metropolitan area (of South Korea) and cause mass destruction. Intercepting it is virtually impossible," Yoon said during his New Year press conference in Seoul. "In such a situation, there is no other way to prevent it other than a preemptive strike called the Kill Chain." This Jan. 12 footage from North Korea's state-run Korean Central Television shows a test launch of what the North said was a hypersonic missile, launched from Jagang Province a day earlier. Yonhap DPK candidate Lee criticized Yoon for attempting to use North Korea's threats to rally support ahead of the March 9 presidential election. "Kill Chain refers to a military strategy of striking a target when a weapon of mass destruction or a nuclear attack is obvious and imminent. It is not something that can be mentioned in such a situation like a test of a weapon or a projectile," Lee said, holding a press conference to speak on the matter at the DPK headquarters in Seoul, Wednesday. "If Yoon has brought up the issue without knowing this, he is truly ignorant. If Yoon insists on a preemptive strike even knowing the situation, it is an irresponsible act of pursuing his own political interests by holding national security hostage." Lee Jae-myung, the presidential candidate of the ruling liberal Democratic Party of Korea, speaks during a policy conference at The Forest 6 in Seoul's Nowon District, Thursday. Joint Press Corps Golda Meir's grandson has today defended Dame Helen Mirren over her casting as the former Israeli Prime Minister, saying she would have 'loved' to have been played by the actress and it 'doesn't matter' whether or not she is Jewish. The Oscar-winning star was drawn into a 'Jew face' row after her casting as the iconic Israeli politician in the upcoming biopic 'Golda' was called into question by British actress Dame Maureen Lipman. The Coronation Street star said she disagreed with the casting of the 76-year-old, who is not Jewish, because the 'Jewishness of (Meir's) character is so integral' to the role. The 75-year-old soap star later doubled down on her comments, saying Bette Midler and Barbara Streisand, both of whom are Jewish, should have been considered first. Her comments sparked an online row, with comedian David Baddiel defending Dame Maureen, while others, including Maidenhead Rabbi Jonathan Romain, urged that 'actors should act'. Now Golda Meir's grandson has given his verdict, saying 'it doesn't matter' whether or not Dame Helen is Jewish. Speaking to the Jewish Chronicle, Shaul Rahabi, whose mother was the politician's daughter, said: 'I have no issue with Helen Mirren being Jewish or not Jewish playing my grandmother. 'It doesn't matter at all. I'm sure Helen Mirren is great.' A publicity image of the film Golda (right), 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 (pictured left in 1969) Speaking to the Jewish Chronicle, Shaul Rahabi, whose mother was the politician's daughter, said: 'I have no issue with Helen Mirren being Jewish or not Jewish playing my grandmother.' The Oscar-winning star was drawn into a 'Jew face' row after her casting as the late-politician in the upcoming biopic 'Golda' was called into question by British actress Dame Maureen Lipman However the interior designer added that he had some advice for the actress when playing his grandmother. He said: 'If anyone was to portray my grandmother they should know she glowed, she had an amazing powerful aura about her.' It comes after Dame Maureen told the Jewish Chronicle she disagreed with the casting of the multi award-winning actress as Ms Meir - Israel's first female Prime Minister. Asked about her feelings on the casting, she said: 'With that I disagree, because the 'Jewishness of (Meir's) character is so integral.' But the comments sparked a backlash on social media. Rabbi Jonathan Romain, director of Maidenhead Synagogue in Berkshire, jumped to the defence of Dame Helen, saying: 'You don't have to be Jewish to play a Jew'. The 67-year-old 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. '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.' Jewish Chronicle editor-at-large Stephen Pollard also disagreed, writing: '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.' But comedian David Baddiel, who himself faced backlash for using blackface in a sketch, said Jewish roles should be cast 'authentically'. In an op-ed in the Guardian, he wrote: '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.' Dame Maureen later double-down on her comments, saying stars Bette Midler and Barbara Streisand, who are Jewish, should have been considered ahead of Dame Helen. She also suggested Scarlett Johansson, whose mother is from an Ashkenazi Jewish family, could have played the part in Israeli director Guy Nattiv's film. But she somewhat undermined her own argument by also suggesting Tracey Ullman, who isn't Jewish, as another possible contender. She also admitted 'contradicting' herself over her comments on Dame Helen's casting and said she did not want to get to a stage where 'only actors with scoliosis could play Shakespeare's Richard III'. The Coronation Street actress today said stars such as Bette Milder and Barbara Streisand, who are Jewish, should have been considered for the starring role in upcoming film 'Golda' 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 (pictured centre) competed with Dawn French, Jennifer Saunders, Emma Watson and Ruth Jones, Annette Crosbie for the job of archbishop Lipman suggested 37-year-old American-star Scarlett Johansson (pictured), whose mother is from an Ashkenazi Jewish family, could have played the part She also said she believed Dame Helen 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'. 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 Despite the criticism of her views, Dame Maureen, who once played a Church of England reverend in the Vicar of Dibley, 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?".' 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. Actress Dame Maureen Lipman (left) said Dame Helen Mirren (right) should not have been asked to play the Israeli leader Golda Meir, adding that she was uncomfortable with the casting The Coronation Street actress said she thinks stars such as Tracey Ullman, Bette Midler (pictured right) and Barbara Streisand (pictured left), should have been considered for the starring role in upcoming film 'Golda' Rabbi Jonathan Romain, director of Maidenhead Synagogue in Berkshire, today took to Twitter to express his view on the row, saying: 'You don't have to be Jewish to play a Jew' 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 '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.' 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 previously contacted representatives for comment but did not receive a response. 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. An activist who took the Government to court over Brexit today launched her own political party - but just 13 people showed up. Businesswoman Gina Miller's new True and Fair party was unveiled to an almost empty room as she vowed 'long overdue changes to British politics'. Ms Miller, who is the daughter of the former Attorney General of Guyana, made headlines in 2016 when she launched a constitutional challenge against the Government's triggering of Article 50 during Brexit. The new group will face off against the Conservatives and Labour in future political elections. During the launch, Ms Miller accused the government of 'lining their own pockets and those of their chums'. She added: 'Where are the consequences? In our outdated naive political system where trust and honour are supposed to be enough safeguards, a system we can all see blatantly does not work, we look to the Opposition to oppose and to put into words our fury. But their silence is often deafening.' Gift bags filled with mugs and hats with the party's logo on it were left on empty chairs in the small conference room. The campaigner previously said: 'This Government needs to be held to account. Voters deserve better than the current politics of incompetence and self-interest.' Businesswoman Gina Miller's new True and Fair party was unveiled to an almost empty room as she vowed 'long overdue changes to British politics' Ms Miller is planning to lead the True and Fair party in elections against the Conservatives and Labour Party A new party that champions greater transparency and competence pic.twitter.com/58xYANytGq Noa Hoffman (@hoffman_noa) January 13, 2022 The True and Fair Party will 'bring long overdue change to British politics' and act as a home for the 'politically homeless', Ms Miller said today. During her speech Ms Miller slammed the Conservatives and Labour, accusing the parties of 'turning in on themselves'. She added: 'Ours is a country that is crying out for change. In need of a party that is focused on right and wrong, Not just right and left. 'That understands the need for a government that works for everyone. Not one rule for them another for the rest of us.' Britons took to social media to mock the new party leader, claiming she had taken social distancing too far. One said: 'Gina Miller showing party leaders how to truly distance socially from the public and indeed anyone... Gina no mates.' Another added: 'Who could have predicted this?? ChangeUK totally flopped and that had 9 sitting MPs from Tories and Labour who joined it. It was the height of Brexit negotiations and a slight if not expected chance Brexit wouldn't happen. Gina Miller is deluded.' The campaigner said: 'This Government needs to be held to account. Voters deserve better than the current politics of incompetence and self-interest'. Pictured: The party's current logo During the launch, Ms Miller accused the government of 'lining their own pockets and those of their chums' Britons took to social media to mock the new party leader, claiming she had taken social distancing too far Who is the anti-Brexit campaigner Gina Miller? Her battles over Brexit made her 'the most hated woman in Britain'. But businesswoman Gina Miller has for many become a household name over her involvement in two high-profile court cases on the biggest national question in decades. Mother-of-three Mrs Miller was born in Guyana to a land-owning family with a mother as the attorney general, but grew up in Britain. She studied law at the Polytechnic of East London but was unable to finish because her parents wanted her back home. She eventually obtained a degree in marketing and in 2017 an honorary law degree. Married for the first time at 20, she had disabled daughter Lucy-Ann. Her second husband, she claims, was a drinker who beat her badly (he denies this), forcing her to flee with her daughter. For a time they lived like vagrants, sleeping in her 'little blue car' in multistorey car parks in Wiltshire. She went on to become a successful City investment manager and also set up the No.1 Ladies' Investment Club for women in business. Describing herself as a 'passionate person with a feisty tone of voice', Mrs Miller says she first took an interest in challenging the Brexit process after discussing with a lawyer her belief that the Prime Minister was not allowed under constitutional law to remove citizens rights without parliamentary consent. In 2016, she challenged the government over its power to trigger article 50 without parliamentary approval. The case went all the way to the Supreme Court, and eventually forced then-PM Theresa May to hold a Commons vote. After court ruling in her favour in January 2017, she became a hate figure for many Brexiteers, subject to intense vitriol. The Metropolitan police revealed it had issued eight 'cease and desist' notices to people who had sent Miller threatening messages. Two years afterwards, Gina and her family were still living under security. 'I was the most hated woman in Britain,' she said in 2019. And it was also in 2019 when Mrs Miller returned to the highest court in the land, this time over Boris Johnson's prorogation of Parliament in an attempt to pass his Brexit bill. While her initial challenge was dismissed the case was granted an appeal. Following a hearing in Scotland a few days later the case returned to the Supreme Court, where the prorogation was found to be unlawful. Mrs Miller has stated in various interviews that she was only pressing on with the legal action as a matter of democracy and parliamentary supremacy. She now has two young children with her third husband and live in a 7million townhouse in Chelsea, West London. Advertisement One said: 'No danger of Gina Miller's new party breaking any Covid-19 regulations in the future with this handful of people turning up for the launch.' Another wrote: 'Gina Miller learning that Gina Miller is not quite as popular as Gina Miller thought.' Another added: 'Gina Miller's new party has the hallmarks of Change UK. How long do we reckon it'll last? 6 months? A year? There's bound to be some rich guy stupid enough to let her drag it out for a while, she's an excellent grifter.' The party later tweeted: 'We made the decision not to invite supporters to our launch today to observe Covid guidelines. 'Hundreds of people were bitterly disappointed not to be able to attend in person If the Prime Minister made his own common sense decisions then maybe he wouldnt be facing this crisis.' A note on the party's website, written by Ms Miller, reads: 'We were told we don't care. We are told the system is the system, and can't change. We are treated as fools. 'As someone who has faced many challenges, but never lost my principles, courage or passion for standing up against those who seek to exploit, bully and gain from dishonesty, I am launching the True & Fair Party to get Britain back on track.' She wrote that she did not want to 'sit on the sidelines or be silent while are freedoms, democracy and voices are being shut down'. It added: 'I believe we can unlock so much more of Britain's potential, regain our moral compass and international reputation, and achieve a brighter future for our children. 'But only if we clean up our politics, radically modernise our machinery of government, and have a multi-dimensional approach to policymaking. 'It is time to hold those in power to account, and ensure our taxes are being spent wisely and efficiently.' Ms Miller rose to fame in 2016 with a legal case against the government's implementation of Brexit that reached the Supreme Court. The case forced Theresa May to put her decision to invoke Article 50 - officially leaving the EU - before Parliament. Critics accused the 56-year-old campaigner of attempting to stop Brexit, but she said that she was standing up for Parliamentary democracy. Ms Miller led a second successful legal Supreme Court case in 2019 which found Boris Johnson's prorogation of Parliament to be unlawful. Ardently pro-EU, it is not known whether Ms Miller's new party could campaign to rejoin the European Union. The True and Fair party takes the same name as a campaign she established in 2012 which calls for an end to financial misconduct in the investment and pension industries. The two are however separate entities. A mother who has been charged with murdering her six-year-old son, who was allegedly punished with a freezing shower until he passed out, has been pictured. Damari Perry, from Chicago, was found dead in freezing temperatures in Indiana on Saturday morning and was ruled to have been the victim of a homicide, a medical coroner said on Tuesday. 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. A booking photograph of the young boy's mother has been released as it was revealed that she lost custody of all seven of her children for three years. Damari was initially reported missing on January 5 by his mother and his 20-year-old brother Jeremiah R. Perry, who faces charges for his involvement in the death of the young boy. But the police investigation turned to Damari's home 'after the family's story was contradicted', the Lake County, Illinois, State's Attorney said. Jannie Perry (pictured), 38, has been charged with first-degree murder after her six-year-old son Damari was found dead in freezing temperatures in Indiana on Saturday morning It has been revealed Damari's mother Jannie lost custody of her seven children between 2014 and 2017, the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) said. On Tuesday, DCFS spokesman Bill McCaffrey said there was an allegation of domestic violence in 2014 that the agency investigated and discovered to be true, according to NBC Chicago. McCaffrey said DCFS took custody of the four children who were living in the home at the time. In 2014, Jannie reportedly gave birth to a fifth child, who was taken into protective custody, and one year later, she gave birth to Damari, who is understood to have been taken into custody and placed in foster care. In 2017, Jannie gave birth to a seventh child who was also taken into custody, according to officials. Agency records are believed to show that the court ordered all seven children to be returned to Jannie's home in 2017, DCFS said. McCaffrey said DCFS did not have any more contact with the family until an allegation of abuse and neglect was filed in May 2021, which was investigated and determined to be unfounded, according to local media reports. Boone County court records show that in June 2014, Jannie unsuccessfully argued for an order of protection against Damari Perry's father Dalvin Driver. The death of Damari, from Chicago, has been ruled a homicide by the Lake County Coroner's Office after his body was found in found in freezing temperatures She is said to have accused him of choking her on three separate occasions. It is not clear whether this was the allegation that prompted the DCFS investigation. It comes after Damari's body was found naked and wrapped in a plastic trash bag in an alley in freezing temperatures in Indiana on Saturday morning. He had reportedly been forced into a cold shower by three of his family members until he vomited and passed out, according to authorities. They allegedly then dumped his body near an abandoned house in Gary, Indiana. His mother Jannie Perry has been charged with first-degree murder and two of his siblings - Jeremiah R. Perry and an unnamed juvenile - also face charges for their involvement. A postmortem examination for Damari, which was conducted on Monday, found he had 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 had been disposed near an abandoned house in Gary, Indiana after his mother and two of his siblings allegedly dumped him there Damari's older brother Jeremiah R. Perry faces charges for his involvement in the death of the young boy Jannie and Jeremiah reportedly told authorities Damari 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 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, according to NBC 5 Chicago, 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. 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 $3million bail. A balloon release scheduled for January 10 was organized to honor Damari Damari is pictured with his father Dalvin Driver 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.' Lord Frost has urged Boris Johnson to categorically rule out another lockdown as he suggested the Government's current coronavirus rules are 'Covid theatre'. The peer quit the Cabinet in December because he said he could not support the Prime Minister's Plan B measures of increased mask wearing and vaccine passports. He has now told The Telegraph's Planet Normal podcast that he believes people will look back on lockdowns in the future and view them as a 'pretty serious public policy mistake'. The former Brexit minister said Mr Johnson should therefore promise the nation that there will not be another national shutdown. Lord Frost also took aim at the current Covid rules as he claimed vaccine passports and compulsory face masks do not work and Mr Johnson should 'focus on what does work' so the UK is ready for the next twist in the pandemic. Lord Frost has urged Boris Johnson to categorically rule out another lockdown as he suggested the Government's current coronavirus rules are 'Covid theatre' The peer quit the Cabinet in December because he said he could not support the Prime Minister's Plan B measures of increased mask wearing and vaccine passports Lord Frost criticised Mr Johnson's 'coercive' Covid policies when he resigned from the Cabinet last month. He also cited concerns about 'the current direction of travel' of the Government. He has now told The Telegraph that ministers need to change their approach to tackling coronavirus. So on Covid, that was the reason I resigned, thats what took me out of the Government in December, I didnt agree with the Plan B measures - masks, vaccine passports,' he said. That is what forced me out. I think honestly people are going to look back at the last couple of years globally and see lockdown as a pretty serious public policy mistake. I think in this country we have had a slightly less bad form of it than in others so we will probably come out kind of relatively positively. But this is a huge public policy error, I think is how it is going to be seen. Lord Frost said lockdowns and Covid rules had been 'less bad here than elsewhere and I think a lot of that is due to the PMs own instincts on this. The peer said Mr Johnson should now categorically rule out another lockdown as he criticised Plan B restrictions. He also insisted the Government must prepare now for the potential emergence of a more dangerous Covid variant than Omicron. He said: I think the important thing is looking forward now and I am a bit worried that the debate at the moment about Covid is about ok, we have got a mild variant so it is ok and we can all go back to normal. Well, you know, maybe the next one wont be and I dont want to find us, I hope we wont be in the same debate about do we go back to lockdowns if the next one is more dangerous. I would like to see the Government ruling out lockdowns for the future, repealing the legislation, ending them. We cant afford it, it doesnt work, stop doing Covid theatre - vaccine passports, masks, stuff that doesnt work - and focus on what does work so we are ready if the next one is worse. Stuff like ventilation, antivirals, proper hospital capacity, managing it properly. That is what we need to be focusing on going forward. British actor and screenwriter Lennie James has questioned the notion that film roles should only be played by actors with lived experience and called for casting to be made on a 'case by case basis'. James, 56, said he would 'challenge' the idea that certain parts must be reserved for particular actors to ensure their performance is authentic because it would fundamentally change the role of the actor. The actor, who is known for playing devoted father Morgan Jones in the hit AMC zombie series 'The Walking Dead,' and DCI Tony Gates in British police series 'Line of Duty' told the BBC casting decisions should be made 'on a case by case basis'. 'I don't believe in blanket statements... because then the role of the actor slightly changes and is slightly different to the one I hope and pray that it is,' James said. It comes as several internationally renowned actors have copped criticism for their portrayal of characters of different ethnicities, gender, sexualities and experiences than their own. But many have argued the function of an actor is to play the role of somebody they are not, and that making casting decisions without nuance - based exclusively on lived experience - would make the craft of acting redundant. British actor and screenwriter Lennie James has questioned the notion that film roles should only be played by actors with lived experience and called for casting to be made on a 'case by case basis' (James pictured at Comic Con in 2019) The actor, pictured in character as devoted father Morgan Jones in the hit AMC zombie series 'The Walking Dead' said he would 'challenge' the idea that certain roles must be reserved for particular actors to ensure their performance is authentic because it would fundamentally change the role of the actor James explained that he agreed actors with lived experience should have more of an opportunity to be cast in more roles 'in areas where authenticity has been underserved'. 'Where gay actors have not been given the opportunity to play gay parts, or disabled actors have not even been considered for the opportunity to play disabled parts, in that situation then I would 100 per cent be part of the conversation of saying, why not? That absolutely should change,' James said. But he insisted that blanket casting decisions should be challenged when it comes to choosing an actor based solely on whether their real-life identity aligns with the role. James' comments come as two Academy Award winning actors - Dame Helen Mirren and Javier Bardem - were targeted in recent weeks for their portrayal of characters with whom they did not share lived experience. Mirren was criticized by fellow dame Maureen Lipman for her portrayal of former Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir in the lead role of the upcoming film 'Golda'. Lipman said that other Jewish actors should've been cast in the place of Mirren because 'the Jewishness of the character is so integral' - though quickly contradicted her argument by suggesting Tracey Ullman, another non-Jewish actor, would be a suitable choice for the role. Rabbi Jonathan Romain, director of Maidenhead Synagogue in Berkshire, expressed his view on the row, saying: 'You don't have to be Jewish to play a Jew'. Rabbi Romain, 67, said: '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.' Bardem meanwhile copped flak for assuming the role of Cuban American actor Desi Arnaz in the 2021 film 'Being The Ricardos', despite being a Spanish man from the Canary Islands. Bardem responded defiantly to critics, arguing: 'I'm an actor, and that's what I do for a living - try to be people that I'm not,' before going on to suggest there may be double standards afoot when it comes to non-native English speakers playing characters of other nationalities. 'What do we do with Marlon Brando playing Vito Corleone? What do we do with Margaret Thatcher played by Meryl Streep? Daniel Day-Lewis playing Lincoln? Why does this conversation happen with people with accents?' Bardem argued. The creator of the West Wing, Aaron Sorkin, also came to the defence of Bardem and took aim at the rise of identity politics in Hollywood. Mr Sorkin, 60, said in an interview with the Sunday Times Culture magazine: 'It's hearbreaking and a little chilling to see members of the artistic community re-segregating ourselves. 'Spanish and Cuban are not actable. If I was directing you in a scene and said: ''It's cold, you can't feel your face''. That's actable. But if I said: ''Be Cuban''. That is not actable.' Dame Helen Mirren is pictured in character portraying Israel's first female prime minister, Golda Meir. Mirren, who is not Jewish, was criticized by fellow dame Maureen Lipman for her portrayal of the Israeli ex-PM as Meir's 'Jewishness is so integral' Javier Bardem (pictured in character) copped flak for assuming the role of Cuban American actor Desi Arnaz in the 2021 film 'Being The Ricardos', despite being a Spanish man from the Canary Islands. Bardem responded defiantly to critics, arguing: 'I'm an actor, and that's what I do for a living - try to be people that I'm not' The sentiment among star actors who have been the subject of criticism for their contentious portrayal of characters is somewhat divided, with some apologizing for the decision and expressing regret at having assumed their roles as others fiercely defend having done so. Eddie Redmayne, who was nominated for an Oscar for his portrayal of trans artist Lili Elbe in the 2015 movie 'The Danish Girl', said he regretted taking on the role and would have made a different decision if he were able to go back. 'I wouldn't take it on now. I made that film with the best intentions, but I think it was a mistake,' said the Fantastic Beasts actor. 'The bigger discussion about the frustrations around casting is because many people don't have a chair at the table. There must be a levelling, otherwise we are going to carry on having these debates.' Eddie Redmayne (pictured in character), who was nominated for an Oscar for his portrayal of trans artist Lili Elbe in the 2015 movie 'The Danish Girl', said he regretted taking on the role and would have made a different decision if he were able to go back Conversely, Cate Blanchett remained steadfast in her decision to play a lesbian character in the 2015 film 'Carol' when she was hammered for not having the experience required for the role. 'I will fight to the death for the right to suspend disbelief and play roles beyond my experience,' she declared. 'Now, particularly in America, we expect and only expect people to make a profound connection to a character when it's close to their experience.' Although critics at the time pointed out that Redmayne's casting as a trans woman in 2015 should have been questioned, the actor received mostly plaudits for his performance. Cate Blanchett (pictured in character) remained steadfast in her decision to play a lesbian character in the 2015 film 'Carol' when she was hammered for not having the experience required for the role But the presence of identity politics and the notion of casting actors with lived experience truly came to the fore in 2018 when international superstar Scarlett Johansson pulled out of a movie in which she was cast to play a trans man following backlash from trans actors. Actors Trace Lysette, 30, and Jamie Clayton, 40, sternly criticized the decision to cast to cast Johansson in a movie entitled Rub & Tug - which was subsequently cancelled - a prostitution ring led by trans man Dante 'Tex' Gill. 'So you can continue to play us but we can't play y'all?!,' Lysette tweeted. 'Hollywood is so f*****... I wouldn't be as upset if I was getting in the same rooms as Jennifer Lawrence and Scarlett for cis roles, be we know that's not the case,' she continued. Criminologist Professor James Treadwell A criminologist has become the latest target of cancel culture after anonymous complaints to his university bosses accusing him of 'transphobia' - following posts he made about keeping prisons single sex. Criminologist Professor James Treadwell was informed by his employer Staffordshire University yesterday that official complaints have been made about comments he has made on Twitter. In recent days, Professor Treadwell has posted tweets insisting that transgender women should not be allowed in female prisons. On January 9, he was branded a 'TERF' - which stands for Trans Exclusionary Radical Feminist - after he referenced research which found that more than half of women in prison have experienced sexual violence and abuse. He appeared to be referencing research by the Prison Reform Trust charity which found that more than half of women in prison reported having suffered domestic violence, with 53 per cent claiming to have experienced emotional, physical or sexual abuse as a child. He then added: 'Many [women] have been damaged by men time and again. I cannot see any case for now why we should do anything but #KeepPrisonsSingleSex.' On January 11, referenced a Twitter thread which highlighted alleged bad treatment of women and girls and said it 'puts the drive for men being able to use women's spaces into some perspective'. And earlier this month, Professor Treadwell was accused of 'trying to link' reform to the Gender Recognition Act which allows people with gender dysphoria to change their legal gender with 'sex criminals' after he penned a lengthy Twitter thread about sex offenders. However, the thread made no reference to transgender people. In 2018, the criminologist said he did not believe transgender women should be housed in female prisons after inmate Karen White, who was born a man, was charged with sexually assaulting two women. However, when the 'angry and upset' lecturer spoke out on Twitter on Wednesday evening, he said he had been given 'no details of what is alleged' and so has no idea if the tweets from this month and 2018 are the ones which have been complained about. He jokingly added that it was a 'good job cancel culture is just a myth'. The academic stressed he believes that transgender people 'like all people deserve dignity and respect', but added that 'academics giving their personal views do too'. Professor Treadwell, who has worked at the university since 2017, said he had also been complained about for 'denying the reality of Satanic ritual abuse' a reference to tweets of his last summer in which he disputed the unsubstantiated phenomenon. Speaking exclusively to MailOnline, Professor Treadwell repeated that he does not know why he is being investigated, but believes his university are obligated to launch a probe after receiving a complaint. He added: 'In the world today it would be nice if people could walk a mile in other people's shoes a little bit more. 'The last couple of years have been hard on everybody. You can cause offence when none is intended. I haven't really got more any more to say.' A university spokesman confirmed to MailOnline that an investigation is underway and said they are committed to 'equality, diversity and inclusion'. They added they are 'equally' committed to academic freedom. The investigation comes after other academics have been targeted in recent months for alleged transphobia linked to 'gender critical' views. Gender-critical refers to the view that a person's sex - whether male or female - is a biological fact and not the same as the gender they feel, or how they present themselves in public. In October, Sussex University feminist philosopher Professor Kathleen Stock quit her job following a 'bullying and harassment' campaign carried out by students accusing her of transphobia. Just days later, Open University academic Professor Jo Phoenix, who is also a criminologist, described how she was compared to a 'racist uncle at a Christmas dinner table' after she aired views about the silencing of academic debate on transgender issues. Harry Potter author JK Rowling has been slammed by trans activists for writing a blog and tweeting about the subject, including one in which she took aim at the use of the term people who menstruate in place of the word women. And last month, former police officer Harry Miller won a Court of Appeal challenge over police guidance on hate incidents after he penned allegedly transphobic tweets. Professor Treadwell said in a series of tweets yesterday that he was told by his employer Staffordshire University that he is being investigated for alleged transphobia - but has no idea what the complaint refers to. The distressed lecturer said he was 'angry and upset' but has 'no details of what is alleged' Professor Treadwell spoke out online yesterday evening about the probe being carried out by Staffordshire University. He wrote in a Twitter thread: 'Ok to hell with it. I have been told by my employer @StaffsUni albeit only verbally that I am being investigated for Transphobia after formal and official complaints about my Twitter conduct. 'Read my tweets. Go figure. It's a good job cancel culture is just a myth though, right. 'I am angry and upset. Not only do I have no details of what it is alleged, I honestly have tried to be balanced and reasonable and promote fair debate. 'Lete [sic] be clear again, Trans people like all people deserve dignity and respect. Academics giving their personal views do too.' On January 9, he was branded a 'TERF' - which stands for Trans Exclusionary Radical Feminist - after he referenced research which found that more than half of women in prison have experienced sexual violence and abuse On January 11, referenced a Twitter thread which highlighted alleged bad treatment of women and girls and said it 'puts the drive for men being able to use women's spaces into some perspective' He added: 'This is where we are at in debates now. This is the landscape academics operate in. I am a pretty legally savvy one who tries to act respectfully and decently. 'Hell yes I can be brusk, opinionated and stubborn. But I respect anyone's right to disagree and hold a different view. 'But we have entered a place where that isn't enough. Oddly literally nobody has approached me directly to debate my stance or views. 'They have clearly however gone to my employer wanting me sanctioned or sacked. Nice to know that this is how open and inclusive the politics is.' Speaking to MailOnline after the tweets emerged, Professor Treadwell said: 'I've got to be very careful. 'I don't know the nature of what is happening. I have a feeling that potentially that they are obligated to investigate.' 'All I've been told by the university is that they have received complaints that they have to investigate and I don't really know more than that. 'I know it is around alleged transphobia on twitter.' Professor Treadwell said on Twitter on January 9: 'Been off twitter today, family time. 'But this is important, over half of female prisoners have experienced sexual violence and abuse. 'Many have been damaged by men time and again. I cannot see any case for now why we should do anything but #KeepPrisonsSingleSex'. He then engaged with a Twitter user who disagreed, before the critic added: 'You're a TERF who cares more about punishing trans women than helping the cis ones. Hope that helps.' In response, Professor Treadwell said: 'Isn't "Terf" Trans Exclusive Radical Feminist? 'So I kind of think I am not, but nice of you to label me so, cheers oh one who so stands against the harmful labels applied without the consent of the recipient....' Last year, the Government's policy to house transgender women in female prisons was ruled lawful by the High Court. A Twitter critic earlier this month took aim at Professor Treadwell after he posted a thread about sex offenders. The Twitter critic said: 'Is this you trying to link GRA reform with sex criminals again? Have you still not even bothered to read what it is?' The investigation comes after other academics have been targeted in recent months for alleged transphobia. In October, Sussex University feminist philosopher Professor Kathleen Stock (pictured) quit her job following a 'bullying and harassment' campaign carried out by students accusing her of transphobia Professor Treadwell replied: 'Wow, a thread about sex offenders and you jump in with Trans issues again 'Like I say, sex offenders, highly manipulative men and women who will exploit any vulnerability. Odd then you quickly read this as gender recognition reform though.' What are 'gender-critical' beliefs? Gender-critical beliefs refer to the view that someone's sex whether they are male or female is biological and cannot be changed. Feminists and others who hold such views have been targeted for questioning the mantra that 'trans women are women' or 'trans men are men', even during discussions about the need to preserve safe spaces for biological women. Advertisement Professor Treadwell said on Twitter in 2018 in response to a questioner that he does not believe transgender women should be housed in women's prisons after inmate Karen White had been charged with four counts of sexual assault while imprisoned with biologically female inmates. White, who was born a man, had been placed in women's prison HMP New Hall in Wakefield after telling authorities of her identification as a woman. She was later jailed for life. Professor Treadwell wrote: 'I would put into male estate, because small number really do present a risk in womens estate. 'When put in mens estate, (as I have seen) it is not the end of problem, but most mens #prisons work hard to deal with any vulnerabilities that arise.' A critic furiously responded: 'Are you suggesting that Trans Women holding a #GRC (i.e. legally female and classed legally as women) should be put in a male prison?' They then added that he should 'know better than to peddle transphobic c**p'. A spokesman for Staffordshire University said: 'We can confirm we have received a complaint about views expressed by Professor Treadwell on Twitter. 'As we would do normally, this is in the process of being reviewed in accordance with the University's procedures. 'As a University we are committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion to ensure we promote a positive culture where everyone is able to be themselves. 'We are equally committed to academic freedom and lawful freedom of speech. We cannot comment any further at this stage.' Banners saying 'Stock Out' had also been held alongside burning flares and scores of people were criticising her online under the Twitter hashtag #ShameOnSussexUni. Posters put up in the tunnel from Falmer station to the university's campus earlier this month said she 'makes trans students unsafe' and 'we're not paying 9,250 a year for transphobia' Professor Stock left Sussex at the end of October last year after she had been branded a 'transphobe' by some outraged students who had called for her to be fired. Posters put up in the tunnel from Falmer station to the university's campus said she 'makes trans students unsafe' and 'we're not paying 9,250 a year for transphobia'. Banners saying 'Stock Out' had also been held alongside burning flares and scores of people were criticising her online under the Twitter hashtag #ShameOnSussexUni. The University's Vice Chancellor Adam Tickell had strongly defended her 'untrammelled' right to 'say what she thinks', whilst more than 200 academics from other universities signed a letter calling out alleged abuse from 'trans activist bullies'. But Professor Stock then announced on Twitter on October 28 that she was 'sad to announce' she is leaving her position, and added that she hoped 'other institutions can learn from this'. On November 4, it was revealed Professor Phoenix crowdfunded more than 80,000 to take her employers the Open University to an employment tribunal. Just days later, Open University academic Professor Jo Phoenix (pictured), who is also a criminologist, described how she was compared to a 'racist uncle at a Christmas dinner table' after she aired views about the silencing of academic debate on transgender issues She said she had been publicly vilified and suffered public harassment for launching the Open University Gender Critical Research Network. She also said her view that male-bodied prisoners should not be allowed in female prisons resulted in her being branded transphobic and racist. Professor Phoenix said things 'started to go horribly wrong' when she began speaking out regarding her views. Listing examples of alleged abuse she has faced, she claimed to have been told she is 'like a racist uncle at the Christmas dinner table' by a senior manager. She added that more than 360 colleagues at the university signed a public letter condemning the research network she founded and called for her employers to remove all support and funding. Professor Phoenix has also faced backlash for criticising the influence of controversial LGBT charity Stonewall. A raft of organisations, including Ofcom, Channel 4, the Cabinet Office and the BBC, have left Stonewall's Diversity Champions programme following criticism of its hard-line policies. Its boss, Nancy Kelly, had also likened the belief that a person's sex cannot be changed to anti-Semitism. The murdered woman has been named locally as 22-year-old Ashling Murphy, a primary school teacher in Tullamore A primary school teacher has been beaten to death in a random attack while jogging through a popular Irish walking spot. Ashling Murphy, a 22-year-old primary school teacher in Tullamore, was killed on Wednesday afternoon along the banks of the Grand Canal. A man has been arrested in connection with the suspected murder of the young woman in County Offaly, and is to face further questioning. Police are appealing for witnesses. Ms Murphy was jogging along the canal bank at Cappincur, known as Fiona's Way, at around 4pm on Wednesday when she was brutally attacked. The route is named in memory of missing woman Fiona Pender. Police investigating the murder have said 'no stone will be left unturned' in bringing her killer to justice. According to the Independent.ie, Ms Murphy came from a highly respected family in the local area that is well known in the music scene, and live outside Tullamore. The newspaper reported that the suspect is a Romanian national in his 40s who has been living locally for around 20 years, saying he has an alcohol problem. He is being questioned on the suspicion of murder. It has been reported that two women witnessed part of the attack, and saw the suspect flee the scene. He was arrested shortly after. 'This area here, where the crime occurred, is popular among Tullamore residents and is widely used for recreational purposes,' Superintendent Eamonn Curley told reporters on Thursday. 'The victim of this crime is Ashling Murphy. 'Ashling was a schoolteacher in Durrow National School. Our prayers are with Ashling's family at this time and indeed the wider community, her teaching colleagues and the children she taught who are without their teacher today. 'Immediately following the discovery of this crime, a full-scale murder investigation was launched.' Ms Murphy (pictured left and right) died after being attacked while she was jogging along the canal bank at Cappincur, known as Fiona's Way, at around 4pm on Wednesday. The route is named in memory of missing woman Fiona Pender Declan Harvey, Fianna Fail councillor for the area, said: 'I want to extend my sympathies to Ashling's father, mother and all her extended family. 'I am devastated. I couldn't sleep last night thinking of it all because it is a place I go all the time. She went there jogging, she does it regularly. I am lost for words.' Mr Harvey said it is a route that he and his family often walk. 'Tullamore is probably the safest place in the world, and after yesterday people will be nervous to go down to the canal,' he added. 'It's a lovely area and helps clear your head. It's a very popular route that everyone takes. People walk their dogs, people with their kids and prams.' Police officers visited the school where Ms Murphy worked on Thursday morning to speak with staff and offer support. At around 9.30am, a police water unit arrived at the scene to begin a search of the waterway next to where the attack occurred. A postmortem is set to be carried out today, and is expected to last for five hours. Superintendent Eamonn Curley (left) near to the scene in Tullamore, Co Offaly, after a young woman, who has been named locally as Ashling Murphy, was killed on Wednesday evening Pictured: A map showing where Ms Murphy's body was found along the Grand Canal way, also known as Fiona's Way. The route is named in memory of missing woman Fiona Pender, of whom there is a monument to in Tullamore Justice Minister Helen McEntee tweeted: 'My thoughts tonight are with the family of the young woman killed in a truly shocking crime, with her friends and with her community. 'Please, anyone with information, come forward to An Garda Siochana. The Gardai will investigate this awful crime and ensure justice is done.' Further Education Minister Simon Harris said: 'A young woman, simply out for a run in the afternoon and brutally killed. 'Thinking of her and her family and community tonight and their unimaginable pain. We must all act to end violence against women. We all have a responsibility.' A man in his 40s was arrested in connection with the incident, and is being detained at Tullamore Garda Station. The Office of the State Pathologist and the Garda Technical Bureau have been notified, and an incident room has been set up at Tullamore Garda Station. Pictured: Flowers are left at a Garda checkpoint in Tullamore after a young woman, who has been named locally as Ashling Murphy, was killed in Co Offaly. She died after being attacked while she was jogging along the canal bank at Cappincur at around 4pm on Wednesday. Picture date: Thursday January 13, 2022 Superintendent Eamonn Curley speaks to the media near to the scene in Tullamore, Co Offaly 'This man is in custody but more people who saw elements of the attack, or either the victim or the suspect before or after this terrible crime, are now being urgently sought, as we continue to question the suspect,' a source told the Independent.ie. 'We are building a case but the more witnesses we have the better chance we have of getting a swift conclusion to this crime. That is our major focus today, speaking to anyone who saw either the victim or the suspect along the canal either before or after the attack,' the source added. The canal path that Ms Murhpy was attacked on is named after Fiona Pender, a missing woman who was last seen at 6am on August 23, 1996, at her Tullamore flat. Her disappearance has been the subject of an on-going investigation ever since. Gardai are appealing for information, and asking anyone who was in the Cappincur/Canal walk area of Tullamore before 4pm on Wednesday to make contact with them. Minister of State Josepha Madigan for Special Education and Inclusion said: 'A young woman can't even go for a run along a canal pathway - at four o'clock, in the middle of the day - only to be attacked and murdered. 'Sincere sympathies to her family. We need to urgently address why we live in a country where this can happen.' Has your dog fallen ill following a trip to the beach? Has your beloved pet fallen ill following a walk along the coast? Email jamie.phillips@mailonline.co.uk Advertisement Hundreds of dogs have fallen ill on beaches sparking warnings from vets to avoid coastal walks - after a 'fit and strong' Great Dane died from a suspected lung infection thought to be caused by 'polluted sea water'. 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. Her post sparked hundreds of Facebook posts from concerned and confused owners, reporting how their beloved pets have been struck down in recent days with 'brutal' symptoms including 'severe sickness and diarrhoea'. The British Veterinary Association has said it is aware of reports, but added there is currently no evidence linking walks on the beach to the bug. The exact cause of the illnesses remains unclear, though owners have speculated that the mystery illness could be a viral infection passed between dogs. 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. 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, Hampshire, but had to be put to sleep after developing a lung infection. Mr Arthur, 59, from Cowplain, 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. David Arthur has been left heartbroken after his 13-month-old dog Odin (pictured) has died after swimming in 'polluted' sea water every day 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. Miniature dachshund Honey (pictured) fell ill and stayed at a vet's for three nights after developing haemorrhagic gastroenteritis Jo Owen Blb said she takes her two male dogs to the beach between three and four times a week, but both have fallen ill. German Shepherd Oscar (pictured), has not recovered more than a week later One such account, Yorkshire Coast Pet Care, shared a post warning pet owners against visiting the area for the time being '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.' Lorraine Suzanne Moore said she 'nearly lost' her Miniature Dachshund Honey after she became seriously ill following a trip to Redcar beach in Teesside. She said: 'Its very upsetting to read that so many dogs are falling ill... we nearly lost our miniature dachshund, Honey. 'We walked her on Redcar beach on Sunday then the next day she ended up staying for three nights in medical care at Stockton with haemorrhagic gastroenteritis.' Another pet owner added: 'Walked both our dogs along the beach from Seaton Carew to Hartlepool last Friday. 'On Saturday around 3pm the male started projectile vomiting & went down hill pretty quickly resulting in an emergency vet visit Saturday night, drip medication etc. 'The next day our golden retriever bitch repeated the same pattern, although she is way tougher than him & dealt with it much easier. Both are still recovering five days on, him more slowly than her. 'Two young fit dogs & what ever hit them was pretty brutal. No idea what caused it really, but the beach visit sounds like the main suspect.' It comes after 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. 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.' Dog owner Cath Baggins said her cocker spaniel puppy Roo spent six days in a vets after visiting Bridlington 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 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 .' 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. Yorkshire Coast Pet Care claim animals have fallen ill after trips to Scarborough, Robin Hood's Bay (pictured), Whitby and Marske-by-the-sea 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.' We can't speculate on what might be at play in this situation, and there is currently no evidence to suggest a direct link between the illness and the dogs visiting the beaches. However, we'd recommend that all dog owners should be vigilant to signs of possible illness in dogs, including vomiting and diarrhoea, and seek urgent veterinary advice if they're worried." 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. British Veterinary Association President Justine Shotton said there was currently no evidence linking walks on the beach to the bug. She added: 'We can't speculate on what might be at play in this situation, and there is currently no evidence to suggest a direct link between the illness and the dogs visiting the beaches. 'However, we'd recommend that all dog owners should be vigilant to signs of possible illness in dogs, including vomiting and diarrhoea, and seek urgent veterinary advice if they're worried.' Covid close contacts across Australia who work in critical industries no longer have to isolate if they test negative for coronavirus from a rapid antigen test and don't display any symptoms, after a major announcement from Scott Morrison. The development comes as the Federal Government has added a number of industries where workers are deemed essential, after soaring Covid cases across the country left thousands in isolation - and supermarket shelves bare. Those employed in fields such as law enforcement, correctional services, energy, water, waste management and food are now viewed as crucial, following the lead of those in key sectors such as transport, freight and logistics. The changes were agreed upon by state and territory leaders during the National Cabinet meeting on Thursday in Canberra. It follows huge numbers of Omicron cases sidelining thousands of workers from their jobs across the nation due to either contracting Covid-19 or being deemed a close contact. Prime Minister Scott Morrison said people need to work where possible, and a fine balance needs to be struck between managing Covid and keeping society moving. Covid close contacts across Australia no longer have to isolate if they test negative for coronavirus from a rapid antigen test and don't display any symptoms - it follows a meeting in National Cabinet on Thursday (pictured, Scott Morrison making the announcement on Thursday) Supermarkets have been struggling with a huge shortage of staff thanks to tens of thousands contracting Covid - and all of their close contacts plunged into isolation (pictured, a Coles worker in Melbourne) Those employed in fields such as energy, water, waste management and food are now viewed as essential workers, following the lead of those in key sectors such as transport, freight and logistics (pictured, a Transport NSW employee) 'We know what we have to do... keep our hospitals going, keep our health system strong and keep as many people at work,' he said. 'The less restrictions you put on people to get them to work, the more pressure that could potentially put on your hospital system.' Mr Morrison's desperate plan was hatched in National Cabinet to solve Australia's deepening supply chain crisis, which has seen businesses struggling to find staff and many supermarket shelves left empty as Covid cases skyrocket. EVERY INDUSTRY WHICH COUNTS AS 'ESSENTIAL' UNDER NEW CLOSE CONTACT EXEMPTION RULES Transport, freight, logistics and service stations Health, welfare, care and support (including production and provision of medical, pharmaceutical and health supplies), Emergency services, safety, law enforcement, justice and correctional services Energy, resources and water, and waste management Food, beverage, and other critical goods (includes farming) Education and childcare Telecommunications, data, broadcasting and media Financial and insurance services Critical government functions, federal, state or local government and public works Building and construction Accommodation and real estate Advertisement Teachers, childcare workers and emergency services personnel are also included in the 'essential' arrangement along with workers in telecommunications, broadcasting and media sectors. Officials later stressed that not every worker in a critical sector will be allowed to leave isolation, and that they must have a 'critical role' in the running of their business operation. Food workers have also been added to the list, along with the likes of law enforcement and correctional services (pictured, seafood workers in Melbourne recently) Close contacts working in critical rolls have been told they can leave isolation as long as they've tested negative on a rapid antigen test - which have been hard to come by (pictured, a sold out sign outside a Sydney chemist on Thursday) Critics say the relaxed rules are likely to lead to even more positive cases, amplifying the supply chain crunch, as rapid tests notoriously do not pick up someone's infection for a number of days - meaning they could test negative, but still be infectious. It comes as the prime minister slammed so called 'Omicron parties' where some Australians are getting together to intentionally catch the virus in the mistaken belief it will make them 'immune'. Australia recorded a staggering 150,000 new Covid cases on Thursday with a back log of some 60,000 RAT results added to the tally in NSW dating back to January 1. Mr Morrison said a solution to the issues facing Australia must strike a 'very delicate balance' between public health and the economy. The new rules in terms of essential workers apply to anyone who works in the food supply sector as well as the transport, freight and logistics industries (pictured, shelves stripped of painkillers at a Melbourne Woolworths) In a frank admission, the PM admitted that the goal is not to stop everyone in the country getting Covid, it is instead to 'protect our hospitals and keep our society and economy functioning as we ride this latest wave of Omicron'. Treasury Secretary Steven Kennedy outlined that about 10 per cent of the Australia workforce is currently off the job due to isolation requirements. Mr Morrison said the problem is likely to get worse if the start of the school year is delayed at the end of the month - as Queensland and South Australia have decided to do. 'If schools don't open, that can add an additional five per cent of absenteeism in the workforce,' the prime minister said. Covid isolation requirements have seen 10 per cent of Australia's workforce off the job, leaving a strain on everywhere from supermarkets to petrol stations (pictured, a petrol station in Central Sydney) 'It is absolutely essential for schools to go back safely and remain safely open if we are not going to see any further exacerbation of the workforce challenges we are currently facing. 'We did have a serious discussion about that, and the advice from the medical expert panel. We will be confirming our views on that over the course of the next week.' While the changes from National Cabinet have been well-received by impacted industries, Labor leader Anthony Albanese said he has concerns expert medical advice is not being adhered to. 'We need to take that advice because where medical advice has been ignored, or short-circuited, the end economic consequences have been more dire than if the medical advice had been followed,' Mr Albanese said. Covid testing numbers have plummeted in recent days - with just 88,164 conducted on Wednesday, leading to a staggering 30,541 positive cases (pictured, the once packed drive-through testing centre at Bondi Beach on Thursday) 'Working people have made incredible sacrifices and stepped up. They did their part of the bargain, the federal government has not done its part.' The prime minister also addressed the bizarre phenomenon of Omicron parties, where some Australian residents are intentionally exposing themselves to the virus. 'All this nonsense about Covid parties, it is ridiculous,' he said. 'If you think you can go out there and get the virus and get it over with, that is not how this works.' He strongly urged Australians to use 'common sense' and follow the public health measures laid out by state and federal governments. Pregnant women who catch Covid within a month of their due date are at greatest risk of complications, research suggests. But doctors insist the dangers are tiny to mothers-to-be who are vaccinated and urged women to keep coming forward for their vaccines. Expectant mothers who caught Covid within 28 days of their due date were twice as likely to give birth prematurely. And they were up to four times more likely to have a stillbirth, Edinburgh University researchers found. Experts did not speculate on why mothers-to-be who catch Covid late in pregnancy are most at risk but the internal stress of carrying a baby can weaken the immune system. Researchers also found unvaccinated pregnant women accounted for 98 per cent of Covid pregnancy ITU admissions. Vaccine hesitancy has been common among pregnant women and those trying to conceive due to concern about fertility. Scientists tracked 87,000 mothers-to-be in Scotland between December 2020 and October 2021 to look at their risk from Covid. A similar pattern was seen for premature births with mums-to-be who caught the virus less than a month before their due date having more than double the chance of giving birth before their 37th week of pregnancy Pregnant women who caught Covid 28 days before their due date were almost four times more likely to have a stillbirth or a neonatal death shortly after birth, compared to other expectant mothers in the study All of the baby deaths among the 87,000 people in the study occurred in unvaccinated women (stock image) My daughter might still be alive if she'd been vaccinated, says father of 24-year-old A mother who died after falling ill with Covid would probably still be alive had she been jabbed, her devastated father has said. Sadie Exley, 24, was pregnant with her second child when she suddenly started suffering from migraines and chest pain. She was diagnosed with a blood clot in her lung, and then caught Covid. Her condition deteriorated and a week later she was taken to hospital having become paralysed on one side. The shop worker was transferred into intensive care at Leeds General Infirmary but tragically died earlier this month after a brain haemorrhage. Thankfully, doctors were able to save her baby son Elliot who was delivered by caesarean section at 29 weeks weighing just 2lbs 1oz. Her father David said doctors had told him they thought 'she'd still be here' had she not been taken in by anti-vaxxer misinformation. 'Covid does a lot of things,' said the 57-year-old. 'It works on your weaknesses within your body.' Mr Exley claimed his daughter wasn't vaccinated as Elliot's father had 'watched YouTube videos and was against it'. Miss Exley, who worked at B&M in her home town of Batley, West Yorkshire, was also mother to two-year-old girl, Harper. Advertisement The vast majority of birth complications, which also include Covid-related ICU admission, also occurred in unvaccinated women, the researchers said. There were 23 extended perinatal deaths, where a baby dies in the womb or within 28 days after birth, per 1000 births in women who caught Covid a month before their due date. This was a near four-fold increase compared to just six extended perinatal deaths per 1,000 births among all mothers-to-be. All baby deaths recorded during the study occurred to women unvaccinated against Covid at the time of their infection. Additionally, 17 per cent of mothers who caught Covid within 28 days of giving birth had premature babies, compared to just 8 per cent for all mothers. Independent experts hailed the study as another reason why pregnant women should get vaccinated. Pregnant women were initially told not to get Covid vaccines when they first rolled out, as is standard practise with most medicines. Original jab trials didn't include them for ethical reasons, so experts had to wait for more data to accrue. But a mountain of studies have since shown them to be safe and effective. Public health experts have doubled down on calls for pregnant women to get the jab after it emerged only 25 per cent of expectant mothers were vaccinated. The latest study also found unvaccinated mothers were 77 per cent more likely to catch Covid than the un-jabbed. They were also more likely to need medical care for the virus, accounting for 91 per cent of pregnancy hospital admissions for Covid and 98 per cent of Covid pregnancy ITU admissions. More recently there have been concerns about fertility in women trying for babies, with misinformation about mRNA vaccines in particular getting into the womb and affecting ovulation. To address this the Scottish study doctors also measured the potential risk of birth complications among pregnant women within 28 days of receiving their Covid vaccine. They found no significant difference between expectant mothers who got the jab and among the general rates for pregnant women. Study lead Professor Aziz Sheikh said the findings demonstrated the protection a Covid vaccine could offer to pregnant women and urged mums-to-be to take up the jab. 'Our national data show that being vaccinated during pregnancy was associated with reduced risk of serious outcomes for both mother and baby,' he said. 'Vaccine uptake has been much lower in pregnant women than in non-pregnant women of a similar age in Scotland. 'As cases of Omicron continue to rise, I strongly encourage all pregnant woman to take up the offer of a vaccination or booster as these will help protect them and their unborn child.' Dr Rachael Wood a consultant with Public Health Scotland, who was also involved in the study, added: 'Vaccination can be given at any stage of pregnancy, so I strongly encourage women who are pregnant, or hoping to become pregnant, to get fully vaccinated as soon as possible.' However, the authors stressed it was impossible to say if coronavirus had directly contributed to the deaths or preterm births as they did not have access to detailed clinical records for each individual women. Experts independent of the study also welcomed the findings, with Professor Marian Knight and expert in maternal health at University of Oxford saying it was 'extremely robust' and highlighted the 'protective effect' of jabs. He added: 'There is an urgent need to ensure that pregnant women can be enabled to receive vaccination wherever they receive care, including in antenatal clinics, in order to prevent further tragic losses of either mothers or their babies.' Dr Victoria Male, an expert in reproductive immunology from Imperial College London, added: 'The study presents sobering findings about COVID infection in pregnancy, but reassuring ones about vaccination.' Professor Andrew Shennan, an obstetrics expert, hailed the paper as the first of its kind to evaluate the benefits of Covid vaccination in mothers for babies . 'The benefit of Covid vaccination to improving outcomes for the baby has not been previously evaluated,' he said. By Yi Woo-won J. Mark Ramseyer, professor of Japanese legal studies at Harvard Law School, still claims that no one has ever located any documentary evidence that the Japanese military forcibly recruited any Korean women into comfort stations. I assumed instantly that Ramseyer had been pushed again by Japanese government authorities to tell Koreans what he had told them before and to keep their mouths shut. This situation was probably because the Korean government or someone demanded again a formal apology from the Japanese government for the comfort women who were sexually enslaved during World War II. It is undeniable that the documents are always there somewhere, unless they were destroyed intentionally, which is unbelievable by Japanese conventional standards. Besides, we know that the records of forced Korean laborers, numbering close to the millions, in Korea, Japan and elsewhere overseas, have been maintained well until now and in detail. Therefore, it's a lie and nonsense that they couldn't find the documentary evidence of the former sex slaves. The truth is that they didn't intend to find the documents, because the revelation would compel them to admit the reality of the shocking "comfort stations," the organized prostitution of Korean women for the Japanese military during the war an indelible dishonor against humanity. When the records are uncovered and real facts divulged, we will know when, where and how they joined the comfort stations, and if they were recruited, coerced, intimidated or volunteered. We understand that the majority of victims were recruited in groups by military recruiting officers at schools or in villages. It is estimated that the total number of women rounded up around the peninsula numbers up to 200,000 or more. "Teishintai" (the 3-syllable phrase of Chinese characters that literally mean "sacrifice," "self" and "military unit") were in fact suicide mission volunteer detachment units of the Imperial Japanese Army during World War II. The "Self-Sacrifice" slogan was highly instrumental in boosting the morale and fighting spirit of the Japanese troops. The Kamikaze ("divine wind") suicide-bombers were among them. Let me give you a piece of advice now, my friend Ramseyer. Stop wasting your time, beating around the bush. You'll never find the documents you're looking for in Japan. I doubt, but if you sincerely want to know the facts about "comfort women" for your paper, come to us and meet those surviving former comfort women the living evidence. In addition, let me show you some extracts of my other essay about comfort women titled, "Silent Rage," published in The Korea Times on Feb. 12, 1992. Extracts from "Silent Rage:" "After the war, some conscientious and sympathetic Japanese stood up in resentment and offered to testify to the horrifying crimes their country had committed. Mr. Yoshida Seiichi, 78, a former Japanese recruiting officer, remorsefully confessed that in 1943, he personally directed his troops to seize villages and mobilized about 5,000 laborers and 1,000 former sex slaves. Mrs. Ikeda, a former Japanese teacher at a primary school in Seoul, recalled with tears in her eyes that she witnessed six students in her 6th grade classroom being pulled out by a recruiting officer in 1944. She also added that a few principals had been promoted for their good recruiting records in their schools." Those who made their way back home after the war, now in their 60s or 70s, childless and forlorn, live virtually in seclusion, fighting against the haunting nightmare of the past the secret they can't disclose to anyone. Yi Woo-won ( ) lives in Waegwan, North Gyeongsang Province, and has been writing since 1986. Bradley Jones (pictured), a cash equities trader and financial analyst, won an employment tribunal in London against the US financial giant A JP Morgan trader who was unfairly fired for alleged historic market abuse has been awarded 1.6million and his job back. Bradley Jones, a cash equities trader and financial analyst, won an employment tribunal in London against the US financial giant. A judge ruled the bank changed its approach to a series of trades he made in 2016 because it wanted to appear to be 'cleaning up its act'. Mr Jones, who was at the firm for nine years, faced a probe over trades that saw him enter and delete two sell orders in quick succession, known as spoofing. The move, which happened in 2016, triggered the bank's surveillance systems as potentially market abuse. JP Morgan took no further action against him, concluding he had not engaged in misconduct. But in January 2020 he was dismissed for alleged gross misconduct over the 2016 trades. A judge ruled the bank (pictured, its London offices) changed its approach to a series of trades he made in 2016 because it wanted to appear to be 'cleaning up its act' Employment tribunal judge Stephen Knight ruled the bank 'radically altered' its approach to Jones' actions. He said Jones had not engaged in spoofing, which is used to give other traders a false impression of demand and was outlawed inthe US in 2010. Yesterday the tribunal said if Jones is re-engaged by JP Morgan by March 10, 2022, the bank must pay him 1,588,489.87 in pay arrears. Jones said he wants to be re-employed by the bank as soon as possible and would happily move to either London, New York or Hong Kong to work. The tribunal heard 'there is no scope for him being reinstated to a vacant position either at Vice President level or at Executive Director level'. But Jones said if he cannot be reinstated he would wish to be re-engaged by the bank or an associated employer. The judge said: 'If reengagement was not awarded the Claimant would never work in a regulated role in the financial services sector again. 'In all the circumstances it is practicable and appropriate to order reengagement to the Hong Kong role and it would be practicable for the Associated Employer to comply with it. That is the order I make.' The incredible camouflage skills of an owl have been captured by an amateur photographer in Canada. Tourist Chi Kit Leong, 31, captured the mesmerising photos while visiting the Thompson-Nicola region of British Columbia. In one of the images, the 30-inch tall Great Grey Owl is seen sitting on a branch with its face turned towards the tree. The photo, taken from behind the animal, shows how its feathers blend perfectly into the colour of the bark, making it almost invisible. Leong, a small business owner from Macau, China, took the images using his Nikon d500 camera. In another shot, the bird can be seen staring straight into the lens, with its orange beak and yellow eyes on full display. Tourist Chi Kit Leong, 31, captured the mesmerising photos while visiting the Thompson-Nicola region of British Columbia (Pictured: Great Grey Owl blends into the tree bark) In another shot, the bird can be seen staring straight into the camera, with its orange beak and yellow eyes fully on display (pictured) The Great Grey Owl is the world's largest species of owl by length and in some areas is often referred to as the Phantom of the North. It resides in the northern hemisphere and was first recognized by science in Canada in the late 18th century. It is just one of thousands of examples of animals blending into their habitats to hide from predators - or stalk prey. In November last year, a deadly crocodile was snapped perfectly camouflaged in a pit of mud in Australia. Pile of mud or disguise for one of Australia's deadliest creatures? Keep an eye out... Australian saltwater crocodiles are the largest living species of crocodile in the world, growing to around 4 or 5 metres in length, though specimens up to 6 metres are not unknown The photo of the saltwater croc hidden in heavy mud was shared to the Australian Native Animals Facebook group as a reminder to be careful in crocodile territory. 'A reminder to be croc wise, steer clear of mud with eyes,' wrote Rodney Fischer to accompany the picture of the barely distinguishable form of an Australian saltwater crocodile covered in mud. The only indication a croc is underneath the mud is one green-gold eye peering out, which many people commenting on the post thought was a leaf or a stone. 'Think I'll grab that cool looking green pebble lying in all that mud...' one person joked. 'I would have been lunch before I even saw it. Brilliant camouflage,' commented another. 'Shes having a facial and wondering what all the fuss is about,' a third shared. Hidden somewhere in this picture is a spotted leopard camouflaged in the undergrowth - can you spot where it is? A red ring shows where there elusive big cat was lurking in the Aravali Hills in Jaipur, western India A close-up of the spotted leopard captured in the undergrowth of the Aravali Hills in Jaipur, western India 'Salties' are the largest living species of crocodile in the world, growing to five metres in length, though specimens up to six metres are not unknown. In June, a leopard was found hidden in an image captured by amateur photographer Abhinav Garg while on a trip to the Aravali Hills outside Jaipur, in India. The 34-year-old did not realise he had snapped the wild cat until he got home, despite waiting for hours hoping to catch sight of the rare animal. A New Zealand man has had a cockroach pulled out of his ear after he felt it wriggling for three days. Zane Wedding, from Auckland, went to the doctor on Saturday with what he thought was water stuck in his ear canal after a day of swimming. He had his ear syringed, was given antibiotics and then sent home but decided to go to an ear specialist on Monday because he could still feel a squirming sensation. New Zealand man Zane Wedding has had a cockroach pulled out of his ear after he felt it wriggling for three days. Pictured: A doctor holds out the cockroach pulled from his ear The specialist realised Wedding had a now-dead cockroach in his ear and managed to extract the insect - and was gifted it as a memento from the patient. 'It made me physically ill,' Wedding told the NZ Herald, describing the ordeal. The doctor was just as shocked as he was, Mr Wedding said, proclaiming 'Oh my god' when she realised what he had stuck in his ear canal. 'She said: "I think you have an insect in your ear", he told the newspaper. The doctor was able to extract half of the cockroach from his ear after working for a few minutes, but the rest had to be pulled out by a suction device. 'I felt [my eardrum] pop as it came away. The lady who extracted it said: "I've never seen this before. I've read about it, but never seen it". 'She kept saying: "Oh my God". When she first said it I thought I had a tumour.' Zane Wedding (pictured), from Auckland, went to the doctor on Saturday with what he thought was water stuck in his ear canal after a day of swimming, only to be told it was an insect Mr Wedding said he had spent Friday swimming, and when he arrived back to his home he fell asleep on the sofa. But around midnight, he awoke to feel that his left ear was blocked. On his first visit to the doctor on Saturday, he was told to use a hairdryer in a bid to dry his ear out. This did not help. Instead, he said, he was likely just boiling the cockroach inside his ear. 'On Sunday, I'd be sitting still and feel something moving around. I was deaf in that ear for that three days,' he said. Mr Wedding (pictured) works as an arborist, and protests against the removal of native trees. One of his most recent protests was in 2020, where he slept in a tree Mr Wedding works as an arborist, and protests against the removal of native trees. One of his most recent protests was in 2020, where he slept in a tree to stop it from being cut down. During the event, he said, he had no problems, but bemoaned the fact that when he fell asleep on his own sofa, a cockroach crawled into his ear. Mr Wedding, who is Maori, said he was now using his story as a way to persuade people to always seek a second opinion when you feel there is something wrong with your body. The message is particularly important for people that are Maoris or of Pacific descent, he said, as they are sometimes reluctant to seek a doctor. The Brexit talks were literally on thin ice today - as the EU's Maros Sefcovic took a tumble on a slippery step. Mr Sefcovic nearly came a-cropper as he arrived at Chevening for discussions with Liz Truss on the Northern Ireland protocol. The Foreign Secretary and ministers looked on aghast as he nearly lost his balance by the entrance to the stately home in Kent, but quickly recovered. Mr Sefcovic tweeted pictures of the pair strolling around the grounds and said they had an 'opportunity' to resolve critical issues. The Brexit divorce rules have been blamed for fuelling sectarian tensions in Northern Ireland, with the DUP demanding the protocol is axed altogether. The UK government has threatened to invoke Article 16 and suspend the arrangements if Brussels does not agree to a deeper overhaul. Maros Sefcovic nearly came a-cropper as he arrived at Chevening for discussions with Liz Truss on the Northern Ireland protocol The EU vice-president and Foreign Secretary are holding discussions at the stately home in Kent today Mr Sefcovic tweeted pictures of the pair strolling around the grounds and said they had an 'opportunity' to resolve critical issues Speaking ahead of the talks, Ms Truss said: 'There is a deal to be done that protects peace in Northern Ireland, defends our Union, and maintains the integrity of the United Kingdom and EU. But it will require a pragmatic approach from the EU. 'I will be putting forward practical, reasonable solutions starting from these fundamental principles, with a view to agreeing a plan for intensive negotiations. 'The EU has a clear responsibility to help fix the myriad problems caused by the Protocol and protect the Good Friday Agreement.' Boris Johnson handed responsibility for Brexit to Ms Truss last month following the resignation of Brexit Minister Lord Frost over policy differences. Lord Frost, who negotiated the original Brexit deal, adopted a hardline approach to the talks, which yielded a number of concessions, but which was also blamed by some for souring the mood on central issues. One Foreign Office source said the new approach would be 'carrot and stick, but more carrot than stick'. Chevening, a 115-room mansion in Kent, is one of the grandest grace-and-favour properties on the Government's books. Mr Sefcovic and his team are being treated to a 'political dinner' hosted by Ms Truss this evening, where they will be served Scottish smoked salmon, Welsh lamb and Kent apple pie. Further talks will then continue tomorrow morning before Mr Sefcovic returns to Brussels. Officials hope that Ms Truss's new proposals will then form the basis for two weeks of intensive negotiations before a further political meeting at the end of this month, probably in Brussels. A source said she wanted to 'focus on more practical solutions to the problems affecting people on the ground'. Downing Street said the UK still believes the conditions for triggering Article 16 unilaterally suspending parts of the treaty have been reached, but the Government is still focused on trying to resolve the issues through talks. The Prime Minister's official spokesman said: 'We need to fix the problems in the protocol in order to protect the Belfast Agreement and the peace process. 'The Foreign Secretary will be putting forward practical and reasonable solutions with a view to agreeing a plan for intensive negotiations. The Foreign Secretary is hosting Mr Sefcovic for a two-day summit at her official country residence Chevening (pictured) as she tries to end the border row threatening to destabilise the Province 'We very much believe there is a deal to be done but the EU must show pragmatism. 'It remains our strong preference to reach a negotiated solution, which is what you can see we are seeking to achieve today.' Mr Sefcovic tweeted: 'In Dec, we delivered on medicines. Now we have an opportunity to do so on other issues, building on the EU's far-reaching proposals. My objective: stability, predictability in NI.' The Foreign Office source said the key principles established by Lord Frost would remain in place, with a focus on easing the flow of goods between Britain and Northern Ireland by cutting paperwork and checks, and ensuring that the European Court of Justice is not the 'final arbiter' of disputes. Under the Brexit deal, Northern Ireland has been granted free access to the EU's single market to prevent the need for a hard border on the island of Ireland. But this has led to the imposition of onerous EU checks on goods crossing the Irish Sea from Great Britain. Scott Johnson, from Los Angeles, was found dead at the bottom of a Sydney cliff An Australian man has admitted murdering a Los Angeles mathematician who was found at the bottom of a Sydney cliff 34 years ago in a gay hate crime that was originally dismissed as suicide. Scott Johnson's naked body was found at the base of North Head cliff on December 8, 1988, and the 27-year-old's death has been a long-standing mystery. The gay hate crime was initially dismissed by police who concluded that Mr Johnson, a Los Angeles-born mathematician who lived in Canberra, had taken his own life. After a new police investigation, Scott White was charged with murder in 2020 and has previously denied the crime. But at a pre-trial hearing in Sydney on Monday, White repeatedly yelled in court that he was guilty of pushing Mr Johnson from the cliff 34 years ago. Scott Johnson's (pictured) naked body was found at the base of North Head cliff on December 8, 1988, and the 27-year-old's death has been a mystery for 34 years On Thursday, a New South Wales state Supreme Court judge accepted the guilty plea, dismissing White's lawyers arguments that he wasn't fit to make the admission. After declaring his guilt, White apologised to his lawyers and told them that he appreciated their work but he 'can't handle it', the Sydney Morning Herald reported. The court heard White had raised an intention to plead guilty on other occasions, but his lawyer said these were during moments of high stress and he had later accepted legal advice that he had a strong case and to continue with the trial. White is to be sentenced on May 2 and faces a possible sentence of life in prison. His barrister Belinda Rigg reportedly indicated White intends to appeal against his conviction. Mr Johnson's brother Steve, from Boston, had relentlessly pursued justice for his brother and is believed to have spent up to $1million on an investigator to prove his death was the result of foul play. Speaking after White pleaded guilty, Steve told reporters outside the court that 'he [White] deserves what he has coming to him'. He added: 'It's a very sad, tragic thing that he did.' After a new investigation, Scott White (pictured being taken into custody) was charged with murder in 2020. At a pre-trial hearing on Monday, White yelled in court that he was guilty He said proving the death was a homicide 'wasn't easy' but his faith had now been 'restored'. Steve added that his brother, who was a doctoral student at Australian National University, was a 'proud' gay man and was his best friend. '[My brother] was brilliant, but more modest than he was brilliant, so you would never hear him say that,' Steve said. 'The last conversation we know he had was with his [university] professor as far as his professor was concerned, my brother could get a job at any university in the world.' Police had initially concluded that Mr Johnson had taken his own life, despite the discovery that his wallet was missing from his clothes, which were neatly folded near the cliff top. A coronial inquest - a court-like proceeding held after unusual deaths - ruled in 1989 that the openly gay man had taken his own life, while a second coroner in 2012 could not explain how he died. During the first inquest, police were reported to have incorrectly told the first coroner that North Head was not a gay beat - an area frequented by gay men often for sexual liaisons. Mr Johnson's brother Steve (pictured), from Boston, pursued justice for and reportedly spent up to $1million on an investigator to prove his brother's death was the result of foul play Mr Johnson's family sought a third inquest, and state coroner Michael Barnes ruled in 2017 that Mr Johnson was killed in a gay hate crime. The coroner concluded Mr Johnson 'fell from the cliff top as a result of actual or threatened violence by unidentified persons who attacked him because they perceived him to be homosexual'. Mr Barnes found gangs of men had roamed various Sydney locations in search of gay men to assault, resulting in the deaths of some victims, while some people were also robbed. North Head, where Mr Johnson's body was found, was a well-known gay beat which was targeted by gangs in the 1980s, according to 9News. The final inquest is understood to have heard how police had failed to investigate a number of gay hate crimes that took place in Sydney at the time. The inquest is understood to have heard that soldiers at the Army School of Artillery at North Head used to brag about attacking gay men and calling it 'fun and games'. After the 2017 coroner ruling, a new police investigation - Strike Force Welsford - was set up, led by Detective Chief Inspector Peter Yeomans, ABC reported. Speaking after White pleaded guilty, Steve (right, pictured with his brother) told reporters outside the court that 'he [White] deserves what he has coming to him' Steve Johnson (pictured) said in 2020, after White's arrest, that it marked 'a very emotional day' in a video message shared by police In 2018, the new investigation offered a one million Australian dollar ($729,500) reward for information which led to a conviction. This was later doubled to $2million in 2020 with the additional reward offered by Mr Johnson's brother Steve - reported to have been the first of its kind in New South Wales. White, who was not previously known to police, was arrested at his home in Sydney after a tip-off came in just two months after the reward was doubled by Steve, a Boston tech entrepreneur. At the time, police said the reward helped in their breakthrough and an unnamed informant would be eligible for the reward once White was convicted. Detective chief inspector Peter Yeomans, who led the investigation, said that without the evidence from the informant the case 'couldn't have been solved'. At the time, Steve Johnson said 'this is very emotional day'. He previously said he arrived in Sydney 36 hours after he heard of his brother's death. 'It was clear when I got to the police station, the Manly police station, that the police already assumed it was a suicide,' Steve told ABC's Australian Story. Police conduct a search of a headland on May 12, 2020, after an arrest was made in connection with Mr Johnson's death. Police originally dismissed his death in 1988 as suicide 'And I said, ''Impossible''. He'd just finished his PhD that he'd been working on for five years.' Over the following years, Steve hired an investigative journalist, and lawyers and others joined the cause to find answers, calling themselves 'Team Scott'. Among the leads followed by the team were whether Blue Fish Point was a known gay beat, where strangers in the gay community would meet for sex. Also unanswered was why Mr Johnson's clothes were neatly folded in a pile at the top of the cliffs. Steve previously said the arrest of his brother's alleged killer was important not only for his family but also for the wider gay community. 'Scott had come to symbolise the many dozens of other gay men who lost their lives in the 1980s and 90s,' he said. The arrest proved 'times have changed' and it recognised 'that all of us deserve equal protection and justice under the law', Steve added. Last year, the New South Wales government announced an inquiry into hate crimes committed against members of Sydney's gay community between 1970 and 2010. Chocolate brand Tony's Chocolonely has started a debate about inequality once again after releasing three new bars themed on topics of exploitation in the chocolate industry. The Dutch confectioners, who are popular in the UK, launched three new chocolate bars in partnership with Waitrose. But instead of their usual brightly-coloured wrapping, the new bars are emblazoned with the words 'injustice', 'inequality' and 'inhuman'. The 'conversation' chocolate bars are available in Waitrose this month and are aimed to get people talking about illegal child labour and slavery in the chocolate industry. However some customers have said they are fed up with what they have termed as 'gimmicks' and simply want to enjoy their chocolate. The 'inequality' bar is made up of milk chocolate, caramel, almonds, nougat, pretzels and sea salt. 'Inhuman' is a vegan dark chocolate bar with lemony caramel and cocoa biscuit . Thirdly, is 'injustice' - a white chocolate bar with raspberry biscuit sprinkles. Tony's Chocolonely bars are aimed at tackling issues of exploitation in the chocolate industry The 'inequality' bar is made up of milk chocolate, caramel, almonds, nougat, pretzels and sea salt. 'Inhuman' is a vegan dark chocolate bar with lemony caramel and cocoa biscuit . Thirdly, is 'injustice' - a white chocolate bar with raspberry biscuit sprinkles The brand said: 'What's with all the serious words? So glad you asked. 'Our Conversation Bars are made to get you talking. Three news flavours in stripped back wrappers... But why? The issues of injustice, inequality and lack of humanity exist in the chocolate industry. 'That's what results in illegal child labour and modern slavery. 'We think change begins with conversation. Research shows that contact and dialogue with people outside your bubble increases empathy, which leads to a shift in attitudes and behaviour.' The company's website is also selling a 13.49 'Conversation Bars Kit' that contains the three new bars and a card game. Waitrose also launched the products on its Instagram page, saying: 'We're delighted to reveal three new and exclusive bars with @tonyschocolonely-uk-ire which are designed to highlight three important topics: justice, equality & humanity - encouraging people to engage in conversation about these important issues. 'The bars are exclusively available in our shops and on waitrose.com until 25th January.' But not everyone was keen on the woke new wrappers. Tubita04 replied to Waitrose's post saying: 'Change begins when you employ a fully diverse team as opposed to a bunch of white people who profit from preaching (check company team website to see for yourselves). Your values are phony at best and yet you think you're the almighty in the chocolate industry. 'I am very disappointed that Waitrose is giving you a platform to patronise its customers.' The ethically-produced brand has issued three new bars aimed at raising awareness of exploitation in the chocolate industry Another said: 'I'm a big fan of Tony's because it's bloody tasty chocolate and will buy it when it's on sale. Totally on board with the ethical message too, but not gonna lie I'm not a fan of the gimmicks.' Drag queen Lady Munter said: 'Who knew injustice could taste so good?' Another person quipped: 'I dunno, I just wanna eat chocolate, not start a debate.' A fifth person added: 'I have absolutely no idea what this is all about. What is the connection between chocolate and the three things mentioned?' A Tony's spokesperson said on Twitter: 'Our Conversation Bars put three important issues in the spotlight and provide a platform for everyone to share what these issues mean to them. 'Waitrose have partnered with us to give this message more reach and allow choco fans nationwide to have positive, meaningful conversations.' In December, Tony's Chocolonely was criticised after it released a Tony's advent calendar with missing chocolate in a bid to highlight child labour. Lady Munter posted on Instagram: @Who knew injustice could taste so good' In a social media post on December 8, when the empty window was first spotted, the company said: 'In Ghana and the Ivory Coast, at least 1.56 million children work under illegal conditions because the price being paid for cocoa is too low. Worst still, at least 30,000 adults and children are forced to work. We dont think thats okay.' The firm later apologised over the stunt, which it said was 'inappropriate' after disappointed customers complained. According to charity, The Food Empowerment Project, Western African countries such as Ghana and the Ivory Coast supply about 70% of the worlds cocoa - including to the world's biggest chocolate companies. The charity stated: 'In the past few decades, a handful of organizations and journalists have exposed the widespread use of child labor, and in some cases slavery, on cocoa farms in Western Africa. 'Child labor has been found on cocoa farms in Cameroon, Guinea, Nigeria, and Sierra Leone, although since most of Western Africas cocoa is grown in Ghana and the Ivory Coast, the majority of child labor cases have been documented in those two countries.' Advertisement Construction workers put the finishing touches on one of the NHS' new Nightingale surge hubs today, despite data suggesting they won't even be needed as Covid hospital pressures die down. The temporary site at St James's University Hospital in Leeds is one of eight being assembled across England in the event that hospitals are overwhelmed by coronavirus this winter. They can each house roughly 100 patients and will remain on standby to look after those who are not well enough to go home but need minimal supervision during their recovery. Trusts have been hit by a double-whammy of rising Covid admissions and staff absences in recent weeks caused by the highly infectious Omicron variant, with a number of trusts declaring 'critical incidents'. But there are already signs that the NHS is over the worst of the winter Covid wave and staff absence levels appear to be bouncing back. There were 2,049 coronavirus admissions to British hospitals on January 8, the latest date with data, an increase of less than 1 per cent in a week. In England, daily admissions have fallen on four out of the past seven days. In another promising sign, the number of NHS staff off work each day in the week to January 9 fell 2 per cent with 80,000 absentees. Half were for Covid reasons. Absences due to Covid have dropped every day since reaching a peak of about 50,000 on January 5. Meanwhile, it also emerged today that more than half of Covid 'patients' in London are not primarily being treated for the virus and only tested positive after admission for something else. NHS data published today shows that of the 3,227 patients receiving treatment on the capital's Covid wards, 1,651 are not mainly sick with the virus. The picture is similar nationally where 6,647 out of 15,026 Covid patients or 44 per cent are not primarily in hospital because of coronavirus. Matthew Taylor, chief executive of the NHS Confederation, said this week that 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.' Work continued today on the construction of the Nightingale Surge Hub at St James's University Hospital in Leeds, one of eight being created across England The above graph shows the proportion of Covid patients that were primarily admitted with the disease in London (yellow) and across England (red). It reveals that these levels are falling highlighting how the Omicron variant is less severe The above shows where England's eight new 'mini-Nightingales' will be set up. These will aim to treat 100 Covid patients following a stay in intensive care, and will be on hospital sites to ensure they can be properly manned. Previous Nightingales could not get enough nurses Pictured above are the total number of beds occupied by Covid patients (pink) against the numbers of these patients who are primarily ill with Covid (blue). Over the latest week the proportion of patients ill with the virus has fallen by 500, while the number of Covid patients has barely changed Pictured above are the number of Covid patients in hospital (pink) and the numbers who were primarily admitted with Covid (blue) across England up to January 11 Construction workers were pictured carrying materials needed to build the make-shift site, the only one currently planned in the North East The make-shift structure, set-up in the hospital's car park, is only supposed to be a last-ditch insurance policy, and health chiefs hope they will never have to use it Britain is still far from starting to live with the virus, NHS boss warns It is still 'premature' to talk about living with the virus, an NHS boss warned today. Saffron Cordery, the deputy chief executive of NHS Providers which represents hospital trusts, admitted the health service would return to a 'new kind of normal'. But she said it was still in the 'middle phase' between being overwhelmed and working at full capacity. Ms Cordery told Times Radio: 'I think there is considerable uncertainty still about how this will play out because levels come down in London, but they're going up in the North West, they're going up in the East of England, so we need to think really carefully about how it's impacting, and impacting differently across the country.' Asked whether the country was ready to live with the virus, she said it was 'premature' to shift to this strategy within the next few months. Scientists say the UK is now on the verge of beating the pandemic and turning Covid into nothing more than a seasonal menace like the flu. And Boris Johnson is understood to be drawing up a 'living with Covid' strategy to avoid the need for restrictions every winter. But this isn't expected to be published until the end of March at the earliest, when winter pressures will have subsided. Advertisement 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.' Despite the overall number of beds occupied by infected patients remaining flat across London, the number who are actually ill with the virus has fallen by a quarter. Experts and MPs have called for the NHS figures published by the Government every day to differentiate between people admitted 'with' and 'from' Covid so that the exact pressure the health service faces from Omicron can be assessed. The rising proportion of 'incidental' admissions, lack of any uptick in critically ill patients and data suggesting the Omicron crisis has already peaked has given Boris Johnson enough confidence to start planning a 'life with Covid' strategy, and triggered top scientists to say the UK is on the brink of exiting the pandemic. But senior NHS leaders warn that the country is still a few months away from being able to live with the disease, with hospitals still at risk of being overwhelmed. MailOnline's analysis showed the number of patients on wards primarily ill with the disease had fallen by almost 500 in London for the week ending January 11, the latest date available. But the total number of Covid-infected patients on hospital wards across the capital had barely changed, staying at around 3,200. The capital's figures are being watched as a harbinger of what may be to come for the rest of the country because it was the first place to be hit by the extremely-transmissible variant. As of yesterday, official data shows there were 16,800 Covid patients in hospital, although this was far below the peak last winter of more than 33,000. NHS bosses only breakdown the number of patients who are primarily ill with Covid every week. The daily admission figures do not reveal exactly how many of the infected patients were needing treatment for the virus, and how many tested positive incidentally. Experts and Tory MPs have called on the Government to differentiate between primary and secondary Covid patients in the daily figures for transparency. Cambridge epidemiologist Dr Raghib Ali has previously told MailOnline that it would 'not only helpful but in many ways essential' in assessing the true pressure on the NHS. And former World Health Organization adviser Professor Karol Sikora, from Buckingham University, has said it is 'obvious' these patients should be removed. NHS leaders argue that even asymptomatic people who test positive after admission put strain on the health service because they need to be isolated and receive specialist care. A senior NHS boss today warned that it was 'premature' to move towards living with the virus like flu because of the pressure hospitals are still under. Ms Cordery admitted the health service was reaching a 'new kind of normal'. But she cautioned it was still in the 'middle phase' between being overwhelmed and working at full capacity. Ms Cordery told Times Radio: 'I think there is considerable uncertainty still about how this will play out because levels come down in London. 'But they're going up in the North West, they're going up in the East of England, so we need to think really carefully about how it's impacting, and impacting differently across the country. 'I think we're somewhere between the middle phase and going towards still being beyond full stretch, really, because what we have to remember is that the NHS isn't an island, we have a huge impact of Covid across all of the different services that work alongside and with the NHS.' She said there were still 'very high levels of hospital admissions', and that hospitals were still seeing 'significant' numbers of beds occupied by patients needing ventilators. One in NINE people in England now on NHS waiting list: Health service crisis deepens during Omicron wave with record 6million in queue for routine ops and 13,000 waiting 12 or more hours in A&E By Connor Boyd, deputy health editor for MailOnline One in nine people in England were on the NHS waiting list for routine operations by the end of November and record numbers of cancer and A&E patients are waiting dangerously long times to be seen, official figures show. Experts warned the 'shocking data' laid bare the wider impact of Omicron on the health service and highlighted that many patients were being 'let down' by the deepening crisis in the NHS. Stats published by NHS England today showed a record 6million people were stuck on NHS waiting lists for elective care by the end of November, just as the ultra-transmissible variant began to take off. More than 300,000 patients had waited over a year - often in pain - for ops such as hip and knee replacements or cataracts surgery. Of them, 18,500 had queued for two or more years seven times more than last summer. At the same time, just two-thirds (67.5 per cent) of cancer patients were given their first treatment within two months of the disease first being detected the lowest number ever. Only three-quarters of suspected cancer patients were referred to a specialist within the NHS two-week target, another low. Cancer charities warned the 'agonising delays' were causing 'huge amounts of distress and anxiety' for people living with cancer, and warned the waits 'can risk a worse prognosis'. The NHS was already in crisis mode before Omicron took off, with staffing shortages, pandemic backlogs and winter pressures all putting strain on the health service. But the arrival of the new variant triggered record staff absences, with one in 10 NHS workers off at once over the Christmas break. Dozens of trusts declared 'critical incidents', indicating they could no longer provide vital care. Separate data shows total of 12,986 spent 12 or more hours in emergency departments before being treated in December the most since records began in 2010 and up by a fifth from November. At the same time, just 73 per cent of A&E patients were seen within the NHS' four-hour target, the lowest percentage ever. Separate data shows heart attack patients waited 53 minutes on average for an ambulance to respond to their 999 call. Dr Tim Cooksley, president of the Society for Acute Medicine, said the latest data revealed an 'increasingly serious situation.' He added: 'Here we are another month on with a further shocking set of data which highlights how so many patients are being let down as well as the strain our exhausted staff are under. Behind every data point is a person and we can't allow anyone to forget that. 'There are also amazing staff on the ground who continue to provide the best care they care in the most challenging of circumstances and seeing this data is demoralising for us all. 'We need to focus on why performance has continued to fall and struggle for years and build the solutions to drive improvement in both the short and long term. This is an increasingly serious situation.' Defending the statistics, NHS national medical director Professor Stephen Powis, said staff had pulled out 'all the stops' to keep services going. He added: 'Omicron has increased the number of people in hospital with Covid at the same time as drastically reducing the number of staff who are able to work. 'Despite this, once again, NHS staff pulled out all the stops to keep services going for patients there have been record numbers of life-threatening ambulance call-outs, we have vaccinated thousands of people each day and that is on top of delivering routine care and continuing to recover the backlog. Heart attack patients wait 53 minutes for an ambulance amid crisis Ambulance services in England are continuing to struggle with near-record long response times and handover delays at A&E departments, figures show. The average response time in December for ambulances dealing with the most urgent incidents defined as calls from people with life-threatening illnesses or injuries was nine minutes and 13 seconds. This is just under the nine minutes and 20 seconds in October, which was the longest average response time since current records began in August 2017. Ambulances also took an average of 53 minutes and 21 seconds to respond to emergency calls, such as heart attacks, severe burns, epilepsy and strokes the second longest time on record. Response times for urgent calls such as late stages of labour, non-severe burns and diabetes averaged two hours, 51 minutes and eight seconds, again the second longest time on record. NHS England, which published the figures, said staff had dealt with the highest ever number of life-threatening call-outs last month, averaging one every 33 seconds. It also said on average more than 66,000 NHS staff at hospital trusts were off work each day in December. Absences related to Covid-19, including people who were self-isolating, climbed from 12,508 on December 1 to 40,149 on December 31. Meanwhile, nearly one in four patients arriving at hospitals in England by ambulance last week waited at least 30 minutes to be handed over to A&E departments. Some 18,307 delays of half an hour or more were recorded across all hospital trusts in the seven days to January 9, NHS England data shows. This was 23% of all arrivals by ambulance, the same proportion as the previous week and matching the level seen at the start of December. The figure had dropped as low as 13% in the week ending December 26. A handover delay does not always mean a patient has waited in an ambulance. They may have been moved into an A&E department, but there were no staff available to complete the handover. Analysis of the data by the PA news agency shows that University Hospitals Birmingham Foundation Trust reported the highest number of delays of at least 30 minutes last week (852), followed by North West Anglia (495), University Hospitals of North Midlands (471) and University Hospitals Bristol & Weston (441). University Hospitals Birmingham also topped the list for delays of more than an hour (418), followed by University Hospitals North Midlands (313), University Hospitals Bristol & Weston (287) and Worcestershire Acute Hospitals (270). Advertisement 'But staff aren't machines and with the number of Covid absences almost doubling over the last fortnight and frontline NHS colleagues determined to get back to providing even more routine treatments, it is vital that the public plays their part to help the NHS by getting your booster vaccine, if you haven't already.' The number of people in England who saw a specialist for suspected cancer in November 2021 following an urgent GP referral was higher than the pre-pandemic average as patients continued to come back to the health service after multiple lockdown cycles. However, the number who waited more than two weeks to see the specialist set a new record high for the third month running, soaring to more than 55,000 people in November. Around 28,000 waited more than a month to start treament - the second highest ever after last September. People who waited more than a month to start treatment after a decision to treat was also the second highest-ever on record in November. And a record 14,900 waited more than two months. MacMillan said 30,000 fewer people have been diagnosed with cancer than would be expected in England since the start of the pandemic. The charity's own survey found 29 per cent of those receiving cancer treatment in the UK are worried that delays to their treatment could impact on their chances of survival. Minesh Patel, head of policy at Macmillan, said: 'Today's figures show the huge challenge the NHS faces in clearing the cancer care backlog. 'Whilst November saw the highest-ever number of people entering the system, record numbers of people were left waiting too long to see a specialist and start treatment. 'We hear day-in-day out that these agonising delays are causing huge amounts of distress and anxiety for people living with cancer, and can risk a worse prognosis. 'We cant afford to lose any more time on this. In the upcoming Elective Recovery Plan its vital the Government prioritises cancer care and commits the resources needed to grow and support the cancer workforce in order to tackle the backlog and ensure everyone gets the urgent care they need.' Separate figures show ambulances responded to 82,000 category-one calls in December which was higher than any other month on record and the equivalent of one every 33 seconds. The average response time in December for ambulances dealing with the most urgent incidents defined as calls from people with life-threatening illnesses or injuries was nine minutes and 13 seconds. This is just under the nine minutes and 20 seconds in October, which was the longest average response time since current records began in August 2017. Ambulances also took an average of 53 minutes and 21 seconds to respond to emergency calls, such as heart attacks burns, epilepsy and strokes the second longest time on record. Response times for urgent calls late stages of labour, non-severe burns and diabetes averaged two hours, 51 minutes and eight seconds, again the second longest time on record. NHS England, which published the figures, said staff had dealt with the highest ever number of life-threatening call-outs last month, averaging one every 33 seconds. It also said on average more than 66,000 NHS staff at hospital trusts were off work each day in December. Absences related to Covid-19, including people who were self-isolating, climbed from 12,508 on December 1 to 40,149 on December 31. Meanwhile, nearly one in four patients arriving at hospitals in England by ambulance last week waited at least 30 minutes to be handed over to A&E departments. Some 18,307 delays of half an hour or more were recorded across all hospital trusts in the seven days to January 9, NHS England data shows. This was 23 per cent of all arrivals by ambulance, the same proportion as the previous week and matching the level seen at the start of December. The figure had dropped as low as 13 per cent in the week ending December 26. A handover delay does not always mean a patient has waited in an ambulance. They may have been moved into an A&E department, but there were no staff available to complete the handover. Sajid Javid declares Covid self-isolation is being cut to FIVE full days to ease pressure of staff absences from Omicron wave Sajid Javid today declared that the self-isolation period is being cut to five full days in a bid to ease the pressure of staff absences from Omicron. The Health Secretary confirmed the length of quarantine for positive cases is being reduced from the current seven days - which permits people to escape on the seventh day. Instead, as of Monday people will be free in the sixth day - as long as they test negative on a lateral flow on days five and six. The move came after NHS leaders, businesses and ministers joined the push for five full days, the timescale used in other countries including the US. But government scientists had warned it could fuel the outbreak significantly, as people would be more likely to be infectious when they return to workplaces. The news was hailed by firms as a 'great relief' after weeks of struggling to fill gaps in the workforce due to soaring infections. Mr Javid updated MPs this afternoon after Boris Johnson said a decision would be made on the issue 'as fast as possible'. The UK Health Security Agency guidance has been for cases to isolate for at least six full days from the point at which they have symptoms or get a positive test, whichever was first. They can escape self-isolation after two negative lateral flow test results on days six and seven. The tests must be at least 24 hours apart. But Mr Javid said that was now being trimmed. Mr Javid told MPs that UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) data showed 'that around two-thirds of positive cases are no longer infectious by the end of day five'. He said that, from Monday, people will be able to take two tests to get out of isolation, 'leaving isolation at the start of day six'. 'I urge everyone to take advantage of the capacity we have buitl up on tests,' he told the Commons. At Prime Minister's Questions yesterday, Mr Johnson said:' We are certainly looking at reducing the isolation period, and we hope to bring you more about that.. as fast as possible. ' The decision will be be welcomed by Tories who have called for the change and could help ease pressure on the embattled Prime Minister. It will also help address staff shortages across the economy and public services by allowing people to return to work earlier. Advertisement Analysis of the data shows that University Hospitals Birmingham Foundation Trust reported the highest number of delays of at least 30 minutes last week (852), followed by North West Anglia (495), University Hospitals of North Midlands (471) and University Hospitals Bristol & Weston (441). University Hospitals Birmingham also topped the list for delays of more than an hour (418), followed by University Hospitals North Midlands (313), University Hospitals Bristol & Weston (287) and Worcestershire Acute Hospitals (270). But in a promising sign, NHS hospital staff absences due to Covid have fallen week-on-week across most of the regions of England. The largest percentage drop was in London, where 4,167 hospital staff were ill with coronavirus or having to self-isolate on January 9, down 13 per cent on the previous week (4,765) but still more than three times the number at the start of December (1,174). Eastern England fell 10 per ecnt week-on week from 3,320 on January 2 to 2,984 on January 9, the South East was also down 10 per cent to 3,590, the North East and Yorkshire fell by 8% to 8,125 while South West England dropped by 1 per cent to 2,974. Hospital staff absences due to Covid rose by 20 per cent week-on-week in the Midlands from 7,931 on January 2 to 9,484 on January 9, but there has been a drop each day from a peak of 10,690 on January 6. There is a similar picture in the North West, up 19 per cent week-on-week from 7,338 to 8,707 on January 9, but with numbers falling each day from a peak of 10,370 on January 5. In total there were 80,000 NHS staff at hospital trusts in England who were absent for all sickness reasons on January 9 including self-isolation, down 2 per cent on the previous week. Half of these were absent for Covid-19 reasons. But the data shows that hospital staff absences due to Covid have dropped every day since reaching a peak of about 50,000 on January 5. The total includes staff who were ill with coronavirus or who were having to self-isolate. Wes Streeting MP, Labour's Shadow Health Secretary, said: 'Our health service went into this wave of Covid infections with 6 million people on waiting lists for the first time ever. 'Thanks to a decade of Tory mismanagement, the NHS was unprepared for the pandemic and didn't have any spare capacity when Omicron hit. 'It's not just that the Conservatives didn't fix the roof when the sun was shining, they dismantled the roof and removed the floorboards. 'Now patients are paying the price, waiting months and even years for treatment, often in pain, distress and discomfort. 'Labour will secure the future of the NHS, starting by building the workforce it needs to deliver better care and shorter waiting times, just as the last Labour government did.' It came after an NHS leader admitted the health service is past the worst of the Omicron outbreak on Wednesday. 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 protester who used a hammer to attack a statue by known paedophile Eric Gill on the outside of the BBC's Broadcasting House is a notorious Fathers 4 Justice campaigner. David Chick, 54, had most recently been seen last year above a crane in East London in April last year dressed in his familiar Spiderman mask. Previously he had donned the superhero outfit near Tower Bridge in 2003 on a different crane to protest fathers' rights. He was cleared of causing a public nuisance the following year. Mr Chick said at the time he had carried out the stunt in frustration over difficulties in seeing his daughter. Yesterday he was arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and was today being held in custody by the Metropolitan Police. It came after a statute - Prospero and Ariel - was attacked by a protester with a hammer at its home at the entrance to the BBC's Broadcasting House in Portland Place, London. Campaigners have long-called for the statue to be removed since it was revealed decades after his death in 1940 that its creator Eric Gill sexually abused his two eldest daughters. His 1933 statue, which is inspired by Shakespeare's play The Tempest, was set upon with a hammer for almost four hours. Met Police officers and the London Fire Brigade used an elevated platform to bring the man to safety before detaining him. Police officers detained him after he climbed onto the statues Prospero and Ariel from Shakespeare's play The Tempest by the sculptor Eric Gill outside of the BBC's headquarters He was protesting because sculptor Eric Gill was a paedophile who abused his own children Chick donned the superhero outfit near Tower Bridge in 2003 on a different crane to protest A force spokesman told MailOnline: 'Police were called at approximately 4.15pm on January 12 to reports of a man damaging a statue on a ledge outside a building in Portland Place. Officers attended. 'The man came down with assistance from London Fire Brigade at around 8.45pm. 'He was checked by London Ambulance Service before being arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and taken into custody. 'The property owners are examining any damage to the statue and building. 'Another man was earlier arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit criminal damage. He also remains in custody. 'Road closures have now been lifted.' The incident came a week after a jury cleared four people of criminal damage despite the fact they did not deny pulling down the statue of slave trader Edward Colston in Bristol. The verdict sparked debate over the criminality and ethics of vandalising statues that are deemed controversial. The man used a ladder to access the 10ft statue and hit it with a hammer for more than four hours, knocking pieces off Pieces of broken plaster are seen on the ground after the activist damaged the statue in front of police officers on Wednesday Eric Gill: The dark side of a famous sculptor Pictured: English sculptor Eric Gill In 1907, Eric Gill moved with his wife Ethel Hester Moore to Ditchling in Sussex, where he established a bohemian artists' community In Sussex and at his later home in a ruined Benedictine monastery in Wales he produced life drawings of his daughters as they grew up He drew his daughter Petra, who he admitted having sex with, as a nude teenager in work Girl In Bath In his diary, published after his death, he described his penchant for bestiality and incest - with his sister and with his daughters He had a string of affairs with models for his work Advertisement The Gill sculpture, depicting Prospero and Ariel from Shakespeare's play The Tempest, was installed in 1933, according to the BBC. 'Prospero, Ariel's master, stands 10ft tall and is depicted sending Ariel out into the world. Ariel, as the spirit of the air, was felt to be an appropriate symbol for the new mystery of broadcasting,' the BBC says on its website. It adds: 'After Broadcasting House was opened and the statues were installed, concern was voiced about the size of the sprite's genitalia. 'A question was tabled in the House of Commons, but the popular story, that Gill was ordered to modify the statue, is not substantiated.' It is one of a number of Gill sculptures at the BBC's headquarters - the Sower can be found in the reception area, while he also contributed to Bas Reliefs of Ariel in the building as well. The BBC describes the Sower as: 'The statue, made of English marble (Hopton Wood Stone) stands more than 2.6 metres tall in a niche by the doors leading to the artists' lobby and studios. 'A pedestal supports the statue, and bears the inscription 'Deus Incrementu Dat' ('God giveth the increase', Corinthians, chapter 3, verse 7).' In 1990, the BBC adopted his typeface Gill Sans which he created in 1927. The corporation used the font for its wordmark and many of its onscreen television graphics. The logo became one of the longest standing logos in the world and was only recently changed. A biography on the Tate museum website said: 'Gill's religious views and subject matter contrast with his sexual behaviour, including his erotic art, and (as mentioned in his own diaries) his extramarital affairs and sexual abuse of his daughters, sisters and dog.' Nearly 2,500 people have previously signed a petition demanding the removal of the sculpture on the website of political activist group 38 Degrees. Chick had dressed as Spiderman to protest nearly 20 years ago over frustrations with access He said he had protested because he was frustrated at difficulties seeing his daughter A BBC spokesman said: 'The statue at the front of old Broadcasting House is a representation of Prospero and Ariel from Shakespeare's The Tempest. Prospero is shown sending Ariel out into the world. When the statue was commissioned, Ariel - as the spirit of the air - was seen as an appropriate symbol for the new dawn of broadcasting. 'The BBC doesnt condone the views or actions of Eric Gill. Clearly there are debates about whether you can separate the work of an artist from the art itself. We think the right thing to do is for people to have those discussions. We dont think the right approach is to damage the artwork itself.' The incident came a week after a jury cleared four people of criminal damage after they pulled down the statue of slave trader Edward Colston. The bronze memorial to the 17th century figure was pulled down during a Black Lives Matter protest in Bristol on June 7 2020, before being rolled into the water, and those responsible were acquitted on January 5 following an 11-day trial at the Old Bailey. The verdict has prompted debate after the 'Colston Four' opted to stand trial in front of a jury and did not deny involvement in the incident, instead claiming the presence of the statue was a hate crime and it was therefore not an offence to remove it. Pelosi told colleagues in a letter Wednesday night that they would be combining the Senate and House's voting rights measures into one bill President Biden will try and save his voting rights legislation from the brink of defeat by meeting Democrats face-to-face on Thursday - while Nancy Pelosi will jam a consolidated bill through the House in a bid to rush it to the Senate. Biden will head to the Capitol to convince all 50 Democrats in the upper chamber - including moderates Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema - to back his two voting rights bills and get support for eliminating the filibuster. Senator Manchin has repeatedly said he won't back changing Senate rules to pass voting rights legislation and bypass Republicans, who believe the Democrats' push to transform voting is a bid to federalize elections. Biden will try and change Manchin's mind when he has lunch with the Democratic Caucus today. President Obama has also thrown his support behind Biden's plans and called the filibuster a relic of the Jim Crow era. The bill Pelosi hopes to pass combines the House's John R. Lewis Act and the Senate's Freedom to Vote Act. A procedural vote for the Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act was held in the House on Wednesday evening and passed 220 - 201 along party lines, allowing it to come to the floor today. 'President Biden made it crystal clear that the Senate must find a path forward to enshrine critical voting rights legislation into law,' Pelosi said in her letter, adding that the House moving it forward quickly would get it before the Senate 'for urgent consideration.' Pelosi will then send the bill to the Senate as a 'message,' allowing Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer to bring it to the floor for debate while side-stepping a Republican filibuster attempt. The John R. Lewis Act, which previously passed the House by itself in August, was aimed to restore key provisions of the Voting Right Act of 1965 that had been gutted by the Supreme Court and change the way election cases are handled in federal courts. The Freedom to Vote Act would reverse election security enhancements passed by dozens of GOP-dominated legislatures last year and introduce a new federal standard for voting laws, including expansions to mail-in voting and early voting. Biden delivered an impassioned defense of voting rights in Georgia on Tuesday. The Peach State was one of 19 with GOP-held legislatures to pass bills last year enhancing election security. Critics say they suppress the right to vote. Republicans included Mitch McConnell tore into his speech for being 'divisive' and accused him of labelling millions of Americans as 'domestic enemies'. Biden meanwhile will make the case for Democratic Senators to support scuttling the filibuster to pass the election legislation on Thursday In his first op-ed since since leaving the White House, Barack Obama said he backed Biden wanting to change the Senate rules and called the filibuster a relic of the Jim Crow era. He wrote in USA Today that the filibuster has 'no basis in the constitution' and has been used by Republicans in the past to obstruct civil rights legislation. 'In recent years, the filibuster became a routine way for the Senate minority to block important progress on issues supported by the majority of voters. But we cant allow it to be used to block efforts to protect our democracy,' Obama said. 'That's why I fully support President Joe Bidens call to modify Senate rules as necessary to make sure pending voting rights legislation gets called for a vote. And every American who cares about the survival of our most cherished institutions should support the presidents call as well.' Biden criticized those bills as 'undemocratic.' Congressional leaders are attempting to press ahead on what appears to be an uphill battle for the majority party to pass voter reform ahead of the 2022 midterm elections. It's unlikely that Schumer will have the 60 votes needed in the Senate to bypass Republican obstruction in the form of a filibuster. Instead, he and Biden will lobby Democrats in the upper chamber on Thursday during their caucus lunch, around 1 p.m., to support a change to Senate rules that would allow them to pass it with a simple majority. But it's proven a challenge with two key centrists, Senators Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema, so far opposed to scuttling the filibuster. On the House floor Wednesday night, Pelosi echoed longstanding Democrat concerns that their colleagues across the aisle are weaponizing the Senate stalling tactic. 'When somebody said they're going to filibuster something or they were engaged in a filibuster, you thought they were going to talk for a long time. Filibuster: to talk for a long time. Not to obstruct justice, not to obstruct debate, not to obstruct the majority to be able to take a vote, to discuss something,' she said. Democratic Senators Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema oppose efforts to kill the filibuster and there is a heavy lobbying campaign by Democratic leaders and their Senate colleagues to get them on board Vice President Kamala Harris also took aim at Republicans opposed to expanded voting access last night, as well as Democrats who are pushing to preserve the filibuster. 'I will not absolve the 50 Republicans in the United States Senate from responsibility, from upholding one of the most basic tenants of our democracy which is free and fair elections and access to the ballot for all eligible voters,' Harris told NBC News on Wednesday. When asked about Manchin and Sinema, she stood firm. 'I don't think anyone should be absolved from the responsibility of preserving and protecting our democracy especially when they took an oath to protect our Constitution,' Harris said. Biden's full-throated defense of voting rights and opposition to the filibuster prompted a fierce backlash from Republicans. Just after the president's speech on Tuesday, Utah Senator Mitt Romney tore into him on the Senate floor for 'dividing' the country and warned Democrats to consider 'what would it mean for them' if they changed Senate rules ahead of the likely event they lose control of Congress at the end of this year. And on Wednesday, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said Biden's speech was 'profoundly unpresidential.' Sadiq Khan is calling for the introduction of a temporary construction worker visa scheme to tackle the impact of Brexit and the coronavirus pandemic. The London Mayor is proposing that ministers create a Coronavirus Recovery Visa of at least a year, to help sectors struggling with shortages of workers, including construction. Mr Khan is also calling for a regional shortage occupation list that allows London and other cities to attract and retain staff in sectors with acute staff shortages. Before Brexit, the capital was dependent on migrant building workers, with more than half the workforce being from the EU and beyond, said the mayor. He added that official figures show the number of construction workers in the capital from the EU fell 54% in the three years to April 2020. A Government spokesman told MailOnline that the Home Office had launched a 3million awareness campaign telling businesses that freedom of movement was ending, and employers 'should invest in our domestic workforce instead of relying on labour from abroad'. London Mayor Sadiq Khan is proposing that ministers create a Coronavirus Recovery Visa of at least a year, to help sectors struggling with shortages of workers, including construction Before Brexit, the capital was dependent on migrant building workers, with more than half the workforce being from the EU and beyond, said the mayor (file image) Mr Khan said: 'Tackling London's housing crisis has always been one of my top priorities since becoming mayor. 'We've worked tirelessly over the last five years to get London building again, and the construction sector forms a key part of London's Covid recovery plan. 'However, both our recovery and efforts to deliver the genuinely affordable homes Londoners desperately need could now be put at risk if there isn't the skilled workforce available to build them. 'The Government must look beyond their current blinkered approach to immigration and recognise the impending crisis that is already enveloping one of our most vital industries. 'Training our own people to take on jobs in the construction sector is an admirable aim and one we're working hard to meet, but in the meantime we need skilled tradespeople on site now to manage the short-term crisis and build a strong recovery.' A Home Office spokesperson said: 'A broad range of occupations that support the construction industry are eligible under the skill worker visa including Bricklayers, Masons, Carpenters and Joiner. A job doesn't need to be on the Shortage Occupation List to be sponsored for a Skilled Worker visa. 'Employers should invest in our domestic workforce instead of relying on labour from abroad. We've implemented an unprecedented package of measures to support businesses during the pandemic and our Plan for Jobs is helping people across the country retrain, build new skills and get back into work.' ROK should not be swayed by Sino-US conflicts By Yang Moo-jin The Olympics are a venue for the harmony of mankind. In December of last year, the U.N. General Assembly adopted the Olympic Truce Resolution with the aim of temporarily halting conflicts during the Beijing Winter Olympics. The official title of the resolution is "Building a peaceful and better world through sport and the Olympic ideal." In keeping with the ancient Greek tradition of suspending hostilities, the United Nations has had the practice of adopting the Olympic Truce Resolution since 1993. We have the experience of creating a spring of peace on the Korean Peninsula with the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics as an opportunity. Kim Yo-jong, vice department director of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party, attended the opening ceremony of the PyeongChang Winter Olympics and visited Cheong Wa Dae as a special envoy to deliver a letter from Chairman Kim Jong-un to President Moon Jae-in. The momentum created in PyeongChang led to the inter-Korean summit and the U.S.-North Korea summit, dramatically demonstrating that the Olympics can contribute to peace. When President Moon Jae-in proposed a declaration to bring a formal end to the Korean War in September last year, there were expectations that the Beijing Winter Olympics could be a good opportunity to resume the peace process for the Korean Peninsula, including the end-of-war declaration. However, an atmosphere of peace and harmony is hardly being formed even at this point, about a month ahead of the Beijing Winter Olympics. The long-term pandemic of COVID-19 and diplomatic boycott by the U.S. due to the U.S.-China conflict are having a significant impact. The Moon Jae-in administration is not giving up hope and it is committed to making every effort to use the Beijing Winter Olympics as an opportunity to advance peace on the Korean Peninsula. However, recently, former high-ranking U.S. officials and military commanders who worked in South Korea have been pouring out remarks that go against the expectations of the South Korean government and aggravate regional conflicts, undermining the purpose of the Olympic Truce Resolution adopted by the U.N. General Assembly. Former U.S. Forces Korea Commander General Robert Abrams and former U.S. Ambassador to South Korea Harry Harris expressed strong doubts about the South Korean government's intention to declare an end to the war. The end-of-war declaration is an agenda that has been discussed to a considerable extent between the U.S. and North Korea even during the Trump administration, and it is known that coordination between the South Korean and U.S. governments is almost complete. The remarks of the former ambassador to South Korea and the military commander, who should be a symbol of ROK-U.S. cooperation and friendship that disparage the Moon Jae-in administration's last effort to end the abnormal and unstable armistice that has lasted for 69 years are of no help to the ROK-U.S. relationship. Also, General Abrams and former U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs David Stilwell said that the new ROK-U.S. combined operational planning should include countermeasures against China, as well as North Korea. The operational planning of ROK-U.S. alliance is basically designed to contain North Korea's threat more effectively and counter it, if necessary. Including countermeasures against China in operational planning virtually means that the U.S. and South Korea see China as their enemy and therefore must counter militarily to its threat. This asks South Korea to thrust itself to the forefront of strategic competition between the U.S. and China, which is a dangerous position that is only in the strategic interests of the U.S. while turning away from South Korea's traditional position. South Korean Defense Ministry spokesperson immediately responded with displeasure to Abrams' remarks, noting that he did not know why Abrams said that. China supports South Korea's push for an end-of-war declaration and is of the view that the declaration contributes to promoting peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula. Furthermore, China emphasizes a political solution to the Korean Peninsula issues through dialogue. However, China must look at whether its neighbors see its actual behaviors as a threat. China carried out excessive retaliation against South Korea in response to deployment of Washington's THAAD anti-missile defense system, and Chinese military planes frequently fly into South Korea's air defense identification zone. The ROK government said a diplomatic boycott of the Beijing Winter Olympics was not under discussion, ignoring the pressure to join the diplomatic boycott spearheaded by the U.S. As a host country of the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics, South Korea takes a view that it has a moral duty to help the Beijing Winter Olympics become peaceful. It was, in the end, the proper response that the Korean government was not swayed by the U.S.-China conflict and stood firmly by a consistent principle to work toward bringing about peace on the Korean Peninsula and Northeast Asia by utilizing the upcoming Olympics. Despite its decision not to send athletes, North Korea should join South Korea's diplomatic efforts. Intensification of the U.S.-China strategic competition will become the challenge in handling a peace process on the Korean Peninsula for many years to come. South Korea should hold fast to its balanced and practical position to not be involved in the U.S.-China conflict, while seeking an active role to help denuclearization and create peace on the Korean Peninsula, which should also be included in the U.S.-China cooperation area. The Beijing Winter Olympics is also the end of the Olympic relay in Northeast Asia from 2018 PyeongChang and 2020 Tokyo to 2022 Beijing. There is a prediction that it's going to be hard to improve inter-Korea relations during the Beijing Winter Olympics, and the U.S.-China conflict has added uncertainties to the situation on the Korean Peninsula. We must all try to prepare to improve inter-Korea relations again through the Beijing Winter Olympics, encouraging Northeast Asia to move forward toward the path of peace and prosperity. Yang Moo-jin (yangmj@kyungnam.ac.kr) is a professor at the University of North Korean Studies and vice chairman of the Korean Association of North Korean Studies. He is also a standing committee member of the National Unification Advisory Council and policy consultant at the Ministry of Unification. Seeking justice in today's China continues to be hopeless By Kim Sang-woo Republican Senator Lindsey Graham suggested he would oppose Majority Leader Mitch McConnell's virtually unchallenged hold on Senate GOP leadership if he can't have a 'working relationship' with Donald Trump on Wednesday night. 'I'm not going to vote for anybody for leader of the Senate as a Republican unless they can prove to me that they can advocate an American (sic) First agenda and have a working relationship with President Trump,' the South Carolina lawmaker told Fox News. He followed the staggering admission by predicting a Trump victory in the next White House race. 'It's his nomination if he wants it, and I think he'll get reelected in 2024' Graham said of the GOP presidential ticket. One of Trump's most vocal allies in Congress, Graham was asked by host Sean Hannity about the prospect of McConnell securing another term as Senate GOP Leader. 'Well, elections are about the future. If you want to be a Republican leader in the House or the Senate, you have to have a working relationship with President Donald Trump,' Graham said. He called Trump 'the most consequential Republican since Ronald Reagan.' Graham's stunning suggestion that he wouldn't back McConnell was followed by the South Carolina lawmaker calling Trump the most consequential Republican since Ronald Reagan' The South Carolina Republican explained that he 'likes' McConnell and credited him for helping pass key Trump administration agenda items like tax cuts and putting three new Supreme Court justices on the bench. 'Here's the question: Can Senator McConnell effectively work with the leader of the Republican Party, Donald Trump?' Graham posed. 'I'm not going to vote for anybody that can't have a working relationship with President Trump: To be a team, to come up with an America First agenda, to show the difference between us and liberal Democrats, prosecute the case for Trump policies.' Trump has reportedly been trying to find someone to challenge McConnell's iron grip on the Senate GOP leadership He added: 'If you can't do that, you will fail.' DailyMail.com has reached out to McConnell's office for comment. Despite working efficiently together when Trump was in the White House, his relationship with McConnell soured after the deadly January 6 Capitol riot last year. It frayed even further as the Biden administration went on and McConnell worked with Democrats to raise the US debt limit and pass a landmark $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill. Trump frequently lashes out at the longtime Kentucky senator, who unlike some other members of his caucus has not shied away from taking the ex-president head on. One of hist most oft-invoked insults is calling McConnell a 'broken old crow.' In mid-November when the infrastructure bill was passed, Trump put out a statement mocking McConnell by suggesting he go watch President Joe Biden sign the bill in-person. 'Based on the fact that the Old Crow convinced many Republican Senators to vote for the Bill, greatly jeopardizing their chance of winning re-election, and that he led the way, he should go to the signing and put up with the scorn from Great Republican Patriots that are already lambasting him,' Trump said on November 13. Former President Donald Trump, Senator Lindsey Graham, and House GOP Leader Kevin McCarthy walk to greet supporters after arriving on Air Force One at LAX Airport on February 18, 2020. Graham has remained one of Trump's staunched allies in Congress even after the ex-president left office McConnell has stood by for his support of Biden's bill, however, declaring he was 'proud' to stand with 18 other GOP senators on it and stating the package would be 'extremely good' for Kentucky. This week Trump called McConnell a 'loser' for agreeing with South Dakota GOP Senator Mike Rounds that the 2020 election was fair, comments that earned the lawmaker his own public spat with the ex-president. In an interview with Fox last month, Tump declared: 'Mitch McConnells a disaster. The Republicans have to get a new leader.' And in September, the Wall Street Journal had reported that Trump was making calls to allies in the Senate and other supporters to gauge if they too felt it was time for a leadership change. But even Alabama Senator Tommy Tuberville, who Trump helped win his seat, reportedly said McConnell is doing a 'good job.' The increase in cases comes after the agency warned against cruise ship travel on December 30 and two years after the pandemic shut down the industry Ships operating in US waters reported approximately 5,000 cases to the CDC from December 15 through December 29, Walensky, 52, revealed Speaking to the US Senate Tuesday, the CDC head said that the increase can be attributed to the highly contagious - and more mild - Omicron variant Ships have seen a 30-fold increase in cases over the past two weeks, Rochelle Walensky has announced, with nearly 100 vessels currently under investigation Cruise ships have seen a 30-fold increase in COVID cases over the past two weeks, CDC Director Rochelle Walensky announced, with nearly 100 vessels carrying passengers in US waters currently under investigation. Speaking at a Senate hearing Tuesday, the CDC head said that the increase can be attributed to the highly contagious - and more mild - Omicron variant. 'Just over the last two weeks with Omicron, we've seen a 30-fold increase in cases on ships,' Walensky, 52, said during the four-hour meeting, where the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor & Pensions addressed the surging cases. The agency has since not offered an updated count of cases on cruise ships. The marked increase in infections comes after the agency warned against cruise ship travel on December 30 regardless of passengers' vaccination status, and nearly two years after the pandemic shut down the industry. Cruise ships have seen a 30-fold increase in COVID cases over the past two weeks, CDC Director Rochelle Walensky has announced, with nearly 100 vessels carrying passengers in US waters currently under investigation In the first two weeks of December, 162 cases aboard cruise-liners were reported to the agency. However, as cases surged in the second half of the month due to holiday travel and the new variant, cruise lines reported a staggering increase in outbreaks. According to Walensky, who addressed the spread along with the White House's Dr. Anthony Fauci, ships operating in US waters reported approximately 5,000 cases to the CDC from December 15 through December 29 - a 3,000 percent increase. As a result, thousands of passengers found themselves stranded at sea on ships forbidden to dock at foreign ports due to the positive cases, or embroiled in lengthy, onboard quarantines of up to two weeks before being allowed to return home. Meanwhile, dozens of routes have been canceled, with some ports in the Caribbean and South America turning away ships. 'It wasn't the cruise we signed up for,' Palo Alto retiree Janet Silver Ghent told The Guardian on Wednesday, after being stuck aboard a South America cruise for eight days when ports in Chile and Argentina refused to let passengers disembark because of positive tests. The influx in cases threatens to put a damper on the cruise industry's long-planned comeback, which started six months ago when companies resumed operations after closing their doors for more than a year due to the pandemic. The situation this time around, while concerning, seems much less dire, as there have been no reports of infected passengers or crew members suffering from serious illness or death in the recent surge, a likely result of the more mild nature of the heavily mutated Omicron variant. Due to the influx of cases, thousands of passengers found themselves stranded at sea on ships forbidden to dock at foreign ports due to the positive cases, or embroiled in lengthy, onboard quarantines of up to two weeks before being allowed to return home Cruise liners sit anchored off the Port of Miami on January 7 after their voyages were canceled Carnival's Queen Mary cruise ship sits docked at at Brooklyn Cruise Terminal on December 20. Just over a wek later, the CDC would warn vacationers to not embark on cruise trips What's more, the majority of cruise lines now require passengers to be fully vaccinated and tested for COVID before embarking, likely limiting the intensity of any outbreaks. 'Our case count has spiked, but the level of severity is significantly milder,' said Calvin Johnson, the chief medical officer of the world's second largest cruise-liner, Royal Caribbean, in a statement last month. At the time, the company reported that after cruising restarted in the US in June of last year, only 1,745 of its 1.1 million customers tested positive for COVID - a rate of 0.162 percent. Of those passengers, Johnson said, only 41 needed hospitalization. However, the sudden rash of positive cases is still causing problems for cruise operators and passengers. According to Florida maritime attorney James Walker, thousands of cruise ship crew members are currently infected with the virus, with many quarantining out at sea on a fleet of ships that are now out of service due to COVID cases. 'Given the number of crew members who are ill, there are significant staffing problems,' Walker told The Guardian Tuesday. 'For the people who pay to go on a cruise, the service isn't there.' Passengers stand stuck quarantining in their cabins on the the Royal Caribbean vessel ordered to stay docked in Hong Kong on January 5 after the cases were detected However, despite these staffing issues and the CDC's stern warning last month, statistics offered by one of the biggest cruise ports in the world seem to suggest that the industry is bouncing back six months after restarting operations. 'We're seeing a million dollar increase month over month for the first three months of the year,' Port Canaveral CFO Bill Poole announced during aport commission meeting on Wednesday, citing soaring revenue numbers seen by the popular Florida cruise destination, which had seen its numbers wane during the pandemic. The exec revealed that revenues driven by cruises at the port during the month of December topped more than $9.5 million to push its total haul for the first three months the new fiscal year to more than $25.5 million, with cruise and parking revenue from October-December in particular nearing $19 million. Spurred by a busy holiday season, the port has been swamped in recent weeks, its CEO added, hosting multiple ships daily at each of the port's six terminals, with two more slated in January. 'It's coming back. It's coming back strongly,' said Port CEO Capt. John Murray. Poole added that since the industry's restart, passenger counts have steadily grown each month, from 94,000 in August up to more than 283,000 in December. 'Since the resumption of cruises, we've had almost a million passengers that have come through our terminals.' Poole said. Murray, meanwhile, agreed with his colleague. 'Through the holidays, we were very strong,' Murray said. 'The average for all of the brands together through the holidays was about 70 percent.' As of January, however, the port's budget model counts on 75 percent capacity to be profitable, meaning revenue could take a hit if there are fewer passengers in the coming months. 'Bookings are normally down this time of year,' Murray said. 'Now we've got omicron on top, so they've had some cancellations. It's hard to tell what's normal seasonal downtrend vs. what is COVID-related, but all of the lines are continuing to operate except the NCL standing down for two weeks.' With that said, despite the surge of cases seen last month and the CDC's subsequent warning, many holiday passengers already aboard ships for planned vacations when confronted with omicron and forced to quarantine for weeks on these cruises have opted to try and make the best of a precarious situation. Utah resident Brett Williams, for instance, was forced to extend his initially 11-day cruise getaway by 12 days, when he and more than 50 other passengers and 48 crew members tested positive for COVID. Forced off the small 342-passenger sailing ship to quarantine at a hotel in Barbados, he and his wife, who also tested positive, were told they couldnt fly home until they each received a negative test result. The pair, however, made the best of unexpected stay, eating complimentary room service meals and taking pictures of beautiful Barbados sunsets. High street retailer Next is cutting sick pay for unvaccinated staff who are self-isolating due to Covid exposure. The company, which employs around 44,000 people, said all employees who test positive for Covid-19 - regardless of whether they are vaccinated - will be paid in full. However, unvaccinated staff who are required to isolate because they have been identified as a close contact of someone with the virus will only receive statutory sick pay unless there are mitigating circumstances. The policy, which was first reported by the BBC, comes after employees witnessed a jump in absences in recent weeks due to the rapid spread of the Omicron strain of the virus. It comes after a number of other firms, including Morrisons and Ikea, introduced similar policies for unvaccinated workers. In September Morrisons announced plans to cut sick pay for unvaccinated employees - in an effort to convince more people to get the jab. Next has cut sick pay for unvaccinated staff forced to self-isolate (Yui Mok/PA) Ikea slashed sick pay entitlement for some unvaccinated staff forced to self-isolate after Covid close contact Chief executive of the Bradford-based group, David Potts, said pay changes were part of a strategy to mitigate cost rises from shortages of HGV drivers, supply chain disruption, and growing wholesale prices. YOUR RIGHTS: STATUTORY SICK PAY Employees can get 96.35 per week Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) if they are too ill to work. This is the minimum, but some employers choose to offer more than this amount. To qualify for SSP, workers must be classed as an employee and have done 'some work' for their employer; earn an average of at least 120 per week; and have been ill or self-isolating for at least four days in a row, including non-working days. Agency workers are entitled to Statutory Sick Pay. SSP could be lost if workers do not tell their employers that they are unable to work before the deadline they set - or within seven days if they have not set one. The maximum allowance for SSP is 28 weeks, and those who are getting Statutory Maternity Pay do not qualify. The legal position of employers treating vaccinated and unvaccinated staff differently is untested. Richard Fox, of law firm Kingsley Napley, said: 'With the Government telling everybody to get the vaccine and care workers forced to get it, it could be difficult for an employee to mount a claim.' Advertisement Retail giant Ikea said its policy had to change along with the circumstances as it cut sick pay for unvaccinated staff who had to self-isolate due to being exposed to Covid. Self-isolation guidance for the vaccinated was relaxed last month, but there was no change to guidance for unjabbed people who come into contact with positive cases. The move means unvaccinated workers, who are required by the Government to isolate for 10 days after close contact, could receive as little as 96.35 a week under Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) obligations, a legal minimum. That compares with the average pay for Ikea shopfloor staff of 10.10 an hour outside London and 11.30 in the capital the equivalent of 404 and 452 for an average working week. Ikea, which has 21 large stores and more than 10,000 staff in the UK, said 'mitigating circumstances' would be taken into consideration. 'We appreciate that this is an emotive topic and all circumstances will be considered on a case by case basis, therefore anyone in doubt or concerned about their situation is encouraged to speak to their manager,' said a spokeswoman. Ikea later clarified that the policy only affects unvaccinated workers with 'high levels of absence'. The retailer is among a string of companies such as Santander and Asda which encouraged employees to receive a coronavirus jab, offering paid time off for vaccinations. Next currently pays store sales staff and stock assistants between 6.55 and 9.21 an hour and warehouse operatives between 9.30 and 11.26 an hour. However, unvaccinated staff who have not tested positive but are self-isolating could receive as little at 96.35 per week, the national minimum for statutory sick pay. Last month, self-isolation regulations were changed for vaccinated people, meaning they do not need to isolate even if they are in close contact with someone who has tested positive but are expected to take daily lateral flow tests. However, the rules still require unvaccinated close contacts of people with the virus to self-isolate for 10 full days after their date of exposure. It comes a week after the retailer reported strong Christmas trading on the back of soaring demand for partywear. However, the company also said that deliveries were hit before Christmas due to staff shortfalls in warehousing and distribution networks. That Australian road trip you've been dreaming of for the past two years is about to become possible again, at least along the east coast. The hermit state of Western Australia is, as it has been throughout the pandemic, a no go zone, after Mark McGowan labelled every other area of the country 'extreme risk'. But to the joy and relief of tourism operators and those with very itchy feet after lockdowns, Queensland is removing the last bits of its hard border regime on Saturday. This will make Australia's east coast entirely free of Covid-19 travel restrictions - meaning an uninterrupted trip from Melbourne to Townsville as of Saturday. Three women pose in front of the Sydney Opera House. NSW is fully open for domestic travel Queensland's $27.3billion tourism, which has been slammed by Covid restrictions in the state, welcomed the move and hoped that visitors will soon return. On Thursday, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the change will relieve the burden on police who had enforced the state's strict border regime for months on end. 'Now is the time for the barricades to come down and for the police to come home and the police to continue about their normal operational duties on the frontline as they are needed throughout the state as we face this Omicron wave,' she said. 'This is the time, and the time is now right as we head towards hitting that 90 per cent (of people double vaccinated) next week. We need to take this step.' Queensland Tourism Industry Council chief executive Daniel Gschwind said the decision was a 'strong signal of hope' to the industry. 'Importantly, it signals a change in the mood of the nation and the mood of us individually,' Mr Gschwind told The Australian. 'There is indeed a future and we don't have to remain in this disaster mode forever.' He said there is still a long way to go to fully recover, though. 'Our tourism industry finds itself in a really difficult time because of the staff shortages and ongoing uncertainty and lack of consumer confidence in travelling. People relax on the beach at Burleigh Heads in Gold Coast, Queensland, which is reopening its borders DOMESTIC ENTRY RULES TO STATES AND TERRITORIES QUEENSLAND - All restrictions removed from Saturday January 15 NEW SOUTH WALES - No restrictions on domestic travellers VICTORIA - No restrictions on domestic travellers TASMANIA - A border pass is required, for which you need to be fully vaccinated or have an exemption. Those from high-risk areas, currently deemed to be the rest of Australia, must return a negative result from a COVID-19 rapid antigen test taken in the 24 hours prior to departure, or a PCR test 72 hours prior to departure SOUTH AUSTRALIA - No restrictions on domestic travellers ACT - No restrictions on domestic travellers NORTHERN TERRITORY - Double vaccinated visitors with a negative RAT can enter the NT without having to quarantine. They must take further RATs on days three and six WESTERN AUSTRALIA - Closed to all other states and territories except in very limited circumstances. An exemption for travel could be granted under 'specialist or extraordinary circumstances' if approved by the state's police commissioner or chief health officer Note: Rules differ state-by-state for those not fully-vaccinated against Covid Source: Australian state and territory governments and the federal government Advertisement 'At the moment, it is very, very challenging,' he said. The reopening of Queensland leaves Western Australia, Tasmania and the Northern Territory as the only states and territories requiring negative Covid-19 tests for interstate arrivals. But Western Australia has banned residents of all other states and territories from visiting, even to visit dying family members. This week, Premier Mark McGowan raised the Northern Territory to 'extreme risk', the highest level of Covid warning that bans all arrivals even for compassionate reasons. 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. People walk along Princes Bridge in Melbourne. Victoria was hard hit by Covid, but is now open to domestic travellers In Tasmania, a border pass is required for domestic travel, for which you need to be fully vaccinated or have an exemption. Flight Centre managing director James Kavanagh welcomed Queensland's decision to reopen, saying it would give travellers peace of mind. 'In the lead-up to Christmas, policies were changing almost daily with new information coming out, and it's going to change even more rapidly over the next month or two,' he said. 'It just gives a lot more confidence to businesses to be able to get ready for the year ahead.' A young couple are seen in the water at Cottesloe Beach in Perth. Western Australia is closed to visitors from the rest of the country except in very limited circumstances 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) Gold Coast City mayor Tom Tate said removal of the border barricade should have come sooner. 'The border should have been opened late last year,' he said. 'It's time that the message is: if you are not vaccinated by now, you made a choice and you are nine times more likely to get sick. 'For the rest of the population which has done the right thing, the message should be: get on with your lives and learn to live with Covid.' A row has erupted after a leading group of girls' schools said they would no longer accept transgender pupils due to fears it would harm their status as single-sex institutions. The Girls' Day School Trust (GDST), a group of 23 private schools and two academies, said it was 'committed to single-sex education for girls' and accepting transgender pupils could 'jeopardise' its single-sex status. Bosses said admissions will be based on the legal sex recorded on a student's birth certificate rather than gender identity and the trust would not accept applicants who were legally born male but identify as trans. But the trust did say it would 'carefully consider' applications from legally born females who identify as trans or non-binary on a 'case-by-case basis'. The Girls' Day School Trust (GDST), a group of 23 private schools and two academies, said it was 'committed to single-sex education for girls' and accepting transgender pupils could 'jeopardise' its single-sex status. Pictured is Nottingham Girls' High School, which it runs The row began last month when trust bosses updated the gender identity policy to change admission rules. A petition started last week by someone calling themselves 'anonymous student' in a bid to get the trust to reverse the decision has now reached over 2,150. The authors wrote: 'Experts themselves have said the decision is 'unwise at best', and students have also expressed their unhappiness with the policy. 'Experts in the field have emphasised that transgender girls will not 'jeopardise' girls' schools, and that the GDST's decision should be reconsidered. 'Essentially, it boils down to this. Since transgender girls are girls, why can't they attend a girls' school?' In the UK, trans men and women can only correct their legal sex on their birth certificate over the age of 18, meaning children and teenagers that identify as trans would not be able to change their legal sex in an attempt to attend schools at the trust. Labour MP Nadia Whittome, who has one of the schools in her constituency, accused the trust of 'hiding behind' the Equality Act The trust's policy states: 'GDST 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. 'The GDST believes that an admissions policy based on gender identity rather than the legal sex recorded on a student's 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. We will, however, continue to monitor the legal interpretation of this exemption.' Labour MP Nadia Whittome, who has one of the schools in her constituency, accused the trust of 'hiding behind' the Equality Act The Nottingham East MP told ITV: 'The trust is hiding behind the Equality Act as a reason for this policy not to admit transgender girls. 'But the Equality Act itself is clear on this. 'There's a provision in it that allows single-sex schools to maintain their single-sex exemption while also admitting pupils of the opposite sex in exceptional circumstances.' But Cheryl Giovannoni, chief executive of GDST, said that the policy intends to 'offer a supportive educational environment to those students who are exploring their gender identity or in the process of transitioning' while adding that schools can operate on a single-sex policy. She added: 'Our trans students are welcome in our schools and our policy primarily sets out ways in which schools can support them. 'A trans student already at our school can remain at the school for as long as they wish to do so. 'Young people exploring their gender identity need space and time to make decisions, free of pressure.' A Texas woman was killed and several other people, including two children, were injured overnight when a sheriff's deputy chasing a robbery suspect at speeds reaching 90mph crashed into the woman's car. The fiery, multi-vehicle collision took place shortly before 11pm at the intersection of Laura Koppe Road and Lockwood Drive in Harris County. According to the authorities, the Harris County Sheriff's deputy, who has not been named, was on his way back to the office when he heard a call about a robbery at a gas station, reported KHOU11. The deputy was searching for the suspect when he heard a call about an armed robbery at a CVS. He then spotted a man in a mask exiting the pharmacy and getting into a vehicle that matched the description of the car in connection with the gas station robbery. Surveillance video caught the moment a Harris County deputy's vehicle burst into flames after striking another car carrying a woman and two children on Wednesday A wrecked Harris County Sheriff's vehicle sits at the scene of a deadly crash that killed a woman and injured two children Wednesday night The female victim was behind the wheel of this black car when the deputy, who was pursuing a robbery suspect at speeds reaching 90mph, smashed into her The deputy was said to have attempted to stop the suspect, but the man drove off. A chase ensued, with speeds reaching 90mph. According to the Houston Police Department, the deputy was driving eastbound on Laura Koppe with his lights and sirens on when he smashed into a black vehicle carrying a woman and two child passengers, ages 2 and 5. Authorities said the fiery crash, which was partially caught on surveillance video, killed the female driver and critically injured the older child in her car. The toddler was hospitalized in stable condition. The woman has not been identified as of Thursday. 'First and foremost, on behalf of the Harris County Sheriff's Office I want to extend our condolences to the family of the deceased female and we are also praying for the full recovery of the two children that have been injured in this crash,' Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said during a news conference overnight. That initial crash set off a chain reaction, injuring three occupants of five vehicles. Those victims were hospitalized with minor injuries. Good Samaritans who witnessed the incident came to the deputy's aid and pulled him out of his burning patrol vehicle. He was taken to a hospital in stable condition. The patrol vehicle cough fire and the deputy had to be rescued by Good Samaritans A 5-year-old child was hospitalized in critical condition, and a 2-year-old was stable. Pictured: a victim is being wheeled away from the scene One of the victims is seen being taken away from the scene of the crash to a hospital Five other vehicles were damages and three people suffered minor injuries One of the rescuers told ABC13: 'The police car was on fire so me and two more gentlemen climbed over the car, got him out, pulled him, took him inside the store, checked his pulse, made sure he was breathing. Got him to stay with me, I said, "Keep your eyes up. Stay with me. Help is on the way." And I'm just thankful that I was where I was with those two gentlemen with me because I couldn't have gotten him out by myself.' Meanwhile, the suspect in the robbery who sparked the deadly chase got away and is being sought by the police. It is hoped the exclusive centres will prevent drain of brightest students to other boroughs This makes the schools' selection more rigorous than Eton College's six A grades Two new inner London sixth forms are setting their entry bar higher than some of the UK's most elite private schools to stop a drain of talented students. City of London Academy Shoreditch Park in Hackney and City of London Academy Highgate Hill in Islington will open their exclusive sixth form centres later this year. But students hoping to attend must score the equivalent of eight A grades in their GSCE subjects to gain a place. This makes the schools' entry requirements more rigorous than Eton College, where prospective students only require six GCSEs with top marks. Eton, one of the world's best-known schools, has been attended by 20 UK prime ministers, including Boris Johnson and famous academics such as John Maynard Keynes and George Orwell. Two new inner London sixth forms are setting their entry bar higher than some of the UK's most elite private schools to stop a drain of talented students. Pictured: Students and teachers from Shoreditch Park in Hackney and Highgate Hill in Islington Students attending the new sixth form schools will receive specialist support including tutoring for the SATs and an aptitude test required by the American educational system. Pictured: CoL Academy Shoreditch Park The new centres are being run in partnership with Newham Collegiate Sixth Form Centre (NCS), Newham, where 95 percent of pupils go on to attend Russell Group Universities. Their Ivy League programme has also helped youngsters from one of the poorest areas in the country win places at top US universities including Harvard, Princeton and MIT. Students attending the new sixth form schools will receive specialist support including tutoring for the SATs and an aptitude test required by the American educational system. There will also be bespoke Oxbridge workshops, expert-run application sessions and interview preparation, as well as specific medicine and law programmes. Shoreditch Park headteacher Holly Arles said: 'Like many of the students we hope to inspire, I am from a working-class background and went on to attend a top university. Students hoping to attend the London sixth forms must score the equivalent of eight A grades in their GSCE subjects to gain a place. This makes the schools' entry requirements more rigorous than Eton College (pictured), where prospective students only require six GCSEs with top marks 'I therefore share this highly aspirational vision for our sixth form, where background is no barrier to success. With the right attitude and education, our students can fulfil their potential.' Like NCS, students will be expected to dress in business attire and will be given elocution, etiquette and cultural capital lessons. This will help them compete with their privately educated peers in interviews for university and jobs later in life. Each school has put forward three of their best students hoping to be the first to benefit from the elite programme. One of them, Phoebe Gaynor, 15, from Hackney, who is hoping to become a doctor said: 'The Ivy League part of it feels a bit like a dream. Shoreditch Park headteacher Holly Arles said: 'Like many of the students we hope to inspire, I am from a working-class background and went on to attend a top university. I therefore share this highly aspirational vision for our sixth form, where background is no barrier to success' 'It's what you see in films or on a television series on Netflix. It seems a long way from Hackney. 'Students at NCS did work experience at top research labs in Zurich and other places across Europe. 'It's these kinds of opportunities you don't get at other sixth forms in Hackney, or indeed anywhere, really.' Another, Alexandra Jenkins, 15, from Archway, who will attend Highgate Hill, said: 'If you want to change the world and change how people think about certain issues, you need to have the skills to make that happen. 'I want to be a clinical psychologist and change the way people think about mental health and young people. 'I want to change the world for the better. 'It's a long road but going to an Ivy League school will set me on the path to being one of the top academics in that field. 'It makes you think, if this is not out of reach, then maybe nothing is.' The exclusive sixth form centres could help prevent the brightest students from moving away in search of better schools. Highgate Hill Headteacher, Prince Gennuh, said: 'Our data shows that very talented and bright students are leaving our borough to access top quality sixth form provisions in neighbouring areas. Highgate Hill Headteacher, Prince Gennuh, said: 'Our data shows that very talented and bright students are leaving our borough to access top quality sixth form provisions in neighbouring areas. We want to keep that talent here in Islington' 'We want to keep that talent here in Islington. Even those who are leaving are not accessing the very top universities. 'We are asking, why is it that students from Newham can but not students from Islington?' The project is being overseen by Mouhssin Ismail, who is the headteacher at Newham Collegiate Sixth Form. So far, NCS have helped six students win places at Ivy League universities, including Harvard, Princeton and MIT. Mr Ismail said: 'At NCS, we were getting applications from all over the country, as far away as Liverpool. 'Newham will always be special to me because it's my hometown but my mission is to raise the life chances and opportunities of students everywhere. 'The chance to transplant the huge success we have had at NCS to other areas, such as Hackney and Islington, which share some of the social issues that Newham has, is a wonderful opportunity. 'We want to continue to raise the bar of what can be achieved by young people, whatever their background.' The United States Army reprimanded six active-duty commanders for refusing to comply with Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin's COVID-19 vaccine mandate for all military ranks. The punishments come as the Army has increased its bonus to join the force to $50,000 because the virus has made it more difficult to recruit in schools and at public events, and the competition for quality workers has intensified as young people weigh their options. The Army did not specify the rank of the punished officers, though two battalion commanders were among those who were relieved of those duties. In addition, 2,994 soldiers received written reprimands for refusing the vaccine out of the 3,611 troops who have yet to get the jab. The Army has yet to initiate separations for soldiers refusing the vaccine as it expects further guidance this month. Over 96 percent of of the roughly 481,000 active-duty soldiers in the largest military branch have been fully vaccinated and more than 97 percent are partially vaccinated. The Army Reserves remain at about 73 percent fully vaccinated. There are about 57,000 officers serving at the level of captain or above in the US Army, meaning around 0.01 percent of commanding officers were punished for not getting the jab. The Army has reprimanded 2,994 soldiers for refusing the vaccine to date out of 3,611 refusals Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin has mandated the vaccinations but left it up to each military branch to set a deadline The military remains well ahead of the general population in terms of vaccinations. As of January, boosters are not required to be considered 'fully vaccinated' in order to comply with the COVID-19 rule, though the Pentagon is said to be considering a booster mandate. Austin's mandate left the deadline for full vaccination up to each branch of the military. The Army chose December 15. The Army has yet to grant any of the 2,128 religious exemption it received, rejected 162 so far. It has granted five permanent medical exemptions for vaccination out of 653 requests to date. The other main branches of the military - the Navy, Air Force and Marines - have also not granted any requests for religious exemptions. The Navy currently has 5,209 active-duty soldiers unvaccinated, as they have begun separation of soldiers for refusals. The Army National Guard remains the only branch of the Army that still has time to take the shot, with a June 30 deadline. This comes as the Army, for the first time, is offering a maximum enlistment bonus of $50,000 to highly skilled recruits who join for six years, as the service struggles to lure soldiers into certain critical jobs during the continuing pandemic. Maj. Gen. Kevin Vereen, head of Army Recruiting Command, told AP that shuttered schools and the competitive job market over the past year have posed significant challenges for recruiters. So heading into the most difficult months of the year for recruiting, the Army is hoping that some extra cash and a few other changes will entice qualified young people to sign up. 'We are still living the implications of 2020 and the onset of COVID, when the school systems basically shut down,' said Vereen. 'We lost a full class of young men and women that we didn't have contact with, face-to-face.' The annual recruiting goal fluctuates as currently serving soldiers decide whether to reenlist or leave. In the last two years, as the pandemic raged, many decided to stay in, lessening the pressure on recruiting to help keep the Army at its full strength of 485,000. Last year's recruiting goal was 57,500, and Vereen said it will be about the same this year. To entice recruits, those who sign up for a six-year enlistment in one of several high-demand career fields can get bonuses that total as much as $50,000. Given the high standards, it will be difficult for many to qualify for the top bonus. The final figure depends on when they agree to ship out for training, if they already have critical skills and if they choose airborne or ranger posts. Certain careers such as missile defense crew, special forces, signals intelligence and fire control specialists who coordinate battlefield weapons operations can often come with the maximum bonuses. But other key jobs include infantry, intelligence analyst, combat medic specialist, military police, combat engineer and several others. And those may change every month, based on available spots in the training pipeline and other service needs. Until now, the Army has offered a maximum bonus of $40,000. Advertisement 'Clearly unacceptable behaviour': MI5's unprecedented email to MPs The security services issued a rare warning to MPs and peers amid fears an agent of the Chinese government has been active in Parliament. On Thursday a Security Service Interference Alert was issued by MI5 containing allegations about Christine Ching Kui Lee after concerns were raised that she was not being open about her connections to the Chinese state and may have ulterior motives for her involvement with parliamentarians. While it is not the first time such an alert has been issued, official warnings of this nature are relatively rare. The letter from the Speaker accompanying the alert said: 'I am writing now to draw your attention to the attached Interference Alert issued by the Security Service, MI5, about the activities of an individual, Christine Lee, who has been engaged in political interference activities on behalf of the Chinese Communist Party, engaging with Members here at Parliament and associated political entities, including the former APPG: Chinese in Britain. 'I should highlight the fact that Lee has facilitated financial donations to serving and aspiring Parliamentarians on behalf of foreign nationals based in Hong Kong and China. 'This facilitation was done covertly to mask the origins of the payments. 'This is clearly unacceptable behaviour and steps are being taken to ensure it ceases.' In the covering letter, Sir Lindsay said the MPs she contacted included members of the now disbanded Chinese in Britain All Party Parliamentary Group. Chaired by Mr Gardiner, other members included Labour's Keith Vaz, Stephen Pound, Faisal Rashid and Gareth Thomas, along with Tory David Morris. Advertisement Parliament was hit by a major security alert today as spooks warned MPs that a Labour donor with links to a former minister was a Chinese spy. Christine Lee, 58, has been monitored by the security services for some time, parliamentarians were told in a bombshell email this afternoon. She has not been arrested and is not being expelled as it stands, but a warning memo was sent to all MPs and peers in Westminster today by the Speaker's Parliamentary security team. An attached alert said the a twice-married mother of two who lives in the affluent Birmingham suburb of Coleshill, was 'knowingly engaged in political interference activities on behalf of the United Front Work Department of the Chinese Communist Party'. No politicians are suspected of any criminality. Ms Lee, is a former chief legal adviser to the Chinese embassy in London and a legal adviser to the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office. She is also the secretary of the Inter-Party China Group at Westminster. She has donated more than 500,000 to Jeremy Corbyn ally Barry Gardiner, including around 200,000 used to pay staff ages. Her son, Daniel Wilkes, worked in his office and Mr Gardiner confirmed he had resigned today, meaning he has had privileged access to the Parliamentary estate with a staff pass. There is no suggestion he was involved in his mother's activities. Mr Gardiner has been supportive of China's attempts to get more involved in Britain's nuclear industry, including the Hinkley Point power plant. She is also reported to have donated hundreds of thousands of pounds more to other parts of the Labour Party. Questions were first asked about her funding five years ago but no action was taken. As well as embarrassment for Labour Ms Lee's firm also donated 5,000 to the Liberal Democrats in 2005 and another 5,000 to now party leader Ed Davey in 2013, when he was energy minister in the coalition government. She also has links to the Conservatives. She appears to have also developed a good relationship with David Cameron while he was prime minister. And in January 2019, she received a Points of Light Award from then premier Theresa May, in recognition of her contribution to good relations with China via the British Chinese Project. Conservative former leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith told MPs this afternoon that he understood MI5 had contacted Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle about the matter. He said: 'They key issue here is I understand that Mr Speaker has been contacted by MI5 and is now warning members of Parliament that there has been an agent of the Chinese government active here in Parliament working with a Member of Parliament, obviously to subvert the processes here. 'I say, as a Member of Parliament who has been sanctioned by the Chinese government, that this is a matter of grave concern.' In a statement today Mr Gardiner said he had been in contact with MI5 'for a number of years about Christine Lee and they have always known, and been made fully aware by me, of her engagement with my office and the donations she made to fund researchers in my office in the past.' Home Secretary Priti Patel said it was 'deeply concerning' that an individual 'who has knowingly engaged in political interference activities on behalf of the Chinese Communist Party has targeted parliamentarians' but the UK has measures in place 'to identify foreign interference'. Parliamentarians were told Christine Lee has been monitored by the security services for some time but has not been arrested and is not being expelled as it stands. A warning memo was sent to all MPs and Peers in Westminster today by the Speaker's Parliamentary security team, and no politicians are suspected of any criminality. Ms Lee, a London-based solicitor and a former chief legal adviser to the Chinese embassy in London, speaking to former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn in 2016. She is also the secretary of the Inter-Party China Group at Westminster. A warning memo was sent to all MPs and peers in Westminster today by the Speaker's Parliamentary security team, with an attached alert saying Ms Lee, pictured here with former London mayor Ken Livingstone (second left) in 2012, was 'knowingly engaged in political interference activities on behalf of the United Front Work Department of the Chinese Communist Party' A photo of Ms Lee in front of 10 Downing Street in 2019 shows the iconic door draped with red banners displaying New Year couplets in Chinese characters and announcing the 'Golden Era' of Sino-British relations. She is accompanied by Alex Yip, a Tory councillor in Birmingham and vice-chairman of the British Chinese Project She is a west London solicitor who has donated hundreds of thousands of pounds to former Labour minister Barry Gardiner (right, pictured in 2013). Christine Lee: How 'lawyer's' involvement in British politics date back to prime ministership of Tony Blair Christine Lee is a solicitor whose firm has offices in Beijing, Hong Kong and Guangzhou, as well as London. Her links to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) go deep. She has been chief legal adviser to the Chinese embassy in London and a legal adviser to the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office, an agency of the Communist Party's vast network of influence overseen by its United Front Work Department. These positions are unmistakable signs of her importance to the Party. Yet she is also the secretary of the Inter-Party China Group of the British parliament. In 2006 she founded the British Chinese Project, whose stated aim is to 'empower the UK Chinese community, making them aware of their democratic rights and responsibilities, whilst ensuring the needs and interests of the community are heard at a political level'. It sounds a very worthy multicultural enterprise But its Chinese name has different echoes. It translates as 'British Chinese Participation in Politics', linking it to the huaren canzheng infiltration policy of the CCP to maximise political influence in democracies by promoting trusted people of Chinese heritage. Lee's involvement in British politics began during the prime ministership of Tony Blair, when she formed an alliance with Labour MP and minister Barry Gardiner, more recently Labour's shadow international trade secretary. Her law firm donated more than 200,000 to the MP and his constituency party. In 2007, while a Blair government minister, Gardiner became the chair of her British Chinese Project and the two of them embarked on a programme of making friends in Westminster, boosted by Gardiner's formation in 2011 of 'an all-party group to represent Chinese citizens in Britain'. One of Lee's children, Michael Wilkes, became its vice chairman while another son, Daniel, worked in Gardiner's parliamentary office, with his salary paid by his mother's firm. The firm defended these political links when approached in 2020, saying: 'Christine Lee & Co is proud of its record of public service and the support it has provided to the democratic process. We have never sought to influence any politician improperly or to seek any favours in return for the support that we have provided.' Gardiner said her son had volunteered in his office before securing employment through an open appointment process and that he had never been 'improperly requested by, or influenced by' the firm in his political work. Advertisement He added: 'Christine Lee's son volunteered in my office many years ago and was subsequently employed by me as a diary manager. 'He resigned from my employment earlier today. The Security Services have advised me that they have no intelligence that shows he was aware of, or complicit in, his mother's illegal activity. 'I will continue to work closely with our security services in this and all other matters that relate to the security of our country.' Her Birmingham-based law firm donated more than 200,000 to the MP and his constituency party. In 2007, while a Blair government minister, Gardiner became the chair of her British Chinese Project. A photo of Ms Lee in front of 10 Downing Street shows the iconic door draped with red banners displaying New Year couplets in Chinese characters and announcing the 'Golden Era' of Sino-British relations. A Daily Mail investigation in 2020 revealed Mr Gardiner benefited from more than 500,000 support from Ms Lee's firm. According to the Commons Register of Interests, since 2015 Mr Gardiner has received 542,000 in staff costs from Christine Lee & Co. Today's email from the Speaker to MPs said: 'I am writing now to draw your attention to the attached Interference Alert issued by the Security Service, MI5, about the activities of an individual, Christine Lee, who has been engaged in political interference activities on behalf of the Chinese Communist Party, engaging with Members here at Parliament and associated political entities, including the former APPG: Chinese in Britain. 'I should highlight the fact that Lee has facilitated financial donations to serving and aspiring Parliamentarians on behalf of foreign nationals based in Hong Kong and China. This facilitation was done covertly to mask the origins of the payments. This is clearly unacceptable behaviour and steps are being taken to ensure it ceases.' Conservative former defence minister Tobias Ellwood also told the chamber: 'This is the sort grey-zone interference we now anticipate and expect from China. 'But the fact that it's happened to this Parliament, there must be a sense of urgency from this Government.' He also asked for a Government statement to be made on Thursday to enable MPs to understand the impact of the actions and the intended response. In 2019 Ms Lee was awarded a Ray Of Light Award by Ms May for her work with the British Chinese Project. In a personal message, Ms May said: 'You should feel very proud of the difference that 'The British Chinese Project' is making in promoting engagement, understanding, and cooperation between the Chinese and British communities in the UK. 'I also wish you well with your work to further the inclusion and participation of British-Chinese people in the UK political system.' This afternoon Tory MP Bob Seely, who is a member of the Commons Foreign Affairs Committee, expressed concern that a Chinese agent appeared to have been operating in Parliament. 'It's clearly serious that there appear to be actual agents of a foreign, adversarial power in Parliament. I congratulate MI5 on their work,' he told the PA news agency. 'However, I do fear that we have been complacent about the threat posed by the Chinese Communist regime, in much the same way that we were and in some respects still are complacent about Russian influence peddling in the UK. 'We should remember that co-opting, subverting and corrupting in today's world is often done not through formal agents, but often through informal agents: people such as powerful business people and oligarchs, think tanks, through the funding of universities and the use of 'lawfare', etc. 'This is why we need a comprehensive approach to Russia and China that understands the comprehensive nature of the problem. We are improving but we need to do more.' The alert comes a week after the head of MI6 thanked China's state news agency for 'free publicity' after it released a mock video ridiculing the UK's growing interest in Beijing. Former PM David Cameron addresses a British Chinese Project event in a photo posted in 2016 Pictures posted to Facebook show Ms Lee with prominent politicians including former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, deputy Tom Watson and disgraced ex-MP Keith Vaz A spoof James Bond video (pictured) made by China's state news agency backfired after the head of MI6 thanked them for the 'free publicity' last week BARRY GARDINER: SECURITY SERVICES HAVE KNOWN ABOUT LEE FOR YEARS Statement from Barry Gardiner on the Security Service Interference Alert. Today the Parliamentary Security Director issued a Security Service Interference Alert in relation to Christine Lee and her attempts to engage in political interference on behalf of the Chinese Communist Party. I have been liaising with our Security Services for a number of years about Christine Lee and they have always known, and been made fully aware by me, of her engagement with my office and the donations she made to fund researchers in my office in the past. Steps were taken to ensure Christine Lee had no role in either the appointment or management of those researchers. They are also aware that I have not benefitted personally from those donations in any way. She ceased funding any workers in my office in June 2020. All the donations were properly reported in the register of members' interests and their source verified at the time. I have been assured by the Security Services that whilst they have definitively identified improper funding channelled through Christine Lee, this does not relate to any funding received by my office. Christine Lee's son volunteered in my office many years ago and was subsequently employed by me as a diary manager. He resigned from my employment earlier today. The Security Services have advised me that they have no intelligence that shows he was aware of, or complicit in, his mother's illegal activity. I will continue to work closely with our security services in this and all other matters that relate to the security of our country. Advertisement In a rare public remark, Richard Moore issued a light-hearted riposte to the James Bond satire posted by China's Xinhua News. The video mocked the Western intelligence community's focus on China, poking fun at its alleged propaganda capabilities and the Huawei technology fall-out. Mr Moore - codenamed C - responded on Twitter: 'Thank you for your interest (and the unexpected free publicity!)' The spy chief also included a link to a speech he made last November in which he accused China of mounting large-scale espionage operations against the UK and its allies. In the speech, he said that adapting to a world increasingly dominated by China's influence was the 'single greatest priority for MI6'. Mr Moore also warned about China's use of 'debt traps', in which developing countries accept Beijing's infrastructure loans only to eventually cede control as they struggle with repayments. The tongue-in-cheek video posted on Twitter by Xinhua features two Chinese actors playing British spies called 'James Pond' and 'Black Window'. In the video they poke fun at Mr Moore's description of China as the UK's top security threat. Entitled 'No Time to Die Laughing', a reference to last year's James Bond film No Time to Tie, the clip shows the pair entering a castle where they discuss a dossier on China's espionage tactics. Pond, codenamed 'Agent 0.07', says: 'Is there anything China doesn't watch over?' Alongside canned laughter, Pond describes the 'fictional Chinese debt trap and data trap' as a pathetic excuse to get more funding for British intelligence. In 2020, the UK infuriated China by banning the technology company from supplying equipment to the 5G phone network. Xinhua, which was set up by China Communist Party in 1931 as its press outlet, operates under close Government control. In his recent speech at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, Mr Moore warned China was using social media platforms to 'facilitate their operations'. He added: 'We are concerned by the Chinese government's attempt to distort public discourse and political decision making across the globe.' What is the United Front Work Department of the Chinese Communist Party? In simple terms the United Front Work Department (UFWD) of the Chinese Communist Party is an organisation used by Beiing to exert influence abroad. Today's Security Service Interference Alert issued by MI5 to MPs said it had judged that the UFWD is 'seeking to covertly interfere in UK politics through establishing links with established and aspiring parliamentarians across the political spectrum'. The alert said that the UFWD 'seeks to cultivate relationships with influential figures in order to ensure the UK political landscape is favourable to the CCP's agenda and to challenge those that raise concerns about CCP activity, such as human rights'. The modern version of the UFWD was established in 1979. But its efforts and capacity are said to have increased during the presidency of Xi Jinping. The UFWD reports directly to the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party which is made up of the party's most senior figures. The organisation, which reportedly has more than 40,000 personnel, focuses its work on people who are outside the party and seeks to ensure that individuals or groups abroad are supportive of the Beijing regime. It also aims to divide critics of the Chinese government. The work of the UFWD was examined in a report published by the White House in May 2020 which looked at what the US strategic approach should be towards China. The report stated: 'CCP United Front organisations and agents target businesses, universities, think tanks, scholars, journalists, and local, state, and Federal officials in the United States and around the world, attempting to influence discourse and restrict external influence inside the PRC (People's Republic of China). An August 2018 report published by the US-China Economic and Security Review Commission, an independent agency of the US government, said the UFWD 'has an important foreign influence mission'. It said: 'China uses what it calls United Front work to co-opt and neutralize sources of potential opposition to the policies and authority of its ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP). 'The CCPs United Front Work Department (UFWD) the agency responsible for coordinating these kinds of influence operationsmostly focuses on the management of potential opposition groups inside China, but it also has an important foreign influence mission.' Advertisement Christine Lee: Twice married-mother, lawyer and 'spy': How 'Tiger woman' was lauded for promoting China's interests in the west ... so were MPs her 'useful idiots' ? To the casual observer, Christine Lee, 58, would appear to be a respectable British solicitor whose firm also has offices in Beijing, Hong Kong, Guangzhou, London and Birmingham. But she was described two years ago by eminent authors Professor Clive Hamilton and Mareike Ohlberg as one of a number of so-called 'Tiger Women' with Anglo-Chinese heritage devoted to promoting China's interests in the west. Hidden Hand: how the Chinese Communist Party covertly influences the West, revealed in 2020 that officials had for years been cultivating contacts at the top of British politics and business. The book claimed senior politicians on both the Right and the Left were acting as 'useful idiots' to push the Chinese line at the top of government. And it seems little has changed since then. Lee's links to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) go deep. She has been chief legal adviser to the Chinese embassy in London and a legal adviser to the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office, an agency of the Communist Party's vast network of influence overseen by its United Front Work Department. Lee's links to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) go deep. She has been chief legal adviser to the Chinese embassy in London and a legal adviser to the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office, an agency of the Communist Party's vast network of influence overseen by its United Front Work Department. Ms Lee is a solicitor with an office in central London. She is a former chief legal adviser to the Chinese embassy in London and a legal adviser to the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office. In January 2019, she received a Points of Light Award from then premier Theresa May, in recognition of her contribution to good relations with China. These positions are, the authors argued, unmistakable signs of her importance to the Party. Yet she was also the secretary of the Inter-Party China Group of the British parliament. Many are also in the 48 Group Club, nicknamed the 'icebreakers', a networking hub set up in the 1950s by members of the Communist Party of Great Britain. Hamilton Ohlberg claimed this group is one of the most glaring examples of the way 'Beijing courts Britain's elites'. Lord Heseltine and Lord Prescott are both listed as patrons of the group but Lord Heseltine said he did not think anyone would believe he was part of a Communist conspiracy. The book's authors stated: 'In our judgement, so entrenched are the CCP's influence networks among British elites that Britain has passed the point of no return, and any attempt to extricate itself from Beijing's orbit would probably fail.' In 2006 Lee founded the British Chinese Project (BCP), whose stated aim is to 'empower the UK Chinese community, making them aware of their democratic rights and responsibilities, whilst ensuring the needs and interests of the community are heard at a political level'. It sounded a very worthy multicultural enterprise But its Chinese name has different echoes. It translates as 'British Chinese Participation in Politics', linking it to the huaren canzheng infiltration policy of the CCP to maximise political influence in democracies by promoting trusted people of Chinese heritage. Lee had apparently been married five years earlier in Birmingham before she wed British solicitor Martin Wilkes in Solihull, West Midlands in 1990. Their elder son Michael, 30, now also a solicitor - was born in 1991 and his brother Daniel, 27, in 1994 and the family lived in the leafy Birmingham suburb of Coleshill. Both sons were born in Birmingham. Martin Wilkes is listed, along with Ms Lee, as a director of Christine Lee & Co (Solicitors) Ltd. Other solicitor directors named in Companies House documents are David Tat Wai Ho and Jennifer Ho. Political website Guido Fawkes reported that Lee ran BCP alongside her son Michael and in 2015 the pair congratulated Tory MP Alan Mak for his victory in the General Election, referring to 'our Chinese candidates'. Mr Mak now a government whip told Guido he had 'never met [and] never spoke with [Lee]', adding the BCP were a 'bad bunch' who he'd 'always stayed away from'. Lee's involvement in British politics began during the prime ministership of Tony Blair, when she formed an alliance with Labour MP and minister Barry Gardiner, more recently Labour's shadow international trade secretary. Her law firm donated more than 500,000 to the MP and his constituency party. In 2007, while a Blair government minister, Gardiner became the chair of her British Chinese Project and the two of them embarked on a programme of making friends in Westminster, boosted by Gardiner's formation in 2011 of 'an all-party group to represent Chinese citizens in Britain'. One of Lee's children, Michael Wilkes, became its vice chairman while another son, Daniel, worked in Gardiner's parliamentary office, with his salary paid by his mother's firm. The firm defended these political links in 2020, saying: 'Christine Lee & Co is proud of its record of public service and the support it has provided to the democratic process. We have never sought to influence any politician improperly or to seek any favours in return for the support that we have provided.' Mr Gardiner said at the time her son had volunteered in his office before securing employment through an open appointment process and that he had never been 'improperly requested by, or influenced by' the firm in his political work. He issued a similar statement today, though adding this time that Daniel Wilkes had resigned from the MP's office this morning. The MP has been a strong advocate of closer Sino-British relations. and investment in Britain by China's sovereign wealth fund. He backed the construction of a nuclear power station at Hinkley Point by a state-owned Chinese corporation, which Theresa May's government put on hold due to concerns about national security. He is also reported as having strongly opposed internal party criticism of Chinese involvement in the Hinkley Point project. Lee appeared to develop a good relationship with David Cameron while he was prime minister. In January last year, she received a Points of Light Award from Prime Minister May, in recognition of her contribution to good relations with China. A photo of Lee in front of 10 Downing Street showed the iconic door draped with red banners displaying New Year couplets in Chinese characters and announcing the 'Golden Era' of Sino-British relations. The symbolism is blunt and powerful: Lee at the heart of Britain's government, being embraced by it. Advertisement Netscape founder James H. Clark has surrendered dozens of Cambodian and Southeast Asian antiquities worth an estimated $35 million, many of which he used to furnish his Miami Beach penthouse, after federal investigators discovered they had been trafficked by a shady antiquities dealer. The internet pioneer confirmed to the New York Times that he was the private art collector referred to in a statement released by the Department of Justice on Tuesday. Clark said he surrendered 35 pieces of his collection, which are now valued more than what he initially paid, including bronze and sandstone sculptures originating from countries in Southeast Asia, primarily Cambodia, but also India, Myanmar, and Thailand. A Ganesha statue, left, photographed in Cambodia by French archaeologists in 1934, and recently, right, in storage where James Clark kept his art collection after selling his penthouse in 2011. Authorities say the item was looted and sold to James H. Clark, who has agreed to surrender it There's a monumental sandstone sculpture of Ganesha from Koh Ker, an ancient capital of the Khmer empire; and bronze sculptures from the vicinity of Angkor Wat, including a bronze goddess of motherhood with four arms and elongated earlobes. For years, the collection furnished Clark's Miami Beach penthouse until the property was sold in 2011 and the items went into storage in South Florida. But when Clark discovered where the art came from, he knew the collection had to be surrendered. 'Why would you want to own something that was stolen?': Netscape founder James H. Clark (pictured) has surrendered dozens of Cambodian and Southeast Asian antiquities worth an estimated $35 million after federal investigators discovered they had been trafficked by a shady dealer 'My doing this might inspire other people to do the same, but I'm not sure it's hard for people to give up something they paid for, but for me, why would you want to own something that was stolen?' Clark told the New York Times. Federal investigators showed Clark mounds of evidence from their years-long investigation into Douglas A.J. Latchford, a British art dealer who was accused of stealing and trafficking art, including relics that were sold to Clark. According to a complaint filed in Manhattan federal court, Latchford was indicted in 2019 after being accused of trafficking hundreds of antiquities from Southeast Asia. Investigators say that between 2003 and 2008, Latchford persuaded Clark to purchase the artifacts by providing him 'false statements and fake provenance documents intended to hide the fact that the antiquities were the products of looting, and then imported the antiquities through lies on customs paperwork.' Latchford died in August 2020 while facing trafficking charges. In September 2020, the indictment was dismissed following Latchford's death. In October 2021, the Pandora Papers - a trove of 11.9 million leaked documents, detailing the hidden assets of some of the world's most influential people - revealed the lengths to which Latchford went to hide his trail, the Washington Post reported. The Pandora Papers lifted the lid on his records, showing that he had sold directly to five museums - the British Museum, Denver Art Museum, Cleveland Museum of Art, the National Gallery of Australia, and the Met. For years, the collection furnished Clark's Miami Beach penthouse (pictured) until the property was sold in 2011 and the items went into storage in South Florida Douglas Latchford is seen in June 2009 shaking hands with the deputy prime minister of Cambodia, Sok An. Latchford was indicted in 2019 and died a year later, in 2020 Clark told the Times that he had bought the relics after travels in Cambodia, enamored by the Khmer Empire, including the 12th-century temple complex at Angkor Wat. 'As a naive person,' he said, 'I had apparently somewhat ignorantly acquired one of the nicest private collections of Cambodian antiquities.' For the past decade, the collection has been kept in storage units in South Florida, which were seized by federal officials as part of the investigation. The relics will be returned to their countries of origin, which is part of a global Cambodian effort to recover many hundreds of Khmer-era from temples and shrines, many of which were looted during the years of civil war. Clark said he bought the relics for his Miami Beach penthouse, pictured above, after being inspired by his travels to Cambodia The relics, which were bought for Clark's Miami Beach penthouse (pictured), will be returned to their countries of origin, which is part of a global Cambodian effort to recover many hundreds of artifacts stolen over the years Cambodia became a haven for traders in illicit antiquities during decades of war in the country beginning in the 1970s, when thieves ravaged the treasures of the ancient Khmer Empire. The Cambodian government is now attempting to reclaim all the looted treasures, but often they are extremely well hidden. Last year, Latchford's daughter, Nawapan Kriangsak, made the decision to give back 125 relics he owned. The lawyer representing Cambodia, Bradley J. Gordon, told the Times: 'We are thankful for Mr. Clark's exemplary behavior in deciding to do the right thing and to return these masterpieces. We hope this becomes an example to follow.' Clark said he's happy the collection will be returned to their rightful countries or in placed in museums. 'I'm very pleased that they are going to be shown in a museum now where people can really appreciate them,' Clark said. By Donald Kirk Survival under the threat of a North Korean missile strike is like living with the danger of COVID. One takes all precautions, but there's no guarantee anything will work. When it comes to what to do about North Korea, the obvious first answer is negotiations, and then more negotiations, and then an agreement of some sort. Looking back on the history, all these negotiations have failed to produce lasting deals. That doesn't mean, though, that we should stop looking. Sure, why not? Christopher Hill, the lead American negotiator on those six-party talks that got nowhere, loved talking about progress until the talks fizzled out and the North went on testing missiles and nukes. The most optimistic moment probably was the deal reached in 1994 when the U.S. and North Korea reached an elaborate "framework" agreement under which the North would give up its nuclear program in exchange for construction of twin light-water reactors to provide nuclear power for the North's dilapidated electricity network. South Korea would provide $2 billion for the reactors, Japan another $1 billion, while the U.S. shipped 500,000 tons of heavy oil every year to fuel existing power plants until the reactors went online. That deal fell apart six years later when the North was revealed to be fabricating nuclear warheads with highly enriched uranium (HEU) after shutting down its Yongbyon reactor. Revelation of the HEU program did not necessarily have to lead to the breakdown of the framework. Maybe the Americans should have said, 'Let's revise the whole deal.' As it was, the U.S. stopped shipping the heavy oil into North Korea, and North Korea kicked out inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency who'd been monitoring its reactor at Yongbyon to be sure it was locked up and not working. Then the North withdrew from the nuclear non-proliferation treaty on the way to conducting its first nuclear test in 2006, the first of two ordered by Kim Jong-il. Kim Jong-un, since his father's death, has ordered four more tests, the last in September 2017 before the sequence in which Kim and South Korea's President Moon Jae-in met at Panmunjeom in April 2018 and Donald Trump, in the brightest moment of his presidency, met Kim in Singapore in June 2018. I remember Trump, in a rambling press conference the next day, saying North Korea would begin dismantling its nuclear program right away. The brief statement signed by Trump and Kim, promising to work for a "nuclear-free" Korean peninsula, was disappointingly short on specifics or guarantees but provided a take-off point for talks. Moon's understandings with Kim, in three meetings in 2018, came up with a vision of stopping testing and turning the peninsula into "a land of peace." The great caveat, of course, was Kim's insistence that the U.S. had to respond in accordance "with the spirit" of his summit with Trump. The "spirit" evaporated at the second Kim-Trump summit in Hanoi in February 2019 when Trump walked out after resisting demands to give up sanctions while Kim balked at shutting down his nuclear program. These moments in history have been so full of hope and so fraught with disappointment and frustration that it's possible to see the whole process of dealing with the North as pointless. The best the U.S. and South Korea can do is insist on more talks before doing anything. As a precondition, the North wants to set the terms for coming to the table. It would be absurd, however, for the Americans to agree on giving up sanctions just to draw the North into talks that would inevitably go nowhere. An end-of-war declaration would be meaningless if North Korea insisted on concessions before even talking about the wording of such a statement. The truce that ended the Korean War in July 1953 was probably the best end-of-war declaration imaginable. It ended the Korean War and has stood the test of time far better than many treaties. It's possible to believe the only solution is to vastly improve defenses and be ready to resist any provocation. That of course, however, raises the specter of a second Korean War that nobody wants. Is the answer, then, "strategic patience," similar to the "watchful waiting" advocated by a physician treating a dangerous disease? The U.S. and South Korea have no choice but to keep calling for talks and to hope that China and others will also pressure the North. It's possible we'll be asking the same questions next year and the year after a never-ending story in which hope springs eternal while solutions remain elusive. Donald Kirk, www.donaldkirk.com, has been following the ups and downs of the nuclear issue for decades. President Joe Biden is deploying military health workers to six new states, as more than 1,000 hospitals across the country are now reporting critical staffing shortages daily, as the Omicron variant spurs absences and threatens essential services across the country. On Thursday, 1,036 hospitals reported crisis staffing shortfalls, roughly a quarter of the nation's 5,000 hospitals and in line with recent trends, according to data from the Department of Health and Human Services. Though the Omicron variant seems milder than prior COVID-19 strains, its explosive transmission is forcing millions to stay home from work, straining healthcare, transit, and emergency services from New York to Los Angeles, and many places in between. In response to the hospital staffing crisis, another 1,000 military health workers are deploying to six U.S. states to help hospitals overwhelmed by a surge in Omicron-related COVID-19 cases, the White House said on Thursday. The teams of between seven and 25 military doctors, nurses and other personnel will begin arriving in Michigan, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio and Rhode Island next week to support emergency rooms and allow hospital staff to continue with other care, a White House official said. Biden was scheduled to address his administration's COVID-19 response at 10.30am ET along with U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Federal Emergency Management Agency Administrator Deanne Criswell. On Monday the US recorded a record 1.48 million new infections, and daily new cases are averaging 786,416 over the past week, according to a DailyMail.com analysis of data from Johns Hopkins University. Hospitalizations have now exceeded last winter's peak, setting new records at more than 124,000 nationwide, according to the CDC, though deaths still remain below record highs. Dr. Janet Woodcock, acting commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration, answers questions at a Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee hearing Tuesday A US Marine veteran is treated by medical workers in a negative pressure room in the Covid-19 ward at the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Boston Healthcare system Tuesday On Tuesday, Janet Woodcock, the acting head of the Food and Drug Administration, told Congress that the nation should accept that Omicron will infect 'most people', saying the focus should now turn to ensuring critical services can continue through the surge. 'I think it's hard to process whats actually happening right now, which is: Most people are going to get COVID, all right?' she said. 'What we need to do is make sure the hospitals can still function - transportation, other essential services are not disrupted while this happens.' At Johns Hopkins five-hospital system in Maryland and Washington DC, there have been recent days when hundreds of workers have called in sick, Dr. Gabe Kelen told CNBC. 'Given how crushed health-care services are right now, to lose nurses for even a five-day period should they have had a mild infection is just a tremendous, tremendous loss,' Kelen said. 'You can just see how astoundingly hampered the operations are at a time when institutions like ours need to ramp up staffing,' he added. At the same time as they suffer staffing shortfalls, hospitals are struggling with a surge in patients. HHS data show that 80 percent of hospital beds are now occupied, and 83 percent of ICU beds. Before the pandemic, hospital utilization averaged between 65 and 66 percent in recent years. In California, where a staggering 57 percent of hospitals are reporting critical staffing issues, state officials are now telling hospital administrators to order staff back to work immediately if they are positive for COVID but asymptomatic. 'Hospitals have to exhaust all other options before resorting to this temporary tool. Facilities and providers using this tool, should have asymptomatic COVID-19 positive workers interact only with COVID-19 positive patients to the extent possible,' a statement issued by the California Department of Public Health on Saturday read. A woman gets registered for Covid-19 testing at the Times Square Subway stop on January 4, 2022, in New York City Lori Pond, left, a certified nursing assistant, removes protective gear after stepping out of a patient's room in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, in Lebanon, N.H., Jan. 3, 2022 The news sparked outrage among advocates for health workers, who argue hospital staff has carried the weight of the pandemic on their shoulders and are now being put at risk, along with their patients. 'Healthcare workers and patients need the protection of clear rules guided by strong science. Allowing employers to bring back workers who may still be infectious is one of the worst ideas I have heard during this pandemic, and that's really saying something,' Bob Schoonover, President of SEIU California told CBS Sacramento. In New York City, employee shortages are causing delays in trash and subway services, and diminishing the ranks of firefighters and emergency workers. Airport officials shut have down security checkpoints at the biggest terminal in Phoenix and schools across the nation struggle to find teachers for their classrooms. 'This really does, I think, remind everyone of when COVID-19 first appeared and there were such major disruptions across every part of our normal life,' said Tom Cotter, director of emergency response and preparedness at the global health nonprofit Project HOPE. 'And the unfortunate reality is, theres no way of predicting what will happen next until we get our vaccination numbers - globally - up.' First responders, hospitals, schools and government agencies have employed an all-hands-on-deck approach to keep the public safe, but they are worried how much longer they can keep it up if infections keep rising. In Kansas' Johnson County, paramedics are working 80 hours a week. Ambulances have frequently been forced to alter their course when the hospitals they're heading to tell them they're too overwhelmed to help, confusing the patients' already anxious family members driving behind them. When the ambulances arrive at hospitals, some of their emergency patients end up in waiting rooms because there are no beds. Dr. Steve Stites, chief medical officer for the University of Kansas Hospital, said when the leader of a rural hospital had no place to send its dialysis patients this week, the hospital's staff consulted a textbook and 'tried to put in some catheters and figure out how to do it.' Medical facilities have been hit by a 'double whammy' of rising hospitalizations and staffing shortages, he said. The number of COVID-19 patients at the University of Kansas Hospital rose from 40 on December 1 to 139 on Friday. At the same time, more than 900 employees have been sickened with COVID-19 or are awaiting test results - 7 percent of the hospital's 13,500-person workforce. 'What my hope is and what we're going to cross our fingers around is that as it peaks ... maybe itll have the same rapid fall we saw in South Africa,' Stites said, referring to the swiftness with which the number of cases fell in that country. 'We don't know that. That's just hope.' In downtown Boise, Idaho, customers were queued up outside a pharmacy before it opened Friday morning and before long, the line wound throughout the large drugstore. Pharmacies have been slammed by staffing shortages, either because employees are out sick or have left altogether. Pharmacy technician Anecia Mascorro said that prior to the pandemic, the Sav-On Pharmacy where she works always had prescriptions ready for the next day. Now, it's taking a lot longer to fill the hundreds of orders that are pouring in. 'The demand is crazy - everybodys not getting their scripts fast enough so they keep transferring to us,' Mascorro said. In Los Angeles, more than 800 police and fire personnel were sidelined because of the virus as of last Thursday, causing slightly longer ambulance and fire response times. In New York City, officials have had to delay or scale back trash and subway services because of a virus-fueled staffing hemorrhage. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority said about one-fifth of subway operators and conductors - 1,300 people - have been absent in recent days. Almost one-fourth of the city sanitation department's workers were out sick last Thursday, Sanitation Commissioner Edward Grayson said. 'Everybody's working round the clock, 12-hour shifts,' Grayson said. The city's fire department also has adjusted for higher absences. Officials said last week that 28 percent of EMS workers were out sick, compared with about 8 percent to 10 percent on a normal day. Twice as many firefighters as usual were also absent. At Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, two checkpoints at the airport's busiest terminal were shut down because not enough Transportation Security Administration agents showed up for work, according to statements from airport and TSA officials. Three US diplomats in Geneva and one in Paris were the latest to be afflicted with the suspected 'Havana Syndrome' - with one rushed back to America with the mystery illness. Last summer, the four officials serving at U.S. diplomatic missions in Geneva and Paris came down with ailments linked to 'Havana Syndrome' -an unexplained illness that is believed to be caused inadvertently by surveillance equipment or by a mysterious sonic weapon. Of the three American officials serving at the consulate in Geneva, at least one had to be medevacked from Switzerland to the U.S. for treatment, the Wall Street Journal reported. A similar incident occurred in Paris, where senior embassy officials informed diplomats and encouraged others to report any unusual symptoms (U.S. Embassy in Paris pictured) At least one of the three American serving at the consulate in Geneva (pictured) believed to be inflicted had to be medevacked from Switzerland to the U.S. for treatment Staff were later informed about the incident by the mission's leadership during a town hall meeting. This was followed by a similar incident in Paris, where senior embassy officials informed diplomats via email about a suspected case, encouraging others to report any unusual symptoms, WSJ reported. In response to the new reported incidents U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the entire federal government is working to get to the bottom of the illness. 'To date, we don't know exactly what's happened and we don't know exactly who is responsible,' Blinken told MSNBC on Thursday. The incidents in Geneva and Paris took place where the U.S and Russia held security talks on Monday over Moscow's troop buildup near the Ukraine border. Blinken said the United States has raised the illnesses with the Russians but still cannot make a determination about who was responsible. The Secretary of State added he has met with State Department employees around the world who described the illnesses and how these incidents disrupted their lives. The sonic weapon the could cause Havana syndrome is said to be a smaller version of this 1990s Soviet microwave generator, which is kept at the University of New Mexico Symptoms of Havana Syndrome include loud noise, ear pain, intense head pressure or vibration, dizziness, visual problems, and cognitive difficulties 'There is no doubt in my mind that people have been directly and powerfully affected,' he said. 'We are working overtime across the entire government to get to the bottom of what happened, who's responsible. And in the meantime to make sure that we're caring for anyone who's been affected and to protect all of our people to the best of our ability,' he added. Symptoms of Havana Syndrome include loud noise, ear pain, intense head pressure or vibration, dizziness, visual problems, and cognitive difficulties, and many still continue to experience these or other health problems, according to a 2020 National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine report. The report assessed the symptoms to be 'consistent with the effects of directed, pulsed radio frequency (RF) energy.' Some have reported hearing a loud noise before the sudden onset of symptoms. But it's unclear if victims sustain any neurological damage or any longterm damage and it's unclear what might have caused that damage. The syndrome first surfaced at the US embassy in Havana, when government employees suddenly found themselves afflicted with the mysterious malady Scientists and government officials are not yet certain about who might have been behind the attacks, if the symptoms could have been caused inadvertently by surveillance equipment - or if the incidents were caused by a mysterious sonic weapon. Some doubt its existence, however, and call it 'mass hysteria.' The leading theory behind the cause of the suddenly surfaced syndrome starts with a device that scientists say Russia could have invented during the Cold War, which was later used to spy on US embassies by collecting data from laptops and cell phones. However, experts now theorize that a hostile country - like Russia or China - may have turned this microwave technology into a weapon. Both countries deny any involvement in any of the incidents relating to the mysterious syndrome. The European incidents now add to the list of roughly 200 reported cases of the yet unexplained illness, colloquially named for its first reported case in 2016 at the US Embassy in Havana, Cuba. Almost half of the cases involved CIA officers or their relatives, nearly 60 have been linked to Department of Defense workers or relatives, and about 50 involved State Department personnel the outlet reported. What is 'Havana Syndrome'? The mysterious illness that started in the US embassy in Cuba and causes memory and hearing loss The problem has been labeled the 'Havana Syndrome,' because the first cases affected personnel in 2016 at the U.S. Embassy in Cuba. At least 200 cases across the government are now under investigation. People who are believed to have been affected have reported headaches, dizziness and symptoms consistent with concussions, with some requiring months of medical treatment. Some have reported hearing a loud noise before the sudden onset of symptoms. Countries its been reported in: Cuba, United States, China, Russia, Vietnam, Austria, Germany, Serbia, United Kingdom, Georgia, Poland, Taiwan, Australia, Colombia, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan Symptoms include: -hearing loss -severe headaches -memory issues -dizziness -brain injury Advertisement Back in September, Vice President Kamala Harris' departure from Singapore during her Asia trip was delayed by more than three hours because of an 'anomalous health incident in Hanoi,' which was the next stop in her Asia trip. That was a reference to Havana Syndrome. A December report in the Washington Examiner speculated that former President George W. Bush could have also been a victim of Havana Syndrome when he fell ill at a G8 conference in Germany in 2007. At the gathering of world leaders, both Bush and Laura Bush fell ill with symptoms of 'nausea or dizziness,' as the former first lady outlined in her 2010 memoir 'Spoken from the Heart.' Some aides traveling with them experienced hearing and balance problems. The official conclusion at the time was a virus. Although there was speculation that the first couple could have been poisoned. The Examiner report points to Russia as the culprit. Havana Syndrome is believed to be caused by microwave emissions and Moscow is known to have employed RF/MW capabilities since the Cold War. During the Cold War, the Soviets repeatedly irradiated the American embassy in Moscow with low-level microwaves - known as the 'Moscow Signal' - for unknown reasons. In October, three Havana Syndrome sufferers came forward to share the agonizing symptoms of the disease, with two of them claiming it left them brain damaged and destroyed their promising diplomatic careers. Tina Onefur, Kate Husband, and Husband's partner Doug Ferguson were all working for the US State Department, stationed in Cuba's capital, when they found themselves afflicted with the mysterious malady. The syndrome first surfaced at the embassy in Havana in 2016 - months before Onefur, Husband, and Ferguson were diagnosed. The three described their debilitating symptoms - which include hearing loss, severe headaches, memory issues, dizziness, grogginess and even brain damage - in detail during an interview with NBC News last year. Onefur, sobbed as she spoke and recalling the fact she can now only work two hours a day from home due to doctor-diagnosed brain damage, and said she was washing dishes one night in March 2017 at her home in Havana when she suddenly found herself overcome with pain. 'The kids were upstairs playing, and I was standing at the kitchen window, and all of a sudden I felt like I was being struck with something.' When asked what the sensation felt like, Onefur said the pain was like nothing she had ever felt before in her life, and explained, 'It was gripping - it was like I'd been seized by some invisible hand, and I couldn't move.' When asked by interviewer Andrea Mitchell how her health is today, Onefur, choking back tears revealed that her symptoms were still as strong and prevalent as ever, even after more than four years. 'It's not easy to talk about our health because it's an invisible injury,' Onefur said, 'It's four-and-a-half years of of excruciating headaches, it's four-and-a-half years of stumbling losing my balance, four-and-a-half years of vision degradation,' Onefur asserts of the illness, while breaking down in tears. In a nearby neighborhood in Havana in the winter months of 2016, Kate Husband and Doug Ferguson were working in the US embassy by day, with their nights spent together at their shared home. But nights for the couple - who both hail from Michigan - would often be strangely interrupted, by a high-pitched, piercing noise seemingly coming from their backyard. 'It was persistent, kind of at the same level all the time,' Husband said of the shrill sound, which they never managed to identify, adding it was 'very, very loud' and 'nothing you can sit with.' Ferguson, however, managed to capture the mysterious noise on his phone and played it back for Mitchell during the interview. The sound on the recording - a high-frequency ringing that somewhat resembles a dog whistle - is strikingly similar to a sound previously released by AP in a 2017 covering the then just-surfaced syndrome. When asked if any other people in her neighborhood had heard the same sounds and was afflicted with similar symptoms, Husband said they had. After feeling a slew of symptoms in the coming months, the couple was later examined by neurologists at the University of Pennsylvania. In early 2017, Ferguson was cleared to go back to work, but Husband was diagnosed with brain damage by doctors, and was subsequently sent to receive treatment. Husband told Mitchell that during the diagnosis, a doctor told her, after analyzing scans of her brain, 'it's like you aged 20, 25 years all at once.' She later retired from her work for the State Department on the grounds of a medical disability. Husband further revealed during the interview that she still suffers from balance issues associated with the brain damage she suffered after the 2017 diagnosis - a sensation that would trigger violent bouts of nausea, and a fogginess that makes even the most basic tasks difficult. A 72-year-old man battling lymph node cancer was berated by a Michigan judge for failing to keep up his lawn tidy despite the fact that his medical treatments left him too weak to do yard work. Burhan Chowdhury, of Hamtramck, appeared in virtual court Monday over a ticket he was issued in August because the grass, brush and trees at his home had overgrown, obstructing the sidewalk and alleyway. City ordinance requires property owners to keep public walkways accessible. 'You should be ashamed of yourself,' 31st District Judge Alexis G. Krot told Chowdhury. 'If I could give you jail time on this, I would.' The judge called Chowdhury's yard 'shameful,' instructed him to clean the yard and issued him a $100 fine to be paid by February. 'You've got to get that cleaned up. That is totally inappropriate,' she said. Video of the incident shows Chowdhury's son attempting to plead his father's case. He told Krot his father was very sick and the family had taken care of the lawn, however the judge continued to dismiss the family. 'That is shameful. Shameful,' she said. 'The neighbors should not have to look at that.' The 31st District Court did not immediately respond to DailyMail.com's request for comment. Burhan Chowdhury, a 72-year-old battling lymph node cancer, was berated by a Michigan judge for failing to keep up his lawn tidy despite the fact that his medical treatments leave him too weak to do yard work Chowdhury was issued a ticket on August 2, 2021 for 'failing to keep the fence, walkway, sidewalk or alley free of trees, leaves'. City ordinance requires property owners to keep public walkways unobstructed (Pictured: Chowdhury's yard unkept last fall) Shibbir Chowdhury, 33, who appeared alongside Chowdhury on Zoom, told WDIV his father was diagnosed with cancer in 2019 and the treatments limit his mobility. Since the diagnosis, Shibbir and his mother taken over property maintenance. Shibbir Chowdhury (pictured), usually handles property maintenance for his sick father. He said the yard became overgrown while he was in Bangladesh last fall and believes a neighbor complained to the city However, the family faced hardship last fall while Shibbir was in Bangladesh for three months and the yard care lapsed. 'I usually take care of the stuff in the backyard and everything, but that time I was out of the country,' Shibbir explained. He acknowledged that the yard did violate a city ordinance and should've been more responsible regarding maintenance arrangements. However, he doesn't think that warranted the way Krot spoke to his father. 'There was really mistakes I should have taken care of that. But, yeah, still, like she should have said my father more politely,' he said. Chowdhury was issued a ticket on August 2, 2021 for 'failing to keep the fence, walkway, sidewalk or alley free of trees, leaves' after the city was made aware of the yard's condition. 'It was a chain reaction,' Shibbir said. 'The neighbors probably complained and took the picture that was sent to the city.' He said the family cleaned up the yard shortly after receiving the citation, but Chowdhury still had to appear in court to discuss the fine. In court Monday, District Judge Alexis G. Krot scolded Chowdhury for the condition on his yard, saying: 'You should be ashamed of yourself. If I could give you jail time on this, I would'. She issued him a $100 fine which was reportedly paid on Wednesday The above image depicts Chowdhury's garage and the nearby alley as seen in June 2019. Chowdhury was diagnosed with cancer that same year, prompting Shibbir to take over yard maintenance During his court appearance, Chowdhury - who sounds as if he is struggling to breathe - attempted to explain the situation but the judge routinely interjected. 'Do you see that photo?' Krot questioned, referencing a picture of the yard that was shared with the city and projected during the court appearance. 'You have got to get that cleaned up,' she stated. Toward the end of the exchange, Chowdhury can be heard saying: 'Oh, my God.' Shibbir thought Krot's message was 'really shocking' and made 'very clear' to Chowdhury, despite the fact that he doesn't speak much English. Judge Krot, appearing to dismiss the family's explanation for the status of the yard, called the overgrowth 'shameful' and said Crowdhury's 'neighbors should not have to look at that' 'She was telling my father, a sick person, that he should go to jail. That's ridiculous,' Shibbir told the Washington Post on Wednesday. 'The way she said that my father should serve jail time for this thing really bugged me. I was really shocked by it. I didn't expect her to yell at us in this kind of a situation.' He added: 'You can't give a 72-year-old person jail time for not cleaning an alley.' Hamtramck City ordinance on public walkway maintenance Hamtramck home owners or occupants are required to maintain sidewalks, alleys and other public ways near their home. This includes removal of snow, ice and filth, as well as keeping the walkways free from obstructions, encumbrances or other nuisances. Fences must also be kept free from obstructions. Obstructions include but are not limited to trees, leaves, overgrown brush or other items. Residents are required to remove any obstructions within a timely manner. Failure to do so can result in a penalty to be paid by the property owner. If the city is required to address the obstructions on behalf of the property owner or occupant, the resident would be responsible for the expenses incurred. Failure to pay for the expenses incurred within 60 days of being issued a bill, could result in additional penalties. Source: City Code Sec. 16-10 Compliance with orders required; violations, remedy; procedure Advertisement Court records obtained by Insider revealed that Chowdhury's fine was paid on Wednesday. Shibbir said he is taken aback by the support his family received after video of the court appearance was shared online. 'People understand that a situation like this can happen with someone who is old or sick,' he said. 'I'm really thankful to those in our city who have supported us and letting us know that they're beside us.' Chowdhury purchased his home in 2015, according to property records reviewed by DailyMail.com. The property, located in the approximately 28,000-person city neighboring Detroit, was reportedly valued at $76,200. Realtor websites, as of January 2022, list the estimated property value between $86,000 and $100,000, slightly above the city median house or condo value of $82,838. The cost of living in the small city falls below the national average and approximately 46.5 percent of residents live in poverty, City-Data.com reported in 2019. The estimated median household income at that time was $29,149. Hamtramck City Council aims to maintain curb appeal throughout the community, as evidenced by city code which requires property owners to maintain sidewalks, alleys and other public ways near their home. Properties owners are required to 'remove snow, ice and filth' and keep the walkways 'free from obstructions, encroachments, encumbrances, or other nuisances'. Failure to do so can result in a penalty to be paid by the property owner. If the city is required to address the obstructions on behalf of the property owner or occupant, the resident would be responsible for the expenses incurred. A student has been hit with a $4,400 fine for holding parties over three consecutive nights in a NSW town flouting Covid regulations, causing the virus to spread and plunging the Hunter region into lockdown. Nathan Koko, 22, who later tested positive to Covid, pleaded guilty in the Newcastle Local Court on Thursday to breaching public health orders after holding the parties at his student accommodation in the Newcastle suburb of Shortland from July 28-30 last year. Magistrate Michael Antrum described Koko's actions as disgraceful, saying he had shown a selfish disregard for the law and the health of the community. 'Your endless partying seemed to be more important than these public health orders,' Mr Antrum told Koko. 'This is one of the worst Covid breaches I've seen. You've put people at risk.' A 22-year-old man has been fined $4,400 for holding parties over three nights in blatant disregard for Covid safety precautions (stock image) The magistrate said everyone in the community knew about the public health orders in place to try to limit the spread of the virus. He said senior citizens were living in fear of catching the virus, ending up on a ventilator and dying but Koko ignored warnings from health authorities and went ahead with hosting a series of parties. 'It's ridiculous,' Mr Antrum said. Koko, who arrived in Australia as a refugee with his family from Sudan in 2004, claimed he was remorseful and regretted holding the parties. He said his actions had brought significant shame on him and his family. His Legal Aid defence lawyer told the court Koko believed at the time that 'young people are invincible' and he never intended to facilitate the virus spreading through the community. Residents in Greater Sydney, Blue Mountains, Central Coast and Wollongong had been in lockdown since June 26 last year as health authorities desperately tried to contain the spread of COVID-19. But the Hunter region at the time Koko hosted the parties had yet to be locked down with a number of restrictions put in place instead, including a five person limit on the number of visitors to a household and a mask mandate. The police statement of facts tendered to the court said: 'The conduct of the accused shows a blatant disregard and has seriously jeopardised the health and safety of communities within NSW and aggravated the spreading of COVID-19, having a significant impact on citizens, businesses and education providers. Newcastle Court (pictured) heard multiple Covid cases were linked to the parties which caused the region to be plunged into lockdown 'The accused's attitude toward investigating police was recalcitrant. 'There are a significant number of persons infected within the Hunter region with direct links to gatherings held by the accused person. 'There is no other reasonable hypothesis other than their exposure and infection being the direct result of the repeated gatherings held by the accused.' The Hunter, with a population of more than 650,000, was eventually forced into lockdown on August 5. Two Sydney women, Sulafa Ageeb, 21, and Josephine Lado, 20, who attended two of Koko's parties were later each fined $4,000 for breaching Sydney's lockdown. Both women, who tested positive to Covid-19, spent days shopping and partying in Newcastle in late July last year. A Brooklyn carjacking suspect fled a Brooklyn hospital shirtless and shoeless with monitors still attached to his chest in the early morning cold after his arrest, hours before three other carjackings took place in Manhattan. Akeem Williams, 21, scampered shackled in the freezing weather on Wednesday at around 8:30 am as he fled Brookdale University Hospital wearing only white pants. Later in the day, three more carjackings were reported in Midtown Manhattan within a span of two hours. The lawlessness comes after woke new Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg 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. Akeem Williams, 21, was arrested on Wednesday in Brooklyn for an alleged carjacking After being arrested, he complained of chest pains and was brought to Brookdale Hospital in Brooklyn and escaped around 8.30am Williams was arrested Wednesday for carjacking, according to the New York Daily News, but complained of chest pains and was taken to the emergency room for treatment. While there, he was able to get his hands - that were shackled behind him - to the front of his body and ran off nearly naked into the 28-degree weather. Photos released by the NYPD showed the suspect running through the doors. Police searched for Williams in Brownsville, Brooklyn, where he lived only a few blocks from the hospital, and East Flatbush without success. The Midtown crime spree kicked off Wednesday at around 4.30pm on 54th Street and Broadway. Police said the suspect was wearing a black ski mask, all black clothing, and was yielding a weapon. The unidentified suspect reportedly crashed into three cars before fleeing the scene in the wrong direction down Broadway, according to ABC 7. The brazen thief pushed the car in front of it to escape, causing it to crash into another car before driving off, while the car's owner desperately attempted to catch up to his stolen vehicle. Three other carjackings happened in Midtown Manhattan later on Wednesday The first happened on Broadway and 54th Street (pictured) around 4.30pm where the suspect yielded a weapon and stole a black SUV Carjack victim chases after his stolen car as thief rams another vehicle trying to escape The abandoned car was later found only three blocks away near 57th street and the suspect is said to have fled to the Columbus Circle subway station and is still at large The three carjacking in Midtown on Wednesday happened within an hour-and-a-half Police found the abandoned car three blocks away near 57th Street and Broadway. The suspect is said to have fled into the Columbus Circle subway station and is still at large. An officer suffered minor injuries, according to ABC 7, and was taken to a nearby hospital. Almost an hour later, another carjacking happened on West 36th Street near Broadway. The unidentified suspect approached the driver, who was sitting in his car, with a boxcutter or knife and demanded he exit his vehicle, police said. The suspect is also at large and the vehicle has not been recovered by police. Only 40 minutes later, a stolen car was located around 6pm on the edge of Midtown East on 42nd Street and First Avenue. Police performing car stops and using a license plate reader flagged the car as stolen from Brooklyn. Officers were able to take one man into custody, however, another is still at large. At the moment, police do not believe any of the carjackings are connected. DailyMail.com has contacted the NYPD for comment. For the week of January 3 to January 9, the NYPD reported 265 incidents of grand theft auto, compared to 150 during the same time last year, a 76 percent increase, according to police data. Already, 329 cars have been stolen in 2022. Another stolen car was found on 42nd Street and 1st Avenue (pictured) Police were running license plates and found the car to be stolen from Brooklyn. Officers were able to take one man into custody, however, another is still at large The brazen carjackings are the latest in a string of violent incidents and rising crime rates across New York that is exasperating police and residents. Violent crimes are up across the board in the Big Apple this year, with murders up by 33 percent when compared to the same period last year up until January 9, with eight murders alone in the last week. Overall crimes are up by 30 percent through January 9, according to police. The rate of robberies, rapes and assaults have also increased. Crime is up 30 percent in the city and with robberies are up 25 percent as crime continues to surge into 2022 Bragg has vowed to take an even softer touch on criminals. His office said it 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 petty larceny. The announcement came in a memo from his office last week and spooked police unions, who said he was emboldening criminals. He defended it afterward, saying he would not prosecute people for being homeless or addicted to drugs. This is the bizarre moment a YouTuber dressed in scrubs performed a cringeworthy 'Covid rap' to Texas city hall members and sprayed himself in hand sanitizer. Alex Stein left Dallas City Hall officials completely gobsmacked after performing a satirical 'Covid rap' at an open microphone session on Wednesday morning. Peculiar video footage shows Stein, who is a frequent speaker at City Council open mics, launching into a 'Covid rap', which includes lines such as 'vaccinate me in my thong' and 'vaccination freak-a-leek'. In the clip, a voice is heard introducing 'Alexander Stein' before the YouTuber walks down and stands in front of politicians wearing a face mask and blue scrubs. Alex Stein left Dallas City Hall officials completely gobsmacked after performing a satirical 'Covid rap' at an open microphone session (pictured) on Wednesday morning Introducing himself, he says: 'My name's Alex Stein, I'm here today because we gotta vaccinate our children, you know we really don't have enough vaccines, like they're not mandatory, and that's the problem, we've gotta mandate these vaccines.' Stein, whose mother is understood to have died from Covid age 60 in October, then goes on to say that he has found a way to make the subject of vaccines more 'hip and cool'. After having technical difficulties with his phone, which was meant to play a song alongside his rap, Stein decides to perform the satirical pro-vaccination rap acapella. Stein, who is known for his skits and pranks, begins his cringeworthy rap with the line, 'will the real Dr Fauci please stand up?', copying Eminem's famous song The Real Slim Shady. In the two-minute long rap, Stein spits bars such as 'vaccinate your babies, vaccinate them, even if they have rabies', 'vaccinate your DNA, vaccine created by the CIA' and 'you gonna get corona from Mona'. At one point, Stein, also known as Prime Time #99 Alex Stein, grabs a bottle of hand sanitizer and squirts it all over his head before rubbing it into his hair and face. Peculiar video footage shows Stein launch into a 'Covid rap', which includes lines such as 'vaccinate me in my thong' and 'vaccination freak-a-leek' At one point, Stein grabs a bottle of hand sanitizer and squirts it all over his head before rubbing it into his hair and face He then uses wet wipes to clean the microphone before wiping them across his forehead and spinning the cloths around in his hands while dancing. Stein, who is believed to describe himself as a conspiracy theorist, ends his bizarre song by telling City Hall officials to 'follow my Instagram'. Speaking about the rap to the Daily Dot, former stand-up comedian Stein said he went to the open microphone session and 'played the buffoon'. He told the publication: 'I was really trying to be cringe and trying to be stupid.' Stein insisted he is not trying to be hurtful with his videos and said he understands how deadly Covid-19 can be, as his mother died of the virus age 60 in October. He said he saw a TikTok dancing video that a nurse had made while he was visiting his mother in the intensive care unit, which he described as 'a little insensitive'. Stein also said his political views don't fit neatly into a box and said that the 'right is just as crazy as the left', saying he believes people should be free to make their own medical choices. Stein (pictured), who is believed to describe himself as a conspiracy theorist, ends his bizarre song by telling City Hall officials to 'follow my Instagram' Stein said his political views don't fit neatly into a box and said that the 'right is just as crazy as the left', saying he believes people should be free to make their own medical choices In 2012, Stein attempted to become 'the most epic villain in the history of reality TV' on ABC's The Glass House in 2012, listing his housemates' flaws before he was eliminated He told Daily Dot that he is a conspiracy theorist who believes the world is run by multinational corporations, claiming that is why pharmaceutical companies are profiting from the Covid vaccine. Stein made a name for himself as he attempted to become 'the most epic villain in the history of reality TV' on ABC's The Glass House in 2012, listing his housemates' flaws before he was eliminated. More recently, he has turned to making satirical YouTube videos and doing pranks and skits, one of which saw him dress up in a The Handmaid's Tale costume. One of his schticks involves delivering satirical public comments at government meetings, like he did in Dallas, and he has previously claimed to be a Halliburton employee paralyzed in Iraq at a community police oversight board meeting. Stein said he is already planning to go back to Dallas City Hall with backup dancers and a 'huge' boombox, after technical difficulties left him singing without music. Wyoming GOP Rep. Liz Cheney accused House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy of 'trying to cover' for himself and for Donald Trump on Wednesday night after he refused to work with the Democrat-led Capitol riot committee. 'I wish that he were a brave and honorable man,' Cheney, the committee's vice chair, told CNN. 'He's clearly trying to cover up what happened. He has an obligation to come forward, and we'll get to the truth.' She indicated that forcing McCarthy's cooperation with a subpoena is still among the options on the table for the Select Committee assembled by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. It's the latest tear in the frayed relationship between McCarthy and Cheney. The latter was once among the California Republican's deputies when she was conference chair, the No. 3 ranked lawmaker in the House GOP. Cheney was voted out of leadership by her fellow House Republicans in May over her vehement criticism of Trump, and replaced with New York Rep. Elise Stefanik. Committee Vice Chair Liz Cheney didn't rule out subpoenaing McCarthy to force his cooperation McCarthy announced on Wednesday night that he will not cooperate with the January 6th committee, saying it was not 'conducting a legitimate investigation.' McCarthy said that since Speaker Nancy Pelosi rejected his nominees to the panel, it was 'illegitimate' and noted he's made several public statements about the insurrection the panel could examine. 'This committee is not conducting a legitimate investigation as Speaker Pelosi took the unprecedented action of rejecting the Republican members I named to serve on the committee. It is not serving any legislative purpose,' he said in a statement. Earlier Wednesday the panel, which is investigating the origins of the January 6th MAGA riot on Capitol Hill, asked McCarthy to voluntarily appear before its members to discuss the 'heated' conversation he had with then-President Donald Trump on the day of the insurrection. McCarthy said he had made enough public statements on that day to satisfy the committee's needs. 'It wants to interview me about public statements that have been shared with the world, and private conversations not remotely related to the violence that unfolded at the Capitol,' he said. 'I have nothing else to add.' House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy announced he will not cooperate with the January 6th committee on Wednesday McCarthy, a Republican from California, also slammed the panel for subpoenaing records from those in Donald Trump's orbit and for holding individuals in contempt of Congress. 'It has subpoenaed the call records of private citizens and their financial records from banks while demanding secrecy not supported by law. It has lied about the contents of documents it has received. It has held individuals in contempt of Congress for exercising their Constitutional right to avail themselves of judicial proceedings.' Eight people are suing the House Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the United States Capitol for its attempt to subpoena records, including Michael Flynn, the embattled former national security adviser to Trump. The House of Representatives held two other Trump officials - former chief of staff Mark Meadows and former adviser Steve Bannon - in contempt after their no-shows before the panel. Bannon was indicted by the Justice Department. His trial is now set to being July 18. Meadows has not yet been indicted by the Justice Department. Trump has encouraged his former aides and allies not to cooperate. McCarthy is seeking the former president's help in winning control of the House in this year's midterm election and becoming the next speaker. McCarthy said it gave him no 'satisifaction' to turn the committee down. '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,' McCarthy noted. McCarthy told CNN in May 2021 that 'sure,' he'd be willing to testify about his conversations with Trump on January 6. He reportedly had an expletive-laced phone call with Trump while the Capitol was under attack, where the former president said the rioters cared more about the presidential election results than McCarthy did. On the day of the riot, McCarthy said Trump 'bears responsibility' for the violence. But he eventually re-embraced Trump, has visited him at his Mar-a-Lago club in Florida, and is seeking his support in 2022. In his decision not to appear, McCarthy cited an old argument with Pelosi over who would serve on the special panel. Last summer Pelosi vetoed McCarthy's nominees to the panel: Reps. Jim Banks and Jim Jordan to protect the 'integrity' of the investigation. The two men are strong Trump allies who have supported his false claim he won the 2020 election. She accepted McCarthy's other three picks. But he pulled them in response to her veto of his other two lawmakers. As speaker, Pelosi has final say on who serves. Two Republicans - Reps. Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger - are on the panel. They were appointed by Pelosi. Republicans voted Cheney out of House GOP leadership in response to her decision to serve on the committee. McCarthy is the third Republican lawmaker whom the committee has requested cooperation from but he is the most senior member of Congress they have asked to speak to them. Recently the panel made similar requests to Republican Reps. Scott Perry of Pennsylvania and Jim Jordan of Ohio but both of those men have said they will not cooperate with the committee voluntarily. Panel chairman Bennie Thompson has previously said he would 'consider' subpoenaing McCarthy if the GOP leader declined to voluntarily appear. Panel chairman Rep. Bennie Thompson has said he would consider a subpoena if McCarthy declined his request The House Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack is probing the origins of last year's insurrection in the Capitol In its letter to McCarthy, the House Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the United States Capitol cited his call with Trump as the reason they wanted to hear from him. 'You have acknowledged speaking directly with the former President while the violence was underway on January 6th,' wrote panel chairman Bennie Thompson. Thompson also cited McCarthy's conversations with then-Trump chief of staff Mark Meadows ahead of the January 6th certification of Joe Biden's presidential victory. Thompson noted McCarthy had warned Meadows that any attempt to stop the certification of the election was 'doomed to fail' and indicated the panel was interested in the former president's state of mind on the day of the riot. '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,' Thompson, a Democrat from Mississippi, wrote. 'The Select Committee has contemporaneous text messages from multiple witnesses identifying significant concerns following January 6th held by White House staff and the President's supporters regarding President Trump's state of mind and his ongoing conduct. It appears that you had one or more conversations with the President during this period,' the panel's letter states. '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,' it adds. Former White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany, who last briefed the press on Jan. 7th, met virtually with the House select committee probing the Jan. 6th Capitol riot Stephanie Grisham met with the panel last week and said she 'cooperated fully' Thompson also has said he wants to speak with Trump personal attorney Rudy Giuliania. The panel also 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. Lawsuits to block Jan. 6 panel subpoenas There are eight figures in the Trump administration fighting subpoenas from the special committee investigating the Jan. 6 riot. They are: Donald Trump, challenging House requests to the National Archives for government records from his presidency Mark Meadows, former Trump chief of staff, challenging a subpoena for his testimony and a subpoena for his Verizon phone records Cleta Mitchell, election lawyer for Trump, challenging a subpoena of her AT&T phone records Alex Jones, far-right-wing media figure, challenging subpoenas for testimony, documents and phone records Ali Alexander, 'Stop the Steal' organizer, challenging a subpoena of his Verizon phone records John Eastman, conservative lawyer, challenging a subpoena of his Verizon phone records Amy Harris, freelance photographer, challenging a subpoena of her Verizon phone records Michael Flynn, former Trump national security adviser, to block their subpoena for his phone records - Source: CNN Advertisement Former White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany on Wednesday met with the panel virtually after being subpoenaing. That subpoena cited reports that McEnany spent time Trump during a critical period after the Capitol riot began but when the president did not make a public statement for 187 minutes. The panel has also sought records from McEnany's briefing books from the National Archives. The document request is tied up in a court fight. Committee members say they have interviewed more than 300 people in the probe. It is not known how many were permitted to appear virtually. Melania Trump's ex-Chief of Staff Stephanie Grisham met behind closed doors with the panel last week. Grisham said she 'cooperated fully' with the committee. Democratic Rep. Jamie Raskin, a member of the panel, said Grisham gave 'a number of names that I had not heard before.' 'She had a number of names that I had not heard before, and she had some ways of looking at it,' Raskin told said Sunday on NBC's Meet the Press. In December, political operative and longtime Trump ally Roger Stone said that he met briefly with the Jan. 6 panel and informed lawmakers he would invoke his Fifth Amendment right. Stone gave a deposition for 90 minutes before leaving and telling reporters that he would plead the Fifth 'not because I have done anything wrong, but because I am fully aware of the House Democrats' long history of fabricating perjury charges.' Stone slammed the inquiry as 'witch hunt 3.0' and denied having any involvement in the 'illegal and politically counterproductive' activities of that day. Former Trump lawyer John Eastman and former DOJ official Jeffrey Clark also have refused to cooperate. They too face contempt charges. Trump has similarly sought to block the committee from obtaining his White House records from Jan. 6 and the preceding days, asserting they are protected by a legal doctrine called executive privilege. An appeals court rejected Trump's arguments in December. He is expected to appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court. A drug trafficker with the Sinaloa Cartel will spend the next 16 years in a United States prison for overseeing narcotic shipments from Mexico to the U.S., then smuggling the proceeds back to Mexico. Roberto Gallegos-Lechuga, 39, was sentenced Tuesday by the United States District Court for the Southern District of California, nearly six months after he pleaded guilty to conspiring to launder money across international borderlines. He was extradited from Mexico to the United States in March 2020. As a member of the powerful cartel co-founded by Joaquin 'El Chapo' Guzman, Gallegos-Lechuga coordinated massive shipments of cocaine, methamphetamine and heroin through ports of entry in the Southern California region. Roberto Gallegos-Lechuga was sentenced to 188 months in prison on Tuesday by the United States District Court for the Southern District of California. The 39-year-old pleaded guilty in July 2021 to supervising the smuggling of multi-kilogram quantities of cocaine, methamphetamine, and heroin from Mexico into the United States and the smuggling of drug proceeds from the United States to Mexico for the Sinaloa Cartel Sinaloa Cartel co-founder Joaquin 'El Chapo' Guzman is serving a life sentenced at a Colorado prison He was also tasked with supervising and managing a group of couriers who smuggled hundreds of thousands of dollars in drug proceeds back to Mexico. At least seven other defendants who linked to the scheme pleaded guilty and were sentenced. Another 20 individuals who were hired as couriers to deliver drug and money and managed stashed houses have also pleaded guilty and were sentenced in related cases. U.S. Attorney Randy Grossman for the Southern District of California said federal and local law enforcement agencies continue their commitment to dismantling the transnational cartel and bringing all of its members to justice. 'Those who manage drug trafficking and money laundering efforts for the Sinaloa cartel, one of the most violent criminal organization in the world, will continue to face justice in this district,' Grossman said in a statement. 'Stopping the flow of funds to drug cartels and of deadly drugs into the United States continues to be a priority for us and our law enforcement partners.' El Chapo was convicted by a New York federal court in 2019 and is serving a life sentence at ADX Florence, a super maximum federal facility in Colorado. The notorious drug lord's name made headlines this week when the Mexican government announced he and six other former officials were wanted for their ties to a decades-old arms trafficking 'Fast and Furious' sting. Mexico's Office of the Attorney General's announced Sunday that El Chapo, former top cop Genaro Garcia Luna and former federal police intelligence official Luis Cardenas played a role in the gun running scandal from 2009 to 2011 that was secretly backed by U.S. federal law enforcement. Backed by the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the plot involved the tracking of the weapons once they were ferried over the Mexico-United States border and leading authorities to drug cartel leaders. The Office of the Attorney General said the smuggled weapons are responsible for gangland slayings in Mexico and set off bitter cross-border recriminations over the operation. More than 2,000 weapons that were trafficked have been used in criminal incidents dating back to 2009. Advertisement Vice President Kamala Harris said Thursday she 'thinks' the Biden administration will send out 500 million COVID tests next week and fired back at accusations the White House should have started distributing them sooner in the midst of a huge nationwide shortage. 'Shortly - they're going to go out shortly,' Harris said when asked on NBC's 'Today' show when the tests would finally start getting shipped to Americans, even though data suggests Omicron may have already peaked. 'They've been ordered. They've been ordered,' she said. Interviewer Craig Melvin pushed her for more information. 'I have to look at the current information. I think it's going to be by next week. But soon. Absolutely soon. And it is a matter of urgency for us,' she said. 'Should we have done that sooner?' Melvin asked her. 'We are doing it,' Harris replied. 'But should we have done it sooner,' he pressed again. 'We are doing it,' Harris responded. A White House official said Thursday that President Biden would announce Thursday that in addition to the 500 million tests 'that we are in the process of acquiring, he is directing his team to procure 500 million more tests to meet future demand.' It follows criticism of the administration for delaying the distribution of tests and being slow to sign the contracts while Americans were faced with retailers selling out of at-home kits and forced to wait on long lines at testing centers. Biden also announced on Thursday that he is deploying 1,000 military personnel to hospitals in six states - Michigan, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio and Rhode Island- to help deal with staff shortages. 'They're going to go out shortly,' said Vice President Kamala Harris when asked when the first of 500 million home covid tests would start getting shipped Harris also rejected calls for a new approach to COVID, and continued to press Americans who aren't vaccinated to get their shots following calls for change from a group of experts who served as Biden's covid advisors before he took office. 'Every day it is time for us to agree that there are things and tools that are available to us to slow this thing down,' Harris said. 'We are in the midst of a surge. That's where we are right now. And so right now, we know we still have a number of people that, that is in the millions of Americans who have not been vaccinated, and could be vaccinated, and we are urging them to get vaccinated because it will save their life.' The administration says the U.S. Postal Service will deliver the tests to Americans who request them. But the administration says it won't put up the web site until the tests are in hand. DailyMail.com reported Wednesday that a company that got a $190 million contract for the tests doesn't manufacture tests, and got into the business of personal protective equipment only at the start of the pandemic. Its first business offering was a vodka bottle equipped with special programmable LED lights and a bluetooth connection. Another firm based in Texas is also warehousing tests, but not making them. It's largest government contract came last year and was for just $1 million. New data from the first US states hit by Omicron suggest their latest COVID surge has peaked and that cases could soon fall sharply. Data from Johns Hopkins University shows that New York, New Jersey and Maryland have all seen seven day-average cases drop in recent days. Deaths have spiked by 20 per cent in a fortnight to around 1,820 a day, but still sit far below the peaks of winter 2020, even though more COVID infections are being recorded. In the Empire State, seven day average cases sat at 69,300 on January 12 - down from an all-time high of 74,400 on January 8. In neighboring New Jersey, seven day average cases peaked at 31,090 on January 8. But Garden State cases have since dropped too, and sit at 25,060 as of January 12. People wait in a long line to get a COVID-19 test, Monday, Jan. 3, 2022, in North Miami, Fla. The administration announced the plans to ship tests amid the omicron wave. Many schools adopted 'test to return' policies after the holidays Meanwhile, Maryland saw its seven day average cases peak at 13,300 on January 6, but they have since dropped down to 11,900 as of January 12. Over on the West Coast, Los Angeles has also seen a sharp drop in COVID-19 diagnoses after a recent record peak. LA County hit an all-time high of 52,200 cases on January 4. But on January 10, the most recent date for which figures are available, cases had slumped to just 9,300. The shape of each area's peak mirrors infection curves seen in South Africa - where Omicron was first detected - as well as the United Kingdom, which was hit by rocketing new cases weeks before the US. Both those countries have seen cases decline sharply in recent days, sparking hopes that the US will now follow suit. Overall, COVID numbers still remain high. The US reached a record seven day case average of 786,416 cases on Wednesday. On Monday, an all-time high one day caseload of 1.485 million infections was recorded. But the meteoritic rise in case numbers is slowing - and has not translated to a similar increase in deaths. New York and New Jersey were hit the hardest and fastest by Omicron last month when the variant first landed in the U.S. The neighboring states saw cases rise more than seven-fold in only a month, but the variant seems to be burning out. New daily cases in the Empire state have grown by 69 percent over the past two weeks, with the growth rate consistently slowing in recent days. New Jersey is experiencing a similar case growth of 67 percent over the past 14 days as well. Maine has been facing a case surge for a long period of time, dating all the way back to October, but a recent surge in cases has slowed as well - with cases only up 37 percent over the past two weeks. Maryland is also recording a 56 percent jump in cases in recent weeks with growth shrinking in that state as well. All signs are pointing to this current surge peaking, though. Dr Anthony Fauci, the nation's top infectious disease expert, predicts that the variant will eventually spread to everyone in America in the near future before running out of people to infect and quickly declining. A promising sign is coming out of Boston, Massachusetts, as well, with recent wastewater data showing a sharp, 40 percent decline in Covid prevalence in the city. Other major cities like Chicago and Los Angeles have experienced flattening of cases in recent days as well. 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.' While deaths in the U.S. have taken a turn upwards during this period, up 20 percent over the past two weeks to 1,822 per day per Johns Hopkins University data, the Omicron variant may not be responsible. Dr Rochelle Walensky, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), credited the recent uptick to the Delta variant, not Omicron. While current new daily case figures are nearly four times the 200,000 case average from the peak of the Delta strain, daily death totals are still only half of the peak of Delta - showing how mild the variant is. The Indian-born strain only makes up around two percent of infections according to most recent data revealed by the agency - with Omicron making up 98 percent of cases. The CDC also released data on Wednesday showing the Omicron variant is 91 percent less likely to cause death that its predecessor, and half as likely to cause hospitalizations. The U.S. also often follows trends in the UK. Across the pond, cases dropped for the seventh consecutive day on Thursday and cases are down 33 percent over the past week. In London, once the hardest struck city in the world by Omicron, suddenly is recording its lowest daily cases in a month, more signs the variant will quickly burn out in the future. South Africa's sharp decline in Covid cases is continuing as well, down to 6,599 per day, a far fall from the surge's peak all the way back in late December. A fugitive who faked his own death to escape sex and fraud charges in the US was caught at a hospital in Scotland after being put on a ventilator with a COVID infection. Nicholas Alahverdian, 34, was arrested on an Interpol notice at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow on December 13. He had checked in under the alias Arthur Knight, and was intubated after nearly dying of the virus. Alahverdian - who claimed to have died of cancer in February 2020, aged 32, before being buried at sea - is being sought over a 2008 sexual assault charge in Utah. He is accused of raping an ex-girlfriend in September 2008, with police investigating Alahverdian discovering he'd been reported to the police over similar alleged attacks in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Utah and Ohio. The faker, who is also known as Nicholas Rossi, was convicted of sexual assault following an 'encounter' with another student at Sinclair Community College in Dayton, Ohio. He is suspected of carrying out multiple other sex attacks, and was also accused of a $200,000 fraud after taking out credit cards and loans in his foster mother's husband's name in Ohio, it is alleged. Alahverdian divorced his second wife in 2017 after less than two years of marriage, and is also said to owe her $52,000. Both of his former spouses took out restraining orders against him after their marriage ended. Years before the made-for-Hollywood story unfolded, Alahverdian was a Rhode Island political activist who claimed to be victimized by the foster system as child, and who called for changes to state law. His tale of a man with a haunted past - who overcame adversity to become a Harvard-educated political scientist - amazed the circles he frequented, with multiple lawmakers taking pity on him. The charge relates to the rape of a woman in Orem, Utah who Alahverdian befriended on MySpace and later attacked, Utah County District Attorney David Leavitt told DailyMail.com. Nicholas Alahverdian, pictured in 2011, has been arrested for a suspected sex attack after faking his death from cancer and fleeing from the US to Scotland This map shows the trail of havoc and alleged criminal behavior carried out by Nicholas Alahverdian across the US Criminal past of Nicholas Alahverdian Date unknown: Failure to register as a sex offender in Rhode Island. Accused of separate attack which allegedly saw him kidnap and sexually assault a woman Date unknown: Accused of similar abduction and sexual assault attempt in Massachusetts 2008: Convicted of sexual assault in Ohio after an 'encounter' with a fellow student at Sinclair Community College in Dayton. In September 2008, he allegedly raped an ex-girlfriend in Orem, Utah - the allegation that led to his arrest in December 2021. 2017 : Fraud in Ohio. Former foster mom in same state accused Alahverdian of $200,000 scam which saw him allegedly take out fake credit cards and loans in her husband's name February 2020: Fakes his own death of lymphoma, with unnamed 'widow' claiming Alahverdian had been buried at sea. In July, DNA links him to 2008 sex attack in Orem, Utah - the charge which ultimately led to his discovery in Scotland December 2021: Arrested at hospital in Glasgow, Scotland, while intubated with COVID on suspicion of Utah sex attack January 2022: Set to be extradited back to the US, where Alahverdian is almost certain to face further fraud charges for faking his own death in February 2020 Advertisement Utah County Sheriff's Office in Provo began the hunt for Alahverdian in 2020 after testing old sexual assault kits. Those had been uploaded to a national criminal database. The samples which saw Alahverdian convicted of the Ohio sex attacks in 2008 flashed up as a match for a sexual assault said to have taken place the same year in Orem, Utah. That case was originally closed by the lead detective without being referred to prosecutors. They said DNA led to his capture in Scotland, although it is unclear how staff at the hospital grew suspicious of him. 'That's where we began this investigation,' Leavitt said Thursday. 'And what we found was a trail of victims from Utah to Ohio to Rhode Island, Massachusetts. 'All have very similar patterns, very similar stories.' The Utah DA said Alahverdian had also fled charges in Ohio, although further details of the allegations against Alahverdian - who claims to be a married dad of two children - have not been shared. He also faced fraud and extortion complaints in Utah and Ohio, the Providence-Journal reported. It is unclear if the Ohio fraud charge is linked to the fraudulently obtained loans and credit cards. He was convicted in Dayton, Ohio in 2008 of public indecency and sexual imposition; Alahverdian claimed in a 2013 civil lawsuit that the charges stemmed from accusations he masturbated in a hallway of Sinclair Community College. Alahverdian claimed to have died in Rhode Island, where his reported passing was mourned by state representatives, with his current medical issues meaning cops were finally able to track him down and arrest him. The Providence Journal refused to publish an obituary for Alahverdian after a woman claiming to be his third wife failed to provide a death certificate, having claimed that her 'spouse' was buried at sea. An memorial tribute was posted in February 2020 which claimed Alahverdian had died of non-Hodgkin lymphoma and that his last words were 'fear not and run toward the bliss of the sun' He was convicted in Dayton, Ohio in 2008 of public indecency and sexual imposition; Alahverdian claimed in a 2013 civil lawsuit that the charges stemmed from accusations he masturbated in a hallway of Sinclair Community College. Alahverdian claimed to have died in Rhode Island, where his reported passing was mourned by state representatives, with his current medical issues meaning cops were finally able to track him down and arrest him. The Providence Journal refused to publish an obituary for Alahverdian after a woman claiming to be his third wife failed to provide a death certificate, having claimed that her 'spouse' was buried at sea. He faced an extradition via videolink from his Scottish hospital room last month, and was kept under police guard. He is believed to remain in custody in Scotland awaiting extradition to the US. DailyMail.com has reached out to the Ohio County District Attorney's office for comment. The con saw a gushing obituary to Alahverdian posted online, which his former foster mom suspected the alleged fraudster had written himself, after recognizing his writing style. There was also a supposedly posthumous YouTube plea, uploaded three weeks after Alahverdian's death, asking supporters to help the former foster child push for reform of Rhode Island's Department of Children, Youth, and Families. Speaking in a croaky voice towards the end of a self-aggrandizing video touting his achievements, Alahverdian said: 'I'm Nicholas Alahverdian and I kindly ask with you to join with me in my final fight to reform DCYF.' A local radio station's news report announcing Alahverdian's death was also uploaded to the same YouTube channel, in an attempt to underline that Alahverdian really was dead. Alahverdian, 34, was arrested on an Interpol notice at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow on December 13 after nearly dying of Covid-19 In March 2020, Rhode Island Representative Frank McCabe eulogized him as an accomplished author and child welfare reform advocate. During his years in the custody of DCYF, he endured significant abuse, depravation of education, neglect, and unhealthy living conditions,' McCabe said in the House Chamber. The challenges he faced throughout those years could have irrevocably changed his life. 'Instead, those hardships gave him understanding, passion and drive. More than a survivor, Nicholas endured and ultimately overcame those years in the system,' A 'memorial' Twitter accounted purported to be run by 'Nick's widow Louise Alahverdian' appeared to exist to shut down any claims he was alive. 'More fake news about Nick is released the more the Rhode Island gov & now the FBI prove they tried to silence him,' said one tweet. 'Too late. Difference now is he is deceased & I as his wife and 20+ staff can tell his story. He left 7 manuscripts to publish. RI politics will never be the same.' There is no evidence online that Louise Alahverdian exists, though Alahverdian has been married twice before. The sex offender, previously convicted of two sex attacks in Ohio in 2008, used the name Arthur Knight when detained by Police Scotland officers, but it is believed he went under at least eight different aliases since going on the run in 2018. Further details on how Knight had ended up in Scotland, and how long he had been there, have yet to emerge. Alahverdian, whose also uses the surname Rossi, fled the US after DNA linked him to a sex attack in Ohio amid reports of similar offences across the country. According to the Utah County Attorney's Office, he is accused of fraud and sexual assault charges in at least two states. An obituary was posted in February 2020 which claimed Alahverdian had died of non-Hodgkin lymphoma and that his last words were 'fear not and run toward the bliss of the sun'. 'At the time of his passing, the room was filled with the sounds of the end credits for the 1997 film Contact by composer Alan Silvestri, a film and score which held special meaning for Mr. Alahverdian,' the obituary said The obituary claimed he passed away with his wife, family, and two children at his beside. 'At the time of his passing, the room was filled with the sounds of the end credits for the 1997 film Contact by composer Alan Silvestri, a film and score which held special meaning for Mr. Alahverdian,' the obituary said. The tribute also described him as 'one of the most vocal, outspoken, and constructive advocates for reforming Rhode Island's [Department of Children, Youth and Families] and the child care system.' A year after his self-proclaimed 'death', reports in the US emerged that police did not believe he was dead and were actively hunting him. He had previously been questioned by the FBI over a credit card fraud allegation. But he is now subject to extradition proceedings to Utah after DNA led officials to Scotland where he was found in hospital on a ventilator. In 2008, Alahverdian was convicted of two sexual assault charges in Ohio and in 2017 his DNA from that case was uploaded to a national database. Alahverdian grew up in foster care in Rhode Island and 'made it his mission to fight against his mission to fight against what he described as abuses in the state's childcare system,' local radio station WRPO 630 said in reporting his death. Prosecutors claim that in 2020, his DNA matched samples from a sexual assault said to have taken place in Utah and discovered he was suspect in a number of other incidents across America. He also had a live warrant out for his arrest after failing to register as a sex offender in Rhode Island. Alahverdian is now the subject of extradition proceedings instigated by Leavitt, who thanked police worldwide including Police Scotland, for finding the wanted man. He said: 'Our office is grateful for the significant interagency collaboration of law enforcement to bring this suspect to justice.' Alahverdian is now the subject of extradition proceedings instigated by the Utah County The many aliases of an American fugitive Investigators say the suspected sex predator went by at least eight names, including: Nicholas Rossi Nicholas Alahverdian Nicholas Alahverdian Rossi Nicholas Edward Rossi Nicholas Alahverdian-Rossi Nick Alan Nicholas Brown Arthur Brown Arthur Knight Advertisement An official Utah County Attorney statement added: 'Investigators also learned that Nicholas Rossi had fled the country to avoid prosecution in Ohio and attempted to lead investigators and state legislators in other states to believe that he was deceased. 'Through the diligent efforts of SBI Agents, and various investigators in other states and agencies, and in cooperation with the Utah County Attorney's Office, Mr. Rossi was discovered to be living under an assumed name in Scotland. 'He has been taken into custody and the Utah County Attorney's Office is working with federal and international agencies to extradite Mr Rossi back to Utah.' Rhode Island State Police Major Robert A. Creamer said: 'He was located in Scotland about a month ago, where he was on a ventilator.' A Police Scotland spokeswoman said: 'Officers arrested a 34-year-old man in Glasgow on Monday, December 13, in connection with an international arrest warrant. A report was submitted to the procurator fiscal.' A Crown Office spokeswoman added: 'I can confirm that Arthur Knight appeared via video link from QEUH on Thursday 23 December 2021 in relation to extradition proceedings for the US. 'No future dates have yet been fixed.' By Joseph S. Nye CAMBRIDGE As 2021 drew to a close, Russia had massed troops near its border with Ukraine; China had flown military jets near Taiwan; North Korea was still pursuing its nuclear-weapons program; and Taliban fighters were patrolling the streets of Kabul. Seeing all this, friends asked me: "Whatever happened to soft power?" One answer is that it can be found in other recent events, such as President Joe Biden's virtual Summit for Democracy, which was attended by representatives from more than 100 countries. Having been excluded, China took to the airwaves and social media to proclaim that it had a different and more stable type of democracy than the one being extolled by the United States. What we were seeing was a great-power competition over soft power, understood as the ability to influence others by attraction rather than by coercion or payment. When I first wrote about soft power in 1990, I was seeking to overcome a deficiency in how analysts thought about power generally. But the concept gradually acquired more of a political resonance. In some respects, the underlying thought is not new; similar concepts can be traced back to ancient philosophers such as Lao Tse. Nor does soft power pertain only to international behavior or to the U.S. Many small countries and organizations also possess the power to attract; and in democracies, at least, soft power is an essential component of leadership. Still, the concept is now generally associated with international relations. As the European Union developed into its current form, European leaders increasingly made use of the term. And ever since 2007, when then-Chinese President Hu Jintao declared that China must develop its soft power, the government has invested billions of dollars in that quest. The challenge now is for China to implement an effective smart-power strategy. If it can effectively pair its growing hard power with soft power, it will be less likely to provoke counter-balancing coalitions. Soft power is not the only or even the most important source of power, because its effects tend to be slow and indirect. But to ignore or neglect it is a serious strategic and analytic mistake. The Roman Empire's power rested not only on its legions, but also on the attraction of Roman culture and law. Similarly, as a Norwegian analyst once described it, the American presence in Western Europe after World War II was "an empire by invitation." No barrage of artillery brought down the Berlin Wall; it was removed by hammers and bulldozers wielded by people who had been touched by Western soft power. Smart political leaders have long understood that values can create power. If I can get you to want what I want, I will not have to force you to do what you do not want to do. If a country represents values that others find attractive, it can economize on the use of sticks and carrots. A country's soft power comes primarily from three sources: its culture; its political values, such as democracy and human rights (when it upholds them); and its policies (when they are seen as legitimate because they are framed with an awareness of others' interests). A government can influence others through the example of how it behaves at home (such as by protecting a free press and the right to protest), in international institutions (consulting others and fostering multilateralism), and through its foreign policy (such as by promoting development and human rights). During the COVID-19 pandemic, China has tried to use so-called "vaccine diplomacy" to bolster its soft power, which had been damaged by its secretive handling of the initial outbreak of the coronavirus in Wuhan. The government's efforts have been aimed at reinforcing its Belt and Road Initiative, which supports infrastructure projects in many parts of the world. But international polls show that the results have been disappointing. In measures of attractiveness, China lags behind the U.S. on all continents except Africa, where the two countries are tied. One reason for China's lower level of soft power is its heavy-handed use of hard power in pursuit of an increasingly nationalist foreign policy. This has been on full display in its economic punishment of Australia and in its military operations on the Himalayan border with India. China has a smart-power problem. After all, it is difficult to practice vaccine diplomacy and "wolf-warrior diplomacy" (aggressive, coercive browbeating of smaller countries) at the same time. True, international polls showed that the U.S. also suffered a decline in soft power during Donald Trump's presidency. But, fortunately, America is more than its government. Unlike hard-power assets (such as armed forces), many soft-power resources are separate from the government and are only partly responsive to its purposes. For example, Hollywood movies showcasing independent women or protesting minorities inspire others around the world. So, too, does the charitable work of U.S. foundations and the freedom of inquiry at American universities. Firms, universities, foundations, churches, and protest movements develop soft power of their own. Sometimes their activities will reinforce official foreign-policy goals, and sometimes they will be at odds with them. Either way, these private sources of soft power are increasingly important in the age of social media. The January 6, 2021, insurrection at the U.S. Capitol certainly damaged U.S. soft power. But those who would mourn the death of American democracy prematurely should bear in mind that the 2020 election drew an unprecedented turnout despite the pandemic. The American people are still able to unseat a demagogue in a free and fair election. This is not to suggest that all is well with American democracy or its soft power. Trump eroded many democratic norms that now must be restored. Biden has made strengthening democracy at home and abroad a goal of his presidency, but the results remain to be seen. No one can be certain about the future trajectory of any country's soft power. But there is no doubt that influence through attraction will remain an important component of world politics. As Mark Twain famously quipped, "The reports of my death are greatly exaggerated." The same is true of soft power. Joseph S. Nye, Jr. is a professor at Harvard University and author, most recently, of "Do Morals Matter? Presidents and Foreign Policy from FDR to Trump" (Oxford University Press, 2020). His article was distributed by Project Syndicate ( The DMV was kept busy in Connecticut last year after dozens of drivers applied for profanity-laden vanity license plates - all of which were rejected. Newly released figures reveal around 80 personalized plates were deemed too offensive by the state of Connecticut's Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) from October 2020 through September 2021 - with 36 of them containing foul language. Among the most common offenders were variations of the term 'f**k you', while one rejected plate said: 'MOMMYAF' - which could be translated to mean 'Mommy as f**k'. Other requests were more juvenile, but still had to be turned down, including 'FARTYY' and 'YOUSUCK'. A proposed plate reading 'IH8CT' - meaning 'I hate Connecticut' - was also rejected by the DMV. Other rejected entries referenced ISIS and the mafia, while some attempted to use a zero as the letter 'O' - which is forbidden under state law. Newly released figures reveal around 80 personalized plates were deemed too offensive by the state of Connecticut's Department of Motor Vehicles (pictured) from October 2020 through September 2021 - with 36 of them containing foul language Among the most common offenders were variations of the term 'f**k you', while one rejected plate said: 'MOMMYAF' - which could be translated to mean 'Mommy as f**k' (mock-up image) Other requests were more juvenile, but still had to be turned down, including 'FARTYY' and 'YOUSUCK' (mock-up image) However the majority of the 962 vanity plate applications made to the Connecticut DMV were accepted. It means the personalized plates brought in more than $50,000 to the state's coffers last year, reported Connecticut Insider. It comes after several Covid-related vanity plates were issued in 2020, amid the onset of the coronavirus pandemic. An application for a plate which simply read 'COVID19' was submitted on March 14, a week after the first confirmed case of the disease in the state. Two days later someone applied for 'COV1D19', before an application was sent in for 'NOCOVID' on March 16. All were approved by the state, according to the Connecticut Post. Plates can also be issued with special backgrounds, which the DMV sells on behalf of nonprofit organizations, with a portion of the sales going to the charities. A proposed plate reading 'IH8CT' - meaning 'I hate Connecticut' - was also rejected by the DMV (mock-up image) Personalized plates brought in more than $50,000 to the state's coffers last year, reported Connecticut Insider (mock-up image) To be part of the scheme, nonprofits must provide several pieces of documentation, including a charter or bylaws, a letter of good standing from the Connecticut Secretary of State's Office and 'any Internal Revenue Service ruling on their nonprofit tax exemption status,' according to the state's website. Last year, at least 1,878 people renewed licence plates which support animal population control - making it the most popular cause. The funds raised help offer vaccinations and sterilization to pets which have been adopted by residents in the state from a municipal pound via the Department of Agriculture. Commemorative, wildlife and United We Stand plates also proved popular, the figures showed. Microsoft has rolled out a new 'inclusiveness' spellchecker for the latest version of Office 365 which highlights text and offers politically correct alternatives to phrases it perceives to be 'problematic'. Microsoft's Windows is the most widely used computer operating system in the world, accounting for almost 70 per cent of the market across desktop, tablets, and consoles in December 2021, and has long offered a spelling, punctuation and grammar checking function across its suite of Office programmes. But the tech giant has developed an additional feature which reviews a user's work and decides whether the language used could be potentially offensive. The function produces a purple line beneath words or phrases it deems problematic while offering more 'inclusive' alternatives, and is included on the Office 365 version of Microsoft Word from 2019 onwards. Microsoft has released a statement in which it recognised that the inclusivity spellchecker may not be suitable for all scenarios and stressed that users can choose to turn the checker off at any point to be in control of their final output. The company drew criticism when senior employees at the annual Microsoft Ignite conference in November made a point of announcing each participants' race, gender, pronouns and appearances and acknowledged the indigenous land on which the company was built in Washington State. Tech giant Microsoft has added an additional feature which reads through a user's work and examines whether the language used may offend an individual The new spellcheck function has been rolled out across the latest version of Microsoft Word in Office 365, which users access via a yearly subscription After highlighting the inclusivity issue, Word's new functionality will suggest more acceptable alternatives - which includes discarding 'blacklist' and 'whitelist' in favour of 'accepted list or 'allowed list', changing 'Postman Pat' to 'postal worker' and altering Neil Armstrong's famous moon-landing quote from 'one giant leap for mankind', to 'humankind' or 'humanity' instead Where can I access the spellchecker and how do I turn it off? The inclusivity spellchecker is included in Office 365 version of Word from 2019 onwards. Users can enable or disable the function in Word's 'Editor' by clicking on 'Settings'. In the section labelled 'Proofreading', navigate to a second 'Settings' button located next to the 'Grammar and Refinements' section. Users can then check or uncheck the boxes under the heading 'Inclusiveness' to enable or disable the spellchecker. Advertisement The new spellcheck function has been rolled out across the latest version of Microsoft Word in Office 365, which users access via a yearly subscription. The inclusivity spellchecker is only included in the version of Word that comes with a Office 365 subscription, so users with a standalone version of Office 2019 or an earlier version of Office will not be affected. After highlighting the inclusivity issue, Word's new functionality will suggest more acceptable alternatives - which includes discarding 'blacklist' and 'whitelist' in favour of 'accepted list or 'allowed list'. The function also suggests changing 'postman' to 'postal worker' and altering Neil Armstrong's famous moon-landing quote from 'one giant leap for mankind', to 'humankind' or 'humanity' instead. Other examples of the spellchecker's woke suggestions reported by The Sun are 'maid' (Word suggests 'house cleaner'), 'showgirl' ('dancer' or 'performing artist'), 'headmaster' ('principal'), 'mistress' ('lover'), 'master' ('expert'), and 'manpower' ('workforce'). The spellchecker also took exception to Mrs Thatcher - stipulating that the former British Prime Minister should in fact be referred to as 'Ms' Thatcher. The inclusivity spellchecker is included in the version of Word that comes with a Office 365 subscription - users with a standalone version of Office 2019 or an earlier version of Office will not be affected The spellchecker settings can be found in the Editor tab of Microsoft Word under proofing > grammar and refinements Users who do not want to use the inclusivity filter can uncheck the boxes listed here before clicking OK. When all the boxes are checked, the software will screen text which is perceived to involve any of the following: Age bias, Cultural bias, Ethnic slurs, Gender bias, Gender-Neutral Pronouns, Gender-Specific Language, Racial Bias, Sexual Orientation Bias and Socioeconomic Bias Microsoft has released a statement on the application the spellchecker. 'Microsoft understands that not every Editor suggestion may be suitable for all users and all scenarios. Thats why we let users be in control of their final output. Editor is a completely optional tool that users can turn on or turn off at any point. Editor does not make any autocorrections. 'The user has control over which suggestions they choose to use, if any. They will be able to turn on and off each one of them individually.' The company's push to make its users more politically correct has drawn criticism in recent months, with one particularly memorable example coming last November at the company's annual Ignite conference. Host and Microsoft senior program manager Allison Weins opened the conference by reeling off a list of Native American tribes who occupied the land now dominated by Microsoft buildings. 'First, we want to acknowledge that the land where the Microsoft campus is situated was traditionally occupied by The Sammamish, The Duwamish, The Snowqualmie, the Muckleshoot, the Snohomish, the Tulalip, and other Coast- Salish peoples since time immemorial - a people that are still here, continuing to honor and bring to light their ancient heritage,' she said. Weins went on to state her ethnicity, appearance, clothing and gender before her co-host and other employees followed suit. Microsoft's push to make its users more politically correct has drawn criticism in recent months, with one particularly laughable example coming last November at the company's annual Ignite conference Host and Microsoft senior program manager Allison Weins opened the conference by reeling off a list of Native American tribes who occupied the land now dominated by Microsoft buildings. She went on to state her ethnicity, appearance, clothing and gender before her co-host and other employees followed suit 'I'm an Asian and White female with dark brown hair,' she continued, 'wearing a red sleeveless top.' 'I'm a tall Hispanic male wearing a blue shirt and khaki pants,' announced program manager Seth Juarez before marketing manager Nic Fillingham said: 'I'm a Caucasian man with glasses and a beard. I go by he/him.' Some praised Microsoft for what they argued was an attempt to make the conference more inclusive for visually impaired viewers, but the episode was widely decried as a woke stunt. Meanwhile, many Microsoft Exchange users discovered that the computer programming flaw known as the Millennium bug which plagued PCs in 2000 had come back to haunt them. The issue taking down Exchange servers worldwide began as the clock struck midnight on New Year's Eve. As the clock struck midnight on New Year's Eve, Microsoft customers reported suffering from a re-occurrence of the Millennium bug which plagued PCs in 2000 (stock image) System administrators at Microsoft dubbed the glitch Y2K22 in reference to the Y2K bug of 22 years ago. As the new millennium approached, computer programmers realized that their software might not interpret 00 as 2000, but as 1900 - a glitch that many feared would spell disaster for governments, corporations, banks and industries worldwide. Many economists predicted a worldwide recession, and doomsday flyers warning of an apocalyptic fallout as a result of computer malfunctions were published en-masse in the late 1990s. Fortunately, the computer apocalypse never came to pass, with only minimal disruptions recorded, but the issue has come back to plague some Microsoft Exchange servers 22 years later. The UK Government published flyers about the bug in the late 1990s. As the new millennium approached, computer programmers realized that their software might not interpret 00 as 2000, but as 1900 - a glitch that many feared would spell disaster for governments, corporations, banks and industries worldwide The issue stems from the way that Microsoft names updates for its malware-scanning engine, which uses the year, month and date before another four-digit number, known as a update number. For example, in this case the update number would be 220101, followed by 0001. This system is used to keep track of updates, with the most recent update being assigned a higher value. But the field in which the update number is stored appears to have a limit of 31 bit, meaning the maximum value that can be inputted is two to the power of 31, or 2,147,483,648. When the calendar ticked over to 2022, the naming system exceeded the maximum value and failed. As a result, Microsoft's anti-malware scanning software, which queues and checks messages before they are delivered to the recipient, is queueing emails and not sending them on. Responding to reports of the issue reappearing, Microsoft said earlier this month that engineers had been 'working around the clock on a fix'. Pope Francis has hailed parents who 'flee wars' with their children for a new life in Europe as 'heroes', in an interview published on Thursday. 'I think of many fathers, many mothers and many families that flee war, who are rejected at the borders of Europe and elsewhere, who experience situations of suffering and injustice and who no one takes seriously or willingly ignores,' he told Vatican newspaper Osservatore Romano. 'I would like to say to these fathers, to these mothers, that for me they are heroes because I see in them the courage of those who risk their lives for love of their children, for love of their family.' Pope Francis (pictured holding his weekly general audience on January 12) has hailed parents who 'flee wars' with their children for a new life in Europe as 'heroes', in an interview published on Thursday The Argentine pontiff, speaking in an interview published on Thursday, said of migrant parents travelling with their children: 'I see in them the courage of those who risk their lives for love' The Argentine pontiff, 85, is outspoken in his calls for support and understanding for migrants and asylum seekers. He added: 'I feel very close to the suffering of those families, of those fathers and mothers who are experiencing particular difficulty, worsened above all due to the [Covid-19] pandemic.' 'I think that not being able to feed one's children, feeling the responsibility for the life of others, is suffering that is not easy to face. In this regard, my prayers, my closeness but also all the support of the Church is for these people, for these least ones,' he said. Pope Francis visited the Greek island of Lesbos, where more than 3,500 asylum seekers reside, for the second time in December, five years after his first visit in 2016. At the camp, he met dozens of child asylum seekers and relatives standing behind metal barriers and stopped to embrace a boy called Mustafa. His visit came a day after he delivered a stinging rebuke to the nations of Europe, which he said were 'torn by nationalist egoism'. Pope Francis visited the Greek island of Lesbos, where more than 3,500 asylum seekers reside, for the second time in December 5, 2021, five years after his first visit in 2016 'I am trying to help you,' Francis told one group through his interpreter during the visit. People later gathered in a tent to sing songs and psalms to the pontiff. Pope Francis warned at the time that the Mediterranean 'is becoming a grim cemetery without tombstones' and that 'after all this time, we see that little in the world has changed with regard to the issue of migration'. He said the root causes 'should be confronted - not the poor people who pay the consequences and are even used for political propaganda'. The European Union has been locked in a dispute with Belarus over an influx of migrants travelling through the former Soviet state seeking to enter Poland, Lithuania and Latvia in recent months. Britain and France have also traded barbs over the increasing number of migrants making the deadly Channel crossing to reach the UK in the wake of the November 24 mass drowning which claimed 27 lives. A mosque leader accused of encouraging terrorism told a court 'Jihad by sword' was a fundamental obligation in the Quran. Abubaker Deghayes, 53, allegedly made a 'stabbing motion with his hands' as he promoted Islamic extremist violence to his Brighton Mosque congregation on November 1, 2020. Libyan-born Deghayes said: 'Jihad is compulsory, upon you, you, you and you until the Day of Resurrection, whatever the British Government thinks, whatever Prevent thinks, whatever Israel thinks. 'Jihad by fighting by sword that means this Jihad is compulsory upon you.' Giving evidence wearing a 'Free Palestine' jumper, Deghayes said Jihad was not terrorism. Asked if his speech was meant to endorse physical fighting or encourage terrorism, he said: 'Fight who? No, of course not.' Abubaker Deghayes (pictured), 53, allegedly made a stabbing motion with his hands as he promoted Islamic extremist violence to his Brighton Mosque congregation Libyan-born Deghayes said: 'Jihad is compulsory, upon you, you, you and you until the Day of Resurrection, whatever the British Government thinks, whatever Prevent thinks, whatever Israel thinks.' Pictured, his mosque He claimed that he was simply delivering the teachings of the Quran and that Jihad was part of that. 'Jihad is part of the religion of Islam whether others like it or not,' the mosque leader said. 'You say why the British government, the British government brought me here and said I'm a suspect because I speak the truth. 'British government will come prosecute me...because you are saying Jihad and the sword...you break the law. 'Some lunatic crazy guy goes and stabs people in the street which has nothing to do with Islam no matter whatever reason. 'Straight away 'Jihad!', 'Jihad, Jihad, Jihad'. My father was killed by Gaddafi because he refused to live a hypocrite life. 'He told him to his face, 'What you are doing is wrong'. Jihad by sword...is a fundamental obligation in the Quran. Allah says fight those who fight you and do not transgress. 'Fighting with the sword to protect yourself, to lift opportunity, to open the way for the message to be passed if blocked, to speak the truth in front of a tyrant. 'Nobody can demolish, nobody can wipe out that.' Deghayes said the British government is forcing UK Muslims to temper their beliefs. Deghayes (pictured in 2007) claimed that he was simply delivering the teachings of the Quran and that Jihad was part of that 'I'm saying the mood within the Muslim community in the UK today, because of the pressure that they have to justify themselves, because of serious media campaign against them, they are fearful to speak their mind and say what they believe after fear that they will be persecuted or charged with terror charges. 'I'm being brave and trying to get them to be brave. We are being cornered to shy out and cower from saying that Jihad is a compulsory concept or obligation in Islam. 'There is an effort to remove certain verses which talk about Jihad by the sword from the syllabus of schools in the Muslim world. 'And again here any Imam who speaks of it is liable to be brought here like I have been and put into being accused of promoting terrorism.' The mosque leader added that the British government were being 'unjust'. And that in the face of this injustice, he said he was encouraging his congregation to accept 'Jihad by sword' as a fundamental part of their faith. When the prosecution again suggested that he was encouraging violence and terrorism, he said: 'No I'm not. If you believe Jihad by fighting is terrorism then I'm guilty as charged. Deghayes said the British government is forcing UK Muslims to temper their beliefs 'If you believe that terrorism is something else other than legitimate belief in fighting for your freedom and protection then I'm not guilty. I know my people. 'I was not propagating that you go and act violent. To anyone or to anybody. They know actually that I'm against these things. 'I have provided sermons against these attacks in London and other places. I said this is not Islam. How can you justify living with people in peace and then go and murdering and killing? 'These people have heard me speak one million trillion times, and they know what is my thinking. And they know the concept of Jihad exists in Islam...which cannot be ignored.' Deghayes, of Saltdean, Brighton, denied encouraging terrorism. The trial continues. At least 1,700 jobs are set to be cut by the energy firm Ovo, just days after it was savaged for giving advice to 'cuddle pets' to keep heating bills low. Staff were given details of plans on Thursday, which include reducing the number of offices from 10 to three. Unions said they will oppose the job cuts, and criticised the Government for 'doing nothing' to tackle the energy crisis. The cuts represent a quarter of the number of employees at Ovo, which has around 4.5 million customers. Ovo said it is also increasing its minimum wage by 15% to 12 an hour, giving a pay rise for 1,000 employees. The company added it will reverse the policy of offshoring from the previous owner and create more high-skilled jobs in the UK, and open a new Ovo Academy in Glasgow. Around 1,000 call centre staff will be trained to become zero-carbon living advisers, with specialist knowledge of green home products and technologies from tariffs to making homes more energy efficient. The three remaining offices will be in Bristol, Glasgow and London, while more employees will be supported to work flexibly from home should they wish. Founder of OVO Energy Stephen Fitzpatrick seen outside BBC late last year after an interview The charming Cotswold Manor owned by the founder of OVO Energy Stephen Fitzpatrick The company had to apologise earlier this week after an email sent to customers advised them to keep their heating bills low by 'having a cuddle with your pets' or eating bowls of porridge. The Unite union said it warned in 2020 that Ovo was taking a risk when it took over the retail base of energy giant SSE. General secretary Sharon Graham said: 'We will do everything in our power to defend our members' jobs. 'All and every option will be on the table. As a first step the company must now open the books to union experts. 'We will not sit by and watch our members being made to pay the price of the pandemic.' Unite national officer for energy Simon Coop added: 'We warned the directors about blundering into the SSE takeover. 'In recent years the same directors have plundered the accounts for amounts estimated to be touching 5 million. 'Ovo must be subject to severe scrutiny before the union decides on our next moves, but if they move to compulsory redundancies they will be fully opposed by the union.' Ovo energy had been criticised over advice to keep warm that included cuddling pets GMB national officer Gary Carter said: 'This is a new year kick in the teeth for employees who have seen the company through Covid and faced increased call volumes and stress caused by the energy crisis. 'At a time when more than 20 energy companies have gone to the wall and customers are looking to other providers for their energy needs, this looks like the wrong time to cut jobs. 'Customer numbers are increasing in those companies left in the energy retail sector. 'The Government has stood back and done nothing to address the energy crisis and we are all paying the price.' Unison's head of energy Matt Lay said: 'Hard-working staff across the company will be devastated as they anxiously await their fate. Closing offices will hit local economies hard too. 'Staff have been dealt a cruel blow. Instead of worrying about star jumps, porridge and cat cuddles, Ovo bosses should have been spending time on the issues that matter. Axing so many public-facing roles will have a huge impact on customers. 'Unions will be pushing managers to hold on to staff and retrain them. Those in at-risk roles must become part of the huge energy-efficiency drive that's necessary if net-zero commitments are to be met. 'The Government isn't without blame. Its hands-off approach to energy regulation has been disastrous. Ministers need to roll up their sleeves and get involved before the UK's entire energy sector goes under.' Advertisement Prince Andrew will no longer be known as His Royal Highness 'in any official capacity' in a stunning downfall as his family tonight abandoned him to fight his sex abuse lawsuit in America as a private citizen. Andrew, who remains Duke of York, also loses his military titles and royal patronages 'with the Queen's approval and agreement', Buckingham Palace said in a terse statement that brought his 61 years as a senior royal to a shock end. He is only the 5th royal in recent history to stop officially using the HRH title, with Princess Diana and Sarah, Duchess of York, losing the styling after their divorce, while Prince Harry and Meghan Markle agreed to lose theirs publicly as part of their 'Megxit' deal with the Queen. But like Harry and Meghan, Andrew will privately retain the title inside Palace walls, meaning he will not have to start bowing to all HRH members of the family. The decision to shred Andrew's military ties is likely to be particularly painful for the Royal Navy veteran, who served with distinction as a helicopter pilot during the Falklands War. It comes after a day after a US judge unequivocally rejected the prince's bid to have his sex abuse case thrown out, leaving him facing the prospect of being cross-examined for seven hours on camera with embarrassing questions on everything from his sex life and 'private parts'. Andrew has been urged to settle out of court with his accuser Virginia Roberts Giuffre 'for the sake of his mother', who celebrates her Platinum Jubilee this year. But he could face difficulties given Ms Giuffre is said to be pushing for 'her day in court'. Buckingham Palace announced the Queen's decision to cast Andrew out of the royal fold in a statement released this afternoon. 'With The Queen's approval and agreement, The Duke of York's military affiliations and Royal patronages have been returned to The Queen,' it read. 'The Duke of York will continue not to undertake any public duties and is defending this case as a private citizen.' A royal source said the issue had been widely discussed with the royal family, making it likely that the Prince of Wales, as well as Andrew, were involved in crisis talks over the matter. The source said the military posts would be redistributed to other members of the royal family. The Palace said previously that the duke's military appointments were in abeyance after he stepped down from public duties in 2019. But, prior to today, he still retained the roles, including the position of Colonel of the Grenadier Guards, one of the oldest and most emblematic regiments in the British Army. His other British honorary military titles are: Honorary air commodore of RAF Lossiemouth; Colonel-in-chief of the Royal Irish Regiment; Colonel-in-chief of the Small Arms School Corps; Commodore-in-Chief of the Fleet Air Arm; Royal colonel of the Royal Highland Fusiliers; Deputy colonel-in-chief of The Royal Lancers (Queen Elizabeths' Own); and Royal colonel of the Royal Regiment of Scotland. It comes after more than 150 veterans joined forces to express their outrage, writing to the Queen to demand Andrew was removed from the honorary military positions. Accusing the duke of bringing the services he is associated with into disrepute, the 152 former members of the Royal Navy, RAF and Army said that 'were this any other senior military officer it is inconceivable that he would still be in post'. The Queen is head of the armed forces and honorary military appointments are in her gift. Prince Andrew (pictured left in military uniform) was today stripped of his military honours by the Queen (right). He will also no longer be allowed to use the honorific 'HRH' in official capacity Buckingham Palace said in a statement this afternoon, which read: 'With The Queen's approval and agreement, The Duke of York's military affiliations and Royal patronages have been returned to The Queen' The Duke of York was pictured sitting in the back of a Range Rover this morning as he was being driven from his house in Windsor Great Park Prince Andrew's titles and patronages The Queen has stripped the Duke of York of his honorary military roles and royal patronages, Buckingham Palace announced this evening. The move is a major blow to Andrew, who is facing a looming civil sexual assault court showdown after a New York judge sensationally ruled yesterday that the case could go ahead. Andrew's honorary military titles United Kingdom Personal Aide-de-Camp to the Queen; Colonel of the Grenadier Guards; Colonel-in-Chief of the 9th/12th Royal Lancers (Prince of Wales's); Colonel-in-Chief of the Royal Irish Regiment (27th (Inniskilling) 83rd and 87th and Ulster Defence Regiment); Colonel-in-Chief of the Small Arms School Corps; Colonel-in-Chief of the Yorkshire Regiment (14th/15th, 19th and 33rd/76th Foot); Royal Colonel of the Royal Highland Fusiliers, 2nd Battalion Royal Regiment of Scotland; Honorary Air Commodore, Royal Air Force Lossiemouth; Commodore-in-Chief of the Fleet Air Arm. Canada Colonel-in-Chief of the Queen's York Rangers (1st American Regiment); Colonel-in-Chief of the Royal Highland Fusiliers of Canada; Colonel-in-Chief of the Princess Louise Fusiliers; Colonel-in-Chief of the Canadian Airborne Regiment (disbanded). New Zealand Colonel-in-Chief of the Royal New Zealand Army Logistic Regiment. Andrew's patronages Alderney Maritime Trust; Army Officers' Golfing Society; Army Rifle Association; Attend (National Association of Hospital and Community Friends); Berkshire County Cricket Club; British-Kazakh Society; Commonwealth Golfing Society; Constructionarium; Fire Service Sports and Athletics Association; Fly Navy Heritage Trust; Foundation for Liver Research; The Friends of Lakefield College School; Friends of the Staffordshire Regiment (The Prince of Wales's); Greenwich Hospital; Grenadier Guards; H.M.S. Duke of York Association; Horris Hill School; Hunstanton Golf Club; Interfaith Explorers; Inverness Golf Club; Killyleagh Yacht Club; Lakefield College School; Lucifer Golfing Society; Maimonides Interfaith Foundation; Maple Bay Yacht Club; Maple Bay Yacht Club; Port of Dartmouth Royal Regatta; Quad-Centenary Club; Queen's York Rangers; Robert T. Jones, Jr. Scholarship Foundation; Royal Aero Club of the United Kingdom; Royal Aero Club Trust; Royal Air Force Golfing Society; Royal Air Force Lossiemouth; Royal Alberta United Services Institute; Royal Artillery Golfing Society; Royal Ascot Golf Club; Royal Belfast Golf Club; Royal Blackheath Golf Club; Royal British Legion Scotland, Inverness Branch; Royal Cinque Ports Golf Club; Royal County Down Golf Club; Royal Free Charity; Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust; Royal Guild of St Sebastian (Royal Guild of Archers of St. Sebastian - Bruges); The Royal Highland Fusiliers Of Canada; Royal Irish Regiment (27th (Inniskilling), 83rd and 87th and The Ulster Defence Regiment); Royal Jersey Golf Club; Royal Liverpool Golf Club; Royal Montrose Golf Club; Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital; Royal Navy Golf Association; Royal Navy Golfing Society; Royal New Zealand Army Logistic Regiment (The Duke of York's Own); Royal Norwich Golf Club; Royal Perth Golfing Society and Country and City Club; Royal Portrush Golf Club; Royal St David's Golf Club; Royal United Services Institute for Defence and Security Studies; Royal Victoria Yacht Club, British Columbia; Royal Winchester Golf Club; Royal Windsor Horse Show; Ryedale Festival; SickKids Foundation; Small Arms School Corps; Sound Seekers; St Helena National Trust; Staffordshire Regiment Trust; STFC Harwell and Daresbury Science and Innovation Campus; Sunningdale Ladies Golf Club; The Association of Royal Navy Officers; The Colonel's Fund (Grenadier Guards); The Corporation of Trinity House; The Duke of York Young Champions' Trophy; The Duke of York's Community Initiative; The Entrepreneurship Centre, Cambridge Judge Business School; The Fleet Air Arm; The Fleet Air Arm Officers' Association; The Gordonstoun Association; The Helicopter Club of Great Britain; The Honourable Artillery Company; The Honourable Company of Air Pilots; The Honourable Society of Lincoln's Inn; The Institution of Civil Engineers; The Ladder Foundation; The Northern Meeting; The Omani Britain Friendship Association (OBFA); The Princess Louise Fusiliers; The Returned & Services League of Australia Limited; The Royal Air Squadron; The Royal Commonwealth Ex-Services League; The Royal Fine Art Commission Trust; The Royal Highland Fusiliers, 2nd Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland; The Royal Household Golf Club; The Royal Institute of Navigation; The Royal Lancers (Queen Elizabeths' Own); The Royal Regiment of Scotland; The Royal Society; The Royal Thames Yacht Club; The South Atlantic Medal Association (SAMA 82); The Worshipful Company of Shipwrights; University of Cambridge Judge Business School; Wellington Academy; Wellington College International Tianjin; Westminster Academy; Yorkshire Society. Advertisement A number of royal experts and commentators have said today's decision is the strongest possible signal the Queen could send to her second son. Former BBC royal correspondent Peter Hunt wrote in The Spectator: 'This is what a sacking looks like when you're ninth in line to the British throne. 'Prince Andrew has been well and truly cut adrift. By his only family. 'From birth, he was styled His Royal Highness. He will go to his grave unencumbered by it. The removal of the style HRH, at the age of 61, will hurt a son of the Queen who doesn't wear his royal status lightly.' Meanwhile Dickie Arbiter, a former assistant press secretary at the palace, told The Times that the Queen would be 'very sad' about the decision to strip her son of his titles. He added: 'But she is pragmatic. It is about protecting the interests of the institution. Andrew now is really out in the cold.' Tobias Ellwood MP, the chair of the House of Commons Defence Select Committee, said he welcomed the removal of Andrew's military titles. He told the BBC's Newcast podcast: 'Prince Andrew already had stepped back from many of his public duties - I think all of them, as well - so I think this was anticipated, indeed it was expected, from this perspective, so I'm actually not surprised.' A Ministry of Defence spokesman said it had no comment about the duke's military titles because it was a matter for the Palace. Former BBC Royal Correspondent Jenny Bond said: 'Clearly pressure has been exerted on him, and pressure on the Queen was growing for some action because of the disquiet within the military, and people beginning to say 'we don't want to toast his health' at the end of regimental dinners. 'With the court procedures the way they are in the United States, this is going to roll on and on probably well into next year, thus overshadowing the Queen's platinum jubilee year so that, I think, will be very much up in Prince Andrew's mind.' One of the Army veterans who called on the Queen to remove the Duke of York's honorary military roles has welcomed the decision to strip him of the posts, saying: 'I'm just glad he's not associated with the military now.' Lieutenant Stuart Hunt, who served in The 1st Royal Tank Regiment, branded the matter an 'unsavoury business' and said the duke had brought the armed forces into disrepute. He suggested the matter should have been resolved at least two years ago, and Andrew should have taken the decision himself to stand down then. Lt Hunt, who served in Northern Ireland in the early 1990s, was one of 152 former Army, RAF and Royal Navy personnel who signed an open letter to the monarch urging her to remove Andrew's honorary military posts while the duke faces a civil sexual assault trial. Lt Hunt told the PA news agency: 'It's an unsavoury business... I'm just glad he's not associated with the military now. 'I'm pleased although it should have happened two years ago or in fact longer when he was taking his little trips out to play golf in St Andrews.' He lambasted Andrew as 'not fit to serve' in an honorary rank and said he lacked any form of credibility as an effective leader. The 52-year-old, who trained to be an officer at Sandhurst, said: 'Whether he's guilty or not, he has brought things into disrepute... He's not fit to serve in an honorary rank. He has forgone that right by getting into this sort of situation.' The finance director, who lives in Holmfirth, West Yorkshire, added: 'A better man would have stood down whether innocent or guilty for the sake of the organisation... It's repugnant really.' Andrew will retain his military rank of Vice Admiral, the Palace confirmed. As a former member of the armed forces, the duke, who served in the Royal Navy, was by convention promoted in line with his still-serving peers and made Vice Admiral by the Navy on his 55th birthday in 2015. He was due to be promoted to Admiral on his 60th birthday in 2020, but asked to defer this after stepping down from public duties. Royal author Penny Junor questioned whether the Queen should have insisted the titles and patronages be returned sooner: 'I think it was a huge embarrassment that retired serving military personnel were demanding that titles be removed. 'That just becomes embarrassing and it becomes damaging to the Queen because the Queen is then seen as protecting her son.' She added: 'I don't know if the Queen was too slow to take them back or whether it lies with Andrew who was too slow to offer them back. 'But either way I think actually a bit of criticism has to fall on the Queen here, because if Andrew was not offering them up she, or her advisers should have seen that this was going to cause a problem and should have insisted that she take them back.' A stern-faced Prince Andrew broke his cover in Windsor this morning, with the duke seen seen sitting in the back of his 80,000 Range Rover while being driven from his home in Windsor Great Park. Today, a source close to the royal said he would 'continue to defend himself' against Ms Giuffre's allegations following the judge's decision to dismiss his legal team's attempt to have the case thrown out. The source said: 'Given the robustness with which Judge Kaplan greeted our arguments, we are unsurprised by the ruling. However, it was not a judgement on the merits of Ms Giuffre's allegations. This is a marathon not a sprint and the duke will continue to defend himself against these claims.' The Duke of York will be digesting the implications of the judge's refusal to throw out his sex assault lawsuit Prince Andrew wearing the uniform of the Colonel of the Grenadier Guards during Trooping The Colour, London 2018 Prince Andrew will no longer be able to use his military title as Honorary Air Commodore, Royal Air Force Lossiemouth. He is pictured with personnel in Lossiemouth, Scotland in 2015 The Duke's military title 'Royal Colonel of the Royal Highland Fusilier' has also been taken from him. Pictured: Prince Andrew watches soldiers from the Royal Highland Fusiliers 2nd Battalion in May 2011 'I will fight on': Prince Andrew strikes defiant tone after being stripped of his titles Defiant Prince Andrew will fight against his sex abuse lawsuit after the double blow of a judge refusing to dismiss the case and the Queen stripping him of his titles. The Duke of York will no longer be known as His Royal Highness 'in any official capacity', it was announced today after a judge proceeded with the rape and sexual assault case against Virginia Roberts Giuffre. Today, a source close to the royal said he would continue to fight the allegations. The source said: 'Given the robustness with which Judge Kaplan greeted our arguments, we are unsurprised by the ruling. 'However, it was not a judgement on the merits of Ms Giuffre's allegations. 'This is a marathon not a sprint and the duke will continue to defend himself against these claims.' Despite pleas for Andrew to do the right thing for the Queen and offer his accuser millions to avoid a trial, the duke appeared to be digging in for the long haul. Advertisement It came as reports suggested he could avoid a trial by using the sale of his 18million Swiss chalet to try to pay off Ms Giuffre with at least 10million of the proceeds. MailOnline revealed this week that Andrew and his ex-wife Sarah, the Duchess of York, settled a 6.6 million debt with a French socialite, paving the way for him to sell his beloved ski chalet to fund his alleged sex abuse case. Isabelle de Rouvre, 74, sold her house, Chalet Helora, to her then-friends Prince Andrew and his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson in 2014 for 18million, would be paid for in instalments. But Ms de Rouvre claimed the Yorks failed to make the final instalment of 5m for the property in the exclusive Swiss ski resort of Verbier - but this week the Yorks stumped up the cash, ending the legal battle and clearing the way for a sale. With the chalet now on the market, the ninth in line to the throne will use up to 10million of the final sale price to settle with Ms Giuffre, according to The Sun, but without admission of liability to her claims she was forced to have sex with him three times when she was 17. He has repeatedly denied the claims. Mark Stephens, an expert in constitutional law, has said that Andrew will need to find between 5million and 10million to offer Ms Giuffre and hope she spares him a trial. He 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 said the duke has 'no good options', adding: 'Essentially, I think he's either going to have to engage in the trial process or he's going to have to settle and that may well be his least worst option.' He added: 'There is a need to limit the damage. Andrew, I suspect will be stripped of his royal titles. A settlement of five or ten million is a good bet but Ms Giuffre may want her day in court.' Prince Andrew is now facing the biggest gamble of his life after a judge in the US unequivocally rejected a bid to have his sex abuse case thrown out of court. Last night, the royal's lawyers on both sides of the Atlantic were locked in crisis talks after their motion to dismiss the civil lawsuit brought by Virginia Roberts was 'denied in all respects', meaning the case is now heading towards an unedifying trial this autumn. The duke's team now have a stark choice, legal experts said. They can either take the risk to press ahead and attempt to clear his name by going in front of a jury, which means Andrew would face the humiliation of having to give public testimony against lurid allegations of rape and sexual assault on oath. Or he could try to persuade Miss Roberts to accept a multi-million pound settlement in order to avoid further damaging the reputation of the monarchy but have the stain of the proceedings remain with him forever. However, her New York attorney David Boies last night indicated that his client was determined to go to trial, saying: 'She wants to achieve justice', but added that while she is determined to go to trial, 'settlement is always a possibility'. 99 out of 100 civil cases settle out of court in the United States. Mr Boies added that his team will seek to 'depose between ten to 12 people', and admitted this could include Fergie, Beatrice and Eugenie. If he chooses not to settle, or if Ms Giuffre rejects any offers, Andrew faces a trial and 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. One former US federal prosecutor said: 'This is a very, very bad day for Prince Andrew.' Mitchell Epner told Sky News: 'There are only bad options in front of him and he has to decide which of these bad options is his best bad option.' The pressure for Andrew to settle out of court and spare the Queen the ignominy of a sordid public trial was growing last night as he was warned he was in 'the last chance saloon with the towels over the taps'. A Royal Navy veteran, Prince Andrew was named the Admiral of the Sea Cadet Corps until 2019. He is pictured aboard the Indian aircraft carrier INS Viraat in Mumbai, India, in May 2012 The Prince has also lost the honourary roles of Colonel-in-Chief of the Royal New Zealand Army Logistic Regiment, pictured in regalia, left, and Colonel-in-chief of the Royal Irish Regiment (pictured right) Today, reports suggested he could avoid a trial by using the sale of his 18million Swiss chalet to try to pay off Virginia Roberts Giuffre with at least 10million of the proceeds Last night, Prince Andrew's lawyers on both sides of the Atlantic were locked in crisis talks after their motion to dismiss the civil lawsuit brought by Virginia Roberts (pictured middle) was 'denied in all respects', meaning the case is now heading towards an unedifying trial this autumn Andrew bought the seven-bedroom Chalet Helora, in the luxury Swiss resort of Verbier with his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson in 2014 for 16.6million. He is now believed to be selling it to fund the court case, or settle with Ms Giuffre Prince Andrew is pictured in 2001 with his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson and their children in Verbier, Switzerland. Ms Giuffre's lawyers admit they could call all of them to give evidence 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 Lawyers for Prince Andrew's accuser have demanded the unsealing of 'vast swathes of information' about Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell Lawyers for Prince Andrew's accuser have demanded the unsealing of 'vast swathes of information' about Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. Attorneys for Virginia Giuffre said that Judge Loretta Preska should make public material from a civil lawsuit she filed against Maxwell relating to eight anonymous John Does. The individuals were identified in court documents only as 'Non-Parties 17, 53, 54, 55, 56, 73, 93 and 151' - it is not clear if one of them is the Duke of York. The request was opposed by John Doe 17 who complained that being associated with the case would cause him 'annoyance and embarrassment,' the legal filings state. Another John Doe, number 151, claimed that they were 'trying to live a private life' and that disclosure meant they would be 'hounded' by the media. The request came on the day that Judge Lewis Kaplan ruled that Giuffre's battery lawsuit against Andrew, a separate case also filed at the federal court in New York, can move forward. Should Judge Preska unseal the documents in her case they could shed new light on the Duke's dealings with Maxwell and Epstein. Advertisement Andrew's 2,000-an-hour legal team were last night locked in talks amid the 'biggest constitutional crisis in living memory', and believe that the key could be his chalet in Verbier, according to The Sun. There has been speculation that the Queen could be bankrolling the prince's case, but experts believe it would be considered a PR disaster if she paid his accuser to end claims against her second on. Miss Roberts's lawyer Mr Boies hinted that a deal out of court could be reached, saying: 'I think Virginia is determined to go to trial, but settlement is always a possibility'. Speaking to BBC Newsnight, he added: 'There has been no suggestion of settlement discussions at this point. Prior to the time that we brought the case we reached out to Prince Andrew and to Prince Andrew's lawyers and suggested mediation as a possible way of avoiding litigation. 'There was no interest in that at that time whether that has changed or not, I think, we'll have to wait and see. A purely financial settlement is not anything that I think that she is interested in.' Miss Roberts alleges she was forced to have sex with Andrew on three occasions in 2001, when she was 17, and he knew she was a trafficking victim. She says she was offered up to the prince and other wealthy and powerful friends of paedophile Jeffrey Epstein and his girlfriend, Ghislaine Maxwell. Andrew strongly denies the claims. Yesterday, New York judge Lewis Caplan dismissed the duke's application to have the case thrown out at an early stage. Andrew's legal team had attempted to persuade the judge that Miss Roberts bringing the case under her married name of Giuffre had waived her right to sue any other 'potential defendants' when she agreed a 370,000 ($500,000) pay-off with Epstein in 2009. They believed the wording of the agreement, and a reference in her original lawsuit to being sexually exploited by 'royalty', meant that the prince was protected from litigation. Although his judgment ran to 44 pages, the judge said his task was a simple one, 'to determine whether there are two or more reasonable interpretations' of the Epstein deal. Miss Roberts alleges she was offered up to the prince and other wealthy and powerful friends of paedophile Jeffrey Epstein and his girlfriend, Ghislaine Maxwell. Andrew strongly denies the claims Ghislaine Maxwell gives Jeffrey Epstein a foot massage on his private jet dubbed the 'Lolita Express' and said to have taken Virginia to London where she was allegedly forced to gave sex with Andrew Is he ready for the great inquisitor? Prince Andrew is now set to be grilled by Virginia Roberts's 'peerless' lawyer. David Boies, her 80-year-old New York attorney, is seen as the 'greatest deposition-taker' in modern American justice when witnesses are interviewed under oath. His services, for the princely sum of $2,000 (1,460) an hour, are highly sought after. He led the prosecution of Microsoft by the US government that saw the computing giant briefly split up. It is expected he will fly to the UK with members of his team to interview Andrew under oath. Former federal prosecutor Mitchell Epner described him as 'peerless'. Mr Boies said last night: 'Virginia is obviously very pleased with the court's decision. It does not resolve the case on the merits, it simply rejects certain legal defences Prince Andrew was putting up to avoid a trial.' Advertisement When he found the wording was 'ambiguous', and so open to challenge, he said it was for a jury, and not him, to decide on its meaning. But he added that, in his opinion, the agreement 'cannot be said' to have 'clearly and unambiguously' been intended to benefit the duke. The judge made no finding on the allegations against Andrew. His decision means the proceedings move quickly to 'discovery', the unveiling of witnesses and key evidence. It also means the prince is now set to be put through an uncomfortable grilling by Miss Roberts' attorneys, under oath and on video, about all aspects of his private life. Spencer Kuvin, a lawyer representing nine of Epstein's victims, warned that her legal team would be entitled to 'ask any question they wanted to'. The lawyer said: 'The court is opening up the case for discovery which includes deposition [interview under oath] of Prince Andrew. This is bad news for not just Andrew but his whole family. Anyone who is supporting his alibi is potentially liable for a deposition.' Andrew could, as a British citizen, simply to refuse to participate in the case further, but a default judgment and award for damages would likely be found against him. Defamation and reputation legal expert Mark Stephens warned last night that the duke now finds himself 'in the last chance saloon with the towels over the taps'. He said: 'He's got to settle. He's got to get out. Or he's a dead man walking. Judge Lewis Kaplan has thrown this judicial decision like a bomb at the heart of the Royal Family.' Royal insiders told the Mail Buckingham Palace has no choice but to permanently cut Prince Andrew 'adrift'. They predicted the Queen will have to bar her son from official public appearances such as her Platinum Jubilee. How the title of HRH is granted and who has lost it? His or Her Royal Highness is a title applied to some members of the Royal Family dating back to the 17th century, used to denote superiority for some ruling members over others. Today, it signals a divide between those in the Royal Family engaged in active service to the monarchy and those who lead more private lives. It is often conferred to the children and grandchildren of the monarch by letters patent and is typically associated with the rank of prince or princess. The Duke of Windsor desperately pushed his successor George VI to grant Wallace Simpson the title of Her Royal Highness after the abdication Following the abdication crisis, Edward VIII was allowed by George VI to continue using the HRH title. But the letters patent stated 'his wife and descendants, if any, shall not hold said title or attribute'. The denial of the title to Wallace Simpson proved to be a source of major contention, with the Duke of Windsor pushing the new monarch for his wife to be granted the style. Princess Diana, Harry's mother, dropped her HRH title 24 years ago. Diana Spencer had originally gained the title HRH Princess of Wales when she married Prince Charles in 1981. But following a turbulent relationship she forfeited the HRH title when the couple divorced in 1996. The Palace said at the time that she had relinquished the title voluntarily and from then on she was instead referred to as Diana, Princess of Wales. Diana died just one year later and Buckingham Palace began discussions about whether to posthumously restore the HRH to her name. But officials ultimately decided not to do so as her family said it would have been against her wishes. Earl Spencer, speaking during Diana's funeral in September 1997, said that she 'needed no royal title to continue to generate her particular brand of magic'. It is thought that posthumously awarding a former member of the Royal Family the HRH title has never happened before, according to royal historians. According to the letters patent issued by George V in 1917, only the children of the monarch and the grandchildren through male heirs are entitled to use the title. This is why Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie are styled HRH, but Zara Tindall and Peter Phillips, daughter of Princess Anne, are not. When Sarah Ferguson married Prince Andrew in 1986, she was automatically granted the HRH title. When their divorce was granted in 1996, she had the option of retaining the title but chose not to. Later that year, letters patent changed the rules, stating that the wife of a member of the Royal Family automatically loses the HRH title after a divorce. Before Andrew, Harry and Meghan were the last royals to lose the styling in official capacity. In January 2020, the couple ceased to be working members of the Royal Family and perform any official duties on behalf of the Queen. Buckingham Palace said in a statement at the time: 'The Sussexes will not use their HRH titles as they are no longer working members of the Royal Family.' Advertisement How Prince Andrew got into this mess.. and why EVERY option he has is a nightmare: Duke faces settling sex abuse lawsuit or being grilled about his sexual history, if he can sweat and his Pizza Express alibi AND seeing Fergie and Beatrice called to testify 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 judgment 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. 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 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. 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. 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'. RICHARD KAY: Can Prince Andrew find it in himself to do the right thing for the Queen even if it trashes what's left of his reputation? By Richard Kay for the Daily Mail 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 judgment rejecting Andrew's 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 Queen's 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 Queen's 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 father's 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 friend's 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 yesterday's 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 Queen's Platinum Jubilee, was meant to be one of celebration and joy, marking Her Majesty's 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. 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. 'But it's 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 duke's 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 mother's 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 doesn't 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 advisers with an (even more) impossible job: Prince Andrew's legal team include lawyer who represented Pinochet, barrister who supported Charles Bronson and right-hand man 'Good News Gary' - who only tells the Duke positive news By Glen Keogh for the Daily Mail His insistence on telling Prince Andrew only the best case scenario has earned him the nickname 'Good News Gary'. But even the beleaguered Duke of York's trusted solicitor must be struggling to find positives in the bombshell ruling that a civil sex abuse case against the prince can proceed to trial. Gary Bloxsome, from law firm Blackfords, was appointed by Andrew in January 2020 to help mastermind his response to allegations made by Virginia Roberts that she was trafficked by Jeffrey Epstein and forced to have sex with the Duke on at least three separate occasions. Gary Bloxsome, the Duke's trusted solicitor, whose insistence on telling Prince Andrew only the best case scenario has earned him the nickname 'Good News Gary' Despite a relatively unheralded CV, the 48-year-old is said to have endeared himself so closely to the Duke that he has become his 'inner circle of one'. The spotlight is again on Andrew's advisers after Judge Lewis Kaplan dismissed his claim to have the civil lawsuit in New York thrown out on a technicality. Mr Bloxsome was appointed to help with any criminal matters arising out of a separate ongoing FBI investigation into the activities of Jeffrey Epstein and any inquiries which might be conducted by Scotland Yard. A biography says he specialises in helping 'ultra-high-net-worth individuals in international jurisdictions'. His most publicised cases include defending a footballer who was involved in a nightclub brawl. The Duke was convinced to take part in the infamous Newsnight interview by his private secretary, Amanda Thirsk (pictured), his 'gatekeeper' since 2012, despite the reservations of his public relations adviser Jason Stein Question were raised over the Duke's inner circle after his disastrous 2019 Newsnight interview. He attempted to rebut Miss Roberts's claims by insisting he was unable to sweat - she alleged he had perspired heavily at Tramp nightclub the evening she slept with him in London in March 2001. His other eye-raising claim was that he had been at a Pizza Express in Woking that day at a children's party his daughter Beatrice had attended. The Duke was convinced to take part in the interview by his private secretary, Amanda Thirsk, his 'gatekeeper' since 2012, despite the reservations of his public relations adviser Jason Stein. Mr Stein quit in the wake of the interview while Mrs Thirsk is said to have received a five-figure payout when the Duke was forced within days to step back from royal duties. Stephen Ferguson, a barrister friend of the family who has acted for the London gangland boss Terry Adams as well as 'Britain's most violent prisoner' Charles Bronson, is said to have helped compile a formal team to aid the Duke Mark Gallagher, a PR guru who has worked at ITV, was brought on board to brief the press and discredit Miss Roberts's allegations. He left shortly after Following the disastrous interview, Stephen Ferguson, a barrister friend of the family who has acted for the London gangland boss Terry Adams as well as 'Britain's most violent prisoner' Charles Bronson, is said to have helped compile a formal team to aid the Duke. As well as Mr Bloxsome, Mark Gallagher, a PR guru who has worked at ITV, was brought on board to brief the press and discredit Miss Roberts's allegations. He left shortly after. The Duke's most high-profile adviser has been extradition lawyer Clare Montgomery QC. She shot to fame in 1999 when she battled to save Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet from extradition after he was accused of multiple allegations of human rights abuses. After a period of silence on the allegations, the Duke hired California-based lawyer Andrew Brettler, who was accused of victim-blaming when he attached newspaper articles to Andrew's response describing his accuser as a 'money-hungry sex kitten' The Duke's most high-profile adviser has been extradition lawyer Clare Montgomery QC who battled to save Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet from extradition after he was accused of multiple allegations of human rights abuses A senior barrister at Matrix Chambers, Ms Montgomery is thought to command fees of around 1,000 an hour. But since Miss Roberts launched her civil claim in New York in August last year, the Duke has been unable to rely solely on his British team. After a period of silence on the allegations, the Duke hired California-based lawyer Andrew Brettler, who was accused of victim-blaming when he attached newspaper articles to Andrew's response describing his accuser as a 'money-hungry sex kitten'. Mr Brettler, speaking on behalf of the Duke, added that Miss Roberts was solely seeking a 'payday' in making the claims. The allegations will finally be aired in court later this year. A Burberry store on Chicago's famed Magnificent Mile that has been repeatedly targeted by brazen smash-and-grab robbers in recent weeks now appears to be guarded by two vehicles in the overnight hours. The purported makeshift barricade, made up of an SUV and a pickup truck blocking the door at 633 North Michigan Avenue after hours, first appeared earlier this week, as CBS Chicago reported. The same store has been ransacked by criminals three times since late November, including twice last week. Chicago has been in the throes of a crime wave over the past couple of years, with robbery and theft rates up 51 per cent and 44 per cent, respectively, according to the most recent data. The Burberry store on North Michigan Avenue in Chicago appears to have created a makeshift barricade made up of two vehicles parked in front of its entrance to thwart would-be thieves It comes after the luxury store has been repeatedly targeted by thieves, most recently on January 6 On January 4, five crooks made their way inside the store, ransacked it and drove off in a white SUV Chicago's Magnificent Mile has been the epicenter of smash-and-grab robberies The Second City's busy shopping district around the area of North Michigan Avenue has become the epicenter of smash-and-grab robberies, with roving bands of youths swarming luxury stores, grabbing merchandise and fleeing. A similar trend has been seen in other large American cities, including San Francisco and Los Angeles, which have progressive district attorneys and lenient punishments for non-violent offenses, such as retail crime. Burberry has not publicly commented on the alleged use of vehicles to barricade the entrance to the Chicago store. DailyMail.com on Thursday reached out to the brand seeking comment and was awaiting a reply. The Chicago Department of Transportation, which oversees city sidewalks, told CBS on Wednesday that it was not aware of the vehicles parked outside Burberry during overnight hours and would be sending an inspector. Before 5am on January 6, a group of six burglars, two of them armed with guns, broke into the Burberry store, stole valuables and fled in a pickup truck, police said, according to WLS-TV reporting. On November 29, four men swarmed the Burberry location and stole tens of thousands of dollars worth of handbags Just two days earlier, five crooks made their way inside the same store, ransacked it and drove off in a white SUV. At around 4.20pm on November 29, four men swarmed the Burberry location and stole tens of thousands of dollars worth of handbags. As the crooks were fleeing, a 23-year-old store employee tried to close the doors and was shoved aside, and a 66-year-old tourist was struck by a door. No suspects have been arrested in connection with any one of those heists. Burberry is not the only business in Chicago to have been ransacked by organized smash-and-grab gangs. In November, more than a dozen people rushed into a Louis Vuitton store in the Chicago suburb of Oakbrook and stole $120,000 worth of items, which they were seen on surveillance video hauling away in garbage bags. Robbery and theft rates are up 51 per cent and 44 per cent, respectively, in Chicago In December, a pair of thieves entered Gold Coast Auto Gallery, smashed display cases and made out with a $1million worth of high-end watches. Days later, police said a 16-year-old girl robbed the Niketown and Zara stores on North Michigan Avenue and used a Taser on a security guard. She was later arrested. Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul said in September that large-scale store thefts orchestrated by organized crime rings are costing retailers across the US an estimated $45billion in annual losses. Raoul has formed the Organized Retail Crime Task Force comprised of public and private entities to tackle the problem head on. 'These brazen, violent crimes are committed by sophisticated criminal organizations that are involved in drug trafficking, human trafficking and other serious crimes,' Raoul said at the time. The Aceh region is the only part of Indonesia where religious law is enforced A married woman was flogged 100 times after confessing to adultery in Indonesia while her male partner, who was also married, received just 15 lashes. The woman's flogging in the conservative Aceh province on Thursday was briefly paused because she couldn't bear the pain, according to an AFP reporter. The Aceh region in Western Indonesia is renowned for being a conservative area and the only part of the country where Sharia Law is used. Ivan Najjar Alavi, the head of general investigation division at East Aceh prosecutors office, said the court handed down a heftier sentence for the married woman after she confessed to investigators she had sex out of her marriage. Judges found it difficult to convict the man, who was then the head of East Aceh fishery agency and also married, because he denied all wrongdoings, Alavi added. A married woman was flogged (pictured) 100 times after confessing to adultery in Indonesia in the conservative Aceh province on Thursday The woman's flogging was briefly paused because she couldn't bear the pain, according to an AFP reporter 'During the trial, he admitted nothing, denying all accusations. Thus, [judges] are not able to prove whether he is guilty,' Alavi told reporters after a public flogging for Sharia law offenders in East Aceh on Thursday. As an alternative punishment, the judges found the married man guilty of 'showing affection to a female partner who is not his wife' after the couple were caught by locals at a palm oil plantation in 2018. He was initially sentenced to 30 lashes but his successful appeal at the Sharia Supreme Court in Aceh reduced the sentence to 15. Another man, who was convicted of having sex with a minor, was also whipped 100 times on Thursday and will also serve 75 months in prison for the crime, according to prosecutors. Dozens watched, recorded and posted Thursday's flogging on social media, a spectacle criticised by rights groups but one which regularly attracted hundreds before the pandemic. Aceh is the only region in Muslim-majority Indonesia to impose Islamic law, which allows whipping for charges including gambling, adultery, drinking alcohol, and gay sex. Once one of the most powerful Islamic sultanates in Southeast Asia, the area had long used an informal kind of Islamic law mixed with local laws, known as 'hukum adat'. But the legislation was enhanced when Aceh's long-running separatist conflict ended in 2005 and it was granted autonomy - an attempt by the government in Jakarta to quell a long-running separatist insurgency. Ivan Najjar Alavi, from East Aceh prosecutors office, said a harsher sentence was given to the woman (pictured) after she confessed to she had sex out of her marriage Judges found it difficult to convict her partner, a married man (pictured), as he denied all wrongdoings. He was given 15 lashes on Thursday Aceh is the only region in Muslim-majority Indonesia to impose Islamic law, which allows whipping for charges including adultery. Pictured: The woman getting flogged As part of that deal, Aceh won the right to be the only Indonesian province to use Islamic sharia law as its legal code. The laws have been gradually expanded to more offences, most recently in 2014, when Aceh approved an anti-homosexuality law that can punish anyone caught having gay sex with 100 lashes. Engaging in homosexual acts is not a crime under Indonesia's national criminal code but remains taboo in many conservative parts of the country. The public beatings have become more prevalent in recent years with a number of reported incidents of those being punished collapsing in pain on stage. Religious police in Aceh have been known to target Muslim women without head scarves or those wearing tight clothes, and people drinking alcohol or gambling. Over the past decade, the central government has devolved more power to regional authorities to increase autonomy and speed up development. In 2018, Aceh officials vowed to end public floggings and carry them out behind prison walls, however, the number of public floggings and canings is understood to have risen instead. Human rights groups have slammed public caning as cruel, and Indonesia's President Joko Widodo has called for it to end. But it has strong support among Aceh's population. President Joe Biden announced on Thursday the federal government would be doubling the amount of at-home COVID-19 test kits sent to American homes to a total number of one billion. He also revealed the White House is unveiling a plan next week to get free and low-cost masks to people as the highly transmissible but less severe Omicron variant rips through the country. 'Now, I don't like to, uh, uh, you know, ugh, outline the next steps we're taking against, uh, I'd, I'd like to outline the next steps we're taking against ova uh, the omicron variant,' Biden said at the outset of his speech. After a somewhat meandering 10-minute address updating the nation on the pandemic, Biden ignored reporters' shouted questions with a smirk on his face while waiting to begin his COVID-19 health briefing. 'Folks, we'll talk about that later, come on,' the president said after one member of the news media tried to ask why vaccinated Americans must continue 'to restrict their activities.' A few seconds later, an exasperated journalist can be heard asking Biden: 'Maybe a press conference soon, Mr. President? Wed look forward to that.' 'Me too,' Biden quipped with a toothy grin. At one point during his White House address Biden bungled the name of his new COVID testing czar, former director of Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security Dr. Tom Inglesby. 'I've taught -- excuse me, I've tapped Dr. Tom I -- I hope I'm pronouncing it -- Ingl -- Inglesby. Correct. Is that right?' he seemingly directs to someone off-screen. Biden gave a somewhat rambling 10-minute address after which he ignored shouted questions from reporters He also promised to roll out a plan to get free face masks to American homes next week 'And he's one of the world's leading infectious disease experts, and I'm grateful for his willingness to help tackle this challenge.' The president also acknowledged that both vaccinated and unvaccinated Americans are catching and spreading the highly transmissible Omicron variant, but maintained that this is still a 'pandemic of the unvaccinated' in how those COVID cases play out. This is a pandemic of the unvaccinated. And I mean by this -- right now both vaccinated and unvaccinated people are testing positive. But what happens after that could not be more different,' Biden explained. 'When vaccinated people test positive, they overwhelmingly have either no symptoms at all, or they have mild symptoms. And if they're -- if you're unvaccinated, if they test positive, there are -- you're 17 times more likely to get hospitalized. He went on to blame unvaccinated Americans for crowding ICUs and straining health care systems across the country. 'They're crowding our hospitals, leaving little room for anyone else who might have a heart attack or an injury in an automobile accident, or any injury at all. And yes, the unvaccinated are dying from COVID-19,' Biden said. The Omicron variant has sent COVID cases surging nationwide once again, though the rate of virus-linked deaths hasn't risen to the same level. Rather than credit the new mutation generating less severe intentions than past strains, Biden said it was because of his administration's efforts to get people inoculated. 'Here's the deal: Because we fully vaccinated nearly 210 million Americans, the majority of the country is safe from severe COVID-19 consequences. That's why even as the number of cases among the vaccinated Americans go up, deaths are down dramatically,' Biden said. Coronavirus cases in states hit early by the Omicron variant -- Maryland, New York and New Jersey -- are seeing their rate of average new cases begin to drop, according to data from Johns Hopkins University. Biden also bungled the name of Dr. Tom Inglesby, his new COVID testing czar Los Angeles' new case rate also saw a steep drop after hitting an all-time high of 52,200 infections recorded on January 4. By January 10 the number was 9,300. Nationwide deaths have spiked by 20 percent but are still well below the peaks of winter 2020, even though more COVID infections are being recorded. Biden reiterated appeals for Americans to wear masks in indoor and crowded settings, touting the government 'more than tripling' its stockpile of N95 masks since he took office. Biden said the White House is 'on track to roll out a website next week where you can order free tests shipped to your home,' after being criticized for his administration's delayed response to the latest wave of infections. 'And in addition to the 500 million half a billion tests that are in the process of being acquired to ship to you home for free, today, Im directing my team to procure an additional half a billion additional 500 million more tests to distribute for free. I mean a billion tests in total to meet future demand,' he said. He also appeared to take a swipe at Republicans and some media outlets, accusing them of pushing 'misinformation.' 'I make a special appeal to the social media companies and media outlets; please deal with the misinformation and disinformation that's on your shows. It has to stop. COVID-19 is one of the most formidable enemies America has ever faced,' Biden said. Vice President Kamala Harris said Thursday the administration would start sending out the first of 500 million home coronavirus test kits 'soon' but offered no specifics as the administration tries to gets the program going. 'Shortly - they're going to go out shortly,' Harris said when asked on NBC's 'Today' show when the tests would finally start getting shipped to Americans. 'They're going to go out shortly,' said Vice President Kamala Harris when asked when the first of 500 million home covid tests would start getting shipped 'They've been ordered. They've been ordered,' she said. Interviewer Craig Melvin pushed her for more information. 'I have to look at the current information. I think it's going to be by next week. But soon. Absolutely soon. And it is a matter of urgency for us,' she said. 'Should we have done that sooner?' Melvin asked her. 'We are doing it,' was Harris' response. 'But should we have done it sooner,' he pressed again. 'We are doing it,' Harris responded. A White House official said Thursday that President Biden would announce Thursday that in addition to the 500 million tests 'that we are in the process of acquiring, he is directing his team to procure 500 million more tests to meet future demand.' People wait in a long line to get a COVID-19 test, Monday, Jan. 3, 2022, in North Miami, Fla. The administration announced the plans to ship tests amid the omicron wave. Many schools adopted 'test to return' policies after the holidays Harris also rejected calls for a new approach to covid, and continued to press Americans who aren't vaccinated to get their shots following calls for change from a group of experts who served as Biden's covid advisors before he took office. 'Every day it is time for us to agree that there are things and tools that are available to us to slow this thing down,' Harris said. 'We are in the midst of a surge. That's where we are right now. And so right now, we know we still have a number of people that, that is in the millions of Americans who have not been vaccinated, and could be vaccinated, and we are urging them to get vaccinated because it will save their life.' The administration says the U.S. Postal Service will deliver the tests to Americans who request them. But the administration says it won't put up the web site until the tests are in hand. DailyMail.com reported Wednesday that a company that got a $190 million contract for the tests doesn't manufacture tests, and got into the business of personal protective equipment only at the start of the pandemic. Its first business offering was a vodka bottle equipped with special programmable LED lights and a bluetooth connection. Another firm based in Texas is also warehousing tests, but not making them. It's largest government contract came last year and was for just $1 million. Darrel Brooks faces a total of 77 charges The Waukesha Christmas Parade killer leaned out his window to steer because someone had landed on his windshield and was blocking his view after he drove his SUV through the crowd, prosecutors said in a criminal complaint that added 71 new charges against him. Darrell Brooks, 39, steered his Ford Escape for five blocks through the parade route in the Milwaukee, Wisconsin, suburb of Waukesha on November 21, killing six people and injuring dozens more. Authorities estimate that the SUV reached speeds of up to 25 mph and said some people landed on the hood, with Brooks carrying them along. The complaint also alleged that just before the tragedy, Brooks drove her ex-girlfriend around, steering with one hand and punching her in the face with the other because she didn't post bail for him after he was arrested for running her over and breaking her leg. Prosecutors suggested that Brooks plowed into the crowd fully aware that his actions would lead to the endangerment and possible death of multiple people. 'All of the victims who were killed and most of the people that were injured were walking right down the middle of the road in plain view,' the complaint said. '[The street] was clearly closed to traffic, there were barricades in place and police present to direct motorists for the entire length of the parade route.' Brooks, who faces life in prison if convicted, is currently being held on $5 million bail at the Waukesha County Jail. The Christmas parade tragedy was the latest in a series of violent crimes he is tied to going back 22 years and spanning across numerous states. Footage shared online in November, showed some victims just seconds before Brooks plowed through the crowd, as horrified pedestrians tried to get out of the way Prosecutors added dozens of charges Wednesday, January 12. Above, Darrell Brooks, center, is escorted out of the courtroom after making his initial appearance, Tuesday, November 23, 2021 (File photo) Prosecutors charged Brooks with six counts of homicide two days after the parade. They added 71 new charges against him Wednesday, including 61 counts of recklessly endangering safety by use of a dangerous weapon for each person injured at the November 21 incident, along with the six homicide charges, according to court records filed on Wednesday. Each charge carries a possible penalty of seven-and-a-hal- years in prison. The first-degree homicide charges carry a mandatory life sentence if Brooks is convicted. He also faces six counts of hit-and-run involving death, two counts of bail jumping and two counts of domestic abuse battery, according to court records. Brooks is a registered sex offender and has been arrested more than 15 times in the state of Wisconsin alone for charges including possession of drugs, strangulation and suffocation, battery, illegally possessing firearms as a convicted felon and resisting arrest. He is set to appear in court Friday for a preliminary hearing, in which a judge will most definitely decide there's enough evidence to proceed to trial. Just minutes before driving through the parade, Brooks beat up the mother of his child because she had not bailed him out of jail several days earlier after he was arrested for running her over with the same SUV, the complaint said. Brooks' ex-girlfriend told investigators that he broke her leg when he ran her over in early November. He walked out of jail two days before the parade after his mother posted $1,000 bail. The SUV was found around five blocks from where the parade carnage took place, parked in a driveway Brooks' lengthy rap sheet includes felonies for bail jumping, battery, drugs offenses, weapons offenses and domestic abuse but he has never spent a significant amount of time in prison Main Street in downtown Waukesha is seen blocked off with crime scene tape after a car plowed through a holiday parade in Waukesha, Wisconsin, U.S., November 22, 2021 Brooks' ex-girlfriend told investigators that the day of the parade, she met Brooks at a Waukesha park and got into the SUV, where they argued about why she didn't bail him out of jail. He drove her around, steering with one hand and punching her in the face with the other, the complaint filed Wednesday said. Minutes after she got out of the SUV, he drove drove into the parade, according to the complaint. The ex-girlfriend added that the Escape originally belonged to Brooks' mother but that he lived in the vehicle. After he went through the parade, Brooks drove through a backyard, the complaint said. He abandoned the SUV and asked a homeowner to help him. Police captured him at that house. Brooks' attorney, public defender Jeremy Perri, didn't respond to a message seeking comment. Amy Mack lights candles at a memorial at Veterans Park for the victims of a deadly Christmas parade crash in Waukesha on November 23, 2021 On November 21, Brooks was filmed speeding in a red SUV as he slammed into Waukesha Christmas parade spectators and participants, killing Virginia Sorenson, 79, LeAnna Owen, 71, Tamara Durand, 52, Jane Kulich, 52, Wilhelm Hospel, 81, and Jackson Sparks, 8. Four of the six people who were killed in the parade were with the Milwaukee Dancing Grannies float, including Sorenson, Owen, Durand and Wilhelm Hospel, the husband of one of the Grannies. Brooks' motive remains unknown. He had been out on bail just before the hit-and-run, which had been set at $1,000, despite the fact that he'd been bailed twice in 2021 and has a lengthy criminal history stretching back to 1999 that includes a laundry list of offenses. On November 5, weeks before the parade, Brook was charged with endangerment for allegedly running over the mother of his child with his SUV. Brooks was assessed as a high risk to reoffend, but the prosecutor who handled his initial appearance still sought the $1,000 cash bail. He posted it on November 19. The alleged killer said he has felt 'demonized' and 'dehumanized' by the court proceedings, but the mother of one of his children offered no sympathy. 'It was a monstrous act and it's completely irredeemable,' the woman, who chose to remain anonymous, told Fox News in December. 'I'm mortified and devastated and have lost sleep for days over this. Obviously, I wish it did not happen.' The woman said her teenage son, who has not seen his father in more than a year, also felt heartbroken by the senseless attack. She claimed that Brooks had a history of mental health issues and was on medication, and that her son only had irregular contact with him for the last decade. According to court papers filed in Waukesha, Brooks owes his former partner $41,000 in back child support, but the woman says the $151 monthly payment Brooks is supposed to pay 'isn't going to make or break us.' The Christmas parade began on November 21 at 4pm, with participants starting at Main Street and Whiterock Avenue. At 4.39pm, the red SUV was filmed speeding down Main Street. It then smashed into the crowd and sent bodies flying before speeding on towards the end of the parade, where the car broke through barriers Milwaukee County District Attorney John Chisholm has taken intense criticism for allowing his office to recommend Brooks' bail be set at $1,000 in the domestic violence case. Chisholm had said that was a mistake, made by an overworked assistant prosecutor, previously identified as Michelle Grasso, who never saw an evaluation of the dangers Brooks could pose to the community because the assessment was never entered into the district attorney's office's computer system. A group of people who say they are Milwaukee County taxpayers had filed the complaint in December asking Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers to remove Chisholm to prevent similarly low bail recommendations in future cases involving violent offenders such as Brooks. Milwaukee County Judicial Court Commissioner Cedric Cornwall was also criticized for approving the low bail amount. Cornwall approved the low bond for Brooks during his arraignment for the alleged hit-and-run. Cornwall, who has served as commissioner since 2005, has a history of low bonds, Fox News reported. On the same day he set the $1,000 bond for Brooks, he also set bail at $500 for a man accused of strangulation, battery and domestic violence. The day before he set bail at $1,000 for a woman charged with three felonies, including child abuse. In 2006, the commissioner set bail at $100,00 for a foreign exchange student accused of a sex crime. Cornwall didn't require the man to surrender his passport and he fled to China where he was later arrested on an unrelated charge and extradited back to the United States. North Korea faces additional sanctions North Korea's test launch of what it claimed to be a hypersonic missile is more threatening and provocative than any of its previous ballistic missile tests. This is all the more so as it is hard to intercept such a formidable weapon. On Wednesday, North Korea said it successfully conducted the "final" test-firing of a new hypersonic missile a day earlier. The launch came six days after the North carried out a similar test. It is unusual for Pyongyang to conduct such a test two times in less than a week. According to South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), the North fired a missile into the East Sea from Jagang Province at around 7:27 a.m. The missile flew more than 700 kilometers at a maximum altitude of 60 kilometers and at a maximum speed of Mach 10, or 10 times the speed of sound. We cannot but express grave concerns because the North's hypersonic missile could pose a serious military threat to the South. Such an advanced missile can hardly be intercepted by the missile defense system of both South Korea and the U.S. Thus, Seoul and Washington need to work out a new strategy to thwart any hypersonic missile attack from the North. The North has continued to test-fire different types of missiles, including a submarine-launched ballistic missile, since its leader Kim Jong-un failed to make any progress during denuclearization talks with then U.S. President Donald Trump in Hanoi in February 2019. The North has strengthened its military arsenal although it refrained from conducting another nuclear tests or ICBM launches. The North cannot justify its provocations under any circumstance. We urge North Korea to stop any further missile tests and other types of military provocation. The North will only face deeper isolation and additional international sanctions if it continues to violate U.N. Security Council resolutions banning Pyongyang from developing weapons of mass destruction. The U.S. is pushing for additional U.N. sanctions against North Korea. On Wednesday, the Treasury Department imposed penalties on five North Korean individuals for illegally procuring materials for the North's ballistic missile programs. The State Department also slapped sanctions on another North Korean, a Russian and a Russian company for supporting the North's WMD activities. Such punitive measures are necessary to put more pressure on the North to give up its weapons programs and return to the negotiating table. The Moon Jae-in administration needs to work more closely with the U.S. to better cope with growing North Korean threats. It is somewhat disappointing for Seoul to downplay the serious nature of the North's hypersonic missile tests. The government only expressed "strong regret" over the tests. President Moon seemed to be concerned more about the negative effect of the missile launches on the March 9 presidential election than on their implications on our national security. It is time to take a tougher stance on any North Korean provocation. Seoul and Washington have committed to solve the North Korean issue through dialogue and diplomacy. But they should not condone any move by the North to develop ballistic missiles and WMD. North Korea should realize that it cannot guarantee its security and survival by only strengthening its military power. Europe faces its greatest threat of war in the last 30 years, Poland warned today, after Russia threatened 'military means' if its demands over Ukraine were not met and hinted it could deploy forces to Cuba and Venezuela. Russia's threat on Thursday sharply raised the stakes in its dispute with the West over Ukraine, as the world's largest security body met in Vienna today for talks. It is hoped the talks will push Russia and the West towards dialogue to defuse a crisis on Ukraine's border where Russian troops have massed, sparking fears of war. But the rhetoric offered a stark view before the week of security meetings between Russia and the West have even finished at the 57-nation Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). The OSCE is chaired by Poland this year. Pictured: A Russian tank T-72B3 fires as troops take part in drills at the Kadamovskiy firing range in the Rostov region in southern Russia, Wednesday, January 12, 2022. Europe faces its greatest threat of war in the last 30 years, Poland warned today, after Russia threatened 'military means' if its demands over Ukraine were not met Russian soldiers take part in drills at the Kadamovskiy firing range in the Rostov region in southern Russia, Thursday, January 13, 2022 The designated OSCE Chairman-in-Office and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Poland, Zbigniew Rau, speaks during a news conference in Vienna, Austria, Thursday, Jan. 13, 2022. He said 'It seems that the risk of war in the OSCE area is now greater than ever before in the last 30 years' Without naming Russia in his address to envoys, Polish Foreign Minister Zbigniew Rau mentioned tensions in Ukraine, Georgia, Armenia and Moldova, all countries with active or frozen conflicts in which Russia has been alleged to be a party. 'It seems that the risk of war in the OSCE area is now greater than ever before in the last 30 years,' Mr Rau said today. 'For several weeks we have been faced with the prospect of a major military escalation in Eastern Europe,' he said, launching his country's year-long chairmanship of the region's largest security organisation. He reported no breakthrough at the meeting. Meanwhile, Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said in televised remarks that he would 'neither confirm nor exclude' the possibility that Russia could send military assets to Cuba and Venezuela if the talks fail and U.S. pressure on Russia mounts. Ryabkov said 'it all depends on the action by our U.S. counterparts,' pointing to Russian President Vladimir Putin's warning that Moscow could take military measures if the U.S. provokes the Kremlin and turns up military pressure on it. While voicing concern that NATO could potentially use Ukrainian territory for the deployment of missiles capable of reaching Moscow in just five minutes, Putin noted that Russian warships armed with the latest Zircon hypersonic cruise missile would give Russia a similar capability if deployed in neutral waters. Zircon, which Putin said flies at nine times the speed of sound to a range of more than 620 miles, is hard to intercept and could be fitted with conventional or nuclear warheads. It's set to be commissioned by the Russian navy later this year and installed aboard its frigates and submarines. Ryabkov's comments mark the first time during the current tensions over Ukraine when a senior official mentioned the possibility of Russian military deployments to the Western hemisphere. His statement followed his comments last month in which he compared the current tensions over Ukraine with the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis. In December 2018, Russia briefly dispatched a pair of its nuclear-capable Tu-160 bombers to Venezuela in a show of support for Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro amid Western pressure. Soon after his first election in 2000, Putin ordered the closure of a Russian electronic surveillance facility in Cuba during a period of rapprochement with the West, but Moscow has intensified contacts with Cuba in recent years as tensions with the U.S. and its allies mounted. The Kremlin also said it was hitting a dead end as it tried to persuade the West to bar Ukraine from joining NATO and roll back decades of alliance expansion in Europe, and told the US that sanctioning President Vladimir Putin would 'cross a line.' 'Introducing sanctions against a head of state is crossing a line and comparable to a rupture of ties,' Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters earlier. With talks failing to reach a breakthrough in Brussels, Russia cranked up its war games with live fire exercises, some close to Ukraine's borders where it has an estimated 100,000 troops in forward positions. Pictured: A Ukrainian soldier seen on January 10, 2022 Russian tanks T-72B3 take part in drills at the Kadamovskiy firing range in the Rostov region in southern Russia, Wednesday, January 12, 2022. Russia has rejected Western complaints about its troop buildup near Ukraine, saying it deploys them wherever it deems necessary Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov (pictured on Monday) said in televised remarks that he would 'neither confirm nor exclude' the possibility that Russia could send military assets to Cuba and Venezuela if the talks fail and U.S. pressure on Russia mounts Ryabkov also said that Russian military specialists were providing options to President Vladimir Putin in case the situation around Ukraine worsened, but diplomacy must be given a chance. However, he said talks with the United States in Geneva on Monday and with NATO in Brussels on Wednesday had shown there was a 'dead end or difference of approaches', and he saw no reason to sit down again in the coming days to re-start the same discussions. The United States and its European allies have accused Russia of deploying tanks, artillery and about 100,000 soldiers on Ukraine's war-torn eastern border in recent weeks, in what NATO says is preparation for an invasion. Moscow says this is a response to what it sees as the growing presence of NATO on its doorstep, where it fiercely opposes the expansion of the Atlantic alliance. Moscow and Washington have already underlined their 'fundamental' differences on European security during tense talks in Geneva and Brussels this week. Helga Schmid, the secretary general of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), said the situation in the region was 'perilous', noting 'the urgent need to reinvigorate the debate on European security'. 'It is imperative we find a way through diplomacy to deescalate and begin rebuilding trust, transparency and cooperation,' she said, opening the Vienna-based body's first meeting of its permanent council this year, attended by all 57 member states including Russia and the US. Meanwhile, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said Thursday that there should be no negotiations with Russian authorities over the fate of Ukraine so long as Moscow is massing troops at the country's border. 'Russian movements are part of the pressure,' Borrell told journalists ahead of a meeting of European Union defence and foreign ministers, insisting that there 'should not be negotiation under pressure.' Talks are complicated by the unclear situation on the ground in rebel-held eastern Ukraine, where the OSCE has since 2014 been charged with ensuring peace accords are respected. However that has failed to end fighting in the region, with conditions degrading for OSCE observers in areas controlled by pro-Russian separatists, a situation the US ambassador called 'extremely worrying'. 'The monitoring missions have not yet recorded anything anomalous', said Carpenter, while admitting that on the border 'we cannot possibly know what is actually happening'. NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg also expressed his concern on Wednesday, saying the risk of conflict was 'real', and urged Russia to de-escalate. A general view before member states delegates arrive for a meeting of the Permanent Council of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) on January 13, 2022 in Vienna, Austria 'If Russia once again uses force against Ukraine and further invades Ukraine, then we have to seriously look into the need to further increase our presence in the eastern part of the alliance,' Mr Stoltenberg added. The barrage of pessimistic comment from Russian ministers and officials cast grave doubt on the chances of a diplomatic breakthrough at one of the most fraught moments in East-West relations since the Cold War. Russian Ambassador Alexander Lukashevich told the OSCE: 'If we don't hear a constructive response to our proposals within a reasonable timeframe and an aggressive line of behaviour towards Russia continues, we will be forced to draw appropriate conclusions and take all necessary measures to ensure strategic balance and eliminate unacceptable threats to our national security.' He went on: 'Russia is a peace-loving country. But we do not need peace at any cost. The need to obtain these legally formalised security guarantees for us is unconditional.' His speech was consistent with a pattern of recent statements in which Russia has said it wants a diplomatic solution but has also rejected calls to reverse its troop build-up and warned of unspecified consequences for Western security if its demands go unheeded. The United States says Moscow's calls to veto Ukrainian membership and halt NATO military activity in eastern Europe are non-starters, but that it is willing to talk about arms control, missile deployments and confidence-building measures. Russia says that after decades of NATO expansion it is determined to draw red lines and stop the alliance from admitting Ukraine as a member or basing missiles there. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov criticised a sanctions bill unveiled by U.S. Senate Democrats on Wednesday that would target top Russian government and military officials, including Putin, as well as key banking institutions, if Russia attacks Ukraine. Peskov said sanctioning Putin would be tantamount to severing relations. 'We view the appearance of such documents and statements extremely negatively against the background of an ongoing series of negotiations, albeit unsuccessful ones,' he said. U.S. ambassador Michael Carpenter told the OSCE meeting: 'As we prepare for an open dialogue on how to strengthen security for the benefit of all, we must decisively reject blackmail and never allow aggression and threats to be rewarded.' 'We must decisively reject blackmail and never allow aggression and threats to be rewarded,' Carpenter said. Earlier Carpenter had told independent Russian TV channel Dozhd that he didn't expect any 'concrete results this week'. 'Our main goal is, in principle, to establish a dialogue... Yes, our positions are polar, but this does not mean that there are no elements and areas on which we cannot agree,' he said. The challenge, he said, will be to 'determine in what forms it is generally possible to deepen the dialogue on this issue in the next few months or even a year.' Russia has said it will decide on its next moves after this week's talks. It has threatened unspecified 'military -technical measures' if its demands are rejected. Russia has warned it will resort to 'military means' if the West does not bow to its demands over Ukraine, after NATO's chief said there is 'a real risk for armed conflict.' Pictured: A still grab from a video showing Russia military exercises that were ramped up amid on-going talks Russian sniper exercises (pictured) took place in the Russian-controlled Transnistrian region of Moldova, which borders western Ukraine The latest in a spate of Russian war games - seen on video - included tank, motorised rifle, reconnaissance and engineering units drills. These drills in the Moscow region involved more than 5,000 troops and 1,500 pieces of weaponry Meeting senior Kremlin envoys at NATO headquarters in Brussels on Wednesday, Western ambassadors unanimously rejected Moscow's demands for a guarantee that Ukraine will never be admitted to the group. The Kremlin also demanded that NATO rule out allowing Finland or Georgia to join the alliance, and for NATO to pull back from the ex-Soviet states that were brought into the group in 1997 - eight years after the Berlin wall fell. With talks failing to reach a breakthrough in Brussels on Wednesday, Russia cranked up its war games with live fire exercises, some close to Ukrainne's borders. The latest in a spate of Russian war games - seen on video - included tank, motorised rifle, reconnaissance and engineering units drills. These drills in the Moscow region involved more than 5,000 troops and 1,500 pieces of weaponry. Russian deputy foreign minister Alexander Grushko warned that the Kremlin will use its armed forces if it fails to gain concessions from the West. 'We have a set of legal military-technical measures that we will apply if we feel a real threat to (our) security,' he said. 'And we already feel (it), if our territory is considered as an object for targeted strike weapons 'Of course, we cannot agree with this. We will take all necessary measures to fend off the threat by military means if political means fail.' Western ambassadors said Wednesday that Moscow would have no veto on Ukraine nor on any other country joining the alliance and warned it would pay a high price if it invaded. 'Russia most of all will have to decide whether they really are about security, in which case they should engage, or whether this was all a pretext, and they may not even know yet,' US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman said. Grushko - Sherman's opposite number - agreed there had been no breakthrough, and lamented that, between them, Russia and NATO have no 'positive agenda.' 'The conversation was quite frank, direct, deep, intense, but at the same time it revealed a large number of differences on fundamental issues,' he said. Putin's government has demanded the West rule out accepting new members like Ukraine, Georgia or Finland on its eastern flank and wants limits on allied deployments in the former Soviet allies like Poland and the Baltic states that joined NATO after the Cold War. The allies have threatened massive economic and financial sanctions against Moscow if its huge troop build-up on Ukraine's frontiers and in Russian-occupied Crimea turns into a new invasion. Meeting senior Kremlin envoys at NATO headquarters in Brussels, Western ambassadors unanimously rejected Moscow's demands for a guarantee that Ukraine will never be admitted to the group.Pictured: NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg talks to the press outside the Lycee Naval in Brest on Wednesday Russian deputy foreign minister Alexander Grushko (pictured speaking on Wednesday) warned that the Kremlin will use its armed forces if it fails to gain concessions from the West Russia has put intense pressure on Ukraine since 2014, after a revolution overthrew a government that had sided with the Kremlin against moving closer to Europe. Russia has seized and annexed the Ukrainian region of Crimea and Moscow backs an insurgency in eastern Ukraine in which more than 13,000 people have died. Russia's massive troop build-up on Ukraine's borders has forced Washington to engage diplomatically - with bilateral security talks in Geneva on Monday, a NATO-Russia meeting on Wednesday and another planned at the OSCE in Vienna on Thursday. But the Western allies have received no promise that Russia will stand down its forces - which Moscow insists pose no threat to its already partially-occupied neighbour - despite their threatening massive economic sanctions if the Kremlin unleashes an invasion. Instead, the 30 member states invited the Russian envoys to return to Moscow and to advise Putin to join them for a series of confidence-building talks on limiting provocative military exercises, arms control and reciprocal limits on deploying missiles. '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,' Stoltenberg warned. 'There are significant differences between NATO allies and Russia on these issues.' Russia's massive troop build-up on Ukraine's borders has forced Washington to engage diplomatically - with bilateral security talks in Geneva on Monday, a NATO-Russia meeting on Wednesday and another planned at the OSCE in Vienna on Thursday. Pictured: Russian tanks shown in video footage of Russian military drills Putin's government has demanded the West rule out accepting new members like Ukraine, Georgia or Finland on its eastern flank and wants limits on allied deployments in the former Soviet allies like Poland and the Baltic states that joined NATO after the Cold War Stoltenberg said it would be impossible for NATO members to agree to Moscow's core demands for a new security order in Europe, and in particular added that Russia would have no veto on Ukraine's right to eventually join the alliance. 'Ukraine as a sovereign nation... has the right to self-defence. Ukraine is not a threat to Russia,' he said. 'It is Russia that is the aggressor. It is Russia that has used force and continues to use force against Ukraine. 'And then they're building up, with around 100,000 troops, artillery, armour, drones, tens of thousands of combat-ready troops and threatening rhetoric - that's the problem.' Before Wednesday, the NATO-Russia council had not met since 2019. NATO and Russia broke off practical cooperation in 2014 after Moscow occupied and annexed the Ukrainian region of Crimea. Russia's diplomatic mission to the alliance was withdrawn in October last year after eight of its staff were expelled on allegations of espionage. After the meeting, Sherman said: 'Together, the United States and our NATO allies made clear we will not slam the door shut on NATO's open-door policy. 'NATO has never expanded through force or coercion or subversion. It is countries' sovereign choice to choose to come to NATO and say they want to join.' Amid the talks, both Latvia and Estonia said all Baltic states were pushing NATO to expand its military presence in their country as a deterrent to Russia. Pictured: A Ukrainian soldier walks on the line of separation from pro-Russian rebels, Donetsk region, Ukraine, Monday, January 10, 2022 Just ahead of the talks, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov had said: 'The continuation of NATO's open-door policy and the further advancement of NATO towards our borders is precisely what, from our point of view, threatens us. 'This is exactly what we are asking not to continue through legally-binding guarantees.' Russian ambassador to the US, Anatoly Antonov, warned that the West's threat of mega-sanctions will not intimidate Moscow. States Anatoly Antonov said in response to media questions: 'We believe that the calls on the Capitol Hill for the introduction of 'crippling' anti-Russian estrictions, as well as personal sanctions against the top leadership of the Russian Federation, are provocative and hopeless,' he said. 'We will not be intimidated by restrictions 'Behind the demands of lawmakers to punish our country more painfully lies an attempt to influence Russia against the background of ongoing negotiations on European security. 'We see such pressure as the inability of the United States to defend its point of view at the negotiating table in a reasoned manner.' He denied any intention to invade Ukraine. Russia has denied any intention to invade Ukraine, despite a build-up of 100,000 troops on the border between the two countries. Pictured: A serviceman of Ukrainian Military Forces walks on the front line with Russia-backed separatists not far from Avdiivka, in Donetsk region, southeastern Ukraine on January 10, 2022 The envoy said 'the alleged plan of an attack on a neighbouring state being hatched by our country are a figment of the sick imagination of local Russophobic circles'. He claimed: 'This is the result of their mental disorder. The answer is unambiguous. 'We have no aggressive intentions towards Ukraine. 'It seems that US politicians have launched the myth of an 'imminent Russian invasion of Ukraine' in the media and are now facing their own phobias.' Russia appeared to ramp up its war games amid the on-going talks. The 'combat training' included live firing by T-80 and T-72B3 tanks and BMP-2 amphibious infantry fighting vehicles against mock enemies. The aim is to exercise on off-road terrain and 'destroy enemy manpower using a twin machine gun and 125mm tank gun'. Sniper exercises took place in the Russian-controlled Transnistrian region of Moldova, which borders western Ukraine. Sniper drills were also underway in Voronezh, Belgorod, and Bryansk regions, which also border Ukraine, as well as Smolensk, said military reports today. 'Unit commanders will learn how to counter snipers and batteries by means of motor and armoured vehicles with high-power firearms, including mortars,' said a military spokesman. Former veterans minister Johnny Mercer sensationally called for a public inquiry into prosecutors in Northern Ireland yesterday, claiming extremists in government are using the levers of state to re-write history. In a blistering speech to the Commons, the Tory MP accused former IRA leaders who entered politics in the wake of the Good Friday Agreement of pursuing Troubles soldiers while concealing their own murderous behaviour. Mr Mercer, an ex-Army captain, pointed to five prosecutions of ex-troops in Northern Ireland last year which collapsed or resulted in acquittals, including two former paratroopers cleared over the murder of IRA leader Joe McCann 50 years ago. Under parliamentary privilege, Mr Mercer named Barra McGrory QC as being Northern Irelands Director of Public Prosecutions when the cases were decided upon. Former veterans minister Johnny Mercer (pictured) sensationally called for a public inquiry into prosecutors in Northern Ireland yesterday, claiming extremists in government are using the levers of state to re-write history Under parliamentary privilege, Mr Mercer named Barra McGrory QC (pictured) as being Northern Irelands Director of Public Prosecutions when the cases were decided upon He said: I make no assertions of his motives, but it is a fact that Barra McGrory was previous to his appointment a long-term solicitor in Northern Ireland for the Republican cause. His family members were present at the peace talks in Northern Ireland at the behest of the IRA, he represented Martin McGuinness at the Bloody Sunday Inquiry and represented Gerry Adams over many years. Mr Mercer said Mr McGrory QC should never have been involved in the McCann case, remarking that the Official IRA commanding officer, shot dead in Belfast in 1972, was a friend of Adams. He also slammed the decision to pursue the prosecution of terminally-ill soldier Dennis Hutchings, 80, who died while on trial in Belfast in October over a 1974 shooting. The MP for Plymouth Moor View also questioned the position of ex-IRA prisoner and current Sinn Fein MLA Gerry Kelly on the Northern Ireland Policing Board, overseeing the provinces police force, given he was jailed over a bombing at the Old Bailey in 1973. He added: I could go on and on about the almost total infiltration of the justice and political systems in Northern Ireland by those who in any other country would be prevented from going anywhere near elected office or public service given their convictions and handed the levers of state to re-write history in their own image. He said the professional decisions of the prosecution service in Northern Ireland had last year been proved wrong, time and again. Mr McGrory has previously insisted his office mounted many more cases against paramilitaries and has denied any imbalance of approach within the prosecution service and has stressed its impartiality. Mr Mercer quit his government post over inaction on a Conservative manifesto promise to protect Northern Ireland veterans. He has since vigorously campaigned to end perceived vexatious prosecutions, but has also criticised government amnesty proposals to end all Troubles-era prosecutions, insisting pathways to justice for Britons should not be cut off. Mr Mercer said Mr McGrory QC should never have been involved in the McCann case. Pictured: The family of Joe McCann on May 4, 2021 In his speech, Mr Mercer acknowledged that not every individual who served in Northern Ireland met the standards expected, but said that it is now impossible in the vast majority of these cases to address the issues in criminal courts decades later. He added: It is inevitable that given the studious record keeping of the State in Northern Ireland, when contrasted with the murderous chaos conducted by the terrorists, that this pursuit of political and financial gain was inevitably going to only be conducted one way against those who strived night and day to prevent civil war in Northern Ireland, and not against those who woke up in the morning and made deliberate and conscious choices to go and kill women and children in pursuit of their aims. Mr Mercer, who has repeatedly clashed with the government on veterans issues and this week refused to defend Boris Johnson over the partygate scandal, hit out at Northern Ireland secretary Brandon Lewis over his childlike naivete in proposals to deal with Ulsters troubled past. He added that the minister had missed eight self-imposed deadlines for legislation to be brought to the Commons. It is now not expected until the summer. Responding on behalf of the government, Northern Ireland minister Conor Burns said any delays to legacy legislation were to ensure we get this right. It is absolutely, unambiguously, unequivocally, the commitment of the government that this Bill will be brought forward and put before the House of Commons, he added. Mr McGrory and Mr Kelly were contacted for comment. A man has today appeared in court charged in connection with the death of tragic Scottish teen Amber Gibson. Stephen Corrigan, 43, appeared in private via video link at Hamilton Sheriff Court charged with attempting to pervert the course of justice. Corrigan, of Blantyre, Lanarkshire, made no plea and was committed for trial by Sheriff Andrew McIntyre. He was remanded in custody. It comes following the death of 16-year-old Amber, who vanished from her home in Hamilton, Lanarkshire, in November last year. The teenager's body was discovered near woodland in the town days later on Sunday morning, November 28. Her brother, Connor Gibson, was arrested. Gibson, also known as Niven, appeared in court last month charged with sexually assaulting and murdering her. The 19-year-old, of Hamilton, also faces a charge of attempting to pervert the course of justice. Amber Gibson (pictured), 16, was discovered dead in Cadzow Glen in Hamilton, Lanarkshire, last month Amber had vanished from the Hillhouse area of Hamilton days earlier and had sparked a huge missing person hunt before her body was found days later in woodland on Sunday morning, November 28 Earlier this month Amber's devastated family shared poignant messages on social media on what would have been her 17th birthday. One relative said: 'Happy heavenly 17th birthday gorgeous girl, love you.' And a friend wrote: 'Happy birthday angel.' Amber vanished from the Hillhouse area of Hamilton before her body was found days later in woodland on November 28. Detectives said her family had been left 'heartbroken' by her death. Dozens of flowers, balloons and candles were placed under a bridge close to where her body was discovered. The shrine was discovered torched after yobs set fire to a wheelie bin nearby causing the flames to spread. Her friends held a balloon release for her in nearby Chatelherault Country Park to honour her memory. Dozens of flowers, balloons and candles have all been placed under a bridge close to where her body was discovered Police Scotland officers face a probe by a watchdog over their handling of Amber's disappearance in the lead-up to her death. The Crown Office instructed the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner (PIRC) to examine efforts made by officers to trace the teenager who was found dead around 200 yards from where she was last seen on Cadzow Street in Hamilton. PIRC will later hand over their findings to prosecutors. A serial killer in Texas who has been on death row for more than 20 years for the murders of five young women has had his appeal to review his sentence denied by the U.S. Supreme Court after he claimed his public defender was ineffective and negligent in presenting his case. Faryion Wardrip, 62, was convicted in 1999 in the deaths of four women in a 16-month span, starting in Wichita Falls, in 1984. He had been freed on parole after confessing to the murder of another woman. His murdered victims were Terry Sims, 20; Toni Gibbs, 23; Debra Taylor, 25; Ellen Bau, 21, and Tina Kimbrew, 21. The top court's decision Monday to deny reviewing Wardrip's appeal was the latest judicial drama in a string of attempts by the convicted rapist and murderer to have his death penalty tossed. Faryion Wardrip, 62 committed five murders in Texas between December 1984 and May 1986. Four of the murders happened in Wichita County and one happened in the Dallas-Fort Worth area Allan B. Polunsky Unit in West Livingston, Texas, where Wardrip hason death row since 1999 Terry Sims, 23, a Midwestern State University student and part-time EKG specialist at what was then Bethania Hospital, was Wardrip's first victim before a series of other murders occurred in less than two years In September 2020, the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals overturned a lower court's ruling granting a rehearing on the capital punishment sentence. He had petitioned for the rehearing from that court on the basis that his good conduct while in prison was not given enough consideration in the punishment phase. The Fifth Circuit rejected his claim for good behavior but admitted both it and the lower court did not address one part of his argument, thus he is entitled for that issue to be settled by the lower court, and granted his petition for a rehearing. However, instead of proceeding to federal district court, Wardrip's defense took its case to the Supreme Court. Now that the nation's highest court has rejected his appeal, which was rooted in his argument that he had inept council, Wardrip has the option to take his case back to federal district court to consider his claim about good conduct. In December 21, 1984, Wardrip's first victim, Terry Sims, 23, a Midwestern State University student and part-time EKG specialist at what was then Bethania Hospital, was at a Christmas party and then was supposed to go to a a co-worker's home to study and spend the night. Unexpectedly, Liza Boone, the co-worker, received a call to return to the hospital to work the midnight shift. She drove Sims to her residence and gave Sims the key to her apartment, dropping her off at approximately 12:30 am. The following morning, the co-worker found Sims lying in a pool of blood after she was sexually assaulted and stabbed several times. It was later determined that while Boone was away at work, Sims had heard Wardrip causing a disturbance and went outside to investigate. Wardrip lunged at Sims and she ran back into the apartment and locked the door. Wardip targeted Sims for 'no apparent reason' and broke the door down after she locked him out. At the time of the incident, though, authorities were not able to track a suspect. Little did they know that the young woman's death would be the first in a series of killings that went undiscovered for years. Toni Gibbs, 23, and Wardrip knew each other from working at the same hospital where the serial killer was working as an orderly and she as a registered nurse. Wardrip offered Gibbs a ride before driving her in a secluded area and killing her Gibbs disappeared on January 19, 1985, while employed at Wichita General Hospital. Wardrip came across Gibbs at about six a.m., after he had been out walking all night. He knew Gibbs because she was a registered nurse at the same hospital where he worked as an orderly. Gibbs offered Wardrip a ride and after he got in her car, he began hurling her around and screaming at her. He then forced Gibbs to drive down an isolated dirt road to a field. Two days after her abduction, her car was found within a few miles of the hospital. On February 15, utility workers found her naked body in a field at the southwest corner of West Jentsch Road and Highway 281 in Archer County, one mile south of the Wichita county line, a day after she would have turned 24. Gibbs had been sexually assaulted and stabbed. Gibbs had a total of eight stab wounds: three to her back, three to her chest, and two defensive wounds on her left forearm and thumb. Debra Taylor, 25, met Wardrip at a bar in Forth Worth. She was killed after refusing the serial killer's sexual advances on March 24, 1985 Two months after he murdered Toni Gibbs, Wardrip traveled to Fort Worth with the intention of looking for a job. In Fort Worth he met Taylor in the early morning hours of March 24, 1985, while at a bar. Taylor had been at the bar with her husband but he left early because he was tired. Debra remained at the bar where Wardrip approached her and asked her to dance. She accepted his request and the two spent time together in the club. He then asked to drive her home, which she agreed to. While outside, Wardrip attempted to make sexual advances, which were rejected by Taylor. This infuriated Wardrip and he killed Taylor, leaving her body at a construction site in east Fort Worth. When Debra failed to return home by the next morning, she was reported missing by her husband. Her body was found by two construction workers on March 29, 1985. On September 20, 1985, Wardrip abducted Blau in Wichita Falls. The kidnapping occurred as Blau was walking alone to her vehicle after leaving her evening job as a waitress. She was also a student at Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls. Wardrip forced Blau to drive to a secluded area, where he eventually killed her by strangulation before breaking her neck. Leaving her body in the secluded area, he drove her car back into Wichita Falls and abandoned it along with her purse. Her blood was also discovered on the inside of the vehicle. A county road crew employee found Blau's body in a field in Wichita County on October 10, 1985. Ellen Bau, 21, was a waitress and part time student of Midwestern University in Wichita Falls, Texas, who disappeared on September 19, 1985. Wardrip abducted the young woman when she was walking to her vehicle after her shift ended before murdering her On May 6, 1986, Wardrip killed Kimbrew, a waitress he had recently befriended. He went to her apartment and suffocated her with a pillow because she 'reminded him of his ex-wife'. Three days later, Wardrip called police in Galveston, Texas, confessing to the crime. He was sentenced to 35 years in prison but given parole in 1997. After his release, Wardrip moved to Olney - 142 miles northwest of Dallas - and married and was even an active member in the community's church. He was required to wear an ankle bracelet, allowing authorities to constantly track his location; he was restricted to movements for work, home and church. Meanwhile, investigators had still not tied all the cases together. Barry Macha, who was was elected district attorney shortly before Sims was killed, inherited the case as well as the four others. 'I still think about Terry and her family. It was a horrific case,' Macha told Time Record News, adding that he still is in contact with the families of the victims. In 1999, Macha officially reopened all the cold case murders and assigned investigator John Little to do the groundwork. Tina Kimbrew, 21, was suffocated to death with a pillow inside her apartment by Wardrip. She was also a waitress he had befriended and killed because she 'reminded him of his ex-wife' Both law enforcement officials established that the killings weren't random and that there we some connections between the victims and Wardrip. At the time, Wardrip had known Blau, who was living near Sims. Wardrip worked at Bethania Hospital, where Gibbs was also working. And thanks to the forensic preservations of the victim's DNAs, Macha's team were able to knock out some potential suspects. Wardrip's DNA, however, had not been collected when he became a person of interest to them. So, Little was charged with the task to get it and he did it the most subtle way possible. The detective went to the factory where Wardrip was recently hired, approached him during his coffee break and asked him for the paper cup he had drank out of so he could spit tobacco into it. Little kept the cup as evidence. The DNA from the cup was later identified as a match with evidence found on Sims and Gibbs. Wardrip was arrested on Valentine's Day in 1999. He later confessed to killing Sims, Gibbs, Blau, before surprisingly admitting to investigators that he murdered Taylor. Later in 1999, Wardrip was sentenced to death by lethal injection in Kimbrew's murder and was given three life sentences for the other murders. Despite appeals, Wardrip is still on death row after 22 years. As of Monday, no execution date for Wardrip had been set. A 74-year-old woman and her late boyfriend have been exonerated of the 1987 rape and murder of her four-year-old niece after spending nearly 30 years behind bars. Joyce Watkins was convicted of the rape and murder of her great niece Brandi in 1988. Police and prosecutors said she and her boyfriend, Charles Dunn, brutalized the girl so badly that she died in the nine hours that she was in their care. Watkins, then aged 38, took Brandi to a hospital in Nashville nine hours after collecting her from another woman's home, where the child had spent two months and where neighbors suspected she was being abused. A doctor ruled that Brandi - who was unconscious - had been raped, and that she died as the result of an injuries inflicted in the nine hours Watkins and her boyfriend had her in their care. Dunn, who was known as Charlie, died in prison in 2015 and Watkins was released that same year after serving 27 years. Joyce Watkins was convicted of the rape and murder of her great niece Brandi in 1988. Police and prosecutors said she and her boyfriend, Charles Dunn, brutalized the girl so badly that she died in the nine hours that she was in their care. Watkins spent 27 years in prison and was freed in 2015. Charles died of cancer in 2015 while still behind bars for the crime he didn't commit Four-year-old Brandi died in 1987. She had been beaten, and doctors said suffered severe sexual injuries. Joyce was her great aunt and was worried about her so collected her from the home of a different aunt, who had been reported to social services. That aunt had a 19-year-old son in the Marines who it was later claimed to police may have been who raped Brandi On Wednesday, a judge overturned their convictions - Dunn's posthumously - after an appeal from The Innocence Project which questioned the doctor's analysis of when Brandi had been raped and injured. It found there was no proof of when the girl had been brutalized, and that the doctor made the assertion by looking at marks on Brandi's skin rather than any internal injuries. A report by the Nashville Criminal Review Unit also suggests that the girl's then 19-year-old male cousin, who was enlisted in the Marines at the time, may have been the one who raped and beat her. No one else has been arrested for the crime and it's unclear if he is still alive. After the hearing, Watkins said: 'It's been a long struggle, but I want to thank the DA's office. 'I want to thank Mr. Gichner here with the Tennessee Innocence Project and all the people for their prayers and just helping me to get out of this mess which cost me half of my life for nothing.' Charlie Dunn's daughter Jackie said: 'It's a bittersweet day. I wish my daddy was here to witness this day. He knew he was innocent. He knew he did not commit those crimes. 'He lost his mother, his two brothers, his sister and his son. So many people lost and he was innocent. He died in a place he was never supposed to be.' The report also detailed how Brandi had suffered bruises while in the care of Rose Williams, the Marine's mother, and that she was reported to social services. Brandi's mother, Louis Lockhart, has long supported Watkins. She said on Wednesday that she never believed she was responsible for killing her daughter. Joyce Watkins, on Wednesday in court, said she lost 'half her life' over nothing. The real killer and rapist had never been caught On June 27, 1987, Watkins and her boyfriend drove from their home in Nashville to Kentucky to collect Brandi from Williams's home at her request. The child had gone there to spend a few weeks with Williams' kids, who were four and eight, but she behaved 'strangely' while there, according to Williams. Neighbors at the time reported watching Brandi nearly fall asleep while standing up. They said she seemed like an 'unhappy' child who never played, and often had bruise on her body. Williams called Watkins on June 26, 1987, begging her to come and collect Brandi. The report says she was in a rush to get Watkins and her boyfriend out of the house with Brandi, and didn't invite them in as she usually would have done. The family of the victim say they never believed that the girl's aunt was who harmed her. The courts denied all of their previous appeals In the car ride home, Brandi complained that she was thirsty. When they got back to home an hour later, Watkins noticed blood in the girl's underwear. The next day, at 9am, Watkins decided to take the girl to the hospital. She had been conscious that morning - something that was corroborated by Watkins' sister - but by the time she arrived in the ER, was no longer awake. Doctors ruled that she had 'severe vaginal trauma' and a head injury. She was placed on life support but died the following day. The medical examiner, Dr. Greta Harlan, told the trial that the injuries had been inflicted in the nine hours the girl was in Watkins and Dunn's care. Initially, she had said they could have been inflicted in the 48 hours before her death, and modern medical advances have proven that it could have been even longer. The pair were arrested and in 1988 were found guilty of first degree murder and aggravated rape. They appealed their convictions but an appeals court upheld them in 1990. The exoneration report reveals how detectives failed to question many others who could have been involved or who had access to Brandi while she was at the home. It was on a military base, the report notes, where dozens of adults had access to her. A farm worker murdered his baby daughter by inflicting an 'appalling catalogue of injuries' on her while being monitored by social services, a court has heard. Christopher Easey, 31, and his wife Carly, 36, from Morton on the Hill, Norfolk, are accused of inventing excuses to explain away bruises on their newborn Eleanor. The couple are said to have even hoodwinked three doctors by falsely claiming some bruises to her face and jaw were caused by a poorly fitting car seat. Norwich Crown Court heard how hospital staff had raised safeguarding fears about Eleanor over concerns pub worker Mrs Easey had 'concealed' her pregnancy before her birth. They also feared she had was not bonding normally with her baby in the days after her birth at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King's Lynn, Norfolk. A post mortem found Eleanor had a fatal head injury as well as older head and neurological injuries, 31 rib fractures and five fracture sites on her limbs, and was poorly nourished. Christopher Easey (left), 31, and his wife Carly (right), 36, from Morton on the Hill, Norfolk, are accused of inventing excuses to explain away bruises on their newborn Eleanor Timeline of Eleanor Easey's death and her parents being charged December 18, 2019 : Eleanor Easey is taken to Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital after becoming unresponsive at home : Eleanor Easey is taken to Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital after becoming unresponsive at home December 20, 2019 : Eleanor dies at Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge after being moved there : Eleanor dies at Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge after being moved there September 15, 2020 : Christopher Easey and Carly Easey are charged with murder and appear at Norwich Magistrates' Court via videolink : Christopher Easey and Carly Easey are charged with murder and appear at Norwich Magistrates' Court via videolink September 16 : The Easeys appear at Norwich Crown Court via videolink : The Easeys appear at Norwich Crown Court via videolink October 13 : The Easeys plead not guilty to murder via videolink Advertisement Paramedics were called at 8.25pm on December 18, 2019, to reports Eleanor was 'struggling to breathe' at her home. Norwich Crown Court heard they found the three-month-old baby was pale, floppy and lethargic with her eyes half open, a low heart rate and erratic breathing. Her condition was judged to be critical at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital before she was transferred to Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge. Doctors ruled she had a catastrophic brain injury which was incompatible with life and her support was withdrawn on December 20, said prosecutor Sally Howes QC. Ms Howes said Eleanor had died of a non-accidental injury involving 'accelerated movement, in other words some form of shaking' and an impact to the head. She added: 'It's the prosecution case that she was murdered by her father. Her mother Carly Easey is charged with allowing a death of a child as she failed to protect this vulnerable young infant from serious physical harm.' Ms Howes described Eleanor as being significantly underweight as a result of being underfed. The court heard how Mr and Mrs Easey had got married after meeting in July 2016 on the rural community dating website Muddy Matches. Mrs Easey suffered a miscarriage in November 2018, and became pregnant again, but evidence suggested she did not 'acknowledge her condition and appeared to be in denial', said Ms Howes. Carly Easey, 36, and her husband Christopher Easey, 31, are pictured at their wedding in June 2018 She was taken to hospital by her husband on September 12, 2019, after complaining of severe stomach cramps, but she insisted that she did not think she was pregnant as she had taken tests which were inconclusive. Mrs Easey instead claimed that she thought her swollen abdomen was down to irritable bowel syndrome. But she began bleeding and was given an emergency caesarean. Eleanor was found to be around two weeks premature and weighed 2.57kgs. Mrs Easey was taken to intensive care as she had lost 1.7 litres of blood and had developed an infection. Eleanor was also put into neo-natal intensive care for infection screening Staff noticed that Mrs Easey was 'anxious about coping with the demands of being a parent' and were concerned that she did not want her baby to be brought to her bedside The hospital's midwives seemed 'bothered' that she did not appear to want to care for her baby, leaving bottle feeding up to staff. Mr Easey also lied to a midwife that he was a vet when he was really a cattle stockman, said Ms Howes. She added: 'A picture appeared of a couple who would only accept what they wanted to accept and had a worrying tendency to live in their own self-deluded way.' The couple, who are from Terrington St Clement, Norfolk, got married after meeting online in 2016 Mrs Easey declined mental health treatment when she was released from hospital on October 18, 2019, and appeared to 'want to go back to her life before'. Eleanor remained in neo-natal intensive acre, but staff noted that her parents 'did not visit her very much'. Hospital staff referred the family to social services as a safeguarding case due to Mrs Easey having a concealed pregnancy which was not reported to health professionals. Neither parent attended a meeting with a health visitor at the hospital on September 21, 2019, said Ms Howes. Mr Easey claimed later in a phone call how 'annoying and unnecessary it was for social services to be involved in the family at all.' Eleanor was said to be in a healthy condition before she was allowed home on September 26, 2019. Norfolk County Council social worker Faye Kimber visited the couple later the same day and 'noted little communication or interaction' between them and Eleanor. A health visitor noted red marks on Eleanor's cheeks on October 4 and was told that she had scratched herself, said Ms Howes. Ms Kimber expressed concerns on a later visit on October 8 that Eleanor was vulnerable because of the couple's two boisterous dogs. Eleanor Easey died at Addenbrook's Hospital in Cambridge (pictured) after being transferred there from Norwich Ms Howes added: 'Carly Easey was very upset and her main concern was her dogs'. But the couple got a more secure dog guard between their kitchen and lounge the next day. The health visitor noted two scratches on Eleanor's nose on October 9, But Mrs Easey insisted the injuries were caused by her baby's fingernails Ms Kimber and a health visitor noticed a bruise on Eleanor's left cheek on October 23 and Mrs Easey claimed that she had caught her face on the poorly fitting strap of her car seat when they had driven down a bumpy road. At the time, Eleanor was sitting in a dark blue Maxi-Cosi pebble car seat which had been given to them by a friend and did not have an insert section, meaning it did not fit her properly. Her parents insisted that it was the car seat they had been using in the car, and they would not use it again, said Ms Howes. But as a result of the injury the couple were told to take Eleanor to their GP, as is the procedure for an injury in a non-mobile baby. The couple took her the next day to the surgery in Grimston, Norfolk, where the GP found a second bruise behind her right ear. Eleanor was then taken to the paediatric ward at Queen Elizabeth Hospital where she was examined by three doctors and a staff nurse found two marks on her jaws and two near her ears. The couple once again explained that the injuries had been caused by her slipping in the outsize car seat, and the doctors accepted their story was 'plausible', said Ms Howes. But the court heard that they had bought and started using a new car seat on October 2 after realising that the Maxi-Cosi one did not fit properly. Ms Howes asked the jury: 'Are they using Maxi-Cosi seat as an explanation that they have to account for the bruising?' The court heard how police had recovered a text message sent by Mrs Easey to her husband, saying: 'Bruising coming near her ear as well and bloodshot eye too.' Mr Easey was said to have explained away a third set of injuries when his daughter was found to have a 'a yellowish bruise' to her hairline. He told his employer that it was caused by a dog jumping up at Eleanor's carry car seat at a Pets at Home store when he was buying a dog cage. But police recovered CCTV images of him going to the store which showed no evidence of a dog jumping up. Mr Easey drove his wife to work on the afternoon of December 18, claiming that he had Eleanor with him in his car. But during the return home, he claimed he had to make an emergency stop when a car pulled out in front of him, meaning Eleanor's head was jerked back in the car seat, said Ms Howes. He later told police that he 'heard a squeak' from her and when he got home. He noticed that she was gulping her milk and later saw that she had stopped breathing. Mr Easey claimed that he tried to perform CPR on his daughter. He called an ambulance and later told paramedics on the way to hospital that he was used to performing CPR on cows, but had never done so on a human. In later interviews with police, he claimed that he may have been over vigorous when doing chest compressions on her. Mrs Easey also told officers about how she used to bounce around her daughter in a 'horse game' which she seemed to enjoy. But Ms Howes said that police had spoken to other people who had expressed concern about the way the couple looked after their daughter, saying it was 'wholly inappropriate' for 'a baby of her age and vulnerability'. Mr Easey's employer said he had seen Mrs Easey mowing her lawn or pulling up shrubs while Eleanor was out of earshot, and later sweeping a yard around 100m away from her baby in their cottage. He also recalled Mr Easey walking his dogs 'vigorously' with Eleanor in a pouch and 'moving around like a rag doll.' Mr Easey denies murder while Mrs Easey denies causing or allowing the death of a child. The couple also deny child neglect The trial continues. A statue of the Queen Mother located in Prince Charles' village Poundbury has been damaged after a car crashed into it. A woman on the school run ploughed into the side of the monument that stands in the middle of Queen Mother Square in Poundbury, Dorset. Her silver Peugeot 308 knocked over one of the four bollards at the base of the concrete plinth the 10ft bronze statue stands on. The woman, aged in her 40s, and her young daughter were left badly shaken up following the accident yesterday morning. A woman on the school run ploughed into the side of the monument that stands in the middle of Queen Mother Square in Poundbury, Dorset, knocking over one of the four bollards (pictured) in the process Queen Mother Square has no road markings, traffic lights or kerbs and is a 'shared space' between motorists, cyclists and pedestrians. Motorists have previously described the layout as a 'dangerous minefield' that is confusing to road users. They have queried whether the statue in the middle is a roundabout or not, leading to a 'free for all' for drivers approaching it. Witnesses said the woman driver may have been blinded by the low sun before she went into the monument. Her daughter, who was in her school uniform, was left in tears after the impact and the pair were taken away in an ambulance. Designed by artist Philip Jackson, the monument is a replica of the statue of the Queen Mother already in place in the Mall in London A manager of a local business, who saw the accident but wished to remain anonymous, said: 'The woman crashed into one of the concrete bollards, knocking it clean off. 'The right hand side of the car went up and over the fixing and the back tyre was up in the air - it was just balancing on it. 'After about 10 minutes the ambulance arrived and they were taken away. They were in complete shock.' Glanville Williams, a local resident, said it was an 'accident waiting to happen' because of the lack of road signs surrounding the statue. Juliet Gilbert-Rolf also posted on social media: 'I saw the statue as I was driving around it aimlessly, getting more and more frustrated at the lack of road signs. More to the point, it seemed everyone else was doing the same. It's an awful place.' The statue of the Queen Mother is found in Prince Charles' village of Poundbury (pictured), in Dorset Jon Richard-Schofield said the statue regularly caused traffic 'carnage.' He said: 'Near misses happen on a minute by minute basis and the crossing points are just as confusing - most don't use them, and those that do walk out with no consideration for drivers on what's already a very confusing layout. 'Whole section of road, crossings, and junctions need a major rethink. It's quite entertaining at times watching the carnage unfold around it - until avoidable incidents do unfortunately happen.' Prince Charles was very close to his grandmother, who died in her sleep aged 101 in 2002. Designed by artist Philip Jackson, the monument is a replica of the statue of the Queen Mother already in place in the Mall in London. The square in Poundbury is the only area in the eco-friendly village to be named after a member of the Royal family and commemorates the loving relationship between grandmother and grandson. Advertisement President Joe Biden on Thursday conceded he doesn't know how voting rights legislation will be passed without Senators Kyrsten Sinema and Joe Manchin on board but vowed 'as long as I have breath in me' he will fight. 'I don't know that we can get it done but I know one thing, as long as I have a breath in me, as long as I'm in the White House, as long as I'm engaged at all - I'm going to be fighting,' he said. Biden spent a little over an hour meeting with Senate Democrats on Capitol Hill but left without a clear path forward to pass a massive federal package of voting legislation, which would make Election Day a holiday, tighten campaign finance laws and adjust the redistricting process. 'We missed this time,' Biden conceded about Democratic efforts to fight laws passed in GOP-controlled states. 'We missed this time, and the state legislative bodies continue to change the law, it's not about who can vote, but who gets to count the vote.' His voice grew louder as he repeated his phrase: 'Count the vote. Count the vote. It's about election subversion, not just whether or not people get to vote. Biden made the personal appearance to lobby Democrats on voting rights legislation but his plea may come in vain after Simena made it clear she will not support his call to kill the filibuster. 'It is clear that the two parties strategies are not working, not for either side and especially not for the country,' Sinema said in a 19-minute speech on the Senate floor before the meeting with Biden. Her decision essentially killed Democratic efforts to pass voting legislation despite a procedural gamble from Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, the heavy lobbying from Biden and an impassioned plea from Barack Obama. Republicans including Mitch McConnell praised her for saving the Senate. President Joe Biden on Thursday conceded he doesn't know how voting rights legislation will be passed without Senators Kyrsten Sinema and Joe Manchin on board but vowed 'as long as I have breath in me' he will fight 'We missed this time,' Biden conceded about Democratic efforts to fight laws passed in GOP-controlled states. 'We missed this time, and the state legislative bodies continue to change the law, it's not about who can vote, but who gets to count the vote' Democratic Senator Joe Manchin, who also opposes killing the filibuster, said Biden gave an 'very passionate, very good speech' but wouldn't say whether or not his mind had been changed. 'The president gave an extremely, very passionate, very good speech. It was very human. It was very touching. It was very good. It was very historical,' the senator from West Virginia said. But Biden apparently didn't win him over. After the meeting, Manchin released a lengthy statement on why he would not vote to kill the filibuster. 'I will not vote to eliminate or weaken the filibuster,' he said. 'The filibuster plays an important role in protecting our democracy from the transitory passions of the majority and respecting the input of the minority in the Senate.' 'Ending the filibuster would be the easy way out. I cannot support such a perilous course for this nation when elected leaders are sent to Washington to unite our country by putting politics and party aside. It is time we do the hard work to forge the difficult compromises that can stand the test of time and deliver on the promise of a brighter tomorrow for all Americans,' he said. In the closed-door meeting, Biden spoke for about 15 minutes and then took questions, including some from Manchin, according to Democratic Senator Tim Kaine. 'At least 15 senators, asked questions or spoken, engaged and back and forth,' Kaine said. Schumer, after the meeting, praised Biden for coming but declined to say what the next steps are. He needs all 50 Democratic senators on board to proceed. With Sinema and Manchin staying at a 'no' on killing the filibuster and Senator Brian Schatz quarantining after testing positive for COVID, Schumer is down to 47 votes. The tone and stage for Biden's meeting was set about an hour before his arrival on Capitol Hill when Sinema took to the Senate floor to give a defiant speech that praised the power of the filibuster. Manchin described her remarks as 'excellent.' 'Very good. Excellent speech,' he told reporters on Capitol Hill And Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell said Sinema 'saved' the Senate and called her speech an act 'conspicuous of political courage.' 'She saved the Senate as an institution,' he said. Schumer didn't comment on Sinema. But Dick Durbin, the number two in Senate Democratic leadership, said he was 'disappointed but not surprised' in Sinema. Senator Manchin walks out of the Senate Democrat lunch, before releasing a statement confirming he won't support killing the filibuster to pass voting rights Biden's voice grew louder as he repeated his phrase: 'Count the vote. Count the vote. It's about election subversion, not just whether or not people get to vote. President Joe Biden leaves Capitol Hill after his meeting with Senate Democrats - and without a clear path forward on voting rights legislation President Biden speaks to reporters after his meeting with Senate Democrats Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer declined to talk about next steps on voting rights legislation Senator Joe Manchin's statement on his support for filibuster 'In May 2010, just a month before he died, Senator Robert C. Byrd was asked by then-Chairman Chuck Schumer to testify about the filibuster before the Senate Rules Committee because of his 'unsurpassed knowledge' on the subject. Senator Byrd began by quoting James Madison. Madison said that the purpose of the Senate was 'first, to protect the people against their rulers, secondly, to protect the people against the transient impressions into which they themselves may be led,' and that the Senate serves as a 'necessary fence against such danger.' Senator Byrd testified that, 'the right to filibuster anchors this necessary fence.' He concluded with, 'We must never, ever, ever, ever tear down the only wall, the necessary fence, that this nation has against the excesses of the executive branch and the resultant haste and tyranny of the majority.' 'Senator Byrd's insight helped explain why at no time in the history of the United States has the Senate been able to end debate on legislation with a simple majority. To be clear, prior to 1917, there was no mechanism for ending debate in the Senate. Even after the cloture rule came into effect 105 years ago, it has never provided that debate on legislation could be ended by a simple majority vote. This has been the case even as the nation has faced a multitude of national crises, including depression and war. 'Throughout the last decade or more, there has been broad bipartisan support for protecting the filibuster, including current and former members of the Senate. Just four years ago, sixty-one Senators, thirty-three of which were Democrats, sent a letter to Senators Chuck Schumer and Mitch McConnell warning them of the dangers of eliminating the filibuster. That letter presented a united front committed to, 'preserve the ability of members to engage in extended debate when bills are on the Senate floor.' While some of them have changed their position, I have not. Respect is a two-way street I respect that they have changed and I would hope they respect that I have not. The ability to debate and do the hard work to find consensus between to two parties is more important for our country now than ever before with the Senate evenly divided. 'While many try to ignore this history, they do so without fully understanding the long-term institutional and democratic damage this will do to the Senate and our nation. Allowing one party to exert complete control in the Senate with only a simple majority will only pour fuel onto the fire of political whiplash and dysfunction that is tearing this nation apart especially when one party controls both Congress and the White House. As such, and as I have said many times before, I will not vote to eliminate or weaken the filibuster. 'The filibuster plays an important role in protecting our democracy from the transitory passions of the majority and respecting the input of the minority in the Senate. Contrary to what some have said protecting the role of the minority, Democrat or Republican, has protected us from the volatile political swings we have endured over the last 233 years. The role of the minority is what ensures the policies of our nation have input from all corners of the country. We must never forget that the Senate governs for all 50 states, not just red or blue states. 'For those who believe that bipartisanship is impossible, we have proven them wrong. Ending the filibuster would be the easy way out. I cannot support such a perilous course for this nation when elected leaders are sent to Washington to unite our country by putting politics and party aside. It is time we do the hard work to forge the difficult compromises that can stand the test of time and deliver on the promise of a brighter tomorrow for all Americans.' Advertisement In her remarks, Sinema decried the divisive politics in the nation and said it has led to anger among lawmakers and their constituents alike. She called on the Senate to work together on bipartisan legislation that both parties can support. 'Our mandate, it seems, evident to me: work together and get stuff done for America,' Sinema said in her speech on the Senate floor. 'We must address the disease itself, the disease of division, to protect our democracy, and it cannot be achieved by one party alone,' she said. 'The response requires something greater and, yes, more difficult than what the Senate is discussing today.' She said, given the even 50-50 split in the Senate, Democrats need to get buy in from Republicans to pass legislation. 'When one party needs to only negotiate with itself, policy will inextricably be pushed from the middle towards the extremes,' she said. She called the filibuster a 'guardrail' that protects the political center, which 'ensures that millions of Americans, represented by the minority party have a voice in the process.' 'The steady escalation of tip for tat, in which each new majority weakens the guardrails of the Senate and excludes input from the other party, furthering resentment and anger, amongst this body, and our constituents at home,' she said. She made it clear she supports the voting rights legislation that Democrats are pushing but not at the expense of killing the filibuster. 'Eliminating the 60 vote threshold on a party line with the thinnest of possible majorities to pass these bills that I support will not guarantee that we prevent demagogues from winning office. Indeed, some who undermine the principles of democracy have already been elected. Rather, eliminating the 60 vote threshold will simply guarantee that we lose a critical tool that we need to safeguard our democracy from threats in the years to come,' she said. She called for lawmakers to 'lower the political temperature and to seek lasting solutions.' Her remarks came after the House passed a voting rights bill on Thursday and sent it to the Senate as part of a procedural gambit to allow Schumer to bypass a Republican fillibuster in order to start debate on the legislation. The House passed the measure 220-203 party-line vote. The move buys time as Schumer and other Democratic leaders try to persuade Machin and Sinema to join them in changing Senate rules to kill the filibuster on the voting legislation. Schumer's gamble may not have paid off anyway, as he ultimately need 10 GOP senators in his corner to bring the bill up for final passage, which requires 60 votes. Republicans are united in their opposition, arguing elections should be run on the state level instead of on a national one. Schumer, in a memo to lawmakers on Wednesday, outlined his plan to get voting legislation signed into law. To manuever around Senate Republican opposition, the House brought up an unrelated NASA bill. In place of the NASA language, the House swapped in the combined text of the two voting bills being held up in the Senate: the Freedom to Vote Act and John Lewis Voting Rights bill. After it passed the Democratic-controlled chamber, Speaker Nancy Pelosi shipped it to the Senate as a 'message' from the House. Because it will be categorized as a 'message between the houses,' Schumer can skip the 60-vote threshold needed to start debate, allowing him to bypass Republicans' vow to filibuster. That will allow debate to begin on the legislation. 'Then the Senate will finally hold a debate on voting rights legislation for the first time in this Congress, and every Senator will be faced with a choice of whether or not to pass this legislation to protect our democracy,' Schumer said on the Senate floor on Thursday. However, it doesn't guarantee the legislation will get passed. When debate on the bill concludes, Schumer will still need 60 votes to file cloture to end debate on the bill - that means he needs 10 GOP senators on board. Republicans can use their filibuster power then to stop the legislation its tracks. At that point, Schumer will have to decide whether to invoke the 'nuclear option' - which is to change the Senate rules to have the bill proceed with a simple majority instead of 60 votes. If he goes nuclear, that is when he needs all 50 Democrats to support it in the evenly-divided Senate. Harris would act as the tie breaker. He has indicated that is what he will do. 'Of course, to ultimately end debate and pass anything, we will also need 10 Republicans to join us ultimately on cloture,' Schumer said on Thursday. 'If they don't, we will be left with no choice but to consider changes to Senate rules so we can move forward, and changing Senate rules has been done many times before in this chamber. This is not the first, second or third time that this is happening,' he added. 'All of us must make a choice about whether or not we will do our part to preserve our democratic republic in this day and age.' Manchin has said several times he is willing to change the Senate rules but only with Republican support. Democratic senators have been meeting with both him and Sinema this week in an effort to get their two colleagues on board. And Harris went after the two senators in an interview with NBC News. President Joe Biden walked into his meeting room with Senate Democrats Democratic Senator Kyrsten Simena made it clear on Thursday she will not support a call from her party leaders to kill the filibuster in order to pass voting rights legislation Senator Joe Manchin described Senator Sinema's speech as 'excellent' - Manchin also supports keeping the filibuster Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell said Sinema 'saved' the Senate The House passed a voting rights bill on Thursday and sent it to the Senate Biden's voting rights push: What's in the John Lewis Act and the Freedom to Vote Act The Freedom to Vote Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act together would make Election Day a holiday, expand access to mail-in voting and strengthen U.S. Justice Department oversight of local election jurisdictions with a history of discrimination. Republicans oppose federal laws on voting, arguing elections should be run on a state level. Democrats are pushing the bills to combat a slew of new state laws in GOP-controlled states that they claim hurt voting rights access, particularly among people of color, and would help nullify election results. The two pieces of legislation were combined into a single bill. The House passed the single bill on Thursday and sent it to the Senate for consideration. Because the bill will be categorized as a 'message between the houses,' Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer can skip the 60-vote threshold needed to start debate, allowing him to bypass Republicans' vow to filibuster. That will allow debate to begin on the legislation. However, it doesn't guarantee the legislation will get passed. When debate on the bill concludes, Schumer will still need 60 votes to file cloture to end debate on the bill - that means he needs 10 GOP senators on board. Republicans can use their filibuster power then to stop the legislation its tracks. Here is what is in the legislation: The Freedom to Vote Act is a slimmed down version of the House-passed For the People Act, a massive Democratic bill on on voting rights, campaign finance, and federal ethics. After Senate Republicans filibustered the For the People Act in the Senate in June, a group of Democratic senators, including Joe Manchin, drafted the Freedom To Vote Act. But Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell has called the act an attempt by Democratic lawmakers 'to have the federal government take over how elections are conducted all over America.' The legislation would require: Making Election Day as a federal holiday. Creating a national standard on elections: A set of standards for federal elections to ensure that voters have similar access to the ballot box across the country. Online, automatic, and same-day voter registration. A minimum of 15 days of early voting, including during at least two weekends. No-excuse mail voting with ample access to ballot drop boxes and online ballot tracking, in addition to streamlined election mail delivery by the US Postal Service. States would need to accept a wide range of forms of non-photographic identification in places where ID is required to vote. Counting eligible votes on provisional ballots cast in the wrong precinct. Restoring voting rights to formerly incarcerated people convicted of felonies. Imposes stricter regulations on voter list maintenance that make it harder for states to remove eligible voters from the rolls. More protections and resources to serve voters with disabilities and overseas/military voters. Greater federal protections and oversight for voting in US territories. Improving voter registration resources and outreach, in addition to reauthorizing and strengthening the US Election Assistance Commission. It would also: Prohibit partisan gerrymandering by requiring states to use certain criteria when drawing new congressional districts. Require states to use voter-verifiable paper ballots and conduct post-election audits. Give cybersecurity grants to states and directs the EAC to strengthen cybersecurity standards for voting equipment. Prohibit local election officials from being fired or removed without cause. Make interfering with voter registration a federal crime, and imposes stricter penalties against harassment, threats, and intimidation of election workers. Restate chain of custody requirements protecting the integrity of ballots and election materials, a provision meant to combat unofficial partisan 'audits.' Finally, on campaign finance reform: It includes provisions from the DISCLOSE Act, which targets so-called dark money in elections, and the HONEST Ads Act, which seeks to enhance transparency in campaign advertising. Creates a federal obligation for campaigns to report instances of foreign interference. Stricter enforcement of illegal coordination between single-candidate PACs and campaigns. Stronger enforcement of campaign finance regulations by the Federal Election Commission. The John Lewis bill would restore key provisions of the Voting Rights of 1965 that have been struck down or weakened by the Supreme Court, and change the way federal courts handle election cases. Senate Republicans struck down the act in November. All GOP senators voted against it except Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski. But her support still left Democrats short the 60 votes needed to advance the legislation. McConnell called the bill a 'trojan horse.' 'This is a Trojan horse to carry a lot of other provisions that the Democrats had wanted to enact through the earlier voting rights bill that we've already considered and rejected,' he said. 'Clearly they want to change the subject away from how the American people feel about this administration, about the reckless tax and spending bill onto a nonexistent problem with this marching out of the John Lewis voting rights act,' he said. It creates a new formula to restore the federal preclearance requirement mandating states with histories of discrimination to seek permission from the federal government before enacting new voting rules or redistricting plan. The Supreme Court struck down the old formula. Reverses the Supreme Court's new 'guideposts' and standards from the Brnovich decision that make it harder for plaintiffs to prove racial discrimination under Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act. Enshrines judicial precedent and legislative history to strengthen efforts to draw majority-minority districts under the parameters of the Voting Rights Act. Takes aim at the federal courts by requiring judges to explain their reasoning in emergency rulings they take up on the so-called shadow docket, and tries to limit judges' from relying solely on the proximity to the election in deciding emergency cases on election rules, known as the Purcell principle. Election Worker and Polling Place Protection Act, which provides greater federal protections for election workers against harassment and intimidation. Includes the Native American Voting Rights Act, a bill that strengthens voting rights and voter protections for voters in Indian Country. Advertisement 'I don't think anyone should be absolved from the responsibility of preserving and protecting our democracy, especially when they took an oath to protect and defend our Constitution,' she said. Schumer has said repeatedly he wants voting legislation passed by January 17th, Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The Senate Majority Leader also has warned senators they may have to stay in Washington D.C. for the weekend, and some are expecting the vote to take place on Monday - the federal holiday. The pressure campaign head of Thursday's Capitol Hill meeting was heavy. Barack Obama, in an op-ed published in USA Today, wrote that the Senate filibuster 'has no basis in the Constitution' and argued it was used by Southern senators to block civil rights legislation that disinfranchised black voters. 'I fully support President Joe Biden's call to modify Senate rules as necessary to make sure pending voting rights legislation gets called for a vote,' Obama wrote. 'In recent years, the filibuster became a routine way for the Senate minority to to block important progress on issues supported by the majority of voters. But we can't allow it to be used to block efforts to protect our democracy,' he noted. Barack Obama joined the campaign to pressure Democratic senators into supporting voting rights legislation, backing Joe Biden's demand to kill the Senate filibuster In his op-ed, Obama invoked the words of legendary civil rights leader John Lewis, for whom one of the voting bill is named. And he warned of legislation being passed in Republican-controlled states that could hurt Democrats at the ballot box this November, when voters will decide which party controls the House and Senate. 'What we're seeing now are far more aggressive and precise efforts on the part of Republican state legislatures to tilt the playing field in their favor,' Obama wrote. 'Perhaps most perniciously, we've seen state legislatures try to assert power over core election processes including the ability to certify election results. These partisan attempts at voter nullification are unlike anything we've seen in modern times, and they represent a profound threat to the basic democratic principle that all votes should be counted fairly and objectively,' he added. His support comes after Biden went to Atlanta where he attacked Republicans for not supporting the voting legislation and called for the change in Senate rules to get it passed. 'The threat to our democracy is so grave, we must find a way to pass these voting rights bills, debate them, vote,' Biden said in his speech. 'Let the majority prevail.' 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,' Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell said in his remarks on the Senate floor, calling Biden's speech 'profoundly, profoundly unpresidential.' In response, Biden tried to meet with McConnell when he was at the Capitol on Wednesday to pay his respects to the late Senate leader Harry Reid, whose remains were lying in state in the Capitol rotunda. The two men did not connnect, however. 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. 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 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.' But as Biden makes the case against the filibuster, Republicans argue for it, warning 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 in voting to kill it. Three children under the age of eight were found dead inside a small-town California apartment and a woman with 'self-inflicted' injuries was flown to the hospital, police report. The three kids, who were not identified by police, were found around 2pm on Wednesday inside an apartment in Le Grand, about 150 miles east of San Francisco. The woman inside the apartment was found with severe 'self-inflicted' wounds and has been transported to the hospital via helicopter in 'life-threatening' condition, police said. Police have not released the woman's relationship to the children, but neighbors said a family lived in the apartment. The Mercer County Sheriff's Department was called to the Brice Street residence for a welfare check after receiving several reports of a man outside the apartment screaming: 'My kids were killed.' Scroll down for video Three children under the age of eight were killed inside a Le Grand, California, apartment (pictured) on Wednesday afternoon. A woman was also found inside with 'self-inflicted' injuries and was taken to a hospital with 'life-threatening' injuries Several residents called the Mercer County Sheriff's Office reported that a man was outside screaming: 'My kids were killed.' Although police have not received the relationship between the children and the woman, neighbors reported that a family lived inside the residence Deputy Daryl Allen said the department is investigating the incident and that this case will 'affect' the small town of 1700 people Neighbor Elias Vargas was home when the man, whose identity was not disclosed, was walking between the apartment and Le Grand Elementary, which is just steps from the residence. 'He was kind of yelling hysterically, saying: "My kids were killed," so that's when I knew something serious had happened,' Vargas told WFMZ. 'Its just a shock for the community right now to see this kind of stuff happen.' Allen also reported that family members and community members were on the scene The young victims were found dead inside the apartment, but how they died has not been disclosed as police continue to investigate. 'Were still in the beginning stages of our investigation,' Deputy Daryl Allen told the Mercer Sun-Star. 'Were trying to collect statements from people who were in the area.' Neighbor Elisa Vargas was home when the man started screaming 'my kids were killed' Allen did report that other family members, as well as community members, were at the scene on Wednesday. '[We have been] in contact with the family members to let them know what has happened,' Allen said. 'This is a very stressful time for everybody, especially family members. 'Le Grand is a very small town, it's a very tight-knit town. I can tell you that from living here for a long time,' Allen said, before calling the small town of 1700 people - that's roughly 50 miles outside of Fresno - a 'family.' 'Everyone in this town knows everybody, so when something like this happens, it affects everybody,' he said. 'This right here is going to affect this town.' The case is being investigated as a potential murder-suicide. No one has been charged. DailyMail.com has contacted the Mercer County Sheriff's Department for comment. A former kickboxer accused of murdering a reality stars brother in front of his family has denied scoping out the victims house while dressed as a litter picker. Flamur Alex Beqiri, 36, whose sister Misse Beqiri appeared in Real Housewives Of Cheshire, was shot dead outside his 1.5m home on Church Road, Battersea, on Christmas Eve 2019. Alleged gunman Anis Fouad Hemissi, 24 alongside his Swedish compatriots, Bawer Karaer, 23, Estevan Munizaga, 35, Tobias Andersson, 32, deny murdering the father-of-two on December 24, 2019. Claude Isaac-Castor, 22 and Clifford Rollox, 31, deny perverting the course of justice between December 24 and 28, 2019. Flamur 'Alex' Beqiri, 36, a Swedish national of Albanian heritage and whose sister Misse Beqiri appeared in Real Housewives Of Cheshire, was murdered outside his 1.5m home in Battersea, southwest London, on Christmas Eve 2019 (both pictured) During cross examination, Anis Hemissi denied that he was the person filmed on CCTV staking out Mr Beqiris house disguised as a litter picker Earlier this week Hemissi denied he was the gunman and told jurors he flew to London to Netflix and chill with a woman he met online. During cross examination he denied that he was the person filmed on CCTV staking out Mr Beqiris house disguised as a litter picker. He is said to have donned disguises, including latex masks and a litter pickers outfit, to carry out reconnaissance in the days before the shooting. Prosecutors allege Hemissi was part of a team of four killers sent from Sweden to assassinate the father-of-two as part of a violent rivalry between two organised crime networks in the Scandinavian country. CCTV allegedly shows Andersson entering a shop and buying a litter picker wrapped in a cellophane packet and taking it to a flat on Oyster Wharf, Battersea, where Hemissi was said to be staying. Andersson is later seen leaving the flat without the litter picker, the court heard. When that cellophane was examined your fingerprints were found on it, said Mark Heywood QC, prosecuting. On it is your right middle finger print. Someone who wanted to tear open the wrapping to get out the litter picker, and who was right handed, would use his right hand middle finger. Would you agree? I dont know sir, replied Hemissi. Mr Beqiri's sister Misse Beqiri, who appeared in Real Housewives of Cheshire Asked what he did on the day when he was supposedly filmed picking litter on Church Road, Hemissi said he was watching movies, watching series, playing games. He is accused of visiting Church Road again the next day dressed in dark clothes to be less conspicuous. The clothing tags found in the Oyster Wharf flat had Hemissis left middle and left forefinger print on them, the court was told. Thats probably because you grabbed the tag and ripped it off with your left hand before you wore it, said Mr Heywood. The prosecutor said the person on CCTV was wearing a Daniel De Prato jacket, of the same type that police were able to buy at Sams in Malmo, Sweden. A tag for that jacket was also found with Hemissis right palm print on it, the court heard. More tags for trousers and gloves were found with Hemissis finger prints, the jury was told. Flamur 'Alex' Beqiri, 36, was killed in front of his wife Debora Krasniqi (they are pictured together) The doorstep of Mr Beqiri's home in Battersea, southwest London, where the shooting took place on Christmas Eve 2019 Im suggesting to you that these trousers were not just bought by you but worn by you and you removed the tag, said Mr Heywood. The truth is that this is your clothing bought by you for surveillance purposes. And the reason why your finger prints are all over these tags is quite simply that you pulled them off, didnt you? No, replied Hemissi. Mr Heywood then said: Youre lying. Hemissi replied: Why would I lie? Mr Heywood added: The reason why is for others to determine. Jurors were previously shown CCTV footage of the shooting, which saw Mr Begiri hit by eight bullets as the gunman fired 10 times. Mr Begiris wife, Debora Krasniqi, can be heard screaming and is seen cradling their two-year-old son moments after they arrived hand in hand with the victim. Hemissi, Pino-Munizaga, both of Malmo, Sweden, Karaer, of Stockholm, Sweden, and Andersson, of Trangsund, Sweden, all deny murder. Hemissi also denies possession of a prohibited firearm in relation to a self-loading pistol Isaac-Castor, of no fixed address, and Rollox, of Percival Street, Islington, deny perverting the course of justice. The trial continues. From left are Harvard University professor and Samsung Advanced Institute of Technology (SAIT) fellow Ham Don-hee, SAIT staff researcher Jung Seung-chul and SAIT Vice President of Technology Kim Sang-joon. Samsung Electronics said Thursday its researchers demonstrated the industry's first magnetoresistive random access memory-based in-memory computing technology. Courtesy of Samsung Electronics By Baek Byung-yeul Researchers of Samsung Electronics successfully demonstrated magnetoresistive random access memory (MRAM)-based in-memory computing that simultaneously stores and processes data for the first time in the world, which could be utilized later to produce low-energy artificial intelligence (AI) chips, the semiconductor giant said Thursday. In-memory computing has been regarded as a next-generation AI chip technology, as it performs both data storage and processing in a memory network, in contrast to the standard computer architecture in which data is stored in memory chips and processed in separate processor chips. As the data processing in the memory network is executed in a highly parallel manner, it reduces energy consumption. Samsung said its researchers at Samsung Advanced Institute of Technology (SAIT) successfully demonstrated the technology using a new type of non-volatile memory chip, called MRAM. Their innovative research result was published online by science magazine Nature on Jan. 12, and is set to be published in the upcoming print edition of the magazine. Jung Seung-chul, a staff researcher at Samsung Advanced Institute of Technology (SAIT) and the first author of the paper, and co-corresponding authors SAIT fellow Ham Don-hee and SAIT Vice President of Technology Kim Sang-joon spearheaded the research. "In-memory computing draws similarities to the brain in the sense that in the brain, computing also occurs within the network of biological memory, or synapses, the points where neurons touch one another," said Jung, one of the paper's first authors, adding that their demonstration will help with R&D on neuromorphic technology that mimics the human brain. Unions and business leaders who have been hit by crippling staff shortages have welcomed the Government's decision to today cut the number of self-isolation days down to five. Sajid Javid declared that the self-isolation period is being cut to five full days in a bid to ease the pressure of staff absences from Omicron. The Health Secretary confirmed the length of quarantine for positive cases is being reduced from the current seven days - which permits people to escape on the seventh day. Instead, as of Monday people in England will be free on the sixth day - as long as they test negative on a lateral flow on days five and six. The move came after NHS leaders, businesses and ministers joined the push for five full days, the timescale used in other countries including the US. But government scientists had warned it could fuel the outbreak significantly, as people would be more likely to be infectious when they return to workplaces. Unions and business leaders who have been hit by crippling staff shortages have welcomed the Government's decision to today cut the number of self-isolation days down to five. [File picture] Health Secretary Sajid Javid today declared that the self-isolation period is being cut to five full days in a bid to ease the pressure of staff absences from Omicron The news to cut the self-isolation period to five days was hailed by health service bosses as a 'pragmatic move' and firms as a 'great relief' after weeks of struggling to fill gaps in the workforce due to soaring infections. Labour also welcomed the tweak but questioned how many days had been lost to the NHS due to the delay in coming to a decision. Senior Tories praised the 'very important step' and urged ministers to rule out keeping Plan B restrictions in place beyond the end of this month - when they are due to expire. The Department for Health said it expected 7 per cent of people released from isolation would still be infectious - up from the existing level of 6 per cent. How are the isolation rules changing? Currently people who test positive for Covid can be free from isolation on the seventh day after their result. However, they must return negative lateral flow tests on day six and day seven. From Monday, the whole process will effectively be brought forward 24 hours. That means that people will be able to leave isolation on the sixth day after testing positive. That is on the condition they return a negative result on day five and day six. Advertisement It comes as economists warned that staff shortages stemming from Covid-19 self-isolation requirements could cost the UK's economy around 35billion in just January and February. Experts at the Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR) have predicted there will be an 'economic cost' to the country when the absenteeism rate hits the government's assumptions of 25 per cent. The predicted loss for those two months would be equivalent to 8.8 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP). Outside the Commons, Matthew Taylor, chief executive of the NHS Confederation, said: 'This is a pragmatic move which leaders will welcome if it can mean more health and care workers who are well enough can return to the frontline, providing it does not significantly add to the risk of the virus spreading. 'The number of people in hospital is still high, with admissions still rising in the North of England and, alongside that, the NHS faces a huge care backlog and significant vacancies. 'Leaders are grateful for the military support that has been made available to help deliver hospital services, as well as the three-month agreement with the independent sector, but we are certainly not out of the woods yet.' The health service has been under intense pressure because of high Covid rates, leading to both hospital admissions and staff absences increasing. Some 40,031 NHS staff at hospital trusts in England were absent for Covid-19 reasons on January 9, up two percent on the previous week (39,142) and more than three times the number at the start of December. But the NHS England data shows hospital staff absences due to Covid have dropped every day since reaching a peak of 49,941 on January 5. The total includes staff who were ill with coronavirus or who were having to self-isolate. But after news of the changes broke, some organisations warned that ministers must work to ensure there is a steady flow of lateral flow tests (LFTs) for the new changes to work smoothly. And the Royal College of Nursing called for its members to be exempt and to remain under seven-day isolation rules. Pat Cullen, General secretary and chief executive of the RCN, said: 'Health and care workers must be exempt from a reduction of the seven-day self-isolation. 'By the Government's own estimate, almost a third of individuals are infectious five days after symptoms starting. 'Health and care workers will fall into that group in large numbers and there can be minimal room for error or complacency. 'Current and growing workforce pressures must not drive a reduction in isolation requirements in an unsafe way. 'This change could increase the risk of transmission to other staff and patients. When providing close care, including to those with compromised immune systems, nursing staff must be confident that they are not putting patients at risk.' But business leaders and unions both warned ministers that lateral flow tests must remain accessible for the new rules to work smoothly Hannah Essex, co-executive director of the British Chambers of Commerce, said LFTs must be made readily available. She said: 'Businesses are continuing to tell us they are struggling with high levels of absence due to Covid and will welcome the news it is judged safe to further reduce the isolation period. 'But too many say that staff are also finding it difficult to get the lateral flow tests they need to prove they can return to work. 'This new change will only help if urgent action is taken to ramp up the supply of tests, so employees are not isolating unnecessarily.' Emma McClarkin, chief executive of the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA), said the change is 'very helpful' for the pub and brewing sector but echoed the calls for good supply of LFTs. She added: 'The new guidance will go some way to alleviating the pressure on staff numbers that our members have been experiencing throughout the pandemic. 'For the new measures to truly have an impact it is important that availability of lateral flow tests remains consistent throughout the country.' House Republican leader Kevin McCarthy on Thursday said his Jan. 6 conversation with President Donald Trump was 'very short' and that he had nothing to give the committee investigating the Capitol riot. A day after he refused a request by House investigators to provide information about his conversations with Trump, McCarthy shrugged off questions at his regular news conference. Instead he attacked House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and the record of the Biden administration. 'My conversation was very short advising the president what was happening here,' he said of his Jan. 6 call with the president. 'There is nothing that I can provide the January six committee for legislation ... moving forward. 'There is nothing in that realm. It is pure politics of what they're playing.' Yet in an interview with his hometown newspaper in the aftermath of the violence he characterized the call differently. House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy bristled at questions on Thursday about why he would not cooperate with the Jan. 6 investigation, turning instead to attack House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and saying he had nothing to offer the House probe Last year McCarthy said he had a 'very heated' conversation with President Trump as the violence unfolded and he urged him to 'get help' to the Capitol. On Thursday, he said their conversation was 'very short' and that it would not help the investigating committee McCarthy admitted last year he said he would help the committee's investigation, but that was before it became clear that Pelosi was playing politics with it He told the Bakersfield Californian they had a 'very heated conversation as the riot was taking place and that he urged the president to 'get help' to the Capitol. Those comments were central to a letter sent by committee chair Bennie Thompson on Thursday asking for more information. McCarthy rejected that request on Wednesday evening, saying the panel was not 'conducting a legitimate investigation.' That set the stage for a combustible atmosphere at the House minority leader's weekly news conference. Reporters quizzed McCarthy about why he had publicly criticized Trump after the riot - saying he 'bears responsibility' - before changing his tune after a meeting at the former president's Florida home. McCarthy claimed he did not single out Trump. 'My criticism went to everyone on that day: Why was the capital so ill prepared that day? ... And how do we make sure it will never be ill prepared again.' He described a meeting with the head of Capitol Police with lawmakers this week and hinted that Pelosi was to blame for hobbling officers' efforts. 'Some of the questions that were asked to the Capitol Police, the chief said that was above his pay grade to make the answer,' said McCarthy. 'I asked him well, who's above you?' He was also asked why he said in May last year he would provide testimony to the committee investigating the attack, but had apparently changed his mind. McCarthy said that was two months before Pelosi set down the rules of the committee so that the minority could not appoint their selected individuals. 'So when you asked me that question, never did I think a speaker would play such politics and then appoint a chairman who starts the committee by saying the only person out of bounds is the speaker,' he said. 'Maybe if Nancy Pelosi had done what other speakers would do, and not play politics with it. It could have been a different answer.' Critics within his own party have already accused the House minority leader of trying to cover up what really happened on Jan. 6. Rep. Liz Cheney, one of the few Republicans to openly criticize Trump for his role in the violence and one of only two GOP members of the committee, told CNN: 'I wish that he were a brave and honorable man. 'He's clearly trying to cover up what happened. He has an obligation to come forward, and we'll get to the truth.' 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 Trump has encouraged his former aides and allies not to cooperate with the probe. McCarthy is seeking Trump's help in winning control of the House in this year's midterm election and becoming the next speaker. 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. In his letter, Thompson said he wanted McCarthy's help in gathering information about his conversations with the president 'before, during and after' the riot as lawmakers try to understand Trump's motivations. 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.' The Republican National Committee is preparing to use its leverage over GOP presidential candidates to require them to pledge to stay away from the bipartisan presidential debates amid a prolonged spat over rules and format. The party has told the bipartisan Commission on President Debates of its intentions, in a letter that once again blasted the current format of the high-stakes debates, which take place in the fall of presidential election years. 'So long as the C.P.D. appears intent on stonewalling the meaningful reforms necessary to restore its credibility with the Republican Party as a fair and nonpartisan actor, the R.N.C. will take every step to ensure that future Republican presidential nominees are given that opportunity elsewhere,' Donald Trump loyalist RNC chair Ronna McDaniel wrote in a letter to the commission, which was reported by the New York Times. The pressure on the commission comes in the form of proposed rule for the upcoming winter meeting of the RNC. It would amend the rules 'to prohibit future Republican nominees from participating in C.P.D.-sponsored debates.' The Republican National Committee says it will take up a rules change requiring candidates to pledge not to participate in debates organized by the bipartisan Commission on Presidential Debates Candidates would be required to sign a pledge not to take part which could doom future debates in the established format. The bipartisan commission responded in a statement provided to DailyMail.com: 'The CPD deals directly with candidates for President and Vice President who qualify for participation in the CPDs general election debates. The CPDs plans for 2024 will be based on fairness, neutrality and a firm commitment to help the American public learn about the candidates and the issues. Trump clashed with the commission during both his 2016 and 2020 campaigns. In 2016, his campaign was infuriated after Trump was not allowed to seat Bill Clinton sex accusers in a VIP box for one of his debates with Hillary Clinton. Commission co-chair Frank Fahrenkopf, a former RNC chair, threatened to have them booted, the New York Times reported at the time. Kathleen Willey, Juanita Broaddrick, Kathy Shelton, a guest, Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump's daughters-in-law Lara Trump and Vanessa Trump and daughter Tiffany Trump sit before the town hall debate at Washington University on October 9, 2016 in St Louis, Missouri. Trump's camp sought to seek Clinton sex accusers in a VIP box instead of in the audience The Trump campaign complained about questions from moderator Chris Wallace, then of Fox News Democratic presidential nominee former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (L) and Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump listen during the town hall debate at Washington University on October 9, 2016 in St Louis, Missouri The debate commission was established in 1987 Republicans fumed when 2012 moderator Candy Crowley of CNN corrected GOP nominee Mitt Romney RNC Chair Ronna McDaniel raised the complaints in a blistering letter to the debate commission Trump has long complained about the debate moderators, and ally and lawyer Rudy Giuliani provided his own list of proposed moderators stocked with conservative media personalities in 2020. In the end, Trump ended up clashing with former Fox News host Chris Wallace, then skipping the 2nd debate after the commission switched it to virtual amid the coronavirus pandemic. The Trump camp also complained about questioning by debate moderator NBC's Kristen Welker. And many Republicans complained that the first 2020 debate was held Sept. 29 after about 1 million votes had been cast amid numerous states instituting more early voting amid the pandemic. Established in 1987 as a nonprofit, the commission features party bigs from administration's past. Its board of directors includes former elected lawmakers from both parties. Third party candidates have long complained that the debates promote the interests of the two major parties. The commission is chaired by Fahrenkopf and Kenneth Wollack, chair of the National Democratic Institute. A car dealership owner who got into a heated exchange with woke Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot over the city's rampant crime that saw his business get ransacked has been slapped with six violations - but the embattled politician claimed the fines were not given in retaliation. Joe Perillo's Gold Coast Exotic Motors, which also sells high-priced jewelry, was robbed to the tune of $1 million during a smash and grab on December 11. He met with Lightfoot soon after but she allegedly stormed out of the meeting, even reportedly calling Perillo an 'idiot.' Just days later, a city official paid a visit to the Chicago dealership on Rush Street after an anonymous tip about health violations and wrote out six summonses, including two for employees and customers not wearing masks as per COVID regulations. Perillo, who said he voted for Lightfoot in 2019, has been highly critical of both the mayor and Chicago's progressive District Attorney Kim Foxx after thefts skyrocketed 51 percent in the city last year. 'It's only a fool who keeps doing things the same way and expects different results. If the Mayor and Kim Foxx don't do anything to get control of this, it's not going to get better. It's going to get worse,' Perillo told local TV stations. 'If they don't do anything about this, they're going to lose a lot of businesses. They lost Macy's. They're losing Neiman Marcus. They may lose this store,' he added. Watch below The feud between Lightfoot and Perillo dates back to this December break-in caught on camera, where one man stands watch at the door of Gold Coast Exotic Motors while the other smashes the glass protecting over $1million in jewelry The men made off with the merchandise without a fight and have still yet to be found by Chicago police The masked suspects ran off with at least eight Richard Mille timepieces, some of which retailed at millions of dollars each The suspect smashed the display case with a hammer Employees ran after the robbers but were unable to apprehend them Surveillance cameras showed two men walking into Perillo's dealership just after noon on December 11. One of them stood guard at the door while the other took a hammer to the glass to break in. Employees said that the men made off with at least seven luxury watches and other jewelry and merchandise totaling over $1 million. All told, it took the two crooks very little time to break in and make their getaway. 'Thirty seconds in, they know, the criminals know,' Perillo said. The robbery left the dealership with shattered glass and empty display cases. Gold Coast Exotic Motors co-owner Joe Perillo (pictured) was heavily critical of Chicago's mayor and district attorney when speaking publicly about the robbery Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot met with Perillo in the days following the December 11 break-in but things became heated, with Lightfoot allegedly calling Perillo an 'idiot' Lightfoot herself said: 'It's not acceptable. We're aggressively going after these folks. I'm confident that we will find them. And fundamentally we've got to send a message that if you do this, you're gonna be held accountable.' No arrests have been made. Police are still investigating. In the days after the break-in, Lightfoot came down to Gold Coast to meet with Perillo. Multiple sources said the meeting was less than amicable, saying Lightfoot 'got into a fight and walked out,' adding that she called Perillo an 'idiot' as she left. A spokesperson for Lightfoot would not provide details regarding the meeting but confirmed that Lightfoot met with Perillo. 'The Mayor routinely meets with victims of crime and reached out to Mr. Perillo which resulted in a meeting. The Mayor offered to work with him to address safety and security matters at any of his dealership locations,' the spokesperson said. Within two days of Lightfoot's meeting, Gold Coast Exotic Motors received several citations for employees and a customer not wearing face masks, 'storing, receiving, possessing, selling nineteen bottles of liquor,' and for 'interfering with or obstructing the commissioner's designee in the performance of duties.' Perillo told Fox News that they met and disagreed but that he did not hear Lightfoot call him an idiot. 'I'm not aware that she called me an idiot at least she did not say that to me,' Perillo said. 'In her heart, I believe she is trying her best. That said, we are both passionate individuals and have different views of how to deal with theft. 'I can report that there was nothing I said that in any way was foolish! I simply wanted to know what her future plans were going forward!,' he added. Within a couple of days of that meeting, Perillo was visited by an inspector from the Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection. The spokesperson for the mayor said the inspector was following up on an anonymous tip the city received on December 15 about a public health violation at the dealership. 'It was unrelated to the mayor's meeting with Mr. Perillo,' the spokesperson said. The inspector gave Perillo's business four tickets for six violations on December 17. Two of the violations and one of the tickets was health-related. The citations were for employees and a customer not wearing face masks, 'storing, receiving, possessing, selling nineteen bottles of liquor,' and for 'interfering with or obstructing the commissioner's designee in the performance of duties.' Chicago, like many cities, is currently going through a rise in crime. While murders have dipped 31 percent and shootings are also down through January 9, thefts like the one that happened at Perillo's business are up a shocking 51 percent, while robberies are up 44 percent. Overall, crime in the Windy City is up 29 percent from the same period last year. Smash-and-grab lootings are no exception, with recent cases including a Burberry store on the Magnificent Mile that has been repeatedly targeted by brazen smash-and-grab robbers in recent weeks; a ransacking of an area Louis Vuitton store; and a gang filmed robbing a beauty shop. 'I know people are scared,' Lightfoot said last month. She claims her goal is to 'proactively and relentlessly bring peace to our city once and for all.' DailyMail.com has reached out to both the mayor's office and Perillo for further comment. American Ambassador to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe Michael Carpenter said the world was facing a 'crisis in European security' after the final round of talks Thursday Talks to find a diplomatic solution to the worsening situation between Russia and Ukraine are on the brink of collapse after Thursday's meeting as a key US ambassador warned 'the drumbeat of war is sounding loud.' Secretary of State Antony Blinken hit the airwaves on Thursday morning where he also weighed in on the crisis, claiming the 'jury is still out' on whether Russian President Vladimir Putin's aggressive military buildup on Ukraine's border will end with an invasion. Russia's lightening fast amassment of more than 100,000 troops near eastern Ukraine prompted Western governments to seek a diplomatic solution with bilateral security talks in Geneva on Monday, a NATO-Russia meeting on Wednesday and another at the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) in Vienna on Thursday. After the final round of negotiations the Kremlin's diplomats told reporters their next step would be briefing Putin on the 'very disappointing' talks, Axios reported. 'I do not see reasons to sit down in the coming days, to gather again and start these same discussions,' Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov, who led Monday's talks in Geneva, told Russian state TV. American OSCE Ambassador Michael Carpenter ominously told reporters the world was facing a 'crisis in European security' after Thursday's talks. 'The drumbeat of war is sounding loud and the rhetoric has gotten rather shrill,' Carpenter said. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov (left, pictured at Jan. 10 security talks in Geneva) told state TV that he saw 'no grounds' for negotiations to continue) A general view before member states delegates arrived for a meeting of the Permanent Council of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) on January 13. Russian envoys said the meeting was unproductive Ukrainian soldier is seen in position on the front line near the village of Luhanskoye, Donetsk region, January 11 An Ukrainian Military Forces serviceman walk past a metal plate which reads as 'Caution mines' on the frontline with Russia-backed separatists near Luganske village, in Donetsk region on January 11 Rybakov said in his television interview that the West was only interested in negotiating topics that are secondary to Moscow rather than key items like curbing NATO expansion. 'There is, to a certain extent, a dead end or a difference in approaches,' he said. Ryabkov said in his remarks that he would 'neither confirm nor exclude' the possibility that Russia could send military assets to Cuba and Venezuela if the talks fail and US pressure on Russia mounts. He said 'it all depends on the action by our US counterparts,' pointing to Russian President Vladimir Putin's warning that Moscow could take military measures if the US provokes the Kremlin and turns up military pressure on it. Ryabkov's comments mark the first time during the current tensions over Ukraine when a senior official mentioned the possibility of Russian military deployments to the Western hemisphere. Meanwhile the US's chief diplomat appeared on MSNBC's Morning Joe on Thursday where he said it was up to Putin how the burgeoning crisis would play out. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Thursday morning on MSNBC that what happens next in the Russia-Ukraine situation is up to Russian President Vladimir Putin 'The jurys out on which path Vladimir Putin is going to choose. Is he going to choose the path of diplomacy and dialogue to resolve some of these problems or is he going to pursue confrontation and aggression?' Blinken said this morning. Though he later revealed his skepticism of the autocratic Russian leader, claiming 'Everything that President Putin is doing is going exactly against the direction he says he wants to go in.' Ukrainian leaders have been pleading with the West to act immediately to deter what Kyiv says is an imminent invasion. As the final talks were underway on Thursday, the nation's official Twitter account posted a well-known meme featuring The Simpsons character Lisa Simpson presenting a slide show. 'Stop saying "Ukraine crisis." There is no crisis. There is a bad neighbor,' the slide was edited to read. Meanwhile Ukraine has taken its pleas to Western governments to act to social media, as evidenced by this meme with a dire message Russia has warned it will resort to 'military means' if the West does not bow to its demands over Ukraine and says US sanctions against President Vladimir Putin would 'cross a line', after NATO's chief said there is 'a real risk for armed conflict.' The Kremlin warned that by introducing sanctions against Putin, the US could see relations between the countries severed. 'Introducing sanctions against a head of state is crossing a line and comparable to a rupture of ties,' Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters today. Meeting senior Kremlin envoys at NATO headquarters in Brussels, Western ambassadors unanimously rejected Moscow's demands for a guarantee that Ukraine will never be admitted to the group. The Kremlin also demanded that NATO rule out allowing Finland or Georgia to join the alliance, and for NATO to pull back from the ex-Soviet states that were brought into the group in 1997 - eight years after the Berlin wall fell. Meanwhile, the European Union's foreign policy chief said on Thursday that Europe had received assurances from the United States that nothing will be agreed with Russia without the bloc's involvement. Russia has warned it will resort to 'military means' if the West does not bow to its demands over Ukraine, after NATO's chief said there is 'a real risk for armed conflict.' Pictured: A still grab from a video showing Russia military exercises that were ramped up amid on-going talks 'With the United States over the last few days, we have had an extremely close coordination,' Josep Borrell told reporters ahead of an EU defense ministers meeting in western France. 'We have assurances that nothing will be decided or negotiated without close coordination with Europe and without the participation of the Europeans.' After the alliance refused to meet Russian demands, NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg warned there was 'a real risk of a new armed conflict in Europe'. 'If Russia once again uses force against Ukraine and further invades Ukraine, then we have to seriously look into the need to further increase our presence in the eastern part of the alliance,' Mr Stoltenberg added. With talks failing to reach a breakthrough in Brussels, Russia cranked up its war games with live fire exercises, some close to Ukraine's borders where it has an estimated 100,000 troops in forward positions. The latest in a spate of Russian war games - seen on video - included tank, motorised rifle, reconnaissance and engineering units drills. These drills in the Moscow region involved more than 5,000 troops and 1,500 pieces of weaponry. Russian deputy foreign minister Alexander Grushko warned that the Kremlin will use its armed forces if it fails to gain concessions from the West. 'We have a set of legal military-technical measures that we will apply if we feel a real threat to (our) security,' he said. 'And we already feel (it), if our territory is considered as an object for targeted strike weapons 'Of course, we cannot agree with this. We will take all necessary measures to fend off the threat by military means if political means fail.' Russian sniper exercises (pictured) took place in the Russian-controlled Transnistrian region of Moldova, which borders western Ukraine The latest in a spate of Russian war games - seen on video - included tank, motorised rifle, reconnaissance and engineering units drills. These drills in the Moscow region involved more than 5,000 troops and 1,500 pieces of weaponry But western ambassadors said Moscow would have no veto on Ukraine nor on any other country joining the alliance and warned it would pay a high price if it invaded. 'Russia most of all will have to decide whether they really are about security, in which case they should engage, or whether this was all a pretext, and they may not even know yet,' US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman said. Grushko - Sherman's opposite number - agreed there had been no breakthrough, and lamented that, between them, Russia and NATO have no 'positive agenda.' 'The conversation was quite frank, direct, deep, intense, but at the same time it revealed a large number of differences on fundamental issues,' he said. Putin's government has demanded the West rule out accepting new members like Ukraine, Georgia or Finland on its eastern flank and wants limits on allied deployments in the former Soviet allies like Poland and the Baltic states that joined NATO after the Cold War. The allies have threatened massive economic and financial sanctions against Moscow if its huge troop build-up on Ukraine's frontiers and in Russian-occupied Crimea turns into a new invasion. Meeting senior Kremlin envoys at NATO headquarters in Brussels, Western ambassadors unanimously rejected Moscow's demands for a guarantee that Ukraine will never be admitted to the group.Pictured: NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg talks to the press outside the Lycee Naval in Brest on Wednesday Russian deputy foreign minister Alexander Grushko (pictured speaking on Wednesday) warned that the Kremlin will use its armed forces if it fails to gain concessions from the West Russia has put intense pressure on Ukraine since 2014, after a revolution overthrew a government that had sided with the Kremlin against moving closer to Europe. Russia has seized and annexed the Ukrainian region of Crimea and Moscow backs an insurgency in eastern Ukraine in which more than 13,000 people have died. Western allies have received no promise that Russia will stand down its forces - which Moscow insists pose no threat to its already partially-occupied neighbour - despite their threatening massive economic sanctions if the Kremlin unleashes an invasion. Instead, the 30 member states invited the Russian envoys to return to Moscow and to advise Putin to join them for a series of confidence-building talks on limiting provocative military exercises, arms control and reciprocal limits on deploying missiles. '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,' Stoltenberg warned. 'There are significant differences between NATO allies and Russia on these issues.' Russia's massive troop build-up on Ukraine's borders has forced Washington to engage diplomatically - with bilateral security talks in Geneva on Monday, a NATO-Russia meeting on Wednesday and another planned at the OSCE in Vienna on Thursday. Pictured: Russian tanks shown in video footage of Russian military drills Putin's government has demanded the West rule out accepting new members like Ukraine, Georgia or Finland on its eastern flank and wants limits on allied deployments in the former Soviet allies like Poland and the Baltic states that joined NATO after the Cold War Stoltenberg said it would be impossible for NATO members to agree to Moscow's core demands for a new security order in Europe, and in particular added that Russia would have no veto on Ukraine's right to eventually join the alliance. 'Ukraine as a sovereign nation... has the right to self-defence. Ukraine is not a threat to Russia,' he said. 'It is Russia that is the aggressor. It is Russia that has used force and continues to use force against Ukraine. 'And then they're building up, with around 100,000 troops, artillery, armour, drones, tens of thousands of combat-ready troops and threatening rhetoric - that's the problem.' Before Wednesday, the NATO-Russia council had not met since 2019. NATO and Russia broke off practical cooperation in 2014 after Moscow occupied and annexed the Ukrainian region of Crimea. Russia's diplomatic mission to the alliance was withdrawn in October last year after eight of its staff were expelled on allegations of espionage. After the meeting, Sherman said: 'Together, the United States and our NATO allies made clear we will not slam the door shut on NATO's open-door policy. 'NATO has never expanded through force or coercion or subversion. It is countries' sovereign choice to choose to come to NATO and say they want to join.' Amid the talks, both Latvia and Estonia said all Baltic states were pushing NATO to expand its military presence in their country as a deterrent to Russia. Pictured: A Ukrainian soldier walks on the line of separation from pro-Russian rebels, Donetsk region, Ukraine, Monday, January 10, 2022 Russia has denied any intention to invade Ukraine, despite a build-up of 100,000 troops on the border between the two countries. Pictured: A serviceman of Ukrainian Military Forces walks on the front line with Russia-backed separatists not far from Avdiivka, in Donetsk region, southeastern Ukraine on January 10, 2022 Just ahead of the talks, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov had said: 'The continuation of NATO's open-door policy and the further advancement of NATO towards our borders is precisely what, from our point of view, threatens us. 'This is exactly what we are asking not to continue through legally-binding guarantees.' Russian ambassador to the US, Anatoly Antonov, warned that the West's threat of mega-sanctions will not intimidate Moscow. States Anatoly Antonov said in response to media questions: 'We believe that the calls on the Capitol Hill for the introduction of 'crippling' anti-Russian estrictions, as well as personal sanctions against the top leadership of the Russian Federation, are provocative and hopeless,' he said. 'We will not be intimidated by restrictions 'Behind the demands of lawmakers to punish our country more painfully lies an attempt to influence Russia against the background of ongoing negotiations on European security. 'We see such pressure as the inability of the United States to defend its point of view at the negotiating table in a reasoned manner.' He denied any intention to invade Ukraine. With talks failing to reach a breakthrough in Brussels, Russia cranked up its war games with live fire exercises, some close to Ukraine's borders where it has an estimated 100,000 troops in forward positions. Pictured: A Ukrainian soldier seen on January 10, 2022 The envoy said 'the alleged plan of an attack on a neighbouring state being hatched by our country are a figment of the sick imagination of local Russophobic circles'. He claimed: 'This is the result of their mental disorder. The answer is unambiguous. 'We have no aggressive intentions towards Ukraine. 'It seems that US politicians have launched the myth of an 'imminent Russian invasion of Ukraine' in the media and are now facing their own phobias.' Russia appeared to ramp up its war games amid the on-going talks. The 'combat training' included live firing by T-80 and T-72B3 tanks and BMP-2 amphibious infantry fighting vehicles against mock enemies. The aim is to exercise on off-road terrain and 'destroy enemy manpower using a twin machine gun and 125mm tank gun'. Sniper exercises took place in the Russian-controlled Transnistrian region of Moldova, which borders western Ukraine. Sniper drills were also underway in Voronezh, Belgorod, and Bryansk regions, which also border Ukraine, as well as Smolensk, said military reports today. 'Unit commanders will learn how to counter snipers and batteries by means of motor and armoured vehicles with high-power firearms, including mortars,' said a military spokesman. Advertisement The US Navy has unveiled early plans for its next-generation class of large surface warships, which will be equipped to fire hypersonic missiles and powerful laser weapons. Dubbed for now the DDG(X), the new class of ship is slated to go to production starting in 2028, at a projected unit cost of $3.5 to $4 billion dollars for the initial ships. The DDG(X) will be the largest war vessel the Navy has attempted to build in more than 20 years, and Navy officials on Wednesday revealed new details about the ship at the Surface Navy Association symposium in Arlington, Virginia. The project hopes to attach two sets of 600-kilowatt lasers - 10 times more powerful than any laser the service currently fields - to the rear of the ship, as well as another 120-kilowatt laser towards the front, alongside 12 missile launch cells, according to USNI News. It is hoped that once the ships are complete, the missile launch pad can be stocked with Pentagon's emerging hypersonic missiles now being developed for the Navy, Army and the Air Force. It comes amid a global arms race between the world's major military powers - in particular the US, China, and Russia - to develop hypersonic missiles, deemed the 'new generation' of sophisticated weaponry. Hypersonic missiles usually fly towards targets at lower altitudes than ballistic missiles and can achieve more than five times the speed of sound - or about 3,850 mph. The new DDG(X) (pictured)- expected to begin construction by 2028 - includes plans to attach two sets of 600kw lasers to the rear of the ship, as well as another 120kw laser towards the front, alongside 12 hypersonic missile launch cells The Amphibious transport dock ship USS Portland (LPD 27) conducts a high-energy laser weapon system demonstration on a static surface training target in the Gulf of Aden on December 14 Sailors aboard Amphibious transport dock ship USS Portland observe a high-energy laser weapon system demonstration on a static surface training target, on Dec. 14, 2021 Plans call for the new ship to host two 600-kilowatt lasers that would be powerful enough to disable incoming guided missiles. That would be 10 times more powerful that the service's existing laser weapons, which the Navy demonstrated in a test in the Gulf of Aden last month. The DDG(X) would also be equipped with either 32 Mark 41 Vertical Launching System cells for conventional guided missiles, or 12 launch cells for larger hypersonic missiles of the future. The Army and Navy are currently collaborating on a new hypersonic missile system, and conducted a second successful test of the system's motor in October in Promontory, Utah. Potential adversaries, including Russia, China and North Korea, claim to have already fielded hypersonic missiles, and the Pentagon acknowledges that this has created a 'warfighting asymmetry that must be addressed.' 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 maneuverability, making them more capable of dodging anti-missile defense systems. It means whoever masters the weapons first could render their enemy's missile defense systems practically useless. According to newly released plans, the DDG(X) ship will also trade the traditional gas-turbine propulsion system for one similar to the Integrated Power System found on the Zumwalt class of guided missile destroyers - which uses its gas turbines to drive its own electrical grid that generates more than 75 megawatts of power, enough to light a small town. The DDG(X), which will replace the Navy's aging fleet of Ticonderoga-class cruisers and eventually the Arleigh Burke-class (above) guided-missile destroyers, is being designed for weapons of the future The Zumwalt class destroyer (above) is another inspiration for the DDG(X) hull, though early renderings look closer to the design of the Arleigh-Burke class A model of a potential DDG(X) hull form is seen being tested at Naval Surface Warfare Center Carderock in Maryland 'Capabilities that we're going to need for the 21st century to continue combating the threat are increased missile capability sensor growth, directed energy weapons, which actually require a lot of power, increased survivability and increased power availability,' the Navy's deputy program manager Katherine Connelly said at Wednesday's symposium, according to USNI. The initial version of the DDG(X) will use the combat system developed for previous destroyers, wrapped in a new hull that would be able to grow as weapon systems evolve, Connelly said. 'The first ship will focus on a new hull form and a new integrated power system. We will use the proven combat system from the Flight III ship so we are designing the ship with the flexibility and the margins to accommodate the future of the Navy and the needs for where we're going,' she said. The hull of the DDG(X) will be a sleek design based on both the Zumwalt-class and Arleigh-Burke destroyers. Navy officials envision the DDG(X) as being larger than the 9,700-ton Arleigh-Burke design, but smaller than the 16,000-ton Zumwalt. Though the program hasn't settled on a hull design, on Wednesday planners presented a rendering of swept-bow that looked closer to the Arleigh-Burke than the Zumwalt. 'We haven't actually locked down the hull form, yet. That's a concept,' Connelly said, referring to the concept art. 'It is one of the many options still in play We as the design team, are going through all the different options to see which one performs best for the long-term and the mission. The US Navy announced last month that it fired a laser weapon to destroy a floating target in a Middle East waterway where Iran-back Yemen rebels have used drone boats packed with explosives to threaten ships. The test saw the USS Portland fire the Laser Weapon System Demonstrator at the target in the Gulf of Aden, which separates East Africa from the Arabian Peninsula. The system used by the Navy's Mideast-based 5th fleet could be used to counteract drone boats used by Yemen's Houthi rebels Instead of a traditional gas-turbine propulsion system, the DDG(X) will use an Integrated Power System like the one found on the Zumwalt class of stealth guided missile destroyers. Navy planners are calling for the new ship to have 50 percent greater range, 120 percent greater time on station, and 25 percent reduction in fuel burn compared to current U.S. Navy destroyers. The DDG(X) will eventually replace the Flight III Arleigh Burkes which are planned to be operational until at least the 2060s - however a new generation of warship is needed to battle the ever-evolving threat, said Connelly. She added: 'In order to understand DDG(X) and the need for it, you really need to talk about the large surface combatant as a whole. 'Flight III is going to be in the fleet through the [2060s]. So, the threat is going to continue to evolve. And there will be new threats out there. 'We on the Navy side will continue to evolve our combat and other capabilities to deter the threat. And we will need a platform that can accommodate those new technologies.' The ship hopes to feature 600-kilowatt lasers capable of taking down hostile guided missiles. Meanwhile, it will come complete with the SPY-6 search radar, which could be expanded from a 14-foot aperture to an 18-foot aperture to increase its search capabilities. But it's not all about the weapons. The DDG(X) will be able to travel 50 per cent further and will use 25 per cent less fuel than its predecessor, the DDG-51. It will also be better at moving through the Arctic, which has been on the Pentagon's radar for several years now - particularly as Russia has built several military bases in the region, and conducted a large number of patrol and training operations there. Connelly added: 'When we upgraded the Flight III we took up all of the service life allowance on that platform. All of the space, weight and power has all been allocated. There is not enough room on that ship to put a new combat capability that takes more power or a larger footprint within the ship. 'The first ship will focus on a new hull form and a new integrated power system. We will use the proven combat system from the Flight III ship so we are designing the ship with the flexibility and the margins to accommodate the future of the Navy and the needs for where we're going.' Recently released photos from North Korea show what the reclusive state claimed was a hypersonic missile blasting off from a wheeled launch vehicle in a cloud of flame and smoke A Long March 2C carrier rocket has been used by China to test hypersonic weapons, the Pentagon has confirmed The United States and China are engaged in an arms race to develop the most lethal hypersonic weapons, U.S. Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall (left) told Reuters late last year The DDG(X) program evolved out of the Navy's Large Surface Combatant (LSC) program of the 2000s, and the DDG(X) program office was formed in June 2021. Because the functions and capabilities of destroyers and cruisers increasingly overlapped since the 1980s, the Navy is now moving to refer to these categories collectively as large surface combatants. The Navy wants to procure the first DDG(X) in 2028, though the date for procuring the first ship has changed before and could change again. Procurement of Arleigh-Burkesthe type of LSC currently being procured by the Navywould end at about the same time that DDG(X) procurement would begin. In inflation-adjusted 2019 dollars, the Navy wants the first DDG(X) to have a procurement cost of $3.5 billion to $4.0 billion, and for the 10th ship in the class to have a procurement cost of $2.1 billion to $2.5 billion. The Navys proposed 2022 budget requests $121.8 million in research and development funding for the program. It comes after the U.S. Air Force secretary admitted in November last year that the US and China were engaged in arms race to develop the most lethal hypersonic weapons. 'There is an arms race, not necessarily for increased numbers, but for increased quality,' Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall told Reuters during an interview in his Pentagon offices. 'It's an arms race that has been going on for quite some time. The Chinese have been at it very aggressively.' In October, the top U.S. military officer, General Mark Milley, confirmed a Chinese hypersonic weapons test that military experts say appears to show Beijing's pursuit of an Earth-orbiting system designed to evade American missile defenses. Space Force Lieutenant General Chance Saltzman later said that China's new hypersonic weapon system might be able to stay in space for an extended amount of time, according to The Drive. 'I think the words that we use are important, so that we understand exactly what we're talking about here,' Saltzman explained. 'I hear things like hypersonic missile, and I hear suborbital sometimes. The hypersonic glide vehicle is seen during a military parade to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China in 2019 'This is a categorically different system, because a fractional orbit is different than suborbital. 'A fractional orbit means it can stay on orbit as long as the user determines and then it de-orbits it as a part of the flight path.' Last year the Pentagon held several hypersonic weapons tests with mixed success. In October, the Navy successfully tested a booster rocket motor that would be used to power a launch vehicle carrying a hypersonic weapon aloft. Kendall noted that while the U.S. military has focused funds on Iraq and Afghanistan, it has taken its eye off the ball in terms of hypersonic weapons. 'This isn't saying we've done nothing, but we haven't done enough,' he said. As the Pentagon enters the 2023 annual budget cycle, Kendall hopes to raise funds with the retirement of older and expensive-to-maintain systems in favor of new systems, including hypersonic development programs. Republicans are threatening to make Hunter Biden testify before Congress if they take back the House of Representatives in the November midterm elections. 'We have a lot of questions about where he gets his money, from his artwork and from his consulting deals,' Kentucky Rep. James Comer, the ranking member of the House Oversight Committee, told CNN. President Joe Biden's son's business dealings have been scrutinized by Republicans for several years, as they played a central role in former President Donald Trump's first impeachment in 2019 and have created a headache for the Biden White House when Hunter Biden entered the art world. Republicans, including Rep. James Comer (left), the ranking member of the House Oversight Committee, are poised to initiatie a number of investigations if they take back the House, including into Hunter Biden's (right) business dealings Hunter Biden's business dealings have been scrutinized by Republicans for several years, as they played a central role in former President Donald Trump's first impeachment in 2019 and have created a headache for the Biden White House when Hunter Biden entered the art world Trump used Hunter Biden as a political punching bag over a 2014 sweetheart deal he got from Burisma, a Ukrainian natural gas company, which asked the younger Biden to sit on its board, despite having no apparent qualifications to do so except the Biden last name. Hunter Biden was paid $50,000 a month by Burisma, while his dad handled Ukraine policy for the Obama administration. In 2016, the Obama administration and its European allies pushed Ukraine's prosecutor general, Viktor Shokin, to step down arguing he wasn't doing enough to crack down on the country's corruption. It was Vice President Biden who delivered the message. The move wasn't controversial, including to Congressional Republicans, but Shokin turned around and said he was shown the door for going after Burisma. During a July 2019 phone call with new Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Trump pressured the leader to announce investigations into Joe and Hunter Biden, while holding up $400 million in Congressionally approved military aide to Ukraine - which was the crux of the impeachment matter. Hunter Biden also had business dealings in China while his father served as vice president. More recently, Hunter Biden has become a painter, selling his works for up to $500,000, raising questions - again - about whether he's financially benefiting from the family name. The White House's ethics plan to deal with the sales involved Hunter Biden and the administration being kept in the dark about who was purchasing the first son's pieces. Hunter Biden, however, appeared in-person at his November art show in New York, where potential buyers perused his paintings. Republicans could look into Hunter Biden's business deals in Ukraine, but also in China. Here Hunter Biden (third from left) poses with a number of Chinese executives in 2010, while his father was serving as vice president When Hunter Biden decided to sell his paintings, the White House set up an ethics agreement so neither Hunter nor the administration would know the buyers. Hunter Biden, however, showed up at his art show at a New York gallery (pictured) in November Both parties have used Congressional investigations as a way to politically wound prominent figures of the opposing party. There were a number of investigations into former President Donald Trump happening in the House in the run-up to the 2020 election. And prior to the 2016 election Republicans were looking into former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's role in the deadly 2012 Benghazi attack. But House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy - who looks poised to finally take the speaker's gavel - knows the peril of speaking too bluntly about Congressional probes. In comments he made in 2015, he suggested House Republicans' probe into Benghazi was a way to politically go after Clinton - infuriating a number of his colleagues. 'Everybody thought Hillary Clinton was unbeatable, right? But we put together a Benghazi special committee, a select committee. What are her numbers today? Her numbers are dropping. Why? Because she's untrustable. But no one woul have known any of that had happened, had we not fought,' McCarthy said at the time. The gaffe would cost him the speakership that time around, with Republicans asking Rep. Paul Ryan, who was now Sen. Mitt Romney's running mate in 2012, to step in. Top military figures said there would be 'widespread relief' after Prince Andrew was stripped of his beloved honorary titles. The humiliating decision by the Queen came weeks before celebrations to mark the 40th anniversary of the Falklands War, in which the prince, then 22, served as a helicopter pilot. Last night, a colleague of Andrew from the 1982 campaign said he was 'stunned' by the palace's move while a former head of the Army said there would be 'widespread relief' in units associated with the disgraced prince. Yesterday's announcement drew a veil over Andrew's 43-year association with the UK's armed forces. However, the prince will retain his honorary rank of Vice Admiral, having been granted this by the Navy on his 55th birthday in 2015. He had been due to be promoted to admiral on his 60th birthday in 2020 but asked to defer this after stepping down from public duties. Last night, a colleague of Andrew from the 1982 campaign (pictured) said he was 'stunned' by the palace's move while a former head of the Army said there would be 'widespread relief' in units associated with the disgraced prince. Yesterday's announcement drew a veil over Andrew's 43-year association with the UK's armed forces. However, the prince will retain his honorary rank of Vice Admiral, having been granted this by the Navy on his 55th birthday in 2015. The prince, who remained on the Navy's Active List until 2001, was also Commodore-in-Chief of the Fleet Air Arm and Honorary Air Commodore of RAF Lossiemouth (pictured above) The duke held a number of prestigious honorary positions, including Colonel of the Grenadier Guards the Army's most senior regiment Andrew was not expected to play any part in commemorations for the Falklands this summer. Last night, a fellow campaign veteran said he was 'shocked'. Rear Admiral Chris Parry, who flew with Andrew, said: 'This was an unexpected development. He is a former colleague and a veteran, so it is shocking, particularly for those who served in the South Atlantic, that it has come to this. 'We are also approaching the 40th anniversary of the campaign in which he took part. But at any time one should not speak ill of a comrade.' Having his military titles removed is arguably the ultimate ignominy for Andrew. The duke held a number of prestigious honorary positions, including Colonel of the Grenadier Guards the Army's most senior regiment. Last night a former Chief of the General Staff, speaking on condition of anonymity, said there was a 'widespread relief' across the Army, adding: 'It was the right move at the right time and undoubtedly senior officers will be breathing a sigh of relief. Her Majesty acted appropriately.' Tory MP Tobias Ellwood, a former Army officer and now chairman of the Commons defence committee, said it was 'necessary' to preserve the reputation of the units formally represented by Andrew. The prince, who remained on the Navy's Active List until 2001, was also Commodore-in-Chief of the Fleet Air Arm, Honorary Air Commodore of RAF Lossiemouth, Royal Colonel of the Royal Highland Fusiliers (2nd Battalion, the Royal Regiment of Scotland) and Colonel-in-Chief of the 9th/12th Lancers, the Royal Irish Regiment, the Small Arms School Corps and the Yorkshire Regiment. Mr Ellwood said: 'It was important Prince Andrew's problems didn't bleed over into these regiments and units. I think it was necessary to protect these organisations.' Overseas titles he has also lost are Colonel-in-Chief of the Queen's York Rangers (1st American Regiment); Colonel-in-Chief of The Royal Highland Fusiliers Of Canada; Colonel-in-Chief of the Royal New Zealand Army Logistic Regiment (The Duke of York's Own); and Colonel-in-Chief of the Princess Louise Fusiliers (in Nova Scotia, Canada). Last night a former Chief of the General Staff, speaking on condition of anonymity, said there was a 'widespread relief' across the Army Andrew was three years into his military career when he joined the taskforce which sailed 8,000 miles to the South Atlantic following the Argentine invasion of the Falkland Islands. The humiliating decision by the Queen came weeks before celebrations to mark the 40th anniversary of the Falklands War, in which the prince, then 22, served as a helicopter pilot Andrew will no longer serve the position of Colonel of the Grenadier Guards, one of the oldest and most emblematic regiments in the British Army. He is pictured above in the honourary Colonel's uniform in 2019 Andrew was three years into his military career when he joined the taskforce which sailed 8,000 miles to the South Atlantic following the Argentine invasion of the Falkland Islands. The prospect of the prince being killed in action made Mrs Thatcher's Government apprehensive and the Cabinet requested he be moved to desk duties. However, the Queen insisted he should remain on HMS Invincible and play an active role, even if that meant risking his life. He earned his colleagues' and the nation's respect. Ducking enemy fire in his helicopter proved Andrew's finest hour. The daring prince manoeuvred his Sea King so it acted as a decoy target to divert Exocet missiles away from ships. He has also today lost his role as honorary air commodore of RAF Lossiemouth. Andrew is pictured above in RAF regalia in Lossiemouth, Scotland in 2015 Among Andrew's ceremonial naval titles included Admiral of the Sea Cadet Corps until 2019. He is pictured in 2007 at Horse Guards Parade to commemorate 25 years since the Falklands War He also took part in casualty evacuations and anti-submarine warfare and witnessed the deaths of 12 British sailors when Argentine rockets sank the SS Atlantic Conveyor. After the victory, Andrew returned a gallant hero he was also the first member of his family to serve on the frontline since Prince Philip in the Second World War. Last night, the chairman of the South Atlantic Medal Association, Tom Herring, said the prince had not been an active member of the organisation. The Queen's decision means neither of the Royal Family members who have served their country in wartime retain any formal link with the Armed Forces. Prince Harry, who served two tours of Afghanistan, relinquished four honorary military titles last year, including Captain General of the Royal Marines. The Palace had confirmed the Duke's military appointments were 'in abeyance' after he stepped back from public duties in 2019. Buckingham Palace announced the Prince's military affiliations and royal patronages have all been returned to the Queen. He is pictured in uniform of the Royal Highland Fusiliers 2nd Battalion (left) in 2011, and as Colonel in Chief of the Royal Irish Regiment in 2003 (right) Prince Andrew in regalia of the 2nd Logistic Battalion in New Zealand. On Thursday, he lost his honourary title of Colonel-in-Chief of the Royal New Zealand Army Logistic Regiment Andrew served in the Falklands War and started his military career as a Royal Navy helicopter pilot in 1979 Duke of York, at the controls of a Warrior tracked armoured vehicle during a visit to the Staffordshire Regiment at Fallingbostel Station barracks in Bad Fallingbostel, Lower Saxony, Germany, 10th July 1989. The Duke was Colonel-in-Chief of the Staffordshire Regiment Prior to today, he still retained the roles, including the position of Colonel of the Grenadier Guards, one of the oldest and most emblematic regiments in the British Army. His other British honorary military titles were: Honorary air commodore of RAF Lossiemouth; Colonel-in-chief of the Royal Irish Regiment; Colonel-in-chief of the Small Arms School Corps; Commodore-in-Chief of the Fleet Air Arm; Royal colonel of the Royal Highland Fusiliers; Deputy colonel-in-chief of The Royal Lancers (Queen Elizabeths' Own); and Royal colonel of the Royal Regiment of Scotland. It comes after more than 150 veterans joined forces to express their outrage, writing to the Queen to demand Andrew was removed from the honorary military positions. Accusing the duke of bringing the services he is associated with into disrepute, the 152 former members of the Royal Navy, RAF and Army said that 'were this any other senior military officer it is inconceivable that he would still be in post'. A Ministry of Defence spokesman said it had no comment about the duke's military titles because it was a matter for the Palace. A Royal Navy veteran, Prince Andrew was named the Admiral of the Sea Cadet Corps until 2019. He is pictured aboard the Indian aircraft carrier INS Viraat in Mumbai, India, in May 2012 The Prince has also lost the honourary roles of Colonel-in-Chief of the Royal New Zealand Army Logistic Regiment, pictured in regalia, left, and Colonel-in-chief of the Royal Irish Regiment The Duke of York was pictured sitting in the back of a Range Rover this morning as he was being driven from his house in Windsor Great Park A source close to the royal said he would 'continue to defend himself' against Ms Giuffre's allegations following the judge's decision to dismiss his legal team's attempt to have the case thrown out. The source said: 'Given the robustness with which Judge Kaplan greeted our arguments, we are unsurprised by the ruling. However, it was not a judgement on the merits of Ms Giuffre's allegations. This is a marathon not a sprint and the duke will continue to defend himself against these claims.' It came as reports suggested he could avoid a trial by using the sale of his 18million Swiss chalet to try to pay off Ms Giuffre with at least 10million of the proceeds. MailOnline revealed this week that Andrew and his ex-wife Sarah, the Duchess of York, settled a 6.6 million debt with a French socialite, paving the way for him to sell his beloved ski chalet to fund his alleged sex abuse case. Isabelle de Rouvre, 74, sold her house, Chalet Helora, to her then-friends Prince Andrew and his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson in 2014 for 18million, would be paid for in instalments. But Ms de Rouvre claimed the Yorks failed to make the final instalment of 5m for the property in the exclusive Swiss ski resort of Verbier - but this week the Yorks stumped up the cash, ending the legal battle and clearing the way for a sale. With the chalet now on the market, the ninth in line to the throne will use up to 10million of the final sale price to settle with Ms Giuffre, according to The Sun, but without admission of liability to her claims she was forced to have sex with him three times when she was 17. He has repeatedly denied the claims. Mark Stephens, an expert in constitutional law, has said that Andrew will need to find between 5million and 10million to offer Ms Giuffre and hope she spares him a trial. He 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 said the duke has 'no good options', adding: 'Essentially, I think he's either going to have to engage in the trial process or he's going to have to settle and that may well be his least worst option.' He added: 'There is a need to limit the damage. Andrew, I suspect will be stripped of his royal titles. A settlement of five or ten million is a good bet but Ms Giuffre may want her day in court.' Prince Andrew is now facing the biggest gamble of his life after a judge in the US unequivocally rejected a bid to have his sex abuse case thrown out of court. All of Prince Andrew's titles and patronages he has now lost The Queen has stripped the Duke of York of his honorary military roles and royal patronages, Buckingham Palace announced this evening. The move is a major blow to Andrew, who is facing a looming civil sexual assault court showdown after a New York judge sensationally ruled yesterday that the case could go ahead. Andrew's honorary military titles United Kingdom Personal Aide-de-Camp to the Queen; Colonel of the Grenadier Guards; Colonel-in-Chief of the 9th/12th Royal Lancers (Prince of Wales's); Colonel-in-Chief of the Royal Irish Regiment (27th (Inniskilling) 83rd and 87th and Ulster Defence Regiment); Colonel-in-Chief of the Small Arms School Corps; Colonel-in-Chief of the Yorkshire Regiment (14th/15th, 19th and 33rd/76th Foot); Royal Colonel of the Royal Highland Fusiliers, 2nd Battalion Royal Regiment of Scotland; Honorary Air Commodore, Royal Air Force Lossiemouth; Commodore-in-Chief of the Fleet Air Arm. Canada Colonel-in-Chief of the Queen's York Rangers (1st American Regiment); Colonel-in-Chief of the Royal Highland Fusiliers of Canada; Colonel-in-Chief of the Princess Louise Fusiliers; Colonel-in-Chief of the Canadian Airborne Regiment (disbanded). New Zealand Colonel-in-Chief of the Royal New Zealand Army Logistic Regiment. Andrew's patronages Alderney Maritime Trust; Army Officers' Golfing Society; Army Rifle Association; Attend (National Association of Hospital and Community Friends); Berkshire County Cricket Club; British-Kazakh Society; Commonwealth Golfing Society; Constructionarium; Fire Service Sports and Athletics Association; Fly Navy Heritage Trust; Foundation for Liver Research; The Friends of Lakefield College School; Friends of the Staffordshire Regiment (The Prince of Wales's); Greenwich Hospital; Grenadier Guards; H.M.S. Duke of York Association; Horris Hill School; Hunstanton Golf Club; Interfaith Explorers; Inverness Golf Club; Killyleagh Yacht Club; Lakefield College School; Lucifer Golfing Society; Maimonides Interfaith Foundation; Maple Bay Yacht Club; Port of Dartmouth Royal Regatta; Quad-Centenary Club; Queen's York Rangers; Robert T. Jones, Jr. Scholarship Foundation; Royal Aero Club of the United Kingdom; Royal Aero Club Trust; Royal Air Force Golfing Society; Royal Air Force Lossiemouth; Royal Alberta United Services Institute; Royal Artillery Golfing Society; Royal Ascot Golf Club; Royal Belfast Golf Club; Royal Blackheath Golf Club; Royal British Legion Scotland, Inverness Branch; Royal Cinque Ports Golf Club; Royal County Down Golf Club; Royal Free Charity; Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust; Royal Guild of St Sebastian (Royal Guild of Archers of St. Sebastian - Bruges); The Royal Highland Fusiliers Of Canada; Royal Irish Regiment (27th (Inniskilling), 83rd and 87th and The Ulster Defence Regiment); Royal Jersey Golf Club; Royal Liverpool Golf Club; Royal Montrose Golf Club; Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital; Royal Navy Golf Association; Royal Navy Golfing Society; Royal New Zealand Army Logistic Regiment (The Duke of York's Own); Royal Norwich Golf Club; Royal Perth Golfing Society and Country and City Club; Royal Portrush Golf Club; Royal St David's Golf Club; Royal United Services Institute for Defence and Security Studies; Royal Victoria Yacht Club, British Columbia; Royal Winchester Golf Club; Royal Windsor Horse Show; Ryedale Festival; SickKids Foundation; Small Arms School Corps; Sound Seekers; St Helena National Trust; Staffordshire Regiment Trust; STFC Harwell and Daresbury Science and Innovation Campus; Sunningdale Ladies Golf Club; The Association of Royal Navy Officers; The Colonel's Fund (Grenadier Guards); The Corporation of Trinity House; The Duke of York Young Champions' Trophy; The Duke of York's Community Initiative; The Entrepreneurship Centre, Cambridge Judge Business School; The Fleet Air Arm; The Fleet Air Arm Officers' Association; The Gordonstoun Association; The Helicopter Club of Great Britain; The Honourable Artillery Company; The Honourable Company of Air Pilots; The Honourable Society of Lincoln's Inn; The Institution of Civil Engineers; The Ladder Foundation; The Northern Meeting; The Omani Britain Friendship Association (OBFA); The Princess Louise Fusiliers; The Returned & Services League of Australia Limited; The Royal Air Squadron; The Royal Commonwealth Ex-Services League; The Royal Fine Art Commission Trust; The Royal Highland Fusiliers, 2nd Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland; The Royal Household Golf Club; The Royal Institute of Navigation; The Royal Lancers (Queen Elizabeth's Own); The Royal Regiment of Scotland; The Royal Society; The Royal Thames Yacht Club; The South Atlantic Medal Association (SAMA 82); The Worshipful Company of Shipwrights; University of Cambridge Judge Business School; Wellington Academy; Wellington College International Tianjin; Westminster Academy; Yorkshire Society Advertisement The murdered woman has been named locally as 22-year-old Ashling Murphy, a primary school teacher in Tullamore The man who was arrested in connection with the killing of a primary school teacher in Ireland has been released without charge. Ashling Murphy, 23, was killed on Wednesday afternoon along the banks of the Grand Cana in Tullamore, County Offaly. A 40-year-old man had been arrested but late on Thursday night, gardai said that the man, who they had been questioning, was now 'no longer a suspect'. Gardai have again appealed for witnesses and asked anyone with information about a 'Falcon Storm mountain bike' with 'straight handlebars and distinctive yellow/green front forks' to come forward. Officers earlier said they believe the killer acted alone and attacked the talented musician while she was jogging along the canal bank at Cappincur, known as Fiona's Way, at around 4pm on Wednesday. He fled after two women came across the attack and gardai were quickly on the scene after a call from a member of the public. Ms Murphy was still alive and they tried to give medical attention but she could not be saved. Police investigating the murder have said 'no stone will be left unturned' in bringing her killer to justice. In a statement, a garda spokesperson said: 'The male who was arrested and detained by An Garda Siochana investigating this fatal assault has now been released from this detention. 'This male has been eliminated from Garda inquiries and is no longer a suspect.' Ms Murphy (pictured left and right) died after being attacked while she was jogging along the canal bank at Cappincur, known as Fiona's Way, at around 4pm on Wednesday. The route is named in memory of missing woman Fiona Pender According to the Independent.ie, Ms Murphy came from a highly respected family in the local area that is well known in the music scene, and live outside Tullamore. 'This area here, where the crime occurred, is popular among Tullamore residents and is widely used for recreational purposes,' Superintendent Eamonn Curley told reporters on Thursday. 'The victim of this crime is Ashling Murphy. 'Ashling was a schoolteacher in Durrow National School. Our prayers are with Ashling's family at this time and indeed the wider community, her teaching colleagues and the children she taught who are without their teacher today. 'Immediately following the discovery of this crime, a full-scale murder investigation was launched.' Ms Murphy came from a highly respected family in the local area that is well known in the music scene, and live outside Tullamore Declan Harvey, Fianna Fail councillor for the area, said: 'I want to extend my sympathies to Ashling's father, mother and all her extended family. 'I am devastated. I couldn't sleep last night thinking of it all because it is a place I go all the time. She went there jogging, she does it regularly. I am lost for words.' Mr Harvey said it is a route that he and his family often walk. 'Tullamore is probably the safest place in the world, and after yesterday people will be nervous to go down to the canal,' he added. 'It's a lovely area and helps clear your head. It's a very popular route that everyone takes. People walk their dogs, people with their kids and prams.' Police officers visited the school where Ms Murphy worked on Thursday morning to speak with staff and offer support. At around 9.30am, a police water unit arrived at the scene to begin a search of the waterway next to where the attack occurred. A postmortem is set to be carried out today, and is expected to last for five hours. Superintendent Eamonn Curley (left) near to the scene in Tullamore, Co Offaly, after a young woman, who has been named locally as Ashling Murphy, was killed on Wednesday evening Pictured: A map showing where Ms Murphy's body was found along the Grand Canal way, also known as Fiona's Way. The route is named in memory of missing woman Fiona Pender, of whom there is a monument to in Tullamore Gardai carry out investigations at the Grand Canal at Cappincur on Thursday after the horrific killing Police investigating the murder have said 'no stone will be left unturned' in bringing her killer to justice Justice Minister Helen McEntee tweeted: 'My thoughts tonight are with the family of the young woman killed in a truly shocking crime, with her friends and with her community. 'Please, anyone with information, come forward to An Garda Siochana. The Gardai will investigate this awful crime and ensure justice is done.' Further Education Minister Simon Harris said: 'A young woman, simply out for a run in the afternoon and brutally killed. 'Thinking of her and her family and community tonight and their unimaginable pain. We must all act to end violence against women. We all have a responsibility.' Gardai believe the killer acted alone and attacked the talented musician while she was jogging along the canal bank Pictured: Flowers are left at a Garda checkpoint in Tullamore after a young woman, who has been named locally as Ashling Murphy, was killed in Co Offaly. She died after being attacked while she was jogging along the canal bank at Cappincur at around 4pm on Wednesday. Picture date: Thursday January 13, 2022 Superintendent Eamonn Curley speaks to the media near to the scene in Tullamore, Co Offaly The canal path that Ms Murhpy was attacked on is named after Fiona Pender, a missing woman who was last seen at 6am on August 23, 1996, at her Tullamore flat. Her disappearance has been the subject of an on-going investigation ever since. Gardai are appealing for information, and asking anyone who was in the Cappincur/Canal walk area of Tullamore before 4pm on Wednesday to make contact with them. Minister of State Josepha Madigan for Special Education and Inclusion said: 'A young woman can't even go for a run along a canal pathway - at four o'clock, in the middle of the day - only to be attacked and murdered. 'Sincere sympathies to her family. We need to urgently address why we live in a country where this can happen.' Kanye West is being investigated for criminal battery after being accused of punching a fan who asked for his autograph early Thursday morning. The 44-year-old rapper, who recently changed his name to Ye, allegedly got into an argument with the fan around 3 a.m. outside the Soho Warehouse, a members-only club, in Downtown Los Angeles, FOX 11 reported. In a video obtained by TMZ an enraged West can been heard shouting 'get away from me!' at a woman who appears to be trying to calm him down.' The woman in the video is heard telling West, 'I am your family.' She is understood to be his cousin. Kanye West and girlfriend Julia Fox (pictured) were seen at Delilah nightclub in West Hollywood earlier in the evening prior to the alleged altercation with a fan that happened around 3 a.m. Thursday outside Soho Warehouse in Los Angeles. As she tries to calm him down she says, 'give me your hand,' to which an angry West snaps back: 'No, get away from me! Aint no hands, ain't no hands.' The woman then adds, 'I am your family. Give me your hand.' West is then heard telling her, 'You were supposed to talk to her!' However, it is unclear who the rapper is referring to. Footage shows the autograph hunter laid out on the pavement. TMZ reports West allegedly punched him twice, first in his neck then to his head. According to reports, the fan approached West, who was sitting in his SUV outside the club, and asked for his autograph, which reportedly led to a heated exchange. The argument then turned physical and West allegedly punched the fan, knocking him to the ground. West was not at the scene when authorities arrived, FOX 11 reported. A fan was allegedly punched by West outside the Soho Warehouse (pictured), a members-only club, in Downtown Los Angeles Pictured: The man seen in the middle is believed to be the autograph hunter that Kanye allegedly punched A video obtained by TMZ that was reportedly taken by a bystander around the same time of the incident, shows an apparent irate West. He is heard yelling, 'Did y'all say that or not? Did y'all say that or not? Cause that's what happened right fking now.' No arrests have been made and LAPD is investigating the case, a police spokesperson confirmed. Earlier in the evening, West had been with girlfriend Julia Fox at Delilah in West Hollywood for a star-studded dinner date after spending the evening with Madonna and Floyd Mayweather. Kanye West was out signing autographs on January 10, just days before he allegedly punched a fan for asking for an autograph outside Soho Warehouse in Los Angeles early Thursday The group appeared to be in high spirits after Diana Ross' son Evan Ross shared video footage of them on Instagram. While it was previously reported that West's new romance has gotten under the skin of his estranged wife Kim Kardashian, sources claimed she is happy to see the Donda artist smiling again. West, who is no stranger to controversy, has had his share of outbursts over the years. During the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards, he stormed the stage during Taylor Swift's acceptance speech for Best Female Video, an award he claims should have gone to Beyonce. Kanye West and girlfriend Julia Fox (pictured) were seen at Delilah nightclub in West Hollywood earlier in the evening prior to the alleged altercation with a fan that happened around 3 a.m. Thursday outside Soho Warehouse in Los Angeles. In 2018, West spoke out in support of former President Donald Trump. Wearing a Make America Great Again hat to the Oval Office, he gave a rambling speech to Trump and reporters, and stating that the Trump 'is on his heros journey' and told him he loved him. But in 2020, West announced that he no longer supported Trump as he launched his own presidential bid. 'I am taking the red hat off, with this interview,' he told Forbes, although it was unclear whether Trump's handling of the pandemic - which Kayne called 'one big mess' - may also have been a reason. He also said it was wrong to assume that black people will always vote for Democrats. 'To say that the Black vote is Democratic is a form of racism and white supremacy,' he claimed. West has gone on a longwinded Twitter rants on everything from lashing out against the #MeToo movement and 'Cancel Culture' to calling COVID-19 vaccines 'the mark of the beast.' Kim initially filed for divorce in early 2021, but was seen by his side for months in support of his new album release. Night out: Earlier that evening, Kanye West and Julia Fox (left) partied at LA hotspot Delilah with stars Madonna, (centre) and Floyd Mayweather, (right) In a rambling interview with Revolt TV last November, which featured numerous digressions and left turns, he discussed the jokes Kim made about their split when she hosted Saturday Night Live last month. In her opening monologue, Kim, 41, quipped: 'when I divorced him, you have to know it came down to just one thing: his personality.' Addressing the dig, West hit back: 'SNL making my wife say "I divorced him" on TV because they just wanted to get that bar off... And I ain't never even see the papers, we not even divorced.' 'I want us to be together,' West added before insisting that it was 'the media' didn't want him and Kim to work out their differences. Since the interview, Kim and and Saturday Night Live star Pete Davidson have gone public with their relationship, as have West and Julia Fox, who were out in West Hollywood just hours before the incident involving Kanye and the unidentified fan. The investigation into Thursday's incident comes less than 24 hours after West was named one of the headlining acts for this year's Coachella alongside Billie Eilish and Harry Styles. The rapper has not publicly commented on the incident. Core parts for hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles built by POSCO Mobility Solutions, a subsidiary of POSCO International. Courtesy of POSCO International The dying handyman who became the first patient in the world to get a heart transplant from a genetically-modified pig stabbed a man he met in a bar seven times more than three decades ago, leaving him paralyzed and wheelchair-bound. David Bennett, 57, served time in prison for attacking Edward Shumaker, then 22, while he played pool at a Maryland bar in April 1988 after he caught his then-wife Norma Jean Bennett sitting in Shumaker's lap while the pair were talking and drinking. Shumaker suffered blows to his back, abdomen and chest. He remained paralyzed for 19 years before suffering a stroke in 2005 and dying two years later, aged 40. Bennett, 23 at the time of the attack, was convicted of battery and carrying a concealed weapon, and was sentenced to ten years in prison, but did not serve the entire sentence. His exact time behind bars remains undisclosed but Shumaker's family said it was five years. Last Friday, the former convict, who suffered from terminal heart failure and an uncontrollable irregular heartbeat, underwent a groundbreaking transplant that saved his life. 'The new heart is still a rock star,' Dr. Bartley Griffith, who led the transplant team at the University of Maryland Medical Center, told USA Today Wednesday. 'It seems to be reasonably happy in its new host It has more than exceeded our expectations.' However, Shumaker's family learning of the surgery from media coverage feels Bennett did not deserve the innovative medical treatment and wishes the pig heart could have been given to someone else in need. 'Ed suffered,' his sister Leslie Shumaker Downey told the Washington Post. 'The devastation and the trauma, for years and years, that my family had to deal with. Bennett went on and lived a good life. Now he gets a second chance with a new heart but I wish, in my opinion, it had gone to a deserving recipient.' Although the loved ones of violent crime victims may feel convicts should not receive lifesaving procedures, there are not any US laws or regulations prohibiting treatment. In fact, the Medical Code of Ethics requires doctors to 'be dedicated to providing competent medical service with compassion and respect' for all patients. David Bennett (pictured right with surgeon Dr. Bartley Griffith on his left) last week became the first patient in the world to get a heart transplant from a genetically-modified pig. Now, he is facing criticisms from the family of a man he stabbed seven times Bennett served time in prison for attacking Edward Shumaker (pictured in a nursing home on Christmas in 2003) while he played pool at a Maryland bar in April 1988 after he caught Shumaker being friendly with his then-wife The University of Maryland Medical Center, declining to say whether officials were aware of Bennett's criminal history, told the newspaper the patient came to the facility 'in dire need' and that doctors made a decision about his transplant eligibility 'solely on his medical records.' Hospital officials also argued the facility provides 'lifesaving care to every patient who comes through their doors based on their medical needs, not their background or life circumstances.' Shumaker's sister, Leslie Downey (pictured), said the attack left her younger brother paralyzed and wheelchair-bound until he died at age 40. She feels Bennett did not deserve the innovative medical treatment and wishes the pig heart could have been given to someone else in need Medical ethics experts allege the separation between the legal and healthcare systems 'exists for good reason'. 'We have a legal system designed to determine just redress for crimes,' said Scott Halpern, a medical ethics professor at the University of Pennsylvania. 'And we have a health-care system that aims to provide care without regard to people's personal character or history.' 'The key principle in medicine is to treat anyone who is sick, regardless of who they are,' Arthur Caplan, a bioethics professor at New York University, echoed. 'We are not in the business of sorting sinners from saints. Crime is a legal matter.' However, Downey who watched her younger brother suffer for many years said learning of Bennett's transplant and watching people hail him as a hero is hurtful to their family. 'It was just pure hell until the day Ed died,' she said, alleging Shumaker suffered from infections, bed sores and a stroke that left him with a 'child's mental capacity'. 'David Bennett got 10 years, only served 5 years. My brother won a 3.4 million dollar lawsuit against Bennett and Bennett worked under the table, married someone putting everything in her name, so my brother would not ever receive a penny from the lawsuit,' she wrote in a Facebook post. Downey argued that Bennett caused physical, emotional and financial pain to their family. She is upset that he is 'being given another shot at life'. She said: 'My brother Ed wasn't given a shot at life. Ed was given a death sentence' 'I was told by someone a bit ago that it doesn't matter what Bennett did because it's unethical to refuse treatment to Bennett because he's simply a human. No way is he a hero. David Bennett is an attempted murderer, turned murderer because my brother died due to the act of being stabbed by Bennett 19 years later.' She added, speaking to the Post: 'He's being given another shot at life. But my brother Ed wasn't given a shot at life. Ed was given a death sentence.' Bennett underwent the nine-hour experimental procedure at the University of Maryland Medical Center in Baltimore on Saturday. 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. Bennett has since been taken off the machine that kept blood circulating through his body for more than 45 days and is breathing on his own. Doctors said he is even speaking but with a quiet voice. Bennett underwent the nine-hour experimental procedure (pictured) at the University of Maryland Medical Center in Baltimore on Saturday. His doctors, refusing to indicate if they were aware of Bennett's criminal history, said they made a decision about his transplant eligibility 'solely on his medical records' 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 Bennett (center with his son, David Bennett Jr. on left and Dr. Muhammad Mohiuddin on right) was recently taken off the machine that kept blood circulating through his body for more than 45 days and is breathing on his own. Doctors said he is even speaking but with a quiet voice His surgeon, Dr. Griffith planned to leave Bennett plugged into the heart-lung machine for another week but told USA Today on Wednesday: 'The heart was rocking and rolling and he was so stable that we elected to remove it.' Due to his condition, Bennett was ineligible for a human heart or pump. He also did not follow his doctors' orders, missed appointments and stopped taking drugs he was prescribed. It is not clear what medicine he was told to take but heart disease patients are often prescribed blood thinners or drugs such as beta blockers and ACE inhibitors to keep their blood pressure down. Underlying conditions that could hamper the success of the surgery, as well as their ability to stick to a treatment plan before and after the op, is a major consideration among medics deciding who should be given a life-saving organ. It is still too soon to know if his body will fully accept the organ and the next few weeks will be critical. His doctors also remain concerned about Bennett's risk for infection risk. A pig heart was gathered for a terminal heart disease patient who was ineligible for a human heart transplant. Scientists inserted six human genes into the genome of the donor pig modifications designed to make the organ more tolerable to the human immune system. They inactivated four genes, including sugar in its cells that is responsible for that hyper-fast organ rejection and a growth gene to prevent the pig's heart, which weighs around 267g compared to the average human heart which weighs 303g, from continuing to expand. Surgeons at the University of Maryland Medical Center performed a nine-hour surgery to remove the patient's heart and insert the altered pig heart But, if successful, the transplant would mark a medical breakthrough and could save thousands of lives in the US alone each year. Doctors called the procedure a 'watershed event'. Bennett knew there was no guarantee the risky operation would work but was too sick to qualify for a human organ. A day before his pioneering surgery, 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.' His son, David Bennett Jr., said his father cannot wait to be released from the hospital and is grateful that his doctors took a chance on him with this procedure. 'My dad's a fighter,' David said. 'He was chosen to do this. He chose to do this.' After the procedure, Bennett thanked the doctors and scientists who spent decades researching and developing the procedure. Griffith said the thanks 'just set me back on my heels'. 'I should be thanking him for all he has done in terms of his willingness to participate and how much work he's put into getting well and into cooperating with the plan,' the surgeon added. David Bennett Jr. (right) said his father (left) cannot wait to be released from the hospital and is grateful that his doctors took a chance on him with this procedure Bennett Jr. (left), describing his father (second from left, with several family members) as a 'private and selfless man,' said Bennett also considered how the procedure could be used to help others when he elected to have the surgery. He also declined to comment on his dad's criminal history There is a huge shortage of human organs donated for transplant in the US and the UK, driving scientists to try to figure out how to use animal organs instead. Nearly 120,000 Americans are in need of healthy organs and, on average, 20 people die each day waiting for one to become available. Last year, there were just over 3,800 heart transplants in the US, a record number, according to the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS), which oversees the nation's transplant system. Prior attempts at animal organ transplants or xenotransplantation have failed, largely because patients' bodies rapidly rejected the organs. Notably, in 1984, 'Baby Fae' who was born with a rare heart condition lived 21 days with a baboon heart. Bennett Jr., describing his father as a 'private and selfless man,' said Bennett also considered how the procedure could be used to help others when he elected to have the surgery. 'This was something that made me proud as a son,' Bennett Jr. said. 'This tops everything, in terms of what makes me proud. He has a strong will and desire to live.' He also declined to discuss his father's alleged criminal record saying: 'My intent here is not to speak about my father's past. My intent is to focus on the groundbreaking surgery and my father's wish to contribute to the science and potentially save patient lives in the future.' More paramedics should have been deployed into the blast scene of the Manchester Arena attack, an ambulance chief has told an inquiry. Only three went into the City Room foyer, where suicide bomber Salman Abedi struck, as members of the public and unarmed police officers moved casualties on makeshift stretchers. Two of those three were members of a Hazardous Area Response Team (HART) and trained to work in inner cordon hot zones at major incidents, the inquiry was told. However, the public inquiry into the May 2017 atrocity was told an ambulance commander directed other HART medics to set up oxygen tanks and a casualty collection point instead of heading into the City Room to help with patients. Giving evidence, Keith Prior, director of the National Ambulance Resilience Unit, said: 'Their primary focus should have been going forward into the incident. 'Thats what they are trained for, thats what their procedures deal with, and thats what I would have expected.' An inquiry into the Manchester Arena attack was told only three paramedics went into the City Room foyer, where suicide bomber Salman Abedi struck, as members of the public and unarmed police officers moved casualties on makeshift stretchers Giving evidence, Keith Prior, director of the National Ambulance Resilience Unit, said: 'Their (paramedics') primary focus should have been going forward into the incident. Thats what they are trained for, thats what their procedures deal with, and thats what I would have expected' He said others would have been capable of carrying out tasks such as preparing a casualty collection point. Inquiry chairman Sir John Saunders asked Mr Prior: 'If civilians and unarmed police are working in an area, then the ambulance service should be in there as well?' Mr Prior, also the assistant chief officer of West Midlands Ambulance Service, replied: 'Yes, if unprotected members of the public and police are in the forward position, then ambulance paramedics should be in there. He said the 'overriding factor' in making command decisions 'should be the welfare of the patients and the public caught up in an incident'. Mr Prior said fire and rescue service commanders were very experienced in sending personnel into dangerous situations but their ambulance service counterparts were not. He said: 'That flips completely at a major incident. 'Those staff have been trained to go into those areas, so they know the risks, but the commander may not be as experienced in putting people into those risky situations.' Mr Prior said paramedics should be in an area where 'unprotected members of the public and police are in the forward position', as they were in the moments after the attack Pictured: The victims of the Manchester Arena terror attack in May 2017 during an Ariana Grande concert Mr Prior told the inquiry more needed to be done to 'develop a pragmatic approach to risk management' to make sure commanders 'make decisions based on what is in front of them and not what is in the rule book'. Mr Prior also called for more HART staff in England as numbers have 'remained largely static' since the capability was introduced more than 15 years ago. He said: 'There are 15 HART teams in England. Each of those HART teams has six staff on duty at any one time. That hasnt changed since the inception of HART. 'What we are finding is that it is a struggle to maintain six on duty at all times for ambulance trusts, notwithstanding Covid, which has affected everybody.' The inquiry into the terror attack that killed 22 people and injured hundreds will continue next Monday. Advertisement 'Clearly unacceptable behaviour': MI5's unprecedented email to MPs The security services issued a rare warning to MPs and peers amid fears an agent of the Chinese government has been active in Parliament. On Thursday a Security Service Interference Alert was issued by MI5 containing allegations about Christine Ching Kui Lee after concerns were raised that she was not being open about her connections to the Chinese state and may have ulterior motives for her involvement with parliamentarians. While it is not the first time such an alert has been issued, official warnings of this nature are relatively rare. The letter from the Speaker accompanying the alert said: 'I am writing now to draw your attention to the attached Interference Alert issued by the Security Service, MI5, about the activities of an individual, Christine Lee, who has been engaged in political interference activities on behalf of the Chinese Communist Party, engaging with Members here at Parliament and associated political entities, including the former APPG: Chinese in Britain. 'I should highlight the fact that Lee has facilitated financial donations to serving and aspiring Parliamentarians on behalf of foreign nationals based in Hong Kong and China. 'This facilitation was done covertly to mask the origins of the payments. 'This is clearly unacceptable behaviour and steps are being taken to ensure it ceases.' In the covering letter, Sir Lindsay said the MPs she contacted included members of the now disbanded Chinese in Britain All Party Parliamentary Group. Chaired by Mr Gardiner, other members included Labour's Keith Vaz, Stephen Pound, Faisal Rashid and Gareth Thomas, along with Tory David Morris. Advertisement Labour MP Barry Gardiner tonight attempted to defend accepting more than half a million pounds from a solicitor now exposed as a Chinese spy. MPs were warned in a bombshell email today to avoid contact with Christine Lee, 58, who has been monitored by the security services for some time. She has not been arrested and is not being expelled as it stands, but a warning memo was sent to all MPs and peers in Westminster today by the Speaker's Parliamentary security team. Mr Gardiner, the former frontbencher turned Jeremy Corbyn supporter had received more than 600,000 from her over the past decade, and employed her son Daniel Wilkes in his parliamentary office until today. Mr Gardiner has been supportive of China's attempts to get more involved in Britain's nuclear industry, including the Hinkley Point power plant. He was shadow energy minister in Corbyn's Cabinet from July 2016 until April 2020 and started receiving money from Lee in 2015. But speaking to Sky News, Mr Gardiner said he thought Ms Lee would have regarded her donations to his office as a 'very poor investment' as he had been 'critical of the Chinese government on many occasions'. Regarding Hickley, he said: 'I wasn't a cheerleader for the project, certainly not. In fact I was highly critical of the Government at the time and the way they were allowing investors (including China) to get away with ripping off British billpayers.' He said he only found out she was a spy this morning when he had a meeting with MI5 agents. But he said he had spoken to them for years about her money and their relationship had been cleared to continue. The Labour MP claimed he had been cautious in his dealings with Miss Lee because he knew she acted for Chinese businesses, and claimed he did not discuss Labour policy with her in great detail. He told the broadcaster that 'she got no political advantage from me', adding that he had spoken to her as recently as this week. 'I had been cautious because I knew she was a solicitor who acted for a number of Chinese businesses in the UK over a very long period of time,' he said. 'For that reason I had spoken openly and frankly with our security services for a number of years about the engagement I had with her. 'And I made sure that at no time did they suggest in any way that I should cut off engagement with her.' An alert sent to politicians today said the a twice-married mother of two who lives in the affluent Birmingham suburb of Coleshill, was 'knowingly engaged in political interference activities on behalf of the United Front Work Department of the Chinese Communist Party'. No politicians are suspected of any criminality. Ms Lee, is a former chief legal adviser to the Chinese embassy in London and a legal adviser to the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office. She is also the secretary of the Inter-Party China Group at Westminster. Ms Lee has been active in Britain's corridors of power for more than 15 years, setting up the British Chinese Project to encourage Chinese people to vote in the UK in 2006. In 2011 it began helping to run a Westminster pressure group, the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) called Chinese in Britain. Its chairman was Mr Gardiner, who had worked with Miss Lee on a failed campaign to save a Chinatown near his north London constituency. Electoral Commission registers show that her firm has given about 670,000 to Mr Gardiner and Labour, almost all of it for his staffing costs. Just 5,000 went to the central party, while her firm also made a handful of small donations to local Labour groups. Speaking to Sky News, Mr Gardiner said he only found out she was a spy this morning when he had a meeting with MI5 agents. Christine Lee and David Cameron at the ceremony of the British GG2 leadership awards in 2015 Parliamentarians were told Christine Lee has been monitored by the security services for some time but has not been arrested and is not being expelled as it stands. A warning memo was sent to all MPs and Peers in Westminster today by the Speaker's Parliamentary security team, and no politicians are suspected of any criminality. Ms Lee, a London-based solicitor and a former chief legal adviser to the Chinese embassy in London, speaking to former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn in 2016. She is also the secretary of the Inter-Party China Group at Westminster. The APPG produced official-looking reports and was involved in an art exhibition marking the arrival of China's President Xi Jinping to Britain in 2015. Mr Gardiner confirmed Ms Lee's son Daniel Wilkes had resigned today, meaning he loses privileged access to the Parliamentary estate with a staff pass. There is no suggestion he was involved in his mother's activities. She is also reported to have donated hundreds of thousands of pounds more to other parts of the Labour Party. Questions were first asked about her funding five years ago but no action was taken. As well as embarrassment for Labour Ms Lee's firm also donated 5,000 to the Liberal Democrats in 2005 and another 5,000 to now party leader Ed Davey in 2013, when he was energy minister in the coalition government. She also has links to the Conservatives. She appears to have also developed a good relationship with David Cameron while he was prime minister. And in January 2019, she received a Points of Light Award from then premier Theresa May, in recognition of her contribution to good relations with China via the British Chinese Project. Conservative former leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith told MPs this afternoon that he understood MI5 had contacted Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle about the matter. He said: 'They key issue here is I understand that Mr Speaker has been contacted by MI5 and is now warning members of Parliament that there has been an agent of the Chinese government active here in Parliament working with a Member of Parliament, obviously to subvert the processes here. 'I say, as a Member of Parliament who has been sanctioned by the Chinese government, that this is a matter of grave concern.' Home Secretary Priti Patel said it was 'deeply concerning' that an individual 'who has knowingly engaged in political interference activities on behalf of the Chinese Communist Party has targeted parliamentarians' but the UK has measures in place 'to identify foreign interference'. A warning memo was sent to all MPs and peers in Westminster today by the Speaker's Parliamentary security team, with an attached alert saying Ms Lee, pictured here with former London mayor Ken Livingstone (second left) in 2012, was 'knowingly engaged in political interference activities on behalf of the United Front Work Department of the Chinese Communist Party' A photo of Ms Lee in front of 10 Downing Street in 2019 shows the iconic door draped with red banners displaying New Year couplets in Chinese characters and announcing the 'Golden Era' of Sino-British relations. She is accompanied by Alex Yip, a Tory councillor in Birmingham who resigned from the British Chinese Project in 2016 She is a west London solicitor who has donated hundreds of thousands of pounds to former Labour minister Barry Gardiner (right, pictured in 2013). Christine Lee: How 'lawyer's' involvement in British politics date back to prime ministership of Tony Blair Christine Lee is a solicitor whose firm has offices in Beijing, Hong Kong and Guangzhou, as well as London. Her links to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) go deep. She has been chief legal adviser to the Chinese embassy in London and a legal adviser to the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office, an agency of the Communist Party's vast network of influence overseen by its United Front Work Department. These positions are unmistakable signs of her importance to the Party. Yet she is also the secretary of the Inter-Party China Group of the British parliament. In 2006 she founded the British Chinese Project, whose stated aim is to 'empower the UK Chinese community, making them aware of their democratic rights and responsibilities, whilst ensuring the needs and interests of the community are heard at a political level'. It sounds a very worthy multicultural enterprise But its Chinese name has different echoes. It translates as 'British Chinese Participation in Politics', linking it to the huaren canzheng infiltration policy of the CCP to maximise political influence in democracies by promoting trusted people of Chinese heritage. Lee's involvement in British politics began during the prime ministership of Tony Blair, when she formed an alliance with Labour MP and minister Barry Gardiner, more recently Labour's shadow international trade secretary. Her law firm donated more than 200,000 to the MP and his constituency party. In 2007, while a Blair government minister, Gardiner became the chair of her British Chinese Project and the two of them embarked on a programme of making friends in Westminster, boosted by Gardiner's formation in 2011 of 'an all-party group to represent Chinese citizens in Britain'. One of Lee's children, Michael Wilkes, became its vice chairman while another son, Daniel, worked in Gardiner's parliamentary office, with his salary paid by his mother's firm. The firm defended these political links when approached in 2020, saying: 'Christine Lee & Co is proud of its record of public service and the support it has provided to the democratic process. We have never sought to influence any politician improperly or to seek any favours in return for the support that we have provided.' Gardiner said her son had volunteered in his office before securing employment through an open appointment process and that he had never been 'improperly requested by, or influenced by' the firm in his political work. Advertisement Mr Gardiner said he was 'deeply distressed' to find out about Christine Lee's activities. The Labour politician told Sky News: 'Of course I feel very angry about it, and I feel deeply distressed that they should have targeted me in that way, as indeed they targeted many other people. 'But don't forget, this was a company which received an award from No 10 - Christine Lee received an award from No 10 for the good work she was doing within the community in Britain, so to all intents and purposes I believed that they had a green light to operate. 'Nonetheless I was cautious, and I made sure to clear everything I did with the security services.' He added: 'From my point of view, that money was there to improve the work I was able to do in Parliament, and to improve the work I was able to do for my constituents - it paid for those researchers and it paid for them directly, none of it was for my personal benefit.' Asked if he felt foolish, he replied: 'No, I don't feel a fool. But I do feel very angry. I feel very angry that somebody tried to use me in that way.' In 2008 Ms Lee gave 1,200 to then-Labour MP Andrew Dismore. In 2019, when he was on the London Assembly, she gave him a hamper. When Jeremy Corbyn was Labour leader, Miss Lee appeared alongside him at a Chinese New Year event at the party's headquarters. Mr Gardiner chose to keep on Mr Wilkes two years ago when the Daily Mail published a ground-breaking book about so-called 'Tiger Women' such as Ms Lee, who were accused of promoting Beijing's interests in Britain. One of those interests was undoubtedly energy, and Mr Gardiner is a former shadow energy secretary. And the now Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey MP, was energy secretary during the coalition government when he also received a donation of 5,000 to his office, and the same amount to his party in 2013. In 2017 The Times reported that Mr Gardiner, a minister in Tony Blair's government, had 'generally taken a pro-Beijing stance'. It said that in his former role as shadow energy secretary, he supported Chinese involvement in the UK nuclear power industry. Miss Lee began to give substantial amounts of money to Mr Gardiner after initially hosting a gala dinner for his constituency Labour Party in 2014. Soon afterwards her law firm began paying for staff in his parliamentary office, including her son Daniel Wilkes, who was his diary manager until yesterday. A list of research assistants from 2020 shows that two people on Brent North MP Mr Gardiner's books, Thomas Evans and Matthew Torbitt, said they were 'paid by Christine Lee & Co (solicitors) for the work I do in Parliament'. Asked in the past about his financial support from Miss Lee's firm, Mr Gardiner reportedly said he had never been 'improperly requested by, or influenced by' the law firm 'in relation to his conduct as an MP or Labour spokesman'. There is no suggestion of impropriety. Christine Lee and Co's Twitter account, which carries the line 'serving the Chinese community for 20 years', is used to trumpet accolades showered on its boss from Beijing. In 2017, they tweeted: 'Congratulations! Madam Christine Lee has been appointed to Beijing City Overseas Chinese Legal Advisor.' In 2006 Lee founded the British Chinese Project (BCP), whose stated aim is to 'empower the UK Chinese community, making them aware of their democratic rights and responsibilities, whilst ensuring the needs and interests of the community are heard at a political level'. It sounded a very worthy multicultural enterprise. But its Chinese name has different echoes. It translates as 'British Chinese Participation in Politics', linking it to the huaren canzheng infiltration policy of the CCP to maximise political influence in democracies by promoting trusted people of Chinese heritage. As far back as 2006, Miss Lee had given evidence to Parliament. She was candid about her efforts to influence a planned immigration crackdown by Tony Blair's government. 'I have been working on this Bill and lobbying the government for the last four months,' she told MPs on the home affairs committee. She went on: 'I have been lobbying the House of Lords quite heavily for the last three months and the House of Lords have been absolutely wonderful.' She mentioned three female peers who she claimed had 'really pushed the Bill out for us and getting what we demanded', including Labour's Baroness Ashton, who was then a minister and later became the EU's foreign affairs chief. Miss Lee also name-checked the then-immigration minister, saying: 'I did manage to talk to Tony McNulty as well and he has agreed some of our demands.' Incredibly she revealed that her law firm had set up an office inside a British Embassy building in China. 'They are on the second floor, we are on the 17th floor. So every time the British Embassy has a problem, they send the people up to us and we can explain to them in Chinese what is going on there,' she said. Christine Lee with Brent North MP Barry Gardiner Christine Lee has donated 5,000 to the Liberal Democrats in 2005 and another 5,000 to now party leader Ed Davey in 2013, when he was energy Secretary in the coalition government She also mingled with top Tories. In the same year, 2016, she was invited to Downing Street as then-prime minister David Cameron held a reception. According to an interview Miss Lee once gave, in 2010 she was 'the only Chinese member in British prime minister David Cameron's 2010 business delegation to China'. And in 2019 she won a 'Points of Light' award for her work with the British Chinese Project from his successor Theresa May. Lee's was married in Birmingham in 1985 to a man called John Shing, then wed to British solicitor Martin Wilkes in Solihull, West Midlands in 1990. Their elder son Michael, 30, now also a solicitor - was born in 1991 and his brother Daniel, 27, in 1994 and the family lived in the leafy Birmingham suburb of Coleshill. Both sons were born in Birmingham. Martin Wilkes is listed, along with Ms Lee, as a director of Christine Lee & Co (Solicitors) Ltd. Other solicitor directors named in Companies House documents are David Tat Wai Ho and Jennifer Ho. Her Birmingham-based law firm donated more than 200,000 to the MP and his constituency party. In 2007, while a Blair government minister, Gardiner became the chair of her British Chinese Project. A photo of Ms Lee in front of 10 Downing Street shows the iconic door draped with red banners displaying New Year couplets in Chinese characters and announcing the 'Golden Era' of Sino-British relations. A Daily Mail investigation in 2020 revealed Mr Gardiner benefited from more than 500,000 support from Ms Lee's firm. According to the Commons Register of Interests, since 2015 Mr Gardiner has received 542,000 in staff costs from Christine Lee & Co. Christine Lee pictured with Tom Watson at Chinese for Labour event in 2016 Today's email from the Speaker to MPs said: 'I am writing now to draw your attention to the attached Interference Alert issued by the Security Service, MI5, about the activities of an individual, Christine Lee, who has been engaged in political interference activities on behalf of the Chinese Communist Party, engaging with Members here at Parliament and associated political entities, including the former APPG: Chinese in Britain. 'I should highlight the fact that Lee has facilitated financial donations to serving and aspiring Parliamentarians on behalf of foreign nationals based in Hong Kong and China. This facilitation was done covertly to mask the origins of the payments. This is clearly unacceptable behaviour and steps are being taken to ensure it ceases.' Conservative former defence minister Tobias Ellwood also told the chamber: 'This is the sort grey-zone interference we now anticipate and expect from China. 'But the fact that it's happened to this Parliament, there must be a sense of urgency from this Government.' He also asked for a Government statement to be made on Thursday to enable MPs to understand the impact of the actions and the intended response. In 2019 Ms Lee was awarded a Ray Of Light Award by Ms May for her work with the British Chinese Project. In a personal message, Ms May said: 'You should feel very proud of the difference that 'The British Chinese Project' is making in promoting engagement, understanding, and cooperation between the Chinese and British communities in the UK. 'I also wish you well with your work to further the inclusion and participation of British-Chinese people in the UK political system.' This afternoon Tory MP Bob Seely, who is a member of the Commons Foreign Affairs Committee, expressed concern that a Chinese agent appeared to have been operating in Parliament. 'It's clearly serious that there appear to be actual agents of a foreign, adversarial power in Parliament. I congratulate MI5 on their work,' he told the PA news agency. 'However, I do fear that we have been complacent about the threat posed by the Chinese Communist regime, in much the same way that we were and in some respects still are complacent about Russian influence peddling in the UK. 'We should remember that co-opting, subverting and corrupting in today's world is often done not through formal agents, but often through informal agents: people such as powerful business people and oligarchs, think tanks, through the funding of universities and the use of 'lawfare', etc. 'This is why we need a comprehensive approach to Russia and China that understands the comprehensive nature of the problem. We are improving but we need to do more.' The alert comes a week after the head of MI6 thanked China's state news agency for 'free publicity' after it released a mock video ridiculing the UK's growing interest in Beijing. Former PM David Cameron addresses a British Chinese Project event in a photo posted in 2016 A spoof James Bond video (pictured) made by China's state news agency backfired after the head of MI6 thanked them for the 'free publicity' last week BARRY GARDINER: SECURITY SERVICES HAVE KNOWN ABOUT LEE FOR YEARS Statement from Barry Gardiner on the Security Service Interference Alert. Today the Parliamentary Security Director issued a Security Service Interference Alert in relation to Christine Lee and her attempts to engage in political interference on behalf of the Chinese Communist Party. I have been liaising with our Security Services for a number of years about Christine Lee and they have always known, and been made fully aware by me, of her engagement with my office and the donations she made to fund researchers in my office in the past. Steps were taken to ensure Christine Lee had no role in either the appointment or management of those researchers. They are also aware that I have not benefitted personally from those donations in any way. She ceased funding any workers in my office in June 2020. All the donations were properly reported in the register of members' interests and their source verified at the time. I have been assured by the Security Services that whilst they have definitively identified improper funding channelled through Christine Lee, this does not relate to any funding received by my office. Christine Lee's son volunteered in my office many years ago and was subsequently employed by me as a diary manager. He resigned from my employment earlier today. The Security Services have advised me that they have no intelligence that shows he was aware of, or complicit in, his mother's illegal activity. I will continue to work closely with our security services in this and all other matters that relate to the security of our country. Advertisement In a rare public remark, Richard Moore issued a light-hearted riposte to the James Bond satire posted by China's Xinhua News. The video mocked the Western intelligence community's focus on China, poking fun at its alleged propaganda capabilities and the Huawei technology fall-out. Mr Moore - codenamed C - responded on Twitter: 'Thank you for your interest (and the unexpected free publicity!)' The spy chief also included a link to a speech he made last November in which he accused China of mounting large-scale espionage operations against the UK and its allies. In the speech, he said that adapting to a world increasingly dominated by China's influence was the 'single greatest priority for MI6'. Mr Moore also warned about China's use of 'debt traps', in which developing countries accept Beijing's infrastructure loans only to eventually cede control as they struggle with repayments. The tongue-in-cheek video posted on Twitter by Xinhua features two Chinese actors playing British spies called 'James Pond' and 'Black Window'. In the video they poke fun at Mr Moore's description of China as the UK's top security threat. Entitled 'No Time to Die Laughing', a reference to last year's James Bond film No Time to Tie, the clip shows the pair entering a castle where they discuss a dossier on China's espionage tactics. Pond, codenamed 'Agent 0.07', says: 'Is there anything China doesn't watch over?' Alongside canned laughter, Pond describes the 'fictional Chinese debt trap and data trap' as a pathetic excuse to get more funding for British intelligence. In 2020, the UK infuriated China by banning the technology company from supplying equipment to the 5G phone network. Xinhua, which was set up by China Communist Party in 1931 as its press outlet, operates under close Government control. In his recent speech at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, Mr Moore warned China was using social media platforms to 'facilitate their operations'. He added: 'We are concerned by the Chinese government's attempt to distort public discourse and political decision making across the globe.' What is the United Front Work Department of the Chinese Communist Party? In simple terms the United Front Work Department (UFWD) of the Chinese Communist Party is an organisation used by Beiing to exert influence abroad. Today's Security Service Interference Alert issued by MI5 to MPs said it had judged that the UFWD is 'seeking to covertly interfere in UK politics through establishing links with established and aspiring parliamentarians across the political spectrum'. The alert said that the UFWD 'seeks to cultivate relationships with influential figures in order to ensure the UK political landscape is favourable to the CCP's agenda and to challenge those that raise concerns about CCP activity, such as human rights'. The modern version of the UFWD was established in 1979. But its efforts and capacity are said to have increased during the presidency of Xi Jinping. The UFWD reports directly to the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party which is made up of the party's most senior figures. The organisation, which reportedly has more than 40,000 personnel, focuses its work on people who are outside the party and seeks to ensure that individuals or groups abroad are supportive of the Beijing regime. It also aims to divide critics of the Chinese government. The work of the UFWD was examined in a report published by the White House in May 2020 which looked at what the US strategic approach should be towards China. The report stated: 'CCP United Front organisations and agents target businesses, universities, think tanks, scholars, journalists, and local, state, and Federal officials in the United States and around the world, attempting to influence discourse and restrict external influence inside the PRC (People's Republic of China). An August 2018 report published by the US-China Economic and Security Review Commission, an independent agency of the US government, said the UFWD 'has an important foreign influence mission'. It said: 'China uses what it calls 'United Front' work to co-opt and neutralize sources of potential opposition to the policies and authority of its ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP). 'The CCP's United Front Work Department (UFWD) the agency responsible for coordinating these kinds of influence operationsmostly focuses on the management of potential opposition groups inside China, but it also has an important foreign influence mission.' Advertisement Christine Lee: Twice married-mother, lawyer and 'spy': How 'Tiger woman' was lauded for promoting China's interests in the west ... so were MPs her 'useful idiots' ? To the casual observer, Christine Lee, 58, would appear to be a respectable British solicitor whose firm also has offices in Beijing, Hong Kong, Guangzhou, London and Birmingham. But she was described two years ago by eminent authors Professor Clive Hamilton and Mareike Ohlberg as one of a number of so-called 'Tiger Women' with Anglo-Chinese heritage devoted to promoting China's interests in the west. Hidden Hand: how the Chinese Communist Party covertly influences the West, revealed in 2020 that officials had for years been cultivating contacts at the top of British politics and business. The book claimed senior politicians on both the Right and the Left were acting as 'useful idiots' to push the Chinese line at the top of government. And it seems little has changed since then. Lee's links to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) go deep. She has been chief legal adviser to the Chinese embassy in London and a legal adviser to the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office, an agency of the Communist Party's vast network of influence overseen by its United Front Work Department. Lee's links to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) go deep. She has been chief legal adviser to the Chinese embassy in London and a legal adviser to the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office, an agency of the Communist Party's vast network of influence overseen by its United Front Work Department. Ms Lee is a solicitor with an office in central London. She is a former chief legal adviser to the Chinese embassy in London and a legal adviser to the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office. In January 2019, she received a Points of Light Award from then premier Theresa May, in recognition of her contribution to good relations with China. These positions are, the authors argued, unmistakable signs of her importance to the Party. Yet she was also the secretary of the Inter-Party China Group of the British parliament. Many are also in the 48 Group Club, nicknamed the 'icebreakers', a networking hub set up in the 1950s by members of the Communist Party of Great Britain. Hamilton Ohlberg claimed this group is one of the most glaring examples of the way 'Beijing courts Britain's elites'. Lord Heseltine and Lord Prescott are both listed as patrons of the group but Lord Heseltine said he did not think anyone would believe he was part of a Communist conspiracy. The book's authors stated: 'In our judgement, so entrenched are the CCP's influence networks among British elites that Britain has passed the point of no return, and any attempt to extricate itself from Beijing's orbit would probably fail.' In 2006 Lee founded the British Chinese Project (BCP), whose stated aim is to 'empower the UK Chinese community, making them aware of their democratic rights and responsibilities, whilst ensuring the needs and interests of the community are heard at a political level'. It sounded a very worthy multicultural enterprise But its Chinese name has different echoes. It translates as 'British Chinese Participation in Politics', linking it to the huaren canzheng infiltration policy of the CCP to maximise political influence in democracies by promoting trusted people of Chinese heritage. Lee had apparently been married five years earlier in Birmingham before she wed British solicitor Martin Wilkes in Solihull, West Midlands in 1990. Their elder son Michael, 30, now also a solicitor - was born in 1991 and his brother Daniel, 27, in 1994 and the family lived in the leafy Birmingham suburb of Coleshill. Both sons were born in Birmingham. Martin Wilkes is listed, along with Ms Lee, as a director of Christine Lee & Co (Solicitors) Ltd. Other solicitor directors named in Companies House documents are David Tat Wai Ho and Jennifer Ho. Political website Guido Fawkes reported that Lee ran BCP alongside her son Michael and in 2015 the pair congratulated Tory MP Alan Mak for his victory in the General Election, referring to 'our Chinese candidates'. Mr Mak now a government whip told Guido he had 'never met [and] never spoke with [Lee]', adding the BCP were a 'bad bunch' who he'd 'always stayed away from'. Lee's involvement in British politics began during the prime ministership of Tony Blair, when she formed an alliance with Labour MP and minister Barry Gardiner, more recently Labour's shadow international trade secretary. Her law firm donated more than 500,000 to the MP and his constituency party. In 2007, while a Blair government minister, Gardiner became the chair of her British Chinese Project and the two of them embarked on a programme of making friends in Westminster, boosted by Gardiner's formation in 2011 of 'an all-party group to represent Chinese citizens in Britain'. One of Lee's children, Michael Wilkes, became its vice chairman while another son, Daniel, worked in Gardiner's parliamentary office, with his salary paid by his mother's firm. The firm defended these political links in 2020, saying: 'Christine Lee & Co is proud of its record of public service and the support it has provided to the democratic process. We have never sought to influence any politician improperly or to seek any favours in return for the support that we have provided.' Mr Gardiner said at the time her son had volunteered in his office before securing employment through an open appointment process and that he had never been 'improperly requested by, or influenced by' the firm in his political work. He issued a similar statement today, though adding this time that Daniel Wilkes had resigned from the MP's office this morning. The MP has been a strong advocate of closer Sino-British relations. and investment in Britain by China's sovereign wealth fund. He backed the construction of a nuclear power station at Hinkley Point by a state-owned Chinese corporation, which Theresa May's government put on hold due to concerns about national security. He is also reported as having strongly opposed internal party criticism of Chinese involvement in the Hinkley Point project. Lee appeared to develop a good relationship with David Cameron while he was prime minister. In January last year, she received a Points of Light Award from Prime Minister May, in recognition of her contribution to good relations with China. A photo of Lee in front of 10 Downing Street showed the iconic door draped with red banners displaying New Year couplets in Chinese characters and announcing the 'Golden Era' of Sino-British relations. The symbolism is blunt and powerful: Lee at the heart of Britain's government, being embraced by it. Two British drug smugglers who tried to sneak class A drugs into the UK from the Caribbean stashed in parcels disguised as tins of beans and coconut milk have been jailed for a total of 15 years. Daniel Kelly, 43, and Steven Gilhooly, 43, used canned goods to try and ship around 6lbs (2.74kg) of cocaine with a street value of more than 250,000 into Britain. The smuggling operation was discovered when two packages sent from St Lucia heading to homes in Charlton and Greenwich, south east London, were intercepted by customs. These parcels that were sent on December 20 and 24, 2018, stated they contained tinned goods of condensed coconut milk and beans. Daniel Kelly, 43, (left) and Steven Gilhooly, 43, (right) used canned goods to try and ship around 6lbs (2.74kg) of cocaine with a street value of more than 250,000 into Britain But when they were forensically examined it was discovered the first parcel had 4.3lbs (1.95kg) of cocaine hidden inside and there was 1.7lbs (792g) of the substance in the second packet. In total the cocaine seized by police had an estimated street value of 250,000, police said. Drug gang investigators in the UK were already probing Kelly and Gilhooly and discovered they bought a machine can sealer and blank tin lids in order to reseal tin cans. The British nationals also purchased a string of condiments and other goods that would be sold in the Caribbean island of St Lucia. The smuggling operation was discovered when two packages sent from St Lucia heading to homes in Charlton and Greenwich, south east London, were intercepted by customs Four days before the first parcel arrived in the capital, Kelly and Gilhooly flew from Gatwick to St Lucia, where they told officials they were arriving for a holiday and border authorities recorded they had the can sealer in their luggage. Officers later discovered the two cocaine parcels were sent from a St Lucian Post office by Kelly, who used a fake driving licence that had his image but false personal details as ID. However it was not for another year that Kelly was arrested when he was from prison where he was serving time for a different crime. National Crime Agency (NCA) officers made an International Letter of Request to Saint Lucian authorities asking for help in this case, leading to vital evidence being revealed. Yesterday, Kelly was sentenced to six-and-a-half years in prison, while Gilhooly was jailed for eight-and-a-half years for importing class A drugs into the UK. Both men, of no fixed addresses, were jailed at Snaresbook Crown Court. These parcels that were sent on December 20 and 24, 2018, stated they contained tinned goods of condensed coconut milk and beans Earlier this month on the first day of his trial, Kelly admitted the allegations, while Gilhooly was found guilty by a jury on Tuesday (Jan 11). Detective Inspector Matthew Webb from the Metropolitan Police Specialist Crime teams said today after the sentencing: 'The sentencing is the result of a long-term investigation by the Metropolitan Police Service and our partners. 'I would like to offer my thanks to the officer in the case, Detective Constable Phil Price, the National Crime Agency, Border Force and Saint Lucian authorities who all worked together with us during the course of this protracted investigation. 'This should send a clear and strong message to those intent on penetrating our borders that offences of this nature are taken very seriously and we will leave no stone unturned in bringing them to justice. In total the cocaine seized by police had an estimated street value of 250,000, police said 'Both men travelled to St Lucia with the sole purpose of importing class A drugs back into the United Kingdom. 'The miserable effect that drugs supply has on our communities is undeniable and inextricably linked to violence within our communities. 'Both men were willing to take such a risk with this offending - thinking they were beyond the reach of the law and hoping to monetise profits. 'Instead, they now face hefty prison sentences. I hope this provides them the opportunity to reflect on their behaviour and demonstrates that crime doesn't pay.' NCA Branch Commander Mark McCormack added: 'These men thought they could circumvent the UK's border controls by utilising the fast parcel system, but this is a threat we and our law enforcement partners like Border Force and the MPS are alive to.' Christine Lees penetration into the heart of the British political establishment has been breathtakingly successful. The Chinese lawyer consorted in plain sight with Prime Ministers, peers and senior MPs, pumping hundreds of thousands of pounds into both Labour and Tory coffers as, according to MI5, she sought to extend Beijings influence. Her law firm, with offices in London, Birmingham and China and Hong Kong, bankrolled former Labour front-bencher and Corbyn ally Barry Gardiner MPs office, to the tune of over 500,000 over five years and her son Daniel Wilkes worked in the same office as his diary secretary with his own Parliamentary pass for several years at least, until his sudden resignation today. A long line of politicians from all sides of the House have also been happy to be associated with Ms Lee until MI5s damning assessment of her interference covertly seeking to gain influence was issued in a bombshell alert. She has donated 5,000 to the Liberal Democrats in 2005 and another 5,000 to now party leader Ed Davey in 2013, when he was energy Secretary in the coalition government. So popular was she in Westminster that just two years ago Lee received glowing praise from Theresa May as she was given a Points of Light award for making a difference in her community. Christine Lee's political influence in both Britain and China is clear when you consider that Lee, a twice-married mother-of-two has been pictured with both David Cameron (pictured together at the British GG2 leadership awards in 2015) and China President Xi Jinpin Her law firm, with offices in London, Birmingham and China and Hong Kong, bankrolled former Labour front-bencher and Corbyn ally Barry Gardiner MPs office, to the tune of over 500,000 over five years. Pictured: Lee with Gardiner outside the Houses of Parliament in 2013 Mrs May told her in a statement issued by Downing Street: You should feel very proud of the difference that The British Chinese Project is making in promoting engagement, understanding, and cooperation between the Chinese and British communities in the UK. I also wish you well with your work to further the inclusion and participation of British-Chinese people in the UK political system. Her political influence in both Britain and China is clear when you consider that Lee, a twice-married mother-of-two has been pictured with both David Cameron and China President Xi Jinpin. And her company was described by China Daily as the only Chinese-owned British law firm approved by the Chinese government to set up offices in China. Lee's influence at Westminster and her friendship with Gardiner dates back to 2004 when she founded the British Chinese Poroject which claimed to be a 'non-partisan, voluntary organisation seeking to raise the presence of the Chinese community in the British political arena.' The group was once chaired by Gardiner. She ran the group alongside her other son, Michael Wilkes. Research revealed that both Lee and Wilkes had previously congratulated Tory MP Alan Mak for his electoral victory in 2015 and the BCP referred to 'our Chinese candidates'. Ms Lee, a London-based solicitor and a former chief legal adviser to the Chinese embassy in London, speaking to former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn in 2016. She is also the secretary of the Inter-Party China Group at Westminster. A warning memo was sent to all MPs and Peers in Westminster today by the Speaker's Parliamentary security team, and no politicians are suspected of any criminality. Parliamentarians were told Christine Lee has been monitored by the security services for some time but has not been arrested and is not being expelled as it stands Mr Gardiner also formed in 2011 an all-party group to represent Chinese citizens in Britain, which has since disbanded. Such was his closeness to Lee that Mr Gardiner chose to keep on her David two years ago when the Daily Mail published a ground-breaking book about so-called Tiger Women such as Ms Lee, who were accused of promoting Beijings interests in Britain. One of those interests was undoubtedly energy, and Mr Gardiner is a former shadow energy secretary. And the now Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey MP, was energy secretary during the coalition government when he also received a donation of 5,000 to his office, and the same amount to his party in 2013. Mr Gardiner has been supportive of China's attempts to get more involved in Britain's nuclear industry, including the Hinkley Point power plant. Christine Lee pictured with Keith Vaz at Chinese for Labour event in 2016 Christine Lee pictured with Tom Watson at Chinese for Labour event in 2016 In 2017 The Times reported that Mr Gardiner, a minister in Tony Blair's government, had 'generally taken a pro-Beijing stance'. It said that in his former role as shadow energy secretary, he supported Chinese involvement in the UK nuclear power industry. Asked in the past about his financial support from Miss Lee's firm, Mr Gardiner reportedly said he had never been 'improperly requested by, or influenced by' the law firm 'in relation to his conduct as an MP or Labour spokesman'. There is no suggestion of impropriety. A book, called Hidden Hand by Professor Clive Hamilton and Mareike Ohlberg, referred to those politicians being courted by Ms Lee and others like her, as useful idiots. Mr Gardiner secretary said yesterday that he had been in touch with MI5 for a number of years about Ms Lee and his engagement with her firm and the political donations. What he didnt say was what the spy chiefs view of the arrangment had been. Todays MI5 warning made that all too clear. Christine Lee has donated 5,000 to the Liberal Democrats in 2005 and another 5,000 to now party leader Ed Davey in 2013, when he was energy Secretary in the coalition government Christine Lee and Cos Twitter account, which carries the line serving the Chinese community for 20 years, is used to trumpet accolades showered on its boss from Beijing. In 2017, they tweeted: Congratulations! Madam Christine Lee has been appointed to Beijing City Overseas Chinese Legal Advisor. In 2006 Lee founded the British Chinese Project (BCP), whose stated aim is to 'empower the UK Chinese community, making them aware of their democratic rights and responsibilities, whilst ensuring the needs and interests of the community are heard at a political level'. It sounded a very worthy multicultural enterprise But its Chinese name has different echoes. It translates as 'British Chinese Participation in Politics', linking it to the huaren canzheng infiltration policy of the CCP to maximise political influence in democracies by promoting trusted people of Chinese heritage. Lee was married in Birmingham in 1985 to a man called John Shing, then wed to British solicitor Martin Wilkes in Solihull, West Midlands in 1990. Their elder son Michael, 30, now also a solicitor - was born in 1991 and his brother Daniel, 27, in 1994 and the family lived in the leafy Birmingham suburb of Coleshill. Both sons were born in Birmingham. Martin Wilkes is listed, along with Ms Lee, as a director of Christine Lee & Co (Solicitors) Ltd. Other solicitor directors named in Companies House documents are David Tat Wai Ho and Jennifer Ho. Political website Guido Fawkes yesterday reported that Lee ran BCP alongside her son Michael and in 2015 the pair congratulated Tory MP Alan Mak for his victory in the General Election, referring to our Chinese candidates. Mr Mak now a government whip told Guido he had never met [and] never spoke with [Lee], adding the BCP were a bad bunch who hed always stayed away from. President Biden urged businesses to bring in vaccine mandates on their own and pushed states to 'do the right thing' after the Supreme Court voted 6-3 to block his sweeping rules on private companies in a crushing blow to his pandemic response. The high court did however allow a vaccine mandate for employees at health care facilities receiving federal dollars to go into effect. Twenty-seven states had petitioned the Supreme Court to issue a stay on the rule while it is battled out in the judicial system. It's the latest setback in a devastating 48 hours for Biden, who failed to get enough support among Senate Democrats to kill the filibuster and pass voting rights legislation. He also saw his approval rating plummet to 33 percent in a Quinnipiac poll published Wednesday and inflation grow to its highest point in 40 years with a 7 percent price rise in December. The conservative justices claim Biden's rule was over-broad and would have presented a 'significant encroachment' on the 'everyday lives -- and health -- of' the 84 million American workers that would have been impacted. The justices passed Biden's mandate for healthcare workers 5-4, with Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Brett Kavanaugh siding with liberal Justices Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan and Stephen Breyer. Biden called the ruling on private businesses 'disappointing' in a statement on Thursday afternoon but added that the decision to keep the healthcare mandate 'will save lives.' 'This emergency standard allowed employers to require vaccinations or to permit workers to refuse to be vaccinated, so long as they were tested once a week and wore a mask at work: a very modest burden,' the president claimed. 'As a result of the Court's decision, it is now up to States and individual employers to determine whether to make their workplaces as safe as possible for employees, and whether their businesses will be safe for consumers during this pandemic by requiring employees to take the simple and effective step of getting vaccinated.' Thirteen states including Texas, Florida and Arizona have bans or limits on imposing vaccine mandates while many companies including Macy's and Starbucks have already announced measures for their employees. Democrat-led states such as New York with their own mandates won't be impacted and can keep their rules in place, while states without any rules in place can decide for themselves. Republicans celebrated the decision by calling it a 'victory for freedom' after claiming it was an overreach for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) - the agency usually tasked with investigating asbestos and workplace accidents. The decision also came as new data appeared to show Omicron may have peaked that cases could soon fall sharply. Statistics from Johns Hopkins University shows that New York, New Jersey and Maryland have all seen seven day-average cases drop in recent days. Deaths have spiked by 20 per cent in a fortnight to around 1,820 a day, but still sit far below the peaks of winter 2020, even though more COVID infections are being recorded. The Supreme Court has blocked President Joe Biden 's vaccine-or-test mandate for private companies with 100 or more employees, in a 6-3 decision handed down on Thursday that dealt a crushing blow to the White House's pandemic response It's the latest setback in a bad day for Joe Biden (pictured telling reporters that Democrats' current plan for voting rights is dead after moderate Sen. Kyrsten Sinema objected to scuttling the filibuster) Biden's rival Donald Trump praised the decision and mocked Biden's campaign-era promise to 'shut down' the virus. 'The Supreme Court has spoken, confirming what we all knew: Biden's disastrous mandates are unconstitutional,' Trump said in a statement through his Save America PAC. 'Biden promised to shut down the virus, not the economy but he has failed miserably on bothand mandates would have further destroyed the economy. We are proud of the Supreme Court for not backing down. No mandates!' Biden rolled out sweeping measures in September aimed at getting more Americans vaccinated, after the rate of inoculations slumped as the Delta variant brought a new wave of infections over the summer. If implemented, they would have affected a combined one-third of the US workforce. Following the president's orders the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA), the agency which ensures public and private workplace safety on a federal level, rolled out details for its rules for private companies. In the 6-3 majority opinion, the conservative justices claim the rule 'draws no distinctions based on industry or risk of exposure to COVID19.' They go on to argue that COVID-19 is not an 'occupational hazard' and can be spread 'at home, in schools, during sporting events, and everywhere else that people gather.' 'That kind of universal risk is no different from the day-to-day dangers that all face from crime, air pollution, or any number of communicable diseases,' the opinion states. Biden on Thursday said he was disappointed with the Supreme Court's decision, but would urge businesses to step up and tell States to do the right thing 'Permitting OSHA to regulate the hazards of daily lifesimply because most Americans have jobs and face those same risks while on the clockwould significantly expand OSHA's regulatory authority without clear congressional authorization.' This is no 'everyday exercise of federal power': SCOTUS justices key arguments in their decision 'It draws no distinctions based on industry or risk of exposure to COVID19. Thus, most lifeguards and linemen face the same regulations as do medics and meatpackers.' 'This is no 'everyday exercise of federal power' ... It is instead a significant encroachment into the livesand healthof a vast number of employees.' 'Although COVID 19 is a risk that occurs in many workplaces, it is not an occupational hazard in most. COVID19 can and does spread at home, in schools, during sporting events, and everywhere else that people gather... '...That kind of universal risk is no different from the day-to-day dangers that all face from crime, air pollution, or any number of communicable diseases.' 'OSHA's indiscriminate approach fails to account for this crucial distinction between occupational risk and risk more generallyand accordingly the mandate takes on the character of a general public health measure, rather than an 'occupational safety or health standard.'' Advertisement They called the rule a 'blunt instrument' that would improperly place the same workplace guidelines on a 'lineman' as a 'medic.' In his concurring opinion Justice Neil Gorsuch appeared to take a jab at White House Chief of Staff Ron Klain, who landed himself and Biden in hot water late last year by retweeting an MSNBC host calling the mandate the 'ultimate work-around' to normal Congressional authorities. Gorsuch said it appeared that OSHA 'pursued its regulatory initiative only as a legislative 'work-around.'' In typical fashion Klain took to Twitter to defend his boss's mandate on Thursday. 'We didn't impose ANY vaccine requirements until August, and the one the Court stayed today was not announced until September,' Klain wrote. 'These requirements were used only after persuasion, incentives ($100 to get a vax), and final FDA approval were all in place.' Republican praise for the court's decision poured in near-immediately. House GOP Leader Kevin McCarthy blasted Biden's mandates as 'unlawful and not based on science' before promising to continue to oppose the rule for healthcare workers. 'Today's ruling blocking OSHA's vaccine mandate is a welcomed rejection of an arbitrary, aggressive, and authoritarian government. But the fight isn't over. Republicans will continue to speak up for the many health care workers who have been wrongly fired due to a similar mandate,' McCarthy said. 'This is a huge win. The federal government has no place making far-reaching mandates that put an undue burden on businesses across Wyoming,' Senator Cynthia Lummis wrote on Twitter. Mike Pompeo, Donald Trump's ex-Secretary of State, said Biden's mandate is 'unconstitutional. Period.' 'Grateful the Supreme Court agreed. We must always be vigilant to ensure the federal government does not become too powerful,' Pompeo said on the platform. The GOP tweeted: 'This is a victory for American workers, and the GOP is proud of our role filing one of the lawsuits that halted this mandate.' Senator Roger Marshall, a licensed physician, celebrated: 'This is a HUGE victory for all Americans who were forced to fight against Joe Biden's cruel campaign to punish workers over their medical freedom.' National Republican Party chair Ronna McDaniel said: 'We are proud to have filed one of the lawsuits challenging the Biden administration and are encouraged by this ruling, but the fight is not over. The Republican National Committee will continue to stand up for businesses and workers.' Will the states step in? How Democrat states could employee their own private mandates, and the Republicans could introduce more bans The Supreme Court ruling will give essentially leave it up to the states to decide whether to put a mandate on private employees in place. Thirteen Republican states have already imposed a ban or limitation on such mandates, but Democrat-led states may have the option of extending rules for state and healthcare workers into the private sector. Vaccines are mandated for for state workers in 19 states while they are banned in 10 states, according to the National Academy for Health and State Policy. Here is a breakdown of mandates in the states: (Source Leading Age) Thirteen states that have banned or limited vaccine mandates on employees Arizona: Ban applies to all employers except healthcare. Healthcare institutions are permitted but not mandated to require vaccinations. However, they must provide 'reasonable accommodation' for any who are unvaccinated. Arkansas*: Ban scope is only state entities; does not address private sector employers. Florida: Ban scope includes ALL private and public employers, and employers who violate the ban face a $10,000 per employee violation fine. Georgia: Ban scope is only state entities; does not address private sector employers. Idaho: Ban scope is only state entities; does not address private sector employers. Indiana: Ban scope is only state entities; does not address private sector employers. Kansas: Ban scope includes all private and public employers. Montana: Ban applies to all employers except healthcare. Healthcare institutions are permitted to ask employees to voluntarily share their status and may assume that anyone who does not share their status is unvaccinated. However, they must provide 'reasonable accommodation' for any who are unvaccinated. New Hampshire: Generally bans the mandate of vaccines as a condition of employment unless a 'direct threat' exists (see link for definition) that cannot be addressed by other means or a reasonable accommodation North Dakota: Ban scope is only state entities; does not address private sector employers. Tennessee: Ban scope is only state entities; does not address private sector employers. Texas: Ban scope includes all private and public employers. Utah: Ban scope is only state entities; does not address private sector employers. Some of these Republican states could widen their ban on mandates. Other GOP states not on the list could also be considering measures. States that mandate for health care workers, 'vaccination or termination' Colorado Maine New York Oregon Rhode Island Washington States that mandate for health care workers, 'vaccination or testing and masking' Connecticut Illinois Maryland Advertisement Earlier on Thursday, Biden smirked as reporters asked him questions about the COVID response and when he will hold his next news conference 'It is now up to States and individual employers to determine whether to make their workplaces safe': Biden's full SCOTUS ruling reply My administration began to institute vaccination requirements last July, when after months of making vaccinations free and widely available, 90 million Americans were still unvaccinated. Today, that number is down to under 35 million. These vaccine requirements applied to members of the Armed Forces, federal workers and contractors, health care workers, and employees in large firms. Had my administration not put vaccination requirements in place, we would be now experiencing a higher death toll from COVID-19 and even more hospitalizations. Today's decision by the Supreme Court to uphold the requirement for health care workers will save lives: the lives of patients who seek care in medical facilities, as well as the lives of doctors, nurses, and others who work there. It will cover 10.4 million health care workers at 76,000 medical facilities. We will enforce it. At the same time, I am disappointed that the Supreme Court has chosen to block common-sense life-saving requirements for employees at large businesses that were grounded squarely in both science and the law. This emergency standard allowed employers to require vaccinations or to permit workers to refuse to be vaccinated, so long as they were tested once a week and wore a mask at work: a very modest burden. As a result of the Court's decision, it is now up to States and individual employers to determine whether to make their workplaces as safe as possible for employees, and whether their businesses will be safe for consumers during this pandemic by requiring employees to take the simple and effective step of getting vaccinated. The Court has ruled that my administration cannot use the authority granted to it by Congress to require this measure, but that does not stop me from using my voice as President to advocate for employers to do the right thing to protect Americans' health and economy. I call on business leaders to immediately join those who have already stepped up including one third of Fortune 100 companies and institute vaccination requirements to protect their workers, customers, and communities. We have to keep working together if we want to save lives, keep people working, and put this pandemic behind us. Advertisement In his reaction to the Supreme Court ruling, Trump mocked Biden's campaign promise to 'shut down' the virus White House Chief of Staff Ron Klain defended his boss' vaccine rule. In his concurring opinion with the majority, Justice Neil Gorsuch took a shot at Klain for retweeting that Biden's order is the 'ultimate work-around' in November Trump Secretary of State Mike Pompeo praised the Supreme Court's decision on private businesses As of now 25 states have some kind of workplace COVID vaccine mandates, 16 of which have a rule specifically for healthcare workers or long-term care workers, according to Leading Age's tracker. The majority of states with vaccination mandates also provide an alternative testing option. Six states have a 'vaccine or terminate' rule for health care settings, meaning only employees who qualify for specific exemptions can work there unvaccinated. The Biden administration was already on the back foot with COVID on Thursday. Earlier the president gave a rambling 10-minute speech ahead of his COVID-19 briefing during which he announced that 1 billion at-home tests would be sent out to Americans, after his administration was criticized for its delayed response to the Omicron variant. After the speech he refused to take questions, telling a journalist asking about guidelines for vaccinated Americans: 'Folks, we'll talk about that later, come on.' He's seen public approval of his handling of the pandemic plunge, according to a new NewsNation poll. Despite seeing poll numbers sink on a range of fronts from foreign policy to the economy, Biden's approval rating on COVID has managed to scrape by above 50 percent until now. Biden's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic was also panned by respondents Just 45 percent of Americans now approve of how Biden is dealing with COVID, a devastating blow to a president who won the White House after making a promise to 'shut down' the virus. The Democratic National Committee reacted to the Supreme Court's decision by saying it does not change the importance of vaccines as a tool against the pandemic. 'Nor does it change the fact that it is Republican leaders, governors, senators, and House members who continue to dangerously undermine vaccines, elevate anti-vaxxers, and echo conspiracy theories on a daily basis to cater to a fringe, unvaccinated group,' the DNC said. The court's three liberals argued in their dissenting opinion that the coronavirus is particularly a 'menace in work settings.' 'It spreads by person-to-person contact in confined indoor spaces, so causes harm in nearly all workplace environments. And in those environments, more than any others, individuals have little control, and therefore little capacity to mitigate risk,' Sotomayor, Kagan and Breyer argue. In a searing response to the ruling, they accuse the conservative majority of gravely misapplying the law and therefore stopping Biden from battling the 'unparalleled threat' of coronavirus. 'In our view, the Court's order seriously misapplies the applicable legal standards. And in so doing, it stymies the Federal Government's ability to counter the unparalleled threat that COVID19 poses to our Nation's workers,' they claim. The track records of movie sequels and television reboots of 90's sitcoms are littered with flat-out failures. Generally retreads are more indicative of lazy Hollywood dimwits trying to recapture past glory than of any compelling reason to regurgitate old ideas. Did you ever see The Hangover Part II? How about Part III? But now, two prominent Democrats are giving the reboot treatment to Hillary Clinton for president! In a recent Wall Street Journal opinion piece they made the argument even going as far as claiming that she could run as a 'change candidate.' Right because the plot to Rocky V really evolved from the original. The only possible compelling part of this desperate idea is that it renewed speculation over another Trump/Clinton showdown. But just like tired old Tinseltown remakes, this potential political rematch begs the question - Is anyone asking for this? Though if I had to handicap it, I'd say Hillary in 2024 would be a box-office flop of epic proportions. It is understandable that the Democratic party is doing some soul searching right now. After all, Joe Biden is 79 years old and spends most of his time talking to a teleprompter inside his fake White House set. A recent Quinnipiac poll has his approval rating at 33%. His Build Back Better agenda appears to be going nowhere. The only possible compelling part of this desperate idea is that it renewed speculation over another Trump/Clinton showdown. (Above) Trump and Clinton face off in final presidential debate on the campus of the University of Las Vegas on October 19, 2016 The President has not held a full press conference in more than 70 days, and despite talking a big game, he is far from shutting down the virus. As for his heir apparent? Vice President Kamala Harris isn't faring much better than her boss. She has been tasked with leading the effort on voting rights and stemming the migration crisis on the southern border. Neither of her missions have been accomplished, to put it mildly. Even with those grim prospects, are we really to believe that the woman who lost to Barack Obama in the 2008 Democratic primary and Donald Trump in the 2016 presidential election is the next great hope? There is a reason Hillary Clinton lost not once, but twice on the big stage. In fact, there are several reasons. The first one being that Bill Clinton's wife comes with a lot of baggage. And I'm not even talking about her scandal-ridden husband. The progressives on the left, who now have free rein of the party, don't have the fondest feelings towards former President Obama's Secretary of State. And can you blame them? In 2017, former interim DNC chair Donna Brazile alleged that Clinton rigged the Democratic National Committee against her then-opponent Bernie Sanders. Brazile claimed she couldn't write a press release without getting the Clinton campaign's approval. Hillary couldn't prove she was the strongest candidate in 2016, because of serious questions regarding her health. (Above) In 2016, after a 9/11 ceremony in New York City, Clinton was captured on video collapsing into the arms of her Secret Service agents 'If the fight had been fair, one campaign would not have control of the party before the voters had decided which one they wanted to lead,' Brazile wrote. 'This was not a criminal act, but as I saw it, it compromised the party's integrity.' The results left a lot of voters, especially the Bernie bros, infuriated. Considering how the far-left movement has only grown stronger since Clinton screwed over the grumpy socialist from Vermont, what makes anyone think that she could win over the socialist faction of her party now? Another reason -- Hillary couldn't prove she was the strongest candidate in 2016, because of serious questions regarding her health. In 2016, after a 9/11 ceremony, Clinton collapsed and was carried into her car. She was later diagnosed with pneumonia. At campaign stops, she would often have trouble finishing speeches without having to take long pauses due to constant coughing fits. Many people were left wondering if she was healthy enough to handle the job. It is hard to imagine these concerns wouldn't pose a problem 8 years later, especially as an increasing percentage of voters say aging-Biden is not up to the job. Clinton would be 77-years-old if she entered the Oval Office. Then there is Hillary's likability problem. In 2016, a majority of the country had an unfavorable opinion of Hillary Clinton. It didn't matter that she had Jay-Z and Beyonce endorsing her or that Barack Obama said she was the most qualified presidential candidate ever. It didn't even help that she visited a Chipotle on the campaign trail and ordered a burrito bowl like real people do. America's unfavorable opinion of Hillary only got worse after the election. Nearly 2 years after she lost, her approval sank even further to 36%. Sure, Trump had stunning unfavorables as well. However, Trump proved he could win on the national stage despite his unpopularity. America has a love-hate relationship with Trump. Hillary only could manage half of the love-hate equation. While some people think Orange Man can be blamed for all the world's ills, other people would stand in line for hours to attend his rallies while wearing MAGA shirts and hats. There are several reasons Hillary Clinton lost not once, but twice on the big stage. The first one being that Bill Clinton's wife comes with a lot of baggage. (Above) Then-first lady Hillary Rodham Clinton watches then-President Clinton thank Democratic congressman who voted against impeachment during remarks at the White House on Dec. 19, 1998. People either hated Hillary or they considered holding their nose for her. The enthusiasm wasn't there. Clinton also famously lost Rust Belt voters who previously went for Obama in 2008. She didn't even campaign in Wisconsin during the general election. Biden won many of those voters back, in Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, and carried the presidency. Do we have any reason to think Hillary would win those voters over in 2024? She has only become more progressive and tone deaf. Not to mention Hillary's laundry-list of scandals: Whitewater, the private server, the Clinton Foundation, Benghazi, the Steele Dossier. If Hillary runs, the GOP should ask Peter Schweizer of 'Clinton Cash' if he wants to be the creative director of their attack ads. The Clinton family's corruption and influence peddling is as infamous as it is infuriating. Even the Russia hoax fanatics over at CNN had to acknowledge Clinton's involvement with the dirty dossier. Nearly a year passed before the full truth came out about the financing out the Steele dossier. The money had flowed from Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign to law firm Perkins Coie, to the research company Fusion GPS, and then ultimately to Christopher Steele. The full accounting of the Russia hoax is still pending which means there could be even more to this dirty tricks operation. Lastly, when considering election outcomes, it is also important to factor in the mood of the country. The Clinton family's corruption and influence peddling is as infamous as it is infuriating. (Above) Clinton speaks during a news conference at the United Nations in New York, U.S., on Tuesday, March 10, 2015, and defended the legality of her use of a private e-mail account and server In 2020, Americans were assured that Joe Biden was going to unite the country after the divisive years of Donald Trump. How is that working out for us? After warning the unvaccinated that they have a winter of death and sickness to look forward to, the President recently compared people who are against federalizing elections to segregationists George Wallace and Bull Connor. The Kumbaya moments we were promised are few and far between. After buying Biden's unity BS, are Americans now going to believe that the woman who called half of Donald Trump's supporters 'deplorable' is going to bring the nation together? Hillary has been on a cringeworthy journey to figure out why things didn't go her way in 2016. Her pursuit for answers has led to memoirs, documentaries, and even an embarrassing interview with Willie Geist in which Hillary, while choking back tears, read her 2016 would be victory speech. All of these self-aggrandizing publicity stunts have only highlighted exactly why voters never liked her in the first place. Hillary Clinton runs for the White House Part III? I wouldn't even pay to stream that. Listen to Grace's show every weekday from 12-3 at GraceCurleyShow.com. Police said a Miami couple kidnapped a man and held him hostage at gunpoint, torturing him for three days before he was able to escape. Miami Police said that on December 28, Marie Dorsainvil, 52, contacted an unidentified victim and asked him to give her a ride to her apartment and then for him to go up with her. Police said the victim, who said he knew Dosainvil since February 2020, hesitated because they were both married to other people, but was convinced when Dorsainvil told the victim her husband was in Haiti, CBS Miami reported. Police arrested the married couple (pictured) and charged them with kidnapping, armed robbery and attempted murder Once inside the apartment at Villages Apartment homes (pictured) the victim sat on the couch, and was tied up by the arms and legs and held at gunpoint Once inside the apartment at Villages Apartment homes the victim sat on the couch, and was tied up by the arms and legs by Marie's husband Occius Dorsainvil, 56, when he entered the apartment with a gun. For the next 72 hours the victim was chained up and held against his will at gunpoint, according to Miami Police arrest forms. The duo allegedly demanded $50,000 in cash from the victim and repeatedly threatened to shoot him and tortured him, police said. Police said the suspects forced the man to rehearse and record a statement admitting to having and affair with the 52-year-old. They also told him that if he went to the bathroom, they'd force him to eat it, and if he refused, they'd shoot him, CBS Miami reported. The victim told the couple that he didn't have $50,000 to give them, but he would sign his vehicle title over to them on December 30 if they set him free. On December 30 the 56-year-old suspect forced he victim to shower at gunpoint and made him drink a bottle of alcohol so that if he got pulled over by police he would say he was driving him home because he had too much to drink and not believe anything he could possibly say, police said. Once inside the car, Occius made the victim drink a bottle filled with bleach and Haitian rum as they drove to where his car was parked, telling him 'Do not throw it up or spit it out or I will shoot you. Chug it all,' police said. The victim then pretended to be drunk and laid back in the front passenger seat and when he opened his eyes twenty minutes later, the suspect was gone, the report said. On Tuesday police released a flyer Tuesday asking to help 'identify' a man wanted for questioning in connection to the crime That was when the victim asked for help from pedestrians for called police. One good Samaritan said he witnessed the victim escape. 'Somebody came out of the vehicle running towards me, and he looked like he was shot or stabbed, but it actually was just blood from the vomiting that occurred,' they told WSVN.com The victim was taken to University of Miami Hospital for treatment and has since been released. A week later the suspects were arrested and charged with kidnapping, armed robbery and attempted murder. On Tuesday police released a flyer Tuesday asking to help 'identify' a man wanted for questioning in connection to the crime. Five people are dead, including a six-year-old girl, after a horror night of violence in Melbourne. Two people were shot dead in Mordialloc, south-east of the CBD, on Thursday night, while a woman and child were allegedly stabbed to death in Mill Park in the city's north-east. A man, 40, remains in hospital under police guard as homicide detectives investigate the death of the woman, 39, and girl, six, who died in hospital on Friday morning after the alleged stabbing. A house fire also claimed a life in Endeavour Hills. A woman and six-year-old girl are dead following a suspected stabbing in Mill Park. A man remains in hospital under police guard Emergency services were called to a Kellaway Crescent home in Mill Park shortly before 8pm where they found all three at the scene all suffering critical injuries. The woman died at the scene and the man was taken to hospital under police guard in a critical condition. The girl was also rushed to hospital with critical injuries, where she died on Friday morning. Detectives believe all parties are known to each other. The incident sparked a large emergency response, including the SES. Kellaway Crescent was closed off with police vehicles blocking both ends of the street as one shocked neighbour describing the scenes as a 'circus.' 'There was a quite a few people around and they say they heard gunshots,' another passer-by told the Herald Sun. 'I saw people on an ambulance stretcher'. Police were called to Kellaway Crescent in Mill Park shortly before 8pm on Thursday night Meanwhile, a man is being questioned by police as detectives investigate a separate fatal double shooting in the beachside suburb of Mordialloc. Emergency services were called to a home in McDonald Street shortly after 9pm after reports of gunshots. Two people were found at the scene suffering critical injuries and couldn't be revived. Police searched the area and arrested a man a short time later. He is currently assisting police with their inquires. No charges have yet been laid. Two people were shot dead in Mordialloc in Melbourne's south-east on Thursday night (pictured, police at the scene) One witness told 3AW he greeted a group of elderly residents as he was leaving the McDonald Street property. By the time he got to his car, he heard a gunshot, and turned to see an elderly man shooting at the group. He drove to the nearby police station and reported the shooting. Police are also investigating a fatal house fire in Endeavour Hills in the city's south-east on Thursday night after firefighters found a man dead inside the gutted home. The investigation into the fire is ongoing. Splashing out thousands of pounds on a dress, one would hope to get a few wears out of it. But anyone buying theirs in the latest Selfridges sale might be surprised to find they can't even do so once. The luxury department store has revealed it will be the first store in the world to sell a range in digital form only. A dozen Paco Rabanne dresses from the Spanish designer's legendary 'unwearable' collection from 1966 are to be sold as non-fungible tokens (NFTs). The bizarre concept will give customers a digital certificate of ownership for each outfit - but not the original item. A dozen of Paco Rabanne's dresses from his 'unwearable' collection of the 1960s are to be sold as non-fungible tokens (NFTs) from 2,000 to more than 100,000 as part of a new exhibition at Selfridges's flagship Oxford Circus store Anyone buying a dress in Selfridges's latest sale for thousands of pounds might be surprised to learn they can't wear it even once The British luxury department store based in London will become the world's first retailer to sell a range of dresses by Rabanne in digital form only The NFTs will be on offer from 2,000 to over 100,000 as part of a new 'multi-dimensional' exhibition at Selfridges' flagship store in London, Paco Rabanne was in his early thirties when his breakthrough collection - Twelve Unwearable Dresses - put him on the fashion map. Each item will be available as an NFT to no more than 56 customers from January 28. Buyers will be also be given the opportunity to travel to Paris and have a physical fitting for their own replica version of the dress. Selfridges said it would be the first time NFTs will be available to purchase in a physical store anywhere in the world. The sale comes after the British Museum announced it would be selling a rarely collection of JMW Turner paintings as NFTs. NFTs have taken the art world by storm, with major auctions houses and galleries selling them for up to tens of millions of pounds. Each of Rabanne's items will be available as an NFT to 56 customers from January 28, and will go alongside NFTs of rare works by Victor Vasarely, considered by many to the grandfather of optical art Artists, celebrities, and sportstars have been jumping on the NFT bandwagon to sell various memorabilia or pieces of work. But it is unusual for NFTs to be sold that represent items of clothing. The dresses will go on sale alongside NFTs of rare works by Victor Vasarely, considered the grandfather of optical art. Sebastian Manes, Selfridges' executive buying & merchandising director, said: 'As Selfridges looks to the future, we continue to find inspiration in the past. 'In the case of Victor Vasarely and Paco Rabanne, we have more than fifty years of proposals for the future to explore. 'I love the idea of bringing Vasarely's art to a social space like Selfridges - alongside the distinct identity of Paco Rabanne - and using their vision as way to bring emotion, connection and accessibility to the experience.' Civil servants of the Macao SAR Government are watching a national flag-raising ceremony. MACAO, Jan. 13 -- Recently, the PLA Macao Garrison and the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) government organized a national flag-raising training activity for over 100 civil servants at the Taipa Barracks for the first time. Since 2016, the PLA Macao Garrison and the Macao SAR government have jointly organized color guard training activities in Macao in various forms, with totally more than 1,000 students from universities, primary and secondary schools participating in. The event of this time was the first one of its kind for Macao civil servants. Next, the PLA Macao Garrison will continue to cooperate with the Macao SAR government to further expand the scope of training among the school faculty and civil servants. Civil servants of the Macao SAR government visit the history museum of the PLA Garrison in Macao. Hyundai Heavy Industries shipyard is seen in Ulsan Metropolitan City. Courtesy of Hyundai Heavy Industries The European Union antitrust regulator on Thursday vetoed Hyundai Heavy Industries Group's proposed acquisition of its smaller rival Daewoo Shipbuilding Marine Engineering Co., citing monopoly issues. The European Commission announced its decision to block the merger of the South Korean shipbuilders, arguing the tie-up could create a monopoly in the liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier market amid rising energy prices. "The merger would have created a dominant position by the new merged company and reduced competition in the worldwide market for the construction of large LNG carriers," the Commission said in a statement. Hyundai Heavy did not formally offer remedies to address the Commission's concerns that the merger would have led to fewer suppliers and higher prices for LNG ships, the statement said. If merged, two shipbuilders' combined market share in the LNG ship market would rise to at least 60 percent, the EU regulator said. Hyundai Heavy Industries Holdings Co. (HHIH) called the commission's conclusion unreasonable and disappointing. "The Commission's use of the market share as evaluation criteria has no probative value as the market share itself is not a proper indicator of market power in the shipbuilding industry," HHIH said in a statement. LNG ships are the only sector that the EU took issue with in terms of dominant position, HHIH said. Hyundai Heavy had expected unconditional European Commission clearance for the deal as was the case in Singapore, China and Kazakhstan. The Singaporean regulator said that the shipbuilding market is heavily reliant on tenders and is essentially a bidding market. In bidding markets, having high market share may not confer market power as market share can be easily lost in the next bidding round, the statement said. The existence of at least one credible alternative to the merged entity may be enough to constrain their ability to exert market power following the proposed merger. There are close competitors, such as Samsung Heavy Industries Co., Hudong Zhonghua Shipbuilding Co., and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd., it said. After reviewing the EU's final decision, HHIH said it will pursue possible measures, including an appeal to the General Court of the European Union. Daewoo Shipbuilding was not immediately available for comment. Hyundai Heavy announced the deal in 2019, and the EU regulator postponed the review of the acquisition three times in the past two years due to the extended COVID-19 pandemic. In March 2019, Hyundai Heavy's main creditor Korea Development Bank agreed to provide the 56 percent stake it holds in Daewoo Shipbuilding to Hyundai Heavy in exchange for a stake worth 1.25 trillion won (US$1 billion) in Korea Shipbuilding Offshore Engineering Co. (KSOE). HHIH, the holding company of Hyundai Heavy Industries Group, holds a 36 percent stake in KSOE. KSOE is the group's subholding company and has three affiliates -- Hyundai Heavy Industries Co., Hyundai Mipo Dockyard Co. and Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries Co. -- under its wing. Under the initial agreement, Hyundai Heavy was planning to raise 1.25 trillion won through the sale of Daewoo Shipbuilding shares to pay back Daewoo's debts after acquisition. An EU veto is the first since the EU regulator blocked the merger between Germany's steelmaker Thyssenkrupp AG and India's Tata Steel Ltd. in 2019 due to the same anti-competition worries. South Korea has the world's three biggest shipbuilders by orders -- Hyundai Heavy, Samsung Heavy Industries Co. and Daewoo Shipbuilding. (Yonhap) A Republican Michigan state representative has accused Democratic Gov Gretchen Whitmer of undercounting the number of deaths in nursing homes during the pandemic - by as much as 30 percent. In a statement released Wednesday, Rep. Steven Johnson slammed an upcoming report detailing the death toll at long-term health facilities in the state, set to be released to the public Saturday by the state's auditor general. In the scathing statement, the Republican accused Whitmer of manipulating the data to cover a mess created by her early-pandemic policies, and affirming that residents deserve to know the truth. According to current data from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, there were 6,216 resident deaths have been linked to COVID-19 in Michigans licensed long-term care homes - which include skilled nursing facilities as well as adult foster care and homes for the aged. The charge leveled at the high-profile Democrat echoes the scandal created by then-New York Gov Andrew Cuomo after his administration admitted fudging the number of deaths in health care facilities. In a statement released Wednesday, Rep. Steven Johnson slammed an upcoming report detailing the death numbers of long-term health facilities in the Great Lakes State set to be released to the public Saturday by the state's auditor general 'While I am eager to thoroughly review the full report,' Johnson wrote, 'what has been made clear is a sizable and shocking undercount of COVID-19 deaths at long-term care facilities in Michigan.' Johnson, the head of the state's House Oversight Committee, went on to reveal that he had received a letter from the Michigan Department of Health contradicting the Auditor General's findings. In the letter, according to Johnson, the government agency claimed that a previous tally of COVID-19 nursing home deaths done by state officials was an astounding 30 percent lower than what the auditor general's office found. 'The number reported by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's administration was 30 percent lower than what the Auditor General has found,' Johnson wrote. 'A 30% increase over what we initially thought,' the Republican went on. 'Thats very troubling.' The scathing statement specifically honed in on the state's Governor Gretchen Whitmer, with Johnson accusing the democrat of manipulating data to cover up a mess created by her early-pandemic policies of housing COVID-positive patients at some long-term health facilities He added: 'As chair of the House Oversight Committee, I believe it is my duty to uncover the truth for the people of Michigan while providing them with needed accountability and transparency as it pertains to their state government. 'Not just for those who are Republicans or those who are Democrats. All people. That is why I sought this audit. 'I think the people in Michigan deserve better.' An official report from the state is set to release next week detailing the number of deaths in nursing homes during the pandemic. Johnson asserts that the report's findings are inaccurate In the brazen bulletin, Johnson blamed Whitmer's office for the inconsistency, criticizing her policies early in the pandemic of housing COVID-positive patients at some long-term health facilities. 'Our committee will continue to look at why there was this discrepancy, as well as what changes are needed to ensure future reporting reflects precision instead of polling numbers. 'We have now seen the true scope of Gov. Whitmers disastrous policies, and we must ensure these tragic circumstances do not happen again. There is frankly a lot to answer for, and our legislative panel will be working to get those answers.' The Democrat governor came under federal scrutiny back in 2020, after DOJ officials working under then-President Donald Trump alleged Whitmer and other Democratic governors 'issued orders which may have resulted in the deaths of thousands of elderly nursing home residents.' The department requested documents from Whitmer's office surrounding the policies in August, but dismissed the prospective probe nearly a year later last July under Biden's administration. Now, Johnson's claims shine new light on the abandoned investigation. Johnson's claims shine new light on a prospective federal investigation into Whitmer's office surrounding the policies, which was announced by the DOJ in 2020 under then-President Donald Trump but was abandoned nearly a year later under the Biden Administration 'This is something youll look back to the early days of the pandemic, when theres a policy that places COVID positive patients into nursing homes,' Johnson said in his statement Wednesday. 'We didn't know a lot about the disease, but most people understood that's a vulnerable population that we have to keep protected, and that decision really just didn't make a lot of sense.' He continued: 'This was important information to gather for those throughout our state who have loved ones and relatives in nursing homes and are scared, and sadly those who lost friends and family to COVID-19 while inside a nursing home or other long-term care facilities.' 'Make no mistake this is a large discrepancy, and the report makes that clear.' The director of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, Elizabeth Hertel, concurred with Johnson's analysis Wednesday, saying in an official response to the to-be-released report's prospective findings that the auditor general's report is not deemed accurate. The director of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, Elizabeth Hertel, concurred with Johnson's analysis Wednesday, saying in an official response to the to-be-released report's prospective findings that the auditor general's report is not deemed accurate In her piece, Hertel pointed out that the analysis from the state auditor - a position currently filled by Doug Ringler, who's served in the position since 2014 - does not apply the CDC definition of a COVID-19 death reportable by a long-term care facility. 'A reportable long-term care COVID-19 death is defined by the National Healthcare Safety Network as a resident who died from COVID-19 related complications and includes resident deaths in the facility, and in other locations in which the resident with COVID-19 was transferred to receive treatment,' she said in the letter. 'Residents not expected to return to the long-term care facility are excluded from the count. MDHHS has always required long-term care COVID-19 deaths be reported consistent with this standard set by the federal government.' The final report is expected to be released on Monday. The suggested scandal echoes the one that surrounded disgraced New York Gov. Cuomo, 64, in January 2021 - one that suggested that his office deliberately obscured death toll numbers concerning nursing home residents the year prior during the pandemic, in an apparent effort to save face politically. An investigation by state AG Letitia James' office subsequently found that several top Cuomo aides, at the behest of their boss, were engaged in the months-long effort to overrule and prevent state health officials from releasing the actual number of nursing-home deaths that occurred during the pandemic. Prior to the investigation, Cuomo had been criticized for imposing a state mandate that forced nursing homes to readmit residents who had been infected and hospitalized with COVID-19 once they recovered were permitted to leave the health centers. Critics of the three-term Democrat, however, 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. Then, in July 2020, Cuomo's State Health Department released a fabricated report that suggested the policy was not responsible for an increase. The suggested scandal echoes the one that surrounded disgraced New York Gov. Cuomo, 64, in January 2021 - one that suggested that the Democrat's office deliberately obscured death toll numbers concerning nursing home residents the year prior during the pandemic By January, 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. Meanwhile, Michigan hospitals have found themselves swarmed by COVID patients in recent months, with many are having trouble dealing with stress put on the state's health care system. As of Wednesday, Michigan has seen an average of approximately 20,000 COVID cases daily Since the emergence of the Omicron variant, the state has seen hospitalizations and case rates rise to levels surpassing those seen at the height of the pandemic in spring of 2020, with an average of 4,838 residents admitted to Michigan hospitals each day, according to The New York Times. COVID-related deaths have also risen drastically as well in recent months to early pandemic levels according to the paper, with 108 deaths on average per days. As of Wednesday, more than 30,000 Michigan residents have succumbed to the disease, with an average of nearly 20,000 cases recorded daily. Since the emergence of the Omicron variant, the state has seen hospitalizations and case rates rise to levels surpassing those seen at the height of the pandemic in spring of 2020 Australians will be able to enter Queensland freely from 1am on Saturday as the Sunshine State lifts domestic travel restrictions. All Aussies, including the unvaccinated, will be able to travel to the state without any extra requirements. That includes those coming from domestic hot spots, who will no longer have to show proof of a negative Covid test or fill out a border form. Interstate travellers will also not have to quarantine upon arrival. The massive changes are in line with the state hitting its 90 per cent double vaccination target early next week. Australians will be able to enter Queensland freely come 1am on Saturday as the Sunshine State's historic border finally comes down Most border restrictions are set to be lifted for international arrivals once the 90 per cent double vaxx target is met, but unvaccinated international arrivals will still have to quarantine. Queensland's vaccination rate is currently at 88.1 per cent. 'Now is the time for the barricades to come down and the police to come home,' Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said upon announcing the changes on Thursday. She said the decision would allow police which have spent weeks manning border checkpoints to return to their duties. Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the changes were in line with the state heading towards 90 per cent double vaccination coverage Teens are seen celebrating Schoolies at the Gold Coast 'It is also going to mean that there is a greater ability for those people in NSW and the southern parts of our Gold Coast will be able to reunite, we know it's tough on the border communities,' she said. The state's health minister Yvette D'Ath said it was a waste of time and resources checking all arrivals into the state. 'We don't want to spend our time looking at whether we need to be declaring and changing hot spots,' she said. 'We should assume that anyone travelling around Australia domestically could have the virus and so it is a lot less important to worry about where people are coming from.' While the unvaccinated will be allowed in, most events and venues will be restricted to those who've received both jabs. Ms Palaszczuk said over the past two years police had conducted more than 3million checks on vehicles wanting to cross the border, with more than 35,000 of these being turned around. 'It's a big decision but it's a decision that is needed as we reach the peak of this Omicron wave,' she said. 'Operationally, the police are needed at the front line and they have done an absolutely superb job.' People wearing face masks are deemed to be more attractive than when they have nothing covering their faces, according to a new study. Face masks have become a common sight around Britain in response to the global Covid pandemic. And Cardiff University researchers claim that the masks make both men and women more appealing on the eye. The study, which began in February 2021, asked 43 women to rate images of men based on attractiveness. People wearing face masks are deemed to be more attractive than when they have nothing covering their faces, according to a new study (stock image) The pictures were shown with a two different kinds of face mask, with a book partially covering the faces and with nothing covering the faces at all. Both a blue medical mask and a plain cloth mask were used in the study, and participants said that those faces wearing surgical masks were the most attractive. Dr Michael Lewis of the university's school of psychology said that the study proved our preferences have changed over time - with face masks deemed to make a person less attractive before the pandemic. He said: 'Our study suggests faces are considered most attractive when covered by medical face masks. This may be because we're used to healthcare workers wearing blue masks and now we associate these with people in caring or medical professions. At a time when we feel vulnerable, we may find the wearing of medical masks reassuring and so feel more positive towards the wearer.' The pictures were shown with a two different kinds of face mask, with a book partially covering the faces and with nothing covering the faces at all (stock image) Lewis added that it was possible face masks made people more attractive because it directed the participants' attention towards the eyes. The results of the study have been published in the journal Cognitive Research: Principles and Implications - while the results of a second study, asking men to rate women's attractiveness have not yet been released, but Dr Lewis said the results were similar. It comes after another study, conducted in Florida, in the US, suggested that face masks can drastically blunt the spread of Covid by halving how far contagious particles can travel. 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 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 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 The World Health Organization still recommends people stay 3ft apart in public spaces, and avoid crowds and large gatherings. 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. 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. A Chinese spy outed by MI5 targeted the highest levels of Government, including former prime ministers, it was revealed last night. In an unprecedented move, spy chiefs yesterday issued a security alert to MPs over solicitor Christine Lee, 58. She sought to influence a string of politicians and succeeded in establishing powerful links right to the top of the British establishment, security sources said. A warning memo sent to MPs said her political interference activities on behalf of the Chinese Communist Party have been secretly monitored by the security services for years. The twice married mother of two from the West Midlands has openly given around 670,000 to the Labour Party since 2005, including donating more than 600,000 to Brent North MP Barry Gardiner who employed her son. But yesterday it was revealed she also courted a wide range of Tory and Labour MPs, cultivating contacts with cabinet ministers and prime ministers in what was described by MI5 as a deeply sinister campaign of interference across British democracy. A Chinese spy outed by MI5 targeted the highest levels of Government, including former prime ministers, it was revealed last night. In an unprecedented move, spy chiefs yesterday issued a security alert to MPs over solicitor Christine Lee, 58 She sought to influence a string of politicians and succeeded in establishing powerful links right to the top of the British establishment, security sources said Ms Lee is pictured shaking hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping Last night the Home Secretary Priti Patel warned of more national security alerts to follow, saying the UK had other adversaries who would look to interfere or come into our country in some shape and way. In an extraordinary security scandal, the Communist agent was welcomed into Downing Street in 2019, where she received an award from then-prime minister Theresa May in recognition of her contribution to good relations with China. The award was rescinded last night, but Mrs May praised her at the time for promoting engagement, understanding, and cooperation between the Chinese and British communities in the UK, adding: I also wish you well with your work to further the inclusion and participation of British-Chinese people in the UK political system. And she received a Woman of the Year gong from the GG2 Leadership Awards in 2013. Miss Lee also formed close links with David Cameron when he was prime minister as the only Chinese member of his 2010 business delegation to China. Last night there were questions about how she managed to get so close to Downing Street, given her prominent position within the hostile state as a photograph emerged of her shaking hands with Chinese president Xi Jinping. The impeccably connected Chinese spy hid in plain sight while cosying up to MPs by offering donations, hampers and paying for trips abroad. Miss Lee has been chief legal adviser to the Chinese embassy in London and a legal adviser to the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office, an agency overseen by the United Front Work Department (UFWD), which manages the vast network of influence of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Yet she was also the secretary of the Inter-Party China Group of the British Parliament. A photo of Ms Lee in front of 10 Downing Street in 2019 shows the iconic door draped with red banners displaying New Year couplets in Chinese characters and announcing the 'Golden Era' of Sino-British relations. She is accompanied by Alex Yip, a Tory councillor in Birmingham and vice-chairman of the British Chinese Project Pictures posted to Facebook show Ms Lee with prominent politicians including former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, deputy Tom Watson and disgraced ex-MP Keith Vaz Ms Lee, a London-based solicitor and a former chief legal adviser to the Chinese embassy in London, speaking to former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn in 2016. She is also the secretary of the Inter-Party China Group at Westminster. Since 2005, she has donated large sums to Labour. She gave about 670,000 to the party, mostly to Jeremy Corbyn ally Mr Gardiner, almost all of it for his staffing costs. In 2014 she helped sponsor a Chinese Liberal Democrats dinner to support the partys then-candidate for Somerton and Frome, Sarah Yong. According to the alert sent to all MPs and peers in Westminster yesterday, she also made covert payments to serving and aspiring MPs on behalf of politicians in China and Hong Kong. The MI5 message said: The UFWD seeks to cultivate relationships with influential figures in order to ensure the UK political landscape is favourable to the CCPs agenda and to challenge those that raise concerns about CCP activity, such as human rights. Lee has been engaged in the facilitation of financial donations to political parties, parliamentarians, aspiring parliamentarians, and individuals seeking political office in the UK, including facilitating donations to political entities on behalf of foreign nationals. In an accompanying letter, Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle said among those targeted was the now-disbanded Chinese in Britain All Party Parliamentary Group, of which Mr Gardiner was chairman. Last night there was no sign of her at the 985,000 home on a gated estate in Solihull, West Midlands, which she shares with her British solicitor husband. Miss Patel said it was deeply concerning that an individual who has knowingly engaged in political interference activities on behalf of the Chinese Communist Party has targeted parliamentarians. But she suggested the activity was under the criminal threshold. The Home Secretary warned: Were speaking specifically right now about the CCP, China, but we live in a world where we have other adversaries, and they all look to interfere or come into our country in some shape and way. We are big players internationally, the United Kingdom, our place in the world is very strong. And so were naturally a country of interest. I think its fair to say in the future, well see more alerts of this nature. It comes at a time of hardening attitudes toward China at the top of Government, culminating most recently in a diplomatic boycott of the Winter Olympics. Sir Iain Duncan Smith, who has been involved in helping Hong Kong-Chinese people flee the Communist regime, expressed concern they could now be at risk as a result of Lees activities. Three years ago, Christine Lee received a special award from then prime minister Theresa May in recognition of her pioneering work in fostering close relations between China and Britain. It was a landmark moment in the life of the 58-year-old entrepreneur, who arrived in Britain from Hong Kong as a child. She duly posed for pictures outside No 10 Downing Street, the iconic black door draped with red banners celebrating a Golden Era in relations between the two nations. The symbolism of the image was impossible to miss: Lee had reached the heart of Britains Establishment and was being embraced by it. In a personal letter, Mrs May said in words that now seem hopelessly naive I wish you well in your work to further the participation of British-Chinese people in the UK political system. For yesterday the smartly dressed, dark-haired Lee was unmasked by our domestic security service MI5 as a Chinese Communist Party agent engaged in political interference of MPs on both the Left and Right of the political spectrum. Christine Lee poses outside No 10 Downing Street And Mrs May was not the only person in high places to be taken in by the founder of what was called the British Chinese Project, a non-profit organisation aiming to promote engagement, understanding and cooperation between the Chinese community and wider UK society. She has been photographed whispering in David Camerons ear at the GG2 Leadership Awards, and her links with Labour Party politicians date back to Tony Blairs premiership. Apart from her involvement with the British Chinese Project, Lee a persuasive character, with considerable charm is a lawyer with offices in London and Birmingham who has cultivated top business people as easily as she has senior politicians. Few appear to have realised the closeness of her affiliation with Beijings elite but evidence of it has long been there for those who chose to look. As a representative of the whole Chinese community in the UK, Lee told a parliamentary home affairs committee some years ago that her business advising Chinese entrepreneurs on how to invest in Britain had an office with five staff inside Chinas British Embassy. At a committee session on the 2006 Nationality Bill, Lee said: They (Chinas embassy staff) are on the second floor, we are on the 17th floor. So every time the British Embassy has a problem, they send the people up to us, and we can explain to them in Chinese what is going on. Christine Lee and David Cameron at the ceremony of the British GG2 leadership awards in 2015 There is even a picture on social media of a beaming Lee shaking hands with Xi Jinping, the autocratic Chinese president. According to the authors of Hidden Hands, a highly respected book on Chinas influence in Britain: Her links with the CCP go deep. She has been chief legal adviser to the Chinese Embassy in London an unmistakable sign of her importance to the CCP. The book added that Chinese networks, including those run by Lee as so-called friendship and fundraising groups, have become so deeply entrenched among British elites that they have gone past the point of no return. Her elevation into high places with all the influence that brings is a far cry from Miss Lees difficult past. Her family emigrated to Northern Ireland in the 1970s when she was 12 and she attended a boarding school in Belfast, where she was the only Chinese girl among 66 Irish girls. Christine Lee pictured with former London mayor Ken Livingstone in 2012 An interview she gave a few years ago to the China Daily an English-language newspaper owned by the ruling Communist Party offers an intriguing insight into her background. It is very difficult for a young girl to leave her home and her beloved grandparents and come to live in a cold place, she told the newspaper. My English was poor and I couldnt really communicate with the other pupils which put me in a weaker position than them. There was not a lot of physical bullying, but a lot of verbal bullying. She developed a habit of putting seven teaspoons of sugar into her coffee to neutralise the bitter taste but when she asked an Irish girl one day to help her with the sugar, the girl in an act of malice substituted salt for sugar. But if they thought the redoubtable Lee would recoil in surprise and dissolve into tears, they were in for a surprise: The girls who were watching thought I would not drink it, but I told myself to drink the entire cup, and show them I am not weak. Lee is certainly not that. She teamed up with other victims of the bullies at the school to practise karate so they could protect themselves. According to the article, it was the unfairness she experienced in her childhood that propelled her towards a legal career. As a young lawyer, she specialised in immigration cases, helping migrants from Hong Kong settle in the UK. Over time she got involved in the lucrative world of education, advising Chinese parents how to invest in their childrens education and work experience in the UK. Parents with the capacity to invest 1 million in this country qualified for a visa programme that gave their children the right to not only study over here but find jobs too. Today Lee lives with her husband, a 71-year-old British businessman called Martin Wilkes, in a 1 million house in an upmarket gated estate in the smart market town of Solihull, West Midlands, where neighbours have seen her coming and going in a Mercedes. The couple are partners in a Midlands-based property company that rents out housing association and council properties. But Lees real claim to fame, as we have seen, is the British Chinese Project. The charity she founded in 2006 not only aims to make politicians more aware of the needs of their Chinese constituents but campaigns for British-Chinese people to vote in general elections. It was her success in promoting this ostensibly worthy cause that earned Lee that Points of Light award from Mrs May in January 2019. I am humbled that it relates to our work for the well-being of the British-Chinese community, she said at the time. Now we know that this was not the entire truth. Her good works provided her with a passport to the upper echelons of British society and enabled her to spy on them for an increasingly sinister foreign power. NSW has recorded a dip in Covid-19 cases with 63,018 new infections and a record 29 deaths while Victoria has recorded 34,836 cases and 18 deaths. The new figures announced in NSW on Friday mark a significant drop from the 92,264 reported on Thursday. The 29 deaths also marks a new pandemic record. Hospitalisation rates have increased to 2,525 - up from 2,383 - with ICU jumping to 184 - up from 182. In Victoria, hospitalisations have increased to 976 - up from 953 - while ICU figures have risen to 112 - up from 111. The cases come as Australia's medical chief says Covid-19 may have already peaked in NSW after the state notched a record daily high in new cases with the addition of rapid antigen test results. Australia's medical chief says COVID-19 may have already peaked in NSW after the state notched a record daily high in new cases with the addition of rapid antigen test results Chief Medical Officer Professor Paul Kelly says coronavirus case numbers in the state are close to peaking Chief Medical Officer Professor Paul Kelly says coronavirus case numbers in the state are close to peaking. 'New South Wales is a bit ahead of the other states and that's not surprising, they started earlier, but they are close to peaking if not already,' he said. 'The other states are a little bit further behind that but I think end of January, early February is probably where we will see a change.' Prof Kelly said other places around the world have seen huge surges in cases from the Omicron variant, before reaching their peak and starting to come down in a short period of time. The state reported 22 deaths and 91,928 new cases on Thursday, including 61,387 positive rapid antigen tests taken since January 1 that were only able to be reported to authorities from Wednesday. NSW Health cautioned some of those cases were the same positive cases reported numerous times from multiple rapid antigen tests and PCR tests. Prior to the ability to register positive rapid antigen tests with the government, the department had warned it was not getting an accurate picture of the virus' presence and spread in the community from PCR tests alone. Customer Service and Digital Minister Victor Dominello said on Thursday the rapid antigen test reporting capabilities added to the ServiceNSW app and website coped well with the demand, as more than 82,000 people reported positive tests in the first 24 hours they were allowed to. Prof Kelly said other places around the world have seen huge surges in cases from the Omicron variant, before reaching their peak and starting to come down in a short period of time The government has threatened $1000 fines it concedes will be difficult to enforce if people don't report positive results from a rapid antigen test from January 19, a week after the capabilities first went live. While PCR queues have receded from the long lines seen at the end of 2021, attention has now turned to an often fruitless search for rapid antigen tests. A large queue formed near a convenience store in the inner-Sydney suburb of Redfern on Thursday afternoon as word spread it had tests for sale, days after selling out the entirety of an earlier shipment in less than half an hour. Store owner Hazem Sedda told Nine News he 'couldn't believe' how popular the tests had proven 'but everyone wants them'. The number of people in hospital continues to rise, with 2383 people admitted and 182 in intensive care on Thursday. A county judge in Texas dealt a blow to Governor Greg Abbott's controversial 'Operation Lone Star' after ruling his national guard's apprehension of an illegal immigrant unconstitutional Thursday. Operation Lone Star was created by Abbott amidst a wave of illegal immigrants from Central America crossing the US-Mexico border. It deploys law enforcement in areas human and drug smugglers are known to use. The ruling could see the initiative stifled with attorneys saying that it could open a path for other immigrants to challenge their detention. The decision comes as President Joe Biden has been slammed for his handling of the crisis at the border, which saw a record 1.7 million illegal crossings in fiscal year 2021. Last November, Customs and Border Protection agents reported 173,620 encounters at the US-Mexico border, up from 164,303 encounters reported in October. The November figure is still down from 192,001 encounters in September and 209,840 in August. In November 2020 under then-President Donald Trump, there were 72,113 crossings. The numbers for last month have yet to be released. Governor Greg Abbott's (pictured) controversial Operation Lone Star came into question after an arrest that allegedly happened under the program was deemed unconstitutional Thursday A judge ruled that a man arrested for illegally crossing the border under the law was superceding federal immigration policy and therefor illegal On Thursday, Judge Jan Soifer ruled in favor of Jesus Alberto Guzman Curipoma, an Ecuadorian engineer arrested in September and charged with criminal trespassing. Angelica Cogliano, Curipoma's lawyer, said that Operation Lone Star was unconstitutional because it tries to supersede federal immigration law. She added that Curipoma was jailed rather than being considered for asylum, which is within his right. 'The Texas government is restraining the liberty of thousands under the guise of criminal trespass prosecutions in an attempt to usurp federal immigration legislation and strong arm the federal government into enacting policies that Gov. Abbott would prefer,' Cogliano wrote in a filing. Travis County District Attorney Jose Garza, acting on behalf of the state, actually agreed with the argument that Operation Lone Star violates federal law. 'Prosecution for criminal trespass as part of Operation Lone Star violates the Supremacy Clause of the United States Constitution and represents an impermissible attempt to intrude on federal immigration policy,' District Attorney Garza's response said. David A. Schulman filed on behalf of the state in Kinney County, where he argued the case should be heard, because that's where Curipoma was arrested. Angelica Cogliano, the attorney for Jesus Alberto Guzman Curipoma, an Ecuadorian engineer arrested in September and charged with criminal trespassing, said her client was not offered asylum, which is within his legal rights. Abbott's Operation Lone Star has attempted to stop the flow of asylum-seeking migrants crossing the US-Mexico border Schulman added that there was no evidence Curipoma's arrest had anything to do with Operation Lone Star. Abbott unveiled Operation Lone Star in March 2021, saying he would deploy thousands of Texas Department of Public Safety officers and Texas National Guard troops to the US-Mexico border amid a sharp increase in immigrants crossing from Mexico illegally or seeking asylum. In its first two months, the Texas DPS made 598 criminal arrests and more than 16,000 referrals of illegal immigrants to the US Customs and Border Protection as part of Operation Lone Star, according to a Valley Central news report. Late in 2021, Abbott said the operation had resulted in 52,000 illegal immigrants apprehended and 40 disrupted stash houses. Abbott has also promised to finish former President Donald Trump's border wall, which had stalled under President Joe Biden. 'Texas has officially started building its own border wall,' Abbott tweeted last month. 'Biden allows open border policies and refuses to enforce laws passed by Congress to secure the border and enforce immigration laws. Texas is stepping up to do the federal government's job.' Abbott said that the Texas legislature had allocated $3 billion for the project. 'Three billion dollars of Texas taxpayer money has been devoted to this cause of Texas securing the border, and so we have a lot of money available to us to continue to build the wall,' Abbott said, adding, 'For Texas [this] is going to cost less than it did for the Trump administration for one reason. And that's because in Texas, unlike the Trump administration, we're not having to devote money to acquire the land The state of Texas owns [land] on the border itself.' Abbott also said, 'There are property owners of massive acreage on the border who are fed up with Biden's open border policies, and they are donating their land to Texas for us to be able to use that land for free to build a wall on their property.' However, Abbott said Texas would try to get the federal government to foot the bill. 'We are seeking federal government to pay for this and there have been requests made by members of the Texas Congressional Delegation to the federal government for funding to get all of this done,' Abbott said. 'Texas will also be bringing legal action against the federal government for the state of Texas to get reimbursed for all the costs we have incurred to do the federal government's job.' Thousands of unvaccinated Western Australians will be banned from even using bottle shop drive-throughs when strict new proof-of-vaccination rules come into force at the end of January. Premier Mark McGowan on Thursday announced unjabbed adults would be banned from dining at cafes, pubs and restaurants in the state from January 31. He added WA would soon redefine the term 'fully vaccinated' to include the Covid booster jab, meaning the third shot would be essentially compulsory in WA. Mr McGowan said the rules could be in place 'for years' to stop the unvaccinated from mixing with WA's fully-immunised residents. The premier said he would also be banning those who had not received both Covid vaccine doses from bottle shops to 'incentivise' them to roll up their sleeves. Unvaccinated Western Australians will be banned from even using bottle shop drive-throughs when strict new proof-of-vaccination rules come into place (file image) The unvaccinated would be banned from using bottle shop drive-throughs too, he said, as part of 'the broadest proof of vaccination requirements in the nation'. They'll also be banned from visiting loved ones in hospital or taking their kid to a play centre. Speaking on Thursday night, Mr McGowan warned 'life will change significantly' for the unvaccinated, who need to be 'protected from themselves'. The premier later confirmed the unvaccinated would be barred from museums, Perth Zoo, gyms, and the entire Crown Casino complex. Premier Mark McGowan will introduce a number of controversial restrictions for the unvaccinated from January 31 in Western Australia Premier McGowan told reporters 'life will change significantly' for the unvaccinated, who need to be 'protected from themselves' (pictured, patrons at a bar in Perth) Poll DO YOU AGREE WITH MCGOWAN'S UN-VAXXED BAN? Yes No DO YOU AGREE WITH MCGOWAN'S UN-VAXXED BAN? Yes 966 votes No 1642 votes Now share your opinion From January 31, proof of vaccination will be required to visit public and private hospitals, aged care facilities, all hospitality venues including restaurants, cafes, bars, pubs, clubs, nightclubs, and dine-in fast food. Mr McGowan also had a message for those who are unvaccinated in his state - get jabbed now. 'We know that those in hospitals around the country are mainly unvaccinated people,' he said. 'If you don't get vaccinated, the message is clear - we will not let you put others at risk.' Almost 95 per cent of Western Australian residents have had one dose of the Covid vaccine, while 87 per cent have had both doses. From January 31, proof of Covid vaccinations will be required at the likes cafes, (pictured) pubs, restaurants, the casino and the zoo The bombshell update from the premier comes after WA recorded two new local Covid-19 cases and 14 travel-related cases overnight. One of the cases is linked to a security guard from the luxury Hyatt Regency quarantine hotel who was infected with the Omicron variant by a returned traveller. The second case is a household contact of a previously announced infection from a returned interstate traveller. Both of the new cases were already in quarantine and are not considered a danger to the community. Meanwhile, the rest of Australia is starting to open up after nearly two years of lockdowns, not to mention being shut off from the rest of the world. New restrictions for the unvaccinated in Western Australia from January 31: Unvaccinated West Australians will soon be barred from a huge number of locations, including hospitals, gyms, cafes, play centres and bottle shops Premier Mark McGowan stated the restrictions could be in place 'for years' Unvaccinated will also be banned from museums, pubs, nightclubs, the zoo and the entire Crown Casino complex Changes will be implemented from January 31, with Mr McGowan also having a message for those who have avoided getting jabbed - 'do so now' Advertisement Meanwhile, WA has also taken another drastic move by banning anyone from any state and territory coming into his state, dubbing the rest of the nation an 'extreme Covid risk'. Even visits to see dying family members are not allowed. On Wednesday, Mr 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' before, meaning the entire country is now banned except for a few exceptions. An increase in cases in the NT prompted a tightening of border restrictions after the territory recorded 594 infections on Monday. 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) The new rules came into effect at 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 Duke of York may eventually have to fund his own security, a former head of royal protection said last night. Even after being restricted from his duties, Prince Andrew as a senior royal had been given round-the-clock Scotland Yard protection at an annual cost of 2million to the taxpayer. A decision on whether to continue providing protection will be based on the threat level he faces, retired Chief Superintendent Dai Davies said. Prince Andrew is currently given round-the-clock Scotland Yard protection at an annual cost of 2million to the taxpayer Whether [or not] he continues to use his titles, he remains the Queens son, Mr Davies added. Whether or not he is still afforded specialist protection will be based entirely around how serious intelligence suggests the threat level will be. Mr Davies, who led the Metropolitan Polices royalty protection unit, explained: If the threat level is low, then like junior royals and his own daughters he will have to fund protection himself. Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice received official protection until 2011 but now foot the bill themselves, probably with some help from their father. The threat level is determined by Home Office advisers, the Queens private security and a specialist committee, Mr Davies said. It is likely that, in the short term, Prince Andrews protection will continue, he added. Clearly now he is open to all kinds of vilification given he is very much in the limelight and has been accused of some serious things, so they will have to be careful, Mr Davies said. A spokesman from Scotland Yard said the force does not discuss matters of protection (file picture) I think they will be very cautious until there has been a very thorough assessment and he will remain protected at least in the short term. There are very strong feelings about him at the moment and suggestions he did not tell the truth, so that threat is there. A spokesman from Scotland Yard said the force does not discuss matters of protection. The full cost of royal security is kept from the public as Scotland Yard argues it would compromise safety. But it is believed to cost taxpayers well in excess of 125million a year. The House committee investigating January 6 issued subpoenas Thursday in an effort to get information from social media sites including Facebook, YouTube, Twitter and Reddit. Chairman Bennie Thompson wrote letters to the four company heads, including to Facebook co-founder Mark Zuckerberg, who recently changed the company's branding to Meta, and Sundar Pichai, who leads Alphabet, the parent company of Google and YouTube. Overall, a release from the committee admonished the companies for providing 'inadequate responses' to the group, which is looking into the role social media played related to the 'spread of misinformation, efforts to overturn the 2020 election, domestic violent extremism and foreign influence in the 2020 election.' The House select committee was particularly interested in internal documents in which the companies discussed what to do with former President Donald Trump's social media accounts. And in Reddit's case, the committee was interested in how the company dealt with discussion boards dedicated to Trump. The House committee investigating January 6 issued subpoenas Thursday in an effort to get information from social media sites including Facebook, YouTube, Twitter and Reddit Among the CEOs who received letters from Chairman Bennie Thompson were Facebook co-founder and Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg (left) and Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai (right). Alphabet is the parent company of Google and YouTube 'Two key questions for the Select Committee are how the spread of misinformation and violent extremism contributed to the violent attack on our democracy, and what steps - if any - social media companies took to prevent their platforms from being breeding grounds for radicalizing people to violence,' Thompson wrote in a letter Thursday announcing the new subpoenas. In his letter to Zuckerberg, Thompson pointed to reports that said Facebook had disbanded its Civic Integrity team after the November 3, 2020 election and 'reduced the application of tools used to restrain the spread of violent content.' Thompson said that despite 'repeated and specific requests' for documents detailing what happened, the committee hadn't received the information from Facebook. He said that Meta has also refused to provide information 'regarding misinformation, disinformation, and malinformation relating to the 2020 election, efforts to challenge or overturn the election, and the use of Meta by domestic violent extremists to affect the 2020 election.' The select committee originally requested information from Meta on August 26, and then followed up on September 28 and October 29, the letter said, with Meta refusing to commit to a specific deadline to hand over the materials to Congress. In the letter to Pichai, Thompson said that the Google-owned video platform YouTube 'was a platform for significant communications' among the planners of January 6. The letter points to ex-Trump White House strategist Steve Bannon using YouTube to broadcast his podcast and also noted that the Capitol attack, itself, was broadcast from YouTube accounts as it was taking place. YouTube also took down a video posted by then President Donald Trump on that day - and suspended his account on January 12. The committee asked for documents relating to the internal deliberations concerning Trump's account, as well as about a new election misinformation content moderation policy that was being tested in the weeks before the attack. The select committee asked for similar documents from Twitter, about the social media site's decision to bar Trump from using the platform after the Capitol attack. The letter to Twitter CEO Parag Agrawal said that Twitter was reportedly warned about potential violence being planned at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, however the company has not produced requested documents relating to the matter. A fourth letter, addressed to Reddit CEO Steven Huffman, reiterated how Reddit decided to restrict some features of the r/The_Donald subreddit in 2019 and 2020 and then shut down the last subreddit dedicated to Trump - r/donaldtrump - two days after the Capitol attack. Thompson told Huffman that the committee is investigating how 'the social media ecosystem enabled or exacerbated the attack on the U.S. Capitol, and how it developed, evolved, and functioned.' The chairman said the company has refused to produce 'internal documents to support its conclusory public statements that Reddit played no role in January 6th.' Britain's Prince Andrew is photographed on Aug. 11, 2021. Prince Andrew faces a civil sex case trial after a U.S. judge dismissed a motion by his legal team to have the lawsuit thrown out. AP-Yonhap A U.S. judge ruled Wednesday that a sexual assault lawsuit brought against Prince Andrew can move forward, piling pressure on the royal and causing further embarrassment for the British monarchy. New York judge Lewis Kaplan said he "denied in all respects" Andrew's motion to dismiss the civil complaint by accuser Virginia Giuffre, who says the prince abused her when she was 17. Giuffre alleges that late disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein lent her out for sex with his wealthy and powerful associates, including to Andrew, an allegation that Queen Elizabeth II's second son has repeatedly and strenuously denied. Andrew's lawyers had last week urged Kaplan to throw out the suit, citing a settlement that Giuffre signed in 2009 with Epstein. Andrew's attorney Andrew Brettler said Giuffre had "waived her rights" to sue other defendants in relation to alleged sex crimes committed by Epstein. But Kaplan said in his 46-page decision that the agreement was "riddled with drafting problems and ambiguities." "The parties have articulated at least two reasonable interpretations of the critical language. The agreement therefore is ambiguous," he wrote. The deal made public for the first time by a New York court this month showed that Giuffre agreed to drop a civil claim against Epstein for $500,000. The settlement contained a provision purporting to protect "other potential defendants" from being sued related to alleged sexual abuse committed by Epstein, who killed himself in jail in 2019. The agreement mentioned no names, but Andrew's legal team argued that it covered the royal. Kaplan said, though, that it could not be determined that the agreement was intended "to benefit Prince Andrew" or "others comparable to him." The judge also noted that Andrew was "not a party to the agreement between Epstein and Ms. Giuffre." "As a very general matter, the only persons who can enforce a provision of a contract are parties to that contract the people who agreed to it," he wrote. Giuffre sued the prince for unspecified damages last year, alleging he sexually assaulted her in 2001 when she was a minor under US law. Prince Andrew, left, Virginia Giuffre, center, and Ghislaine Maxwell are seen posing in this undated handout photo released Aug. 9, 2021, by the United States District County for the Southern District of New York. A homeless man with a history of assault charges was finally arraigned in court after he knocked a Good Samaritan to the ground and mugged him in New York City on Wednesday. Xavier Israel, 25, who previously assaulted three other people in the past two weeks, was booked in Manhattan Criminal Court on Thursday for attacking an unidentified 59-year-old man who tried giving the homeless man his coat amid freezing temperatures. He has been charged with assault, robbery and grand larceny. Israel had been arrested and released for three previous attacks, one on January 2, when he allegedly beat up two 18-year-olds in Central Park, and then on Saturday when he attacked a 49-year-old woman who tried to offer him help. He had been able to repeatedly skirt jail due to new Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg's 'woke' policies, which include asking prosecutors not seek jail sentences for criminals unless they were guilty of murder or a handful of other crimes he deemed serious enough to warrant prison. Israel had been released twice on desk appearance tickets - meaning he has to appear in court on another date - since he had no prior convictions, according to NYPD records. SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO Xavier Israel, 25, was arraigned in in Manhattan Criminal Court on Thursday after he attacked and mugged a Good Samaritan, 59, who tried giving the homeless man his coat Xavier had assaulted two others before Wednesday's attack. The 25-year-old was charged with assault, robbery and grand larceny The victim can be seen on the ground after being pummeled by Israel, who ran off with the man's wallet, which had $1,500 cash in it after police recovered it during his arrest Israel had been previously charged for assaulting a couple and another Good Samaritan Surveillance video of the incident shows the victim as he tried to help Israel, who had been lying on the sidewalk at 476 5th Avenue around 8 p.m. on a particularly cold evening, footage obtained by the New York Post shows. The victim gently places a jacket he was wearing on Israel before the homeless man springs up and pushes him into the ground. Israel took the man's wallet from his back pants pocket while he was on the ground before fleeing the scene. The victim attempts to get his wallet back before Israel punches him and throws him back to the ground, video shows. Xavier Israel had been lying on the sidewalk on 5th Avenue around 8 pm when he punched and robbed a 59-year-old Good Samaritan who tried to give him his coat, surveillance video shows The 25-year-old Israel can be seen attacking the Good Samaritan who gave him a coat Israel was booked and charged with assault, robbery and grand larceny Israel was arrested shortly after on West 41st Street and 5th Avenue, the Post reported. Authorities quoted witnesses as saying that Israel had stuffed his pants with cash. Officers ended up recovering almost $1,500 from him. The victim reportedly refused medical attention at the scene. This is the fourth person Israel has attacked in less than two weeks. He similarly attacked another Good Samaritan on Saturday, when he beat up a 49-year-old woman who was trying to offer him help outside of East 81st Street. The man tried in vain to get his wallet back, but Israel once again punched the victim to the ground Israel fleeing the scene before he was arrested shortly after on West 41 Street and 5th Avenue Israel had been released twice on desk appearance tickets for his previous charges The unnamed victim in that case was also pushed to the ground during the attack and received a cut on her elbow in the fall. Israel was arrested in that incident, too, and got slapped with similar charges of assault before being released on a desk appearance ticket. His violent rap sheet shows he also assaulted two other people, a man and a woman, at Central Park on January 2, and was subsequently released following that attack, too. The Post reported that Israel randomly punched the two 18-year-olds as they sat on a rock inside the park, a case where he had again been charged with assault. It's another embarrassment for new DA Alvin 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. Bragg has been criticized for a new policy to downgrade felony crimes such as burglary, armed robbery and drug dealing Since 2020, crime in New York has soared thanks to a combination of laxed bail reforms and lack of police 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. Robbery continues to surge in the Big Apple since the beginning of the year. There were 354 reported across the city through January 9, up 25 percent from 238 in the same period in 2021. A former Manhattan DA has 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,' former Manhattan assistant DA Daniel Ollen said. '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. California Gov. Gavin Newsom rejected releasing Robert F. Kennedy assassin Sirhan Sirhan from prison on Thursday, more than a half-century after the 1968 slaying left a deep wound during one of America's darkest times. Newsom, who has cited RFK as his 'political hero' and embraced the historical significance of his decision, rejected a recommendation from a two-person panel of parole commissioners, saying Sirhan, now 77, poses an unreasonable threat to public safety. 'Mr. Sirhans assassination of Senator Kennedy is among the most notorious crimes in American history,' Newsom wrote in his decision. 'After decades in prison, he has failed to address the deficiencies that led him to assassinate Senator Kennedy. Mr. Sirhan lacks the insight that would prevent him from making the same types of dangerous decisions he made in the past.' Sirhan Sirhan, 77, is incarcerated at the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, in San Diego, California, for the assassination of Robert F. Kennedy Sirhan was arrested and found guilty of assassinating New York Sen. Robert F. Kennedy in 1968. The assassin maintains that he does not remember the event of the deadly night California Gov. Gavin Newsom, who had cited RFK has a personal hero, denied Sirhan's chances at parole, calling the convicted killer a threat to public safety Newsom said factors in his decision including Sirhan's refusal to accept responsibility for his crime, his lack of insight and the accountability required to support his safe release, his failure to disclaim violence committed in his name, and his failure to mitigate his risk factors. Kennedy, the U.S. senator from New York, was shot moments after he claimed victory in Californias pivotal Democratic presidential primary. Five others were wounded during the assassination at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles. The slaying took place five years after his brother, President John F. Kennedy, was assassinated. Sirhan will be scheduled for a new parole hearing no later than February 2023. Sirhan will ask a judge to overturn Newsoms denial, said his defense attorney, Angela Berry. 'We fully expect that judicial review of the governors decision will show that the governor got it wrong,' she said. State law holds that inmates are supposed to be paroled unless they pose a current unreasonable public safety risk, she said, adding that 'not an iota of evidence exists to suggest Mr. Sirhan is still a danger to society.' She said the parole process has become politicized and Newsom 'chose to overrule his own experts [on the parole board], ignoring the law.' Sirhan stepped towards RFK with a rolled up campaign poster, hiding his .22 revolver shooting him in the head from only a foot away Sen. Robert Kennedy and Ambassador Hotel employee Juan Romero pictured moments after RFK was shot by Sirhan Sirhan on June 5, 1968 RFK was taken to Good Samaritan Hospital and pronounced dead a day later, on June 6, 1968 Sirhan was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to death in 1969, before the state did away with the death penalty Parole commissioners found Sirhan suitable for release 'because of his impressive extensive record of rehabilitation over the last half-century,' she said. 'Since the mid-1980s Mr. Sirhan has consistently been found by prison psychologists and psychiatrists to not pose an unreasonable risk of danger to the public.' During his parole hearing, the white-haired Sirhan called Kennedy 'the hope of the world.' But he stopped short of taking full responsibility for a shooting he said he doesnt recall because he was drunk. 'It pains me ... the knowledge for such a horrible deed, if I did in fact do that,' Sirhan said. The parole panels recommendation in August to release Sirhan divided the iconic Kennedy family. Most notably, six of RFK's nine surviving children signed a letter publicly pleading with the Parole Board and Newsom not to grant Sirhan's parole. 'As children of Robert F. Kennedy, we are devastated that the man who murdered our father has been recommended for parole' the letter began. 'We adamantly oppose the parole and release of Sirhan Sirhan and are shocked by a ruling that we believe ignores the standards for parole of a confessed, first-degree murderer in the state of California.' The siblings directly called on Newsom to reject the parole and insisted that they 'intend to challenge' Sirhan's release 'every step of the way.' It was signed by Joseph P. Kennedy II, Courtney Kennedy Hill, Kerry Kennedy, Christopher G. Kennedy, Maxwell T. Kennedy and Rory Kennedy who write that the decision has 'inflicted enormous additional pain.' Ethel Kennedy, widow of Robert Kennedy who was assassinated during his 1968 presidential campaign, wrote a letter to the parole board pleading with them to not release Sirhan Sirhan AGAINST: The statement posted Friday was signed by six of Robert Kennedy's nine surviving children announced that they were 'devastated' by the San Diego panel's ruling. L-R Joseph P. Kennedy II, Maxwell Kennedy and Rory Kennedy AGAINST: The siblings will continue to fight to keep Sirhan behind bars for their father's murder. L-R Courtney Kennedy Hill, Kerry Kennedy and Christopher Kennedy He should NOT be paroled': RFK's widow Ethel Kennedy, 93, joins 6 of her nine surviving kids opposing Sirhan Sirhan's parole in opposition to sons RFK's youngest daughter, Rory, also published an opinion piece in The New York Times brazenly titled 'The Man Who Murdered My Father Doesn't Deserve Parole.' Robert Kennedy's widow, Ethel Kennedy, 93, released an official statement last week insisting that her husband's killer should not be paroled. Ethel released an official statement which read: 'Bobby believed we should work to 'tame the savageness of man and make gentle the life of the world.' 'He wanted to end the war in Vietnam and bring people together to build a better, stronger country. More than anything, he wanted to be a good father and loving husband. 'Our family and our country suffered an unspeakable loss due to the inhumanity of one man. We believe in the gentleness that spared his life, but in taming his act of violence, he should not have the opportunity to terrorize again.' At the bottom of the printed statement she signed, 'He should not be paroled,' and her name. FOR: Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (left) and Douglas Kennedy (right) have supported Sirhan's recommendation for parole Ethel described her husband's death as 'an unspeakable loss to the inhumanity of one man' (Pictured Robert (left) and Ethel Kennedy (right) on their wedding day in Greenwich, Connecticut on June 17, 1950) But two of RFK's children, Douglas Kennedy, 54, and Robert F. Kennedy Jr., 67, have supported Sirhan's parole. Douglas addressed the two-person panel that recommended that parole be granted during a virtual hearing, according to The Associated Press. 'I'm overwhelmed just by being able to view Mr. Sirhan face to face,' he said moved to tears. 'I've lived my life both in fear of him and his name in one way or another. And I am grateful today to see him as a human being worthy of compassion and love.' RFK Jr. has spoken in favor of Sirhan's release, and wrote in a letter that he met with his father's killer in prison who 'asked for forgiveness,' the AP reported. He has previously stated that he does not believe Sirhan killed his father. Sirhan will be scheduled for a new parole hearing no later than February 2023. Sirhan will ask a judge to overturn Newsoms denial, said his defense attorney, Angela Berry The panels decision was based in part on several new California laws since he was denied parole in 2016 - the 15th time hed lost his bid for release. Commissioners were required to consider that Sirhan committed his crime at a young age, when he was 24; that he now is elderly; and that the Christian Palestinian who immigrated from Jordan had suffered childhood trauma from the conflict in the Middle East. In addition, Los Angeles County prosecutors didnt object to his parole, following District Attorney George Gascons policy that prosecutors should not be involved in deciding whether prisoners are ready for release. The decision had a personal element for Newsom, a fellow Democrat, who displays RFK photos in his official and home offices. One of them is of Kennedy with Newsoms late father. Newsom has previously reflected on the gravity of having Sirhans fate in his hands, saying it was an emotional issue that echoed back to the turbulent 60s and reopened memories many want to forget. Sirhan originally was sentenced to death, but that sentence was commuted to life when the California Supreme Court briefly outlawed capital punishment in 1972. He now has a heart condition and has survived prostate cancer, Valley fever and having his throat slashed by another prisoner in 2019, said his attorney, Angela Berry. Munir Sirhan has said his older brother can live with him, if he is freed and not deported to Jordan. Sirhan Sirhan waived his right to fight deportation. NSW Police have ruled out fining the organisers of a Hillsong church youth camp where crowds were filmed flouting 'both the spirit and intent' of COVID-19 public health orders. Videos shows hundreds of attendees at a summer camp in Newcastle maskless, singing and dancing inside a large tent while a band performed onstage. Minister Brad Hazzard described the event as breaching both the spirit and intent of health orders The camp came days after changes to public health orders took effect, banning singing and dancing at music festivals and forcing the cancellation of music events like the Tamworth Country Music Festival and the Grapevine Gathering in the Hunter Valley. In a statement on Thursday night, NSW Health said it had demanded Hillsong immediately stop singing and dancing at the event. 'While the order does not apply to religious services, it does apply to major recreation facilities and this event is clearly in breach of both the spirit and intent of the order,' Health Minister Brad Hazzard said. Singing and dancing at large events presents a high risk of COVID-19 transmission, Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant said, amidst an outbreak which has seen the state record tens of thousands of cases a day. However NSW Police have confirmed that the church will not be fined for what Mr Hazzard described as a 'breach'. 'NSW Police will liaise with organisers... to ensure future compliance with the Public Health Orders after NSW Health deemed the location to be a major recreational facility,' a spokesperson said. However NSW Health said the event was always bound by rules for recreational facilities. In a statement, Hillsong said the summer camp event is 'not similar to a musical festival in any way'. The camps involve primarily outdoor recreational activities, with outdoor Christian services only a 'small part' of the program and singing an even smaller part of each service. 'A video circulating on social media (on Thursday) reflects a few minutes of this part of the program,' it said. 'We follow strict COVID procedures and adhere to government guidelines.' Hillsong Youth shared a series of videos showing its teenage followers partying to religious-themed pop music on Wednesday night Hillsong's Grammy award winning band performed at the youth camp But Newcastle MP Tim Crakanthorp accused organisers of "pure arrogance", the ABC reports. 'This is the exact behaviour that health experts have deemed too risky at the moment, yet the organisers of this event seem to feel it's absolutely fine for them to do so,' he said. 'This is an absolute slap in the face to the people that have lost work as a result of the current rules.' That's a sentiment echoed by artists on social media. 'There are rules in place that just aren't right,' Sydney pop rock duo Lime Cordiale wrote on social media. 'Festivals, clubs and pubs are closed whilst Hillsong are getting close and sweaty... confusing?' Australian acts including Jack River, Illy and Odette also criticised the event as demonstrating a double standard, with Brisbane band Ball Park Music describing it as 'just heartbreaking for everyone in our industry'. A waterlogged ditch in Buckinghamshire has yielded the most unexpected find a rare, extremely well-preserved wooden figure dating back to Roman times. The discovery the first of its kind in 100 years was initially dismissed as a piece of degraded wood when it was found in Twyford during work on HS2 last July. However, closer analysis revealed that it bears the shape of a human, seemingly dressed in a knee-length tunic tied at the waist and sporting either a hat or hair. The figure is 26 inches (67 cm) tall having lost the lowest part of its legs, not to mention its arms below the elbow and is 7 inches (18 cm) wide. Archaeologists said that the lack of oxygen in the trench in which the figure was found was what prevented it from rotting preserving it for some 2,000 years. While its exact purpose is unknown, experts believe that the wooden representation may have been carved for the gods as a form of religious offering. A waterlogged ditch in Buckinghamshire has yielded the most unexpected find a rare, extremely well-preserved wooden figure (pictured) dating back to Roman times The wooden figure (pictured) is 26 inches (67 cm) tall having lost the lowest part of its legs, not to mention its arms below the elbow and is 7 inches (18 cm) wide 'This is a truly remarkable find that brings us face to face with our past,' said Historic England's senior science advisor, Jim Williams. 'The quality of the carving is exquisite and the figure is all the more exciting because organic objects from this period rarely survive.' In the same ditch from which the wooden figure was recovered, archaeologists also found shards of pottery dating back to around 4370 AD. To provide a precise age for the figure itself, researchers are planning to conduct radiocarbon dating on a small fragment of the wood that was already broken off of the carving before it was unearthed from the ditch. 'Not only is the survival of a wooden figure like this extremely rare for the Roman period in Britain, but it also raises new questions about this site,' said archaeologist Iain Williamson of HS2's Enabling Works Contractor, Fusion JV. Outstanding questions, he added include: 'Who does the wooden figure represent, what was it used for and why was it significant to the people living in this part of Buckinghamshire during the 1st century AD?' The figure is currently being further examined and conserved in the laboratory by experts from York Archaeology. Archaeologists said that the lack of oxygen in the trench in which the figure was found was what prevented it from rotting preserving it for some 2,000 years It is extremely rare for carved wooden figures from Britain's prehistoric and Roman periods to survive into the present day. The last such discovery the 'Dagenham Idol', which has been dated to 2250 BC was recovered from the north bank of the Thames back in 1922. In 2019 a Roman-era wooden arm that was thought to have been carved as a religious offering was found at the bottom of a well in Northampton. The story of the figure's discovery will feature on the episode of BBC Two's 'Digging for Britain' programme airing on Thursday, January 13th. The discovery the first of its kind in 100 years was initially dismissed as a piece of degraded wood when it was discovered in Twyford during work on HS2 last July Virgin Orbit is set to fire seven satellites into space later today, when RAF pilot 'Stanny' unleashes the LauncherOne rocket from a Boeing 747. Richard Branson's space firm will put small satellites into a 310 mile orbit, launching from the Mojave Air and Space Port in California from 16:00 ET (21:00 GMT). The jet will fly up to 35,000ft over the Pacific Ocean for an hour, before deploying the Launcher One rocket and roughly 660lb of satellites contained within. This launch has been given the mission name, Above the Clouds, and will be among the first to launch into this 45 degree 310 mile orbit from the West Coast of the US. It includes satellites from the US Department of Defense which are experiments in space-based communications and in-space navigation. RAF pilot Matthew Stannard, known as 'Stanny', who is more accustomed to a Typhoon jet, will be at the controls of the customised Boeing 747 launcher Cosmic Girl. Virgin Orbit is set to fire seven satellites into space later today, when RAF pilot 'Stanny' unleashes the LauncherOne rocket from a Boeing 747 RAF pilot Matthew Stannard, known as 'Stanny', more accustomed to a Typhoon jet, will be at the controls of Cosmic Girl, the customised Boeing 747 launcher HOW VIRGIN ORBIT GETS SATELLITES INTO SPACE TAKE OFF Cosmic Girl, an adapted Boeing 747, takes off from an air and space port, initially in California. ROCKET DEPLOYMENT At cruising altitude around 35,000 feet, the chief pilot hits the Big Red Button that releases the rocket from the pylon. FIRST STAGE BURN After a 4-second freefall, the first stage engine, NewtonThree, bursts to life, accelerating the rocket to more than 8,000 miles per hour. Once its fuel is spent, the first stage detaches. FAIRING SEPARATION With LauncherOne now between 310 to 745 miles above the Earths surface, the fairing pops open, exposing the payload as it nears its destination. SATELLITE DEPLOYMENT Finally, with very precise timing, the second stage ejects the satellite into its final orbit. RETURN TO EARTH Atmospheric drag will eventually pull the second stage back down to Earth, where it burns up in the atmosphere, minimising environmental footprint. Advertisement Virgin Orbit has already put 19 satellites into space using the Cosmic Girl and Launcher-One system, but the firm says this mission is different. 'We are going to an orbit that we believe has never been achieved from the West Coast,' Tony Gingiss, chief operating officer of Virgin Orbit told reporters. 'We're proving with this launch that we can get to orbital inclinations and geometries that, probably if you asked us a year ago, we would have said, 'Well, maybe.' The launch will see the team send the rocket at a 45 degree inclination up to a 310 mile orbital position, which they achieve by shifting the drop point. 'We decided to fly the airplane further out over the Pacific so that we could fly along the coast of South America without going over landmasses,' Dan Hart, president and chief executive of Virgin Orbit, told SpaceNews. 'Our ability to achieve a 45-degree inclination out of the West Coast increases significantly the utility of a launch out of the West Coast,' Pilot 'Stanny' will be the one to pull the trigger on the 70ft rocket, once the aircraft reaches 35,000ft. He is on a three-year secondment from the Royal Air Force, as part of a project designed to help the RAF understand the role of small satellite launches. 'Stanny has been a wonderful addition to our team. As you'd expect given his background with the RAF, he brings a bright intellect, incredible attention to detail, and an excellent experience base, in addition to his world-class piloting skills,' Virgin Orbit chief operating officer Tony Gingiss told the BBC. His secondment is part of a wider investigation by the UK Ministry of Defence, that plans to one day use Virgin Orbit to launch military satellites from the UK. This is the third launch for Cosmic Girl and LauncherOne, with one of the satellites made by Glasgow firm Spire Global. It will track weather conditions from orbit, as well as ship and plane movements, and was a last minute addition to the payload. Virgin Orbit says being able to add additional satellites at relatively short notice it was decided in December is an example of its responsiveness and flexibility. Another example is the fact it is a horizontal take-off system, meaning it can launch from a runway, and fly out to the desired insertion point. This is the first of six launches Virgin Orbit has planned for this year, and two of them will launch from Spaceport Cornwall in the middle of the year. The jet will fly up to 35,000ft over the Pacific Ocean for an hour, before deploying the Launcher One rocket and roughly 660lb of satellites contained within This launch has been given the mission name, Above the Clouds, and will be among the first to launch into this 45 degree 310 mile orbit from the West Coast of the US These will be the first satellites and first rocket to be launched from British soil, and forms part of a wider push by the UK Space Agency for British rocket launches. Future satellites could be sent into polar orbits from the north of Scotland, including the Shetland Islands, where a number of firms, including Lockheed Martin and Skyrora are planning to operate within the coming few years. In order to launch six times in 2022, Virgin Orbit is having to significantly increase turnaround time, with this mission six and a half months after the last. 'We've basically cut it in half almost every successive launch to date,' said Gingass, adding that for this mission the rocket left the factory in Long Beach, California and 04:00 and was installed on the 747 in Mojave six hours later. The launch includes satellites from the US Department of Defense, that are experiments in space-based communications and in-space navigation 'There's certainly improvements you're going to see throughout 2022 in terms of the timing between rockets,' Gingiss explained to SpaceNews. 'We are continuing to ramp up our efficiencies in our factory as well, which will allow us to get rockets out more quickly.' Going forward, Virgin Orbit plan to add more launch sites to its roster, with Cornwall joining California in 2022, and Japan being added to the list for 2023. The firm is also in discussion with Australia, Brazil, a number of European countries and the US Space Force to operate out of Guam. Not a single river in England is free from pollution with waterways fouled by a 'chemical cocktail' of raw sewage, slurry, oils, car tyre microplastics and wet wipes. This is the conclusion of a report by Parliament's Environment Audit Committee, which pointed to agriculture and then water companies as the largest contributors. The committee which spent months taking in expert advice warned that the ubiquitous pollution poses a risk to both the environment and to human health. UK waterways are used for pastimes from fishing to swimming and other sports, but bacteria derived from sewage and slurry risks making river users gravely ill. And the noxious influx of chemicals, microplastics and excessive amounts of nutrients are harming river-based wildlife and leading to harmful algal blooms. In particular, the audit committee criticised government inaction and budget cuts that are tying the hands of the Environment Agency in the fight against pollution. According to the environment minister, however, the report which was published today 'highlights many areas that this government is now tackling.' Not a single river in England is free from pollution with waterways fouled by a 'chemical cocktail' of raw sewage, slurry, oils, car tyre microplastics and wet wipes (stock image) 'Rivers are the arteries of nature and must be protected,' Environmental Audit Committee chair and MP Philip Dunne told BBC News. 'Our inquiry has uncovered multiple failures in the monitoring, governance and enforcement on water quality. 'For too long, the government, regulators and the water industry have allowed a Victorian sewerage system to buckle under increasing pressure.' Environment Minister Rebecca Pow, however, dismissed this criticism. 'We are going further and faster than any other government to protect and enhance the health of our rivers and seas,' she said. 'We welcome the Environmental Audit Committee's report which highlights many areas that this government is now tackling.' As part of the report, the committee put forward a series of recommendations for how the Government might improve waterway management and combat pollution. For example, they encourage more substantial penalties for water companies that discharge sewage into the environment a course of action that is only supposed to be allowed in truly exceptional circumstances. Such discharges can be identified by signs including the presence of tampons, toilet paper and human waste in the water or caught on plants along riverbanks. According to the committee, local community groups often flag sewage overflow episodes that are not reported to the Environment Agency by the responsible water companies suggesting these discharges are likely more common than thought. 'We support the committee's urgent call for action to improve the health of England's rivers,' a spokesperson for water and wastewater service provider membership organisation Water UK said. 'Many of the recommendations mirror proposals set out in our recent 21st Century Rivers report,' they added. This, they explained, 'calls for government, regulators, water companies, agriculture, and other sectors to come together and create a comprehensive national plan to transform our rivers.' The committee have advocated for more substantial penalties for water companies that discharge sewage into the environment (as pictured) a course of action that is only supposed to be allowed in truly exceptional circumstances The most common source of pollution in England's waterways, the Environment Audit Committee noted, comes from intensive farming and, in particular, from chicken farms. The leaking of excessive amounts of nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus from these farms via sources like the birds faeces and urine can cause algae in waterways to flourish in response, forming a thick layer at the surface. Unfortunately, algal blooms can also prevent oxygen from being taken into the water, suffocating the other creatures that live in the river. In particular, the report singled out the high concentrations of phosphorus in the River Wye in the south-west Midlands and Wales, which is thought to have been derived from the water of some 20 million chickens in the river catchment. The report has recommended that the Government prohibit the construction of new poultry farms in areas where rivers already have high nutrient levels. The leaking of excessive amounts of nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus from chicken farms (like that pictured) via sources like the birds faeces and urine can cause algae in waterways to flourish in response, forming a thick, suffocating layer at the surface Others recommendations put forward in the report included the creation of a designated safe bathing area along each river by the year 2025 as well as a ban on single-use leaning and hygiene products containing plastics. The committee also warned against the disposal of fats, oils and wet wipes down sinks and toilets. These not only can make their way into rivers, but also clump together to form large 'fatbergs' that clog up sewers. In fact, it is estimated that these blockages cost English sewage companies and customers some 100 million each year to clear. The report also criticised both the Environment Agency National Highways for not doing enough to address the pollution generated when microplastics particles released from wear on car tyres are washed from roads into nearby rivers. Following the report which focussed on English waterways, as per the devolved treatment of environmental issues in the UK the Environmental Audit Committee has recommended surveys of river quality also be conducted in Scotland and Wales. The full findings of the report were published on the Environmental Audit Committee website. NASA has begun a four month-long process of bringing the James Webb Space Telescope into focus so it can start taking pictures of the universe by May. The painstaking task is due for completion in time for the $10 billion observatory to begin peering into the cosmos by early summer. James Webb Space Telescope, which blasted off from Guiana Space Centre on Christmas Day, fully deployed its 21-foot, gold-coated primary mirror, NASA said last week, following deployment of its sunshield and smaller, secondary mirror. Deployment of the primary mirror marked the final stage of all major spacecraft deployments to prepare for science operations, but now NASA engineers needs to fine-tune its individual optics into one huge, precise telescope. Once this is done, James Webb is expected to capture its first science images in May, which would then be processed over about another month before they can be released to the public in June. Scroll down for video This artists conception of the James Webb Space Telescope in space shows all its major elements fully deployed. The telescope was folded to fit into its launch vehicle, and then was slowly unfolded over the course of two weeks after launch James Webb's primary mirror consists of 18 hexagonal segments of gold-plated beryllium metal, and measures 21 feet 4 inches (6.5 metres) in diameter. It is supported by three shallow carbon fiber tubes, or struts, that extend out from the large primary mirror, which is comprised of 18 hexagonal segments JAMES WEBB REACHES MAJOR MILESTONE AS MIRROR UNFOLDS James Webb Space Telescope fully deployed its 21-foot, gold-coated primary mirror, successfully completing the final stage of all major spacecraft deployments to prepare for science operations, NASA said on January 8. After more than a week of other critical spacecraft deployments, the Webb team began remotely unfolding the hexagonal segments of the primary mirror, the largest ever launched into space. This was a multi-day process, with the first side deployed January 7 and the second January 8. A joint effort with the European Space Agency (ESA) and Canadian Space Agency, Webb will explore every phase of cosmic history, from within our solar system to the most distant observable galaxies in the early universe. Advertisement The telescope is currently on its way to the second Lagrangian point (L2), an area of balanced gravity between the Sun and Earth, where it will spend more than a decade exploring the universe in infrared. To focus the telescope, mission control engineers at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, began by sending their initial commands to tiny motors called actuators that slowly position and fine-tune the telescope's principal mirror. These actuators have been built to move incrementally at temperatures as low as -400F (-240C) in the vacuum of space. James Webb's primary mirror consists of 18 hexagonal segments of gold-plated beryllium metal, and measures 21 feet 4 inches (6.5 metres) in diameter a much larger light-collecting surface than Hubble, Webb's predecessor. The 18 segments, which had been folded together to fit inside the cargo bay of the rocket that carried the telescope to space, were unfurled with the rest of its structural components during a two-week period following Webb's December 25 launch. Those segments must now be detached from fasteners that held them in place for the launch and then moved forward half an inch from their original configuration a 10-day process before they can be aligned to form a single, unbroken, light-collecting surface. The alignment will take an additional three months, Lee Feinberg, the Webb optical telescope element manager at Goddard, told Reuters. #NASAWebbs mirrors are warming up their moves! Its 18 primary mirror segments have motors to align them to perform as one big mirror. Today we confirmed that all motors (including those on Webb's other mirrors) are in working order: https://t.co/5YkYMn0FlL #UnfoldTheUniverse pic.twitter.com/G821WqTuii NASA Webb Telescope (@NASAWebb) January 12, 2022 The five-layered sunshield will protect the telescope from the light and heat of the sun, Earth and moon, but keeping its scientific instruments below -380 degrees Fahrenheit Aligning the primary mirror segments to form one large mirror means each segment 'is aligned to one-five-thousandth the thickness of a human hair', Feinberg said. The telescope's smaller, secondary mirror, designed to direct light collected from the primary lens into Webb's camera and other instruments, must also be aligned to operate as part of a cohesive optical system. If all goes as planned, the telescope should be ready to capture its first science images in May, which would be processed over about another month before they can be released to the public in June. The James Webb Space Telescope Mirror is seen during a media unveiling at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center at Greenbelt, Maryland prior to launch on December 25. The big gold hexagons make up its primary mirror The 18 segments making up the primary mirror had to be folded together to fit inside the cargo bay of the rocket that carried the telescope to space An artist's impression of the James Webb Space Telescope folded in the Ariane 5 rocket after launch from Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana Described by NASA as the premier space-science observatory of the next decade, Webb will mainly view the cosmos in the infrared spectrum, allowing it to gaze through clouds of gas and dust where stars are being born. Instruments on the James Webb Space Telescope NIRCam (Near InfraRed Camera) an infrared imager from the edge of the visible through the near infrared NIRSpec (Near InfraRed Spectrograph) will also perform spectroscopy over the same wavelength range. MIRI (Mid-InfraRed Instrument) will measure the mid-to-long-infrared wavelength range from 5 to 27 micrometers. FGS/NIRISS (Fine Guidance Sensor and Near Infrared Imager and Slitless Spectrograph), is used to stabilize the line-of-sight of the observatory during science observations. Advertisement In comparison, predecessor Hubble has operated primarily at optical and ultraviolet wavelengths since its 1990 launch. Webb is about 100 times more powerful than Hubble, enabling it to observe objects at greater distances, thus farther back in time, than Hubble or any other telescope. This will bring into view a glimpse of the cosmos never previously seen dating to just 100 million years after the Big Bang, the theoretical flashpoint that set in motion the expansion of the observable universe an estimated 13.8 billion years ago. The new space telescope has been developed at a cost of $8.8 billion (6.6 billion), with operational expenses projected to bring its total price tag to about $9.66 billion (7.2 billion), according to Reuters. The orbiting infrared observatory is designed to be about 100 times more powerful than its predecessor, the Hubble Space Telescope. NASA likes to think of James Webb as a successor to Hubble rather than a replacement, as the two will work in tandem for a while. The JWST project, which started in 1996, is an international collaboration led by NASA in partnership with the European and Canadian space agencies. NASA 's revolutionary James Webb Space Telescope has successfully lifted off to start its long flight into space to replace the Hubble telescope after decades of planning and delays James Webb's primary mirror is a much larger light-collecting surface than Hubble, Webb's predecessor. Webb will look back to almost the beginning of time, to when the first stars and galaxies were forming James Webb began development in 1996 and was originally envisaged to launch in 2007, but a major redesign in 2005 put this back. Construction was finally completed in 2016 and an extensive period of testing work began, but this was delayed by the Covid-19 pandemic. Launch had been scheduled for March 2021 before being delayed to October, and then again until December. It was previously scheduled to launch on December 18, 2021, but 'an incident' during launch preparations pushed this back. The launch was lastly rescheduled for Christmas Eve, before finally being moved to December 25. Tesla has quietly removed all mentions of a 2022 production of its Cybertruck from its website - suggesting another delay in the arrival of the hotly anticipated futuristic car, which has already seen its debut pushed back from 2021. As recently as December, the website had promised customers that they could complete the 'configuration' of their vehicles 'as production nears in 2022'. But a month later and the page has since been updated to read that the 'configurations' could be finished 'a production nears'. Tesla has not yet commented but the move suggests yet another delay in the roll out of the futuristic-style truck which was first promised back in early 2021. Tesla has quietly removed all mentions of a 2022 production of its Cybertruck from its website. Pictured is the Cybertruck website in December BEFORE AND AFTER: The website in December last year (left) promised customers that they could complete the 'configuration' of their vehicles 'as production nears in 2022'. A month later (right) and the page has since been updated to read that the 'configurations' could be finished 'a production nears' Its market debut was then pushed back to 2022 with Tesla CEO Elon Musk citing a COVID-19 triggered 'supply chain nightmare'. During a second-quarter earnings call last year, Musk had warned that battery shortages that would drive the cost up to 'a million dollars a piece or more' if the trucks were produced in 2021. It's not clear what has caused the latest apparent delay. DailyMail.com has reached out to Tesla for comment. When the Cybertruck was first announced, Musk claimed it would cost $39,900, would tow up to 7,500 pounds. Those claims have also disappeared and were scrubbed from the website, at some point last year. The Cybertruck originally debuted in November 2019, with its futuristic armored vehicle-look and angular sides dividing the internet. But its unveiling infamously went awry when Tesla design chief Franz von Holshausen took the stage at a high-profile launch event to prove the glass was 'shatterproof.' During a second-quarter earnings call last year, Musk had warned that battery shortages that would drive the cost up to 'a million dollars a piece or more' if the trucks were produced in 2021. It's not clear what has caused the latest apparent delay Musk then very quickly proved it wasn't when he threw a metal ball at a window - smashing it. He was heard muttering 'oh my f***ing God' when his showpiece test failed. Musk then took to Twitter to explain why the windows of his Cybertruck embarrassingly broke during a failed strength test at its launch event. Musk explained in a tweet that the base of the glass window had already been weakened during a previous demo. Cybertruck - alongside Tesla's Semi and Model Y - will feature the new 4680 battery cell, which was revealed in September 2020 during the firm's Battery Day. And although the firm has 'successfully validated performance and lifetime of the battery,' it still has more work to do in order to ramp up production. Tesla has received more than 1 million preorders for its Cybertruck, numerous outlets reported. It appears that engineers still have some work to do as Tesla boss Elon Musk tweeted last month that he was 'troubled' by an enormous - and to some unsightly - windshield wiper pictured on the prototype. The Cybertruck was seen in New York in May, and hundreds of fans lined up outside Tesla's showroom to get a rare glimpse The Cybertuck features a unique futuristic design including 'Armor Glass' Production on the vehicle was originally pushed back from 2021 to 2022 The new Cybertruck design was caught on video at a Fremont, California, test track in December. It showed the electric truck had a wiper that extends from the hood to nearly the sunroof, visually dominating the aesthetics of the vehicle. Musk isn't the only one who's not keen on its new look. Some critics took to social media to poke fun at the vehicle's appearance. 'Literally nobody will buy that,' tweeted @PMack1224. 'It looks like one of my son's Lego cars. Thats actually doing a disservice to the cars he makes, they look better than this. And he's 4.' Others complained the the new prototype differs from the original design in that it has rear view mirrors, which Musk said are required by law when being shipped out by manufacturers. Some noted that the truck bed was now black, differing from its original stainless steel aesthetic. Musk, however, has claimed he is indifferent to whether the public like the truck or not. When Musk unveiled the truck to the world in 2019, he claimed the glass was shatterproof, but he was proven wrong when an engineer smashed a window in front of a live audience Musk explained in a tweet that the base of the glass window had already been weakened during a previous demo He was heard muttering 'oh my f***ing God' when his showpiece test failed Last July, the Tesla billionaire tweeted: 'To be frank, there is always some chance that Cybertruck will flop, because it is so unlike anything else,' he said. 'I don't care. I love it so much even if others don't.' In May, the Cybertruck made a visit to New York City, and hundreds of fans lined up outside Tesla's Manhattan showroom to get a rare glimpse of the Cybertruck prototype, which was in town when Musk was appearing on Saturday Night Live. The futuristic Cybertruck then hit the streets of NYC to the amazement of many bystanders. The prototype has only been spotted on a few occasions since it made its debut in November 2019, and was previously seen at Tesla's Giga Texas construction site outside of Austin, Texas. Preorders for the Cybertruck are still available online with a $100 deposit. Astronomers think they've found an 'exomoon' a moon that exists outside our own solar system based on data from NASA's Kepler space telescope. In a new paper, the experts report the discovery of a mysterious body that is almost three times the size of Earth, which they think is an exomoon. It's more than 20,500 miles in diameter, compared with Earth's diameter of 7,900 miles. It's orbiting a Jupiter-sized planet called Kepler 1708b in another solar system, 5,500 light-years away from Earth. The existence of any exomoon is yet to be officially confirmed, although the first potential candidate was identified four years ago. Since exomoons cannot be imaged directly, their presence is inferred when they pass in front of a star, momentarily dimming the star's light. The discovery of a second exomoon candidate hints at the possibility that exomoons may be as common as exoplanets. This image shows an artist's impression of the potential exomoon WHAT ARE EXOMOONS? An exomoon is a moon that exists outside our own solar system. They orbit exoplanets - planets outside our solar system. The first-ever sighting of an exomoon in 2018 is still awaiting confirmation. Conversely, there are 4,905 confirmed exoplanets in 3,629 planetary systems, and thousands more exoplanets to be confirmed. The prefix 'exo' comes from Greek, meaning outside, outer or external. Advertisement Observations from other space telescopes, like Hubble, will be needed to verify the discovery, a process that could take years. If confirmed, the new sighting could mean that exomoons are as common in the universe as exoplanets (planets outside our solar system). The discovery was led by Professor David Kipping and his Cool Worlds Lab at Columbia University and has been published in Nature Astronomy. 'Astronomers have found more than 10,000 exoplanet candidates so far, but exomoons are far more challenging,' said Professor Kipping, who has spent the last decade hunting for exomoons. 'They are terra incognita.' Confirming the mysterious body orbiting Kepler 1708b as an exomoon could take a long time, considering the first-ever sighting of an exomoon four years ago is still awaiting confirmation. Verification of this newest candidate could be equally as long and contentious, according to the team. 'The process of confirmation would similarly involve peer-review and beyond that scientific consensus amongst the astronomical community,' Professor Kipping told MailOnline. 'Confirmation would require future observations in this case.' This is an artist impression of the Kepler Space Telescope that was decommissioned by NASA in 2018 after nearly a decade of service Professor Kipping and his team had been looking at the sample of the coldest gas giant planets captured by Kepler, which was decommissioned in 2018. DETECTING EXOPLANETS AND EXOMOONS Spotting a moon or even a planet hundreds to thousands of light-years from Earth is anything but straightforward. Moons and planets can only be observed indirectly as they pass in front of their host stars, causing the star's light to intermittently dim. Catching one of these fleeting transit signals with a telescope is tricky, and so is interpreting the light-curve data. Exomoons are even harder to detect than exoplanets because they're smaller and block less light. Advertisement After scanning 70 planets in depth, they found just one candidate Kepler 1708b with a moon-like signal. 'It's a stubborn signal,' said Professor Kipping. 'We threw the kitchen sink at this thing but it just won't go away.' Eric Agol, an astronomy professor at University of Washington, said he's doubtful that this latest signal will turn out to be real, but others sounded more optimistic. 'It might just be a fluctuation in the data, either due to the star or instrumental noise,' said Professor Agol. Michael Hippke, an independent astronomer in Germany, said the new discovery 'is science at its best'. 'We find an intriguing object, make a prediction, and either confirm the exomoon candidate or rule it out with future observations,' he said. 'I am very excited to see a second exomoon candidate, although it is unfortunate that only two transits have been observed. More data would be very cool.' Kepler 1708b is a world 5,500 light-years from Earth in the direction of the Cygna and Lyra constellations. Its newly-discovered potential exomoon is about a third smaller than the Neptune-sized possible exomoon that Professor Kipping and his colleagues earlier found orbiting a similar Jupiter-sized planet, Kepler 1625b, reported in a 2018 research paper. Both candidates are likely made of gas that has piled up under the gravitational pull caused by their enormous size. They also may have even started life as planets, only to be pulled into the orbit of an even bigger planet like Kepler 1625b or Kepler 1708b. An exoplanet is simply a planet outside of our own Solar System. This is an artistic rendering of what an exoplanet might look like, with its star in the background (stock image) Both potential moons are located far from their host star, where there's less gravity to tug at planets and strip off their moons. In fact, the researchers sought out cold, giant gas planets on wide orbits in their search for exomoons precisely because the analogue in our own solar system, Jupiter and Saturn, have more than a hundred moons between them. If other moons are out there, they will likely be smaller and harder to spot. 'The first detections in any survey will generally be the weirdos,' Professor Kipping said. 'The big ones that are simply easiest to detect with our limited sensitivity.' Exomoons fascinate astronomers for the same reasons that exoplanets do they have the potential to reveal how and where life may have emerged in the universe. Astronomers want to know how these exomoons form, if they can sustain life, and what role, if any, they play in making their host planets habitable. Professor Kipping recalled how the existence of exoplanets was greeted with the same skepticism as exomoons are today. 'Those planets are alien compared to our home system,' he said. 'But they have revolutionised our understanding of how planetary systems form.' Advertisement The most detailed 3D map of the universe is currently under construction, with astrophysicists unveiling details of the first 7.5 million galaxies out of 35 million. The Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI) has completed its first seven months of a survey that is expected to take a total of five years. An international collaboration of scientists, led by the US Department of Energy's Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in California, are using the survey to create a 'phenomenally detailed 3D map' that will help explain dark energy. It has so far catalogued over 7.5 million galaxies, and is adding more at about a million a month, on its mission to have a map showing 35 million unique galaxies. The aim of the project is to shed light on the mysterious dark energy, a force that makes up 68 per cent of the universe and is accelerating its expansion. Having the map will allow astronomers to understand how the universe began, and where it is going next, including whether it will expand forever, collapse or rip apart. Each point in this cross section of the DESI map represents one galaxy. This preliminary version of the DESI map shows only 400,000 of the 35 million galaxies that will be in the final map DESI's three-dimensional 'CT scan' of the universe. The earth is in the lower left, looking out in the directions of the constellations Virgo, Serpens and Hercules to distances beyond 5 billion light years DARK ENERGY SPECTROSCOPIC INSTRUMENT (DESI) The Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI) is an international science collaboration project involving researchers from the US, China, Spain, UK, France and more. It involves 5,000 individual telescopes each working autonomously. Each telescope can survey a single galaxy for up to 20 minutes, breaking out the light into colour bands. The colours hold clues to the chemical make up, distance and speed of the individual galaxies. It aims to measure the redshifts of tens of millions of galaxies, and reveal the 3D matter distribution across the universe - revealing the nature and role of Dark Energy in the universe. DESI was originally proposed over a decade ago. DESI started its construction in 2015. The instrument saw its first light in late 2019, delayed by Covid-19, causing it to be shut down for a period. In December 2020, DESI turned its eyes to the sky again after several months of shutting down, testing out its hardware and software. By May 2021, it was ready to start its science survey. The survey has cataloged over 7.5 million galaxies, smashing through all records of galaxy surveys. The previous largest galaxy survey is the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS). In November 2021 alone, DESI cataloged redshifts of 2.5 million galaxies. By the end of its run in 2026, DESI is expected to have over 35 million galaxies. DESI has obtained a lot of data and now the collaboration is turning to its scientific analysis. They hope to yield scientific outputs on galaxy formation and evolution, including exploring the rare objects of extremely metal-poor galaxies, dwarf galaxies, and green-pea galaxies. These galaxies are of key importance to the galaxy formation in the early universe and cosmic reionisation. Advertisement Project scientist Dr Julien Guy, of the University of California, Berkeley, said the team was seeing patterns and structures throughout the universe through the new map. 'In the distribution of the galaxies in the 3D map, there are huge clusters, filaments, and voids. They are the biggest structures in the universe. 'But within them, you find an imprint of the very early universe, and the history of its expansion since then.' Professor Carlos Frenk, of Durham University, which is also involved in the project, said that despite being in the early stages, scientists are already breaking new ground. 'DESI is already breaking new ground in producing this map of the universe which is the most detailed we've ever seen,' he explained. 'This will help us to search for clues about the nature of dark energy, but we will also learn more about the dark matter and the role it plays in how galaxies like the Milky Way form and how the universe is evolving. 'We look forward with huge anticipation to the treasure trove of data that DESI will collect over the next few years. They will help uncover some of the most intimate secrets of the cosmos.' One of the questions the team hope to solve with the survey is a quandary over the fact the expansion of the universe appears to be increasing in speed, rather than stopping and contracting, as the Big Bang Theory suggests should happen. Astronomers believe dark energy - which makes up about 68 per cent of the known universe - is counteracting the pull of gravity, and stopping the contraction. To confirm this, and to understand the phenomenon of Dark Energy, the team created DESI, made up of 5,000 automated mini telescopes, each of which images a new galaxy every 20 minutes. It is able to survey more galaxies in a single year than every other telescope on the Earth combined, thanks in part to a state of the art fibre optic system that splits light from objects in space - such as galaxies and stars - into narrow bands of colour. These colours reveal the chemical make-up of the target object, as well as information about how far away they are and how fast they are travelling. DESI's data will go 11 billion years back in time - revealing clues about the evolution of not just galaxies, but quasars - the brightest objects in the universe. Victoria Fawcett, a PhD student at Durham, said: 'I like to think of quasars as lampposts, looking back in time into the history of the universe. 'DESI is really great because it is picking up much fainter and redder objects than previously discovered.' She added: 'We're finding quite a lot of exotic systems, including large samples of rare objects that we just haven't been able to study in detail before.' By breaking down the light from each galaxy into its spectrum of colours, DESI can determine how much the light has been redshifted. That is how far it is stretched out toward the red end of the spectrum by the expansion of the universe during the billions of years it traveled before reaching Earth. It is those redshifts that let DESI see the depth of the sky. A slide through 3-D map of galaxies from the completed SDSS survey (left) and from the first few months of the DESI survey (right). The earth is at the centre, with the furthest galaxies plotted at distances of 10 billion light years The project involves 5,000 individual telescopes each working autonomously. Fibre optics split the light from each observation, to give a full spectrum of colours Star trails over the Nicholas U. Mayall 4-meter Telescope on Kitt Peak National Observatory near Tucson, Arizona Earth is at the centre of a 1,000-light-year-wide 'Swiss cheese' bubble Rather than being out on its own, the Earth is at the centre of a giant, 1,000-light-year-wide bubble, created by at least 15 supernova explosions, a new study has found. There are thousands of young stars at the edge of this bubble, according to astrophysicists from the Space Telescope Science Institute in Baltimore, Maryland. Working with experts from Harvard and Smithsonian, the team reconstructed the evolutionary history of the galactic neighbourhood over 14 million years. In the 1970s astronomers discovered Earth was in a cosmic void, after realising no stars had formed in 14 million years, with all stars inside this 'bubble' emerging either before it formed, or passing through on their orbit of the galactic centre. The new study found that multiple supernova explosions 14 million years ago blasted materials needed for star formation to the edge of a huge area of space, creating a 'superbubble' that is surrounded by a frenzy of star bursts, but with none inside. The team likened the discovery to a Milky Way that resembles a 'hole-y Swiss cheese', where the holes in the cheese are blasted out by supernova, allowing new starts to form in the cheese, around the holes. Advertisement The more redshifted a galaxy's spectrum is, in general, the farther away it is, and having a 3D map helps physicists chart clusters and superclusters of galaxies. Those structures carry echoes of their initial formation, when they were just ripples in the infant cosmos, the team explained, adding that teasing those early echoes can tell astrophysicists about the expansion of the early universe. 'Our science goal is to measure the imprint of waves in the primordial plasma,' said Guy. 'It's astounding that we can actually detect the effect of these waves billions of years later, and so soon in our survey.' Today, about 68 per cent of the content of the universe is dark energy, a mysterious form of energy driving the expansion of the universe ever faster. As the universe expands, more dark energy pops into existence, which speeds up the expansion more, in a cycle that is driving the fraction of dark energy in the universe ever upwards. Understanding the fate of the universe, and the impact of dark energy on its expansion, will have to wait until DESI completes more of its survey. In the meantime, DESI is already driving breakthroughs in our understanding of the distant past, more than 10 billion years ago when galaxies were still young. 'It's pretty amazing,' said Ragadeepika Pucha, a graduate student in astronomy at the University of Arizona working on DESI. 'DESI will tell us more about the physics of galaxy formation and evolution.' They are using DESI to understand how intermediate black holes behave in small galaxies, like our own Milky Way - and whether they always contain a black hole in their core. When gas, dust, and other material falling into the black hole heats up (to temperatures hotter than the core of a star) on its way in, an active galactic nucleus (AGN) is formed. The DESI team have already used the observations to detect a new Quasar, one of the brightest types of galaxies visible from Earth Amateur astronomer discovers new galaxy nearly 3 million light-years from Earth by ACCIDENT A group of astronomers, including an amateur stargazer, have discovered a new galaxy in deep space. Further research is needed, but it's possible that Pisces VII/ Tri III is an isolated dwarf galaxy or a satellite of the Triangulum galaxy (M33). This is a spiral galaxy 2.73 million light-years from Earth. If it is indeed an isolated dwarf galaxy, it would be the faintest field galaxy ever spotted and if it's a satellite, it gives additional insight that the theory behind galaxy formation is accurate. They found the galaxy by looking at public images of the DESI Legacy Survey to find new galaxies. 'I found Pisces VII through the visual inspection in public images of the DESI Legacy Survey, precisely in order to identify new satellites in the Andromeda system, outside the areas already investigated in the past,' Donatiello said in a statement. 'I knew the likelihood of finding something new was real and I was right. A new galaxy has not been found in the Andromeda subgroup since 2013.' Advertisement In large galaxies, AGNs are among the brightest objects in the known universe. But in smaller galaxies, AGNs can be much fainter, and harder to distinguish. The spectra taken by DESI can help solve this problem and its wide reach across the sky will yield more information about the cores of small galaxies. DESI is installed at the Nicholas U Mayall four metre telescope at Kitt Peak National Observatory near Tucson, Arizona. The instrument saw first light in late 2019, but the Covid-19 pandemic shut it down for several months, with work continuing in December 2020. 'It's constant work that goes on to make this instrument perform,' said physicist Klaus Honscheid of Ohio State University, an Instrument Scientist on the project. Honscheid and his team ensure the instrument runs smoothly and automatically, ideally without any input during a night's observing. 'The feedback I get from the night observers is that the shifts are boring, which I take as a compliment,' he said. But that monotonous productivity requires incredibly detailed control over each of the 5,000 cutting-edge robots that position optical fibers on the DESI instrument, ensuring their positions are accurate to within 10 microns. 'Ten microns is tiny,' said Honscheid. 'It's less than the thickness of a human hair. And you have to position each robot to collect the light from galaxies billions of light-years away. 'Every time I think about this system, I wonder how could we possibly pull that off? The success of DESI as an instrument is something to be very proud of.' In November 2021 alone, DESI cataloged redshifts from 2.5 million galaxies. By the end of its run in 2026, DESI is expected to have over 35 million galaxies in its catalogue, enabling an enormous variety of cosmology and astrophysics research. 'All this data is just there, and it's just waiting to be analysed,' said Pucha. 'And then we will find so much amazing stuff about galaxies. For me, that's exciting.' Protesters opposing COVID-19 restrictions in Bulgaria clashed Wednesday with police as they tried to storm the Parliament in the capital of Sofia. A heavy police presence prevented protesters from entering the building and some were detained. Several people, including police officers, were injured during the clashes. Eventually, the protesters were pushed back and police cordoned off the building. The violence erupted at a protest rally against mask and vaccine mandates organized by a nationalist group that is fiercely opposing the Bulgarian government's anti-epidemic measures. ''The aim of the protest is to remove the restrictive measures and especially, first of all, the unconstitutional green certificate,'' Kostadin Kostadinov, leader of the Vazrazhdane Party, said ahead of the protest. The nationalist group, which holds 13 seats in Parliament's 240-seat chamber, has won support among opponents of coronavirus restrictions. The nearly 1,000 protesters, who waved national flags and sang patriotic songs, remained at the square in front of the National Assembly, saying they planned to stay there until their demands for abolishing the mandatory face masks and green vaccination status passes are met. Bulgaria, which is facing a new surge in infections, is the least vaccinated country in the 27-member European Union, with only a third of its population fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Speaking from his home, where he is quarantined for contacts with an infected person, Prime Minister Kiril Petkov called for calm and invited representatives of the protesters to his office Friday to discuss their demands. (AP) Scientists have discovered a gene that more than doubles the risk of becoming severely ill with Covid. Researchers from the Medical University of Bialystok in Poland found that the gene is the fourth most important factor determining how seriously a person suffers from Covid, after age, weight and gender. The gene is located on chromosome 3, one of the 23 pairs of chromosomes in humans, and is present in around 14 per cent of the Polish population, compared to 8-9 per cent in Europe as a whole and 27 per cent in India, they say. The discovery could help doctors identify those who are most at risk from the disease and prioritise them for vaccinations. Poland and several other countries in central and eastern Europe are battling their latest surges of coronavirus cases and deaths while continuing to record much lower vaccinations rates than in western Europe. Polish scientists have found a gene that they say more than doubles the risk of becoming severely ill with Covid (stock image) The new study was led by Marcin Moniuszko, a professor at Medical University of Bialystok, and based on around 1,500 Covid patients. Results were presented on Thursday at a press conference at the university with the participation of Minister of Health Dr Adam Niedzielski and President of Medical Research Agency, Radoslaw Sierpinski. 'Although the results of our research are still a scientific discovery, we very much hope that on their basis, a widely available test for patients, doctors and diagnosticians will be created to identify people at greater risk of severe disease,' Professor Moniuszko said. 'Such a test may help to better identify people who, if infected, may be at risk of a rapid course of the disease before infection occurs. 'Then, such people could receive special care, increased protection both preventive (additional doses of protective vaccinations) and medical (new treatments directed against SARS-CoV-2).' The gene doesn't seem to be a specific 'Covid gene' as such, but rather one associated with other health conditions too. As 14 per cent of Polish people are estimated to have the gene, it's hoped that the new study will ramp up vaccinations in the country. Vaccine hesitancy is a major factor behind high coronavirus death rates in central and eastern Europe. According to the latest data, 56.2 per cent of the Polish population are fully vaccinated, compared with 71.1 per cent in the UK and 62.7 per cent in the US. In Poland, vaccinations rates are far lower than in Western Europe. Here, Hanna Zientara, an 83-year-old resident of Warsaw in Poland, receives her Covid booster shot The situation has created a dilemma for Poland's government, which has urged citizens to get vaccinated. 'After more than a year and a half of work it was possible to identify a gene responsible for a predisposition to becoming seriously ill [with coronavirus],' said Minister Niedzielski. 'This means that in the future we will be able to... identify people with a predisposition to suffer seriously from Covid.' In December, Niedzielski pointed out that of the 1,085 people under 44 who died with Covid in Poland in 2021, only 3 per cent were fully vaccinated. 'This black statistic could be different thanks to vaccinations,' he said at the time. The new study mirrors findings published in November by researchers at Oxford University. They identified the gene responsible for doubling the risk of respiratory failure from Covid, called LZTFL1. The LZTFL1 gene is present in 60 per cent of South Asians and allows the virus to multiply in the lungs easier. Its prevalence in people with South Asian ancestry partly explains the excess deaths seen in some minority communities in the UK. Dame Joanna Lumley today hosted a demonstration detonation in a quarry to show how blowing up unexploded WWII bombs at sea can deafen dolphins and whales. The actress was joined this morning at the Broadmead Quarry in Somerset by the Secretary of State for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs, George Eustice. The explosive demo of a traditional bomb detonation was compared with the quieter approach of 'deflagration', in which a small charge is used to burn the bomb out. The event followed the success of Dame Joanna's Stop Sea Blasts campaign last November, when the government vowed to prioritise such low-noise solutions. It is estimated that some 100,000 tonnes of unexploded wartime munitions lurk in Britain's waters much of which needs clearing to make way for new wind farms. But the traditional way of disposing of these bombs on the sea bed blowing them up with another explosive device has the potential to harm marine life. Not only can blast waves physically injure whales and dolphins, but the sound of the explosion can damage their hearing, which is key for navigation and communication. Some of these unexploded ordnances can reach up to half a tonne in size. Confused and disoriented by the sounds, the marine mammals can end up stranded on beaches and shorelines a situation which can easily prove fatal. Scroll down for videos Dame Joanna Lumley today hosted a demonstration detonation (pictured) in a quarry to show how blowing up unexploded WWII bombs at sea can deafen dolphins and whales The actress was joined this morning at the Broadmead Quarry in Somerset by the Secretary of State for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs, George Eustice. Pictured: Dame Joanna and Mr Eustice pose with the remains of the low-order deflagration demo unit The explosive demo of a traditional bomb detonation was compared with the quieter approach of 'deflagration', in which a small charge is used to burn the bomb out. Pictured: Dame Joanna prepares to view the explosion at the quarry in Somerset 'What a pleasure and a thrill it was to sit today with the Secretary of State and watch a comparison between "high order" detonations and "low order" deflagration,' Dame Joanna Lumley said after the demonstration. 'High Order detonations are truly barbaric, and I am glad that last November the Government listened and stated that low noise alternatives should be prioritised. 'I'm sure that todays demonstration will have been welcomed by Mr Eustice as confirmation that he and his team are right to move to insisting that these new quieter techniques are used,' Dame Joanna continued. 'It would be simply unforgivable to allow clearance companies to continue to use Second World War technology to clear Second World War bombs when there are tested, quieter, safer and environmentally kind techniques available right now.' Low-order deflagration was developed by Chippenham-based explosives company Alford Technologies (who owns Broadmead Quarry) back in the early 2000s. A study published last year by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy found deflagration to be hundreds of times quieter than regular detonation. Furthermore, it has the added advantage of being cheaper to implement than its less subtle counterpart and is already implemented by 15 navies around the world. The event followed the success of Dame Joanna's Stop Sea Blasts campaign last November, when the government vowed to prioritise such low-noise solutions. Pictured: Dame Joanna and Mr Eustice attending the demonstration this morning A study published last year by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy found deflagration to be hundreds of times quieter than regular detonation. Furthermore, it has the added advantage of being cheaper to implement than its less subtle counterpart. Pictured: Dame Joanna and Mr Eustice inspect the explosion demonstration apparatus 'What a pleasure and a thrill it was to sit today with the Secretary of State and watch a comparison between "high order" detonations [pictured left] and "low order" deflagration [right],' Dame Joanna Lumley said after the demonstration. She added: 'I'm sure that todays demonstration will have been welcomed by Mr Eustice as confirmation that he and his team are right to move to insisting that these new quieter techniques are used' Low-order deflagration was developed by Chippenham-based explosives company Alford Technologies (who owns Broadmead Quarry, pictured) back in the early 2000s 'It was great to join Dame Joanna Lumley to see the work being done to develop alternative methods for clearing munitions,' said Mr Eustice. 'We must tackle underwater noise and I am pleased to confirm that at-sea trials of low-noise alternatives are scheduled to begin next week.' 'It is inhumane to continue to detonate these weapons of war in our waters when we have this viable alternative available. Setting off shells and mines is nothing less than vandalism of the sea,' said conservation charity Marine Connection's Liz Sandeman. 'Our oceans and their inhabitants, including whales, dolphins and porpoises are under extreme pressure from other threats such as climate change. 'Therefore whilst disposal of these weapons when found in our waters is vital, we must do this without harming the very natural environment and cetaceans that we are fighting to save. 'High Order detonations are truly barbaric, and I am glad that last November the Government listened and stated that low noise alternatives should be prioritised,' said Dame Joanna 'It was great to join Dame Joanna Lumley to see the work being done to develop alternative methods for clearing munitions,' said Mr Eustice, who is pictured here with Dame Joanna. 'We must tackle underwater noise and I am pleased to confirm that at-sea trials of low-noise alternatives are scheduled to begin next week' Unfortunately, damage has already been done by the detonation technique. In 2011, for example, 39 long-finned pilot whales became stranded and 19 eventually perished at the Kyle of Durness, an inlet on the north coast of Scotland, after they entered the bay at high tide. A Government report subsequently concluded that bomb disposal operations in the area in the days leading up to the tragedy were 'the only external event with the potential to cause' the whale strandings. Unfortunately, damage has already been done by the detonation technique. In 2011, for example, 39 long-finned pilot whales became stranded and 19 eventually perished at the Kyle of Durness, an inlet on the north coast of Scotland, after they entered the bay at high tide On the tragedy, Dame Joanna commented: 'I think we owe it to our marine life to do all that we can to prevent such a situation ever happening again - both on our beaches and many miles out at sea.' Experts estimate that each detonation may cause up to 60 marine mammals to lose their hearing. At present, some 50 such explosions are unleashed in British waters each year a figure likely to rise as demands for wind farm construction increases. The clearance of unexploded ordnances is assessed along with environmental impacts on a case-by-case basis by regulators and statutory nature conservation bodies prior to the issuance of the necessary marine licence More information on the campaign can be found on the Stop Sea Blasts website. Pictured: The demonstration hosted this morning by Dame Joanna Lumley joined was held at the Broadmead Quarry in Somerset Arsenal have been dealt a huge blow ahead of their Carabao Cup semi-final against Liverpool after news that Martin Odegaard has picked up an injury and will miss the trip to Anfield. The Norwegian midfielder has been in impressive form of late, picking up three assists in his last five games for Mikel Arteta's men and scoring three times during the busy Christmas period last month, so his absence will be felt. Odegaard has been ruled out of the clash with Jurgen Klopp's Reds, according to Goal, adding to Arteta's selection headache, with his midfield options now looking to be limited. Arsenal midfielder Martin Odegaard is set to miss out on their semi-final clash vs Liverpool Mikel Arteta is already set to be without Emile Smith Rowe and faces a midfield crisis The Spaniard is already set to be without the services of Emile Smith Rowe - who sat out of the 1-0 FA Cup third round defeat to Nottingham Forest, giving him a selection headache if Odegaard's injury is confirmed. Arteta is understood to be considering centre-back Ben White for a spot in his midfield, with Mohamed Elneny and Thomas Partey both away on Africa Cup on Nations duty to compound his woes. Odegaard and Smith Rowe have both been two of Arsenal's top performers this season, with the former earning the Premier League's player of the month award for December, keeping his team-mate out of the team at times due to his consistency. The 23-year-old's influence on the team has already seen Arteta hint that he could be a future captain - calling him 'a natural leader'. The Spanish boss has talked up Odegaard as a future captain after an impressive season 'He's a very young player but already has a lot of experience at different clubs and international level. 'I agree in the last few weeks he's getting close to his best level and the ceiling for him I don't know where it is because of talent and desire he has and how much he wants to improve. 'We have a tremendous player. He is a natural leader if you look for perfect professional he wouldn't be very far from that.' Arsenal play their first leg against Liverpool tonight in a rescheduled game after the initial opening game of the tie was postponed due to rising Covid cases in Liverpool's squad. An Australian reality star who moved to London last year has revealed how her experience of the historic English capital fell short of her expectations. Rachael Arahill, 26, said her hopes of a dreamy urban life akin to Made in Chelsea were dashed when she instead encountered rubbish-strewn streets, filthy footpaths and abandoned Christmas trees. The former Bachelor contestant shared an 'expectations versus reality' post on Instagram on Tuesday in which she documented the less-than-glamorous side of London. Not impressed: Rachael Arahill has revealed the grim reality of moving to London after hoping for a 'Made in Chelsea experience' only to find rubbish-strewn streets and filthy footpaths One of her photos showed a dirty pavement, prompting Ms Arahill to admit: 'I had never seen this much gum on footpaths until I moved here.' She also posted an 'expectation' photo of pristine London townhouses, which she contrasted with literal piles of garbage she'd seen heaped up against shopfronts. She also showed a footpath covered with dog faeces, captioning it: 'Dog s**t all over footpaths.' Snap back to reality: The former Bachelor contestant shared an 'expectations versus reality' post on Instagram on Tuesday in which she documented the less-than-glamorous side of London. One image showed rows of pristine London townhouses (left), which Ms Arahill contrasted with literal piles of garbage she'd seen heaped up against shopfronts (right) 'Dog s**t all over footpaths': She also showed a pavement covered with dog faeces Another of Ms Arahill's 'reality' photos showed several abandoned Christmas trees strewn across the footpath. It was a remarkably different side to the city than the one portrayed in reality TV series Made in Chelsea, which has a cult following in Australia. That long-running program chronicles the lives of affluent young people in the South London and South West areas of Belgravia, King's Road, Chelsea and Knightsbridge. Falling short: One of her photos showed a dirty pavement, prompting Ms Arahill to admit: 'I had never seen this much gum on footpaths until I moved here.' She had expected to see clean streets and stylish homes (right) like the ones featured on Made in Chelsea Trash: Another of Ms Arahill's 'reality' photos showed several abandoned Christmas trees strewn across the footpath Ms Arahill rose to fame on season seven of The Bachelor Australia, starring astrophysicist Dr Matt Agnew. She was kicked off the show after flirting with one of the producers. In one of her season's biggest scandals, she allegedly gave the male staffer her phone number and told the other contestants he was her 'Plan B'. Dr Agnew was furious when he found out and sent her packing. Bachelor In Paradise star Jessica Brody has hit back at cat callers after she was harassed on the street on Wednesday. The tattoo artist was forced to hide in a train station after the first incident, when some 'random men in a car' followed her for fifteen minutes and cat called her from the vehicle. It then happened a second time that day, but the 32-year-old was able to get her phone out to film the tail end of it, which she shared on Instagram. Hitting back: Bachelor In Paradise star Jessica Brody (pictured) has hit back at cat callers after she was harassed on the street on Wednesday In the footage, a man is clearly visible in a car at the end of the footpath where the Melbourne-based star is walking. As she approaches him with her iPhone held up and recording, he awkwardly flashes a thumbs up sign before the video ends. 'TWICE on my way home did I have random men follow me in their cars,' she captioned it. 'This s**t is scary as fuck for women and such s****y behaviour. Please don't do this,' she continued. 'I only thought to film it because it happened about 30 minutes prior,' she added, before claiming that the man had said, 'Oi, come here for a sec!' to her. 'This s**t is scary': The 33-year-old shared footage of a man who she claims followed her home Jess then shared a photo of what she was wearing that day, which consisted of sneakers, a short pleated skirt and a simple black bandeau top. 'Not trying to be dramatic but this is wild that I can't dress like this in 30 degrees without getting harassed,' she wrote. When contacted for comment by Daily Mail Australia, Jessica slammed cat callers and said that it was unacceptable for anybody to be harassed on the street. Outfit: Jess then shared a photo of what she was wearing that day, which consisted of sneakers, a short pleated skirt and a simple black bandeau top 'Cat calling is sexual harassment. It's genuinely scary and it constitutes anything from unwanted stares to being followed, which happened to me and routinely does, to groping and verbal abuse,' she said. 'It happens to people of all shapes and sizes, all year round, but I personally find a huge uptick in summer when my body is more visible,' she continued. 'Everyone should feel comfortable to wear whatever keeps them comfortable and happy without feeling threatened or upset and without being sexualised without their consent.' Fresh start: Since her time on Bachelor In Paradise, the former model has left reality TV behind to start a new career as a professional tattooist Jessica is best known for her stint on Bachelor In Paradise's third season, which aired in 2020. Since her time on the show, the former model has left reality TV behind to start a new career as a professional tattooist. She's also a budding beauty entrepreneur with her own line of false mink eyelashes and eyebrow products called Brody Beauty. Netflix is in the works to produce two back-to-back sequels for Red Notice, which is expected to begin production in 2023, according to Deadline. The outlet reported that film director Rawson Marshall Thurber, has already begun writing. 'The plan is to bring back the star trio and add new characters to flesh out a heist-film ensemble reminiscent of the starry Ocean's Eleven franchise,' Deadline reported. Coming back: Netflix is in the works to produce two back-to-back sequels for Red Notice, which is expected to begin production in 2023. According to Deadline , film director Rawson Marshall Thurber, has already begun writing Netflix's number one movie: Red Notice starred Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson, Gal Gadot and Ryan Reynolds in the action/comedy movie. The movie featured an Interpol agent attempting to hunt down and capture the world's most wanted art thief Red Notice starred Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson, Gal Gadot and Ryan Reynolds in the action/comedy movie. The movie featured an Interpol agent attempting to hunt down and capture the world's most wanted art thief. Not only did the action movie have the biggest opening day and become Netflix's number one film, it was also the most expensive movie Netflix has ever done, costing the studio $200 million. Dwayne took to his Instagram in November to thank all of his fans for helping the hit Netflix movie become their number one film, replacing Bird Box. Premiere night in November: Not only did the action movie have the biggest opening day and become Netflix's number one film, it was also the most expensive movie Netflix has ever done, costing the studio $200 million The 49-year-old former WWE wrestler posted a video to Instagram along with a caption touting his new movie's success. In the video, The Rock raises a glass of his tequila Teremana to his followers who have watched the movie and thanks them for their support. 'Guys, you have turned Red Notice into a true iconic, global and cultural phenomenon,' he said during his speech. 'In just 11 days, you have made Red Notice the biggest movie in the history of Netflix.' Thanking his fans: Dwayne took to his Instagram in November to thank all of his fans for helping the hit Netflix movie become their number one film, replacing Bird Box Cleopatra's egg in Red Notice: 'Guys, you have turned Red Notice into a true iconic, global and cultural phenomenon,' he said during his speech. 'In just 11 days, you have made Red Notice the biggest movie in the history of Netflix' 'Like an unstoppable force, you are also making Red Notice the most-watched property in the history of Netflix in film or in television.' He then raised the toast to his followers before taking a sip and saying, 'That is good sh*t.' Ryan Reynolds responded to the news in a tweet writing, 'WOW #RedNotice is Netflix's biggest ever opening day for a film. Congrats to this whole team! Can't wait for Red Notice (Taylor's Version).' Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter reunited on Wednesday as the former Bill and Ted co-stars went for a most excellent adventure in coastal California. The life-long friends were seen buying coffee from a Malibu cafe before setting off on a motorcycle ride across the rugged Californian coastline. Keanu, 57, wore a black jacket over matching jeans and scuffed brown boots as he climbed onto his bike ahead of the daytrip. Here they come: Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter reunited on Wednesday as the former Bill and Ted co-stars went for a most excellent adventure in coastal California Accompanying his former co-star, Alex, 56, wore a black shirt with blue jeans and black motorcycle boots, a look he rounded off with heavily tinted sunglasses. The friends have shared the screen in three films in the Bill & Ted series - 1989's Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure, 1991's Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey, and 2020's Bill & Ted Face The Music - with Alex playing Bill and Keanu playing Ted. They chat about their friendship and the film franchise in an August 2020 piece for The New York Times, as Alex admitting he thinks of his co-star as a brother. 'Theres very little constancy in this business,' he said. 'You come together on a set, youre like, "Were like a family!" And then its, "OK, bye." You never, ever see them again.' Hard to miss: The pair were side by side as they made their way to their motorcycles Old times: The friends have shared the screen in 1989's Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure, 1991's Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey (pictured), and 2020's Bill & Ted Face The Music Keanu added: 'We enjoy each others company and our thoughts and takes on the world. When we come together, its like, "What are you thinking?" "I dont know, but this is kind of funny." "Yeah, thats kind of weird, too."' Alex told the newspaper that he and Keanu 'met in the audition process' for Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure, and 'hit it off early on in the audition. 'We had similar training and similar interests, about acting and drama and the plays we liked... when they told us we both got the part, we were both like, "Ah, thats great that you got it." 'Its like when you start at a new school, youre like, "Oh great, youre going to be in my class." It was that vibe.' Close: The actors have been friends for more than three decades following their starring roles in the film franchise Reprising their roles: The stars also appeared in the films Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey and Bill & Ted Face The Music Looking the part: Keanu put on a backpack prior to hitting the road in the luxe beach locale The pair opened up about working with late comedy legend George Carlin, who played the role of Rufus in the first two films. 'We were young and we were trained, but it was very helpful to have people to help elevate us,' Keanu said. 'We felt very fortunate about that.' Alex added that neither knew who would be cast in the role of Rufus 'until well into shooting and it was scary. 'There were names that were being floated around - they were great actors, but just not right for that role. Keanu and I were blown away that it was George. 'He was an extremely grounded, down-to-earth person off-camera. And I would say he was very charitably nice to both of us. We were well aware of the gravitas of having him.' Time travelling teens: The pair visited key moments in history for a school project in 1989 film Bill And Ted's Excellent Adventure Let's do this: The actors sidled up to their motorcycles ahead of the coastline ride on the weekday As close as family: Alex previously admitted he thinks of Keanu as a brother Keanu said that their 'personal lives changed a little bit' after the film was a hit in theaters upon its release in February of 1989. 'When we would go out to dinner together, people were like, "Whoa! Dudes!"' he said. 'We would just be like, "Yeah. Yeah." "Party on, dudes!" "Yeah."' Alex added: 'I remember somebody doing an air-guitar slide on their knees, all the way across the floor of the restaurant up to our bar stools. 'I remember saying to Keanu, you realize that this - no matter what happens - is never going to stop.' Getting ready: Keanu fastened his gloves ahead of the motorcycle ride on Wednesday She had previously hinted at their romance by posting images of a shirtless man on Instagram. And now Vanessa Valladares' new boyfriend has been revealed as Byron Bay-based artist Todd Clare. The 26-year-old, who famously dated Hollywood actor Zac Efron from 2020 to 2021, packed on the PDA with her new man during a steamy beachside date on Tuesday. Moving on: Vanessa Valladares (right), the model ex-girlfriend of Zac Efron, debuted her new boyfriend Todd Clare as they enjoyed a beachside date in Byron Bay on Tuesday Vanessa showed off her long legs by wearing just a pink T-shirt with bikini bottoms. The part-time model and retail assistant strolled barefoot through a beachside park as she and Todd found a place to sit. Once seated, the newly minted couple enjoyed an impromptu picnic while eating takeaway on a blanket. Leggy: Vanessa showed off her long legs by wearing just a pink T-shirt with bikini bottoms Loved-up: The 26-year-old, who dated Hollywood star Zac from 2020 to 2021, strolled barefoot through a beachside park as she and Todd found a place to sit Her artist beau went shirtless for the date, displaying his toned torso in the sun. Once the couple finished eating, they began to get cosy, with Vanessa placing her head in her new man's lap while they reclined in the sun. Todd later held his girlfriend's bare feet before the lovebirds returned to their car. Shredded: Artist Todd went shirtless for the date, displaying his toned torso in the sun Footsies: Todd held his girlfriend's bare feet before the lovebirds returned to their car Once inside, they were seen smooching in the front seats. In September, Vanessa had posted a photo to Instagram of the shirtless hunk painting in what appeared to be her living room. The post came several months after the model's split from Baywatch star Zac. Alfresco: Once seated, the newly minted couple enjoyed an impromptu picnic while eating takeaway on a blanket Unmasked: She had previously hinted at their romance by posting images of a shirtless man on Instagram Cute: Once the couple finished eating, they began to get cosy, with Vanessa placing her head in her new man's lap while they reclined in the sun According to various reports, Zac, 34, was introduced to Vanessa by her boss at Byron Bay's General Store cafe in June 2020, and the pair hit it off straight away. Two months later, in August, Daily Mail Australia revealed Zac had cancelled his scheduled return flight to Los Angeles because he 'didn't really want to go back'. Within weeks, the genetically blessed couple had moved in together in Byron Bay. Talking it out: Todd and Vanessa enjoyed a chat in the park Honeymoon phase: The pair seemed very at ease with each other, occasionally sharing a laugh His work: Todd is an artist and photographer best known for his work with natural landscapes Zac confirmed their relationship in September 2020 when they were spotted holding hands in public. But it was revealed in April last year they had called it quits, with Zac's friend Kyle Sandilands announcing on his KIIS FM radio show: 'I can confirm [the break-up], after speaking with him yesterday.' He also stated Zac had been dating Vanessa for much longer than reported. Case of the ex: The outing comes several months after Vanessa's split from Baywatch hunk Zac Famous lover: Zac confirmed their relationship in September 2020 when they were spotted holding hands in public Low-key romance: Vanessa and Zac (pictured) dated during his extended stay in Australia Kiss kiss: Once inside the car, they could be seen smooching up a storm There was speculation at the time Zac and Vanessa had known each other three years before their 'official' first meeting at Byron Bay's General Store cafe. Kyle, who is good pals with Zac, revealed on live radio it wasn't just a rumour. 'They've been together for a lot longer than people realise,' he said. 'I don't know where they met, but it wasn't recent. It's been going for a little while, but I don't know exactly how long.' Nicola McLean has revealed she spent 4,000 on vaginal surgery after going through a secret battle with incontinence. The glamour model, 40, has had two children, Striker and Rocky, naturally, causing her to suffer through the condition. The star told The Sun that she was not able to go for a jog or even play on a trampoline without leaking. Taboo: Nicola McLean, 40, has revealed she had 4,000 vaginal surgery after going through a secret battle with incontinence The surgery promised to not only cure her problem, but also improve her sex life. She had to put her husband Tom Williams on a six week 'sex ban' after the non-surgical procedure, and revealed he thought she was 'mad for doing it.' She said: 'Luckily everything was amazing. Tom thinks I was mad for doing this, but like with all my surgeries, I say, "Youll love it when its done"' Struggles: The star told The Sun that she was not able to go for a jog or even play on a trampoline without leaking; pictured 2019 What is Vaginoplasty? Vaginoplasty is a procedure that aims to 'tighten up' a vagina that's become slack or loose from vaginal childbirth or aging. Some surgeons claim it can even improve sensitivity - a claim the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) has strongly challenged. While it's true that vaginal tissues can stretch, surgically tightening the vaginal tissue in itself cannot guarantee a heightened sexual response, since desire, arousal, and orgasm are complex, highly personal responses, conditioned as much by emotional, spiritual, and interpersonal factors as aesthetic ones. Source: Web MD Advertisement Nicola justified the procedure, saying her life before was 'no way to live,' she went on: 'After two natural births, it certainly does change things.' Vaginoplasty is a procedure to construct or repair the vagina, and many celebrities - including Gemma Collins have chosen to get it done. Nicola said: 'The GC was speaking about it a while ago and I thought, "She hasnt got any kids, I need to look into this".' Doting mother: The glamour model, 40, has had two children, Striker and Rocky, naturally, causing her to suffer through the condition She also discussed how daunted she felt by padded knickers, and that the thought of wearing them pushed her towards having the op. Going on about the taboo condition, she said that he pelvic floors aren't what they used to be after giving birth, and believes people don't speak out on it because people may think it means you have a 'massive vagina.' She can now bounce on the trampoline with her kids and run up the stairs again without having a leak. Last year, Nicola spoke honestly about her struggle with anorexia and bulimia, claiming she feels 'more loved' when she's unwell. Discussing the eating disorders in an interview with new! Magazine on Tuesday, the reality star also said she was back on her anxiety medication because of the 'awful' year she's had amid the coronavirus crisis. As she reflected on where her struggles with the diseases, which she has struggled with since the age of 11, stem from, she explained: 'I feel more loved when I'm ill - it sounds so mucked up!' She also detailed how being stuck in lockdown during the global pandemic has been 'horrendous' for her anxiety and has also impacted her eating disorder. If you have been affected by an eating disorder call BEAT at 0808 801 0677 Chandler Powell is enjoying every moment of being a doting family man. And on Thursday, he shared a sweet photo of his wife Bindi Irwin, 23, and their nine-month-old daughter Grace Warrior all curled up together. The 25-year-old American-born conservationist posted an image of his wife on the couch in her pyjamas and cradling their baby girl. Family man: Chandler Powell called wife Bindi Irwin and their daughter Grace Warrior his 'whole world' in a sweet Instagram post on Thursday Little Grace looked peacefully asleep as Bindi gently rested her head on her tot's. He wrote in the caption: 'My whole world curled up on one couch' The family video comes after Chandler, a former professional wakeboarder from Florida, shared a throwback photo from their pre-pandemic trip to Scotland. Adorable: On Thursday, the 25-year-old American-born conservationist posted an image of his wife on the couch in her pajamas and cradling their baby girl as they enjoyed a nap together. He wrote in the caption: 'My whole world curled up on one couch' Memories: The sweet mother-daughter photo 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. 'Just over two years ago, who knew how much can change in that time! Grateful to have each other through every chapter,' he added. 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 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. This combination of pictures created on Jan. 13, 2022 shows a file photo (Top) taken on Jan. 23, 2012 of the Costa Concordia on its side off the Isola del Giglio ten days after its shipwreck, and a view taken from the port of Giglio on Jan. 13, 2022 showing ten years later the spot where the Costa Concordia cruise ship ran aground and keeled over off Giglio island, Tuscany. AFP-Yonhap Italy on Thursday marked the 10th anniversary of the Costa Concordia cruise ship disaster with a daylong commemoration ending with a candlelight vigil marking the moment the ship slammed into a reef and then capsized off the Tuscan island of Giglio. Church bells rang out as a commemorative Mass got underway in the Giglio church to honor the 32 people who died in the Jan. 13, 2012, shipwreck. It was the same church that opened its doors and took in hundreds of survivors on that freezing cold night, giving them shelter after they had arrived on shore in lifeboats, some of them having shimmied down the side of the liner. ''I invite you to have the courage to look forward,'' Grosseto Bishop Giovanni Roncari told relatives of the dead, survivors and the Coast Guard officials who helped coordinate the rescue that night. ''Hope doesn't cancel the tragedy and pain, but it teaches us to look beyond the present moment without forgetting it.'' This two-photo combo shows at top, amateur photographer Giuseppe Modesti standing in the port of the Tuscan tiny island of Isola del Giglio, Italy, Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2022, holding a tablet with the iconic photograph he took of the passengers leaving the cruise ship Costa Concordia the night it crashed off the island, and below, Modesti standing on the same spot on Friday, Feb. 3, 2012, and holding the same photograph with the shipwrecked hulk of the cruise ship Costa Concordia in the background. AP-Yonhap Under a brilliant sun and blue sky, survivors and relatives later planned to place a wreath in the water where the hulking liner finally came to rest on its side off Giglio's coast. The Concordia's captain, Francesco Schettino, is serving a 16-year prison sentence for having ordered the crew to take the ship off course to come closer to Giglio in a stunt. He then delayed an evacuation order and abandoned ship before all the passengers and crew were evacuated. The 10th anniversary is also recalling how the residents of Giglio took in the 4,200 passengers and crew, giving them food, blankets and a place to rest, and then lived with the Concordia's wrecked carcass for another two years until it was righted and hauled away for scrap. Those residents gave a warm welcome to Kevin Rebello, whose brother Russel Rebello, a Concordia waiter, was the last person unaccounted-for until crews finally discovered his remains while dismantling the ship in 2014 in a Genoa shipyard. Kevin Rebello had become close to many Giglio residents during the months that divers searched for his brother. And on Thursday, as he arrived at the church for the commemorative Mass, he was given an award from the Civil Protection Agency. ''This is for him,'' Kevin Rebello told reporters as he clutched the plaque. ''He would be proud of it.'' Ester Percossi, left, one of the Costa Concordia shipwreck survivor, and Concetta Virzi, who lost her sister Luisa Antonia arrive for a commemoration mass in the San Lorenzo Church, in the Tuscan island of Isola del Giglio, Italy, Thursday, Jan. 13, 2022. AP-Yonhap Sunrise weatherman Sam Mac couldn't hide his embarrassment on Thursday as he filmed a live cross from a women-only gym in Sydney. The 40-year-old funnyman was surrounded by a group of female gymgoers in activewear as he interviewed them while lifting weights with his legs. But when the camera operator zeroed in on his black workout shorts, Sam covered his groin to avoid offending viewers. Bad angle? Sunrise weatherman Sam Mac couldn't hide his embarrassment on Thursday as he filmed a live cross from a women-only gym in Sydney 'I don't like the part when it comes in at the end as there's not a lot of margin for error,' Sam said of the moving camera. As the camera went a little too close for comfort, a red-faced Sam ordered the producer to pull back. 'That is not a good angle by the way,' he said. 'Australia does not need that angle!' Having fun: The 40-year-old funnyman was surrounded by a group of female gymgoers in activewear as he interviewed them while lifting weights with his legs Sam covered his crotch and joked that the women in the gym were 'leering' at him. 'Can you guys stop objectifying me?' he cheekily asked. 'It's so hard for men to go to a gym these days without being leered at.' The segment was filmed at a gym that specialises in glute workouts. 'That is not a good angle by the way': When the camera operator zeroed in on his black workout shorts, Sam covered his groin to avoid offending viewers It comes after Sam and his stylist girlfriend Rebecca James celebrated their one-year anniversary. To mark the occasion, the Seven presenter shared a picture on Instagram of Rebecca 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. Milestone: Sam and Rebecca celebrated their one-year anniversary in November 'One year since we met IRL [in real life],' he added. Sam's gushing post came after the couple announced in October they'd purchased their first property together. 'We bought a bloody house! In Sydney! Already drinking our way through the pain as we calculate the stamp duty #Pray4Us,' he wrote on Instagram. The Color Purple co-stars Jennifer Hudson and Cynthia Erivo both scored SAG Awards nominations on Wednesday for their respective portrayals of the late, great Aretha Franklin. Cynthia is up for female actor in a TV movie/limited series for the fully-authorized eight-episode series Genius: Aretha, which premiered March 21 on National Geographic. 'It is and will always be an honor to be recognized by my peers,' the British-Nigerian 35-year-old wrote of the honor on Instagram. R-e-s-p-e-c-t! The Color Purple co-stars Jennifer Hudson (L) and Cynthia Erivo (R) both scored SAG Awards nominations on Wednesday for their respective portrayals of the late, great Aretha Franklin (pictured in 2015) 'Thank you @sagawards for this on behalf of Ms Aretha Louise Franklin.' Erivo faces heavy competition against The White Lotus scene stealer Jennifer Coolidge, Maid's Margaret Qualley, Mare of Easttown's Jean Smart, and Mare of Easttown's Kate Winslet. Jennifer is up for female actor in a leading role for Liesl Tommy's $55M-budget, fully-authorized biopic Respect, which hit US theaters on August 13. The Chicago-born 40-year-old will face off against The Eyes of Tammy Faye's Jessica Chastain, The Lost Daughter's Olivia Colman, House of Gucci's Lady Gaga, and Being the Ricardos' Nicole Kidman. Congrats! Cynthia is up for female actor in a TV movie/limited series for the fully-authorized eight-episode series Genius: Aretha, which premiered March 21 on National Geographic The British-Nigerian 35-year-old wrote of the honor on Instagram: 'It is and will always be an honor to be recognized by my peers. Thank you @sagawards for this on behalf of Ms Aretha Louise Franklin' Who will win? Erivo faces heavy compeition against The White Lotus scene stealer Jennifer Coolidge, Maid's Margaret Qualley, Mare of Easttown's Jean Smart, and Mare of Easttown's Kate Winslet Both R&B belters had special encounters with the Queen of Soul before her death, age 76, at her Detroit home on August 16, 2018 from a pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor. 'She came to see The Color Purple on Broadway. Aretha stuck around to meet people afterward, so I got to meet her, and she was just funny,' Cynthia told Harper's Bazaar in 2020. 'She sang the last line of "I'm Here" at me. I was like, "What is happening? This is crazy." It was nuts. I thought, "Okay, that's it. I'm never going to see her again." But then I performed at the Kennedy Center Honors later that year, and she was there. We ended up at a reception at the White House, talking at a buffet table where you could pick up little hors d'oeuvres with your fingers to eat.' Erivo recalled: 'I think she was with Clive Davis, and I remember she was wearing red. I went to reintroduce myself, and she was like, "You're the girl in The Color Purple. You can really sing." And then when I sang at the event, I didn't realize it, but the camera caught her, and she was singing along in the audience. To be able to portray her is like a dream come true.' Congrats! Jennifer is up for female actor in a leading role for Liesl Tommy's $55M-budget, fully-authorized biopic Respect, which hit US theaters on August 13 Who will win? The Chicago-born 40-year-old will face off against The Eyes of Tammy Faye's Jessica Chastain, The Lost Daugter's Olivia Colman, House of Gucci's Lady Gaga, and Being the Ricardos' Nicole Kidman Hudson famously sang at the 18-time Grammy winner's funeral, and she was handpicked by her to star in the movie. We spoke weekly, and she would have conversations,' the American Idol 3 alum - who's only a Tony away from EGOT status - told EW in August. 'And it wasn't until I was like, in the middle of things or even doing research and I'm like, "Wow, she wasn't just talking, she was really speaking from experience; these were real-life happenings for her for me to draw from," or "Wow, that's what she saw in me that I didn't think of that she may have seen that made her pick me." It was realizations of that over and over again.' 'I got to open her show that night!' Both R&B belters had special encounters with the Queen of Soul before her death, age 76, at her Detroit home on August 16, 2018 from a pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor (pictured in 2004) Cynthia (pictured in 2015) told Harper's Bazaar in 2020: 'She was like, "You're the girl in The Color Purple. You can really sing"' 'We spoke weekly': Hudson famously sang at the 18-time Grammy winner's funeral, and she was handpicked by her to star in the movie Meanwhile, the RADA grad - who's an Oscar away from EGOT status - has literally built her entire career on playing African-Americans. Jennifer and Cynthia got to know each other well while starring as Shug Avery and Celie in the Broadway musical The Color Purple at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre between 2015-2016. Fans can find out if either lady wins at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica for the 28th Annual SAG Awards, which air February 27 on TNT and TBS. Black girl magic: Jennifer and Cynthia got to know each other well while starring as Shug Avery and Celie in the Broadway musical The Color Purple at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre between 2015-2016 Snatching trophies: Fans can find out if either lady wins at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica for the 28th Annual SAG Awards, which air February 27 on TNT and TBS Nicole Kidman has been nominated for a Screen Actors Guild Award for her portrayal of Lucille Ball in Being the Ricardos. The 54-year-old Oscar winner woke up to the news on Thursday, telling fans on Instagram: 'I am overjoyed!!!' She also shared a photo of her fellow nominees for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role, including Jessica Chastain, Olivia Colman, Lady Gaga and Jennifer Hudson. Nominee: Nicole Kidman has been nominated for a Screen Actors Guild Award for her portrayal of Lucille Ball in Being the Ricardos. Pictured in Los Angeles on December 6 'This means so much because it comes from my fellow actors,' she added. 'Lucille Ball may have never had a chance to be nominated for a SAG Award, as this will only be its 28th year in existence, but I'll happily accept this nomination in her honour.' Cate Blanchett could also add another accolade to her collection with her SAG nomination for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role for her performance in crime thriller Nightmare Alley. Prestige: Nicole woke up to the news on Thursday, telling fans: 'I am overjoyed!' She also shared a photo of her fellow nominees for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role, including Jessica Chastain, Olivia Colman, Lady Gaga and Jennifer Hudson The 52-year-old is nominated alongside Caitriona Balfe for Belfast, Ariana DeBose in West Side Story, Kirsten Dunst for The Power of the Dog and Ruth Negga in Passing. Succession star Sarah Snook also received a nomination for her role as Siobhan 'Shiv' Roy in the HBO drama. The 34-year-old, who hails from Adelaide, faces stiff competition in the category of Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series. Winning performance: Cate Blanchett could also add another accolade to her collection with her SAG nomination for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role for her performance in crime thriller Nightmare Alley In for the win: Succession star Sarah Snook also received a nomination for her role as Siobhan 'Shiv' Roy in the HBO drama. The 34-year-old, who hails from Adelaide, faces stiff competition in the category of Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series Also nominated in the category are Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon for The Morning Show, Elisabeth Moss for The Handmaid's Tale and South Korean newcomer Jung Ho-Yeon for Squid Game. Meanwhile, Kodi Smit-McPhee received a nomination for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role for his performance in the western drama The Power of the Dog. Like his fellow Aussie actors, the 25-year-old faces tough competition because he is up against the likes of Ben Affleck for The Tender Bar, Bradley Cooper for Licorice Pizza, Jared Leto for House of Gucci and Troy Kotsur for CODA. Newcomer: Kodi Smit-McPhee also received a nomination for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role for his performance in the western The Power of the Dog It comes after the Australian foursome recently swept the board at the 2022 Golden Globes on Monday. National treasure Nicole took out the top prize at the annual ceremony, winning Best Actress in a Motion Picture for her portrayal of Lucille Ball in Being the Ricardos. She bested fellow Hollywood heavyweights Jessica Chastain, Olivia Colman, Lady Gaga and Kristen Stewart for her role in Spencer. Biopic: Being The Ricardos depicts the complicated relationship between real-life Hollywood power couple Lucille Ball, portrayed by Kidman (right), and Desi Arnaz, played by Javier Bardem (left), as they filmed their hit 1950s sitcom I Love Lucy Sarah also took home a Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Series for her critically acclaimed performance in Succession. She beat the likes of Jennifer Coolidge (The White Lotus), Hannah Waddingham (Ted Lasso), Kaitlyn Dever (Dopesick) and Andie MacDowell (Maid) in her category. Kodi also delivered the goods at the Golden Globes, beating Ben Affleck to win Best Supporting Actor in any Motion Picture. Recognition: Sarah also took home a Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Series for her critically acclaimed performance in Succession Stealing the show: She won Best Supporting Actress in a Series for her portrayal of political strategist and media heir Siobhan 'Shiv' Roy The up-and-coming actor was recognised for his incredible performance in western film The Power of the Dog. Their victories were announced at a private ceremony on Los Angeles on Monday, after this year's live broadcast was cancelled due to backlash over a lack of diversity in the nominations. The Golden Globes is generally regarded as a good indicator of who will take home gold at the Academy Awards later in the year. Rising star: Kodi (right) also delivered the goods at the Golden Globes, beating Ben Affleck (left) to win Best Supporting Actor in any Motion Picture Their friendship is still going strong today after it blossomed during the fifth series of Love Island in 2019. And Francesca Allen, 26, and Maura Higgins, 31, enjoyed a catch up as they left Zuma restaurant in London on Wednesday night. The girls nearly matched with their outfits, with both Francesca and Maura wearing black jackets and trousers in the same colour which they teamed with cropped tops. Out on the town: Love Island's Maura Higgins flashes her abs as she joins newly-engaged Francesca Allen for dinner at Zuma in London on Wednesday night Francesca wore a top in a pastel pink while Maura opted for one in green, with both items leaving their impressively toned stomachs on show. Maura wore a black face mask as she walked along the street in a bid to protect herself and others from coronavirus. She carried a green handbag and a gift bag as she walked alongside Francesca who wore lashings of make-up to highlight her pretty facial features. The pair no doubt had plenty to talk about following Francesca's recent engagement. Top of the crops: Despite the chilly weather Maura still had her rock hard abs on display In style: Francesca wore a top in a pastel pink while Maura opted for one in green, with both items leaving their impressively toned stomachs on show Francesca's fiance was recently revealed as her family friend, businessman Ed Crossan, who previously dated TOWIE's Amber Turner. The Love Island beauty revealed in December that Ed, the vice chairman of London-based waste management company Powerday, had popped the question in an idyllic festive proposal, having previously stayed coy on his identity. Francesca said yes to Ed's proposal at Marylebone's swanky members club Home House and shared images of the moment with her Instagram followers. Legs eleven! Maura highlighted her toned pins in figure-hugging black leggings while a pair of heeled boots boosted her petite frame Meanwhile Maura also had news after she recently sprung to her friend Molly-Mae Hague's defence when Shaughna Phillips weighed in on Molly's 'tone-deaf' comments about wealth inequality on the recent Diary of a CEO YouTube series. Molly, 22, appeared on Love Island in 2019 and last year was named the creative director of clothing brand PrettyLittleThing, a title with a seven-figure salary. A clip of her December interview on The Diary of a CEO then went viral last week, with Molly's comments that she has 'worked my a**e off' for her wealth and that 'everyone has the same 24 hours in a day' to achieve sparked a backlash. Shaughna, who appeared on the winter 2020 series of the reality show, tweeted: 'Molly Mae is young, who's had a lot of success really quickly, and not a lot of 'life'. Under wraps: Maura wore a black face mask as she walked along the street in a bid to protect herself and others from coronavirus Bearing gifts? Maura was seen clutching onto small gift bags as she left the eatery alongside her newly-engaged friend Adding that she believed Molly would come to regret her comments, she continued: 'So I can understand why she holds those views. We all say things when we're younger and look back and think 'well that was stupid' lol. No shade, I wanna live in her bubble.' The tweet wasn't taken lightly with Molly's good friend and fellow 2019 show star Maura who blasted Shaughna for even getting involved. She wrote: 'Surely you know as someone in this industry how lonely and scary it can be when the whole internet is slamming you. 'You're entitled to your opinion yes but I'm really surprised you commenting on this at all.' Exciting: The pair no doubt had plenty to talk about following Francesca's recent engagement to businessman beau Ed Crossley Shaughna quickly retorted: '100%! That's why I tweeted this in her defence. She's young and successful, it's not her fault she has those views. Like I said, no shade, just jel lol.' Molly's recent interview prompted uncharitable comparisons to the late Margaret Thatcher. The star, who boasts six million Instagram followers and 1.5 million YouTube subscribers, made the comments on the YouTube series The Diary of a CEO. Pals: The pair's outing came after Maura sprung to her friend Molly-Mae Hague's defence when Shaughna Phillips weighed in on Molly's 'tone-deaf' comments about wealth inequality While the interview was first shared on YouTube on December 13, a clip from the episode went viral on Wednesday when it was shared on Twitter. In the clip, Molly says: 'You're given one life and it's down to you what you do with it. You can literally go in any direction. 'When I've spoken about that in the past I have been slammed a little bit, with people saying 'it's easy for you to say that because you've not grown up in poverty, so for you to sit there and say we all have the same 24 hours in a day is not correct.' But, technically, what I'm saying is correct. We do.' Shaughna, who appeared on the winter 2020 series of the reality show, tweeted: 'Molly Mae is young, who's had a lot of success really quickly, and not a lot of 'life' She went on: 'I understand we all have different backgrounds and we're all raised in different ways and we do have different financial situations, but I think if you want something enough you can achieve it. 'It just depends on what lengths you want to go to get where you want to be in the future. And I'll go to any length.' She then added: 'I've worked my absolute a**e off to get where I am now.' The clip was shared on Twitter by @tsrbys under the comment 'If you're homeless just buy a house,' and has been 'liked' 28.6k times. Bestie: The tweet wasn't taken lightly with Molly's good friend and fellow 2019 show star Maura who blasted Shaughna for even getting involved A spokesman for Molly told Mailonline: 'Molly did a podcast interview in December about her own rise to success. If you listen to the full conversation and interview Molly was asked about how the nature of her potential grows and how she believes in herself. 'This part of the interview was discussing time efficiency relating to success. Molly refers to a quote which says 'We all have the same 24 hours in a day as Beyonce'. She was discussing her own experience and how she can resonate with this specific quote. 'Her opinion on if you want something enough you can work hard to achieve it is how she keeps determined with her own work to achieve more in her own life. Molly is not commenting on anyone else's life or personal situation she can only speak of her own experience. 'She acknowledges that everyone is raised in different ways and from different backgrounds but her comments here are in reference to timing, hard work and determination in her own life. 'If you listen to this interview you can see the whole conversation was about her own personal circumstances, how she has grown up and this small clip in the conversation was talking about a quote that inspires her. 'Social media users have shared a short snippet from this interview with words such as 'if you are homeless buy a house' and 'if you are poor be poor' these are absolutely not Molly's words, these are not Molly's thoughts and this isn't at all the meaning or thought behind that conversation'. Armie Hammer was excluded from a series of individual promotional posters for the murder mystery Death of the Nile in the wake of sexual assault and abuse accusations against the actor, who has denied them. The individual promotional posters for the film, which were released by Disney Tuesday, include Kenneth Branagh, who stars in and directs the motion picture; as well as Gal Gadot, Letita Wright, Annette Bening, Ali Fazal, Emma Mackey and Tom Bateman. Hammer, 35, is seen in an ensemble poster for the film, and was briefly seen in a trailer released last month, as he plays the role of Simon Doyle in the movie, which is a sequel to the 2017 film Murder on the Orient Express. The latest: Armie Hammer, 35, was excluded from a series of individual promotional photos for the murder mystery Death of the Nile, in the wake of sexual assault accusations against the actor, who has denied them. He was snapped in LA in 2020 Hammer fell into controversy last year after multiple women accused him of sex abuse and fantasies of cannibalism, presenting alleged text exchanges with the actor, who's appeared in films such as Call Me By Your Name, The Lone Ranger and The Social Network. Hammer parted ways with multiple projects, including the Jennifer Lopez comedy Shotgun Wedding and the Paramount+ series The Offer, about the making of The Godfather, in the wake of the allegations. He was also dropped by the agency William Morris Endeavor. Police in Los Angeles in March of 2021 confirmed that Hammer was being investigated in connection with sexual assault after a woman reported an incident to them on February 3, 2021, the AP reported. In a March 2021 video news conference, a woman who identified herself as Effie, represented by attorney Gloria Allred, said that the actor had raped and abused her for four hours in Los Angeles on April 24, 2017. Hammer is seen in an ensemble poster for the film (behind Gadot) The film is headlined Kenneth Branagh, who also directed the motion picture, and as Gal Gadot, who plays the character Linnet Ridgeway Doyle Letitia Wright plays the role of Rosalie Otterbourne in the murder mystery Annette Bening and Tom Bateman are seen in individual promotional posters for the movie 'During those four hours I tried to get away but he wouldnt let me,' the woman said in the news conference. 'I thought that he was going to kill me. He then left with no concern for my well-being.' Hammer has denied all of the accusations against him, and his lawyer Andrew Brettler said in March of 2021 that the actor's relations with the woman and other partners were 'completely consensual, discussed and agreed upon in advance, and mutually participatory.' Sources told TMZ last month that police have concluded the probe on Hammer and sent their findings to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office; and that Hammer was unlikely to be charged in the case. Hammer last May had checked into a Florida rehab facility in the wake of the allegations, and a lawyer for the actor confirmed to US Weekly last month that Hammer was 'doing great' after departing the facility. Ali Fazal and Emma Mackey were featured in individual posters for the movie Hammer was briefly seen in a trailer for the movie released last month The release of Death on the Nile, which was made in late 2019, has been delayed multiple times amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. According to a studio synopsis of the motion picture, 'Belgian sleuth Hercule Poirots Egyptian vacation aboard a glamorous river steamer turns into a terrifying search for a murderer when a picture-perfect couples idyllic honeymoon is tragically cut short. 'Set against an epic landscape of sweeping desert vistas and the majestic Giza pyramids, this tale of unbridled passion and incapacitating jealousy features a cosmopolitan group of impeccably dressed travelers, and enough wicked twists and turns to leave audiences guessing until the final, shocking denouement.' The film is set to arrive in theaters February 11. Disney has found one of its male lead roles for its live-action adaptation of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs in Tony-winning Broadway actor Andrew Burnap. The 30-year-old Rhode Island native won a Tony in 2020 for Best Actor in a Play for his portrayal of Toby Darling in The Inheritance. He'll join Rachel Zegler as Snow White and Gal Gadot as the Evil Queen, though The Hollywood Reporter reveals he'll be playing a brand new character. New role: Disney has found one of its male lead roles for its live-action adaptation of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs in Tony-winning Broadway actor Andrew Burnap Rachel: He'll join Rachel Zegler as Snow White and Gal Gadot as the Evil Queen, though The Hollywood Reporter reveals he'll be playing a brand new character Burnap will not be playing The Prince or The Huntsman, but instead a brand new character created specifically for this film adaptation. While no specific details were given about Burnap's character, it was revealed that he will sing in the movie. The project will be a musical - like the original 1937 animated film - with Benj Pasek and Justin Paul (La La Land, The Greatest Showman, Dear Evan Hansen) writing new songs for the musical. Andrew's role: Burnap will not be playing The Prince or The Huntsman, but instead a brand new character created specifically for this film adaptation Original: The project will be a musical - like the original 1937 animated film - with Benj Pasek and Justin Paul (La La Land, The Greatest Showman, Dear Evan Hansen) writing new songs for the musical Filming is expected to begin this spring in the United Kingdom, with Disney expecting to release the film sometime in 2023. Marc Webb (500 Days of Summer) will direct from a script by Erin Cressida Wilson (The Girl on the Train) with Greta Gerwig (Lady Bird) most recently working on the script. Marc Platt is producing the live-action adaptation, with the producer also working on Disney's live-action rendition of The Little Mermaid as well. Filming: Filming is expected to begin this spring in the United Kingdom, with Disney expecting to release the film sometime in 2023 Director: Marc Webb (500 Days of Summer) will direct from a script by Erin Cressida Wilson (The Girl on the Train) with Greta Gerwig (Lady Bird) most recently working on the script With production reportedly starting in the next few months, there could be a flurry of casting announcements ahead of filming. Zegler is coming off her critically-acclaimed turn in West Side Story, which marked her feature film debut, and she'll next be seen in Shazam! Fury of the Gods. Gadot is coming off the Netflix hit Red Notice with Dwayne Johnson and Ryan Reynolds, and she'll next be seen in Death on the Nile, in theaters February 11. Coming soon: Zegler is coming off her critically-acclaimed turn in West Side Story, which marked her feature film debut, and she'll next be seen in Shazam! Fury of the Gods Gal's role: Gadot is coming off the Netflix hit Red Notice with Dwayne Johnson and Ryan Reynolds, and she'll next be seen in Death on the Nile, in theaters February 11 Burnap headed to New York after graduating from the University of Rhode Island where he performed in the ensemble in King Lear in 2014. He played Troilus in Troilus and Cressida in 2016 and starred in This Day Forward before landing the Tony-winning role of Toby Darling in The Inheritance. He has also starred in movies The Chaperone, Spare Room and he'll next be seen in the TV series WeCrashed. Ensemble: Burnap headed to New York after graduating from the University of Rhode Island where he performed in the ensemble in King Lear in 2014 Tony winner: He played Troilus in Troilus and Cressida in 2016 and starred in This Day Forward before landing the Tony-winning role of Toby Darling in The Inheritance Home and Away actor Mark Furze and wife Laural have welcomed their first child - a baby girl called Soma. Mark made the announcement on Thursday as he shared several sweet pictures of the couple gazing adoringly at the newborn on Instagram. 'There's no greater right of passage a human can go through than labour and giving birth,' he wrote. Baby joy: Home and Away actor Mark Furze and wife Laural have welcomed their first child - a baby girl called Soma 'The gravity of how unexplainably challenging and profound it is holds a power I didn't know existed. It truly is a Caterpillar-Butterfly experience.' He then went on to introduce adorable little girl. 'Bursting with love and gratitude, I share with you our daughter, Soma. I have been blessed with another incredible lady in my life and a new ability to see beauty in this world that I was not ready to discover until now,' he wrote. So happy: Mark made the announcement on Thursday as he shared several sweet pictures of the newborn on Instagram He then praised his wife Laural following the delivery. 'Lollie, thank you for choosing me to partner you on this journey. I'm in awe of you and I promise to be the best husband and father I can be,' he finished. The announcement was met with congratulations from celebrity pals, including Jodi Gordon and Paulini Curuenavuli. Loving: 'Bursting with love and gratitude, I share with you our daughter, Soma. I have been blessed with another incredible lady in my life and a new ability to see beauty in this world that I was not ready to discover until now,' he wrote He then praised his wife Laural following the delivery. 'Lollie, thank you for choosing me to partner you on this journey. I'm in awe of you and I promise to be the best husband and father I can be,' he said It comes after the pair bravely spoke of their heartbreak after Laural suffered a miscarriage early into her first pregnancy in 2020. 'We all go through hard and dark times and for Mark and I this week has been an incredibly sad and tough week,' Laural wrote on Instagram at the time. 'Mark and I were going to make a pretty big announcement this week... we're having a baby! I'm 10 weeks pregnant and we have been so excited daydreaming about what our little human would be like and getting ready for this new chapter,' she added. Tragic: It comes after the pair bravely spoke of their heartbreak after Laural suffered a miscarriage early into her first pregnancy in 2020 'But, this past week at my ultrasound we found out the sad news the pregnancy isn't viable and I've had what's called a missed miscarriage where my body still thinks it's pregnant, but the fetus hasn't progressed.' She also explained that she wanted to discuss her miscarriage because 'pregnancy loss isn't talked about much'. 'It's actually really common and happens to 1 in 4 pregnancies. I guess we were the unlucky 1 in 4 this time,' she said. 'I have peace in knowing that it's likely because the embryo wasn't 100% healthy and it just wasn't compatible with life. But still it's been an incredibly difficult few days to try process everything. I cry a lot and have eaten ice cream everyday this week.' 'I wanted to share this here because it doesn't feel right just pretending this huge life event hasn't happened to us. I want to respect it and be open about it,' she wrote. She also said she 'feels grateful to have a man like Mark by my side' and they will 'try again one day in the future but for now we will take things one day at a time and find our way back to a new normal.' Mark also shared Laural's post to his Instagram page and wrote: 'Been riding a rough wave recently. My courageous wife Laural says it beautifully below. I love you Lollie, I'm so proud of you.' The couple tied the knot in September 2015. Laural was crowned Miss Universe New Zealand back in 2007. They have been dating for 18 months. And it looks like the romance is still very much alive for Australian rapper The Kid Laroi, 18, and his TikTok star girlfriend Katarina Deme, 17. Laroi, who just announced his first studio album, was seen cuddling and holding hands with Katarina outside the Il Pastaio restaurant in Beverly Hills on Wednesday. True love! Rapper The Kid Laroi, 18, was seen cuddling and holding hands with his model girlfriend Katarina Deme, 17, outside the Il Pastaio restaurant in Beverly Hills on Wednesday Model Katarina looked stylish in a black crop top, leggings and a puffer jacket. She wore her long chestnut locks out and completed her look with white sneakers, grey crew socks and a crucifix necklace. Sydney-born Laroi, whose real name is Charlton Howard, covered up in a black and white tracksuit and matching sneakers. Chic: Model Katarina looked stylish in a black crop top, leggings and a puffer jacket Also on Wednesday, Laroi returned to Instagram for the first time in months to announce the release of his upcoming album, which will feature a collaboration with American rapper Don Toliver. Posting a gallery of photos of the duo in the recording studio, Laroi wrote: 'Album is coming. Been working day and night for you all.' 'Thank you for joining me @DonToliver,' he added. Sporty look: Sydney-born Laroi, whose real name is Charlton Howard, covered up in a black and white tracksuit and matching sneakers What a gentleman! Laroi opened a car door for his ladylove as they made their way home He also posted a message Instagram Stories, simply writing: 'Go Time.' The announcement came two months after Laroi revealed he was taking a break from the spotlight to work on his debut album. He shared the news on Instagram, then deleted every other post on his feed. Incoming! Also on Wednesday, Laroi returned to Instagram for the first time in months to announce the release of his new album, which will feature a collab with Don Toliver (right) Labour of love: Posting a gallery of photos of the duo in the recording studio, Laroi wrote: 'Album is coming. Been working day and night for you all' The Without You star told his more than 3.9 million followers: 'Goodbye for now, I love you all.' He explained that after a 'wild year' he was taking some time out. He thanked fans for supporting his debut mixtape, F*ck Love, but said he needed time off to focus on his full-length. Sneak preview: He also shared a short clip of himself and Toliver dancing to one of their tracks 'My life has changed so much this past year because of [F*ck Love] and I owe it all to every single one of you. There is no way I will ever be able to repay you,' he said. 'Last week I went on a small vacation for the first time in a while. During that time I started thinking and I made the decision that I need to take some time away from everything and focus on the next project: my debut album.' Laroi promised fans he would be back soon. 'Goodbye for now': The announcement came two months after Laroi revealed he was taking a break from the spotlight to work on his debut album. Pictured on October 23 in LA 'I'm going to miss you all beyond words can describe, but I do believe that this is what I need to do to give you all the best music possible,' he concluded. 'I'll be back soon, I promise. I love you, Laroi.' The Kid Laroi, who hails from Sydney's Waterloo, has had incredible success in the United States. He recently opened the MTV VMAs with his friend and collaborator Justin Bieber. In September, he announced he was bringing his End of the World tour to Australia. Singapore's most successful OnlyFans creator is facing potential jail time after being arrested and charged with 'transmitting obscene materials of his private parts'. Social media influencer Titus Low, 22, had a police report filed against him in September, which led to five police officers storming his home and confiscating his phone and access to his iCloud and OnlyFans account. It's the first time an OnlyFans creator has faced prosecution in Singapore for sharing such content via the platform, reports The Guardian. Tough times: Singapore's most successful OnlyFans creator Titus Low is facing jail time after being charged under the country's obscenity laws In Singapore, the possession, distribution and sale of pornographic material is outlawed. However, it is legal to stream pornography, as long as it's not downloaded or stored. In addition to being charged with transmitting obscene material, Titus was also charged with failing to comply with a police order not to access his OnlyFans account after it was confiscated. If found guilty, the young influencer could face jail time in addition to multiple fines. Harsh: The 22-year-old had a police report filed against him in September, which led to five police officers storming his home and confiscating his phone and access to his iCloud and OnlyFans account In a nine-minute YouTube video, Titus admitted he'd turned to OnlyFans because he wanted to live a lavish lifestyle after his family struggled financially while he was growing up. 'If I had the chance to rewind time, I would of course be more savvy and have a more sustainable lifestyle,' he confessed. Before his account was confiscated, Titus had about 3,000 subscribers who paid for his content, some of which was nude. Money: In a nine-minute YouTube video, Titus admitted he'd turned to OnlyFans because he wanted to live a lavish lifestyle after his family struggled financially while he was growing up He also said he had mental health struggles early on in his OnlyFans career after his content was illegally leaked online. 'I had an ongoing case of anxiety and adjustment disorder,' he said. 'I was not coping well mentally. My mental health wasn't that great.' OnlyFans has become a huge money maker for influencers and reality stars in recent years. Success: Before his account was confiscated, Titus had about 3,000 subscribers who paid for his content, some of which was nude Many notable Australians, including Jessika Power, Hayley Vernon and Mishel Karen, have all turned to the platform, and have been raking in up to six figures from it. However, all three have had to deal with unauthorised leaks as well, after subscribers illegally shared their content on social media and porn sites. Both Mishel and Jessika have recently threatened to pull back on their raunchier content if the leaks don't stop. Isla Fisher never puts a foot wrong when it comes to fashion. And the Australian actress, 45, looked stunning on Thursday as she slipped her figure into a $1,000 Versace Jeans Couture mini dress. Isla, 45, showed off her figure in the gold frock ahead of a late-night TV appearance in the United States. Golden girl! Isla Fisher, 45, looked stunning on Thursday as she slipped her figure into a $1,000 Versace Jeans Couture mini dress ahead of a late-night TV appearance in the U.S. Isla shared a gallery of photos to Instagram of her luxury outfit as she prepared for her interview on Late Night with Seth Meyers. 'Watch me tonight talking all things [Wolf emoji],' she wrote, referring to her new Stan comedy-drama series Wolf Like Me. Isla's dress featured Versace's iconic leather buckle detailing on the shoulders and a plunging bustier-style design. Details: Isla's dress featured Versace's iconic leather buckle detailing on the shoulders and a plunging bustier-style design The redhead wore her long locks out and over her shoulders, sported a soft golden glow, and her makeup comprised dewy foundation and winged eyeliner. The Wedding Crashers star is known for her love of fashion and recently wore a $10,000 designer outfit from Fendi. Isla modelled a pink turtleneck, mauve satin shorts and leather heels, and accessorised with a $5,100 beige leather bag. Dripping in designer: The Wedding Crashers star is known for her love of fashion and recently wore a $10,000 designer outfit from Fendi Isla and husband Sacha Baron Cohen celebrated their 20-year anniversary in 2021. 'Happy Anniversary. 20 YEARS,' she wrote on Instagram at the time of the milestone. 'If there ever comes a day when we can't be together keep me in your heart. I'll stay there forever,' she added, quoting Winnie the Pooh. The pair recently relocated to her native Australia with their family. Watch the new Stan Original series Wolf Like Me, now on Stan. The Morning Show's Reese Witherspoon and Jennifer Aniston both took to Instagram on Wednesday to react to the news of their hit Apple show scoring four SAG Award nominations. The New Orleans-born 45-year-old and the 52-year-old Valley Girl will compete against each other for the female actor in a drama series trophy. Jennifer and Reese - who also played sisters on Friends - earn over $2M per episode to executive produce and star as UBA co-hosts Alexandra 'Alex' Levy and Bradley Jackson. Congrats! The Morning Show's Reese Witherspoon (L) and Jennifer Aniston (R) both took to Instagram on Wednesday to react to the news of their hit Apple show scoring four SAG Award nominations Who will win? The New Orleans-born 45-year-old (L) and the 52-year-old Valley Girl (R) will compete against each other for the female actor in a drama series trophy Aniston and Witherspoon will also have to face off against Squid Game's HoYeon Jung, The Handmaid's Tale star Elisabeth Moss, and Succession's Sarah Snook at the ceremony. 'Thank you @sagawards for all @themorningshow love!' the Emmy winner gushed via Instastory. 'I'm so proud to be a part of this stunning cast and crew.' The Oscar winner echoed Jennifer's sentiments, adding it was 'an honor and a pleasure to get to work with these incredibly talented people every day.' HBIC: Jennifer and Reese - who also played sisters on Friends - earn over $2M per episode to executive produce and star as UBA co-hosts Alexandra 'Alex' Levy and Bradley Jackson Competition: Aniston and Witherspoon will also have to face off against Squid Game's HoYeon Jung, The Handmaid's Tale star Elisabeth Moss, and Succession's Sarah Snook at the ceremony The Emmy winner gushed via Instastory: 'Thank you @sagawards for all @themorningshow love! I'm so proud to be a part of this stunning cast and crew' 'Wow!' The Oscar winner echoed Jennifer's sentiments, adding it was 'an honor and a pleasure to get to work with these incredibly talented people every day' Reese (born Laura Jeanne) also shared a slideshow of eight never-before-seen set images and wrote that it was a thrill to be recognized by her fellow actors: 'What an honor!' Reese (born Laura Jeanne) also shared a slideshow of eight never-before-seen set images and wrote that it was a thrill to be recognized by her fellow actors: 'What an honor!' The Morning Show's Billy Crudup - who plays UBA CEO Cory Ellison - will compete for the male actor in a drama series trophy. Witherspoon, Aniston, and Crudup were also named among their 19 other castmates as nominees of the outstanding performance by an ensemble in a drama series trophy. The 28th Screen Actors Guild Awards will be presented on February 27 at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica and broadcast on TNT/TBS. Boss man: The Morning Show's Billy Crudup - who plays UBA CEO Cory Ellison - will compete for the male actor in a drama series trophy Biggest honor of the night: Witherspoon, Aniston, and Crudup were also named among their 19 other castmates as nominees of the outstanding performance by an ensemble in a drama series trophy Snatching trophies: The 28th Screen Actors Guild Awards will be presented on February 27 at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica and broadcast on TNT/TBS On Monday, Apple officially renewed The Morning Show for a third season and hired a new showrunner, Charlotte Stoudt. '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.' His most famous character Thor is best known for wielding a hammer weapon called Mjolnir. But Chris Hemsworth showed he's pretty handy with an axe too in an Instagram post in which the 38-year-old attempted to split a log in half. However, it took Chris a number of attempts before he successfully chopped the hefty piece of wood. The woodsman: Chris Hemsworth showed he's pretty handy with an axe too, in a Thursday Instagram post in which the 38-year-old attempted to split a log in half It was filmed by his personal trainer and lifelong friend Luke Zocchi, who laughed loudly at Chris' many failed attempts. Chris captioned the amusing post, 'If at first you dont succeed try try try try again and again.' It comes just days after the buff Home and Away alum revealed how stays so fit, sharing his favourite go-to ten minute Centr workout with fans. In a new clip for his fitness program, Chris works out alongside Zocchi, completing exercises including mountain climber switches, squats and plank shoulder taps. Try try again: However it took Chris a number of attempts before he successfully chopped the hefty piece of wood Want to be ripped like Chris? Thor star showed off his bulging biceps last week as he shared his go-to 10 minute Centr workout In the clip, Chris exercised in a grey tank singlet and beige cap with dark shorts, showing off his buff physique and bulging biceps. He also completed exercises including bicycle sit-ups, joking that he feels like he was in a 'bike crash' doing a set of the grueling exercise. Chris also did plank windmills, prisoner squats, Russian twists and reverse lunges with a high knee. His team: In a new clip for his fitness program, Chris works out alongside his personal trainer and lifelong friend Luke Grueling: He completed exercises including mountain climber switches, squats and plank shoulder taps Not for the faint-hearted: He also completed exercises including bicycle sit-ups, joking that he feels like he was in a 'bike crash' doing a set of the grueling exercise Chris, who rose to fame back in the day on Home and Away and Neighbours, is celebrating a new giveaway with his fitness program, Centr. He is giving 1,000 people free lifetime memberships to Centr to kickstart the New Year and support them on their health and fitness journey. His program includes workouts from his trainers, meditations and even healthy recipes to keep users on track and focused with their goals. Giveaway: Chris is celebrating a new giveaway with his fitness program, Centr. He is giving 1,000 people free lifetime memberships to Centr to kickstart the New Year and support them on their health and fitness journey In a statement shared with Daily Mail Australia, Chris said he wants to help others live 'healthier and happier long-term'. 'This is the team that helps me live the way I want to live, and be the best I can be,' Chris said. 'With Centr, I'm able to share that with people all over the world. And now, we're sharing that for a lifetime. This is about living healthier and happier for the long-term.' For more details on how to enter the competition, click here. Noella Bergener and Heather Dubrow tried to mend their friendship on Wednesday's episode of The Real Housewives Of Orange County, but ended up barely speaking. Heather, 53, asked Noella, 36, to come over to her house so the two of them could talk. When Noella arrived Heather was filming a commercial for men's thinning hair treatments with her husband Terry Dubrow, 63, a Newport Beach plastic surgeon. Noella had to sit quietly at a table and watch. Fractured friendship: Heather Dubrow invited Noella Bergener to her home to talk about their fractured friendship on Wednesday's episode of The Real Housewives Of Orange County 'Heather scheduled this,' said Noella in a confessional. 'She told me the time to come. She clearly chose it to be at a time that she was filming an infomercial with her husband in the kitchen. She wants me to see this. She wants me to feel impressed.' 'I'm not here to go toe to toe with Heather Dubrow, but if she brings it, I will end it,' Noella added in a confessional. Heather brought Noella into her office, which Noella described in a confessional as 'a shrine to a complete narcissist'. 'If I wasn't so creeped out, I'd be impressed,' said Noella in a confessional. Tough time: Show newcomer Noella recently had been served with divorce papers Patiently waiting: Noella had to sit quietly at a table and watch as Heather filmed an infomercial Narcissistic office: 'If I wasn't so creeped out, I'd be impressed,' said Noella in a confessional of Heather's office Heather told her she wanted to talk to her because she had heard some things. Heather said that Nicole James told her that she had called her either a 'phony b**** or a fake b****.' Noella said she was very raw and emotional at the lunch. She said she was really angry at her estranged husband James and admitted that she lashed out when Heather's name was brought up. Noella chalked it up to misplaced aggression and Heather said she figured the same. Heather said she was going to let it go but then Gina Kirschenheiter told her that Noella also said that she couldn't be trusted. Noella said she made that remark because she saw her friend Nicole James change after Heather spoke to her. Strike two: Heather said she was going to let it go but then Gina Kirschenheiter told her that Noella also said that she couldn't be trusted 'If we're starting to be friends of if there's a chance for a friendship, this isn't the way to start a friendship,' Heather told her. Noella said their friendship began at Heather's party catered by Nobu when she ordered everyone to leave her house. Noella said in a confessional that someone told her that Heather and Terry had shoved someone against a wall. Nobu party: Noella said their friendship began at Heather's party catered by Nobu when she ordered everyone to leave her house Heather said that was untrue. 'What I am getting right now is psycho vibes,' Heather said in a confessional. 'What are you f***ing talking about?' Heather told Noella that she knew she was going through a hard time and that she didn't take anything personally. Psycho vibes: 'What I am getting right now is psycho vibes,' Heather said in a confessional. 'What are you f***ing talking about?' 'Having said that, I don't think I am the right friend for you,' Heather said. Noella said she didn't need to have deep friendships with everyone. Heather said she needed to focus on her family and take care of herself and with that Noella left. The episode titled Straight Questions, Straight-ish Answers started with Heather and her 17-year-old daughter Max going to have aura readings together. Aura readings: The episode titled Straight Questions, Straight-ish Answers started with Heather and her 17-year-old daughter Max going to have aura readings together Heather told Max that she read her book titled I'll Give It To You Straight-ish and said she loved that Max talked about everything. Gina, 37, went over to Noella's house for a light brunch with sparkling wine. Noella told her that she just figured out that her husband James, who had filed for divorced, was on party island Mykonos in Greece through one of their credit cards. She said that it seemed that her husband was having a midlife crisis. Gina suggested Noella start dating but Noella said it was too soon. 'I masturbated this morning,' Noella blurted out. Light brunch: Gina, 37, went over to Noella's house for a light brunch with sparkling wine Gina said it was good that she knew that 'all the plumbing was still working.' Gina said that was healthy. The next day Heather met Emily Simpson, 45, and Jennifer Armstrong, 44, at a sauna spa for 'self care Friday.' Heather instructed the spa worker to put everything on her tab. As the women sat together in a sauna wearing only towels, Jen told them she could only take a little break because she planned to go back to the office to see more patients. Spa session: The next day Heather met Jennifer Armstrong, 44, at a sauna spa for 'self care Friday' 'I support the family so I can't just step away,' she said. Jen told them that three days after she got married to Ryne Holliday that her ex-boyfriend sued her, according to news reports he sued her for $850,000. Jen told them that her ex-boyfriend claimed that all the gifts he gave her during their relationship were loans. In a confessional, Jen said that she started dating her ex after her father died. She said that he told her that he was divorced but she found out later that he was just separated. She said she thought her boyfriend sued her to hurt her and her new marriage. Her tab: Heather put the spa session on her tab Emily asked her if she ever got resentful for being the breadwinner in the family. Jen admitted that in the past there had been relationship tension. Emily said she understood. In a confessional, Emily said that there are times when she thought she wasn't going to make it work with her husband Shane. She said that her advice to anyone would be to put the work in. 'Because what are you going to do, no one dates 45-year-old women with kids in Orange County,' she said. 'You would have to move.' Being honest: In a confessional, Emily said that there are times when she thought she wasn't going to make it work with her husband Shane Emily said in the sauna that she felt like she was going to pass out and got up to get a sandwich from her bag. Heather couldn't believe she was eating a sandwich in the sauna when they were trying to detox 'Is that wrong?' said Emily. 'It's turkey.' 'You don't eat in saunas,' Heather said in a confessional. 'It's not a thing.' Turkey sandwich: Emily said in the sauna that she felt like she was going to pass out and got up to get a sandwich from her bag Next, Heather, Emily and Jen went to get their nails done. Heather told them that she was thinking about buying land in Cabo and building a house and thought they should take a girls trip down to Mexico. Jen then shared that she reached out to Noella after their blow up. She told them that she texted her 'I obviously don't like how things ended the other night. But I know you're going through a lot and I feel for you. I think it would be a good idea if we go out for drinks.' Jen said in a confessional that Noella was lashing out and bullying other women because she was going through a troubling time. She said that was never an excuse to be condescending and mean to others. Lashing out: Jen said in a confessional that Noella was lashing out and bullying other women because she was going through a troubling time Heather told them that she felt odd because she invited Noella to her daughter's Max book party but she now knows that Noella has said things about her behind her back. At Shannon's house, she was packing up with her two 17-year-old daughters Stella and Adeline for their trip to Nashville to visit Shannon's mother Pat. The group flew in and went to lunch. Pat mentioned that it had been four years since they had all been out to see her in Nashville. Shannon said in a confessional that it had just been easier for Pat to come to visit her, but that she wanted to make more of an effort to see her mother in her own city. She said her parents got divorced when she was age 17. Nashville trip: Shannon said in a confessional that it had just been easier for Pat to come to visit her, but that she wanted to make more of an effort to see her mother in her own city Shannon asked her daughters if they saw themselves getting married. Her 20-year-old daughter Sophie told them that she saw herself marrying her boyfriend of four months Reese. Shannon was shocked but told her that she deserved everything and was happy that she was happy. Later, everyone gathered for Heather's daughter's book launch party. When Noella arrived at the event Heather said a brief hello. When Nicole arrived she seemed to ignore Noella completely. 'No hug for me,' said Noella. Noella told Emily and Gina that she called Nicole the day before to ask her to lunch but that she hung up the phone on her. Marriage talk: Sophie, 20, told them that she saw herself marrying her boyfriend of four months Reese During that call Noella told Nicole that she didn't think she was being a good friend because she hadn't reached out. Nicole responded that she clearly couldn't be the friend she wanted and ended the call. Noella also had lunch the day before with Jen where she admitted that she was going through a hard time and that half the stuff she said about her was absurd. Jen said she was going to be a little guarded about a friendship with Noella but was talking 'baby steps.' Absurd talk: Noella also had lunch the day before with Jen where she admitted that she was going through a hard time and that half the stuff she said about her was absurd Jen's husband Ryne showed up and Emily said she was confused whether his name was Ryan or Ryne. Noella told Gina and Emily that Shannon wasn't going to the party because she wasn't feeling well after just arriving back from her Nashville trip. Emily said in a confessional that Shannon and her did not have a perfect history and that she was going to 'take every opportunity to take a jab at her because she deserves it.' Heather asked Jen at the party if she was going to come to Cabo and she said absolutely. Book party: Heather hosted the party in support of her daughter Max and her new book 'If you are going then I'm going,' said Jen. 'It's your trip.' 'It's my plane,' said Heather. Jen asked if she should bring botox and they both laughed. Heart chakra: The aura readings showed a green heart chakra all lit up Emily got her digital aura reading at the party and then pointed at her picture and asked if 'there was something going on my vagina. It's red.' The aura reading attendant told her that was her chakra and that it was normal. 'I feel that the red in the vagina is like a stop sign, because I am 45 and I'm tired,' Emily said in a confessional. 'I just want to watch Netflix. Do not enter.' Heather shared with Jen and her business partner Shaq that the 25th anniversary of their first blind date was approaching in December. She said when they got back from the date that Terry said to her, 'Let's never speak again.' She said he said that it actually can't get better than this and that she found his comments really cute. Fond memories: Heather shared with Jen and her business partner Shaq that the 25th anniversary of their first blind date was approaching in December Jen said she met her husband Ryne at a breakfast buffet and that for her it was love at first sight. She said it took him a couple years to come around. Ryne joked that he was still coming around. Emily and Noella were chatting at the bar. Emily asked her if she wanted to ride horses with her in Cabo, but Noella shared that she hadn't been invited on Heather's trip. 'I'm just feeling very blessed to be here tonight,' Noella said. Felt blessed: 'I'm just feeling very blessed to be here tonight,' Noella said Heather gave a speech congratulating her daughter on the book. 'What you shared here is special and I am very proud of you,' Heather said and then she hugged her daughter. Emily had been doing numerous shots at the party. She told Jen that she was still paying back her student loans and that no one paid for her to go to school. Jen told her that she got a scholarship. Proud mom: 'What you shared here is special and I am very proud of you,' Heather said and then she hugged her daughter 'But you said your family was wealthy,' Emily asked. She then asked Jen if her boyfriend paid for her to go to school. Jen said no. Emily asked her why she paid him back. Jen said she paid him back everything he claimed because she wanted him to go away. 'Was he hot?' asked Emily. 'No,' said Jen. She said he was very smart and an interesting person. Drunk talk: 'Was he hot?' Emily asked Jen about her ex 'Just say you liked the money,' said Emily. 'Say it. Say it. You're lying!' Gina saw how Emily was acting and told her it was time for them to go home. Emily said goodbye to Noella, and in front of Heather, remarked that she couldn't wait to hang out with her in Cabo. Emily then turned to Heather and asked if Noella was going to Cabo and she said she didn't know. Heather said in a confessional that she wanted to take a trip but didn't want to go with someone who lies about her. The Real Housewives Of Orange County will return next Wednesday on Bravo. Glee alum Darren Criss and his pregnant wife Mia Swier masked up to catch a flight out of Hollywood Burbank Airport on Wednesday. The 34-year-old Emmy winner - rocking a Friends sweatshirt - and the expecting 36-year-old were joined on their travels by another masked young couple. Darren and Mia announced they were expecting their first child on October 15 by sharing an audio clip of their fetus' heartbeat. Babymoon? Glee alum Darren Criss and his pregnant wife Mia Swier masked up to catch a flight out of Hollywood Burbank Airport on Wednesday Rocking a Friends sweatshirt! The 34-year-old Emmy winner and the expecting 36-year-old were joined on their travels by another masked young couple Criss - who boasts 6.8M social media followers - captioned the video: 'We've been making music for years. But this time we made a beat. The ultimate collab droppin spring 2022!' Before 'Baby Von Criss' arrives, the parents-to-be will next celebrate his 35th birthday on February 5 followed by their third wedding anniversary on February 16. The half-Filipino, San Francisco-born triple-threat and the Von Glitz Productions founder originally met in 2006 before they began dating in June 2010. Darren and Mia - who co-founded Effin Media in 2009 - opened their piano bar Tramp Stamp Grannys in Hollywood in 2019. 'The ultimate collab droppin spring 2022!' Darren and Mia announced they were expecting their first child on October 15 by sharing an audio clip of their fetus' heartbeat Big month! Before 'Baby Von Criss' arrives, the parents-to-be will next celebrate his 35th birthday on February 5 followed by their third wedding anniversary on February 16 Co-founded Effin Media in 2009: Criss and the Von Glitz Productions founder originally met in 2006 before they began dating in June 2010 Audiences last saw Criss in Lance Bangs' star-studded music video for the late George Harrison's 1970 song My Sweet Lord, which dropped last month. The Cann spokesmodel will next portray small-time hustler Bobby alongside Laurence J. Fishburne III and Sam Rockwell in Neil Pepe's David Mamet Broadway revival American Buffalo. Previews begin March 22 for the twice-postponed 16-week play, which runs from April 14-July 10 at the Circle in the Square Theatre in Manhattan. Meanwhile, Swier's last IMDb-credited gig was portraying Switchback Jacket bassist in an episode of Quibi musical comedy Royalties in 2020. New York bound: The half-Filipino, San Francisco-born triple-threat will next portray small-time hustler Bobby alongside Laurence J. Fishburne III (L) and Sam Rockwell (M) in Neil Pepe's David Mamet Broadway revival American Buffalo Kevin Hart and Meek Mill are teaming up with Fanatics CEO Michael Rubin for a huge $15 million donation to help the local schools in their hometown of Philadelphia. The donation will help 110 Philadelphia schools that service underprivileged and disadvantaged students, according to Philly Voice. The combined donation is larger than any one donation the three Philly locals have given back to the City of Brotherly Love where they all grew up. Team: Kevin Hart and Meek Mill are teaming up with Fanatics CEO Michael Rubin for a huge $15 million donation to help the local schools in their hometown of Philadelphia Michael and Meek: The combined donation is larger than any one donation the three Philly locals have given back to the City of Brotherly Love where they all grew up The funds are said to assist thousands of underserved Philadelphia families during the 2022-2023 academic school year. A spokesperson for the trio said the funds, 'will go to private and parochial schools across the Philadelphia region to cover tuition costs enabling lower-income students to enroll.' The funds will not benefit the School District of Philadelphia. Families: The funds are said to assist thousands of underserved Philadelphia families during the 2022-2023 academic school year Schools: A spokesperson for the trio said the funds, 'will go to private and parochial schools across the Philadelphia region to cover tuition costs enabling lower-income students to enroll' Hart and Mill were both raised in North Philadelphia and Rubin was raised in nearby Lafayette Hill, and they all have a long history of giving back to their beloved community. Mill has made it a yearly tradition to play 'Santa' to a number of deserving families in his hometown, giving out over $500K worth of gifts to families last year alone. He also teamed up with Rubin, who is a part owner of both the NBA's Philadelphia 76ers and the NHL's Philadelphia Flyers, for a $2 million scholarship fund. Trio: Born and raised: Hart and Mill were both raised in North Philadelphia and Rubin was raised in nearby Lafayette Hill, and they all have a long history of giving back to their beloved community Santa: Mill has made it a yearly tradition to play 'Santa' to a number of deserving families in his hometown, giving out over $500K worth of gifts to families last year alone The fund was announced in December 2020, which benefited over 1,000 underprivileged children in Philly. Rubin was also the founder of the All In Challenge in the early stages of the pandemic, which Meek Mill, Kevin Hart and other celebs such as Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Brady, Justin Bieber and Magic Johnson contributing, to name a few. Mill and Rubin also teamed up with the REFORM Alliance last month for a VIP experience at a 76ers for more than 25 children negatively impacted by the criminal justice system. Reform: Mill and Rubin also teamed up with the REFORM Alliance last month for a VIP experience at a 76ers for more than 25 children negatively impacted by the criminal justice system Hart has previously donated $250,000 to the School District of Philadelphia in 2020 that went towards tech upgrades He also awarded $50,000 scholarships to local high school students in need, while also providing over $600,000 in college scholarship funds to eight Philly students. The donation comes just after School District of Philadelphia Superintendent Dr. William Hite testified in a civil trial that over 65% of the city's schools are said to be 'economically disadvantaged.' Kevin donates: Hart has previously donated $250,000 to the School District of Philadelphia in 2020 that went towards tech upgrades Just a day after revealing they're expecting their first child, Sabrina Frederick and wife Lili Cadee-Matthews have shared stunning photos from their combined engagement, hens party and baby announcement. The event was held back in November, with pregnant Lili already showing as she posed for a series of glamorous photos with doting wife Sabrina. In one photo, the 25-year-old AFLW star beamed up at her pregnant partner as she rested a hand on her emerging baby bump. Celebration: Just a day after revealing they're expecting their first child, Sabrina Frederick and wife Lili Cadee-Matthews have shared stunning photos from their combined engagement, hens party and baby announcement Another photo showed Sabrina leaning forward to plant a sweet kiss on Lili's belly. Other photos taken outside showed Sabrina and school teacher Lili holding hands as they walked through what appeared to have been a park. Standing under a rotunda, Sabrina leaned in close to Lili, resting her forehead against the side of her head. Coming soon: In one photo, the 25-year-old AFLW star beamed up at her pregnant partner as she rested a hand on her emerging baby bump Baby onboard: Sabrina publicly announced the couple is expecting their first child in a post on Instagram on Wednesday evening 'I am so excited to announce Lil and I will be welcoming our first little bundle of joy to our family late July (or when she is ready),' she wrote 'The Frederick family is growing and we couldn't be more grateful. Can't wait to hold our tiny dancer in our arms,' she wrote One black and white photo showed them sharing a kiss as they extended their interlocked hands to show off their matching engagement rings. Other photos taken inside the party showed the two women celebrating with their family and friends. At one stage, Sabrina wiped tears from her eyes as she stood alongside Lili, who appeared to have been giving a speech. Sealed with a kiss: Another photo showed Sabrina leaning forward to plant a sweet kiss on Lili's belly Famous friends: Sabrina's joyful post was quickly inundated with celebrity well-wishers, with The Bachelorette's Brooke Blurton leading the charge Pretty: Lili looked stunning in a pastel print babydoll dress, which she paired with tan lace-up boots and a flower crown Lili looked stunning in a pastel print babydoll dress, which she paired with tan lace-up boots and a flower crown. Meanwhile, Sabrina opted for pale blue cropped jeans, a white T-shirt and pink blazer, rounding out her ensemble with white sneakers. Sabrina publicly announced the couple is expecting their first child in a post on Instagram on Wednesday evening. Well-wishers: Sabrina's SAS Australia co-star Schapelle Corby added, 'Beautiful. Congratulations,' alongside numerous heart eyes emojis So in love: Standing under a rotunda, Sabrina leaned in close to Lili, resting her forehead against the side of her head The look of love: In another image, Sabrina is seen tenderly wrapping her arms around her wife, as the pair are bathed in sunlight Supportive: Other celebrities joining the chorus of congratulations included Candice Warner and reality TV bad boy Ciarran Stott 'I am so excited to announce Lil and I will be welcoming our first little bundle of joy to our family late July (or when she is ready),' she wrote. The SAS Australia star then added: 'The Frederick family is growing and we couldn't be more grateful. Can't wait to hold our tiny dancer in our arms.' In another image, Sabrina is seen tenderly wrapping her arms around her wife, as the pair are bathed in sunlight. Throwback: The event was held back in November, with pregnant Lili already showing as she posed for a series of glamorous photos with doting wife Sabrina Casual style: Sabrina opted for pale blue cropped jeans, a white T-shirt and pink blazer, rounding out her ensemble with white sneakers Newlyweds: The exciting announcement comes after Sabrina married Lili in a romantic ceremony in December Sabrina's joyful post was quickly inundated with celebrity well-wishers, with The Bachelorette's Brooke Blurton leading the charge. 'Aunty Brooke is ready,' she happily gushed alongside the post. Sabrina's SAS Australia co-star Schapelle Corby added, 'Beautiful. Congratulations,' alongside numerous heart eyes emojis. Wanna hold your hand: Other photos taken outside showed Sabrina and school teacher Lili holding hands as they walked through what appeared to have been a park Delays: The couple had planned to wed in December 2020 but were forced to postpone the event due to the Covid pandemic Getting emotional: At one stage, Sabrina wiped tears from her eyes as she stood alongside Lili, who appeared to have been giving a speech So happy: At one stage, Lili embraced an older relative, with the two women wrapping their arms around each other as they laughed with glee Other celebrities joining the chorus included Candice Warner, reality TV bad boy Ciarran Stott, entrepreneur Steph Claire Smith, model Erin McNaught and Australian Survivor star Abbey Holmes. The exciting announcement comes after Sabrina married Lili in a romantic ceremony in December. In stunning images captured by photographer Sigrid Petersen, Sabrina looked stylish in white pants and a matching coloured jacket by Effie Kats, as well as a fedora hat and brown shoes. Life-changing moments: Sabrina and Lili announced their engagement on Instagram in December 2018 'I have dreamt about this moment 1,000 times over and it was everything I could've imagine and more,' Sabrina wrote at the time Meanwhile, Lili stunned in a long white gown by Ruedesine, which featured sheer lace sleeves and a long train. The couple had planned to wed in December 2020 but were forced to postpone the event due to the Covid pandemic. Sabrina and Lili announced their engagement on Instagram in December 2018. 'From the moment I first heard your voice, I knew I was going to spend the rest of my life with you and listen to that voice forever,' Sabrina wrote of Lili Party time: Other photos taken inside the party showed the two women celebrating with their family and friends Plenty to celebrate: Both Sabrina and Lili appeared overjoyed as they chatted with their loved ones and shared a few laughs 'I have dreamt about this moment 1,000 times over and it was everything I could've imagine and more,' Sabrina wrote at the time. 'From the moment I first heard your voice, I knew I was going to spend the rest of my life with you and listen to that voice forever.' She added: 'Last night I asked the woman of my dreams to marry me, and thank goodness she said yes.' Georgia Love and Lee Elliott have moved into their new $1.3million marital home in Melbourne. The Bachelorette stars and newlyweds oversaw removalists bringing their furniture and belongings into their new property on Thursday. The couple, who purchased the home in Melbourne's upmarket Hampton East back in October, finally got the keys to the townhouse this week. On the move! Bachelorette stars and newlyweds Georgia Love and Lee Elliott have moved into their new $1.3million marital home in Melbourne Moving in: The Bachelorette stars and newlyweds oversaw removalists bringing their furniture and belongings into their new property Georgia kept things casual in black shorts and an orange T-shirt as she carried her belongings into her new home. She teamed her look with a pair of white sneakers and tied her brunette locks in a high bun. Meanwhile, Lee wore a grey T-shirt, black shorts and sneakers as he moved boxes into the house. He then made his way over to the truck to check in on the removalists. New home: The couple, who purchased the home in Melbourne's upmarket Hampton East back in October, finally got the keys to the townhouse this week Casual: Georgia kept things casual in black shorts and an orange T-shirt as she carried her belongings into her new home Accessories: She teamed her look with a pair of white sneakers and tied her brunette locks in a high bun Style: Meanwhile, Lee wore a grey T-shirt, black shorts and sneakers as he moved boxes into the house Many items were carried to the couple's new home including dozens of boxes, and a fridge. Lee and Georgia's friends and family were also seen helping carry the pair's clothing from their car into their home. The couple purchased the property back in October last year, after the home was listed between $1.3million and $1.35million. Keeping an eye: He then made his way over to the truck to check in on the removalists Moving in: Many items were carried to the couple's new home including dozens of boxes, and a fridge Helping hand: Lee and Georgia's friends and family were also seen helping carry the pair's clothing from their car into their home It's a deal! They purchased the property back in October last year, after the home was listed between $1.3million and $1.35million 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 home features high white ceilings, wooden floorboards and a stylish white kitchen. Location: It is located in the family-friendly suburb of Hampton East, just 30 minutes away from the Melbourne CBD Spacious: It features a spacious four bedrooms, as well as three bathrooms, and an expansive living-dining area Modern: The home features high white ceilings, wooden floorboards and a stylish white kitchen Apprentice hopeful Alex Short has previously been the director of three failed recruitment firms, MailOnline can exclusively reveal. Alex, 27, is the third candidate to be exposed in recent days as having a less than illustrious business background before appearing on the reality programme. The businessman was one of two directors of a firm called JobsFindYou Ltd which was incorporated in April 2013 before his appointment was terminated a year later. Uh oh! Apprentice hopeful Alex Short has previously been been the director of three failed recruitment firms, MailOnline can exclusively reveal The firm, based in Cheshunt in Hertfordshire, never traded and filed accounts in 2014 as a dormant company, showing it had just 2 in the bank which was the sum total of the firm's assets. It was finally dissolved voluntarily in January 2017. A second recruitment firm with an almost identical name - JobsFindU Ltd - was also incorporated on the same date as JobsFindYou in 2013. Short and his business partner Alex Rodwell were directors, and Sabrina Rodwell acted as company secretary. Again, the firm filed accounts as a dormant company with 2 before it was dissolved voluntarily in 2016. Background: Alex, 27, is the third candidate to be exposed in recent days as having a less than illustrious business background before appearing on the reality programme A third recruitment firm called Wellshor Ltd was dissolved in October 2020 eight years after it was incorporated in July 2012. It also had the same directors and filed accounts as dormant company in 2013 with assets totalling 100 in cash held at the bank. It started trading the following year, recording total assets of 3,245 but it paid out 30,436 to creditors leaving Short and Rodwell shouldering a deficit of 25,321. You're fired! The businessman was one of two directors of a firm called JobsFindYou Ltd which was incorporated in April 2013 before his appointment was terminated a year later It was similarly in the red in 2015, to the tune of 26,972, and recording liabilities of exactly the same amount - 26,972 - in 2016 after Short had departed, and 26,972 again in 2017, and the same in 2018. In 2019 it chalked-up a deficit of 2,222 before applying to be struck off the register of companies in April 2020, and it was finally dissolved in October that year. Short went on to change tack and founded a commercial cleaning firm called Stag Commercial Cleaning Services Ltd in 2016 with a new business partner, Thomas Silvester. Silvester resigned the following year and short took sole charge of the business, posting accounts for 2016/17 showing the company had 677 at the bank and total assets of 4,502, though it posted a loss of 5,800 due to paying out 10,202 to creditors. Not a success: A second recruitment firm with an almost identical name - JobsFindU Ltd - was also incorporated on the same date as JobsFindYou in 2013 It chalked up a profit of 4,329 in 2018, which dropped to 1,920 the following year, but earnings had dwindled to only 384 in 2020, despite the firm having current assets with 108,220, including 66,289 in cash at the bank. It paid out 59,322 in sums owed to creditors, largely made up of tax payments and bank charges, and owed 50,000 in bank loans. In March 20201, it registered a document outline a charge against the company giving a firm called Maketfinance Ltd the right to take over the assets of Short's firm should it fail in what appears to be a re-financing arrangement. Not a great track record: Short becomes the latest cast member to be exposed as having patchy business credentials and links to dissolved, low-income companies On January 6 this year, on the same day the first full episode of The Apprentice was broadcast by the BBC, Short's firm posted its accounts covering 2021, showing a dramatic increase in the firm's earnings to 144,996. Following the claims, Alex told MailOnline: 'I'm the proud owner and sole director of an established and successful business, Stag Cleaning, which, in its 6th year, has a 7 figure turnover with a healthy net profit. I am proud of my past, it has made me who I am today.' Short becomes the latest cast member to be exposed as having patchy business credentials and links to dissolved, low-income companies, including Lord Sugar's right hand man, Tim Campbell, the winner of the first series who is standing in for an injured Claude Littner, and current candidate Akshay Thakrar. Meanwhile Akeem Bundu-Kamara, who boasts that he is on 'the pathway to making it', runs an ethical sportswear firm which was worth just 28 last year. Despite the measly sum, Akeem, 30, bragged about being 'a numbers guy' in a summary of his talents on the show as he hoped to impress Lord Sugar. The Apprentice continues on Thursday at 9pm on BBC1. Back on! The Apprentice continues on Thursday at 9pm on BBC1 THE APPRENTICE 2022: MEET THE MEN AARON WILLIS, 38 Occupation: Flight Operations Instructor Lives in: Chorley, Lancashire Key information: Having served in the RAF for 12 years as Flight Operations Instructor, Aaron has set out to start his own security business. He says: 'My strongest point is that I can sell to anybody and I think that's the reason why my business will be a success, because people will buy from me.' AKSHAY THAKRAR, 28 Occupation: Owner, Digital Marketing Agency Lives in: London Key information: Referring to himself as a man who believes sleeping is a 'waste of time' he also claims his first word as a newborn was profit'. He says: 'My friends call me AK 47 because I'm a killer salesperson.' CONOR GILSENAN, 28 Occupation: Sales Executive and former Professional Rugby Player Lives in: London Key information: Hard working and 'hyper motivated by money', ex rugby player Conor describes himself as a 'corporate panther' with a record for getting deals done and who will win this series. He says: 'I'm going to be the corporate panther in the boardroom, I'm going to get it done, and I'm going to be Lord Sugar's perfect business partner.' NAVID SOLE, 27 Occupation: Pharmacist Lives in: London Key information: Qualified pharmacist and Nicki Minaj superfan Navid aspires to create a successful pharmacy business with the help and expertise of Lord Sugar. He says: 'Nothing intimidates me because I just feel like I'm a strong character, strong person, strong mindset.' AKEEM BUNDU KAMARA, 29 Occupation: Strategy Manager for a Financial Firm Lives in: London Key information: Akeem considers himself a people's person who loves being around others, however as a 'numbers guy', his analytical ability often causes him to think carefully about his every move, as he claims he will come in with a 'calculated point of view.' He says: 'My growing up has made me who I am, I'm able to converse with everyone, but also able to show that financial, business side to myself.' ALEX SHORT, 27 Occupation: Owner, Commercial Cleaning Company Lives in: Hertford Key information: With big goals for his commercial cleaning business, Alex is driven, focused and is 'not going to stop' until he gets where he wants to go. He says: 'I would compare myself to a Ferrari, shiny on the outside but under the bonnet, there is a lot of fire and I'm coming for you.' HARRY MAHMOOD, 35 Occupation: Regional Operations Manager Lives in: West Midlands Key information: Inspired by the kindness of his grandparents, Harry wants to help and support people. He says: 'Everything I've looked into achieving, I've achieved I've literally done everything I've put my mind to.' NICK SHOWERING, 31 Occupation: Finance Manager Lives in: London Key information: After 'working in the shadow of his family's business', qualified accountant Nick hopes to make a name for himself in the drinks industry with his line of flavoured water. He says: 'In business I'm a bit of a force to be reckoned with I know what I'm talking about, I know how things work, and I'm extremely experienced So, I'm a bit of an animal in the boardroom' Advertisement Emma Watson has revealed the moment in the Return To Hogwarts special where she and Rupert Grint discussed their shared history was the 'most emotional' for her. The actress, 31, who played Hermione Granger in the films, was joined by her former Harry Potter co-stars in the HBO special as they reflected on the legacy of the franchise 20 years after the first film was released. Emma said she was 'taken aback' by how 'vulnerable' Rupert was in the special while she also praised Daniel Radcliffe for noting Emma's experience of fame was different because she was a girl. Heartwarming: Emma Watson has revealed the moment in the Return To Hogwarts special where she and Rupert Grint discussed their shared history was the 'most emotional' for her Speaking to British Vogue, she said: 'That was the most emotional moment for me. When Rupert says things, he really means them. I was taken aback by how vulnerable and kind he was deciding to be so publicly. 'Similarly for Dan, it really touched me how reflective he had been over the years about how different it had been for me as a girl.' Emma said she, Daniel and Rupert are not on a group chat together as they both hate electronics but they do make an effort to keep in touch. She said: 'We aren't on a group chat but we speak individually. Rupert sends me pictures of [his daughter] Wednesday and I die. Dan and I generally try and calm each other's nerves.' Reunion: The actress, 31, was joined by her former Harry Potter co-stars in the HBO special as they reflected on the legacy of the franchise 20 years after the first film was released Emma also said the reaction to her revealing she previously had a crush on co-star Tom Felton was 'sweet'. The star added she would 'definitely' be up for another Harry Potter reunion in 20 years time for the 40th anniversary of the films. Alongside the core trio, the line up for the special included Tom (Draco Malfoy), Alfred Enoch (Dean Thomas), Evanna Lynch (Luna Lovegood), Bonnie Wright (Ginny Weasley), Helena Bonham Carter (Bellatrix Lestrange) and Jason Isaacs (Lucius Malfoy). It comes after Emma responded to Harry Potter reunion producers who confused a childhood snap of Emma Roberts with the star. Emma said: 'That was the most emotional moment for me. When Rupert says things, he really means them. I was taken aback by how vulnerable and kind he was deciding to be so publicly' The British actress was in a case of mistaken identity as a throwback snap of Roberts was used in reference to Watson during the special, with eagle-eyed fans instantly spotting the inaccuracy. Addressing the gaffe with Instagram followers, Watson saw the funny side by captioning the childhood snap of Roberts wearing Minnie Mouse ears: 'I was NOT this cute, @emmaroberts.' She added the hashtag: 'Emma Sisters Forever.' Both Emmas hit the headlines last week when viewers of the special noticed the wrong picture had been used. Oops! Emma recently responded to Return To Hogwarts reunion special producers' blunder which saw a childhood snap of Emma Roberts accidentally shown As the photo was shown, the Harry Potter star said of her memories of the J.K. Rowling book series: 'I think I probably wouldve been about eight years old. I think thats probably when the first one came out. It became, like, our family thing. 'My dad used to do all the voices, and my brother and I just became obsessed. We would just beg him to keep going.' But the image shown was in fact a throwback snap of Emma Roberts, which she shared on Instagram in 2012, writing at the time: 'Minnie Mouse ears.' Confirming the mistake, producer put the issue down to an 'editing error' and hailed viewers for pointing out the blunder, remarking 'Well spotted Harry Potter fans!' Good humour: Watson hit back on Instagram, sharing the cute childhood snap of Roberts wearing Minnie Mouse ears, captioning her post: 'I was NOT this cute, @emmaroberts' In a statement shared to Deadline, they said: 'Well spotted Harry Potter fans! You brought an editing mistake of a mislabeled photograph to our attention.' They went on to say that they've updated the episode with the correction, adding: 'New version is up now.' Meanwhile, this isn't the only mistake that occurred, as the names of twin actors Oliver and James Phelps - who play George and Fred Weasley - were shown in the wrong order. Taking to Instagram with a screenshot of the misidentification, actor Oliver (George), wrote: 'I guess after all those pranks over the years somebody decided to get their revenge. It was fantastic to be part of the HP reunion. Hope you all enjoyed it.' Draco Malfoy actor Tom Felton jokingly took responsibility for the blunder, as he wrote in the comments: 'It was my doing', alongside a snake and a lion emoji. The highly anticipated dating show returns to E4 next week. And Jessika Power, 30, and Chloe Brockett, 21, looked incredible as they lead the celebrities as they arrived to film Celebs Go dating in West London on Wednesday. Married At First Sight star, Jessika put on a very leggy display in a cobalt thigh split dress with clear heels amid rumours she has been getting close to TOWIE's Pete Wicks, 33. Wow! MAFS Australia star Jessika Power put on a leggy display in a thigh split dress as Chloe Brockett stunned in a bodycon silk number for Celebs Go Dating on Wednesday Incredible: TOWIE's Chloe, stunned in a form fitting silk midi dress that hugged her enviable curves as they showed up to film in West London She showcased all her best assets as she flashed her toned abs in the cut out piece that had shimmering silver flecks throughout. The Australian beauty, who now lives in Manchester, styled her bright blonde hair in a sleek bob with a centre parting and added a full pallet of glamorous makeup. TOWIE's Chloe, stunned in a form fitting silk midi dress that hugged her enviable curves. Stunning: Jessika showcased all her best assets as she flashed her toned abs in the cut out piece that had shimmering silver flecks throughout Stylish: Chloe's raven locks were styled in glossy loose waves with a side parting for a classy look Chic: The chocolate number featured a sultry corset style bodice that nipped in at her tiny waist before it fell to her knees Could it be? Jessika recently 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, (stock image) The chocolate number featured a sultry corset style bodice that nipped in at her tiny waist before it fell to her knees. Chloe's raven locks were styled in glossy loose waves with a side parting for a classy look and she opted for a full face of makeup. She added a pair of black fluffy slip on heels and accessorised with a luxury silver watch. Co-stars: Elsewhere, Nikita Jasmine slipped into a playful multicoloured mini dress as she posed for photos with Chloe Colourful! The former Married At First Sight contestant added eye catching orange accessories to her ensemble as she wore strappy heels and carried a ruched handled bag Pose! Nikita oozed confidence as she worked her best angles Jessika recently 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. She said: '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. Jessika and Pete first met last year when they both filmed Celebs Go Dating. Elsewhere, Nikita Jasmine slipped into a playful multicoloured mini dress as she posed for photos with Chloe. The former Married At First Sight contestant added eye catching orange accessories to her ensemble as she wore strappy heels and carried a ruched handled bag. She wore her hair in a sleek blow dry as she added a flick of shimmery eyeshadow to tie her ensemble together. Radiant: Ulrika Jonsson, 54, was glowing as she showcased her toned legs in tight leather trousers and a bright floral print silk blouse Looking good: The TV personality, who has been single since her 2019 divorce, added a pair of pointed toe crocodile printed boots to complete her look Stylish: The mother-of-four, looked radiant as she styled her bright blonde locks in beachy waves Ulrika Jonsson, 54, was glowing as she showcased her toned legs in tight leather trousers and a bright floral print silk blouse. The TV personality, who has been single since her 2019 divorce, added a pair of pointed toe crocodile printed boots to complete her look. The mother-of-four, looked radiant as she styled her bright blonde locks in beachy waves. Smart! Actor Tom Read Wilson, 35, also put in an appearance with his co-stars in a quirky khaki jumpsuit and black loafers Experts: Love Doctor Paul Brunson, 46, and dating guru Anna Williamson, 40, could also be seen heading to set as they work their magic to find the singletons potential matches Dating guru: Anna put on a glitzy display in a sequin top and black mini skirt Suave: Paul looked dapper in a suit and turtleneck Actor Tom Read Wilson, 35, also put in an appearance with his co-stars in a quirky khaki jumpsuit and black loafers. Love Doctor Paul Brunson, 46, and dating guru Anna Williamson, 40, could also be seen heading to set as they work their magic to find the singletons potential matches. Anna, put on a glitzy display in a sequin top and black mini skirt whilst her co-host Paul looked dapper in a suit and turtleneck. Boyband star Abz Love, Made In Chelsea's Miles Nazaire, Marty McKenna from Geordie Shore and Apprentice contestant Ryan-Mark Parsons are also set to take part in the new series. Celebs Go Dating is back is January 17 at 9pm on E4 Advertisement Simon Cowell and his new fiancee Lauren Silverman were seen together for the first time since news arose that they had become engaged, as they enjoyed a bike ride in Malibu on Wednesday. The happy couple, aged 62 and 44 respectively, zipped along the street in the wake of the happy news, on which, Simon broke his silence earlier that day when he was asked if the reports were true, after which he said: 'What do you think?', before replying to congratulations by saying: 'I really appreciate that'. The latest sighting, during which neither party used a helmet for the ride despite Simon toting the protective headwear on his bike handle, comes after insiders stated that the past two years have helped Simon 'learn what's precious', while their friends state that they are 'soulmates' and each other's rocks. On Tuesday, it was revealed that Simon had popped the question to his girlfriend during a trip to Barbados, before Lauren was spotted out in Malibu the following day flashing her $3.4million (2.5m) engagement ring, although she went without the ring during her earlier bike ride with Simon. Happy days: Simon Cowell and his new fiancee Lauren Silverman were seen together for the first time since news arose that they had become engaged, as they enjoyed a bike ride in Malibu on Wednesday Simon and Lauren zipped along the road on their bikes, they opted against wearing headgear. The trip comes after the star broke his back in a horror bike accident last year. Simon's proposal to Lauren came after her learnt 'what was precious' over the past two years. Despite his previous staunch vows to never walk up the aisle, the insider claimed the past two years - in which the global pandemic hit and the star broke his back - have made him change his stance. The source told People: 'They have fun together, as well as being each other's rock. They are both passionate but really do bring out the very best in each other. As a family, they all have such an incredible bond... Relaxed: The happy couple, aged 62 and 44 respectively, zipped along the street in the wake of the happy news No protection: The latest sighting, during which neither party used a helmet for the ride despite Simon toting the protective headwear on his bike handle, comes after insiders stated that the past two years have helped Simon 'learn what's precious' 'A lot of things have happened in the last few years and just like for everyone else in the world, these things have all been a reminder about what is precious to them'. Simon may have once branded marriage 'boring', but according to a new report, it was during lockdown that something shifted with Lauren. The brunette beauty is said to have urged him to commit to their family life and 'prioritise the present' instead of spending time with his famous exes. A friend told The Sun that 'no one is more shocked about the change in Simon these past few years than Simon', yet was told by Lauren that she needed a 'commitment to family life'. They explained: 'Not surprisingly, she didnt appreciate Simon hanging out and holidaying with his harem of exes, particularly Sinitta who was forever lurking in the shadows. Happy news: Simon Cowell has broken his silence on his engagement to Lauren Silverman Changed man: On Tuesday, it was revealed that Simon had popped the question to his long-term girlfriend during their annual trip to Barbados. Lauren was spotted out in Malibu the following day flashing her $3.4million (2.5m) engagement ring The story behind the $3.4m 'flawless' ring Alexandra Michell Gemologist Prestige Pawnbrokers of Channel 4s Posh Pawn told MailOnline: I would estimate this ring is a 15ct oval cut diamond, the stone is a colour D and internally flawless the best grade on the market. Id estimate the retail value at $3.4million or 2.5 million. This is very classic in style; a single stone on a white gold or platinum band, to really show off the star of the show- the diamond. https://www.prestigepawnbrokers.co.uk/ Moreover, jewellery experts at Steven Stone claim it's worth a little less at $2.5m or (1,820,000). Managing Director, Zack Stone, said: 'Lauren's ring looks to be oval shaped, which was the most popular shape of 2021 for celebrities. 'The centre diamond is huge, approximately 20ct. It looks like its D colour, which makes it an incredibly high value stone. A ring like this would be worth $2,500,000 (1,820,000) which is the highest value celebrity ring weve seen in the last 12 months.' Advertisement 'Simon was told in no uncertain terms that it was him or his exes Sinitta, Terri Seymour and Jackie St Clair and, wisely, chose to prioritise his present and future, not his past.' Simon, whose net worth is estimated to be approximately $600m, (436m), certainly means business with the ring he presented Lauren with. Alexandra Michell Gemologist Prestige Pawnbrokers of Channel 4s Posh Pawn told MailOnline: 'I would estimate this ring is a 15ct oval cut diamond, the stone is a colour D and internally flawless the best grade on the market. 'Id estimate the retail value at $3.4million or 2.5 million. This is very classic in style; a single stone on a white gold or platinum band, to really show off the star of the show- the diamond.' Jewellery experts at Steven Stone claim it's worth a little less at $2.5m or (1,820,000). Managing Director, Zack Stone, said: 'Lauren's ring looks to be oval shaped, which was the most popular shape of 2021 for celebrities. 'The centre diamond is huge, approximately 20ct. It looks like its D colour, which makes it an incredibly high value stone. A ring like this would be worth $2,500,000 (1,820,000) which is the highest value celebrity ring weve seen in the last 12 months.' Eight years ago, Simon declared that he would always love his exes, saying: 'The love I have for my ex-girlfriends will always be there, so I think thats true love. People confuse ego, lust, insecurity with true love. 'But for me, whether its Jackie, Mezhgan, Sinitta or Terri, they will be in my life forever. I genuinely love them.' MailOnline has reached out to Simon's representatives for comment. The music mogul popped the question to Lauren on the couple's Barbados getaway over the new year in front of their son Eric, seven, and Lauren's son Adam, 16. Despite previously insisting that he 'didn't believe' in marriage, the father-of-one reassessed his views after falling in love with Lauren - who was left 'stunned' by the shock proposal. A source told The Sun: 'Lauren was absolutely stunned and never in a million years expected Simon to pop the question. She burst into tears - happy tears - and obviously said yes straight away. Romantic: Simon popped the question to Lauren on the couple's Barbados getaway over the new year in front of their son Eric, seven, and Lauren's son Adam, 16 Chic: Lauren ran her errands wearing suede boots and acted in line with Covid guidelines, sporting a white safety mask 'Lauren has been Simons rock over these past few years - supporting him when he broke his back, and through thick and thin generally. They make a wonderful couple. 'Whilst Simon never thought he was the marrying type, hes realised hes met the woman of his dreams - and couldnt be happier. In the words of Beyonce, it was time to put a ring on it.' A friend of the pair's added to People magazine: 'They are both super happy. They've been together a long time now and adore each other so it's not a huge surprise to their close friends.' Simon met Lauren when she was still married to millionaire property developer Andrew Silverman. Their affair became public and Simon's life changed at the end of July 2013 when news broke of Lauren's pregnancy. Future: A friend told The Sun: 'No one is more shocked about the change in Simon these past few years than Simon' Stylish: For Wednesday's outing, Lauren swept her brown tresses into a bun and wore sunglasses on her head In 2015, Simon told Mail on Sunday Event magazine: 'I'm not proud of the circumstances, I can't hold my head up about it.' Of the pregnancy, he admitted: 'This was not something I planned. But I remember going to the first scan with Lauren. 'I called him Tad because he looked like a tadpole. Something just kicked in. I felt unbelievably protective of both of them. I just absolutely wanted him. I just hadn't known that before.' Simon had previously stated that he 'didn't believe in marriage' and worried about what would happen to his fortune if he tied the knot. Former flame: The father-of-one has previously enjoyed high profile relationships with the likes of Sinitta (pictured in 2006) Jackie St. Clair and Terri Seymour and has remained close friends with his former flames Case of the ex: Former Page 3 model Jackie (left) dated Simon in the 1970s and maintained a strong friendship while Simon has remained close friends with ex Terri (right) ever since they dated from 2002 to 2008 The X Factor creator said in 2008: 'I don't believe in marriage, certainly not in this business. The truth is that you get married and in a year or two they clean you out! It's just not going to work.' The father-of-one has previously enjoyed high profile relationships with the likes of Sinitta, Jackie St. Clair and Terri Seymour. He was rumoured to have been secretly engaged to Page Three girl Louise Payne, after she split from husband and Right Said Fred star Fred Fairbrass, yet never confirmed the reports. The pair met at a function in London in in 1995 yet split three years later. A source said: 'Whilst Simon never thought he was the marrying type, hes realised hes met the woman of his dreams - and couldnt be happier' (pictured in November) News of the engagement comes after Simon said that his romance with Lauren is 'still alive' having realised they still 'enjoy each other's company' after months of being holed up together during the Covid lockdown. Speaking to OK! in November after hosting his annual Together For Short Lives charity ball, Simon gushed that his romance with Lauren was still going strong, after their cosy appearance on the red carpet. Asked whether their relationship was still alive, he said: 'I guess so! Covid-19 was the real test. Like everyone, we were in lockdown for a long time and that's when you realise whether or not you actually enjoy each other's company or not. 'And we really really did. So to answer your question... yes, the romance is still alive. We're closer than ever.' Family: The pair were said to have been joined by their son Eric, seven, (pictured) and Lauren's son Adam, 16, from a previous relationship when Simon proposed While Simon praised for Lauren for always maintaining an active role in his charity ventures, he insisted he does his fair share of the childcare and 'loves' picking up Eric from school and taking him to football training. The Britain's Got Talent judge also confessed that he's so close to his son that he and Lauren struggle to plan date nights away from him, but in some cases they do 'occasionally make it out alone.' Lauren also took on a big role caring for Simon when he was left bedridden for months after a devastating electric bike accident at his Malibu home in August 2020. The record executive now walks for several hours a day and holds business meetings at 9AM so that he no longer lives like a 'vampire'. Sweet: Simon said that his romance with Lauren is 'still alive' having realised they still 'enjoy each other's company' after months of being holed up together during the Covid lockdown Of his new fitness regime, a source told MailOnline: 'Simon said how he hasn't worn trainers as much as this in 20 years. He feels fitter than ever before and is keeping to a normal routine rather than being on the phone until into the early hours of the morning.' Simon told Extra in February of the horror bike incident: 'I nearly smashed my spine to pieces!' The X Factor boss also admitted he 'couldn't have got through' it without his girlfriend Lauren and son Eric, who sweetly called him 'iron man' when he first saw his dad with metal rods and screws in his back following surgery. Speaking to ex-girlfriend Terri Seymour on Extra, Simon said: 'It could have been a lot worse. When I saw the X-ray, I really nearly could have smashed my spine to pieces, so I literally wouldn't have been able to walk.' He recalled: 'I knew I'd broken my back the minute I landed. It was really, really kind of sudden and it hurt.' Simon explained, 'You're not supposed to move,' but, that wasn't the X Factor boss' thought process at the time. He continued: 'I was thinking, "I've got to get back into the house because I can't lie there" and made myself kind of get carried into my bedroom, which is right there at the beginning of the house... And I'm lying there and I'm kind of passing out It was surreal.' Former flame: Simon was rumoured to have been secretly engaged to Page Three girl Louise Payne, after she split from husband and Right Said Fred star Fred Fairbrass, yet split in 1995 Speaking about his time in hospital, the BGT judge gushed about the support he received from his girlfriend Lauren and their son. Simon noted to Terri: 'In fact, you and Lauren [Silverman] were outside the hospital all night long, I remember.' Terri told him: 'Lauren was amazing, running around after you, nursing you back to health,' to which Simon gushed: 'She was amazing. 'Both her and Eric, they were like my support. I couldn't have gotten through it without them, so we got closer.' Lottie Moss is dating tattooed Valentino model Teddy Corsica, MailOnline can reveal. The model, 24, shared a sultry black and white picture of her fellow catwalk star feeding her a lollipop on Instagram this week. Pals close to Basingstoke-born pin-up Teddy, real name Edward Groucher, claim the pair started dating following Lottie's split from The Vamps drummer Tristan Evans in November. New romance: Lottie Moss is dating tattooed Valentino model Teddy Corsica. The model, 24, shared a sultry picture of her fellow catwalk star feeding her a lollipop on Instagram this week And the male model has clearly won the affections of Kate Moss's half sister after a shaky start when she branded him a 'pathological liar and manipulator' during a rant on her Instagram Stories towards the end of last year. A source said: 'Lottie and Teddy have been dating for a number of weeks having met on the London fashion scene. 'They hang out around in the same circles and clicked immediately, despite the fact Lottie called him out on social media early on. 'Bad boy': Pals close to Basingstoke-born pin-up Teddy, real name Edward Groucher, claim the pair started dating following Lottie's split from The Vamps drummer Tristan Evans in November 'Teddy is a bit of a sofa surfer in London and has a bad boy image within that clique but that doesn't seem to put off Lottie. 'He can smooth talk anyone and it clearly worked with her.' Teddy's was tight-lipped about the blossoming romance. Speaking from her 1.2million farmhouse in rural Hampshire, Catherine Goucher, she said: 'No comment' when asked about it. A representative for Lottie has been contacted by MailOnline for comment. Lottie posted a picture of Teddy's Instagram page in November alongside the caption: 'It's really sad when people betray you but this guy is actually a pathological liar and manipulator and needs to be stopped. 'He uses people for money and places to stay and only realised while speaking to his girlfriend that he's been talking s*** to me.' Model: Teddy, 24, was discovered by fashion brand Valentino last year during a street casting (pictured on the Valentino Ready to wear fall winter 2021-22 Milan catwalk in March 2021) Rocky moment: The male model has clearly won the affections of Kate Moss's half sister after a shaky start when she branded him a 'pathological liar and manipulator' Teddy, 24, was discovered by fashion brand Valentino last year during a street casting. After being asked to audition, he was so sure he wouldn't get the job, Teddy had a face tattoo in between casting before flying to Milan to make his catwalk debut in September 2020. He was born in Basingstoke and moved to America at a young age before returning to London aged 17. Reputation: 'Teddy is a bit of a sofa surfer in London and has a bad boy image within that clique but that doesn't seem to put off Lottie' 'Clicked': The mutual friend spilled that the new couple 'hang out around in the same circles and clicked immediately' Speaking during an Instagram Q&A in November, when Lottie confirmed she was single, the model admitted her 'type' was 'malnourished men with tattoos', but hinted she was keen to try something different. She said: 'I feel my type has changed so much in the last few years - don't look at my track record but if you do, it is malnourished men with tattoos. 'Men with any type of drug problem or trauma - not my type anymore - obviously apart from like a guy that I've dated, but musicians.' Rising star in modelling: He was born in Basingstoke and moved to America at a young age before returning to London aged 17 Lottie, who has recently returned to London from Antigua where she posted several bikini snaps, has previously dated Made In Chelsea stars Alex Mytton and Sam Prince. She has also been linked with Tottenham midfielder Deli Alli and Capital FM DJ Roman Kemp. Last week Lottie wept on social media while revealing a former friend leaked pictures from her OnlyFans account and phone number online. The model - who earns thousands of pounds a month selling the nude content on the X-rated platform - added that she has been receiving phone calls from strangers as a result of her number being shared without her permission. Katy Perry has marked her fiance Orlando Bloom's 45th birthday with a sweet Instagram post including a slew of intimate and hilarious videos. The pop star's upload included a series of moments between the loved-up couple, including them at home, on holiday and on the set of Orlando's film The Outpost - and even a shot of Katy, 37, breastfeeding their daughter Daisy, 17 months. Incapacitated due to feeding, with a muslin covering her chest, Orlando was seen feeding his wife in one of the posts, which sat alongside the caption: 'Happiest 45th to the kindest, deepest, most soulful, sexy & strong man I know.' Sweet: Katy Perry, 37, has marked her fiance Orlando Bloom's 45th birthday with a sweet Instagram post that included a video of him feeding her a burger as she cradled their daughter She went on: 'Thank you for being a constant compass, an unwavering anchor and bringing joi de vivre into every room you walk in. You are the love and light of my life. I thank my lucky stars for you and our darling dd.' Among the most intimate clips was a video of Orlando hand-feeding Katy a burger as she breastfed their daughter Daisy Dove underneath the muslin, while other fun footage saw Orlando riding around their home on a bicycle. It comes after Katy shared a slew of snaps on Monday of her new life in Las Vegas, where she is temporarily living after kicking off her critically-acclaimed residency at Resorts World last month, which runs until March 2022. Thanks mate! Orlando made sure Katy didn't go hungry when she was feeding as she gave her burger Sweet: She penned: 'Thank you for being a constant compass, an unwavering anchor and bringing joi de vivre into every room you walk in' Appreciative! She gave Orlando a thumbs up during the feeding Holidaying: In another photo shared by Katy the loved-up couple could be seen sitting in a boat as they enjoyed a day on the water Home life: Offering a peek into her and Orlando's home life, Katy uploaded a clip of her beau riding around their home on a bike Taking to Instagram, Katy posted a number of snaps and videos, including a screenshot of a Facetime with her fiance Orlando backstage images of her racy PVC outfits, a snap of her fan mail and a video of her vocal warm-up. Katy took to the stage for the first time on Wednesday 29 December and has since been hitting the stage to rave reviews from critics. Seemingly having a wonderful time both on and off stage, she shared a trio of shots in her PVC looks - including a racy red ensemble. Behind the scenes: Katy also shared a behind-the-scenes photo from the set of Orlando's film The Outpost Gushing: Alongside the photos and videos, Katy dedicated a gushing message to her fiance Katy wrote: 'Happiest 45th to the kindest, deepest, most soulful, sexy & strong man I know' Katy sweetly concluded: 'You are the love and light of my life. I thank my lucky stars for you and our darling dd' Then giving an insight into life away from her fiance, she posted a screenshot of a beaming Orlando in bed while she posed with a bunch of roses in rainbow shades. Katy has been praised for the 'highly camp' Las Vegas residency. She has been delighting her fans with the zany show that sees her emerge from a giant toilet and converse with a talking mask, with critics lauding the show as both 'poignant' and 'whimsical, and psychedelic.' Tipple: In one of the photos shared by Katy, Orlando beamed while holding a tasty-looking tipple in his left hand Crumbs: Katy also shared a close-up snap of her handsome beau with his face covered in crumbs Katy's show, which featured several nods to the Covid pandemic, also saw the star hark back to her iconic California Girls video with an array of colourful ensembles, before lactating, and drinking, beer out of a bra dress made from cans. After Katy kicked off her residency in Sin City, several critics have offered their thoughts, with most praising the wild and wacky showcase as being just the tonic for fans during the Covid pandemic. Rolling Stone' Mark Gray, who lauded the 'larger than life' production, added: 'Aptly titled ''Play,'' the show is quintessential Perry, who indulged the emotional, the over-the-top, the whimsical, the psychedelic, and even the cheesy over the course of 95 minutes. New city: It comes after Katy shared a slew of snaps of her new life in Las Vegas, where she is temporarily living after kicking off her residency at Resorts World last month Her love: Giving an insight into life away from her fiance she posted a screenshot of a beaming Orlando in bed 'The concert which the artist is referring to as ''Perry Playland'' amounted to a giant singalong, which seemed to be exactly what she had in mind.' Elsewhere, Billboard's Melinda Sheckells noted a 'surprisingly poignant' moment came when Katy poured beer from her tin-can dress, while chatting to an enormous disposable mask. She added: 'This almost two-hour wild ride through ''Perry Playland'' transports the audience into another dimension of rainbow fluff, heart-shaped confetti and larger-than-life anthropomorphic household objects - it's part fantasy, part hallucination and thoroughly high-camp Perry.' Writing in the Las Vegas Review Journal, John Katsilometes noted the moment Katy referenced her late grandmother Ann Pearl Hudson, who worked on the Lido de Paris production at the Stardust, which has since been demolished and replaced by Resorts World. They were on-screen husband and wife in EastEnders. And Nina Wadia, 53, was reunited with her onscreen husband, Nitin Ganatra, 54, after a chance encounter on Thursday in Muswell Hill, London. The actress, who once played Zainab Masood in the BBC soap, took to Twitter to share a beaming selfie from their unexpected meeting. Fate! Strictly's Nina Wadia, 53, reunited with her EastEnders onscreen husband Nitin Ganatra, 54, following a chance encounter outside a Post Office on Thursday in Muswell Hill, London Alongside the sweep photo, she penned: 'In a city of 8.9 million people it was bound to happen at some point! #fated #zainabandMasood #eastenders #memoriesaremadeofthis.' As fate appeared to step in, Nina and Nitin could be seen smiling next to a Post Office during their meeting and ironically, Nina's character Zainab once owned Walford's Post Office in the soap. One eagle-eyed follower penned: 'Did it have to be in front of a post office????' What are the chances?! Ironically, Nina's character Zainab once owned Walford's Post Office in the soap where they played husband and wife from 2007 until 2013 Other fans were also quick to notice the wild coincidence as they added that they had spotted the Post Office signage. Fellow castmate Ricky Norwood, 35, known for playing FatBoy on the show, replied to the photo as he gushed: 'Its beautiful to see you together again.' The onscreen couple arrived in Albert Square in 2007, with Nina departing after their respective character's divorced in 2013 following a turbulent marriage. Whilst Nitin left EastEnders in 2019, after his character gave his Walford business to his nieces. Crazy! Other fans were also quick to notice the wild coincidence as they added that they had spotted the Post Office signage Sweet: Fellow castmate Ricky Norwood, 35, known for playing FatBoy on the show, replied to the photo as he gushed: 'Its beautiful to see you together again' This comes after Nina became the first celebrity to be eliminated from Strictly Come Dancing and slammed the show after her exit. However, it appeared to be water under the bridge during December's final as she returned for the group dance with her fellow celebrities. The former EastEnders actress was all smiles in a tasselled dress as she rocked the dancefloor to Relight My Fire with professional partner Neil Jones, 39. Following her exiti during week two of the show Nina claimed that the judges had been too harsh towards her with their scores. Bob Saget, who died shockingly over the weekend at the age of 65, was a vocal advocate for a cure for Scleroderma. The rare autoimmune illness claimed the life of his sister Gay in 1994, and since then he energetically raised money for the Scleroderma Research Foundation. And even in private he movingly reached out to provide comfort to a little girl with the illness, her family revealed to TMZ. Giving back: Bob Saget, who died shockingly over the weekend at the age of 65, was a vocal advocate for a cure for Scleroderma; seen in December Scleroderma affects the skin and connective tissue, as well as internal organs, when the body starts producing excessive amounts of collagen. The skin hardens and tightens, with scarring and inflammation potentially occurring elsewhere too, according to the American College Of Rheumatology. Bob's sister Gay was only 47 when she died after a two-year battle with the condition, which is not hereditary and does not typically recur in one immediate family. Two years ago, Bob found out that a now nine-year-old girl named Sophie Ann Seaman had been diagnosed with scleroderma. Heart of gold: And even in private he movingly reached out to provide comfort to a little girl named Sophie Anne Seaman with the illness, her family revealed to TMZ WHAT IS SCLERODERMA? Scleroderma (sklair-oh-DUR-muh) is a group of rare diseases that involve the hardening and tightening of the skin and connective tissues. Scleroderma affects women more often than men and most commonly occurs between the ages of 30 and 50. While there is no cure for scleroderma, a variety of treatments can ease symptoms and improve quality of life. There are many different types of scleroderma. In some people, scleroderma affects only the skin. But in many people, scleroderma also harms structures beyond the skin, such as blood vessels, internal organs and the digestive tract (systemic scleroderma). Signs and symptoms vary, depending on which type of scleroderma you have. Information courtesy the Mayo Clinic Advertisement He reached out to the family, including Sophie Anne's parents Jeff and Martha, and sent personalized videos to the sick child. In his videos he made sure to send upbeat, reassuring messages such as: 'We are going to find a cure, sending lots of love.' The beloved actor and comedian even helped Sophie Anne with a school project, which was a paper that she eventually titled Bob Saget: My Everyday Hero. He assisted her over the phone during a half-hour conversation where he spoke openly about his own experiences. Last year he gave Jeff and Martha free tickets to one of his shows in North Carolina, making sure also to pay for their food and invite them backstage. Just one month before his death he posted a heart-melting Instagram video of the Seaman family discussing the condition for the Scleroderma Research Foundation. Bob was found dead in his hotel room bed in Orlando around 4pm EST on Sunday, sources close to the investigation told TMZ. Although it will take 10 to 12 weeks for his official cause of death to be made public, police saw no sign of drugs or foul play and it is suspected that he succumbed to either a stroke or a heart attack. According to the TMZ sources he was found 'tucked in bed' with the lights off, suggesting he died in his sleep. A well-placed source told DailyMail.com: 'There was no foul play, nothing odd at all. All we have been told is that he died in his sleep. We are all just devastated.' The way she was: Bob lost his sister Gay to the illness in 1994 when she was just 47; the siblings are pictured with their grandmother Bella The insider said: 'I talked to him Saturday afternoon. He had a great show Saturday night. He was the most generous, lovely guy. It's just tragic.' Bob had battled the coronavirus and had also been vaccinated for the disease, including getting his booster shot. During a 2019 interview for the NIH magazine he candidly discussed losing Gay to Scleroderma after a two-year battle. 'My sister, Gay Saget, was a school teacher near Philadelphia. She was 44 when she was diagnosed with systemic scleroderma,' he revealed. Awareness: Just one month before his death he posted a heart-melting Instagram video of the Seaman family discussing the condition for the Scleroderma Research Foundation Looking back: Two years ago, Bob found out that a now nine-year-old girl named Sophie Ann Seaman had been diagnosed with scleroderma 'She got treatment, but it was just treating her symptoms with drugs like prednisone and cortisone. She had to move to Los Angeles to live with my parents because she needed so much help. She passed away just two years later.' Gay died just nine years after Bob's other sister Andrea passed away at the age of just 35 after suffering a brain aneurysm. He himself is survived by his three daughters - Aubrey, 34, Lara, 32, and Jennifer, 29 - as well as by his wife Kelly Rizzo whom he married in 2018. Advertisement She is the proud owner of her own swimwear company. And Kimberley Garner acted as her own best advertisement for the brand on Wednesday as she hit the shores in St Barts, while wearing one of her scantiest designs for all to see, The former Made In Chelsea star, 30, has been holidaying in the Caribbean, where she has made it her goal to put on a show-stopping display at every turn - this time in a sizzling yellow, strappy two-piece. Oh my! Kimberley Garner acted as her own best advertisement for the brand on Wednesday as she hit the shores in St Barts, while wearing one of her scantiest designs for all to see Kimberley looked breathtaking in the yellow two-piece which comprised tiny triangle cups with string ties, which looped around her phenomenally tight abs and tiny waist. Her low-slung bottoms further highlighted her washboard stomach, while she turned to show off her peachy bottom while soaking up the sun during her escape from the UK's chilly climes. Despite now enjoying huge fame as a swimwear designer, Kimberley previously revealed how she used to pretend to be an intern when she first started in business as nobody took her seriously. The blonde bombshell, shot to fame when she starred in the show in 2012 as a love interest of Richard Dinan, but is now better known for her sultry bikinis. However, the property heiress insisted she's more than just the face of her line Kimberley London and is involved with every aspect of creating her sell-out swimwear range. Cheeky! Kimberley looked breathtaking in the yellow two-piece which comprised tiny triangle cups with string ties, which looped around her phenomenally tight abs and tiny waist A vision: She paired the look with delicate gold jewellery including a necklace and a bracelet Cheeky! Her low-slung bottoms further highlighted her washboard stomach, while she turned to show off her peachy bottom while soaking up the sun during her escape from the UK's chilly climes She told MailOnline: 'I think people sometimes think that Im only the face, but I am responsible for every bit of the business. I was 18 when I started my first company - I came up with an idea, stayed up for days learning how to register the company and teaching myself. It became very successful overnight... 'However, as I was only 18, no one ever imagined it was mine. I was a young blonde girl with a soft voice. No one would take me seriously or realise it was my company. So, I pretended to be the Intern!... 'I handled all the meetings, phone calls, and emails for the company. When it became a success, I put all the revenues into starting Kimberley London. Her interest in beachwear first began in her teenage years: 'I started designing swimmer when I was 15, little did I know it would become my career. I would design, sew, and even make the lace by hand, but as most teenagers never would have imagined making a career out of the thing I was passionate about... Making a splash! All eyes were on Kimberley as she frolicked on the shores Check me out: She looked amazing in the two-piece which left very little to the imagination Taking a dip: She was soaking up the stunning surroundings Wow: Despite now enjoying huge fame as a swimwear designer, Kimberley previously revealed how she used to pretend to be an intern when she first started in business as nobody took her seriously Chic: All her swimwear pieces come with her trademark gold disc adornment 'After MIC I was approached to work as a face for other brands, but instead decided to take a leap, and create my own Swimwear company. I studied at London College of Fashion, but nothing has taught me like learning on the go, especially my little mistakes along the way... 'I did a lot of research into different factories and fabrics around the world. Visiting factories in the UK, it was so clear that the right thing was to manufacture right here in England... 'I got to know personally the women who worked on production, learnt first-hand about different techniques and fabrics and, although it's far more expensive, I like it being here. A true British brand'. 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. Speaking to MailOnline in 2019, she confirmed she had called it quits with her ex-boyfriend. The businesswoman said: 'I ended the relationship recently. It was a really wonderful three years and we are still good friends today.' Secretive: 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 Julia Fox has insisted her new romance with Kanye West is not a PR stunt and added her friends think their relationship 'makes so much sense'. Speaking to fellow actress Niki Takesh on their podcast Forbidden Fruits, Julia, 31, shut down speculation her and 44-year-old rapper West's hot-and-heavy romance was just for media attention. When Takesh noted some of her friends have asked whether Fox and West's hook-ups were just a stunt, Julia replied: 'There's always people that think every single celebrity scandal is a setup. I personally don't.' Speaking out: Julia Fox, 31, has insisted her new romance with Kanye West, 44, is not a PR stunt and added that her friends think their relationship 'makes so much sense' Not having it: Julia shut down speculation her and rapper West's hot-and-heavy romance was just for media attention (pictured together this month) She added, according to People magazine: 'I feel like, to the people who know us both personally, like all the people that we have in common, like friends in common, have texted me like, ''Oh my God, this makes so much sense''.' However, despite being photographed locking lips on numerous dates, Fox insisted: 'For right now, I'm just living in the moment and I don't have any expectations there's no labels, none of that. It's just people that make each other feel better.' Julia was also quick to speak of her fondness for Pete Davidson, who is now dating West's ex Kim Kardashian. She said that she 'loved' her and Davidson's 2019 shoot for Paper magazine. Kanye and the actress appear to have first met on New Year's Eve, and have since packed on the PDA during numerous public outings. Candid: However, despite being photographed locking lips on numerous dates, Fox insisted: 'For right now, I'm just living in the moment' Two days later, they had a date in Miami at the Italian restaurant Carbone, which is apparently a favourite of the hitmaker. At the time, a source told Page Six the dinner date was 'nothing serious,' but the two were back for more later in the week when they attended the acclaimed Slave Play on Broadway in New York City. They followed up their evening at the theatre with another dinner at Carbone, this time at its New York location. Following reports that his ex Kim sees the 'romance' as an 'attempt to make her jealous', Ye is said to be documenting his many dates with his own media team. Sources told Page Six, that Kanye brought along his own photographer when he and Julia, 31, watched Broadway production Slave Play together on Tuesday night. He was also spotted with his own snapper on a dinner date with the actress in Miami. Another insider told the site that Kanye has brought along the photographers as part of a larger project documenting his life. They explained: 'He's decided to take matters into his own hands. He has an incredible life, he meets the craziest people on the planet. He realized maybe he should have an album of his life.' However sources claimed earlier this week Kim thinks it's 'a good thing'. Sweet: Kim, 41, and SNL comedian Pete, 28 appear to be going from strength to strength since striking up a romance after Kim hosted Saturday Night Live in October (pictured on Tuesday) The SKIMS mogul is said to believe Julia being a Kardashian devotee could mean positive things for their co-parenting relationship according to a report by TMZ. Sources close to Kim told the publication that she is happy to see the Donda artist smiling again and hopes to see him with a good person. Meanwhile, Kim, 41, and SNL comedian Pete, 28 appear to be going from strength to strength since striking up a romance after Kim hosted Saturday Night Live in October. Kim filed for divorce from Kanye in February 2020 and the couple share four children together which they are currently co-parenting; North, eight, Saint, six, Chicago, three, and Psalm, two. It's over: Kim filed for divorce from Kanye in February 2020 and the couple share four children (Kim and Kanye pictured in 2020) It comes after Julie detailed her whirlwind romance with Kanye after the pair went public with their romance. In a new profile on the rising star from The Cut, the actress admitted it's 'all happening so quickly', adding: 'I'm going with the universe and the flow and seeing where it takes me,' before adding, '...where it takes all of us.' She also received praise from her friend Cat Marnell, who said: 'She's a legitimate sorceress. She's the Michael Jordan of vixens She's devastating, like a hurricane.' Julia penned a 217 word account on her first two dates with the rapper, which included a trip to New York City. Detailing their 'instant connection' after meeting in Miami on New Year's Eve to Interview Magazine, she described the star's generosity and 'fun' energy. Romantic: It comes after Julie detailed her whirlwind romance with Kanye after the pair went public with their romance; seen together in Greenwich Village on January 4th The article also contained a slew of images documenting their epic night out, from the many kisses they shared to the hotel suite full of clothing Kanye had surprised Julia with. 'He had me and my friends laughing, dancing, and smiling all night. We decided to keep the energy going and fly back to New York City to see Slave Play,' she gushed. The Uncut Gems star continued: 'Ye's flight landed at six and the play was at seven and he was there ON TIME. I was impressed. After the play we chose to do dinner at Carbone which is one of my favorite restaurants.' 'At the restaurant, Ye directed an entire photo shoot for me while people dined,' she added. 'After dinner Ye had a surprise for me. I mean, I'm still in shock. Ye had an entire hotel suite full of clothes.' She said the move was 'every girl's dream come true' and 'felt like a real Cinderella moment.' 'I don't know how he did it, or how he got all of it there in time. But I was so surprised. Like, who does things like this on a second date? Or any date!' she marveled. Fox concluded her piece: 'Everything with us has been so organic. I don't know where things are headed but if this is any indication of the future I'm loving the ride.' XOXO: Julia Fox kissed Kanye West in a series of images taken for Interview Magazine where she chronicled their date night Away from her blossoming career, Julia shares a son, Valentino, 11 months with her private pilot estranged husband Peter Artemiev, whom she married in 2018. Last month Julia took to Instagram to call out her estranged husband, accusing him of turning his back on her and their son, and calling him a 'dead beat alcoholic drug addict dad.' Julia ripped her ex in a series of recent Instagram Stories posts, sharing an image of Artemiev and writing, 'Have you seen this deadbeat dad?' and said he be found 'at most strip clubs, Lucien, Paul's [Baby Grand], Casablanca, the streets etc.' Mama: Away from her blossoming career, Julia shares a son, Valentino, 11 months with her private pilot ex husband Peter Artemiev, whom she married in 2018 Fox said that it was 'traumatic' for her to review the screenshots, videos and photos related to her claims about Artemiev, including a clip in which he was calling her names, according to Page Six. 'I can't even do it anymore,' said Fox, who welcomed son Valentino with Artemiev in February of 2021. 'I just don't want my son f***ed up cuz he feels like his dad was absent or loved alcohol and partying more than him ... this man left me with a 5 month old and a dog and a home and ALL THE BILLS. It's wrong!!! It's not fair!!!' In a separate post, a follower told Fox that her acting career could suffer amid the public vitriol. She said in response, 'This is MY SON'S LIFE we are talking about - I don't give a f*** about my 'acting career.''' Ex: Julia and her ex were married for three years before they separated last year, just months after the birth of their son She added: 'My son loves his dad. I've accepted that his Dad refuses to present and I've made peace with it but I'm sure as s*** gonna work the public.' The Instagram Stories posts have since expired. Artemiev denied the allegations to Page Six, as he said, 'I was saddened to learn of the utterly false statements made on social media by Julia Fox, my co-parent, who is clearly struggling.' He continued: 'Out of respect for her privacy and to protect our child, I will not comment further.' They are expecting their second child together after welcoming their 22-month-old son Roman in March 2020. And Lucy Mecklenburgh and her husband fiance Ryan Thomas are currently enjoying a babymoon getaway in Dubai ahead of the arrival of their new baby. The former TOWIE star, 30, showed off her blossoming baby bump in a chic white swimsuit, while giving her partner a kiss on the lips in one sweet snap. Family: Lucy Mecklenburgh and her husband fiance Ryan Thomas are currently enjoying a babymoon getaway in Dubai ahead of the arrival of their new baby The family posed on the front of a stunning yacht, while Lucy cradled little Roman in her arms for the adorable photograph in front of Atlantis, The Palm. Lucy wore her brunette locks in a loose sleek style and sported a pair of stylish sunglasses, while also adding a blingy silver watch to her look. Her little boy was wearing a sweet set of blue dungarees. In another image, Lucy lounged on the boat's sun deck while Ryan appeared to take a call at the front of the vessel. Chilling: In another image, Lucy lounged on the boat's sun deck while Ryan appeared to take a call at the front of the vessel Ryan, who is also dad to his 13-year-old daughter Scarlett from his relationship with Tina O'Brien, looked dapper in a white shirt and blue swimshorts. It comes after Lucy announced her pregnancy with her second child last month in a post she shared with fans on Instagram. In the image shared to her social media, Lucy wore a white top and jeans as she posed with her little boy in the image captioned: 'Here we go again @ryanthomas84.' Lucy's followers were quick to offer their congratulations underneath the adorable photograph. Lucy also reflected on her son Roman being rushed to hospital last month, revealing that doctors discovered he was battling 'six viruses'. Hanging out: Lucy wore her brunette locks in a loose sleek style and sported a pair of stylish sunglasses, while also adding a blingy silver watch to her look Lucy said she fears Roman may have suffered from a weakened immune system after being isolated at home during the Covid lockdown. In September Roman spent nearly a week in intensive care. Reflecting on the traumatic night, Lucy said she had gone to check on Roman in the night as he had been suffering with a cold. Speaking on the Sweat, Snot & Tears podcast Lucy said: 'I heard sort of grumbles at 3am and like I think we all do, if they're not sounding like it's a big scream and they're in pain, you think, 'Oh well they're just having a little dream.' She revealed that when she checked the baby monitor an hour later that something 'didn't feel right', adding: 'He was moving very slowly, side to side, and I thought, 'This doesn't feel right and I want to go and see him.'' It was then when she found Roman 'blue in his cot' and he was rushed to Basildon Hospital and St Mary's in London. Her son has since been diagnosed with a 'viral induced wheeze' and now requires an inhaler twice a day. Emma Watson has received a flurry of support from stars including Susan Sarandon and Mark Ruffalo, after she was accused of anti-Semitism by an Israeli former UN envoy. In a joint statement, over 40 celebrities from the film industry have endorsed the Harry Potter star after she shared a pictured expressing support for Palestine, with the words: 'solidarity is a verb' amid a backdrop of Palestinian flags. The stars state that they 'oppose injustice' anywhere and 'stand with those seeking an end to oppression.' Emma was condemned by the former envoy who shared the post with the words: '10 points from Gryffindor for being an antisemite.' Backing her: Emma Watson has received a flurry of support from stars including Susan Sarandon and Mark Ruffalo, after she was accused of anti-Semitism by an Israeli former envoy, (pictured in October 2021) Among the stars showing their solidarity for Emma through the joint statement include multi award-winning screenwriter and producer James Schamus, Oscar-nominated directors Asif Kapadia, actors Peter Capaldi and Maxine Peake. In a statement published by Artists for Palestine, they say: 'We join Emma Watson in support of the simple statement that 'solidarity is a verb', including meaningful solidarity with Palestinians struggling for their human rights under international law.' Citing recent reports on Israeli apartheid by Human Rights Watch and Israel's leading human rights organisation B'Tselem, several of Emma's former Harry Potter co-stars, Miriam Margolyes and Julie Christie have backed the statement. Shocking: Israel's former UN envoy accused the actress of anti-Semitism, after she shared a pictured expressing support for Palestine Standing with her: Stars including Mark (left) and Susan (right) have signed a letter stating that they 'oppose injustice' anywhere and 'stand with those seeking an end to oppression' Close: Several of Emma's former Harry Potter co-stars, Miriam Margolyes (pictured) and Julie Christie have backed the statement 'We recognise the underlying power imbalance between Israel, the occupying power, and the Palestinians, the people under a system of military occupation and apartheid'. Referencing the Israeli government's forced eviction of Palestinians from their homes, they add: 'We stand against ongoing Israeli attempts to forcibly displace Palestinian families from their homes in the East Jerusalem neighborhoods of Sheikh Jarrah, Silwan and elsewhere in the occupied Palestinian territory.' The statement concludes by quoting the late Archbishop Desmond Tutu: 'If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor.' The statement in full We join Emma Watson in support of the simple statement that 'solidarity is a verb', including meaningful solidarity with Palestinians struggling for their human rights under international law. We oppose injustice anywhere in the world and stand with all those seeking an end to oppression. We stand against ongoing Israeli attempts to forcibly displace Palestinian families from their homes in the East Jerusalem neighborhoods of Sheikh Jarrah, Silwan and elsewhere in the occupied Palestinian territory. We recognize the underlying power imbalance between Israel, the occupying power, and the Palestinians, the people under a system of military occupation and apartheid, as described by Human Rights Watch, B'Tselem, Israel's leading human rights organization, and by Palestinian and international human rights experts. We condemn all forms of racism, including antisemitism and Islamophobia. Opposition to a political system or policy is distinct from bigotry, hatred and discrimination targeting any group of humans based on their identity. We see the former as a legitimate and necessary form of political and ethical expression and the latter as racism pure and simple. The late Desmond Tutu once said, 'If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor.' Heeding Tutu's moral appeal, we stand on the side of justice, freedom, and equal rights for all. This is the least we can do. Advertisement Who are the stars supporting Emma? The 40 stars showing solidarity for her post include: Peter Capaldi Julie Christie Steve Coogan Liam Cunningham Charles Dance Ralf Little Ken Loach Miriam Margolyes Matt McGorry David Michod, director Viggo Mortensen Maxine Peake Mark Ruffalo Susan Sarandon Advertisement They add: 'Heeding Tutu's moral appeal, we stand on the side of justice, freedom, and equal rights for all. This is the least we can do.' Last week Emma was accused of anti-Semitism by Israel's former UN envoy after she posted a picture on social media expressing support for Palestinians. She shared an image of a pro-Palestinian rally with the phrase 'solidarity is a verb' to her 64.2 million Instagram followers on Sunday. The picture was posted with a quote from British-Australian scholar Sara Ahmed, which read: 'Solidarity does not assume that our struggles are the same struggles, or that our pain is the same pain, or that our hope is for the same future. 'Solidarity involves commitment, and work, as well as the recognition that even if we do not have the same feelings, or the same lives, or the same bodies, we do live on common ground.' However, she was accused of anti-Semitism by Ambassador Danny Danon, Israel's former Permanent Representative to the UN, on Monday. He tweeted a screenshot of the Instagram post with the caption: '10 points from Gryffindor for being an antisemite.' Gilad Erdan, Israel's Ambassador to the United Nations, also tweeted his dismay at the picture. He said: 'Fiction may work in Harry Potter but it does not work in reality. 'If it did, the magic used in the wizarding world could eliminate the evils of Hamas (which oppresses women & seeks the annihilation of Israel) and the PA (which supports terror). I would be in favor of that!' Solidarity: Last week Emma (pictured in 2019) was accused of anti-Semitism by Israel's former UN envoy after she posted a picture on social media expressing support for Palestinians Upsetting: The picture was posted with a caption containing a quote from British-Australian scholar Sara Ahmed The Instagram post has received more than 1m likes and 101,000 comments. The Israeli dignitaries, though, have been criticised for overreacting and 'misrepresenting anti-Semitism'. Alex Sobel, Labour MP for Leeds North West, said: '50 points from Likud for misrepresenting Antisemitism. This doesn't help anyone in the Jewish Diaspora.' Controversy: Emma was then accused of anti-Semitism by Ambassador Danny Danon, Israel's former Permanent Representative to the UN Leah Greenberg, co-executive director of Indivisible Project, said Mr Danon's tweet was 'a perfect demonstration of the utterly cynical and bad-faith weaponization of antisemitism to shut down basic expressions of solidarity with the Palestinian people'. It comes after Emma reunited with her fellow Harry Potter stars to celebrate 20 years since the franchise launched with The Philosopher's Stone - which included Richard Harris, Alan Rickman and Helen McCrory. Speaking about appearing on the reunion without their late stars, she said: 'It's obviously amazing to be back, but so many people we thought would be here for much longer like Helen and Alan and Richard.' Furious: Gilad Erdan, Israel's Ambassador to the United Nations, also took to Twitter to share his dismay at the picture In October, Israeli officials accused acclaimed author Sally Rooney of 'impeding peace' in the Middle East by refusing a publisher's offer to have her latest book translated into Hebrew. The award-winning Irish writer defended her decision to refuse the translation of 'Beautiful World, Where Are You' by Israeli publisher Modan, saying she supported a cultural boycott of Israel over its treatment of Palestinians. She said the decision to reject the publisher - who she claimed had 'not publicly distanced itself from apartheid' - was an expression of solidarity with the Palestinian people 'in their struggle for freedom and equality'. But Israeli officials hit back, with a spokesperson for Israel's Foreign Ministry declaring: 'This is an unfortunate position that promotes narrow-mindedness and impedes peace, dialogue, or any meaningful change. 'Literature is a tool to promote dialogue and conversation. There is something inherently flawed with an intellectual who refuses to engage in conversation, and instead supports the silencing of opinion.' Brian Austin Green was spotted enjoying quality time with his children shortly after his ex-wife Megan Fox announced her engagement to Machine Gun Kelly. The actor, 48, seemed to have the betrothal out of mind as he looked after his sons, Noah, nine, Bodhi, seven, and Journey, five, while out in Malibu on Wednesday. Brian wore a pair of camouflage print joggers, a black T-shirt, checkered Van sneakers and a messenger bag worn across his body. Doing this thing: Brian Austin Green has been pictured for the first time after his ex-wife Megan Fox became engaged to Machine Gun Kelly The star looked every inch the doting dad as he followed his sons down the sidewalk, before eventually taking the lead. Overall, Brian appeared relaxed and in good spirits enjoying quality time with his kids. Brian shares his three children with Megan, whom he married in 2010. The actress filed for divorce in 2020 and they reached a settlement last year, according to TMZ. Megan announced her engagement to Machine Gun Kelly on Wednesday by sharing a video of their intimate proposal with her Instagram following, citing that it took place on Tuesday, January 11. Doting dad: Brian seemed to have the engagement out of mind as he looked after his sons, Noah, nine, Bodhi, seven, and Journey, five, while out in Malibu Fox noted in her post's lengthy caption that she and the 31-year-old musician 'drank each other's blood' to celebrate the occasion, which took place outside of the Spa Botanico at the Ritz-Carlton Dorado Beach in Puerto Rico. The footage shows Kelly getting down on one knee in a location special to the couple as Fox stood in shock with her hands over her mouth. She, eventually, dropped to her knees and allowed MGK, born Colson Baker, to place the engagement ring on her finger. The lovebirds then wrapped their arms around one another and shared a kiss. Follow the leader: The star looked every inch the doting dad as he followed his sons down the sidewalk, before eventually taking the lead 'In July of 2020 we sat under this banyan tree. We asked for magic. We were oblivious to the pain we would face together in such a short, frenetic period of time,' began Megan, who first became romantically linked to MGK in May of 2020. She continued: 'Unaware of the work and sacrifices the relationship would require from us but intoxicated off of the love. And the karma. 'Somehow a year and a half later, having walked through hell together, and having laughed more than I ever imagined possible, he asked me to marry him. She said yes! Fox announced her engagement to Machine Gun Kelly by posting footage of the proposal on Wednesday Sharing a moment: She, eventually, dropped to her knees and allowed MGK, born Colson Baker, to place the engagement ring on her finger 'And just as in every lifetime before this one, and as in every lifetime that will follow it, I said yes. '....and then we drank each other's blood 1.11.22,' concluded the actress. Since splitting from Megan, Brian has started dating his Dancing With The Stars partner Sharna Burgess. In October Brian marked their one year anniversary with an intimate shot of them sharing a moment at Original Immersive Van Gogh Exhibit. '1 year of accepting me in a way Ive never been loved before #damnimlucky,' he captioned the shot. 'I love you baby. So many more years to come,' Sharna replied in the comments. The ex factor: Brian shares his three children with Megan, whom he married in 2010. She filed for divorce in 2020 and they reached a settlement last year Alec Baldwin was seen for the first time after a lawsuit from an armorer for doomed western Rust - where a cinematographer was shot dead by a live bullet in October - is laying part of the blame on him for failing to attend a training session. The 63-year-old actor was seen on a solo outing in New York City on Thursday as he donned a black Moncler quilted jacket and carried some bags. This comes as Hannah Gutierrez-Reed filed a lawsuit in a Bernalillo County, New Mexico court on Wednesday that claims Baldwin, 63, ignored a request to attend a 'cross draw' session about a week before the tragedy. Alec Baldwin was seen for the first time after a lawsuit from an armorer for doomed western Rust is laying part of the blame on him for failing to attend a training session Rust armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed filed a lawsuit in a Bernalillo County, New Mexico court Wednesday that claimed Alec Baldwin, 63, ignored a request to attend a 'cross draw' session about a week before the tragedy Rust cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was accidentally shot dead by Baldwin The rookie armorer also faulted assistant director David Halls for failing to follow set protocol when he allegedly handed Baldwin the weapon without first calling on her to inspect it, according to the lawsuit. Gutierrez-Reed, 24, is suing Seth Kenney and his company PDQ Arm and Prop LLC for allegedly supplying the deadly bullet. Baldwin is not named as a defendant in the suit. The 24-page document is also rife with details about a set rife with bitter disputes, carelessness and anecdotes that detail a disregard for safety. The 63-year-old actor was seen on a solo outing in New York City on Thursday as he donned a black Moncler quilted jacket and carried some bags The actor refutes claims that he is not cooperating in the investigation of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins's death after reports that he will not hand over his cell phone Gutierrez-Reed - whose dad is legendary film armorer Thell Reed - said her father worked with Kenney on a previous film, where they trained actors at a licensed shooting range using live ammunition. Following the workshop, Kenney took a bucket filed with upward of 300 live .45 Colt rounds home, the lawsuit claims. The cache included Starline Brass reloaded 'live' rounds - the same type of bullet used during the 'Rust' incident. About a month later, Gutierrez-Reed landed a gig as an armorer and props assistant on 'Rust,' where she was tasked with juggling two jobs at once. 'This gun heavy script required Hannah to perform a significant amount of work each day as both an armorer and key props assistant,' the legal filing said. She was soon joined on set by props manager Sarah Zachry, who later accidentally fired a blank round at her foot on set, the lawsuit said. About 20 minutes after that mishap, Baldwin's stunt double also accidentally discharged a weapon on set, prompting Gutierrez-Reed to confront her colleague about the sloppy mistakes, the lawsuit said. When she indicated her intentions of reporting the incident to management, it led to a headed exchange with Kenney, the bullet supplier. 'Accidental discharges are accidents,' Kenney said in a text message referenced in the legal filing. 'We learn and move on, and don't forget, she's your boss. Don't push it.' On the morning of the shooting, October 21, Gutierrez-Reed said she arrived to the set to find Zachry already in the prop trailer, retrieving fire arms. She also discovered a full box labeled 'dummy rounds .45 LC' that someone placed atop her equipment bag, the lawsuit said. She believes the box came from Kenney and when she shook it, heard a 'jingling' sound which is what it's supposed to sound like when dummy bullets are being rattled. Alec Baldwin was spotted carrying bags and a painting in New York City on Tuesday The actor insists he is complying with the police investigation into the death of Halyna Hutchins on the set of 'Rust' Gutierrez-Reed said she was met with hostility by bullet supplier Seth Kenney when she revealed her intentions of reporting accidental discharges on set to producers The lawsuit also claims that Kenney texted Gutierrez-Reed after the tragedy in an effort to convince her to drop claims the shooting was an act of sabotage Said the lawsuit: 'Had Hannah been called back in, she would have re-inspected the weapon, and every round again, and instructed Baldwin on safe gun practice with the cross draw' Baldwin has claimed that he cross drew the firearm and, at Hutchins' requested, pointed the gun toward her before it 'just went off' Later that morning, she said she, Zachry and another coworker loaded Baldwin's gun, attempting to use dummy rounds from the box. 'For Alec Baldwins gun, Hannah loaded 4 dummy rounds with holes in them from her pants pocket, a 5th dummy round from the box with a hole in it and attempted to load a 6th dummy round without a hole in it from the box but it would not go into the chamber, and she thought the chamber might need to be cleaned,' the lawsuit said. 'Hannah remembers shaking the sixth round to ensure herself that it was a dummy round.' Baldwin was then handed the gun and in possession of it from 10 am through 12:30 pm, when the crew broke for lunch, the filing said. It was stored until 1:30 pm, when she cleaned Baldwin's gun and inserted another round from the dummy box into it after shaking it to ensure it was not real, the claim said. 'To the best of Hannahs knowledge, the gun was now loaded with 6 dummy rounds,' the claim said. 'Indeed, Defendants as suppliers of prop ammunition to the Rust set, sold, distributed, and advertised its props as dummy ammunition and not live rounds. 'Hannah relied upon and trusted that Defendants would only supply dummy prop ammunition, or blanks, and no live rounds were ever to be on set.' The lawsuit claims the film's assistant director broke protocol by handing the gun to Baldwin without calling on Gutierrez-Reed to inspect it a final time before use Gutierrez-Reed said that during the last time she checked Baldwin's gun, she was certain it was filled with dummy rounds Baldwin is pictured second from left next to Hutchins on the set of Rust Gutierrez-Reed said she handed the gun to the assistant director inside the on set church and then left to tend to other work-related responsibilities The film's assistant director handed the gun to Baldwin just before the shooting without calling on Gutierrez-Reed to inspect it a final time, the lawsuit said. Baldwin is pictured speaking on the phone after the prop gun killed Hutchins She then delivered the gun to to set church and handed it to Halls, the assistant director, who said he'd be 'sitting in' with the gun. The lawsuit claims Halls later handed the gun to Baldwin without calling on Gutierrez-Reed to inspect it a final time before use. She said she was tending to her duties as a prop assistant. 'Knowing that no gun scene was going on at that time according to Halls, and with awareness of COVID protocols and social distancing, Hannah then walked outside the church to prepare her fanny pack for scenes that afternoon and to do some of her prop duties,' the lawsuit said. 'Production was behind that day and Hannah was acutely aware of the need to attend to her prop duties as well, for scenes that afternoon.' Shortly after the shooting, Halls released a statement calling Hutchins his 'friend' and asked the industry to 'reevaluate' its values Kenney texted Gutierrez-Reed after the tragedy and tried to persuade her to lay the blame on the film's assistant director Halls Within 15 minutes, cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was shot dead, and director Joel Souza was struck in the shoulder. Baldwin has claimed that he cross drew the firearm and, at Hutchins' requested, pointed the gun toward her before it 'just went off.' He has denied pulling the trigger. The accidental discharge never would have happened if Halls had summoned Gutierrez-Reed to supervise, the court filing said. 'Had Hannah been called back in, she would have re-inspected the weapon, and every round again, and instructed Baldwin on safe gun practice with the cross draw, as was her standard practice on set and under circumstances where (1) Baldwin did not respond to Hannahs request on October 15 to schedule cross draw training and (2) the gun had been out of her possession for 15 minutes.' Dummy reloaded with live ammo - and stamped with the Starline Brass logo - were later discovered on set, according to a previously unearthed search warrant. The lawsuit also claims that Kenney texted Gutierrez-Reed after the tragedy, and tried to convince her to help 'implicate AD [assistant director] Halls.' Said the text: 'Had you partnered up with a truly professional AD, none of this would have happened. 'That true professional would have supported your safe efforts. Instead you got David ''reckless'' Halls.' Added the lawsuit: 'Seth suggested that AD Halls had essentially bullied Hannah and not allowed her to do her job safely. Seth stated that if she would shift blame to Halls, he would have her back.' Kenney also texted her dad in an effort to try to convince claims made publicly by her lawyers that the shooting was an act of sabotage, the lawsuit said. Shortly after the shooting, Halls released a statement calling Hutchins his 'friend' and asked the industry to 'reevaluate' its values. 'I'm shocked and saddened by her death,' Halls said. 'It's my hope that this tragedy prompts the industry to reevaluate its values and practices to ensure no one is harmed through the creative process again.' He failed to address reports that he was one of the three people to handle the loaded gun before the tragedy. Kenney could not be reached for comment. Advertisement Blonde bombshell Devon Windsor turned up the heat as she showed off her sizzling post-baby body in a teeny bikini on Thursday. The 27-year-old model shared more glimpses of her tropical vacation in the Bahamas as she frolicked on the pristine white sand beach in stylish swimwear. In September the Victoria's Secret stunner welcomed her first child with husband Johnny Dex Barbara a baby girl named Enzo. Hot mama! Devon Windsor, 27, showed off her incredible post-baby body in a bikini during a luxe tropical getaway on Thursday. In a duo of snaps she was seen standing in the bright blue waters while working her angles Devon showed off her enviable figure in a skimpy knit bikini which highlighted her long legs and very flat tummy. In a duo of sun-soaked snaps she stood in the bright blue waters and worked her angles. Another image featured sister Alex and they held hands while enjoying an ocean dip, which she captioned 'sista sista.' Knockout shape: Devon showed off her enviable figure in a skimpy knit bikini which highlighted her long legs and very flat tummy that revealed abs She chose her accessories well: The looker had on tinted sunglasses and several beaded necklaces with a gold chain The easy life: The leggy wonder often goes on tropical vacations so she can do photo shoots for her swimwear line Windsor was naturally joined by her husband and four-month old daughter Enzo as well on the vacation, having previously posted some sweet family moments this week. Devon and Johnny married in 2019 and revealed they were expecting in March 2021, joining fellow model pals including Gigi Hadid and Martha Hunt who also started a family during the pandemic. They welcomed their daughter in September, with Devon taking to Instagram to announce the arrival of their 'little angel girl.' 'Best day of my life!' she continued to share. Sista sista! Another image featured Devon's sister Alex as they held hands while taking an ocean dip The new mother recently went on a rant about 'real' postpartum life including the 'pressure to be perfect,' being 'tired all the time,' and 'not fitting into anything.' 'Agents asking when you want to go back to work and not fitting into your old clothes but just like feeling that pressure to be perfect,' the IMG Model vented on TikTok. 'And I have to say, I'm so lucky that my body is just like doing its' thing. I eat what I want. I work out if I feel like it. If not, whatever. And thank god I'm just like naturally quite tall and like whatever. My body's doing its' thing. I'm young, whatever, but I still feel like I'm doing something wrong all the time.' Wilmer Valderrama has a large estate on three acres in Los Angeles but it is pretty filled up. In the new issue of Parents Latina, the 42-year-old NCIS actor shared that living on the compound with him is his 31-year-old wife and newborn child as well as his parents - who are divorced but friendly - and her father. But having all that family around is great for in-house babysitters so the lovebirds can have some alone time: 'As soon as the baby goes down, we hop on our Vespa and just cruise around the neighborhood. You find new ways to do date night,' said Wilmer. So many: Wilmer Valderrama has a large estate on three acres in Los Angeles that he shares with his 31-year-old wife and newborn child as well as his parents - who are divorced but friendly - and her father He bought his first home many years ago; it used to belong to Chuck Norris and had six bedrooms and nine bathrooms at the time. The actor then purchased the property next door in 2019 to expand his living quarters. The members of the sprawling home are himself, his wife Amanda, his daughter Nakano, his mother Sobeida, his dad Balbino, and his wife's father, Armando. Pacheco lost her mother to ovarian cancer seven years ago. But these days she has Wilmer's mother to lean on: 'She was around the same age as I was when her own mother passed,' Pacheco stated. 'She's become a mother figure to me, and despite the language barrier, we have a real connection.' Good for the girl: But having all that family around is great for in-house babysitters so the lovebirds can have some alone time: 'As soon as the baby goes down, we hop on our Vespa and just cruise around the neighborhood. You find new ways to do date night,' said Wilmer Valderrama says falling for his wife was easy. The actor felt a 'gravitational pull' toward her: 'There was just something about her that told me I needed to know this person,' he said. The two started texting each other. 'I was giving her advice on Miami,' he said. The star was was born in Miami but raised in his father's home country of Venezuela until age 13. Pacheco shared that she also had a Mexican background but was not fluent in Spanish. So her father stepped in and started helping her learn the language. She is the one: Valderrama says falling for his wife was easy. The actor felt a 'gravitational pull' toward her: 'There was just something about her that told me I needed to know this person,' he said Wilmer and Amanda dated for under a year before welcoming daughter Nakano Oceana. She is named after the city in Japan where they first declared their love for each other. Now Wilmer hopes to be a good role model. 'We want to teach her respect, loyalty, and what hard work looks like. That's what saved my own life,' shared Valderrama. His mama: (L-R) Wilmer and his mom Sobeida Valderrama attend the world premiere of Walt Disney Animation Studios' Encanto in Hollywood in November His folks: The star with father Balvino Valderrama and mother Sobeida in year 2000 A family moment: Her dad was on hand when Wilmer proposed to Amanda 'In Hollywood, you can lose yourself if you try to become what someone else thinks is profitable. But my parents taught me that I never had to be anything I wasn't.' He stars on NCIS and recently voiced Agustin in Disney's Encanto. In February, their daughter turns one. 'It's an exciting moment to make it to one year as parents,' saaid Valderrama. 'I think that's a testament to us. They tell you, "It's all about the baby," but when you're both with the baby, you can forget about each other. The baby is our priority,' he shared. 'But,' he said looking at Pacheco, 'you are mine too.' For Valentine's Day, they're planning to have a romantic meal together. 'Wilmer is always doing sweet, loving things for me,' says Pacheco. 'Nakano was born the day after Valentine's Day, so we'll have the 14th for us and the next day for her.' Dorit Kemsley admitted she was taking it day-by-day just months after enduring a traumatic home invasion at her Encino mansion in October. The 45-year-old reality star admitted she's doing everything she can to 'heal' from the terrifying ordeal where she woke up to find the robbers standing by her bed, who then proceeded to ransack her home in a horrible 20-minute ordeal. Dorit told the Access Hollywood's Housewives Nightcap that she's now simply 'looking for joy' after enduring the trauma, but that Real Housewives of Beverly Hills viewers will be able to watch how she regains control of her life as filming on season 12 began only days after the break-in. Staying strong: Dorit Kemsley admitted she was taking it day-by-day just months after enduring a traumatic home invasion at her Encino mansion in October When asked how she was feeling months after the scary event, Kemsley answered: 'I'm doing OK; One foot in front of the other. I'm doing what I need to do to just heal and come out the other side.' DailyMail.com exclusively revealed that three men broke into Kemsley's $6.4 million Encino Hills home just before 11 p.m. in October while she and her children slept. During the invasion, the intruders entered the home around by smashing through the children's classroom door. Two of the suspects walked into Kemsley's bedroom while she was sleeping and she woke up to them standing at the end of her bed. Tough: The 45-year-old reality star admitted she's doing everything she can to 'heal' from the terrifying ordeal where she woke up to find the robbers standing by her bed, who then proceeded to ransack her home in a horrible 20-minute ordeal Scary stuff: DailyMail.com exclusively revealed that three men broke into Kemsley's $6.4 million Encino Hills home just before 11 p.m. in October while she and her children slept; seen in November They grabbed her as as she begged: 'Don't hurt my babies. Don't kill me. I'm a mother.' To which one of the men responded: 'Kill her.' When it comes to taping RHOBH, Dorit noted the home invasion will be part of the upcoming season. 'We had just started filming when it happened and because of the outcome and my kids not knowing hat happened, it was very important to me that normal life resumed,' she said. Dorit's husband, PK, was in England at the time of the invasion; seen in 2019 'It was also important that, you know, the robbers they can take all the material things, but you know, you don't want to feel like they take your livelihood.' She added: 'I was very open and very honest. 'I've done therapy. I've done what I need to do to kind of progress and you'll see all of that in the new season.' Her two children, Phoenix, five, and Jagger, seven, slept through the robbery, something Dorit is profoundly grateful for. Dorit said it was 'a blessing and to be able to see the kids now where theyre enjoying playing and interacting.' 'This is what life's about,' she said. 'I'm just so grateful that we're all here and I can see that. I don't take it for granted, that's for sure.' Rose Byrne was spotted wrapping up a day of filming in Los Angeles on Wednesday. The 42-year-old Australian-born actress wore a long, plush, baby blue robe after working on season two of the Apple TV+ show Physical. Byrne's dark hair was styled in luscious and voluminous curls as her eyes peered over a black face mask. Long day: Rose Byrne was spotted wrapping up a day of filming in Los Angeles on Wednesday Rose tied the robe at her waist and underneath the textured cloak she had on a pink top. The actress' hands were full as she carried a transparent orange jug of water in one hand, and a black leather tote bag in the other. Byrne walked in a pair of black shearling Birkenstock sandals after her day of work. Cozy: The actress wore a long, plush, baby blue robe after working on season two of the Apple TV+ show Physical In the series - which was renewed for a second season back in August - Rose plays a tormented housewife-turned-aerobics guru named Sheila. The Apple original also stars Rory Scovel, Dierdre Friel, Della Saba, Lou Taylor Pucci, Paul Sparks and Ashley Liao. While speaking to Marie Claire Australia in July the Bridesmaids star discussed the female-led stories coming out of the industry. 'Stories about women are finally ready to be told and seen through a real female lens, literally Physical's cinematographer is a woman,' she noted. Glamorous: Byrne's dark hair was styled in luscious and voluminous curls as her eyes peered over a black face mask Beyond her work on Physical, the entertainer was recently cast as New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern in the upcoming movie They Are Us. Fans will see Rose embody the political leader in the wake of the tragic 2019 Christchurch mosque shootings. At the time, Ms Ardern was praised for her response to the back-to-back mass shootings. The terrorist attack was carried out by gunman Brenton Tarrant, who killed 51 people. Social media appearance: The 5ft6in stunner took to Instagram days before Christmas to share a selfie as she made a trip to Rite Aid The 5ft6in stunner took to Instagram days before Christmas to share a selfie as she made a trip to Rite Aid. The brunette beauty stocked up on crackers and ginger ale and kept safe against the pandemic in a black face mask as well as a full-face visor. She wore a navy blue turtleneck sweater and wrote in the caption: 'HAPPY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!' They captivated audiences with a marriage experiment which has even resulted in the successful wedded bliss of two couples. And after two years Love Is Blind is finally back. Netflix released a teaser and release date for the highly-anticipated season two of the dating competition show on Tuesday. It's back: Netflix released a teaser and release date for the highly-anticipated season two of Love Is Blind on Tuesday Sweet: Married couple Nick and Vanessa Lachey are presenters on the show The show is set to make its triumphant return on Friday, February 11 as the first shot in the 30-second clip featured lights being turned on above every dating pod. Hosts and married couple Nick and Vanessa Lachey are then shown as she proudly declares: 'The pods are officially open.' Not much else is shown in the clip as all of the faces of the contestants were not shown clearly and even silhouettes of their bodies were blurred out. Exciting: The show is set to make its triumphant return on Friday, February 11 as the first shot in the 30-second clip featured lights being turned on above every dating pod Bond: The happy couple were shown addressing the contestants Vanessa proudly declares: 'The pods are officially open' The women were shown walking down the hallway of where the pods are before the men were shown opening the doors to their respective pods. The beauty of dating this way is that hopefuls are able to make connections with the opposite sex without ever seeing them. One woman said: 'This experiment interests me because I don't have boobs and a butt.' It's a mystery: Not much else is shown in the clip as all of the faces of the contestants were not shown clearly and even silhouettes of their bodies were blurred out Eager moments: The women were shown walking down the hallway of where the pods are before the men were shown opening the doors to their respective pods Squad goals: The women donned evening gowns despite their potential mates not being able to see them Dudes: The men were shown opening the doors to their respective pods Couples who feel a connection then meet for the first time and a proposal is made shortly after the reveal and some of those anticipation scenes are shown. Ultimately the pairs make it to the altar for their wedding day as some of those clips were also teased. The clip ends with words that flash across the screen in between scenes which read: 'Love is unexpected. Love is shocking. Love is Blind.' Is it love? Couples who feel a connection then meet for the first time and a proposal is made shortly after the reveal and some of those anticipation scenes are shown Wedded bliss? Ultimately the pairs make it to the altar for their wedding day as some of those clips were also teased The agony: The clip ends with words that flash across the screen in between scenes which read: 'Love is unexpected. Love is shocking. Love is Blind' Season one of Love Is Blind streamed its dramatic final episode in February 2020 as viewers around the world tuned in to see whether the final contestants would say 'I do' in what proved to be the most dramatic episode of the show yet. The hit Netflix series followed 30 men and women as they built connections in different pods without ever seeing each other; during that speed dating-process, the contestants were allowed to propose to each other whenever they chose Once couples became engaged, they were allowed to meet for the first time, resulting in a romantic getaway to Mexico, moving into their own apartment together and meeting each other's families ahead of their wedding in days. And from the 30 original couples, the quest for love didn't result in a happy ending, with only five engaged couples moving on to the romantic retreat in Mexico. You may kiss the bride: Love Is Blind season one streamed its dramatic final episode in February 2020 as viewers around the world tuned in to see whether the final contestants would say 'I do' in what proved to be the most dramatic episode of the show yet (Cameron and Lauren pictured) Get a room! The Netflix series followed 30 men and women as they built connections in different pods without ever seeing each other; during that speed dating-process, they were allowed to propose to each other whenever they chose (Barnett and Amber pictured) Meant to be: While things took an even more explosive twist when Cameron Hamilton and Lauren Speed, and Matt Barnett and Amber Pike were the only couples out of five to say 'I do' While things took an even more explosive twist when Cameron Hamilton and Lauren Speed, and Matt Barnett and Amber Pike were the only couples out of five to say 'I do.' The two happy couples recently celebrated their third wedding anniversaries back in November. Love Is Blind returns for season two as it begins streaming on Netflix on Friday, February 11. A real estate agent selling an oceanfront site in Tasmania has confirmed actor Chris Hemsworth is not the buyer of the property, contrary to rumours. Selling agent Marcus Douglas of Shepherd & Heap told Realestate.com.au the 1,312-acre site went to a local buyer who is 'not Chris Hemsworth'. The site, called Piano Coves, sold for an undisclosed amount between $11million and $15million. Mystery solved: Actor Chris Hemsworth is not the buyer of an exclusive oceanfront site in Tasmania after rumours he'd spent $15million on the 1,312-acre property Mr Douglas said the property went to a Tasmanian buyer who is 'well-known locally'. Addressing speculation the Thor star, 38, had purchased the property, he added: 'To be honest, I'm not sure where the rumour came from. 'None of the buyers I dealt with publicly acknowledged to me they were representing the Hemsworth family.' Mistaken identity: Selling agent Marcus Douglas of Shepherd & Heap told Realestate.com.au the 1,312-acre site (pictured) went to a local buyer who is 'not Chris Hemsworth' Rumours surfaced last month Chris had purchased the idyllic site, which boasts almost 3km of ocean frontage, including beaches and coves. It came after Chris and his brothers, Liam and Luke, bought several multimillion-dollar properties in NSW's Northern Rivers region. These purchases have helped 'push up house prices' in the town of Newrybar, 18km from Byron Bay, realestate.com.au previously reported. Stunning: The site, called Piano Coves, sold for an undisclosed amount between $11million and $15million Property moguls: It comes after Chris and his brothers, Liam (right) and Luke, bought several multimillion-dollar properties in NSW's Northern Rivers region Among their property portfolio, the Hemsworths own the $6.5million four-hectare Newrybar Downs estate. They also spent $6.8million on a 37-hectare farmlet with a building block. Chris, his wife Elsa Pataky and their three children live in an enormous mansion in Broken Head, near Byron Bay, which is said to be worth $30million. They spent years renovating their home, which sits on 4.2 hectares of land, with the help of Sydney-based MCK Architects - but the development faced some resistance from locals, who compared it to a multi-storey car park or shopping centre. Her business ventures have been controversial in the past. But Married At First Sight's Tracey Jewel has hinted she is about to embark on a new enterprise - this time in the retail space. The self-help author, 38, shared two photos to Instagram on Thursday of an empty shopfront in Perth with an LJ Hooker 'for lease' sign across the window. 'Coming soon! Something's bubbling away': Married At First Sight's Tracey Jewel has hinted she is about to embark on a new enterprise - this time in the retail space Tracey hinted in the caption she'd leased the commercial property from its owner for the purposes of opening a shop or venue. 'Coming soon! Something's bubbling away,' she wrote, adding a bathtub emoji in a telling sign she may be opening a spa of some kind. Tracey later told Daily Mail Australia: 'With a few of my wellness friends, we are opening a self-care store of all things bath and body called Batherapy. '[We are selling] products for the bath as well as bath soap and [bath] bomb-making classes. 'I've always loved self care because it has been really helpful for me with my anxiety since MAFS.' Plans: The self-help author, 38, shared two photos to Instagram on Thursday of an empty shopfront in Perth with an LJ Hooker 'for lease' sign across the window Tracey, who welcomed son Frankie in March with her husband Nathan Constable, has faced scrutiny over her business activities in the past. In August, she was criticised by small businesses for failing to deliver them thousands of Instagram followers in exchange for free products. She later issued a statement denying any wrongdoing, adding: 'In advertising and marketing there are no guarantees and I wish these businesses all the best.' After appearing on Married At First Sight in 2018, Tracey was forced to deny allegations she'd run a fraudulent competition promising a holiday in Malaysia. Scrutiny: Tracey, who welcomed son Frankie in March with her husband Nathan Constable, has faced scrutiny over her business activities in the past She said she'd been subjected to 'trial by social media' and clarified she had 'not been charged legally or criminally for anything'. Taking aim at the 'trolls' she claimed had destroyed her life, Tracey accused her critics of trying to wreck her 'hard-fought reputation'. She added: 'It disturbs me greatly the fact that these trolls and cyber bullies and their accusations can have such a monumental affect on my life that has seen me lose my marketing clients, my sponsors, my radio show contract and affect numerous business colleagues and their businesses, my friends and my family.' Controversy: In August, she was criticised by small businesses for failing to deliver them thousands of Instagram followers in exchange for free products A Syrian fighter stands at the scene of an explosion that took place in the Syrian city of Al-Bab on January 13 At least two people were killed and several others wounded Thursday in three separate blasts, including a suicide bombing, in Turkish-held areas of northern Syria, a war monitor said. The suicide bomber launched an attack in the city of Afrin near a military base run by Turkey-backed fighters, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. The Britain-based organisation did not have a casualty toll for that attack. However, its head Rami Abdel Rahman said that two people were killed earlier Thursday in two other separate blasts elsewhere in northern Syria. One blast took place in a marketplace in the town of Al-Bab, in an area of war-torn Syria that in recent years has turned into a de facto Turkish protectorate. Dozens of people were wounded in the explosion, Abdel Rahman said. And before that one person was killed and several others wounded when a car bomb exploded in the town of Azaz. It was not immediately clear if the three explosions were linked. All three towns are located in the northern provine of Aleppo, and under the control of Turkish forces and their Syrian proxies. Turkey and its proxies have seized control of territory inside Syria over the course of several military operations launched since 2016. The war in Syria has killed close to half a million people and spurred the largest conflict-induced displacement since World War II, since it broke out in 2011. KFC is celebrating the 35th anniversary of opening its first outlet in mainland China. And so, the fast food company decided to launch a new promotional activity to celebrate the anniversary. KFC China teamed up with famous Chinese toy-maker Pop Mart to make limited edition Dimoo toys with the franchises theme to go along with its family meal. KFC China launched promotional limited edition Dimoo toy family meals. Photo: Weibo/South China Morning Post Except, these toys are limited and come in blind boxes, meaning, you will be lucky to find one in your box. Moreover, the immensely popular toys come in a set of different themes. So, collectors in China are going crazy, trying to collect the full line. To collect the full line of toys, one needs to buy at least 6 boxes of the family meal. And the chance of getting a toy in a meal is 1:72. Customers have gone so crazy that one anonymous toy lover spent US $1,650 or over Rs 1,21,000 to buy more than 100 family meals at once to collect the full line of toys. The price for these toys, which come in a nearly US $15 family meal box has soared in the second-hand market as well. A full line of these toys are even being sold for over US $200 in second-hand markets. KFC FACES BACKLASH OVER PROMOTIONAL ACTIVITY However, the promotional activity, though quite popular among the masses, has not impressed several others in China. A state-affiliated body, China Consumers Association, hit out at KFC for promoting over-consumption and food wastage, which is illegal in China. CCA said that KFC aroused panic buying among consumers and it has caused widespread social concern. Marketing means to stimulate consumption, which can easily lead to impulsive consumption of consumers in order to obtain limited-edition blind boxes, and cause unnecessary food waste due to excessive purchases, CCA said in a statement. Some Chinese people have even resorted to setting up help-eating services on social media platforms, to hand over the food to someone else and take only the toy. CCAs statement prompted Shanghais market regulator to issue a range of measures for businesses on models such as blind boxes, Global Times, a nationalist China news portal, reported. CHINA AGAINST FOOD WASTAGE China is sensitive when it comes to food wastage. In August 2020, the Chinese government stepped up measures to prevent food wastage. Under this, binge-eating on social media, or ordering more than what one can finish at a restaurant, all came under the fire of the law. Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2020 had said that the amount of food the citizens were wasting was shocking and distressing. Following this development, there were some reports that speculated whether the country was facing food shortage or was going to face food shortage in the future, given the pandemic impact as well. However, the Chinese government refuted the claims. China is obsessed with KFC. The American fast food giant has the most number of outlets in China compared to any other country. On top of that, Pop Mart's toys and the character of Dimoo is also especially popular among Chinese citizens. Given this combination, it was a no-brainer that the limited edition family meals would become immensely popular. But of course, limited edition toys that only come with food is perhaps s a bad idea. Well, guess in this case, Beijing is right. Businesses shouldnt encourage over-consumption, and definitely shouldnt act as a catalyst for food wastage. 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. Daytona Beach, FL (32114) Today Cloudy skies. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 84F. Winds SE at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight A few clouds. Low 69F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph. Thank you for reading! Please purchase a subscription to read our premium content. If you have a subscription and are still unable to access our content, please link your digital account to your print subscription If you have a subscription, please log in or sign up for an account on our website to continue. 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 The screening of only three shows a a day would seriously affect their revenue, the exhibitors said. (Representational Image/ PTI) Vijayawada: The Telugu film chamber of commerce has urged the state government to avoid curfew till midnight, instead of imposing it at 11pm, to help them screen the fourth show late at night. The state government issued GO-20 on Tuesday imposing night curfew from 11pm to 5am from Jan.18 to 31 and certain other restrictions to curb the Covid19 spread. At a meeting held with film chambers here on Wednesday, the exhibitors discussed the impact of night curfew on the screening of the fourth show. This show has to be cancelled if they have to close the theatre by 11pm. The screening of only three shows a a day would seriously affect their revenue, the exhibitors said. In such a situation, film distributors may not come up with their the films, fearing financial implications; and so will be the film producers who fear trouble after release of their films in such situations. Even film production will thus be affected, it is pointed out. Telugu film chamber of commerce secretary for AP and TS, M Ramesh, said, We have held a meeting and discussed the financial implications of having only three shows. We have decided to urge the government to avoid night curfew until midnight. This is more necessary during the present festive season. In a retort to the adverse comments on Tollywood producers by YSR Congress MLA Nallapureddy Prasannareddy, film producer Thammareddy Bharadwaja objected to the tendency to bring shades of caste and religion into the film industry. He challenged the MLA to come for an open debate as to who earned huge money. He said that the entire film unit would be involved in film production. Once a film is released, the politicians collect money. How do politicians make huge money in a short span of time, by involving initially in gram panchayat level negotiations, he said. He alleged that politicians, by investing one rupee, loot the entire country. On the other hand, we are making some money from ticket collections after investing crores of rupees for film production, he pointed out. Film director VN Aditya too reacted sharply to the MLAs comments by saying those working in the film industry would need to feel proud as they work hard to produce a film. Though I felt slighted after reading about the comment from the MLA, that the film industry people felt being proud (balupu); but after thinking on it, I realised that we should have such a feeling. You politicians will be having such a feeling only for five years. We will be having the same feeling as long as we survive on Earth and the Telugu films survive. Can you show the whole world for your entire family in your lifetime with Rs 150, as we do, he asked the YSRC MLA. Hyderabad: Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao on Wednesday appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on behalf of crores of farmers in the country to ensure that the cost of fertilisers were maintained at the present level and additional cost, if any, should be absorbed by the Centre so that farmers were not burdened. In a letter addressed to the Prime Minister on Wednesday, the Chief Minister said, "By raising the fertiliser prices, increasing fuel prices and faulty fixation of MSP (minimum support price) for crops, the Centre is not only contributing to increase in the cost of cultivation of farmers but also defaulting on the promise of doubling farmers' income by 2022." These policies coupled with the threat of proposed reforms in the agriculture electricity distribution sector by fixing power consumption meters were causing great deal of anxiety to the hardworking farmers of the country, the Chief Minister noted. Reminding the announcement made by the BJP-led government at the Centre in February 2016 that it would double the farmers' income in six years by 2022, the Chief Minister said, "Despite passage of over five years, no specific or structured programme has been initiated towards this direction." Contrary to the policy of doubling farmers' income, to the dismay of one and all, input costs were doubled in the last five years due to which the income of farmers had further declined causing distress to farmers, the Chief Minister added. "The Centre has turned a blind eye to the increasing prices of fertilisers in the last six years while encouraging the 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," the Chief Minister pointed out. Rao found fault with the Centre in choosing to pass on the burden to farmers instead of bearing the increasing import costs of raw materials and maintaining the prices of fertilisers at an affordable level. "You are also aware that the fuel consumption in the agriculture sector has increased manifold due to promotion of farm mechanisation by states. Even in the case of petrol/diesel prices, indiscriminate imposition of cess across the board despite no increase in import price of crude oil has added great distress to farmers. Due to the faulty polices of the Centre in fuel and fertilisers pricing, farmers are bearing the brunt," the Chief Minister told Modi in his letter. All these steps were causing great deal of anxiety to farmers that the seven-decade old fertiliser subsidy regime under the purview of the Centre was being modified against the interests of the farming community of India, the Chief Minister opined. Rao stated that the Centre's claim that MSP for crops was pegged at 150 per cent of the costs of crop was misleading. "While accepting Prof MS Swaminathan headed National Commission on Farmers' recommendations to peg MSP for farm produce at 50 per cent more than the weighted average cost of production, essential costs of farm rentals and cost of fixed capital assets were deliberately excluded while calculating the cost of crop to farmers," he said. Further, apart from announcing MSP and procuring small quantities of crops, the Centre had no reliable mechanism of ensuring price guarantee to farmers for their crops. It was also noticed that under the guise of pegging FAQ standards at global levels, farmers were denied MSP prices and compelled to sell at lower prices, thereby making agriculture non-remunerative, the Chief Minister added. WARANGAL / KARIMNAGAR: Members of various government employees and teachers unions staged dharnas at several places in erstwhile Warangal and Karimnagar districts on Wednesday demanding the state government repeal G.O. 317 on transfers, which is against the interests of employees and teachers. At various meetings, the union leaders recalled that all government employees felt happy with formation of a separate state, thinking all their issues will be resolved in the newly formed Telangana. Instead, their problems have only increased after new districts have been formed and zonal system introduced. Now, the government has issued G.O 317 without consulting either employees or teachers unions and has started transferring them indiscriminately. Even though the government has provided an opportunity for wife and husband to work in the same district under the spouse category, the provision is not being implemented. Employee leaders said despite several appeals, the state government is behaving stubbornly and even stifling the voice of employees and teachers by using police power. For example, when government staff of united Karimnagar district tried to visit Hyderabad in two buses on Wednesday for bringing their issues to the attention of IT minister and TRS working president K.T. Rama Rao, police stopped them on outskirts of the city and arrested them, they alleged. Bengaluru: 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. Chennai: Expressing dismay over the remand extension of Tamil Nadu fishermen by a Sri Lankan court, Chief Minister M K Stalin on Thursday urged the Centre to intervene and secure their immediate release. Deeply disappointed to note that the remand of our fishermen has been extended. Urge Hon'ble Dr S. Jaishankar to prevail upon Sri Lanka to secure their immediate release, the Chief Minister tweeted. Fishermen who set out in separate boats were arrested by the Sri Lankan navy allegedly for fishing in their waters and imprisoned. About 43 Tamil Nadu fishermen were taken into custody by the Sri Lankan navy on December 18, 12 fishermen the next day and another 13 fishermen on December 20. The arrests of 68 men from Rameswaram, Mandapam and Jegathapattinam and their remand has caused great anguish among the fisherfolks and administration here. Hyderabad: City police commissioner CV Anand reviewed the progress of the police command control centre that is coming up in Banjara Hills. On a visit to the centre on Wednesday, he asked officials to expedite the process and keep it ready for its inauguration by the Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao on March 31. Anand said that the first-of-its-kind centre in the country is poised to emerge as the citys third eye in the not too distant future. Such centres exist only in Singapore and New York. The 20-floor structure will serve both as a crisis management center and command control centre apart from housing the Hyderabad police commissioners office. VAK Padmanabha Rao, superintendent engineer, R&B, and his team, along with contractor Shapoorji Vallabhjee representatives explained about the salient features of the four-tower building. I inspected the security areas, parking lot, meeting halls and auditoriums, city police office and all its wings, emergency floors, rooms for the chief minister, chief secretary, DGP, and data and command control centres, he said. Anand has also decided to meet vendors engaged by the agency for execution of various aspects of the project and exhort them to maintain the deadline. Hyderabad: Stating that the ministry of home affairs (MHA) officials were keeping a close vigil on the illegal activities of Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao, BJP state unit president and MP Bandi Sanjay Kumar predicted that the former would go to jail soon. Addressing Swamy Vivekananda birth celebrations at the state BJP office on Wednesday, Sanjay Kumar said the Central government was aware of Chandrashekar Rao's illegal activities and he would face music from the law enforcement agencies and would go to jail soon. He stressed upon youngsters to take inspiration from Swami Vivekananda and become role models for the society. Referring to Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Prasad Yadav's meeting with Chandrashekar Rao in view of the ensuing Bihar general elections, Sanjay Kumar alleged that Telangana Chief Minister was trying to divert the issue of protests being staged by the BJP in the state by inviting different political party leaders across the country. Chandrashekar Rao created a drama by meeting political leaders on the pretext of a third front. "Chandrashekar Rao, who looted lakhs of crores of rupees belonging to Telangana, met Tejashwi Prasad Yadav whose father Lalu Prasad Yadav was jailed for corruption. All the thieves have gathered in Hyderabad for new friendship to loot the country. The Chief Minister had also met CPM and CPI leaders fearing that he will go to jail," Sanjay alleged. The BJP chief also stated that no one would come to the rescue of Chief Minister Chandrashekar Rao if he was arrested by the law enforcement agencies for his corrupt activities. The Chief Minister duped thousands of youths in the state without issuing notifications for providing jobs. Demanding that the Chief Minister provide jobs, Sanjay asked the youth to fight against the government for not releasing job notifications. Hyderabad: With the ruling party intensifying its battle with the BJP, TRS president and Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao is likely to appoint more TRS leaders to nominated posts in party and government hundreds of which are lying vacant after Sankranti and balance caste equations in top appointments. The CM's move is also aimed to prevent disgruntled leaders from shifting loyalties to the BJP in the run-up to the 2023 polls. Sources said prominence will be given to leaders from the BC, SC, ST and minority sections. Sources did not rule out the chances of a Cabinet reshuffle between Sankranti and the Budget Session in March. There is only one vacancy in the Cabinet with the dismissal of Etala Rajendar in May last year. It is not clear whether Rao will merely fill the lone vacancy or undertake a full-fledged reshuffle. The 17-member Cabinet including the CM is dominated by forward castes with six from the Reddy community, four from the Velama community including the CM and one belonging to the Kamma community. There are three ministers from the Backward Classes and one each from SC, ST and minority categories. There is no representation to the Madiga caste of the Scheduled Castes. Sources said that Rao wants to balance caste equations while filling nominated posts by giving due representation to leaders from BC, SC, ST and minority categories. Rao had initiated the exercise to fill nominated posts just before Huzurabad Assembly bypoll in October last and halted it after December 15. It is widely believed in TRS circles that the exercise was halted as the one-month period before Sankranti 16 is considered 'inauspicious'. This period will end on January 16. The CM had not undertaken a full-fledged exercise to fill nominated posts after the TRS retained power for in 2018 due to the successive elections until the recent MLC polls in December last. By Chen Hanghui Under major changes and a pandemic both unseen in a century, the instability and uncertainty faced by the international security environment have risen significantly. Against this backdrop, major powers such as Russia, the US, the UK, France, Germany, and India have accelerated their military transformation while focusing on key areas. 2022 may become a year in which the military game between major powers becomes more intense. Strategic weapons as the priority The military game among major powers is first and foremost a fight for strategic dominance, and the importance of nuclear weapons in shaping the strategic situation is self-evident. Nuclear arms race will remain the focus of military competition between Russia and the US and other major powers in 2022, and hypersonic weapons will become the focus of military technological competition among major powers. Today's nuclear arms race among major powers will focus more on breakthroughs in weapon quality. The US will invest USD 27.8 billion in nuclear weapons projects in 2022. It plans to purchase Columbia-class strategic nuclear-powered submarines, and upgrade nuclear command and control, communication and early warning systems. Russia will commission one Borei-A-class nuclear-powered submarine , two Tu-160M strategic bombers and 21 sets of new ballistic missile systems. And the modernization level of its strategic nuclear arsenal is expected to exceed 90 percent. The UK and France will also strengthen their nuclear armament construction this year. Through measures such as developing new strategic nuclear-powered submarines, expanding the number of nuclear warheads, or testing new ballistic missiles, they strive to further strengthen their nuclear forces. As a leader in hypersonic weapon technology, Russia will commission the Zircon sea-based hypersonic cruise missiles this year and continue to develop new hypersonic missiles. The US will invest USD 3.8 billion this year in the development of hypersonic weapons to catch up with Russia. France, the UK, and Japan are also advancing the research and development of hypersonic weapons. Upgrade of conventional equipment accelerated The foothold of the military game between major powers is to win modern wars and maintaining the leading edge of conventional weapons and equipment is an important prerequisite for winning. Major powers such as Russia and the US will accelerate the upgrading of main battle equipment in 2022. The US will focus on the upgrading of weapons and equipment in the Navy and Air Force. The US Navy will speed up the upgrade and commissioning of weapons and equipment such as Ford-class aircraft carriers, Virginia-class nuclear-powered submarines, and F-15EX fighters as planned, and build a high-end sea and air equipment system featuring new aircraft carrier platforms and fifth-generation fighter jets. Russian military equipment upgrades are in full bloom as its army is expected to commission more T-14 tanks, the navy will have 16 large warships, the aerospace force and the navy will receive more than 200 new or improved aircraft. The UK will speed up the commissioning of a new generation of Boxer armored vehicle s. India will continue to promote the actual combat deployment of its first domestic aircraft carrier. And Japan will continue to purchase F-35B fighter jets and upgrade the quasi-aircraft carrier Izumo. In the field of the electromagnetic spectrum, the US military's focus this year is to promote the Air Force's Project Kaiju electronic warfare project and the Navy's next generation jammer low band (NGJ-LB) program , and further optimize the electronic warfare process through exercises. Russia will receive Pole-21 , Krasukha and other new electronic warfare systems to improve the automation level of electronic warfare systems. The UK will upgrade the electronic warfare systems of the Type 45 destroyers and the Type 26 and Type 31 frigates. The Japanese Self-Defense Forces will continue to promote the newly established 301st Electronic Warfare Company to form combat power. Featured development of intelligent technology and unmanned equipment A new round of scientific, technological and military revolution is developing rapidly around the world, and warfare is rapidly evolving towards the intelligentized form. In order to win future wars, Russia, the US and other major countries have increased investment in scientific research, focusing on intelligent technology, unmanned equipment, and human-machine coordinated tactics. The US military plans to invest USD 874 million in research and development funds this year to promote the application of intelligent technology in information, command and control, logistics, network defense and other fields. Russia is currently working on more than 150 artificial intelligence (AI) projects. This year, it will focus on adapting intelligent software for different weapon platforms to enhance its combat effectiveness. France, the UK, India and other countries have also strengthened the research on AI technologies and tried to apply them widely in the fields of intelligence reconnaissance, auxiliary decision-making and network security. The US is the first to explore and has a certain advantage in the field of human-machine coordinated operations. The US plans to organize the first combat test of company-level unmanned armored forces, explore ways for fifth-generation fighter jets to coordinate with unmanned reconnaissance aircraft and drone swarms, and promote the coordinated reconnaissance, anti-submarine, and mine-sweeping tasks between manned and unmanned warships. Russia will promote the integration of unmanned equipment into the manned combat systems as soon as possible while continuing to promote the systematic construction of drones and unmanned vehicles. In addition, France and the UK are also actively exploring human-machine coordinated tactics in military operations such as urban ones. The vanilla model will offer an 11-inch screen, the Plus variant will boast a 12-inch panel while the Ultra option is going up to 14.6". (AFP Photo) Seoul: Samsung hasn't set an announcement date for the rumoured Galaxy Tab S8 series, however, new leaked live images suggest that the release date is approaching fast. According to GSM Arena, the images of all three devices - the Galaxy Tab S8, S8+ and S8 Ultra don't reveal much except some dimensions, but the release date might be pretty close since the devices are going through the certification process. In another interesting development, the S8 series will likely play well with the S-Pen that's compatible with the previous Galaxy S7 generation, as the same stylus with the same FCC ID passed through the Galaxy S8's regulatory process. As per GSM Arena, the vanilla model will offer an 11-inch screen, the Plus variant will boast a 12-inch panel while the Ultra option is going up to 14.6". All three iterations will run on the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 SoC, though. And only the latter has a notched display. Click on Deccan Chronicle Technology and Science for the latest news and reviews. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter. In yet another setback for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Uttar Pradesh minister Dharam Singh Saini resigned from the ruling party on Thursday. Earlier today. Congress announced the first list of 125 candidates for UP polls. Meanwhile, in a 14-hour long meeting, the BJP's Central Election Committee finalised candidates for a large number of seats, including in those going to the polls in the first two phases on February 10 and 14. Thank you for following DH. Reliance Industries on Thursday said that it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Gujarat government for an investment of Rs 5.955 lakh crore (nearly $80 billion) "as part of Investment Promotion Activity for Vibrant Gujarat Summit 2022", mostly in green energy. "To make Gujarat net zero and carbon free, Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) proposes to invest Rs 5 lakh crore in the state over the span of 10 to 15 years to set up 100 GW Renewable Energy Power Plant and Green Hydrogen Eco-System development," the company said in a press release. Also Read | Reliance-ACRE, Welspun frontrunners to acquire bankrupt Sintex Industries: Report It said that the company has started the process of scouting for land for green energy projects in Kutch, Banaskantha and Dholera (Ahmedabad) districts. The company has requested 4.5 lakh acres of land in Kutch, the release stated. Besides, it said that RIL will invest another Rs 60,000 crore in setting up solar modules, electrolyzer, energy-storage battery, and fuel cells, and Rs 25,000 crore for investment in existing projects and new ventures over the next three to five years. The company has also "proposed to invest Rs 7,500 crore over 3 to 5 years for Jio Network upgradation to 5G and another Rs 3,000 crore over 5 years in Reliance Retail." During the signing of MoU in Gandhinagar, chief minister Bhupendra Patel, RIL, director, corporate affairs, Parimal Nathwani, additional chief secretary, industries and mines, Rajiv Kumar Gupta, chief principal secretary to chief minister, K Kailashnathan were present. Watch the latest DH Videos here: India's edible oil imports in 2022 are expected to fall by 2 per cent as the country boosts domestic production, with palm oil seen taking the biggest hit while soy and sunflower oil imports rise, the Malaysian Palm Oil Council (MPOC) said on Thursday. Total imports of oils and fats in the world's biggest vegetable oil buyer are seen at 13.8 million tonnes, down from 14.1 million tonnes in 2021, MPOC chief executive officer Wan Aishah Wan Hamid said in a conference. The drop is due to India's rising domestic edible oil production and as a resurgence in coronavirus infections triggers fresh lockdowns squeezing consumption in the hotel, restaurant and catering sectors, she said. India meets more than two-thirds of edible oil demand through imports, with palm oil mainly from top producers Indonesia and Malaysia accounting for more than 60 per cent of total imports. But the South Asian nation has been trying to bring down overseas purchases by promoting local oilseed production. Domestic production in India is set to increase by 6 lakh tonnes to 11.8 million tonnes this year due to increased rapeseed oil and mustard oil production, Wan Aishah said. India last month said it would allow imports of refined palm oil until December 2022 and slashed import taxes until March to cool near-record prices. "These measures will affect the buying pattern of the Indian edible oil industry and will also have an impact on the overall dynamics of palm oil imports in India," Wan Aishah said. India's palm oil imports are seen declining to 8.1 million tonnes in 2022 from 8.5 million tonnes last year, she said. Soyoil imports are seen rising to 3.2 million tonnes from 3.1 million tonnes in 2021, while sunflower oil imports should rise to 1.9 million tonnes from 1.8 million tonnes last year. Watch the latest DH Videos here: Jack Dorsey has announced the creation of a nonprofit group, the Bitcoin Legal Defense Fund, to help developers of the original cryptocurrency facing legal headaches. In an email sent to the developers mailing list Wednesday, Dorsey, a Bitcoin evangelist, wrote that litigation and continued threats are having their intended effect; individual defendants have chosen to capitulate in the absence of legal support. A founder of the payments company Block, formerly known as Square, Dorsey is deeply invested in Bitcoins development, the DealBook newsletter reports. He stepped down as CEO of Twitter in November to advance Blocks cryptocurrency ambitions, and he has said that Bitcoin is the most important thing he can work on in this lifetime. Block holds more than $350 million worth of Bitcoin in its corporate treasury. Dorseys fund will provide free legal advice and rely primarily on part-time and volunteer lawyers. Board members, including Dorsey, will review cases and decide who gets the groups help. First up on the docket: Tulip Trading, a Seychelles-based firm run by Craig Wright, a litigious Australian computer scientist who claims to be Satoshi Nakamoto, the pseudonym of Bitcoins creator. He has sued core Bitcoin developers after losing a fortune in a hack, claiming breach of fiduciary duty, adding that a small team of people control the Bitcoin network and have a duty to protect users and help recover tokens lost to theft. A loss for developers, in this case, could have a chilling effect on cryptocurrency, which is probably why Dorsey said that the new fund would take over coordination of the existing defense. If developers are held liable for losses caused by hackers, the risks of contributing to the Bitcoin network could outweigh the rewards. The fund is not seeking contributions for now, and Dorsey did not disclose how much money it had. Check out the latest videos from DH: Daron Acemoglu, an influential economist at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, has been making the case against what he describes as excessive automation. The economywide payoff of investing in machines and software has been stubbornly elusive. But he says the rising inequality resulting from those investments, and from the public policy that encourages them, is crystal clear. Half or more of the increasing gap in wages among American workers over the last 40 years is attributable to the automation of tasks formerly done by human workers, especially men without college degrees, according to some of his recent research. Also Read | An AI Universe, a Metaverse, or both? Globalisation and the weakening of unions have played roles. But the most important factor is automation, Acemoglu said. And automation-fueled inequality is not an act of God or nature, he added. Its the result of choices corporations and we as a society have made about how to use technology. Acemoglu, a wide-ranging scholar whose research makes him one of most cited economists in academic journals, is hardly the only prominent economist arguing that computerised machines and software, with a hand from policymakers, have contributed significantly to the yawning gaps in incomes in the United States. Their numbers are growing, and their voices add to the chorus of criticism surrounding the Silicon Valley giants and the unchecked advance of technology. Paul Romer, who won a Nobel in economic science for his work on technological innovation and economic growth, has expressed alarm at the runaway market power and influence of the big tech companies. Economists taught: Its the market. Theres nothing we can do, he said in an interview last year. Thats really just so wrong. Anton Korinek, an economist at the University of Virginia, and Joseph Stiglitz, a Nobel economist at Columbia University, have written a paper, Steering Technological Progress, which recommends steps from nudges for entrepreneurs to tax changes to pursue labor-friendly innovations. Erik Brynjolfsson, an economist at Stanford, is a technology optimist in general. But in an essay to be published this spring in Daedalus, the journal of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, he warns of the Turing trap. The phrase is a reference to the Turing test, named for Alan Turing, the English pioneer in artificial intelligence, in which the goal is for a computer program to engage in a dialogue so convincingly that it is indistinguishable from a human being. For decades, Brynjolfsson said, the Turing test matching human performance has been the guiding metaphor for technologists, businesspeople and policymakers in thinking about AI. That leads to AI systems that are designed to replace workers rather than enhance their performance. I think thats a mistake, he said. Also Read | AI bots to user data: Is there space for rights in the metaverse? The concerns raised by these economists are getting more attention in Washington at a time when the giant tech companies are already being attacked on several fronts. Officials regularly criticise the companies for not doing enough to protect user privacy and say the companies amplify misinformation. State and federal lawsuits accuse Google and Facebook of violating antitrust laws, and Democrats are trying to rein in the market power of the industrys biggest companies through new laws. Acemoglu testified in November before the House Select Committee on Economic Disparity and Fairness in Growth at a hearing on technological innovation, automation and the future of work. The committee, which got underway in June, will hold hearings and gather information for a year and report its findings and recommendations. Despite the partisan gridlock in Congress, Rep. Jim Himes, D-Conn., the chairman of the committee, is confident the committee can find common ground on some steps to help workers, like increased support for proven job-training programs. Theres nothing partisan about economic disparity, Himes said, referring to the harm to millions of American families regardless of their political views. Economists point to the postwar years, from 1950 to 1980, as a golden age when technology forged ahead and workers enjoyed rising incomes. But afterward, many workers started falling behind. There was a steady advance of crucial automating technologies robots and computerised machines on factory floors, and specialised software in offices. To stay ahead, workers required new skills. Yet the technological shift evolved as growth in postsecondary education slowed and companies began spending less on training their workers. When technology, education and training move together, you get shared prosperity, said Lawrence Katz, a labor economist at Harvard. Otherwise, you dont. Increasing international trade tended to encourage companies to adopt automation strategies. For example, companies worried by low-cost competition from Japan and later China invested in machines to replace workers. Today, the next wave of technology is artificial intelligence. And Acemoglu and others say it can be used mainly to assist workers, making them more productive, or to supplant them. Acemoglu, like some other economists, has altered his view of technology over time. In economic theory, technology is almost a magic ingredient that both increases the sise of the economic pie and makes nations richer. He recalled working on a textbook more than decade ago that included the standard theory. Shortly after, while doing further research, he had second thoughts. Its too restrictive a way of thinking, he said. I should have been more open-minded. Acemoglu is no enemy of technology. Its innovations, he notes, are needed to address societys biggest challenges, like climate change, and to deliver economic growth and rising living standards. His wife, Asuman Ozdaglar, is the head of the electrical engineering and computer science department at MIT. But as Acemoglu dug deeply into economic and demographic data, the displacement effects of technology became increasingly apparent. They were greater than I assumed, he said. Its made me less optimistic about the future. Acemoglus estimate that half or more of the increasing gap in wages in recent decades stemmed from technology was published last year with his frequent collaborator, Pascual Restrepo, an economist at Boston University. The conclusion was based on an analysis of demographic and business data that details the declining share of economic output that goes to workers as wages and the increased spending on machinery and software. Acemoglu and Restrepo have published papers on the impact of robots and the adoption of so-so technologies, as well as the recent analysis of technology and inequality. So-so technologies replace workers but do not yield big gains in productivity. As examples, Acemoglu cites self-checkout kiosks in grocery stores and automated customer service over the phone. Today, he sees too much investment in such so-so technologies, which helps explain the sluggish productivity growth in the economy. By contrast, truly significant technologies create new jobs elsewhere, lifting employment and wages. The rise of the auto industry, for example, generated jobs in car dealerships, advertising, accounting and financial services. Market forces have produced technologies that help people do their work rather than replace them. In computing, the examples include databases, spreadsheets, search engines and digital assistants. But Acemoglu insists that a hands-off, free-market approach is a recipe for widening inequality, with all its attendant social ills. One important policy step, he recommends, is fair tax treatment for human labor. The tax rate on labor, including payroll and federal income tax, is 25%. After a series of tax breaks, the current rate on the costs of equipment and software is near zero. Well-designed education and training programs for the jobs of the future, Acemoglu said, are essential. But he also believes that technology development should be steered in a more human-friendly direction. He takes inspiration from the development of renewable energy over the last two decades, which has been helped by government research, production subsidies and social pressure on corporations to reduce carbon emissions. We need to redirect technology so it works for people, Acemoglu said, not against them. Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Thursday released the party's first list of 125 candidates, including 50 women, for the upcoming assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh. "Out of the total 125 candidates, 40 per cent are women and 40 per cent are the youth. With this historic initiative, we hope to bring in a new kind of politics in the state," she said at a briefing. Among the women, Congress has fielded Asha Singh, mother of the Unnao rape victim. "We will not run a negative campaign; We will run a positive campaign for the bright future of Uttar Pradesh", the Congress leader said. She said the party has fielded such candidates who have struggled for seeking justice in Uttar Pradesh and the party wants them to come to the forefront and be a part of power in the state. "With 40 percent women and 40 percent youth, we hope to start a new kind of politics in Uttar Pradesh,"she said. "Our list gives a new message. We want to tell those who have struggled for their rights and for seeking justice in the past, that they have the power to fight for their rights and the Congress party will give that power to them to be a part of power in the state," Vadra also said. The AICC general secretary in-charge for Uttar Pradesh did not answer whether she will contest the elections herself. She said the party will not run a negative campaign in these polls and will instead run a positive campaign for a bright future of Uttar Pradesh while highlighting the issues concerning the people and those of women and development. Taking on the Uttar Pradesh government, she said, it has been "dictatorial" and the discussion in elections is skewed. "Our focus would be to bring issues of people to centre-stage," she said. Uttar Pradesh is scheduled to have seven-phase polls beginning from February 10. (With PTI inputs) Check out the latest DH videos here: Uttar Pradesh minister Brajesh Pathak alleged that Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav is trying to run the show with the help of others as he has nothing of his own. He was reacting to the recent defections of BJP ministers and legislators, who are likely to join the Samajwadi Party. Akhilesh Yadav is trying to run the show with the help of others as he has nothing of his own, but his dream will not come true as the election environment in the state is in favour of the BJP, Pathak said at a meeting of 'Prabudh Varg' (enlightened class, including Brahmins) here on Wednesday. Also Read | Another MLA quits BJP in UP; 7 resignations in 3 days In a fresh jolt to the BJP, Mukesh Verma, MLA from Shikohabad Assembly constituency here, on Thursday resigned from the primary membership of the party alleging 'lack of respect' by the government towards backward classes and Dalits. Verma is the seventh legislator, including two ministers, to have resigned from the BJP over the last three days. Seeking support of the intellectuals to help the saffron party win with a big margin in the upcoming state polls, the minister said under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the BJP will form the government with a thumping majority this year. Also Read | Mass desertions 'force' BJP to revisit its electoral strategy in Uttar Pradesh He also paid a visit to the houses of some eminent families belonging to Brahmins in the city. Talking to reporters later on the BJP leaders parting ways with the party, Pathak said, "For five years, we have worked in the midst of the public. When the (poll) result will come, it will be in favour of the BJP. Watch the latest DH Videos here: The Taliban-led government will soon reopen universities across the country for both male and female students, but classes will be separate for boys and girls, a Minister said here. Since the Taliban took over Afghanistan in August 2021, universities have remained shut, TOLO News reported. Minister of Higher Education Abdul Baqi Haqqani made the remarks while speaking to the media on Wednesday, without however giving an exact date for the reopening. The Minister blamed the ongoing economic crisis and the lack of segregated classes for male and female students as reasons for the delay in reopening the universities. He also claimed that the Taliban would form an international university, which will include "Shariah, Medical, Agriculture and Engineering programs. Masters and PhD degrees will be offered in these four areas". According to Haqqani, some regional countries pledged to provide educational scholarships for the Afghan students. Meanwhile, some university students said they have been living in uncertainty for the past six months since the shutdown, TOLO News reported. "These six months were a long period and will affect the student's motivation," said Matiullah Pirozi, a student. "We are shocked that they cannot form a scheme in six months. The scheme could be easily formed," said Mohammad Hilal, another student. Check out DH's latest videos In a move that could mean more market access, more jobs to people and better wages, India and the UK Thursday formally launched negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement between the two countries with an aim to double the bilateral trade by 2030. This announcement was made by Minister for Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal and UK Trade Secretary, Anne-Marie Trevelyan, who is in New Delhi for FTA Agreement discussions. A India-UK Free Trade Agreement would be a substantial opportunity for both of our economies and a significant moment in the India-UK bilateral relationship, an official statement said after the meeting. Also Read | India, UK discuss trade, investment, security India and the UK will seek to agree a mutually beneficial agreement supporting jobs, businesses and communities in both countries, it said. Both sides have agreed to double that bilateral trade by 2030, as part of Roadmap 2030 announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Prime Minister Boris Johnson in May 2021. Trade negotiations will be a priority for both countries, as we build upon the Enhanced Trade Partnership launched by our Prime Ministers in May 2021, Goyal said. During negotiations, and on the path to a comprehensive agreement, both governments will consider the option of an Interim Agreement that generates early benefits for both countries. In parallel to trade negotiations, the India-UK Joint Economic and Trade Committee will continue to work in improving the India-UK trading relationship and addressing market access barriers outside of a trade agreement. Both parties have agreed that the first round of negotiations will begin on 17 January, and future rounds of negotiations will take place approximately every five weeks. The ambition of both countries is to negotiate a broad agreement that will deliver for businesses and consumers, the statement said. Check out DH's latest videos: Prime Minister Imran Khan will be travelling to Beijing next month to attend the opening ceremony of Winter Olympics, bolster the all-weather bilateral ties and seek more investments in various projects under the ambitious CPEC, the Foreign Office said here on Thursday. The Beijing Winter Olympics will be held from February 4 to 20, followed by the Paralympics Winter Games from March 4-13, amid a diplomatic boycott by several Western countries, including the US and the UK over concerns of China's alleged human rights abuses. The premier will be embarking on a three-day visit to Beijing from February 3 on the invitation of the Chinese leadership, Foreign Office Spokesperson Asim Iftikhar said during his weekly news briefing. Also Read | Third Chinese city goes into lockdown ahead of Beijing Winter Olympics as Covid-19 cases spiral Khan will also have an interaction with the Chinese leadership to further strengthen Pakistan-China all-weather strategic cooperative partnership and to exchange views on regional and international issues, Iftikhar said. Khans visit is considered significant because several western and European countries have announced a diplomatic boycott of the event. Tensions have risen between China and several Western countries over a number of issues. The US has accused China of genocide in its repression of the predominantly Muslim Uyghur minority in the western region of Xinjiang - an allegation China has rejected. While projects pertaining to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) will be key to the talks between the two sides, Iftikhar opined that Khans visit would help promote international cooperation required to overcome the challenges faced due to the ongoing pandemic and open up avenues of collaboration with other developing countries. The $60 billion CPEC connecting Chinas resource-rich Xinjiang province with Pakistans strategic Gwadar port in Balochistan is regarded as the flagship project of the multi-billion Belt and Road initiative, the pet scheme of Chinese President Xi Jinping aimed at furthering Chinas influence globally with Chinese funded infrastructure projects. Iftikhar said that Pakistan welcomes the Global Development Initiative put forward by Chinese President Xi Jinping as a timely and good intention to facilitate implementation of the UN 2030 agenda for sustainable development. Pakistan and China are global partners, and we look forward to further strengthening this partnership under Chinas Global Development Initiative, he added. Check out DH's latest videos: The Pakistani Taliban on Thursday confirmed the weekend killing of a former spokesman in neighbouring Afghanistan and vowed to avenge the murder. The outlawed Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan, which is known as TTP, announced on Twitter the death of the man known as Mohammad Khurasani, which is an alias. His real name was Khalid Balti. The confirmation comes days after Pakistani security officials said the former spokesman of TTP had been shot dead in Afghanistan's Nangarhar province. The TTP did not confirm the claim until Thursday. The current TTP spokesman, who also goes by the name Mohammad Khurasani, said on Twitter that Balti was killed on Jan. 9 while travelling. He said Balti's death was a great loss and his death would soon be avenged. Balti was commander of the TTP and he served as the group's spokesman from 2011 to 2015. That's when he was arrested in Afghanistan and was freed after the Taliban seized power. Since then, the TTP has been emboldened. Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan is an umbrella group and is a separate organization from Afghanistan's Taliban. In November, Pakistan announced a month-long cease-fire with the TTP. The group has been behind numerous attacks on security forces and civilians over the last 14 years. The cease-fire ended on Dec. 9 and since then the group has resumed attacks. The Taliban have assured Islamabad that they will now allow TTP to use the Afghan soil for violence in Pakistan. TTP's chief Noor Wali and his fighters are believed to be hiding in Afghanistan. Check out DH's latest videos: A Catholic church in Poland has asked a court to determine whether a Polish man who was sexually abused as a child by a priest is gay and whether the sexual contact may have been pleasurable for him. The man, Janusz Szymik, who is now 48, was an altar boy when the abuse began in the 1980s. Szymik sued the diocese of Bielsko-Zywiec, in southern Poland, in a civil court last year. The priest, who has been identified only as Rev. Jan W., admitted to the abuse. Szymik is now seeking 3 million zlotys ($760,000) in compensation from the diocese. The Onet news portal earlier this week disclosed the contents of documents it obtained that were submitted to the courty by a lawyer for the church. The documents show the church wanting an expert to check the plaintiff's sexual orientation" and to determine whether he showed satisfaction with maintaining an intimate relationship with Rev. Jan W." or derived any material benefits from the sexual relationship with the cleric. Szymik expressed surprise about how the case has turned, noting that Bishop Roman Pindel of Bielsko-Zywiec had previously shown compassion toward him for the abuse he suffered as a child. Previously, he expressed pain and regret and asked for forgiveness, and now he wants to prove ... that I am a homosexual person, that pedophilia gave me pleasure, that everything that happened was voluntary, that I benefited from it," Szymik said in an interview on the all-news station TVN24. Tomasz Terlikowski, a Catholic journalist, commented that the the curia's letter to the court was scandalous and should be withdrawn, and that Bishop Pindel should apologise to Szymik. He said such statements are harmful to victims and are "sad proof that the bishop does not even know the teaching of the Church that he is to be a shepherd. The latest development comes as Pope Francis has been trying to clean up a culture of abuse and cover-ups in the Polish church. The Catholic Church was long the highest moral authority in Poland, having played an inspirational role during occupation and foreign rule and supporting the anti-communist Solidarity movement in the 1980s. But the recent reckoning of abuse has damaged its credibility. Even Poland's most famous Catholic, St. John Paul II, now has his legacy tarnished by his own failure to tackle abuse when he was pope. One of the country's top church leaders, Archbishop Wojciech Polak, the primate of Poland, said recently that the church is seeing a devastating decline in religious practice among young Poles. He said the church hierarchy's failure to deal with clerical abuse is one reason for that. Check out DH's latest videos: The University of Oxford has appointed Indian-origin academic Professor Soumitra Dutta as the new Dean of its Said Business School. Professor Dutta, currently Professor of Management at the Cornell SC Johnson College of Business at Cornell University in New York, will take up his new UK post on June 1 this year, the university said on Wednesday. I am delighted to be joining Said Business School at Oxford University. My daughter Sara graduated from Oxford and both my wife Lourdes and I spent a fruitful half-year sabbatical at Oxford. We are both looking forward to being part of this diverse, exciting and innovative community, said Dutta. It is an honour to be appointed as Dean of the School, it is a unique institution placed within one of the worlds greatest universities. I very much look forward to collaborating with colleagues, students and alumni within Oxford Said and across Oxford, to move the school forward to higher levels of excellence and impact, he said. The university said the academic has a distinguished three-decade academic career behind him, including being current Chair of the Global Business School Network and 13 years in leadership roles at INSEAD in France. Professor Dutta also serves on the boards of listed international corporations, has founded several successful start-ups, co-chaired the World Economic Forum's Global Future Council on Innovation Ecosystems and created major global technology and innovation indices. He has also acted as a senior advisor to governments on technology and innovation policies. I am delighted that Professor Dutta has accepted our offer to become the next Dean of Said Business School. He brings a global perspective, wide-ranging experience and deep knowledge of technology and of business education. I look forward to working with him, said Professor Louise Richardson, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Oxford, who led on the appointment for the post. The university said Duttas appointment marks the end of a global search to find the right person to lead Oxford Said, a world leading business school within one of the worlds greatest universities. It follows the departure of Professor Peter Tufano, who stepped down after 10 years as Dean in June 2021. Since then, Professor Sue Dopson has been leading the School as Interim Dean, working closely with joint Deputy Deans Professor Richard Barker, Associate Professor Jonathan Reynolds and Chief Operating Officer Sara Beck. We are excited to be welcoming Professor Dutta to lead our School community. He brings with him an incredible breadth of global leadership experience, from world leading business schools, through to major corporations and down to small start-ups, said Dopson. With Professor Dutta at the helm, we will continue to flourish as we focus on tackling complex, world-scale challenges through education, she said. Check out latest DH videos here Amid rising Covid-19 cases in the city, the Karnataka government has extended the weekend curfew till January 31, restricting movement from Friday 10 pm to Monday 5 am. While only essential services are allowed during this period, the city police have stepped up vigil against curfew violations. Avoid the last-minute rush and hoarding of essentials and get weekend-ready as the curfew returns tonight. Food and snacks As food delivery apps fall under essential services, restaurants in the city will be open for takeaways throughout the weekend, and home deliveries through apps like Zomato and Swiggy. Liquor will not be delivered. Groceries Stock up on groceries, as stores will shut down earlier. However, delivery services will be functioning. Delivery app Zepto will be working till 1 am every day and meat delivery services like Licious and Tender Cuts, recommend pre-ordering to avoid the rush at the last moment. Pet supplies Ensure all your pet supplies are in stock before the weekend curfew. Get food, medicine and bath products for your pets delivered through delivery services like Swiggy Instamart and Dunzo, using no-contact delivery. Medicines Avoid hoarding on medical supplies, as pharmacies across the city will be functioning normally. Online services like Tata 1 mg, PharmEasy and Apollo pharmacy will be continuing their services throughout the curfew. Online libraries Online libraries are a lifesaver, especially when you can no longer step out of the house. E-libraries like Justbooks. BookGuru, Open Library, provide a wide range of books for you to pick from. For books in Kannada, head to MyLang Books and government-run e-Sarvajanika Granthalaya. Twelve coaches of Bikaner-Guwahati Express (15633) derailed near New Maynaguri in West Bengal on Thursday evening, leaving at least 9 dead and as many as 40 injured, including critically wounded passengers. The accident occurred around 5 pm when the train was on the run between New Domohani and New Maynaguri station, in north Bengal, under the Alipurduar Division of NF Railway. Railway rescue teams, and officials of state administration were involved in rescue operations. Three persons were brought dead at Maynaguri hospital, four at Jalpaiguri SSH. 31 injured persons were taken to Maynaguri, of whom 4 were admitted and 27 were referred to Jalpaiguri SSH. A total of 33 were admitted at Jalpaiguri. Some passengers were feared trapped, and rescue teams used gas cutters to reach out to them. Around 65 ambulances from Jalpaiguri and 10 from Coochbehar were pressed into service, and senior health officials from state visited the spot. "Blood and all other arrangements were made at Jalpaiguri SSH. Team of surgeons, anaesthetists, and orthopaedic surgeons, along with medicine specialist were formed for emergency response. Rescue operation is going on," said a senior health official. A few senior officials were still at the spot late at night. "Ambulances - 8 from Falakata SSH and 4 from Birpara SGH of Alipurduar, 5 more ambulances from Alipurduar DH and 3 from NGO, Manabik Mukh, were sent to spot. Both hospitals have been kept ready for any casualties who may arrive from the accident site," the official added. Ashwini Vaishnaw, minister for railways, said that he was personally monitoring the situation for swift rescue operations. The minister mentioned that enhanced ex-gratia compensation will be provided to the victims - Rs 5 lakh in case of death, Rs 1 lakh towards grievous injury, and Rs 25,000 for minor injuries. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also spoke to Vaishnaw. Spoke to Railways Minister Shri @AshwiniVaishnaw and took stock of the situation in the wake of the train accident in West Bengal. My thoughts are with the bereaved families. May the injured recover quickly, PM Modi tweeted. Spoke to Railways Minister Shri @AshwiniVaishnaw and took stock of the situation in the wake of the train accident in West Bengal. My thoughts are with the bereaved families. May the injured recover quickly. Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 13, 2022 Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed concern and promised all support from the state administration. Senior officers of the state government, DM/SP/ IG North Bengal are supervising rescue and relief operations. Those injured will receive medical attention, as early as possible, the chief minister stated in a tweet, adding that the situation is being closely monitored from the state headquarters. Several other political leaders also tweeted to express their concern about the accident. A high-level railway safety enquiry has been ordered in the accident. A team comprising senior railway officials from New Delhi is expected to reach the accident site. The cause of the accident is still not clear. The railway minister is expected to visit the accident site on Friday. Three trains Guwahati-Howrah Saraighat Express, Sealdah-Agartala Kanchenjungha Express, and Trivandrum Central-Silchar Express, that pass through the region, are being diverted. Around 65 ambulances from Jalpaiguri, ten from Coochbehar were pressed into service, and senior health officials from state visited the spot. "Blood and all other arrangements were made at Jalpaiguri SSH. Team of surgeon , anaesthetists and orthopaedic surgeons along with medicine specialist were formed for emergency response. Rescue operation is going on," said a senior health official. A few senior officials were still at the spot, late at night. "Ambulances - eight from Falakata SSH and four from Birpara SGH of Alipurduar, five more ambulances from Alipurduar DH and three from NGO, Manabik Mukh, were sent to spot. Both hospitals have been kept ready for any casualties who may arrive from the accident site," the official added. Check out DH's latest videos: Bharat Biotech has sought from the Drugs Controller General of India regular market approval for its Covid-19 vaccine Covaxin, which is currently only authorised for emergency use in the country, official sources said on Thursday. In an application sent to the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) this week, V Krishna Mohan, Whole-Time Director at the Hyderabad-based company submitted complete information regarding chemistry, manufacturing and controls, along with pre-clinical and clinical data while seeking regular market authorisation for Covaxin. The company, however, is yet to submit the full follow up data of clinical trial of Covaxin to DCGI, a source said. Also Read | Poorer nations dump millions of close-to-expiry Covid-19 vaccines: UNICEF On October 25, Prakash Kumar Singh, Director, Government and Regulatory Affairs at Serum Institute of India (SII) had submitted an application to the DCGI seeking regular market authorization for Covishield which is also authorised for emergency use in the country. In response to the application, DCGI had asked for some more information following which Singh last week submitted a response along with all desired data and information to DCGI. In addition to the successful completion of phase 2/3 clinical study in India, till now, more than 100 crore doses of Covishield vaccine have been administered to the people in India and worldwide, Singh is learnt to have stated in the response. Also Read | Bharat Biotech says Covaxin booster shot neutralises both Omicron & Delta Such a large-scale vaccination with Covishield and containment of Covid-19 infection is in itself a testimony of the safety and efficacy of the vaccine, he said. Meanwhile, Covaxin comprises 12 per cent of the total Covid-19 vaccine jabs administered in the country so far and it is the only vaccine that is being given to youngsters in the age-group of 15-18 years, inoculation of whom began from January 3 in the country. Bharat Biotech International Limited (BBIL) took up the challenge to develop, produce and clinically evaluate a Covid-19 vaccine (Covaxin), from the SARS-CoV-2 strains isolated from Covid-19 patients in India, Mohan said in the application. It was granted the permission to manufacture Covaxin for restricted use in emergency situations on January 3. "In the current submission, all the required complete information regarding Chemistry. Manufacturing and Controls, along with the Pre-clinical and Clinical data have been provided in five modules. The information contained in the modules is uploaded on SUGAM portal for your kind perusal. We request you to kindly review the same and grant the marketing authorisation, at the earliest," the application by Mohan read. With the administration of over 76 lakh vaccine doses in the last 24 hours, Indias Covid-19 vaccination coverage has exceeded 154.61 crore as per provisional reports till 7 am on Thursday. Check out DH's latest videos: Industry body Ficci has suggested the government to reduce the quarantine period to 5 days for coronavirus-infected individuals, at least for those in home isolation, so as to minimise the impact on the economy in terms of manpower shortages. In a letter to Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, the chamber has called for highly localised mobility restrictions on the basis of occupancy of hospital beds, especially critical care beds. "Needless to mention, there should be a coordinated strategy at the national level with a view to balancing lives and livelihoods as any knee jerk reactions at the state, city and municipal level will not serve much purpose while threatening economic recovery," the letter dated January 12, said. It has also asked for eliminating any distinction between essential and non-essential activities, and an overarching criteria of no hindrance to industrial activity if 75 per cent of a unit's workforce is fully vaccinated. Further it has suggested the government to follow a graded approach in unlocking economic activities. It said that in high risk levels (over 60 per cent Covid bed occupancy of last one week), an isolation bubble must be implemented for export oriented units, and manpower restrictions should be limited to 50 per cent for services firms. Manufacturing units of essential goods, and items that are significant to national security and defence should be allowed to operate in all risk level (minimal, low, medium, high) areas besides all essential services including banking, NBFCs, MFIs, fintech, communication, IT, and exports. Social gatherings in marriages should be restricted to 50 individuals in case of medium risk and 20 in high risk, and for funerals, it should be 20 only. Check out DH's latest videos: Six in 10 frontline workers in India worry that they could lose their jobs if they don't adapt to new technology, a new Microsoft report showed on Thursday. Nearly 88 per cent of frontline workers in India are excited about job opportunities tech creates. Higher pay, skill development and better employee benefits are top reasons for frontline workers to consider new jobs, according to Microsoft India's 'Work Trend Index' report. "Even as we continue to endure pandemic uncertainty right now, frontline workers are standing up to the challenge of keeping the wheels of the economy running," said Rajiv Sodhi, COO, Microsoft India. "There are clear signals about the opportunity to align business outcomes with the wellbeing and growth of frontline employees. It's encouraging to see that technology can help at this inflection point," he said in a statement. Also Read | Economists pin more blame on tech for rising inequality Covid-19 has also strengthened ties and frontline workers have turned to each other for weathering this storm together. In India, 86 per cent of frontline workers report that they "feel very bonded to co-workers" because of shared stresses brought on by the pandemic. But their connections to leadership and company culture are weak. "Sixty-six per cent of frontline workers say that leadership does not prioritise building workplace culture, and that jumps to 69 per cent for those in management positions on the frontline such as department heads, store managers, and shop-floor supervisors," the findings showed. Sixty-five per cent of frontline workers say messages from leadership don't make it to them. Things are especially trying for frontline managers (67 per cent) who say their higher-ups are not effectively communicating with them either. At the same time, 17 per cent of frontline workers feel their voice is not being heard when communicating workplace issues, said the report. While 23 per cent of frontline workers in non-management positions don't feel valued as employees, many workers (65 per cent) wish more was being done to help with physical exhaustion or to support mental health (64 per cent). "As we embark on year three of the pandemic, 41 per cent of frontline workers believe that work stress will either stay the same or worsen in the coming year," the report mentioned. Check out DH's latest videos Worried over criticism and apprehending Karnataka High Court reprimand for holding massive event amidst of Covid-19 pandemic, Congress high command has asked state leaders to halt the Mekedatu foot march immediately. Congress General Secretary (in-charge Karnataka) Randeep Surjewala telephoned both Leaders of Opposition in Assembly Siddaramaiah and KPCC president D K Shivakumar on Thursday morning and asked them to stop the march immediately, a senior leader in Congress told DH. "Taking note of the spread of Covid-19 and Karnataka High Court's intervention, the party top leaders decided to ask state leaders to call off the rally", said a senior leader said. Also Read | Karnataka Cong suspends Mekedatu foot march amid rising Covid-19 cases Congress former President Rahul Gandhi, who returned from a foreign tour a few days back, also updated about the rally. He also favoured stopping the rally in the interest of public health, the leader said. The state leaders were keen to continue the march till Friday (January 14) and wait for the outcome of the public interest litigation (PIL) case that would come up in the Karnataka High Court for hearing. However, the Congress high command did not agree to this. "The high command is in the view that instead of waiting for the Court direction and calling off rally, it is better to stop it on our own to avoid further embarrassment," said the leader. "Though the party is supporting the state unit to hold such events to protect the state's interest in the water sharing issue, the timing is not suitable due to pandemic", added the leader. Also Read Why are rallies being allowed? Karnataka HC pulls up Bommai government over Congress's Mekedatu padyatra Congress top leaders were also worried over criticisms they faced for holding such a mega event at a time when Covid-19 cases were spreading rapidly and many Congress leaders, who attended the march, tested Covid-19 positive. The Congress also got bad press at the national level for holding the event when Bengaluru already turned into one of the hotspots in the country. With the political parties are gearing up for the campaign in five states assembly elections, Congress leaders in Delhi also worried that if the march continued further, the BJP may intensify its attack and hold Congress responsible for spreading diseases by organising such events amid pandemic, said a Congress leader. Watch the latest DH Videos here: 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. The Shiv Sena is upset at being given a cold shoulder by the Congress over its proposal to repeat the Maharashtra coalition experiment in the Goa Assembly elections. Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut on Thursday said the political situation in Goa is such that the Congress cannot go beyond single-digit if it contests the assembly polls in the coastal state on its own. "The Congress has only three MLAs in Goa. The party's MLAs have deserted it enmasse. Key political parties, we (Shiv Sena and NCP) had offered to support the Congress in its difficult times. But I don't know what the Congress is thinking. It cannot cross the single digit mark if it contests alone," Raut told reporters here. Raut, who had held a round of discussions with AICC in-charge of Goa Dinesh Gundurao, CLP leader Digambar Kamat and Goa Congress chief Girish Chodankar, said he had placed a proposal that the Congress contest on 30 of the 40 assembly seats and leave the rest for its allies. Also Read | Devendra Fadnavis snubs Manohar Parrikar's son over Assembly poll ticket He said the 10 assembly seats, where Congress has not won elections in the past 50 years, could be allocated to Shiv Sena, NCP and Goa Forward Party. Raut, a Rajya Sabha member, said Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was favourable to the idea of an alliance but the local Congress leadership had a different view. Raut said the Shiv Sena was ready to support the candidature of former Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar's son Utpal should he decide to take the political plunge in the assembly polls. "Utpal has to take the courageous decision to contest the elections. You need to be courageous to contest elections. If he takes that decision, the Shiv Sena will support him," Raut said. Raut recalled that the Shiv Sena had supported the family of Lok Sabha member from Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Mohan Delkar, who was found dead in a Mumbai hotel last year. Delkar's wife Kalaben Delkar won the Lok Sabha bypoll as a Shiv Sena candidate. Utpal had evinced interest in contesting the assembly polls from Panaji, a constituency represented by his father and four-term Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar. Utpal had also met Home Minister Amit Shah in this regard. Goa goes to polls on February 14. Check out DH's latest videos Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre director S Somanath, who has been appointed as the new chairman of ISRO, said that support needs to be extended to opening up the space sector of the country to private players. Talking to reporters in Thiruvananthapuram on Wednesday, he said that it was a proud moment for him to be elevated as ISRO chairman at a time when the nation's space programmes require a new direction. Somanath said that it was high time that the country's space sector was opened up to private players. Read more: Eminent rocket scientist S Somanath appointed as ISRO chief "Our space sector activities are now limited only to ISRO and some government agencies. Instead private players should be also allowed to play roles in developing applications and even launching rockets. Start-ups in the space sector also need to be promoted. The space sector need to be developed into a business economy by making it a space service sector. ISRO has its limitations and hence the role of private sector is important", he said. Somanath, who is a Keralite, joined the VSSC in 1985. He was appointed as VSSC director in 2018. Prior to that he also served as Director of Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre in Thiruvananthapuram. After completing BTech in Mechanical Engineering from TKM College of Engineering in Kollam he did his Masters in Aerospace Engineering from Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore with specialisation in Structures, Dynamics and Control with a gold medal. He played a key role in three successful missions of GSLV with indigenous cryogenic stages and eleven successful missions of PSLV with the liquid stages realized by LPSC. The 14th round of negotiations between military commanders of India and China did not immediately yield any breakthrough in resolving the standoff along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh. The two sides, however, agreed to stay in close contact and maintain dialogue via military and diplomatic channels and work out a mutually acceptable resolution of the remaining issues at the earliest, according to a joint press-release issued simultaneously in New Delhi and Beijing on Thursday. The commanders of the Indian Army and the Chinese Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) also agreed that they would hold the next round of talks at the earliest. Though the meeting between the military commanders of the two nations went on for more than 12 hours on Wednesday, they could not reach an agreement. A deal on mutual withdrawal of the frontline troops from Hot Springs was 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. Though the two sides had extensive discussion on both the proposals as well as on disengagement in other face-off points along the LAC, the meeting ended without a deal. The military commanders of the two nations finally agreed that they would need more time to seek guidance from New Delhi and Beijing respectively in order to move forward. We can expect a breakthrough in the next round of talks, a source told DH, indicating that negotiation remained on track, despite failure by the two sides to immediately clinch a deal. The two sides had a frank and in-depth exchange of views for resolution of 21-month-long standoff along the LAC in eastern Ladakh. They agreed that both sides should follow the guidance provided by the State Leaders and work for the resolution of the remaining issues at the earliest. It was noted that this would help in restoration of peace and tranquillity along the LAC in the western sector and enable progress in bilateral relations, according to the joint press-release issued in New Delhi and Beijing. They also agreed to consolidate on the previous outcomes and take effective efforts to maintain security and stability on the ground, including during winter, it added. The 14th round of negotiations between the commanders of the Indian Army and the Chinese PLA, however, saw both sides returning to the practice of issuing joint press-releases after the talks. The previous round of negotiations on October 10 last year had ended in a stalemate, with no joint press-release being issued. The two governments had issued separate statements in New Delhi and Beijing, blaming each other for failure of talks. It took three months to end the stalemate and restart the negotiation at the level of the military commanders. Check out latest DH videos here Within days of issuance of notice by the supreme court to the Uttarakhand government regarding the issue of ''hate speeches'' at a 'dharam sansad' (religious gathering) at Haridwar last month, Jitendra Narain Tyagi alias Waseem Rizvi, the former chairman of Shia Waqf Board, who is one of the key accused in the matter has been arrested on Thursday. A senior police official said in Haridwar that Tyagi was arrested from Haridwar and was taken to the Kotwali police station for interrogation. Sources said that Tyagi was accompanied by Mahant Swami Narsimhanand Giri, who was also an accused in the matter, but he was not arrested. A case was registered against Tyagi and some others under section 153 A (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence and language) following uproar over the alleged hate speeches. The state government had also formed a special investigation team to probe the matter. The three-day 'dharm sansad' was organised between December 17-19 at Ved Niketan Ashram at Haridwar by one Yati Narsmhananda, a local seer. The event was attended by saints and seers and some BJP leaders. Soon after the meet, videos purportedly containing provocative speeches by some seers and others went viral on social media. In one of the videos, Maa Annapurna, a seer and an office bearer of the Hindu Mahasabha, is heard saying that she will not hesitate to take up arms to protect the Hindu religion. ''I will not think for a minute and take up arms if I feel that Hinduism is in danger even if I am branded a supporter of Nathuram Godse,'' she is heard saying in the video. In another video, a seer, identified as Dharmdas Maharaji, is heard saying that he would have followed Godse and ''pumped six bullets in the chest of Manmohan Singh (former prime minister), when he had said that the minorities had the first right over national resources''. Another seer Anand Swaroopji Maharaj is heard saying in another video that the Hindus will wage a battle more severe than the 1857 war of independence if they are not given 'Hindu Rashtra'. He also purportedly threatened the hotel owners in Haridwar with serious consequences if they allowed Christmas celebrations in their premises. Check out the latest videos from DH: Kashmiri apple growers are up in arms against the import of "illegal" apples from Iran, which are selling at cheaper rates in markets outside the Valley. They have appealed to the Centre to ban the import of the fruit, especially at a time when Prime Minister Narendra Modi is making a big 'Make-in-India' push. "The supply of Iranian apples in India has severely impacted Kashmiri produce, Bashir Ahmad Bashir, president of the Kashmir Valley Fruit Growers cum Dealers Association, told reporters. He said the rates of Kashmiri apples have declined from Rs 1,200 per box to Rs 600 in the past few days. "The production cost of one apple box is Rs 600. Transport and other charges come to Rs 300 per box. The GST has also increased from 12% to 18%. How can a grower sell at such low rates," he asked. Bashir alleged that the Union government didn't pay heed to their repeated requests, and again sought the Centre's intervention to help them tide over the losses suffered due to the import of untaxed apples. "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's office... but to no avail. When the PM is promoting Make in India, why are we importing goods," he asked. Bashir said untaxed Iranian apples are being imported from Dubai and the Wagah border, eating into the profits of local traders. "Our produce is confined to cold stores and godowns in Kashmir, which may spoil soon if the situation doesnt get better, he said. If the apples are still imported, he demanded that there be a 100% import duty on them so that they don't dent the local market share. The local horticulture sector contributes Rs 10,000-12,000 crore to the fragile Kashmiri economy and provides livelihood to lakhs of people. Watch the latest DH videos: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has appealed to devotees, arriving in Prayagraj for the 47-day-long Magh Mela, to follow Covid-19 protocols strictly. The state government has not restricted the number of devotees at the mela but has made it mandatory to bring a RT-PCR report, not older than 48 hours. The mela area has already reported 39 positive Covid-19 cases as of January 12 which includes 37 policemen and security personnel. However, the officials claim to have made elaborate health arrangements for the devotees, who are arriving here for the first official bathing day which is on Makar Sankranti (January 14) on the banks of Sangam. Chief medical officer (CMO), Prayagraj, Dr Nanak Saran, said: "Latest RT-PCR tests declaring an individual to be free from the Covid-19 virus are a must for all, including the pilgrims, saints and seers as well as visitors. We have removed 51 individuals from the mela area who did not have the RT-PCR reports with them." Magh Mela officer Shesh, Mani Pandey, said: "In view of the pandemic and the necessary precautions to be taken thereof, we have made proper arrangements of sampling centres and ambulances in adequate number for the fair. Each government staff in the mela is being deputed only after proper screening." "For the devotees, we have also constructed 10 major ghats stretching from Nagvasuki to Quila Ghat near Sangam in order divert devotees to avoid overcrowding at one place," he added. Jai Kishan, the health officer in charge of Magh Mela arrangements, said: "We have put up hoardings at many places highlighting precautions like masks. Our screening teams are in place. All those coming to the Mela have to get vaccination certificates or RT-PCR test reports. There are provisions for testing at the venue too." Meanwhile, as devotees started arriving at the Mela township on Thursday, few were actually seen wearing masks. Most of them covered their faces with 'gamcha' at the sight of policemen and then removed it. Uttar Pradesh has reported a massive jump in new cases since January 1 and the Magh Mela has the makings of a super-spreader in the midst of the third wave of Covid, since devotees come here from all parts of the country. Watch the latest DH Videos here: The Indian government that is providing financial and military assistance to Sri Lanka should warn the latter not to attack fishermen, said PMK founder S Ramadoss. According to Ramadoss, 55 Indian fishermen detained by Sri Lankan authorities in December 2021, are yet to be released. On the other hand, mid-sea attacks on the Indian fishermen are continuing, he added. The Indian government should warn the Sri Lankan government to stop its excesses on the fishermen from India, Ramadoss said. Katchatheevu island is located in the narrow sea dividing the two countries. The sea near the islet is rich in marine life. The island was handed over to Sri Lanka by India several years ago. Check out the latest videos from DH: A leader of Andhra Pradesh's opposition Telugu Desam Party (TDP) was hacked to death by unidentified persons in Guntur district on Thursday. Thota Chandraiah (38) was murdered in the Gundlapadu village in Veldurthi mandal when he was going on a two-wheeler. A group of assailants waylaid and attacked him with knives and sticks. The TDP leader died on the spot. The incident led to tension in the village. Police registered a case of murder and launched a hunt for the assailants. Police intensified patrolling to prevent any untoward incident. Chandraiah's family members alleged that his political rivals were behind the killing. TDP national president and former chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu has condemned the murder. He will be visiting the village later in the day to console the family of the slain leader. The leader of opposition said under the "anarchic rule" of YSR Congress Party (YSRCP), several TDP functionaries have lost their lives. He alleged that the YSRCP was resorting to killing the TDP leaders and workers who were raising their voice against the "misrule". Also, TDP national general secretary Nara Lokesh condemned Chandraiah's murder. He alleged that the YSRCP faction had killed Chandraiah as he had been raising his voice against the ruling party's "atrocities". Lokesh expressed concern that the general public and the opposition leaders had no safety ever since an heir to 'murder politics' became the chief minister in 2019. The TDP leader said the chief minister and his party leaders had no idea how to impress the people by taking up development activities. "Eventually, they started victimising all those who were questioning their inefficiency. Chandraiah has been serving as the TDP village unit president and his murder is highly condemnable," he said. Lokesh called upon the people to revolt and unitedly fight against the "lawless mobs of the ruling YSRCP" in Macherla segment. He said the TDP would extend all the required support to Chandraiah's family. Check out DH's latest videos: The US is "discouraging" India from acquiring S-400 missile defence systems from Russia but Washington will have to weigh "important geostrategic considerations" on growing calls for a presidential CAATSA waiver to New Delhi, President Joe Biden's nominee for Coordinator for Sanctions Policy has told lawmakers. The US has already imposed sanctions on Turkey under the CAATSA for the purchase of a batch of S-400 missile defence systems from Russia. In October 2018, India signed a $5 billion deal with Russia to buy five units of the S-400 air defence missile systems, despite a warning from the then Trump administration that going ahead with the contract may invite US sanctions. Also Read | IAF to complete deployment of first regiment of S-400 next month The Biden administration has not yet clarified whether it will impose sanctions on India under the provisions of the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) for procuring the S-400 missile systems. CAATSA is a tough US law that was brought in 2017 and authorises the US administration to impose sanctions on countries that purchase major defence hardware from Russia. James OBrien, President Biden's nominee for the US State Departments coordinator for sanctions policy was asked at his confirmation hearing on Wednesday if the US experience with Turkey provided any warning or lessons on how to proceed with India. Following the US sanctions on Turkey over the procurement of S-400 missile systems, there were apprehensions that Washington may impose similar punitive measures on India. Russia has been one of India's key major suppliers of arms and ammunition. "I believe they are very different circumstances, and, of course, different security partnerships -- but how do you believe we should think about the possibility of sanctioning our friends and not just threats?" Senator Todd Young asked O'Brien, a former career employee of the State Department. In response, OBrien said it was difficult to compare the two situations, with a NATO ally that is breaking with legacy defence procurement systems, and then with India, a partner of growing importance, but that has legacy relationships with Russia. "The administration has made clear that it is discouraging India from proceeding with the acquisitions of Russian equipment, and there are important geostrategic considerations, particularly with (unintelligible) relationship to China. So, I think we have to look at what the balance is, he said. And, of course, India's got some decisions in front of it, so it would be premature to say more. But this is something I look forward to working with you and other interested members," OBrien said. India pursues an independent foreign policy and its defence acquisitions are guided by its national security interests, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in November last year, amid apprehensions over the possibility of US sanctions on New Delhi over the procurement of S-400 missile systems from Russia. The S-400 is known as Russia's most advanced long-range surface-to-air missile defence system. Senator Young said India was currently taking delivery of the Russian S-400 system and was also in the process of acquiring new frigate ships from Russia. "Both are important systems for the Indians," he said. "India is a vital ally in our competition against China, and thus, I believe we should resist taking any actions that might drive them away from us and the Quad. I am therefore strongly supportive of waiving CAATSA sanctions against India, given our shared foreign policy interests," he said. "As most here know, the Indians have a lot of legacy systems from previous decades, and they are interoperable with the Russians' systems. And the Indians seek to defend their land border from Chinese incursions and defend the Indian Ocean from an increasingly adventurous and lawless blue ocean navy in the People's Liberation Army," he said. Quad - comprising Japan, India, Australia and the United States - is a grouping of four countries. In November 2017, the four countries gave shape to the long-pending proposal of setting up the "Quad" to develop a new strategy to keep the critical sea routes in the Indo-Pacific free of any influence. In the midst of growing global concern over China's expansionist behaviour, the foreign ministers of the Quad member nations met in Tokyo on October 6 and reaffirmed their collective vision for a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said last month that the S-400 missile defence deal between India and Russia has a very important meaning for India's defence capability and it is being implemented despite the US attempting to "undermine" the cooperation. There are growing calls in the US urging the Biden administration to grant the CAATSA waiver to India. In October last year, two powerful US Senators - Mark Warner of the Democratic Party and John Cornyn of the Republican Party - had urged President Biden not to impose provisions of CAATSA against India for buying the S-400 missile system, arguing that it was in America's national security interest. We strongly encourage you to grant a CAATSA waiver to India for its planned purchase of the S-400 Triumf surface-to-air missile system. In cases where granting a waiver would advance the national security interests of the US, this waiver authority, as written into the law by Congress, allows the President additional discretion in applying sanctions, they wrote in a letter to Biden. Both Warner, Chairman of the Senate Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, and Cornyn, Senate Minority Whip for the Grand Old Party (GOP), are co-chairs of the powerful Senate India caucus, the only country-specific caucus in the US Senate. Talking about his visit to India, Senator Tommy Tuberville said, I was heartened that Prime Minister Modi not only committed the continuing support of our Freedom of Navigation Operations but that India will increase them. Tuberville is a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee. Visited the Philippines, Guam, Taiwan, and India. Purpose: listen to our allies and see firsthand the threat China poses to its neighbours, free trade, and democracy. We also discussed the region's response to Covid, he had said. Check out DH's latest videos: Maharashtra is expected to see a spike in hospitalisation of Covid-19 patients this month-end or in the first week of February, according to the state health department. The state cabinet expressed concern after the health department made this projection during a presentation before it on Wednesday, a statement issued by the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) said. The daily requirement of medical oxygen in the state has witnessed a rise, it said, adding that the present demand is 400 metric tonnes. "If the oxygen demand rises to 700 metric tonnes, then stricter curbs will be required. Considering this fact, the district administrations should expedite vaccination and take necessary steps," Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray said during the meeting. Also Read | With 2.47 lakh new infections, India sees record surge in Covid-19 cases Along with the urban centres, rural parts of the state are also affected by Covid-19, he said. "Fully vaccinated Covid-19 patients don't require medical oxygen. But, people need to be vigilant as the UK and the US are witnessing a strain on their health infrastructure," the CM said. The state on Wednesday recorded 46,723 fresh coronavirus cases, a jump of 12,299 infections from a day ago, and 32 fresh fatalities. The new cases included 86 Omicron infections. Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope on Wednesday cautioned that the coronavirus curve in the state is not flattening despite a dip in the number of daily Covid-19 cases in the last couple of days. There is a silver lining that out of the 2.25 lakh active cases, only 14 per cent are under hospitalisation, he told reporters. Tope said he doesn't expect the situation to stabilise by January-end or by early February, and urged those who have not undergone vaccination to take jabs, besides masking-up by all. Check out DH's latest videos The Supreme Court has done well to appoint an independent team under a retired judge of the court, Justice Indu Malhotra, to investigate the security lapse that occurred when Prime Minister Narendra Modi was stranded on a road flyover in Punjab for about 18 minutes on January 5. The Prime Minister was on a visit to Ferozepur when the incident happened, and he cancelled his programme after the blockade. The court acted promptly on a petition that sought its intervention in the matter. There was a breach of security and it was necessary to understand how it happened and who were responsible for it. But the incident was immediately politicised by both the central government and the BJP on one side and the state government and the Congress on the other. The Prime Minister suggested that there was a threat to his life, and there was a chain of charges and counter-charges from both sides. Read more: Retd Justice Indu Malhotra to head panel probing PM Modi's security breach in Punjab The politics around the incident created a situation where it would be difficult to understand what exactly happened if there was no independent probe. Both the Punjab government and the Centre announced their own investigations. It is clear that these would only have been used to endorse their respective versions and to justify their political positions, without throwing much light on the matter. The central government issued notices to some state government officials even before its investigation started. The court asked the Centre what remained for it to do if the government wanted to take disciplinary action against state officers. The team also had as a member an official of the Special Protection Group (SPG) whose role itself had to be investigated. The Punjab government had also decided that none of its officials was at fault before its investigation was even announced. In this situation, there probably was no option for the court other than to order its own probe. The court ordered the seizure of all records and communications pertaining to the incident by the Registrar General of the Punjab and Haryana High Court and set up its own four-member investigation team. It has also stopped the central and state governments from going ahead with their investigations. The committees brief is to find out the causes of the breach of security, fix responsibility for it, and to suggest measures to ensure that such incidents do not happen again. The committee has been told to submit its confidential report at the earliest, and hopefully, it will be made public. But it is unfortunate that the highest court has had to expend its time and attention on a matter that should have been addressed without politics and partisanship by the Executive. Within less than 48 hours of the announcement of the state assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh, the state's chief minister Yogi Adityanath claimed that the electoral contest will be "80 per cent vs 20 per cent". This statement was made at an event live-telecast after the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) was already in force. According to the 2011 Census, the population of Hindus in UP is 79.73 per cent, and that of Muslims is 19.26 per cent. Although Adityanath has not taken the name of any religious community, the dog-whistling is clear. Retired civil servant Sanjeev Gupta, formerly secretary to the Inter-State Council, pointed this out on Twitter: "Brazen! The very first point of the Model Code of Conduct of @ECISVEEP is being flagrantly flouted. I've dealt with quite a few violations of MCC during my career, but this one is appalling beyond words. I'm also shocked by equally weird responses. https://eci.gov.in/mcc/." The first guideline of the Model Code of Conduct says: "No party or candidate shall include in any activity which may aggravate existing differences or create mutual hatred or cause tension between different castes and communities, religious or linguistic." Yet surprisingly, none of the Opposition parties has taken Adityanath to the Election Commission of India (ECI) nor reacted aggressively to his statements. While Congress leader Digvijaya Singh urged the ECI to "wake up and show some spine", Priyanka Gandhi appealed to the youth of UP to ignore the "80 vs 20" remark of Adityanath, which she said was a fraudulent way of diverting attention from issues like youth unemployment and education. The Samajwadi Party (SP), the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and the Aam Adami Party (AAP) have also remained silent on Adityanath's statement. What does this say about the campaign of the non-BJP parties? One take would be that the non-BJP parties have gone soft in opposing communalism. They also did not object to the stereotyping of Muslims as criminals in election posters released by the BJP, where rioters were depicted wearing the chequered kafiyeh scarf considered synonymous with Islamic identity. No mainstream parties criticised the lynching of a man accused of 'sacrilege' by a crowd of Sikh devotees in Punjab. The Ram Temple at Ayodhya has become something of a test case for authenticating one's Hindu beliefs. Akhilesh Yadav of SP visited the shrine claiming that "Ram belongs to SP as much as anyone else" and pointed out that it was his party's government that had planted Parijat trees (Night Jasmine) along the Ayodhya Parikrama. AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal built a replica of the temple for his government's Diwali celebrations in Delhi, then visited Ayodhya and added it to the itinerary of the Delhi chief minister's Free Pilgrimage Programme. Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi of the Congress also hailed Lord Ram in their tweets on the day of the temple's groundbreaking ceremony. Rahul Gandhi's sermons on Hindu versus Hindutva also, in effect, lay claim to Hinduism. However, it may simply be that, like the coronavirus, Hindutva has mutated and is on its way to becoming endemic in India's political discourse. If this is what has happened, then in the medium to the long run, the communal advantage of the BJP might erode. However, right now, Yogi Adityanath seeking reelection in UP needs communal rhetoric to dominate the campaign discourse. UP has been ranked the worst governed big state of India on several indices. Although Adityanath's campaign is projecting UP as Uttam Pradesh, the Public Affairs Index has ranked it the worst big state in terms of equity and rates its performance near the bottom on meeting sustainable development goals (SDGs) on gender equality, good health and well-being, and reducing inequality. The state ranks last in terms of dowry deaths, ten times the national average (2,410 in UP as compared to the national average of 240 per 10 lakh population in 2019), the rate of crime against Scheduled Castes and Tribes is 63.6 per cent, infant mortality is 64 per cent, stunting of children is at 46.3 per cent, wasting in children at 17.9 per cent and nearly 40 per cent children under five years of age are underweight. In addition, UP is in the top 10-most-dangerous states for women, with rape cases doubling in the state from 2009 to 2019 based on official statistics from the National Crime Records Bureau. Reinforcing the appalling images from the second wave of the Covid pandemic, the Niti Aayog's Health Index confirms UP as the worst performing state of India. The communal campaign, however, highlights other 'achievements' such as building the Ram Temple at Ayodhya, inaugurating the Kashi temple corridor, bulldozing properties (mostly) of Muslim mafia dons, and the state police's record of killing criminals (predominantly from the minority community) in 'encounters'. The Opposition parties would gain little by complaining to the ECI, which, if its record is anything to go by, is unlikely to provide any relief to them. They seem to have realised that there is no easy way of campaigning against communalism per se. Perhaps they have decided to tactically side-step the communal propaganda and refuse to campaign on the BJP's terms. Ignoring the communal rhetoric can deny the BJP the advantage it seeks to hijack the election campaign. Perhaps this is what Priyanka Gandhi wants to do by urging the youth to focus on public issues like employment and education instead of the communal divide. It might be an intelligent way of dealing with the UP election. (The writer is a journalist based in Delhi) Disclaimer: The views expressed above are the author's own. They do not necessarily reflect the views of DH. Check out the latest DH videos here: Recently, the gruesome murder of a young woman by her husband in Delhi for dowry sent shock waves throughout the country. The 38-year-old husband, an assistant professor at Delhi University, felt cheated after a cheque of 5 lakh, given to him by his wifes family as a wedding gift, bounced. The fact that a teacher, who is supposed to be a role model for his students, chose to go for dowry should be a wake-up call for all of us. The pathology of greed has infected our society. Some time ago in Kerala, a man killed his wife with a cobra for dowry, again. During his marriage, he got a spanking new car, property, Rs 10 lakh of cash and 100 sovereigns of gold. But that was not enough. He and his family craved for more. Little wonder, sons and daughters-in-law are treated as investments for financial gain. The law may catch up with the perpetrators of these crimes; but can we bring those two innocent women back to life? The very institution of marriage seems to be on shaky ground. We may ask, why, despite so much technological and scientific advancement, our society continues to indulge in such barbaric and regressive practices like dowry that kill helpless and vulnerable women every year? Women in our society deserve dignity and self-respect just like men. Despite the introduction of the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961, nothing much seems to have changed on the ground over the past few decades. There have been only a few instances of women opting for divorce because of dowry. The most shocking aspect is that many parents, in order to avoid social embarrassment and save the marriage of their daughters from falling apart, give in to the grooms dowry demands. They fail to muster the courage to seek legal assistance for their daughters for the fear of antagonising the groom. It may not be an exaggeration to say that at the heart of this deep-rooted social malaise lies a disrespectful attitude towards women. No marriage can survive if it is predicated on greed and self-interest. Women continue to remain at the receiving end of a toxic culture that promotes violence and misogyny. This can be attributed to the excessive importance our society puts on the birth of a boy. The birth of a girl is rarely a matter of celebration in the family. A husband does not have the right or authority to physically or mentally harass his wife for dowry or to treat her with contempt and condescension. Mahatma Gandhi believed that the male will to power was driven by a fantasy of the female other as a regressive being someone to be controlled and dominated. The Napoleonic Code that women ought to stay at home and procreate finds resonance even in our society beneath its veneer of modernity. Simone de Beauvoir once said, One is not born, but rather becomes a woman. By this, she meant that a woman is shaped by her upbringing. A woman is not born passive, but all the forces in the external world have conspired to make her so. Parents must stop telling their daughters that marriage is their ultimate destiny. Whenever during a marriage negotiation, the grooms parents demand dowry, the girl must immediately refuse to marry into that family. This is real womens empowerment. A groom who respects a woman can also make a difference by refusing to marry when his parents demand dowry. So, the male mindset needs to change now. As long as the greedy, shameless and selfish grooms use marriage as their passport to wealth, and the malleable parents of brides keep succumbing to the dictates of the grooms' families, the dowry issue will keep rearing its ugly head from time to time. (The writer is a senior journalist based in Delhi) Watch the latest DH videos: With the Congress holding a 'padayatra demanding early implementation of the Mekedatu project, the water dispute between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu (TN) has come to the fore once again. The long-pending demand from Karnataka to set up a balancing reservoir at Mekedatu across the Cauvery river costing Rs 9,000 crore, near Kanakapura in Ramanagara district, has now turned into a political slugfest between the Congress and the BJP. Karnataka says that it has the right to take up the project as the decision of the Cauvery Water Dispute Tribunal (CWDT) in 2007, modified by the Supreme Court in 2018, didnt prohibit the state from constructing any project within its territory as long as Karnataka ensured the release of 177.25 tmcft (thousand million cubic feet) of water in a normal water year at the inter-state border Biligundlu. The state also cited Clause XXI of the CWDT award which recommended taking up hydro projects on the common reach of the river through the National Hydro Power Corporation. But this clause doesnt apply since Mekedatu is above the common reach of the river. However, the right to construct or operate is subject to the granting of Environmental clearances and the decision of the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA). CWMA consists of all riparian states. Read more: DH Deciphers | Mekedatu project: What is it and where does it stand now? Karnataka has been pressing the central government for early approval of its Detailed Project Report (DPR), submitted in 2019, which aims to provide drinking water to Ramanagara and Kanakapura regions besides setting up a 400-MW hydropower plant. Though the CWMA, in its agenda for meetings, mentioned the Mekedatu project thrice in the last eight months, the discussion could not be taken up due to the lack of consensus between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. Indeed, Union Water Resources Minister Gajendra Shekhawat, in his written reply in Parliament, said the project required approval from the CWMA. Since the project was proposed across an inter-state river, it required approval of lower riparian states too (Kerala and Puducherry), as per the inter-state Water Dispute Act. "The same has been told to Karnataka, the Union minister had said. He had pointed out that as per the CWDT and the final award (modified by the Supreme Court), acceptance of CWMA would be a pre-requisite for consideration of the DPR by the Ministry. Karnataka had submitted a Feasibility Report (FR) for the Mekedatu project in 2018 to the Central Water Commission (CWC) seeking "in-principle" clearance for preparation of DPR. The Screening Committee of CWC accorded clearance for the same, with certain conditions, in October 2018. Subsequently, Karnataka submitted the DPR to the CWC in January 2019; it was then referred to the CWMA for consideration. The Union Ministry of Environment and Forests has declined to frame the terms of reference for clearance of the project on the ground that the inter-state issue has not been sorted out. Getting consensus is not an easy task in the CWMA. Normally, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry stand together in opposing the project; Kerala's stand remains uncertain. When it comes to voting in the CWMA meetings, getting a majority on the Karnataka side is a tough task, says an official in the Jal Shakti Ministry. TNs apprehension Tamil Nadu apprehends that Karnataka, by building the Mekedatu project, may deny to it its share of water. At present, there are three petitions pending before the Supreme Court one filed by Karnataka seeking rights on 91 tmc surplus water generated on its side of the river basin; second, a petition filed by TN opposing Mekedatu project; and, third by TN against the order by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) Principal Bench which stayed the NGT's Southern Bench's order to send an expert committee to Mekedatu to find and inspect construction activities started by Karnataka. Read more: Karnataka govt issues order banning Cong's Mekedatu march Officials at the Jal Shakti Ministry say the Centre has a limited role at this juncture as the matter is pending before the Supreme Court. Though the Centre did place Karnataka's DPR in the CWMA, it faced opposition from TN and Puducherry, said one official. Even if the Supreme Court and the Centre approved the project, getting environmental clearances is another challenge as it is estimated that around 5,051 hectares of forest land, mostly falling under the Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary, will be submerged. Another option before Karnataka is to file an original suit in the Supreme Court seeking a declaration that the state has the right to build the Mekedatu project it will not cause any harm to TN. Since the original suit will give an opportunity to Karnataka to argue in length and put forth expert evidence, the state can explore this after getting a consensus among all political parties. If the SC rejects this plea, the state can again approach the Apex Court seeking to set up another Tribunal as it did in the Krishna water dispute to decide the status of the surplus water, says a legal expert. Interestingly, though there is a long history of all political parties presenting a united picture to protect the interest of Karnataka when it came to land and water issue, for the first time perhaps, the political parties are talking in different voices on the inter-state water dispute. Political consensus is always important on issues like water as it is an emotional matter for every state. Opposition parties say the BJP government did not convene any all-party meeting to discuss Mekedatu so far, unlike the other Cauvery matters. In a way, the Karnataka politics is showing signs of going the Tamil Nadu way in the manner politics was played out until recently, where bitter rivals DMK and AIADMK never agreed with each other on the Cauvery (or for that matter, on any other issue). The Congress march to Bengaluru might help generate awareness to claim the state's rights over the Cauvery water to some extent, but it has definitely and unfortunately created a division among the political parties as well as the public on an important issue. The unveiling of Divya Kashi-Bhavya Kashi recently by the Prime Minister was a grand spectacle. The plan to transform one of the most ancient cities of the world from a dirty and congested urban space into a modern city while retaining its essential traditional features is noteworthy. The Kashi Vishwanath Dham project, costing Rs 900 crore, includes a corridor to ease the traffic movement across the city, cleaning up of the temple surroundings, restoration of ghats and creating a link between the temple and the ghats, an emporium, a museum, mural paintings and more. While questions can be raised about mixing religion and politics and the propriety of a Prime Minister participating in religious ceremonies under public gaze, the fact remains that the renewed look of ancient Varanasi has thrilled the hearts of many Hindus, who believe that a visit to Kashi would lead them to moksha. It has also evoked a grudging admiration from people of other religions. This is not surprising as an overwhelming majority of the people in India are religious by nature. A survey of religion and attitudes towards religion, conducted by the US-based Pew Research between late 2019 and 2020, found that irrespective of faiths, Indians are a deeply conservative people from food habits to marriage and religious beliefs. Only 3% of the general population does not believe in God, and interestingly, while only 2% of Hindus are non-believers, among Muslims, this figure is 6%. Read more: Kashi corridor: Highway of faith or narrow lane of communal politics? This brings me to the question, why not use religion as a unifying force to foster values common to all religions, such as love, compassion, charity and a spirit of service? This may sound impractical at a time when we are witnessing increasing intolerance, hate speech and polarising tendencies. Actually, those who indulge in these divisive tactics -- a section of self-seeking politicians, religious leaders and some mischievous elements, are a small minority, while the vast majority of all communities desire peace and harmony. Another interesting finding of the Pew Research survey is that 91% of those surveyed felt that they are free to practise their religion and over 80% said that respecting all religions is important to being truly Indian and an important part of their religious identity. So, it is the tiny, vocal minority we need to counter, and religion in its true spirit offers the best antidote against religion or politics aimed at fostering conflicts. Not an easy task, but here are my suggestions. Government must replicate the idea of the Kashi project in other parts of India, for two reasons. First, it is a well-conceived project and efficiently executed within the scheduled time, acting as a trend-setter for the renewal of other cities, particularly the temple towns. Secondly, it can restore confidence among people who regard Modi and the ruling party as biased towards northern India and in promoting only Hindutva. The States role must, however, be restricted to creating infrastructure and tourist facilities, leaving the task of temple improvement to temple authorities. And there would be nothing better than starting from the South, and making Hampi in Karnataka the Kashi of the South. Hampi houses the temple of Virupaksha, a form of Lord Shiva, and was the capital of the magnificent Vijayanagar Empire which reached the pinnacle of its glory under the renowned king Krishnadevaraya in the 16th century. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, spread over a vast area with several pretty structures reflecting the grandeur of the Vijayanagar empire and attracting a large number of visitors, but it lacks infrastructure and tourist facilities. Hampi is waiting for a makeover on the lines of Varanasi, but with its own unique features. There are several other temples in the South and other regions crying for attention. Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu, home to the temple of Ramanathaswamy where Rama is said to have worshipped on his way back from Sri Lanka. The temple has the longest set of corridors in the world and is a sight to behold; the Jagannath temple in Puri, with its unique wooden idols of the trio of deities -- Krishna in the form of Lord Jagannatha, and his brother Balabhadra and sister Subhadra, attracting huge crowds, especially during the annual Rath Yatra. It is also home to the Govardhan Peetha, established by Sankaracharya; Tirumala, the abode of Lord Venkateswara atop a hill in Andhra Pradesh at the foothills of Tirupati, the richest temple in India, drawing the largest number of pilgrims almost every day. All such temple towns need a complete makeover not only because of their religious significance but in view of their contribution to the economy and society. The full potential of the temple economy in India is yet to be exploited. The Prime Minister, who swears by the ideal of sabka sath sabka vikas, must translate it into practice by including shrines of all faiths in his revival plan. To begin with, on the lines of Char Dham, create a Panch Dham, an inter-religious pentagon, connecting the Catholic church of Velankanni in Tamil Nadu in the South, the shrine of Sai Baba at Shirdi near Pune in the West, the Sharif Dargah, a tomb of Sufi saint Moinuddin Chisti at Ajmer in Rajasthan, the Sikh holy place of Amritsar in the North and the Buddhist sacred town of Sarnath in the East. All of them attract people of different faiths and stand as models of inter-religious unity. Finally, organisations engaged in the promotion of moral and spiritual values as well as in service to society and which carry credibilities, such as the Ramakrishna Mission, Chinmaya Mission, Siddaganga Math, Mother Teresas Missionaries of Charity and similar organisations of different denominations, must be involved in curbing communalism and casteism, and promoting inter-faith unity and social harmony. People in India have greater faith in religious leaders than in politicians or any other tribe, and are likely to be influenced by what they say. As Swami Vivekananda eloquently said, Holiness, purity and charity are not the exclusive possession of any church in the world, and every system has produced men and women of the most exalted character. More than an anti-conversion law, what we need today is a conversion of hearts to following ones own beliefs while respecting those of others, be they believers, atheists or agnostics. (The writer is a former Chief Secretary, Government of Karnataka) Elected representatives, politicians, doctors, employees of various organisations and students tested positive for Covid-19 in different parts of the state on Wednesday. Hubballi-Dharwad East MLA Prasad Abbayya and Gauribidanur MLA in Chikkaballapur district N H Shivashankar Reddy, both from the Congress, have contracted the virus. While Reddy participated in the Mekedatu foot march on Day One on January 9, Abbayya recently attended a series of events. Chikkaballapur district unit Congress president K N Keshav Reddy, who also attended the padayatra, tested positive. About 18 persons, including two doctors of Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML) Medical Centre in KGF in Kolar district tested positive. Barring the outpatient department, all other departments have been shut. The BEMLs 30 staffers also tested positive. Five students and a teacher of the Government High School at Chinniga in Mudigere taluk in Chikkamagaluru district were found to be suffering from Covid-19. The school was shut following the development. During the routine check-up of 181 students, five students and a teacher were found to have contracted with the infection. About 73 students from 22 schools, 56 students of Pre-University colleges and 30 teachers tested positive in Hassan district. These educational institutions were closed as a precautionary measure. Transport Minister B Sriramulu, Bellary MLA Somashekhar Reddy, both from the BJP and former minister G Janardhan Reddy and their large number of supporters reportedly violated Covid-19 protocol during the birthday celebration of the mining baron. The 55th birthday celebrations were held at Kanaka Durgamma temple on Tuesday. After his release from the prison in an illegal mining case, Reddy appeared in public for the first time in Ballari. Many attended the event without wearing masks. There was no physical distance. The rule of entry of 50 persons at a time was also reportedly violated. It is alleged that the district administration and the Muzrai Department did not act despite violations. A defiant and determined Congress wants to go head with its Mekedatu foot march regardless of the government banning the campaign in the wake of rising Covid-19 cases. The padayatra will continue, Bangalore Rural MP DK Suresh told reporters. The police are trying to stop people from reaching the march. Its wrong for the government to stop a protest like this, he said. Also Read | Mekedatu: A rift among Karnatakas parties where there was unity before Leader of the Opposition Siddaramaiah said he has convened a meeting of party legislators to decide on the foot march. Why didnt the government issue an order all these days, he asked rhetorically. Meanwhile, the police have registered a fourth FIR naming 30 Congress leaders for defying Covid-19 norms. Check out the latest DH videos here: Academy of General Education, Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Manipal Education and Medical Group (MEMG) and Manipal Media Network Ltd, will honour eminent personalities from different fields for their distinguished services during the 'New Year Award 2022' function. Dr Suresh S Rao, Medical Director, Sanjeevani Hospital, Mumbai; Bhaskar Bhat, Director TATA Sons Pvt Ltd, Bengaluru; Dr Pragna Rao, Pro Vice Chancellor, MAHE, Bengaluru campus and Gopal Acharya Thirthahalli, renowned Yakshagana artiste from Kergal, Kundapura, will be presented the award during a ceremony scheduled on January 14, in Manipal. The award is being given every year to eminent personalities from different fields for their distinguished services and immense contributions to society. The award ceremony will be broadcast live on YouTube - https://youtu.be/p8mtSPMP7Xw Dr Ranjan R Pai, Registrar, Academy of General Education and Chairman, MEMG, Bengaluru; Dr H S Ballal, Pro-Chancellor, MAHE and President - Academy of General Education; Lt Gen (D.) M D Venkatesh, Vice Chancellor, MAHE; and T Sathish U Pai, Managing Director, Manipal Media Network Ltd and Vice President, Academy of General Education will grace the occasion. Raising objection for any plan to impose lockdown to contain the spread of Covid-19, the Karnatak Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCCI) has opined that weekend curfew can be imposed only in those districts where Covid numbers are high. "Businessmen have incurred a lot of loss due to lockdown-like restrictions in last two years, and many lost their jobs also. When there is not much hospitalisation during this wave of Covid, imposing lockdown is not correct, unless inevitable. Precautions to contain the infection like imposing penalties can be taken up intensively," said KCCI President Vinay Javali. Also Read | Covid-19 cases in Mumbai, Delhi likely to peak by next week He stated on Thursday that the government has been asked why only street vendors are allowed to do business during weekend curfew and not other merchants adhering to Covid-appropriate behaviour. The KCCI would invite economists to speak on the impact of pandemic on the economy and the future. The KCCI would also continue the legal fight against a hike in property tax rate and would object to the proposed hike in power tariff, he added. Check out the latest videos from DH: Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading. Derry, NH (03038) Today Mostly cloudy. Periods of light rain this morning. High 58F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 80%.. Tonight Cloudy skies early, then off and on rain showers overnight. Low around 45F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%. Former British Labour Party leader, Jeremy Corbyn, is to visit Derry at the end of the month as a guest of Creggan Enterprises. Mr. Corbyn will carry out a number of key engagements at Rath Mor, and in Derry and Donegal. He will meet with local residents and community groups at the launch of Creggan Enterprises' 30th Anniversary Exhibition at Rath Mor, take part in a public discussion with Eamonn McCann at the Hive Studies (at Rath Mor) on Friday, January 28 and he will deliver a keynote lecture at the Guildhall on 29th January, to mark the 50th anniversary of Bloody Sunday. A recipient of both the Gandhi Peace Prize (2013), and the Sean MacBride Prize (2017), Mr. Corbyn has been the MP for Islington North since 1983. Conal McFeely, of Creggan Enterprises, said he was delighted Mr. Corbyn had accepted the invitation to visit Rath Mor and to be hosted by Creggan Enterprises throughout his visit to the North West. He said: Jeremy Corbyn has been a lifelong campaigner for social justice and workers' rights, and an ardent supporter of co-operatives and social enterprise. Throughout his illustrious career he has demonstrated a commitment to Civil Rights as a champion of truth and justice. We believe he will receive a very warm welcome from the people of Creggan, Derry and Donegal. All events will be Covid compliant and numbers will be limited. For more information, contact: info@rathmor.com The Galaxy S20 FE was one of Samsung's better-selling phones of 2020. It brought with it the promise of a flagship smartphone experience, but at a more affordable price than what you'd typically pay for the top-of-the-line Galaxy S series flagships. But despite packing some seriously good cameras, a fun design language and a gorgeous display, the phone did suffer a little when it came to the core hardware. Now at the turn of the year, Samsung launched the Galaxy S21 FE as an upgrade over the Galaxy S20 FE 5G. The new phone follows the same script as the fan edition phone from last year but crucially improves in key departments, including design and core hardware. We've had the Galaxy S21 FE with us for a few days, giving us the chance to examine it in-depth and give a verdict on if the phone is worth your money. Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G review: Design Let's get to the interesting bit first. The design. So, the moment you lay your hands on the Galaxy S21 FE you'll notice some interesting things. The first among them is just how the phone has obvious design similarities with the Galaxy S20 FE. There's the use of plastic at the back with the frame on both the phones created using metal. Both also feature curved corners and a central punch-hole camera at the top of the display. But, there are plenty of differences as well. Because of the presence of a slightly smaller display and thinner bezels on the S21 FE, the phone looks and feels more compact in the hand when compared to the Galaxy S20 FE. It is also a little lighter at 177 grams compared to the S20 FE which weighs in at 190g. The Galaxy S21 FE also has a redesigned camera module which is more in line with the one found on the other S21 series phones. The one on the Galaxy S20 FE has a camera island that protrudes like the Galaxy S20 series phones. All these elements combine to make the S21 FE a very interesting-looking phone, in my opinion, one that will appeal to a large audience. Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G review: Display At the front of the phone, we have a 6.4-inch display with no fancy curves on it. This is a flat display that offers support for up to FHD+ resolution. The flat panel is accompanied by very little in terms of bezels and houses a centre-aligned punch-hole for the selfie camera. As you'd expect from Samsung, the AMOLED panel used on the device is quite feature-rich and is capable of fast refresh rates. While there is no support for adaptive refresh rates, it does offer support for working at either 60Hz or 120Hz. And as we found during our review, it also does not disappoint in performance. It offers deep blacks and punchy colours, making it great for watching movies or consuming multimedia content on the device. In our Calman display tests, the Galaxy S21 FE performed well, clocking up an average DeltaE of 2.6 in both the sRGB and DCI-P3 colour space. However, in both the max DeltaE was a little on the higher side. Calman testing of the display also showed a very good contrast ratio and decent RGB balance as well. Samsung's also done a good job tuning the display to have no visible colour biases running in the natural colour profile. This is something that the Calman testing also showed, with the panel throwing up a very good average correlated colour temperature of 6513. Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G: Performance In India, the Galaxy S21 FE 5G is powered by the Exynos 2100 SoC. This is a chip built using the 5nm process. On the phone, this chip has been paired with 8GB of LDRR5 memory and up to 256GB of UFS3.1 storage. Because the phone runs on Samsung's One UI 4, we also get support for the company's RAM Plus feature which extends the RAM by another 4GB. This is a pretty powerful combination, even if not the most powerful for the start of 2022. In benchmarks, this combination serves the phone well, with the S21 FE 5G racking up high scores in tests such as AnTuTu, Geekbench and 3D Mark WildLife. Interestingly, not only were these benchmarks scores higher than what the similarly specced Galaxy S21 Ultra achieved, but surprisingly also better than what some Snapdragon 888-based phones such as the OnePlus 9 managed to get in our tests. The only benchmark where the Galaxy S21 FE 5G did not perform too well was the CPU Throttling Test. Here, we found the chipset being dramatically throttled after the 15-minute mark of the test, leading us to believe the phone possibly has issues with handling thermals. In real-world scenarios, these numbers translated into smooth performance in day-to-day tasks while running apps of daily use such as Twitter, Facebook and even when browsing the internet through apps like Chrome. Gaming performance too was pretty good, with Gamebench showing the Galaxy S21 FE can handle resource-intensive games such as Asphalt 9 Legends and Call of Duty 5 with relative ease. However, it must be noted the performance in games was not as stable as what we have previously seen on competing devices like the OnePlus 9 running last years flagship Snapdragon chipset. Samsung Galaxy S21 FE: Cameras When it comes to optics, the Galaxy S21 FE does not offer anything new in the camera department. This is because Samsung has equipped the device with a triple rear camera setup that features a 12MP primary lens with support for OIS sat next to another 12MP ultra-wide camera. Completing the camera set-up is an 8MP telephoto lens with 3X optical zoom. All three lenses throw up some really good results, with the primary lens churning out good shots in the daytime when the camera is fed with a good amount of natural light. Living up to our expectations, the lens captured detailed shots with rich and accurate colours. These shots offer good dynamic range and even more improved results with HDR on. The ultra-wide lens is also good, with clicking shots with plenty of details in them. However, there is some fish-eye effect in the images captured using this lens. The telephoto lens is our least favourite lens of the set-up. But, that's not a consequence of the poor performance of the lens. Rather, it's because of just how little usability telephoto lenses offer in general. The lens does offer serviceable details at 3x optical zoom. However, the quality of the images takes a hit once you zoom in further digitally. Apart from these, the S21 FE's camera app and supporting computational photography algorithms ensure the phone performs well in low light conditions. With the primary lens, we clicked some really good shots that packed in a lot of detail and very little noise to ruin the frame. Apart from these, the phone also brings modes such as Single Take and Live Focus. The latter is the phone's portrait mode which clicks some really nice shots with good depth effect in them. The mode works almost equally well in both daytime and low light conditions. However, in the latter, the level of detail and accuracy of the blur along the edges of the subject goes for a toss a little. For selfies, the phone comes with a 32MP lens that captures accurate skin tones and skin details in well-lit situations. The low light performance of the lens, however, is something that leaves a little to be desired. Galaxy S21 FE review: Battery For battery, the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE comes with a 4,500mAh battery pack -- much like the Galaxy S20 FE 5G. This pack manages to ensure the phone lasts over a day on moderate use and also gets you through the day even if subjected to heavy usage. When the phone runs out of charge, the device can be topped up using a 25W charger in about an hour and a half. Honestly, for a phone in 2022, this just doesn't cut it anymore as much more affordable devices are now offering even 120W fast charging promising a complete charge in less than 20 minutes. But the S21 FE does have a few other tricks up its sleeve. The phone also comes with support for wireless charging. However, the speeds here are slightly slower, topping up at 15W. Galaxy S21 FE 5G review: Verdict With all the gyan out of the way, let's get to the all-important question. Is the Galaxy S21 FE worth buying? For me, the answer would be a yes. The Galaxy S21 FE is a good deal if you're looking to buy a new phone that not only works like a truly high-end device but also looks and feels as such. It flaunts a killer display, offers good performance, and also comes with the promise of clicking good photos in a variety of conditions. The only catch here is its price. At Rs 54,999, the Galaxy S21 FE is actually not badly priced. But could the pricing have been better? Maybe, yes. Considering the fiercely fought segment the phone comes in, Samsung could have done the S21 FE 5G a favour by launching the phone with a much more aggressive price tag. It would have not only helped the S21 FE 5G compete better with phones from the likes of OnePlus, iQOO and Xiaomi but also helped it look like a no-brainer in front of the Galaxy S20 FE 5g which despite offering a similar camera and overall performance, is retailing at a much more aggressive price point. Subscriber content preview SEATTLE An industrial property at 811 S. Massachusetts St. sold for a little under $15 million, according to King County records. The seller was Qwest, which had owned the property for decades. . . . Subscriber content preview SEATTLE The Kenmark, at 2718-2720 14th Ave. S., sold for $5.2 million, according to King County records. The seller was ECPC LLC III, which acquired the property in 2000 for about $1.1 million. . . . A symbolic handing-over ceremony was organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration & International Tradeon Wednesday January 12 2022, to officially receive the donation by the United States Government of 203,580 doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. Minister of Foreign Affairs Alan Ganoo, Minister of Health and Wellness Kailesh Jagutpal and U.S. Embassy Chargee dAffaires Judes E. DeBaere gave remarks at the event. The 203,580 doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine arrived at the Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam airport on December 16, 2021. This U.S.-Government donation of Covid-19 vaccines to Mauritius was made through coordinated efforts among the United States government, COVAX, and the African Union. During that same week, the U.S. Government also donated 39,780 doses of the Pfizer- BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine to Seychelles. So far, the U.S. Government has made three donations of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines to Mauritius. A first consignment of the vaccine was delivered in September, and a second consignment arrived on November 15. In total Mauritius has received 387,270 doses of PfizerBioNTech COVID-19 vaccines as donations from the U.S. Government. The vaccine donation is part of the Biden Administrations commitment to leading an international and coordinated vaccine effort to end the COVID-19 pandemic. Safe and effective vaccines are the best way to control this pandemic, and this is why the United States has promised to serve as an arsenal of vaccines for the world. The U.S. Government has successfully donated more than 302 million COVID-19 vaccines to more than 110 countries world-wide. The U.S. Government is proud to support Mauritian authorities vaccination efforts and help protect the population of Mauritius. Chargee dAffaires Judes E. DeBaere said, The time is now to take advantage of these vaccines to protect yourself, your family and those in your community. These donations reflect our commitment to working together to defeat COVID-19 and mitigate its devastating social and economic impacts. Partager et informez vous aussi...... 0 shares Share Tweet LinkedIn Articles similaires Harrisonburg, VA (22801) Today Scattered clouds with the possibility of an isolated thunderstorm developing this afternoon. High near 80F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 30%.. Tonight Scattered thunderstorms during the evening. Cloudy skies after midnight. Low 59F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%. Hundreds of people gathered in Galway city centre on Thursday night for a vigil in memory of Ashling Murphy. Ms Murphy, a 23-year-old primary school teacher in Tullamore, was killed on Wednesday afternoon along the banks of the Grand Canal at Cappincur in Co Offaly. A 40-year-old man has been arrested and is still being questioned. A number of vigils will take place in cities and towns in the Republic and Northern Ireland to remember the teacher over the coming days. Organisers said that hundreds of people gathered in Eyre Square in Galway city centre. Several speakers addressed the crowd during the vigil, at which a moment of silence was held. Musicians also played Irish traditional music in memory of Ms Murphy, a talented musician. Roisin Nic Lochlainn, the president of NUI Galway Students Union and one of the organisers of the vigil, told PA news agency that they wanted to send a message of solidarity. I think women across the country today are just feeling all of the emotions. Its a mix of rage and sadness and anger and despair as well, she said. Ireland has failed women for centuries. Were all just thinking the same thing when is it going to end? How many other women is it going to take for something to actually happen? We know that Ashling would have taken that precaution to go in daytime and in a busy place. We know that because its what almost every single woman does. The Womens Council of Ireland is organising a vigil for Ms Murphy outside Leinster House from 4pm on Friday, to coincide with the time she was attacked. The group said the vigil is being held to remember Ms Murphy and to support all who knew and loved her. Women must be safe in our homes and our communities. Join us and call for an end to mens violence against women, they said. People have been asked to bring flowers or candles. A minutes silence will held in memory of Ms Murphy. Events will also be held in Tullamore, Galway, Nenagh, Limerick, Cork, Derry and Belfast. Floral tributes and messages have been left close to the scene, with one describing her as a wonderful teacher, friend and exemplary role model. ADA [ndash] Memorials services for Clifford Brent Hall, 63, of Ada are 10:00 A.M. Thursday, May 5, 2022 at Trinity Baptist Church, Doug Brewer will officiate. Mr. Hall passed away Monday, April 25, 2022 at a local nursing home surrounded by family. He was born August 8, 1958 in Shawnee, OK t Louth Fianna Fail senator, Erin McGreehan, has today welcomed the publication of the Birth Information and Tracing Bill 2022. The legislation aims to provide a full and clear right of access to birth certificates, birth and early life information for all persons who were adopted, boarded out, the subject of an illegal birth registration or who otherwise have questions in relation to their origins. The Bills requirement for an information session where a parent has expressed a no-contact preference now no longer needs to be a physical meeting; the revised bill makes provision for this to take place by means of a short phone call or video call if desired. The legislation also addresses the issues facing people who are the subject of an illegal birth registration. The Bill will provide a legal mechanism for provision of an accurate birth registration to affected individuals, while remaining mindful of their current identity. Speaking on the published Bill, Senator McGreehan said: As a committee member I contributed to the report which made 83 recommendations to the Minister on this legislation. It is an area of legislation I have worked closely with the Minister on throughout the pre-legislative process. Its reassuring to see the work done by the Committee is being listened to - access is of the utmost importance and the ability for all to trace their identity hugely important. The Louth Senator added: "For decades in this country, adopted people have been failed in being denied clear access to their identity information. With this bill, we are restoring to adopted people the information that so many of us take for granted as part of our own, personal stories. The Bill ends Irelands outlier status in terms of having legislation that provides access to information about ones origins. While the legislation aims to help those with questions on their origins, it also provides important services relating to contact and sharing of information. I hope that these other services will be valuable, not only to adopted persons, but also to mothers seeking contact with, or information on, their adopted child, as well as other family members, she concluded. Please allow ads as they help fund our trusted local news content. Kindly add us to your ad blocker whitelist. If you want further access to Ireland's best local journalism, consider contributing and/or subscribing to our free daily Newsletter . Support our mission and join our community now. Journalists and filmmakers from around the world invited to send their best stories focused on the global south; Womens solutions reporting award sponsored by the EIB ; Awards now open for entries until 10 February 2022. For the second year, the European Investment Bank (EIB) is partnering with One World Media (https://bit.ly/3tfTGK5) to celebrate the best underreported stories from around the world. One World Media is an NGO dedicated to supporting accurate and creative reporting of development issues that break through stereotypes, change the narrative and connect people across cultures. The EIB is sponsoring an award designed to celebrate excellence in media coverage of stories featuring solutions by and for women to the current challenges (https://bit.ly/3K5kXF6). This award is open to media, including broadcast, digital, audio, film or print, that explores womens solutions in the global south: solutions that address the impact of climate change and protect the environment, solutions that increase access to education and health care, or solutions that empower women. One World Medias patron, Jon Snow of Channel 4, said: Since 1988, the One World Media Awards have recognised more than 1000 journalists and filmmakers, setting the standard for international reporting. These are some of the greatest storytellers of our generation helping us to understand the issues and solutions of the world around us. Thomas Ostros (https://bit.ly/3zNz790), EIB Vice-President having gender equality in his oversight, added: At the EIB, through our investment, we aim at tackling deep-rooted gender inequalities, while strengthening the resilience and adaptive capacity of women and girls worldwide. Our participation in the 2X Challenge (https://bit.ly/31O0ByH) and our SheInvest (https://bit.ly/33ua66R) initiative have shown us that investing in women can help solve the climate and economic crisis. We need more stories showing the way. EIB Secretary General Marjut Falkstedt, (https://bit.ly/3qjGlyt) who will be one of the judges of the Womens solutions award said: I am extremely proud to be backing this award for excellent media coverage of womens solutions. We need stories showing replicable examples of initiatives, small or big, that can help society to tackle challenges such as climate change and the current pandemic. I truly believe that women are leading the way and I hope this award will contribute to share their good ideas and inspire us all. The One World Media Awards (https://bit.ly/3K5kXF6) are now open for entries until the 10th of February 2022 and the award campaign will last until June 2022, providing a platform to share stories about womens solutions. Stay tuned for news of the awards. Partager et informez vous aussi...... 0 shares Share Tweet LinkedIn Articles similaires Thomas Nosal wears a hat over his helmet following his daily bicycle commute to his job as a civil engineer, Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022, in Portland, Maine. Parts of the Northeast are expected to have a wind chill of minus 40 degrees Fahrenheit. How to Clip Click and hold your mouse button on the page to select the area you wish to save or print. You can click and drag the clipping box to move it or click and drag in the bottom right corner to resize it. When you're happy with your selection, click the checkmark icon next to the clipping area to continue. Claremont, NH (03743) Today Overcast. High 63F. Winds light and variable.. Tonight Rain showers early will evolve into a more steady rain overnight. Low 46F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 70%. Abundant Graces, one of the areas few remaining religious stores, is closing at the end of March, ending a 20-year run that its co-owner said began with inspiration from God and is ending the same way. Im going to be 73 in a month or so and I was praying for years, Show us how were going to end this, said Terri OConnell, who runs the Bethlehem Township store with business partner Laura Smith. Are we going to go forever, until 90? Advertisement Gods answer, she said, was the pending expiration of the lease on the Easton Avenue store, where OConnell and Smith have provided customers individuals and several area churches with books, rosaries, jewelry, statues, vestments, music, communion wafers and scores of other items. The building owners plan to update and sell the building. OConnell and Smith didnt want to relocate. Advertisement Id like to retire, OConnell said, and not have the pressure of a small business. That pressure had only been growing. OConnell said the stores best years were probably 2009 and 2010, but business has declined every year since. Thats been the case across the brick-and-mortar Christian retail industry. It is victim to the same market forces that have killed so many other small businesses giant national chains and online shopping. Abundant Graces, a 20-year-old Catholic store on Easton Avenue in Bethlehem Township, is closing at the end of March. Co-owner Terri O'Connell said the lease on the store is expiring and she wants to take on new ventures. The closure will leave the area with very few religious stores; the Christian retail industry has been in steep decline for years. (Amy Shortell / The Morning Call) One of the most popular Christian shops in the Valley was Hackmans, which closed in 2018. At the time, the owner of the 70-year-old business, Joe Hackman, said he had struggled for years against the encroachment of internet shopping and a deepening secularization of the culture that saw fewer people interested in religious goods. Indeed, Hackmans decision came the year after the 85-year-old Family Christian Stores chain, once the biggest retailer of Christian books and other merchandise, closed all 240 of its stores and became an online retailer. People dont go to church anymore, lamented Joe Hackmans wife, Marcia Hackman, hitting on a phenomenon borne out by study after study the number of Americans identifying with a particular Christian denomination or with organized religion at all has been declining for years. Add to that the COVID-19 pandemic, which has killed many small businesses that operated on a shoestring even when times were good. The industry isnt dead, by any means. Many stores around the country survived 2020 pandemic shutdowns, and 87% of owners surveyed in a 2021 report on Christian retailing predicted a healthy future, according to Christianity Today. Advertisement But the loss of Abundant Graces, along with the shuttering last year of the Holy Infancy gift shop in Bethlehem, will leave few stores in the Lehigh Valley region that cater exclusively to religious clientele people in search of a wider selection of Bibles or other religious literature than typically found at Barnes and Noble or other big chains. Remaining stores in the area include The Way to Emmaus on Chestnut Street in Emmaus, which serves a broad Christian audience but with an emphasis on Catholic books and religious items. Libreria Jesus Pan de Vida in Allentown serves the Spanish-speaking population. And Book Heaven Bible Book store operates at Lehigh Valley Baptist Church in Emmaus. The areas longest-running religious store is the Friendly Book Store in Quakertown, founded 81 years ago by a pastor named Linford Rotenberger. Were still standing, said Jim Roberts, Rotenbergers son-in-law, who took over in 1974. Roberts, 77, said the store is a ministry more than a business and well-insulated from market pressures. The building was paid for long ago. He employs part-time staff and gets additional unpaid help from his children. So he can stay in business and offer shoppers the kind of attention that distinguishes small stores from large. You can sometimes end up spending a half-hour with a person who wants to make a Bible purchase, he said. You really do end up giving, especially over Christmas, this personalized service. Advertisement Business Buzz Daily The daily update for the Lehigh Valley business person. > The biggest hit to his business lately is COVID-related. Many churches have canceled Sunday school and didnt offer summertime vacation Bible schools, so the demand for curriculum materials is down to a trickle, he said. OConnell, who has seen the same COVID decline, holds out hope that someone might buy her inventory and start a new store somewhere else. She thinks a modest-sized operation in the right spot might work. Weve talked to a few people but they dont want to take the plunge, she said. Its a risk, no doubt. OConnell said Marcia Hackman surely hit on something with her lament about the decline in churchgoing. Heck, we used to do a big First Communion business, she said. In the old days the grandparents and parents would come in and buy the kits with the prayer book and the rosary and the scapular. But it was less and less every year. If they do come in, they just want the cheapest rosary and stuff. Advertisement Morning Call reporter Daniel Patrick Sheehan can be reached at 610-820-6598 or dsheehan@mcall.com North Andover, MA (01845) Today Rain showers this morning with some sunshine during the afternoon hours. High 58F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%.. Tonight Considerable cloudiness. Occasional rain showers after midnight. Low 44F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%. A condemned sign is posted at the Bush House Hotel on Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2021, in Quakertown. Due to numerous safety and health violations, the borough deemed it necessary to remove the residents. (Rick Kintzel/Morning Call) Quakertown officials lifted the condemnation order for a controversial boarding house Wednesday, two months after declaring the property unfit for human occupancy and displacing more than 60 low-income, elderly and disabled residents. The boroughs decision came one day after the property investment company that owns the 101-room Bush House Hotel and two adjacent properties filed a petition in Bucks County Court asking a judge to lift the condemnation order issued Nov. 10. Advertisement Attorney Marc Kaplin, who represents MT Estate Realty, said tenants can move back into the building soon, perhaps next week. The sudden condemnation shined a spotlight on the lack of affordable, low-income housing in Quakertown and Bucks County, a problem exacerbated by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and hot housing market that has reduced inventory and driven up rental prices. Advertisement Neither borough officials nor MT Estate Realty owner Tom Skiffington, a Perkasie Realtor and real estate investor, have publicly commented on the West Broad Street propertys status since it was condemned for unsafe and unsanitary conditions, including a building-wide insect infestation so bad it infiltrated and damaged the fire alarm and electrical systems. In a brief statement posted to the boroughs website Wednesday, officials noted that MT Estate Realty had remediated the most significant code violations that led to the condemnation. Those efforts included fumigation of the entire complex, which could not be undertaken while the property was occupied. The borough did not identify other work performed to fix violations outlined in a six-page notice dated Nov. 12 and obtained by the Bucks County Courier Times. Those violations identified improperly maintained fire detection equipment and building fire alarm system that was disconnected to emergency services; rooms with holes in the ceiling from leaking plumbing; a rear stairwell damaged in a 2018 fire considered structurally unsound; and fixtures, wires and outlet boxes left exposed. As always, the borough is committed to the health, safety, and welfare of all the residents and will continue to make sure the Bush House Hotel remains suitable for occupancy, the statement said. It added the borough is not answering additional questions about the situation at this time. Previously, borough officials stated Skiffington had numerous warnings and notices about code violations, but he failed to take significant steps to fix problems, including the extensive damage to the second and third floors as a result of a 2018 fatal fire there. A dozen former residents have said they were living with bug infestations, mold, shoddy electrical service, broken appliances, repeated false fire alarms and lack of maintenance. Most said the poor conditions existed for years, but deteriorated further over the last year. Kaplin confirmed Tuesday that his client completed repairs he described as relatively small things, since the condemnation. The work included fixing electric sockets and floors, things that had nothing to do with the ability to shut down the building, he said. Advertisement He has denied the properties were overrun with insects and he did not respond to questions about how much money the repairs cost. The borough completed its inspections Jan. 4 and found the properties safe to occupy, Kaplin said. MT Estate Realty is alleging the borough had no basis for condemning the property and that borough officials exaggerated and invented violations and failed to investigate allegations before shutting down the buildings, Kaplin said. We have tape of them. They walked in and they didnt investigate anything, Kaplin said Tuesday. The company is challenging the violations before the boroughs Uniform Construction Code Board of Appeals in a series of hearings that started last week and are expected to continue for at least several weeks. If the appeals board finds MT Estate violated building codes, the borough can assess fines against the company. Advertisement In court filings, MT Estate Realty accused borough officials of condemning the properties based on false allegations in an effort to pressure a sale of the property so it can be redeveloped into a use more compatible with ongoing downtown revitalization plans. The company has also alleged in the filing that it has invested more than $750,000 over the past three years in improvements at the property, including upgrading the electrical system. MT Estate Realty contends a search warrant for the hotel was used improperly to also search adjacent Front and Second streets properties and illegally evict those tenants as well as a restaurant tenant there. The company further contends the borough did not perform a search of the property, but only posted a notice of condemnation and forcibly evicted the tenants, damaging property in the process. The court filing alleges the condemnation notice did not include any evidence of code violations. Six days before the building was condemned, Skiffington had listed the hotel and adjacent properties for sale with an asking price of $5.6 million. The listing was pulled the day of the condemnation. Following the mandatory evictions, the Bucks County Opportunity Council and Bucks County YWCA have been working with displaced residents who have been living in hotels for the last two months. Advertisement 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. > Fifty of the original 61 displaced residents remain in hotels, while agencies work to find them permanent housing, said Erin Lukoss, executive director of the BCOC. The Bucks County Emergency Rental Assistance program is covering those rents. Three families have moved into new homes and a few others have resolved their housing situation with family or through their employer, Lukoss said. On Wednesday, agencies were in the process of reaching out to the displaced residents, according to Lukoss. People do not have to go back there if they do not want to, she added. We are working with many on alternate housing plans. Christine Hendricks, 50, and her boyfriend Ron Salamanca, 65, are among the former residents currently staying in a Quakertown motel who are considering where they will go next. The couple live off a combination of Social Security income and what Hendricks earns at a Quakertown gas station where she works. At Bush House, they paid $190 a week for a room with a private bathroom. They have not found any other place they can afford. Advertisement Ron and I have been talking about returning to the Bush, she said on Wednesday. We cant take living in the motel. Gardai investigating the suspected murder of a young woman in Co Offaly say no stone will be left unturned in bringing her killer to justice. Ashling Murphy, a primary school teacher in Durrow National School aged in her 20s, was killed on Wednesday afternoon as she jogged along the banks of the Grand Canal at Cappincur. A 40-year-old man has been arrested and is being detained at Tullamore Garda Station. The normally bustling canal was quiet on Thursday, as the Irish town reacted to the killing of the young woman. Locals have spoken of a sense of devastation, as well as confusion about the randomness of such an attack. Still reeling from what had unfolded hours earlier just metres from his home, local man Tommy Martin told the Irish Examiner that two females who witnessed the attack ran to his door in a distressed state for help at about 4pm yesterday. A young girl I know, she ran in and asked if she could use the phone. She said a girl was being assaulted on the canal line. She and a friend were out jogging. They had seen it happen. They had no phone. She made a call on the landline to the gardai and she left. Im devastated. Im here since 1979 and Ive never seen anything like it. Im gutted. She [Ms Murphy] was doing everything right. Something has to be done regarding assaults on women. My heart goes out [to the family]. I have two daughters myself. It will take a long time to get the confidence back. Ms Murphy, a renowned local fiddle player described as "beautiful, kind and very talented", was killed on Fionas Way, a stretch of canal named after another murdered young woman, Fiona Pender, who disappeared more than 25 years ago. Flowers were left at a Garda checkpoint after the primary school teachers death (Dominic McGrath/PA) Garda Superintendent Eamonn Curley told reporters on Thursday: This area here, where the crime occurred, is popular among Tullamore residents and is widely used for recreational purposes. The victim of this crime is Ashling Murphy. Ashling was a schoolteacher in Durrow National School. Our prayers are with Ashlings family at this time and indeed the wider community, her teaching colleagues, and the children she taught who are without their teacher today. Immediately following the discovery of this crime, a full-scale murder investigation was launched. Supt Eamonn Curley said: At this stage, there is no information that the victim and her killer were known to each other. From our enquiries we have carried out, we believe this crime was committed by one male who acted alone. Supt Curley said gardai retain an open mind, appealed to the public for assistance, and asked any witnesses to come forward. Ms Murphy died after being attacked while she was jogging along the canal bank at Cappincur at around 4pm. 'I couldn't sleep last night' Rose Coyle, a pensioner, is a regular walker up and down the canal. She said that the killing was awful. Since the pandemic began, the canal has been a resource and a respite for the local community, she said. You just dont think things like that happen and theres always so many people as well, she said. Declan Harvey, Fianna Fail councillor for the area, said: I want to extend my sympathies to Ashlings father, mother and all her extended family. I am devastated. I couldnt sleep last night thinking of it all because it is a place I go all the time. She went there jogging, she does it regularly. I am lost for words. Mr Harvey said it is a route that he and his family often walk. Tullamore is probably the safest place in the world, and after yesterday people will be nervous to go down to the canal, he added. Its a lovely area and helps clear your head. Its a very popular route that everyone takes. People walk their dogs, people with their kids and prams. Mr Harvey said that Ms Murphy had brought a choir of children from her school to the towns Christmas market. He said women in the town are now nervous, frightened and shocked. Everybody is shocked, he said. Everyone is in bits about it. The entire MIC community is heartbroken and shocked to the core to hear of the tragic and senseless killing of Ashling Murphy who graduated from MIC only three months ago. Our heartfelt sympathy go out to her family, friends, colleagues and pupils. RIP Ashling. Eugene Wall (@President_MIC) January 13, 2022 On Thursday morning, Eugene Wall, president of Mary Immaculate College in Limerick, tweeted that the college community was shocked to the core by the news of the death of the recent graduate. Ray Larkin was among those who arrived early at the scene to pay silent respect to Ms Murphy. He said that the town felt numb. I knew her well and I knew her family very well, he said. Im absolutely devastated. I think the hardest thing I find is I walk this every morning myself. Like others, he said that the canal is a source of pride in the town. He said that nurses in the local hospital often finish a night shift and go for a walk along the canal. Now I feel the fear is gone into the community around here, he said. It is so beautiful round here. Where are these people going to go now? My thoughts tonight are with the family of the young woman killed in a truly shocking crime, with her friends and with her community. Please anyone with information, come forward to An Garda Siochana. The Gardai will investigate this awful crime and ensure justice is done. Helen McEntee TD (@HMcEntee) January 12, 2022 Minister for Justice Helen McEntee tweeted: My thoughts tonight are with the family of the young woman killed in a truly shocking crime, with her friends and with her community. Please, anyone with information, come forward to An Garda Siochana. The Gardai will investigate this awful crime and ensure justice is done. Minister for Further Education Simon Harris said: A young woman, simply out for a run in the afternoon and brutally killed. Thinking of her and her family and community tonight and their unimaginable pain. We must all act to end violence against women. We all have a responsibility. A young woman cant even go for a run along a canal pathway- at four oclock in the middle of the day -only to be attacked & murdered Sincere sympathies to her family. We need to urgently address why we live in a country where this can happen! Josepha Madigan (@josephamadigan) January 12, 2022 The Office of the State Pathologist and the Garda Technical Bureau have been notified, and an incident room has been set up at Tullamore Garda Station. Over 50 gardai are working on the investigation. Gardai are appealing for information, and have asked anyone who was in the Cappincur/Canal walk area of Tullamore before 4pm on Wednesday to make contact with them. Minister of State Josepha Madigan for Special Education and Inclusion said: A young woman cant even go for a run along a canal pathway at four oclock, in the middle of the day only to be attacked and murdered. Sincere sympathies to her family. We need to urgently address why we live in a country where this can happen. -Additional reporting by Press Association. A vast majority of U.S. voters want to ban single-use plastics from national parks. Ocean conservation group Oceana released the results of a poll Thursday that found that 82 percent of registered U.S. voters surveyed would be happy if the National Park Service (NPS) stopped selling and distributing any single-use plastic items. National parks have long held a special place in Americans hearts, and these polling results indicate that Americans, whether Republican or Democrat, want our parks to be unmarred by the pollution caused by single-use plastic, Oceana plastics campaign director Christy Leavitt said in a press release. The results come from an Ipsos poll conducted on behalf of Oceana between November 5 and 9 of 2021. Around 1,005 adults from all 50 states were interviewed online about their thoughts on plastic and national parks, including 839 registered voters. The survey revealed broad appreciation for national parks themselves, with around four in five respondents saying they had visited a park and 83 percent of previous park goers looking forward to another visit. And the respondents also didnt think that these parks should be polluted with plastic, with 83 percent of voters saying that they thought it was important that parks be free of plastic trash and 76 percent saying that plastic has no place in national parks. While U.S. opinions on environmental issues are often divided along party lines, the survey found that both Democrats and Republicans supported keeping plastic out of national parks: 90 percent of Democrats and 73 percent of Republicans would support NPS ending plastic sales. 90 percent of Democrats and 78 percent of Republicans said it was important that parks stay free of plastic trash. 82 percent of Democrats and 72 percent of Republicans said plastic had no place in national parks. The results therefore show broad support for a campaign led by Oceana and more than 300 other environmental organizations to persuade NPS to stop selling single-use plastic at national parks. The groups sent a letter to Interior Secretary Deb Haaland last year asking the parks to end the sale and distribution of plastic beverage bottles, plastic bags, plastic foodware and cutlery and plastic foam products. The Reducing Waste in National Parks Act, introduced by Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) and Rep. Mike Quigley (D-Ill.), would also see such a policy enacted if passed. The National Park Service was created to preserve these natural and historic spaces, and in order to truly uphold that purpose, it needs to ban the sale and distribution of single-use plastic items, many of which will end up polluting our environment for centuries to come despite being used for only a moment, Leavitt said in the press release. Currently, NPS manages nearly 70 million pounds of waste every year. Of course, simply stopping plastic sales at national parks wouldnt keep them plastic free. Microplastics have now infiltrated nearly every ecosystem on the planet, falling down on parks in the U.S. West as rain, according to a 2020 study. The raining plastic did not come from the parks themselves, the study found, but rather travelled from nearby cities and locations across the globe. However, eliminating at least one source of plastic waste would benefit national parks and the environment overall. Plastic production contributes to the climate crisis and disproportionately pollutes low-income communities of color, while only around nine percent of the worlds plastic waste has ever been recycled. One of the easiest ways to ensure visitors leave no trace in our national parks is to stop providing them with additional plastic waste, Leavitt said in the release. Eliminating the sale and distribution of single-use plastic items in national parks is a win-win: It protects the environment from the persistent damage of plastic pollution while appealing to the vast majority of Americans who want to see these treasured places treated with the respect they deserve. BBVA Le Groupe BEI (BEI et FEI) sapprete a accorder a BBVA une garantie de 120 millions dEUR qui permettra a la banque espagnole dacheminer 960 millions dEUR vers leconomie reelle. Cette operation vise a repondre aux besoins de fonds de roulement et de liquidites, et a faciliter lacces au financement a des conditions avantageuses, pour les entreprises admissibles. La garantie couvre la tranche de premiere perte dans le cadre dune structure de titrisation synthetique au titre du Fonds de garantie paneuropeen. Le Groupe Banque europeenne dinvestissement (BEI et FEI) et la BBVA unissent de nouveau leurs forces pour soutenir les besoins en fonds de roulement et de liquidites ainsi que pour repondre aux contraintes dinvestissement des PME espagnoles penalisees par la crise due a la pandemie de COVID-19. A cette fin, la BEI et le FEI garantiront une tranche de rang inferieur dune titrisation synthetique dun montant de 120 millions dEUR dun portefeuille de prets a des PME et a des petites ETI (entreprises de taille intermediaire) constitue par BBVA. Cela permettra a letablissement basque de beneficier de plus de 960 millions dEUR pour appuyer les investissements des petites et moyennes entreprises. La garantie du Groupe BEI debloquera des capitaux supplementaires qui pourront etre utilises par BBVA pour accorder de nouveaux prets aux PME pour un multiple du montant de la garantie, produisant ainsi un impact eleve. Laccord permettra a BBVA de renforcer sa capacite de pret et doctroyer 960 millions dEUR de fonds supplementaires a un moment critique pour leconomie espagnole. Loperation couvre la tranche de premiere perte dune structure de titrisation synthetique au titre du Fonds de garantie paneuropeen (EGF), approuve par le Conseil europeen dans le cadre du train de mesures de 540 milliards dEUR constituant la reponse de lUE aux repercussions economiques de la pandemie de COVID-19. La BEI et BBVA collaborent depuis plus de 30 ans. Sur cette periode, les deux institutions ont signe plus de 140 operations dans 17 pays, fournissant plus de 4,5 milliards dEUR de financements directs aux PME et aux ETI. Ricardo Mourinho Felix, vice-president de la BEI : Depuis 30 ans, BBVA est et demeure une contrepartie essentielle du Groupe BEI. Ensemble, nous continuons a promouvoir de nouvelles initiatives sur le marche espagnol afin daccompagner les objectifs strategiques de lUnion europeenne, en soutenant les besoins de financement des petites et moyennes entreprises, lepine dorsale de leconomie europeenne . Alain Godard, directeur general du FEI : Nous sommes heureux davoir conclu avec BBVA lune des premieres operations de titrisation dans le cadre du Fonds de garantie paneuropeen. Elle montre que BBVA et le Groupe BEI sont determines a aider les petites et moyennes entreprises en Espagne, en particulier dans les periodes difficiles comme celle que nous traversons en ce moment. Onur Genc, PDG de BBVA : Le role des travailleurs independants et des petites et moyennes entreprises est crucial pour leconomie espagnole. Ce nouvel accord avec la BEI nous permet de continuer a uvrer pour les aider a mener a bien leurs projets, en particulier dans le domaine de la durabilite et de la transformation numerique, contribuant ainsi a la relance. Informations generales Le Fonds de garantie paneuropeen (EGF) a ete cree par le Groupe BEI sur la base de contributions de lEspagne et dautres Etats membres de lUE dans le but de proteger les entreprises touchees par la pandemie de COVID-19. Sappuyant sur pres de 25 milliards dEUR de garanties, lEGF permet a la BEI et au FEI de fournir rapidement des prets, des garanties, des fonds propres et dautres instruments financiers, de meme que dintervenir dans des titrisations, afin dappuyer essentiellement des PME et des ETI. LEGF sinscrit dans le cadre des filets de securite de lUnion europeenne visant a mettre a disposition 540 milliards dEUR au total pour stimuler les secteurs de leconomie de lUE les plus durement touches. BBVA est un groupe financier mondial, fonde en 1857, avec un modele daffaires axe sur le client. BBVA beneficie dune solide position de leadership sur le marche espagnol. Cest la plus grande institution financiere du Mexique, et lentreprise possede des franchises de premier plan en Amerique du Sud. En outre, cest le plus grand actionnaire de BBVA Garanti, en Turquie. BBVA a une activite bancaire importante en matiere dinvestissements, doperations et de marches des capitaux aux Etats-Unis. Son but est de mettre a la portee de tous les possibilites de cette nouvelle ere. Cet objectif sarticule autour des besoins reels des clients : fournir les meilleures solutions et les aider a prendre les meilleures decisions financieres, grace a une experience facile et pratique. Lesprit de lentreprise se base sur des valeurs fortes : le client passe en premier, nous voyons grand et nous formons une seule equipe. Son modele de banque responsable vise a creer une societe plus inclusive et durable. Residents in Portland and Upper Mount Bethel Township were told to boil their water after a fire broke out late Wednesday night in the Air Liquide Advanced Materials plant near Route 611. The fire was reported at 11:30 p.m. at Air Liquide on Demi Road in Upper Mount Bethel Township, which is in the Portland Industrial Park. Advertisement A fire broke out late Wednesday, January 12, 2020, at the Air Liquide Advance Materials Plant in Upper Mount Bethel and continued into Thursday morning. (Amy Shortell / The Morning Call) No injuries were reported, but the fire took about four hours to extinguish, according to former Portland Mayor Lance Prator, chair of the Portland Borough Water Authority. The fire scene was cleared about 3 a.m. Thursday, according to a Northampton County emergency management dispatcher. Messages left with fire officials and Air Liquides media relations were not returned. Advertisement Township manager Ed Nelson said the fire originated from a leaking thermocouple, which is an electrical device. Fire officials were still meeting with Air Liquide representatives to determine more on the cause and damage, he said. A woman who answered the telephone at the plant said she did not know who from the company would be authorized to speak about the blaze. At 0012 on 1/13/22 ~ 38 Fire was requested to respond to its third structure fire in as many days. 38-71 and crew... Posted by Hope Volunteer Fire Department - Station 38 Fire on Thursday, January 13, 2022 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. > Tanker trucks were requested from neighboring fire companies, including Warren County, New Jersey, to fight the blaze. Water from the tankers was used to cool burning equipment carrying Disilane, a colorless, extremely flammable gas, to prevent a large explosion and possible large scale incident if other chemicals on site were involved, the Hope Volunteer Fire Department said in a Facebook post. The Portland authority was reporting low water pressure throughout its water system following the fire. Normal pressure was expected by Thursday afternoon, Prator said, but residents and customers were advised to boil their water until further notice. The authority serves 500 residential customers in Portland and Upper Mount Bethel, plus three businesses in the industrial park, he said. Urgent! Notice Attention Residents and customers of the Portland Borough Authority, the Boroughs water system. There is... Posted by Portland Borough Authority on Thursday, January 13, 2022 When the water system is drained, such as from a fire or a main break, a series of water tests must be performed to ensure water quality before the boil advisory can be lifted, according to Prator. That could take days, and the process could be compounded by Monday being a holiday, he said. [ Air Liquide celebrates grand opening of Slate Belt expansion that could create nearly 200 jobs ] Air Liquide materials are used in the production of semiconductor devices and advanced solar cells, enabling among other things computer chips to consume less power yet have higher memory density. The Portland Industrial Park is seen here Thursday, Jan. 12, 2022, in Upper Mount Bethel and continued into Thursday morning. (Amy Shortell / The Morning Call) Air Liquide in October 2018 opened a new facility at the former Formica-Surell plant at 1379 N. Delaware Drive in Upper Mount Bethel, an expansion announced during that summer that was to create 188 high-paying jobs while retaining 80 positions over the next three years. The North Delaware Drive facility is nearly four miles southwest of the Demi Road site of the fire. Advertisement Morning Call reporter Anthony Salamone can be reached at asalamone@mcall.com. Offensive in Europe of the Junts, ERC and Bildu MEPs, following the revelations of former Spanish police commissioner Jose Manuel Villarejo on the intervention of the Spanish National Intelligence Centre (CNI) in the terrorist attacks of August 2017 in Catalonia. In a question to the European Commission, and letters to the Commissioner for Justice, Didier Reynders, and all members of the European Parliament, a group of Catalan and Basque MEPs have denounced that Spanish authorities refuse to investigate the circumstances of the attack that took place in Barcelona on August 17th, 2017 and the role the CNI had in it. Because of this, they ask the European Comission and the European Parliament, as guarantors of the fundamental rights of European citizens, for "a thorough investigation" of Villarejos revelations. The question is signed by Carles Puigdemont, Toni Comin and Clara Ponsati on behalf of Junts; Diana Riba and Jordi Sole on behalf of ERC, and Pernando Barrena on behalf of Bildu. The MEPs explain that former policeman and Secret Service agent Jose Manuel Villarejo declared to the judiciary that the Spanish intelligence services knew the plans for the 2017 terrorist attack but did not intervene in order "to scare Catalonia". It recalls that the attack caused 16 deaths, among them citizens of five EU states, as well as 155 wounded of 39 different nationalities, and that Villarejo's words fit with the press revelations in which "extensive links" between the head of the terrorist cell and the CNI were documented. The text recalls that the Spanish government, the PSOE, the PP and Cs "have repeatedly blocked" a commission of inquiry into the connection between the terrorist cell and the CNI; and also that the Spanish judiciary rejected the request of the victims to investigate these allegations. For all these reasons, the MEPs appeal to the Commission's role as guardian of the treaties that protect human rights in the EU, as well as the rights provided for in the main international human rights instruments and the ECtHR case of law on the right to the truth. Letter to the Commissioner for Justice The MEPs also sent a letter to the Commissioner for Justice, Didier Reynders, asking for an in-depth investigation to clarify whether the serious allegations linking Spanish intelligence and the masterminds behind the attacks are true, and determine on the responsibilities derived from them. They argue this is a duty to the victims, to the citizens and to democracy itself. The same arguments and explanations are presented to all MEPs in the letter they have sent them, in which they also warn of the need to investigate the links between the CNI and its informant and head of the terrorist cell, imam Abdelbaki Es Satty. The MEPs defend the right of the victims to know what happened and, therefore, demand the extent of the CNIs knowledge about the imminence of the attacks. Plans to establish Community Fridge on Island Example of Community Fridge in Scotland / Image: Copyright valenta The Co-op is seeking a local Manx community partner to establish a local community fridge on the Isle of Man. A Community Fridge is a social space that brings people together to eat, connect, learn new skills and reduce food waste. "This is a great opportunity for a local group to increase services to our local community, and to benefit from the leadership and guidance from the UK's leading community fridge network," said Andy Corrie, Area Manager for the Manx Co-operative Society. The successful group will receive 4,000 in direct financial funding, support & training to set up a fridge, and membership to Hubbubs Community Fridge Network which operates community fridges across these Isles. The Community Fridge Network offers free guidance to groups wanting to set up their own community fridge. Local groups who wish to apply must apply by the end of January online here. Mr. Luke Avery Noblitt, 89 of Athens, AL Died Saturday, April 30, 2022 his Residence. He was born June 25, 1932 in Shelbyville, TN to Henry & Ruth Noblitt. He was a Member of Carriger Church of Christ, Retired from Northwest Airlines and a US Army Veteran. Graveside Services will be Mond 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 82F. Winds SW at 10 to 20 mph.. Tonight Variable clouds with scattered thunderstorms. Low 63F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%. WASHINGTON (AP) With Roe v. Wade facing its strongest threat in decades, a new poll finds Democrats increasingly view protecting abortion rights as a high priority for the government. Thirteen percent of Democrats mentioned abortion or reproductive rights as one of the issues they want the federal government to address in 2022, according to a December poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. Thats up from less than 1% of Democrats who named it as a priority for 2021 and 3% who listed it in 2020. Some other issues like the economy, COVID-19, health care and gun control ranked as higher priorities for Democrats in the poll, which allowed respondents to name up to five top issues. But the exponential rise in the percentage citing reproductive rights as a key concern suggests the issue is resonating with Democrats as the Supreme Court considers cases that could lead to dramatic restrictions on abortion access. The public have lots of things that they want to see government addressing, said Jennifer Benz, deputy director of The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. You ask this kind of question in a time of economic turmoil and in the time of a pandemic and all of these other things going on, we might not expect abortion to rise to the top. Related video: An in-depth look at the Florida abortion bill With a 6-3 conservative majority on the Supreme Court, Republicans see this as their best chance in years to overturn Roe v. Wade, the 1973 decision legalizing abortion throughout the United States. In December, the Supreme Court left in place a Texas law that bans most abortions in the state and signaled during arguments that they would uphold a Mississippi law that bans abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy. That decision will be made public in June. Calling the abortion polling numbers stark, Benz noted that conventional wisdom holds that abortion is a motivating issue for Republicans and not for Democrats. Research from the 1980s and 1990s, Benz said, regularly found that opponents of abortion had greater strength of attitudes and considered the issue important to them personally more than pro-choice people. That may be changing. Sam Lau, senior director for advocacy media at the Planned Parenthood Action Fund, believes more Americans are recognizing this moment as a crisis for abortion access. I think what we have seen is absolutely an increase in awareness, an increase in urgency, an increase in the need to fight back, he said. But I still actually think that huge swaths of this population still dont quite believe that the access to abortion and the 50-year precedent that is Roe v. Wade is really hanging in the balance." The court's 1973 decision, reaffirmed in the 1992 ruling in Planned Parenthood v. Casey, allows states to regulate but not ban abortion up to the point of fetal viability, at roughly 24 weeks. If Roe and Casey are overturned in June, abortion would soon become illegal or severely restricted in roughly half the states, according to the Guttmacher Institute, a research organization that supports abortion rights. That's just months ahead of midterm elections that are expected to be challenging for Democrats. Lau thinks people are starting to recognize they simply cannot rely on the courts to protect our rights and our access to essential health care. We are currently pushing for elected officials who are champions of sexual and reproductive health care to be bold and to go on offense and to pass proactive legislation to protect access to abortion, Lau said. I think voters are going to go to the polls and want to vote for candidates who they can trust to protect their health care and their reproductive freedom. Polling shows relatively few Americans want to see Roe overturned. In 2020, AP VoteCast, a survey of the electorate, showed 69% of voters in the presidential election said the Supreme Court should leave the Roe v. Wade decision as is; just 29% said the court should overturn the decision. In general, AP-NORC polling shows a majority of the public favors abortion being legal in most or all cases. Still, Americans have nuanced attitudes on the issue, and many don't think that abortion should be possible after the first trimester or that women should be able to obtain a legal abortion for any reason. For 41-year-old Rachelle Dunn, who knew girls in high school and women in college and her adult life who have needed abortions, it's just health care. Its something that women I have known through my life have needed for different reasons, said Dunn, of Tarentum, Pennsylvania. The government needs to step in because all of these laws are being written and passed, but none of them are for medical reasons. Shes concerned about a domino effect from these Supreme Court cases, adding that she worries about how they will affect her two daughters' futures, as well as her sons. It just seems like, if its been affirmed, repeatedly, why are we still doing this? Dunn said. ___ The AP-NORC poll of 1,089 adults was conducted Dec. 2-7 using a sample drawn from NORCs probability-based AmeriSpeak Panel, which is designed to be representative of the U.S. population. The margin of sampling error for all respondents is plus or minus 4.1 percentage points. Crowdsourcing automaker Local Motors will cease operations this Friday, according to employees, TechCrunch reports. The company has not yet officially announced its imminent demise, though its reactions from its workforce have already appeared on LinkedIn. As with most adventures, they must come to an end, Jeff Hollowell, Local Motors VP of information technology, wrote on Thursday. Local Motors has closed its doors. It has been an exciting, challenging, and educational experience working with Olli and all the team at Local Motors. I was fortunate to work with amazing individuals and help build what others said could not be done! Ive been able to grow as a leader and learn new skills that I now take to my next path forward. Thanks to all the team members and partners that I was able to work with. The time spent was well worth the effort. Local Motors pioneered the idea of crowdsourcing the production of vehicles with 2016's, Olli, a 3D-printed 12-passenger microbus powered by now equally defunct IBM's Watson. It set off a minor arms race among automakers to produce a new class of autonomous EV people movers, however, imparting Level 4 autonomous capabilities has proven exceedingly difficult to date in part due to technological shortcomings in the current generation of sensor and signal processing systems. Of. course, that hasn't dissuaded companies from trying, their efforts having led to a series of high-profile traffic accidents in recent years such as the Navya that wrecked in the opening hours of CES 2017, the Toyota e-Pallette that ran down a paralympian in August, and the solo-vehicle accident in Whitby, Ontario that critically injured a man last December. Local Motors first made a name for itself with the Rally Fighter kit car before it pivoted to developing the Olli. The company had planned to launch a pilot program for the second iteration of its autonomous shuttle, the Olli 2.0, in Toronto last spring, however those plans were subsequently pushed back to February, 2022, and, with Thursday's revelation, will now likely never take place. The long-running lawsuit Apple faced over off-the-clock bag searches of its employees in California is almost over. While its final approval hearing won't take place until July, the tech giant has detailed the terms of the $29.9 million settlement it agreed to and provided claimants (and everyone else) access to documents related to the case on its legal website. The list of documents includes everything from the original class action complaint to notices of the settlement to different types of class members. It also includes information on how to get in contact with the settlement administrator. A group Apple employees sued the company in 2013 for not paying them for the time it took to check their bags during their shifts or when they're leaving for work, which took between five to 20 minutes. They claimed Apple was violating California law by doing so. Apple said bag checks were necessary to ensure workers weren't leaving with stolen goods or trade secrets and tried to argue in court that those who didn't like the policy could simply not bring their bags or their iPhones to work. The company stopped searching employees' bags in 2015. While a district court originally tossed the lawsuit, it went to the California Supreme Court on appeal, wherein the judge sided with the plaintiffs. As previously revealed in a court filing, the lawsuit covers 14,683 workers in 52 Apple Stores in California who were subjected to bag checks from July 25th, 2009 until August 10th, 2015. They'll each get $1,286 from the settlement amount. Facebook, Google, Twitter and Reddit have been subpoenaed by the Congressional select committee investigating the Jan. 6th insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. In a statement, the committee said the companies responses so far have been inadequate. Two key questions for the Select Committee are how the spread of misinformation and violent extremism contributed to the violent attack on our democracy, and what stepsif anysocial media companies took to prevent their platforms from being breeding grounds for radicalizing people to violence, committee chair Bennie Thompson (D-MS) said. Its disappointing that after months of engagement, we still do not have the documents and information necessary to answer those basic questions. The Select Committee is working to get answers for the American people and help ensure nothing like January 6th ever happens again. We cannot allow our important work to be delayed any further. The committee is looking for a range of records related to users activity on Facebook, YouTube, Twitter and Reddit, as well as internal documents about the companies handling of Jan. 6th. As a stipulation of these new subpoenas, all of the companies have been given a deadline of January 27th to turn over documents to the committee. In a letter addressed to Mark Zuckerberg, Thompson addresses Facebooks handling of the Stop the Steal movement that was organized on its platform. An internal memo detailed how Facebook failed to recognize the danger posed by the groups until after the violence on January 6th. The letter also references testimony from whistleblower Frances Haugen, who told Congress last year that Facebook disbanded its civic integrity team after the election. In a letter to Google CEO Sundar Pichai, Thompson says that the select committee believes Alphabet has significant undisclosed information that is critical to its investigation, concerning how Alphabet developed, implemented, and reviewed its content moderation, algorithmic promotion, demonetization, and other policies that may have affected the January 6, 2021 events. He notes that some rioters live streamed the attack on YouTube and that misinformation about the election spreads on the platform to this day. Thompsons letter to recently installed Twitter CEO Parag Agrawal notes that Jack Dorsey testified that Twitter had played a role in the events on January 6th. Twitter has failed to fully comply or even commit to a timeline for complying with the Select Committees request for internal company analyses of misinformation, disinformation, and malinformation relating to the 2020 election, efforts to challenge or overturn the election, and the use of Twitter by domestic violent extremists or foreign malign influences to affect the 2020 election, Thompson writes. For Reddit, the committee seems primarily concerned with the r/The_Donald subreddit, which was banned in June of 2020, as well as r/donaldtrump, which was kicked off the platform on January 8th 2021. The letter notes that the r/The_Donald community migrated to TheDonald.win, where there was a significant amount of online discussion and planning related to the insurrection. A Twitter spokesperson declined to comment on the subpoena. Representatives for Meta, Reddit and Google didn't immediately respond to requests for comment. Update 1/13 7:50pm ET: In a statement, a Google spokesperson said the company is "committed to working with Congress through this process." "We have strict policies prohibiting content that incites violence or undermines trust in elections across YouTube and Google's products, and we enforced these policies in the run-up to January 6 and continue to do so today." Update 1/13 8:22pm ET: "As Chairman Thompson said recently, 'Facebook is working with [the committee] to provide the necessary information we requested,'" a spokesperson for Meta said in a statement. "Since then, Meta has produced documents to the committee on a schedule committee staff requested - and we will continue to do so." Microsoft and Sony are struggling to keep up with demand for the Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5. While Sony plans to keep manufacturing the PlayStation 4 for the time being to make up for its shortfall of current-gen consoles, the Xbox One is no more. We learned in July 2020 that Microsoft had discontinued the Xbox One X and Xbox One S Digital Edition by that point. Now, it has emerged the company quietly stopped making the Xbox One S by the end of that year too. To focus on production of Xbox Series X/S, we stopped production for all Xbox One consoles by the end of 2020, Xboxs senior director of console product marketing Cindy Walker told The Verge. It seems the strategy has paid off. Xbox head Phil Spencer told The New York Times this week that Microsoft has sold more of the Series X and Series S at this point in their lifecycle than it has with any previous Xbox generation, though he didnt reveal actual sales figures. Analyst Daniel Ahmad of Niko Partners said that would put shipments of Series X/S at more than 12 million units. While the more powerful Series X typically sells out minutes after every stock drop (it doesnt help that scalpers are using bots to snap them up), the Series S isnt hard to come by at this point. Its available to buy at the time of writing in the US, UK and Canada at retailers like Amazon, Best Buy, GameStop and Walmart. Given that the Series S can handle pretty much everything the Xbox One can except for playing discs it doesnt make a ton of sense for Microsoft to keep making that console. Its a slightly different story for Sony. Save for the disc drive, theres no difference between the two PS5 models. Given the high demand (Sony had sold 13.4 million units by October 2021) and the ongoing supply chain crisis, its harder for most people to score one of those consoles than a Series S right now. As such, Sony told Bloomberg on Wednesday it will keep making the PS4 (which uses less advanced components than the PS5) in 2022, despite reportedly planning to discontinue the console last year. The company's said to be making around a million PS4 units in this year. Sony previously suggested it would support PS4 through 2024. Several of its first-party exclusives are coming to both the current- and previous-gen consoles this year, including Horizon Forbidden West, Gran Turismo 7 and God of War Ragnarok. By Wu Minwen The US President Joe Biden is nominating Army Lt. Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla, current commander of the Armys 18th Airborne Corps, to be the next commander of US Central Command and promoted him to be four-star general, news came from Associated Press on January 6. Judging from the current situation, this was by no means a simple change of personnel arrangement, but indicated Americas adjustment of its Middle East strategy. The US Central Command is the chief executor of Americas anti-terror war. The joint command organizations of the Gulf War, Afghanistan War and Iraqi War were all based on the US Central Command with its commander also serving as the joint forces commander. However, America was quickly bogged down a quagmire of war after some initial victories in its anti-terror activities. In 2021, the Kabul moment of the hurried withdrawal of American troops from Afghanistan, which was even more embarrassed and shameful than what happened in Saigon, Vietnam many years ago, drew severe criticism to the Biden administration from its allies and domestic oppositions. Even so, Biden, risking enormous political repercussions, completed the troops withdrawal in a show of his firm resolution to drag America out of the Middle East swamp and then turn from counterterrorism to major-country competition. Yet the US troops wont leave the Middle East for good for many reasons. The region is a so-called hub connecting different parts of the Eurasian continent in Americas global hegemony landscape. After it won the Cold War, the US waged the Gulf War, the Afghanistan War and the Iraqi War, all in the Middle East. The wars have done their part in countering terrorism, but they were waged for the most part because the US had to truly put the fruits of the Cold War in its own pocket. The shift of Americas military strategic focus to the Indo-Pacific and the successful development of its shale oil and gas resources have made Middle Easts oil and gas less important, but giving up the region entirely remains unacceptable for Americas global strategy. In the meantime, the anti-terror situation facing the US remains grave. The chaos of war is a hotbed for terrorism. The various armed groups currently active in Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan, including terrorist and quasi-terrorist organizations, would threaten American military bases and embassies with bombs and UAVs from time to time. Facts have proved beyond doubt that the US has ravaged the region with a more-than-20-year war in the name of counterterrorism, only to make the situation even worse. The full withdrawal of American troops now will not only bring a disaster to the regional countries and people, but may even implicate the US itself. Since the US wont pull out all its troops and will keep some kind of military presence in the Middle East, it will need a foothold. At present, it still controls a batch of strategic strongholds and independent and self-sustained military bases in Turkey, Israel, Kuwait, Qatar and Bahrain. Even if Obama, Trump and Biden have all pulled out some troops, there remain about 20,000 troops stationed in those countries and bases. Graduating from West Point, Erik Kurilla served in and commanded the Afghanistan War and Iraqi War, and previously served as Chief of Staff of US Central Command. His experience and capabilities will guarantee him a smooth run at the Congress for the approval of the nomination. Its easy to see that the Pentagons future Middle East strategy will be pulling troops from some less-important areas, consolidating strategic pivots and key bases, and maintaining a regional force with strategic capabilities. Under the command of an experienced commander familiar with the regional situation, the force will, on the one hand, continue carrying out anti-terror operations, deterring regional rivals, and quickly responding to emergencies. On the other hand, it will staunchly support regional allies, counter Russias regional influence, and curb the possible expansion of Iran, so as to protect Americas strategic interests in the Middle East. (The author is from the College of Information and Communication, National University of Defense Technology) Editor's note: This article is originally published on zqb.cyol.com, and is translated from Chinese into English and edited by the China Military Online. The information, ideas or opinions appearing in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of eng.chinamil.com.cn. Allentowns Zion Reformed United Church of Christ, also known as the Liberty Bell Church, pictured Thursday, Jan. 13, 2022, is being put up for sale because of financial struggles and declining membership. (Rick Kintzel/Morning Call) A church in Allentown that is well-known for having hidden the Liberty Bell from the British during the Revolutionary War is being put up for sale. Advertisement Zions Reformed United Church of Christs governing body, called Zions consistory, voted to put the building on Hamilton Street up for sale in November, though it has not yet been listed. A news release from the churchs Rev. Jeffrey Kistler cites declining membership and financial problems related to the pandemic as reasons for the sale. Kistler said that the churchs numbers have dwindled gradually over the last 25 years the church averages just a dozen to 15 attendees on Sundays. Advertisement Thats not sustainable, Kistler said of the low attendance. And that has implications for leadership also [few] willing to go to meetings and come out on a cold, nasty night in the dark and sit around, social distancing with masks. We have a faithful group that will do that, but theres no excess. The news release also says the church may stop meeting for worship before a building sale is finalized. The church is on the National Register of Historic Places and is the oldest church in Allentown. Its one of the crown jewels of Allentown, said Joe Garrera, executive director of the Lehigh Valley Heritage Museum. It is a source of great pride locally, and its also a very important landmark that is known far and wide. Built by German Lutheran and Reformed congregations after outgrowing the log church where they initially worshiped beginning in 1762 the year Allentown was founded the church was the hiding place of the 11 bells that were kept from British troops after the written statement declaring liberty from the crown was first recited. These included the State House Bell, known now as the Liberty Bell. The 11 bells were spirited away from Philadelphia by wagons in September 1777 and taken to Zions Church to be hidden below its floorboards until the British, who many feared would seize and melt the bells to make cannons, left Philadelphia in June 1778. The hiding of the bells was reenacted at the church as part of the nations bicentennial celebration in 1976. The church was significant during the Revolutionary War. Zions Town Bell, now in its foyer, called citizens to gather there July 8, 1776, to hear the Declaration of Independence, first read in Philadelphia four days earlier, for themselves. The church was turned into a hospital for the injured and dying during the war. Although in 1777 the churchs congregation included just 38 members, those members worked alongside medical personnel to tend to the wounded. The church was so full that some members of the congregation took some of the sick and wounded into their own homes. Advertisement The church is home to the separate Liberty Bell Museum, which features a replica of the bell and other exhibits related to the Revolutionary War and colonial America. First Call Daily Leading local stories delivered on weekday mornings > Liberty Bell Museum Director Joshua Knappenberger said the museum hopes to move forward as planned with its 60th anniversary celebrations in September, but its long-term future is unknown. Right now, we just dont know, Knappenberger said. We have faith that God has a purpose for the museum and we will be able to continue. According to Kistler, the churchs highest priority is preserving the Liberty Bell Shrine. The churchs governing body also hopes to maintain the church sanctuary and support a new congregation, or to convert the building into affordable housing or another site for social programs. Receiving the highest financial gain from the sale of the building is not Zions most important goal, the release states. Garrera said hes received half a dozen calls since the church announced the sale. He sees that as a promising sign that Allentonians cherish the site enough to demand it stay intact. Advertisement I believe and I would hope and anticipate that another denomination or some religious entity would buy it and keep it as a house of worship, Garrera said. Morning Call reporter Lindsay Weber can be reached at 610-820-6681 and liweber@mcall.com. The far-right extremist group Oath Keepers may soon face particularly serious repercussions for its actions on top of a string of internet bans. A DC federal grand jury has unsealed seditious conspiracy charges against Oath Keepers founder Stewart Rhodes and 10 other individuals for their alleged roles in the US Capitol breach on January 6th, 2021. Rhodes and followers face accusations they planned to use force to oppose the electoral college vote certification, including the direct attempt to seize the Capitol building as well as through multiple "quick reaction force" teams that planned to deliver guns and other weapons to extremists inside the building. The Oath Keepers' digital savviness played an important role in the charges. The paramilitary group discussed plans with co-conspirators through encrypted messaging apps, social media, text messaging and websites, according to the Justice Department. Federal investigators revealed they'd used Signal messages as part of the case, although it wasn't clear how they'd obtained the discussions CNBC speculated that a participant in group chats leaked the contents to federal agents. Rhodes and Edward Vallejo, who reportedly helped coordinate the quick reaction teams, are the only ones facing charges for the first time. The rest, including prominent members like Donovan Crowl and Jessica Watkins, were already facing indictments. The conspiracy charge carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. The legal action could effectively bring down a group long accused of promoting harm both on- and offline. The Oath Keepers had threatened violence online, prompting a Twitter ban in September 2020, and spread COVID-19 conspiracy theories that sometimes included QAnon-linked hashtags. The group's Capitol incursion, meanwhile, was partly fuelled by online election misinformation promoting unsupported claims of widespread fraud during the 2020 presidential vote. The Oath Keepers already lost much of their online presence in the months before and after the Capitol incident, but the new charges could make it that much harder for the group or its members to maintain that internet representation. This also underscores social media outlets' imperfect attempts to curb violent organizations and the misinformation that fuels them. While more aggressive crackdowns wouldn't have necessarily stopped the 2021 breach, outlets like Facebook have acknowledged they could have done more to curb groups that spread and acted on that misinformation. Nearly four years after Sony released its highly successful A7 III hybrid full-frame mirrorless camera, it finally launched a follow up. The A7 IV brings a raft of new features and improvements like a higher-resolution 33-megapixel sensor, improved video specs and updated AI-powered autofocus. However, at $2,500 its also $500 more than the A7 III was at launch. A lot has changed over the years between the two models. Sony now has to contend with formidable rivals like Canons EOS R6 and the Nikon Z6 II. It itself has also released new high-end models like the A7S III, A7R IV and A1 loaded with the latest technology. Sony A7 IV SCORE 90 Engadget 90 Critics - Not yet scored N/A Users - Not yet scored N/A Pros Excellent image quality 4K 60p 4:2:2 video Incredible autofocus Great handling Cons Rolling shutter Relatively slow shooting speeds High price With all that, I was of course curious to see how the A7 IV would stack up in a category it dominated for quite a few years. How does it measure up against rivals, particularly when it comes to video? How much new tech from the high-end models has made it to the mainstream A7 IV? And is it suitable for professional use? Lets dive in and find out. Design and handling Gallery: Sony A7 IV full-frame mirrorless camera review | 28 Photos /28 Gallery: Sony A7 IV full-frame mirrorless camera review | 28 Photos /28 Sonys A1, A7S III and A7R IV all had substantial body changes compared to their predecessors, and the A7 IV follows the same script. It has the same nice big grip, so you never feel youre going to drop it, even with a big lens. However, it has picked up some heft and size, weighing in at 699 grams compared to 650 with the AIII. Its 7mm thicker, too. It has similar controls to the A7 III, with the biggest difference being that the record button has moved from the back to an easier-to-access position on top. The buttons and dials also generally feel better and more precise, and the joystick is grippier and easier to use. It lacks certain dials compared to the far more expensive A1, like the shooting mode and autofocus dials. The lockable exposure compensation dial is the same, but lacks the graphics because its designed to be programmable. In one way, however, the A7 IVs body is a step up from the A1. The rear touch display can fully articulate and not just tilt out, so its much more practical for low-angle shooting in portrait orientation. That also makes it far more useful as a vlogging camera. It has the same well-organized menu system as the A1 and A7S III, though some controls can be a bit tricky to find. As with any other modern camera then, its time well spent to set up the function menu, custom menus and manual controls to your liking. Overall, though, Sonys menus are now among the best, and better organized than on Canons EOS R6, for example. Steve Dent/Engadget The 3.69-million dot EVF is much clearer than the 2.68-million dot one one on the A7 and on par with similarly priced rivals. However, the rear display is smaller and has lower resolution than the one on the R6. That can make manual focus tricky, though the A7 IV has a new feature that can help there more on that shortly. The A7 IV has a dual-slot card system that supports both SD UHS II and much faster CFexpress Type A cards. However, unlike the slots on the A1 and A7S III, it only has a single dual-slot, with the other being SD UHS II only. Type A CFexpress cards arent quite as fast as regular CFexpress cards, topping out at 800 MB/s compared to 1,700 MB/s. They're also only used in Sony cameras, so theyre relatively hard to find and quite expensive. Other features include a USB-C port that can power the camera during operation, along with a full-sized HDMI port, thank God. It uses Sonys new NP-FZ100 battery that delivers up to 580 shots on a charge, or about 2 hours of 4K video shooting. Finally, the A7 IV can close its mechanical shutter when the camera is turned off, protecting it from dust when you change lenses. Thats a feature that first appeared on the EOS R, so thanks for starting that trend, Canon. Performance Steve Dent/Engadget Sonys mirrorless cameras are renowned for their autofocus speeds and AI smarts and the A7 IV is no exception. However, Sony made some compromises that affect performance. The new 33-megapixel sensor is back-side illuminated but not stacked like the sensor on the A1, so readout speeds are relatively slow. As a result, shooting speeds are 10 fps like the A7 III in either mechanical or electronic shutter modes for compressed RAW photos, and drop to 6 fps if you use lossless or uncompressed RAW, as many photographers prefer to do. Thats still impressive considering the resolution is up nearly 50 percent. By comparison though, the Sony A1 can shoot 50-megapixel photos in electronic mode at up to 30 fps, showing the speed benefits of a stacked sensor. While burst speeds arent improved, you can capture more photos at a time, up to 1,000 in the uncompressed RAW format. If you use CFexpress Type A cards from Sony or ProGrade, you can effectively shoot forever without filling the buffer. Steve Dent/Engadget Another drawback with the A7 IVs slow sensor readout speeds is rolling shutter. If you want to shoot silently in electronic mode, youll need to keep the camera steady and your subject cant move quickly either. Otherwise, youll see slanted lines and other artifacts that can be bad enough to ruin shots. Using the crop mode helps a lot, but then you lose the benefits of a full-frame sensor. The A7 IV is Sonys most advanced camera yet when it comes to autofocus. All of Sonys new AI tricks add up to make it the easiest to use and most reliable camera Ive ever tested in that regard. Unlike the A7 III, face, eye and body tracking works in all focus modes for animals, birds and people. Unless you turn it off, itll automatically pick up your subjects eyes, face or body and track them even if they turn or disappear from frame. Whether youre tracking sports, birds or cars, the tracking spot will stay tenaciously locked to your subject in most situations. All you have to do is touch the subject you want to track and the camera will take it from there. Steve Dent/Engadget The A7 IVs autofocus can easily keep up with the cameras burst speeds for sports or bird shooting. But more importantly, the A7 IV consistently nails focus in other tricky situations, particularly with people. In some chaotic situations with lots of subjects and complex lighting, I ended up with very few unusable shots. Keep in mind that optimum focus performance requires Sonys latest lenses, but it worked well with recent Sigma models as well. Focus is just one part of the equation. It consistently nailed auto-exposure and auto white balance in tricky situations with a mix of lighting. That worked well in a bar with a mix of studio and practical lights, or in front of the famous Paris department store animated windows with all kinds of colors of lights. In-body stabilization improves a half stop over the A7 III to 5.5 stops with compatible lenses, but neither comes close to Canons claimed 8 stops on the EOS R6. Thats somewhat balanced out by Sonys superior high ISO performance, however. I was still able to get reasonably sharp shots down to a half second with some care. Photo Quality Gallery: Sony A7 IV review sample images | 54 Photos /54 Gallery: Sony A7 IV review sample images | 54 Photos /54 A big improvement with the A7 IV is with image quality. Youd expect more sharpness with the extra resolution, and it certainly delivers that. However, you might also think that the smaller pixels would make A7 IV worse in low light, but nope. In fact, through much of its ISO range, the A7 IV performs better even than Sonys low-light champ, the A7S III. Images are clean and usable in most low-light situations right up to ISO 12,800, with plenty of detail even in underexposed shots. In fact, the A7 IV has the least noise Ive ever seen in that ISO range. Correctly exposed photos are usable up to ISO 25,600, but noise becomes a serious issue after that. Sony has improved its color science with every new camera lately, and the A7 IV has perhaps its best setup yet. The green cast weve seen on earlier models is gone and colors are accurate right out of the camera and easier to balance in post than ever before. JPEGs look great straight out of the camera with a nice balance between detail and noise reduction. The 14-bit RAW images deliver up to 13 stops of dynamic range, giving you plenty of room to lift shadows and claw back highlights. Overall, Sonys A7 IV delivers perhaps the best images of any of its cameras, with a great balance between detail, high ISO performance and color accuracy. Nigerians can now access Twitter again without having to use VPNs or having to fear repercussions for doing so. The Nigerian government has lifted the ban on Twitter on January 13th, 2022, over seven months after it ordered telecom providers in the country to block the social network. According to CNN, Reuters and The Financial Times, Nigeria has decided to lift the ban after Twitter agreed to open a local office. Twitter also had to agree to meet other conditions set by the government, including "managing prohibited publication in line with Nigerian law." The social network has to pay domestic taxes, as well, and to appoint a representative in the country who'll be in charge of engaging with local authorities. If you'll recall, Nigeria originally suspended Twitter in June 2021 after the website removed a tweet made by President Muhammadu Buhari who used the platform to threaten citizens following attacks on government buildings. Back then, Twitter explained that the post violated its abuse policy. Nigerian authorities shot back by accusing Twitter of allowing its platform to be used "for activities that are capable of undermining Nigeria's corporate existence." They also warned citizens that they would prosecute those who tried to circumvent the suspension by using VPNs and similar tools. Bloomberg reported back in October that Nigeria was already set to lift the ban, so long as Twitter is used in the country for "business and positive engagements," but it clearly took a few more months for the agreement to be finalized. Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, director general of Nigeria's National Information Technology Development Agency, said 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." The social network has also apparently agreed to work with the country's government "to develop a Code of Conduct in line with global best practices, applicable in almost all developed countries." Enid, OK (73701) Today Mostly cloudy early, then sunshine for the afternoon. High near 65F. Winds NNE at 10 to 20 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies this evening will give way to occasional showers overnight. Low 48F. Winds E at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 50%. Rallies were held on Monday (10 January) in 35 cities across Europe and the United States over fears that Bosnian Serb moves towards secession could trigger conflict. Demonstrators demanded an end to Bosnia and Herzegovinas biggest political and security crisis since the 1990s, as Bosnian Serbs threaten to secede and fears grow about a slide towards a renewed civil war. The protests were spurred by Bosnian Serb leader Milorad Dodiks moves towards secession when the parliament of Republika Srpska (RS) passed last month a series of laws enabling the entity to form its own parastatal institutions and its own army by May. In the latest development, RSs administrative centre Banja Luka on Sunday held celebrations commemorating the 9 January 1992 when some members of the then Socialist Republic of BiH Parliament illegally declared the Serb Republic of BiH. The BiH Constitutional Court had declared this holiday unconstitutional, saying it offends the sentiments of Croats and Bosniaks. Many Bosnians are alarmed as the Bosnian Serb army committed war crimes against the non-Serb population during the war in Bosnia with the aim of achieving a Greater Serbia. Dodiks moves, which High Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina Christian Schmidt said were tantamount to secession, violate the Dayton Peace Agreement signed in December 1995 that divided the country into two entities a Serb-led Republika Srpska entity and a Bosniak-Croat dominated federation. The secession of Republika Srpska would be a reward to the Serbs for ethnic cleansing and genocide against Bosniaks. Many fear the country is slipping back into divisions and conflicts, warned the Netherlands-based Platform BIH, the umbrella group that is organizing the protests. [Protesters] want to send a simple message to world officials that divisions and conflicts must not happen again. They want the EU and the USA to act in time, preventively, not reactively like in the 1990s, it said. Doing nothing is exactly what the international community was doing then and what the international community is doing right now, said Alma Mustafic, one of the protesters in Brussels, whose father perished in the Srebrenica massacre of 1995. Should the situation in Bosnia deteriorate further, the EU has at its disposal a wide toolbox, including imposing sanctions and reconsidering aid, the blocs spokesperson said on Monday (10 January). Some EU member states, spearheaded by the Netherlands and Germany, are calling for sanctions against Serb leader Milorad Dodik, while the US already adopted new sanctions against the secessionist politician last week. On Monday, the EUs diplomatic arm, the EEAS, came out condemning the statements and celebrations in RS. Such rhetoric and actions have further heightened the tensions among communities throughout the country and are further escalating the ongoing political crisis, the statement reads. They jeopardise the stability and prosperity of the country, and are in complete contradiction with its EU perspective, which can only be based on a single, united and sovereign Bosnia and Herzegovina, it adds. Serbias Prime Minister Ana Brnabi? and Russian ambassador Igor Kalbukhov also attended the RS events. The EEAS statement said that the EU also regrets the support brought by other partners to such demonstrations, which threaten regional stability and affect good neighborly relations. It is early November and Syed, a young Bangladeshi migrant, is disembarking from the deck of an NGO ship that docked in the port of Messina a few hours earlier. You can barely tell his face from the crowd: over 800 migrants, taken aboard in five consecutive rescues in the Libyan search and rescue zone almost a week before, disembark with him. Its the latest leg of a harrowing journey, possibly not the last one for many of them. Until then, Syeds experience with migration has been far from linear. He has been lured to Libya through an intricate network of professional smugglers, leaving from Sirajgani by bus to reach Kolkata in India, then embarking to a flight to New Delhi, changing to another plane headed to Dubai, only to then change again, Cairo-bound. From Egypt, he was smuggled into Libya with the promise of decent work. Instead, he was kidnapped, beaten, held for ransom. Once freed, he attempted to reach Europe three times only to be intercepted and brought back. Finally, at the fourth attempt in eight months, he made it to Italy. As we enter 2022, irregular flows through the Central Mediterranean are on the rise again. Together with Syed, around 65,000 migrants have made it safely to Italy; another 31,000 were intercepted by the Libyan Coast Guard and brought back. In 2019 they had been only 11,000 and 9,000, respectively. We are still far from the 150,000-200,000 that attempted the same journey each year in 2014-16, but with each passing month we are inching closer and closer. The pandemic has played a role in this. For one, it has worsened economic and socio-political prospects in origin and transit countries. In Tunisia, for example, border closures and the collapse of air traffic have struck a serious blow to a country whose economy is heavily dependent on tourism, which accounts for 8% of its GDP and employs close to 10% of its national workforce. At the same time, the pandemic has regionalized migration, forcing migrants towards shorter, but even more dangerous routes. Since March 2020, over 35,000 migrants tried to enter Spain through the Canary Islands, departing directly from West African countries by boat, instead of heading to Morocco and taking the much safer (but longer) Western Mediterranean route. Nowadays, arrivals at the Canary Islands are nearing the levels seen only once previously, during the so-called crisis de los cayucos in 2006. In response to rising irregular arrivals, EU countries continue to forget that irregular migration is not an abstract concept, but is made of men (and women, and children) like Syed. People whose journey is much less predictable, and much less deterrable, than governments wished. This is why in 2021 EU governments have continued to tighten policies at Mediterranean borders, deploying more and more drones to monitor the high seas, or using sound cannons that can direct blasts of up to 160 decibels towards irregular migrants. Expect this to continue into the new year, and more to come. Despite all pointing to the fact that deterrence alone will not make irregular flows across the Mediterranean disappear, 2022 will be a year of very few policy changes. A new German government will have to test the waters before proceeding on controversial dossiers such as migration, while political dynamics in France with presidential elections this April have already persuaded Macron to condemn migrant smuggling while tightening national asylum legislation. Such repressive policies are not just bound to fail in the mid-term, but send a short-term message to difficult partners along Europes borders, in the Mediterranean and elsewhere: just a few thousand irregular arrivals are enough to make nerves flare, and end political careers. 2021 has proven that some governments will go to great lengths to leverage this comparative advantage, even organizing full-fledged charter planes in order to generate a migratory crisis where none is there in the first place. As the Belarus-Poland border crisis subsides, expect other countries to leverage available migrants to punish the EU for unwelcome actions, or to suggest that negotiations are in order. Remember: before Belarus, Morocco was first off the marks this year, reportedly allowing 9,000 migrants towards the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, which some believe was intended to punish Madrid for its decision to admit the leader of the Polisario Front to a Spanish hospital to be treated for Covid-19. Along with rising flows, and high political pressures, the Mediterranean is also becoming increasingly more deadly. Much has been written about the 27 migrants that have died in the English Channel this November. But the number pales if compared to the at least 1,655 migrants that lost their lives attempting the perilous journey across the Mediterranean Sea in 2021. And yet, even rising deaths do not act as a deterrent for even more migrants willing to reach Europe. In the face of all this, legal alternatives to reach Europe have been shrinking. In 2020, the pandemic brought the number of new residence permits to stay in the EU down by 24%, equivalent to a whopping 800,000 migrants. It is only inevitable that these persons will be looking for other ways to enter EU countries, and some of them will resort to irregular means to do so. And while the European Commission is painfully aware of the problem, and has proposed the idea of Talent Partnerships between countries of origin and destination in June 2021, the proposal has been met with a tepid reception by most European capitals. With 2022 fast approaching, no EU government appears to be properly planning for the present and future of irregular migration across the Mediterranean, even as flows have been trending upwards for over a year. The New Pact on Migration and Asylum is languishing in a dusty drawer. For lack of viable alternatives, stronger border enforcement and a wider externalization of border management are the two practices to which governments continue to fall back to. The trend is set to continue, and third countries are watching. Amid small glimmers of hope, unfortunately, in borders across the Mediterranean migration remains a tool for political gain, rather than a means for development. Borders To Watch in 2022: The Mediterranean Commentary by Matteo Villa Italian Institute for International Political Studies / ISPI. The Commentary can be downloaded here - 2022 comes with exciting news for multi-licensed broker CAPEX.com, operated in Europe by Key Way Investments Ltd. - Andreas Lambrou's appointment as CFO is making headlines in the trading industry. NICOSIA, Cyprus, Jan. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The new CFO plans to improve, innovate, and expand the CAPEX.com business model. He has over 12 years of experience in the financial industry, having worked as an executive for several well-established brands in the sector. Mr. Lambrou has an extensive background in setting up Finance teams in multiple jurisdictions and working with banking institutions and payment providers worldwide. "With his vast expertise, Andreas will help develop our financial strategies for 2022 and beyond, contributing to our growth through enhanced finance procedures, cost optimization, and significant revenue increase. "I am confident we will have a long and productive collaboration, and I wish him a warm welcome as a new member of our team." Wasim Zayed, Executive Director at Key Way Investments Ltd. Before joining CAPEX.com, Andreas Lambrou worked as Group Head of Accounting and Finance for one of the largest retail groups in Cyprus, as well as Executive Director for companies licensed by DFSA in Dubai and FSC in Mauritius. He is also experienced in corporate reporting for publicly listed businesses. 2022 looking ahead During the past year, CAPEX.com has continued reshaping the way people trade by launching their proprietary X-branded line of services StoX, QuantX, and ThematiX. The recent product launches align with Mr. Lambrou's personal and professional objectives. "My goal is to make an impact, professionally and personally. Business-wise, I am happy to join CAPEX.com," he stated. The new CFO expressed his enthusiasm about the company's plans. This includes Direct Market Access, through which clients will be able to trade their favorite assets on the physical market without the need for intermediaries. About CAPEX.com CAPEX.com is a leading global trading platform providing users with expert insights, tools, and resources to make markets accessible worldwide. Its professional trading platforms, robust technological infrastructure, and transparent trading conditions have propelled it as one of the most respectable brokers on the international stage. Anchored by a global presence and regional expertise, CAPEX.com holds operating licenses from CySEC, ADGM FSRA, FSA, and FSCA. Visit www.capex.com and follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram for more details and insights. RW: 69.57% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1725195/CAPEX_CFO.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1534723/CAPEX_Logo.jpg In a bid to strengthen its leadership presence in India, HyperX, the gaming peripherals team at HP Inc. and brand leader in gaming & esports, has signed the countrys most successful Esports player Ankit Panth as its first Indian brand ambassador. Panth's appointment is in line with HyperXs vision of Were All Gamers As long as you keep the passion toward gaming and really enjoy every second when playing games, you are a gamer and Were All Gamers. Commenting on the appointment, HyperX said, Being a reliable brand for gaming peripherals, we are strenuously working to engage gaming community in India and its a bolster to have a great talent to represent the brand locally. We have been watching and admiring his gaming talent for quite a while and are thrilled to have Ankit finally join our ranks. With Ankit Panth onboard as our Indian brand ambassador, were confident that his amazing abilities and creative talents will echo with HyperXs mission and expand the brands reach to more young gamers who share the same passions. Ankit V3nom Panth is the brains behind Indias most successful Esports company, Team Brutality. During his formative gaming career, the Mumbai-based gamer encountered several hurdles that restricted him from making a name for himself. Owing to Ankits never-ending strive for success, dedication, and humble attitude, he was able to break the traditional chains of middle-class society and become a respected Esports player in India. Today, Ankit is the only brand ambassador of Alienware & Intel India and the only Indian gamer to be honored as a Red Bull Athlete for esports Besides his prowess as a professional gamer, Ankit is known for his fantastic DJing skills and fitness. Taking charge as Brand Ambassador of HyperX, Ankit Panth said, Im delighted to collaborate with HyperX that offers quality gaming experience to gamers. The company is now at the cusp of transformation in the gaming industry, and we expect big things from it in the near future. I wish to sync my gaming knowledge with HyperXs vision, accelerating its growth and foothold in the country. In Ankits prolific 10+years of gaming career, his passion and knowledge for gaming have attracted several eyeballs from renowned companies, with many sponsoring his talent, including Intel, Dell, Alienware, Red Bull, and GoPro. Ankit Panths social media presence has also scaled over the years, accounting for 6600+ Facebook likes, 6252 Twitter followers, 115000 YouTube followers, and 64.5K Instagram followers so far. Read more news about (internet advertising India, internet advertising, advertising India, digital advertising India, media advertising India) The number of Americans with Medicare Supplement insurance is expected to grow slightly in 2022 according to the American Association for Medicare Supplement Insurance. "The data and the best minds in the industry look for nominal growth in 2022," states Jesse Slome, director of the Medicare advocacy organization. "We expect the number of policies will total 14.6 million, about 100,000 more than each of the prior two years." In citing data for the prediction, the Association director acknowledged CSG Actuarial, leading experts, for Medicare market analysis. "Clearly the growth trend is stronger for Medicare Advantage (MA) plans," Slome acknowledged. The Association recently reported that some 26 million MA plans would exist in 2022. "It's hard to compete when television broadcast after broadcast features a celebrity spokesperson touting zero-premium Medicare coverage with all these extra no-cost benefits," Slome adds. "I give a lot of credit to the legion of insurance agents who are out there working to educating consumers about the pros and cons of the different Medicare options. Free is not always free." The Association director shared that the number of individuals with Medigap coverage has grown steadily over the past decade. "On 2010 some 9.7 million policies were in force," he notes. "The numbers started to level off around 2018." "There are indeed reasons to consider Medigap and reasons for dedicated insurance agents to offer it to consumers," Slome concludes. "You can counter celebrity spokespeople if you share benefits and meaningful information. That's why we gather and offer relevant data." Medicare insurance statistics can be accessed via the Association's website at www.medicaresupp.org/facts-2022. The American Association for Medicare Supplement Insurance (AAMSI) advocates for the importance of educated planning. AAMSI supports insurance professionals who market Medicare insurance solutions. To access a national online directory listing local Medicare Insurance agents go to www.medicaresupp.org/find-local-agent/. There is no cost to access the directory. A man was arrested Sunday for allegedly sexually assaulting a child at a resort he owns in the Pocono Mountains. Police said Patrick Gremling, 54, assaulted a middle schooler at the Woods Campground in late 2011. The accuser, who is now an adult, reported Gremling to police Friday. Investigators wiretapped a 32-minute phone call between the accuser and Gremling, who reportedly made several admissions and was arrested shortly after. Advertisement The Woods Campground resort opened in Lehighton in 2004 and branded itself an exclusive, clothing-optional and adult-only campground; a safe, secluded getaway. Gremlings accuser said they were brought to the resort in 2011 to help prepare the grounds for winter. The child spent the night in a camper after the work was done. The child described to police the pajamas they wore and the couch they slept on, where the alleged assault took place. Advertisement Gremling had touched the child inappropriately once before at a home in New Jersey in 2009, the accuser told police. He said the same thing both times: Never tell anyone. Representatives from the Woods Campground did not respond to multiple requests for comment. Gremling faces one felony and two misdemeanor charges related to indecent assault and corruption of minors. He was released from the Carbon County Jail Tuesday after posting $50,000 bail. ___ (c)2022 the Pocono Record, Stroudsburg, Pa. Visit the Pocono Record, Stroudsburg, Pa. at http://www.poconorecord.com/ Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. CONTACT: Pamela D. Wilson +1 303-810-1816 Email: Inquiry_For_Pamela@pameladwilson.com Date; January 13, 2022 Denver CO - Caregiving expert Pamela D. Wilson answers questions caregivers ask. Weekly videos on YouTube and Facebook respond to questions about a wide range of caregiving situations, including this week's question, How Do You Die From Alzheimer's? Wilson began creating informational videos for family caregivers in early 2019 on her website and Facebook Channel. As interest from family caregivers grew, she expanded the videos to YouTube and Vimeo. Caregivers communicate and ask Wilson questions on her social media channels and Facebook support group, The Caregiving Trap, named after her book. In addition, Wilson offers telephone and online consultations to support caregivers throughout the United States. According to Wilson, "many caregivers have good intentions but don't realize how needs and time commitments build up when working and trying to care for aging parents or a spouse. Additionally, family culture and expectations add additional pressure to be the perfect caregiver." With time limitations today, caregivers seek information in ways that are easy to access that include video, Livestream caregiver events, and online caregiver webinar courses." Questions Caregivers Ask: How Do You Die From Alzheimer's? This week's video is about the sensitive topic of death from Alzheimer's disease. Death, in general, is not a topic regularly discussed in society. Caregivers of persons with Alzheimer's or dementia often care for many years, not knowing what happens at the end of life. Fear often exists about doing the wrong thing or witnessing a loved one die in pain. In this week's video, Wilson shares her experience as a court-appointed guardian, agent under a power of attorney, and care manager for over twenty years who managed the care of persons with memory loss. She offers easy-to-understand explanations of how memory loss can occur, health issues common in aging adults, and what end of life can look like for persons with Alzheimer's disease. Also discussed is the importance of investigating palliative and hospice care before the need arises. Consumers Facing Healthcare Challenges Need a Voice and a Trusted Advisor Wilson supports family caregivers, groups, and corporations worldwide by offering education for caregivers about managing, planning, and navigating health and aging issues. More about Wilson's online courses for elderly care, individual elder care consultations, caregiver support, webinars, speaking engagements, and brand collaborations are on her website www.pameladwilson.com. Pamela may also be contacted at +1 303-810-1816 or through the contact Me page on her website. # The owners of five dental clinics in San Antonio and Schertz sold the business assets to a Dallas company in 2016 for $3.5 million. But getting buyer KP-SA Management and principal Thang Kido V. Pham to pay has been like pulling teeth, say the sellers companies owned by dentists Scott and Diana Malone of San Antonio. The Malone companies this week sued KP-SA Management and Pham for fraud, conversion the unauthorized taking of property and breach of contract in state District Court in San Antonio. The clinics operate under the name Smiley Dental & Orthodontics. Under terms of the deal, KP-SA paid $300,000 up front and financed the remaining $3.2 million with the Malones. The purchase price was comprised of almost $3.2 million in goodwill, $160,000 in accounts receivable, $100,000 in inventory and $80,000 in fixtures and equipment. KP-SA should have paid almost $3 million by now but has only paid $781,140, the lawsuit alleges. The plaintiffs are seeking more than $3.8 million in damages and interest. On ExpressNews.com: Boy, 7, died after exposure to mold in San Antonio apartment: lawsuit The parties agreement grants the Malone companies an immediate right to foreclose and take possession of the collateral upon a default without going to court, the suit says. In response to demand letters and foreclosure notices, however, Pham threatened to abscond and secret away all collateral so the plaintiffs would never find it, the suit adds. Mr. Pham has consistently made these threats and recently has reiterated that he has no problem with emptying all accounts and hiding all the collateral and equipment of the dental practices, Scott Malone says in a declaration attached to the lawsuit. To stop that from happening, the Malone companies obtained a temporary restraining order that prevents the defendants from distributing any profits or removing furniture and equipment from the practices. It couldnt be determined if Pham or his representatives opposed the request for the order. He couldnt be reached for comment Thursday. Austin attorney John P. Ferguson, who represents the Malone companies, said he could not comment without his clients permission. A hearing to extend the order until a trial is set for Jan. 24 The clinics, four in San Antonio and one in Schertz, had operated either as M&M Orthodontics or U Too Dental & Orthodontics before the asset sale to KP-SA. A Malone partnership continued to own the clinics real estate, so it has been KP-SAs landlord. The clinics were rebranded as Smiley Dental & Orthodontics after the asset sale closed. Another Dallas company, Smiley Dental Management Co., has managed the practices and receives 15 percent of the profits, while KP-SA receives 85 percent of the profits, the suit says. Smiley Dental has 31 locations in Texas, its website says. Smiley Dental Management is owned by Phams ex-wife, dentist Lynh Thy Pham, the suit says. It also is a defendant in the suit, accused of taking possession of the Malone companies collateral and using the collateral while they remain unpaid. She didnt immediately respond to a request for comment. SA Inc.: Get the best of business news sent directly to your inbox In his declaration, Scott Malone said Thang Pham has threatened bankruptcy when pressed to make payments on the loan. KP-SA actually filed for Chapter 11 in November 2017. The petition listed the Malone partnership as the largest unsecured creditor, owed $3.2 million. Two months after filing, KP-SA voluntarily dismissed its bankruptcy case. It didnt want to continue the case because it said all issues with the landlord had been resolved. In his declaration, Scott Malone said the bankruptcy was dismissed after he made a deal with KP-SA to postpone payments. Meanwhile, KP-SA held an exclusive first option to buy the clinics office buildings, according to documents filed with the lawsuit. At some point, Smiley Dental wanted to buy the five office buildings and another that was not part of the 2016 deal, Malone says in his declaration. After Smiley Dental was unable to line up the money for the purchase, Malone moved to sell the real estate to another investor. When Kido found out I was selling the real estate to someone else, he threatened to take me to court and tie everything up, as well as move all of the collateral and patients to Smileys office on Fredericksburg Road where I could not get it, Malone says. The Malone partnership last month sold its Schertz office building, the Guadalupe County Appraisal Districts website shows. pdanner@express-news.net San Antonios La Cantera Spa & Resort has filed a counterclaim against Houston Astros star Alex Bregman in an ongoing dispute over his canceled wedding. The resort is suing Bregman for $61,407 in cancellation fees after his December 2020 wedding was called off. Bregman and his bride Reagan Howard, both 27, cited a surge in COVID-19 cases and deaths in Bexar County for canceling the event. In April, Bregman sued the resort for a nearly $80,000 deposit it allegedly refused to return. Bruce Malott, Bregmans business manager who has power of attorney for the ballplayers business matters, filed the lawsuit. Steven Rudner, the North Side resorts Dallas lawyer, said Wednesday it does not comment on pending litigation. Malott didnt respond to a request for comment. On ExpressNews.com: Houston Astros star Alex Bregman sues San Antonios La Cantera Resort & Spa for wedding deposit Malott said earlier that he signed the August 2020 contract believing it allowed for the refund of deposits if more than 25 percent of the invited wedding guests could not attend due to COVID concerns. When we booked the wedding, cases were lower and we hoped the pandemic was subsiding, Bregman said in a statement at the time his complaint was filed in Bexar County Court. However, as cases surged in Texas and across the country leading up to the wedding date, it was clear we had to make plans for a smaller ceremony with fewer guests. The couple first tried to reschedule. On Nov. 13, 2020, about three weeks before the wedding, they tried to move the wedding to November or December 2021. La Cantera sought a $20,000 rescheduling fee, an amount Bregman refused to pay, his lawsuit said. The resort received notice in a Nov. 22, 2020, email that the wedding had been canceled. Karen Warren /Staff file photo Bregmans suit cited the force majeure section in the contract that allowed him to cancel the wedding if at least 25 percent of the guests couldnt attend for various reasons including a pandemic. Force majeure is a legal term for protection of parties in the event they cannot perform under a contract due to causes outside their control. The resort shall refund all deposits and/or prepayments in the event of a termination by either party, the clause said. SA Inc.: Get the best of business news sent directly to your inbox La Canteras counterclaim makes no mention of force majeure. But Rudner, its lawyer, did in a Dec. 29, 2020, letter to a lawyer for Bregman. When Mr. Malott entered into these contracts, he knew the severity of the pandemic had been fluctuating throughout the county, Rudner said in a letter attached to La Canteras October counterclaim. Courtesy /USAA Real Estate Company Under these circumstances, as a matter of law, Mr. Malott and the Bregmans are precluded from raising a force majeure defense, or any other common law defense related thereto, each of which requires the triggering event to have been unforeseeable, Rudner added. Bregmans suit referenced a Nov. 25, 2020, executive order from Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff that prohibited gatherings of 10 or more people. Rudner, though, responded the resort was exempt from the order because it was listed by the U.S. Department of Homeland Securitys Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency as a critical infrastructure business. As a result, the resort was open and operating and had ample space and flexibility to accommodate the Bregman wedding, Rudner said in his letter. Clearly, the arguments surrounding the surge of the COVID-19 pandemic used to support the force majeure cancellation are moot because the Bregmans got married at a different venue during the same timeframe they had contracted with the resort, Rudner added. The couple had a smaller ceremony at Reagans parents Katy home. On ExpressNews.com: USAA Real Estate sells luxury La Cantera Resort & Spa Benchmark LC San Antonio, which does business as La Cantera Resort & Spa, said it suffered $113,007 in damages as a result of Bregman canceling the event and reservations on a block of rooms. After deducting $51,600 in deposits paid by Bregman, the resort said it is still owed $61,407. Benchmark develops and manages independent hotels. USAA Real Estate built the resort at 16641 La Cantera Parkway and renovated the nearly 500-room property in 2015 and 2016. USAA Real Estate sold the property to affiliates of Ohana Real Estate Investors in June. Bregman enters this season on the third year of a five-year, $100 million contract he signed with the Astros. pdanner@express-news.net More than 5,000 Bexar County residents have died from COVID-19 during a pandemic that has gripped the nation for almost two years, as nine more local fatalities were reported Thursday. The countys death toll now stands at 5,006. Those victims are among 75,650 Texans who have succumbed to the illness since March 2020. Metropolitan Health District reported a staggering 13,485 newly diagnosed COVID cases in San Antonio in the past two days alone as the highly infectious omicron variant continues sweeping through the area. That includes a record-setting number of 7,704 new cases Wednesday, the biggest one-day increase recorded since the pandemic started. The countys seven-day average of COVID cases reported each day reached a new high of 4,841 on Thursday. The test positivity rate was 31 percent. The number of hospitalized COVID patients has returned to heights not seen since the last surge of the virus in September. On Thursday, 982 patients in San Antonio hospitals tested positive for the virus. Among those hospitalized, 32 percent were fully vaccinated, while 68 percent had not received their shots. Jessica Phelps /San Antonio Express-News The citys risk level is classified as severe and worsening, according to Metro Health. We were expecting to see this because of the surging omicron variant across the country, said Dr. Anita Kurian, assistant director of Metro Healths communicable disease division. On ExpressNews.com: Bexar County is spending $1.3 million on COVID testing heres what you need to know The record number of new cases can be attributed partly to an increase in testing, Kurian said. The city of San Antonio recently opened six new testing sites, bringing the total number of free testing operations in the city and the county to 32. Its difficult to predict when the current surge may end, Kurian said. It is expected to be shorter than past surges of the virus and will drop off suddenly at some point, based on trends observed elsewhere in the world. But things may get worse before they get better, Kurian said. It is important to remember we have weathered three surges in the past since this pandemic began, she said. So this current surge too shall pass. San Antonio needs two things during this spike in COVID cases: nurses and blood donations, according to the emergency health care coordinator for the area. Hospitals in a 22-county region, including San Antonio, have plenty of beds and ventilators but are short on nurses and other staff to fill in for health care workers who are quarantined, said Eric Epley, executive director and CEO of the Southwest Texas Regional Advisory Council. The state has sent 411 medical professionals mostly nurses, but including about 50 respiratory therapists to the region to help care for hospital patients. That help began arriving Jan. 7 from other states after winter storms in the Northeast and Midwest caused travel delays. Theres a request pending with the state for more staffing support. Theyre in every acute care hospital in town and, in fact, across the entire South Texas region, Epley said. Theyre doing care for COVID patients, and theyre taking care of non-COVID patients if the nurses that normally take care of that unit are out with COVID. The rate of the increase in newly diagnosed cases wasnt a complete surprise to Dr. Bryan Alsip, chief medical officer and executive vice president for University Health, which serves as Bexar Countys hospital system. Even so, he said, its not something we are happy with. On ExpressNews.com: Nirenberg, Wolff send dire plea to Gov. Abbott for more staffing help at San Antonio hospitals These are numbers we havent seen, ever, in terms of cases. ... So even though it still can be mild in many cases just the fact that more and more people are becoming positive is concerning, Alsip said. Hospital systems are stressed by the number of COVID-related admissions while some of their employees are out sick with the virus or in quarantine after being exposed to it. The good news relative to this surge is the proportion of patients being admitted that require intensive care in the ICU is relatively low as compared to previous surges, Alsip said. But on the flip side, the real challenge for us is the fact that we have fewer staff at any given time because they are getting infected. The omicron variant also appears to be infecting more children than previous strains. On Thursday, 42 pediatric patients sick with COVID were being cared for in San Antonio hospitals. This is a very infectious variant, Alsip said. I think its important to remain as cautious as youve been throughout the pandemic now, at least for the next few weeks until, hopefully, this particular surge starts to abate. The large numbers reflect how contagious and transmissible the omicron variant of the virus really is, said Dr. Jason Bowling, chief epidemiologist at University Health and an associate professor and infectious disease specialist at UT Health San Antonio. I was very worried that the numbers would go really high, and they have, Bowling said. Bexar County and Community Labs will open a new COVID testing site Friday at the Wonderland of the Americas shopping mall. Free tests will be offered from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. Testing will be done on a walk-in basis only since appointments arent required. On ExpressNews.com: A rising percentage of fully vaccinated patients are being admitted to San Antonio hospitals as the omicron variant sweeps through the area University Health also continues to offer free COVID vaccines and booster shots at the Wonderland of the Americas malls upper level from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and at other locations, which can be viewed at wecandoitsa.com. According to STRAC, this is the fourth time COVID-related hospitalizations have exceeded 500 during the two-year pandemic, following two summer surges in 2020 and 2021 and a winter outbreak that ran from late November 2020 to February 2021. Of the 982 COVID patients hospitalized in San Antonio on Thursday, 206 were in intensive care units and 73 were on ventilators to help them breathe. In a letter to Gov. Greg Abbott earlier this week, Mayor Ron Nirenberg and Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff said the omicron surge has affected nearly every aspect of patient care. The number of COVID-19 patients in local hospitals peaked at about 1,500 last year in January and again during the delta variant surge in August. But officials dont know when hospitalizations from the highly contagious omicron variant will plateau. The trajectory of the current surge were in is concerning, Epley said. We actually have plenty of beds. We just dont have enough people to go around the beds. The blood shortage is as much of a risk right now to the overall community health if youre in a car wreck or need blood immediately, he said. Nirenberg and Wolff will make a public plea for more blood donations Friday. As opportunities for younger donors to give blood have declined throughout the pandemic, the resulting shortage in blood supplies could prompt hospitals to postpone surgeries and delay treatments. Some hospitals are rationing blood supplies. The American Red Cross this week declared a national blood crisis following an estimated 10 percent drop in the number of donors. Many hospitals are getting only a portion of the donated blood theyre requesting. The South Texas Blood & Tissue Center, with donation sites in San Antonio, New Braunfels, Boerne and Victoria, uses COVID-19 safety protocols and will hold a series of San Antonio District Challenge blood drives in each city council district next week. pohare@express-news.net shuddleston@express-news.net Joey Foley/FilmMagic Popular metal band W.A.S.P announced on Wednesday that San Antonio will be one of it stops on its 40th anniversary tour in 2022. It is the first time the band is touring in the U.S. in over a decade. The band formed in 1982 in Los Angeles, and rose to popularity in the 1980s. Some of its biggest hits include "I Wanna Be Somebody" and "Blind in Texas." San Antonio sees red when you start talking trash about Whataburger or Burger Boy. But the color I see is orange. Orange stripes on the rooftops, table tents and flying W logo at Whataburger. Orange on the modernist Lego blocks of the newest Burger Boy buildings to go with the orange outline of the iconic chubby chef mascot on the Orange Freeze cups. Orange is the color of our fast-food soul, and Whataburger and Burger Boy are locked in a struggle to steal that soul, a struggle with roots that stretch back to the 50s, when Harmon Dobson started Whataburger in Corpus Christi and Frank Bates launched the Whopper Burger chain that laid the groundwork for Burger Boy. Both do that two-handed burger thing. Both do big drive-thru business. Both have multiple outlets in San Antonio. Whataburger does breakfast, serves a bigger menu and stays open 24 hours. Burger Boy holds fast to burgers, fries and shakes and not much else, with buildings that raise the roof on fast-food design. Its time to pick a side. Today well see whether Whataburger or Burger Boy bleeds a brighter shade of orange. On ExpressNews.com: Freds Fish Fry vs. Sea Island Shrimp House Mike Sutter /Staff Mike Sutter /Staff Mike Sutter /Staff Mike Sutter /Staff Both teams wear orange, but which of these beloved burger chains deserves to win the hearts, souls and bellies of San Antonians? File photos Both teams wear orange, but which of these beloved burger chains deserves to win the hearts, souls and bellies of San Antonians? File photos Whataburger In the same way that Austin claims guitar god Stevie Ray Vaughan as its own even though he was born in Dallas, San Antonio claims Whataburger even though it was born in Corpus Christi before moving its headquarters here. The loyalty endured even after a Chicago firm acquired a majority stake in the company in 2019. With more than 800 locations including 60 in the greater San Antonio area Whataburger still employs the kind of branding thats left a 40-year-old jingle by Mel Tillis lodged in my cerebral cortex. The unbeatable, unbelievable, bigger better burger Whataburger. The food: The signature single-patty Whataburger comes right out of Burger Central Casting, with a broad picnic-style bun, a thin beef patty cooked all the way through and a dress of mustard, tomatoes, pickles and lettuce and onions. But a burger is never just about its building blocks. Its also about how the total package makes you feel, and the basic Whataburger feels like fast food taken to a higher place. But building blocks do matter, and while the buns double-handed wide, its super thin, and the result is a floppy, sloppy burger. My solution was to play up the beef and double down on the sloppy by adding another patty, some extra cheese, maybe grilled jalapenos, but never the rippled white flabfest they call bacon. It worked. Until it didnt. Whataburgers double-meat patty melt came out hard and dry on withered Texas toast, and the Sweet & Spicy Bacon Burger was an overcooked weld of beef and cheese with a teaspoon of sticky sauce and that unfortunate bacon. What can you say about Whataburger fries? Its been said that these boilerplate shoestring fries, never a uniform color and hardly ever as crisp as they look on TV, are better than the cardboard disasters at In-N-Out, but thats a pretty low bar. Onion rings are no alternative like Funyuns, except hot and greasy. Some of Whataburgers best work came in the form of chicken, from both the deliciously overstuffed Honey BBQ Chicken Strip Sandwich and the spicy fried chicken sandwich that survived the Popeyes wars of 2019. Whataburger also fries some mean chicken nuggets and chicken tenders with gravy and Texas toast. They call that stuff Whatachickn, but Ill pretend like I didnt have to type that. The atmosphere: I miss the classic A-frame Whataburgers with the towering roofs and the letters you could see from space. The new ones look like boxes with orange details drawn on with childrens markers. The downtown location has upholstered booths and pendulum lamps like a diner, but most of the other Whataburger dining rooms are about as charming as a middle school cafeteria, except not as clean. Its the price you pay for a 24-hour operation, and its a marvel that the people in the orange polos arent too tired to be nice. The intangibles: Everybody knows fast food tastes better after midnight. Whataburger indulges in that altered reality 24 hours a day. And from 11 p.m. to 11 a.m., they add a breakfast menu that includes hot coffee, the sticky Honey Butter Chicken Biscuit and a sandwich called Breakfast on a Bun, with sausage, egg and cheese. Order a BOB Ranchero, and youll get that same sandwich made magical with jalapenos and salsa. And did I mention ketchup? Nobody does ketchup better than Whataburger, served in red or black plastic tubs, depending on whether youre feeling Fancy or Spicy. Where to find them: With more than 60 locations in the greater San Antonio area, theres one waiting around the corner, even at 3 in the morning. Find them at locations.whataburger.com. Burger Boy The first Burger Boy popped up on North St. Marys Street in 1985, but its roots go back to the 1950s, when the Bates family started Whopper Burger. A dynasty of its own, Whopper Burger famously duked it out (and won) against Burger King before ultimately being sold to its old rival, paving the way for the family to come roaring back with Burger Boy. The modern Burger Boy, bought in 2017 by a group of enthusiastic investors, has expanded to five locations, with a sixth one on the way this year in Live Oak. The buildings are bigger, the graphics are bolder, but by all accounts, the burgers remain the same. On ExpressNews.com: Bill Miller Bar-B-Q vs. Rudys Country Store and Bar-B-Q The food: By now, youve heard the fuss about smashburgers, with beef all flattened out and crispy at the edges. Burger Boy doesnt do that kind of smashburger. They just smash the whole damn burger. Across three locations, all my burgers looked like theyd been disrespected by baggage handlers at the airport. Maybe thats a small complaint at a chain where the burgers are meant to evoke the greasy flophouse diner burgers of yesteryear. But its about a large portion of the menu, because besides a chicken sandwich, corn dogs, hot dogs and a fish sandwich, Burger Boys menu begins and ends with burgers, fries and shakes. Mike Sutter /Staff Mike Sutter /Staff File photos Looking past the squashed texture, the burgers themselves wore their old-school flavors proudly, with grease, salt and beef drawing power from mustard and onions. Id mention lettuce and tomatoes, but the lettuce had gone too soggy and a single tomato slice isnt enough to cover a burger thats two hands wide. The Burger Boy math is three-piece combos where you pile on the patties: Bates Special (single patty), the Working Man (two patties) and the Overtime (three patties). But the math breaks down, because adding patties just compounds the greasiness and sloppiness. Besides the basic burger dress, theres not much else to be done except to add cheese, jalapenos or bacon. The first two are fine; the third is an undercooked trainwreck. One possible cheat: Order the Junior Boy, a more balanced burger with a smaller bun but basically the same dress-out as the bigger boys. Fries at Burger Boy are the basic freezer-bag crinkle fry you get at most burger joints trying to cultivate a mom-and-pop atmosphere, popular because they hold their shape and crispiness longer, even if theyre nothing special. The atmosphere: Burger Boys rotating signs are a flashback to when even fast food had retro style. While the original St. Marys spot has yet to reopen its tiny dining room mid-pandemic, the new Burger Boy locations which look like fanciful renderings come to life greet customers with bright, clean, airy spaces that pull in natural sunlight to bounce off the orange diner stools along the broad windows. The intangibles: How San Antonio is Burger Boy? S.A. enough to make a Big Red shake. And its not bad, even if you dont like Big Red. I might say the same for the slushy, luminescent Orange Freeze if it didnt taste like household cleanser. Where to find them: The originals at 2323 N. St Marys St., 210-735-1955. Find the other four (and one on the way) at burgerboysa.com. Mike Sutter /Staff The winner: Whataburger Dont fence me in with the guy who decorated his Christmas tree with Whataburger wrappers, but Whataburger wins this showdown. I like the look, the feel and the true local roots of Burger Boy more, but Whataburger does the most important thing: it makes a better burger. msutter@express-news.net | Twitter: @fedmanwalking | Instagram: @fedmanwalking Retired Army Capt. Le Roy Torres was forced to quit his job as a Texas state trooper when the Department of Public Safety would not provide accommodations for a respiratory condition resulting from repeated exposure to burn pits during his time as a reservist in Iraq. Torres sued. After wondering if the case would go anywhere, Torres and his wife, Rosie, recently learned the U.S. Supreme Court had asked the acting solicitor general to outline the governments views in the case. We have a 1 percent chance out of 8,000 cases, said Rosie Torres, whose husband deployed to Iraq in 2007. They live in Robstown. Just knowing that our case will be heard before the United States Supreme Court, thats a victory in itself for us. Le Roy Torres resigned over DPS refusal to grant accommodations for a respiratory condition resulting from his exposure to burn pits in the war zone and sued under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994. Congress passed the law, called USERRA, to protect troops from being fired or losing benefits such as vacation time when they miss work for training exercises and deployments. Mayra Beltran, Staff / Houston Chronicle Billy Calzada, Staff / Staff Photographer Spc. Phillip Melton of Turon, Kansas burns human waste in the pit at Patrol Base K-wal in Shakarat, Iraq/ NICOLE FRUGE, STAFF / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS Torres said he was pressured to resign after developing a debilitating lung disease while working near a 10-acre burn pit at Balad Air Base, north of Baghdad. The pit, he said, burned everything from plastic bottles and batteries to body parts. USERRA requires employers to make reasonable efforts to accommodate the disabilities of veterans. Under the law, veterans and service members can return to their old civilian jobs, retaining the seniority and salary they would have had if they had been continuously employed. RELATED: 'Veterans are dying': Texan man exposed to toxic burn pits featured on new Jon Stewart show Civilian and local government employers can be sued if they discriminate against someone based on their military service. A Texas appellate court held the law unconstitutional because Congress lacks the power to authorize lawsuits against nonconsenting states. It said Texas has sovereign immunity against such suits. The Texas Supreme Court refused to take the case, but the U.S. Supreme Court asked acting Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar to explain the governments views on the matter. Rosie Torres credits U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro with getting Prelogar to weigh in. Castro said five states give veterans no recourse when a government employer discriminates them on the basis of their service. Rosie and Burn Pits 360 has become the main organization advocating for service members exposed to burn pits, said Castro, D-San Antonio. I listened to their story, Le Roys story, and also to the stories they were telling me of other veterans and I thought, my God, this was just like Agent Orange from the Vietnam era. A July 2 letter to Prelogar drafted by Castro and signed by other members of Congress expressed concern over the effect the appellate courts novel and incorrect constitutional holding would have on veterans and service members. We are also concerned that it will hinder Congress ability to ensure the national defense, the letter stated. Sebastian Meyer, Contributor / Corbis via Getty Images Le Roy and Rosie Torres have become well-known among veterans for creating Burn Pits 360, which lobbies for those who suffer ailments linked to burn pit exposure. Their Burn Pit 360 registry now has a little more than 10,000 veterans. It includes entries for people whose deaths are believed to have been caused by burn pit exposure. RELATED: Iraq veterans case against Texas is testing job protections for homecoming troops A National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine report, released Sept. 11, 2020, found three symptoms associated with burn pits coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath. It uncovered no medical conditions associated with exposure to them. The Veterans Affairs Department has since launched a review of particulate matter pollution and added three conditions as presumptions: asthma, rhinitis and sinusitis, while continuing to review health outcomes for veterans. It has been at loggerheads with some researchers on the question of whether burn pits were a true health hazard. As the agency has continued its research, its also claimed that there is no proof of long-term health problems from the pits. Still, nearly 286,301 veterans and service members have signed up with the VAs Airborne Hazards and Open Pit Registry, with more than 31,600 from the Lone Star State. The Veterans Benefits Administration processed 17,088 disability claims with at least one condition related to burn pit exposure from 15,413 veterans from June 2007 through Nov. 30 As the federal government has grudgingly acknowledged the problem, Congress has taken action. U.S. Rep. Raul Ruiz, D-Calif., and a physician, spearheaded a pair of bills last year that became part of the new National Defense Authorization Act. One bill requires the Pentagon to implement mandatory training for all medical providers with the Defense Department on the potential health effects of burn pits. The other requires the department and the VA to include Egypt and Syria in the burn pit registry. Despite that movement in Washington, state government workers across the nation have faced hurdles when filing lawsuits seeking monetary damages even though USERRA applies to private employers and government agencies. Texas and other states have contended they have sovereign immunity from being sued under the federal law. In making that claim, Attorney General Ken Paxton has also argued that the Legislature passed laws allowing veterans to pursue wrongful termination claims. A brief filed by Paxton with the Texas Supreme Court stated that the Legislature has provided remedies that Torres could have used, but he is instead attempting to take advantage of federal remedies state lawmakers did not intend to allow in court. State law caps damages at $300,000. Torres had sought more than $1 million for lost wages and retirement benefits. RELATED: Texas veterans and caregivers cope as Congress eyes burn pits Now 49, Torres began showing signs of falling ill after coming home from Iraq. He began having bad headaches and a dry cough that doctors diagnosed as constrictive bronchiolitis. He was reassigned to answer phones at a driver license office, working in a small room and wearing a mask to cover his coughing. He asked DPS to give him an accommodation to become an investigator but was refused, and he said he was pressured to resign in 2012. Now, he cant collect retirement. A judge in Nueces County found in Torres favor, but the appeals court reversed the decision. The Texas Supreme Court denied the petition for review in early June, with the U.S. Supreme Court deciding to take the case only a few weeks ago. Andrew Burton, Stringer / Getty Images Castro said hell be part of an amicus brief to be filed with the high court in the case and hopes to be there for oral arguments that could come as early as this spring. This is an issue of the federal governments war powers, said Castro, a former chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and senior member on the House Foreign Affairs Committee. Of course, the state of Texas sees it as an issue of sovereign immunity for the state, and so its unlike other issues like vouchers or abortion or other things where its easier to tell right away where some of the justices might come down. Torres sent a message from his hospital bed Thursday night after being rushed there for internal bleeding. He said the case would not only validate USERRA but save the lives of hundreds of warriors who have lost their jobs due to war injuries. It has been detrimental and exhausting to me and my family following the moral injury suffered from my employer forcing me to resign, Torres said. We press onward and remain hopeful that justice will prevail for the citizen-soldier. sigc@express-news.net A San Antonio police officer rescued two women from a burning car after a crash on the Northwest Side early Thursday morning. Officials said the women were driving near Fredricksburg Road and Hildebrand Avenue when the driver lost control of the car and jumped a curb into the Baptist Health System Urgent Care parking lot. The front of the vehicle caught on fire and the driver was unconscious. When officers arrived, the female officer pulled the two women from the burning car. Neither woman was injured in the crash. On ExpressNews.com: Woman killed after fire breaks out in her home near Beacon Hill The driver regained consciousness and refused medical treatment. Police believe distracted driving was the cause of the crash. taylor.pettaway@express-news.net The Alamo Colleges District is starting the semester with a bigger pool of high school seniors who can apply for a tuition-free education, having upped the number of their participating schools from 30 to 47. The districts board voted last month to increase the list of schools in the Alamo Promise program, increasing the number of eligible students from 12,200 to 13,500 amid recruiting for the fall 2022 and spring 2023 semesters. The program covers the cost of tuition and mandatory fees for up to three years for eligible graduating seniors from the San Antonio area. Our goal is to hopefully enroll about 3,900 promise students for next academic year, said Stephanie Vasquez, chief program officer for Alamo Promise. Weve had over 8,500 - we are getting pretty close to 9,000 as we go into January - of students that have taken that first step to sign up and saved their seat to be an Alamo Promise Scholar. Ronald Cortes /Contributor / The program launched in 2019, enrolling about 2,900 students from 25 high schools for the fall of 2020. But that number decreased to close to 2,500 for the fall of 2021 amid pandemic woes that had kept most high school seniors learning at home and disconnected from their campus resources. Retention rates for the young program have also been about the same as the rest of the Alamo Colleges first-time students, Vasquez said, with about 70 percent retention during the jump from fall and spring semesters and about 50 percent from fall to fall. Ideally, we would like to be able to exceed that, she said. But this has been a really odd time to establish any sort of baseline data or even predict student patterns because things have been so fluid. On Expressnews.com: Preyor-Johnson: Expand the free rental of college textbooks The goal now is to raise the regions college-going rate from 47 percent to 70 percent. That growth starts by prioritizing schools with low college attendance rates - below 50 percent among seniors up to now - and economically disadvantaged populations. Essentially we want to be able to get to a point where we are able to serve all of the public comprehensive high schools in the area, Vasquez said. And we are on that track, but we are trying to do so in a way where we start with this need criteria for that phased-in expansion. The students who have made that initial pledge will work with the districts five community colleges to complete financial aid applications and the registration process ahead of the fall. Theres an initial priority deadline of Feb. 28 to enlist as many students as possible, but applications will still be accepted after that. Over the summer, the board had approved an expansion from 25 to 30 schools, but had an opportunity to add more schools. The colleges have raised more than $12 million in private donations for the Promise program, scholarship and endowments, Vasquez said, and more than $3 million from the public side, primarily from city of San Antonio contributions. Just this December the board approved a contribution the city pledged of $2.4 million to support the Promise scholars for the third year of the program. We are still keeping that momentum and what we are trying to do is to make sure that we are able to serve as many students as possible and keeping those resources and activities on a steady stream, Vasquez said. The program has had to adjust to changes the pandemic has caused, expanding the enrollment window to allow students to enroll mid-school-year for the spring or fall semesters, and being flexible about the class load commitment, Vasquez said. Initially we really wanted students to have basically 18 semester credit hours a year so that they can graduate within three years of less, Vasquez said. And that is a goal that we want to work toward, but we dont want to arbitrarily have a credit hour requirement that then excludes students from the program if this semester they need to take part-time credit hours because of (other) obligations. danya.perez@express-news.net | @DanyaPH 2021 wasnt a good year for the San Marcos gambusia, the tiny fish that called the San Marcos River home but was declared extinct in September by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. But a handful of endangered species still hanging around are at risk of going the way of the gambusia. Thats unless humans act quickly to protect habitats and keep them alive and thriving. Seven different plant and animal species are listed threatened or endangered in the San Marcos region of the Edwards Aquifer, Spring Lake and the upper four miles of the river, according to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. The animals are listed as endangered because their numbers are declining and their habitats are increasingly disappearing. The gambusia, for instance, went extinct because of human activities that polluted and weakened the groundwater, which ultimately weakened the habitat and likely put the nails in the tiny fishs coffin. On ExpressNews.com: Watch this endangered zebra shark hatch with help from a pair of scissors in San Antonio The upper San Marcos River is one of the most biologically diverse aquatic ecosystems known in the southwestern United States and has a number of endemic species that are isolated to the upper 4.5 miles of the river, says the website for the the Meadows Center for Water and the Environment at Texas State University in San Marcos. Human activities are cited as the factors in all these endangered listings. As Central Texas population booms, more houses and commercial businesses are pumping water from the Edwards Aquifer, which means less water for the fish, beetles, amphibians and plants that call the San Marcos home. From tiny beetles to blind amphibians to beautiful grass, here are the seven endangered species in the San Marcos River: Center for Biological Diversity Comal Springs dryopid beetle The Comal Springs dryopid beetle is a tiny, little thing averaging just 3 millimeters long, according to the Edwards Aquifer Alliance. Its eyes dont work and its skin is translucent. The beetles habitat is dependent upon a steady flow of water from the springs that feed the river, and as development soars in Central Texas, over-extraction from the aquifer is the slippery bugs No. 1 threat. John C. Abbott & Kendra K. Abbott / Pecks cave amphipod The Pecks cave amphipod is slightly larger than its dryopid beetle brethren it can grow to about half an inch, it has five pairs of legs and two sets of antennae. Its a shy bug, living mainly at the bottom of the river among the dead leaves and heavy rocks. It eats anything dry that it can find. The main habitat threats to the Pecks Cave Amphipod are pollution, drought and over-extraction of the spring-fed aquifer. JOHN DAVENPORT /EXPRESS-NEWS FILE PHOTO Fountain darter The fountain darter fish is even smaller than the now-extinct gambusia, growing to be just about a centimeter long. The little fish thrives in clean, quiet spring waters, which means pollution is its number one threat. Even though the darter is a fish, its a terrible swimmer it doesnt have a swim bladder allowing it to float, so it scoots along the bottom of the river, riding the currents and the flow of the water. Courtesy of Texas State University San Marcos salamander The San Marcos salamander is the master of disguise its slimy, reddish-brown amphibian skin perfectly matches the moss and algae at the bottom of Spring Lake that it calls home. Theyre also neat freaks. They hate muddy water, and much prefer clean, spring-fed water, which is why river pollution is such a large threat to the little lizards habitat. According to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, the growth of cities has led to higher water use by people and increased problems with water pollution and silt accumulation, which poses a direct threat to the amphibians survival. Center for Biological Diversity Comal Springs riffle beetle The riffle beetle lives in the water but cant swim, and has wings but cant fly. It also doesnt have gills, which makes living in the water an interesting choice - to breathe, it traps a pocket of air under its belly, almost like a divers oxygen tank, and sucks air out from it when it needs to breathe. The beetle has a lifespan of about two years, and likes to live within about three feet of a spring opening, because it likes its water house to be as cold as possible. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service /Courtesy Photo Texas blind salamander The Texas blind salamander is true to its name - it has no eyes, cant see and lives in caves deep underneath the Edwards Aquifer. Instead of eyes, it has two small black dots right underneath the surface of its translucent white skin. Since they live in caves, the salamanders dont have a lot of predatory competition, and feast primarily on microscopic snails and shrimp. According to the National Wildlife Federation, the salamanders are almost never seen on the surface of the water. The only way they make it that far is if their water source pushes them up to the top. Other than that, they live, breathe and die in their caves. Jordan Vonderhaar /Contributor / Texas Wild Rice Its not rice, but Texas wild rice is a type of underwater grass that is just as beautiful to look at as it is critical to maintain aquatic populations in the San Marcos River. The grass can grow to be up to 10 feet tall and exists solely within about a mile and a half range of the river. Its a breeding, hiding and feeding ground for dozens of fish, beetles and other water species, both endangered and not. The velvety, bright green grass can be seen under the clear surface of the water and also acts as a natural filter that helps clear pollution in the river. Annie Blanks writes for the Express-News through Report for America, a national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms. ReportforAmerica.org. annie.blanks@express-news.net. The state Senate is just getting started with its fraudit of the 2020 presidential election, but its not too early to speculate whether that sham could spawn more controversy. What I wonder is will the public have access to records that are created during the witch hunt, so we can determine if it truly was responsible, thoughtful and transparent? Advertisement At least $270,000 in public money is expected to be wasted in a desperate attempt by Republican senators to kiss the rear end of former President Donald Trump. The public should be able to see every file and every piece of paper the audit produces, so we can judge for ourselves how trustworthy any findings are. That hasnt occurred in Arizona, where a similar fraudit occurred. So dont be surprised if we have to fight for access in Pennsylvania, too. Advertisement Republican lawmakers in Arizona paid a private company, Cyber Ninjas, to analyze the election. A trio of Pennsylvania lawmakers traveled there to pay homage before launching a mirror image here. But Cyber Ninjas has not coughed up records of its work, despite a court order. Last week, a judge found the company in contempt and said he would fine the firm $50,000 for every day it withholds public records. In Pennsylvania, the Senates no-bid contract with Envoy Sage, an Iowa fraud investigation firm with no experience examining elections, addresses public access to any documents that come from the probe. The contracts acknowledgment that documents could be subject to the state Right-to-Know Law is a good sign. It means senators recognize the public could have a right to see some records. But its not a guarantee that will happen. The contract requires Envoy Sage to retain all information and materials for litigation or public records purposes. The Right-to-Know Law does not allow records of Envoy Sage to be hidden from public view just because they are held by a private company. Under the law, records of a private firm are required to be available to the public if the firm is performing a governmental function. The contract requires the company to provide the Senate with any records the Senate asks for and believes may be subject to the law. Envoy Sage may withhold records it believes contain trade secrets or are confidential proprietary information. The Right-to-Know Law exempts them from release, though that exemption can be challenged in appeals to the state Office of Open Records and the courts. Advertisement President Donald Trump greets the crowd at the "Stop The Steal" Rally on Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington, D.C. (TNS) [ Pennsylvanias GOP election fraudit: Its all about voter intimidation ] The law also allows agencies to withhold records pertaining to noncriminal investigations. That troubles me, and I wonder if it could be cited as a reason not to release some documents. And, the law says agencies dont have to release records related to internal, predecisional deliberations, including those related to legislative proposals or contemplated policies or actions. The contract says Envoy Sage was hired to advise the Senate regarding potential legislation. So, I wonder if senators would claim that some papers from the audit should be off limits to the public because they qualify as predecisional deliberations. Before senators make that argument, though, I hope they review recent case law. A state Supreme Court ruling from last spring suggests that argument might not hold up. Advertisement The Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development refused to give the Chester Water Authority documents related to deliberations the department had with consultants about potentially selling the authority. Chester is financially distressed and subject to state oversight of its finances. The department refused to turn over the records. It argued the Chester authority had no right to them because they were predecisional. The Supreme Court ordered the documents to be released. The court said they did not meet the definition of a predecisional record because the records involved discussions with private consultants. Consultants cant engage in protected internal communications; only public agencies and officials can, the court said. That should apply regarding the election fraudit, too. [ All eyes turn to Pennsylvania after Arizonas audit affirmed Bidens presidential victory ] The debate in Arizona about access to records is sad. Advertisement A lawyer for Cyber Ninjas told a judge last week the company is insolvent, has laid off every employee and cant afford to sift through its records to find those related to the audit, The Associated Press reported. The judge refused to accept that excuse. He noted that millions of dollars was donated for the election review. He said the company could give its records to state lawmakers and let them release what is public. The Pennsylvania Senate vowed the election review being done by Envoy Sage will be transparent. I hope they retain that attitude if they are asked for records about the review. And I also hope they will honor an important part of the Right-to-Know Law that doesnt get enough attention. While the law allows governments to withhold some records, it doesnt require them to. Any records can be released to the public if officials determine that releasing them is in the public interest. Advertisement The public has a great interest in knowing whether our elections are secure. Thats the whole purpose of the fraudit, right? Morning Call columnist Paul Muschick can be reached at 610-820-6582 or paul.muschick@mcall.com [ Taxpayers get a record $118,000 bill after state agency withholds public records ] A San Antonio police detective who was fired after officials said he punched a woman with whom he had an affair lost his bid for reinstatement after an independent arbitrator said the evidence supported his termination. Daniel Pue, who had been with the San Antonio Police Department for nearly 13 years when he was fired in 2019, claimed during an arbitration hearing last year that the woman was manipulative and wanted to get him in trouble. This crazy chick comes here, Pue said in video evidence that was presented to the arbitrator. Im getting in trouble for keeping someone in my house that I dont want in my house. Arbitrator Edward Valverde, in his decision issued Monday, said that while Pues attorneys made substantial efforts to cast doubt about what happened, the city met the burden of proof to support Police Chief William McManus decision to fire him. As public servants, police officers are held to a higher standard of conduct. Rules of conduct apply to off-duty as well as on-duty behavior, Valverde wrote. The credible evidence amply supports the discipline issued. Pue, 37, was arrested Jan. 7, 2019, after a neighbor called 911 to report that he was hitting a woman outside his residence. Later, a special prosecutor filed a motion to dismiss the criminal charge because the woman was uncooperative. On ExpressNews.com: Fired S.A. detective, accused of punching women, said he was trying to keep a crazy chick away Nevertheless, McManus fired Pue six months later, citing violations of departmental rules related to truthfulness of members, responsibility to serve the public, use of intoxicants while off-duty and use of city equipment. During an arbitration hearing, Pue denied attacking the woman, though he admitted that he violated multiple department rules. Pue, who was part of the SAPDs Repeat Offenders Unit, said the affair started in 2014, after he met the woman at The Thirsty Horse Saloon on the North Side. He said she gave him her number and said, You can call me anytime, and we can do anything, anywhere. Regrettably, I took that offer, to my shame and the detriment of my family, Pue testified in September. A few weeks after they started seeing each other, Pue said, he became aware that they were second or third cousins. I brought it up. She said it should mean nothing, Pue said. She was justifying it a lot. I figured I had already done wrong. Whats the difference? On ExpressNews.com: Fired SAPD detective admits he broke department rules; denies hitting woman But the relationship soon deteriorated, Pue said. He said the woman made disparaging remarks about his wife and children, such as, I hope your wife falls down the stairs. He said the woman would threaten to kill him or his wife. He said she claimed her family owned a ranch where the pigs could just eat you. Pue said the woman called him several times the evening of Jan. 6, 2019, at one point telling him that she had been on a date with another man. She challenged him to come over to catch her with the other man, Pue testified. Pue said he hoped that if he caught her with another man, he could finally be free of this woman. Marvin Pfeiffer /San Antonio Express-News One of the worst decisions of my life was to go to her apartment to prove that she was with someone else, just so I could be free of this woman who was very controlling of me, Pue testified. Pue said he walked into the womans apartment not breaking in, as the city alleges and saw the woman asleep with another officer. Pue said he left the apartment, and the woman followed. He returned a few minutes later in an effort to get her to stay. Soon after returning, Pue said, he saw a chance to leave. Pue ran toward the door and pulled it open, accidentally breaking it, he said. On ExpressNews.com: Investigator challenges truthfulness of fired San Antonio police detective accused of punching woman The next morning, the woman drove to Pues home and demanded that he return her phone which he believes she slipped into his pocket during the argument earlier. The city, meanwhile, alleged that Pue stole the phone. At one point, Pue testified, the woman tried to enter his home. He said he pushed her to keep her outside, at which point she stumbled and hit a flower pot. I stood over her, and Im trying to get her up on her knees by her armpits, Pue said. Shes kicking and punching up at me. Im trying to hook under her arm, but she kept yelling help, help. Later, Pue testified, he slammed the door in her face, accidentally hitting her. He denied ever punching or kicking her. City attorneys challenged Pues account accusing him of lying or mischaracterizing what happened. And on a recording of the neighbors 911 call, played during the arbitration, the caller described Pue punching the woman. The city also alleged that Pue refused to comply with deputies from the Bexar County Sheriffs Office who were called to the scene. One deputy ordered Pue, who appeared to be intoxicated, to come here, police disciplinary records state. Officials said Pue walked back to his home and closed the door. Not knowing what Pues intentions were, a deputy kicked in the front door and ordered Pue to get on the ground, the records state. For what? Pue responded, according to a sheriffs report. Im a police officer. Under the unions collective bargaining contract with the city, Pue has the right to appeal the arbitrators decision to state District Court. An attorney representing Pue declined to comment Thursday. Pue is now a reserve officer in the city of Grey Forest, a small community in the Hill Country, according to records from the states licensing agency. The move enabled Pue to keep his peace officer license as he appealed his firing. Without an affiliation with a police department, Pue could have had his license revoked after two years under state law. It also allows Pue to work off-duty jobs in traffic control for private companies. eeaton@express-news.net A San Antonio police officer was arrested early Thursday morning after an alleged domestic dispute, the department said. Off-duty officer Christian Harris was charged with assault causing bodily injury after allegedly striking a woman in the face during the argument. Harris attempted to leave the scene but was arrested by Bexar County sheriffs deputies a block away, officials on the scene said. On ExpressNews.com: SAPD officer accused of domestic violence Harris is a five-year veteran with San Antonio Police Department and is assigned to East Patrol. He will be temporarily suspended without pay. The Bexar County Sheriffs Office is investigating the assault case, and the SAPD is conducting a separate criminal and administrative investigations into the incident. taylor.pettaway@express-news.net President Joe Bidens speech Tuesday on voting rights legislation stuck in the U.S. Senate was better late than never. After months of avoiding the issue, the former senator called on Congress to pass voting rights legislation and publicly supported changes to the Senates filibuster rules to do it. One report described Bidens attack as newfound fire. Its questionable whether that fire will catch, or whether it will have any impact on the Senates stubborn hold on any piece of legislation. For the U.S. voter, the consequences are high. For U.S. democracy, failure to safeguard voting rights will come at great cost. For Biden and other Democrats, the fallout of continued assaults on voting rights will come soon enough in the mid-term elections and then again in the 2024 presidential election. No matter how slow the president was to back filibuster reform, it and voting rights remain critical one year out from a violent insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. The insurrection was spurred by unfounded claims of voter fraud that led to a barrage of restrictive new voting laws. While other important issues such as the coronavirus pandemic, the economy and Bidens legislative priorities will impact elections, none may sting as much as continued restrictions on voting rights. Several voting rights advocates have been so disappointed with Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris inaction on voting protections, they boycotted their Atlanta appearances this week to show how disillusioned theyve become. For some, it was especially cutting that the White House chose Georgia, the home of Martin Luther King Jr. and so many other champions of the civil rights movement, to deliver what they called a photo op. Within a week or two, Bidens influence to press for filibuster reform and passage of the Freedom to Vote Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act will be tested. The latter would restore federal authority to pre-clear states that make changes to voting laws, especially in states like Texas that have a history of discriminating against Black and Latino voters. That federal oversight has been limited by recent Supreme Court rulings and requires legislative action. The Freedom to Vote bill would make Election Day a holiday and allow everyone the right to vote by mail. The Brennan Center for Justice says it will create a baseline national standard for voting access, preempting many of the most onerous restrictions that have been passed or proposed recently in the states and expanding opportunities for all Americans to cast their ballots. Without reform of the filibuster rules, neither bill will get an airing. Biden zeroed-in on that problem Tuesday. The filibuster has prevented debate on these bills and stalled voting on them. In the meantime, state legislatures dismantled generations of civil rights advancements and targeted the work of local and state officials who tried to make voting easier during the pandemic. One message has been made clear: They really dont want all of us to vote. Like extremists, insurrectionists and other proponents of the Big Lie that former President Donald Trump won re-election, state legislators have used unsubstantiated claims of election and voter fraud to press for voting limits. On Tuesday, the president finally uttered support for filibuster reform that would carve out an exemption for voting rights legislation and allow a simple majority to pass a bill. It would change the filibusters 60-vote rule to a simple 50-50 majority, though that may be illusive. Republicans have opposed such reform for the same reasons they oppose voting rights. They want to win. At all costs. Even when democracy is at stake. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., promises to force the issue by Monday, a national holiday honoring the legacy of King. If Democrats dont prevail, it will be a major blow to 21st century voting rights. Will we choose democracy over autocracy? Light over shadows? Justice over injustice? Biden said to a Georgia crowd. I know where I stand. However long it took for him to get there, he did. The president ultimately overcame his own instincts and is now going against an institutional body to which he once belonged. One that once valued bipartisanship and honest debate. Its a shadow of its former self. Where will the Senate stand? Thats the real question. eayala@express-news.net Latinos are Americas largest minority and one of its quietest. We dont raise nearly enough hell even when it is called for. Which brings us to the question: Do brown lives matter? What about Valentina Orellana-Peralta? Did her life including the 14-year-olds plans to become an engineer and a U.S. citizen matter? The future that Valentina dreamed about will not happen. We cant blame a pandemic. Her death was man-made, caused by human error and bad judgment. This girl is dead, and her family destroyed, because of a tragic and preventable mistake by a veteran officer with the Los Angeles Police Department. The officer apparently believes in accountability. Supposedly, he is a woke cop who wants to build trust between the LAPD and the community it serves. There is nothing more ghastly than a parent engaging in the unnatural ritual of burying a child. Imagine taking your daughter to buy a Christmas outfit, and instead, a few days later, youre picking out her coffin. Thats the horror that befell Valentinas parents, who will forever equate the holidays with loss and heartbreak. Their Navidad will never again be Feliz. The girl had only recently moved from her native Chile to the United States, which she proclaimed was the safest country in the world. America was not safe for her. Valentina was shot and killed Dec. 23 by William Dorsey Jones Jr., a veteran, 42-year-old African American LAPD police officer who has ironically built a reputation as a police reformer. You might ask: Is the officers race relevant? You bet. The media routinely mention the race of white cops and Latino cops accused of everything from mistakes to misbehavior to murder. We cant have different rules for Black cops. Besides, its no secret that one of the things about policing that needs reforming is how police officers interact with African American men. In this case, the officer who made the deadly mistake is himself African American and the victim is Latina. That opens up a whole new racial dynamic that becomes part of the story. The girl was huddled with her mother in a North Hollywood department store changing room when cops stormed in to confront a man who was swinging a bike lock at shoppers, bloodying one of them. The man did not have a gun, and according to police body-cam video, he did not approach officers. In that public place, police opened fire with semiautomatic weapons. A stray bullet ripped through the drywall behind the suspect, killing the girl. According to Valentinas mother, officers did not render aid to her daughter. They just left. In a social media post since deleted, Jones proudly proclaimed himself to be part of both the Thin Blue Line and Black Lives Matter. His behavior that day is nothing to be proud of. He needs to answer for it. Multiple investigations are underway. Lets hope they produce what police reform advocates always call for in these cases: accountability and justice. A friend of mine, a retired police chief who now trains officers, says he would have handled the situation differently. When police enter an indoor public space with many unknowns, he says, they should dispense with the big guns and rely on their handguns. According to him, a handgun would have been more precise and its ammo less likely to pierce some walls than a high-powered rifle. Law enforcement officers take an oath to protect and serve. But their first priority should be, like physicians, to do no harm. Youve heard this before, right? Isnt that the lesson that America was supposed to learn in the 20 months since George Floyd an African American was murdered by Derek Chauvin, a white police officer in Minneapolis? Isnt that the message a jury in a Minneapolis suburb sent last month when it convicted ex-police officer Kim Potter of first-degree and second-degree manslaughter in the killing of Daunte Wright, a Black motorist, after Potter claimed she mistakenly confused her gun for her Taser? Hey, mistakes happen. But not all professions allow for mistakes to go unpunished. Mail carriers might put a letter into the wrong mailbox, or a supermarket clerk might forget to put a carton of eggs into a shopping bag. But cops cannot be careless. Their mistakes can cost lives. Thats the job. If theyre not up to it, they should consider a less stressful gig doing mall security. Given recent events, Americans are supposedly more enlightened than ever about police violence. Well see about that. Area hospitals are filling with COVID patients again as the omicron variant fuels the latest COVID-19 surge in our community. For many patients, omicron results in a less severe illness than previous coronavirus variants, but this variant is so transmissible and spawning so many infections that the number of hospitalizations is soaring. Unvaccinated people, particularly those with underlying conditions, still are at high risk of serious illness when they contract COVID-19. As of Friday, COVID-positive patients made up nearly 28 percent of area hospitalizations. The surge of new COVID patients is putting stress on the system, and the pressure is aggravated by the large number of other health care staff contracting COVID and missing work to isolate. That is why we recently asked Gov. Greg Abbott for state assistance in securing traveling nurses to supplement our communitys overburdened hospital staffs. The state sent 411 nurses and respiratory therapists earlier this month, but hundreds of nurses are out every day, and the need is on track to exceed our capacity even with the latest group of state nurses on the job. A similar dynamic is happening among workers in numerous professions, including first responders, teachers and airline employees. Bexar Countys positivity rate has now reached 31 percent, and the number of COVID-positive patients in area hospitals was 1,028 by Friday compared with 193 a month ago. Last January, the winter surge peaked with 1,520 COVID patients hospitalized. The numbers are going to grow before conditions improve. But if data from around the world paint an accurate picture of omicron, the surge will reach frightening heights and then drop as rapidly as it rose. Notably, our defenses are better than they were during the previous surges that hit our community. Vaccinations are making a huge difference, and treatments for those with the virus have dramatically improved during the past two years. More than two-thirds of Bexar Countys total population 67.5 percent has been fully vaccinated. That is significantly better than the statewide average of 57.1 percent. Vaccines are our single most important tool in the effort to halt the spread of COVID. On most days, more than 70 percent of our communitys hospitalized COVID patients are unvaccinated. Vaccinated people must continue to be careful, too. Omicron is producing more breakthrough cases in fully vaccinated people than previous strains, and it spreads so efficiently that chances are most of us will encounter it at some point. But people who are vaccinated and boosted are far less likely to suffer severe illness or be hospitalized. Indisputably, the best defense against getting severely ill is getting fully vaccinated and getting a booster, too. Wearing a well-fitting mask that covers your mouth and nose is also an important way to protect our community by decreasing the spread of the virus. If you are among people from outside of your household in an indoor setting or a large crowd, masking up remains an important step. Additionally, if you feel sick stay home. Commonsense efforts to avoid spreading COVID continue to make a difference. The ongoing surge is a serious situation, but we are far better equipped to get through it than in the past. Get vaccinated and boosted. Mask up and stay home when you are sick. We will get through this crisis by working together and protecting each other. Ron Nirenberg is mayor of San Antonio. Nelson Wolff is the Bexar County judge. ap /AP Photo, File In the years since holding its first official Martin Luther King Jr. March in 1987, the city of San Antonio has become strongly identified with the national holiday honoring the birthday of the drum major for justice and nonviolence. The local MLK march has earned a reputation as the largest in the nation, drawing upward of 300,000 people. Unfortunately, for the second consecutive year, the march has been canceled because of an increase in COVID cases. Gregg Costa, an Obama appointee to the conservative 5th Circuit, confirmed he told President Joe Biden Wednesday that this summer he plans to step down from his lifetime appointment . The vacancy on the circuit court as well as one on the federal trial court created by Clinton-appointee Vanessa Gilmores retirement on Jan. 2 mark a rare opportunity for the Biden administration to put or at least try to put progressive judges on the bench in Texas. Costa said hes retiring because he misses being a trial lawyer, and plans to find a job at a Houston firm where he can defend civil and criminal clients. While the news was surprising to some in his orbit, he said, I think the people who know me the best arent surprised because they know I love battling it out in court. Costa famously prosecuted convicted Ponzi schemer Allen Stanford in 2012. The appellate judge, who is only 49, informed his colleagues, law clerks and the president this week that he plans to leave the bench in early August. The hard part is leaving public service, he said. He said he has a deep belief in the importance of the judiciary, adding he doesnt see his departure as a negative development because, It will give another talented lawyer a chance to serve. Texas jurist Carolyn Dineen King, who was appointed to the 5th Circuit by President Jimmy Carter, described her departing colleague as a superb judge, a five-star lawyer and a wonderful human being. He will be a gift to whomever he ultimately decides to go with, she added. All of us on this court will miss him. After law school at University of Texas, Costa clerked for a Washington, D.C. circuit judge and later became a clerk for Chief U.S. Supreme Court Justice William Rehnquist. He then worked as a federal prosecutor in Houston, serving as lead counsel in the Stanford case. Costa was tapped by President Barack Obama to serve as a federal trial court judge, occupying a seat vacated by Sen. U.S. District Judge John D. Rainey. The Senate confirmed him the following April. He presided over cases in the Galveston and Victoria courts for two years. Costa was swiftly elevated to the circuit court that hears federal appeals from Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi. The Senate voted 97-0 to confirm him to position formerly held by U.S. Judge Fortunato Benavides in May 2014. Obama said at the time that hed picked Costa for the 5th Circuit because he had displayed exceptional dedication to public service for his entire career. By the time of his retirement in August, he will have served on the New Orleans based 5th Circuit Court for eight years. On the matter of leaving a lifetime spot so young, Costa said, Ive never had the idea that you have to stay until youre done. He said hed been thinking about this decision for a long time. Its been the honor of a lifetime to be a federal judge but I realize Im better suited to being an advocate, Costa said. Gilmore, who serves on the board of the DePelchin Center and has been an advocate for adoption, has significantly more longevity on the federal bench. She was sworn in in 1994 at age 37, making her the youngest federal judge appointed to the bench. She retired after the new year at the age of 65. The more common path than those taken by Gilmore and Costa is for judges to stick around until theyre retirement age and then assume senior status, which means you can take on a smaller caseload before retiring. The lifetime appointees in the Southern District of Texas have voted to move Gilmores bench to Laredo courthouse so the new appointee can help with the backlogged border docket, according to Chief U.S. District Judge Lee H. Rosenthal. Besides Gilmore and Costa, there is a vacancy in the Western District of Texas following the death in February 2021 of U.S. District Judge Philip R. Martinez. gabrielle.banks@chron.com WASHINGTON The Justice Department on Thursday charged Stewart Rhodes a Texan who founded and leads the far-right extremist group Oath Keepers with seditious conspiracy, alleging he led a group plotting to stop the peaceful transfer of power on Jan. 6, 2021. It is the most serious charge the FBI has leveled yet in connection to the U.S. Capitol riots and comes as some Texas Republicans have sought to play down what happened that day. The insurrection left five dead, including a Capitol police officer, and 140 other officers injured. The FBI says the 56-year-old Rhodes, of Granbury, and 10 others charged Thursday with the same crime spent weeks recruiting and training members for what Rhodes repeatedly predicted would be a bloody battle, according to charging documents. They allegedly purchased and brought weapons to Washington, D.C. and breached the Capitol with a plan to stop Congress certification of Democrat Joe Bidens election victory. 64 Texans were charged in the Jan. 6 Capitol riot: A year later, heres where things stand. We arent getting through this without a civil war, Rhodes wrote on the Signal messaging service to his cohorts two days after the election, according to charging documents. Too late for that. Prepare your mind, body, spirit. It will be a bloody and desperate fight, Rhodes wrote in a separate message in December, 2021. We are going to have a fight. That cant be avoided. Rhodes has repeatedly denied wrongdoing. He previously told the Washington Post that he was communicating with members of his group on Jan. 6 to keep them out of trouble, and emphasized that Oath Keepers associates who did go into the Capitol went totally off mission. Jonathon A. Moseley, an attorney for Rhodes and another alleged conspirator, said he believes DOJ leveled the seditious conspiracy charges in response to pressure. Everybody has been asking, Why dont you get tougher on them, and suddenly they get tougher on them, Moseley said. The facts dont support seditious conspiracy or any of the charges, except possibly that the Oath Keepers went into the building. The charge of seditious conspiracy in the Jan. 6 siege carries a statutory maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. Rhodes is at least the 65th Texan charged so far in connection to the riots, which followed then-President Donald Trumps urging of supporters at a rally to march on the Capitol and fight like hell. Trump has falsely claimed that voter fraud cost him the 2020 election. Texas is second only to Florida in the number of its residents arrested for their roles that day. Rhodes was arrested in Little Elm on Thursday morning. Also charged in the alleged conspiracy was Roberto Minuta, 37, of Prosper, who was arrested in August. Minuta wrote in a December message to an unidentified individual that Rhodes feels like its go time, the time for peaceful protest is over in his eyes, according to charging documents. Of the dozens of Texans charged so far, 11 have pleaded guilty. The remaining 52 cases are pending before federal judges in Washington, D.C., as new arrests by the FBI continue to trickle in. Six Texans have been sentenced for their involvement. Three were ordered to serve 60 days or less in custody. They include Tam Pham, a veteran Houston police officer sentenced to 45 days in jail. Two others were ordered to 12 months probation and 90 days home detention. YOU CANT STOP US: FBI timeline depicts roles Texans played in Capitol siege Rhodes, who wears an eye patch following a gun accident in the 90s, is a former Army paratrooper who once worked as a staffer for Ron Paul, the former Texas congressman and presidential candidate. Rhodes graduated from Yale Law School in 2004 where he won a prize for the best paper on the Bill of Rights, according to Above the Law. He clerked for an Arizona supreme court justice before entering the political fray. Over the next two decades, he evolved from a Libertarian to an alt-right militia proponent who could summon large groups of weapons-trained supporters to aid in an array of anti-government causes. In March 2009, while living in Nevada, Rhodes founded the Oath Keepers, which the Southern Poverty Law Center says is among the largest far-right, anti-government groups in the country. It claims to have tens of thousands of present and former law enforcement officials and military veterans as members. From the outset, Rhodes group envisioned a day when the government became a dictatorship that imposed martial law and sought to take away peoples guns. The groups dues-paying members vow that there are 10 Orders We Will Not Obey, including warrant-less searches or orders to disarm the public or infringe on free speech because they consider them unlawful. In 2013, the group began providing vigilante justice. Rhodes appeared on the speakers list for a Come and take it rally in San Antonio organized by friend and fellow Texan Alex Jones, the far-right broadcaster and conspiracy theorist who falsely claimed the 2012 massacre of 20 first-graders and six adults at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn. was a hoax. Rhodes took to the podium at a gun rally at the Alamo that day, prompted by a rumor among extremists that the United Nations was taking over the historic Texas site. The group also sent militia members to aid Cliven Bundys 2014 standoff in rural Nevada over grazing rights; mobilized pro-gun rights patrols at statehouses in the aftermath of the Sandy Hook massacre; and deployed armed members to protect businesses during Black Lives Matter demonstrations in 2015 in Ferguson, Mo. Rhodes also offered protection to a Kentucky county clerk who refused to issue marriage licenses to gay couples after a 2015 Supreme Court ruling guaranteeing that right. When Trump began sounding the alarm about a caravan of immigrants heading north from Central America, Rhodes sent the Oath Keepers to help find and expose child sex-trafficking rings that he believed were operating at the border. Hero or heel? Conservatives attacks on Sen. Ted Cruz underscore GOP infighting over Jan. 6 riot Rhodes arrest came a week after the one-year anniversary of the Capitol riots, which highlighted the partisan divide on how the event is discussed by Democrats and Republican a year after it happened. While Democrats have framed the insurrection as an existential threat to the country, Republicans have been far more hesitant to assign blame for it, fearing they might draw the ire of Trump or his supporters. Rhodes was originally scheduled to testify on Thursday before the Democrat-led House select commission investigating the riots, his attorney said, but he negotiated to have his appearance pushed back until next month. Moseley, who is representing Rhodes before the committee, said he was on the phone with Rhodes to discuss it when his client got a call that the FBI was outside to arrest him. The FBI says Rhodes held an online meeting with Oath Keepers members on Nov. 9 and outlined a plan to stop the transfer of power, including preparations for the potential use of force, and urged those on the call to participate, according to charging documents. We have been issued a call to action for D.C., Kelly Meggs, a 52-year-old Floridian who is also charged in the conspiracy, wrote in a separate Signal group chat, according to charging documents. This is the moment we signed up for. In the following weeks, Oath Keepers groups held training sessions on unconventional warfare, road blocks, ambushes and more, according to charging documents. Rhodes allegedly spent thousands on guns and related equipment. Members of the group allegedly stashed firearms in hotels in Virginia in case they were needed for a quick reaction force as Rhodes and others marched on the Capitol, equipped with weapons and supplies, including knives, batons, camouflaged combat uniforms, tactical vests, helmets, eye protection and radio equipment, charging documents say. After the riots, charging documents say, Rhodes wrote in a message that patriots entering their own Capitol to send a message to the traitors is NOTHING compared to whats coming. ben.wermund@chron.com gabrielle.banks@chron.com Sterling, VA (20165) Today Cloudy. Slight chance of a rain shower. High 74F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Showers early with isolated thunderstorms arriving overnight. Low 57F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%. A Hartford man accused of stealing a federal law enforcement agencys vehicle with another man and selling the tires and rims off the car will face home confinement, the U.S. Attorneys office announced. Jose Nunez-Torres, 21, who also goes by Jose Nunez and J-Money, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Robert Chatigny earlier this week to 16 months imprisonment, time already served. His sentence includes three years of supervised release, the first four months of which will be served in home confinement, the office said in a statement Monday. Nunez-Torres pleaded guilty to federal charges of theft of government property and one count possession with intent to distribute fentanyl in May of last year. The government said he was charged with the vehicle theft case in March 2019 and released on bond. While that case was pending, the U.S. attorneys office said Nunez-Torres was arrested in November 2020 on state charges after police found him asleep in a stolen car on a highway off-ramp in Hartford. A search of the car revealed two stun guns, a black metal collapsible baton, and distribution quantities of fentanyl and marijuana, a press release said. The government property theft charge relates to an incident on Jan. 29, 2019, when prosecutors claim Nunez Torres and another man, Dominque Perry, stole a Honda Accord from a Newington home that belonged to a federal law enforcement agency. At the time of the theft, the car contained fully loaded firearm magazines for multiple weapons, ammunition, handcuffs and other restraints, a ballistic vest and its component parts, and raid jackets, the release said. The two men allegedly took the car to Bloomfield where they stripped it of its tires and rims, subsequently selling them, and advertised the sale of loaded firearm magazines, ammunition, ballistic vest and other items, the release said. Perry has also pleaded guilty to theft of government property. He was sentenced to one year and one day in prison in 2020, the office said. Nunez-Torres later pleaded guilty to state charges related to the thefts of two other cars and to risk of injury of a minor, the release said. He is scheduled to be released from state custody on Feb. 8. The office said not all of the equipment stolen from the law enforcement vehicle has been recovered, and the two men have been ordered to pay $1,560 in restitution. Perry pleaded guilty in federal court to theft of government property and, on February 3, 2020, was sentenced to 12 months and one day of imprisonment, followed by four months of home confinement. Judge Chatigny ordered Nunez-Torres and Perry to pay $1,560 in restitution for the missing equipment. Democrats across the country are pushing to continue allowing private money to fund public elections as Republicans try to limit the practice, which they say gave Joe Biden an unfair and perhaps decisive advantage in his victory over Donald Trump in the 2020 presidential contest. So far at least 10 Republican-controlled states have passed laws to prohibit or limit the use of private money in public elections. These include the swing states of Arizona, Florida, Georgia, and Ohio. In another swing state, North Carolina, Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper vetoed such legislation, as did other Democratic governors. During 2020, nonprofits donated more than $400 million to state and local election boards to support their work and get out the vote. Most of the funding, around $350 million, came from Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg and his wife, Priscilla Chan, distributed primarily through the Center for Tech and Civic Life, or CTCL, a Chicago-based progressive-led group that includes former operatives of President Obama. Democrats and others contend that such money an amount approaching the $479.5 million in federal and state matching funds provided for COVID-related election expenses in 2020 is necessary to support the work of underfunded election boards facing the added challenges of the pandemic. In vetoing the North Carolina legislation, Gov. Cooper said the money provided necessities such as masks, single-use pens and other protective equipment, so voters stayed safe during the pandemic." Republicans assert that the private grants were disproportionately allocated to counties eventually won by Biden, a mismatch that hurt them in 2020 and, if continued, would damage their chances in future elections. Our elections should never be for sale, but they were in 2020, Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (R-N.Y.) said last month, calling the private funding a partisan exercise. The CTCL insists the grants were available to any entity that applied. Among other things, the money went to get-out-the-vote efforts and tallying mail-in ballots. In some cases, the money allowed Democratic Party operatives in key states to help run the election, including the counting of votes. The center was very lenient regarding what we could spend the money on, Deb Cox, a Lowndes County, Ga., elections supervisor, told RealClearInvestigations in May. The county paid off a $15,000 legal bill with some of the grant. They put virtually no restrictions on it as long as it relates to the election. The center reports that it distributed the grants to elections offices in 48 states and the District of Columbia. Included in its election funding, it said, was $25 million from the New Venture Fund, a progressive nonprofit affiliated with Arabella Advisors, which coordinates a politically liberal, so-called "dark money" network. With federal election funding distributed primarily based on voting age population, most money tends to flow to logistically challenged cities and larger counties often Democrat-run. This was the case in 2020 and 2018, both years when Congress approved hundreds of millions of dollars for election security upgrades. The outsized private grants in 2020, however, were not covered by transparency laws governing federal spending. And many on the right saw in the opaqueness little more than political advocacy at play. The Capital Research Center, a conservative group that describes its study of election 2020 as exposing how one billionaire privatized a presidential election, estimates that in Georgia, the Zuckerberg-aligned center gave $5.06 per capita in counties that went for Joe Biden and 98 cents in counties that went for Donald Trump. In Pennsylvania, another swing state, the group estimates that the center gave $3.11 per capita in counties that went for Biden, while Trump counties received 57 cents per capita. In Arizona, the group says, the breakdown was $5.83 for Biden counties and $1.29 for Trump counties. CTCLs executive director, Tiana Epps-Johnson, told the Associated Press that the funding allocation reflects those who chose to apply. Every eligible election department that was verified as legitimate was approved for a grant, the center said on its website. Epps-Johnson did not respond to an email seeking an interview. Interested parties are monitoring the issue ahead of this years midterms. According to the progressive Brennan Center for Justice, 19 states have enacted 34 laws to make it harder for Americans to vote. It says 25 states have enacted 62 new laws that make it easier to vote, including expanded mail ballot drop-off points and less stringent mail ballot verification. The Brennan Center did not respond to an interview request. Lawmakers in 27 states this year passed legislation specifically to make mail-in voting easier, according to the Voting Rights Lab, which declined an interview request. A review of these laws finds many are returning to pre-pandemic policies that were uprooted as a flurry of states insisted it was unsafe for voters in the pandemic year to cast ballots as they had before. Other new rules call for stricter monitoring of mail-in ballot procedures in addition to bans or limits on private grants. The private funding on its own is not as problematic as the appearance it creates based on the originator of the money, said Ilya Shapiro, director of the Robert A. Levy Center for Constitutional Studies at the Cato Institute. If just one group is providing the money, it has the look of being tainted, Shapiro said. Part of election integrity is the perception. The private grants are legal if not specifically outlawed, said Ron Labasky, general counsel for the Florida Supervisors of Elections. Florida has precluded public officials from taking money for running elections, Labasky said. But there were no legal prohibitions from receiving those grants. Floridas election bill to ban the funding, like those in several other states, was part of an omnibus voting measure that also codified rules regarding mail-in ballots and the responsibilities of poll watchers. Moves to restrict that funding have been opposed with the help of an army of lobbyists funded by progressive groups including New Venture, the Hopewell Fund, Secure Democracy and Represent.us. The laws struck down in exclusively blue states include Wisconsin, where Gov. Tony Evers vetoed a measure outlawing private grants to local elections offices, claiming the law unnecessarily restricts the use of resources that may be needed to ensure elections are administered effectively. Michigans Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer rejected a similar bill, although her veto did not state her reason. Louisianas Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards vetoed a bill outlawing private donations to election officials claiming the measure would ban all donations, no matter how good the intentions, while calling committee debate over Zuckerbergs grants overheated rhetoric. The rhetoric included a comment during the introduction of the legislation from Republican state Rep. Blake Miguez (the bills sponsor), who said that the money that was sent through this nonprofit organization was a disguised way of getting out the vote for a particular special interest in this case. Miguez was asked by a political opponent in the statehouse during the hearing if the measure would have come if the presidential election went the other way. I think this bill is good in any scenario, Miguez said. As a result of the vetoes, several states governed by Democrats are now fully open to receiving largesse from partisan sources in 2022, a year in which both houses of Congress are up for grabs in the midterm elections. It remains to be seen if there will be more people dumping money through private foundations into our election system, said Jason Snead, executive director of the conservative Honest Elections Project. Theres unquestionably a need for adequate public funding to run an election, and the money should come from the states. I encourage states to close this [private] money off. Snead added that there could be an argument made this year that the nation is still dealing with the coronavirus and there remains the need for protective equipment, which was an argument made for the private money in 2020. In an October 2020 statement, Zuckerberg said he hopes that for future elections the government provides adequate funding. But absent that funding, I think it's critical that this urgent need is met. Without the billions these elections officials seek, Zuckerberg can again assert the lack of adequate funding in plying elections supervisors with money this fall. The average American does not want to see this practice going forward, said Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose, a Republican who took some of the private grant money in 2020, which was approved by state legislators. Some states require such approval while others do not. That was an extraordinary circumstance, and I would not accept that money now, LaRose said. The practice should be halted, he said. Ideally, maybe something should be done at the federal level, sort of putting a line in the sand on private funding. I think its time for that. A scheme set up to support struggling pig producers in Scotland who were affected by the closure of the Brechin abattoir last year is to be extended. The Scottish government said it would pump a further 680,000 into the pig producers' hardship scheme, created to soothe the sector's issues related to the pandemic's impacts. Farmers have been impacted by the temporary closure of the Brechin abattoir and the subsequent suspension of its China export licence. The scheme was initially made available in August 2021 to deliver what the Scottish government described as 'essential funding' to eligible farmers, who supplied Quality Pig Processors (QPP) between 8 February and 31 March last year. The National Pig Association (NPA) welcomed the news, adding that it highlighted the different approaches taken between devolved governments in supporting the sector. Elsewhere in the UK, pig producers in Northern Ireland have benefited from two tranches of funding provided as a result of Covid-related export problems last year. However, in England, Defra has rejected calls by the NPA for compensation for struggling producers affected by the events of the past year or so. Defra Secretary George Eustice told MPs he believed the lack of staff in processing was a commercial risk for producers, and therefore not something that the government should provide compensation for. Responding to the Scottish government's announcement to extend its hardship scheme, SNP MP for Gordon, Richard Thomson, said it showed a 'very stark contrast' between the support available in Scotland and England. If ever a demonstration was needed about which government has the interests of our rural communities at heart, then this provides a very stark contrast indeed," he said. While Boris Johnson cracks jokes about Peppa Pig and hides from parliamentary scrutiny over how many times he broke his own Covid rules, the Scottish government shows it listens to the needs of rural Scotland." Pig producers have accused George Eustice of playing down the ongoing cull of pigs on farms caused by insufficient processing capacity in pork plants. In an in-depth interview with the Politics Home website, the Defra Secretary said he expected to have "got the situation back into balance" by early spring. Mr Eustice insisted government ministers "were always clear" there was never going to be a quick fix. In the context of the total number of pigs that are being slaughtered, which is in the millions, its a relatively small number [being culled], he said. Responding, the National Pig Association (NPA) said Mr Eustice was 'playing down' the crisis, as over 30,000 pigs had been culled due to overcrowding on farms. The trade body added that this figure was likely to be a significant under-estimate as these were just the reported cases. The Politics Home article cites NPA warnings about how the financial hit to pig farmers had forced some to walk away from the industry. It refers to "harrowing reports from affected farms have revealed the stress and misery of their plight." However, Mr Eustice did express sympathy for farmers who have had to cull pigs: Culling on farm is never ideal, and obviously its distressing," he said. "Farmers raise their pigs to go into food production, so to have that waste is something nobody wants to see." The NPA said it would continue to push Mr Eustice to ensure the package of support measures announced in October 2021 would help the industry as intended. The situation remains critical despite the support package, which included measures such as 800 new butchers' visas, a private storage aid scheme and incentives for processors to put on extra kills. The measures were all designed to increase throughput in processing plants and, in turn, help reduce the severe backlog of pigs on farms. However, the NPA said the support measures announced have had 'little impact so far'. The sector's current crisis is a result of slaughterhouse and butchery worker shortages linked to Brexit and the impact of the pandemic. Feed prices are also continuing to increase while pig prices plummet, adding to the already dire financial situation facing many farmers. It follows the NPA's New Year message, which saw the body's chairman Rob Mutimer set out the sector's hopes for this year after the 'turmoil' of 2021. "Covid-19 was initially quite friendly to the industry, but the bite in the tail of the loss of Chinese exports and illness and staff shortages reducing the throughput of the processing sector has really hurt us. "With this being further compounded by Brexit, increased production costs and drop in the pig price, the industry has had a great deal to cope with over the past 12 months. "A serious backlog of pigs remains on farms, which is still causing huge problems for some farmers who have run out of options, and the financial situation is dire." Delays to firearms licensing are set to reach record highs causing significant complications for certificate holders, according to the UKs largest shooting organisation. Covid restrictions, regulatory medical involvement and a peak in firearms licensing renewals has caused 'mass disruption' across licensing departments in England and Wales. The British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC) says that in many instances, applicants are facing over six months of delays. The body, which has a membership of over 150,000 people, adds that some police forces have ceased grant applications altogether. North Yorkshire Police announced in November that they have stopped all grant applications for the foreseeable future. Since then more forces have followed including Thames Valley, Northamptonshire, Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Hampshire Police. BASC says it is currently seeking legal advice against those forces who have stopped accepting grant applications. Bill Harriman, the group's director of firearms, said: Throughout last year there was an increase in delays across numerous forces. "We are now receiving complaints that grant applications are being returned with no reason provided. While it is nearly impossible to plan for the disruption caused by the pandemic, forces should have been prepared for the peak renewal period and the introduction of medical verifications. "Their failure to correctly resource has led to significant delays and thousands of certificate holders edging closer to holding firearms illegally." The 43 police forces across England and Wales are responsible for the licensing of over 600,000 individuals, including those who require their firearms as part of their livelihoods, such as farmers and pest controllers. Because of this, the BASC says forces' licensing departments are "monopoly providers, leaving applicants nowhere to turn when faced with months of delays". Mr Harriman added: The discontinuation of grant applications is a failure to discharge the polices statutory duty. The police cannot switch the law on and off as it pleases them. The process of firearms licensing is a public service to ensure public safety, the Home Office is required to act before the whole system collapses. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he is reviewing plans by Quebec to impose a tax on residents who refuse to get vaccinated against COVID-19 without a medical exemption. Quebecs Premier Francois Legault on Tuesday announced that residents who decide not to get a coronavirus vaccine for non-medical reasons would have to pay a health care tax, amid a new surge in coronavirus infections in the province. Advertisement Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, flanked daughter Ella-Grace, delivers his victory speech in Montreal after general elections last year. (ANDREJ IVANOV/AFP via Getty Images) A health contribution will be charged to all adults [who] dont want to get vaccinated. We are there now, he told reporters. Those who refuse to get the shot bring a financial burden to hospital staff and Quebecers. The 10% of the population cant burden the 90%. On Wednesday, Trudeau said during a pandemic update that his administration is reviewing the plan and awaiting more details from the province. Advertisement As weve said, incentives and strong measures whether its vaccine passports, whether its requirements for travelers, whether its the requirement for public servants to be fully vaccinated we have taken very strong measures in the past and they have worked in terms of keeping Canadians safe, he told reporters. Breaking News As it happens Get updates on the coronavirus pandemic and other news as it happens with our free breaking news email alerts. > We will continue to look and work with the provinces and look at measures put forward, Trudeau added, according to Canadas CTV News. A person enters a COVID-19 rapid testing business in Montreal, Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021. (Graham Hughes/AP) Quebec has yet to release a timeline for the rollout of the measures, or how much the penalty would be, though Legault has said that 50 or 100 Canadian dollars ($40 or $80) wouldnt be significant enough for him. If enacted, the tax would be the first of its kind in North America. During the briefing, the prime minister added that Quebec has assured the federal government that it would respect the key principle of the Canada Health Act, which is to facilitate reasonable access to health services without financial or other barriers. Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos agreed with Trudeaus remarks on strong measures, praising the effectiveness of vaccine mandates. The keyword here is benevolence. Both the language and the actions are there and designed to protect people, he said. This is a severe disease, we want people to be protected against it No one, I believe, is thinking or certainly speaking of forcibly, physically vaccinating people in Canada, Duclos added. Northern Irish farmers can now apply for grants of up to 250,000 as part of a scheme encouraging on-farm investments. NI's Department of Agriculture (DAERA) minister Edwin Poots has announced the opening of Tier 2 of the Farm Business Improvement Scheme - Capital (FBIS-C). Tier 2 is for projects costing over 30,000, and is primarily for construction projects and the purchase of higher value equipment linked to the needs in the farmer's business plan. The scheme will a grant rate of 40 percent of eligible costs, with 250,000 being the maximum grant available. Mr Poots said the focus of the fund was on larger-scale investment to 'encourage a step change' in the agriculture and horticulture sectors. We want to drive transformational investment in future proofed, fit-for-purpose, modern infrastructure and equipment, guided by a robust business planning process within assisted farms. I am now inviting those farmers and growers who submitted an Expression of Interest and who are ready to make a significant investment to transform their business to come forward now." There was a significant number of Expressions of Interest in this tranche of Tier 2 FBIS Capital, which were used to explore the type of investment planned, approximate total costs and potential time for completion. Only those farm businesses which submitted an Expression of Interest will be eligible to submit a full application for Tier 2 tranche 2 by the application closing date, 1 April 2022. Only subscribers with PAID Print or E-Edition subscriptions please enter here to gain access. If you are not already a Paid subscriber do not go through this portal. Please return to the subscription page to purchase one of our offers. Thank you! Jessica Washburn was sure it was over. The last challenge of the first episode of Baking It a food competition series on Peacock hosted by Maya Rudolph and Andy Samberg had just wrapped filming, but Washburn turned to Stephanie Moikeha, her sister and partner, and said, Im so sorry. Were going home. Things had gotten out of hand quickly. The studios kitchen was vastly different than Washburns home kitchen in Blue Springs, Missouri; the temperature on set was 5 degrees higher than she expected; and midway through baking snowman macarons decorated with royal icing which the sisters had never used before Washburn realized her oven was set to the convection setting. The snowmen had to finish baking with the oven door halfway open. I thought I blew it, and I just did not think we were going to make it through the first episode, Washburn says. As it turned out, the panel of grandmas who served as judges for the show only had wonderful things to say about the macarons. Soon enough, after what Washburn thought was a dreadful start, she and her sister won the competition and took home $50,000 in prize money. Its been a whirlwind for Washburn, who, with her mother, opened Bliss Chocolatier in Blue Springs in December 2020. Just a few months later, a casting agent for Baking It contacted her about auditioning for the show. Washburn wasnt initially interested, until she was encouraged to watch Making It the predecessor to Baking It, which was created by the same executive production team. Arian Moayeds web series is perfect for these dark and dangerous times. Though best known for playing Stewy Hosseini on the HBO series Succession, Moayed is the writer-director of The Accidental Wolf, a thriller that perfectly embodies the 2020s with its twisty plotlines about military coverups set against a backdrop of racial and cultural tensions, presidential conspiracy theories and (potentially) manmade epidemics. Advertisement Yet the scripts written by Moayed for the show, which streams exclusively on Topic, have often proven to be ahead of its time too, considering the latest chapter of The Accidental Wolf was filmed in 2018 and 2019, with the first season written in 2015 and the genesis of the series dating back to 2011. Advertisement I get that a lot in my work of like, Oh my God, how did you know that [was going to happen]? Moayed, 41, told the Daily News. I wish it could be like I feel great about [being right but] the world is a f--king s--tbox. ... Its bizarre. (L-R) Kelli O'Hara, Dennis O'Hare in Arian Moayed's "The Accidental Wolf." (Andrew H. Kim/Andrew H. Kim, andrewhkim.com) The Emmy-nominated series, featuring a top-notch cast that includes Laurie Metcalf, Denis OHare and Judith Ivey, centers on Katie (Kelli OHara), a wealthy Manhattan housewife and mother whose humdrum life is turned upside down when she receives a random long-distance phone call from a dying stranger begging her to help his pregnant wife, Tala. Though everyone around Katie warns her to forget about the murdered stranger, she instead sets off in search of the truth and Tala. Arian Moayed attends HBO's "Succession" season 3 premiere at the American Museum of Natural History on Oct. 12, 2021, in New York. (Charles Sykes/Charles Sykes/Invision/AP) Moayed, who was born in Iran, raised near Chicago and currently lives in New York City, said the series is an unbelievably uncomfortably messy type of response to the world at hand, not only to how Western nations treat developing nations but how women are treated as second-class citizens. I grew up in a very Iranian feminist household. And those words might seem confusing to a reader because they might not go together. But Iranians are massive feminists, said Moayed, a father of two daughters. (L-R) Constance Shulman, Kelli OHara and Crystal Dickenson in Arian Moayed's "The Accidental Wolf." And I was told at a very young age that men overpower women unfairly and unjustly since the dawn of time. ... I wasnt trying to write a feminist piece, I was just writing what I think this world was putting onto [Katie]. Advertisement An acclaimed stage actor who in 2011 was nominated for a Tony for best featured actor for Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo, Moayed said the initial idea for the series started a decade ago when he co-starred with OHara in a production of King Lear. OHara played Lears daughter Regan, and Moayed was struck by the sympathy he felt for Regan, the worst character in the show, and asked OHara if he could write something for her. What he most hopes people will take away from The Accidental Wolf is the question, How far would you go to help a stranger? Would you be willing to give up your entire livelihood? Moayed said. Your child? Marriage? Privilege? Access? ... What would it look like if you do? Category Select Category Apparel/Garments Textiles Fashion Technical Textiles Information Technology E-commerce Retail Corporate Association Press Release SubCategory Select Sub-Category Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 12, 2022) - Brascan Gold Inc. (CSE: BRAS) ("Brascan" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has completed the second tranche (the "Second Tranche") of its non-brokered private placement (the "Private Placement") previously announced on October 13, 2021, of 1,497,767 units (the "Units") at a price of $0.30 per Unit for gross proceeds of $449,330. Each Unit consists of one (1) share (each, a "Share") and one-half-of-one (1/2) transferable Share purchase warrant (each, a "Warrant"). Each Warrant entitles the holder thereof to purchase one (1) additional Share of the Company for a period of two (2) years from closing at a price of $0.40 per Share, expiring January 12, 2024. The Company intends to use the proceeds from the Private Placement towards exploration at the Company's Black Cat and Middle Arm properties located in the mine-friendly region of Baie Verte, Newfoundland. The province of Newfoundland and Labrador is ranked among the top 10 mining jurisdictions worldwide by the Fraser Institute. The Baie Verte district in northwestern Newfoundland boasts excellent infrastructure, including a deep water port facility in Pine Cove, a local assay laboratory, local mining and drilling contractors, high transmission lines, easy access to supplies, a regional airport and local hospitals, schools and hotels. No finders' fees were paid in respect the Second Tranche. Pursuant to applicable securities laws, all securities issued under the Second Tranche Private Placement are subject to a statutory hold period of four months and a day expiring on May 13, 2022. Change of Officers Further, the Company announces that Mr. Balbir Johal has been appointed as President and Chief Executive Officer, replacing Mr. Eric Warren effective immediately. Mr. Warren will remain a member of the board of directors of the Company. Mr. Johal currently serves as a member of the board of directors of the Company and is former securities lawyer with over 20 years' experience in the global capital markets. He has extensive experience in working with natural resources and exploration companies. Mr. Johal has served as a senior officer and director of several public companies and is presently CEO of his own merchant bank Midori Capital Inc. The securities offered have not been registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the securities in the United States or in any other jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. About the Company The Company is a gold exploration issuer based in Vancouver, BC. The Company holds an option over the Vulcan Property, located in the Fort Steele Mining Division in southeastern BC and the Middle Arm Fault and Black Cat properties, located 30 km and 40 km south, respectively, of the town of Baie Verte, Newfoundland. For more information, investors should review the Company's filings that are available at www.sedar.com. Contact Information Balbir Johal Director Telephone: 604 812 1747 Email: bjohal75@gmail.com Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains certain forward-looking statements that are "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws. All statements that are not historical facts, including without limitation, statements regarding future estimates, plans, programs, forecasts, projections, objectives, assumptions, expectations or beliefs of future performance, including statements regarding the Private Placement, the use of the proceeds and the exploration of the Black Cat and Middle Arm properties are "forward-looking information". These forward-looking statements reflect the expectations or beliefs of management of the Company based on information currently available to it. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including those detailed from time to time in filings made by the Company with securities regulatory authorities, which may cause actual outcomes to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements. These factors should be considered carefully and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release are made as of the date hereof and the Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements or information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless so required by applicable securities laws. NOT FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES OR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWS WIRE SERVICES To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/109942 Portal provides insight into the role of interim executives, championing the challenges of the pandemic for public, private and private-equity backed businesses London / Germany, Jan. 12, 2022highlighting the significant role of interim executives in post-pandemic recovery, digital transformation and global growth. "Organisations are struggling to reskill the capabilities of their existing workforce fast enough to meet changing needs," commented Lisa Farmer, Global Co-Leader, Interim Managementand Managing Partner, United Kingdom & Ireland. "We are committed to helping clients worldwide achieve their goals in complex and challenging markets, by providing world-class, highly experienced interim executives to deliver meticulously defined outcomes." The portal provides insight into the senior-level, hands-on strategic consulting and implementation work, specialist content and resources for interim executives. "The need for rapid and sometimes remote understanding of a client's business, particularly with covid restrictions, is boosting the use of interim executives, alongside sector transformation, technical advances and shifts in market opportunity," added Georg Larch, Global Co-Leader, Interim Management and Managing Partner, Germany. "Throughout 2022, we expect more international demand and use of interim executives while the right leader can be found through executive search". Boyden identifies the right interim executives to help clients in, for example: Preparation for merger, acquisition or sale Preparing a private equity portfolio company for sale Driving through operational efficiencies Managing the business through crisis, change, transformation or turnaround activities Major programmes and projects such as ERP changes Analysis and blueprint for corporate functions to ensure a 'fit for purpose' team, strategy, process and plan Boyden Interim is distinctive in providing sector specialisationand consistent, cross-border capabilities to clients worldwide, often delivered through collaborative search, leadership consultingand interim colleagues. The global interim teamhas grown in response to a surge in client demand throughout the pandemic, particularly in the industrial, technology, financial services, healthcare & life sciences, private equity & venture capital and social impact sectors. Boyden is driving a greater understanding of what this talent demographic can deliver, particularly for private equity portfolios. "Private equity has evolved and developed, both geographically and in terms of sophistication," comments Anita Pouplard,Global Practice Leader, Private Equity & Venture Capital Practice and Managing Partner, France. "Understanding of interim talent is high in Europe, where this expertise evolved, with the US and particularly Asia planning greater use of interim managers in the near future[1]". Interim executives with ESG skills are particularly valuable, with ESG a consistent theme for limited partners, interims and the private equity market as a whole: 78% of limited partners consider ESG factors when investing in private equity funds[2]. About Boyden Interim Management Boyden currently provides interim management expertise from offices across Europe, Canada and Australia through specialist interim consultants. This team works closely with colleagues in executive search and leadership consulting to deliver the right outcomes to clients in publicly-quoted organisations, private companies, social enterprises, family-run and private equity-backed businesses. Boyden's interim executives are a select pool well known to the firm, and considered to be among the top performers in the market. These highly qualified executives have significant expertise, deliver immediate value and cover all C-suite and director level roles. Boyden ranks as a 2021 leading interim service provider at Platinum level, by the Institute of Interim Management. About Boyden Boyden is a premier leadership and talent advisory firm with more than 75 offices in over 45 countries. Our global reach enables us to serve client needs anywhere they conduct business. We connect great companies with great leaders through executive search, interim management and leadership consulting solutions. Boyden is ranked amongst the top companies on Forbes' Americas Best Executive Recruiting Firms for 2021. For further information, visit www.boyden.com. [1]https://www.boyden.com/media/talent-led-transformation-in-a-post-pandemic-world-21330238/index.html?page=8pager [2]According to Acuity Knowledge Partners, https://www.acuitykp.com/blog/esg-trends-in-private-equity Attachments VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / January 12, 2022 / Silver Elephant Mining Corp. ("Silver Elephant" or the "Company") (TSX:ELEF)(OTCQX:SILEF)(Frankfurt:1P2N) announces further to the news release dated January 12, 2022 regarding the Effective Date for the Plan of Arrangement, trading in the Company's common shares will commence on a post-Arrangement and post-Consolidation basis 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 the date on which the common shares will commence trading on a post-Arrangement and post-Consolidation basis. Silver Elephant confirms that until such date, which will be beyond the Effective Date of January 14, 2022, the common shares will continue to trade on the TSX on a pre-Arrangement and pre-Consolidation basis. Then at such date, the pre-Consolidated shares will undergo the exchange pursuant to the Arrangement as follows: The Consolidated common shares will be exchanged on the basis of 10 pre-Consolidation common shares held for: one post-Consolidation common share of the Company; one common share of Flying Nickel Mining Corp. ("Flying Nickel"); one common share of Nevada Vanadium Mining Corp. ("Nevada Vanadium"); and two common shares of Battery Metals Royalties Corp. ("Battery Metals"). 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 include statements regarding the completion of the Arrangement, issuance of a TSX trading bulletin in respect of the Arrangement and the settlement of securities into beneficial shareholders' accounts, 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 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 or events 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/683320/Silver-Elephant-Provides-Update-On-Its-Pre-Consolidated-Share-Trading Landmark projects such as its most recent with Roche and NHS Wales have led to Gawah Holdings Inc. taking strategic equity in Digipharm ltd. in order to assist in implementing it's proprietary value-based healthcare solutions across the GCC beginning with the United Arab Emirates. Digipharm ltd. helps patients access the best available healthcare with its pioneering value-based contracting platform. The independent platforms provide manufacturers, payers and healthcare providers with the ability to automate and execute value based reimbursement agreements. Put healthcare, data, block-chain, digital currencies defi together and you are in Digipharm's domain. For more details please visit www.digipharm.io. "We are extremely thrilled to begin our journey with Gawah Holdings given the intellectual capital, background in healthcare at the group resources that Digipharm can extract from. The most recent announcements out of the United Arab Emirates around block-chain, crypto defi plus the regulatory friendliness focus on healthcare make it the perfect place for us to expand our efforts into the region. What Digipharm is building shall be a critical foundation for future health systems that enables us to thrive and implement key principles that encourage cost-effectiveness throughout the care continuum. We believe this is something that the region too is focused on and the United Arab Emirates GCC will be an exemplar that the rest of the world can learn from" said Ahmed Abdulla, CEO of Digipharm ltd. Details of Digipharm's collaboration with NHS Wales and Roche can be found here: https://lshubwales.com/projects/ntprobnp-diagnostic-pilot https://lshubwales.com/news/pioneering-value-based-procurement-approach-heart-failure-diagnostics-launches-wales Gawah Holdings Inc. is a multi-industry focused investment holding company with interests across the globe but primarily focused on the MENA region. Gawah Holdings maintains 5 verticals: operating companies, equity investments, Joint ventures, investment funds and strategic alliances. Industries include but are not limited to tech, healthcare, finance, medical supplies, real estate, and enterprise solutions amongst others. Suhail Al Ansari, Deputy Vice Chairman Co Founder of Gawah Holdings Inc. said It's certainly a pleasure to begin 2022 with such wonderful news across so many verticals of interest but more so with like-minded and motivated individuals like Ahmed Team. Industry will always evolve, regulation shall too but technology and its use cases have always move faster. Who discovers the technology, which key players rise from it, industry use cases applications plus how regulation forms is not a linear process but my journey in healthcare, and experience in the United Arab Emirates now as a polymath of multiple sectors gives me a view of multiple regions. Most who speak to me will say Suhail is a unbiased global citizen and that in many ways is true, however, as an Emirati I take great pride in the fact that my nation is currently leading the way in the sectors of subject, in fact is recognized by the world to have an edge as well, and I am proud to bring this venture home View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220112006083/en/ Contacts: Press Digipharm Ltd. Ahmed Abdulla ahmed.abdulla@digipharm.ch Gawah Holdings Inc.: Stefanie Kleiner stefanie.kleiner@gawah.vip LONDON, Jan. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- A preliminary study the ARAO commissioned in partnership with Deep Isolation finds that deep borehole disposal offers a safe, cost-effective solution for disposing of spent fuel from the Slovenia TRIGA II research reactor, set for decommissioning in 2043. Of the options studied, the most cost-effective approach would be to build one deep borehole repository for fuel from both the TRIGA II reactor and Slovenia's Krsko nuclear power plant. The TRIGA II study follows a Dec. 14 Deep Isolation study, published by Norwegian Nuclear Decommissioning, of Krsko fuel disposal options and fuel inventories from four other European countries. It concluded that deep borehole disposal is a viable, cost-effective solution for all of the five participating countries' high-level and intermediate-level long-lived nuclear waste. If Slovenia decided to implement a deep borehole disposal repository for Krsko fuel, then the simplest and most inexpensive way to dispose of the TRIGA II waste would be within that same repository, with the TRIGA II waste requiring just one additional disposal canister. Another option for TRIGA II would be to find a location where a community would be willing to host a micro-repository to dispose of all the research waste in a single borehole with a small footprint, avoiding temporary storage costs. This pathfinder project could represent an invaluable contribution to research, demonstration and site characterization for a broader national repository - regardless of whether the Slovenian government decides to build a deep borehole or a traditional mined repository for Krsko fuel. Deep borehole disposal is becoming increasingly attractive to many countries, including NND study participants - Slovenia, the Netherlands, Denmark, Norway and Croatia - because they have small waste inventories, making a mined repository a more cumbersome, less affordable option. Deep borehole disposal benefits include: safety-at-depth (shown in evidence-based modeling that exceeds expected regulatory requirements when modeled for 1 million years at peak dose); greater flexibility in repository locations; implementation in shorter timeframes; and reduced financial risk due to the maturity of drilling industry costs. "Deep borehole disposal is an important alternative option for us to consider in Slovenia," said Leon Kegel, Head of Planning and Development at the Slovenian Radioactive Waste Management Organisation (ARAO). "Deep Isolation's recent work - for Slovenia on the TRIGA II fuel and for Slovenia, Croatia, Denmark, the Netherlands and Norway on disposal of commercial spent fuel and other high-level wastes - has been very helpful in highlighting the potential benefits, the increasing maturity of, and required next steps for deep borehole disposal as an alternative or addition to engineered mined geological repositories." The Slovenia and NND studies make a strong case for further international collaboration on a research demonstration project to gain technical and scientific knowledge about deep borehole disposal of nuclear waste, said Chris Parker, Managing Director of Deep Isolation EMEA Ltd. "This is more pressing as Europe looks to invest in new nuclear power as part of its low-carbon future," Parker said. "Deep Isolation looks forward to partnering with Slovenia and other governments on a sustainable plan for the spent fuel." Media Contact: Kari Hulac kari@deepisolation.com DGAP-Ad-hoc: 468 SPAC II SE / Key word(s): IPO 468 SPAC II SE: 468 SPAC II launches bookbuilding for up to 250 million private placement and listing on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange 13-Jan-2022 / 08:00 CET/CEST Disclosure of an inside information acc. to Article 17 MAR of the Regulation (EU) No 596/2014, transmitted by DGAP - a service of EQS Group AG. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. Public disclosure of inside information according to Article 17 para. 1 of the Regulation (EU) No 596/2014 on market abuse (Market Abuse Regulation) NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION IN WHOLE OR IN PART, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN OR INTO THE UNITED STATES, CANADA, AUSTRALIA, SOUTH AFRICA OR JAPAN OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION IN VIOLATION OF THE RELEVANT LAWS OF SUCH JURISDICTION. 468 SPAC II SE: 468 SPAC II launches bookbuilding for up to 250 million private placement and listing on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange and targets business combination with a European consumer technology or software & artificial intelligence company Luxembourg, 13 January 2022. 468 SPAC II SE (the "Company"), a Luxembourg special purpose acquisition company (SPAC), announces the start of its private placement of up to 25,000,000 units. Each unit consists of one share (a "Public Share") and one-third of a warrant (a "Public Warrant"), at a price of 10.00 per unit for an aggregate of up to 250 million. The Company initially offers 20,000,000 units but reserves the right to offer up to 5,000,000 additional units subject to market demand (upsize option). The Public Shares are going to be listed on the regulated market of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange and the Public Warrants are going to be introduced to trading on the open market of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (the "Listing"). The sponsors of the Company are affiliates of Alexander Kudlich and Dr. Ludwig Ensthaler and Florian Leibert, who are also founders of the investment fund 468 Capital and 468 SPAC I SE (now tonies SE). The units will be solely offered to institutional investors. The private placement is expected to end on or before 14January 2022. The Company was established for the purpose of acquiring an operating business in a member state of the European Economic Area, the United Kingdom or Switzerland in the form of a merger, capital stock exchange, share purchase, asset acquisition, reorganization or similar transaction (the "Business Combination"). The Company intends to target a company in the consumer technology and software & artificial intelligence sector with a focus on last mile logistics, marketplaces, consumer finance, cloud, commercial open source and software-as-a-service. 100% of the proceeds of the private placement will be held in an escrow account. The Company will have 18 months from the date of the Listing to consummate a Business Combination. The Company has applied for admission of the Public Shares (ISIN: LU2380748603) to trading on the regulated market (regulierter Markt) of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (General Standard) and for introduction to trading of the Public Warrants (ISIN: LU2380748785) on the open market (Freiverkehr) of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (Borse Frankfurt Zertifikate AG). Trading of the Public Shares and Public Warrants is expected to commence on 20 January 2022. Contact: Alexander Kudlich, Ludwig Ensthaler and Florian Leibert 9, rue de Bitbourg L-1273 Luxembourg Luxembourg info@468spac.com DISCLAIMER This publication may not be published, distributed or transmitted in the United States, Canada, Australia, South Africa or Japan. This publication does not constitute or forms part of any offer of securities for sale or a solicitation of an offer to purchase securities (the "Securities") or any of the assets, business or undertakings of 468 SPAC II SE (the "Company") in the United States, Australia, Canada, South Africa, Japan or any other jurisdiction in which such offer or solicitation is unlawful. The Securities of the Company may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an exemption from registration under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"). There will be no public offering of the Securities in the United States. The Securities of the Company have not been, and will not be, registered under the Securities Act. The Securities referred to herein may not be offered or sold in Australia, South Africa, Canada or Japan or to, or for the account or benefit of, any national, resident or citizen of Australia, South Africa, Canada or Japan subject to certain exceptions. The Securities of the Company may not be offered or sold in Canada absent the filing of a prospectus in Canada or in a transaction that is exempt from the requirement that the Company prepare and file a prospectus under applicable Canadian securities laws. No prospectus has been, or will be, filed with any securities commission or similar regulatory authority in Canada in connection with the offer and sale of the Securities. No securities commission or similar regulatory authority in Canada has reviewed or in any way passed upon this publication or on the merits of the Securities and any representation to the contrary is an offence. This publication does not form the basis of and should not be relied on in connection with, or act as an inducement to enter into, any contract or commitment whatsoever. Recipients of this publication who are considering acquiring Securities of the Company are reminded that any such purchase or subscription must not be made on the basis of the information contained in this publication. This publication constitutes neither an offer to sell nor a solicitation to buy securities. The listing of the Securities will be made solely by the means of, and on the basis of, a securities prospectus which is yet to be published. An investment decision regarding any securities of 468 SPAC II SE should only be made on the basis of the securities prospectus. The securities prospectus will be published promptly upon approval by the Luxembourg Financial Sector Supervisory Commission (Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier (CSSF)) and will be available free of charge on the 468 SPAC II SE website. This publication may in the United Kingdom only be distributed to, and is only directed at, persons who are "qualified investors" within the meaning of Article 2 of Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 as it forms part of domestic law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018, and who are also (i) investment professionals falling within Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005, as amended (the "Order"), (ii) persons falling within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Order (high net worth companies, unincorporated associations, etc.), or (iii) persons to whom it may otherwise lawfully be communicated (all such persons together being referred to as "Relevant Persons"). This publication is directed only at Relevant Persons and must not be acted on or relied on by persons who are not Relevant Persons. Any investment or investment activity in shares of the Company is available only to Relevant Persons and will be engaged in only with Relevant Persons. In member states of the European Economic Area the placement of securities described in this announcement is directed exclusively at persons who are "qualified investors" within the meaning of Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 June 2017 (Prospectus Regulation). The Units are not intended to be offered, sold or otherwise made available to and should not be offered, sold or otherwise made available to any Retail Investor in the EEA. For these purposes, a "Retail Investor" means a person who is one (or more) of: (i) a retail client as defined in point (11) of Article 4(1) of Directive 2014/65/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 May 2014 on markets in financial instruments, as amended ("MiFID II"); (ii) a customer within the meaning of Directive (EU) 2016/97 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 January 2016 on insurance distribution, as amended, where that customer would not qualify as a professional client as defined in point (10) of Article 4(1) of MiFID II. Consequently, no key information document required by Regulation (EU) No 1286/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 November 2014 on key information documents for packaged retail and insurance-based investment products (the "PRIIPs Regulation") for offering or selling the Units or otherwise making them available to Retail Investors in the EEA has been prepared and therefore offering or selling the Units or otherwise making them available to any Retail Investor in the EEA may be unlawful under the PRIIPs Regulation. Solely for the purposes of the manufacturer's product approval process, the target market assessment in respect of the Public Shares and Public Warrants has led to the conclusion that (i) the Public Shares are (a) compatible with an end target market of Retail Investors and investors who meet the criteria of professional clients and eligible counterparties, each as defined in MiFID II, and (b) eligible for distribution through all distribution channels permitted by MiFID II and (ii) the Public Warrants are (a) compatible with an end target market of investors who meet the criteria of professional clients and eligible counterparties, each as defined in MiFID II, and (b) eligible for distribution to professional clients and eligible counterparties through all distribution channels permitted by MiFID II. Any person subsequently offering, selling or recommending the Public Shares and Public Warrants (a "distributor") should take into consideration the manufacturer's target market assessment; however, a distributor subject to MiFID II is responsible for undertaking its own target market assessment in respect of the Public Shares and Public Warrants (by either adopting or refining the manufacturer's target market assessment) and determining appropriate distribution channels. The Units are not intended, to be offered, sold or otherwise made available to and should not be offered, sold or otherwise made available to any Retail Investor in the United Kingdom ("UK"). For these purposes the expression "Retail Investor" means a person who is one (or more) of the following: (i) a retail client, as defined in point (8) of Article 2 of Regulation (EU) No 2017/565 as it forms part of domestic law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 ("EUWA"); or (ii) a customer within the meaning of the provisions of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (the "FSMA") and any rules or regulations made under the FSMA to implement Directive (EU) 2016/97, where that customer would not qualify as a professional client, as defined in point (8) of Article 2(1) of Regulation (EU) No 600/2014 as it forms part of domestic law by virtue of the EUWA ("UK MiFIR"). Consequently no key information document required by Regulation (EU) No 1286/2014 as it forms part of domestic law by virtue of the EUWA (the "UK PRIIPs Regulation") for offering or selling the Units or otherwise making them available to Retail Investors in the UK has been prepared and therefore offering or selling the Units or otherwise making them available to any Retail Investor in the UK may be unlawful under the UK PRIIPs Regulation. Solely for the purposes of the manufacturer's product approval process, the target market assessment in respect of the Public Shares and Public Warrants has led to the conclusion that (i) the Public Shares are (a) compatible with an end target market of Retail Investors and eligible counterparties, as defined in the FCA Handbook Conduct of Business Sourcebook ("COBS") and professional clients, as defined in UK MiFIR, and (b) eligible for distribution through all distribution channels and (ii) the Public Warrants are (a) compatible with an end target market of eligible counterparties, as defined in COBS, and professional clients, as defined in UK MiFIR; and (b) all channels for distribution of the Public Warrants to eligible counterparties and professional clients are appropriate. Any person subsequently offering, selling or recommending the Public Shares and Public Warrants (a "distributor") should take into consideration the target market assessment; however, a distributor subject to COBS is responsible for undertaking its own target market assessment in respect of the Public Shares and Public Warrants (by either adopting or refining the target market assessment) and determining appropriate distribution channels. No action has been taken that would permit an offering or an acquisition of the securities or a distribution of this announcement in any jurisdiction where such action would be unlawful. Persons into whose possession this announcement comes are required to inform themselves about and to observe any such restrictions. This announcement does not constitute a recommendation concerning the placement. Investors should consult a professional advisor as to the suitability of the placement for the person concerned. This release may contain forward looking statements, estimates, opinions and projections with respect to anticipated future performance of the Company ("forward-looking statements"). These forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology, including the terms "believes," "estimates," "anticipates," "expects," "intends," "may," "will" or "should" or, in each case, their negative, or other variations or comparable terminology. These forward-looking statements include all matters that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements are based on the current views, expectations and assumptions of the management of the Company and involve significant known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results, performance or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied in such statements. Forward-looking statements should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results and will not necessarily be accurate indications of whether or not such results will be achieved. Any forward-looking statements included herein only speak as at the date of this release. The Company undertakes no obligation, and does not expect to publicly update, or publicly revise, any of the information, forward-looking statements or the conclusions contained herein or to reflect new events or circumstances or to correct any inaccuracies which may become apparent subsequent to the date hereof, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. The Company accepts no liability whatsoever in respect of the achievement of such forward-looking statements and assumptions. 13-Jan-2022 CET/CEST The DGAP Distribution Services include Regulatory Announcements, Financial/Corporate News and Press Releases. Archive at www.dgap.de Oslo and Stockholm, January13, 2022: Yara and Lantmannen are the first companies to sign a commercial agreement to bring fossilfree fertilizers to market. Produced with renewable energy, these green fertilizersarecrucialfor decarbonizing the food chain and offering consumers more sustainable food choices. Yara, a leading global fertilizer producer, and Lantmannen, northern Europe's leading agricultural cooperative with operations from field to fork, began testing the commercial viability of green fertilizers in 2019 with a common goal to realize the world's first fossil free food chain. The collaboration has resulted in a commercial contract for green fertilizers, which will be produced by Yara and marketed by Lantmannen in Sweden starting in 2023. Instead of using fossil fuels such as natural gas to produce ammonia - the building block of mineral fertilizers - the green fertilizers will be produced with ammonia based on renewable energy produced in Europe, such as Norwegian hydropower. The result will be fertilizers with an 80 to 90 percent lower carbon footprint. Yara has a portfolio of green ammonia projects, which will be key to producing green fertilizers, in Norway, the Netherlands and Australia, and is working actively to expand its clean ammonia business. Collaboration is key "Our partnership with Lantmannen to bring green fertilizers to market is crucial for decarbonizing the food value chain. We have to transform the food system to deliver on the Paris Agreement, and this will require collaboration across the entire food chain instead of working in silos. The Yara-Lantmannen partnership is a concrete example of how this can be done," says Svein Tore Holsether, President & CEO of Yara. For Lantmannen, using the green fertilizers will be an important step closer to reaching climate neutral farming. "Lantmannen drives the development towards farming of the future. With the green fertilizers from Yara in place we enable Swedish farmers to continue to be at the forefront, offering our customers sustainability performance according to global climate targets as well as bringing sustainable food to consumers. With this partnership, we can continue to meet an increased market demand for sustainable products," says Per Olof Nyman, Group President & CEO at Lantmannen. The fertilizers will be incorporated into Lantmannen's cultivation program Climate & Nature. The program makes it profitable for farmers to adopt more sustainable farming practices. Green fertilizers from Yara are an important additional component in the further development of the program. Combining the fertilizers with fossil free fuels, transport and precision farming, Lantmannen will be able to establish a fossil free value chain - from field to fork. Yara and Lantmannen are also collaborating on other projects to reduce the carbon footprint of farming in the field through crop nutrition solutions, innovative farming practices as well as digital tools, enabling the transition to a decarbonized and more sustainable food value chain. FACT BOX:REDUCING THE CARBON FOOTPRINT OF FARMING Today Yara's nitrate-based mineral fertilizers produced in the European Union and Norway already have a carbon footprint that is about 50 to 60 percent lower compared with most non-EU fertilizers. This is thanks to the use of a best available technology (BAT) catalytic process that reduces greenhouse gas emissions during production, which was first developed by Yara and later shared with other producers. In 2023, Yara will be able to provide nitrate-based green fertilizers with a carbon footprint that is further reduced by 80 to 90 percent thanks to the use of renewable energy. Independent assurance and risk management provider DNV, as an independent third party, will validate the Product Carbon Footprint (PCF) methodology, which is one of the most established methods for determining the climate impact of a product. Yara is also working on reducing the remaining climate impact by, for example, enabling the use of recycled nutrients and further improving the energy efficiency of its production plants. FACT BOX:LANTMANNEN'SCLIMATE & NATUREPROGRAM Climate & Nature is Lantmannen's program for Farming of the Future that includes specific measures to reduce the climate impact from cultivation and boost biodiversity, carried out by contracted farmers on their own farms. With the program, Lantmannen has reduced the climate footprint from wheat cultivation by up to 30 percent since 2015. With green fertilizers included in the program, the climate impact will be reduced even further by 20 percentage points. The program is dynamic and criteria for more sustainable farming methods will be added continuously, further improving sustainability performance. The sustainable grains are used in different products from Lantmannen both in B2B and B2C. Lantmannen Cerealia offers products, such as flour from Kungsornen and oats from Axa, labeled Climate & Nature. For more information, please contact: Lantmannen : Claes Johansson, Head of Sustainable Development at Lantmannen Mobile: Lantmannen Press Office Mobile: Yara: Hans Larsson, Commercial Director for Sweden Mobile: Yara media contacts: Vibeke Lari, Communications Manager for Yara Europe Mobile: Josiane Kremer, Director External Communications Mobile: About Lantmannen Lantmannen is an agricultural cooperative and Northern Europe's leader in agriculture, machinery, bioenergy and food products. Owned by 19,000 Swedish farmers, we have 10,000 employees, operations in over 20 countries and an annual turnover of SEK 45 billion. With grain at the heart of our operations, we refine arable land resources to make farming thrive. Some of our best-known food brands are AXA, Bonjour, Kungsornen, GoGreen, Gooh, FINN CRISP, Schulstad and Vaasan. Our company is founded on the knowledge and values acquired through generations of farmers. With research, development and operations throughout the value chain, together we take responsibility from field to fork. For more information:www.lantmannen.com About Yara Yara grows knowledge to responsibly feed the world and protect the planet. Supporting our vision of a world without hunger and a planet respected, we pursue a strategy of sustainable value growth, promoting climate-friendly crop nutrition and zero-emission energy solutions. Yara's ambition is focused on growing a climate positive food future that creates value for our customers, shareholders and society at large and delivers a more sustainable food value chain. To achieve our ambition, we have taken the lead in developing digital farming tools for precision farming and work closely with partners throughout the food value chain to improve the efficiency and sustainability of food production. Through our focus on clean ammonia production, we aim to enable the hydrogen economy, driving a green transition of shipping, fertilizer production and other energy intensive industries. Founded in 1905 to solve the emerging famine in Europe, Yara has established a unique position as the industry's only global crop nutrition company. We operate an integrated business model with around 17,000 employees and operations in over 60 countries, with a proven track record of strong returns. In 2020, Yara reported revenues of USD 11.6 billion. For more information: www.yara.com This information is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to Section 5-12 the Norwegian Securities Trading Act Attachments The New York City Education Department began negotiations with the teachers union Thursday to create a temporary remote schooling option for hundreds of thousands of kids whove been out with COVID-19 related absences, Schools Chancellor David Banks told parents Thursday. For me, personally, Im completely open to figuring out a way to have a remote option, Banks told the Chancellors Parent Advisory Committee in a Thursday morning meeting. My goal is to create an option that would take us at the very least until the end of this school year, not just two weeks or something, Banks added. Advertisement NYC Schools Chancellor David Banks (Theodore Parisienne/for New York Daily News) But just what a temporary remote option would look like and how its staffed promise to be major sticking points in freshly restarted negotiations with the union. Banks suggested that the simplest option in the short-term would be to allow teachers to livestream video of their in-person classes to kids at home, but noted that the UFT staunchly opposed that arrangement last year and created a Memorandum of Understanding with former Mayor de Blasios administration barring the practice. Advertisement The agreement were bound to right now says we cant do that, Banks said. The decision is ultimately going to lay [on]: can we get a deal done with the UFT, he added. UFT president Michael Mulgrew fired back at any suggestion that the union is the obstacle, saying Banks has been misinformed about the UFTs position. We have long called for an instructionally sound remote option and have been speaking directly to the Mayor about creating one, a program that will work for students. Michael Mulgrew, president of the United Federation of Teachers in New York City. (Richard Drew/AP) Union officials didnt immediately say how they are defining an instructionally sound remote option, but they argued last year that livestreaming classes would ratchet up teacher workloads to untenable levels and detract from the experience of kids attending school in-person. Figuring out how to simultaneously offer live instruction to kids at home and in class has proven a nearly impossible puzzle for school systems across the country, including New York City. Breaking News As it happens Get updates on the coronavirus pandemic and other news as it happens with our free breaking news email alerts. > Last school year, teachers who were working remotely through medical accommodations handled the bulk of the teaching for fully remote students, but those accommodations expired this school year once teachers got vaccinated, and almost all educators are working in-person. Mulgrew hinted last year at the possibility of virtual academies for each of the citys 32 school districts. But that model presents its own drawbacks, including pulling kids who participate out of their existing schools and placing them with new teachers. Its also unclear who would staff the virtual academies. Mayor Adams told elected officials during a call yesterday he thought it would take at least six months to develop a remote option, according to people who were on the line. Advertisement Adams said Thursday, we do have to be honest that we have a substantial number of students for, whatever reason, parents are not bringing them to school... I want to sit down with the UFT to see if there is a way to do a temporary remote option. Mayor Eric Adams on Thursday, Jan. 13, 2022. (Shawn Inglima/for New York Daily News) The issue has become more urgent with spread of the omicron variant. Student absences continue at record levels, and some students walking out of class earlier this week to protest safety and learning conditions in their schools. Currently, city schools are posting lessons and assignments online for students who are quarantined, but not providing live online instruction from a teacher. Some kids who are sick with COVID-19 or on official quarantine can be marked present if they complete their online work, but that attendance flexibility doesnt extend to kids at home because their parents are worried about virus exposure in school. Scientists describe new approach in NEJM, using Oxford Nanopore DNA sequencing technology to improve prognosis in critically ill patients, in less than 8 hours Oxford Nanopore worked with a team led by Stanford University School of Medicine in a research study to develop a rapid, whole genome sequencing approach, that: Improves prognosis in critically ill patients and guides clinical management at least as well as current short read technologies. Reduces the time to identify disease-causing genetic variants - to as little as 7 hours and 18 minutes, a world record. Provides the potential to identify large and complex disease-causing variants, missed by previous approaches, while enabling phasing and detection of epigenetic markers, which are known to have clinical impact. OXFORD, UK / ACCESSWIRE / January 13, 2022 / Traditionally, rapid characterisation of variants that cause genetic disease, from whole human genome sequencing, has been challenging. Whole genome sequencing enables better detection of such variants but has typically taken days or weeks to return a result. This timescale can be particularly problematic in time-critical contexts, such as identification of suspected pathogenic variants in a critically ill patient. Scientists from Oxford Nanopore Technologies, NVIDIA, Google and others worked with a research team led by Euan Ashley, MB ChB, DPhil, professor of medicine, of genetics and of biomedical data science at the Stanford University School of Medicine, to develop a whole genome nanopore sequencing approach that can characterise pathogenic variants in as little as 7 hours and 18 minutes - faster than any previously published approach in clinical samples. Prioritising time to result The team used PromethION 48 - Oxford Nanopore's highest-throughput sequencing device, capable of running up to 48 flow cells at once - to sequence 12 unique research samples from patients aged 3 months to 57 years. Each PromethION Flow Cell has the capacity to sequence at least one whole human genome on its own, but when multiple flow cells are used concurrently to sequence one genome, the time taken to complete the whole genome sequence is significantly reduced. The team were able to take advantage of this and prioritise time to result, to generate a whole human genome and list of variants in as little as 5 hours and 2 minutes - a new Guinness World Record. Manual review of this list of variants that followed enabled disease-causing variants to be identified in 7 hours and 18 minutes. A pathogenic or likely pathogenic variant was identified in five of the 12 samples analysed as part of the research. According to the study authors, this "informed clinical management (including sympathectomy, heart transplantation, screening, and changes in medication) for each of the five patients or their family members." Each genome was sequenced to a minimum of 173Gb, with a mean read N50 of 25kb. Variant calling resulted in a median of 4,490,490 small variants, and 22 prioritised structural variants per sample. The base calling was accelerated using NVIDIA V100 and P100 GPUs. Gordon Sanghera, CEO, Oxford Nanopore Technologies commented: "Genomic information can provide rich insights and enable a clearer picture to be built. A workflow which could deliver this information in near real time has the potential to provide meaningful benefits in a variety of settings in which rapid access to information is critical. "We designed PromethION to be able to prioritise time-to-result by using multiple flow cells together, just like cluster computing. We're delighted to see the research team demonstrate the real life potential of Nanopore technology through their research. I look forward to seeing the impact of real-time sequencing technology in the clinic in the near future." Speed is of the essence This new approach for rapid whole genome analysis using nanopore sequencing enabled insights from whole genome sequencing data to be gained within hours and not days or weeks, which could provide real benefits if applied in the clinic in the future. Further to this, nanopore sequencing enables a more comprehensive genetic picture to be built because of the technology's ability to generate very long reads, which can span large and complex disease-causing regions. The Oxford Nanopore team worked with researchers at the Stanford School of Medicine to modify library preparation for optimum time efficiency and maximum yield. They also helped establish the framework for the cloud-based analysis and introduced a washing step that removed the need for barcoding, significantly reducing the cost per sample whilst retaining the rapid turnaround time. These research findings point to the potential utility of validating a rapid whole genome sequencing platform for management of critically ill patients. This rapid whole genome sequencing approach was developed by a large group of contributors, including scientists from UCSC, Google and NVIDIA - who optimised and accelerated the small variant pipeline and cloud analysis - and Baylor College of Medicine, who contributed the structural variant pipeline. Kimberly Powell, Vice President of Healthcare, NVIDIA commented: "NVIDIA and Oxford Nanopore Technologies have a longstanding partnership in accelerating real-time genomic sequencing, and this project is a significant milestone in our journey. "NVIDIA GPUs were instrumental in accelerating both base calling and variant calling with NVIDIA Clara Parabricks. Accurate, GPU-accelerated sequence analysis helped achieve this world record, which is monumental for quick identification of genetic variants linked to disease." Read the letter in the New England Journal of Medicine summarising this work: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMc2112090 DOI: 10.1056/NEJMc2112090 Oxford Nanopore Technologies, the Wheel icon, EPI2ME, Flongle, GridION, Metrichor MinION, MinKNOW, PromethION, SmidgION, Ubik and VolTRAX are registered trademarks of Oxford Nanopore Technologies plc in various countries. All other brands and names contained are the property of their respective owners. 2021 Oxford Nanopore Technologies plc. All rights reserved. Oxford Nanopore Technologies products are not intended for use for health assessment or to diagnose, treat, mitigate, cure, or prevent any disease or condition. This information is provided by Reach, the non-regulatory press release distribution service of RNS, part of the London Stock Exchange. 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: Oxford Nanopore Technologies plc View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/683331/Fastest-Human-Genome-Sequence-Uses-Oxford-Nanopore Company upsizes funding round by approximately US$100 million with participation of Temasek and MissionOG, following lead investment from Advent International and Viking Global Gene Lockhart, former CEO and President of Mastercard International, appointed Chair Company investing heavily in cutting edge technology to power next generation payments Will expand operations across Europe, Asia-Pacific and the Middle East and North Africa GPS reports record revenues and processing volumes in 2021 Global Processing Services ("GPS"), the leading global payment technology platform, today announced the closing and upsizing of its latest fundraise at over US$400 million. Temasek the global investment company headquartered in Singapore, and MissionOG, a US-based growth equity firm, joined the over US$300m initial round, co-led by growth investors Advent International through Advent Tech and affiliate Sunley House Capital and Viking Global Investors. GPS is an API-first payment technology platform, which enables innovative card programmes for the world's leading fintechs, digital challenger banks and embedded finance providers. GPS' technology and partnership approach has helped scale some of the most successful disruptive fintechs around the world, including Revolut, Curve, Starling Bank, Zilch, WeLab Bank, and Paidy, among others. Through GPS' next generation cloud platform, its customers and partners can design, launch, manage and scale card programmes across 48 countries. To date, GPS has issued over 190 million physical and virtual cards, and last year processed more than 1.3 billion transactions, generating record revenues. The additional investment and strategic support from the new investors aim to further accelerate GPS' growth trajectory. Leveraging its strong reputation and innovative technology platform, the company plans to respond to customer demand by expanding internationally across Europe, APAC and MENA, and accelerating new product and technology developments. The new investors joining Advent and Viking bring deep fintech and payment expertise globally. GPS Board strengthened with new Chair Concurrent with the investment closing, Gene Lockhart, Chair and General Partner of MissionOG, has been named as the new Chair of GPS. A seasoned investor, accomplished senior executive, and respected payments innovator, Gene has significant operational and investment experience across the financial services and payments industries. Gene's prior leadership roles include serving as the President and CEO of MasterCard International, and serving as a board member of companies including NuBank and First Republic Bank, amongst many others. Gene Lockhart, Chair, at GPS, said: "GPS is an innovative technology company, and we believe their unique position at the heart of the global payments ecosystem ideally positions them to power the next generation of financial services. With the deep network and experience MissionOG brings to the table, we look forward to being a trusted and valued partner of Joanne and the entire team." Joanne Dewar, Chief Executive Officer at GPS, said: "The upsizing of this latest round of investment is an important step forward for the company and a strong endorsement of our strategy. We are a company that has grown rapidly in recent years, driven by our commitment to innovation and the delivery of a single scalable technology platform. The expertise that our new partners bring to GPS will be invaluable as we enter our next phase of geographic expansion and technology innovation." -ends- View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220113005366/en/ Contacts: Media Contacts: Sumeet Vermani Louisa Bartoszek Marcom@globalprocessing.com - 2022 comes with exciting news for multi-licensed broker CAPEX.com, operated in Europe by Key Way Investments Ltd. - Andreas Lambrou's appointment as CFO is making headlines in the trading industry. NICOSIA, Cyprus, Jan. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The new CFO plans to improve, innovate, and expand the CAPEX.com business model. He has over 12 years of experience in the financial industry, having worked as an executive for several well-established brands in the sector. Mr. Lambrou has an extensive background in setting up Finance teams in multiple jurisdictions and working with banking institutions and payment providers worldwide. "With his vast expertise, Andreas will help develop our financial strategies for 2022 and beyond, contributing to our growth through enhanced finance procedures, cost optimization, and significant revenue increase. "I am confident we will have a long and productive collaboration, and I wish him a warm welcome as a new member of our team." - Wasim Zayed, Executive Director at Key Way Investments Ltd. Before joining CAPEX.com, Andreas Lambrou worked as Group Head of Accounting and Finance for one of the largest retail groups in Cyprus, as well as Executive Director for companies licensed by DFSA in Dubai and FSC in Mauritius. He is also experienced in corporate reporting for publicly listed businesses. 2022 - looking ahead During the past year, CAPEX.com has continued reshaping the way people trade by launching their proprietary X-branded line of services - StoX, QuantX, and ThematiX. The recent product launches align with Mr. Lambrou's personal and professional objectives. "My goal is to make an impact, professionally and personally. Business-wise, I am happy to join CAPEX.com," he stated. The new CFO expressed his enthusiasm about the company's plans. This includes Direct Market Access, through which clients will be able to trade their favorite assets on the physical market without the need for intermediaries. About CAPEX.com CAPEX.com is a leading global trading platform providing users with expert insights, tools, and resources to make markets accessible worldwide. Its professional trading platforms, robust technological infrastructure, and transparent trading conditions have propelled it as one of the most respectable brokers on the international stage. Anchored by a global presence and regional expertise, CAPEX.com holds operating licenses from CySEC, ADGM FSRA, FSA, and FSCA. Visit www.capex.com and follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram for more details and insights. RW: 69.57% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1725195/CAPEX_CFO.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1534723/CAPEX_Logo.jpg VANCOUVER, CANADA, and UTTENWEILER, GERMANY / ACCESSWIRE / January 13, 2022 / XPhyto Therapeutics Corp. (CSE:XPHY)(OTC:XPHYF)(FSE:4XT) ("XPhyto" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has signed a distribution agreement (the "Agreement") with TechUnit s.r.o. (Limited) ("TechUnit") for the distribution of Covid-ID Lab in the Czech Republic as an initial priority market followed by Hungary, Slovakia, Ukraine and Russia. Covid-ID Lab is a rapid RT-PCR test for the qualitative detection of SARS-CoV-2 based on the reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) method. To perform the test, Covid-ID Lab requires only a 20-minute PCR run time without prior RNA extraction as part of the sample preparation. After the RT-PCR sample processing, the SARS-CoV-2 virus is detected on a test chip within 5 minutes and if SARS-CoV-2 is present, the result can be read visually immediately. The Agreement provides TechUnit with the right to distribute and sub-distribute Covid-ID Lab on a non-exclusive basis within the Czech Republic with the potential for territorial exclusivity based on performance. XPhyto looks forward to building a close strategic relationship with TechUnit and will provide its new distributor with technical training and product, strategy, and marketing support. The parties are reviewing opportunities for the distribution of Covid-ID Lab in additional European territories including Hungary, Slovakia, Ukraine, and Russia. TechUnit is a privately owned company based in the Czech Republic focused on medical product distribution, advertisement and promotion. "Execution of the distribution agreement with TechUnit is an important step toward building strong European sales," said Prof. Dr. Thomas Beckert. "This is an important relationship with excellent potential for additional territorial expansion." The Company expects to continue to sign additional distribution agreements in the near future and will release details upon execution of such agreements. XPhyto's diagnostics and drug formulation business is led by Prof. Dr. Beckert. Prof Dr. Beckert is a German-based scientist and corporate executive with over 20 years of healthcare management experience. The Company is not making any express or implied claims that its product has the ability to eliminate, cure or contain the COVID-19 pandemic. About XPhyto Therapeutics Corp. XPhyto Therapeutics Corp. is a bioscience accelerator focused on next-generation drug delivery, diagnostic, and new active pharmaceutical ingredient investment opportunities, including: precision transdermal and oral dissolvable drug formulations; rapid, low-cost infectious disease and oral health screening tests; and standardization of emerging active pharmaceutical ingredients for neurological applications, including psychedelic compounds and cannabinoids. The Company has research and development operations in North America and Europe, with an operational focus in Germany, and is currently focused on regulatory approval and commercialization of medical products for European markets. XPhyto Therapeutics Corp. Hugh Rogers, CEO and Director Investor Inquiries: Mr. Knox Henderson T: 604-551-2360 E: info@xphyto.com Forward looking statements This news release includes statements containing forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities law ("forward-looking statements"). Forward-looking statements are frequently characterized by words such as "develop", "plan", "continue", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "potential", "propose" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur, and in this release include the statement regarding the Company's goal of building a successful diagnostic, drug delivery, and medical cannabis company. Forward-looking statements are only predictions based on the opinions and estimates of management 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 projected in the forward-looking statements, including: that the Company may not succeed in developing a commercial product; that the sale of products may not be a viable business; that the Company may be unable to scale its business; product liability risks; product regulatory risk; general economic conditions; adverse industry events; future legislative and regulatory developments; inability to access sufficient capital from internal and external sources, and/or inability to access sufficient capital on favourable terms; currency risks; competition; international risks; and other risks beyond the Company's control. 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, except as expressly required by applicable law. Neither the CSE nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. SOURCE: XPhyto Therapeutics Corp View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/683332/XPhyto-signs-Distribution-Agreement-for-Czech-Republic-rollout-planned-for-Hungary-Slovakia-Ukraine-and-Russia WhatsApp Messaging Allows Enterprises to Enhance Customer Engagement and Brand Awareness Apteco today announced it is working with Syniverse, the "world's most connected company"TM, to offer the WhatsApp Business platform to businesses in Europe and beyond. This partnership enables enterprises to use the WhatsApp Business API as an integrated channel for the orchestration and personalization of messages customers opt in to receive. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220113005018/en/ Chris Rivera, President, Enterprise, Syniverse (Photo: Business Wire) WhatsApp is the leading rich and interactive messaging service used by more than two billion people in over 180 countries and 60 languages to stay in touch with family and friends. The WhatsApp Business platform is specifically built for medium-to-large businesses to send messages across the customer journey at scale, using automation, personalization, and interactive options that streamline processes and improve the overall customer experience. WhatsApp enjoys huge popularity in Germany, which is a key market for Apteco. 89% of German WhatsApp users use it daily and in 2021, the messaging app was declared as Germany's most influential brand, ahead of Amazon and Google (Ipsos, 2021). For marketing experts, however, WhatsApp Business is not only interesting because of its significant reach. Compared to other channels such as email, text messages via WhatsApp or SMS also record a significantly higher level of engagement. While it takes on average about 90 minutes for an email to be read, it takes only 90 seconds for text messages. WhatsApp Business platform has allowed companies to communicate with customers via WhatsApp since 2018, however, recently expanded to let customers choose to receive more types of messages. Through the new integration with Apteco's PeopleStage campaign software, Apteco clients can orchestrate, personalize, and broadcast WhatsApp messages and seamlessly integrate them into their existing channel mix. The integration is enabled by a connection to the application programming interface of Syniverse's CPaaS Concierge Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) platform offering. Alongside SMS and Mobile Wallet, WhatsApp Business platform is already the third mobile-focused channel integration that Apteco has offered in partnership with Syniverse. In August 2021, Syniverse announced its plan to go public through a merger agreement with M3-Brigade Acquisition II Corp. (NYSE: MBAC). On January 10, Syniverse and MBAC announced that MBAC's special meeting of shareholders to approve the merger is scheduled to be held on February 9, 2022. On January 7, 2022, MBAC commenced mailing of its definitive proxy statement to its shareholders of record as of January 6, 2022. Upon closing of the transaction, the renamed Syniverse Technologies Corporation will be listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker "SYNV." CLICK TO TWEET@Syniverse, the world's most connected company, @Apteco to offer enterprises @WhatsApp Business on syniverse CPaaS Concierge help enterprises enhance their customerservice brand awareness. https://bit.ly/2WzS6SZ Supporting Quotes Chris Rivera, President, Enterprise, Syniverse "WhatsApp Business platform is changing the way enterprises deliver products and services to their customers. Enterprises are looking for a proper omnichannel solution that can scale, offer first-class support, and have a global reach. Our Syniverse CPaaS Concierge is all that, and with the addition of WhatsApp Business addresses the most complex workflows and presents bespoke customer engagement solutions. The new collaboration between Syniverse, Apteco, and WhatsApp will make it much easier for enterprises to benefit from this." Martin Clark, Managing Director, Apteco GmbH "What is particularly exciting is the interplay between the different channels and the new possibilities that arise from this. It is becoming increasingly important for companies to get in touch with their customers exactly where they are. The integration of channels such as SMS, Mobile Wallet and WhatsApp makes this possible and takes mobile marketing to the next level. Emails will continue to be an important element in the channel mix, but depending on the affinity of the target group, mobile is often the more suitable medium, and with the help of chatbots or live chat, conversational marketing is becoming a reality." Digital Assets [Photo] Chris Rivera Chris Rivera [Image] Syniverse logo Syniverse logo [Photo] Martin Clark Martin Clark [Image] Apteco logo Supporting Resources Read about Apteco. Read about Syniverse. Read Syniverse Blog post, "Creating Harmony in Communications through Orchestration." post, "Creating Harmony in Communications through Orchestration." Read about Chris Rivera. Read and subscribe to the Syniverse Blog. Read and subscribe to Syniverse news releases. For more information about Syniverse's news and activities, follow the company on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook. About Syniverse Syniverse is a leading global provider of unified, mission-critical platforms enabling seamless interoperability across the mobile ecosystem. Syniverse makes global mobility work by enabling consumers and enterprises to connect, engage, and transact seamlessly and securely. Syniverse offers a premier communications platform that serves both enterprises and carriers globally and at scale. Syniverse's proprietary software, protocols, orchestration capabilities and network assets have allowed Syniverse to address the changing needs of the mobile ecosystem for more than 30 years. Syniverse continues to innovate by harnessing the potential of emerging technologies such as 5G, IoT, RCS and CPaaS for its customers. About Apteco In the past 30 years, Apteco has established itself as a constant for marketing software in the marketing industry. Apteco's portfolio includes solutions for customer segmentation, personalization, predictive analytics, omnichannel campaign management and automation, reporting and dashboarding. The company, which originates from Great Britain, maintains a location in Frankfurt am Main, Germany. Today, Apteco software is used by more than 4,000 marketing users worldwide. Further information: www.apteco.com. Forward-Looking Statements This press release may contain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The expectations, estimates and projections of the businesses of MBAC or Syniverse may differ from their actual results and consequently you should not rely on these forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. Words such as "expect," "estimate," "project," "budget," "forecast," "anticipate," "intend," "plan," "may," "will," "would," "could," "should," "believes," "predicts," "potential," "continue," and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include, without limitation, expectations with respect to future performance of MBAC and Syniverse and anticipated financial impacts of the proposed transaction, the satisfaction of the closing conditions to the proposed transaction and the timing of the completion of the proposed transaction. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, conditions, or results, and involve significant risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially from the expected results. Most of these factors are outside of the control of MBAC and Syniverse and are difficult to predict. Factors that may cause such differences include, but are not limited to: (1) the inability to complete the transactions contemplated by the agreement and plan of merger with respect to the proposed transaction (the "Merger Agreement"), including due to failure to obtain approval of the stockholders of MBAC or other conditions to closing in the Merger Agreement; (2) the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against the parties following announcement of the Merger Agreement and the proposed transactions contemplated thereby; (3) the ability to recognize the anticipated benefits of the proposed business combination, which may be affected by, among other things, competition, the ability of the post-combination company to grow and manage growth profitably, maintain relationships with customers and suppliers and retain its management and key employees; (4) the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could give rise to the termination of the Merger Agreement and the proposed transactions contemplated thereby; (5) risks related to the uncertainty of the projected financial information with respect to Syniverse; (6) the inability to obtain or maintain the listing of the post-acquisition company's Class A Stock and public warrants on the NYSE following the proposed business combination; (7) risks related to the post-combination company's ability to raise financing in the future; (8) the post-combination company's success in retaining or recruiting, or changes required in, our officers, key employees or directors following the proposed business combination; (9) our directors and officers potentially having conflicts of interest with our business or in approving the proposed business combination; (10) intense competition and competitive pressures from other companies in the industry in which the post-combination company will operate; (11) the business, operations and financial performance of Syniverse, including market conditions and global and economic factors beyond Syniverse's control; (12) the effect of legal, tax and regulatory changes; (13) the receipt by MBAC or Syniverse of an unsolicited offer from another party for an alternative business transaction that could interfere with the proposed business combination; (14) the risk that the proposed business combination disrupts current plans and operations of MBAC or Syniverse as a result of the announcement and consummation of the transactions described herein; (15) costs related to the proposed business combination; (16) changes in applicable laws or regulations; (17) the possibility that MBAC or Syniverse may be adversely affected by other economic, business, and/or competitive factors; (18) the amount of redemption requests made by MBAC's public stockholders; (19) the impact of the continuing COVID-19 pandemic on MBAC, Syniverse and Syniverse's projected results of operations, financial performance or other financial metrics or on any of the foregoing risks; and (20) other risks and uncertainties disclosed in MBAC's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and the proxy statement, discussed above, including those under "Risk Factors," and other documents filed or to be filed with the SEC by MBAC. MBAC and Syniverse caution that the foregoing list of factors is not exclusive. You should not place undue reliance upon any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. Syniverse and MBAC do not undertake or accept any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect any change in their expectations or any change in events, conditions, or circumstances on which any such statement is based. Information About the Proposed Transaction and Where to Find It In connection with the proposed transaction, MBAC has filed a definitive proxy statement with the SEC. MBAC's stockholders and other interested persons are advised to read the definitive proxy statement and documents incorporated by reference therein filed in connection with the proposed transaction, as these materials will contain important information about MBAC, Syniverse and the proposed transaction. MBAC has commenced mailing of the definitive proxy statement to the stockholders of MBAC as of January 6, 2022, the record date established for the proposed transaction. MBAC Stockholders will also be able to obtain copies of the definitive proxy statement and other documents filed with the SEC that will be incorporated by reference therein, without charge at the SEC's website at https://www.sec.gov/, or by directing a request to: M3-Brigade Acquisition II Corp., 1700 Broadway 19th Floor, New York, New York 10019. Participants in the Solicitation MBAC and its directors and executive officers may be deemed participants in the solicitation of proxies of MBAC's stockholders with respect to the proposed transaction. A list of those directors and executive officers and a description of their interests in MBAC have been filed in the proxy statement for the proposed transaction and are available at https://www.sec.gov/. Additional information regarding the interests of such participants are contained in the proxy statement. Syniverse and its directors and executive officers may also be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from the stockholders of MBAC in connection with the proposed transaction. A list of the names of such directors and executive officers and information regarding their interests in the proposed transaction have been included in the proxy statement for the proposed business combination. No Offer or Solicitation This press release shall not constitute a solicitation of a proxy, consent, or authorization with respect to any securities or in respect of the proposed transaction. 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 states or jurisdictions in which such offer, solicitation, or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of such state or jurisdiction. No offering of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220113005018/en/ Contacts: Journalists, bloggers research analysts Kevin Petschow Syniverse pr@syniverse.com +1.813.637.5084 Institutional investors Stanley Martinez Syniverse ir@syniverse.com +1.813.614.1070 Martin Clark Apteco Martin.Clark@apteco.de +49 (0) 69 25 66 97 0-101 First dedicated secondaries fund from Golding significantly exceeds its target of 200 million Portfolio construction well advanced, with 14 transactions and investments in over 80 companies in the small and mid-cap segment Follow-on product already planned for first half of 2022 Golding Capital Partners, one of Europe's leading independent asset managers for alternative investments, has held the final closing of its first dedicated secondaries fund with commitments of some 280 million. Thanks to strong demand from institutional investors, particularly from the client segments pension funds and savings banks, the original target volume of 200 million was substantially exceeded. Golding's experienced secondary market team has already completed 14 transactions, quickly building a diversified portfolio of more than 80 small and mid-cap companies, primarily in Europe. The current portfolio of this still young fund is performing well and holds great promise; it has already seen its first write-ups and realisations. "Reliable access to attractive opportunities and a rapid exit from the J-curve are the reasons behind this strong demand from our institutional investors", explains Hubertus Theile-Ochel, Managing Partner at Golding Capital Partners. "Our good network, years of experience and reputation as a dependable partner enable us to complete bilateral transactions on a regular basis, without competition to maximise prices. Just recently, for example, we were able to acquire a fund interest with a long-term pan-European partner, where after just a few months we are already expecting the first distributions", adds Dr Matthias Reicherter, Managing Partner and Chief Investment Officer at Golding. Whereas in a classic LP transaction individual fund interests are bought from existing investors, GP transactions are mostly tailor-made liquidity solutions that are implemented in close cooperation with the fund managers for hand-picked portfolio companies. One successful instance of this is a proprietary acquisition of four software and technology companies in Britain, which have almost doubled their operating earnings since the transaction was completed. "The focus on operational value-added in such high-quality portfolios from very experienced portfolio managers, without using additional leverage, is a perfect fit with Golding's DNA", says Richard Wilmes, Managing Director and Head of Secondaries at Golding Capital Partners. "At the moment we are particularly interested in the software and technology sectors, as well as healthcare. They are very stable because of their recurring, often contractually guaranteed demand, and at the same they benefit from long-term growth trends, which makes them a compelling investment." "The Golding secondaries fund benefits from our established ESG due diligence processes and the high standards of our sustainability criteria", adds Christian Schutz, ESG Director at Golding. Golding is planning to launch a follow-on fund in the first half of 2022. The continued availability of excellent market opportunities and strong ongoing investor demand suggest that this investment segment has further growth potential. About Golding Capital Partners GmbH Golding Capital Partners GmbH is one of Europe's leading independent asset managers for alternative investments, focusing on the asset classes infrastructure, private debt, private equity, secondaries and impact. With a team of more over 140 professionals at its offices in Munich, London, Luxembourg, New York, Tokyo and Zurich, Golding Capital Partners helps institutional and professional investors to develop their investment strategy and manages more than 11 billion in assets. Its more than 200 investors include pension funds, insurance companies, foundations, family offices and ecclesiastical institutions, as well as banks, savings banks and cooperative banks. Golding became a signatory of the United Nations Principles for Responsible Investment (UNPRI) in 2013 and has been a member of the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) since 2021. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220113005403/en/ Contacts: Further information: Golding Capital Partners GmbH Susanne Stolzenburg Manager Marketing Communication T +49 (0) 89 419 997 553 stolzenburg@goldingcapital.com PB3C GmbH Johannes Braun PR Director Real Assets T +49 (0) 30 726276 1544 braun@pb3c.com LONDON (dpa-AFX) - Mitchells & Butlers Plc (WG.L) a British operator of pubs, bars, and restaurants across the UK, said in a trading update on Thursday that it recorded a decline in sales for the first quarter following the new Covid-19 variant, Omicron related headwinds. The Birmingham-headquartered firm recorded a decline in sales by 1.5 percent for the 15-week period ended on January 8, compared with the same period of the fiscal 2019. On segmental basis, food segment of the company recorded a growth of 5.2 percent, whereas drinks segment posted a decline of 9.1 percent, compared with the same 15-week period of 2019. Phil Urban, Chief Executive, commented: 'Experience shows that as restrictions ease, and confidence returns, our business is able to swiftly recover. To that end, whilst we expect activity to continue to be adversely impacted in the short term, we are encouraged by the latest data on the Omicron variant which we believe will boost consumers' confidence to return to pubs and restaurants allowing us to regain the momentum which was beginning to build, supported by the benefits from our new set of Ignite initiatives.' Copyright(c) 2022 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX MITCHELLS & BUTLERS-Aktie komplett kostenlos handeln - auf Smartbroker.de LONDON (dpa-AFX) - Hays PLC (HAS.L) reported that its net fees for the second quarter were up 37% on a like-for-like basis compared to the prior year, despite a tougher prior year growth comparative and the effect of December holidays in many markets. On an actual basis, net fees for the second-quarter increased 32%, with the significant strengthening of sterling versus the euro and Australian dollar reducing our reported net fees. Growth and activity levels were strong in all regions, and November delivered an all-time period fee record. On a like-for-like basis, quarterly fees were up 31% in Australia & New Zealand, with momentum improving following the lifting of lockdowns in October. In UK & Ireland, quarterly fees were up 33% on a like-for-like basis, led by an excellent Perm performance, up 69%, with Temp up 13%. The Private sector, up 46%, significantly outperformed the Public sector, up 12%. Group consultant headcount increased by 6% in the quarter and by 26% year-on-year. The company expects to add 2-4% to consultant headcount in third-quarter, mainly in Strategic Growth Initiatives and in Germany. 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. The tune, named Zhuguang Yufeng, meaning "light and wind", is the result of the joint creative effort by employees of Chinese power producer SPIC BEIJING, Jan. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Chinese spirit has gradually taken shape and continued enriching thanks to the long-term social and living practices of the Chinese nation during 5,000 years of Chinese history. The spirit, the ideological foundation of the long-term development of traditional Chinese culture and the essence of such culture, contains multiple precious qualities of the Chinese people, among them, wisdom, diligence and courage, while serving as a new driving force of the country's economic growth in the new era by keeping pace with the times. In line with the world's sustainable development goals, the global energy sector has entered a new era that highlights the targets of carbon peak and carbon neutrality. Given this scenario, employees at State Power Investment Corporation Limited (SPIC), one of the top five power producers in China, created and performed Zhuguang Yufeng ("Light and Wind"), a song that affectionately expressed their firm commitment to clean energy, which is in line with the country's ambitious goal of achieving carbon peak by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2060. The creation of the song not only demonstrates the qualities of fearlessness, innovation, determination and vigor that the employees have exhibited alongside their active participation in the energy revolution, as the Chinese economy transitions into and adjusts to the new era, but also reflects the spirit of the Chinese people, their confidence, responsibility, fearlessness, solidarity and determination to forge ahead, as they face a new future. Light is the source while wind is the spirit. Technology endows nature with the power of wisdom. With exciting melodies and rhythmic lyrics, Zhuguang Yufeng speaks confidently and enthusiastically of the revolution that is taking place across the energy sector, while giving due respect to the influence of Chinese culture and the vitality of the Chinese spirit that has touched many people in the new era. Video - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1724872/MV.mp4 Partnership to help retailers integrate advanced customer insights into their marketing and merchandising programmes Demonstrates the importance of collaboration to shape innovation and prepare for the future of retail dunnhumby, the world's leader Customer Data Science, has today unveiled a new strategic partnership with SAP, the market leader in enterprise application software, which will help retailers integrate advanced customer insights into their marketing and merchandising programmes. The partnership will help allow retailers to make faster, customer-led decisions and deliver a more personalised shopper experience in-store and at home. ?Retailers will be able to better translate customer insights into clear actions to simplify and elevate everyday business processes and look ahead to build better connections as they prepare the future of retail. The power of customer data With many retailers globally realising the value and insights their customer data holds, there's never been more of a need to harness these insights to improve the customer experience and drive loyalty. dunnhumby's SAP partnership is initially focused on leveraging dunnhumby Customer Data Science with the SAP Assortment Planning solution. The combination of these powerful solutions can help merchandising teams within grocery retailers make faster, better-informed assortment decisions that meet customer needs and drive sales uplift. The integration of dunnhumby Customer Data Science with SAP Assortment Planning provides a highly-automated solution for all assortment needs from insights and planning through to execution, using the perfect mix of customer data, performance metrics, business rules and predictive science to optimise a retailer's assortment. A partnership that puts the customer first "This partnership can help leading, innovative retailers who want to build loyalty and profitability through a personalised, multi-channel shopping experience, and is just the first step in dunnhumby's SAP partnership," explains Will Adcock, Global Head of Alliances and Partnerships, dunnhumby. "By combining dunnhumby's Customer Data Science with SAP's expertise in intelligent enterprise application software, we help retailers to make faster, more customer-led decisions, delivering a more seamless customer-centric personalisation journey." Achim Schneider, Global Head, SAP Industry Business Unit Retail, SAP adds: "To succeed in today's business environment, retailers have to become customer-centric and data-led, viewing data as a strategic asset to improve the consumers' shopping experience and drive key decisions and processes end-to-end. This partnership demonstrates the importance of collaboration and co-innovation to drive the future of retail." For more information on the partnership, get in touch with a dunnhumby account executive. About dunnhumby dunnhumby is the global leader in Customer Data Science, empowering businesses everywhere to compete and thrive in the modern data-driven economy. We always put the Customer First. Our mission: to enable businesses to grow and reimagine themselves by becoming advocates and champions for their Customers. With deep heritage and expertise in retail one of the world's most competitive markets, with a deluge of multi-dimensional data dunnhumby today enables businesses all over the world, across industries, to be Customer First. The dunnhumby Customer Data Science Platform is our unique mix of technology, software and consulting, enabling businesses to increase revenue and profits by delivering exceptional experiences for their Customers in-store, offline and online. dunnhumby employs over 2,000 experts in offices throughout Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas working for transformative, iconic brands such as Tesco, Coca-Cola, Meijer, Procter Gamble, Raley's, L'Oreal and Monoprix. Learn more at www.dunnhumby.com SAP and other SAP products and services mentioned herein as well as their respective logos are trademarks or registered trademarks of SAP SE in Germany and other countries. Please see www.sap.com/copyright for additional trademark information and notices. All other product and service names mentioned are the trademarks of their respective companies. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220113005051/en/ Contacts: Gavin Greene PR Manager gavin.greene@dunnhumby.com 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) Five tragic minutes on a Sunday morning left two heartbroken parents to mourn at a Harlem funeral remembering a son and daughter lost in the flames of a lethal Bronx high-rise fire. An overflow crowd of mourners spilled onto the sidewalk Wednesday at the Timbuktu Islamic Center for the sad farewell to 12-year-old Seydou Toure and his 5-year-old sister Haouwa Mohamadou at a service just three days after their sudden and tragic deaths. Advertisement Their small wooden caskets, with religious blankets covering the top of each, were brought inside as the men filling the building bowed reverently. Men bring the caskets of Seydou Toure, 12, and Haouwa Mohamadou, 5, from the Masjid Timbuktu after their funeral in Harlem Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2022 in Manhattan. The two children were killed in the Twin Parks North West apartment building fire in the Bronx on Sunday. (Barry Williams/for New York Daily News) Dad Mohamadou Toure, before heading to bury his kids in a Muslim cemetery across the river in New Jersey, remained too distraught by the still-fresh tragedy to speak as his shaken wife stood silently after the funeral. Advertisement Right now its very difficult, he said. I cannot say anything at all. The children lived next door to the second-floor apartment where a space heater set off the citys deadliest fire since the Happy Land arson blaze in 1990, with the pair staying with an uncle while their mom ran to buy bread at a nearby store. By the time she returned, the two kids were already overcome by the blaze that sent black smoke billowing to the top of the 19-story building, said the childrens great-aunt Tata Maiga. For just five minutes, for breakfast, the relative said of the moms errand. The apartment where the fire comes from, they face that apartment. Seydou Toure, left, and Haouwa Mohamadou. The funerals were the first for the 17 people killed in the devastating blaze at the Twin Parks North West building this past Sunday, a deadly fire blamed on the electric heater. The couples two other children remained hospitalized but were expected to survive, said their great aunt. The kids are a little bit well, we hope, said Tata Maiga. A number of imams representing different African nations attended the service, with an ambassador from the parents homeland of Mali walking into the mosque alongside the father. The mom stared straight ahead from her seat until the funeral began, and then joined the other mourners in their prayers. The mother of Seydou Toure and Haouwa Mohamadou, Safia Bocoum, is greeted by mourners outside the Masjid Timbuktu in Harlem after the funeral for her children on Wednesday, Jan. 12. (Barry Williams/for New York Daily News) The childrens uncle Mohammed Maiga remained hospitalized in a coma as his relatives turned out to offer fond recollections of the two beloved siblings. Advertisement Breaking News As it happens Get updates on the coronavirus pandemic and other news as it happens with our free breaking news email alerts. > Theyre funny, theyre helpful, theyre sweet, recalled Tata Maiga. Mourners grieve during the funeral service of Seydou Toure, 12, Haouwa Mohamadou, 5, outside the Masjid Timbuktu in Harlem Wednesday, Jan. 12. (Barry Williams/for New York Daily News) A family friend echoed her thoughts: Very good. Very beautiful and very good family. Very, very nice kids. Mourners on prayer mats spread across the sidewalk joined the crowd packed inside to remember the brother and sister. The mosques front door was held open with a box of COVID-19 masks so the outdoor congregation could hear the service. The building resident whose apartment first caught fire acknowledged there were three space heaters in his home, one in each of the bedrooms. Mamadou Wague, 47, said his 4-year-old daughter remained inside the NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center with burns from the blaze. Everyone was sleeping, Wague said of the Sunday morning blaze. My kids ran screaming Daddy, daddy, theres a fire, he recalled. I ran in and there was fire everywhere. I did everything to get my family out. Wague offered thanks for the survival of his eight kids and sent along best wishes to his neighbors in the towering building. Advertisement Im sorry for all the people that died, he said. I hope all the people in the hospital come home safely. Im praying for them all. VILNIUS, Lithuania, Jan. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Public movement "Dawn of Justice" organized an online conference to discuss the role of NATO in Lithuania. The event was hosted by politician and columnist Algirdas Paleckis, ex-member of the Lithianian parliament, vice-mayor of Vilnus (2007-2008). "Dawn of Justice" was founded in 2021 by Algirdas Paleckis as a new left political force aimed to articulate and promote interests of the citizens, who stand for more transparency and rotation in the political system of Lithuania, public access to budgeting procedures information, and share socialist political views. Philosopher and publicist Mikhail Bugakov reminded that NATO was founded in 1949 at the beginning of the Cold War and ever since then it has been a US-dominated organization, that claimed to be founded for protection, yet has been demonstrating aggressive policies and initiating numerous military operations abroad. Lawyer, civil activist and columnist Jonas Kovalskis started off quoting Lord Hastings Ismay, NATO's first secretary general, who described its purpose to "keep the Americans in, the Russians out, and the Germans down." Series of color revolutions and regime changes in Eastern Europe have brought highly controllable persons to power, he said, which means that they are not acting in the best interests of their own people. Militarization of the Baltic states implies active brainwashing and creation of internal as well as external conflicts, increasing threats of a full scale war. Lack of the strategic focus on cooperation and peace, loss of sovereignty might make the Baltic states victims of "somebody else's war". After the collapse of the Soviet Union, logically, NATO should have dissolved, Journalist, TV and radio producer Kazemiras Juraitis says. Yet, it occupied the empty space that was created when the USSR was seized to exist. The issue of benefits of NATO membership is also quite controversial: 2,5% of GDP Lithuania has to pay, basically are for used American military equipment, asylum seekers flowing into the country from Libya, Iraq, Syria, which has never happened in the times of Muammar Gadaffi, Saddam Hussein, Hafez Asad; depopulation, deindustrialization, degradation and censorship, Kovalkis adds. The country can not stand for its own interests becoming a weapon for USA and the UK. "NATO doesn't really guarantee security, but it does create threats to peace and security, now by spreading the myth of Russian aggression. Gribauskaite has called Lithuania a "buffer zone", and this kind of thinking will not lead us to better days, but it can lead us to war" - Bugakov says. Publicist Christopher Voishka compared NATO to "a criminal, neocolonial, terrorist organization that has one main value of commercial benefits at any price", saying that there are no real values and no benefits for the new members in NATO. Juraitis agreed, emphasizing that "it's time to wake up and leave NATO, there is no political organization in Lithuania that could take responsibility for such a move but our party - Dawn of Justice. And this decision is the one about life or death". Kovalkis concluded the discussion saying "the first thing we need to do is to spread awareness about NATO's criminal activities. The elites of LT should stop sending our troops to all the military adventures of the USA. We lose billions of dollars and no one is held responsible for it. What we need is a sovereign domestic and external policy". Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1725219/Dawn_of_Justice.jpg LONDON, Jan. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- JK Tech, a next-generation digital transformation, and IT services provider has announced a strategic partnership with Progress, a leading provider of products to develop, deploy and manage high-impact applications, to help enterprises across industries in the United Kingdom to redesign and innovate their businesses to meet their digital transformation goals. The company is organising a webinar- Modernise Your Applications to Accelerate Digital Transformation, on the 20th of January, to demonstrate the usage and present the benefits of this collaboration to its clients. The two companies joined hands to create innovatively personalised,easy to implement, secure solutions,to provide effective digital transformation services to their customers.These services are built on JK Tech's robust 4R modernisation framework helping clients through the transformation journey to Value Realisation. Commenting on the alliance, Ram Kumar, Senior Vice President, and Business Head UK & EU Region, JK Tech, said, "Our association with Progress is over two decades old. We are confident that this alliance will prove beneficial for all our clients in their journey towards modernisation and digital transformation as they can reap the benefits of the product suite by Progress and modernisation framework by JK Tech. The comprehensive solution will enable businesses to deliver impeccable customer experience along with increasing operational efficiency." Adding to this,Phil Dunlop, VP of Sales, EMEA, Progress said, "We are happy to announce that our partnership with JK Tech has further developed to offer a complete digital transformation solution. JK Tech's Progress Center of Excellence which is envisioned to accelerate the digital transformation will assist businesses in their digital growth journey." Having the latest new-age technologies that result in higher efficiency and productivity, JK Techensures the ultimate level of security and analytics to Progress end-users and in the UK and the Nordics. JK Tech's Progress Center of Excellence comprises consultants having core competencies in the implementation ProgressOpenEdge. About JK Tech- JK Tech is a next-generation Digital and IT services provider enabling clients globally to navigate their digital transformation. JK Tech stands by its vision of being "committed to a superior experience" with its customers, its people, and its social environment. JK Tech offers specialised capabilities across automotive, manufacturing, retail & consumer products, healthcare with its niche solutions across Modernisation and Automation that help improve their performance and create lasting value across its enterprises. www.jktech.com Twitter, LinkedIn Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1513832/JK_Tech_Logo.jpg SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The global chemo graded nitrile powder-free medical examination gloves market size is anticipated to reach USD 494.9 million by 2028, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. The market is expected to expand at a CAGR of 8.0% from 2019 to 2028. The increasing prevalence of cancer cases across the globe is likely to boost market growth over the forecast period. Key Insights & Findings from the report: Asia Pacific accounted for revenue share of 42.1% in 2020 owing to the high cancer prevalence and high mortality rate caused by cancer in the region China is anticipated to witness a CAGR 8.7% over the forecast period, as the healthcare infrastructure is expanding rapidly, resulting in improving the cancer screening process and cancer treatment in China Germany is expected to witness a CAGR 7.5% over the forecast period on account of the presence of advanced infrastructure & technology coupled with government support to revolutionize medical treatment Manufacturers of chemo graded nitrile gloves are focusing on rising production capacity by expanding their facilities. For instance, in March 2020 , Hartalega purchased land to expand its glove production facilities in Malaysia Furthermore, the market players are focusing expansion of business footprints globally. For instance, in December 2020 , Ansell Ltd. acquired the Primus brand to increase its presence in India Read 100 page market research report, "Chemo Graded Nitrile Powder-free Medical Examination Gloves Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Region (North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, MEA), And Segment Forecasts, 2019 - 2028", by Grand View Research A surge in the pervasiveness of cancer is majorly attributed to various risk factors such as smoking, alcohol use, lack of exercise, poor nutrition, and obesity. According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer, the total number of estimated cancer cases was 19.3 million in 2020, with around 10 million deaths. As the number of cancer patients is increasing each year, there has been a strong emphasis on the early diagnosis of cancer. Early detection and screening have resulted in increased demand for chemotherapy. This, in turn, is anticipated to augment market growth over the forecast period. The demand for chemo graded gloves is rising rapidly as the number of cancer patients is rising across the globe. Manufacturers are focused on launching new high-quality gloves. For instance, in March 2021, V12 Health launched a new product line of chemo graded nitrile powder-free medical examination gloves and TPET gloves. Market Segmentation: Grand View Research has segmented the global chemo graded nitrile powder-free medical examination gloves market on the basis of region: Chemo Graded Nitrile Powder-free Medical Examination Gloves Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2017 - 2028) North America U.S. Canada Europe Germany U.K. France Russia Italy Spain Asia Pacific China India Japan Australia South Korea Indonesia Latin America Brazil Argentina Mexico Middle East & Africa & Saudi Arabia UAE South Africa List of Key Players of Chemo Graded Nitrile Powder-free Medical Examination Gloves Market Cardinal Health Top Glove Corporation Bhd Ansell Ltd. Kimberly-Clark Corporation Sempermed USA , Inc. , Inc. Halyard Health, Inc. Tronex International, Inc. McKesson Medical-Surgical Inc. Hartalega Holdings Berhad Safeko Check out more studies on gloves used in medical procedures, published by Grand View Research: Disposable Medical Gloves Market - The global chemo graded nitrile powder-free medical examination gloves market size was valued at USD 238.3 million in 2020 and is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.0% from 2019 to 2028. Increasing cancer prevalence across the globe is expected to boost the demand for chemotherapy, resulting in driving the market. Nitrile Gloves Market - The global nitrile gloves market size was valued at USD 3.12 billion in 2019 and is expected to grow at a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 14.1% from 2020 to 2027. Rising awareness regarding the benefits of the product in healthcare facilities coupled with an increasing number of latex allergies is expected to drive the market growth. Browse through Grand View Research's coverage of the Global Advanced Interior Materials 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: sales@grandviewresearch.com Web: https://www.grandviewresearch.com Follow Us: LinkedIn | Twitter Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/661327/Grand_View_Research_Logo.jpg LONDON (dpa-AFX) - Pharma major AstraZeneca (AZN.L), said on Thursday that it has signed a collaboration deal with Scorpion Therapeutics, a drug maker focused on cancer care, to discover, develop, and commercialize precision medicines against previously hard-to-target cancer proteins. The collaboration focuses on a class of proteins called transcription factors that regulate gene expression as well as crucial physiological functions including cell development and survival. According to the terms of the deal, Scorpion will receive an upfront cash payment of $75 million from AstraZeneca. In addition, Scorpion is eligible to receive additional success-based payments in the form of option fees and milestone payments, as well as tiered royalties on net sales ranging from mid-single digit to low-double digits. Susan Galbraith, Executive Vice President, Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca, said: 'Unlocking potentially transformative biology is pivotal for delivering the next wave of cancer treatments. Scorpion's innovative platform is a strong strategic fit as we explore a range of new modalities across our broad drug discovery toolbox with promise to disrupt the activity of these highly-validated cancer targets.' Scorpion will lead discovery and certain preclinical activities, whereas its partner AstraZeneca has the exclusive option to license worldwide rights for up to three drug candidates. 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. The "Germany Cards and Payments Opportunities and Risks to 2025" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The report provides detailed analysis of market trends in the German cards and payments industry. It provides values and volumes for a number of key performance indicators in the industry, including cards, credit transfers, cash, direct debits and cheques during the review-period (2017-21e). The report also analyzes various payment card markets operating in the industry and provides detailed information on the number of cards in circulation, transaction values and volumes during the review-period and over the forecast-period (2021e-25f). It also offers information on the country's competitive landscape, including market shares of issuers and schemes. The report brings together the publisher's research, modeling, and analysis expertise to allow banks and card issuers to identify segment dynamics and competitive advantages. The report also covers detailed regulatory policies and recent changes in regulatory structure. The report provides top-level market analysis, information and insights into the German cards and payments industry, including Current and forecast values for each market in the German cards and payments industry, including debit, credit and charge cards. Detailed insights into payment instruments including cards, credit transfers, cash, direct debits and cheques It also, includes an overview of the country's key alternative payment instruments. Ecommerce market analysis. Analysis of various market drivers and regulations governing the German cards and payments industry. Detailed analysis of strategies adopted by banks and other institutions to market debit, credit and charge cards. Comprehensive analysis of consumer attitudes and buying preferences for cards The competitive landscape of the German cards and payments industry Scope The SEPA Instant Credit Transfer (SCT Inst) service has been available in Germany since November 2017. It enables individuals to transfer a maximum of 100,000 ($122,281.12) within 10 seconds. Funds can be transferred instantly 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. Based on SCT Inst infrastructure, in July 2020 a group of 16 European banks from Spain, Belgium, France, Germany, and the Netherlands announced the future launch of a European-level unified payment system called the European Payments Initiative. It is expected to enter the operational stage in 2022. The new solution aims to create a unified payment solution leveraging existing SCT Inst infrastructure; it also plans to offer cards and digital wallets for consumers and merchants across Europe. The solution will cover all types of transactions, including in-store, online, and P2P payments using payment cards and digital wallets, as well as cash withdrawals. The proliferation of digital-only banks is likely to accelerate the shift away from cash to card payments. N26 is the most popular digital-only bank in Germany, providing competition to traditional banks by offering products and services at comparatively lower rates. Founded in 2013 in Germany, it is now available in 25 countries. In November 2020, the bank launched N26 Smart a new premium account that includes an N26 Smart Mastercard debit card. In June 2020, Germany-based Vivid Money launched digital banking services in Germany. It offers a metal Visa debit card for its account holders free of charge. Previously, Santander launched its digital-only bank Openbank in Germany in September 2019. Other challenger banks operating in the country include Revolut, Penta, and Holvi. German consumers are increasingly using girocards for contactless payments. According to girocard, currently there are nearly 80 million girocards with contactless functionality. There is also growing concern among consumers about what they touch (including cash) amid the COVID-19 outbreak. This is further pushing consumers towards payment methods such as contactless cards. According to girocard, in the first half of 2021, nearly 64% of all girocard transactions were contactless. Growth in contactless payments is also expected to be supported by rising acceptance. According to girocard, as of October 2021, there are around 922,000 POS terminals capable of supporting contactless payments in Germany, up from 755,000 in December 2019. Key Topics Covered: Market Overview Payment Instruments Card-Based Payments Merchant Acquiring Ecommerce Payments Buy Now Pay Later Mobile Payments P2P Payments Bill Payments Alternative Payments Payment Innovations Job Analysis Payment Infrastructure and Regulation Companies Mentioned DSGV BVR Deutscha Bank Commerzbank ING Bank Landesbank N26 girocard Visa Mastercard American Express Diners Club Worldline Fiserv Nexi EVO Elvaon DZ Bank PayPal Paysafe Klarna Divido AfterPay Google Pay Samsung Pay Apple Pay giropay ELV For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/68uu5w About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220113005457/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 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. Investigator-initiated multicenter Phase I study in glioblastoma with CAXII-targeting, 177 Lu radiolabeled antibody Fab fragment (LuCaFab) in preparation, led by University of Munster as the sponsor and supported by Helmholtz Munich and ITM ITM will provide study materials including its radioisotope n.c.a 177 Lu (EndolucinBeta ) and be responsible for radiolabeling the CA XII-targeting compound Helmholtz Munich has granted ITM an exclusive option to license LuCaFab (ITM-31), IP, know-how and the right to use trial results for research and commercialization purposes ITM Isotope Technologies Munich SE (ITM), a leading radiopharmaceutical biotech company, and Helmholtz Munich (Helmholtz Zentrum Munchen), today announced a cooperation agreement for the clinical development of a radiopharmaceutical therapy candidate to treat malignant brain tumor glioblastoma. ITM and Helmholtz Munich will collaborate to support an upcoming dose-escalation Phase I clinical trial with LuCaFab (ITM-31). LuCaFab is a CA XII-specific antibody Fab fragment targeting molecule, developed by Helmholtz Munich, radiolabeled with ITM's medical radioisotope no-carrier-added lutetium-177 (n.c.a. 177Lu, EndolucinBeta). The planned multicenter investigator-initiated trial (IIT) will be led by the Westfalische Wilhelms-Universitat Munster (University of Munster, Germany). This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220113005088/en/ Under the terms of the agreement, which formalizes an ongoing collaboration between ITM and Helmholtz Munich, ITM supports the logistics and supply of the clinical trial material and provides funding for the trial, which is designed for the treatment of up to 15 patients. ITM holds the exclusive option, which may be executed at any time, to license the compound, related worldwide patents and know-how for the manufacturing, use and application of LuCaFab from Helmholtz Munich under already agreed upon terms. The option also allows ITM to access and use trial data for research and commercial activities. Steffen Schuster, CEO of ITM comments: "We are pleased to continue our collaboration with Helmholtz Munich and to further advance ITM's clinical pipeline. Glioblastoma is among the most malignant and most difficult to treat cancers. A precise radionuclide therapy targeting an antigen highly expressed in glioblastoma, such as CAXII, may inhibit tumor growth after surgical removal. We are dedicated to clinically explore this opportunity for these patients who have such a high unmet medical need." Reinhard Zeidler, Project Leader at Helmholtz Munich: "We believe that the combination of our tumor-specific targeting molecule and ITM's medical radioisotope offers a new opportunity to improve the treatment of glioblastoma. After first encouraging studies with other radioisotopes in brain tumors, we expect ITM's radioisotope lutetium-177 to have particularly favorable medicinal properties. Therefore, we look forward to initiating our collaborative clinical trial with the Departments of Neurosurgery and Nuclear Medicine at the University of Munster." End About Glioblastoma Multiforme Glioblastoma is one of the most malignant types of primary brain tumors. It is a rare tumor, with about 3-5 new cases per 100,000 individuals per year.1 Even though surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy have advanced over the last decade, resulting in a gradual improvement in the survival and quality of life of glioblastoma patients, the prognosis remains very poor.2 Glioblastoma is a complex tumor which is very difficult to treat. Surgery is rarely curative as the tumor cells infiltrate the surrounding tissue and the blood-brain barrier places a limitation on medical therapies. Even with macroscopic removal of the tumor and subsequent treatment with external beam radiation and chemotherapy, there is a risk that individual tumor cells will remain in the tissue and begin to grow again (relapse). More than 90% of tumor recurrences occur in the immediate vicinity of the primary tumor. Therefore, the treatment of the tissue surrounding the tumor is of great importance. About LuCaFab (ITM-31) Glioma cells can selectively express certain surface antigenic proteins such as carbonic anhydrase XII (CAXII), which are not found on healthy brain cells. Targeted molecules which specifically bind to the proteins can be produced to attack these antigens. This approach falls under the category of Targeted Radionuclide Therapy (TRT), an emerging class of cancer therapeutics, which seeks to deliver radiation directly to the tumor while minimizing radiation exposure to normal tissue. Targeted radiopharmaceuticals are created by linking a therapeutic radioisotope to a targeting molecule that can precisely recognize tumor cells and bind to tumor-specific entities such as receptors expressed on the cell surface. The radioisotope accumulates at the tumor site and decays, releasing a therapeutic amount of ionizing radiation, thereby destroying tumor tissue. Helmholtz Munich has developed a new antibody binding fragment (Fab) against the CAXII antigen, which has been optimized for the treatment of glioblastoma. ITM's no-carrier-added lutetium-177 (n.c.a. 177Lu, EndolucinBeta) is coupled to the antibody in order to selectively target and irradiate tumor cells. The resulting compound, LuCaFab (ITM-31), is administered via intracavitary injection, meaning it is applied directly into the tumor cavity following the surgical removal of the tumor to attack residual cancerous cells that lead to recurrent disease. LuCaFab thus acts as a complementary, adjuvant therapy to the current standard of care approach to glioblastoma as it is designed to be applied after initial treatment to prevent future tumor growth. About ITM Isotope Technologies Munich SE ITM, a radiopharmaceutical biotech company, is dedicated to providing the most precise cancer radiotherapeutics and diagnostics to meet the needs of patients, clinicians and our partners through excellence in development, production and global supply. With patient benefit as the driving principle for all we do, ITM is advancing a broad pipeline, including two phase III studies, combining its high-quality radioisotopes with targeting molecules to develop precision oncology treatments. ITM is leveraging its leadership and nearly two decades of radiopharma expertise combined with its worldwide network to enable nuclear medicine to reach its full potential for helping patients live longer and better. For more information please visit: www.itm-radiopharma.com. About Helmholtz Munich Helmholtz Munich is a leading biomedical research center. Its mission is to discover breakthrough solutions for better health in a rapidly changing world. It is home to interdisciplinary research teams investigating the development of environmentally triggered diseases. With the power of artificial intelligence and bioengineering, the researchers accelerate the translation process to patients in the areas of therapy and prevention with a focus on diabetes, obesity, allergies and chronic lung diseases. Helmholtz Munich has more than 2,500 employees and is headquartered in Neuherberg, north of Munich. It is a member of the Helmholtz Association, the largest scientific organization in Germany with more than 43,000 employees and 18 research centers. Learn more about Helmholtz Munich (Helmholtz Zentrum Munchen Deutsches Forschungszentrum fur Gesundheit und Umwelt GmbH): www.helmholtz-munich.de Ascenion, technology transfer partner of Helmholtz Munich, has been part of the project team that has been working on bringing this promising immunotherapy approach to the clinics. 1 GlobalData, 2018, Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM): Opportunity Analysis and Forecasts to 2027 2 Gallego, 2015, Current Oncology 22(4): e273-e281 and Weller et al., 2013, Neuro-Oncology 15(1): 4-27 View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220113005088/en/ Contacts: ITM Contact ITM Corporate Communications Julia Hofmann Susanne Karlsson Phone: +49 89 329 8986 1502 Email: communications@itm-radiopharma.com ITM Media Requests Trophic Communications Stephanie May or Valeria Fisher Phone: +49 175 8041816 Email: itm@trophic.eu Helmholtz Munich Contact Media Relations Phone: +49 89 3187 43902 Email: presse@helmholtz-munich.de ITM Investor Contact Ben Orzelek Phone: +49 89 329 8986 1009 Email: Ben.Orzelek@itm-radiopharma.com Creates over 100 new vacancies as a result of impressive growth story DUBLIN and LONDON, Jan. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Fenergo, the leading provider of digital solutions for client lifecycle management (CLM), has strengthened its financial position through revenue growth to 91.3 million, a gross profit increase of 20% to 52.1 million and software licence growth of 22.3% to 41.1 million during the financial year ending March 2021. The firm also achieved a breakeven operating result, a significant step forward in profitability terms. Fenergo attributes its recent growth to rising demand amongst financial institutions for the SaaS edition of its CLM solution, which can be deployed quickly, reduce regulatory costs, and enable accelerated onboarding. With Fenergo CLM SaaS (powered by AWS) financial institutions can deliver a smoother, streamlined onboarding experience, whilst gaining operational efficiencies, satisfying regulatory obligations, and achieving business growth. Fenergo has focused investment on its SaaS strategy, on-cloud and on-premise product line development and team expansion, as it continues on its third chapter of growth. This follows Fenergo's recent acquisition by private equity and investment management firms Astorg and Bridgepoint which acquired the firm at a valuation affording it unicorn status. Marc Murphy, Chief Executive Officer, Fenergo, says: "The digital transformation and evolving regulation that is happening in the financial sector is continuing to increase our addressable market as financial institutions use our expertise to drive costs from their operating models. With the backing of our new investors, we are able to scale faster through the innovation of our platform and by tapping into best-of-breed technology talent. This ultimately allows us to continue to deliver more value and efficiency to the world's largest financial services firms." To fulfil the growing demand for its solutions, Fenergo has embarked on a global recruitment drive to fill over 100 vacancies, 61 of which are based in Ireland. Fenergo's innovative new model of borderless working means that employees can work on the latest in SaaS and cloud technology from anywhere in Ireland and avoid the challenges linked to commuting to work in the Capital City. As one of many perks, Fenergo supports employees wishing to relocate to any of Fenergo's offices around the world including Madrid, Sydney, Melbourne, New York, Toronto and more. "Without people, Fenergo wouldn't be where we are today. We recognise that to tap into the rich pool of technology talent Ireland has to offer, we have to make opportunities accessible beyond the Capital and into the regions. With that, we have launched a hybrid working model, which sets employees up to work from anywhere. Fenergo's advantage is that it is a highly successful, home-grown technology firm blazing a trail by delivering cutting-edge technology to the world's largest financial institutions. Another major differentiator for us is the ability for staff to deliver these solutions to our clients from any of our global offices where the opportunities arise," continued Murphy. Fenergo currently has 850 employees across 14 locations globally. Find out more about Irish job vacancies here. Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1724633/Fenergo_Limited_Logo.jpg - Former Chief Commercial and Marketing Officer for Ceva Logistics brings more than 15 years of expertise working with global enterprise customers. - New department structure under Freese focuses on business development, strategic partnerships, and global procurement. - Freese's appointment further strengthens the company's efforts to expand its global forwarding infrastructure. BERLIN, Jan. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Forto, a leading provider of digitized freight forwarding and supply chain solutions, today announced that Jochen Freese has joined the company's executive team as executive vice president of procurement and business development. According to Forto CEO and Co-Founder Michael Wax, Freese's executive level experience with global logistics leaders brings the right skillset to Forto during a critical growth phase. "Jochen has a proven track record in helping large, worldwide customers in such industry segments as retail and fashion, high tech, healthcare and automotive optimize their transport and logistics," explained Wax. "This customer focus, combined with his experience in building strong products and partnerships, makes him an ideal fit to help us navigate the next stage of Forto's development." Freese joins Forto after serving as Chief Commercial and Marketing Officer for CEVA Logistics SASU, an international provider of transportation and supply chain solutions operating in more than 160 countries, and listed amongst the highest ranked logistics providers globally. In his prior role, Freese was responsible for driving CEVA's top line revenue and business development and led the company's global industry segments (Automotive, Healthcare, Industrial and Aerospace, Technology, and Fashion and Retail). He was also a member of the CEVA executive board. Before joining CEVA, Freese held the role of Chief Commercial Officer for Hellmann Worldwide Logistics (HWL) while also serving for a period of time as CEO for Air and Sea Freight. While at Hellmann, Freese directed sales, business development, solutions, and marketing during a transformational phase for the company. In his new role, Freese will oversee the development and management of the Forto offerings across transport modes - sea, air, rail, etc. Teams reporting to Freese will drive global procurement of transport capacities, management and growth of the Forto partner network, and strategic business development. Freese and his team will also work in close collaboration with the Forto technical and product teams to align logistics and supply chain service requirements with Forto technologies to enable a best-in-class digital offering. Freese also brings significant expertise in helping companies build out their global infrastructure and network during pivotal periods. Prior to joining Hellmann Worldwide Logistics (HWL), Freese served as group EVP and regional president for the EMENA region for UTi Worldwide, Inc., a global supply chain and logistics company acquired by global logistics provider DSV in 2015. In this role, Freese oversaw the Europe, Middle East, and Northern Africa regions, holding overall P&L responsibility and serving as a member of the global executive team. For UTi, Freese also held a variety of VP-level commercial roles, driving the company's regional and industry-focused business lines. "The transport and logistics industry is going through a significant evolution. The last few years have demonstrated how different segments of the supply chain can affect the ways in which people live and work," comment Freese. "Transparency and visibility, digitally-driven efficiencies, and environmental impact are at the top of customers' supply chain agendas, and they are looking for partners that can support them in these areas," commented Freese. " I strongly believe that companies with digitally-driven freight forwarding models will emerge as leaders amidst these changes. This focus on change is built into the Forto DNA, and I'm excited to join Forto in this journey." Forto is leading a new generation of disruptive logistics companies, using its digital platform to simplify interactions, remove process friction, and increase supply chain visibility and transparency - in turn empowering customers with better insights to make smarter decisions. Leading brands across industries ranging from fashion, furniture, and electronics are working with Forto to manage the transport of their goods. The company has also set the goal to make global trade more sustainable. Already more than half of Forto customers leverage the company's carbon-offsetting offer, and Forto has implemented the "1 +1 Approach" - a program in which Forto doubles the CO2 compensation of every customer to move towards climate-positive transports. PR contact: Forto GmbH I Alexandra Koehler I Senior PR Manager I press@forto.com I www.forto.com About Forto Forto's vision is to create a highly transparent and sustainable digital supply chain. Forto's platform technologies map the entire process flow, from quoting, booking, document management, tracking and tracing to proactive release processing and analytics. The software supports customers by providing greater visibility, insight and control. Leading manufacturers and e-commerce brands are among the 2,500 customers using Forto's digitally focused offerings as part of their supply chain. Headquartered in Berlin, the company currently employs more than 750 people across 16 locations in Europe and Asia, including offices in Berlin, Copenhagen, Hamburg, Ho Chi Minh City, Singapore, Hong Kong and Shanghai. For more information, visit www.forto.com. Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1533091/Forto_Logo.jpg With Emergency Ordinance no. 143/2021, the Romanian government has restored legal certainty for bilateral power purchase agreements and has created more favorable conditions for solar power generators under net metering regime.Romania's government has recently introduced a series of amendments to the country's energy law that create more favorable conditions for both the solar distributed-generation segment and the utility scale section of the market. "The government Emergency Ordinance no. 143/2021 finally removes the PPA ban from the Energy Law no. 123/2012, after almost 10 years," Mihaela ... Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. A Long Island Rail Road worker and son of a convicted Gambino crime family capo pleaded guilty Thursday to a yearslong fraud scheme that reaped him buckets of overtime pay for shifts he never worked. Frank Pizzonia son of Dominick Skinny Dom Pizzonia, a John Gotti hitman is one of five LIRR workers who federal prosecutors say conspired to file astronomical levels of overtime for bogus no-show shifts. Advertisement Frank Pizzonia in Foley Square after his court hearing Thursday. (Shawn Inglima/for New York Daily News) Pizzonia, 54, in 2018 was approved for 3,780 hours of overtime, which would require 10 hours of work every day of the year on top of his regular 40-hour workweek. He earned $305,000 that year, making him the Metropolitan Transportation Authoritys 29th highest-paid employee. Investigators found Pizzonia regularly skipped his OT shifts, and the feds accused he and his four other co-conspirators of helping cover for one another. Advertisement Pizzonia had pleaded not guilty and was to be tried later this year. His attorney Joseph Corozzo in August wrote in a filing that Pizzonia shouldnt be blamed for bilking taxpayers because everyone was doing it and it was a common practice. Pizzonia changed his plea Thursday. Prosecutors want a 12- to 18-month for the hitmans son which would be more prison time than was given his co-defendants. John Nugent, another LIRR worker convicted in the same OT scheme, was sentenced to five months in prison last year for conspiracy to commit federal program fraud. And another co-conspirator, Joseph Balestra, was last week sentenced to three months after pleading guilty to the same charge. Two other co-defendants Thomas Caputo and Joseph Ruzzo have also pleaded guilty of conspiracy to commit federal program fraud and await sentencing. Breaking News As it happens Get updates on the coronavirus pandemic and other news as it happens with our free breaking news email alerts. > Pizzonias charge was upgraded to conspiracy to commit wire fraud, a more serious charge. Assistant U.S. Attorney Aline Flodr said in court Pizzonias not guilty plea gave investigators more time to build evidence around the wire fraud case. Pizzonia also agreed to reimburse the MTA $7,068 for his bogus hours. Hell also contribute to the $109,641 sum prosecutors say they can prove was raked in by all five conspirators. The court will determine who pays how much. MTA officials said any bogus pay wont be counted toward the fraudsters pension payments, which at the LIRR are based on workers highest-paid years on the job. Advertisement Prosecutors want a 12- to 18-month sentence for Frank Pizzonia in an LIRR overtime fraud scheme. (Shawn Inglima/for New York Daily News) Pizzonia faces a shorter prison term than his father, who in 2007 was sentenced to 15 years in prison for planning the 1992 killing of a Queens couple. The quintet of crooks took advantage of poor MTA oversight of major construction projects, including the massive Hudson Yards complex on the West Side and the long-delayed East Side Access Project, which aims to bring LIRR trains into a new station beneath Grand Central Terminal. The East Side Access project is scheduled to open this year for $11.1 billion 13 years behind schedule and $6.8 billion over its initial projected cost. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 13, 2022) - Destiny Media Technologies (TSXV: DSY) (OTCQB: DSNY), the makers of Play MPE, a cloud-based SaaS solution for digital asset management in the music industry, today announced financial results for its fiscal 2022 first quarter ended November 30, 2021. Fred Vandenberg, President and CEO said, "Play MPE experienced overall modest revenue growth in the first quarter of 2022. Independent record label revenue continued to show strong results where the Company established new highs in total independent label and independent record label revenue in Europe, Australia, Canada and the US." Highlights Highlights for Q1 2022 include (all figures are USD, and comparisons are to Q1 2021): 65% increase in USA major label revenue; Highest recorded global quarterly independent record label revenue; Exclusive multi-year major label agreement in South Africa. During the quarter under a normal course issuer bid, the Company repurchased 30,300 shares for a total cost of $0.044M. Total repurchases under the normal course issuer bid to November 30, 2021 of 215,585 shares for a total of $304,570. Fiscal 2022 First Quarter Earnings Webinar Destiny Media Technologies will hold a live webinar on Thursday, January 13 at 2:00 p.m. Pacific Standard Time (5:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time) to discuss its 2022 first quarter results. This webinar replaces the Company's traditional conference call format. The live webinar will include comments from President, Chief Executive Officer, Fred Vandenberg, and Director of Business Development, Glenn Mattern. Date: Thursday, January 13, 2022 Time: 2:00 p.m. Pacific Standard Time (5:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time) Attendees are encouraged to register prior to the scheduled time at the following: https://investors.dsny.com/investors/financials/ or directly on the REGISTRATION FORM by clicking here. Attendees viewing the webinar can voluntarily submit verbal questions during the live presentation. Attendee cameras will remain off throughout the presentation. Attendees' microphones will remain off unless the attendee voluntarily selects to engage in questions similar to the format available on traditional conference call format. The webinar format will provide the Company an opportunity to present visual information and provide attendees an opportunity for written questions. For those without internet access, the webinar can be accessed via the following dial in details: Direct dial in: +1 312 626 6799 or +1 253 215 8782 Webinar ID: 841 5143 2269 Attendees participating via dial in will not have access the webinar video stream, and will not have access to question and answer functions. A recording of the webinar will be available after the event on https://investors.dsny.com/investors/financials/ CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS As at, (Expressed in United States dollars) November 30, August 31, 2021 2021 $ $ ASSETS Current Cash and cash equivalents 2,536,426 2,752,662 Short-term investments - - Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $23,718, [August 31, 2021 - $19,743] 564,677 400,233 Other receivables 60,168 53,172 Prepaid expenses 107,253 103,463 Total current assets 3,268,524 3,309,530 Deposits 35,077 35,556 Property and equipment, net 130,863 143,487 Intangible assets, net 247,448 187,622 Right of use asset 131,384 190,253 Total assets 3,813,296 3,866,448 LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Current Accounts payable 101,749 202,722 Accrued liabilities 322,331 309,839 Deferred revenue 3,944 8,511 Current portion of operating lease liability 158,301 226,978 Total current liabilities 586,325 748,050 Operating lease liability, net of current portion - - Total liabilities 586,325 748,050 Commitments and contingencies Stockholders' equity Common stock, par value $0.001 Authorized: 20,000,000 shares Issued and outstanding: 10,235,061 shares [August 31, 2021 - issued and outstanding 10,265,361 shares] 10,235 10,266 Additional paid-in capital 9,139,575 9,157,804 Accumulated deficit (5,622,938 ) (5,788,539 ) Accumulated other comprehensive loss (299,901 ) (261,133 ) Total stockholders' equity 3,226,971 3,118,398 Total liabilities and stockholders' equity 3,813,296 3,866,448 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (Expressed in United States dollars) Unaudited Three months ended November 30, 2021 2020 $ $ Service revenue 1,134,151 1,123,977 Cost of revenue Hosting costs 42,184 30,042 Internal engineering support 8,400 6,327 Customer support 47,603 35,852 Third party and transaction costs 19,376 18,092 117,563 90,313 Gross Margin 1,016,588 1,033,664 Operating expenses General and administrative 150,624 159,549 Sales and marketing 415,810 302,474 Product development 258,424 298,088 Depreciation and amortization 27,172 24,315 852,030 784,426 Income from operations 164,558 249,238 Other income Interest income 1,043 1,464 Net income 165,601 250,702 Net income per common share, basic and diluted 0.02 0.02 Weighted average common shares outstanding: Basic 10,257,964 10,450,656 Diluted 10,337,338 10,450,656 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (Expressed in United States dollars) Unaudited Three months ended November 30, 2021 2020 $ $ Net income 165,601 250,702 Foreign currency translation adjustments (38,768 ) 28,042 Total comprehensive income 126,833 278,744 About Destiny Media Technologies Inc. Destiny Media Technologies ("Destiny") provides software as service (SaaS) solutions to businesses in the music industry solving critical problems in distribution and promotion. The core service, Play MPE (www.plaympe.com), provides promotional music marketing to engaged networks of decision makers in radio, film, TV, and beyond. More information can be found at www.dsny.com. Forward-Looking Statements This release contains forward-looking statements that reflect current views with respect to future events and operating performance. Any such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in these forward-looking statements. Destiny Media Technologies is not obligated to update these statements in the future. For more information on the Company's risks and uncertainties relating to those forward-looking statements, please refer to the Risk Factors section in our Annual Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2021, which is available on www.sedar.com or www.sec.gov. Contact: Fred Vandenberg CEO, Destiny Media Technologies, Inc. 604 609 7736 x236 To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/109968 VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / January 13, 2021 / Komo Plant Based Foods Inc. (CSE:YUM)(OTCQB:KOMOF)(FRA:9HB) ("Komo"), a premium plant-based food company, is pleased to announce all 7 Whole Foods Market retail locations in Western Canada will begin carrying Komo Plant Based Comfort Foods. Komo products are planogrammed to be on the shelves in all 7 stores in early 2022. Whole Foods has expanded to 6 stores within key neighbourhoods in the greater Vancouver area and most recently opened a flagship store in the capital city of Victoria on southern Vancouver Island. Whole Foods Market, Inc. is an American multinational supermarketchain headquartered in Austin, Texas, which sells organic foods and products free from hydrogenated fats and artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives. Whole Foods seeks out the finest natural and organic foods available, maintains the strictest quality standards in the industry, and has an unshakeable commitment to sustainable agriculture. Whole Foods has more than 500 retail and non-retail locations in the US, Canada and the United Kingdom. It has 14 retail locations in Canada, of which 7 are in British Columbia, and 7 are in Ontario. In 2017, Amazon purchased Whole Foods Market for USD$13.7 Billion. "Adding Whole Foods to our distribution network is a huge accomplishment for Komo and testament to the high quality of our products," says Komo CEO William White. "We are so pleased with the growth in the number of retail stores that are selling Komo products. We have to thank our sales broker, Cornerstone Sales, our distributors, and our dedicated team for this rapid growth. We are very excited about continuing to share the love of plant-based foods through our aggressive growth plans." Komo has a distribution network of 5 distributors covering all provinces in Canada, including BRR Logistics, TransCold Distribution and Nationwide Natural Foods. Komo significantly scaled up its production capacity through a co-manufacturing arrangement last quarter, setting up Komo for rapid expansion. Komo is now available in select IGA, Fresh Market and Safeway locations, as well as all Choices Markets, all Nesters Market locations, all Fairway Markets and all Nature's Fare locations. Komo is now focused on expansion to the United States. About Komo Komo Plant Based Foods Inc. is a premium plant-based food company that develops, manufactures and sells a variety of plant-based frozen meals that are always hearty, satisfying, and made with wholesome ingredients. At Komo, our mission is to help make plant-based meals a staple on every dinner table by sharing our love for feel-good food that connects the people to the planet. We believe plant-based eating is the future and - Change can start with a single biteTM. Our experienced plant-based innovation and development team recreates vegan versions of traditionally cheesy and meaty classics, with 100% plants. Komo's products are sold direct-to-consumer through our eCommerce website and a distribution network of online and brick and mortar grocery, convenience and natural retailer channels. Our operating subsidiary Komo Comfort Foods launched in 2021 with our flagship products: plant-based Lasagna, Shepherd's Pie and Chickenless Pot Pie and has recently launched a new line - Komo Plant-Based Meal HelpersTM - versatile meal starters to allow the creation of many dishes at home. All of our products are 100% plant-based, made with wholesome ingredients, free from preservatives, and frozen for freshness. Freezing products is a natural and effective way of keeping food products for longer without having to use any preservatives. Komo's meals have a 1-year frozen shelf life. Komo also sells hot ready-to-eat meals in Metro Vancouver through Uber Eats and Skip the Dishes. Learn more at: www.komocomfortfoods.com and follow on Instagram: @komocomfortfoods For further information, please contact: William White, President & CEO, Komo Plant Based Foods Inc. will@komoeats.com 1-866-969-0882 The Canadian Securities Exchange has not reviewed, approved or disapproved the contents of this news release. Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements contained in this press release constitute forward-looking information. These statements relate to future events or Komo's future performance. The use of any of the words "could", "expect", "believe", "will", "projected", "estimated" and similar expressions and statements relating to matters that are not historical facts are intended to identify forward-looking information and are based on Komo's current belief or assumptions as to the outcome and timing of such future events. Actual future results may differ materially. In particular, Komo's product development plans, its ability to launch its products on food delivery apps, its ability to retain key personnel, its revenues, and its expectation as to the acceptance of its products by retailer stores and consumers constitute forward-looking information. Actual results and developments may differ materially from those contemplated by forward-looking information. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The statements made in this press release are made as of the date hereof. Komo disclaims any intention or obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be expressly required by applicable securities laws. SOURCE: KOMO Plant Based Foods Inc. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/683315/Komo-Plant-Based-Foods-to-Launch-in-Whole-Foods-Market-Retail-Locations-in-Western-Canada Rafal Kaminski as Chief Scientific Officer will lead Angelini Pharma's future pipeline development and research and innovation model He previously served as Chief Scientific Officer at OncoAndredi Therapeutics and held international senior R&D leadership positions with UCB and Roche Angelini Pharma, an international pharmaceutical company which is part of the privately-owned Angelini Industries, has appointed Rafal Kaminski as its new Chief Scientific Officer. Rafal Kaminski has broad international experience in drug discovery and innovation and will lead Angelini Pharma's research and development (R&D) strategy. He will commence his role in January 2022. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220113005451/en/ Rafal Kaminiski appointed Chief Scientific Officer, Angelini Pharma (Photo: Business Wire) "I am excited for Rafal's appointment which completes our leadership team. He will be instrumental in enabling us to develop a solid leadership in the field of brain health and rare diseases" commented Pierluigi Antonelli, Chief Executive Officer Angelini Pharma. "Rafal brings a significant wealth of experience having led R&D from discovery to clinical development of small innovative molecules. He will be responsible for driving our current and future pipeline development strategy, including our distinctive research and innovation model". Over the past 15 years, Rafal Kaminski has held senior R&D leadership roles at UCB Pharma in Belgium and Roche in Switzerland. He joins Angelini Pharma from OncoAndredi Therapeutics, a leading biotech company in Poland where he served as Chief Scientific Officer and Board Member. "I am very pleased to be joining Angelini Pharma and help further its research and innovation" commented Rafal Kaminski. "Angelini Pharma has an exciting pipeline across a broad range of therapeutic areas, and I am keen to leverage my experience and to lead the accomplished R&D team collaborating with the leadership team." Rafal Kaminski received his medical degree and doctorate in pharmacology from the Medical University of Lublin, Poland and completed his post-doctoral training at Radboud University in The Netherlands and in the National Institutes of Health in the U.S. He obtained a Diploma in Pharmaceutical Medicine from ULB in Belgium. ENDS About Angelini Pharma Angelini Pharma is an international pharmaceutical company, part of the Italian privately-owned Angelini Industries. Angelini Pharma is committed to helping patients in the therapeutics areas of Brain Health, Rare Diseases and Consumer Healthcare. Over the past 50 years, in the field of mental health, Angelini Pharma has gained international recognition for its substantial efforts to improve the management of patients with mental health disorders thanks to important, internally developed, molecules (such as trazodone) and its commitment to fighting mental health stigma. Angelini Pharma operates directly in 20 countries employing almost 3,000 people and commercializes its products in more than 50 countries through strategic alliances with leading international pharmaceutical groups. For additional information visit www.angelinipharma.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220113005451/en/ Contacts: For more information, contact: Daniela Poggio, Angelini Pharma Executive Director Global Communications daniela.poggio@angelinipharma.com LONDON, Jan. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Zero markup and ethical online retail app Wholee ( https://uk.wholee.sale/ ) has enjoyed a bumper festive period, experiencing big increases in global sales of women's clothing and home decor. New figures out today show sales of women's clothing increased by 25.8 per cent on Black Friday, while sales of women's shoes and homeware rose by around eight per cent each. Sales of men's clothing saw a big jump in the post-Black Friday period, increasing by 27.56 per cent, and men's shoes sales rose by 7.54 per cent. The impressive array of results vindicates Wholee's unique sales strategy that sees them offer customers special benefits such as express delivery and 24/7 customer service, in addition to quality and size guarantees, with unique 360 degree product viewing technology. Wholee has successfully positioned itself as a key online retailer alongside Amazon, eBay, and Wish, with downloads of its app pushing past 5 million globally last year. Commenting, Wholee spokesperson Eleanor Thomas said: "The increases we saw in sales figures was a very welcome Christmas present for Wholee." "In an increasingly crowded marketplace it is becoming more difficult to stand out from the crowd. But this shows customers are really latching on to our consumer-focused approach to retail." "Our zero-markup approach is key to this and we are already making great progress towards shaking up the online marketplace for good. Consumers shop with us knowing they are the focus of our business, not profits, and all the signs are there that more and more people will look to Wholee for their online shopping needs as we move into the new year." "We look forward to telling our customers more about the exciting range of products we have lined up for 2022." About Wholee Wholee is a disruptor to the online retail marketplace which connects users directly to approved factories. Launched in August 2020, Singapore-based Wholee works by connecting users with over 100,000 manufacturers across the globe. It offers good quality products at lower prices and gives users access to millions of modern consumer products across a range of categories, including fashion, home and garden, and lifestyle. MUMBAI, India, Jan. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- TATA Projects Limited , one of India's fastest growing and most admired infrastructure companies, is now expanding its global footprint with an array of projects in the Transmission and Distribution sector. In spite of the pandemic induced pause, TATA Projects has bagged orders worth approximately USD 323 million for Transmission and Distribution projects across Africa. In East Africa region, TATA Projects has been awarded a USD 79 million AfDB funded project for 280km 400kV D/C overhead transmission line from Nyakanazi to Kigoma in Tanzania. In West Africa region, TATA Projects secured contracts worth around USD 244 million, having mix of Transmission Line, Sub-station and Distribution projects. TATA Projects signed an approximately USD 106 million contract for a distribution project in Mali being funded by World Bank under the ECOWAS Regional Electricity Access Program. Additionally, it also secured a Sub-station Extension order from EDM, Mali. TATA Projects further strengthens its presence in the region by securing around 500km of 330kV overhead transmission line projects in Burkina Faso and Niger, having approximate worth of USD 110 million, funded by World Bank and AfDB. After strengthening its presence in East and West Africa, TATA Projects has successfully forayed into the Central African nation of Cameroon, wherein the company was awarded a transmission line project worth around USD 21 million, being funded by World Bank. Speaking about the company's growth in Africa, Mr. Rajesh Kumar Pandey, SBU Head - International Business, TATA Projects Ltd, said, "Electricity is a necessity and implementation of these projects will touch a larger populace and connect them to an improved system. This contributes to the Sustainable Development Goal number 7 i.e. ensuring access to 'Affordable and Clean Energy' for all. As we transcend, we need to measure ourselves in sequential journey of touch, connect, access, effectiveness and affordability to have sustainable growth of the Community, Country and Co-existence of TATA." Upon completion, these projects will enhance system capacities, unlock demand centers and make power accessible to consumers, ushering development and economic prosperity in the region. Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1725909/Contract_Signing_Tanzania.jpg Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1725910/Sub_station_project_in_Mali.jpg Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1725911/Mr_Rajesh_Kumar_Pandey.jpg Helsinn LaunchesFully Integrated Targeted Therapy (FITT) Strategy and Announces Leadership and Structural Changes Strategyfocuses on developing and commercializing a differentiated pipeline of highly innovative oncology assets addressing unmet needs Helsinn intends to reinvest approximately 35% of revenues from existing commercial engine of cancer therapeutic and supportive care products intotargetedtherapeutics R&Din the next 5 years Riccardo Braglia appointed Executive Chairman and Gabriele Edoardo Braglia appointed to the Board of Directors. Gabriele Braglia, current Chairman and Founder, named Honorary Chairman Giorgio Calderari, current Group General Manager, appointed Chief Executive Officer Siddharth Kaul appointed as new Member of the Board of Directors New simplified group structure following the launch of HAS Healthcare Advanced Synthesis as an independent business Lugano, Switzerland, January 13, 2021 - Helsinn Group ("Helsinn"), a fully integrated, global biopharma company with a diversified pipeline of innovative oncology assets and strong track-record of commercial execution, today announces the launch of its Fully Integrated Targeted Therapy (FITT) Strategy and Board and management changes. FITT Strategy Helsinn's FITT strategy will focus on developing a differentiated pipeline of highly innovative oncology assets addressing unmet needs, transforming Helsinn from a leading cancer supportive care company to a fully integrated targeted therapy company. In addition to this, as previously announced, Helsinn has also entered into a non-exclusive framework agreement with BridgeBio Pharma, Inc. (BridgeBio), a commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on genetic diseases and cancers, to identify and potentially co-develop and co-commercialize preclinical precision oncology therapies. Helsinn intends to continue to invest approximately 35 percent of its revenues from its commercial engine of supportive care and cancer therapeutics products into targeted therapeutics research and development over the next five years. The key pillars of the FITT strategy include: A fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitor commercially available in the US and approved in Canada and Australia for the treatment of patients with previously-treated locally advanced or metastatic cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) harboring an FGFR2 fusion or rearrangement. In March 2021, Helsinn Group entered a strategic collaboration with QED Therapeutics, an affiliate of BridgeBio, to co-develop and co-commercialize this product in oncology indications worldwide except in China, Hong Kong and Macau. A RET tyrosine kinase inhibitor currently in a Phase I/II trial that Helsinn believes has the potential for fast-track approval. This product candidate originates from a global co-development and co-commercialization agreement signed with Taiho Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. in 2017, and the parties will continue to pursue together all preclinical, clinical and chemistry, manufacturing and controls (CMC) developments. This alliance also includes efforts to reach as many patients as possible around the world through their own commercial infrastructures or through valued partners. As part of the non-exclusive framework agreement with BridgeBio a first preclinical program has been initiated to co-develop and co-commercialize a potentially first-in-class GPX4 inhibitor. Proactive targeting of new opportunities to be in-licensed or acquired. In line with the refined strategy, Helsinn will continue to market its commercial portfolio of cancer supportive care and cancer therapeutic products for people in need that are undergoing treatment for cancer, chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting and dermo-oncology, through its subsidiaries Helsinn Therapeutics (U.S.), Inc. in the US and Helsinn Pharmaceuticals (Beijing) Co., Ltd. in China as well as through its worldwide partnerships in more than 190 countries around the world. Manufacturing will continue to be supported by Helsinn Birex Pharmaceuticals Ltd. in Ireland. In addition to a shift in focus, the strategy evolution involves the simplification of the Helsinn Group, and as part of this HAS Healthcare Advanced Synthesis SA, previously Helsinn's full-service contract manufacturing subsidiary, will be launched as an independent business separate from the Helsinn Group structure, together with the 3B Future Health Fund SA, SICAR, Luxembourg. These combined changes will enable Helsinn to be fully focused on building out its targeted oncology pipeline. Board and Management Team changes In order to focus on strategic growth across Helsinn and the wider portfolio of businesses, Riccardo Braglia has been appointed Executive Chairman of Helsinn. Gabriele Braglia, prior Chairman and Founder, has been named Honorary Chairman. In addition, Riccardo Braglia's eldest son, Gabriele Edoardo Braglia, has joined Helsinn's Board of Directors. Gabriele owns an MSC Degree in Healthcare Management from City University London and has over 3 years of healthcare and pharmaceutical consulting experience, prior to joining Helsinn in 2021. In line with these changes, the operational leadership of the Group will be fully taken over by Giorgio Calderari, who has been appointed CEO. Mr. Calderari has been working in Helsinn for the last 36 years, including the last 12 years as Group General Manager, contributing to the development and commercialization of several new drugs and shaping Helsinn into its current structure. He is also Chairman of the Ticino Pharmaceutical association and member of the Board of Directors of BIOSplus and of the University of Applied Sciences and Arts. Giorgio has a PhD in Chemistry from the Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) in Zurich. In addition, Helsinn is pleased to announce that Siddharth Kaul has been appointed as a new Member of the Board of Directors. Mr. Kaul has 37 years of experience in the consumer products and healthcare industries with P&G and Novartis, and more recently as Chief Financial Officer Pharma in the EU and the US and Group Treasurer and Head of Business Planning & Analysis of Novartis. Mr. Kaul will bring a wealth of expertise, a significant asset which will strengthen the organization. Riccardo Braglia, Helsinn Group Executive Chairmancommented:"This is an extremely momentous time for Helsinn as we initiate our FITT Strategy and shift our focus to the development of potentially transformative oncology therapeutics. Delivering vital cancer supportive care products to patients is still very close to our hearts, and we will continue to do so in conjunction with our strategyevolution. I would like to thank my father Gabriele, who founded and led the Helsinn group for 40 years and I am honored to succeed him andsteer Helsinn through the next step in its journey from the position of Executive Chairman as we focus our efforts on developing next generation targeted therapies. I also wish to thank Giorgio Calderari for his many years of service at the Helsinn Group so far and I am delighted that hehas acceptedthe role of Chief Executive Officer. Giorgio has my full support as he assumes the responsibility of leading a dynamic management team of professionals and as we execute on the FITT strategy. Alongside these changes, we are augmenting our Board with two new appointments, and I am delighted to welcome and work with Mr. Siddharth Kaul as well as my eldest son, Gabriele Edoardo Braglia." Giorgio Calderari, Helsinn Group CEO & Board Member, added: "Being part of the Helsinn journey together with Riccardo and the Braglia family for more than 30 years, it is now an honor for me to be appointed as Chief Executive Officer.We are truly excited to be focusing on targeted therapies and onHelsinn'sfuture prospectsas we focus our efforts to be at the forefront of innovative cancer therapeutics. As part of our strategicevolution, we will remain fully committed to supplying our marketed supportivecancer care and cancer therapeutic products to patients in need and this will also support the development of our fully integrated targeted therapies as we continue to reinvest approximately35 percent of our revenues in R&D". About the Helsinn Group Helsinn is a fully integrated, global biopharma company headquartered in Lugano, Switzerland. It is focused on improving the lives of cancer patients all over the world with a leading position in cancer supportive care and an innovative pipeline of cancer therapeutics. Helsinn is a third-generation family-owned company, that since 1976 has been focused on improving the lives of patients, guided by core values of respect, integrity and quality. It operates a unique licensing business model with integrated drug development and manufacturing capabilities. Helsinn has a commercial presence in 190 countries either directly, with operating subsidiaries in the U.S. and China, or via its network of long-standing trusted partners. Helsinn also has a fully integrated supply chain and product development through its subsidiary in Ireland, Helsinn Birex Pharmaceuticals Ltd. Helsinn Group plays an active and central role in promoting social transformation in favor of people and the environment. Corporate social responsibility is at the heart of everything we do, which is reinforced in the company's strategic plan by a commitment to sustainable growth. To learn more about Helsinn Group please visit www.helsinn.com For more information: Helsinn Group Media Contact: Paola Bonvicini Group Head of Communication Lugano, Switzerland Tel: +41 For more information, please visit www.helsinn.comand follow us on Twitterand LinkedIn Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - January 13, 2022) - Royal Fox Gold Inc. (TSXV: FOXG) ("Royal Fox" or the "Company") is pleased to report assay results from the 2021 diamond drilling campaign and results from historically drilled core not previously sampled on the Philibert gold deposit, Chibougamau, Quebec. Highlights (Grades uncut; lengths measured along hole, Table 1): DDH PB-21-318 returned 0.98 g/t Au over 20.0 metres, including 3.68 g/t over 4.0 metres, from 319.0 metres to 339.0 metres DDH PB-21-318 returned 0.73 g/t Au over 18.0 metres from 288.0 metres to 306.0 metres Royal Fox Gold is pleased to announce the commencement of the 2022 diamond drill program on the Philibert Deposit Simon Marcotte, President and CEO of Royal Fox, commented: "As we aim to deliver a maiden NI 43-101 resource estimate in 2022, we couldn't be more excited to commence the 2022 drill program and untap the full potential of the Philibert deposit." The Philibert deposit, located 60 kilometres southwest of Chibougamau, Quebec, is defined by 60,000 metres of historic diamond drilling, including approximately 25,000 metres of unsampled drill core from campaigns completed between 1984 and 2014. 2021 DIAMOND DRILLING CAMPAIGN As part of the due diligence process, and to expand its knowledge of the deposit, Royal Fox drilled five diamond drill holes, totalling 1,147 metres during the property acquisition process in March and April 2021. The campaign focused on four key areas - N1, N7, S1_S2, and S3_S4 associated with 15 northwest-trending mineralized domains related to the Opawica-Guercheville Deformation Zone, a large system of anastomosing shear and fault zones, and host to numerous mines including the former Joe Mann Mine. Even more significant is the nearby Nelligan Project host to an inferred resource of 3,194,000 oz averaging 1.02 g/t Au (NI 43-101 Technical Report and Initial Mineral Resource Estimate for the Nelligan Project, Quebec, Canada. Alain Carrier et al., December 4, 2019), with a mineralization style having similarities to Philibert. Adree DeLazzer, Vice-President Exploration of Royal Fox, commented: "We are extremely pleased with the results released today which continue to demonstrate unidentified and unmodeled gold mineralization in the upper portions of the Philibert deposit. The 2022 drill program is designed to define the upper portions of the deposit which was not the focus during historical campaigns." To date, 731 assays from the 921 samples sent for analysis in June have been received from the labs. Table 1 sets out the highlights from the results reported today. The results from the 190 outstanding samples will be released as they are received. Drill Hole From (m) To (m) Interval (m) Au (g/t) Domain PB-21-317 168.0 174.0 6.0 0.82 JSUD PB-21-318 260.0 263.0 3.0 1.2 NA and 288.0 306.0 18.0 0.73 NA including 288.0 291.0 3.0 1.79 NA and including 296.0 297.0 1.0 2.47 NA and 319.0 339.0 20.0 0.98 G including 321.0 325.0 4.0 3.68 G NA - no zones previously modeled Table 1: Highlights from the assays received to date. Note: drill results are presented uncapped; lengths represent core lengths. Results reported today include the most northwestern drill hole, PB-21-318, drilled from section L11920W to test 8 stacked domains, including 137, 137SUD, 137NORD, G, 37-1W, 106, 106SUD, and 106SSUD. Results include 0.98 g/t Au over 20.0 metres from 319.0 metres to 339.0 metres from domain G including 3.68 g/t Au over 4.0 metres. Hole PB-21-318 also returned anomalous gold outside any modeled domains including 0.73 g/t Au over 18.0 metres from 288.0 metres to 306 metres, including 1.79 g/t Au over 3.0 metres. PB-21-317 drilled from section L10320W to test area S1_S2, returned 0.82 g/t Au over 6.0 meters between 168.0 metres and 174.0 metres. The intersection was associated with domain JSUD at the western limit of the zone. See Figure 1: long section of the Philibert trend looking northeast, Figure 2: Section 11920W, and Figure 3: Section 10320W. Figure 1: Looking Northeast across the Philibert trend (50 metre cut width). Excludes N1 area intercepts. To view an enhanced version of Figure 1, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/4156/109880_3e1ec025c491a947_001full.jpg. Figure 2: Section 11920W, looking southeast (40 metres section width) with PB-21-318 plotted off section To view an enhanced version of Figure 2, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/4156/109880_3e1ec025c491a947_002full.jpg. Figure 3: Section 10320W, looking southeast (40 metres section width) To view an enhanced version of Figure 3, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/4156/109880_3e1ec025c491a947_003full.jpg. Historical Drill Core Sampling Today's results include 56 assays reported from unsampled historical core, while another 216 samples remain pending. No significant values are being reported today but the company plans to continue the sampling campaign in March of 2022. 2022 Drill Program One drill commenced drilling on the Philibert property on January 8, 2022 and a second on January 12, 2022. A third drill is expected to follow in the next week. The company is completing a 12,000-metres drill program designed to test the upper 200 metres of the 3-kilometres strike of the Philibert deposit. Approximately 5,000 metres will be designated to test high grade zones at depth, and along plunge, as well as exploration targets identified by utilizing existing modeling, geochemical data, high resolution drone magnetic survey, and other targeting tools. The drilling contract has been awarded to Les Forages Geo-Nord from Dolbeau-Mistassini, Quebec. This drilling program is fully funded following the closing on December 13, 2021 of a non-brokered private placement through the issuance of 28.3 million charity flow-through units at a price of 10 cents per flow-through unit for aggregate gross proceeds of $2.83 million. Sampling and Laboratory True widths of the intercepts reported in this press release have yet to be determined but are estimated to be 60% to 70% of reported core lengths. All NQ-size split core assays reported for 2021 were obtained by fire assay with atomic absorption finish and samples returning values over 5 ppm Au are re-analyzed, utilizing standard Fire Assay-Gravimetric methods. Samples were shipped to AGAT Laboratories with sample preparation done in Val-d'Or, QC and sample analysis done in Mississauga, ON. The quality assurance and quality control protocol include insertion of blank or standard every 10 samples on average, in addition to the regular insertion of blank, duplicate, and standard samples inserted by AGAT Laboratories during the analytical process. The technical content and scientific aspects of this press release have been reviewed and approved by Mrs. Adree DeLazzer, P. Geo., a Qualified Person as defined by the National Instrument 43-101. Mrs. DeLazzer is Vice-President Exploration of Royal Fox Gold and is not considered independent. About Royal Fox Gold Inc. Royal Fox Gold Inc. is a mineral exploration company focused on the development of the Philibert Project near Chibougamau, Quebec. The Philibert Project comprises 110 mineral titles having a total approximate area of 5,393 hectares of highly prospective ground, 9km from IAMGOLD's Nelligan Gold project which was awarded the "Discovery of the Year" by the Quebec Mineral Exploration Association (AEMQ) in 2019. To date, more than $10M (historical value) have been spent on the Philibert Project, with more than 60,000 metres of drilling completed. The Company is focused on de-risking the asset and releasing a maiden NI 43-101 resource estimate which will incorporate results from both brownfield and greenfield exploration, combined with extensive historical data. The Philibert Project is owned by SOQUEM. Royal Fox is currently undergoing an ownership option process, details of which can be found in the corporate presentation available on the Company's website. More details are available in the corporate presentation of Royal Fox at: www.royalfoxgold.com. About SOQUEM SOQUEM, a subsidiary of Investissement Quebec, is dedicated to promoting the exploration, discovery, and development of mining properties in Quebec. SOQUEM also contributes to maintaining strong local economies. Proud partner and ambassador for the development of Quebec's mineral wealth, SOQUEM relies on innovation, research, and strategic minerals to be well-positioned for the future. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS "Simon Marcotte", CFA Simon Marcotte, President and Chief Executive Officer of Royal Fox Gold Inc. For further information, please contact: Simon Marcotte, CFA President and Chief Executive Officer of Royal Fox Gold Inc. +1-647-801-7273 Email: smarcotte@royalfoxgold.com Cautionary Statements Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. The information contained herein contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. Forward-looking statements relate to information that is based on assumptions of management, forecasts of future results, and estimates of amounts not yet determinable. Any statements that express predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance are not statements of historical fact and may be "forward-looking statements." Forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties which could cause actual events or results to differ from those reflected in the forward-looking statements, including, without limitation: risks related to the TSXV listing, risk related to the failure to obtain adequate financing on a timely basis and on acceptable terms; risks related to the outcome of legal proceedings; political and regulatory risks associated with mining and exploration; risks related to the maintenance of stock exchange listings; risks related to environmental regulation and liability; the potential for delays in exploration or development activities or the completion of feasibility studies; the uncertainty of profitability; risks and uncertainties relating to the interpretation of drill results, the geology, grade and continuity of mineral deposits; risks related to the inherent uncertainty of production and cost estimates and the potential for unexpected costs and expenses; results of prefeasibility and feasibility studies, and the possibility that future exploration, development or mining results will not be consistent with the Company's expectations; risks related to commodity price fluctuations; and other risks and uncertainties related to the Company's prospects, properties and business detailed elsewhere in the Company's disclosure record. Should one or more of these risks and uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described in forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned against attributing undue certainty to forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and the Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. Actual events or results could differ materially from the Company's expectations or projections. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/109880 Mary Kay Presents Research At Two Prestigious Conferences: At The 19th Aesthetic Anti-Aging Medicine World Congress (AMWC) And At The European Society For Dermatological Research (ESDR) Mary Kay Inc., one of the world's innovative skincare companies, participated at two renowned European conferences in late 2021. At the 19th Aesthetic Anti-Aging Medicine World Congress, Mary Kay Inc. submitted a scientific poster on the usage and tolerability of a highly concentrated retinol formula in Asian skin. Mary Kay Inc. also partnered with the European Society's Dermatological Research (ESDR) in sponsoring Future Leaders in Dermatology Symposium at their 50th Annual conference At this conference, Mary Kay Inc. shared the results of a recent clinical study that demonstrated the capability of a cosmetic formulation to alleviate symptoms associated with sensitive skin. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220113005071/en/ Dr. Lucy Gildea, Mary Kay Chief Innovation Officer, Product and Science (Photo: Mary Kay Inc.) The 19th Aesthetic Anti-Aging Medicine World Congress took place from September 16-18, 2021, in Monte Carlo and was held under the High Patronage of H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco. Attendees of this conference extended to several professions including dermatologists, plastic and cosmetic surgeons, anti-aging doctors, and aesthetic and general practitioners. Over 8,300 participants from 130 countries joined the conference, both in-person and virtually. The digital platform offered an immersive virtual experience that complemented the physical show allowing attendees to join the digital exhibition and watch workshops regardless of the distance or travel restrictions. Mary Kay scientists were proud to share their latest research on retinol use and tolerability at this conference. By using a gradual retinization protocol on Asian individuals, there was an improvement in their overall skin appearance as well as a reduction in post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation a common concern when using retinol, especially in skin of color. "Retinol is a gold-standard skincare ingredient with many proven benefits, but the experience and tolerability of a retinol product are not the same for every person. For individuals who are concerned about potential irritation or hyperpigmentation, the results of this study offer potential solutions. I am very excited to share this research with the scientific community worldwide at AMWC's 19th World Congress to share our innovative research with professionals in skin science and aging," said Dr. Lucy Gildea, Chief Scientific Officer at Mary Kay Inc. "AMWC 2021 featured a multi-faceted aesthetic and anti-aging medicine program aimed at promoting high-level continued education and we were happy to have Mary Kay participate this year. We hope that we have succeeded in helping to inspire the exchange of new ideas and the sharing of 'know-how' in this field on a global level", said Catherine Decuyper, EuroMediCom Founder and President. "I am grateful to our team, our global partners, the attendees, and the scientific community at large for their contributions and for the opportunity to serve them and their aesthetic and anti-aging medicine needs." Following the success of AMWC 2021, EuroMediCom will host AMWC 2022 from March 31 to April 2, 2022, in a hybrid format again in order to allow delegates from across the world to join them for the 20th edition of their world-leading aesthetic and anti-aging medicine congress. Registrants can choose to attend in person or watch live-streamed sessions from anywhere in the world. The annual European Society's Dermatological Research (ESDR) Conference is held in Europe each year every September. In 2021, due to travel restrictions and COVID-19 precautions, the annual meeting took place entirely virtually from September 22-15, 2021. ESDR supports investigative dermatology with the goal of improving the health of patients who are suffering from various skin and infectious diseases and immune disorders. In addition to presenting research, Mary Kay was also able to sponsor a Future Leaders in Dermatology symposium that kicked off the conference. Associate Principal Scientist Geetha Kalahasti at Mary Kay Inc. shared the results of a recent clinical study that evaluated the effects of a new formulation that contained a blend of lipids identical to the skin's natural ratio, a nociceptor (TRPV-1) antagonist, and a botanical extract that reduces the expression of proinflammatory cytokines. "At Mary Kay, we are committed to understanding skin biology and designing new products that address skin needs. One ongoing area of focus has been the relationship between sensitive skin and skin barrier function," said Kalahasti. "Each of these materials targeted a specific biological pathway that contributes to skin redness. The findings revealed that this multi-faceted approach helps strengthen the compromised skin barrier and alleviate discomfort associated with sensitive skin." "On behalf of the ESDR board, we would like to thank Mary Kay for the support of the ESDR and the generous contribution to ESDR activities. One of the most important activities of our Society is to promote the presentation of new research data and ideas, and we are delighted to have Mary Kay be a part of this event," said Leopold Eckhart, Chair, Scientific Program Committee of ESDR. This particular symposium helps connect young researchers with renowned scientists in dermatology and encourages such collaborations a focus that is very important to Mary Kay Inc. ABOUT MARY KAY One of the original glass ceiling breakers, Mary Kay Ash founded her dream beauty company in 1963 with one goal: enriching women's lives. That dream has blossomed into a multibillion-dollar company with millions of independent sales force members in nearly 40 countries. As an entrepreneurship development company, Mary Kay is committed to empowering women on their journey to economic independence through education, mentorship, advocacy, networking, and innovation. Mary Kay is dedicated to investing in the science behind beauty and manufacturing cutting-edge skincare, color cosmetics, nutritional supplements, and fragrances. Mary Kay believes in enriching lives today for a sustainable tomorrow, partnering with organizations from around the world focusing on promoting business excellence, supporting cancer research, advancing gender equality, protecting survivors from domestic abuse, beautifying our communities, and encouraging children to follow their dreams. Learn more at marykayglobal.com, find us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn or follow us on Twitter. ABOUT EUROMEDICOM EuroMediCom, created in 1999 and part of Informa Exhibitions since 2010, is dedicated to promoting Life Sciences and knowledge through educational Trainings, Conferences Exhibitions. The main event, AMWC was created in 2003 and has since become the largest and leading medical aesthetic congress in the world. AMWC was developed with the strong belief that external aesthetic treatments and internal aging prevention could be comprehensively addressed by integrating two aspects: aesthetics strategy through dermatology and surgery procedures for external appearance and anti-aging medicine for prevention of aging and enhancement of aesthetic treatments. For more information about AMWC, click here: https://www.euromedicom.com/en/home.html ABOUT THE EUROPEAN SOCIETY DERMATOLOGICAL RESEARCH (ESDR) The European Society for Dermatological Research (ESDR), founded in 1970, is a non-profit organization promoting basic and clinical science related to dermatology. The ESDR is the largest investigative dermatology society in Europe with a current membership of about 1100. By supporting investigative dermatology and skin research, the ESDR contributes to an in-depth understanding of skin homeostasis and towards improving the health of patients suffering from skin and venereal disease, infectious diseases, and immune-mediated and inflammatory disorders. The ESDR facilitates exchange of information relevant to investigative dermatology between clinicians and scientists worldwide. The ESDR also organizes educational events throughout the year to further knowledge in dermatological research. For more information, please visit: https://esdr.org/ View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220113005071/en/ Contacts: Mary Kay Inc. Corporate Communications marykay.com/newsroom 972.687.5332 or media@mkcorp.com LoopMe ('the Company'), a leading brand-focused mobile advertising platform, today announced Mayfair Equity Partners ('Mayfair'), a leading tech and consumer growth investor, as its new investment partner. LoopMe has estimated gross revenues of nearly $100 million for full year 2021, having achieved revenue growth of c.50% p.a. over the past three years, with the majority of revenues now coming from the United States. Funds advised by Mayfair are investing $120 million to acquire a majority stake in LoopMe that will value the Company at close to $200 million. The investment will see LoopMe continue to expand internationally whilst bringing innovative new products to market. Founded in 2012, LoopMe has transformed the mobile advertising sector through the innovative application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) technologies to optimize media campaign delivery in real-time. Through its outcomes-based technology platform, LoopMe drives both measurable uplift in brand deliverables and more effective targeting across online and offline marketing goals, including brand uplift, purchase intent, consideration, footfall and sales. LoopMe's services are currently available across mobile, connected TV (CTV), digital audio, digital out-of-home and other emerging digital advertising channels. The Company's clients include brands, major holding companies and publishers such as dentsu, Publicis, WPP, Omnicom, Pepsi, Microsoft, Sony Pictures, Hyundai/Kia and WarnerMedia. Mayfair's investment will allow LoopMe to accelerate growth in its core markets such as the United States while expanding into new geographies, including Japan. Mayfair will become the majority investor, partnering with LoopMe's founders, Stephen Upstone and Marco van de Bergh, its wider management team and existing institutional investors including BGF. This investment builds on Mayfair's strong track record in digital media, which includes Talon Outdoor (Out-of-Home specialist media agency) and SuperAwesome (a leading kids' digital media platform). Mayfair is also a shareholder in a number of fast-growing unicorns such as Epic Games (the developer of Fortnite and the Unreal Engine), OVO Group (a tech-enabled energy solutions provider) and Graphcore (a pioneering developer of AI accelerators). "LoopMe has experienced phenomenal growth over the past ten years, particularly in the U.S., within the mobile video app ecosystem and now in CTV," said Stephen Upstone, CEO and founder of LoopMe. "As a leading data and privacy-compliant software platform delivering exceptional performance without the need for personal identifying data, LoopMe is poised for continued success given ongoing market developments with regards to data regulation and usage. We are excited to welcome the support of Mayfair Equity Partners as we expand into new geographies and add new product offerings around data and measurement." "Over the last decade the mobile brand-based advertising market has undergone a period of rapid growth, expanding to over $8 billion1 in size. This is a very dynamic part of the AdTech ecosystem, which is supported by increasing handset penetration and the desire for personalised digital content. We have long been impressed with LoopMe's strong growth and market leadership, and we see significant opportunity to continue that trajectory by supporting their mobile in-app and CTV capabilities," said Daniel Sasaki, Managing Partner at Mayfair Equity Partners. "We are thrilled to back Stephen and Marco as LoopMe continues its expansion and diversification, particularly across the US, APAC and EMEA." "We've been consistently impressed by the outstanding growth delivered by LoopMe to date, with the quality of technology and exceptional outcomes delivered for brands," said Tom McDonnell, investor at BGF. "We look forward to working with Mayfair and the LoopMe management to help drive further growth and consolidate its presence in even more international markets as it moves towards the next exciting chapter of its growth trajectory." The transaction is expected to close subject to customary approvals by or before February 2022. The principal advisors for this transaction for LoopMe include Raymond James, Orrick, Herrington Sutcliffe, PwC Strategy&, Intechnica, BDO and Deloitte and for Mayfair Equity Partners include Goodwin Proctor, PwC, BDO, and GP Bullhound. For more information about LoopMe, please visit www.loopme.com. About LoopMe LoopMe, a leading outcomes-based platform, closes the loop on digital advertising. By leveraging AI to optimize media delivery in real-time, we drive measurable uplift for business outcomes and more effective advertising across online and offline marketing goals, including brand lift, purchase intent, consideration, foot traffic and sales. LoopMe was founded in 2012 with the mission to create better consumer experiences through innovation, powered by data, in order to bring people and brands together. The Company is headquartered in the UK, with global offices across New York, Boston, Atlanta, Chicago, Detroit, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Toronto, Singapore, Dnipro (Ukraine), Japan and Hong Kong. LoopMe's venture investors included OpenOcean, HV Capital, Impulse VC, Claret Capital Partners, Da Vinci Capital and BGF. For more information, please visit www.loopme.com. About Mayfair Equity Partners Mayfair Equity Partners is a leading tech and consumer growth investor. Its primary focus is on building strong partnerships with exceptional management teams. Mayfair has an established track record in supporting digitally enabled businesses, including OVO Group, a technology-enabled market leader in the retail energy space, Parcel2Go, the UK's leading online marketplace for parcel delivery, Talon Outdoor, the U.K.'s only fully independent Out-of-Home specialist media agency, atHome Group, the market leading property and auto classifieds platform in Luxembourg, SuperAwesome, a leading kids' digital media platform, and Graphcore (a pioneering producer of AI and machine learning accelerators). For more information, please visit www.mayfairequity.com. About BGF BGF was set up in 2011 and has invested 3 billion in more than 460 companies, making it the most active investor in the UK and Ireland. BGF is a minority, non-controlling equity partner with a patient outlook on investments, based on shared long-term goals with the management teams it backs. BGF invests in growing businesses in the UK and Ireland through its network of 16 offices. In 2018, Canada launched its equivalent the Canadian Business Growth Fund and in 2020, Australia did the same, both based on BGF's funding model. For more information, please visit www.bgf.co.uk 1 Source: PWC View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220113005091/en/ Contacts: LoopMe Press Rachel Conforti rachelc@loopme.com Mayfair Equity Partners Charlie Harrison Katherine Kremer The One Nine Three Group Charlie.harrison@the193.com Katherine.kremer@the193.com +44-788-4136-143 +1-917-885-9704 The New Brunswick Health Research Foundation (NBHRF) partners with Cloud DX to fund Calibration and Validation research of its patented Pulsewave 2.0, a Non-Invasive Vital Sign Monitoring Device News in Summary NBHRF is providing $131,902 to the New Brunswick research team for ongoing research of the clinical evaluation of the wrist-worn vital sign monitoring device, Pulsewave 2.0 Cloud DX commits to R&D investment for clinical calibration and subsequent validation of a wrist-worn non-invasive health monitoring device to be conducted at the Horizon Health Network, Saint John Regional Hospital (SJRH) The NBHRF supports, facilitates, and promotes innovative health research in New Brunswick, Canada Research findings and data will be used for Health Canada licensing and FDA clearance of Cloud DX's next-generation Pulsewave 2.0, on its path to market as the only wrist cuff to accurately measure pulse rate, blood pressure, and respiratory rate in both home and clinical settings KITCHENER, ON / ACCESSWIRE / January 13, 2022 / Cloud DX (TSXV:CDX)(OTCQB:CDXFF), Cloud DX announces new partner funding from the New Brunswick Health Research Foundation (NBHRF). This funding will support ongoing clinical calibration and subsequent validation trials with the Cloud DX Pulsewave 2.0 wrist-worn vital sign monitoring device. The NBHRF Strategic Initiative Grant will be matched two to one by Cloud DX over three years to support the ongoing research and development led by Dr. Brunt and Dr. Teskey and their teams at Cardiovascular Research New Brunswick (CVR NB), Dalhousie Medicine New Brunswick (DMNB), University of New Brunswick (UNB) and the IMPART investigator team. The research will be conducted with the Department of Cardiology at the New Brunswick Heart Center at the Saint John Regional Hospital (SJRH), part of the Horizon Health Network. Lead researcher & Translational Scientist, Dr. Keith Brunt states: "We are pleased to provide ongoing best-in-class R&D support to the development of medical technology innovations. We are committed to ensuring informed-decision making clinically is built upon strong evidence, validated intellectual property that is peer-reviewed and aligned with regulatory expectations for medical devices. Our prior clinical research with an earlier version of the device, was published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research, and key to the initial development of proprietary algorithms for the Pulsewave 2.0 device." Dr. Robert Teskey, an Interventional Cardiologist with the Horizon Health Network, New Brunswick Heart Centre added that "Clinically accurate vital sign monitoring at home is essential for our cardiac patients. This funding will support the ongoing clinical calibration and validation of the Cloud DX, Inc. Pulsewave 2.0, the non-invasive vital sign monitoring device." Cloud DX is in the process of clinically calibrating the PAD-2A device in preparation for subsequent clinical validation with the ISO 2020_AMD 1 universal protocol in order to submit the validation data to Health Canada and the FDA for licensing and clearance, respectively. This will satisfy the federal regulatory requirements in order to serve the market needs in Canada and the United States. As with its other devices, Cloud DX will include the Pulsewave 2.0 device in its Connected Health virtual care and remote patient monitoring solution upon clinical validation by the research team and subsequent licensing and clearance by the federal regulatory agencies. "Cloud DX deeply appreciates this financial support for our research partners Horizon Health, University of New Brunswick, and Dalhousie Medicine NB", stated Robert Kaul, Cloud DX CEO and Founder. "By funding the clinical studies required to achieve Health Canada licensing and FDA clearance, organizations like the NBHRF play an integral role in helping Canadian companies produce medical devices at home here in Canada and export our technological expertise around the world." "The NBHRF is proud of our continued support of industry," said Meaghan Seagrave, NBHRF CEO. "Building strong partnerships like the one with Cloud DX enables us to maximize the impact of our work. We are able to support the best health research for New Brunswick solutions to New Brunswick health challenges." "It is exciting to see the research being conducted within our health authority," said Barry Strack, Regional Director of Research Services at Horizon Health Network, "Having strong partners in the ecosystem make New Brunswick an attractive place to work and live for physicians and health researchers and provides our patients with opportunities to be involved in clinical studies that may improve their health and well-being." About the Horizon Health Network The Horizon Health Network is one of two health authorities in the province of New Brunswick. Cardiovascular Research New Brunswick (CVR-NB) is the clinical research division of the New Brunswick Heart Centre at the Saint John Regional Hospital. The New Brunswick Heart Centre provides cardiac treatment and care for the provinces of New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island. About the NBHRF The NBHRF is a not-for-profit organization that co-ordinates, supports and promotes health research in New Brunswick. Their vision is a healthy population, a high performing health system and a vibrant knowledge economy through health research and innovation. NBHRF is governed by a board of 15 directors comprised of key stakeholders from the health research community in New Brunswick. About Cloud DX Accelerating virtual healthcare, Cloud DX is on a mission to make healthcare better for everyone. Our Connected Health TM remote patient monitoring platform is used by healthcare enterprises and care teams across North America to manage chronic disease virtually, enable aging in place, and deliver hospital-quality post-surgical care in the home. Our partners achieve better healthcare and patient outcomes, reduce the need for hospitalization or re-admission, and reduce healthcare delivery costs through more efficient use of resources. Cloud DX is the co-winner of the Qualcomm Tricorder XPRIZE, a 2021 Edison Award winner, a Fast Company "World Changing Idea" finalist, and one of "Canada's Ten Most Prominent Telehealth Providers." In 2021, Cloud DX became an exclusive partner of Medtronic Canada. Cloud DX Investor Site https://ir.clouddx.com/overview/default.aspx 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. Social Media Links Cloud DX Twitter https://twitter.com/CloudDX Facebook https://www.facebook.com/clouddxinc/ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/cloud-dx/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/cloud.dx/ NBHRF Twitter https://twitter.com/NBHRF Facebook https://www.facebook.com/NBHRF LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/nbhrf-frsnb For media inquiries please contact: Cloud DX NBHRF Janine Scott Shannon Payne Marketing Lead Director of Marketing 888-543-0944 506-455-8886 janine.scott@CloudDX.com shannon.payne@nbhrf.com For investor inquiries please contact: Jay Bedard Cloud DX Investor Relations 647-881-8418 jay.bedard@CloudDX.com SOURCE: Cloud DX Inc. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/683310/Cloud-DX-Receives-Partnership-Funding-for-Clinical-Research-of-Next-Generation-Wrist-Worn-Vital-Sign-Monitoring-Device Prince Andrew was taken to the royal woodshed by his mother. In a terse two-sentence statement Thursday, Queen Elizabeth announced her son was stripped of his military ties and royal patronages as he faces an ongoing civil lawsuit in Manhattan alleging he sexually abused an underage girl linked to his disgraced pal and accused sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein. Advertisement In this Wednesday, June 6, 2012 file photo, Britain's Prince Andrew in London. (Sang Tan/AP) The stunning declaration came one day after Manhattan Federal Court Judge Lewis Kaplan ruled the accusers sex abuse case against the 61-year-old British royal will be allowed to proceed. With the Queens approval and agreement, the Duke of Yorks military affiliations and Royal patronages have been returned to the Queen, read the Buckingham Palace statement. The Duke of York will continue not to undertake any public duties and is defending this case as a public citizen. Advertisement This is a photo of a statement provided by Buckingham Palace on Thursday, Jan. 13, 2022. (Buckingham Palace/AP) In addition, according to a Reuters report, Andrew was banned from using the term His Royal Highness in any capacity. Accuser Virginia Giuffre alleged in court papers that she was directed by Epstein to have sex with the prince on three occasions in the early 2000s when she was just 17. Queen Elizabeth II, left, and Prince Andrew, Duke of York,wearing the uniform of Colonel of the Grenadier Guards, from the balcony of Buckingham Palace during Trooping The Colour on June 8, 2019 in London, England. (Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images) Ghislaine Maxwell, Epsteins partner in perversion, was just convicted in the same courthouse for procuring other underage girls who were sexually abused by Epstein the globe-trotting multimillionaire who committed suicide in his jail cell before facing trial. Giuffre alleged some of the abuse occurred inside Maxwells London townhouse. An infamous photo captured Andrew with his arm around a young Giuffre at the residence, with Maxwell smiling in the background. Jeffrey Epstein accuser Virginia Giuffre at Maxwell's London townhouse in 2001. (Photo is evidence in a federal l/HANDOUT) Andrews lawyers insist the British royal never sexually abused or assaulted the teen and unequivocally denies Giuffres false allegations against him. But Kaplan ruled Wednesday that Giuffres suit against Andrew will be allowed to go forward. Breaking News As it happens Get updates on the coronavirus pandemic and other news as it happens with our free breaking news email alerts. > Giuffres complaint alleged discrete incidents of sexual abuse in particular circumstances at three identifiable locations. It identifies to whom it attributes the sexual abuse, the judge said. Advertisement In an interview with the BBC Wednesday, Giuffres attorney David Boies said he believed there was a strong chance the civil case would go to trial. He said his client was not motivated by money. I think its very important to Virginia Giuffre that this matter be resolved in a way that vindicates her and vindicates the other victims, said Boies. A purely financial settlement is not anything that I think she would be interested in. The next step in the lawsuit is evidence gathering. Giuffre has demanded medical proof that Andrew cannot sweat, among other documentation. The request relates to a bizarre alibi Andrew offered during a disastrous 2019 BBC interview when confronted with questions related to Giuffres detailed description that he sweated all over her while dancing at a nightclub in March 2001. I have a peculiar medical condition, which is that I dont sweat or I didnt sweat at the time ... because I had suffered what I would describe as an overdose of adrenaline in the Falklands War when I was shot at, Andrew said in the interview, in which he denied ever meeting Giuffre. And I simply it was, it was almost impossible for me to sweat. TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / January 13, 2022 / Novamind Inc. (CSE:NM)(OTCQB:NVMDF)(FSE:HN2) ("Novamind" or the "Company"), a leading mental health company specialized in psychedelic medicine, today announced it will host a phase I randomized clinical trial for adults with opioid use disorder. The study will investigate the safety and efficacy of ketamine-assisted psychotherapy combined with Mindfulness-Oriented Recovery Enhancement therapy (the "MORE+KAP Clinical Trial"). Recent studies have shown promise for the use of ketamine in treating substance use disorders, including alcohol and cocaine use disorders.1,2 With opioid-related deaths continuing to rise across nearly all populations age 15 and older,3the MORE+KAP Clinical Trial comes at a critical time and makes an important contribution to the early evidence base for effective treatment options. The MORE+KAP Clinical Trial, led by lead investigator Eric Garland, PhD, LCSW at the University of Utah, is the first to investigate the effects of intramuscular KAP for adult outpatients treated with buprenorphine, a first-line medication for opioid use disorder. The hope is that ketamine will enhance the benefits of buprenorphine for this difficult-to-treat condition when paired with MORE, a proven psychological intervention developed by Dr. Garland. Participants will undergo eight weeks of treatment with MORE therapy plus two KAP sessions at Novamind's Murray, Utah research site in early 2022. Dr. Garland is a world-leading expert on the use of mind-body therapies to address opioid misuse and addiction in people with chronic pain. He was awarded the University of Utah's "Distinguished Professor" award for his contributions to the field, which include the largest randomized controlled trial of MORE to date. The results of this trial definitively demonstrate MORE's sustained efficacy for treating opioid misuse. Dr. Paul Thielking, Novamind's Chief Scientific Officer, commented: "Psychedelic medicine is emerging as a potential treatment option for substance use disorders, and ketamine is available to treat patients now. As leaders in psychedelic medicine, Novamind is well-positioned to investigate the safety and efficacy of ketamine for these conditions through carefully designed IRB-approved studies, participant safety protocols and our extensive clinical expertise." Dr. Garland stated: "My previous research has demonstrated that MORE has a significant positive impact on people that are struggling with opioid use disorders. This study will help us understand whether ketamine can amplify the positive effects of MORE. Novamind's strong research team and expertise in the use of ketamine makes it an ideal partner for this important study." Novamind continues to lead the industry in hosting clinical trials for psychedelic medicine and other innovative therapies, working alongside leading drug development companies, non-profits and academic institutions. To learn more about the MORE+KAP Clinical Trial, please visit this link. About Novamind Novamind is a leading mental health company enabling safe access to psychedelic medicine through a network of clinics and clinical research sites. Novamind provides ketamine-assisted psychotherapy and other novel treatments through its network of integrative mental health clinics and operates a full-service contract research organization specialized in clinical trials and evidence-based research for psychedelic medicine. For more information on how Novamind is enhancing mental wellness and guiding people through their entire healing journey, visit novamind.ca. Contact Information Yaron Conforti, CEO and Director Telephone: +1 (647) 953 9512 Samantha DeLenardo, VP, Communications Email: media@novamind.ca Investor Relations Email: IR@novamind.ca Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this release 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 including the risks detailed from time to time in the Company's public disclosure. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking information. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made 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 applicable laws. 1: https://ajp.psychiatryonline.org/doi/10.1176/appi.ajp.2019.19070684 2: https://ajp.psychiatryonline.org/doi/10.1176/appi.ajp.2019.18101123 3: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/databriefs/db428.htm SOURCE: Novamind Inc. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/683317/Novamind-Hosts-Pioneering-Psychedelic-Clinical-Trial-for-Opioid-Use-Disorder MIAMI, FL / ACCESSWIRE / January 13, 2022 / Star8 Corp. (OTC PINK:STRH), is pleased to announce its acquisition of Palm Nutrition LLC., effective immediately. Palm Nutrition is the creator of Healthy Greens, an organic super greens supplement designed to energize, detox and alkalize its users. Made from top ingredients, Palm Nutrition's supplements are packed with antioxidant rich nutrients such as barley grass, spirulina, elderberry, pomegranate and acai berry. As a result, Palm Nutrition's Healthy Greens provides consumers with energy, immune support, healthy digestion and so much more. "Palm Nutrition impressed us with its high-quality products and genuine dedication to improving the health of its consumers," said Mario Diez, Chief Executive Officer of Star8 Corp. "Strategically this acquisition is an important step in further establishing Star8 Corp. as a legitimate competitor in the health and fitness supplement category." Palm Nutrition's products are made in the USA, vegan friendly, contain no artificial fillers and are manufactured in a GMP certified facility. For more information about Palm Nutrition, please visit their website palmnutrition.com. For more information about Star8 Corp. please visit Star8Corp.com. About Star8 Corporation Star8 Corporation (OTCPK:STRH) is a publicly traded company with expertise in technology and eCommerce driven solutions. Additionally, Star8 Corp. provides sustainable marketing, technology, sales and distribution consulting for clients. Its subsidiary companies are TempuCheck , RARI Nutrition, and Media Hawk. To learn more about Star8 Corp. please visit Star8Corp.com. For inquiries please contact: info@star8corp.com | 1-866-316-0808. Investor Inquiries: Star8 Corp. 1-866-316-0808 Safe Harbor Statements about the Company's future expectations and all other statements in this press release other than historical facts, are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The Company intends that such forward-looking statements be subject to the safe harbors created thereby. The above information contains information relating to the Company that is based on the beliefs of the Company and/or its management as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to the Company or its management. When used in this document, the words "anticipate," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "plans," "projects," and similar expressions, as they relate to the Company or its management, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements reflect the current view of the Company regarding future events and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including the risks and uncertainties noted. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove to be incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein as anticipated, believed, estimated, expected, intended or projected. In each instance, forward-looking information should be considered in light of the accompanying meaningful cautionary statements herein. Factors that could cause results to differ include, but are not limited to, successful performance of internal plans, the impact of competitive services and pricing and general economic risks and uncertainties. The Company disclaims any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements. SOURCE: Star8 Corp. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/683197/Star8-Corp-Announces-Acquisition-of-Palm-Nutrition Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 13, 2022) - The Good Flour Corp. (CSE: GFCO) (OTCQB: LPPPF) (FSE: 3KZ) ("GFCO") is pleased to announce that it has been approved to up-list from the OTC Pink to the OTCQB Venture Market, with its common shares to commence trading on the exchange beginning Thursday, January 13, 2022 under the symbol, "LPPPF." The shares will continue to be dual listed, trading on the Canadian Securities Exchange under the symbol "GFCO." The OTCQB, operated by the OTC Markets Group in New York, is the premier marketplace for early stage and developing U.S. and international companies. It is recognized by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission as an established market, providing public information for analysis and valuation of securities. Investors can find real-time quotes and market information at www.otcmarkets.com. About The Good Flour Corp. GFCO's mission is to provide a gluten-free, allergen free, hassle-free all-purpose baking flour blend that allows individuals with gluten and other food allergies to enjoy life without giving up their favorite foods or settling for low-quality alternatives. GFCO also provides gluten and allergen free fried chicken batter, fish & chip batter, pizza & pasta mix, tempura batter, pancake and waffle blend, cake mix and pizza crusts. For additional information on The Good Flour Corp. please refer to www.goodflour.co. Company Contact info@goodflour.co 604-568-1598 Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information This news release contains "forward-looking information" concerning anticipated developments and events related to GFCO that may occur in the future. Forward-looking information contained in this news release includes, but is not limited to, statements with respect to GFCO's future business objectives. In certain cases, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of words such as "expects", "intends", "anticipates" or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "would", or "might" suggesting future outcomes, or other expectations, assumptions, intentions or statements about future events or performance. Forward-looking information contained in this news release is based on certain factors and assumptions regarding, among other things, the timely receipt of regulatory approvals; the ability to source ingredients; the ability to attract qualified management and staff; the ability to effectively expand manufacturing and production capacity; the success of market initiatives and the ability to grow brand awareness; the ability to obtain retail partners to distribute Company's products; the ability to attract, maintain and expand relationships with key strategic restaurant and food service partners and GFCO will continue to have access to financing until it achieves profitability. While GFCO considers these assumptions to be reasonable, they may be incorrect. Forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results to be materially different from any future results expressed by the forward-looking information. Such factors include risks related to general business, economic and social uncertainties; local and global market and economic uncertainties arising in respect of the COVID-19 pandemic; risks associated with supply chain for machinery and equipment; litigation, availability of key product ingredients; legislative, environmental and other judicial, regulatory, political and competitive developments; failure to effectively expand manufacturing and production capacity; the ability to obtain retail partners to distribute Company's products; failure to attract, maintain and expand relationships with key strategic restaurant and food service partners; changing consumer taste preferences; delay or failure to receive regulatory approvals; the sufficiency of our cash to meet liquidity needs; failure to attract qualified management and staff, labour disputes; and the additional risks identified in the "Risk Factors" section of GFCO's filings with applicable Canadian securities regulators. Although GFCO has attempted to identify factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The forward-looking information is made as of the date of this news release. Except as required by applicable securities laws, GFCO does not undertake any obligation to publicly update forward-looking information. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/109901 Tachyum will be a highlight among exhibits at Expo Dubai with the world premiere of its Prodigy Universal Processor for supercomputers, January 17 at 11 a.m. in the Slovak Pavilion during Global Goals Week. Tachyum, in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Slovak Republic, will host the event featuring an in-depth discussion on the importance of AI and supercomputers, which will reach human brain-scale AI in 2022. Prominent guests include Ingrid Brockova, State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Slovak Republic, who will open the discussion; keynote speaker Radoslav Danilak, founder and CEO Tachyum; andSteve Furber, ICL Professor of Computer Engineering at The University of Manchester, who will talk about AI history and AI Human Brain projects. Furber was recently awarded the Charles Stark Draper Prize for contributions to the invention, development, and implementation of reduced instruction set computer (RISC) chips. He developed the first ARM reduced instruction set processor with over 200 billion produced to date. UAE government officials and industry representatives have also been invited to present. Mr. Ghazi Atallah, founder and CEO of NXN, the region's leading consulting and digital services company for smart cities, digital government, and next-generation technological innovation, will talk about the impact of AI supercomputers on industry. Faster and sustainable computation speed for AI is considered critical for advancement in all aspects of human life from faster drug discovery and vaccine development to climate change impact assessment, weather forecasting, personalized medicine and more. Solving the world's problems requires the highest-performance processor available. With Tachyum's Prodigy Universal Processor, Slovakia delivers a ground-breaking technology and potential solutions to current global concerns with an impact on the economy, global security, the environment and mankind's future. "We are proud that the Tachyum Prodigy Processor is powering the Slovakian human brain-scale AI supercomputer, which will be the most powerful the world has seen," said Danilak. "With a capacity of 64 exaflops, which is multiple times more powerful than the most powerful ones that exist today, this supercomputer will solve mankind's most complex challenges to help advance all aspects of life. I look forward to discussing the impact of such a machine with attendees at Expo Dubai." Prodigy has the potential to create unrivaled computational speed and vast energy saving capabilities for hyperscale, OEM, telecommunication, private cloud and government markets. Prodigy's 10x lower processor core power consumption will dramatically cut carbon emissions associated with data center usage. Prodigy's 3x lower cost (at equivalent performance) will also translate to billions of dollars in annual savings to hyperscalers like Google, Facebook, Amazon and Alibaba. Tachyum's Prodigy processor can run HPC applications, convolutional AI, explainable AI, general AI, bio AI, and spiking neural networks, plus normal data center workloads, on a single homogeneous processor platform, using existing standard programming models. Without Prodigy, hyperscale data centers must use a combination of disparate CPU, GPU and TPU hardware, for these different workloads, creating inefficiency, expense, and the complexity of separate supply and maintenance infrastructures. Using specific hardware dedicated to each type of workload (e.g. data center, AI, HPC), results in underutilization of hardware resources, and more challenging programming, support, and maintenance. Prodigy's ability to seamlessly switch among these various workloads dramatically changes the competitive landscape and the economics of data centers. Expo Dubai is the first World Expo ever hosted in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) region. Through its theme of Connecting Minds, Creating the Future, the Expo aims to inspire people by showcasing the best examples of collaboration, innovation and cooperation from around the world. People interested in attending the special forum featuring Tachyum's Prodigy in person can register online or watch live streaming. Follow Tachyum https://twitter.com/tachyum https://www.linkedin.com/company/tachyum https://www.facebook.com/Tachyum/ About Tachyum Tachyum is transforming AI, HPC, public and private cloud data center markets with Prodigy, the world's first Universal Processor that delivers industry-leading performance, cost, and power efficiency for both specialty and general-purpose computing. When Prodigy processors are provisioned in a hyperscale data center, they enable all AI, HPC, and general-purpose applications to run on one hardware infrastructure, saving companies billions of dollars per year. A fully functional Prodigy emulation system is currently available to select customers and partners for early testing and software development. With data centers currently consuming over 3% of the planet's electricity, predicted to be 10% by 2025, the ultra-low power Prodigy Universal Processor is critical, if we want to continue doubling worldwide data center capacity every four years. Tachyum, Co-founded by Dr. Radoslav Danilak with its flagship product Prodigy, is marching towards tape out and chip sampling in 2022, with software emulations and an FPGA-based emulator running native Linux available to early adopters. The company is building the world's fastest 64 AI exaflops supercomputer in 2022 in the EU with Prodigy chips. Tachyum has offices in the United States and Slovakia. For more information, visit https://www.tachyum.com/. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220113005238/en/ Contacts: Mark Smith JPR Communications 818-398-1424 marks@jprcom.com Appoints Rui Marliere to Lead Company's Latin America Caribbean Reinsurance Business Everest Re Group, Ltd. ("Everest" or the "Company") (NYSE: RE), a leading global provider of reinsurance and insurance solutions, announced today that Artur Klinger has been named Head of International Reinsurance. In this new role, Klinger will oversee the company's reinsurance business in Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America, reporting directly to Everest Group COO and Head of Reinsurance Jim Williamson. Additionally, the company has appointed Rui Marliere to lead its Latin America, and Caribbean reinsurance business. These appointments build on Everest's global leadership position and commitment to providing clients and distribution partners with best-in-class solutions. "The exceptional track record and local expertise Artur and Rui bring to our international reinsurance business reflect the leadership excellence Everest is known for throughout the world," said Juan C. Andrade, Everest President and CEO. "We will continue to invest in the people and infrastructure that best position us to support the needs of the global market, further advance Everest's long-term growth agenda and deliver on our promise to our shareholders and the businesses and communities who need us the most." Klinger brings more than two decades of deep reinsurance experience to the role, most recently as Managing Director of Continental Europe at Everest where he built a successful team and achieved strong growth in the P&C Treaty portfolio. Prior to Everest, Klinger held various executive roles at Munich Re, most recently as Chief Underwriting Officer of its Swiss subsidiary NewRe, where he led a profitable global P&C business. He was also a Managing Director of Munich Re's Capital Partners unit, responsible for structuring reinsurance solutions to support growth and capital strategies for clients across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. Klinger also served as Chief Actuary at Allianz Risk Transfer and Alea. He is based in Zurich and holds a Ph.D. in statistics. Marliere has been promoted to support the Reinsurance Division's growth objectives in Latin America and the Caribbean. He also brings more than two decades of experience in the region, including leading underwriting business in Brazil, Peru, and Chile. Most recently, Marliere served as the Head Treaty Underwriter for Everest's Caribbean and Colombia portfolios. Prior to joining Everest, Marliere held various key leadership roles at XL Group in treaty and facultative underwriting, claims, and accounting. "The appointments of Artur and Rui are a testament to Everest's extraordinary talent and reflect Everest's reputation as a preferred global reinsurance underwriter," said Jim Williamson, Everest Group COO and Head of Reinsurance. "Both are seasoned, international executives who understand the needs of local markets with the experience and relationships to best serve them. They augment our global team and capabilities and play an important role in positioning Everest for the future." About Everest Re Group, Ltd. Everest Re Group, Ltd. is a leading global provider of reinsurance and insurance, operating for close to 50 years through subsidiaries in the U.S., Europe, Singapore, Canada, Bermuda, and other territories. Everest offers property, casualty, and specialty products through its various operating affiliates located in key markets around the world. Everest common stock (NYSE:RE) is a component of the S&P 500 index. Additional information about Everest, our people, and our products can be found on our website at www.everestre.com. All issuing companies may not do business in all jurisdictions. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220113005553/en/ Contacts: Media: Dawn Lauer Chief Communications Officer Everest Global Services, Inc. 908.300.7670 Investors: Jon Levenson Head of Investor Relations Everest Global Services, Inc. 908.604.3169 GURUGRAM, India, Jan. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Key Findings Aramex, a leading express company, recently announced adopting a new operating model with the strategic objective of enhancing customer service levels and operating efficiencies while capturing greater global market share. Aramex Express will serve the B2C customer base including Shop & Ship, e-commerce, FMCG, SMEs and other customers needing innovative last mile solutions. Emirates Post has announced 5 new services to its business services portfolio, to enhance customer experience, improve efficiency, offer more flexible pick-up and drop-off options, and faster delivery services. New additions include new service points and parcel lockers, temperature-controlled vehicles for its cold chain solutions, new fulfilment centre in Dubai South and same day express service. Technological developments vis-a-vis API integration into postal websites, Live Tracking of Shipments, Barcoding, Collaboration between different entities in the market GPS Monitored Robots, Drones, Inbuilt RFID, GPS, IoT, telematics for better inventory management is expected to help in the growth of the market. Way Forward for Express Delivery Market in UAE: The country seems to be in a perfect position to benefit from the geographical location of the country as a strategic trade hub between three continents. The CEP market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 14.0% in terms of revenue during 2020-2025. With the introduction of new technologies and the backing of the government to increase the efficiency of deliveries, the country seems to be in a great position to benefit from the CEP market. Moreover, government initiatives focusing on reducing lead time, provision of value added services and organizing events such as Expo 2020 are expected to fuel the CEP deliveries. Introduction of FTZ & SEZ zones would attract more manufacturing industries in the country. The CEP space is formalised by the UAE government as it provides licences to the Courier companies for operation and the granting of licensing to start the operations are based on certain parameters. Furthermore, businesses in this space have been encouraged to upgrade technologically and even bring SMEs into the fold. Request For Sample Report:- https://www.kenresearch.com/sample-report.php?Frmdetails=NDkzMjg1 E-Commerce Surge and Use of Sophisticated Technologies Expected to drive the market further: In the past few years, UAE has managed to position itself as one of the fastest-growing E-commerce markets in the world which fares well for the express delivery companies. The growth of E-Commerce and digital payments presents a huge opportunity for companies in the Express Delivery space as only 38%of payments for shipments have been conducted through plastic money. The opening up of logistic hubs has expedited the delivery of shipments to their destinations. Additionally last mile deliveries are expected to become even more efficient with companies focusing on new models such as "click and collect" locations. The use of technologies such as GPS Monitored Robots, Drones, Inbuilt RFID, GPS, IoT, telematics is expected to make inventory management more cost-efficient for the companies. Long Term Positive Impact of Covid-19: The sudden onset of the pandemic has essentially interrupted and unsettled social and economic activities worldwide. Initially, while the logistics sector as a whole has been affected by global trade slowdown, the sub-sectors like international CEP have witnessed steady growth when compared to others such as freight forwarding, inventory and supply chain management. Consumers moved to online shopping for clothes, groceries and other items which they would usually purchase from brick-and-mortar shops, leading to a surge in B2C shipments. Moreover, this is corroborated by the fact that lockdowns have made inter-country travel difficult, and due to the high population of expatriates living in the country, deliveries during the festive seasons and other important occasions has led to an increase in the number of express shipments. Thus, growth in the volume of shipments was witnessed during festive periods. This has led to the clear establishment of more trade lanes and information about new companies for the players in the Express Delivery Market. Companies are continuously investing on technologies to make deliveries more efficient and customized according to the demands of the customer. This trend is only expected to continue in the coming years. Analysts at Ken Research in their latest publication "UAE CEP Market Outlook to 2025 - By Domestic and International Express, By Mode (Ground & Air Express), By Business Model (B2C, B2B & C2C), By Shipment Weight (<3kg, 3-5kg, >5kg), By Region (Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah & Others)" have observed that the CEP market in UAE has a great potential to grow supported by increased E-Commerce Demand in the country. The covid-19 outbreak has further accentuated the growth of the market by shifting major retailers to online platforms affecting consumer preference concerning online retail. UAE CEP Market is expected to grow at a CAGR of ~14.0 % based on the revenue over the forecast period 2020-2025. Key Segments Covered:- By Domestic and International Express Domestic Express International Express By Mode of Transport Ground Express Air Express B y Major Regions Dubai Abu Dhabi Sharjah & Others By Business Model B2C B2B C2C By Shipment Weight <3 Kg 3 Kg - 5 Kg > 5 Kg By Delivery Period Same Day Delivery 1-2 Day Delivery More than 2 Day Delivery CEP Companies Covered:- Aramex Emirates Post SMSA Express DHL Express FedEx UPS Team Express Services First Flight Couriers TFM Express Sky Express Zajel Courier Services Century Express Cross-Comparison on GCC Postal Networks Covered:- Oman Post Bahrain Post Saudi Post Qatar Post Emirates Post Key Target Audience:- CEP Companies Express Delivery Companies 3PL Logistics Companies Postal Network Association E-Commerce Companies/Platforms Integrated Logistics Companies Logistics/Supply Chain Industry Associations Parcel and Mail Companies Ministry of Transport and Communications Time Period Captured in the Report: - Historical Period - 2015-2020 - 2015-2020 Forecast Period - 2020-2025F Key Topics Covered in the Report:- UAE CEP Market Overview Industry Lifecycle of UAE CEP Market UAE CEP Market Ecosystem Timeline of Major CEP Players Delivery Model in CEP Market UAE CEP Market Sizing Analysis, 2015-2020 Seasonality Trends in CEP Market Growth Drivers for UAE CEP Market UAE CEP Market Segmentation, 2020 Competition Scenario amongst Players in UAE Market Share of Leading Players in the Overall UAE CEP Market Market Share of Leading International and Domestic Players Competition Parameters in UAE CEP Market Cross Comparison of Major UAE CEP Players UAE CEP Market Pricing Analysis Laws and Regulations Governing CEP Market in UAE Issues and Challenges Faced by CEP Players SWOT Analysis of CEP Market in UAE New Trends and Developments in the UAE CEP Market Customer Analysis for the UAE CEP Market Future Market Size and Segmentations, 2020-2025F Covid-19 Impact on UAE CEP Market Analyst Recommendations Cross-Comparison of GCC Postal Networks UAE Express Delivery Market UAE CEP Market Size UAE Courier Delivery Market UAE Courier Market Size UAE Express Delivery Market UAE Parcel Delivery Market UAE Online Shopping Trends UAE E-Commerce and Express Delivery Trends UAE E-Commerce and Parcel Delivery Growth Drivers UAE CEP Market Competition UAE Express Delivery Market Competition UAE Parcel Delivery Market Competition UAE CEP Market Roadmap UAE Express Delivery Roadmap Government Role in UAE CEP Market Government Role in UAR Express Delivery Market Government Role in UAE Parcel Delivery Market UAE E-Commerce Shipments UAE Express Delivery Shipments UAE Online Shopping Payment Modes UAE Express Delivery Shipping Trends UAE Express Delivery Time UAE Courier Delivery Time UAE Parcel Delivery Time Cost Component in UAE CEP Operations UAE Major CEP Players UAE Major Players in Express Delivery UAE Major Players in Courier Delivery UAE Online Shopping Seasonality Trends UAE CEP Shipments Seasonality Trends UAE Delivery Model in CEP Market UAE Delivery Model in Express Delivery Market UAE Domestic and Cross-Border Express Major Players in UAE CEP Market UAE CEP Companies Revenue UAE Express Delivery Companies Revenue Upcoming Technologies in UAE CEP Market Technologies in UAE Express Delivery Market Technologies in GCC Postal Services Latest Technological Developments in the GCC market UAE E-Commerce Logistics Case Study Covid-19 Impact UAE CEP Market Covid-19 Impact UAE Express Delivery Market Covid-19 Impact UAE Courier and Parcel Market UAE CEP Market Growth Drivers UAE Express Delivery Market Growth Drivers UAE Parcel Delivery Market Growth Drivers UAE Courier Delivery Market Growth Drivers UAE Mail Delivery Market Growth Drivers New Trends and Developments in the UAE CEP Market Trends in the UAE CEP Market Developments in the UAE CEP Market Developments in the UAE Express Delivery Market Competition Scenario amongst UAE CEP Market Players Market Share of Players in UAE CEP Market UAE CEP Market Pricing Analysis UAE Express Delivery Market Pricing Analysis For More Information on the research report, refer to the below link:- UAE Parcel Delivery Market Growth Related Reports:- UAE E-Commerce Logistics Market Outlook to 2025 - Driven by Growth in Online Shoppers along with Introduction of New Age Technologies by Logistics Players UAE E-commerce industry has witnessed an upward trajectory over the past 5-6 years with an increase in internet penetration in the region. UAE is considered the most advanced e-commerce market in MENA, with a penetration rate of ~% in 2017. The UAE enjoys many advantages that make it ideal for e-commerce growth. Its consumer demographic consists of a young internet-savvy population, with high social media usage. Escalation in the number of smart phones in the country, high consumer confidence, changing consumer preferences, etc. has augmented the growth of e-commerce leading surging demand for e-commerce logistics as well in the country. Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah have emerged as the key hub for demand and supply of e-commerce logistics. The COVID-19 pandemic has also pushed the demand in the market as the need for social distancing has forced people to rely on online shopping. The growth in the E-commerce orders for logistics has been majorly driven with an increase in internet affinity and demand for value added services. Philippines E-Commerce Logistics Market Outlook to 2025 - Driven by Growth in Internet Penetration along with Introduction of New Age Technologies by Logistics Players The Filipino E-commerce industry has witnessed a moderate rise over the past 5-6 years with an increase in internet penetration into the country. Escalation in the number of smartphones in the country, fast-growing middle-class population, high consumer confidence, changing consumer preferences, etc. has augmented the growth of e-commerce leading to surging demand for e-commerce logistics as well in the country. Manila and some other cities including Central Quezon City, Cebu, and Davao have emerged as the key hub for demand and supply of e-commerce logistics The COVID-19 pandemic has also pushed the demand in the market as the need for social distancing have forced people to rely on online shopping. The growth in E-commerce orders for logistics has been majorly driven by an increase in internet affinity and demand for value-added services. China Logistics and Warehousing Market Outlook to 2025 - Led by Growth in Road Freight Services, Improving Infrastructure and Rising Digital Innovations The Chinese Logistics Market was observed to be in growth stage during the period of 2015-2020 owing to the expanding manufacturing & retail sector, increasing disposable income, growing number of investments and increasing value of exports and imports in the country. The China Logistics Industry has grown at a CAGR of 5.4% on the basis of revenue. The market is booming owing to increasing infrastructure investment, rising digital innovations and growing logistic demand in China. The freight forwarding sector is the leading segment towards the revenues of the logistics industry, followed by courier & parcel activities and warehousing. Value Added services also contribute a significant proportion to the overall logistics market in China. Australia Logistics Market Outlook to 2025- Led by Growth in Road Freight Services and Rising demand for Cold Storage Space The Australian Logistics Market was observed to be in a growth stage during the period of 2015-2020 owing to the expanding manufacturing & retail sector, increasing disposable income, a growing number of foreign companies, and increasing value of exports and imports in the country. The Australia Logistics Industry has grown at a CAGR of 4.6% on the basis of revenue. The market is booming owing to increasing infrastructure investment, e-commerce, and cold chain facilities in Australia. The freight forwarding sector is the leading segment towards the revenues of the logistics industry, followed by warehousing and courier & parcel activities. Value-Added services also contribute a significant proportion to the overall logistics market in Australia. More Logistics And Shipping Market Research Reports:- https://www.kenresearch.com/automotive-transportation-and-warehousing/logistics-and-shipping/SC-100-45.html Follow Us:- LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube Contact Us:- Ken Research Ankur Gupta, Head Marketing & Communications Support@kenresearch.com +91-9015378249 Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/661352/Ken_Research_Logo.jpg COEUR D'ALENE, ID / ACCESSWIRE / January 13, 2022 / Idaho Strategic Resources (OTCQB:NJMC) ("IDR" or the "Company") is pleased to provide highlights from its final Paymaster hole of 2021 and an overall year-end update from the 2021 drill program at the Golden Chest mine. As apprised throughout the year, the goal of the drill program at the Golden Chest continues to be resource expansion with exploration and pre-development core drilling targeting areas lying to the north and south of current underground mining operations. More specifically, the areas of focus are the Joe Dandy and Paymaster located south, and the Klondike located north of existing infrastructure and underground mining in the Skookum. Drill hole GC 21-186 was drilled early in 2021 but other priorities prohibited its logging until recently. The highlight of GC 21-186 is the 16.4 gram per tonne (g/t) gold vein intercept over 1.2 meters (m) true thickness, beginning at 207.7 m (Figure 1). As previously discussed, and as illustrated in the tables below, the Joe Dandy and Paymaster share similar characteristics - such as gold-bearing veins flanking either or both sides of a quartz monzonite sill. The 1.2-meter intercept in GC 21-186 was located on the lower side of the monzonite intrusive. IDR's overall results of the 2021 drill program have firmly moved the Paymaster area from an exploration target into the pre-development and pre-production planning stage. Thus far, it appears the Paymaster could be accessed by connecting to the existing Skookum ramp as an escapeway and driving a new ramp for haulage purposes. To expedite our programs' efforts, the first two months of 2021 utilized a drill contractor in addition to the Company owned core rig to drill these underexplored areas of the property. By mid-June the Idaho Strategic core rig began drilling 24 hours/day and continued to do so for much of the year. As of year-end, 25 diamond core holes were completed totaling 6,602 meters (Figure 2). All the holes from the 2021 drill program have been logged and recorded and the focus has turned to 2022, with the IDR drill advancing in the Klondike area with hole GC 22-210. IDR's Vice President of Exploration, Rob Morgan commented, "Simply put, we enjoyed a very high success rate throughout our 2021 drill campaign. Many of our drill intercepts from 2021 developed into thick gold bearing intervals pointing to deep plumbing, with open exploration potential remaining in most directions. While the focus of our drilling is centered on near mine development, our strategically placed drill holes will also allow for more formal resource planning in other areas of the mine. The drill results from this past year once again prove that mines (and discoveries) are almost always found by drilling holes." Intervals below are reported in true thickness and in grams of gold per tonne (gpt). Paymaster Intercept Highlights GC 20-183 Paymaster 14.7 gpt gold over 0.9 m (m) in the upper vein and 6.3 gpt gold over 0.2 m of in the lower vein GC 21-184 Paymaster 20.1 gpt gold over 1.5 m (including 26.7 gpt gold over 0.9 m) in the upper vein and 3.8 gpt gold over 1.4 m of in the lower vein GC 21-186 Paymaster 16.4 gpt gold over 1.2 m of from 207.7 m GC 21-187 Paymaster 10.9 gpt gold over 1.8 m (including 29.2 gpt gold over 0.6 m) in the upper vein and 4.2 gpt gold over 2.1 m of (including 7.2 gpt gold over 1.2 m) in the lower vein. GC 21-189 Paymaster 3.1 gpt gold over 2.2 m Joe Dandy Intercept Highlights GC 21-193 Joe Dandy 11.5 gpt gold over 7.3 m (including 19.5 gpt over 2.3 m) GC 21-194 Joe Dandy 7.8 gpt gold over 0.5 m in the upper vein and 4.6 gpt gold over 0.4 m in the lower vein GC 21-195 Joe Dandy 3.8 gpt gold over 0.5 m in the upper vein and 2.9 gpt gold over 0.4 m in the lower vein GC 21-196 Joe Dandy 8.3 gpt gold over 0.6 m in the upper vein and 2.7 gpt gold over 1.7 m in the lower vein GC 21-197 Joe Dandy 11.0 gpt gold over 2.6 m (including 28.7 gpt gold over 0.9 m) in the upper vein and 2.6 gpt gold over 0.5 m in the lower vein Intervals below are reported in drill thickness (as vein orientations have yet to be determined) and in grams of gold per tonne (gpt). Klondike Intercept Highlights GC 21-203 Klondike 14.4 gpt gold over 1.8 m (including 31.8 gpt gold over 0.8 m ) GC 21-204 Klondike 5.2 gpt gold over 7.5 m (including 9.4 gpt gold over 3.3 m) in the upper vein and 12.2 gpt gold over 3.4 m (including 34.1 gpt gold over 1.1 m ) in the lower vein GC 21-205 Klondike 12.2 gpt gold over 1.4 m GC 21-205 Klondike 6.4 gpt gold over 1.1 m GC 21-205 Klondike 15.5 gpt gold over 2.3 m (including 35.4 gpt gold over 0.5 m and 138 gpt gold over 0.1 m ). GC 21-205 Klondike 7.6 m of 1.9 gpt gold from (including 6.9 gpt gold over 1.3 m). GC 21-205 Klondike 3.8 gpt gold over 1.8 m GC 21-205 Klondike 3.1 gpt gold over 6.0 m (including 5.4 gpt gold of 3.1 m). GC 21-205 Klondike 3.3 gpt gold over 1.5 m GC 21-205 Klondike 7.8 gpt gold over 1.3 m GC 21-207 Klondike 7.9 gpt gold over 4.6 m (including 18.9 gpt gold 1.7 m of) GC 21-207 Klondike 11.8 gpt gold over1.9 m GC 21-207 Klondike 5.2 gpt gold over 0.5 m GC 21-208 Klondike 20.7 gpt gold over 1.3 m GC 21-208 Klondike 29.6 gpt gold over 2.7 m (including 739 gpt gold over .01 m ) GC 21-209 Klondike 1.1 gpt gold over 50 m (including 4.8 gpt gold over 7.3 m and 8.5 gpt gold over 2.6 m) GC 21-209 Klondike 10.7 gpt gold over 2.2 m Figure 1-Paymaster Drilling Figure 2-Golden Chest 2021 Drilling Qualified person IDR's Vice President of Exploration, Robert Morgan, PG, PLS is a qualified person as such term is defined in National Instrument 43-101 and has reviewed and approved the technical information and data included in this press release. 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 successful exploration from 2021 will continue to be achieved in 2022; the risk that continued exploration will result in an economic viable resource at the Golden Chest Mine, the risk that the company is unable to finance expansion and development of a further defined resource, 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 ofCOVID-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/683314/Idaho-Strategic-Drills-164-gpt-gold-over-12-m-in-Paymaster--Provides-Highlights-of-2021-Golden-Chest-Production-Expansion-Drill-Program Group placed in top 1% of all companies assessed, leads its industry GENEVA, Jan. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Firmenich, the world's largest privately-owned perfume and taste company, has received the highest Platinum rating for environmental and social performance from EcoVadis for the second consecutive time. EcoVadis, known as the world's most trusted business sustainability ratings agency, increased Firmenich's score by five points to 88/100. With this evaluation, the Group was placed in the top 1% of more than 85'000 companies assessed and leads its industry sector. "This second consecutive EcoVadis Platinum rating recognizes that Firmenich has extended its leadership by putting ambitious environmental and social goals into effective action every day at the highest global level," said Gilbert Ghostine, CEO Firmenich. "Our industry-leading, improved performance is a tribute to the hard work of all my colleagues, who are making our business a force for good for climate, nature and people." "We are grateful for this score of 88/100, which demonstrates that we are continuously delivering on our Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) strategy and not resting on our laurels," said Gianluca Colombo, Chief Procurement Officer, Firmenich, and a member of the EcoVadis CPO advisory board. "Since we joined the EcoVadis rating process several years ago, it has helped us scale up our action for sustainable supply chains, integrating risk and closely engaging with our suppliers." Firmenich's sustainability policies, initiatives, results and its 2025-2030 ESG Ambitions were analysed using recognized international standards. EcoVadis evaluated the Group's sustainability performance according to 21 criteria in four categories, attributing scores of 90/100 in environment, labor & human rights, and sustainable procurement practices, and 80/100 for ethics. Firmenich improved its overall 2020 EcoVadis score of 83 out of 100 points to 88 out of 100 in 2021. Learn more about Firmenich's ESG performance and goals online, and download its audited ESG Report 2021 here. About Firmenich Firmenich, the world's largest privately-owned fragrance and taste company, was founded in Geneva, Switzerland, in 1895 and has been family-owned for 126 years. Firmenich is a leading business-to-business company specialized in the research, creation, manufacture and sale of perfumes, flavors and ingredients. Renowned for its world-class research and creativity, as well as its leadership in sustainability, Firmenich offers its customers superior innovation in formulation, a broad and high-quality palette of ingredients, and proprietary technologies including biotechnology, encapsulation, olfactory science and taste modulation. Firmenich had an annual turnover of 4.3 billion Swiss Francs at end June 2021. More information about Firmenich is available at www.firmenich.com. About EcoVadis EcoVadis is the world's most trusted provider of business sustainability ratings, intelligence and collaborative performance improvement tools for global supply chains. Backed by a powerful technology platform and a global team of domain experts, EcoVadis' easy-to-use and actionable sustainability scorecards provide detailed insight into environmental, social and ethical risks across 200 purchasing categories and 160 countries. Industry leaders such as Johnson & Johnson, Verizon, L'Oreal, Subway, Nestle, Salesforce, Michelin and BASF are among the more than 85,000 businesses on the EcoVadis network, all working with a single methodology to evaluate, collaborate and improve sustainability performance in order to protect their brands, foster transparency and innovation, and accelerate growth. Learn more on www.ecovadis.com, Twitter or LinkedIn. Image - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1725917/Firmenich.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/798187/Firmenich_Logo.jpg NEW YORK, Jan. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Narda AcquisitionCo, Inc. ("Narda-MITEQ"), a portfolio company of investment affiliates of J.F. Lehman & Company ("JFLCO"), is pleased to announce the completion of the acquisition of Intelligent RF Solutions, LLC ("iRF" or the "Company"). iRF is a market leader in the design, engineering and manufacturing of RF and microwave systems and subsystems for mission-critical military and intelligence community applications. The Company specializes in wideband, high frequency products for signals intelligence ("SIGINT"), electronic intelligence ("ELINT") and electronic warfare ("EW") functions. With a legacy dating back to 1962, the Company employs approximately 50 individuals based in its facility in Sparks, Maryland. iRF represents the first add-on acquisition completed by Narda-MITEQ under JFLCO's sponsorship and will continue to be led by the current iRF management team. Narda-MITEQ is a market leader in the design, engineering and manufacturing of custom RF and microwave subsystems and components for defense and commercial end markets. The Company's highly engineered solutions facilitate the conditioning, management and transfer of RF and microwave energy in demanding operating environments across a variety of radar, space, test and measurement and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance applications. Narda-MITEQ is headquartered in Hauppauge, NY with additional facilities in Pfullingen, Germany and Cisano, Italy. Bob Tavares, Chief Executive Officer of Narda-MITEQ, commented, "Our partnership with iRF will further strengthen and broaden both organizations' market presence and penetration, customer relationships and technology and product development capabilities. We look forward to working with the current iRF management team to build upon the Company's sterling reputation and drive continued growth at Narda-MITEQ." "The iRF acquisition substantially expands Narda-MITEQ's product portfolio with increased focus on system and subsystem capabilities for SIGINT/ELINT/EW applications, which is a key growth area for the business," said Glenn Shor, Chairman of Narda-MITEQ and Partner at JFLCO. "We are excited to welcome iRF and its strong SIGINT/ELINT/EW systems technology, as well as its experienced senior management and engineering teams into the Narda-MITEQ platform," added Ben Hatcher, Director of Narda-MITEQ and Principal at JFLCO. Debt financing for the transaction was provided by Barings Finance and Siemens Financial Services. Shearman & Sterling served as legal advisor to Narda-MITEQ and JFLCO. Baker Hostetler provided government contracts, defense security and international trade advice and Jones Day served as counsel for the debt financing. Philpott Ball & Werner served as financial advisor to iRF while Barnes & Thornburg LLP were iRF's legal representatives for the transaction. About J.F. Lehman & Company, Inc. Founded in 1992, J.F. Lehman & Company is a leading middle-market private equity firm focused exclusively on the aerospace, defense, maritime, government and environmental sectors. The firm has offices in New York and Washington, D.C. For more information about J.F. Lehman & Company, please visit www.jflpartners.com. Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/349934/j_f__lehman___company_logo.jpg SEATTLE, WA / ACCESSWIRE / January 13, 2022 / Renewal fuels Inc. (OTC PINK:RNWF)(the "Company") announces its subsidiary 7 Point Financial signed new strategic partnerships with Growthport Inc. to provide its electronic payment solutions, and an alliance with Canna Pax Solutions to provide financial services to their extensive customer network. Unfortunately, its subsidiary Sunshine Hemp was not one of the 60 successful grant recipients out of 529 applicants to receive an EDA Phase 1 planning grant. Sunshine Hemp is continuing to raise capital to fund the innovative "cottonizing" hemp fiber processing facility. 7 Point Financial 7 Point Financial is pleased to announce two strategic partnerships: 1) It has entered a strategic alliance with Growthport, Inc., a technology and consulting firm dedicated to helping cannabis businesses achieve growth, profitability, and sustainability through their Legit Certification compliance program and the Growthportal providing a unified dashboard to integrate, manage, report, and analyze all activities from seed to sale. They can be found at www.growthport.com with Beta released this week. Growthport proudly carries the mantra "Get Legit, Stay Legit", anchored in the belief that the key to success for the cannabis community is ongoing verifiable compliance adherence. Co-Founders Michael Greco and Paton Davis of Southern California feel centralized access to Growthport's revolutionary platform technology, and the comprehensive banking and electronic payment platform solutions provided by 7 Point Financial, will help bring stability to the world of legal cannabis "We are excited to be Growthport's strategic partners from get go, to mutually expand our businesses" stated 7 Point Financial CEO, Rick Lindsay. 2) We are very proud to announce our strategic relationship with Canna Pax Solutions. Canna Pax Solutions founded by Paxton White, is a Michigan based Cannabis consulting company specializing in financial solutions for the Recreational and Medical Cannabis space. Networking since the adoption of medical cannabis in 2008, cultivating and maintaining relations for decades, Canna Pax Solutions has built a network of over 300 high level operators ranging from cultivation to retail provisioning centers that can be reached by 7 Point Financial to grow its merchant processing and other financial services business. "We are proud to announce our partnership with 7 Point Financial adding banking services to the offering including Pin/Debit transactions and cashless ATM services. We are looking forward to helping each Michigan operator handle their finances smarter and effortlessly. " Stated founder Paxton White of Canna Pax Solutions. Canna Pax can be found at www.cannapaxsolutions.com and @cannapaxsolutions on Instagram. "We are very excited to forge these mutually beneficial relationships and have already started the flow of applications for cashless ATM services." Said Rick Lindsay, CEO of 7 point Financial. Sunshine Hemp, Inc. The $10 million Sunshine Hemp fiber processing facility proposal that was part of the Apalachee Regional Planning Council's regional North Florida "Multisector AgTech" planning grant to the EDA for funding under the "Build Back Better" program, was not selected as one of the 60 Phase 1 grant recipients, out of 529 proposals received by the EDA. Florida received one award of the 60 grants spanning all states in the US. Sunshine Hemp continues to focus on securing funding for the state of the art "cottonizing hemp fiber" processing facility in North Florida that will utilize organically grown hemp to produce high quality hemp fiber for textiles, and a variety of other hemp-derived products, such as hempcrete, protein powder, livestock bedding to name a few. There are several counties with substantial federal funds that are seriously interested in locating the facility in their county, based on the potential for new jobs and economic development. Sunshine Hemp will start negotiations for these funding opportunities in the coming months. The process of creating the EDA grant application helped Sunshine Hemp to build internal teams and external partnerships, work out the process, supply chain needs, and financials. It researched equipment, technology, and customer's requirements. It is now "shovel ready"! The application also brought visibility to the project at state and federal level. Sacred Biosciences, Inc. For the Nootropic product to be released by Sacred Biosciences, the company is exploring several payment methods, in addition to credit/debit cards. We are working on accepting crypto currency to make it convenient for people to buy the product. This will also allow us to reach a very important potential market of gamers, developers, and financial experts. Additionally, we are in talks with Metaverse developers, and therapists that are planning to use psilocybin for their patient care. These teams will explore development of solutions based on Metaverse technology, that will be a tool for therapists during the therapy session to supplement the psilocybin treatment and help them collect additional data to analyze and modify the treatment plan. Corporate Actions Renewal Fuel's shell status was removed in mid-December 2021, making the Company " Not a Shell ". The next step is to take FINRA action to change the name/ticker to a more appropriate one. The Company does not anticipate any dilution of shares, as we continue to have NO debt, warrants, options, or notes against the company. There is NO Reverse Split or change in AS planned in the foreseeable future. About Renewal Fuels Inc. Renewal Fuels Inc. (OTC PINK:RNWF) is a Delaware-registered publicly traded company. Renewal Fuels is a diversified business enterprise focused on providing valuable products and services to consumers and businesses in dynamic and emerging sectors. Through our subsidiaries and business sections, we provide financial and management advisory services, and financial technology services to customers in a variety of industries including the legal psilocybin, hemp, and cannabis industry. Website: https:// www.RenewalHolding.com Facebook: https://www.Facebook.com/RenewalFuelsInc/ Twitter: https://Twitter.com/RenewalFuelsInc LinkedIn: https://www.Linkedin.com/Company/Renewal-Fuels/ For more information, please contact: Alka Badshah Info@RenewalHolding.com About Sunshine Hemp Inc. Located in Tallahassee, Florida, Sunshine Hemp was the first industrial hemp research company licensed by state authorities in Florida to research, produce and sell approved hemp genetics seeds and seedlings for growing in Florida. In partnership with Florida A&M University, Sunshine Hemp has been marketing and selling its state-authorized CBD and CBG "Pilot Project Approved Hemp" seeds and seedlings to the over 850 hemp growers across the state. https://www.sunshinehempfl.com About 7 Point Financial Located in California, 7 point Financial provides the convenience of virtual banking services so you are not tethered to just local operations. It provides compliant financial services to the Cannabis and CBD / Hemp Industry through affiliated companies and Registered Agency Strategic Partnerships throughout the financial industry. https:// www.7pointfinancial.com Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains "forward-looking statements" which are not purely historical and may include any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations, or intentions regarding the future. Such forward-looking statements include, among other things, the development, costs and results of new business opportunities and words such as "anticipate", "seek", intend", "believe", "estimate", "expect", "project", "plan", or similar phrases may be deemed "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual results could differ from those projected in any forward-looking statements due to numerous factors. Such factors include, among others, the inherent uncertainties associated with new projects, the future U.S. and global economies, the impact of competition, and the Company's reliance on existing regulations regarding the use and development of cannabis-based products. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release, and we assume no obligation to update the forward-looking statements, or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Although we believe that any beliefs, plans, expectations, and intentions contained in this press release are reasonable, there can be no assurance that any such beliefs, plans, expectations, or intentions will prove to be accurate. Investors should consult all the information set forth herein and should also refer to the risk factors disclosure outlined in our annual report on Form 10-k, our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and other periodic reports filed from time-to-time with the Securities and Exchange Commission. For more information, please visit www.sec.gov. SOURCE: Renewal Fuels, Inc. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/683298/Renewal-Fuels-Inc-RNWF-Announces-its-Subsidiary-7-Point-Financials-Partnerships-with-GrowthportTM-Inc-and-Canna-Pax-Solutions-and-Provides-an-Update-on-EDA-Grant-Status-of-its-Subsidiary-Sunshine-Hemp-to-Build-a-Florida-Hemp-Fiber-Innovation This bird eye view shows the coral reefs in China's Xisha Islands, South China Sea. [Photo/Xinhua] China always exercises maximum restraint in safeguarding its sovereignty and rights and interests in the South China Sea, and treats neighboring countries as equals. China and the other claimant countries have worked hard to maintain a peaceful environment in the disputed area. In contrast, the United States, one of the few major countries that has refused to join the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and which has no territorial claim in the waters, continually tries to hype up the disputes as a means of sowing division between the other claimants and China, regularly sailing its warships in disputed waters under the pretext of safeguarding "freedom of navigation" in a bid to embolden its proxies to challenge China as part of its containment strategy. Its provocative acts serve only its own hegemonic interests at the risk of regional peace and stability. In its latest bid to reignite the disputes, the 150th report in a 52-year series purporting to examine the validity of maritime claims around the world, is a 47-page "research paper" on the South China Sea the State Department's Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs issued on Wednesday. Peremptorily declaring "historical rights" to be a meaningless term which is to be expected given that the country is founded on land forcibly seized from the Indigenous peoples by colonialists the report is nothing but a testimony to the continuous attempts by the US to stir up trouble in the waters for its own narrow ends. Presented as an update of a 2014 "study" the US government released in 2014 to encourage the Benigno Aquino III administration of the Philippines to pursue international arbitration, the paper brazenly cites the judgment of a tribunal chaired by judges earmarked by Washington, which was unbinding, unlawful and politically-driven. The paper ignores the objective facts of the South China Sea issue and the wider context of the disputes, and violates the US government's prior commitment to not take a position on the issue of sovereignty in the South China Sea. In issuing the paper, the US has again demonstrated the hollowness of its leader's verbal commitment to China's top leader that the US would responsibly manage its "competition" with China. In accordance with the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) reached between China and the members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in 2002, China is committed to resolving its territorial and jurisdictional disputes with the sovereign states directly concerned through negotiation and consultation, and working with the ASEAN countries to maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea. And thanks to their joint efforts, the situation in the South China Sea is generally stable. China and the ASEAN countries are not only observing the DOC, but also stepping up negotiations on a more binding Code of Conduct in the South China Sea to jointly safeguard peace and stability in the South China Sea. As a country outside the region, the US is naturally not party to the negotiations. The South China Sea concerns China's sovereignty and territorial integrity and core development interests and it will allow no party to compromise them. Two criminal gangs netted $100 million in a massive car insurance fraud scheme that could land its leaders decades in federal prison, authorities said Wednesday. The 13 suspects nabbed in a probe by the feds, the NYPD and the Westchester District Attorneys office bribed 911 operators, hospital employees and others for information about car crash victims. Advertisement The two gangs then steered the victims toward crooked doctors who performed unnecessary and often painful medical procedures for which they overbilled insurance companies, said Manhattan US Attorney Damian Williams. Williams said the two fraud schemes were one of the largest ever that involved no-fault automobile insurance policies. Advertisement The leaders of the schemes are looking at federal prison sentences of up to 42 years, said a news release from Williams office. Auto accident (Shutterstock/Shutterstock) The first crew led by Alexander Little Alex Gulkarov, Roman Israilov, Peter Khaimov, and Anthony DiPietro took in $30 million between 2014 and 2021 by steering crash victims toward medical centers they controlled, prosecutors say. Rolando Chumaceiro, a medical doctor, and Marcelo Quiroga, a chiropractor, ceded control of their medical practices in the Bronx to the crew led by Gulkarov and his compatriots, an indictment charges. The medical professionals prescribed unnecessary and excessive medical treatments and overbilled insurance companies, the feds say. Breaking News As it happens Get updates on the coronavirus pandemic and other news as it happens with our free breaking news email alerts. > The crew had a on payroll, Robert Wisnicki, who laundered hundreds of thousands of dollars for the criminal crew through his law firms, the feds say. The scheme was aided by NYPD officer Albert Aronov, who used the departments computers to steal info about car crash victims, prosecutors said. The crew used the money to buy luxury cars, watches and vacations, according to the indictment. In a similar scheme charged in a separate indictment, Bradley Pierre ran an operation from 2008 to 2021 with doctors Marvin Moy, who specialized in rehab clinics, and William Weiner, an osteopath. Moy and Weiner agreed to perform unnecessary medical procedures on accident victims at their clinics, prosecutors said. Pierres crew also bribed hospital officials and NYPD officers, though no cops were named in the indictment, prosecutors said. Advertisement Arthur Borgoraz and Andrew Prime allegedly worked as bribers for the Pierre crew, helping facilitate the illegal activity by making pay offs to other involved parties. Pierres crew took in $70 million over 13 years, prosecutors said. Gulkarov faces up to 42 years in prison on charges of healthcare fraud, conspiracy and more. Pierre faces up to 37 years in his scheme. VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / January 13, 2022 / Blender Bites Ltd. (the "Company", "Blender Bites" or "Blender"), (CSE:BITE)(FWB:JL4, WKN: A3C3Y2), a Canadian company that develops and markets a line of premium, organic and plant-based pre-portioned frozen functional foods, is proud to announce that has been nominated for Best New Product Award ("BNPA") in Canada under the Frozen Food /Healthy Beverages category (the "Award"). BNPA is North America's most credible and influential consumer product innovation award programs; a consumer award program conducted by BrandSpark International, an independent market research firm working alongside thousands of consumer goods brands worldwide. For over 17 years, BNPA's have recognized thousands of new and innovative products in a variety of categories such as new beauty, food & beverage, health, household, children, pet and tech products. Blender Bites' one step smoothie puck product line has been nominated for the 2022 Best New Product Award in Canada, under the Frozen Food /Healthy Beverages category. The winner in each BNPA category will be determined through a unique consumer-voting process whereby nominees will be evaluated by a national sample of tens of thousands of consumers who have voted for their favorite products. Included along with the nomination, Blender Bites had the opportunity to participate in a sample program, allowing consumers to test and provide honest feedback on the innovation. Blender Bites was highly received as 91% of respondents gave 5 or 4 stars with a 96% recommendation rate. Winners in each category of BNPA are expected to be announced in the coming weeks. Blender's one step smoothie pucks are made with a variety of delicious organic fruits, greens and functional ingredients such as immune supporting plant-based vitamins and minerals to provide consumers with a convenient solution for their daily smoothie routine. They come in three flavours: Green Dtox, Power Berry and Vita Smoothie, and are also perfect for bowls, ice creams and popsicles, desserts, and sweet treats. "Blender Bites is extremely proud to have been nominated for this prestigious Canadian award. Our smoothie innovation has simplified the lives of thousands of Canadians during this extremely trying pandemic and we are honored to be recognized as a nominee for the healthy food/frozen beverage category. The exposure that this type of award could provide the company would be extremely beneficial to the brand as we pioneer into the US market." commented Chelsie Hodge, Blender Bites CEO. About Blender Bites Blender Bites is a Canadian company involved in the development and marketing of a line of premium frozen food products with a focus on functionality. Blender Bites was founded in 2016 and was first to market in Western Canada with a pre-portioned "easy smoothie" product that is free of any unnecessary inner plastic packaging. Blender Bites products are certified organic, vegan, non-GMO, gluten free, dairy free and soy free. They contain no added sugars and are made in Canada. Blender Bites products are distributed internationally across Canada and the US, and are currently sold in over 850 stores, including Sobeys, Safeway, Save on Foods, Whole Foods Market, Buy-Low/Nesters, IGA and Fresh Street. On behalf of the Board of Directors, Blender Bites Limited Chelsie Hodge, Chief Executive Officer For further information, contact Blender IR Team at: Email - investors@blenderbites.com Telephone - 1-888-997-2055 CAUTIONARY DISCLAIMER STATEMENT This news release includes certain "forward-looking statements" under applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon several estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to general business, economic, competitive, political, and social uncertainties, and uncertain capital markets. Readers are cautioned that actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. SOURCE: Blender Bites Limited View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/683335/Blender-Bites-Smoothie-Innovation-Nominated-for-2022-Best-New-Product-Award On January 6, 2022, Pentwater Capital Management LP ("Pentwater"), the largest minority shareholder of Turquoise Hill Resources Ltd. ("Turquoise Hill") (TSX:TRQ) (NYSE:TRQ), sent the following letter to Ngaire Woods, member of the Board of the Directors of Rio Tinto plc ("Rio Tinto" or "Rio") (LSE:RIO), outlining continued corporate governance failures at Rio Tinto. On January 7, 2022, Rio Tinto's attorney responded that neither Ms. Woods nor any other Rio Tinto board member would respond to Pentwater regarding the ongoing corporate governance breaches that Rio is inflicting upon Turquoise Hill. Dear Ms. Woods, I am writing to you once again in your capacity as a Board member of Rio Tinto. My goal is to convince you to stop further harming Oxford's reputation by continuing to sanction Rio Tinto's complete breaches of appropriate corporate governance with respect to its controlled subsidiary Turquoise Hill. I had hoped that you would respond to my previous letter dated November 8, 2021. I assumed that as the Dean of Oxford's Blavatnik School of Government, you would be interested in learning as much as possible about the corporate governance failures and egregious misconduct committed by Rio Tinto. Since you are one of Rio Tinto's newest Board members, you could have been an advocate for positive change. Instead, you completely ignored our letter, and now you implicate yourself, as Rio Tinto is in the process of once again making a mockery of appropriate corporate governance at Turquoise Hill. It is no wonder Oxford's own are publicly criticizing Oxford, and specifically your school, for accepting donations from a rogue corporate entity like Rio Tinto. I have previously offered to speak with you and provide you with my perspective on Rio Tinto's track record of malfeasance, accumulated over a decade of being invested in TRQ. Since Pentwater is TRQ's largest minority shareholder, it is one of the main victims of Rio Tinto's improper behavior. I expected Pentwater's interests to be aligned with yours, as an alleged champion of good governance. It speaks volumes that you were not interested enough in making a positive difference to bother responding. The Sunday Times article dated December 23, 2021, which criticizes Oxford's cozy relationship with Rio Tinto, likely explains your silence. The article details complaints raised by multiple organizations at Oxford University over the fact that Oxford has accepted large donations from Rio Tinto, including money that Rio Tinto gave directly to your Blavatnik School of Government, with Oxford accused of "laundering the reputation of Rio Tinto." Your silence proves the conflict of interest here. How can we expect you to hold Rio Tinto accountable for its abuses and violations of basic corporate governance norms, when your own school at Oxford eagerly accepted large amounts of money from Rio? How can your students respect your purported ideals of proper governance if you do not speak out against the sustained misconduct of the corporate board on which you sit? It increasingly appears that Rio Tinto intends to saddle TRQ minority shareholders with the burden of financing the $2.3bn of debt forgiveness that Rio Tinto has offered the Government of Mongolia in a misguided effort to whitewash its own mismanagement and malfeasance at the Oyu Tolgoi mine. Obviously, not only should TRQ minority shareholders not be forced to foot Rio's bill, but they should be compensated alongside the Government of Mongolia for all the harm they have endured from Rio Tinto using Turquoise Hill as its corporate puppet for many years. Your silence on this matter has been deafening. The news of the donations that the school that you head accepted from Rio leaves little hope that you will properly fulfill your corporate duties by holding anyone at Rio to account for their bad actions and by compensating the victims of Rio's bad acts. As the article makes clear, Oxford has an overly cozy relationship with Rio Tinto and others in the mining business. One need look no further than Rio's own Board. For example: Hinda Garbi, a Rio Tinto board member since 2020, has been with Schlumberger for 25 years, since 1996; she is currently the Executive Vice President of Services and Equipment for Schlumberger. In April 2021, Oxford's Climate Justice Campaign released a blistering report, entitled "Money, People, Reputation, Oxford's Ties to the Fossil Fuel Industry," in which it detailed connections between various corporations (including, but not limited to, Schlumberger and Rio Tinto) and Oxford. Jennifer Nason, a Rio Tinto board member since 2020, is also a Global Chairman for Investment Banking at J.P. Morgan. Over the past four years, J.P. Morgan has led Oxford University's first ever bond sale, for 100-year bonds. Of course, Rio Tinto has numerous connections to J.P. Morgan, including that Bold Bataar, the Chief Executive of Copper at Rio Tinto, previously spent eleven years at J.P. Morgan, with his entire tenure at J.P. Morgan occurring during part of Ms. Nason's tenure. Mr. Sam Laidlaw, a Rio Tinto board member since 2017, is listed as an external member for the Oxford University Said School of Business's School Board and Global Leadership Council, which oversees the work of the school and approves strategic decisions. He is listed as the Chair of Said's Global Leadership Council. According to the 2016 Wolfson College Record, he has even hosted Oxford's Wolfson College's Emeritus Fellows at his home. Two other Rio Tinto board members, Peter Cunningham, CFO (and a Rio Tinto employee since 1993), and Simon Thompson, Chair of the Board (and a Rio Tinto board member since 2014), are graduates of Oxford. Despite these conflicts and the fact that your continued subservience to Rio Tinto's management will likely harm Oxford University, it is not too late. You can still take a stand for appropriate corporate governance. Speak out and act now to prevent Rio Tinto from committing another egregious violation of corporate governance norms, while bringing great financial harm on the minority shareholders of TRQ. Those investors should not be forced to bear the cost of the proposed $2.3bn settlement. You cannot hide behind the fact that TRQ is an independent company when Rio appoints every Board member and refuses to allow minority shareholders to have any representation on the TRQ Board. The malfeasance and mismanagement by Rio Tinto detailed in the Independent Consulting Group's damning 2021 report of what happened at Oyu Tolgoi were enabled by the fact that all of TRQ's recent CEOs and CFOs have either been Rio Tinto employees (concurrently with serving in their positions at TRQ) or were Rio Tinto alumni. Oxford also has its own deep ties to Rio Tinto. And now you are squarely in the middle of both of these too cozy for comfort relationships. The time to act is now. As I stated before, I would be happy to speak with you anytime on this topic and share the perspective I have accumulated on this issue through my decade of being invested in Rio Tinto and TRQ. Kindest Regards, Matthew Halbower Chief Executive Officer Pentwater Capital Management Cc: Members of the Board of Directors of Rio Tinto plc and Interested Parties at Oxford View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220113005230/en/ Contacts: David Zirin- Chief Operating Officer Pentwater Capital Management 312-589-6401 Phoenix, Arizona--(Newsfile Corp. - January 13, 2022) - The Stock Day Podcast welcomed DarkPulse, Inc. (OTC Pink: DPLS) ("the Company"), a company that uses advanced laser-based monitoring systems to provide rapid and accurate monitoring of temperatures, strains and stresses. CEO of the Company, Dennis O'Leary, joined Stock Day host Everett Jolly. O'Leary began the interview by elaborating on the Company's background and current projects. "Right now we are a total of seven companies," said O'Leary. "We have purchased a series of patents on something called dark pulsing, which is a sensing technology," he explained. "We took the company public in 2018," said O'Leary, before elaborating on the Company's numerous acquisitions since that time. "We are headed towards data-as-a-service." "Could you bring us up-to-date on the Company's expansion plans for the Middle East?" asked Jolly. "With all of the activity in the Middle East it was very attractive for us to build a presence there," said O'Leary. "We are opening an office in Dubai, as well as an office in Abu Dhabi," he shared, adding that the Company also currently has a project in Saudi Arabia. "The plan is to open an office in Egypt as well." The conversation then turned to the Company's pilot project with the California Department of Transportation called CALTRANS. "CALTRANS is the first smart bridge in the world," said O'Leary, before elaborating on the in-depth stress, strains, and data that the smart bridge will be able to provide. "It is an amazing opportunity," he added. "The California Department of Transportation sets the standard and other DOTs follow it." When asked whether or not the Company's technology could detect the deterioration of infrastructure in other states, O'Leary responded: "With any type of medium, it could be concrete, wood, steel, blacktop, you can put a fiber optic sensor in there and collect data." "For our business model, we are looking to implement the system into as many types of critical infrastructure where there is a continuous monthly revenue," continued O'Leary. "We also still have a rollout strategy, and one of the acquisitions we are looking at is a fiber optic cable company," he shared. "With data-as-a-service you have this continuous monthly revenue stream." "Where are we at with the Optilan IPO?" asked Jolly. "We estimate that it will happen by the summer," shared O'Leary. "The plan is to put up to 20% of Optilan into the NYSE," he explained. "I believe this move is going to support the stock price of DarkPulse as well because it will remain the parent company and will own at least 80% of the IPO." To close the interview, O'Leary encouraged listeners to consider the potential of the Company as they continue to work on the development of world-changing technologies, while also thanking shareholders for their continued support. To hear Dennis O'Leary's entire interview, follow the link to the podcast here: https://audioboom.com/posts/8012339-darkpulse-inc-discusses-caltrans-project-middle-east-expansion-and-optilan-ipo-with-the-stock. Investors Hangout is a proud sponsor of "Stock Day," and Stock Day Media encourages listeners to visit the company's message board at https://investorshangout.com/. About DarkPulse, Inc. DarkPulse, Inc. uses advanced laser-based monitoring systems to provide rapid and accurate monitoring of temperatures, strains and stresses. The Company's technology excels when applied to live, dynamic critical infrastructure and structural monitoring, including pipeline monitoring, perimeter and structural surveillance, aircraft structural components and mining safety. The Company's fiber-based monitoring systems can assist markets that are not currently served, and its unique technology covers extended areas and any event that is translated into the detection of a change in strain or temperature. In addition to the Company's ongoing efforts with respect to the marketing and sales of its technology products and services to its customers, the Company also continues to explore potential strategic alliances through joint venture and licensing opportunities to further expand its global market position. For more information, visit www.DarkPulse.com. Safe Harbor Statement This press 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 those sections. Forward-looking statements, which are based on certain assumptions and describe our future plans, strategies and expectations, can generally be identified by the use of forward-looking terms such as "believe," "expect," "may," "should," "could," "seek," "intend," "plan," "goal," "estimate," "anticipate" or other comparable terms. All statements other than statements of historical facts included in this news release regarding our strategies, prospects, financial condition, operations, costs, plans and objectives are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are neither historical facts nor assurances of future performance. Instead, they are based only on our current beliefs, expectations and assumptions regarding the future of our business, future plans and strategies, projections, anticipated events and trends, the economy and other future conditions. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict and many of which are outside of our control. Our actual results and financial condition may differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. Therefore, you should not rely on any of these forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause our actual results and financial condition to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements include, among others, the following: our ability to successfully market our products and services; the acceptance of our products and services by customers; our continued ability to pay operating costs and ability to meet demand for our products and services; the amount and nature of competition from other security and telecom products and services; the effects of changes in the cybersecurity and telecom markets; our ability to successfully develop new products and services; our success establishing and maintaining collaborative, strategic alliance agreements, licensing and supplier arrangements; our ability to comply with applicable regulations; and the other risks and uncertainties described in our prior filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise. Media contact: Todd McKnight RedChip Companies 407-571-0904 todd@redchip.com About The "Stock Day" Podcast Founded in 2013, Stock Day is the fastest growing media outlet for Nano-Cap and Micro-Cap companies. It educates investors while simultaneously working with penny stock and OTC companies, providing transparency and clarification of under-valued, under-sold Micro-Cap stocks of the market. Stock Day provides companies with customized solutions to their news distribution in both national and international media outlets. The Stock Day Podcast is the number one radio show of its kind in America. SOURCE: Stock Day Media (602) 821-1102 To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/110003 LONDON, Jan. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Hakluyt, the strategic advisory firm for businesses and investors, is proud to announce that Jeff Greenberg and Mark Wiseman have joined the company's advisory board. The Hakluyt International Advisory Board provides the firm with advice and connectivity across the globe. It is chaired by Niall FitzGerald KBE, former CEO and chairman of Unilever, and members are drawn from the worlds of business, government and academia. Jeff Greenberg has several decades of experience in the insurance industry, having been chairman and CEO of Marsh & McLennan and executive vice president of AIG's domestic brokerage group. After leaving insurance, he founded Aquiline Capital Partners, a private investment firm based in New York and London with $7 billion in assets under management, where he is now chairman and CEO. Jeff is also a trustee of the Metropolitan Museum of Art and of the New York Presbyterian Hospital, alongside a number of other philanthropic commitments. Mark Wiseman is a leading investment manager and business executive, who was previously a senior managing director at BlackRock, the world's largest asset manager. Prior to BlackRock, Mark was president and CEO of the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board. He now is a senior adviser to Lazard and chair of Alberta Investment Management Corporation's board of directors. Mark is also on the board of the United Way of Greater Toronto, the Sinai Health System, and the Dean's Advisory Board at the Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto, as well as other non-profit organisations. Varun Chandra, Hakluyt's managing partner, said: "As Hakluyt continues to expand around the world, and especially in North America, we are very excited to have Jeff Greenberg and Mark Wiseman joining our advisory board. They both have exceptional track records as leaders of major businesses, and their insights and advice will be invaluable as we help our clients tackle their most pressing commercial issues. I am hugely looking forward to working with them both." Niall FitzGerald KBE added: "I am delighted to welcome Jeff Greenberg and Mark Wiseman to the Hakluyt International Advisory Board. It is always a pleasure to add to our network of advisers and, as highly respected business leaders, I am sure Jeff and Mark will bring great judgement and expertise to our work." Jeff Greenberg commented: "It's a privilege to be joining the Hakluyt International Advisory Board. Hakluyt works on critical and complex commercial issues for businesses around the world, and I am looking forward to advising the company in North America and beyond." Mark Wiseman said: "I am very pleased to be becoming part of Hakluyt's advisory board, and to be supporting the firm as it continues to expand in North America and around the world. It will be an honour to work with such a distinguished group of colleagues, advising Hakluyt on the issues that matter most." Both appointments to the Hakluyt International Advisory Board are effective immediately. Notes to editors Hakluyt is a strategic advisory firm that works with corporate leaders and investors around the world on their most important commercial issues. For more information on the company, please visit www.hakluytandco.com. The other members of the Hakluyt International Advisory Board are: Niall FitzGerald KBE (Former CEO and Chairman, Unilever) Manvinder ( Vindi) Banga (Partner, Clayton, Dubilier & Rice) (Partner, Clayton, Dubilier & Rice) Professor Sir John Bell (Regius Professor of Medicine, University of Oxford ) ) Sir Douglas Flint CBE (Chairman, abrdn) Muhtar Kent (Former CEO and Chairman, The Coca-Cola Company) Irene Lee (Chairman, Hysan Development Co. Ltd) Sir Iain Lobban (Former Director, GCHQ) Trevor Manuel (Former Minister of Finance, South Africa ) ) Lubna S. Olayan (Chair, the merged SABB and Alawwal Bank) Sandi Peterson (Former Group Worldwide Chairman, Johnson & Johnson) Alfonso Prat-Gay (Former Minister of the Economy and President of the Central Bank of Argentina ) ) Shuzo Sumi (Chairman, Sony Corporation) and Ratan Tata GBE (Chairman Emeritus, Tata Sons ). Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1725964/Hakluyt_Jeff_Greenberg.jpg Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1725965/Hakluyt_Mark_Wiseman.jpg The next generation of vSim for Nursing delivers an improved learning experience for students, offering highly realistic patient encounters to help build clinical judgment skills To improve the fidelity of virtual simulation, develop practice ready nurses with strong clinical judgment skills, and help address practice readiness gaps due to limited clinical training sites, Wolters Kluwer, Health and Laerdal Medical today announced the next generation of vSim for Nursing. vSim for Nursing provides real-world, evidence-based scenarios written by the National League for Nursing that allow nursing students to actively develop their clinical judgment, competence, and confidence. Using the next generation of vSim for Nursing, students are immersed into a safe, dynamic environment with diverse patients and an enhanced 3D design. Mirroring real clinical practice, students learn to recognize and analyze cues such as pain, paleness, urticaria effectively to take action and respond to unfolding visual and audio responses from the patient to improve clinical reasoning skills. vSim also focuses on elevating students' interprofessional communication skills through the new situation, background, assessment, and recommendation (SBAR) feature which produces a SBAR score based on the students' report. According to Jacqueline Semaan, MSN, CHSE, RNC-LRN Nursing Skills Lab Coordinator, Simulation Coordinator, Lake Superior College, "The updates to vSim for Nursing offer a number of important enhancements for our students. Students enjoy walking through the entire clinical judgment formation process, including the opportunity to practice communication. This is truly one of the most important additions to the product in that it allows students to apply what we talked about and then be tested/graded on their learning. They can draw from that experience and possibly use it in the future in a real patient care scenario. This enhancement has led students to take their vSim courses more seriously, and that is very encouraging as a nurse educator." In 2014, vSim was introduced as the first virtual simulation solution for nursing education as part of Lippincott CoursePoint+. Studies show 98% of students using vSim recommended it for future use.1 The next generation online learning solution will be available for demonstration at the hybrid International Meeting on Simulation in Healthcare Conference (Booth #126) taking place from January 15-19, 2022. "We collaborated closely with nurse educators throughout the design and development process to deliver the next generation vSim platform with increased educational value, user experience and clinical realism. This allows students to feel more immersed in the experience as if they are in that real-world setting with the patient," said Cansu Akarsu, Vice President of Healthcare Education at Laerdal Medical. "Tablet compatibility allows students to practice clinical judgement, take assessments and hone their decision-making skills independently, anytime anywhere." "Nursing schools are under immense pressure to train and prepare students for practice, and this has only intensified as the nursing shortage has grown," adds Julie Stegman, Vice President of the Nursing Segment of the Health Learning, Research Practice segment at Wolters Kluwer. "Virtual simulation can provide an essential resource for nursing schools that are facing a shortage of clinical sites and resources to ensure all of their students receive quality clinical training that can be done anytime, anywhere. The experiential learning in vSim coupled with immediate, standardized feedback allows nursing programs to build their students' clinical judgment skills, which is fantastic preparation for the Next Generation NCLEX exam." vSim for Nursing is available now for Fundamentals and Medical-Surgical Nursing as a standalone product or integrated as part of Lippincott CoursePoint+, giving nursing students the necessary tools to become clinically competent nurses. Additional course areas will be added throughout 2022. About Wolters Kluwer Wolters Kluwer (WKL) is a global leader in professional information, software solutions, and services for the clinicians, nurses, accountants, lawyers, and tax, finance, audit, risk, compliance, and regulatory sectors. We help our customers make critical decisions every day by providing expert solutions that combine deep domain knowledge with advanced technology and services. Wolters Kluwer reported 2020 annual revenues of 4.6 billion. The group serves customers in over 180 countries, maintains operations in over 40 countries, and employs approximately 19,200 people worldwide. The company is headquartered in Alphen aan den Rijn, the Netherlands. Wolters Kluwer provides trusted clinical technology and evidence-based solutions that engage clinicians, patients, researchers and students in effective decision-making and outcomes across healthcare. We support clinical effectiveness, learning and research, clinical surveillance and compliance, as well as data solutions. For more information about our solutions, visit https://www.wolterskluwer.com/en/health and follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter @WKHealth. For more information, visit www.wolterskluwer.com, follow us on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube. 1 Foronda, C. L., Swoboda, S. M., Hudson, K. W., Jones, E., Sullivan, N., Ockimey, J., Jeffries, P. R. (2016, April). Evaluation of vSIM for nursing: A trial of innovation. Clinical Simulation in Nursing, 12(4), 128-131 View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220113005544/en/ Contacts: Media Andre Rebelo Sr. Global Public Relations Manager Wolters Kluwer Health +1 (781) 392-2411 andre.rebelo@wolterskluwer.com The Company is fully funded for 2022 exploration Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 13, 2022) - Silver Dollar Resources Inc. (CSE: SLV) (OTCQB: SLVDF) ("Silver Dollar" or the "Company") is pleased to report that exploration drilling has recommenced at the La Joya silver property (the "Property") located in the state of Durango, Mexico (See Figure 1). The initial drilling program is focused on the Noria portion of the Property with an emphasis on target development and testing for possible structural extensions of known mineralized zones identified in historical drilling. A total of 1,134 metres of core drilling was completed over five holes before the Christmas break (See news release of December 22, 2022) and sample results from those holes will be reported as they are received. Figure 1: Click on the image above to view a two-minute video introducing the La Joya Project If you cannot view the video above, please visit: https://vimeo.com/497779460 Image Source: https://silverdollarresources.com/images/LaJoya/LaJoya-3.jpg The first two drill holes of 2022 are planned at the Coloradito area of the Property to test for deeper occurrences of silver-copper-gold mineralization, which might be coincident with a currently untested induced polarization (IP) chargeability high in the northern regions of the zone. These holes will also test the continued near-surface tungsten and molybdenum potential of the Coloradito area. "Notably, one of the highest-grade samples taken to date from the La Joya property is a surface sample from the Coloradito area that returned 5,318.8 grams per tonne (g/t) silver, 54.7 g/t gold, and 6.3% lead over 2 metres. This historic sample was collected in 1999 by the Boliden/Luismin joint venture (SilverCrest Mines Inc. news release of February 16, 2012)," said Mike Romanik, president of Silver Dollar. "While surface samples are selected samples and are not necessarily representative of the overall mineralization hosted on the property, we are nevertheless excited to be drill testing the discovery potential of this underexplored area of the Property." Mike Kilbourne, P.Geo., an independent Qualified Person as defined in NI 43-101, has reviewed and approved the contents of this news release on behalf of the Company. About the La Joya Property The La Joya Property is situated approximately 75 kilometres directly southeast of the state capital city of Durango in a prolific mineralized region with past-producing and operating mines including Grupo Mexico's San Martin Mine, Industrias Penoles's Sabinas Mine, Pan American Silver's La Colorada Mine, and First Majestic's La Parrilla and Del Toro Silver Mines. Access and infrastructure near the property are considered excellent with a highway and power lines nearby. About Silver Dollar Resources Inc. Silver Dollar is a mineral exploration company that completed its initial public offering in May 2020 and is fully funded for 2022 with approximately $9 million in the treasury. The Company's projects are located in two of the prolific mining jurisdictions in the world and include the advanced exploration and development stage La Joya Silver Project in the state of Durango, Mexico; and the discovery-stage Pakwash Lake and the Longlegged Lake properties in the Red Lake Mining District of Ontario, Canada. The Company has an aggressive growth strategy and is actively reviewing potentially accretive acquisitions with a focus on drill-ready projects in mining-friendly jurisdictions internationally. For additional information, you can download our latest presentation by clicking here and you can follow us on Twitter by clicking here. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD Signed "Michael Romanik" Michael Romanik, President, CEO & Director Silver Dollar Resources Inc. Direct line: (204) 724-0613 Email: mike@silverdollarresources.com 179 - 2945 Jacklin Road, Suite 416 Victoria, BC, V9B 6J9 Forward-Looking Statements: This news release may contain "forward-looking statements." Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date of this news release and, except as may be required by applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/110005 Westinghouse Electric Company signed memorandums of understanding (MOUs) with seven companies in the Czech Republic. The MOUs signed at the Ministry of Industry and Trade cover cooperation on the potential deployment of an AP1000 plant for the Dukovany 5 project as well as other potential AP1000 projects in Central Europe. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220113005662/en/ Westinghouse Electric Company signed memorandums of understanding with seven companies in the Czech Republic. (Photo: Business Wire) The memorandums will establish cooperation with the following companies: Kralovopolska provides technological steel structures, such as load-bearing equipment structures or platforms. provides technological steel structures, such as load-bearing equipment structures or platforms. Vitkovice is an engineering group supplying a module for a nuclear power plant. is an engineering group supplying a module for a nuclear power plant. I.B.C. Prague develops, produces and services industrial valves for the nuclear and energy industry. develops, produces and services industrial valves for the nuclear and energy industry. I&C Energo supplies services in the area of command-and-control systems, industrial information systems, electrical and engineering activities in the field of nuclear power engineering. supplies services in the area of command-and-control systems, industrial information systems, electrical and engineering activities in the field of nuclear power engineering. NOPO specializes in gantry cranes, paint shop platforms, manipulators and especially overhead cranes with lifting capacities of up to hundreds of tons. specializes in gantry cranes, paint shop platforms, manipulators and especially overhead cranes with lifting capacities of up to hundreds of tons. Sigma Group produces medium, heavy and unique centrifugal pumps designed for use in energy management. produces medium, heavy and unique centrifugal pumps designed for use in energy management. Infer specializes in supplying piping systems, technological assemblies, valves, and metallurgical material. Westinghouse Electric Company is a world leader in nuclear power and a provider of products and technologies for nuclear power plants. The company is one of three finalists in the Dukovany nuclear power plant tender. Westinghouse Electric Company is shaping the future of carbon-free energy by providing safe, innovative nuclear technologies to utilities globally. Westinghouse supplied the world's first commercial pressurized water reactor in 1957 and the company's technology is the basis for nearly one-half of the world's operating nuclear plants. For over 130 years, innovation makes Westinghouse the preferred partner for technologies covering the complete nuclear energy life cycle. For more information, visit www.westinghousenuclear.com and follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220113005662/en/ Contacts: Cathy Mann media@westinghouse.com Paris Non-Fungible Token (NFT) Day will kick off Paris Blockchain Week Summit from April 12-14th 2022 PARIS, Jan. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Paris Blockchain Week Summit (PBWS) has announced Paris NFT Day , the largest European conference dedicated to NFTs with over 1500 attendees expected. Paris NFT Day will officially commence PBWS on April 12th, 2022 at Station F , the world's largest startup campus. The inaugural event will include a number of segments: an NFT-focused conference with global leaders from the digital assets industry; the first-ever physical event booth sold as an NFT unlocking priority access, discounts, resale royalties and more; a physical gallery showcasing community NFTs from digital artists such as Pascal Boyart , musician and artist Agoria , among others; and a virtual gallery giving a glimpse into art museums of the future. The event will also feature the very first Bored Ape Yacht Club MeetUp in France (for BAYC holders), and bid on and purchase NFTs at an auction hosted by BlackPool , a decentralized asset fund within the digital art industry. Emmanuel Fenet , CEO at Paris Blockchain Week Summit commented: "We are honored to host this progressive European NFT event in Paris, featuring key speakers, media attendees, and partners. NFTs gained tremendous traction in 2021, and are expected to see continuous growth in 2022 and beyond. The shift from Web2 to Web3 is finally here, and we cannot wait to facilitate the growth of different stakeholders in the industry." With education and discovery highlighted as two principal entry barrier points among newcomers to the NFT space, Paris NFT Day will provide a specialized space for novices and veterans alike to learn from seasoned experts and foster connections within the worlds of crypto and art. Bringing together enterprise and consumer brands, blockchain developers, gamers, artists, investors, and fans, the event will enable unparalleled networking opportunities, providing greater insight into the use cases that underpin the growth of the digital asset landscape. A number of key NFT industry leaders are confirmed to speak at Paris NFT Day including Sebastien Borget, COO and Co-Founder of Sandbox and President of the Blockchain Game Alliance; Allen Hsu, VC & NFT Strategic Advisor; Julien Bouteloup, Founder of Blackpool Finance, Stake DAO & Stake Capital; Santiago Santos, Web investor at Synthetix; Rayan Boutaleb, Founder of OnCyber Metaverse; and Emily Poplawski, COO of Metaplex. PBWS is firmly committed to following the guidelines of the French authorities, as well as the recommendations from the WHO to ensure the health and safety of all participants of Paris NFT Day. Sanitizing stations will be in place throughout the event areas, with social distancing and limited attendee numbers also practiced as per official authority guidelines. Please note: a valid COVID-19 vaccination certificate or proof of a professionally-administered negative COVID-19 test within the last 48 hours will be required to attend the event. Visit www.nftday.paris/tickets for more information and to purchase tickets for Paris NFT Day. Emmanuel Fenet, CEO at Paris Blockchain Week Summit is available for interviews. About Paris NFT Day Part of the Paris Blockchain Week Summit, Paris NFT Day is a contemporary European event bringing together all parts of the NFT ecosystem. Paris NFT Day is a community-focused gathering, aiming to spread the word of digital asset creation and ownership, and helping to educate and onboard newcomers to the space. The event day brings together a host of entities including enterprise and consumer brands, blockchain developers, gamers, artists, investors, and fans to showcase real-world NFT use cases. Paris NFT Day event will take place in Station F in Paris on Tuesday, April 12th. About Paris Blockchain Week Summit The third annual Paris Blockchain Week Summit (PBWS) will be held as a hybrid event on April 12-14 2022 at Station F in Paris and online via a dedicated digital platform. First launched in April 2019, PBWS was the first international conference held in France dedicated to professionals in the blockchain and crypto-assets space. The event is organized by leading emerging technology companies and organizations: ONX-Blockchain and Woorton. Supported by some of the leading figures in tech and politics, PBWS will accelerate the growth of blockchain and digital assets in France and beyond. KBRA UK (KBRA) announces the launch of Conversations in European Credit podcast, a new periodic series hosted by KBRA Head of European Research Gordon Kerr. Conversations in European Credit brings together KBRA analysts from across the company to discuss topical issues in the European capital markets. The first two episodes can be found on Spotify, Google Podcasts, and Apple Podcasts. In the first episode, Structured Finance: European Insights, Gordon and members of the KBRA Structured Finance team discuss the company's 2022 Outlook for European Securitisation markets. In the second episode, Gordon is joined by Ken Egan from the Sovereigns ratings team to discuss the 2022 Outlook for European Sovereigns. Be sure to subscribe to our channels to catch the latest episodes as they become available. You can access all of our research across the Structured Finance industry here. About KBRA UK Kroll Bond Rating Agency, LLC (KBRA) is a full-service credit rating agency registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission as an NRSRO. Kroll Bond Rating Agency Europe Limited is registered as a CRA with the European Securities and Markets Authority. Kroll Bond Rating Agency UK Limited is registered as a CRA with the UK Financial Conduct Authority pursuant to the Temporary Registration Regime. In addition, KBRA is designated as a designated rating organization by the Ontario Securities Commission for issuers of asset-backed securities to file a short form prospectus or shelf prospectus. KBRA is also recognized by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners as a Credit Rating Provider. Kroll Bond Rating Agency UK is located at Augustine House, Austin Friars, London, EC2N 2HA, United Kingdom. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220113005685/en/ Contacts: Gordon Kerr, Head of European Research +44 208 148 1020 gordon.kerr@kbra.com A gunman fired off a shot on an MTA bus in the Bronx during a confrontation with an uncle trying to protect his teen nephew, police said Thursday. The NYPD released video and a picture of the suspect in the incident on Wednesday at 4:25 p.m. No one was struck by the bullet. Advertisement The suspect and his target, an 18-year-old man, got on the BX39 at White Plains Rd. and Story Ave. in Soundview. City bus video shows suspect who fired shot on bus flash gun before incident, police said. (NYPD) During the ride the suspect, believed to be in his 20s, challenged the teen and demanded to know where he lived. Advertisement The 18-year-old, feeling threatened, called his uncle for help, police said. When the 35-year-old uncle got on the bus at White Plains Road and Van Nest Ave., he was confronted by the suspect. A struggle ensued and the suspect fired one shot, hitting the ceiling of the bus, police said. MTA bus on White Plains Road at Van Nest Ave., Bronx on Wednesday night. (Sam Costanza/for New York Daily News) The suspect ran off. The 18-year-old told police he doesnt know the gunman. Anyone with information about the suspect is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS. All calls will be kept confidential. - Expansion features the Gerteis Macro-pactor, known as the market leader in roller compaction technology - Enhances PPS's solid oral dosage formulation capabilities in North America MUMBAI, India, Jan. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Piramal Enterprises Limited's Pharma Solutions business, a leading Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO), today announced that the company has added development/commercial scale roller compaction technology to its Sellersville, Pennsylvania drug product facility. The addition of the Gerteis Macro-pactor equipment, which is designed to handle both development and commercial scale roller compaction, enhances the site's dry granulation and scale-up capabilities. Market data indicates that more than twenty percent of the new chemical entities being developed use roller compaction technology in their development and/or commercialization. In addition, roller compaction is an excellent technology for processing certain active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). The densification of dry blended powders is a critical capability that is required to handle products with poor API flow properties and instances where the API is moisture sensitive. Wet granulation is sometimes used to overcome these challenges, but many APIs are not amenable to wet granulation. In such cases, roller compaction provides a viable option to densify material and generate granules which can be further processed into capsules or tablets. Peter DeYoung, Chief Executive Officer, Piramal Pharma Solutions said, "As part of our effort to provide comprehensive drug development and manufacturing services to customers in North America and around the world, we continually conduct internal due diligence on our capabilities. After the acquisition of our Sellersville site, we identified the need to enhance our dry granulation technology and moved forward with a plan to address it. It's just a small part of efforts to recognize customer needs around the world and provide timely solutions." The Gerteis Macro-pactor is a versatile piece of equipment, with the ability to handle 100-300 gram batches for small scale development as well as larger volumes when used in continuous mode. Based on customer feedback and acceptance, it is recognized as an excellent solution for both small scale development requiring roller compaction technology and larger scale clinical and commercial batches as the compounds move forward in the development cycle. About Piramal Pharma Solutions: Piramal Pharma Solutions (PPS) is a Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO) offering end-to-end development and manufacturing solutions across the drug life cycle. We serve our customers through a globally integrated network of facilities in North America, Europe, and Asia. This enables us to offer a comprehensive range of services including drug discovery solutions, process & pharmaceutical development services, clinical trial supplies, commercial supply of APIs, and finished dosage forms. We also offer specialized services such as the development and manufacture of highly potent APIs, antibody-drug conjugations, sterile fill/finish, peptide products & services, and potent solid oral drug product. Our track record as a trusted service provider with experience across varied technologies makes us a partner of choice for innovator and generic companies worldwide. For more information please visit: www.piramalpharmasolutions.com | Twitter | LinkedIn About Piramal Pharma Ltd. Piramal Pharma Limited (PPL) offers a portfolio of differentiated products and services through end-to-end manufacturing capabilities across 15 global facilities and a global distribution network over 100 countries. PPL includes: Piramal Pharma Solutions (PPS), an integrated Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization; Piramal Critical Care (PCC), a Complex Hospital Generics business, and the India Consumer Healthcare business, selling over-the counter products. PPS offers end-to-end development and manufacturing solutions through a globally integrated network of facilities across the drug life cycle to innovator and generic companies. PCC's complex hospital product portfolio includes inhalation anaesthetics, intrathecal therapies for spasticity and pain management, injectable pain and anaesthetics, injectable anti-infectives, and other therapies. The Indian Consumer Healthcare business is among the leading players in India in the self-care space, with established brands in the Indian consumer healthcare market. In addition, PPL has a joint venture with Allergan, a leader in ophthalmology in the Indian formulations market. In October 2020, the company received growth equity investment from the Carlyle Group. For more information visit: www.piramal.com | Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1726185/Piramal_Pharma_Solutions_1.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1726186/Piramal_Pharma_Solutions_Logo.jpg For Investors Hitesh Dhaddha/Mayank Kumar Investor Relations investor.relations@piramal.com A return to growth in direct sales of Safe Orthopaedics Safe Medical annual sales up 50% Cash position of 0.9M and 8M secured Eragny-sur-Oise, France, January 13th, 2022 17h45 CET - Safe (FR0013467123 - ALSAF), a company specializing in the design, manufacturing and marketing of single-use technologies for spinal surgeries, delivering the safest treatment for spinal fractures urgently treated, announces its 2021 annual revenue and its cash position. In thousands euros 2021 (12 months) 2020 (12 months) Variation Direct sales 1?810 1?744 +4% Indirect sales 990 1 623 -39% Subcontracting Sales 1 836 1 222 +50% Total Sales* 4 636 3 782 +23% *excluding the impact of IFRS 15 In 2021, the Group's sales amounted to 4,636 thousand, up 23%, mainly due to the strong growth experienced by Safe medical, up by 50%. Direct sales by Safe Orthopaedics were up by 4%, with growth increasing quarter after quarter: -18% in Q1, +6% in Q2, +13% in Q3 and +19% in Q4 driven by accelerating sales in Germany (429k, 160%) and the start of marketing in the US (103k). France experienced a 15% decline over the year and saw a return to growth of +4% in the last quarter. Internationally, the global health situation is still having a strong impact on indirect sales, given the multiple local confinements observed. Safe medical's sales growth, up 50% compared to 2020, validates the group's model, which was created in 2020 and is based on an industrial production tool with high added value for its customers. It should be noted that the packaging infrastructure has only been operational since the end of 2021. It will constitute a new growth vector in 2022 by providing an additional service to Safe medical's customers while shortening their production lead times, as will the additive printing planned for the second half of 2022. In thousands euros Q1 2021 (3 months) Q2 2021 (3 months) Q3 2021 (3 months) Q4 2021 (3 months) Direct sales 437 (-18%) 376 (+6%) 507 (+13%) 490 (+19%) Indirect sales 258 (-53%) 298 (0%) 248 (-24%) 186 (-59%) Subcontracting Sales 389 (-17%) 412 (+63%) 419 (+106%) 616 (+107%) Total Sales* 1 084 (0%) 1 085 (67%) 1 174 (+32%) 1 293 (+11%) *excluding the impact of IFRS 15 "The structuring of the Safe Group is a winning strategy, which, thanks to the plurality of revenue sources and commercial territories, offers double-digit growth in a global context still disrupted by the health crisis. The commercial performance of Safe Medical and Safe Orthopaedics' direct sales give us confidence for 2022," commented Pierre Dumouchel, Chairman and CEO of Safe Group and co-founder of Safe Orthopaedics. "2021 will also have been a year of innovation and investment to structure our 2022 growth through the qualification of Safe Medical, the launch of Sycamore (estimated global market of more than one billion dollars), Hickory and SORA, marketed worldwide in 2022. The combination of our two entities, Safe Orthopaedics and Safe Medical, will enable us to maintain the pace of innovation and consolidate our position as a pioneer and leader in orthopaedic ready-to-use products. This new way of managing surgery is now followed by several dozen players, confirming the conversion trend of the global market and is the subject of multiple medico-economic publications". The cash position at 31/12/2021 was 0.9M (unaudited figure). The balance of the stimulus plan subsidy still to be received by Safe medical in Q1 2022 is 400k. As a reminder, Safe Group has secured 8m of financing in December 2021. About Safe Group Safe Group is a French medical technology group that brings together Safe Orthopaedics, a pioneer in ready-to-use technologies for spine pathologies, and Safe Medical (formerly LCI Medical), a medical device subcontractor for orthopaedic surgery. The group employs approximately 150 people. Safe Orthopaedics develops and manufactures kits combining sterile implants and single-use instruments, available at any time to the surgeon. These technologies are part of a minimally invasive approach aimed at reducing the risks of contamination and infection, in the interest of the patient and with a positive impact on hospitalization times and costs. Protected by 18 patent families, SteriSpineTM kits are CE marked and FDA approved. Safe Orthopaedics is headquartered in the Paris region (95610 Eragny-sur-Oise) and has subsidiaries in the United Kingdom, Germany, the United States and the Lyon region (Fleurieux-sur-l'Arbresle). For more information: www.safeorthopaedics.com Safe Medical produces implantable medical devices and ready-to-use instruments. It has an innovation center and two production sites in France (Fleurieux-sur-l'Arbresle, 69210) and in Tunisia, offering numerous industrial services: design, industrialization, machining, finishing and sterile packaging. Supported by the French stimulus plan in 2020, the companyinvests in additive printing and will be operational in 2022 on this new technology. For more information: www.safemedical.fr Contacts Safe Group Francois-Henri Reynaud Chief Financial and Administrative Officer Tel.: +33 Press Relations Ulysse Communication Pierre-Louis Germain / +33 Bruno Arabian / +33 Attachment Regulatory News: MaaT Pharma (EURONEXT: MAAT the "Company"), a French clinical-stage biotech and a pioneer in the development of microbiome-based ecosystem therapies dedicated to improving survival outcomes for patients with cancer, announces the initiation of coverage of its stock by KBC Securities, Kempen and Portzamparc Groupe BNP Paribas. With a research report named "Echec et MaaT pour le cancer", Portzamparc Groupe BNP Paribastoday initiates coverage of MaaT Pharma with a Buy recommendation. This coverage of MaaT Pharma stock comes in addition to the ones initiated in December 2021 by brokerage firms KBC Securities with a Buy recommendation (research report "More than a Gut Feeling") and Kempen, also with a Buy recommendation (research report "No Guts no Glory" Next financial communication: February 28th, 2022, after stock market closes: publication of the 2021 revenues and cash position as of December 31st, 2021. About MaaT Pharma MaaT Pharma, a clinical stage biotechnology company, has established a complete approach to restoring patient-microbiome symbiosis in oncology. Committed to treating cancer and graft-versus-host disease (GvHD), a serious complication of allogeneic stem cell transplantation, MaaT Pharma has already achieved proof of concept in a Phase II clinical trial in acute GvHD. Our powerful discovery and analysis platform, gutPrint, supports the development and expansion of our pipeline by determining novel disease targets, evaluating drug candidates, and identifying biomarkers for microbiome-related conditions. The company's Microbiome Ecosystem Therapies are produced through a standardized cGMP manufacturing and quality control process to safely deliver the full diversity of the microbiome, in liquid and oral formulations. MaaT Pharma benefits from the commitment of world-leading scientists and established relationships with regulators to support the integration of the use of microbiome therapies in clinical practice. MaaT Pharma is listed on Euronext Paris (ticker: MAAT). View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220113005767/en/ Contacts: MaaT Pharma Herve AFFAGARD Co-Founder and CEO Sian Crouzet, COO/ CFO +33 4 28 29 14 00 invest@maat-pharma.com MaaT Pharma Pauline RICHAUD Senior PR Corporate Communications Manager +33 6 07 55 25 36 prichaud@maat-pharma.com Trophic Communications Corporate Communications Jacob VERGHESE or Gretchen SCHWEITZER +49 89 23 88 77 31 maat@trophic.eu HOUSTON, Jan. 13, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Petroleos Internacionales del Caribe ("PIC") and its operating division in Mexico Petroleos Internacionales del Caribe Inc., Surcusal Mexico ("PICMEX") and SeaOne Holdings, LLC (SeaOne) jointly announced today their agreement to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding ("MOU") in principle granting PIC an exclusive license to commercialize SeaOne's patented Compressed Gas Liquids (CGL) technology, systems and designs throughout the Americas' and its 300 nautical mile Exclusive Economic Zone ("EEZ"). PIC's first use of the license will be fuels supply, terminals, infrastructure, and power projects in Mexico. Since 2017 PIC evaluated advanced solvation and storage technologies and delivery systems pioneered by SeaOne which meet the ever-changing gas market conditions. PIC's due diligence process placed a strong emphasis on environmental, social and governance ("ESG") aspects in addition to total cost. After careful research carried out with SeaOne, PIC selected the CGL technology as the optimal means of delivering natural gas from the United States to its projects in Mexico. SeaOne's patented CGL technology is a revolutionary means of transporting and delivering natural gas and natural gas liquids in one liquid gas cargo at moderate, non-cryogenic temperatures. As CGL is stored at a modest pressure and temperature, the boiloff and venting issues associated with Liquefied Natural Gas ("LNG") does not occur in the CGL containment system while in transit or in storage. Thus, the carbon footprint of the entire value chain from solvation through delivery to the customer is minimized compared to other methods of transporting and delivery of natural gas. The SeaOne intellectual property covered by the license is supported by 9 core U.S. patents, with supporting engineering and designs. The core CGL patents are the basis of 84 international patents, and 72 global trademarks that cover the composition of CGL (natural gas and natural gas liquids in a solvated solution) and methods for producing, storage, loading and unloading cargo containment systems in the CGLC, and associated onshore and offshore production and receiving terminals. The patents, designs and systems also include various transportation solutions that have been developed by SeaOne. "The PIC-SeaOne partnership is a powerful combination to supply fuel for our power plants and our customers in Mexico and throughout The Americas," said Michael Hood, Chairman and CEO of PIC. "Together, utilizing SeaOne's proprietary systems, PIC will execute industry leading technology solutions to help address the fuel supply and electricity needs of Mexico's citizens, businesses, and government." SeaOne's technical solutions are robust and cutting edge like no other, and will exceed the single most important part of our future "Emissions and Reductions", of carbon footprints throughout the globe. "We are very enthusiastic about partnering with PIC," SeaOne's Chairman and CEO, Forrest Hoglund, said. "CGL increases access to affordable, lower emission fuels. These projects will provide Mexico, and other countries in Central and South America, and the Americas with affordable fuels and power, as well as significant carbon emissions reductions, a key component in achieving sustainability and balanced ESG goals." About Petroleos Internacionales del Caribe and Petroleos Internacionales del Caribe Inc., Sucursal Mexico Petroleos Internacionales del Caribe About SeaOne Holdings, LLC Houston-based SeaOne Holdings, LLC Corporate resources focused on highest value clinical applications Significant reduction in operating expenses implemented Cash runway now extended to Q4 2023 Regulatory News: Mauna Kea Technologies (Paris:MKEA) (OTCQX:MKEAY) (Euronext: MKEA) inventor of Cellvizio, the multidisciplinary probe and needle-based confocal laser endomicroscopy (p/nCLE) platform, today announces a board-approved plan designed to reduce operating expenses and maximize capital resources in order to support the Company's strategic focus on the use of Cellvizio as an aid for real-time characterization of lung cancer and for molecular imaging guided surgical interventions. Strategic Outlook "The opportunities to leverage Cellvizio as a key technology platform in the lung cancer market represent the most material driver of potential shareholder value creation for the Company. In addition, there is significant promise over time for the use of Cellvizio to enable molecular imaging guided surgical interventions," said Sacha Loiseau, Ph.D., Founder and Chairman of Mauna Kea Technologies. "The Company's extended cash runway will allow us to achieve meaningful milestones on our product and clinical roadmaps as we seek to identify additional strategic partners with the engineering expertise and commercial scale to integrate Cellvizio's clinical insights and improve patient care. While the Company is reducing its activity in direct sales efforts in the U.S., it will continue to support its significant installed base and target high volume users. The Mauna Kea Board strongly believes that this more capital-efficient strategy will enable the Company to best meet the needs of our shareholders, employees, and clinicians." Financial Outlook As of December 31, 2021, the Company had a cash balance of 11.8M. Annualizing the impact of the cost reductions implemented, the Company expects to reduce operating expense by about 40% (in 2020, the Company had cash-based operating expenses of 17.1M and total revenue of 7.9M including 6.5M from sales). These expense reductions reflect a combination of reduced administrative costs, reduced sales and marketing expenditures, reduced board fees, the elimination of several non-core external advisors, and a more focused and disciplined product development roadmap, among other sources. In this new configuration, the Company now expects its cash runway to be extended to Q4 2023, giving it time to meet its planned strategic milestones1 Organizational Changes Shu-i Gautheron, Finance and Administrative Director since June 2021, has been promoted to Chief Financial Officer following the departure of Christophe Lamboeuf. Mr. Lamboeuf elected to leave the Company at the end of 2021 to pursue a new opportunity, and his contributions during his tenure are greatly appreciated. Ms. Gautheron brings 25 years of international experience as a senior finance executive, including China. She was previously Managing Director of Finance at EnTrust Global and Permal Group. In addition, Daryl Donatelli, currently Senior Director, Global Marketing, will become Vice President, Global Marketing. Finally, Fred Banegas, who joined the Company in March 2021 as Director of R&D has been promoted to Chief Technology Officer. "We are lucky to have such a strong collection of talents supporting our important medical technology platform," commented Nicolas Bouvier, interim Chief Executive Officer. "I am convinced that our strategic repositioning combined with a more streamlined organization will yield significant improvements in operational effectiveness." Next Financial Communication: Mauna Kea will announce Q4 and year-end 2021 sales results on January 20, 2022. About Mauna Kea Technologies Mauna Kea Technologies is a global medical device company that manufactures and sells Cellvizio, the real-time in vivo cellular imaging platform. This technology uniquely delivers in vivo cellular visualization which enables physicians to monitor the progression of disease over time, assess point-in-time reactions as they happen in real time, classify indeterminate areas of concern, and guide surgical interventions. The Cellvizio platform is used globally across a wide range of medical specialties and is making a transformative change in the way physicians diagnose and treat patients. For more information, visit www.maunakeatech.com. Disclaimer This press release contains forward-looking statements concerning Mauna Kea Technologies and its activities. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this press release, including, without limitation, those regarding Mauna Kea Technologies' financial condition, business, strategies, plans and objectives of management for future operations are forward-looking statements. Such forward looking statements are based on assumptions that Mauna Kea Technologies considers to be reasonable. However, there can be no assurance that the anticipated events contained in such forward-looking statements will occur. Forward- looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, including the risks set forth in Chapter 3 of the 2020 Universal Registration Document of Mauna Kea Technologies registered by the French Financial Markets Authority (Autorite des marches financiers (AMF)) on June 17, 2021 under number D-21-0566 and the amendment to the 2020 Universal Registration Document filed with the AMF on September 17, 2021, which are both available on the Company's website (www.maunakeatech.com), and risks relating the economic situation, financial markets, and the markets in which Mauna Kea Technologies operates. The forward-looking statements contained in this release are also subject to risks unknown to Mauna Kea Technologies or that Mauna Kea Technologies does not consider material at this time. The realization of all or part of these risks could lead to actual results, financial conditions, performances or achievements by Mauna Kea Technologies that differ significantly from the results, financial conditions, performances or achievements expressed in such forward-looking statements. This press release and the information it contains do not constitute an offer to sell or to subscribe for, or a solicitation of an order to purchase or subscribe for, Mauna Kea Technologies shares in any jurisdiction in which such an offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to the registration or qualification under the securities laws of such jurisdiction. The distribution of this document may, in certain jurisdictions, be restricted by local regulations. Persons who come into possession of this document are required to observe all applicable local regulations relating to this document. 1 This estimate includes all capital expenditures, interest, and principal repayments, as well as the use of the existing equity line with Kepler Chevreux (3.6 million outstanding warrants). On December 31, 2021, the company had a gross financial indebtedness of approximately 29M, of which 27M are long term. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220113005776/en/ Contacts: NewCap Investor Relations Thomas Grojean +33 (0)1 44 71 94 94 maunakea@newcap.eu Since their pilot in December 2020 PasarMIKRO has helped farmers to trade and finance the distribution of over 5,000 tonnes of eggs and other commodities. Image Credits: Dien Wong (Co-founder and CEO of PasarMIKRO) with customers. PasarMIKRO'S app allows farmers and traders an easy way to manage existing trading relationships and discover new traders on the platform. Image Credits: Detik.com. JAKARTA / SINGAPORE, Jan 14, 2022 - (ACN Newswire) - 1982 Ventures has invested in PasarMIKRO, an Indonesian-based Agri Commodity Marketplace startup that empowers disadvantaged farmers by simplifying transactions for both farmers and traders.- PasarMIKRO has raised funds from 1982 Ventures and prominent angels.- PasarMIKRO is an ag-tech startup aiming to disrupt Indonesia's USD$130B agriculture market by connecting farmers and traders.- PasarMIKRO will use the funds to expand its team and to reach out to more farming communities in Indonesia.PasarMIKRO was founded by former Altermyth co-founder Dien Wong. Since their pilot in December 2020 the company has helped farmers to trade and finance the distribution of over 5,000 tonnes of eggs and other commodities. Despite the effects of the pandemic, Indonesia's USD$130 billion agriculture market remains one of the top industries ripe for disruption.Dien Wong states, "PasarMIKRO is looking after Indonesia's main providers, farmers and traders who are often overlooked. We are transforming the landscape for a more inclusive digital economy. We foresee that with the digitization of the ecosystem, it will enable a scalable future food value chain."The Indonesian-based company provides various services for farmers and traders for their daily transactions such as bookkeeping, lending, and marketplace for farmers and the ecosystem to sell their products easily without limitations.PasarMIKRO has established partnerships with Bank Rakyat Indonesia (BRI), one of Indonesia's largest banks, and Rabo Foundation, a social fund backed by European agricultural bank Rabo Bank with a mission to give smallholder farmers the prospect of a sustainable future.Herston Elton Powers, Managing Partner of 1982 Ventures stated, "Unlike other platforms, PasarMIKRO works with the entire supply chain to enable more efficient agricultural financing and transactions. We have not seen an inclusive financing model in Southeast Asia achieve what appears to be such a product-market fit, and begin scaling as early as PasarMIKRO. PasarMIKRO is incredibly capital efficient and has seen impressive disbursement growth since day one."Scott Krivokopich, Managing Partner of 1982 Ventures stated, "Indonesia's agriculture ecosystem is massive and long overdue for modernization. Dien's decades of experience in game development and time spent in the field with farmers is the driving force behind PasarMIKRO's impressive growth."The funds will be used to expand PasarMIKRO's team and reach out to more farming communities in Indonesia.For media enquiries:dienw@pasarmikro.idAbout PasarMIKRO:PasarMIKRO is a business-to-business aggregated agriculture marketplace with integrated financing facilities. The platform aims to simplify the transaction of farmers and traders in Indonesia's agriculture market. For more information visit: https://www.pasarmikro.id.About 1982 Ventures:1982 Ventures is the leading seed fund investing in fintech startups in Southeast Asia. Our focus makes us the first port of call for fintech founders and the first money in. Our investments include Southeast Asian Open Banking API Platform Brick, Indonesian Personal Finance App Pina, Indonesia's first Earned Wage Access platform Wagely, Philippine MSME book-keeping app Lista, Vietnam's leading investment platform Infina, Vietnam's leading "Buy Now, Pay Later" Fundiin, Vietnam's Rent-to-Own Home Financing app Homebaseand Singapore's automated financial data delivery platform Bluesheets.1982 Ventures is investing in and supporting the best founders to positively impact the future of financial services in Southeast Asia. For more information visit: https://1982.vc.Source: PasarMIKRO1982 VenturesCopyright 2022 ACN Newswire . All rights reserved. Regulatory News: La Francaise de l'Energie (Euronext: LFDE ISIN: FR0013030152), a carbon negative energy producer, announces a new certification of its 2P abandoned mine gas (AMM) reserves on the two concessions held in the Hauts-de-France's region. While 360 ??million m3 have already been captured and monetize through the production of gas and green electricity over the last 4 years, this new certification carried out by DMT (Tuv Nord group) now shows AMM reserves of 3.6 billion m3 (21.6 TWh), thus confirming the significant potential for the capture and recovery of mine gas, well above the current objective set at 49.5 MW of installed capacity in the Franco-Belgian basin by the end of 2022. La Francaise de l'Energie anticipates that more than 3 million tonnes of CO2eq emissions will be avoided annually through the capture of AMM and the installation of new cogeneration units in Hauts-de-France and Belgium. This development will reinforce the company's positioning as the leading contributor to the region's fight against Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions. This exceptional positive impact on the Hauts-de-France region makes LFDE one of the main players in the territory's ecological transition. The rise in energy prices significantly increases the value of the Lorraine gas Moreover, in the context of structural increases in energy prices, the net asset value (NAV) of the Lorraine gas is now estimated at 318 million1, a sharp increase compared to the 2018 certification carried out by MHA (Sproule). The certified reserves which amount to 6.7 billion m3 of gas (1P, 2P, 3P) and its recovery in short circuits aim to replace the imported energy with local low-carbon energy in the Grand Est region. La Francaise de l'Energie confirms its objective of achieving annualized revenue of 35 million and an EBITDA margin of over 45% by the end of 2022. Next announcement: S1 2021-2022 Sales January 25th 2022 Reuters code: LFDE.PA Bloomberg code: LFDE.FP About La Francaise de l'Energie La Francaise de l'Energie is a carbon negative energy producer, specializing setting up decentralized energy production sites. La Francaise de l'Energie supplies gas, green electricity and heat to regional players, thus replacing imported energy with local, cleaner energy. La Francaise de l'Energie has strong development potential and aims to become a benchmark independent player in the energy sector in Europe. The company benefits from the innovative company label awarded by Bpifrance. More information available on www.francaisedelenergie.fr. Disclaimer This press release contains certain forward looking statements and estimates concerning LFDE's financial condition, operating results, strategy, projects and future performance and the markets in which it operates. Such forward-looking statements and estimates may be identified by words such as "anticipate," "believe," "can," "could," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "is designed to," "may," "might," "plan," "potential," "predict," "objective," "should," or the negative of these and similar expressions. They incorporate all topics that are not historical facts. Forward looking statements, forecasts and estimates are based on management's current assumptions and assessment of risks, uncertainties and other factors, known and unknown, which were deemed to be reasonable at the time they were made but which may turn out to be incorrect. Events and outcomes are difficult to predict and depend on factors beyond the company's control. Consequently, the actual results, financial condition, performances and/or achievements of LFDE or of the industry may turn out to differ materially from the future results, performances or achievements expressed or implied by these statements, forecasts and estimates. Owing to these uncertainties, no representation is made as to the correctness or fairness of these forward-looking statements, forecasts and estimates. Furthermore, forward-looking statements, forecasts and estimates speak only as of the date on which they are made, and LFDE undertakes no obligation to update or revise any of them, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. ______________________ 1 The net present value (NPV) corresponds to cash flows discounted at 10% over the duration of the future concession. It includes revenues with an average gas sale price of 28.08/MWh (source EEX PEG Nord France 2030 as of 12/01/22), investments, operating costs and annual fixed and variable expenses. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220113005851/en/ Contacts: Press contact@francaisedelenergie.fr +33 3 87 04 34 51 Investor Relations ir@francaisedelenergie.fr +33 3 87 04 34 51 Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 13, 2022) - Canadian Nexus Team Ventures Corp., (CSE: TEAM) ("TEAM" or the "Company") would like to announce the appointment of Mr. Frank Lee to the Board of Directors and the appointment of Mr. Sean Cote to the Advisory Board. Mr. Lee has over 25 years of experience in the Canadian banking industry working with Schedule 1 banks and credit Unions, as well as private lenders. Mr. Lee has extensive experience with lending and identifying business opportunities. As senior manager, Mr. Lee led his team to the top-performing branch in his region. Fluent in Mandarin and English, he has successfully established significant connections in the Asian market in Canada, and has regularly been invited as guest in the media to provide practical solutions on real estate and business financing for Canadians. Mr. Cote will be stepping off the Board of Directors but staying with the Company by way of the Company's Advisory Board. We wish to thank Mr. Cote for his time and contributions on the Board of Directors. The appointment of Mr. Cote to the Advisory Board will be the first appointment to the Advisory Board which will run for a 2-year term. "I welcome Frank to the TEAM and am sincerely looking to his input at the same time welcome Sean on to our Advisory Board as its inaugural member," stated Arni Johannson, TEAM CEO. About Canadian Nexus Team Ventures Corp. Canadian Nexus Team Ventures Corp. (CSE: TEAM) is an investment issuer that actively invests in a diversified portfolio of early-stage to mid-level companies and projects. Canadian Nexus leverages its extensive network of operators and global thought leaders to provide investors with a unique multi-opportunity portfolio. Contact: Arni Johannson, CEO 604-960-1878 Forward-Looking Statements: This news release includes certain forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein including, without limitation, statements about timing, future projects and future revenues are forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Often, but not always, forward-looking information can be identified by words such as "pro forma", "plans", "expects", "will", "may", "should", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates", "believes", "potential" or variations of such words including negative variations thereof, and phrases that refer to certain actions, events or results that may, could, would, might or will occur or be taken or achieved. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of the Company to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Such risks and other factors include, among others, statements as to the anticipated business plans and timing of future activities of the Company and it's wholly-owned subsidiaries, including the ability of the Company to obtain sufficient financing to fund its business activities and plans, delays in obtaining regulatory approvals (including of the Canadian Securities Exchange), changes in laws, regulations, and policies affecting the Company's operations and the Company's limited operating history. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any of the forward-looking statements in this presentation or incorporated by reference herein, except as otherwise required by law. The Canadian Securities Exchange has not approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/110073 Autocar experienced tremendous sales growth and launched two new severe-duty vocational truck models among the list of 2021 accomplishments. BIRMINGHAM, AL / ACCESSWIRE / January 13, 2022 / Autocar LLC, proud manufacturer of severe-duty trucks carrying North America's oldest truck brand, today announced its record-breaking 2021. In addition to marking the brand's 124th year, the company's achievements include unprecedented sales, as well as new and innovative product offerings such as the launch of its DC-64 BADASS dump truck and its all-electric E-ACTT terminal tractor. Additionally, the company leveraged new partnership opportunities and maintained its manufacturing throughout this challenging year. The manufacturer of specialized severe-duty, custom-engineered Class 7 and Class 8 vocational trucks continues to focus on its customers' needs and vocations and is poised to reach new heights in 2022. The original equipment manufacturer (OEM), Autocar, exclusively focuses on building the best trucks for the vocational truck market and is the only 100% American-owned company that assembles all of its trucks in the USA. Autocar-brand trucks support critical American infrastructure sectors such as refuse, material handling, concrete and logistics. Among many, some of Autocar's 2021 highlights include: Introduced Advanced Driver Assist System (ADAS) technology in its ACX severe-duty cabover refuse vehicles Brought to market the E-ACTT, Autocar's first emissions-free, all-electric terminal tractor and the only OEM terminal tractor, with an OEM-developed electric vehicle system Launched the nation's first BADASS dump truck, the DC-64D, delivered with the company's tagline: "Always Up" Established the first and only national terminal tractor rental program for fleets with America Big Truck Rental Donated a custom-engineered DC-64R refuse truck to the Environmental Research and Education Foundation in honor of industry leader, the late Mickey Flood The DC-64D was named 2021 Contractors' Top 50 New Products by Equipment Today Appointed the industry's first chief experience officer, Craig Antonucci Received a trademark from the United States Patent and Trademark Office for BADASS The DC-64D was named one of the top 2021 introductions by Heavy Equipment Guide. "There is no other way to describe 2021 for Autocar other than BADASS. Our success is fueled by our efforts to provide our customers the very best vocational truck designed to do the jobs they need it to do," said Andrew Taitz, chairman of Autocar, LLC. "However, what I am most proud of is our team's tenacity and dedication. Even though we were hit with supply chain issues, we were one of the few OEMs that never stopped manufacturing and kept its entire team employed." The nation's first and only BADASS dump truck The Autocar DC-64D dump truck is the fourth Autocar DC-64 in the severe-duty Class 8 line. Autocar exclusively focuses on building the best trucks for the vocational truck market, which is why Autocar collaborated with key industry experts with more than 200 years of severe-duty truck experience to guide the DC-64D dump truck design. Configured with more than 100 improvements, the DC-64D is the best-designed dump truck in the industry and its strength and durability are unprecedented. Autocar's trucks are engineered with the highest level of integration in the industry and can handle the most challenging jobs. Autocar's DC-64D dump truck's features include: Pre-engineered for seamless body integration to avoid significant structural modifications Multiple Cummins engine options Provides the industry's best performance, fuel economy and lower operating costs per mile backed by the best-in-class 24/7 direct factory support Custom-built for the customer's vocational and site-specific needs Autocar's E-ACTT, an emissions-free, all-electric terminal tractor The purpose-built E-ACTT all-electric terminal tractor helps meet regulatory mandates for the vocational truck industry to reduce fuel consumption and to transition diesel trucks to zero-emission trucks in California. Autocar's E-ACTT is the only OEM terminal tractor with an OEM-developed electric vehicle system. Explicitly designed for spotting trailers and containers at distribution centers, warehouse/trucking yards, industrial operations, intermodal/rail terminals, and port terminals. Autocar's all-electric E-ACTT terminal tractor's features include: Leading-edge temperature-controlled lithium-ion battery technology and onboard charging system An electric powertrain with telemetry/diagnostic systems designed specifically for severe-duty application by Vorza Advanced monitoring systems and innovative telematics in every environmentally friendly unit Custom-built for the customer's vocational and site-specific needs The nation's first fleet of refuse cab over engine (COE) trucks featuring Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems (ADAS) Autocar ACX sets a new standard for refuse drivers, customers and communities with its ADAS safety-enhancing features, which include: Advanced Emergency Braking System Forward Collision Warning Stationary Merge Assistant Blind Spot Detection Electronic Stability Controls Rollover Stability Controls "Autocar has an established reputation for innovation and leads the pack in heavy-duty vocational trucks. We will continue to strive to be the industry leader and are going full throttle into 2022, developing new strategies and even more innovations. Stay tuned," said Taitz. For more information about Autocar, visit AutocarTruck.com. ### ABOUT AUTOCAR, LLC Autocar, LLC, manufacturer of severe-duty vocational trucks carrying the first specialized truck brand in North America, is the only American-owned and operated original equipment manufacturer (OEM) of trucks. Autocar's severe-duty vocational trucks provide customers the perfect tool for their jobs with the most uptime, support and impact on their bottom line. Autocar collaborates with customers to build trucks to their exact specifications and needs. Autocar's purpose-built severe-service truck lines include ACMD and ACX cab-over trucks, the ACTT and its all-electric E-ACTT terminal tractors and the DC-64 Class 8 work trucks. Autocar Truck recognizes that performance and uptime are everything and offers every customer 24/7 access to its Always Up direct factory support center staffed by expert technicians who engineer and build Autocar's trucks. Autocar promises to provide trucks that deliver the best value, provide the best service, provide a complete solution for customers' needs, do the work right the first time and act proactively, timely and with simplicity. For more information on Autocar Truck, visit AutocarTruck.com, or call 833-857-0200. MEDIA CONTACTS Tonie Auer, TrizCom PR on behalf of Autocar Trucks Email: Tonie@TrizCom.com Office: 972-247-1369 Cell: 817-925-2013 Or Jo Trizila, TrizCom PR on behalf of Autocar Trucks Email: Jo@TrizCom.com Office: 972-247-1369 Cell: 214-232-0078 SOURCE: Autocar, LLC View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/683433/Autocar-Reports-Record-Breaking-Year-for-BADASS-Vocational-Heavy-Duty-OEM NEW BEDFORD, MA / ACCESSWIRE / January 13, 2022 / The Port of New Bedford, Massachusetts, the center of the East Coast commercial fishing industry, is offering mixed reaction to the Bureau of Ocean and Energy Management's (BOEM) announcement Wednesday that the agency will conduct a wind energy lease auction for six areas totaling 480,000 acres of the New York Bight in February. Port of New Bedford (Credit: Adobe Stock) The New Bedford fishing fleet - the nation's top-grossing fleet - relies heavily on the fishing grounds of the New York Bight for its success. Given the importance of the Bight, New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell and the New Bedford Port Authority (NBPA) have been actively engaged with BOEM regarding the development of the Bight for offshore wind energy projects. In an April 2021 letter to BOEM Director Amanda Lefton, Mayor Mitchell, as Chairman of the Port Authority, recommended changes in the configuration of the proposed Bight lease areas to help reduce the impact on the Atlantic sea scallop industry and other fish species principally landed in New Bedford. Specifically, the Mayor called for the southeastern boundary of the Bight's Hudson South lease area to be shifted 5 miles to the west. The Mayor's letter was followed in August 2021 by a second letter further explaining the need for a boundary adjustment. With its announcement yesterday, BOEM responded to the New Bedford requests, agreeing to shift the boundary in question 2.5 miles to the west, as well as reducing the size of another Bight lease area, the so-called "Central Bight" area. Mayor Mitchell commented on yesterday's developments, "The overarching lesson from yesterday's announcement is the importance of staying engaged and offering pragmatic solutions that are responsive to the concerns of both wind proponents and fishing interests. I appreciate the willingness of Director Lefton and the BOEM team to listen and adjust their approach based on the strength of the case we have made to them." Mitchell added, "This is by no means to say that the Port's concerns with BOEM's approach to offshore wind development in the Bight are all addressed. We will continue to call on BOEM to use the wind project permitting process to minimize the economic impact on commercial fishing, and, equally important, to ensure fishermen are compensated for any economic damages caused by wind project development." "I can't emphasize enough how important the fishing industry is to our nation's food security and how economically important the industry is to state economies of New England. The federal government should pursue a policy agenda that simultaneously takes into account the economic consequences to fishermen and the economic opportunities from offshore wind energy development. It's not an "either/or" proposition. Federal regulators at BOEM and other agencies must consider both in all their decision-making," said Mitchell. For its part, New Bedford is uniquely positioned on issues of both economic impact and economic benefit. The Port is the largest and most profitable seafood port on the East Coast and also has the distinction of being home to the nation's only purpose-built offshore wind staging facility, the New Bedford Marine Commerce Terminal. The nation's first industrial-scale offshore wind project, Vineyard Wind, will begin staging from the Commerce Terminal in 2023. Advocating for an effective mitigation strategy is part of the Port's commitment to ensuring that offshore wind advances in ways that safeguard the viability of our commercial fishing industry. Of particular concern to the Port is BOEM's mitigation approach, which remains limited to consideration of environmental impacts. The Port's position is that wind project mitigation plans need to consider economic impacts, given the size of the fishing industry: Thirty percent of the nation's $5.5 billion seafood industry is landed in the Northeast, with seafood landings in the Port of New Bedford itself worth $450 million annually. In New Bedford, the scallop fishery alone is responsible for $300 million in annual landings. A 2019 economic impact study of the Port of New Bedford conducted by Martin Associates and Foth-CLE Engineering Group determined that the regional seafood industry's economic contribution comprises 39,000 jobs, $11 billion in local economic impact, $162 million in direct state taxes and $391 million in direct federal taxes. Mitigation efforts also need to acknowledge that economic disruptions to commercial fisheries from wind farms will be felt across multiple states, not just those whose waters will host wind projects. While wind projects may be built off the coast of New York and New Jersey, their impacts will not be limited to those states. Large volumes of sea scallops caught off the coast of New York and New Jersey are landed daily in New Bedford, and fishermen who live in New England regularly fish in federal waters off the coasts of New York and New Jersey. Commercial fishing is an interconnected, region-wide industry, and needs a mitigation plan that is similarly broad in its scope. The Port has therefore advocated for BOEM to take a proactive approach to its fisheries mitigation efforts by establishing definitive minimum standards for the mitigation process and requiring developers to use specific measures and methodologies to mitigate the impacts of offshore wind projects. Press Contact Mike Lawrence (508) 979-1410 michael.lawrence@newbedford-ma.gov SOURCE: City of New Bedford View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/683437/Nations-Leading-Fishing-Port-Reacts-To-Federal-Announcement-of-Offshore-Wind-Leasing-In-New-York-Waters Former NYPD Commissioner Ray Kelly has been granted a line-of-duty disability pension typically given cops suffering Sept. 11-related illnesses, the Daily News has learned. The Police Pension Fund voted to approve the 80-year-old former top cops three-quarters disability pension Wednesday, the head of the Captains Endowment Association confirmed. The captains union represented Kelly in his pension case. Advertisement Former New York City police Commissioner Ray Kelly attends a ceremony at Ground Zero held in commemoration of the 20th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2021 in New York. (ANTHONY BEHAR/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) Under usual city pension rules, Kelly would receive 75% of the more than $200,000 salary he earned as commissioner, or about $150,000 per year. The pension is largely tax free. Raymond Kelly fit the criteria under state law, and the only way post-retirement would have to be 9/11-related, said union president Chris Monahan. He wouldnt comment further on the reason for Kellys disability pension. Advertisement Kelly wasnt a member of the NYPD when the planes hit on Sept. 11. Former mayor Michael Bloomberg named him commissioner starting Jan. 1, 2002. Under state law, police and other city employees can claim a Sept. 11 disability if they worked at Ground Zero during the first 48 hours after the terrorist attacks, or for an accumulated 40 hours at the World Trade Center site between Sept. 11, 2001 and Sept. 12, 2002. Kelly was a regular presence at Ground Zero. The decision to grant line-of-duty disability status is by a majority vote of the 12-member police pension fund board of trustees, which includes the mayor, the comptroller, the current police commissioner, the city finance commissioner, and representatives of the citys police unions. Kelly joined the NYPD in 1960, and first served as police commissioner from 1992 to 1994, during the last part of Mayor David Dinkins term. When Bloomberg put Kelly back in the job in 2002, Kelly gave up a police pension he was then receiving, The News reported at the time. Kelly was commissioner for Bloombergs entire mayorality. After he left office on Dec. 31, 2013, he joined an investigation firm and published a memoir. Kelly did not respond to a message seeking comment, and Mayor Adams office did not return a message seeking comment. VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / January 13, 2022 / The Power Play by The Market Herald has announced the release of new interviews with Datametrex, QuestEx, Metal Energy, and Mobi724 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. Datametrex (TSXV:DM) selected to proceed on $40M government project Datametrex AI (DM), along with its consortium partner, has secured a multi-phase R&D program contract. The total value of the fully realized contract is approximately $40 million. Datametrex has been tasked to collaborate with its partner using Datametrex's Social Media Automated Reporting Technologies (SMART) to improve the investigation of social media influencer activities. Datametrex CEO Marshall Gunter sat down with Caroline Egan to discuss the contract and share his outlook for 2022. For the full interview with Marshall Gunter and to learn more about Datametrex's new contract, click here. QuestEx (TSXV:QEX) releases prospecting and geophysical results from KSP Property QuestEx (QEX) has sampled 51.7 g/t gold and defined a new target at Black Bluff on its KSP Property in B.C. The findings stem from a summer 2021 reconnaissance prospecting and geophysical campaign. Black Bluff contains numerous domains of outcropping mineralization defined by over 500 anomalous to high-grade rock samples from base and precious metal-bearing skarns, high-grade gold-silver-copper quartz vein breccias, and quartz-magnetite vein stockwork occurrences.QuestEx President Tony Barresi sat down with Caroline Egan to discuss the results from the campaign. For the full interview with Tony Barresi and to learn more about QuestEx's results, click here. Metal Energy (TSXV:MERG) appoints Mike Sweeny as Vice-President, Exploration & Development Metal Energy (MERG) has appointed Mike Sweeny as Vice President, Exploration & Development. Mike is a professional geologist with over 30 years of experience and a strong focus on nickel, copper and platinum group element minerals systems. He has held various positions, including Senior Geologist, for numerous underground and surface exploration programs with Falconbridge-Xstrata-Glencore. Metal Energy CEO James Sykes sat down with Caroline Egan to discuss Mike's appointment. For the full interview with James Sykes and to learn more about Metal Energy's appointment of Mike Sweeny, click here. Mobi724 (TSXV:MOS) launches card-linked offers solution with Visa Inc. Mobi724 (MOS) has launched its first real-time card-linked offers solution with Visa Inc. to customers in Costa Rica and Panama. The real-time campaigns consist of messages, offers or reminders that cardholders from select Visa issuers in Panama and Costa Rica will receive after making certain types of transactions. The campaigns are expected to generate revenue for the company in Q1-2022. CEO of Mobi724 Global Solutions Inc. Marcel Vienneau sat down with Dave Jackson to discuss the program. For the full interview with Marcel Vienneau and to learn more about Mobi724's new program, 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. 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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/683435/The-Power-Play-by-The-Market-Herald-Releases-Interviews-with-Datametrex-QuestEx-Metal-Energy-and-Mobi724 Toronto, Ontario and Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 13, 2022) - Minera Alamos Inc. (TSXV: MAI) (the "Company" or "Minera Alamos") is pleased to announce the results of voting at its Annual General Meeting of Shareholders ("AGM") held Thursday, January 13, 2022 in Toronto, Canada. Shareholders voted overwhelmingly in favour of all items put forward by the Board of Directors and Management. All five of the individuals nominated for the board of directors, namely Darren Koningen, Doug Ramshaw, Bruce Durham, Ruben Padilla and Kevin Small. Shareholders also voted in favour of: Ratifying the appointment of MNP LLP as Auditors of the Company for the ensuing year and authorizing directors to fix the remunerations of the auditors; Ratifying and approving the continuation of the incentive Stock Option Plan of the Corporation; and Ratifying and approving the continuation of the Restricted Share Unit Plan of the Corporation. A total of 107,445,749 Minera Alamos common shares were voted, representing 24.08% of total shares issued and outstanding as at the record date of the meeting. About Minera Alamos: Minera Alamos is a gold development company poised to join the ranks of gold producers in 2021. The Company has a portfolio of high-quality Mexican assets, including the 100%-owned Santana open-pit, heap-leach development project in Sonora that is currently under construction, and which is expected to have its first gold production in early 2021. The newly acquired 100%-owned Cerro de Oro oxide gold project in northern Zacatecas that has considerable past drilling and metallurgical work completed and could enter the permitting process rapidly. The La Fortuna open pit gold project in Durango (100%-owned) has an extremely robust and positive preliminary economic assessment (PEA) completed and the main Federal permits in hand. A construction decision on La Fortuna could be made in late 2020 or early 2021, highlighting the organic growth the existing project portfolio can provide to the overall production profile. Minera Alamos is built around its operating team that together brought 3 mines into production in Mexico over the last 13 years. The Company's strategy is to develop very low capex assets while expanding the projects' resources and continuing to pursue complementary strategic acquisitions. For Further Information Please Contact: Minera Alamos Inc. Doug Ramshaw, President Tel: 604-600-4423 Email: dramshaw@mineraalamos.com Website: www.mineraalamos.com Victoria Vargas de Szarzynski, VP Investor Relations Tel: 289-242-3599 Email: vvargas@mineraalamos.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/110076 TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / January 13, 2022 / Stans Energy Corp. (TSXV:HRE)(OTCQX:HREEF), ("Stans" or the "Company"), reports on the following results from its Annual and General Special Meeting held on Jan. 06, 2022: Election of Directors: The Nominees listed in the management proxy circular for the 2022 AGSM were elected as directors of Stans Energy Corp. Detailed Results of the votes by ballot for the election of directors held at the AGSM are as follows: Nominee Votes For % For Votes Withheld % Withheld Rodney Irwin 20,353,849 97.778% 463,765 2.23% Gordon Baker 20,354,349 97.775% 463,265 2.23% Douglas Underhill 20,354,349 97.775% 463,265 2.23% Boris Aryev 20,262,349 97.33% 555265 2.67% Albert Grenke 20,354,349 97.775% 463,265 2.23% Appointment of Auditors PKF Antares, Chartered Professional Accountants has been appointed auditors of the corporation to hold office until the close of the next annual general meeting of shareholders at such remuneration as may be fixed by the directors and the directors are hereby authorized to fix such remuneration. Results for the appointment of auditors are as follows: 20,353,349 (97.77%) votes for and 464,265 (2.23%) votes withheld Stock Option Plan The Stans Energy Corp. 10% rolling Stock Option Plan has been approved by the shareholders. Results as follows: 18,826,227 (90.434%) votes for and 1,991,387 (9.566%) votes against. Appointment of Officers. The Board of Directors meeting held at the same date made the following appointments, subject to acceptance of the TSX: Boris Aryev as Interim President and CEO of the Company. Rodney Irwin is re-appointed as Chairman of the Board of Directors. Shares for Debt Settlement The Company reports that former CFO, Olga Stevens, has been issued 1,120,000 shares at $0.05 per share to settle partial debt owed from salary arrears dating from July 2019 to May 2021. The Shares for Debt Settlement Agreement was approved by Stans Board of Directors on January 6, 2022. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. About Stans Energy Stans Energy Corp. is a resource development company focused on advancing rare and specialty metals properties and processing technologies. Previously, the Company acquired, among other things, the right to mine the past producing rare earth mine, Kutessay II, in the Kyrgyz Republic. Due to the expropriation actions taken by the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic, the Company proceeded with the international arbitration litigation to protect the Company's rights and in August 2019 won the Arbitration including damages for over US$24,000,000 plus interest. The rights to collect damages were assigned to the Litigation Funders to repay for the funding provided under Litigation Funding Agreements. We seek safe harbour. Contact Details Rodney Irwin Stans Energy Corp Chairman of the Board rodney@stansenergy.com 647-426-1865 Boris Aryev Stans Energy Corp President & CEO boris@stansenergy.com 416-716-4748 FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS: This document includes forward-looking statements as well as historical information. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, use of proceeds from the Offering, the completion of the Offering, the continued advancement of the company's general business development, research development and the company's development of mineral exploration projects. When used in this press release, the words "will", "shall", "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect", "intent", "may", "project", "plan", "should" and similar expressions may identify forward-looking statements. Although Stans Energy Corp. believes that their expectations reflected in these forward looking statements are reasonable, such statements involve risks and uncertainties and no assurance can be given that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statement. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ from these forward-looking statements include the potential that fluctuations in the marketplace for the sale of minerals, the inability to implement corporate strategies, the ability to obtain financing and other risks disclosed in our filings made with Canadian Securities Regulators. SOURCE: Stans Energy Corp. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/683446/Stans-Energy-Announces-AGSM-Results Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 13, 2022) - Cirrus Gold Corp. (CSE: CI) ("Cirrus" or the "Company") announces that it has entered into a binding letter agreement (the "Letter Agreement") with Pyramid Peak Mining, LLC. ("PPM"), a wholly owned subsidiary of Waterton Precious Metals Fund II Cayman, LP ("Waterton"), and Mason Resources (US) Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Hudbay Minerals Inc. ("Hudbay", and collectively with PPM, the "Vendors"), whereby Cirrus would consolidate adjacent mineral property interests, located in the State of New Mexico (collectively the "Lordsburg Property") from the Vendors for a combination of cash and Cirrus common shares (the "Proposed Transaction"). At the completion of the Proposed Transaction, the board of directors of Cirrus (the "Board") is expected to consist of five directors being Rick Van Nieuwenhuyse as Chairman, Daniel Schieber, James Walchuck, Curt Freeman and Stuart Ross . Management is expected to consist of Daniel Schieber as Chief Executive Officer and Blaine Bailey as Chief Financial Officer. Rick Van Nieuwenhuyse (Proposed Chairman) comments: "Finalizing this agreement with Waterton and Hudbay is a huge milestone for Cirrus. This deal consolidates an entire past producing high grade porphyry copper district located in a safe, mining friendly jurisdiction with excellent infrastructure. We are all thrilled about this agreement because we believe there is no better place to explore for and develop a high-quality copper-gold-silver project. Plans are already underway to complete district-wide 3D IP and Magnetotelluric surveys to identify large-scale porphyry and skarn related targets with plans to drill later this year." Lordsburg Property The Lordsburg property is located approximately 5 miles south of the town of Lordsburg in southwestern New Mexico. The area has abundant infrastructure including interstate, rail, and multiple power plants located nearby. The Lordsburg property represents multiple high quality, district scale porphyry related copper-gold-silver targets located immediately adjacent to excellent infrastructure on private patented mining claims and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) public lands. Freeport, BHP and Rio Tinto all have adjacent claim blocks. Targets include classic porphyry and skarn hosted copper-gold-silver mineralization and high-grade copper-gold-silver veins. Historic mining focussed on the high-grade copper-gold-silver veins, most notably with higher copper grades mined from the Bonney and Misers Chest areas with grades ranging from 3-9% Cu (see Figure 1). Historical underground drilling intersected several high-grade zones particularly in the Bonney and Misers Chest areas (Table 1). However, deeper-seated porphyry and skarn targets were never tested except for a small portion of the BB claims where previous owner Entree Gold drilled eight holes that intersected low grade copper and gold mineralization over significant widths (see Figure 1 and Table 2) indicating that the potential for more disseminated, bulk mineable targets exist. Of note are holes EG-L-09-012 and EG-L-08-02, both of which demonstrate improving grades with depth and yet still relatively shallow for a porphyry system. Furthermore, district scale magnetic surveys along with Aster/Hyperspectral and geologic mapping indicate that multiple deep-seated porphyry and skarn deposits remain completely untested. The Company plans to undertake district scale 3D IP and Magnetotelluric surveys to further identify high quality porphyry, skarn, and vein targets with drilling expected to take place later this year. The Lordsburg district sits at the intersection of two major regional structural trends - the northwest trending Texas Lineament and the northeast trending Santa Rita Lineament (see Figure 2). Along the Santa Rita lineament there are two major porphyry districts operated by Freeport - the Tyrone Mine approximately 70 kilometers (45 mile) to the northeast and the Santa Rita-Chino Mine Complex ~100 kilometers (62 miles) northeast of Lordsburg and on the other side of the Burrow Uplift. The Santa Rita-Chino complex has mined over a billion tonnes of skarn and porphyry copper related copper ore. Along the northwest Texas Lineament are several groups of historic and active copper mines including: the Chino-Santa Rita-Tyrone cluster; the Morenci-Safford-Sanchez cluster; and the Miami-Superior-Resolution Cluster. Of particular interest is the Resolution project owned jointly by Rio Tinto and BHP. The regional geologic setting (graben structure filled with Mesozoic volcanics and sediments) and relationship of the porphyry center at the Resolution deposit (1.9 billion tonnes grading 1.5% copper1) to historic high-grade copper veins is very similar to the geologic setting of the Lordsburg district. The Company's objective is to find a high-quality porphyry and skarn system similar to the Santa Rita-Chino or Resolution systems. Management believes that it is in the right geologic setting and neighborhood. Figure 1. Lordsburg location map in southwestern New Mexico To view an enhanced version of Figure 1, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/8445/110066_6f59f0c9c4a1395a_001full.jpg Table 1. Historical drilling on the Lordsburg property Hole From (m) To (m) Length (m) Cu% Ag (ppm) Au (ppm) Pb% Zn% WO-1 29.75 31.85 2.10 9.20 92.89 0.72 n/a n/a WO-2 41.36 43.22 1.71 6.19 42.96 0.18 n/a n/a B-DDH70 48.77 50.60 1.83 4.52 8.03 0.05 n/a n/a B-DDH-74 19.32 22.65 3.32 5.22 28.91 0.42 n/a n/a 85-42 51.82 54.86 3.05 15.00 7.89 1.03 0.24 0.13 DDH-320 105.00 107.59 2.59 6.29 40.97 0.17 0.00 0.00 SFP L-35 32.00 33.53 1.52 5.50 350.00 0.02 0.40 1.20 DDH-338 202.08 203.91 1.83 4.38 16.29 0.51 0.00 0.00 SFP L-21 33.53 36.58 3.05 4.20 19.00 1.00 0.12 0.18 L-2 167.70 168.55 0.85 3.33 0.14 17.14 0.05 0.11 SFP L-35 33.53 35.05 1.52 3.20 100.00 0.02 0.23 0.64 DDH-320 116.13 116.28 0.15 3.18 37.71 0.17 0.00 0.00 Table 2. Entree Gold drill results (2008-2009), Lordsburg Project Hole No. Interval (m) Length (m) Cu % Au (g/t) CuEq* (%) EG-L-08-002 156.0 - 466.0 310.0 0.14 0.08 0.19 Including 182.0 - 211.3 29.3 0.21 0.12 0.28 Including 240.0 - 254.0 14.0 0.33 0.26 0.49 EG-L-08-005 0.0 - 134.0 134.0 0.13 0.12 0.20 EG-L-08-006 11.2 - 130.0 118.8 0.20 0.20 0.32 EG-L-08-007 6.0 - 152.0 146.0 0.13 0.16 0.23 EG-L-08-008 280.0 - 332.0 52.0 0.18 0.05 0.21 EG-L-09-010A 34.0 - 84.0 50.0 0.18 0.21 0.31 And 216.0 - 256.0 40.0 0.15 0.13 0.23 EG-L-09-011 28.0 - 66.0 38.0 0.15 0.20 0.27 EG-L-08-012 96.0 - 252.0 156.0 0.19 0.12 0.26 Including 118.0 - 212.0 94.0 0.25 0.15 0.34 Including 152.0 - 212.0 60.0 0.31 0.21 0.44 * Copper Equivalent (CuEq) has been calculated using assumed metal prices (US$3.00/pound for copper and US$1,250/ounce for gold) and no metallurgical factor. Figure 2. Lordsburg Location map in southwestern New Mexico showing Texas Lineament and Santa Ria Lineament and large porphyry copper districts along regional trends To view an enhanced version of Figure 2, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/8445/110066_6f59f0c9c4a1395a_002full.jpg Proposed Transaction The Letter Agreement sets out the principal terms and conditions upon which Cirrus will acquire the Lordsburg Property from the Vendors, in consideration for Cirrus common shares, cash and NSR royalties as described below. On the closing of the Proposed Transaction (the "Closing") Cirrus would pay to Hudbay, or its designee, the greater of 9,860,000 (pre-Consolidation) common shares of Cirrus ("Cirrus Shares") and 12% of the pro forma capitalization of Cirrus following the Concurrent Equity Offering (as described below); and to PPM or its designee, the greater of (i) 18,000,000 (pre-Consolidation) Cirrus Shares and (ii) 19.99% of the pro forma capitalization of Cirrus following the Concurrent Equity Offering, plus CAD$500,000 in cash. In connection with the completion of the Proposed Transaction, Cirrus will consolidate its outstanding Cirrus Shares (the "Consolidation") on the basis of two (2) pre-Consolidation common shares for each one (1) post-Consolidation common share (the "Post-Consolidation Shares") (subject to corporate and regulatory approval). As at the date hereof, Cirrus has 14,375,000 common shares outstanding. Immediately upon completion of the Consolidation, it is anticipated that Cirrus will have 7,187,500 Post-Consolidation Shares issued and outstanding (excluding the Cirrus Shares to be issued pursuant to the Concurrent Equity Offering). Royalties At Closing, Cirrus will also enter into royalty agreements with the Vendors, under which Cirrus will grant Net Smelter Return Royalties (the " Royalties") on the Lordsburg Property as follows: on the lands purchased from PPM (except for certain excluded claims subject to pre-existing royalties), a 2% NSR will be payable, with PPM to receive a 1.5% NSR and Hudbay 0.5%. Each of these will be subject to a buyback provision whereby half of each royalty (0.75% and 0.25% respectively) can be purchased by Cirrus for $5,000,000 ($3,750,000 to PPM and $1,250,000 to Hudbay); on the lands purchased from Hudbay, a 2% NSR will be payable, with Hudbay to receive a 1.5% NSR and PPM 0.5%. Each of these will be subject to a buyback provision whereby half of each royalty (0.75% and 0.25% respectively) can be purchased by Cirrus for $5,000,000 ($3,750,000 to Hudbay and $1,250,000 to PPM); and In each case, the buyback right will be exercisable until the earlier of 10 years from Closing or the commencement of commercial production on the Lordsburg Property. Milestone Payments In addition to the consideration paid at the Closing as described above, Cirrus will make the following time- dependent payments (the "Milestone Payments") to PPM: the first Milestone Payment due 12 months from Closing (CAD$500,000 cash and $500,000 in Post- Consolidation Shares); the second Milestone Payment due 24 months from Closing (CAD$750,000 cash and $750,000 in Post-Consolidation Shares); and the final Milestone Payment due 36 months from Closing (CAD$1,250,000 in cash and $1,250,000 in Post-Consolidation Shares). Each of the above share issuances is to be calculated using the 20-day volume-weighted average price as at the issuance date, and if any such share issuance, or portion thereof, would result in PPM owning more than 19.99% of the issued and outstanding shares of Cirrus, Cirrus will be required to pay such amount to PPM in cash. Concurrent Equity Offering Cirrus intends to complete a best efforts private placement at a price of $0.50 per Post-Consolidation Share, for gross proceeds of $10,000,000 (the "Concurrent Equity Offering"), in order to finance Cirrus' proposed exploration activities on the Lordsburg Property and for general administrative and working capital. Definitive Agreement The Letter Agreement is to form the basis from which the Parties will negotiate and enter into a Definitive Agreement for the Proposed Transaction (the "Definitive Agreement"). It is anticipated that the Definitive Agreement will contain standard representations, warranties, covenants and closing conditions for a transaction of this nature. While the Letter Agreement governs the relationship between the parties, there can be no assurance that a definitive agreement will be completed or entered into amongst the parties. CSE Matters It is currently expected that the Proposed Transaction would be regarded by the Canadian Securities Exchange (the "CSE"), on which the Cirrus Shares are listed, as a "Fundamental Change" under CSE Policies. As a result, Closing will be subject to the approval of the CSE and all related filing, disclosure and other requirements (including shareholder approval, if applicable). Directors and Officers At the completion of the Proposed Transaction, the Board is expected to consist of five directors being Rick Van Nieuwenhuyse as Chairman, Daniel Schieber, James Walchuck, Curt Freeman and Stuart Ross. Management is expected to consist of Daniel Schieber as Chief Executive Officer and Blaine Bailey as Chief Financial Officer. Until such time that each of the Vendors cease to hold more than 10% of the outstanding Post- Consolidation Shares, or three years following the Closing, whichever is later, PPM and Hudbay will each have the right to nominate one director nominee to the Board. Notes: 1. See Rio Tinto Annual Report on Production, Reserves and Operations dated 2020 and https://www.resolutioncopper.com/about-us.html Qualified Person James Walchuk, a director of Cirrus and a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, has read and approved all technical and scientific information contained in this news release. About the Company Cirrus is engaged in the business of mineral exploration and the acquisition of mineral property assets in Canada. Its objective is to locate and develop economic precious and base metal properties of merit and to conduct its exploration program on the Chuchi South Property. The Chuchi South Property consists of thirteen mineral claims covering an area of 3,118.7 hectares located approximately 185 km northwest of the City of Prince George, within the Omineca Mining Division, British Columbia. For more information, please refer to the Company's prospectus dated July 7, 2021, available on SEDAR (www.sedar.com). Cirrus Gold Corp. For further information, please contact: James Walchuck Chief Executive Officer, President and Director Phone: (778) 372-9888 Email: invest@cirruscopper.com 2710 - 200 Granville Street Vancouver, British Columbia V6C 1S4 Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information This news release includes certain "forward-looking information" under applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information involves risks, uncertainties, and other factors that could cause actual results, performance, prospects, and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Forward-looking information in this news release includes, but is not limited to, statements with respect to: the structure, terms and conditions of the Proposed Transaction; the Concurrent Equity Offering; the Milestone Payments; the Royalties; the proposed slate of directors to be appointed to the Board; the Company's objectives, goals or future plans; the requisite approvals with respect to the Proposed Transaction; and the business, operations, management and capitalization of Cirrus following closing. Forward-looking information is necessarily based on a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Such factors include, but are not limited to: general business, economic and social uncertainties; litigation, legislative, environmental and other judicial, regulatory, political and competitive developments; delay or failure to receive Board, shareholder or regulatory approvals; those additional risks set out in Cirrus' public documents filed on SEDAR at http://www.sedar.com; and other matters discussed in this news release. Accordingly, the forward-looking information discussed in this release, including the completion of the Proposed Transaction and Concurrent Equity Offering, may not occur and could differ materially as a result of these known and unknown risk factors and uncertainties affecting Cirrus. Although Cirrus believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking information are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on this information, which only applies as of the date of this news release, and no assurance can be given that such events will occur in the disclosed time frames or at all. Except where required by law, Cirrus disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward- looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. Reader Advisory Completion of the Proposed Transaction and Concurrent Equity Offering is subject to a number of conditions, including but not limited to CSE acceptance. The Proposed Transaction and Concurrent Equity Offering cannot close until these conditions are satisfied or, if applicable, waived. There can be no assurance that the Proposed Transaction and Concurrent Equity Offering will be completed as proposed or at all. Investors are cautioned that, except as disclosed in the listing statement or other disclosure document to be prepared in connection with the Proposed Transaction and Concurrent Equity Offering, any information released or received with respect to the Proposed Transaction and Concurrent Equity Offering may not be accurate or complete and should not be relied upon. Trading in the securities of Cirrus should be considered highly speculative. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/110066 DGAP Voting Rights Announcement: QIAGEN N.V. QIAGEN N.V.: Release according to Article 40, Section 1 of the WpHG [the German Securities Trading Act] with the objective of Europe-wide distribution 13.01.2022 / 22:02 Dissemination of a Voting Rights Announcement transmitted by DGAP - a service of EQS Group AG. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. The AFM (the Netherlands Authority For the Financial Markets has informed us on January 11, 2022 that a notification related to our institution has been released by the AFM. The following notification has been disclosed in the relevant register on the AFM website: Date of transaction: 05 jan 2022 Person obliged to notify: Goldman Sachs Group Inc., The Issuing institution: Qiagen N.V. Registration Chamber of Commerce: 12036979 Place of residence: VENLO Distribution in numbers Type of share Number of shares Number of voting rights Capital interest Voting rights Manner of disposal Settlement Ordinary share 1.039.364,00 1.039.364,00 Potential Potential Indirectly - Goldman Sachs International Physical Delivery Ordinary share 603.922,00 603.922,00 Potential Potential Indirectly - Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC Physical Delivery Ordinary share 6.212,00 6.212,00 Real Real Indirectly - United Capital Financial Advisers, LLC Physical Delivery Ordinary share 39,00 39,00 Real Real Indirectly - Folio Investments Inc. Physical Delivery Ordinary share 59.097,00 59.097,00 Real Real Indirectly - Goldman Sachs Bank Europe SE Physical Delivery Ordinary share 387.633,00 387.633,00 Real Real Indirectly - Goldman Sachs International Physical Delivery Ordinary share 180.867,00 180.867,00 Real Real Indirectly - Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC Physical Delivery Ordinary share 15.514,00 15.514,00 Potential Potential Indirectly - Goldman Sachs Bank Europe SE Physical Delivery Ordinary share 10.298,00 10.298,00 Real Real Indirectly - The Goldman Sachs Trust Company of Delaware Physical Delivery Convertible bond 756.598,00 756.598,00 Potential Potential Indirectly - Goldman Sachs International Physical Delivery Option 3.863.782,00 3.863.782,00 Potential Potential Indirectly - Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC Physical Delivery Swap 16.703,00 16.703,00 Potential Potential Indirectly - Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC In cash Swap 209.552,00 209.552,00 Potential Potential Indirectly - Goldman Sachs International In cash Warrant 50.630,00 50.630,00 Potential Potential Indirectly - Goldman Sachs Bank Europe SE In cash Distribution in percentages Type Total holding Directly real Directly potential Indirectly real Indirectly potential Capital interest 3,12% 0,00% 0,00% 0,28% 2,84% Voting rights 3,12% 0,00% 0,00% 0,28% 2,84% QIAGEN N.V. is not responsible for the accuracy and correctness of the notification above. The content has been taken from the relevant register of the AFM: https://www.afm.nl/en/professionals/registers/meldingenregisters/substantiele-deelnemingen/details?id=118667 13.01.2022 The DGAP Distribution Services include Regulatory Announcements, Financial/Corporate News and Press Releases. Archive at www.dgap.de Oral abstract presentations will center on new natural feed additive solutions to support optimal intestinal health and microbial balance in poultry. Two Amlan-sponsored TECHTalks presentations by leading industry researchers will focus on the impact of intestinal microbiota, applications of a Mycotoxin Risk algorithm, and opportunities to improve intestinal health. IPPE attendees will be able to hear about Amlan technology, interact with Amlan experts, and even hold Amlan's mineral in their hands at booth B5255. CHICAGO, Jan. 13, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Amlan International, a global leader in natural, mineral-based feed additives for poultry and livestock production, will provide comprehensive and concise information about natural feed additives that improve the sustainability of poultry production by leveraging unique mineral technology to support optimal intestinal health, to attendees of the International Production and Processing Expo (IPPE) on Jan. 25-27, 2022, in Atlanta, GA. "Increasing global restrictions on the use of in-feed antibiotics has created a critical need for natural, drug-free feed additives that can help support optimum health and productivity in poultry," says Fred Kao, Vice President of Global Sales with Amlan International. The global Amlan team invites IPPE attendees to learn more about the Amlan difference in bringing innovative solutions to improve the welfare and sustainability of food production while also ensuring optimum production efficiency. "Amlan's core competency and competitive advantage will be on display throughout IPPE this year," says Heath Wessels, Amlan's Director of Sales for North America. "Attendees will be able to hear about our technology, interact with our experts and even hold our mineral in their hands at our booth." During Alman's educational TECHTalk presentations, renowned poultry industry experts will share new information on tackling poultry industry challenges. "Oral abstracts and posters of our innovative product R&D will be presented by Amlan researchers during the International Poultry Scientific Forum (IPSF). And during the IPPE trade show at the Amlan booth (B5255), attendees are invited to spend time in conversation with our representatives about key issues impacting the global poultry and livestock industry," says Wade Robey, PhD, Vice President of Marketing and Product Development. State-of-the-Art Research to be Presented at TECHTalks State-of-the-art research about microbial populations inhabiting the intestinal content and the intestinal mucosa of poultry and livestock will be presented by Gerardo M. Nava, DVM, PhD, MSc, Professor of Microbiology at the Universidad Autonoma de Queretaro, Mexico. Nava's presentation, Intestinal Microbiota: Opportunities to Improve Intestinal Health, Welfare & Productivity, will be presented January 26, 2022, at 3:30 p.m. Eastern Time (ET), in Hall B, booth B3649. Carlos Augusto Mallmann, PhD, with the Laboratory of Mycotoxicological Analysis of Federal University of Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, is one of the world's leading experts in mycotoxins in poultry and livestock production. Mallmann will speak on understanding and implementing the Mycotoxin Risk algorithm, based on variables used to develop a reliable system for diagnosing mycotoxicosis. Mallmann's TECHTalk, The Mycotoxin Risk, will be January 27, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. Eastern, in Hall B, booth B3649. IPSF Oral and Poster Abstracts During the IPSF, January 24-25, 2022, Amlan experts will present two oral abstracts and two posters, selected by IPSF, detailing research designed to support optimal poultry intestinal health and bring the latest production technology to producers. The research presented in the oral abstracts was conducted in collaboration with Imunova Analises Biologicas and University of Arkansas. Oral Abstract: M52, a novel natural feed additive, preserved mucosal immune and intestinal microbial homeostasis of broilers challenged with Eimeria spp. by Hongyu Xue 1 , Fernanda Rigo 2 , Breno Beirao 2 , Celso Favaro 2 and Max Ingberman 2 ; 1 Amlan International, Chicago, IL, USA; 2 Imunova Analises Biologicas, Curitiba, Parana, Brazil. Presented January 25, 2022, at 10:15 a.m. ET, in B314. by Hongyu Xue , Fernanda Rigo , Breno Beirao , Celso Favaro and Max Ingberman ; Amlan International, Chicago, IL, USA; Imunova Analises Biologicas, Curitiba, Parana, Brazil. Presented January 25, 2022, at 10:15 a.m. ET, in B314. Oral Abstract: A220, an all-natural feed additive, reduced Salmonella intestinal colonization in broilers and tuned down SPI-1 type III secretion system (TTSS) virulence machinery by Hongyu Xue 1 , Dongping Wang 1 , LeAnn Johnston 1 , Billy Hargis 2 and Guillermo Tellez 2 ; 1 Amlan International, Chicago, IL, USA; 2 Department of Poultry Science, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, USA. Presented January 25, 2022, at 8:45 a.m. ET, in B315. by Hongyu Xue , Dongping Wang , LeAnn Johnston , Billy Hargis and Guillermo Tellez ; Amlan International, Chicago, IL, USA; Department of Poultry Science, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, USA. Presented January 25, 2022, at 8:45 a.m. ET, in B315. Poster number P319: M52, a natural coccidiostat, improved performance, fecal oocyst shedding and intestinal lesion score of Eimeria -infected broilers by Hongyu Xue 1 , San Ching 1 , and LeAnn Johnston 1 ; 1 Amlan International, Chicago, IL, USA. by Hongyu Xue , San Ching , and LeAnn Johnston ; Amlan International, Chicago, IL, USA. Poster number P320: In vitro and in vivo evaluation of A220, as an in-feed antibiotic alternative for enteric pathogen control in poultry and swine by Hongyu Xue1, LeAnn Johnston1, San Ching1 and Dongping Wang1. 1Amlan International, Chicago, IL, USA. IPPE Booth B5255 Amlan representatives will be interacting with trade show attendees and focusing on Amlan's core competency of offering consistent, high-value, mineral-based intestinal health feed additives with both producers and the world in mind. Amlan's products are formulated with safe, natural ingredients that reduce the inputs needed to raise poultry and livestock, helping to decrease the cost and environmental impact of production. Amlan's unique mineral originates and is processed in the United States and shipped globally from a single source. Amlan products are backed-by extensive research and is supported by Amlan's parent company, Oil-Dri's vertical integration. IPPE will be held in Atlanta, GA, in the Georgia World Congress Center, January 25-27, 2022. Following IPPE, information shared will be available at www.amlan.com. Company Information Amlan is the animal health business of Oil-Dri Corporation of America, a leading global manufacturer and marketer of sorbent minerals. Oil-Dri leverages over 80 years of expertise in mineral science to selectively mine and process their unique mineral for consumer and business-to-business markets. Oil-Dri Corporation of America doing business as "Amlan International" is a publicly traded stock on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: ODC). Amlan International sells feed additives across the world. Product availability may vary by country, associated claims do not constitute medical claims and may differ based on government requirements. Reagan Culbertson Media Contact press@amlan.com LAS VEGAS, NV / ACCESSWIRE / January 13, 2022 / Golden Matrix Group Inc. (OTCQX:GMGI), a developer and licensor of online gaming platforms, systems and gaming content, today reported that it had achieved record revenues of $9,333,492 in the nine-month transition period ended October 31, 2021. The company has recently changed its fiscal year from January 31 to October 31. Highlights for the Nine Months Ended October 31, 2021: Revenues of $9,333,492 in the nine-month transition period ended October 31, 2021, an increase of 185% on revenues of $3,271,653 in the comparable year-ago nine-month period. Net income of $648,072 versus net income of $345,922 in the comparable year-ago nine-month period. Adjusted EBITDA of $1,654,187 when excluding interest expense, interest income, amortization expense and stock-based compensation expense. * Cash on hand of $16,797,656 and total assets of $20,458,948, up from $11,706,349 and $13,814,547, respectively, as of January 31, 2021. Total liabilities of $1,530,839, up from $552,610 as of January 31, 2021. Shareholders' equity of $18,928,109, up from $13,261,937 as of January 31, 2021. Operator and registered user numbers top 520 and 5.3 million, respectively, as of October 31, 2021. Aggregation gambling platform (GM-Ag) currently adopted by nine operators in five countries. Subsequent event: Acquisition of 80 percent controlling ownership interest in UK-based RKings marks GMGI's entry into its first regulated market in the B2C space, and meaningful expansion into a key geographic market outside of the Asia Pacific (APAC) region. The company also noted it has recorded 13 consecutive quarters of profitability. The significant increase in nine-month revenues over the revenues recorded in the comparable year-ago nine-month period was primarily a result of GMGI's increased number of gaming operators and their registered players. The improved performance was also attributable to strong revenue contributions from non-related-party distributors, which accounted for an increase in cost of goods sold and a decrease in gross profit margin. Additionally, a noncash charge of $359,419 for stock-based compensation also contributed to an increase in cost of goods sold. While GMGI's revenues have been derived traditionally from licensing fees received from gaming operators located in the Asia Pacific (APAC) region, the company has started to expand into new geographic markets through the adoption of GM-Ag, its aggregate gambling platform introduced in August 2021, and the recent acquisition of 80 percent controlling ownership interest in UK-based RKings Competitions Ltd. (www.rkingscompetitions.com), a scalable B2C platform that generated revenues in excess of approximately $30 million USD in its recent fiscal year ended October 31, 2021. GMGI and RKings now share the same fiscal year going forward, and contributions from RKings are expected to boost revenues and cash flow and be immediately accretive to GMGI earnings moving forward. "Considering these developments," said Golden Matrix CEO Brian Goodman, "we are extremely pleased with the implementation of our long-term growth strategy. As a complement to the strong revenue growth being generated by our GM-X platform, we expect adoptions of the GM-Ag platform to increase in multiple regions as operators appreciate the distinct benefits it offers: a diverse portfolio of gaming products on one single platform that can be integrated seamlessly with their existing business systems, as well as value-added features such as player acquisition and retention tools. "Also, the recent RKings transaction is highly significant because it accomplishes two important objectives: our entry into a high-growth and profitable B2C vertical, and expansion into the dynamic UK market, with the opportunity to expand RKings' unique program into other countries. This and other strategic opportunities now under consideration are expected to serve to facilitate our entry into additional B2B and B2C markets, improve operating margins, accelerate both revenues and earnings, and expand the company's global footprint." Mr. Goodman concluded, "As a result, we anticipate Golden Matrix demonstrating accelerated growth and strong financial performance in this new fiscal year; and we are grateful to all our stakeholders for their continued support." For additional information on Golden Matrix's financial performance, please refer to the Company's Transition Report on 10-K, for the transition period ended October 31, 2021, available at https://www.otcmarkets.com/stock/GMGI/disclosure or www.sec.gov. * Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure. See also "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" and "Reconciliation of Net Income attributable to Golden Matrix Group Inc., to Adjusted Earnings excluding Interest Expense, Interest Income, Amortization Expense and Stock-based Compensation Expense" included in the tables at the end of this release. A summary of the Company's performance and highlights can be found at www.goldenmatrix.com/highlights. About Golden Matrix Golden Matrix Group, based in Las Vegas NV, is an established gaming technology company that develops and owns online gaming IP and builds configurable and scalable white-label social gaming platforms for its international customers, located primarily in the Asia Pacific region. The gaming IP includes tools for marketing, acquisition, retention and monetization of users. The Company's platform can be accessed through both desktop and mobile applications. Our sophisticated software automatically declines any gaming or redemption requests from within the United States, in strict compliance with current US law. Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements made in this press release contain forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws ("forward-looking statements"). These forward-looking statements represent the Company's current expectations or beliefs concerning future events and can generally be identified using statements that include words such as "estimate," "expects," "project," "believe," "anticipate," "intend," "plan," "foresee," "forecast," "likely," "will," "target" or similar words or phrases. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are outside of the Company's control which could cause actual results to differ materially from the results expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Company; the need for additional financing, the terms of such financing and the availability of such financing; the ability of the Company to manage growth; the Company's ability to complete acquisitions and the available funding for such acquisitions; disruptions caused by acquisitions; dilution caused by fund raising and/or acquisitions; the Company's expectations for future growth, revenues, and profitability; the Company's expectations regarding future plans and timing thereof; the Company's reliance on its management; the fact that the Company's chief executive officer has voting control over the Company; related party relationships; the potential effect of economic downturns and market conditions on the Company's operations and prospects; the Company's ability to protect proprietary information; the ability of the Company to compete in its market; the Company's lack of effective internal controls; dilution caused by efforts to obtain additional financing; the effect of future regulation, the Company's ability to comply with regulations and potential penalties in the event it fails to comply with such regulations; the risks associated with gaming fraud, user cheating and cyber-attacks; risks associated with systems failures and failures of technology and infrastructure on which the Company's programs rely; foreign exchange and currency risks; the outcome of contingencies, including legal proceedings in the normal course of business; the ability to compete against existing and new competitors; the ability to manage expenses associated with sales and marketing and necessary general and administrative and technology investments; and general consumer sentiment and economic conditions that may affect levels of discretionary customer purchases of the Company's products. Although we believe that our plans, intentions and expectations reflected in or suggested by the forward-looking statements we make in this release are reasonable, we provide no assurance that these plans, intentions or expectations will be achieved. Consequently, you should not consider any such list to be a complete set of all potential risks and uncertainties. More information on potential factors that could affect the Company's financial results is included from time to time in the "Forward-Looking Statements," "Risk Factors" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" sections of the Company's periodic and current filings with the SEC, including the Form 10-Qs and Form 10-Ks, filed with the SEC and available at www.sec.gov. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise that occur after that date, except as otherwise provided by law. Non-GAAP Financial Measures Adjusted EBITDA, which is disclosed below, is a "non-GAAP financial measure" presented as a supplemental measure of the Company's performance. Adjusted EBITDA is not presented in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, or GAAP. Adjusted EBITDA represents net income before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and stock-based compensation. Adjusted EBITDA is presented because we believe it provides additional useful information to investors due to the various noncash items during the period. Adjusted EBITDA is not recognized in accordance with GAAP, is unaudited, and has limitations as an analytical tool, and you should not consider it in isolation, or as substitutes for analysis of the Company's results as reported under GAAP. Some of these limitations are: Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect cash expenditures, or future requirements for capital expenditures, or contractual commitments; Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect changes in, or cash requirements for, working capital needs; Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect the significant interest expense, or the cash requirements necessary to service interest or principal payments, on debt or cash income tax payments; although depreciation and amortization are noncash charges, the assets being depreciated and amortized will often have to be replaced in the future, and Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect any cash requirements for such replacements; and other companies in this industry may calculate Adjusted EBITDA differently than the Company does, limiting its usefulness as a comparative measure. The Company's presentation of these measures should not be construed as an inference that future results will be unaffected by unusual or nonrecurring items. For more information on these non-GAAP financial measures, please see the section titled "Reconciliation of Net Income attributable to Golden Matrix Group Inc., to Adjusted Earnings excluding Interest Expense, Interest Income, Amortization Expense and Stock-based Compensation Expense" included at the end of this release. Connect with us: Twitter - https://twitter.com/GMGI_Group Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/goldenmatrixgroup/" Golden Matrix Group Contact: Scott Yan info@goldenmatrix.com www.goldenmatrix.com Golden Matrix Group, Inc and Subsidiary Consolidated Balance Sheets October 31, January 31, 2021 2021 ASSETS Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 16,797,656 $ 11,706,349 Accounts receivable, net 1,762,725 1,040,410 Accounts receivable - related parties 1,306,896 656,805 Prepaid expenses 114,426 410,983 Short-term deposit 61,799 - Total current assets $ 20,043,502 $ 13,814,547 Non-current assets: Operating lease right-of-use assets 280,183 - Intangible assets - net of amortization 135,263 - Total non-current assets 415,446 Total assets $ 20,458,948 $ 13,814,547 LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY Current liabilities: Accounts payable and accrued liabilities $ 1,074,786 $ 78,913 Accounts payable - related parties 105,062 208,521 Current portion of operating lease liability 100,209 - Customer deposits 68,635 149,640 Accrued interest 123 123 Advances from shareholders - 99 Consideration payable - related party - in default - 115,314 Total current liabilities 1,348,815 552,610 Non-current liabilities: Non-current portion of operating lease liability 182,024 - Total non-current liabilities 182,024 - Total liabilities $ 1,530,839 $ 552,610 Shareholders' equity: Preferred stock: $0.00001 par value; 20,000,000 shares authorized - - Preferred stock, Series B: $0.00001 par value, 1,000 shares designated, 1,000 and 1,000 shares issued and outstanding, respectively - - Common stock: $0.00001 par value; 40,000,000 and 40,000,000 shares authorized; 27,231,401 and 22,741,665 shares issued and outstanding, respectively $ 272 $ 227 Additional paid-in capital 43,354,366 38,320,729 Stock payable - 7,420 Stock payable - related party - 7,420 Accumulated other comprehensive loss -1,720 -978 Accumulated deficit -24,424,809 -25,072,881 Total shareholders' equity 18,928,109 13,261,937 Total liabilities and shareholders' equity $ 20,458,948 $ 13,814,547 Golden Matrix Group, Inc and Subsidiary Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income Nine Months Ended Year Ended Six Months Ended Year Ended 31-Oct-21 31-Jan-21 31-Jan-20 July 31, 2019 Revenues-related party $ 1,525,091 $ 2,248,877 $ 1,087,816 $ 2,429,442 Revenues 7,808,401 2,974,182 670,783 452,771 Total revenues 9,333,492 5,223,059 1,758,599 2,882,213 Cost of goods sold -6,050,508 -2,000,052 -57,224 -21,998 Gross profit 3,282,984 3,223,007 1,701,375 2,860,215 Costs and expenses: G&A expense 1,112,986 566,593 149,177 321,339 G&A expense- related party 982,023 2,050,440 540,073 406,490 Compensation expense - Acquisition cost - related party - - - 90,873 Professional fees 287,383 159,091 26,944 60,631 Research and development expense 149,738 47,558 - - Bad debt expense - - 10,839 168,557 Total operating expenses 2,532,130 2,823,682 727,033 1,047,890 Gain from operations 750,854 399,325 974,342 1,812,325 Other income (expense): Interest expense - -11,852 -26,227 -45,350 Interest income 201 1,611 18,659 8,120 Foreign exchange gain (loss) -62,983 8,996 - - Other expense -40,000 - - - Gain (Loss) on extinguishment of debt - - - -106 Loss on derivative liability - - - -5,081 Total other expense -102,782 -1,245 -7,568 -42,417 Net income $ 648,072 $ 398,080 $ 966,774 $ 1,769,908 Other comprehensive loss Foreign currency translation adjustment -742 - - - Total comprehensive income $ 647,330 $ 398,080 $ 966,774 $ 1,769,908 Net earnings (loss) per common share - basic $ 0.03 $ 0.02 $ 0.05 $ 0.09 Net earnings (loss) per common share -diluted $ 0.02 $ 0.01 $ 0.03 $ 0.06 Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - basic 23,884,563 19,953,819 18,968,792 18,764,007 Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - diluted 32,278,224 31,588,555 27,862,743 27,593,734 Reconciliation of Net Income attributable to Golden Matrix Group Inc., to Adjusted Earnings excluding Interest Expense, Interest Income, Amortization Expense and Stock-based Compensation Expense Nine Months Ended October 31 2021 2020 GAAP Net Income $648,072 $345,922 + Interest Expense - $10,897 - Interest Income ($201) ($1,570) + Amortization Expense $38,737 - + Stock-based Compensation Expense $967,579 $1,234,257 Non-GAAP Adjusted EBITDA $1,654,187 $1,589,506 See also "Non-GAAP Financial Measures", above. SOURCE: Golden Matrix Group Inc. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/681994/Golden-Matrix-Reports-Record-Revenues-of-933-Million-for-the-Nine-Month-Transition-Period-Ended-October-31-2021 PORT HUENEME, CA / ACCESSWIRE / January 13, 2022 / Recognized as being the fourth largest container port on the West Coast, the Port of Hueneme recently secured a new charter vessel with FedEx Logistics. The vessel, the first of three, departed on January 4th from Port Humen, China and is set to arrive by the end of January 2022. The charter vessel has a capacity of 300 53 ft. containers per sailing that contains electronics, automotive materials, and garments, as well as general department store merchandise, which are essential items that will get to the store shelves right away for purchasing. The first of three vessels transporting FEDEX shipping containers is set to arrive at the Port of Hueneme at the end of January 2022. "Our long-standing joint use agreement with Naval Base Ventura County is the foundation of a dynamic partnership used to create solutions like these while increasing operational efficiency in the maritime industry", said Commissioner Jason T. Hodge, President of the Oxnard Harbor District that owns the Port of Hueneme. "At the Port of Hueneme, we take these challenges and turn them into opportunities. When We Make Cargo Move, we can do our part to alleviate congestion at other West Coast ports and get important products into the hands of U.S. consumers," said Kristin Decas, CEO & Port Director. "Doing so reduces emissions from idling trucks and vessels waiting in long lines while helping the overall supply chain." Front row left to right: Dona Lacayo, Port of Hueneme; Carlton Blair, UCM; Kristin Decas, Port of Hueneme; Jim Rinchiuso, FedEx; Melody Lucas, FedEx; Hank Harden, UCM; Todd Holder, T&T Truck and Crate. Back row left to right: Christina Birdsey, Port of Hueneme; Kevin Beirne, Ceres Marine Terminals; Brian Kern, Ceres Marine Terminals; Andrew Palomares, Port of Hueneme; Bryan O'Dell, UCM; Tony Ryan, Port of Hueneme; Darrin Heisch, U.S. Customs & Border Protection; Dennis Wilson, U.S. Customs & Border Protection. "The Navy, and Naval Base Ventura County, greatly value our long-standing relationships with the Port of Hueneme and our local communities," said Capt. Robert "Bar" Kimnach III, commanding officer, Naval Base Ventura County. "Working together through our standing Joint Use Agreement, we've enabled a few creative solutions for a complex challenge that will help alleviate some of the supply chain congestion." "FedEx Logistics is thrilled to collaborate with everyone at Port of Hueneme as we put our collective strength and expertise together to create a value-added solution for our customers, while helping to alleviate pressure at the ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles," said Udo Lange, President & CEO, FedEx Logistics. About the Port of Hueneme The Port of Hueneme is one of the most productive and efficient commercial trade gateways for niche cargo on the West Coast. The Port is governed by five locally elected Port Commissioners. The Port moves $10.85 billion in goods each year and consistently ranks among the top ten U.S. ports for automobiles and fresh produce. Port operations support the community by bringing $1.7 billion in economic activity and creating 15,834 trade-related jobs. Trade through the Port of Hueneme generates more than $119 million in direct and related state and local taxes, which fund vital community services. In 2017, the Port of Hueneme became the first port in California to become Green Marine certified and was voted the Greenest Port in the U.S. at the Green Shipping Summit. About FedEx Logistics FedEx Logistics plays a key role within the FedEx portfolio with its comprehensive suite of specialty logistics solutions. The company provides air and ocean freight forwarding, supply chain solutions, customs brokerage, and trade management tools and data from a single trusted source. For more information, visit www.fedex.com/en-us/logistics.html. PRESS CONTACTS Letitia Austin Port of Hueneme (805) 816-8324 laustin@portofh.org Christina Meek FedEx (901) 304-9495 christina.meek@fedex.com SOURCE: Port of Hueneme View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/683444/FedEx-and-Port-of-Hueneme-Find-Innovative-Solutions-to-Supply-Chain-Congestion-Chartering-Vessels-from-Asia Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - January 13, 2022) - PharmaDrug Inc. (CSE: PHRX) (OTC: LMLLF) ("PharmaDrug" or the "Company"), a specialty pharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of controlled-substances and natural medicines such as psychedelics, cannabis and naturally-derived approved drugs, announces that Mr. Robert Schwartz has resigned from the board of directors of the Company (the "Board"), and the Board has accepted his resignation. The Company thanks Mr. Schwartz for his valuable contributions and wishes him every success in his future endeavors. Effective immediately, the Company will appoint current Board member David Kideckel to replace Mr. Schwartz on the Company's Audit Committee. Mr. Kideckel recently joined the Board on August 30th, 2021 and has over 20 years of combined industry and capital markets experience, most recently serving as Managing Director, Senior Institutional Equity Research Analyst at ATB Capital Markets. The Company will not be appointing any new Board members at this time as no Board members were removed in connection with Mr. Kideckel's appointment. About PharmaDrug Inc. PharmaDrug is a specialty pharmaceutical company focused on the research, development and commercialization of controlled-substances and natural medicines such as psychedelics, cannabis and naturally-derived approved drugs. PharmaDrug owns 100% of Pharmadrug Production GmbH ("Pharmadrug Production"), a German medical cannabis distributor, with a Schedule I European Union narcotics license and German EuGMP certification allowing for the importation and distribution of medical cannabis to pharmacies in Germany and throughout the European Union. PharmaDrug acquired Sairiyo Therapeutics ("Sairiyo") in 2021, a biotech company that specializes in researching and reformulating established natural medicines with a goal of bringing them through clinical trials and the associated regulatory approval process in the US and Europe. Sairiyo is currently developing its patented reformulation of cepharanthine, a drug that has shown substantial third party validated potential for the treatment of Covid-19 and rare cancers. Sairiyo is also conducting R&D in the psychedelics space for the treatment of non-neuropsychiatric conditions. The Company also owns 100% of Super Smart, a company building a vertically integrated retail business with the goal to elevate the use of functional mushrooms, and psilocybin mushrooms where federally legal, as natural based medicines. For further information, please contact: Daniel Cohen, Chairman and CEO dcohen@pharmadrug.co (647) 202-1824 Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Information: THE CANADIAN SECURITIES EXCHANGE HAS NOT REVIEWED NOR DOES IT ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE. This press release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein are 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 development and commercialization of cepharanthine, the results of the Company's research and development in the psychedelics space and the development of the Supersmart business . 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 execute on its plans for the Company and its affiliated entities; the ability to obtain required regulatory approvals and the Company's continued response and ability to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic being consistent with, or better than, its ability and response to date. Forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Such risks and other factors may include, but are not limited to: general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; general capital market conditions and market prices for securities; the actual results of the Company's future operations; competition; changes in legislation affecting the Company; the ability to obtain and maintain required permits and approvals, the timing and availability of external financing on acceptable terms; lack of qualified, skilled labour or loss of key individuals; risks related to the COVID-19 pandemic including various recommendations, orders and measures of governmental authorities to try to limit the pandemic, including travel restrictions, border closures, non-essential business closures, service disruptions, quarantines, self-isolations, shelters-in-place and social distancing, disruptions to markets, economic activity, financing, supply chains and sales channels, and a deterioration of general economic conditions; and a deterioration of financial markets 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. 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. The Company's securities have not been registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act"), or applicable state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold to, or for the account or benefit of, persons in the United States or "U.S. Persons", as such term is defined in Regulations under the U.S. Securities Act, absent registration or an applicable exemption from such registration requirements. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the securities in the United States or any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. 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. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/110067 The January edition of Mining Global includes interviews with leading experts and executives from Aggreko, Ferrexpo, and Quarry Mining. LONDON, Jan. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- BizClik Media Group,the UK's fastest growing publishing company, has published the January edition of Mining Global magazine . The digital edition of Mining Global is a trusted industry source for in-depth reports and interviews with the leading minds in the mining industry. This month's edition features an extensive lead interview with Ana Milena Vasquez, Executive Vice President, Collective Mining, who is promoting greater gender inclusion in the mining sector as well as ESG and sustainability issues. "I have learned that this is an industry that has the potential to transform lives and improve the livelihoods of local communities," she said. "I believe countries like Colombia have a huge opportunity to defeat poverty and inequality through the sustainable development of its natural resources." The January edition also contains extensive interviews with key thought leaders such as Jim North, Interim CEO at Ferrexpo; Moritz Kerler and Christian Drewes, CEO and Technical Director/Deputy General Manager at Quarry Mining respectively; Rod Saffy and George Whyte from Aggreko, which is embarking on a new phase of industrial sustainability; and Robin Batterham from the University of Melbourne. Dominic Ellis, Editor in Chief of Mining Global, said: "It promises to be an exciting year ahead for the mining industry, which is embracing emerging technologies and rising to the challenges of decarbonisation." You can visit Mining Global for daily news and analysis of the ever-changing mining industry, or click here to read the digital magazine. About BizClik Media Group BizClik Media Group (BMG) is one of the UK's fastest growing media companies with a global portfolio of leading industry, business and lifestyle digital communities. BizClik's expanding portfolio includes Technology, AI, FinTech, InsurTech, Supply Chain, Procurement, Energy, Mining, Manufacturing, Construction, Healthcare, Mobile, Data Centres, Cyber, and Sustainability. For more information, please visit https://www.bizclikmedia.com/ Media Contact: Kathryn Webb kathryn.webb@bizclikmeda.com A highly respected top jails investigator says Mayor Adams new correction commissioner abruptly fired her after demanding she get rid of an impossibly large number of pending use-of-force disciplinary cases against staff. Sarena Townsend, who was praised by the federal monitor overseeing Rikers Island, told the Daily News that Correction Commissioner Louis Molinas request she do away with 2,000 cases in 100 days was crazy. Advertisement Sarena Townsend says she was abruptly fired from her job as top Department of Correction investigator after resisting pressure to purge a backlog of staff disciplinary cases. (Barry Williams/for New York Daily News) He either didnt understand the process or he just wanted me to dismiss cases, said Townsend, the former deputy commissioner of investigations and trials. That was troubling. " Molinas predecessor, Vincent Schiraldi, said the demand may signal the unions are running the place. Advertisement People have a right to due process in disciplinary cases, so the only way to rapidly get rid of thousands of cases is to have a fire sale, Schiraldi said. If the unions take every case to trial, he said, the Correction Department would have to offer ridiculously low outcomes for very serious cases. Thats inappropriate. New DOC Commissioner Louis Molina at his introduction at Brooklyn Borough Hall. (Barry Williams/for New York Daily News) Townsends account of her unexpected firing, shared exclusively with the Daily News, comes amid rapidly shifting power dynamics at Rikers Island. The jail unions frequently clashed with Mayor de Blasio and Schiraldi, who they criticized for coddling increasingly violent inmates. Those same unions have praised the appointment of Molina, a former NYPD detective and chief of the Las Vegas Department of Public Safety. Meanwhile, Rikers Island has been mired since last summer in what elected officials have described as an ongoing humanitarian crisis. An estimated 200 inmates are currently on a hunger strike over miserable conditions and lack of basic services. Townsends firing has implications for federal oversight of the jails. On Nov. 22, Manhattan Federal Judge Laura Taylor Swain named Townsend the Correction Departments disciplinary manager. Swain ordered that the department have a bona fide reason to replace her. The department also had to explain to the federal monitor if she was let go. Mayor de Blasio during a tour of Rikers Island with then-Department of Correction Commissioner Vincent Schiraldi. (Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office/Michael Appleton) Molina has not publicly explained his decision for dismissing Townsend, who faced relentless criticism from jail unions. During Tuesdays Board of Correction meeting, Molina referred to an unspecified personnel matter as a reason for the firing. In a statement to The News, the Correction Department said dismissing Townsend was within Molinas authority. Advertisement Every commissioner has full discretion on personnel decisions, and the suggestion that we would intentionally ignore outstanding disciplinary cases is outrageous and unrealistic, given our work with the federal monitor in this area, the statement said. We will continue to follow well-established disciplinary guidelines and protocols. Adams said he trusted Molina to get Rikers under his control. We have to allow him to build his team, Adams added. Townsends firing stunned jail observers. On Dec. 22, the federal monitor praised her work reducing a backlog of roughly 8,000 disciplinary cases. Deputy Commissioner Townsend is highly competent and possesses the qualities and expertise needed to fill this role, the monitor wrote. [Her] continued leadership and expertise is critical to the success of this reform effort. Rikers Island is in the midst of what is widely described as a humanitarian crisis. (Seth Wenig/AP) The monitor has repeatedly cited the disciplinary backlog on use-of-force cases against staff, some which have been pending for three years, for a lack of timely accountability that fuels dysfunction at the jail. Advertisement The overall disciplinary process is convoluted and inefficient and the system is overwhelmed, the monitor wrote in June 2021. The decision to fire her, Townsend suspects, was put in motion following a Dec. 17 meeting at Correction Department headquarters. Adams, then the mayor-elect, had introduced Molina as his pick for commissioner the day prior. He wanted to talk about discipline, caseload and the backlog. He says, How are you going to get rid of 2,000 cases in the first 100 days? Townsend said. Advertisement Im thinking, Thats crazy. And those specific numbers led me to believe he already had a conversation with someone, and it told me he knows nothing about being a lawyer litigating cases. Townsend had just struck a deal with the federal monitor to close out 400 cases by April, a number she saw as a major accomplishment. Mayor Adams' pick for DOC commissioner has been widely praised by jail unions. (Barry Williams/for New York Daily News) Molinas demand to dismiss 2,000 cases didnt make sense, she said, because litigation over discipline requires agreement from both sides. Townsend suggested she could refocus on non-use-of-force cases, like off-duty arrests , but she said there were clear guidelines she had to follow on uses of force. He said, Well, I dont know if we have to adhere to those guidelines for-use-of force cases, she said. I was in an awkward position. I was disciplinary manager. He would have to put in writing why he disagreed and give it to the monitor. I didnt say anything at that time. Advertisement Molina then asked her how many cases she could dismiss outright, she said. What kind of an investigator would I have been had I agreed? she said. The cases are on video. The evidence is there. We can argue about penalty, but you cant ask me to just dismiss cases. Townsend agreed to examine the non-use-of-force cases and explained the process. I see his eyes drifting off, she said. Then he said once again, Can you get 2,000 cases done in 100 days? Right back to the same talking point. The Correction Officers Benevolent Association declined comment. Townsend joined the Department of Correction in 2016 after a career at the Brooklyn district attorneys office. She was promoted in 2018 to deputy commissioner of investigations and trials and in 2021 assumed control of the intelligence bureau. Advertisement She was known as being a tenacious advocate, for being an excellent colleague, universally respected for her professionalism and her skill, said Adam Uris, a former prosecutor in Brooklyn who is now a defense lawyer. The backlog of staff disciplinary cases at Rikers has been cited as a key factor driving ongoing dysfunction. (Spencer Platt/Getty Images) My impression was that she was conscientious and diligent and doing the best she could under very difficult circumstances to bring a higher level of accountability to the process and we were somewhat perplexed by the summary dismissal, said civil rights lawyer Jonathan Abady, one of the lawyers involved in the lawsuit that resulted in the monitors oversight. Advertisement Nadene Pinnock, the departments deputy commissioner for human resources, delivered the message that Townsend had been fired on Jan. 3. She said, At this time, the commissioner has chosen to separate you from the agency. I felt like I was punched in the gut. My first words were, Are you serious? Townsend recalled. Pinnock told her it was Molinas decision, but gave no reason why, she said. She said I cant speak for him, she said. Pinnock declined Townsends request to speak with Molina. The firing was effective immediately. I did cry then because I couldnt say goodbye to my staff, I couldnt tie up loose ends, she said. The Daily News Flash Weekdays Catch up on the days top five stories every weekday afternoon. > She said she surrendered her phone and badge and was perp-walked out of Correction Department headquarters. Advertisement Ive never experienced anything so surreal in my life, she told The News. At the Board of Correction meeting Tuesday, Correction Department general counsel Asim Rehman touted the reduction in the disciplinary backlog without crediting Townsend. The department has made very strong strides in the timeliness of its investigations of use-of-force incidents, he said. ATLANTA (dpa-AFX) - Delta Airlines Inc. (DAL) said on Thursday that around 8,000 of its 75,000 employees had tested Covid-19 positive over the last four weeks, thus impacting the company's finances, during a usually peak holiday travel season. Delta reported a loss for the quarter and forecast another for the next three months of the year because of the fast-spreading omicron variant. The airlines, however, has predicted that travel would be back to normal by late February. A succession of winter storms and many airline crews getting affected by Omicron infections led to more than 20,000 U.S. flight cancellations during the peak season of Christmas Eve and the first week of January. Flight cancellations have slowed down in the past few days with Delta Airlines saying that its operation has since stabilized and that only a small percent of its flights were cancelled over the past week because of omicron. Delta Airlines said in a statement that those employees who had tested positive had no major health issues. Late last year, Delta had updated its sick leave policy for employees who test positive for Covid-19, giving them five days of pay, outside of sick banks, and an additional two days if they test positive on the fifth day. Earlier, staff got 10 days of paid leave for Covid infections, aside from the regular sick days. That came after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updated its guidelines for Covid quarantining, halving its recommendation to five days. Delta and other airlines had urged the CDC to make the change. The largest U.S. flight attendants union criticized Delta's policy. Sara Nelson, president of the Association of Flight Attendants, tweeted last week that Delta 'is telling workers across work groups that they should come to work w/ symptoms even if someone in the household tested positive.' She also said that positive workers were told to 'come to work after 5 days if the fever is below 100.9, even if still testing positive.' Delta has issued a statement defending its policy and saying that it was a per CDC guidance. Copyright(c) 2022 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX DELTA AIR LINES-Aktie komplett kostenlos handeln - auf Smartbroker.de Plymouth, Massachusetts--(Newsfile Corp. - January 13, 2022) - Plymouth Rock Technologies Inc. (CSE: PRT) (OTCQB: PLRTF) (FSE: 4XA) (WKN: A2N8RH) ("Plymouth Rock", "PRT", or the "Company") a leader in developing detection apparatus and unmanned technologies, today announced that Susan J Gardner has been appointed as the company's Chief Financial Officer. Ms. Gardner brings a strong background and expertise as an operations-oriented financial executive and a CPA with broad experience in accounting principles, change management, financial analysis, investments, internal controls, IPOs, external reporting, joint venture and system implementations, and process improvements. Prior to joining PRT Ms. Gardner spent over 16 years at Boston Mutual Life Insurance Co. as their VP, Controller & Treasurer. "We welcome the opportunity to have Sue join PRT as the company transitions from product development to a revenue generating business," stated Dana Wheeler, President & CEO of PRT. Co-founder of Plymouth Rock Technologies, Carl Cagliarini, a driving force in the development of PRT's UAV business and acquisition of Tetra Drones, has agreed to join the board of directors. He currently heads the company's UK subsidiary and will continue to oversee the operations. Vivian Katsuris, PRT's Corporate Secretary, who held the interim CFO position, has also agreed to re-join the board. Ms. Katsuris was a board member from November 2017 to April 2020. Tim Crowhurst has resigned from the board for personal reasons. Plymouth Rock would like to thank him for his service and especially for his role as Chair of the Audit Committee. About Plymouth Rock Technologies Inc. We are on a mission to bring engineering-driven answers to the most critical problems that threaten our safety. We work with government, law enforcement and military to innovate solutions for national security, defense and space systems. The Company is developing the next generation of threat detection solutions and Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS). The PRT X1 is a purpose-built multirotor UAS, utilizing Artificial Intelligence, cutting-edge sensors and the latest FLIR dual-camera module as standard, offering thermal capabilities alongside 1080p HD real-time air-to-ground streaming and 4K video recording, with the ability to mount multiple, various sensors, modules, and payloads. Our advanced threat detection methods fuse artificial intelligence with augmented reality interfaces to eliminate human operating error. Plymouth Rock products, both airborne and land-based, will scan for threat items at greater 'stand-off' distances than current existing technologies. Our unique radar imaging and signal processing technology creates new opportunities for remotely operated, non-intrusive screening of crowds in real time. Plymouth Rock's core technologies include: (1) UAS platforms engineered to conform to NDAA Section 848 ("PRT UAS"); (2) A compact microwave radar system for scanning shoe's ("Shoe Scanner"); (3) A compact modular radar utilized for a variety of applications, from aircraft to weapon detection ("CODA"). www.plyrotech.com ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS Dana Wheeler President and CEO +1-774-404-7685 info@plyrotech.com Investor Information Tasso Baras +1-778-477-6990 tasso@plyrotech.com Forward-Looking Statements Certain information set forth in this news release may contain forward-looking statements that involve substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties. All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements regarding future financial position, business strategy, use of proceeds, corporate vision, proposed acquisitions, partnerships, joint-ventures and strategic alliances and co-operations, budgets, cost and plans and objectives of or involving the Company. Such forward-looking information reflects management's current beliefs and is based on information currently available to management. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "predicts", "intends", "targets", "aims", "anticipates" or "believes" or variations (including negative variations) of such words and phrases or may be identified by statements to the effect that certain actions "may", "could", "should", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. A number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors may cause the actual results or performance to materially differ from any future results or performance expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. These forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond the control of the Company including, but not limited to, the impact of general economic conditions, industry conditions and dependence upon regulatory approvals. Readers are cautioned that the assumptions used in the preparation of such information, although considered reasonable at the time of preparation, may prove to be imprecise and, as such, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements. The Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by securities laws. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/110080 Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - January 13, 2022) - Big Ridge Gold Corp. (TSXV: BRAU) (OTCQB: ALVLF) ("Big Ridge" or the "Company") announces that Clarity Gold Corp. (CSE: CLAR) has failed to make the cash and share-based payments due January 11, 2022 under the terms of the Destiny Gold Project Option Agreement and has provided the Company with a notice of cancellation, which terminates the option agreement. Following termination of the option agreement, Big Ridge retains 100% ownership in the Destiny Gold Project, located approximately 75km northeast of Val d'Or, Quebec. In addition, Clarity is required to return the project in good standing with all assessment work filed for the next 12 months and to provide the Company all the exploration data from the 27-hole (10,800 meter) exploration drill program completed in 2021. Destiny Gold Project The 100% owned Destiny Gold Project is located in Despinassay Township, 75km northeast of Val d'Or, Quebec. The property consists of 127 mineral claims totalling 5,013 hectares in one of the most prolific gold camps in Canada. 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 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. 18 King Street East, Suite 1400 Toronto, ON, M5C 1C4 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. 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/110084 Aulisa Medical USA, Inc., a Palo Alto CA-based Wearable Wireless Continuous Patient Vital Monitoring System company, raised $13M in Series A funding. The backers were not disclosed. The company intends to use the funds to scale up its sales and marketing efforts to meet market demand and support its business growth. Led by Augustine (Augie) Lien, founder and CEO, Aulisa Medical integrates medical device science and information communication technologies to provide smart medical solutions for the 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, Its Guardian Angel device is an FDA cleared wireless vitals monitoring and alarm system that provides early detection of health incidents for adults, pediatrics and infants to improve opportunities for intervention. The company also added Mr. Kenneth Abriola to join the company as the Vice President of Sales and Marketing. The Guardian Angel products are developed by the company supported by ten different patents, manufactured by the companys 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 presence. 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. FinSMEs 13/01/2022 Yahaha Studios, a Finnish maker of a metaverse for games, raised $50m in funding. The backers were not disclosed. The company intends to use the funds to prepare to launch in early 2022. Founded in 2020 by Chris Zhu (CEO), Pengfei Zhang (COO) and Hao Min (CTO), Yahaha Studios is a virtual user-generated content (UGC) metaverse where creators come together to combine virtual and real life in multidimensional ways. Created by a team of Unity veterans, with Yahaha, developers can build new games or monetize existing ones. With no-code entry levels and thousands of pieces of art available to use, the interactive studio supports creators with all levels of experience, freeing creativity and building games. Headquartered in Finland, the company has offices housing research and development in China and business development in Korea. FinSMEs 13/01/2022 Chef Pierre Thiam, Yolele Founder Yolele, a Brooklyn NY-based African food brand, raised $1.98M in funding. The co-investment grant is funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) West Africa Trade & Investment Hub (Trade Hub) through Prosper Africa. The company intends to use the funds to turn ancient grain fonio into a cash crop to provide a source of income for farmers in the Sahel region. Led by Chef Pierre Thiam, Yolele brings underutilized African ingredients like fonio to global tables in value-added products that resonate with international audiences. The companys products are currently available at over 2,000 grocery stores across the US, including Whole Foods Market and Target Superstores. Yolele partners with Woodland Foods, a specialty food company specializing in global sourcing, custom blending, and processing. FinSMEs 13/01/2022 Tampa, FL (33646) Today Partly cloudy skies this morning will give way to occasional showers during the afternoon. Thunder possible. High 89F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 60%.. Tonight Rain showers this evening with clearing overnight. Thunder possible. Low 68F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 50%. Geneva, NY (14456) Today Increasing clouds with showers arriving this afternoon. High around 70F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%.. Tonight Rain early...then remaining cloudy with showers overnight. Low 56F. Winds SSE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 70%. Rainfall near a quarter of an inch. Four people were shot inside a Brooklyn catering hall during a weekly hip-hop event early Thursday, police and witnesses said. The victims three men, ages 46, 40 and 24-years-old, and woman, 32 were partying inside the E&R Rental Hall on E. 92nd St. near Remsen Ave. in Canarsie at 3:45 a.m. when someone pulled a gun and opened fire, authorities said. Advertisement A witness told the Daily News the violence broke out after an argument, and one of the partys promoters was shot after trying to calm down a man who pulled a gun. The shooter hit the oldest man in the head, while the other two men were hit in the legs. EMS rushed all three to Brookdale University Hospital, where the oldest victim remained in critical condition. Advertisement The woman was shot in the calf, cops said. But instead of calling police right away, she went home to East Flatbush and called 911, She was taken to Kings County Hospital with a minor injury, police said. The victims were partying at Dream Wednesdays, a weekly shindig at the catering hall, witnesses said. Videos from the events Instagram page show a packed hall hours before the shooting, with revelers celebrating what was billed as the partys fifth anniversary. I was there, I saw the whole thing, said one neighbor, who wished to remain anonymous and walked with a heavy limp she got claims was the result of people falling on her ankle during the crush. It started with an argument between a female and one of the other people, he ran outside for a gun, said the woman, who lives close to the hall. The partys promoters tried to break up the fight. The man appeared to have cooled down, but held on to his gun, and moments later shots rang out, she said. One of the promoters was hit in the head and neck, she said. It was chaotic, people running everywhere laying down and ducking down on the floor, it was like a movie scene, she said. The Daily News Flash Weekdays Catch up on the days top five stories every weekday afternoon. > The neighbor said shes never seen violence at a previous Dream Wednesdays, but shes done going to big parties now. Advertisement Im not putting myself at risk... Its still bothering me. I didnt sleep, she said. I still smell the blood. It was scary and very traumatic for me. I feel like Im OK but Im not. I just want it to be over. Investigators were at the scene of the shooting Thursday trying to collect surveillance video of the gunman. Another neighbor, Kevin Lee, said he knows the injured party promoter. He was a nice guy, a very humble guy. Everyone in the community knew him, he said. A few hours after the shooting, the Dream Wednesdays Instagram account posted the message, Breathe bradda keep breathiag... lets pray. The events organizers did not return a message seeking comment Thursday. Alendor: A New Perfume Brand From Germany Fragrance Reviews The history of the German brand Alendor is associated with two women. The founder of the brand, Tatyana Ekaterinina, was born in Siberia, near Lake Baikal, grew up in St. Petersburg, and traveled a lot around the world, studying in Germany and Hong Kong. After a career and international projects at an electrical engineering company, she decided to stay in Wiesbaden, Germany, and, together with her husband, create her own perfume brand Alendor, combining European and Eastern features. She decided to engage Nathalie Feisthauer, an independent perfumer with vast experience working with famous perfume brands. Thus, after three years of working together, the first Alendor collection was born, the Seductive Collection of three fragrances - Taboo, Wild Night, and Silence. In this order, the three fragrances describe the story of seduction and love (see the video). Interestingly, the female duo invented and created fragrances that are addressed to men. Are they based upon their personal experience? - Who knows. Taboo The fresh and green Taboo surprises. The citrusy opening with its characteristic bittersweet grapefruit notes deceives those waiting for a calm and polite Terre d'Hermes brother. No, instead the fragrance wakes up the bitter greens of absinthe and sour green apples, the bright fruity-sulfurous spirit of blackcurrant and passionfruit, and some cardamom freshness - Taboo is a very unusual and complex fragrance. Instead of following fashion trends, which today is done by many brands, the perfume chooses its own path and its own face. Quite a strange masculine profile, like a cross between wild fragrant herbs and multi-colored fruit and berry candies, complete with some spicy powder and a bitter talcum aftertaste. No popular accords here, the scent is completely unknown. Taboo Alendor Notes: Grapefruit, Blackcurrant, Cardamom, Wormwood, Oakmoss, Benzoin. Wild Night Green and soapy. Plus smooth and creamy. And smoky and tart. As well as warm and sweet. The surprisingly cozy Wild Night scent combines very different moods, accords, and situations. Milky oolong tea with spicy fragrant New Year's gingerbread in the comfort of a warm kitchen - but also the bitter aroma of Cuban cigars in a luxurious tobacco salon. Edible creamy sweetness - and dry bitter leaves. Can we find anywhere in literature an instance where tobacco is plunged into sweet gingerbread dough? What came out, in the end, resembles the gingerbread fragrance of Tea For Two L'Artisan Parfumeur, with a small but very distinct tobacco accent, a perfume worthy of the Sous Le Manteau collection as another spirit-lifting and comforting potion. Wild Night Alendor Notes: Calamus, Geranium, Tobacco, Mate, Vetiver, Tonka Bean. Silence This is another fresh citrus scent in the collection, but created in the more traditional way, and probably more commercial, designed for the tastes of the majority. At first, it reminds of masculine fragrances popular 20-30 years ago, after which it goes into a stream of modern citrus fougeres that evoke grooming and clean white shirts. Do not expect any particular unusualness from it - pepper, apple, geranium, and a lot of cedar are what we get. Silence is a sharp, fresh scent in the spirit of Club de Nuit Intense Armaf, quite clean and very persistent. Silence Alendor Notes: Bergamot, Black Pepper, Cedarwood, White Musk, Tonka Bean. The Alendor fragrances are available in Eau de Parfum concentration (24-26%) through the brand's official website. 100 ml bottles are priced at 125 EUR, and a discovery set costs 18 EUR. Bond was set Wednesday for the mother of Chicago 5-year-old Damari Perry, who died of hypothermia after being forced to stand in a freezing shower. Jannie Perry was released from the hospital, where she had complained she felt ill, and made her first court appearance Wednesday, where Lake County Judge Raymond Collins set her bail at $5 million, as requested by the states attorneys office. Advertisement Perry, 38, has been charged with first-degree murder, concealment of a homicidal death and obstructing justice in the death of son Damari, who was found dead near an abandoned building in Gary, Ind., on Dec. 31, a day after he would have turned 6. Our victim advocates, prosecutors, and detectives continue to support the family in this case while awaiting the official autopsy results from Lake County, Indiana, States Attorney Eric Rinehart said in a statement Wednesday. Advertisement We believe that the court made the right decision with respect to this defendants bond and custody status. [ 5-year-old Damari Perry died from hypothermia, body partially charred after forced into freezing shower: coroner ] Damari Perry (Chicago Police Dept.) One of Perrys sons, 20-year-old Jeremiah, has been charged with aggravated battery causing great bodily harm to a child under 12, concealing a homicidal death and obstructing justice. He is being held on a $3 million bond. A second sibling, who has not been publicly identified, faces charges in Lake Countys Juvenile Court. Damari was found naked and wrapped in a plastic trash bag and partially charred, according to the Lake County, Ind., coroners offices report, released Tuesday. The coroner also noted partially frozen internal organs, extremely cold core temperature and scattered bruising on the boys right leg. The Daily News Flash Weekdays Catch up on the days top five stories every weekday afternoon. > Investigators believe that Damaris family members forced him into the frigid shower on Dec. 29, a day before his birthday, as a punishment, then stood by as he began vomiting and eventually lost consciousness. Damari was then taken to Gary and left to die. [ Mom of Chicago boy killed by freezing shower previously lost custody of kids over domestic violence allegations: report ] Jannie Perry (Lake County States Attorneys Office) Its unclear when the burning occurred but the coroner said it was post-mortem. Damaris family reported him missing on Dec. 29 and told police that he may may have been in Skokie, Ill. Advertisement Jannie Perry told the judge Wednesday that she plans to hire a private attorney eventually. She is due to return to court for a preliminary hearing on Feb. 8. Perry previously lost custody of her children in 2014, and Damari shortly after he was born in Dec. 2015, after a domestic violence complaint, the Chicago Tribune previously reported. The children were returned to her in 2017. She was also investigated in May, but The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services determined the complaint was unfounded. This is our best offer! You get home delivery Monday through Saturday plus full digital access any time, on any device with our six-day subscription delivery membership. This membership plan includes member-only benefits like our popular ticket giveaways, all of our email newsletters and access to the daily digital replica of the printed paper. Also, you can share digital access with up to four other household members at no additional cost. Subscriptions renew automatically every 30 days. Call 240-215-8600 to cancel auto-renewal. Most subscribers are served by News-Post carriers; households in some outlying areas receive same-day delivery through the US Postal Service. If your household falls in a postal delivery area, you will be notified by our customer service team. 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. A dentist from Pennsylvania has been accused of using a scenic getaway in Africa as a cover to kill his wife and then collect millions of dollars in life insurance benefits. Lawrence Rudolph, a big game hunter and founder of Three Rivers Dental in Pittsburgh, has been charged with mail fraud and foreign murder in connection with the slaying of his wife, Bianca Finizio Rudolph. The pair traveled in late September 2016 to Zambia, where they were to enjoy safaris and hunting trips. Advertisement Instead, federal investigators suspect Rudolph killed Bianca and then had her remains quickly cremated. He went on to allege her shooting death was accidental and then made claims through seven different insurance companies totaling nearly $5 million in payouts, according to a criminal complaint. Rudolphs attorney, David Oscar Markus, proclaimed his clients innocence on Thursday while noting the couples lengthy and love-filled marriage. Advertisement This is an outrageous prosecution against Dr. Larry Rudolph, a man who loved his wife of 34 years and did not kill her, Markus said in a statement to the Daily News. 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. Bianca, also a big game hunter, hoped to hunt a leopard during their trip but she was shot in the chest with a Browning shotgun the morning of Oct. 11, 2016, as she prepared to leave their hunting camp in Kafue National Park. Rudolph told authorities he was in the shower at the time, but that he heard the blast and ultimately discovered his wife bleeding on the ground. Lawrence Rudolph According to the criminal complaint, initially filed in Colorado federal court last month, Rudolph said the discharge occurred while she was trying to pack the shotgun into its case. The Daily News Flash Weekdays Catch up on the days top five stories every weekday afternoon. > Authorities in Zambia ultimately ruled her death accidental, but the consular chief at the U.S. Embassy remained suspicious especially after Rudolph discussed with the FBI his intentions to cremate Bianca. He had a bad feeling about the situation, according to the complaint. As a result, he traveled to [the funeral home] with two others from the embassy to take photographs of the body and preserve any potential evidence, it reads. Their suspicions were further stoked by a friend of Bianca, who told authorities in October 2016 that she suspected foul play and requested that detectives investigate further. She said Rudolph was verbally abusive, that he cheated on his wife, and that he was engaged in an affair at the time of Biancas death. Friend also said she believed the cremation to have been against Biancas wishes because Bianca was a strict Catholic who had once expressed disapproval that friends husband was cremated, the complaint reads. Similarly, friend stated, 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. Advertisement Authorities also later determined that Bianca would not have been able to shoot herself with the type of firearm involved given its long barrel. According to a Colorado medical examiner, 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. 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, according to the complaint. An arrest warrant was issued for Lawrence on Dec. 22. and was indicted in early January in Colorado, where one of the insurance companies involved is based, the Charlotte Observer reported. He has pleaded not guilty and is expected to go to trial at the end of February. With contact tracing all but halted during this omicron variant-driven spike in COVID-19, the Oregon Health Authority is pushing an opt-in model to investigate cases and contact tracing. A new website and hotline will allow those who test positive to report results from an at-home kit or testing provider. People using the new Positive COVID Test website and COVID-19 Case Support Hotline (866-917-8881) can complete an online survey linked from the web portal to report their case or get help completing the survey through the hotline. They can also get information on isolation and other ways to stay safe. The current and rapidly growing surge of COVID-19 cases driven by the omicron variant has outpaced the capacity of Oregons public health system to effectively conduct active case investigation and contact tracing, Dr. Dean Sidelinger, health officer and OHA epidemiologist, said in a news release issued Wednesday, Jan. 12. OHA does not require individuals to report their at-home test results, but it highly recommends people do so and let their close contacts know they may have been exposed, so they can take steps to limit exposure to others. Hospitals, health care providers, laboratories and local public health authorities are required to report test results. The COVID-19 Case Support Hotline will be open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. The website address is govstatus.egov.com/or-oha-covid-19-positive-test. Quality journalism doesn't happen without your help Support local news coverage and the people who report it by subscribing to the Corvallis Gazette-Times. Four local deaths reported Tuesday between Linn and Benton counties were detailed in a follow-up news release Wednesday. An 81-year-old Linn County woman tested positive July 17, 2020, and died Dec. 23, 2020, at home. The death certificate listed COVID-19 disease or SARS-CoV-2 as a cause of death or a significant condition contributing to death. An 80-year-old Benton County woman tested positive Jan. 5, 2021, and died April 5 at home. The death certificate listed COVID-19 disease or SARS-CoV-2 as a cause of death or a significant condition contributing to death. An 87-year-old Linn County woman who died April 22 at home. The death certificate listed COVID-19 disease or SARS-CoV-2 as a cause of death or a significant condition contributing to death. Finally, an 86-year-old Benton County man who first became symptomatic Jan. 3 and died Jan. 8 at Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center. All of the reported deaths had underlying conditions. Linn County on Wednesday added 313 virus cases for a total of 17,785. Benton County had 321 new cases, bringing its total to 9,158. The COVID-19 death toll stands at 213 in Linn County and 46 in Benton County. OHA reported 31 new COVID-19-related deaths Wednesday, making the states total 5,845. OHA data showed 8,760 new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases, for a state total of 494,945 so far. Hospitalizations: As of Wednesday, there were 756 patients hospitalized with COVID-19 in Oregon, which is 29 more than Tuesday, and 146 are occupying intensive care unit beds, eight more than the prior day. Sixty-two patients were on ventilators, according to OHA statistics. Out of 653 adult ICU beds in the state, 34 are unoccupied, a 5% availability, while 262 out of 4,135 adult non-ICU beds are unoccupied, a 6% availability. Staffing limitations are not captured in OHA data and may further limit bed capacity. The region that includes Linn, Benton, Marion, Polk, Lincoln and Yamhill counties has three adult ICU beds available (3%) and 12 adult non-ICU beds available (2%). Vaccinations: OHA reported 20,149 new doses of coronavirus vaccinations were added to the state immunization registry on Tuesday. More than 3 million people have had at least one dose of a vaccine and more than 2.7 million people have completed a vaccine series. The seven-day running average is now 15,532 doses per day. Nationally: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 797,216 new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases, making the U.S. case total more than 62 million. There were 2,991 new deaths recorded Wednesday, bringing the countrys death total to 840,286. Cody Mann covers Benton County and the cities of Corvallis and Philomath. He can be contacted at 541-812-6113 or Cody.Mann@lee.net. Concerned about COVID-19? Sign up now to get the most recent coronavirus headlines and other important local and national news sent to your email inbox daily. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. The Oregon Department of Transportation has temporarily postponed its decision on tolling stretches of I-205 and I-5 in the Portland area in the next five years and will consider a request from Clackamas County for extra time to hash out regional congestion-pricing plans before tolls are implemented. Clackamas County Commissioner Paul Savas requested a delay in voting, originally scheduled for this month, on ODOT's proposal to amend the Metro region's long-term transportation plan and its required process for allocating funding to transportation projects. ODOT's delay allows the Oregon Transportation Commission time to review the county coordinating committee's proposal to develop a comprehensive plan for answering "critical systemwide questions" regarding traffic diversion mitigation and funding decisions before bringing proposed amendments to an official vote. County officials are requesting that ODOT free up time for the comprehensive plan's development by allocating bipartisan federal dollars to move forward on schedule with the I-205 Improvement Project's earliest phase, which consists of widening areas of the interstate and modifying adjacent bike lanes, on- and off-ramps, and sound pollution infrastructure. During a Tuesday policy meeting, Savas explained to colleagues and constituents that the comprehensive pricing plan could provide direction so that tolling impacts are felt more evenly throughout the Metro region instead of heavily concentrating in Clackamas County, as many residents have alleged will happen. "We don't want to Clackamas County to be first, or to be the guinea pig, so to speak," said Savas, the county commission's representative on the Joint Policy Advisory Committee on Transportation, which will vote on the proposed amendments. Clackamas County Commissioner Sonya Fischer expressed concern that the transportation commission may not take advice from Metro, the regional governing body for the Portland area, on implementing tolling evenly region-wide and referenced a bill proposed by Sen. Bill Kennemer that, if passed, could allow residents living within 15 miles of a proposed tollway to vote on whether to approve or reject the proposal. Quality journalism doesn't happen without your help Support local news coverage and the people who report it by subscribing to the Albany Democrat-Herald. Jamie Stasny, regional transportation and land-use policy advisor for the county, reported talks of a potential amendment to Kennemer's proposal that would only enact the residential vote if ODOT tries to "toll one segment instead of the whole region." County staff will return in front of the board with updates from ODOT and recommendations for next steps at a future session before ODOT's proposed amendments are brought to a vote. Love 0 Funny 1 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 1 Gillette, WY (82718) Today Windy with increasing clouds. Slight chance of a rain shower. High near 60F. Winds SE 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 70%. An 18-year-old woman accused of tossing her newborn in a dumpster behind a mall in New Mexico will remain under house arrest for the weeks leading up to her trial. Alexis Avila was confronted by a group of enraged protesters, some of them waving signs reading Justice for Baby, as she arrived at the Lea County courtroom for her arraignment on Wednesday. She pleaded not guilty to charges of attempted first degree murder and child abuse. Advertisement A judge also ordered that she remain at home ahead of her trial unless she is attending school, going to work or seeking medical attention. Avila has also been forbidden from using social media, spending time with any child under the age of 10 and is not allowed any male visitors to her home, according to KCDB. In addition, she must also wear an ankle monitor. Alexis Avila (Hobbs Police Dept.) Avila last week was caught on camera dumping her newborn in the trash outside a mall in the city of Hobbs, near the Texas border. Surveillance video taken from the parking lot shows her pulling up in a white car and tossing a black bag into the dumpster, then driving away. Advertisement A group of people scouring the garbage for items of value found the infant, born just hours earlier, a short time later. They initially believed the baby to be a dog or kitten, but when they pushed aside the rubbish, they discovered the child inside a trash bag, wrapped in a dirty blanket with its umbilical cord still attached. The newborn was hospitalized and remains in the care of the New Mexico Department of Children, Youth and Families. Alexis Avila was identified from surveillance footage, arrested Friday and confessed to dumping the baby, according to the Hobbs Police Department. Following a preliminary investigation, authorities were able to track down Avilas car, where they discovered blood evidence, clothing and a towel. When questioned by detectives on Jan. 6, Avila confessed to leaving her baby, but added she only learned she was pregnant the day prior, when she sought out medical attention for abdominal pain. You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Jan. 11, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Rio Silver Inc. ("Rio Silver" or the "Company") (TSX.V: RYO) (OTC: RYOOF), is pleased to provide an update on its plans to commence a first phase of diamond drilling at the 100% owned flagship property, the Ninobamba Silver-Gold Project (Ninobamba or The Property), in south central Peru. Ninobamba comprises seven concessions totaling 4017 hectares. The area has excellent infrastructure and is located 45 kilometres southwest of Ayacucho. The Property is accessible by several gravel roads off the main highway accessing its northern boundary. The Property is free of any third-party royalties and has had over $10 million US spent on exploration by the Company and previous operators. The database for the Ninobamba project includes over 6500 surface and drill assay results from previous operators. The precious metal mineralization is associated with a high-sulphidation epithermal system. These types of systems are a principal exploration target of major companies exploring for gold in the South American Andes. More specifically, precious metal mineralization at Barrick's Pierina and Laguna Norte gold mines, and Newmont's Yanacocha are all associated with high-sulphidation systems. Exploration by previous operators from 2002 through to 2009 includes assay results and drill logs for 9743 meters of diamond drilling. Two discreet zones of precious metal mineralization were identified from this previous work: Main Ninobamba Zone (Main Zone) and the Jorimina Zone. Highlights from previous drill programs on the Main Zone by Anglogold included 130 meters of 2.8 oz Ag per ton Ag. in drill hole AN-2 and 7.5 kilometers to the west at the Jorimina zone Newmont had drilled 72 meters of 1.19 grams Au per tonne in dill hole JM-1. Rio Silver then completed an extensive surface trenching program on the Main Zone silver mineralization in 2012. The trenching program resulted in identifying significant gold potential not recognized by the previous operators. The first trench of the program conducted by Rio Silver was placed in the area where Anglogold drilled an intercept of 130 metres of 2.8 oz/t Ag (ounces silver per ton). The trench exposed extensive high-sulphidation alteration returning an impressive 56 metres averaging 1.03 g/t Au (grams gold per tonne) and 98.9 g/t Ag. Further trenching 400 metres southwest and along strike continued to expose typical vuggy silica, high-sulphidation-type alteration with the last 21 metres returning 1.32 g/t gold and 102 g/t silver. The extent of the mineralization continues under deep colluvium. The last sample in the trench returned 0.53 g/t gold and 82 g/t silver. In early 2020 The Company engaged Dahrouge Geological Consulting Ltd to complete a conceptual exploration target using Leapfrog software. The result of this work is summarized in the Companys news release of February 27, 2020. The following table is the summary of the conceptual exploration1 target range for the Ninobamba Main Zone and is presented in the following table: Cutoff Grade Tonnes Silver Grade Silver Grade Silver Ounces g/t MT Average g/t Average opt Million oz Lower Target 50 7.9 90 2.88 22.9 Higher Target 50 11.1 86 2.78 30.9 On December 18th, 2021, the Company attended a local Community Assembly and presented plans for diamond drilling and detailed surface mapping and sampling, including exploratory pits at the Ninobamba Main Zone. The Company was well received, at the first of such gatherings allowing surrounding community members to attend this meeting, the first since the start of the Covid pandemic. Along with representatives from D&M Ingenieros Consultores (D&M), a Lima Peru based engineering group providing the environmental professionals for the recently produced environmental baseline compilation, the Company presented the environmental monitoring work completed to date which included measures to protect the nearby water supply canal. The interaction with the community members resulted in the presentation of some items of key concern, all of which will be addressed this month during a field program conducted by D&M. The Company has been invited to return later in February 2022 to present the updated base line environmental review along with a detailed work plan proposal. Pending a successful outcome for which the Company is confident, the necessary submission for approval by the General Directorate of Mining Environmental Affairs of the Ministry of Energy and Mines, Peru will be expedited. Chris Verrico the CEO of Rio Silver comments; I am very happy to have the professionally led crews from D&M finalizing the environmental base line studies for this all-important round of permitting, a milestone which should allow us to proceed to our first drill program at Ninobamba. I am also pleased with the progress our Community Liaison team has made. This work plan has been long anticipated, a decade in the making and is a major step towards putting Ninobambas precious metal potential amongst its peers within this prolific geological trend that hosts some of the most successful and lowest cost gold and silver producers worldwide. Mr. Reeder, PGeo, a qualified person as defined in National Instrument 43-101, has approved the scientific and technical disclosure contained in this news release. About Rio Silver Inc. Rio Silver is a resource company that has been selectively identifying and acquiring precious metal assets that afford the best possible leverage and returns in anticipation of an increasingly more favorable precious metals bull market. At the Companys recently acquired Palta Dorada Property in central Peru, a high-grade mesothermal gold and silver vein system is currently being bulk-sampled and processed by earn-in partner, Peruvian Metals Corp.(Peruvian) The Companys partner has earned a 50% interest by installing and then expanding (due to Covid protocol) a 20-man camp and support complex and then developing 150 meters of access tunnel now estimated to be within 20 meters of the targeted sulfide mineralization. Peruvian operates the nearby Aguila Norte commercial mill where the extracted mineral from the bulk sampling campaign will be processed. Bulk sampling may be ramped up if successful and could become a cashflow to assist the Companys overall exploration plans in a non-dilutive, shareholder friendly way. We remain respectful and mindful of the current hardships being confronted by our hosts in Peru due to the current pandemic. We remain ever impressed and optimistic by the resilience and ingenuity of our host country as Peru continues to develop supportive mining policies to ensure continued growth and opportunity throughout Peru. For further information, Christopher Verrico, President, CEO Tel: (604) 762-4448 Email: chris.verrico@riosilverinc.com Website: www.riosilverinc.com 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. This news release includes forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties. All statements within, other than statements of historical fact, are to be considered forward looking. Although the Company believes 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 or developments may differ materially from those in forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include market prices, exploitation and exploration successes, continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions. There can be no assurances that such statements will prove accurate and, therefore, readers are advised to rely on their own evaluation of such uncertainties. We do not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statements except as required by applicable laws. ____________________________ 1 The Company cautions that the Ninobamba model is not a resource declaration. The potential tonnages and grades are conceptual in nature and are based on previous trench samples and drill results that defined the approximate length, thickness, depth and grade of a portion of the north and south mineralized zones at Ninobamba. There has been insufficient exploration to define a current resource and the Company cautions that there is, among other uncertainties, a risk that further exploration may not result in the delineation of a current mineral resource or one that resembles the conceptual model. BLAIR, Neb., Jan. 12, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- American Broadband, Nebraska today announced the approval of its application for grant funding to connect rural communities with reliable high-speed internet service through the Nebraska Broadband Bridge Program. The $776,000 grant awarded by the Nebraska Public Service Commission will support the expansion of American Broadband, Nebraskas fiber broadband network, adding capacity to serve eastern Nebraska residential and business locations in Saunders, Dodge and Washington counties. Customers in Leshara, Nickerson and Fontanelle, Nebraska, are anticipated to begin being served by the expanded network in 2023. The Nebraska Legislature appropriated the funding for the American Broadband, Nebraska expansion and other projects by passing the Nebraska Broadband Bridge Act, sponsored by Sen. Curt Friesen of Henderson, Nebraska. The bill makes eligible $40 million in funding to internet providers over two years to expand access to broadband capable of download/upload speeds of 100/100 megabits per second (Mbps). American Broadband, Nebraskas fiber backbone offering provides up to 1Gbps of high-speed internet services significantly faster speeds than what is currently offered in the expansion area and beneficial for common uses like e-commerce, data transmission and teleconferencing, as well as virtual and distance learning. The Nebraska Broadband Bridge Act provides essential resources for reliable and improved broadband services to rural communities. We are grateful for the Nebraska Legislatures unanimous support of the bill and Senator Curt Friesens commitment to its success, said Timothy Johnson, president and general manager of American Broadband, Nebraska. We believe everyone should have access to quality and reliable internet service and are excited to serve future customers in Nebraska with previously unrealized speeds. The Nebraska Legislatures approval of allocating funding for broadband expansion comes as state governments throughout the country secure resources to improve connectivity and close the digital divide affecting rural communities. Through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, more than $40 billion in federal funding is allocated for state broadband deployment grants to connect unserved and underserved communities, bringing broadband access to millions of Americans. Chris Eldredge, CEO of American Broadband, said the expansion in Nebraska is part of the companys next phase of growth, which also includes continuous organic expansion and acquisition initiatives in the year ahead. Having reliable, high-speed internet service is becoming an increasingly important part of daily life. We are excited to soon be offering enhanced internet services in eastern Nebraska and beyond, Eldredge said. In addition to this critical infrastructure funding investment in the state, American Broadband is committed to its continued investment in our network and services. About American Broadband Holding Company American Broadband is one of the leading providers of broadband for Rural America. The company provides phone access lines, video, and broadband service to customers in rural communities in Nebraska, Missouri, Alaska, Louisiana, and Texas. The Companys operating brands include American Broadband, Cameron Communications and TelAlaska. American Broadband partners in the growth and economic vitality of its communities by providing broadband and other advanced services and by contributing to and supporting new business activity and job growth. American Broadband retains local management and staff at each of its local operations to ensure continued superior levels of service to our customers. More information about the Company can be found at www.americanbroadband.com. American Broadband is a portfolio company of Madison Dearborn Partners, LLC, a leading private equity firm based in Chicago, and Catania ABC Partners. Contacts: Lukas Partners Brian Ayers 402-895-2552 ext. 308 / bayers@lukaspartners.com American Broadband Holding Company Bob OKeefe 475-323-8884 / bokeefe@americanbb.com NEW YORK, Jan. 12, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, announces the filing of a class action lawsuit on behalf of purchasers of the securities of Bright Health Group, Inc. (NYSE: BHG): (i) pursuant and/or traceable to the registration statement and prospectus (collectively, the Registration Statement) issued in connection with the Companys June 24, 2021 initial public offering (the IPO); and/or (ii) between June 24, 2021 and November 10, 2021, inclusive (the Class Period). The lawsuit seeks to recover damages for Bright Health investors under the federal securities laws. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than March 7, 2022. SO WHAT: If you purchased Bright Health 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 Bright Health class action, go to http://www.rosenlegal.com/cases-register-2236.html or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email pkim@rosenlegal.com or cases@rosenlegal.com 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 March 7, 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 firms attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers. DETAILS OF THE CASE: The complaint alleges that the Offering Documents were negligently prepared and, as a result, contained untrue statements of material fact or omitted to state other facts necessary to make the statements made not misleading and were not prepared in accordance with the rules and regulations governing their preparation. Additionally, throughout the Class Period, Defendants made materially false and misleading statements regarding the Company's business, operations, and compliance policies. Specifically, the Offering Documents and Defendants made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) Bright Health had overstated its post-IPO business and financial prospects; (2) Bright Health was ill-equipped to handle the impact of COVID-19-related costs; (3) Bright Health was experiencing a decline in premium revenue because of a failure to capture risk adjustment on newly added lives; (4) all the foregoing was reasonably likely to have a material negative impact on Bright Health's business and financial condition; and (5) as a result, the Offering Documents and Defendants' public statements throughout the Class Period were materially false and/or misleading and failed to state information required to be stated therein. To join the Bright Health class action, go to http://www.rosenlegal.com/cases-register-2236.html or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email pkim@rosenlegal.com or cases@rosenlegal.com 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 investors 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 lrosen@rosenlegal.com pkim@rosenlegal.com cases@rosenlegal.com www.rosenlegal.com HONG KONG, Jan. 12, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- SEAPRWire has just announced the partnership with MobiusTrend, to extend the company's exceptional growth by rapidly expanding the industry insight team and fostering PR and marketing research Agency partnerships in Southeast Asia region. SEAPRWire provides PR distribution services to over 2,000 customers in Southeast Asia, including Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Philippines, Indonesia, Vietnam and Greater China (Hong Kong, Mainland China and Taiwan). SEAPRWire well positions to increase brand awareness, drive traffic, improve SEO ranking, and generate more sales. SEAPRWire are offering news release distribution services as a powerful marketing tool for tech companies, including fin-tech, blockchain, new energy, cryptocurrency, DeFi, NFT gaming, Play-2-Earn, online forex clients. They offer help to midsize customers and startups to compete with industry giant, by utilizing the efficiency and the cost of promoting their own brand awareness. The company has an expert team that comes to SEAPRWire with more than years of experience of executing high velocity growth strategies for thousands of clients and demonstrating public relation media channels. "I am excited by the opportunity to cooperate with SEAPRWire," Yan Lee, the COO of MobiusTrend said. "I strongly believe that small and midsize businesses have so much potential to leverage media as a marketing vehicle to drive more value through brand image building, increase their ROI, get more marketing and sales opportunities. SEAPRWire's powerful media network in Southeast Asia, we can drive better results at a fraction of the cost of a full-time hire. SEAPRWire is the only newswire in the industry that provides people, plan, platform, production and performance to help market research companies achieve high velocity sales without significant media and marketing expense or risk." In his role as insight research partners in fin-tech and blockchain niche, MobiusTrend will offer greater value on each press release, cost-effective value packs to drive lifetime value with customers. The service drives accelerated sales, builds a strong recurring revenue base, and assures brand loyalty as the client and its customers grow together. By utilizing SEAPRWire's technology, MobiusTrend will continue to build the marketing funnel to drive exponential sales growth of their technology delivered as a service empowering the PR distribution package for customers. "We plan to capitalize on the years of market research industry to partner with SEAPRWire to provide our technology delivered as a service to provide cost-effective press release and content distribution. We will together provide the best experience for customers ready to market and value." As the leading newswire in Southeast Asia, SEAPRWire continues to excel in industry with its best-in-class platform and customer service by providing businesses a cost-effective media and marketing solution to support their sales and marketing efforts. About SEAPRWire SEAPRWire delivers multi-lingual press release and that empower the client's marketing and sales: greater brand awareness, increased traffic, greater return on media and marketing communications. SEAPRWire continues to provide its customers with the ability to deliver qualified press releases in different languages in Southeast Asia, including English, Japanese, Korean, Thai, Malay, Indonesian, Filipino, Vietnamese, Traditional Chinese and Simplified Chinese. To learn more about how SEAPRWire, please visit http://www.seaprwire.com Media contact Company: SEAPRWire Email: cs@seaprwire.com Website: http://www.seaprwire.com SOURCE: SEAPRWire CONCORD, NEW HAMPSHIRE, Jan. 12, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- On Friday, Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman, head of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and the voice for Americas 32.5 million small businesses in President Bidens Cabinet, will visit New Hampshire. Administrator Guzman will join Rep. Chris Pappas to highlight the economic impact of the SBAs Shuttered Venue Operators Grant Program, an American Rescue Plan program. Later in the day, Administrator Guzman and Rep. Pappas will meet with small business owners who utilized various SBA programs to help with their economic recovery. This visit marks the Administrator's first official visit to New Hampshire. Since June 2021, Administrator Guzman has visited 22 states and U.S. territories, including Puerto Rico. Media are invited to join specific stops and must RSVP to Regional Communications Director Elizabeth Moisuk at elizabeth.moisuk@sba.gov by 5:00 p.m. ET on Thursday, January 13, 2022, for credentialing and trip locations. WHEN: Friday, January 14, 2022 WHERE: New Hampshire WHO: Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman, U.S. Small Business Administration Representative Chris Pappas, New Hampshires 1st Congressional District WHY: Administrator Guzman is traveling to New Hampshire to highlight the resurgence of Americas small businesses and their role in the state's economic recovery. MEDIA RSVP: Media should RSVP to Regional Communications Director Elizabeth Moisuk at elizabeth.moisuk@sba.gov for credentials. ### About the U.S. Small Business Administration The U.S. Small Business Administration makes the American dream of business ownership a reality. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow or expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov. Sterling, Jan. 12, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Virginia based Palmercare Chiropractic Sterling is now offering chiropractic care for prenatal patients. As with their previous services, the clinic seeks to help pregnant mothers achieve physical balance and ensure their nervous system is better equipped to self-heal and self-regulate the numerous changes their body is going through. As many are aware, pregnancy takes a massive toll on a womans body, and it is no easy task to carry a healthy baby to term. Their weight gain, for instance, tends to be so sudden that their bodys ability to adapt to such changes lags behind. This weight also shifts forward for the most part, leading to the development of new pressure and stress points as well as strain across the rest of the body. As a chiropractic clinic, Palmercare is often especially concerned by the fact that this larger pressure on the abdomen also causes an increase in the curve of a womans lower back. While any one of these issues may seem negligible or relatively benign, the clinic reminds their community that their cumulative effect can be very difficult for a woman to endure, particularly given the fact that they often exacerbate each other. For instance, an increase in the curve of the back can cause pain in this area, in turn leading to Sciatica in those who are vulnerable to this condition. Since headaches, nausea and constipation tend to be present throughout a pregnancy, these symptoms can feel even more unbearable. With Prenatal Chiropractic Care, however, this is no longer as much of a concern. Accounting for shifts in the body and realigning physical structures where necessary is a specialty at Palmercare Chiropractic, and they are able to apply their considerable expertise to great effect on behalf of expecting mothers. The clinic is able to help pregnant women in their care find relief from the physical, chemical and emotional stress they may be under. To accomplish this, the clinics chiropractors may take any of a variety of approaches. Each patient is unique, and while a pregnancy is a common aspect of life, the manner in which it affects one individual can be very different from another. As such, the clinic assesses each patient to ensure the care they receive is designed explicitly for their needs. A prenatal patient, for instance, may have nerve interference a phenomenon where the stress they experience has a negative impact on the function of their nervous system. Since the nerves permeate every important part of the body, its entire function can be disrupted as a result. Fortunately, chiropractic treatments can reduce nerve interference, thereby easing the body into its new role as the host for a beautiful new life. Palmercare Chiropractic emphasizes that their team employs certain chiropractic techniques that are known to help women during pregnancy. One of these is known as the Webster Technique. To begin with, it places a heavy focus on correcting and maintaining the alignment of the pelvis and the birth canal, which is crucial for a complication-free delivery. According to the clinic, a misaligned pelvis can have other impacts on the body that eventually shorten the birth canal. Following a chiropractors assistance, fortunately, the pelvis can open up and enable a healthy birth. The Webster Technique is also intended to help prevent the uterus from suspending, which may occur as a woman gets further into a pregnancy (during which the uterus expands). The chiropractors at Palmercare are able to utilize this Technique to help the uterus lay in a resting position, relaxing the round ligaments in the back and ensuring conditions are perfect for the baby. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQSe6tohJ1g&t=26s Notably, a full description of what pregnant mothers may expect during a regular visit to their chiropractor at Palmercare can be found on their official website. The Palmercare Chiropractic Sterling clinic encourages their community to get in touch with their team today to discuss any further concerns they may have. Palmercare Chiropractic is committed to helping everyone in their community achieve total wellness and balance in their life. With the launch of their new prenatal service, their warm expertise is now available to women who want to guarantee a more blissful pregnancy. ### For more information about Palmercare Chiropractic Sterling, contact the company here: Palmercare Chiropractic Sterling Palmercare Chiropractic Sterling 7034212990 palmercare@palmercare.com 46169 Westlake Drive Suite 300 Sterling, Virginia 20165 Two women were arrested in Florida after an early morning incident which ended with a man covered in glitter. According to Bay News 9, Sarah Franks, 29, and Kaitlin ODonovan, 27, went to the Clearwater apartment of the victim around 3 a.m. Franks and the man got into an argument during which she threw glitter at him. Advertisement Franks then hopped a fence and went inside the mans apartment and threw more glitter on him. She opened the door for ODonovan who also entered the apartment and threw glitter at the man. After breaking a window in the apartment, the women drove off and local police found their vehicle soon after. The car was warm to the touch and glitter was observed on the inside of the vehicle. Advertisement Both women were booked into Pinellas County Jail and charged with felony burglary with assault. Franks was also charged with criminal mischief for breaking the window. New York, Jan. 13, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Global Powered Agriculture Equipment Market: Focus on Equipment, Application, and Country Analysis - Analysis and Forecast, 2019-2026" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p06219257/?utm_source=GNW Also, COVID-19 travel restrictions across countries have led to an immediate shortage of seasonal farm labor due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This has had a heavy impact, especially in the ongoing harvest season and the upcoming planting season across the world. Market Segmentation Powered Agriculture Equipment by Equipment Type The powered agriculture equipment comprises a wide range of solutions such as tractors, sprayers, planters, combines, and other equipment such as balers and tilling equipment.Farm tractors account for the largest share in the market, followed by combine harvesters, planters, and sprayers, in that order in 2021. The adoption of powered agriculture equipment is increasing among farmers to improve yield, operational efficiency, soil fertility, and profitability. Powered Agriculture Equipment by Region In 2021, Asia-Pacific and Japan led the global powered agriculture equipment market, with a large market concentration in India.Trends such as high population growth, increasing disposable incomes, and booming urbanization in the Asia-Pacific and Japan region have resulted in a robust evolution in the consumption patterns amongst the population of the region. Hence, farmers of the region are focusing on increasing crop yield and having an all-year-round supply of agricultural produce to meet the escalating demand. Key Market Players and Competition Synopsis Some of the key players operating in the market Kubota Corporation, AGCO Corporation, Deere & Company, CLAAS Group, CNH Industrial N.V., ISEKI & CO. Ltd., Robert Bosch GmbH, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd., Trimble Inc., SDF Group, Parrot S.A., Harvest Automation, PrecisionHawk Inc., Tirth Agro Technology Private Limited, Kinze Manufacturing, Yanmar Holdings Co. Ltd., ZETOR Tractors., among others. The companies that are profiled in the report have been selected based on the selective pool of players, primarily Tier-1 (holding 50-60% of the market), mid-segment players (comprising 30-40% share), and small and emerging companies (holding the balance 10-20% share), based on various factors such as product portfolio, annual revenues, market penetration, research, and development initiatives, along with a domestic and international presence in the Powered Agriculture industry. Countries Covered North America U.S. Canada Mexico Europe Italy France Germany Spain Rest-of-Europe U.K. Middle East and Africa China Asia-Pacific Japan India South Korea Australia Rest-of-Asia-Pacific South America Brazil Argentina Rest-of-South America Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p06219257/?utm_source=GNW About Reportlinker ReportLinker is an award-winning market research solution. Reportlinker finds and organizes the latest industry data so you get all the market research you need - instantly, in one place. __________________________ OTTAWA, Jan. 13, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- As the human and economic costs of climate disasters continue to mount, Canada faces a choice. It can continue to respond to disasters as they unfold with the attendant economic, social, and health harms or it can proactively prepare for them, mitigating the worst of the damages or avoiding them altogether. According to a new expert panel report from the Council of Canadian Academies (CCA), bridging disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation practices is crucial to reducing exposure and vulnerability to disasters and bolstering public safety in a changing climate. Canada is susceptible to a wide range of severe weather events, from extremes of hot and cold, to tornadoes, floods, droughts, avalanches, landslides, winter storms, ice storms, and wildfires. In a changing climate, these events are becoming more common and severe, and they are increasingly likely to strike at the same time and place, exacerbating and compounding the hazardous consequences. The tragic and damaging impacts of cascading hazards are becoming increasingly apparent, as we saw in BC, where record-breaking rainfall triggered landslides in areas where vegetation had been destroyed by wildfires just months earlier, said Scott Vaughan, Chair of the Expert Panel. But outcomes like this are not inevitable they are the result of choices that put people in harms way. There are practical measures that can be implemented to help mitigate the most damaging effects of extreme weather events. The cost of preventing and preparing for disasters is several times less than responding to and recovering from them. However, most governments persistently underinvest in risk reduction and later pay the price in terms of disaster response and recovery. According to the Expert Panel, decision makers need prompt access to better data on extreme weather events to understand and reduce risks. Funding, investment, and insurance programs and policies can also be adapted to build resilience. For example, actions could include dissuading homeowners from building or rebuilding on floodplains, lowering insurance premiums for households with backwater flood valves, and improving building codes and engineering practices to climate-proof buildings and infrastructure. Recognizing the value of Indigenous and Local Knowledge and actively engaging with Indigenous knowledge holders is also critical in the effective reduction of risk. Building disaster resilience hinges on a coordinated strategic approach involving government, businesses, and the public, said Eric M. Meslin, PhD, FRSC, FCAHS, President and CEO of the CCA. This report describes the tools and resources critical to supporting integrated responses, which can be more impactful, stretching limited resources further. Public Safety Canada asked the CCA to examine key opportunities to improve disaster resilience in Canada through better integration of disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation research and practice. Building a Resilient Canada identifies choices that households, communities, businesses, and governments can make to reduce the impacts of extreme weather on Canadas people, communities, and economy in a changing climate. The report details the resources, funding programs, investment options, insurance offerings, and governance structures that can support effective decision-making and a more resilient Canada. Visit www.cca-reports.ca to download the report. Contact: Heather Ennis Director of Communications, Council of Canadian Academies 613-851-7723 heather.ennis@cca-reports.ca About the Council of Canadian Academies The CCA is a not-for-profit organization that undertakes independent, evidence-based expert panel assessments to inform public policy development in Canada. The CCA was founded by three independent organizations that represent some of the finest minds in Canada the Royal Society of Canada, the Canadian Academy of Engineering, and the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences. Their Fellows and senior decision-makers sit on CCA's Board of Directors and Scientific Advisory Committee, and they are a key source of membership for expert panels. The CCA's founding Academies also provide key guidance and input throughout the assessment process, including expert panel nominations and dissemination processes. For more information about the CCA or its assessments, please visit www.cca-reports.ca. Follow us on Twitter: @cca_reports A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/7a62c2c4-de84-40b9-b6ef-ded5eb3508d6 Dublin, Jan. 13, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Global Military Airborne Platform Energization Growth Opportunities" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. This study looks at the different technologies that will impact energization, analyzes the factors driving this shift, and identifies the resultant emerging opportunities. With ecological concerns becoming more urgent, governments across the world are setting net-zero targets for their militaries and the civil aviation sectors. Military departments are also expressing increasing interest in electric aircraft due to their lower operating costs and stealth capabilities. In response to the new green policies and the need to enhance capabilities and efficiencies, defense operators are turning to new power sources and energization mechanisms. At present, the commercial sector is driving research into batteries. Hence, defense companies must rely on them for solutions to meet the energization demands of military departments. It provides the following: An outline of the general trends and the drivers and restraints in the airborne energization space An analysis of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the defense industry and the airborne energization space An analysis of the main technology segments in airborne energization, which are: Propulsion Fuel Batteries A few key case studies An examination of the major technology areas that will impact the defense industry and the segments likely to benefit from these technologies Key Topics Covered: 1. Strategic Imperatives Why is it Increasingly Difficult to Grow? The Strategic Imperative The Impact of the Top 3 Strategic Imperatives on the Military Airborne Energization Industry Growth Opportunities Fuel the Growth Pipeline Engine 2. Growth Environment Market Overview Trends Impacting Military Airborne Energization Capability Impact - Evolving Technologies Key Predictions 3. Research Scope and Objectives Research Scope Research Objectives and Questions 4. Economic and Geopolitical Analysis Geopolitical Snapshot Geopolitical Analysis COVID-19 5. Growth Opportunity Analysis - General Trends General Trends Driving Military Airborne Energization 6. Growth Drivers and Restraints Growth Drivers Growth Drivers Analysis Growth Restraints Growth Restraints Analysis 7. Technology Technologies Analysis 8. Use Cases Case Study 1 - Li-ion Batteries-x57 Maxwell Case Study 2 - Electric-Alpha Electro Case Study 3 - Hybrid-electric-EEL Case Study 4 - Hybrid-electric-eFusion Case Study 5 - Hydrogen-HyFlyer 9. Growth Opportunity Universe Growth Opportunity 1: Increasing R&D Investments for Military Airborne Energization Growth Opportunity 2: Batteries Enabling Net-zero Emissions Targets Growth Opportunity 3: Hydrogen Systems and Fuel Cells to Reduce Weight Growth Opportunity 4: Stealth Requirements for the Military Aviation Segment Growth Opportunity 5: Improved Energy Efficiency and Integration 10. Appendix For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/r0hnci LOS ANGELES, Jan. 13, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Concrete-AI today announced it has raised $2 million in a seed financing round with participation by the Grantham Foundation for the Protection of the Environment, a prominent family office and other marquee investors. This financing will accelerate the rollout of Concrete-AIs pioneering data science platform that uses artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) to optimize supply chains and materials selection to bring new efficiencies to the design, proportioning and production of concrete mixtures. Concrete-AIs platform delivers unparalleled reductions in the cost and embodied carbon of ready mixed and precast concrete used in construction, without any changes in their method of production, the materials used or anything else. In addition, the company announced that industry veteran Ryan Henkensiefken has joined the company as Vice President of Business Development. Henkensiefken has spent more than a decade in the concrete and chemicals industries. Most recently, he served as Market Development Manager for Master Builders Solutions (previously, BASF Construction Chemicals). Prior to this, he held business development, and engineering roles for Central Concrete Supply, a unit of U.S. Concrete. During pre-commercial piloting with several of the largest cement, concrete and chemical admixtures manufacturers, including Summit Materials, U.S. Concrete, a Vulcan Materials Company and Votorantim Cimentos (Prairie Material), Concrete-AIs platform has been shown to reduce the material costs and embodied carbon footprint of ready-mixed concrete (RMC) by up to 10 percent, and up to 50 percent, respectively. It achieves these reductions by applying AI/ML-enabled concrete optimization to predict the performance of concrete as a function of its mixture proportions, and the characteristics of coarse and fine aggregates, supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs), and the chemical admixture type and dosage, etc. The result is a highly optimized, cost-effective concrete that fulfills all engineering performance characteristics such as slump, set time and strength, while utilizing locally available raw materials to ensure safety, longevity and code-compliance. Concrete-AIs AI/ML approach for concrete proportioning helps solve some of the biggest challenges facing the industry: concrete overdesign; the embodied carbon footprint from cement (i.e., the glue or binder that holds the aggregates together to make concrete); increasing material cost; and reducing margins. Traditionally, because it has been difficult to predict how the constituents of a concrete mixture will affect its performance, concrete formulations have been overdesigned such that they contain excess cement. In the U.S. alone, this overdesign costs the industry more than $1 billion annually, and results in 10 million tonnes of incremental carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) emissions associated with cement production. If Concrete-AI were adopted globally carbon emissions from cement and concrete production could be reduced by 500 million tonnes per year. Concrete-AI offers the construction sector a one-of-a-kind, capital-light, rapidly deployable, Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) solution that brings new performance and sustainability efficiencies to concrete production while leveraging existing supply chains, manufacturing processes, and the power of data, said Alex Hall, CEO of Concrete-AI. To reduce the embodied carbon footprint of concrete construction projects, we must use materials effectively and efficiently. Concrete-AI enables this while ensuring safety, peak engineering performance and sustainability by optimizing the use of cement, aggregates, and diverse SCMs in concrete, in an unparalleled manner by a data-driven approach. At a time when states and the federal government are increasingly requiring and incentivizing the reduction of embodied carbon in the built environment, Concrete-AI offers the industry the leading data-driven solution for ensuring cost-effective and sustainable construction. The core Concrete-AI technology was developed at UCLAs Institute for Carbon Management (ICM) by Gaurav N. Sant and Mathieu Bauchy. Sant and Bauchy are faculty members in UCLAs Samueli School of Engineering in the Departments of Civil and Environmental Engineering. Sant is also a faculty member in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering and is the Director of UCLAs Institute for Carbon Management. About Concrete-AI Concrete-AI is a data science company that delivers cost-savings and embodied carbon reductions in concrete production. By leveraging the power of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), Concrete-AIs platform designs and proportions the optimal concrete for any construction application. This reduces costs and embodied carbon footprint of concrete, while ensuring certainty of performance, compliance with existing codes and standards. More information is available at www.concrete-ai.com. A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/37880936-aa14-41e6-af1b-4d4c33751a3a NASHVILLE, Tenn., Jan. 13, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- To celebrate the new year, SmileDirectClub, the next generation oral care company, announced the creation of its new Confidence Council in partnership with Ambassadors Jonathan Van Ness, Tunde Oyeneyin and Arielle Vandenberg, to shine a light on the transformational power of a smile. Through their experiences with Queer Eye, Peloton and Love Island, these individuals understand the vital role that confidence can play in transforming your life, body and relationships. According to a recent survey by OnePulse, 93% of individuals surveyed agree that a straight and healthy smile increases self-confidence. Additionally, 94% believe that increased self-confidence improves overall mood, happiness and the likelihood to make other positive life changes.* Through its Confidence Council, SmileDirectClub hopes to raise awareness of its mission to democratize access to care and the importance of helping more people realize the life-changing potential of their smiles. Since launching in 2014, SmileDirectClub has helped over 1.5 million customers around the world achieve a new smile, furthering its goal of enabling access to a smile each and every person loves, by making it accessible, affordable and convenient for everyone. When selecting partners for this initiative, it was clear that Jonathan, Tunde and Arielle all deeply believe in the power of confidence and positivity to uplift themselves and their communities, said John Sheldon, Chief Marketing Officer at SmileDirectClub. Were excited to share the experiences and stories of our Confidence Council Ambassadors, all of whom believe in the importance of confidence and the transformational power of a smile. Jonathan Van Ness, Star of Queer Eye, Author & Founder of JVN Hair: How we talk about ourselves makes such an impact on how we show up in the world, how we work with other people, how we interact with loved ones and people we dont know. I know the power of a transformation, and loving your smile is a great first step towards boosting your confidence. I am personally excited to be starting my own journey with SmileDirectClub and cant wait to see how my new smile impacts my own self-confidence. Tunde Oyeneyin, Peloton Instructor, Trainer & Public Speaker: I believe confidence is a skill, not a trait, which is why I am honored to be partnering with SmileDirectClub to spread confidence around the world. As I learned from my own experience, when you shed the doubt, step into your own power and own that power, you will prevail. As someone who used to not want to be noticed, I know firsthand the power of confidence in loving who you are and, like SmileDirectClub, I believe that a smile can have a transformational power on your self-confidence. Arielle Vandenberg, Actress, Comedian & Host of Love Island: "Being confident about your smile makes a big difference in how you present yourself to the world. As someone who appreciates the power of laughter, being confident with my smile is important to me, and that is why I am excited to be partnering with SmileDirectClub to spread confidence as an Ambassador of its Confidence Council. While confidence is not developed overnight, if you believe in what you are doing and youre passionate about it, thats truly what will show and what people will gravitate towards. I take pride in my own self-confidence and believe its important to never take yourself too seriously, in life and in relationships. Always remember to smile and put yourself out there, as a smile and confidence are always key!" With 90% of those surveyed planning to make a positive change to boost their self-confidence this New Year*, now is the time to take steps to love your smile even more. Through the end of January (1/31), you can get a $15 impression kit (free after return) plus 6 months of free whitening with LED light by using code NEWYEAR2022 on SmileDirectClub.com. SmileDirectClub is the only clear aligner brand that offers customers an end-to-end solution to keep teeth straighter, brighter and cleaner. Since launch, SmileDirectClub has become one of the fastest-growing health technology companies and continues to be the leading telehealth platform for orthodontia. About SmileDirectClub SmileDirectClub, Inc. (SmileDirectClub) is an oral care company and creator of the first medtech platform for teeth straightening. Through its cutting-edge telehealth technology and vertically integrated model, SmileDirectClub is revolutionizing the oral care industry. SmileDirectClubs mission is to democratize access to a smile each and every person loves by making it affordable and convenient for everyone. SmileDirectClub is headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee and operates in the U.S., Canada, Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom, Ireland, Hong Kong, Singapore, Spain, France and Mexico. For more information, please visit SmileDirectClub.com. Contact: SmileDirectClub Media Relations: Press@SmileDirectClub.com * Source: OnePulse Survey, n=300 US Consumers, 16+ years old with representative market mix of gender, ethnicity, age group, HH income, and geographic location Photos accompanying this announcement are available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/da334211-c6aa-452b-9386-68420306238f https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/24f1d4fd-fa8e-4a8a-909f-3414d89b7b46 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/82c223d1-5219-4df3-a8b8-49e5f11d3ec7 Detroit, Michigan, Jan. 13, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Artificial Intelligence Technology Solutions, Inc., (OTCPK:AITX), today announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary Robotic Assistance Devices Inc. (RAD) has provided an update to sales activities and sales force expansion. We welcome the new calendar year, new team members, new dealers, and of course new sales of RAD solutions. Were pleased that the company continues to attract new talent, new channel partners and new business from several of the largest and most admired companies in the world, said Steve Reinharz, CEO of AITX and RAD. 2022 is certainly starting with a bang for RAD, and were excited to share progress throughout the year. RAD has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with one of the nations largest vehicle retailers an initial deployment of 1 ROAMEO mobile security robot and 1 ROSA unit. Additional details will be released in the future. This is a big piece of news Im excited to share. It has tremendous potential, commented Reinharz. The company identified additional recent developments of significance. 2 ROSA units have been ordered through one of RADs most renowned dealers. These units will be deployed at one of the worlds largest online retailers regional offices to supplement their existing security staff. It is anticipated that these first two units will lead to many more. A Fortune 500, global consumer products manufacture that has some of the most popular brands has ordered a ROSA unit which will be deployed at one of their US distribution centers. This is a test unit and will open a significant new market upon success. Teachout Security Solutions a nationwide provider of security services headquartered in Flint, Michigan has signed as an authorized RAD dealer. Teachout Security Solutions has placed an order for one Wally HSO solution which will eventually be deployed at one of their healthcare clients to assist staff with temperature checks and other required health screening processes. The addition of 3 members to RADs sales team, bringing the companys total business development group to 7 members. This incredibly talented group is expected to further expand as we continue to staff up, driving significant increases in sales, Reinharz commented. The expansion of RADs software and hardware development team, pushing the total headcount to 75. The team is kicking this year off strong, said Mark Folmer, RAD President. As I always say: best to get on a lead on the year if youre going to blow out your targets! Additional details will be shared in the coming weeks and months. Robotic Assistance Devices (RAD) is a high-tech start-up that delivers robotics and artificial intelligence-based solutions that empower organizations to gain new insight, solve complex security challenges, and fuel new business ideas at reduced costs. RAD developed its advanced security robot technology from the ground up including circuit board design, and base code development. This allows RAD to have complete control over all design elements, performance, quality, and the users experience of all security robots whether SCOT, ROSA, Wally, Wally HSO, AVA, or ROAMEO. Read about how RAD is reinventing the security services industry by downloading the Autonomous Remote Services Industry Manifesto. Follow Steve Reinharz on Twitter @SteveReinharz for future RAD and AITX updates. CAUTIONARY DISCLOSURE ABOUT 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 the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and such forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements in this news release other than statements of historical fact are "forward-looking statements" that are based on current expectations and assumptions. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the statements, including, but not limited to, the following: the ability of Artificial Intelligence Technology Solutions to provide for its obligations, to provide working capital needs from operating revenues, to obtain additional financing needed for any future acquisitions, to meet competitive challenges and technological changes, to meet business and financial goals including projections and forecasts, and other risks. Artificial Intelligence Technology Solutions undertakes no duty to update any forward-looking statement(s) and/or to confirm the statement(s) to actual results or changes in Artificial Intelligence Technology Solutions expectations. About Artificial Intelligence Technology Solutions (AITX) AITX is an innovator in the delivery of artificial intelligence-based solutions that empower organizations to gain new insight, solve complex challenges and fuel new business ideas. Through its next-generation robotic product offerings, AITXs RAD, RAD-M and RAD-G companies help organizations streamline operations, increase ROI, and strengthen business. AITX technology improves the simplicity and economics of patrolling and guard services and allows experienced personnel to focus on more strategic tasks. Customers augment the capabilities of existing staffs and gain higher levels of situational awareness, all at drastically reduced cost. AITX solutions are well suited for use in multiple industries such as enterprises, government, transportation, critical infrastructure, education, and healthcare. To learn more, visit www.aitx.ai, www.r adsecurity .com and www.radlightmyway.com, or follow Steve Reinharz on Twitter @SteveReinharz . ### Steve Reinharz 949-636-7060 @SteveReinharz Data confirm strong anticancer activity of two lead compounds in CT-01 program Results support advancement of CT-01 compounds towards IND expected in late 2022 WROCAW, Poland, Jan. 13, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Captor Therapeutics S.A. (WSE:CTX), a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of targeted protein degradation (TPD) drugs for cancer and autoimmune diseases, announces preclinical proof-of-concept data from one of its core pipeline projects designated CT-01, which is focused on the development of TPD therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The in vivo proof-of-concept data confirm the potent antitumor activity of two CT-01 lead compounds in a liver cancer mouse xenograft model and demonstrate that oral administration of these two CT-01 candidates results in complete tumor regression in a Hep 3B2.1-7 mouse model of HCC. Strong and comparable efficacy was demonstrated in both therapeutic groups (100mg/kg bid and 300mg/kg bid). Simultaneously, the data demonstrate the tolerability of both CT-01 candidates, as no treatment-related toxicity was observed. "These preclinical data represent a significant milestone in the development of one of our core pipeline projects," said Dr Tom Shepherd, Chief Executive Officer of Captor Therapeutics. "Hepatocellular carcinoma is a very common cancer, but remains difficult to treat with few effective therapies and poor prognosis for most patients. The strong regression of tumors in a liver cancer model shown in our proof-of-concept study is extremely encouraging and supports further work on the CT-01 project. We will now look to progress one of these compounds towards Investigational New Drug Application (IND)-enabling studies." CT-01 is Captor Therapeutics' second pipeline project to produce in vivo data recently, following positive pharmacological results from the CT-03 project. Both sets of in vivo data provide further evidence of the potential of the Company's Optigrade targeted protein degradation platform to discover and develop molecular glue- and bifunctional-type degraders with good druggable properties against high-value targets. The company will provide more detailed information during an online investor call next week. About Project CT-01 and HCC The purpose of Project CT-01 is to develop, based on targeted protein degradation technology, a drug candidate which will stop the progress of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and potentially offer significant benefits for patients. HCC, a form of liver cancer, constitutes a significant unmet medical need since most patients are diagnosed at a late stage of the disease, and present treatments bring limited benefits in terms of overall survival rate. With ~700,000 new cases each year, HCC constitutes the second most common cause of cancer mortality. In patients diagnosed early, surgical removal of the tumor remains the only effective therapy. In unresectable HCC, the best reported outcome is the combination of Atezolizumab (Tecentriq) plus Bevacizumab (Avastin), where 19.2 months median Overall Survival (OS) and 29.8% Overall Response Rate (ORR) were reported in the IMbrave150 study, indicating that there remains a dramatic need for new treatments. About Captor Therapeutics Captor Therapeutics is a biopharmaceutical company focused on leveraging Targeted Protein Degradation (TPD) technology to discover and develop breakthrough drug candidates in diseases with high unmet medical needs. TPD is a revolutionary approach to developing new drugs that can address novel molecular targets which are deemed undruggable with classical drug development approaches, as well as providing additional treatment options for diseases where existing drugs fail to provide an optimal medical benefit. Captor is currently developing therapeutics for undertreated severe conditions, including malignancies and autoimmune diseases. More information on Captor Therapeutics is available at: http://www.captortherapeutics.com LinkedIn: @CaptorTherapeutics Twitter: @CaptorTherapeu1 For further information, please contact: MUNICH, Jan. 13, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- iC Consult Group, a leading global service and consulting company in the field of Identity & Access Management (IAM), announced the acquisition of ICSynergy, a renowned integrator of IAM based digital transformation solutions. The transaction expands iC Consult's footprint in the North American market and supports the company's wider global growth objective. The purchase price was not disclosed. Founded in 2000 and headquartered in Plano, Texas, ICSynergy offers a wide scope of Advisory, Architecture, Implementation and Professional Services in IAM. ICSynergy has successfully delivered over 1,000 complex IAM and PAM (Privileged Access Management) projects and closely aligns its solutions with both the business and technology priorities of the customers. "The addition of ICSynergy marks a major milestone for iC Consult and will significantly strengthen our presence in North America," explains Jurgen Biermann, CEO of iC Consult Group. "ICSynergy is a successful, established IAM specialist with a strong customer base, a dynamic growth rate and a comprehensive service offering. We share a similar mindset, and we look forward to unlocking the synergies and to leveraging the strong standing of both companies in the market to generate value for our global customers." Mike Thompson, CEO of ICSynergy, adds: "With the acquisition in the books, we are now part of one of the world's leading pure play IAM consultancies. This is great news for all our customers: Having access to iC Consult's expertise, support and workforce in the region and on a global basis will allow us to optimally address the needs of our clients, and to significantly expand our portfolio. A prime example is the inclusion of iC Consult's Identity as a Service (IDaaS) offering Service Layers in our solution portfolio. This fully-managed cloud-service delivers seamless identity-first security without any need for dedicated inhouse resources - and is a great option for today's strained IT teams." Brad Kirkpatrick, CEO of iC Consult U.S., says: "I am extremely impressed with ICSynergy's deep technological understanding and their ability to execute innovative and demanding projects. With their dedicated and experienced practice leaders and consultants and their close partnerships with leading vendors like Okta, One Identity and Thycotic, they are a great addition to our U.S. business. Combining our expertise across IAM and PAM will bring tremendous value for our existing and new customers." Serving as a trusted advisor for all aspects of IAM, iC Consult Group combines a broad portfolio of services and solutions with deep technical expertise. The company, which is held by The Carlyle Group and Jurgen Biermann as the major stakeholders, employs over 500 people at fifteen locations worldwide and is currently rapidly driving the internationalization of its business. Interested readers find further information at https://www.ic-consult.com/en. About iC Consult iC Consult Group, headquartered in Munich, Germany, is a leading independent consultancy, systems integrator, and services provider for Identity & Access Management (IAM). The service portfolio covers business and process consulting, architecture, design, implementation, and integration to IAM managed services and identity as a service offerings. The company's more than 500 employees have successfully delivered over 3,000 projects and managed services for IAM. The iC Consult Group, with its affiliates iC Consult, xdi360, IAM Worx and Service Layers, has offices in Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Spain, Bulgaria, the UK, the U.S., Canada, and China. More information at www.ic-consult.com. Contact iC Consult Group: iC Consult Group GmbH Ulli Rottmuller Leopoldstrae 252b 80807 Munich, Germany E-Mail: ulli.rottmueller@ic-consult.com Internet: www.ic-consult.com Agency Contact: H zwo B Kommunikations GmbH Michal Vitkovsky Neue Strae 7 91088 Erlangen-Bubenreuth, Germany Phone +49 (0) 9131 812 81 25 E-Mail: michal.vitkovsky@h-zwo-b.de Internet: www.h-zwo-b.de For portraits of the quote givers please contact michal.vitkovsky@h-zwo-b.de. Related Files 220113_PR_ICSynergy_EN.pdf This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com. BERLIN and LONDON, Jan. 13, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via CryptoCurrencyWire - Beatport, the global leader of music for DJs, producers, and their fans, and PIXELYNX, the new (metaverse) gaming venture from electronic music mavericks Joel Zimmerman aka deadmau5 and Richie Hawtin, announced today the release of Synth Heads, a series of generative NFTs. The first series of 3,030 unique Synth Heads NFTs will be available to buy on Thursday 27th January via a dedicated Beatport landing page. For key updates the Synth Heads community can gather on Beatports Discord ahead of the drop. The Synth Heads series imagines a world where synthesizers come alive after the creators go to bed. Synth Heads forms a narrative in which each generative NFT is a unique character all its own. The characters are BB, Lynn, Pauline, Oscar, Seq-Ee, and Dax 7. The group of living synths are preparing for their own musical adventure bored by the uninventive use of preset sounds by their owner. The synths get connected whenever they have the bedroom studio to themselves. Synth Heads are created using a process called Generative Art, which algorithmically generates new ideas, forms, shapes, colors or patterns. This process ensures each NFT is completely unique, with some having more rare qualities than others. The series generation pays homage to synth culture, a cornerstone of electronic music creation and performance, whilst also celebrating music instrument history - going all the way back to the first analogue synth created in 1965. Rising, an international creative studio, was the design lead for the project and executed the generative script for the collection. Owning the unique digital collectible Synth Heads, will give collectors exclusive access to a range of benefits including, but not limited to, becoming members of the Synth Head community, special passes to festivals, unlocking future utility in the Beatport ecosystem and beyond, as well as future NFT and metaverse experiences. Beatport has been an early adopter and supporter of the NFT space, as have PIXELYNX founders deadmau5 and Richie Hawtin, said Inder Phull, CEO of PIXELYNX. Together weve created a special collection for electronic music fans that captures the unique culture of synthesizers in a creative and fun way. Robb McDaniels, CEO of Beatport said, Teaming up with PIXELNYX has enabled us to create a truly unique NFT offering, one which celebrates electronic music culture while providing fans with a value long after the initial purchase. Synth Heads are music fans all-access pass to shows, music, the metaverse and more. Video & Artwork embed or links here Announcement Video (Square, Story, Widescreen) Overall Main Artwork (1400x1050) Individual Synth Head Model Artwork (Square, Story, 1400x1050) About The Beatport Group The Beatport Group is the worldwide home of music for DJs, producers, and their fans. Founded in 2004, the The Beatport Group family of companies includes Beatport , the preeminent store for electronic music DJs, Beatsource for the open-format DJ community, Loopmasters, Loopcloud and Plugin Boutique for music producers, and Beatport Media Group for brands and fans of DJ culture. The Beatport Groups portfolio of products includes an array of high-quality audio solutions to choose from, including: full song downloads, exclusive content from leading labels, a streaming music service seamlessly integrated into DJ software and hardware (LINK) and exclusive sound packs and plugins. All of the content is expertly curated on a weekly basis by a global team that helps define DJ culture. Beatport has offices in Berlin, Brighton, Denver and Los Angeles. Follow us on Twitch , Facebook and Twitter , and Instagram . About PIXELYNX PIXELYNX is a new gaming venture which has been created by iconic musicians and technologists Joel Zimmerman aka deadmau5, Richie Hawtin aka Plastikman, and music industry visionaries Ben Turner (Graphite; IMS: International Music Summit; AFEM: Association for Electronic Music), Dean Wilson (Seven20 Entertainment / mau5trap), and Inder Phull. The company, based in London and Los Angeles, is focused on building a music metaverse that will transform the way artists connect and engage with their fans through gaming experiences. Pixelynx NFT strategy development and execution is supported by Seven20 Entertainment (management company to deadmau5 and other notable acts and ventures). Learn more at https://www.pixelynx.io . About Rising Rising is a creative studio with +14yrs experience working with globally successful artists, record labels, events and brands in the tech, gaming and metaverse spaces. Clients over the years have included the likes of the Gorillaz, Swedish House Mafia, Banks, Calvin Harris, Sony Music, Universal and a decade with deadmau5. The aim since inception has been to help clients tell their stories. Content has always been at the core. As the company has evolved it has transitioned into a full motion design studio; creative tech experimentation being their muse. The companys first real introduction to blockchain art was working with deadmau5, Emanate and Rarez to produce a series of cards for WAX in November 2020. Since then, the team have worked on several their own projects (one of which earned feature support from AIGA Eye on Design) in addition to external clients, including: mau5trap, deadmau5, Weezer, and Flux Pavilion. Website | Behance | Instagram | Twitter For more information, contact: Farah Syed / Beatport press@beatport.com John Vlautin / SpinLab Communications jv@spinlab.net Jill Mango / SpinLab Communications jill@spinlab.net Wire Service Contact CryptoCurrencyWire (CCW) New York, New York www.CryptoCurrencyWire.com 212.994.9818 Office Editor@CryptoCurrencyWire.com A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/8567b72e-96b1-4297-821e-f6363a3df80e SAN JOSE, CA, Jan. 13, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- HEIDENHAIN CORPORATION will be exhibiting at Photonics West, Booth #3269, on January 25-27 in San Francisco, CA. HEIDENHAIN will showcase the latest MULTI Degrees-of-Freedom (MULTI-DOF) motion control components, offering manufacturers a better way to implement metrology designs. Photonics West is the worlds premier lasers, biomedical optics and optoelectronics event. With HEIDENHAINs recent release of new MULTI-DOF technology, machine manufacturers can now obtain multiple measurements simultaneously and facilitate correcting deviations on the fly. These products include the LIP 6031 Dplus, the GAP 1081 and the MKV 1/9x30. Conventional encoders offer one degree of motion, but these three new components do more to serve the demanding requirements of machines in the electronics and semiconductor industries, among others. More information on these components can be found at https://semiconductor.heidenhain.com/ About HEIDENHAIN DR. JOHANNES HEIDENHAIN GmbH, headquartered in Traunreut, Germany, develops and supports motion control feedback solutions for the machine tool, semiconductor, electronics assembly and test, metrology, automation, medical, energy, biotechnology and other global markets. HEIDENHAIN employs approximately 6,000 people worldwide in its core business activities. The North American subsidiary is HEIDENHAIN CORPORATION, headquartered in Schaumburg, IL, and San Jose, CA, and has been serving the U.S. industry for over 50 years. Here nine company brands are represented. More information at: www.heidenhain.us/about-us # Image available at: https://www.heidenhain.us/addl-materials/pr/2021/MKV-19x30_GAP-1081_LIP-6031-alt2.jpg Product contact : Jonathan Dougherty, HEIDENHAIN Business Development Manager, Automation jdougherty@heidenhain.com or 847-519-4218 Attachment An internal investigation found that two Ohio police officers who dragged a paraplegic man out of his car and held him on the ground did nothing wrong during the September encounter. The only repercussion for officers Vincent Carter and Wayne Hammock of the Dayton Police Department was a training memo, according to the report released Wednesday. Advertisement Carter and Hammock pulled over Clifford Owensby, a 39-year-old Black man, on Sept. 30. They suspected him of transporting drugs, claiming that his car had been outside a drug complaint residence for a long period of time. No drugs were ever found in the vehicle. The traffic stop went smoothly until the cops asked Owensby to get out of the car. Advertisement Body camera footage shows Ohio police grab paraplegic man and pull him from car during traffic stop. (Dayton Police Dept.) I cant step out the car sir. Im a paraplegic, Owensby told the officers. Hammock offered to help Owensby out of the car. The officers wanted Owensby to exit the car so a police dog could sniff for drugs. Hammock offered to help Owensby out of the car, but Owensby turned down the offer. Youre not gonna touch me. You definitely not about to touch me, he said. Breaking News As it happens Get updates on the coronavirus pandemic and other news as it happens with our free breaking news email alerts. > But Hammock and Carter insisted, grabbing Owensby by his dreadlocks and his arm and hauling him out of the car and onto the pavement. I was at fear of my life and I held on to the steering wheel with the tightest grip that I could because I know that being pulled out of a vehicle while being paraplegic could cause injuries, Owensby said in a written statement to the internal investigators, Dayton polices Professional Standards Bureau. But the investigators turned that statement against Owensby, saying that it proved he was resisting the officers efforts to remove him from the car and therefore justified their use of force. The force used was in direct response to this resistance, reads the report. The investigation cleared Hammock and Carter of all serious accusations. The training memo was a consequence of an offhand comment from Hammock (Carter, whyd you beat that poor man up?) and the officers decision to mute their body-cameras after the comment. Owensby has filed a federal lawsuit against Hammock, Carter and the city of Dayton, according to the Dayton Daily News. It accuses the officers of excessive force, unlawful arrest and failing to make proper accommodations for his disability. Justice will prevail in this case, Dayton NAACP President Derrick Foward said, according to the Dayton newspaper. Advertisement On the day of the incident, Owensby was taken to jail but not booked. He was cited for tinted windows and for having a 3-year-old child in the vehicle without a car seat. Investigators said that during the trip to jail, authorities helped Owensby in and out of vehicles with no issue, a significant difference from the initial confrontation. Dallas, Texas, Jan. 13, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Priority Aviation, Inc. (OTC Pink: PJET) (PJET) today confirmed plans to publish its 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. 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. PJET recently announced it will soon be introducing electric motorcycles and scooters produced by Alternet Systems, Inc. (OTC Pink: 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. ALYI recently featured its partnership with PJET in an ALYI 2022 Strategic Outlook Presentation . 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. 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. Union City, TN, Jan. 13, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- For Immediate Release Union City, Tenn. Church leaders from Dresden First United Methodist Church in Dresden, Tenn., are working with artifact experts from Discovery Park of America, a museum and heritage park in nearby Union City, Tenn., to open and conserve contents of a copper cornerstone box that was discovered during demolition of the church building. The building was damaged beyond repair in December 2021, during one of the worst outbreaks of tornadoes ever recorded in the United States. The cornerstone box was found bricked inside a part of the church that was dedicated in 1923 and was previously unknown to many of todays church members. Once discovered, demolition halted as those on hand began work to carefully extract the box from the cornerstone of the building. Wayne McCreight, a church trustee, contacted Discovery Park to ask for help safely extracting the contents of the box. Jennifer Wildes, the museums senior director of collections and exhibits, will manage opening the box in the next few weeks and will be prepared to conserve what, if anything, remains inside after being hidden away nearly 100 years. Photos of any items found will be posted on Discovery Parks Facebook page and loaned by the church for display at Discovery Park for a short time. A clipping from the Dresden Enterprise, the towns newspaper, noted that when the church was originally dedicated, a crowd gathered on a Saturday afternoon to watch the laying of the cornerstone. According to the clipping, the box that was placed there at the time contained a complete roll of the church membership, a full history of the church, copies of the church newspaper, copies of the Dresden Enterprise and copies of hymnals. If we find artifacts that are damp and fragile, it will require delicate care to preserve them intact before they can be thoroughly examined and cataloged, said Wildes. Whatever we find, well make certain these items left by church members from the past are preserved as a reminder of the churchs important history. Dresden, the county seat of Weakley County, Tenn., was organized in 1825 and incorporated in 1827. When the town was laid out and lots made available for purchase, land was designated for a house of worship. That lot was purchased on Feb. 4, 1833, and it was there the church was located in various buildings until the tornadoes of 2021. Church leaders are in the process of planning where and when their new church building will be built. Contributions to the Dresden First United Methodist Church rebuilding effort may be made online at GoFundMe.com by searching Dresden FUMC Rebuilding Effort, or checks may be mailed to: Bldg & Renovation Fund Dresden First United Methodist Church 411 Morrow St. Dresden, TN 38225 ### About Discovery Park of America The mission of Discovery Park of America, a premier world-class museum and 50-acre heritage park located in Union City, Tennessee, is to inspire children and adults to see beyond. Included is a 100,000-square-foot museum featuring 9 interactive exhibit galleries with additional space for temporary exhibits from around the world and a 50-acre heritage park. Discovery Park of America is a 501(c)(3) public charity funded by generous individuals, corporations and foundations including its principal funder, the Robert E. and Jenny D. Kirkland Foundation. For more information, visit DiscoveryParkofAmerica.com, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Attachment Forde, Jan. 13, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- EarlyBirds, the company that runs an open ecosystem that allows innovators, early adopters, and subject matter experts (SMEs) to get together, is happy to announce that they have partnered with the Disruptive Innovation Summit. The 2022 summit is back for its fourth year, in spite of COVID-19, and scheduled for 29 31 March 2022, Intercontinental, 33 Cross Street, Double Bay, Sydney Australia. More about this event can be obtained from https://earlybirds.io/en/event/81-disruptive-innovation-summit-2021. This summit will feature some of the worlds most innovative companies and they will share with participants what they do differently. Each and every company showcased on the exceptional speaker panel has been chosen from the worlds most innovative companies listed by either the Financial Review, Boston Consulting Group, or Forbes. Six keynote speakers have been selected from Silicon Valleys best and brightest, in addition to local innovation experts from Sydney. There is no better line-up of speakers willing to share their insight and expertise with participants. This program has been specially curated to help people get into the minds of the experts, sharing their lessons learned, their mindset and their innovation outlook. Attendees are not just expected to listen to session after session, but they need to get involved, ask questions and immerse themselves in the issues. Those who are expected to attend the Disruptive Innovation Summit in March 2022 include: Chief Executive and Board members, Chief Innovation Officers, Executive Leadership teams in IT and Technology, Strategy and Transformation Heads, and Product Managers. There are a number of expected key learning outcomes for the summit: adapt to the disruption of 2020/21; adopt the innovation mindset of successful modern leaders; 5 International speakers from 5 of the worlds most innovative companies; lead and grow innovation in the company culture; commercialise good ideas and change the innovation landscape of the company; and understand the psyche of innovations that have changed the world. A bonus is to learn from the worlds most innovative companies handpicked from the Forbes and Boston Consulting Groups global innovative companies index. The EarlyBirds open innovation ecosystem is expected to play an important role in the development of business applications of new and emerging disruptive technology. This is because it provides a global platform and an open ecosystem where businesses can find innovators or developers of disruptive technologies. In addition, subject matter experts (SMEs) are participating as consultants to help businesses and innovators work together to solve business challenges or seize opportunities. The EarlyBirds open innovation ecosystem offers its unique innovation platform with more that 4 million innovators and assisted innovation services such as the Explorer and Challenger programs. The Explorer program delivers innovation to the whole organisation as a service and has several features: a nominated SME for the business; regular webinars to help stimulate innovation in the organisation; a platform enterprise license; a focus on certain innovations; and quarterly and monthly innovation days; The Challenger program is for organisations who want to focus on one specific challenge at a time. Those who are interested in learning more about EarlyBirds and how it can help businesses may want to check out their website https://earlybirds.io or contact them through the telephone or via email. ### For more information about EarlyBirds, contact the company here: EarlyBirds Mr Kris Poria and Mr Jeff Penrose +61 401 287 060 support@earlybirds.io FORDE SUITE 10, LEVEL 1, 26 FRANCIS FORDE BOULEVARD, FORDE, ACT 2914 WASHINGTON, Jan. 13, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) today announced the appointment of distinguished health services scholar Eric Schneider, MD, M.Sc., to lead its measurement, research and contracting agenda as Executive Vice President of the NCQA Quality Measurement and Research Group. In this role, he will help drive NCQA's efforts to create a more equitable healthcare system and to advance the move to digital quality measurement. "We at NCQA have known and admired Eric Schneider for his thoughtful leadership and his vision for quality's digital future," says NCQA President Margaret E. O'Kane. "He will make an excellent addition to NCQA. We are thrilled to welcome him to our Leadership Team." Dr. Schneider comes to NCQA from The Commonwealth Fund, where he was Senior Vice President for Policy and Research and a member of its executive management team. He has a long history with NCQA, most recently as Co-Chair of its Committee on Performance Measurement. He served on that committee for more than 10 years, including nine as Co-Chair. Prior to his tenure at The Commonwealth Fund, Dr. Schneider was principal researcher at the RAND Corporation and held the RAND Distinguished Chair in Health Care Quality. As the first director of Rand's Boston office, Schneider built its highly regarded multidisciplinary team of health services researchers. As a professor at the T.H. Chan Harvard School of Public Health and Harvard Medical School, Eric taught health policy and practiced primary care internal medicine for 25 years. Widely regarded as one of the nation's preeminent health services researchers, Dr. Schneider has authored more than 125 published peer-reviewed research investigations and dozens of other scientific or medical research publications, reviews, chapters, editorials, and more. His work has focused on four aspects of healthcare quality performance measurement methods; evaluation of quality and safety measurement in public reporting and financial incentive programs; use of healthcare quality measures to assess racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic disparities in healthcare quality; and evaluation of innovative approaches in health insurance, organization and financing of healthcare, and the organization of healthcare delivery. Dr. Schneider trained in health services research, public health and primary care general internal medicine. He holds a Bachelor of Science, cum laude, in biology from Columbia University and a Master of Science from the University of California, Berkeley. He earned his medical degree from the University of California, San Francisco. He is a member of the AcademyHealth Board of Directors and a fellow of both the American College of Physicians and the National Academy of Social Insurance. Dr. Schneider said of his NCQA appointment: "For the past three decades, NCQA has been an innovative leader, improving healthcare for all through transparent measurement and accountability programs. NCQA is especially well-positioned at this pivotal time to apply the lessons of those efforts to a rapidly evolving healthcare enterprise. As a clinician long dedicated to helping healthcare systems achieve the highest quality care, I could not be more excited about joining the NCQA team in pursuit of this mission." For More Information or to Arrange an Interview: Matt Brock, NCQA Director of Communications brock@NCQA.ORG - 202-955-1739 About NCQA NCQA is a private, nonprofit organization dedicated to improving healthcare quality. NCQA Accredits and Certifies a wide range of healthcare organizations. It also recognizes clinicians and practices in key areas of performance. NCQA's Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS) is the most widely used performance measurement tool in healthcare. NCQA's website (ncqa.org) contains information to help consumers, employers and others make informed healthcare choices. NCQA can also be found at Twitter @ncqa, on Facebook at facebook.com/NCQA.org/ and on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/company/ncqa. Related Images Image 1: NCQA LOGO NCQA LOGO This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com. Attachment WOODLAND PARK, NJ, Jan. 13, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Berkeley College announces the launch of a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program through its School of Health Studies. The advanced degree is for nursing professionals interested in expanding their opportunities as nurse educators, managers and practitioners. The program, approved by the New Jersey Office of the Secretary of Higher Education in December 2021, has specialized concentrations in Nursing Leadership and Management, Nursing Education, Family Nurse Practitioner, and Public Health and Emergency Management Nursing. With this program approval, Berkeley College New Jersey has the only Licensed Practical Nurse-Bachelor of Science in Nursing-Master of Science in Nursing (LPN-BSN-MSN) pathway program in the State of New Jersey. I am exceedingly pleased that Berkeley College New Jerseys Master of Science in Nursing degree program has received final approval from Dr. Brian Bridges, the New Jersey Secretary of Higher Education, said Marsha A. Pollard, PhD, Berkeley College Provost. The MSN program, Berkeley College New Jerseys second Masters-level program, is perfectly aligned with Berkeleys mission, vision and strategic goals, and exemplifies how we support our students in their pursuit of academic and professional success. The MSN program will offer rigorous skills and leadership training to prepare graduates for advancement in the nursing field, said Eva Skuka, MD, PhD, Dean, Berkeley College School of Health Studies. Students pursuing each concentration will be mentored by knowledgeable and supportive faculty, and will complete practicum hours in the field for immersive learning. The MSN program is offered on-site at the Woodland Park, NJ, campus. Berkeley College offers New Jerseys only Licensed Practical Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing program. The addition of the MSN program provides a direct pathway to a graduate degree. Graduates of the Berkeley College MSN program will be qualified for roles in specialized clinical practice, administration and education. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job outlook for medical and health services managers from 2020 to 2030 is expected to grow 32%. Like all Berkeley College students, those pursuing an MSN degree will receive individualized student support services, including Academic Advisement, the Library, the Center for Academic Success, and other resources, including Career Services. Career Services offers free job counseling and career placement assistance to alumni. An MSN gives nurses so much more autonomy and expands their career options, said Eleni Pellazgu, Professor, Nursing, Berkeley College School of Health Studies. It can also provide the opportunity for more flexible hours, the ability to teach, manage and conduct research; to work in non-traditional settings, and so much more. More Information: To learn more about the MSN program, contact Colleen M. Fuller, Director, Admissions, MSN Program, at 973-200-1067 or 800-446-5400. About Berkeley College Berkeley College, founded in 1931, is a career-focused institution accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education that offers students Masters, Bachelors, and Associates degree and Certificate programs in more than 20 career fields. The College also offers continuing education programs to enhance career credentials. Berkeley College has campuses in Midtown Manhattan, NY, and in Newark, Paramus, Woodbridge and Woodland Park, NJ, with more than 4,000 students enrolled. In addition, Berkeley College Online serves a global population. U.S. News & World Report has named Berkeley College among the Best Colleges for Online Bachelors Programs and among the Best Online Bachelors Programs for Veterans, for eight consecutive years. U.S. News & World Report name Berkeley College (NJ) one of the Best Regional Colleges in the North in its 2022 and 2021 editions of the Best Colleges Survey. In 2021 Berkeley College (NJ) was also recognized for the first time as a Top Performer on Social Mobility among colleges in the region. The website address is http://www.BerkeleyCollege.edu The mission of Berkeley College is to empower students to achieve lifelong success in dynamic careers. Attachment New York, NY, Jan. 13, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- A petition calling for an EU ban on the live export to third countries of farmed animals with almost 900,000 signatures has been submitted today (January 13, 2022) to the European Parliament by Compassion in World Farming, FOUR PAWS, WeMove Europe and Animals International. The submission comes just days before a crucial vote by MEPs on recommendations following the inquiry into the protection of animals during transport within and outside the EU. This could result in a strong message from the European Parliament to the Commission to limit journey times and prevent the immense suffering this trade causes to millions of farmed animals across and beyond Europe every year. Under current rules, pigs can be transported for 24 hours non-stop and sheep and cattle for 29 hours with just a one-hour break. At the end of such journeys, a 24-hour break is mandated, but following this break, the cycle can be repeated as often as it takes until the animals arrive at their final destination, to the extent that they can be on the move for several days or even weeks. In December, Committee of Inquiry on the Protection of Animals during Transport (ANIT) members voted for recommendations focusing on the enforcement of existing rules instead of stronger measures that would ultimately ban exports to third countries. This would still allow the cruel and unnecessary long-distance transportation of live animals to countries in which the EU has no means to ensure that animal welfare standards are respected. Every year, millions of animals are transported over thousands of kilometresby air, sea or landto be slaughtered or fattened for slaughter. During these journeys, they suffer tremendously due to stress, exhaustion, over-heating and injuries. Even unweaned calves are transported from the age of 14 days on long journeys, suffering hunger, thirst and thermal stress which heavily impacts their weak immune system. Nor is any special care given to pregnant animals, which sometimes end up giving birth in terrible conditions on board vehicles or ships. The joint petition, which will be handed to MEP Tilly Metz, Chair of the ANIT Committee and President of the Intergroup of the Welfare and Conservation of Animals in the European Parliament today, calls on MEPs to strengthen the ANIT Committee recommendations by supporting a ban on the export of live animals outside the EU, no transport of unweaned animals and a maximum journey time on long-distance transports of eight hours for adult bovine, swine and ovine animals and four hours for poultry and rabbits. Almost 900,000 European citizens are sending a clear message to the EU through our petition that these long and unnecessary journeys are cruel to farmed animals and should be banned, says Olga Kikou, Head of Compassion in World Farming EU. We urge MEPs to listen to this citizens call and to show ambition by going beyond the ANIT Committees recommendations, aiming at improving the lives of millions of farmed animals. Stronger rules setting absolute journey time limits and specific measures for vulnerable animals should be put in place to prevent the suffering and agony experienced during these journeys. The members of the European Parliament need to listen to its constituents and should consider the 0-4-8 principle in its vote: 0 hours of transport for vulnerable animals, 4 hours for poultry and rabbits and 8 hours for adult bovine, ovine and pigs as a maximum transport time! Longer transports, exports of live animals and transports by sea need to be banned altogether, says Pierre Sultana, Director of the European Policy Office at FOUR PAWS. When taking forward their responsibilities as representatives of the European citizenry, MEPs should also take heed of mass mobilizations and actions as the voice of their constituency. Europeans are sending a clear message to the Parliament from all corners of the EU: well be taking note of whether their demands are listened to, says Virginia Lopez Calvo, Senior Campaigner at WeMove Europe. There was much talking about live export while I was in third countries seeing no change at all in how European animals are being treated. This trade cannot be improved. It cannot be humane. It must be stopped for good, says Gabriel Paun, Director of Animals International. On Monday, January 17, supporters of a ban all over Europe will be taking part in a Twitterstorm to amplify this message before the Plenary vote, which will take place Thursday, January 20. ### For more information, please email Ronnika.McFall@ciwf.org. About Compassion in World Farming: Compassion in World Farming is a global farmed animal protection organization that campaigns peacefully to end factory farming and replace it with a food system that is compassionate, fair, and sustainable for all. The charity is dedicated to reforming a broken food and farming system and introducing a more humane, fair, and sustainable one. Compassion engages with the world's leading food companies to create and adopt meaningful animal welfare policies while tracking progress against those commitments to ensure compliance. It works tirelessly towards a better future for animals, people, and the planet by educating concerned consumers and supporting meaningful public policy. With headquarters in the UK, we have offices across Europe, in the US, China and South Africa. To find out more about Compassion in World Farming or join the movement, visit: ciwf.com and follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., Jan. 13, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Miller Capital is honored to again be voted NUMBER ONE out of more than twenty firms that were nominated for Arizona Foothills Magazines Best of Our Valley Best Investment Firm and earned a top two position in 2019, 2018 and 2017. Miller Capital was also the top firm in 2013. A partial list of investment firms placing in the top two slots since inception in 2011 includes Morgan Stanley, Merrill Lynch, UBS and Edward Jones. Since 2011, Arizona Foothills Magazine has asked their readers who their favorite companies and professionals are, offering numerous options chosen by nominations, editors and focus groups. Readers answer with hundreds of thousands of votes that determine the Valley of the Sun Phoenix Metro Area winners. For 50 years, The Miller Group (Miller), has earned a reputation for implementing customized, successful financial and business strategies for both public and private emerging growth and middle market client companies throughout North America, Europe and Asia. Miller is comprised of Miller Capital, Miller Investments and Miller Management. Miller provides a broad range of services including venture capital, private equity investing, financial advisory, management consulting and investor relations. Millers experience includes business valuations, due diligence projects, business plans, merger-acquisition assistance, crisis management, plus an investment banking background. The knowledge and track-record of Millers team, led by its founder, Rudy R. Miller, offers committed, highly-specialized services to assist client companies in reaching their goals. Miller invests its own capital into a large number of its clients and often brings additional institutional or individual accredited co-investors into a specific transaction. About The Miller Group MILLER was established in 1972 and is headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona. A select group of current and past clients include: America West Airlines, Bowlin Travel Centers, Inc., Capital Title Group, Inc., Comprehensive Care Corporation, DELSTAR Companies, Inc., Legal Broadcast Network, LLC, Magma, McMurry, Inc., Regent Communications, Inc., Ritz Carlton Magazine, ServRx, Inc., Sunshine Minting, Inc., Telgian Holdings, Inc., and US Air Express. Contact : Rudy R. Miller Chairman, President & CEO The Miller Group rrmiller@themillergroup.net www.themillergroup.net A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/e34308f8-873e-4f15-a32d-809764340145 IRVINE, Calif., Jan. 13, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Talonvest Capital, Inc., a boutique self storage and commercial real estate mortgage brokerage firm, negotiated a permanent loan on behalf of Rosewood Property Company for the acquisition of a 16-property storage portfolio. This acquisition is the largest self storage transaction in Rosewood Property Companys history and consists of approximately 1.3 million net rentable square feet of space in roughly 12,000 units across 12 states. Much of the portfolio consists of traditional storage offerings, although some of the facilities offer climate-controlled interiors, drive-up capabilities, and covered outdoor parking for RVs and boats. The portfolio provides geographic diversity covering 12 states with properties located in prominent population centers including Miami, Dallas/Fort Worth, Houston, Kansas City, Louisville, Charleston, and Indianapolis. Many of the properties are strategically located near dense multifamily developments, single-family residential communities, and retail centers to maximize demand drivers, visibility, and accessibility. A European based, multinational investment bank funded the non-recourse, 10-year fixed rate, interest only loan. Greg Bates, Chief Financial Officer of Rosewood Property Company, commented We are continually impressed by the Talonvest teams extensive network of lenders and ability to deliver attractive financing. The Talonvest team members responsible for this assignment were Tom Sherlock, Erich Pryor, Mason Brusseau, and Thalia Tovar. About Talonvest Capital, Inc. Talonvest Capital is a boutique real estate firm providing advisory services to self storage and commercial real estate investors, owners, and developers nationally. The firm utilizes a unique, collaborative team approach, emphasizing the institutional knowledge and expertise gained over the past four decades by its team members, to deliver better capital solutions for its clients. Contact: Savannah Baron Talonvest Capital, Inc. 949.679.5698 sbaron@talonvest.com A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/6f43f78b-df71-4b58-84b4-767c2573b7f1 TRUMBULL, Conn., Jan. 13, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ZetrOZ Systems has recently signed a 5-Year Healthcare Federal Supply Schedule Agreement to provide U.S. government healthcare institutes with its sustained acoustic medicine (sam) device and hypoallergenic ultrasound coupling patches. The $3.4 million contract covers military bases and hospitals, veteran healthcare hospitals, and employees of the FBI, CIA, DOL, postal service, and other U.S. departments and agencies operating both in the United States and abroad. "We're proud to play our part in getting and keeping our federal employees healthy and returning them to work fully healed and pain-free," said ZetrOZ CEO Dr. George Lewis. "The sam device product family of healing innovation is increasingly getting recognized for its success in helping professional athletes, combat veterans, and countless others in soft tissue injury healing. So much credit goes to the U.S. government for bringing this effective and practical treatment option to its hardworking employees." The agreement provides another channel for healthcare providers to prescribe and use sam for the treatment of common overuse injuries like the rotator cuff, knee injury, tendonitis etc. Providers and hospital centers can order sam directly through the new contract and through the ZetrOZ Systems Durable Medical Equipment healthcare network directly. ZetrOZ's sam therapy for home use is already benefiting veterans in both postoperative recovery and longer-term management of painful conditions like osteoarthritis. Veteran Norman Dann was inspired to write to Dr. Lewis to express his gratitude for the relief the sam therapy provided him for two separate medical issues. Upon his surgeon's orders, Mr. Dann used the device following surgery on his right shoulder, reporting it reduced his postoperative pain by as much as 50%. After experiencing pain in his left shoulder several months later, Dann's surgeon reviewed his MRI and recommended that he be treated with sam to heal his shoulder pain. The results were so impressive that they inspired Mr. Dann to write to the ZetrOZ CEO in gratitude, "I'm pleased to say that, yes, it is helping to reduce the problem as it did before." Military veterans, federal agents and postal workers have a greater rate of injury and chronic pain than the general population, contending not only with damage from acute injury but also with repetitive stress damage caused by the physical demands of the job. ZetrOZ Systems offers a portfolio of wearable, drug-free, non-invasive devices that deliver long-duration ultrasound to activate the body's healing multiple hours each day. ZetrOZ Systems has shown that daily, sustained acoustic medicine accelerates soft tissue healing and provides symptomatic relief of knee pain related to osteoarthritis (OA) and back pain related to herniated disks. The ZetrOZ technology proved to provide pain reduction in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial, published in 2020 in a Journal of Pain Research. A 2020 study in the Global Journal of Orthopedics Research found 87% of users demonstrated improved function after use of the ZetrOZ sam device. Another study in 2021 from Current Orthopedic Practice demonstrated high confidence in sam to accelerate the healing of overuse injuries. Interested service providers and healthcare providers who service government installations and are interested in supporting the sam product family can reach ZetrOZ Systems for training and distribution inquiries. Contact Chris Gardner by email: cgardner@zetroz.com or telephone: 1-888-202-9831. About ZetrOZ Systems ZetrOZ Systems is an FDA cGMP and ISO 13585 medical technology company headquartered in the southern coastal region of Connecticut. The organization also has manufacturing facilities across the United States. ZetrOZ Systems produced UltrOZ, samSport and samPro 2.0 to provide safe and effective treatment options for prevalent conditions such as arthritis. Learn more at zetroz.com and samrecover.com. Media Contact: Bianca D'Angelo (203)577-7588 (Direct) bianca@newswire.com www.Newswire.com Related Images Image 1 This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com. Attachment Fort Lauderdale, Jan. 13, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- CentralReach, the leading provider of electronic medical record (EMR) software and services for applied behavior analysis (ABA) and related behavioral health practices, has appointed Clark Convery as Chief Operating Officer to its leadership team, a new position with CentralReach. Convery, who previously served as Chief Operating Officer at Visual Lease, a leading global technology company specializing in lease accounting software, will report directly to CentralReach CEO Chris Sullens. Convery will oversee CentralReachs implementation, customer success, customer support, and CR Institute teams, all key growth areas for the technology company. He brings more than 20 years of experience in building and scaling fast-growth SaaS organizations and developing world-class customer-centric functions across a variety of leading global technology companies to his newest leadership position. "Im excited to welcome Clark to CentralReach, said Sullens. Clark is a seasoned and trusted leader who consistently delivers results, and he is uniquely qualified to drive strategic prioritization and organizational growth, with a laser focus on operational excellence. I have tremendous confidence in Clark's ability to align CentralReach's best-in-class customer-centric functions to help us build and scale faster growth and extend the next-generation of CentralReach's market leadership." Convery joins CentralReach at a time when the company has seen expansive growth including a 600 percent increase in revenues along with the addition of over 250 employees since 2018. The growth is largely attributed to an expanded footprint in the therapy provider, education, adult services, employment, and international markets with offerings covering technology, services, curricula, and content. Convery will play a critical role in creating an exceptional customer experience at every single touchpoint for CentralReach customers, while also increasing customer growth and satisfaction. It truly is an honor to take on this role with the market leading provider of EMR software and services for the ABA industry, said Convery. Throughout my career, Ive had the opportunity to help scale technology organizations with the mission to support our customers' strategic outcomes by focusing on creating an outstanding customer-centric culture. I look forward to continuing the journey of growth at CentralReach by working closely with its talented senior leadership team to help develop strategic actions to help accelerate our next phase of growth. Prior to joining CentralReach, Convery served as the Chief Operating Officer at Visual Lease, where he was responsible for the go-to-market, retention, and product organization and strategies. Before Visual Lease, Convery worked at iCIMS, OrderMotion, and ADP, where he successfully scaled operations at each global technology company during periods of rapid product expansion. For more information on the announcement, contact pr@centralreach.com. Attachment BEIJING, Jan. 13 -- The 14th round India-China Corps Commander Level Meeting was held at Chushul-Moldo border meeting point on the Chinese side on 12th January 2022. Representatives from the defense and foreign affairs establishments of the two sides were present at the meeting. The two sides had a frank and in-depth exchange of views for the resolution of the relevant issues along the LAC in the Western Sector. They agreed that both sides should follow the guidance provided by the State Leaders and work for the resolution of the remaining issues at the earliest. It was noted that this would help in restoration of peace and tranquility along the LAC in the Western Sector and enable progress in bilateral relations. The two sides also agreed to consolidate on the previous outcomes and take effective efforts to maintain the security and stability on the ground in the Western Sector including during winter. The two sides agreed to stay in close contact and maintain dialogue via military and diplomatic channels and work out a mutually acceptable resolution of the remaining issues at the earliest. In this context it was also agreed that the next round of the Commanders talks should be held at the earliest. Utah police reportedly made several unintentional mistakes in their handling of a roadside domestic dispute between road-trippers Brian Laundrie and Gabby Petito both of whom soon after wound up dead. But ultimately, the report found the killer alone was responsible for Petitos homicide. Laundrie later took his own life. Advertisement This police camera video provided by the Moab Police Department shows Gabby Petito talking to a police officer after police pulled over the van she was traveling in with her boyfriend. (AP) A probe of that Aug. 12 traffic stop in Utah determined that officers in Moab should have issued a domestic violence citation to Petito after she told cops shed initiated the physical confrontation that prompted a 911 caller to report seeing a man slapping a woman outside the couples van. According to Utah law, police responding to domestic violence reports are encouraged to name an aggressor. The independent investigation also found that officers should have taken a statement from the caller who directed them to the location. Advertisement One officer on the scene expressed concern that citing Petito could land her in jail, where Laundrie might claim more control over her if he bailed her out. That officer said that in hindsight, hes devastated over how things turned out. Investigators also noted that what happened in Moab may not have been indicative of the power dynamic that existed in the Long Island natives relationship overall. Its very likely Gabby was a long-term victim of domestic violence, whether that be physically, mentally, and/or emotionally, wrote Price, Utah police Capt. Brandon Ratcliffe, who prepared the report. This Aug. 12, 2021 file photo from video provided by the Moab, Utah, Police Department shows Brian Laundrie talking to a police officer after police pulled over the van he was traveling in with his girlfriend, Gabby Petito, near the entrance to Arches National Park in Utah. (AP) Authorities determined at the time that they were responding to an emotional disturbance and instructed the pair to spend the night apart as a means of diffusing the situation. The city of Moab said it respected the findings of the probe, but also felt the officers showed kindness, respect and empathy in their handling of this incident. Breaking News As it happens Get updates on the coronavirus pandemic and other news as it happens with our free breaking news email alerts. > According to Ratcliff, hes been involved in many investigations where victims of abuse are apprehended for lashing out against their long-term abusers. He said theres no way of knowing if Petito, who was found strangled to death on Sept. 19, 2020, would be alive today had officers handled their encounter with the pair differently. That is an impossible question to answer despite it being the answer many people want to know, Ratcliff reported. Nobody knows and nobody will ever know the answer to that question. A coroner determined Petito had been dead for roughly a month before her body was discovered in Wyomings Grand Teton National Park near an underdeveloped camping area. Laundrie returned to his parents Florida home on Sept. 1 unaccompanied. Petites parents reported her missing on Sept. 11 eight days before her remains were discovered. Laundrie, too, went missing around Sept. 14. His body was found in the swampy 25,000-acre Carlton Reserve on Oct. 20 after an exhaustive manhunt that lasted more than a month. A self-inflicted gunshot wound was cited as his cause of death. He was the only person named as a person of interest in Petitos death. Advertisement According to Petito, her clash with Laundrie in Idaho began when she became upset that he entered the converted van in which they were driving cross-country with dirty feet. She had been trying to keep the vehicle clean. Her disappearance made headlines nationwide and sparked an Internet frenzy to search for clues. A couple that had passed through the area where Petitos remains were later found realized their dash-cam had picked up what appeared to be the pairs white van on Aug. 27. The hunt for Laundrie led to reports that hed been seen along the Appalachian Trail as well as Canada, though it doesnt appear he made it far from his parents North Port, Fla., home before taking his life. With News Wire Services Dallas, Texas, Jan. 13, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Dickeys Restaurant Brands including Dickeys Barbecue Pit, Wing Boss, Big Deal Burger and Trailer Birds are heating things up with a limited-time promotion to celebrate the 2022 Winter Games in Beijing. From February 5 through February 20, new and existing Dickeys loyalty program members, and email subscribers from virtual brands Wing Boss, Big Deal Burger and Trailer Birds will receive a coupon for a complimentary item each day the United States wins a gold medal. Promotion details include: Dickey's Barbecue Pit Loyalty program members will receive a FREE sandwich each day the United States wins a gold medal. sandwich each day the United States wins a gold medal. Members will receive a code via email which is valid for either a chicken, turkey, polish kielbasa, or pulled pork sandwich. Each code must be redeemed online at participating Dickeys locations. Wing Boss, Big Deal Burger and Trailer Birds For each day the U.S. wins a gold medal, email subscribers will receive a FREE : : Wing Boss: (1) Six-piece Pit-Smoked Wings with your choice of sauce Big Deal Burger: (1) Single with Cheese Big Deal Burger Trailer Birds: (1) Hot Chicken Sandwich Subscribers will receive code via email, which must be redeemed online at participating locations. Weve been waiting patiently for the start of this years Winter games after the success of our Summer of Gold Loyalty promotion we launched during the Summer Games, said Laura Rea Dickey, CEO of Dickeys Barbecue Restaurants, Inc. We look forward to bringing the excitement and national pride into our restaurants, by offering our customers the opportunity to enjoy some Legit. Texas. Barbecue. and other delicious items from our virtual brands, on us, each time an American athlete wins a gold medal! To learn more, follow Dickeys Franchise on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Download the Dickeys Barbecue Pit app from the Apple App Store or Google Play. About Dickeys Barbecue Restaurants, Inc. Dickey's Barbecue Restaurants, Inc., the worlds largest barbecue concept, was founded in 1941 by Travis Dickey. For the past 80 years, Dickeys Barbecue Pit has served millions of guests Legit. Texas. Barbecue. At Dickeys, all our barbecued meats are smoked onsite in a hickory wood burning pit. Dickeys proudly believes theres no shortcut to true barbecue and its why they never say bbq. The Dallas-based, family-run barbecue franchise offers several slow-smoked meats and wholesome sides with 'No B.S. (Bad Stuff)' included. Dickeys has over 700 locations across the United States and six other countries. In 2016, Dickeys won first place on Fast Casuals Top 100 Movers and Shakers list, was named a Top 500 Franchise by Entrepreneur in 2018 and was named to Hospitality Technology Industry Heroes in 2021. Led by CEO Laura Rea Dickey, who was named among the countrys 50 most influential women in foodservice in 2020 by Nations Restaurant News and was recognized as one of the top 25 industry leaders on Fast Casuals 2020 Top 100 Movers and Shakers list, Dickey's Barbecue Pit has also been recognized by Fox News, Forbes Magazine, Franchise Times, The Wall Street Journal and QSR Magazine. For more information, visit www.dickeys.com. Attachment WESTPORT, Conn., Jan. 13, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- HMG Strategy, the Worlds #1 digital platform for enabling technology executives to reimagine the enterprise and reshape the business world, is excited to be hosting its 2022 HMG Live! Pacific Northwest CIO Executive Leadership Summit on January 26. HMG Strategys highly interactive events bring together the worlds most distinguished and innovative security and business technology leaders to discuss the most pressing leadership, strategic, cultural, technology and career challenges and opportunities that they face today and into the future. The 2022 HMG Live! Pacific Northwest CIO Executive Leadership Summit will focus on recommendations for addressing the technology talent shortage - including the impact of President Bidens vaccination mandate on the retention of needed tech employees by CIOs and their teams. The tech skills shortage is more acute than ever, and further complicating the global war for talent is President Bidens vaccination mandate, which is creating challenges for employers who are already understaffed or facing resource constraints within IT and in different areas of the organization, said Hunter Muller President and CEO at HMG Strategy. World-class CIOs and industry executives speaking at the 2022 HMG Live! Pacific Northwest CIO Executive Leadership Summit on January 26 will include: Tony Anscombe , Chief Security Evangelist, ESET , Chief Security Evangelist, ESET Tony L. Antalan , MBA, Chief Technology Officer, Silver Reef Casino , MBA, Chief Technology Officer, Silver Reef Casino Bridget Barnes , SVP & CIO, Oregon Health & Science University , SVP & CIO, Oregon Health & Science University Patrick Benoit , VP & Global Business Information Security Officer, CBRE , VP & Global Business Information Security Officer, CBRE Trey Blalock , CISO, Cognira , CISO, Cognira Michael Chill , Chief Digital & Information Officer, Johnstone Supply , Chief Digital & Information Officer, Johnstone Supply Deal Daly , VP of IT, Board Advisory, Hammerspace, Toysmith , VP of IT, Board Advisory, Hammerspace, Toysmith Jimmy Godard , SVP, Program Manager, Global Technology & Operations, Bank of America , SVP, Program Manager, Global Technology & Operations, Bank of America Jamie Holcombe , CIO, US Patent and Trademark Office , CIO, US Patent and Trademark Office John Iannarelli , Former FBI Special Agent and Senior Executive Advisor, FBI , Former FBI Special Agent and Senior Executive Advisor, FBI Martin Leach , COO of Alloy Athens and SVP of Data Services & Informatics, Alloy Therapeutics , COO of Alloy Athens and SVP of Data Services & Informatics, Alloy Therapeutics Theresa Masse , Cyber Security Advisor, Region 10 (Oregon), U.S. Department of Homeland Security , Cyber Security Advisor, Region 10 (Oregon), U.S. Department of Homeland Security Lee David Milligan , MD, SVP & CIO, Asante Health System , MD, SVP & CIO, Asante Health System Robert Stretz , VP of IT, Aquent , VP of IT, Aquent Muddu Sudhakar , CEO, Aisera , CEO, Aisera Clif Triplett , Executive Director, KEARNEY , Executive Director, KEARNEY James Turgal, Vice President, Optiv Valued Partners for the 2022 HMG Live! Pacific Northwest CIO Executive Leadership Summit include Akamai, BetterCloud, Darktrace, Globant, Nutanix, Palo Alto Networks, RingCentral, SafeGuard Cyber, SIM Portland, SIM Seattle, Skybox Security, Strata, Tonkean, Upwork, Zoom, and Zscaler. To learn more about the 2022 HMG Live! Pacific Northwest CIO Executive Leadership Summit and to register for the event, click here . HMG Strategy will also be hosting its 2022 HMG Live! Digital Transformation and Cybersecurity Executive Leadership Summit on February 24. Timely topics to be explored in this topic-focused digital event include how security leaders and industry experts can safeguard the future of work, including the value of applying a zero-trust security model and other useful techniques for protecting the enterprise. Business technology executives will also share successful approaches for partnering with CEOs and Boards to identify how digital technologies, such as artificial intelligence, automation, data analytics and the Internet of Things and cloud computing can be used to help craft customer-focused business models, execute on new business opportunities and enable the enterprise to gain a competitive edge. World-class CIOs and industry executives speaking at the 2022 HMG Live! Digital Transformation and Cybersecurity Executive Leadership Summit on February 24 will include: Paul Bellack , Global CIO, Magna International , Global CIO, Magna International Dennis Hodges , CIO, Inteva Products LLC , CIO, Inteva Products LLC Kin Lee-Yow , CIO, CAA Club Group , CIO, CAA Club Group Samantha Liscio , Chief Technology Information Officer, Canadas CIO of the Year 2020, Public Sector, NIHR Clinical Research Network , Chief Technology Information Officer, Canadas CIO of the Year 2020, Public Sector, NIHR Clinical Research Network Gary Sorrentino, Chairman of the Zoom CISO Council, Global Deputy CIO, Zoom Valued Partners for the 2022 HMG Live! Digital Transformation and Cybersecurity Executive Leadership Summit include Akamai, BetterCloud, the CIO Association of Canada, Darktrace, Globant, Nutanix, Palo Alto Networks, RingCentral, SafeGuard Cyber, SIM Toronto, Skybox Security, Strata, Tonkean, Upwork, Zoom, and Zscaler. To learn more about the 2022 HMG Live! Digital Transformation and Cybersecurity Executive Leadership Summit and to register for the event, click here . To learn about all of HMG Strategys Upcoming CIO & CISO Summits, click here . HMG STRATEGYS UPCOMING WEBINARS DIGITAL ROUNDTABLES On January 27, HMG Strategy will be hosting an interactive digital roundtable discussion, powered by HCL Technologies, which will be focused on Preparing for a Sustainable Workplace Revolution - Ready or Not? This highly interactive roundtable discussion with CIOs and other business technology executives will feature Jennifer Wesson Greenman, Chief Information Officer, Cancer Treatment Centers of America; Rakshit Ghura, SVP & Global Head Digital Workplace Services, HCL Technologies; Jason "JJ" James, CIO, Net Health; Hunter Muller, President and CEO, HMG Strategy; and Saurabh Sharma, Director & Head Product Management Digital Workplace Services, HCL Technologies. Core topics to be explored in this interactive roundtable discussion will include: Effective approaches for fostering inclusive and sustainable economic growth, including the enablement of enriching and productive work for all The role that CIOs and business technology executives can play in helping their companies to become carbon neutral through the deployment of Green IT, including recommendations to efficiently manage e-waste The business and societal benefits behind deploying sustainable infrastructure, including new waves of value that ESG-responsible businesses will create in the future To learn more about the Jan. 27 roundtable and to register for the event, click here . To learn more about HMG Strategys archived and upcoming webinars, click here . HMG STRATEGYs UPCOMING INNOVATION ACCELERATOR On January 27, HMG Strategy will also be hosting an Innovation Accelerator. This interactive discussion will focus on how CEOs of innovative technology companies address the challenges they solve for clients, the innovation they deliver to companies, and how their solutions are differentiated in the market. To learn more about the Jan. 27 Innovation Accelerator and to register for the event, click here . About HMG Strategy HMG Strategy is the world's leading digital platform for connecting technology executives to reimagine the enterprise and reshape the business world. The HMG Strategy global network consists of more than 400,000 CIOs, CTOs, CISOs, CDOs, senior business technology executives, search industry executives, venture capitalists, industry experts and world-class thought leaders. HMG Strategys global media model generates more than 1 million impressions per week, providing vast opportunities for business technology leaders and sponsor partners to promote themselves and their brands. HMG Strategy was founded in 2008 by Hunter Muller, a leadership expert who has worked side-by-side with Fortune 2000 executives with strategic planning and career ascent for the past 30+ years. HMG Strategys regional and virtual CIO and CISO Executive Leadership Series, authored books and Digital Resource Center deliver unique, peer-driven guidance from CIOs, CISOs, CTOs, CDOs and technology executives on leadership, innovation, transformation and career ascent. HMG Strategy offers a range of peer-led research services such as its CIO & CISO Executive Leadership Alliance (CELA) program which bring together the worlds top CIOs, CISOs and technology executives to brainstorm on the top opportunities and challenges facing them in their roles. HMG Strategys Global Peer Actionable Insights Services Stack is a unique set of research services that are designed to keep business technology executives up to speed on the latest leadership, business, technology and global geo-economic trends that are impacting businesses and industries. HMG Ventures is a venture capital unit thats designed to connect CIOs, CTOs, CISOs and other technology executives with innovative early-stage technology companies from Silicon Valley to Tel Aviv. HMG Ventures provides technology executives with a window into hot emerging technology companies that can help move the needle for their businesses while also offering these executives unparalleled personal investment opportunities. One early-stage investment in an enterprise-level AI-powered service management provider has generated a 100X return. HMG Strategy also produces the HMG Security Innovation Accelerator Panel, a new webinar series thats designed to connect enterprise technology and security leaders with the most innovative technology and cybersecurity companies from across the world. To learn more about the 7 Pillars of Trust for HMG Strategy's unique business model, click here . A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/0c1318a9-50a3-4484-a8aa-03d8f898b1e0 Washington, D.C., Jan. 13, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- On Tuesday, Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman, head of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and the voice for Americas 32.5 million small businesses in President Bidens Cabinet, joined John W. Rogers, Jr., Chairman of the Council on Underserved Communities (CUC), to hold the first meeting of the reconvened council. Im excited for this kick-off as the CUC and its important mission align perfectly with the core of what we came here to do at the SBA and across the federal government in the Biden-Harris Administration: Ensure our economy works for everyone so that we can build wealth in communities across America, and strengthen our global competitiveness, said SBA Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman at the first convening held this week. She continued, I am hopeful in 2022 as I believe the SBA is strongly positioned to deliver on President Bidens commitment to equity. And I know the CUC can be an impactful advisory group to advance the SBAs work to meet our small businesses and entrepreneurs where they are and provide them with the capital, opportunities, knowledge, and networks to start and grow their American dream and build resilience -- regardless of demographic. The virtual meeting kicked off with introductions of the 15 members and a presentation by Administrator Guzman covering SBAs efforts to uplift Americas small businesses since the start of the Biden Harris Administration. Following the overview of the SBA, the council members and viewers from the public heard directly from SBA program offices and their leadership around the work and priorities for the coming year. CUC Chairman John W. Rogers, Jr. said, I look forward to working with Administrator Guzman and the White House to expand equitable access to both capital and customers for small and diverse-owned businesses. I am confident the Council will bring creative and impactful ideas to the table as we advise the Small Business Administration. Towards the close of the meeting, council members discussed their areas of work for the next two years, which will focus on amplifying the SBAs programs and messages, expanding equitable access to capital and resources, and opening doors of opportunity to contracting and procurement. ### About the Council on Underserved Communities Established in 2010, the Council on Underserved Communities provides advice, ideas, and opinions on SBA programs, services, and issues of interest to small businesses in underserved communities. The members of the federal advisory committee will serve as an essential connection between the SBA and underserved small businesses to work towards creating new and insightful initiatives to spur economic growth, job creation, competitiveness, and sustainability across all communities. About the U.S. Small Business Administration The U.S. Small Business Administration makes the American dream of business ownership a reality. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow or expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov. Attachment DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, Jan. 13, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The latest study by Future Market Insight (FMI) provides insights into the governing factors facilitating the growth in the analgesics market. It also examines scope of expansion across various segments in terms of drug class, indication, route of administration, and distribution channel. The study also uncovers challenges posing threats and highlights prospects for growth in the near future. As per a thorough research by FMI, the Global Analgesics Market is poised to top US$ 77.3 Bn in 2021. Increasing demand for opioid drugs for pain management in the countries such as China, India, the U.S., and Japan is facilitating the growth in the market. Increasing need for palliative care and rising prevalence of neuropathic, inflammatory, and chronic pain is bolstering the demand for pain management solutions. Driven by this, the analgesics market is anticipated to surpass US$ 133.5 Bn by 2031. Data Points Market Insights Analgesics Market Estimated Value (2021) US$ 77.3 Bn Analgesics Market Estimated Value (2031) US$ 133.5 Bn CAGR 2021-2031 5.6% Request a report sample to gain comprehensive insights at https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-1306 Analgesics drugs such as methadone, codeine, acetaminophen, and others provide effective solutions to aforementioned ailments. Hence, increasing palliative care has assisted the market to account for nearly 93% of the pain management sales in 2021. Further, rising government initiatives for providing better prevention and management of chronic pain are favoring the growth in the market. Also, growing prevalence of physiological injuries, phantom aches, and surgeries across China and India are accelerating the sales. As per FMI, the analgesics market is poised to expand at 5.6% CAGR over the forecast period 2021-2031 in comparison to the 4.4% CAGR registered over the past half-decade. Based on drug type, the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) segment is projected to register swift growth, expanding at 4.1% CAGR between 2021 and 2031. Growing emphasis on prevention of diversion in prescription opioid medications is a primary factor driving the growth in the segment. Increasing research and development (R&D) activities for the formulation of opioid drugs with abuse-deterrent properties and non-addictive analgesic drugs to curb the addiction associated with opioid medications is expected to favor the growth in the market, says a FMI analyst. Key Takeaways from Analgesics Market Study The U.S. is estimated to continue dominating the North America market, accounting for nearly 86.5% of the regional demand share in 2021. Germany is anticipated to emerge as the most remunerative market in Europe, contributing nearly 23.2% of the sales through 2031. China is expected to account for 54.3% of the share in East Asia, expanding at a robust CAGR of 9.3% over the assessment period. Japan analgesics market is projected to register a swift growth, expanding at a CAGR of 6.6% between 2021 and 2031. Surgical pain is forecast to account for the lions share in the indication segment, accounting for around 53.3% of the sales in 2021. Key Drivers Growing number of cancer treatments and rising commercialization of non-abusive drugs across the U.S., Japan, Germany, China, and others are spurring the sales in the NSAID segment. Rising concerns of facial and body aesthetics are increasing aesthetic surgical procedures such as eyelid surgeries, breast implantation, and abdominoplasty, spurring analgesics sales across the surgical pain segment. Key Restraints Side effects associated with opioid drugs such as clouded thinking, nausea, drowsiness, constipation, and psychological & physical addiction are hindering the sales across the opioid drug segment. Stringent government regulations regarding manufacturing, storage, marketing, and selling analgesic drugs are restraining the growth in the market. Get a Customized Scope to Match Your Need, Ask an Expert- https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/ask-question/rep-gb-1306 Report Scope as per Analgesics Market Analysis Attribute Details Forecast Period 2021-2031 Historical Data Available for 2016-2020 Analgesics Market Analysis US$ Mn for Value Key Regions Covered North America, Latin America, Europe, South Asia, East Asia, Oceania and Middle East & Africa Key Countries Covered US, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Germany, U.K., France, Italy, Spain, Russia, BENELUX, China, Japan, South Korea, India, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Australia, New Zealand, Turkey, South Africa, and GCC Countries Key Market Segments Covered Drug Class, Indication, Route of Administration, Distribution Channel, and Region Key Companies Profiled Pfizer Inc. Sun Pharmaceutical Industries, Inc. Sanofi SA AbbVie Inc. (Allergan plc) Teva Pharmaceuticals Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc. [Johnson & Johnson] Endo Pharmaceuticals Inc. Purdue Pharmaceuticals L.P. Assertio Therapeutics, Inc. Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals Bayer AG GlaxoSmithKline plc. Bausch Health Companies Inc. Novartis AG Others Competitive Landscape Prominent companies in the global market are focusing of introducing novel non-opioid drugs to gain competitive edge. Some of the other players are focusing on entering in mergers, acquisitions, collaboration, and agreement with other manufacturers to expand their product portfolio and strengthen their global foot print. For instance, In July 2020, Teva Pharmaceuticals, an Israeli multinational pharmaceutical company announced expanding its operations in Japan by focusing on commercializing a selection of complex generics and specialty assets to meet patients' medical needs. This will assist the company to expand its customer base in Japan. In May 2020, Assertio Therapeutics, Inc., an American specialty pharmaceutical company, entering into a merger agreement with a produces and distributes pharmaceutical products, Zyla Life Sciences to create a synergistic portfolio of neurology, inflammation, and non-opioid pain products. The merger will assist both the companies to expand their product portfolio and increase their market share. To remain ahead of your competitors, get customized report - https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/customization-available/rep-gb-1306 Key Questions Covered in the Report The report offers insight into analgesics market demand outlook for the forecast period 2021-2031 The market study also highlights projected sales growth for analgesics market between 2021 and 2031 Analgesics 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 Analgesics market share analysis, covering key companies within the industry and coverage of strategies such as mergers & acquisitions, joint ventures, collaborations or partnerships, and others Explore FMIs Extensive ongoing Coverage on Healthcare Domain Opioid-Induced Constipation (OIC) Treatment Market - With expanding base of opioid-induced constipation (OIC) sufferers, the opioid-induced constipation (OIC) treatment market is expected to have tremendous growth during the forecast period (2016-2026). Opioid Withdrawal Management Market - The global market for opioid withdrawal management is expected to charge owing to growing stringency of regulations. Opioid-Induced Respiratory Depression Market - The opioid-induced respiratory depression market in North America is expected to show the highest revenue growth and to hold the largest market shares in the global opioid-induced respiratory depression market due to advanced healthcare infrastructure and high healthcare spending. Anesthetic Gas Masks Market - The global market for anesthetic gas masks market is expected to witness moderate growth over the forecast period. Acetaminophen Api Market - The easy availability of this drug is boosting the growth of the Acetaminophen API market. Pain Monitoring Devices Market - The growing geriatric population will boost the adoption of pain monitoring devices and will lead to an increase in the global pain monitoring devices market. Pain Patches Market - Pain Patches Market will experience substantial growth during the forecast period 2021-2031. Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Market - National Institutes of Health (NIH) is supporting research for CRPS on the brain and CNS by focusing on studying new approaches in treating CRPS. Veterinary Pain Management Drugs Market - Global veterinary pain management drugs market is undergoing significant changes due to the increased priority for the pain management within veterinary fraternity. Heating Pads Market - Heating Pads Market is set to experience 6.5% growth during the year 2021-2031. 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. Contact: Future Market Insights, 1602-6 Jumeirah Bay X2 Tower, Plot No: JLT-PH2-X2A, Jumeirah Lakes Towers, Dubai, United Arab Emirates For Sales Enquiries: sales@futuremarketinsights.com For Media Enquiries: press@futuremarketinsights.com Website: https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/ Report: https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/analgesics-market Press Release Source: https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/press-release/analgesics-market LAS VEGAS, Jan. 13, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Leda Health was named a CES Innovation Awards Honoree for its Early Evidence Kit and platform supporting sexual assault survivors in the aftermath of trauma. Leda Health is a survivor-run company that partners with communities to provide 24/7 care to sexual assault survivors, both in the moments and years after their trauma. Someone is sexually assaulted every 68 seconds in the U.S., but 77% of these survivors never report or receive care. Leda Health's Early Evidence Kit and platform were designed by survivors and advocates, with help from sexual assault nurses and lawyers, to address the care gap head-on. Leda's resources apply a trauma and healing-informed approach to help tackle sexual assault at its root causes and care for survivors in the aftermath. CES has a history of honoring technological innovation for social good. The impact of increasing access to care and healing after sexual assault is obvious. In addition to tools for remote-evidence collection and virtual care, Leda's services address the long-term mental health needs of survivors, who are 10 times more likely to attempt suicide. "Increasing access to care and healing after sexual assault has a life-changing impact in a society where 94% of female survivors like myself will develop PTSD. It is an honor to have CES recognize our work, but the true honor is helping more survivors receive access to the care and healing that every one of us deserves," says Co-Founder and CEO, Madison Campbell, who built Leda Health after surviving assault in college. Leda's remote DNA collection kits are inspired by the Early Evidence Kits already available in nations like Australia, Ireland, and the U.K. 80% of survivors who report shower or bathe before collecting evidence. Early Evidence Kits provide a remote and confidential option for immediate, time-sensitive DNA collection prior to a hospital visit. Leda's kits do not mandate a hospital visit or reporting, but they do encourage both, and their virtual 24/7 Care Team will even facilitate visits on their behalf. Leda Health's services range from virtual Healing Circles offering holistic programming incorporating healing practices like yoga, art, and music to survivors in all stages of their journey to emergency contraception and at-home STI testing kits for care after assault, and a 24/7-Care Team trained to support survivors as they navigate their next steps. Leda also offers educational programming and Accountability Circles, led by trauma and healing specialists, to tackle and mitigate the root causes of abuse. Leda works with community partners, like organizations, corporations, and colleges, to equip them for prevention and care for sexual assault. To partner with Leda Health, or for press inquiries, email info@leda.co. Related Images Image 1: Leda Health's Early Evidence Kit + Platform Win CES 2022 Innovation Award This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com. Attachment Stay up to date on COVID-19 Get Breaking News Sign up now to get our FREE breaking news coverage delivered right to your inbox. Gloucester, MA (01930) Today Cloudy with light 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. A Harris County, Tex., deputy pursuing a robbery suspect killed a woman and left two children injured after crashing into their car. The deputy, who has not been publicly identified, responded to a call about a robbery late Wednesday night and saw a man leaving a nearby CVS wearing a mask, Houston Police Department Assistant Chief Chandra Hatcher said at a press conference. Advertisement The masked man got into a car matching the description from the earlier robbery and the deputy attempted to stop him. When the man refused to stop, a car chase ensued, Hatcher said. While crossing an intersection, the deputy crashed into a black car, setting in motion a domino crash that left seven vehicles damaged. Advertisement The driver of the black car was pronounced dead at the scene and two children, 5 and 2, were injured. The 5-year-old is in critical condition and the 2-year-old is stable, according to Hatcher. The deputy was pulled out of his car by three bystanders and was hospitalized in stable condition. Three adults in other cars were hospitalized with very minor injuries, Hatcher said. First and foremost, on behalf of the Harris County Sheriffs Office, I want to extend our condolences to the family of the deceased female and we are also praying for the full recovery of the two children that have been injured in this crash, Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said at the press conference. Officials said the investigation is still ongoing, including how fast the deputy was driving. None of the victims have been publicly identified. MANSFIELD [mdash] Patricia Ann Thursby-Daniels, 77, of Mansfield, Texas, formerly of Elkhart, Indiana, died Sunday April 10, at Mansfield Hospital in Mansfield, Texas. She was born May 30, 1944, in Elkhart, Indiana, to Robert James and Opal Mae (Allison) Thursby. On Feb. 14, 1965, she marrie Governor Northam Announces IT Consulting Firm to Create 125 New Jobs in Richmond Intact Technology to invest $1.5 million to establish second Virginia location The Fairfax County-based company announced its headquarters expansion in Reston in October 2021, and will now expand its footprint in the Commonwealth to support increased demand for its services. Virginia successfully competed with Maryland and Washington, D.C. for the project, which will create 125 new jobs. Virginia has emerged as one of North Americas premier locations for the tech sector due to our competitive operating costs, top-ranked higher education system, and skilled workforce, said Governor Northam. Intact Technologys decision to open a second location speaks volumes to the many industry advantages offered by the Commonwealth, and we look forward to the companys success in the City of Richmond with this new venture. Intact Technology empowers IT leaders to deliver meaningful business outcomes through adoption-focused IT software consulting and managed services. By reducing risk for its customers and dramatically increasing the speed at which new capabilities can be delivered, Intact has helped some of the worlds largest companies and federal agencies accelerate their digital transformations. The company relocated its headquarters from Greenbelt, Maryland to Reston in 2020. That same year, Intact was named to the Northern Virginia Technology Councils Tech 100 list. The list recognizes groundbreaking companies, leaders, and innovators within the Greater Washington regions technology community. Intact was voted as a Top Workplace by the Washington Post in 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2021, and was a Moxie Award finalist in 2021. Intact is also active in its community, supporting more than 20 charitable organizations that are meaningful to Intact team members. This includes organizations like Feeding America, the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, St. Jude, and Merit America. Intact Technologys new facility in Richmond represents its second expansion in six months, reflecting the companys steady and impressive growth, said Secretary of Commerce and Trade Brian Ball. Virginia boasts the highest concentration of tech talent in the country, something innovative firms like Intact have taken notice of, and we thank the company for its continued commitment to the Commonwealth. Federal agencies and the Fortune 1000 cant afford to continue working with traditional IT consulting models, said Jesse White, Chief Executive Officer of Intact Technology. Intact delivers a subscription-based, outcome-focused managed service that is unique in the IT services industry. We prioritize people and results, and our model is fast, flexible, adoption-focused, and contractually guarantees customer outcomes. We deliver tremendous value to customers and employees, and we have found fertile and supportive ground to nurture and grow our game-changing approach right here in Virginia. It has been a pleasure to work in partnership with the talented and thoughtful people within the Virginia Economic Development Partnership, the City of Richmond, and the Greater Richmond Partnership to find the right home for our continued growth. The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with the City of Richmond and the Greater Richmond Partnership to secure the project for Virginia. Governor Northam approved a $350,000 grant from the Commonwealths Opportunity Fund to assist the City of Richmond with the project. Intact Technology is eligible to receive state benefits from the Virginia Enterprise Zone Program, administered by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development. Funding and services to support the companys employee training activities will be provided through the Virginia Jobs Investment Program. Were thrilled that Intact Technology chose to locate its second Virginia office here and create 125 well-paying jobs in the City of Richmond, said Mayor Levar M. Stoney. Intacts progressive workplace and commitment to corporate citizenship are a good match for our diverse and talented workforce, which is attracted to our city for its high quality of life. Were excited to welcome Intact to our burgeoning corporate IT sector, and look forward to its growth and years of prosperous partnership. Greater Richmond is becoming a destination for tech-led firms who value quality of life and affordability, said Jennifer Wakefield, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Greater Richmond Partnership. We're proud to add Intact Technology to our mature sector of 2,400 IT, software, and data center service providers. Intact Technologies expansion into the City of Richmond is a major step forward in Richmonds growth as a tech hub, benefiting the entire region, said Senator Jennifer McClellan. I am so excited to hear of Intact tehcnologys expansion in the City of Richmond, said Delegate Jeff M. Bourne. Intact is at the forefront of digital transformation and I am proud they have chosen to call Richmond home. # # # A New Zealander who reportedly spent three days using ear drops, a blow dryer, ear candles and various forms of exercise to unplug an ear that clogged up after he went for a swim, was hardly relieved to learn that blockage was caused by a cockroach that had burrowed into his ear canal. Zane Wedding told CNN about the harrowing experience, which ended with the roasted insect being extracted by a physician on Monday. Advertisement In that moment I realized every movement Id felt over the weekend was the cockroach moving around in my ear, he said. I instantly thought of the fact I had just been pumping hot air into my head and cooking a cockroach in my ear canal all weekend. It made me feel sick. A 5-minute extraction procedure confirmed that the insect was in the man's ear. (Shutterstock) [ Cockroaches are evolving to a point where theyll be nearly impossible to kill ] Wedding, who works for Greenpeace, said his discomfort began after he swam in a pool near his Auckland residency last Thursday. The 40-year-old Maori man said that upon returning home, he addressed that irritation by applying ear drops, then went to sleep. When Wedding awoke, he went to see a doctor who reportedly suspected water blockage was the issue and told him to blow warm air into his ear with a hair dryer. Advertisement Wedding said he did just that throughout the weekend, though when he laid down, he heard what sounded like water still rolling around. When he moved about, the obstruction impacted his equilibrium. Finally, on Sunday, Wedding booked an appointment with a ear, nose and throat specialist for the following day. [ Dead beetle falls out of 6-year-old girls eye after crawling around for hours ] During that Monday office visit, he heard that specialist loud and clear when she said, Oh my god, I think you have an insect in your ear. A five-minute extraction procedure confirmed that hunch. I felt a pop as soon as the doctor pulled it away, Wedding told CNN. Thats why the water would move even when I was still. It was a cockroach moving in my head. Yes, like every other state in the nation At least half of it No, keep funneling to the General Fund Eliminate the fuel tax Uncertain Vote View Results An online obituary includes Nicholas Alahverdians last words: Fear not and run toward the bliss of the sun. Alahverdian, 34, died on Feb. 29, 2020 with his wife, two children and extended family by his side, just two months after revealing his non-Hodgkin lymphoma diagnosis, according to the obituary. Advertisement He spent decades in Rhode Island fighting against abusive Department of Children Youth and Families practices after being sexually abused in their custody as a child. He was a painter, author, amateur ornithologist, political scientist, sociologist, accomplished orator, and child welfare reform advocate. His death was publicly mourned by state senators, mayors and reporters. After his death, his ashes were scattered at sea. Advertisement Except, officials said Wednesday, Alahverdian didnt die at all. Instead, the man, who also went by Nicholas Rossi, faked both his cancer and his death and fled the country to escape charges stemming from a 2008 sexual assault, according to the Utah County Attorneys Office. Nicholas Alahverdian was living in Scotland under an assumed name. (Handout) Breaking News As it happens Get updates on the coronavirus pandemic and other news as it happens with our free breaking news email alerts. > Alahverdian was convicted of sexually assaulting a fellow student at Sinclair Community College in Ohio in 2008, but the DNA evidence wasnt entered into a national database until 2017, the attorneys office said in a statement. Thats when he came back as a match for another sexual assault case in Ohio. Officials eventually filed charges, but quickly discovered that the man they were chasing had died. Then Alahverdian showed up in Scotland last month, placed on a ventilator while suffering from COVID-19, Rhode Island State Police Major Rober Creamer told the Providence Journal Wednesday. Hed been living in Scotland under another alias, according to the Utah County Attorneys Office, presumably since faking his death almost two years earlier. Our office is grateful for the significant interagency collaboration of law enforcement to bring this suspect to justice, Utah County Attorney David Leavitt said in a statement We credit Utahs Sexual Assault Kit Initiative grant funded through the Department of Justice and the Bureau of Justice Assistance as playing a significant role in testing backlogged kits and ultimately identifying the suspect. Advertisement Alahverdian was taken into custody in Scotland and is now awaiting extradition back to Utah. ALBANY A union-backed bill that would raise wages for home care workers amid a statewide shortage is gaining traction in the Legislature as supporters call on Gov. Hochul to embrace the effort. Assembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes (D-Buffalo) joined the push for the Fair Pay for Home Care Act on Thursday as a majority of Democrats in the Senate signaled support. Advertisement It is imperative in New York State that we look after our communitys elderly and most vulnerable members, Peoples-Stokes said. This legislation will help to address home care shortages and ensure that essential home care workers are paid fair wages. At the moment, 32 Democratic Senators are signed on as sponsors of the bill and in the Assembly, Peoples-Stokes support brings the number to 71. The bill also has garnered a handful of Republican backers, four in the Senate and seven in the Assembly. Advertisement Advocates as well as the politically powerful 1199, which represents hospital and health care workers, however, want to see Hochul include the measure in her soon-to-be-announced budget proposal. Assembly Majority Leader Crystal D. Peoples-Stokes (D-Buffalo) (Hans Pennink/AP) The governor, in her State of the State address last week, lay out plans to bolster New Yorks pandemic-fatigued health care workers with incentives and pay increases but did not directly pledge any wage hikes for home care workers. Supporters say home aides are being overlooked amid a dangerous and growing dearth of workers. The Fair Pay bill would raise pay for home aides to $22.50 an hour, up from minimum wage, which can be as low as $13 in parts of the state and $15 in the city. We need to enact fair pay for home care so home care workers can be adequately paid, so people can get the care they need without either having to go into a nursing home or forcing a member of the family to give up their career, said Assemblymember Dick Gottfried (D-Manhattan), the lead sponsor of the bill. New York Assembly member Richard Gottfried (D-Manhattan) (Evan Agostini/Evan Agostini/Invision/AP) A report from Sen. Rachel May (D-Syracuse), the lead Senate sponsor, revealed this week that 60% of open health care jobs in New York are in the home care sector and chalked up the shortage to low wages. Home care is about freedom, independence, and choice. Its about dignity, May said. The Fair Pay for Home Care bill would attract more people to the workforce and allow people the ability to stay in their homes. Other reports cited by advocates show New Yorks 65-plus population is slated to grow 25% in the next 20 years, causing the current workforce shortage to worsen exponentially. Advertisement A recent AARP study found 77% of adults 50 and older want to remain in their homes for the long term as opposed to living in a nursing home. A home health worker (Shutterstock/Shutterstock) The vast majority of New Yorkers who need long-term care want to remain in their own homes, and home care is often less expensive than a nursing home, said AARP New York State Legislative Representative Bill Ferris, adding that the bill would be right for the workers, right for care recipients and their family caregivers by alleviating worker shortages and ensuring care is available, and right for taxpayers by saving the long-term care system money. A Hochul spokeswoman said details about a proposed multi-billion dollar investment in health and human services workers, including $4 billion to support wages and bonuses, will be in the governors budget pitch. The state has also submitted a plan to the federal government to spend $2.2 billion in federal pandemic relief funding that includes 14 initiatives to strengthen the home care workforce. Governor 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, Hochul press secretary Hazel Crampton-Hays said in a statement. Volkswagen drove forward its transformation into a sustainable, software-centric mobility group in 2021 and approximately doubled its deliveries of battery-electric vehicles (BEV) year-on-year to 452,900 units. These now account for 5.1% of total deliveries, up from 2.5% in the previous year. The Group is the European market leader for battery-electric vehicles by a large margin and achieved the second-largest share of the key US market with about 7.5%. In China, 92,700 BEVs were delivered, more than four times the figure for 2020. Sales of plug-in hybrids worldwide also rose significantly to 309,500 units (+61%). In total, the Group delivered 8,882,000 vehicles to customers around the world. As forecast, the global semiconductor shortage led to a slight decrease of 4.5% versus 2020 despite high customer demand and full order books. Figures for 2021 show how the Volkswagen Groups business model is changing. The sources of income will progressively shift further from conventional gasoline engines to zero-emissions electric cars and from sales of vehicles to software and mobility services, underpinned by the key technology of autonomous driving. The Volkswagen Group projects that in 2030 one in two cars sold worldwide will be purely electric. Systematic electrification of the product portfolio is also reflected in the investment planning for the years 2022 to 2026 that the Volkswagen Group presented in December. These plans provide for an increase in capex and development costs for e-mobility of around 50% compared with the previous planning, giving a total of 52 billion. The Groups top-selling battery-electric models in 2021 were (in units): Volkswagen ID.4: 119,600 Volkswagen ID.3: 75,500 Audi e-tron (incl. Sportback): 49,200 SKODA Enyaq iV: 44,700 Volkswagen e-up!: 41,400 Porsche Taycan (incl. Turismo): 41,300 A total of 3,518,700 Group vehicles were delivered in Europe (2.7%). In Western Europe, 2,860,400 customers took possession of a Group brand vehicle (2.7%). Battery-electric vehicles were very popular in this region, accounting for 10.5% of Group deliveries in Western Europe (2020: 6.2%). Demand for BEVs was even somewhat stronger in Germany, the Groups home market, where battery-electric vehicles made up 11.4% of Group deliveries (2020: 5.9%). Here, a total of 991,900 vehicles across all drive systems were handed over to customers (9.6%). Deliveries in Central and Eastern Europe declined by 2.8% to 658,300 units. In North America, 908,400 customers took delivery of a new Group brand vehicle, a significant increase of 15.6%. This positive development was driven in particular by the US, where deliveries rose by 16.9% to 671,800 units. The Group tripled its BEV deliveries in the largest North American market year-on-year to 37,200 vehicles, making it the number two for battery-electric vehicles. The Group also lifted its delivery volumes year-on-year in the South America region. A total of 514,600 vehicles were handed over to customers, an increase of 5.1%. In Brazil, the regions largest market, deliveries hovered around the prior-year figure at 376,500 units (0.3%). In the Asia-Pacific region, deliveries fell by 12.4% year-on-year to 3,610,600 units. China, the Groups largest single market, was among the hardest hit by the semiconductor shortages. Here, deliveries were down by 14.1% to 3,304,800 units. The electric offensive also bore fruit in this region, leading to the strongest volume growth among Group BEVs, which rose more than fourfold to 92,700 vehicles. The Community Announcements calendar publishes twice weekly on Thursday and Saturday. The submission deadline for Thursday announcements is noon on the previous Tuesday. The submission deadline for Saturday is noon on the previous Wednesday. The Huawei P50 Pro arrived in China last summer, with the P50 Pocket joining the family in December. The lineup is finally making its way outside the domestic market - yesterday it arrived in Malaysia and the Middle East, and now we learn it's on its way to Europe. The P50 Pro and P50 Pocket have been confirmed to go sale in Bulgaria on January 25. The social media accounts of Huawei Bulgaria only mentioned the P50 Pro, but local publication nixanbal confirms the foldable will also make an appearance. Both devices run on the Snapdragon 888 chipset, but due to Huawei being part of the Entity List in the United States, the manufacturer is not allowed to use anything 5G-related, so the flagships are limited to LTE support. Despite these limitations and the obvious lack of Google Services, the P50 Pro and P50 Pocket are pretty impressive devices. The classic flagship has a mighty quad-cam setup, huge OLED and 66W fast charging, while the clamshell has a gapless folding screen and a cool-looking 1 circular cover display. Prices will be announced later this month, and once revealed in Bulgaria, they will be applied to the rest of the EU. Source 1 Source 2 (both in Bulgarian) ALBANY New Yorks eviction moratorium is set to expire in a matter of days, leaving financially strapped tenants with little recourse and landlord groups livid over the reopening of a tapped-out program meant to help. Following a court order, State officials reopened the application portal for its COVID rent relief program late Tuesday, offering some protection but little promise of assistance since the programs coffers are exhausted. Advertisement Those who apply will be protected against eviction while the state reviews their application. The Legal Aid Society, whose lawsuit prompted the reopening of the Emergency Rental Assistance Program, encouraged New Yorkers in need of financial assistance and eviction protection to apply ahead of the Jan. 15 lifting of the states eviction ban. Advertisement We urge all New Yorkers in need of rent relief to immediately apply... as a pending application will provide temporary protection from eviction, regardless of whether the state receives additional funding, Ed Josephson, supervising attorney in the civil law reform unit at The Legal Aid Society, said in a statement. Gov. Hochul made clear this week the state has no plan to further extend the eviction moratorium, in place throughout the bulk of the pandemic, though she is once again calling on the federal government to pony up more funds to help replenish ERAPs depleted coffers. She added that she is working with lawmakers on the issue, although legislators left Albany Wednesday without concrete plans. 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, Hochul said during a Tuesday press conference in Manhattan. Activists rally during a demonstration in New York, to call on New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, House Speaker Carl Heastie, 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) The state Office of Temporary Disability Assistance, tasked with running the rent relief program, has doled out about half of the $2.4 billion in federal funding provided. However, the remaining money has yet to be sent out to struggling landlords due to logistical issues. Hochul lamented the fact that New York is only on track to receive $27 million in additional federal rental aid after requesting another $1 billion. Landlord groups, meanwhile, fumed over the Legal Aid Societys push to have renters apply for assistance when there are no available funds to cover applications. The Legal Aid Society is encouraging fraud not to mention being disingenuous and irresponsible by urging tenants to apply for unfunded assistance, regardless of whether they qualify, just for the sake of obtaining an eviction stay, Joseph Strasburg, president of the Rent Stabilization Association, which represents landlords in the city, said in a statement. Advertisement This is cruel and misleading because based on OTDAs own admission when it reopened the program portal, Legal Aid is fully aware that it is giving false hope that doesnt exist without the federal dollars to fund the rent relief program. Building owners have also said renters are protected by the Tenant Safe Harbor Act, which created a special COVID defense that tenants can use in court if theyve faced financial hardship due to the pandemic should they face eviction. Meanwhile, advocates and progressive lawmakers are calling Hochul and the Legislature to take other steps to help avoid the crush of evictions predicted to be filed following the expiration of the moratorium. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (Don Pollard/New York Governor's Office) Housing advocates are pushing for the passage of Good Cause Eviction legislation that would guarantee tenants the right to renew a lease and essentially place a cap on how much landlords can increase rent. Dozens of Hochuls fellow Dems across the state penned a letter to the governor Wednesday encouraging her to come out in support of the tenant-friendly bill. We believe that Good Cause Eviction is the best way to prevent hundreds of thousands of households from displacement as pandemic-era interventions lapse, they wrote. Yesterday we saw the Motorola Tab G70 listed on Flipkart with its key spec and no pricing as the device will come to India on January 18. Today we get the full breakdown as the device was launched in Brazil complete with pricing details. Motorola Tab G70 in Green The Android 11 slate comes with an 11-inch IPS LCD with a 2,000 x 1,200px resolution and 400 nits of brightness. Theres a quad-speaker setup with Dolby Atmos support. You get an 8MP selfie camera and a 13MP rear shooter. Tab G70 brings a Helio G90T chipset paired with 4GB RAM and 64GB storage which is expandable via the microSD slot. Theres a 7,700 mAh battery that charges over USB-C at up to 20W speeds. The tablet comes with an IP52 water repellent design and weighs 500 grams. Motorola Tab G70 Motorola Tab G70 comes in a single Green colorway and retails for BRL 2,399 which equates to around $433. It remains to be seen how the international roll-out will pan out but well make sure to update you with more details. Source Realme 9i debuted in Vietnam earlier this week, and now India is about to welcome it. The Snapdragon 680-powered phone will arrive on January 18, according to the local branch of the company. The screen of the affordable midranger is a 6.6 LCD with FullHD+ resolution and 90Hz refresh rate. Other highlights include a 5,000mAh battery with 33W charging and a 50MP main camera. The Realme 9i was announced with two memory options - 4/64 GB and 6/128 GB, and were wondering whether the company will bring them both to India. The company is promising more teasers in the upcoming days, but since specs are already known, we are mostly interested in the pricing of the phone. Source Remember Samsung's Galaxy Home smart speakers? You'll be forgiven for answering no, but apparently Samsung plans on having another go at them. Per Max Jambor on Twitter, Samsung is working on a new Galaxy Home Mini 2 speaker. So far Samsung has made two smart speakers - the Galaxy Home, and the Galaxy Home Mini. They are both powered by Samsung's own Bixby smart assistant, but they were never really on sale. You could have gotten the Galaxy Home Mini with a Galaxy S20 purchase in South Korea, but that's about it. Still, it looks like Samsung isn't giving up on selling its own smart speaker. Galaxy Home Mini 2 (SM-V320) isn't too far away anymore, I can tell you that pic.twitter.com/xtV6z4645Y Max Jambor (@MaxJmb) January 12, 2022 There's really no information about the hardware or the software at this point. There could be a Galaxy Home announcement on the Galaxy S22 series event on February 8. Norman Analista, the PDNs latest Lifestyle columnist, can trace his sartorial roots to his snappily dressed parents: mom wore international labels think Christian Dior, Gucci while dad favored regional designers such as Tori Richard out of Hawaii. It was just something that I picked up, I guess, I sort of absorbed (their fashion sense) without them having to give me any lessons on how to dress up, he said. He came to the fashion industry late in life, though, having launched Analista & Co. just three years ago. Analista, who turns 47 next month, has spent the last 10 years as the University of Guams Director for Development, Alumni Affairs and Foundation Relations. Prior to that he held marketing roles for various businesses and has worked in the local print and broadcast media industries, including as an opinion columnist for the PDN. Hes also known in the community as a voice for local Filipinos, and served as the president of the Filipino Community of Guam from 2017-18. During his leadership role, he worked with a couple of fashion designers from the Philippines to produce a fashion show for the organization. Impressed with his sartorial flair, they encouraged him to delve into the design side. The product of a traditional Filipino family who guided him onto more practical career paths in his youth, Analista was eager to revive the bold streak of his adolescence at Oceanview High School. And just like that, Analista & Co. was born. During my formative years, clothing started to speak to me and that I was able to express myself creatively through the kinds of clothing that I would wear, and then also to be mindful about how clothing affects other peoples perception of me. And so I was able to, you know, play up on that. When I was in high school, bright colors was the thing, loud prints was the real big thing. And to some degree its come back today, you know, theres that resurgence and interest in fashion from the 90s. He brings that aesthetic to the brand, from tropical floral prints on button-down shirts to a rainbow jeepney on a black tee. Because my fashion is kind of bold, and you have to have confidence to wear it, clients have tended to be those who are comfortable in the public eye, from social media influencers to elected officials, he said. While he has no plans to abandon his full-time job for the business he runs with his wife, Hernalin, and adult children Carly and Ashton, he clearly enjoys the opportunity to express and indulge his creative side. I dont have any formal education in fashion design. I consider myself to just be a very observant consumer, and I just pick up what I like and produce what I what I like and if I guess maybe the artist in me says, if people like the clothes that I designed, theyll buy it, and thats great, but if they dont like it, my intention is not to please them, but to express (myself). In the absence of a tight-fitting N95 mask, residents should opt for surgical masks over cloth masks during the ongoing COVID-19 surge, advised Dr. Nathaniel Berg, chairman of the governors Physicians Advisory Group. Physicians and government officials suspect the virulent omicron variant of COVID-19 has been driving the post-Christmas spike in infections and evidence suggests reusable cloth masks may not be a great help in prevention efforts. Berg spoke about masks and other pandemic concerns with the Rotary Club of Guam Wednesday. I think that the filtration of a cloth mask is unlikely to provide significant benefit. So I when I see patients are wearing cloth masks, I tell them if youre doing that to protect yourself, youd be better off wearing surgical masks, he said. While residents have been advised to mask up and keep their distance during the last two weeks, Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero hasnt tightened restrictions as she has in past surges. Berg said the virus now spreads so quickly that data cant be gathered fast enough to make a reasonable decision about restrictions. Closing restaurants, will it have an impact? Or restricting unvaccinated people? We dont know. We dont see that its time either to loosen things because theres nothing we can do, or to tighten things, because we dont think the data is out there that says (tightening restrictions is) not effective, he said. There was no burning desire in the Leon Guerrero administration to close schools without evidence of the virus spread there, he added. Theres also less reason to fear the current surge, Berg said. While the public may be alarmed by the record-setting daily case counts in recent weeks and the climbing COVID Area Risk Score, the metrics that mattered were hospital bed space and the availability of emergency staff. Just 17 people were hospitalized at the Guam Memorial Hospital and Guam Regional Medical City as of Thursday with COVID-19, despite a record 516 new cases reported Wednesday. Of the 17 patients, three were admitted for other reasons, but tested positive upon admission. Berg said he was hopeful the virulent omicron variant would grant widespread immunity through infection with limited severe illness, so that if we go through it and the thing goes hog wild in the community, were going to be better off. Guam reported its 274th COVID-19-related death at the Naval Hospital Guam Jan. 11. A 66-year-old woman who was partially vaccinated with underlying health conditions was dead on arrival, a news release from the Joint Information Center stated. She tested positive the same day. By protecting ourselves individually, we are also able to protect our most vulnerable, Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero stated in the release. The high case counts continued, with Guams COVID Area Risk Score shooting to 233. The Department of Public Health and Social Services reported 423 new cases of COVID-19 from 3,286 tests analyzed Jan.12, the release stated, with 135 cases identified through contact tracing. Guam has had 22,479 officially reported cases of the virus. There are 2,934 people in active isolation, the release stated. There were 18 people hospitalized for COVID-19, the release stated 11 patients at Guam Memorial Hospital, including two in intensive care. Seven are at Guam Regional Medical City. High risk The release stated older adults and individuals with chronic medical conditions are most at risk for serious complications and death due to COVID-19. It advised residents to look for emergency warning signs and seek emergency medical care immediately, or call 911 if you have trouble breathing, persistent pain or pressure in the chest, new confusion, are unable to wake or stay awake, or have bluish lips or face. Vaccinations After-school vaccinations will continue next week. Homeless families are being moved out of the Global Dorm shelter in Maite because of a rat infestation, according to Catholic Social Service Director Diana Calvo. Calvo, whose organization provides and supervises case management at the facility, said residents are being moved out, and no new people are moving in. This week Im pretty confident, if not next week, there will no longer be anyone at Global Dorm, said Sarah Thomas-Nededog, executive director of the Office of Homelessness Assistance and Poverty Prevention during the Thursday meeting of the Interagency Council for Coordinating Homelessness Programs. Of the 170 residents who were in the shelter in December, there are 48 still waiting to be placed in another location, according to Lt. Gov. Josh Tenorio. They have either transitioned to other residential programs or to permanent housing or to a place where they will be safe and in a healthier environment, said Thomas-Nededog. Calvo said that some have been placed in Catholic Social Services Guma San Jose homeless shelter in Dededo. But officials are continuing to look for more permanent housing, which she said is the organizations long-term goal. Thomas-Nededog said there are no plans to move anyone back to Global Dorm. Changes to the annual Point-in-Time count, scheduled for Jan. 27-28, were also discussed. Margaret Hattori-Uchima of the Guam Homeless Coalition said the count will span two days instead of one to maintain COVID-19 safety precautions. Volunteers will be limited to coalition organization members and split into teams of people who normally work with each other in order to limit any potential spread of the COVID-19 virus. The count was not conducted last year, but has been mandated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Renewal for 2022. We dont take this safety issue lightly, but we also have an obligation to conduct the count as best as we can, said Hattori-Uchima. Find out where you can get vaccines and testing for COVID-19 this week, based on information provided by Joint Information Center. A man who was indicted in the murder of a former Marine will be released from prison and placed on house arrest. John Mike Muliaga was indicted on murder charges after a 2021 incident that resulted in the death of 23-year-old Jaron Weilbacher. Magistrate Judge Jonathan R. Quan decided to release Muliaga after speaking with two people who will be responsible for supervising him at a Talofofo residence. Muliaga will be on house arrest and subject to electronic monitoring. He is allowed to leave to go to court; meet with probation officials or his lawyer; attend religious services; and receive emergency medical care. One of those responsibilities is to monitor him. One of you has to be with him 24 hours a day, Quan told the custodians. If he violates any of these conditions, you must immediately call the Guam Police Department and probation office. And if you dont, you will go to jail. If Muliaga violates the conditions of release he will have to pay a $25,000 bond and will be sent back to the Department of Corrections. Muliaga is scheduled for release on Friday at 1 p.m. Death In October 2021, Muliaga and co-defendant Fiataugaluia Ahkee, 31, were arrested after a fight at Kings Restaurant in Tamuning, according to the magistrates complaint. The two were seen striking Weilbacher even after he had been unconscious and on the ground. When police arrived, Weilbacher did not show signs of life, and he was later pronounced dead at Guam Memorial Hospital, the complaint stated. An autopsy was completed and revealed there were two possible injuries that could have resulted in his death, as bruises were discovered on the front and back of his head. Muliaga and Ahkee were indicted on murder and manslaughter charges in connection with the incident. President Biden all but admitted defeat on Thursday in his months-long effort to enact sweeping measures to protect voting rights before MLK Jr. Day on Monday. After months of unsuccessful haggling, Biden journeyed to Capitol Hill to make a last-ditch personal appeal to fellow Democrats to change the Senate rules to allow passage of the bills. Advertisement If we miss the first time, we can come back and try it a second time, Biden said. We missed this time. President Joe Biden speaks to the media after meeting privately with Senate Democrats, Thursday, Jan. 13, 2022, on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. (Jose Luis Magana/AP) Raising his voice, Biden insisted he wouldnt stop fighting to expand voting rights and repeatedly called for the need to count the vote. Advertisement I know one thing: as long as I have a breath in me, as long as Im in the White House, as long as Im engaged at all, Im going to be fighting, he said. Biden pleaded with Democrats, including holdout moderates Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.V.) and Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.), to tweak the Senate filibuster rule. That move could allow Democrats to pass two voting rights bills with simple majority votes. President Joe Biden leaves a meeting with the Senate Democratic Caucus to discuss voting rights and election integrity on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. on Thursday, Jan. 13, 2022. (Andrew Harnik/AP) He spoke for about 15 minutes and declared that Senate rules are not sacrosanct. Manchin and Sinema support the voting laws but steadfastly oppose the changes, mostly because they say the 60-vote rule ensures bipartisan dialogue on a range of issues. Just minutes before Bidens arrival, Sinema again expressed her opposition, effectively putting a nail in the coffin of the voting rights push. I will not support actions ... that would worsen the disease of division in our country, said Sinema. Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.) (AP) Republicans welcomed Sinemas speech. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) heaped praise on her for an act of extraordinary political courage. (She) saved the Senate as an institution, McConnell said. Advertisement Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) earlier said the Senate would take up twin voting rights measures later in the day but that timetable might get pushed back. The House of Representatives teed up the Senate action by approving the Freedom to Vote Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Act on a party-line 220-203 vote. The right to vote is sacrosanct and central to the integrity of our democracy, said Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), the No. 5 Democrat in the House. Democratic Sen. Raphael Warnock questioned the wisdom of reflexively seeking bipartisanship. It cant be the only important thing, said Warnock, who is Georgias first Black senator. Slavery was bipartisan. Jim Crow segregation was bipartisan. The denial of womens suffrage was bipartisan. You know what wasnt bipartisan? Passage of the 13th Amendment, he said, the constitutional amendment that abolished slavery. Advertisement With News Wire Services A federal drug defendant was charged in the local court with alleged possession of methamphetamine. On Dec. 7, 2021, Rebecca Morta Mendiola was arrested on a federal warrant at a Dededo residence, according to a magistrates complaint filed in the Superior Court of Guam. Mendiola, charged in a federal case as Rebecca Rose San Nicolas Morta, was wanted after being indicted for attempted possession with intent to distribute 50 or more grams of methamphetamine hydrochloride. As she was being processed at the Department of Corrections, officers found a small plastic bag containing methamphetamine, according to the magistrates complaint. Mendiola was released from confinement before testing positive for methamphetamine, which violated the conditions of her release, federal court records state. Mendiola was arrested Jan. 11 by local law enforcement. Michael Lujan Bevacqua is an author, artist, activist and the curator for The Guam Museum. Our View: We hope to see Guam Public Library System's plans become a reality Haiti - Politic : P.M. Henry laid a wreath of flowers at the Saint-Christophe memorial 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 by the earthquake of magnitude 7.3 on the scale of Richter who hit hard Haiti. On Wednesday January 12, 2022, Prime Minister Ariel Henry accompanied by Ministers and members of the diplomatic corps, went to the memorial of Saint-Christophe [in TiTanyen] erected to salute the memory of the victims of January 12, 2010 where he deposited a floral offering before collect oneself "[...] Twelve years later, the country still mourns its dead and the wounds are still gaping. May God continue to watch over Haiti !" wrote Henry on his Twitter account. Then at the National Palace, in the presence in particular of the Ministers, the High Staff of the Police and the Army and major State officials, Ariel Henry took part in the ecumenical service organized in memory of the victims. In his speech for the occasion, Ariel Henry declared : "Today we have come together in memory of the victims of the January 2010 earthquake. Twelve years later, our internal wounds have not yet healed. January 12 is an opportunity to remind ourselves that the time has come for us, Haitians, to work hard to change the situation of all citizens without any distinction. The State has an obligation to support the Haitian people, but to get there, we need peace throughout the country. The Government is working to help the country better manage this kind of disaster. Haiti must change. For that, we must learn to create stability first." See also : https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-35697-haiti-social-earthquake-of-january-12-2010-the-country-remembers.html SL/ HaitiLibre Haiti - News : Zapping... First class of young qualified teachers 35 students from the latest graduates of the National School of Applied Geology (ENGA) could soon receive their letter of appointment as teachers for the renovated secondary school. They will be part of the first promotion of young qualified teachers who will come in particular from the Ecole Normale Superieure (ENS), the Accelerated Initial Training (FIA), the Teacher Training Center of the Fundamental School (CFEF), the National School of Arts (ENARTS) and Public Universities in Regions (UPR). Minister Manigat announced this in his New Year's message to students and education officials. Destroyed 12 years ago and never rebuilt The central headquarters of the Ministry of National Education, destroyed by the earthquake on January 12, 2010, has not yet been rebuilt and the employees are still distributed in various offices across the metropolitan area pending reconstruction, a file that the Minister Nesmy MANIGAT promises to relaunch. NOTICE Orlando : Haitian Consulate closed The Haitian Consulate in Orlando informs the Haitian Community that its offices will be closed from January 13 to 17, 2022, due to cases of Covid-19 identified among the Consular Staff. Services will resume normally on Tuesday, January 18 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. In case of emergency please email cons.orlando@diplomatie.ht Jarabacoa : Moratorium on expulsions of Haitians James Jacques, Consul of Haiti in Santiago (DR) received Jesus Maria Collado, responsible for immigration in the province of Jarabacoa. "We discussed the documentation of approximately 2,500 Haitians living in this province. Mr. Collado promised me to temporarily postpone the deportation of undocumented Haitians in this province and in return the Consulate undertakes to provide them with birth certificates, passports and national identification cards." The ing. Claude Prepetit, deplores and regrets The ing. geologist Claude Prepetit, Director General of the Bureau of Mines and Energy (BME) deplores the absence of a real national plan to reduce the country's vulnerability to earthquakes and regrets that the progress recorded in this field during the 4 to the first 5 years following the earthquake of January 12, 2010 have not been consolidated. The French Embassy, partner of UNICEF The Embassy of France in Haiti welcomes the partnership with UNICEF Haiti and the efforts made to end malnutrition in newborns and young children "The right to food is one of the most fundamental human rights" Remember that UNICEF distributed 249 boxes of lipid-based nutritional supplements to prevent malnutrition among 2,490 children aged 6 to 23 months living in the South, Grand'Anse and Nippes. HL/ HaitiLibre HL / HaitiLibre Thank you for reading! You have reached our free-content limit. If you are a current subscriber, please log in to continue viewing content or purchase a subscription by clicking the Subscribe button below. Thank you for supporting independent Journalism. A former girlfriend of Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) was spotted Wednesday at a Florida courthouse as prosecutors press a probe involving accusations of sex trafficking of women and underage girls. Gaetzs ex was seen entering the federal courthouse in Orlando where a grand jury is mulling possible charges against the outspoken supporter of former President Trump, the Orlando Sentinel reported. Advertisement NBC News reported the woman testified against Gaetz, a development that would be a major blow to the self-proclaimed Florida Man lawmaker as he fights to avoid being indicted on charges of paying for sex when she was a minor. Gaetz, who is now married, denies all the allegations and claims he is being targeted by liberal prosecutors because of his support for Trump. Advertisement Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images) He also claimed the probe is tied to a shadowy alleged shakedown plot aimed at him and his father, a retired Florida politician. Gaetz first came under the scrutiny of federal authorities in 2020 as they investigated Joel Greenberg, a disgraced former suburban Orlando official who was a close friend and political ally. Greenberg was indicted and stepped down from his post. 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 former Florida tax collector is currently in jail awaiting sentencing in federal court in March. He is facing up to 12 years in prison after pleading guilty last May to six federal crimes, including sex trafficking of a child, identity theft, stalking, wire fraud and conspiracy to bribe a public official. NORTH PORT A police captain investigating how authorities in Moab, Utah, handled the 911 call involving Gabrielle Petito and Brian Laundrie in the days before her killing says the officers made "several unintentional mistakes" in their encounter with the couple. The investigation stated officers misclassified the incident as "disorderly conduct" and should have considered it a domestic violence matter. The report recommends policy changes and additional training for Moab officers, and called for the two patrolmen involved to be placed on probation for an unspecified time. Capt. Brandon Ratcliffe, of the Price Police Department, conducted the investigation and presented his investigation to the city of Moab, which released his report and a summary this week. Price, Utah, is about 115 miles north of Moab. The investigation included questions submitted by attorney Tanya Reeves, who made a formal complaint about the way officers Eric Pratt and Daniel Robbins behaved as they tried to resolve the situation during their Aug. 12 traffic stop of Laundrie and Petito. Despite a 911 caller telling police dispatchers that Laundrie slapped Petito on a Moab street, and officers seeing scratches and marks on both people involved, the patrolmen did not make a domestic violence arrest. Instead, they told the two to separate for the night, finding a motel room for Laundrie, and allowing Petito to stay with her converted Ford Transit van, in which the couple had been traveling. Police considered arresting Petito, because she said she hit and scratched Laundrie, but decided against it. Petito's family said they lost contact with Gabrielle Petito a few days after the incident, and filed a missing persons report Sept. 11. Authorities found her body about 500 miles away in Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming, a week later. A medical examiner said her body had been there for a few weeks, and she had been strangled to death by a person facing her. After an extensive search, investigators found the partial remains of Laundrie's body and personal items in a remote, swampy area near the North Port entrance to the Mabry T. Carlton Jr. Memorial Reserve on Oct. 21. His death was ruled a suicide, a gunshot wound to the head. In the meantime, the story of Gabby Petito's disappearance went worldwide as social media and traditional media reported the story. 'KINDNESS, RESPECT' During the first week of the search for both Petito and Laundrie, the Moab Police Department released a report and then a video of its officers' encounter with the couple. Ratcliffe was assigned to the investigation Sept. 27, days before Reeves filed her complaint on Oct. 1. "The independent agencys investigative report finds that the officers who responded to the incident made several unintentional mistakes that stemmed from the fact that officers failed to cite Ms. Petito for domestic violence," the report states. "Based on the reports findings, the city of Moab believes our officers showed kindness, respect and empathy in their handling of this incident." The report notes Officer Daniel Robbins, who was the lead officer on the investigation, was hired in May 2021, about three months before the incident. His field training officer, Eric Pratt, had been with the department "intermittently" since 2018, first as a part-time officer, then at full-time. Ratcliffe concluded the officers violated several Utah and Moab codes involving domestic violence incidents. These involve not giving the two hand-outs about resources to help domestic violence victims to not forwarding a report of the case to prosecutors. The report states the officers should have interviewed the 911 caller as part of their investigation, and recommends that police conduct the interview - despite the time that has elapsed and the media attention that focused on the case. The officers did speak with someone else who had seen a fight between the two in Moab. Ratliffe reported that experience has shown that a person who may appear to be the "predominant aggressor" in a domestic violence situation may in fact be the victim. "Based on the information provided, I can only assume the act of Brian grabbing Gabbys face, was his attempt to 'make' Gabby calm down or 'make' her shut up," the report states. "Although the act of grabbing someones face, like in this case, rarely causes any significant injury, I find that the specific act of grabbing someones face is extremely personal, violent, and controlling." However, Ratcliffe continues, "Just because there may have been some signs that Brian was the long-term predominant aggressor, law enforcement could only act on the information they were provided." Both Pratt and Robbins said they should have handled the situation differently, in hindsight. "Were all doing this with the fact in our mind that we know what happened later," Ratcliffe quoted Pratt as saying. "So, its really convoluted and hard to tell you like anything other than what I thought at the time which was if I missed a big red flag that he was a murderer, then yes I missed it. if I would have known he was going to murder her, I would have taken vacation to follow them, because I care about people, to the point where he was going to murder her, and I would have intervened and citizens arrested him in Wyoming! I would have taken my own time; I would have missed my family to go do that. Im desperately f-----d over that she got killed. I really am. I would have done anything to stop it if I would have known that was coming. Robbins also said he accepted his responsibility for the situation. But I dont want anyone to think that I did not care," he said. "I have daughters, and I do want anyone involved to know that I talked to Gabby and I treated Gabby as much like I could, fatherly, the way I would want another cop to interact with my daughter, even if he got it wrong. I do care. I am devastated about it. I cared that day and I still care. I dont think the public gets that we.I dont know if they know we care. I dont know if they know." RECOMMENDATIONS The report recommends the department: Provide additional training in domestic violence investigation, as well as additional legal training to ensure officers understand state laws and statutes; conducting an overall policy review Conduct a software review. This is due to missing photos that officers took during their encounter with Laundrie and Petito. Video shows the officers taking photos, but both said the photos were missing when they filed their reports. Strengthening the review process for incident reports. "The city intends to implement the reports recommendations," the report states. The report also notes that Radcliffe, who investigated the case, had unlimited time to investigate while the officers at the scene had only 75 minutes with the people involved. "There is a lot of speculation regarding this incident and I cant answer the 'what-if' questions," Ratliffe states in his conclusion. "There were mistakes made in how this case was handled. If this case was handled flawlessly, would it have changed anything? Nobody knows. "More and more in law enforcement, perfection is what is being expected and with that comes officers second guessing themselves and their decisions. "After reviewing all the information and speaking with the officers, I am confident and comfortable in stating the mistakes that were made were not made intentionally. The officers did not know what they were doing was wrong at the time and did not make the decision to benefit themselves in any way. They both believed at the time they were making the right decision based on the totality of the circumstances that were presented. "The Moab Police Department and specifically, Officer Pratt and Officer Robbins, are responsible for their actions or lack thereof as it pertains to this investigation. However, I find it difficult to assign responsibility to anyone other than the person or persons directly responsible for Gabbys death, weeks after and several hundred miles away from their August 12th incident in Moab." This page contains all of Today's News-Herald's coverage of the novel coronavirus outbreak, and the illness it causes, called COVID-19. Because this outbreak impacts public health, our coverage of the coronavirus is available to all readers. Our journalists are working hard to bring you the verified information below. Please consider supporting important local journalism with a subscription. (Click Here) Are you a Lake Havasu City resident whos been affected by the illness? Send us an email: news@havasunews.com. U.S. gross domestic product shrank 1.4% in the first quarter at the same time infl Last week, the Hazard Police Department arrested a man for several charges including trafficking, possession and more. According to a citation, on Jan. 7, HPD Officer Michael Ritchie wrote that he, Patrolman Gross and Lt. Holbrook responded to a drug overdose complaint at an apartment on Laurel Street. Upon arrival, the caller advised the male subject that was overdosing was given Narcan twice and left the scene on foot. Officers, the citation said, observed a male subject matching the description walking a very fast pace towards Broadway Street. The male subject, said Ritchies citation, was stumbling in the roadway and appeared to be manifestly under the influence of a controlled substance. Ritchie said he attempted to make contact with the male and the male then began fleeing on foot, running off of Broadway and down an embankment towards Memorial Drive. Ritchie said he fell down the hill towards oncoming traffic while trying to apprehend the male. Patrolman Gross arrived on scene and began in the foot pursuit, said Ritchie, and the male went down another hill that led to a frozen creek. Patrolman Gross fell down the embankment into the frozen creek face first, said Ritchie. The male then started up a steep embankment dropping uncapped needles onto the ground while officers were giving him multiple commands to stop. The male proceeded to keep fleeing from officers, screaming and causing a disturbance to the public, said the citation. Ricthie said he then deployed his department issued taser, but the male still did not comply. Ritchie was able to catch the male and he started actively resisting arrest, would not give the officer his left hand and kept reaching towards his waist band. I believed the above named was reaching for a knife that was in his left pocket, said Ritchie. Gross was able to assist Ritchie in cuffing the male who was identified as Jesse Damon Olinger, 42, of Stone Mountain, Georgia. The Hazard Fire Department arrived on scene and helped escort Olinger to the ambulance where he was then transported to Hazard ARH to be medically cleared. Ritchie said upon search incident to arrest, officers located multiple baggies containing a white crystal-like substance believed to be methamphetamine, and also located one baggie containing a pink powder substance believed to be suboxone. The citation said officers also located one digital scale and money in multiple demotions, including a $5 bill wrapped up with a crystal-like substance inside it. Officers, said court documents, also located a metal cap with burnt residue inside it and a pill container containing what is believed to be pressed xanax. The substances were sent to KSP crime lab for testing. Olinger was arrested and charged with public intoxication, first-degree fleeing or evading police on foot, first-degree first-offense trafficking in a controlled substance (methamphetamine), trafficking in a misrepresented controlled substance, second-degree possession of a controlled substance (drug unspecified), resisting arrest, second-degree disorderly conduct and possession of drug paraphernalia. Olinger was transported to the Kentucky River Regional Jail. He appeared for arraignment in Perry District Court on Jan. 11. This map provided by Kerrville ISD administration illustrates a proposed Single Trustee Member redistricting map that will be discussed at a community meeting on Jan. 19. Henderson, NC (27536) Today Mixed clouds and sun this morning. Scattered thunderstorms developing this afternoon. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. High 86F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%.. Tonight Scattered thunderstorms during the evening. Partly cloudy skies after midnight. Low 64F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) has a message to Republicans: Get along with the Donald or get out. The veteran South Carolina lawmaker warned Republican leader Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) that he must effectively work with former President Trump if he hopes to keep his post. Advertisement If you want to be a Republican leader in the House or the Senate, you have to have a working relationship with President Donald Trump, Graham said late Wednesday on Fox News. Graham: If you want to be a Republican leader in the House or the Senate, you have to have a working relationship with Trump. Can Senator McConnell effectively work with the Donald Trump. Im not going to vote for anybody that cant have a working relationship with Trump pic.twitter.com/boOjekgyTT Acyn (@Acyn) January 13, 2022 Calling McConnell a friend, Graham insisted he wont vote for him to be Republican Senate leader unless he can mend fences with his arch-nemesis Trump. Advertisement The Senate Minority Leader has not spoken with the former president since the infamous Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol, which was carried out by violent extremist supporters of Trump. The twice-impeached president derides McConnell as the old crow and blames him for not effectively standing up to President Biden on a host of issues. Left to right: Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), former President Donald Trump and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) (Getty Images) Can Sen. McConnell effectively work with the leader of the Republican Party, Donald Trump? he mused. Im not going to vote for anybody that cant have a working relationship with President Trump. If you cant do that, you will fail, Graham added. Graham left little doubt that he is seeking to put himself squarely in Trumps camp as the former president seeks to seize an even firmer grip on the GOP ahead of the coming midterm elections. Hes the most consequential Republican since Ronald Reagan, Graham said of Trump. Its his nomination if he wants it, and I think hell get reelected in 2024. McCrory leads Trump-endorsed Budd Former N.C. Gov. Pat McCrory is the preferred choice for the Republican nomination in the U.S. Senate election this year, according to a Civitas Poll of likely GOP primary voters released Thursday. McCrory leads the primary field with 24 percent of the vote, compared to 19 percent for 13th congressional district Rep. Ted Budd and 7% for former 6th congressional district Rep. Mark Walker. Forty-nine percent of those surveyed were undecided. The general election for the Senate seat being vacated by Richard Burr is expected to be one of the most competitive of 2022 and could decide the balance of power in that chamber. The seat is open due to the retirement of incumbent U.S. Sen Richard Burr. In the poll, McCrory makes a strong showing in three of four major regions across the state, with 24% support in the Triangle, 27% on the coast, and 27% in Charlotte. The only area in which Budd comes out on top is central North Carolina, with 28% support. All four regions have a high undecided rate, ranging from 35% in the central portion of the state to 57% in the Triangle. This poll shows that there are two very different paths to victory for the McCrory and Budd campaigns, said Donald Bryson, president of the John Locke Foundation. Budds path is more straightforward: He needs the field to narrow. McCrory, on the other hand, with better name recognition, needs his campaign to begin putting lead on target, specifically Ted Budd himself and core conservative issues like border security and election security. The results of the new survey show that former President Trumps influence in the race is strong but not overwhelming. Even with Trumps endorsement landing in June, Budd has been unable to overtake McCrory in the polls. Asked how Trumps endorsement of a U.S. Senate candidate would impact their vote, 50% of GOP primary voters said they would definitely or probably vote for Trumps pick, while 37% said they would keep an open mind. Dr. Michael Bitzer, professor of politics and history at Catawba College in Salisbury, predicted that Trumps influence will be a significant factor as the race heads into the home stretch. Id expect to see Budd publicize Trumps endorsement to the hilt t hats likely the type of GOP primary voter that will be out there, Bitzer told Carolina Journal. McCrorys name recognition and previous runs certainly are a fundamental advantage to him, but my question continues to be how loyal will this GOP primary electorate be towards Trump? Dr. Andy Taylor, a political science professor at N.C. State University in Raleigh, noted that half the Republican electorate is still undecided in the race. There is plenty of room for things to change, clearly, he said. When it comes to a possible presidential primary in 2024, Trump remains the runaway favorite among Republican voters. Forty-seven percent said they would vote for the former president over Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (19%), former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley (8%), or former Vice President Mike Pence (5%). The Civitas poll unearthed several other key data points. Asked whether the U.S. is headed in the right or wrong direction, nine out of 10 GOP primary voters checked wrong direction. Eighty-one percent disapprove of the job that the U.S. Congress is doing. GOP primary voters also expressed concerns over election integrity. Asked, Do you believe the November 2022 general elections will be free and fair? 49% said no, 21% yes, and 31% were unsure. The poll was conducted by Cygnal and queried 600 likely voters Jan. 7-9. Acknowledging 'pandemic fatigue,' health director offers guidance during surge Public health has realized for some time that many people are experiencing some level of pandemic fatigue or Covid-19 fatigue as described by the American Medical Association. Were all weary of the restrictions and guidance about wearing masks and physical distancing. No one imagined that 21 months after the beginning of the pandemic that wed be facing our most severe phase with the current Omicron variant. Despite the challenges we face today, we will prevail through this current surge and hope to see a significant decline with cases in the next 3 or 4 weeks if current projections hold true. Here are the essential pieces of information you need to know to protect yourself and your loved ones in the weeks ahead. The risk of contracting Covid-19 today is higher than it has ever been before. The Omicron variant has proven to be incredibly contagious, and it is usually quantified as being 3 to 4 times more infectious than the Delta variant. We have surpassed our prior peak with the Delta variant and this current surge may eventually triple or quadruple the volume of cases that were experiencing now. Look at our daily new cases rate per 100,000 (7 day rolling average) to gauge the volume and rapid expansion of cases: In the United States today, there are states with daily new case rates approaching 400, Rhode Island is at 504. In North Carolina today, there are counties with daily new case rates that are now approaching 400. It is reasonable to assume that local case increases will follow this same pattern. Do I need to do something different to protect myself and others during this surge? The short answer is yes. We all need to change and adapt our strategies for the Omicron variant. Here are several key steps you can take to better protect yourself and others: 1. If you are vaccinated and eligible for a booster, please consider getting that booster as soon as possible. The original vaccination series (2 doses of Moderna or Pfizer or 1 dose of J & J vaccine) is not as effective against the Omicron variant as the Delta variant. A booster significantly increases your level of vaccine protection. More breakthrough cases are happening with the Omicron variant, but vaccinations are still highly effective at reducing hospitalizations and deaths. Being up to date with a booster also prevents you from being placed in quarantine should you be exposed to a positive case. 2. If you are unvaccinated, please consider consulting with your physician about your risk factors and the benefits of vaccination. It might not prevent you from getting infected with Covid-19 but will lessen your chances of severe health outcomes. Our 2 local hospitals report that 90% of hospitalized patients are unvaccinated. Vaccinations are still the most effective way to protect yourself. Get the facts from your usual trusted medical professional. 3. Also consider a different approach with face coverings whether you are vaccinated or not. These remain a primary recommendation to provide another layer of protection, particularly for indoor public settings. The Omicron variant spreads more easily, and we have multiple documented cases where people arent even aware of how they became exposed. Even very minor time-limited exposures can result in a positive case. Ideally, upgrade your mask type from a cloth face covering to a surgical mask or KN95 mask. These latter 2 options provide more protection for you when around others. Public health does not recommend an N95 mask for the general public. These are still only necessary for those in healthcare or extreme exposure environments. 4. If you are symptomatic stay home, self-isolate and seek testing. Testing availability and supply are limited at this time. If you have symptoms and are unable to get tested assume you are positive for Covid-19 or the flu and self-isolate. Obtain a test as soon as you are able. Close contact should wear masks in all interactions. If close contacts become symptomatic, they too should immediately isolate and obtain a test, if possible. These simple strategies can help us achieve the objectives we originally established with many public health partners as part of our pandemic response plan. Reduce the transmission of disease, protect the most vulnerable and prevent our hospitals from becoming overwhelmed. We will be challenged on all fronts in the coming days. We ask for your help to achieve the best possible outcomes during this difficult phase. Thank you for everything you are already doing to keep yourself and others safe. It matters. Better days are ahead. Steve Smith Health Director, Henderson County Department of Public Health Free access for current print subscribers As a home delivery subscriber, you get free unlimited digital access to premium content on HenryHerald.com, including local news, local sports, obituaries, legal notices, local features, and the e-edition. All you need is your print subscription account number and your last name. Don't know your subscription number? Email access@henryherald.com with your delivery address. Activate your account now. A hungry badger most likely rooting for food pried open a crevice and unearthed an archaeological find: a treasure trove of Roman coins. There were 200 or so in all found buried in the La Cuesta cave near the animals den in Grado, Asturias, in northern Spain, archaeologists said in a paper published last month in the Journal of Prehistory and Archaeology, published by Autonomous University in Madrid. The 209 coins dated from between the third and fifth centuries A.D., reported Spanish daily El Pais, and had been minted all across the Roman Empire, from Constantinople (todays Istanbul), Thessaloniki in Greece, and London. Advertisement They were discovered by local resident Roberto Garcia, who called in the archaeological team, CNN reported. European badger (Shutterstock/Shutterstock) When we arrived we found the hole that led to the badgers nest, and the ground around it full of coins, Alfonso Fanjul, who led the dig, told CNN. Advertisement We were shocked to find 90 coins just in the floor outside a nest of a badger, Fanjul told USA Today. We didnt know how many could be underground or even if we could find more valuable objects. He suggested the coins were squirreled away by refugees sheltering during the Late Roman period, when barbarians were beginning to overrun the Iberian peninsula. We think its a reflection of the social and political instability which came along with the fall of Rome and the arrival of groups of barbarians to northern Spain, Fanjul told CNN. The badger was probably desperately scrabbling for victuals while Spain was buried and paralyzed by a massive snowstorm in January 2021, Agence France-Presse reported. They were discovered last April. After being cleaned, the coins will be displayed at the Fanjul told CNN, adding that the team plans to continue the badgers work. Weve taken out the first deposit, but we think there is a lot more to take out, Fanjul said, telling CNN that its the largest Roman hoard ever recovered from inside a cave in Spain. The quantity of coins recovered, as well as the undoubted archaeological interest of the transition to the early medieval period, make the hoard discovered at Bercio an exceptional find, the study authors wrote, according to AFP. The cause for an early Monday morning fatal fire in Greenville has not yet been determined, but Greenville Fire Department Chief Jeremy Powell said it is not believed to have been deliberately set. Anderson, IN (46016) Today Scattered thunderstorms this morning, then mainly cloudy during the afternoon with thunderstorms likely. High 71F. Winds SSW at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 100%.. Tonight Overcast. Slight chance of a rain shower. Low 49F. Winds WNW at 10 to 20 mph. BEIJING, Jan. 13 -- The militaries of China and France held the 16th China-France Defense Strategy Consultation via video link on January 13. 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 Lieutenant General Luc De Rancourt, deputy director general for international relations and strategy of the French Ministry of Defence. The two sides had a candid and in-depth exchange of views on the international and regional security situation, relations between the two militaries and other issues of common concern. Shao said that, since the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic, Chinese President Xi Jinping and French President Macron have held video talks for multiple times, making comprehensive plans for the cooperation between the two countries in various fields, and leading the sound development of bilateral relations. The militaries of China and France have maintained dialogue and exchanges through video meetings, which reflects the positive attitude of both sides towards promoting mil-to-mil relations. Shao expressed that the Chinese military is willing to work with its French counterpart to constantly deepen the strategic mutual trust, strengthen pragmatic cooperation and push the relations between the two militaries to a new level. Rancourt said that as two permanent members of the UN Security Council, France and China bear important responsibilities for maintaining international and regional peace and stability, as well as protecting the international multilateral system. The French side attaches importance to developing military relations with China and hopes that the militaries of the two countries will resume normal exchanges and cooperation in all areas as soon as possible after the COVID-19 pandemic has ended. France has lifted longstanding restrictions on gay and bisexual men who want to donate blood. On Tuesday, Health Minister Olivier Vera announced that within two months, questions about sexual orientation will be removed from blood-donation questionnaires. Advertisement Staring on March 16, 2022 all French people, whatever their sexual orientation, will be able to donate blood, Vera wrote on Twitter. We are ending an inequality that is no longer justified, he added. The ban, which began in 1983 during the height of the HIV/AIDS crisis was enacted as an emergency measure to prevent blood contamination since the incidence of the virus disproportionately affects gay and bisexual men. Advertisement Several countries including the U.S. enacted similar bans at the time. Today, four decades since the first cases were diagnosed, advances in testing and diagnostic tools can safely detect the presence of the virus in the blood with high precision within days after infection. Additionally, an overwhelming body of clinical evidence has now established the people living with HIV who achieve and maintain an undetectable viral load, or the amount of HIV in the blood, by taking antiretroviral therapy as prescribed cant sexually transmit the virus to others. The ban in France went through a series of iterations. In 2019, gay and bisexual men were required to be sexually abstinent for at least four months, to be eligible to donate blood. Imposing a four-month period of abstinence on homosexuals wishing to donate blood is totally absurd and has always been seen as a form of discrimination, especially when we know that donations are in short supply, Matthieu Gatipon-Bachette, the spokesperson for the French LGBTQ rights group Inter LGBT told the newspaper Le Parisien. Obviously there must be a health safety framework to be respected, but this must not be based on the sexual orientation of the donor, he added. Restrictions on blood donation based on the donors sexual orientation have been lifted in Brazil, Italy, and Spain, among other countries. Breaking News As it happens Get updates on the coronavirus pandemic and other news as it happens with our free breaking news email alerts. > In August 2021, Israel announced it was ending a similar decades-old restriction. The prohibition on gay men donating blood was a relic of a stereotype that belongs in the past, Health Minister Nitzan Horowitz said in a statement shared on Facebook. Advertisement Participants take part at the annual Pride March parade at the Place de la Republique in Paris on June 26, 2021. (THOMAS COEX/AFP via Getty Images) In April 2020, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration revised a similar ban in the U.S., changing a longstanding recommendation that allowed gay and bisexual men to only donate blood one year after their last sexual encounter. The revised guidelines stated that the agency is changing the recommended deferral period from 12 months to 3 months. The announcement came after years of intense campaigning by LGBTQ rights advocates, and in response to an urgent need for blood donations during the first few months of the COVID-19 pandemic. LGBTQ Americans can hold their heads up today and know that our voices will always triumph over discrimination, Sarah Kate Ellis, the president and CEO of the LGBTQ media advocacy group GLAAD, told the Daily News at the time. This is a victory for all of us who raised our collective voices against the discriminatory ban on gay and bisexual men donating blood, she added. Saint Joseph, MI (49085) Today Rain early...then remaining cloudy with showers in the afternoon. High 53F. Winds ENE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall near a half an inch.. Tonight Showers early, then cloudy overnight. Low 43F. Winds N at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 40%. We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Submit Uniontown, PA (15401) Today Steady light rain this morning. Showers continuing this afternoon. High 78F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%.. Tonight Showers and thunderstorms likely. Low 61F. Winds S at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 100%. A Michigan judge berated a 72-year-old man with cancer on Monday for not maintaining his yard, saying that he should be ashamed of himself. Burhan Chowdhury, who was diagnosed with cancer three years ago, recently received a ticket from the city of Hamtramck, in suburban Detroit, over his unkempt alleyway. Advertisement During a recent online court hearing, Chowdhury explained to District Judge Alexis G. Krot why he wasnt able to maintain his property in better shape. I am a cancer patient. Very old, maam. And I am a cancer patient. I was then very weak, he said, as a photo of his homes exterior is shown on the screen. Advertisement The judge didnt seem moved by his answer. You should be ashamed of yourself, Krot said in a video that was shared on social media, and has since gone viral. If I could give you jail time on this, I would, she added. Breaking News As it happens Get updates on the coronavirus pandemic and other news as it happens with our free breaking news email alerts. > Youve got to get that cleaned up. That is totally inappropriate, she tells him before ordering him to pay a $100 fine. The mans son, whos speaking next to him, asks the judge if the fine can be forgiven because my father is currently sick. He also explains that the property has already been cleaned up. Have you seen the photo? Krot interrupts him at one point. That is shameful shameful! The neighbors should not have to look at that. You should be ashamed of yourself, she says again. Burhan Chowdhury and his family moved to the U.S. from Bangladesh in 2010, his son told The Washington Post. They bought their current home in Hamtramck in 2016. An online petition urging the city to remove Alex Krot as a judge says that she has a history of being bigoted to immigrants. Nearly 12,000 have signed the change.org page as of Thursday afternoon. Advertisement Krot was appointed to the bench by Gov. Rick Snyder in August 2016 and elected by the people of the City of Hamtramck in November 2018. Shes involved in many community groups and events in Hamtramck and serves as the board secretary and a trustee for the Academy of the Sacred Heart, according to her official bio. Marvin Friedman was called to the Torah for the second time in his life as a bar mitzvah on Saturday, Jan. 8, 2022, at Chabad of Greater Orlando. Friedman was first called to the Torah in 1955 in Cincinnati, Ohio. The following is a letter Friedman, a graduate of MIT, shared with MIT Hillel news. A renewal of my Jewish identity By Marvin Friedman I am 80 years old and just celebrated my second bar mitzvah. This was all about reestablishing my identity as a Jew. On Jan. 8, 2022, I was called to the Torah, 67 years after my first bar mitzvah in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1955, after which I then became a practicing, assimilated Jew. While knowing and professing Judaism and performing holiday celebrations at home, the religion was more mechanical than spiritual. Since 1967, I have had roles in research institutes, academia, and the private sector. I reasoned that it was my prime responsibility to earn a living and take care of my family financially, and I failed to transmit my Jewish heritage or appreciation of Jewish literature to my family. While cognizant of my Jewish heritage, my secular and professional life was predominant in determining my self-identity. Neither of my sons celebrated becoming a bar mitzvah, and we seldom observed Shabbat. We observed the Jewish holidays mechanically, not with loving understanding. Chanukah, for example, was all about latkes and not about the formation of the Jewish Nation. The Talmud says that after 70 years, I have completed a full life, and that is true for me, at least. I have a wonderful family, loving grandchildren, traveled the world, had a successful professional life. More than my share of nachas. I have a sense of continuum that extends through my father, which I viewed as a heritage of my family who emigrated from Eastern Europe. My rabbi describes it as a spark of Jewishness. I found myself drawn to Torah after my first wife passed away in 2016, at about the same time I retired from professional life. It is difficult to explain how losing my spouse and losing my identity as an academician and professional toxicologist affected how I viewed myself. At that time, I realized that spiritual life had passed me by. And, it was apparent that I had an opportunity at a new spiritual life and Jewish identity. I subscribed to My Jewish Learning and to online Talmud and Prophets courses. Perhaps only MIT alums would appreciate that I have become fascinated with such minutiae as the definition of what constitutes a sukkah, when the Sh'mita/Sabbatical year for crops begins and ends, or how Noah got involved with creating a vineyard. My rabbis have been bombarded with questions. I have tried to get a complete picture of how Judaism and Torah have impacted the world. I found a practicing Conservative Jewish wife on JDate with a strong Jewish identity and found a religious home at the Chabad of Greater Orlando. I began a dialogue with our rabbis and began attending Shabbat services. As I began to explore Jewish texts, Talmud study took some getting used to, and yet I grew to love the Talmudic discussions on biblical law. Since my job was regulatory affairs, reading the Torah was a natural. I had a great deal of trouble with the Talmud and Oral Law as it was imprecise, and I did not believe it was given by Hashem. "Oral Law" does not exist in federal regulation. Now, as in 1955, it was time to make a new covenant with God and read from the Torah. Over the past year, I have been taking bar mitzvah lessons and participating in more Jewish activities - and now have become a bar mitzvah again. My Torah reading for both times I celebrated my bar mitzvah dealt with the Exodus from Egypt (what a coincidence). While previously I would discuss with my friends how the Nile might have turned red, now I discuss the strategy by which God created the Jewish Nation. It is, and continues to be, quite the journey. (JTA) - Gilad Erdan, Israel's ambassador to the United Nations, had a message for the actress Emma Watson after an Instagram account in her name posted a message that was in apparent solidarity with Palestinians: It'll take more than magic to solve the conflict. "Fiction may work in Harry Potter but it does not work in reality," Erdan said on Twitter Monday, attaching a screenshot of a post from Watson's Instagram account. "If it did, the magic used in the wizarding world could eliminate the evils of Hamas (which oppresses women & seeks the annihilation of Israel) and the [Palestinian Authority] (which supports terror). I would be in favor of that!" Watson is famous for her portrayal of Hermione Granger in the "Harry Potter" film series. She is also a goodwill ambassador for the United Nations. The post that appeared Sunday on Watson's page comprised a slogan superimposed over a photo from a pro-Palestinian protest in Chicago in May, when Israel and Hamas were in conflict, and a quote unrelated to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict attributed to Sara Ahmed, an Australian feminist theorist. The slogan, which dominates much of the picture, reads "Solidarity is a verb," and the passage attributed to Ahmed analyzes the meaning of "solidarity." Visible behind the slogan are protesters bearing banners that read "Free Palestine" and "U.S. & Israel - Hands off Jerusalem." The post notes that it is a repost of a graphic and text originally shared by the Bad Activist Collective. The original post in May noted that the photo was from a pro-Palestinian protest. Watson's post does not include that information. It's not clear however if Watson posted or approved the message or if the person who posted the message was endorsing its pro-Palestinian associations; Watson recently indicated that she has handed over control of at least part of the account to a left-wing activist group, and her Instagram profile bio reads, "Emma's official Instagram has been taken over by an anonymous Feminist Collective." Watson's account was dormant for over a year until last October, when its main page included a link to information about the recent U.N. climate change conference in Glasgow, where Watson played a lead role. Most of the account's posts since October have had to do with climate change activism and feminism, although a handful are written in the first person, ostensibly by Watson, and three promote the "Harry Potter" 20th anniversary special that debuted New Year's Day on HBO Max. I feel heartsick ... Don't forget... I write this column almost two weeks in advance of your reading it. So... it is January 1st and I just watched "Fiddler On The Roof" for the third time. It was featured on television and that's what I do most of my spare time, watch television! Getting back to "heartsick": Although I was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., and my dad was born in Brooklyn also ... and my mom was born in Montreal, Canada, I know my ancestry is Russian and Polish. Actually, my maternal grandparents and my Uncle Jack and Aunt Betty were Jews who fled from Ukraine to Canada where my mom,... The Book of Proverbs is one of the most quoted books of the Tanakh. Comprising the second book in the Ketuvim (or Writings) section of the Tanakh, Proverbs is full of lines that share wisdom on the importance of centering your life and relationships around morality, personal responsibility and the values of the Torah. It gives us such memorable maxims that have seeped into popular culture such as pride goeth before a fall (Proverbs 16:18) and spare the rod, spoil the child (Proverbs 13:24). It also contains colorful exhortations like Lazybones, go to the ant; study its w... By With new COVID variants, seemingly never-ending vaccines, mandates causing tensions between government and citizens, and travel restrictions forcing the separation of families and friends this winter, there is a prevalent feeling of uncertainty. The upcoming holiday of Tu B'shevat reminds us that despite it all, the Jewish people are always a nation with hope. Tu B'shevat, the 15th day of the Jewish month of Shevat, is a unique holiday. According to the Talmud (Rosh Hashana 2a), Tu B'Shevat was the day used to decide how old a tree was for tithing obligations. Fruit trees that blossomed... (JTA) - Peter Bogdanovich, the Oscar-nominated movie director and actor whose films, ego and off-camera exploits encapsulated the personality-driven excesses of 1970s Hollywood filmmaking, has died at 82. His death was announced Jan. 6 and first reported by Variety. Bogdanovich's mother, Herma Bogdanovich, was an Austrian Jew. His father, Borislav Bogdanovich, was an Orthodox Christian painter from the former Yugoslavia who, according to the family lore, gave up his art career in order to secure visas for Herma and her mother to help them escape antisemitic persecution in Austria, which the... (JTA) - Bob Saget, the comedian and actor famous for playing a wholesome sitcom father figure but who never lost his flair for raunchy comedy, has died at 65. Saget died shortly after performing in Orlando, where he had delivered a show with his trademark mashup of dark humor and dad jokes that he first developed while misbehaving in Hebrew school. Saget was found dead in his hotel room in Orlando. The cause of his death is unknown but police do not suspect drugs or foul play. Beth Shalom Memorial Chapel is making funeral arrangements for Saget's family. As a performer, Saget alternated bet... This past Thursday, Jeremy Gimpel, one of the founders of the Arugot Farm near Tekoa in Judea, received notice from the IDF that the vineyard that he and his partners planted on state land five years ago is slated to be demolished beginning on Jan. 16, on the week of Tu BShvat, the Jewish holiday when its customary to plant trees, except during the Shmita (Sabbatical) year. Nothing like this has happened in Judea in more than 10 years, said Gimpel, who is completely baffled by this order. There is no reason to destroy our vineyard. Its on state land!, Gimpel said. At th... A Catholic diocese in Poland has apologized for asking the court whether a man who was sexually abused by a priest as a young boy was gay and whether he might have enjoyed the sexual encounters. Janusz Szymik, 48, was an altar boy when the abuse began in the 1980s. Last year he sued the diocese of Bielsko-Zywiec, in southern Poland, in a civil court claiming that a priest in a local church had abused several boys, including him. Advertisement The priest, who has been identified only as Rev. Jan W., has admitted to the abuse. Earlier this week, the Polish news portal Onet published some documents which had been submitted to the court by a lawyer for the church. Advertisement According to the documents, church officials wanted an expert to check the plaintiffs sexual orientation and to determine whether he showed satisfaction with maintaining an intimate relationship with the man who abused him. They also wanted to know whether he gained material benefits from the sexual encounters with the priest. On Thursday, the diocese apologized for the documents that asked whether Szymik was gay, and for suggesting that he had enjoyed the contact with the cleric. We apologize to Janusz and to all who have been scandalized by the questions, the diocese said in a statement, according to The Associated Press. In an interview with the Polish news station TVN24, Szymik noted that Bishop Roman Pindel of Bielsko-Zywiec had initially shown compassion toward him for the abuse he suffered as a young boy. Previously, he expressed pain and regret and asked for forgiveness, and now he wants to prove ... that I am a homosexual person, that pedophilia gave me pleasure, that everything that happened was voluntary, that I benefited from it, he said. Szymik is seeking 3 million zlotys ($757,000) in compensation from the diocese for the abuse he suffered. (JNS) The British publisher of a childrens book about strong Middle Eastern women that included a map of the region with Palestine in place of Israel has removed the title from its website after complaints from pro-Israel groups. Author Wafa Tarnowskis Amazing Women of the Middle East: 25 Stories From Ancient Times to Present Day, released by Pikku Publishing in the United Kingdom, had also provided teacher resources. It is good news that the U.K. publisher has removed the book from sale, said Caroline Turner, director of UK Lawyers for Israel. It is shocking... (JNS) As details emerged from Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantzs Dec. 28 meeting at his private residence in Rosh Haayin with Palestinian Authority leader Mahmoud Abbas, many Israelis were left in shock. According to various reports, Gantz had offered Abbas a series of confidence-building measures as described by the Israeli Defense Ministry, which included economic benefits to the P.A. with regard to VAT, import taxes and excise duties; a NIS 100 million ($32.2 million) loan; 1,100 entry permits for Palestinian businessmen; and dozens of VIP permits for senior P.A. offic... (JTA) At least 90,000 descendants of Sephardic Jews have become citizens of Portugal or Spain since 2015, when those countries passed laws offering a naturalization process for such applicants, according to the most updated information data from the two countries. The laws were meant to atone for the Inquisition, a campaign of religious persecution unleashed at the end of the 15th century on the hundreds of thousands of Jews who had inhabited the Iberian Peninsula and flourished there. Spain has received at least 153,000 applications for citizenship, while Portugal has received at least... (JNS) After the University of Southern California was included in the Simon Wiesenthal Centers Global Anti-Semitism 2021 Top Ten list, the school responded on Wednesday by condemning both anti-Semitism in all its forms and the threatening tweets by a student leader that led to the distinction. USC board of trustees Chairman Rick Caruso said that the board of trustees together with [University] President [Carol] Folt unequivocally rejects antisemitism. We explicitly condemn and denounce tweets calling for the killing of Jews. This kind of hateful speech has no place at USC or any... By now, Dr. Faucis Covid fearspeak has become background noise. Yes, the new Omicron variant is making its way around the world. Fortunately, reports from South Africa as well as other studies indicate that Omicrons illness is milder than Delta. Even Fauci-friendly public health physicians have cautioned that there is absolutely no reason to panic. In 2022, we should panic because opioid overdoses took the lives of 100,000 fellow Americans from April 2020 to April 2021an increase of 28 percent from the same period the year before. The statistic is appallin... At the UN General Assembly last week, a large majority of member nations voted to lavishly fund a permanent inquisition against the Jewish state. The member states funded the operation of an ongoing independent, international commission of inquiry, against Israel. The commission, run by outspoken haters of Israel with long records of demonizing the State of Israel and its people, was formed by the UN Human Rights Council in a special session in May. Its purpose is to deny and reject Israels right to exist, its right to self-defense, its right to enforce its laws, and its citizens r... North Andover, MA (01845) Today A shower or two possible this morning with partly cloudy skies for the afternoon. High 58F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 30%.. Tonight Cloudy with occasional showers overnight. Low 44F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%. Indian citizens feel that the Central Govt and UP Govt should take immediate steps to curb this menace of jihadi terrorism which is a clear national threat ! Editor, Hindujagruti On Tuesday, the Sashastra Seema Bal in Uttar Pradesh flagged sudden growth in the numbers of mosques and madrasas located in and around 15 km of the border with Nepal. The state of Uttar Pradesh shares 570 km of border with Nepal and has reported a massive increase in the number of mosques in the last two years. This is months after the Uttar Pradesh government had ordered the State Police to keep a watch on the mosques and madrasas in the border area. It was reported that the 257 new built mosques in Uttar Pradesh along the border of Nepal are involved in terror-funding activities. There were also reports to suggest that funds for these mosques and madrasas were being sent from Pakistan and Islamic fundamentalist groups like Dawat-e-Islamia. The officials have noted that the number of mosques in the border areas of Nepal has increased from 738 in 2018 to 1,000 in 2021 and the number of madrasas has risen from 500 in 2018 to 645 in 2021. The India-Nepal border area in the states of Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh has seen 400 mosques and madrasas growing up in the past 10 years. With this the Muslim population in the areas has also increased in an institutionalized manner. As per the report, most of the mosques and madrasas have been recently built in Uttar Pradeshs Bahraich, Basti, and Gorakhpur areas and the population of Muslims has also grown in these regions. This supports the locals suspicion that the Muslim settlement is being done in a planned manner there. The Sashastra Sena Bal meanwhile has flagged several mosques and madrasas in seven district of Uttar Pradesh named Maharajganj, Siddharth Nagar, Balrampur, Bahraich, Shravasti, Pilibhit and Khiri. According to SSB officials, the construction of mosques and madrasas has seen an increase of about 26% in the last three years, indicating demographic changes in the border areas. Moreover, smuggling of counterfeit Indian currency and drug peddling has also increased along the UP-Nepal border. The Siddharth Nagar area in Uttar Pradesh was also in news last year for reporting a 4 times increase in the number of mosques and madrasas since the last 20 years. At present, there are 597 new mosques alone in Siddharth Nagar and 145 of them have no records. Officials have suspicion that these mosques receive regular funding from Pakistan, Dubai and other Gulf countries. Source : OpIndia China is drawing fierce pushback from Nepali citizens over its attempts to extend its sphere of influence over the Himalayan nation. For years now, Beijing has been trying to push its hegemonic designs in Nepal through the use of political, economic, and cultural means, employing the use of both coercion as well as persuasion to bring about its objective. However, it is facing stiff opposition from several Nepali social organizations, which have organized protest rallies against continuing interference of Beijing in Nepals internal activities, a report published in Nepali news organization KhabarHub said. Anti-China demonstrations have become a frequent occurrence, the report said, adding that Beijing is trying to further its territorial ambitions by expanding its role in various sectors, including in the security realm. Swatantra Nagarik Group, an organization that has a presence across Nepal, recently organized a protest in Kathmandu condemning China for interfering in the countrys political and economic matters and encroaching Nepals land in many northern districts, including in Humla. The protesters carried signs and placards that read Down with China government, Stop Chinese interference, Stop border encroachment, provide uninterrupted passage to Nepali students from China, among others. As per the report, the students who attended the demonstrations felt that the unannounced blockade imposed by China on Rasuwa and Tatopani checkpoints had caused a further strain on the already deteriorating relationship between the two countries. In an attempt to expand its hold at the Rasuwagadhi-Kerung border point, China had violated its commitment to Nepal by declaring it as an international border under its ambitious Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). China extorts money from Nepali locals in northern borders as it stonewalls years-old transit agreement It is worth noting that Nepal under KP Oli had made many overtures to China, including the initiative to open the northern borders, which, however, has not yielded the desired results. It has only increased the resentment among the local Nepali citizens against their northern neighbours. Then there was a transit agreement too signed between the two countries in 2016, which allowed the import and export of goods to third countries through Chinese ports. Furthermore, during his 2019 visit to Nepal, Chinese Premier Xi Jinping had announced that he would transform the country from land-locked to a land-linked country. However, three years on, the Chinese commitment remains on paper, and no measurable progress to materialize Xis promise is made. Meanwhile, a transit protocol between the two countries during President Bidya Devi Bhandaris visit to China in April 2019 was also signed. As per Article 15 of the protocol, the agreement had to be brought into force one month after each country informed the other of its enforcement. However, months after signing the agreement, China is yet to hold up its end of the bargain, Nepalese claim, adding to the woes suffered by the Nepali traders who have to often pay hefty amounts of money for goods and transportation. Although China had agreed to the opening of six border checkpoints and its ports for smooth transport of goods from Nepal, to this day, only two checkpoints are operationalRasuwa and Tatopaniboth of which face blockades from the Chinese government. Nepalis from different walks of life have taken this stonewalling by China as a lesson on how Beijing employs pressure tactics to convert nations into its vassal states. On the other hand, observers claim China is imposing unnecessary and often draconian measures on Nepalis. A businessman quoted by Khabarhub said the Chinese forced him to pay a stiff amount of Rs 2 to 3 lakh per annum as house rent in Nepals Kerung area. Protests against Chinas intereference to block passage of US grant of MCC to Nepal Besides Chinas covert malpractices in the border region, Beijing is also playing foul to drive a wedge between Nepal and the United States of America over its opposition to the Millenium Challenge Corporation(MCC). In a statement issued by the Nepal Democrat Union(NDU), the organization stated that China was using its intelligence wing, the Ministry of State Security, to disseminate propaganda and misinformation to subvert Nepals sovereignty, block the passage of US grant of MCC, and bring an end to Nepals relationship with other democracies in the world. The NDU recently launched a demonstration in the nations capital Kathmandu to draw the attention of Nepali lawmakers towards Chinas negative influences and interventions in the countrys internal politics. It also condemned the authoritarian CCP and its aim of undermining Nepali identity, communal harmony, and its relations with other nations. A report published in a Nepalese Daily in November 2021 said a Chinese intelligence agency was playing an active role in destabilising Nepals relations with other nations. The report said Beijing had activated its spy network in Nepal to sabotage the Himalayan nations relations with other countries, most notably with the United States and is lobbying hard against the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Compact grant assistance provided by the United States. Nepal is set to receive a grant of $500 million in aid from the United States under MCC. Though it was signed in September 2017, it is still awaiting parliamentary ratification. The inordinate delay in approval from Nepals parliament had caused the United States to express its concerns to Kathmandu. Demonstrations against Chinese occupation of Nepali land In September 2021, protests erupted in Nepal after the Chinese occupation of Nepali land in the Humla district and the continuous interference of China in the countrys internal politics. The protests were carried out by Loktrantik Yuva Manch(LYM) and saw participation from 200 cadres. As per reports, China had built close to 12 to 15 buildings on Nepali territory in the Humla district. Locals had accused China of encroaching upon their land and demanded authorities to take action against them. Reports said China had secretly built structures and stopped locals from entering the region. Source : OpIndia An Australian man who was arrested in May 2020 in connection with the murder of an American mathematician in Sydney nearly 35 years ago has pleaded guilty, solving one of Australias longest-standing homophobic crimes. Scott Johnson, who was openly gay, fell to his death from a cliff near Manlys North Head near Sydney in December 1988. His body was found at Blue Fish Point, at the foot of a hill considered a popular gay hangout spot. Advertisement The 27-year-old was in Australia pursuing a Ph.D. in mathematics at the Australian National University. While his death was initially ruled a suicide by investigators, his family has always maintained that he had been the victim of an anti-gay hate crime. Scott Johnson (NSW Police) A suspect, Scott White, was arrested on May 12, 2020 two months after a reward for his arrest was doubled. He pleaded not guilty last year. Advertisement Earlier this week, White, 50, surprised his legal team during a pre-trial hearing when he told the court he was guilty of killing Johnson. His lawyers, however, argued that he wasnt fit to make the admission, and tried to withdraw the plea. On Thursday, the Supreme Court in the Australian state of New South Wales rejected that motion and convicted White of murder, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported. Breaking News As it happens Get updates on the coronavirus pandemic and other news as it happens with our free breaking news email alerts. > In 2005, Johnsons former partner, Michael Noone, called the victims older brother, Steve Johnson, and told him about a series of anti-gay crimes that had happened in the area, where young gay men were being pushed off cliffs. In 2017, following a campaign spearheaded by the victims brother, investigators found that hed most likely died from a gay-hate attack. A new police investigation offered a reward of 1 million Australian dollars ($730,000) for information that could lead to the arrest of a suspect. The brother, a Boston IT entrepreneur and a self-made millionaire, reportedly matched that offer in 2020. After White pleaded guilty, Johnson told reporters outside the court that Its a very sad, tragic thing that he did. He added that proving that his brothers death was a homicide wasnt easy, but that his faith has since been restored. I think primarily Im feeling relief and I am thinking about my brother and that a lot of people cared about him to bring this result today, he said. Advertisement [The family] is greatly relieved that the accused found it in his soul to confess and plead guilty and put an end to this, so Im very happy about that, he added. There wouldve been nothing wrong with former NYPD Sgt. Bernard Adams applying for an opening with the department from which he retired in 2006, and with Commissioner Keechant Sewell or someone else in the hierarchy then choosing to place him in a high-level post. And it likely wouldve been fine for Mayor Adams to bring on his younger brother in some capacity without having him draw down a taxpayer-funded salary, as Mayors de Blasio and Bloomberg did with their family members (with Conflicts of Interest Board permission), and as even a certain president from New York City did with his daughter and son-in-law. Eric must follow the rules for Bernard. (Shawn Inglima/for New York Daily News) But in a city with charter provisions (2604(b)(2) and (b)(3)) barring a public servant from using his or her position as a public servant to obtain any financial gain, contract license, privilege or any private or personal advantage, the mayor skipped important steps in the process. He should change course. Advertisement Eric Adams defends initially giving Bernard, who has never overseen executive protection for a high-level official, a deputy commissioner job (salary, $240,000) which Wednesday morphed into the title of executive director of mayoral security, with a $210,000 salary because he understands me (meaning, the way Adams plans on moving untraditionally about the city, without a large entourage) and is uniquely able to protect him from, among other things, anarchists and white supremacy. But dozens of other candidates with experience guarding against precisely such threats were likely better qualified. Although Jack thought Bobby Kennedy was a crackerjack choice for attorney general in 1961, the clearly conflicted selection resulted in the passage of a 1967 federal law barring federal officials from hiring close relatives. The mayor, whose steady leadership is critical right now to guide the city out of the devastating trauma of the coronavirus pandemic, couldve preemptively asked the Conflicts of Interest Board for advice before bringing Bernard on payroll. He didnt; we have asked Adams to see his waiver request, but it has not yet been produced. Advertisement Peruse, if you will, the boards summary of its enforcement actions against lower-level city officials whove hired or promoted or put even a half a finger on the scale for siblings, children and spouses. A school superintendent was fined $1,000 for emailing around his brothers resume to principals he oversaw; an assistant principal paid a $25,000 fine for, among other things, giving 25 Great Adventure tickets to his brother; a mid-level city health official was dinged $750 for serving on a panel that interviewed her sisters husband. Advisory opinions issued by the board in 1990 and 1993 make crystal clear that it is a conflict of interest for an elected official to refer the resume of a family member for city employment, and that it would be a violation...for a member of the City Council to nominate a family member to the borough president for appointment to a community board. If Adams chooses to continue down this road, and all indications are he will, he should first make public his waiver request to the conflicts board. Transparency going forward is critical. The boards findings should also be released immediately once a decision is made. Second, he should cut Bernards salary to $1 or less. Despite the personal financial challenges this may present, the conflict rules are written with the avoidance of financial gain in mind. Anti-nepotism provisions should apply evenly across government to the people at the bottom, in the middle and, yes, even at the top. Pop-rock band Bleachers have been tapped to replace Roddy Ricch as the Saturday Night Live musical guest this weekend after the rapper pulled out due to COVID-19 exposure. The long-running NBC sketch comedy series announced Wednesday night that the Jack Antonoff-fronted group will perform on it first show of 2022, hosted by West Side Story star Ariana DeBose. Advertisement Roddy Ricch (left) and Jack Antonoff of Bleachers (Getty Images) The appearance will be the first time for the New York City-based band, who released their third opus, Take the Sadness Out of Saturday Night, in July. Antonoff, 37, has produced and co-wrote songs Taylor Swift, Sara Bareilles, Lorde, Lana Del Rey, Pink and most recently Diana Ross. Advertisement Already a five-time Grammy Award winner, the Bergenfield, N.J., native is nominated for producer of the year at the 2022 Grammy Awards, as well as for album of the year in association with Swift, for her chart-topping 2020 album Evermore. Ricch, a Grammy Award-winning Atlantic Records artist was reportedly exposed to a team member who has COVID-19. The Compton, California native rapper dropped his second studio album, LIVE LIFE FAST last month, featuring Future, 21 Savage, Kodak Black, Ty Doll $ign, Lil Baby, Gunna, and Takeoff from Migos. The 18-track project is the follow-up to his 2019 RIAA double-Platinum debut album, Please Excuse Me for Being Antisocial, which spurred the RIAA-certified Diamond certified song The Box. The 23-year-old MC (whose given name is Rodrick Wayne Moore Jr.) will be one of the headliners of the annual Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival being held June 16-19 at the Bonnaroo Farm in Manchester, Tenn. Radisson Hotel Group is pleased to announce the re-opening of Radisson Hotel & Apartments Dammam Industrial City following a rebranding and extensive refurbishment of the existing Park Inn by Radisson Hotel & Apartments Dammam Industrial, the only international 4-star hotel in Dammam Second Industrial City. Located in the heart of the buzzing business district near Half Moon Bay Beach, famous for its sandy beaches, Radisson Hotel & Apartments Dammam Industrial City is just 35 minutes' drive from King Khalid International Airport, with access to numerous nearby businesses and offices. The hotel is close to the popular Dhahran Mall and Modon Lake, the Kingdom's largest artificial lake with a 4-kilometer footpath surrounded by greenery. The hotel's 201 spacious rooms, 104 apartments, and common areas have been redesigned to feature a fresh, modern, and stylish atmosphere. Guests can enjoy access to the fitness center, pool, and spa, for a simple delightful stay. The hotel also offers two restaurants and a lobby lounge. RBG restaurant offers a casual dining experience where guests can savor grilled international dishes for lunch or dinner, as well as the famous Super Breakfast buffet to start the day. For a taste of Italy, guests can enjoy lunch and dinner in the soon to open Bocca Buona, where chefs will serve pizza to pasta straight from the open show kitchen. Guests looking for a tasty snack and a hot drink, can visit Modon Cafe in the lobby lounge which will also showcase live sports. Radisson Hotel & Apartments Dammam Industrial City welcomes events of all sizes to the heart of Dammam's business district. Facilities include a ballroom, two versatile meeting rooms that can accommodate up to 490 guests, seven offices with natural daylight, and a 530 square meter space for receptions, pre-function gatherings, and coffee breaks. In addition, each meeting room is equipped with high-end audio-visual technology. Radisson Hotel Group's highest priority remains the health and safety of its guests and employees. Radisson Hotel Apartments Dammam Industrial City is implementing the Radisson Hotels Safety Protocol program of in-depth cleanliness and disinfection protocols developed in partnership with SGS, the world's leading inspection, verification, testing and certification company, which are designed to ensure guest safety and peace of mind from check-in to check-out. Hotel website With more than 15 years of experience in the wellness industry, Michael Conte joins the highly-anticipated Sensei Porcupine Creek as Retreat Director where he will manage a team of highly specialized Sensei Guides and wellness practitioners. Prior to joining the executive team at Sensei, Conte's long-standing career in the California hospitality industry includes serving as the Director of Spa and Wellness for Meadowood Napa Valley, Director of Spa at Montage Resort in Laguna Beach and also opened the Spa at Pelican Hill in Newport Beach, all of which achieved consistent five-star ratings by Forbes Travel Guide under his leadership. In his early career, Conte followed his passion for wellness to Mueller College of Holistic Studies in San Diego where he graduated as a Holistic Health Practitioner before going on to become one of the top massage therapists in Orange County. In addition to his professional work, Conte partners with the non-profit organization Greet the Day that provides free spa treatments to individuals fighting cancer as well as other organizations including the ISPA association, Global Mentorship Organization and has served on the Forbes Travel Guide Standards Advisory Board. At Sensei Lana'i, A Four Seasons Resort, Catherine Phillips is the new Retreat Director bringing more than 25 years of luxury and wellness experience to the property. Phillips has managed luxury operations for large-scale hotel groups including Marriott International and its Ritz-Carlton brand, as well as various independent hoteliers in California, England and the Caribbean. Phillips holds qualifications in hospitality management, holistic health, meditation, massage therapy, cosmetology and aesthetics, including luxury skincare training in Switzerland. Having grown up visiting family on Moloka'i, Phillips has a strong tie to the Hawaiian islands offering a unique perspective that is pertinent to leading the retreat on Lana'i. In her free time, Phillips regularly volunteers for community outreach programs, wellness initiatives and animal welfare. London, UK - A new analysis of staff shortages by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), has revealed a significant labour shortfall in Portugal, with 85,000 Travel & Tourism jobs across the country predicted to be unfilled by the end of this year. The worrying new figures from WTTC, which represents the global private Travel & Tourism sector, show for the first time the significant impact staff shortages could have on Portugals overall economic recovery. Data compiled by Oxford Economics for WTTC, analysed staff shortages across Portugal and other major Travel & Tourism markets including the U.S., Spain, the UK, Italy and France, focusing on the period 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, and the report reveals that Portugals Travel & Tourism sector is set to witness a staggering one in six job vacancies left unfilled. Julia Simpson, WTTC President and CEO, said: Portugals 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 country. 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 harmful travel restrictions, such as the recent measures amid the surge of the new variant, do not stop the spread of the virus. It says they only hinder the recovery of the sector and add to the already significant issue with labour shortages. The Portuguese government implemented a job retention scheme and offered further financial support and schemes which saved businesses and jobs up and down the country. However, despite this much-needed support, 92,000 people working directly in the Portuguese Travel & Tourism sector lost their job last year. The WTTC Staff Shortages Report goes on to show that as the demand for travel began to strengthen during the second half of 2021, particularly throughout the summer months due to the easing of restrictions, it increased the pressure on the sector following months of limited activity and the labour supply was unable to match the rising labour demand. With this rise in demand, labour shortages are set to reach 85,000, equating to one in six unfilled vacancies. Next year, the labour market is expected to remain tight with a further forecast average shortage of 53,000 workers causing further harm to the embattled sector. 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. WTTC says staff shortages represent a major 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 and urgently needs to be addressed. 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 COVID-19 had a serious impact on online travel agencies (OTAs), according to GlobalData, which notes that the OTA market value decreased by a gruesome 60.4% year-on-year (YoY) in 2020. The leading data and analytics company reveals that this strain has amplified OTAs existing concerns around the growing presence of Google in the market, and how the tech giants control could impact competitivity and, therefore, consumer choice. Ralph Hollister, Travel and Tourism Analyst at GlobalData, comments: Googles growing presence in online travel will be ominous for OTAs that have no choice but to rely on the search engine for web traffic. Regulators are starting to control Google's practices, but the company has to be treated differently due to its position as a dominant search engine, as well as the fact that it is not offering directly competing services. Low competition can lead to rising prices, so it is vital for all travelers that the right balance is achieved. Laura Petrone, Thematic Analyst at GlobalData, comments: Google certainly has a huge responsibility when it comes to competitivity. Google has a monopoly over internet searches, and it has been accused many times of violating competition law to preserve this monopoly. Digital platforms like Google can use data generated knowledge from one market and taking advantage of their scale, they can expand their services to new markets. However, they need to be careful: in doing so they end up attracting even more regulatory scrutiny, as they are viewed as data monopolies in whichever sector they move into. From 2015 to 2019, the OTA market was seeing growth of 9.4% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), reaching $480.3 billion. This rapid growth rate and future growth potential intensified Googles focus on online travel. By 2019, the OTA market was already blaming weakened visibility in Google search results for poor third quarter earnings. Expedia Groups net income fell by 22% YoY in Q3 2019, which it partially blamed on changes to Googles algorithm, resulting in lost visibility. Hollister continued: Google really ramped up its activity in online travel prior to the pandemic. When looking at 2019 alone, Google launched its Travel Hub, added flight check-in and hotel booking abilities to Google Assistant, attached lodging listings to its Maps function, created a search site for hotel availability by destination, and Alphabet even launched its own ride hailing app." Google clearly has both the business model and capital needed to better weather an event like COVID-19: by 2020, Alphabets (Googles parent company) revenue was over 15 times the amount of Bookings and Expedias combined. Struggling OTAs will rely more and more heavily on Google Search traffic as they look to recover from the impact of the pandemic. Google will have to be mindful not to expand or act too aggressively in the short-term, or it will face more frequent anti-competitive claims, lawsuits, and fines. About GlobalData 4,000 of the world's largest companies, including over 70% of FTSE 100 and 60% of Fortune 100 companies, make more timely and better business decisions thanks to GlobalData's unique data, expert analysis and innovative solutions, all in one platform. GlobalData's mission is to help our clients decode the future to be more successful and innovative across a range of industries, including the healthcare, consumer, retail, financial, technology and professional services sectors. GlobalData | LinkedIn | Twitter GlobalData Press Office +44 207 832 4399 GlobalData Plc The early days of the pandemic saw a rapid shift to direct booking as travelers sought the most up-to-date information from travel providers. The jury is still out on how far hotels will be able to capitalize on the trend and nurture those direct bookers or whether distribution will swing back in favor of the online travel giants. Peter OConnor, professor of strategy at the University of South Australia joined the PhocusWire Pulse: Emerging Innovation event in December to discuss travel marketing tactics. OConnor, who is also a senior analyst for Phocuswright, talked of the likelihood of OTAs regaining momentum and the tools they might employ. Read the full article at Phocuswire PCMA announced Convening EMEA is back by popular demand and will be held in one of the worlds leading meeting destinations, Vienna, Austria from 28 through to 30 September 2022. Convening EMEA 2022 is an omnichannel event for EMEA business event leaders and creatives. Initially launched as the "European Influencer Summit in 2017, an invite-only event, PCMA has since rebranded the event to Convening EMEA and welcomes all EMEA business event professionals. Launched last year in Lausanne, Switzerland, PCMA watched over 350 business event professionals from 29 countries reunite, rebuild, and restart the industry. This deconstructed omnichannel event was the foundation for a multi-generational ecosystem whereby leaders with a legacy of success and rising stars pursuing whats next, came together in solidarity to build a bright pathway forward for the industry. Convening EMEA, the nexus of business events, focused on simply connecting event professionals from not only Europe, but the Middle East and Africa. During the 2021 event PCMA in partnership with AC Forum launched initial findings from their joint research project Digital Events Outlook. They have subsequently embarked on a two year strategic partnership with AC Forum, intended to strengthen both organizations through collaboration, advocacy and advancing professional development of their respective communities, which will include content collaboration at Convening EMEA 2022. 2022 is set to build upon the success of 2021 and the connections facilitated at a time that was critical for the industry and our community as we continue our journey in making Convening EMEA the Nexus of Business Events, said Regional Director of PCMA EMEA, Jaime Bennett. Additionally, we feel our partnership with Vienna and their stakeholders will ensure we curate an exceptional programme and experience; where community, content and commerce collide. Vienna has always been a meeting point for people from all over the world, meaning that diversity and an international outlook are part of its DNA. So, it comes as no surprise that we consider events as an essential element of our economic and social ecosystem and the citys development. In collaboration with our trusted partners the Austrian National Tourist Office as well as Messe Wien Exhibition & Congress Center and Hilton Vienna Park, we are looking forward to welcoming PCMA and all attending delegates at Vienna and thereby bringing together industry leaders who aim to shape the future, said Norbert Kettner, Managing Director, Vienna Tourist Board. In Vienna, we clearly share PCMAs vision that the business events industry is about much more than the events themselves. We strongly believe that learning and sharing knowledge at events and conferences are essential for innovation and for driving our industry forward, added Christian Woronka, Director, Vienna Convention Bureau and Market Management. Austria has been a sought-after location for meetings or conferences for years. Its central location in the middle of Europe, the impressive natural scenery and the passion with which the local hosts are committed to making every encounter a successful one, make Austria and its capital Vienna the perfect location for Convening EMEA 2022. We are looking forward to the joint project with which we are sending a strong signal for the destination, said Lisa Weddig, CEO of the Austrian National Tourist Office. PCMA Convening EMEA 2022 will take place at Messe Wien Exhibition & Congress Center. It is one of Europes most versatile event, conference and exhibition facilities. Delegates will stay at Hilton Vienna Park. It is one of Europe's largest hotels for meetings and events and located in the heart of Vienna. About PCMA PCMA educates, inspires and listens, creating meaningful experiences where passion, purpose and commerce come together. We are the world's largest community for Business Events Strategists, providing senior-level education, networking, and market intelligence for the global business events industry. Our mission is to drive social and economic progress through business events. Headquartered in Chicago, PCMA has 17 chapters throughout the United States, Canada, and Mexico with members in more than 40 countries and regional offices in Latin America, Europe and Singapore. Visit us at pcma.org. Meghan Risch Vice President, Strategic and Corporate Communications PCMA Toggle Hospitality is the worlds first direct to business multi-vendor digital marketplace for hotel operating supplies and equipments from Toggle Market, a developer of SaaS enabled platforms that disrupt the supply chain industry through a First-in-kind digitization of the procurement process Toggle Hospitality serves as an engine of liberation for professionals managing procurement functions Bringing efficiency, transparency, sustainable and cost saving solutions to old age issues. Toggle Hospitality was present at AHIC 2021 which brought together 900 delegates in person Watch preview video for Toggle Hospitality here. Toggle Hospitality, an online business to business platform, marked its arrival at the Arabian and African Investment Conference (AHIC 2021) with CEO Fuad Sajdi speaking on how this new SaaS enabled technology will revolutionise hospitality procurement and usher in critically needed efficiencies, savings and transparency across the whole purchasing cycle and supply chain. Digital innovation was a major focus of the conference as hospitality leaders across the world look to technology for new solutions to the challenges the industry faces and which the Covid pandemic has accelerated. Procurement remains a key activity for the whole hospitality industry from hotels and resorts to restaurants, attractions, and cruise liners among others which require constant supply of goods and services. Not only is it critical to operational success but underpins the ability of organisations to deliver excellence in customer service. Toggle Hospitality is a SaaS enabled marketplace for operating suppliers and equipment powering the massive B2B shift in offline purchases that are going online. said Fuad Sajdi, CEO of Toggle Market, We want to be an engine of liberation from the mundane tasks of procurement that as anyone working in hospitality, whether at the pre-opening stages of a hotel development or on a day to day operational of any hospitality property knows, is one of the most difficult and complex activities with multiple stakeholders and requirements. Hospitality procurement is not unique in its supply chain challenges but is unique in its requirements with a long process that includes vendor sourcing, non-standard requirements, product comparisons, cost negotiations and the cycle of purchasing from quotations to invoicing that need to take into account shipping and logistics as most of these products will fall under the category of cross border transactions. Listen to Fuad Sajdis insight on the challenges of the current procurement process here. Jonathan Worsley, Chairman & CEO of Bench, co-organisers of AHIC 2021 said, Innovation across Hospitality is now more important than ever before as the industry rises again after the impact of the last few years. Companies like Toggle Hospitality and others who joined AHIC focusing on real life problems for business will be part of this success. Toggle Hospitality is offering some of the worlds most prominent suppliers of the industry across all categories with household brands such as Steelite, La Tavola, FoH, MyGlass Studio, Magisso and IVV amongst many others, and with more suppliers scheduled to go live each week the platform is on track to become earths largest hospitality marketplace. In addition to the marketplace, Toggle Hospitality offers configurable enterprise level solutions to large hospitality operators with multiple projects. Features of the marketplace include a cognitive catalogue that speeds up the sourcing process and workflow tools that track transactions and offer direct communication with suppliers. We can now directly connect hospitality buyers with fully vetted suppliers and offer unprecedented transparency across the different stages of the purchasing cycle to remove the kind of stress and hassle that comes with managing tens of hundreds of transactions for hoteliers and larger outlets at pre-opening stage, while at the same time offering a first class user intuitive journey that makes it just as easy for smaller hospitality outlets purchasing smaller quantity of operational goods. added Fuad Sajdi, CEO, This is in addition to giving complete control over all their transactional history to make it easy each step of the way for managing budgets, tracking spend, and status of purchases. About Toggle Hospitality Toggle Hospitality is a SaaS enabled multi-vendor marketplace and procurement eco-system for hotel furniture, operating supplies and equipment developed and operated by Toggle Market. Toggle Hospitality enables the sourcing of operating supplies, fixtures, furniture and specialist equipment directly from manufacturers. Our eco-systems are engineered to boost efficiency, reduce time, cost, environmental waste and the stress that comes with the complex nature of such multi-vendor cross border transactions. Website: www.togglehospitality.com | Muna VP of Insitutional Development Jason Momoa and Lisa Bonet announced they are parting ways after 16 years together. We have all felt the squeeze and changes of these transformational times A revolution is unfolding ~and our family is of no exception feeling and growing from the seismic shifts occurring And so~ We share our Family news~ That we are parting ways in marriage, the statement posted to the Aquaman stars Instagram account began on Wednesday night. Advertisement Lisa Bonet and Jason Momoa attend the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on Feb. 24, 2019 in Hollywood. (Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) We share this not because we think its newsworthy ~ But so that~ as we go about our lives we may do so with dignity and honesty, it continued. The love between us carries on, evolving in ways it wishes to be known and lived. We free each other ~to be who we are learning to become. The couple concluded, Our devotion unwavering to this sacred life & our Children Teaching our Children Whats possible ~ Living the Prayer May Love Prevail J & L. Advertisement Bonet is not on social media. Momoa, 42, and the 54-year-old The Cosby Show alum reportedly began dating after meeting at a New York City jazz club in 2005. They share two children Lola Iolani Momoa, who was born in 2007, and Nakoa-Wolf Manakauapo Namakaeha Momoa, who they welcomed December 2008. Although thought to be married for years, the duo officially married in 2017. Momoa and Bonet have not been seen in public in nearly two years; last posing for photos at the Tom Ford AW20 Show on Feb. 7, 2020, in Hollywood. Swiss Education Academy has curated a set of unique travel and hands-on learning experiences for families and youth this January, July and August with programs showcasing some of Switzerlands most famous cities, landmarks and culinary traditionsincluding Switzerlands world-renown chocolate. New for 2022, Swiss Education Academy is introducing the Chocolate and Culture Family Program. Families can choose from itineraries of up to one week exploring Switzerlands rich cultural traditions and even richer chocolate creations or focus on its cheese and winemaking traditions. Week one of the family program, from January 3 to 7 or July 25 to 31, offers chocolate and pastry tours and hands-on workshops suitable for parents, grandparents, and children ages 8 to 17. The summer session has an optional second week, from August 1 to 7, where the program switches focus to the secrets of Switzerlands cheese and wine industries. The Chocolate and Culture program includes family-friendly accommodations, meals, activities and excursions. Registration starts at 5,400 Swiss Francs (CHF) or approximately $5,920 U.S. dollars per week for one adult and one child and 10,800 CHF or roughly $11,840 U.S. dollars per week for a family of four. For full details, visit www.swisseducationacademy.com. We created the Chocolate and Culture program to help parents and their children learn together while exploring something everyone loves Swiss chocolate while meeting other families with similar interests from all over the world, said Youth Programs Director Amaury Depaux who is with Swiss Education Group, Switzerlands largest private educator. The group operates four globally acclaimed hospitality business and culinary management schools, and its Swiss Education Academy incorporates its faculty and picturesque campuses on the shores of Lake Geneva and in the Swiss Alps into the academys offerings. Other summer youth offerings that Swiss Education Academy is famous for include: Swiss Language Club - Developed for youth ages 10 to 17, three one-week sessions focus on language development in French or German, personal development including career counseling and college prep and new language development including Mandarin. Sessions run this winter from January 3 to 7 and weekly over the summer from June 27 to August 12 with registration starting at 1,450 CHF or approximately $1,600 per week including room and board in the Mont Blanc Palace in Leysin. - Developed for youth ages 10 to 17, three one-week sessions focus on language development in French or German, personal development including career counseling and college prep and new language development including Mandarin. Sessions run this winter from January 3 to 7 and weekly over the summer from June 27 to August 12 with registration starting at 1,450 CHF or approximately $1,600 per week including room and board in the Mont Blanc Palace in Leysin. World of Hospitality Over the course of three weeks, this program teaches youth ages 16 to 20 the fundamentals of Swiss hospitality excellence, event planning and entrepreneurship and leadership. Sessions run weekly over the summer from June 27 to August 12 with registration starting at 2,450 CHF or approximately $2,685 U.S. per week including room and board at the Hotel Institute Montreux in Montreux. Over the course of three weeks, this program teaches youth ages 16 to 20 the fundamentals of Swiss hospitality excellence, event planning and entrepreneurship and leadership. Sessions run weekly over the summer from June 27 to August 12 with registration starting at 2,450 CHF or approximately $2,685 U.S. per week including room and board at the Hotel Institute Montreux in Montreux. World of Culinary Arts Youth from 16 to 20 years old learn about European cuisine, foodpreneurship and global culinary trends, and chocolate and pastry making. Sessions run weekly over the summer from June 27 to Aug. 12 with registration starting at 2,450 CHF or approximately $2,685 U.S. per week including room and board at the Hotel Institute Montreux in Montreux with classes at the Culinary Arts Academy Switzerland in nearby Le Bouveret. Youth from 16 to 20 years old learn about European cuisine, foodpreneurship and global culinary trends, and chocolate and pastry making. Sessions run weekly over the summer from June 27 to Aug. 12 with registration starting at 2,450 CHF or approximately $2,685 U.S. per week including room and board at the Hotel Institute Montreux in Montreux with classes at the Culinary Arts Academy Switzerland in nearby Le Bouveret. World of Entrepreneurship and Innovation Developed for students 16 to 20, this program is ideal for youth interested in starting a business and teaches them how to devise a business plan, innovate and develop new products and services Sessions run weekly over the summer from June 27 to August 12 with registration starting at 2,450 CHF or approximately $2,685 U.S. per week including room and board at the Hotel Institute Montreux in Montreux. Developed for students 16 to 20, this program is ideal for youth interested in starting a business and teaches them how to devise a business plan, innovate and develop new products and services Sessions run weekly over the summer from June 27 to August 12 with registration starting at 2,450 CHF or approximately $2,685 U.S. per week including room and board at the Hotel Institute Montreux in Montreux. Swiss Grand Tour - Enjoy a stress-free, fun, and exciting family holiday exploring the cities and villages of beautiful Switzerland, enjoying its rich culture and delicious offerings, and meeting families with similar interests from around globe. Swiss Education Academys summer youth camps are an excellent option for North American students to sample a Swiss undergraduate education while exploring their passion for hospitality, travel or the culinary arts. All programs require a tourist visa and include weekly activities and excursions. With nearly 40 years of global education experience and expertise in hospitality and youth programs, Swiss Education Group and our summer academy series are known for their quality and safety, said Depaux. Every summer, we welcome more than 50 nationalities to our campuses for these exceptional educational experiences." Visit www.swisseducationacademy.com for more information or to download a free brochure. About Swiss Education Group With four schools based across six campuses, Swiss Education Group is Switzerlands largest private hospitality educator. In total, the Group has over 6,000 students from 111 countries with each school offering a diverse international experience on beautifully located campuses in the French and German-speaking regions of Switzerland. Rooted in the tradition of Swiss hospitality, Swiss Education Group has nearly 40 years of experience in hospitality management and culinary arts education and is committed to equipping tomorrows professionals with the leadership and entrepreneurial skills highly sought after in the hospitality industry and beyond. Swiss Education Group schools offer a wide range of courses, including short certificates and Bachelors and Masters degrees, allowing students to choose programs that suit their individual learning needs and interests. Visit www.swisseducation.com for more. Parker Little Swiss Education Group WASHINGTON - The Cardinal Hickory Creek power line is supposed to deliver electricity 102 miles from wind farms in Iowa to the fast-growing city of Madison, Wis., the leading edge of President Joe Bidens effort to expand the power grid to move renewable energy generated in rural areas to cities. But the project hit a wall late last year when a federal judge ordered the developer, a conglomerate that includes Wisconsins largest power utility, to cease development on sections of the transmission line running through a picturesque section of the Mississippi River valley after a local conservation group argued it would irreparably harm the wilderness. The case is part of a wave of legal actions by conservation groups that is blocking transmission projects from Maine to California and thwarting a decade-long effort to expand and modernize the U.S. grid. Even as environmentalists push to renewables to fight climate change, they frequently oppose the construction of transmission lines in wilderness areas, which the long-distance projects inevitably tend to cross. Its a problem. The challenges these conservation groups are bringing adds significantly to the cost and time of building these projects, said Emily Fisher, senior vice president of clean energy at the Edison Electric Institute, an industry group. Any assessment of what we as a country need to do involves a significant build -out of the transmission system over the next decade. I dont see how we do that given where we are right now. On HoustonChronicle.com: Tricky business: Oil companies puzzle over how to message on climate change A recent study by scientists at Princeton University estimated that for the United States to meet its climate goal under the Paris agreement, its power grid would need to grow 60 percent in size by 2030 and potentially triple by 2050. But for years, efforts to do so have been been repeatedly thwarted by a coalition that includes landowners, state officials, competing energy companies and Democratic allies in the environmental community. In 2020, fewer than than 900 miles of transmission lines were built in the United States, a more than 60 percent decline from 2015, according to data from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. The log jam presents a dilemma for some environmental groups, which have long lobbied the federal government to address climate change by expanding clean energy, which requires new transmission projects. Most folks in the environmental community understand that in order to get a fully renewable grid, its going to require more transmission, but thats different from pre-judging the support they will give to any particular project, said Mark Brownstein, an attorney at the Environmental Defense Fund. You need to proceed thoughtfully. You need to proceed with the idea youre going to minimize impacts to ecosystems. But so far, transmission developers and conservation groups show little sign of finding common ground. Fuel Fix: Get energy news sent directly to your inbox Plans by the Spanish power developer Iberdrola to build a 103-mile transmission line into New England from hydroelectric dams in Canada have hit a wall after conservation groups objected to construction in Maines northern woods. A referendum opposing the $1 billion project in Maines November election passed with 60 percent of the vote. Likewise, a more than 700-mile transmission project delivering electricity from wind farms in southern Wyoming to cities in California, Nevada and Arizona has been delayed for 13 years, after a Colorado conservation group and the federal government placed a conservation easement on a 16,000 acre tract in the Rocky Mountains across which the project needed to cross. For those who live and work near the areas through which these projects run, the idea of seeing woods and mountains scarred by transmission towers reaching more than 150-feet in height is too much to bear. Were not in the business of challenging every transmission line. Dont put us it in that box, said Howard Learner, an attorney with the Environmental Law and Policy Center in Chicago, which sued to block the transmission project in Wisconsin. This transmission line would cut through some of the most scenic landscape in the Midwest. This is the upper Mississippi River, with rolling hillsides where the glaciers missed when they retreated. Its not flat like rest of Midwest. Bipartisan agreement The holdup in transmission projects has rankled politicians on both sides of the aisle. At a recent hearing by the House Natural Resources Committee, Democrats and Republicans alike lamented the slow pace of construction, in particular on federal lands but not without recrimination. Rep. Pete Stauber, R-Minn., pointedly blamed Democrats, arguing that the wave of litigation around transmission lines drew inspiration from Democrats opposition to natural gas pipelines. Now with Joe Bidens ambitious climate goals, Democrats are realizing allowing activist groups to sue over every infrastructure project might not have been their smartest idea, he said. You are lying in the bed you made. It did not have to be this way. The Biden administration is hoping to speed up transmission projects by overhauling federal permitting regulations. The bipartisan infrastructure bill passed in November gives the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission the authority to overrule states that choose to block projects. But similar reform efforts have been undertaken before with little success. In a 2005 bid to speed up transmission construction, Congress gave FERC authority to approve projects that had been denied by state commissions. But when FERC moved to do so, they were sued by state utility commissions and environmental groups and blocked by a federal appellate court. More: Read the latest oil and gas news from HoustonChronicle.com Even if the measure withstood legal challenges from states, theres widespread skepticism that FERC commissioners would risk the public blow back from overruling states authority on how to use their land. I dont know how you do that in today's political climate, said Cullen Howe, an attorney with the Natural Resources Defense Council, a national environmental group. I dont think there's any easy answers to this, but we need to make the process better than it is right now, and right now it doesnt work very well. In the meantime, federal agencies are doing what they can to speed permitting. At the Department of Interior, officials are meeting with potential opponents to transmission projects running through federal lands before projects have even begun to try to head off conflict before it ends up in the courts. Weve learned a lot from the projects that dont succeed, said an official from the Interior Department. Theres not enough capacity for the commitments were all making to transition to a clean energy economy. Its something were going to have to keep talking about. But in the end, local communities and officials who represent them are likely to have the final say on whether a transmission line gets built under a federal system that leaves states ultimate authority. If citizens and their representatives dont believe its in the best interest of their communities, other political leaders must convince them that the benefit for the planet outweighs their local concerns, Brownstein said. Developers need to do their homework, he said, but governors and presidents and other officials are going to need to lean into this a little bit. james.osborne@chron.com WASHINGTON - Texas Senator Ted Cruz's long campaign to enact sanctions against Russia's Nord Stream 2 pipeline failed to win the necessary majority in the Senate Thursday. Cruz introduced legislation late last year that would have placed financial sanctions on any entity or individual that helped complete and operate the controversial natural gas pipeline, which runs more than 700 miles into Germany, arguing it made Europe too reliant on Russian energy supplies. But the Biden administration has resisted placing sanctions on the project, which enjoys support from Germany and other European nations who believe it could help alleviate recent gas shortages. Cruz's bill managed to win over six Democrats and all but one Republican. But with 55 votes to 44, he fell short of the 60-vote majority needed for passage. RELATED: Ted Cruz forces uncomfortable Democratic vote on Russian pipeline sanctions Earlier in the day Cruz stood on the Senate floor and urged colleagues to support his bill to send a message to Russian President Vladimir Putin that his decision to build up troops on the the Ukrainian border in recent weeks would not be tolerated. "President Biden should listen to the Senate and to the people and government of Ukraine, and reverse his catastrophic decision to grant Russia waivers from congressionally mandated sanctions," Cruz said after the vote. "Only immediately imposing sanctions can change Putin's calculation, stop a Ukrainian invasion, and lift the existential threat posed by Nord Stream 2. A year ago Republicans and Democrats came together to pass sanctions legislation to try and block the construction of Nord Stream 2, overriding a veto by former president Donald Trump. But neither Trump nor Biden elected to put sanctions in place, and since then Democratic support has faded. 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, Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., who previously co-authored sanctions legislation against Nord Stream 2, told Politico last week.. And so, I think the amendment is ill-timed." Houston Zoo's "Galapagos Islands," $70-million state-of-the-art exhibit, has been delayed. The 2.5-acre addition, which is part of Houston Zoo's centennial master plan, was initially scheduled to open this year. Due to supply chain issues and world-wide shortage of essential construction materials including acrylic viewing panels, "Galapagos Islands" is now expected to debut in early 2023. Were disappointed that the project has been delayed, but we know were not alone in experiencing supply chain problems, said Lee Ehmke, Houston Zoo President and CEO, via statement. Our commitment to conservation in the Galapagos Islands, our animal residents, and our guests here in Houston remain unwavering. A short delay in our exhibit opening will not deter us from our mission of connecting communities to animals, inspiring action to save wildlife. Immersion and conservation are top of mind for architects and engineers designing Galapagos Islands, crown jewel of the zoos Keeping Our World Wild in celebration of its 100-year anniversary. The six-year, multi-phase project features a series of transformative exhibits, public amenity upgrades and enhanced public spaces. HOUSTONCHRONICLE.COM: State-of-the-art $70 million Galapagos Islands exhibit headed for Houston Zoo next year Upon completion, Galapagos Islands becomes the first showcase of its kind to capture the archipelagos distinct landscapes, oceanic habitats and species. More than 97-percent of reptiles and land mammals living on the Islands which straddle the equator some 500 miles of the coast of Ecuador are endemic, meaning theyre found nowhere else on Earth. Also in the works is a split-level, wave-sculpted sea cave to house Sally Lightfoot crabs. Nearby, an underwater, 40-ft. long acrylic tunnel leads to One Ocean Gallery where sea turtles, sharks, rays and fish will take shelter inside a 190,000-gallon aquarium. Giant tortoises and two Caribbean Blue Iguanas will be next-door neighbors; a viewing pond connects their future homes. Submerged molten lava tunnels and giant sea horses, sea stars and sea cucumbers are next. Then, one of the exhibitions most alluring attractions: Flightless Perfection, Houston Zoos first-ever penguin habitat which can hold between 10-15 Humboldt penguins vulnerable to extinction. Last October, Alie and David Pruner hosted a black-and-white Zoo Ball in the penguins' honor, raising a record $1.8 million. Organizers tried to fly in toy penguins for the occasion, but they were on back order. Apparently, there are supply-chain issues with stuffed penguins, too. INSIDE ZOO BALL: Black, white and ready for Houstons inaugural penguin habitat. The nights two most popular live-auction items were penguin-naming rights. In total, Houston Zoo's "Keeping Our World Wild" campaign comes with transformative exhibits, public amenity upgrades and enhanced public spaces comes with a $150 million price tag. For more information, visit centennial.houstonzoo.org amber.elliott@chron.com Something happening on Jan. 18 in Friendswood will be welcome news for those who like to catch and eat fish. Sometime between 10 a.m. and noon that day, a Texas Parks and Wildlife Department truck will arrive at Lake Friendswood on Davis Prairie Lane to dump 1,300 rainbow trout into the water. After that, youre just a nibble or two away on your hook from getting the crucial ingredient for such delights as trout baked in foil with tomatoes or pan-baked trout with lemon, black pepper and garlic. The truck carrying the fish will depart toward Friendswood from the East Texas Fish Hatchery at Brookeland on the shores of Lake Sam Rayburn. Its an annual deal. We do it at this time of the year when its conducive for trout, hatchery biologist Zach Zemanek said. Trout prefer winter water temperatures equivalent to what you get in a cold shower. As we all know, thats not much of a window in Texas. The trout deliveries began back around Thanksgiving. When anglers head for Lake Friendswood and catch a prize, they can thank some hatcheries in Missouri. Thats where the waters are good and cold, and the trout are grown there and then brought to Brookeland for all the east Texas deliveries. They grow em up there year-round because theyve got cold water. We can only handle trout this time of the year, Zemanek said. They dont like water thats warmer than 70 degrees. This is the only time in Texas, especially south Texas, that we can stock trout. Apparently, the fun part for the drivers is when they reach their destinations and its time to unload their scaly cargo. The fish can be released via trash can and water. But if we can get right up to the water, theres a tube that attaches to our trailer. We have a plunger, and all the fish shoot out that tube and into the pond, Zemanek said. As for bait, you cant ask for better advice than from a hatchery biologist. Theres some soft bait you can buy at Wal-Mart called Gulp. Its kind of a scented dough bait, Zemanke said. The trout are raised on a feed that floats on the water. Those dough baits kind of mimic that look, Zemanek said. (Fish will) hit that bobber and go for it. Zemanek reminds anglers that the daily maximum catch is five trout. And if you have no luck at Lake Friendswood, Burke-Crenshaw Lake in Pasadena, because its considered a neighborhood fishing pond, is stocked more than once. That spot is scheduled to be restocked on Jan. 21, Feb. 4, Feb. 18 and March 4. In other words, theres no better time to introduce a child to the terrific world of fishing than right now. Even better, anglers under age 17 are not required to have a license. Others will need a valid fishing license that includes a freshwater fishing endorsement. For more details and fishing tips, visit https://bityl.co/ATay. So, get those poles out because the rainbow trout should be biting for days at Lake Friendswood once the trout truck shows up Jan. 18. ravery@hcnonline.com The Community Artists' Collective latest exhibition explores the creative offerings of three Houston artists that explores what Community Artists Collective Executive Director Michele Barns calls elder wisdom. From concept through conversations, the Wisdom and Hope exhibition is intended to convey that as we live we learn to be optimistic/hopeful and other life lessons, Barns said. The learning is vicarious or direct. Either way, we have access to wisdom through the stories we share in the many forms it may take, if only we would. Located in midtown, the CAC was created in 1985 by Barnes and Dr. Sarah Trotty, an artist and art educator at Texas Southern University, with the intentions of meeting the needs of the professional African American artists and with a special sensitivity to African American women artists. Elder wisdom is protective and offered lovingly. If conveyed and received as valuable, it will save the next generations some time, pain and loss, said Barnes. The exhibition opens January 21 with a reception being held Saturday, January 22 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at The Collective, 4101 San Jacinto, Suite 116. The exhibition continues through February 26. Zymora Eikner As a young girl, Eikner would sit on her family's farmhouse porch in Lynchburg, Virginia, and practice drawing the mountains she saw on the horizon with different colors of chalk. Those drawings, Eikner, who is 89, said, were the first instances she could remember of becoming interested in art. The animals on her grandfathers farm along with the landscape is the inspiration to much of her art to this day. I was about eight years old with crayons and chalk and things like that and I would sit on that porch, Eikner said. Most of the drawings were mountains and trees and fields on grandpa's farm. Music was Eikners main passion throughout her adult life as she would go on to teach music in public school for many years. It never occurred to me to take art classes, but I appreciated the fine arts and it stayed with me, Eikner said. It was a long time until I took it seriously. It was around 1985 when one of Eikners church members asked her to start taking art lessons. Eikner said thats when art started to become truly fascinating for her. Now, retired and living in a senior living facility, Eikner says art and music remain the two loves of her life. Its something now that I like to do and at my age, it sort of calms me down, Eikner said. Sometimes when things come up in the news, it makes me want to do something, to make it real. Daniel Tesfai Tesfai is a lifelong artist and studied art at Texas Southern University and is the youngest of the trio. According to Tesfai, his acrylic paintings speak to the gentrification of cultures that dont easily survive in western civilization. Tesfai believes viewers of his paintings will be inspired to learn history and appreciate other cultures and values. It will give another dimension for people to understand one another so we can live together, Tesfai said. Although his paintings are often abstract, they are supposed to reflect his background while offering new ways for people to express themselves. Some cultures are being swallowed and we dismiss them because we dont understand them, Tesfai said. Art is a medium which gives those cultures a voice and the hope to live on. Hardy Allen Drawing has always been a passion for Allen but never a career. As early as eight years old, Allen, who will be 74 in February, drew cartoons for his family and friends. His talent continued to grow but it wasnt until he attended Texas Southern and studied under the late John T. Biggers when he started to truly understand his craft. Allen describes his work as detailed pencil drawings. He often reproduces old photographs, draws family and friends and images he remembers from his time in the military. His work also takes a socially conscious angle with drawings that were inspired by the COVID-19 pandemic, the murder of George Floyd and other national political events. I just enjoy what I do, its just for personal gratification, Allen said. When I finish one Ill show it to family members, friends and then Ill get rid of it and start on another one. Ive never really tried to sell anything, its just something that I do for personal gratification, Allen said. Allen grew up in Cuney Homes, the apartments directly across from Texas Southern University. Allen said his work isnt directly inspired by Houston but because hes lived in Houston the majority of his life, he doesnt know anything else. [Biggers], he always liked my work, he would always say, its just details, Allen said. ryan.nickerson@hcnonline.com Its a yes for Simon Cowell. The man known for saying no and his longtime lover, Lauren Silverman, are planning to get married. Advertisement Simon Cowell and Lauren Silverman attend the Shooting Star Ball in aid of Shooting Star Children's Hospices at the Royal Lancaster Hotel on Nov., 2021 in London. (Jeff Spicer/Getty Images) The Americas Got Talent star reportedly popped the question walking on the beach on Christmas Eve in Barbados, where they first met, People reported. The couple began their public relationship in 2013. Advertisement Silvermans ex-husband and Cowells then-close friend, real estate mogul Andrew Silverman, filed for divorce in July, claiming the British music tycoon and his spouse were having an extramarital affair. Months later, Cowell and the New York socialite welcomed their first son, Eric, in 2014. The Daily News Flash Weekdays Catch up on the days top five stories every weekday afternoon. > Silverman, now 44, also has a son from her previous marriage. Cowell, now 62, was formerly engaged to Mezhgan Hussainy and called it quits in 2012. But Silverman has that special X-Factor. Cowell expressed his love to his future wife during his 2018 Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony. Lauren, youve been my rock for the past few years. Put up with everything Ive put up with, he said. The lovey-dovey feelings are mutual. Advertisement I think Simon has changed me, the entrepreneur told Hello! magazine in 2015. He makes me laugh all the time. I cant get angry with him because when Im trying to be cross he just makes me laugh. I feel I learn so much from him, which is incredibly inspiring. Hes very talented. An infant was found buried on a southwest Houston property after a 17-year-old went to the hospital Wednesday for pain she was experiencing and told staff about the childs birth and burial, according to Houston Police. It hasnt been determined yet whether the baby, believed to have been born prematurely on Monday, was alive or dead at birth, authorities said. Officers were called around 6:30 a.m. Thursday regarding a possible death of an infant and they responded to the 3500 block of Darlinghurst. Police talked to a 17-year-old girl who gave them information that shed given birth and went to a hospital Wednesday since shed continued to have abdominal pains, according to Houston Police assistant chief Chandra Hatcher. Hatcher said the girl notified medical staff at that hospital of the birth as well as the burial when she went to a hospital for the pain Wednesday. The staff contacted law enforcement Thursday morning, according to Hatcher. On HoustonChronicle.com: After 40 years, a murdered Houston couple has finally been identified. Where is their missing baby? The medical examiners office will conduct an autopsy to help us determine the cause of death and the crime scene unit from the Houston Forensic Science Center is out here, Hatcher said. They did unearth a very fresh patch of ground and did identify and locate an infant child at the location. The homicide division also responded and was doing a follow-up investigation, according to Hatcher. Hatcher also advised that the Baby Moses law which allows people to turn over a baby to locations including a fire station or hospital remains in effect. So for anyone who may be in a similar situation, that is always an option, and we highly recommend that they take that option, she said. We are continuing our investigation and well conduct a thorough investigation with sensitivity to those involved. On HoustonChronicle.com: Houston man learns fate after inadvertently leading police to international smuggling ring Regarding whether the mother is facing charges, Hatcher said in the briefing authorities are early in the investigation and dont know. Hatcher said they are not sure whether the baby was stillborn, but theyve gotten information the child possibly was. Police say the mother is believed to live in the area, and family and friends were not aware the girl who was about 25 weeks along and not showing yet was pregnant. NEWS IN YOUR INBOX: Sign up for breaking news email alerts from HoustonChronicle.com here. A woman was killed and two young children injured late Wednesday in a Trinity Gardens collision with a Harris County Sheriffs Office deputy who was chasing a driver suspected of an armed robbery spree and who still remains on the lam, police said. The deputy with his emergency lights and sirens on collided with the womans black Kia Borrego with two children inside around 10:50 p.m., causing at least five other vehicles to then be hit in the aftermath at the Laura Koppe and Lockwood intersection. The impact sent the deputys vehicle careening toward a corner store like a fireball, with surveillance footage showing at least one bystander leaping out of the way to avoid being hit. The woman, who remains unidentified, died in the crash, while the older child a 5-year-old boy was hospitalized in critical condition. Her vehicle rolled over and struck at least two other cars. A homeless man, Johnny Walker, witnessed the crash while cleaning debris alongside the store and rushed to save who he could. He pulled the sheriffs deputy from the burning vehicle fearing that the cruiser would blow up, he said. I pulled him out and two more young guys came and helped me lift him, Walker said, adding that the deputy was barely conscious. We took him inside the store. The deputy came to within moments. He was hospitalized and is expected to survive, officials said. Im glad hes OK, Walker said. On HoustonChronicle.com: Houston man learns fate after inadvertently leading police to international smuggling ring He was unaware of the children in the other vehicle, he said. A 2-year-old girl was later listed in stable condition. Three other people sustained minor injuries and were hospitalized, police said. Sheriff Ed Gonzalez commended Walkers actions in rescuing the deputy a three-year veteran of the department. The sheriffs investigators are now tasked with finding the robbery suspect, who escaped the chase. Police have not shared the wanted mans name or description but said he robbed a gas station at 10:42 p.m. in the 10800 block of the Eastex Freeway, the countys jurisdiction. On HoustonChronicle.com: After 40 years, a murdered Houston couple has finally been identified. Where is their missing baby? The injured deputy heard the dispatched call while returning north from downtown Houston and exited U.S. 59, near Tidwell, Houston police Assistant Chief Chandra Hatcher said during a news conference. He spotted a masked man who matched the suspects description leave a nearby CVS in the city limits and tried pulling the driver over, she said. Senior Deputy Thomas Gilliland said the CVS is near the county line and that the injured deputy is assigned to the neighboring District 2. Deputies will sometimes respond to nearby calls in the city, he said. Police radio traffic from the incident indicates that the deputy called in a vehicle description: possibly a gray 1990s Lincoln Town Car with a black top. The driver took off around 10:49 p.m., with the deputy chasing him for more than a mile, Hatcher continued. He checked in near Hirsch Road. The crash happened about four minutes later. A police official on radio traffic said he received a phone call about the wreck within moments of it happening. And it doesnt look good, the official said. Hatcher said investigators were not yet sure which vehicle the womans or the deputys struck each other first. The deputy was heading east on Laura Koppe, while the woman was driving north on Lockwood. Six occupied vehicles were involved in the wreck, she said. A seventh vehicle was struck by debris. The fire in the deputys vehicle was extinguished fairly quickly, the assistant chief said. The sheriffs office Internal Affairs and Patrol Bureau will determine if the injured deputy followed the proper policies and procedures during a pursuit, Gilliland said. He did not know the deputys speed at the time of the crash but the investigation would determine that, he continued. Deputies in Harris County are allowed to start pursuits but are advised to stop the chase if the suspects identify is known or if theyre wanted for a traffic violation, misdemeanor, or a non-violent felony, according to the sheriffs office pursuit policy. In this case, the wanted man was believed to be armed. Exceeding the speed limit during a pursuit so long as he or she does not endanger life or property is allowed within reason. The chase should also end if there is a clear and unreasonable danger to the innocent victims by excessive speed, reckless driving techniques or the suspects own erratic driving. The policy does not excuse the deputy for reckless disregard for the safety of others. Pursuits that result in serious injury or death will be closely examined within the criminal justice system with question toward our responsibility for the protection of life and property in relation to the outcome of the pursuit, the policy states. Some parents in Cypress-Fairbanks ISD are voicing concern about newly sworn-in trustee Scott Henry, a critical-race theory foe who came under fire Wednesday after remarks he made about Black teachers and dropout rates in Houston ISD circulated on social media, sparking accusations of racism and calls for his resignation by some local leaders. A group is planning to attend the boards Thursday night meeting to voice their concerns about his remarks. The NAACP will also hold a press conference ahead of the board meeting outside of the administration office to call on the other trustees to take action against Henry. On HoustonChronicle.com: Confusion reigns as Houston schools make last-minute changes to COVID plans amid omicron wave At a Monday night board work session, Henry took issue with a presentation on an equity and inclusion audit on the district by a third-party firm. During the boards allotted time to ask administrators questions about the report, Henry criticized the report, said administrators who implemented a staff training that discussed white privilege should be fired and appeared to equate higher percentages of Black teachers to higher dropout rates. Now Playing: Cy-Fair ISD Trustee Scott Henry comments on a diversity and equity report given to the school board on Jan. 10, 2022. Video: Cypress-Fairbanks ISD Cy-Fair has 13 percent Black teachers, Henry said during the meeting. Do you know what the statewide average is for Black teachers? Ten percent. I looked it up. Houston ISD, yall use as a shining example, do you know what their average percentage of Black teachers is? Thirty-six percent. You know what that dropout rate is? Four percent. I dont want to be 4 percent. I dont want to be HISD. A video clip of Henrys statement circulated on social media Wednesday, prompting numerous Democratic leaders to call for his resignation, including Cy-Fair alums Harris County Judge Lina Hidgalo and Harris County Democratic Party Chairman Odus Evbagharu, plus Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner. The NAACP Houston Branch said Henry is racist and called for immediate action. The Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School Board must vote to condemn his views, Chapter President, James Dixon said in a prepared statement. Voters and parents should unite to call for his resignation. Stephanie Wade, a parent of two Black children in the district, said Henrys statements send the message to Black teachers that they are not welcome or wanted in Cy-Fair. He sent the message that the only way students can be successful is if they have white educators, she said. He could benefit from the diversity and inclusion training and by understanding that the district is made up of a lot of people who dont share his thoughts and dont appreciate the comments hes making. On HoustonChronicle.com: Critical race theory claims follow new superintendent to Clear Creek ISD, prompt calls for resignation Henry did not respond to requests for comment Wednesday. He released a statement on Facebook saying his words were twisted for political gain. 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 (sic) one predetermined diversity metric, his statement read. 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. The presentation the board heard cited the districts diversity in teaching staff as an area for improvement. Cy-Fair, the third largest district in the state, has a student body that is 19 percent Black, 45 percent Hispanic, 9 percent Asian and 22 percent white. The firm that conducted the equity audit, Millennium Learning Concepts, has been utilized by HISD and numerous other public school districts across the nation. Many districts and education leaders have taken on the work of examining equity in student outcomes in recent years. Duncan Klussmann, the former superintendent of Spring Branch ISD who has announced he is running for Texass 38th congressional district, which encompasses west Houston suburbs, assailed Henrys remarks. Board members should definitely be asking questions so they fully understand reports that are given to them, he said. But then, he went way beyond that and basically implied he had done his own research, and inaccurately then said things and made comments about the data. On HoustonChronicle.com: Conservative Houston area school board candidates win by campaigning against critical race theory Trying to imply that the percent of Black teachers in HISD is somehow connected to the districts dropout rate is just completely inaccurate, Klussmann added. I think we should be applauding districts who really try to make sure that students are taught by people who represent their ethnic and racial backgrounds, Klussmann said. Several of Henrys assertions about HISD and its board of trustees were incorrect, including his claim that a trustee is in jail. Former HISD trustee Rhonda Skillern-Jones has pleaded guilty to her role in a bribery and kickback scandal involving a vendor and the districts former chief operating officer, but her sentencing is not until May. While it was unclear which dropout statistic he referenced, an HISD report from November put the rate around 12 percent, which marked a decrease from the prior year. HISD did not respond to a request for comment Wednesday. Henry was elected in November with two other candidates who campaigned against critical race theory, Natalie Blasingame and Lucas Scanlon. The three, who ousted longtime board members, were sworn into office Dec. 9 and already have begun to make waves in the district. The three trustees are pushing to re-write or strike a resolution that condemns racism, which the board unanimously passed in September 2020 after the murder of George Floyd. The resolution has been taken off the districts website while it is under re-consideration. District officials did not respond to questions about why the resolution was removed. I dont know how they can say they dont want an anti-racism resolution in a time when we clearly need one, Wade said. It makes me question as a parent if this is the progressive school district that I thought it was and whether this is the community I want to raise my children in. Staff writer Monique Welch contributed to this report. hannah.dellinger@chron.com alejandro.serrano@chron.com When Rice University announced a new video camera had begun airing 24/7 coverage of its Academic Quadrangle, some on campus worried it also could give the public some un-coverage views of streaking students. The live stream was touted as a way to provide meteorologists and TV news crews with picturesque shots of campus, but for students who participate in the monthly Baker 13 tradition of running through campus without their clothes on, they feared the video cam atop Fondren Library would leave them even more exposed. We cant really stop in the middle of the quad, said Jonah Wagner, a Baker 13 captain. A lot of people arent comfortable with that completely and understandably so the idea that your parents or a complete stranger could be watching you through a 24/7 livestream. Several students complained, sparking an almost immediate response. Rice on Wednesday announced that it would turn off the camera during the monthly nighttime event, when students taunt the other residential colleges while dashing about naked except for some selectively applied shaving cream. Still, some students remain uneasy about the new video cam. Among their concerns: Could the livestream enable stalkers? Would inebriated students walking home from parties, or even closeted students, be identifiable? Is Rice trying to keep an eye on students protesting the quads statue of university founder William Marsh Rice, who owned slaves? Thats not it. Thats not it at all, university spokesman Doug Miller said this week. The whole idea is just to present a beauty shot of the buildings, but that was it. On HoustonChronicle.com: Rice University expands debt-free financial aid Rice launched the livestream over the holiday break, using EarthCam software to capture the campus most iconic building, Lovett Hall, in front of downtown Houston. In the middle of the quad stands the statue and burial site of the eponymous founder, the removal or relocation of which is the subject of a Rice task force. Sammi Johnson, an English senior, said prior to Rices shift that she felt the universitys purpose went beyond skyline views. She launched an email-writing campaign, reaching out to hundreds of people in the statues protest group and an LGBT campus organization. Johnson said the camera seems like an obvious attempt to monitor movements around the statue of Rice, who founded the college as a whites-only institution. In recent years, it hasnt been uncommon for protesters at night to topple, paint or vandalize statues of Confederate leaders and other historical figures linked to injustices. There really are a lot of ways that this could be used against students, and the only potential possible outcome that comes out of it is a little bit of marketing, Johnson said. It just seems nefarious at worst and irresponsible at best on the part of the administration. Junior Anna Rajagopal said the camera represents a threat of discipline, at least related to the statue. And the universitys claims that the quad is the most beautiful part of campus, despite having a controversial figure in central view, sends a bad message to students of color, the English major said. Beyond that, Rajagopal argued the camera could aid stalkers hoping to memorize a victims patterns and schedules. This camera presents such a huge danger to vulnerable students who are already at a disadvantage, because it allows anyone with an internet connection to look at you, to zoom in on you, to know your whereabouts at any given time of the day if youre in the quad area, Rajagopal said. Ive been in circumstances where this could have been life-threatening in the past and I dont want that to happen to anybody else. Miller said the university tested to see whether the camera, six stories high, could identify students and determined it couldnt zoom in for tight shots or make out distinguishing features. (Johnson, who completed her own tests of the system, disagreed.) Video cams are common, Miller said. EarthCam has livestreams at landmarks and buildings around the world, including the Statue of Liberty and Londons Abbey Road. Miller also pointed to live cameras at public universities such as the University of Houston and private schools like Northwestern University. Rice already has security cameras monitored by police, including at the quad. Johnson and other students said they were not aware of any attempts to consult with the student body about the video cam, and Miller confirmed that students were not part of initial discussions. Shortly after students raised the issue with administrators, though, they agreed to turn off the cameras during Baker 13. On HoustonChronicle.com: Rice among 16 universities accused in price-fixing cartel for financial aid The streaking event, which is not university-sanctioned, began in 1975, with groups as small as two people and as large as 200 participating, according to the Baker College website. The students who participate cant be too shy, as a rule. At 10 p.m. on the 13th of every month and occasionally the 26th, the 31st or special occasions they cover their private parts with shaving cream (or menthol) and run across campus. They hit the other 10 residential colleges and recite cheers sometimes being greeted by students defending themselves with water guns and end by sprinting through the quad to the Rice statue. Students had been planning to shift their route away from the quad. Now, that shift wont be necessary. samantha.ketterer@chron.com Van Weldon couldnt find a copy of the draft permit for the proposed landfill near the Sam Houston National Forest he feared would ruin his farm. Weldon received a letter in December saying state environmental regulators had tentatively OKd the project to go next to his land. Hed been fighting it for months, fearing the landfill would contaminate his well water, fill the country roads with trash trucks and foul the smell of their woodsy air. On HoustonChronicle.com: Local farmer wages 'David and Goliath' fight against proposed Cleveland landfill The 64-year-old farmer felt he was waging a David vs. Goliath fight. He learned about how landfills were built. He told his customers at Houston farmers markets what might happen to the area in San Jacinto County, about an hours drive north. Person after person spoke on his side at a virtual public meeting about the idea. But now there was a draft permit and Weldon had 30 days to give input. He called Shepherd Public Library, where it was supposed to be, to ask about reading it. The staffer there said the library didnt have a copy, he said. So Weldon went himself. He couldnt find it. A friend who is also opposed to the landfill went, too. She couldnt find it either. Here was a kink in the armor, Weldon said, of the Mississippi-based company PC-II that was supposed to make the permit copy available. PC-II wants to build a 100-plus acre municipal waste landfill next to Weldons Wood Duck Farm. The company says it will be a good neighbor and use appropriate measures to keep the groundwater and air clean. They promoted it as an economic boost. But Weldon questioned: How could this company build and operate a landfill properly if they couldnt even follow the permit application rules? Weldons attorney, Bryan French, called out the lapse in a letter filed last week with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. The lack of access to the draft subverts public participation, and makes meaningful comments impossible, French wrote. He requested that the document be made available and the time period for comment be extended, or that a second public meeting be held. (Two state representatives also requested a second meeting.) More from Emily Foxhall: Houston residents must clean their own ditches. That burden often falls on low-income communities. TCEQ asked the company to do all of those things, a spokesperson confirmed Wednesday. PC-II has posted the draft permit on its website, spokesman Ray Sullivan wrote in an email Thursday. The company also sent the information to the library and was looking into whether the library had it. (Sullivan did not immediately specify when the information was sent.) The draft permit is the result of rigorous scientific and environmental review and public engagement and is readily available to interested parties and the public, Sullivan wrote, adding that the site will be surrounded by trees, have a liner system to protect the groundwater beneath it and well monitors to ensure the system is working. Weldons fight was far from over. emily.foxhall@chron.com Dr. Woodrow Jones II stood at the corner of Market Street and Carroll Oliver Way in Fifth Ward looking at the historic Evergreen Negro Cemetery, which sits on a busy stretch of Lockwood Drive between a Shell gas station and a State Farm insurance office. You see all of these trees in here? Every one of these trees, every tree out here, I planted myself, he said, pointing to the crepe myrtles that border the cemetery. Despite its bustling surroundings, the Evergreen Negro Cemetery imparts a sense of serenity once a visitor sets foot inside. Small trees and shrubs are smartly arranged among scores of gray and white tombstones, some of which have chain links engraved at the top to mark the resting places of former slaves. Here lie Buffalo Soldiers, World War veterans and Fifth Ward community leaders who made the neighborhood a nexus for Houstons Black population over 100 years ago. But Evergreen Negro Cemetery may as well have been a forest when Jones first visited in the early 1990s. The grounds were overgrown with trees so dense they left little room to walk, and the tombstones were buried under decades worth of vegetation, forgotten and invisible. Godofredo A. Vasquez, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer The city of Houston had torn through the cemetery decades earlier to expand Lockwood Drive, displacing hundreds of buried bodies and splitting the burial ground in two. The cemetery had languished ever since. In came Jones, 77, a mathemetician and early software engineer who was developing a program to help cemeteries map their grounds with Lisa Jedkins, a computer programmer at Wilson Financial Group, which owned several Black funeral homes at the time. Together they formed Project RESPECT, a group dedicated to the preservation of neglected and abandoned cemeteries, most of which hold Black, Latino and Indigenous people. These cemeteries tell the story of the people, how they lived and what they did, Jedkins said. There are Buffalo Soldiers, there are former slaves, there are many people who built Houston in this cemetery. So its not even about the cemetery, its about the individuals in the cemetery that tell our story and our history. The problem of decaying cemeteries is bigger than one might expect. While most states, including Texas, have laws restricting development on established burial sites, there is nothing that requires a public body to actually maintain an abandoned cemetery. Their upkeep then falls to private companies or nonprofits, such as Project RESPECT, which oversees three historically Black cemeteries in the Houston area: Harrisburg-Jackson Cemetery in the East End, New Home Cemetery in Richmond and Evergreen Negro Cemetery in Fifth Ward. The Descendants of Olivewood, for example, carried out a similar revival of Olivewood Cemetery, the citys oldest Black cemetery in 2008. Thousands of such cemeteries are thought to exist in Texas alone, many of which are not registered as established burial grounds. Its a common enough phenomenon that local groups like the Texas Freedom Colonies Project invite residents to submit cemetery findings to a database called the Texas African American Cemetery Registry. With no one obligated to care for them, these cemeteries often fall into disrepair. You cant wait on somebody else A.K. Kelley opened the Evergreen Negro Cemetery in 1887. A former slave and prominent local businessman and philanthropist, Kelley is also thought to have been one of the founders of the historic Mount Zion Baptist Church, according to the Texas State Historical Association. He died in 1928 and is buried in the family plot at Evergreen. The nearly 6-acre cemetery stopped accepting new burials in 1950 and quickly fell into disrepair after the city expanded Lockwood Drive through the cemetery in 1960, the historical association said.Nearly 500 bodies were exhumed to make room for the expansion. Godofredo A. Vasquez, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer Local businessman Mack Hannah Jr. enlisted Project RESPECT to lead a restoration effort of Evergreen Negro Cemetery after a young woman was raped there in 1992, hidden among the overgrowth. The cemetery was no longer an eyesore, it was a danger to the community. There was just one problem because Project RESPECT was not the cemeterys legal caretaker, it could not break ground on the massive undertaking that such a restoration would require. So rather than demur, the group simply had the law changed. It succeeded in lobbying the Texas Legislature in 1995 to pass House Bill 814, which allows nonprofits to petition for the responsibility of a historic cemetery. Project RESPECT set to work organizing volunteers and soliciting help from groups who might bankroll the project. Conoco Phillips lent equipment used to rip out dozens of trees that were crowding the cemetery. Local volunteers cleaned up the grounds, while Rice University professors and students used ground radar technology to help find lost grave sites. Twenty-seven years later, the work continues. Jones and Jedkins accept help from volunteers like college sororities and local church groups whenever possible, and Precinct 1 Commissioner Rodney Ellis sends a crew to mow the lawn every two weeks. This isnt just preserving Black history. This is Houston and U.S. history thats worth protecting, Ellis said in 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. Much of the upkeep, though at Evergreen and the other cemeteries still falls to Jones. Jones travels up from Galveston, where he now lives, at least once a week to walk around Evergreen with an iron rod, poking it into the ground in search of unmarked graves. He spends hours at it, and has found two new gravesites in a matter of weeks. One of them was outside the boundaries of where the cemetery is supposed to end. Those houses are probably sitting on graves, he said, pointing to a row of bungalows on Stonewall Street with backyards abutting the cemetery. On a cold January day, the odd beer bottle or bag of chips could be seen floating around the grounds, but for the most part, the cemetery was clean and well kept. One could almost tune out the heavy traffic cruising down Lockwood Drive. Somebody has to have a vision to do it, you cant just wait on somebody else, Jones said. Godofredo A. Vasquez, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer Yet, even Jones has his limits. Farther down Carroll Oliver Way, about three blocks south of Evergreen Negro Cemetery, is a vast, empty lot that Jones said is also an abandoned Black cemetery. On days when the grass is cut, Jones said you can see headstones peeking out from under the ground, but today, the brush came up to his waist. Jones ducked under a chain locking the fence and tromped a couple yards through the grass, coming to a halt in a small clearing. Hed love to try and salvage this cemetery, too, but the task is monumental and theres only so much time in a day. I have more than I can handle, Jones said. Sometimes, you just have to let go of the ones you cant do anything with. Where it all began For longtime residents of Fifth Ward, the cemeterys rebirth has been something of a godsend. This cemetery is something that we vastly needed a lot of eyes on, its a part of our history thats important to maintain in a community that is gentrifying, said Joetta Stevenson, a lifelong Fifth Ward resident and president of the Fifth Ward Super Neighborhood. People are going to come here and tour Buffalo Bayou but they need to take some other rides and come into a historic part of our community so we can show them that these were our beginnings, and theyre very important to us, Stevenson said. Project RESPECT hopes to further incorporate the people of Fifth Ward through their ongoing genealogy project, compiling a database of people buried in Evergreen Negro Cemetery and sharing it with the community so that residents can search for ancestors who may be buried there. Jedkins also runs another nonprofit to that end called Why Not Legacy & Heritage, which, among other things, aims to help connect marginalized people to their ancestral heritage. Jones, for his part, wants to be buried at Evergreen himself when the time comes. Its no longer an active cemetery, but he hopes an exception can be made. This is where it all began for me, Jones says. A mother and daughter getting vaccinated together as Central Floridians continue to receive the Covid-19 shots at the FEMA-supported Vaccination Site at Valencia College West campus, Monday, March 15, 2021. Monday was the first day of the vaccine eligibility age in Florida being dropped from 65 to 60; Anyone 60 and older can now get the vaccine at federally-supported walk-up and satellite sites in addition to, by appointment, area pharmacies and the Florida Department of Health at the Orange County Convention Center. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel) (Joe Burbank / Orlando Sentinel) We are answering your questions about the coronavirus vaccines and what we need to do next. Submit your question using this form or email Lois Solomon at AskLois@sunsentinel.com. Q. We are planning to fly to Europe and are being told that because we change planes, we need to present a QR code to get on the connecting flight. Where do we get QR codes to show our vax status and also a current negative test? Elise Herman Advertisement A. Check the websites for the U.S. embassies in the countries youre going to. If youre going to Spain, for example, the embassy provides directions for how to download the necessary QR code through the Spain Ministry of Healths website or in the Google Play or iTunes App stores. Every country has its own requirements, so you have to check online to get that countrys info, said Vicki Bean, a travel advisor at Luxe Travel Management in Boca Raton. It can change anytime, so you have to keep your eye on it prior to departure to make sure you are meeting the most current requirements. Advertisement Another important thing to remember is that when you re-enter the United States, you need a negative test for COVID-19 taken within 24 hours of your return flight or paperwork showing you have recently recovered. Youll have to show these documents to the airline before you board. [ RELATED: Welcome to Florida. The COVID rules are different here. ] Q. Can I receive one COVID vaccination in Florida and the second in Colorado? Julia Feikert A. Remember when the rules were really strict and you had to show proof of Florida residency to get a shot here? Well those days are gone. Its really easy to walk in to a pharmacy and get a COVID vaccination, and its the same in Colorado. They wont ask for any identification and wont ask if youre a resident of Colorado. But bring the card that you got for your first shot when you go for your second so you can have a complete record of your vaccinations on one piece of paper. For those seeking shots in South Florida, find a list of sites at sunsentinel.com/coronavirus/vaccines. Q. In November I had stem cell shots for two severely damaged hips. Will obtaining a booster shot interfere with the stem cell therapy? If so, when will it be safe for me to have the booster shot? Nancy Trimble A. This is actually one of the frequently asked questions on the American Society of Hematologys website. In short, they say you should go ahead and get a booster. I also asked Dr. Jorge Galvez Silva, medical director for the KIDZ Bone Marrow Transplant Program at Nicklaus Childrens Hospital in Fort Lauderdale, for his view. Vaccines will not interfere with stem cell therapy, he said. We suggest giving flu and COVID vaccines to patients with immune systems whose numbers/values are in the normal range. He said some stem cell patients may have a weak response to the vaccines, but they should still get them. Patients undergoing stem cell therapies for inflammation could respond differently but it will depend on what type of immunosuppressive medications they are on, he said. Either way, COVID vaccination should not affect the stem cell infusion and it is better for the body to have an incomplete reaction than none at all. Advertisement [ RELATED: Welcome to Florida. The COVID rules are different here. ] Q. I got my booster and tested positive the next day for COVID. Was it a waste to get the booster? Is it still protecting me from the worst symptoms? Should I re-boost? Eric, Cooper City A. No need to beat yourself up on this one. You did the right thing, said Dr. Andrea Klemes, chief medical officer at MDVIP, a national physicians network with headquarters in Boca Raton. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends people with COVID wait until their symptoms have resolved before getting a booster. But even if you didnt know you had the virus when you got vaccinated, youll still be fine, she said. It was not a waste, Klemes said. The CDC is recommending boosters for all adults. There is no reason to re-boost at this point. The COVID you have now is giving you natural immunity on top of your booster. Research has shown that being vaccinated does help minimize the severity of your disease. Dr. Hila Beckerman, a Delray Beach pediatrician with extensive vaccine experience, agreed. Now you have very strong immunity, she said. If you knew you had COVID, you could have canceled the booster and postponed it for a month later. But since you didnt know that you were already infected (which happens to many people), there is no harm in receiving the booster. Advertisement [ RELATED: Subscribe to the Sun-Sentinel's new newsletter, Essential South Florida ] Q. I am in my 80s and had my booster shot in August. My plan in February is to fly and visit my family in another state. As six months will have elapsed since my booster shot, should I get another booster before I travel? Ruth, Boca Raton A. It depends whether you fall in the immunocompromised category. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has approved a fourth dose beginning in February for people with weakened immune systems, which includes cancer and HIV patients, and organ transplant recipients. Age is not an included category at the moment. A fourth shot could become standard for almost all Americans in the coming year. Israel is already offering them to people age 60 and older and medical workers. Needless to say, Americans who are concerned about the omicron variant have started getting fourth shots anyway, whether they are compromised or not, and there are few safeguards in place to prevent this. [ RELATED: South Floridians skirt rules to get booster ] Q. I tried to make an appointment for the antibody treatment and there are hardly any locations where they are available. Any ideas or recommendations if this is going to change anytime soon? Getting the treatment early is of critical importance for those who are at risk. Im sure you already know that! P.L. A. Treatment availability did slow down last month because federal officials said monoclonal antibodies are not effective against COVIDs omicron variant. However, the federal government has agreed to start shipping them out again. Gov. Ron DeSantis said on Monday U.S. health officials will send at least 30,000 monoclonal antibody treatments to Florida, with new public treatment sites to open as soon as the doses arrive. The infusions prevent COVID from becoming severe, although they appear to be more successful against the delta variant. Advertisement When the doses arrive, you wont need a doctors prescription. DeSantis said the states surgeon general is going to offer guidance on how to explicitly target the treatment to the elderly population and people with risk factors. [ RELATED: Welcome to Florida. The COVID rules are different here. ] Q. A few months ago President Biden stated that rapid testing kits would be sold to the American people for $14. However, Walmart is the only store that I know that lowered the price to $14. Walgreens and CVS are still selling these tests for $23.99. The poor cannot afford to buy these tests. If they are lucky they can find them at Walmart but that is becoming difficult because of the mass buying of these tests. Sean Cononie, Cosac Foundation for the homeless, Davie A. President Joe Biden has announced a plan to distribute 500 million free at-home rapid tests to Americans beginning next month. Anyone who wants a test would have to request it through a website that will launch in January. Details are still to come. Biden had announced earlier this month he wanted home tests to become free and widely available. I couldnt find any reference he made to the $14 price you mentioned. The president is making this announcement as the omicron variant of COVID-19 is spreading quickly. At-home tests are in high demand now and hard to find, although pharmacies say they are regularly restocking. Prices start at about $7 per test (or $14 for two, maybe thats where you heard the $14 number) and go as high as $38.99. These costs could become prohibitive for a family thats testing regularly, so hopefully the presidents plan will come to fruition. [ RELATED: Subscribe to the Sun-Sentinel's new newsletter, Essential South Florida ] Q. My wife and I are fully vaccinated and received our booster shots in late September. If everything stays OK, we would like to visit New York City in May for a week. Would proof of our vaccination (and not a negative COVID test) be sufficient for our trip? And if we travel to Montreal and then on to Toronto from New York, would our full vaccination status still be sufficient? Would our full vaccination status be all thats needed to return to Florida? David, Aventura Advertisement A. You dont need a negative COVID test or proof of vaccination to travel in the United States, although there could be some venues, such as restaurants or museums or theaters you visit in New York, that will want to see your vaccination cards. Canada is a different story; you will have to upload your vaccine info and COVID test results to an app called ArriveCAN. You may even have to undergo another test upon arrival: The Government of Canada is increasing the number of fully vaccinated travelers being selected for testing to reach 100% of vaccinated travelers in the coming weeks, according to a government website. As for returning to Florida, you will not need to show any vaccine or testing documents to anyone. But you can feel good knowing you are fully vaccinated and boosted and unlikely to be spreading COVID or its variants. Q. I got my second Pfizer shot at the end of February 2021. Every month since then I have suffered facial swelling and vision problems. I am afraid of the booster. What should I do? Judith A. This is one for your doctor. These symptoms may or may not be a reaction to your Pfizer shots, said Dr. Andrea Klemes, chief medical officer at MDVIP, a national physicians network with headquarters in Boca Raton. I would suggest she talk to her doctor, Klemes said. She may have medical conditions causing these symptoms or something new going on. She needs to be evaluated and not assume it is from the vaccine. Advertisement [ RELATED: Sign up for our Essential South Florida newsletter ] Q. Can I just walk in to my local pharmacy for my booster or do I need an appointment? John, Coconut Creek A. Get in line; everyone wants a booster now that the omicron variant is looming among us. A record-breaking 308,217 people in Florida got their boosters last week. Statewide, the number of people who got boosters from Nov. 26 to Dec. 2 was almost 40,000 more than the previous week, raising the total past 300,000 for the first time since the week of Sept. 3. You may get lucky and be able to walk right into a pharmacy without an appointment, but I would call ahead and see if they will take you. Publix, for example, prefers that you make an appointment. While our pharmacies do take walk-ins, appointments receive priority and a pharmacist and/or pharmacy technician may not be available to administer a vaccine that is not scheduled, Publix spokeswoman Maria Brous said. Some stores may have a vaccine check-in table that would allow customers to inquire if walk-in vaccinations are available on that particular day. Heres a way to see where boosters are available in your ZIP code: Text 438829 to receive a list of nearby pharmacies with doses available. Advertisement [ RELATED: Welcome to Florida. The COVID rules are different here. ] Q. I need a COVID test to get on an international flight but every place I look into wants to charge more than $100. Is there anywhere that is low-cost or no-cost? Jill, Coral Springs A. There are many testing sites in South Florida that wont charge you; the problem is they may not get your results back in time. There are 11 free sites run by the Florida Department of Health in Broward County. They dont require an appointment, will take any age and will take you whether you are vaccinated or not. Results typically come back within two days, spokeswoman Nina Levine said. Palm Beach County has a similar number of sites with similar rules. Then there are the commercial sites that will either bill your insurance or require you to pay out-of-pocket. They can cost as much as $350, but promise to get you results quickly, sometimes within a few hours. So you have to weigh how fast you need the results with whether and how much youre willing to pay. [ RELATED: Your cruise leaves in two days and you need a COVID test. Here's what you need to know. ] Q. I am yet to get my COVID-19 booster. Should I go now, or should I wait until the pharma companies develop a new formulation that will combat the omicron variant? Martin, Hollywood A. No need to wait; go now, said Dr. Hila Beckerman, a Delray Beach pediatrician with extensive vaccine experience. The booster likely will offer protection from this scary new variant of COVID-19. If it has been six to eight months since your second COVID vaccine and you have not contracted COVID since then, it is recommended that you receive your booster, regardless of omicron, she said. While vaccine manufacturers are currently testing the effectiveness of the vaccines against omicron as well as developing specific mRNA codes that target the omicron variant, there is no timeline as of yet as to when these new vaccines will be available. Advertisement The current vaccines protected us from the delta variant, so theres hope they also will shield us from whatever comes our way in the coming months, she said. Vaccine manufacturers are constantly chasing their tail when it comes to variants, so a new variant may be present by the time a vaccine against omicron and delta become available, she said. Its best to protect yourself as best you can by getting whatever booster is available to you currently. [ RLEATED: Welcome to Florida. The COVID-19 rules are different here. ] Q. My husband and I both had a mild case of COVID-19 in January 2021, then got the first shot of Moderna in March, followed by the second in April. I plan to get my booster in the next few days. How long will immunity last with this third shot? Also, this may be too soon to ask, but my husband and I plan to take my dream trip to Italy the end of June 2022 immediately followed by a trip to England to visit family. Thats seven months from now, so well need to renew our COVID-19 vaccines prior to our trip, right? Linda, Boca Raton A. Immunity wanes approximately six months after youve gotten two shots of Pfizer or Moderna or one shot of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, said Dr. Jorge Perez, founder of KIDZ Medical Services, which has offices throughout South Florida. Thats why boosters are now encouraged, although recommendations continue to evolve. Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, recently said that the stance on boosters could change in the future as more data on their efficacy becomes available, Perez said. Overall, I recommend that my patients and my family follow the CDC recommendations in effect four to six weeks before their scheduled travel date. Advertisement There are no recommendations for a second booster, or a fourth shot, at the moment, although that could change as omicron and other variants continue to emerge in the coming months. At that time, they also need to reconsider traveling to a country that is in the middle of a surge, as several in Europe are experiencing right now, Perez said. Q. I am a Type 2 diabetic. I received the Pfizer vaccine. Six months from my last dose would be Dec. 28. Im planning a Christmas trip. Should I get my booster two weeks before my trip, so that I have increased resistance before I travel? Robert A. Go for it, said Dr. Andrea Klemes, chief medical officer at MDVIP, a physicians network with headquarters in Boca Raton. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends six months between your second dose and your booster, but I think it makes sense to get it two weeks early to ensure you are protected on your trip, Klemes said. Personally, that is what I would do. [ RELATED: Here are the COVID-19 rules in Florida restaurants, theme parks, grocery stores and sports venues ] Q. I had to get a tetanus shot about a month ago. Walgreens only had DTaP. Can I get a COVID booster now or is it too soon? Will the tetanus shot fight the COVID antibodies? Krista, Fort Lauderdale Advertisement A. DTaP is a triple-whammy vaccine that prevents diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis. Your DTaP shot will get along just fine with a COVID booster, said Dr. Hila Beckerman, a Delray Beach pediatrician with extensive vaccine experience. This is a very common question, Beckerman said. Each vaccine works by making antibodies to a specific protein found on that virus or bacteria. When you get the COVID vaccine, your body makes antibodies specifically against the spike protein on the outside of the COVID virus. Those antibodies dont affect a different virus or bacteria. So if you get a DTaP vaccine, the antibodies you make as a result of that vaccine dont affect other viruses or bacteria. Therefore, you can receive the COVID vaccine regardless of any other vaccine. Q. I may be a rare case, but I received my first Moderna vaccination in late January and my second in late February. Then this summer, I caught COVID and became quite ill with it. Do I have any extra protection? Can I get it again? I work with someone in a small office who refuses to get vaccinated and wears a mask only sporadically. Thats troubling. Susan A. Its true that youre in the minority, but vaccinated people do get COVID and can get it more than once. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there were 91 cases per 100,000 vaccinated people in the United States who had COVID as of Oct. 2, compared with 452 cases per 100,000 among the unvaccinated. Now that youve recovered, you have extra protection, but how much and for how long is unknown, said Dr. Andrea Klemes, chief medical officer at MDVIP, a physicians network with headquarters in Boca Raton. You can get COVID after being vaccinated and you can also get COVID again after having had it before, she said. I would discuss your particular case with your doctor, but you may consider a booster shot if it has been more than three months since you had COVID and you meet the criteria. Advertisement Q. I received my COVID-19 vaccinations in January and February and then went for the monoclonal antibody injection in August. Do I still need to get the COVID booster? Deb A. Monoclonal antibodies are proteins that fight the virus and have been successful in treating mild to moderate COVID. According to the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center: If you receive monoclonal antibod(ies), it remains important to be vaccinated to prevent serious illness in the future. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that you wait 90 days after treatment with monoclonal antibodies before getting a COVID shot. Depending when in August you got your monoclonal injection, you can head over to a pharmacy now or in the coming weeks to get your booster. [ RELATED: Here's what you need to know about cruising and COVID-19 tests ] Q. I am an over-70 survivor of open heart surgery and living with well-controlled Type 2 diabetes. I have had all three Pfizer vaccinations. What is your advice on attending a family gathering with vaccinated adults but several children under 11 still unvaccinated? Patricia A. Dont cancel Thanksgiving! There are several things you can do to create a safe gathering. Here are some recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Stay outdoors as much as possible. Advertisement Make sure indoor spaces have good air circulation and are not too crowded. Dont go if youre sick. I would add you should get tested for COVID-19 before you go and ask others who are attending to get tested, too. The Binax Now home tests are about $25 and known for their accuracy. Since you have some pre-existing conditions, theres extra advice from Dr. Joanna Drowos, an associate professor of family medicine at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton. As someone who is at higher risk of becoming ill from a COVID-19 infection, the recommendation would be to mask when indoors, and ask others to mask around you as well, she said. You can still enjoy an event with your family, but make sure to spend time outdoors, keep your distance and wash your hands. [ RELATED: Here's how to find a COVID-19 test if you're going on a cruise or international flight ] Q. Do you know of anywhere that would give a Pfizer booster in the thigh for someone diagnosed with breast cancer in both breasts? Survivor Advertisement A. You do have to ask around when you want your shot anywhere beside your arm. One possibility is a doctors office, said Dr. Hila Beckerman, a pediatrician with extensive vaccine experience. When administering the Pfizer vaccine, the most important aspect is to give it in the muscle, she said. The upper arm is more easily accessible and has less fatty tissue covering the deltoid muscle, which is why it is most commonly administered there. The anterolateral thigh can absolutely be used as an alternative location. However, it is imperative to ensure that the vaccine is placed inside the muscle. Therefore, those receiving a vaccine in the thigh may need to use a longer needle (commonly 1.5 inch, as opposed to a 1 inch needle in the deltoid). This will obviously depend on your body type and weight. I asked a CVS pharmacist and she said they werent allowed to do this. But some Publix pharmacists do have the training and the right needles; you just need to confirm this before you go, Publix spokeswoman Maria Brous said. There is additional training that accompanies administering a vaccine at an alternative site, such as the thigh, said Brous, who added that the customer would have to prove a medical need. We would want to ensure that our pharmacist has the training to make it a seamless process for our customer. Q. I had a mild to moderate COVID infection in July 2020, not requiring any hospitalization. I was vaccinated with the Pfizer shot in January and February of 2021. I am wondering whether it is appropriate to get a booster shot at this time, or do I have enough protection currently and is it wiser to postpone a booster until the one-year mark of my second vaccine? Susan A. If you meet the age and health criteria, you can get your booster now, said Dr. Andrea Klemes, chief medical officer at MDVIP, a national physicians network with headquarters in Boca Raton. Advertisement Per the CDC recommendation, you should get a booster if it has been six months since your last shot and if you are over 65 or between 18 and 64 with health conditions that put you at high risk, she said. The CDC recommends those that had COVID get vaccinated as long as they wait 90 days from the start of the infection. Q. A person who was fully vaccinated against COVID-19 (two Pfizer doses) in January and February 2021 subsequently lost a great deal of blood over a short period of time (June to August 2021) and received over a dozen transfusions. Subsequent to that, an antibody test was administered and it revealed zero antibodies for COVID-19. Is the most likely explanation that the patients body did not respond to the vaccine, that the loss and replacement of the large quantity of blood eliminated the antibodies, a combination of both, or something else? Renee A. The transfusions did not affect the patients antibody levels, said Dr. Guillermo De Angulo, a pediatric hematologist-oncologist at KIDZ Medical Services, which has offices throughout South Florida. There are several possible explanations for the antibody loss. The duration of antibodies seems to differ significantly among patients; thats why the booster is recommended, he said. If the patient was vaccinated with one of the three approved vaccines, my best guess would be that her antibodies were short-lived. But the replacement of blood has no impact on the presence of antibodies. Q. Im booked on an MSC Divina cruise ship, which departs at 11 a.m. on a Sunday from Miami. They told me I need a COVID-19 test two days in advance, which would make that a Friday test. I have checked with all the people that give tests and they are telling me it takes three days, sometimes up to five days, to obtain your e-mail results and all labs are closed on Sundays! I have spoken to the representatives of MSC cruise lines and theyre telling me that is their policy. Im willing to follow their policy but if I dont get my results, Im standing on the dock ready to board the ship without results of my test. I have received my two vaccines plus my booster shot and I have my documentation to verify that. We are four people trying to get an answer. Do we lose all our money because we didnt follow their rules and regulations? Jerry, Tamarac A. Although PCR (polymerase chain reaction) tests, which can take several days to come back, are considered the gold standard of COVID-19 tests, MSC accepts the results of rapid antigen tests, which are considered less accurate but come back much quicker. Advertisement MSC accepts several types of COVID-19 testing in order to maximize flexibility for our guests while adhering to our comprehensive health and safety procedures, spokesman Field Sutton said. Rapid antigen testing is an option for anyone 12 and older prior to embarking on a cruise, so theres no need to worry about missing a cruise over the testing requirements. There are numerous places throughout South Florida offering rapid antigen testing with results that arrive within an hour. Its quick and easy to schedule a test or just walk in at many locations during the two days leading up to a sailing. Sutton gave an example of his own experience with a rapid test before a cruise. I departed on a cruise the afternoon of Friday, Oct. 29, he said. I went to a drive-thru testing facility the morning of Oct. 27, drove to work after being swabbed and had rapid antigen testing results waiting in my email by the time I got to work. I then used those results to satisfy proof of testing for boarding the cruise two days later. Heres a list of South Florida testing sites with details on how long it takes for results to come back: https://www.sun-sentinel.com/coronavirus/fl-ne-coronavirus-drive-through-testing-south-florida-20200320-vhu64lpmx5d7tjgr5zastjim3a-story.html. Let me know how your cruise goes; Im curious what its like to cruise now that everything is opening up again. Q. I received my Moderna booster a few months ago. I have COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) and have not found any answer as to what type or strength of vaccine I received for this third shot. Is the booster I received acceptable or must I sign up for Modernas new third shot booster? Gene, Boynton Beach A. If youve gotten three shots, youre done for now. The booster you got is stronger than the one that was recently approved. Theres no need to return for another dose. Advertisement You likely received a full dose, just like with your other two, said Dr. Hila Beckerman, a Delray Beach pediatrician with extensive vaccine experience. The half dose wasnt approved until this fall. The original Moderna concentration is 100mcg and the booster has shown to be just as efficacious at half that dose, which is 50mcg, and with decreased side effects. There is currently no recommendation for a fourth dose. Q. Im a yoga teacher in South Florida. I found out that a student who had been in one of my classes came down with COVID-19. The student with COVID told the yoga studio owner, but the owner did not tell me or anyone who was in that class. Was there a legal obligation for the studio owner to share this information with me or the people in the class? I feel like we all should have been told so we would know to get tested. Concerned instructor A. Theres no legal requirement. Its more of a moral responsibility, said attorney Peter Sachs, a founding partner and chairman emeritus of the law firm Sachs Sax Caplan in Boca Raton. The yoga studio owner has an obligation to maintain a safe environment for her customers, Sachs said. In my opinion, this responsibility would include an obligation to notify the other students in the class that one of the students (name should remain confidential) they participated in class with had come down with a contagious disease such as COVID-19. The yoga studio owner breached that duty by withholding this information either intentionally or negligently. There might have been a legal remedy if the teacher contracted COVID-19 from the student in her class, Sachs said. But I followed up with the teacher and she didnt. There is no remedy for simply not notifying her, Sachs said. Her option without anything else would be to stop doing business with that studio. The instructor told me thats exactly what shes done. Advertisement Q. How many people have died from taking the COVID-19 vaccine? John Silberman A. As of Nov. 8, 9,549 COVID vaccine-related deaths were submitted to the CDCs Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS). Thats 0.0022% of the 423 million doses given out in the United States. But VAERS has proven to be an imperfect source of information. Health care providers are required to report deaths after vaccination to VAERS even if theres no direct link to a vaccine, and average citizens also can submit information. So its a jumble the CDC warns should be analyzed by statistical professionals. The Health Report Weekly A weekly update on health news in Florida. > Widely shared reports on social media have said 150,000 people have died from COVID vaccines. But Reuters Fact Check rated these statements as false. The only causal link thats emerged so far between vaccines and deaths has occurred in some women who took the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. In April, the CDC reported three deaths from a rare blood-clotting disorder among women 18 to 49 who got the single-dose J&J. The CDC halted J&J shots April 13 but approved their resumption 10 days later, saying their advantages outweighed their potential dangers. Q. I am a Canadian who owns a condo in Coconut Creek. I am planning on flying to Florida Dec. 6. I have had my two Pfizer vaccines. The second one was on June 5. Will I be able to get the Pfizer booster? If yes, will I be charged for it? Rosa Rudick Advertisement A. You can get your shot here, and theres no cost. COVID-19 vaccines in Florida are available to full-time and seasonal residents, according to the Florida Department of Health. Additionally, anyone in the state for the purpose of providing goods or services is also eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine in Florida, according to the department. Many people from foreign countries are getting their boosters here, even those who dont own property and are just visiting. Few questions are being asked of anyone arriving at a pharmacy for a shot. You can find a list of sites that offer appointments or allow you to walk in at SunSentinel.com/coronavirus. Got a question? Email Sun Sentinel staff writer Lois K. Solomon at AskLois@sunsentinel.com Three Houston lawyers all men of color have made the cut to be interviewed Thursday in Austin for the top law enforcement job in southeast Texas. A source with firsthand knowledge of the selection process identified the candidates. They are: * Assistant U.S. Attorney Sebastian Edwards, a former Judge Advocate and retired U.S. Army lieutenant colonel who prosecutes national security and public corruption cases * Assistant U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani, a former deputy chief in counter-terrorism for the Justice Department in Washington, D.C. who handles high-profile terrorism cases in Houston * Samuel J. Louis, a white collar defense lawyer who oversaw 11 lawyers in the government fraud division during more than two decades as a federal prosecutor. The selection committees process is confidential and the source requested anonymity because the person is not authorized to speak about it publicly. A voluntary group of about 30 lawyers winnowed down the applicants for four U.S. attorney slots in Texas federal district courts. David Pritchard, a San Antonio trial lawyer who chairs the advisory committee, said he anticipated selections for the four posts will be submitted by late Friday to Senators John Cornyn and Ted Cruz The nonpartisan committee was put in place years ago to facilitate the selection process for federal judgeships and U.S. attorney slots, but the two Republican senators have no obligation to take the committees recommendation. Congressional Democrats in the Houston area assembled their own screening committees several months ago for the local U.S. attorney, but Pritchard noted that their input to the White House likely carries less weight, since only the Senate has the duty to advise and consent. 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. Former JAG with helicopter chops who later prosecuted child sex traffickers Edwards, 49, of Pearland, was raised by parents who both worked for the Houston Police Department. His mother was the first Black woman to become assistant police chief. His father went on to work as a commercial airline pilot. After graduating from West Point, Edwards was stationed in Hawaii, where he flew Chinook helicopters and served as flight and maintenance platoon leader for a helicopter company. Edwards studied law at University of Virginia. He earned a Masters from the Judge Advocate General school in Charlottesville. His array of military honors stem from 22 years of service, including posts at Fort Hood and a combat deployment in Baghdad with the 1st Cavalry Division. He was Staff Judge Advocate and Deputy Staff Judge Advocate with the 101st Airborne at Fort Campbell, Ky., and legislative counsel to the Chief Legislative Liaison at the Pentagon during the Obama Administration. Edwards also worked for Office of The Judge Advocate General; as Senior Defense Counsel at Fort Bliss; and trial counsel for the prosecution at Fort Hood and in Iraq. He has worked for the Justice Department in Houston since 2016, prosecuting national security, organized crime and narcotics cases. A pending civil rights case involves a patrol officer from Arcola accused of sexually assaulting two women during traffic stops. His human trafficking prosecutions include a man serving 15 years for trafficking a 12-year-old runaway on the Bissonnet Track and an East Texas pimp serving life in prison for trafficking five women including two minors. Edwards and his wife Sunita have three children. The eldest is a police corporal in the U.S. Marine Corps. Commercial litigator who defended and then prosecuted alleged terrorists Hamdani, 50, was born in Manchester, England to parents from Surat in the Indian state of Gujarat. When he was 10, his family moved to Euless, where his father drove a taxi and his mother worked restaurant and retail jobs and later for Delta Airlines. He was raised Muslim and married his childhood sweetheart who is Muslim, but he later converted to Christianity in his 30s. The couple lives in Houston and they have two children. Hamdani earned a Bachelors in finance at University of Texas and a law degree at University of Houston. He was a commercial litigator for two private firms before opening his own firm in 2005. The September 11 attacks and the backlash against Muslims both had a huge impact on his career trajectory. He began volunteering to represent Muslim and South Asian men who had been called in by the FBI. Hamdani first worked as a federal prosecutor in the Eastern District of Kentucky prosecuting drug, gun, fraud and immigration cases. He then spent five years in Washington as a trial attorney and deputy chief in the counter-terrorism unit, overseeing 12 prosecutors. His work won top awards from the National Security Division and the Attorney General. Hamdani has been with the Houston U.S. attorneys office since 2014, handling national security and public corruption cases. He prosecuted several unrelated terrorism cases against young men accused of supporting ISIS and the case against two Houston police officers linked to a deadly raid who were accused of falsifying records. Veteran fraud prosecutor turned white collar defender Louis, 58, grew up in Port Arthur where his father was a plant operator for Texaco and his mother took care of the household. He graduated in business administration from Lamar University in Beaumont and completed his law degree at Texas Southern Universitys Thurgood Marshall School. He served two years for the Orange County District Attorney managing civil torts, bond forfeitures and felony prosecutions. For the next 23 years, Louis prosecuted health care fraud, money laundering, theft, tax evasion, customs cases and well as immigration, intellectual property, firearms and drug trafficking violations. Louis coordinated the health care fraud unit for 10 years. As deputy criminal chief, he supervised 11 attorneys, was lead counsel in 122 criminal cases and handled 60 jury trials. He pursued foreign nationals trafficking counterfeit medicines and ran trainings on anti-counterfeiting and trademark enforcement for the Department of Justice National Advocacy Center, the International Law Enforcement Academy in Peru and the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. He also ran professional training programs in Southern Africa and gave guidance to 94 U.S. Attorneys offices in corporate fraud, federal tort claims, bank fraud, management structure, ethics and employment on behalf of the Executive Office for United States Attorneys in Washington, D.C. Since August 2014, Louis has been in private practice, first as a partner at Strasburger and Price, LLP and since early 2020 at Holland & Knight. His corporate clients that include a healthcare system, a bulk mail transport company, an aviation company and an adult daycare facility. He has prevailed for clients being investigated, fined or prosecuted for healthcare fraud and violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices, the U.S. Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act and the False Claims Act. Louis and his wife, who runs a legal staffing company, live in Pearland. They have a son in high school and another in college. gabrielle.banks@chron.com Gov. Greg Abbott announced $10 million in grants that would be awarded to spaceports in Houston and South Texas. Thursday's announcement through the Spaceport Trust Fund will give $5 million to the Houston Spaceport Development Corp. and $5 million to the Cameron County Spaceport Development Corp. Cameron County is where billionaire Elon Musk is developing and testing SpaceX rockets. Pending federal approval, the company plans to launch its Super Heavy rocket and Starship spacecraft from an unincorporated area outside of Brownsville. RELATED: Elon Musk brings exploding rockets and real estate to South Texas. Not everyone is happy. The Houston Spaceport is working to attract a cluster of aerospace companies that can invent, develop and manufacture space technologies. Three companies have announced plans to build campuses at the spaceport: Axiom Space, which is developing a commercial space station and organizing private astronaut trips to the International Space Station; Collins Aerospace, a subsidiary of Raytheon Technologies Corp. that will build a manufacturing facility and startup incubator at the Houston Spaceport; and Intuitive Machines, which is developing a lunar lander that can deliver commercial cargo and NASA-provided payloads to the moon. The Houston Spaceport's location in the middle of a major city means it will not be home to vertical rocket launches, but it could one day support spacecraft that take off or land like planes. The Spaceport Trust Fund provides money to help develop infrastructure for Texas spaceports. The 87th Legislature appropriated the $10 million in funds in fiscal year 2022 to support the creation of jobs and attract investments. "For decades, Texas has been a trailblazer in space technology," Abbott said in a news release, "and we are proud to help cultivate more innovation and development in this growing industry in Cameron and Harris County." Its been two years since Stetson Hoskins jumped to his death in front of a semi-truck, but not a day goes by that his mother, Elizabeth Waller, doesnt think about holding the doctor who released him despite his pleas for mental help accountable. Shes reached out to countless lawyers for help -- Presented them with medical records and police reports; pleaded for her day in court. No one was willing to help, saying it was too costly to pursue a case. But this week, she finally got her chance. Nicholas Everett, an attorney from Tyler, filed a case in McLennan County District Court against Dr. Joshua Warren and the hospital that employs him, Ascension Providence Hospital in Waco. Neither Everett nor Ascension Providence could be reached for comment. Hoskins, who was 24 at the time of his death, was featured in the Houston Chronicle's investigation, In Crisis, published last year. The investigation found that there arent nearly enough beds private or state-funded to help everyone in need, forcing mentally ill Texans to seek out crisis care through emergency rooms and, often, the criminal justice system. Though the state has tried in recent years to fund the addition of hundreds of psychiatric beds to lighten the load, there still were about 1,800 people waiting to get into a state-run hospital as of October. Hoskins' family has a history of mental illness. He was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia in 2018 and over the next two years, became a regular at the hospital's 64-bed psychiatric facility, the DePaul Center, the lawsuit states. Over the course of three days in January 2020, Hoskins was shuffled between Ascension Providence and the DePaul Center. He was finally ready to get help silencing the voices in his head. HELP ME! HELP ME!: A Texas man begged for aid as his mental health spiraled. The system failed him He repeatedly told Dr. Warren and others at the facilities that he was going to kill himself if released specifically that he was going to jump in front of an 18-wheeler. "Medical record notations indicate that nurse Ashley Wheeler made the following comments in Hoskins' medical chart: 'When patient informed that he was going to be discharged and given a ticket for the assault (on a security guard at Providence), patient did state that he would run in front of an 18-wheeler' when he was required to leave Providence prematurely," the lawsuit states. Hoskins also told Waco Police officers of his intention when they placed him under an emergency detention order. They relayed that information to emergency room personnel. But on Jan. 10, 2020, Dr. Warren determined during Hoskins' last day at the hospital that he didnt meet the criteria for inpatient care any longer that he was seeking drugs and wasnt suicidal, homicidal or committable at that time. By 2:22 p.m., he was walking out of the hospital. Forty-five minutes later, Hoskins hung his backpack on a guardrail along West Texas 6 and sprinted in front of a semi-truck less than a mile from the hospital. He was killed instantly. "Unfortunately for all parties involved, Hoskins did keep his promise that he would kill himself if he were to be discharged prematurely from Providence," court documents state. Waller is suing Dr. Warren for negligence, including failing to take Hoskins' family history of mental illness into consideration when releasing him, failing to consider the information from Waco Police about his intentions to kill himself and failing to analyze Hoskins' negative drug test, court documents state. In releasing Hoskins from Providence on Jan. 10, 2020, Dr. Warren repeatedly noted Hoskins' history of drug of use, saying that "the patient was seeking medications," according to medical records previously obtained by the Chronicle. Waller is also suing the doctor for negligence for prematurely discharging Hoskins despite his 48-hour emergency detention order, court documents state. She's suing the hospital for negligence for failing to implement appropriate protocols when discharging a patient with suicidal ideations and disregarding patient safety by allowing "overzealous discharging of patients," the lawsuit alleges. Alex Stuckey is an investigative reporter with the Houston Chronicle. You can reach her at alex.stuckey@chron.com or Twitter.com/alexdstuckey. Aristotle said a story that ends well, no matter how many setbacks occur along the way, is a comedy. Maybe there is still hope, then, that the tragic tale of how local, state and federal leaders botched the distribution of billions of dollars in Hurricane Harvey federal relief funds can still end with families getting the relief they need. But even if so, itll be a comedy of errors and one with very few laughs. The plots latest wrinkle is especially infuriating. The Texas General Land Office and its chief, Commissioner George P. Bush, have failed to explain adequately how the agencys plan to spend nearly $2 billion on mitigation projects in communities hard hit by Hurricane Harvey has taken into account the needs of the areas most vulnerable residents. As a result, the money is on hold, again, until the state submits the required analysis. It has until late February to do so. The GLO insists the Biden Administration is picking on it because Texas is a red state. But where in the 628-page action plan submitted to HUD is the analysis that the feds said they need to move forward? Reporting by this newspaper has shown that the GLOs plan strongly discriminates against residents in Houston because it uses formulas that disadvantage large urban areas and favor more rural places. Thats how the GLOs plan ended up including zero dollars in funding for projects in Houston home to more people and families devastated by Harvey than anywhere else. The $1.2 billion in mitigation funds would instead, the GLO announced, support projects in smaller places throughout the coastal region, including cities such as Hempstead and Cameron that are further inland than Houston. After furious pressure, Bush reconsidered, in part, and announced a separate plan to allocate $750 million to Harris County, which had also initially been denied money but still continued to snub the city. The plan itself had been delayed by years, thanks to a hostile Trump administration that had dragged its feet at every opportunity in approving rules for how the mitigation funds could be spent. Now, after overcoming all of those headaches, the funds a total of 1.95 billion are frozen once more. Its a stunning setback, and ought to infuriate members of Congress from both parties, including Texas GOP senators who helped authorize the Harvey relief funding in the first place. The good news is that the money hasnt been canceled, only delayed. After a lot of fist-shaking, the GLO pledged in a statement Wednesday that it will continue to work with HUD to move this action plan amendment forward. The GLO must keep its word. At the very least, it should create a new analysis of its plans impact on the most vulnerable communities in the coastal region, and submit it to HUD to get the funding spigot turned back on. Even better, it could take the analysis seriously and recognize that its plan unfairly leaves out residents of Houston, and add funding for Texas largest city. That is what fairness requires. Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner and Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo both said they await the GLO filling out the paperwork and have been critical of the state for its funding process and decisions made. We agree that the GLOs obvious bias against Houston is untenable, but there has been blame enough to go around in this sad story. Congress approved aid for Harvey victims four years ago next month. It included funds for relief for victims and a novel kind of grant aimed at mitigating future storm damage. Distribution has been a debacle. Three years after the storm, the City of Houston had done such a poor job of spending its relief funds, the GLO took the money back and announced it would be handling the grants programs going forward. At the time, according to an audit released last week by HUDs inspector general, the city had spent only $22.5 million of the $1.28 billion in federal funds it had been awarded. Only 297 of 8,784 of the individuals or families who had applied for relief had been helped. Whats clear is the GLO most stop its finger-pointing, submit a good-faith analysis to HUD and pay attention to what it shows. We cant imagine that any fair review would continue to deny relief to Houstons most vulnerable residents. There are thousands of families in Houston and Harris County still waiting for aid. They dont care about excuses or bureaucratic red tape or partisan motivations. They just need help. We implore leaders in Austin, Houston and Washington to find a way to turn this tragic tale into one of redemption. For seven weeks, Rhonda Skillern-Jones was just like any other Harris County Precinct 1 employee, with one dubious distinction: she was the only to have pleaded guilty in a federal public corruption case. Skillern-Jones took a plea deal on Oct. 28, admitting to a single count of conspiracy to defraud the government. Prosecutors said she admitted to accepting payments as a Houston Independent School District trustee from a vendor and then putting a contract for the vendor on the school boards agenda and voting in favor of it. Skillern-Jones kept working for Precinct 1 as a community aid, however, until Dec. 16, when the Department of Justice announced the guilty pleas of her and four HISD employees involved in the scheme after it unsealed indictments against the districts Chief Operating Officer Brian Busby and contract vendor Anthony Hutchison. Democratic Precinct 1 Commissioner Rodney Ellis said he had no knowledge of Skillern-Joness involvement until that day. He said he immediately fired her. The news today came as a shock to us, and we never had any indication of such inexcusable wrongdoing during her time at Precinct 1, Ellis said in a statement Dec. 16. Skillern-Jones also remained in her seat on the Houston Community College board of trustees until her plea agreement was revealed. She resigned the seat, which she had held for two years, the day after the U.S. Attorneys office announced her plea agreement. Why Skillern-Jones kept her job working for one local government for nearly two months after admitting to defrauding another remains unclear. Based on her annual salary of $71,837, Skillern-Jones would have earned $9,670 as a member of Ellis staff during that period, excluding benefits. Skillern-Jones did not respond to requests for comment. Ellis on Monday agreed to answer questions about Skillern-Jones, but changed his mind Wednesday and referred the Chronicle to his original statement. While public officials cannot control the conduct of their employees, the incident could be politically problematic, University of Houston political science Professor Brandon Rottinghaus said. Democrats pledged to clean up county government after taking control in 2019, and he said this may lead voters, fair or not, to question that commitment. Democrats are trying to maintain the notion that theyre better at governing the county and can do so in a more forthright and transparent way, Rottinghaus said. That messaging is hurt when episodes like this strain that credibility. zach.despart@chron.com A Travis County judge on Thursday tossed the criminal trespassing charge filed against a man arrested in Gov. Greg Abbotts initiative to jail migrants suspected of crossing the border, a ruling defense attorneys hailed as a roadmap for dismissing hundreds of similar cases churning through state courts. State District Judge Jan Soifer ruled in favor of Jesus Alberto Guzman Curipoma, a migrant who was arrested in September on a misdemeanor trespassing charge. In a lawsuit filed earlier this month, Guzman Curipoma argued that Abbotts plan runs afoul of the U.S. Constitution by obstructing the federal governments enforcement of immigration laws. The petition accused Abbott of using his border program, known as Operation Lone Star, to strong arm the federal government into enacting policies that [he] would prefer, in defiance of the Constitutions Supremacy Clause that forbids states from interfering with the federal governments work. I think it establishes clear precedent in all other Operation Lone Star cases, as it relates to the criminal trespass charges, said Kristin Etter, an attorney with Texas RioGrande Legal Aid, which is representing hundreds of migrants detained near the border. And it does provide a blueprint for anybody charged under Operation Lone Star with criminal trespass. IN-DEPTH: Chaotic rollout of Gov. Abbotts migrant arrest plan fuels confusion, claims of violated rights Also pressing the case for Guzman Curipoma was an attorney from the office of Travis County District Attorney Jose Garza, a Democrat tasked with representing the state of Texas in the case. In a court filing Wednesday evening, however, Garza made clear his office would side with Guzman Curipoma, arguing the trespassing arrests represent an impermissible attempt to intrude on federal immigration policy. The ruling by Soifer, a Democrat, came over opposition from officials in Kinney County, the conservative, rural community that has served as the epicenter of Abbotts border initiative, and the place where Guzman Curipoma was arrested. David Schulman, an attorney representing Kinney County, pushed unsuccessfully to relocate the case there instead. Abbott has characterized the operation as the toughest stand against illegal immigration that any state official in the U.S. has attempted. He says he needed to take action to address problems at the border that President Joe Biden and federal immigration officials have allowed to fester. Abbott did not immediately respond to a request for comment. We created a court system down in south Texas where we are arresting people coming across the border illegally, Abbott said in a recording played in court by Guzman Curipomas attorney, Angelica Cogliano. And we are jailing them in jail in the state of Texas, sending the message that if they come across the border into Texas, theyre not going to be caught and released like under the Biden administration. Theyre going to be spending time behind bars. NATIONAL GUARD IN SPOTLIGHT: Abbott dismisses criticism of National Guard pay issues and suicides, accusing opponents of playing politics That statement and others, Cogliano said, showed Abbott had defied a U.S. Supreme Court precedent established in a landmark 2012 Arizona immigration case, in which the justices said states may not pursue policies that undermine federal law. The lawsuit presents one of the first major legal tests for the operation, months after the governor directed state troopers and National Guard troops to jail migrants by the hundreds as they cross the Rio Grande onto private or state-owned land. Though Abbott and Attorney General Ken Paxton often appeal unfavorable district court rulings to more conservative state appellate courts, its unclear how that could unfold in Guzman Curipomas case, with Garza representing the state. The appellate rules are different for defense lawyers than they are for prosecutors. They only have appellate rights in some situations, Etter said. I would presume theyre going to appeal, I just dont know exactly what itll look like. Soifers ruling is only the latest in a series of setbacks faced by Operation Lone Star since Abbott rolled it out last spring. Kinney County, a community of about 3,700 residents, has run into a number of problems in enforcing the operation, with the sudden swell of arrests quickly overwhelming the countys minimal court system. Defense attorneys, advocacy groups and Democratic lawmakers, meanwhile have accused state officials of running roughshod over the rights of the arrested migrants, some of whom have been released on no-cost bonds after being held in jail for weeks without being formally charged or appointed an attorney, an apparent violation of state law. Its unclear if the operation has had the deterrent effect Abbott has sought. U.S. Customs and Border Protection reported a modest drop in encounters along the southern border during the initial months of Operation Lone Star, and a sharp decrease in October, before the numbers ticked back up in November. In Val Verde County, a border county next to Kinney where most of the other trespassing arrests have occurred, the local prosecutor at one point had rejected or dropped over 40 percent of the total arrests in the county. In many cases, County Attorney David Martinez said he decided not to go ahead with the case if the migrant appeared to have a credible asylum claim. jasper.scherer@chron.com Chicago, IL (60637) Today A steady rain this morning. Windy with showers continuing this afternoon. High 48F. Winds NNE at 20 to 30 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall around a half an inch.. Tonight Windy with rain showers this evening overnight with mostly cloudy skies. Low 41F. Winds N at 20 to 30 mph. Chance of rain 50%. As an existing print subscriber it is easy to get FREE access to all our online content. When you click get started below it will walk you through creating an online account to attach your print subscription number to. After your account is created it will ask you to either add a subscription for online access or click on the print subscriber button. Click the print subscriber button header and it will open a dropdown, now click on get started. The page will reload and you will be prompted to enter an account number and a zip code. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO USE THE NUMBER OFF OF THE MOST RECENT ISSUE OR ANYTHING AFTER JANUARY 28, 2019 TO GAIN ACCESS! OLD ACCOUNT NUMBERS WILL NOT WORK The account number and zip code are easily available on your most recent issue of the High Plains Journal or Midwest Ag Journal in the address fields as is shown here. Sometimes the account number has extra zero's in front of it, just ignore those. Between flu, allergies and the COVID-19 omicron variant, respiratory symptoms are having a field day in Florida, and everywhere, from hospital systems to drug stores, is feeling the effects. During the current omicron wave, mild COVID-19 cases have become more common than they used to be. This makes it harder to tell the difference between the virus and the common cold or allergies. Advertisement Experts such as Dr. Timothy Hendrix, senior medical director for AdventHealth Centra Care, are urging people with mild symptoms to assume they are infected with COVID-19. Right now were seeing such a high rate of transmission within our community and finding so many people who didnt think they had COVID, and indeed, they did, he said. Advertisement The top five symptoms reported during both the delta and omicron wave are, in order: runny nose, headache, fatigue, sneezing, and sore throat, according to a December study of data from over four million participants by researchers from health science company ZOE and Kings College London in the United Kingdom. If someone has an itchy throat or eyes, its probably allergies. Absent that, all of those common COVID-19 symptoms appear with colds, making it impossible to differentiate without testing, according to Mayo Clinics website. People also reported a loss of taste and smell less often in the omicron surge, the ZOE study found. Hendrix has noticed this in his patients. What I worry about is people thinking they have a cough or runny nose, and Well, I can still smell fine, so it must not be COVID-19, which would be wrong, Hendrix said. With so many common symptoms coming from all directions, medications are flying off the shelves. Cough suppressants, particularly in liquid form, have been hard to get at Umatilla Drug Store, though the pharmacy has kept up with its needs, said owner and pharmacist Richard Greer. Almost all of the allergy triggers for people are coming into play right now, Greer told Orlando Sentinel in a phone interview. Were seeing a lot of allergies, a lot of chest congestion. National chains are pressed for resources too; both CVS and Publix said they are seeing increased demand for cold and cough products. Advertisement It is cold and flu season as well, so there may be additional demand this time of year, said Publix spokeswoman Maria Brous. The Health Report Weekly A weekly update on health news in Florida. > On the health care side, hospitals are filling up with severely ill patients, said Dr. Vincent Hsu, executive director of infection prevention and epidemiologist at AdventHealth Central Florida, during a news conference last Wednesday. It is still a very serious virus to be reckoned with. It is not a common cold, Hsu said. Growing evidence from animal studies suggests omicron may be milder because its less likely to infect lung cells than past variants, according to a summary published in Nature on Jan. 5. However, omicron is still dangerous. Floridas COVID-19 hospitalizations increased 57% for the week of Jan. 3 to 9, reaching 13,551, according to Tuesday data from the Department of Health and Human Services. Omicron may also just appear less severe than past variants because more people got vaccinated, said Tom Hladish, a research scientist in the University of Floridas Department of Biology. More research is needed. Advertisement I think that the best explanation right now is that its milder because many people have immunity, he said. ccatherman@orlandosentinel.com; afuller@orlandosentinel.com Columbia-Greene Media has recently teamed up with the US Postal Service to provide same-day delivery of your local newspaper with your mail. Our expanded daily delivery of your local news reaches into the following areas: NFTs now have their own managers Music manager Guy Oseary, whose roster includes Madonna, U2 and Red Hot Chili Peppers is now also managing NFTs. Oseary has added two NFT collections so far: World of Women and the wildly popular Bored Ape Yacht Club. Bored Ape Yacht Club is collection of 10,000 ape avatar NFTs with different traits and attributes with a current minimum buy of about 71 ether or $267,000. Eminem, Jimmy Fallon, Steph Curry, and Snoop Dogg are all BAYC NFT owners. World of Women, which has generated $120 million in trades since launching in July, is a collection of 10,000 illustrated NFTs that form a community celebrating representation, inclusivity, and equal opportunities for all. What does an NFT manager do? Osearys role as manager of both NFT collections includes chasing opportunities in film, television, music, gaming and consumer products, among other categories, as well as licensing pacts. While Osearys work could benefit the creators who are paying him, it could also affect the value of the NFT and benefit or potentially hurt the owners who did not hire and are not paying for a manager. Even though NFTs have become a multi-billion dollar business in 2021 for the artist community, females were a mere five percent of that, Guy Oseary told Variety of his latest signing. Yam and the World of Women team are leading the way to change that narrative. They built a community that is authentic, diverse, and one-of-a-kind. All of which directly translates through the magnificent artwork. Their core values of educating and empowering females in the art, technology, and NFT spaces are incredibly inspirational, and Im looking forward to doing anything I can to further their message, influence, and reach. I could not be more excited to start 2022 with this new chapter, added Yam Karkai, creator of World of Women. The World of Women team is thrilled to be working with Guy Oseary his expertise is truly generational, and we cannot imagine a better partner to help maximize the projects potential and achieve our goals. Everything we do begins and ends with our wonderfully supportive community and were so excited to bring the WoW collective to another level with Guys help, starting with the fully decentralized licensing rights. Bruce Houghton is Founder and Editor of Hypebot and MusicThinkTank and serves as a Senior Advisor to Bandsintown which acquired both publications in 2019. He is the Founder and President of the Skyline Artists Agency and a professor for the Berklee College Of Music. Share on: To clean the food smell out of Tupperware, fill it with a mixture of water and flour at a ratio of 2:1 and leave it for two days. Students are back on campus at the University of Central Florida this week, and the pandemic has again thrown a wrench into a semester, resurging in the county like a tidal wave as students were home for break. Omicrons impacts have carried onto the east Orange County campus, which has the nations second-highest enrollment, and is likely to keep some students and instructors out of class as the surge has brought record numbers of infections and a countywide positivity rate of more than 40% over the past two weeks. Advertisement Last week, before classes began, 157 students tested positive through Student Health Services, and another 400 self-reported positive tests, according to a dashboard maintained on the schools website. Also, 173 faculty and staff self-reported positives, the website states. All of those figures are high marks for the pandemic, according to the website. Its definitely something thats stressing people out, said Layla Martinez, a senior studying political science. Advertisement Martinez, 20, has missed classes this week because she was exposed to the virus. Her father tested positive several days ago, and all six people in her household in Union Park have shown symptoms. Martinez said despite having a sore throat, cough and congestion, she tested negative for COVID-19. However, since then, her brother tested positive likely delaying her return to school further. She said she asked her professors to provide a Zoom link so she wouldnt fall behind in her final semester before her planned graduation in May, but they refused. Students walk past a Pegasus mural on the Student Union of the University of Central Florida, on Wednesday, January 12, 2022. UF, UCF, Bethune and other universities are apparently telling students who are testing positive that they need to leave campus housing, whether they have an alternative or not. (Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda/ Orlando Sentinel) (Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda/Orlando Sentinel) I understand that its frustrating to have to make other arrangements, but at the same time, Id like to attend my classes, she said. I really think they should make all classes hybrid. Heather Smith Lovett, a UCF spokesperson, said faculty have been asked to make course information available to absent students so they can remain in courses, with the inevitability of at least some missing class time. We recognize that during the next few weeks, some students will likely miss some classes due to illness or quarantine, she said in an email. Faculty has also been asked to refrain from requiring attendance during the first few weeks of the spring semester, so ill students dont feel compelled to come to class. State law has also limited what colleges and universities can do to combat the virus, with restrictions in place preventing vaccination mandates, and Gov. Ron DeSantis said this month Florida universities are going to be open Theyre going to have in-person instruction. However, at UCF, leaders expect masking indoors, as well as strongly encourage vaccinations and boosters. The campus also has hand sanitizer and masks available on campus and is increasing the cleaning of classrooms. So far, the omicron variant appears to cause hospitalizations and deaths at a lower rate than the delta variant, though more than 11,000 Floridians are hospitalized, according to the Florida Hospital Association. Advertisement When students and employees test positive for the virus, theyre required to call a phone number, 407-823-2509, where a nurse provides them with instructions on how to isolate before returning to campus, Lovett said in an email. Students who test positive and live in on-campus dorms or apartments are asked to return to their permanent residence or another off-campus location convenient for them to isolate, she said. The university also has 36 isolation dorms for out-of-state and international students, she said. On Tuesday, nine were occupied. Free testing is available for students and staff in the campus Garage A, which is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday. Appointments are available through Aventus by calling 855-282-4860, but not required, according to a news release. With the increase in community demand for testing, expect traffic and a significant wait time, the news release states. Sign for the coronavirus testing at the University of Central Florida, on Wednesday, January 12, 2022. UF, UCF, Bethune and other universities are apparently telling students who are testing positive that they need to leave campus housing, whether they have an alternative or not. (High-dynamic-range composite image by Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda/ Orlando Sentinel) (Orlando Sentinel) Throughout the day cars spilled out of the parking garage often reaching Gemini Boulevard. In prior waves of the pandemic, college-aged people made up a larger percentage of infections, said Alvina Chu, epidemiology program manager for the Florida Department of Health. Now, slightly older people account for the highest percentage of infections, she said. People 25 to 44 make up 35% of new infections. Advertisement Orange County is in the throes of a resurging pandemic. Over the past 14 days, 40.79% of tests have found a positive infection, and 11,000 infections were discovered in a recent three-day period, a county official said Tuesday. The Health Report Weekly A weekly update on health news in Florida. > The variant was first publicly reported to be discovered in the countys wastewater a day after student housing closed for the fall semester in December, and quickly became the predominant mutation in Central Florida. At the school Wednesday, students poured in and out of classroom buildings with many wearing masks, in many cases, even outdoors. The virus was also top of mind for professors and instructors who were going over syllabi for their new classes of students, according to students interviewed. For freshman Ryuji Yamasaki he was adjusting to his first week on the campus, having transferred in from a community college. He sat in a courtyard outside of a classroom building with a black mask on waiting for his next course which, was due to start soon. He said most of his classmates had been masked so far, and some professors as well. But the virus wasnt going to keep him away from the campus, which had already awed him with its size. They gave you the option to stay home and watch through Zoom, at least for my classes, and made it so attendance is not required, he said. But at least for the first week, I wanted to come in. Advertisement Orange County reporter Stephen Hudak contributed to this report. rygillespie@orlandosentinel.com New Pittsfield School Committee Meets for the First Time PITTSFIELD, Mass. The new School Committee met for the first time on Wednesday with two fresh faces. In line with tradition, the committee appointed its organizational positions for the term. In unanimous votes, William Cameron was elected as the chair, Daniel Elias as vice chair, and Mark Brazeau as the clerk. "I would like to thank the School Committee for selecting me to chair this body," Cameron said. "Election for the position of chairperson is an honor." New members Sarah Hathaway and Vicky Smith were welcomed to the committee. Hathaway, a former Pittsfield mayor, thanked the district's staff members, students, and families for their resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic. "I just want to take a minute to express gratitude to our teachers, staff, building administrators who are carrying so much weight on their shoulders right now, we know you're coping as best you can, we're really, really great grateful for the work you're doing," she said. "Also, gratitude to students and parents who are coping as well." The committee went through six agenda items in about 90 minutes before going into the executive session. The fiscal year 2023 budget calendar was approved with April 27 set as the budget adoption day. There will be separate meetings for the discussion of education spending outside of the committee budget and state aid, enrollment, and grants. There will be a daytime budget workshop on March 28 and a public hearing on March 30. "We really see that budget workshop as an opportunity to work in smaller groups, then to process the sections and pieces of the budget, with certainly some outcomes that we project," Superintendent Joseph Curtis said. "But really giving time, like we try to do it in our classrooms as well, for you to work with colleagues, rather than hearing the presented, but trying to process the different sections of the budget." Assistant Superintendent Kristen Behnke explained that these two meetings were added based on feedback from previous budget seasons. Committee members had expressed that they were looking for more time to discuss the budget and recognized that meetings were sometimes going late into the night. The budget workshop's daytime scheduling posed a possible problem for a couple of committee members, especially those who work in the schools. The schedule was approved with the understanding that it will have to be revisited if it becomes unworkable. During his routine report, Curtis touched on a couple of recent hot topics during his report to the committee, one being school closures. "I just did want to discuss briefly for the public and certainly the committee, just the process, it's always a topic of inquiry in media, families, how a snow cancellation or delay is called," he explained. Smithsonian Coming to Sheffield SHEFFIELD, Mass. The Smithsonian's Museum on Main Street, in cooperation with Mass Humanities, is coming to the Bushnell-Sage Library. Through a partnership with the world's largest museum complex, Mass Humanities announced that Bushnell-Sage Library will join five other local Massachusetts organizations to host "Crossroads: Changes in Rural America," a traveling exhibit produced by the Smithsonian Institution's Museum on Main Street program. "The town of Sheffield, including our host site of Bushnell-Sage Library and partners including the Sheffield Historical Society, the Sheffield Senior Center, Dewey Memorial Hall, Housatonic Heritage, and many other organizations, are thrilled to welcome the Museum on Main Street (MoMs) Smithsonian tour Crossroads: Change in Rural America," said Deena Caswell, Library Director at the Bushnell-Sage Library. "We hope that Berkshire County, Western Massachusetts, and the rest of the state will join us as we showcase the rich history of Sheffield and explore the resiliency of this rural farm community." "Crossroads" explores how rural American communities changed in the 20th century. The vast majority of the United States landscape remains rural with only 3.5 percent of the landmass considered urban. Since 1900, the percentage of Americans living in rural areas dropped from 60 percent to 17 percent. The exhibition offers small towns a chance to look at their own paths to highlight the changes that affected their fortunes over the past century. "It's an honor to partner with the Smithsonian and our friends at Bushnell-Sage Library," said Brian Boyles, Executive Director of Mass Humanities. "Rural Massachusetts is a complex, changing landscape, and residents in our small towns deserve to be heard as we build a more equitable commonwealth." Bushnell-Sage Library will receive training from the staff of the Smithsonian along with a $10,000 grant from Mass Humanities to develop public events during the exhibit, which will be on display for six weeks in each community. Organizations located in towns with populations of 12,000 or less were eligible to apply. Mass Humanities receives major support from Mass Cultural Council (MCC), the state agency for arts and the humanities. "Mass Cultural Council celebrates the power of culture in every Commonwealth community -- whether big or small, east or west, rural, suburban, or urban," said Michael J. Bobbitt, Executive Director, Mass Cultural Council. "We are pleased to partner with Mass Humanities to support the Smithsonian's Museum on Main Street program and shine a spotlight on these rural stories that make Massachusetts so special." For further information, contact Jen Atwood at jatwood@masshumanities.org These institutions will host the exhibit during the tour: South County Towns Receive Climate Change Resilience Grants BOSTON Great Barrington and Sheffield both received grant funding through the Department of Fish and Game's (DFG) Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (MassWildlife) The Baker-Polito Administration announced $216,078 in grants through the Climate Change Resilience Grant Opportunity Program to five conservation organizations and municipalities. "The Commonwealth's investments in improving wildlife habitat will assist in the restoration of regional biodiversity throughout the state," said Governor Charlie Baker. "Through the Climate Change Habitat Resilience Grant Opportunity Program, the positive management actions being taken are natural solutions that will result in a more diverse, resilient landscape of wildlife, plants and other natural environments." In Great Barrington, the Berkshire Natural Resources Council will receive $37,495 to improve floodplain forests by removing invasives along the Housatonic River and Rising Pond, sites within Environmental Justice Communities. As one of the few major rivers designated as a coldwater fishery resource (CFR), removing invasive trees, plants and shrubs will enhance floodplain growth conditions of large-canopy trees in the Housatonic River. The trees create shaded microclimates (pockets) of cool water benefiting the longnose sucker, a state-listed fish and CFR species. Additionally, when large dead trees fall into the riverbed, it will provide valuable sheltering structure for young fish. In Sheffield, the Trustees have been awarded $28,512 to improve habitat on Bartholomew's Cobble's Ashley Pasture by removing invasive plant and woody species such as multi-flora rose, mugwort, Asian bush honeysuckle and oriental bittersweet. The restoration goal is to benefit birds such as bobolink and American kestrel, and a state-listed plant, while increasing the ecological resiliency of the Pasture's grassland habitat. "Improving climate change resiliency for the Commonwealth's natural resources is a key priority of our Administration, and communities, private landowners, and the general public will greatly benefit from the Climate Change Habitat Resilience Grant funds," said Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito. "This program offers a wonderful opportunity to address conservation needs in both rural and more densely populated areas throughout the state." In its first year, the Climate Change Resilience Grant Opportunity Program seeks to provide financial assistance to private and municipal landowners of conserved lands to enhance climate-vulnerable wildlife habitats and make them more resilient to climate change by funding habitat improvement projects in ecological communities disproportionally susceptible to climate change, including, but not necessarily limited to: Fire adapted natural communities; and, Riparian communities and floodplains along cold water streams and other climate-vulnerable wetland/aquatic systems (e.g. coastal marshes). "Habitat management restores ecological integrity through removal of stressors that limit our wildlife and natural communities' ability to respond to changing environmental conditions," said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Kathleen Theoharides. "Conservation science has repeatedly demonstrated that continuous active habitat management activities for common and rare wildlife and plants are necessary to achieve ecological resiliency and diversity." The program seeks proposed habitat management activities that reduce stressors adversely affecting proposed project sites, thereby enhancing climate resilience. For example, projects in fire-adapted communities that improve habitat quality, native species diversity, remove invasive species, and mitigate risk of extreme wildfire behavior reduce climate vulnerability. Similarly, projects in coldwater stream riparian zones that maintain or enhance tree canopy coverage, reduce erosion or other adverse alterations to stream water quality or hydrology, and/or control invasive species may enhance climate resilience. "This grant program is a great complement to the Department of Fish and Game's wildlife habitat management efforts and furthers our climate resilience goals," said Department of Fish and Game Commissioner Ron Amidon. "Partnering with municipalities and conservation organizations helps us achieve wildlife and ecological conservation goals benefitting wildlife, the landscape, and the people of Massachusetts." When the Gnarly Barley first opened its doors, partners Joey Morris, Trace Pleicones and Zach Scray were just weeks out of college. The fact that distributors were willing to drop off a few cases of beers for us was blowing our minds, says Morris with a chuckle. That was 10 years ago. The place, by Morris own account an old shack of a building we were able to retrofit for our needs, managed to catch on regardless, becoming a favored beer bar and sandwich joint, even without a proper kitchen. Advertisement On Friday (Jan. 12), in new Ivanhoe Village digs at 1407 N. Orange Ave (most recently the location of Sette Italian, but best remembered by locals as Brians Restaurant, which operated there for 30 years), the trio will celebrate a decade in business and with a very Orlando collaboration on the menu: Biggies Bomb-Mi a creation from the mind of Anthony Biggie Bencomo, creator of Orlandos sandwich-themed clothing line, Deli Fresh Threads. The Gnarly Barley's new look includes loads of color courtesy of local artist Amy Brown (@prettihatemachine on Instagram). (Gnarly Barley / Courtesy photo) Its a new, bigger location. We rebranded. New image. New menu, says Morris. Were still trying to stay true to who we are, but branching out into new things, trying new ideas, reinventing ourselves a little bit. Advertisement Theyve been doing that consistently as partners over the past 10 years, branching out with a host of other successful efforts including GBs Bottle Shop (just around the corner at 531 Virginia Drive), Conrads Shanty in Mills 50 and for some time, Big Time Street Food in Thornton Park, which shuttered at the outset of the pandemic. Gnarly customers had long hoped theyd resurrect the chicken sandwich from Big Time, but the old space didnt have the kitchen for it. Now they do. If you know, you know, teases Morris. The sandwich is back. And that same fried chicken thigh will be the base of what he hopes is the first of many local collaborations, this one borne of a recent appearance on Bencomos Lunch with Biggie podcast. The most Orlando chicken sandwich yet? Biggie's Bomb-Mi, a sweet and savory mash-up of flavors, debuts on the Gnarly Barley's new menu on Jan. 14. (Deli Fresh Threads / Courtesy photo) On the show, I asked about the chicken sandwich, too, because I loved it, says Bencomo. It sparked a conversation that led to some kitchen experimentation with a sandwich Bencomos been making at home for some time, an orange chicken banh mi-style mashup that evolved once they began to play with it. The final version features a chicken sandwich bathed in orange sauce (a great way to utilize the oranges necessary for the Gnarlys new batched Old Fashioned, one of several new housemade and batched cocktails available on tap), topped with pickled vegetables and sweet chili mayo on a brioche bun. Its a little sweet, with some nice acidity says Bencomo. And I feel honored they wanted to put it on the menu and showcase me. Bencomo, whose Deli Fresh Threads brand celebrates nine years on Jan. 18, says the timing is particularly meaningful. Its a milestone for me. Advertisement More space, more light, clean lines, bigger menu bar and food. (Gnarly Barley / Courtesy photo) Meanwhile, the new digs at the Gnarly incorporate elements of the old we slapped our old logo up on one of the walls, its got age on it, says Morris alongside a colorful outdoor mural. The food and drink menu has rotated in soft open, but he says that may be the case ongoing. Weve had a lot sitting in our notebooks waiting for a better space, he says, so well have old favorites permanently like the brisket and the Cuban but we want to keep space to be creative and allow the staff to influence the menu. Right now, thats about seven or eight sandwiches, along with copious beers and the new line of cocktails. Theres a full bar, so hand-poured drinks are a new addition, too. Biggies Bomb-Mi debuts on Jan. 14 the official anniversary. There will be live music from 6-9 pm. from Who Rescued Who? Local musician Tyler Crane, 6-9 p.m. on Saturday, will keep the weekend-long party going. The old Gnarly Barley logo is among the items salvaged from the original location. (Gnarly Barley / Courtesy photo) For Morris and his partners, the location seems a little like kismet. They met Brian six years ago while looking for a place for what eventually became GBs Bottle Shop. It didnt match our needs then, he says, so its funny to circle back and end up here with our original concept instead. Advertisement With 10 years of business experience now under their belts, Morris says theyd contemplated many changes possibly even the name. We have very different perspectives now from when we were that age, he notes. But we ultimately decided no, this is who we are its just going to look a little different. Want to reach out? Find me on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram @amydroo or on the OSFoodie Instagram account @orlando.foodie. Email: amthompson@orlandosentinel.com. For more fun, join the Lets Eat, Orlando Facebook group or follow @fun.things.orlando on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. Meatball-onion pie (one of my absolute faves!) with a side Caesar. What's also nice? Pizza by the slice! (Amy Drew Thompson / Orlando Sentinel) I didnt think youd sound so New York! Antoniella Paradiso exclaimed as we greeted one another on the phone. That was cool. Because until my recent visit to the University Boulevard outpost of Antonellas Pizzeria (where the I in her name gets dropped), I didnt think the pizza would be so New York, either. Advertisement Id been to their first Winter Park location petite and cute and ensconced in the upmarket Fairbanks shopping center where Ethos Vegan Kitchen anchors the corner not long after it opened. I remember liking it just fine, but this time around? I was impressed. Maybe, I observe while taking a quick chomp from a reheated slice before completing this very sentence, practice has really made things closer to perfect. Advertisement Paradiso is hardly a stranger to the restaurant game. In fact, shes a princess of sorts as her father Stefano La Commare, the chef/restaurateur behind Il Pescatore and Stefanos Trattoria (now under different ownership) and currently Nonnos in Altamonte Springs, is long-beloved restaurant royalty round these parts, with a legion of loyal customers. Francesco and Antoniella Paradiso strike a pizzeria pose in their University Boulevard eatery. (Antonellas Pizzeria / Courtesy photo) But where hes more brasciole and Bolognese shes where peeps go for pizza. And she takes very little credit for it. My husbands the pizza guy, she tells me, noting his scientific proficiency with the dough, right down to daily tweaks based on things like humidity. Shes modest, though. Seventeen years ago, the pair then newlyweds opened the eponymous Pizza Paradiso, which theyve since sold but is now on its second location. And there have been others. For now, though, theyve got Antonellas the second of which opened quietly amid the pandemic in February of last year. Its kind of a hole-in-the-wall area and the Full Sail kids have really been loving it, she says, but its also closer to home, where they do a lot for the Orange County schools nearby. People were always asking us to get closer to the other side of town and this was a perfect spot to extend our Winter Park area. Its also perfect for the era in which it was hatched: the Era of Cooties. Yes, Antonellas University location is more spacious than its older sister, but theres also a convenient curbside window. Customers dont even have to go inside. And the recent addition of a dog-friendly patio means those looking to get out of the house without dining in can do so. Advertisement They really should. In particular fans of Sicilian. Full disclosure: I love all kinds of pizza, but this styles not generally a top pick. I find most are too bready, too dense. The Paradisos, though? Maybe its the lineage that goes back to Marsala, or that Sicilian was literally the first language they spoke Thats how old-school we are! she laughs. This pizza is crispy and airy and fluffy, possibly even better on reheat than fresh. Frank is crazy about his Sicilians, Paradiso says of her husband. He knows all the secrets. When were training people, he spends the most time on these. Its his passion. Eggplant is a multistep labor of love at Antonella's, served here with spaghetti. (Amy Drew Thompson / Orlando Sentinel) So, too, are scratch-made soups theres one every day. The recipes are from my dad and my husband gives it his own twist, she says. Advertisement If you order blind, as I did, you can add an additional twist in the form of surprise. Yesterday I popped off the cap of the takeout container to a chunky, peppery, meatball-laden Italian wedding soup that was hands-down my best breakfast of the week. The savory orbs are smaller versions of the ones sliced onto my meatball-onion pie, which was a marvel of engineering: toppings generous, but miraculously not too heavy for a very well-structured crust. And now the University location is starting to do grandma pies, she says. I tell her to shut up. She laughs. Scratch-made Italian wedding soup: my best breakfast of the week. (Amy Drew Thompson / Orlando Sentinel) Its not on the menu! I cry. Id have tried it for sure. Her cousin, newly arrived from Queens, where both Antoniella and her husband grew up, makes them almost every day. Her talk of his moving had me sentimental not only for home, but for when I first arrived in Florida, too. Advertisement He was so over it, she says, tacking on a New York-Italian inflection in her impersonation. How can you be upset here?! he says. You walk outside and theres palm trees! I relate. So very much. And the coolest part that the driveway-shoveling, windshield-scraping folks back home just dont get (or maybe simply refuse to believe)? You can get good pizza here, too. If you go: 7591 University Blvd. in Winter Park; 407-960-2160; antonellaspizza.com Advertisement Want to reach out? Find me on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram @amydroo or on the OSFoodie Instagram account @orlando.foodie. Email: amthompson@orlandosentinel.com. For more fun, join the Lets Eat, Orlando Facebook group or follow @fun.things.orlando on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. Central Florida members of the Oath Keepers have been indicted on charges of seditious conspiracy in connection with the 2021 U.S. Capitol insurrection, along with the far-right groups Texas-based founder, the U.S. Department of Justice announced Thursday. Kenneth Harrelson, a 41-year-old resident of Titusville, and 52-year-old Kelly Meggs of Dunnellon, both of whom had already been arrested on charges related to the riot, were among 11 Oath Keepers members charged in the newly unsealed sedition indictment. Advertisement Bradford Geyer, the attorney representing Meggs and Harrelson, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Both men are also facing five other charges, including destruction of government property and tampering with evidence of their involvement, according to the indictment. The militia groups founder, 56-year-old Stewart Rhodes, of Granbury, Texas, who was not previously facing charges, was arrested Thursday morning, authorities said. Rhodes is the highest-ranking member of an extremist group to be arrested in the deadly riot. Advertisement The new indictment also marks is the first time the Justice Department has charged participants in the Capitol attack with seditious conspiracy. Federal authorities allege that Rhodes and the other Oath Keepers members facing the conspiracy charge coordinated to disrupt the certification of President Joe Bidens victory in the 2020 election. The Oath Keepers members communicated their plans using encrypted messaging apps and several of the conspirators, who traveled from across the country, made plans to bring weapons along with them to support the operation, a Department of Justice statement said. Meggs and Harrelson were among a group of Oath Keepers clad in paramilitary attire who authorities allege marched in a stack formation up the east steps and into the Capitol after a mob of supporters of then-President Donald Trump smashed its way inside the building. While inside, the stacks members joined the mob in pushing against a line of law enforcement guarding a hallway to the Senate chamber and later retreated after officers deployed a chemical spray, the indictment said. Meggs, Harrelson and other stack members then walked toward the House of Representatives to find House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, but they were unsuccessful and left the building. Kelly Meggs and other people tied to the Oath Keepers moved through the U.S. Capitol in a military-style "stack" formation, federal authorities say. A second team of Oath Keepers similarly breached the Capitol from the west side, prosecutors said. The new indictment alleges the teams were coordinated by Oath Keepers from Virginia and Arizona, both of whom were also among the 11 indicted on conspiracy charges. The conspiracy charge carries up to 20 years in federal prison. Advertisement The Oath Keepers are known for recruiting current and former members of law enforcement, the military and first-responders. The group, which is considered an anti-government movement, describes itself as defending the Constitution but espouses conspiratorial beliefs. At least seven Oath Keepers members from Florida have so far been charged in the riot, which experts say shows the organization may have more influence in the state than was previously known. Meggs, whose wife, 60-year-old Connie Meggs, is also charged in the riot, boasted in online messages leading up to the attack about having organized an alliance with two other far-right groups, the Proud Boys and Three Percenters, according to federal prosecutors. Kelly Meggs has been described in court filings as the team leader of the group seen in stack formation entering the Capitol. A report by Politico described him as the national groups leader in Florida. According to prosecutors, Meggs began rallying others on Facebook to join the fight just days after the election. [A] lot of people here are talking! I dont see anybody doing! he posted Nov. 9, according to the court filing. ... This fight is face to face, not far away. If your [sic] ready to really join the fight DM me. Advertisement Meggs later speculated Trump would use the emergency broadcast system to invoke the Insurrection Act, an 1807 law that was the subject of debunked conspiracies among far-right groups about Trump remaining in power. Thats awesome. Any idea when? asked the person with whom Meggs was messaging, whose name was redacted from court filings. Next week, Meggs said. Then wait for the 6th when we are all in DC to insurrection. Breaking News As it happens Be the first to know with email alerts on important breaking stories from the Orlando Sentinel newsroom. > Meggs, Harrelson and others belonging to the Florida chapter of the Oath Keepers held a training on unconventional warfare on Nov. 22, 2020, according to the indictment. Even prior to securing seditious conspiracy charges, prosecutors had said there was extensive evidence of planning ahead of the Jan. 6 riot involving Meggs, who allegedly organized and participated in at least 10 online meetings with fellow Oath Keepers and paid for four hotel rooms in the D.C. area for himself, his wife and fellow Oath Keepers. The rooms were also used to store firearms and other weapons that would be used by quick reaction force teams to stop the lawful transfer of presidential power, the indictment said. Advertisement After the riot, prosecutors said, Meggs wrote in a chat group on the Signal app that We are now the enemy of the State. We arent quitting!! We are reloading!! The Associated Press contributed to this report. jeweiner@orlandosentinel.com Name: Devin Ertel Organisation: Menlo Security Job title: CISO Date started current role: August 2021 Location: Mountain View, CA As Menlos CISO, Devin Ertel is responsible for providing internal cybersecurity guidance and policy insights to both the company and its customers. He is also focused on reducing the companys risk and security exposure. Ertel has nearly 20 years of experience in cybersecurity. His previous experience includes security positions in several Fortune 100 organisations. During his time with both Mandiant and the US Federal Reserve, Ertel had hand-on experience mitigating large, high-profile breaches and dealing with highly motivated threat actors. What was your first job? My very first job as a kid was at a camp for handicapped children. I worked right alongside the professional caregiver. It was a meaningful and fulfilling job. My first professional job was in technology at Kohls, a large chain department store. How did you get involved in cybersecurity? It really started as a hobby for me. I randomly met the local 2600 group while at a cafe. There are 2600 groups all over. Members are a mix of self-described geeks, nerds, and others who are curious about whats going on in the cyber world. They typically meet monthly to discuss everything from hacking to infosec to politics and everything in between. From there I just went down the rabbit hole of technology and security. What was your education? Do you hold any certifications? What are they? I have a Bachelor of Science in MIS from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. I have held many certifications throughout my career. Ive listed some below. I believe certificates can help but security is all about learning and the curiosity to learn. Certified Application Security Specialist (CASS) Certified Expert Penetration Tester (CEPT) ArcSight Certified Security Analyst Explain your career path. Did you take any detours? If so, discuss. My career has always been within cybersecurity. But I have taken it upon myself to take on roles in different areas of cybersecurity, whether offensive, defensive, or engineering. Throughout my career Ive always tried to learn different areas. On top of that Ive worked in various industries to get an understanding of the security challenges an industry will face. I believe having all these different perspectives gives me a deep understanding of security, and as a result, Im able to look at opportunities and challenges from all sides. Was there anyone who has inspired or mentored you in your career? Ive been fortunate enough to have many mentors throughout my career. Security is a community of people always willing to help each other out. But if I had to name one it would be William Cummings who is also a CISO. He gave me my first technical job with no professional experience. He continues to be a mentor to this day. What do you feel is the most important aspect of your job? Allowing the business to run more efficiently while being secure at the same time. This is the balance in security that makes it interesting. What metrics or KPIs do you use to measure security effectiveness? These really do depend on the industry, business, and its unique set of risks. Things like Mean Time to Detect, Mean Time to Resolve and Mean Time to Contain are great KPIs. Others like Patching cadence, Security Compliance, and cost per incident are good things to track. Is the security skills shortage affecting your organisation? What roles or skills are you finding the most difficult to fill? My plan is to hire 20 people by year-end. There is a high demand for security people, so filling most open positions is challenging. This is across the board. Im currently hiring for a Senior Penetration Tester, and Principal Security Architect. We have several engineering, operations, researcher, and R&D positions were looking to fill. Anyone interested should check out our careers page. Cybersecurity is constantly changing how do you keep learning? Security can be hard to keep up with. Being it is a passion of mine this does come very naturally. To stay current, I attend several conferences each year, network with peers, listen to podcasts and read blogs, just to name a few. What conferences are on your must-attend list? Everyone should go to Defcon at least once. I also like BSiides, BlackHat and RSA. The Gartner Security and Risk Conference is another good one. I also always recommend going to small conferences. Look in your local area and go to meetups and small peer groups. You will find a lot of value and make some great connections. Im looking forward to when these conferences are in-person again. What is the best current trend in cybersecurity? The worst? Security is getting more executive representation and board visibility. Because of this we are being asked to do more. Without the right resources this can sometimes present a challenge. What's the best career advice you ever received? Do more than your job description. Be the linchpin. What advice would you give to aspiring security leaders? Keep your passion, believe in yourself, and it's ok to take time for yourself. What has been your greatest career achievement? I cant pinpoint just one achievement as they all felt like great achievements at the time. I would say Im fortunate to have all the experiences I have had within cybersecurity. Working for the U.S. Federal Reserve was a big achievement for me. I was able to use my knowledge and skills to protect some of the nation's most critical assets. Looking back with 20:20 hindsight, what would you have done differently? Cybersecurity can be fast paced and stressful in the moment if taken out of context. At this point in my career, Ive learned to enjoy these moments as learning opportunities. I wish I would have taken that approach earlier on. I like to remind not only myself about this, but also my team. Kittitas County rebukes WSDOT over refusal to accept help in clearing of roads due to countys failure to enforce vaccine mandates As Omicron surges in the U.S., the need for rapid tests has also climbed--a painfully obvious observation if you're one of the millions of small businesses that want to keep their workers safe, while also keeping the lights on. The trouble is, the tests are in short supply. President Biden wants to fix that. In a Thursday announcement, Biden said his administration plans to procure 500 million additional at-home rapid Covid-19 tests to meet demand around the country. In December, he made a similar announcement--calling for the handout of 500 million tests. "That means a billion tests in total to meet future demand," the President said at the White House on Thursday. For Biden, the heat is very much on. The country reported roughly 1.5 million new cases on Monday, a new record according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University, pushing the seven-day average to 754,000 new cases per day. And as a result, rapid tests are flying off shelves at pharmacies as they struggle to keep them in stock and lines at free testing sites grow longer. So how do you get the free rapid tests? Through the mail. In the coming weeks, the administration expects to get online a website and phone number through which people can request the free tests, according to The Wall Street Journal. The administration didn't provide a date as to when they plan to start shipping them, so the timeline isn't quite clear. It's also not clear how many tests an individual can request. At the moment, private insurers are required to cover the cost of up to eight at-home coronavirus tests per member per month. With such a fuzzy timeline, it's little wonder why some companies are taking the testing shortage into their own hands. At JPMorgan Chase, employees can order at-home rapid tests from an internal company site. Google is providing to its full-time employees free at-home tests worth more than $70 each. Employees can also receive as many as 20 rapid tests per month, even if they're not going to the office. These companies were reportedly able to secure contracts with individual manufacturers, prior to the Omicron surge. According to Bloomberg, Google gets its rapid tests from Cue Health, a San Diego-based diagnostics company, which manufactures molecular tests, and its PCR tests from another testing company, BioIQ. Cue's molecular Covid-19 tests, says a Cue spokesperson, tend to offer PCR-test-style accuracy with the speed of a rapid test. If you're attempting to procure a large number of tests for your employees, you could wait around for Biden's promised tests. It may also be worth it to go directly to the source and contact a testing manufacturer as opposed to individual pharmacies. Keep in mind that rapid-antigen tests aren't the end-all be-all for Covid testing. They're typically less accurate than PCR and molecular tests. If you test negative on a rapid test, in some cases you might still test positive on a PCR test, which is much more sensitive. Rapid tests may also not pick up positive cases in people who have been vaccinated or who have recently recovered from Covid-19, since they may produce less of the virus. This means that you may want to ask employees who've been exposed to the virus to wait an additional few days for PCR test results or take a second rapid test before returning to work. Additionally, it's likely that testing will play an even larger role in the workplace, as the U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday ruled against the Biden administration's vaccine mandate for employers with at least 100 employees. That rule, which went into effect on Monday, required employers to mandate Covid-19 vaccinations among their staff or submit to weekly testing. In a 6 to 3 vote, the U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday throttled President Biden's federal vaccination mandate, requiring that employers with at least 100 employees had to mandate Covid-19 vaccinations or submit to weekly testing. In a per curiam decision, which means that the author of the decision is not named, the court sent the case back to the lower courts for a ruling on the merits but effectively killed it. The contested mandate, dubbed the Vaccination and Testing Emergency Temporary Standard, went into effect on Monday, but had been widely criticized, including by members of the business community. The National Federation of Independent Business, a small-business trade group, is the main plaintiff in the suit, upon which the high court ruled against the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the federal agency tasked with administering the mandates. The Supreme Court held that OSHA overstepped its bounds, writing that requiring "84 million Americans to either obtain a Covid-19 vaccine or undergo weekly medical testing at their own expense ... is no everyday exercise of federal powers." Jon Hyman, an employment attorney and partner at Wickers Herzer Panza, adds that the Supreme Court's decision also negates the ETS's other requirements, which include facial coverings for the unvaccinated and the removal of Covid-positive employees from the workplace. While you no doubt still have questions about what to do about all of this, here are a few answers: Can you still require vaccinations and masking? The short answer is, it's up to your state law. Catherine Barbieri, the co-chair of the labor and employment department at Fox Rothschild, explains that "Barring state or local bans on vaccine mandates or testing requirements, employers that want to require their unvaccinated employees to be vaccinated or tested for COVID-19 will need to institute their policies without being able to point to a federal requirement." You still have an obligation to keep your employees safe, even if OSHA lacked the authority to mandate tests, vaccines, and masks. As long as your state law allows for it, it's up to you. Like Texas and Florida, some states have laws limiting the preventive measures businesses can take, while states like Oregon still require masking indoors. Double-check with your local employment attorney. You have to make your own decisions While it's certainly easier to tell your employees your hands were tied when it's an unpopular decision, it's now up to you. Dan Schwartz, an employment attorney and partner at Shipman & Goodwin, warns that it's now up to you, and there are good reasons to think about mandates. Employers still have wide discretion here to implement such a rule (subject to considering exemptions for medical and religious reasons). Ultimately, I think many employers will still consider doing so, as a way to reduce lengthy absences and minimize workplace disruptions. But employers won't be able to use the OSHA ETS as the "excuse" or reason for doing so. You still need a Covid plan One of the ETS requirements was a Covid-19 safety plan. You do not have to do weekly testing for your unvaccinated employees or require them to wear masks, but you do need to have a safety plan in place for your employees. It should be updated to reflect the current best practices for keeping your employees safe. This decision applies to private, non-health care businesses The OSHA ETS applied to non-Medicare-covered entities with 100 or more employees. For hospitals, nursing homes, and other Medicare-covered businesses, the Supreme Court upheld that mandate in Joseph R. Biden, Jr., President of the United States, et al., Applicants v. Missouri, et al. in a 5 to 4 decision. 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. TALLAHASSEE The Florida Supreme Court on Thursday ordered new trials for two Death Row inmates, including for a man convicted in the murders of a Broward County couple after his mother provided key testimony. In unusual moves, justices overturned the convictions of Peter Avsenew in the 2010 murders in Broward County and of Jason Simpson, convicted of killing a drug dealer and the dealers pregnant girlfriend in 1999 in Duval County. Advertisement In both cases, the Supreme Court found that judges made errors that required new trials. Avsenew was sentenced to death in 2018, while Simpson was sentenced in 2007. Avsenew was convicted in the shooting deaths of Steven Adams and Kevin Powell and taking the couples sport-utility vehicle and money. Avsenew, who had been staying with the couple, drove to Polk County, where his mother, Jeanne Avsenew, lived. Advertisement After a series of circumstances, including Avsenew telling his mother he was driving a stolen SUV, she did a computer search and found that he was a person of interest in the murders, according to the Supreme Court ruling. She contacted police, and Avsenew was subsequently arrested. But Thursdays ruling centered on video testimony of Jeanne Avsenew that was used in her sons trial. The appeal did not take issue with video testimony, which is allowed under a court rule if a witness is unable to attend a trial. Justices, however, said the set-up of the equipment used in the testimony prevented Jeanne Avsenew from seeing her son. That violated a rule that says courts must keep the defendant in the presence of the witness. Breaking News As it happens Be the first to know with email alerts on important breaking stories from the Orlando Sentinel newsroom. > In the unanimous ruling, the Supreme Court said it does not take lightly the impact of todays decision. However, the introduction of Ms. Avsenews testimony constituted harmful error, and we are bound to rule in a manner that remedies such error. In the Duval County case, the Supreme Court said Simpson should receive a new trial because prosecutors did not disclose that a witness against him was a confidential informant for the state. Simpson was convicted in the murders of drug dealer Archie Howard Crook and Crooks pregnant girlfriend, Kimberli Kimbler. They were hacked to death with an ax in the bedroom of their home, according to the Supreme Court ruling. The witness whose work as an informant had not been disclosed was Crooks son, Archie Clyde Crook identified in the ruling as Little Archie. Simpsons defense attorneys argued during the trial that Little Archie had killed his father and Kimbler. Little Archie had served as an informant against another man, George Michael Durrance, who was described in the ruling as being an associate of the Crook father and son and Simpson in the drug trade. Advertisement Durrance also was a figure in the Simpson murder case, and the Supreme Court, in a 5-1 decision, said Little Archies role as a confidential informant should have been disclosed. The majority opinion said the relationship between Simpson, Little Archie, and Durrance was of critical importance in this case, and the information Little Archie provided to law enforcement pertaining to Durrance casts a different light on this relationship. The author of this article is Mr.Siddharth Maurya, Resource Specialist- Real Estate and Fund Management The views and opinions expressed are not of IIFL Securities, indiainfoline.com Indian retail market is worth over USD 900 billion. E-commerce or e-retail, which is presently pegged at USD 30 billion, still forms a small share in the total retail landscape of the country. However, the market is growing at a lightning speed. The two iterations of the lockdown have resulted in a major facelift to Indias rising digital consumerism. It made millions of Indians comfortable with placing an order online or on smartphones and enjoying the perks of home delivery.Meanwhile, the industry will continue to grow. Indias attractive demographic dividend, rising 4G smartphone penetration, and growing digital footprint in rural and semi-urban India will continue to drive the market.Opportunities for grocery business and SMB producers to expand: Grocery comprises more than 60% of the overall retail consumption in India. It will continue to play a pivotal role in the retail business. Besides horizontal players such as Amazon and Flipkart, there are upcoming verticals such as Grofers & Big Basket. There is plenty of space for niche players such as Milkbasket, Licious, etc. Existing offline players such as Reliance retail are also aggressively foraying in the digital retail segment.Indias internet grocery companies are investing in warehousing, private label brands, etc. However, simultaneously they are also actively building their supplier network and partnering with other retail units and community centers. This will entail that business opportunities for food producers, food suppliers, fruits & vegetable suppliers, will continue to emerge. This will also ensure SMBs reach bigger and larger markets.Tapping the E-Pharma Value Chain: Amongst the various categories, e-pharma is a sunrise category. The current market size is USD 490 million, still a small size in Indias retail pharma market that is pegged at USD 25 billion. However, e-pharma has grown at a CAGR of 79% in the past three years. Presently the market has few start-ups namely 1 MG, Pharmeasy, Netmeds, Medlife, etc.However, as the market is set to grow at a rampant speed, there is enough headspace for new start-ups to emerge, both in Tier 1 as well as smaller towns. Indias growing e-pharma and health tech business can also ensure new business opportunities for smaller pharma manufacturers, nutrition companies, superfood producers, etc.Cloud Kitchen is booming: Indias food delivery e-commerce is primarily duopolistic with Zomato and Swiggy owning lions share in the business. Initially, these businesses worked as aggregator platforms, which has its disadvantage. The model meant that there was little control over food delivery timings, service uniformity, hygiene, unit economics. Consequently, these incumbent players are now transforming into full-stack players, which is creating new opportunities for cloud kitchens and other food entrepreneurs. Already, there are successful cloud kitchen players such as Rebel Foods, Bin Chef, Box 8, etc. Others will follow soon.New categories of furniture demand emerging: Indias furniture e-retail is sized between USD 850-950 million. In the wake of the pandemic, the furniture trade suffered from muted demand and supply chain disruptions. However, due to the growing WFH culture, specific categories such as home office furniture, desks, bean bags, gaming stations, etc witnessed a surge. Producers of such categories will increasingly look into digital media to extend their reach.Ancillary Opportunities: Indias consumer internet is set to grow at an exorbitant pace. A large market size, evolving consumer preferences, expansive mobile payment, and digital payment ecosystem will continue to push the market in an upward growth trajectory. As the industry will surge, players will invest heavily in backward and forward integration including warehousing & service centers, software & app, analytics, digital marketing, delivery network. Alongside large companies, this will also translate into increased business opportunities for Indias growing SMBs, tech entrepreneurs, logistic companies, etc.Believing that e-commerce will soon outmaneuver offline retail might still be farfetched, as physical stores once again come back with the restoration of normalcy. Yet consumer internet is set to rise and become large. Retailers and consumer goods companies are now increasingly racking up investments in the digital medium. This will also unlock new opportunities for Indian SMBs. Besides retailers and manufacturers, there will be ample opportunities for technology solution providers, logistic enterprises, marketing agencies, etc. As digital is generally a low CAPEX and OPEX-based model, MSMEs will further get a level-playing field in the segment to prove their capabilities. Prevent Unauthorized Transactions in your demat / trading account Update your Mobile Number/ email Id with your stock broker / Depository Participant. Receive information of your transactions directly from Exchanges on your mobile / email at the end of day and alerts on your registered mobile for all debits and other important transactions in your demat account directly from NSDL/ CDSL on the same day." - Issued in the interest of investors. KYC is one time exercise while dealing in securities markets - once KYC is done through a SEBI registered intermediary (broker, DP, Mutual Fund etc.), you need not undergo the same process again when you approach another intermediary. 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Advertisements 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. For more information or to trade carbon, please reach out to info@AirCarbon.co or visit https://www.aircarbon.co. Pongal, also referred to as Thai Pongal which is celebrated for four days, is one of the important festivals of Tamil Nadu. Not only in Tamil Nadu but all over India, it is celebrated as Makar Sankranti or Sankranti, Uttarayana, Lori. Pongal is celebrated as a way of giving thanks to the Sun God. The month of January when the Sun enters Makar is called Makar Sankranti. This festival also starts the day after the Lohri celebration. During this festival, people decorate their homes with mango leaves and flowers to welcome the new year and celebrate Pongal with pomp. On this day Rangoli is also made at the main gate of the house and sweets and Pongal dishes with rice boiled in milk are distributed and offered dish to the sun before consuming it. A four-day festival Pongal celebration will start from Friday, January 14 and continue up to Monday, January 17, 2022. The first day it's celebrated as Bhogi Festival/Thai Pongal, the second day as a Surya Pongal, the third day as Mattu Pongal, and fourth day as Kaanum Pongal. Pongal celebration | Photo: BCCL Other celebrations rituals include lighting bonfires, singing and dancing to folklores, organising social gatherings and exchanging gifts. Apart from India, this festival is also celebrated in Sri Lanka, Mauritius, America, Canada and Singapore and other countries around the world. You can wish Pongal on this occasion with these wishes, messages, quotes, and pictures. Happy Pongal 2022 wishes and greetings: Happy Pongal 2022 wishes to friends 1. Wishing that this festival brings good luck and prosperity and hoping that it is joyous, and fills your days ahead with happiness. Have a wonderful Pongal my dearest friend. 2. Wishing you & your family a very Happy Pongal my friend. May the almighty bless you all with the best of health, wealth and prosperity. Wishing you a Happy Pongal! 3. Begin this year with love and Smile forget All your worries for a while wish you Happiness and All of the cheer let's celebrate. Happy Pongal my best friend. 4. My warm Pongal wishes to you, Convey my regards to everybody enjoy pongal and feast. Happy Pongal to all 5. May Pongal fill your life with sweetness and good health! May God bless you with peace, prosperity, and happiness in your life on Pongal and always! Have a Happy Pongal Pongal celebration | Photo: BCCL 6. On the auspicious occasion of Pongal, I wish good fortune to enter your home with happiness and bring you abundance and sweetness. Warm wishes on Pongal to you and your loved ones. 7. Wishing a cheerful and blessed Pongal to my friend. May the positivity of this harvest festival infuse you with high spirits and goodness. 8. Warm greetings on Pongal to you and your loved ones. Wishing you health and happiness, prosperity and success on this occasion of Pongal. 9. May the sweetness of Pongal celebrations be always there to fulfil your life with happiness that lasts forever with good health. Wishing a very Happy Pongal to you and your family. 10. May the delicious taste of Pongal food make this Pongal an extra special one for you and your loved ones. Wishing you a Pongal full of feast and celebrations. Happy Pongal 2022 wishes to family 1. May the sweetness of Pongal bring along many more sweet and happy moments for you to share with your family and friends. Happy Pongal to you. 2. Pongal marks joy and cheer and brings along everything thats best. Happy Pongal to my lovely family. 3. Wish you a Happy Pongal. Hope this Thai Pongal brings happiness to our life. 4. Wishing that this festival is one, which brings good luck and prosperity and hoping that it is joyous, and fills your days ahead with happiness. Have a wonderful Pongal. 5. I pray that this festival may be the start of your brighter days. Filled with happiness, good luck and prosperity. Happy Pongal! Pongal celebration | Photo: BCCL 6. Let us meet, greet and eat together with this auspicious decoration and beautiful kolams. Wish you a very Happy Pongal 7. May this Pongal bring everlasting happiness and peace to everyone in the family, Happy Pongal! 8. Let the warmth of the auspicious festival of Pongal fill your home with joy. Have a wonderful Pongal. 9. Sending you out the most fortunate warm wishes on the happy occasion of Pongal, have lots of fun and enjoy your every moment. Happy Pongal 10. May this harvest festival diminish all your worries and fears from your life and fill your heart with calm and healthy thoughts. Happy Pongal Happy Pongal 2022 Quotes 1. "May Parvati shower her blessings, May Lord Ganesha give his praisings, May all harvests get more yield and our cattle always help us in the field. Happy Pongal 2022" 2. "As you joyfully celebrate the festival of Pongal and welcome the harvest season, this greeting is being sent your way, to wish you everything, which the occasion is meant to bring. Have a Happy Pongal" 3. "Pongal marks joy and cheer and brings along everything thats best. May the festival of harvest season be one that brings along with it all thats best and everything you deserve. Have a Memorable Pongal" Pongal celebration | Photo: BCCL 4. May the sun bring you and your loved ones the rays of joy and happiness. Wishing you and your loved ones a joyous Pongal. 5. As the Sun starts its journey towards the north, it makes all joyous moments of this year come to life. Wishing you and your family a very Happy Pongal. 6. May the sweetness of overflowing milk and sugarcane fill your life with happiness and prosperity. Wishing you a very happy Pongal. 7. May this harvest festival fill your life with joy and prosperity. Happy Pongal to you and your family. 8. On this beautiful day, I wish that you may be able to receive the gift of God perennially and get every little thing that you have wished for in life. I wish you a prosperous and Happy Pongal. 9. Pongal marks joy and brings along positivity. May this festival of harvest season be one that brings along with it all thats best and everything you deserve. Wish you and your family a memorable Pongal. 10. May happiness shower in your life this year, good fortune enter your home and success touches your feet. I wish you and your family a very happy Pongal. Happy Pongal 2022 wishes in Hindi #1. chalo baalon ko kahen shukriya, dharti ko kyon na jhuk kar choom lain zara, pongal ka mauka hai, to jan len isi prakrti ne hai hamen sab kuch diya #2. Aaya pongal ka tyohaar, laye jeevan mein naya sanchar, bana rahe hum sabaka aapas mein, yoon hee atoot prem aur pyaar. Happy Pongal 2022 #3. Gul ne gulashan se gulaphaam bheja hai sitaaron ne gagan se salaam bheja hai mubarak ho aapko ye pongal humne tahe dil se yeh paigam bheja hai. Happy Pongal 2022 #4. Pongal ka paavan tyohaar aapke jeevan mein lae khushiyaan, mubaarak ho aapko saal ka pehla tyohaar #5. Chalo aakaash mein daale rang ho jaye sab sang sang, udayain patang Happy Pongal 2022 #6. Bhagwan kare ki aapke dil mein pyaar aur mohabbat hamesha usee tarah banee rahe, jaise ki pongal ke matake mein chaaval, pongal kee hardik shubhkamnaye. #7. Jaise hee aap pongal pongal kahe, sampannata aur dhan ka swagat karne ke lie, bahate doodh ke saath main aapako pongal kee subhakamana deta hoon kabhi na khatm hone wali khushi ke saath. #8. Khud ko jala kar hame bachaane ke liye ham bhagwan surya ka dhanyawad karte hain, ped-paudhe hamare lie khud ka balidaan karate hain, hame jivit rakhane ke liye sabhi jaanavaron ko dhanyawad, aap sabhi ko pongal ki mubarakbad. Happy Pongal 2022 Images #1. Happy Pongal 2022 images | Photo: Shutterstock #2. Happy Pongal 2022 images | Photo: Shutterstock #3. Happy Pongal 2022 images | Photo: Shutterstock #4. Happy Pongal 2022 images | Photo: Shutterstock #5. Happy Pongal 2022 images | Photo: Shutterstock #6. Happy Pongal 2022 images | Photo: Shutterstock #7. Happy Pongal 2022 images | Photo: Shutterstock #8. Happy Pongal 2022 images | Photo: Shutterstock #9. Happy Pongal 2022 images | Photo: Shutterstock #10. Happy Pongal 2022 images | Photo: Shutterstock For more interesting stories like this, click here. An Orlando woman threatened to sue the city after police officers left bullet holes in her car. Orlando police officers were engaged with an armed suspect when they took cover behind Alexandra Nunezs car, according to WESH. Advertisement Nunez said she checked her car after the shooting and found at least seven bullet holes in her Chevy Tahoe. She told station news staff the Orlando Police Department assured her the city would cover any damages to her car. Advertisement Nunez filed a claim, but the city refused it since officers on scene acted appropriately and within their scope in response to the situation, according to WESH. Read the full report on wesh.com. Over the past few days, Indian IT giant HCL Technologies has been on the receiving end of a lot of criticism. The company has reportedly asked employees who are quitting the firm to return the performance-based bonuses that were granted to them every month during this fiscal year. shutterstock Also Read: This Company Is Allowing All Its Employees To Work From Abroad For 6 Weeks Every Year Employees Approach Union For the affected HCL employees, many of whom have already spent the complete or at least part of the bonus money, this demand of returning the received bonuses is turning out to be burdensome. Hence, some of them have approached IT employee unions. Also Read: From Azim Premji To Shiv Nadar - Here Are Indias Most Generous Philanthropists Of 2021 Letters To Labor Minister & HCL Chairperson The President of Pune-based IT/ITES union NITES (Nascent Information Technology Employees Senate), Harpreet Saluja, has written a letter to Labour minister Bhupender Yadav, stating that the union has received multiple complaints from HCL employees across India on the matter. Saluja said "If the employees fail to pay the amount, his/her experience certificate, relieving letter and other employment documents & benefits are withheld by the company," He described HCL's policy to recover the money as "iniquitous, arbitrary and harsh." Further, Saluja also said that "It is also to be noted that such recovery policy without any statutory approval is resulting in hardship and it far outweighs the equitable balance of the employer's right to recover. It is almost impossible for an employee to bear the financial burden of a refund of payment of bonus received over a period of time under the pandemic conditions,". And thats not all. shivnadarfoundation All India Professionals' Congress (AIPC)s Adv. Mathew Antony too has reportedly written to Roshni Nadar Malhotra, Chairperson of HCL Technologies, expressing strong concerns over this issue. Also Read: Shiv Nadar's Legacy: Meet The Man Who Led HCL To Success HCLs Take On The Criticism HCL has been firm that the company is not doing anything that the employees did not already know. It was reportedly clearly stated in an earlier mail to the employees. Reportedly, an HCL email sent in November 2021 mentioned that the employee performance bonus (EPB) will be paid on a monthly basis and as an advance. The mail further stated that If the employee resigns and the last working day is from September 1, 2021, to March 31, 2022, the EPB amount from April 2021, till the last working day will be recovered in full. Also Read: HCL Offers Rs 700 Crore Special Bonus To Employees After $10 Billion Valuation HCL Spokespersons Statement When Times of India contacted HCL, its spokesperson stated that supporting employees is HCL's top priority. We have strict global compliance policies whereby every relevant applicable law, including those applicable to employees are adhered to as per the laws of the countries we operate in. The spokesperson also mentioned that HCL would like to put on record that the matter around the recovery of bonuses has been incorrectly reported. As a law-abiding organization, HCL follows the best HR practices and continues to honour commitments and work in a fair and equitable manner towards all including employees. Also Read: Apple Becomes World's First Company To Hit $3 trillion Market Value, Then Slips Marginally For more of such interesting financial content and the latest news, click here. Click here to download CRED. Real-time social media posts from local businesses and organizations across Northern Virginia, powered by Friends2Follow. To add your business to the stream, email cfields@insidenova.com or click on the green button below. The impact bothers me because of our commitment we made to the residents The plan almost is written on Etch A Sketch, if you will, if we abandon that. Council member Ralph Smith Council member Ralph Smith 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 winter _ for 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 Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics New York Maryland lawmakers are convening Wednesday for their 90-day legislative session. They will spend much of the session working on how to manage a huge, $4.6 billion budget surplus. Thats because of unexpectedly large revenues resulting from the help of federal pandemic aid. Democrats, who control the General Assembly, say they will be prioritizing upgrades to parks, bridges, schools and information technology systems to quickly help put more people back to work, rather than long-term spending. Republicans, including Gov. Larry Hogan, are supporting large tax relief proposals. Hogan wants to eliminate state retirement taxes. The governor also has proposals aimed at supporting police and fighting crime. Some other high-profile issues include whether to legalize recreational cannabis and how to address climate change. Topics Maryland CHENNAI Apple Inc supplier Foxconn restarted production at its plant in southern India on Wednesday, a company official said, over three weeks after it was closed because of protests over workers falling sick. The company official, speaking to Reuters on condition of anonymity, said the factory reopened with one shift and 120 workers, adding it would take over two months for the plant to produce at full capacity. Indian iPhone Plant Workers Became Ill From Tainted Food. Then a Rare Protest Began. Apple Puts India iPhone Supplier, Foxconn, on Probation for Labor Violations The plant, in the town of Sriperumbudur near the Tamil Nadu state capital of Chennai, employs about 17,000 people but was closed on Dec. 18 after 250 workers fell sick with food poisoning, sparking protests. Workers previously told Reuters the plant generally operates three shifts. Apple declined to comment on Wednesday, but had said on Monday the plant remained on probation, and that it would continue monitoring conditions at workers dormitories and dining halls, along with independent auditors. Foxconn did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment. Apple and Foxconn had previously found some worker dormitories and dining rooms did not meet required standards, forcing the Taiwan-based company to restructure its local management team and take immediate steps to improve facilities. Women who assembled iPhones at the southern Indian Foxconn plant told Reuters they lived in crowded dorms without flush toilets and food served at worker hostels sometimes crawled with worms. The factory, which has started trial production of the iPhone 13, is strategically important in the long term as the U.S. tech giant tries to cut its reliance on its Chinese supply chain amid trade tensions between Washington and Beijing. (Reporting by Sudarshan Varadhan; editing by Jason Neely and Mark Potter) Topics India Civil Unrest Specialist Risk Group (SRG), the London-headquartered broker, has entered into an agreement to acquire Bridge Insurance Brokers Special Risks team. The London-based team, led by Jonathan Starkey and David Walker, has deep expertise in arranging insurance programs for businesses operating in conflict-affected territories. This includes mine clearance, humanitarian assistance and disaster recovery. The team will join SRGs existing Special Risks team led by Cliff Butters. The team epitomize all that we stand for at SRG. They have deep specialist knowledge built over many years and I am thrilled that they are joining us at such an exciting time in our journey, said Lee Anderson, deputy CEO of SRG. SRG has been a long standing partner of Bridge, and we have worked jointly on many clients in this, and other, business sectors. We look forward to continuing this relationship and working with Lee and his colleagues as we jointly develop new growth opportunities and client solutions, commented Roger Potts, CEO of Bridge Insurance Brokers, which is a leading independent corporate insurance broker with offices in both Manchester and London. Bridge was established in 1970 and has a team of over 100 experts operating in every area of commercial insurance. Topics Mergers & Acquisitions Agencies The Florida Power & Light Co. power plant in Port St. John is the epicenter of worries that another mass, winter die-off will occur in the Indian River in Brevard County. The plant discharges warm water that attracts manatees to an area that otherwise has no seagrass, the primary food for manatees. (Kevin Spear / Orlando Sentinel) Authorities who are bracing for a wave of dead manatees and are attempting to feed those starving in Brevard Countys Indian River said Thursday that unseasonably warm weather so far has lessened the pace of the die-off. But authorities are worried that a cold front in the coming week will force manatees to seek warm-water refuge at a Florida Power & Light Co. power plant in St. John, a community just south of Titusville along the Indian River, where there is nearly no food of any sort. Advertisement Florida and federal agencies have launched a type of command system, one more typically set up for hurricanes, oil spills and other big disasters, to rescue ailing manatees and retrieve carcasses along a stretch of Indian River from Titusville to Melbourne. Manatees are in acute and chronic distress there because of the Indian Rivers pollution-driven ecosystem collapse that has eradicated nearly all seagrass, the primary food for manatees. A seagrass rebound is likely to take several years at best, many experts fear. Advertisement The lagoon looks like a desert, said Martine de Wit, a veterinarian and scientist with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, during a public briefing Thursday on the status of the Indian Rivers manatees. She said that starvation combined with stress from cold weather can be lethal for adult manatees, wrecking their metabolism and nutritional balance, which would otherwise tolerate winter weather. Rescued manatees in a state of starvation can require a year of intense veterinarian care. More than 1,100 dead manatee were documented in Florida waters last year, which was nearly double the previous annual record. By far, the county with the most carcasses was Brevard, with nearly 360. The die-off began in late 2019 and so far this year the rate of fatalities has not been as severe as a year ago, de Wit said. Breaking News As it happens Be the first to know with email alerts on important breaking stories from the Orlando Sentinel newsroom. > The Florida wildlife commission and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service have set up a field station for handling ailing and dead manatees and for an unprecedented attempt to feed lettuce to the animals. Feeding manatees is otherwise illegal and considered a form of harassment. Wildlife rehabilitators such as SeaWorld use romaine lettuce to nurse stricken manatees back to health. However, field station personnel who have distributed lettuce near the power plant for about a month have not seen evidence that manatees are eating it. Advertisement This is a learning process for us, said Ron Mezich of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. At this point the animals arent recognizing it as a food source or taking it as a food source. Mezich said lettuce has been distributed on and under the rivers surface and in a number of locations. We are confident that some point we will find a trigger that works. kspear@orlandosentinel.com The Dutch wing of environmental group Friends of the Earth, which won a landmark court case against Royal Dutch Shell last year, demanded 30 corporations publish plans for big cuts in greenhouse gas emissions in a campaign launched on Thursday. Milieudefensie has set its sights on large companies with legal bases in the Netherlands, where a court ruled in May that Shell must reduce its environmental footprint. Shell to Appeal Landmark Climate Ruling in Dutch Court Big Oil May Face More Climate Lawsuits After Shell Ruling, Say Lawyers, Activists The heads of the companies were being sent letters demanding that they provide plans outlining how they will trim emissions of the heat-trapping gases by 45% from 2019 levels by 2030. A failure to do so may result in legal action, said Peer de Rijk, policy officer at Milieudefensie. Fourteen of the 29 groups to receive a letter replied to a Reuters request for comment and all said they were acting to reduce emissions. Shell did not receive a letter but is also part of the campaign, Milieudefensie said, referring to its court victory against the oil giant. We are very clear that in the end, if needed, we are willing to go to court. But of course we are hoping these companies will be moving by themselves, De Rijk told Reuters in an interview. We are willing to engage in talks, but we are in a hurry as well, so we wont accept talks for the sake of talks themselves, he said. Climate science is very clear. This is exactly what is needed. Shell is appealing against The Hague district court order to cut emissions in line with the 2015 Paris agreement. Among leaders in finance, retailers, oil and energy majors, builders and industrial manufacturers on the list are KLM, the Dutch arm of airline Air France KLM, ABN Amro bank and supermarket operator Ahold Delhaize. You lead an enterprise with control over and influence on a substantial amount of CO2 emissions. An enterprise that can and must contribute to the system change necessary to prevent dangerous climate change, a draft letter seen by Reuters said, asking: Are you a frontrunner or a straggler? Some of the businesses are small in the Netherlands itself, but they have a very large, international, global impact and the Shell verdict very clearly states that it is possible to hold them accountable for their global emissions via the Dutch law, he said. Mid-April Deadline The move by Milieudefensie follows a commitment by countries to accelerate their emissions reductions at the COP26 climate talks in Glasgow in November, with investors managing $130 trillion in assets signing up to net-zero and pressuring companies to ensure their plans are good enough. The broadening out of Milieudefensies campaign also comes against a backdrop of increased climate-related litigation globally, with more than 1,000 cases brought since 2015, research from the London School of Economics showed. Milieudefensie set a three-month deadline until April 15 for the companies to present a climate plan. They will be used to set an emissions baseline against which progress in cutting climate-heating gasses can be measured, the group said. Other companies receiving a letter were: Pension fund ABP, insurer Aegon, paint maker AkzoNobel, insurer Atradius, builder BAM Groep, dredger Boskalis Westminster, oil company BP, Dow Chemical, nutrition maker DSM, oil company ExxonMobil, dairy group FrieslandCampina, bank ING Groep, airline KLM, chemical manufacturer LyondellBasell, insurer NN Group, pension fund PfZW, Rabobank, energy company RWE, Schiphol airport, oil major Shell, car producer Stellantis, Tata Steel, products group Unilever, Uniper energy, food group Vion, commodities trader Vitol, Vopak storage and Yara chemical. KLM said it has committed to aligning its net-zero pathway with climate science, and planned to use more sustainable aviation fuel. An ABN spokesperson said the bank supported efforts to limit global warming and was working to reduce emissions from its lending. Ahold Delhaize said late on Wednesday it had not yet received the official letter and could not comment. Others to respond to Reuters, pointing to their climate efforts, included FrieslandCampina, Rabobank, ING, Aegon, DSM, Yara, Tata Steel, Schiphol, RWE, Akzo Nobel, NN, Unilever, ABP and PFZW. (Reporting by Anthony Deutsch in Amsterdam and Simon Jessop in London; additional reporting by Bart Meijer in Amsterdam; editing by William Maclean) Cybersecurity failure was identified as a critical short-and-medium-term threat to the world by respondents of the World Economic Forums Global Risks Perception Survey (GRPS). GRPS respondents rank cybersecurity failure among the top-10 risks that have worsened most since the start of the COVID-19 crisis, said the report, explaining that the rapid digitalization in advanced economies during the pandemic has also led to more intense cyber vulnerabilities, as new technologies and an ever-expanding attack surface enable a more dangerous and diverse range of cybercrimes. Cyberattacks have intensified over the last two years, which means that cyberthreats are now growing faster than our ability to prevent and manage them effectively Carolina Klint, risk management leader, Continental Europe, Marsh GRPS respondents believe cybersecurity failure will continue to test the worlds digital systems over the next two years and, to a lesser extent, in three to five years, said the report. (See related WEF graphics in this article that detail the top short, medium and long-term risks identified by respondents). Malware attacks increased by 358% in 2020, while ransomware increased 435%, with a four-fold rise in the total cryptocurrency value received by ransomware addresses, said the WEFs Global Risks Report 2022, 17th Edition, which details the results of the survey. Cyberattacks have intensified over the last two years, which means that cyberthreats are now growing faster than our ability to prevent and manage them effectively, said Carolina Klint, risk management leader, Continental Europe, Marsh, who spoke during a virtual press conference to discuss the survey. (The WEFs partners in the reports development are Marsh McLennan, SK Group and Zurich Insurance Group). Companies trying to survive the pandemic have been under more pressure than ever to digitize and automate. But too often, this has been built on the backbone of aging technology, which has led to supply chain disruptions and greater exposure to cyberattacks, and especially ransomware, Klint added. Given the rising costs of cyberattacks, cyber insurance prices are going up, she said, pointing to the example of the U.S. where prices rose by 96% in the third quarter of 2021. This was the most significant price hike since 2015 and a 204% year-over-year price increase, said the report, quoting statistics from Marsh. Respondents to the GRPS indicate a long-term concern with these developments, with adverse tech advances appearing as a top-10 risk over a 5-to-10-year horizon, the report confirmed. There are plenty of cyber risks that keep the C-suite up at night, but there are four that I want to point out that need to be tackled: critical infrastructure failures, an increasingly aggressive regulatory environment, unprecedented identity theft, and failing to execute digital transformation effectively, said Klint. She emphasized that companies soon wont be able to claim good environmental, social and governance (ESG) credentials without addressing these key areas. As companies recover from the pandemic, they are rightly sharpening their focus on organizational resilience and ESG credentials, said Klint, in a statement accompanying the report. However, she added, it is clear that neither resilience nor governance are possible without credible and sophisticated cyber risk management plans. [B]usinesses that fail to demonstrate strong corporate governance around cybersecurity such as by implementing robust systems and process oversight protocols, and by practicing accountability and transparency in the event of a breach could suffer reputational harm in the eyes of ESG-focused investors, the report cautioned. Another problem highlighted by the report is that businesses operate in a world where 95% of cybersecurity issues can be traced to human error, and where insider threats (intentional or accidental) represent 43% of all breaches. Undersupply of Cyber Professionals The report noted that already-stretched IT and cybersecurity professionals are under increasing pressure, not only because of the expansion of remote work but also because of the growing complexity of regulations for data and privacy, even though such regulations are critical to ensuring public trust in digital systems. In fact, there is an undersupply of cyber professionals who can provide cyber leadership, test and secure systems, and train people in digital hygiene, said the report, pointing to a worldwide employment gap of more than 3 million cyber security experts. As with other key commodities, a continued lack of cybersecurity professionals could ultimately hamper economic growth, although new initiatives to democratize cybersecurity, for example, by providing free cybersecurity risk management tools, could help fill some of the gaps for small businesses or other institutions, the report continued. Geopolitical Factors While many governments are attempting to prevent cybersecurity failures, patchwork enforcement mechanisms across jurisdictions continue to hamper efforts to control cybercrime, the WEF report said. Geopolitical rifts hinder potential cross-border collaboration, with some governments unwilling or unable to regulate cyber intrusions that originate inside and impact outside their borders. Digital Inequality In addition to cybersecurity failures, the survey revealed another technological risk digital inequality that is viewed by survey respondents as a critical short- and medium-term threat to the world. You are starting to see a lot of concern around this sort of fissure thats developed with 3 billion people that still do not have access to the internet and do not have one major source of earning an income available to them, said Saadia Zahidi, managing director at WEF, who also spoke at the press conference. Zahidis team put together the report. The report noted that concerns over cybersecurity could further hamper attempts to promote rapid and inclusive digitalization globally. However, these technological risks (cybersecurity failures and digital inequality) fall back in rankings for the long term (over the next decade) and none appear among the most potentially severe, which suggests lower relevance to respondents, said the report, which suggested that this signals a possible blind spot in risk perceptions, given the damage that is possible from cyberattacks. Survey Methodology The Global Risks Perception Survey (GRPS), which underpins the Global Risks Report, gathered insights from nearly 1,000 academic, business, government, civil society and thought leaders. In addition, this years report draws on the views of over 12,000 country-level leaders in 124 countries who identified critical short-term risks, gathered through the World Economic Forums Executive Opinion Survey (EOS). Survey responses were collected from Sept. 8 to Oct. 12, 2021. Additional coverage of the WEF report and the press conference will be published in the coming days, including articles on emerging, climate change and societal risks. Related: Topics Cyber Trends An Iowa state panel on Jan. 11 approved settlements of two sexual harassment lawsuits filed by employees who alleged they were mistreated at work. The State Appeal Board approved a $962,500 settlement with Jennifer Jackson, who alleged in a February 2020 lawsuit that she was forced to watch other female employees endure sexual harassment by her female supervisor, including vulgar harassing comments and grabbing womens breasts at work. Jackson had worked at the Iowa Department of Human Services as a social worker since 2012. The supervisor was fired in February 2019 but Jackson said state officials didnt take her complaints seriously. Jackson will receive a payment of $205,000 and monthly payments of $4,643 for seven years through November 2029. Her attorney will get more than $387,000. Appeal Board member Rob Sand, the state auditor, voted against the settlement because the state is not seeking restitution from the supervisor. It passed 2-1 with State Treasurer Michael Fitzgerald and Iowa Department of Revenue Director Kraig Paulsen voting in favor. A second settlement will pay $25,000 to the mother of Francisco Miramontes. He was a judicial branch employee in Polk County in the traffic division from 2011 to 2017. He claimed he was harassed by two female employees who would inappropriately touch him, make sexual advances and sexual gestures to him. The settlement is with his estate because he died in a motorcycle accident in Des Moines in June 2020. He was 32. The board also approved a $325,000 settlement with Pam Ries, who sued the University of Iowa and the state alleging age and gender discrimination by the university, which fired her without following the human resources manual. Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Iowa The Environmental Protection Agency is taking its first major action to address toxic wastewater from coal-burning power plants, denying requests by three Midwest power plants to extend operations of leaking or otherwise dangerous coal ash storage ponds. Plants in Indiana, Ohio and Iowa will have to close the coal ash ponds months or years ahead of schedule, the EPA said Tuesday, citing deficiencies with groundwater monitoring or cleanup. 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. A fourth industrial site, at a former coal-power plant in New York State that now burns natural gas, is ineligible for an extension and also will be forced to close early, the EPA said. A separate coal-powered plant in Kentucky will be required to fix groundwater monitoring as a condition for continued operation of its coal ash pond, the agency said. 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 (90 million metric 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. Ive 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. Todays 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, N.Y., was ruled ineligible for an extension. The former coal plant now uses natural gas. Conditional approval was granted to the H.L. Spurlock plant in Maysville, Ky. 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. Data released by utilities in 2018 showed widespread evidence of contamination at coal plants from Virginia to Alaska. Photo- Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Michael Regan speaks during an event ,Monday, Dec. 20, 2021, outside the EPA Headquarters, in Washington. In the first first major action to address toxic wastewater from coal-burning power plants, the Environmental Protection Agency is denying requests by three Midwest power plants to extend operations of leaking or otherwise dangerous coal ash storage ponds. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, File ) Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Pollution The deadly blaze in a Bronx apartment building was the second such tragedy at low-income housing in the U.S. this month, highlighting the stubborn link between poverty and deaths from residential fires. Its not to say that poverty conditions invariably lead to fires, said Birgitte Messerschmidt, director of research at the National Fire Protection Association. But there is a link between socioeconomic status and fire that cannot be denied. Areas with more low-income people continue to see more deaths from fires despite decades of research and political promises to address the issue. States with the highest death rates from fires between 2015 and 2019 also had the largest percentage of populations living in poverty, according to an analysis from NFPA. In 2012, death rates due to smoke exposure were five times higher in counties where at least 20% of the population lived below the poverty line compared to counties where less than 5% of residents lived below the poverty line. States with larger Indigenous or Black populations, more smokers or a higher number rural residents tend to have higher fire death rates, according to a July report from the NFPA. Its just disgraceful that here we are in 2022 and the amount of money you make seriously impacts your fire risk, said Andrew Duffy, a catastrophic personal injury attorney. We cant live in a society anymore where the amount of money you make dictates whether or not youll survive a fire in your home. Older buildings with cheaper rents can be grandfathered into building codes that dont require as many fire safety measures as newer, more expensive buildings. Public housing tenants also say that their complaints to management go unanswered. Those with less means are also more likely to live in crowded housing, with multiple generations sharing the space. Jumaane Williams, New York Citys public advocate, said that fires are more common in low-income neighborhoods of color because those folks are trying to find the most affordable rent. These communities are often the most neglected and residents either dont know how to make those complaints or dont want to out of fear of retribution or inaction, he added. Residents at the 19 story apartment building at 333 East 181st Street in the Bronx had complained about lack of heat, a broken radiator and a door that didnt close properly in recent months, according to city records. Officials said the fire initially appeared to come from a malfunctioning space heater, something tenants turn to when their apartments arent properly heated and that a malfunctioning door allowed smoke to spread. They said that many of the deaths and serious injuries were due to smoke inhalation. After a fire in a residential building killed 12 people in 2017, New York City passed a law mandating all residential buildings have self-closing doors to limit damage from fires. In a Philadelphia fire earlier this month, where 12 people including eight children died, the building had no functioning smoke detectors. Firefighters also discovered that 18 people had been inside the four-bedroom house. While some tenants of the Bronx building had spoken up, locals told Bloomberg News that others chose not to after hearing neighbors had agitated with no success. Others were worried about immigration status, or didnt have the ability to do so due to language barriers or work schedules. People think, I want to make a complaint, but Im at work and Im not supposed to be on the phone,' Tisha Hatch, a community organizer said. Other people think, Im not a citizen here, I dont want to ruffle any feathers, so Ill just play it by ear. So they go and get outside help, something like the space heater. Fire deaths in New York City jumped 16% in 2021 from the year before. Though the Bronx has seen some of the deadliest fires in recent decades, it ranked behind Queens and Manhattan in fatalities last year, according to the New York Post. LIHC Investment Group, Belveron Partners and Camber Property Group purchased a portfolio of about 1,200 affordable units in the Bronx two years ago, including the apartments at 333 East 181st Street. The partners paid $166 million or about $130,000 per apartment to Cammebys International Group, whose owner became a billionaire from holdings that have included buildings in New Yorks Mitchell-Lama affordable housing program. Cammebys didnt immediately respond to a request for comment. Working with L+M Development Partners, Camber has also gotten into the business of fixing and operating New Yorks beleaguered public housing. The companies recently completed the conversion of the Bronxs Baychester Houses. In exchange, the companies can receive Section 8 housing vouchers, which create a steady stream of government-backed income. We are devastated by the unimaginable loss of life caused by this profound tragedy. We are cooperating fully with the Fire Department and other city agencies as they investigate its cause, and we are doing all we can to assist our residents, Kelly Magee, a representative for the owners, said in a statement this week. Photo: A Fire Department of New York (FDNY) ambulance sits outside the emergency room at Montefiore Hospital in the Bronx borough of New York, U.S., on Thursday, April 2, 2020. In four months, the new coronavirus infected more than 1 million people and killed more than 51,000. The U.S. accounts for a quarter of the cases. Photographer: David Dee Delgado/Bloomberg Copyright 2022 Bloomberg. Topics Profit Loss New York The Travelers Companies Inc. is expanding its telematics auto insurance offering, IntelliDrive, with the launch of an app-based program called IntelliDrivePlus. IntelliDrive launched in 2017 and is available in 40 states. It calculates a premium based on driving behaviors, excluding mileage, which are tracked over a 90-day period. In comparison, IntelliDrivePlus calculates a premium at each renewal by assessing changes in mileage and driving behavior, such as braking, acceleration, speed, time of day and distraction. which are captured over the life of the policy, according to the announcement. IntelliDrivePlus is now available to customers in Arkansas, Nebraska and Ohio. Customers who choose IntelliDrivePlus could earn an enrollment discount of up to 12% for their first policy term. At renewal, safe driving habits can lead to savings of up to 30%, plus additional savings potential for low-mileage drivers or those who drive less over time. However, Travelers notes, that riskier driving habits and higher mileage can lead to higher premiums. Other insurers provide similar pay-per-mile insurance options: Allstate offers two telematics programs. Drivewise aims to make roads safer by helping customers identify and understand safe driving habits. Milewise allows customers to pay based on how much they drive, offering both a daily rate and a per-mile rate. Nationwide offers SmartMiles, a pay-per-mile program that can be customized for multi-car households and includes a road trip exception. InsurTech Metromile offers pay-per-mile insurance that also considers driver behavior, such as speeding, road type and time of day driving. Michael Klein, executive vice president and president of Personal Insurance at Travelers, said the insurers original telematics program, IntelliDrive, grew by 50 percent during the last year, making it clear that consumers are increasingly comfortable with pricing that reflects their driving behaviors. A map of the drivers route taken during each trip, along with their driving performance to date, are available for review after each trip. But location information collected in the app is not used to determine the auto insurance rate, Travelers says. Source: Travelers Topics Auto A Louisiana woman has pled guilty to Conspiracy to Commit Mail Fraud arising out of a staged automobile accident with a tractor-trailer occurring in New Orleans, making her the 30th guilty plea in Operation Sideswipe. Donisha Lee, age 30, admitted that on September 6, 2017, on the I-10 near the Almonaster exit, she was a passenger in Erica Lees 2015 RAV4 being driven by their former co-defendant, when he intentionally crashedinto a tractor-trailer owned by Averitt Express. After the staged accident, the driver exited the RAV4 and told Erica Lee to get behind the wheel of the RAV4 to make it appear that Erica Lee was driving the vehicle at the time of the staged accident. The defendants contacted the New Orleans Police Department and falsely claimed that Erica Lee was the driver at the time of the collision. Passenger A falsely claimed to the NOPD that she was Thompson. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, approximately one or two days after the staged accident, Coleman, Donisha Lee, Donreion Lee, Erica Lee, and Thompson went to an attorneys office for the purpose of collecting money from the insurance and trucking company. Coleman, Donisha Lee, Donreion Lee, Erica Lee, and Thompson sought medical treatment from doctors and healthcare providers. Thompson was treated despite not being in the RAV4 at the time of the staged accident. Donisha Lee retained counsel and made a claim for damages. The total settlement for the Averitt accident was approximately $30,000. On March 26, 2019, Donisha Lee , Coleman, and Donreion Lee each provided false testimony in depositions taken in conjunction with the Thompson Lawsuit. On April 9, 2019, Thompson provided false testimony in a deposition taken in conjunction with the Thompson Lawsuit. In these depositions, Donisha Lee, Coleman, Donreion Lee, and Thompson lied about the September 6, 2017 accident including, but not limited to, who was driving the RAV4 and the extent of their injuries. Donisha Lee faces a maximum sentence of five (5) years of incarceration. Source: U.S. Department of Justice Topics Auto Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon announced his appointment of John Parker Ford as Deputy Commissioner of Public Affairs. Ford has been the Director of Communications for both the Louisiana Association of Health Plans and the Texas Association of Health Plans. He started at the Louisiana Department of Insurance in 2020 as Executive Director of the Louisiana Automobile Theft and Insurance Fraud Prevention Authority and became Executive Director of the Louisiana Health Care Commission in 2021. Previously, Ford served as a press officer for the Louisiana Department of Health and as the legislative aide to Sen. Sherri Smith Buffington. Ford is moving into the position following the departure of Rebecca Mowbray, who is leaving to become President and CEO of the Bureau of Governmental Research in New Orleans. Fords appointment takes effect January 17. Private insurers, not just the state-run Citizens Property Insurance Corp., would be eligible for reimbursement from a hurricane catastrophe fund for policies they assume from insolvent carriers, under a bill approved by a Florida Senate committee Wednesday. The Senate Banking and Insurance committee endorsed Senate Bill 1058 by a vote of 11-0. But before approving it, members briefly toyed with the idea of going much further in an effort to depopulate Citizens, which ended 2021 with more than 759,300 policyholders a whopping 29% increase in one year. An amendment to the bill offered by state Sen. Jeff Brandes, R-St. Petersburg, would essentially bar policyholders of failed insurers from flocking to Citizens if Citizens premiums were lower than the private insurers. What were saying is, you cant get a below-market rate just because your insurance company failed, which is what Citizens is doing in most markets right now, Brandes said in the committee meeting Wednesday. The price floor would be relaxed the third time the policy is renewed, he explained. Brandes, Citizens officials and private insurers have noted that because of Citizens glidepath, or statutory limits on rate increases, many Citizens policy premiums are well below what other insurers offer for comparable coverage. The Federal Association for Insurance Reform registered in support of Brandes plan. And while Citizens chairman supports it, staff members have expressed concerns about the corporations ability to implement such a plan. Members of the Senate committee also pointed out that the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation opposes it, and said the idea needs more deliberation. This is a major deal what were discussing here today, because, as we know, what were seeing is that people that are having to leave carriers go to Citizens at a much better rate, said Sen. Doug Broxson, R-Pensacola. But the plan would force Citizens to accept policies at private market rates, a major departure from the state-run insurers governing statutes, senators said. Committee Chairman Jim Boyd, R-Bradenton, said the amendment had opened up a needed discussion, but may be better suited for another bill. After some discussion, Brandes agreed to withdraw the amendment. The bill itself, sponsored by Sen. Travis Hutson, R-Palm Coast, would still give the state a helpful tool in managing the growth and exposure of Citizens, according to a legislative staff analysis. Under current Florida law, most property and casualty insurers pay premiums to the Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund and are eligible for the funds reinsurance on a portion of their catastrophic losses. But only Citizens is authorized to seek assignment of the liquidated insurers cat fund contract when it assumes the carriers policies. SB 1058 would broaden the definition of an unsound carrier and would authorize the State Board of Administration to provide Cat Fund coverage to authorized insurers or Citizens for the policies of unsound insurers that Citizens or the authorized insurer assumes or otherwise provides coverage, provided the conditions are mutually agreed upon between the authorized insurer or Citizens and SBA, the analysis reads. A similar bill, HB 695, has been introduced in the House by Rep. Cyndi Stevenson, R-St. Augustine. Topics Carriers Florida Punitive damages, long the scourge of businesses named in lawsuits, and a tricky issue for insurers, may soon be much harder to come by in Florida after a recent opinion handed down by the state Supreme Court. This will definitely chill plaintiffs requests for punitive damages, said Robert Jarvis, a professor at Nova Southeastern University College of Law in Fort Lauderdale. In a 6-1 decision posted Jan. 6, the high court approved an appellate procedure rule change that will allow interlocutory appeals on whether lawsuits can include demands for punitive damages. The rule will take effect April 1. Until then, litigants have had to wait until the end of a trial to appeal punitive damage claims. The practical effect of the new rule may be that the appeal, now to be allowed during the midst of a lower court lawsuit, could take months. That will add delays to litigation and will ultimately discourage many plaintiffs from seeking punitive damages and pressing ahead with trials, some attorneys said. Defendants in lawsuits will like it when an appeals court bars punitive damages, and plaintiffs will smile when the damages are allowed to be considered, said Curry Pajcic, a Jacksonville plaintiffs lawyer. But despite the outcome, Its going to increase the cost of litigation for both sides, he said. A tort-reform advocate called the ruling a game changer that would help prevent rifts that often arise between insureds and insurers when hefty punitive damage awards are at stake. Many liability policies, per statute, will not cover punitive damages. That often prompts policyholders to settle suits prematurely, said William Large, president of the Florida Justice Reform Institute. In many cases, the insured will hire outside counsel to handle that. Prior to this rule change, parties had to wait until the conclusion of a trial to address the issue with an appellate court, Large said. Seldom did parties get to have an appellate review, because of insureds pressure on insurers to settle the case. Finally, defendants and insurers will be afforded the due process they have been lacking. A deterrent to punitive awards could potentially affect insurers in bad-faith claims. In some cases, insurance companies can be held liable for punitive damages if a court finds they behaved in a particularly egregious manner, according to an article by Orlando-area attorney Sean Schulz. Kansas Gooden, president of the Florida Defense Lawyers Association, which spoke in favor of the rule change, said it is something that 20 Florida appeal court judges have asked for through the years. This will give an extra layer of protection to defendants right to privacy, she said. The Supreme Courts new rule is striking because the court took the initiative on its own, attorneys said. Instead of the usual path for procedural rules responding to a request from the Florida Bar or an action by the Legislature the court in this case was the initiator that asked a Bar committee in 2020 to draft the rule. They used the Bar as fig leaf, Jarvis said. This was so unnecessary. No one was clamoring to change the interlocutory rules on punitive damages. It was not clear from the order which justice initiated the change, but the move is another example of Floridas government and its governor-appointed justices taking a pro-business, pro-insurance, anti-plaintiff turn to the right in recent years, Jarvis argued. The courts, especially at the Supreme Court and the appellate courts, have become very hostile to punitive damages, he said. Justice Jorge Labarga wrote a sharp dissent to the ruling. Labarga, appointed by Gov. Charlie Crist in 2009, wrote that the drastic change will result in needless delays. Of particular concern are tort cases involving personal injury, where claims for much needed medical and economic relief will stall until the question of punitive damages is resolved, Labarga wrote. Access to our judicial system with claims authorized by law should not be impeded by unnecessary delay and resulting additional expense. He quoted from the Florida Bar committee that drafted rule, which noted that no other state has a similar procedure. While the committee and the Bars board of governors approved the change, the committee did so grudgingly, Labarga said. In years past, the committee had declined to recommend the interlocutory rule change. But this time, the Bar members indicated they felt directed by a mandate from the Supreme Court, he said. Labarga also pointed out that the majority of the justices had professed support for the change due to a concern about the privacy of litigants finances. State law forbids discovery of a defendants net worth until after punitive damages claims have been pleaded in court. Now, if an appeals court bars punitive damage claims, the plaintiffs cannot proceed with discovery of financial information. Labarga noted that finances can easily be shielded by a confidentiality order, without abandoning the long-standing and efficient procedure the courts have relied upon. Others said that businesses and jurists concerns over punitive damages may be overblown. Florida law already limits punitive awards, in most cases, to no more than three times the amount of compensatory damages or $500,000, whichever is greater. In cases in which the defendant knew the injurious activity was dangerous and pursued it purely for financial gain, punitives are limited to four times the compensatory amount, or $2 million. In cases of deliberate intent to harm the victim, the law puts no cap on punitive damages. Topics Legislation Florida Claims The Boynton Beach Police Department and the police officer who was following Stanley Davis III when the 13-year-old lost control of his dirt bike and died should be held accountable, his family and attorney said Thursday. South Florida civil rights attorney Ben Crump said he is planning to file a case in federal court for the wrongful death of the teen last month. In Florida, attorneys must notify government entities of their intention to sue and then wait six months before actually filing the suit. Advertisement Davis died on Dec. 26, a day after getting the dirt bike as a Christmas gift. Crump said the teen was on his way to a filling station to get gasoline when a Boynton Beach Police officer started following him. The teen, officials have said, lost control of the dirt bike, hit the median and flew through the air, striking a sign. Protesters gather at the makeshift memorial for 13-year-old Stanley Davis III on Federal Highway in Boynton Beach on Jan. 1, 2022. The teen died in a crash after he left a gas station on his new dirt bike, darting off as a police SUV approached. His family and protesters say the child's death could've been avoided had the officer not followed. (Mike Stocker / South Florida Sun Sentinel) Crump and the family are demanding the city publicly release any recordings of the incident, such as body-worn cameras or dash cams. The department reiterated in an update on the case Thursday that the officers vehicle did not have a dash camera and that they have given all other video and evidence to the Florida Highway Patrol. Advertisement The police, to date, have denied requests from the South Florida Sun Sentinel for other video, dispatch audio and any 911 calls. Crump and his family believe the officer following Davis was violating police policy by pursuing the child. Police policy states that an officer may chase a motorist if the officer reasonably believes that the person has engaged in a forcible felony, such as murder, home invasion or kidnapping. Riding a dirt bike on a public road is a traffic offense. [ RELATED: Family urges city leaders to demand accountability from the Boynton Beach Police Department ] Crump, Davis family and a Palm Beach County community activist vow they will not stay silent until they feel justice will be served. We will continue to disturb the peace, Crump said, adding Davis parents wont let this be swept under the rug, because Stanley Davis life mattered. Davis father, his namesake, said his own death used to scare him and now it no longer does. Im feeling like my life is not worth living anymore, Davis Jr. said. ... When my son died, I am not going to say a part of me died all of me died. I no longer care about my life anymore. ... You want to see empty, Ill show you what empty looks like. You want to see pain? This is what pain is. Police have refused to identify the officer, citing Marsys Law, a Florida voter-approved initiative that allows for the names of crime victims to be withheld. Stephanie Slater, a spokesperson for Boynton Beach Police, said in an email that the officer invoked his right to Marsys Law exemptions as he and his family are victims of ongoing threats to their safety. Crump did not name the police officer when asked by the Sun Sentinel at a Thursday morning news conference about the intent to sue. Advertisement But Crump said he and the family believe that they know the identity of the officer, and that this officer has a history of violating vehicle pursuit polices that led to the deaths of a man in 2012 and a 5-year-old child in 2016. The South Florida Sun Sentinel has reviewed prior cases involving the Boynton officer identified by the family, but has not been able to independently confirm that officer is the one accused of following the teenager. On June 30, 2012, a 38-year-old man was fleeing from a Boynton Beach Police officer on Interstate 95 south of Lantana Road when he veered to the right to attempt to exit the highway and lost control of the car and crashed into the concrete barrier, a Florida Highway Patrol traffic crash report says. The driver was eventually ejected from the car and pronounced dead at the scene. On Feb. 13, 2016, a 20-year-old man was driving west on Minor Road, fleeing from a Boynton Beach Police officer when he lost control of the car as he attempted to turn and drove onto the sidewalk. The driver fatally struck a 5-year-old boy, according to an FHP traffic crash report. [ RELATED: "We're here for justice" ] We believe he should not have even been on street patrol based on what was going in the 2016 incident, Crump said. The police department said that FHP, the Palm Beach County Medical Examiners Office and the police departments internal affairs each have ongoing investigations. Advertisement Breaking News As it happens Be the first to know with email alerts on important breaking stories from the Orlando Sentinel newsroom. > Boynton Beach Police Chief Michael G. Gregory has said there is no evidence or witness accounts that says the officers vehicle came in contact with the boys dirt bike. Davis mother said she is outraged, angered and in total disbelief that this is going on and on and nothing is being done. As a parent we stand united. As a community, we stand united. Enough is enough. We are tired of things being swept under the rug, Shannon Thompson said. Advertisement Eileen Kelley can be reached at 772-925-9193 or ekelley@sunsentinel.com. High Street Insurance Partners, a brokerage based in Michigan with offices in 23 states, announced that it has purchased two more Carolina insurance agencies. HSI said in news releases that it had acquired, Maritime Insurance International in Charleston, South Carolina, and Southeastern Agency Group in Greensboro, North Carolina. Maritime provides boat, yacht and commercial maritime insurance and has four East Coast offices, the companies said in a news release. Nick McGinty is president. Greg Myers is president of SAG. The acquisitions are two of 17 finalized in December, part of High Streets rapid-growth plan. The firm, founded less than four years ago, said it has acquired 97 agencies in that time. HSI offers business insurance and risk management; employee benefits and human capital management; financial and retirement services; and personal insurance solutions through local agencies. It has some 1,700 employees and consultants. Two women have been charged with insurance fraud in North Carolina after car crashes, and three men and a woman in Georgia are wanted for other types of fraud, including the creation of a fake insurance company. The Georgia insurance commissioner said that arrest warrants had been issued for Deamarkis Barber, 31, of Conyers. The man created a fictitious company called Dirt-Cheap Insurance, then had more than eight people pay him through the Cash App on smartphones, Commissioner John King said in a news release. Authorities also are looking for Kamaria Berry, 28, for allegedly facilitating the theft and exchange of funds. A warrant also has been issued, Kings office said, for Christopher Jackson, 29, of Stockbridge, for falsely claiming that items were stolen from his car. In his claim to Farmers Insurance in 2021, Jackson allegedly submitted fraudulent receipts for $14,963 worth of items. And a roofer who never finished the job but billed an insurance company also is on the lam, King said. A warrant has been for Jarred Hosch, 38, of Ringgold, after he was hired to replace a roof in Whitfield County. He never finished the work and never intended to, King said, but sent an invoice to the homeowners insurer. The incomplete roof work caused further damage to the house. Anyone with information about the whereabouts of the suspects is asked to call the Insurance Departments Investigations Division at 404-463-6363. In North Carolina, two women were charged in separate incidents involving automobiles. Yolanda Edmonds, 40, of Oxford, let her auto insurance policy lapse last year. After a December accident, her Chevrolet was declared a total loss, but Edmonds falsely claimed that her policy had been reinstated, according to the state Department of Insurance and a local news report. In Raleigh, Darihana Mejia, 32, told her insurer that her Ford Explorer was damaged in an accident. But authorities determined that the same damage had previously been claimed with another insurance company and was never repaired, officials said. Last week, two other people were arrested for claiming injuries from an auto accident. The North Carolina Insurance Department said in a news release that Timira Chiquita Glaspy, 31, and Dandre Lamar Morrison, 33, were both charged with felony insurance fraud and misdemeanor making false statements on applications for insurance. Special agents with the department accused Morrison and Glaspy of telling insurance claim investigators with a Winston-Salem-based company that Glaspy was injured in a collision while driving her vehicle in May. Criminal summonses say Glaspy was not in her vehicle at the time and couldnt have been injured, according to news reports. Glaspy and Morrison were served with criminal summonses on Dec. 16. Topics Carriers Georgia Numbers While the community of Tullamore mourns the loss of one of its own, with flowers and candles carpeting the bank of the Grand Canal close to where Ashling Murphy was killed, women throughout Ireland are reacting in shock and grief. The National Women's Council of Ireland will be holding a vigil for the 23-year-old teacher outside Dail Eireann later today. From 4-5pm in Dublin, the NWCI has encouraged people to bring flowers and candles while wearing face masks gathering in a socially distanced manner, to remember Ms Murphy. Ashling Murphy was a primary school teacher in Tullamore, Co Offaly. "Ashling Murphy was killed yesterday when she was on a jog, in broad daylight. There has been a huge outpouring of grief and support across Ireland for Ashling and her family," the NCWI said. "...At 4pm, around the time Ashling was killed, we will hold a vigil to remember Ashling and to support all who knew and loved her. "Women must be safe in our homes and our communities. Join us and call for an end to men's violence against women." In Cork city, a walk will take place to honour the memory of Ms Murphy. People are encouraged to meet at 9.30am at the Atlantic Pond (Pairc Ui Chaoimh side) and loop back along the Marina. We are all deeply saddened by the tragic loss of Ashling Murphy. Join us this Saturday in Cork city to walk in her memory. It is time for change, make the streets safe! 9.30am at the Atlantic Pond ( Pairc Ui Chaoimh side) and loop back along the Marina. #aislingmurphy pic.twitter.com/SEIm3hn2N0 Susan Huggins (@s_shuggs) January 13, 2022 In Limerick, Social Democrats Councilor Elisa O'Donovan has said a vigil will take place on January 14 "to remember her and all who have died by gender-based violence." Those wishing to attend are to meet at 6pm at Arthur's Quay Park in the city and are asked to wear a face mask and bring a candle. In memory of Aisling Murphy there will be a vigil tomorrow at 6pm in Arthurs Quay Park to remember her and all who have died by gender-based violence Please wear a mask and bring a candle pic.twitter.com/Yojn9Ea3E7 Cllr Elisa O'Donovan (@elisaodonovan) January 13, 2022 A Book of Condolences has also been opened in Limerick, where Ms Murphy went to college. It is available on Limerick.ie and will remain open for seven days. The book will then be collated and forwarded to her family. Daniel Butler, Mayor of the City and County of Limerick, said that her death is a huge tragedy and a senseless killing. The outpouring of grief following her murder shows how well loved and respected she was in her local community and further afield, including in Limerick where she studied in Mary Immaculate College. In Waterford, there will be a vigil at the Peoples Park at 6pm. People attending are asked to adhere to current Covid guidelines. In Galway, Comhaltas na Mac Leinn at NUIG will be holding a vigil in Eyre Square tonight at 6pm. Candle Lit Vigil We will be holding a candle lit vigil from 6pm tonight at the fountain in Eyre Square against gender based violence and in memory of Ashling Murphy from Tullamore Please join us if you can #EndGenderBasedViolence #Galway pic.twitter.com/YOZaL58pAt Comhaltas na Mac Leinn, OE Gaillimh (@NUIGSU) January 13, 2022 List of planned vigils for Ashling Murphy Several hundred people have attended a vigil in memory of Ashling Murphy in Galway last night. The crowd gathered at the Browne Archway at the top of the public plaza. Many brought flowers and candles to commemorate the 23-year-old teacher, who was murdered in Tullamore on Wednesday. Nationwide, more vigils are taking place today and in the coming days. A vigil held by the National Women's Council of Ireland for the 23-year-old teacher outside Dail Eireann, Dublin, on Friday from 4-5pm. A walk will take place in Cork city, to honour the memory of Ms Murphy, at the Atlantic Pond (Pairc Ui Chaoimh side) and looping back along the Marina, on Saturday from 9.30am. In Limerick, a vigil will take place at Arthurs Quay Park on Friday from 6pm. In Waterford, there will be a vigil at the Peoples Park on Friday from 6pm. In Clonmel, people will gather at the Main Guard on Friday from 6pm. In Carlow, people will gather at The Fountain on Friday from 6pm A vigil will also take place in Tullamore, at Tullamore Town Park on Friday from 4pm. Many other events are also scheduled. There is a certain relief in making it to the second week of January. The battle cry to live your best life that awful, goading phrase has subsided and the grand auld stretch in the evenings is visible at last. Its not that new years resolutions arent seductive. Who doesnt want to shimmy out of last years skin and step into a new one? The urge to work towards a personal ideal is always strong at this time of year. Add in a still-with-us pandemic and theres a risk of reaching fever-pitch discontentment. Thats why it makes sense to keep it simple. My personal motto for 2022 is this: More humans, less tech. There wont be any living outside the box, either, just living outside. Its a fitting resolution at a time when the outside is in, if you will. We know that Covid-19 has less chance of doing its worst in the open air, and we have been asked to live accordingly. Restaurants, bars, and cafes responded with impressive speed. Witness the surge in outdoor dining over the last two exceptional years. Hats off to those business owners who showed such flexibility and inventiveness by reacting so quickly to a new reality. Cork City Council CEO Ann Doherty visiting the new outdoor-focused streetscapes on Caroline St in Cork, following the initiative of local businesses and the installation of Failte Ireland-funded infrastructure to boost outdoor hospitality in the city. Picture: Darragh Kane A special nod to the customers who supported them, too. Who would have imagined that wed embrace the outdoor terrace with the ease of a Parisian boulevardier, albeit one in a woolly hat? There really is no such thing as bad weather, just inappropriate clothing. Its been an eye-opener to watch people cup their hands around a hot cappuccino and adapt with such flair. Its a big plus in my book, and I hope the outdoor terrace is here to stay. For one thing, it provides a much-needed meeting point between the built and natural environment. Yes, terraces often look out on to busy, car-choked streets, but it has been really inspiring to see how businesses have carved out havens of natural calm amid the concrete. We should take a leaf out of their book and do all we can to seek out the natural in the year ahead. It has faded from memory a little now, but recall the early days of lockdown when we became aware, as if for the first time, of the natural world around us. It was as if the pandemic offered us a portal into what might be possible if we were more connected to nature. An inspirational webinar In a sense, all that ails us in the modern world can be explained by the breakdown in our relationship with the nature. I heard Martin Brown the author of Future Restorative: Working Towards a New Sustainability make that point starkly during a fascinating webinar on the benefits of connecting buildings, people, and nature. By the time you're sitting at your local outdoor cafe or bar, you're only a few steps away from the true wilderness, whether you choose beach strolls, hill walks, or forest bathing. Consider the climate emergency, the ecological crisis, and a global mental health epidemic: Our relationship with nature unites all of them, said Brown. He is a sustainability provocateur a job title for our times if ever there was one who uses his background in construction to look at ways of improving modern buildings and workplaces. If you havent heard the terms biophilia the innate human instinct to connect with nature or biophilic design, let us hope that this is the year they enter the vernacular. In essence, biophilic design aims to bring the outside in, by designing buildings that connect people with nature and, in the process, increases wellbeing and productivity. We talk about smart cities and the internet of things, says Brown, yet we rarely talk about the internet of nature and how engaging with nature can improve the way we are doing things in buildings. Biophilia in the workplace is a secret resource. Europeans and Americans spend a staggering 90% of their time indoors, according to studies, so it makes sense to think of ways to bring buildings and the people in them closer to nature, a proven source of wellbeing. In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks, US naturalist John Muir wrote in 1887. Now we have scientific analysis to show the absolute truth of that. Research consistently shows that time in nature is good for mind, body, and spirit. It improves wellbeing and boosts creativity yet, as Grainne Bagnall design thinker, forest-bather, and organiser of the aforementioned webinar points out, nature is rarely considered in the design of most physical work spaces. Grainne Bagnall points out that nature is rarely considered in the design of most physical work spaces. Maybe now is the time to upend that? File picture: Michael O'Sullivan Its time to start talking about changing that. And what better time to take stock than now, when the world of work has been overturned. At the start of the pandemic, the numbers working from home were in single figures. Now, everyone, with few exceptions, has spent time in the boxroom staring into Zoom in the gloaming. It is generally accepted that the future of work will be some sort of hybrid model, with people working from home for part of the week and in the office for the remainder. The focus up to now has been on the benefits and drawbacks of both, but its time to widen that conversation to talk about the workplace itself. Bringing the outdoors inside Roisin Byrne, a nature-based landscape architect, has talked about the need to start a conversation advocating for change. Bringing nature into the workplace will uplift us and those around us, she says. Our environment certainly shapes our thinking and our behaviour, but we can also shape our environment. The seismic shifts that have taken place over the last year prove that. Maybe its time to take a step back and remember those early lockdown conversations about the joy of rediscovering birdsong, or recall those turns around the local park during the 2km limit and the realisation that natural beauty was right on our doorstep. Remember, too, how good it felt to experience the rush of fresh air in our lungs after hours of screen time. If the kind of respect for the natural world that was rekindled during various lockdowns had always been to the fore in our built world, we might not be facing a climate crisis or other ecological disasters now. If that is too much to contemplate in the early days of January, just edge towards change by bringing a little bit of the outside in, and turning the inside out, so to speak. Go on, poke your nose out into the fresh winter air. See you there, on the terrace. Interview Myanmars Revolution Against the Junta Will Definitely Succeed Dr. Tayzar San leads an anti-junta protest in Mandalay, April 10, 2021. / The Irrawaddy Tayzar San, a 33-year-old doctor and librarian, is one of the military regimes most wanted people and has been hunted by the junta for many months. But despite being in hiding, Tayzar San continues to carry out his mission of eliminating military dictatorship from his motherland. The junta issued an arrest warrant against him in April on an incitement charge and offered a 10 million kyats reward for information leading to his arrest, the retribution he anticipated since the moment that he decided to get involved in the anti-coup movement. Three days after the military takeover, Tayzar San led the first anti-coup demonstration in Mandalay, Myanmars second city, when many others in the country were still hesitant to take to the streets. Holding a megaphone at the front of the march, the doctor with the skinny frame boldly challenged the generals who had seized power in the February 1 coup and called for the release of Myanmars detained elected leaders. His defiance helped spark larger rallies in the following days and weeks. The opposition to the coup later became a nationwide revolutionary movement against military rule, prompting the coup leaders to admit that they hadnt expected such resistance to their putsch. Tayzar Sans efforts in organizing and leading anti-regime activities led to him being awarded South Koreas June Democratic Uprising Award, named after the 1987 uprising that led to South Koreas democratization. Before the coup, Tayzar San worked as a volunteer doctor at charity clinics and opened a free library with his friends in Mandalay, as well as organizing training for civil society groups. The coup turned him into determined activist devoted to resisting the junta. Regime forces have attempted to arrest him multiple times during demonstrations, as well as raiding and destroying his home and his native village in Sagaing Region. When the junta raided his home in Mandalay, they seized everything from his daughters toys to photographs and his book collection when they couldnt find him. Tayzar San has been in hiding since he began to organize protests against the military regime. He has not seen his parents, wife and daughter for 11 months now. Every person involved in the revolution would face the same more or less. Some people have even given their lives, while some are in prison or have disappeared, and some striking civil servants have been fired, said Tayzar San. Today, Tayzar San continues to organize protests and to encourage citizens to continue the fight against military rule. He is also involved in the National Unity Consultative Council (NUCC), an anti-regime coalition for policy guidance for the parallel National Unity Government (NUG) that is leading efforts to lay the groundwork for the creation of a federal democratic union. Nearly one year on from the coup, the protest leader is optimistic about the progress of the revolution. From the Civil Disobedience Movement, which sees civil servants refusing to work for the junta, people boycotting products from military-backed businesses and services and refusing to pay taxes, to armed resistance and persistent street protests, the peoples revolution is moving forward and staying strong, said Tayzar San. Tayzar San shared his views on the peoples revolution, the current situation and what the future holds in this recent interview with The Irrawaddy. You began protesting against military rule three days after the coup. How is the situation now different from a year ago? People including myself took to the streets from early February to show that we didnt accept the militarys coup. What is different from then is that the belief that our revolution will definitely win has become stronger, and that it couldnt be more certain that the coup has failed. The last year has proved that people from all walks of life totally reject the military takeover. They have demonstrated that in different ways and continue to do so. The terrorist military regime is unable to govern our people and they cannot control us. The junta has tried to suppress the opposition movement with violent crackdowns, arrests, torture and killings. But the resistance of the people has stayed strong. Why is that? Because this revolution is very strong, decent and meaningful. People see this revolution as the final battle to root out the terrorist military that has brought disaster to the country for over seven decades. We dont want the next generation to experience the same suffering that we and prior generations have experienced. The country should finally be totally free from that. And that is why we believe that it is worth even sacrificing our lives in this final battle. So no matter the regimes use of lethal force, brutal crackdowns, torture and violence, we will never relax or back off from this revolution. The more they oppress us, the more we will rise. Are you satisfied with the progress of the revolution? I am. I would say that it is very satisfying. Because our people are facing the worlds most cruel, and repressive dictator alone with their strength. They [the regime] have tried by force to run its administrative mechanism but have still failed. We also have the NUG and the Committee Representing Pyidaungsu Hluttaw (CPRH), which represent the people, and the NUCC was also formed as a symbol of national unity with the publics support. In all our history, this is the time when the people have been the most united. At the same time, the terrorist regime is isolated abroad. We need only to continue to try and knock out this terrorist military regime. What can we expect for Myanmar this year? We expect and believe to reach a turning point in 2022, a vital historic milestone. This is because we believe in the power of the people. The people have proved that the terrorist militarys takeover is a failed coup. This year will stand as a turning point in the revolution to end their takeover, I will also try my utmost for the revolution. What you would like to tell the people about how to achieve victory? My number one priority is to all the people. Yes, victory takes time and we have had to make huge sacrifices. However, no matter what, I would like to urge the people to do anything they can for this revolution with the same unbowed and iron spirit that they have showed in the past year. And it is important that organizations like the NUG, CRPH and NUCC be more united and balanced and take a better lead in the revolution. I would also like to urge those leaders and resistance groups based in ethnic areas to step up the revolution. The people are the key. If our people dont relax and continue to participate in the revolution this year, we will see the results we want to see in 2022. The regime has talked about holding a new election and reforming the electoral system, as well as holding talks with some political parties. What is your opinion of that? Ah, there is nothing special when it comes to that. People know already which parties and individuals are attending the regimes meetings and what their backgrounds and true colors are. The terrorist military will try various ways to extend its dictatorship and the people wont be fooled by that. What you would like to say to the international community? I always say that the key to the peoples revolution is the people. For the international community, they need to understand well that the terrorist regime doesnt represent the Myanmar people. They are just war criminals. There is no reason to recognize this military regime as a legitimate government. The international community should also help in establishing truth and justice and holding the regime accountable for its crimes against humanity, and should also help to bring the punishment that the military regime deserves. On our side, the international community can be assured that we will continue to march until we reach our goal. I would like to urge the international community to do its utmost to support the revolution. You may also like these stories: Junta-Linked Company in Bid to Take Stake in Telenor Myanmar Myanmar Junta Chiefs Exclusion From ASEAN Summit a Huge Blow to Regime Myanmars Civilian Finance Minister Calls on Public to Voluntarily Pay Tax Burma Cambodia Forced to Put Off ASEAN Meeting as Foreign Ministers Pull Out The ASEAN logo is seen at the Putra World Trade Centre in Kuala Lumpur on Aug. 3, 2015 ahead of the blocs foreign minister meetings that year. / AFP Cambodia has gotten off to a rough start as the current holder of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)s rotating chair, having been forced to postpone indefinitely a regional foreign ministerial meeting it had planned to host next week. It was to be the first high-level summit held under its chairmanship this year. The two-day ASEAN Foreign Ministers Retreat (AMM Retreat) was scheduled to be held in Siem Reap on Jan. 18. However, a spokesperson for the countrys Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation said on Wednesday the event was postponed due to the difficulty for many ASEAN foreign ministers to travel to join the meeting, according to state-run media outlet AKP. The spokesperson made no mention of rescheduling the meeting, and did not specify who had experienced difficulty joining the meeting. ASEAN is a Southeast Asian regional bloc comprising 10 countries including Myanmar. The postponement came a few days after Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sens much-criticized visit to military-ruled Myanmar last week. He became the first foreign leader to meet the countrys coup leader Min Aung Hlaing, who has killed more than 1,400 people for opposing his takeover last February. Myanmar has been a thorn in the regional blocs side since the military coup. Last year, in an unprecedented move, ASEAN excluded the junta leader from several summits for his failure to honor peace agreements he made with the group, causing divisions among members over how to deal with Myanmar. Hun Sens unilateral visit to Myanmar last week, and his vow to bring the country back into the ASEAN fold, have caused unease among member states. His meeting with Min Aung Hlaing has borne little fruit so far. For all the coup leaders promises to implement a ceasefire in the country, the junta has remained on the offensive, launching a slew of airstrikes in ethnic armed group-controlled areas in Karen State in the countrys south, and in civilian resistance strongholds upcountry. The most notable achievement of Hun Sens trip was to become the first visiting foreign leader to face widespread denunciation from the people of the country, who fear that his visit as ASEAN chair will confer legitimacy on the regime. Observers found it strange that many ASEAN foreign ministers suddenly and simultaneously had difficulty attending the AMM Retreat. Some interpreted the difficulty as embarrassment on the part of many ASEAN foreign ministers at the prospect of sitting at the same table with the Myanmar regime-appointed foreign minister, Wunna Maung Lwin. Cambodia had not officially announced plans to invite him, but many believed he was likely to attend given Hun Sens claim that he would bring Myanmar back into the ASEAN fold. If Wunna Maung Lwins expected presence was the cause of the difficulty that forced the meetings postponement, it could be seen as a collective attempt by ASEAN to demonstrate its displeasure at the chairmans engagement with the coup leader, who has been killing his own people. On Thursday, UN Special Envoy for Myanmar Noeleen Hayzer said she was willing to work with Cambodia on resolving the conflict in Myanmar during her meeting with Hun Sen via a videoconference. She said she was pleased with the immediate action taken by the prime minister, given the urgency of the issue. Hayzer was appointed as special envoy in October after her predecessor Christine Schraner Burgeners tenure expired without any significant progress having been made. The new envoy has a record of warm relations with Myanmars previous military regime and its proxy government. Her commitment on Thursday to work with Cambodia to find a solution to Myanmars crisis sounds interesting and deserves a wait-and-see approach. Hopefully, the duos future efforts on behalf of the country wont have other ASEAN leaders scrambling to find some difficulty preventing them from attending the blocs summits. You may also like these stories: Regime Airstrike Destroys Hospital in Lower Myanmar Junta Chief to Preside Over Myanmars First Grand Military Review in Seven Years Resistance Fighters and KIA Clash With Junta Forces in Northern Myanmar Burma Military Junta Administrators Quit After Armed Groups Death Threats The juntas administration appears to be unravelling in Sagaing Region. More than 50 ward and village administrators in Sagaing Township have resigned following death threats from a resistance group. Zeyar Nyi Naung Guerillas warned military-appointed administrators in the capital of Sagaing Region to quit by Jan. 30 or face consequences, according to residents. The group threatened to kill administrators still in post, regardless of where they hide. A Sagaing administrator, who asked for anonymity, said: Around 20 staff have submitted resignations to the chairman of the township administration body this month. I dont know if their resignations were accepted. They fear for their safety. Most resignations come from village and village-tract administrators, the source said. The resignations follow the murder of two village administrators, an administrators wife and daughter, two alleged military informers and two alleged members of Pyu Saw Htee, a militia trained and armed by the military. A Sin Myay villager said: Two military informants were allegedly killed by Zeyar Nyi Naung last week. Because of those killings, a Pel Ngar Sel villager, who is allegedly a military informer, went round his village with a loudspeaker saying he was neither an informant nor administrator. Most resignation letters to the General Administration Department apparently cited health reasons. A Nyaung Bin Wun villager said: It is good they resigned. Nothing is more important than life. Even the regime troops are increasingly being attacked and the administrators cant expect protection. They are probably also being pressured by their families. Sagaing has 34 urban wards and 76 village tracts. By Tuesday, more than 50 ward and village administrators and lower-level, 100-house officials have resigned. Sagaing resistance groups have stepped up attacks on junta-appointed administrators and military collaborators to break the juntas administrative mechanism. They have also increased mine attacks on military convoys. In response, the regime has tightened checks on roads, raided villages, torched houses and used airstrikes, displacing thousands of civilians in Sagaing, with junta troops increasingly deployed in villages. You may also like these stories: Cambodia Forced to Put Off ASEAN Meeting as Foreign Ministers Pull Out Regime Airstrike Destroys Hospital in Lower Myanmar Junta Chief to Preside Over Myanmars First Grand Military Review in Seven Years Burma Myanmar Junta Expands its Intelligence Operation Coup leader Senior General Min Aung Hlaing (left) and former spy chief Khin Nyunt in Yangon in December 2021. / Cncds Myanmars military has expanded its spying department, dividing it into two units separately overseeing northern and southern Myanmar, according to sources from the Myanmar militarys Naypyitaw headquarters. Officially known as the Office of the Chief of Military Security Affairs (OCMSA), the juntas intelligence operation is a military apparatus mainly responsible for suppressing political dissidents. Since it was first founded as the Directorate of Military Intelligence in the 1960s, the office has always functioned as a single unit. Now the office has been expanded into an Upper Myanmar Office and a Lower Myanmar Office. The Lower Myanmar unit will be headed by Major General Aung Kyaw Kyaw, who was promoted from the rank of Brigadier General and was formerly an assistant adjutant general at Naypyitaw military headquarters. The Upper Myanmar unit will be headed by Major General Kyaw Kyaw Lwin, who was also promoted from the rank of Brig-Gen and was previously serving in the OCMSA. The intelligence office, which was commonly known as MI, or military intelligence, became powerful under General Khin Nyunt following the military takeover in 1988. Dubbed the Prince of Evil, Khin Nyunt, who is now suffering Alzheimers disease, became notorious for masterminding deadly interrogations and the persecution of hundreds, if not thousands, of Myanmars pro-democracy activists. He locked up many dissidents in the countrys most remote prisons. Many of them died in detention due to the lack of proper medical treatment, among other reasons. As well as performing all the usual intelligence functions, the office also played a key role in Myanmars political, economic and social life, as well as its international relations. Even high-ranking military officers had reason to fear the sergeants from MI, as they were authorized to spy on the military itself. The growing influence of MI exacerbated tensions between Khin Nyunt and other members of Myanmars then junta, which led to his downfall in 2004. MI was purged and replaced by the OCMSA. Primary responsibility for internal security was shifted to the Myanmar Police Special Branch. The authority of the military intelligence unit became more limited and, as a result, its intelligence capabilities were severely weakened. A former military intelligence officer said coup leader Senior General Min Aung Hlaing has expanded the office solely to create positions for his proteges. The military is barely attracting new recruits at the moment, and [the expansion of the intelligence office] will not help to improve its capabilities, he said. Snr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing has recalled former military intelligence officers to give him advice as his regime desperately needs intelligence to suppress the nationwide resistance movement. Former intelligence officers have revealed that, following the coup, the regime approached Khin Nyunts former subordinates, who are now in their late sixties and seventies, for assistance in various areas. That included liaising with international contacts such as former United States (US) Congressman Bill Richardson, who flew to Myanmar in November last year to secure the release of detained American journalist Danny Fenster. Richardson, a former US diplomat, has remained in touch with both the current regimes advisers and Khin Nyunts former fellow intelligence officers. Former high-ranking intelligence officers Khin Maung Thein, Ngwe Tun and Thein Swe have traveled to Naypyitaw to assist the regime. Khin Maung Thein, a former ambassador to Japan, is known to be close to Richardson. Ngwe Tun, a former lieutenant colonel, attended the Defense Services Academy with the coup leader, served in the Navy and subsequently joined the intelligence unit after receiving training in the US in 1987. He is now reportedly a full-time consultant for the military regime. Brigadier General Thein Swe attended the Defense Services Academy with former President U Thein Sein and served in the Directorate of Defense Services Intelligence. Later, he served as military attache in Bangkok and was a close aide to Khin Nyunt. In his heyday, the former brigadier general ran the Myanmar Times newspaper with his son Sonny Swe, who went on to launch the Frontier Myanmar magazine, of which he is the CEO. Last December, Snr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing visited Khin Nyunt at his Yangon home. Currently, Lieutenant General Ye Win Oo serves as the Chief of Military Security Affairs, with Major General Toe Yi serving as his deputy. You may also like these stories: Military Junta Administrators Quit After Armed Groups Death Threats Cambodia Forced to Put Off ASEAN Meeting as Foreign Ministers Pull Out Regime Airstrike Destroys Hospital in Lower Myanmar We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! A 12-year-old Florida boy has earned two world records for catching a 58-pound fish last fall from a dock near his home, according to a news report. Nicholas Fano, 12, of Palm City has been recognized by the International Game Fish Association, Treasure Coast Newspapers reported this week. Advertisement After a 40-minute fight, the seventh-grader caught the huge crevalle jack while enjoying a day of fishing with a 13-year-old friend in Bessey Creek, which is about 100 feet wide. 2-for-1 #WorldRecord! #PalmCity 12-year-old, Nicholas Fano caught this #BEAST 58lb #jackcrevalle in his backyard on 30lb braid & 20lb leader, breaking #records in the Junior #Angler & Line Class categories. Dad, Dennis Fano Jr., says Im so proud of my boy. So proud.#fishing pic.twitter.com/kXeMSHaSI5 Florida Sportsman (@FL_Sportsman) January 10, 2022 I just threw a bait out to see what would happen. When the fish hit, it started taking out the line, but slowly at first, Fano told the newspaper. Advertisement The boy now holds both the 50-pound class mens world record and the junior world record. The previous junior record was a 38-pound fish caught in Palm Beach in 1998, Zachary Bellapigna, angler record coordinator for the IGFA, told the newspaper. After netting the jack and bringing it to shore to measure and weigh it and take photos with it, the boys released it back into the water. Nicholas called his dad, who wasnt home at the time, to tell him of his feat. His dad said he didnt realize how significant the catch was until he mentioned it to a friend, who remarked: That sounds like it could be a world record. Most crevalle jacks are only about 3 to 5 pounds, and rarely weigh in at over 20 pounds, according to the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission. Ithaca, NY (14850) Today Cloudy skies. Slight chance of a rain shower. High 71F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Overcast with rain showers at times. Low 53F. Winds SSE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 60%. This unique climate has also revealed the importance of predictive analytics as being critical in helping businesses anticipate disruption and identify new markets. By blending historical or first-party data with external signals and third-party data, businesses can better predict trends and plan for more accurate scenarios. Predictive analytics and intelligence capabilities are revolutionising the way businesses operate and supercharging the ability for business to plan in a connected way. Taking data use to the next level through predictive analytics is a non-negotiable for businesses in 2022. It will be the superpower in the c-suite tool kit during unprecedented times. But to do so, businesses need to start with upskilling their team, ensuring the company culture is ready and maintaining good quality accurate data sets. Data centric company culture In many cases, businesses are sitting on mountains of data not being used to its full potential. Beyond having the right data analytics tools in place, having the right talent is a crucial puzzle piece in unlocking this data. Businesses should be investing in upskilling tech teams to be well versed in AI-driven analytics. As we gear up for 2022, which is likely to continue to be volatile and unpredictable, having these skills in a businesses arsenal will be crucial. Being data-savvy does not just extend to the IT team, it is also the role of the wider organisation and leadership team, especially in light of the job shortages facing Australia. This means ensuring your company has a data centric culture where employees feel confident in using data to inform decisions will be critical. In addition to the right skills, businesses will need access to high quality data. Part of achieving this means fostering a company culture that does not limit access and sharing of data across the organisation. Understanding what data lives in silos in different departments in the organisation is a crucial first step in predictive analytics. Being able to blend this internal data what you know with third-party signals what you dont know will not only help you uncover new opportunities for growth, but will give you a more accurate and holistic view of the future of the business so you can make more strategic decisions.Leveraging third-party data and insights is particularly important in todays dynamic environment where consumer behaviours are shifting at a rapid clip and unprecedented events from floods and fires to a global pandemic can make even the most well-thought-out plans irrelevant in a matter of minutes. Just think about the impact predictive analytics could have for a supply chain leader today as they navigate volatility across their network from sourcing to logistics. With predictive analytics, supply chain leaders can digitally model their entire network and then leverage external signals like weather data and consumer trends to predict potential points of failure, forecast more accurate demand, and ensure their supply chain is agile enough to pivot if and when unplanned disruption occurs.From mitigating the risk of fraud to identifying new market opportunities, predictive analysis has so many use cases. For businesses in 2022, predictive analytics will supercharge planning. Today, planning often sits in separate parts of the organisation and acts as a box tick item at the start of every year or quarter where businesses leverage historical company data to make best guess estimates about the future. With predictive analytics, businesses will be able to pull data from HR, sales, finance, and supply chain software to one centralised place, then marry that data with third-party data and external signals like weather data, consumer trends, etc. to predict potential outcomes and better anticipate points of failure within their operations. This will equip businesses with a more accurate view of the future, and will ensure they are prepared to make quick, informed decisions with confidence as needed.Predictive analytics is revolutionising the way businesses and government bodies operate. For example, recently, an Australian telco organisation has been using predictive forecasting and continuous, agile scenario modelling to help better understand customer incidents. The advanced AI and machine learning capabilities have allowed them to understand the network incidents by customer demographic, improved its forecasting of network incidents and assured remediation work based on seasonal weather patterns to offer faster maintenance.Another great example of predictive analytics in action is with US based cybersecurity organisation, Extrahop . The company was exclusively targeting large enterprises, but sensed that there was a big opportunity in the mid-market and wanted to expand their go-to-market strategy. To get a sense of the opportunity, Extrahop took internal data and augmented that information with AI-enriched, third-party data to give them a more actionable, holistic view of their total addressable market. This gave them the confidence to go after a new market resulting in a 3.8x larger average deal size across segments.Data has been the top item on the business agenda list for years now but as we move into 2022 the real challenge for businesses will be moving beyond historical data and harnessing external data sources to drive more predictive planning and decision making. In fact, the predictive analytics market size is set to grow to US$21.5 billion by 2025, at a compounded annual growth rate of 24.5%. With businesses still facing so much uncertainty, making informed decisions by combining company data with external insights and signals will be the golden ticket in 2022. Global shipments of PCs reached 341 million units in 2021, the technology analyst firm Canalys reports, adding that the final quarter recorded shipments of 92 million units, a million more than the corresponding quarter in 2020. The 2021 full-year figure was a rise of 15% on the previous year, an increase of 27% over 2019 and the highest since 2012. In revenue terms, the shipments for 2021 brought in US$250 billion (A$20.6 billion) compared to US$220 billion in 2020, an increase of 15%. Canalys senior analyst Ishan Dutt said 2021 was a watershed year for the PC market, given the fact that devices were at the centre of work, learning and leisure. For the market to post double-digit growth over an impressive 2020, despite the constant cloud of supply constraints, speaks volumes about how strong PC demand has been over the last 12 months," he said. "Taking a long-term view, the most important developments in 2021 were the large increases in PC penetration and usage rates. PCs are now in the hands of both young students and older family members, while ownership of two or more PCs per person has become more common in developed markets. "Since the onset of the pandemic, a larger than normal proportion of PCs shipped have been new additions to the installed base rather than replacement devices, especially in areas such as education and remote work. "This has set the stage for continued success for the PC industry as there is no turning back from how embedded they are in our day-to-day lives. Lenovo was the top brand in 2021 with 82.1 million units, an increase of 13.1% on 2020, despite shipments for the final quarter slipping by 6.5% to 21.7 million units. HP was second with global shipments of 74.1 million units, 9.5% up year-on-year, while Dell recorded shipments of 59.3 million units, an increase of 18%. While 2021 was the year of digital transformation, 2022 will be the year of digital acceleration, said Canalys principal analyst Rushabh Doshi. Demand for technology has boomed in the past two years, the effects of which continue to disrupt the supply chain, affecting not just availability of PCs, but also smartphones, automobiles and servers. "As PC vendors navigate an ever more complicated situation, consumer spending patterns are shifting. We will see revenue growth in the industry from spending on premium PCs, monitors, accessories and other technology products that enable us to work from anywhere, collaborate around the world and remain ultra-productive. "The importance of faster, better, more resilient and more secure PCs has never been greater, and the industry is willing to innovate and push the boundaries to keep this momentum going. Canalys includes notebooks, workstations and desktop units in its definition of PCs. Intelligent identity solution provider Ping Identity has appointed Sydney-based clean data specialist Ascention as a new value added reseller and managed service provider in Australia. Ping Identity says the appointment will enable it to expand its regional footprint to meet the growing demand for passwordless identity security solutions and services among large enterprise and public sector agencies. According to Ping Identity at the same time, it will further expand its presence in Australia by expanding its channel and enabling it to reach new touchpoints with Ascentions strong foothold in Federal Government agencies. Ping Identitys public sector customers already include the Queensland Department of Education and Service New South Wales. Under the deal, Ascention will integrate the Ping Identity Zero Trust, passwordless identity-defined security solution with its Citizen360 solution which offers government agencies a unified view of all citizen touchpoints with all the services involved in citizen relationships. This unied view is created by aggregating the data an agency captures about its citizens and their interactions, across multiple channels and from different data sources. Dan Cox, CEO, Ascention, says, We are the market leaders in clean data and were looking to complement our existing portfolio of solutions with a market leader in identity management and to integrate that vendor solution into our flagship Citizen360 solution. At the same time, working with the Federal Government to build the Citizen360 application, we required an identity security solution able to provide a more personalised, streamlined user experience. We were impressed with Ping Identitys credentials as a Gartner Magic Quadrant Leader as well as its passwordless and consent out of the box functionality and its ability to incorporate biometrics. Ping Identity was a perfect fit as it integrates with TIBCO with whom we have an existing partnership to support unlocking the value of our clients data assets. Ping Identity says Ascentions reputation has been built on driving quality outcome-based solutions for its clients complex projects through knowledge and delivery in data governance, data management and shared data assets. The company will resell Ping Identity as part of its data management solution in a multi-SaaS tenanted offering. Robert Cipriani, APAC Channel Alliances Manager, Ping Identity, said, We always aim to select expert partners who can deliver customer success. Ascention has an incredible track record in working with customers to ensure data is actionable and can support their organisational governance and risk requirements. We look forward to supporting our joint customers to enable them to derive profitable outcomes from clean data and are pleased to strengthen our growing presence in Australia with the addition of Ascention to our regional partner network. In addition to targeting the public sector, Ascention will also work with Ping Identity to target a range of vertical markets including aged care, law enforcement, higher education and emergency response. Ping Identity will also provide Ascention with sales training, certification programs and marketing resources, with the company also benefitting from access to Ping Identitys partner portal which delivers support in sales readiness, channel enablement, and technical training that can be accessed at anytime from anywhere. In Ping Identity, we found an organisation that will integrate the power of its identity valuation power into our offering moving into 2022 and deliver the promise of secure digital technology and customer empowerment. We look forward to building a mutually beneficial business relationship in the years ahead, says Cox. A hotel chain in Europe has switched its computers to Google's Chrome OS after it was hit by Windows ransomware. In a statement, Nordic Choice Hotels, which operates some 200 hotels in Nordic and Baltic countries, said its existing PCs had been converted to Google's CloudReady platform which included Chrome OS. The hotel chain said it had been hit by ransomware in December which had made all its PCs unusable. But since guests were both coming and going, the company decided on what it described as an agile approach and switched one of its properties to Chrome OS in less than 24 hours. Over the next two days, 2000 computers in 212 hotels in five different countries were converted to run Chrome OS. Kari Anna Fiskvik, vice-president Technology at Nordic Choice Hotels, said: :We already had an ongoing pilot project initiated by one of our co-workers who came up with the proposal to convert our existing Windows PCs to CloudReady. "We wanted to upgrade a large part of our computer fleet, but by converting them we could save both cost and greenhouse gas emissions, as well as increase the security level in the company. "So when we suddenly had to deal with the cyber attack, the decision to go all in and fast-track the project was made in seconds." The statement said this had enabled the company to recover from the ransomware attack much quicker than if it had reinstalled Windows. "Put simply, we cleaned all the computers and installed Googles CloudReady instead," said Fiskvik. "Both from when the project started last spring, but especially during the cyber attack, weve received enormous help from Google and their Norwegian partner Devoteam, ensuring we easily and efficiently could make the switch as quickly as possible and get our hotels back online when we were attacked." This Week in Review A weekly review of the best and most popular stories published in the Imperial Valley Press. Also, featured upcoming events, new movies at local theaters, the week in photos and much more. Christian Kjaer, co-founder of The ElleVet Project, holds Bellarina, a 10-week old Chihuahua-terrier mix, after treating her at the Christian Service Center in downtown Orlando Thursday. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel) Bellarina is only 5 pounds soaking wet, but the 10-week-old Chihuahua-and-terrier pup managed to be the center of attention Thursday in a busy crowd at Orlandos Christian Service Center. Oh, what a sweetheart! said a woman stopping by for a free shower and laundry services. Can I pet her? Bellarina cocked her head and lifted one ear, as if to signal approval. Advertisement The center typically bustles with people seeking help for housing, healthcare and other aid, but for two days this week it is also the source of a free mobile veterinary clinic for pets whose owners are homeless. Bellarina, like many of the four-legged patients, was there for a check-up, vaccinations and flea medication. Advertisement For many homeless people, the pet is the only family they have, said Christian Kjaer, co-founder of The ElleVet Project, a national nonprofit based in Maine and now making its way around the country. The pet gives them some mental stability, it gives support, it gives joy. By helping the pets, you help the homeless. Launched early in the COVID-19 pandemic, it is the philanthropic arm of Kjaers ElleVet Sciences a science-based company marketing pet products with cannabidiol and cannabidiolic acid, the active ingredients in medical marijuana. Given the impact of the pandemics shutdown on an already vulnerable population, Kjaer said he saw the ElleVet Project as a critical way to make a difference. Last year, it treated 3,000 pets. Many of the homeless will feed their pets before they feed themselves, he said. The nonprofit provides vaccinations; flea and tick prevention; wound care; treatment of skin, eye and ear issues and healthy food. It never turns away a sick pet. If an animal needs surgery, Kjaer said, he will refer to a local veterinary hospital and cover the bill. Breaking News As it happens Be the first to know with email alerts on important breaking stories from the Orlando Sentinel newsroom. > Typically, the project relies on local volunteers to help care for patients. On Thursday, that was Winter Park veterinarian Jacki Bert, who was already coming to the Christian Service Center on her own each month to treat dogs and cats of the homeless. Her first patient was a softshell turtle. Kjaer has also seen donkeys and chickens. But most of the pets are dogs and, less often, cats. These are people who are often literally on the street because they cant find a [homeless] shelter they can go to with their pets, Bert said, noting that Orange Countys domestic violence shelter, Harbor House, is a rare exception. We want to try to reach as many of them as we can. Advertisement Her teenage son served as a volunteer assistant as Bert delivered a syringe of vaccine to a squirming Bellarina. The dog was ultimately pronounced healthy and returned to her owner, Troy, a 32-year-old woman who didnt want to give her last name. The pup was a gift from a friend, she said. I was going to take her to the vet when I saved up enough money, Troy said. But they wanted $55, and Im also trying to save for a place to live. So that would have been a deal-breaker. Im really just so grateful. The clinic continues Friday from 8 a.m. until noon at the Christian Service Center, 808 West Central Blvd. in Orlando. For more information, go to ellevetproject.org or call 1-844-947-4871. ksantich@orlandosentinel.com Besides the 2,750 students that will be assisted by the program, the CDFA grant will allow the specialized training of 330 Next Gen Ag Workforce professors within four years of launch, Western Growers said. COURTESY PHOTO The U.S. Treasury Department imposed sanctions Wednesday on five North Koreans it alleges are responsible for securing goods for Pyongyang's weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missile programs. The sanctions, following six ballistic missile launches since last September, target North Korea's "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 Korea's "latest missile launches are further evidence that it continues to advance prohibited programs despite the international community's 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. The Orlando Sentinels excellent reporting by Jason Garcia and Annie Martin on ghost candidates and Scott Maxwells columns on the same subject exemplify what newspapers are about. The so-called ghost candidate dirty trick is yet another reason why we are witnessing the end of our democracy. Dark money and gerrymandering are also spoiling the political process. All three must cease if we are to continue with the current system. Advertisement Choice Edwards. (Courtesy of Choice Edwards.) Political parties herd their voters into a silo and prevent any intrusion from the party line, and neglect candidates other than those chosen by the political party. Unfortunately, if a worthy idea comes from the opposition, to party leadership it is not worth the time to examine and perhaps embrace. In todays United States of America, unfortunately, the political opposition is viewed as the enemy perhaps even the enemy of the state, but certainly not the loyal opposition of bygone years. Voters from the other party are often viewed as vile, in their minds, as foreign interference. Advertisement If Florida progressed to open primaries, either using the Top Two system or Ranked Choice, the disruption caused by write-in candidates would be severely curtailed if not totally eliminated. As shown in the recent scandals at the state level, write-in candidates can undemocratically close the primary election to more than half the electorate when there are no opposition candidates. Ghost candidates siphon votes cast by duped and uninformed voters. The people lose and the party bosses prevail. They consider they are doing Gods work. Heaven forbid the primary be open to all duly registered voters. Political Pulse Weekly Get latest updates political news from Central Florida and across the state. > In an open primary scenario, each and every legally elected voter can vote in each election without having had to join a private concern (a political party, good or bad) in order to exercise the right of citizenship to vote. I have no opposition to citizens joining any organization that represents their interests. I am opposed to their ability to affect election outcomes by precluding some potential voters from casting a ballot, especially in primaries. This is voter suppression, and at the time when it has its greatest impact. Private political parties should not be preempting the state governments high-quality election apparatus that in recent elections, especially in 2020, were exemplary in the prevention of massive fraud by rank-and-file voters. In our democratic republic, political operatives need to better understand the desires of the voting American citizen and present ideas, programs and candidates that will follow the expressed will of the people rather than to thwart the majority and kowtow to the minority of political thought. Clearly the majority of citizens do not want a return to the 1950s, and we absolutely want this awesome country to continue unabated to a future that brings evolutionary progress. When the people have no vision, they perish. When the people lack progress, they perish. When democracy fails, the people perish. Florida, open our primaries now. Choice Edwards, who served in the Indiana General Assembly, lives in Clermont. Johnson City, TN (37604) Today Scattered clouds with the possibility of an isolated thunderstorm developing this afternoon. High 84F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 30%.. Tonight Variably cloudy with scattered thunderstorms. Low 62F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%. Airports next leader will be humble and hungry Self-awareness is the most important attribute of any successful leader. Does he/she know of their weaknesses? A quick test: if you think you are not self-aware, you probably are. If you think otherwise, you probably are not. Advertisement Which brings us to the future flourishing of the greatest economic engine of our Central Florida community: Orlando International Airport. And who will be our next CEO, replacing the sizable and well-worn shoes of Phil Brown (Orlando airport CEO search down to 4, Jan. 8)? Advertisement My colleagues and I held exhaustive interviews, narrowing down the list of candidates. Of the handful remaining, all show a keen understanding of their limitations. This is not typical when dealing with the world of CEOs and their all-too-often gargantuan senses of selves. Rest assured, as our process continues to unfurl, that you will have an extraordinary leader. All of our candidates are hungry to see MCO leap to the front of greatest airports in the world. Humble and hungry, thats what youll be getting. John L. Evans Winter Park John L. Evans is a member of the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority. Idea to videotape teachers is laughable The GOP proposal for videotaping teachers to make sure they are not brainwashing students (Scott Maxwell: Videotape teachers? Lets track lawmakers instead, Jan. 13) is so absurd and laughable that maybe it could even signal a future course correction toward sanity in Tallahassee. Even todays political marketplace cant hold on to such extremes. In this era of lies, misinformation, unethical lobbyists and legal investigations, who does the public trust more: teachers or elected officials? Political Pulse Weekly Get latest updates political news from Central Florida and across the state. > Teachers are already videotaped and observed far more than most other professionals, so many might say to buy the cams and turn em on! There are certainly many lessons in science, history, government, economics, communication, and facts vs. opinion to be learned. Rebecca Sickles Orlando Advertisement Insurrectionists, protesters should all feel shame I was glad to read that some of the scores of rioters arrested on Jan. 6, 2021, at the U.S. Capitol are so ashamed to have been a part of the riot (So ashamed that I was a part of that, Jan. 4). Good example. Im still waiting for similar sentiments to be expressed by those whose actions have destroyed hundreds of small businesses in Minneapolis alone and brought suffering to innocent residents of inner cities across the nation sometimes reported as mostly peaceful demonstrations by the media. Barbara Anderson Winter Park Abortion restrictions save lives, too In William Higgins Jan. 13 letter to the editor, he points out a distinction between the Supreme Court justices consideration of abortion restrictions after 15 weeks and COVID-19 vaccine mandates. He claims that the latter would save thousands of innocent lives. It is interesting that saving innocent lives is what the entire pro-life movement is all about. Joseph Hurley Casselberry Volunteer Bill Lawrenson holds a handmade quilt auctioned off by auctioneer Duke Edwards at the 10th Annual Diamond and Pearl Extravaganza at Heritage Hall in Inwood. The event benefitted The Friends of the Norwalk Foundation as well as Relay for Life of Berkeley County. TALLAHASSEE After years of trying, Florida lawmakers are on the verge of significantly restricting access to abortion with Gov. Ron DeSantis signaling his support and conservatives in control of both state and federal high courts. Abortion bans have failed in the Florida Legislature in recent years, but signs point to a different outcome this session, which convened Tuesday. Advertisement State legislators are considering a bill that would ban most abortions in Florida after 15 weeks of pregnancy with no exceptions for rape or incest. Abortion is presently legal through the 24th week of pregnancy in Florida. Anti-abortion groups see 2022 as the year to act. Advertisement Roe v. Wade, the landmark U.S. Supreme Court case that established a constitutional right to abortion, is on shaky ground. Floridas state Supreme Court is solidly conservative with DeSantis appointees filling three of the seven seats. [ RELATED: DeSantis calls Florida the freest state, attacks federal government in address ] Republican politicians who control Tallahassee will face voters later this year in elections. Abortion likely will be at the forefront with the U.S. Supreme Court expected to deliver a decision over the summer on Mississippis 15-week abortion ban. That law, which lower courts have blocked from taking effect, served as the model for Floridas proposal. Oral arguments suggest the high court will uphold Mississippis law, said Elizabeth Nash, who tracks state abortion policy for the Guttmacher Institute, which supports abortion rights. For a long time, abortion has been an issue that has ginned up the conservative base and now even more so because we have a solidly anti-abortion U.S. Supreme Court, she said. Two influential GOP state lawmakers state Sen. Kelli Stargel, R-Lakeland, and state Rep. Erin Grall, R-Vero Beach filed Floridas anti-abortion legislation. They appear to have the backing of Floridas key political leaders. DeSantis called a 15-week ban very reasonable and signaled he would sign it. Senate President Wilton Simpson and House Speaker Chris Sprowls have also embraced the proposal, stressing their opposition to abortion. State Sen. Kelli Stargel, R-Lakeland, is leading efforts to ban most abortions after 15 weeks in Florida. (Phelan M. Ebenhack/AP) The proposal (SB 146/ HB 5) includes an exception for serious medical emergencies or if a fatal fetal abnormality is detected. Advertisement The Senate version has been assigned to two committees, while most bills get at least three committee hearings. The House version is scheduled to be heard by three committees. Another bill modeled after Texas six-week ban has been filed. That proposal, though, hasnt gotten traction in Florida. Texas law relies on citizens to enforce it by suing abortion providers. John Stemberger, president of the Florida Family Policy Council, said he favors an outright restriction on abortion, but a 15-week ban would still mark a significant victory for anti-abortion groups. If this passes, it will be the most comprehensive, robust pro-life bill protecting unborn children in Floridas history post-Roe, said Stemberger, an Orlando attorney. Supporters of abortion rights are vowing to fight, but Democrats have little power in the Republican-controlled Legislature. State Rep. Anna Eskamani said Floridians dont want their access to abortion restricted, and she is hoping to mobilize public opinion to derail the ban. The Orlando Democrat worked for Planned Parenthood before being elected. Advertisement There is no such thing as a reasonable abortion ban, she said at a rally outside the Capitol. There is nothing reasonable about taking away my rights, getting between me and my doctor and my God and my family and making decisions about my pregnancy. State Rep. Anna Eskamani, D-Orlando, speaks at a rally outside the Florida Capitol protesting a proposed 15-week abortion ban. (Skyler Swisher) In October, more than 1,000 protesters shut down streets in downtown Orlando as part of a national womens march against abortion restrictions. Florida has taken a softer stance on abortion than its Southern neighbors, making it a destination for women from other states seeking medical care, Nash said. If Florida limits abortion, it will have consequences beyond its borders, she said. Meanwhile, anti-abortion voters will be watching what the governor and Legislature do, said Lynda Bell, president of Florida Right to Life. DeSantis is widely seen as a possible presidential contender in 2024, and abortion is a key issue for conservative voters. Its time to act, Bell said. The pressure is on. Political Pulse Weekly Get latest updates political news from Central Florida and across the state. > A 20-week abortion ban failed to pass the Florida Legislature this past year, and so-called heartbeat bills that ban abortion at about six weeks of pregnancy have also stalled. The state Constitution includes a right of privacy that the state Supreme Court has used in the past to strike down abortion restrictions. Advertisement But todays court has a different ideological makeup than it did in 1989, when justices struck down a law requiring teenage girls to get their parents consent for an abortion. In 2020, the Florida Legislature approved a similar parental-consent law that is now on the books. [ RELATED: Over 1,000 demanding access to abortion shut down downtown Orlando streets ] The landmark Roe v. Wade decision in 1973 said states could not ban abortions before fetal viability, which is now considered to be about 23 to 24 weeks. Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization, the case involving Mississippis abortion law, focuses on whether fetal viability should be the standard on how far states can go in limiting access to abortion. Last year, 68,449 abortions were recorded in Florida, according to statistics kept by the Agency for Health Care Administration. The vast majority 64,345, or 94% were done during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. Floridas abortion debate will be watched nationally as it plays out during the legislative session, which ends on March 11, Nash said. The impact of it will be felt far and wide, she said. sswisher@orlandosentinel.com Living Reporter and Theatre Critic Tim covers leisure and arts, and he is also a theater critic. He interned for the JI in 2015, and was hired in 2016. Tim graduated from UConn, Central College of McPherson, Kansas, and American Musical & Dramatic Academy. His favorite movie is "Jaws." A German court will hand down a landmark verdict Thursday on whether a former Syrian colonel is guilty of crimes against humanity as the first trial worldwide over state-sponsored torture in Syria comes to a close. Anwar Raslan, 58, faces life in jail if convicted of overseeing the murder of 58 people and the torture of 4,000 others at the Al-Khatib detention centre in Damascus, also known as Branch 251, in 2011 and 2012. He sought refuge in Germany after deserting the Syrian regime in 2012. This trial is very important for Syrians because it examines very serious crimes that continue to be committed today, said Syrian lawyer Joumana Seif. Raslan was put on trial in April 2020 along with another lower-ranking defendant, Eyad al-Gharib, accused of helping to arrest protesters and deliver them to the detention centre. Gharib was sentenced to four and a half years in prison last year for complicity in crimes against humanity, in the first verdict worldwide over torture by Syrian President Bashar al-Assads government. The court in the western German city of Koblenz then noted a widespread and systematic attack against the civilian population since Syrias civil war began with a brutal crackdown on protests in March 2011. The case against the two men was brought using the legal principle of universal jurisdiction, which allows offences to be prosecuted even if they were committed in a different country. Other such cases have also sprung up in Germany, France and Sweden, as Syrians who have sought refuge in Europe turn to the only legal means currently available to them. In another prominent case in Germany, the trial of a former Syrian doctor charged with crimes against humanity is due to open next week. Fists, wires and whips The chief prosecutor in the Raslan trial, who has noted Germanys historical responsibility to judge such crimes, quoted a Holocaust survivor in his closing speech. Raslan worked for 18 years in the Syrian secret services, where he rose through the ranks to become head of the domestic intelligence investigation service, according to a German investigator who testified at the opening of the trial. Prosecutors say he oversaw rape and sexual abuse, electric shocks, beatings with fists, wires and whips and sleep deprivation at the prison. More than 80 witnesses, including 12 regime deserters and many Syrian men and women now living across Europe, have taken the stand to testify. They have reported flogging, electric shocks, cigarette burns and blows to the genitals. Some say they were hung by the wrists, with only the tips of their feet still touching the ground. One man testified about mass graves that he was responsible for cataloguing. Some witnesses have hidden their faces or appeared in disguise, fearing consequences for their surviving relatives in Syria, while other victims have been too afraid to come forward at all. I hope we were able to give a voice to those who are deprived of it in Syria, Wassim Mukdad, a former detainee who testified in the trial, told AFP. I want justice to be done, he said. Regret and compassion Images of dead Syrians smuggled out of the country by Caesar, a defector who had worked as a photographer for the Syrian military police, have also been used as evidence in the trial. However, the prosecution said in a closing statement that of the 58 deaths cited on the charge sheet, only 30 could be proven. Raslan has remained silent throughout the trial but said in a statement through his lawyers that he had neither beaten nor tortured prisoners and had never acted inhumanely. They said he did not and would not condone the abuses committed by the Syrian regime and felt regret and compassion for all the victims. Raslan has never attempted to hide his past and told police about his time in Syria in February 2015 when he sought police protection in Berlin. In a sign of the significance of the trial, the verdict will be simultaneously translated into Arabic. According to the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitoring group, at least 60,000 people have been killed under torture or as a result of the terrible conditions in Assads detention centres. More than 6.6 million Syrians have fled their country as a result of the conflict, according to the UN refugee agency. I have only four days to answer all the lies against the Iranian people, Hamid Noury said in Stockholm District Court on November 23. This is the first time the 60-year-old has spoken, three months after his trial began. Accused of war crimes including torture and inhuman treatment and murder, the former Iranian prison official is alleged to have played a significant role in summary executions carried out in the summer of 1988 in several prisons in Iran. From July to September 1988, on the orders of Ayatollah Khomeini, the spiritual leader of the 1979 Islamic revolution, thousands of prisoners former sympathizers of the Islamo-Marxist Peoples Mujahedin organization or left-wing political activists were executed after a summary judgment handed down by death committees made up of a clerical judge, a prosecutor and a member of the intelligence services. In Gohardasht prison, near Tehran, at least 600 to 700 people were killed in the space of three months, according to Swedish prosecutor Kristina Lindhoff-Carleson. And it is in this prison that Hamid Noury is said to have officiated as an assistant to the representative of the prosecutor and, in this function, participated in the selection of prisoners sent before the death committee. The former civil servant dismisses these accusations completely. His lawyers got authorization for him to first give evidence without contradiction, before being questioned by the prosecutors. He not only denies his involvement, but also implies that the massacres themselves did not take place. Fictional and fabricated During the last quarter of 2021, there was a succession of witnesses and victims in court. In early November, the court also travelled to Durres, Albania, to hear six civil parties and several witnesses. These members of the Peoples Mujahideen now live in the new city of Ashraf 3, where several hundred of them found refuge in 2013, after leaving Iraq, where they had become persona non grata following the fall of Saddam Hussein. There, they live in suspense, waiting for the fall of the Mullahs. Exiled without refugee status, the witnesses in Hamid Nourys trial cannot leave Albania for lack of a passport, explains their lawyer Goran Hjalmarsson. The Swedish court therefore went to them. In Stockholm and Durres, some told of their detention, of torture, of death row, and of fellow detainees who were taken away and never seen again; others told of their relatives who were arrested and disappeared, of the silence of the Iranian administration, and of the absence of a grave to mourn over. Noury listened carefully to all these testimonies. He is very serious [during the hearings], notes Goran Hjalmarsson, one of the lawyers for the civil parties. He takes notes, he compares the testimonies in court with those given to the police. He really wants to prove they [the witnesses] are lying. And when the court finally gave him the floor on November 23, the former official denounced fictitious and fabricated stories, reports AFP. When we go into the details, we see that they do not hold. I will put an end to 33 years of lies, he assured the court. For if Nourys speech is political, patriotic in the extreme vis-a-vis the regime, the accused denies having participated in anything, saying he was not even present in Gohardasht that summer. Traumatic memory and the passage of time From the beginning of the trial, the question arose as to whether the 60-year-old man was the man the witnesses were talking about. In the Iranian prison, Noury worked under the pseudonym of Hamid Abassi. To remove any ambiguity, the prosecutors presented the judges with a screenshot of a message sent by the accused to an official at Evin prison in Tehran, signed Hamid Noury/Abassi. At the end of November 2021, the accused did not deny having used this pseudonym. What he denies is that he was an employee of the prison of Gohardasht in 1988. It was in Evin prison that he worked that year, he says, a job for which he described himself as talented, declaring that he always showed courtesy to the inmates. As for what supposedly happened during that fateful summer, he could not have participated because he was on vacation at the time, he maintains. He can deny, but we have dozens of witnesses who recognize him without any doubt, replies Hjalmarsson. This is traumatic memory, images, events that cannot be forgotten, even if you wish you would. For their part, defence lawyers believe that the passage of time casts doubt on the credibility of the testimony implicating their client. Who could have imagined that? Iraj Mesdaghi is certain of his memories, saying Noury is indeed the man he met many times in the corridors of Gohardasht prison in 1988. A former supporter of the Peoples Mujahedin, the 61-year-old writer and human rights activist spent a decade in Iranian jails before fleeing his country and seeking refuge in Sweden. He returned to Iran in 1979 after years of exile in the United States to participate in the great upheaval of the Islamic Revolution. Like many Iranians, Mesdaghi believed that the fall of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi would put an end to the dictatorship. This hope was quickly dashed by the violence of the new regime. The activist then became close to the Peoples Mujahedin, former allies of Khomeini who had become virulent critics of the government. In the summer of 1981, after a big demonstration and the death of 72 people in an attack attributed to the Mojahedin by the government thousands of people were arrested, including Mesdaghi. Sentenced to 10 years in prison for sympathy with the organization and refusal to cooperate with investigators, he went from one prison to another, from cell to torture room. In summer 1988, he was in Gohardasht prison. On the first day of the executions, I was in solitary confinement, says the 60-year-old. They came to take me, along with the others in solitary cells and they took us to a corridor. We didnt know at the time, but we were the first group to be taken to the court, the death committee. The prisoners waited, blindfolded. A prison official asked what they were doing there, who brought them, complaining that he was not consulted. Because he wanted to show his authority, he sent us back to our cells. We didnt go to the committee that day. If we had, we would all be dead, states Mesdaghi in a calm voice. We would have been sent to the committee, where they would have asked questions and we would have answered as usual, without imagining at the time our answers would send us to death. Who could have imagined that? That night, from the barred windows of his cell, Mesdaghi saw guards over-excited by something going on behind a wall. We realized later thats where the executions started. Then they were transferred elsewhere, in the prison amphitheatre. The crime archivist During the following weeks, the prisoner and his comrades gradually guessed what was happening. Fellow prisoners were taken away and never seen again. Food rations became more abundant. There was that guard who one day, while waiting in the corridor, Mesdaghi saw coming back from the amphitheatre carrying the personal belongings of detainees taken away earlier and that no one would see again. And there was the cheerful look of the prosecutors representative in Gohardasht, a man named Nasserian, whose real name is Mohammad Moghiseh, and his assistant: Hamid Abassi/Noury. That one, Mesdaghi says he is sure of his real name. He got it, he says, from a fellow prisoner who was taken to be beaten. During the torture, Nourys identity card fell, and my friend was able to see his name. He told me as soon as he was brought back to our cell, after being put in solitary confinement, says the former prisoner. Mesdaghi is also certain that it was this man, now in the dock, that he met again and again in the corridors of Gohardasht. He remembers seeing him coming back, smiling, from the amphitheatre, distributing cakes and sweets to the prisoners lined up on death row as if he wanted us to join the party. When Mesdaghi tells what happened that summer, he becomes animated and sometimes laughs nervously as he recounts the horror. In the living room of his apartment in the suburbs of Stockholm, he shows us maps of the prison to show exactly where he was, when he was there, and how he could have witnessed this or that scene. He fetches a traditional Iranian towel, a long woven strip similar to the one each inmate had in prison, and blindfolds himself with it to show how, through the threads, he could observe without the guards suspecting he was seeing. His account is an infinite profusion of details, of precise explanations, sometimes making us feel dizzy. Four times Mesdaghi was sent before the death committee, and four times he escaped, partly by cunning and partly by luck. Thirty-three years later, he is still surprised. Released in 1991, he fled with his family through the mountains, towards Turkey and then, they hoped, towards the United States. But his wife, sick, was hospitalized in Turkey, needing treatment. The United Nations High Commission asked Sweden for an emergency humanitarian visa on their behalf, and Sweden accepted them. Since 1994, the family has been living in the suburbs of Stockholm, on the Baltic coast, thousands of kilometres from their country of origin. But the past still haunted them. Mesdaghi has spent the last 30 years documenting the 1988 massacres that the Iranian state continues to deny, with articles, books, an autobiography and detailed plans. When asked why such an obsession, he answers simply: Because I am alive and my friends are not. He has spent his whole life trying to let people know what happened. I hoped, but I didnt really believe there would be a real trial one day. That is why I went to the Iran Tribunal [court of opinion on the 1988 massacres whose sessions were held between 2007 and 2012 in London and The Hague]. The trap In autumn 2019, Mesdaghi received a text message from an unknown person who said he had read his work. I know someone you know, the mysterious correspondent wrote, leaving his phone number. The activist called him immediately. On the other end of the line, the man, who introduced himself as Heresh and lives not far from Stockholm, asked him, If I send you a picture, could you tell me who it is? Mesdaghi immediately recognized the man in the image sent via Whatsapp and replied, This is Hamid Noury, aka Hamid Abassi. The two men agree to meet the next day. Heresh is Nourys son-in-law. He lives in Uppsala, not far from Stockholm, near his estranged wife and daughter. A family dispute about his daughters future had led him to look into Noury, with whom relations had become increasingly difficult. This research led him to Mesdaghis work and to the discovery of the dark past of the man who was his father-in-law. Mesdaghi realized that he had an unhoped-for opportunity to lure Noury to Sweden to be tried for his crimes under universal jurisdiction. The two men set up a trap. Heresh wrote to his ex-father-in-law, claiming to have changed his mind and wanting to make amends. He proposed to pay for a plane ticket to Sweden so that they could talk and even booked a stay in southern Europe to entice him. Meanwhile, Mesdaghi went to London to meet up with lawyer Kaveh Mousavi, an acquaintance of his, and his colleague Rebecca Mooney, as well as a friend, documentary filmmaker and Iranian refugee Nima Sarvestani. Together with two other victims, they set up the basis of the legal case and contacted the Swedish lawyer Hjalmarsson. The complaint was filed and prosecutor Kristina Lindhoff-Carleson opened an investigation. A few days later, on November 9, 2019, Noury landed at Arlanda Airport in Stockholm, and was arrested by the police as he got off the plane. Noury is certainly not Ebrahim Raissi the current Iranian president, who is suspected of having been a member of one of the death committees when he was a deputy prosecutor in Tehran in 1988. Noury was not a member of these committees. But when asked about the former prison officials alleged responsibility, Mesdaghi shakes his head. Noury may not have had the authority to take the decisions himself, but he really tried to get involved in the selection of the people who would be executed and to give information to the committee about us. Everybody who went to the court had two dossiers a formal, administrative one about the investigation, the sentence etc., and the other one was about the activities in prison. The second one was prepared by Nasserian and Noury. That is how Noury had a very active role in the executions, says the former prisoner. The trial is expected to continue to April 2022. A German court on Thursday sentenced a former Syrian colonel to life in jail for crimes against humanity in a landmark first global trial over state-sponsored torture in Syria. Anwar Raslan, 58, was found guilty of overseeing the murder of 27 people at the Al-Khatib detention centre in Damascus, also known as Branch 251, in 2011 and 2012. He sought refuge in Germany after deserting the Syrian regime in 2012. Prosecutors had accused him of overseeing the murder of 58 people and the torture of 4,000 others at the detention centre, but not all of the deaths could be proven. The defendant, wearing a green winter jacket and listening to the verdict through headphones, remained emotionless as his sentence was read out in court. More than 80 witnesses, including 12 regime deserters and many Syrian men and women now living across Europe, took the stand to testify during the trial, with around a dozen also attending the verdict. The presiding judge said they deserved full respect. Syrian activists gathered outside the court on Thursday holding banners and posters with slogans such as where are they? referring to their relatives who have disappeared in Syrian detention centres. Raslan was put on trial in April 2020 along with another lower-ranking defendant, Eyad al-Gharib, who was accused of helping to arrest protesters and deliver them to the detention centre. Gharib was sentenced to four and a half years in prison last year for complicity in crimes against humanity, in the first verdict worldwide over torture by Syrian President Bashar al-Assads government. Systematic attack The court in the western German city of Koblenz at that time noted a widespread and systematic attack against the civilian population since Syrias civil war began with a brutal crackdown on protests in March 2011. The case against the two men was brought using the legal principle of universal jurisdiction, which allows offences to be prosecuted even if they were committed in a different country. Other such cases have also sprung up in Germany, France and Sweden, as Syrians who have sought refuge in Europe turn to the only legal means currently available to them. In another prominent case in Germany, the trial of a former Syrian doctor charged with crimes against humanity is due to open next week. The chief prosecutor in the Raslan trial, who has noted Germanys historical responsibility to judge such crimes, quoted a Holocaust survivor in his closing speech. Raslan worked for 18 years in the Syrian secret services, where he rose through the ranks to become head of the domestic intelligence investigation service, according to a German investigator who testified at the opening of the trial. Prosecutors say he oversaw rape and sexual abuse, electric shocks, beatings with fists, wires and whips and sleep deprivation at the prison. Flogging, electric shocks Witnesses reported flogging, electric shocks, cigarette burns and blows to the genitals. Some say they were hung by the wrists, with only the tips of their feet still touching the ground. One man testified about mass graves that he was responsible for cataloguing. Some witnesses have hidden their faces or appeared in disguise, fearing consequences for their surviving relatives in Syria, while other victims have been too afraid to come forward at all. I hope we were able to give a voice to those who are deprived of it in Syria, Wassim Mukdad, a former detainee who testified in the trial, told AFP ahead of the verdict. I want justice to be done, he said. Images of dead Syrians smuggled out of the country by Caesar, a defector who had worked as a photographer for the Syrian military police, have also been used as evidence in the trial. Raslan remained silent throughout the trial but said in a statement through his lawyers that he had neither beaten nor tortured prisoners and had never acted inhumanely. They said he did not and would not condone the abuses committed by the Syrian regime and felt regret and compassion for all the victims. Raslan has never attempted to hide his past and told police about his time in Syria in February 2015 when he sought police protection in Berlin. According to the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitoring group, at least 60,000 people have been killed under torture or as a result of the terrible conditions in Assads detention centres. This trial is very important for Syrians because it examines very serious crimes that continue to be committed today, said Syrian lawyer Joumana Seif. Six Lithuanians who lost relatives during Moscows crackdown on the Baltic states independence drive filed a lawsuit against former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev on Thursday. The group initiated legal action 31 years to the day since the January 1991 assault, which killed 14 civilians and wounded over 700. In 2019, a Lithuanian court convicted dozens of Soviet-era officials of war crimes but the countrys prosecutors have refused to investigate Gorbachev, who was in power at the time. The refusal has angered those seeking justice for the crackdown. The civil lawsuit states that Gorbachev had control of the Soviet military, but failed to stop the international crime against Lithuanians seeking freedom after 50 years of Soviet occupation. It is clear that the actions of the military forces would not have been possible without coordination with Gorbachev, said Robertas Povilaitis, who lost his father. He said the war crimes trial was very important but without considering the responsibility of the top commander, justice is not complete. The January 13, 1991 assault on key buildings shielded by tens of thousands of peaceful independence supporters was part of failed Kremlin efforts to bring Lithuania to heel after its March 1990 secession from the Soviet Union. Lithuania won recognition from Moscow as an independent state in September 1991. Most of the 67 people convicted of war crimes in Lithuania for the assault were tried in absentia, including former Soviet defence minister Dmitry Iazov, who died in 2020. While several Lithuanian Soviet-era officials were jailed for their actions, other suspects have remained out of reach in Russia and Belarus. Ties between Russia and Lithuania, a nation of 2.8 million, have been rocky since independence, and notably since the Baltic state joined the European Union and NATO in 2004. WASHINGTON Floridas congressional Democrats Thursday asked Attorney General Merrick Garland to launch a review into whether there is a pattern of voter suppression in the state, based largely on a proposal floated by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis late last year. The letter to Garland was led by Rep. Val Demings of Orlando, a candidate for U.S. Senate, and comes amid a broader push by President Joe Biden to pass national voting rights legislation, which has stalled in the Senate since last year. Advertisement The letter, signed by all 10 Democrats currently in office, cites DeSantis proposal to establish a state office to investigate election crimes and to make ballot harvesting a third-degree felony. Unfortunately, Florida has seen a disturbing rise in partisan efforts at voter suppression. Proposed legislation would further criminalize standard get out the vote practices, making it a criminal act to, for example, notify a homebound voter of his or her option to request a mail-in ballot, the letter states. Advertisement In addition, there is a shameful attempt to reduce the number of drop boxes, particularly in certain precincts, and finally, the imposition of new deadlines on election supervisors to clean voting rolls, an all too familiar strategy to purge voters of color throughout the country. SB 90, which Florida passed last year, made it a crime for election supervisors to send voters unsolicited mail ballots, but it did not go as far as restricting them from notifying voters. Asked about the reference to such a policy in the letter, Demings office pointed to legislation in other states, including a new Texas law that restricts election officials from sending unsolicited applications for mail ballots. DeSantis office did not immediately respond to the lawmakers letter. Last year, state lawmakers made various changes to the states voting laws, including limiting the use of vote-by-mail drop boxes to early voting hours and outlawing the possession of two or more vote-by-mail ballots, an attempt to crack down on so-called ballot harvesting. Political Pulse Weekly Get latest updates political news from Central Florida and across the state. > Republicans and Democrats alike have relied on ballot harvesting where candidates or volunteers go door to door collecting voters mail-in ballots to turn out the vote for the past two decades. Four federal lawsuits challenging the bill are set to go to trial this month. Although Democratic lawmakers accused Republicans of suppressing the vote, most of the changes lawmakers made were administrative, and they never adopted more extreme proposals, including banning the use of ballot drop boxes outright. DeSantis is running for re-election this year and widely considered to be eyeing a presidential run in 2024, but hes been facing pressure from conservatives to audit the 2020 presidential election, which he has refused to do. Advertisement This year, he wants lawmakers to pass additional legislation including creating a new elections security office with 45 investigators, and making ballot harvesting a felony. Hes also said he wants to ban the use of ballot drop boxes. However, no legislation has been filed yet, and the states Senate president and House speaker did not endorse the ideas when asked about them this week. Floridas annual 60-day legislative session began Tuesday. A Department of Justice spokeswoman confirmed receipt of the letter, but she declined to say whether the agency planned to take up a review of Florida. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency The head of Human Rights Watch hailed as historic a German courts sentencing Thursday of a former Syrian colonel to life in prison for crimes against humanity in his war-ravaged country. In the first global trial over state-sponsored torture and killings in Syria, Anwar Raslan, 58, was found guilty of overseeing the murder of 27 people at the Al-Khatib detention centre in Damascus, also known as Branch 251, in 2011 and 2012. This is really historic, HRW executive director Kenneth Roth told reporters from Geneva, where he was presenting the organisations annual report when the news of the verdict dropped. Raslan had sought refuge in Germany after deserting the Syrian regime in 2012. Prosecutors accused him of overseeing the murder of 58 people and the torture of 4,000 others at the detention centre, but not all of the deaths could be proven. Raslan was put on trial in April 2020 along with another lower-ranking defendant, Eyad al-Gharib, who was accused of helping to arrest protesters and deliver them to the detention centre. Gharib was sentenced to four and a half years in prison last year for complicity in crimes against humanity, in the first verdict worldwide over torture by Syrian President Bashar al-Assads government. The case was brought using the legal principle of universal jurisdiction, which allows offences to be prosecuted even if they were committed in a different country. Roth said HRW had helped provide some of the evidence in the trial, maintaining that the torture and murder in custody that (Raslan) was convicted (of) was a key part of the modus operandi of the Assad government. He lamented that vetoes by Assads main ally Russia, as well as China, at the United Nations Security Council had blocked efforts to bring cases of alleged Syrian atrocities to the International Criminal Court. But in this situation, where the natural international institution of justice is unavailable, we dont give up, Roth said. He welcomed the fact that the UN had tasked an international prosecutor with gathering the evidence about war crimes and crimes against humanity in Syria, that could be used by national prosecutors in such cases. Germany is very much at the forefront of this, but other governments are joining as well, (getting behind) the idea that certain crimes are so heinous torture, war crimes, crimes against humanity that they can be prosecuted in any national court. A German court on Thursday sentenced a former Syrian colonel to life in jail for crimes against humanity in a historic verdict marking the end of the first global trial over state-sponsored torture in Syria. Anwar Raslan, 58, was found guilty of overseeing the murder of 27 people at the Al-Khatib detention centre in Damascus, also known as Branch 251, in 2011 and 2012. He sought refuge in Germany after deserting the Syrian regime in 2012. Prosecutors had accused him of overseeing the murder of 58 people and the torture of 4,000 others at the centre, but not all of the deaths could be proven. Presiding judge Anne Kerber said the Syrian regime had resorted to violence and the heavy use of munitions to suppress protests that erupted in March 2011. Victims held in the regimes detention centres were not only tortured but also starved and deprived of air in unsanitary, crowded cells where they could not sit or lie down, she said. Kenneth Roth of Human Rights Watch, which provided some of the evidence used in the trial, told reporters in Geneva the verdict was really historic. Systematic torture The court clearly and formally established inhumane detention conditions, systematic torture, sexual violence and killings in Syria, said Markus N. Beeko, head of Amnesty International in Germany. More than 80 witnesses, including 12 regime deserters and many Syrian men and women now living across Europe, took the stand to testify during the trial, with around a dozen also attending the verdict. Judge Kerber said they deserved full respect. Syrian activists gathered outside the court on Thursday holding banners and posters with slogans such as Where are they? referring to their relatives who have disappeared in Syrian detention centres. Raslan was put on trial in April 2020 along with another lower-ranking defendant, Eyad al-Gharib, who was accused of helping to arrest protesters and deliver them to the detention centre. Gharib was sentenced to four and a half years in prison last year for complicity in crimes against humanity, in the first verdict worldwide over torture by Syrian President Bashar al-Assads government. The case against the two men was brought using the legal principle of universal jurisdiction, which allows offences to be prosecuted even if they were committed in a different country. Other such cases have also sprung up in Germany, France and Sweden, as Syrians who have sought refuge in Europe turn to the only legal means currently available to them. In another prominent case in Germany, the trial of a former Syrian doctor charged with crimes against humanity is due to open next week. Amnesty Internationals Beeko said he expected further trials in Germany and other states to build on these findings in accordance with the principle of universal jurisdiction. Raslan remained emotionless as his sentence was read out in court, wearing a green winter jacket and listening to the verdict through headphones. Fists, wires and whips Prosecutors say he oversaw rape and sexual abuse, electric shocks, beatings with fists, wires and whips and sleep deprivation at the prison. Witnesses reported flogging, electric shocks, cigarette burns and blows to the genitals. Some say they were hung by the wrists, with only the tips of their feet still touching the ground. One man testified about mass graves that he was responsible for cataloguing. I hope we were able to give a voice to those who are deprived of it in Syria, Wassim Mukdad, a former detainee who testified in the trial, told AFP ahead of the verdict. Images of dead Syrians smuggled out of the country by Caesar, a defector who had worked as a photographer for the Syrian military police, were also used as evidence in the trial. Raslan has never attempted to hide his past and told police about his time in Syria in February 2015 when he sought police protection in Berlin. According to the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitoring group, at least 60,000 people have been killed under torture or as a result of the terrible conditions in Assads detention centres. This trial is very important for Syrians because it examines very serious crimes that continue to be committed today, said Syrian lawyer Joumana Seif. The life sentence handed down by a German court on Thursday to a former Syrian colonel for crimes against humanity in his war-torn country marks a landmark leap towards justice, the UN rights chief said. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet said the verdict handed to Anwar Raslan, 58, at the end of the first global trial over state-sponsored torture in Syria was historic. Todays verdict should serve to spur forward all efforts to widen the net of accountability for all perpetrators of the unspeakable crimes that have characterised this brutal conflict, she said in a statement. Raslan was found guilty of overseeing the murder of 27 people at the Al-Khatib detention centre in Damascus, also known as Branch 251, in 2011 and 2012. Prosecutors accused him of overseeing the murder of 58 people and the torture of 4,000 others at the centre, but not all of the deaths could be proven. This trial cast a much-needed, renewed spotlight on the kinds of sickening torture, cruel and truly inhuman treatment including abject sexual violence that countless Syrians were subjected to in detention facilities, Bachelet said. It is a landmark leap forward in the pursuit of truth, justice and reparations for the serious human rights violations perpetrated in Syria over more than a decade. The case was brought using the legal principle of universal jurisdiction, which allows offences to be prosecuted even if they were committed in a different country. This is a clear example of how national courts can and should fill accountability gaps for such crimes wherever they were committed, Bachelet said. This serves as a powerful deterrent and helps prevent future atrocities. There have been a number of other criminal and civil cases against former officials and non-state actors in various conflicts, brought in Germany and in a number of other European countries. The UN rights chief urged more countries to take advantage of universal jurisdiction and take on investigating and prosecuting serious rights abuses. Thursdays conviction, she said, has put state authorities on notice: no matter where you are or how senior you may be, if you perpetrate torture or other serious human rights violations, you will be held accountable sooner or later, at home or abroad. China is set to release its estimates for fourth-quarter and full-year gross domestic product (GDP) growth on Monday, at a critical economic and political juncture as President Xi Jinping seeks an unprecedented third term as head of party, military and government . The Politburo of the CPC Central Committee last month stressed the importance of stabilizing the economy and financial system real estate industry. But that does not indicate an intention to abandon the policies that have led Evergrande and other large developers to default. Striking a balance between stability and fiscal discipline will test Xis economic team, led by Vice Premier Liu He, in the coming months. Here are five things to look out for when launching. Will the quarter-on-quarter growth rate be close to zero or more than 1%? On a quarterly basis, Chinas economy grew only 0.2% in the first and third quarters of last year and 1.2% in the second quarter. The quarter-over-quarter data is a more accurate measure of the health of the economy compared to the same period last year, which fell and then recovered due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Full-year growth in 2021 should easily top the official target of 6%. But another low quarter-on-quarter figure will put pressure on Liu and the central bank, which he actually controls as chairman of the governments Financial Stability and Development Committee, to do more to boost growth. Does the outlook for the real estate industry continue to deteriorate or stabilize? Home prices in Chinas 70 largest cities fell 0.3 percent in November compared with October, the largest monthly decline in nearly six years. This is in line with Xi Jinpings promisecommon prosperityTo one of the most unequal distributions of wealth in the world. But if it falls too quickly, it could also have unintended economic consequences. The sector is estimated to account for more than a quarter of the economys total output. The woes in recent months were reflected in a slowdown in fixed-asset investment, which rose 5.2% year-on-year in the January-November period. That was slower than expected and well below the 7.3% year-to-date in September, when it became clear that leverage restrictions on developers in 2020 could push Evergrande to default. Is the partys zero coronavirus strategy sustainable or is it about to inflict unacceptable costs to the economy? Chinas export sector has performed strongly since the coronavirus was effectively brought under control in the first half of 2020. Periodic blockades of key manufacturing areas and large ports to curb local clusters have not dented the already strong overall export growth. But that could change, as the more contagious Omicron variant threatens to spark more lockdowns, and the housing downturn has dampened consumer sentiment. Retail sales rose just 3.9% year-on-year in November, well below consensus expectations for a 4.7% increase. admired This week, the provincial capital of Xian, with a population of 13 million, and two smaller cities were in complete lockdown. Two other large cities, Tianjin and Shenzhen, are implementing partial lockdowns to facilitate city-wide testing. However, the party is unlikely to relax its uncompromising stance on pandemic control until a party congress, likely in October or November, formally approves Xis third term. Chinas economy is under increasing pressure, will it lead to a stronger monetary policy response? The Peoples Bank of China cut its benchmark one-year loan prime rate for the first time since April 2020, but only by 5 basis points. It also didnt change the five-year benchmark used to price mortgages. The Peoples Bank of China prefers to use targeted RRR cuts to direct credit to favoured sectors of the economy such as agriculture and high-tech manufacturing, rather than the flood stimulus that would undermine its efforts to control in recent years high debt levels. Will Chinas population peak come sooner than expected? The Office for National Statistics is likely to publish its initial estimate of the countrys birth rate, or births per 1,000 people, for 2021. This fell from 10.5 the year before to 8.5 in 2020, the first time the ratio has fallen below 10. In 2020, Chinas birth population was 12 million, the lowest level in nearly 60 years. scotland news go through James Romoser 11:29 AM On Thursday, the Supreme Court sided with the federal government in a mysterious dispute over reducing Social Security benefits for certain members of the National Guard who are classified as both civilian and military members. in a 8-1 decision exist Babcock v The Maid, the court rejected the arguments of David Babcock, who worked as a dual-status technician from 1975 to 2009. In that position, he served as a test pilot and pilot instructor, and also served in the National Guard. After he retired, the government slashed his Social Security benefits by about $100 a month under a statutory rule known as the Windfall Elimination Rule, which reduces the amount of separate pensions based on certain employment types. benefits for retirees. Babcock received a pension for his work as a civilian technician, and the government concluded that the pension triggered the windfall elimination clause. Babcock argued that pensions fall under the exception to pension payments based solely on service as a uniformed service member. In Justice Amy Coney Barretts opinion, the court held that the exception does not apply to dual-status technicians like Babcock. Babcocks public servant pension payments do not fall under the Uniformed Service Exception of the Social Security Act because they are based on serving in his civil capacity, Barrett wrote. Justice Neil Gorsuch dissented. Check back later for an in-depth analysis of the comments. Having spent 10 years as a legal recruiter, Edina Beasley can count on one hand all the in-house attorneys she knows who have gone on a sabbatical. In the 19 years Kathryn Holt Richardson has been a legal recruiter, she hasnt worked with a single company that offered sabbaticals as part of its compensation package for in-house counsel. Subscribe to our podcasts on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or anywhere you get podcasts. TALLAHASSEE After high-profile disputes in various parts of the country about shuttering churches during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Florida Senate is poised to take up a proposal that would help prevent closures of religious institutions during future emergencies. The Senate Rules Committee on Thursday voted 13-1 to support a measure (SB 254) intended to shield in-person religious services from being shut down because of emergency orders. It is now ready for a vote by the full Senate. Advertisement Bill sponsor Sen. Jason Brodeur, R-Sanford, said religious institutions would still have to close if lockdown orders were applied to all businesses in a crisis such as a hurricane, but basically, if Target and Publix are open, so too should be the religious institution. Brodeur added that the proposal wouldnt preclude religious leaders from acting on their own to conduct services virtually. Advertisement Sen. Bobby Powell, a West Palm Beach Democrat who voted against the bill, said the state has a responsibility to protect people. There were a number of times that religious institutions decided to gather and the result of that caused many people their lives, Powell said. That being said, were stewards of the state. We do have a responsibility to always kind of move the state forward. In essence, a religious institution being within the state of Florida, thus authorizing them to buck the system by ignoring emergency orders, is not what I think were here to do. When pressed by Sen. Audrey Gibson, D-Jacksonville, about whether the measure would prevent religious leaders from requiring congregants to produce vaccination cards or wear masks to attend services, Brodeur replied, Theyre free to ask that. I dont know that they can legally require that. Gov. Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency on March 9, 2020, as the pandemic began to hit the state. Among the more than 50 supplemental coronavirus-related executive orders that DeSantis issued, one provided that certain essential businesses and establishments could operate at reduced capacities, including churches, synagogues and other houses of worship. The exemption came shortly after the pastor of a Tampa megachurch was arrested for holding two in-person church services in violation of a Hillsborough County ordinance prohibiting gatherings of more than 10 people. The charges were eventually dropped. A Senate staff analysis noted that by May 2020, when then-President Donald Trump called for the reopening of religious institutions, more than 90 percent of the institutions were estimated to have been closed to in-person worship. Lee Jung Jae details his 20-year friendship with the equally talented Jung Woo Sung during his appearance with tvN's "You Quiz on the Block." The "Squid Game" star said nothing but praise to his longtime friend and business partner. Lee Jung Jae Lauds his Celebrity Best Friend Jung Woo Sung The award-winning actor revealed that he and the "Padam Padam" star had been friends for over two decades since they both starred in the 1998 movie "City of the Rising Sun. Since then, the duo became inseparable and even started several businesses together. It includes the management agency Artist Company where both are the co-founders. During his interview with the variety show, host Yoo Jae Suk asked about his friendship with Jung Woo Sung. Lee Jung Jae mentioned that they usually talk about work and movies when they meet. Moreover, he also noted that they speak formally to each other as a sign of respect despite their decade-long friendship. Interestingly, the "Chief of Staff" star revealed a surprising detail about his fellow actor. He tells Yoo Jae Suk that he and Jung Woo Sung never fought in 20 years of their friendship and he lived right next to the 48-year-old actor's house. Talked about #BestFriendGoals. Jung Woo Sung and Lee Jung Jae Reunite in Upcoming Movie 'Hunt' After his record-breaking Netflix series, Lee Jung Jae is set to appear in an upcoming movie "Hunt" with Jung Woo Sung. The espionage action-drama film is also his directorial debut that depicts the story of two security agents, Kim Jung Do (Jung Woo Sung) and Park Pyong Ho (Lee Jung Jae.) This will be their first time reuniting and working together in a movie after many years. As for the award-winning actor on his directorial debut, Jung Woo Sung describes Lee Jung Jae as an amazing director. "Director Lee Jung Jae, who pays attention to every cut until the end, even though he is in a very tiring condition, was amazing. Especially since it was the role of Joo Gyeong, who assists Park Pyung Ho, the figure came closer. It was a happy time to be able to work with such great people," he said. "Hunt" successfully wrapped up its filming in November 2021 and will premiere sometime this 2022. Apart from the duo, "Hunt" cast includes "Squid Game" villain Ho Seung Tae, Ju Ji Hoon, Jeon Hye Jin and "Law School" actress Go Yoon Jung. IN CASE YOU MISSED: Jung Woo Sung Dating History: Get to Know His Past Relationships Including Lee Ji Ah and Zhang Ziyi Lee Jung Jae Nominated as Best Actor in the SAG Awards 2022 'Squid Game' mania continues to dominate Hollywood as the Netflix series earned four nods at SAG Awards 2022. It came after the complete list of nominees for the 28th Screen Actors Guild Awards was released with "Ted Lasso" and HBO's "Succession" leading the race with five nominations each. The annual ceremony will be held on February 27 at The Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, California and will be simulcast live on TNT and TBS at 8 p.m. EST. Lee Jung Jae was nominated for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series alongside Brian Cox, Kieran Culkin and Jeremy Strong of "Succession" and Billy Crudup of "The Morning Show." Meanwhile, runway model turned actress Jung Ho Yeon was also nominated for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series and will compete against Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon of "The Morning Show," Elisabeth Moss of "The Handmaid's Tale" and Sarah Snook of "Succession." KDramastars owns this article Written by Geca Wills With so much love for MBC's "The Red Sleeve Cuff" even after it ended, some viewers still hope for its season 2 with the same cast, particulary Lee Junho and Lee Se Young. For the record, MBC stood out again among the broadcasting companies in South Korea when "The Red Sleeve Cuff" aired in November 2021. Though the company did not expect the series would be a big hit, MBC gave the fans a satisfying experience in each episode. Behind-the-scenes videos and photos were also released, giving viewers a glimpse of what happens on the set if the cameras aren't rolling. 'The Red Sleeve Cuff' Achievements Apart from the people behind "The Red Sleeve Cuff," the drama itself insanely broke lots of records in the history of MBC. It was sold to more than 20 major countries such as America, Europe, Japan, and Taiwan before its much-awaited premiere in November. Furthermore, based on the report stated by Star News on January 6, "The Red Sleeve Cuff" recovered more than fifty percent of the 16-billion-won production cost for the 17 episodes. It happened through pre-sale in 20 foreign countries. In addition, according to Wavve on January 7, Lee Junho and Lee Se Young's drama has broken the record of the most simultaneous viewers on the said streaming platform. As of January 2 the series already achieved over 325,000 simultaneous viewers. They stole the crown from SBS' "The Penthouse" which had 316,000 simultaneous viewers. Its lead stars Lee Se Young and Lee Junho consistently topped the most buzzworthy actors list for six consecutive weeks while the drama itself maintained to be superior as No.1 spot as the most buzzworthy Kdrama for eight straight weeks until its last episode. The Friday-Saturday K-drama started with a humble viewership rating of 5.7 percent nationwide. Then, it finished with an impressive rating of 17.4 percent during the finale episode, which is also the first MBC drama that surpassed a 15 percent viewership rating after six years. The series has great significance as it is a successful work in Korea and abroad. "The Red Sleeve Cuff" team took home eight trophies during the 2021 MBC Drama Awards. With all these major achievements and new records, "The Red Sleeve Cuff" indeed deserves to have another sequel. 'The Red Sleeve Cuff' Season 2: Director Jung Ji In Looks Forward to the Story of King Jeongjo and Uibin Sung Above all, "The Red Sleeve Cuff" cast, especially Lee Se Young and Lee Junho, shared in their recent media interviews that they enjoyed working for the first time and that it made them want to reunite again in a new drama. Though some want to see them in a modern drama, director Jung Ji In mentioned in her first-ever interview that she looks forward to the story of King Jeongjo and Uibin Sung and is expecting that the story will come out in more detail over time. Hence, this gives hope to the viewers of the possible "The Red Sleeve Cuff" Season 2. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: 'The Red Sleeve Cuff' Director Jung Ji In Wants to Work Again with Lee Junho and Lee Se Young in a New Drama For more K-Drama, K-Movie, and celebrity news and updates, keep your tabs open here at Kdramastars. Kdramastars owns this article. Written by Shai Collins. Disney's Hollywood Studios visitors watch characters escape the final scene of 'Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular,' the live-action show that has returned after an absence of 22 months. (Dewayne Bevil / Orlando Sentinel) Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular is back at Disneys Hollywood Studios theme park after an absence of almost two years. The bulk of the stage show is the same as in the beforetimes, so my first re-viewing was part nostalgia, part Wait, did that happen before? Yes, there are some tweaks and changes in the new edition. Here are five takeaways, aside from wondering if todays kids are wondering who Indiana Jones is. Advertisement Having a ball The opening scene may be most riveting of any Walt Disney World attraction. Theres drama in the near-miss surprising spears, John Williams music, startling sound effects, sets and visuals as Indys double maneuvers through dangerous territory to snatch the golden idol. The segment is topped by the giant boulder and its perilous roll toward our hero. Kids of today were digging it. Advertisement We want to audience to gasp with excitement, show director Tom Vazzana said before the show reopened last month. Then theres comedy after the director yells cut and the big boulder is gently and easily rolled back uphill. We arranged the dialogue so that we could move more swiftly through the scenes and get to the stunts and show off our performers, Vazzana said. Putting on a show The show, which debuted in 1989, fits into the behind-the-scenes vibe that was cultivated at what was then known as Disney-MGM Studios theme park. The stunt show continues to demonstrate how movies are made, but it also acts like its making an actual movie, and it gets kinda meta. In the old days, there were attractions such as SuperStar Television, Monster Sound Show and Backstage Studio Tour, which also had making of messages. These days at Hollywood Studios, youre more likely to pretend that youre actually on the planet of Batuu, riding a runaway railway or shrunken down to the size of Andys toys. The Indiana Jones set remains formidable, and its fun to watch it be dismantled, exposed as fake and rearranged to reveal even more scenes while other elements are explained. There could be more transparency about whats real or how its done, in the way Lights! Motors! Action! show allowed sneak peeks. (Im looking at you, fiery truck crash.) We refreshed every facade during the downtime, Vazzana said. The set is is quite amazing. I mean it has tons and tons of machinery moving and safely ... Its almost a ballet back there with our tech team, he said. We have revitalized every vehicle on the show. Every set piece has been repainted. The marketplace has been replaced, the painted the fabrics have been repainted and we replaced all of the lighting and soundboard, he said. Advertisement Midway through the 25-minute show, I realized I could see straight up the off-to-side ramp that the big ball came down before. That peek made it retroactive scarier. Make some noise Audience participation has changed in the Epic reboot. In the past, volunteers, including a goofy red herring in a bright pink shirt, were chosen from the stands to portray villagers adjacent to the action in a market scene. That doesnt happen anymore. Instead, audience members are asked to make specific noises screams, mostly for an alleged soundtrack. Its not as engaging as pink shirt shenanigans. Temple of room Speaking of crowds, the two times I went to see the show on two different days the seating area was packed. It was near capacity 15 minutes before showtime. Theme Park Rangers Weekly The latest happenings at Disney, Universal Orlando, SeaWorld and other Central Florida attractions. > This prompted the cast member plea for folks to scoot themselves down to the end of the row, the dreaded fill in all available space. Sure, its wrong to put yourself in a crowded theme park situation voluntarily then be unnerved by, you know, proximity to people. But, ewww. I had a mild flare of pandemic anxiety, mid-2020 style. It was the same as the walkways were congested after the show, but that was easy to stand away from and maintain personal space. Advertisement Disney World currently requires visitors to wear face coverings while inside buildings. That doesnt include the revived stunt show, which is at a theater with a roof but no walls. I happily kept my mask on without judgment or side-eye as did several people in my immediate vicinity. Fiery finale Just like an actual good action movie, Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular ends with a bang. It still involves an escape, gunfire, onstage aircraft, explosions and a spreading fire. It unfolds just slowly enough to plant seeds of doubt and worry. We tried to make this a little more energetic, Vazzana said. We also integrated all the stunt performers coming into the scene and running away from it in a really eclectic way. That was never there before. Spoiler: Indy and Marion live happily ever after, over and over. There are multiple shows daily. Email me at dbevil@orlandosentinel.com. Want more theme park news? Subscribe to the Theme Park Rangers newsletter at orlandosentinel.com/newsletters or the Theme Park Rangers podcast at orlandosentinel.com/travel/attractions/theme-park-rangers-podcast. Kelowna school board trustee Norah Bowman has introduced a notion of motion calling for teachers and all other district employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of employment. Board members will discuss the matter on Jan. 26. Hopkinsville, KY (42240) Today Cloudy early, then thunderstorms developing this afternoon. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. High 78F. Winds SW at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 80%.. Tonight Partly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 51F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph. Kentucky Republican activist Larry Forgy speaks out against casinos in the state's racetracks, during a press conference Thursday Feb. 9, 2012 at the Capitol in Frankfort, Ky. Forgy, a former GOP nominee for governor, died at the age of 82. (AP Photo/John Flavell) AG Daniel Cameron says some Kentucky students who had a student load with Navient will be getting a return on their money after a settlement against the company. (Kentucky Today photo). Ketchikan, AK (99901) Today Cloudy and windy at times with periods of rain. High 48F. SSE winds at 20 to 30 mph, decreasing to 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall may reach one inch.. Tonight Occasional light rain. Low around 40F. Winds S at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 80%. SALEM, Ore. (AP) - Former New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof filed a petition with the Oregon Supreme Court, asking the justices to quickly overturn Secretary of State Shemia Fagan's determination that he does not meet the state Constitution's three-year residency requirement to run for governor. While such a matter would typically first work its way up through the court system, beginning at the circuit level, Kristof argued Oregon's high court should put an end to questions about his residency well before a March 17 deadline to qualify for the May Democratic primary ballot, according to Oregon Public Broadcasting. If the justices do not find reason to force Fagan to overturn her decision, Kristof requested that she be forced to explain in court why she would not approve his candidacy. Homeless campers will have a place to go after temporary site closes EUGENE, Ore. Dozens of people showed up at a rally on Thursday to show their support for Starbucks workers in Eugene who are trying to unionize. Kilgore, TX (75662) Today Cloudy skies this morning followed by scattered showers and thunderstorms during the afternoon. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. High 81F. Winds S at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 60%.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies early will give way to cloudy skies late. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 68F. Winds light and variable. One in five homes bought in Gyeonggi Province last year were bought by a Seoul resident as property prices in the capital went through the roof. The Korea Real Estate Board said 19 percent of 173,002 apartments that were sold in Gyeonggi Province from January to November last year were purchased by Seoul residents, up from 15.8 percent on-year. The same is true in Incheon with 12.7 percent of 45,070 apartments sold in the western port city purchased by Seoul residents, up from 8.5 percent over the same period. Abuja, Nigeria (PANA) After about seven months, the Nigerian Federal Government on Wednesday lifted the ban of Twitter operations in the country, effective midnight of 13 January Jasper, TX (75951) Today Variable clouds with scattered thunderstorms. High 84F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%.. Tonight Partly cloudy early followed by cloudy skies overnight. Low 69F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph. Two Easy Ways To Subscribe! The Kodiak Daily Mirror offers full-service, five-day a week subscriptions with home delivery in addition to unlimited access to our online services (including our e-Edition). Online-access-only subscriptions include unlimited access to the Mirror's online services without delivery of the printed newspaper. (Note: New users: You must register and login before purchasing a subscription. Khartoum, Sudan (PANA) - With the crisis escalating in Sudan, there have been 15 reports of attacks on healthcare workers and health facilities since last November, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Wednesday Support local journalism Local news, sports and entertainment when you want it. Please consider subscribing so we can continue to bring you the best local news, sports and entertainment coverage. This undated file photo provided by NerdWallet shows Liz Weston, a columnist for personal finance website NerdWallet.com. Supply chain issues mean many people gave and received gift cards for the holidays. The more time that passes, though, the greater the likelihood that money will go unspent. Make a plan now to get value from your cards by either using, regifting or donating them. Try setting calendar reminders or giving yourself a deadline to redeem your gift cards, such as National Use Your Gift Card Day. And if you dont plan to cash in your cards right away, keep an eye out for expiration dates and dormancy fees. Weather Alert ...The National Weather Service in St Louis MO has issued a Flood Warning for the following rivers in Missouri... Hinkson Creek at Columbia. River forecasts are based on observed precipitation and forecast precipitation for the next 24 hours. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Motorists should not attempt to drive around barricades or drive cars through flooded areas. This product, along with additional weather and stream information, is available at https://water.weather.gov/ahps2/index.php?wfo=lsx. && ...FLOOD WARNING IN EFFECT FROM THIS MORNING TO EARLY TOMORROW AFTERNOON... * WHAT...Minor flooding is occurring and minor flooding is forecast. * WHERE...Hinkson Creek at Columbia. * WHEN...From this morning to early tomorrow afternoon. * IMPACTS...At 16.0 feet, Right bank 50 feet downstream of the old Providence Road bridge begins to flood. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS... - At 6:00 AM CDT Tuesday the stage was 16.1 feet. - Forecast...The river is expected to crest near 16.1 feet and fall below flood stage this morning. It will continue falling to 5.4 feet tomorrow evening. - Flood stage is 15.0 feet. && Fld Observed Forecasts (6 am CDT) Location Stg Stg 6 am Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Hinkson Creek Columbia 15.0 16.1 5.4 MSG MSG MSG MSG && If you were looking for the Charlestown Democratic Town Committee website and ended up here, try this Got news tips, gossip, suggestions, complaints?E-mail us: progressivecharlestown@gmail.com We strive to avoid errors in our articles. Our correction policy can be found here 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 People wearing face masks to help curb the spread of COVID-19 walk through light and shadow in Seoul, Jan. 12. AP-Yonhap Kendallville, IN (46755) Today Rain this morning with thunderstorms developing for the afternoon. High 64F. Winds SSE 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 50%. Angola, IN (46703) Today Rain this morning with thunderstorms by evening. High 62F. Winds ESE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 100%.. Tonight Showers early, then cloudy overnight. Low near 45F. Winds N at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 60%. The Indiana House could vote as soon as Tuesday to approve a controversial plan restricting Indiana companies from imposing a COVID-19 vaccine requirement on their employees even as coronavirus infections surge across the Hoosier State. The Republican-controlled chamber made two minor revisions to House Bill 1001 Thursday, setting up a final decision on advancing the plan to the Senate when state representatives return to the Statehouse next week following the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday. House approval is nearly certain since 57 lawmakers in the 100-member body have signed on as co-sponsors of the proposal, including Northwest Indiana state Reps. Julie Olthoff, R-Crown Point; Jim Pressel, R-Rolling Prairie; Hal Slager, R-Schererville; and Ed Soliday, R-Valparaiso. The legislation would compel all Indiana businesses with a COVID-19 vaccine requirement, except federal contractors and likely most health care providers based on Thursday's U.S. Supreme Court ruling, to allow any full- or part-time employee with a medical, religious, or general objection to the vaccine, or a recent COVID-19 infection and recovery, to opt out of the company's vaccine mandate. Employers could then require those employees participate in weekly COVID-19 testing. However, the cost of the testing could not be passed on to the worker, and companies would be permitted to seek state reimbursement of their testing costs for employees choosing not to get the vaccine. The measure also provides that workers who lose their jobs for refusing to comply with a company's vaccine mandate would have their departure classified as non-voluntary, thereby entitling the workers to receive unemployment benefits. But, under a House amendment adopted by voice vote Thursday, businesses would not be required to pay higher unemployment premiums, or be otherwise penalized, if their anti-vaccine employees claim unemployment benefits following termination. A second House amendment, approved 64-23, prohibits business contracts from including provisions that require employees to waive their right under the legislation to refuse to comply with an employer's COVID-19 vaccine requirement. At the same time, the House voted 83-5 to reject a call to give up an estimated $369 million in federal COVID-19 aid to states and individuals that state Rep. Curt Nisly, R-Milford, said would signal Indiana's displeasure with what he claimed is excessive, unsustainable federal spending. Another proposed change that would have allowed Hoosiers to opt out of all vaccinations without consequence backed by state Rep. John Jacob, R-Indianapolis, in the name of "bodily autonomy" was ruled out-of-order by House Speaker Todd Huston, R-Fishers, as insufficiently related to the underlying proposal. The revised legislation faces an uncertain fate once it leaves the House as leaders in the Republican-controlled Senate, and Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb, repeatedly have signaled they're not on board with the plan. The proposal also is strongly opposed by business leaders who say Indiana's pro-business reputation will be threatened if the General Assembly meddles so deeply into how Hoosier businesses run their operations and manage their employees. (The Center Square) The Indiana General Assembly recently passed a bill out of that requires all counties in the state to have voting machines with at least some paper ballot backups by July 1, 2024. State law now says counties have until Dec. 31, 2029 to replace voting machines with no paper backup, and the Republican supermajority in the Indiana General Assembly has resisted calls to move this up to an earlier date, until now. House Bill 1116 requires counties using Direct Recording Electronic device (DREs) machine that has no paper ballot backups will either have to replace them or make sure that they have attachments called Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail [VVPAT] printers for at least 10% of all voting machines by July 1, 2024. The bill says the audit trail or paper ballot that is produced by the voting machine must include the following information: the name or code of the election; the date of the election; the date the audit trail [paper ballot] was printed; a security code and record number specific to each paper receipt assigned by the voting system; the name or designation of the voters precinct; the name or designation of each office on the voters ballot; the name of the candidate and the designation of the candidates political party selected by the voter; if the voter selects a straight-party ticket, the name of the political party the voter selected and a description of the text of any public question or judicial retention question and the response the voter selected. H.B. 1116 was authored by the chairman of the House Committee on Elections and Apportionment, Rep. Timothy Wesco, R-Osceola, and also by Rep. Tim OBrien, R-Evansville. Indiana was one of just eight states that used voting machines in the 2020 presidential election that had no paper ballot backups, and one of only five states in which a majority of voters in 2020 lived in counties that used these machines. The others were Tennessee, New Jersey, Mississippi and Louisiana. In October 2020, the Indiana University Public Policy Institute released a report entitled Indianas Voting Machines Vulnerable to Security Issues, which said that 57% of voters in Indiana lived in counties using voting machines with no paper ballot backups. Using voting machines without a paper audit trail can leave Indiana vulnerable to several election security issues, the researchers wrote. Without a paper record of votes that were cast, it can be difficult to detect breaches or errors in the system, or to verify vote totals if an issue is uncovered. The DRE voting machines used in Indiana are manufactured and overseen by an Indianapolis-based company called MicroVote General Corp. They are used in the majority of Indiana counties, including some of the most populous counties in the state Lake, Hamilton, Johnson, Boone, Hendricks and Tippecanoe. Voters voting on the MicroVote Infinity DRE machines select candidates using push buttons, and there is no written record of the ballot unless the county has a VVPAT printer attached to the machine and that printer is functioning properly. The Fiscal Impact Statement that was attached to HB 1116 says all counties using the MicroVote DRE machines already have these VVPAT printers for at least 10% of their machines, and several have VVPAT printers for all of their voting machines, but that it is not known if all of the printers have been connected and used in elections. Hamilton County Election Administrator Beth Sheller said last year the county did not have enough VVPAT printers for all voting machines in the 2020 general election, so did not use any. When contacted, the Johnson County election administrator said they also have VVPAT printers, but not enough for all voting machines so only used them for early voting in the 2020 presidential election, not on election day. Other counties did have them for all machines but chose not to use them. We did have the VVPAT. We didnt use them in 2020, says Jessica Fouts, the Boone County Clerk, saying the VVPAT printers are a lot of trouble to set up, and said since state law didnt require they be used yet, the county made the decision not to do it. DREs were introduced in the United States following the 2000 presidential election, when recounts in Palm Beach and Broward counties dealt with hanging chads from punch-card machines. The Help America Vote Act, passed in 2001, banned lever machines and punch-card ballots. Voter integrity groups immediately raised concerns about electronic voting systems that produce no paper ballots that could be used to check the number of votes the voting machines produced, with the nonprofit organization Verified Voting saying voting systems that have voters fill out a paper ballot by hand are the most resilient voting systems. Any system that does not include a paper record or a step for voter verification should not be used, they warn. VVPAT printers for counties using the MicroVote DRE machines were purchased for counties by the Indiana secretary of state using state and federal funds provided under a 2019 state law to improve election security. HB 1116 has now been referred to the Indiana House Ways & Means Committee, which will consider the fiscal impact of the bill, if any, on counties and the state as a whole. Auburn, IN (46706) Today Rain. Thunderstorms possible...mainly in the afternoon. High near 65F. Winds SSE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 100%.. Tonight Considerable cloudiness with occasional rain showers. Low 46F. Winds N at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 50%. Welcome Guest! You Are Here: Yellowstone National Park News Release: MAMMOTH HOT SPRINGS, WY - Wednesday, January 12, the Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes of Fort Peck Indian Reservation completed the transfer of 28 Yellowstone bison to the Fort Peck Indian Reservation in Poplar, Montana, under the Bison Conservation Transfer Program. All the bison completed Phases I & II of the brucellosis quarantine protocol at Yellowstone National Park and the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) facilities and will finish assurance testing (Phase III) at Fort Peck (see information below for details about the protocol). The National Park Service (NPS), APHIS, State of Montana, and Fort Peck Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes started the Bison Conservation Transfer Program to identify brucellosis-free bison and transfer them to new areas as an alternative to sending them to slaughter. The program has led to the largest transfer of live Yellowstone bison among Native American Tribes in history. Since 2019, 182 bison have gone to the Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes of the Fort Peck Indian Reservation. Of those, 82 animals were transferred to the InterTribal Buffalo Council who distributed them to 18 Tribes in 10 states. The bison transferred this week were captured at Stephens Creek in the northwest corner of Yellowstone National Park in March 2020. Twenty males completed quarantine in the park and a small family group of eight (1 male, 4 females, 3 calves) completed quarantine in the nearby APHIS-leased facility at Corwin Springs. Currently, 67 animals are still in the Bison Conservation Transfer Program and the park and APHIS intend to enter 80-120 new animals into the program this winter. This transfer is the result of many partners working together: Yellowstone National Park, the Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes of the Fort Peck Indian Reservation, APHIS, Montana Department of Livestock (DOL), the State of Montana, InterTribal Buffalo Council, Yellowstone Forever, Defenders of Wildlife and the Greater Yellowstone Coalition. To expand the program, Yellowstone has partnered with Yellowstone Forever and the Greater Yellowstone Coalition to increase the capacity of the facility within the park from holding 80 animals to 200 animals. Improvements will be completed this winter. These improvements and continued coordination with APHIS will result in transferring about 100 animals a year to Tribal Nations as an alternative to slaughter. Background information about quarantine Quarantine was identified as a possible tactic for bison management back in 2001 when the Interagency Bison Management Plan (IBMP) was signed by the Secretaries of Interior and Agriculture and the Governor of Montana. The National Park Service formally pursued a quarantine program in 2014 by initiating a public planning process. The operational quarantine program was approved in May 2018. APHIS and DOL established the final structural specifications and biosecurity requirements for quarantine facilities in June 2017. The only facilities that currently meet those specifications are located at Stephens Creek in Yellowstone National Park, Corwin Springs in Montana, and the Fort Peck Reservation. APHIS developed the quarantine protocols in October 2003 and validated them during 2005-2010. Quarantine has three phases: Phase I - Managers capture bison in or near the park during winter. Bison considered suitable for quarantine based on initial negative tests for brucellosis are isolated in double-fenced quarantine pastures and tested every 30-45 days until all bison test negative for two consecutive testing periods. Phase II - Bison in these individual test groups undergo brucellosis testing by age and sex requirements described in the 2003 Brucellosis Eradication: Uniform Methods and Rules (APHIS 9145013) and are certified as brucellosis-free. Phase III - Managers can transfer bison to other fenced pastures. In the new location, brucellosis tests are conducted at six and 12 months to provide additional assurance. Managers keep these bison separate from other animals at least until the six-month test is completed. Thereafter, managers can release these bison on public or tribal lands for conservation and cultural purposes. Editors note: Photos can be found on Flickr. - www.nps.gov/yell - About the National Park Service. More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for Americas 423 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at [http://../www.nps.gov]www.nps.gov, and on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube. The Fort Peck Reservation is home to two separate Native American nations, the Sioux and the Assiniboine, each composed of numerous bands and divisions. The Reservation is in the extreme northeast corner of Montana, on the north side of the Missouri River. Learn more at http://www.fortpecktribes.org. (The Center Square) More than 50,000 illegal immigrants released into the U.S. by Immigration and Customs Enforcement failed to report to their deportation proceedings during a five-month period analyzed last year, according to a report provided by the Department of Homeland Security to U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wisconsin. The report also states that ICE doesnt have court information on more than 40,000 individuals its supposed to prosecute. Between March and August 2021, as a result of the Biden Administrations failed border policies, over 270,000 illegal aliens have been dispersed into the United States with little chance for removal, Johnson said in an announcement accompanying the report, which didn't include data from the other seven months of the year. Over the same time period, over 50,000 illegal aliens more than half of the aliens released into the interior of the United States under a Notice to Report (NTR) failed to appear to begin deportation proceedings, the DHS report states. The data was provided to Johnson, who sits on the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, in response to a letter he sent Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas in October after Mayorkas failed to answer his questions during the committees hearing last September. Johnson requested a response by Nov. 2. He got it in January and published it Jan. 11. Mayorkas apologized for his delayed response, stating, DHS is committed to ensuring a safe, orderly, and humane immigration system and continues to prioritize and allocate critical, limited resources toward the Southwest Border to process noncitizens consistent with applicable legal authorities, including our immigration authorities and public health requirements. This work includes guaranteeing that the rights of all individuals, including noncitizens, are protected while safeguarding the national and border security of the United States and the safety of American communities. Under the Trump administration, those seeking to enter the U.S. who show up at a Border Patrol/ICE checkpoint at the southern border were required to remain in Mexico throughout their immigration proceedings. The Biden administration halted the policy, instead allowing illegal immigrants to enter the U.S., receive federal benefits, including Medicaid, housing benefits and food stamps, and enroll their children in public schools, all while they wait for their immigration hearings to be scheduled and then undergo a lengthy immigration proceeding, which could lead to possible deportation. According to a DHS summary of the process, When border officials apprehend an illegal alien, they have a number of options if the alien is not detained. DHS officials can place the alien into deportation proceedings and issue them a Notice to Appear (NTA) that specifies a date and time for the alien to appear before an immigration judge. DHS can also, on a case-by-case basis, release the alien on parole and that person could eventually be eligible to work in the United States. During the 2021 border crisis, the Biden Administration started using another mechanism to process illegal aliens, the Notice to Report (NTR). When an immigrant receives an NTR, they are told to appear at an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) field office within 60 days to receive an NTA and begin the immigration process. Johnson argues the DHS data shows the practice of issuing NTRs has been an abysmal failure. Hes also maintained the Biden administrations failed border policies are endangering Americans. In the first five months of the NTR process being implemented, from March 21 to August 31, 2021, Border Patrol agents processed 273,396 illegal immigrants and issued 104,171 NTRs, after which they were released into the interior of the U.S. More than half of those released with NTRs didnt check-in with ICE: 47,705 in over 60 days; 6,607 within 60 days, according to the report. Slightly less than half, 49,859, checked-in with ICE: 37,161 within 60 days, and 12,698 over 60 days. DHS states that between March 21 and Dec. 5, 2021, ICE issued 50,683 NTAs to illegal immigrants in the U.S. whod been released on an NTR meaning, they needed to show up to immigration court proceedings or risk deportation. For over 40,000 of them, ICE has no data on what immigration court is overseeing their cases, DHS reports, even though ICE is responsible for prosecuting the cases in deportation proceedings. Andrew Arthur at the Center for Immigration Studies said that in many cases, CBP under the Biden administration has been dispensing with detention, expedited removal, and the issuance of NTAs to illegal migrants and instead simply releasing aliens into the United States with NTRs, a process he said specifically violates the Immigration and Nationality Act. Additionally, There is no statutory authority whatsoever for CBP to release aliens with nothing more than an NTR, Arthur said. The data DHS provided Johnson also appears to contradict the testimony Mayorkas gave in September. In response to a question asked by U.S. Sen. James Lankford, R-Oklahoma, Mayorkas said approximately 75% have indeed reported within the time frame or within their reporting time frame. And as to those who have failed to report that would qualify as an enforcement priority of ours. The data show that during the five months analyzed, far fewer than 75% reported to their hearings. (The Center Square) Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon filed a petition with federal officials this week to remove grizzly bears in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE) from the endangered species list. If the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) approves the petition, hunting grizzly bears could be permitted again. Idaho and Montana support Wyomings petition, according to the governor's office. Gordon said the petition tells an extraordinary and monumental success story for species recovery and should be celebrated. Yellowstone grizzlies were added to the endangered species list in 1975 when as few as 136 bears roamed the state, according to the National Park Service (NPS). USFWS delisted the bears in 2017, but a federal judge reinstated the listing the following year under the Endangered Species Act. The petition cited scientifically credible estimates that say there are more than 1,000 bears around the GYE today, an eightfold increase from the 1970s. The GYE grizzly bear is ready to join the ranks of the bald eagle, American alligator, peregrine falcon and brown pelican as receiving proper recognition as a thriving, recovered and stable species, Gordon said. In addition to the petition, Wyoming has entered into a tri-state agreement with Idaho and Montana that sets new discretionary grizzly bear management targets and practices that Gordon said will keep the species above the minimum population level for years to come. Grizzly bears in the GYE are fully recovered and their management is now best entrusted to the experienced and capable institutions of the states, Gordon said. FWS has 90 days to review the petition. If it is approved, the petition will be scrutinized for up to another 12 months before it can become effective. Have a news tip or would like to report a typo? Email Anthony Victor Reyes at areyes@kvoa.com. Police looking to ID suspect who stole handgun from vehicle at UArizona campus Are you planning to attend NH Pumpkin Festival this year? If not, what would make you attend? UW-Madisons Center for East Asian Studies (CEAS) selected the Lake Geneva Public Library as a winner of its East Asia in Wisconsin Library Program competition. As a winner, the Lake Geneva Public Library is one of 28 other public libraries throughout Wisconsin to receive grants to fund the enrichment of library collections with new titles that will enable patrons to deepen their understanding of East Asia. The library used its grant to purchase a new collection of materials relating to South Korea, including a number of television dramas, films and books on culture, interior design and cooking. The materials are now available for checkout in the librarys current location at City Hall, 626 Geneva St., Lake Geneva. This is the second year of the competition, which generated a wide variety of programming in 2020. We were thrilled to be one of the libraries selected to receive this grant from UW-Madison, said Library Director Emily Kornak. This gave us the opportunity to add materials to our collection that we would not otherwise have been able to afford, and gives our library patrons access to some of the latest books and TV series from South Korea. CEAS once again partnered with the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, the Wisconsin Library Association, and the Cooperative Childrens Book Center to plan and promote the program. The East Asia in Wisconsin Library Program is partially funded by a Title VI grant from the US Department of Education. CEAS is the focal point connecting East Asia to UWMadison. One of the UWMadisons eight federally funded National Resource Centers, CEAS is dedicated to all aspects of research, education and outreach related to China, Japan and Korea. Kornak hopes to apply for future grants from CEAS to continue to broaden the librarys collection. International materials highlight human themes that cross cultures and borders, and deepen our appreciation and understanding of diversity both in our own country and in others, said Kornak. BURLINGTON A developer proposing to redevelop the St. Francis Friary says his project would not displace the propertys historic artifacts, or even the friars themselves. S.R. Mills, chief executive officer of Bear Real Estate Group, told city officials Tuesday that his companys makeover of the 146-acre religious compound would maintain space for the existing statues, monuments and other treasures. Even the Franciscan Friars themselves would remain, as the development firms plans set aside 14 acres where the friars could continue to live while development takes place around them. They still want their little enclave, Mills told members of the Burlington City Council and Burlington Plan Commission at a public review of the project. Some officials voiced support for the Bear Real Estate Groups plan, although no date has been announced for either the Plan Commission or City Council to vote on the project planned at 2457 Browns Lake Drive. This is very exciting, Alderman Bob Grandi said. The Kenosha-based firm proposes to acquire the 146-acre site and transform it into a new residential neighborhood, with 102 new single-family homes and 80 multifamily units for senior citizens and others. The project also would include a commercial site for a business to be determined overlooking Browns Lake Drive. The St. Francis Friary, which is similar to a monastery, was created in the 1930s as a residence, seminary and retreat for a Catholic order of friars who migrated from northern Wisconsin. A friary is similar to a monastery, except that monks generally live a reclusive lifestyle, while friars tend to be more outwardly involved and engaged in community service. The Burlington campus become a popular place for visiting Catholics, as well as a setting for festive community gatherings. But only about 20 friars still live there, and they have sought a buyer for the property as they have struggled to maintain the place. If the city approves of the project, Mills told officials that he hopes to complete a purchase of the property by next fall, and then begin construction work almost immediately. Bear Real Estate Group proposes to convert the main friary building into new multi-family housing for 42 senior citizens. The plans also include 102 new single-family homes and another multi-family property with 38 other units. Mills estimated that the development would boost the taxable value of the former friary campus by more than $80 million. Mills said a chapel would be preserved and possibly opened up for public events, and some statues and other amenities would be relocated to the 14-acre site where the remaining Friars would live. Acknowledging the propertys significance in local history and religion, he said: Its really cool, and we want to make sure we do a great job with it. Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Three individuals have been arrested in connection to a Jan. 7 burglary at Delavans Dam Road Gun Shop. On Friday, Jan. 7, at about 3:12 a.m., the Town of Delavan Police department was notified of an activated burglar alarm at the Dam Road Gun Shop, 4596 Dam Road, according to a news release issued by the police department on Jan. 13. When officers arrived, they discovered that the businesses had been burglarized and several firearms had been stolen. While the Town of Delavan was investigating, officers from the City of Elkhorn assisted by the Walworth County Sheriffs Department deputies located a suspicious vehicle at the Speedway gas station in Elkhorn. They learned that there were several firearms in the vehicle matching the firearms stolen from the gun store. Richey K. Majors, 24, of Milwaukee, was arrested and faces charges of obstructing an officer, criminal damage to property, multiple counts of felon in possession of a firearm and burglary while armed. Madison M. Brakke, 19 of West Allis, was also arrested for party to the crime of burglary. A juvenile female was also taken into custody and a referral for party to the crime of burglary was submitted as well. The Town of Delavan Police Department is continuing to investigate the incident. A local, bipartisan coalition of area residents is hosting a rally calling for Fair Maps in Wisconsin at Clocktower Triangle in Whitewater on Friday, Jan. 21 at noon. Whitewater's Clocktowner Triangle is located at the intersection of East Main Street & West Whitewater Street. The rally will begin with a welcome from the Southeast Region Fair Maps Coalition followed by other speakers. Volunteers will continue the rally after our speakers in order to engage the public on this issue. Our goal is to let the Supreme Court know that we, the people of Wisconsin, are watching and we expect them to act in a nonpartisan manner, in the best interest of the people, not politicians, in deciding fair district maps for the next decade, said Carlene Bechen, Wisconsin Fair Maps Coalition Organizer. This local rally is one of more than a dozen taking place simultaneously across the state, organized by the Wisconsin Fair Maps Coalition. WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., is among more than 50 Democrats in Congress to back a proposal that would send an N95 mask to every American. Since the beginning of this pandemic Ive been calling on the U.S. government to increase the national production of the medical supplies we need to fight this public health crisis. I have long supported unlocking the full power of the Defense Production Act to scale up production of Made in America personal protective equipment and medical supplies, including N95 masks, Baldwin said in a statement. As Americans are urged to upgrade the quality of the masks they wear, I want to make sure everyone has access to an American-made N95 mask, and this legislation will help make that happen and save lives. According to the FDA: "An N95 respirator is a respiratory protective device designed to achieve a very close facial fit and very efficient filtration of airborne particles ... The edges of the respirator are designed to form a seal around the nose and mouth," and is firm-fitting, unlike loose-fitting surgical masks that are more readily available and typically seen worn by hospital staff regardless of if there is a pandemic. The proposal has been spearheaded by progressive U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt. "Not all face masks are created equal," 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. We are proposing that we do what our public health experts and scientists say we must do: provide all of our people with high-quality, N95 masks without cost, which could prevent death and suffering and save huge amounts of health care dollars." The bill includes an allocation of $5 billion to pay for manufacturing the masks within the U.S. The masks would be delivered to households via the Postal Service as well as being distributed to "prisons, shelters, college dorms, and assisted living facilities, as well as all workers in health care settings, including doctors, nurses, clinical staff, and support staff from administrative and janitorial, to food service." Nothing vs. cloth vs. N95 Continued research has shown that wearing just about any mask is preferable to wearing no mask in terms of preventing the spread of disease, but the N95 mask is considered to be far superior in preventing the spread of nasal or oral droplets that may carry the novel coronavirus that causes the illness we know as COVID-19. A report based on federal research published by the Wall Street Journal found that the estimated time it takes to transmit COVID-19 from one person who is infected to one person who isn't is about 15 minutes if neither are masked, about 27 minutes if both are wearing cloth masks, 2.5 hours if only one is wearing an N95 mask and 25 hours if both are wearing N95 masks. Among of the reasons cloth masks caught on so much more was that they were more easily made by the public, and the more effective N95 masks were largely reserved for health care workers and first responders as they remained in short supply earlier in the pandemic. A release from Baldwin's office said that "Studies indicate universal mask wearing could save the U.S. economy $1 trillion," although there's no indication that simply providing masks would lead to more people wearing masks. An Ipsos poll conducted in late October and early November 2021 prior to the ongoing spikes in new cases, hospitalizations and deaths found that 35% of Americans said they were wearing a mask at all times when outside their home. That was up from 29% in summer 2021, but far below the peak of 75% in January 2021. This is, in part, because a coronavirus particle is approximately 0.12 micrometers in diameter, while a Nepalese study, published in 2019, found that the size of the pores in cloth masks are rarely smaller than 80 micrometers and are often as big as 500 micrometers. According to an international study published last year: "N95 masks are designed to remove more than 95% of all particles that are at least 0.3 micrometers in diameter. In fact, measurements of the particle filtration efficiency of N95 masks show that they are capable of filtering approximately 99.8% of particles with a diameter of approximately 0.1 micrometer. SARS-CoV-2 is an enveloped virus approximately 0.1 micrometer in diameter, so N95 masks are capable of filtering most free virions, but they do more than that. How so? Viruses are often transmitted through respiratory droplets produced by coughing and sneezing." Dr. Leana Wen, a physician affiliated with the George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health, told CNN: Cloth masks are little more than facial decorations. There's no place for them in light of Omicron. We need to be wearing at least a three-ply surgical mask. You can wear a cloth mask on top of that, but do not just wear a cloth mask alone. 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. This former fish farm in Grove City, Pa., will be transformed into waterfowl habitat through a joint project with Ducks Unlimited and the Pennsylvania Game Commission. The property will be part of State Game Lands 151 and the work will take up to two years to complete. Penn State horticulture Extension educator Emelie Swackhamer and her husband opened up their property and their home to researchers studying the potential impact of the spotted lanternfly. New Delhi, Jan 13 (PTI) The BJP on Thursday finalised its candidates for 172 assembly seats in Uttar Pradesh and is likely to field both Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya who are currently members of the Legislative Council, party leaders said. The party's seat-sharing talks with Apna Dal (S) and Nishad party are also in final stages. Former BJP president and Union Home Minister Amit Shah held meetings with leaders of both parties late Wednesday night at the saffron party headquarters here. Also Read | Assembly Elections 2022: EC Changing Rules to Register New Party at BJPs Behest, Claims AAP; Poll Panel Terms Charge Factually Incorrect. Polling in most of these 172 seats will be held in the initial phases beginning February 10 and the BJP is also considering fielding Deputy Chief Minister Dinesh Sharma and state unit president Swatantra Dev Singh. Addressing the media at the BJP headquarters, Maurya said the party held wider deliberations on the 172 assembly seats and will register a bigger victory compared to the 2017 assembly polls. Also Read | China Constructing Villages at Disputed Bhutan Territory. BJP president J P Nadda and Union ministers Rajnath Singh and Nitin Gadkari, all three of whom have contracted coronavirus, joined the meeting via video-conferencing. Home Minister Shah and several other leaders besides those from Uttar Pradesh, including Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, met physically. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was also scheduled to join the meeting virtually. According to party sources, Adityanath is likely to be fielded from Ayodhya and Maurya from Sirathu constituency. Sharma may contest from one of the assembly constituencies in state capital Luknow. A five-term former Lok Sabha member from Gorakhpur, Adityanath is currently a member of the state's Legislative Council. The party is likely to announce its first list of candidates in the next few days, the sources said. As many as 58 and 55 seats of the Uttar Pradesh Assembly will face the polls on February 10 and February 14, respectively. The state is scheduled to have seven-phase polls. Uttarakhand, Goa and Punjab assembly polls will also be held on February 14. The BJP is likely to drop a number of sitting MLAs to neutralise anti-incumbency at the local level. (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 13 (ANI): Days after UP's Social Welfare Minister Swami Prasad Maurya resigned from BJP, another MLA from Bidhuna Vinay Shakya has also put down his papers on Thursday. This is a third BJP lawmaker who is resigning from the party in as many days. Also Read | Magh Mela 2022: Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath Appeal Devotees To Follow COVID-19 Protocols As 47-Day Long Mela Begins Tomorrow. Shakya, his brother Devesh Shakya and their mother Draupadi Shakya came to Maurya's residence on Thursday and handed over his resignation letter. On Wednesday, Dara Singh Chauhan, who was the environment and forest minister in the Yogi Adityanath cabinet, also resigned from the BJP. Chauhan had defected to BJP from BSP in 2015. Also Read | Congress First List of Candidates For UP Assembly Elections 2022: Party Names 50 Women in List of 125 Names; Unnao Rape Victims Mother Among Candidates; Check Full List. In the resignation letter, Shakya wrote, "In the last five years of the BJP regime, leaders from Dalit, marginalised section and minority communities were not given importance and not respected. Beside this, the state government ignored the marginalised section of community, farmers and unemployed youngsters. This is the reason why I am resigning from the primary membership of BJP. Swami Prasad Maurya is the voice of suppressed and exploited people and I am with him." (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Prayagraj (Uttar Pradesh) [India], January 13 (ANI): Amid the rising COVID-19 cases in the country, the saints and devotees flocked the Magh Mela premises in Prayagraj on the occasion of the Makar Sankranti. The first bathing festival will be held on January 14 and 15 where hundreds and thousands of people are expected to take a holy dip in the Ganges river. Also Read | China Constructing Villages at Disputed Bhutan Territory. "Cases have increased in the Mela ground. On Wednesday we saw 246 cases here and 16 jawans have tested positive already", said Sanjay Goel, District Commissioner. As the authorities fear flouting of social distancing norms in the Mela, they have asked the police to continuously announce COVID-19 protocols and keep a watch on the devotees. Meanwhile, the authorities said that 16 jawans have tested positive and 246 COVID-19 cases were reported on Wednesday. Also Read | Ram Mandir Trust Releases 3D Animation Film Showing Process of Ram Temple Construction in Ayodhya (Watch Video). At the same time, the seers are also seen urging people to wear masks and maintain social distancing. Bhagwan Das, a regular at Magh Mela said, "We are following social distancing and wearing a mask in the Mela." There are 9 mobile testing centres through the Magh Mela premises for contact tracing. Besides this, there are general testing centres that are doing COVID-19 tests, informed the District Commissioner. "The state government is providing testing kits to people with symptoms and they are also advised to isolate themselves" added Goyal. "We have also asked the OPDs to take care of symptomatic people and collect their samples for the COVID-19 test." Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath has also appealed to the people to follow COVID-19 protocols strictly and at the same time asked the state officials to ensure that the COVID-19 norms are followed. "Devotees with fever, cold should not participate in the event. Those symptomatic or those not doubly vaccinated should not attend the fair", said the Chief Minister who faces re-election in the coming months. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Panaji, Jan 13 (PTI) A day after being snubbed by senior BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis over poll ticket, Utpal Parrikar, son of former Goa chief minister late Manohar Parrikar, on Thursday asked whether the party believes in integrity and character or not. Also Read | China Constructing Villages at Disputed Bhutan Territory. He also said that the BJP leaders from Panaji assembly constituency, who earlier worked with his father, are currently supporting him in his campaign. Also Read | Ram Mandir Trust Releases 3D Animation Film Showing Process of Ram Temple Construction in Ayodhya (Watch Video). On Wednesday, Fadnavis had said that the party can't give a ticket to anybody for the February 14 Goa assembly polls just because he is a son of a leader. His comment was apparently aimed at Utpal Parrikar, who has been lobbying to get the party's candidature from the Panaji assembly seat. Panaji constituency is currently represented by BJP MLA Atanasio Monserratte, who had shifted from Congress to BJP in 2019. "I am a small party worker and cannot comment on what senior leader like Devendra Fadnavis has said. But if I wanted to ask for a ticket just because I am son of Manohar Parrikar, then I would have demanded it last time (during the by-election held after the death of Parrikar)," he said. The former defence minister died on May 17, 2019. Utpal Parrikar said that he continues to meet the voters in Panaji constituency. "Those BJP leaders who were with my father right from 1994 are currently with me," he said. Expressing unhappiness over the way "things are happening in Goa", he asked whether integrity and character do not matter. "Will the party give ticket to the person with criminal antecedents in the constituency represented by late Manohar Parrikar?" he asked, apparently referring to Monserratte, who is currently facing a trial in a rape case. "This is not just about Panaji. The political situation unfolding in Goa is not acceptable. It has to change," Parrikar said. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Srinagar, Jan 13 (PTI) National Conference (NC) president Farooq Abdullah on Thursday expressed outrage over "incendiary remarks and genocidal threats" being made against Muslims and other minority groups and demanded stern action against those "spewing venom at hate speech conclaves" across the country. He voiced concern over the "inflammatory and provocative speeches" against Muslims at an event in Haridwar between December 17 and 19, 2021, and other such "hate speech conclaves" of right-wing groups and said termed these speeches "deplorable". Also Read | Goa May Witness 10,000 to 15,000 COVID-19 Cases Per Day Around January 20, Says Expert. "Recurring such open seditious and genocidal calls in the country are deeply disturbing," he said. Censuring the government for allegedly turning a blind eye to the hate speeches, the NC president said the "criminal hush" in government circles raises a question that begs to be answered. Also Read | Bank of Baroda Recruitment 2022 Notification: Vacancy for 198 Posts on bankofbaroda.in; Check Details Here. Abdullah said India being a signatory to the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (CPPCG) under Article 3 C, which criminalises direct and public incitement to commit genocide, should act firmly against those who call for genocide of country's Muslims. "These hate speech conclaves also fit a variety of crimes under Indian laws and are antagonistic to national integrity and peace. The prevailing blanket silence of the country's head and absence of any punitive action has emboldened such hate-ongers," he claimed. Abdullah said he will be grateful if action is taken against those who have violated the Genocide Convention. "Urgent action is needed, otherwise it will embolden those who spread hatred, thereby vitiating the atmosphere. It will inevitably result in further alienation of the minorities which is not in the interest of India," he said. The NC MP from Srinagar demanded that the groups and individuals "spewing hate"be taken to task. "It is high time that the government stops emboldening these hate-mongers with its inaction and establishes rule of law," he said. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Zirakpur (Punjab), Jan 13 (PTI) SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal Thursday described as a "drama" the Aam Aadmi Party's move to seek people's suggestion on who should be its chief ministerial candidate for Punjab. The Shiromani Akali Dal leader alleged that AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal himself wants to become Punjab's chief minister. Also Read | Guwahati-Bikaner Express Derail Update: 3 People Dead, 20 Injured, NDRF Dispatches Two Teams to Rescue Trapped Passengers. Earlier in the day, Kejriwal launched the Aam Aadmi Party's "Janta Chunegi Apna CM (people will elect their CM) drive and said the name of the candidate for the post will be announced after getting people's feedback. The Delhi chief minister, however, ruled himself out of the race. Also Read | Meet the Jodhpur Youth BJP Activist Laxman Bhati. Replying to a question on the AAP's move of seeking public feedback before declaring its CM face, SAD president Sukhbir Badal said, "It is all drama." "Kejriwal's only aim is to become the chief minister. Whichever CM face they want to bring in will be a dummy face," he said. He also accused the Aam Aadmi Party of "ignoring" its state leaders, while fielding Delhi MLA Raghav Chadha to addresses all press conferences in Punjab. For the upcoming assembly polls, Badal said the main contest of his Shiromani Akali Dal was with the Congress and the AAP on different seats. "The BJP is nowhere in match". On farmer groupings fighting the elections, Badal said everyone has the right to contest polls. On this occasion, Zirakpur Municipal Council Secretary and former Sarpanch Jaspal joined the Shiromani Akali Dal. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Srinagar, Jan 13 (PTI) The Jammu and Kashmir administration's order directing college heads in the union territory to organise large-scale virtual 'surya namaskar' on Makar Sankranthi drew sharp criticism from mainstream political parties on Thursday. Why should Muslim students be forced to do anything, including yoga, to celebrate Makar Sankranti? Makar Sankranti is a festival & to celebrate it or not must be a personal choice. Would the BJP be happy if a similar order was issued to order non-Muslim students to celebrate Eid? former chief minister and National Conference leader Omar Abdullah wrote on Twitter. Also Read | Ram Mandir Trust Releases 3D Animation Film Showing Process of Ram Temple Construction in Ayodhya (Watch Video). Another former chief minister of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir and PDP president Mehbooba Mufti said the Centre's misadventures aim to collectively humiliate the people of Kashmir. GOIs PR misadventures aim to demean & collectively humiliate Kashmiris. Forcing students & staff to perform suryanamaskars by issuing orders despite their obvious discomfort with imposition of something laden with religious connotations gives an insight into their communal mindset, Mehbooba said in a tweet. Also Read | Union Budget 2022-23 Likely to Give More Incentives to Boost Startups, Say Sources. NC spokesperson Imran Nabi Dar demanded the order be rolled back. The fact that heads of colleges in Kashmir have been directed to 'ensure' participation of faculty, students and the fact that these Heads are now forced to force Muslims to perform 'Surya Namaskar' is a proof of religious interference. Roll the order back, he tweeted. Criticising the order, PDP leader and former minister Naeem Akhtar said he would not permit his children to participate in any such activity and nor force anyone else to do it his way. There is no God but God and He alone is worthy of Worship. To you your faith to me mine (Qur'an) No compulsion in Faith (Qur'an). I would not permit my child participate in any such activity. Nor force anyone else to do it my way, Akhtar said. NC's former MLA and influential Shia leader Ruhullah Mehdi said if an individual can sign an order which is against his or her faith and freedom of religion, it is more worrisome than the oppression itself. The oppression does not reflect in this order or desire as much as the slavery reflects in the pen of the undersigned. They told them to bend, the so called leadership of Kashmir crawled. But what about the society as a whole? What does the signature in this case reflect? If an individual can sign an order which is against his/her faith and freedom of religion, it's more worrisome than the oppression itself. If the people asked to attend, give in to this order and participate, it's us (the society) to be blamed for the consequences, not them, Ruhullah said on Twitter. (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 13 (ANI): The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Thursday took over the probe in the Ludhiana court blast case and filed a fresh FIR in the December 23 incident which resulted in the killing of alleged bomber Gagandeep Singh, said sources. The agency took over the probe from Punjab Police following an order issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs. Also Read | China Constructing Villages at Disputed Bhutan Territory. The move comes after its initial investigation in coordination with Punjab Police linked Gagandeep Singh's connection with Khalistani group members during his jail term. Gagandeep Singh was dismissed from Punjab Police in 2019 in connection with a drugs case and spent two years in jail. He was released in September last year. The NIA on December 31 last year filed a case against several "pro-Khalistani elements" and Germany-based Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) operative Jaswinder Singh Multani for hatching conspiracy with ISI operatives to carry out a terror attack in Mumbai and other parts of India. Also Read | Ram Mandir Trust Releases 3D Animation Film Showing Process of Ram Temple Construction in Ayodhya (Watch Video). Multani has also been linked to this Ludhiana court blast case that left six people injured. The NIA said the case relates to criminal conspiracy hatched by Multani with several other "pro-Khalistani elements located abroad for radicalizing, motivating and recruiting youths in Punjab on ground and online through social media platforms to propagate their ideology with the aim to secede Punjab from the Union of India". "They have been involved in raising funds to procure arms, ammunition and explosives by using smuggling networks in Punjab to revive terrorism in Punjab," said the NIA. "Multani has also been in contact with ISI operatives to carry out a terror attack in Mumbai and other parts of India. Pursuant to the registration of the case, requisite actions as per law for the expeditious investigation of the case have been initiated," the NIA said. The anti-terror agency's move comes following a series of reports that exposed the Khalistani terrorists plans to cause large-scale disturbance in poll-bound Punjab in cahoots with Pakistan's intelligence agency ISI. Multani was detained in Germany last month. He has been residing in Erfurt, Germany. A police officer said that during the investigation names of two suspects residing in Pakistan and Germany, both from banned Sikh organizations, have emerged. Sikhs For Justice is a designated terror group in India. Intelligence agencies had earlier alerted about Harvinder Singh Sandhu, a Babbar Khalsa terrorist who is currently in Pakistan, and Multani, a close associate of SFJ's Gurpatwant Singh Pannu, residing in Germany, about their involvement in the Ludhiana blast. Multani recently came to notice for arranging and sending weapons consignments comprising explosives, hand grenades from across the border to Punjab. These weapons were sent with the help of his Pakistan-based operatives and arms smugglers. He has been allegedly planning to carry out terrorist activities in Punjab by using the smuggled consignments through gangsters and extremists in the state. Multani is also learned to be closely connected with Khalistani leaders like Hardeep Singh Nijjar, Paramjit Singh Pamma, Sabi Singh, Kulwant Singh Mothada, and others. (ANI) (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 13 (ANI): Dharam Singh Saini, who resigned as minister in Uttar Pradesh government on Thursday, said that they wlll follow Swami Prasad Maurya and clamed a minister and 3-4 MLAs will resign everyday from the BJP till January 20. Saini said he had resigned from Yogi Adiyanth government beccause "for five years Dalits, backward classes were suppressed, their voices were suppressed". Also Read | Guwahati-Bikaner Express Derail Update: Death Toll Rises to 6, Over 67 Injured. "We will do whatever Swami Prasad Maurya will say. One minister and 3-4 MLAs will resign everyday till Jan 20," he said. The pre-poll churning in Uttar Pradesh has seen the BJP getting a jolt with six MLAs resigning from the party and three ministers quitting the government amid signals that they will join Samajwadi Party. Also Read | Assembly Elections 2022: EC Changing Rules to Register New Party at BJPs Behest, Claims AAP; Poll Panel Terms Charge Factually Incorrect. Dharam Singh Saini became the third minister on Thursday who has resigned from the Yogi Adiyanath cabinet in the last three days. In their resignation letters, the ministers have accused the BJP government of having a "callous attitude" towards Dalits, farmers, the unemployed youth and those belonging to other backward classes. The spate of resignations began with Swami Prasad Maurya quitting the state cabinet. Maurya, a prominent leader from the OBC community, had joined the BJP from BSP.Dara Singh Chauhan had resigned as minister on Wednesday.After quitting as a minister, Dharam Singh Saini met Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav. "I welcome him to the Samajwadi Party," Yadav said. Samajwadi Party has stiched a coalition of smaller parties for the assembly polls which will be held in seven phases in February-March. It has emerged as the main rival of ruling BJP in the state. Earlier BJP MLAs Mukesh Verma, Vinay Shakya, Avtar Singh Bhadana, Roshan Lal Verma, Brijesh Prajapati and Bhagwati Sagar resigned from the party. (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 13 (PTI) A day after the Supreme Court order on 'dharam sansad' events where hate speeches were given, senior lawyer Kapil Sibal on Thursday wrote to authorities in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand seeking prevention of inflammatory speeches at more such events planned this month. Sibal wrote to the district magistrates of Aligarh and Haridwar urging them to take preventive measures including imposition of Section 144 to prevent holding of such events. Also Read | Ram Mandir Trust Releases 3D Animation Film Showing Process of Ram Temple Construction in Ayodhya (Watch Video). "We are in the midst of general elections to the legislative assembly and while we do not want to attribute motives to any person, but if such speeches are made in the midst of an election, they will destabilize the social order and have serious consequences on the polity of this country. "We request you to take such preventative action within your powers as is necessary, including under Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code, 1973 and Sections 3 and 5 of the National Security Act, 1980," Sibal said in his letter. Also Read | Union Budget 2022-23 Likely to Give More Incentives to Boost Startups, Say Sources. He has also sent copies of his letters to chief ministers, home secretaries and police chiefs of Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand besides the superintendents of police in Aligarh and Haridwar. "There are news reports now that another 'dharam sansad' is being organised now in Aligarh on January 22-23, 2022 wherein the speakers who participated in the aforementioned events held between 17-19th December, 2021 are likely to be speaking again," Sibal said in his letter to Aligarh DM. In another letter to Haridwar DM, he said, "There are news reports now that the Shankaracharya Parishad seers announced on 06.01.2022 a protest meeting to be held on January 16, 2022 against the first information report (FIR) registered against speakers at the December 17-19 meeting of the Dharma Sansad." The senior Congress leader said the responsibility to take preventive measures to prevent any possible incident of mob violence falls on the district administration, "so the responsibility falls on your shoulders to take preventive action to ensure no speeches of this nature are made". "We believe if such events are held in the state of Uttar Pradesh as well and similar speeches are made, it will not only disturb the public order but will amount to various criminal offences...," Sibal noted. He also referred to the judgement of the Supreme Court in the Tehseen Poonawala versus Union of India case, where the state government was directed to appoint nodal officers in each district for taking measures to prevent incidents of mob violence. These nodal officers have not been appointed in Uttar Pradesh. The Supreme Cort had issued notice to the respondents and posted the matter for hearing after 10 days. The top 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. (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 13 (ANI): Amid seeming tussle in Punjab Congress over the declaration of chief ministerial candidate ahead of assembly polls, state party chief Navjot Singh Sidhu on Thursday said he is "not running for any post" and took a swipe at the "system" which, he said, "could not give justice" in sacrilege and drugs cases. Sidhu seemingly threatened the party's government in the state and also the party's central leadership which has made decisions concerning Punjab leadership over the past five years. Also Read | Meet the Jodhpur Youth BJP Activist Laxman Bhati. "It's either this system will stay or Navjot Singh Sidhu," he said indicating that he may quit if there is change desired by him. He said the system is being run by "mafias in connivance of mischievous politicians". Also Read | Guwahati-Bikaner Express Derails Near Domohani in West Bengal. "A system which could not give justice to our Guru and could not punish the big fishes involved in Drug trade needs to be demolished. I categorically state that I'm not running for any post and it's either this system will stay or Navjot Singh Sidhu," he said in a tweet. Sidhu alleged that the glory of Punjab has been "annihilated by the nexus of few political leaders and mafia"."The fight is to change this system which has eroded Punjab like termites and is being run by Mafias in connivance of mischievous politicians. This system cries for a change and reforms as the glory of Punjab has been annihilated by the nexus of Few political leaders and Mafia," he said. Sidhu's latest tweets came a day after he had said that it was for the people of Punjab to decide who will be the next chief minister of Punjab and not party high command. Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi has said that the party should declare chief ministerial candidate to brighten his prospects in the forthcoming assembly polls. Sidhu has in the past has taken on party government in the state over "inaction" in the cases related to desecration of Guru Granth Sahib and the subsequent police firing in 2015 and drug trade and again referred to these issues in his latest tweets. Sidhu had earlier also said that registering an FIR against Akali leader Bikram Singh Majithia under NDPS Act was not enough and he will not rest till he is arrested. Majithia has been granted interim bail by the High Court. Punjab will go to the polls on Februray 14 and the ruling Congress in Punjab faces internal challenges apart from a multi-cornered contest. (ANI) (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 13 (ANI): Uttar Pradesh minister Dharam Singh Saini resigned from his post on Thursday. In his resignation letter, the BJP leader mentioned the callous attitude of the BJP government in the state towards farmers, Dalits, the unemployed and those belonging to other backward classes. Also Read | Elon Musk Shares Update on Tesla Launch in India, Says 'Facing Challenges'. This announcement holds importance ahead of the Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls. 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. Also Read | Magh Mela 2022: Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath Appeal Devotees To Follow COVID-19 Protocols As 47-Day Long Mela Begins Tomorrow. 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 (SP) bagged 47 seats, BSP won 19 while Congress could manage to win only seven seats. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) According to fire services, six workers in their 50s and 60s were busy on the 28th, 29th, 31st through 34th floors, putting up fire hydrants, laying bricks or installing a window when the wall collapsed around 3:45 p.m. Tuesday. "Some piles of debris were heaped up from the 23rd to 29th floors and other debris fell to the ground," a fire officer said. The Hyundai I-Park complex was to consist of eight buildings with 24 to 39 floors, including two commercial buildings. A total of 394 workers had been working on site, or roughly 50 workers per building per day. Six workers who went missing when the wall of an apartment complex under construction in Gwangju collapsed on Tuesday remain unaccountd for. Sniffer dogs and 25 rescuers went to the accident site to search for them on Wednesday, but to no avail. Fire authorities believe that the six missing are buried under piles of rubble on the ground or between the 23rd and 29th floors. Their families stayed overnight in a makeshift tent at the site in the freezing weather, praying for their survival. Experts attributed the accident to the inordinate haste in pouring the concrete and subcontractors' negligence of safety rules. They suggested that the frame and formwork failed to withstand the weight of machinery before the concrete had fully set. Prof. Song Chang-young of Gwangju University said, "It seems that the concrete had not fully dried, considering that the outer wall of the apartment complex and floor slabs collapsed simultaneously." A local resident told the Chosun Ilbo, "They even worked after 10 p.m. or when snow or rain fell. Many people talked about the construction looking dangerous after the weather turned cold in November." But a spokesman for the contractor, HDC Hyundai Development Company, said, "We didn't need to shorten construction time unreasonably because work was proceeding fast. The concrete had fully dried for at least 12 to 18 days." The Gwangju Metropolitan City ordered the contractor to stop all building projects it is carrying out in the city. New Delhi, Jan 13 (PTI) India has recalibrated its demands for relaxation of norms for the services sector under a free-trade agreement (FTA), making it more broad-based while negotiating such trade deals, instead of focusing only on easy visa for its professionals, Commerce Secretary BVR Subrahmanyam on Thursday said. Earlier, he said India was getting completely focussed on easy visa norms for its professionals in a free trade pact. Also Read | LIC IPO to Hit Markets by March; Draft Papers to Be Filed With SEBI by This Month-End. He also said that if India has to be part of "new-age" FTAs, it needs to negotiate on all fronts. Developed countries push India to include areas like intellectual property rights, sustainability, competition, and MSMEs under free trade pacts, but India has earlier expressed apprehensions on these issues. Also Read | Bank of Baroda Recruitment 2022 Notification: Vacancy for 198 Posts on bankofbaroda.in; Check Details Here. On visas for individuals, he said: "I think there has also been a change and a re-caliberation in our own asks as far as services are concerned. We were getting completely focussed on what in services is called Mode 4 (movement of professionals). "Mode 4 meant we need visas, visas, and visas. What we are actually seeing globally is that Mode 4 is something you (India) are getting autonomously, whether or not there is FTA," he told reporters here. He said the country has a youthful population, highly skilled population, people around the world want IT professionals, lawyers, doctors, nurses and CAs. "They are anyway taking your people. So rather than getting focussed on a single item, we are broad-basing our services request...I think we will have far more access in newer areas and I am sure that even in this FTA (with the UK), there will be some gains for us in the movement of people," he told reporters here. India and the UK on Thursday formally launched negotiations for the proposed free-trade agreement, which is expected to double bilateral trade, from the current USD 50 billion, by 2030. The secretary said this while replying to a question that one of the drawbacks of FTAs in the past is the inability to get visas or secure visas for people. Recently, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson sought to dismiss the notion that visa norms are set to be relaxed for Indians in pursuit of an FTA with India. During the weekly Prime Minister's Questions (PMQs) session in the House of Commons, Johnson was asked by one of his Conservative Party MPs to comment on reports that emerged in the UK media over the weekend about easier visas for Indian professionals and students to make an FTA more attractive to India. Commenting about interest areas in the services sector for India in the FTA with the UK, he said areas such as telecom, IT, travel and other business services hold good potential. "Our exports of other business services stand at USD 4 billion and the expectation is that this will go up to USD 20 billion. This could be anything consulting, accounting and back-office work. It is a large area of growth we are looking into," he added. About goods, he said that sectors that hold maximum potential include fish, shrimp, textiles, apparel, chemicals, footwear, cereals, iron and steel, gems and jewellery, and pharma products. "I see an increase or upside of about USD 35 billion in exports in the next 10 years. That's huge, considering our exports are less than USD 10 billion today," he said adding India will target these in the interim agreement. As India's large population is dependent on agriculture, agri products and dairy will be "carefully watched" items. "Farmers and MSMEs, we will be slightly concerned with. England is not a high power agriculture powerhouse. So, they are not going to have that kind of pressure for agriculture," he said. Further, the secretary said if India has to be part of "new-age" FTAs, it needs to negotiate on all fronts. "The diffidence which was there in the past is not there anymore. However, it does not mean we will embrace everything as it is," he said. He added that India and the UK are discussing 16 areas, including intellectual property rights, sustainability, competition, digital, women, MSMEs, anti-corruption and innovation. "A lot of these areas are new areas for us... We may not be having either capacities or depth of knowledge or experience... (But), if you do not actually talk about these things then nobody is going to enter into FTAs. "India is probably the only large economy in the world that is not part of the large FTA or a regional trading arrangement. You are getting shut out of market after market after market. The US, EU are a common market, it is an FTA in itself, the rest of Asia has got RCEP (regional comprehensive economic partnership agreement)," he said. "Where are we? We are standing splendidly isolated. And it is not a question of who is going to gain or lose. It is not us gaining vis-a-vis the UK. It's us losing vis-a-vis Bangladesh, Vietnam. I think that is the biggest question," he added. India is in a trade surplus situation with the UK in both goods and services but if these little tariff barriers were not there in the UK, India's exports instead of USD 9 billion will be somewhere in the range of USD 35 billion, the secretary said. He added, "You are not competing with the UK in the UK market. You are competing with Bangladesh, Vietnam and China in the UK market. If they have better access, you are shut out. I think that's what we are planning to open." "If you do not talk on a whole range of subjects, you will not have an FTA. We are doing that with the EU and even with the UK. Secondly, there is nothing to worry about, because a lot of these things are best endeavour agreement. All of them are not going to be the enforceable agreement," he informed. Explaining it further and citing an example, he said the anti-corruption issue is going to be about transparency, and keeping documents/tenders in public. Similarly, MSMEs are more about promoting their exports and creating a facilitative environment for them to get greater market access. "There is nothing harmful there. These new-era FTAs are good for India," he said. HRS hrs (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) American rapper Roddy Ricch was scheduled to take the stage as the musical guest of the first 'Saturday Night Live episode' of 2022 on January 15.However, Ricch has dropped out of 'Saturday Night Live' this week after a possible COVID exposure. "Due to recent COVID-19 exposure on my team and to keep everyone safe I won't be able to perform on SNL this weekend," Ricch wrote on his Instagram Story. "I'm working with the SNL team to lock in a new date though! LOVE [pray emoji] STAY SAFE," he added. Roddy Ricch Pledges Support to Astroworld Festival Victims' Families. According to Variety, the rapper has been replaced by the Jack Antonoff-led band Bleachers for this weekend's 'SNL' episode. 'West Side Story' fame Ariana DeBose is set to host the show on Saturday. Ricch is the third musical guest to pull out of a performance on the show due to COVID-related reasons, all of which vary. In October of 2020, country music star Morgan Wallen's scheduled appearance was cancelled by the show after photos emerged on social media of him breaking protocol just days before the show by socialising in Alabama without a mask at a crowded bar and a house party. Saturday Night Live: Billie Eilish To Host the Upcoming SNL Episode, Shares a Fun Teaser of the Same (Watch Video). Check Out Roddy Ricch's Instagram Story Below: Roddy Ricch's Instagram Story (Photo Credits: Instagram) He posted an apology soon later, saying he respected the show's decision and noted that although he had not tested positive, "my actions from this past weekend were pretty short-sighted, and have obviously affected my long-term goals and my dreams," he said. The show rescheduled his appearance for several weeks later. For the final show of the 2021 season in December, Charli XCX's scheduled performance was called off as the Omicron variant reached alarming levels in New York and 'SNL' was forced to stage a dramatically scaled-down version of the show they had prepared. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Brussels, Jan 13 (AP) The European Union on Thursday prolonged economic sanctions against Russia for six months for failing to live up to its commitments to the peace agreement in Ukraine, amid concern that Moscow may be preparing to invade its former Soviet neighbour. The measures target Russia's financial, energy and defense sectors, as well as goods that can be used for both civilian and military purposes. The move is part of a rolling review, and is not linked to current tensions over Russia's military buildup near Ukraine. Also Read | Twitter Ban Ends in Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari Govt Lifts Suspension After 7-Month. The measures are part of a raft of sanctions slapped on Russia in 2014 after it annexed Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula, and are tied to respect of the 2015 Minsk peace deal. The EU renewed the sanctions, which will remain in place until at least July 31, because Russia did not fully implement the peace agreement. Also Read | India, UK To Kick-Off Negotiations for Free Trade Agreement Today. The move limits Russian bank and company access to EU capital markets and outlaws financial assistance or brokering for Russian financial institutions. It halts all imports, exports or transfers of defense equipment, and limits Russia's access to some sensitive technology used in oil production. More than 14,000 people have been killed in fighting between Ukrainian troops and Russian-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine.(AP) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Peshawar, Jan 13 (AP) The Pakistani Taliban on Thursday confirmed the weekend killing of a former spokesman in neighbouring Afghanistan and vowed to avenge the murder. The outlawed Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan, which is known as TTP, announced on Twitter the death of the man known as Mohammad Khurasani, which is an alias. His real name was Khalid Balti. Also Read | Twitter Ban Ends in Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari Govt Lifts Suspension After 7-Month. The confirmation comes days after Pakistani security officials said the former spokesman of TTP had been shot dead in Afghanistan's Nangarhar province. The TTP did not confirm the claim until Thursday. Also Read | India, UK To Kick-Off Negotiations for Free Trade Agreement Today. The current TTP spokesman, who also goes by the name Mohammad Khurasani, said on Twitter that Balti was killed on Jan. 9 while travelling. He said Balti's death was a great loss and his death would soon be avenged. Balti was commander of the TTP and he served as the group's spokesman from 2011 to 2015. That's when he was arrested in Afghanistan and was freed after the Taliban seized power. Since then, the TTP has been emboldened. Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan is an umbrella group and is a separate organization from Afghanistan's Taliban. In November, Pakistan announced a month-long cease-fire with the TTP. The group has been behind numerous attacks on security forces and civilians over the last 14 years. The cease-fire ended on Dec. 9 and since then the group has resumed attacks. The Taliban have assured Islamabad that they will now allow TTP to use the Afghan soil for violence in Pakistan. TTP's chief Noor Wali and his fighters are believed to be hiding in Afghanistan. (AP) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Islamabad, January 12: Two brothers, who were separated during the India-Pakistan Partition in 1947 were reunited after 74 years in Kartarpur, local media reported on Wednesday. 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. Fact Check: Pakistan MP Aamir Liaquat Hussain Dancing to Bollywood Song 'Tip Tip Barsa Pani' In Viral Video?; Here's Truth. Watch Emotinal Video Here: 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. Herd of Elephants Meet Caretaker After 14 Months of Separation! Video of Their Successful Reunion Goes Viral on Social Media. 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. Washington [US], January 13 (ANI/Sputnik): US Deputy State Secretary Wendy Sherman met with European leaders to discuss ongoing tensions between Russia and Ukraine amid an alleged buildup of Russian forces on their western border, State Department spokesman Ned Price said. "Deputy Secretary of State Wendy R. Sherman met today with French MFA Secretary General Francois Delattre, German MFA State Secretary Andreas Michaelis, Italian MFA Political Director Pasquale Ferrara, and UK Minister of State for Middle East, North Africa and North America James Cleverly, who represented their respective countries at the meeting of the NATO-Russia Council in Brussels. The group pledged to continue close U.S.-European coordination to deter further Russian aggression against Ukraine, and called for Russian de-escalation, underscoring their shared commitment to diplomacy," Price said in a readout of the meeting on Wednesday. Also Read | New Nasal Spray Effective Against All COVID-19 Variants, Can Prevent Infection Upto 8 Hours; Check Details Here. The leaders agreed in the meeting that any Russian advance on Ukraine would result in massive coordinated consequences, including economic measures, against Moscow, the official added. The meeting took place following NATO-Russia talks, during which the alliance's enlargement was a central topic of discussion. The US expects further engagement with Russia in the coming days, Price noted. Also Read | Omicron Dangerous Virus For Unvaccinated People, Warns WHO Chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. Later in the day the State Department said Sherman also briefed Bjoern Seibert, Chief of Staff for European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on the NATO-Russia Council. Russia has repeatedly denied Western accusations of preparing for an invasion, saying it reserves the right to move troops within its sovereign territory as it considers NATO's military activities a threat to the national security of Russia. (ANI/Sputnik) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Sydney, Jan 13 (AP) An Australian man has pleaded guilty to murdering an American mathematician who fell from a Sydney cliff in 1988 in a gay hate crime that was dismissed by police at the time as suicide. Scott White was charged in 2020 with murdering 27-year-old Los Angeles-born Scott Johnson, whose naked body was found at the base of North Head cliff on Dec. 8, 1988. Also Read | Twitter Ban Ends in Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari Govt Lifts Suspension After 7-Month. White yelled repeatedly in court during a pre-trial hearing in Sydney on Monday that he was guilty, having previously denied the crime. A New South Wales state Supreme Court judge on Thursday accepted the guilty plea, dismissing the objections of White's lawyers. White is to be sentenced on May 2. Also Read | India, UK To Kick-Off Negotiations for Free Trade Agreement Today. He faces a possible sentence of life in prison. Police had initially concluded that Johnson, who was a doctoral student at Australian National University and lived in Canberra, had taken his own life. This was despite the discovery that his wallet was missing from his clothes, which were neatly folded near the cliff top. A coronial inquest a court-like proceeding held after unusual deaths ruled in 1989 that the openly gay man had taken his own life, while a second coroner in 2012 could not explain how he died. Johnson's family sought a third inquest, and State Coroner Michael Barnes ruled in 2017 that Johnson fell from the cliff top as a result of actual or threatened violence by unidentified persons who attacked him because they perceived him to be homosexual. Barnes found that gangs of men roamed various Sydney locations in search of gay men to assault, resulting in the deaths of some victims. Some people were also robbed. A new police investigation offered a 1 million Australian dollar (USD731,000) reward for information in 2018 and Johnson's older brother, Boston IT entrepreneur Steve Johnson, matched that reward offer in 2020. I think he deserves what he has coming to him, Steve Johnson told reporters outside the court after White pleaded guilty. It's a very sad, tragic thing that he did, Johnson said. White was arrested at his Sydney home two months after the reward was doubled. Police said at the time that the reward helped in their breakthrough and an unnamed informant would be eligible for the reward once White was convicted. (AP) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Melbourne, January 13: Having a low level of oxygen in the blood is an early sign of worsening COVID. But not everyone gets obvious symptoms. For instance, some people can have low oxygen levels without getting short of breath or feeling otherwise unwell. So some people are buying their own device a pulse oximeter to monitor their oxygen levels at home. Other people are routinely supplied pulse oximeters as part of their COVID home-care package. Also Read | Twitter Ban Ends in Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari Govt Lifts Suspension After 7-Month. The idea is that by monitoring your own oxygen levels at home, you can be reassured your lungs are adequately oxygenating your blood. Alternatively, detecting low levels of oxygen may indicate you need urgent medical care. Also Read | India, UK To Kick-Off Negotiations for Free Trade Agreement Today. So what is a pulse oximeter? And if you can get hold of one, how do you actually use one to monitor COVID at home? What is a pulse oximeter? How does it work? A pulse oximeter is a routine clinical monitor that's been in use in and out of hospital for years. Most types you can buy for use at home are designed like a large clothes peg you clip onto your fingertip. One side of the clip shines a light through your finger to a sensor on the other side of the clip. This gives a measure of the colour of your blood. Blood carrying more oxygen (oxygenated blood) is a brighter red than the bluer de-oxygenated blood. The oximeter interprets the colour of the blood (via the amount of light absorbed) to provide a number the percentage of oxygen in the blood compared to the maximum amount that can be carried. This percentage is the oxygen saturation level. For healthy people this is 95% to 100%. As the oximeter measures blood from the pulse in your finger, it will also display your heart rate (heart beats per minute). How are people using them now? Most people with COVID do not need to be in hospital. So services have been set up for some to be monitored by health professionals at home and only come to hospital if they start to become very unwell. People who do not qualify for this type of hospital-in-the-home type monitoring will still need to monitor their own symptoms at home and seek medical care if needed. One of the most important early signs of COVID deteriorating is a fall in the level of oxygen in the blood. This happens as the lungs become inflamed and less efficient at absorbing oxygen. This may happen even before the person feels particularly ill. Australian guidelines state that when oxygen saturation levels fall to 92%-94% at rest, admission to hospital should be considered. Whether someone needs to go to hospital also depends on if there are other warning signs such as rapid breathing, older age, not being fully vaccinated, if there are other medical problems, and if someone has limited social supports. For children, the number is at or below 95%. If possible you should contact your GP or regular doctor who will advise based on your individual circumstances. Are the readings accurate? Oxygen saturation readings are generally very accurate. However, poor circulation, or cold or moving fingers can make it difficult for the device to find the pulse or may trick the probe into measuring the movement as a pulse. If you have cold fingers or poor circulation you might have to try another finger, or warm your hands by rubbing them together before retaking a reading. You'll also need to keep still and reduce your hand movement while taking a measurement. This might be a challenge for taking readings on small children! Nail polish, particularly dark colours, can cause misleading oximeter readings and is why we ask people to remove it before having a general anaesthetic in hospital. However, nail polish has less of an effect compared to acrylic nails. So it's best to remove nail polish or acrylic nails on the fingers you'll use for testing. What if I have darker skin? More controversial is the inaccuracy of some pulse oximeters in people with darker skin. Due to software problems, darker skin increases the risk some pulse oximeters over-estimate oxygen levels. It's an issue Australia's Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) is concerned about. However, it said it didn't have the evidence to recommend particular devices. But with the type of monitoring we are seeing in the community, we consider any discrepancies are not clinically significant. The changes are small and wouldn't influence the type of care people need to receive. Observing readings over a period of hours or even days can also give a better understanding of the severity of the disease. So if you have darker skin, you can still use a pulse oximeter at home. In the meantime, manufacturers of pulse oximeters are addressing the software issues. So, should I buy one? If you can afford it, yes. The concern many health professionals have is that, just like rapid antigen tests, oximeters may become difficult to access as numbers of cases in the community accelerate. Just as most households have a thermometer, a simple low-cost oximeter will allow us all to monitor our health and seek help if things change. Pulse oximeters are currently available online and from pharmacies from about A$23 but can be over $100. Expect these prices to rise as supplies become limited. You can use the same one for multiple people in a household, including both adults and children. However, you do need to clean the oximeter before using it on the next person. You can do this with an antiseptic wipe. Are some types better than others? It's best to get a pulse oximeter that has a waveform display so it can be timed with your pulse and ensure the oxygen readings are accurate. Look for one with a set of horizontal bars on the display like a phone battery charge indicator. Or you can buy one that displays a waveform (wiggly line to indicate the pulse) on the advert or packaging. Some smart watches and phones also have an oximeter function. There is emerging evidence some of these devices are accurate enough for home monitoring use. However, the evidence is not strong and they are generally not yet licensed for this use. So if you can get hold of a pulse oximeter, that would be best. (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 13: Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya on Thursday claimed the BJP will secure a landslide victory in the state Assembly polls. Talking to mediapersons after the conclusion of the party's Central Election Committee meeting held under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he said discussions were held on 172 seats, polling for which will be held in three phases. Uttar Pradesh Assembly Elections 2022: BJP Finalises Candidates For 172 Seats in UP; CM Yogi Adityanath and Deputy CM Keshav Prasad Maurya Likely to Contest. He said that the saffron party is going to get a huge mandate in 2022, more than it got in 2017. The party's first list of selected candidates is expected to be released on Friday. A total of 172 candidates have been finalised for three of the seven-phase polls in the state. Polling for the first, second and third phase will be held on February 10, 14 and 20 on 58, 55 and 59 seats respectively. As per information accessed by IANS, in the party's first list, only the names of the candidates for the first and second phase of the polls will be announced. A total of 113 seats will go to the polls in the first and second phase. As part of the strategy, the party will announce the names of 95 candidates in the first list and for the rest of the 18 seats after a few days. The last date for filing nominations for the first phase for 58 seats is January 21 while for the second phase of polls on 55 seats, it is January 28. For the first time, the saffron party held a hybrid meeting which was attended virtually by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while Union Home Minister Amit Shah, UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Deputy Chief Ministers Keshav Prasad Maurya and Dinesh Sharma, election in-charge and Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, General Secretary (organisation) B.L. Santhosh joined it physically at the headquarters in the national capital. Party national President J.P. Nadda, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Road, Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari attended the meet virtually as they were Covid-19 positive. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 13, 2022 05:50 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). A Place for All Conservatives to Speak Their Mind. Makar Sankranti is one of the most significant harvest festivals for Hindus which is celebrated with great pomp and gusto. It is that period of the year when Lord Sun or Surya Devta visits his son Shani. Hence, the auspicious day is considered as the transition day of the Sun into the Capricorn. Farmers across the country wish for a good harvest and Naivedhya is offered to Lord Sun as a part of the ritual for new beginnings. Types of Khichdi To Eat on Makar Sankranti 2022 for Good Luck: Taste Different Khichdi Recipes From Around India. In Assam, the occasion is called Magha Bihu, and in Punjab and the southern states, Makar Sankranti is known as Lohri and Pongal. The Makar Sankranti 2022 Punya Kala is from 02:43 PM to 06:21 and Makar Sankranti Maha Punya Kala will be observed from 2:43PM to 4:34PM. The harvest festival is all about colourful decorations, kite flying, bonfires, feasts with authentic dishes like Puran Poli and Til Gur Ladoos, and meals. During Punya Kala of Makar Sankranti People donate clothes and food items to the needy as a part of charity or dakshina. This year, on Makar Sankranti the ministry of AYUSH will organise a Surya Namaskar demonstration program for around 7.5 million people globally. But right now you can start preparing for the festival by downloading our compilation of Makar Sankranthi wishes and festive quotes to mark the start of the auspicious Uttarayana. Latest Rangoli Designs For Makar Sankranti 2022: New Sankranthi Muggulu Patterns and Easy Kite Rangoli Images For Harvest Festival. Makar Sankranti 2022 HD Images Sankranthi Greetings (File Image) Makar Sankrathi 2022 Greeting Reads: May This Makar Sankranti Fill Your Life With Joy, Happiness, and Love. Wishing You and Your Family a Very Happy Makar Sankranti. Makar Sankranthi 2022 Wishes For Family Groups Makar Sankranti Quotes (File Image) Makar Sankranti 2022 Quote Reads: May This Makar Sankranti Takes Away All Your Sadness and Lighten Your Life With Warmth, Joy, Happiness, and Love Forever! Sankranthi 2022 HD Wallpaper For Facebook Makar Sankranti Wallpapers (File Image) Makar Sankranti 2022 Saying Reads: Let This Festive Season Bring With It Endless Happiness and Joy. Happy Makar Sankranti! Makar Sankranti 2022 HD Images With Festive Message Sankranthi 2022 Messages (File Image) Makar Sankranti 2022 Thought Reads: On This Occasion of Makar Sankranti, May God Bless You With Good Health and Wealth. Latest Makar Sankranti 2022 Quotes For Free! Makar Sankranti 2022 Wallpapers (File Image) Makar Sankranthi 2022 WhatsApp Message Reads: May This Makar Sankranti Enlighten Your Life With the Warmth of Glory, and Happiness. Makar Sankranti also marks the start of the auspicious Uttarayana period for Hindus, which lasts for six months. Every twelve years, the Hindus observe Makar Sankranti with Kumbha Mela, one of the world's largest mass pilgrimage. Happy Makar Sankranti 2022 Greetings: Send WhatsApp Status, Wishes And Photos on Uttarayan Festival (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 13, 2022 10:48 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). One man lay sprawled out in the back of a Brazilian military police officers pickup truck, the back of his T-shirt soaked with blood and pierced by bullets. The blood-smeared body of another man pressed against him. Blood leaked through the trucks closed tailgate, dripping onto the pavement. We need some help here! two police officers called to staff members outside Nova Iguacu General Hospital in Rio de Janeiro state this month. At this hospital outside the city of Rio de Janeiro, which has seen a drastic uptick in gunshot victims during the last five years, the response to persistent violence in the region has become a mixture of urgency and apathy. Some residents, having seen family and friends hurt by violent crime, at times cant help showing their anger, or satisfaction when suspected criminals become the ones urgently in need of care. An ambulance arrives with an injured person at Nova Iguacu General Hospital in Rio de Janeiro state. Right, the reception area where patients receive their first medical attention at the hospital. Flavio Forner / For The Times As two hospital orderlies walked over to the military truck, placed the bloody men on stretchers and headed toward the doors of the trauma center, a crowd stood outside the hospital awaiting word on their loved ones. No one seemed to know the two men. A woman at the front of the crowd crossed her arms as she glanced over her shoulder at them. Good, she says. Thats two more thugs we dont have to worry will rob and kill us. Other people in the crowd nodded without saying anything. Nova Iguacu General Hospital, or HGNI, last year treated 687 people who had been shot, up from 475 the previous year, dozens of them fatalities. As of mid-March, the trauma center known as Rios war hospital had treated 159 shooting victims this year, including 31 who died of their wounds, putting it on track to surpass last years total if the violence does not ease. Clockwise from top left, a man wounded by gunfire is taken to Nova Iguacu General Hospital, where police arrive to watch over prisoners and gunshot victims. Outside the hospital, people await news about their relatives. Flavio Forner / For The Times The hospital is responsible for patients from 13 municipalities in a region known as the Baixada Fluminense. The region, which is home to about 3 million people, has two hospitals, including HGNI, that treat trauma patients. State authorities have struggled to ensure public safety. Daily shootouts between police and suspects, generally linked to drug trafficking, recently led the federal government to intervene, putting troops on the streets and handing control of the states public security to an army general. The governments Public Security Institute registered 6,731 homicides in the state of Rio de Janeiro in 2017, the highest number since 2009. The hospital, administrated by the city of Nova Iguacu, receives about $1.9 million from the federal government to treat the 9,000 emergency patients who come through its doors every month. The hospital says it would cost $4.3 million to meet its needs. On the day the officers dropped off the two men in the pickup truck, the trauma centers nine waiting-room chairs, their blue fabric torn and stained from years of use, were occupied. Other patients stood, while some waited in wheelchairs. The stretcher carrying one of the men passed through the middle of the waiting area. It was about 10 p.m. Nobody blinked at the sight. Clockwise from top, a wounded man who was detained by authorities awaits treatment. Alessandry Lopes Bastos, a vascular surgeon, drinks coffee before surgery. Felipe St. Clair, chief of emergency, tends to a patient. Flavio Forner / For The Times The man was rolled through another set of doors into the trauma centers red room, meant for those in life-threatening situations. Five patients were already in beds lined up along the wall to the right. The area behind the shift supervisors desk in the middle of the room was full too. Where do you want him? the orderly who wheeled the patient in asked Dr. Fernanda Sahione, a physician at the hospital for four years. He stopped the stretcher at the foot of the five beds to the right as a screen of thin teal fabric was hung from metal poles to separate the shooting victim from the other patients. Dont worry, we can keep him here for now, said Sahione as she took the patients vital signs. He wont be here long. Hes already dead. We just need to declare him and have the morgue pick him up. She moved the first stretcher over as the second one was brought in. He was dead too. Can we get someone to come in and clean up this blood? said Dr. Alessandry Lopes Bastos, a vascular surgeon. There was nothing more he could do. Bastos had been ready to take the two men to surgery. Instead, he helped place them into body bags before pulling off his gloves. They have IDs that say theyre 19 and 24, but they must be fake, he said, shaking his head. That boy cant be more than 15 years old. Both victims had been shot multiple times. The officers who brought them in said they were suspected of involvement in the illegal drug trade and were killed during a shootout in a favela, or slum, known as Comunidade Sem Terra. A police car arrives with two gunshot victims at Nova Iguacu General Hospital. Right, police officers stand by at the hospital to watch prisoners and gunshot victims. In 2017, the hospital treated 687 shooting victims. Flavio Forner / For The Times Later, in a lunch room, several half-eaten pizzas sat on a table as the 11 oclock news aired on TV. Nobody paid attention. Bastos took a last bite of pizza after being called into surgery a stabbing victim this time. Dr. Artur Ferreira, a neurosurgeon, sat on an old black couch next to Sahione. Im just glad to be working at this hospital, Ferreira said, leaning forward in his seat. The doctors continued to chat about life at the hospital. This place is like cocaine for us. Its addictive, Sahione said. And were a family here. I never want to leave. A short time later, Bastos smoked outside the trauma center. The surgery on the stabbing victim had been simple and went well. It took less than an hour. Bastos flicked the ash from his cigarette. Life is so futile, he said. At 12:50 a.m., Bastos still had more than six hours remaining on his 12-hour shift. An ambulance came up the hospital drive, its sirens blaring, and pulled to a stop. He took one last puff, put out his cigarette and headed toward it. Here we go again. Langlois is a special correspondent. During the 1980s, as much of Central America became a bloody Cold War battleground, the conflict in Guatemala stood out as exceptionally sinister. The ruling military junta viewed the highland Indians descendants of the Mayas as natural allies of the Marxist guerrillas fighting to overthrow it. Security forces launched a massive counterinsurgency against selected populations, especially the Ixil ethnic enclave here in Quiche province. A report by a United Nations-backed truth commission after the 36-year civil war formally ended in 1996 found that security forces had inflicted multiple acts of savagery and genocide against Maya communities. The campaign included: bombing villages and attacking fleeing residents; impaling victims; burning people alive; severing limbs; throwing children into pits filled with bodies and killing them; disemboweling civilians and slashing open the wombs of pregnant women. Advertisement The massacres, scored-earth operations, forced disappearances and executions of Mayan authorities, leaders and spiritual guides were not only an attempt to destroy the social base of the guerrillas, but above all, to destroy the cultural values that ensured cohesion and collective action in Mayan communities, the Commission for Historical Clarification said. The Guatemalan government was responsible for more than 90% of deaths, disappearances and other human rights violations during the war, the commission said. The state deliberately exaggerated a limited insurgent threat to justify large-scale repression, the commission found. At least 200,000 people died in the civil war, the commission said. In 2013, former dictator Gen. Efrain Rios Montt was convicted of genocide and crimes against humanity for the deaths of at least 1,771 Ixil people during his rule from 1982 to 1983. He was sentenced to 80 years in prison in a case that was widely hailed as a landmark, the first time that a former head of state faced formal genocide charges in his own nation. But less than two weeks later, Guatemalas highest court overturned the conviction on technical grounds. Years before Rios Montt came to power, U.S. President Carter had banned military aid to Guatemala because of the countrys dismal human rights record. It was a controversial measure at a time when left-wing insurgencies threatened U.S.-backed governments in Nicaragua and El Salvador. Guatemala had long been viewed as an anti-communist bastion. Indeed, a CIA-backed coup in 1954 had toppled the government of leftist Guatemalan President Jacobo Arbenz, who championed a signature land reform, redistributing large estates to peasants. Rios Montt, a charismatic evangelical preacher, was the head of a three-man junta that seized power in Guatemala in March 1982. His admirers included President Reagan, who declared after meeting him in 1982 as the military was conducting its brutal onslaught against Maya communities that the junta boss exhibited great personal integrity and had gotten a bum rap. The Reagan administration lifted the embargo on arms sales to Guatemala in 1983, allowing the country to obtain equipment and parts for helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft, among other items, for its counterinsurgency efforts. The truth commission found that U.S. military assistance to Guatemala had a significant bearing on human rights violations during the armed confrontation. In 1999, President Clinton formally apologized for Washingtons backing of right-wing governments in Guatemala. Support for military forces and intelligence units which engaged in violence and widespread repression was wrong, and the United States must not repeat that mistake, he said. Rios Montt, 91, reportedly suffering from a weak heart and dementia, was being retried for genocide when he died on April 1. patrick.mcdonnell@latimes.com Twitter: @PmcdonnellLAT "Encanto" was released by Disney last November 24, 2021. Although the film's launch date was just more than one month ago, many fans were already hooked to it. Because of its relatable storyline, it became one of the most popular fantasy-comedy animated movies right now. Many social media fans shared their appreciation for the new film on various online platforms. Most of the viewers of "Encanto" are posting their content on TikTok. Aside from a great plot, it also showcases songs and music was composed by Lin-Manuel Miranda, a popular American actor and musician. He is also well known for his musical composition titled "Hamilton." But, all these are not the main reasons why "Encanto" became so popular today. Why 'Encanto' is so Popular According to NBC News' latest report, "Encanto" was able to tackle the so-called intergenerational trauma, which is not featured in many films. READ MORE: Guillermo del Toro's New 'Pinocchio' Film for Netflix Gives Jump Start to Mexico's Animation Studio If you don't know the intergenerational trauma, it is the passing down of traumatic experiences of the family's older members. "Bringing that intergenerational trauma was incredibly important to her. She's Cuban American, and she felt that her family and their immigrant experience, she really wanted to bring that to the forefront," said the film's director, Byron Howard. If you already watched the movie, you can see the intergenerational trauma was experienced by the Madrigal Family's matriarch or "Abuela," Alma. Other Things That Made 'Encanto' Popular Of course, the catchy songs in the movie also played an important role. One of the favorites of the film's fans is the song titled "We Don't Talk About Bruno." Today reported that the song is currently being used in many contents on various social media sites, especially on TikTok. Because of this, the "Encanto" soundtrack was able to take the number 1 spot on Billboard's 200 Chart. Aside from the catchy songs, the new Disney movie also offered new characters, who people can reflect on themselves. One of the most popular characters is Luisa Madrigal, who showed that even the strongest members of the family are being pressured by the expectations around them. READ NEXT: Zendaya Warns Fans About Watching 'Euphoria Season 2'; Urges Supporters to Watch Only If They Feel 'Comfortable' The House select committee leading the probe on the January 6 Capitol attack had formally requested an interview with minority leader Rep. Kevin McCarthy, who was in communications with former President Donald Trump during and after the Capitol breach. In a letter sent to McCarthy, Rep. Bennie Thompson said that McCarthy had cited speaking directly with Trump while events were unfolding on January 6, according to The New York Times report. The January 6 panel was particularly interested in a phone call between McCarthy and Trump during the riot. McCarthy said that the call was "very heated." The minority leader was asking Trump to send help to Capitol as a violent mob breached the complex. Trump said during the call that the mob was evidently more upset about the election than the Republican leader was. Thompson also noted that McCarthy had spoken with Trump after the attack. He added that the Republican minority might have identified other options for the former president. READ NEXT: Pres. Joe Biden Avoided Naming Donald Trump in Speech Marking Capitol Riot Anniversary, Here's Why January 6 Panel Interviews Thompson noted that the select committee respects Congress, as well as the privacy of its members. However, he said that they have the responsibility to investigate the facts and circumstances of the events fully, according to a Voice of America News report. McCarthy has publicly cited his private discussions with Trump after the January 6 riot at the Capitol. In one CBS interview, McCarthy said that he was very clear with the president when he spoke with him, saying that it "has to stop" and go to the "American public and tell them to stop this." The minority leader is the third member of Congress the select committee has reached out to for voluntary information. The panel also expressed their want to interview Republican Reps. Jim Jordan and Scott Perry, however, both declined the invitation to sit down with the panel and provide documents. Thompson proposed meeting with McCarthy in early February, according to an NBC News report. Last May, McCarthy was asked if he would be willing to testify about January 6 conversation with Trump, to which he responded with "sure." In addition, McCarthy said in a House floor speech days after January 6 that Trump has responsibility for the "attack on Congress by mob rioters." Meanwhile, panel members also met with former White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany, who was subpoenaed in November. The former press secretary met virtually with the committee, according to a person familiar with the meeting. McEnany was originally scheduled for December 3. However, it had been postponed, with the discussion in the meeting still not clear. Seven Democrats and two Republicans make up the investigative panel leading the January 6 probe. In addition, it has already interviewed more than 300 people and issued subpoenas to more than 40. The committee has also collected documented materials, with 35,000 pages of records so far, including texts, emails, and phone records from people close to the former president. GOP Leader McCarthy Will Not Voluntarily Give Information Hours after the House Committee sent the request letter to McCarthy, the California Republican said he will not voluntarily provide information to the investigating committee, CNBC reported. McCarhy said in a statement that the select committee's investigation is not legitimate, mentioning House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's refusal to include in the panel the Republicans that he handpicked. "[I]t 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," the lawmaker said. READ MORE: Justice Department Indicts Steve Bannon with Contempt of Congress for Refusing to Comply Capitol Riot Subpoena This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Mary Webber WATCH: Jan. 6 Committee Requests Information From Rep. McCarthy - from MSNBC Horrifying video footage shows people fleeing for their lives after members of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, Mexico's deadliest cartel, allegedly dropped a bomb from a drone onto a rival camp in a new turf war. The footage shows an aerial view in the forests of Tepalcatepec, Mexico, where a blue tarpaulin is hung up, covering a series of what appear to be makeshift shacks or huts. Cartel Drops Bombs on Michoacan Residents A bomb explodes seconds later. Several individuals can be seen fleeing the blast in search of protection as coils of smoke rise from the forest floor. Before being taken down by the forest's residents, the drone deploys more explosives on the survivors. The attack is the latest in a series of brutal assaults on Michoacan residents, who have been subjected to escalating violence, mostly blamed on JNGC. Residents of the town who had taken part in a brief gunfight with cartel gunmen attempting to take control of the territory earlier that day were allegedly targeted by Monday's drone attacks. According to local officials, one person was injured in the attack, but opposing gangs have been fighting tooth and nail for every inch of land in Michoacan's small towns and forest settlements for months. The cartel has bombed at least two towns in Tepalcatepec, according to reports from the area. ALSO READ: More Than 170 Haitian Migrants Arrived in the Florida Keys in Overloaded Sailboat, Coast Guard Says Tepalcatepec Mayor Martha Laura Mendoza is said to have pleaded with Mexican authorities for help in restoring security to the region, which was destroyed by violence last week. Mendoza told Mexican news reports that they have been living in fear for the last four months, for Tepalcatepec is the only municipality with more than 3,000 displaced persons. "It's been four months," she added. "No one has contacted us or offered a solution!" The Jalisco New Generation Cartel, which was founded in 2009, is today considered one of Mexico's two most deadly and powerful cartels, alongside Joaquin 'El Chapo' Guzman's Sinaloa Cartel. Since then, a deadly conflict has started in Mexico between rival gangs for control of the drug markets, adding to the violence that has plagued the country for years. Despite fierce competition from other cartels in Mexico and increasingly urgent efforts by foreign authorities to curb the bloodbath, its drug trafficking empire now spans all corners of the globe. The United States Drug Enforcement Administration has even offered a $10 million reward for information leading to the arrest of the cartel's head, Nemesio 'El Mencho' Oseguera Cervantes. The state of Michoacan has long been a hotspot for drug traffickers. However, the situation has deteriorated in recent months due to frequent gun clashes between competing cartels. 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: Chilling moment Mexico's deadliest cartel drops bombs from a DRONE onto rival camp in new turf war - Google News Prince Andrew is set to face a civil case in the United States after a federal judge has ruled to deny the Duke of York's bid to dismiss the case against him. Giuffre alleged that sexual offender Jeffrey Epstein arranged for Andrew to sexually abuse her when she was a minor. Andrew has denied the allegations and maintained his innocence, saying he did not participate in the sexual exploitation of minors or witness such, according to an NPR report. The prince's lawyers argued that a $500,000 settlement that Epstein and Giuffre reached in 2009 should prevent her from suing the British prince. However, District Judge Lewis A. Kaplan commented on the settlement and said that it was too vague to specifically protect the Duke of York from a lawsuit. Giuffre's deal with Epstein prohibits her from pursuing litigation against Epstein and anyone who could be a "potential defendant." The prince's lawyer, Andrew B. Brettler, seized on that phrase to say that the settlement protects Andrew. Kaplan answered and asked what is a "potential defendant" as distinguished from a "defendant?" READ NEXT: Virginia Roberts Giuffre's Lawyer Says They Will Try to Have Members of Royal Family, Including Meghan Markle, to Testify in Prince Andrew's Trial Virginia Roberts Giuffre's Case Against Prince Andrew Kaplan said that his ruling did not determine the "truth or falsity" of Giuffre's complaint, according to a BBC News report. Meanwhile, Giuffre said she was "pleased" that Andrew's attempt to dismiss the case had been denied, adding that the evidence will not be taken concerning her accusations against the Duke of York. Giuffre's lawyer, David Boies, said that his client looks forward to a "judicial determination of the merits of those claims." Giuffre noted that she was the victim of sex trafficking and abuse by Epstein. She alleges that part of her abuse included being lent out to other powerful men. The Queen's second son was in an interview with BBC Newsnight in 2019. Andrew, during the interview, said that he had no memory of ever meeting with Giuffre, adding that his account of them having sexual intercourse in the U.S. and U.K. did not happen. Kaplan said that the court was not able to consider at this stage whether Prince Andrew was covered by the settlement agreement, noting it as "ambiguous." Andrew's lawyers could possibly introduce an appeal against Kaplan's decision. However, they would need Andrew's permission to do so. Royal Family Amid Prince Andrew's Case Meanwhile, Queen Elizabeth has already largely banished Andrew from public life after his interview with BBC in November 2019, wherein he tried to explain his friendship with Epstein. Penny Junor, a royal historian, said that he believes most people have lost interest in the Duke of York, adding that Andrew is "arrogant and not particularly popular," according to The New York Times report. However, Junor said that Andrew could still remain a problem, with the Queen not stripping him of his honorary military titles, which he inherited from Prince Philip. Prince Harry was stripped of his honorary military titles, as well as the right to use the honorific His Royal Highness after he and Meghan Markle stepped back from official duties and moved to the U.S. Some were given the impression of a double standard for privileged members of the royal family after Andrew has managed to retain his titles despite the case. READ MORE: Queen Elizabeth II Warns British Media to Stay Away From Balmoral - And Her Son Prince Andrew This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Mary Webber WATCH: Prince Andrew fails to stop US sexual abuse civil case brought by Virginia Giuffre - from Channel 4 News Ecuadorian anti-narcotics officers have seized 656.7 kilograms of cocaine, with an estimated value of $42 million, concealed in a cargo container transporting bananas bound for Tunisia. The drugs were distributed among ten jute bags in the shape of 660 brick-type packets, according to the police. The discovery was made as part of an anti-drug trafficking operation dubbed "Vispera," according to the chief of the Latin American country's police, Fausto Buenano Castillo. The investigation will be led by the National Guard's criminal affairs division in Ben Arous City, according to Houssem Eddine Jebabli, a spokesperson for the General Direction of the National Guard. The National Guard will also cooperate with Ecuadorian Police on the inquiry through Interpol, according to Jebabli. Meanwhile, Tunisian Police confirmed today that they are investigating narcotics transportation and importation. Tunisia has one of the strictest anti-drug policies. Dozens of Thousands of Cocaine Seize din 2021 A similar situation happened when on December 2, the Ecuadorian Police reported seizing 133 kilograms of cocaine hidden in a banana container in the Port of Guayaquil, Guayas province. On that same day, officers reported the seizure of 245 kilos of cocaine in two containers bound for Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala. Between November 21 and December 2 last year, Ecuadorian security forces confiscated 7,148 kilos of cocaine in ten raids. ALSO READ: More Than 170 Haitian Migrants Arrived in the Florida Keys in Overloaded Sailboat, Coast Guard Says In that same port on December 1, The Ecuadorian Police, with the help of the Colombian Navy, confiscated 1,100 kilograms of cocaine in a container headed for the Colombian port of Buenaventura. Antwerp, Belgium was the final destination. November 26, the Police and the Attorney General's Office disclosed findings of 1,530 kilos of cocaine in San Jacinto de Balzar, Guayas province, which was being transported in the false bottom of a truck through Pichincha province. On November 25, authorities confirmed the discovery of 158 kilograms of cocaine in Guayas province. On the same day, the Police in El Oro province reported seizing 137 kilograms of cocaine hidden in banana boxes in a truck, and authorities in Imbabura province reported that a K9 unit had found 700 kilograms. On November 23, the police seized 1,800 kilograms of cocaine, while the police seized another 902 kilos of cocaine the day before. Finally, on November 21, police in Guayaquil claimed to seize 4,443 kg of cocaine to disrupt an international drug trafficking organization. Despite the absence of significant cartels like those in Mexico and Colombia, Ecuador is one of the world's main cocaine shipping routes, with almost a third of Colombia's cocaine passing across its borders. President Guillermo Lasso of Ecuador declared a state of emergency in October to combat drug trafficking and other crimes in the country, declaring it a national broadcast at the time that "there is only one enemy: drug trafficking," which he claimed was the root cause of an increase in homicides, burglaries, theft, and robberies. 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: How Cocaine Trafficking Actually Works | How Crime Works - Insider Kathleen Buhle, Hunter Biden's ex-wife, is set to release her new book where she will open up about their divorce. According to People, Buhle's book entitled "If We Break: A Memoir of Marriage, Addiction, Healing" is set to be released on June 14. The Daily Wire noted that the book Buhle will be released will mark her first time opening up about her marriage with Hunter Biden, their divorce, and its aftermath. READ NEXT: Pres. Joe Biden's Son Hunter Biden Sells Five Art Prints for $75K Each at First Art Show in California Hunter Biden's Ex-Wife's Book The Daily Mail noted that the book written by Hunter Biden's ex-wife will discuss different arrays of topics in their marriage, such as the "heavy toll" of addiction on relationships. Meanwhile, Buhle's publisher revealed that "If We Break..." will also tell Buhle's story from her working-class roots on the south side of Chicago to losing her maiden name and becoming a part of the Bidens when she married Hunter Biden. The publisher added that the book would also tackle how Kathleen Buhle found a "renewed" sense of identity and purpose and joy after parting ways with Hunter Biden. In an interview, Kathleen shared that writing a book has served as her healing, as she looked for ways "to stand on her own." Kathleen Buhle said that she also hopes that her book will become "meaningful" for those who overcame addiction or divorce, as well as "women who felt their entire identity was tied to their spouse." In the interview, Kathleen Buhle also claimed that she felt "devastated" after she divorced Hunter Biden. "When my marriage ended, I felt like I'd lost my sense of who I was... Anyone who has seen addiction ruin a relationship, or been through infidelity or divorce, can tell you how devastating it feels," Buhle pointed out. Kathleen's book came after his ex-husband, Hunter Biden, also released a book entitled "Beautiful Things." The younger Biden's book tackled his addiction issues, where he revealed that he was drinking a quart of vodka per day and that at some point in his life, he also lived with a homeless woman who happened to be his dealer. Hunter Biden's book also touched on other personal challenges he faced, including the collapse of his marriage. Hunter Biden and Kathleen Buhle Divorce It can be recalled that Hunter Biden and Kathleen Buhle married in 1993. The two shared three children before they decided to part ways after 24 years of being together. Six weeks before his divorce with Buhle was finalized, Hunter revealed that he was in a relationship with Hallie, his brother Beau's widow. In a 2016 email, Buhle wrote that she will be leaving Hunter because he was "having an affair" and that he has become emotionally abusive. In the Email, Kathleen Buhle said that she forgave Hunter Biden for cheating before and that he tried helping him to get sober. However, she revealed that the younger Biden did not want her forgiveness, and he did not want Buhle to help him with his recovery. Kathrine Buhle and Hunter Biden then finalized their divorce in 2017. READ NEXT: Prince Andrew's Bid to Dismiss Case With Virginia Roberts Giuffre Denied by Judge's Ruling This article is owned by Latin Post. Written By: Joshua Summers WATCH: Joe Biden's Son Hunter Secretly Marries After Split From Late Brother's Widow - From Access Chile has started giving the fourth dose of COVID vaccines as the Omicron variant causes a surge in cases. It is the first Latin American country to administer the fourth dose of jabs. People with immunocompromised conditions will be the first in line to receive the shots, while the program will be extended to all those over the age of 55 in February, according to a BBC News report. The country's vaccination campaign started with the Chinese-made Sinovac COVID vaccine, and the expansion of the program will include fourth doses. The fourth dose will use a combination of Sinovac, Pfizer, and AstraZeneca jabs. President Sebastian Pinera urged the people to get vaccinated, noting that the shots are safe and that they work. Pinera visited a Santiago hospital where fourth doses were offered on Monday. He also said that those refusing to be vaccinated are irresponsible. The president addressed those unvaccinated, saying that they will be infected, infecting their families, partners, and work colleagues. Chile has reported its daily infections to more than 4,000, according to government data. The new cases show soaring infections globally despite hopes over data implying that Omicron variant may be less fatal, if more contagious, according to a Reuters report. Pinera said that the fourth dose will be available to everyone, starting with immunocompromised people. Chile has fully vaccinated more than 14 million people out of its 19 million population since the end of 2020. Its Ministry of Health also noted that 11.3 million people have already received a third booster dose. READ NEXT: FDA Cuts Waiting Period to Moderna Booster Shots to Five Months Amid COVID Cases Surge COVID Vaccine Fourth Dose Little data has come out so far regarding how effective fourth doses are. However, evidence from Israel found that extra dose increased antibodies against COVID by five times a week after the shot, according to a Forbes report. Professor Gili Regev-Yochay, director of the infectious diseases unit at Sheba Medical Center, said that it is not enough, and researchers were looking for better results. Regev-Yochay said it does not give the same effect as the first booster shot. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention director Dr. Rochelle Walensky said that the agency is monitoring data on the fourth dose. Immunocompromised Americans are also seen to be eligible for a fourth vaccine dose. Meanwhile, Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla said the company will be releasing a COVID vaccine that targets the Omicron variant in March, according to a CNBC report. Bourla said that the company is already beginning to manufacture some of the quantities at risk. The Pfizer top official said that the vaccine will also target the other variants that are currently circulating. However, it is not yet clear whether or not an Omicron is needed or how it would be used. Bourla said that they hope the vaccine will achieve better protection against COVID infections. Moderna CEO Stephane Bancel also said the company is working on a booster that targets Omicron. Bancel noted that the demand is high as governments around the world prepare for regular vaccination against COVID. READ MORE: Pfizer's COVID Pill Could Have Risky Effects When Used With Other Drugs; FDA Restricts Merck's COVID Pill Use to Adults and Scenarios Where Other Treatments Are Not Available This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Mary Webber WATCH: Chile rolls out fourth vaccine dose as COVID-19 cases rise - from Al Jazeera English Brazilian police have identified the tenth victim of canyon collapse last Saturday when a massive stone cliff face collapsed onto tourist boats in Capitolio. The identity of the last victim, Geovany Gabriel Oliveira da Silva, 14, was revealed by Minas Gerais police on Monday afternoon after they discovered three more bodies. Initially, it was thought that seven people had died on Saturday, with three others still missing. According to reports from a Brazilian newspaper, all of the victims knew each other because some were part of the same family and others were friends. The incident injured 32 people, nine of whom were seriously injured. Many of those admitted to the hospital have broken bones, and at least one person has suffered head and facial injuries. Some have exposed fractures, and at least three are critically ill. Deadly Cliff Collapse Andreia Mendonca, a survivor of the Brazil cliff collapse, told her boat captain that she noticed a few pebbles falling into the water moments before tragedy struck. But he shrugged it off as other tourists snapped photos, Mendonca told local officials. A widely shared media platforms video showed a large cliff fragment breaking free from a ravine and plunging onto tourist boats in the lake. When the large piece of rock fell into the water, it struck four boats. A friend of one of the victims, Ramilton Rodrigues, was waiting for the bodies to arrive at the forensic institute with family members. The man in mourning told Agence France-Presse that his friend would have turned 25 this Sunday but was killed a day earlier. Officials had issued a warning the day before to avoid the area's waterfalls, which could have been damaged by raging waters. Meteorologist Estael Sias told AFP that there is "certainly a relationship" between the heavy rains and the cliff collapsing. "The long and grueling rains did indeed caused an infiltration of water in the rocks, causing rocks to move and the cliff face to fall," he explained. "A huge amount of rain coming down the in the region's waterfalls, putting great pressure on the rocks." ALSO READ: Brazil: 18 People Dead, More Than 280 Injured in Floods as 2 Dams Break Amid Heavy Rains Heavy Rains Become Fatal In the Southeastern Brazilian state of Minas Gerais, 19 people were killed after heavy rains since early October, which warned of more intense downpours in the region. According to the State Coordinator of Civil Defense, the storm victims, including an 11-year-old girl, died on Sunday and Monday as a result of rains, flooding, and landslides. Another victim was a family of five, carrying a couple, their three and six-year-old children, as well as another relative, were traveling by car in the Belo Horizonte metropolitan region when a landslide buried their car. The Regional Civil Defense added that more than 13,000 people were forced to leave their homes. Heavy rain is expected over the next 10 days, which "unfortunately could mean more disasters," according to Sias. Less rain is expected in the second half of January, but February and March will continue to experience heavy rainfalls. 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: Brazil Cliff Collapse Kills At Least 10 - NBC News Joe Rogan is in another backlash on Wednesday as at least 270 doctors and scientists signed an open letter requesting Spotify to monitor his podcast over COVID misinformation. The letter from the healthcare experts mentioned an episode of Joe Rogan's podcast "Joe Rogan Experience" where Dr. Robert Malone appeared on the New Year's Eve episode of the show. The experts claimed that the episode harbored theories about COVID-19 and that Malone compared pandemic-related policies to the holocaust, The Sacramento Bee reported. "These actions are not only objectionable and offensive but also medically and culturally dangerous," the doctors and scientists said in their letter. Aside from the episode where Dr. Malone was in the show, the experts also mentioned that Joe Rogan has "repeatedly spread misleading and false claims on his podcast." The doctors further argued that Rogan's claims in his Spotify podcast are "provoking' the people's distrust in science and medicine. The doctors then mentioned several cases where Rogan went against science, claiming that the radio host discouraged vaccines among young children, incorrectly claimed that mRNA vaccines are "gene therapy," and promoted the use of Ivermectin despite the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) warnings. "We are calling on Spotify to take action against the mass-misinformation events which continue to occur on its platform... This is not only a scientific or medical concern; it is a sociological issue of devastating proportions and Spotify is allowing this activity to thrive in its platform," the experts pointed out. READ NEXT: UFC's Dana White Calls Joe Rogan for Advice After He and 'Entire' Family Test Positive for COVID Joe Rogan's Spotify Podcast In Joe Rogan's podcast episode, Dr. Malone talked about his self-created term "mass formation psychosis." Other news outlets tried to research the term, but the said term did not appear on the American Psychological Association's Dictionary of Psychology. AP News reportedly spoke with Social Psychology Professor Stephen Richter from the University of St. Andrews. However, the expert noted that the term does not bear any "academic credibility." Aside from the "mass formation psychosis," Dr. Malone also argued in Joe Rogan's podcast that a third of the population "is basically hypnotized" into wearing face masks and getting vaccinated. According to reports, Dr. Malone was suspended by Twitter over claims of COVID misinformation on the platform. According to the experts' letter, the episode of the "Joe Rogan Experience" on Spotify has reached many tens of millions of listeners who are vulnerable to "predatory medical misinformation." Joe Rogan on COVID Treatments It can be recalled that in April last year, Rogan revealed in an episode in his podcast that "healthy" young people should not be vaccinated. However, the radio host then walked back on his vaccine comments, claiming that he supports the remedy for COVID-19. "I said I believe they're [COVID vaccines] safe and I encourage many people to take them," Rogan said. In September, Joe Rogan revealed that he was stricken with COVID-19, as he canceled his shows during that time. He then revealed that he took Ivermectin, monoclonal antibodies, and a Z-pack to battle the virus. READ NEXT: Green Bay Packers' Aaron Rodgers Says He Didn't Lie About Vaccination Status, Admits Taking Ivermectin for COVID This article is owned by Latin Post. Written By: Joshua Summers WATCH: Here's Why Joe Rogan's COVID Treatment Is Problematic - From Doctor Mike A report from an outside investigator publicized on Wednesday revealed that the Moab City police officer who responded to Brian Laundries and Gabby Petito's domestic trouble committed unintentional mistakes" during that time. According to Deseret News, the independent report composed of about 102 pages was conducted by Captain Brandon Ratcliffe from the Price City Police Department. According to the report, the Moab City police officers failed to cite Gabby Petito for domestic violence. Furthermore, it also revealed that the officers should have interviewed or obtained a statement from the 911 caller, who told the responders that he saw a "gentleman slapping a girl" and then the run-up to the sidewalk and proceed to slap the woman, hopped in their car, and drove off. Despite the violations, Ratcliffe noted that he is "confident and comfortable" to say that the officers' mistakes were not made intentionally. Several recommendations were mentioned in the report. According to Fox News, the independent investigation advised that both of the officers who responded to Brian Laundrie and Gabby Petito shall be placed on probation. The report also recommended that the officers of the Moab City Police should have additional training for domestic violence investigations and legal training to understand the state laws and statutes further. Ratcliffe also mentioned that Moab Police Department should also review their software for processing their reports, contending that there are a "considerate number" of details lacking from the officers who responded to the couple. READ NEXT: Brian Laundrie Manipulated Gabby Petito to Deposit Vlogging Revenue to His Bank Account? Questions Pop up on How He Got the $20K He Left Behind Report Author Says Gabby Petito a "Long Term Victim" of Domestic Violence The report publicized on Wednesday also mentioned a shocking prediction of Gabby Petito's place in her relationship with Brian Laundrie. The report concluded that Gabby Petito is "very likely" to be a "long-term victim of domestic violence," whether it may be physical, mental, or emotional. "Gabby was trying to start an online career which Brian didn't support or believe she could accomplish... Brian tried locking gabby out of the van in an attempt to control her movements. Brian said he was trying to make Gabby calm down and Gabby said she was trying to get brian to stop telling her what to calm down," the report reads. According to the investigator, Laundrie, at some point, grabbed Petito's face in an attempt to calm her down or quiet her down. However, the report pointed out that the act of grabbing someone's face is "extremely personal, violent and controlling." Brian Laundrie and Gabby Petito in Moab It can be recalled that the Moab Police Department was placed under intense scrutiny after the department released body camera footage showing that Gaby Petito and Brian Laundrie were released by them on August 12. The first body cam video also showed Petito crying and telling cops that she slapped brian Laundrie after an argument. Another bodycam footage the same day showed a crying gabby telling the police that Laundrie cut her with his nail after she hit him. That night, the responding officers separated the couple, concluding that the incident was not a crime but mental health crisis. Gabby Petito went missing on a cross-country road trip with Brian Laundrie to Oregon. She lost contact with her family in late August in Wyoming. Her body was then found in a Spread Creek Dispersed Campground near Grand Teton National in Wyoming on September 19. Meanwhile, Brian Laundrie was named as the person of interest in the disappearance and death of her fiancee when he returned to his Florida home alone from their trip. After a month-long search, his skeletal remains were found in a swampy area of Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park on October 20. An autopsy revealed that he died of a single gunshot wound in the head, and the manner of death was suicide. READ NEXT: Brian Laundrie Update: Gabby Petito's Family Is Still Grieving, but Says Foundation in Her Honor Is Helping Them Cope This article is owned by Latin Post. Written By: Joshua Summers WATCH: Moab Police Made 'Unintentional Mistakes' in Gabby Petito Incident, Review Says - From FOX 13 News Utah The Honble SC has given a notable judgement in which it has delved into the principles to be followed for the deportation/repatriation of prisoners under the Repatriation of Prisoners Act, 2003. In the instant case titled Union of India and anr. vs. Shaikh Istiyaq Ahmed and ors. the Supreme Court of Mauritius had convicted the respondent under the provisions of Dangerous Drugs Act for the possession of 152.8 grams of heroin and sentenced him to imprisonment for 26 years. He was transferred to India in March, 2016 under the provisions of the Repatriation of Prisoners Act. The respondent appealed to the Central Government to reduce the sentence to 10 years to bring it in consonance with the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act and also reg=quested to take into account the term of imprisonment already undergone by him in Mauritius. The Government agreed to deduct the period spent by him in remand but rejected the plea to reduce the sentence to 10 years. This order of rejection was challenged before the Bombay HC, and it was allowed in May, 2019. A document titled Commonwealth Human rights Initiative: Bringing them Home- Repatriation of Prisoners Act, 2003 which was issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs on 10 August, 2015, contained Guidelines for the Transfer of Sentenced Persons under the Repatriation of Prisoners Act was presented before the SC. According to these guidelines, in the case of adaptation of sentences of prisoners involved in drug trafficking, reference has to be made to the provisions of the NDPS Act. Also, before deportation, the prisoner has to be informed of the quantum of sentence that he will have to undergo in India, and no deportation will be done unless the prisoner gives his consent to the quantum of punishment. It was observed by the Court that the prisoner had, indeed, submitted an undertaking regarding the same. The Court also held that the duration of the sentence will be governed by the Agreement of Transfer between the Foreign State and India. Agreeing with the fact that the Indian government can modify the sentence of the foreign court only if it is incompatible with Indian laws, the Court held that merely because the foreign courts sentence is higher than that of Indian law does not become incompatible with Indian Law. In order for it to be incompatible, it has to be violative of the fundamental laws of India (section 13(6) of the Repatriation of Prisoners Act). After a combined reading of section 12 and 13 of the aforementioned Act, the Supreme Court carved out the following principles- 1. A request for the transfer of a prisoner from a contracting state to India would be subject to the terms and conditions of the agreement between the two contracting States. 2. The sentence of imprisonment imposed by the contracting State shall be binding on India (section 12(1) of the Repatriation Act). 3. On the acceptance of the request of transfer, a warrant shall be drawn up for the detention of the prisoner in accordance with section 12(1) of the Act. 4. The warrant will have to provide for the nature and duration of the imprisonment of the convict in accordance with the terms and conditions mentioned in section 12(1) of the Act (as agreed between the two States). 5. The imprisonment will be in accordance with the warrant. 6. The Government is empowered to adapt the sentence if it is incompatible with the laws of India as to its nature or quantum or both. 7. If the Government is considering the request for adaptation, it has to make sure that the adapted sentence is in conformity with the sentence imposed by the contracting state. Portland, TN (37148) Today Mostly cloudy early, then thunderstorms developing this afternoon. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. High 81F. Winds SW at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 70%.. Tonight Thunderstorms this evening, then skies turning partly cloudy after midnight. Low 54F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70%. THE YOUNG teacher who was murdered in a random attack while jogging along a popular walkway in broad daylight has been named locally as Ashling Murphy. Gardai are investigating the fatal assault on the woman that occurred at approximately 4pm on Wednesday, along the canal bank at Cappincur, Tullamore, County Offaly. Gardai believe that Ms Murphy, 22, was beaten to death by a man in what was a random attack. She had been jogging along a stretch of the Grand Canal, known as Fionas Way in memory of missing woman Fiona Pender. A suspect in the case a Romanian national aged in his 40s who has been living locally was being questioned last night on suspicion of her murder. The young teachers death has sent shockwaves across the country. Ms Murphy hails from a highly-respected family who live outside Tullamore and are well-known in music circles. An accomplished musician, Ms Murphy began her studies at Limerick's Mary Immaculate College in August, 2017. A member of Ballyboy Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann, the talented fiddle player also tutored students. In one of her posts on Facebook, she had commented that she was happiest when playing music with her sister Amy, also an accomplished musician. Ms Murphy had performed in numerous trad events and competitions throughout her young life. She also had a keen interest in camogie. The young womans body was removed from the scene in Tullamore in a hearse. The scene remained preserved overnight. The man in his 40s who has been arrested in connection with the incident is currently being detained at Tullamore Garda Station under the provisions of Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984. An incident room has been established at Tullamore Garda Station under a Senior Investigating Officer. A family liaison officer has been appointed and is liaising with the family of Ms Murphy. People across the country have expressed their disbelief at the senseless nature of the crime. A young woman, simply out for a run in the afternoon and brutally killed. Thinking of her and her family and community tonight & their unimaginable pain. We must all act to end violence against women. We all have a responsibility. https://t.co/G9Q1hyQK9h Simon Harris TD (@SimonHarrisTD) January 12, 2022 In a tweet, the Minister for Justice Helen McEntee said : My thoughts tonight are with the family of the young woman killed in a truly shocking crime, with her friends and with her community. Please anyone with information, come forward to An Garda Siochana. The gardai will investigate this awful crime and ensure justice is done. My thoughts tonight are with the family of the young woman killed in a truly shocking crime, with her friends and with her community. Please anyone with information, come forward to An Garda Siochana. The Gardai will investigate this awful crime and ensure justice is done. Helen McEntee TD (@HMcEntee) January 12, 2022 Many comments have been posted by young women who have expressed their fear at walking alone, after the shocking murder, even in broad daylight. To lose another woman to such senseless, horrific violence is difficult to understand, posed one woman. She was in her 20s. A school teacher. Her whole life ahead of her. Going for a run in broad daylight at 4pm. Never to make it home. RIP - our thoughts and prayers to this womans family. Unfathomable, posed another woman. Gardai are appealing for any person with any information on this fatal assault to come forward. In particular Gardai are appealing to any persons that were in the Cappincur/Canal walk area of Tullamore, County Offaly before 4pm on Wednesday, January 12, to make contact with them. Anyone with information is asked to contact Tullamore Garda Station on 057 932 7600, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station Sean Fleming T.D., Minister of State at the Department of Finance has welcomed the news that planning permission has been granted for a new 2 and 3 storey extension to Portlaoise Hospital. "This decision by Laois County Council is very welcome and I applaud the Council for dealing with this application in a very prompt manner," stated Minister Fleming. "I was in contact with the County Council and the HSE in respect of this application, highlighting the importance of the development to provide these much-needed additional health services in Portlaoise. "The proposed development includes a new Respiratory Assessment Unit and ancillary accommodation at ground floor level, an extension to the existing Paediatric Unit together with ancillary accommodation at the first floor level and enclosed and semi-enclosed plant accommodation and access to stairs at second floor/roof level etc. "The proposed works also include separate ground and first floor links from the proposed new development to the existing hospital. "The new 2 and 3 storey extension will be located at the east side of the existing hospital in Portlaoise. "I will now be in direct contact with HSE senior management to ensure that this project goes to tender as soon as possible. I look forward to this progressing and construction commencing as soon as the tender process is completed. "I want to thank all the management and staff in the hospital in Portlaoise for their work in progressing this project which will result in improved health services for people in Co. Laois and surrounding areas. "Finally, I want again to acknowledge the outstanding work by all the frontline workers in the hospital and our health services who have been so dedicated to their work in looking after all our people during the Covid pandemic," concluded Minister Fleming. The Karnataka Congress on Thursday decided to postpone its 10-day Mekedatu padayatra (foot march), a day after the state government, pulled up by the high court, ordered an immediate ban on the opposition party's protest march which was taking place despite a massive surge in the state's daily Covid-19 cases. Congress leader Siddaramaiah has said that they are concerned about the health of people in Karnataka. He added that it was their responsibility to ensure that the padayatra did not lead to more cases. He confirmed that the padayatra would resume once the third wave is over. At the meeting, some senior leaders suggested dropping the padayatra as the court was observing their actions and they would be held responsible if there's a spread of Covid-19 infections in the district. They added that the padayatra was going against the sentiment of the people. Few leaders were of the opinion to dare the government and walk at least till the border of Bangalore. Earlier today, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) canceled the permission given to the Congress party to conduct a rally at the National College grounds. The sad passing on Friday, 7 January, of Johnny OBrien leaves a huge void in Portlaoise, the town he loved so well. As was mentioned in his death notice he was a true son of Portlaoise. In a lovely and fitting tribute to him at his Requiem Mass on Monday 10 January, Monsignor John Byrne, P.P. Portlaoise, who presided at the obsequies, said that Johnny was a legendary figure in his native town. Hailing from old town stock, who were deeply involved with the newspaper sales business and taxi and bus service for generations, Johnny, and his siblings became involved in the business from an early age. He and his wife Maura, along with their family, built up a substantial and successful bus operation of their own, which still flourishes today. A larger than life personality, Johnny, had a passionate interest in the history of his native town and in the people who lived in it, particularly in his own lifetime. It was this interest that prompted his hobby of collecting old photographs, particularly those from private family collections. The vast majority of these were never seen outside the immediate family circles. He also invited townspeople from various parts of the town and from people who had emigrated to share their thoughts and memories of growing up and living in the town. Back thirty years ago, Johnny invited me to have a look at the material that he had gathered over the years and I immediately saw the value in what he had done. I advised him that the fruits of his labours should be published in book form to perpetuate this unique record of the social, sporting and business life of Portlaoise and its people over the previous century. Johnny and I worked closely on the preparation, selection process, editing and design format and finally his first book of photos and reminiscences was published by the Leinster Express, when I was editor, in 1993. More below picture. Pictured: Johnny and his wife Maura at the launch of Book No. 3 in the Glimpses of Portlaoise series in 1996 Catastrophic accident Of course that is not the complete story of Johnny OBrien and his Glimpses of Portlaoise series. He was elated on the publication of his first book in 1993 but hardly a full week had passed when he suffered a horrendous accident when on a student run to Carlow College. Fortunate to survive he, however, suffered calamitous injuries to every part of his body. Through wonderful medical interventions and a never-say-die determination he gradually made a remarkable recovery. He was left in a much physically impaired state but if he largely consigned the running of his extensive transport business to his wife, Maura, and his son, John, his great determination and his battery operated wheelchair ensured he could still fully engage in his great hobby. Msgr. Byrne in his tribute said that a lesser man would not have succeeded to carry on in the circumstances. Johnny and I proceeded to publish no less than eight more books of a similar nature over the course of the next twenty years or so and, when work pressures forced me to take a backseat, the great man went on to publish two further books. They combine to represent what is probably amongst the best record of its kind in the entire country. The books proved very popular with the community at home and further afield and mostly sold out in short time. True to the charitable nature of the OBrien clan, Johnny and Maura found good charities for the profits on each book, helping to send deserving people on pilgrimages to Fatima which they organized on an annual basis and also to good causes, such as the Irish Wheelchair Association. In recent years he donated a substantial part of his collection to the local library which will be of tremendous value to townspeople and local historians into the future. MORE BELOW PICTURE. PICTURED: Johnny and Maura presenting a cheque to Peadar Murtagh and Mrs. J. Tyrrell on behalf of the Ballyroan Day Care Centre. The money was raised from a waltzing competition they organised in the Killeshin Hotel, Portlaoise, and the Happyland Lounge in Abbeyleix in the 1970s. This was one of the many charitable fund-raising events organised by Johnny and Maura over the years. Wonderful work in the community Johnny did not hide his love and admiration for Portlaoise and its people under a bushel and was always helpful to local endeavour in its many forms. He was a great supporter of the local schools and was held in high regard by the brothers and nuns who have a long history of educating the children of the town. He was to the fore in providing transport for their needs and in fund-raising for their worthy projects. Amongst the many roles he filled in this regard, he was an active member of the CBS Past Pupils Union and served as its President for a time. Behind every great man there is a woman, and this was very true in Johnnys case because he was supported and encouraged all the way, despite the major obstacles he battled to overcome, by his wife of sixty seven years, Maura. She was by his side all the way is raising their family, in running their successful business, in their many charitable projects and especially in helping him battle his way through many health crises over the past thirty years. His brother, Billy, is the last surviving member of his generation of the OBriens. They all remained involved in the newspaper vending and transport businesses. Incredibly Billy is still involved in the distribution of newspapers some eighty years after he first started the job for his late father and mother, Richard, snr. and Elizabeth, who set up the business and were famous townies in the olden days. Billy says that Johnny always looked after his little brother and Johnnys passing breaks the strong brotherly bond they had since their youth. Johnny is predeceased by his brother, Richard, and sister, Mary Martley, whose son, Billy, still sells newspapers from 1 Borris Road, where the business began nearly one hundred years ago. Two other sisters, Brigid and Teresa sadly died young. Apart from his heart-broken wife, Maura, Johnny is survived by sons, Toney, Richard, who has his own successful transport business and John, who manages the family business as well as daughters, Christina Timmons and Maureen Ryan, who delivered a beautiful homily at the Funeral Mass. Apart from his surviving sibling, Billy, Johnny is also survived by his sisters-in-law, Joan and Marie, daughters-in-law, Martina, Margaret and Frances, sons-in-law, Joe and Liam, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nephews, nieces and his faithful little pet, Millie. PICTURED: Publisher Teddy Fennelly with Johnny O'Brien at the launch of his latest book "Portlaoise People" in SS Peter and Paul's Parish Centre in Portlaoise last. Fundraising for various charities Billy poignantly delivered an impromptu rendition of one of Johnnys favourite ballads, The Candy Store, at the graveside. Then an old musician friend from Tipperary, Maurice Crotty, gave Johnny a fitting farewell by singing other numbers to his own accompaniment, which was very much appreciated by the grieving family. Johnny was a great traveller and brought his family and friends in his mini-bus on trips to Spain and other parts of Europe as far back as the 1960s, with his son, John, always there to help with the driving. He took New York by storm and enjoyed other trips to America, Africa and Asia in later years. Maura recalls their first meeting as teenagers in the old Coliseum Ballroom, on the New Road, later to become the Danceland and now a lost part of the history of the town. It was love at first sight and she admits with a smile that Johnny having a motor-car, which was quite rare at the time, definitely whetted her interest in him. Pictured: Johnny and Maura at a CBS Past Pupils Union Dress Dance in the 1980s They got married on Johnnys 20th birthday on January 5th 1955 at Rath Church and they never looked back. They have been organizing an annual pilgrimage to Fatima for over 20 years and have organized many fund-raising events over the years for the cause. Among the other main recipients of their fund-raising efforts, which included a sponsored run from Belfast to Portlaoise, have been the Irish Wheelchair Association and the Kolbe Centre in Portlaoise. Maura is determined to continue in her charitable fund-raising work, she says, just as Johnny would have wanted her to do after their 67 busy and happy years together. Rest in Peace Johnny. Pictured: Johnny and Maura O'Brien, celebrating their 60th Wedding Anniversary in Portlaoise with family, friends, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Irish Water has advised customers in South Kildare that it's precautionary boil water notice remains in place for approximately 5,700 customers served by Monasterevin Public Water Supply. "Following consultation with the Health Service Executive (HSE), Irish Water and Kildare County Council would like to remind customers that the Boil Water Notice issued on Saturday to protect the health of approximately 5,700 customers served by the Monasterevin Public Water Supply remains in place," it said. The Boil Water Notice has been put in place as a precautionary measure following issues with the disinfection process at Monasterevin Water Treatment Plant which led to inadequate chlorination of the public water supply. Areas affected include Monasterevin, Kildangan, Kilberry and parts of North Athy and surrounding areas. Customers can also check if they are impacted by this Boil Water Notice by visiting www.water.ie/help/water- quality/ and entering their propertys Eircode in the search bar. Irish Waters drinking water compliance and operational experts are working with colleagues in Kildare County Council to resolve this situation with a view to lifting the precautionary boil notice as quickly as possible, in consultation with the HSE. Irish Water said it is important to note that water is still safe to use for hygiene purposes and Irish Water would like to remind customers to follow the HSE COVID-19 advice and ensure frequent handwashing. Speaking about the imposition of the Boil Water Notice, Peter Thornton, Regional Operations Lead with Irish Water said, Irish Water apologises for the impact and inconvenience caused by this Boil Water Notice to homes and businesses. Our number one priority is public health and the safety and well-being of our customers. "We would like to reassure our customers that Irish Waters drinking water and operational experts are working with our colleagues in Kildare County Council to resolve this issue as quickly as possible. While we are working to lift the Boil Water Notice, we would like to remind people to check if they are in an affected area and to familiarise themselves with the safety advice. We would like to thank the public, media and elected representatives in advance for sharing the news of the Boil Water Notice as it is essential that we reach as many people as possible. Vulnerable customers who have registered with Irish Water will receive direct communication on this Boil Water Notice and are reminded that the water is safe to consume once boiled and cooled. "We will continue to provide updates as information becomes available," it said. For queries regarding this Boil Water Notice, customers should contact Irish Water directly on our customer care helpline, open 24/7, on 1800 278 278. Updates will be available on the Water Supply Updates section of the Irish Water website and via Twitter @IWCare. Boil Water Notice advice Water must be boiled for: Drinking Drinks made with water Preparation of salads and similar foods, which are not cooked prior to eating Brushing of teeth Making of ice - discard ice cubes in fridges and freezers and filtered water in fridges. Make ice from cooled boiled water. What actions should be taken: Use water prepared for drinking when preparing foods that will not be cooked (e.g. washing salads) Water can be used for personal hygiene, bathing and flushing of toilets but not for brushing teeth or gargling Boil water by bringing to a vigorous, rolling boil (e.g. with an automatic kettle) and allow to cool. Cover and store in a refrigerator or cold place. Water from the hot tap is not safe to drink. Domestic water filters will not render water safe to drink Caution should be taken when bathing children to ensure that they do not swallow the bathing water Prepare infant feeds with water that has been brought to the boil once and cooled. Do not use water that has been re-boiled several times. If bottled water is used for the preparation of infant feeds it should be boiled once and cooled. If you are using bottled water for preparing baby food, be aware that some natural mineral water may have high sodium content. The legal limit for sodium in drinking water is 200mg per litre. Check the label on the bottled water to make sure the sodium or `Na' is not greater than 200mg per litre. If it is, then it is advisable to use a different type of bottled water. If no other water is available, then use this water for as short a time as possible. It is important to keep babies hydrated. Great care should be taken with boiled water to avoid burns and scalds as accidents can easily happen, especially with children The following deaths have occurred in the wider Leitrim area: Margaret Bohan, Treanmore, Mohill, 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. Patsy Byrne, Formerly Teeboy, Corlough, Cavan Naylor Court, Rossmore Road West, Ellesmere Port, Cheshire. Patsy passed away peacefully in the loving care of her daughters Tracey and Sarah. Predeceased by her parents Patrick and Sarah Byrne and her sister Sarah Patricia. She will be sadly missed and fondly remembered with love and affection by her daughters Tracey, Bradford and Sarah, Ellesmere Port, Cheshire, her brother Aidan (and his wife Patricia), Bray, her sisters Ann Marie, Castlenock, Dublin & Angela (and her husband Peter) Ballinaglera, Co. Leitrim and by her loving grandchildren Mia, Reece, Ella and Emily and her many relatives and friends. Funeral Service will be held at 2.40pm on Thursday 13th January 2022 in Chester Chapel Crematorium, Chester, CH1 5BB. Funeral Mass can be viewed on www.obitus.com Username : jipo4955 Password: 279698 May they all Rest in Peace When the Marshall Fire devastated the communities of Louisville and Superior, Niwot community members were eager to help. In the immediate days after the tragedy, many went above and beyond. For others still wanting to do something positive, there are ongoing opportunities to make a difference. Below is an overview of what's been done already and what opportunities to help are still available. Local businesses offered housing and food Shelter was one of the most immediate needs for residents in evacuation and pre-evacuation zones. The Hampton Inn in Gunbarrel, owned by longtime Niwot residents Bill and Renee McDermid, opened its doors to as many families and their pets as they could. Reflecting on the experience, Renee McDermid said, "We have such a wonderful Niwot community that has reached out to offer comfort for these guests. This was so appreciated. The hotel's employees are trying to stay in touch with guests and help meet any needs that arise." In addition, local realtors Todd Goad, Tara Littell, and Pat Murphy stopped by with 250 donuts, coffee, legos and dog treats for the families and approximately 40 dogs that sheltered there. "It was a busy place. Most people were in shock and some didn't know if their houses would be there the next day." The hotel also served as a command center for first responders and became a donation center. It was so quickly stocked that, just a few days after the fires, it was no longer able to take further donations. Area restaurants also were part of a collective effort, known as Restaurants Revive, to feed those in the community that were affected by the fires. Gunbarrel's Avery Brewing on Nautilus Court and Protos Pizza in Gunbarrel Center are currently taking part. Additional restaurants are being added daily, and the full list is available at boulderdowntown.com. Area organizations are coordinating donations Deborah Cameron Area residents donated clothing for the fire victims. Residents who are still looking to provide monetary donations or gift cards to those impacted by the fire can do so through the Niwot Community Association (NCA). They're organizing donations which will go exclusively to individuals who are housed in the Niwot service area. To jump start the donation process, the board is offering a $500 donation of its own. Anyone looking to participate can send gift cards to PO Box 72, Niwot CO 80544 or donate online through PayPal or Venmo links found at niwot.org/2022-marshall-fire-donations/. Those who are looking to donate material items also have local options. They can bring specified items to Colorado Landmark Realtors on 2nd Avenue behind the Old Oak Coffee House. Items requested include new clothing, toys, bedding and first aid kits, as well as small furniture, personal hygiene items, water, blankets, pet food and phone chargers. Any items collected will be distributed directly to fire victims. A SENIOR official at the Data Protection Commission says findings that Limerick City and County Council has installed hundreds of CCTV cameras without 'any legal basis' make for disturbing reading. Deputy Commissioner Tony Delaney, who led the three-year investigation, says just 44 of the 401 cameras operated by the local authority are fully compliant with GDPR and data protection regulations. "What we found is that of the 401 cameras only 44 have proper authorisation so Limerick City and County Council have broken the law. They have gone and put up cameras and put up ANPR (automatic number plate recognition) with no legal basis," he said. Yesterday, it was revealed the council has been fined 110,000 - the first time a local authority in Ireland has been fined for such breaches. Commenting on the report, Mr Delaney told Live 95's Limerick Today that most of the council-operated CCTV cameras in Limerick will have to be switched off, within three months, unless the council identifies a legal basis to retain them. "They now have a breathing space to ask the the Garda Commissioner for authorisation. If they don't get the authorisation to provide a proper legal basis those cameras will have to be switched off," he said. He added that the inquiry, which was launched following the introduction of GDPR regulations in 2018, also raised serious questions about the "flow of information" between the council and gardai. "We were actually very disturbed about the interactions," he said pointing out that gardai operate their own CCTV system in Limerick and that it is perfectly lawful for them to get information from a lawful (CCTV) scheme. Specific concerns were expressed in the 100-page report about the provision of live-feeds from some cameras to Henry Street garda station and informal requests from some gardai to monitor, in real-time, certain individuals or private homes. Limerick City and County Council says it is "examining the decision in detail and reviewing its implications with a view to taking all necessary and corrective actions". An Garda Siochana has been contacted for comment. THE Mayor of the City and County of Limerick has opened a book of condolences in memory of Mary Immaculate College graduate Ashling Murphy, who was killed in Tullamore yesterday. The 23-year-old schoolteacher died after she was attacked in broad daylight while out running in her hometown of Tullamore, County Offaly. Commenting this Thursday evening, Cllr Daniel Butler said: Ashlings death is a huge tragedy and a senseless killing, and on behalf of the people of Limerick city and county I would like to offer our sincerest condolences to Ashlings parents, family and friends on their loss. He said the outpouring of grief following her murder shows how well loved and respected she was in her local community and further afield, including in Limerick where she studied. Her college friends and the faculty and staff in MIC are in shock at the tragic loss of Ashling, a loss that is incomprehensible for someone so young to be taken in such a sudden and violent manner. It is such a frightening situation that someone can go out for a run and be attacked and killed. We must ensure that everyone in our society is protected," stated Mayor Butler. The book of condolence is available here and will remain open for seven days. It will then be collated and forwarded to Ashlings family. THE PRESIDENT of Limerick's Mary Immaculate College has led the local tributes to a former student of the college who was murdered in a random attack in County Offaly. Ashling Murphy, 23, was attacked while out for a run along the canal bank at Cappincur, Tullamore on Wednesday afternoon. The murder of the young woman, who was beaten to death in broad daylight, has sent shockwaves across the country. The alarm was raised by a member of the public who contacted the gardai. Medical attention was provided but despite the best efforts of the medical team, Ms Murphy passed away. "At this stage, there is no indication that the victim and her killer were known to each other," said Superintendent Eamonn Curley of Tullamore Garda Station at a press briefing this Thursday morning. The accomplished musician played with a number of groups and in 2018 she was part of the Comhaltas National Folk Orchestra of Ireland who performed for Pope Francis during his visit to Ireland. Ms Murphy taught first class at Durrow National School. She had graduated in recent months and her alma mater, Mary Immaculate College, paid tribute to the young woman this morning. Eugene Wall, President of MIC posted a tweet which read: "The entire MIC community is heartbroken and shocked to the core to hear of the tragic and senseless killing of Ashling Murphy who graduated from MIC only three months ago. "Our heartfelt sympathy goes out to her family, friends, colleagues and pupils. RIP Ashling." In a statement the college said: "It is with profound sadness and shock that we learned of the untimely and tragic death of Ashling Murphy, who graduated from MIC as a primary teacher less than three months ago. Thinking of Ashling: a teacher, a musician, a friend, a neighbour, a daughter Thinking of her class, her family and her friends Thinking of the women who interrupted her attack Numb thinking of how this happened in daylight, happens in the dark, happens everywhere & anywhere Emma Langford (@ELangfordMusic) January 13, 2022 "Ashling, a talented musician and performer, had just commenced her teaching career in Durrow National School, Co. Offaly, when her young and promising life was cruelly snatched away from her. "The thoughts and prayers of the entire MIC community go out to her family, friends, colleagues and students. Ar dheis De go raibh a hanam dilis". Principal of Durrow National School James Hogan that Ms Murphy was a "bright light who put a smile on every face." "Today is a day that nobody can prepare for. The parents, staff, pupils and wider community here are just utterly devastated. "Ashling was a shining light to the kids and a very proffesional and talented young teacher.. She was an inspiration to so many, not only in our school but across the wider community." Ashling Murphy Ar dheis De go raibh do anam uasal ceolmhar. pic.twitter.com/IvNYfd4hf5 Comhaltas (CCE) (@Comhaltas) January 13, 2022 He continued: "Our number one priority as a school at this moment is the care of the children and staff. We are just trying to comprehend it. "We are a very close knit community in Durrow, we met as staff this morning and there was a wave of tears. Ashling was a family member to us. "Her 1st class students adored her and today they came in with little tears in their eyes, they adored her." Limerick woman, presenter Muireann O'Connell echoed the thoughts of women across the country today as she spoke emotionally on Ireland AM this Thursday morning. Vigils have been planned across the country in memory of Ms Murphy including one at Arthur's Quay Park at 6pm on Friday 14 January. A LIMERICK Deputy is calling on a sense of urgency in the renewal of driving licences for senior citizens seeking medical certificates within the county. The Fianna Fail TD has called on the Minister for Transport to fast-track legislation that will increase the age limit for 70 to 75-year-olds who are renewing their drivers licences and need medical certificates as a matter of urgency. The Deputy highlighted that at present, when you reach 70, in order to renew your driving licence, this is subject to a certification of fitness to drive by a GP." Following an agreement made on legislation to increase the age limit, there was an expectation that this would be delivered earlier this year. He explained that the Road Safety Authority was reviewing the draft legislation and it was being sent on to parliamentary counsel. However, he added: this deadline has not been met and I have therefore called on the Minister to give an urgent update on the situation to ease the feeling of uncertainty for those impacted. In response, Transport Minister Eamon Ryan has said that he hopes that the new regulation will be in place by next month. Deputy O Dea noted that he has been contacted by many people in Limerick who are waiting to renew their licence, with many withholding on renewing due to this technicality. I have asked for clarity on where they stand, and I will continue to be in contact with the department to have this issue resolved as soon as possible. It really is a case of getting this provision available as quickly as possible because it is a very practical and positive measure, he concluded. THE search for Miss Limerick 2022 has officially begun, as the competition, now in its 75th year, plans for its largest and most spectacular show this summer. Amy Kerr (19) from Limerick city, represented the county last year at the Miss Ireland final and retains her title until the new Miss Limerick is crowned. Selections will run all over the country to find contestants from each county with beauty, poise and personality to take part in the Miss Ireland 2022 competition, next summer. The finalists of Miss Ireland this year will be put through their paces in a challenging competitive process. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Miss Ireland (@missirelandorg) Debating, public speaking, talent, sports, modelling, social media and other key attributes will be measured in each finalist, who will also be tasked with raising much-needed awareness and funds for their chosen charities. Established in 1947, Miss Ireland has been the launch pad for many eminent, successful, and inspiring women in Ireland. The franchise has raised over 300,000 for various charities including Laura Lynn, Temple Street, Alzheimers Ireland, Pieta House, and The Cari Foundation. This year, its partner, once again, will be Variety Ireland, an Irish charity helping sick, disadvantaged children with special needs. The winner of Miss Ireland 2022 will receive a lucrative agency contract and a host of prizes. These include jewellery, gowns, professional photo shoots as well as beauty and hair products. The final stage will see the overall winner jet off to represent her country at the Miss World Festival which is televised in over 100 countries around the world. Megan Fox and Machine Gun Kelly have announced they are engaged. Sharing the news online, the Transformers actress said the couple have walked through hell together. She posted an intimate video on Instagram, showing the US rapper, whose real name is Colson Baker, getting down on one knee to propose while Fox covers her face with her hands. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Megan Fox (@meganfox) She captioned the video: In July of 2020 we sat under this banyan tree. We asked for magic. We were oblivious to the pain we would face together in such a short, frenetic period of time. Unaware of the work and sacrifices the relationship would require from us but intoxicated off of the love. And the karma. She added: Somehow a year and a half later, having walked through hell together, and having laughed more than I ever imagined possible, he asked me to marry him. And just as in every lifetime before this one, and as in every lifetime that will follow it, I said yes. and then we drank each others blood. Megan Fox and Machine Gun Kelly recently appeared on the cover of British GQ Styles Autumn/Winter 2021 issue (British GQ Style/PA) Posting on his Instagram account, Kelly showed a close-up of the ring he had designed by British jeweller Stephen Webster for the occasion. He wrote: Yes, in this life and every life. Beneath the same branches we fell in love under, I brought her back to ask her to marry me. I know tradition is one ring, but I designed it with Stephen Webster to be two: the emerald (her birth stone) and the diamond (my birth stone) set on two magnetic bands of thorns that draw together as two halves of the same soul forming the obscure heart that is our love. 1-11-2022. View this post on Instagram A post shared by the Blonde Don (@machinegunkelly) Fox has previously described herself as unusual and once said she went to Hell for eternity after taking a powerful hallucinogenic in Costa Rica with her now-fiance. The couple recently appeared on the cover of British GQ Styles Autumn/Winter 2021 issue. Fox told the magazine she has met her soulmate. The Hollywood actress was previously married to 90210 star Brian Austin Green, with whom she has three children. Rashtriya Janata Dal Vice President Shivanand Tiwari on Thursday charged that the BJP wants to push the country into a civil war through events like 'Dharma Sansad' (religious congregation). "Dharma Sansad was held in Uttarakhand's Haridwar city where leaders of several extremist Hindu organisations had given hate speeches against a particular community and provoked for genocide," Tiwari told IANS. "Why are the Centre and state government allowing such an event to take place in the country? The extremist groups are openly provoking genocide. Their acts are aimed at breaking the country. They want to provoke civil war only to win elections and remain in power. What were the Prime Minister of India and the chief minister of Uttarakhand doing?" Tiwari said. He questioned the security breach of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Punjab. "The prime minister of the country has made an issue of his security breach.. of an incident where farmers were 1 km away from the actual spot. Why is he not commenting on an incident where leaders of several organisations openly provoked people for genocide? This is the double standard of the Narendra Modi government," he said. "In a democracy, farmers, students, unemployed youths, victims have the right to protest in front of the prime minister or the chief minister. Everyone knew that the farmers of the country are angry with the BJP government especially in Punjab and Haryana where more than 800 farmers lost their lives during the struggle against the three farm laws last year," Tiwari said. "Following the incident, the apex court of India has constituted an investigating committee headed by Retd judge of the Supreme Court. In this committee, officials of NIA, IB and other agencies are also involved. Still, you are not waiting for the report and initiated a signature campaign to garner public sympathy," he said. Home Delivery of The Troy Free Press print PLUS full access to LincolnNewsNow.com.com as well as full access to the Electronic Edition of The Troy Free Press. ONLY $19.99 per month for the first 3 months! Only $23.99 per month after promotional period. Or ONLY $37.99 for a full year Only $49.99 per year after promotional period. India is striving to conclude several early harvest agreements with proposed free trade agreement (FTA) partners so that their benefits could reach the industry soon, commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal said on Wednesday. An official statement said quoting Goyal that an FTA with the UAE was nearing conclusion, while negotiations were at an advanced stage with Australia and talks with Israel were ongoing. Goyal was speaking at a meeting with heads of top business and industry associations. Referring to the relaunch of market access negotiations with Korea, Goyal said that a comprehensive fast track dialogue has been initiated to address concerns arising out of the previous agreement. The minister said that testing facilities and labs need to be upgraded and called upon businesses to extend its support in this regard. He also asked the industry to lend guidance for a transformational export growth beyond $400 billion. Goyal told industry leaders to be proactive in giving inputs to the government, especially in areas like FTA negotiations. Industry should become more demanding, he added. Goyal urged businesses to use single window for business processes and approvals to the maximum extent possible and asked them to give suggestions for further decriminalization of rules and reduction in compliance burden. The minister also asked the industry to invest more and place greater emphasis upon research and development. Goyal said that the central government would always support businesses and asked the industry to take advantage of initiatives like the PM GatiShakti national master plan and India industrial land bank to the best possible extent to expand and grow. Woot! Whether youre spending all day in your home office or in a small shared space where the lunchtime rush of troglodytes triggers a super spreader event the size of the outbreak from "Outbreak", this Medify MA-15 Air Purifier is here to clean things up. Medify MA-15 Air Purifier with H13 True HEPA Filter Medify woot.com $64.99 Shop Now Relying on a HEPA-approved H13 filtration system, this compact air purifier removes 99.9% of particles from the air including common allergens like dust, pet dander, smoke, pollen, and more down 0.1 microns in size. Jammu and Kashmir National Conference President and Srinagar MP Farooq Abdullah on Thursday expressed outrage over the incendiary remarks and 'genocidal' threats against Muslims and other minority groups and demanded stern action against those spewing venom at hate speech conclaves across the country. Voicing concern over the inflammatory and provocative speeches against Muslims at an event in Haridwar and other such hate speech conclaves of right wing groups, he said: "The nature of speeches delivered in Haridwar between 17 and 19 December 2021, and other such hate speech conclaves across the country is deplorable. Recurring such open seditious and genocidal calls in the country are deeply disturbing." Censuring the government of turning a blind eye to the hate speeches against the Muslim community, Abdullah said the criminal hush in government circles raises a question mark that begs to be answered. He said that India being a signatory to the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (CPPCG) under Article 3 C which clearly criminalises 'Direct and public incitement to commit genocide' - should act firmly against such groups and individuals that call for 'genocide' of country's Muslims. "These hate speech conclaves also fit a variety of crimes under Indian laws and are antagonistic to national integrity and peace. The prevailing blanket silence of the country's head and absence of any punitive action has emboldened such hate mongers," he said. "I will be grateful if action is taken against those who have violated the Genocide convention. Urgent action is needed otherwise it will embolden those who spread hatred thereby vitiating the atmosphere. It will inevitably result in further alienation of the minorities which is not in the interest of India," he added. Abdullah demanded that the groups and individuals spewing hate be taken to task. "It is high time that the government stops emboldening these hatemongers with its inaction and establishes rule of law," he said. Lockport, NY (14094) Today Cloudy with occasional rain during the afternoon. High 64F. Winds ESE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 70%.. Tonight Cloudy with periods of rain. Low 49F. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%. Rainfall near a half an inch. If you do not have a current print subscription to the Lodi News-Sentinel, but want to view unlimited articles for the month, please choose this option. The Irish Nurses and Midwives Association (INMO) is calling on the government to outline the impact new Covid measures will have on the health sector. It comes in the wake of new relaxed rules for close contacts, which were confirmed today (January 12) by the Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly. According to the new rules, close contacts who have not received a booster vaccine will have to isolate for seven days, while fully vaccinated people with no symptoms must isolate for five days, take regular antigen tests and wear a higher grade face mask. INMO General Secretary, Phil Ni Sheaghdha, said the decision to reduce isolation time "needs to be examined". She said, "Weakening the public health advice now has the potential to lead to more people contracting the virus. We know that many asymptomatic close contacts have been a feature of the Omicron variant. By allowing potentially infected people to continue to work, this is going to have a knock-on impact on case transmission." Ms Ni Sheaghdha highlighted the availability and affordability of higher grade masks and antigen tests as "a huge concern". She said, "The public will need to have no difficulty from an availability or affordability point of view of complying with this change to guidance. Currently the availability and affordability is a problem for nurses and midwives who are working at the centre of the risk so we can only imagine the difficulties this will now pose across society. "This is a high risk strategy considering the annual pressure on hospitals in January and February and considering the current overcrowding and lack of inpatient beds for the next six weeks." The General Secretary is calling for nurses and midwives to be properly briefed. She said, "Nurses and midwives need to be briefed on what exactly is required of them, when patients are admitted for care in respect of isolation protocol in order to work safely over the next six weeks. "Nurses and midwives have endured intense stress for almost two years as the pandemic has persisted and evolved with the emergence of new variants. Despite exhaustion, nurses and midwives continue to provide care to patients under extremely difficult conditions." The new rules are due to come into effect tomorrow (January 13) at midnight. Former Longford county councillor Frank Kilbride has spoken of the incredible level of care he received from under pressure healthcare workers after undergoing an eight hour operation for cancer. Mr Kilbride, a two time former county mayor, underwent surgery at Dublins Mater Hospital seven weeks ago. Surgeons removed a kidney from the 67-year-old after a growth was detected following a series of scans in both the latter and Mullingars Midland Regional Hospital. Now recuperating back home, Mr Kilbride said his ordeal was made all the more manageable thanks to the dedicated and unwavering standard of care he received from those leading the charge against Irelands ongoing battle with Covid-19. Longford court hears of heartfelt sympathy for family of bright, bubbly lady Helen Quinn Heartfelt condolences were expressed to local solicitor John Quinn on the recent death of his wife, Helen, at last weeks sitting of Longford District Court. The staff that were there were flat out as it was, but I could not fault a single one of them, he said, while thanking all those who had sent cards and wished him well in recent days. What these people (healthcare staff) are doing in trying to keep us all safe is incredible and what they have done for me, I will never forget. The local businessman singled out consultant Dr Stephen Connolly and his team of medics alongside his rock and wife Patricia as he continues his rehabilitation at home. A garda has spoken of how she feared for her life after she and a colleague were assaulted during a violent row in Co Longford over two years ago. Garda Angela Keegan said she had "never experienced such evil and contempt" in more than 26 hours of frontline policing following an incident at Knockloughlin, Ballinalee Road, Longford on August 10, 2019. Martin Nevin Jnr (22), 59 Parkmore, Tuam, Co Galway and Hugh Myres (54), 18 Ardleigh Crescent, Mullingar, Co Westmeath both appeared before a sitting of Longford Circuit Criminal Court charged with assaulting a peace officer during the course of their duties. The long serving garda, together with Garda Shane Carr had been called to deal with a domestic disturbance shortly after 9pm. The court heard family members of Martin Nevin Jnr, 59 Parkmore, Tuam, Co Galway contacted gardai a short time earlier seeking his removal from the family home in Knocloughlin. When both gardai arrived, they were met by four females who were described as being in an "excited and agitated" state before making their way inside. In the sitting room of the property, they found both men sitting on a couch. Counsel for the prosecution Shane Geraghty BL, said despite Mr Nevin Jnr being informed he was no longer welcome, Mr Myres told his nephew he did not have to comply with the request and remain where he was. It was at that stage, when the duo along with both gardai that the incident escalated, resulting in Mr Nevin Jnr calling Garda Carr "a cancerous dying b*******" while attempting to head butt him. A scuffle ensued which led to Mr Nevin Jnr attempting to gouge the eye of Garda Carr on the ground. The court heard Garda Keegan was forced to use pepper spray and cause for emergency assistance in a bid to diffuse the row, causing some to squirt into the eyes of Garda Carr and incapacitated the officer. Both men were later arrested and charged with assaulting a peace officer in the course of their duty. In a victim impact statement, Garda Keegan said the incident had left her with flashbacks, sleep depravity and feelings of self doubt in being able to carry out her duties as a rank and file member of the Gardai. "The incident has had the most profound effect on me in over 26 years of frontline policing," she said, adding she had never been met with "such evil and contempt". Medical reports handed into the court detailed how Garda Keegan had sustained injuries to her face,knees and abdomen areas with the experienced garda being forced to sign off sick from work for almost four weeks due to the onset of post traumatic stress disorder. Garda Carr, in his victim impact statement said he continued to suffer from lower back pain as a result of the incident and "no longer felt confident in dealing with volatile situations" as a serving garda. He said the episode had likewise impacted on his personal life in preventing him to play with his young children at home in any meaningful way. Judge Keenan Johnson described the incident as "absolutely and wholly reprehensible", warning both men of how their actions warranted "significant custodial sentences". He adjourned sentencing until a sitting of Longford Circuit Criminal Court on May 17. BOUQUETS of flowers and a candle have been left on the bank of the Grand Canal in Tullamore close to where young local woman Ashling Murphy was killed yesterday. In an unsigned handwritten mesage left with flowers, a local person wrote: You were one of the kindest girls Ive met. Always helpful, always had a smile on your face. You were a great mentor on and off the pitch. Fly high angel. Rest in Peace. Local people have been expressing their shock at the manner in which the 23-year-old died. Tina Stones, who works in the corner shop nearby, said it is a sad day. A sad day for women, sad that you can't go for a walk in broad daylight and feel safe. She was after working a hard day and never made it home, said Ms Stones. I find it hard to talk about it because I get too upset. It's horrific. Even last night someone commented that there was no-one out walking the streets on their own. Normally women would be out walking early. It's a sad day for women and a sad day for Ireland that this happened. We all walk there and everyone knows everyone who walks it and you all say hello to each other. Former Longford county councillor Frank Kilbride hails healthcare staff after eight hour cancer operation Former Longford county councillor Frank Kilbride has spoken of the incredible level of care he received from under pressure healthcare workers after undergoing an eight hour operation for cancer. Tim Malone, a resident of Thornsbury Estate, which is also close to the Grand Canal, said: It's disgraceful that you can't go down there and do what you want to do. It's terrible. It's a grand place to go. It was a fierce shock. It was hard to believe. Look at all the people that uses that [walkway]. It was a grand bright day at 4 o'clock and the sun was shining. Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi on Thursday expressed regret over the security breach during Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit to the state on January 5. Channi expressed regret while participating in a virtual meeting chaired by Prime Minister Modi with Chief Ministers and Lieutenant Governors/Administrators of states and UTs to review the prevailing Covid situation as well as the ongoing vaccination drive. "You visited Punjab. Jo hua uske liye mujhe khed hai' (I regret whatever happened)," Channi reportedly said. Sources said that Channi also wished the Prime Minister a long life. "Tum salamat raho qayamat tak, aur khuda kare qayamat na ho (May you stay safe till the end and may there be no end)," sources quoting Channi said. On January 5, The Prime Minister's rally in Ferozepur had to be cancelled due to a security lapse after some protesters blocked a route and forced his convoy to spend about 20 minutes on a flyover. The Prime Minister was enroute the National Martyrs Memorial at Hussainiwala when the incident happened. Channi had earlier said that there was no security breach during the Prime Minister's visit to the state. "There was no security lapse of any kind and there was no situation of any attack," Channi had said. Food, Wine, & Dining, Business & Finance By Ls Cohen Published: January 13 2022 Second location will be serving year-round and is part of bigger expansion plans by the owners. Exterior of the new Southampton location of Lobster Roll AKA Lunch. Photo: Courtesy of Lobster Roll AKA Lunch. It's hard to miss. The big sign hanging off the roof with five letters: LUNCH. Thats what many people just call the famed restaurant on Montauk Highway on the East End of Long Island. Simply, Lunch. The original Lobster Roll location on Montauk Highway in Amagansett. Photo: Lobster Roll AKA Lunch Facebook page. Smaller, but unmistakably, underneath the signs says the real name of the place, Lobster Roll. As much of a premier menu item as it is a name. For almost 60 years this shack in Amagansett has been serving locals and visitors alike, typically stopping on their way out or back from Montauk. And for most of that time, this has been a singular experience, one that shuts down every winter. All that changed in December. Co-owners Fred Terry, Andrea Anthony, and Paul DeAngelis have teamed up with a business development company to expand the iconic brand beyond just one small - yet legendary - location on the South Fork. And they have big plans, the first of which is the opening of a second, year-round, location in Southampton. Sticking with what they called their modern nostalgic shack vibe for this new spot, the restaurant will keep to its roots as a seafood hot spot for East End visitors. Expansion plans of the brand will eventually include everything from new merchandise to grab-and-go food items to doggy apparel. Interior of new Lobster Roll Southampton location. Photo: Lobster Roll AKA Lunch. We go for a retro vibe, were from the 60s, and we embrace that, said Anthony of their Southampton restaurant. She said they plan on bringing those nostalgic vibes all year long for day-trippers and vacationers alike to stop for lunch, dinner, and even just grab a few cocktails. Lobster Roll in Southampton will still offer their classic hot or cold lobster rolls. But the menu will include additional items like steamers and broth, a quart of South Fork classic soft shell clams and the classic fish n chips, lightly battered Atlantic cold-water cod fried to crispy perfection and accompanied by tartar sauce. They will also serve a hearty Manhattan seafood chowder, tomato-based soup with fresh clams, shrimp, scallops, and cod and the soup-n-slider, a cup of either Manhattan or New England chowder accompanied with a classic lobster salad slider. Lobster Grilled Cheese, fresh lobster meat with your choice of cheese, is also being offered. Main courses include, baked stuffed flounder, which is a house favorite, featuring crabmeat stuffing with mild melted cheese and finished with scampi butter, and Pauls famous seafood chili, a blend of shrimp, lobster, scallops, and beans topped with melted cheddar cheese, sour cream, and scallions. Those who still have room for dessert should try the caramel apple crisp a la mode, cinnamon-spiced fresh apples baked with a buttery oat crumb topping, drizzled with gooey caramel and served with a choice of vanilla, cookies, and cream, or butter pecan ice cream. Cocktails include Bacardi rum splashes, frozen daiquiris, Basil Hayden Manhattans and Belvedere cosmopolitans. Lobster Roll will also be debuting a finely-tuned wine menu that features a local Long Island favorite such as Wolffer Estate. Interior of new Lobster Roll Southampton location. Photo: Lobster Roll AKA Lunch. Lobster Roll Southampton will be open on Monday from 11:45am to 4:45pm, and Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 11:45 am to 9pm. They will be closed on Tuesday and Wednesday. Location: 32 Montauk Highway, Southampton, (631) 283-3460. Tech & Science, Local News By Chris Boyle Published: January 13 2022 "The pandemic exposed how without broadband internet, New Yorkers can be disconnected from school, work, and families," Governor Hochul said. Governor Hochul has announced the $1 billion ConnectALL initiative - the largest ever investment in New York's 21st century infrastructure - as part of her 2022 State of the State. This plan which will deliver affordable broadband to millions of New Yorkers and transform the state's digital infrastructure through new investments. Under the new ConnectALL initiative, New York State will use over $1 billion in public and private investments to connect New Yorkers in rural and urban areas statewide to broadband. "The pandemic exposed how without broadband internet, New Yorkers can be disconnected from school, work, and families," Governor Hochul said. "The ConnectALL Initiative will empower local municipalities and state agencies to set up nation-leading broadband infrastructure statewide, ensuring that every New Yorker has access to the internet when they need it." The COVID-19 pandemic exposed how inaccessible and unreliable a broadband connection was for many New Yorkers, who suddenly were forced to live their lives through the internet. It is essential that all New Yorkers have equitable access to the internet, as marginalized communities are most affected by this lack of broadband access. Closing this remaining digital divide is critical, because having universal access to high-speed broadband in our digital economy is as essential as having heat, water, and electricity. Connectivity helps New Yorkers go to school, work remotely, find a job, start a business, access healthcare, and communicate with loved ones. Further investment in this vital public infrastructure will not only strengthen the progress of our State's initial investment, it will boost economic growth and local innovation far into the future. Driven by a new ConnectALL Office, this initiative includes: Broadband Assessment Program and Interactive Map: The Broadband Assessment Program, administered by the Public Service Commission, will provide New York with the first ever, in-depth interactive broadband map. This map will detail the availability and reliability of broadband infrastructure statewide, and serve as a useful tool for targeting where investment in broadband connectivity is needed. Consumers will also have the ability to search for broadband providers and review what services are available in their area. Grant Programs: To support local efforts to expand broadband, the ConnectALL initiative will establish three grant programs to provide funding to local municipalities and other entities to plan, engineer, and construct accessible broadband infrastructure. The State will coordinate with municipalities in every corner of New York to ensure funding is directed where it's most needed and that every community has the support and resources to effectively participate. The grant programs are focused on three primary efforts: Local Connectivity Planning and 21st Century Municipal Infrastructure: This program takes a pioneering approach by providing grants to municipalities, non-profits and other entities to construct open and accessible public broadband infrastructure. Rural Broadband: This program will provide matching grants plus hundreds of millions of forthcoming dollars from the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) to support rural broadband access, including last-mile connections and middle-mile projects. Connectivity Innovation: This program will provide competitive grants to entities statewide to pilot and construct creative, innovative, and new solutions pioneering future breakthroughs. $30-a-month Affordability Subsidy: To further the expansion of affordable broadband, the Department of Public Service will administer efforts to ensure every eligible New Yorker can take advantage of the IIJA's $14 billion Affordability Program to support a permanent $30-a-month broadband subsidy for low-income households. The Department will also conduct a statewide marketing program geared toward increasing enrollment in this program which currently lags below 30 percent of eligible households in New York. Affordable Housing Connectivity Program: As part of the agency's overall housing plan, New York Homes and Community Renewal will expand the affordability of broadband by working in partnership with Empire State Development to fund the retrofitting all affordable housing projects with broadband installations. Digital Equity Program: To ensure equitable access to broadband statewide, the ConnectALL initiative will embark on a three-pronged effort: Empire State Development will lead the development of a Statewide Digital Equity Plan in coordination with other State and local government agencies as well as private and not-for-profit organizations; Governor Hochul will establish a Digital Equity Grant Program to support the work of the groups and organizations developing the Statewide Digital Equity Plan; and New York will appoint a Digital Equity Director to coordinate and spearhead these statewide efforts. Removing Fees, Outdated Regulatory Hurdles and Leveraging State Assets. This includes a set of reforms not limited to: Ensure you get a print copy of the Loudoun Times-Mirror delivered weekly to your home or business! Complete online access is included with all print subscriptions purchased online. Plus, up to four other members of your household can share online access through this subscription with their own, individual linked accounts at no additional charge. (Are you a current advertiser? Ask your sales rep for our special advertiser rate code!) (Alliance News) - A senior Labour MP received more than GBP500,000 from a Chinese agent engaged in "political interference activities" in the UK on behalf of the communist regime, it has emerged. Barry Gardiner received the donations from Christine Ching Kui Lee a mainly to cover staffing costs in his office a over a period of six years, and employed her son as his diary manager. The disclosures came after MI5 took the rare step of issuing MPs and peers with a warning about Lee's cultivating of British politicians to secure a "UK political landscape" that was "favourable" to China. Home Secretary Priti Patel said it is "deeply concerning" the Chinese Communist Party was targeting British parliamentarians. In a statement, Gardiner, who was a member of the shadow cabinet under former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, said he had been liaising with the security services for a number of years about his contacts with Lee, who runs a law firm in central London. "They have always known, and been made fully aware by me, of her engagement with my office and the donations she made to fund researchers in my office in the past," he said. "I have been assured by the security services that whilst they have definitively identified improper funding channelled through Christine Lee, this does not relate to any funding received by my office." Former Conservative Party leader Iain Duncan Smith, who has been involved in helping Hong Kong-Chinese people flee the communist regime, expressed concern they could now be at risk as a result of Lee's activities. In the Security Service Interference Alert sent to MPs and peers, MI5 said Lee "acted covertly" in co-ordination with the United Front Work Department (of the Chinese Communist Party. "The UFWD seeks to cultivate relationships with influential figures in order to ensure the UK political landscape is favourable to the CCP's agenda and to challenge those that raise concerns about CCP activity, such as human rights," it said. "Lee has been engaged in the facilitation of financial donations to political parties, parliamentarians, aspiring parliamentarians, and individuals seeking political office in the UK, including facilitating donations to political entities on behalf of foreign nationals." In an accompanying letter, Commons Speaker Lindsay Hoyle said they included donations from politicians in China and Hong Kong, and that among those targeted was the now disbanded Chinese in Britain all party parliamentary group, which Gardiner chaired. Analysis of the Register of Members' Financial Interests by the PA news agency showed Lee donated more than GBP500,000 to Gardiner between 2015 and 2020, mostly through funding for his staff. She also donated GBP5,000 to Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey in 2013, and in 2014 she helped sponsor a Chinese Liberal Democrats dinner to support the party's then candidate for Somerton and Frome, Sarah Yong. In 2013, she funded flights for a four-day trip to Beijing for then Labour MP for Hendon, Andrew Dismore, who was then chairman of the Chinese in Britain APPG. In his statement, Gardiner said steps were taken to ensure Lee had no role in either the appointment or management of the researchers she bankrolled and had ceased funding any workers in his office in June 2020. He said Lee's son had volunteered in his office "many years ago" and was subsequently employed as a diary manager until he resigned abruptly on Thursday. "The security services have advised me that they have no intelligence that shows he was aware of, or complicit in, his mother's illegal activity," he said. A spokesman for the Liberal Democrats said Davey was "shocked" by the SSIA which was the first time he has been given cause to be concerned about the donation to his local party association. There was no response from Lee, who is a prominent figure in the Chinese community and whose law firm acts as a legal adviser to the Chinese embassy in London. In the Commons, Smith called for an overhaul of the Parliament's accreditation procedures amid fears that details of people he had helped could be compromised. "We have names and numbers of people, and that leaves me worrying that some of these have been accessed by such an individual," he said. "These will be their lives and families at risk and I am deeply concerned about this because my activities therefore may well have therefore been traced, as those as well from my colleagues and friends." source: PA Copyright 2022 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved. (Alliance News) - Mercantile Ports & Logistics Ltd has said on Thursday it expects revenue for 2021 to be below market expectations, in light of "hardship" caused by the Omicron variant. Shares in the Navi Mumbai, India-based port operator fell by 10% to 24.00 pence each in London on midday Thursday. The company said that annual revenue will "significantly exceed" 2020's revenue of GBP745,000, but will fall short of market estimates. In the first half of 2021 alone, Mercantile brought in GBP850,000. Mercantile said that the strict lockdown measures in India due to the Omicron Covid-19 variant had hindered the "good progress" in sales that was being made in its final quarter. The lockdown measures had delayed contracts due to be signed in December, and impacted cargo movements. Despite the setbacks, Mercantile did manage to sign a number of contracts and generated revenue from its coal jetty for the first time, as well as starting construction on new warehouses for two new customers. It also received positive customer feedback on a smooth launch of its Mumbai Trans Harbour Link barge project. The outlook for the coming year is "cautious", the company has said, as it hopes for the removal of restrictions. "Having made progress and built momentum after the easing of restrictions from the Delta variant, it was disappointing for this momentum to stall with the emergence of the Omicron variant. However, the Company is well placed to make up lost ground and the recent achievements by Tata Daewoo demonstrate exactly what our facility can deliver. We expect to be able to evidence this further this year," said Chief Executive Officer Jay Mehta. By Elizabeth Winter; elizabethwinter@alliancenews.com Copyright 2022 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved. (Alliance News) - UK cabinet ministers have rallied behind the prime minister to publicly shore up Boris Johnson's support a with one notable exception yet to express his support. Senior Conservatives flooded broadcast studios and social media with praise for the PM following his admission he attended a "bring your own booze" party in No 10 in May 2020 and fears over Tory revolt rose. Earlier on Wednesday, Johnson apologised and insisted he thought the event was work-related. And Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries was the first out of the blocks to back her boss, saying an inquiry led by senior official Sue Gray must be allowed to go ahead. Dorries wrote on Twitter that the "PM was right to personally apologise earlier. "People are hurt and angry at what happened and he has taken full responsibility for that. The inquiry should now be allowed to its work and establish the full facts of what happened". Responding to her message, Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove: "Nadine is right." And the former leadership hopeful also backed up the PM to the 1922 Committee of backbench Tory MPs, where he is reported to have said Mr Johnson "gets the big calls right" and urged colleagues not to be "flaky". Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Secretary Dominic Raab told ITV it was a "daft question" when asked whether he would run again for the Tory leadership. "I'm fully supportive of this prime minister and I'm sure he will continue for many years to come," he said. Home Secretary Priti Patel and Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng are reported to have expressed their support in a Whatsapp group for Tory MPs. Health Secretary Sajid Javid said: "I completely understand why people feel let down. The PM did the right thing by apologising. "Now we need to let the investigation complete its work. We have so much to get on with including rolling out boosters, testing and antivirals a so we can live with Covid." Transport Secretary Grant Shapps told Times Radio: "I think the prime minister was very contrite today, he apologised and he took full responsibility." Meanwhile, Commons leader Jacob Rees-Mogg told the broadcaster: "I think the Prime Minister has got things right again and again and again. "But like us all, he accepts that during a two-and-a-half-year period, there will be things that with hindsight would have been done differently." Asked if the PM will resign if Gray's report found wrongdoing, Environment Secretary George Eustice said: "I don't think we should get ahead of ourselves here. We should take this a step at a time." And Defence Secretary Ben Wallace also backed the PM, as did Foreign Secretary Liz Truss and International Trade Secretary Anne-Marie Trevelyan. However, Chancellor Rishi Sunak had yet to publicly back Mr Johnson on Wednesday evening. Sunak, viewed as a potential successor as Tory leader, was notably absent on a visit to Devon earlier in the day. source: PA Copyright 2022 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved. Edison, NJ -- (SBWIRE) -- 01/13/2022 -- The Latest research study released by HTF MI "Global B2B Exhibitions 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 Deutsche Messe, Tarsus Group, RELX Group, Informa Exhibitions, PennWell Corp., Koelnmesse, UBM, Messe Frankfurt, MCH Group, ITE Group & Emerald Expositions etc. Click here for free sample + related graphs of the report @: https://www.htfmarketreport.com/sample-report/3358294-2020-2027-global-b2b-exhibitions-market-report-production-and-consumption-professional-analysis Browse market information, tables and figures extent in-depth TOC on "B2B Exhibitions Market by Application (Retail, Energy, Healthcare, Business Services & Machinery), by Product Type (, Conferences, Workshops, Networking Events, Product Launch Events & Award Nights), Business scope, Manufacturing and Outlook Estimate to 2027". for more information or any query mail at sales@htfmarketreport.com At last, all parts of the Global B2B Exhibitions 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/3358294-2020-2027-global-b2b-exhibitions-market-report-production-and-consumption-professional-analysis 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: Global B2B Exhibitions Market By Application/End-User (Value and Volume from 2022 to 2027) : Retail, Energy, Healthcare, Business Services & Machinery Market By Type (Value and Volume from 2022 to 2027) : Conferences, Workshops, Networking Events, Product Launch Events & Award Nights Global B2B Exhibitions Market by Key Players: Deutsche Messe, Tarsus Group, RELX Group, Informa Exhibitions, PennWell Corp., Koelnmesse, UBM, Messe Frankfurt, MCH Group, ITE Group & Emerald Expositions Geographically, this report is segmented into some key Regions, with manufacture, depletion, revenue (million USD), and market share and growth rate of B2B Exhibitions in these regions, from 2016 to 2027 (forecast), covering China, USA, Europe, Japan, Korea, India, Southeast Asia & South America and its Share (%) and CAGR for the forecasted period 2022 to 2027. Informational Takeaways from the Market Study: The report B2B Exhibitions 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 B2B Exhibitions 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=3358294 Some of the important question for stakeholders and business professional for expanding their position in the Global B2B Exhibitions 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 B2B Exhibitions movement showcase by applications, types and regions? Q 4.What segments grab most noteworthy attention in B2B Exhibitions Market in 2020 and beyond? Q 5. Who are the significant players confronting and developing in B2B Exhibitions Market? For More Information Read Table of Content @: https://www.htfmarketreport.com/reports/3358294-2020-2027-global-b2b-exhibitions-market-report-production-and-consumption-professional-analysis Key poles of the TOC: Chapter 1 Global B2B Exhibitions Market Business Overview Chapter 2 Major Breakdown by Type [, Conferences, Workshops, Networking Events, Product Launch Events & Award Nights] 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 Unit No. 429, Parsonage Road Edison, NJ New Jersey USA 08837 Phone: +1 (206) 317 1218 sales@htfmarketreport.com Connect with us at LinkedIn | Facebook | Twitter Madison, IN (47250) Today Thunderstorms - some may contain locally heavy rain, especially during the morning hours. Potential for severe thunderstorms. High around 75F. Winds SSW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 100%.. Tonight Scattered thunderstorms early, then cloudy skies after midnight. Low around 50F. Winds W at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 60%. In early 2021 news broke that a Hollywood production had started filming in the Kiwi town of Whanganui, and now we can finally get a glimpse at the first trailer. The movie, X, follows a group of young filmmakers as they attempt to produce an adult film. However, the host of their remote filming location appears to be quite a shady character, and as with most horror movies, things get complicated. The film features Scott Mescudi, also known as musician Kid Cudi, as well as Mia Goth, Brittany Snow, Jenna Ortega, Martin Henderson, Owen Campbell, and Stephen Ure. Economic development agency Whanganui & Partners told the Herald that it had been assisting the production group with finding locations to shoot the film, as well as connecting local contractors to the production company. "We've been keeping this under wraps but it looks like the secret is out. Whanganui is a great place to film," the group said in a Facebook post. "Whanganui & Partners have been thrilled to help this production, including assisting location scouts, supporting its crew, and connecting the production with a network of local service providers to meet their needs." Check out the trailer up top! There are various times during the year when certain things just seem to fit together well like they were made for each other. In northern Michigan we see our share of days where the gusting wind is causing the snow to swirl and the thermometer dips into the teens. If television doesn't offer a lot on a day like that, the perfect way to escape away from it all is with a good traditional book or one on a Kindle. Its one of those perfect fits that has been an escape book lovers like myself have been utilizing for eons during this time of year to block out what is taking place outside our windows. But you also need some of the other "props" to complete that "perfect fit." Those props begin with a soft rocker or recliner and the warming factor of a mug filled with coffee, tea or hot chocolate. Add some great, soft classical music from WIAA Interelochen and "Oh Babe," you have reached your own personal nirvana. It also changes your whole outlook, as suddenly you are mentally no longer in northern Michigan, but lounging instead on a comfortable chair listening to the waves lapping on the shores of a tropical island. But one of the big keys in "so to speak" reaching that level is finding the right book to settle in with for the night. Everyone has their particular genre they prefer to read, be it fiction or non-fiction. For me the ideal way to get lost in a fiction book is with a great story teller. Lots of authors have the ability to write well from a grammatical point of view, but not everyone is a good story teller and that makes a huge difference. My personal favorite is John Grisham. Over the past 20 years I have read everything he has published. Grisham is the ultimate story teller as his characters are believable and interesting. His storyline also keeps you wanting to turn to the next page no matter the hour. The thing that also brings interest and reality to his books is they follow things happening in the world at this time. Be it social, legal or other things that are the topics of discussion, Grisham manages to pull it all into perspective. He also creates memorable characters like Southern, small-town lawyer Jake Brigance in A Time to Kill and A Time for Mercy. But he doesnt follow one set pattern with his characters and has created much different ones like the wheeling and dealing Bruce Cable in Camino Winds and "Camino Islands. And something that always intrigues me is the way he finishes his books. Nothing is worse than to read 500 pages and come to a conclusion that leaves you saying, What? That is it. Grishams finishes bring it all together like a good book should. I have spent many winter nights lost in one of his books and then my head suddenly snaps forward after dozing off from exhaustion and realizing it is well past 1 a.m. But when you find a book or author that keeps you wanting more it is priceless to a book lover. Part of my book collection includes an autographed copy of The Pelican Brief that I won from the Read Mor in Manistee years ago when Grisham was just in the early stages of his writing career. Grisham only had a couple books out at the time and wasnt known very well, but Read Mor manager Pat Sagala encouraged me to sign up for the drawing. Well, lo and behold I won. Now you couldnt pay me enough money to give up that book. There are other great storytellers whose works I have gobbled up at every opportunity like authors John Sandford, David Baldacci, Scott Turow, Nick Petrie, Brad Meltzer, the late Sue Grafton and Michael Connolly. I have two large book cases in my home filled with their works alongside those of Grisham and other authors. Just like with Grisham, what intrigues me about their writing isnt just the great storylines -- its the characters as well. Characters like Lucas Davenport, Harry Bosch, Mickey Haller and the wild and crazy Virgil Flowers, who I swear Sandford based on someone you could picture walking down the streets of Manistee. Books on historical events and biographies about people I personally find interesting also are among my reading material. In the biographies what intrigues me is trying to determine what makes these interesting people tick and the love of history dates back to my missed dream in life of becoming a history teacher. Those are what make me want to curl up in a comfortable chair to read on a cold, snowy night. For others it might be romance novels, science fiction or countless other subject matters as one of the still good things about the world is its still filled with books of all genres. One good way I discovered many new authors, and you could as well, is from the Friends of the Manistee County Librarys annual book sale over the Fourth of July. It is an opportunity to take an author you are not familiar with for a test drive at little cost to find your perfect niche. If I like it, then I pursue their works at book stores and where they sell books. Like it or not, winter and COVID are still going to be with us for the rest of this month as well as February and March. So join me when the temperature starts dipping down and the snow begins swirling in finding your private nirvana by getting lost in a good book. It something you will not regret long after I see you again on Monday. An international team of scientists has described a new species of the rainfrog genus Pristimantis from the cloud forests of Panama and named it after Greta Thunberg, a Swedish student and climate activist. Rainfrogs of the genus Pristimantis are a major component of amphibian diversity in the Neotropics. They are primarily distributed in South America with a few species reaching Central America. Although Pristimantis is one of the most numerous genera of all vertebrates, containing at least 574 species distributed primarily in tropical Andes of Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru, it remains vastly understudied. Pristimantis species are highly variable in coloration and morphology, often rendering it difficult to distinguish between species based on external features alone, while their phylogeny often remains unclear, said lead author Dr. Konrad Mebert from the Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz and his colleagues. Indeed, more than 315 species of Pristimantis are not assigned to any species group, and 124 species were described in the last 10 years with a rate of 11.3 species/year. Currently, there are 13 species of Pristimantis frogs known to occur in Panama, or 14 species if Pristimantis educatoris is viewed as a separate species from Pristimantis caryophyllaceus, they added. Although this species richness is small compared to the richness of Pristimantis across the much larger Choco bioregion of western Colombia and Ecuador, its variation in Panama still poses a major challenge for taxonomic work. The newly discovered Pristimantis species is endemic to Panama, but it could occur on near mountains along the border in Colombia. Named Pristimantis gretathunbergae, or the Greta Thunbergs rainfrog, it is currently known from the cloud forest of Cerro Chucanti, Maje Mountains, as well as from several other mountain ranges in eastern and central Panama. The specific name is a noun in the genitive case and is a patronym in honor for Greta Thunberg, a Swedish student, and her global climate activism, the researchers explained. Greta initiated a School Strike for Climate Action outside the Swedish parliament to demand a radical response to the threat by the ongoing climate change. Then sixteen-year-old Thunbergs example has inspired students worldwide to carry out similar strikes called Fridays For Future that started in August 2018. Pristimantis gretathunbergae has been recorded at altitudes between 718-1,439 m above sea level and occupies most frequently montane forest, a cloud forest consisting predominantly of trees covered with moss and a large variety of understory and midstory bromeliads, they said. At night, this species was observed between 0.5-3 m above the ground on tree bark and in the bromeliad foliage. During daytime, individuals were found hiding between bromeliad leaves. At the top of Cerro Chucanti, males were calling (a sporadic chack) during the rainy season in December. Reproductive activities beginning with the rain period have also been observed at Altos del Maria, near Gaita Hills. According to the team, habitats occupied by Pristimantis gretathunbergae are under latent threat. As a flagship species, this new frog can help to preserve the Chucanti cloud forest including several recently described species known only from this isolated area in eastern Panama, the authors said. The discovery of Pristimantis gretathunbergae is reported in a paper in the journal ZooKeys. _____ K. Mebert et al. 2022. A new rainfrog of the genus Pristimantis (Anura, Brachycephaloidea) from central and eastern Panama. ZooKeys 1081: 1-34; doi: 10.3897/zookeys.1081.63009 One of the more famous adult actors of the 21st century, Jenna Jameson, has been confined to hospital unable to walk due to a rare disease. Jameson has been in Hawaii receiving treatment for Guillain-Barre syndrome, which weakens her muscles and stops her legs being able to carry her weight. "She returned home and couldn't stand up by herself," Lior Bitton, Jameson's partner, explained on Twitter. "The muscles in her legs were very weak. She couldn't walk to the bathroom, when she returned she was falling and I had to carry her to bed." Jenna Jameson, una de las actrices porno mas famosas de la historia, sufre el sindrome Guillain-Barr The treatment for the disease is IVIG (intravenous immunoglobulin), with the actor due in the hospital until the treatment finishes in its entirety. "I have started my IVIG, I'm in hospital and will probably stay here until I complete them," Jameson posted on social media. What is Guillain-Barre syndrome? The Mayo Clinic defines the ailment as a 'rare disorder in which the body's immune system attacks the nerves', with the first symptoms usually being weakness and a tingling sensation in the extremities. These sensations can quickly spread and paralyse the entire body and as yet there is no cure, but merely treatment which can alleviate symptoms over time. The mortality rate from the disease is between four and seven percent, and 60-80 percent of victims can walk again within six months. The British royal family's latest major scandal continues to generate breaking news, after Prince Andrew has been stripped of his military titles and royal patronage, which have been returned to the Queen, Buckingham Palace announced. This means that the also known as Duke of York will no longer use the style 'His Royal Highness' in any official capacity," as also happened at the time with his nephew, Prince Harry, when he and his wife, Meghan, retired from royal duties and moved to the United States in 2020. Consequence of the sexual abuse case against him The decision made by Buckingham Palace comes as a result of a federal judge in New York on Wednesday admitting a civil sex abuse case against Queen Elizabeth II's second son to move forward. Virginia Giuffre accused Prince Andrew of raping her when she was 17, a time when he was friends with the late financier and convicted sexual predator Jeffrey Epstein, although the Duke of York has denied the charges. "With The Queen's approval and agreement, the Duke of York's military affiliations and Royal patronages have been returned to The Queen. The Duke of York will continue not to undertake any public duties and is defending this case as a private citizen," the palace said in a statement. "All of the Duke's roles have been handed back to the Queen with immediate effect for redistribution to other members of the Royal Family. For clarity, they will not return to The Duke of York," a royal source told CNN. Morris might be one of Australias most celebrated wineries, but it has recently entered the world of whisky and has hit the ground running. Heres how a respected wine family dynasty made the transition look easy. In Australia, north-eastern Victoria is regarded as the capital of fortified wines, ever since vines were brought along with the Gold Rush of the 1850s and were planted in the rolling hills of Victorias Riverland, fed by the mighty Snowy Mountains and Murray River. Here youll find the small town of Rutherglen, home to less than 2,000 people, including the Morris family, whose winery was established in 1859. Here six generations have made fortified wine, a tradition maintained today led by head winemaker David Morris. This generational expertise, impressive stock, and popular brand made the winery an attractive proposition for Casella Family Brands, which bought it in 2016 but kept the Morris family doing what it does best. But it wasnt just the wine that tempted John Casella. He always had a passion for single malt whisky and had a dream to create a great Australian example. And the Morris family had an original 1930s hybrid copper-pot still, used to make the spirit for the fortified wines since 1941, although it had laid dormant for some time. When you put 2+2 together you get 4, and when you realise you have a unique still as well as access to an amazing library of fortified casks that could be used to finish whisky, you have yourselves the making of a great distillery. One with a point of difference. Who else starts off with that level of drinks knowledge and quality of equipment to hand? With these factors combined, alongside a passion for whisky from the family, we knew it was an opportunity that couldnt be passed up, says global marketing manager, Michael Sergeant. Living up to the family name With all these advantages comes a certain pressure: the Morris brand has a reputation to uphold. John Casella knew the most critical thing was to get the liquid quality and brand proposition right from the outset. He set up the Copper & Grain Distilling Co. and the Rutherglen Distillery to be the home to Morris Whisky, and carefully restored the hybrid copper pot and column still, naming it Aurora, after the princess in Sleeping Beauty who awoke after close to a century of slumber. He then ensured that all the barley used in Morris Whisky production is 100% Australian sourced, malted in Australian maltsters, and then brewed at the family-owned brewery. Having our own grain supply is an advantage as we are able to control the quality and consistency of the grains we are using in our whisky, allowing us to ensure that each bottle of Morris Whisky has the same exceptional flavour, Sergeant explains. There is scope in the future to try other grains but for now its just malted barley. Pure, filtered water from the Snowy Mountains is also used in Morris whisky production. But the star of the show is Aurora which produces 400-500 litres of high strength new make spirit per batch which comes off the still at 78% ABV the strength chosen by the distillers for having the right balance of flavours and congeners. The process is overseen by a team of highly-regarded experts, including ex-Diageo man and head distiller Darren Peck, who has worked for the last five years under the tutelage of John McDougall, a renowned whisky maker with experience with Balvenie, Laphroaig, and Springbank. He now consults exclusively to Morris as master distiller, while the late Dr Jim Swan, was also a key member of the original Morris Whisky team. Where whisky and wine meet Both McDougall and Swan were integral in designing a unique barrel maturation program, and providing the team with a special and unique barrel toasting regime. David Morris helps identify the best casks from a library that includes barrels over a 100-years-old. Theyre all prepared by hand at a private cooperage in-house in Yenda, which is led by Anton Remkes, a great advantage as the distillery can create customised shaving and toasting methods for optimal maturation. The whisky is matured in a combination of American and French oak casks, ex-Shiraz, and Cabernet red wine barrels specifically, selected from wineries in the Barossa and Coonawarra regions. The Signature Whisky is then finished in a combination of Morris fortified barrels, while the Muscat Barrel Whisky is finished in, you guessed it, rare Morris Muscat barrels, some of which have held what the brand claims is the worlds most highly awarded fortified wine. These fortified barrels offer Morris an exceptional edge, creating whiskies with a combination of style and quality few can match. The Morris winery makes some of thebest fortified wines in the world, while the Rutherglen regions climate lends itself to whisky production with hot summer days and cool nights, conditions that are perfect for ageing and helping create the distinctive Morris Whisky taste. At the forefront of a growing category Creating whisky with a winemakers perspective is an intriguing perspective, as two worlds collide. Morris says that, from the beginning, the brand set itself two main guardrails: 1) to be respectful of the traditions of single malt whisky-making and 2) honour the heritage of the Morris family. We also found on our journey that there are more similarities than not between these two worlds, the attention to detail, the influence of terroir, the quality and purity of ingredients, and the role of the barrels in ageing and blending, Sergeant explains. Over time, we also learnt that both consumers and trade alike were open and intrigued to learn more about the craft of fortified winemaking and how these amazing aged liquids can impart rich and intense flavour into whisky. While our ambition is for Morris Whisky to be regarded as a world-class single malt in its own right, we hope that we can help shine a light back onto the amazing fortified category for many spirits consumers to rediscover and enjoy. This approach has helped set Morris whisky apart from other distilleries in what is an increasingly strong and competitive Australian whisky market. Accelerated growth has defined the category, with the sales of local whisky more than doubling from 2019 to 2020 according to IWSR (International Wines and Spirits Record). The folks at Morris are confident that success isnt fleeting and that drinkers both local and overseas will continue to appreciate the Australian flavour. Certainly, Morris seems to have a bright future, with 2021 a bumper year for the brand with the release of its first whiskies. Australias leading wine and spirits writers have given Morris Whisky glowing reviews, picking up numerous awards and receiving overwhelmingly positive feedback from both consumer and industry professionals for redefining the pricing of quality Australian single malt whisky and making it more widely accessible. These last two points, in particular, are very encouraging as they have tended to be the factors holding the category back. For Morris though, everything is moving forward. Premium releases and ideas to develop the range further are in the works, as are plans for greater distribution to an increasing number of markets, and the team are also close to opening its own brand home, the Morris Distillery in Rutherglen in 2022. The review Its a story and an approach that has grabbed the attention of a few of us at MoM Towers, with its reasonably priced inaugural releases (especially for 700ml bottles, a rarity in Australia) and wine legacy prompting several of us to find out if whats in the bottle lives up to the promise. So, lets take a look at the two releases, which are available now simply by clicking the links. Morris Australian Single Malt Whisky Signature Here we have the Signature single malt whisky from Australias Morris Distillery. This expression is aged in fortified wine barrels and, as youd expect, benefits from all that intense, rich fruity character. Sherry cask lovers will love its blend of spice, sweetness and nutty qualities, while an underlying biscuity malt and orchard fruit character Id guess is coming from the spirit adds depth and plays with the cask notes beautifully. A very enjoyable sipper, one thats hard not to go back to. Nose: Biscuit malt, marzipan and jammy black fruits make way for dark chocolate, stewed apples, earthy vanilla, and zingy orange zest. Palate: Rich and unctuous, with fruitcake, nutmeg, chocolate digestive biscuits, as well as touches of menthol cherry sweets and a little cassia underneath. Finish: The full-bodied sweetness lingers with a hint of aromatic spice. Morris Australian Single Malt Whisky Muscat Barrel Finish The more premium offering with its unique finishing period in Morris Muscat barrels, no other whisky can boast that. The prestige is matched in good measure by personality, with oodles of aromatic spice, toasty sweet notes and dense fruit mingling away together. Its a statement whisky from the brand and its got very interesting things to say, particularly in a palate that defies its age and has some truly complex notes. This will prove very popular I think. Nose: Theres an unctuous funk moving through this, Medjool dates, deeply caramelised apple and wine-soaked oak playing with beeswax, Muscovado sugar, mocha and rich malt. Licks of manuka honey and a hint of sweet tobacco are present throughout. Palate: Prunes, raisin and oily nuts lead with vanilla pod earthiness, dark chocolate, cardamom, and more stewed orchard fruit in support. Underneath it all, theres floral, fruity tones, allspice, and a touch of damp forest floor. Finish: A drier, spicier finish carries with it rich oak, dark molasses, strawberry bonbons and baking spice. McAlester, OK (74501) Today Cloudy skies this morning will become partly cloudy this afternoon. High 69F. Winds N at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy with late night showers or thunderstorms. Low 57F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 40%. President Moon Jae-in is "not considering" attending the Beijing Winter Olympics set to open next month, Cheong Wa Dae said Wednesday. The presidential office said Moon will instead be visiting the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Egypt for eight days starting on Saturday accompanied by former chief of staff Im Jong-seok. Sixty years ago, Julian Cheng's parents emigrated from China and Taiwan to the United States, where they were pursuing graduate education his dad in pharmaceutical chemistry and his mom in surgical nursing. They were welcomed by their classmates, who made sure to include them in American holiday traditions like Thanksgiving. Cheng, an adjunct lecturer in Northwestern's Master of Engineering Management (MEM) program and founder of Gen 1 Capital, aspires to do the same thing for a new generation of international students. This past fall, Cheng organized a Thanksgiving feast for more than 60 students from Asia, Latin America, Europe, and the U.S. For many international students, it was the first time they ever experienced Thanksgiving. "Although many of these students do not have their families with them, they are part of our larger Northwestern University family," Cheng said. "In this broken world, with a terrible pandemic, high anxiety and depression, people in poverty, and a polarized nation, I wanted to demonstrate the meaning of Thanksgiving: being thankful, staying humble, practicing generosity, showing compassion, and serving others." Cheng organized the meal at the new Evanston restaurant Double Clutch. The meal featured a traditional Thanksgiving menu: turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy, glazed carrots, mac and cheese, portobello mushrooms, brussel sprouts, salad, and pumpkin pie. "I had delicious Thanksgiving food, and more importantly, I felt a part of the Northwestern family," said Neha Sharma (MEM '21). "I got to interact with many people from different programs, countries and backgrounds, and it made me feel supported during the ongoing pandemic. I am grateful to Professor Cheng for hosting this event and giving me the opportunity to network with my peers, who will no doubt be the new wave of leaders in their respective industries." Cheng began the meal with a brief talk about the importance of thankfulness. He explained that while Thanksgiving happens only once a year, "its message and lessons should permeate all areas of our lives 365 days a year." Cheng stresses that idea in his Technical Entrepreneurship course, where this past fall his students studied many real-world examples of startup successes and heard from numerous founders and technology executives. The class also studied the Theranos and Elizabeth Holmes case, where greed and deceit overtook the morals of a person and business. Attendees from his Technical Entrepreneurship course were also given an opportunity to practice pitching their own startups with an engaged audience prior to their final presentation the following week. "We got to share Thanksgiving with a lot of folks from the program, but most importantly, we got to experience what it would be like to make a pitch in front of a big audience," Jorge Valdovinos Segura (MEM '22) said. "At the end of the day, these are the kind of experiences that take you out of your comfort zone and make you grow as a person." The primary purpose of the meal was to introduce Thanksgiving, but it also demonstrated the bond among MEM students and the larger community feeling that exists across the McCormick School of Engineering. Afterward, Cheng told attendees he hoped they would remember this Thanksgiving, each other, and their Northwestern community as they move forward in their careers. "We are under some severely unfortunate circumstances with the global pandemic," Cheng said. "It is important to create a common bond so we can build a better world for ourselves and our future generations. "I tell students no matter how successful they become to be thankful; stay true to their ideals; be humble, honest, and responsible; and treat others kindly and respectfully. Meadville, PA (16335) Today Cloudy with occasional rain during the afternoon. High 66F. Winds SE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall around a quarter of an inch.. Tonight Rain likely. Low 56F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%. Rainfall near a half an inch. Before making it big in the industry, our favorite celebs have picked odd jobs to survive and make a living. Sonu Sood who has been in the news for his humanitarian work in the pandemic era featured in advertisement of Nagraj comics. We came across an ad from 1997 wherein you can see Sonu Sood fighting for justice and is giving it back to all the goons. Considering it was the era of 90s, the video is shot at a very low resolution and it does look cringeworthy. He is seen breathing fire, fighting beats and to top it all, he has green eyes. Yes, this is real. The Instagram page RarePhotoClub shared the video and wrote, "Once upon a time when Sonu Sood starred as Naagraj in an ad for raj comics. He has come a long way from a reel to a real-life savior." Heres the advertisement featuring Sonu Sood: People who saw the advertisement found it hilarious and felt that he had low key Spider-Man features. Here are the reactions: Instagram Instagram During his appearance on 'The Kapil Sharma Show', Sonu was asked to confirm the rumour he was Nagraj. He said it's true and shared an anecdote stating, "It was an embarrassing moment when I started my career in Delhi, I got my first role as Nagraj. Wearing that green costume, I went on shooting in Delhi. We had a small crew of 20 people. I was the fire breathing Nagraj. Later, my photograph was printed in that comic book too. I became famous in Delhi at that time." Sood added, "Once, in Lajpat Nagar Market, I saw a comic book with my photograph on it. I felt embarrassed thinking that I wasn't like that at all. My sister-in-law told me to buy one to keep it as a memory, 'you will feel good seeing this when you become a star.' I told her I don't want to. I didn't buy it but now I regret that I don't have that memory of being Nagraj." Back in 2019, there were reports that Ranveer Singh might play the role of the iconic Indian superhero Nagraj in a big-screen adaptation of the comic book series. Manoj Gupta, president of publisher Raj Comics, told PTI that Karan Johar would be producing the movie. We are in talks with Ranveer Singh and Karan Johar for a live-action silver-screen adaptation of Nagraj. While nothing is inked so far, things are looking positive, Gupta said. Nagraj was the creation of Sanjay Gupta published by Raj Comics. The snake king was a fictional superhero penned by Prashuram Sharma and illustrated by Pratap Mullik. Well, nothing was ever materialized so Sonu Sood is the real Nagraj and no one can take this crown away from him. 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 A bill filed for consideration in Frankfort would allow certain officials, and their relatives, to request otherwise public documents pertaining to them be kept from the public. Senate Bill 63 was filed by Sen. Danny Carroll, a Benton Republican. The bill would create an exemption to the states open records law for public officers, which the bill defines as law enforcement officers, judges, prosecutors and public defenders, circuit court clerks, the attorney general and assistant attorney generals, first responders, social workers, law enforcement experts and technicians who testify in trial, probation officers, and jailers and jail staff. The bill would allow public officials, and immediate family members, to request that certain public records be exempt from public inspection. The personally identifiable information that would be exempt includes birth and marriage records, records that contain an address, any tax or property records, photographs of homes owned, personal phone numbers, email addresses, vehicle information or photographs and school or employment locations. The official or family member would have to request the exemption in writing. The bill would allow anyone who disseminates exempted information to be sued. David Thompson, executive director of the Kentucky Press Association, said a similar bill filed by Carroll was approved by the House and Senate in 2021, but was vetoed by Gov. Andy Beshear. Lawmakers didnt have time to override the veto, Thompson said. This is the fifth year hes done this, Thompson said. The public should be up in arms. The public should be outraged they to to this extreme to protect the police. The bill is unconstitutional, Thompson said. We have met with (Carrol) on numerous occasions over the years, Thompson said. He doesnt get our concern about public records. In a written statement, KPA officials said the bill would also will jeopardize the ability of businesses, agencies, and courts to perform routine public functions that depend on the free flow of information regarding public records concerning birth, death, marriage, insurance, property ownership, taxes, and political contributions. KPA also calls the definition of immediate family members so broad and ill-defined it could include a substantial percentage of Kentuckians. William Mack Bushart, executive director for the Kentucky Property Valuation Administrators Association, said the bill would affect business activity, such as applying for mortgage. Theres a lot of regular business that I dont know how it could be done based on what this requires us to do, Bushart said. If records about a home had been made exempt under the proposed law, that would be a serious problem for a bank to loan money on a house, he said. Bushart said much of the information that would be excluded under the bill is likely already available elsewhere. My thought is ... if you Google someones name, a lot of time that stuff pops up, Bushart said. Daviess Country PVA Rachel Pence Foster said the bill would also affect records kept by county clerks. Foster said it would be possible to remove such personal information from the PVA offices website, but preparing tax rolls would require going through the list of everyone who requested an exemption and deleting them from the rolls. Foster said the bill could be expanded to include more groups of people in the future. Where does it stop? Foster said. ... Im not saying (the bill) is a bad thing, but the door would be open to exempt more people in the future, she said. I think there needs to be some revision, Foster said. James Mayse, 270-691-7303, jmayse@messenger-inquirer.com, Twitter: @JamesMayse We're sorry, but we're unable to locate the page you requested. The page may have been removed, renamed, or deleted. You can try searching for the topic using the search button in the right hand corner above. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Jan. 5, 2022 CONTACT: Lynn Sutfin, 517-241-2112 LANSING, Mich. - Four Michigan universities will receive $18.5 million in federal funds over the next two years to collect and analyze genomic data to address emerging infectious disease threats and enhance the state's ability to respond to those threats, announced the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) today. Michigan Tech University, Michigan State University, University of Michigan and Wayne State University will use the funding to increase sequencing capacity in the state starting with SARS-CoV-2 and then other infectious disease threats with the potential for broad community spread. Funding for the Michigan Sequencing Academic Partnership for Public Health Innovation and Response (MI-SAPPHIRE) is through a CDC Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity grant MDHHS received. MI-SAPPHIRE activities will include sequence generation and analysis, such as sample collection and sequencing; data processing, storage and sharing; and data interpretation and analytics. "The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance and need for genomic sequencing, surveillance and epidemiology capacity both globally and right here in Michigan," said Elizabeth Hertel, MDHHS director. "The MDHHS Bureau of Laboratories has rapidly expanded its efforts to identify COVID-19 variants since the start of the pandemic to support public health actions. MI-SAPPHIRE will allow our state to expand sequencing and analysis capacity and the number of pathogens that undergo routine sequencing, and ensure we are sampling diverse geographic areas across the state." MDHHS has been a leader in national sequencing and genomic epidemiology as the national center for tuberculosis sequencing, PulseNet foodborne pathogen regional center, and SARS-CoV-2. The state generates over 25,000 genomes per year for bacterial and viral organisms. Partnerships with the four universities will allow for the scalability of capacity and response for SARS-CoV-2 and other pathogens. The MDHHS BOL has sequenced 23,000 COVID-19 samples since March 2020. The University of Michigan lab has also conducted sequencing throughout the pandemic to provide information about COVID-19 variants circulating in the state. Data generated or activities funded must support public health action, surveillance activities, infrastructure development or pandemic response efforts. Data or projects generated solely for research purposes and not directly actionable by state epidemiologists are not allowable with federal grant funds. For more information on genetic sequencing, visit What is Genomic Surveillance? | CDC. # # # Detroit, January 13, 2022 - The Michigan Gaming Control Board and Michigan Liquor Control Commission will conduct a statewide public education and enforcement initiative in 2022 to encourage businesses to remove unregulated machines used for illegal gaming. "Illegal gambling can lead to other, more serious crimes that compromise safety in Michigan communities," said Henry Williams, MGCB executive director. "Citizens who use these unregulated machines also have little recourse if they feel cheated. They can't file a formal dispute with an unregulated operator and ask our agency to review the outcome as they can when participating in licensed, legal gaming." Working together, the two state agencies hope better knowledge about illegal gambling coupled with heightened awareness of its consequences will curb illegal gambling in Michigan. "Liquor licensees who allow illegal gambling and who fail to remove gambling devices used for illegal gaming from their businesses can face violations from the Michigan Liquor Control Commission," said MLCC Chair Pat Gagliardi. "Illegal gambling is considered a serious violation by the Commission, and the penalties from a violation can include fines, suspension or revocation of a liquor license. Liquor licensees are encouraged to utilize only legal forms of gambling to stay compliant with the Commission's laws and rules." The state agencies will share information with businesses and the general public about what is legal in Michigan. They hope to counteract misleading information the public and businesses receive about unregulated machines used for illegal gaming. The misleading information often comes from machine and software suppliers. Michigan law broadly prohibits any kind of gambling unless specifically authorized under state law such as gambling machines operated within licensed casinos. "Laws that authorize and regulate gaming in the State of Michigan serve to protect consumers who wish to gamble," Attorney General Dana Nessel said. "My office stands ready to assist the Michigan Liquor Control Commission and Michigan Gaming Control Board in this important enforcement effort. We will not hesitate to hold people accountable if they ignore this opportunity to voluntarily remove illegal gambling machines." Communications materials will help businesses and the public identify what is and isn't legal. This includes a fact sheet about Michigan law and a separate fact sheet on unregulated machines used for illegal gaming. "With additional education, we hope business owners will do the right thing and not offer illegal gaming in their establishments," Williams said. "However, we are prepared to enforce Michigan law and take action against those who violate it." The partnership with the Michigan Liquor Control Commission will further enable the State of Michigan to effectively combat this ongoing illegal activity, Williams said. The MGCB encourages the public to report illegal or suspected illegal gambling activity through the agency's anonymous tip phone line, 1-888-314-2682. "The Michigan Gaming Control Board shall ensure the conduct of fair and honest gaming to protect the interests of the citizens of the State of Michigan." FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE? January 13, 2022? Contact: press@michigan.gov?? Governor Whitmer Delivers up to $1,000 Bonuses to Over 38,000 Childcare Professionals?? Nearly 6,000 childcare providers receiving $365 million in grants to provide bonuses to staff and keep childcare facilities open for Michigan families. LANSING, Mich. - Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer continued her commitment to support Michigan families by investing $365 million in childcare programs across the state. Nearly 6,000 childcare programs received funding through the Child Care Stabilization Grant. These funds will help keep programs open and provide $1,000 bonuses for full time staff. "Many Michigan families rely on childcare to keep their children safe, happy, healthy, and learning while parents work or go to school. It's simple. Our economy cannot thrive without a strong childcare industry," said Governor Gretchen Whitmer. "I worked across the aisle to secure the largest investment in childcare in the state's history. This funding helps keep our childcare businesses open, makes childcare more affordable for families, and delivers bonuses to childcare professionals. All our kids deserve a great start. These grants are another investment in their future." Grants were awarded to licensed centers, group homes, family homes, and tribal childcare providers. Funds must be used to support operational expense and a site's COVID response. "I'm so grateful for this grant. It's giving me the opportunity to offer free childcare to my families. I also plan to use funding to give my employee a raise. I want an employee that will stay here and be valued more than a minimum wage employee," said?Tamie Stampfly, owner and operator of a family group home childcare in Berrien County. "I've owned a home-based childcare business for?10?years. I love this job, but it's hard work. I work 18 hours a day. The pandemic makes it even more challenging. This grant makes it just a little bit easier to stay open and focus on teaching my kids." "I'm honored to serve the children of Flint in two centers. Unfortunately, one of my sites has been temporarily closed due to the pandemic and staffing shortages," said?Teyana Sprinkle, owner and operator of the Honey Bee Palace Childcare Center in Flint. "This grant will help me reopen my program, recruit the qualified staff, and continue providing high quality early learning for children and families in my community." "The grant funding is like being thrown a life preserver to finally pay all staff more than minimum wage as well as provide more than minimum training," said Theresa Buggia, owner and director at Kids Club in Tuscola County. "I plan to offer bonuses as staff further their education on behalf of the children. This will include additional?training for a deeper understanding of how to serve children with special needs and trauma because these are a part of our everyday." Nearly all applicants also requested and received funding for $1,000 sign on bonuses to fill staff vacancies. The Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity is partnering with the Michigan Works! network in February to host virtual job fairs to fill these jobs. Interested applicants should visit Michigan.gov/workforce for more details on these events. "Quality, accessible childcare is necessary for our communities and economy to grow and flourish. The pandemic has made it clear that early childhood educators' work is essential.? The?Michigan Works! system?looks forward to partnering with the State of Michigan to?help job seekers across Michigan connect to the opportunities within this dynamic and rewarding industry," said Carrie Rosingana, CEO of the Capital Area Michigan Works!. Retaining licensed childcare providers is critical in the state's economic recovery. "Businesses thrive when employees and their families have the stability of quality childcare options. Further, this is a long-term investment in the talent pipeline that puts Michigan at a competitive advantage in future generations." Said Brad Williams, Vice President of Government Relations for the Detroit Regional Chamber. "Bipartisan leadership from Gov. Whitmer and the Legislature to invest in families today and our workforce tomorrow is one more step to proving that Michigan's business climate continues to improve." "It's no secret that businesses are having trouble finding employees, and one major barrier to entering the workforce right now is access to affordable childcare," said Andy Johnston, Vice President of Government Affairs for the Grand Rapids Chamber. "These stabilization grants are a great step in helping solve the childcare shortage in Michigan, and I thank Governor Whitmer for her leadership, as well as the legislative leaders in Lansing for making this critical investment." Johnston added that "We look forward to continuing to advocate for more access to affordable, quality childcare moving forward." Details?? The Child Care Stabilization Grant is a non-competitive grant for childcare programs to help stabilize operations and support the health and safety of children and staff. Eligible licensed childcare programs applied for funding in fall 2021. A second application will be released in late spring 2022. Governor Whitmer signed a bipartisan budget that included $730 million in American Rescue Plan funds to support Stabilization Grants and staff bonuses. Total grant awards: 5, 890 Average awards: Family home program: $10, 76 3 Group home program: $20,454 Childcare center: $108, 6 85 Total bonuses awarded: $1,000 to 24, 94 7 full time staff members $500 to 13, 2 13 part time staff members Staff in the Michigan Department of Education's Office of Child Development and Care worked diligently with the support of partners across the state to manage and process the grants to ensure that all eligible child care providers were able to apply for and receive the funds as quickly as possible. The MDE has also published summary data and a breakdown of grant awards by county and provider. Additional information about the program is available at Michigan.gov/childcare. ###? BROWN TWP. Just outside the city of Manistee, in Brown Township, lies a farm, but not the kind that one might expect. This farm is the primary one-stop-shop for the cannabis provisioning center, Authentic 231. Almost all of the products that can be bought at Authentic 231 come from the complex in Brown Township. The plants are all grown and cultivated at the farm, the cannabis oil and THC extracted, and the final products processed and packaged at the sprawling complex. Left Coast Holdings' assets include Heritage Farms, the Brown Township farm; and retail stores Authentic 231 in Manistee, and two stores -- in Muskegon Heights and East Tawas in development. The grow facility holds five Class C AU grow licenses and one Class C Medical Grow License license. The farm currently has 11,500 plants. McKenzie said they plan to double the number of plants to 23,000. On April 8, 2020, the Brown Township Board of Trustees adopted an ordinance to allow certain marijuana establishments in the township under the Michigan Regulation and Taxation of Marihuana Act (MCL 333.27951) of 2018. The type of establishments approved includes growers, processors and secure transporters. Willie McKenzie, CEO, and co-founder of Left Coast Holdings said that the company employs 20 people to grow and cultivate the cannabis plant. Eighteen more are employed at the extraction facility. He said construction on the facility began in May 2020, and it was licensed in November 2020. At the Heritage Farms facility, employees remove the THC and the cannabis oil from the marijuana flower in order to create a THC distillate, which is THC that is distilled and purified to 80%-90% and then put into products like a vape pen or gummies. All of these products are sold at Authentic 231. Plans are to hire 10 more people at the extraction facility at the farm. The oil that is extracted but not used in products also goes into a series of butane tanks that continuously recycles the oil which allows for more efficiency in the process of running the extraction facility. McKenzie notes that after the products that are made directly from the plant "we can take the flower and extract the oil into the processing facility." The facility's first 11,500 plants were grown from seedlings, however, they plan to clone what McKenzie calls the "mother plants" in order to double the plants in a very short time. Overall, Left Coast Holdings employs 38 at the farm, 10 in management positions, and 17 at the Authentic 231 store on Arthur Street in Manistee. There are plans to build a 15,000 square foot grow facility in one of the empty storage sheds behind the Authentic 231 storefront on Arthur Street as well as plans to expand the complex at the farm in Brown Township. Currently, there is an indoor grow facility, a greenhouse with plans for expansion and an outdoor grow facility. McKenzie said that they're planning on expanding the complex as a whole. "Were working on (expanding) it to 26 acres and fencing a total of 80 acres. We are starting (to double the plants from) the genetic stocks to 23,000 plants by the end of the first quarter of 2022," he said. McKenzie notes that in addition to supplying products for Authentic 231, the cultivation and processing facility in Brown Township provides products for 40 other marijuana retail facilities across the state. McKenzie also noted that they're farming on a piece of land they leased from a fifth-generation farmer in Manistee County, Calvin Lutz III. "Its important to have that local farming knowledge," McKenzie said of the reason they're working with Lutz. Beyond just generational farming knowledge, new technology is involved with the business. One of the indoor grows facilities can grow the plants without any need for humans. A room can be temperature controlled from the outside or by an app on a phone. McKenzie, who's originally from California's Bay Area, said that he started growing marijuana in his garage before meeting Charlie and Trever Johnson, who would become his business partners for Authentic 231. McKenzie, when speaking about where he is now compared to where he started, noted that "what we have now sure beats what I had in my garage." The Hindu fanatics are roaming freely and targeting minorities living across the country. by Asad Ali India claims itself as worlds largest democracy, having population of more than one billion. People of all religious communities are living in the country. But, they are facing terrible conditions when it comes to offer religious duties. People cannot perform their religious practices openly in India. As per international standards/ values, mere population and size of a country is not the measure to decide about the fate of any democratic state. A nation must have strong values, inclusiveness and democratic norms so that it can be termed as proper democratic state. In Indias case, no such value exists. People are being attacked, killed and their properties are vandalized. Indian government is forcefully annexing territories, which clearly exposes its expansionist designs. The cases of Jammu and Kashmir, Junagarh, Hyderabad and Arunachal Pradesh are practical demonstration of Indian expansionist designs. Consequently, hypocrisy is the best suitable word for Indian state. The holy goons of RSS are out in the streets and killing people. India is clear example of authoritarian, undemocratic state with the ultimate rise of Hindutva ideology. It is a state where minorities are being alienated. The Hindu fanatics are roaming freely and targeting minorities living across the country. These zealots are disrupting prayers and killing non-Muslims in the name of Hindutva ideology. Interestingly, Modi-led nationalist Indian government is fully backing these religious hardliners. Despite these odds against minorities, Modi government is pitching the self-styled mantra of secular India, which is contrary to the concept of Nehrivian secular India. The fact is that Modi government has made the lives of minorities miserable and there seems no place for non-Hindus in India. Even, Sikh community has also become latest victim of Modis Hindutva ideology. Recently, Modi government has passed legislation, aimed at targeting minorities. The bills like NRC and CAA left minorities especially non-Muslims helpless and stateless. Indian government denied millions of people especially Muslims its citizenship. They cannot get Indian nationality because of BJPs Hindu nationalist approach. They have found it very difficult to live in India under the current terrible Hindutva atmosphere. This approach of Indian government has also triggered another debate regarding the nationalist designs of any state. PM Modi is architecture of this nationalist approach which is making lives of minorities miserable. Likewise, the silence of international community over the oppressions of minorities in India is questionable thing, which provides sheer confidence to Modi government to continue its anti-minority policies. International human rights organizations are also passing mere statements, condemning Indian governments actions. These statements are not enough. To stop these discriminatory approaches of Modi government, world must come forward and hold India responsible for its discriminatory behavior against minorities especially Muslims. All these practices are also against the basic rules of democracy. Under current circumstances and nationalist government, it would be wise to say that India has become purely undemocratic authoritarian state, having hardliner Hindus in important policy decisions. The ingress of hardliner Hindus in the power corridor of India is not good omen for regional peace. They kept warmongering approach and pushing for offence tendencies to deal with other than Hindu entities. Recently, Swedish think termed India as an autocratic state and electoral democracy. The V-Dem Institute, an independent research institute based at University of Gothenburg, has published data-heavy worldwide democracy reports since 2017. In its report, it had observed that India is on the verge of losing its status as a democracy.India is among the countries leading the third wave of autocratisation, V Dem said, noting that 68% of the worlds population now lives under autocratic regimes. This years report, therefore, is titled Autocratization Turns Viral. The report also vindicates international stance on controlled media strategy in India. The democracy in India is under severe threat of nationalist Hindus. The incumbent Modi government is taking all steps to accomplish its so called concept of Akhand Bharat (united India). A few months back, US-based non-profit Freedom House downgraded India from a free democracy to a partially free democracy.Not surprisingly, the flurry of downgrades have riled Modi's government and cast a shadow on the global image of India's democracy. Even, Indian opposition politicians are criticizing Modis policies, which are creating divisions within Indian societies. At the root of backsliding, in India as elsewhere, is a rejection of core democratic principle that all citizens are equal. Indias BJP champions Hindutva, an ideology that privileges the Hindu majority over religious minorities.Sectarian tensions flared throughout the BJPs rise to power, and the flames were often fanned by the party itself. In 2014, Modi supplanted a generation of soft-edged figures and led the party to electoral victory. Although only previous BJP PM, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, had downplayed Hindutva in favor of less divisive center-right policies, Modi has made it the centerpiece of his governing strategy.The first illiberal thrust was launched not against the hardware of democracy (the electoral system) but the software that enables it to operatethat is, an apolitical judiciary, a free press, and other elements of civil society. Indias judicial system has bent to the wishes of politicians since 2014. Is the form of Hindu nationalism wielded by Modis BJP compatible with liberal democratic values? Or are individual rights, minority rights, freedom of speech and freedom of conscience Western ideas in process of being washed away in a saffron tide of Hindu revivalism? If India wants to reclaim its democratic sheen, it will have to grapple with these questions and not just dismiss them with witty wordplay. The writer is Islamabad based expert of strategic affairs and can be reached at asadmalik2008@gmail.com MILFORD Pandemic-related impacts have the school districts facing larger than anticipated salary costs, according school Chief Operations Officer James Richetelli, but this fiscal years financial picture remains stable. Richetelli, in his quarterly budget update to the Board of Education this week, said that while several salary accounts are nearly $1.6 million in the red, the school district still has an available balance of $1.895 million. The uncertainties of COVID and the additional dollars we are spending, in most cases, will be covered in various grants that we have either the ESSER (Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief) grant, ESSER II or ESSER III, Richetelli said. However, Richetelli said some line items are in the negative and there are others where a high percentage of the total funds have been used. We are watching some accounts closer than we usually do, and one of those accounts is the teacher salary account, he said. The most significant line in the budget is teachers salaries at $48,139,319, of which 99.72 percent has been used up so far. Thats much more than it usually is at this point and the reason for that is the additional four teachers that (Superintendent Anna Cutaia) talked about that we needed, said Richetelli. Usually, at this point in the year, that number is at a greater surplus than it is right now. Despite it being close, Richetelli said the administration has accounted for all of the teachers salaries and will be fine in the line item. There is a $89,867 deficit in the certified administration salaries, but Richetelli said he planned to make it up with savings from other salaries accounts. The deficit in that account is because weve hired four retired administrators to do part-time evaluation work, he said. Because of the strain that is being put on the building administrators, weve made a decision to hire four retired administrators that help with some of the teacher evaluations that need to be done. Because with the added COVID responsibilities, there just isnt enough time for the building administrators to devote to good evaluations. There is also a $290,339 deficit in the teacher substitute account because MPS has increased the per-diem pay for substitutes. The majority of that money will be recouped through either ESSER II or ARP (American Rescue Plan), said Richetelli. Richetelli told the board that most of the negative accounts or accounts using a high percentage of the funds are due to the pandemic. One of those accounts is the overtime salaries that Richetelli said can be pinpointed to the lunchroom issues this year because of the pandemic. We had hoped with the CDC and health department backed off a little bit on saying that things had to be sanitized because right now its not sanitizing all day long; its a routine process that needs to be done, he said. Richetelli said they thought the overtime salaries wouldnt be as much because they didnt expect to need as many custodians throughout the day as before. The problem is because we are eating in the classrooms, every desk still needs to be cleaned every day, he said. At the end of the day, there are more spills on the floor that require additional manpower. At the high schools and middle schools, we cant use the cafeteria the way we usually use cafeterias. So we are using gymnasiums, media centers, wherever we can find a spot, and we have desks in rows, six feet apart, and thats where students are eating lunch. That requires breaking down and setting up before lunch and after lunch every day. Richetelli told the board the overtime salaries are also being paid by the ESSER II and ARP grants. Unfortunately, this insult and humiliation of the women in India is not limited only to the Muslim women; almost all women belonging to the minority communities are facing the same type of exploitation and black-mailing. by Ali Sukhanver According to different media reports, the Mumbai Police had registered a First Information Report against some unidentified persons following complaints that doctored photographs of hundreds of Muslim women were uploaded without any permission for auction on the mobile application called Bulli Bai. This app is hosted on the open-source software platform GitHub and has simply become a blob of disgrace on the face of the Indian society. Most of the targeted women included journalists, lawyers and active social media users vocal on burning political and social issues belonging to different age groups. This nefarious activity came to the surface on the first day of the New Year 2022. In his recent write up published in the Wire, Dr. N.C. Asthana said, Bulli Bai is not just another crime but a design to humiliate Muslims; treating this as just another crime amounts to reducing the gravity of the sinister machinations. Tomorrow the hate-mongers will easily find another way of harassing Muslim women online. Dr. Asthana further said, In a similar incident last year, an app called Sulli Deals had taken publicly available pictures of mostly Muslim women and created profiles, describing the women as deals of the day. On October 30, 2021, the Internet Freedom Foundation had reported that even 118 days later, in spite of the furor and two FIRs having been lodged against it, no arrests had been made. Not surprisingly, they have still not been arrested. It is also a very shocking rather alarming fact that by giving photographs of turbaned persons in their profile pictures, the handlers of this app tried to give the users an impression that this web-application is supervised and patronized by the people belonging to the Sikh community. In the comments section of the app, the handlers intentionally used text in the Punjabi script just to mislead the users about their identity. The Mumbai police said in its investigation report that the names related to the Sikh community were used to make it look like these Twitter handles had been created by persons from the Sikh community. The report said, The women who were targeted were Muslim, so there was a possibility that it could have created enmity between two communities and led to breach of public peace. Though the cyber cell of Mumbai Police has arrested a 19-year-old girl and a 21-year-old student of engineering from Bangalore for allegedly working as the brains behind the scene but the criminal silence of the BJP hierarchy is being severely criticized all over the country. It is also an enlightening fact that a large number of Hindus having a moderate approach with a clear cut anti extremism tilt of mind condemned this poisonous app as well as the indifference of the Modi government over the issue. Several Opposition leaders, including Congress' Rahul Gandhi and Shiv Sena MP Priyanka Chaturvedi, urged the government to crack down on the platform and bring those behind it to justice. This cyber harassment is being condemned by different social and political leaders all over India and they have called for strict action against the culprits. The Delhi Minorities Commission has termed the matter as very serious and issued a notice to Delhi police chief Rakesh Asthana to look into the matter and submit a detailed report by 10th of January. Bulli Bai is the second such attempt in less than a year, following the Sulli Deals in July last year. A lady journalist Rana Ayyub works for the Washington Post in Mumbai. She said in her report commenting on the Bulli Bai, This app has taken hate crimes in India to a new dangerous level where Muslim women are virtually assaulted and turned into a free-for-all for a bigoted mob. These auctions of women from the minority communities display the moral degradation of India and its constitutional values. Unfortunately this insult and humiliation of the women in India is not limited only to the Muslim women; almost all women belonging to the minority communities are facing the same type of exploitation and black-mailing. Jhanvi Sharma a well known researcher on Indias social problems said in an article published in the Pleaders that India is ranked India as the worlds most dangerous country for women due to the high risk of sexual violence, human trafficking and slave labour. Women are more prone to violence, both sexual and non-sexual; many researchers have declared India unsafe for women, especially during riots. The crime rate against minority women is as high as ever, according to a recent study on the governments crime records, a crime is committed against a Dalit every 18 minutes in India. The writer further says, Every day, six of their women are raped, and 11 are beaten up. Numerous cases of rape against minority women across the country fail to get highlighted due to the failures of the criminal justice system. It is not only the women belonging to the Muslim or other minorities; tough time is for all who are not Hindus. The New York Times published an article of Jeffrey Gettleman and Suhasini Raj on 23rd December 2021. The article said, The issue of conversions to Christianity from Hinduism is an especially touchy subject, one that has vexed the country for years and even drew in Jawaharlal Nehru, Indias first prime minister, who fiercely guarded Indias secular ideals. In the past few years, Mr. Modi and his Hindu nationalist party have tugged India far to the right, away from what many Indians see as the multicultural foundation Nehru built. The rising attacks on Christians, who make up about 2 percent of the population, are part of a broader shift in India, in which minorities feel less safe. This pathetic situation is certainly not a new-born situation. It all had been the same even eight years back. A report prepared by an organization Sisters for Change could be an eye-opener to those who feel satisfied in referring to India as the Shining India. The report said, In 2014, crimes against Scheduled Castes or Dalits(the lowest hereditary Hindu social class in India) rose by 19% .Of crimes against Dalits, sexual assault and rape account for the top two crimes. Violence against Dalit women is borne from intersectional discrimination in terms of gender, poverty and caste and has become a social mechanism to maintain Dalit womens subordination and reduce their capacity to participate in society or realize their rights. Experts say that this childish attempt of putting the Muslim women on sale was nothing but an attempt to create religious tension in Punjab where elections are due this year. Certainly all these atrocities against the minorities would cast a very negative impact on the results of the upcoming elections. National Guardsmen and reservists would be eligible for GI Bill benefits in more circumstances under a bill passed by the House on Wednesday. The House voted 287-135 to approve the National Guard and Reserve GI Bill Parity Act, which would allow any day getting paid and being in uniform on federal orders, including for training, to count toward eligibility for school tuition benefits under the post-9/11 GI Bill. Sixty-eight Republicans joined with Democrats to support the bill. "Not only are these National Guard and Reserve members risking their lives to serve our country, but they're also forced to put their civilian lives on hold when they're called up, leaving behind their families and interrupting civilian careers," Rep. Mike Levin, D-Calif., who sponsored Wednesday's bill, said on the House floor. "In some of those settings, they are serving side by side with active-duty members doing similar jobs and facing similar risks, but they're not earning the same GI Bill benefits as their peers. That's unacceptable." Read Next: Young and Dying: Veterans Are Getting Brain Cancer and Struggling to Get Benefits To be eligible for at least some GI Bill benefits, a service member has to serve for at least 90 days, not including basic training. To get a full scholarship, the time commitment increases to 36 months. Someone discharged for a service-connected injury is eligible for the full benefit if they served at least 30 days. Right now, not all deployments for the National Guard allow them to accrue GI Bill benefits, nor does the time Guardsmen and reservists spend on active duty for training. In particular, so-called Title 32 orders for the National Guard do not count toward GI Bill benefits unless they are in support of a presidentially declared national emergency. Title 32 orders are considered federal active-duty orders and are paid for by the federal government, but state governors remain in actual command of their National Guard forces. So-called Title 10 orders, in which the president commands the Guard and which are typically reserved for overseas deployments, count toward the GI Bill. The discrepancy in GI Bill eligibility has become particularly pressing for the National Guard in the last couple years as states and the country lean on it to respond to crisis after crisis, including the COVID-19 pandemic; racial justice protests in June 2020; and protecting the U.S. Capitol after the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection. Guardsmen called up for the COVID-19 pandemic are eligible for GI Bill benefits since that's a formal national emergency, as were those sent to the Capitol because the presidential inauguration during the deployment was designated as a "national special security event," the National Guard Bureau wrote in a letter to Congress last year. But Guardsmen deployed for the protests in summer 2020 were not eligible for GI Bill benefits, the letter added. While acknowledging the inequality Guardsmen and reservists face in becoming eligible for GI Bill benefits, most Republicans argued the bill passed Wednesday is too broad and so would be too expensive. "I agree that Congress must take a hard look at duty-status reform and the potential expansion of benefits regarding reservists, but this bill before us today would be an unwise expansion of benefits," Rep. Mike Bost, R-Ill., the ranking member of the House Veterans Affairs Committee, said during Wednesday's floor debate. "Training has never counted towards eligibility, and members of the Guard and Reserve know that when they sign up." Expanding the pool of eligible GI Bill beneficiaries could cost $1.9 billion over the next decade, according to the Congressional Budget Office, or CBO. The bill seeks to offset costs by increasing Department of Veterans Affairs home loan fees, but the CBO estimated it could increase deficits by $20 billion over the four decades after 2032 because inactive duty training would count toward eligibility starting that year while the home loan fees expire the year before. The CBO added that there is a "significant source of uncertainty" about how many Guardsmen and reservists would be newly eligible for the GI Bill, a number that would significantly affect costs. Republicans offered a competing proposal that would eliminate the stipulation that Title 32 orders have to be in support of a national emergency to be eligible for the GI Bill, but not expand eligibility to training. The GOP proposal would also use home loan fees as an offset. The Republican proposal was voted on as an amendment Wednesday, but failed 198-225. The bill approved Wednesday must still be voted on by the Senate before being sent to the president to be signed into law. The White House said in a statement this week it supports the bill. -- Rebecca Kheel can be reached at rebecca.kheel@military.com. Follow her on Twitter @reporterkheel. Related: How the Pandemic Spurred Congress to Rewrite GI Bill Rules for the National Guard Army officials are investigating the National Guard's federal southern border mission amid a bevy of complaints plaguing that and a separate state-funded mission in Texas. The investigation will be headed by U.S. Northern Command, which runs the federal mission of 2,430 Guardsmen on the U.S.-Mexico border. Reporting from Army Times found a slew of issues, including alcohol abuse, deaths on duty and misconduct among troops on federal orders. That mission is separate from Texas Gov. Greg Abbott's Operation Lone Star, which has also been hit with a steady barrage of bad press and slammed by elected officials. Military.com reporting found widespread issues with troops also abusing alcohol and receiving inconsistent pay while facing financial hardship tied to serving under Abbott's orders. Read Next: Texas Denying Most Guard Troops at Border Chance to Help Families Suffering Hardships at Home Financial burdens and family issues are top concerns for senior Army leaders, who say those are key factors in most suicides in the force. A deployed Guard soldier attempted suicide this week, according to an incident report obtained by Military.com, and an investigation by Army Times found at least four soldiers died by suicide in recent months. Officials will investigate a "wide range of alleged issues," according to a Northern Command statement, ranging from the mission itself to the Guard's support of law enforcement as well as personnel issues such as pay and the conduct of soldiers. The investigative team will comprise senior members of the National Guard, active-duty Army and Army Reserve. The scope of the investigation will not include Operation Lone Star, the Texas Guard's state-funded mission of some 10,000 troops. A spokesman for Northern Command would not say what spurred the inquiry. -- Steve Beynon can be reached at Steve.Beynon@military.com. Follow him on Twitter @StevenBeynon. Related: The National Guard Is Stuck in the Middle of Political Infighting, and Its Getting Worse The military's total cost for housing tens of thousands of Afghan refugees at U.S. bases has already topped $688 million, according to the Defense Department. The most recent figure accounts for refugee villages set up at eight bases from August through mid-December, the department told Military.com on Wednesday. The cost is certain to rise as about 19,500 Afghans remain on installations awaiting permanent resettlement. More than 76,000 refugees arrived in the U.S. as part of Operation Allies Welcome when Kabul fell to the Taliban and the military ended its 20-year campaign in war-torn Afghanistan. Many of the refugees worked with U.S. forces, and the U.S. military undertook one of the largest airlifts in history to bring them to safety. Read Next: Texas Denying Most Guard Troops at Border Chance to Help Families Suffering Hardships at Home The cost is a drop in the bucket compared to this year's $741 billion budget for defense. Congress has already passed $13.3 billion in funding for the resettlement effort, which supports the Pentagon as well as the Department of Homeland Security, State Department, and Department of Health and Human Services. But the military services are also dealing with an oncoming budget crisis. Congress has yet to agree on spending legislation for the current fiscal year, which began in September, and may punt on funding the entire rest of the year after a series of stopgap measures divided Democrats and Republicans. The budget stalemate must be worked out by next month, when the current short-term funding expires. The cost has also riled some Republicans in Congress. Sen. James Lankford, R-Okla., opposed the approved funding, saying it was more than the entire budget of his home state, which has over 4 million residents. Afghans remain at five U.S. bases. The number reported by DHS at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey, is 9,700; Fort McCoy, Wisconsin, 4,400; Fort Pickett, Virginia, 2,700; Camp Atterbury, Indiana, 1,100; and Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico, 1,600. Meanwhile, three bases have wrapped up missions housing the Afghan men, women and children. Marine Corps Base Quantico in Virginia housed and helped resettle 3,755 Afghans. The Marine base created housing at an old officer candidate school and built tent facilities, provided three daily meals, internet services and educational classes. The effort was managed by 924 DoD personnel, according to an inspector general report. The total cost for Quantico was $188 million, the IG found. The DoD watchdog is conducting a series of audits on the resettlement program. -- Travis Tritten can be reached at travis.tritten@military.com. Follow him on Twitter @Travis_Tritten. Related: Thousands of Afghans Remain Housed on US Bases Months After the Fall of Kabul This article first appeared on Spytalk.co. The arrest in New York last week of an Egyptian-American accused of spying on exiles opposed to President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi's repressive regime has lifted the curtain on a "significant" but little noted national security issue: the recruitment of U.S. state and local police by foreign intelligence agencies. Pierre Girgis, a dual Egyptian-U.S. citizen in Manhattan, worked at the "direction and control" of several Cairo agencies to advance the regime's interests in the United States from 2014 through 2019, according to a federal indictment handed down Jan. 6. Girgis, a Capital One bank vice president who openly promoted interchanges between Egyptian officials and American police, had a secret helper, according to the Justice Department: a source in local law enforcement. FBI wiretaps overheard Girgis and Egyptian officials talking about exploiting the (unnamed) police officer for private information on anti-regime activists here. The Girgis case is hardly atypical, law enforcement sources say. The full number and disposition of such cases in recent years was not readily available from the Justice Department, but according to former FBI counterintelligence chief Frank Figliuzzi and other former national security officials, efforts by foreign spy agencies to recruit U.S. state and local police is a persistent problem. "Certain foreign intelligence services consistently seek to recruit American police officers for their access to non-public information" which helps them track down dissidents here, Figliuzzi told SpyTalk. "This continues to be a significant concern." In 2020, an NYPD officer of Tibetan descent was charged with helping China with its "intelligence gathering and repression of Chinese abroad," particularly anti-communist Tibetans in New York and elsewhere. Last July, five Iranian agents were charged in Manhattan with plotting to kidnap an Brooklyn-based Iranian-American journalist and human rights activist and smuggle her to Venezuela and onward to Tehran. The plotters employed unidentified "private investigators" to spy on her, the indictment said. Typically, private eyes are ex-cops with sources in their old police outfits. "Throughout my career, local police and state police officers have been a target of numerous foreign intelligence services," Figliuzzi said, "where they get access to nonpublic information." The regimes' secret police want to know "where is this dissident living? What are his family members' names? Where does he work? They've even perhaps paid off-duty police officers to do surveillance of dissidents." Activists regularly report being followed around, sometimes by local police cars. Figliuzzi said he had personally encountered cases of Chinese, Cuban, Turkish and Israeli agents cultivating local American police. "I can go back 20 years on this issue," Bill Evanina, a former top U.S. counterintelligence and counterespionage official, also told SpyTalk. It's not a "WMD level issue," he said, but a worrisome national security threat. "The Chinese have perfected it," Evanina said, often via regular, above-board law enforcement exchanges between their police and security agencies and ours. Evanina singled out China's Ministry of State Security, or MSS, and its Shanghai Security Bureau, "coming over here and offering partnerships with state and local law enforcement to do training and [to] understand their systems and capabilities. And then they kind of co-opt someone who's usually in the administrative department to get access to records and data." Eventually, Evanina told SpyTalk, they'll reach out to a U.S. police contact and say, "Hey, listen, uh, we're looking for a fugitive and his name is Joe Chen. And we think he might be in your state." U.S. cops will help, he said, because they generally think any foreign counterparts are just like them -- "on the up and up. They have no reason to believe otherwise." In 2014, China launched Operation Foxhunt, a global covert action program to track down and repatriate criminal fugitives and overseas dissidents. They are often one and the same in Beijing's eyes. "It's really, really bad," Evanina said, with Chinese agents often resorting to brazen kidnappings. They look for opportunities to cultivate sources in U.S. police departments to help them track down targets. Likewise, the Russians take a long range approach to penetrating our local police, Evanina said. The Russians have been "very good at seeding their people" -- sons and daughters of immigrants -- "in police departments in the Sun Coast of Florida, New York and D.C.," where there are sizable Russian communities, Evanina said. "They would love to get their hands on a defector." But they're not just gathering data on enemies of the state, he said. The Russian infiltration of police departments also has "organized crime purposes," including "white slavery," trafficking women as sex workers, especially through strip clubs. "There's one part of Florida that's just Russian town after Russian town, right? They get in as a lower level police officer or trainee or administrative aide and then, 10 years later, they're in a position of prominence." (In 2017, a local business magazine reported, "Russia Again Tops List of Countries Searching for South Florida Real Estate.") As the Girgis case demonstrates, friendly but autocratic regimes, not just U.S. adversaries, are aggressive in recruiting contacts among American police departments. One tool is through "police tourism," offering paid junkets for U.S. state and local police to tour historic sites, all the while cultivating useful contracts in a relaxed, often boozy, setting. Turkey and Egypt are particularly aggressive suitors, Figliuzzi and Evanina say. As It turns out, none other than Pierre Girgis was instrumental in organizing a 2018. junket to Egypt for about 100 NYPD and Nassau County police officers, "which allowed New York's Finest to see Egypt in a different light," according to an effusive article in the marketing section of Ink.com. "Law enforcement," the piece noted, "are important influencers," who can bring home a positive view of the al-Sisi regime, which regularly rounds up and tortures civil rights activists and journalists. At least one NYPD source agreed to help Girgis track dissidents here, according to his indictment. Junkets are "something used strategically by foreign governments to get cops to travel abroad, under the guise of 'learning how we do law enforcement here,' Figliuzzi said. "They'll say, "Let's have a better relationship, a sister city relationshipand more, [with] your police' And we're talking about at a high level" "I could probably name eight countries that do this selectively," said Evanina. "It gets even more nefarious than that," Figliuzzi said. Foreign security and intelligence organizations, particularly in Turkey and Israel, routinely invite senior state and municipal law enforcement officials for extended, all-paid visits, which are "designed to kind of get really close to various police chiefs throughout small-town, mid-town America and major city chiefs." They're also watching the Americans closely for blackmail opportunities. "Shame on any high level police officer that doesn't understand that there's cameras in his hotel room, and that there'll be attempts to compromise him" with drugs, women or other enticements, Figliuzzi said. "That absolutely will be the case. And then they will feel beholden." The U.S.-based International Association of Chiefs of Police did not respond to an emailed request for comment. The FBI has spent "two decades trying to warn state local law enforcement," Evanina said, with the help of national law enforcement organizations. But it's been an uphill battle, with some 18,000 police departments across the country, most with little clue to the designs of foreign adversaries or the resources to vet them. They're easy prey for foreign agents pretending to be regular, friendly police officers. "I can no longer count the number of chiefs of police or assistant chiefs in this country I've run into who tell me they've been to Turkey and it's a beautiful place," Figliuzzi said, ruefully. The same could be said for Egypt, for which, until Jan. 6, Pierre Girgis was surely at work for on more junkets for the NYPD. Listen to the entire interview of Frank Figliuzzi on the SpyTalk podcast. Federal prosecutors announced Thursday that 11 members of the Oath Keepers, including the militia group's leader Elmer Rhodes, have been indicted on sedition charges for their actions during the riot that took place at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. The new charges allege that Rhodes and company hatched a plan to not only breach the U.S. Capitol but to reinforce their attack with heavily armed "quick reaction forces," or QRFs, that were staged outside Washington, D.C. Those positioned to back up the initial attack, composed of an unspecified number of Oath Keeper supporters broken into regional groups from Arizona, North Carolina and Florida, were staying in rooms at the Comfort Inn Ballston in Arlington, Virginia, according to court documents. They were never called in to support the attack on the Capitol. Read Next: Texas Denying Most Guard Troops at Border Chance to Help Families Suffering Hardships at Home The indictment alleges that the group tried to "oppose the lawful transfer of presidential power by force." In addition to Rhodes, the Department of Justice press release named 10 others who have been charged: Edward Vallejo, 63; Thomas Caldwell, 67; Joseph Hackett, 51; Kenneth Harrelson, 41; Joshua James, 34; Kelly Meggs, 52; Roberto Minuta, 37; David Moerschel, 44; Brian Ulrich, 44; and Jessica Watkins, 39. Of the 11 people named in the indictment, five, including Rhodes, are military veterans, according to records kept by the George Washington University Program on Extremism. Caldwell is a Navy veteran and reached the rank of lieutenant commander, while Harrelson, James and Watkins served in the Army. Rhodes is an Army veteran and former paratrooper. Andrew Mines, a researcher with the Program on Extremism, called the charges "a monumental breakthrough." "If Rhodes and his Oath Keeper co-conspirators are ultimately convicted on these charges, they will effectively be branded as traitors to this country, and it would be a seismic blow to the Oath Keepers as an organization," he added. Rhodes and Vallejo are facing charges for the first time, while the others also face earlier charges for their actions on Jan. 6. According to court documents, the group of Oath Keepers began planning to stop Joe Biden from becoming president before a victor was even called in the 2020 election. The indictment says that on Nov. 5, 2020, Rhodes told other Oath Keeper leaders that "we aren't getting through this without a civil war." Two days later, when Biden was declared the victor by most news networks, Rhodes shared a video called "Step by Step Procedure, How We Won When Milosevic Stole Our Elections" with the same group. The indictment outlines how the militia group spent the following weeks training, honing communication strategies, and amassing an arsenal of firearms and ammunition. Rhodes alone spent about $5,000 on guns and related gear on Jan. 1 and 2, 2021; $6,000 on Jan. 3, and $4,500 on Jan. 4, court records allege. According to the indictment, the weapons were meant for the QRF teams in Virginia that were prepared to ferry them into Washington, D.C., at some point to stop the lawful transfer of presidential power. On the day of the siege, the 11 people who were indicted broke into two "stacks" -- a military term for a formation of people grouped in a line with their hands on the shoulders of the person in front of them. Both stacks ended up joining the mob, pushing past police officers and breaching the Capitol building. The indictment alleges that once inside, Meggs, Harrelson, Hackett, Moerschel and other members of "Stack One" began searching for Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi. Eventually, both groups left the Capitol and met up at a restaurant in Vienna, Virginia, to make more plans. The QRF that was staged in Virginia was never activated. In the following days, Rhodes continued to stockpile guns, spending more than $15,000 between Jan. 10 and 19, according to the indictment. The Southern Poverty Law Center calls Rhodes' Oath Keepers "one of the largest far-right antigovernment groups in the U.S. today." The Department of Justice noted that they "explicitly focus on recruiting current and former military, law enforcement, and first-responder personnel." The arrest of Rhodes and the other Oath Keepers, as well as the fact that at least five of the 11 are veterans, again casts a spotlight on the military's struggle with extremism. According to data from the Program on Extremism, of the more than 700 people facing federal charges over the Capitol siege, at least 81 people, or 12%, have some military experience. The vast majority of those, 73, are veterans. In the wake of that day, the Pentagon announced steps to investigate the problem. In late December, the Department of Defense announced the first round of policy changes aimed at eliminating extremism in the ranks. The 21-page report created new guidelines for activities that are banned for service members by adding more detail and clarity on what constitutes extremist activity, as well as "active participation." Much of the activity and rhetoric that groups like the Oath Keepers espouse could now fall under the new policy, which bans a range of things from advocating terrorism or supporting the overthrow of the government to fundraising for an extremist group. Despite the new policies, the military, and particularly the National Guard, have been slow to crack down on the handful of active-duty service members who were present on Jan. 6. A National Guardsman who was part of the mob that rampaged through the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6 is still serving in Wisconsin despite having been sentenced by a federal court to probation and a fine for his actions. Fellow soldiers and his commander wrote letters of support ahead of his sentencing. -- Konstantin Toropin can be reached at konstantin.toropin@military.com. Follow him on Twitter @ktoropin. Related: Watchdog to Audit Military's Screening for Extremists at Enlistment There's not a lot members of Congress can agree on these days, but one issue that brought Democrats and Republicans together was allowing military members in the National Guard and Reserve to find active-duty gigs more easily. Both sides of the aisle came together to put a provision into the 2022 National Defense Authorization Act, allowing those troops to access the Tour of Duty online job board from their smartphones and other personal devices. Sens. Jacky Rosen, D-Nev., and Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, joined Reps. Chris Jacobs, R-N.Y., and Tim Ryan, D-Ohio, in pushing for the addition. The Tour of Duty online job board is a database of active-duty orders and deployments, and usually features some 2,000 job listings. The Army has more than 500,000 Guard and Reserve members who can search the site and apply, but only through the use of a government computer. The provision passed in the 2022 NDAA will soon allow them to access the site using a "personal internet-enabled device." The NDAA also extends the amount of time these troops can spend on temporary active duty for operational support orders (ADOS) from three out of every four years to five out of every six. Without the new provision, users who want to search the database would have to make their way to their duty station to use a government device if they didn't have one at home. The new law also says the Army is responsible for the security of the website, which informs users about the Army's staffing shortages. Tour of Duty is open to all Reserve Component soldiers to browse and volunteer. Any Army command with positions or missions available can post those jobs on the site. Soldiers must find jobs that not only match their skills, but also match their pay grade. Soldiers can even post their availability and interest for active-duty tours. Commands looking for Reserve Component soldiers to fill vacancies can see soldiers' names, grades and military occupational specialty (MOS) in a pool of volunteers. If a soldier is selected from Tour of Duty, they can choose to accept or decline. Once accepted, the soldier signs a voluntary request for active duty, but must still be approved by the soldier's chain of command. The application is then sent to be transferred into official orders. The process usually takes 30-60 days. A pilot program is expected to be released in the coming weeks, outlining procedures for soldiers to bring personal devices into their workspaces. -- Blake Stilwell can be reached at blake.stilwell@military.com. He can also be found on Twitter @blakestilwell or on Facebook. Want to Know More About Veteran Jobs? Be sure to get the latest news about post-military careers as well as critical info about veteran jobs and all the benefits of service. Subscribe to Military.com and receive customized updates delivered straight to your inbox. First Woman to Serve as Commanding Officer of USS Constitution in Ships 224-year History Official U.S. Navy photo of Cmdr. Elizabeth Durika, CEC, Public Works Officer, Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, Kittery, Maine. (Right) Official U.S. Navy photo of Cmdr. Crystine Good, CEC, Public Works Officer, Norfolk Naval Shipyard, Portsmouth, Virginia. How to use the mindat.org media viewer Click/touch this help panel to close it. Welcome to the mindat.org media viewer. Here is a quick guide to some of the options available to you. Different controls are available depending on the type of media being shown (photo, video, animation, 3d image) Controls - all media types Zoom in and out of media using your mousewheel or with a two-finger 'resize' action on a touch device. Use the mouse or your finger to drag the image or the view area of the image around the screen. < and > at the left and right hand side of the screen move forwards and backwards for the other images associated with the media you selected. Usually this is used for previous/next photo in a gallery, in an article or in search results. Keyboard shortcuts: use shift + the left and right arrow keys. < and > in the bottom center are used for switching between the photos of the same specimen. Keyboard shortcuts: use the left and right arrow keys. > in the bottom center, raises the information box giving details and further options for the media, < at the top of this box then hides it. Keyboard shortcuts: use the up and down arrow keys. ? opens this help window. Keyboard shortcuts: use the H key or the ? key. Other keyboard shortcuts: 1 Fit image to screen 2 Fill screen with image 5 Display at full resolution < Make background darker > Make background lighter space Hide/dim titles and buttons Scalebar If the field of view (FOV) is specified for the photo, the scalebar appears in the left bottom corner of the viewer. The scalebar is draggable and resizeable. Drag the right edge to resize it. Double click will reset the scalebar to it's default size and position. If the scalebar is in default position, double click will make it circular. Controls - Video Video files have a standard set of video controls: - Reset to start, - Skip back, - Play, - Pause, - Skip forwards. Keyboard shortcuts: You can stop/start video play with the P key. Controls - Animation (Spin Rotation) Animation (usually 360 degree spin rotations) have their own controls: - enable spin mode. Note that while images are loading this option will not be available but will be automatically activated when the animation has loaded. Once active you can spin the image/change the animation by moving your mouse or finger on the image left/right or by pressing the [ or ] keys. The button switches to move mode so that you can use your mouse/fingers to move the image around the screen as with other media types. The button, or the P key will start playing the animation directly, you can interrupt this by using the mouse or finger on the image to regain manual movement control. Controls - 3D Stereoscopic images If a stereoscopic 3D image is opened in the viewer, the 3D button appears in the bottom right corner giving access to "3D settings" menu. The 3D images can be viewed in several ways: - without any special equipment using cross-eyed or parallel-eyed method - with stereoscope - with anaglyph glasses. - on a suitable 3D TV or monitor (passive 3D system) For details about 3D refer to: Mindat manuals: Mindat Media Viewer: 3D To enable/disable 3D stereo display of a compatible stereo pair image press the 3 key. If the left/right images are reversed on your display (this often happens in full-screen mode) press the 4 key to reverse them. Controls - photo comparison mode If a photo with activated comparison mode is opened in the viewer, the button appears in the bottom right corner giving access to "Comparison mode settings" menu. Several layouts are supported: slider and side by-side comparison with up to 6 photos shown synchronously on the screen. On each of the compared photos a view selector is placed, e.g.: Longwave UV . It shows the name of currently selected view and allows to select a view for each placeholder. Summary of all keyboard shortcuts As a current print subscriber, you receive 24/7 access to our website and online e-edition at no additional charge. All you have to do is activate your access. To activate digital access, you will need your account number. You can find your account number on any recent subscription notice or bill. System error error: Can't call method "get_id" on an undefined value at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25. context: ... 21: 22: 23: % foreach my $c (@categories) { 24: <%perl> 25: my $category_id = $c->get_id(); 26: my @stories = Bric::Biz::Asset::Business::Story->list ( { element_type_id=>1148, category_id=>$category_id , Order=> 'cover_date', publish_status => 't' , OrderDirection=> 'DESC' , Limit=>10 } ); 27: 28: 29: ... code stack: /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html:25 /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm:948 /var/cache/mason/obj/2011159162/main/smetimes/dhandler.html.obj:17 /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/autohandler_template.html:149 Can't call method "get_id" on an undefined value at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25. Trace begun at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Exceptions.pm line 125 HTML::Mason::Exceptions::rethrow_exception('Can\'t call method "get_id" on an undefined value at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25.^J') called at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 157 HTML::Mason::Component::run_dynamic_sub('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x55e8387960a8)', 'main') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 948 HTML::Mason::Request::call_dynamic('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x55e838f36fa0)', 'main') called at /var/cache/mason/obj/2011159162/main/smetimes/dhandler.html.obj line 17 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 135 HTML::Mason::Component::run('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x55e8387960a8)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1302 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1292 HTML::Mason::Request::comp(undef, undef, undef) called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 955 HTML::Mason::Request::call_next('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x55e838f36fa0)') called at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/autohandler_template.html line 149 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 135 HTML::Mason::Component::run('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x55e83888ad38)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1300 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1292 HTML::Mason::Request::comp(undef, undef, undef) called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 481 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 481 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 433 HTML::Mason::Request::exec('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x55e838f36fa0)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/ApacheHandler.pm line 165 HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler::exec('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x55e838f36fa0)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/ApacheHandler.pm line 831 HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler::handle_request('HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x55e83820c500)', 'Apache2::RequestRec=SCALAR(0x55e8387a50a8)') called at (eval 592) line 8 HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler::handler('HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler', 'Apache2::RequestRec=SCALAR(0x55e8387a50a8)') called at -e line 0 eval {...} at -e line 0 Veteran actor, Psalm Adjeteyfio, known popularly as TT for his role in the popular TV series Taxi Driver has that the showbiz business or industry is demonic. According to him, the devil himself is in the showbiz industry but it is also easy to be in it and be spiritually connected to God. In an interview on the Happy Morning Show with Samuel Eshun, the Veteran actor asserted that it is not rocket science to realize that the industry is fully demonic. It is easy to be in the Showbiz industry and know God but unfortunately the Showbiz business I should say is satanic because the devil himself is in Showbiz if you watch foreign movies and artistes you see their lifestyle, how they tattoo their bodies and how they live, you will realize that its demonic. Look at their appearances straight away you dont need anybody to tell you this person is under the influence of Satan. Advising the young players in the industry, TT said they need to fear the father almighty as I kept saying. You could be in this industry and still fear the father all mighty, it will make u a better person or artiste. TT has also been detailing how he spent the GH50,000 donations Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia gave him last year. The veteran actor said, he used the GH30,000 meant for his rent to purchase two plots of land of which he was able to pay for one at the said price and the remaining GH20,000 meant for his upkeep, to purchase a Ghana used taxi in a good condition for his 31-year-old son. TT has been in the media following the latest plea in leaked audio in which the actor is heard begging for leftover food from the kitchen of media personality, MzGee. In the said audio, the actor indicated that he has invested the GH50,000 the Vice President gave him and that since the Vice Presidents donation was made public, all those who used to help him withdrew which has created a lot of problems for him. MzGee good afternoon, Im wondering if you would have some leftovers in your kitchen to spare. [The] reason is, people who use to help have all withdrawn their help when they heard that the Vice President had given me the money. But you would agree with me that [with] such monies, you need to invest wisely and that is what I have done and when you make investments too, it will take time before you begin enjoying it, the Taxi Driver TV series actor explained in the audio. Right now, the situation has created a lot of problems for me; you know, a lot of people use to help me a lot but now everybodyI even understood that some people contributed some money in States to be sent to me; the moment they heard [that the Vice President had given me the money] everybody went for his money, Psalm Adjeteyfio added. ---happyfmghana Veteran Ghanaian actor, Psalm Adjeteyfio, also known as T.T, has advised persons in the creative arts space to always have contingency plans for their lives. According to him, the musician or actor enjoying success today may suffer an unexpected setback which could end their careers. With successful players in the creative space enjoying their wins, some tend to believe they are super human and have everything but one nasty disease can tear you apart. The sad thing is before you realise the people you used to entertain and worked so hard to make happy will make comments which will break your heart. T.T used to tell himself that as an actor, his career was a lifetime one until he feel ill. I dont think there are structures which can help you look far into the future and that is why you need to plan for your future from the very beginning. It is all about showbiz and the glory that sometimes you forget yourself and before you realise it is late. I used to tell myself that as an actor my job is for life. It never crossed my mind that I would be hit by diseases until it happened. In an interview on the Happy Morning Show with Samuel Eshun, he advised young creatives to avoid letting their success get into their heads. We need to advise them to understand that when theyre at the top, they shouldnt think theyre on top of the world and they may even come tumbling down before they know it. With his experiences so far, he advised the young crop of creatives to draw closer to the older ones and receive pieces of advise and guidance. Theyre things youll never know until they happen and youre now in your 50s and youll play out your life to find out what went wrong. ---happyfmghana The Deputy Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Social Investment Fund (SIF) and a prominent member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Mr. Alois Kyaakpier Mohl during the Christmas season presented food items and cash to support his constituents in Nandom in the Upper West Region celebrate the joyous occasion. The items which included 683 bags of 5kilograms locally produced rice, 684 bottles of 1.5 litre cooking oil were presented to the various polling stations executives and electoral area coordinators. Every Polling Station Executive (PSE) received 5kg of rice, 1.5litres of oil and cash. The infirm, old and vulnerable persons were not left out of the package. A conscious effort was made to reach out to elderly persons identified across the Municipality. Every household in his community of Biiregaugn received similar packages as done in 2019. Some religious clerics, chiefs, opinion leaders, party elders and constituency executives and party activists who fell rejected, also benefited from the kindness of Mr. Alois. The joy in some rejected old party activists is better witnessed than described. They prayed for him and wished him Gods elevation for touching base with the rejects of society. Mr. Alois also donated 10 bags of 5kg rice and 10 bottles of 1.5littres of cooking oil to The Zebra Orphanage in Nandom. Mr. Alois explained that the kind gesture was aimed at supporting members of the constituency to commemorate the festive season. I wish to use this opportunity to call on all those who have been blessed by the Lord to reach out to the less privileged, party members and opinion and religious clerics during this special occasion, he added. The Polling Station Chairman of Gengenkpe Electoral Area was full of praises for Mr. Alois adding he always has the members of the party at heart. I am very happy about this kind gesture. At least, for the second time, you remembered us at the polling station level and recognized our efforts. The Youth Organizer of the Nandomkpee Polling Station, Mr. Gordon Kuupura Sagraza expressed gratitude for the kind gesture. He said, This is not the first time you have come to the constituency to donate to party members. We are extremely grateful for the Christmas package. Whatever it is that you want, we know and we pray for the almighty God to listen to your prayer and grant your wish when the time comes. They also expressed gratitude to Mr. Alois for always visiting the various polling stations to update members on government policies and activities. We are also aware of the concern you have for peoples educational, health and financial and employment needs within the constituency of Nandom. Although you are not related to many of such individuals, you are easily accessible either on phone or at the office and you meet their requests. On his part, Mr. Alois explained that the kind gesture was to appreciate the works of the polling station executives and party faithful in retaining the NPP in power and to encourage them to keep working hard for the party. Beneficiaries of the food items praised Mr. Alois for always paving the way for others to follow. Until you made similar donations in 2019, we didnt know other party leaders recognized us. They came to us with similar donations and we have no doubt same thing will happen this time round since news will be widespread that Alois has come to support party members to celebrate Christmas. We challenge all government appointees to follow your footsteps. Mr. Alois explained that his workplace is a public office and if the President was easily accessible in his frequent visits across the country, he as a government appointee should equally be accessible. Touched by the kindness of Mr. Alois, some chiefs and religious clerics visited his house to thank and motivate him to continue with his humility and kindness to all. Muslim Groups Ghana, organizers of Ghana Muslim Excellence Awards has rewarded hardworking Muslim Chiefs, Philanthropists, Journalists and Politicians for their contributions towards the development of Muslim communities. The award is aimed at motivating and acknowledging hardworking personalities within Muslim communities across the country. The ceremony was held on Saturday, January 1st, 2022, at the forecourt of Ablekuma Central Municipal Assembly in Accra. The well-attended award ceremony brought together high profile Muslim personalities including Politicians, Businessmen, Entrepreneurs, Chiefs and Imams. The annual Ghana Muslim Excellence Awards also seeks to recognize the hard work and achievements of Muslims and Zongo personalities and their commitment to the development of Muslim Communities in Ghana. Businessmen and Philanthropists within Muslim Communities were also honoured and celebrated for their contributions towards the development of their communities. The Chief Executive Officer of Accra base Marhaba Fm, Alhaji Baba Sheriff applauded the organizers for the hard work and ideas they put into organizing such an amazing and wonderful event. He urged the organizers to consider the ordinary Muslim such as shoemakers, dressmakers among others who have in their own small way contributed by helping the young ones to have employment through their profession and talents. According to him, the people of Zongo have abandoned their traditional profession which includes selling of waakye, Wanzam, hunting among other professions that signified where one is coming from. He added that the neglect has fade out the Zongo story. On his part, the Coordinator of Muslim Groups Ghana, Alhaji Abubakar Galaxy, reiterated that the Awards was to recognize and acknowledge the hard work of personalities within Muslim communities for their numerous contribution to the development of those communities across the country. According to him, the awardees have over the years impacted positively on their communities and have lifted the image of Zongos to a higher level. Alhaji Abubakar Galaxy called on Muslim Philanthropists to role out initiatives that will help empower the Muslim Youth to build on their God-given talent and as well support organizations that sought to raise and promote the image of Zongos. He revealed that the issue of sponsorship has been the major challenge confronting the organizers of the Awards Scheme due to the model used in awarding the personalities. He added that the organizers of the awards engage with a number of community members who determine the best personality to be adjudged the winner. The Muslims Groups Ghana, he said is looking forward to a better sponsorship package from corporate institutions to make the next year's award more attractive. In all twenty-one hardworking personalities were awarded in various categories. They are Best Muslim personality Best Muslim Journalist of the year, Best Muslim Lawyer of the year, The most Promising Muslim lawyer of the year, Best Zongo Politician of the year, Best Muslim Assemblyman of the year, Best Hajj agent of the year, Muslim Politician of the year, Best Zongo and Tribal Imam of the year, Best Muslim female Journalist of the year, and Queen of Hausa Media. Others include Best Hausa Television Station, Best Islamic Television station of the year and overall Muslim Award of the year. System error error: Can't call method "get_id" on an undefined value at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25. context: ... 21: 22: 23: % foreach my $c (@categories) { 24: <%perl> 25: my $category_id = $c->get_id(); 26: my @stories = Bric::Biz::Asset::Business::Story->list ( { element_type_id=>1148, category_id=>$category_id , Order=> 'cover_date', publish_status => 't' , OrderDirection=> 'DESC' , Limit=>10 } ); 27: 28:
29: ... code stack: /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html:25 /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm:948 /var/cache/mason/obj/2011159162/main/smetimes/dhandler.html.obj:17 /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/autohandler_template.html:149 Can't call method "get_id" on an undefined value at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25. Trace begun at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Exceptions.pm line 125 HTML::Mason::Exceptions::rethrow_exception('Can\'t call method "get_id" on an undefined value at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25.^J') called at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 157 HTML::Mason::Component::run_dynamic_sub('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x55e833dda2b8)', 'main') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 948 HTML::Mason::Request::call_dynamic('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x55e8383111b8)', 'main') called at /var/cache/mason/obj/2011159162/main/smetimes/dhandler.html.obj line 17 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 135 HTML::Mason::Component::run('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x55e833dda2b8)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1302 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1292 HTML::Mason::Request::comp(undef, undef, undef) called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 955 HTML::Mason::Request::call_next('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x55e8383111b8)') called at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/autohandler_template.html line 149 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 135 HTML::Mason::Component::run('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x55e838f62f00)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1300 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1292 HTML::Mason::Request::comp(undef, undef, undef) called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 481 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 481 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 433 HTML::Mason::Request::exec('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x55e8383111b8)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/ApacheHandler.pm line 165 HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler::exec('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x55e8383111b8)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/ApacheHandler.pm line 831 HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler::handle_request('HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x55e82e9b4508)', 'Apache2::RequestRec=SCALAR(0x55e838fbf800)') called at (eval 592) line 8 HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler::handler('HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler', 'Apache2::RequestRec=SCALAR(0x55e838fbf800)') called at -e line 0 eval {...} at -e line 0 A West African air-traffic agency has told Mali that a French military plane violated its airspace, a Malian airport official said Wednesday, amid confusion over the consequences of regional sanctions on Bamako. On Sunday, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) agreed to shutter land and air borders with the Sahel state and impose a trade embargo over delayed elections. Mali responded by announcing that it would close its borders to ECOWAS members too. The sanctions on Mali have come after the country's army-dominated government last month proposed staying in power for up to five years before restoring democracy. It had previously promised to hold elections on February 27. A document from ASECNA, the air-traffic agency for much of West Africa, posted on social media, showed that a French military aircraft entered Malian airspace on Tuesday from neighbouring Ivory Coast. The flight had violated the recent suspension of flights between Mali and other ECOWAS member states, the document said. Colonel Lassina Togola, the head of Mali's national airports company, confirmed the authenticity of the ASECNA document. But he did not respond directly to questions from AFP about how the border closures affected French military movements, nor those of UN peacekeepers. France has thousands of troops in Mali and neighbouring Sahel countries as part of an anti-jihadist force. The UN also has some 16,500 personnel in Mali as part of its MINUSMA peacekeeping operation, including 10,700 troops, according to its website. Togola told AFP that the borders between Mali and ECOWAS countries are closed and that aircraft cannot travel between them. He nonetheless added that "authorisation may be granted on request by the carrier," without offering further details. French army spokesman Pascal Ianni said that "the closure of the borders does not concern military flights". MINUSMA spokesman Olivier Salgado likewise said that the UN mission's operations have continued "without interruption". ASECNA, the air-traffic agency, did not respond to several requests for comment. sd-kt-lal-dla/eml/gw 13.01.2022 LISTEN The National Labour Commission (NLC) has again directed the Colleges of Education Teachers Association of Ghana (CETAG) to appear before it over its ongoing industrial action for better conditions of service. This was after CETAG failed to honour an invitation by the Commission for a meeting today, Wednesday, January 12, 2022. In effect, the NLC has exercised its powers under section 139 of the Labour Act, 2003 (Act 651) to order the leadership of the group for a fresh meeting. The meeting between the two entities has thus been rescheduled to Thursday, January 13, 2022, at 2:30 pm. The directive is following CETAGs refusal and/or failure to appear before the Commission on Wednesday, 12th January 2022. The hearing is therefore rescheduled and all the parties are entreated to appear as scheduled, the NLC said in a statement. CETAG notified the NLC of its intention to embark on industrial action, with the Commission intervening by inviting the disputing parties. However, the employers representatives attended the meeting. CETAG is reported not to have shown up without any prior notice. Members of CETAG began their strike in all 46 public Colleges of Education over claims that the government had failed to implement the 2017-2020 conditions of service, as agreed in a Memorandum of Understanding signed between CETAG and the government. They want the government to pay their interim premiums and book and research allowances. Leadership of CETAG has said a meeting with its National Council will determine whether its ongoing strike action over service conditions would be called off. This was, after the government in a meeting between the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission, the Ministry of Labour, and the National Labour Commission, promised to pay all arrears owed CETAG members by the end of January 2022 and asked the group to resume work. President of CETAG, Prince Obeng-Himan said teaching in all public colleges of education has been put on hold, until a decision to suspend their strike is agreed upon. At the end of the conversation, Government admitted that they have not been forthcoming regarding payment, and they asked us to call off the strike because they have shown commitment that the money will be paid at the end of January. But we told them that the strike was declared by the National Council. citinewsroom Action in Group F got underway in Limbe on Wednesday under the shadow of possible separatist violence after the body of the opposition senator Henry Kemende was found in the North West Region - one of the Anglophone provinces in Cameroon where conflict has raged between armed secessionists and government forces. Kemende, of the Social Democratic Front (SDF), was murdered after he was abducted on Tuesday night in the provincial capital Bamenda. Teams playing in Limbe - some 240 kilometres south in the South-West Region - have been threatened with attacks during the Africa Cup of Nations. "His body was found with his chest riddled with bullets," SDF vice-president Joshua Osih told the French news agency AFP. Osih said groups claiming a breakaway state for the two English speaking regions could be responsible for the attack. International NGOs and the UN regularly blame both separatists and government forces for crimes and atrocities against civilians. Osih said the separatists carry a grudge against the SDF because the predominantly English-speaking party opposes a partition of Cameroon. Target Several local and national SDF officials or their property have been targeted because the predominantly English-speaking party opposes a partition of Cameroon. In the quest for autonomy, more than 3,500 people have died and nearly one million have fled their homes. In his New Year's message to the nation, Cameroon's president, Paul Biya, warned of further attacks from the militants. Cameroon's northern province has suffered cross-border raids by jihadists from Nigeria to the west. Attacks have declined since militants from Boko Haram and the West African branch of the Islamic State armed group began fighting among themselves. At the meeting in the western French city of Brest, the EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell underlined that the European Union must define concrete steps in its response to Russia's military build-up on Ukraine's border. Speaking on Wednesday, Borrell said Russian proposals on how to resolve the standoff "contravene the principles of the European security architecture". His statement came ahead of today's meeting of 54 EU defence and foreign ministers that's set to continue until the end of the week. Borell accused Moscow of brandishing an "open threat" of military action if these demands were not met. Washington and its allies have accused Russia of planning an invasion after massing some 100,000 troops near Ukraine's border. "Working with the US and Nato, the EU must now define what we can do to uphold the security order of Europe and the principles underpinning it - which are clearly under threat today," Borrell said in a blog post published on the EU's diplomatic service webpage. The issue, he said, would be at "the top of the agenda" at the ministerial meeting that runs until Friday. "Going into that meeting, two things are clear: we have to come to a united EU position and we have to substantiate our role, backing it up with concrete action tracks, ie not just on what we think or want but on what we intend to do," he said. "Revisionist" Russia's ambition, he said, was "to challenge the political and security order born after the Cold War", which included the right of each state "to freely choose to belong, or not to belong, to an international organisation and to be a party to treaties or alliances". Borrell called Moscow's challenge to that order "revisionist". The principles of non-use of force and respect for states' territorial integrity were also being violated, he added. In an interview with regional French daily Ouest France, Borrell said that Russia aimed to divide Western allies but that he had "the assurance that the United States will not play along", with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken stating clearly that "nothing will be discussed or agreed with European participation". Borrell, who last week visited the Ukraine border, told Ouest France that the atmosphere there was "bellicose" despite Russian claims that the build-up was just a military exercise. The EU was not aiming to develop its own centralised army, Borrell said, but was seeking instead to apply agreements to develop joint military capacities. "Which ones? How? Why? Those are the questions our European defence policy must answer," he said. (With agencies) Some members of the Rasta community in Ghana have supported the doctors who have petitioned President Nana Akufo-Addo to halt the vaccine rollout. In the view of the Rastafarians, the vaccines are having dire effect on people hence, the need to halt the vaccination. A member of the community, Empress Tassa claimed in an interview with TV3's Nancy Vukania on Wednesday January 12 that What is contained in the vaccine is crippling people , killing people. If Akufo-Addo loves his people and the country he should never uphold this thing that these people bring. It is very wrong , I will not take it. There are other ways and means we can come into the country without having the vaccine. It is not right and President Akufo-Addo needs to think what he is doing because these people are his people. They are living here and he has to remove that of the board. Wherever he got the vaccines he should take it back to them. Another member of the community, Ras Nkrabea also said We as a people, we have done our own research under vaccination. We have scientists, we have doctors and we have taken it upon us to actually do our own due diligence on this issue especially at a time when a lot of people all over the world are actually rebelling and demonstrating against this same mandatory vaccination . So to me there are many worries that the government of Ghana to pay attention to. To just ignore the voice of the people from Ghana and the voice of the people in the world is not the best way to go. Meanwhile, the Ghana Medical Association (GMA) has described the contents of the petition against the vaccine rollout as misleading and and also not based on available local and international scientific data. The GMA in a statement issued on Wednesday January 12 said among other things that 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. 3news.com Many Ghanaian politicians and journalists affiliated with politics, under the umbrella of the incompetent NPP government and its leader, Nana Akufo Addo, are opportunists. They take advantage in every situation and capitalize on projects to amass wealth and this time around, another thief, a corrupt journalist in the name of Paul Adom Otchere, has been exposed. From the time Nana Akufo Addo became president, even though he wouldnt admit that he is corrupt, those he appoints will always be around to show his lies and deceptions because the president lacks institutional measures and steps related to transparency and accountability. Akufo Addo is not only a genius corrupt plagiarist; he also likes appointing corrupt people, including journalists, to serve in his interest. This is one of the reasons he appointed journalist Paul Adom-Otchere, as the board chair of the Ghana Airports Company Limited. Ghanaians have already witnessed the corruption case involving Kwasi Anin-Yeboah, which the president let go without asking for the resignation of the Chief Justice. In the office of the president is also the Director of Communication, another corrupt politician called Eugene Arhin. How can a president who claims not corrupt keep many people involved in corruption scandals in his government? Like a speck of dirt exposing itself under the carpet, another corrupt person, this time a Ghanaian journalist called Paul Adom-Otchere has been involved in airport decoration fraud and scandal. Gone are the days when the media houses employ hard-working journalists ready to die for the truth. Now many politically affiliated media houses in Ghana, are no longer interested in the truth. Paul Adom-Otchere has tarnished the image of the NPP government and ruined the reputation of hard-working Ghanaian journalists They call a blue object green, and strongly admit a white object to be black in favor of political gurus. Thus; journalism, the profession that used to be a respectable career, has now lost its significance and integrity. It takes a million people to build a good reputation but it takes one stupid fool to destroy all the good works that have been done, sings the South African reggae legend, Lucky Dube. (Teach The World). That is the case with Paul Adom-Otchere. He has completely tarnished the image of journalism in Ghana. People like Paul Adom-Otchere have degraded the profession of journalism to be a cheap and non-respectable profession, questioning the integrity of journalists over and over every day. Apart from the high amount of money involved in the cost of the Christmas trees which have angered many Ghanaians to show their frustrations on social media, it was later revealed that the trees werent four as claimed by the former host of Good Evening Ghana Show on Metropolitan TV but two. At the end of the day, Nana Akufo Addo will keep Paul Adom-Otchere, as the board chair of the Ghana Airports Company Limited, together with Charles Bissiw, Eugene Arhin, Kwasi Anin-Yeboah, then comes back later to tell Ghanaians he is there to protect the publics purse. Who will have respect for such a leader if you are an intelligent person? The harm Akufo Addo has done to Ghanaians just because he thinks his father was a politician and therefore, he deserves to be a leader as well is unspeakable and disgraceful. If Akufo Addo fails to let Paul Adom-Otchere resign, then he shouldnt waste his time preaching to Ghanaians that he is either protecting the publics purse or he is not corrupt. As a matter of fact, he will always remain the most corrupt and worst president in the political history of Ghana. The National Labour Commission (NLC), has invited the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG), and the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC), to a meeting today, Thursday, January 13 over the ongoing strike by the teacher union. The meeting, according to the Commission, is to settle the dispute between the two parties. It comes on the back of allegations by UTAG that the FWSC had delayed in releasing the report of the Labour Market Survey (LMS). The University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) has said it's hopeful of reaching a consensus with government on resolving the current impasse. Members of UTAG started a nationwide indefinite strike on Monday, January 10, to demand better conditions of service. Dr. Solomon Nunoo, the National President of UTAG, says, It is too early to tell that we need to call off the strike at this time. At the NLC, we need to probe into what really the reason is for calling us to come to the table. The NLCs job is to ensure that strike doesnt take place at all. If you give them notice and nothing is done, the strike takes place. I have difficulty in understanding the rational behind the move, he said. UTAG, in a statement dated January 6, 2022, complained about what it refers to as the lack of trust that has so far characterised its engagements with the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC). The National Executive Committee (NEC) of UTAG thus resolved to withdraw teaching and related activities over the failure of the employer to adhere to agreed timelines. UTAG members on all campuses are to withdraw from teaching and other activities like examinations, invigilation, marking of examination scripts, and the processing of examination results. The association has been asking the government to restore the conditions of service agreed upon in 2012. The 2012 conditions of service pegged the Basic plus Market Premium of a lecturer at $2,084.42. UTAG has complained that the current arrangement has reduced its members' basic premiums to $997.84. ---citinewsroom Madam Jean Mensah, I dont need anyone to introduce to me the kind of leader Ghana currently has as a president. Even though I am not a political analyst, its very easy to know that Akufo Addo is not only someone that lacks leadership skills but also is a tribalist, nepotist, and nation wrecker. Everything about Akufo Addo is fake, I don't choose my words carefully when writing about him because I am confident in what I write. He preaches virtue and practices vice. Akufo Addo cant build but he is good at changing the names of institutions and cutting sods. He cant fight corruption because he is corrupt and, therefore, keeps every corrupt politician in his administration. Above all, Akufo Addo is a kind of man since he lacks knowledge in doing everything a leader requires to do, he uses money and promotion as bait to get whatever he wants. Akufo Addo is an enemy to anyone he considers a threat, therefore, he only appoints people that will protect him from exposure. For example, to avoid being exposed to corruption, he forced Mr. Daniel Domelevo to go on compulsory retirement. He also appointed his relative, Ken Ofori Atta, as the Minister of Finance and also appointed Kwasi Anin-Yeboah as the Chief Justice, after Gloria Akuffo, another relative. So, intelligent Ghanaians can see that in the entire life of Akufo Addo, since he is not good at anything, he uses the money to influence people and also appoints people very close to protect and support his incompetent government. He feels secure about appointing relatives and people, including bad journalists that support his abysmal government to protect him. Thats why he has failed to be a successful leader. Frankly speaking, I dont know why Akufo Addo became a Ghanaian president because European and American political students can rule Ghana better than him if they are given the task to demonstrate their intelligence. Madam Jean Mensah there is no need to bring to the table past events which led Akufo Addo to become the president in 2020, however, I would like to advise you to stay neutral to avoid the repetition of the political crisis that transpired after declaring Nana Akufo Addo president under probing circumstances you refused to answer. As the Electoral Commissions boss, Jean Mensah, you are the only one who knows what you went through, especially, after the 2020 elections. You may be a very kind woman but dont forget that the survival of Ghana and its people depend on your decisions. The Electoral Commission's boss, Madam Jean Mensay, will she repeat the same mistakes she did in 2024? Therefore, sincerity and honesty should be priorities in whatever you do. I need to write this article because I can see that despite all that you went through with your family, the incompetent Akufo Addo has refused to accept the responsibility for the political and economic mess, moreover; he wants to manipulate and use you again to secure the partys victory in 2024 elections. If you are an intelligent woman, take this article seriously and never allow the incompetent Akufo Addo to control you. He is a greedy man who doesnt care about anyone and the suffering of others than what he gains. Such people are never successful in life, hence, the failure of Akufo Addo today as a president. Let your bitter experience of past events serve as a lesson to avoid those mistakes you did because of the greedy tyrant Akufo Addo. You seemed to be a lucky woman indeed, Jane Mensah. I will explain. What happened in Ghana after the 2020 elections, without giving answers to the desperate, hungry, and disappointed Ghanaians in the witness box, wouldnt have been easy for you in another country. Sometimes, it helps if your country is a shithole nation but this is something you shouldn't be happy about because your actions and poor decisions become someone's burden and curse on you at the same time. Some three-quarters of teachers in France are to strike across the country this Thursday to protest the government's shifting rules on Covid testing for pupils. This comes amid growing frustration over what unions say is lack of support and unmanageable logistics in the face of surging Omicron infections. Led by the Snuipp-FSU union, the largest strike among primary school teachers comes after the latest of several changes on testing and isolation requirements for potential Covid cases that were announced by Prime Minister Jean Castex late Monday. After seeing long lines of parents outside pharmacies and labs in recent days to test children in classes where a case was detected, Castex said three home tests could now be used to determine if a student could return to school, rather than an antigen or PCR done at a pharmacy or lab. "This historic protest is not a strike against the virus but about how fed up we are in schools," the union wrote in a statement, slamming the "worsening working conditions" and "continual lies" from Education Minister Jean-Michel Blanquer. Teachers say class disruptions have become unmanageable with the spread of the highly contagious Omicron variant, especially since many parents remain unable to get vaccination appointments for children over five, available only since late December. The union, joined by at least seven other unions, predicted that around half of French schools from primary to high school would be closed on Thursday. One major parents' federation, the FCPE, has also called on parents to pull their children out of class to mark the day of protest. 'Daycare centres' "Students cannot learn properly because attendance varies wildly, and a hybrid of in-house and distance learning is impossible to put in place," the Snuipp-FSU said, adding that absent teachers were not being replaced. It is also demanding the government provide facemasks for staff, including the more protective FFP2 masks, and CO2 monitors to check if classrooms are sufficiently ventilated, pressing the government to provide "safer schools" to face the Omicron wave. "Not only do existing protocols not protect students, staff or their families, they have completely disorganised schools," the union said, claiming that classes had effectively been turned into "daycare centres". As of Monday more than 10,000 primary school classes around 2 percent had been shut nationwide because of Covid cases, according to the Education Ministry. Blanquer said the government was doing everything possible to avoid outright school closures that could wreak havoc for parents and jeopardise learning for thousands, especially those from low-income families. "I know there is a lot of fatigue, of anxiety ... but you don't go on strike against a virus," Blanquer told BFM television on Tuesday. 'Political backlash' President Emmanuel Macron this week defended his decision to keep schools open, despite admitting there was "fatigue" among teachers and parents faced with ever-changing protocols. He agreed the system was "not perfect" and called for "patience" and "pragmatism". The topic has provided perfect fodder for opposition leaders across the spectrum, keen to point out the government's failings in dealing with the health crisis. "Teachers are not 'giving up', as the President seems to think," far right National Rally leader and candidate Marine Le Pen told BFM TV on Tuesday, adding she "understood why they needed to strike". "Four protocols changing every 48 hours is driving the parents and teachers crazy," she said, predicting the turnout at the strike would be huge. "I think we should stop all that, stop watching kids crying when they have their tests," which she described as a form of "mistreatment", saying a temperature check would be less invasive. On the right, the leader of the Senate for the Republicans Party, Gerard Larcher condemned what he described as a "mess", a sentiment echoed by several other conservative MPs. Criticism also came from the left, with former Socialist minister and potential presidential candidate Christiane Taubira blasting Blanquer for his "contempt" for the strikers. "Of course people don't strike against the virus, they strike against a minister who has done a bad job," she told the press. Socialist Party member Boris Vallaud even went as far as to call for Blanquer to resign. Avalanche of criticism Valerie Rabault, president of the Socialists' group in parliament and spokesperson for Paris mayor and candidate Anne Hidalgo, predicted the strike would be massively followed and even compared it to the uprising that rocked the profession back in 1968. "There is such a level of exasperation in the teaching sector trying to deal with all these instructions and counter instructions ... we're going to hit the wall," she said, adding she was 100 percent behind the mobilisation. Meanwhile Blanquer called for "unity for schools" and to resist the urge to confuse subjects, referring to the political debate. "It's a shame to see a day that will further upset the whole system," he said. "There are problems, I'm the first to admit that, it's difficult, but it's difficult for the whole country." Faced with the avalanche of criticism, government spokesman Gabriel Attal defended the measures and called for "good sense" to prevail. The union has warned that more protests would be organised if necessary. "This anger is not just linked to the current issue, but is rooted in the incapacity and incompetence of the government to manage the health crisis globally in schools," the union said. "It's also linked to the educational policies over the last five years that have ruined schools and shown contempt for teachers." The Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) has assured the consuming public that despite the erratic flow of water in some part of the country due to the dry season, it is on top of the situation and everything possible is being done to ameliorate the situation. The GWCL noted that as part of the solution, consumers must strictly adhere to the following conservation measures: Cease indiscriminate watering of lawns with treated water Moderate the use of treated water for car washing by resorting to the use of buckets, instead of hosing, shut all taps when not in use Repair all leakages in your homes, like overflowing reservoirs and dripping taps, valves, etc. (the little drops also swell your water bills.) Report all burst pipes and leakages immediately to the nearest GWCL district offices, Customer Service centres and Fault Offices. You can also send google GPS locations, pictures and videos of the burst on the GWCL WhatsApp lines 0555123393, 0555155524, (WhatsApp information only and not calls) The general public can call GWCL on these numbers; 0207385089, 0207385090. The toll free line is 0800 40 000 for Vodafone cell and land lines only and 0302 218240 for all other networks. Report all persons engaged in illegal connections, by-passes, and all malpractices against GWCL The GWCL further said it has currently resorted to water demand management to ensure equitable distribution of the little water currently being produced at the various treatment plants. All district offices have been requested to announce to customers on days when water will be flowing so customers can store some water. The water distribution company lamented that during dry seasons, consumers resort to the use of treated water for keeping lawns green, for commercial washing of vehicles, while consumers with greater dependence on rainwater also compound the problem by taking to treated water use. These practices according to the GWCL, ease the pressures in the pipelines thereby causing low pressures and no flow in some areas, especially the hilly areas. The company is, therefore, calling for the cooperation of the public to improve on water delivery in the country. ---Classfmonline.com Homestead, FL (33030) Today Partly cloudy skies during the morning giving way to a few showers late. Thunder possible. High 86F. Winds E at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 30%.. Tonight Some clouds. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 72F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph. Twitter was accessible in Nigeria on Thursday after the government lifted a seven-month ban on the social media giant for deleting a tweet by President Muhammadu Buhari. Nigeria halted Twitter operations in June, provoking an international outcry over freedom of expression. The government and Twitter had been in negotiations over restoring the service based on a set of conditions, including Twitter registering its operations in Nigeria. Twitter was accessible in the main metropolis and economic hub of Lagos as of 0600 GMT, an AFP journalist said. "We are pleased that Twitter has been restored for everyone in Nigeria. Our mission in Nigeria -- and everywhere in the world -- is to serve the public conversation," a Twitter spokesperson told AFP. "We are deeply committed to Nigeria, where Twitter is used by people for commerce, cultural engagement, and civic participation." In Africa's largest economy, three quarters of the population of 200 million are younger than 24 -- a generation that is also hyper-connected to social media. The ban shocked many in Nigeria, where Twitter has had a major role in political discourse, with the hashtags #BringBackOurGirls after Boko Haram kidnapped nearly 300 schoolgirls in 2014. Young activists turned to Twitter last year to organise the #EndSARS protests against police brutality that eventually grew into the largest demonstrations in Nigeria's modern history before they were repressed. National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) director general Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, who had been part of the negotiations, said on Wednesday Buhari had approved the lifting of the ban from midnight. He said the social media giant had agreed to regulations to restore service, included establishing a legal entity in Nigeria, appointing a country representative and complying with tax obligations. Elections and lawsuits The United States, European Union and Canada were among those who joined rights groups in condemning the ban as damaging to freedom of expression in Africa's most populous country. Many Nigerians immediately took to Twitter to celebrate the platform's return, including the country's presidential spokesman who tweeted "Welcome back". But others criticised the ban's curtailing of basic rights and pointed out the Twitter had returned as Nigeria's political space heats up before the 2023 presidential election. "Lifting the ban will not make Nigeria's forget Buhari's intolerance of democratic freedoms," the civil rights group Concerned Nigerians said in a Twitter message. The court of the regional bloc Economic Community of West African States or ECOWAS is also due to make a ruling on January 20 on four lawsuits brought by rights groups and lawyers challenging the Twitter ban. "The Twitter ban was illegal -- in the first place -- and an attack on freedom of expression, including online, access to information and media freedom," Amnesty International said on its Twitter account. Nigerian officials had criticised Twitter for deleting Buhari's comment while accusing the platform of allowing activities that threatened the country's existence. That was a reference to social media remarks by separatist agitators from the country's southeast, where a civil war five decades ago killed one million people. "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," Abdullahi said. Twitter deleted the comment for violating its policies when Buhari had referenced Nigeria's civil war, in the context of a warning to those responsible for recent unrest in the country's southeast. After the ban, officials also referenced then Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey's support for the #EndSARS protests last year in Nigeria against police brutality. About 40 million people or around 20 percent of Nigeria's population have a Twitter account, according to local researchers, and many used the platform for business. Emirates Airlines has resumed flights to five destinations, including Ghana. A statement issued on the airlines website said, with effect from January 13, Emirates will resume passenger services to and from Guinea (CKY), Cote dIvoire (ABJ), Ghana (ACC), Uganda (EBB) and Republic of Angola (Luanda). Emirates in December 2021 extended an initial 48-hour ban on flights from Accra to Dubai indefinitely. Emirates flight suspension from Accra to Dubai effective December 27, 2021, is now extended until further notice, the airline said in its urgent broadcast sent to trade partners on Tuesday, December 28, 2021. The airline, however, said Dubai to Accra flights will continue for passengers holding confirmed bookings and meeting the entry requirements for Accra. The new statement from the airline gives way for flights from Ghana to the United Arab Emirates. All passengers arriving and transiting Dubai must meet the following Covid-19 protocols: Passengers travelling from Guinea (CKY), Uganda (EBB) or Ghana (ACC) with final destination DXB (Dubai International Airport) require 48hours PCR and 6hours Rapid PCR and PCR on arrival in DXB. Passengers travelling from Guinea (CKY), Uganda (EBB), Ghana (ACC) and Cote dIvoire (ABJ) and transiting DXB are only required to follow final destination rules, i.e., no 48 hours PCR or no 6hours PCR unless it is mandated by the final destination. Passengers travelling from Angola (LAD) or Cote dIvoire (ABJ) and inbound DXB are required to have 72 hours PCR and PCR on arrival in DXB. Passengers travelling from Angola (LAD) and transiting DXB are only required to have 72 hours PCR. Passengers travelling from CKYDSS must follow final destination rules, which is no 48 hours PCR or no 6hours PCR unless it is mandated by the final destination. Passengers accepted for travel under the travel protocol must present a valid negative Covid-19 PCR test certificate with a QR code for a test conducted at an approved facility within the stipulated hours of departure, test validity must be calculated from the time the sample was collected. Passengers who are required to undergo Covid-19 PCR test on arrival, must remain in self-quarantine until they receive the test result. ---citinewsroom Burkina Faso's revolutionary leader Thomas Sankara, who was gunned down during a coup in 1987, was shot at least seven times by assassins using tracer rounds, experts have told a long-awaited trial into his killing. Sankara was struck by "at least seven rounds" in the chest, one of which was fired from behind, anatomical specialist Robert Soudre told a military court in the capital Ouagadougou on Wednesday. A police ballistics expert, Division Commissioner Moussa Millogo said the bullets came from tracer rounds, "because of burns on the remains of clothing" that Sankara was wearing at the time. Tracer rounds are ammunition which ignite a burning powder that lights up. The rounds are designed for fighting at night, to help the shooter mark the target. Several calibres of bullet were found on Sankara's remains, including 7.62 and 9mm rounds, Millogo said. Sankara was an army captain aged just 33 when he came to power in a coup in 1983. A fiery Marxist-Leninist, he railed against imperialism and colonialism, often angering Western leaders but gaining followers across Africa and beyond. Sankara and 12 of his colleagues were gunned down by a hit squad on October 15 1987 at a meeting of the ruling National Revolutionary Council. Their assassination coincided with a coup that brought Sankara's erstwhile comrade-in-arms, Blaise Compaore, to power. He ruled for 27 years before being deposed by a popular uprising in 2014 and fleeing to neighbouring Ivory Coast. Compaore is on trial in absentia, charged like his former right-hand man General Gilbert Diendere with harming state security, complicity in murder, concealing bodies and witness tampering. Compaore has persistently denied entrenched suspicions among Burkinabe that he ordered Sankara's killing, while Diendere has pleaded not guilty. Diendere has been separately handed a 20-year term for his part in a 2015 plot to overthrow the post-Compaore transitional government. The trial, and details of what happened on the day of Sankara's assassination, are being closely followed in the landlocked West African country. 'Violent death' intended Sankara remains a revered figure for many and his brutal death cast a pall over the country for decades. The circumstances of his killing were taboo under Compaore's reign. Sankara, left, remains a revered figure for many and his brutal death cast a pall over Burkina Faso for decades. By DANIEL LAINE AFPFile Fourteen men, including Compaore, are on trial in the proceedings, which began on October 11. Prosper Farama, a lawyer for the Sankara family, said Wednesday's testimony was revealing. "When you listen to the experts, the type of weapons were used for assault that intended to inflict a violent death," he said. "When you're told that these are tracer rounds, which ignite on contact, you cannot say that these are the types of weapons which are used to carry out an arrest." Sankara's body was hastily disposed of after the killing and the authorities issued a death certificate saying that he had died of "natural causes." In May 2015, Sankara's presumed remains and those of his companions were exhumed in May 2015 at a cemetery in Ouagadougou. Autopsy results released in October 2015 said that Sankara's supposed remains were "riddled with bullets." President Nana Akufo-Addo has announced plans by government to acquire majority stake in Ghana's oil and gas industry by building more local capacity in various aspects of the management of the industry. The president says government is training more Ghanaians ahead of time to have an industry that is heavily driven by locals in the near future. Speaking at a send-off ceremony for some eight (8) individuals travelling to Canada for oil and gas training, Nana Akufo-Addo said government will continue to invest in the human resource of the country as a part of the larger strategy of having Ghanaians largely managing the industry. The skills enhancement of Ghanaians in the industry is absolutely critical. We can no longer count on them [foreigners], we have to count on ourselves. That is why the initiatives that are taken in the sector, the efforts of GNPC in trying to develop a greater capacity to be able to be an operator of fields and enhancing the skills of Ghanaians in the technical aspects of the industry are conjoined. They are part of the same process and absolutely essential for the future of our country, he said. The Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) last year acquired a 7 percent commercial interest in both the Jubilee and TEN blocks, from Occidental Petroleum (OXY). This acquisition cost $199 million and took effect on April 1, 2021. Consideration due OXY at completion was approximately USD165 million after taking into account closing adjustments, GNPC said in a statement. OXY had prior to this transaction acquired the Ghana assets of Anadarko. This acquisition adds to GNPC's existing Carried and Participating Interest (CAPI) of 13.64 percent in the Jubilee Field, and 15 percent in the TEN Field. The company also requested parliamentary approval for a loan of $1.65 billion to purchase two stakes in Ghana's offshore fields. This was contained in a memorandum submitted to Parliament by the Minister for Energy, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, for consideration and approval. GNPC, through its GNPC Explorco, is allowed to participate in the upstream petroleum sector. In the memoranda, the company said, it seeks approval to purchase a 70% stake in the South Deep Water Tano (SDWT) operated by AGM Petroleum Ghana Limited and a 37% stake in the Deep Water Tano/Cape Three Points (DWT/CTP) operated by Aker Energy Ghana Limited. The arrangement did not get parliamentary approval, but the GNPC has the chance to refile its documents for consideration. ---citinewsroom Mali's military junta is urging people to take to the streets on Friday to protest regional sanctions, imposed over delayed elections in the Sahel state. The sanctions, which include border closures and a trade embargo, have the potential to cripple the economy of an already impoverished nation. But few inside Mali are openly critical of the state's military rulers. What are the sanctions? The 15-nation Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) slapped economic and diplomatic sanctions on Mali on Sunday for the junta's failure to organise swift elections. Mali's army initially promised to stage elections in February 2022, after staging a coup in August 2020. But in December, it suggested staying in power for up to an additional five years, citing security concerns. Land borders with Mali have been cut off except for the frontiers with Mauritania and Algeria, which are not members of the regional bloc ECOWAS, and Guinea. By Elonore HUGHES AFP Mali has been struggling to contain a brutal jihadist insurgency that first emerged in 2012, before spreading to neighbouring Burkina Faso and Niger. The proposed elections delay angered Mali's neighbours and pushed them to impose sanctions. ECOWAS leaders agreed to shutter the bloc's borders with Mali and impose a trade embargo. They also pledged to halt aid to the country and freeze its assets at the Central Bank of West African States. Who supports the junta? Many in Mali have rallied behind the army-dominated government and its leader Colonel Assimi Goita. One of the country's main trade unions, the National Union of Workers of Mali, said ECOWAS had "once again betrayed Africa." The teachers' union also suspended an indefinite strike that it had called in January. The High Islamic Council of Mali, as well as the country's main press association, have also made statements in support of the junta. In a rare rebuke, nearly a dozen political parties have publicly criticised the military, accusing it of bearing "sole and unique responsibility" for the sanctions. But they also stated that they "regretted" the ECOWAS measures. No significant voice in Malian public life has so far supported the sanctions themselves. Why such support? "Malians have national pride," said Nouhoum Sarr, a member of Mali's transitional legislature and junta supporter. Malians rally in support of the junta several weeks after the 2020 coup. The sign reads: 'A transition led by the army'. By MICHELE CATTANI AFP He added that people are "determined to defend" their country. Such national pride has been reflected in media coverage. The weekly newspaper Mali-Horizon urged the country to "unite or perish" this week, while news website Malikile called for a "sacred union" in defence of the homeland. The rhetoric plays well in a country where some are critical of democratic rule. "What good are elections if they can't be organised in two-thirds of the country?" Bouba Toure, a Malian teacher, told AFP. Swathes of Malian territory lie outside government control because the jihadist insurgency. What's the junta's record? Sarr said there had been "real progress on the security front" -- an issue that he called a prerequisite for other reforms. He said that there had been a drop in jihadist attacks. In a January report, the United Nations noted a "slight decrease" in the number of attacks on civilians in the final quarter of 2021. Goudebou refugee camp in northern Burkina Faso hosts more than 11,000 Malians who have fled violence. By OLYMPIA DE MAISMONT AFP But it also pointed out that there were few reports of violent incidents in extremist-controlled areas, something that could point to coercion. The UN highlighted a number of legal investigations underway in Mali, including related to high-level corruption. Such initiatives are popular in the country, although some believe the junta is using graft probes to sideline political opponents. Some steps have also been taken towards reforming electoral law in Mali, according to the UN. To supporters of the junta, one of its signature achievements has been the staging of a national conference on reforming the country, with a view to restoring democratic rule. The conference ended in December, but it was boycotted by a broad group of political parties and social organisations. Public Relations Officer of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU), Alhaji Ibrahim Abass Moro, has disclosed the Coalition of Private Transport Operators prefers prices of fuel to be reduced over increasing lorry fares. On his accord, only one union of the coalition, the Concerned Drivers Union has taken the decision to increase lorry fares by 40 percent. With the coalition still fighting for the removal of taxes on petroleum products, Alhaji Abass Moro stated, This has not changed and we still want the taxes to be removed and not increase lorry fares. We dont know why the Concerned Drivers Union want to increase lorry fares and we dont know why they have decided to take decisions independent of the coalition. Disclosing an imminent meeting of the coalition, he added it will address the decision of the Concerned Drivers Union. They didnt meet with the coalition to arrive at this decision but we will not hold any brief for them. We will arrive at a decision soon after the meeting. Admitting prices of spare parts had gone up as stated as one of the many reasons for the increment by the Concerned Drivers Union, Alhaji Abass Moro argues the union acted in bad faith. The Concerned Drivers Association has announced a 40 percent increment in transport fares effective Monday January 17, 2022, a decision independent of the Coalition of Private Transport Operators. The Association cited the high cost of fuel, unit cost of cars, spare parts and lubricants as reasons for their decision. Although we have taken this unilateral decision, our brothers from the other unions will agree we need to increase lorry fares, their spokesperson stated. The Coalition of Private Road Transport Operators suspended its intended strike following a meeting with the Roads and Transport Ministry. The coalition of private transport operators consists of Ghana Private Road and Transport Union (GPRTU), Association of Tipper Truck Drivers, Harbor Transport Owners, Ghana National Cargo Transport Association, Ghana Committed Drivers Association, Concerned Drivers Association, Digital Drivers, Commercial motorbike riders, popularly referred to as Okada, the Chamber of Petroleum Consumers among others. The Unions, on Tuesday, November 09, gave the Government an ultimatum to reduce taxes on fuel, threatening to ground all commercial vehicles by 1500 hours Thursday, November 11, 2021. The planned strike action was for government to scrap the taxes, levies and margins on the price build-up and the incessant increase in the price of fuel, which was collapsing their business. ---happyfmghana The Western and Western North Regional National Ambulance Service has asked for a postmortem of the 31-year-old, Augustina Awortwe, who lost her life while in transit after delivery at the Holy Child Catholic Hospital (HCCH) at Fijai, a suburb of Takoradi. Dr Tawiah Siameh, Western Regional Coordinator of the National Ambulance Service, in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA), said the incident raised questions that required answers. I think a lot of things happened at the Hospital (Holy Child Catholic Hospital) and that is where the delay arose. We must admit that it happened that they did not even get to Cape Coast when the woman started deteriorating thereby raising a lot of questions. In what state was the woman? because if the woman is in a very critical state, I would have suggested that at Effia-Nkwanta Regional Hospital, we have obstetricians and gynaecologists and even a consultant obstetrician-gynaecologist who could have sorted this thing out at that level, he argued. He explained that even if the intensive care was not ready, we have a high dependency unit which could have sorted this woman out to a certain level before she was further transported as there are ramps along the way and traffic that pose great complications and risks. We could really have sorted this woman to be stable enough so I think there are a lot of questions. We are, therefore, suggesting that a post mortem be done, he stated. He said though the story making rounds remained allegations against the Ambulance Service, the matter ought to be investigated. We need to find out why we needed to move this woman in the first place and what really happened since we are still in the dark on that aspect, he said. Meanwhile, Mr John Obiri Yeboah, the husband of the deceased, has called for an investigation into the circumstances that led to the demise of his wife. In his narrations, he could not fathom why an ambulance attendant could tell his colleague to use the time of the wife's death to stake a lotto. GNA 13.01.2022 LISTEN The fact of not being a fan of Oheneba media for their seemingly hypocritical stance on some issues relating to some specific chiefs or king, I once a while watch their posted videos. Without watching them, I may not know where they are coming from or going to. Oheneba medias workers or journalists in both Belgium and Ghana are quick to consult renowned historians in Ghana and some chiefs for clarifications whenever issues relating to chiefs, especially, Ashanti chiefs and particularly, Asantehene, crop up. This behaviour by them is to set the records straight without leaving any shred of doubt in the minds of people as to whether the issue at stake is true or false. Let me give them credit for their quick reaction to put matters to rest through their investigatory consultations. However, I find some of their such consultations to border on causing mischief to others. Their journalist in Belgium who may be the owner of the TV station or social media platform Oheneba Media, had on two occasions known to me, tried to put one Ohene David of Fire from above in Germany and another woman in Switzerland who habitually used to post on YouTube a voiceover with a pictorial background of a Black Stool and a scrim of Kente cloth. Her voiceovers were all about Kumawu chieftaincy issues in relation to how Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has been playing a usurpation role of which he has no traditional or constitutional mandate. I had once or twice had to publish articles to reprimand Oheneba media for their bootlicking and malicious journalism meant to endanger the lives of some while encouraging others that they support to continue with their heinous activities against Ghanaians or their subjects. Nevertheless, I shall today task them to do me a great favour by calling on their usual Ashanti historians or chiefs to clarify the following issue that has been causing me sleepless nights for some time now. Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II has declared in public before a mammoth audience that all land in Ashanti belongs to him with the chiefs occupying certain portions doing so as caretakers to the land in his behalf. Again, he has asserted that there are no family or stool lands in Ashanti region since all land in Ashanti region belongs to him, and him only. His authoritative claims notwithstanding, my personal research and knowledge of Asante history, both oral and written, put me in head-on collision course with him. All land in Ashanti region does not belong to him as he falsely claims. Additionally, there are stool, family and government lands in Ashanti region same as it prevails in all other regions in Ghana. My research further negates Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu IIs claim that he appoints chiefs and fetishes to look after all land in Ashanti region in his behalf. Could Oheneba media quicken to arrange Maame Forziah, their representative female journalist in Ghana, to approach your usual renowned Ashanti historians to clarify the above raised points for me? We are all craving for the prevalence of truth, the cessation of lies and non-creation of human monsters in Ghana hence my honest request to Oheneba media to execute the above stated task for me. I expect Oheneba media to wield a double-sided sharpened dagger that cuts on both sides but not a one-sided sharpened machete that cuts only the poor and the needy but not the big chiefs and the rich who often turn out to be in the wrong, committing crimes with impunity. I rest my case while patiently looking forward to see Oheneba media and Co. carry out the request for me. Rockson Adofo Thursday, 13 January 2022 Davidetta Browne-Lansanah 13.01.2022 LISTEN Since December 15, 2021, when the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) charged and subsequently forwarded to court for prosecution the Chairman of the National Elections Commission (NEC), Davidetta Browne-Lansanah, and her alleged accomplices for an alleged act of malfeasance, Mrs. Browne-Lansanah, remains uncompromising in challenging the allegation. She and her alleged NEC collaborators say the LACCs accusation is untrue. The Commission recently indicted her for conflict of interest after she reportedly admitted to presiding over an NECs bidding process that fraudulently awarded a contract to a Liberian business, Tuma Enterprise Incorporated. The monetary value of the contract is more than 182 thousand US dollars; and the company allegedly has a family tie to her. According to the LACC, Mrs. Browne-Lansanah and the companys Vice President for Operations, David Browne are paternal half-siblings while Mr. Arnold Badio, owner, and incorporator of the company, is Mr. Brownes maternal half-brother. In an indictment, the LACC said the Chairperson is being prosecuted for violating Section 1.3.6, of the National Code of Conduct, which speaks against conflict of interest. In addition, she allegedly transgressed Part II, Section 2.2 of the LACC Act and section 15.3 of the Money laundering Act of 2012 while awarding a contract for the lease of 20 facial recognition thermometers at the total cost of US$182,320. The NEC reportedly used the thermometers to monitor access and attendance for safe and efficient access control of personnel during the conduct of the November 2021 by elections held in Nimba, Bong, Grand Gedeh, and Bomi counties. The corruption case at the NEC was initially uncovered by the independent Daily Observer Newspaper in the latter part of 2021. Counter Claim However, Chairman Borwne-Lansanah in a counter argument described as frivolous the LACCs report, which accused her and some NEC executives of admitting to engaging in acts of corruption during a recent probe conducted by the Commission. Then she reported, Following its investigation, the LACC told the public that it has completed its investigation and read out an outcome claiming we had made certain admissions of guilt during our appearance before the LACC. She furthered, This is false and misleading. We appeared before the LACC with our legal counsels, submitted the requested documents along with written statements. At no time during the interviews did any of us ever make any admission of guilt as falsely stated during the December 15 LACC press conference. 2.8 million US Dollar Allegation In the wake of the LACCs lawsuit, the embattled and troubled Chairman at a news conference held in Monrovia on December 31, 2021, amazed Liberians, and the international community when she accused NEC Commissioner Floyd Sayor for illegally inserting more than 2.8 million US dollars in the Commissions 2022/2023 budget unknown to her and other NEC commissioners. According to her, Commissioner Sayor reportedly inserted the money in the budget for the purchase of live monitoring and tracking systems, vehicles, motorbikes, and canoes that maybe needed for the transportation of election materials during the 2023 general and presidential elections. Also, the money was to be used for the compensation of casual laborers. However, Commissioner Sayor has since refuted the allegation. Distractions and Loss of Public Trust Davidetta and her alleged collaborators are exerting all legal means to overturn the antigraft Commissions allegations, but the damage has already been done. The lawsuit and her recent allegation made against Commissioner Sayor for allegedly inserting more than 2.8 million US dollars in the NEC 2022/2023 budget unknown to her and other commissioners are serious embarrassment and distractions for her and the NEC. Moreover, the negative publicity associated with the current situation has stained the image and integrity of the electoral body. Furthermore, it has eroded the peoples trust and confidence reposed in the Commission. As an integrity institution, the NEC cannot afford to be associated with issues of distrust and corruption. Simply put, the NEC must remain above the fray, but the prevailing Internal rift between Mrs. Browne-Lansanah and Commissioner Say or coupled with the LACCs criminal charges against her and some executives of the NEC have put a dent in the reputation of the Commission. The Commission has literally lost its moral standing amongst Liberians and the peoples of the world. Resign or be Dismissed The NEC is the gateway to a democratic, peaceful, and stable Liberia. At a critical period like this when Liberians are preparing for the most talked about 2023 general and presidential elections, the reported leadership and dishonesty crisis at the NEC is undesirable. Chairman Browne-Lansanah has lost the ground for leading such a critical institution. She must demonstrate leadership by publicly accepting some of the reported administrative lapses at the Commission. Additionally, she must help in protecting the credibility of the Commission by honorably resigning her position with immediate effect. Yes, Davidetta and her alleged collaborators have failed Liberia miserably; and she must muster the courage to go in peace. The conflict of interest and money laundering charges levied against her are serious offenses that have called into question her hard-earned reputation and that of the NEC. While most Liberians including this author do acknowledge that over the years, she worked very hard in the execution of the NECs duties and responsibilities, it is however, important that she quits her position now because the current legal battle between her and the LACC is doing more harm to the credibility of the electoral body than good. No amount of grandstanding will help her and the NEC in the ongoing crisis because a crime was allegedly committed. Additionally, her recent dishonesty claim made against Commissioner Sayor for allegedly inserting more than 2.8 million US dollars in the NEC 2022/2023 budget without her knowledge and that of the other NEC commissioners is not helpful for her as a leader. Making such claim now when the 2022/2023 national budget, which includes allocations for the NEC is before the National Legislature for debate and passage into law, speaks volumes about Chairman Browne-Lansanahs leadership inadequacies at the NEC. Like this author, the questions most people are asking now are: When did she get to know about the more than 2.8 million US dollars, which Commissioner Sayor allegedly inserted into the NECs budget? How effective is her oversight or supervisory authority? As Chairperson, does she review or take a critical look at important documents that require her approbations, before releasing them to the public? Until Davidetta convinces the public that she is an effective manager, her accusation against Commissioner Sayor will make no difference in the alleged corruption case at the NEC. Except proven otherwise, the LACCs charges against Chairman Browne-Lansanah are cogent. If she refuses to honorably resign or walk away from the NEC, President George Manneh Weah must intervene politically. He must act swiftly in saving the Commission from the public ridicule it has suffered in recent times. The President should remove Davidetta for acts incompatible with her status. Although she and the commissioners of the NEC occupy tenured positions, any of them can be dismissed or replaced for a cause or causes. The crimes she is accused of are examples of such causes. Davidetta allegedly violated the national code of conduct, which frowns on conflict of interest; and she engaged in money laundering. These violations are serious criminal offenses that have drawn the reputation and integrity of the NEC into public ridicule. The embattled Chairperson and her associates allegedly committed crimes against Liberia; and they must be held liable if, the CDCs professed fight against corruption in the country is to be taken seriously. Political Ploy As the LACCs lawsuit against Mrs. Browne-Lansanah proceeds, some Liberians including opposition politicians and supporters of the embattled NEC Chairman have begun speculating in Monrovia that the unusual swiftness of the LACC in the prosecution of the Chairman insinuates a ploy by the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) administration to remove and replace her with a CDC zealot that will help the Party in swaying the outcomes of the 2023 presidential election in favor of Mr. Weah. However, most Liberian intelligentsia including this author are ambivalent in accepting such claim without cogent evidence. Liberia has come a long way in terms of peace and stability; and Mr. Weah and the CDC wouldnt covertly or openly engage in any act that has the capability of plunging the country into another political crisis. Mrs. Browne-Lansanah and her associates identified in the LACCs indictment reportedly committed crimes against Liberia and they must be held liable if convicted. The fight against unbridled corruption in Liberia has got to start from somewhere; and for now, Davidetta and her alleged accomplices are unfortunately the perpetrators. The law must take its course! Currently, Davidetta has no moral ground for staying at the NEC. If she doesnt resign or get dismiss by President Weah, the repercussions of keeping her at the Commission will be profoundly huge as Liberia prepares for the 2023 general and presidential elections. The NEC will suffer an integrity problem that has the propensity of undermining the outcomes of the 2023 general and presidential elections. By Moses D. Sandy [email protected] About the author: Moses D. Sandy is a US based broadcast Liberian journalist. Hes co-host of the Issues Room, an alternative social media, mainly Facebook and You Tube, platform. Mr. Sandy is former Editor-in-Chief of the state-owned Liberia Broadcasting System (LBS). Also, he is an eminent Liberian community leader in the US. The High Court in Accra presided over by His Lordship Justice Eric Kyei Baffour has issued a stern warning to the founder of defunct Capital Bank William Ato Essien over his conduct in the ongoing trial. Justice Kyei Baffour who was visibly unhappy about the inability of Ato Essien, the first accused person and his lawyers to comply with orders of the court by filing witness statements by January 10, said, I have the powers to revoke your bail. The remarks of Justice Kyei Baffour, a Justice of the Court of Appeal sitting with an additional responsibility as a High Court judge, was after lawyer for Ato Essein, Baffour Gyawu Bonsu Ashia had requested for more time. The court said it is not impressed with the posture of the first accused person and could be compelled to revoke his bail since that will put him on his toes. I am not impressed and if the documents you needed to attach is in someones custody, the rules allow you to subpoena the person for the production of those documents, the court said. Mr Essien, let not your lawyer do this and think you will have your way. I have the powers to rescind your bail. That is not to say you will not avail yourself for the trial, but to ensure you cooperate with the trial. If I put you in custody, you would have filed those documents by now, the court lamented. Negotiation for compensation In court on Thursday, January 13, counsel for Ato Essein, said Apart from filing our witness statements and attached the exhibit to rely on to prosecute our case, we have further engaged the prosecution with respect to Section 35 of the Courts Act. He told the court that, Onlike the initial prayer where we made an appeal to this court, to pay the GHc27.5m which formed the basis of some of the charges, we have also included the GHc130m that also forms part of the charges. My lord, the discussions have been very fruitful to the extend that, the prosecution has written to us in a letter dated December 30, 2021, where the prosecution has made its stance very clear. He told the court however that, the only difficulty between us (the defence lawyers) and prosecution is the quantum which can easily be resolved by an independent auditor. To this end, he prayed that, since we have the documents that we intend to attach to our witness statements, it is our humble prayer that, this court grant us this last request to file the withess statements together with the exhibits. The prosecution led by Mrs Marina Appiah Opare, a Chief State Attorney, said we share the sentiments of the court. But prayed the court to indulge the first accused and grant him the two weeks period requested and hope the accused would have filed by then. By court Justice Kyei Baffour ruled that, I have listen to the counsel for the first accused person who once again has failed to abide by the timeliness provided by the court for the filing of the witness statements of first accused persons as well as the witnesses that the first accused person intends to call if any. He added that, even though the court is not convinced about the reasons preferred for the delay, I will hold in abeyance the invocation of the powers vested in the court to moderate and control its proceedings and extend the time for two more weeks for first the accused person to comply bwith the orders of the court. For the second and the third accused persons, that court said, they have informed the court that, they are ready with their respective witness statements for filing, but holding on to abide the filing of first accused as their defence or accusation will be anchored or hinged against that of first accused person for which the court appreciates that line of strategic approach. The court reluctantly adjourned the case to January 27, for Case Management Conference. Charges Essien is standing trial with the Managing Director (MD) of the defunct bank, Fitzgerald Odonkor, and the MD of MC Management Services, Tettey Nettey. MC Management Services is said to be owned by Essien. The accused persons have pleaded not guilty to all the charges of stealing, abetment to stealing, conspiracy to steal and money laundering. They are on bail. They have been accused of engaging in various illegal acts that led to the dissipation of the GH620-million liquidity support given to Capital Bank by the BoG between June 2015 and November 2016. About Section 35 of Courts Act? Section 35 of the Courts Acts which Ato Essien has activated with the prosecution stipulates as follows; (1) Where a person is charged with an offence before the High Court or a Regional Tribunal, the commission of which has caused economic loss, harm or damage to the State or any State agency, the accused may inform the prosecutor whether the accused admits the offence and is willing to offer compensation or make restitution and reparation for the loss, harm or damage caused. (2) Where an accused makes an offer of compensation or restitution and reparation, the prosecutor shall consider if the offer is acceptable to the prosecution. (3) If the offer is not acceptable to the prosecution the case before the Court shall proceed. (4) If the offer is acceptable to the prosecution, the prosecutor shall in the presence of the accused, inform the Court which shall consider if the offer of compensation or restitution and reparation is satisfactory. (5) Where the Court considers the offer to be satisfactory, the Court shall accept a plea of guilty from the accused and convict the accused on his own plea, and in lieu of passing sentence on the accused, make an order for the accused to pay compensation or make restitution and reparation. (6) An order of the Court under subsection (5) shall be subject to such conditions as the Court may direct. (7) Where a person convicted under this section defaults in the payment of any money required of the person under this section or fails to fulfil any condition imposed by the Court under subsection (6), any amount outstanding shall become due and payable and upon failure to make the payment, the Court shall proceed to pass a custodial sentence on the accused. ---starrfmonline 8 Tevel satellites with FM transponders on SpaceX launch The Tevel mission consisting of 8 satellites developed by the Herzliya Science Center in Israel, each carrying an FM transponder, is expected to launch on January 13 at 15:25 GMT on the SpaceX Falcon-9 Transporter-3 mission The AMSAT News Service reports: Tevel-1, Tevel-2 .Tevel-8 Beacon transmissions on 436.400 MHz, (9600bps BPSK G3RUH) FM transponders uplink frequency: 145.970 MHz| FM transponders downlink frequency: 436.400 MHz All 8 satellites will have the same frequencies, so as long as the footprints are overlapping, only one FM transponder will be activated. The satellites were built by 8 schools in different parts of Israel. Tevel satellite under development - credit Herzliya Science Center Prelaunch TLEs: Deployment number 28 TEVEL-4/TEVEL-5 1 12345U 22-T3TE 22013.69008102 0.00000000 00000-0 00000-0 0 9997 2 12345 97.3652 83.6317 0010843 246.0911 147.6817 15.12493461 06 Deployment number 30 TEVEL-1/TEVEL-2/TEVEL-3 1 12345U 22-T3TE 22013.69038194 0.00000000 00000-0 00000-0 0 9991 2 12345 97.3658 83.6317 0009074 254.1211 141.2940 15.11975594 07 Deployment number 55 TEVEL-6/TEVEL-7/TEVEL-8 1 12345U 22-T3TE 22013.69375000 0.00000000 00000-0 00000-0 0 9991 2 12345 97.3676 83.6318 0009046 252.0606 161.7026 15.11914367 05 Control station will be 4X4HSC at the Herzliya Science Center. [ANS thanks David Greenberg, 4X1DG, for the above information] AMSAT News Service https://www.amsat.org/category/amsat-news-service/ IARU Satellite Frequency Coordination information http://www.amsatuk.me.uk/iaru/finished_detail.php ?serialnum=744 Sudanese security forces fired tear gas Thursday at thousands of protesters marching on the presidential palace in Khartoum, witnesses said, the latest in unabated protests since a military coup in October. The rally which converged from several parts of Khartoum came amid tepid support for a United Nations bid to facilitate talks between rival Sudanese factions. The push was aimed at resolving the crisis since the October 25 military coup led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the resignation of the civilian prime minister Abdalla Hamdok earlier this month. Demonstrators also took to the streets in the capital's twin city of Omdurman as well as in Port Sudan in eastern Sudan, according to witnesses. Protesters in Khartoum chanted: "With all our power, we are heading to the palace" as they converged on the city centre. Others hollered: "Burhan is dirty, brought to (power) by the Islamists," who were dominant under the three-decade rule of general-turned-president Omar al-Bashir, ousted in April 2019 following months of mass protests. Following the same pattern as in the stream of demonstrations over the past two months, security forces fired volleys of tear gas to disperse the protesters in Khartoum and Omdurman, witnesses said. Map of the Sudanese capital of Khartoum.. By AFP Online footage of the protests appeared to show demonstrators hurling stones and unexploded canisters of tear gas at security forces near the presidential palace. Pro-democracy activists have organised regular demonstrations against the military takeover, which derailed a transition to civilian rule following Bashir's ouster. The protests have been met by a bloody crackdown that has left at least 63 people dead and hundreds wounded, according to medics. UN push On Monday, UN special representative Volker Perthes said he was launching "consultations" with political and social actors along with armed and civil society groups. "We don't accept this initiative at all," 62-year-old protester Awad Saleh said. Demonstrations which converged from several parts of Khartoum came despite a United Nations bid to facilitate talks between Sudanese factions. By - AFP "It's not clear what points it constitutes and so for us it is deficient." The latest UN push has received a mixed response. The Sudanese Professionals Association, an independent trade union confederation instrumental in organising the protests, said it completely rejects the UN initiative. The mainstream faction of the Forces for Freedom and Change, the leading civilian pro-democracy group, said it will "discuss" the invitation internally before announcing its stand. But spokesman Wagdy Saleh said the FFC rejected "any partnership" with the military. The ruling Sovereign Council -- formed by Burhan following the coup with himself as chairman -- has welcomed the proposed talks, as have the United States, Britain, the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Egypt. On Wednesday, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi called for stability in Sudan saying it "will not be reached except by consensus among all forces". The UN push comes after the resignation of the civilian premier, who had only been reinstated on November 21 after weeks of house arrest during the coup. In his resignation speech, Hamdok warned that Sudan was now at a "dangerous crossroads threatening its very survival". The Anloga District Magistrate Court in the Volta region has remanded into police custody, a 27-year old woman, Godsway Ablorde for the murder of a caterer known as Ami Ablorde at Woe, near Anloga. The suspect was arrested with the help of members of the community after she attempted committing suicide moments after setting the deceased ablaze, leaving her with life-threatening burns that lead to her death. According to a statement issued by the Volta Regional Command of the Ghana Police Service, preliminary investigation so far revealed that both the suspect and the deceased were workers at a restaurant at Woe. But the management of the facility relieved the suspect of her duties. Further investigation by the police established that the female suspect, Godsway Ablorde had suspicion that her ejection from the restaurant was orchestrated by the deceased. The suspect, according to the police statement, consequently, warned management of the restaurant to also sack the deceased. On Tuesday, 11th January, 2022 and at about 8:00pm, the suspect armed with a gallon containing a mixture of petrol and diesel, and a box of matches went to the restaurant and poured the petrol and diesel mixture on the deceased and lighted the match, the statement said. It added that, the deceased, who was then alone at the facility struggled for her life until some good Samaritans rushed her to the Keta Government hospital for medical attention, but she died the next morning at about 7:00 am. Appearing before the Anloga District Magistrate Court today, the suspect was remanded to reappear on February 24, 2022 while police investigations continue. ---starrfm A senior Sudanese police officer was killed Thursday during protests in the Sudanese capital, an official statement said, as security forces fired tear gas at thousands who kept up rallies against an October military coup. Brigadier General Ali Bareema Hamad, "fell martyr while doing his duties and securing protests" in the capital, Khartoum, the police statement said on Facebook, without giving details of how he was killed. His was the first fatality announced among security forces since protests calling for a return to civilian rule began more than two months ago. A security crackdown on protests has left at least 63 people dead and hundreds wounded, according to medics, who said many of the protesters were killed by live rounds. Thursday's rallies converged from several parts of Khartoum and came after a United Nations bid to facilitate talks between rival Sudanese factions received tepid support. The UN push aimed at resolving the crisis since the October 25 military coup led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the resignation of the civilian prime minister Abdalla Hamdok earlier this month. Sudan has no government, foreign aid has been suspended, and regular demonstrations against the coup -- attended by up to tens of thousands -- are routinely met by a violent crackdown. Demonstrators also took to the streets in the capital's twin city of Omdurman as well as in Port Sudan in the country's east, according to witnesses. Map of the Sudanese capital of Khartoum.. By AFP Protesters in Khartoum converged on the city centre chanting: "With all our power, we are heading to the palace". Others hollered: "Burhan is dirty, brought to (power) by the Islamists," who were dominant under the three-decade rule of general-turned-president Omar al-Bashir, ousted in April 2019 following months of mass protests. Following a repeated pattern, security forces fired volleys of tear gas to disperse the protesters in Khartoum and Omdurman, witnesses said. Online footage appeared to show demonstrators hurling stones and unexploded canisters of tear gas at security forces near the presidential palace. The military takeover derailed a fragile transition to civilian rule following Bashir's ouster. Authorities have repeatedly denied using live ammunition in confronting protesters and insist scores of security forces have been wounded during demonstrations that have often "deviated from peacefulness". 'Not clear' On Monday, UN special representative Volker Perthes said he was launching "consultations" with political and social actors as well as armed and civil society groups. "We don't accept this initiative at all," 62-year-old protester Awad Saleh said. Demonstrations which converged from several parts of Khartoum came as the United Nations bid to facilitate talks between Sudanese factions. By - AFP "It's not clear what points it constitutes and so for us it is deficient." The UN push has received a mixed response. The Sudanese Professionals Association, an independent trade union confederation instrumental in organising the protests, said it completely rejects the UN initiative. The mainstream faction of the Forces for Freedom and Change, the leading civilian pro-democracy group, said it will "discuss" the invitation internally before announcing its stand. But spokesman Wagdy Saleh said the FFC rejected "any partnership" with the military. The ruling Sovereign Council -- formed by Burhan following the coup with himself as chairman -- has welcomed the proposed talks, as have the United States, Britain, the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Egypt. On Wednesday, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi called for stability in Sudan saying it "will not be reached except by consensus among all forces". Hamdok resigned as prime minister on January 2, only six weeks after being reinstated following his house arrest in the wake of the coup. Burhan has insisted that the military takeover "was not a coup" but only meant to "rectify the course of the Sudanese transition. In his resignation speech, Hamdok warned that Sudan was now at a "dangerous crossroads threatening its very survival". A group of Ghanaians have called on the citizenry not to make or receive phone calls on Tuesday, February 8 to register their dissatisfaction on the ongoing SIM card re-registration exercise. The group which include a former member of parliament Ras Mubarak, seasoned journalists Samson Lardy Anyenini and Manasseh Azure Awuni are arguing in a statement that no law in Ghana requires Ghanaian mobile network subscribers to Re-register their SIM cards. In their view, any attempt to impose this on subscribers or block their lines would amount to an infringement of their property rights. They are demanding that the National Communication Authority (NCA) withdraw its directive for mobile network customers to re-register their SIM cards by 31st March 2022. They noted that when the appropriate legal framework is in place, a re-registration exercise can be done without having subscribers spend productive hours and several days in long queues in the midst of a ravaging Covid-19 pandemic. Read their full statement below: GHANAIANS TO BOYCOTT MOBILE PHONE NETWORKS We, the undersigned Concerned Mobile Network Subscribers, having consulted Ghanaians across the country, have set aside Tuesday 8th February 2022 as a No Calls Day. On that day, we call on all Ghanaians not to make or receive phone calls as a way of registering our disquiet about the circus surrounding the SIM card re-registration exercise. The No Calls Day boycott on 8th February would be the first in a series of national boycotts to protest against the current inhumane process of re-registration of SIM cards. There is no law in Ghana that requires Ghanaian mobile network subscribers to Re-register their SIM cards. Any attempt to impose this on subscribers or block their lines would amount to an infringement of their property rights. Our demands are as follows: (I) The National Communication Authority (NCA) should immediately withdraw its directive for mobile network customers to re-register their SIM cards by 31st March 2022. (II) When the appropriate legal framework is in place, a re-registration exercise can be done without having subscribers spend productive hours and several days in long queues in the midst of a ravaging Covid-19 pandemic. (II) Theres understandably a need to eliminate crime. But the fight against criminals must be within the law. We therefore demand that the NCA and Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) must come up with a better and innovative way of re-registering the SIM cards by first amending existing law; and, secondly, to do so without the current inhumane re-registration process we are witnessing. If the NCA and the MNOs fail to heed these demands, we shall, starting Tuesday, 8th February 2022 begin the first of a series of planned boycotts until the rights of customers to be treated with dignity are respected. Signed: Mr. Ras Mubarak Prof. Raymond Atuguba Mr. Kofi Bentil Mr. Franklin Cudjoe Mr. Kofi Kakraba Pratt Dr. Kwesi Owusu Mr. James Afedo Mr. Selorm Branttie Mr. Francis Kofi Korankye-Sakyi Mr. Samson Lardy Anyenini Mr. Manasseh Azure Awuni Akyaaba Addai - Sebo Mr. Kwame Mfodwo Ms. Amma Sarfo-Kantanka Mr. Michael Ofori - Akuffo Mr. Kassim Alabani Classfmonline.com/Emmanuel Mensah 13.01.2022 LISTEN The Gyasehene of Dawuriso in the Asante Akyem North District of the Ashanti Region has committed suicide after using a huge sum of money belonging to some Cocoa farmers in the area to bet on the ongoing African Cup of Nations (AFCON 2021). The 76-year-old retired educationist shot himself on Thursday morning, January 13, 2022, in his bedroom after asking his son to prepare him some porridge for breakfast. Reports say the late chief discussed the circumstances surrounding his indebtedness to his colleague cocoa farmers in the district with his family and they promised to help him raise the said amount but failed. According to Class Media Groups correspondent, Nana Amoako Gyampo, the late chief was the treasurer of the cocoa farmers in the Asante Akyem North district and it was suspected that he had collected money amounting to GHS120,000. Nana Amoako Gyampo told Accra 100.5 FMs mid-day news that somebody prevailed on the late chief to bet the money on the ongoing AFCON games to double it and he obliged. It is, however, not clear which team and match the late chief bet to the tune of GHS120,000 on. Nana Amoako explained that the late chief was expected to account for the money by Monday, January 17, 2022. Nana Amoako is further reporting that the late chiefs hopes were dashed on Thursday, 13 January when he could not raise half of the money he had lost through betting, hence the decision to commit suicide ---Classfmonline.com Ernest Shonekan. - Source: Source: British High Commission, AbujaFlickr 13.01.2022 LISTEN Ernest Adegunle Shonekan, who has died at the age of 85, was appointed Nigeria's interim president after the annulment of the June 12, 1993 Presidential elections. He served as Head of State of Nigeria for 83 days from 26 August 1993 to 17 November 1993. Shonekan became an unelected leader of the largest black democracy in the world neither through election nor a coup. The military government of General Ibrahim Babangida appointed him after a bungled transition effort to take the country from military to civilian rule. In 1993 Nigeria had been through a tumultuous 33 years since independence from Britain in 1960 . This included a devastating civil war the Biafran conflict and a series of military coups. The country had also become one of the wealthiest on the continent following the discovery of vast oil reserves in 1956 at Oloibiri in the Niger Delta. Shonekan had made an indelible impression on the then junta, led by Babangida, when he assumed the head of government affairs to supervise a smooth and peaceful electoral transition into a democracy. The world and Nigerians were watching to see whether this democratic transition would succeed. The last that ushered President Shehu Shagari into power in 1979 had been tainted and controversial. Shonekan was the first head of state in Nigeria to be appointed. His predecessors had assumed the post either after an election, or after a coup. Opinions are still divided as to his suitability and justification of his appointment. Some Nigerians argued that he was a man with genuine intentions, citing this as the reason that he agreed to serve as interim leader. Others, however, describe him as a usurper who exploited his closeness with military leaders. Despite these debates, he was nevertheless, in our view, a stabilising factor for the economy and Nigeria's peace. While his time as the head of the Interim National Government was short, he said during his inauguration that he was committed to restoring peace and stability to the country. Political forerunner or stooge? Shonekan was born in Lagos on 9 May 1936, into a family of six children. Although from Abeokuta in south west Nigeria, he lived the early part of his life in Lagos. He had his secondary education at the C.M.S. Grammar School in Lagos before attending the University of London where he earned a Bachelor's degree in Law. Shonekan also attended Harvard Business School. He began his professional career at the United African Company. Originally a British company that traded in West Africa during the 20th century, it was formed in 1929. The company has grown into one of the largest African controlled groups on the continent and is listed on the Nigerian stock exchange as UAC PLC . It's involved in manufacturing, services, logistics and warehousing, agricultural and real estate. Shonekan moved through the ranks of the company to become the chairman and chief executive in 1993. But, in our view, it was neither his professional achievements nor his patriotism that landed him the job as head of state. Rather it was the fact that he came from Abeokuta. It was Shonekan's ethnic background and chieftaincy position that accounted for his appointment. He was viewed as a man who could steer the country away from more internecine conflict. The reason for this was that Abeokuta is also the hometown of Chief Moshood Abiola, who, after the 1993 poll and its annulment by the military, had declared himself the winner. The annulment led to widespread unrest across the country . In particular, tensions mounted in the southwestern part of the country raising fears that Nigeria was headed for another civil war. Shonekan's appointment was a way to show that there was no political marginalisation of the Yoruba people to which he and Abiola belonged. There was, nevertheless, a great deal of scepticism to his appointment. Despite this he forged ahead, meeting with different segments of the country. But Shonekan was unable to exert authority. He was unable to create an excellent democratic transitioning plan, which was the primary purpose of his tenure. This could have been because of distractions like strike actions by labour unions and the persistent protests. There was also a general indifference by citizens towards him and his government. This is because many felt he had no business heading a troubled Nigeria through the decree of a military junta responsible for the same mess he was asked to clear. His attempts to lobby for debt cancellation were rebuffed by Western countries because of the elections annulment. Shonekan's timetable for troops' withdrawal from the Economic Community of West African States Monitoring Group was also jettisoned as he was not in full control of the armed forces. He was truly a lame duck leader and difficult to remember him for any notable achievement in office. It must be said that this was due in large part to the fact that the government he ran was powerless. So powerless in fact that he was ousted easily by General Sani Abacha, the defence minister. There were no protests or murmurs anywhere. Life after interim government After his ouster, with other business people he started the Nigerian Economic Summit Group in 1993. It was conceived as a platform for bringing together private sector leaders and senior public sector officials to discuss and dialogue on the future of the Nigerian Economy. It holds a yearly summit which provides government and private sector an opportunity to review the progress made in economic reform efforts. The summits also deliberate on practical ways to manage issues which may have constrained effective policy implementation. The 27th edition of the summit was held in 2021. It is fitting that his enduring legacy is in the business world and not the political arena where he remains a footnote in Nigeria's history. The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment. By Olaniyi Ayodele, Assistant Lecturer, Covenant University And Kester Onor, Lecturer, Department of Political Science and International Relations, Covenant University Officials from the National Ambulance Service have paid official visit to the husband of the young lady who died under bizarre circumstances a few hours after delivery in Takoradi. The visit by the officials, led by Dr. Tawiah Siameh, the regional head of Service, was aimed at commiserating with the bereaved family. Connect FM's sources from Shama, where the widower has been living with his wife until the sad incident, indicate about four personnel of the Service visited the house. The source further indicates the personnel after expressing condolences to the affected husband, pleaded for the issue to be settled amicably. They also offered to support the husband in organizing a befitting burial for his late wife. The team, however, implored him not to solely blame the Ambulance Service for the death of his wife with a promise that all the necessary investigations will be conducted into the case to ensure anyone found culpable is punished. The family of the widower, as reported, indicated they will revert after meeting over the issue. Husband of the deceased John Obiri Yeboah had taken on the Service after the death of his wife. He blames officials of the Service for exhibiting unprofessionalism whilst discharging their duties, leading to the death of his wife. He has also accused them of demanding an amount of GH600 from him to buy fuel, a situation that delayed the transportation of his wife from the Holy Child Hospital in Takoradi to the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra. But Head of Public Relations at the National Ambulance Service , Simmons Youssif Kewura, has since denied the allegations and indicated that the hospital must rather be blamed for the death of the lady. He was speaking to Omanbapa morning show host Paa Kwesi Simpson on Monday, January 10. Therefore, the visit by the Service on Wednesday comes as a surprise. In the meantime, authorities of the Holy Child Hospital have asked for more time as management puts together an official statement on their position on the entire issue. ---3news.com Mahdi Gibril, a Communication team member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has said public basic education is confronted with many challenges. Mahdi Gibril indicated that parents do not know exactly when public basic schools will even reopen whereas private basic schools have reopened on Monday, January 10, 2022. 44,000 teachers out of 284,000 Basic school teachers left the teaching profession in 2021 alone. This is 15%, the highest in 20 years. Why did they walk away from the classroom, and how soon will they be replaced? Mahdi Gibril exclusively told Kwaku Dawuroon Anopa Nkomo on Accra-based Kingdom FM 107.7 He continued Capitation Grant is in arrears for Four Tranches (2 each for 2019/2020 & 2020/2021 academic years). And because of this, Heads borrowed in order to keep the schools running because thats the only source of income for Basic schools. When will the arrears be paid? Mahdi Gibril added that there are no textbooks in the public basic schools two years after the implementation of the new Standards-Based, yet we claim to be implementing a standard-based curriculum? But the spokesperson for the Ministry of Education, Mr. Kwesi Kwarteng has revealed that government is working to set a date for the re-opening of basic schools, across the country. Mr. Kwarteng refuted claims that the absence of an academic calendar can jeopardise the studies of pupils in basic schools across the country. According to him, the Ministry of Education is working to resolve the current challenge. The Executive Director of the Ayire Clinic and a Senior Paediatric resident, Dr. Gillian Bogee says the private sector plays a key role in delivering sexual and reproductive health services. Dr. Bogee indicated that the role of the private sector in improving maternal and newborn health in achieving the Universal Health Coverage and the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) goal 3 cannot be overemphasized. She noted that the private sector contributes immensely to improving sexual and reproductive health services of the nations through the provision of family planning services for women of reproductive ages. In line with this, Dr. Bogee indicated that there has been considerable progress in lowering the maternal mortality rate in Ghana over the past 25 years. However, there is still much progress left to make, saying, the country still experiences an alarming rate of 308 deaths per 100,000 (2017), whereas the global rate stands at 211 deaths per 100,000. She said this in an interview with Modenghana News on the sidelines of the inauguration of the Ayire Clinic in Bongo-Soe. According to Ghana Health Service, a total number of 875 maternal deaths in 2018 and 838 in 2019. This figure further decreased to 776 in 2020 despite the increase in total deliveries while institutional maternal mortality ratio reduced from 117 in 2019 to 106 in 2020, amidst the COVID-19 pandemic and all its associated impact. She added that Neonatal Mortality Rate is 25 per 1000 live births making up 68% of infant mortality and 48% of under-five mortality. Antenatal clinic attendance (at least 4 visits) is 89% with a skilled attendance at birth being 79%. A board member from the United States of America, Jeffrey Scott Witty said the facility is a hospital complex that will solve the problem of highly trained professionals refusing to postings to the five northern Regions. When completed he stated, it will feature medical school and training programs, giving the opportunities and education for the local communities, bringing home Ghanaians professionals abroad. Another Executive Director of the Ayire Clinic also resident in the US expressed joy and readiness to support the facility to deliver health care services to the rural communities. She said, Im also contributing my quota towards helping to improving quality health care and providing wellbeing for all at all ages, in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3. According to her, she is certain, that the facility will go a long way to help save lives and improve the livelihood of the people in the community as well. A year ago, we welcomed 2021 with a sense of cautious optimism when the newly developed vaccines promised a shift in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. The focus turned towards building back better and doing things differently as many countries started to rethink and rebuild their shattered economies. For African countries, however, the pandemic exposed the stark realities of global inequality. These countries scrambled to buttress their shattered food systems; they lacked industries to shift production to life-saving personal protection equipment even as young Africans were left out of schools because of lack of access to electricity and the internet, which made the shift to virtual learning almost impossible. The pandemic revealed how Africa, despite its best efforts, was unprepared for some of the pressing emergencies of our times, be it the pandemic or the looming threat of climate change. The UN Office of the Special Adviser Africa is advocating for Africa to transition into 2022 with a sense of utmost urgency in building the continents resilience. We firmly believe that the foundational building blocks to this resilience lie in Africans access to reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy. For over a decade, the United Nations has touted energy as The golden thread that connects economic growth, social equity, and environmental sustainability to achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Energy is the key to unlocking Africas future envisioned in the African Unions Agenda 2063. Whether it is for economic transformation, ensuring food security, digitalizing education, revolutionizing health systems, building manufacturing and industrialization capacities, or sustaining peace by creating quality jobs and delivering services, no country in the world has achieved these ambitions without abundant and affordable access to energy. Access to energy will make or break the continents effort to tackle climate change effects, including adverse weather events, water scarcity and significant threats to livelihoods. However, Africans are getting the short end of the stick in the global race to combat climate change when it comes to energy. First, the promised financing to invest in reliable energy systems and adaptation is trickling very slowly to where it is needed most. Second, Africa could be handicapped if the global-level policies designed to limit greenhouse gas emissions and the proposed timelines toward net-zero emissions do not take the continents unique and nuanced circumstances into account. Looking ahead at what 2022 holds for Africas quest for equitable energy access, it would be remiss not to reflect on three major events that took place in 2021 namely, the High-Level Dialogue on Energy (HLDE), the Food Systems Summit and the UN Climate Change Conference (COP 26). Among other factors, energy remains vital to the full implementation of promises made at these events. In the roadmap that ensued after the HLDE, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres set a target date of 2025 to ensure 500 million more people gain access to electricity and 1 billion more people gain access to clean cooking solutions. The Food Systems Summit called for a transformation in global food systems in ways that contribute to peoples nutrition, health and well-being, restore and protect nature, are climate neutral, adapted to local circumstances, and provide decent jobs and inclusive economies. The COP 26 outcome document calls for bold and strengthened goals by countries to reduce emissions through more ambitious Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) for COP 27. What do these mean for African countries? These ambitious proposals require massive investments in capacity building, infrastructure development and regulations. Indeed, the amounts needed are much more than anything currently on the table. While significant financial pledges have been made at these summits, African countries are wary of them being fulfilled, and rightfully so. Developed countries are still progressing towards delivering the $100 billion by 2020 climate finance goal (a broken promise) and now hope to reach it by 2023. Added to previous failed promises, trust has further been eroded with a significantly varied and unequal pace of recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic evidenced, for example, in the mismatch between promised COVID-19 vaccine distribution pledges versus what has been delivered for African countries. There are increasing calls for the private sector to fill these financing gaps. However, the private sector inherently operates on a profit-making model that differs from the public good model expected of the public sector. It requires tailored incentives, foolproof technologies that can guarantee certain profit margins, and risk minimization models for the sector to come in at a large enough scale. In addition, the nuanced approach and extended timelines needed for Africa to achieve a balanced energy mix are getting lost in the shuffle. African countries should not be confined to limited options or cornered into untenable paths to energy access, especially with the call for public finance institutions to stop international support for the unabated fossil fuel energy sector in 2022. The stakes are high for Africa to get it right, hence this urgent call to action towards building the continents energy systems. Energy presents a compelling multiplier effect for Africas renaissance. It is the cornerstone to ensuring food security by improving efficiency in food production, storage, transportation, and job creation through value addition. Reductions in post-harvest losses, combined with improved cooking solutions, would have an added benefit of minimizing deforestation. Africas industrial revolution and achieving the African Continental Free Trade Areas potential hinge on access to reliable, affordable, and adequate energy. Finally, energy access is among the major building blocks to deliver services, adapt to climate risks and provide sustainable livelihoods, ensuring the continents peace, security and development for the next generation. As we prepare for COP 27, we cannot be complacent. We must jointly advocate for Africas equitable future through a balanced energy mix and realistic timelines. We owe it to all Africanspast, present and futureto move beyond negotiating for the bare minimum. Ms. Bitsat Yohannes-Kassahun is a Programme Management Officer at OSAA Excerpt We owe it to all Africanspast, present and futureto move beyond negotiating for the bare minimum. 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 Godsway Ablorde, age 27, a female restaurant worker at Woe near Angloga in the Volta Region, is in custody of the Angloga District Police for the alleged murder of Ami Ablorde, her colleague at the restaurant. Godsway was arrested with the help of community members after attempting to commit suicide moments after she allegedly set the deceased ablaze, leading to her death. A release from the Volta Regional Police Command, signed by DSP Effia Tenge, and issued to the Ghana News Agency, said preliminary investigations revealed that both suspect and deceased were workers at the restaurant but the management relieved Godsway of her duties. It said Godsway had the suspicion that her rejection from the restaurant was orchestrated by Ami and warned management to also sack her. The release said on January 11, 2022, at about 2000 hours, Godsway, armed with a gallon of petrol mixed with diesel, and a box of matches, allegedly went to the restaurant and poured the mixture on Ami and lighted the match. Ami, who was then alone at the facility, struggled for her life until some good Samaritans rushed her to the Keta Government Hospital for medical attention, but she died the next morning at about 0700 hours. The suspect was arraigned before the Anloga Magistrate's Court on Thursday and subsequently remanded to reappear on February 24, 2022, while investigation continues. GNA A nine-year-old boy, Nicholas Ofori, has been burnt to death in a fire outbreak at Adansi Bompoase in the Adansi North District of the Ashanti Region. The victim, according to firefighters, was mentally challenged and had been locked up in the room by his mother who had gone out. The Regional Public Relations Officer of the Ghana National Fire Service, DOIII Peter Addai, told Class News' Elisha Adarkwah that they received a distress call about the inferno around 3:26 pm on Wednesday, 13 January 2022. He said all the access points to the rooms were locked when they got to the scene, and, therefore, had to break into the house to extinguish the blaze. He said all the items in the four-bedroom house were also burnt to ashes. The cause of the fire, he said, is not yet known but they have commenced investigations into the disaster. ---Classfmonline.com Sudanese anti-coup protesters stabbed to death a police general on Thursday, authorities said, and a protester was killed during the latest in weeks of rallies opposed to an October military coup. Brigadier General Ali Bareema Hamad "fell martyr while doing his duties and securing protests" in the capital Khartoum, a police statement said on Facebook. Hamad "received deadly stabs by groups of protesters... in different parts of his body," police spokesman Idris Abdalla Idris told Sudan TV. Other police personnel "suffered severe wounds," he added. Hamad's was the first fatality announced among security forces since protests calling for a return to civilian rule began more than two months ago. During that time at least 64 other people have been killed and hundreds wounded in a security crackdown, according to medics, who said live rounds killed many of the protesters. The latest protester death also came Thursday. Security forces shot Al-Reeh Mohammad in the stomach in the Khartoum area, the pro-democracy Central Committee of Sudan Doctors said on Facebook. Thousands of demonstrators took to the streets after a United Nations bid to facilitate talks between Sudanese groups received tepid support. The UN push aims to help resolve the crisis since the October 25 military coup led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan. Sudan has no government, foreign aid has been suspended, and regular demonstrations against the coup -- attended by up to tens of thousands -- are routinely met by a violent response from authorities. Demonstrators also took to the streets in the capital's twin city of Omdurman as well as in Port Sudan in the country's east, according to witnesses. Map of the Sudanese capital of Khartoum.. By AFP Protesters in Khartoum converged on the city centre chanting: "With all our power, we are heading to the palace". Others hollered: "Burhan is dirty, brought to (power) by the Islamists," who were dominant under the three-decade rule of strongman Omar al-Bashir. He was ousted by his own military in April 2019 after months of mass protests. Following a repeated pattern, security forces fired volleys of tear gas to disperse the protesters in Khartoum and Omdurman, witnesses said. Online footage appeared to show demonstrators hurling stones and unexploded canisters of tear gas at security forces near the presidential palace. The military takeover derailed a fragile transition to civilian rule following Bashir's ouster. Authorities have repeatedly denied using live ammunition in confronting protesters and insist scores of security personnel have been wounded during demonstrations that have often "deviated from peacefulness". 'Not clear' On Monday, UN special representative Volker Perthes said he was launching "consultations" with political and social actors as well as armed and civil society groups. The UN push has received a mixed response. "We don't accept this initiative at all," 62-year-old protester Awad Saleh said. Demonstrations which converged from several parts of Khartoum came as the United Nations bid to facilitate talks between Sudanese factions. By - AFP "It's not clear what points it constitutes and so for us it is deficient." The Sudanese Professionals Association, an independent trade union confederation instrumental in organising the protests, said it completely rejects the UN initiative. The mainstream faction of the Forces for Freedom and Change, the leading civilian pro-democracy group, said it will "discuss" the invitation internally before announcing its stand. But spokesman Wagdy Saleh said the FFC rejected "any partnership" with the military. The ruling Sovereign Council -- formed by Burhan following the coup with himself as chairman -- has welcomed the proposed talks, as have the United States, Britain, the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Egypt. On Wednesday, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi called for stability in Sudan saying it "will not be reached except by consensus among all forces". Burhan has insisted that the military takeover "was not a coup" but only meant to "rectify the course of the Sudanese transition. Abdalla Hamdok resigned as civilian prime minister on January 2, only six weeks after being reinstated following his house arrest in the wake of the coup. In his resignation speech, Hamdok warned that Sudan was now at a "dangerous crossroads threatening its very survival". Government and the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) are to engage further to resolve the industrial action embarked upon by the Association. Members of UTAG started a nationwide indefinite strike on Monday January 10, to demand better conditions of service. The National Labour Commission (NLC) on Thursday met with Government officials and the National Executive Members of UTAG to resolve the impasse. Briefing journalists after the two-hour meeting, Dr Solomon Nunoo, the National President of UTAG, said the NLC advised the Association to sit down with the employer and "talk a little more." He said the NLC held the opinion that the industrial action was illegal, but the Association argued otherwise. He said the Association would meet its constituents on the way forward. Dr Nunoo was, however, silent on whether or not UTAG would call off the industrial action after meeting the NLC. They (NLC) believe that the concerns we raised are legal, we have a case. But they believe that we should sit with our employer and talk a little more, he said. When asked if the NLC issued a roadmap to guide its negotiations with the Government, Dr Niunoo said: I haven't seen any roadmap. What they have said is that we should meet again so we will meet again, he said. Mr Ignatius Baffuor Awuah, Minister of Employment and Labour Relations, told journalists after the meeting that the Government would act on the guidelines issued by the NLC to resolve the impasse. He, however, did not indicate what constituted the guidelines or the next line of action of the Government. The Commission has advised us on the way forward so we will revert, he said. The NLC also met with executives members of the Colleges of Education Teachers Association of Ghana (CETAG) over their industrial action, which started on Thursday, January 6, 2022. The strike was declared after an emergency meeting by the CETAG National Council over the failure of Government to implement the conditions of service agreed upon between 2017 and 2020. Mr Bright Wireko-Brobby, Deputy Minister of Employment and Labour Relations, told journalists after the meeting that the NLC had directed CETAG to call off the industrial action immediately. He said the Government had agreed to pay all allowances due members of CETAG, and expressed confidence that the Association would comply with the NLC directive. We have assured them that whatever allowances due them, because they have been captured in the 2022 Budget, January they are going to be paid. Therefore, the Commission has directed that they go and call off the strike immediately, he said. The Executive members of CETAG, however, declined to talk to the media after the meeting. In a press statement issued on Saturday, January 8, 2022, UTAG said the indefinite strike was necessitated by Government's failure to address the worsening conditions of service of lecturers. It said the Government also flouted the agreed timelines to address their concerns. The statement called on the Government to, as a matter of urgency, restore members to the 2013 Interim Market Premium of 114 per cent of Basic Salary in the interim. It also urged the Government to formulate guidelines to implement the appropriate recommendations to address the conditions of service of the university teacher. GNA Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia Thursday launched the commercial operations of the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) with a charge on African central bank governors to connect their national payment switches to PAPSS. PAPSS is a cross-border financial market infrastructure, instantly connecting payment transactions across Africa. Its implementation is expected to save Africa five billion dollars in transaction costs annually. It is designed to enable leading-edge technology African banks, payment service providers and other financial market infrastructure to make instant and secure payments between African countries. The system was designed and facilitated by the Africa Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), the African Union Commission and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat as well as Africa Central Banks. It allows for instant payments by both originators and recipients to transfer and receive cash in their local currencies anywhere in Africa. Vice President Bawumia, delivering the keynote address at the launch of PAPSS in Accra on the theme: "Connecting Payments, Accelerating Africa's Trade," said the successful implementation of PAPSS would enhance intra-African trade and ensure an efficient and transparent payment system. It would simplify the historical complexities and costs of making payments across Africa's borders and provide operational efficiencies that open up vast economic opportunities for African economies. The event attracted high profile personalities including the former President of Niger and AfCFTA Champion, President Mahamadou Issoufou, Olusegun Obasanjo, former President of Nigeria and Chairman of the Intra-African Trade Fair Advisory Council, and Mr Wamkele Mene, the Secretary-General of AfCFTA. Others were Mr Mike Ogbalu, the Chief Executive Officer of PAPSS, Professor Benedict Oramah, the President of Afreximbank, representatives of the President of African Union and heads of state, CEOs of banks and governors of African central banks, and captains of industry. Vice President Bawumia said PAPSS was expected to benefit all stakeholders from governments, banks and payment providers to the end customers, corporates, small enterprises and individuals. The speed, simplicity and security of the PAPSS process would greatly improve the capabilities of the participating countries, increasing access to new African markets with less costly foreign exchange complications. The Vice President said 55 African countries had 42 currencies and four exchange rate systems, characterised by lack of currency convertibility and ill-liquidity, which often discouraged intra-African trade. The African Union's annual trade report for 2020 indicates an average of 13 per cent intra-Africa import and 20 per cent intra-Africa export over the past seven years. Vice President Bawumia expressed the belief that with the rolling out of PAPSS, governments and African central banks would witness less pressure on foreign exchange liquidity and greater transparency of cross-border transactions. They would also experience an increase in potential to generate revenue as well as ease in customers' burden and enhanced trade facilitation. "As you are all aware, the underlying motive behind our integration scheme is the expectation that, through collaborative efforts, participating countries in the integration programmes would generate maximum socio-economic benefits for their citizens in the sub-region, he said. "Regional integration, undoubtedly, is an efficient tool for overcoming the constraints imposed by the nature and size of individual national markets." He observed that if the production of goods and services were carried out in an enlarged regional economic space, there was a greater chance of achieving substantial economic benefits. Over the years, there had been tremendous emphasis by the Africa central banks to develop domestic payments systems such as Real-Time Gross Settlement, Automated Clearing House, Securities Settlement System, Automated Check Processing System and a National Switch. However, he said, there was less focus on cross-border or intra-African payments. Notwithstanding their significance, the intra-African payments faced various challenges, including cost, access, speed and transparency. "On a related note, we have also witnessed the negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the economies across the globe and more especially on the African economies, Vice President Bawumia said. "The pandemic continues to reverse some of the economic gains we have achieved and also brought to the fore sustainability of some of these interventions. "Trade has also been impacted through disruption to supply chains of imports and exports of goods and services. The good news, however, is that we have seen increased consumer preference for digital payments, which we have to sustain for intra-African trade." Dr Bawumia said the AfCFTA had been given the mandate of promoting intra-regional trade and boosting industrialisation drive and productivity. The fulfilment of which required the support of all African central banks as supervisors of the payment systems to ensure seamless transfer of funds across the continent. "It is in this regard that I applaud the AfCFTA and Afreximbank for initiating the pan-African payment and settlement (PAPSS), he said. "And I am sure you will agree with me that with the launch of the PAPSS, the building blocks of the AfCFTA are progressively falling into place." During the 12th Extraordinary Summit of the Assembly of the African Union on July 7, 2019, in Niamey, Niger the African Union adopted PAPSS as one of its operating instruments of the AfCFTA to boost intra-African trade, stimulate industrialisation and promote sustainable and inclusive economic growth in Africa. GNA The Social Democracy and Development Dialogue Forum Africa (SDDDF-Africa) is calling for immediate end to the ongoing SIM re-registration exercise. The group claim it is illegal. The Ministry of Communication is spearheading the re-registration of all SIM cards in the country as part of efforts to clamp down on fraud. Four months into the exercise which is expected to last for six months, SDDDF-Africa has released a statement asking the National Communication Authority (NCA) and Ministry of Communications to halt it. SDDDF-Africa wishes to urge the National Communication Authority (NCA) and Ministry of Communications to immediately halt the illegal exercise of Mobile Telecom Companies creating another biometric database or national identity register, part of a release from the group has said. SDDDF-Africa argues that the current biometric registration exercise being undertaken by Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, does not only poses a major health risk but runs contrary to the law that establishes the National Identity Register (ACT 750) and a complete waste of public and individuals' scarce resources - time; money; energy etc as well as endangering the safety of the biometric data of Ghanaians. SDDDF-Africa stresses that after this release, the leadership of NCA and the Ministry in charge of Communication will suffice to immediately halt the sheer wastage of scarce resources and to end the needless misery that Ghanaians are being subjected to at the premises of the Telecom companies. Read the full release from SDDDF-Africa below: For Immediate Release January 12, 2022 HALT THE NEW BIOMETRIC SIM REGISTRATION BY MOBILE TELECOM COMPANIES SDDDF-Africa wishes to urge the National Communication Authority (NCA) and Ministry of Communications to immediately halt the illegal exercise of Mobile Telecom Companies creating another biometric database or national identity register. The mandate to establish a national biometric register or database is the sole preserve of the National Identification Authority (Authority). Section 2 subsection (1), (2) and (3) of the National Identity Register Act 2008 (ACT 750) which specifically mandates NIA to create the register reads: 2. Establishment of National Identity Register 2 (1) There is established by this Act a register of individuals known as the National Identity Register. 2 (2) The Register shall be maintained as an electronic database. 2 (3) The purpose for which the Register is to be maintained is confined to matters of public interest. Again, for emphasis, this current biometric registration exercise being undertaken by Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, not only poses a major health risk but runs contrary to the law that establishes the National Identity Register (ACT 750) and a complete waste of public and individuals' scarce resources - time; money; energy etc as well as endangering the safety of the biometric data of Ghanaians. Fact is, any one with a mobile phone and a bearer of the Ghana Card already has his biometrics captured by NIA and stored in the Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS). It is also important to note that NIA has the capacity to generate data of all customers of the various Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) for identity verification and authentication purposes because the mobile phone numbers are linked to Ghana Card PIN, linked to Biometric Data, linked to Ghana Post GPS etc and so far NIA has collected over 16million phone numbers which any USER Agency in need of can easily rely upon. It is the expectation of SDDDF-Africa that leadership will suffice to immediately halt the sheer wastage of scarce resources and to end the needless misery that Ghanaians are being subjected to at the premises of the Telecom companies. "The purpose for which the Register is to be maintained is confined to matters of public interest", section 2 (3) of ACT 750 states (emphasis). God bless our homeland Ghana. And make our Nation great and strong. Lead Advocates Desmond Twumasi Ntow 024 437 3873 Yaw Asani Tano 024 403 3693 Koku Mawuli Nanegbe 0243388488 Ningo Prampram MP Hon. Samuel Nartey George 13.01.2022 LISTEN Outspoken Member of Parliament (MP) for Ningo Prampram Constituency, Mr. Samuel Nartey George has been named by FAKS Investigative Services as the overall best parliamentarian for 2021. Samuel Nartey George from the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) became the toast of many when he and seven other MPs championed a private members bill to ban LGBT+ advocacy in Ghana. The Ningo Prampram lawmaker who took the fight to anyone who crosses his path did not even spare the outgone Australian Ambassador to Ghana Gregory Andrews. Sam Nartey George warned the Australian High Commissioner to Ghana to desist from trying to impose ideas of homosexuality on Ghanaians. In an interview on Starr Chat, an angry Sam George said: I warned him that Ill beat him in this town. The height of his aggressive crusade was when some 15 renowned legal, academic and civil society professionals filled a memorandum challenging the anti-gay legislation submitted to Parliament. In the memorandum, they contend that the Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill 2021, which seeks to criminalise LGBTQ+ and adjacent activities, is an impermissible invasion of the inviolability of human dignity. Among the signatories to the memo are Professor Kofi Gyimah-Boadi, Dr. Rose Kutin-Mensah, Professor H. Kwasi Prempeh, Professor Audrey Gadzekpo, Professor Kwame KariKari, Akoto Ampaw and Professor Raymond Atuguba. The leader of the group, Lawyer Akoto Ampaw accused Sam George and other proponents of the anti-gay bill of adopting old tricks by making baseless accusations against person who have raised concerns against that bill. In knee jerk reaction, Sam George describes the group including Akoto Ampaw and Prof Kwame Karikari as hypocrites following their submission on the bill. Sam George said if he is asked to score Professor Karikari on his submission, he would give him an F. The award The Investigative Services annually releases a compilation of the best Ministers, MPs, and Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of the various public institutions. After a survey for the 2021 edition conducted between October and December last year, FAKS has issued a release announcing the winners of the 10th edition. In the release, Sam George has been named as the Overall Best MP. While Efutu Constituency Member of Parliament Mr. Alexander Kwamina Afenyo-Markin is named the Best Majority MP, Mr. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa receives the recognition for the Minority side. Meanwhile, Shai-Osudoku Constituency Member of Parliament Mrs Linda Ohenewaa Akweley Ocloo is named the Best Female MP for 2021. According to FAKS, the survey focused on opinions from the public, assessment from the ministries, agencies and as well as information from the Regional Coordinating Councils (RCCs). The public contributed largely to the outcome of the survey, especially concerning the Ministers, Deputy Ministers, Regional Ministers and the CEOs of State Institutions. FAKS Investigative Services team is made up of researchers, media practitioners and academia that do the assessment based on the outcome of the findings they received. The survey took place between the months of October and December, 2021 and it was the 10th Edition since FAKS started this project. Respondents for the survey were journalists, students, traders in general, traditional rulers, teachers, business owners, civil society organizations (CSOs), drivers, academia and others. Download full document here The Ministry of Information has commended the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, for his instrumental role in ensuring the success of the maiden Media Capacity Enhancement Programme held in Kumasi. Mr Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, the Minister, said the King's decision to graciously accept an invitation to open the Programme, and the insightful speech delivered, set the tone for an impactful four-day event. We, on behalf of our colleagues, would like to say a big thank you, the Minister said, when he addressed a get-together at the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi at the end of the training. The Palace organised the soiree for the participants, selected from the various media organisations across the country. The training, organised under the auspices of the Ministry of Information, was on the theme: Equipping the Media to Play an Effective Role in our Nation Building. It discussed topics encompassing 'Ethics and the Journalism Mission', 'Media as a Tool for Socio-Economic Development and Nation Building', and 'Media Law/Law and the Journalism Practice'. The participants were also taught 'Digital Media and Online Journalism', 'Impact Journalism', as well as 'Investigative Journalism,' which looked at how a journalist can expose immoral, illegal and unethical deeds of organisations and individuals. Mr Oppong Nkrumah said government would continue to create the needed platform to build the knowledge base of Ghanaian journalists as they sought to play varied critical roles to advance the nation's development aspirations. Otumfuo Osei Tutu, during the opening ceremony, said improving the capacity of the media would contribute to professional enhancement and diminish the sources of concern about some of their works. The media will be doing a great service to the nation, and indeed to humanity, if they can create an environment which encourages consensus-building to help lower the causes of tension within the body politic, he said. The National Media Commission, Ghana Journalists Association, Ghana Independent Broadcasters Association, Private Newspaper Publishers Association of Ghana, and Institute of Public Relations-Ghana were present to give solidarity messages. GNA Mr Lamtiig Apanga, the Defense Counsel for the only female accused of high treason together with nine others, on Thursday, January 13 told a witness in the matter that the voice labelled as that of a female is not his client's. He challenged Mr Isaac Osei, the Prosecution witness from the Ghana Institute of Languages (GIL), who together with his team transcribed and translated the audios and videos, that; Your conclusion that a voice in audio labelled as June 22, 2018, is a female voice is your conjecture and not something you have verified. Do you know that people can mimic other people's voices, the lawyer continued but Mr Osei said: You are saying so..we did it to the best of our ability. Mr Lamtiig also said the witness did not see the video of that audio in order to identify the female he claimed spoke, and he (Mr Osei) admitted that he did not see the person who spoke in the audio. Defense Counsel insisted that the translator/ transcriber was not a voice expert, therefore, he was not in the position to identify the voice. Yes, we did not know the persons but ascribed numbers to voices as they spoke, Mr Osei explained to the High Court, presided over by a three-member panel of judges. Mr Osei also told the Court that later Staff Sergeant Sule Awarf, the star prosecution witness, who did the recordings, assisted in identifying some of the persons in it. Counsel again accused the witness of his failure to record the exact words in other languages and translated same, which had rendered the transcription unreliable, but the witness said one typo error did not render the whole work unreliable. Mr Anthony Lartey, Defense Counsel for Johannes Zipki, told the witness that in transcribing he modified the audios and videos by adding his own words. Witness, however, answered that he and his team were guided by professional ethics in handling documents of such nature. The names you attributed were just the names that Awarf Sule later gave you, he told Mr Osei, who responded that Not partly so because though Awarf provided some names of persons involved, some names naturally came up and we used understanding of when the names came up to ascribe those speaking . Warrant Officer Esther Saan, alias Maa Gee, and Zipki are standing trial with Dr Frederick Yao Mac Palm, Donyo Kafui, Bright Alan Debrah, alias BB, and Colonel Samuel Gameli, for varied offences including conspiracy, possession of weapons, high treason and abetment. The others are Corporal Seidu Abubakar, Airforce Corporal Ali Solomon, Corporal Sylvester Akanpew and Assistant Commissioner of Police Dr Benjamin Kwasi Agordzo. All 10 have been granted bail. GNA The body was found by police in a forest in the Nuwara Eliya district this morning Uditha Sandaruwan, a well known businessman in Negombo, has hanged himself after accusing the Archbishop of Colombo, His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith, and other Catholic priests. He was the owner of Uditha Motors and Enterprises and his wife died in the 2019 Easter attack. His body was found by police in a forest in the Nuwara Eliya district this morning. Shocking images related to this death including the note allegedly written by the victim are being shared on social media. According to social media reports, a group of Catholic priests, including Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith, vehemently opposed his request for permission to return to normalcy a year after his spouse's death. Accordingly, investigators are focusing on details whether the behaviour of the accused group led by His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith who is deliberately politicizing the Easter bombings of Islamic fanatics in a very low-key manner led to this man's suicide. We had mentioned in Wednesdays closing report that Nifty and Sensex head higher. On Thursday, the indices opened higher and ended with gain. On the National Stock Exchange (NSE), 1,077 stocks advanced, 956 declined, and 52 remained unchanged with advance decline ratio of 1.13. The trend of the major indices on Thursdays trading are given in the table below: TCSs Q3FY21-22 net sales were up by 16.35% to Rs 48,885 crore and the net profit was up by 12.27% to Rs 8,701 crore on a y-o-y basis. Mindtrees Q3FY21-22 revenue increased by 6.3% to Rs 2750 crore and net profit was up by 9.7% on a q-o-q basis. Reliance Industries (RIL) has signed an MoU (memorandum of understanding) with Gujarat government to invest Rs 5.95 lakh crore in green energy and other projects in Gujarat. AB Moneys Q3FY21-22 revenue increased by 23.5% to Rs60.3 crore and net profit was up by 53.6% on a y-o-y basis. The stock closed 5% higher. Vishal Fabrics stock closed 12% higher after announcement of result date. The board of directors will consider and approve Q3FY21-22 results on 27 January. TVS Motors has partnered with Swiggy to provide electric vehicles for delivery services. Pricol closed 8% higher after rating agency ICRA reaffirmed its stable outlook. Wipro closed 6% down after announcing Q3FY21-22 results which were below estimates. Tata Motors global wholesales were up by 2% at 2,85,445 on a y-o-y basis in Q3FY21-22. 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: Last week, I wrote about how the governments refusal to listen to stakeholders often led to serious embarrassment to itself. Two developments this week hold out hope that the government maybe beginning to listen, instead of being guided by selective data and wrong advice from its bureaucrats. Read: Tax Torture Season 2 . First, it appears to have heard the appeals from chartered accountants (CAs) and has extended the time for corporate tax filing. Moneylife published a detailed piece by CA Ameet Patel explaining the torture unleashed by the faulty new portal and punitive regulation Second, it finally realised that reducing mobile telephone services to a duopoly was not in public interest and has taken a concrete step towards giving VI (Vodafone Idea) and Tata Teleservices a chance to survive, by converting their dues to equity. But there is no cause to celebrate yet. If anything, there is increasing evidence of how this NDA (National Democratic Alliance) government, which projects itself as strong and action-oriented, has given unbridled power to bureaucrats and regulators, without oversight or accountability for their actions. Consequently, it is the government that is seen as reckless and uninformed. Let me elaborate with three examples. 1. UPI Frauds Last week, The Ken wrote a long piece about how The UPI frauds undermining Indias payments fairytale . While the ease of payments offered by UPI (Unified Payments Interface) has been celebrated as a fintech success at a global level, the article talks about the high level of fraud because confidence tricksters find it exceedingly easy to defraud people using UPI. More shocking is the revelation that payments companies have no institutional mechanism to help them go after fraudsters. Only banks are mandated to report frauds, not payments apps. Theres no infrastructure through which they can share data on phone numbers tied to scams either. Nor is there a central pool of information. While companies inform NPCI (National Payments Corporation of India) about new scams, they dont share data about scamsters with each other The article goes on to say that victims first approach banks when they are defrauded but banks are reluctant to pursue it further UPI frauds have been around for at least four to five years and are, perhaps, growing in tandem with its explosive growth. So why do we still lack a proper mechanism for reporting fraud and ensuring that people get back their money? Why is it left to the police who do not even have adequate infrastructure to deal with digital fraud? A senior official, with long experience in technology and investigation, tells me, Like most other areas of innovation, risk management comes as an afterthought. The ability to raise a dispute should have been a part of the platform itself. Card payment systems have had such mechanisms for several years. Since UPIs interface is exclusively electronic, it would have been easy to build such a feature. The UPI system architects probably did not prioritise this. NCPI could have set up an industry-level coordination mechanism to connect all the stakeholders; but they are, probably, busy with the growth of the platform, to worry about this, he adds. Well, NPCI is a not-for-profit entity, not a regulator. The buck stops with its parent, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), and the finance ministry. When is the last time they have engaged with stakeholders? The government is so busy celebrating UPIs success that any talk about rising frauds is dismissed as criticism and negativity, or the victims are blamed for their ignorance. The biggest victims of UPI frauds are senior citizens and economically weak Indians who have little chance of being heard by policy-makers. This is true of the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) as well. While the Aadhaar card is mandatory for a variety of transactions and interactions with government, it continues to have a very poor redress mechanism and updation or verification can be instant or take up to 90 days. This is also true of the still-glitchy MCA21, the statutory reporting portal of the ministry of corporate affairs (both being constructed and run by Infosys Ltd). According to a company secretary, while the portal has a ticket system to flag problems, we get idiotic response when we lodge complaints and writing to senior bureaucrats gets no response at all. The unwillingness to listen to feedback actually allows bureaucrats, policy-makers and regulators to misguide the government with selective data/information and unleash reckless action, or ill-conceived policies that create the image of a ruthless government. Consider how dangerous this can get. 2. Yes Banks AT1 Bonds In March 2020, when private banks joined State Bank of India (SBI) in a public-private bailout of Yes Bank, what was an innovative new move actually left a bitter taste for two reasons. First, RBI stubbornly refused to permit global funds to participate in the rescue; secondly, losses inflicted by the sudden decision to write off AT1 (additional tier-1) or special tier bonds against the pleas by the entire banking system. We had believed that someone at RBI was responsible for the decision that inflicted a crippling loss of Rs8,400 crore on thousands of hapless peoplemainly senior citizens and investors of two mutual funds. On 19 March 2020, I had written, The decision to write down the bonds was not even in the gazette notification of 13th March (see image below), nor was it a part of RBIs reconstruction announcement. ( Yes Bank Is Reconstructed, but Is a Big Turnaround Likely? ) Last week, a report by The Mint newspaper added another twist to this dubious saga. It says that a response to a Right to Information (RTI) filing, the finance ministry has indicated that the RBI was not originally in favour of the write-off of AT-1 bonds and supported the conversion to equity. But the department of financial services (DFS) decided this was not appropriate and prevailed upon RBI to drop the plan overnight. It explains what I wrote in March 2020 about the sudden about-turn. Were DFS officials, who overruled the banking regulator, aware of the ground reality of AT1 bonds being hard-sold to senior citizens as safer than fixed deposits? Did they know that their action would wipe out the savings of lakhs of people, including mutual fund investors? Since RBI, apparently, does not seem to have had the courage to stand its ground, the faceless bureaucrat responsible for the decision got away without any consequences. He may even be rewarded with powerful, post-retirement regulatory postings and wreak similar havoc again. What is worse, RBI is now taking an anti-depositor stand in court, refusing to admit mis-selling, despite ample evidence, including emails from bank relationship managers (RMs) being available in the public domain and which were even published by me on 12 March 2020, when I questioned RBIs accountability in the whole dubious saga (Read: Yes Bank: Smart Rescue Plan but What about Regulatory Accountability? ). Meanwhile, Securities & Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has taken a diametrically opposite stand on the matter, making a mockery of the process of engagement between regulators and their ministries. 3. RBLs Change of Guard The third example is the recent upheaval caused at RBL Bank over the Christmas weekend . In a shock announcement, the Bank said that Vishwavir Ahuja, managing director (MD) and chief executive officer (CEO) had gone on leave and interim charge handed over to the executive director. There was panic and people expected a run on deposits and massive impact on the stock price. As it turns out, there was no major issue at the Bank. Realising the possible fallout, RBI issued a rare press statement on Monday morning to say all is well. So why was Mr Ahujas term, which was to end in June, cut short with such regulator-manufactured panic and drama? Had there been a run on bank deposits, the main reason would have been that people do not trust RBI to identify issues and act fast enough, or in a manner that is fair to all stakeholders. My sources in the Bank as well as RBI, say it was largely an ego clash between the former MD and the RBI deputy governor in charge. It is amazing that RBI and its senior official face no consequences for triggering such panic, based on ego clash. On this matter, the finance ministry has maintained a public silence. I have given just three recent examples of what happens when a government does not listen, stops questioning policy-makers and regulators and is hostile to criticism. It ends up destroying accountability, breeds arrogance and disdain for stakeholders among bureaucrats and only hurts the government of the daywhether it is UPA2 or NDA2. HELENA, Mont. - Cora Neumann announced her plans to run for Congress in Montanas western district. It's official! Today I filed with the MT Secretary of State to run for Congress in our brand new western district, Neumann said on Twitter. This is a huge milestone for us! I couldnt be more proud of the work this team has done since we launched in July, and so excited for the year to come. HELENA, Mont. - Flags in Montana have been ordered to be flown at half staff to honor Senator Harry Reid on the day of interment. A proclamation from the governor orders flags to be flown at half staff until sunset Thursday, Jan. 13. (NewsUSA) - Celebration is on the horizon. Americans are gearing up for the twelfth annual National School Choice Week, the nation's largest celebration of opportunity in education on January 23-29. As president of the Week, I know firsthand that exploring your K-12 education options can change the trajectory of your family. This annual public awareness week celebrates great schools and empowers families to find the right fit. This year there'll be more than 25,000 events and activities planned by schools and homeschool groups. Participants celebrate the Week however they like: Some host open houses, some plan multi-school fairs, some run student showcases. The reason so many people celebrate the Week is the same reason I've worked in education so long: Because learning is magical. It fuels children's natural curiosity and allows them to unleash their talents and gifts into the world. What's especially magical is kids finding a learning fit where they excel. Whether it's at their neighborhood public school, a public charter school, a magnet school, a private school, an online school, or through homeschooling, it is ever-exciting and awe-inspiring to see kids who love learning and are fulfilling their potential. And it's a tragedy when that fails to happen. Too often the happy "magic" of learning falls to the wayside as we become preoccupied with the stress of school searches or classes that aren't the best fit. School Choice Week helps families rediscover the positive in education, bringing them support and a time to celebrate their choice, whatever it may be. Those who celebrate it believe that every child, given the right environment, can succeed. They believe that great teachers always deserve a "thank you!" After two disrupted school years, this School Choice Week is a much-needed moment for families to take a deep breath and rediscover the magic of learning. So, here are three simple ways you can be involved in the Week. First, start a conversation with your child about what they like about school and what they wish were different. Second, learn more about educational choices at schoolchoiceweek.com/state-guides, or share that information with a friend. Third, show appreciation for your school by volunteering at it or saying thank you to a teacher during Jan. 23-29. By working together, we can help more children experience the magic of an educational fit where they thrive. And when students experience that magic, their futures are so much brighter. Andrew Campanella is president of National School Choice Week and the author of "The School Choice Roadmap: 7 Steps to Finding the Right School for Your Child." The new pipeline, which is being installed by Cal Am, is estimated to be completed by late February. Water on this stretch of pipeline has historically flowed north, but can flow in either direction. Oak Hill, WV (25901) Today Mostly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 83F. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Scattered thunderstorms this evening becoming more widespread overnight. Low 61F. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 60%. January 13, 2022 Open Thread 2022-04 News & views ... Posted by b on January 13, 2022 at 13:16 UTC | Permalink Comments next page January 13, 2022 The Failure Of This Week's US-NATO-Russia Meetings Make War More Likely In the late 1990s the U.S. military-industrial-media complex lobbied the Clinton administration to extend NATO. The sole purpose was to win more customers for U.S. weapons. Russia protested. It had offered to integrate itself into a new European security architecture but on equal terms with the U.S. The U.S. rejected that. It wanted Russia to subordinate itself to U.S. whims. Since then NATO has been extended five times and moved closer and closer to Russia's border. Leaving Russia, a large country with many resources, outside of Europe's security structure guaranteed that Russia would try to come back from the miserable 1990s and regain its former power. In 2014 the U.S. sponsored a coup against the democratically elected government of the Ukraine, Russia's neighbor and relative, and installed its proxies. To prevent an eventual integration of the Ukraine into NATO Russia arranged for an uprising against the coup in the eastern Ukraine. As long as the Ukraine has an internal conflict it can not join NATO. In 2018 the Trump administration withdrew from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Force Treaty which had been created under the Presidents Gorbachev and Reagan to eliminate nuclear missiles in Europe. Now the U.S. made plans to station new nuclear missiles in Europe which would threaten Russia. These required a Russian response. Meanwhile the U.S. and other NATO states have deployed significant 'training' units to the Ukraine and continue to send weapons to it. This is a sneaking integration of the Ukraine into NATO structures without the formal guarantees. In late 2021 the U.S. started to make noise about alleged Russian military concentrations at its western border. There were groundless allegations that Russia was threatening to invade the Ukraine which was begging to enter NATO. The purpose was to justify a further extension of NATO and more NATO deployments near Russia. Russia has had enough of such nonsense. It moved to press the U.S. for a new security architecture in Europe that would not threaten Russia. The rumors about Russian action in the Ukraine helped to press President Joe Biden into agreeing to talks. After Russia had detailed its security demands towards the U.S. and NATO a series of talks were held. I had warned that these would likely not be successful as the U.S. had shown no signs to move on core Russian demands. As expected the talks with the U.S. on Monday failed. The U.S. made some remarks that it would like to negotiate some side issues but not on the core of Russia's request to end the extension of NATO and to stop new missile deployments. Wednesday's talks with NATO had similar results as had today's talks with the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). As Russia had previously announced it will not consider further talks as there is nothing to expect from them: Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said he saw no grounds to continue the talks, in a blow to the efforts to ease tensions. His comments came as the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe met in Vienna in the latest attempt to avert a major European crisis as Russia masses troops on Ukraines border. Speaking on Russian television, Ryabkov said the United States and its allies have rejected Russias key demands including its call for an end to NATOs open-door policy for new members offering to negotiate only on topics of secondary interest to Moscow. There is, to a certain extent, a dead end or a difference in approaches, he said. Without some sign of flexibility from the United States, I do not see reasons to sit down in the coming days, to gather again and start these same discussions. Other Russian government officials made similar points: Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, who described the Western position as arrogant, unyielding and uncompromising, said that President Vladimir Putin would decide on further action after receiving written responses to Moscows demands next week. ... In addition to calling the talks unsuccessful, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov on Thursday highlighted a bill announced the day before by U.S. Democratic senators for tough new sanctions against Russians, including Putin, if there is military action against Ukraine. Peskov called it extremely negative, especially against the background of the ongoing series of negotiations, albeit unsuccessful, but negotiations. Sanctioning a head of state is an outrageous measure that is comparable to breaking off relations, he said. Peskov also accused the United States and NATO of escalating the conflict with efforts to entice new countries to join NATO. Peskov's last remarks relate to recent noise from Finland and Sweden that they may consider to join NATO. The U.S. had promised to send a written response to Russia's demands by next week. NATO has likewise said that it would dispatch a letter within a week's time frame. If those letters do not include substantial concessions to Russia it will have to act. The Washington Post piece quoted above is headlined Russia ratchets up pressure on Europe, says no grounds for further talks on security amid heightened tensions. The Post tries to frame the issues as an European and NATO problem. However, Russia does not even talk with Europe as it is no longer relevant. The security demands are made towards the U.S. and the issues can only be solved by the White House. Russia has spoken of 'military-technical measures' it would have to take should all talks fail. It has now started to hint at some of the possibilities: Russia on Thursday sharply raised the stakes in its dispute with the West over Ukraine, with a top diplomat refusing to rule out a Russian military deployment to Cuba and Venezuela if tensions with the United States mount. Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov, who led the Russian delegation in Mondays talks with the U.S. in Geneva, said in televised remarks that he would neither confirm nor exclude the possibility that Russia could send military assets to Cuba and Venezuela if the talks fail and U.S. pressure on Russia mounts. Russia does not need to station missiles in Cuba but it could request access for its navy to one or more decent harbors in the wider area: While voicing concern that NATO could potentially use Ukrainian territory for the deployment of missiles capable of reaching Moscow in just five minutes, Putin noted that Russian warships armed with the latest Zircon hypersonic cruise missile would give Russia a similar capability if deployed in neutral waters. The timing is interesting. As of today Zircon missiles were officially accepted for Russia's military services. Currently there are five Russian navy ships configured to carry these new hypersonic weapons with many more to come: At this stage the carriers of Zirkon are FFGs pr. 22350 (Admiral Gorshkov-class), pr. 20385 Corvettes and modernized pr. 1155 FFGs, Udaloy-class (see Marshal Shaposhnikov). All in all we can see already at least 5 Zircon carriers afloat in Russia's surface fleet with the number growing to 11 by mid 2020s, which, by that time submarine carriers of Zircon also adding to the number of carriers. Welcome to the new era of the naval warfare. I assume that some of the Karakurts (pr. 22800) and pr. 21631 Buyan class will also be able to carry Zircon or its "smaller" 500 kilometer range version Zircon Llite. And, of course, once completed, Admiral Nakhimov nuclear battlecruiser will carry a shitload of Zircons. We can only guess how many, since among 174 VLS on Nakhimov, 80 will be loaded with anti-surface missiles. Now, we expect new Vladimir Putin's address to Federal Assembly fairly soon (it was expected, quoting Peskov, "early in 2022"), so will see what other things Putin will be talking about. That speech will be as interesting as the one in 2018 (vid) during which Putin announced a number of new weapon systems which the U.S. has no way to counter. Expect more of those. Russia may also deploy new weapons aiming at Europe: Russia said on Monday it may be forced to deploy intermediate-range nuclear missiles in Europe in response to what it sees as NATO's plans to do the same. The warning from Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov raised the risk of a new arms build-up on the continent, with East-West tensions at their worst since the Cold War ended three decades ago. Ryabkov said Russia would be forced to act if the West declined to join it in a moratorium on intermediate-range nuclear forces (INF) in Europe - part of a package of security guarantees it is seeking as the price for defusing the crisis over Ukraine. Lack of progress towards a political and diplomatic solution would lead Russia to respond in a military way, with military technology, Ryabkov told Russia's RIA news agency. "That is, it will be a confrontation, this will be the next round," he said, referring to the potential deployment of the missiles by Russia. Intermediate-range nuclear weapons - those with a range of 500 to 5,500 km (310 to 3,400 miles) - were banned in Europe under a 1987 treaty between then-Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev and U.S. President Ronald Reagan in what was hailed at the time as a major easing of Cold War tensions. By 1991, the two sides had destroyed nearly 2,700 of them. The U.S. is building new missile sites in Poland and Romania. It claims that these are missile defense installations with the same AEGIS combat system type as used on many U.S. warships. The new AEGIS ashore installations are claimed to defend the U.S. against Iranian and North Korean missiles. That is of course bollocks. The AEGIS systems uses the Mark 41 Vertical Launch System to store and fire its missiles. Those new sides, the U.S. claims, will have air defense missiles in their launch containers. However the same containers can be used to fire nuclear armed Tomahawk Land Attack Cruise Missiles (TLAMs). It would be very easy for the U.S. to change out the missiles without anyone noticing it. Tomahawks have a range of 1,550 miles (2.500 km). From Poland and Romania they can reach Moscow and other Russian centers in a short time. The U.S. Defense Department says that the system in Poland will become operational at the end of this year. At the end of last year the U.S. also reactivated its 56th Artillery Command in Europe: It will further enable the synchronization of joint and multinational fires and effects and employment of future long-range surface to surface fires across the [U.S. Army Europe and U.S. Army Africa] area of responsibility, Maj. Gen. Stephen Maranian, the new units commander, said before the Monday announcement in Wiesbaden, Germany. The 56th Artillery Command traces its lineage to a Cold War-era unit, the 56th Field Artillery Command, which served as the headquarters for Pershing missile operations in Europe. It was inactivated in June 1991 following the signing four years earlier of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty curbing the use of midrange tactical nuclear weapons. Gen. Christopher Cavoli, the commander of U.S. Army Europe and Africa, called the decision to bring back the 56th Artillery Command, extremely good news. It was clear that Russia would not leave that 'extremely good news' without a response. It will likely deploy some of its 9M729 cruise missiles (NATO code SSC-8 Screwdriver), currently stationed behind the Ural mountain range, at its western border, in Belarus and in Kaliningrad. These can be nuclear armed and would cover most European capitals and NATO's headquarters. The whole situation is a completely unnecessary mess. NATO has long lost its cold war capabilities. The European armies are just a shadow of their former selves and the U.S. military has again and again demonstrate its inability to fight. To reject Russia's demands under these circumstance is not only pure arrogance but also idiotic: On January 12, 2022 a date that will live in hypocrisy NATO member states declared their heroic determination to fight to the last Ukrainian. They did this by in effect rejecting Russias conditions for agreement with the alliance, centered on the demand that NATO rule out further expansion to Ukraine, Georgia and other former Soviet republics. The hypocrisy and idiocy over which historians of the future are likely to shake their heads in bewilderment lie in the fact that NATO has no real intention of admitting Ukraine, nor of fighting Russia in Ukraine. Both Washington and Brussels have openly ruled this out. Indeed, NATO could not do so even if it wanted to. U.S. forces in Europe are wholly inadequate to the purpose, as are what is left of the British and French armies. Anatol Lieven, who wrote the above, see some possible compromises. Especially U.S. pressure on the Ukraine to finally make piece with its east: The United States however now needs to move very fast to offer these compromises. If it does not, then a new war looks increasingly possible. This war would be a disaster for all parties concerned: for NATO, whose military impotence would be cruelly emphasized; for Russia, that would suffer severe economic damage and be forced into a position of dependency on China with grave implications for Russias future; and above all for the thousands of Ukrainian soldiers and civilians who would lose their lives. In fact, the only country that would benefit unequivocally from such a war would be China and I wasnt aware that U.S. and NATO policies are designed to further the geopolitical aims of Beijing. NATO's uselessness and lack of real purpose are well known: The problem is that they have been ingested by two other ambitions that are not modest and rational at all. The first is the U.S. desire for universal hegemony, including the right to dictate other countries political systems and what influence they will be allowed to possess beyond their own borders. The second is the European elites belief in the European Union of as a kind of moral superpower, expanding to embrace the whole of Europe (without Russia of course), and setting a liberal internationalist example to the world; but a militarily impotent superpower that relies for security on the United States, via NATO. These projects have now manifestly failed. ... If we can recognize this failure and return to a more modest view of ourselves and our role in the world, we can also abandon the empty and hypocritical false promise of further NATO expansion and seek a reasonably cooperative relationship with Russia. Or we can go on living in our world of make-believe, though make-believe worlds have a way of being shattered by harsh realities. That is something no one should want. --- This week Moon of Alabama is asking you, dear reader, to support this site. Please do so as well as you can. Posted by b on January 13, 2022 at 17:30 UTC | Permalink Comments next page next page DGAP-Ad-hoc: 468 SPAC II SE / Key word(s): IPO 468 SPAC II SE: 468 SPAC II launches bookbuilding for up to 250 million private placement and listing on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange 13-Jan-2022 / 08:00 CET/CEST Disclosure of an inside information acc. to Article 17 MAR of the Regulation (EU) No 596/2014, transmitted by DGAP - a service of EQS Group AG. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. Public disclosure of inside information according to Article 17 para. 1 of the Regulation (EU) No 596/2014 on market abuse (Market Abuse Regulation) NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION IN WHOLE OR IN PART, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN OR INTO THE UNITED STATES, CANADA, AUSTRALIA, SOUTH AFRICA OR JAPAN OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION IN VIOLATION OF THE RELEVANT LAWS OF SUCH JURISDICTION. 468 SPAC II SE: 468 SPAC II launches bookbuilding for up to 250 million private placement and listing on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange and targets business combination with a European consumer technology or software & artificial intelligence company Luxembourg, 13 January 2022. 468 SPAC II SE (the "Company"), a Luxembourg special purpose acquisition company (SPAC), announces the start of its private placement of up to 25,000,000 units. Each unit consists of one share (a "Public Share") and one-third of a warrant (a "Public Warrant"), at a price of 10.00 per unit for an aggregate of up to 250 million. The Company initially offers 20,000,000 units but reserves the right to offer up to 5,000,000 additional units subject to market demand (upsize option). The Public Shares are going to be listed on the regulated market of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange and the Public Warrants are going to be introduced to trading on the open market of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (the "Listing"). The sponsors of the Company are affiliates of Alexander Kudlich and Dr. Ludwig Ensthaler and Florian Leibert, who are also founders of the investment fund 468 Capital and 468 SPAC I SE (now tonies SE). The units will be solely offered to institutional investors. The private placement is expected to end on or before 14January 2022. The Company was established for the purpose of acquiring an operating business in a member state of the European Economic Area, the United Kingdom or Switzerland in the form of a merger, capital stock exchange, share purchase, asset acquisition, reorganization or similar transaction (the "Business Combination"). The Company intends to target a company in the consumer technology and software & artificial intelligence sector with a focus on last mile logistics, marketplaces, consumer finance, cloud, commercial open source and software-as-a-service. 100% of the proceeds of the private placement will be held in an escrow account. The Company will have 18 months from the date of the Listing to consummate a Business Combination. The Company has applied for admission of the Public Shares (ISIN: LU2380748603) to trading on the regulated market (regulierter Markt) of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (General Standard) and for introduction to trading of the Public Warrants (ISIN: LU2380748785) on the open market (Freiverkehr) of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (Borse Frankfurt Zertifikate AG). Trading of the Public Shares and Public Warrants is expected to commence on 20 January 2022. Contact: Alexander Kudlich, Ludwig Ensthaler and Florian Leibert 9, rue de Bitbourg L-1273 Luxembourg Luxembourg info@468spac.com DISCLAIMER This publication may not be published, distributed or transmitted in the United States, Canada, Australia, South Africa or Japan. This publication does not constitute or forms part of any offer of securities for sale or a solicitation of an offer to purchase securities (the "Securities") or any of the assets, business or undertakings of 468 SPAC II SE (the "Company") in the United States, Australia, Canada, South Africa, Japan or any other jurisdiction in which such offer or solicitation is unlawful. The Securities of the Company may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an exemption from registration under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"). There will be no public offering of the Securities in the United States. The Securities of the Company have not been, and will not be, registered under the Securities Act. 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This publication does not form the basis of and should not be relied on in connection with, or act as an inducement to enter into, any contract or commitment whatsoever. Recipients of this publication who are considering acquiring Securities of the Company are reminded that any such purchase or subscription must not be made on the basis of the information contained in this publication. This publication constitutes neither an offer to sell nor a solicitation to buy securities. The listing of the Securities will be made solely by the means of, and on the basis of, a securities prospectus which is yet to be published. An investment decision regarding any securities of 468 SPAC II SE should only be made on the basis of the securities prospectus. 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For these purposes the expression "Retail Investor" means a person who is one (or more) of the following: (i) a retail client, as defined in point (8) of Article 2 of Regulation (EU) No 2017/565 as it forms part of domestic law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 ("EUWA"); or (ii) a customer within the meaning of the provisions of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (the "FSMA") and any rules or regulations made under the FSMA to implement Directive (EU) 2016/97, where that customer would not qualify as a professional client, as defined in point (8) of Article 2(1) of Regulation (EU) No 600/2014 as it forms part of domestic law by virtue of the EUWA ("UK MiFIR"). Consequently no key information document required by Regulation (EU) No 1286/2014 as it forms part of domestic law by virtue of the EUWA (the "UK PRIIPs Regulation") for offering or selling the Units or otherwise making them available to Retail Investors in the UK has been prepared and therefore offering or selling the Units or otherwise making them available to any Retail Investor in the UK may be unlawful under the UK PRIIPs Regulation. Solely for the purposes of the manufacturer's product approval process, the target market assessment in respect of the Public Shares and Public Warrants has led to the conclusion that (i) the Public Shares are (a) compatible with an end target market of Retail Investors and eligible counterparties, as defined in the FCA Handbook Conduct of Business Sourcebook ("COBS") and professional clients, as defined in UK MiFIR, and (b) eligible for distribution through all distribution channels and (ii) the Public Warrants are (a) compatible with an end target market of eligible counterparties, as defined in COBS, and professional clients, as defined in UK MiFIR; and (b) all channels for distribution of the Public Warrants to eligible counterparties and professional clients are appropriate. Any person subsequently offering, selling or recommending the Public Shares and Public Warrants (a "distributor") should take into consideration the target market assessment; however, a distributor subject to COBS is responsible for undertaking its own target market assessment in respect of the Public Shares and Public Warrants (by either adopting or refining the target market assessment) and determining appropriate distribution channels. No action has been taken that would permit an offering or an acquisition of the securities or a distribution of this announcement in any jurisdiction where such action would be unlawful. Persons into whose possession this announcement comes are required to inform themselves about and to observe any such restrictions. This announcement does not constitute a recommendation concerning the placement. Investors should consult a professional advisor as to the suitability of the placement for the person concerned. 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Forward-looking statements should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results and will not necessarily be accurate indications of whether or not such results will be achieved. Any forward-looking statements included herein only speak as at the date of this release. The Company undertakes no obligation, and does not expect to publicly update, or publicly revise, any of the information, forward-looking statements or the conclusions contained herein or to reflect new events or circumstances or to correct any inaccuracies which may become apparent subsequent to the date hereof, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. The Company accepts no liability whatsoever in respect of the achievement of such forward-looking statements and assumptions. The good news about the Interstate 20 improvement project is Midland will no longer be the best at hitting bridges in West Texas. The bad news is construction will impact travelers, especially traveling west, according to James Beauchamp, executive director of the Midland-Odessa Transportation Alliance. Beauchamp was the speaker at this months Lunch & Lecture Series at the Permian Basin Petroleum Museum. He told those in attendance that I-20 rehab will provide a needed makeover with the elimination of overpasses, the one-way frontage roads and the creation of a third lane in each direction through Midland and Odessa. However, construction is construction and anytime you monkey around with the interstate, its going to create a lot of havoc, he said. Most people from Midland and Odessa aren't driving on the interstate; it's primarily industrial traffic, Beauchamp said after the meeting, but it's a significant, significant impact for people who do live here and are out there as part of their job. He said the first section that will be worked on is the area from Rankin Highway to the airport exit. That will include overpass reconstruction (making overpasses at multiple locations underpasses, where the highway travels over the cross street). Work will continue west from Farm-to-Market Road 1788 over into Odessa, he said, and then a section of Midland that includes the interstate east of Rankin Highway will be completed. A little further out, you get into the section of Midland going from about (State Highway) 349 back over to (State Highway) 158, Beauchamp said. That part's going to be pretty tough. There's no two ways around it. It's a very constrained footprint. My hope is the work that we've been working on with the county and the South Loop project should be pretty well finished up by the time that starts. Beauchamp credited County Commissioner Robin Donnelly for his work on south Loop 250 that should help during that time. It's still going to be painful, Beauchamp said. It's going to be a horrible inconvenience. People are not going to like it, but it could have been a whole lot worse. And I think that's one thing where that south loop will be able to, to help on that. Beauchamp about Southwest Airlines flight to Austin. MOTRAN helped in the creation of the direct flight between Midland and Austin that begins March. He said MOTRAN also is spending $10,000 for promotion of that flight, because as he told the audience if people dont use the flight, it will go away. History backs him up there. He also said that Delta is looking at Midland market and American Airlines is considering more flights to and from Dallas. The news comes on the same week that Midland International Airport showed that airline traffic continues to recover from the economic downturn caused by the COVID pandemic and the drop in oil prices. The city reported a 63.9 percent increase in people boarding an airline (Southwest, American Eagle or United) in December, and that the increase during the first quarter of fiscal year 2021-22 has been 71.7 percent. On the north part of the loop being completed. Beauchamp told those in attendance that the northern part of the loop is closer to completion. He said basically all that is left is around the Todd Road area in northeast Midland. He said the city has been slow to come around on what needs to be done. He said that unfortunately that will delay linking sections of freeway by up to four to five years, because of the time needed for engineering and construction. Judd Hirsch stars in "iMordecai," about an Aventura octogenarian who has a "spiritual awakening" after getting his first iPhone. ( FeMor Productions/Courtesy) What about the story of two seemingly unexceptional lives playing out quietly in Aventura would attract the interest of two Academy Award nominees, inspire a historic reunion of the iconic TV series Taxi and end up on the big screen opening night of the 25th annual Miami Jewish Film Festival? Based on the true story of 80-something Point East condominium residents Mordecai and Fela Samel, iMordecai initially bounces along as a comedy taking off at Aventura Mall when his annoyed son forces Mordecai to trade in his flip phone for an iPhone, opening up new ways to miscommunicate and filling his head with beloved old klezmer music. Advertisement These scenes are built on a foundation of tragedy familiar to South Florida audiences Mordecai and Fela are both Polish-born Holocaust refugees torn from their parents at a young age, haunting memories that ebb and flow throughout the film. Fela, less fluent in English, still seems particularly estranged from contemporary life. But iMordecai and its exceptional lead actors, Judd Hirsch and Carol Kane, reach the peak of their persuasiveness and poignancy in the heartbreak of watching the couple struggle to hold on to each other as Fela slips behind the scrim of Alzheimers. Advertisement Oh, its a love story, Hirsch says by phone from his New York apartment. Mordecai and his wife were extremely close. They loved having fun with each other as a pair of people. They sang songs together, right up to the end. [ RELATED: Miami Jewish Film Festivals 25th edition to include outdoor and free virtual screenings ] A few months before filming began in Aventura and Miami in 2019, Fela Samel died from complications related to Alzheimers at age 83. Hirsch says Felas passing changed the way he and others involved in the movie approached the story. Fela became a dominant focus of the film, aided by a wonderfully nuanced performance from Kane, an Oscar nominee in the 1975 immigrant drama Hester Street and an Emmy winner as Simka Dahblitz on Taxi. Its billed as a comedy, but the real story, the real worthwhile-ness of it, is not how funny we can be, but how tragic it is, says Hirsch, 86, also an Oscar nominee for Ordinary People in 1980. His wife actually died. It became even more important to have her as the central object, to focus on the point where she simply walks away and doesnt know where she is. Which is the basis for the whole movie. Judd Hirsch and Carol Kane, reunited on the set of the film "iMordecai," their first onscreen appearance together since they starred on "Taxi" nearly 40 years ago. (FeMor Productions) Lost and found Fela was a well-known figure among shopkeepers at Aventura Mall, where she would exercise, walking and waving to them as she passed. In 2014 her son Marvin Samel, of Boca Raton, began getting calls from mall security that his mother seemed lost and disoriented. When she was formally diagnosed with Alzheimers, her distraught son threw himself into a project: cataloguing his familys stories to prevent them from being lost to time and fading memory. Gradually these recollections began to line up into a narrative, says Samel, then a cigar maker, now a business investor and consultant. With no formal training, he created a 30-page outline for a film. Im writing just as catharsis, Samel says of that time. But he did wonder if stories about his father an affable, heavily-accented retired Brooklyn plumber negotiating life in the digital age might have broader comedic appeal. Advertisement After dragging his father to the Apple store at Aventura Mall, Samel set him up with regular iPhone lessons at the Genius Bar. [ RELATED: Restored silent films to be screened during Miami Jewish Film Festival ] One day I snuck up on him to see how it was going, and I find him at the mall holding court with these kids, sharing life lessons and stories about losing loved ones in World War II, Samel says. I said, Thats the avenue I need to take into this movie. Discovering the iPhone (in the film through a Genius Bar employee played by Azia Dinea Hale) prompted a spiritual awakening in his father, Samel says. Once he got acclimated to the iPhone, started listening to all this klezmer music, he started painting. My mom would call me and say, Every inch of this damn apartment is covered in paintings! I cant take it anymore! Samel says, with a laugh. Azia Dinea Hale and Judd Hirsch in a scene from the film "iMordecai." Both are scheduled to take part in an audience Q&A after the film's Jan. 13 screening at the North Beach Bandshell. While some details were tweaked, the best Mordecai stories went into the script unchanged, Samel says. For instance, while working as a plumber in New York as a younger man, his father did create an alter-ego, twin brother Martin, so he could refer himself for jobs as a house painter. Mordecai carried business cards for both men. Advertisement The uncomfortably humorous iMordecai scene at Aventura Mall, in which he stumbles into one of his old painting clients from Brooklyn, who greets Mordecai as Martin, actually did take place at the mall outside Ben & Jerrys, Samel says. I didnt have to write a lot of this. These are stories that happened, he says. Mordecai Samel, left, and son Marvin, who wrote and directed "iMordecai," the opening night film at the 2022 Miami Jewish Film Festival. (FeMor Productions) After a friend of a friend in the film industry encouraged Samel to pursue the film idea, a random conversation led him to screenwriting veteran Rudy Gaines. After two years of rewrites with Gaines, a friend introduced Samel to award-winning producer Dahlia Heyman, who signed on with producer Allen Bain. They were soon joined by respected casting director Avy Kaufman (Brokeback Mountain, Life of Pi), who secured Hirsch and Kane, followed by Sean Astin (Rudy, Lord of the Rings), playing Samel. After scouting around for a director, Samel says the producers recommended Samel himself as the best person to tell the story. Samel says he reluctantly agreed, calling it a collaborative shoot. Powerful smiles Some of the most poignant moments of iMordecai come when Kane, playing Fela, is illuminated by a rare smile. From the outset, before her disease is revealed, Fela is presented as a sturdy mix of suspicion, frustration and growing apprehension, a rock softened every so often by a look at her husband, her son or her grandchildren. Advertisement Samel says his Polish-born mother who lost her father in WWII and worked as a matzoh roller in Brooklyn for more than 40 years was not a person who smiled much. Currently seen with Al Pacino in Amazon Primes Nazi-chasing conspiracy series Hunters, Kane brings a layered complexity to her role in iMordecai. In preparation, she studied video clips and photographs of Fela sent by her son. Kane says she admired Felas bravery, both overcoming her experiences as a young person and in her battle with dementia. She was a real fighter. She was so herself, so unique and had her very strong opinions, says Kane, 69. I think their relationship was very honest. She was very powerful, and she happened to get Alzheimers. She was still a force and powerful, but sometimes not herself, you know? Kanes grandparents were Jews from Russia and Austria, and she says that history informs a lot of her work, from Hester Street to Simka to Hunters and iMordecai. The story of my people, as we say, it resonates strongly for me, Kane says. It was there for me when I got to Fela. Advertisement Hirsch didnt have to look far for help: Mordecai was there for him, on the set, though Hirsch at first declined to meet him. I didnt know what his opinion of me would be, what he would do to me, Hirsch says with a laugh. But, the first reading, in walks Mordecai. As soon as he walked in the door, I was hooked. I said, I want to spend my time with this guy. Hes funny, hes good, hes real. Hell give me everything I need. Hirsch says he and Mordecai are still in touch, via the iPhone: I make sure, birthdays, holidays, and whenever we think about it. iMordecai marks the first time Kane and Hirsch have appeared on screen together since the finale of Taxi nearly 40 years. Each won two Emmy Awards for their work on the show. That is if you dont count the Zoom screen, where Taxi cast members connect in a monthly reunion, Hirsch says. Along with Hirsch and Kane, regulars include Danny DeVito, Christopher Lloyd, Tony Danza, Marilu Henner and series co-creator James L. Brooks. Actors Andy Kaufman and Jeff Conaway are deceased. Advertisement I was so happy that they got Carol [for iMordecai] because we know each other so well, Hirsch says. And underneath it all, we can have fun. Because thats what we did in Taxi. iMordecai opens the Miami Jewish Film Festival with an outdoor screening 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 13, at the North Beach Bandshell, 7275 Collins Ave., Miami Beach, followed by a Q&A with Marvin Samel, Judd Hirsch and Azia Dinea Hale. Tickets are sold out, but empty seats will be sold first-come-first-served to those in the rush line at the box office. An encore screening will take place 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 22, at the Michael-Ann Russell JCC, 18900 NE 25th Ave., Miami. Tickets cost $18. For information, call 305-503-5182 or visit MiamiJewishFilmFestival.org. Staff writer Ben Crandell can be reached at bcrandell@sunsentinel.com. We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Contact us Muskogee, OK (74401) Today Cloudy early with peeks of sunshine expected late. High 66F. Winds N at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies early will give way to cloudy skies late. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 53F. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph. Michael Moskowitz, a Broward powerbroker who has pancreatic cancer, vowed that come hell or high water he would see his son get sworn in as a county commissioner the latest move for an accomplished family. To make sure his ailing 68-year-old father could see his latest political accomplishment, Jared Moskowitz asked for his swearing in to be moved up and relocated to Parkland City Hall on Wednesday. Advertisement The original plan was for the elder Moskowitz to swear his son in, but that wasnt feasible: Michael Moskowitz was helped to his feet out of his wheelchair, draped his arm around his sons neck, while a family friend, Judge Peter Weinstein, conducted the swearing in. Jared Moskowitz fist-bumps his dad, Mike Moskowitz, 68, before being sworn in as County Commissioner during a ceremony at Parkland City Hall on Wednesday, January 12, 2022. The swearing in was moved up to accommodate his ailing father, a Broward Democratic powerbroker who has cancer. (Carline Jean / South Florida Sun Sentinel) For the younger Moskowitz, who had risen in politics as a Parkland city commissioner, state representative and then as the states emergency management director, it was his father who helped pique his political acumen and was a mentor, friends say. Advertisement Scores of well-wishers watched Jared Moskowitz, 41, get sworn in, but they also stood in line to shake his fathers hand, or kneel down to whisper their congratulations. Michael Moskowitz was diagnosed in July 2020. He was admitted into hospice this past Monday. He told me to get him here come hell or high water, Jared Moskowitz said. This is hard, sighed County Administrator Bertha Henry as she watched the procession of well-wishers. People stood nearby, whispering about Michael Moskowitzs accomplishments as an attorney, and their own worries about their own families. My mom is 89, and I go to see her every two days, said attorney Bernie Friedman to a friend as they stood close by. Although Jared Moskowitz, a Democrat, and newly sworn in commissioner Torey Alston, a Republican, were the reason for the ceremony, it was for Michael Moskowitz that many people came. Torey Alston is accompanied by his wife, Candice, children, Torey Louis and Elliott as he is sworn in as Broward County commissioner during ceremony at Parkland City Hall on Wednesday, January 12, 2022. (Carline Jean / South Florida Sun Sentinel) Broward Mayor Michael Udine told the standing-room-only crowd that Michael Moskowitz is the ultimate family man. He said a reporter once described Moskowitz and another lobbyist as King Kong vs. Godzilla. He said Michael Moskowitz loved the analogy, later asking him, Which one am I? Advertisement You are King Kong AND Godzilla, Udine told him to applause. For Jared Moskowitz, it was a hard day: This is the hardest thing Ive ever done in my life. Watching your hero and mentor decline is not a pleasant experience. His father has been his lifelong supporter and when he told people at age 25 he would run for office, he was the only person who thought it was a good idea. It was his father who introduced him to politics, taking him to a Jesse Jackson presidential rally when he was 8. Jared Moskowitz was hooked. He said he listened to his fathers message: Work hard, show them, and the voters will reward you. Advertisement This is a very bittersweet moment for everybody in the room, said Fort Lauderdale Mayor Dean Trantalis. Fred Guttenberg, a Parkland activist, lost his brother to pancreatic cancer and showed up Wednesday for both father and son, whom he became close to after the high school shooting. For Jared to have him here, I cant express what it means, he said. This is the last ... His voice trails off. To see his son do this, its beautiful. Lisa J. Huriash can be reached at lhuriash@sunsentinel.com or 954-572-2008 or Twitter @LisaHuriash. North Myrtle Beach City Council discussed modifications to a downtown rezoning request at its workshop Wednesday, exploring the implications of changing nine acres near 17th Avenue South from resort residential to resort commercial. Rezoning in the oceanfront district would raise the height limit from 90 feet to 165 feet, paving the way for hotels and offices. It would also allow for nightlife like restaurants, theaters and bars. Much of councils discussion focused on which special districts would offer enough flexibility to attract business without allowing developers to pack too much density. Were allowing the height to be 165 on the oceanfront, but were limiting the height and the possibility of density on the second row, Mayor Marilyn Hatley said, noting that an overlay would enable the city to apply different requirements to certain parts of the same property. Council members and city staff agreed that the overlays would be preferable to planned development districts, which allow developers to modulate zoning requirements if they meet the right criteria. Several noted that PDDs require mixed-use (residential and retail), which could lead developers to request even higher density. I do not think you should go PDD, Hatley said. I think thats opening it up for extreme density. While Wednesdays workshop focused on policy minutia, previous meetings for the rezoning request surrounded the competing visions of a city pushing downtown redevelopment and residents trying to maintain the lifestyle theyve built in the community. The city planning commission had unanimously recommended the city deny the request in June, after receiving complaints from residents about possible traffic congestion, overcrowding at the beach and a change in the aesthetic character. But the city has had its eyes on the Crescent Beach area since the 2018 comprehensive plan identified it as hot site for downtown redevelopment. A Jacksonville plumbing business that has served the area for nine decades has closed its doors and sold them. Leonard & Six Plumbing served Jacksonville for 94 years, but owner Jeff Leonard sold the building at 509 N. East St. on Friday, officially marking an end to the business's run. "I retired four years ago, but I kept working up until about a year ago," Leonard said. "I guess I'm not really good at (retirement)." Leonard grew up in the shop on North East Street and took ownership of it in 1988, expanding the business to serve not only Morgan County, but Scott and Cass counties. "I would say the 80s and the 90s was our peak business," he said. Leonard's son, Bryan Leonard, also grew up in the shop and has fond memories of it. "It was weird," Bryan Leonard said of the building's sale. "It has been a special place. I had my time there, it has my dad's time there and my grandfather's time there." Muscle memory has Jeff Leonard driving by the building without realizing it, he said. "I still go down there," he said. The business started when Bryan Leonard's great-great-grandfather Frederick B. Six bought Otis Hoffman Contractor and Cement Block Manufacturing Co. in October 1927 from H.K. Chenoweth and Lucille A. Chenoweth. "My great-great-grandfather was an entrepreneur and a businessman," Bryan Leonard said. In January 1928, the business was deeded over to Six's son-in-law, Edward C. Leonard, who was married to Six's only daughter, Harriette Leonard. The business then was renamed Leonard & Six. Edward Leonard had been working as a traveling salesman but the business opportunity brought him closer to home and to his family and allowed both Six and Edward Leonard to have equal salaries. "It was his way of getting (Edward Leonard) off the road and back to Jacksonville to be with his wife," Bryan Leonard said. Edward Leonard ran the business until his death in January 1945. The business then was operated by his wife, Harriette Leonard, until their son, Jack Leonard, returned home from the Pacific Theater in World War II. Over the years, the business transitioned from coal and concrete products to include a gas filling station. Plumbing and heating came along in the early 1970s, and air conditioning in the 1990s. Jack and Audrey Leonard owned the business until their retirement in January 1988, when their oldest son, Jeff Leonard, took over. Brothers Bryan and Andrew Leonard also worked for the business, as did Jeff's brother, Jay Leonard, who now owns Jay P. Leonard Plumbing, at 27 Jones Place. "Dad put me to work mowing the yard," Bryan Leonard said, adding that his younger brother eventually took over that duty. Bryan Leonard, who is director of marketing at Illinois College, did not pursue the family business but did complete his apprenticeship as a plumber and is licensed in Illinois. Jeff Leonard didn't intend for Bryan Leonard to take over the business, though. "My wife (Mendy Leonard) would come back from the dead and kill you," Jeff Leonard said with a laugh as he addressed his son. "That's not why we sent you to college." Now that he's fully retired, Jeff Leonard plans, as he puts it, to find more work. "I like to keep active," he said. The Morgan County court system is preparing for its first jury trial since the COVID-19 pandemic started. Among the biggest issues is how to keep everyone safe while holding an effective trial. That trial Dustin A. Finlaw, 22, is facing first-degree murder charges in the stabbing death of Robert L. Utter, 42, of Rushville, who was found dead May 24, 2018, in a car in Meredosia is set to begin the week of Jan. 24, bringing with it a plethora of decisions from placement within the courtroom to the number of people allowed in the courtroom. "Morgan County has not had a criminal jury trial since the pandemic started, so it is looking like Mr. Finlaw will be the first," State's Attorney Gray Noll said, adding that there still are many decisions to be made before the trial begins. Jury selection in Finlaw's trial is set to start at 9 a.m. Jan. 25. One of the biggest concerns is placement of the jurors, Noll said, noting that pandemic-related mandates about wearing a mask indoors and social distancing will be in place. Judge Jack Davis, who is overseeing the proceedings, has called for a hearing at 2:30 p.m. Jan. 24 to finalize the hearing's details with Noll and Finlaw, who is representing himself. "Our biggest concern is about keeping any potential parties jurors, witnesses safe," Noll said. "On the final pre-trial date we will map out the courtroom in such a way that the jurors are socially distanced and will be able to see and hear the witnesses and evidence. That will redirect where the other parties are placed." During a previous hearing, Davis said everyone in the courtroom will be wearing a mask unless they are testifying or speaking, to make it easier for them to be understood by the court reporter. The courtroom should still be open to the public throughout the case, Noll said. Criminal trials are, by law, open to the public and rarely are ordered closed by a judge, he said. "There are certain circumstances where a judge can limit the number of people allowed in the courtroom, however I don't envision a crowd of any size in Morgan County necessitating the closing of our courtroom," Noll said. Finlaw also is facing charges of aggravated assault on two police officers, resisting arrest and obstructing justice/destroying evidence. JERSEYVILLE Two Jerseyville men have been charged with failing to register as sex offenders. Dalton A. Hardwick, 22, of Jerseyville was arrested Jan. 3 on a felony charge of failure to register as a sex offender. Months after a boat that took off from the Bahamas loaded with 17 migrants crashed in Pompano Beach, the driver has been sentenced to five years in prison for attempting to smuggle a migrant who was convicted of murder and previously deported back into the United States, federal prosecutors said Wednesday. Jeremy Chritoph Rolle, 27, of the Bahamas, pleaded guilty in November to aiding and abetting certain migrants into the country, and three co-defendants who were also aboard the boat have been charged with illegal entry of a removed alien: Marvin Morris Carridice, 43, of Jamaica; Andrew Devaunx, 54, of the Bahamas; and Payam Hassanzadeh Zargar, 27, of the United Kingdom. Advertisement Shortly after 8:30 a.m. June 17, a worker for a boat towing company at the Hillsboro Inlet docks received a radio call about a vessel beginning to fill with water in the inlet, according to a criminal complaint affidavit. The worker saw a 26-foot white boat sitting low in the water, the bow pointed down. [ RELATED: Boat carrying migrants crashes into seawall. Total of 16 arrested. ] The tow company worker pulled alongside the boat and asked the driver, who was later identified as Rolle, if anyone needed help, to which Rolle declined. The worker followed the boat to nearby ramps and again asked if anyone needed help before Rolle told him to go away, the complaint says. Advertisement About 30 minutes later, the witness called the Broward Sheriffs Office to report the boat was filling with water and said it was heading south on the Intracoastal Waterway in Pompano Beach. A nearby deputy on a boat spotted the boat speeding and sitting below the water line, court records say, and turned on the emergency lights. Rolle continued through the waterway, attempting to speed off, and the deputy and other law enforcement agencies continued their pursuit. The boat came to a stop at a seawall on the west side of Intracoastal, the complaint says, just south of Atlantic Boulevard Bridge. A Broward Sheriff's Office marine unit guards the boat which held 11 migrants who came ashore on the intracoastal waterway in Pompano Beach, Thursday, June 17, 2021. (Joe Cavaretta / South Florida Sun Sentinel) Once reaching land there, several people emerged from the cabin and ran for land, only to be apprehended by deputies there. The boat again attempted to dart away, the second time hitting the seawall on the east side and damaging the bow. Once it hit the wall, several more people ran for land, the complaint says. After their search, deputies took 17 people into custody, including Rolle, Carridice, Devaunx and Zargar. All 17 were found to be migrants without necessary documents to enter the U.S., and the three co-defendants had been previously deported, according to the complaint. Court records show Devaunx was deported for in 2000 for possession of crack cocaine with intent to distribute, and Zargar was deported in 2017 under the Immigration and Nationality Act and was not allowed to return to the States before Aug. 1, 2022. Carridice was deported in 2018 after spending 14 years in prison for convictions in Florida for murder and other felonies, prosecutors said. The migrants told law enforcement they boarded the boat that morning at a marina in Bimini, Bahamas, and headed straight for Florida. Carridice pleaded guilty to illegal entry of a removed alien and was sentenced to 42 months in prison last week. Devaunx and Zargar have both pleaded guilty to illegal entry of a removed alien, with Devaunx being sentenced to time served in October and one year of supervised release and Zargars sentencing on Jan. 25. Two elected officials were carjacking victims mere days before Christmas. At gunpoint. Pennsylvania Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon was carjacked in Philadelphia. The thieves stole her Acura MDX, which contained her cell phone, government-issued phone, and purse. Five teenagers, including a 14-year-old girl, from Wilmington, Delaware, face charges, with gun crimes for some. Illinois state Sen. Kimberley Lightfords incident was in Broadview, a suburb of Chicago. I begged them not to shoot us, Lightford said. The carjackers stole her Mercedes Benz SUV, shooting as they fled. Lightfords husband, who has a concealed-carry license, returned fire as his wife fled. Both political figures were fortunate to escape unharmed. They are both Democrats. They both called the cops. The irony in all this is that Scanlon and Lightford have previously spoken out about police reform especially in the wake of George Floyds death in Minneapolis last year. They both co-sponsored bills in their respective offices that called for mental health specialists to be dispatched instead of police to some incidents. Lightford proposed slashing the Chicago Police Departments budget by $80 million last year. Anthony Giordano of South Philly told NBC10 Philadelphia: Hopefully now that a congresswoman was carjacked, it brings national attention to Philadelphia and something needs to be done. For much of the past year and a half, we have heard the mantra, Defund the police. And that nebulous catch-phrase: We have to re-imagine policing. Whatever that means. All of this re-imagining and defunding. The reality: Basically, the Democrats made a huge miscalculation when they took a defund-the-police position, George Washington University law professor Robert Cottrol told InsideSources. It did increase crime, is politically unpopular, and will probably cost them at the ballot box. They are trying to do damage control for a position they never should have taken. Well, that damage control has California Gov. Gavin Newsom budgeting an extra $300 million for 2022 to help the Golden State police fight the crime spike. When liberal San Francisco finally admits a crime problem, you know its real. Its time the reign of criminals who are destroying our city, it is time for it to come to an end, San Francisco Mayor London Breed announced at a recent news conference. And it comes to an end when we take the steps to be more aggressive with law enforcement. More aggressive with the changes in our policies and less tolerant of all the BS that has destroyed our city. That BS also includes smash-and-grab robberies, which is ravaging Breeds once picturesque city. At least 12 major U.S. cities have broken annual homicide records in 2021, with five topping records set or tied just last year. Look at New York: Eric Adams won the mayoral race on a platform of law and order. Then he promptly appointed the first Black female police commissioner (49-year-old Keechant Sewell) in the history of New York, where President Theodore Roosevelt once was police commissioner (1895-1897). One situation we have noticed is this: More and more Black officials have been appointed police commissioners, police chiefs, police superintendents etc. in cities medium-sized to major. No coincidence. Thats a sign of desperation. Because crime is considered largely a Black problem in the nations cities, Black police commanders are expected to perform a two-fold mission: Reduce crime dramatically while simultaneously curbing the incidents of police brutality. Thats a heavy burden for any Black person. Philadelphia appointed a Black female police commissioner last year, Danielle Outlaw. Not only is the murder rate up but also carjackings. According to police, the number of carjackings in Philly jumped from 225 in 2019, to 409 last year and, to date in 2021, at least 720. CBS2 News in Chicago in October aired a riveting news report called, Why I Carjack; Teens Tell All. Anchor Irika Sargent conducted the interviews in silhouette, the perpetrators were age 19 and under, some were girls and all were Black. One teen said he turned to carjacking in Chicago after playing the popular video game Grand Theft Auto"; another said he obtains guns off Facebook; a girl said she was bored with online, remote learning in high school and turned to carjacking, was arrested, and sent to juvenile detention, then released only to carjack again; one teen said when a driver resists, he drags them out of the car. No wonder Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot is requesting assistance from the federal government to fight crime while telling residents: Keeping you safe is my priority. Mary Gay Scanlon and Kimberley Lightford surely would agree. Watertown, SD (57201) Today Mostly cloudy early, then sunshine for the afternoon. High 52F. Winds NE at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy this evening, then becoming cloudy after midnight. Low 37F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph. Governor Gavin Newsom View Photo Following the unveiling of his California Blueprint, Governor Gavin Newsom visited a homeless encampment in San Diego to highlight his proposed additional $2 billion package for a total of $14 billion to the states multi-year plan to confront the homelessness crisis, which will create 55,000 new housing units and treatment slots when fully implemented. Newsom was Thursdays KVML Newsmaker of the Day. This past year, California has been able to move 58,000 individuals off our streets and into the housing and treatment they desperately needed, said Newsom. The California Blueprint will double down on those efforts, focusing on clearing encampments, while also setting the groundwork for long-term systemic change with significant investments in mental health and substance abuse treatment to get vulnerable people off the streets. Under Newsoms Project Roomkey and Homekey programs, California has provided temporary shelter for 50,000 Californians and helped another 8,000 secure more permanent housing through the states purchase of motels, hotels and other buildings. In 2021, Governor Newsom invested $12 billion to help get the most vulnerable people off the streets and into the mental and behavioral health services they need. The California Blueprint will bolster last years investments with an additional $1.5 billion for Behavioral Health Bridge Housing to get people off the street and into treatment, and $500 million toward Encampment Resolution Grants for local jurisdictions to implement short- and long-term rehousing strategies for people experiencing homelessness in encampments around the state. The California Blueprint also expands Newsoms Returning Home Well program, a pandemic response to provide transitional housing and mental health services to people exiting incarceration a population particularly vulnerable to living unhoused upon release. Further, the Blueprint calls for expanding Medi-Cal benefits to include mobile crisis response. For the first time ever, California will support mobile crisis response as a covered benefit under Medi-Cal for everyone eligible investing $1.4 billion over five years so that people experiencing homelessness will receive better, more timely behavioral health care, especially in times of crisis. The Governor highlighted the states work to confront the homelessness crisis one of the most vexing issues facing California while visiting a homeless encampment in San Diego. Caltrans is working with the City of San Diego and its service provider, City Net, on dedicated outreach to people living at encampments on Caltrans right-of-way. Under its contract with the City of San Diego, City Net is deploying three outreach teams that will work with the San Diego Housing Commission and its current network of providers on shelter placements and wraparound supportive services, including transportation, case management and emergency mental-health support. Taken together, the Governors multi-year investments will expand the work accomplished through Project Roomkey and Homekey, which provided shelter to avoid COVID-19 exposure for over 58,000 unhoused Californians and created 6,000 new units for Californians exiting homelessness. Governor Newsoms multibillion-dollar homeless housing investments will provide more than 55,000 new housing units and treatment slots in the coming years. In addition to the work to get unsheltered Californians housed, the state is continuing its work to keep people facing severe economic hardship due to the pandemic in stable housing. In 2021, Governor Newsom rapidly launched a federally-funded emergency rental assistance program, distributing $1.7 billion to over 147,000 low-income California households to date. The program is lauded as one of the most successful in the nation, ensuring vulnerable Californians can pay off rental debt and avoid eviction. Earlier this month, the state launched its $1 billion California Mortgage Relief Program for homeowners who have fallen behind on home payments or reverse mortgage arrearages during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Newsmaker of the Day is heard every weekday morning at 6:45, 7:45 and 8:45 on AM 1450 and FM 102.7 KVML. BOCA RATON The former owner of a Lauderdale Lakes towing company took part in a kickback scheme by routing accident victims to lawyers and chiropractors for a fee that he later failed to report to the IRS, according to federal prosecutors. Craig Goldstein, 60, of Boca Raton, who founded Westway Towing in 1989, was charged with three counts of tax evasion and is accused of cheating the federal government out of $130,000 in taxes. Advertisement The kickback operation resulted in federal charges against six South Florida lawyers and chiropractors in 2017. The accused ringleader, Felix Filenger, was sentenced to six-and-a-half years in federal prison after pleading guilty to fraud charges. Lawyers and chiropractors from South Florida to Orlando were involved in the scheme, according to prosecutors. [ RELATED: Read about the original kickback scheme that resulted in charges against former Westway Towing owner ] Efforts to reach Goldsteins attorney Wednesday were not successful. Advertisement Brett Holcombe, president of Westway, said Goldstein has not been involved with the company since the kickback scheme was exposed in 2017. Holcombe described Goldstein as a friend who admitted his mistakes and would be taking personal responsibility for them. Hes a great friend of mine, said Holcombe. Hes apparently made a mistake. He apologized to me. It didnt in any way affect what weve done with Westway and our involvement in the community over more than 30 years. Craig Goldstein, former owner of Westway Towing in Lauderdale Lakes (Carline Jean, Sun Sentinel file) (Carline Jean) Westway has contracts with more than a dozen local governments in South Florida, towing vehicles from accident scenes and in cases where the vehicles drivers are being arrested. Holcombe said the company maintains a strong relationship with local police departments and participates in Night Out Against Crime events annually. Prosecutors said Goldstein was paid in cash each time he referred a patient to attorneys or chiropractors in Filengers ring. He also failed to report cash he received from storage lien fees and vehicle auctions, prosecutors said. The case will be handled in federal court in Fort Lauderdale. Rafael Olmeda can be reached at rolmeda@sunsentinel.com, 954-356-4457 or on Twitter @rolmeda San Antonio has reached yet another grim milestone in the COVID-19 pandemic. Wednesday marked the highest number of new cases for a single day in San Antonio with San Antonio Metro Health reporting 7,704, bringing the total number of cases to 389,399. The previous record was set back on January 4 with 4,363 new cases. The new numbers come as the city and county are at a severe risk level that continued into Wednesday. Austin's Travis County returned to Stage 5 levels less than a week ago, while Houston's Harris County marked their highest status, Severe, on Monday. Across all San Antonio healthcare systems, there are 958 COVID patients in the hospital. Of that number, 201 patients are in intensive care unit, according to Southwest Texas Regional Advisory Council. The positivity rate has jumped from 27 to 31 as of January 9. There have been nearly 5,000 deaths in San Antonio since March 2020. A look back at the daily case change data from Metro Health shows the new daily cases reported on Wednesday is the highest on record. Despite Gov. Greg Abbott's continued efforts to block any mandatory COVID safety measures, FEMA responded to his calls for aid with plans to install six testing sites in Texas. San Antonio has stepped up efforts in opening more testing sites across the city to help combat growing demand and to help cut down wait times. Steven Santana contributed to this article. Call it an almost-daily, at least in print. The Austin American-Statesman announced on Wednesday that it would discontinue delivery and single-issue retail sales on its Saturday edition beginning March 26. Daily subscribers will now receive six issues each week, and a digital version every day. In a Statesman story published under a general staff byline, Executive Editor Manny Garcia reaffirmed the 150-year-old papers ongoing dedication to local news, acknowledging the shift toward digital in news consumption and a growth in digital subscriptions as the drivers for the decision. No doubt, our print newspapers remain a vital and important part of our strategy, Garcia said. We are making a change this year in response to subscriber and advertising trends and to meet our growing audience where they want to receive our exclusive journalism. The Statesman joins 135 other papers owned by Gannett, the largest newspaper chain in America, in a new Saturday experience, as the Gannett told staff in an email. That experience includes full access to the USA TODAY Network countrywide e-Editions and the USA TODAY Crossword puzzle. Gannett owns 253 daily newspapers, many of them in Texas, including the El Paso Times and Corpus Christi Caller-Times. The Statesman joined Gannett in late 2019 when the company merged with GateHouse, the papers former owner. The pandemic hit the newspaper giant hard just months later, and it began a round of layoffs in April 2020. That October, Gannett offered voluntary buyouts to all employees, accepting almost 500 of the nearly 600 requests. The change will not trigger news and sales staffing cuts at the Statesman, but rather some realignment toward the new model, according to the story. "Our business just like any other is adapting to a competitive digital world, Gannett spokesperson Lark-Marie Anton told the Business Journal. With more of our readers engaging with our content online, we are embracing our digital future with this evolved Saturday experience while ensuring our subscribers have unlimited access to the news, sports, events and information they value most. The announcement was met with mixed reactions from staff members, past and present. Update, January 13: A woman has been arrested in connection to the vandalism at the Comal County Democratic Party Headquarters. Valerie Jean Riedel, 38, was arrested for public intoxication, according to a news release from the New Braunfels Police Department. On January 12, police responded to a call about a woman standing in a roadway throwing rocks and other items at passing vehicles. Riedel was taken to the Guadalupe County Jail. Law enforcement believe that based on her clothing at the time of the arrest, she is responsible for the recent vandalism at the Democratic HQ. --- The Comal County Democratic Party hopes New Braunfels police will help find a woman who vandalized the front door to their headquarters this week. Marilyn Aden, vice president of the CCDP, says a member showed up to the headquarters at 1592 W San Antonio Street in New Braunfels on Tuesday morning and saw the front glass door was broken. Aden says they checked the CCDP security camera footage, which showed a woman walked up to the office around 3:42 a.m on Tuesday, January 11, and striking the glass with a shovel. The woman is wearing black workout pants and a red track jacket with black sleeves. Living Blue TX posted the video to their Facebook page to help spread the word. "Its just disappointing that people would want to vandalize the opposing party. Aden says. "Our democracy relies on our parties working together." Courtesy of Comal County Democratic Party Aden says they filed a police report, and submitted video and photos of the broken glass door to the New Braunfels Police Department. She adds that police haven't been by the property yet or spoke to the neighboring corner store owner. MySA reached out to New Braunfels PD for comment. She says that the estimate for repairing the door was around $900. New Braunfels was the site of one of the "Trump Train" events in September 2020, which was a gathering of supporters who gathered to show their support for former President Donald Trump. New Braunfels Mayor Rusty Brockman had to denounce some of the messages that had "overt or implied racism or hatred." This isn't the only local Democratic office to be attacked in recent months. In September, a crude Molotov cocktail was throw into the Travis County Democratic Headquarters in Austin. An effort to redraw boundaries for elementary schools in Boca Raton has brought a heated debate among impassioned parents. As the Palm Beach County School District redraws boundaries to address overcrowding, some parents are concerned their kids will be torn away from their friends and say the proposal favors wealthier parents. Several dozen parents spoke at recent meetings, oftentimes repeating or echoing concerns similar to what other parents have said. Among the additional issues are concerns that: Advertisement The school districts Advisory Boundary Committee isnt putting forth any other proposals. Statistics or school grades dont always add up and that a new school aimed at addressing overcrowding could, itself, become overcrowded in just a few years. Students would be separated from longtime friends theyve attended school with. The school district says there isnt any favoritism, citing how it instead follows criteria in redrawing boundaries to ensure schools and families are treated equally. The committee met last month and again on Thursday evening, letting the public weigh in on the proposal during virtual community input sessions. Advertisement If the proposed boundaries are adopted, it would, among other things, rezone a number of students from Calusa Elementary, J.C. Mitchell Elementary and Verde K-8 School to a new school, which is being called 05-C until a permanent name is decided. Under the new proposal, families at Calusa Elementary would come from 90% single-family homes, 5% apartments and 5% condos while the new school, O5-C, would comprise 29% single-family homes and 71% multi-family homes, according to data from the school district. A new school is under construction in Boca Raton on Tuesday, December 7, 2021. A proposed change to school boundaries for elementary schools in Boca Raton is set to be voted on by school district officials Thursday. (Carline Jean / South Florida Sun Sentinel) Courtney Renaud, a Calusa Elementary parent, and several other parents of Calusa students said they expected the boundaries to be redrawn, and said they were just surprised at where the proposed boundaries are. They say that nearly half of the neighborhoods included in the new zone for Calusa are within country clubs or gated communities, where home prices average about $1.8 million. The proposed rezoning also includes the addition of a new country club, Boca West, to the Calusa zone. Boca West is currently zoned for Whispering Pines Elementary School, which is at 98% capacity, according to the school district. The optics are that Boca Raton politicians are using the opportunity around this rezoning to turn Calusa Elementary into a free private school, Renaud said in a statement. A handful of other parents shared concerns about a wealth disparity in the proposal at Thursdays meeting. A rendering shows what Boca Ratons newest elementary school will look like when its completed in August of 2022. The 1,000-seat school will help ease overcrowding at other schools in the city. (Palm Beach County School District / Courtesy) The new school is expected to open by the start of the 2022 school year at 1798 Spanish River Blvd., near Don Estridge High Tech Middle, and will be able to accommodate about 1,000 students. Calusa Elementary has a capacity of 1,166 students but has 1,241 students enrolled this year, according to data from the school district. The current plan is to rezone about 400 students from there and then transfer them to the new school. I share a carpool with neighbors that are less than 60 seconds across the road, Renaud said previously. And its really difficult that this rezoning will have major impacts in affecting that after-care support and carpooling support that I get from what is my community. Advertisement Several parents at Thursdays Advisory Boundary Committee meeting called for more studies so families can weigh a variety of options and configurations for redrawing of boundaries. One father said that even when hes making minor fashion choices for himself, he gives himself more options than the school district is for this proposal. When I look for a new pair of shoes, I look at two or three pairs at least, he said. A decision that will impact hundreds or thousands of students and families, he argues, should also warrant a vast variety of proposals. Some said their children have already been affected by having been forced to leave after-school care, VPK or other programs due to the pandemic and that being forced to attend a new school without their friends would make matters worse for their childrens mental and emotional health. Other parents expressed support for the current proposal as it stands. A study conducted by the Palm Beach County School District on rezoning elementary schools in Boca Raton includes a map that shows proposed boundaries and what schools some students may be rezoned for. (Palm Beach County School District / Courtesy) The school district says policies dictate the criteria used to draw school boundaries, such as travel time from peoples homes to the nearby schools, according to Claudia Shea, a spokeswoman for the Palm Beach County School District. The study being considered by the ABC committee maintains essentially the same socioeconomic diversity as exists at each of the affected Boca Raton area schools, she said. The size of the communities that would be separated from one another under the proposed change would help address the issue of overcrowding, but that individual neighborhoods are not being split up among different schools, Shea said. Advertisement We understand and appreciate the concerns being expressed by parents. In preparing attendance zone studies, the District takes great care to not separate subdivisions or Planned Unit Developments, wherever possible, Shea said in a statement. The communities on the west side of St. Andrews Blvd. were developed as individual communities separated by a 4 lane divided roadway and, unfortunately, due to their scale it is not always possible to keep large areas with multiple communities together. Boca Raton Mayor Scott Singer said at Thursdays meeting that there are 11 separate neighborhoods in the St. Andrews Boulevard corridor. He said the majority of Calusa parents hes heard from expressed a desire to stay at the school. Singer cast doubt on some of the statistics cited in the initial study for a proposal. He acknowledged a large number of challenges with this effort but said it will ultimately be impossible to please every parent and said the current proposal appears to be the best one hes seen. He did, however, call for an effort to grandfather some families into current boundaries and allow some families to volunteer to send their kids to the new school. The viewpoints expressed during the committees meetings dont necessarily reflect those of all impacted students and families. Multiple committee members said they each received several dozen letters, phone calls and emails from parents that may not have spoken during the meetings. Ultimately, the committee members will discuss the proposal with one another and then vote to either recommend the proposal to the school board superintendent or seek a new proposal, according to Jason Link, manager of school enrollment and demographics for the school district. Once a proposal is recommended to School Board Superintendent Mike Burke, he puts the proposal to a vote and school board members will vote at two consecutive meetings, about a month apart from each other. Advertisement I totally understand that Calusa is overcrowded, Im in the school every day, said Kristin Gallo, a teacher at Calusa Elementary and a parent of kids who attend the school. The way the boundaries are right now, it feels like an overflow school to us instead of that community school, which is why all of us moved here. Austen Erblat can be reached at aerblat@sunsentinel.com, 954-599-8709 or on Twitter @AustenErblat. Officials found two more giant pigs roaming around in San Antonio last weekend, increasing the swine population at the local Animal Care Services. Local Rachel Talamantez tells MySA she was heading to pick up her H-E-B curbside order on Sunday, January 9, when she spotted trucks trying to redirect two pigs on the city's South Side near South West Military Drive. Talamantez says she and other residents in the area managed to corral the pigs into the Pronto Pawnshop parking lot. That's when officers with the San Antonio Police Department were called in to help relocate the pigs, Talamantez says. Rachel G. Talamantez Lisa Norwood, the public information officer for ACS, tells MySA the organization was called to pick up the pigs on Sunday. However, the pigs were too big to fit in the largest kennels available on animal control vehicles. Norwood says they had to call in reinforcement and use a livestock trailer to transport the swine to ACS. ACS now houses six pigs at its location. Towards the end of last year, officers found four pigs roaming around in neighborhoods. The four pigs have been named by ACS and have no apparent owner. According to Norwood, Tammy Swinette (a white and pink female pig) was found in a neighborhood off Five Palms Drive and Old Pearsall Road on November 18. Babe (a black female pig) was wrangled successfully in the 900 block of WW White Road on November 21. Animal Care Services ACS found Thing 1 and Thing 2 after a good Samaritan contained the roaming pigs in the backyard of a vacant home south of Pleasanton Road and West Harding on Thursday, December 9. Norwood says they don't know where the pig population is coming from but wants to continue to stress owning pigs within city limits is illegal. Owning a pig within the city limits is a Class C misdemeanor, punishable by fines averaging around $300. "We've said it before and we'll say it again, it's illegal to own pigs," Norwood says. "Now, your city's municipal shelter is having to care for the six we have. People think, 'Oh I'm going to get a cute micro pig and it's going to stay very small,' but that's not the case. You're essentially having livestock in your house. These animals get very large and they eat a lot." It's not usual where ACS picks up animals that aren't the usual cat and dog. Norwood says they have roosters, guinea pigs and a whole bunch of bunnies. As a reminder, residents also can't own apes, wolves, coyotes, alligators, skunks, ostriches, venomous or poisonous reptiles, panthers, lions, tigers, and bears. By Lambert Strether of Corrente. Bird Song of the Day More winter birds. A pair of birds building a nest about 3m up in a tall black spruce in open spruce muskeg. * * * Politics But what is government itself, but the greatest of all reflections on human nature? James Madison, Federalist 51 They had learned nothing, and forgotten nothing. Charles Maurice de Talleyrand-Perigord When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro. Hunter Thompson Capitol Seizure UPDATE Founder of far-right Oath Keepers militia group, 10 others charged with seditious conspiracy in Jan. 6 Capitol attack [Associated Press]. Stewart Rhodes, the founder and leader of the far-right Oath Keepers militia group, has been arrested and charged with seditious conspiracy in the attack on the U.S. Capitol, authorities said Thursday. Ten other people also were charged with seditious conspiracy in connection with the attack on Jan. 6, 2021, when authorities said members of the extremist group came to Washington intent on stopping the certification of President Joe Bidens victory. The indictment against Rhodes alleges Oath Keepers formed two teams, or stacks, that entered the Capitol. The first stack split up inside the building to separately go after the House and Senate. The second stack confronted officers inside the Capitol Rotunda, the indictment said. Outside Washington, the indictment alleges, the Oath Keepers had stationed two quick reaction forces that had guns in support of their plot to stop the lawful transfer of power.' Finally, a case to answer. Good. (Since Thomas Caldwell, who also held a leadership role in the Oath Keepers, was an FBI informant, its hard to see how this got so out of hand, if indeed it did.) Biden Adminstration Yep: My man had one job https://t.co/6PUZpXTGSt Atrios (@Atrios) January 12, 2022 My man Biden, that is. Zients is, unsurprisingly, full of it. The Biden Administration has not done everything, even in their own limited terms. They had a year to get testing, treatment, and masks right. Now they are frantically trying to catch up on the first two, and Walensky is fighting a desperate read-guard action against N95s (see below). Klain, Fauci, Zients, and Walensky should all get the axe. Na ga happen. Many of us share this view: More than anything in the world, I want to see the data that made the Biden COVID Response team say, Fuck it. I just dont get it. Jorge A. Caballero, MD (@DataDrivenMD) January 13, 2022 I would imagine the data is on corporate and family office income statement. So well never see it. Biden was forged in the Senate. Now hes burning political capital to change it. [Politico]. Just as he tried to resolve myriad disputes on his domestic spending plans late last year, Biden is wading directly into a protracted battle within his own party over weakening the Senate filibuster. After edging from defender to critic of the chambers 60-vote requirement to pass most bills which has been a roadblock to many of his top priorities Biden will visit Senate Democrats on Thursday to emphatically argue for changing the Senate rules to pass a party-line election reform bill. But it appears unlikely the president can move two of his partys most ardent filibuster defenders, Sens. Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.) or Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), off their defense of the Senates supermajority requirement. Democrats say its better for Biden to try and fail with his latest long-shot effort than not try at all. After all, the president, himself a 36-year veteran of the Senate, campaigned as a skilled navigator of the Hill who could leverage relationships into legislative progress. Indeed. Democrats en Deshabille I have moved my standing remarks on the Democrat Party (the Democrat Party is a rotting corpse that cant bury itself) to a separate, back-dated post, to which I will periodically add material, summarizing the addition here in a live Water Cooler. (Hopefully, some Bourdieu.) It turns out that defining the Democrat Party is, in fact, a hard problem. I do think the paragraph that follows is on point all the way back to 2016, if not before: The Democrat Party is the political expression of the class power of PMC, their base (lucidly explained by Thomas Frank in Listen, Liberal!). It follows that the Democrat Party is as unreformable as the PMC is unreformable ; if the Democrat Party did not exist, the PMC would have to invent it. If the Democrat Party fails to govern, thats because the PMC lacks the capability to govern . (PMC modulo class expatriates, of course.) Second, all the working parts of the Party reinforce each other. Leave aside characterizing the relationships between elements of the Party (ka-ching, but not entirely) those elements comprise a network a Flex Net? An iron octagon? of funders, vendors, apparatchiks, electeds, NGOs, and miscellaneous mercenaries, with assets in the press and the intelligence community. Note, of course, that the class power of the PMC both expresses and is limited by other classes; oligarchs and American gentry (see industrial model of Ferguson, Jorgensen, and Jie) and the working class spring to mind. Suck up, kick down. * * * Muted and deferential, the UKs scientists have failed the pandemic test [New Statesman]. Yes, according to James Wilsdon of Sheffield University. I think its hard to disentangle some of what were seeing from the government on masks and so on from the broader rise of a form of post-accountability politics, in which MPs and top officials no longer need to justify breaches of ethical or procedural standards. It has now completely infected the British body politic. And as the top science advisers work so closely with and for their political masters, it seems inevitable that this infection has spread to them, too. These concerns were raised in the summer lull of 2020. Richard Horton, editor of the Lancet, told me then that the relationship between the scientific advisers and politicians in the early phase of the epidemic was strangely collusive. Wilsdon, too, was troubled from the start. The very first moment I saw those press conferences, with the CMO [Whitty] and GCSA [Vallance] flanking the Prime Minister it rang all sorts of alarm bells, in terms of lines of accountability and the blurring of the distinction between advice and decision-making.' Strangely collusive. Why the Left Couldnt Destroy Rahm Emanuel [Politico]. Emanuel started out as an operative, as a fundraiser and campaign hand for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. What Emanuel knows is that in modern political culture, operatives who are close to the gossip, to the evolving media narrative, to who is trying to knife who often have more real power than principals. It is the same thing that an operative-turned-principal of another generation, James Baker, understood. Even after he became secretary of the Treasury and secretary of State, he never stopped working Washington and working the story. Who is that ringing my mobile phone on a Sunday morning? Oh, its Rahm. How many people get these calls? I feel sure there are many dozen. Perhaps that proves we are all equally swamp creatures. But, simply on practical grounds, the operative mindset is essential to how Emanuel wields power. It is why he made common cause with Biden in the Obama White House. It is why chief of staff and fellow operative Ron Klain (who can be seen as he looked 30 years ago with Emanuel in The War Room, the Clinton 92 cam paign documentary) believed he had to come up with some cool job for Emanuel even once the original idea of secretary of Transportation didnt come through. It was why several key members of Chicago City Councils Black Caucus, as well as New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker, backed Emanuels ambassadorial nomination, preventing the vote from becoming a racial litmus test. An aside: Given how much politicians fret over news coverage craving more of it, yet also bemoaning what they do get its surprising how few have mastered the relatively easy art of working the media. Theres nothing that Emanuel does that could not be done by any ambitious politician on left or right. Hes already working the Japanese media. What a shame this from The Thick of It is not a propos: pic.twitter.com/PmdB840pgA out of context thw tbick of jt (@OOCThickOfIt) January 12, 2022 Centrist Democrats urge progressives to tamp down rhetoric [The Hill]. I think that it is a time for some careful thinking about what wins elections, and not just in deep-blue districts where a Democrat and a liberal Democrat, or so-called progressive Democrat, is going to win, Clinton told NBC News in a recent interview, effectively throwing a grenade into the longest running intraparty debate in recent cycles. Winning elections is not about looking good. Its about being good, Rep. Cori Bush (D-Mo.) told The Hill on Tuesday. If Democrats brought home expansive climate action, a federal minimum wage of at least $15, paid leave, police reform, and Medicare for All, we would win in a landslide, she said. The problem is that these are not getting done, year after year, even while basic necessities like housing and health care keep getting more and more expensive. The path forward is to actually enact policies that address the pain people are feeling across the country, not pretend that pain doesnt exist, Bush said. I think Bush needs to show more deference to a party elder. Commentary: Grifter extraordinaire Trump doesnt owe me six hundred bucks. Scranton Joe does. 2022 Redistricting: Ohio Supreme Court strikes down state House and Senate maps [Columbus Dispatch]. The Ohio Supreme Court struck down GOP-drawn state House and Senate district maps as unconstitutional gerrymandering in a 4-3 decision Wednesday, sending the maps back to the drawing board. Advocates of redistricting reform hailed the decision as a resounding victory for Ohio voters who overwhelmingly approved changes to the state constitution to limit partisan line-drawing in 2015. The Ohio Supreme Court ruled that the Ohio Redistricting Commission which is tasked with drawing legislative maps and dominated by Republicans could not ignore parts of the Ohio Constitution that required them to attempt to match the statewide voting preferences of voters, according to the courts majority opinion, written by Justice Melody Stewart. Those preferences, according to Stewarts opinion, were 54% for Republican candidates and 46% for Democratic candidates over the past decade. Stewart, interestingly, was elected. But the other guy is worse: They are attacking teachers and unions while the Democratic open-covid policy crushes nurses. At this rate the only D women left will be wine moms who want the kids out of the house at any cost. https://t.co/iGEkEcLbOP Susan of Texas (@SusanofTexas) January 13, 2022 Rich suburbanites: For all the paternalistic talk about how keeping schools open is for the benefit of working parents of color, a consistent trend throughout the pandemic has been that well-off white parents are the ones who most want their kids in school and oppose remote learning. https://t.co/NQxketKfsY Walker Bragman (@WalkerBragman) January 13, 2022 2024 Biden-Cheney 2024? [Thomas Friedman, New York Times]. Not at all, said Levitsky. We should be ready to talk about Liz Cheney as part of a blow-your-mind Israeli-style fusion coalition with Democrats. It is a coalition that says: There is only one overriding goal right now that is saving our democratic system.' As usual, when liberal Democrats say our, they mean it. Realignment and Legitimacy Democidal elites watch: BROKENtrust in the @CDCgov@CDCDirector says CDC will not change recommendations to wear higher quality N95/KN95 masks. What an awful day in the pandemic & theI have more choice statements but suffice to say I am angry & disappointed beyond words.https://t.co/GJTgNemlDU pic.twitter.com/yG0Tc8cIMv Eric Feigl-Ding (@DrEricDing) January 12, 2022 Walensky is doubtless being cheered on by droplet goons in the hospital infection control [hollow laughter] community, which from the beginning was vociferously opposed decent masking for proles (and on whose behalf Faucis noble lies were told, as well as WHOs). Walensky says CDC mask recommendation will not change [The Hill]. Walensky acknowledged that the CDCs website is in need of updating right now to include information on the different levels of protection different masks provide, including the improved filtration of KN95 and N95 masks. We want to provide Americans with the best and most updated information to choose what mask is going to be right for them , she said. FFS. More: What I will say is the best mask that you can that you wear 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 and tolerate where you need to wear it, the CDC director added. CDC, that is, is providing information and not guidance. And the CDCs budget is ~$8 billion. Is out-of-her-depth and flailing Walensky really saying they dont have the money to keep their website updated on a key non-pharmaceutical intervention? Is she high? At-Home Coronavirus Tests Are Inaccessible to Blind People [New York Times]. Christy Smith has never been tested for the coronavirus. As a blind person, she cant drive to testing sites near her home in St. Louis, and they are too far away for her to walk. Alternative options public transportation, ride share apps or having a friend drive her to a test site would put others at risk for exposure. The rapid tests that millions of other people are taking at home, which require precisely plunking liquid drops into tiny spaces and have no Braille guides, are also inaccessible to Ms. Smith. Many people who are blind or have limited vision are not being tested as often as they would like and some are staying isolated because testing is too difficult. More Lebensunwertes Leben. Meanwhile, it seems that the new Let Er Rip messaging has not entirely penetrated, despite everyones best efforts: While the media proclaims Americans are over covidhttps://t.co/kBfhhUR7eb pic.twitter.com/Ht1U11gu5h wsbgnl (@wsbgnl) January 12, 2022 * * * Exiting the Vampire Castle [Mark FIsher, The North Star]. A must-read, and worth rereading periodically. And if Thomas Edsall is right (see Water Cooler yesterday), wealthy funders just gave the Vampire Castle a more colorful label than wokistocracy, NGOs, or the Non-Profit Industrial Complex $25 billion. No doubt for services rendered, and in earnest of further efforts. #COVID19 Case count by United States regions: Big step after a small step, a recurring pattern (says the tape watcher). It would sure be nice if rise like a rocket, and fall like a stick applied, but we cant know that yet. To be fair, previous peaks how small the early ones look now have been roughly symmetrical on either side. But the scale of this peak, and the penetration into the population, is unprecendented. The official narrative that Covid is behind us, and that the pandemic will be over by January (Gottlieb), and I know some people seem to not want to give up on the wonderful pandemic, but you know what? Its over (Bill Maher) was completely exploded. What a surprise! MWRA (Boston-area) wastewater detection: Still the only encouraging news I see (and a lot of people watch this now, so good for the biobots). The Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) service area includes 43 municipalities in and around Boston, including not only multiple school systems but several large universities. Since Boston is so very education-heavy, then, I think it could be a good leading indicator for Covid spread in schools generally. From CDC Community Profile Reports (PDFs), Rapid Riser counties: I see a few spots of improvement (San Diego, Vermont) but otherwise status quo. (Tennessee is green, as the note in red at the bottom says, because they went over to weekly reporting. Nice.) The previous release: Hospitalization (CDC Community Profile): Still brutal. (Note trend, whether up or down, is marked by the arrow, at top. Admissions are presented in the graph, at the bottom. So its possible to have an upward trend, but from a very low baseline.) Death rate (Our World in Data): Total: 866,89 863,896 . Covid cases in top us travel destinations (Statista): Might as well check out where we go, in case we bring something back (as from Italy to New York in 2020). This is a log scale. (Sorry for the kerfuffle at the left. No matter how I tinker, it doesnt go away. (The data is from 2019, and so subject to subsequent events, but this is the best I can find.) The excess deaths charts will appear weekly, on Friday. Stats Watch Employment Situation: United States Initial Jobless Claims [Trading Economics]. The number of Americans filing new claims for unemployment benefits rose by 23 thousand from the previous period, the most in 8-weeks, to 230 thousand in the week ending January 8th, compared with market expectations of 200 thousand, as a surge in coronavirus cases led by the Omicron variant disrupted activity from airlines to schools. Still, claims remained below their pre-pandemic level, suggesting labor market conditions continued to tighten as the US economy expanded at a solid pace and demand for labor remained strong. * * * Banking: (Glenn Stevens was the Governor of the Reserve Bank of Australia from 2006 to 2016.) The Glenn Stevens episodes are some of the crispest; heres another one: The Bezzle: Hey guys, there's a way to endow your commercial interests with the force of a moral imperativehit the subscribe button and I'll let you in on this cool trick Wesley Yang (@wesyang) January 13, 2022 Lucky Millionaire Wants To Share The Wealth! Just send * * * Todays Fear & Greed Index: 57 Greed (previous close: 63 Greed) [CNN]. One week ago: 51 (Neutral). (0 is Extreme Fear; 100 is Extreme Greed). Last updated Jan 12 at 12:26pm. Class Warfare Family Capitalism and the Small Business Insurrection [Dissent]. At this point we need to ask whether the growing militancy of the Republican right can be adequately explained by the triumph of small over big business, as Tea Partiers and Trump himself would have us believe. Even the most sophisticated commentators have taken the Tea Party at its word on this matter. But as Trumps example reminds us, what is at stake here is less an alliance of the small against the big than it is an insurrection of one form of capitalism against another: the private, unincorporated, and family-based versus the corporate, publicly traded, and shareholder-owned. If most family enterprise was confined to the small business sector in the 1980swhen public corporations accounted for the bulk of big businessthis shorthand does not apply today, as more large companies go private and dynastic wealth surges to the forefront of the American economy. The historian Steve Fraser has noted that the resurgence of what might be called dynastic or family capitalism, as opposed to the more impersonal managerial capitalism many of us grew up with, is changing the nations political chemistry. The family-based capitalism that stormed the White House along with Trump stretches from the smallest of family businesses to the most rambling of dynasties, and crucially depends on the alliance between the two. Without its network of subcontracted family businesses, the dynastic enterprise would collapse as a political and economic force. Meanwhile the many small business owners that gravitate toward Trump are convinced that their own fortunes rise and fall along with his. Extremely important and well worth a read. Best context Ive seen for 1/6. Our Debt to Mark Fisher [Tribune]. Mark Fisher passed away five years ago today. The first step in the fight against the entrenched desocialisation and dysphoria of the twenty-first century, [Capitalist Realism argues, must be a simple freeing of consciousness. This initially sounds like a throwback to the failed leftism of the sixties and seventies, and indeed Deleuze and Guattaris Anti-Oedipus is one of the models for Capitalist Realism. Mark set his argument apart, however, by making contemporary subjectivism the primary site of struggle and ultimately a means of reactivating collectivity. His writings on mental health enacted a series of brilliant inversions. You think you feel bad because of some arbitrary affliction called depression, but might your working conditions have something to do with it? We have been told that neoliberal capitalism liberated us from the horrors of statist dystopias, so why have mental-health problems skyrocketed in recent years? What if we looked beyond our obsession with self for a minute and re-emphasised our sociality? Breathing, as I keep saying, is a social relation. Hence Corsi boxes, etc.. News of the Wired Mask news. Alert reader Jen (supported earlier by Samuel Connor) recommended the 3M Aura: Dont know if youve tried the 3M Aura, but I just did and whoa! Life changing! The nose bridge bit has foam as well as metal sealing that sucker tight. Was in the supermarket with it the other day and had a moment where I was like, am I actually wearing a mask? The dont fit every face shape but man, if they fit yours, its night and day. I bought a box of 3M Aura 9320A masks. They are FFP2 standard, which is an N95 near-equivalent. Yes, the foam nose-bridge really works, and my glasses do not fog. I prefer elastics round my head to loops round my ears, because the loops irritate my ears and get tangled up in the temples of my glasses. Importantly, the mask is structured, rather like the shoulders of some suits, so not only is the fit tight (the elastic helps), the mask is kept away from my mouth, so I dont get the occasionally feeling of breathing the mask in or out, as I did with the KN95s I previously used. The Aura also has a very long chin section you can pull down over your throat. I prefer the Aura to my earlier combination of a KN95 and a Badger seal; the fit is clearly better. It feels a bit like wearing lightweight armor, but its something I can get accustomed to. I cant answer for how it will work with your face, of course, but the nose bridge, as Jen notes, is highly adjustable. Theyre also individually wrapped so elaborately that its hard to believe theyre fakes; they arent just masks in a box. * * * Contact information for plants: Readers, feel free to contact me at lambert [UNDERSCORE] strether [DOT] corrente [AT] yahoo [DOT] com, to (a) find out how to send me a check if you are allergic to PayPal and (b) to find out how to send me images of plants. Vegetables are fine! Fungi and coral are deemed to be honorary plants! If you want your handle to appear as a credit, please place it at the start of your mail in parentheses: (thus). Otherwise, I will anonymize by using your initials. See the previous Water Cooler (with plant) here. Todays plant (JW): JW writes: I live two miles downwind from where the fire burned all those houses in Boulder County. I didnt think our house would make it, but we were very lucky. Today when I was taking the compost out I found this singed paper lying near my leaf pile. Note the text is from a very appropriate source. Just the craziest thing that I had to share * * * Readers: Water Cooler is a standalone entity not covered by the recently concluded and thank you! successful annual NC fundraiser. So if you see a link you especially like, or an item you wouldnt see anywhere else, please do not hesitate to express your appreciation in tangible form. Remember, a tip jar is for tipping! Regular positive feedback both makes me feel good and lets me know Im on the right track with coverage. When I get no donations for five or ten days I get worried. More tangibly, a constant trickle of donations helps me with expenses, and I factor in that trickle when setting fundraising goals: Here is the screen that will appear, which I have helpfully annotated. If you hate PayPal, you can email me at lambert [UNDERSCORE] strether [DOT] corrente [AT] yahoo [DOT] com, and I will give you directions on how to send a check. Thank you! By Margaret Kadiri, Lecturer in Physical Geography, Kings College London. Originally published at The Conversation The UN climate summit COP26, held in November 2021, focused the worlds attention on the urgent need to tackle climate change and concluded with 197 countries agreeing to the Glasgow climate pact. But opinions on the summits 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 theyve 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% its 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. Thats almost half of the continents projected GDP. Given these estimates, Africas 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 whats 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. Since subsidy money was flowing into an industry employing less than 1% of Africas 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 worlds largest concentrated solar power (CSP) facility in Morocco, Noor Power Plant, converts the Suns 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 Moroccos power while reducing carbon emissions by around 690,000 tonnes per year. Projects like these dont 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 Africas economies between now and 2030. Jerri-Lynn here. Im amazed any of these administration jokers still have jobs. While they dither about mask guidance and distribution, Omicron gallops across the country. Even if only half the people in the U.S. wear masks, thats still an awful lot of people, at least some in not many of whom are having difficulty sourcing genuine N95 or KN95 masks. An update: Common Dreams reported that Bernie did indeed reintroduce legislation yesterday to distribute N95 masks to everyone in the U.S.: Sanders Reintroduces N95 Mask for All Legislation. By Jake Johnson. Originally published at Common Dreams The Biden administration faced growing backlash Wednesday for resisting calls from public health experts and progressives to distribute N95 masks to all U.S. households to help fight the Omicron wave, which is pushing new coronavirus infections to record-shattering highs nationwide. An unnamed senior administration official sparked outrage by claiming in an interview with Politico that because half the country wont wear any mask, widespread distribution of high-quality face coverings would be pointless. It may be popular in certain corners of Twitter, but for masking to work as a public health tool, people need to actually wear them, the official said. To prevent spread, the focus should be maximizing the number of people simply wearing a mask in the first place, not shifting the goalposts to urge everyone to go above and beyond to use high filtration masks to make it less likely they themselves will inhale particles. The officials comment led New Republic contributing editor Osita Nwanevu to tweet sardonically that the official policy on proper masks right now is, I dunno, see if you can find something that isnt counterfeit on Amazon.' Gizmodos Matt Novak noted that even granting the unsubstantiated premise that half the country wouldnt wear freely distributed N95s, the other half of the country, ostensibly Joe Bidens base, would like to avoid getting sick and potentially dying from Covid-19. Show @WhiteHouse that we DO want free masks, tests & clear policies on when to use them its not just a folx on Twitter. Join @MarkedByCovid & us by signing & sharing: https://t.co/QuwyXL9kSE https://t.co/JWr6FP98z9 pic.twitter.com/sKwgxWO05A Michelle Ko (@michelleko2d) January 12, 2022 Public health experts have vocally argued in recent weeks that the Biden administration should promote the use of N95 masks to combat Omicron, given that cloth masks appear to be less effective at preventing transmission of the highly contagious variant. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Rep. Cori Bush (D-Mo.), and other progressive lawmakers have echoed that message, demanding that masks be sent directly to households just as the administration is preparing to distribute hundreds of millions of rapid at-home tests. With the Biden administration thus far declining to act, Sanders is expected to unveil a bill Wednesday that would ensure N95 masks are distributed to every U.S. householda proposal that the Vermont senator has been advocating since the early stages of the pandemic. All Americans should have face masks that will keep them safe, Sanders tweeted Tuesday. I will be introducing legislation tomorrow for N95 masks to be sent to every household in the country. This will save lives and reduce healthcare costs. Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) said Tuesday that he will be introducing companion legislation in the House of Representatives. Proud to lead this effort alongside @SenSanders in the House. If were recommending folks wear N95 masks, then we should provide them. https://t.co/pSd5v31bXf Rep. Ro Khanna (@RepRoKhanna) January 11, 2022 Politico reported Tuesday that some administration officialsincluding Surgeon General Vivek Murthyand outside White House allies have pressured President Joe Biden to adopt the approach Sanders and others are pushing as the Omicron strain wreaks havoc across the country. If were recommending folks wear N95 masks, then we should provide them. Celine Gounder, an infectious disease specialist and former Covid-19 adviser to the Biden transition team, told Politico that she has called on the White House to provide N95 and KN95 masks through the website the administration is standing up as part of its plan to distribute at-home tests to any American who requests them. With the White House deliberating its mask policies, the Centers for Disease Control is reportedly considering updating its guidance to recommend that all peoplenot just healthcare personnelwear N95 or KN95 masks whenever possible. Such guidance would be difficult for many to follow in the absence of coordinated federal policy aimed at distributing such high-quality masks nationwide. At present, N95 masks can be hard to find in the U.S., particularly amid the sea of fakes being sold by online retailers. Last month, as Common Dreams reported, a coalition of public health experts and advocates launched a campaign urging the Biden administration to send an ample and continuous supply of free rapid at-home tests and N95-quality masks to every household in America twice a month through May 2022. Such high-quality masks, said the coalition, are necessary to keep the virus at bay. By Jerri-Lynn Scofield, who has worked as a securities lawyer and a derivatives trader. She is currently writing a book about textile artisans. Microfibers pieces of microplastics less than 5 mm in length are now virtually ubiquitous, found in pristine environments such as the Arctic, as well as in human placentas. Their impact on human health has not been well studied, although recent research suggests they may be dangerous, as The Guardian noted in Tumble dryers found to be a leading source of microfibre air pollution.: A study published this week, Microfibers Released into the Air from a Household Tumble Dryer, found that a single home clothes dryer could release up to 120 million such particles into the air each year, making microfibers so released a leading source of such air pollution (see full study here.) The study was conducted by a group led by Prof. Kenneth Leung, director of the State Key Laboratory of Marine Pollution (SKLMP) and department of chemistry at City University of Hong Kong. Per the abstract: This study quantified the number of the two most common textile fibers discharged from a household vented tumble dryer to ambient air. The results suggest that driers of this type are a potential source of air contamination by microfibers, releasing 433,128561,810 microfibers during 15 min of use. Microfibers can be generated from both polyester and cotton textiles. The abundances of microfibers of polyester produced were directly proportional to the masses of clothing loaded into a dryer, but such a relationship was not apparent for cotton textiles. On the basis of the results presented here and other relevant data, it was estimated that the average Canadian household can annually release from 9 107 to 12 107 microfibers from a single dryer. To minimize the release of these microfibers into the air, an appropriate engineered filtration system should be developed and adopted as an effective control measure for individual household driers. Both organic e.g., cotton and inorganic polyester shed microfibers when clothes are tumble dried. The natural fibres can be digested and decompose relatively quickly. The inorganic fibres are more problematic. Per the study: Cotton microfibers discharged into the environment can be ingested by organisms, but they are not as persistent as polyester microfibers. For the same drying duration, cotton textiles produce more stable amounts of microfibers (165 27) after drying regardless of the mass of textiles in the dryer. In comparison, polyester textiles can generate more microfibers than cotton textiles according to the current results. Micro- fibers generated from polyester textiles are of special concern since their bioaccumulation potential increases with decreasing size. The microfibers might be ingested by organisms ranging from zooplankton to fish and birds and transferred into food webs. [Jerri-Lynn here: my emphasis; study p. D, citations omitted.] Professor Leung told The Guardian that filtering such pollutants is a relatively simple exercise: Once we know the source, we can begin to control it using simple methods, said Leung, the lead author of the study published in the journal Environmental Science & Technology Letters. Leungs team has designed filtration systems that prevent washing machines from dispersing microfibres and is now working on similar systems for clothes dryers. The challenge arises when it comes to dispose of the microfibers that the filters collect: Over to The Guardian: These [filter systems] effectively remove most of the microfibres from the laundry, he said. However, it is still unclear where these microplastics would end up when the filters were cleaned. If people just put these [fibres] in the dustbin, some of the fibres will be released back into the air, he said. We suggest the particles should be collected in a bag. The question of course is: where does that bag go? Because if its simple tossed into a landfill those microfibers will make their way into the ecosystem. Filters per se are not a complete solution. Instead, Leung noted: Even if fitting these filters is possible, as Leung says, microfibres will still be pervasive until the clothing industry uses more environmentally friendly fabrics. To be sure, the study suggested that when comparing the tumble drying of organic and inorganic fibers, cotton appears superior to polyester. Yet as Ive written previously, merely shifting production from inorganic fibers to cotton creates its own set of environmental concerns. Current varieties of the most commercially popular cotton are notoriously thirsty plants, and considerable quantities of pesticides are also employed in most cotton production. While organic cotton production dispenses with the pesticides, the thirst issue remains. Reviving traditional Indian cotton varieties holds out some promise in addressing these issues, yet at present, the scale of such initiatives is minuscule, and alone they couldnt supply world cotton demand any time soon ( see Growing Cotton: One Small Sustainable Solution to the World Plastics Problem.) Perhaps another possible short-term solution might be to air dry clothing doing so cuts back on the fossil fuels necessary to run dryers. My mother used a clothes line during the temperate New Jersey summers of my youth. Yet with temperatures hovering below freezing today in much of the Northeast, clothes hung out to dry would freeze before they dried. Additionally, although Leung et als study only addressed tumble drying, I believe his team has also found washers also generate microfibers, so even eliminating clothes dryers completely wouldnt solve the problem. Leung et als study makes it clear that the typical household clothes dryer generates a considerable quantity of microfibers. Alas, sorting out what should be done to collect and dispose of these fibers properly is not a straightforward task. Rat who detected land mines in Cambodia dies in retirement AP In Assam, artificial nests for barn owls are helping farmers befriend the natural rodent killer Scroll Birdwatch: the stately waterbird thats the tallest species in Europe Guardian The End of the Empress Guernica Nowa Huta: The city that went from communism to capitalism BBC What was the effect of LEGO losing its patent? Quora Lessons From a Flawed Genius Persuasion GET WISE TO GET SMART Crime Reads A Personal Catalogue of the Worlds Most Storied Bookstores Literary Hub Dancing through the water: rare sighting of blanket octopus in Great Barrier Reef Guardian What obscure words should we bring back into daily use? Literary Hub We Shot a Moose, Class. There Will Be a Quiz. New York Times The U.S. Federal Government Deregulates French Dressing WSJ Libor, Long the Most Important Number in Finance, Dies at 52 NYT #COVID-19 Health Care laffaire Jeffrey Epstein Climate Change Class Warfare Hi, can I get a venti latte with fair working conditions, hold the union-busting please? For Hopewell, NJ Thanks! pic.twitter.com/cztkuakqgn SBWorkersUnited (@SBWorkersUnited) January 11, 2022 Syraqistan German court finds Syrian ex-colonel guilty of crimes against humanity Deutsche Welle Turkey Erdogan vows to tame Turkish inflation as scepticism grows Reuters Californias overflowing coffers hand Newsom every politicians dream Yahoo Biden Administration Alexander Cockburn almost 40 years ago on the American left & Democrats. Its like staring into stagnation itself. Grim.https://t.co/mTEuzKeEan pic.twitter.com/CxZCHn1KsH Mark Ames (@MarkAmesExiled) January 12, 2022 Trump Transition Supply Chain New Cold War NATO open to more talks with Russia amid Ukraine tensions Deutsche Welle Kazakhstan India Pakistan China? Old Blighty Wanted: New housemate for Westminster based feline. Recently decorated house includes excellent security, lightly used office space and large garden, suitable for hosting parties. #PMQs Larry the Cat (@Number10cat) January 12, 2022 Antidote du Jour (via): See yesterdays Links and Antidote du Jour here. The officialdom in the US and abroad has been engaging in even more aggressive efforts to normalize the ongoing risk of contracting Covid. Mind you, plenty of prominent voices, from antivaxxers to the health ministry of Sweden to the Great Barrington Declaration types have been misrepresenting the dangers of contracting Covid by comparing it to winter bugs. But the common cold doesnt leave you with months of crushing fatigue and brain fog, or heart inflammation, or kidney damage, or greater risk of getting cancer.or even possibly developing Type 1 diabetes. Moreover, its not clear whether patients who suffer these afflictions fully recover. Theres also reason to doubt how much vaccines blunt this kind of damage by virtue of blunting the most dangerous symptoms but not preventing infection or even moderate to pretty bad cases. For instance, a 2021 study found 20% of asymptomatic Covid cases resulted in long Covid.1 The prevalence of mild cases under Omicron is actually worse than the prevalence of asymptomatic cases under Delta, since mild is worse than asymptomatic. Nor do we know if treatments that reduce the severity and duration of Covid cases curtail or even prevent morbidities. If treatments do a better job of curtailing long-term damage than vaccines, we have our Covid strategy backwards. However, rather than study these and other basic but important questions intensively, our so-called public health officers have more and more become water boys for the pols. As a result, if they had once tried to appear that they were doing anything other than Let er rip, they are openly capitulating. One blunt statement came from the UKs Dr. Clive Dix, the former chair of its vaccine task force. Per the Guardian: Covid should be treated as an endemic virus similar to flu, and ministers should end mass-vaccination after the booster campaign. With health chiefs and senior Tories also lobbying for a post-pandemic plan for a straining NHS, Dr Clive Dix called for a major rethink of the UKs Covid strategy, in effect reversing the approach of the past two years and returning to a new normality. We need to analyse whether we use the current booster campaign to ensure the vulnerable are protected, if this is seen to be necessary, he said. Mass population-based vaccination in the UK should now end. He said ministers should urgently back research into Covid immunity beyond antibodies to include B-cells and T-cells (white blood cells). This could help create vaccines for vulnerable people specific to Covid variants, he said, adding: We now need to manage disease, not virus spread. So stopping progression to severe disease in vulnerable groups is the future objective. The fact that Dix is talking about T-cells is discrediting. First, T-cells are a secondary line of immune defense. By the time they wheel into action, an infection is advanced, potentially dangerously so. Second, T-cells are a first line of defense against cancer. They wander about the body and attack the cancers you are growing all the time and stop them before they become dangerous. Adults pretty much do not make new T-cells. Even early in Covid, T-cell exhaustion and derangement were cited as dangerous outcomes because depleted cells increases the risk of getting cancer. And oncologists are reporting an increase in cancers, including formerly uncommon cancers, beyond what can be explained by pent up demand due to interruptions in access to doctors and treatment facilities. As we will see shortly, this stopping progression to severe disease, as in dealing only with limiting acute infections, conveniently excludes the considerable health damage many experience from the harm equation, By contrast, Finland has warned that long Covid could become its biggest chronic disease. Yet while Omicron being so wildly different from earlier variants ought to have produced a big push for better understanding, public health officials appear to have given up on collecting basic information, like how many people are hospitalized. IM Doc says the official count for his hospital is less than 1/10th the cases admitted as Covid cases. And cases? Reporting from states like Florida was becoming spotty, one wondered if by design. One needs to wonder no more: As Omicron surges, Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo says the state is working to "unwind" the COVID "testing psychology" that the federal government has prioritized. pic.twitter.com/cju0o1uVJm The Recount (@therecount) January 3, 2022 And widespread home testing made the fog of war problem vastly worse: the lack of reporting of results to public health officials plus poor accuracy (tendency to false negatives, made worse due to prevalence of poor sample collection). Instead, weve seen ever more efforts to find happy factoids, whether they even stand up to scrutiny, and put them front and center in news coverage. A glaring recent example hyped misleading research: Covid loses 90% of ability to infect within 20 minutes in air study.. This study is a preprint, and is based on a bizarre simulationof droplets. As Lambert has explained ad nauseum, Covid is transmitted by aerosols. So this is facially a garbage in, garbage out piece of research. Yet I cannot tell you how many readers sent reports of this study to me via e-mail. GM pointed out that a study sows doubt about widespread empirical evidence of Covids contagiousness is awfully convenient: That will be used to argue for further relaxation of containment measures, to the extent that there are any. Never mind that we have well documented instances of people getting infected by entering a room in which an infected person had been hours before that, people infected in hotel quarantine through doors being opened for seconds, or even never at the same time, across the open windows of separate buildings located close to each other, etc. So one has to wonder what exactly the motivation behind that study is. But even if correct, right now it probably takes only one viral particle to lead to a fulminant infection. So 90% reduction, even if correct, does not really mean what the headlines imply it means Another Omicron porcine maquillage strategy is to push the idea that Omicron cases are likely to decelerate rapidly. That is very likely but many enthusiasts are drawing the wrong conclusions, that this means that Omicron or even Covid will soon be over, as opposed to this Omicron spike may soon fizzle out. With Omicron having such a short period to transmission and high contagiousness, this variant is quickly burning through available targets at a blistering pace. But when it recedes, that does not mean its over. Victims will have immunity for only a whilesix months? A year? And back to the original big lie about Omicron, that it is mild. Just because it doesnt often turn the lungs of the sickest into bloody goo does not make it tame. IM Doc (whose clientele skews towards health fetishists and outdoorsy types) has said he has plenty of patients who are very sick. And he is not alone: That's most of us and almost every family is affected by at least one of these 3 factors. https://t.co/mw9cS6Oe2P CM #CutDownTransmission (@xuchuanmei) January 13, 2022 And for the latest too-good-to-be-true planted story,2 well turn the mike over to Lambert: Cant anybody here play this game? NEW >> @CDCDirector lays out encouraging new study on Omicron severity. 91% reduction in risk of death with Omicron compared to Delta 74% reduction in risk of going to ICU 53% reduction in risk of being hospitalized pic.twitter.com/WgdrNum0uy Ian Sams (@IanSams) January 12, 2022 Study, from medRxiv, is not peer-reviewed. Further, deaths lag cases, and death reports lag deaths. Surely its extremely early to opine on the reduction of the risk of death? If the administration wishes to rebuild trust, this is not the way to go about it. And again, that piece yet again serves to reinforce the bad idea that deaths are all that matters with Covid, when as weve had to keep saying, the morbidity impact is far more serious population-wise, particularly since those who were impaired by one bout of Covid have good odds of becoming more impaired when they succumb a second (and third and fourth) time. Mind you, the US is far from alone in deciding the great unwashed public cant handle the truth. Reader BillS presented this find on Tuesday: Covid propaganda machine in Italy is shifting gears. Repubblica came out with a headline that the covid numbers are too high and they number of positive test results should no longer be reported. They also say that hospitalizations do not reflect true covid cases. I presume the high hospitalization numbers uncomfortably contradict the vaccine-will-save-us narrative..and they need to come down by hook or crook! https://www.repubblica.it/cronaca/2022/01/11/news/non_ha_piu_senso_contare_ogni_giorno_i_positivi_il_bollettino_quotidiano_diventa_un_caso-333455943/ And Biden is patting himself on the back for putting citizens in harms way of the sake of the economy. Too bad supply chain fodder does not roll as trippingly off the tongue as cannon fodder: And Lambert found that the CDCs recommendation of only a five day quarantine was not, per Eric Topol of Scripps, based on zero evidence, but actually contradicted research findings (emphasis his): Since December 3, 2021, the National Institute of Infectious Diseases (NIID) and the Disease Control and Prevention Center within the National Center for Global Health and Medicine (NCGM/DCC) have jointly initiated an investigation on Omicron cases in collaboration with several medical facilities in Japan. Here, we examined the duration of infectious virus shedding in Omicron cases identified early in this investigation. A total of 83 respiratory specimens from 21 cases (19 vaccinees and 2 unvaccinated cases; 4 asymptomatic and 17 mild cases) were subjected to SARS-CoV-2 RNA quantification using quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and virus isolation tests. The date of specimen collection for diagnosis or symptom onset was defined as day 0. The amount of viral RNA was highest on 3-6 days after diagnosis or 3-6 days after symptom onset, and then gradually decreased over time, with a marked decrease after 10 days since diagnosis or symptom onset (Figure). The positive virus isolation results showed a similar trend as the viral RNA amount, and no infectious virus in the respiratory samples was detected after 10 days since diagnosis or symptom onset (Table). These findings suggest that vaccinated Omicron cases are unlikely to shed infectious virus 10 days after diagnosis or symptom onset. And last but not least, GM explains why the apparent less badness of Omicron, by not being as destructive to lung tissue, is lulling researchers into complacency, when they should be worried about damage to other sites: So the thing about Omicron is that it replicates better than previous variants in cells that have high ACE2. Previously it needed ACE2+TMPRSS2. Now it needs just ACE2. A quirk of that is that it now replicates worse in cells that have low ACE2 and high TMPRSS2. Which happen to be the alveoli. So you dont get as much really brutal ARDS (though you still get plenty of it). But nobody has any actual data on what happens in other organs, except for in vitro studies in cell culture. We do know, however, as I said above, that it replicates better where you have ACE2. And you have high ACE2 all over the body. So logically one should expect worse internal organ damage than before. This also makes a certain amount of sense if it evolved through an 18-month systemic infection it had plenty of time and selection pressure towards that to have adapted to infecting internal organs. The problem for all of us is that COVID is really three diseases at once: 1. The acute URT infection 2. The hyperinflammatory reaction in the alveoli that causes ARDS 3. The systemic infection that damages hearts, kidneys, beta cells in the pancreas, endothelial cells, the brain (though perhaps not directly), etc. People mostly die immediately from #2. They also die from #3, and will be dying of it in very large numbers in the future, but that does not enter the official statistics and thus can be ignored politically. With Omicron we get worse #1 (high ACE2 in the bronchi and above them in the URT), less severe #2, and we have no direct data on #3, but logic says it is worse, for the same reasons #1 is worse. But because #2 happens to be the immediate killer that grabs attention, the rest can be ignored with a sufficient amount of propaganda. And that is what happened. The virus has been like a chess grandmaster playing against schoolboys so far. This was the worst move for us it could have played go to a lower immediately apparent virulence after Delta. Just enough to allow politicians to go ahead with letting it rip. Then it will probably come back with a vengeance with something even worse than Delta derived from one of the 1st-generation variants, but by then letting it rip will have become the default policy You have been warned. _____ 1 Typical for the lack of adequate investigation in these areas, one study that claimed to study morbidity and abseenteeism was too short to identify lasting health damage and keyed off days missed from work, as opposed to full exams to ascertain the extent of known and potentially hidden damage. 2 Flogged by a flack at HHS. 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. Follow William Williams 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 A Fort Lauderdale police sergeant was arrested Thursday on charges of defrauding organizations that paid him for security work during his regular police shifts. Sgt. James McDowell, who worked in the Office of Internal Affairs, turned himself in at the Main Jail in downtown Fort Lauderdale, the department announced. He faces three counts of grand theft and one count of organized scheme to defraud. Advertisement Preliminary details from the investigation have revealed several instances where McDowell signed on to work off-duty details while still working his regularly scheduled shift at the Fort Lauderdale Police Department, said a statement from the department. This resulted in several hundred fraudulently billed hours and the loss of thousands of dollars. [ Lee en espanol: Sargento de policia de Fort Lauderdale arrestado por cargos de fraude y robo ] The allegations against McDowell concerned off-duty security details for Wawa, Broward County Transit and Harbor Beach Island Fund LLC, a company that arranged patrols of the exclusive Harbor Beach gated community in coastal Fort Lauderdale, according to a complaint affidavit filed with the Broward County State Attorneys Office. Advertisement The complaint accused him of defrauding these organizations of a total of $21,500 to $60,000 over an eight-month period from Jan. 1, 2020, to Aug. 31, 2020. James McDowell, a Fort Lauderdale police officer, was arrested on three counts of grand theft and one count of organized scheme to defraud. Police Chief Larry Scirotto issued a statement to the department saying he was disappointed to announce the arrest of one of our officers, James McDowell. The actions of Mr. McDowell do not reflect the character and professionalism I expect of members of this agency, he wrote. McDowell, 37, of Royal Palm Beach, was placed on administrative leave without pay. The case is being handled by the Broward County State Attorneys Office. David Fleshler can be reached at dfleshler@sunsentinel.com and 954-356-4535. Says Kramer Deans, The same amount of work you would with any group you want to target for growth, you have to do with the Black community (Natural News) Investigative journalist Mary Fanning told Ann Vandersteel that Americans must restore God to first place in their lives because the United States is a God-given country. This is a God-given country. We have God-given rights, said Fanning during the Jan. 4 episode of Vandersteels program Steel Truth on Brighteon. TV. Fanning recently interviewed Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano, who served as the Apostolic Nuncio to the United States from 2011 to 2016 and secretary-general of the governorate of Vatican City State from 2009 to 2011. Vigano hugged the headlines when he called for the resignation of Pope Francis in 2018 for covering sexual abuse within the church. According to Fanning, Vigano who is known for exposing the underhanded things coming out of the Vatican came forward to bring a message to the American people. His excellency [Vigano] brought his message to the American people, to let them know what is taking place before them and to ask the American people, particularly the American people, to stand up for freedom and our God-given country and not let these New World Order evil cabal to take control, Fanning said. Its very exciting to see this message coming from him. But the first I want to highlight are the first two paragraphs where Archbishop Vigano talks about a coup that has been thwarted upon the entire world, and that all those who go against the narrative are labeled conspiracy theorists, said Vandersteel. (Related: Catholic bishop warns that covid plandemic is ushering in global dictatorship.) The host was referring to the part where Vigano said: A global coup has been carried out all over the world, planned for some time by an elite group enslaved to the interests of international high finance. This coup was made possible by an emergency pandemic that is based on the premise of a virus that has a mortality rate similar to that of a seasonal flu. Vigano added that the mainstream media has contributed to the insane pandemic narrative, and that he was promptly singled out as conspiracy theorist when he denounced the coup. Both Fanning and Vandersteel agreed that the mainstream media is part of the problem. Fanning warned that the people selling us out will have to face the American people as the mainstream media continues to print lies. Vandersteel, on the other hand, said: We have to continue to shut down and ignore the mainstream media because, as always, theyre going to lie to you. Labeling somebody a conspiracy theorist is a communist tactic Fanning said labeling somebody a conspiracy theorist is a communist tactic. They are attacking those who are standing up. She said this was a coup that should not have happened if the 2020 election was not stolen from Donald Trump. And so those who stole that election were not just the domestic traders so to speak. It was domestic traders working with our adversaries and some of our allies who wanted to make sure they took President Trump out so that this could be put in place. This is what were watching unfold before us, Fanning said. The world, according to Vandersteel, is standing and holding its collective breath to see if the coup will be reversed or if theres been a coup inside the coup. She asked Fanning if Trump is complicit with the globalist plan to take over America and roll it into a New World Order because he went along with the fact that there was a pandemic. Fanning said Trumps action must be blamed on the Praetorian Guard that surrounded him. I dont think that Trump is complicit but the Praetorian Guard that surrounded him were traitors to this country, said Fanning, adding that Dr. Anthony Fauci, who works closely with the World Economic Forum, the United Nations, the World Health Organization and Klaus Schwab, is leading the parade of traitors. President Trump was not being told the truth during the intelligence briefing, said Fanning, who noted that Trump was actually against the vaccination of children. Vaccinating children is genocide Vandersteel said vaccinating five-year-old children is unconscionable given the fact that vaccines are deadly. (Related: STUDY: Covid vaccines provide ZERO benefits for children.) Fanning went further and branded the vaccination of children as a genocide program. Your audience should know Bill Gates own pediatrician came out at one point and said Gates did not allow his own children to receive any vaccine, Fanning noted. She also mentioned whats happening in New Zealand where they are putting forward laws that allow severely hospitalized Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) patients to be euthanized. So, you know, at what point do the people of the globe stand up and stand shoulder to shoulder against this evil? asked Fanning. Watch the full Jan. 4 episode of Steel Truth with Ann Vandersteel below. Catch new episodes of Steel Truth from Monday to Friday at 9:30-10:30 p.m. on Brighteon.TV. Follow Pandemic.news for more news and information related to vaccines. Sources include: Brighteon.com Summit.news InfoWars.com (Natural News) Los Angeles increasingly liberal policies have led to rises in crime, driving many residents to take safety into their own hands and arm themselves. Robberies, car thefts and home invasions are just a few of the problems residents are increasingly contending with. Russell Stuart, the owner of Beverly Hills Guns, said that sales have been booming as the city notes a 25 percent rise in violent crime. He said: Firearms and public safety is not a rich issue. Weve seen an uptick in watch robberies, car thefts, follow-home invasions because of the climate of crime in Beverly Hills and throughout the Greater Los Angeles area. People have been driven more to focus on their own personal safety. Many of his customers are liberal Hollywood elite types who once claimed to be opposed to guns. Stuart has been encouraging customers to go to shooting ranges so they can gain a better understanding of safely operating firearms and has proposed establishing a shooting range in Beverly Hills. Stuarts store is the only gun shop in Beverly Hills. It is located in an office building with no sign on its doors and runs by appointment only, offering a concierge service to affluent clientele. He reports seeing increasing numbers of panicked residents coming in after a series of high-profile smash-and-grab robberies and violent home invasion robberies. He has seen anxious actors, film execs, real estate moguls and business owners coming in, many of whom are buying a firearm for the first time. He told L.A. Mag: This morning I sold six shotguns in about an hour to people that say, I want a home defense shotgun. Everyone has a general sense of constant fear, which is very sad. Were used to this being like Mayberry. The store is part of a larger security company he owns, the Force Protective Agency, which he says has been getting inquiries about even more elaborate security measures, such as safe rooms, bulletproof glass in homes, and armored luxury cars. One client reportedly asked about having Tony Stark-level security with half a dozen drones hovering over his home. Crime has been rising since Black Lives Matter protests He traces the rise in demand for security to the Black Lives Matter protests in May 2020, which saw looting on Rodeo Drive that left boutique storefront windows shattered at luxury stores like Chanel, Gucci and Dior. In one of the more recent high-profile events, a $500,000 Richard Mille watch was stolen from a diner at gunpoint at the Il Pastaio restaurant. In another, armed robbers crashed a Pacific Palisades holiday party to take peoples jewelry. Another incident that has residents on edge was a December home invasion robbery that left 81-year-old philanthropist Jacqueline Avant dead. Security experts have been encouraging those in the area to avoid going out with flashy jewelry and pricey vehicles and to try to keep a lower profile. In December, the Los Angeles Police Department said that violent crimes such as robbery, aggravated assault and homicide had risen 6.2 percent so far for the year, while homicide had risen 13 percent since the previous year and 52.2 percent compared to 2019. Total violent crimes in Beverly Hills, meanwhile, climbed 25 percent in the previous 12 months. The problem is being fueled by the fact that many suspects have been going free after meeting no-bail policies recently put in place for certain crimes with the aim of reducing jail populations during the pandemic. Not surprisingly, some of those concerned about crime in the city have identified Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascons progressive policies when it comes to prosecution and sentencing as being a big part of the problem. Sources for this article include: LAMag.com OANN.com HollywoodReporter.com (Natural News) President Joe Biden urged the unvaccinated, including children, to get injected with the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine as the country recently recorded over one million new infections in a day. Videos of Biden emerged on social media warning American parents to keep their children away from unvaccinated people and to surround them with people who are vaccinated if their kids are too young to be vaccinated. There is no excuse for anyone being unvaccinated. This continues to be a pandemic of the unvaccinated, Biden said. New research has found that children ages 5 to 11 years of age do not need unnecessary COVID-19 vaccines. (Related: Study: COVID vaccines provide ZERO benefits for children.) Experts say children have an almost zero risk of getting sick from SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, yet the Biden administration wants all of them to get injected with vaccines that could cause them to develop heart disease or die. A peer-reviewed study co-authored by viral immunologist and biologist, Dr. Jessica Rose, found that myocarditis rates were significantly higher in people aged 13 to 23 years old within the eight weeks after the injections were first rolled out. In an act of censorship, this paper had been temporarily removed and it has now been killed without criticism of the work, Rose shared. A team of researchers in Great Britain came to a similar conclusion that children are naturally immune to virus. People should keep in mind that all vaccines available are only those known as having emergency use authorization (EUA). Federal and state laws forcing parents to obey At the federal level, the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA) has defined child abuse and neglect as any recent act or failure to act on the part of a parent or caregiver that results in death, serious physical or emotional harm, sexual abuse or exploitation or an act or failure to act that present an imminent risk of serious harm. A publication in the Child Welfare Information Gateway reported that approximately 42 states and the American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands define abuse as including acts or circumstances that threaten the child with harm or substantial risk of harm to the childs health or welfare. The word approximately is used to stress the fact that the states often amend their laws. Neglect, on the other hand, is frequently defined as the failure of a parent or other person with responsibility for the child to provide medical care or supervision to the degree that the childs health, safety and well-being are threatened with harm. Ten states specifically define medical neglect as failing to provide any special medical treatment or mental health care needed by the child. These include Arkansas, Connecticut, Florida, Mississippi, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas and West Virginia. Oregon state law says that failing to provide adequate medical care is child abuse, and failing to vaccinate a child during an outbreak is considered as child abuse in some states. A study examining the relation of vaccine refusal and medical neglect under child welfare laws presented several public health implications, one of which states: Invoking child welfare laws to improve compliance with vaccine recommendations deserves caution, because so few courts have addressed whether vaccine refusal constitutes medical neglect. In the absence of a direct statutory mandate, state public health officials should issue clear and explicit guidance for providers and Child Protection Services (CPS) as to whether vaccine refusals constitute medical neglect. The study concludes by enjoining state lawmakers to debate whether vaccine refusals constitute medical neglect and incorporate their conclusions into state statues. There havent been any liability lawsuits filed against parents who failed to vaccinate their children, said Dorit Rubinstein Reiss, a professor of law at the University of California Hastings College of the Law who writes frequently about vaccination policy and law. Non-vaccination was pretty rare until the 80s and 90s, so we havent had enough preventable disease transmission to raise a lot of claims, Reiss said. If we have more harm caused by this, its inevitable that a lawsuit will happen at some point. I dont think lawsuits are a very strong deterrent, but I think it is important to have compensation for the child, who shouldnt have to pay the price for these decisions. Watch the video below about COVID vaccination of children. This video is from the WONG channel on Brighteon.com. Follow Immunization.news for more information related to coronavirus vaccines. Sources include: CNBC.com ChildWelfare.gov OregonLive.com HealthLine.com NCBI.NLM.NIH.gov Brighteon.com The Boynton Beach Police Department and the police officer who was following Stanley Davis III when the 13-year-old lost control of his dirt bike and died should be held accountable, his family and attorney said Thursday. South Florida civil rights attorney Ben Crump said he is planning to file a case in federal court for the wrongful death of the teen last month. In Florida, attorneys must notify government entities of their intention to sue and then wait six months before actually filing the suit. Advertisement Davis died on Dec. 26, a day after getting the dirt bike as a Christmas gift. Crump said the teen was on his way to a filling station to get gasoline when a Boynton Beach Police officer started following him. The teen, officials have said, lost control of the dirt bike, hit the median and flew through the air, striking a sign. Protesters gather at the makeshift memorial for 13-year-old Stanley Davis III on Federal Highway in Boynton Beach on Jan. 1, 2022. The teen died in a crash after he left a gas station on his new dirt bike, darting off as a police SUV approached. His family and protesters say the child's death could've been avoided had the officer not followed. (Mike Stocker / South Florida Sun Sentinel) Crump and the family are demanding the city publicly release any recordings of the incident, such as body-worn cameras or dash cams. The department reiterated in an update on the case Thursday that the officers vehicle did not have a dash camera and that they have given all other video and evidence to the Florida Highway Patrol. Advertisement The police, to date, have denied requests from the South Florida Sun Sentinel for other video, dispatch audio and any 911 calls. Crump and his family believe the officer following Davis was violating police policy by pursuing the child. Police policy states that an officer may chase a motorist if the officer reasonably believes that the person has engaged in a forcible felony, such as murder, home invasion or kidnapping. Riding a dirt bike on a public road is a traffic offense. [ RELATED: Family urges city leaders to demand accountability from the Boynton Beach Police Department ] Crump, Davis family and a Palm Beach County community activist vow they will not stay silent until they feel justice will be served. We will continue to disturb the peace, Crump said, adding Davis parents wont let this be swept under the rug, because Stanley Davis life mattered. Davis father, his namesake, said his own death used to scare him and now it no longer does. Im feeling like my life is not worth living anymore, Davis Jr. said. ... When my son died, I am not going to say a part of me died all of me died. I no longer care about my life anymore. ... You want to see empty, Ill show you what empty looks like. You want to see pain? This is what pain is. Police have refused to identify the officer, citing Marsys Law, a Florida voter-approved initiative that allows for the names of crime victims to be withheld. Stephanie Slater, a spokesperson for Boynton Beach Police, said in an email that the officer invoked his right to Marsys Law exemptions as he and his family are victims of ongoing threats to their safety. Crump did not name the police officer when asked by the Sun Sentinel at a Thursday morning news conference about the intent to sue. Advertisement But Crump said he and the family believe that they know the identity of the officer, and that this officer has a history of violating vehicle pursuit polices that led to the deaths of a man in 2012 and a 5-year-old child in 2016. The South Florida Sun Sentinel has reviewed prior cases involving the Boynton officer identified by the family, but has not been able to independently confirm that officer is the one accused of following the teenager. On June 30, 2012, a 38-year-old man was fleeing from a Boynton Beach Police officer on Interstate 95 south of Lantana Road when he veered to the right to attempt to exit the highway and lost control of the car and crashed into the concrete barrier, a Florida Highway Patrol traffic crash report says. The driver was eventually ejected from the car and pronounced dead at the scene. On Feb. 13, 2016, a 20-year-old man was driving west on Minor Road, fleeing from a Boynton Beach Police officer when he lost control of the car as he attempted to turn and drove onto the sidewalk. The driver fatally struck a 5-year-old boy, according to an FHP traffic crash report. [ RELATED: "We're here for justice" ] We believe he should not have even been on street patrol based on what was going in the 2016 incident, Crump said. The police department said that FHP, the Palm Beach County Medical Examiners Office and the police departments internal affairs each have ongoing investigations. Advertisement Boynton Beach Police Chief Michael G. Gregory has said there is no evidence or witness accounts that says the officers vehicle came in contact with the boys dirt bike. Davis mother said she is outraged, angered and in total disbelief that this is going on and on and nothing is being done. As a parent we stand united. As a community, we stand united. Enough is enough. We are tired of things being swept under the rug, Shannon Thompson said. Advertisement Eileen Kelley can be reached at 772-925-9193 or ekelley@sunsentinel.com. (Natural News) The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO), the body that regulates and disciplines doctors in the province, had initiated legal action with the Ontario Superior Court of Justice against Drs. Mary Elizabeth OConnor, Mark Raymond Trozzi, Celeste Jean Thirlwell, Rochangne Kilian and Patrick Phillips. CPSO said the interim orders were issued under provisions of the Regulated Health Professions Act, which allow the regulator to impose restrictions or conditions on a members license if it believes the conduct at issue exposes or is likely to expose patients to harm or injury. The Superior Court of Justice was asked by the medical regulator to issue orders compelling them to fully cooperate with their investigation, including providing medical charts and patient information, allowing investigators to enter their offices and allowing them to copy necessary documents or remove them. According to CPSO, OConnor refused to provide the documents requested by the investigators. OConnor referred to the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccines as gene therapy experiments, and took the position that CPSO must advise if it knows the ingredients of the gene therapy experiments that are being administered to humanity without informed consent. Michael Winwood, OConnors lawyer, said: There was no malpractice or incompetence involved and the doctor would fight the case in court. A hearing was set for early January. Kilian, an emergency room physician, was a vocal opponent of COVID-19 vaccines and lockdown measures. CPSO claimed it had received information that Kilian provided medical exemptions through Enable Air, a website that facilitated the purchase of vaccination exemptions. Kilian said CPSO does not have jurisdiction to request patient lists and patient charts. Egg House Media reported that Kilian resigned from her post because she knew that the Grey Bruce Health Services (GBHS) and the Ontario health system were practicing unethical behavior, particularly the championing of COVID-19 vaccines that seemed to do more harm than good. In a virtual meeting with Gary Sims, CEO for GBHS, and other key staff members, Kilian brought up the issue of coercive mentality being imposed on people to receive the COVID-19 shots that were technically still in clinical trials. Kilian reminded Sims and the other GBHS key staff members that under the Tri-Council Policy Statement, protocols concerning the health and safety of patients should still be observed even during a pandemic. The Tri-Council Policy Statement is a set of guidelines established by the federal government of Canada regarding the ethical conduct of research involving humans and/or human biological materials. She also reiterated that an emergency situation like the coronavirus pandemic, does not warrant taking shortcuts that could lead to the detriment of people who are relying on the GBHS for medical care and assistance. Kilian added that if these protocols are not appropriately observed, the GBHS is patently condoning a violation of the Tri-Council Policy Statement. In October 2021, CPSO suspended Kilians medical license, stopping her from practicing medicine entirely, after previously barring her from issuing medical exemptions from COVID-19 vaccines. In the case of Thirlwell, a sleep therapist based in North York, CPSO alleged that she threatened to resist the medical regulators investigators physically by private security if they attempt to obtain records from her office. She also stated that the CPSO lacked jurisdiction to police medical exemptions. Trozzi, who practices in Bancroft, had earlier been ordered by CPSO to stop issuing medical exemptions in relation to COVID-19 vaccines, masks or tests. (Related: Whats next on the ABSURD COVIC-19 medical technology chopping block?) He said the CPSO does not have a legal basis to request patient lists and charts, adding that an Ontario doctor is free to provide medical exemptions relating to COVID-19 vaccinations as he or she sees fit. In October last year, Trozzi was prohibited from issuing any COVID-related exemptions. Phillips, a family doctor based in the rural community of Englehart, had been barred by the CPSO for allegedly spreading misinformation about the ongoing coronavirus pandemic on his Twitter account, which has nearly 40,000 followers. The CPSO said allegations of incompetence and disgraceful, dishonorable conduct against Phillips have been referred to its disciplinary tribunal. A hearing date has not been set. Canadian doctors follow ethical standards rather than CPSO The CPSO had previously urged doctors to be selective in issuing exemptions to COVID-19 vaccines. However, many doctors in Ontario chose to follow their professions ethical standards. In December, civil and criminal litigator Paula Trattner told the Global and Mail reporter Carly Weeks that legal challenges can be expected to be brought forward by individuals who got fired for not complying with an employers vaccination mandate. She noted that Canadian law protects an individuals freedom of religion or belief, subject to reasonable limits. Paula and other legal experts say that in the context of a public health crisis, such limits could include an employees request to refuse vaccination as that decision could put others at risk. VoterVoice posted an urgent campaign, calling on CPSO to stop harassing and intimidating the doctors, who provided legitimate exemptions from the COVID-19 vaccinations. The message also requested that they not be subjected to any politically motivated investigations but instead, be allowed to practice medicine in the province. Watch the full video below about COVID-19 vaccination. This video is from the LiveTruthDaily channel on Brighteon.com. Follow Pandemic.news for more news related to COVID-19. Sources include: CTVNews.ca OttawaCitizen.com CP24.com CBC.ca TheGlobeAndMail.com Brighteon.com (Natural News) The latest updates on the new normal chronicling the lies, distortions, and abuses by the ruling class. (Article by Ben Bartee republished from TheDailyBell.com) 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. Read more at: TheDailyBell.com (Natural News) Thanks to a bombshell new revelation via Project Veritas, we now have smoking gun proof that Fauci lied under oath and funded the gain-of-function research that led to the SARS-CoV-2 bioweapon being developed in Wuhan and unleashed upon the world. The military documents acquired by Project Veritas confirm what weve been reporting for months: That EcoHealth Alliance approached DARPA and requested funding for an experiment involving the aerosolized release of skin penetrating toxic spike protein nanoparticles into wild bat caves in China. DARPA refuse the request, noting that such an experiment would be wildly dangerous and would violate restrictions on biological weapons research. After DARPA rejected the funding, Fauci and others at the NIH and NIAID found a funding workaround and deliberately circumvented the gain-of-function research restrictions in order to funnel money to Wuhan and affect the open air release of this biological weapon. Since then, millions have died (so far) around the world, and many hundreds of millions will likely die from the vaccine mandates spurred by the covid plandemic. Thats because the spike protein bioweapon is the key ingredient in covid vaccines, too. For mRNA vaccines, the mRNA instructions tell your body to manufacture spike protein toxic nanoparticles, the very same bioweapons that DARPA said would be too dangerous to release in bat caves. These documents prove that Fauci is a mass murderer. As Naomi Wolf recently explained on Steve Bannons War Room broadcast, these actions on the part of Fauci and his co-conspirators are, in every way, premeditated manslaughter of millions of people, coordinated at the highest levels. Fauci is guilty of mass murder and treason This is smoking gun proof that Fauci knew he was funding a biological weapon, and he circumvented government restrictions in order to make sure Chinas military-run lab got the funding and technical knowledge it needed to build this bioweapon. China then released the bioweapon on the world as an act of war to target the US economy and civil liberties of western nations. Fauci is not merely a mass murderer, he is guilty of treason against the United States of America. For protecting Fauci, Big Tech, Big Media, Big Government and Big Pharma are complicit in fraud, murder and treason. They must all be prosecuted for crimes against humanity. This is why Washington State and soon, followed by other states are activating their covid death camps. They will use them to target conservatives to be rounded up under public health authority (at gunpoint) and thrown into covid concentration camps which will soon be transformed into active death camps. Power-hungry, tyrannical Democrats realize the only way they can hold on to power is to start committing genocide against their political opponents. I explain this in the following 18-minute podcast: My full Situation Update podcast, below, delves into more detail about the covid death camps and why the Biden regime is so rushed to carry out mass genocide (and launch another deadly bioweapon) before the 2022 mid-terms. There is a high chance that Fauci will oversee the release of a hemorrhagic fever pandemic to spread mass panic and kill even more people The most likely candidate for what theyll launch next is a hemorrhagic fever virus such as Marburg or weaponized Ebola. They will try to produce a very high fatality rate to leap to the next level of panic and hysteria, under which they will declare medical martial law and institute domestic travel checkpoints (show me your vaccine papers) and mandatory covid quarantines for the unvaccinated. It wont be long before Democrats start cranking up the incineration ovens and just start shoving conservatives, Christians, patriots, gun owners and Trump supporters into those ovens for as long as they are allowed to get away with it. Naturally, they will have a fight on their hands, because conservative Americans arent simply going to walk blindly into death camps and surrender to tyrants. They are going to fight as if their lives depend on it because they do. The government has declared war on We the People, and their goal is now mass extermination. We have entered the death camp / incineration oven phase of the governments betrayal of humanity. The really crazy part is that once they eliminate as many conservatives as they can, these same government goons will turn their guns on the Democrats because global extermination is the real agenda, regardless of political affiliation. In other words, all the Democrats going along with this will find themselves exterminated, too, unless armed conservatives manage to stop this holocaust. And yes, its Democrats who took most of the vaccines, so about a third of them have already been sentenced to death by lethal injection and will die off over the next decade from vaccine side effects. If we stop all this today and halt vaccines this very minute, around 1.5 billion human beings will still be killed from the vaccines already administered. For each day that this vaccine holocaust continues, another 10 million are condemned to die. Get full details in todays Situation Update podcast: Brighteon.com/d9453c17-c5e3-41de-9080-be6cc635864b Find a new podcast each day plus interviews and special reports at: https://www.brighteon.com/channels/hrreport Download my free audiobooks including Survival Nutrition, The Global Reset Survival Guide and The Contagious Mind at: https://Audiobooks.NaturalNews.com/ Also follow me on: Telegram: t.me/RealHealthRanger Brighteon.social: Brighteon.social/@HealthRanger Parler: Parler.com/user/HealthRanger Gettr: GETTR.com/user/healthranger Rumble: Rumble.com/c/HealthRangerReport BitChute: Bitchute.com/channel/9EB8glubb0Ns/ Clouthub: app.clouthub.com/#/users/u/naturalnews/posts (Natural News) Back in December, Tony Faucis National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) sent $205,562 to Scripps Research to convert innocent monkeys into transgenders. The alleged purpose of the research was to identify why transgender women experience high rates of HIV, which is something that Fauci knows a lot about as a longtime AIDS proponent. For their Fauci-funded study, researchers abused male monkeys by subjecting them to feminizing hormone therapy. The stated goal was to identify the impact of female hormones on the immune system of male monkeys. Since Fauci took over the NIAID back in 1984, this is the kind of horrific medical experimentation he has been funding and overseeing. Not just monkeys but also beagles have been subjected to extreme abuse as part of Faucis abusive mad scientist experiments. It was revealed in November that the NIAID funded a study that infected beagles with heart-worm larvae and euthanized them after experimentations, reported The Washington Free Beacon. As part of another study, researchers infected beagles with mutated bacteria from ticks. Fauci loves to abuse animals and seems to have an obsession with gender-bending Fauci also subjected monkeys to HIV as part of vaccine tests he oversaw. Every year, as many as 600 rhesus monkeys are captured and hauled off to an island off the coast of South Carolina where Charles River Laboratories abuses and tortures them for research purposes. Charles River Laboratories, by the way, currently has a $27.5 million contract with the NIAID. Dr. Katherine Roe, a neuroscientist with PETA, says that Faucis latest study involving the transitioning of monkeys into transgenders is yet another pointless, wasteful monkey torture experiment. Its just bad science to suggest that dosing monkeys with feminizing medication makes them good stand-ins for humans, Roe told the Beacon. This study will not help to prevent or treat HIV and will not help transgender women. Roe added that the study is ineffective if for no other reason than the fact that monkeys cannot even contract HIV. They contract something milder but similar called the Simian Immunodeficiency Virus, or SIV. Roe blames the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for spending billions of dollars on this pointless research even though primates are also unable to contract AIDS. In a statement, a spokeswoman from Scripps Florid claimed that testing these sub-populations of monkeys can help to develop effective treatments for fatal diseases. The research you reference concerns a sub-population of people at greater risk of HIV infection, and factors that may or may not affect their response to a treatment/preventative approach in development, the spokeswoman said. It is through these types of targeted research studies that substantive progress against HIV, cancer, ALS, dementia indeed most diseases and conditions will be made. It turns out that the NIAID has funded all kinds of transgender research involving HIV, almost like Fauci has some kind of obsession with gender-bending and using American tax dollars to do it. At one point, Fauci gave $155,000 to the University of Alabama to research the effects of giving testosterone to women. He also sent $230,000 over to researchers at Emory University to study how immune cells in the rectums of transgender people affect their HIV risk. Fauci has had a sick obsession with HIV and AIDS since the 1980s, it is important to emphasize. Something is very wrong with the guy. Im thinking his fear experiments on monkeys were a prelude to the covid fearmongering now being imposed on people, wrote a Natural News reader. What a monster. He shouldnt be allowed to walk free. The latest news about Fauci can be found at Evil.news. Sources for this article include: FreeBeacon.com NaturalNews.com (Natural News) FedEx has warned that rising cases of Omicron have led to staff shortages and delays in shipments transported via aircraft. The freight and parcel carrier said that staffing problems due to rising infections among ground personnel in its air network and pilots are behind the slower deliveries. Making matters worse are the severe winter storms that have been striking around the nation, including one at its main air hub situated in Memphis, where snow and ice have been impacting operations. The company is making some adjustments and implementing contingency plans in hopes of keeping disruptions down. One way they are trying to minimize delays is by diverting shipments to their heavy truck network. On January 10, FedEx was set to resume pick-ups for its International Priority Freight service, which had been paused, while International Economy Freight and Deferred and Premium Domestic FedEx Express Freight pick-up was scheduled to resume on January 13. Although the pandemic has led to a rise in online shopping that has boosted shipment volumes for FedEx, it is straining its logistics networks and spurring delays that are only being exacerbated by employees contracting Omicron and weather-related delays. The situation is slightly better at rival UPS, who reports that employees being unable to work due to Omicron are not affecting their services and that they have contingency plans in place. However, like FedEx, they have been impacted by recent weather events, with a UPS spokesperson identifying events in Philadelphia and Louisville as leading to some delivery delays. Several passenger and cargo airlines have been forced to cancel flights so pilots and crew can quarantine. For example, Cathay Pacific has suspended most of its cargo flights for a week and will only be operating at roughly 20 percent of its pre-pandemic levels during the first quarter thanks to strict quarantine provisions in Hong Kong. Postal service asks for relief from vaccine mandate due to inadequate staffing Meanwhile, the U.S. Postal Service, which is one of the countrys biggest civilian employers, has asked for temporary relief for its 650,000 employees from Bidens controversial vaccine mandate affecting large businesses as they struggle to deal with inadequate staffing and other issues. Deputy Postmaster Doug Tulino sent a letter to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) asking to delay the deadline for the USPS to comply with the vaccine mandate by 120 days. The postal service cannot meet the current deadlines and is dealing with time-consuming legal requirements related to using and collecting medical information as well as collective bargaining requirements. The postal service is also experiencing staffing shortages and said it will be necessary to train tens of thousands of local supervisors and managers to monitor employee compliance with the mandate. They would like to continue operating under their current COVID-19 mitigation policies in the meantime. The letter stated: We respectfully suggest that the nation cannot afford the additional potential substantial harm that would be engendered if the ability of the Postal Service to deliver mail and packages is significantly negatively impacted. Port backlogs persist Cargo delays continue to affect shippers, with top container shipping firm AP Moller-Maersk warning customers that it is still struggling to get goods moved around the world. The problem is being blamed on shortages of container ships, logjams at ports, and very high consumer spending, all of which have led to hundreds of container vessels being forced to idle outside of ports. The situation is particularly bad at the port of Long Beach, California, where Maersk reports its biggest waiting times for picking up cargo and discharging container vessels are between 38 and 45 days. However, the situation is easing somewhat in Northern Europe. The Belgian port of Antwerp, for example, is reducing its wait this week to around two days after experiencing a wait of 10 days last week. Unfortunately, as long as senseless vaccine mandates continue to keep people out of the workforce, supply chain disruptions and delays are unlikely to ease any time soon. Sources for this article include: Finance.Yahoo.com Reuters.com NASDAQ.com WTVBAM.com ChannelNewsAsia.com (Natural News) The latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention showed that COVID-19 vaccines officially have over one million adverse effects cases and 21,000 deaths. The data, which was compiled for the federal Vaccine Adverse Events Reporting System (VAERS), revealed over 3,400 miscarriages by pregnant women and over 35,000 permanently disabled individuals. Moreover, over 110,000 people ended up in hospitals due to adverse reactions to their vaccine shots. According to the Department of Health and Human Services, the strength of VAERS lies in its national scope, which can provide quick and early warnings for safety problems regarding vaccines. As part of the CDC and the Food and Drug Administrations (FDA) multi-system approach to post-licensure vaccine safety monitoring, the program is designed to rapidly detect unusual or unexpected patterns of adverse events. Despite these massive numbers, reports to VAERS remain voluntary, which means that it is highly likely that there are far more unreported cases than reported ones. Many physicians and scientists believe that the true figures are actually much higher, with a recent study led by a Columbia University researcher putting the actual figures to be higher by a factor of 20. If the underreporting factor is correct, then it would mean that there have actually been around 400,000 deaths due to COVID-19 vaccines. Senator Ron Johnson of Wisconsin has previously held forums featuring testimonies of individuals injured by the vaccines, noting that among the deaths reported to the CDC, 30 percent occurred within two days after vaccination. (Related: Study reveals FEWER than 1% of vaccine injuries are reported to VAERS.) In the abstract from the Columbia study, the researchers noted that accurate estimates of the COVID vaccine-induced severe adverse events and death rates are critical for risk-benefit ratio analyses of the vaccinations and boosters against the virus in different age groups. The health department also pointed out that the VAERS report is not documentation that shows a link is established between a vaccine and an adverse event. However, they noted that VAERS is a passive system of reporting, and it receives reports for only a small fraction of actual adverse events. (Related: Creator of mRNA tech banned on Twitter for warning public about COVID vaccine adverse effects.) FDA data show massive adverse events numbers Files that have been obtained from the FDA in November through the Freedom of Information Act recorded 158,893 adverse events from the Pfizer vaccine in the first six weeks of distribution, including nearly 36,000 incidents of nervous system disorders. The lawsuit was filed by a group called Public Health and Medical Professionals for Transparency and is comprised of over 30 professors and scientists from respected universities such as Yale, Harvard, UCLA and Brown. With court papers filed in December, the FDA proposed that it be given 55 years to release all 329,000 pages of documents related to the Pfizer vaccine, as requested by the group. It has since been modified to move the delay for up to 75 years. Vaccines ineffective against omicron variant? As the world is moving forward with the omicron variant of the coronavirus, it seems that the new strain has mutated so much that it ignores both vaccines and natural immunity from people who have already recovered from sickness. Most public health authorities are pushing again for another shot of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, with Israel now administering fourth doses to its citizens. However, it seems that the timeline between boosters is becoming shorter as cases continue to rise. The need for a booster is contradicted by data that indicate the current inoculations do not prevent people from getting infected with the omicron variant. John Abramson, a doctor from Harvard Medical School said that the first step is for people to give up the illusion that the primary purpose of modern medical research is to improve the health of Americans in the most effective and efficient manner. In our opinion, the primary purpose of commercially funded clinical research is to maximize the financial return on investment, not health, he said. Watch the video below for more information on vaccine adverse effects. This video is from the JourneyOfAdam channel on Brighteon.com. Read more updates at Pandemic.news. Sources include: InfoWars.com WND.com ClarkCountyToday.com (Natural News) U.S. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona has been accused of actually soliciting a letter from the National School Boards Association that Attorney General Merrick Garland later confirmed was the reason he issued a threat to American public school parents. (Article by Bob Unruh republished from WND.com) Fox News said emails that have now been released that show Cardona was at the center of the controversy. The letter, for which the NSBA later apologized, likened parents of school children to domestic terrorists and Merrick used the letter, which insisted the feds use the Patriot Act against parents, as a reason to call for federal spying on parents, and prosecutions if possible. But Fox reported an Oct. 5 email confirmed NSBA Secretary-Treasurer Kristi Swett recounted that NSBA interim CEO Chip Slaven told the officers he was writing a letter to provide information to the White House, from a request by Secretary Cardona.' It earlier had been revealed that the NSBA was communicating and coordinating with the White House and Department of Justice over an agenda to portray conservative parents who object to leftist ideology condemning all of America as racist such as Critical Race Theory as a danger. The emails were obtained by the parents group Parents Defending Education in a Freedom of Information Act request, the report said. Should this allegation be true, it would reveal that this administrations pretextual war on parents came from the highest levels, PDE President Nicole Neily told Fox News Digital. Neily continued, Attorney General Merrick Garland unequivocally stated that he based his memo on the NSBAs letter which in turn, mobilized the FBI and US Attorneys. If Secretary Cardona was truly involved in this ugly episode, it is a significant breach of public trust, and he should be held accountable. According to the Daily Caller News Foundation, the emails show collaboration between the Department of Education, Department of Justice (DOJ) and the NSBA, which advocated for the federal government to monitor and intervene in the activities of concerned parents regarding their childrens education. The NSBA had claimed in the letter, Americas public schools and its education leaders are under an immediate threat and it asked for federal law enforcement and other assistance to deal with the growing number of threats of violence and acts of intimidation occurring across the nation. Fights have developed in schools over leftists attempts to impose mask rules, COVID-19 shots, closures, instruction in the Critical Race Theory ideology, and more. Just days after the NSBA letter was sent, Attorney General Merrick Garland released a memo that demanded the FBI use its authority against parents if they threaten or use violence against school officials. But then, school boards have interpreted parents even attending a board meeting as a threat. The report said, Email correspondence and a memorandum obtained by PDE showed the White House was in communication with the NSBA for several weeks before the NSBA letter became public. The report also explained, A Department of Justice whistleblower leaked documents in November that showed the FBI ordered personnel to compile parent threat assessments through the creation of a threat tag titled EDUOFFICIALS to track threats against school officials, according to a joint statement sent on behalf of the Assistant Directors of the Bureaus Criminal Investigative Division and the Counterterrorism Division the day before Garlands testimony. Boards also have considered warnings about recall efforts, or announced challenges to re-election, as threats, too. Read more at: WND.com (Natural News) Mayo Clinic confirmed that it fired approximately 700 employees who refused to get vaccinated against the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19). The massive nonprofit health care employer terminated one percent of its 73,000-person workforce across all locations, including its major campuses located in Minnesota, Florida and Arizona. The clinic first announced its plan to mandate vaccines for its staff in July 2021, before enforcing a January 3 deadline to comply. The clinic said in a statement that while they are saddened to lose valuable employees, they need to take all steps necessary to keep patients, workforce, visitors and communities safe. In mid-December, the Minnesota Nurses Association held a press conference to call on hospital CEOs to address the staffing concerns. Mary Turner, the union president and a COVID-19 intensive care unit nurse, said: To our hospital CEOs and elected officials, please hear us. Nurses need more than words, we need action to address the crisis of staffing and retention in Minnesota hospitals. Mayo Clinic stated that they are not closing the doors on their employees. The clinic stated that those who have been released from their employment can apply for future job openings, given that they are already vaccinated. In the same statement, the clinic noted that nearly 99 percent of staff across all locations have complied with their required vaccination program, so they have been vaccinated or received medical or religious exemptions. Mayo Clinic went on to state that vaccination keeps people out of the hospital based on science and data. However, they did not add that studies and data suggest that the omicron variant of the COVID-19 virus can easily infect fully vaccinated individuals. Bidens directive may have played a role President Joe Biden announced several months ago that health care facilities that receive Medicaid and Medicare funding would have to impose vaccine mandates for all their employees or risk losing federal funding, which could have played a role in the Mayo Clinics own mandate. About a week ago, the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS) reversed its policy and announced that it would begin enforcing the vaccine mandate in about half the U.S. states, including Minnesota. (Related: NY healthcare system fires 1,400 unvaccinated workers, many of whom have natural immunity against COVID.) The agency said that it modified the compliance dates for its mandates, so facilities that apply have to comply with the mandates first phase: that all health care staff need to have obtained the first dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, or the single-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine by January 27, 2022, or 30 days following the issuance of the CMS memorandum. Mayo Clinic faces backlash over policies Mayo Clinic faced backlash over its policy as 38 lawmakers signed a letter to the hospital to reconsider its rule. The letter, started by a Republican member of the Minnesota House of Representatives, Peggy Bennett, stated that they heard from a large number of concerned Mayo employees who raised their concerns over the policy. In the letter, the lawmakers noted that many of the employees working for Mayo have been affected by the virus, but remained at work to serve its patients and the people of Minnesota. They did so for all these months without the protection of any vaccine. The lawmakers said they believe that people deserve to make their own decisions based on the benefits and risks for themselves, without needing to be coerced or forced into doing so by the threat of losing their jobs. When asked to respond to the letter, the Mayo Clinic referred to its initial statement where they said that their decision is based on science and data, [where] its clear that vaccination keeps people out of the hospital and saves lives. Watch the video below to learn more about how hospitals are handling staff shortages during the pandemic. This video is from the COVID Times channel on Brighteon.com. Learn more about hospital mandates, staff shortages and government handling of COVID-19 at Pandemic.news. Sources include: TheEpochTimes.com Fox19.com NBCNews.com (Natural News) Schools in Ontario, Canada were shut down for at least another two weeks as the omicron variant of the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to threaten the safety of students. Premier Doug Ford said the decision was a no-brainer, claiming that it just took him 30 seconds to make it. The new restrictions are part of the provinces Roadmap to Reopen program, which was first implemented last year. With public health experts saying that there could be hundreds of thousands of cases every day due to the omicron surge, hospitals could end up with thousands of beds short. The province announced that all publicly funded and private schools will be moving classes to remote learning until at least January 17. Ford said the decision to close the schools was taken because the province couldnt guarantee that schools would be fully staffed, as many teachers are expected to be off sick. Officials in the province did not provide any concrete plans to ensure a safe return to school of students. This makes Fords school closure announcement maddening for parents and citizens. According to them, his actions look like he is caving in to political pressure rather than listening to the science. Dr. Keiran Moore, Ontarios chief medical officer of health, insisted that schools should remain open. During a press conference, Moore explained that additional layers of protection, such as improved ventilation and better masks, could keep schools safe for in-person learning. (Related: Over 400 studies show COVID-19 measures are failures lockdowns dont work, masks dont work and school closures help no one.) Meanwhile, U.S. schools have been facing a labor shortage since before the pandemic and is only expected to worsen as omicron ravages through the population. Classes will be remote for the first week of January, with Chicago public schools shutting down on January 5 after a dispute between teachers and district officials. All in all, at least 4,500 schools in the U.S. will close their physical buildings. Pandemic causing problems for students and school staff alike Quarantines have affected children, who lost in-person class time, and families who had to scramble to arrange for child care. More than that, they also affected teachers and school staffing. There will come a point when substitute teachers cant fill in the gaps when teachers are sick or are in quarantine. By the fall of 2021, districts around the country have been facing substitute shortages due to the large number of teachers who left their careers since the pandemic began. As teachers stayed out of their classrooms, other staff members in schools have to handle classes on top of their regular works. School counselors are also finding themselves responsible for helping hundreds of students dealing with stress, anxiety and depression brought on by the pandemic. After nearly two years of disruptions, the pandemic measures are taking their toll. While the changes are made to give schools the time to make adjustments that will help them prevent transmission among students and staff, not all parents have the privilege to find or pay for child care. Karen Brown, president of the Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario, said that the online learning announcement does not go far enough. Additional measures are necessary, such as putting high efficiency particulate air filters in classrooms. Without the addition of these layers of protection, we are not confident that safe in-person learning can be sustained, Brown said. Watch the video below to know how parents are responding to school closures. This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com. Get more COVID-19 related updates at Pandemic.news. Sources include: TheEpochTimes.com CBC.ca Vox.com (Natural News) In my teaching, I prepare undergraduate students to become high school history teachers. In one course, teacher candidates prepare and deliver mock lessons. Their peers play the role of high school students, and I observe and give feedback following these practice lessons. Whether coincidence or a reflection of the times, this fall a good number of mock lessons covered the rise of totalitarianism. In one excellent lesson, a teacher candidate had his students examine the contexts that gave rise to totalitarianism. He accompanied this lesson with an excerpt from a world history textbook listing characteristics of totalitarianism. (Article by Jared McBrady republished from Brownstone.org) This lesson hit on the true purpose for including totalitarianism in high school curricula. That purpose is not to honor the likes of Hitler, Stalin, or Mussolini. Nor is that purpose to provide the methods of totalitarianism as an instructional manual to follow. Rather, the purpose of teaching on totalitarianism is to deliver a warning: heed well the conditions that yielded totalitarianism, so you can recognize and avoid them. As I observed this teacher candidates lesson, I could not help but think about that purpose in the context of our present time. One passage from the lessons textbook concerned me the most: Totalitarian leaders often create enemies of the state to blame for things that go wrong. Frequently these enemies are members of religious or ethnic groups. Often these groups are easily identified and are subjected to campaigns of terror and violence. They may be forced to live in certain areas or are subjected to rules that apply only to them (pg. 876). Creating an enemy of the state requires othering: a process of dehumanizing through marginalizing a group of humans as something different, less than, and other. Such othered groups become an easy target to scapegoat, unfairly bearing the blame for a societys ills. History is replete with examples of othering. The Ancient Greeks othered based on language, labeling those who did not speak Greek barbarians. In the United States, chattel slavery and segregation were sustained through othering based on skin color. In Nazi Germany, Hitler othered based on religion, casting Jewish people as enemies of the state. Othering frequently plays on peoples stereotypes and fears. In the United States, for example, black men have been othered as thugs, playing on fears about violence and criminality. In another example, public health officials in Nazi-occupied Poland played on the primal human fear of disease. Propaganda posters proclaimed Jews Are Lice: They Cause Typhus. Now, some politicians are othering the unvaccinated. These politicians attempt to scapegoat and marginalize this minority group, despite knowing that vaccinated and unvaccinated persons alike can contract and spread COVID-19. Below, I provide the words of three politicians as examples of othering language. I also encourage you to read their words in context. In the United States, President Joe Bidens September 9 press conference announced sweeping vaccine mandates. He expressed that many of us are frustrated with unvaccinated persons. He laid blame on them for the continued pandemic; Biden claimed that this pandemic of the unvaccinated was caused bynearly 80 million Americans who have failed to get the shot. He faulted a distinct minority of Americans for keeping us from turning the corner. And he promised We cannot allow these actions to stand in the way of protecting the large majority of Americans who have done their part and want to get back to life as normal. In a September 17 interview on the Quebec talk show La semaine des 4 Julie, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau labeled those opposed to vaccination misogynists and racists. Then, he exclaimed that Canada needed to make a choice: Do we tolerate these people? In France, President Emmanuel Macron gave an interview with Le Parisien on January 4. In this interview, he categorized the unvaccinated as non-citizens, referred to their lies and stupidity as the worst enemies of democracy, and proclaimed I really want to piss [the unvaccinated] off. Macron argued these unvaccinated persons to be only a very small minority who are resisting, and asked a chilling question: How do we reduce that minority? In these communications, Biden, Trudeau, and Macron employed several practices of othering. They created a majority in-group, signaled by use of the first person plural (we, us), and a minority othered group, signaled by use of the third person plural (they, them). They cast blame for government pandemic policies on that othered group (keeping us from turning the corner). They used words to signal to the in-group that they should be angry at the othered group (many of us are frustrated, I really want to piss them off). Trudeau and Macron specifically used labels that devalued this othered group: misogynists, racists, enemies, non-citizens. Most worryingly, Macron and Trudeau questioned whether and how to eliminate this othered group (Do we tolerate these people? and How do we reduce that minority?). My hope is that this will all amount to nothing more than ignored political rhetoric empty bluster these politicians hope will score a few popularity points with their electoral base. My fear is that it will not. Either way, this dangerous othering language must be recognized and condemned. Historians study causality: contexts, conditions, events and their outcomes. We have examined the conditions that yielded chattel slavery, the gulag, the Holocaust, Jim Crow, Rwanda. This is not an attempt to equate current pandemic policies with these past tragedies. Rather, this is a warning call. We have seen these conditions before, and we have seen where they lead. Turn back now that way leads to darkness. Read more at: Brownstone.org Peter Avsenew, the convicted killer who defiantly told a jury that he had no regrets, raised a middle finger to the victims families, and warned a judge he would kill again unless he is executed, is entitled to a new trial because he didnt get to confront a key witness for the prosecution his own mother. The Florida Supreme Court issued a ruling Thursday granting Avsenew, 37, a new trial in the Christmas 2010 murders of Stephen Adams and Kevin Powell, a Wilton Manors couple who took him in after he posted a sexually suggestive classified ad on Craigslist. Advertisement The Supreme Court took issue with how the Broward Circuit Judge Ilona Holmes handled the inability of Avsenews mother to testify in person. Jeanne Avsenew was battling cancer at the time, and as she testified remotely, she could see only the attorney questioning her. She could not see her son. [ RELATED: Convicted murderer warns he will kill again ] Assistant Public Defender Gabe Ermine objected at the time, arguing that the witness might answer questions differently if she had to look at her son while testifying. Advertisement The failure to ensure that Avsenew was kept in the presence of [his mother] during her testimony, in this case, her virtual presence, constituted a clear violation of the defendants rights under the law, the court found. Avsenews mother testified that her son came to visit her in Polk County after the murders, driving the slain couples SUV, and behaved strangely. She said she searched his computer and found he was a person of interest in the murders. We cannot overstate the harmful effect of this testimony having come from not just anyone, but defendant Avsenews own mother, the court wrote. Without question, the impact of Ms. Avsenews incriminating testimony on the jury would have been even greater because she is Avsenews mother. [ RELATED: No remorse from convicted killer Peter Avsenew ] The Supreme Court criticized Judge Holmes for not recognizing the legal significance of the witness failure to see the defendant during her testimony. Importantly, we note that the error here appears to have stemmed from sheer indifference to Ms. Avsenews inability to see Avsenew, the justices wrote. Avsenew raised eyebrows for how he conducted himself after the jury found him guilty of the murders in 2017. He fired the Public Defenders Office, which was representing him, and showed no remorse during the penalty phase of the trial, addressing jurors directly. I have no regrets in my life and Im proud of every decision Ive ever made, he said. No one here knows what happened You would need a Ouija board for that. As the jury filed out of the courtroom after recommending a death sentence in January 2018, Avsenew scratched his forehead with his middle finger. He told Holmes the gesture was not aimed at the jury. Advertisement It was to the family of the victims, he said. In a letter to the judge, Avsenew threatened to kill again. I will not ask for mercy and am not sorry, he wrote. I cant put into words the feeling of ending a life; its euphoric at the least. Ermine said Thursday he expects to handle the retrial, though Avsenew fired the Public Defenders Office after he was found guilty. A spokeswoman for the Broward State Attorneys Office said prosecutors are reviewing the ruling and will continue to seek justice in this case. Public records show Jeanne Avsenew still lives in Polk County. She appeared in person at his sentencing hearing in 2018. Rafael Olmeda may be reached at rolmeda@sunsentinel.com or 954-356-4457. Follow him on Twitter @rolmeda (Natural News) The Patriot Nurse told Mike Adams during a recent episode of Brighteon Conversations that Dr. Anthony Fauci has an abnormal mental state, which leads to manipulation and lust for power. Specifically, she said that Fauci has psychological pathology, which is characterized by abnormality and dysfunction. People in government are like this. People in power usually are not there because theyre beneficent, the Patriot Nurse said. They are manipulative and they enjoy power that fundamentally transforms the way that we should be screening any advice from people who are in positions of government, particularly unelected appointed ones like Fauci. The Patriot Nurse asserted that Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and chief medical advisor to President Joe Biden, is not a friend of freedom an issue that the medical community is constantly grappling with. She said Faucis past actions and the chaos he has created contradict this label. From a megalomaniac standpoint, I say the man is a tyrant. He would fit right in there with King George, the Patriot Nurse said. Adams agreed with his guest and compared Fauci to Nazi SS physician Josef Mengele, who conducted inhumane medical experiments on prisoners at the Auschwitz concentration camp in Poland. The Health Ranger noted that Faucis level of cruelty was on full display when he ran deadly experiments on minority children in New York. These experiments were covered extensively in Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.s book titled The Real Anthony Fauci. According to Adams, the experiments involved injecting minority children with drugs that were supposed to treat acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). As a result, many Latinos and Black children died and there were mass graves that have been uncovered since then. Adams said Fauci thinks theres nothing wrong with his actions and apparently the entire medical institution around him has the same perception. The Patriot Nurse disclosed that there has been a fundamental shift in the relationship between healthcare provider and patient. She mentioned the lack of empathy of healthcare providers, the shifting family structure in the United States, and the absence of a father figure and a boundary enforcer. She observed that the lack of appropriate boundaries among people has led to a you dont know better than me, I know whats best for me attitude and failure to develop social skills corresponding with empathy. People need to adjust their lifestyle to get in better shape The Patriot Nurse said people need to adjust their lifestyle appropriately to get their bodies in better shape and be healthier overall. (Related: Health Ranger Mike Adams and The Patriot Nurse talk about critical preparedness strategies Brighteon.TV.) She emphasized that eating better, getting proper rest and having physical activity are critical to health care. These are health investments and will pay dividends later as people are going to feel better and be less dependent on the medical industry. Getting enough sleep, according to her, is important because it will bolster the immune system and improve emotional well-being. Unfortunately, the average American is now dealing with an unprecedented level of sleep deprivation and chronic anxiety. Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) revealed that more than 35 percent of Americans are getting less than seven hours of sleep each night. An advocate of self-sufficiency, the Patriot Nurse wants people to embrace the discipline of providing healthcare and security needs, as well as food supply, for themselves. By decreasing dependency, the Patriot Nurse said, fostering freedom, mentality of independence and self governance would be easier. Watch the video below of the Patriot Nurse being interviewed by Mike Adams. This video is from the Health Ranger Report channel on Brighteon.com. Follow Health.news for more news related to health. Sources include: Brighteon.com Encyclopedia.USHMM.org (Natural News) The phenomenon of how some people naturally resist Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) infection despite clearly being exposed to the virus is now the subject of intense research globally. In October 2021, a paper in Nature Immunology described the global hunt launched by an international team of scientists for people who are genetically resistant to SARS-CoV-2 infection. The team hopes that identifying the genes protecting these individuals who never get COVID could lead to the development of virus-blocking drugs that not only protect people from the coronavirus, but also prevent them from passing on the infection. Evangelos Andreakos, an immunologist at the Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, said their goal was to have at least 1,000 recruits. The response was a real surprise. I didnt think that people themselves, exposed and apparently not infected, would contact us, said Jean-Laurent Casanova, a geneticist at Rockefeller University in New York and a co-author of the study. The team of co-authors at 10 research centers from Brazil to Greece have already started analyzing data from at least 600 people, including some from Russia and India who nominated themselves as possible candidates. In the United Kingdom, a team of researchers at the University College London (UCL) believed some people had a degree of COVID immunity even before the pandemic started likely coming from the body learning to fight viruses related to SARS-Cov-2. During the first wave of the pandemic, scientists closely monitored hundreds of health workers and hospital staff and took blood samples regularly. The results of their study published in the journal Nature confirmed that nine out of 10 had signs of being exposed to COVID but never had symptoms, never tested positive and never developed COVID-fighting antibodies in their blood. Dr. Leo Swadling, one of the researchers, said: Their immune systems were already poised to fight the new disease. Blood samples showed that even before the pandemic, these people already had T cells, which recognize and kill cells infected with SARS-CoV-2. These T-cells were able to spot a different part of the virus than the bit most of the current vaccines train the immune system to find. Dr. Alexander Edwards, from the University of Reading, said: Insights from this study could be critical in the design of a different type of vaccine. He hoped the study would lead to further advances in vaccine development as we need all the types of vaccines we can get. Policymakers are discriminating against people with natural immunity by favoring vaccine immunity Until recent months, people readily understood that the ultimate goal of the herd immunity public campaign was to have immunity from COVID-19 and not to be vaccinated. But as they push for vaccinations as the only way to achieve herd immunity against the coronavirus, they are willfully neglecting natural immunity. Multiple studies show that when a person gets infected with COVID-19 and recovers, that person has already defeated the infection and already has natural immunity. (Related: Rand Paul exposes total fraud, deception of Fauci and CDC, who deliberately ignore NATURAL immunity.) In a Fox Business News interview, Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky accused National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) Director Anthony Fauci of purposely acting ignorant on the benefits of natural immunity to COVID because it will foil his plans to get everybody vaccinated. He thinks it might slow down vaccination, Paul said. In May last year, Paul publicly announced on WABC that he does not plan to take the COVID-19 vaccine. He said he has natural immunity, having already contracted and recovered from the disease. All studies show that I have just as good of immunity as the people who have been vaccinated, the Republican senator said at the time. He said that he needs to see evidence that the available vaccines protect against harm from SARS-CoV-2 to a greater degree than prior infection. Paul also voiced concern over the ever-increasing assault by governments on basic civil liberties. I think we should have a choice whether we take a vaccine or not, he said. In a free country, you would think people would honor the idea that each individual would get to make the medical decision. Watch the full video below in which Rand Paul talked about natural immunity. This video is from the JosephJenkins channel on Brighteon.com. Check out Pandemic.news to keep up with the latest news about COVID-19. Sources include: Nature.com BBC.com LifeSiteNews.com Brighteon.com (Natural News) A member of the Air Force who requested a medical exemption from the militarys mandatory Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination policy has been rejected. According to reports, the reservist went to a clinic in Texas and underwent allergy testing, which revealed that Fauci Flu shots are not safe for her body. She then received a letter that she presented to the Air Force for a medical exemption. Unfortunately, the Air Force denied her request and is insisting she take the jabs even though they could kill her. (Related: Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, a lawyer, says that covid vaccine mandates are illegal and unconstitutional.) She developed a positive reaction to intradermal testing to Polysorbate, indicating the potential for a significant allergic reaction to future COVID-19 vaccination, the letter from the doctor reads. I respectfully recommend that the patient be granted a medical waiver for the COVID-19 vaccine. In response, the Air Force told the woman that she cannot receive an exemption claiming an allergy to a preservative in the vaccine without having had the vaccine. In other words, the woman is being told that she must take the injections to see what happens. Much like the time when Nancy Pelosi said that Congress had to pass Obamacare first in order to learn what was in it (since neither she nor any other Congress critter actually read the thing), the United States militarys position is that servicemen must get jabbed to see what happens first before being granted an exemption after the fact. What it comes down to is you must take at least one COVID vaccine and have had an adverse reaction before you can claim an allergy to it, Air Force officials said. The military is now run by Americas enemies, which means soldiers are fighting for evil rather than against it This Air Force policy flies in the face of recommendations by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which says that the contraindications to getting jabbed for the WuFlu include a known diagnosed allergy to a component of their formulas. The CDC does claim that only the Johnson & Johnson (J&J) contains a polysorbate contraindication, and that there is only a precaution in place for the other brands such as Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna. The Moderna and Pfizer vaccines dont contain polysorbate but do contain polyethylene glycol, reports The Epoch Times [T]he compounds are related and cross-reactive hypersensitivity may occur between them. The CDC actually advises people like this Air Force reservist with known allergies to consult an allergist or immunologist, which is exactly what she did. However, the Air Force has rejected this guidance from the CDC and is pushing its own agenda. This is just crazy, says R. Davis Younts, a lawyer now representing the reservist in a case against the U.S. military. Theyre granting exemptions for people to retire if theyre close to retirement, theres all these moving deadlines, theres tons of reservists and other people that are still pending action but they cant give her 30 days when the doctor is saying she may have a severe reaction? Its crazy. I dont understand what possible military purpose or otherwise that there could be from this. It feels very political. Thanks to the Feres doctrine, this reservist has no recourse in filing a medical malpractice claim should she take the injections as commanded and end up suffering an adverse reaction. She would also be prohibited from filing a negligence claim. She is fighting as hard as she can to avoid having to get jabbed, and her lawsuit joins several others that have been launched against the Pentagon over similar exemption request rejections. The latest news about Fauci Flu shots can be found at ChemicalViolence.com. Sources for this article include: TheEpochTimes.com NaturalNews.com (Natural News) Corporations all over the United States are preparing to enforce President Joe Bidens workplace Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine mandate using internal tracking systems that force employees to divulge their personal health status or be fired. Stanley Black & Decker, a Fortune 500 company and one of the worlds largest manufacturers of industrial tools and household hardware, is one of the companies that has developed its own internal tracking system to monitor the confidential health status of its more than 60,000 employees. As we previously communicated on Dec. 22, to prepare for the enforcement of the [vaccine mandate] all U.S. employees are required to use the Vaccination Status Tracker by Friday, Jan. 7, 2022, to upload a copy of their COVID vaccination record, indicate that they are in the process of being vaccinated, or indicate that they do not intend to get vaccinated, read one of the companys recent memos to its workers. According to the memo, the Vaccination Status Tracker is supposedly a safe, secure and easy-to-use digital tool that is available to all of Stanley Black & Deckers U.S. employees. Part of being compliant with the [vaccine mandate] is collecting the vaccination status of our employees, wrote company Vice President of Public Relations Debora Raymond. We have many resources available for our employees, including access to and guidance from our companys Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Mitch McClure. Conservative author and political commentator Candace Owens is also suggesting that a government-controlled database to track the COVID-19 vaccination status of American citizens is also imminent. Many companies afraid to resist vaccine mandate As companies like Stanley Black & Decker gleefully prepare to enforce the COVID-19 mandate, many other companies are keeping quiet about their stance regarding workplace mandates as Biden and the Occupational Safety and Health Administrations orders are contested in the Supreme Court. Some of the countrys largest companies, like Lowes, Target and General Motors, afraid of fines cutting into their profits, have publicly stated that they would abide by any federal vaccine mandate and would undertake the necessary steps to meet it. But all three have stopped short of coming out with their own vaccination requirement. [General Motors] stands firmly in support [of COVID-19 vaccinations], read a press email from the company. It added that it was reviewing the rules with multiple internal and external stakeholders. GM continues to encourage employees to get vaccinated given the broad availability of safe and highly effective vaccines, which data consistently show is the best way to protect yourself and those around you, continued the email. In a survey of more than 500 American companies by multinational insurance company Willis Towers Watson conducted in November, 32 percent of companies surveyed will only require vaccinations if the federal vaccine mandate orders them to do so. Fewer still are the companies that are hoping for the Supreme Court to side with businesses and strike down the vaccine mandate. At the Affordable Furniture plan in Houlka, Mississippi, CEO Jim Sneed is hoping the Supreme Courts conservative supermajority will prevent the vaccine mandate from pushing through, as he does not want to force his 300 workers to get vaccinated if they do not want to. Its going to be a difficult thing to control, let alone enforce, said Sneed. Renasant Bank, a rural bank and financial services company with some 2,500 employees in seven states in the American South, also does not want to impose on its workers. Were waiting for the final Supreme Court determination on the regulation, but in the event it becomes enforced, we will be prepared to comply and will see the imposed OSHA emergency temporary standards for companies with more than 100 employees, said John Oxford, Renasants senior vice president and director of marketing. It is looking likely that the Supreme Court will strike down Bidens vaccine mandate as illegal. The six conservatives in the nine-seat Supreme Court signaled their sympathy towards arguments that the federal vaccine mandates rule will seriously affect businesses in the U.S. Chief Justice John Roberts and fellow conservative Justices Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh believe that OSHAs rule could be invalidated under a legal doctrine that states that Congress must provide a clear statement regarding specific issues before a federal agency can issue broad regulations regarding it. (Related: Supreme Court to fast-track cases challenging Bidens jab mandates.) Listen to this episode of the Health Ranger Report, a podcast by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, as he talks about how it may now be too late for the nearly 1.5 billion people in the world who are vaccinated, as the deadly substances in their body now put them at greater risk of death. Listen to other episodes of the Health Ranger Report podcast like this one on its channel on Brighteon.com. Learn more about the COVID-19 vaccine mandate in the U.S. and the attempts to halt it from being implemented at Vaccines.news. Sources include: LifeSiteNews.com SFGate.com Yahoo.com Reuters.com Brighteon.com (Natural News) Congressional Republicans released emails today that reveal that Drs. Anthony Fauci and Francis Collins received numerous warnings as early as February 2020 from doctors and scientists suggesting that COVID might be leaked from a lab in Wuhan and that the virus could have been genetically engineered. (Article by Tony Sifert republished from HeadlineUSA.com) BREAKING Weve released never before seen emails showing Dr. Fauci may have concealed information about #COVID19 originating from the Wuhan lab & intentionally downplayed the lab leak theory. @RepJamesComer & @Jim_Jordan want Fauci under oath. Time for answers. 1/2 pic.twitter.com/p8aIBJ3nom Oversight Committee Republicans (@GOPoversight) January 11, 2022 In a letter to HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra demanding an on-the-record interview with Fauci, Reps. James Comer, R-Ky., and Jim Jordan, R-Ohio., accused both the NIH and the HHS of continuing to hide, obfuscate, and shield the truth regarding the origins of COVID-19. The letter contains notes from a February 2020 conference call that were sent to both Fauci and then-NIH Director Francis Collins. One participant claimed that he couldnt think of a plausible natural scenario where you get from the bat virus or one very similar to it to nCoV . . . I just cant figure out how this gets accomplished in nature. Another argued the likeliest explanation for COVID was the accidental creation in a lab of a virus that would be primed for rapid transmission between humans via gain of furin site (from tissue culture). The emails also reveal attempts by Dutch virologist Dr. Ron Fouchier, among others, to pour cold water on the theories. 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, Fouchier wrote. Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, NIAID Director Anthony Fauci and NIH Director Francis Collins have decried the theory that the virus escaped from the Wuhan Institute of Virology as a conspiracy theory, pointed out Substack author Techno Fog. Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky, confronted Fauci directly during a Congressional hearing Tuesday, accusing him of attempting to censor opposing scientists and castigating the NIAID director as the lead architect responsible from the government, and now 800,000 people have died. .@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 Pauls Fire Fauci campaign This is the GREATEST thing youll WATCH today. LOL! pic.twitter.com/zhWHmrKAwb Benny (@bennyjohnson) January 11, 2022 A planner who believes he is the science . . . justifies in his mind using government resources to smear and destroy the reputation of other scientists who disagree with him, Paul told Fauci. In response, Fauci accused Paul of distorting everything about me and complained that he has received threats upon my life, harassment of my family and my children with obscene phone calls, because people are lying about me. After months of battles between the two men, Fauci came to this hearing with printouts of Rand Pauls website, showing that the GOP senator is fundraising off Fire Dr. Fauci. FAUCI: You are making a catastrophic epidemic for your political gain. pic.twitter.com/Lg1cWbZBtx Dan Diamond (@ddiamond) January 11, 2022 Fauci can also be heard on a hot mic referring to Sen. Roger Marshall of Kansas as a moron after Marshall asked the Covid czar about his investments. Faucis meltdown came on the same day that Project Veritas released a trove of military documents that could indicate not only that Fauci lied to Congress under oath, but also that Ivermectin was identified as a curative in early 2020. Read more at: HeadlineUSA.com (Natural News) Judge Reed OConner recently ruled that the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic provides the government with no license to abrogate the freedom that any American has. The January 3 ruling barred the Department of Defense (DOD) from punishing a group of Navy SEALs and other special forces members who refused COVID-19 vaccines on religious grounds. The judge said the loss of religious liberties outweighs any forthcoming harm to the Navy and that even the direst circumstances cannot justify the loss of constitutional rights. First Liberty Institute (FLI) General Counsel Mike Berry hailed the ruling as a victory, but noted that Navy service members continue to face intimidating tactics in the guise of military discipline actions for refusing the vaccine. In several Fox Business Live interviews, Berry said these Navy service members are fighting for their careers, their futures and their families. What the Navy is doing to them is outrageous. Theyre punishing them forcing them to choose between their faith and serving their country. Theyre going after their families. Their dependents [spouses and children who are not subject to DOD authority] have been told that they cant travel even for unofficial reasons, Berry said. The Navy is considering recouping the training money spent for turning them into Navy SEALS, which can cost up $2 million per Navy SEAL to train them. The Navy is going to go after them for that? The list goes on and on. COVID-19 religious exemption requests are increasing The World Economic Forum reported a rise in the number of applications for religious exemptions as COVID-19 vaccine mandates spread to check the omicron variant and contain the pandemic. The board of the New York State Department of Health unanimously voted to strip health care workers of their rights to just say no to dangerous drug injections on the basis of religious belief. This has left more than 450,000 medical workers across the state vulnerable to forced vaccination if they wish to keep their jobs. (Related. New York abolishes religious exemption for COVID vaccine mandate.) Vanessa Murphy, the Health Departments attorney, said no facilities in the state will be permitted to offer religious exemptions moving forward. Were not constitutionally required to provide a religious exemption. Weve built provisions to require covered entities upon request to report information to us. Journalist, conservative author and former New York Times writer Alex Berenson reported that there is a significant chance of a major shortage of nurses due to the implementation of vaccine mandates. He said that health workers are quitting their jobs rather than take experimental coronavirus vaccines. The existing shortage of skilled health workers may be a point of leverage for those opposed to taking the experimental drug. NPR, an independent, nonprofit media organization, reported two nations in the European Union have mandated the COVID-19 vaccines or face financial consequences. Greece announced that everyone over 60 must be vaccinated by mid-January 2022 or face monthly fines of 100 euros (roughly $114). The Austrian government said it would require its entire adult population to be vaccinated by February 1st and those who hold out would face up to 3,600 euros (just over $4,000) in fine. Financial Times reported that South Africa is considering its own version. As businesses across the U.S. started imposing strict COVID-19 vaccine and testing requirements, some employers have claimed their human resources departments are being put on the frontlines because of a political issue that has already proven fertile ground for lawsuits. Constitutional attorney John Whitehead said: One thing is clear: While the courts may defer to the governments brand of Nanny State authoritarianism, we still have rights. The government may try to abrogate those rights, it may refuse to recognize them, it may even attempt to nullify them, but it cannot erase them. Watch the video below about resistance to vaccine enforcement. This video is from the Liberteon channel on Brighteon.com. Follow Pandemic.news for more news about COVID-19 vaccine mandates. Sources include: Reuters.com WEForum.org LifeSiteNews.com Time.com Brighteon.com (Natural News) Western Australia (WA) Premier Mark McGowan warned that the states unvaccinated residents will have a difficult life moving forward. The premiers statement came ahead of WA lifting stringent border restrictions to curb the spread of the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19). McGowan said on Jan. 10: If you, for some reason, have not had your first dose yet my advice would be to make a booking today. Otherwise, life is about to get very difficult for you. He defended his decision to mandate COVID-19 vaccination by saying that unvaccinated people have a higher chance of being hospitalized for COVID than those fully vaccinated. We know that unvaccinated people are well and truly enormously over-represented when it comes to cases, serious illness, hospitalizations, intensive care presentations and deaths. Far too many resources are being used to care for individuals who would not take the basic steps to care for themselves. McGowan promised a long-term vaccine passport system to take effect over the next few days. The new system will cover a wide range of venues including restaurants and indoor fitness centers. Vaccine passports are also required before WA residents can enter pubs, taverns, hotels and major events with more than 500 participants. According to the premier, the heightened measures came ahead of the westernmost Australian states reopening, with border restrictions set to ease beginning Feb. 5. Starting from that date, fully vaccinated travelers will no longer be required to quarantine themselves if they return a negative COVID-19 test. However, unvaccinated travelers will be prohibited from entering the state. This policy will come into force as we move closer to easing border controls, McGowan said. As of writing, 86.3 percent of Western Australians aged 12 and older have been fully vaccinated. About 25 percent of those aged 12 to 15 are yet to be injected with the COVID-19 vaccine, while only 10 percent of those between 16 and 49 years old remain unvaccinated. More than 75 percent of workers in WA equivalent to more than one million workers are yet to be fully vaccinated. The substantial percentages of unvaccinated workers have forced the state to impose vaccine mandates for them. (Related: Western Australia now says 75 percent of workforce must get vaccinated for covid or else.) McGowan has beef with unvaccinated Aussies Days earlier, McGowan denounced WA residents who were vehemently refusing to show proof of vaccination. He called these individuals dropkicks, a slang term in Australia that means stupid or worthless persons. According to the premier, some venues had been met with angry resistance from those unwilling to disclose their vaccination status, with staff members experiencing rude treatment from affected patrons. McGowan posted on Facebook: If youre asked to show your proof of vaccination, dont be a dropkick. There is never an excuse to be rude to staff not now, not ever. Its not the Western Australian way. He added that mandating vaccine passports for higher risk venues means that everyone in attendance is safer. Its already been rolled out in some other states, and there is no reason WA cant do it too, the premier commented. Last September, McGowan had strong words for health freedom protesters opposing his COVID-19 health measures. He called on the demonstrators, who gathered in the streets of state capital Perth, to grow a brain. What are they protesting about? I mean, were not in lockdown. Were in a free community [and a] free society. I think theyre just out there because theyre trying to cause trouble. Theyre the sort of people whod like to cause trouble, McGowan said, dubbing the protesters as extreme right-wingers. (Related: Aussie workers take to the street to protest against vaccine mandates.) The WA premier also took aim at the opposition toward a vaccine mandate for health workers. Some participants at the Perth demonstration disagreed with requiring health staff including food providers to get injected with the COVID-19 vaccine. However, McGowan said more occupations would require COVID-19 vaccination over time. Watch the video below of McGowan running away from health freedom protesters at the town of Manjimup, Western Australia. This video is from the Winston Churchill ? Vitamin D channel on Brighteon.com. MedicalMartialLaw.com has more about state leaders in Australia making the lives of unvaccinated people more difficult. Sources include: TheEpochTimes.com 1 TheEpochTimes.com 2 Facebook.com WAToday.com Brighteon.com (Natural News) Ontario courts have refused to intervene on cases filed by a number of employees and unions seeking injunctions that would prevent Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine mandates from being implemented until grievances are resolved through arbitration. According to the courts, such cases should be handled by the labor system. In a recent interview, Toronto lawyer Tanya Walker said that in non-union workplaces, employers in Ontario are essentially able to fire anyone for any reason, provided its not discriminatory under the Ontario Human Rights Code. She noted that termination without cause is costlier for employers. Challenges to vaccine mandates will likely come down to whether appropriate accommodation was offered for medical reasons or religious beliefs, and to whether the termination is considered to be with or without cause. If someone has a clear and honest refusal [to be vaccinated] and the vaccination policy wasnt actually in place when the person was hired, it might be difficult to justify termination with cause, she added. Michael Cleveland, a lawyer with the firm Miller Thomson, said employers and workers in Ontario, Canada are getting a clearer picture of when and what kind of vaccine mandates can be enforced in the workplace following recent rulings by arbitrators on the issue. But he was quick to point out that theres no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to vaccine mandates at work. Ultimately, what is reasonable depends on the specific circumstances of the workplace and also things like the surrounding circumstances, [like] is there really expanding community spread in the environment, Cleveland said. According to Cleveland, a series of recent decisions has shown labor arbitrators are considering the specifics of each workplace and policy in determining whether the mandates can be imposed in a unionized setting. In November last year, an arbitrator upheld a policy implemented by a security company whose staff worked at roughly 450 sites throughout the province. The policy indicated that breaches of the mandate could lead to discipline, including termination for just cause. Pandemic situation continues to evolve Arbitrator John Stoat said that the one thing people have all learned about this pandemic is that the situation is fluid and continuing to evolve. He noted the lack of case laws on how courts and adjudicators would approach these COVID-19 vaccination policies, seeking guidance only from older jurisprudence dealing with vaccination policies for flu outbreaks in hospitals. Stoat is positive that as more cases work their way through the labor arbitration system over the coming months, its likely a typology of cases will emerge regarding what is reasonable in a variety of unionized workplaces. The Ontario Human Rights Commission has issued guidance on vaccine mandates, saying that requiring proof of vaccination is generally permissible so long as there are accommodations for those who cant be immunized for reasons under the human rights code, such as religion or disability. However, it notes that personal preferences do not meet the threshold for accommodation under the code. Canadas workplaces evolved during the pandemic A new Postmedia-Leger poll reported how Canadas workplaces have changed during the pandemic. A solid 50 percent never left their workplaces (frontline workers in healthcare and essential service industries), around 13 percent exclusively worked from home, nine percent split time between home and workplace in a more or less regular way and eight percent worked mostly from home and occasionally went to their workplaces. Meanwhile, 20 percent of Canadians worked at home for a while but are now back in their workplaces. Corporate workers fear returning to office Though vaccination numbers are increasing, many corporate workers still fear the prospect of returning to their workplaces. They have spent time thinking about what they would do when their desk-neighbors extend their arms for a greeting, or whether they would dodge workmates who run toward them with wide smiles and babbling reception. Some are even considering taping off their workspaces with bright caution tape to keep their co-workers at bay. Watch the video below about vaccine mandates in workplaces. This video is from the Take down CCP channel on Brighteon.com. Follow Pandemic.news for more news related to vaccine mandates in workplaces around the world. Sources include: NationalPost.com 1 NationalPost.com 2 Brighteon.com (Natural News) It took less than a year for Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla to come clean about the failure of his mRNA vaccine program. In a recent interview, Bourla confessed that the first two doses of spike protein mRNA only offer limited protection against covid-19. He even cast doubt on the booster shot, claiming it offers reasonable protection against hospitalization and death but less protection against infection. Bourla said a fourth shot should be available by March of 2022, and it should offer the greatest protection yet! At this point, Bourla is only spewing gobbledygook complete and utter nonsense. Pfizer CEO openly deceives and continues to pillage the worlds population These admittedly FAILED VACCINES are the same shots that Bourla once claimed were 100 percent effective at preventing covid-19. On April 1, 2021, Bourla said: The data also showed the vaccine was 100% effective against severe #COVID19 as defined by @CDCgov and 95.3% effective against severe COVID-19 as defined by @US_FDA. Very reassuring news. Now, in 2022, Bourla is essentially saying the same thing that a fourth dose will be 100 percent effective against severe COVID-19. Speaking with Yahoo News, Bourla said: Now we are working on a new version of our vaccine, the 1.1, let me put it that way, that will cover Omicron as well. Of course we are waiting to have the final results, [but] the vaccine will be ready in March. How can anyone in their right conscience continue to take this mans advice, as his manipulation and deceit are laid bare for the entire world to see? People across the world were promised they would get their freedoms back if they lined up and took this product. Now, after millions of people have experienced suffering and death post vaccination, these first three shots are somehow not good enough. Another dose is needed. So why are governments still paying for Pfizer shots and mandating them? How long will this facade persist? These are the same shots that have been repeatedly mandated on people as if they are cattle. As Pfizer tears away every last shred of medical ethics and scientific integrity, they move toward complete ownership over humankind. This enslavement has been achieved through manipulation, coercion and mass formation psychosis. Pfizer and the rest of the covid-19 cartel have forced their destructive medical experiments onto the population through perpetual breaches of the Nuremberg Code, and a racketeering operation that has extorted, subjugated and abused people into compliance. mRNA is not a vaccine; its a foothold for genetic modification of humans But the failure of this unlawful vaccine program was intentional from the start, for it offers a pathway toward the genetic modification of humans, a certain level of depopulation, perpetual human slavery, pharmaceutical dependence and transhumanism. The vaccine coercion of 2021 was an appetizer, a foot in the door for Pfizer and other biotech companies to experiment on human DNA, with no scientific integrity, and with no regard to its inevitable consequences to human life. Bourla appeared on an episode of Squawk Box to talk about several new partnerships in the field of gene editing. He hopes to use the mRNA platform to introduce a new assortment of vaccines and other therapies for genetic modification of humans. Big Tech and its fact checkers have repeatedly denied that the mRNA platform was about genetic modification of humans. Now that Bourla has come clean about Big Pharmas plans to genetically experiment on humans into the foreseeable future, the corporate media and the Big Tech fact checkers can no longer conceal this REALITY. Big Tech and the corporate media have spent the past two years denying this reality, writing it off as some conspiracy theory. Yet, Pfizer is partnering with Beam Therapeutics, Codex DNA and Acuitas to do just that change peoples DNA. We will correct genetic mistakes in your DNA with gene editing, Bourla said. The mRNA platform was sold to the public as a vaccine, but its really just a tool of depopulation and physiological control a foothold for the exploitation and genetic modification of humans into the foreseeable future. Sources include: Dossier.substack.com Twitter.com NZHerald.co.nz CNBC.com Brighteon.com (Natural News) Shareholders for two Big Tech platforms are calling on Google and YouTube to disclose any requests from the Biden administration to censor politically problematic content. The calls follow the two platforms removal of videos questioning the administrations Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) policies. The shareholders outlined their calls by means of a proposal, a copy of which the Washington Free Beacon obtained. Ethics watchdog group National Legal and Policy Center (NLPC) submitted the proposal to Alphabet, Google and YouTubes parent company. NLPC holds a voting stake in Alphabet, according to the Free Beacon. NPLC Chairman Peter Flaherty said: The case for this kind of disclosure is double-barreled. All citizens should be aware when the government engages in censorship even if it is through a private-sector company and shareholders of that company should know when they become a party to it. The [Biden] administration keeps labeling certain information about the pandemic [as] disinformation and gets it yanked off social media, only to later embrace the same information. Alphabet should not be contributing to such a farce. (Related: YouTube to remove all DISLIKES from public view in bid to protect White House and mainstream media.) If Alphabet shareholders vote to approve the proposal, the Big Tech firm would be required to provide a report that specifies the companys policy in responding to requests to remove or take down material platforms sent by any entity of the U.S. government including the office of President Joe Biden and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Aside from this, Alphabet would also have to make public an itemized listing of such requests. The listing must include the name and title of any federal official lodging a takedown requests alongside the requests date, nature and scope. It must also clearly indicate the requests outcome and a reason or rationale as to why Alphabet did or did not act on it. However, getting company shareholders to vote on the proposal faces a significant hurdle as Alphabets founder and insiders largely control voting shares. The company is also likely to seek a waiver from the Securities and Exchange Commission to avoid tackling the NLPCs proposal. Big Tech, Big Government colluding to censor misinformation The disclosure clause in NLPCs proposal could shed light on whether the Biden administration has instructed tech firms to remove purportedly misleading information. This has inadvertently raised concerns about a possible collusion between Big Tech and Big Government with the aim of censorship. According to the NLPC, Alphabet and the Biden administration working together could amount to unconstitutional censorship and open Google and YouTubes parent firm to liability claims by affected parties. The watchdog cited Supreme Court rulings that said private entities may not engage in suppression of speech at the behest of government, as it has the same effect as direct government censorship. The NLPCs proposal came amid controversies affecting the two Big Tech platforms. YouTube recently deleted a video featuring Dr. Robert Malone, the inventor of mRNA vaccine technology, with podcast host Joe Rogan. Malone criticized the COVID-19 vaccine during his interview with The Joe Rogan Experience host. In addition, Google has also acknowledged censoring its autofill feature to dissuade users from searching about SARS-CoV-2s lab origin. The search engine manipulated its platform to prevent searches about the theory which was later deemed credible by intelligence officials. Several Republican politicians such as Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, New York Rep. Nicole Malliotakis and Wisconsin Sen. Ron Johnson slammed the two platforms censorship of videos questioning COVID-19 measures such as mask mandates and vaccine passports. Back in July 2021, the White House inadvertently confirmed its collusion with Big Tech during a press briefing. White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki told reporters that the Biden administration was in regular touch with social media platforms on the issue of COVID-19 misinformation online. (Related: Democrats in government pushing to control speech and enforce narratives about COVID and Biden through punitive measures.) She elaborated: We are in regular touch with these social media platforms, and those engagements typically happen through members of our senior staff, but also members of our COVID-19 team. Psaki added that the administration was also flagging problematic posts for Facebook, urging Big Tech platforms to take faster action against these. Watch the video below of Jeffery Jaxen and Del Bigtree talking about YouTubes ban on vaccine misinformation. This video is from the Scriptural Scrutiny channel on Brighteon.com. Censorship.news has more about tech giants censoring content on behalf of the Biden administration. Sources include: FreeBeacon.com NYPost.com Brighteon.com Monday wont be all picnics and parades. While many workers across the region have a day off for the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday, law enforcement officers will be out in full force. For reasons that still are not that clear, on MLK Day, South Florida roads, even the interstate, morph into a into giant free-for-all. Its a daredevils playground with hundreds of people on dirt bikes and ATVs, whizzing down the roads recklessly, sometimes by the hundreds, darting around motorists . Advertisement They pop wheelies and some even stand on the vehicles that are meant for off-roading. Its unlawful to take such vehicles on public roads. Over the years the pack has been known to careen down sidewalks, clog roadways, drive at break-neck speeds, even intentionally veer the wrong way on roads. Called Wheels Up, Guns Down, this is not a sanctioned event like Spring Break, officials say, but a way for reckless, unlawful motorists to get attention on social media. Advertisement An ATV rider does a wheelie while riding in Miami Lakes in 2018. The group caught the attention of The Broward Sheriff's Office in Hallendale Beach, but moved southwest, joining other riders and heading into Miami-Dade County. In recent years, ATVs and motorcycles have swarmed the streets as part of the "Wheels Up, Guns Down" movement. Some of the packs of bikers have become so organized they even have stage-hands on motorcycles filming the dangerous stunts and posting the footage to social media. [They] do so with total disregard for public safety and that is where I draw the line in the sand, Broward County Sheriff Gregory Tony said on Wednesday. One of our core responsibilities is to protect the community and we wont stand idly by. Fines for those riding unlawfully on public roads will be steep more than $1,100, said Major Robert Chandler of the Florida Highway Patrol. [ End of the road: Fort Lauderdale plans to crack down on biker brats ] Chandler said every trooper from Miami-Dade to Palm Beach counties will be working Monday to try to deter the reckless behavior and track down those who are participating. We will outnumber you, Chandler said, promising there will not be any warnings. Undercover officers also will be working. Troopers and other law enforcement agencies wont just be on the ground; there will be plenty of law enforcement officers in helicopters using surveillance equipment. A portion of a larger group of motorcycle riders pulls in front of cars at a stoplight in Miami Lakes in 2018. The group caught the attention of the Broward Sheriff's Office in Hallandale Beach, but moved southwest, joining others and dipping into Miami Dade County. (Amy Beth Bennett / South Florida Sun Sentinel) There will be so many aircraft in the air that there is no way these motor-bikers can get away from law enforcement, Chandler said. At some point we are going to be in a position where we can safely make an arrest and take the bikes. Chandler said there are a couple of proposals currently filed in Tallahassee that, if approved by the Legislature, could change the states road-racing statute allowing for criminal penalties and not just traffic citations and fines. If the statute is toughened, law enforcement could impound the dirt bikes and ATVs as well. Advertisement Broward County Sheriff Gregory Tony speaks during a joint news conference between BSO, the Florida Highway Patrol, and local law enforcement agencies at the BSO Public Safety Building in Fort Lauderdale on Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2021. The event was held to address the unlawful ATV/dirt bike rideouts that typically unfold during the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. holiday. (Amy Beth Bennett / South Florida Sun Sentinel) Chandler and Tony encouraged regular motorists to pull off to the side of the road if they encounter a group on dirt bikes and ATVs this weekend and Monday. You may not see us but we are there, monitoring, tracking, taking individuals into custody safely without exposing any of you to more harm, Tony said. Eileen Kelley can be reached at 772-925-9193 or ekelley@sunsentinel.com. (Natural News) Project Veritas has become one of the most powerful forces in investigative journalism over the past several years, publishing bombshell after bombshell while doing the job the mainstream media is supposed to do. But the organization has paid a steep price for being good at what it does, including, most recently, being targeted by the Biden regime in a scandal involving a diary belonging to the presidents daughter. Now, after exposing Dr. Anthony Fauci for allegedly lying to Congress about funding dangerous gain of function research that likely led to the development of COVID-19, the big tech information gatekeepers have struck back: Twitter has suspended the Project Veritas account for an indeterminate amount of time. You know Twitter & the Left are afraid of #ProjectVeritas when you see this. #ExposeFauci pic.twitter.com/7fpAzDdu0K Waingro?? (@Waingro33) January 11, 2022 As Natural News reported, Fauci knowingly provided funding to an organization, EcoHealth Alliance, that then funded gain of function research at a lab in Wuhan, China, the same facility where the COVID-19 strain is believed by many to have escaped: 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. 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, Project Veritas noted in a report citing the materials. According to the documents, NAIAD, under the direction of Dr. Fauci, went ahead with the research in Wuhan, China and at several sites across the U.S., the report continued. Who at DARPA made the decision to bury the original report? They could have raised red flags to the Pentagon, the White House, or Congress, which may have prevented this entire pandemic that has led to the deaths of 5.4 million people worldwide and caused much pain and suffering to many millions more, Project Veritas founder and CEO James OKeefe said in a statement. Fauci has testified under oath that the agency he runs, the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, did not fund any such research, but that appears to be a lie. And no one has tried to hold him accountable for it more so than Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), himself a physician who is widely known for his fiery exchanges with Fauci during Senate testimony. In December, Paul said he believes that Fauci should be charged for lying to Congress, but admitted that under the current Biden regime, thats not likely to happen. Weve referred him to the Department of Justice, but then again, Merrick Garland is the one now going after parents that go to school board meetings, Paul said in an interview with Fox Business. So I dont have a lot of hope that Merrick Garland is objectively looking at Faucis lying, Paul continued, followed by a curt, dozen-word statement about the NIAID director: Fauci should go to prison for five years for lying to Congress. They have prosecuted other people. They have selectively gone after Republicans, but in no way will they do anything about him lying. But he should be prosecuted for lying, Paul, who is a practicing ophthalmologist, added. Not only that, but the regimes big tech gatekeepers are working to protect Fauci, too. Sources include: NaturalNews.com ConservativeBrief.com (Natural News) A new study has found that many people who were fully vaccinated for the Wuhan coronavirus (Covid-19) are now dead, but CDC head Rochelle Walensky is blaming comorbidities rather than the jabs themselves. In an interview with Good Morning America, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention mouthpiece insisted that 75 percent of fully vaccinated deaths occur in people with at least four comorbidities, which she says are the true culprits. So really, these are people who were unwell to begin with, Walensky said. And, yes, really encouraging news in the context of Omicron. This means to not only get your primary shots, but to get your booster series. Funny, this claim that they were unwell to begin with was never allowed to be said in 2020 in response to pre-vaccine deaths supposedly caused by covid. Even when it was repeatedly shown that most covid deaths were occurring in people who were obese, for instance, or who had other serious health conditions, the government insisted all of these deaths were covid. Now, however, the government is changing its tune. Since so many deaths are occurring in people who took the jabs as commanded, making the jabs look bad, pharmakeia (pharmaceutical) industry whores like Walensky want us all to believe that the vaccines are perfectly safe for everyone, and that anyone who dies from getting them would have died anyway. Rochelle Walensky is the new Tony Fauci: a globalist mouthpiece who continues spreading plandemic lies This is the same Walensky, by the way, who earlier admitted that the whole booster shot campaign is based on hope rather than actual scientific data. Since she could not procure anything sound to support a booster shot push, Walensky admitted to TODAY host Savannah Guthrie back in the fall that theres actually hope we dont have data yet is all there is to go on as far as science is concerned. Walensky also insists that the remaining 25 percent of fully vaccinated people who were found to have died without four or more comorbidities still died from at least one other risk factor. It is never because of the vaccines themselves, is her claim. Two days after her most recent appearance on Good Morning America, Walensky appeared on Fox News where she dodged a question about underlying health conditions in deaths among the unvaccinated versus the vaccinated. When asked specifically about the breakdown of the more than 835,000 total deaths in the United States that have been blamed on covid, and how many of them had comorbidities, Walensky just flat-out did not respond and instead started talking about Omicron. With Omicron, we are following that very carefully, Walensky responded nonsensically to the question. Our death registry, of course, takes a few weeks to collect and, of course, Omicron has just been with us for a few weeks. But those data will be forthcoming. Another excuse Walensky presented to explain away the hordes of fully vaccinated people who are now flooding hospitals with serious illnesses is that supposedly 40 percent of these patients have something other than covid. What I will say, it differs by each variant, she added. So, some variant first of all, were doing screening in many hospitals of everybody whos walking in the door. What were seeing with the Omicron variant is that it tends to be milder person by person, but given how large the numbers are, that were seeing more and more cases come into the hospital. Just like Fauci, Walensky is digging her hole deeper and deeper. Perhaps Project Veritas will soon release an expose on her as well in the coming days. More stories about Walensky and the other plandemic liars can be found at Propaganda.news. Sources for this article include: TheEpochTimes.com NaturalNews.com (Natural News) The State of Washington legalized the liquefaction and disposal of human corpses just one year before the state activated covid concentration camps, providing for an efficient, stealth mechanism for mass disposal of human corpses. This is a fact. No one can shoot this down with a fake fact check, so they simply try to censor the conversation and hope no one is paying attention. Washingtons legalization of this flesh goo mechanism for liquefying human corpses known as alkaline hydrolysis went into effect on May 1, 2020. The law is RCW 68.50.110 and the passage refers to alkaline hydrolysis as the new, legal means to dispose of human corpses. In just the last two years, there has been an aggressive push by several US states to legalize this corpse disposal process, which uses lye (caustic soda) mixed with water to dissolve human bodies into a flesh goo which is then flushed into the municipal sewage system. To date, 20 US states have legalized this process. Those states, as documented by Nolo.com, include Oregon, California, Illinois, Minnesota, Nevada and many others. Once the flesh goo is flushed into the sewers, it is collected as biosludge and distributed on orchards and food farms where it is claimed to be a source of free fertilizer for farmers. In America today, governments are quite literally dissolving dead human corpses and spreading the flesh goo on food farms to feed the living. This practice of biosludge is documented in my earlier film Biosludged which is available on Brighteon.com as well as a free download from Biosludged.com. The film interviews Dr. David Lewis, former EPA scientist and author of Science For Sale. Dr. Lewis blew the whistle on this practice years ago and saw his career destroyed by the EPA. Dr. David Lewis warned in the film that this practice of biosludge distribution on food farms could be used to distribute biological weapons and carry out a nationwide bioterrorism attack on America. Deadly viruses are deliberately spread on food crops with the help of cities via the biosludge process, and all a terrorist needs to do is flush biological weapons down the toilet to make this happen. The city does all the work! Heres the trailer for Biosludged: And heres the full documentary via Brighteon Films: Brighteon.com/39fe228d-398e-4d6f-bdfa-22d019f737b0 You can download the entire movie from Biosludged.com and post it to your own channels or platforms, by the way. Washington State legalizes the liquefaction of human corpses, then launches covid concentration camps with strike team operations The legalization of flesh goo human liquefaction practices has accelerated after the creation of the Biosludged film. In 2020, after the covid pandemic exploded, Washington State legalized the practice as it began the launch its plans to build covid concentration camps run by strike team operators. Natural News covered the story in September of 2021, documenting Gov. Inslees regime efforts to publicly advertise for strike team job positions as they were staffing up the covid concentration camps. Heres a screen shot of the GovernmentJobs.com help wanted listing: Earlier last year, in July of 2021, the White House (Jen Psaki) publicly announced that strike forces would be unleashed into communities across America to enforce vaccine coercion programs. Heres the video of her saying this during a White House press briefing: Now, confirming the covid concentration camp / strike team plan, Washington State legislators filed a bill (WAC 246-100-040) which would legalize the medical kidnapping of Americans (at gunpoint), ripping them from their homes and depositing them as prisoners in covid concentration camps. Although the lying, genocidal corporate media has tried to claim this is all a conspiracy theory, you can read the text of the proposed bill at this link on Leg.WA.gov: (emphasis ours) (1) At his or her sole discretion, a local health officer may issue an emergency detention order causing a person or group of persons to be immediately detained for purposes of isolation or quarantine in accordance with subsection (3) of this section (2) A local health officer may invoke the powers of police officers, sheriffs, constables, and all other officers and employees of any political subdivisions within the jurisdiction of the health department to enforce immediately orders given to effectuate the purposes of this section in accordance with the provisions of RCW 43.20.050(4) and 70.05.120. As The Gateway Pundit has reported, The Washington State Board of Health may soon amend state law to authorize the involuntary detainment of residents as young as 5 years old in Covid-19 internment camps for failing to comply with the states experimental vaccine mandate. The proposed law clearly states that law enforcement officials may use the threat of violence to medically kidnap people who are merely suspected of being infected with something, even if they show no symptoms and havent tested positive for anything. This is, essentially, medical martial law. Human liquefaction is the ultimate stealth method to dispose of large numbers of bodies generated during government genocide Whats obvious here is that Washington State, run by murderous left-wing Marxist criminals and tyrants who literally advocate the killing of their own human babies (i.e. abortion and infanticide), has developed a way to dispose of large masses of human bodies without having to dig mass graves or run incinerators which would be detectable by drones or satellites. By disposing of all the bodies from the covid death camps via alkaline hydrolysis, they simply turn human beings into liquid goo and flush them into the sewage system. From there, the citys biosludge trucks transport the liquefied human corpses as free fertilizer for farmers, so that the bodies of the dead are used to grow food for the living. Its not quite Soylent Green, but its close. As I explained in a podcast published yesterday, this nefarious, genocidal plan is being cooked up by radical Democrat Leftists, many of whom openly advocate for the extermination of conservatives, Christians, Trump supporters and gun owners. In fact, thats who will be targeted by so-called health department officials who can simply point at any household and declare, They might be infected! From there, armed government goons will drag them away and deposit them in covid death camps which are connected to the municipal sewage systems to accept the flesh goo liquids. Conservatives can be easily targeted based on their voting registration records. Ive covered all this in yesterdays red alert podcast: Once the covid concentration camps start to get full, the way Leftist tyrants will make more room is to exterminate the current occupants and blame their deaths on covid. This will perpetuate the covid pandemic narrative while eliminating the politician opposition of power-hungry Democrats who have now resoundingly demonstrated they care nothing about the rule of law, human rights, democracy or the Constitution. They are hell-bent on exterminating conservatives by any means necessary, and they have meticulously built this infrastructure to quietly, silently liquefy any number of victims and remove them from the 2022 mid-term elections, all while claiming theyre protecting public safety. Its the perfect plot for democide (mass murder by governments) and political domination. The silent holocaust: Dead victims dont protest against government genocide In the 20th century alone, 262 million human beings were mass murdered by governments (Univ. of Hawaii research). History has shown that rogue, power-hungry governments will inevitably invoke mass extermination to try to maintain their power and eliminate their political opposition. The most effective way to carry that out is to make sure your intended victims have no idea they are being exterminated. If tens of thousands of conservatives in Washington State (and Oregon, California, etc.) start disappearing into covid death camps, there will be no protests and no outcry because dead people dont protest. All the deaths will be blamed on covid, and the media will enforce the narrative that unvaccinated conservatives are all dying from covid, blaming them for their own deaths and pushing more vaccine depopulation shots. Under this system, mass extermination can be carried out in stealth mode for an extended period of time. This how Democrats can literally carry out a modern-day holocaust with little to no push back. Weve also learned from watching events over the last two years that doctors, hospital administrators and even governors will gladly go along with mass murder to achieve their political goals. Former NY Gov. Cuomo, for example, ordered infected elderly to be put into nursing homes and hospital wards that would guarantee cross infection of other patients, resulting in large numbers of deaths among the elderly. This was murder by design. Similarly, the entire cabal of Big Tech, Big Media, Big Pharma, Big Government and Big Science has colluded to deprive the American people access to ivermectin, hydroxochloroquine and other effective interventions that could have prevented as many as 85% of covid deaths. This was all done deliberately, consciously, with an end goal in mind. This proves that the very people who run our governments, hospitals and science journals are, themselves, complicit in mass murder. They acted with intent to maximize covid deaths in order to push a false narrative that would scare people into vaccine jabs. Those vaccines, it turns out, arent even vaccines. Theyre genetic therapy interventions that alter human cells and turn the human body into a bioweapons spike protein factory. They are designed to achieve depopulation. As Naomi Wolf recently said about Faucis gain-of-function research smoking gun documents, this is premeditated manslaughter of millions of people, coordinated at the highest levels. People who would carry out these heinous acts of violence and tyranny against the human race would also liquefy their bodies and flush them down the drains. There is nothing these criminals wont do to achieve their end game goals, which include global depopulation and the extermination of all those who might express dissent against medical totalitarianism. Today Ive published a special podcast that details this entire nefarious plan. Consider this a must-listen if you hope to survive the great culling that has been unleashed against humanity: Brighteon.com/975b8bc3-b96d-4e4f-b8a6-23dbb610ce2a Cannabis molecule CBDA shown to block the spike protein from entering human cells On the positive side, my Situation Update podcast today also covers the new finding that reveals how cannibis extracts block the deadly spike protein from entering human cells. The cannabinoid responsible for this is reportedly CBDA (cannabidiolic acid). Ive worked extensively with CBDA in the laboratory, and Im the co-author of a mass spec method we developed to quantitate cannaboid concentrations in liquid extracts. You can see my published research here in the LC/GC science journal. CBDA, it turns out, is extremely fragile and easily destroyed by heat. Vaping cannabis liquids immediately destroyed CBDA. Any heat above room temperature starts to degrade it. So if youre looking for cannabis extracts that are high in CBDA, you need to find a cold-processed extract that has never been subjected to heat (not even the heat of a UPS shipping truck in the summer). In the lab, we found that CBDA was easily destroyed / decarboxylated, even with chromatography column heating during testing. Most of the CBD products sold today tout the CBD concentration and pay no attention to CBDA, but it turns out that CBDA has its own medicinal merit and needs to be preserved in any cannabis extracts. Its another powerful case for raw herbs and cold extracts. Hear my Situation Update podcast for full detail on this and much more: Brighteon.com/e61f5383-6159-45ff-8b6a-7c50f6bc0c33 Find a new podcast each day plus interviews and special reports at: https://www.brighteon.com/channels/hrreport Download my free audiobooks including Survival Nutrition, The Global Reset Survival Guide and The Contagious Mind at: https://Audiobooks.NaturalNews.com/ Also follow me on: Brighteon.social: Brighteon.social/@HealthRanger Telegram: t.me/RealHealthRanger Gettr: GETTR.com/user/healthranger Parler: Parler.com/user/HealthRanger Rumble: Rumble.com/c/HealthRangerReport BitChute: Bitchute.com/channel/9EB8glubb0Ns/ Clouthub: app.clouthub.com/#/users/u/naturalnews/posts Algae, barnacles, mussels, and other invasive species pose a danger to Antarctica's unique ecosystems as they 'hitchhike' across the waters aboard research, supply, and tourist ships. This is the warning of academics from the University of Cambridge, who tracked the movements of ships entering Antarctic seas from 2014 to 2018. Discovering Links The researchers discovered 1,581 ports worldwide with connections to the southernmost continent, all of which they believe might be a source of invasive species. The scientists discovered that ships in Antarctica mostly came from South America, northern Europe, and the western Pacific, based on port call data and satellite images. Isolated but Diverse Ecosystem The Southern Ocean, which surrounds Antarctica, is the world's most isolated maritime ecosystem, supporting a diverse range of vegetation and wildlife. Because of their seclusion, they have not learned to tolerate diverse species prevalent in other parts of the world. Mussels, for example, would have no competition in Antarctica if introduced to the Southern Ocean and could readily establish a troublesome footing. Meanwhile, shallow-water crabs, another species capable of hitchhiking on ship hulls, would introduce a new type of predation to Antarctic life. Invasive Species All Over the World Fortunately, the Southern Ocean is now the only worldwide marine zone free of invading species. According to the scientists, increased ship traffic in the region risks altering this, and they have advocated for better biosecurity standards for boats traveling to Antarctic seas. David Aldridge, a conservation ecologist at Cambridge, and his colleagues conducted the research. Professor Aldridge noted, "[Antarctica's] native species have been separated for the previous 15-30 million years." 'One of the largest dangers to Antarctica's biodiversity is invasive, non-native species,' he noted. 'They could also have economic consequences if fisheries are disrupted.' (Invasive species, according to the researchers, might disrupt massive krill harvests in the southernmost oceans, which are utilized as fish food by the worldwide aquaculture sector.) The team is especially concerned about the flow of animals from the Arctic to the Antarctic because these critters will already be accustomed to the cold. Related Article: Invasive Birds Battled for Supremacy over Tokyo Skies Spreading Risk They might theoretically be transported from pole to pole on the hulls of research or tourist vessels that spend the summer in Arctic waters before crossing the Atlantic to arrive in time for the Antarctic summer season. 'Where a ship has gone determines the species that develop on its hull,' said research author and ecologist Arlie McCarthy, also of the University of Cambridge. 'We discovered that fishing vessels operating in Antarctic seas visit a relatively small number of ports, whereas tourist and supply ships circumnavigate the globe,' she noted. According to a previous study, the longer a biofouled ship stays in an area, the more probable the non-native species clinging to its hull would be introduced into the environment. Biosecurity According to a recent study, research vessels spend more time in Antarctic ports on average than those transporting tourists, with fishing and supply ships staying even longer. 'We were astounded to discover that Antarctica is far more internationally connected than previously imagined,' Dr. McCarthy remarked. 'Our findings suggest that biosecurity measures should be deployed in a broader variety of sites than they are now.' 'Strict rules exist to prevent non-native species from entering Antarctica, but their effectiveness is contingent on obtaining the knowledge needed to make management choices.' 'We hope that our results will help us spot invasive species before they become a problem,' says the researcher. 'Biosecurity efforts to safeguard Antarctica, such as cleaning ship hulls, are now centered on a small handful of recognized "gateway ports,"' said article author and British Antarctic Survey physiologist Lloyd Peck. 'With these new findings, we argue for enhanced biosecurity standards and environmental protection measures to protect Antarctic waters from non-native species, especially when ocean temperatures rise as a result of climate change,' the researchers write. The study's findings were published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences publication. Also Read: Top 5 Most Destructive Invasive Species Today For the most recent updates from the animal kingdom, don't forget to follow Nature World News! Experts warned Monday that a claimed hybrid coronavirus mutation known as "Deltacron" identified in a Cyprus lab was likely the consequence of lab contamination rather than a new alarming variety. The finding was first announced by Cypriot media on Saturday, with the discovery having "the genetic basis of the Delta variation coupled with some of the mutations of Omicron." While genetically integrating coronaviruses is feasible, it is uncommon, and experts studying the finding of so-called "Deltacron" believe it is implausible. "The Cypriot 'Deltacron' sequences published by multiple big media outlets appear to be pretty plainly contamination," tweeted Tom Peacock, a virologist from Imperial College London's infectious diseases department, over the weekend. Genetic Alterations According to Jeffrey Barrett, the reported alterations are located on a section of the genome that is sensitive to mistake in particular sequencing processes, the leader of the Covid-19 Genomics Initiative at the Wellcome Sanger Institute in the United Kingdom. He added Monday, "This is probably definitely not a biological recombinant of the Delta and Omicron lineages." Combatting Misinformation Scientists are keen to combat a flood of misinformation regarding Covid-19, much of which is disseminated online. Unverified allegations of a "flurona" or "flurone" virus spreading last week - a mix of the flu and the coronavirus - were discounted by the World Health Organization (WHO) on Monday. "We're not going to use terminology like Deltacron, Flurona, or Flurone." Please," Maria van Kerkhove, an infectious disease epidemiologist at the World Health Organization, tweeted. "These phrases indicate a mixture of viruses/variants, which is not the case," she explained. Related Article: Experts Worried as First Case of 'Florona' Detected in Israel: Is it a New COVID Strain? Influenza and Coronavirus While influenza and coronavirus can both affect humans simultaneously, the two viruses cannot coexist. In contrast to emerging Covid-19 variations like Omicron, which have significantly influenced the pandemic's progress, incidences of flu and coronavirus infection are not uncommon. Since the outbreak, the coronavirus has produced dozens of variations, four of which have been labeled "of concern" by the World Health Organization: Alpha, Beta, Delta, and Omicron. Why do Viruses Mutate? Viruses, like all living organisms, undergo changes during their lives. If a mutation gives a strain an edge in survival, it becomes the dominant strain. The COVID-19 virus continues to adapt to evade its predator, the human immune system, just as chameleons have evolved to alter skin pigment hues to avoid predators. A viral mutation is a slight alteration in the virus's genome. The virus becomes more unstable and susceptible as a result of some alterations. Some mutations enhance the pace of transmission and the severity of the disease. We get concerned when a virus's alterations make it more lethal, infectious, or both. Because there are so many viruses and hosts (humans) out there, viral mutation develops swiftly over weeks to months. SARS-CoV2 has been gaining two mutations in its genome (complete set of DNA) every two weeks since it was initially found. Although this may appear to be a large number, the influenza virus mutates considerably quicker. Also Read: Experts Warn of Another Deadly Global Outbreak to Strike Within 60 Years For more health and medicine related news, don't forget to follow Nature World News! An animal rights group claims that "MasterChef Ecuador" aired an episode on the 3rd of January where participants were told to make dishes using meat from endangered species. MAN Demands For an Explanation An animal rights group called the National Animal Movement of Ecuador or MAN, accused the reality culinary competition and its broadcaster Teleamazonas of giving contestants meat from endangered animals including shark and deer, according to Insider. Following a report by Vice Monday, the episode has subsequently been deleted from TeleAmazonas' YouTube account and replaced with another version which has been modified to remove the part which supposedly displayed meat sourced from endangered animals. For whatever reason, around the beginning of the year, the Man Twitter account posted a minute-long video clip from the episode, which appears to show slabs of meat on wooden cutting boards named "Tollo," "Venado," and "Capibara." He's called Tollo "Ecuadorian people use this term "smooth-hound" to refer to the humpback smooth-hound shark. The International Union for the Conservation of Nature classifies the species as "critically endangered." According to Vice, "banilla" is a sort of crocodile, "venado" is venison, and "capibara" is capybara meat. MAN spokesperson Fernando Arroyo Aviles tells Insider that white-tail deer and a kind of Amazon crocodile may have been used in the "MasterChef" episode, which did not disclose any details on the meat. Teleamazonas did not react to an inquiry from Insider. MAN, the Ecuadorian animal rights group, want the show's creators and the network that airs it to explain where the flesh of these animals comes from, according to a statement released by MAN on Instagram on Friday. Also Read: Australian Bandicoot Saved From Brink of Extinction Thanks to 30 Years of Conservation Effort The Silent Response As reported by the French website News24, "MasterChef Ecuador" judge Carolina Sanchez claimed the meat came from a farm. Sanchez did not respond to an inquiry from Insider. Insider reported Tuesday that "MasterChef" producers may have obtained the meat through questionable tactics, and Aviles, who is also a farm animals specialist, agreed. It is a punch in the gut for animal rights activists when an influential international franchise like MasterChef encourages the use of wild animals as ingredients for an 'exotic recipe, Aviles continued. Despite their repeated pleas for clarification, he claims that producers and Teleamazonas have responded with "total silence" thus far. Environmental departments in Ecuador and Colombia, where the show is taped, have openly protested the show's reported usage of wild wildlife. Several South American Ministries Express Displeasure As of January 4, Ecuador's Ministry of Environment, Water, and Ecological Transition issued a statement rejecting visual content that promotes wild species use, claiming it could lead to an increase in unlawful consumption of endangered species. Colombia's environmental minister, Carlos Eduardo Correa, tweeted the same day that his department will look into the sort of meat displayed on the episode. As he stated that wildlife trafficking and commercialization is illegal in Colombia. It was not possible to get a response from Ecuador's Ministry of Environment, Water and Ecological Transition or Colombia's Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development. When it comes to "rare meat" accusations, "MasterChef Ecuador" isn't alone. Tacos stuffed with red rump tarantulas, protected by federal law, were seized from a Mexico City restaurant in 2018. Related Article: How Scientists Are Working Hard to Bring Back Animals From Brink of Extinction For more news, updates about endangered animals and similar topics don't forget to follow Nature World News! The death of a 59-year-old villager led to the killing of a Malaysian tiger. The tiger was shot and speared in the face. The victim, Anek Along, was allegedly mauled on Friday near the town of Gua Musang, according to local media sources. Villagers threw spears at the creature in an attempt to fend it off. The tiger was shot by rangers who arrived a few hours later, according to wildlife officials. Malaysian Tiger Faces Risk of Extinction The Malaysian government estimates that there are less than 150 Malaysian tigers surviving. People are calling on the government to do something about the rapidly dwindling tiger population in response to the event, according to NewsWeek. According to an official announcement from Malaysian Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob, the topic would be discussed at a meeting in Malaysia on January 10. There is "serious consideration" being given by the Energy and Natural Resources Ministry, according to the Prime Minister. Iyaac reported that as of now, the Malayan Tiger, a symbol of Malaysia's National Coat of Arms, as well as various ministries, departments and agencies, is at risk of extinction. More worryingly, the country's iconic species will be extinct for good. This is a serious threat. Also Read: Disney's Sumatran Tiger Relocated to San Antonio Zoo To Ensure Species' Survival Efforts to Save the Tiger At the discussion, participants explored strategies for enforcing habitat preservation for tigers across the country through wise land use planning. In addition, the government plans to work toward increasing Malaysia's existing wooded land from 43.41 percent to 50 percent by the year 2040, according to the government. In 2012, Woodland Park Zoo partnered with Panthera and Rimba, an in-country field partner of the zoo, to develop the Malayan Tiger Conservation Project in an effort to rescue these famous big cats. Tigers in Malaysia's Taman Negara National Park are being protected under a 10-year effort with the Terengganu State Government. While working with other government agencies and non-profit organizations to gather data to help protect wild tigers, this project in Malaya is also forming partnerships to help the Malaysian Department of Wildlife and National Parks as well as other government agencies and other non-profit organizations. Factors Leading to Human-tiger Conflicts Human-tiger violence is not uncommon in tiger range countries because they suffer unrelenting pressures from poaching, retaliatory killing and habitat loss, which forces them to compete for space. In the wild, tigers prefer to be alone unless they're in the process of mating or caring for their young offspring. The tiger hunts alone, by ambush, waiting for lone, unsuspecting prey, preferring to avoid humans.However, as the competition for space and habitat grows, this becomes a difficult task to achieve. When a tiger is frightened or hurt, its basic instinct is to defend and protect itself. The combined threats of poaching, deforestation, habitat loss, lack of natural prey for food, injuries from snares or being hunted, leading to an inability to hunt for food, and increased incidents of human tiger conflict and the threat of canine distemper are all putting the tiger population at risk. Related Article: Notorious Poacher Who Allegedly Killed 70 Bengal Tigers Arrested by Police in Bangladesh For more news, updates about tigers and similar topics don't forget to follow Nature World News! Chinook Salmon swim up a fish ladder at the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) Feather River Hatchery just below the Lake Oroville dam during the California drought emergency on May 27, 2021 in Oroville, California. - The fish hatchery produces and releases juvenile fall and spring Chinook salmon, and steelhead trout to mitigate lost habitat and anadromous fish production due to the Oroville Dam, part of the California State Water Project. - TO GO WITH AFP STORY BY Laurent BANGUET "Drought-hit California scales up plan to truck salmon to ocean" (Photo by Patrick T. FALLON / AFP) / TO GO WITH AFP STORY BY Laurent BANGUET "Drought-hit California scales up plan to truck salmon to ocean" (Photo : Photo by PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images) After over 20 years from being out of sight, the imperiled salmon recently resurfaced to a series of California streams. The endangered creature known to be the Coho fish has been recently discovered in Montezuma Stream for the very first occasion ever since the year 2004, and in Larsen River ever since the year 2006. Coho Salmon Resurfaced After Almost Two Decades The Coho Salmon has the capacity to mature and reach up to the maximum of two feet in length. Moreover, the salmon was also discovered in San Geronimo Water sources Arroyo Creek and Woodcare Creek. While previous media reports the Salmon Conservation and Conservation Organization stated that the citizens of Marin District have also reported several firsthand observations of coho salmon feeding and breeding activity (SPAWN). Coho salmon were a frequent occurrence from both Montezuma Creek and Larsen Creek when SPAWN began undertaking studies in the tiny headwaters of San Geronimo Creek since the start of the year 1990s. On the other hand, torrential downpours in December 2021 and January 2022 presented the salmon with a path to the San Geronimo Creek rivers, which had previously already become temporarily unavailable to the living things due to man-made impediments. Specialists Ayano Hayes of SPAWN in a release public statement said that, "This really is absolutely thrilling and is the consequence of severe rainstorms that have allowed coho salmon to change direction around drainage ditches beneath roadways that are an impediment to migratory at number of disadvantages." While Mr. Todd Steiner, the creator of SPAWN, is now advocating for the installation of the new drainage canals. "We ought to maintain bear creek ecology, minimize new impermeable structures, and strive to eliminate any obstacles to fish migrations by substituting drainage pipes that are several centuries old and could do with some restoration with fish-friendly drainage canals," he added. Also read: Fossil of Extinct 'Sea Dragon' Hailed as the Largest Ever Found in the UK Installation of Fish-Friendly Drainage Canals SPAWN has reported seeing Chinook salmon in Woodcare Stream for the very first time following demolishing a source of water on the recently departed San Geronimo River country club in 2021. "If we honestly care sufficiently conserve and repair environment, we can rescue Marin's salmon home safely from the danger of becoming endangered," Steiner remarked. "We have the technical expertise, and the provincial and national authorities have provided the energy reserves; all that remains is for our municipal government politicians to have the fortitude to adopt the restrictions that will safeguard the environment the fish require to live for our daughters and grandkids." The California Bureau of Marine biodiversity voiced concern in 2021 that an extreme heat will sweep out all the Sacramento Water's overall community of Chinook salmon. According to California state Representative Mike McGuire, the animal is on the verge of extinction owing to the catastrophic lack of rain and archaic government irrigation regulations. The regulation permits agricultural consumption of water from the Sacramento and San Joaquin waterways, rendering the wildlife more sensitive to extreme heat. Also read: Farmers Surprised After 15-Year-Old Angus Cow Gives Birth to Quadruplets The deadline to apply to become the next leader of Broward schools ended more than a week ago, but all but one applicant remains a mystery. The School Board plans to meet Jan. 24 to start reviewing applications for its next superintendent, with tentative plans to hire someone in February. The superintendent will be the permanent replacement for Robert Runcie, who stepped down in August following his April 21 arrest on perjury charges. Advertisement All candidates had to submit by Jan. 3, but a search firm has yet to turn over the applications or even a list of names to School Board members. [ RELATED: Cartwright not given permanent job but allowed to apply ] Interim Superintendent Vickie Cartwright has said she will apply. Dr. Cartwright is an applicant and is not involved in the search process, district spokeswoman Keyla Concepcion said. Advertisement Despite repeated public records requests from the South Florida Sun Sentinel for applications of all candidates, the school district said Tuesday and Wednesday it is not yet in possession of the information. Once the independent search firm completes the process it was hired to do, it will provide the information to the District, said a statement from the office of Kathy Koch, chief communications officer for Broward schools. That stands in contrast to the interim superintendent search, in which the district released the full list of candidates on June 22, a day after the deadline to apply. The School Board hired Cartwright for that job July 22. She was originally not allowed to apply for the permanent job, but the School Board agreed in October to drop that restriction. Broward County Interim Schools Superintendent Vickie Cartwright, pictured here in September, is the only publicly known applicant for the permanent job. (Amy Beth Bennett / South Florida Sun Sentinel) School Board members Debbi Hixon and Nora Rupert said they have asked for the applications for the permanent job but were told that the districts search firm, Ray and Associates, has them, and theyre not available. Hixon said she was told by Human Resources Chief Alan Strauss they wont be available until Tuesday. A representative from Ray and Associates, which is based in Iowa, did not respond to a request for comment by the South Florida Sun Sentinel. School Board Chairwoman Laurie Rich Levinson also couldnt be reached. The Sun Sentinel made its first request for a list of the candidates and their applications on Jan. 4, the day after the deadline. Advertisement [ RELATED: Cartwright hired as interim superintendent ] We received a response that there is no existing list in the possession of the district, Requel Bell, a clerk in the public records office, wrote on Tuesday. To comply in good faith, your request has been redirected to the consultants who completed the task. Once a response is received, you will be notified of the results. In response to a follow-up email, Bell wrote Wednesday, The applications you are seeking are not within the possession [of] Broward County Public Schools. We have requested records from the vendor. Once a response is received you will be notified. Under state law, the applications are public, regardless of whether they are kept with a government agency or a contractor working on behalf of the government. Im interested to see whos applied and how many people and that kind of information, Hixon said. I just havent gotten it so far. [ RELATED: Superintendent Runcie agrees to resign ] Browards search is happening at the same time as a search in Miami-Dade County schools to replace Alberto Carvalho, who is leaving next month to lead the Los Angeles Unified school district. Advertisement The deadline to apply for the Miami-Dade job was 5 p.m. Wednesday. At 7 p.m., that school district released the names and resumes of the 16 applicants. The list includes Jacob Oliva, senior chancellor for K-12 with the state Department of Education. New Castle, PA (16103) Today Periods of rain. High 71F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 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 59F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%. Remember when Nvidia was a gaming-card vendor? That doesnt seem all that long ago but now its a full-blown enterprise high-performance computing and AI company that happens to sell videogame cards - if you can actually find them. Its latest move is the acquisition of Bright Computing, a maker of Bright Cluster Manager software that controls the configuration of clustered HPC systems, including Nvidias own DGX servers and HGX systems made by OEMs and ODMs, plus clusters from other manufacturers. The clusters of servers are linked by high-speed networks into a single unit. If the deal goes through, Bright Cluster Manager will become a part of Nvidias Enterprise Products Group. Nvidia has no intention of keeping Bright Cluster Manager for itself, and by being a part of the Nvidia channel, it gives Bright an opportunity to expand and grow its market. Bright Computing is a small, privately held firm so details were sparse. Its customer list includes Boeing, NASA, Johns Hopkins University, and Siemens and it serves industries like health care, financial services, and manufacturing. For Nvidias part, it gets an in-house tool to help customers better manage their Nvidia hardware, rather than buy it separately. Thats why it brought the company in-house. Nvidia will combine Bright Cluster Manager with our system software capabilities to make HPC data centers easier to buy, build, and operate, creating a much larger future for HPC, said Charlie Boyle, vice president and general manager of Nvidia DGX systems in a statement. This will help NVIDIA democratize HPC and accelerated enterprise computing. Brights software can run in the data center, at the edge, and across multiple public or hybrid clouds. It automates administration for clusters running x86 and Arm as well as Nvidia GPUs. The most recent versions of the software, Bright Cluster Manager 9.1, came out a little more than a year ago, and added support for the entire VMware stack, including the Tanzu Kubernetes container platform. Bright Cluster Manager 9.1 also added support for Ansible playbooks and integration with OpenShift, so organizations can manage their OpenShift infrastructure from edge to cloud with all of the features Bright offers. Bright Cluster Manager 9.1 also can automatically increase or decrease the number of nodes available to an HPC workload manager or to Kubernetes in a cluster, regardless of whether those nodes are physical, virtual, on-premises, in the public cloud or at the edge. The allocation of nodes can be determined by demand and by policy. SACRAMENTO, Calif. Californias governor on Thursday rejected releasing Robert F. Kennedy assassin Sirhan Sirhan from prison more than a half-century after the 1968 slaying that the governor called one of Americas most notorious crimes. Gov. Gavin Newsom, who has cited RFK as his political hero, rejected a recommendation from a two-person panel of parole commissioners. Newsom said Sirhan poses an unreasonable threat to public safety. Advertisement Mr. Sirhans assassination of Senator Kennedy is among the most notorious crimes in American history, Newsom wrote in his decision. After decades in prison, he has failed to address the deficiencies that led him to assassinate Senator Kennedy. Mr. Sirhan lacks the insight that would prevent him from making the same types of dangerous decisions he made in the past. He said factors in his decision including Sirhans refusal to accept responsibility for his crime, his lack of insight and the accountability required to support his safe release, his failure to disclaim violence committed in his name, and his failure to mitigate his risk factors. Advertisement Kennedys assassination not only changed the course of this nation and robbed the world of a promising young leader, it also left his 11 children without a father and his wife without a husband, Newsom said in an opinion piece released along with his decision. Kennedys family bears his loss every day, Newsom wrote. Millions of Americans lost a unifier in a time of national turmoil and grief, just nine weeks after the assassination of the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., and four-and-a-half years after the murder of Kennedys brother, President John F. Kennedy. Robert Kennedy, the U.S. senator from New York, was shot moments after he claimed victory in Californias pivotal Democratic presidential primary. Five others were wounded during the assassination at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles. Even at age 77, Newsom said Sirhan remains a potent symbol of political violence, noting that terrorists have killed in his name. Sirhan will be scheduled for a new parole hearing no later than February 2023. Sirhan will ask a judge to overturn Newsoms denial, said his defense attorney, Angela Berry. We fully expect that judicial review of the governors decision will show that the governor got it wrong, she said. State law holds that inmates are supposed to be paroled unless they pose a current unreasonable public safety risk, she said, adding that not an iota of evidence exists to suggest Mr. Sirhan is still a danger to society. Advertisement She said the parole process has become politicized and Newsom chose to overrule his own experts (on the parole board), ignoring the law. Parole commissioners found Sirhan suitable for release because of his impressive extensive record of rehabilitation over the last half-century, she said. Since the mid-1980s Mr. Sirhan has consistently been found by prison psychologists and psychiatrists to not pose an unreasonable risk of danger to the public. During his parole hearing, the white-haired Sirhan called Kennedy the hope of the world. But he stopped short of taking full responsibility for a shooting he said he doesnt recall because he was drunk. It pains me ... the knowledge for such a horrible deed, if I did in fact do that, Sirhan said. The parole panels recommendation in August to release Sirhan divided the iconic Kennedy family, with two of RFKs sons Douglas Kennedy and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. supporting his release. But six of Kennedys nine surviving children and Ethel Kennedy, RFKs wife, urged Newsom to block his parole. The panels decision was based in part on several new California laws since he was denied parole in 2016 the 15th time hed lost his bid for release. Advertisement Commissioners were required to consider that Sirhan committed his crime at a young age, when he was 24; that he now is elderly; and that the Christian Palestinian who immigrated from Jordan had suffered childhood trauma from the conflict in the Middle East. In addition, Los Angeles County prosecutors didnt object to his parole, following District Attorney George Gascons policy that prosecutors should not be involved in deciding whether prisoners are ready for release. The decision had a personal element for Newsom, a fellow Democrat, who displays RFK photos in his official and home offices. One of them is of Kennedy with Newsoms late father. Newsom has previously reflected on the gravity of having Sirhans fate in his hands, saying it was an emotional issue that echoed back to the turbulent 60s and reopened memories many want to forget. Sirhan originally was sentenced to death, but that sentence was commuted to life when the California Supreme Court briefly outlawed capital punishment in 1972. He now has a heart condition and has survived prostate cancer, Valley fever and having his throat slashed by another prisoner in 2019, said his attorney, Angela Berry. Advertisement Munir Sirhan has said his older brother can live with him, if he is freed and not deported to Jordan. Sirhan Sirhan waived his right to fight deportation. Help support your local hometown newspaper/website. Independent local news reporting matters. Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription, for as little as $3, so we can continue to provide independent local reporting on our communities. To determine which countries have taken in the most people fleeing Ukraine since fighting broke out on Feb. 24, Stacker compiled refugee data Reporter Debra Pressey is a reporter covering health care at The News-Gazette. Her email is dpressey@news-gazette.com, and you can follow her on Twitter (@DLPressey). Janice Walker will be honored during the 21st MLK Countywide Celebration set for 5 p.m. Sunday at Krannert Center for her work with the CU Trauma and Resilience Initiative, where she helps surviving family members of gun-violence victims. Reporter Mary Schenk is a reporter covering police, courts and breaking news at The News-Gazette. Her email is mschenk@news-gazette.com, and you can follow her on Twitter (@schenk). A backyard accessory dwelling unit featured on accessorydwellings.org, which Champaign city officials have cited as a website worth visiting for more information on the topic. Capitol News Illinois is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news service covering state government and distributed to more than 400 newspapers statewide. It is funded primarily by the Illinois Press Foundation and the Robert R. McCormick Foundation. LeConte Nix: We have to normalize that going to therapy is great and is needed just like going to a movie or your regular doctors appointment. We all have stuff that we hide mentally or avoid. Now, think about a young adult who only knows how to deal with anger by violence of some sort, because he or she has never been taught how to handle certain situations." Champaign, IL (61820) Today Cloudy this morning. A few showers developing during the afternoon. High 67F. Winds WSW at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 30%.. Tonight Cloudy. Low 44F. Winds N at 10 to 20 mph. The origin of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has been speculated about in different ways since it first emerged. One of the most widespread theories reported in the media suggested zoonotic transmission had occurred in a 'wet market' in Wuhan, China, where different, sometimes wild, live animals are kept in close proximity. Although there is disagreement over different theories, the general consensus is that humans were not the initial hosts of severe acute respiratory coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Study: The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the incidence and mortality of zoonotic diseases in China. Image Credit: Kateryna Kon / Shutterstock.com The most deadly diseases are often zoonotic because neither the disease nor the host has adapted to each other. Recently, there have been suggestions that the Omicron variant is the beginning of these adaptions, as it appears to cause significantly less severe disease. Most governments worldwide introduced restrictions to reduce the transmission of SARS-CoV-2, including mandatory face masks, social distancing policies, and even total lockdowns/stay-at-home orders. However, people's lifestyles, economics, and environmental vectors are all impacted by these difficult circumstances, as are the epidemic characteristics of other diseases. According to some studies, this has a significant impact on respiratory conditions, particularly seasonal influenza. By controlling the spread of the coronavirus, COVID-19 cases decreased, and potential transmission of other infectious diseases was reduced. As a result, the incidence of influenza has decreased around the world. Furthermore, some studies on low- and middle-income countries have reported that strict movement restrictions may also contribute to a delay in diagnosis and treatment of diseases caused by parasites, fungi, bacteria, and viruses (such as HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria). In new research, scientists from the Beijing University of Technology, Renmin University, Zhejiang University School of Medicine and Nanjing Jiliang Information Technology have been investigating the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the incidence and mortality of zoonotic diseases in China. Their work is published in the journal BMJ Global Health. The Study The researchers obtained data from the National Health Commission used by China on monthly cases and deaths from 10 different zoonotic diseases between January 2015 and April 2021. They removed H5N1 and Plague, as the sample sizes were too small to analyze appropriately. The eight remaining infectious diseases consisted of Asian Lineage Avian Influenza A(H7N9), hemorrhagic fever, rabies, anthrax, brucellosis, leptospirosis, hydatid disease, and schistosomiasis. Most of these are class B, with hydatid disease as class C. The National Bureau of Statistics provided population data. The scientists had to consider the response strategies China used to minimize the spread of COVID-19. Hubei province launched a second-level public health emergency response on the 22 of January 2020, while Wuhan was on lockdown on the 23rd. All 31 provinces launched the first-level response. While different areas applied different containment and suppression strategies, the most important measures taken in the most severely affected areas included lockdowns, restricted travel, cancellations of mass gatherings, and mandatory face masks. The researchers calculated averages for annual incidence, number of cases, mortality, number of deaths, monthly incidence and monthly mortality. They compared different groups using proportional tests and ratio Z tests. The growth rate was computed to examine the growth of incidence and mortality. The Cox-Stuart test assessed increasing/decreasing long-term trends for monthly incidence and mortality, and monthly predictive incidence was generated using Farrington surveillance algorithms to avoid the interference of the long-term trend of the disease itself. The researchers found the three most common zoonotic diseases were brucellosis, which hovered between ~80% and ~85%, hemorrhagic fever (~7.5%-~14%), and schistosomiasis (15%). Schistosomiasis did show significantly lower incidence in 2020 and 2021. A total of 25,016 cases were detected in 2021, 63,226 in 2020, and 77,448 per year between 2015 and 2019. The fewest deaths were seen in 2021 at 77, with 244 in 2020 and 673 per year between 2015 and 2019. Rabies caused the most deaths in all years, followed by H7N9 and hemorrhagic fever. Zoonotic diseases tend to follow long-term seasonal trends. 2015 showed the highest incidence of these diseases between 2014 and 2020. Following the routine stage in 2020, incidence rose toward the average monthly incidence between 2015 and 2019. The researchers found that the average monthly incidence between January and April 2021 was significantly higher than in both 2020 and 2015-2019. Brucellosis and hydatid disease showed substantially higher monthly incidence. They also discovered significant long-term downward trends of zoonotic diseases, although it is acknowledged that natural long-term trends of the diseases could affect this feature. Comparing monthly incidence and monthly mortality in 2020 and 2015-2019, the researchers discovered that as the emergency routines to prevent the transmission of COVID-19 began to take effect, zoonotic diseases declined significantly. Monthly incidence reduced by 25.79% and mortality by 72.39%. These figures were also considerably lower than predicted. Conclusion The authors highlight that they have reported the most recent trends of these diseases successfully and with a considerable sample size. A significant decline was found in incidence rates of all the investigated diseases in 2020 compared to the previous five years. Still, this decline did not continue into 2021, with incidence rates climbing once again. This information could help inform future strategies to help reduce the transmission of these diseases. A publication by University of Oxford researchers describes a new minimally invasive and inexpensive blood test that can identify cancer in patients with non-specific symptoms. The early success of this technology makes it the first blood-based test that not only detects cancer in this population but can simultaneously identify if a cancer has spread. A University of Oxford study published today in Clinical Cancer Research, a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research, outlines a new type of blood test that can be used to detect a range of cancers and whether these cancers have spread (metastasized) in the body. The study analyzed samples from 300 patients with non-specific but concerning symptoms of cancer, such as fatigue and weight loss, who were recruited through the Oxfordshire Suspected CANcer (SCAN) pathway. The researchers assessed whether the test could distinguish patients with a range of solid tumors from those without cancer. Their results show that cancer was correctly detected in 19 out of every 20 patients with cancer using this test. In those with cancer, metastatic disease was identified with an overall accuracy of 94%. These results make this the first technology to be able to determine the metastatic status of a cancer from a simple blood test, without prior knowledge of the primary cancer type. This test shows promise to help clinicians detect cancer and assess cancer stages in the future. Unlike many blood-based tests for cancer, which detect genetic material from tumors, this test uses a technique called NMR metabolomics, which uses high magnetic fields and radio waves to profile levels of natural chemicals (metabolites) in the blood. Healthy individuals, people with localized cancer, and people with metastatic cancer each have different profiles of blood metabolites, which can be detected and then analyzed by the researchers' algorithms to distinguish between these states. Cancer cells have unique metabolomic fingerprints due to their different metabolic processes. We are only now starting to understand how metabolites produced by tumors can be used as biomarkers to accurately detect cancer. We have already demonstrated that this technology can successfully identify if patients with multiple sclerosis are progressing to the later stages of disease, even before trained clinicians could tell. It is very exciting that the same technology is now showing promise in other diseases, like cancer." Dr James Larkin, researcher on the study, University of Oxford Cancers detected earlier are more likely to be treated successfully. This rapid and inexpensive test could help to overcome many barriers to the early detection of cancer, especially in patients that present with non-specific symptoms, which do not direct investigations towards a specific organ. NHS Rapid Diagnostic Centres, similar to Oxfordshire's SCAN pathway, are currently being set up across the NHS to support faster and earlier cancer diagnosis in all patients with symptoms that could indicate cancer. This new test is not specific to a single cancer type and has shown promise in this traditionally challenging clinical context, including the potential to detect some cancers in the community before conventional imaging is performed. Dr Fay Probert, lead researcher of the study from the University of Oxford, says: "This work describes a new way of identifying cancer. The goal is to produce a test for cancer that any GP can request. We envisage that metabolomic analysis of the blood will allow accurate, timely and cost-effective triaging of patients with suspected cancer, and could allow better prioritization of patients based on the additional early information this test provides on their disease." Future studies with larger patient cohorts will further evaluate this technique for the earlier detection of new cancers and potential clinical applications. In 2016, Colorado voters approved a new state law that provided medical aid in dying for terminally ill patients. This law authorizes a physician, who is identified as the attending physician, to prescribe a lethal dose of medications that results in death. The experiences and perspectives of physicians who have provided medical aid in dying are not well known because the law keeps their identities confidential. As a result, these physicians are a "hidden population" who have not been comprehensively surveyed and studied to date. In an article newly published online by the Journal of General Internal Medicine, researchers from the University of Colorado School of Medicine report the results of a survey designed to reach physicians most likely to care for patients seeking medical aid in dying. Survey helps provide clarity for physicians About 20% of the U.S. population live in states where providing medical aid in dying is legal, so understanding the experiences of physicians who provide medical aid in dying can help clarify the professional obligations, barriers, and ethical challenges. The survey, which allowed physicians to remain anonymous, used the Colorado All Payer's Claims Database and other data sources to strategically send the survey to Colorado physicians treating terminally ill patients most like those who were prescribed aid-in-dying medication. Between 2017 and 2020, a total 554 patients were prescribed aid-in-dying medication, according to data from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. The state also reports that 472 attending physician forms were submitted during that period. Because those names remain confidential by state law, researchers were unable to obtain a list of those physicians. Additionally, the department itself is not authorized by state law to follow up with those physicians. Led by Eric G. Campbell, PhD, professor of medicine and director of research for the CU Center for Bioethics and Humanities, the research team designed a survey process intended to reach physicians who fit the profile of those caring for these terminally ill patients. In total, they contacted 583 physicians and received 300 survey responses. Our goal was to provide unbiased, scientifically rigorous, empirical data to inform the ongoing debate on medical aid in dying. As researchers, we have no personal or professional interests or intentions in either encouraging or discouraging the practice in Colorado or elsewhere." Eric G. Campbell, PhD, professor of medicine and director of research for the CU Center for Bioethics and Humanities The survey found that 81% of surveyed physicians were willing to discuss medical aid in dying with a patient and that 88% would make referrals for patients to receive medical aid in dying medications. Slightly less than half (46%) were willing to be the consultant in such cases and 28% said that would be willing to serve as an attending. State law requires in every case that there be independent consulting and attending physicians. In terms of cases, 27% had referred a patient, 13% have been a consultant, and 8.5% had been an attending. "Taken together, these findings should be reassuring to policy makers, proponents, and patients seeking medical-aid-in-dying information and services in Colorado," Campbell says. "There are more physicians who are willing to provide medical aid in dying than there are those who actually did. Of course, these findings will likely be seen as distressing by those who oppose the practice of medical aid in dying on moral, religious, or political grounds." The barriers and effect of medical aid in dying on physicians The survey also explored the barriers reported by physicians related to participating in medical aid in dying. Overall, lack of knowledge was reported by 47% of respondents, and the emotional and time investment, 47% and 42% respectively. Additionally, 41% reported ethical concerns were a moderate or large barrier to their participation. Hillary Lum, MD, PhD, associate professor of medicine in the Division of Geriatrics, and study team member, explained, "Our findings call for more research to better understand the nature, extent, and consequences of the ethical challenges physicians face when providing medical aid in dying, and how these affect patients, their families, and society." Finally, the study found the providing medical aid in dying had positive and negative effects on physicians. Three-quarters of respondents reported this service was emotionally fulfilling and professionally rewarding. However, large percentages reported feeling that providing medical aid in dying was time consuming and ethically challenging. Matthew DeCamp, MD, PhD, associate professor of medicine and an ethicist on the research team, says: "Whether or not you support medical aid in dying, we need to understand the experiences of physicians who engage in the practice. Knowing those experiences can help inform the ongoing debate about aid in dying." This research was funded by a grant from the bioethics grants program Making a Difference in Real-World Bioethics Dilemmas of The Greenwall Foundation. Teaching younger children through 'guided' play can support key aspects of their learning and development at least as well, and sometimes better, than traditional, direct instruction, according to a new analysis. The research, by academics at the University of Cambridge gathered and assessed data from numerous, widespread studies and information sources, which collectively documented guided play's impact on the learning of around 3,800 children aged three to eight. Guided play broadly refers to playful educational activities which, although gently steered by an adult, give children the freedom to explore a learning goal in their own way. Overall, the study found that this playful approach to learning can be just as effective as more traditional, teacher-led methods in developing key skills: including literacy, numeracy, social skills and essential thinking skills known as executive functions. The findings also suggest that children may master some skills notably in maths more effectively through guided play than other methods. The relative merits of play-based learning compared with more formal styles of instruction is a long-standing debate in education, but most of that discussion has focused on 'free' open-ended play. The new study is the first systematic attempt to examine the effects of guided play specifically, which is distinctive because it uses games or playful techniques to steer children towards specific learning goals, with support from a teacher or another adult using open-ended questions and prompts. This may, for example, involve creating imagination-based games which require children to read, write or use maths; or incorporating simple early learning skills such as counting into play. Such methods are common in pre-school education, but are used less in primary teaching a deficit which has been criticized by some researchers. The analysis was carried out by academics from the Play in Education, Development and Learning (PEDAL) Centre at the Faculty of Education, University of Cambridge. It's only recently that researchers have started to conceptualise learning through play as something that exists on a spectrum. At one end you have free play, where children decide what to do with minimal adult involvement; at the other is traditional, direct instruction, where an adult tells a child what to do and controls the learning activity." Dr Elizabeth Byrne, Study Co-Author, University of Cambridge "Guided play falls somewhere in between. It describes playful activities which are scaffolded around a learning goal, but allow children to try things out for themselves. If children are given the freedom to explore, but with some gentle guidance, it can be very good for their education perhaps in some cases better than direct instruction." Paul Ramchandani, Professor of Play in Education, Development and Learning at the University of Cambridge, said: "The argument is sometimes made that play, while beneficial, adds little to children's education. In fact, although there are still some big questions about how we should use guided play in classrooms, there is promising evidence that it actively enhances learning and development." Guided play has rarely been systematically studied in its own right, but the team found 39 studies, undertaken between 1977 and 2020, which had captured some information about its value compared either with free play or direct instruction, usually in the course of wider research. By combining the results of studies which looked at similar types of learning outcome, the researchers were able to calculate how much of an overall positive or negative effect guided play has on different aspects of numeracy, literacy, executive functions or socioemotional skills, compared with other approaches. These effect sizes were measured using Hedge's g; a widely-used statistical system in which a result of 0 represents no comparative gain, and 0.2, 0.5 and 0.8 represent small, medium and large effects respectively. The results offer significant evidence that guided play has a greater positive impact on some areas of children's numeracy than direct instruction. For example, guided play's comparative effect size on early maths skills was 0.24, and 0.63 on shape knowledge. There was also evidence that guided play better supports the development of children's cognitive ability to switch between tasks. Alongside other positive findings, there was also no statistically significant evidence that guided play is less effective than direct instruction on any of the learning outcomes studied. In short, guided playful activities tend at the very least to produce roughly the same learning benefits as more traditional, teacher-led approaches. The researchers offer various possible explanations about why guided play may improve numeracy in particular. One possibility is that the gentle prompting that guided play entails may be a particularly effective way of teaching children to work through the logical steps that maths-based tasks often involve. Equally, the fact that guided play often involves hands-on learning may be important. "Children often struggle with mathematical concepts because they are abstract," Byrne said. "They become easier to understand if you are actually using them in an imaginary game or playful context. One reason play matters may be because it supports mental visualisation." More broadly, the authors suggest that guided play may influence other characteristics which have a positive, knock-on effect on educational progress enhancing, for example, children's motivation, persistence, creativity and confidence. Dr Christine O'Farrelly, a Senior Research Associate at the Faculty of Education, said: "It's likely that playful activities have the sort of positive impact we saw in our analysis partly because they are acting on other skills and processes which underpin learning. If we can understand more about how guided play shapes learning in this way, we will be able to identify more precisely how it could be used to make a really meaningful difference in schools." The latest report of the PAHO (Pan American Health Organization) estimated the prevalence of depression in Spain to be 5.2%, and there is every indication that mental health disorders will increase significantly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. In this scenario, the use of mobile apps could help both in the prevention and treatment of these disorders, working in tandem with other treatments. But how do we really know which applications work and are scientifically validated? A team led by Carme Carrion, member of the eHealth Center, leader of the eHealth Lab research group at the UOC, has launched a project to develop a tool and methodology to help both patients and professionals identify the best apps for managing depression. The aim of the EvalDepApps project is to design an instrument to evaluate the apps that are being used in this field, in order to differentiate those that can be useful and add value. We want to help professionals and users to separate the wheat from the chaff and identify the apps that can help to better manage the health problem on a daily basis, while also providing more data in real time and conditions that enable professionals to monitor more closely the evolution and process of each person affected by depression." Carme Carrion, research director, UOC's Faculty of Health Sciences The project team consists of 16 researchers from 8 different institutions. In addition to Carme Carrion (project coordinator), other participants from the UOC are Antoni Perez-Navarro (member of the Faculty of Computer Science, Multimedia and Telecommunications and researcher with the ICSO group) and eHealth Center researchers Noemi Robles and Francesc Saigi (member of the UOC's Faculty of Health Sciences and director of the World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Digital Health). The project will also include participation from patients and professionals from other research and healthcare institutions in Catalonia, the Valencian Community, Andalusia and the Canary Islands. The risks of mental health apps It is currently estimated that there are around 10,000 mental health applications of which, according to preliminary data from researchers, 250 are dedicated to treating, monitoring and supporting people with depression. "Apps considered to be medical devices currently need to follow a specific European regulation, but most of them are not classified as such, and are often accessible in the IOS and Android repositories and can be downloaded by everyone," explained Carme Carrion. Any application can have security and data protection risks, but apps in the field of mental health may carry an added risk if the information they provide is inadequate. "These apps are often not addressed to specific individuals and are too general to be useful to most of the people who use them. There are only a few based on solid scientific evidence, so there is a danger that they will suggest actions or therapies without any validity, or even ones causing effects that run contrary to what is required," the researcher pointed out. In this context, the healthcare system needs reliable, safe and effective tools to assess these applications. "This way, professionals will have more information to prescribe apps without risk for the patient and with maximum guarantees about their potential effectiveness; and patients will also be able to identify which apps have the best rating and can be found in the usual repositories," said Carme Carrion. Application analysis and assessment criteria The project will carry out a review of current apps for treating, monitoring and supporting people with depression. It will also look at what strategies are currently being used to evaluate such apps, as there is no official regulation, nor is there a consensus on what criteria should be assessed to consider a health app as sufficiently safe and effective. "There are different initiatives to assess mobile health solutions, however this assessment is often only partial. Thus, the validation and evaluation of health apps does not yet have an agreed, thorough and complete methodology for their risks, benefits, costs, social impact and organizational impact, or ethical and legal aspects," explained the researcher. In order to carry out this task, the researchers based their work on the experience gained during a previous project carried out by the same EvalApps team, which created an app assessment system that helps to manage overweightedness and obesity. In that project,common criteria were identified to assess all types of apps, regardless of their purpose: data security and privacy, usability, reliability, level of development, and functionality. EvalDepApps will take these parameters and - with participation from patients, app experts and mental health and primary care professionals- it will define the appropriate criteria in terms of effectiveness and safety of the actions to manage depression. "There are valid tools in general terms to assess any type of health app, but we need to find the criteria to validate their effectiveness and safety in the different types of health problems they address. In the field of mental health there are also some recommendations, for example from the American Psychiatric Association, but they have to be adapted to our context," she explained. Co-creation workshops to design the app After that, different co-creation workshops will be organized, inspired by the design thinking methodology, to design the app evaluation tool; this will involve defining the most appropriate instrument (app, website, multi-platform system, etc.) as well as the requirements or characteristics it should have to be useful and easy to use. For this process, the participation of both patients and experts from different disciplines is very important. "For some time now, developers and health professionals have been working closely together. However, to ensure that people make ongoing use of an app, we need to add the vision of the end user. This is key," the researcher pointed out. Once developed, the tool will be tested with a group of volunteers, including users and health professionals. The final tool will be handed over to the different health departments of the autonomous communities concerned and made available to the general public free of charge in an open access format. The U.S. Supreme Court is weighing challenges to a Biden administration vaccine mandate that requires eligible employees in Medicare or Medicaid-funded facilities to get vaccinated or receive an exemption. The law takes effect Jan. 27 in 25 states including Michigan--the other 25 states have challenged the law in court. It will be phased in over several months. Sheria Robinson-Lane, assistant professor at the University of Michigan School of Nursing, is an expert in palliative and long-term care and nursing administration. Her research focuses on the care and support of older adults with cognitive or functional disabilities, and on ways older adults adapt to changes in health, particularly how adaptive coping strategies affect health outcomes. She discusses what these mandates could mean for health care staffing levels. Some fear that vaccine mandates could worsen already critical employee shortages in nursing homes and long-term care facilities. Is this a valid fear? Vaccine mandates have been in place within both hospitals and nursing homes for some time now with exemptions available. I dont think that a large change in staffing is inevitable. Staffing in health care organizations that provide direct care is presently a nightmare. In an already stressed field that was experiencing shortages prior to the pandemic, we saw a bit of an exodus at the start of the pandemic. Over the past two years there have continued to be staffing challenges mostly due to managing infections amongst staff and also individuals leaving for perhaps better opportunities. Interestingly, some nurses and nurse assistants have left health care facilities to join staffing agencies where they have the opportunityin some instancesto make substantially more money. For those that have been infected by COVID-19, some staff have not been able to return either due to death or a COVID-related disability (long COVID). Presently, here in Michigan, we have four military medical teams that have been deployed to assist at various hospitals across the state. So having a concern about any staffing change, including those that might be precipitated by a vaccine mandate, is valid. How might vaccine mandates impact hospitals? They have approached vaccinations a bit differently. The vaccine there was required, exemptions were available there as well but perhaps not as easy to obtain and any staff that was not vaccinated has been furloughed. So I believe that the majority of effects to staffing as it relates to hospitals likely has already occurred. Further, staff in both nursing homes and in hospitals have found that widespread vaccination mandates have limited available options of employment. One of the persistent arguments for vaccination has been increased immunity and limited community spread of COVID. Omicron seems to be changing this narrative a bit. What does this mean for health care facilities that dont accept Medicare and Medicaid dollars? The vast majority of health care organizations do accept Medicaid and Medicare dollars but so far organizations that dont accept CMS funds are still following the same COVID related protocols. It sounds like youre saying worker shortages were problematic long before COVID. Is there a solution? I dont know that there is a great solution at this point. The virus will continue to mutate and with the incredible rate of transmission of Omicron its likely that it already has. The vaccinated and unvaccinated alike are becoming ill and potentially exposing the patients they care for. Weekly testing for unvaccinated staff is expensive and not sustainable long-term but due to the unfortunately high level of breakthrough infections, most organizations, at least in long-term care, have gone back to weekly testing for all staff. In the present situation, I dont know that vaccines are going to make a large difference. The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) delta variant, dominant in most communities, was primarily fueling the summer surge of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the United States in 2021. The SARS-CoV-2 delta variant has increased transmissibility, resulting in increased cases and a commensurate increase in hospitalization rates in many locales, particularly in areas where COVID-19 immunization rates are low. As a result, vaccination and other public health mitigation methods like masking and social separation are being used to try to stop the outbreak. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved anti-spike monoclonal antibodies for the early treatment of mild to moderate COVID-19 in high-risk patients. As a result, Mayo Clinic launched the Monoclonal Antibody Treatment Program (MATRx) in November 2020 to give these treatments to high-risk patients outside of the hospital setting. More than 13,800 patients had received anti-spike monoclonal antibodies by October 22, 2021, according to the program. In comparison to a propensity score-matched sample of 2,335 untreated individuals, the program's outcomes demonstrated a substantial reduction in hospital and critical care unit admission and mortality in 2,335 patients who received bamlanivimab infusion. In this research paper, a group of Mayo Clinic researchers discusses how data from MATRx's clinical prioritizing algorithms can be used to address anti-spike monoclonal antibody allocation during times of scarcity. The authors show that the monoclonal antibody screening score (MASS) and COVID-19 antibody screening tool (CAST) scores can be used to determine clinical priority and guide allocation by identifying subgroups of eligible patients who are most at risk of hospitalization and would benefit the most from casirivimab-imdevimab treatment prioritization. Study: Clinical Prioritization of Antispike Monoclonal Antibody Treatment of Mild to Moderate COVID-19. Image Credit: MattLphotography / Shutterstock The study The patients' hospitalization rates rose in direct correlation with CAST and MASS, particularly in those who did not get monoclonal antibodies. A CAST score of 1 or higher is considered more sensitive, but a MASS score of 1 or higher is considered more specific for hospitalization. Patients with a CAST score of 1 are less likely to require COVID-19 hospitalization, according to the authors; the latter group includes patients who were identified using the enhanced emergency use authorization (EUA) criteria adopted in May 2021. The all-cause and COVID-19 hospitalization rates were 7.8% and 0.1%, respectively, in the population of 218 untreated patients in these strata. Interestingly, two-thirds of all-cause hospitalizations in this cohort were for childbirth. Adjusting for pregnancy results in an all-cause hospitalization rate of only 1.8%, which compares favorably to rates in individuals without any qualifying high-risk condition. As a result, during times of resource scarcity, this group of eligible but lower-risk patients may be given lower priority so that individuals with higher CAST and MASS scores can receive care. The findings of this study support the authors' previous conclusions, which show a direct link between the number of medical comorbidities and the rate of hospitalization in high-risk patients with mild to moderate COVID-19 since the initiation of MATRx in November 2020. During periods of scarcity, such as during overwhelming surges of SARS-CoV-2 infection in the United States or other countries where anti-spike monoclonal antibody supplies are scarce, people with multiple medical comorbidities (higher MASS and CAST scores) should be given priority for monoclonal antibody allocation. This technique aims to lower the likelihood of illness development, reducing the potential load on already overburdened healthcare systems. Furthermore, this prioritizing method should also be applied to patients with mild to moderate COVID-19 who are already in the hospital for another reason in order to limit the risk of disease development and the necessity for intensive care unit admission. The authors further suggest that during times of shortage, treatment of high-risk COVID-19 patients should take precedence over postexposure prophylaxis, with the exception of exposed unvaccinated or immunocompromized vital employees. Patients with mild to severe COVID-19 have a limited time to receive these life-saving monoclonal antibody medicines. Thus they should be prioritized above exposed asymptomatic high-risk individuals who will have a second shot at monoclonal antibody infusion if symptoms emerge. Only if qualified high-risk individuals exhibit symptoms after exposure and are not offered postexposure prophylaxis because of shortages should they be thoroughly followed and treated early. Because of society's reliance on vital employees, they should be given first priority for postexposure prophylaxis if they are still at risk due to an underlying immunocompromised condition or have not yet received all of their vaccines. Implications Monoclonal antibody allocation should be based on patient needs and the likelihood of benefit when resources are limited. MASS and CAST as paired screening methods were proven to be clinically beneficial in accomplishing this goal in this program. The authors recommend Anti-spike monoclonal antibodies as a way to reduce the number of patients admitted to the hospital due to COVID-19-related illnesses and relieve the strain on an already overburdened healthcare system. There should be a serious consideration of these two clinical instruments to guarantee that vital and critical employees and the underserved and underrepresented communities have equal access to anti-spike monoclonal antibodies as the SARS-CoV-2 delta variant surges. New research findings may help physicians and older adults with osteoporosis better manage their hip fracture risk while taking a break from their medication. The first-of-its-kind study, published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, found that the oral bisphosphonates risedronate and alendronate equally protect against hip fracture during a 2-year drug holiday. However, the risk increases slightly for those taking a break from risedronate. This study highlights the benefits of closer monitoring and follow-up around two years after starting a drug holiday, particularly among patients that were treated with risedronate for only three to five years before their break in therapy." Suzanne Cadarette, Associate Professor, University of Toronto's Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy According to Osteoporosis Canada, over 2 million Canadians are living with osteoporosis. Alendronate and risedronate are the two most common drugs to treat osteoporosis in Canada. In Ontario, the proportion of osteoporosis patients who take each drug is about the same. Both drugs have been associated with rare adverse events after long-term use, and because the drugs persist in bone, most patients can safely take a physician-directed "drug holiday," or a break in taking the medication, after several years of continuous therapy. But the evidence about the best length of a drug holiday and comparative fracture risk during this time is sparse. Until now, no study has compared the relative benefits of oral bisphosphonates in people with osteoporosis who have taken the drugs for several years. Risedronate shows small risk increase compared to alendronate after two years of a drug holiday but low absolute risk The research question was developed in consultation with Osteoporosis Canada and was led by Kaleen Hayes, a pharmacist and PhD student in Cadarette's group at the time of the study. The team, which included bone health physicians, examined whether the risk of hip fracture during a drug holiday differed between patients taking risedronate and those taking alendronate. With both drugs being covered equally by the Ontario Drug Benefit program, the team had access to comprehensive high-quality health administrative data through ICES that allowed them to identify over 25,000 patients who took each drug for at least three years then had a break in therapy. They were then able to track and compare the rates of fractures patients experienced over time during the drug holiday. The team found that patients who took either drug had very low risk of hip fracture during the drug holiday. However, after two years of the break from therapy, patients who had been on risedronate had a slightly higher risk than patients who had been on alendronate, though the absolute risk remained low. Risedronate and alendronate are available in different formulations, which may make one drug a better choice for a particular patient. And Cadarette emphasizes that this study does not support that one is better than another or that patients should switch drugs based on these results. Rather, this greater awareness of the comparative long-standing benefits of these drugs during a break in therapy helps provide evidence that patients may need to be monitored after two years to inform when they may consider returning to therapy. "Questions related to long-term osteoporosis pharmacotherapy are of global interest, and our study helps to clarify the relative residual benefits of oral bisphosphonates during a drug holiday," says Cadarette. Cadarette and Hayes, a new assistant professor at Brown University, are now working to leverage data from Canada and the United States to answer more novel questions about osteoporosis therapy, focusing on providing evidence to inform long-term osteoporosis management. In a recent study published in the medRxiv* preprint server, a team of researchers determined the impact of the emerging severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants of concern (VOCs) and vaccination status on the SARS-CoV-2 transmission dynamics. The study concluded that the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination lowered the susceptibility to infection and the infected patients' transmission rates. Background The researchers of the current study had published a previous systematic review and meta-analysis in June 2021 which reported an 18.9% household secondary attack rate (SAR) of SARS-CoV-2. Emerging SARS-CoV-2 VOCs such as the Alpha, Beta, Delta, Omicron, and Gamma variants and improved vaccination rates influenced SARS-CoV-2 transmission rates. The Delta variant has become the predominant SARS-CoV-2 variant in most countries, and the Omicron variant is more infectious than Delta due to its heavily mutated spike (S) protein region. Several randomized controlled trials and large-scale observational studies have demonstrated the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine effectiveness (VE) against COVID-19-associated symptomatic diseases and deaths. Although household VE studies supplement the results of VE trials, VE in reducing the SARS-CoV-2 susceptibility and infectiousness within the household given prolonged close contact between index cases and household members in the context of emerging SARS-CoV-2 VOCs remains uncertain. The study In the present systematic review and meta-analysis, researchers searched PubMed from June 18, 2021, through January 7, 2022, to assess the effect of SARS-CoV-2 VOCs and index case or contact vaccination status on household SARs using 1,291 household contact tracing studies. The research followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. In the meta-analyses, SAR estimates in households and 95% confidence interval (CI) were obtained using generalized linear mixed models, disaggregated by several covariates including variant, vaccine type, and vaccination status of the index case and household contact. VE based on transmission probability for infectiousness (VE I,P ), susceptibility (VE S,P ), and total vaccine effectiveness (VE T,P ) were estimated by SARs. Results The results indicated that fully vaccinated index cases showed lower transmission to household contacts than unvaccinated index cases, whereas partially vaccinated index cases' transmission rates were not significantly different from unvaccinated index cases. A total of 27 studies with midpoints in 2021 had a household SAR of 35.8%. The Alpha, Beta, and Delta variants had a household SAR of 38%, 22.5%, and 30.8%, respectively. SAR for Alpha/Delta was not significantly different from Alpha/Delta. In contrast, SARs for Alpha was substantially higher than Beta, and SARs for Delta and Alpha were higher than the original wild-type variant. The (VE I,P ), (VE S,P ), and (VE T,P ) for fully vaccinated index cases were 56.6%, 70.3%, and 86.8% respectively, and for partially vaccinated index cases were 27.5%, 32 43.9%, and 59.9%, respectively. The overall estimated mean SAR for unvaccinated, partially vaccinated, and fully vaccinated index cases to household contacts were 26.6%, 16.2%, and 14.4%, respectively. The overall estimated mean household SAR for unvaccinated, partially vaccinated, and fully vaccinated household contacts were 33.8%, 23.7%, and 14.1%, respectively, regardless of index case vaccination status. Mean estimated SARs from two studies with fully BNT162b2 vaccinated and unvaccinated index cases were 8.3% and 35.9%, respectively, regardless of household contacts vaccination status. No significant differences were reported in SARs for household contacts fully vaccinated with Ad26.COV2.S, BNT162b2, mRNA-1273, and ChAdOx1-S vaccines or partially vaccinated with ChAdOx1-S, BNT162b2, and mRNA-1273 vaccines. Conclusions The study concluded that fully vaccinated COVID-19 index cases had lower household SAR of SARS-CoV-2 than unvaccinated index cases. Compared to unvaccinated household contacts, fully and partially vaccinated household contacts had lower susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection. The household contacts exposed to SARS-CoV-2 Delta and Alpha variants had a substantially higher risk of infection than the original wild-type variant. Household SARs for the present study (35.8%) was higher than the previous study (15.7%) conducted by the researchers, indicating that the household remained a major venue for COVID-19 transmission. Public health measures including increased testing, social distancing, isolation, improved ventilation, and hand hygiene may help prevent the COVID-19 transmission. The present study's (VE I,P ) estimates were within the range of a household data-based modeling study from Israel conducted before the widespread of the Delta variant. The study results warrant caution as variants more virulent and transmissible than the Omicron variant can also emerge in the future. Overall, the study emphasizes the vaccination-associated reduction in SARS-CoV-2 infection and household transmission rates. *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. Tammy Kaminski can still recall the taste of benzene, a carcinogenic byproduct of burning jet fuel. For nine months after the 9/11 attacks, she volunteered for eight hours every Saturday at St. Paul's Chapel, just around the corner from ground zero in New York City. She breathed in cancer-causing toxic substances, like fuel fumes and asbestos, from the smoke that lingered and the ash that blanketed the pop-up clinic where first responders could grab a meal, take a nap or get medical care. But in 2015, when Kaminski, a chiropractor who lives in West Caldwell, New Jersey, was diagnosed with uterine cancer, she didn't get the same help that other volunteers did. Although Kaminski, 61, and her doctors believe the cancer is linked to her time volunteering after 9/11, the federal health insurance and monitoring program would not cover her treatments for endometrial cancer or those of anyone exposed to toxic substances from the attacks who then developed that form of uterine cancer. That could change soon. In November, an advisory committee unanimously approved a recommendation to add uterine cancer to the list of diseases covered by the program for first responders and people who were in the vicinity of the terrorist attacks. It's the fourth-most-common cancer among women. But, according to the advisory committee, it's the only cancer the program doesn't cover. The program's administrator is expected to make a final ruling by mid-2022. The hormone-related cancer can develop after someone is exposed to the kind of endocrine-disrupting chemicals, including benzene, that were found in the dust that lingered in Lower Manhattan for months after the 9/11 attacks. Such chemicals are disproportionately harmful to women, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. The World Trade Center Health Program determines which conditions it will cover primarily using longitudinal data from patients in its registry. Enrollees do not have to prove their medical conditions were caused by the attacks and the aftermath; instead, the program studies which conditions are most prevalent among the members. But that creates a math problem: Although the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that at least 500,000 people were exposed to toxic substances from the attacks, women make up only 22% of the program's 109,500 enrollees. Most of those registered were first responders, a field dominated by men. Although the people who were in and around ground zero, including residents, students and office workers, represent a larger portion of the total number of people directly affected by 9/11 than first responders, they are vastly underrepresented in the program for both treatment and data collection. Called "survivors" by the program, they make up just 28% of enrollees. It can never be proved that Kaminski's cancer originated from that exposure on her volunteer shifts. But advocates and experts who have urged that uterine cancer be included in the program say not enough women are enrolled in it for data to be collected on hormonally driven health conditions of women in general or for their potential correlation to 9/11. "They didn't collect data on uterine cancer because they couldnt," Kaminski said. "How can you say theres no data when you didn't record it?" Dr. Iris Udasin, medical director of Rutgers University's chapter of the World Trade Center Health Program, said the exclusion does not necessarily suggest that women's health wasn't prioritized. She said it was more a side effect of how cancers were added to the list individually, based on the predominantly male group of first responders who were originally tracked for health conditions. But she's been pushing for it to be covered based on new evidence that endocrine-disrupting chemicals increase the risk of hormone-related tumors, including uterine cancer. Udasin pointed out that one form of uterine cancer is already covered by the program, under a "rare cancer" category. Uterine cancer has two types: endometrial, the kind Kaminski had, and uterine sarcoma. Sarcoma accounts for just 10% of all uterine cancers and is grouped with other rare cancers covered by the program. Adding the more common form requires the formal review now underway. "This cancer that fell through the cracks can now be covered," Udasin said. "At least, I hope that's what will happen." Uterine cancer research has long been underfunded, said Dr. Suneel Kamath, an oncologist at the Cleveland Clinic Cancer Center who studies cancer funding. According to Kamath, three broad groups of cancers are generally given short shrift: gastrointestinal, such as stomach and pancreas cancers; genitourinary, such as adrenal and prostate cancer; and gynecological, such as uterine cancer. "And uterine, honestly, is probably among the lowest, from the data that Ive found," he said. The lack of funding, Kamath said, stems partly from the stigma attached to what many patients see as "down-there cancers." Even some physicians denigrate early diagnosis because of uterine cancer's relatively high survival rate and minimize discussing or prioritizing such cancers. But Kamath's research shows little correlation among cancer incidence, its death rate and the amount of funding cancers receive. And once a cancer is on the funder-and-donor track, it tends to dominate marketing, messaging and even clinical trial attention. Nearly 70,000 women are diagnosed with uterine cancer each year, and rates have been rising over the past two decades. The survival rate is relatively high compared with other cancers, Kamath said, but drops off steeply with late diagnosis. That can cause a false sense of security among general practitioners, who might not act aggressively at the first signs of symptoms. "But, obviously, thats not the right way to think about it. Really we should be getting to the diagnosis as fast as possible," Kamath said. "Its really key, maybe more so than other diseases, that we catch this at a highly curable stage." It's a nasty cycle in the World Trade Center Health Program too, said Kimberly Flynn, who leads several health advocacy groups for people who lived and worked around ground zero. She's seen the lack of research lead to a lack of longitudinal data, which in turn has been used to justify excluding uterine cancer from the program. When the federal committee agreed to consider adding it, Flynn hit the pavement with her two- decades-strong contact list to identify survivors and first responders who had been diagnosed with uterine cancer but had been denied coverage. Of the eight cases she found, four were on the program's radar. One of the eight people has since died of uterine cancer. Kaminski's cancer is in remission after a hysterectomy and chemotherapy. "We don't need research to tell us there is health inequity," Flynn said at the recent advisory committee meeting. "We need research to rectify the existing health inequity." In a recent study posted to the medRxiv* pre-print server, a team of researchers developed a phylogenetics-based website to identify new severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) strains quickly and efficiently in a region. Study: Identifying SARS-CoV-2 regional introductions and transmission clusters in real time. Image Credit: Dotted Yeti/Shutterstock In the absence of advanced phylogenetic and analytical tools, the SARS-CoV-2 global sequencing efforts have witnessed a setback. The existing methods for phylogenetic analysis could handle only small and static datasets. Also, they were computationally too expensive to identify clusters of closely related samples and the ever-expanding datasets of densely sampled pathogens, including SARS-CoV-2. Even when results were available, these analyses were not readily interpretable for an efficient public health response due to a lack of intuitive visualization and data exploration tools. Overall, there is an unmet need for high-throughput tools that could mount an effective public health response by quickly interpreting the available data, letting public officers take a well-informed public health action. About the study The regional index (C) was the core of the phylogenetically informed summary heuristic developed for the study. It is a weighted summary of the composition of descendants of a node of a phylogenetic tree, roughly corresponding to the virus represented by that node was inside or outside a specific area. When a descendent leaf is genetically identical to the internal node and is inside a specific region, C is equal to one, or else C was equal to zero. The researchers applied additional rules to handle cases where C was undefined. The index calculation is not applicable for leaf nodes, for which accurate geographic location metadata is not available. Using this method, the researchers traced SARS-CoV-2 transmission clusters in 102 countries using the global parsimony phylogenetic tree, built from 5,563,847 available sequences of SARS-CoV-2 on GISAID, GenBank, and COG-UK25 on 28 November 2021. Cluster size, with ~20% of distinct regional clusters containing 89% of samples, appeared highly skewed, suggesting that novel viral introductions do not essentially lead to the establishment of a locally circulating new strain. Findings Over 50% of samples of the genome sequence repositories originated from the USA or the UK, substantially restricting the global transmission analysis, as the inference of a clusters origin is dependent on the robustness of sequencing at the origin. Therefore, the researchers focused on the US data, where sequencing across each state was relatively comprehensive and robust, and detailed state-level metadata was available for most samples. As of November 2021, over 3,00,000 distinct state-level SAR-CoV-2 infection clusters were found in the USA from the beginning of the pandemic. Of these, 84% of clusters had an assigned origin, and 7% of clusters had an international origin, with the majority reflecting transmission within the USA. As expected, Mexico and Canada were among the most common international origin regions, given their long land borders. England was also relatively common because it is well-sampled. These findings suggested that sequencing effort in a given region creates a bias for accurately identifying the origin of new clusters. The most significant achievement of this work was the development of Cluster-Tracker, an open-source, daily updated website. This website assisted the exploration and prioritization of the latest genome sequences from across the USA, quickly identifying the clusters most likely to be of interest for public health action. Any user could use this website and its flexible backend pipeline to construct a similar site for any set of regions (e.g. country-level), allowing people to explore SARS-CoV-2 phylogenetic data. Conclusions The open-source tools, methodologies, and software package described in the study could prove immensely useful for researchers worldwide. The researchers could draw inferences from vast sequence datasets quickly, explore the geographic structures to draw inferences in the context of the spread of SARS-CoV-2, even other densely sampled pathogens in specific areas within the global SARS-CoV-2 phylogeny. In addition, this analytical approach performed well on simulated data and was congruent with a more sophisticated analysis performed during the pandemic. More importantly, the researchers presented an accessible open-source interactive interface for their results, which could automatically compute and display introductions and clusters with each update to the global phylogenetic tree. To summarize, this work will empower public health officers to explore the spread of SARS-CoV-2 across the USA and even support public health groups globally to quickly understand and apply insights obtained from the most recent genomic data. *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. In this interview, we speak to Paolo De Coppi from Great Ormond Street Hospital, about his latest organoid research and how these lab-grown 'mini-stomachs' can be used to investigate Thought Leaders Paolo De Coppi Pediatric Surgeon UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health In this interview, we speak to Paolo De Coppi from Great Ormond Street Hospital, about his latest organoid research and how these lab-grown 'mini-stomachs' can be used to investigate COVID-19 symptoms in children. Please could you introduce yourself and tell us what inspired your latest research into COVID-19? My name is Paolo De Coppi. I am a pediatric surgeon, working mainly with children that have congenital or sometimes acquired diseases, treating them with surgery when possible. At the beginning of the pandemic, while it was quite clear that COVID did not mainly affect children, we had a number of children presenting with symptoms that were similar to appendicitis, but without its classical features. We started imaging this and discovered that there was a slightly different manifestation of COVID in children that was more focused on the GI tract. There were big lymph nodes in these childrens tummies, and that was what was causing tummy pain, not appendicitis. We reported our observations in a letter to the Lancet early in the pandemic in the Lancet Child and Adolescent Health issue. I wanted to know why children did not have respiratory symptoms in this manifestation, only GI symptoms. Soon after that, a few publications were showing that SARSCoV2 could actually replicate in the GI tract. For me, it was important to understand how the virus circulated from the airway to the stomach, to the intestine. The point of entry to the intestine is the stomach. We wanted to determine whether the virus could replicate there because, in that way, children also can be passing on the disease oral-fecally, rather than through classical respiratory transmission. We are a tissue engineering laboratory. We work with cells to build tissues and organs enabling us to test hypotheses with various organs, particularly on the GI tract. At that time, we had just had a paper accepted on building an intestinal mucosa with Vivian Lee in Nature medicine. We thought that if we could build a sort of mini stomach, we could test this hypothesis. Next, we collaborated with one of the groups in Italy that first isolated the COVID virus in the first wave of the pandemic. We sent over this engineered mini gut model and they were able to not only infect them but also show that the virus was happily replicating, particularly in organoids derived from children. Image Credit: visivastudio/Shutterstock.com COVID-19 has had a huge impact on many sectors within science with many researchers adapting their focus to help understand the virus in more detail. Why did you want to help contribute to the global fight against COVID-19? I think all doctors and people in the field of biomedicine, from nurses to scientists, felt their responsibility to help in this unique situation. We all wanted to use our skills to help where we could. At that time I had a lot of people in the lab from all over the world who felt useless to just be at home, not being helpful, because classical research could not continue. We wanted to help. We thought that these engineered tissues we had in the laboratory could be used to test infection, in collaboration with experts on the virus, to try to understand what was going on better. It was very rewarding for everyone in the lab to see that what they were making was useful both from an engineering perspective and as a tool for understanding the infection. This was extremely rewarding from a personal point of view because it felt like we were doing something significant. Can you describe what is meant by the term organoids and where they are typically used within health and science? Organoids are like small organs, although they cannot replicate all the functions of the organs. You can culture cells from a tissue or an organ in a spheroid. These spheroids form to replicate some of the functions of the organs, and typically, these are the most important functions. For example, for the gut, one of the most important functions is that of the epithelium because the epithelium absorbs the nutrients and carries out digestion. The organoids need to include the epithelium of the gut. The gut grows as small organs in which most of the functions of the epithelium are replicated. That is what happened with the virus. The virus penetrates through the epithelium of the intestine. Therefore, if you can replicate that in vitro, you can show how the infection works. How invaluable are these organoids to research? What advantages do they have when studying organ function? Organoid research has taken over, thanks to some of the leading laboratories in the world. One of those that I want to mention because it was one of the first studies on the epithelium of the gut is Hans Clevers in Utrecht. He is one of the leaders in this field who showed that you can take a biopsy from an intestine and then grow these organoids, almost forever in culture. This is extremely useful because you can understand not only the normal physiology of the gut but you can, for example, study why a cancer developed from a particular epithelium. You can study what happens when dysregulation comes into place. You can also study diseases like we have done, for example, infection. Inflammatory bowel disease can also be studied, or you can study situations where you have an ischemic event and you have damage to the epithelium or the intestine. Therefore you can see how the epithelium regenerates and replicates. The role of the gastrointestinal system in biological processes, such as healthy brain function, has received interest recently. Could you discuss why it is important to model how this organ functions and how important it is to our overall health? We are touching on something here that has not been explored completely yet. There is a so called gut brain access, and this is regulated in some way. The studies out there seem to show that, for example, the bacteria growing in your gut can condition some of the brain function. This is something that needs to be explored further as at the moment things are not so clear. This organoid model may help with the understanding of how some of the secretory factors of the epithelium in the gut may condition other cell types, like the organoids of the brain. This is really at the cutting edge of research. Some groups are working on this, but there is not yet a clear representation of how the gut influences the brain through this access. Image Credit: Giovanni Giobbe In your latest research, you grew a mini stomach organoid across different stages of human development. Can you describe how you grew these mini stomachs and how you were able to represent the varying stages of human development? This is very important and is thanks to the access to the material here that we have in the UK. I think it is pretty unique that we have access to the developing stages of a human fetus. This is so important because it helps us to understand how the human gut develops. While there are similarities with other mammals, the human gut has some important unique differentiation pathways from other species. We were able to obtain tissues from the early phase of development and early in the postnatal period from tissue that was discarded from surgery, as well as adult tissue from biopsies. Then we were able to form organoids from all these stages of development, discovering that the behavior of these organoids was understandably very different at different stages. The pediatric cells actually have some similarities with the fetal cells, which are completely lost in the adult. Viral replication was observed to be more noticeable in cells growing from child and late fetal cells compared to adult and early fetal cells. Why might this be? This is an important question. We have demonstrated the differences, but what we do not know yet is the reason for those differences. It looks like the naive stem cells in the fetus and pediatrics express receptors that are useful to the virus for getting in. In the adult, the cells lose this expression. Once we grow the cells and make them different from a specialized epithelium, a specialized mucosa, these differences disappear. As progenitors, there are receptors that the virus needs to enter into the cells that are not there in the adult, so that is something that is clearly different. Why is this different? We do not know yet. The growth of organoids, particularly those that can replicate a fully-functioning organ, can sometimes be a difficult process. Did you encounter any challenges during your investigations and how were they overcome? One very clear answer to this is the polarization of the organoids. When you grow organoids, they grow like a sphere. This sphere has the epithelium that is normally present in the intestine looking inside. The lumen inside the sphere is the lumen of the tube of our intestine or our gut in general. The problem with this is that when we started infection in this way, we could not see much infection because the surface of the epithelium was inside the sphere. The virus could not gain access easily. We had to invert the polarization of the epithelium and make the organoids look inside out. When we changed that we saw much more efficient SARS-CoV-2 infection in the organoids. This was a clear biological answer to the question: how can we improve the infection rate and make it similar to in vivo? How was your mini stomach organoid used to study the gastrointestinal impacts of SARS-CoV-2? What did you discover when studying this? We believe the next step will be to have these organoids for two things. The first is as a predictive model. We are seeing just now with the Omicron strain the different mutations the virus can have. It can lead to completely different clinical manifestations. Can we predict the way that the virus behaves with these in vitro models? We are really keen to study the different variants with this model and see if they have a different impact on different ages or systems. The second thing is can we use some protectors, for example, to decrease the virus penetration to the epithelium. This is outside my field of expertise, but we can offer this model to a specialized lab that can work on this. We want to get more funding to try to use this system for predictions within this and other pandemics. Image Credit: Corona Borealis Studio/Shutterstock.com Do you believe that your research will help to further our understanding of the impacts COVID-19 has on the gastrointestinal system? I strongly believe that this is very important for that. At the moment, for example, we are observing a lot of young people and children getting infected and some of them may have negative swabs in their airway because that is not the primary target of the virus. I think our model can further help understand this problem and the role of the GI system in the pandemic, particularly in children. Could your lab-grown mini stomachs also be used to continue studying the stomach and how it develops over time? Are there any applications where this would be particularly beneficial? We are trying to go back to the primary aim of this work, which is to engineer mini stomachs. Mini stomachs will be beneficial for children that are born without a stomach or have a very small stomach. In the operation where we make the stomach bigger, we use the intestine, but the intestine is a different part of the body and does not work in the same way as the stomach. Those children continue to have problems. Adults can also lose their stomachs, for example, because of cancer. At the moment, to treat this the stomach is completely taken out and replaced with the intestine, but those adults struggle to feed because they do not have a sac to digest the food. By doing this research, we could reach a stage where we could replicate the stomach. In the meantime, developing a more complex stomach, for example, including inflammatory cells or endothelial cells, could help us understand the relationship between COVID-19 and other cell types that are present in the stomach more. We know that, for example, the endothelium can be affected. We know that there has been a local reaction described. We want to see if those types of manifestations can be replicated in vitro. What are the next steps for you and your research? The first direction is to acquire more funding and to use these organoids as a model to test the different variants, in particular how the different variants work in a child's stomach. That could help predict what will happen in the future and understand if this is a minor disease to the GI tract, or if it can actually lead to cell death or cell apoptosis, and so on. The second direction is within regenerative and tissue engineering in which we are trying to create a more complex mini stomach that could be used to replace missing stomachs in both adults and children. Is there anything else at all you wanted to add? This is a work of many and it is all thanks to collaborating with people of different expertise. To get through difficult moments, the best thing to do is to create networks, as many have done, and try to answer questions by working together. If you want to find a positive element from this pandemic, there has never been a better moment in science than this, as it has really pushed people to work together. About Paolo De Coppi Paolo De Coppi is the Nuffield Chair of Paediatric Surgery, the NIHR Professor of Paediatric Surgery, and Consultant Paediatric Surgeon at the Great Ormond Street Hospital. He is the President Elect of the European Pediatric Surgical Association and the Head of the Surgery Unit, Stem Cells & Regenerative Medicine Section, Developmental Biology& Cancer Programme at the UCL Great Ormond Institute of Child Health. In 2020 he has become the first Paediatric Surgeon to be elected Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences. Professor De Coppi trained at Boston Children's Hospital, the Academic Medical Center (Amsterdam, NL), and Padua University (Italy), and has a special interest in congenital malformations and their treatment using minimally invasive techniques. He is a patron for TOFS and CDHUK and has focused his research interests on stem cells and tissue engineering by trying to find new modalities for the treatment of complex congenital anomalies. He identified stem cells from amniotic fluid and he has described methods to decellularised several organs and tissue such as the kidney, intestine, liver, pancreas, and lung. In 2010 he was part of the team that performed the first successful transplantation of a tissue-engineered trachea on a child at the Great Ormond Street Hospital. He has published more than 350 peer-reviewed articles (h-index 65) in journals such as Nature, Nature Biotechnology, The Lancet, Nature Biomedical Engineering, Nature Communications, and Cells Stem Cells; supervised more than 35 research fellow and Ph.D. students; and has been awarded various national and international grants in excess of 30 million. He is on the editorial boards of Stem Cell Development, Journal of Pediatric Surgery, Pediatric Surgery International, and Fetal and Maternal Medicine Review. As of 2011, he has been the senior associate editor for Stem Cell Translational Medicine. 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. The results of our study also underscore the importance of booster shots, especially for older adults." Danyu Lin, Study Lead Author, PhD, Dennis Gillings Distinguished Professor, Biostatistics, UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health. " 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, PhD, 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. The research was led by Lin with major contributions from Yu Gu, doctoral student in biostatistics and Donglin Zeng, PhD, professor of biostatistics. NCDHHS epidemiologists Bradford Wheeler, Hayley Young, Shadia Khan Sunny, and Zack Moore participated in the research. Shannon Holloway from the North Carolina State Department of Statistics also contributed. Jeffersonville, IN (47130) Today Cloudy early followed by heavy thunderstorms this afternoon. Potential for severe thunderstorms. High 79F. Winds SW at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 80%.. Tonight Scattered thunderstorms during the evening, with mostly cloudy skies after midnight. Low 53F. Winds W at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 50%. What's Included With a Digital Only subscription, you'll receive unlimited access to our website and e-edition. Our digital products are available 24/7 and are accessible anywhere, anytime. If you have any questions or need further assistance, please call our customer service team at 574-583-5121 or email cgrace@thehj.com. (Newser) Update: She was born in New Jersey and raised in Alabama, but it looks like Hoda Muthana won't be going back to either anytime soon. On Monday, the US Supreme Court refused, without comment, to hear an appeal from the 27-year-oldwho'd left Alabama to join the Islamic State in Syria in 2014 and burned her passportin her fight for reentry to the US, reports the BBC. Muthana says she joined ISIS because she'd been radicalized online. The Obama administration revoked her passport in 2016, stripping her of US citizenship, and a federal judge in 2019 agreed that was the correct decision, as Muthana's father had been a Yemeni diplomat when she was born in the US, therefore not granting her automatic citizenship. In a lawsuit, her father argued he'd given up his diplomatic status before she was born, though his plea was to no avail. AL.com notes it's not clear where Muthana, who now has a young son, currently is residing. Our original story from 2019 follows: A woman who moved from Alabama to Syria, pledged allegiance to ISIS, and burned her American passport will not be getting a new one. A federal judge ruled Thursday that 25-year-old Hoda Muthana, who's currently in a refugee camp in Syria with her 2-year-old son, is not an American citizen, the Wall Street Journal reports. Judge Reggie Walton of the US District Court for the District of Columbia ruled in the support of the State Department's decision that Muthana should never have been granted US citizenship, despite having been born in New Jersey, because her father was in the US as a Yemeni diplomat when she was born. Her passport was revoked by the Obama administration in 2016. Muthana, who grew up in Alabama, was detained by Kurdish forces in Syria earlier this year. She says she was "brainwashed" by ISIS members she encountered online, reports the AFP. After she moved to Syria, she married three different foreign fighters, all of whom were killed in combat, and urged the group's supporters worldwide to carry out terrorist acts against non-Muslims. Her lawyers say they plan to look at further options. Muthana says she regrets "every single thing" and is willing to face prosecution if she's allowed to return to the US with her son. "Anyone that believes in God believes that everyone deserves a second chance, no matter how harmful their sins were," she told NBC in a recent interview. (Her family argues that her father's diplomatic service ended before she was born.) (Newser) More than a decade ago, research began to describe the detection of DNA released by organisms into their environments. For the last several years, this environmental DNA has allowed scientists, including those at the US Geological Survey, to get a handle on the distribution and abundance of small, rare, or little-known species in water. Its also been used to find traces of ancient humans in soil. Now, the reach of eDNA is expanding even further. "One thing that we've discovered in eDNA research is really that any environmental medium (water, soil, snow, etc.) has the potential to harbor DNA that we can sample," USGS research biologist Stephen F. Spear tells NPR. Indeed, in two new studies, researchers show DNA can also be pulled from air. Using a commercial vacuum, which was rather noisy, and a quieter 3D-printed device equipped with a small fan, a team at the University of Copenhagen was able to retrieve DNA from 49 species at the Copenhagen Zoo, from giraffes to elephants. "We even detected the guppy that was living in the pond in the rainforest house," Kristine Bohmann, lead author of one of the pair of studies published Thursday in Current Biology, tells NPR. "It was just absolutely mind-blowing." Separately, a team in England led by Elizabeth Clare was able to detect DNA from 25 zoo species, a critically endangered hedgehog seen wandering nearby, and chicken and beef used as feed. In a lab setting, they even detected dog DNA, apparently carried on a technician's clothing, per CBC News. Questions remain as some species present were not detected. It's also unclear what exactly is being detected, whether it be skin, saliva, urine, or feces. But "I see the current state of airborne eDNA as very similar to when the first papers on aquatic eDNA came out over a decade ago," says Spear, who believes further research will determine best methods for the practice, as well as any limitations. Clare is dreaming big, envisioning samplers placed all over the planet that can pull DNA from soil, water, rain, and airincluding that of rare species or those thought to be extinctand beam the resulting data to servers as part of a wildlife monitoring system. She notes her initial idea of extracting eDNA from air seemed crazy, too, per NPR. But now, "we are literally sucking DNA out of the sky." (Read more DNA stories.) (Newser) 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. Four days after the 14-year-old allegedly whistled at the woman, he was rousted from bed and abducted from a great-uncle's home in the predawn hours. His mutilated body was found in the Tallahatchie River days later. The killing galvanized the civil rights movement after Till's mother insisted on an open casket and Jet magazine published photos of his brutalized body. Democratic Sen. Cory Booker and Republican Sen. Richard Burr introduced the bill to honor Till and his mother with the highest civilian honor that Congress awards, the AP reports. 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 Democratic Rep. Bobby Rush. He also has sponsored a bill to issue a commemorative postage stamp in honor of Mamie Till-Mobley. (Read more Emmett Till stories.) (Newser) Almost a decade after three members of an Iraqi-British family were murdered in the French Alps, another arrest has been made. A French prosecutor said Wednesday that a person had been detained in connection with what is known as "the 'Chevaline events' of Sept. 5, 2012," CBS reports. That was the day engineer Saad al-Hilli, his wife, Ikbal, and his mother-in-law Souhaila al-Allaf were shot dead on a remote mountain road near the village of Chevaline. French cyclist Sylvain Mollier, who had apparently arrived at the murder scene by chance, was also killed. The family's two young daughters survived the attack. Zainab, then 7 years old, was shot and beaten while 4-year-old Zeena was found unharmed, hiding under her mother's body in the family's vehicle. Several arrests in the case have been made over the years, but nobody has ever been charged. Authorities said the person arrested Wednesday, who lives in the area, was taken into custody on a judge's orders for "verifications regarding his schedule." CNN reports that the man has previously been heard as a witness in the case. The daughters, who were given new identities after the murders, were interviewed again last year and the crime was reconstructed on the ninth anniversary, the BBC reports. Over the years, investigators have looked at many possibilities, including theories that the murders were connected to al-Hilli's work as a satellite engineer, a feud with his brother, or funds from Saddam Hussein's private fortune. A book published in 2015 claimed that a former French Foreign Legion soldier was the killer and Mollier was the real target, the Guardian reports. (Read more Saad al-Hilli stories.) (Newser) Update: Kevin McCarthy won't be giving the House committee probing the Jan. 6 attack on the US Capitol what it wants. The House minority leader responded quickly to a Wednesday request from the committee asking for his voluntary cooperation, saying that same day that no, he would not sit for an interview. In a statement calling the select committee "illegitimate," McCarthy said, among other things, that the panel "wants to interview me about public statements that have been shared with the world, and private conversations not remotely related to the violence that unfolded at the Capitol. I have nothing else to add." Meanwhile, sources tell CNN that former White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany did appear before the committee Wednesday. Our original story from Wednesday follows: The House committee investigating the Capitol riot has turned its attention to House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy. On Wednesday, Chairman Bennie Thompson wrote to McCarthy, asking him to provide information about his interactions with former President Trump and his aides around Jan. 6, 2021, the date of the attack. Thompson, a Democrat, suggested McCarthy might have talked to Trump about possible censure, impeachment, "or removal under the 25th Amendment," the letter said, NBC reports. "It also appears that you may have identified other possible options, including President Trumps immediate resignation from office," Thompson wrote. The committee wants to know about Trump's state of mind, as well as his actions, per the New York Times. "You have acknowledged speaking directly with the former president while the violence was underway on Jan. 6," Thompson said. McCarthy has described that call as "very heated" and said he asked Trump to intervene to stop the riot. The minority leader has backed away from that account and his criticism of Trump shortly after the attack, per Politico, and has tried to get back into the former president's good graces. McCarthy's office made no comment Wednesday on Thompson's letter. McCarthy has said in the past that he'd be willing to appear before the committee, but some of his statements have been ambiguous. The chairman told reporters Wednesday the committee would consider issuing a subpoena if McCarthy declined the request. Two other House Republicans and Trump allies in trying to overturn the presidential election results have turned down the panel's invitationsJim Jordan and Scott Perry. McCarthy blocked Democratic attempts last year to set up a bipartisan commission to look into the Jan. 6 riot. (Read more Kevin McCarthy stories.) (Newser) Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has been talked about as a possible running mate for Donald Trump if the former president decides to run in 2024but the two Republicans may be growing further apart on the issue of COVID vaccines. In remarks that CNN describes as a "thinly veiled shot" at DeSantis, Trump blasted "gutless" politicians he had seen in interviews refusing to confirm whether they had received a booster shot. "They dont want to say it because theyre gutless," Trump told One America News Network. "You gotta say it, whether you had it or not. Say it. But the fact is that I think the vaccines saved tens of millions throughout the world. Ive had absolutely no side effects." In December, DeSantis didn't give Fox Business News host Maria Bartiromo a straight answer when she asked if he'd had a booster. He said he had "done whatever I did, the normal shot." DeSantis spokeswoman Christina Pushaw, however, told CNN Wednesday that it wasn't clear whether Trump was referring to the governor. Trump "did not mention Governor DeSantis in that interview, so I wouldn't want to make assumptions," she said, adding that the governor's position remains that vaccinations and boosters should be available to everybody, but the choice is "an individual's private medical decision." NBC quotes "a Trump adviser who was not authorized to speak publicly about the former presidents state of mind" as saying that Trump was just speaking his mind and isn't upset with DeSantis. "Tough to be Trump 2.0 if you cant be a straight shooter," said the adviser, who noted that no polls show DeSantis beating Trump in a potential 2024 contest. In a tweet Wednesday, conservative commentator Ann Coulter weighed in on DeSantis' side. "Trump is demanding to know Ron DeSantis's booster status, and I can now reveal it," she said. "He was a loyal booster when Trump ran in 2016, but then he learned our president was a liar and con man whose grift was permanent." (Read more Ron DeSantis stories.) (Newser) An ex-girlfriend of Rep. Matt Gaetz on Wednesday testified before a grand jury investigating the Florida Republican for alleged sex trafficking, various outlets report. The former Capitol Hill staffer was seen arriving at a federal courthouse in Orlando, where a grand jury is known to be meeting. "All I can say is CNN saw me and my client come in, and I am confirming I am here, but I can't make any comment," the woman's lawyer told reporters. The woman is considered a key witness in the investigation into allegations that Gaetz had sexual contact with a 17-year-old and tried to interfere in the probe. Her testimony "signals federal prosecutors may be close to indicting the congressman," per CNN. The woman was linked to the now-married Gaetz in the summer of 2017, the period from which the allegations stem. They dated for about two years and kept up communication after the relationship ended, reports the New York Times. Joel Greenberg, a former Gaetz associate who last year pleaded guilty to charges including sex trafficking a minor, is also said to be cooperating with the investigation. "Multiple people have told investigators that Mr. Gaetz's former girlfriend is one of several women who met Mr. Greenberg through the website SeekingArrangement, which describes itself as a place where wealthy people find attractive companions and treat them to gifts and cash," per the Times. The outlet adds Greenberg told people he and Gaetz had sex with the minor before learning her age. The ex-girlfriend is believed to have traveled with Gaetz and the 17-year-old, who had by then turned 18, to the Bahamas in September 2018. She was also reportedly on a call with Gaetz that is key to claims that he tried to thwart the investigation. Sources tell the Times that the FBI previously seized the ex-girlfriend's phone. CBS News reports she's been "negotiating an immunity deal with federal prosecutors." Gaetz has denied wrongdoing. His attorney tells CBS that "we have seen no credible basis for a charge" and "remain steadfast in our commitment to challenge any allegations with the facts and law." (Read more Matt Gaetz stories.) (Newser) A German court has convicted a former Syrian secret police officer of crimes against humanity for overseeing the abuse of detainees at a jail near Damascus a decade ago. The verdict Thursday in the landmark trial has been keenly anticipated by Syrians who suffered abuse or lost relatives at the hands of President Bashar al-Assads government in the countrys long-running conflict. The Koblenz state court concluded that Anwar Raslan was the senior officer in charge of a facility in the Syrian city of Douma known as Al Khatib, or Branch 251, where suspected opposition protesters were detained, the AP reports. A key part of the evidence against Raslan was photographs of alleged torture victims smuggled out of Syria by a former police officer. The court sentenced Raslan to life in prison. His lawyers asked judges last week to acquit their client, claiming that he never personally tortured anybody and that he defected in late 2012. German prosecutors alleged that Raslan supervised the "systematic and brutal torture" of more than 4,000 prisoners between April 2011 and September 2012, resulting in the deaths of dozens of people. A junior officer, Eyad al-Gharib, was convicted last year of accessory to crimes against humanity and sentenced by the Koblenz court to 4.5 years in prison. Both men were arrested in Germany in 2019, years after seeking asylum in the country. Victims and human rights groups have said they hope the verdict will be a first step toward justice for countless people who have been unable to file criminal complaints against officials in Syria or before the International Criminal Court. Since Russia and China have blocked efforts for the UN Security Council to refer cases to The Hague-based tribunal, countries such as Germany that apply the principle of universal jurisdiction for serious crimes will increasingly become the venue for such trials, experts say. 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. (Read more Syria stories.) (Newser) President Biden recently called for altering Senate rules if necessary to remove the obstacle of the filibuster so that voting rights legislation can be passed. Now, a big voice is joining in that same chorus. In what USA Today says is his first op-ed since leaving office in 2017, former President Obama calls on the US Senate to "do the right thing" and "protect our democracy," especially regarding various bills on voting rights, including one proposal named after the late congressman and civil rights activist John Lewis. What Obama wants to see specifically: an alteration to Senate rules that would nix the filibuster, a procedure that right now prevents a simple majority from bringing legislation to a vote. "The filibuster has no basis in the Constitution," he writes. "Historically, the parliamentary tactic was used sparinglymost notably by Southern senators to block civil rights legislation and prop up Jim Crow." Obama notes that the democratic front in America has worsened in the two years since he spoke at a memorial service for Lewis, with hundreds of bills across the US being passed to suppress votes, "aggressive" continued attempts at gerrymandering, and conspiracy theories about the 2020 election proliferating to the point that they spurred the Jan. 6 Capitol riot. "No single piece of legislation can guarantee that we'll make progress on every challenge we face as a nation," Obama writes. "But legislation that ensures the right to vote and makes sure every vote is properly counted will give us a better chance of meeting those challenges." That's why the former commander in chief is fully behind Biden's call to tweak Senate rules to restore parts of the Voting Rights Act and advance other voting-rights legislation. "Every American who cares about the survival of our most cherished institutions should support the president's call as well," he writes. Read Obama's full op-ed here. (Read more Barack Obama stories.) Arab, AL (35016) Today Sunshine and clouds mixed. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 82F. Winds SW at 10 to 20 mph.. Tonight Variable clouds with scattered thunderstorms. Low 64F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 40%. (Newser) Update: A wanted man who evaded capture for years after, authorities say, faking his death, was jailed Friday without bail in Scotland when the court decreed he "cannot be trusted." Nicholas Alahverdian was picked up after failing to show up for an extradition hearing, the AP reports. He'd earlier been granted bail so he could keep receiving medical treatment until that proceeding. Sheriff Alistair Noble, presiding over Edinburgh Sheriff Court, ordered him jailed until hearings next month. Our original story from Jan. 13 follows: An American fugitive who faked his death from cancer was caught after COVID almost killed him for real. Police in Rhode Island say Nicholas Alahverdian, whose many aliases include Nicholas Rossi, was admitted to a hospital in Glasgow, Scotland, last month with severe COVID and ended up on a ventilator, reports the Providence Journal. Alahverdian, who police say had been using the name Arthur Knight, was arrested and placed under 24-hour guard after authorities discovered he was wanted in the US for crimes including sexual assault and fraud, the Scottish Sun reports. In 2020, soon after the FBI began investigating Alahverdian, an obituary claimed he'd died on Feb. 29 at age 32 from non-Hodgkin lymphoma. "His last words were 'fear not and run toward the bliss of the sun'" and "his earthly remains were cremated with his ashes scattered at sea," the obituary noted. Authorities suspected that Alahverdian might still be alive, though a woman who said she was his widow insisted he had died in her arms, the Journal reported a year ago. Alahverdian was convicted on two sex-related charges in Ohio in 2008, but his DNA wasn't entered into a national database until 2017. The following year, the DNA linked him to a sexual assault in Utah, and investigators said he was also a suspect in numerous similar cases starting in 2008. Alahverdian, known to lawmakers in Rhode Island as a child welfare advocate, was also being investigated for alleged fraud in Ohio, where his former foster mother said she he'd run up debts of nearly $200,000 after obtaining 22 credit cards and loans under her husband's name. Alahverdian announced his cancer diagnosis soon after he was questioned in connection with that case. He now faces extradition to Utah. Utah County prosecutor David Leavitt tells the Washington Post that it took a "quite ingenious and massive collaboration between law enforcement entities," including Interpol, to catch Alahverdian. (Read more Rhode Island stories.) (Newser) An investigation has found that Utah police made "several unintentional mistakes" when they stopped Gabby Petito and her boyfriend before she was killed, per the AP. The independent report released Wednesday examines a police stop in Moab on Aug. 12 after the couple's van was seen speeding and hit a curb. Officers investigated a fight between Petito and Brian Laundrie but ultimately determined Petito was the aggressor. They allowed the couple to leave after requiring them to spend a night apart. Petito's strangled body was discovered Sept. 19 in Wyoming. Laundrie, who later died by suicide, was the only person ever identified by law enforcement officials as a person of interest in the case. "Would Gabby be alive today if this case was handled differently? That is an impossible question to answer," wrote Capt. Brandon Ratcliffe, from the police department in Price, Utah, who prepared the 102-page report, per FOX 13. It cited the officers for not citing Petito for domestic violence, and not obtaining a statement from a 911 caller who reported seeing a male aggressor. While Utah law says police shall cite or arrest aggressors in domestic violence assaults, rather than citing Petito the two Moab officers found the incident was more of a mental or emotional health break. One officer who argued against citing her said Laundrie might bail her out of jail and then have "more control over her." The report recommends improved training, especially in domestic violence investigations, and that the officers involved be put on probation or have existing probation extended. Ratcliffe wrote that while Petito may have been the main aggressor in this specific fight, that doesn't mean she was the predominant aggressor in the relationship, KSL.com reported. "It's very likely Gabby was a long-term victim of domestic violence, whether that be physically, mentally, and/or emotionally," Ratcliffe wrote. (Read more Gabby Petito stories.) (Newser) As a sexual assault case against Prince Andrew continues, so do the ramifications: He has been stripped of his military duties and charity work, reports CNN. Buckingham Palace said Thursday that Andrew's military affiliations and royal patronages have been returned to Queen Elizabeth II with her approval and agreement," per the AP. The palace statement came after more than 150 navy and army veterans wrote to the queen asking her to strip Andrew of all his military ranks and titles amid continued legal trouble for the prince. With the queens approval and agreement, the Duke of Yorks military affiliations and royal patronages have been returned to the queen," said the palace statement. The Duke of York will continue not to undertake any public duties and is defending this case as a private citizen. A US district judge on Wednesday refused to dismiss a civil case against Andrew by an American woman, Virginia Giuffre, who alleges that he sexually abused her when she was 17. District Judge Lewis A. Kaplan rejected an argument by Andrews lawyers that 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. He stressed that he wasnt ruling on the truth of the allegations. Andrew's lawyers have said that Andrew never sexually abused or assaulted Giuffre and that he unequivocally denies Giuffres false allegations against him. (Read more Prince Andrew stories.) (Newser) Navient, one of the nation's large student loan servicers, has settled allegations of predatory lending practices for $1.85 billion, Pennsylvania's attorney general said Thursday. The settlement requires the company to cancel the debt of 66,000 borrowers, a total of $1.7 billion, and to pay $95 million in restitution to 350,000 borrowers, state Attorney General Josh Shapiro, per the AP and the Wall Street Journal. Navient repeatedly and deliberately put profits ahead of its borrowersit engaged in deceptive and abusive practices, targeted students who it knew would struggle to pay loans back, and placed an unfair burden on people trying to improve their lives through education, Shapiro said. The settlement involves 39 state attorneys general and resolves claims that Navient led student borrowers into long-term debt instead of giving them advice on less costly repayment plans. Navient said it did not act illegally, and it did not admit any fault in the settlement, per the New York Times. The companys decision to resolve these matters, which were based on unfounded claims, allows us to avoid the additional burden, expense, time and distraction to prevail in court, says Mark Heleen, Navients chief legal officer. Shapiro said the subprime loans were made to borrowers they knew could not pay the money back, a situation similar to the 2008 mortgage crisis. Additionally, he said, Navient misled "borrowers into forbearances ... and led many to accumulate more debt and never-ending interest payments. Forbearance refers to when a lender allows a borrower to pause or reduce payments for a limited time while they build back their finances. However, interest on the loan continues to accrue and could ultimately cause the amount to be repaid over the life of the loan to be higher. (Read more student loans stories.) (Newser) A big development in the investigation of the Capitol riot: Prosecutors filed their first charge of sedition on Thursday, reports the New York Times. Authorities indicted and arrested Stewart Rhodes, the 56-year-old founder of the far-right militia group the Oath Keepers. The charge of seditious conspiracy alleges that Rhodes conspired with others to overturn the results of the 2020 election and take control of the Capitol. The AP calls Rhodes the highest-ranking member of any extremist group to be arrested so far. Rhodes was at the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, but he says he never entered the building, and no evidence has surfaced to contradict that. Rhodes previously told the Washington Post that he was communicating with members of his group that day, but only to try to keep them out of trouble." He added that any members of his group who entered the building went totally off mission. He made similar comments to the Times over the summer, saying, There were zero instructions from me or leadership to do so. Rhodes, a former Army paratrooper who went on to earn a law degree from Yale, was charged Thursday with about a dozen associates. Among the allegations against Rhodes: On Election Day, he allegedly urged Oath Keeper members to "stock up on ammo" and be ready for a "full-on war in the streets," according to a letter by House investigators. During an online meeting shortly after the election, he allegedly said, You can call it an insurrection or you can call it a war or fight," per the Times. He told Alex Jones days after the election that he had men near Washington poised to act on then-President Trump's command. He said at a Trump rally in December that failure to invoke the Insurrection Act would lead to a "much more bloody war." Two days before the riot, he allegedly posted an online article urging "all patriots" to stand tall in support of President Trumps fight to defeat the enemies foreign and domestic who are attempting a coup." (Read more Oath Keepers stories.) (Newser) Before President Biden could arrive at the Capitol on Thursday to lobby Senate Democrats on changing the filibuster rule and passing voting rights legislation, one of them made clear she'd be no help. Arizona Sen. Kyrsten Sinema delivered the news in a floor speech, the New York Times reports, declaring her support for the legislation but opposition to Democrats alone messing with the filibuster, which she said would be divisive. "While I continue to support these bills, I will not support separate actions that worsen the underlying disease of division infecting our country," Sinema told the Senate. That would seem to be the end of the road for the legislation in the Senate, after it was passed by the House and Biden delivered a speech Tuesday in Atlanta calling for protections against voter suppression. The president urged the Senate to start with altering the rules so that Democrats could pass the legislation on their own; Republicans are blocking it from reaching a debate or vote. The House combined the bills Thursday, and the Democratic majority pushed it through to the Senate, 220-203, to try to force action on it and the rule. Biden still had lunch at the Capitol, per CNN. Sinema and West Virginia Sen Joe Manchin, who also wants to leave the filibuster intact, attended the lunch but would not take questions afterward. Manchin also has given Biden no hope for a change of heart on the filibuster. After stressing the importance of voting rights legislation on Tuesday, Biden expressed little confidence when he emerged from the Capitol meeting. "I hope we can get this done," Biden told reporters. "The honest-to-God answer is, I don't know that we can get this done." Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer still plans a Senate vote on the rule early next week, per the Washington Post. (Read more Kyrsten Sinema stories.) (Newser) Kanye Westor Ye, as he is officially known nowis facing a possible battery charge after a late-night confrontation with somebody seeking an autograph, reports Fox 11 of Los Angeles. Ye allegedly punched the unidentified man about 3am outside a downtown nightclub, and the LAPD has launched an investigation into criminal battery, per the Los Angeles Times. The misdemeanor carries potential jail time of six months. TMZ has video showing Ye near an SUV yelling, Did yall say that or not? Did yall say that or not? Cause thats what happened right... now" at an unidentified person. The argument allegedly escalated into a physical confrontation, and the Times reports that the man who was allegedly punched declined medical treatment when officers arrived. Ye had left the scene before police got there. Earlier that night, Ye was seen out with other celebs including girlfriend Julia Fox, Evan Ross, Madonna, and Antonio Brown, per Page Six. The incident under investigation took place outside the SoHo Warehouse. (Read more Kanye West stories.) Heather McFarland is communications lead for the International Arctic Research Center at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. Contact her at hrmcfarland@alaska.edu or 907-474-6286. TDT | Manama The Daily Tribune www.newsofbahrain.com Industry, Commerce and Tourism Minister Zayed bin Rashid Al Zayani has affirmed the Bahrain governments support for all programmes, initiatives and projects that would enhance bilateral relations with Saudi Arabia and serve the two kingdoms interests. Al Zayani met in Riyadh yesterday Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources, Bandar bin Ibrahim Al Khorayef, on the sidelines of the Future Minerals Forum, held under the patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. He highlighted the deep-rooted relations between the two countries, and commended the strategic steps led by Saudi Arabia to achieve sustainable development across various economic sectors, including the mining sector, as reflected in its hosting the Future Minerals Forum. Al Zayani also highlighted the varied investment projects launched by Saudi investors and businessmen in Bahrain, in addition to the joint Bahraini-Saudi projects, implemented in line with the aspirations of the two kingdoms leaderships. TDT | Manama The Daily Tribune www.newsofbahrain.com A key intervention from the part of the Ministry of Justice, Bahrain Immigration authorities and the Indian Embassy has helped a stranded expatriate fly home. Indian national Siby Mathew yesterday took a flight to Bengaluru in India, where his son lives, after being stranded in Bahrain for 23 years. He had faced multiple travel bans following three cases filed against him. It is learnt that he owed BD3,500, BD1,500 and BD350 to three different parties respectively. According to Sudheer Thirunilath, World NRI Council Humanitarian Director for the Middle East, the cases were dropped following a joint intervention by the Ministry of Justice, Bahrain Immigration authorities and the Indian Embassy. After holding frequent discussions, the plaintiffs agreed to withdraw the cases, paving way for Sibys return home, Sudheer told The Daily Tribune. Adding to Mathews plight was his health status. Both his kidneys had become dysfunctional after suffering acute diabetes. Mathew was undergoing treatment at Salmaniya Medical Complex. Mathew came to Bahrain in 1991 and has been working with many companies here. His family members who live in India, include his wife Sini, daughter Martina and son Martin. Speaking to The Daily Tribune, on the way to Bahrain International Airport, Mathew thanked Sudheer and Indian Embassy officials for the timely support. TDT | Manama The Daily Tribune www.newsofbahrain.com Export Bahrain has facilitated deals worth over USD 14 million that was signed during Expo 2020 Dubai in 2021. These distinguished deals included agreements with Arihant and Wesal Jewellers, which are subsidiaries of the Arihant Group, and regional and international buyers in the gold sector. The agreements were finalized through the support of Export Bahrain in exporting jewellery and precious metals to new clients in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Oman, Hong Kong, and Malaysia. The new deals were signed last December at Expo 2020 Dubai in the presence of leading jewellery merchants in the region. The deals facilitated come to reflect Export Bahrains solid commitment to enable businesses in Bahrain to close deals with new clients abroad by benefiting from its diverse range of solutions and wide global network. As part of the support provided by Export Bahrain to its Bahrain-based clients Arihant and Wesal Jewellers during the global event, a workshop was organized during the Expo bringing together local, regional, and international stakeholders and counterparts in the precious metals and gold sector, enabling them to shed more light on the gold sector as a whole, discuss business opportunities, and exchange expertise. Yogibo, an American company known for its beanbag furniture, has been acquired by the company distributing its products in Japan, one of its biggest markets. Web-Shark bought the New Hampshire-based company in late December in a deal believed to be valued at more than 10 billion yen ($87 million). Yogibo, established in 2009, makes and sells chairs, sofa and other foam-bead-filled furniture that molds to the user's body. It had a presence in eight markets at the end of 2021, including the U.S., Japan and South Korea. The company does not publicly release sales data, according to Web-Shark's announcement. Web-Shark became Yogibo's Japanese sales agent in 2014, and won fans with its own unique products and appealing store designs. The country now hosts nearly 70% of Yogibo's roughly 130 stores worldwide. Yahoo Japan will allow its 8,000 employees to work from anywhere in the country and even commute by plane when they need to come to the office. The expanded remote work program will enable the subsidiary of SoftBank-backed Z Holdings to "hire talented people regardless of where they live," the company said in a statement Wednesday. The program will also "promote diversity by allowing employees to choose the way they work according to their different values," it said. The search and news website's workers are currently allowed to live anywhere as long as they can arrive at their offices by 11 a.m. by train, bus or shinkansen bullet train. Starting April, the arrival deadline will be scrapped and they are free to take to the skies as well. The Tokyo-based company will continue to pay the commuter benefit of 150,000 yen ($1,305) a month, while doing away with the one-way limit of 6,500 yen a day. About 90% of the roughly 8,000 employees, including contract and temporary staff, work from home as of Jan. 1. In an employee survey, nine out of 10 respondents said remote work either does not affect productivity or enhances productivity, with some saying that the time they save by not commuting is now spent on learning and self-enrichment. Yahoo Japan will increase its work-from-home allowance by 1,000 yen to the maximum of 10,000 yen a month to help pay for internet services and other expenses. Tablet devices separate from business-use computers can be lent out to full-time employees as well. To promote interaction among staff, social gatherings will be subsidized up to 5,000 yen per person a month. Southbury Police Department / Contributed photo SOUTHBURY Clerks at four local retailers were recently cited after police say they were caught selling tobacco products to underage buyers. With the state Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services Tobacco Prevention and Enforcement Program, Southbury Police Officers Matthew Ezzo and Stephen Houle conducted unannounced compliance checks in town Wednesday. WATERLOO REGION, ON, Jan. 13, 2022 /CNW/ - Everyone in Canada deserves a safe and affordable place to call home. However, the pandemic has increased the need for affordable housing. The Government of Canada created a national strategy to build and renovate hundreds of thousands of units and provide affordable housing to people across the country. By continuing to make investments in affordable housing, the government is building stronger communities, creating jobs, and growing our middle class, while fighting homelessness and helping Canadians who are vulnerable. Today, the Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), the Honourable Bardish Chagger, Member of Parliament for Waterloo, Bryan May, Member of Parliament for Cambridge, Valerie Bradford, Member of Parliament for Kitchener SouthHespeler,, Tim Louis, Member of Parliament for KitchenerConestoga, Berry Vrbanovic, Mayor of the City of Kitchener, Kathryn McGarry, Mayor of the City of Cambridge and Chair Karen Redman, Regional Chair of the Waterloo Region, today announced a federal investment of $7.1 million create an estimated 74 new, affordable homes in the Waterloo Region. From the total funding, $4.5 million is invested through the Major Cities Stream under the expanded Rapid Housing Initiative (RHI). The remaining $2.6 million is provided through Reaching Home: Canada's Homelessness Strategy program. The housing units are a part of two projects, and will support Canadians who are in uncertain housing situations, experiencing or at risk of homelessness, or living in temporary shelters because of the pandemic. The first project, managed by KW Urban Native Wigwam Project, will be located at 27-31 Cambridge Street in Cambridge. All 30 units will be created for Indigenous People and of those units, 16 will be for Indigenous women and their children. The second building will be administrated by OneROOF and will be located at 35 Sheldon Avenue N. in Kitchener. The project will create an estimated 44 units including 25 units for homeless people, 15 units for people with mental health or addiction issues and 4 units for Indigenous People. Substantial construction completion of both projects is expected by the end of 2022. Today's funding builds on the recently announced $6.6 million invested through RHI in the Waterloo Region just last month. Quotes: "Every Canadian deserves a safe and affordable place to call home, and the pandemic has only highlighted the need for even more affordable housing. With today's announcement, we're once again stepping up to help those who need it most. Through the Rapid Housing Initiative, we will quickly provide up to 74 new affordable homes for vulnerable families and individuals in the Waterloo Region. This is just one of the many ways our National Housing Strategy continues to ensure that no one is left behind." The Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) "The global health crisis has exacerbated the housing and homelessness challenges across the country. The National Housing Strategy, launched in 2017, is the Government of Canada's plan to partner in building housing rapidly and to address the housing crisis. This is a priority for our government and we are acting to respond to the severe housing needs. The RHI 2.0 funding will provide immediate support towards safe and stable housing for thousands of vulnerable families and individuals in the Waterloo Region." The Hounourable Bardish Chagger, Member of Parliament for Waterloo "This investment is improving affordable and supportive housing in our Region and is facilitating real change for our priority groups that need it most. These projects are a result of great partnerships, coming together to respond to a grave housing need in Waterloo Region. This is the Rapid Housing Initiative at work." Valerie Bradford, Member of Parliament for Kitchener SouthHespeler "We are working hard to ensure that every Canadian has a safe and affordable place to call home. Building rapid housing in major urban centres like Waterloo Region and addressing the specific needs and challenges that municipalities face in the housing sector, is a crucial and necessary step our government has taken to end chronic homelessness." Bryan May, Member of Parliament for Cambridge "Our government understands that is it crucial to our recovery to ensure that housing is available, safe and affordable for all. We need more affordable housing and we need it now, which is why we've partnered with local municipalities under the Rapid Housing Initiative, who understand their needs the best. Thanks to investments like what we've announced today, those who are most at risk, including women and children fleeing domestic violence, and people with mental health or addiction issues, will soon have a new place to call home." Tim Louis, Member of Parliament for KitchenerConestoga "Affordable housing continues to be a priority for the Region of Waterloo through our affordable housing plan, Building Better Futures: 2,500 Homes in 5 Years. We welcome these two new projects made possible by funding from the Government of Canada and the Region of Waterloo's Equity Fund. Through this partnership and collaboration, we will see 74 new affordable homes in our Region, leading to a better quality life for residents." Chair Karen Redman, Region of Waterloo "The City of Kitchener is committed to housing as a human right, and to doing our part by working with all orders of government and community partners to deliver on that. We are grateful to Minister Ahmed Hussen and the Government of Canada through CMHC, for today's funding announcement in support of oneROOF and at-risk youth in our community to build 44 additional housing units through the Rapid Housing Initiative and the Reaching Home program. We know that only by working together can we get closer to our goal of ending homelessness and supporting, regardless of age, the most vulnerable residents amongst us." Berry Vrbanovic, Mayor of the City of Kitchener "Every single person deserves a secure and safe home. These units are more than a roof over someone's head, they offer a place for many to heal, grow and learn. This investment is very much needed in both Cambridge and Waterloo Region and we thank our government partners for contributing to our community's well-being. We all must work together to end chronic homelessness and these units are one piece of that puzzle." Kathryn McGarry, Mayor of the city of Cambridge Quick facts: The Rapid Housing Initiative is delivered by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), under the National Housing Strategy (NHS). The RHI is a $1 billion program that was initially launched in October 2020 to help address urgent housing needs of vulnerable Canadians, especially in the context of COVID-19, through the rapid construction of affordable housing. program that was initially launched in to help address urgent housing needs of vulnerable Canadians, especially in the context of COVID-19, through the rapid construction of affordable housing. The first phase of the RHI was successful, and $1.5 billion was added to the program in Budget 2021. This investment is divided into two streams: was added to the program in Budget 2021. This investment is divided into two streams: The Cities Stream: $500 million in funding to municipalities across Canada . in funding to municipalities across . The Projects Stream: $1 billion will be allocated to eligible applications submitted during the RHI's initial application period last fall and having not yet received funding. will be allocated to eligible applications submitted during the RHI's initial application period last fall and having not yet received funding. At least 25 per cent of this new funding will go toward women-focused housing projects. The units will be built within 12 months of when funding is provided to program applicants. The RHI takes a human rights-based approach to housing, serving people experiencing or at risk of homelessness and other vulnerable people under the NHS, including: women and children fleeing domestic violence, seniors, young adults, Indigenous peoples, people with disabilities, people experiencing mental health and addiction issues, veterans, LGBTQ2 individuals, racialized and Black Canadians, and recent immigrants or refugees. Associated links: As Canada's authority on housing, CMHC contributes to the stability of the housing market and financial system, provides support for Canadians in housing need, and offers unbiased housing research and advice to all levels of Canadian government, consumers and the housing industry. CMHC's aim is that by 2030, everyone in Canada has a home they can afford, and that meets their needs. For more information, follow us on Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn and Facebook. SOURCE Government of Canada For further information: Media contacts: Daniele Medlej, Office of the Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion, [email protected]; Media Relations, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, [email protected] As part of the National Housing Strategy, the Government of Canada has invested $500 million over 10 years for a Federal Community Housing Initiative (FCHI) to protect affordability for residents. These funds will stabilize the operations of some 55,000 community housing units with operating agreements under federal administration having come to an end post April 1, 2016. Today, the Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion, announced an additional $118.2 million over seven years, for Phase 2 of the FCHI for former federally administered housing providers whose agreements expired prior to April 1, 2016. These funds are estimated to be able to support and stabilize the operations of some 18,000 community housing units by ensuring affordability for low-income residents. Enrolment packages will be sent to housing providers that are deemed eligible in the coming weeks. To find out more about the Eligibility and Enrollment process, visit https://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/professionals/project-funding-and-mortgage-financing/funding-programs/all-funding-programs/federal-community-housing-initiative Quotes: "5 years ago, our Government announced Canada's first ever National Housing Strategy, our $72+ billion plan to ensure all Canadians have a place to call home. Our measures have come a long way since then, and with the Federal Community Housing Initiative, we are another step closer to turning our vision into a reality. This Phase 2 extension ensures that families don't have to worry about keeping a roof over their heads, and provides safe, affordable housing that meets their needs." The Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion "The many positive impacts of community housing are very close to home for me, as I grew up at Chautauqua Co-op with my family. I am so proud that our Government is investing across the housing spectrum to create affordability for everyone living in Canada, and that includes providing supports for community housing. In total, the Federal Community Housing Initiative is providing over $600 million towards rental assistance for low-income households and for community housing providers. This will ensure that everyone has a safe and affordable place to call home." Adam van Koeverden, Member of Parliament for Milton "Community housing is an important part of how we can build a better future for all Canadians. This $118.2 million investment into the Federal Community Housing Initiative will support the most vulnerable, who have faced especially challenging times over the past two years through the pandemic. This will go a long way to ensure that folks have a reliable roof over their head." Soraya Martinez Ferrada, Member of Parliament for Hochelaga and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion (Housing). "We welcome the federal government's investment in community housing, which will ensure rent levels remain affordable for low-income households living in co-operative and non-profit housing previously administered by the federal government. Today's announcement provides both housing security and affordability for individuals and families, as well as certainty for co-operative and non-profit housing providers." Tim Ross, Executive Director, Co-operative Housing Federation of Canada (CHF Canada). Quick Facts: Canada's NHS is an ambitious, 10-year plan that will invest over $72 billion to give more Canadians a place to call home. Launched in 2017, the NHS will build and repair thousands of housing units, and help households with affordability support. Associated Links: As Canada's authority on housing, CMHC contributes to the stability of the housing market and financial system, provides support for Canadians in housing need, and offers unbiased housing research and advice to all levels of Canadian government, consumers and the housing industry. For more information, follow us on Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn and Facebook. To find out more about the National Housing Strategy, visit www.placetocallhome.ca. Backgrounder Federal Community Housing Initiative Canada's community housing stock is home to more than 518,000 families and individuals (2017), including some of the most vulnerable Canadians. This stock was built under a variety of federal, provincial and territorial social housing programs that ran from the 1940s to the early 1990s. Community housing stock offers the most affordable housing in the country and is a critical part of our communities. The Federal Community Housing Initiative addresses the federally administered component of the overall community housing stock comprising 55,000 units. Phase 1 of the Federal Community Housing Initiative provided $38 million in federal funding over the two-year period between April 1, 2018 and March 31, 2020. Under Phase 1, federally administered housing providers with long-term operating agreements that had ended between April 1, 2016 and February 28, 2020, continued to receive the same level of subsidy provided under existing agreements until March 31, 2020. The objective of Phase 1 was to maintain low-income households, protect affordability of the federally administered community housing stock, stabilize operations of housing providers and ensure no net loss of the federally administered community housing stock. Phase 2 provides $462 million in funding commencing from September 1, 2020 to March 31, 2028. This investment is helping to stabilize the operations of some 55,000 units of federally administered community housing projects by providing rent support to community housing units occupied by low-income households, and transitional support for projects in need. Phase 2 funding applied to federal operating agreements expiring between April 1, 2016 and March 31, 2027. New agreements are being put in place as old ones expire, to ensure community housing providers will continue to receive funding to subsidize rents for residents in need. Budget 2021 announced an additional $118.2 million over seven years, starting in 2021-22, through the Federal Community Housing Initiative, Phase 2. This additional funding applies to federal operating agreements expiring prior to April 1, 2016 to support community housing providers that deliver long-term housing to many of our most vulnerable and to support the affordability of housing to low-income households. The Federal Government has consulted on the development of the Federal Community Housing Initiative with sector stakeholders and the non-profit and co-operative housing providers that own federally administered community housing. SOURCE Government of Canada For further information: Media contacts: Daniele Medlej, Director of Communications, Office of the Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion, [email protected]; Media Relations, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, [email protected] VANCOUVER, BC, Jan. 13, 2022 /CNW/ - Planet Based Foods Global Inc. (CSE: PBF) ("PBFG", "Planet Based Foods" or the "Company"), through its San Diego-based wholly-owned subsidiary producer of sustainable plant-based meat substitutes, Planet Based Foods Inc. ("Planet Based Foods"), is pleased to announce former Senior VP of Sales of FIJI Water, Mr. James Harris as Vice President of Business Development & Operations. Mr. Harris is President of JLH Consulting, LLC and an accomplished expert in the Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) industry. During his 10-year tenure of progressive leadership roles at FIJI Water, he secured over 50 distributors and oversaw a network that included Dr. Pepper/7UP Bottling Group, Admiral Beverage, Young's Market and many others. Mr. Harris managed a 55-person sales team and established distribution in every major retailer in the Western US including Safeway, Whole Foods and Trader Joe's, helping FIJI Water become America's top-selling premium water brand. In addition to his contributions at FIJI Water, Mr. Harris has successfully launched a number of high-profile brands in the food and beverage space including leading distribution and sales for Monster Energy Drink, TCHO Chocolate, Rumble Supershake, Dave's Gourmet, Groundwork Coffee and Diedrich Coffee. At TCHO Chocolate, Mr. Harris helped build national distribution while significantly improving margin and profit. He spearheaded the launch of Rumble Supershake in the US, and quickly established distribution in retail grocery channels. While at Dave's Gourmet, Mr. Harris not only developed the Sam's Club program that increased sales by 50%, but also implemented a SKU guideline that secured new authorization in 250 Kroger stores. With his oversight at Groundwork Coffee, grocery sales in Los Angeles doubled while sales in the Pacific Northwest increased by 500%. Mr. Harris restructured and revived Diedrich Coffee by implementing SKU rationalization, price increases and dissolving the unprofitable Food Service division. He also doubled the sales team to lead Diedrich Coffee's introduction in Grocery and Club. Diedrich became profitable within two years and was sold for US$290 million. Mr. Harris has managed sales, marketing, pricing and promotional strategy for multi-million-dollar companies. He has trained and headed high-performance sales teams to introduce new products and has worked with all channels of trade from Grocery, Mass, Club, Drug, C-store, Specialty and Food Service on a local, regional, national and International level. He is an expert in developing and managing all models of distribution from DSD to broadline and DTA. "I am thrilled to be joining Planet Based Foods at such an exciting time in the company's growth," said Mr. Harris. "In an industry that is becoming increasingly sustainability-focused, Planet Based Foods is doing important and impactful work in making healthy, plant-based products more accessible to consumers. I am looking forward to helping the company advance this mission in my new role through the development and implementation of growth opportunities." "Mr. Harris is a proven leader in the CPG industry and has been instrumental in successfully bringing a number of innovative, notable brands to the market," said Planet Based Foods President and CEO Braelyn Davis. "His expertise, strategic input and vast experience in food and beverage will be incredibly beneficial to Planet Based Foods as we continue to focus on growing our business and improving shareholder value. We are very excited to welcome him to the team." To view information about the Company and subscribe to automated email alerts for future news and public filings, visit the Planet Based Foods website at www.planetbasedfoods.com . About Planet Based Foods PBFG, through its wholly-owned subsidiary in San Diego, California, Planet Based Foods, is a producer of sustainable plant-based meat substitutes. Planet Based Foods was founded in 2018 in San Diego, California. With a mission to build a better food system by providing hemp-formulated superfood products to people today that support our planet tomorrow, all Planet Based Foods products are 100% vegan. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD "Braelyn Davis" Braelyn Davis President, Chief Executive Officer and Director FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS: Certain statements included in this news release constitute forward-looking information or statements (collectively, "forward-looking statements"), including those identified by the expressions "anticipate", "assume" "believe", "plan", "estimate", "expect", "intend", "may", "should" and similar expressions to the extent they relate to the Company or its management. The forward-looking statements are not historical facts but reflect current expectations regarding future results or events. This news release contains forward looking statements. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions which are difficult to predict. Such statements are based on current expectations and various estimates, factors and assumptions and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors. Such statements and information are based on numerous assumptions regarding present and future business strategies and the environment in which the Company will operate in the future. The Company assumes no responsibility to update or revise forward-looking information to reflect new events or circumstances unless required by law. Readers should not place undue reliance on the Company's forward-looking statements. The Canadian Securities Exchange does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. For more information, please visit: www.planetbasedfoods.com or contact: [email protected] SOURCE Planet Based Foods For further information: For investor enquiries, please contact: Daniel Southan-Dwyer, Corporate Development, Planet Based Foods, [email protected], Tel: +1 604 366 6277; For media enquiries, please contact: Adrienne Arieff, Managing Director, Beck Media & Marketing, [email protected], Tel: +1 310 270 2214 The meeting is being held in the wake of a steep rise in Covid-19 cases in the wake of the emergence of the Omicron variant. PM Narendra Modi had stressed the need to ensure adequate health infrastructure at the district level. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is holding an interaction with the chief ministers of all states on the Covid-19 situation. Manipur Chief Minister Zoramthanga said in a tweet that he was in a video conference chaired by the Prime Minister to discuss issues pertaining to the emerging situation of Covid-19 in the country. I sincerely appeal all to follow COVID appropriate behaviours and help keep covid-19 away, he added. The meeting is being held in the wake of a steep rise in Covid-19 cases in the wake of the emergence of the Omicron variant. The Prime Minister had chaired a meeting to review the Covid-19 situation in the country on January 9 through a video conference. The PM had stressed the need to ensure adequate health infrastructure at the district level. India reported 2,47,417 fresh Covid-19 cases in the last 24 hours. The new cases reported on Thursday are about 27 per cent higher than compared to yesterdays figures. On Wednesday, the country had seen 1,94,720 new Covid-19 cases. China is forcing its citizens to isolate themselves in cramped metal boxes to contain the spread of Omicron under its "zero Covid" policy ahead of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics. China has been subjecting its citizens to cruel isolation measures to contain the spread of Covid-19 in the country. According to a Daily Guardian report, Covid patients and their contacts are being forced to live in cramped metal boxes. The reported measure comes ahead of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics. China, under its zero Covid policy, has quarantined millions of citizens. Videos circulating on social media show the purported sites where COVID patients and their contacts are being held in metal boxes. Millions of chinese people are living in covid quarantine camps now! 2022/1/9 pic.twitter.com/wO1cekQhps Songpinganq (@songpinganq) January 9, 2022 The Daily Guardian report suggests that people including pregnant women, children and the elderly are being forced to isolate themselves in the crammed metal boxes even if one Omicron case is detected in their locality. The report also says that the boxes are fitted with a wooden bed and a toilet, and people might have to stay for as long as two weeks in these confined spaces. China has been on its toes since Omicron cases have been reported in the country. It is noteworthy that Chinas massive inoculation drives proved futile after major Chinese vaccines like Sinovac and Sinopharm were found to be incapable of providing effective immunity against Covid-19. The main push from the Indian side was for the resolution of the Hot Springs friction point which emerged after the Chinese aggression last year. Sources added that the Indian side was represented by the new 14 Corps chief Lieutenant General Anindya Sengupta. The 14th round of Corps Commander Level Talks between India and China that took place at the Chushul-Moldo meeting point, on the Chinese side, lasted for around 13 hours on Wednesday, sources said. The meeting ended around 10:30 pm. Sources added that the Indian side was represented by the new 14 Corps chief Lieutenant General Anindya Sengupta. 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, thirteen rounds of talks have been held. The main push from the Indian side was for the resolution of the Hot Springs friction point which emerged after the Chinese aggression last year. 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. Indian Army chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane on Wednesday said that the Army will continue to deal with the Chinese PLA in a firm, resolute and peaceful manner in the northern borders and it has been maintaining the highest level of operational preparedness in the region. Addressing a press conference here, he said there has been positive movement in terms of disengagement at some friction points along LAC in eastern Ladakh. Along our northern borders, we have continued to maintain the highest levels of operational preparedness, while engaging in sustained dialogue with the PLA. We will continue to deal with the PLA in a firm, resolute and peaceful manner while ensuring the sanctity of our claims. Necessary safeguards are in place, Gen Naravane said. After persistent joint efforts, mutual disengagement has taken place at many locations. So there has been positive movement, he added. Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal will meet UK's International Trade Secretary Anne-Marie Trevelyan here to formally start talks on a deal that could create huge benefits for both countries, said the UK Department for International Trade The UK and India will launch negotiations on an ambitious Free Trade Agreement at an event in New Delhi on Thursday, said Britains Department for International Trade on Wednesday (local time). Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal will meet UKs International Trade Secretary Anne-Marie Trevelyan here to formally start talks on a deal that could create huge benefits for both countries, said the UK Department for International Trade in a press release on Wednesday (local time). The agreement will create huge benefits for both countries and could boost our total trade by up to euro 28 billion a year by 2035 and increase wages by up to euro 3 billion across the UK, the release added. Trevelyan is in New Delhi to officially launch negotiations on a new ambitious free trade deal with the worlds biggest democracy. The UK wants an agreement that slashes barriers to doing business and trading with Indias euro 2 trillion economy and market of 1.4 billion consumers, including cutting tariffs on exports of British-made cars and Scotch whisky. A trade deal with Indias booming economy offers huge benefits for British businesses, workers and consumers, said British Prime Minister Boris Johnson in the statement on Wednesday. As we take our historic partnership with India to the next level, the UKs independent trade policy is creating jobs, increasing wages and driving innovation across the country, he added. A deal with India would be a big step forward in the UKs strategy to refocus trade on the Indo-Pacific, home to half of the worlds population and 50 per cent of global economic growth. A new economic partnership with India, alongside UK membership of the massive Asia-Pacific trading bloc, Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), will create a pillar in the region supporting free and fair trade. The UK has world-class businesses and expertise we can rightly be proud of, from Scotch whisky distillers to financial services and cutting-edge renewable technology. We are seizing the opportunities offered in the growing economies of the Indo-Pacific to cement our place on the global stage and deliver jobs and growth at home. \India is one of the worlds biggest and fastest-growing economies and a bold new deal would put UK businesses at the front of the queue to supply Indias growing middle class, forecast to increase to a quarter of a billion consumers by 2050. India is set to become the worlds third-biggest economy by 2050, with a bigger population than the US and EU combined. A deal has the potential to almost double UK exports to India, boost Britains total trade by as much as euro 28 billion a year by 2035, and increase wages across the UK by up to euro 3 billion. Investment from Indian companies already supports 95,000 jobs across the UK. A deal with India is a golden opportunity to put UK businesses at the front of the queue as the Indian economy continues to grow rapidly. By 2050 India will be the worlds third-largest economy with a middle class of almost 250 million shoppers, said UKs International Trade Secretary Anne-Marie Trevelyan in the statement. We want to unlock this huge new market for our great British producers and manufacturers across numerous industries from food and drink to services and automotive, Trevelyan added. As an independent, deal-making nation the UK is broadening our economic horizons and forging stronger partnerships with the fastest-growing economies of the world. India marks the start of our ambitious 5-star year of UK trade and will show how the deals we negotiate will boost the economies across all nations and help level up all regions of the UK. The negotiations will aim to double trade with India by 2030 supercharging the growth of the UKs trading relationship which totalled over euro 23bn in 2019, according to the UK Department for International Trade. EAST HAVEN Since Thanksgiving, the town has seen its numbers of COVID-19 rises steadily, reaching a peak of 654 as of Jan. 12 The most recent data from East Shore District Health Department, which serves East Haven, Branford and North Branford, shows the town has had 1,872 positive cases of the virus since Dec. 1, 2021, to Jan. 12, according to Barbara Naclerio, a health educator with the department. These numbers, which Naclerio said are updated weekly, show recent cases account for roughly 31 percent of the 6,017 cases the town has seen since the beginning of the pandemic. Data for the month of January shows cases already are higher than in December, with 1,187 cases reported since 2022 began. Cases in December totaled 685. East Haven has 63.4 percent of residents fully vaccinated and 69.8 percent have had at least the initial vaccination, Naclerio said. As cases in town rose, Mayor Joseph Carfora announced access to Town Hall would be limited, beginning Jan. 3. Due to increase in cases of COVID-19 cases in our town and throughout the region, the East Haven Town Hall will be closed to the public until further notice, with limited exceptions for essential services by appointment only, Carfora announced. The town clerks office has changed its services offered, with appointments being needed for land recordings and death certificate filings. Those trying to obtain copies of birth certificates, death certificates, marriage licenses (for insurance purposes only) and other documents should contact the office at 203-468-3201. In-person title searches currently are not allowed but can be conducted online at www.searchiqs.com. All other in-person services, including notary public and marriage license applications, have been suspended. The Tax Collectors Office is not providing in-person tax services. Payments can be made online at www.townofeasthavenct.org or be mailed with a postmark date no later than Feb. 1. The building department office is closed to the public, with permits being issued on a case-by-case basis and by appointment only. Other offices closed to the public include the assessor's office, planning and zoning and the probate office. The town recently held a distribution of at-home COVID test kits and N95 masks, and will be scheduling a second distribution of supplies after an event set for Jan. 9 was canceled due to a winter weather advisory. The town also planned to have the Fire Department deliver at-home COVID tests Tuesday to homebound residents who signed up for the distribution. As of Tuesday afternoon, 163 of the 200 available slots were taken. Griffin Health will hold a vaccination clinic at Old Stone Church, 251 Main St., from 4-7 p.m. Jan. 20 for those age 12 and older, and one on Jan. 27 for children ages 5-11. Vaccinations also are available for people who are homebound by calling the East Shore District Health Department at 203-481-4233. christine.derosa@hearstmediact.com Bahrains BENEFIT, a leader in electronic financial transactions, has upgraded its entire Electronic Funds Transfer System (EFTS) with an investment of BD1.6 million ($4.2million) to meet the demand for the systems services in the Kingdom. The EFTS system was updated across all levels with the latest version, utilising advanced and enhanced technological features to meet the constantly changing payment developments within the financial sector. The upgrade allows for better performance aligned with industry standards and best practices, ensuring efficiency and enabling banks, individuals, corporations, and government bodies to prosper from this critical and significant initiative. The new system is specifically designed to handle a larger volume of transactions for faster processing. Furthermore, the database has been enhanced with the latest technology to enable high performance, access and availability whenever needed. The system infrastructure has also been integrated with the latest servers and network devices to support the security-enhancing technologies, and safeguard sensitive data. Reyadh Almearaj, AGM Information Technology commented: At BENEFIT, we always go a step further and ensure that our solutions and systems are up to date with the latest technologies and features in line with our promise to our users and partners. As a team, we realise that this is an ongoing mission, as we continuously enhance the system with the highest global standards, and security measures to deliver the best possible experience for our consumers. The Electronic Fund Transfer System (EFTS) was first launched in 2015, with monthly transaction rates currently exceeding its reach to more than 13.2 million in 2021. It is the most popular payment method in the Kingdom. The system is considered one of the most widely used payment methods in the Kingdom through various electronic channels such as the Benefit Pay application or electronic banking payment channels for banks. The system has undergone various developments and continuous enhancements to meet the requirements at that time. The volume of payments made through the electronic money transfer system last year amounted to more than 159 million transactions, while the total value of payments exceeded BD20 billion. TradeArabia News Service ORANGE A well known national grocery store is coming to the Boston Post Road plaza next to Trader Joes where Raymour & Flanigan is located, but for now its identity is being kept under wraps. The Town Plan and Zoning Commission recently approved a site plan for a 2,361-square-foot expansion in the rear of the existing building and an update of the parking lot, as well as lighting supplement. Scott Milnamow , senior vice president of real estate for Raymour & Flanigan, which owns the property, told the TPZC theyve secured a deal, a lease for a national grocery store. Unfortunately, I cant disclose the grocery store, because of a confidentiality agreement, he said, but its a well-known grocery store. He said the vacancy in the plaza at 538 Boston Post Road was created by the departure of TJMaxx and Famous Footwear. No details were available in terms of the projects timing and, after a few questions, the TPZC approved the expansion and other components. The expansion cleared the police, fire and other necessary departments, representatives said. First Selectman Jim Zeoli said he knows what store is coming, but he, too, was under a confidentiality binder. Zeoli said he doesnt really see the top-secret, but thats what they require. Zeoli said he has been hoping to get grocer for the Christmas Tree Plaza where A.C. Moore and Harmons once were located, but no luck yet. One of the commission members noted that Orange could use a grocery store, then was reminded of the ShopRite on Bull Hill Lane close to the West Haven line. He amended that to say Orange could use a grocery on the other side of town - meaning the side where the new one is slated to go. He said Trader Joes, while a great store, isnt a full-service store. Trader Joes is located in the neighboring plaza at 524 Boston Post Road and draws customers from around the region. Engineer Michael Marinis, for the developer, said the changes all conform to town code. One board member asked whether Marinis knew the operating hours of the store; Marinis said he wasnt sure because operating hours vary among the stores national locations. He said the estimate is between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. When it looked as though a change might have resulted in reopening the lease, Milnamow bristled; We went through a lot of painful negotiations with them already, he said. NEW HAVEN Avelo Airliness sixth non-stop destination from Tweed New Haven Regional Airport, Sarasota-Bradenton, begins service today with the inaugural flight scheduled to take off at 2:25 p.m. and arriving at Sarasota Bradenton International Airport at 5:35 p.m. For years weve talked about expanding air service to and from Connecticut and Avelos decision to add non-stop service between Sarasota and New Haven their sixth destination at the airport will finally give customers an affordable and reliable option to get from the Gulf Coast to (Avelos) growing hub in New England, said Tweed-New Haven Airport Authority Executive Director Sean Scanlon in a release. One-way fares between Tweed (HVN) and Sarasota Bradenton International Airport (SRQ) start at $49. They are available at AveloAir.com. Sarasotas turquoise water and white-sand beaches are now easier to get to than ever, said Avelo Chairman and CEO Andrew Levy. With our very low fares and HVNs unmatched convenience, we hope our Connecticut customers will be inspired to visit our sixth Florida destination. Were excited to take flight today for the beautiful beaches, colorful art and enriching cultural districts of this majestic Gulf Coast destination. The flight, Flight 305, will operate Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays. On Tuesdays, it will depart Tweed at 2 p.m. and arrive in Sarasota at 5:10 p.m., on Tuesdays. On Thursday and Sundays, it will depart Tweed at 3:55 p.m. and arrive in Sarasota at 7:05 p.m. Return flights also will operate Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays. On Tuesdays, Flight 306 will depart Sarasota at 5:50 p.m., arriving at Tweed at 8:40 p.m. On Thursdays and Sundays, Flight 306 will depart Sarasota at 7:45 p.m. and arrive at Tweed at 10:35 p.m. Avelos latest service to and from Tweed follows the initiation of Avelo service from New Haven to Orlando, Tampa, Fort Lauderdale, Fort Myers and Palm Beach, all in Florida. We are thrilled that Avelo Airlines has chosen Sarasota Bradenton International Airport to be part of their air service network, said Rick Piccolo, Sarasota Bradenton International Airport president and chief executive officer. With low fares and convenient nonstop service to New Haven, passengers will have an affordable connection between two high-demand destinations. We look forward to welcoming Avelo Airlines to SRQ and were confident their service will be a great success and expand in the future, Piccolo said. Visit Sarasota is thrilled that such an exciting new airline with a commitment to affordability and service is coming to SRQ and providing great new travel opportunity for our residents and visitors, said Virginia J. Haley, president of Visit Sarasota. Avelo is investing $1.2 million to help upgrade and modernize facilities and operations as part of an overall $100 million project at Tweed, which will include a new terminal and extended runway. The expansion, which was enabled by a 43-year lease extension that the Board of Alders recently granted the authority, will be financed by airport operator Avports. Avelo and Tweed have hired more than 100 new employees, based at the airport, to support the service. Avelos arrival to Tweed marks the largest expansion of service at the airport in more than 30 years, the airline has said. Avelo began flying from its initial base in Hollywood Burbank Airport on April 28, 2021, making it Americas first new scheduled airline in nearly 15 years, the airline said. It currently serves 11 destinations across the western U.S. mark.zaretsky@hearstmediact.com The federal court has dismissed a lawsuit against state and local agencies regarding a new Connecticut law that eliminates religious exemptions for school vaccine requirements. Two organizations, We the Patriots USA Inc. and CT Freedom Alliance LLC., and three parents filed the lawsuit last year, asking the judge to find the law unconstitutional and grant a permanent injunction, according to the CT Mirror. The plaintiffs said the law violated their rights to privacy and medical freedom, to exercise religion and to child rearing. The lawsuit was filed against the state education and public health departments, the Office of Early Childhood Development and the boards of education in Bethel, Glastonbury and Stamford. A federal judge in New Haven dismissed the case Tuesday due to lack of jurisdiction, according to court documents. State Rep. Jonathan Steinberg, D-Westport, co-chairman of the legislative Public Health Committee, said Wednesday that the decision follows similar court findings in California and New York. Its a good day for us, said Steinberg, who led a 24-hour virtual hearing last year on the law making vaccines mandatory for new students in state schools. Until you hear the decision, youre nervous, Steinberg said in a phone interview. The real news would have been if the judge decided otherwise. The law repeals the states religious exemption from mandatory school vaccinations. Starting Sept. 1, children in pre-kindergarten, day care or who are new to the school system cannot claim the exemption. Children in kindergarten through 12th grade can still qualify for the exemption. Connecticut became the sixth state to end the policy when the bill was signed into law in April, according to the Associated Press. Vaccines save lives, said Attorney General William Tong, adding that the act was fully lawful and necessary to protect public health. liz.hardaway@hearst.com NEW HAVEN Hamden police officer Devin Eaton pleaded no contest Thursday to one count of first-degree assault in connection with the shooting of Stephanie Washington in April 2019. Under the terms of a plea agreement with the state, as described by Judge Brian Fischer in New Haven Judicial District court, Eaton is expected to receive a sentence of five years in prison, suspended after 18 months, followed by three years probation. He has the right to argue for an entirely suspended sentence under the agreement, and consented to never again seek employment as a law enforcement officer in the United States, Fischer and States Attorney Patrick Griffin said during the proceedings Thursday. Eatons plea was entered as nolo contendere, or no contest. As described by the Cornell Law Library, such a plea means the defendant does not accept or deny responsibility for the charges but agrees to accept punishment. A plea of nolo contendere differs from a traditional guilty plea in that it cannot be used against the defendant in another cause of action, according to Cornell. In reciting the facts of the case, Griffin said Eaton wounded Washington on April 16, 2019, as he was investigating a report of an alleged armed robbery. Eaton fired 13 shots toward the vehicle of Paul Witherspoon, which was stopped on Argyle Street in New Haven. Yale University police Officer Terrence Pollock was at the scene, as well, firing three shots that did not strike Washington, according to Griffin. Pollock did not begin shooting until after Eaton had fired eight times, Griffin said. Washington, a West Haven resident who was a passenger in the vehicle, was shot once, sustaining injuries that included a fractured pelvis and spine, Griffin said. Eaton told Connecticut State Police that he believed he saw an object, seemingly a firearm, in Witherspoons hand as he began to exit the vehicle in compliance with an order, and feared for his safety, Griffin said. There was no evidence that Witherspoon had anything in his hands, Griffin said, and no firearm was found on scene. Hamden police were dispatched to a reported robbery at the Go On Gas station on Arch Street at approximately 4:20 a.m. on April 16, according to an affidavit filed in the case. The clerk that made the call indicated he saw a firearm in Witherspoons possession, but later told police that he had not actually seen such a weapon. Witherspoon later told state police that he was involved in an altercation with a newspaper delivery man at the gas station but denied ever showing a gun, implying that he had a gun, or that he was in possession of a gun. Eaton had remained employed as a Hamden police officer as of Thursday, according to attorney John Chip Walsh, who represents the Hamden police union. Walsh said he had yet not spoken to Eaton regarding his future and the terms of the plea agreement, but planned to do so in the coming days. However, Mayor Lauren Garretts office later Thursday issued a statement on the case, saying The union representative has advised us that Mr. Eaton intends to comply with the terms of his plea agreement and to immediately resign from employment with the Town of Hamden. Then-Police Chief John Cappiello recommended that Eaton be fired by the department in 2019. Attorney Gregory Cerritelli, representing Eaton, declined to comment on the case. Cerritelli stressed to the New Haven Independent, however, that Eaton had not uttered the word guilty during the proceedings. When Eaton was put to plea by a court staffer, Cerritelli interjected that Eaton had entered a written plea of no contest. Griffin declined to comment as well, saying he would wait until sentencing. Washington, through her attorney Win Smith, did not formally address the court Thursday, indicating a desire to wait until sentencing. This is the first step in the right direction for justice for Stephanie, Smith said after the hearing. Attorneys for Witherspoon and Pollock were contacted and informed of the plea agreement, Senior Assistant U.S. Attorney Lisa DAngelo said during the proceedings Thursday. Witherspoon indicated a desire to let the court exercise its discretion in the matter without his input, she said. Fischer scheduled sentencing for April 8. Editors note: This story has been updated to reflect that Eaton remained employed by the Hamden Police Department as of Thursday. william.lambert@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. NEW HAVEN Old-timers in Fair Haven Heights and Fair Haven remember past nightmare closures of the ancient Grand Avenue Bridge that lasted years longer than they were supposed to and cost millions of dollars more than anyone imagined. Not this time. When the vintage 1898 swing bridge, which has been closed now for 18 months while its inner workings got a $28 million overhaul, reopens at 7 a.m. Jan. 18, it will be more like a pleasant dream: its reopening a couple of months early and a bit under budget. This bridge connects neighborhoods, said Fair Haven Heights resident Ed Ozyck. I think people have missed that tremendously. Im really looking forward to the opening of it. The bridge, which connects residents in Fair Haven to their neighbors in Fair Haven Heights, even got a makeover in the process, trading in its longtime basic black color scheme for a new shade of pale Oregon D.O.T. green chosen by the community. The city and other stakeholders are going to throw a neighborhood party from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday featuring a bridge walk and performances to celebrate its return. I am super happy. I cant be more pleased that they finished on time, said Alder Rosa Ferraro Santana, D-13, who lives in and represents Fair Haven Heights. So what happened? It was a big, complicated job in the middle of a vastly unprecedented time for us, said City Engineer Giovanni Zinn, who gets much of the credit for it, although hes quick to share the credit with city Chief Structural Engineer Zachary Shapiro, contractor Mohawk Northeast and bridge designer Hardesty & Hanover. Zinn credited careful planning with making things run as smoothly as they did. The process began with a study in 2009 and 2010 to determine what the bridge needed, then we worked to try to get ahead of it with the idea to do the work in a planned fashion, as opposed to having something go wrong and then responding to it. Theres always small issues that come up and that you have to deal with I mean, were working with a bridge where there are parts that go back to the original bridge in 1898, Zinn said. But this project went surprisingly smoothly. Well have it open on the 18th at 7 in the morning, Zinn said. Were doing a bunch of testing right now. The project budget included more than $24 million for construction and design, plus another $4 million for inspection. The new bridge has an expected life of at least 30 years. I think one of the things that we tried to do ... was design a project that eliminated construction risk, Zinn said. We made a decision to fully replace the approach spans which had been original from 1898. They also changed the structure types on the bridge decks, which saved us about 100,000 pounds, replacing the old, steel decks with with exodermic decks on the center, he said. Its a composite deck the lower half is all steel and the upper half is all concrete. They replaced the approach spans with new, more modern ones that eliminate the bumps people used to drive over when crossing, and replaced all the electrical and mechanical components, everything that moves the bridge, Zinn said. That included installing splash-proof motors, moving the components higher to accommodate future sea level rise, completely changing and modernizing the control system it now gives operators error and feedback messages and rebuilding and expanding the two sidewalks, widening the southern sidewalk into a promenade. Finally, they installed new lighting and a special polymer overlay on the bridge deck to preserve the bridge going forward, Zinn said. Im thrilled. Im just absolutely thrilled, Santana said. Every time a bridge is closed in this area we have to be concerned. ... In the past, it caused a chaos thats what I was trying to avoid. Even while the bridge has been closed, folks still could get around by taking Quinnipiac Avenue to Route 80 or the nearby Ferry Street bridge or Water Street into New Haven proper. But itll save so much time its a matter of going down Grand Avenue to downtown. Its a straight shot for me. They did a lot of outreach. Giovannis team was wonderful, Santana said. They kept the job going on time. There are some punch list items that will need to be done in the spring. But all in all, the city did a great job. Not that everything has been perfect. Its been a rough couple of years for some business owners that depend on people crossing the bridge, including the Grand Vin wine and spirits store and Ziggys Pizza on the Fair Haven Heights side and Grand Apizza on the Fair Haven side, among others. I feel sorry for Grand Vin, located at 23 E. Grand Ave., Santana said. Hes been a trooper. Grand Vins owner for the past 17 years, Ben Tortora, said its been tough. I cant wait for the bridge to reopen, Tortora said. Its been a very trying two years. I knew it had to be done ... and I know it will be better because of it, but Ive been stranded here. I had 12 clients 12 that I know of that walked here every day from that side of the bridge, and those 12 clients spent $165 a day with me, Tortora said. So at the end of the week, I was down $1,000. So it affected me greatly. What hurt me the most was there was no help. Also, during 18 months, every time it snows, they never plowed in front of my store, which for 18 months has been on a dead-end leading up to the bridge. I feel like a second-class citizen here, he said. But my neighborhood customers are faithful and Im fortunate enough to have a fair amount of business from out of town, Tortora said. Those accounts kept him afloat, he said. If I didnt have my out-of-town clientele supporting me, I probably would have had to close my store. Residents on both sides of the bridge cant wait to get the bridge back open. Im totally thrilled, which I cant often say, said Ozyck. I look at it this way fate smiled upon Fair Haven and Fair Haven Heights. ... All of a sudden, its like, We got it done early. He praised Zinn and Shapiro for their efforts. Zach Shapiro and Giovanni are just so good at communicating with the neighborhood, Ozyck said. Lee Cruz, co-chairman of the Fair Haven Community Management Team, said that while nothing is perfect ... I think it was very nicely executed. City officials did a really nice job of keeping us informed. Originally, I think we were looking toward March or April, and here were are. Fair Haven Heights resident Patricia Kane, who helped lead the ranked choice voting process that chose the new color for the bridge, said it appears theyve done a great job. Unfortunately, its taken its toll on local business, Kane said. We were hoping the city would do more for them. But overall, people here are excited that the bridge will be reopening, she said. Kat Calhoun, chairwoman of the Quinnipiac East/Fair Haven Heights Community Management Team, said she has the reopening date on her calendar and personally, Im very excited about the reopening. She would have preferred a blue bridge, but shes getting used to the green, she said. I missed the bridge, Calhoun said. I look forward to it being open and I think everyone I know looks forward to it reopening. mark.zaretsky@hearstmediact.com A salmonella outbreak in 25 states, including Connecticut, has been traced to pet bearded dragons, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. One patient in Connecticut so far has been identified, out of 44 nationwide. Of those patients, there have been 15 hospitalizations and no associated deaths, the CDC said. This outbreak has been associated with cases reported sporadically since December 2020, state Department of Public Health spokesperson Chris Boyle said. The case in Connecticut was reported in April 2021 and the Connecticut Department of Public Health will continue to monitor this situation closely. DPH and the CDC have cautioned bearded dragon owners to maintain good sanitary practices. As a safety precaution, owners of bearded dragons should wash their hands after touching or feeding their pet, keep the bearded dragon away from anywhere food is stored and eaten, and keep the animals environment and supplies clean at all times, Boyle said. The CDC recommends washing hands frequently after touching a bearded dragon or anything in its environment, and to keep the reptile out of kitchen areas. Dont kiss or snuggle your bearded dragon, and dont eat or drink around it, the CDC wrote. This can spread Salmonella germs to your mouth and make you sick. According to bearded dragon breeder Casey Fleming, the reptiles are very social and enjoy cuddling. Theyll eat out of your hand, Fleming said. They like to cuddle with you, they like the warmth of your body. Theyre very friendly and social, and thats a part of what makes them so popular as pets. If dogs were reptiles, they would be bearded dragons, he said. They act very doglike in a lot of ways. It makes them very easy to emotionally attach with. Fleming owns HereBDragons, which recently moved from Mansfield to Oxford, Mass. He said the reptiles have grown in popularity since the start of the pandemic. Theyre very common, he said. Theyre the most popular lizard to have as a pet. While all reptiles can carry salmonella, Fleming said the disease is most often associated with turtles. He recommends cleaning tanks and reptile enclosures in the bathtub, as opposed to the sink. Whenever you have to clean stuff like that, dont do it in the kitchen, Fleming said. Bearded dragons are native to Australia, where export of the reptiles has been banned. INK Hotel, a 4-star boutique hotel, has opened its doors in the Al Jaddaf Waterfront community overlooking the serene Dubai Creek. The 5-storey hotel is a fun, trendy and offbeat property with a distinctive vibe focusing on sustainability and a commitment to honing hospitality excellence in the region. With 63 rooms, the boutique hotel features classy interiors and splashes of vibrant colours to create a comfortable ambience where guests can be at liberty to be themselves. The hotel houses two main room types: 23-sq-m rooms (that can be interconnected) and 30-sq-m rooms, equipped with large floor-to-ceiling windows, free WIFI, and other favourable facilities. Featuring a rooftop swimming pool with stunning views across Dubai Creek, a pop-up gym and designated areas for pets, INK Hotel poses an ideal getaway for the young at heart. With sustainability playing an essential role in its operations, INK Hotel has taken several steps to ensure an eco-friendly environment without sacrificing any aspect of its style, high-quality service and welcoming atmosphere. In addition to solar panels installed on the roof and staff uniforms made from recycled plastic, the entire hotel is laden with L'Occitane amenities featuring top-range organic soaps and bottles made of recycled plastic. The all-day dining restaurant Bistro by INK stocks the world-renowned selection of climate-conscious, ethical, organic Teabags from Pukka while providing exquisite indoor and alfresco dining spaces. It has even collaborated with the local cafe roastery - Grandmother - to provide speciality coffee along with other delectable treats. INK Hotel is also home to the leading Swiss Hospitality school in Dubai HTMi, Hotel and Tourism Management Institute Switzerland Dubai and offers its students an environment for experiential learning. Students reside in the campus boutique hotel and are constantly encouraged to interact with the hotel's guests and put theory into practice. The hotel plays a crucial role in nurturing hospitality leadership and essential skills in Food and Beverage Service, Culinary Arts, Front Office and Housekeeping. Similarly, it provides the institute's graduated students with a 6-month internship program wherein they work full-time for the hotel in their respective departments and gain valuable experience to kick-start their careers. "At INK hotel, we are constantly in search of new challenges and aim to motivate everyone to pursue their dreams while staying young at heart. As a UAE homegrown brand, we understand the importance of collaborations with other local businesses and local talent, hence our tie-ups with the local cafe roastery Grandmother and providing a campus base to HTMi Switzerland Dubai, said Judit Toth, General Manager of INK Hotel and Business Director of HTMi Switzerland Dubai. This empowers the students, our team and the guests to gain from new experiences and play an integral part in supporting the future of hospitality in the region. Likewise, our eco-friendly practices promote new ways of experiencing sustainable hospitality in hopes of inspiring guests to care for the environment in the same way it cares for us. The hotel's vicinity accommodates a multitude of fun activities for guests to explore. The contemporary art havens of Jameel Arts Centre and Al Jaddaf Waterfront Sculpture Park lie nearby and are a must-see for art appreciators. Families can enjoy a laidback brunch at the Bistro by INK from 9 AM till noon every Saturday with activities for children. More active guests can also take advantage of the 6-kilometre waterfront promenade with the weekly INK Running Club hosted by Nike running ambassador Manal Rostom. Al Jaddaf Waterfront also hosts picturesque Creekside promenades, sunset views and opportunities to enjoy fabulous yacht rides on the Creek. The area is highly accessible to some of Dubai's most famous attractions such as Dubai Festival City, Dubai Mall and The Burj Khalifa within an 8-kilometre radius. Similarly, INK Hotel's neighbourhood is highly recommended for business travellers since the Dubai International Airport (DXB) and Dubai World Trade Center are only 6 kilometres away, with public transport available at a manageable distance. TradeArabia News Service BRIDGEPORT Police chased and shot at a man wanted on several domestic violence warrants from New Haven to Bridgeport late Thursday morning, arresting him after he crashed into two vehicles, officials said. Late Thursday morning, the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force, which included a deputy U.S. marshal and Bridgeport police detectives, and New Haven police officers went to Onofrios Ultimate Foods on Wheeler Street to arrest 54-year-old Marvin Owens of New Haven, according to Bridgeport Police Capt. Brian Fitzgerald and Capt. Kevin Gilleran. Owens, a convicted felon, was wanted on several outstanding domestic violence warrants from Bridgeport. Police believed at the time Owens was armed with a handgun, Gilleran said. During the attempted arrest, Owens disregarded officers commands, took off running and jumped into his commercial truck. As he drove off, shots were fired at the scene, Gilleran said. There were no injuries from the gunfire, he added. New Haven Police Department said none of its officers fired shots at the scene. Police chased Owens south on Interstate 95 and used stop sticks on the highway to try to apprehend him. While the sticks flattened the trucks tires, Owens continued driving at a slower speed, police said. Owens got off the highway in Bridgeport and drove to Boston Avenue, where he hit a car and a tow truck. As a result, two citizens were taken to an area hospital for treatment of injuries that were not life-threatening. Owens continued to try and run away on foot, but police were able to stop and arrest him at the intersection of Boston and Seaview avenues, according to Bridgeport Police Capt. Kevin Gilleran. Owens was taken to Bridgeport Hospital for treatment. He was later released and taken to the Bridgeport Police Department where he was charged with his outstanding warrants, as well as reckless driving, engaging police in a pursuit, interfering with a police officer, criminal attempt of assault of public safety personnel and first-degree reckless endangerment. The outstanding warrants, which were from Bridgeport and Stamford, charged Owens with 16 counts of violation of a protective order, second-degree assault, two counts of third-degree assault, two counts of first-degree unlawful restraint, second-degree threatening and first-degree reckless endangerment. The warrants, plus the charges accumulated Thursday, totaled to $1.275 million bond, according to Gilleran. Owens is expected to appear Friday in state Superior Court in Bridgeport, Fitzgerald said. The state police's major crime unit is assisting the Office of the Inspector General in an investigation on the incident. The state police are also investigating the officer involved shooting. liz.hardaway@hearst.com Yeah, no, were just gonna 1980s chicken pox this thing, a friend told me recently. And she is not alone. Many friends are dealing with the omicron variant of COVID-19 by purposely exposing their family all at the same time to get it over with. People are having COVID parties? my husband Ian said in that way that makes it clear his question is entirely rhetorical (and that he has given up on humanity). I mean, lets face it, my friend went on. Were all going to get it. So lets get it and move the hell on already. And with infections reaching an all-time high, I get it. Her point, not omicron. Plus, this thing appears to spread faster than lice in pre-K. We all know about that Christmas party in Oslo where more than 70 percent of the double-vaccinated, rapid-tested-on-entry guests got COVID. Typical Oslo, Ian quipped. Im not sure why, but every time I hear about that party I get weird party envy instead of COVID concerns. I always imagine Oslo as snowy, with hand-hewn wood floors and those giant glasses of red wine. And statistically Oslo does have less lice. Omicron is really not that bad, another mom told me after infecting her family on purpose. One of her kids contracted the virus at school, and she didnt make him mask up at home. And now were done. But is she? In mid-December, a study conducted in the United Kingdom found the risk of reinfection with the omicron variant was more than five times higher than delta, Reuters reported. And is it just me, or all those cases where people get better only to get sick again reemerging? Yet, the idea of intentionally trying to catch omicron is all the rage, Dr. Paul Offit, director of the Vaccine Education Center at Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia, said with an exasperated sigh on CNN. Its caught on like wildfire, agreed Dr. Robert Murphy, executive director of the Havey Institute for Global Health at Northwestern Universitys Feinberg School of Medicine. And its widespread, coming from all types of people, the vaccinated and boosted and the anti-vaxxers. We did that, another friend in Boston told me. My husband and I figured we were fully vaccinated, we had had the booster, omicron was mild, kids dont usually get super sick and we kinda just wanted to be done, you know? The kids have already missed so much school this year, and thats after last year and the year before that, she said. But both parents got really sick, so not only were their kids missing school, they were missing general adult supervision. Theres no way youre getting a sitter; we couldnt get out of bed. And at some stage, I found a bag of defrosted chicken nuggets they had been eating cold, she told me. She never thought she would say this, but she ended up feeling grateful for screens. Our kids were raised by Fortnite for four entire days, she said. Which is encouraging, when you consider Fortnite revolves around players shooting each other while being stalked by zombies. Look, it was either that or the real-life version, with omicron Zombies. But the point is, no one knows how COVID is going to play out. A Greenwich mom I know had mild COVID last winter but has suffered debilitating lung pain for over a year. Doctors seem to think its long COVID a condition that doctors are still trying to understand, only long has not been long enough. Some of the most common symptoms of long COVID are shortness of breath, cognitive dysfunction and fatigue. In other words, the same symptoms as motherhood. In a recent interview, Dr. Anthony Fauci said long COVID can happen no matter which virus variant hits. Its a condition that can mysteriously develop for anyone who has had COVID-19, even if their illness was mild or if they had no symptoms. And we still dont know the extent of its long-term damage, particularly to the heart, liver and lungs. This information is not helpful to someone whose whole family is already infected, my friend texted after I sent her a second article on the topic. She signed off with LOL, which did not mean Laugh Out Loud. Youd be crazy to try to get infected with this, Offit said. Its like playing with dynamite. Experts appear to be in consensus: actively trying to get infected is not a good idea. You can spread the disease to unvaccinated people (like kids), the disease could be worse than you expect, our hospitals are already crowded, long COVID remains a question and viruses are always mutating. Those who are vaccinated dont need to gamble, and for those who arent vaccinated, its like playing Russian roulette with an automatic handgun, Dr. Laolu Fayanju, regional medical director for Oak Street Health in Ohio, told Time. Put another way, Dont mess with Mother Nature, Offit said. Shes been trying to kill us ever since we crawled out of the ocean onto the land. And shes not the only mother in this town. Claire Tisne Haft is a former publishing and film executive, raising her family in Greenwich while working on a freelance basis on books and films. She can be reached through her website at clairetisnehaft.com. WEST HAVEN For months, members of the Municipal Accountability Review Board which has approval authority over the citys financial decisions have urged West Haven to make hires in the understaffed finance and purchasing departments of City Hall. Finance Director Frank Cieplinski prepared memos for the City Council outlining his request that the city use unspent, unallocated PILOT funding to hire two people for positions that were not in the citys approved budget. What happened next is known only by City Hall staff and members of the City Council. Unspecified technical glitches led to roughly 30 minutes of a Jan. 10 council meeting which took place entirely over video conferencing software with members calling in from their individual homes after a significant rise in COVID-19 cases led to the abrupt cancelation of a planned December 2021 council meeting not being broadcast to residents as was posted in the agenda. A recording of the meeting posted to the citys YouTube page omits the start of the meeting. Councilwoman Bridgette Hoskie, chairwoman of the councils Finance Committee, said the council did not take action on Cieplinskis request Monday, and will revisit it at its next meeting. All the required information was not provided, she said. However, the council did take some votes Monday that were not broadcast to the public and appear to not have been properly recorded on video. Tom Hennick, public information officer of the Connecticut Freedom of Information Commission, said virtual meetings are still relatively new territory, but the issue does raise concerns about open meeting laws and public access. The whole point is to ensure the public has access, he said. If the public had no access, that conceivably could be a problem. Hennick said that if he were contacted by members of the council, his advice would be to hold a revote for any agenda items that were not properly recorded and broadcast to the public. Peter Massaro, chairman of the council, said that is the plan for the councils next meeting. We voted on the rules and regulations of the council and approved the minutes of the previous meeting, he said. Massaro said staff members were reviewing the tape to ensure no other votes took place, but if any had been taken then the council would take a revote on those as well. As soon as I find out, well definitely take revotes, he said. Massaro said officials with the West Haven Police Department made a lengthy presentation to the council that accounted for most of the time that was not streamed to residents or recorded, meaning it is likely no other votes were taken in the time the council meeting went dark. Hoskie said the council is facing a challenge as its previous administrative assistant, former state Rep. Michael DiMassa, was arrested and charged with wire fraud after allegedly stealing $636,000 in federal pandemic relief funding. She said the position vacancy is hindering us from doing business properly. brian.zahn@hearstmediact.com Niagara Falls, NY (14301) Today Cloudy skies with periods of rain this afternoon. High 62F. Winds E at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 80%.. Tonight Rain. Low 48F. Winds NNE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 90%. Rainfall around a half an inch. A majority of Falls City Council members indicated Wednesday night that they will attend a special meeting called by Mayor Robert Restaino for Friday afternoon. However, the members also questioned the need for the meeting, based on the lack of urgency of the agenda items submitted by the mayor. The scheduling of the special meeting follows a pattern of actions by the mayor that began in late November. Since that time, Restaino has not appeared at regularly scheduled City Council meetings and has not submitted agenda items for action at those regularly scheduled meetings. Traditionally, the mayor and city administrator have appeared at regularly scheduled council meetings to provide updates to the council members on city business. Council Member Kenny Tompkins said he would like the mayor to attend the regular council meetings. "I would like to see the administration (at the meetings)," Tompkins said, "so we can have administrative updates. I do think that's important." The City Charter does not require that the mayor appear at City Council meetings. Council Chair John Spanbauer expressed concern over the mayor's recent use of special meetings rather than regular council meetings to conduct official business. "I'm not sure why the items (on the special meeting agenda) couldn't be on a regular agenda," Spanbauer said. "I have not talked to the mayor about his reasons (for the special meeting), but I plan to talk to him (on Thursday)." The council chair indicated that all of the council members have expressed concerns about the spike in the number of recent special meeting requests by the mayor. Spanbauer said he may have more to say on the matter after speaking with the mayor. "We are not taking this lightly," he said. The rise in the number of special meetings has also attracted the attention of the New York Coalition for Open Government. The coalition wrote to Restaino on Jan. 6, calling for fewer special meetings and more advance notice when they do occur. Open Government group calls out Falls special meetings The New York Coalition for Open Government has sent a letter to Niagara Falls Mayor Robert R Restaino called for the most recent special meeting in a letter sent to council members on Tuesday afternoon, with the meeting set for just over 72 hours later. The Open Government Coalition had asked Restaino to provide at least a week's advance notice of a special meeting and to allow for public speakers at those meetings. Under current rules, public speakers are only permitted at regularly scheduled council meetings. "If people can speak at a regular council meeting than why not at a special meeting?" Open Government Coalition President Paul Wolf asked. Restaino referred questions about the coalition letter to City Corporation Counsel Christopher Mazur. Mazur said that in cases where Restaino has called for special meetings it was to conduct business that needed to be addressed in a timely fashion. "The mayor is following the charter by the book," said Tompkins, who noted that he had discussed the issue of special meeting with Wolf. "Unless we change the charter, I don't know what we can do to change (the mayor's actions)." Council Member David Zajac, one of three newly elected members who joined the body Jan. 1, said he was taking a "wait and see" approach to the issue of special meetings. "Being as new to this as I am, I got a sense of what special meetings should be used for," he said. "I need to learn a little more of what warrants a special meeting." Council Member Donta Myles, also newly elected, was blunt in his assessment of the need for a special council meeting. "I am totally opposed to it," he said. "I've gone through the agenda items. None of them bring an urgency that calls for a special meeting." Myles called the mayor's use of special meetings "inconsiderate of the council's time." "We have a normal schedule (of meetings)," Myles said. "I don't get the reason for a special meeting for these five items." The items include the approval of an administrative action by the City Assessor, the awarding of a consultant contract for information technology services, contracts to buy air packs for firefighters and a water filtration system for the Hyde Park Ice Pavilion and a city charter amendment to separate the departments of Planning and Economic Development. A high-level government and tourism delegation from Mauritius has visited the UAE seeking to position the country as the destination and partner of choice for the UAEs travel agents, tourism industry partners and leisure-seeking residents. Louis Steven Obeegadoo, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, along with Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority (MTPA) led the mission to the UAE and met with Dubai and UAE government officials, private companies and airline representatives to strengthen established partnerships and seek new opportunities that position Mauritius as a safe, exciting and rejuvenating destination for all residents of the Gulf region. The delegation also included Showkutally Soodhun, Ambassador of the Republic of Mauritius to the UAE, as well as Arvind Bundhun, Director, Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority (MTPA), and 25 tour operators and hospitality representatives from Mauritius eager to reconnect with the UAEs leading travel agents. A number of key events were held as a platform to bring the tourism industries together to create innovative and enticing holiday packages to Mauritius. A travel agent workshop was held on January 11, 2021 at the One and Only Royal Mirage Dubai, that saw 110 leading travel agents and outbound travel professionals from Dubai and the Northern Emirates hold one to one meetings with sales representatives from Mauritius preeminent hotels, resorts, and tour operators. On January 12, 2021, a similar workshop was held at the same venue for 80 travel specialists from Abu Dhabi and Saudi Arabia, that were especially invited by the Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority. The promotional week concluded with a gala event for over 100 media representatives and social media influencers so that they could learn more about the attractions of Mauritius as an idyllic paradise ready to be enjoyed and explored. While the deputy prime minister and accompanying dignitaries explored strategic partnerships and investment opportunities with global aviation and tourism players, the tourism delegation was meeting and educating more than 180 agents and tour operators from the UAE and Saudi Arabia for the creation of new holiday packages to Mauritius that are specifically tailored to UAE and Saudi travellers needs. Commenting on the visit Bundhun said: We are extremely pleased to visit the UAE and reconnect with our industry partners. The number of Mauritius partners and level of seniority present on this mission is indicative of the commitment and level of importance this market holds for us. The UAE and Gulf region have become key strategic markets for Mauritius, as we diversify our visitor mix.-- TradeArabia News Service The Governor of Ebonyi State, David Umahi on Thursday said he will fight corruption to a standstill in Nigeria if he becomes President of ... The Governor of Ebonyi State, David Umahi on Thursday said he will fight corruption to a standstill in Nigeria if he becomes President of the country. Umahi spoke to a crowd of supporters on his arrival from Abuja He had visited the Presidential villa to intimate President Muhammadu Buhari of his intention to run for the countrys number one position in the 2023 general election. The governor said he is on the list of aspirants who are desiring to become the President, especially under the ruling All Progressive Congress, APC, noting that he is confident of victory. He tasked supporters and prominent stakeholders of the southeast zone, especially youths in Ebonyi to desist from insulting other Presidential aspirants. The governor threatened that anyone who causes crisis and killings in the southeast zone will be crushed. He said, I want to discuss Political solutions with Mr. President. President Muhammadu Buhari is a man that listens and has love for the nation. I told him that the leaders of the southeast zone desire a political solution without prejudice. There should be no further hate speeches. And no further crisis, violence or killings. My position as the chairman of the southeast governors forum is that anyone who wants to cause crisis in the southeast must be crushed. Enough is enough. The economy of the region has been destroyed and we are worried about it. If not the Grace of God, the southeast would have been destroyed before other regions in entire Nigeria. They were dishing out hate speeches. The Igbo man is a builder and not a destroyer. And let nobody be afraid of the Presidency of Igbo man. There is nobody from the south-east will become President, that will not work for the greater unity of this nation, because we have investments everywhere. As the President of Nigeria, if God wills, I will fight against corruption of this nation to a standstill he stated. The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Iyorchia Ayu, on Thursday, told popular journalist, Dele Momodu, that members of th... The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Iyorchia Ayu, on Thursday, told popular journalist, Dele Momodu, that members of the party, and not leaders, would determine who emerge as PDP presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections. Ayu also told the Chief Executive Officer of Ovation Media Group that the PDP has no preferred presidential candidate, noting that the party would provide a level-playing ground for all aspirants. Momodu on Thursday afternoon visited Ayu at the PDP National Secretariat in Abuja where he formally presented his letter of intent to contest the presidential ticket of the party. Addressing Momodu in his office in the presence of pressman, the PDP National Chairman said, For you to run for office, you must have a strong platform but the first responsibility I will charge you to do is to work hard and build a strong party which we can go into battle with. For your personal ambition like all other candidates, I wish you well, I wish you the best. There will be a level playing ground for all aspirants; we dont have a special candidate, we dont have preferred candidate, the party members will decide who will contest any office. If at the end of the day, party members vote for you that you are the one they want, the party will stand behind you. You have to go out and work out there among the party members across the country because the party leadership will not do it for you. Our job is to try and provide the necessary mechanism. Momodus declaration followed those by All Progressives Congress National Leader, Bola Tinubu; and Ebonyi State Governor, Dave Umahi; that they would be running for President in 2023. The two APC members had separately visited the President, Muhammadu Buhari in Aso Villa this week and informed the President of their intention to contest the next presidential election. Chelsea manager, Thomas Tuchel has reiterated that he is confident Antonio Rudiger will sign a new contract with the club. Rudigers contrac... Chelsea manager, Thomas Tuchel has reiterated that he is confident Antonio Rudiger will sign a new contract with the club. Rudigers contract expires at the end of this season, and as it stands, the German will leave Stamford Bridge as a free agent. Chelsea have yet to meet the players lofty wage demands so far. Rudigers exit would be a huge blow for the Blues, as he has arguably been their best player this season. The defender made a big impact once again on Wednesday night, as he scored the winning goal against Tottenham in the second leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final. When asked if he will leave Stamford Bridge in the summer, Tuchel said: Everybody knows but theres a lot of if in your question. Lets wait to see what becomes the reality. Asked if he is confident they can tie down Rudiger to a long-term deal, Tuchel added: Of course we are confident. We have things to offer and he is the player he is in a Chelsea shirt and in a Chelsea environment. I think he knows it very well. Cristiano Ronaldo has warned Manchester United that he did not return to the club to compete for seventh place. The 36-year-old also said it... Cristiano Ronaldo has warned Manchester United that he did not return to the club to compete for seventh place. The 36-year-old also said it is not acceptable for the Red Devils to aim for anything less than a top-three finish in the Premier League. United have endured a miserable campaign so far and replaced Ole Gunnar Solskjaer with Ralf Rangnick on an interim basis in December. Since taking over, Rangnick has taken charge of four wins from seven matches. However, United remain seventh in the league, 22 points behind leaders Manchester City after 19 years. What I can say is we can do better all of us. Manchester (United) belongs to important things, so we have to change that. I dont want to be here to be in sixth place, or seventh place, or fifth place. Im here to try to win, to compete. I think we compete but we are not yet in our best level. But we have a long way to improve and I believe if we change our mind, we can achieve big things, Ronaldo told Sky Sports. Omoyele Sowore, an activist, says the federal government has deactivated all his means of identification. The documents allegedly de... Omoyele Sowore, an activist, says the federal government has deactivated all his means of identification. The documents allegedly deactivated include his national identity number (NIN), permanent voter card, passport and drivers licence. The activist confirmed this on Wednesday. In a statement on Wednesday, Femi Adeyeye, spokesperson of the African Action Congress (AAC), described the development as illegal and an affront to Sowores fundamental rights. This blockage of means of identification was discovered recently after the human rights activist and former presidential candidate tried to make some financial transactions for some personal and humanitarian activities, the statement read. Attempts were also made on his existing bank account. This excludes his bank account that was frozen for over two years by the Department of State Service (DSS), which claimed it was investigating him for terrorism. We describe all these moves by the forces of the regime, as illegal and affronts to the rights of Mr chairman. It is also important to recall that ever since the regime has unjustly kept our national chairman, Mr Omoyele Sowore under city arrest in Abuja, it has been one harassment or the other and a day wont go without darts of persecution thrown at him. The regime continues to squander state resources, just to silence the courageous activist. Since the ruthless Buhari regime has become shameless, we in the AAC are ashamed on its behalf, as it has become clear that it will not save itself some dignity, even in the twilight of its infamous exit. We are not oblivious of the intent of this recent move which is nothing but a smokescreen of further attempts by the clueless regime to unjustly and illegally deny Mr Sowore his citizenship rights, especially the rights to vote and be voted for. It is no surprise that this is happening as the country prepares for an election year. We wish to sound this note of warning to the Buhari regime that all attempts to strip Mr Sowore of his citizenship rights will be resisted with full force within the ambits of the law. Conclusively, we call on the Buhari regime to stop forthwith the persecution of Omoyele Sowore as it is glaring the regime has no case against him and all means of identification and personal effects (phones) be restored to him immediately. Some Nigerians on Twitter heavily criticised the first tweet by presidential aide Garba Shehu a few hours after Twitter operations were fo... Some Nigerians on Twitter heavily criticised the first tweet by presidential aide Garba Shehu a few hours after Twitter operations were formally restored in Nigeria. Shehu had tweeted midnight that Nigeria gained immeasurably from the shutdown of Twitter when the Nigerians tackled him. He posted, Welcome back Let me join fellow countrymen and women in welcoming the resolution of the impasse between the Federal Government of Nigeria and Twitter Inc., leading to the laying of a foundation for a mutually beneficial future with endless possibilities. I join the leaders of government in appreciating all Nigerians, especially the vibrant Nigerian youths who have borne with the long wait to resolve this impasse, and as the government statement clearly says, the gains made from this shared national sacrifice are immeasurable. We hope that this is appreciated by all. The nation comes first. Once again, welcome back! Reacting, the Nigerians asked Garba Shehu to state the gains of Twitter suspension. One of them, Onukwube @RayNkah, said, Welcome back? No. We didnt go anywhere. Weve always been here. Speak for yourself. Sir Ted @Deus_Ugwoke: Which impasse are you talking about, the unfortunate ban was unnecessary in the first place, we know its a race against time for the APC government knowing the election campaign will be around the as Twitter plays a major role for the campaign. Proudly Nigerian @max20ebi: By taking away the rights of Nigerians to freely express themselves and critique the activities of the government of the day. You can not silence the people who are determined to make a change. May God visit you and treat you the way you and your principal are treating Nigerians Oke Ayodele @infoDmedia: Your government days in office are numbered. After 222 days, Buhari lifts Twitter ban Cornelius Osaje @CorneliusOsaje: Now, it is the nation that comes first, sad how you people talk with no remorse. Kaforhenry @kaforhenri: Tell all your bosses at the top that we arent voting APC. We enjoyed Twitter while the ban was on. Olaoye @OlaoyeOA: You people lifted the suspension because of election campaign Djradica @Djradica: In the first place, you dont have a justification to ban Twitter. Shame on those who were behind the ban. Billionaire prince @GogoAbite: Were kicking you guys out of power. Obi of Lagos @Obiginger: I don get like 5 years of VPN subscription Clueless government. The Senate Chief Whip, Orji Uzor Kalu, has faulted President Muhammadu Buharis stance on state police. Appearing on Arise TV, the f... The Senate Chief Whip, Orji Uzor Kalu, has faulted President Muhammadu Buharis stance on state police. Appearing on Arise TV, the former Governor of Abia State said states should be allowed to have their own police. Recently, Buhari had said governors will use state police to witch-hunt and intimidate perceived critics and opponents. Ruling out the issue of state police under his administration, Buhari had said: State police is not an option. Find out the relationship between local government and the governors. However, Kalu said: Even when I was governor, Ive always believed that we should have state police. I dont have the same opinion as the president (Mr Buhari) on state police. Ive always believed that if we have a bill or an act that can convince the Assembly with the constitution, why not. 2,000-year-old Buddha statue seized Islamabad, Jan 13 (UNI) A 2,000-year-old Buddha statue has been seized from a Pakistani man, the media reported on Thursday. Archaeology Department officials recovered the statue from Masroor Shah's house in Sultan Pur village and handed him and the statue to the police. An official said the one foot statue was stolen by the man during illegal digging in Khanpur bordering the Taxila Valley, the Dawn newspaper reported. Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State has raised the alarm that the Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) are currently recruitin... Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State has raised the alarm that the Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) are currently recruiting more fighters in the state. The governor, who stated this on Wednesday when he received the Senate Committee on Army in Maiduguri, the states capital, said the ISWAP fighters are more dangerous and more funded than the Boko Haram insurgents. According to him, if the menace is not checked on time, the effect would be disastrous to Nigeria, stressing that the fighters are better chased out of the country at the early stage. He said, I must commend the Nigerian Army for the relative peace in many parts of the state but I want to appeal to the military to take the war against the insurgents and chase them out because ISWAP is currently recruiting fighters in some parts of the state. If nothing is done to check and tackle the growing presence of ISWAP fighters who are better armed, better equipped, more deadly, more sophisticated and receive more funds than Boko Haram, it will be disastrous not only to Borno State but the country in general. They (ISWAP) are growing spontaneously and it is not difficult for us to address these problems; we need to pursue ISWAP at this early stage. ISWAP fighters are mounting checkpoints between Damboa and Biu; they are collecting taxes from communities because just three days ago, I got security information that they held a party (ceremony) with over 300 machines. Something needs to be done especially in the axis of Askira, Chibok and Damboa. Another issue is that two of our local government headquarters are still under the control of Boko Haram terrorists, Malumfatori in Abadam Local Government and Guzamala. We want the owners of these two local governments to take over, that is the government of Borno State and the two local governments. I have commended the Nigerian Army for the relative peace in many parts of the state and there is nothing wrong if I ask them to wake up from the slumber in addressing the problems of ISWAP. President Muhammadu Buhari, on Thursday, described himself as Omowale during his visit to Ogun state. In the Yoruba language, Omo... President Muhammadu Buhari, on Thursday, described himself as Omowale during his visit to Ogun state. In the Yoruba language, Omowale means the child has returned home. According to a statement issued by Femi Adesina, presidential spokesperson, Buhari made the comment while reminiscing on his days as an infantry officer in the state. The president, who was in Ogun to inaugurate projects executed by the state government, thanked the residents for the warm reception accorded him and his entourage. Buhari was also bestowed with the honourary indigeneship of the state. This welcome by the large crowd brings back the nostalgia of my first arrival on this soil as a young infantry officer in the Nigerian Army at the then Lafenwa Barracks in Abeokuta, not long after independence, the president was quoted as saying. The traditional hospitality of the people of this state has not waned a bit. Today, I am Omowale and very happy at this homecoming to meet my brothers and sisters whose goodwill I have always enjoyed. Thank you. It is also with a sense of responsibility that I receive and cherish the honourary indigeneship bestowed on me as symbolized by the presentation of the key to the Gateway State by Governor Abiodun. I will leave Ogun state with fond memories and look forward to enjoying the privilege of my honourary indigeneship. PROJECTS AND PROMISES The president commended the governor for delivering visionary and trail-blazing projects for the people, even in the midst of challenging circumstances occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic. Buhari said the projects he inaugurated could not have materialised without the governments huge investment and commitment to the security of lives and property. This has made Ogun state one of the safest and most peaceful States in the country and investors destination of choice, Buhari said. You (Prince Abiodun) have justified the mandate of the people of Ogun State. You have represented our Party very well. Your Excellency, well done! I am proud of what you have done for your State and your people. You have made our great party, the APC, proud too. You are a worthy example of promises made, promises kept. Advertisement The president said the 14km Ijebu Ode-Mojoda-Epe road would complement the Sagamu-Benin expressway that the federal government is currently reconstructing which is due for commissioning this year. I am particularly impressed by the quality and standard of your road projects, and the creative way you have deployed resources to reconstruct and rehabilitate them, Buhari said. It is significant to note that the two road projects being commissioned today are federal roads. This is an example of constructive engagement, cooperation and collaboration between the states and federal government. These roads also fit well into our rail transportation masterplan that connects Lagos, Nigerias economic capital to Kano, with Ogun State having more rail stations, along the Lagos-Ibadan rail corridor. The president announced that the federal government would consider extending tax credit as a funding option for the reconstruction of the Lagos-Ota-Abeokuta and the Sango Otta-Idiroko roads. He also promised to consider the approval of the reconstruction of Sagamu-Ogijo road by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited under the tax credit scheme. 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 View Results Watertown, NY (13601) Today Overcast. Slight chance of a rain shower. High 67F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Rain likely. Low 52F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%. Rainfall around a half an inch. A Neolithic mask loaned by American Michael Steinhardt, center, is displayed at the Israel Museum in Jerusalem. The new "haunted history" museum on North Rampart Street features some of the typical highlights of any French Quarter "ghost tour." There are images of Delphine LaLaurie, notorious for torturing and perhaps murdering her slaves, and Marie Laveau, the renowned Voodoo priestess. But follow the ghoulish-looking hand on the wall, which points you toward a staircase leading to the second floor, and you are confronted with something less familiar. There is the kitchen stove where, visitors learn, a former resident once cooked the body of his dismembered girlfriend. And a refrigerator where he kept parts of her body. These are not artifacts of some long-ago horror, but the remnants of a notorious murder-suicide that occurred not long after the trauma of Hurricane Katrina. +6 Watch: Saga of Zack Bowen, Addie Hall comes to TV (again) The sad post-Katrina saga of Zack Bowen and Addie Hall comes to TV again in an episode of the Investigative Discovery docu-drama series "Hands It is the apartment where Zack Bowen, a troubled veteran of the Iraq War, killed his girlfriend Addie Hall in October 2006 before jumping to his own death several days later from the roof of a French Quarter hotel. And some people who knew the couple have been horrified to learn that the apartment has become part of a tourist attraction. Social media users heaped criticism on Bloody Mary Haunted Museum & Tour Co. this month after some people who knew Bowen and Hall caught wind of how the couples story was being presented there. There was nothing supernatural about the way Hall died, they said: She was the victim of domestic violence. Bowen struggled with abusing drugs and alcohol after serving in the U.S. military in Kosovo as well as Iraq and riding out Katrina in New Orleans. Unlike the 19th century figures LaLaurie and Laveau, the couple has numerous surviving friends and relatives who, nearly 12 years later, have not gotten over how the lives of Bowen and Hall ended. Its pretty despicable and atrociously exploitative, said Capricho DeVellas, who was close to Hall and Bowen and described their deaths as genuinely a troubling chapter in my life. But the companys owner, Mary Millan, bristles at the notion that she is disrespecting the couples memories. She said her company has been organizing an upcoming festival whose proceeds will partially be donated to the New Orleans Family Justice Centers efforts to combat domestic violence. Hall was one of the main reasons for that, she said. Further, she said, she believes it is important to educate visitors about Hall and Bowen, who were afflicted by some of the same troubles as many others navigating one of the darkest periods in New Orleans' 300-year history. Katrina was an important chapter, Millan said. And theyre an important part of that chapter. Millan is far from the first person to be accused of sensationalizing the grisly events that happened after Bowen, a father of two who'd separated from his wife, began an intense relationship with Hall in the wake of Katrina. Bowen, a 28-year-old bartender, died after leaping off the Omni Royal Orleans on St. Louis Street on Oct. 17, 2006. A note found on his body recounted how hed strangled Hall, 30, and cut up her body after a fight nearly two weeks earlier. The note told police they could find her remains at the couples apartment in the 800 block of North Rampart. Media worldwide seized on some of the horror movie-like details that surfaced early in the case: The couple lived above the shop of Voodoo priestess Miriam Chamani. Police discovered some of Halls body had been cooked in their oven and on their stove, with other parts left in a trash bag in the fridge. Im a total failure and Please help me stop the pain were spray-painted on the walls. But the public eventually came to learn a much more complex truth about Bowen and Hall. As investigative journalist Ethan Brown documents in his book Shake the Devil Off, Bowens mental state deteriorated after Rachel Bosveld, a close friend and fellow member of the 527th Military Police Company, was killed during a mortar attack in Baghdad. In addition, an Iraqi boy whom Bowen had befriended was killed when insurgents blew up the shop of the childs family, Brown wrote. Top stories in New Orleans in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up Bowen later received a general discharge from the military. A general discharge is short of an honorable one, which affected the benefits he had when he met Hall in the aftermath of Katrina. The couple drank hard, apparently loving and fighting with equal zest in a city whose already scarce resources to treat mental health and substance abuse problems were devastated by the storm. It all culminated with Bowen killing Hall and later himself. Millan and her critics disagree about how the various French Quarter-based "haunted history" tours have since treated the compound where Bowen and Hall shared an apartment. Millan said tour guides frequently highlight the macabre aspects of the killing that occurred above the temple of Priestess Miriam, who later moved out after an electrical fire in 2016. But others say that most tour guides have been loathe to speak about Bowen and Hall in the same way they might about LaLaurie, whose alleged penchant for mutilating and starving slaves came to light following an 1834 fire at her Royal Street mansion, according to oral tradition. Respect for the couples survivors including Bowens son and daughter, now grown is the primary reason for the guides' reticence, they say. In any event, Millan began leasing the compound from landlord Leo Watermeier last year and opened the Bloody Mary museum in the fall. Millan describes herself as a Catholic-raised Voodoo priestess who can communicate with and heal the spirits of the dead, including the many who haunt the grounds she leases. She said the main purpose of the various items, the tours and the displays offered at her museum and shop is to pay tribute to spirits dwelling in her building and educate the public about them so they wont be forgotten. Millan defended placing the couples photo with fake blood spatter next to images of LaLaurie and Laveau as an homage to the citys "oldest and newest spirits." She said she doesnt see why she would exclude Bowen and Hall from that mission, noting that visitors are always asked to pray for the couples spirits. Suspect in murder, dismemberment of stripper was close to victim in 2006 dismemberment case In a bizarre twist, Margaret Sanchez, the woman authorities have named as one of two suspects in the murder and dismemberment of a 22-year-old She said her tour devotes an appropriate amount of time to the case's mental health aspects, and she repeatedly said she suspects many of her critics either work for her competitors or have ties to them. Itd be stupid to pretend (the couple) werent here, Millan said. (Detractors) are jealous they didnt do this first. Some arent buying it. Jonathan Bailey said he, his girlfriend and two friends booked a Bloody Mary tour on Monday and were shocked when he realized the group had been brought into the apartment Bowen and Hall once shared. Aside from the stove, oven and refrigerator, Bailey said he was disturbed to see bride-and-groom Chucky dolls there. He said the tour guide explained how the orbs from the couples spirits have been known to appear in photographs taken in the apartment. We started looking at each other in disbelief, Bailey said. We didnt quite know what to do. He soon went on Facebook and posted about the experience, calling it terrible. Former haunted tour guide Elizabeth Zibilich, who considered Hall a friend, spotted what Bailey wrote and made her own post accusing Millans museum of trying to profit from a trauma that is still raw. Zibilichs post was commented on widely by users of both Facebook and Twitter, some of whom asked whether anything could be done to force the museum to stop. Brown, the author, said he sides with the sentiments sparked by Zibilichs post. Whether or not you agreed with the book, I hoped it would take this case out of the schlocky horror genre, Brown said. There are people affected by this case who are still here, still with us. And they should be treated with more respect than this. Jefferson Parish President Cynthia Lee Sheng said Wednesday that she has tested positive for COVID-19. Lee Sheng, who missed Wednesday's Jefferson Parish Council meeting, said she took a home test that showed a positive result. Results from a PCR test were still pending Wednesday afternoon, she said. Lee Sheng has been fastidious about masking in public places since mid-December, the start of the most recent wave of infections and hospitalizations. "I've been really careful," she said. "I mask everywhere." Lee Sheng, who is vaccinated and boosted, started feeling tired Monday evening and by Tuesday was experiencing cold-like symptoms. She canceled a Tuesday speaking engagement and skipped Wednesday's council meeting. Last month, amid the omicron-fueled COVID-19 surge, she issued a mask mandate for people in parish government buildings, but said she had no plans to reinstitute a parishwide mandate as she did in the pandemic's early days in 2020. A mask mandate for the city of New Orleans took effect Wednesday morning. Like Jefferson, other suburban parishes also do not have mask mandates. Lee Sheng's positive test comes as the state Department of Health reported a single-day record of confirmed and probable COVID-19 cases on Wednesday -- 17,592. Jefferson Parish has had more than 85,000 confirmed cases of the coronavirus since the beginning of the pandemic and more than 1,200 deaths. Health news in your inbox Reporter Emily Woodruff shares weekly updates and insights on local health news, including COVID coverage and medical research. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up It also comes as schools in the parish and across the region grapple with rising cases. In Jefferson Parish public schools, 525 students and 267 faculty and staff tested positive for the week of Jan. 4-7, when the schools reopened after the winter break. The 792 positive cases is hundreds more than during the height of the delta surge in August, when 412 total positives were reported. In addition, 2,006 students and staff were quarantined in the first week back from winter break. That is less than were quarantined in August, when more than 3,000 were quarantined in the week before Hurricane Ida hit. "If you have symptoms, you have to stay home," Lee Sheng said. This is her first bout with COVID, she said. "I really don't know how I got it," she said. Jefferson Parish requiring masks in government buildings amid new COVID surge Masks are now required in Jefferson Parish government buildings, a rule that applies to both vaccinated and unvaccinated visitors and employees. Former New Orleans City Council member Jared Brossett pleaded not guilty through a lawyer on Wednesday to his latest arrest for drunk driving. Brossett attorney Tiffany Love entered the plea on his behalf during a quick hearing in front of New Orleans Municipal and Traffic Court Judge Robert Jones III. Brossett's next hearing is Jan. 31. The City Attorney's Office has referred the case to the District Attorney's Office, which says that it will be screened for a formal decision on how to move forward. Brossetts second arrest for driving while intoxicated, outside a gas station convenience store in Gentilly in October, effectively ended his short-lived campaign for an at-large seat on the council. It came 16 months after his arrest for crashing a city-owned Chevrolet Tahoe into another mans vehicle while allegedly under the influence. +2 Senior New Orleans official Peter Bowen fired; cops say he threatened them during DWI arrest New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell has fired a senior administration official who crashed his pickup truck while allegedly driving drunk in the Brossett avoided a conviction in the earlier case by entering a diversion program and agreeing to pay taxpayers back for the cost of the heavily damaged SUV. Top stories in New Orleans in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up But the case could still count against him as prosecutors decide how to handle the arrest in October. No one was injured in the more recent incident, in which police said they found Brossett passed out behind the wheel of a white 2021 Lexus with the smell of alcohol on his breath. JP Morrell won the race for Division 2 at-large councilmember, defeating Brossett and Kristin Gisleson Palmer. Brossetts replacement in the District D seat is Eugene Green. Editor's Note: This article was updated on Jan. 13 to correct Brossett's former council district. Helena Moreno, JP Morrell win at-large seats on New Orleans City Council Helena Moreno and JP Morrell surged past challengers Saturday to seize the two at-large seats on the New Orleans City Council, creating a form A Harvey woman pleaded guilty Wednesday for her role in staging an accident with an 18-wheeler in New Orleans, becoming the 30th of 33 defendants to admit responsibility in the wide-ranging scheme. Donisha Lee, 30, admitted she was guilty of conspiring to commit mail fraud, part of a ploy by "slammers," "spotters" and corrupt lawyers to wring fraudulent settlements from trucking companies, bus operators and insurance companies. The defendants collectively caused 77 wrecks, collecting hundreds of thousands of dollars. Brazen big-rig crash scheme nets another federal guilty plea in New Orleans Defendant admits getting in car that was then rammed into bus for insurance payout Prosecutors say Lee, Donreion Lee, Dewayne Coleman and Erica Lee conspired to crash a Toyota RAV4 into a 2016 Freightliner tractor-trailer on Interstate 10 near the Almonaster Avenue exit on Sept. 6, 2017. A "slammer" steered the car into the big rig then fled in a waiting sedan. Erica Lee slid behind the wheel of the RAV4, and falsely told police she had been driving and that the tractor-trailer struck her vehicle. Within two days, Donisha Lee saw a lawyer to collect money from the trucking company. She sought medical care and endorsed settlement checks for $6,000 and $7,500 on March 26. In a deposition, she also lied about her injuries and who was driving the vehicle. U.S. District Judge Sarah Vance is scheduled to sentence Lee on April 27. She faces as long as five years in prison, followed by a supervised release up to three years, and a fine of as much as $250,000, although maximum penalties in federal court are rare for first offenders. A federal agent's emails criticizing the St Tammany Parish Sheriffs Office investigation of the high-profile murder of Nanette Krentel landed him in jail in 2019, facing a charge of criminal defamation. Newly released federal court documents indicate that fallout from the arrest led an FBI agent to call for a full investigation into a possible criminal conspiracy by Sheriff Randy Smith and some of his top staffers. Jerry Rogers, an investigator for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, is suing Smith and two of Smith's deputies over his arrest for criminal defamation -- a statute that had been ruled unconstitutional by the state Supreme Court decades earlier. This week, Rogers' attorney, William Most, filed a motion asking U.S. District Judge Jane Triche Milazzo to rule in favor of his claims of false arrest and false imprisonment because of the rulings that declared the law unconstitutional. Smith, who was facing challengers in a reelection bid at the time of the arrest, was reacting to emails that Rogers had sent to the sister of Krentel, who died from a gunshot wound to the head in 2017. Her body was found in the burned wreckage of the Lacombe home she shared with her husband, who was a fire chief at the time. The homicide remains unsolved. Among other things, Rogers said that the lead detective in the still unsolved case was "clueless" and a "stone-cold rookie," statements Smith claimed were false and defamatory and harmful to the confidence of the victim's family. Several weeks after Rogers' arrest, a request for a full investigation into the actions by the Sheriff's Office was made by an FBI agent who had interviewed the judge who signed the arrest warrant, members of the district attorney's staff and others, according to the motion. A redacted FBI document, dated Oct. 8, 2019, seeks a probe into allegations that "reasonably indicate a civil rights violations occurred," and concludes by saying a full investigation should be opened "for evidence of a criminal conspiracy" on the part of members of the Sheriff's Office. The investigation never happened, however. In an email response to questions, the Sheriff's Office provided a Feb. 11, 2020 letter from the FBI that said "DOJ supervisors determined the captioned matter did not warrant further investigation." The Sheriff's Office also said in an email that Rogers asked the FBI to look into the matter, although the initial FBI document said that it received "information," including articles in the media. Top stories in New Orleans in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up In response to a request for comment, the Sheriff's Office called the motion for summary judgment a routine pleading that it would oppose "at the appropriate time." "The sheriff looks forward to his day in court where Mr. Rogers will finally be compelled to answer some very difficult questions under cross-examination about his activities in this homicide case," the statement said. The statement quoted Smith as saying that the investigation and arrest of Rogers was appropriate and that the emails were obviously sent to undermine the ability of investigators to communicate effectively with the family and solve the crime. "These facts were presented to a judge who agreed that there was probable cause to suggest a crime had occurred and thus he signed the warrant for the arrest of Mr. Rogers," the Sheriff's Office said in the prepared statement. But Rogers' court filing cites statements in a deposition from sheriff's Capt. Keith Canizaro, one the defendants, acknowledging that the Sheriff's Office didn't tell the judge that the District Attorney's Office had warned that the arrest might be unconstitutional. "The judge who signed the warrant, however, very much thought that he should have been made aware of the DA's warning," the motion said, citing an FBI interview in which the judge said he has "assumed law enforcement officers request arrest warrants and search warrants in good faith and would bring attention to all known facts, to include if the law enforcement officer suspected a law was possibly unconstitutional." Most said that in their depositions, the three defendants said they would have done nothing differently, even after the DA, the state Attorney General and a judge said that the arrest was unconstitutional. "That should worry every citizen in St. Tammany Parish," he said. On Monday, a day before police arrested Benjamin Beale after finding a severed torso in a school bus on his property, Beale invited a neighbor over for a visit. Beale had nice artwork, abstract things, old parts, lots of it hanging in his house, said Mike Major, who lives across the street. He was walking me around that bus, talking about doing upgrades. He was looking to the future, talking about how he needs to go to rehab. That was his next move. Major said he told Beale on that visit that hed recently seen Julia Dardar, the woman police now believe was the beheaded victim, walking down the block. Hes like, You didnt. Shes been missing. Unless you saw a ghost, bro, Major recounted. Major said he told police the same thing when detectives first showed up on the block last Friday. I wasnt the only one who saw her. Thats what kind of sickens me, Major said, standing in his backyard on Wednesday. She looked skinny as f**k. Major and other neighbors said Beale went by a different name: Kelley Kirkpatrick. Now theyre getting an idea that Beale concealed a lot more. On Wednesday, neighbors on the 2300 block of Pauline Street were still piecing together a jarring picture that has begun to emerge since police swarmed the block in the Florida neighborhood late Tuesday. Along with the torso, which was found in a deep freezer on the bus, a police raid turned up a machine-powered saw that appeared to have flesh on the blade, according to records filed in criminal court on Wednesday. Police jailed Beale, 34, late Tuesday on a count of obstruction of justice, along with allegations that Beale was running a methamphetamine lab at home. Police describe Beale as male, but acquaintances say Beale used the non-binary pronoun "they." Top stories in New Orleans in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up Beale already faced questions from police last week over Dardar's disappearance, telling an investigator she may have taken her own life or overdosed on illegal substances, according to the police records. Dardars estranged husband went to police on Dec. 23 and reported her missing, saying she had left him and moved in with Beale. Neighbors said Beale had only lived in the house for about a year. Dardar arrived more recently and lived in the school bus near the rear of the property, straddling an empty lot, said Tracy Pearson, who lives next door. She was a nice girl, always tried to work on the house, Pearson said. Pearson said Beale and Dardar often walked their small black mixed-breed dogs together in a neighborhood now specked with blue roof tarps from Hurricane Ida damage. Signs reading no trespassing, keep out and camera in use adorn the front yard of the two-story house, which is protected by a makeshift fence of metal and loose stacks of cinderblock. Beale erected it, neighbors said. Beale just wanted to keep people out, Pearson said. Beale spun fire, was into tooth gems and yoga and played loud rave-style drum music, neighbors said. The only thing I heard was a lot of funny music, said another neighbor across the street who declined to be identified. Boom, boom, boom. No real music. Another school bus was parked Wednesday on the other side of Beales house. Pearson said Beale and Dardar went on a trip to California last year to pick it up. She went out there to help him, Pearson said. Dardar returned from the trip after Hurricane Ida and Beale followed later, she said, adding that she last saw Dardar a few weeks ago. Though police stopped short of calling it a murder, Major said he suspects the invitation over to the house was less than neighborly. Now I know he was using me as a tool, Major said. He wanted an alibi. Police were investigating the disappearance of Julia Dardar when they found a dismembered body in a freezer Tuesday in New Orleans. Authorities stopped short of saying the headless torso belonged to Dardar, or asserting that she was murdered. They said the condition of the body prevents immediate identification or the determination of a cause of death. Here's what we know so far about the missing 36-year-old woman from authorities, family, friends and neighbors. How long has Julia Dardar been missing? Dardars estranged husband reported her missing two days before Christmas. He said she had moved in with Benjamin Beale, 34, at a house in the 2300 block of Pauline Street (map) in the Florida neighborhood. The report prompted an officer to visit and speak with Beale, who said Dardar had moved out the previous week, records say. Police describe Beale as male. Acquaintances said Beale uses the non-binary pronouns they and them. Beale, who has also used the name Kelley Kirkpatrick, added that Dardar left behind all of her belongings, including her white Toyota Prius, and that Beale, too, wanted to report her missing out of concern she was suicidal, the records say. How did Dardar and Beale know each other? A Facebook post under the Kirkpatrick name suggested Beale and Dardar met sometime before June 2021. The post showed Beale thanking Dardar for helping with an elderly neighbors move. More recently, Dardar and Beale - using the Kirkpatrick name - each started GoFundMe pages soliciting donations to support their return from a West Coast trip they had taken on a bus Beale inherited from a friend. Beales post lamented that the bus, which had made annual voyages to Burning Man for almost 20 years, had been vandalized and had otherwise deteriorated. Dardars post described how she had helped repair the bus, 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, she wrote 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. How long had she lived in the house with Beale? Neighbors said Beale had lived in the house for about a year. Dardar arrived more recently and lived in the school bus near the rear of the property, straddling an empty lot, said Tracy Pearson, who lives next door. She was a nice girl, always tried to work on the house, Pearson said. Dardar made it back to New Orleans after Hurricane Ida struck Aug. 29, and Beale followed later, Pearson said. The bus they posted about on GoFundMe, which was mostly white and had a red, reptilian-like eye painted above the windshield, was parked at Beales home on Wednesday. Pearson said Beale and Dardar often walked their small black mixed-breed dogs together in the neighborhood. Beale would also spin firesticks, play loud rave-style drum music and try to sell tooth gems. The only thing I heard was a lot of funny music, said another neighbor across the street who would not be identified. Boom, boom, boom. No real music. Neighbor saw her earlier this month The day before police found the severed torso, Beale invited a neighbor over for a visit. Top stories in New Orleans in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up Mike Major, who lives across the street, told Beale on that visit that hed recently seen Dardar walking down the block. Hes like, You didnt. Shes been missing. Unless you saw a ghost, bro, Major recounted. +5 Neighbor says he saw missing woman at house the week before dismembered body found in freezer On Monday, a day before police arrested Benjamin Beale after finding a severed torso in a school bus on his property, Beale invited a neighbor Major said he told police the same thing when detectives first showed up on the block last Friday. I wasnt the only one who saw her. Thats what kind of sickens me, Major said, standing in his backyard on Wednesday. She looked skinny as f**k. Now I know he was using me as a tool, Major said. He wanted an alibi. What did police find at the house? Officers obtained a warrant to search Beales home Tuesday. During the raid, they spotted a power cord leading from Beale's home to a blue school bus parked in the backyard, the records said. Police followed the power cord to a deep freezer in the back of the bus. Investigators looked inside the freezer and found what appeared to be the headless torso of a woman. The torso had a deep, linear cut along the left shoulder, which seemed to be inflicted after the woman had died, police wrote in court records. Officers then noticed an ice chest nearby. They opened it to find a reciprocating saw that appeared to have bits of flesh and fluid on the blade surface, investigators wrote in the court records. There was also a plastic face shield, goggles and garbage bags near the freezer. What happened to Julia Dardar? The investigation is ongoing and police have not confirmed the body they found belongs to Dardar. They also don't know the manner of death. Beale spoke to a detective at a New Orleans police station in the St. Claude area on Jan. 5. Beale described fretting that Dardar had either taken her life or overdosed in Bywater at an abandoned U.S. Navy base that is frequented by squatters, while Beale worked on a plan for her to move out. A Facebook user who identified herself as Dardars mother-in-law posted that she helped her son pick up Dardars car and other belongings from Beales house on Jan. 5, the same day Beale was interrogated. I was parked less than 50 [feet] from the bus and had no clue, the woman wrote. If anyone else is involved in this atrocious act against my family you will be caught. You hurt my grandchildren and I am hell bent that you will, too, one way or another. Is anyone charged in her death? No. She has not been officially declared dead. Officials have not confirmed the identity of the body they found in the freezer. After the search Tuesday, they took Beale to police headquarters for questioning, authorities said, and Beale refused to provide a statement. Beale was then arrested and charged with obstruction of justice in a death investigation, operation of a clandestine lab illegally manufacturing meth and illegal drug and gun possession. Magistrate Court Commissioner Albert Thibodeaux set Beale's bail at $400,000. Beale remained in custody as of Thursday morning. Julia Dardars estranged husband reported her missing two days before Christmas, and police were looking at the person she was living with, Benjamin Beale, for answers. It was Jan. 5, and Beale, wracked with concern, told an investigator that Dardar more than likely committed suicide or overdosed on drugs, according to police records filed Wednesday in Orleans Parish Criminal District Court. But the police were suspicious of Beales story: Dardar's car was still at Beales house in the Florida neighborhood, along with her belongings. Six days later, police raided the house and found a headless torso inside a deep freezer that was hooked up in a bus in the backyard. Nearby police found a machine-powered saw that appeared to have flesh and fluids on the blade, the court records said. Authorities stopped short of saying the torso belonged to Dardar, or asserting that she was murdered. They said the condition of the body prevented immediate identification or the determination of a cause of death. But police arrested Beale, 34, late Tuesday on a charge of obstructing justice, along with allegations that Beale was running a methamphetamine laboratory at the house the two shared, as Beale clearly became the prime suspect in the disappearance of the 36-year-old mother. Police describe Beale as male. Acquaintances said Beale uses the non-binary pronouns they and them. Attempts to contact Dardar family were unsuccessful Wednesday. But a Facebook account under the name of her estranged husband bore this message: The only good that can come out of this is that [Beale] will never be able to hurt anyone again. I want to thank the New Orleans Police Department and volunteer [canine] search team for bringing this domestic terrorists reign to an end and getting justice for our families and our children. Dardars estranged husband reported her missing to police on Dec. 23, saying she had moved in with Beale at a house in the 2300 block of Pauline Street. The report prompted an officer to visit and speak with Beale, who said Dardar had moved out the previous week, records say. Beale, who has also used the name Kelley Kirkpatrick, added that Dardar left behind all of her belongings, including her white Toyota Prius, and that Beale, too, wanted to report her missing out of concern she was suicidal, the records say. Beale spoke again to a detective at a New Orleans police station in the St. Claude area on Jan. 5. Beale described fretting that Dardar had either taken her life or overdosed in Bywater at an abandoned U.S. Navy base that is frequented by squatters, while Beale worked on a plan for her to move out. But police said there were reasons to doubt Beales story. Beale didnt try to find Dardar or report her missing until officers asked questions about her disappearance, police wrote in court records. When asked why, Beale reportedly professed not to have a mobile phone to call police. Officers obtained a warrant authorizing them to search Beales home on Tuesday, and during the raid, they spotted a power cord running from the house to a blue school bus in the backyard, records say. The cord was connected to a deep freezer in the rear of the bus, and investigators looked inside. Grisly scene A grisly scene greeted them. In the freezer was a headless torso that appeared to belong to a woman. A deep, linear cut ran along the torsos left shoulder, which seemed to be inflicted after the woman had died, according to court records. Officers noticed an ice chest nearby. They opened it to find a reciprocating saw that appeared to have bits of flesh and fluid on the blade surface, investigators wrote. They also found goggles, a plastic face shield and garbage bags, which police suspect could have been used by someone cutting up the body. In addition, police said they turned up equipment and ingredients to produce methamphetamine in the house, which is a block away from an elementary school. They also confiscated Dardars credit cards and ID, as well as two guns, police said. Police booked Beale with obstruction of justice in a death investigation, operation of a clandestine lab illegally manufacturing meth and illegal drug and gun possession. Top stories in New Orleans in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up Magistrate Court Commissioner Albert Thibodeaux set Beale's bail at $400,000. Beale remained in custody as of Wednesday afternoon. The discovery of the torso and Beales subsequent arrest appeared to shatter Dardars loved ones, according to Facebook posts from a user identifying herself as Dardars mother-in-law. The woman said she helped her son pick up Dardars car and other belongings from Beales house on Jan. 5, the same day Beale was interrogated. I was parked less than 50 [feet] from the bus and had no clue, the woman wrote. If anyone else is involved in this atrocious act against my family you will be caught. You hurt my grandchildren and I am hell bent that you will, too, one way or another. Word of the scene at Beales house also sent shockwaves through two local communities which Beale frequented, according to a number of acquaintances. Beale was known for attending Burning Man, the free-form art and music festival that is held in the Nevada desert. Beale would also frequent a regional analog called Engulf, which is held in Kentwood. Beale also practiced acroyoga, which combines yoga and acrobatics, according to multiple acquaintances, who asked that their names not be published. The acquaintances, who knew Beale as Kelley Kirkpatrick, said Beale had fallen out of favor with many in both communities over allegations of harassment and other misbehavior. The circumstances sent many flocking to Beales social media accounts, where they pointed out a past picture Beale posted with a filter paying tribute to the fictional television show Dexter, which is about a vigilante who kills and dismembers people he considers to be bad. Another photo showed an alligator with its innards dissected. Yet another displayed Beale holding an assault-style rifle while wearing equipment that popular culture often associates with those running meth labs: gloves, goggles and a hazardous materials suit. A Facebook post under the Kirkpatrick name suggested Beale and Dardar had met sometime before June 2021. The post showed Beale thanking Dardar for helping with an elderly neighbors move. 1,800 miles from home More recently, Dardar and Beale - using the Kirkpatrick name - each started online GoFundMe pages soliciting donations to support their return from a West Coast trip they had taken on a bus Beale inherited from a friend. Beales post lamented that the bus, which had made annual voyages to Burning Man for almost 20 years, had been vandalized and had otherwise deteriorated. Dardars post described how she had helped repair the bus, 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, she wrote 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. Dardar made it back to New Orleans after Hurricane Ida struck Aug. 29, and Beale followed later, said Tracy Pearson, who lives next door to Beale's house. That bus, which was mostly white and had a red, reptilian-like eye painted above the windshield, also was parked at Beales home on Wednesday. Pearson said Beale and Dardar often walked their small black mixed-breed dogs together in the neighborhood. Beale would also spin firesticks, play loud rave-style drum music and try to sell tooth gems. The only thing I heard was a lot of funny music, said another neighbor across the street who would not be identified. Boom, boom, boom. No real music. A third neighbor, Mike Major, recalled Beale inviting him over last weekend. Major said he told Beale he had seen Dardar in recent days, but Beale insisted, You didnt. Shes been missing. Unless you saw a ghost, bro. Major now worries Beale was keeping Dardar against her will, and trying to keep up appearances that she was missing, when in fact Beale knew where she was. Now I know [Beale] was using me as a tool, Major said. New Orleans police searched Wednesday night for four boys who escaped the Juvenile Justice Intervention Center near City Park. At least some of the escapees are believed to have been involved in a carjacking of a woman on Hamburg Street, a half mile east of the juvenile center at 1100 Milton St. The woman said she was taking groceries home when the youths raced up to her and demanded her car. She gave up the vehicle and said they drove away. The youths escaped shortly before 5 p.m. They were identified as Robert Brown, Quinton Washington, Nelson Banks and Donovan Davis. Anyone with information on their whereabouts was asked to call the 3rd Police District officers at (504) 658-6030 or call anonymously to Crimestoppers of Greater New Orleans Inc. at (504) 822-1111. A federal judge in New Orleans has again ruled that a wetlands damage lawsuit against six oil and gas companies with potentially vast consequences should be heard in state 25th Judicial District Court in Plaquemines Parish, instead of in federal court. In a 29-page ruling issued Tuesday, U.S. District Judge Martin L.C. Feldman of New Orleans said the oil companies failed to prove that the companies' development of dozens of wells in the Potash oil field being developed by the Humble Oil Co. during World War II was actually overseen by federal agents, which would have represented "federal officer jurisdiction" that would have required the cases to be heard in federal court. The ruling followed a hearing in federal court in New Orleans, where Plaquemines Parish's attorneys and attorneys representing the oil companies presented their arguments. Plaquemines Parish's Potash oil and gas field The yellow and orange shapes represent work locations described in state coastal use permits for oil and gas firms in the Potash oil and gas f "After nine years of Big Oil forum-shopping, the parishes now have the opportunity to demonstrate in state court how real and provable this damage is," said John Carmouche, lead attorney for the parishes. "The parishes will continue to fight and will not back down until our coast is restored." Once again, the governor is pleased with the judges ruling," said Shauna Sanford, communications director for Gov. John Bel Edwards. "As he has said previously, these Louisiana claims should be heard in a Louisiana court. Defendants appreciated the opportunity to present their case to the court yesterday. We were, of course, disappointed with the outcome, and we are planning a prompt appeal," said Melissa Landry, a spokesperson for the legal teams representing BP America, Chevron, ConocoPhillips, Exxon Mobil Corporation and Shell, in this and other similar wetlands damage cases. In a joint statement on the ruling, the Louisiana Mid-Continent OIl and Gas Association and Louisiana Oil & Gas Association said that even if the cases remain in state court, proving damages is likely to be difficult. In whichever court these cases proceed, they should face significant challenges," the statement said. "With these baseless claims, plaintiffs lawyers are seeking to reach back in time and impose liability on an entire industry for conducting activities that were conducted lawfully and created countless jobs and other economic benefits for communities across the state and nation." Lawsuits over Louisiana oil drilling damage subject to new round of federal court hearings Lawsuits filed in state court by Plaquemines and Cameron parishes to force oil and gas companies to clean up millions of dollars of environmen It's the third time that this lawsuit has been ordered returned to the Plaquemines court by a federal judge. But, as the attorney for the oil companies confirmed, it's likely this decision also will be appealed to the U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals, and possibly to the U.S. Supreme Court. In August, the 5th Circuit ordered Feldman to review his earlier decision returning the case to state court over the concerns raised by the oil companies about whether federal officials oversaw the drilling actions in Plaquemines. Feldman was appointed to his judgeship by President Ronald Reagan. This lawsuit is one of 42 being handled by the Carmouche team of lawyers that have been repeatedly "removed" by the oil companies to federal courts. Decisions in New Orleans and Lake Charles on the remaining lawsuits are likely to follow Feldman's lead in this case. A 43rd suit, filed on behalf or Orleans Parish, also was removed to federal court and could eventually be returned to state court. Environmental news in your inbox Stay up-to-date on the latest on Louisiana's coast and the environment. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up +2 Federal judge sends Plaquemines oil and gas damage suit back to state court A lawsuit charging six oil and gas firms with damaging wetlands and land within the Potash Oil & Gas Field in Plaquemines Parish in violat The lawsuits were originally filed in state courts in Plaquemines, Jefferson, St. Bernard, St. John the Baptist, Vermilion and Cameron parishes between 2012 and 2017. The suits were all filed by the Talbot, Carmouche and Marcello law firm of Baton Rouge on behalf of parish governments. The state and Attorney General Jeff Landry intervened in all the suits to protect the state's rights. The suits remain the primary surviving effort to force oil and gas companies to pay for damage they caused to Louisiana's rapidly eroding coast. A lawsuit filed by the Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority - East in 2013 that charged similar damage threatened area levees was thrown out, after being moved to federal court, because it involved federal regulations. The parishes narrowly wrote their lawsuits to only challenge the failure of the oil companies to comply with the State and Local Coastal Resources Management Act, a state law which went into effect in 1980. But the suits did include the companies' failure to bring well operations developed earlier into compliance with that law after 1980. The suits made clear that they were not attempting to find the companies to be in violation of any federal environmental laws. The suits charge that the companies and their predecessors built service canals, improperly disposed hazardous wastes and saltwater, and conducted other operations that caused damage to wetlands, and asks that they be ordered to either repair the damage or pay the parishes and state for the losses. After the suits were removed to federal court and returned to state courts twice, the oil companies found language in a report filed by an expert for the parishes that referred to the development of wells during World War II under the auspices of the "Petroleum Administration for War," which was responsible for assuring enough oil and gas was being produced for the nation's military efforts overseas. 'A big deal:' Jeff Landry to sign onto potential landmark settlement with oil and gas company A potentially ground-breaking settlement with a major oil and gas company to help restore Louisianas disappearing coast will take a big step The 5th Circuit directed Feldman to review whether the oil companies should thus be found to have been acting under "federal officer jurisdiction" provisions of federal law and recent higher court rulings, which would require the cases to be heard in federal court. Feldman found that the oil companies did not prove that to be so. The voluminous record in this case demonstrates that the oil industry in WWII was intensely regulated. It demonstrates that the federal government had a great interest in the success of the oil industry and a significant reliance thereupon, Feldman said in his decision. However, while defendants may have shown compliance with federal regulation, they have failed to demonstrate that their compliance entitles them to the removal provisions of this statute. Feldman drew a distinction between compliance with federal regulations and specific directives that might have been given to the companies by federal officers, finding that the Humble oil field was being handled under the regulations and not under specific officer directives. Defendants paint a picture of an intensely regulated industry that was regulated even more strictly than usual during a critical period in this nations history. Those regulations were designed to quite literally fuel the governments war effort, and certainly effected great changes in industry behavior, such as cooperation between competitors and massive increases in production, Feldman said. Some of those changes may even have otherwise been illegal. But he said the companies did not demonstrate that they were doing any more than complying with regulation. In none of the many wartime orders entered into evidence is there a direct command by a federal officer that defendants must, for example, use leaking pits rather than steel tanks in the Potash oil field, he wrote. And even though government regulations at the time limited the use of steel or required permits for its use, they are not evidence that they acted under the orders of a federal officer in creating the pits. 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. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a safety communication warning test users, caregivers, and healthcare personnel to stop using the LuSys Laboratories COVID-19 Antigen Test (Nasal/Saliva) and the LuSys Laboratories COVID-19 IgG/IgM Antibody Test. The performance of these tests has not been adequately established and FDA believes there is likely a high risk of false results when using these tests. Neither test has been authorized, cleared, or approved by FDA for distribution or use in the United States. The LuSys Laboratories COVID-19 Antigen Tests (Nasal/Saliva) and COVID-19 IgG/IgM Antibody Tests may also be sold under the company names Luscient Diagnostics or Vivera Pharmaceuticals, or with the trade name EagleDx. The FDA believes that these tests were distributed for use in laboratories or for at-home testing. 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. Bath, N.Y. Two individuals from Tioga County, Pennsylvania, were arrested Monday in New York state after officers found an illegal firearm and methamphetamine during a traffic stop. According to a release from the Steuben County Sheriffs Office, officers pulled over Brandon L. Tuttle, 37, in Bath, N.Y., and found he possessed a pistol and suspected methamphetamine. Karley R. Knickerbocker, 19, allegedly attempted to conceal or destroy physical evidence and possessed a controlled substance during the traffic stop. Tuttle was charged with felonies of criminal possession of a controlled substance, criminal possession of a weapon, and a charge of obstructed license plate. Tuttle was arraigned in the Centralized Arraignment Court and released, according to the release. Knickerbocker was charged with a felony of tampering with physical evidence and possession of a controlled substance. She was released on an appearance ticket to return to the village of Bath court at a later date, according to the release. 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. Pine Creek Township, Pa. Pine Creek Township Police are offering a cash reward for information leading to the arrest of a woman accused of stealing a purse. Authorities investigated a complaint on Nov. 18 when the purse went missing from a vehicle in Clinton County. The victim told police she witnessed a dark SUV leaving the area moments after realizing her purse was gone. During the investigation, authorities learned that the unidentified woman was observed trying to cash checks in the victims name on Dec. 8 in Muncy. She was also observed at the Lock Haven and Williamsport Horizon Credit Unions as she attempted to cash checks. The woman was observed driving a gray Chrysler Pacifica with PA registration KVB-2212. The registration came back to a dead tag out of Richland. Anyone who recognizes the woman pictured above is being asked to call Sgt. Dennis Gill at 570-753-5672 or email him at dgill@pinecreekpd.org. You can also contact Pennsylvania Crime Stoppers Toll Free at 1-800-4PA-TIPS (8477). 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. Lock Haven -- Joyce E. Dugan died on Wednesday, January 12, 2022 after several months of declining health. Born January 2, 1929 in Blanchard, she was one of 7 children to the late Charles and Hazel Walker Fisher. She was preceded in death by her husband, Harold Dugan, whom she married on June 22, 1985. They celebrated 32 years of marriage before his passing. Joyce was employed for 15 years by Bobbie Brooks, Lock Haven, 7 years at Armstrong in Beech Creek, 3 years for Snowiss Fur, Lock Haven. She had been a Hospice Volunteer for Crossing Hospice. Mom will be remembered for her homemade Easter Eggs she made for each family member and most of all her Sunday family get togethers. She also enjoyed the yearly Fisher family reunion at Woolrich Park. In her younger years she enjoyed square dancing, bowling, and ceramics. She and Harold enjoyed traveling, camping, hunting and auctions. Survivors include two sons: Richard Eggler Jr. (Peg) of Port Matilda, Tim Eggler (Vicki) of Lock Haven, Judy Eggler (Charlie Walizer) of Rote and Connie Carey (Bob) of Lock Haven, One Brother; James Fisher of Mill Hall and two sisters; Clara Gingery of Lock Haven, Sue Walizer of Erie. Two Stepsons: Harry (Mitch) Dugan of Wisconsin, and Lloyd (Kim) Dugan of Woolrich. Two Stepdaughters; Georgette (Floyd) Rupert of Beech Creek, Nancy (Ron) Young, of Lock Haven. Together Joyce and Harold have 20 grandchildren, 43 Great grandchildren, and 6 great great grandchildren. She will be remembered as Gram, Grammy Joyce, Grammy Grey, and GG. In addition to her husband, Joyce was proceeded in death by a son; Gary Eggler in 1985, two brothers; Bud Fisher, George Fisher and one sister; Bernice Hill. Funeral Services for Joyce E. Dugan will be held Saturday, January 15, 2022 at 10:30 a.m. in the Yost-Gedon Funeral Home & Cremation Services, LLC, 121 W. Main Street, Lock Haven, PA 17745. Family and Friends will be received in the funeral home one hour prior to the services. (Masks are Required) Officiating will be Pastor P. Franklin Hartzel. Interment will be in the Rest Haven Memorial Park, Lock Haven. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made in Joyces name to the Rote United Methodist Church, 102 Beagle Road, Mill Hall, Pa 17751 Online thoughts and memories can be made at www.yost-gedonfuneralhome.com and the Yost-Gedon Funeral Home Facebook page. 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. Napoleon, OH (43545) Today Heavy rain to start, then showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. High 69F. Winds SSE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 90%.. Tonight Thunderstorms this evening followed by occasional showers overnight. Low 48F. Winds NNW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 100%. DOE Launches AlgaePrize for Student InnovatorsCompetition Will Culminate at NREL in Spring 2023 Jan. 13, 2022 A new competition from the U.S. Department of Energys (DOEs) Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) encourages students to imagine and develop innovative technology solutions using algae as a potent and flexible energy resource. AlgaePrize student teams can target their research on organisms including eukaryotic microalgae, eukaryotic macroalgae, and prokaryotic cyanobacteria. Photo by Dennis Schroeder, NREL The 20222023 AlgaePrize, supported by the Algae Foundation and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), opened for registration today and will award $20,000 to the competitions grand champion. AlgaePrize teams can include a mix of high school, undergraduate, and graduate students from any U.S.-based educational institution. Products made from fast-growing algae have the power to simultaneously put fuels in our vehicles and airplanes, capture and store carbon dioxide, feed animals and humans, and create jobs for millions of Americans in both rural and urban areas. Based on existing land, water, and carbon dioxide availability, the United States could supply enough algae biomass to produce up to 15 billion gallons of sustainable aviation fuels every year, according to a 2018 DOE analysis. On an energy-equivalent basis, that is about half of the anticipated aviation fuels needed. Expanding the algae bioeconomy calls for the next generation of science innovators to bring their ideas. The AlgaePrize challenges students to develop concepts for commercial-scale algae cultivation and products. Teams will focus on three research areas of interest: production, downstream processing, and novel products or analytical tools. By focusing a competition around innovations in algae systems, engineering, and processing, the AlgaePrize competing teams will make great strides in moving the needle on critical challenges facing the algae industry and ultimately be in a position to contribute to the sustainable deployment of algae technologies in a carbon-efficient and hopefully carbon-negative future, said Lieve Laurens, a senior researcher and lead of NRELs algae platform. The NREL team of researchers are excited about this initiative and will support the AlgaePrize over the duration of this competition. AlgaePrize finalist teams will be invited to present their projects to a panel of judges at the AlgaePrize Weekend, to be held at NREL in Golden, Colorado, in the spring of 2023. The event will provide a rich experience for on-site participants to engage in networking opportunities and attend other team and professional presentations. The winning teams are offered an opportunity to share their technology advancement as part of the Algae Biomass Summit in the fall of 2023. Cindy Gerk, the NREL-based coordinator of the competition, is excited about bringing the competition to a final close at NREL. We look forward to hosting the final judging of the competition here and announcing the winners during an awards weekend at NREL, Gerk said. Teams will present their research to a panel of expert judges, engage with industry mentors, meet other teams, and learn about their research. The AlgaePrize competition will take place over 18 months, starting early in 2022 and ending in the spring of 2023. Learn how to participate in the AlgaePrize, or visit DOEs AlgaePrize website for more information, including media resources. Letter to the Editor: It was a protest, not a coup On Thursday, Peter Guite of Frederick County did his regular weekly grocery shopping at the Martins in the Stonewall Plaza Shopping Center on North Frederick Pike and said he purchased a few additional items to weather the snowstorm forecast to begin Sunday. Indiana is solidifying its reputation and record as a red state. On Wednesday, the Indiana Department of Health designated 81 of the state's 92 counties, including all of Northwest Indiana, at its highest-possible "red" classification, signaling uncontrolled spread of COVID-19 in each of those counties. Data show the 11 remaining "orange" counties all are on the verge of turning red next week when the state health agency again updates its color-coded county coronavirus classifications. Two factors trigger the red designation: 200 or more weekly COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents and a seven-day COVID-19 testing positivity rate of 15% or greater. According to the Indiana Department of Health, Lake County currently has 1,315 weekly COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents and a 34.91% seven-day testing positivity rate the highest positivity rate of any county in the state. Porter County recorded 1,305 weekly COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents and 30.09% testing positivity rate. LaPorte County is at 1,538 cases and a positivity rate of 30.47%, records show. Statewide, a total of 15,091 Hoosiers tested positive for COVID-19 on Tuesday, not including the results of at-home COVID-19 tests, according to the Indiana Department of Health. It was the eighth straight day new, confirmed COVID-19 cases topped 10,000 statewide. Indiana also set a new record for COVID-19 hospitalizations Tuesday with 3,488 Hoosiers hospitalized because of COVID-19. The previous daily hospitalization record of 3,467 COVID-19 patients was set Monday, data show. Across the state, just 8.9% of the 2,041 total intensive care unit hospital beds remain available. That translates to 19 empty ICU beds at Northwest Indiana hospitals, according to the Indiana Department of Health. Altogether, COVID-19 has now killed 20,035 Hoosiers when both confirmed COVID-19 deaths (19,319) and probable COVID-19 deaths (716) are added together. State and local health officials are continuing to recommend Hoosiers age 5 and older get vaccinated against COVID-19 as soon as possible to minimize their risk of contracting, getting seriously ill, or dying because of the virus. 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. Concerned about COVID-19? Sign up now to get the most recent coronavirus headlines and other important local and national news sent to your email inbox daily. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. A significant tax cut for Indiana businesses, with some benefits for Hoosier workers, has cleared its first hurdle at the Statehouse but the plan still must overcome several additional obstacles before becoming law. The Republican-led House Ways and Means Committee voted 15-7 Wednesday to advance House Bill 1002 to the full chamber. It would reduce the property taxes Indiana companies pay on manufacturing and other business equipment, exempt more production inputs from the 7% state sales tax, and eliminate the utility receipts tax paid by both businesses and consumers on their electric bills. State Rep. Tim Brown, R-Crawfordsville, the committee chairman and sponsor of the proposal, said the state's record $5.1 billion budget reserve all but requires the General Assembly reduce these taxes to return money to the entities that generated it, as well as to encourage Indiana businesses to invest in new equipment and other tools that will keep companies profitable and employing Hoosiers. A who's who of Indiana business lobbyists addressed the committee Wednesday nearly united in praise for the proposal, including representatives from the Indiana Manufacturers Association, Indiana Chamber of Commerce, and the Indiana Energy Association, among others. At the same time, advocates for Indiana cities, towns and counties, which rely on business personal property tax revenue to provide citizen services, remain wary of getting shortchanged by the legislation, particularly its untested proposal for the state to reimburse companies for the property taxes they pay on their business equipment to local governments. The governor's office also said it's not fully on board with the entire tax cut package and would prefer to wait until the Legislature's budget session next year before significantly adjusting tax rates. Though Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb does support eliminating the 30% minimum valuation on equipment subject to the business personal property tax, according to Justin McAdam, deputy director of the Indiana Office of Management and Budget. The nonpartisan Legislative Services Agency estimates the legislation, when fully implemented, will reduce state revenue by approximately $1.2 billion a year, with about two-thirds of the tax benefits going to businesses. The initial cost of the tax cuts will be covered by rescinding a provision of the 2022-23 state budget that would have deposited $2.3 billion in excess budget reserves in a teacher pension account and instead keep that money in the state's general fund. Records show Indiana already is due to deposit $545.5 million in the Teachers Retirement Fund, on top of the state's statutorily required contribution, as part of the automatic taxpayer refund triggered by excess state reserves at the June 30 end of the 2021 budget year. Under Indiana law, another $545.5 million will be returned to Hoosiers as a one-time payment of $125 per person that's scheduled to be distributed in late April or early May. House Bill 1002 would return additional funds to Hoosiers in future years by gradually reducing the state's personal income tax rate to 3% in 2026 from the current 3.23%. Under the plan, the rate would drop to 3.15% in 2023, 3.10% in 2024, 3.05% in 2025, and ultimately to 3%. That means a Hoosier earning $50,000 a year would see their current, unadjusted annual state income tax burden of $1,615 drop to $1,575 in 2023, $1,550 in 2024, $1,525 in 2025, and $1,500 in 2026. Committee Democrats proposed additional reductions to the state sales tax on gasoline, income taxes paid by property renters, and the wholesale elimination of sales taxes on children's diapers and feminine hygiene products. All were defeated on party-line votes. The legislation next will be eligible for amendment by the full House Monday, followed by a vote as soon as Tuesday on whether to forward the proposal to the Republican-controlled Senate for further consideration. But Senate leaders, similar to the governor, have indicated they're inclined to postpone any significant state financial actions until the Legislature's 2023 budget session to ensure the state's strong finances are not just a mirage projected by the federal government's unprecedented COVID-19 aid to states and individuals. "Even amid this positive economic picture, we have the obligation to continue making sustainable spending decisions as we plan for Indiana's future, and I believe those types of discussions will be most appropriate in the context of the next state budget," state Sen. Ryan Mishler, R-Bremen, chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, said in December. Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 1 Angry 9 The business news you need Get the latest local business news delivered FREE to your inbox weekly. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Fort Polk, LA (71446) Today Mostly cloudy this morning. Scattered thunderstorms developing this afternoon. High around 85F. Winds S at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 40%.. Tonight A few clouds. Low around 70F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph. GARY The Gary/Chicago International Airport Authority appointed Daniel Vicari the airport's executive director Wednesday, his second stint in the airport's top position, but the first time he'll be doing that exclusively. Vicari, a civil engineer, began working with the airport as manager of its runway expansion project in 2013, served as its executive director from 2015 to 2018 and had worked as a consultant since then, all the while serving as executive director of the Gary Sanitary District. He is resigning the latter position. "We have a lot of opportunity for growth," Vicari said. "To do it right I need to be here full time." Vicari replaces Duane Hayden as executive director. Hayden served in the role from 2018 to the end of last year, when his yearly contract expired and the Airport Authority did not pursue a renewal. Vice Chairman Trent McCain said he was excited to welcome Vicari back to the executive director position. "I know that he'll take the airport in a new direction. Only upward from here," McCain said. McCain, who also serves as Gary Mayor Jerome Prince's deputy mayor, is one of four members of the seven-member Airport Authority board appointed by Prince last fall. Each of those four in addition to McCain, Millicent Macon, Gerald Anderson and William Cook voted in favor of Vicari's appointment. Phil Mullins, appointed by Lake County, abstained. Seats reserved for appointees of Porter County and of the governor are vacant after the expiration of those members' terms at the end of 2021. The board also voted Wednesday to change the airport's attorney, ending its long-time engagement of the firm of Tolbert & Tolbert and entering an agreement with Gary attorney Darnail Lyles. McCain expressed appreciation to both Hayden, who was not in attendance, and attorney Michael Tolbert, whom he said represented the airport "with distinction." Vicari said anticipated projects like extension of the airport's shorter, "crosswind" runway and the addition of ramp space are among projects he'll be working on that officials believe will help boost business at the airport. This is an exciting time for the airport as it continues to expand its amenities and improve its offerings to our customers and tenants alike, and I look forward to the airport continuing to play a critical role as an economic engine for the region, Vicari said in the airport's announcement of his appointment. GCIA possesses a number of advantages that will benefit the City of Gary, Northwest Indiana and the Chicago metropolitan area in the coming years, and I look forward to hitting the ground running as we continue to improve the airports offerings. Other actions by the board at Wednesday's meeting included reversion of its landing and fuel fees to 2020 levels. Each fee was increased at the beginning of 2021, but Vicari said a combination of the pandemic's impact and a desire to incentivize customers and tenants to expand their investment in the airport led to a decision to reduce the fees. Landing fees will return to $2 per 1,000 pounds, and fuel to 15 cents per gallon, after having spent the last year at $2.50 and 25 cents, respectively. Also Wednesday, Assistant Manager Kenneth Cast reported to the board that the airport saw a 6.5% increase in take-offs and landings in December 2021 as compared to December 2020, with 1,696 operations during the month, and that for the year, operations grew 12.4% as compared to 2020, to 21,821. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 The business news you need Get the latest local business news delivered FREE to your inbox weekly. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. GARY The Common Council held an emergency meeting Wednesday night concerning House Bill 1187, which would continue state control of Gary Community School Corp. and end collective bargaining rights for teachers. Under the new bill, a state-appointed, seven-member board would be advisory, with governing responsibility still with the Distressed Unit Appeal Board (DUAB). Secretary of Education Katie Jenner would name all seven board members. The council would recommend three candidates, and one member would be chosen, and the mayor would also recommend three with one chosen. Three board members do not have to live in Gary. The bill was written by state Rep. Tim Brown, R-Crawfordsville. He also was a lawmaker when the district was originally taken over in 2017 and in 2018. No hearing date has been set in the House Ways and Means Committee. The committee must advance the bill by Jan. 25 or else it is unlikely to become a law outside of extraordinary measures. Common Council Vice President Tai Adkins at the meeting introduced the bill and provided a summary of all previous legislation concerning the Gary Community School Corp. Adkins said the elimination of collective bargaining rights was particularly concerning. What type of impact would you have on being able to recruit and retain quality teachers in this community with no union? Adkins asked during the meeting. GlenEva Dunham, president of the Gary Teacher Union, said it would decimate the local teacher population. She said teachers are often advocates during bargaining for not only teachers but also students, leading to district-wide concerns being addressed. She said that there is a nationwide shortage of teachers and that bills like this contribute to the issue. Indiana is not a good state for teachers, Dunham said. State Rep. Ragen Hatcher, D-Gary, said during the Common Council meeting that the legislation was surprising. The people who try to dictate what Gary needs to do do not have an understanding of how Gary runs or what Gary is, Hatcher said. Hatcher said a bill needs to be created to transition Gary fully back to local control. She said that even if the bill does not go forward, Gary will remain under state control due to previous legislation. (Rep. Brown) is trying to cripple the city; he is just starting with the school system, Councilman Clorius Lay said during the meeting. He said he understands the need to renegotiate the bill, but he feels that Browns actions are intentional. Karen Freeman-Wilson, former Indiana attorney general and former Gary mayor, said she will continue to lend her voice in campaigning against this bill. Several other council members expressed their support for Gary in opposing this bill, including Councilmen Ron Brewer and Michael Brown and President William Godwin. Adkins said that the council is working on a resolution regarding the state takeover that will be presented at the next Common Council meeting Jan. 18. The council encouraged community members to mobilize against this bill and the state control. The Gary Legislative Delegation met with Rep. Brown on Tuesday night to discuss concerns regarding the legislation. The delegation is composed of Senators Eddie Melton and Lonnie Randolph, as well as Representatives Vernon Smith, Earl Harris Jr. and Ragen Hatcher. The delegation released a statement following the meeting, which said that Brown promised not to hear the bill this week and that suggestions regarding the bill will be taken into consideration. While were happy that this bill is not advancing at the moment, we must continue advocating against HB 1187 so it is clear that this is not a bill that the Gary community wants, the delegations statement reads. The statement continues to highlight that the delegation wants local control of the Gary Community School Corp. and a school board determined by the people of Gary. The delegation also stands against the bills language that restricts teachers unions. Our residents do not want lawmakers that dont live in our community coming in and stripping away their local control and targeting our teachers and school boards, the statement said. Hatcher said that the delegation will meet with Brown again on Tuesday, as well as DUAB. Brown said the bill is beginning the transition into lessening state control of Gary, as they have seen positive changes in the district in terms of enrollment. Smith said he was shocked when he heard about the bill. He said he was in discussions with DUAB to transition control of the Gary Community School Corp. back to local authorities. Smith said the bill may lead the local community to become less engaged in what happens to the schools, as it continues to limit their involvement in decisions. We will end up with a dictatorship, Smith said. Browns bill comes after the Gary Community School Corp. saw its deficit reduction program on the verge of success in October. The school corporation recorded an annual deficit of $1.7 million, with $73.5 million of debt total as of Dec. 31, 2020. That debt is down from $104 million in June 2017, and costs of operating Gary schools were expected to be fully covered by ongoing revenues in the near future. Melton, an advisory DUAB member, said during the October DUAB meeting that it is time for the General Assembly to unwind the state control, as the primary goal of eliminating the deficit has been completed. In addition, Gary Community School Corp. regained local control of its special education services in September after nearly a decade of oversight from the Indiana Department of Education. The district saw higher enrollment in the 2020-21 academic year, bringing the total number of students to 4,445 as of February 2021. For the 10 years prior to state control, GCSC lost 699 students a year, on average. However, Indiana Department of Educations fall 2020-21 transfer report shows that 6,990 students in Gary attended a school outside of GCSC that year. Of the 11,370 students who live in the district boundaries, 61% are at either a charter school or separate private school. Gary Community School Corp. was originally taken over in 2017 following severe financial issues in the district. This was an unprecedented effort from the state to help save the schools. Senate Bill 567 designated Gary as a distressed political subdivision, allowing DUAB to govern the schools. The district became led by an emergency manager. Currently Paige McNulty leads the district. It will no longer be considered a distressed political subdivision if the Gary Community School Corp. maintains financial solvency for a period of at least two years. It also must have a fiscal plan to maintain financial solvency for the next five years, meet all other conditions defined by the board and have the board determine that it is financially stable. A hearing is being held for an additional bill in the House Ways and Means committee on Thursday. Bill 1072 indicates that school corporations must distribute a portion of revenue from referendums to charter schools in the same area. This bill would have the largest impact on Gary and Indianapolis, cities that contain the largest populations of charter school students in the state. Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 GARY The mother of a slain 6-year-old has had her bail set at $5 million, Illinois courts said. On Wednesday the Lake County (Illinois) state's attorney's office announced Jannie Perry, 38, of North Chicago, appeared in bond court after being in an Illinois hospital with complaints of illness. A $5 million arrest warrant was initially issued for Perry while she was in the hospital, and Assistant State's Attorney Lindsay Hicks requested that her bail remain at the same amount, to which Lake County (Illinois) Judge Raymond Collins agreed. Her son who was also accused in the 6-year-old's death. 20-year-old Jeremiah Perry, is being held on a $3 million bond, which was set at a hearing Sunday. Jannie and Jeremiah Perry remain in the custody of police. Our victim advocates, prosecutors and detectives continue to support the family in this case while awaiting the official autopsy results from Lake County, Indiana," State's Attorney Eric Reinhart said Wednesday. "We believe that the court made the right decision with respect to this defendants bond and custody status." Jannie Perry told the judge that while she will eventually hire a private attorney, she is seeking representation by the Lake County (Illinois) Defender's Office. Jannie Perry will have her preliminary hearing date at 1:30 p.m. Feb. 8. Investigations have revealed that the 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, said Lake County coroner David Pastrick said. Damari Perry's body was naked and partially charred, 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, according to the Lake County coroner's office. 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, faces charges of aggravated battery causing great bodily harm to a child under 12, concealing a homicidal death and obstruction of justice. 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. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 1 Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. HAMMOND A federal judge sentenced an East Chicago man to prison Wednesday for a firearms violation. U.S. District Court Senior Judge James T. Moody imposed a 57-month prison term on 37-year-old Michael Hernandez. Hernandez pleaded guilty July 28, 2021, to being a felon in possession of a firearm. An East Chicago police officer arrested him nine months ago in an undisclosed neighborhood of the city where he was seen littering and then began acting suspiciously when confronted. The officer found Hernandez in possession of a Taurus Millennium PT 111 Pro 9mm pistol containing 11 live rounds. The gun had been reported stolen out of Ohio. Officers later searched Hernandez's residence and found a Norinco SKS rifle, containing 35 live rounds, inside. It was illegal for Hernandez to have any firearms because of his criminal record, which began at age 11 and included 15 arrests and convictions for criminal trespassing, theft, assault, drug possession and assault with a deadly weapon. Hernandez told the court he was raised in a crime- and gang-ridden area of East Chicago and slept many nights on the floor to stay clear of stray bullets. He is medicated for health issues and smokes marijuana to reduce his anxiety. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. MICHIGAN CITY A wild turkey is no longer posing a traffic hazard at a busy Michigan City intersection. The problem with the nuisance turkey was taken care of Thursday by conservation officers with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources. James Brindle, director of communications for DNR out of Indianapolis, said the officers happened to spot the turkey before 9 a.m. in the middle of Michigan Boulevard and Johnson Road. Brindle said the officers ventured out into the intersection, where the bird has been coming and going for the past month or so. He said the adult-sized bird followed the officers to just off the side of the road where it was euthanized. Brindle said he did not have more specifics on how that was handled. The decision to euthanize was made last week when the turkey was declared a threat to public safety, said Steve Backs, Wildlife Turkey Biologist for DNR out of downstate Mitchell. According to police, some motorists about a week before Christmas began complaining about the turkey. They said they had to come to a complete stop to avoid hitting the bird. Some drivers concerned more about the safety of the bird ventured on foot into the intersection to try and shoo it back into the surrounding woods. There were also complaints of the turkey attacking vehicles and making some people feel threatened, police said. In most cases, Backs said DNR chooses to euthanize turkeys and other wildlife posing a risk to humans especially when the source of the problem is minimal. What were more concerned about is somebody getting hit by a single bird in the roadway, he said. He said the turkey, if relocated, likely would have become a nuisance or safety risk elsewhere. Love 0 Funny 1 Wow 0 Sad 1 Angry 1 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. MERRILLVILLE Lake Countys largest association of attorneys has named its first Latino president. The 1,000-strong members of the Lake County Bar Association installed Alfredo Estrada as its 2022 executive. He said he hopes the bar will help attorneys around the county navigate their law practices amidst the pandemic and other challenges in the coming year. We will provide counseling this month on how to retain female attorneys who have to balance their time between their careers and children," he said. He said the bar will celebrate Black History Month in February as well as provide advice to the growing number of Latino members. Estrada is a lifelong resident of Northwest Indiana who said his first work experience was as a steelworker. He earned a bachelors degree in political science at Purdue University Northwest, where he said lecturer Valentino Martinez inspired him to seek a career in jurisprudence. Estrada received a full-tuition scholarship at Valparaiso University Law School, where he graduated magna cum laude in 2015. He was admitted to the practice of law in Indiana the same year. He is a partner at Burke Costanza & Carberry, where he practices civil litigation and immigration law in federal and state courts. He is legal counsel for Lake County officials as well as several municipal boards in Schererville, Valparaiso and Bass Lake. Estrada said the law profession has had to adjust during the COVID-19 pandemic to practicing through video and teleconferencing links when the courts were closed to in-person participation. He said he was proud to take part in an unprecedented en banc meeting of Lake Superior Court judges last year to hear a constitutional dispute between the East Chicago mayor and City Council members over labor relations issues with their firefighters. Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Two local first responders have been sent to New York City to aid in the pandemic response as COVID-19 cases increase exponentially in densely populated areas. InHealth's emergency medical technician Alexander Neff and paramedic Jessica Carey left for New York City on Friday and will spend 30 days out east before returning home to Northwest Indiana. Jeff Zielinski, inHealth chief operations officer, said New York City, like much of the U.S., is experiencing a major increase in COVID-19 cases, deaths and hospitalizations that are exacerbated by the city's dense population. "Looking at New York City, this could be Indiana a month from now," Zielinski said. "We still need to offer that mutual aid to our fellow first responders and those in the medical field, as well as patients who need help." InHealth is an emergency medical services company with locations in Highland, Valparaiso, LaPorte and South Bend. It has a mutual aid agreement with the Federal Emergency Management Agency to assist with disasters around the country. Since the company began in 2017, it has sent members to aid in Hurricane Irma, Hurricane Florence, Hurricane Michael and Hurricane Dorian. A crew also was sent to New York City to help in COVID-19 outbreak efforts in 2020. "Basically, this is a natural disaster," said Ron Donahue, co-owner of inHealth. "And everyone is interdependent on everyone and everything. We must help the whole nation if we are to work to find a solution. We want to do our part. We are struggling here, but it is even more of a struggle over there." Donahue said Neff and Carey drove to New York City in a fully equipped ambulance. They are currently working with local first responders to help care for and transport patients as hospitals overspill with sick individuals. FEMA put out a call to all health care providers to send what they can to help those in New York. "Hospitals are at capacity in New York City," Zielinski said. "We need to help the hospitals decompress. They are overloaded with patients right now. To be able to get care, we may need to transport them 100 to 180 miles away." Concerned about COVID-19? Sign up now to get the most recent coronavirus headlines and other important local and national news sent to your email inbox daily. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. 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 in which 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 4 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 6 months, CT and MRI scans helped diagnose Kayden with an abnormally small pituitary gland and undescended testicles. He also was 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 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 said. 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 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, 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: gofundme.com/f/kayden-jongsmas-fight-with-wss. Lauren Cross is a former Times reporter and the editor of The Southern Illinoisan in Carbondale. She can be reached at 219-314-8244. Lauren Cross is a former Times reporter and the editor of The Southern Illinoisan in Carbondale. She can be reached at 219-314-8244. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 1 Angry 0 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. What unites them all is the belief that play itself is therapeutic. The toys, musical instruments or art supplies arent used to keep children busy or distracted while they talk through problems. Instead, play gives them an opportunity to work out the trauma in their bodies, said Paris Goodyear-Brown, a play therapist and co-founder of a treatment center in Franklin, Tenn., called Nurture House. Play provides a sense of competency for children. Play therapy has been around since the 1940s. Some researchers trace its origins to Anna Freud and Dorothy Burlingham, psychologists who worked with British child refugees during and after World War II. In the United States, Virginia Axline, a psychologist, developed the child-centered approach and popularized it through her 1964 book Dibs In Search of Self, about the progress made by a reclusive child with whom she worked. Recently, driven in part by a groundswell of public interest in trauma and trauma-informed care, academics and practitioners have been focusing play therapys potential for kids with Adverse Childhood Experiences, or ACEs. These children have been neglected, abused or exposed to violent conflict at home. Theyve often also experienced community-level ACEs, such as enduring poverty or racism, or witnessed violence in their neighborhoods. The effects can be long lasting. People with ACEs are at increased risk of anxiety, depression, substance abuse, and chronic physical health conditions such as diabetes and cancer later in life. Play therapy can reach children who have experienced ongoing stressors or multiple traumatic events in a way that talk therapy cant, said Goodyear-Brown. Theres so much wisdom inside little people, and they just dont have all the ways of showing and telling that adults do. What many of these children have experienced is unspeakable, she said in her 2018 TEDx talk, so leading with words isnt the way to reach them. Because some childrens traumatic experiences began before language developed, encouraging a verbal account of whats happened might not elicit much. As a shocked nation reacted to the storming of the United States Capitol on Wednesday by a pro-Trump mob trying to disrupt the certification of the presidential election, one word describing the chaos quickly rose to the top. It borders on sedition, President-elect Joseph R. Biden Jr. said in his remarks to the nation. This is sedition, the National Association of Manufacturers said in a statement that accused President Trump of having incited violence in an attempt to retain power. And within the first hour of the attack, Merriam-Webster reported that sedition was at the top of its searches, ahead of coup detat, insurrection and putsch. Sedition Merriam-Webster defines it as incitement of resistance to or insurrection against lawful authority is a word that echoes across American history, archaic yet familiar. Historically, charges of sedition have just as often been used to quash dissent (the Sedition Act of 1918, for example, made it illegal to willfully utter, print, write, or publish any disloyal, profane, scurrilous, or abusive language about the form of the Government of the United States) as they have to punish actual threats to government stability or functioning. Massachusetts is preparing to introduce a mask mandate for the states public schools as early as Wednesday, in a reversal for Gov. Charlie Baker, who has vocally advocated for local control of school masking policy. Mr. Baker, a Republican in a deeply Democratic state, had come under pressure to make masks mandatory in schools, and a poll released last week suggested that 81 percent of Massachusetts voters support the idea. The state education board on Tuesday voted 9 to 1 to give the education commissioner, Jeffrey Riley, the power to issue a mandate. Mr. Riley is expected to issue the mandate this week, establishing uniform requirements ahead of school openings. Massachusetts has not joined the list of states including New Jersey, Oregon and Washington that require teachers to get the vaccine. According to a New York Times data tracker, 75 percent of Massachusettss population has received at least one dose, a higher rate than any state except Vermont. Whats the virus conversation like now? Some scientists are saying that this is the new phase of the pandemic, where the public should learn to live with the coronavirus, as it has with the flu or even tuberculosis. Some even believe its time to scrap all forms of regulations, such as limits to public gatherings. Health officials are far more cautious, though. Well know by next week, when government officials meet to discuss whether to renew the national state of disaster designation. The disadvantage of this more relaxed stance, however, is that vaccine uptake has slowed. Whats a recent Omicron lesson from South Africa? As hospitalizations spike in the U.S. and Europe, we should be reminded of the caveats issued by scientists who observed Omicrons lower severity in South Africa. In South Africa, around 45 percent of the adult population has been vaccinated. But a recent study suggested that part of the reason the Omicron wave was less severe was due to South Africas existing immunity meaning that a large portion of the population had already been infected by the coronavirus, particularly in high-density areas. While populations in other countries have also had high existing immunity, what happened in South Africa may not be cleanly replicated in other countries. How do people feel now? Covid regulations are at their least restrictive since the start of the pandemic, so theres a really relaxed sense across the country. Beaches are filling up, people are going out to restaurants and nightclubs and of course, its summer here. Theres still some frustration with the remaining restrictions for example, the limits of gatherings and funerals but this is the closest the country has been to prepandemic South Africa. Health ministry officials are very resistant to letting go of remaining restrictions and they may be with us for a long while, or may become if youll forgive that hackneyed pandemic-era phrase the new normal. The Timess Stephanie Nolen, who covered the height of the AIDS epidemic in southern Africa 15 years ago, found lessons in the remarkable progress against that virus for our current fight. Health workers: How are you coping? 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. THURSDAY PUZZLE If there is a single sin that rises head and shoulders above the others that can be committed against puzzle solvers, it would have to be giving away an answer before people are ready to receive it. I say this because, based on my mail and the comment sections of these columns (*cough* Spelling Bee forum *cough*), spoiling an answer begets a range of effects on solvers, from mild annoyance to feeling as if their entire day has been ruined. That is not hyperbole, by the way. You know who you are. Now imagine making an entire puzzle that risks eliciting those reactions. Karen Lurie, a new constructor, made the brave and fabulous choice to construct such a crossword. My best advice to those who hate spoilers is to avert your eyes. Tricky Clues 5A. You would not be blamed at all for reflexively thinking cats in response to Alternative to dogs, but our feline companions come up one letter short in this five-letter slot. The solution is to think about lunch, and the answer is BRATS (as opposed to hot dogs). Another politically charged work in the program is The Killing Floor, directed by the actor Bill Duke. It was originally televised as part of the PBS series American Playhouse in 1984 but was later featured in the Critics Week program at Cannes (under the title of The Color of Blood) and what is now the Sundance Film Festival. Its appearance at MoMA as a newly preserved work warrants an asterisk: The restoration was shown last year in virtual cinemas, and its currently on the Criterion Channel. Still, the righteous anger of Dukes film could only pack that much more of wallop in a theater. Damien Leake stars as a Mississippi man who moves to Chicago during World War I and takes a job working for a meatpacking company. He becomes convinced of the benefits of joining the union, which needs more support from Black workers like him. But becoming a union member makes him a target from all sides. In this period before the National Labor Relations Act, his supervisor (Dennis Farina) can fire workers for union involvement. Another worker (Moses Gunn) takes a staunch anti-union stance, convinced that the union will never have the interests of Black workers at heart. And when Chicago erupts in racial violence in 1919, the racism of some union members comes to the surface. The Killing Floor is an exceptionally cleareyed film about the hard work of organizing. To Save and Project is also showing two rare early works from the 1970s by celebrated African directors. In The Young Girl, also known as Den Muso, the first full-length feature from the Malian filmmaker Souleymane Cisse, a factory worker who sees no possibility of advancement quits his job, then in events that the film ambiguously does not connect to his departure rapes a daughter of the factory owner. But she is mute from childhood meningitis and cant vocalize her protests against the cruel fate demanded by her father, who believes shes brought shame upon the family. (According to MoMA, the film was censored and led to Cisses brief imprisonment on trumped-up charges.) Its screening with Suzanne Suzanne, a documentary short from 1982 by James V. Hatch and Camille Billops about a mother and daughter still scarred by beatings from their paterfamilias. On a much lighter note, Badou Boy is one of the latest titles to be restored as part of the World Cinema Project from Martin Scorseses Film Foundation. At an hour, its either the feature debut or a very long short from Djibril Diop Mambety (Touki Bouki). No matter what you call it, this is a slapstick chase film in which a hapless officer continually fails in his efforts to catch the bad boy of the title, a teenage delinquent who makes mischief across town. He urinates by a urinating strictly forbidden notice, raises hell in a horse-drawn cart in an impromptu spaghetti-western parody and lies to another boy to take over his job at a bus for the day. But that only describes the plot of this formally playful, extremely Godardian film, which opens with footage that shows its own making. Driven by a funkadelic score, it waggishly nods to the postcolonial politics of Senegal and France, as when a news broadcast announces that Senegalese troops have invaded the French Riviera after a walkout at the two nations conference for the creation of an African species of luxury dogs. To Save and Project runs Jan. 13-Feb. 6 at the Museum of Modern Art. For more details, go to moma.org. TIANJIN, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- Bah Alieu, a Gambian student at north China's Tianjin University, just spent a sleepless winter night, queueing up with 15,000 other students in the schoolyard for the second mass nucleic acid testing on Tuesday. Two infections were first reported on Dec. 8 in the city's Jinnan District, where Alieu resides. Gene sequencing soon confirmed that they were caused by the highly-infectious VOC/Omicron variant. As of 2 p.m. Wednesday, a total of 137 people had been infected with COVID-19 in Tianjin, a municipality of 13.86 million people that neighbors Beijing, with all the cases attributable to the Omicron variant. Alieu said he was impressed by the swift response of the local government in organizing such a large-scale mass nucleic acid testing. "I believe if we tackled problems with such an attitude, the world will be a better place... This is about us, it is about humanity. Stay strong Tianjin, stay strong China," said Alieu. The Jinnan campus of Nankai University began imposing closed-off management at 4 p.m. on Dec. 8, and by 1 a.m. the next day, the first round of testing for all staff members had been completed. Minasyan Anush, an Armenian student from Nankai University, has remained in close contact with staffers and community workers despite living off-campus. "I can see how hard the government and people are fighting against it (the epidemic). Nucleic acid testing centers are open 24 hours a day, the shops are not completely closed, people's basic needs can be met, as you can still find vegetables, fruits, meat, rice, noodles in the shops," she said, adding that Tianjin has everything prepared for its people. "Now the whole city is under control, and this is what makes me feel safe. Don't be afraid of the current situation, be brave enough to face it, believe that by standing together we all will be out of it," she told Xinhua, extending her good wishes for the city. For students stranded in the Jinnan campus, Nankai University mobilized more than 100 volunteers to help conduct regular disinfection and serve the daily needs of the students. "I was surprised by the well-organized work of doctors and teachers," said Garabekov Muhammet, a junior student from Turkmenistan studying at Tianjin University. "Since the campus enforced quarantine measures, teachers have coordinated with food vendors to arrange deliveries to the university. I have been in China for three years, I am sure that the authorities in Tianjin and the locals will together defeat the virus." Marques Maia Diana Alexandra, a Portuguese teacher at Nankai University, hasn't been home in over two years. "Seeing everyone's efforts in fighting this global problem, the scientific advancements, good government policies and people's determination, I'm hopeful that we will soon see better days," she said. "The measures of the Chinese government may seem too severe and inconvenient to some people, but in my opinion, they are necessary to prevent a more serious situation. I believe we should focus on getting the best long-term results and do whatever we can to achieve it," she added. The armorer who was tasked with managing weapons for the film Rust in New Mexico, where Alec Baldwin fatally shot a cinematographer last year, filed a lawsuit on Wednesday accusing a supplier of guns and ammunition of introducing dangerous materials onto the set. In the lawsuit, the armorer, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, said Seth Kenney and his company, PDQ Arm & Prop, had supplied the box labeled dummy rounds that, in fact, contained at least one live round, which discharged from a gun that Baldwin was practicing with on Oct. 21 of last year. The discharge killed the cinematographer, Halyna Hutchins, and wounded the movies director, Joel Souza. Hannah and the entire Rust movie crew relied on the defendants misrepresentation that they provided only dummy ammunition, according to documents in the suit filed in state court in New Mexico. According to the lawsuit, which named Mr. Kenney and his company, he had worked with Ms. Gutierrez-Reeds father, Thell Reed, a prominent Hollywood armorer, on a different movie set in Texas about a month or two before the deadly shooting. This was a totally preventable tragedy, said Robert Vilensky, a lawyer for the tenants. Had the landlord and city done the things that they are required to do, 17 people would be alive and scores of others unharmed. In a statement, Kelly Magee, a spokeswoman for the buildings owners, said, We are devastated by this terrible tragedy and are cooperating fully with the Fire Department and other agencies as they continue to investigate. Ms. Magee had earlier said that all the buildings doors had self-closing mechanisms. She added that last summer a maintenance worker had repaired a lock on the door of the apartment where the fire broke out and it had been closing properly. She also said residents sometimes smoked in the hallways, triggering fire alarms. The purchase of the Bronx tower was part of a rapid expansion for Camber Property Group, particularly in the borough. In December 2018, the group purchased a 50 percent stake in 722 units in two public housing projects in the Bronx, the Baychester and Murphy Houses, for $90 million as part of a joint venture with L+M Development Partners and MBD Community Housing Corp. Earlier that year, Mr. Gropper attended a fund-raiser and made a political donation to Mr. Adams, who was then the Brooklyn borough president and gave his approval to a development project Camber was pursuing. In the days before the fire, Camber, LIHC and a nonprofit called Settlement Housing Fund announced an $85 million deal to buy a nine-building complex in Harlem. Although Mr. Touray died in 2019 at age 81 of heart failure, about 50 members of the immediate and extended family were living in the building at the time of the fire, according to one of his sons, Suleyman Touray, and Mariama Touray, who is married to one of his nephews. Following the norms of his culture and religion, Mr. Touray had three Islamic-law wives who still lived in the apartment on the third floor. Two of his widows were placed in hotels; the third had been visiting Gambia at the time of the fire. Born in Sotuma Sere, a village in Eastern Gambia, Mr. Touray moved to the country through a program for young democrats, his daughter Fatiah Touray, 38, said. Mr. Touray was well-traveled and spoke at least nine languages English, French, Arabic, Soninke, Mandingo, Fulani, Wolof, Lingala and Sierra Leonean Creole. On arriving in the United States, he started a nonprofit called the Pan-African Islamic Society out of his apartment and offered Islamic services to celebrities such as Muhammad Ali and Cicely Tyson, according to family members. He realized that there was no real place where West Africans could get their proper funeral rites as Muslims, and he was really instrumental in getting that started for the Muslim community, said Magundo Touray, 41, one of his daughters. If someone got arrested and they didnt speak a language, the 46th Precinct always used to knock on our door and say, like, Hey, Mister, we got someone thats lost. Maybe you can help us. Gita Sankano grew up in a nearby building but spent much of her childhood visiting or being babysat by relatives there. We all knew 3G, Mr. Tourays apartment, she said. When my mother came to the U.S. she stayed at 3G. My naming ceremony was in 3G. It is our own village. Thats how deep it is. Its our own community. This is a tragedy for the whole Gambian community. At Twin Parks North West, neighbors and residents saw Mr. Touray in the courtyard handing out dollar bills to children. People went in and out of his apartment, which was often filled with the fragrance of jollof rice, plantains and okra stew. On Eid, throngs of people would crowd the hallways of the building. Theyd come from the mosque down the block and then straight to the house, said Magundo Touray. Elizabeth Holmes, the Silicon Valley start-up founder convicted of fraud this month, will be sentenced on Sept. 26, according to a court filing on Wednesday. Ms. Holmes, who was found guilty on three counts of wire fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison for each count. She is expected to appeal the verdict, and the court ordered any post-trial motions to be filed by March 4. The length of time before the sentencing will allow prosecutors to handle a trial against Ms. Holmess alleged co-conspirator, Ramesh Balwani, an earlier court filing said. Mr. Balwani, also known as Sunny, was the chief operating officer of Theranos, the start-up that Ms. Holmes founded in 2003 and that she claimed would revolutionize health care with highly advanced blood tests. The blood tests ultimately did not work as advertised. The U.S. government also said in a filing on Tuesday that it would dismiss three of its fraud charges against Ms. Holmes after a jury failed to reach a verdict on them. Two women have been charged with felony burglary, accused of breaking into a mans apartment in Clearwater, Fla., and throwing containers of glitter at him during an argument, the authorities said. The man was standing on his balcony when the women, Sarah Franks, 29, and Kaitlin ODonovan, 27, both of Clearwater, arrived at his apartment complex just before 3 a.m. on Monday, according to the Clearwater Police Department. The women began arguing with the man and Ms. Franks threw a container of glitter at him, striking him in the upper torso and head, according to an arrest affidavit. Ms. Franks then climbed over the balcony railing, entered the mans apartment and threw more containers of glitter at him. She then unlocked the front door of the apartment and let in Ms. ODonovan, according to the arrest affidavits. Once she was inside the apartment, Ms. ODonovan also began throwing containers of glitter at the man, her arrest affidavit said. (Ms. Greenes father built a significant Atlanta-area building company before selling it to his daughter and son-in-law, while Mr. Clydes hulking gun shop, Clyde Armory, has kept him flush. They have already absorbed more than $100,000 in fines for their mask strike.) Speaking just outside the chamber with his mask off, Representative Lee Zeldin, Republican of New York, was nonchalant. Omicron is mild, he said, and the steep rise in cases, in his home county on Long Island and across the country, will be followed, he hoped, by an equally steep decline. Those who are testing positive include the vaccinated and the unvaccinated, but for those I speak to and there are many who have tested positive in recent weeks fortunately for them, every single person Ive spoken to has had a much milder experience than what was experienced in past variants, said Mr. Zeldin, who is running for governor of New York. Democrats tend to be a little less sanguine. Signs posted throughout the House proclaim in all capital letters USE OF FACE COVERINGS REQUIRED, but they appear to have only made the defiant dig in. That kind of defiance, we see it all across the board here, said Representative James E. Clyburn of South Carolina, the Democratic whip, who missed his granddaughters wedding last month as he battled Covid. And these are people who I hope will be able to survive whatever comes their way. The procedural machinations around voting rights legislation and the hand-wringing over President Bidens social safety net and climate change bill can seem a bit beside the point when cases are soaring, hospitalizations nationwide are up 84 percent over the past two weeks and the average number of deaths now exceeds 1,700 a day. Behind those marquee issues, the pandemic is again rising as a political focus. House Democrats on Wednesday rushed out new legislation to provide free at-home coronavirus tests while Senator Bernie Sanders, independent of Vermont, reintroduced his bill to send N95 masks to every home. She met Mr. Gaetz through one of his former confidants, Joel Greenberg, who pleaded guilty last year to a series of charges including sex trafficking a minor and is now cooperating in the investigation, the person said. Mr. Gaetz is accused of having had sex with the same minor, a 17-year-old, during the span of his relationship with the former girlfriend. Mr. Greenberg has told others that he and Mr. Gaetz had sex with the girl and that she had claimed to be over 18, but they later learned her age. Investigators have asked Mr. Gaetzs former girlfriend about any sexual relationship that the minor may have had with Mr. Greenberg and Mr. Gaetz, and whether the girl received money or material goods like meals, drugs and hotel rooms in exchange. Mr. Gaetz has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing in the case, including having sex with a minor and paying for sex. His lawyer Isabelle Kirshner said in a statement that his defense team had seen no credible basis for a charge against the lawmaker. Multiple people have told investigators that Mr. Gaetzs former girlfriend is one of several women who met Mr. Greenberg through the website SeekingArrangement, which describes itself as a place where wealthy people find attractive companions and treat them to gifts and cash. People are more memorable if they leave you a big tip or not a tip at all instead of a normal tip, Ms. Starks said. Of all the people Cameron served that night, it just so happened that these were the only people to not leave him a tip at all. The men in the bar video were the same ones who lit the Christmas tree, Ms. Starks and the police said. They left the bar around 1:50 a.m. on New Years Day, and the Southernmost Point Buoy fire occurred around 3:20 a.m., the police said. The police identified the duo as Skylar Rae Jacobson, 21, of Texas, and David Brendan Perkins, 22, of Leesburg, Fla. The police said they had obtained felony arrest warrants for both men on suspicion of criminal mischief with more than $1,000 in damage. The two men did not respond to requests for comment by phone and text message. According to the police report, the men confessed over the phone when reached by an investigator. Mr. Perkins said that the men had found the tree on Duval Street around 2:30 or 3 a.m. and that they had no intention of damaging property, according to the report. They used a lighter to start the fire and did not add any fuel, the report states. Mr. Perkins called it a colossal mistake, the report said, while Mr. Jacobson said they werent thinking. The Conch Republic, the name adopted in the citys tongue-in-cheek 1982 secession from Florida that has turned into the citys playful alter ego, is forgiving. Some of its denizens, like Jim Gilleran, a boat captain and bar owner who calls himself the republics secretary of state, dont want the pair to do jail time. The secretary of state doesnt think these folks should be punished, the secretary of state said. They should serve community service so they really can appreciate what a great community we have here. El Salvadors leading news outlet, El Faro, said on Wednesday that the phones of a majority of its employees had been hacked with the spyware Pegasus, which has been used by governments to monitor human rights activists, journalists and dissidents. The revelation came just months after the American government blacklisted the Israeli firm that produces Pegasus, the NSO Group, in an attempt to curb the largely unregulated global market in spyware. According to Citizen Lab at the University of Torontos Munk School and Access Now, two cybersecurity watchdogs that analyzed the phones of El Faros employees, the spyware had been installed on the phones of 22 reporters, editors and other employees between July 2020 and November 2021. During that time, El Faro was investigating the Salvadoran governments clandestine connections to the countrys gangs and corruption scandals. The government has denied any connection to local gangs. Iran and the United States have recently engaged in a spiraling escalation of threats and warnings, even as they are progressing in diplomatic talks about reviving the 2015 nuclear deal. On Saturday, Irans Parliament placed largely symbolic sanctions on 51 Americans, many of them prominent political and military officials, for terrorism and human rights violations, in retaliation for the U.S. assassination of Irans top commander, Maj. Gen. Qassim Suleimani, two years ago. Jake Sullivan, the U.S. national security adviser, then warned that Iran would face severe consequences if it attacked any Americans, including any of the 51 people hit with the sanctions. And American officials generally have been quite circumspect in their appraisals of the state of the negotiations on the nuclear deal. Yet on the same day that Iran issued the sanctions, the countrys top nuclear negotiator, Ali Bagheri Kani, said outstanding differences in the deal were diminishing and that talks were moving forward, the official news agency IRNA reported. The recent Global Risks Report 2022 by the World Economic Forum (WEF) warns that 5 of the top 10 global risks are environment-related. Here are the key takeaways from WEF's managing director. Click for more. #GLOBALink Produced by Xinhua Global Service At one point in this episode Alina is approached by a fan because, as it happens, shes an author, of an acclaimed short story collection called Italian Studies. Alina goes to a library to confirm this. There, she signs her own book. That she does this rather than use her discovery to find out where she ought to be may confound some viewers. But Italian Studies is not, despite its often documentary-style location shooting, a realistic story. Its idea of time is multidimensional, as is its idea of form. Several sections of the film feature talking-head interviews with its characters, or maybe with the performers playing them. Its hard to be sure. If the movie sometimes feels as if its premise is Renowned British Actress Vanessa Kirby Wanders Into an Adam Leon Movie, that could be entirely deliberate. Italian Studies Not rated. Running time: 1 hour 21 minutes. In theaters and available to rent or buy on Amazon, Apple TV and other streaming platforms and pay TV operators. There is precisely one famous story about Hans Rosbaud though, like its subject, it is not quite as famous as it ought to be. This Austrian conductor was asleep at his home in March 1954 when the telephone rang. On the line was a producer at Hamburg Radio, a little desperate. Could Rosbaud come to cover for the injured Hans Schmidt-Isserstedt, and oversee the premiere of Arnold Schoenbergs Moses und Aron, a gargantuan opera unperformed since being left unfinished in 1932? Rosbaud had never seen the score. His mind likely drifted to the 1930s: Back then Schoenberg had told Rosbaud forebodingly that he had not imposed at all any reserve concerning difficulties of execution in writing the opera. He clearly assumed no one would dare perform it. When was the premiere scheduled, Rosbaud asked the radio producer, fearfully? In exactly one week. This was a difficult prospect, but not the impossible one it would have been for almost anyone else. One is almost forced to apply the word genius to Hans Rosbauds masterful control of the work, The New York Times later reported of the performance. Genius enough, indeed, that the broadcast was released on record in 1957, the year Rosbaud led the staged premiere of Moses und Aron in Zurich surpassing even himself, as a critic wrote. The Omicron variant has scuttled plans for many of the live showcases and festivals that typically crowd New Yorks cultural calendar in January, but some are now offering online content, like New York Live Artss flavorful Virtual Artery. On each day of the festival, a filmed version of a recent full-length production will be posted, starting on Thursday with Christopher Williamss Narcissus, a queer retelling of the Greek myth featuring the New York City Ballet star Taylor Stanley. Fridays release is Light and Desire by Colleen Thomas and a team of international collaborators, followed on Saturday by the musician Saul Williamss The Motherboard Suite, a kind of movement concert directed by Bill T. Jones. Sundays addition is Raja Feather Kellys Wednesday, a dissection of the 1975 film Dog Day Afternoon. And on Monday, Kenyon Adamss work Prayers of the People, which is structured like a church service, wraps up the virtual celebration. All films will be available to view through Jan. 31. Tickets to the streams start at $5 and are available at newyorklivearts.org. BRIAN SCHAEFER Fate, chance, contingency: The haphazard nature of why this and not that links several of the titles we recommend this week, from the braided timelines of Hanya Yanagiharas new novel to Hitlers fatal decision to declare war on America the subject of a new history by Brendan Simms and Charlie Laderman to the parenting misstep that sets in motion the plot of Jessamine Chans debut novel, The School for Good Mothers. Fate is a subtext in Carl Bernsteins memoir about his early days in journalism at The Evening Star in Washington, a newspaper he left when his lack of a college degree kept him out of the reporting job he really wanted. (Maybe you know where he ended up after that.) And its the backdrop for Sarah Halls new novel, Burntcoat, about a pandemic and an artist, which shows the ways that social catastrophe can shape the creative imagination. Theres more, besides. A biography of John Milton. A debut collection of linked stories about the passage to adulthood. A graphic novel set on the border of Israel and the Palestinian territories. And a slender new poetry collection by the Nobel laureate Louise Gluck, which in its way also has fate on its mind: Who can speak of the future? Gluck writes toward the end. Nobody knows anything about the future, / even the planets do not know. / But the princesses will have to live in it. You could read this book in an hour or less, and think about it for years. Gregory Cowles Senior Editor, Books Twitter: @GregoryCowles TO PARADISE, by Hanya Yanagihara. (Doubleday, $32.50.) In her 700-page, century- and continent-spanning third novel, Yanagihara rewrites the Civil War, moves the action from New York to Hawaii and back again, negotiates three major and nine minor time shifts and ushers her characters offstage only to bring them back, in other eras and other guises, multiple times. Yanagihara masterfully repurposes themes, situations and motifs as well, Gish Jen observes in her review. In its evocation of eternal recurrence and the illusory nature of life, To Paradise recalls Buddhist ideas. This ambitious novel tackles major American questions and answers them in an original, engrossing way. It has a major feel. HITLERS AMERICAN GAMBLE: Pearl Harbor and Germanys March to Global War, by Brendan Simms and Charlie Laderman. (Basic, $35.) After Pearl Harbor, the authors explain, Hitler took it upon himself to declare war on America, a decision that, Winston Churchill understood, fatally doomed his plans. But Simms and Laderman side with historians who argue that Hitlers decision was motivated by at least a semblance of strategic calculation, insofar as he hoped to pre-empt Americas inevitable entrance into the war. The greatest strength of Simms and Ladermans book is its success in accomplishing something supremely difficult, Benjamin Carter Hett writes in his review: It reminds us how contingent even the most significant historical events can be, how many other possibilities lurked beyond the familiar ones that actually happened and how even the greatest leaders often have only a shaky grasp of what is happening. We really try not to ever make any predictions about this virus, because it always throws us for a loop, Dr. Shira Doron, an epidemiologist at Tufts Medical Center, told GBH News. But at least the wastewater is suggesting a steep decline, and so we hope that means cases will decline steeply as well, and then hospitalizations and deaths will follow. As Doron suggested, its too early to be confident that the Omicron wave has peaked even in areas with encouraging data which tend to be the places where Omicron first arrived in the U.S. But there is good reason to consider that the most likely scenario. Looks like we may be cresting over that peak, Gov. Kathy Hochul of New York said this week. (Look up cases for your county here.) A huge surge in cases that lasts for about one month, followed by a rapid decline, would be consistent with the experience in some places where Omicron arrived earlier than in the U.S. In South Africa, new daily cases have fallen by about 70 percent from the mid-December peak. The chart showing South Africas recent trend looks like a skinny, upside-down letter V. In Britain, where pandemic trends have frequently been a few weeks ahead of those in the U.S., cases peaked just after New Years and have since fallen somewhat: 5. Prince Andrew was stripped of his military titles and royal charities as a sexual abuse case proceeds against him. Prince Andrew, the second son of Queen Elizabeth II, has been accused by Virginia Giuffre of raping her when she was a teenager a charge he denies during a period in which he was friendly with Jeffrey Epstein. The stinging rebuke by the British royal family came a day after a federal judge in New York allowed the case to go ahead. Buckingham Palace said that Andrew, 61, would not undertake any public duties and is defending this case as a private citizen. The palace also said Andrew, who is known as the Duke of York, would no longer be referred to as His Royal Highness in any official capacity. I am driving in the California hills high above Malibu, in a deep-blue electric Audi E-tron, and I turn onto a pitch-black winding road. Instinctively, I reach to turn on the high beams. But before I have a chance to do so, the low beams automatically rise and spread out like a hand fan, filling the entire roadway with light and projecting it far into the distance. A few seconds later, the headlights of an approaching vehicle set my headlights in motion; the high beams angle down as the light continually shape-shifts, changing patterns to avoid illuminating the oncoming car. I had just experienced adaptive driving beam, or A.D.B., headlights, one of the most important advances in vehicle lighting technology in decades. With A.D.B. lighting, a vehicles headlights are essentially always on high beam, while cameras and software instruct them to constantly reshape the beam to avoid blinding oncoming drivers or shining in the rearview mirrors of those close ahead. The bad news is that while widely used in Europe and Asia for over a decade, these smart headlights are illegal in the United States. On my demonstration drive, I was piloting a not-for-sale-here European model of the E-tron equipped with Audis futuristic digital matrix headlighting system. Laurence D. Fink, the worlds largest asset manager, has broadcast his own dedication to stakeholder capitalism and social justice while squeezing poor countries to pay impossible debts in the midst of the pandemic. Jeff Bezos has amassed enough wealth from his e-commerce empire to blast himself into space, as the employees left behind on earth spent the first months of the outbreak laboring in Amazon warehouses without adequate protective gear. These were not outliers but the story of the pandemic writ large. Between March 2020 and the middle of October 2021, Americas billionaires saw their collective wealth soar by 70 percent, exceeding $5 trillion, according to an analysis of Forbes data by Americans for Tax Fairness and the left-leaning Institute for Policy Studies. That mountain of money was controlled by a mere 745 people. The beneficiaries have succeeded in sharing little of their gains with the government, a wildly successful mode of tax avoidance that is largely legal. In a triumph of lobbying, the billionaire class has salted the tax code with boondoggles and starved tax collectors of resources. Pharmaceutical executives and the pandemic make for an interesting case study in how one might construe heroics. The industry harnessed publicly funded research to develop lifesaving coronavirus vaccines in record time. But it has sold most of its wares at the highest prices in the most lucrative markets, reaping hundreds of millions of dollars in profits while leaving the bulk of humanity unprotected. Executives unleashed lobbyists to kill attempts to ramp up production and distribution an ideal recipe, it turns out, for the Omicron variant. But Mr. Benioff prefers a different depiction one in which he and his peers are not the cause of societal distress but the solution. C.E.O.s are gathering every week to figure out how can we improve the state of the world and get through this pandemic, he said during last years Forum. And look against the dysfunction of governments and nongovernmental organizations over the last year. They were not the ones who saved us. Delta Air Lines said on Thursday that it lost $408 million in the final three months of last year, as the Omicron variant of the coronavirus, which emerged late in that period, interfered with holiday operations and pushed back the airlines recovery. About 8,000 Delta employees more than one in 10 had called out sick in recent weeks, Deltas chief executive, Ed Bastian, said on CNBC on Thursday. That, combined with bad storms, forced the airline and its peers to cancel tens of thousands of flights over the busy holiday travel period, with carriers only just beginning to recover in recent days. While the rapidly spreading Omicron variant has significantly impacted staffing levels and disrupted travel across the industry, Deltas operation has stabilized over the last week and returned to preholiday performance, Mr. Bastian said in a statement. We are confident in a strong spring and summer travel season with significant pent-up demand for consumer and business travel. The Omicron variant has delayed the airline recovery by about 60 days, Mr. Bastian said. Delta alone scrubbed more than 2,000 flights over the two weeks starting on Christmas Day, the fourth-most flight cancellations among U.S. airlines. Mike Cochran, who covered Texas for The Associated Press for nearly 40 years and at one point ended up serving as a pallbearer for the presidential assassin Lee Harvey Oswald while reporting on his funeral, died on Tuesday. He was 85. The former A.P. executive John O. Lumpkin, a longtime friend, said the cause was cancer. In 2013, as part of The A.P.s coverage of the 50th anniversary of President John F. Kennedys assassination in Dallas, Mr. Cochran wrote a first-person account of how he had come to be a pallbearer for Mr. Oswald. With no mourners present aside from a few family members, the task of carrying his coffin fell to the reporters covering the funeral. I was among the first they asked, my reply not just No! but Hell no! he wrote. Then Preston McGraw of United Press International stepped forward and volunteered, and with my top competition for scoops accepting the duty, I realized my error and joined McGraw and other reporters. Mr. Cochrans reporting on the assassination continued for years. He interviewed Mr. Oswalds widow and mother, investigated conspiracy theories and wrote anniversary stories. Iraqi man Abdullah Ibrahim recalls how a reckless U.S. missile strike in 2005 turned his life into hell, in his home in Salahuddin province, Iraq, on Jan. 4. 2022. (Xinhua) "They destroyed Iraq and there is no democracy at all," Iraqi man Abdullah Ibrahim recalled the U.S. invasion and occupation of Iraq, during which he was paralyzed by a reckless U.S. missile attack which also killed his wife, daughter and a cousin. BAGHDAD, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- On a cold winter night after dinner, when Iraqi man Abdullah Ibrahim was chatting with his family members happily as usual inside his home, a reckless U.S. missile strike suddenly turned the joy and conviviality into grief and permanent suffering. It was in December 2005, more than two years after the U.S. troops illegally invaded Iraq under the pretext of ridding the country of weapons of mass destruction, which were in fact non-existent. "That evening started with felicity, but the U.S. occupation forces turned it into hell," Ibrahim, 51, told Xinhua in his rebuilt house in the town of Dhuluiya, some 90 km north of the Iraqi capital Baghdad. Iraqi man Abdullah Ibrahim holds photos of his house destroyed by a U.S. missile strike that also left him paralyzed, in his home in Salahuddin province, Iraq, on Jan. 4. 2022. (Xinhua) "We were chatting here at home when hearing the sound of American armored vehicles, and we thought there was a raid in the neighborhood," recalled Ibrahim, sitting on the bed next to a wheelchair with an urine bag attached to his bladder. After hearing the sound, Ibrahim ran upstairs to fetch his ID in the room, assuming that the American soldiers would beat and arrest him if he did not identify himself immediately. However, instead of staging a raid, the U.S. troops fired a missile recklessly at Ibrahim's house without prior warning. "When I was going upstairs to fetch my ID, we were hit by the missile," he said. The U.S. strike not only killed Ibrahim's wife, 11-year-old daughter and a cousin in his 20s, but also wounded 12 others including Ibrahim and his mother. Iraqi man Abdullah Ibrahim sits in a wheelchair in Salahuddin province, Iraq, on Jan. 4. 2022. (Xinhua) Ibrahim was paralyzed after being thrown to a tree about 20 meters away. At the same time, his mother had her back broken, and two other family members were also paralyzed. The blast left Ibrahim unconscious for 15 days in a local hospital. With the 6th and 8th vertebras broken, he has since become quadriplegic and lost control of his urine, which forced him to use a urine bag day by day. "My house was completely destroyed and I had to rebuild it with my money, and I didn't get any compensation or anything from the Americans," Ibrahim said. Although more than 16 years have passed, the U.S. missile strike still left deep wounds in the body and memory of Ibrahim. Struggling to get on with life, he goes out every morning by motorbike to work in his store, where he sells chicken with his son. Iraqi man Abdullah Ibrahim prepares to go to his store by riding motorbike in Salahuddin province, Iraq, on Jan. 4. 2022. (Xinhua) Every morning when Ibrahim sees local girls going to school, he couldn't help thinking of his daughter, who was then a primary school student when killed by the Americans in 2005. "My daughter was 11 years old, I miss her every day when I see her peers going to school. If my daughter were alive now, she would have graduated from college," he sighed. Ironically, the U.S. forces later took Ibrahim and his surviving children to one of the U.S. military headquarters, offering them some plastic toys as gifts and telling him they were "sorry." "My wife and my daughter were killed and I'm disabled, and all they did was saying they were sorry." he said. "Will the word 'sorry' bring back the lives to my wife, daughter, and cousin? Will it recover my health?" Iraqi man Abdullah Ibrahim feeds chicken in Salahuddin province, Iraq, on Jan. 4. 2022. (Xinhua) Ibrahim blasted the U.S. government for trying to justify its illegal invasion of Iraq in 2003 as part of its efforts to bring democracy to Iraq and protect human rights there. "They destroyed Iraq and there is no democracy at all. They destroyed Iraq, and stole the antiquities and every valuable thing," he said. Nadhum Ali Abdullah, an Iraqi expert of the Arab Forum for Political Analysis, said that the U.S. forces often use drones and missiles to target their enemies around the world in the name of fighting terrorism, but in fact they have killed many civilians. Iraqi man Abdullah Ibrahim feeds chicken in Salahuddin province, Iraq, on Jan. 4. 2022. (Xinhua) "Washington's use of planes and missiles against its targets raises questions, astonishment and disgust, with many indications of targeting civilians and killing many women and children, especially in the countries it occupied such as Iraq and Afghanistan," Abdullah said. He noted that the U.S. forces have a long history in Iraq of killing innocent people as a result of wrong targeting, without holding their soldiers accountable. "During the occupation, the American troops carried out many executions against civilians and their families without mercy or accountability. The U.S. military uses excessive force regardless of whether there are civilians and grants its forces the right of defense while denying such right of others," Abdullah said. Spending even a short time with him, one cant help but pick up bits of odor-related trivia. Who knew that most of the air were inhaling at any given moment passes through just one nostril or the other, not both? Or that Oriental lilies could be so divisive: His wife loves the smell, he finds it ugly. Listen carefully, though, and he often addresses debates that transcend his day-to-day work, escaping the realm of science altogether and drifting toward the metaphysical: Is the human aversion to putrid smells nature, or nurture, or both? How can one measure a perception? And how do you give people the confidence in their noses that they have in their eyes and ears? What the Nose Can Tell Us A smell is, quite simply, a result of chemicals in the air, and the human nose is far better at detecting them than it often gets credit for. Some of the most recognizable and potent odors, like hydrogen sulfide (think rotten egg) can be sensed at even the tiniest concentrations, like 1 part per billion. If you were to map out the distance from New York to Los Angeles, 1 part per billion would account for only a few inches along that route, Dr. Koziel of Iowa State said. (In fact, it would account for less than an inch.) That fact also captures the difficulty of regulating odors. At such vanishingly small concentrations, hydrogen sulfide is unlikely to pose a health risk. Nevertheless its very disruptive to people, said Susan Schiffman, a clinical psychologist who has studied odor and taste for half a century. Despite having the power to sicken, there are few laws in the United States to regulate odor. It makes up a significant portion of complaints to public agencies, including a quarter of the complaints to the federal Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. Yet there is debate over whether a smell can be inherently dangerous. A divided Senate committee on Thursday advanced the nomination of Dr. Robert Califf to become commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration to the full Senate, with some Democrats citing concerns over the nominees commitment to combating the opioid epidemic. The committees vote of 13 to 8 suggests that the full Senate vote will be close. A date for the Senates vote on confirmation has not been set. Four Republican members of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, including Senator Richard Burr of North Carolina, voted in favor of Dr. Califfs nomination. Senator Burr, the ranking Republican member, noted that the commissioners role was one of the most significant public health positions in the federal government and that the agency had been without a Senate-confirmed leader for nearly a year. He urged other Republicans to support Dr. Califf, citing his unparalleled experience and willingness to support innovation in the medical field. G.O.P. committee members who voted against him mostly cited concerns about abortion policies. Senator Bernie Sanders, independent of Vermont, and Senators Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire and Edward Markey of Massachusetts, both Democrats, indicated they planned to vote against confirming Dr. Califf for the post. They are all from New England states hard-hit by opioids, though Senator Sanders also criticized Dr. Califfs journey through the revolving door from the F.D.A. to private industry. An ailing Maryland man who received a pigs heart last week in a pioneering transplant procedure has a criminal record stemming from an assault 34 years ago in which he repeatedly stabbed a young man, leaving him paralyzed. The victim, Edward Shumaker, spent two decades in a wheelchair, paralyzed from the waist down, and suffered numerous medical complications including a stroke that left him cognitively impaired, before he died in 2007 at age 40, according to his sister, Leslie Shumaker Downey, of Frederick, Md. The Washington Post first reported the transplant patients criminal record and the assault that led to it on Thursday. The revelations have prompted debate about how patients are selected for cutting-edge medical care. The patient, David Bennett Sr., 57, is being closely monitored at the University of Maryland Medical Center for signs that his body is rejecting a heart received from a genetically modified pig. He was still doing well on Thursday, hospital officials said. But other trans health specialists are concerned by the sharp increase in adolescents who are referred to gender clinics, and worry that the desire for hormones and surgeries may be driven partly by peer influence on social media platforms like TikTok and YouTube. The kids presenting these days are very different than what I was seeing in the early days, said Dr. Edwards-Leeper, who in 2007 helped set up one of the first youth gender clinics in the United States, in Boston. Dr. Edwards-Leeper said that now she was more likely to see adolescents who had recently begun to question their gender, whereas a decade ago her patients were more likely to have longstanding distress about their bodies. These seemingly abrupt changes as well as other mental health issues or a history of trauma should be flags for providers to slow down, she said. Instead, some gender clinics with long wait lists are blindly affirming adolescent patients, she said, offering them hormones without taking these potential issues seriously. And although its unclear how often it happens, some people who transitioned as teenagers have reported detransitioning later on. Although some people who detransition continue living with a more fluid gender identity, others are upset about living with the irreversible changes caused by hormones or surgeries. These issues of inadequate assessment and what I sometimes called hasty or sloppy care have resulted in potential harm, said Erica Anderson, a clinical psychologist who works with transgender adolescents in Berkeley, Calif. Dr. Anderson, 70, said she understood the trauma of being denied care. She first realized she was transgender in her 30s, but didnt approach an endocrinologist about hormone treatments until age 45. The doctors response was, I cant help you, she said. Despondent, she waited several more years before pursuing a medical transition again. You first wrote about this scam a year ago. When did the phishing start? I learned about it sometime in 2020, but the scam had been going on for years already at that point. According to the indictment, its been going on for at least five years. How did you hear about it? From a source. Somebody called me who works in publishing and basically said, The weirdest thing is happening. People are being hacked, but nothing ever happens. What I thought was, let me call someone who knows about hacking, thats what I thought. I called Nicole Perlroth, who covers cybersecurity. I had known Nicole for years. And so we worked on it together. What books were targeted? What publishing houses? Was there any apparent rhyme or reason? Everybody was targeted really famous novelists like Margaret Atwood, celebrities like Ethan Hawke and things like debut short story collections which would have no monetary value on the dark web. Why would someone do this? It seems like a lot of effort for no apparent payoff. No one really knows the answer. The prosecutors theorize that maybe he was doing it to steal ideas he could pass off as his own, but that doesnt really make sense. Publishing a book takes time. If he were to rip off somebodys idea, by the time whatever he wrote came out, the original already would have been published. Some other possible explanations make more sense, like he did it to get a leg up at work by showing himself to be really in the know, but this was a really extreme level of in the know. And, working where he worked, for most manuscripts he could call someone up and just ask for one. For all that, though, wasnt it a relatively low-tech scam? Even if technologically its not that complicated to create a new domain or set up a fake email address, you have to write all the emails and know the people you are targeting. He was deliberate about impersonating he was careful to sound like the person he was claiming to be when he was talking to a particular author or a particular editor. This clearly required some research and time. Every little request was tailored for what he was looking for. John Abeigon, the Newark Teachers Union president, is quoted as saying, Id see the entire city of Newark unemployed before I allowed one single teachers aide to die needlessly. Its this kind of burn-the-village-to-save-it extremism that will see the Democrats trounced in the midterm elections. Michael Dougherty Roxborough, Colo. To the Editor: We are told that the safest place for children is in school. But we cant ignore the issue of how they and their teachers get to school. Many are traveling on crowded buses and subways and may get infected with Covid well before they get into the classroom. Ruth Albert Spencer New York To the Editor: Parents across the country are facing impossible choices, between sending their kids to school with a highly contagious variant raging and testing protocols not fully rolled out, and keeping them home without good alternative learning options and employers increasingly weary of pandemic disruptions. You write that some unions demands echo the ones they have made for nearly two years, despite the reassuring knowledge that in-school transmission of the virus has been limited. As you point out, however, several nonunion charter networks switched to temporary remote learning in recent weeks, while in most unionized public schools, no such option existed. Education, like health care, faces worrisome staff shortages. I wish the current debate would focus more on finding common-ground solutions that meet the uncertainty of the moment, including temporary remote options that could ease crowding in schools and hospitals, and less on blaming the people who dedicate their lives to educating and safeguarding our kids. Eva Bonime New York To the Editor: OK, I understand the concern of schools and teachers, but study after study has shown that we have not gotten remote learning right and our students are falling further and further behind. This is particularly true of the poor, who tend not to have jobs that allow work from home for the parents. If more schools now turn to remote learning, what are they supposed to do? At the heart of the current crisis between Washington and Moscow is this: Vladimir Putin has massed troops on Russias border with Ukraine and implied that he may invade unless he receives a guarantee that Ukraine will never join NATO. The Biden administration rejects that demand out of hand. Powerful nations, it insists, cannot demand that their neighbors fall under their spheres of influence. As Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken put it last month, One country does not have the right to dictate the policies of another or to tell that country with whom it may associate; one country does not have the right to exert a sphere of influence. That notion should be relegated to the dustbin of history. Its a noble principle, just not one the United States abides by. The United States has exercised a sphere of influence in its own hemisphere for almost 200 years, since President James Monroe, in his seventh annual message to Congress, declared that the United States should consider any attempt by foreign powers to extend their system to any portion of this hemisphere as dangerous to our peace and safety. Listening to Mr. Blinken, you might think the United States long ago deposited this prerogative over the foreign policies of its southern neighbors in historys dustbin. It has done no such thing. In 2018, Donald Trumps secretary of state, Rex Tillerson, called the Monroe Doctrine as relevant today as it was the day it was written. The following year, his national security adviser, John Bolton, boasted that the Monroe Doctrine is alive and well. To be sure, the United States doesnt enforce the Monroe Doctrine in the same way it did in the first half of the 20th century, when it regularly deployed the Marines to Central America and the Caribbean, or during the Cold War, when the C.I.A. helped topple leftist governments. Washingtons methods have changed. It now prefers using economic coercion to punish governments that ally with adversaries and challenge its regional dominion. If energy efficiency is an important factor in where you choose to live, the annual Clean Energy Scorecard which ranks 100 of the largest U.S. cities according to their policies for greater energy efficiency can help you gauge just how green your home city, or one youre considering living in, is becoming. The report is published by the nonprofit American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE), and the recently released 2021 edition increases the focus on social equity in energy, rewarding efforts that affected marginalized communities. Although New York took a huge leap forward in 2021, when it became the first major U.S. city to ban the use of natural gas in all new construction, the legislation occurred too late in the year to be considered for the scorecard. Nevertheless, the city still finished in the top 10. In the category of buildings policies one of five categories weighed to determine each citys rank New York was bested only by Denver. Energy building codes and their enforcement were strongly considered in this category, among other metrics. This was revolutionary, Dr. Chernoff said. The implications were that tumors were not always autonomous, that they were in constant dialogue with the cells around them, and they responded to their environment, which could either make the cancer worse or keep it in check. This suggested that the neighboring tissue could help tame tumor cells more gently than radiation or chemotherapy. Drugs designed to mimic these normalizing effects are now part of many cancer therapy regimens. An elected member of the National Academy of Sciences, Dr. Mintz won numerous prestigious prizes and awards. They included the National Medal of Honor for Basic Research by the American Cancer Society, a Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Association for Cancer Research, and the first March of Dimes Prize in developmental biology, which she shared with Ralph L. Brinster, in 1996. Many of her colleagues thought that her work deserved a Nobel Prize, and she was twice nominated. John R. Durant, the former president of Fox Chase, told The Philadelphia Inquirer in 1986 that she probably would have won if she had been a better politician. Dr. Mintz was notorious for having a demanding personality and for setting exacting standards that few others could meet. At one point she was thinking about contributing to an endowed chair in her name that would be reserved for a female scientist, she told Dr. Chernoff, but then added that she couldnt think of anyone who would qualify. She was a throwback to an earlier type of independent solo artist, Dr. Chernoff said. She did everything herself, built her own equipment, injected microscopic mouse eggs herself, and she personally looked after all her mice, which was probably for the better because she would notice key details that might otherwise have escaped detection. On the rare occasion when she would take on assistants or postdoctoral fellows, she would show them a map of the neighborhood, draw a one-mile-wide circle with her lab in the center and instruct them to live within the circle; they had to be readily available. As soon as the remotely operated camera glimpsed the bottom of the Weddell Sea, more than a thousand feet below the icy ceiling at the surface, Lilian Boehringer, a student researcher at the Alfred Wegener Institute in Germany, saw the icefish nests. The sandy craters dimpled the seafloor, each the size of a hula hoop and less than a foot apart. Each crater held a single, stolid icefish, dark pectoral fins outspread like bat wings over a clutch of eggs. Aptly named icefishes thrive in waters just above freezing with enormous hearts and blood that runs clear as vodka. Their blood is transparent because they lack red blood cells and hemoglobin to transport oxygen throughout the body. Icefishes loss of hemoglobin genes was less an evolutionary adaptation than a happy accident, one that has allowed them to absorb the oxygen-rich Antarctic waters through their skin. The sighting occurred in February 2021 in the camera room aboard a research ship, the Polarstern, which had come to the Weddell Sea to study other things, not icefish. It was 3 a.m. near Antarctica, meaning the sun was out but most of the ship was asleep. To Ms. Boehringers surprise, the camera kept transmitting pictures as it moved with the ship, revealing an uninterrupted horizon of icefish nests every 20 seconds. It just didnt stop, Ms. Boehringer said. They were everywhere. Half an hour later, Autun Purser, a deep-sea biologist at the same institute, joined Ms. Boehringer. On the camera feed there remained nothing but nests. BEIJING, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- Starting from Feb. 1, China will adopt the tariff rate it has pledged under the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement on selected imports from the Republic of Korea (ROK), a statement released by the Customs Tariff Commission of the State Council said Thursday. The move will come on the same day as the RCEP deal comes into force for the ROK, said the statement. The ROK has recently deposited its instrument of approval to the Secretary-General of ASEAN, who is the depositary of the RCEP agreement. For the years after 2022, annual tariff adjustments as promised in the agreement will take effect on the first day of each year. The ROK's RCEP implementation would further bolster regional economic and trade cooperation and bring mutual benefits to all RCEP members, added the statement. As the world's largest free trade agreement, the RCEP agreement entered into force on Jan. 1. After it takes effect, more than 90 percent of merchandise trade among members that have approved the accord will eventually be subject to zero tariffs. The RCEP was signed on Nov. 15, 2020, by 15 Asia-Pacific countries -- ten members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and China, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Australia, and New Zealand -- after eight years of negotiations that started in 2012. On a Saturday afternoon in September, the kind of day most college students would spend sprawled on a quad, soaking up the moments that still feel like summer, the Dartmouth Asian American Student Collective was getting organized. Its members had gathered to finalize a mission statement and a petition to circulate across campus. Their goal? Persuade the administration of Dartmouth College to create an Asian American studies program. Lily Ren, who led the meeting with her classmate Maanasi Shyno, said that taking classes that centered Asian American experiences at Dartmouth helped her better understand her own identity. Because I was so transformed by these classes, I thought: How many other students didnt have the opportunity to also learn so much, just because there were so few of them offered and you couldnt major or minor in it? she said in an interview in November. In the groups statement, which was released in October with the petition, its members outline why they believe such a program is necessary today, citing widespread incidents of anti-Asian racism and violence. To date, the group has collected nearly 1,200 signatures from students, parents and faculty. Handcrafted objects by international artisans are the raison detre of En Place, a new digital shop for home decor that is the brainchild of Alexis Kanter, a creative consultant and former market editor at Vanity Fair. From a playful raffia-and-clay table lamp by the Spanish ceramist Marta Bonilla to a graphic black-and-white chair upholstered in hand-loomed natural wool by the Guatemala-based store Meso Goods, the curated selection is presented against a chic editorial backdrop that includes maker stories and city guides, adding context and narrative to every piece. I wanted to create a marketplace that you could shop online, but also in an experiential way that wasnt traditional bricks and mortar, says Kanter. Later this year, En Place will also collaborate with a handful of hotels (including Hotel le Sud in Antibes, France, and Lisbons Santa Clara 1728), allowing guests to shop their wares with the click of a button. I like to think of it as a reimagining of the hotel gift shop, she says, making it seamless to bring home something meaningful that really tells the story of a place. From $24, en-place.co. try This Fragrance Inspired by Korean Culture More than 200 leading American doctors and scientists including four Nobel Prize winners and a former Republican leader have signed an open letter in support of Dr. Anthony S. Fauci, calling Republican attacks on him inaccurate, unscientific, ill-founded in the facts and, increasingly, motivated by partisan politics. Dr. Fauci, who has led the National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Diseases since 1984 and is now President Bidens top medical adviser for Covid-19, has repeatedly clashed with congressional Republicans, and particularly with two who are fellow physicians: Senator Rand Paul, Republican of Kentucky, and Senator Roger Marshall, Republican of Kansas. The tensions took an extraordinary turn on Tuesday, when Dr. Fauci who has been the subject of death threats publicly accused the senators of fomenting threats of violence against him and his family. He said his children had received obscene phone calls, and he noted the recent arrest of an armed man in Iowa who said he was driving to Washington to kill public figures including Mr. Biden and Dr. Fauci. Physicians trying to work for the country are outraged by Tonys treatment the innuendo, smear campaign, said Dr. Ezekiel Emanuel, a bioethicist at the University of Pennsylvania who organized the letter, referring to Dr. Fauci by his nickname. It is reminiscent of Joe McCarthy attacking people without any basis and ruining them, in this case inciting others to violence. WASHINGTON As the Russian military decimates cities across Ukraine, kills thousands of civilians and displaces millions, President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine has acknowledged that his country will not be joining NATO anytime soon. In his first speech to Congress, on Wednesday, Mr. Zelensky said the world needed new institutions, new alliances and called for a union of responsible countries that have the strength and consciousness to stop conflicts immediately. Even in January, a month before President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia began his full-scale invasion, tense talks among the United States, Russia and European members of NATO made one thing clear: While the Biden administration insists it will not allow Moscow to quash Ukraines ambitions to join NATO, it has no immediate plans to help bring the former Soviet republic into the alliance. Mr. Putins insistence that he needed to prevent Ukraine from joining NATO appeared to be a pretext for war, a stated rationale without substance. If Ukraine were a NATO member, the alliance would be obligated to defend it against Russia and other adversaries. U.S. officials say they will not appease Mr. Putin by undermining a policy enshrined in NATOs original 1949 treaty that grants any European nation the right to ask to join. The charge of seditious conspiracy, which can be difficult to prove, requires prosecutors to show that at least two people agreed to use force to overthrow government authority or delay the execution of a U.S. law. It carries a maximum of sentence of 20 years in prison. The last time federal prosecutors brought a sedition case was in 2010, when they accused members of a Michigan militia of plotting to provoke an armed conflict with the government. They were ultimately acquitted. Prosecutors said that beginning only days after the 2020 election, Mr. Rhodes oversaw a seditious plot to oppose the lawful transfer of presidential power by force. Some members of the Oath Keepers under his command broke into the Capitol in a military-style formation on Jan. 6 and went in search of Speaker Nancy Pelosi, the indictment said. Others, it said, were stationed in a hotel in Alexandria, Va., as an armed quick reaction force, ready to rush into Washington if needed. In addition to Mr. Rhodes, prosectors charged Edward Vallejo, 63, of Phoenix, for the first time in connection with Jan. 6. The nine other militia members named in the indictment had all previously been charged, although not with sedition. Mr. Vallejo was part of the quick reaction force teams that the militia had deployed, which were equipped with firearms and other tactical equipment in case Mr. Rhodes called upon them to support the plot, prosecutors said. The teams included Oath Keepers from North Carolina, Florida and Arizona. Mr. Rhodes, a former Army paratrooper who went on to earn a law degree at Yale, had been under investigation for his role in the riot since at least last spring when, against the advice of his lawyer, he sat down with F.B.I. agents for an interview in Texas. He was at the Capitol on Jan. 6, communicating by cellphone and a chat app with members of his team, many of whom went into the building. But there is no evidence that he entered the Capitol. One major concern for the R.N.C. was the timing of the first debate in the 2024 election cycle. In 2020, more than one million ballots were cast before the first presidential debate on Sept. 29 that year, after some states changed their election rules because of the coronavirus pandemic and expanded both absentee and early voting. The party has been pushing the commission to host a debate before early voting begins in 2024. Former President Donald J. Trump has criticized the commission since his first campaign, against Hillary Clinton in 2016, when he complained that one of its co-chairs, Mike McCurry, was a White House press secretary under President Bill Clinton. He also complained then that the debates were being held at the same time as N.F.L. games. Mr. McCurry later condemned Mr. Trumps attacks on the media as president. Officials with the commission told the R.N.C. in December that one of the partys demands in particular was unacceptable: having nonvoting representatives of either the R.N.C. or the Democratic National Committee at the commissions board meetings. The commission wrote that it was still studying that and other concerns the R.N.C. had raised, including the choice of moderators, as part of its review before the 2024 campaign cycle. We take the R.N.C.s observations and suggestions seriously and, as we have said previously, we will give them careful consideration, the commissions letter read. In furtherance of our position as a nonpartisan, neutral body, which neither favors nor disfavors any party or candidate, we do not negotiate the terms or conditions of our operations with anyone. But in her letter on Thursday, Ms. McDaniel replied that the commissions response seemed designed to delay any reform until it is too late to matter for the 2024 election. She added that the Republican National Committees duty was to ensure that its candidates debated their opponents on a level playing field. So long as the C.P.D. appears intent on stonewalling the meaningful reforms necessary to restore its credibility with the Republican Party as a fair and nonpartisan actor, the R.N.C. will take every step to ensure that future Republican presidential nominees are given that opportunity elsewhere, Ms. McDaniel wrote. And it raised the question of what Mr. Biden would do next, given that Republicans are all but certain to use a filibuster a fifth time to block the voting rights measures, and that Democrats lack the unanimous support needed in their party to change the rules to enable them to muscle the bills through themselves. Like every other major civil rights bill that came along, if we miss the first time, we come back and try it a second time, Mr. Biden said after emerging empty-handed from his session with Senate Democrats. We missed this time. But his visit to the Capitol was reminiscent of his experience last fall, when he twice made the trip up Pennsylvania Avenue to appeal to House Democrats to quickly unite behind the two major elements of his domestic agenda a $1.2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill and a roughly $2 trillion social safety net and climate package only to be rebuffed both times. He eventually won passage of the public works bill, but the other measure remains in limbo because of objections from Senator Joe Manchin III, Democrat of West Virginia, who like Ms. Sinema reiterated his opposition on Thursday to doing away with the filibuster to push through the voting rights legislation. It was a disappointing turn of events for a president who has emphasized his long experience as a senator and his knowledge of how to get things done on Capitol Hill. In a last-ditch effort to bring the two on board, Mr. Biden met with Ms. Sinema and Mr. Manchin at the White House on Thursday night to discuss the voting rights measures, though neither of them had appeared to leave room in their statements for compromising on Senate rules. In a dissenting opinion, Justices Stephen G. Breyer, Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan expressed incredulity at the courts willingness to frustrate the federal governments ability to counter the unparalleled threat that Covid-19 poses to our nations workers. Regulating safety in the workplace, the three dissenting justices wrote, is precisely what OSHA is commanded to do. They agreed that the key issue in the case was that of institutional competence to address the health care crisis. Underlying everything else in this dispute, they wrote, is a single, simple question: Who decides how much protection, and of what kind, American workers need from Covid-19? An agency with expertise in workplace health and safety, acting as Congress and the president authorized? Or a court, lacking any knowledge of how to safeguard workplaces, and insulated from responsibility for any damage it causes? The wiser course, they wrote, would have been to defer to OSHA. In the face of a still-raging pandemic, this court tells the agency charged with protecting worker safety that it may not do so in all the workplaces needed, the dissenters wrote of the majoritys actions in the case, National Federation of Independent Business v. Department of Labor, No. 21A244. As disease and death continue to mount, this court tells the agency that it cannot respond in the most effective way possible. OSHA issued the mandate in November, making exceptions for workers with religious objections and those who do not come into close contact with other people at their jobs. The administration estimated that it would cause 22 million people to get vaccinated and prevent 250,000 hospitalizations. The ruling means that companies across the country must now decide between protecting employees, potentially losing staff members resistant to complying and running afoul of patchwork regulations. DAKAR, Senegal The Nigerian government restored access in the country to Twitter on Thursday after a seven-month suspension that was imposed after the social media site deleted a post by Nigerias president that threatened a violent crackdown on secessionist groups. The government blocked access to the site in June, but reversed course on Wednesday after Twitter agreed to several demands. Twitter will establish an office in the country, pay taxes there, appoint a representative and act with a respectful acknowledgment of Nigerian laws and the national culture and history, a government official said. Since the ban came into effect, Nigerians have been able to access the service only using a virtual private network. Twitters removal of a post by President Muhammadu Buhari was widely seen as having prompted the government to block the site, but the government official, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, said on Wednesday that it was because it had been used for subversive purposes and criminal activities. In the now-deleted tweet, which was aimed at those misbehaving, Mr. Buhari said that the government would treat them in the language they understand, a message that was widely read as being a reference to the deadly Nigerian civil war. Some interpreted it as a threat of genocide. No one was prepared for that, including me, said Steve Johnson, who had traveled to Sydney from the United States to attend the hearing. The hearing was adjourned. In the following days, Mr. Whites lawyers tried to have his admission thrown out, arguing that their client suffered stress and anxiety and had an intellectual disability, local news media reported. But the court heard that Mr. White had noted his intent to change his plea on several earlier occasions, and the judge contended that he spoke in a determined and firm manner. On Thursday, he was convicted of the murder, and the sentencing hearing is scheduled for May. At the time of his arrest, local media reported that Mr. White was from Sydney and lived alone with his dog in a small apartment. The police had been expected to say in court that he had met Scott Johnson at a hotel before they headed to the cliff together, local media reported. Mr. Whites lawyers have indicated they will appeal, according to local news media. But in Steve Johnsons mind, the case is over. Im grateful to Scott White for sparing us the trial, sparing us the months, sparing us more uncertainty, he said. XI'AN Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- As Shen Ying rolled up the shutters of her fresh food store, a sense of relief was overwhelmed by the realization that her business was reopening after a COVID-19 resurgence in early December 2021. Customers formed a queue to buy vegetables and fruits before the store in which they stood one meter apart in Lianhu District in Xi'an, capital of northwest China's Shaanxi Province. Xi'an reported eight new confirmed locally transmitted COVID-19 cases on Tuesday. This is the first time new cases fell into single digits since Dec. 18, 2021, signalling an upturn in the current epidemic situation, said Lyu Yongpeng, deputy director of the city's health commission. With a population of 13 million, Xi'an registered 2,025 local cases amid the latest resurgence. Of these, 540 had recovered by Tuesday. The city issued a statement Friday to allow the resumption of business at supermarkets, fresh-food stores and suppliers of other necessities, as well as logistics storage centers and distribution sites, after evaluating epidemic prevention conditions. These convenience stores have become very important support for people's daily life amid the epidemic. In front of a convenience store, lots of takeaway packages were placed on a table, waiting for the delivery men to fetch them. "Now, we adopt the way of ordering online and asking delivery men to send these orders to customers. We also added the storage of rice and oil to meet the demands of customers," said Zhao Xiaoqin, general manager of a chain convenience store named "Everyday" in Xi'an. Over 600 of the 1,100 Everyday chain stores have reopened and more than 2,000 of the staff members with the chain stores have returned to work so far. The epidemic has also boosted these e-commerce platforms to improve their delivery molds. They established many pickup locations near residential communities. At a store of Hema Fresh, a Chinese fresh items' supermarket, about 90 percent of staffers here have resumed work. The variety of goods in the store has also improved. "We will try our best to meet customer demand," said Ding Xuesong, manager of the store. Catering enterprises are allowed to receive take-out orders but dine-in services remain suspended. A barbecue restaurant started receiving online takeaway orders on Monday after a 20-day suspension. "We were informed that we could resume our business Saturday morning. The next day, we submitted an application for resumption and were given the go ahead to resume business after an investigation. Now, we measure the body temperature of our staff members three times each day, the community comes to do nucleic acid testings, and the materials and personnel in the restaurant are also disinfected," said manager Wang Junqin. LONDON Britains domestic security agency, MI5, sent an unusual alert on Thursday to lawmakers warning that an agent of the Chinese government was actively working to subvert the political processes of Parliament. The existence of the alert, revealed by lawmakers in Britains House of Commons, led some outspoken critics of the Chinese government to demand a response from Britains Conservative government on its plans to combat political interference. This is the sort of interference we now anticipate and expect from China, said Tobias Ellwood, a Conservative lawmaker. But the fact that it has happened to this Parliament there must be a sense of urgency from this government. It comes as tensions have heightened between the two nations, with Britain in recent years taking an increasingly firm stance against Beijing. It has revoked the license of a Chinese-backed broadcaster, suspended an extradition treaty with Hong Kong and granted visas to tens of thousands of Hong Kong residents in the aftermath of a security law from Beijing that stifles political dissent. In a much-watched case in 2020, Prime Minister Boris Johnson largely banned the Chinese telecommunications company Huawei from providing equipment for Britains 5G network. michael barbaro From The New York Times, Im Michael Barbaro. This is The Daily. [music] Over the past week, as Omicron infections surged, a high-stakes battle has played out in Chicago again between the citys mayor and its teachers union about whether its safe or practical to keep schools open. Today: My colleagues Clare Toeniskoetter and Rob Szypko spoke with the students, teachers and parents caught in the middle of the standoff. Its Thursday, January 13. [phone ringing] clare toeniskoetter Hi, Sonja. sonja johnson Hi. clare toeniskoetter Hi, can you hear me? sonja johnson Yes. clare toeniskoetter So I would love to just start by getting to know you a little bit. Just introduce yourself for me. sonja johnson OK. My name is Sonja Johnson. Im a special ed teacher. Ive been teaching in Chicago Public Schools for 21 years. And Ive been teaching in a high school for about 15 years. clare toeniskoetter What has that been like in the recent past? sonja johnson So winter break, you know, Covid surges. Infection rates just climb. We were constantly watching the news and wondering if we were going to go remote, which we all were hoping we would go remote for safety reasons. But we came back Monday, and classes were about 50 percent full due to Covid outbreaks. Our principal had Covid. She was out. Our dean, he also has Covid and was out. clare toeniskoetter Wow. sonja johnson Serious, just staffing issues. Teachers were asked to cover for other teachers who were absent, which I did, missing my prep periods and my lunch period. I had a student in my class with all the symptoms of Covid. And she said, Ms. Johnson, you know, I feel really, really sick, you know. I have a sore throat, I have a cough, I feel like Im getting a fever. I mean and she said, but I was tested negative for Covid. So can I just sit in the hallway? So I brought her downstairs looking for the nurse. And Im like, how can I send this student home? We cannot have any students with any symptoms, regardless of positive or negative Covid tests. So anyway, thats when I learned that we had no nurse, because she was out with Covid, and that the principal assistant because our principals out with Covid was now also doing the nurses job of communicating with students with symptoms and explaining, like, the procedures and what they needed to do. And its just been overwhelming. [music] archived recording 1 Now to the battle over remote learning for Chicago Public Schools. As Covid cases climb, many teachers say they want out of the classroom, and soon. In fact, tomorrow the teachers union is putting it to a vote. archived recording 2 That vote is expected tomorrow. The Chicago Teachers Union expected to ask its members if they support staying out of the classroom and teaching remotely starting as soon as Wednesday. archived recording 3 The Chicago Teachers Union electronically polling its 25,000 members to gauge interest in this potential return to remote learning. sonja johnson The vote was done through our emails, if we were for remote learning or not. archived recording 1 The union proposes remote learning to take effect unless the Covid surge subsides or testing and safety measures in schools are improved. archived recording 2 73 percent of the teachers union voted in favor of moving instruction to remote learning. sonja johnson The vast majority of us said yes, that we wanted remote learning. archived recording Tonight, city officials tried to persuade parents students, and teachers that schools are safe. archived recording (lori lightfoot) Im urging teachers come to school, teach your kids. Your students need you. archived recording Mayor Lightfoot says the lessons of 20 and 2021 showed the dangers of remote learning outweigh the dangers of Covid for students. sonja johnson And then the union finds out, we find out, everybody finds out that archived recording Well, the rank and file members of the Chicago Teachers Union voted to temporarily switch to remote learning. Chicago Public Schools responding by canceling all classes, after-school activities, and sports for today. sonja johnson City of Chicago and Mayor Lightfoot canceled classes. That was not our decision. Thats not what we wanted. So were just, like, stranded. archived recording 1 Teachers and school administrators cant come to terms on resuming classroom instruction. archived recording 2 The union calling conditions unsafe, demanding more testing and better masks. But the mayor accusing teachers of an illegal work stoppage. archived recording (lori lightfoot) I will not allow them to take our children hostage. I will not allow them to compromise the future of this generation of C.P.S. students. That is not going to happen. archived recording Weve been failed by the mayor. Weve been failed by the public health office. And teachers and the school staff have decided we have the only thing that we get to control is whether we go into the buildings. sonja johnson Its very upsetting, you know? Its really just stupid, is what it is. [music] lillian So my name is Lillian Alfaro. I am a parent of a second grader, a fourth grader, a sixth grader, and an eighth grader. clare toeniskoetter So how did you feel sending your kids off to school on Monday? lillian So I felt OK sending them back to school, but there was only like five students in the classroom for that reason. My daughter is like, you know, nobodys coming to school. Something is really wrong. And this is my eighth grader. So she said she kind of sat herself at a table closer to the corner where she was going to be alone. And she came home that day on Monday, and she said, I dont feel safe. I dont want to go back. She said, I know that theres a lot of my friends that currently have Covid, and its just its scary. clare toeniskoetter And are you vaccinated? Are your kids vaccinated? lillian We are not vaccinated. Not that Im against vaccines, because they obviously had to get vaccinated in order to be in school since they were babies. But I just I have my different mixed emotions about the Covid vaccine. So I guess when the time comes, if its going to be, you know, to the point where its mandatory for them to have to go to school, then I guess we would have no other choice. But for now, I think we kind of just take the more natural route. And thankfully, we have been OK. My kids have not been sick. I have not been sick. clare toeniskoetter So then tell me about how you learned about school being closed. lillian So I got an email from the school. I, first of all, told my kids. And they felt a sign of relief. And I completely understand, because theyre the ones that are in the school and have to experience, you know, whats going on. But my first thing was, what am I supposed to do to be able to go to work? Because Im a single parent, and I obviously have to work to support my kids. Now, its just I am overwhelmed all over again. Its just its hard. [music] rob szypko Check, check, check. OK, so this is Rob Szypko. Im a producer on The Daily. And Im here in Chicago, Illinois. Its Thursday, January 6. Its afternoon. Pretty clear, freezing winter day. And Im in a quiet kind of residential neighborhood. Im walking over to the school here. So Im going to see if anyones here. Excuse me, would you guys have a minute? Im from The New York Times. speakers Yeah. rob szypko Cool. Do you guys work at the school? speakers Yeah, we do. rob szypko OK, would you mind telling me your name and what you do? kyle vaneenenaam Im Kyle VanEenenaam. I am a special education teacher at Rogers here. rob szypko Cool. What about you? chris cormier Im Chris Cormier. Im a physical education teacher here at Rogers. rob szypko So what do you kind of make of the current tension between the mayor and the union. kyle vaneenenaam Its frustrating. Im a parent. Ive been a teacher for 21 years in C.P.S. so I understand I do get both sides of it. At the end of the day, everyone in this building wants to be back. We want students back in the building. We want it to be in a safe way. And its scary, like when you know this new strain, the Omicron strain my sons already had it. His entire baseball team has had it. I mean, everyone knows multiple, multiple people that are positive right now. So it is scary. And I dont think I understand why the union needs to take a stand, and in order to get action done, weve had to be very aggressive with the steps that we take to get C.P.S. to listen. So and on the flip side, I get the frustration that parents feel, like, oh my god, here we go again. When is this going to stop? So we want to get back in the building as soon as we canm=, and do it in a way that we can all agree, or at least come close to agreeing, that were doing it in a safe way. rob szypko So you said you want to get back in the building. Did you vote to do remote on Tuesday night? Or did you vote to be in person? kyle vaneenenaam I voted to be in person. rob szypko And why did you vote for that? kyle vaneenenaam Ive already been positive with the virus. I got it at the beginning of the year and likely had the Delta strain. My son, he just had it the first week of break. Likely it was the Omicron strain. So I guess the fear for me Im vaxxed, Im boosted, so if I do get it, I know its going to be pretty mild. So that was my personal vote, my personal decision. Do I think we can continue to add measures to make it better and safer? Absolutely. So I voted to be here in person, but I totally understand and respect my colleagues that voted the opposite. So. rob szypko And did you also vote to be in person? chris cormier Yes. Like Kyle said, I also got Covid back in 2020. I still went out, got fully vaccinated, just got my booster shot. I feel great. Im ready to teach. I want to be here, because people need to understand that educators, were also frontline workers. Were here. Were here to help the community. So a lot of my decision was based on that, and also timing. Like, I have two toddlers at home, and I needed to help my wife. And it puts us in a really awkward position when youre finding out, hey, theres no school tomorrow. And I also have a middle school-aged son. And Ive seen that remote learning doesnt work for him. He did much better with in-person instruction. He was failing his classes. And hes a bright kid, but when hes in person and working with teachers like Kyle and all the people and resources that he has in the building, its just a better environment for him. rob szypko Yeah. What do you kind of see as the trade-offs? Whats the kind of short term and the long term of the impact that this is having on teachers and on students? chris cormier Well, I think its putting everybody in between a rock and a hard place. You have one group that throws a rock, and then the other group throws another rock. And then parents are looking at, well, whats going on here? We got a bunch of rock throwing. And these are supposed to be our leaders within our city and in our community. And I think it just has to come down to thinking about what is the solution, and getting to a solution. And in my opinion, I feel like you have to be vaccinated for measles, mumps, polio, everything else. We need to add Covid to the list, and we need to have it enforced, in my opinion. rob szypko You both said that youre parents. What did you do for child care the past couple days? chris cormier My wife is a nurse. So she works out in Lincolnshire. So she works back-to-back 16-hour shifts on Saturday and Sunday. So shes home. I have two toddlers at home. And what we decided to do for our community is, we had a bunch of our friends call us, say, hey, you know, I dont want to get in trouble at work. I have to report to work. So just me and my wife, we opened up our home. So I think shes watching, like, seven or eight kids today by herself. And you know, shes awesome. kyle vaneenenaam Yeah. And were unable. At this point, the answer is we cant take our kids into the building right now. So yeah, its a difficult situation, because I dont feel like the union 100 percent represents every individual teacher. And I feel the same about C.P.S. So its kind of that middle ground, and it really its an individual decision to stay home or to if they need to go into the building, thats their decision. And you got to respect their reasons. You dont have to agree with it, but they have their reasons for doing it. So its just its kind of getting comfortable with living in this new pandemic period that were living through. [music] rob szypko All right. Stay warm, guys. Thank you. kyle vaneenenaam Take good care. [music] michael barbaro Well be right back. archived recording 1 For a third day, classes are canceled for Chicagos more than 300,000 public school students. School administrators archived recording 2 The latest Chicago Teachers Union proposal rejected in part tonight by Mayor Lori Lightfoot. archived recording 3 You know the way teachers see that? We see it as bullying. We see this as an attempt to dictate all the terms and not listen to the people who are actually in there trying to make schools, to make education work. archived recording (lori lightfoot) What I wont do is allow the teachers union to politicize this surge or the pandemic in general. People are nervous. They are scared. We get that. But the thing to do is to lean in to the facts and the science and not abandon them in a panic. [phone ringing] clare toeniskoetter Yeah, hello? quentin randle Yes. clare toeniskoetter Hi, this is Clare from The New York Times. Hows it going? quentin randle Im doing good. My name is Quentin Randle. clare toeniskoetter Quentin? quentin randle Yeah. clare toeniskoetter Tell me some basics about yourself. quentin randle So yeah, I co-parent with my sons mother. My son is Quentin Randle as well. He attends McDade, which is a classical school, gifted school, here in Chicago. clare toeniskoetter OK. quentin randle Hes a first grader. So I mean, this closure is challenging. And I just dont want these interruptions to really make him be like, OK, I could just stay home and this is better now. Like, we dont even really have a lesson plan to follow. So Ive just kind of been having him do a little bit of everything just so he could stay in the mode of working. clare toeniskoetter Right. Well, Id love to get back to this moment, but I want to hear about the kind of trajectory of your sons education. If hes in first grade now, in 2022, he was just starting school when Covid hit, right? quentin randle Yes. clare toeniskoetter So tell me about his 2020 school year first. quentin randle It was a lot. Youre literally telling a five, six-year-old kid to, hey, pay attention to a computer screen while hes maybe in a room with toys or a gaming system. So its so easy to get distracted. I mean, the simple thing is, like, youre on the computer, so now you could go and play a game. Like, he was speaking to Roblox. One time, I was he asked me a question about something about downloading. I knew it was Im like, this has nothing to do with class. And I looked, and he was downloading something new for Roblox. And Im like, no. This is not what youre supposed to be doing. Or hed be like, dad, I finished the assignment already. So now its like, what do I tell you to do? Youre actually done what youre supposed to be doing. I mean, you could easily let your kid be done and just let them do whatever until the next assignment, because they do have more breaks during e-learning, or you can try to keep them busy. And I preferred to keep him busy, because I never want to get him out of the mode of, this is how learning is. Because once we get that break time, its hard to snap a kid back into that, hey, now its kind of learn again. Its just like its a lot, because I dont want any dips or anything in his foundation as far as education. clare toeniskoetter What do you mean by that? quentin randle Just like, hes in first grade, so like, I know how big this time is and important it is for him as far as education goes. But the fact that he was at home with the online learning, its like even more pressure to make sure there is no slip-ups, no cracks in the foundation. To make sure that, basically, Im doing my job to make sure my child doesnt fall, because I mean, thats how my mother did with me. I was like, two or three years old, and she ordered Hooked On Phonics for me. So I was learning to read. And my kindergarten teachers were exceptional. I still remember them. My pre-K teacher, were friends on Facebook. So I had exceptional teachers. I remember my mom would hate, like she would love and hate when it was book fair time, because one of my big books the Goosebumps series, R.L. Stine. So I was, like, reading through the whole Goosebumps series. Like, every time a book dropped, I wanted to get it. It was one of those things like, hes happy, but man, youre running through my pockets every time with these books. So I was yeah, I was heavy, like a heavy reader, asked a lot of questions just like my son. I was one of those kids that learned a new word and wanted to use it in every way possible. But it all started from the foundation my mom laid. So like, when you lay a good foundation, whether its education, morals, anything like that, itll always be there in the back of your brain. It dont turn off. What she did for me translated to what I do for my son, because them first years up to the pre-teen years, those are important. I say this a lot. Its hard to find someone in Chicago who grew up in the inner city thats not in some way or another affiliated with the streets. I mean, youre going to always have idle time, but too much idle time is when youre a kid, youre curious. You might not even be bad. You just want to see, hey, if I do this, what would happen? So you just dont want them one, you dont want them to get too used to this amount of free time, and then they get in school and there be a problem. So that was my whole me and his moms whole thought process with e-learning. clare toeniskoetter So then how were you feeling over winter break as you saw Omicron hit the city of Chicago and as you saw numbers rise in Covid cases? quentin randle I thought it would be a possible, maybe an e-learning situation. Whats been the situation now where there is no learning, well, thats not what I was expecting. I just feel like the kids are casualties in a war between theyre caught in the politics, and theyre the casualties of the war. I mean, I used to have a union job. So Im very aware of what it means to be in a union, the good and the bad of the union. And I just wish that, you know, the mayor could that there could be some resolve. Like if not I dont feel the urgency to resolve. And these kids, especially in a city such as Chicago that does have violence, and kids kids need to be in school. They need to be getting their education and learning and finding ways to not be you know the song, idle minds is the playground for the devil. Is that how the song goes? I believe. The idle mind is a playground for the devil. Youre having kids not doing anything. [music] atticus patel Hello? clare toeniskoetter Yeah, hello? atticus patel Oh, hello. clare toeniskoetter Hi. This is Attie? atticus patel Yes. My name is Atticus Patel. I am a junior in high school. And I live in the north side of Chicago. clare toeniskoetter How do you think your classmates would describe you? atticus patel My classmates would describe me as quiet. But I do get my work done. When I got into high school, I didnt know anybody there, because I come from an elementary school where it was K through eighth, and I had known everybody for nine years. So going to high school was like a totally different experience. And I thought it was amazing. You know, new people, the classes are very different. I just I really enjoyed it. So going into remote learning was really tough, because then I dont have I didnt get to see my friends anymore. I didnt get to have the experience of being in high school. And waking up and, like, getting ready for the remote learning, Id just feel very lazy, like I dont want to do any of this. I guess I can miss that assignment, and I guess I can miss that one. It made me feel like a little hopeless, like, guess we wont ever get back into in-person learning. clare toeniskoetter How long, total, were you remote? atticus patel 1 and 1/2 years. clare toeniskoetter Wow. So then how did you feel in September 2021 when you go back to school in person for the first time? atticus patel Oh, it was nerve wracking. It was I was a little nervous, because I havent seen my friends in a while. I hadnt actually been in school, so I had kind of forgotten, like, oh, I need to take a shower. I need to get dressed. I need to get ready for school. [music] And I got out of bed, brushed my teeth, got ready. I took a shower and put it on some new clothes. And I walked out the door with a backpack on. I had to line up to get into the school, you know, go through the metal detector. And I hadnt done that in a while. It was like, wow this is really cool. And then I had to find my new classes. Get to see some old teachers, some old friends. And I sat down for my first few classes, and I was like, wow, this is amazing. I actually got to be in class. You know, everybody was wearing their masks. I couldnt see their face. But it was still it was still amazing. And I got more motivated to do my homework, because now Im actually in school rather than on a computer. I actually got to talk to some people, like, oh, what did you do for this question? Oh, OK, thank you. So it was really comforting and really helpful to be back in school. A lot of motivation. Lots of less hopelessness. clare toeniskoetter What have you been doing while youve been at home? atticus patel Ive just been resting. Im kind of restless, because Im so used to waking up early and going to school. Im waiting, like, whats going to happen next? Are we going to do remote learning? Are we going to do in-class learning? [music] archived recording 1 Good evening. A very big update tonight after days and days of negotiations. Both sides finally have come to an agreement. archived recording 2 The teachers union did not get the remote learning it demanded, but its other desires were met with this new plan. archived recording 3 This remote work action was about securing more safety for our school community and accountability that those safety measures would be there. archived recording 4 This set us back, but no obstacle is insurmountable. Im convinced of that. But weve got to stay focused on whats most important, and thats our kids being in person. archived recording 5 So moving forward, teachers will return to the classrooms across the district today, and classes will resume in-person starting tomorrow morning. [music] rob szypko Excuse me. Do you have a minute? parent Uh-huh. rob szypko Would you mind if I asked your son a couple questions? parent Go ahead. rob szypko How does it feel to be back at school today? student 1 Now, there are two feelings. One, because were back to school, there are some positive things, like being able to see our school friends. However, theres of course, theres balance, if youre in remote or if youre in person. So like, in person, you have an easier time learning, and the work is much harder. But its the direct opposite in remote. So I sort of feel somewhat better in the school. But Ill just have to wait and see. rob szypko Is there anything that youre worried about? student 1 Covid numbers, yes, because this is already, like, the third time weve went remote. So yeah, so we never know when the numbers are going to rise. rob szypko Like youre kind of wondering, is there going to be another shutdown at some point? student 1 Yes. rob szypko What are you most looking forward to today? student 1 Going back home. rob szypko Really? student 1 Yes. Going back home. rob szypko Is there anything about the school day that youre looking forward to? student 1 Just hoping for the best that they give some fun schoolwork. rob szypko How are you feeling today now that schools back open? speaker 1 Honestly, Im glad that its back open. I work two jobs, and Im glad that Im able to go back to a normal schedule, drop my kid off, get ready for work. So its a huge relief. Huge relief. speaker 2 Im very relieved. speaker 3 Kind of like a relief. speaker 4 Im happy about it. speaker 5 Going back to normal is something I think that everybody wants to have happen. rob szypko Does it feel like normal today? Is that how it feels? SPEAKER 5 Well, the new normal. [LAUGHS] You dropped off some students here today? speaker 6 Dropped off my daughter just now. rob szypko And how did that feel? speaker 6 Well, Im a little anxious about it, you know? rob szypko Anxious? Like, what are you anxious about? speaker 6 Anxious about her contracting something, bringing it home, spreading it, and then that being spread to other people and all. By the time you get the results, God knows how many other people have been contaminated with that. speaker 7 Yeah, I mean still a concern. But you just try your best to keep healthy. And we did all we can, took our vaccinations, and just hope for the best. [music] rob szypko Where do you think itll go from here? speaker 8 Oh gosh, I have no idea. I have no idea. rob szypko You dont really feel like this issue has been put to rest or anything? speaker 8 Oh, no, no, not at all. No, no. rob szypko So youre feeling pretty good that school is going to stay open for the rest of the school year? speaker 8 Honestly, I dont know. Im uncertain about it, because they were so quick to just shut it down and then leave it closed for so many days. So I dont know. Its a big its a gamble right now. But I hope so. I hope so. [music] michael barbaro Well be right back. Heres what else you need to know today. On Wednesday, federal data showed that Americas inflation problem is getting worse. Consumer prices rose 7 percent in December compared with a year ago, the fastest increase in four decades. The White House had predicted that inflation would quickly subside. But instead, the latest wave of the pandemic has further slowed the U.S. supply chain, created shortages, and as a result, kept prices high on everything from food to furniture. And archived recording (janet woodcock) I think its hard to process whats actually happening right now, which is most people are going to get Covid. michael barbaro In testimony before the Senate, the head of the Food and Drug Administration, Janet Woodcock, predicted that most Americans will be infected by Covid-19 in the current phase of the pandemic. Woodcock said that recognizing that reality and planning for it is essential. archived recording (janet woodcock) What we need to do is make sure the hospitals can still function, transportation, other essential services are not disrupted while this happens. [music] michael barbaro Todays episode was produced by Clare Toeniskoetter and Rob Szypko, with help from Diana Nguyen. It was edited by Lisa Chow, contains original music by Dan Powell, Marion Lozano, and was engineered by Marion Lozano. Our theme music is by Jim Brunberg and Ben Landsverk of Wonderly. [music] PARIS Teachers across France staged a widespread one-day walkout on Thursday to protest changing Covid-19 rules that they say have disrupted schools and are now too lax to protect against the Omicron variant that is tearing across the nation. Tens of thousands of teachers and school personnel, sometimes joined by students parents, participated in marches in cities across the country, in what appeared to be one of Frances biggest school protests in decades. The education ministry said that nearly 40 percent of elementary school teachers and nearly a quarter of secondary school teachers were on strike, although school unions put those figures much higher, at 75 percent and 60 percent. A leading union said it expected about half of all elementary schools, or about 20,000 schools, to be closed. Its all this exasperation and anger that has built up to today, said Sophie Venetitay, a teacher and an official of the leading union in secondary schools. Other German energy companies, including RWE and EnBW, said that they had taken similar steps to ensure they had sufficient credit to weather the volatility in the European energy market, but declined to give details. They all face the same challenge of needing to hedge their sales of gas and electricity to cover price differences across different markets. In a statement explaining the decision to provide Uniper with extra financing, Fortum said that European gas prices reached unprecedented levels in December. In Germany, the price for energy to heat and power homes in November rose more than 101 percent from a year earlier, the countrys official statistics office, Destatis, said. In Britain, the sudden price rise has led to the collapse of several smaller energy suppliers. Global demand for energy jumped last year, after the world economy reawakened from widespread shutdowns aimed at slowing the spread of the coronavirus pandemic. When many economies started up again last spring, the need for natural gas shot up. Natural gas is crucial for generating electricity, running factories and heating homes across the continent. European countries normally stock up on gas in the summer, when prices are relatively cheap, but the pandemic and a cold winter last year drew down levels of stored gas, leading to the wild swings in prices. Prices for natural gas have risen about sixfold, to record levels. The surge means the wholesale price of electricity has reached stratospheric levels, making headlines across Europe as consumers, battered by the pandemic, are now hit by big increases in their home energy bills. Many European countries have tried to buffer the shock to consumers with price caps, subsidies and direct payments. MOSCOW A Russian-led military alliance on Thursday began the process of withdrawing troops from Kazakhstan, Moscow said, after a weeklong deployment that helped stabilize the Central Asian country amid a wave of political unrest that left dozens dead and thousands injured. Troops of the alliance, the Collective Treaty Security Organization, a NATO-like group that includes Russia and five other former Soviet states, have begun handing over strategic facilities that they were guarding to the local authorities and were preparing to leave the country, the Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement. A least one military transport plane with Russian troops on board has already departed from the airport in Almaty, Kazakhstans largest city, according to video footage from the scene. The Russian defense minister, Sergei K. Shoigu, said at a meeting with President Vladimir V. Putin on Thursday that the withdrawal should be completed by next Wednesday. Russian and Kazakh officials had said this week that the troops would be withdrawn once the unrest had been brought under control, amid concerns among many in Kazakhstan that they would be stationed indefinitely in the country, permanently anchoring it in the Kremlins sphere of influence. Now, with capitalism and at least pretensions of democracy the norm on both sides of the old Iron Curtain, there is little to justify fealty to Moscow beyond the shared desire of post-Soviet strongmen to help one another cling to office. Theres no real ideological glue to hold together this motley alliance of people with very different interests, said Timothy M. Frye, a Columbia University political scientist. Mr. Putins sphere of influence, for all the trouble it causes the West, is increasingly a cage of his own making. The more that he relies on force to prop up aging, unpopular autocrats on his periphery, the more besieged his alliance becomes, both by dissent at home and Western pressure abroad. As a result, the very threats that Mr. Putin hoped to avert are instead growing. Ukraine is rushing into the Wests arms. Provocations by Belarus, rooted in its crackdown on rising dissent, are uniting Europe against its pro-Moscow leader. And protesters in long-stable Kazakhstan are demanding change. Mr. Putin has sought to turn his reactive escalations into a strength at home, portraying his interventions into those countries problems as reclaiming Soviet greatness. Russia is demanding that NATO drastically scale back its presence near Russias borders in Eastern Europe, including stopping all military cooperation with Ukraine and providing legally binding guarantees that the country will never join the alliance. Mr. Ryabkov said that dialogue with the United States was continuing but also warned that Mr. Putin was receiving options from the military about what to do in the case of a deterioration of the situation. Those options, analysts and Western officials believe, are likely to involve new Russian military action against Ukraine. Joining this weeks discussions for the first time on Thursday, Ukraine said it had identified 106,000 Russian troops and 1,500 tanks near its border, and accused Moscow of pointing a gun at our common European security. The gathering on Thursday, the last of three negotiating sessions this week between Russia and the West, took place in Vienna at a meeting of the 57-country Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, a group that includes Russia and Ukraine as well as the United States. It seems that the risk of war in the O.S.C.E. area is now greater than ever before in the last 30 years, Foreign Minister Zbigniew Rau of Poland, which took over the rotating chairmanship of the organization this year, said in opening the session. The West insists all countries must have the freedom to choose their alliances, while the Kremlin says that NATO cannot expand eastward, and that Western military cooperation with post-Soviet countries like Ukraine presents an existential threat to Russias security. While Russian officials said this week that they were impressed with the seriousness with which the Biden administration which the Kremlin sees as its main counterpart engaged in the talks, there was no sign on Thursday that the impasse had been broken. Melania Trump How about a nice PR accessory to go with the hat? Vanessa Friedman, chief fashion critic of the New York Times, ridiculed Melania Trumps decision to auction off the over-the-top hat that she wore during the first formal visit of French president Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte, to the White House on April 24, 2018. That ostentatious topper overshadowed the Macrons and the pomp of the day. Trump stuck out like a sore thumb. Or perhaps, the millinery signalled the need for attention. The nations eyes were glued in fascination to Melanias lid, which is described as the iconic white broad-brimmed, high blocked crown hat on her website. She commissioned the creation of that one-of-a-kind chapeau to mark the important moment for the country, apparently referring to the French couples visit to DC. More likely, the headgear helped Melania redirect the spotlight from her husband, even if just for a moment. Friedman sniffed that Trumps auction flies in the face of tradition as First Ladies generally donate the clothes they wore to a special federal event to the National Archives or the Smithsonian. Melania, of course, was not a traditional First Lady. In raffling off her headdress, she is carrying out the Trump family tradition of squeezing every penny that it can from its four-year run in DC. Whats next for Melania? How about auctioning another item of the outfit she wore at on that festive April day, a pair of Christian Louboutin stilettos in blue denim, white trim and a red sole, symbolic of her countrys flag USA, USA, indeed. Calling out the heavy PR artillery. Dr. Rochelle Walensky, the beleaguered director of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, has reached out to media guru Mandy Grunwald for communications guidance. Grunwald, who cut her PR teeth at the legendary Sawyer Miller Group shop, was Bill Clintons ad director during his 1992 presidential campaign, and campaign manager for Daniel Patrick Moynihans three successful runs for New York's Senate seat. She has a reputation of being a hard-nosed and somewhat brusque PR counselor who gets the job done. In other words, she is just what the doctor ordered. Walensky has been unfairly criticized for offering shifting guidance concerning the COVID-19 pandemic. The real problem: the public is worn out by the pandemic and is desperate for a magic bullet to kill Omicron once and for all. But there is no single bullet in the communications holster. Unfortunately, Omicron is a fast-moving pandemic with a quickly-evolving nature that requires the CDCs 12,000 scientists to update and frequently change their recommendations. The public may get the impression that the shifting recommendations from the CDC shows the healthcare watchdog doesnt have a clue about dealing with Omicron. The reality: the CDC must retain flexibility to keep one step ahead of the virus. Xavier Becerra, Health and Human Services secretary, said Walensky, who is an expert in infectious diseases, is the right person to lead the CDC. He conceded though that she has a degree in public health and not in marketing. Thats where Grunwald, a doctor of PR, comes in. Robinhood has solved the return to work crisis It told workers to stay home for good. The online stock trading platform announced Jan. 12 that Robinhoodies (e.g, staffers) can work remotely forever. There will be no location or regular in-office requirement for a large segment of Robinhoods workforce, though "teams will come together occasionally for key experiences and moments that drive connection and innovation, the company blogged. Robinhood promises to find new ways to cultivate community and create a consistent experience within its offices and remote hubs. The goal is to disrupt proximity bias, in which workers who show up at the office stand a better chance of advancement. PR firms are going to follow in Robinhoods footsteps? Young schoolteacher Ashling Murphy has been named locally as the victim of a random and brutal murder on the banks of the Grand Canal outside Tullamore on Wednesday evening, January 13. Ms Murphy, a teacher at Durrow National School, was out for a jog at 4pm on the Grand Canal at Cappincur when she was viciously attacked by a man in his 40s. Ashling was also a talented camogie player and Irish traditional musician from a musical family. A man arrested in connection with the murder, a Romanian national who has been living in the Co Offaly town for a number of years, was arrested yesterday afternoon following the fatal assault of the 23-year-old. The crime scene at a location known as Boland's Lock remains preserved. The man being questioned is known to the gardai and lives in Tullamore. The stretch of the canal where the attack occurred is called Fiona's Way in memory of Fiona Pender, a woman who grew up nearby and has been missing since 1996 when she disappeared. Minister for Justice Helen McEntee has described the murder as "truly shocking" and said her thoughts were with the family of the young woman. My thoughts tonight are with the family of the young woman killed in a truly shocking crime, with her friends and with her community. Please anyone with information, come forward to An Garda Siochana. The Gardai will investigate this awful crime and ensure justice is done. Helen McEntee TD (@HMcEntee) January 12, 2022 Minister Simon Harris tweeted: "A young woman, simply out for a run in the afternoon and brutally killed. Thinking of her and her family and community tonight and their unimaginable pain. We must all act to end violence against women. We all have a responsibility." Hibernian winger Daniel Mackay has joined cinch Championship side Kilmarnock on loan until the end of the season in a bid to get game time. The 20-year-old moved to Easter Road in the summer on a four-year contract after impressing for Inverness in the second tier last season. However, he has managed only six appearances so far and has not featured since August, so Hibs have allowed him to move to Rugby Park in order to get the first-team exposure required to accelerate his development. After becoming Derek McInnes first new signing since he took over as Kilmarnock manager last week, Mackay told the Ayrshire clubs website: Its a good opportunity for me to come to Kilmarnock with the goal of winning the league and hopefully I can help the team do that. Im happy that the manager was keen to bring me in and I cant wait to get started now. Im direct, quick and can score goals as well so hopefully I have all the ingredients to show the fans that I can do well on the park. Kilmarnock are currently two points off the top of the Championship with a game in hand over surprise leaders Arbroath. Chinese Vice President Wang Qishan meets with Emmanuel Bonne, diplomatic counselor to French President Emmanuel Macron, via video link in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 13, 2022. (Xinhua/Pang Xinglei) BEIJING, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice President Wang Qishan hailed China-France bilateral relations during a virtual meeting with Emmanuel Bonne, diplomatic counselor to French President Emmanuel Macron in Beijing Thursday. Wang said under the guidance of the two heads of state, relations between China and France have maintained a healthy and stable development momentum. China has always seen France as a comprehensive strategic partner and stands ready to work with the European nation to make contributions to world peace, stability and sustainable development, Wang said. "Harmony in diversity is one of the experiences in the development of EU, which should also become the guiding principle for the relations between China and Europe," said Wang, adding that China stands ready to cooperate with EU to champion the principle of mutual respect, opening and cooperation to achieve common prosperity. Noting that France holds the EU's rotating presidency in the first half of this year, Wang expressed the hope that France would lead EU to have a correct understanding of China, and independently develop relations and carry out cooperation with China. Bonne said France attaches great importance to its relations with China and is willing to work with China to enhance high-level exchanges and strategic communication. France stands ready to play a constructive role in promoting the building of a win-win cooperative relationship between EU and China, Bonne added. Chinese Vice President Wang Qishan meets with Emmanuel Bonne, diplomatic counselor to French President Emmanuel Macron, via video link in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 13, 2022. (Xinhua/Pang Xinglei) A polar bear cub has been settling into life at the wildlife park where it was born a month ago. The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) has released video footage of the cub wriggling and rolling over in the straw before settling down for a nap in the cubbing den. The cub was born in December at the RZSS-owned Highland Wildlife Park near Kingussie to mother, Victoria, and father, Arktos. Visitors are not yet able to see the youngster as both Victoria and her cub are settled in the off-show den to give them peace and quiet during the first sensitive few months. The cutest little toes Our tiny polar bear cub is now a month old and is wriggling, rolling and napping like a pro with mum Victoria always close by! Remember visitors will not be able to see the little one just yet as they remain in the off-show den at this delicate stage. pic.twitter.com/K3MNzxIotB Highland Wildlife Park (@HighlandWPark) January 13, 2022 Polar bears are born blind and do not open their eyes until they are a month old. Keepers will not know if the cub is male or female until health checks can be carried out in the spring. Highland Wildlife Park tweeted: Our tiny polar bear cub is now a month old and is wriggling, rolling and napping like a pro with mum Victoria always close by. Remember visitors will not be able to see the little one just yet as they remain in the off-show den at this delicate stage. Victoria previously gave birth to Hamish, the UKs first polar bear cub in 25 years, in December 2017. As part of the breeding programme for the species, Hamish moved to Yorkshire Wildlife Park in November 2020. THE principal of the school where murdered Offaly teacher Ashling Murphy worked has paid a heartfelt tribute to his former staff member. James Hogan, principal of Durrow National School, said the 23-year-old was a beautiful, gifted and talented lady. She was a talented teacher, extraordinary sportsperson, traditional Irish music enthusiast, very active and fit, an inspiration to all, said Mr Hogan. She gave 110% to everything she put her hand to. And the kids and their education was her priority. She taught a class of 28 boys and girls and those children were today dealing with the sudden loss of a teacher they loved. Today was very much about talking, being open and saying it's ok to be sad and have feelings, and say we're all hurting and remember the good things about Ms Murphy, said the principal They all did little notes and lovehearts, poems and prayers and Mass cards and left them in memory boxes. He said Ashling's death was devastating for the school and the whole community and he paid tribute to the psychologists who came to provide support. The road ahead is going to be tough but I can reassure everyone that the school and the community will always have support services her to cater for the kids, the families, and ourselves, the staff. Because when this new reality dies down it's going to be tough and hard for everyone. Ashling Murphy began work in Durrow as a substitute teacher in March 2021 and was then appointed to First Class as a permanent teacher. Mr Hogan said his thoughts were now with her family and he expressed his deepest sympathy. I know them at a personal level too outside of the school through traditional music. I grew up playing music and her family are musical and I know them really well. Words can't describe how to express sympathy to them. Mary Daly, chair of the school board of management spoke of the terrible shock and sadness she had felt. The loss of any life is tragic but to know a girl after getting her college finished and starting work here, it was just devastation for the whole community and the wider community and worldwide, said Ms Daly. She was the light in shining armour here. That was the feeling from everybody and the little pupils, to see the way they came up so dignified, and to see them go home this evening. It was heartbreaking. Fr Joe Gallagher, parish priest of Tullamore, joined the school staff for a period of reflection this afternoon and said that was important to have that few moments to pray and reflect and strengthen the bonds and support one another and understand how valuable we are to one another and what we can do for one another. Fr Gallagher added: When somebody is pulled out like that all of a sudden it is then we realise how important we are to each other and how we can do so much. It's something that touches everybody very deeply. He said the feeling when he heard the news of the tragedy was surreal. It was unbelievable, it was just a total, total shock,and you think this could just not be true. For it to happen in your own town and a place we all know and walk. You meet so many people down there. And to think that she was coming home from school and going out to get a bit of air and exercise and then for that to happen. The whole town is feeling it and it has touched so many people all over the country and we've got messages from so many places, all expressing their sympathy and support and offering their prayers. Offaly-based Minister in the Department of Agriculture Pippa Hackett has said she is "devastated" by the death of Ashling Murphy in Tullamore as she paid her "sincere condolences to the family." Ms Murphy was murdered in a random attack on the Grand Canal near Cappincur on Wednesday evening. She said: "Like everyone else, I am devastated, shocked, and heartbroken for Ashling Murphy and I want to offer my sincere condolences to her family, friends, colleagues, fellow recent graduates and wider circle. I also want to say how sad I am for her little pupils, who will have to come to terms with losing their vibrant and inspiring young teacher, who by all accounts, was loved by them all. "What happened to her is beyond horrific, something no woman in our country should ever have to face and something no family should have to deal with. "I know the people of Tullamore will unite in total sympathy with Ashlings family and support them in any way they can. Tullamore is a fine town, acknowledged as a great place to live, so the idea that a young woman from there would meet such a fate as she simply went for a run along the canal we are so proud of, is simply dreadful. "But we must continue to stand up for our right to run in such places. Our community stands for freedom of movement and safety for all. We must not retreat into teaching our girls and young women that they should moderate their behaviour for their own safety. Instead we must all work together to ensure that safety, for all, is a given. "I know there will be a number of vigils around the country tomorrow. I hope many of the massive number of men who are as angered by this horrible crime as women are, will attend and make clear that it is important for all of us to work towards an Ireland which is truly safe, for everyone." What's Included With a Digital Only subscription, you'll receive unlimited access to our website and e-edition. Our digital products are available 24/7 and are accessible anywhere, anytime. If you have any questions or need further assistance, please call our customer service team at 716-372-3121 or email nfinnerty@oleantimesherald.com. (The Center Square) Theres another challenge to another coronavirus stimulus program that gives more benefits to non-white families in Wisconsin. The Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty sent a letter to Gov. Tony Evers urging him to change the specifics of the Wisconsin Help for Homeowners program. Congress also authorized states to expand this program to include higher income limits, but with an important restriction. A state may expand the income eligibility up to 150% of AMI, but if a state makes that choice, then only socially disadvantaged individuals with incomes in that higher bracket may receive a benefit, the letter states. The phrase socially disadvantaged individuals, ... is defined as including only Black Americans, Hispanic Americans, Native Americans, and Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders,. WILL says a report from the states Department of Administration further clarified that "socially disadvantaged" means those whose householder is in any racial or ethnic group besides non-Hispanic/Latinx White. WILLs president and general counsel, Rick Esenberg, said it is unconstitutional for the government to withhold benefits from someone because of the color of their skin. The government cannot condition benefits and assistance based on race, Essenberg said. Gov. Evers should make clear that Wisconsins housing assistance grants will not discriminate on the basis of skin color. The Help for Homeowners program, for example, wont pay for housing assistance for a white family of four who makes just over $100,000 a year in Dane County. Non-white families in Dane County can make up to $150,000 and still qualify for housing assistance. Its nearly the same $50,000 difference, though the specific numbers are different, in Milwaukee, Waukesha, Brown, Outagamie, Eau Claire, Kenosha and Rock counties as well. Such racial classifications are illegal. Government policies that classify people by race are presumptively invalid under the 14th Amendment to the United States Constitution and Article 1, Section 1 of the Wisconsin Constitution, WILL wrote in its letter to the governor. This is not the first time WILL has challenged a Biden administration-authored coronavirus relief program because of race-based benefits. WILL managed to halt both the the Restaurant Revitalization Fund, which showed preference to non-white restaraunt owners, and the Farmer Loan Forgiveness Program, which did the same for non-white farmers. BAGHDAD, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- The Iraqi Federal Supreme Court on Thursday suspended the newly-elected parliament's speaker and two deputies for two lawsuits filed by lawmakers. The court move came at the request of two lawmakers, Basim Khashan and Mahmoud al-Mashhadani, who claimed legal and unconstitutional violations during the first session of parliament on Jan. 9. Under the court's decision, Parliament Speaker Mohammed al-Halbousi and his two deputies, Hakim al-Zamili and Shakhwan Abdullah Ahmed, are suspended until the two lawsuits are resolved. On Jan. 9, the Iraqi parliament held the first session of its fifth legislative term under the chairmanship of the eldest member of the parliament Mahmoud al-Mashhadani, but the session was interrupted amid heated debate and chaos. The Iraqi parliamentary elections, originally scheduled for 2022, were held on Oct. 10, 2021, in response to months of protests against corruption, poor governance, and a lack of public services. Are you a current print subscriber? You qualify for online access to the Omak Chronicle. To receive your access, create a website account and then verify your print subscription or e-edition subscription with your subscriber number, which may be found on your bill or mailing label. The UK's largest supermarket chain has reported a strong Christmas for sales in the face of "growing cost pressures and supply chain challenges". A New York judge has dismissed the royal's request to have the case against him thrown out. France is expected to reopen its borders to British tourists within the next few days, according to a government spokesman. ADEN, Yemen, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- Two Yemeni deminers were killed on Wednesday after an anti-tank mine exploded during a demining and explosive ordnance disposal operation in the country's Red Sea port city of Hodeidah, a military official told Xinhua. "An explosion occurred while a team of pro-government deminers were clearing a field of landmines laid previously by the Houthi rebel militia in the southern parts of Hodeidah," the local military source said on condition of anonymity. He confirmed that an explosion caused by an anti-tank mine killed two Yemeni experts at the scene and critically injured at least three others. All the injured deminers were transferred by an ambulance to receive treatment at a nearby field hospital manned by the pro-government Yemeni forces in Hodeidah, according to the official. Previous reports by humanitarian organizations said that Yemen has become one of the largest landmine battlefields in the world since World War II. Yemen has been mired in a civil war since late 2014 when the Iran-backed Houthi militia seized control of several northern Yemeni provinces and forced the internationally-recognized government of President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi out of the capital Sanaa. The Saudi-led Arab coalition intervened in the Yemeni conflict in March 2015 to support Hadi's government. The threat of a new war in Europe is very real, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said today following talks with Russia at the military alliances headquarters in Brussels. News24 27 Jan 2022 Prince Andrew is seeking a jury trial to clear his name in the sexual assault civil complaint he is fighting in New York. Russia could launch a new invasion of Ukraine from the sea - a form of attack that Russian forces "constantly practice", including in Crimea, the deputy head of the Ukrainian navy has said. Officers with the Provincial Animal Welfare Service (PAWS) allowed an Ontario couple charged with animal cruelty to relocate four lions that killed and ate a tiger in July, according to a provincial official. President Vladimir Putin said the mission in Kazakhstan had been a success and was a practice that warranted further study. 2008-2022 One News Page Ltd. All rights reserved. One News is a registered trademark of One News Page Ltd. A US judge has set out his reasons for rejecting Prince Andrew's bid to have the sexual assault civil lawsuit against him thrown out. Irish police were continuing to question a man on Thursday evening as they investigate the killing of a young teacher as she jogged along a canal. Prince Andrews military titles and royal patronages have been stripped by Queen Elizabeth II. The moves comes as the embattled royal is facing a sex abuse trial against Virginia Roberts Giuffre, which he will have to defend as a private citizen. With The Queens approval and agreement, The Duke of Yorks military affiliations and Royal patronages have been returned to the Queen, Buckingham Palace said Thursday evening in a statement. The Duke of York will continue not to undertake any public duties and is defending this case as a private citizen. According to the BBC, Prince Andrew will no longer be called His Royal Highness. Giuffre, a longtime accuser of deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, filed a lawsuit last year against Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, accusing him of sexual abuse. On Wednesday, a U.S. district judge refused to dismiss the civil case against Prince Andrew. In the suit, filed in New York federal court, Giuffre accused the 61-year-old prince of sexually abusing her at Epsteins Manhattan home when she was under the age of 18, and of intentionally inflicting emotional distress. She is seeking unspecified compensatory and punitive damages. I am holding Prince Andrew accountable for what he did to me. The powerful and the rich are not exempt from being held responsible for their actions, Giuffre said in part, in a statement to media. I hope that other victims will see that it is possible not to live in silence and fear, but one can reclaim her life by speaking out and demanding justice. In a 2019 BBC interview, Andrew denied the allegations. Ive said consistently and frequently that we never had any sort of sexual contact whatever, the prince said, when questioned about Giuffres allegations against him. Giuffre, now a 38-year-old mother living in Australia, first accused the royal of sexual abuse in public court filings in December 2014. ISLAMABAD, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- The Global Development Initiative (GDI) proposed by China will help promote international cooperation required to "overcome the triple challenge faced by the world today," Pakistan's Foreign Ministry said on Thursday. The challenges, said Pakistan's Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, are the COVID-19 pandemic, the related economic crisis and the threat posed by climate change. Addressing the weekly media briefing in Islamabad, the spokesperson said Pakistan welcomes and supports the GDI as a timely and good-intention step to facilitate the implementation of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The GDI will open up new avenues of collaboration with developing countries in support of their post-pandemic economic recovery as well as long-term sustainable growth, the spokesperson said. The key areas of focus under the GDI are poverty alleviation, food security, COVID-19 response, development financing, climate change and green development, industrialization, digital economy and connectivity, Ahmad said, adding that all of these correspond to the socio-economic development priorities of Pakistan as well. "Pakistan and China have strong development partnership based on the all-weather strategic cooperative partnership between our two countries, and we look forward to further strengthening this development partnership under China's Global Development Initiative," the spokesperson said. The federal government is backing down from its vaccine mandate for Canadian truckers three days before it was set to take effect. A person has been arrested in the unsolved case of three members of a British family and a cyclist shot dead in the French Alps more than nine years ago. A man who was arrested over the 2012 murder of a British family and a cyclist in the French Alps has been released and has been "ruled out" as a suspect, prosecutors have said. Cambridge News 03 May 2022 In order to make sure her children's birthdays are as special as possible, Kate Middleton stays up late as part of an adorable.. Ottumwa, IA (52501) Today Cloudy with occasional light rain...mainly in the morning. High 51F. Winds N at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 90%.. Tonight Cloudy early with some clearing expected late. Low 38F. Winds NNE at 10 to 15 mph. ELDON [mdash] A graveside memorial service, with military honors, will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 14, 2022, at the Eldon Cemetery in Eldon, IA for Charles and Irene Stribling. Family and friends are welcome to attend. RAMALLAH, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- An 80-year-old Palestinian man who holds American citizenship was found dead on Wednesday following his arrest by the Israeli army in the West Bank, medics said. The Palestinian Health Ministry said that Omar As'ad's body was found in the village of Jiljilya before he was moved to the emergency room at a Palestinian medical compound. A local doctor, who tried to resuscitate the Palestinian man but found no pulse, said that it is possible that he suffered a heart attack or some form of panic, according to media reports. Jiljilya village mayor Fouad Motea' said that Israeli soldiers suddenly stormed As'ad's car as he was on his way back home after visiting some relatives. The soldiers took him out of the car, blindfolded him, and cuffed his hands, then put him inside a building under construction, said the mayor. The Israeli army confirmed that it had carried out an overnight operation in the village and a Palestinian was "apprehended after resisting a check," noting that he was alive when the soldiers released him, Israeli media reported. Meanwhile, the U.S. State Department said that As'ad was a U.S. citizen and it had sought clarification from the Israeli side over the incident. The Israeli army launches almost daily raids in the West Bank as part of the pursuit of Palestinians it describes as "wanted." Do you appreciate the work we do as the only independent media outlet dedicated to serving OU students, faculty, staff and alumni on campus and around the world for more than 100 years? Then consider helping fund our endeavors. Around the world, communities are grappling with what journalism is worth and how to fund the civic good that robust news organizations can generate. We believe The OU Daily and Crimson Quarterly magazine provide real value to this community both now by covering OU, and tomorrow by helping launch the careers of media professionals. If youre able, please SUPPORT US TODAY FOR AS LITTLE AS $1. You can make a one-time donation or a recurring pledge. Our favorite fiction is coming to big and small screens! There are many books that are being adapted for feature films and television series. If you prefer to read the novel first, the staff at Manistee County Library will help you find your favorite with print and e-book versions. The library also may purchase the DVD/Blu-ray adaptations as they become available. Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers is a historical novel set during the California gold rush. A woman who was sold into prostitution distrusts men until she meets a religious man who marries her. Unable to believe in herself and her husband, she returns to her former life. It will take love and faith to overcome her past. The movie will be in theaters Jan. 21. Death on the Nile by Agatha Christie finds a young woman murdered while on an Egyption river boat. Nothing is as it seems for Poirot as he works to solve the mystery. This thrilling movie adaptation will be in theaters Feb. 11. Mothering Sunday by Graham Swift is seen through the eyes of Jane, a housemaid in love with the son of the neighboring lord of the manor. Their five year love affair ends on Mothering Sunday. This film adaptation is expected to be available on various streaming services Feb. 25. Where the Crawdads Sing '' by Delia Owens is the story of Kya, a woman left on her own since she was a child. When a murder is committed, the town immediately suspects her. Filmed in Louisiana, the movie is expected to be released June 16. Courtesy photo/Manistee County Library White Bird: a Wonder Story by R.J. Palacio begins when a boy asks his grandmother to tell him a story for a school assignment. His grandmother talks to him about growing up Jewish in occupied France during WWII. Filming was done in Czech Republic and the movie has a Sept. 16 release date. Set in a small French village during World War II, The Nightingale by Kristen Hannah is the story of two sisters surviving the Nazi occupation, each on their own path. Based on the book, sisters Dakota and Elle Fanning star in the movie. It is expected to be in theaters Dec. 23. The Wonder by Emma Donoghue explores the life of a young girl who may be a medical miracle and the nurse who is tasked with observing her. The Wonder has a 2022 release year, but no date as of yet. The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin examines the power of second chances. After his wife dies, sales at his book store have slowed to a trickle and now his most prized possession has been stolen. When a mysterious package arrives, A.J.s life is turned upside down again. The film has a 2022 release year, but no date as of yet. The following titles are being made into a series: Amazon Prime is set to premier the television series Lord of the Rings by J.R.R.Tolkien on Sept. 2. This story is the adventure of a lifetime for a small hobbit and his friends as they journey to Mordor to destroy a ring of power. Set in a fantasy land of Middle Earth, these books have sold over 150 million copies. In Daisy Jones & the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid, Daisy spends her days sneaking into clubs, being a groupie for the rock bands and dreaming of making it big herself. She teams up with an up and coming band, The Six, and the rest is history. This is a behind the scenes look at the rise and fall of a fictional band in the 1970s. Amazon is expected to release the television miniseries based on this book this year. HBO/HBO Max plans to debut the television series based on The Time Travelers Wife by Audrey Niffenegger. This story explores the marriage of Clare and Henry, who has chrono-displacement disorder which causes him to randomly move between past and future events in his life. A release date is not yet available. Courtesy photo/Manistee County Library Reacher based on the books by Lee Child introduces Jack Reacher, a former military man who was falsely arrested for murder. Once out of jail, he begins investigating and discovers a personal connection. The first season of the television series is based on the first Jack Reacher book, The Killing Floor. It is expected to premiere on Amazon Prime Feb. 4. More information on the Manistee County Librarys collections can be found online at manisteelibrary.org. FUZHOU, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- Two suspects were sentenced to death, another two to life imprisonment and eight others to at least 10 years in prison for cross-border drug smuggling by a court in Fuzhou, capital of east China's Fujian Province. The 12 individuals led a ring that first arranged fishermen to transport drugs from Southeast Asia by sea and then sold the drugs in China's Taiwan region. The sentences have been recently announced by the Fuzhou Intermediate People's Court. In December 2020, a task force under the guidance of the China Coast Guard captured 20 suspects with one ship and over 400 kg of methamphetamine in Fuzhou City and waters off the Zhongsha Islands in the South China Sea. Aside from the 12 chief perpetrators, other suspects have been punished by law for money laundering and other crimes. The Supreme Court has stopped the Biden administration from enforcing a requirement that employees at large businesses be vaccinated against COVID-19 or undergo weekly testing and wear a mask on the job. At the same time, the court is allowing the administration to proceed with a vaccine mandate for most health care workers in the U.S. The court's conservative majority concluded the administration overstepped its authority by seeking to impose the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's vaccine-or-test rule on U.S. businesses with at least 100 employees. More than 80 million people would have been affected. "OSHA has never before imposed such a mandate. Nor has Congress. Indeed, although Congress has enacted significant legislation addressing the COVID19 pandemic, it has declined to enact any measure similar to what OSHA has promulgated here," the conservatives wrote in an unsigned opinion. In dissent, the court's three liberals argued that it was the court that was overreaching by substituting its judgment for that of health experts. "Acting outside of its competence and without legal basis, the Court displaces the judgments of the Government officials given the responsibility to respond to workplace health emergencies," Justices Stephen Breyer, Elena Kagan and Sonia Sotomayor wrote in a joint dissent. U.S. Rep. John Moolenaar, R-Midland, voiced his support of the Supreme Court's decision on Thursday afternoon. Moolenaar introduced the No Vaccine Mandate Act last year to push back against the Biden Administration vaccine mandate. Americans should have the right to decide whether or not they want to get the COVID-19 vaccine, and todays ruling is a massive victory. The Court rightfully determined that the Biden Administration went too far in trying to burden private businesses and force the vaccine on their employees, wrote Moolenaar in a statement. However, U.S. Rep. Dan Kildee, D-Flint, did not directly address the Supreme Court's decision, but said vaccines are the way to end the pandemic. Millions of Michiganders have already received the safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine to protect themselves, their families and their communities," said Kildee in a Thursday statement. "We all want life to return to normal, which is why I trust the medical experts and science of vaccines and encourage all Michiganders to get vaccinated or boosted if theyre eligible as soon as possible. Dr. Timothy G. Nash, the director of the McNair Center for the Advancement of Free Enterprise and Entrepreneurship at Northwood University, echoed similar sentiments. This was the appropriate decision to combat an egregious overreach by the executive branch that constituted an assault on the freedoms businesses and individuals are entitled to in our free market society. Upholding the mandate would have had catastrophic consequences for our economy, which already is plagued by severe labor shortages and supply chain issues, Nash said. On the other hand, Midland County Department of Public Health Medical Director Cathy Bodnar was disappointed but not surprised by the Supreme Courts decision. She hopes organizations will consider taking it upon themselves to require vaccines for their employees. From a public health point of view, Im disappointed. The more public-wide interventions we have, the better," Bodnar said. Moving forward, Bodnar hopes to continue the conversation about vaccines and their safety and efficacy with the public. She explained that while COVID-19 vaccines are still relatively new, they are effective at preventing hospitalization and death. The Midland County Department of Public Health will continue to be on hand to provide credible and science-based information about the vaccines. Jennifer Austin, chair of the Midland County Democratic Party, also disagreed with the Court's decision. "Vaccine mandates have long been a standing part of our communities in order to go to school, to work in the healthcare field and even to join the military," said Austin. "I find it very sad that some people, specifically Republicans, have chosen to take vaccines and make them a political statement when they're scientifically proven tools that we can use to protect ourselves, our family and our communities." Greg Rogers, executive vice president and chief operating officer, MyMichigan Health, said MyMichigan Health will still comply with the mandate. "We have always strongly encouraged and have done our best to educate the community and our employees of why we feel the vaccine is important; however, as we shared in November, in order to continue to receive CMS (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services) funding, we will continue to comply with the mandate," Rogers wrote in a statement. "We are working closely with our leaders and Employee Health team, scheduling vaccination clinics, and being available to answer the questions of our employees. Caring for patients is our top priority. Approximately 70 percent of the care we render is reimbursement by CMS. If we are unable to participate with CMS, our communities will not have adequate access to health care. Its important we take the steps needed to ensure our community is safely cared for and deliver that care when and how they need it," Rogers concluded. Photo provided/AT&T Over the past year, people around the nation consulted Google on personal matters, everything from "should I cut my hair" to "should I buy a house." AT&T released its analysis of data of the most Googled Should I questions by state for the fourth year in a row. The data from 2021 shows just what life changes many Americans were considering. 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 Thunderstorms likely, especially this morning. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. High 76F. Winds WSW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 80%.. Tonight Partly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low around 50F. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph. Palestine, TX (75801) Today Isolated thunderstorms this morning, then mainly cloudy during the afternoon with thunderstorms likely. High 77F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies early will give way to cloudy skies late. Low 68F. Winds light and variable. Photo: (Photo : John Moore/Getty Images) Various establishments in America are dealing with staff shortages due to the COVID-19 Omicron variant surge. One California school district, the Palo Alto Unified School District, has called on parents to volunteer for janitorial duties, among other responsibilities, to continue school services. According to FOX KTVU, over 500 parent volunteers signed up on the weekend of the launch of the 1 Palo Campaign. The California school district requires the volunteers to be fully vaccinated as they will assist inside the classroom, take over recess duties and clean the areas used by the student. They will also be tasked to check attendance and help with the vaccination efforts of the school. Palo Alto Superintendent Don Austin told the parents that their volunteer role would "not be glmorous." However, these are important jobs carried out every day so the kids can have a good learning environment. Read Also: How Parents May Keep Kids Safe From Omicron Amid CDC's New 'Test and Stay' Policy for Schools Absences from Teachers, Staff Reports cited that more than 70 teachers and school staff have been down by COVID on a daily basis at the Palo Alto Unified School District. Since the holidays, cases in Palo Alto have also climbed to more than 4,000. In Minnesota, the high school kids have taken over as custodians due to the staff shortage. The school pays these students $15.30 an hour for a two-hour clean-up after school. On the other hand, Omicron has forced other schools in Atlanta, Cleveland, Detroit, and Milwaukee to shift to online learning again. In Chicago, Chicago Teachers Union also signed an agreement with the city to return to remote learning as 25 to 30 percent of the staff are absent because of the virus infection. Burbio, a school tracking site, noted that over 1,500 schools said they would close in-person learning in the first week of January 2022. That number has ballooned to nearly 5,500 schools in the second week. Parents Struggle with Omicron Meanwhile, mom Amanda Kamara, 50, wishes the pandemic would end soon. She is one of the thousands of working parents struggling to get their life back on track because of this recent Omicron surge. Kamara works as a store clerk at a busy airport. She has also been taking care of her mother, who is recovering from her hospital admission. On top of her work and obligations, Kamara is also overseeing her son's virtual classes. Speaking with NBC News, Kamara said that she hadn't gotten much sleep during the pandemic, but she had no choice except to keep going. She also worries about the long-term effects of remote learning on her teenage boy as schools enter another year of online classes. Dad Ryan Griffin, who has two young kids, said there is "no amount of preparation" for parents to handle the pandemic. Mom Melissa Hendricks noted that "everything is overwhelming," but she also acknowledges that it's difficult for many schools as well. Related Article: Experts Recommend This Particular Mask To Use for Protection Against Omicron Photo: (Photo : STAN HONDA/AFP via Getty Images) The 50-year-old paternal grandfather of the baby left in a dumpster by a teenage mother in New Mexico will file for custody for their grandchild. Oscar Astorga said that his son, Stephen, 16, is the baby's dad, but he and the mother, Alexis Avila, 18, have broken up since August 2021. The family was not aware that Avila was pregnant. In an interview with Daily Mail, Astorga said they had retained a lawyer for the custody of Saul, the newborn, who was retrieved from the dumpster and is currently in treatment at a hospital in Texas. According to reports, the baby is in stable condition. Astorga refused to make any more comments about his son and daughter's relationship since they want to ensure that this custody will proceed with much success. He said that his family has nothing to hide amid reports that they receive death threats from people on social media. Read Also: Abandoned Alaska Baby Found in Cardboard Box With Heartbreaking Note From His Mom No Idea She's Pregnant Avila was caught tossing her newborn child in a dumpster by security cameras on Friday, January 7, 2022. She told the police she was not aware that she was with a child until the day before her son's birth. She said she went to the doctor on Thursday, January 6, complaining about stomach pain and constipation; that's when she was told she was having a baby. The young mom said that she gave birth inside the bathroom in her house, but it's unclear if she was on her own all this time. That same day, Avila tossed her child into the shopping mall dumpster by mid-afternoon. Saul was found by three people scouring the dumpers at 8:00 p.m. They reported the incident to the police and kept the baby warm while waiting for the paramedics to arrive. Reports cited that the baby in the dumpster still had his umbilical cord when he was found. Avila was charged with attempted murder, but she has been out of jail after paying a $10,000 bond. She confessed to her crime and admitted that she panicked. Investigators estimated that the baby was in the dumpster for six hours. Saul is currently under the care of the New Mexico Children, Youth and Families Department. Parents Unaware, Too Meanwhile, Avila's parents also said they were not aware she was pregnant. They were, however, aware of her stomach issues. Avila's mom, Martha, said she's shocked, but she doesn't care about other people's judgment because everyone makes mistakes. "People can preach all they want, they can judge all they want but we only care about the judgment of one," the mom said. Martha also said that Avila's boyfriend was banned from their home in June because he allegedly hit their daughter. However, a friend of the teenager insisted that she had been open about being pregnant and decided to stop going to school in mid-December. One classmate claimed that Avila talked about her pregnancy positively around September or October last year. The police also found evidence the baby's father had text conversations with a friend about Avila's miscarriage. They are looking into this matter as well. The authorities also want to remind the public that New Mexico has a Safe Haven Law where newborns may be left behind anonymously at hospitals, police stations, or fire stations without any questions asked. Related Article: Florida Mom Jailed for Leaving Toddler in Hospital, So She Won't Sleep on the Street Photo: (Photo : Brad Barket/Getty Images) Nancy Jones, the mother of rapper Jim Jones, has spoken up in defense of her son, who revealed that he learned to French kiss from his mother, who demonstrated tongue kissing with her own mouth. In an interview on Instagram Live with DJ Dior Cartel, the rapper's mom, more commonly known as Mama Jones, said that people have misunderstood what her son revealed. She said that she was teaching her son the right way to deal with a woman, and there was "no tonguing down" when she showed Jim how to French kiss. "He licked out his tongue, I licked out my tongue," the mother revealed, adding that it was not on the level of a "mouth-to-mouth resuscitation." Mama Jones further clarified that she's "not a nasty mother" teaching her son about sex. However, she had to reiterate that she showed her son what to do and never did the actual deed with him. Read Also: Chrissy Teigen Bathing Naked With Her Children Aghasts Fans; Expert Sound Off on 'Inappropriate' Activity What Jim Jones Said The rapper detailed to Angela Yee on her podcast show that his mother was only 17 years old when he was born. They have a close parent-child relationship because of this short gap in their ages. Jim said that learning to French kiss from Mama Jones didn't faze him at all. He admitted, however, that when he did kiss another girl for the first time, he still didn't know what was going on. His revelations about his sex education drew a strong reaction from the netizens online. One critic described the experience as sexual molestation of a minor, but Jim might not have realized this because his mother kept it casual. So Jim Jones is perfectly ok with being molested by his mom because that was said a little too casually for me. pic.twitter.com/zzP8LIpEpu High Priest of the Hadari Yao (@TheWindGodVonte) January 7, 2022 Following the backlash, Jim posted on Instagram that he loves his mom "more than anything in the world." He also said that people tend to take things too far. Jim also said that Yee wanted him to talk about memories of his childhood and thought that story about his French kiss lessons would be funny to share with the listeners and viewers. However, both mother and son landed in hot water among the netizens, but Jim said he appreciated his mother, who tried to help by clarifying what really happened. Parents as Sex Educators According to FamilyEquality.Org, the parents are "the most influential sex educators for their children." The group advocates discussing sex early with the kids so they will not grow up being uncomfortable about this topic. It can start with teaching about the functions of the body so the child could develop a "natural comfort" about sex. Parents should also keep the lines of communication open when their children ask about their bodies and sexuality in general. FamilyEquality.Org also said that there are several teachable moments about sex in a family's daily activities. It happens in movies that kids watch, where some characters appear to be falling in love. It can be at the grocery store while mom buys her tampons. Frequent conversations about this topic will not make sex a big deal; thus, the kids will not be afraid to ask their parents if they want to know more. Related Article: TikTok Mom Raises 5 Daughters to Believe That Virginity Is Not a Big Deal Photo: (Photo : Spencer Platt/Getty Images) A father has lost his entire family to the Bronx apartment fire on Sunday, January 9, 2022. Among the 17 victims who died in the tragedy were eight children. Ishak Drammeh felt numb as he spoke to The New York Post after discovering that his wife, two daughters, and son, who just celebrated his 13th birthday the day before, perished. Drammeh was working in Ohio when the incident happened. He said he has yet to confirm their identities in person because the investigators have only given him pictures. The dad of six is still in a state of shock and has not eaten since the tragedy. He is devastated that he will never see his wife and kids again. His girls were working on finishing their degrees at the University of Buffalo while his son was faring well in middle school. Drammeh is from Gambia, West Africa, but all of his kids were born in the U.S. According to reports, many of the victims were from the same African continent. Read Also: Stillborn Baby Shows Signs of Life, Stuns Undertaker Who Was Preparing Him for Burial Malfunctioning Heater Caused the Fire New York City Fire Commissioner Dan Nigro confirmed that a malfunctioning heater caused the Bronx apartment fire. The fire spread fast in the second-floor unit because its residents left the door open when they fled their homes. The fire marshals have kept the physical evidence of where the fire started. The heater was used to supplement what the building provided. However, investigators determined that the rest of the residents were not able to get out because the fire alarm was likely busted on some floors. The Bronx apartment has 19 storeys and 120 units. The Drammeh family was living on the 15th floor of the high rise. According to Nigro, his firefighters ran out of oxygen while trying to rescue other people trapped inside the building. The levels of smoke were extremely deadly; thus, the fire chief believes this prevented the other residents from escaping. He said that those in the hospital might still be struggling with life-threatening conditions. Nigro said the last time the Bronx had a fire "this horrific" was more than 30 years ago, referring to the fire that broke at Happy Land, a social club, where 87 people died. Mayor Eric Adams was also on the scene and said that he's not aware of any "outstanding" complaints about the building's heating system. The building is owned by Camber Property Group, which issued a statement stating that they will fully cooperate with the investigations. It Happened Quickly Cristal Diaz, a resident of the Bronx apartment fire, said that terror and chaos followed after they realized what was happening. Everything happened so quickly. Mom Dilenny Rodriguez and her two daughters escaped mostly unharmed, but they will never forget passing by a body as they made their way out of the building. "We are going to do everything we can to bring services on the ground here," the mayor said, adding that assistance will be given to the survivors as they recover from the trauma. Red Cross is also standing by to help the victims in terms of housing or accommodation. Related Article: Capitol Riots: Family Breaks Apart After Teen Son Reports Dad to the FBI for Insurrection SHANGHAI, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- The Omicron variant, which spreads faster than Delta, will result in a hospitalization surge and overload the healthcare system, said Zhang Wenhong, head of the Center for Infectious Diseases with the Shanghai-based Huashan Hospital of Fudan University. He added that the battle between humanity and the Omicron variant is at its "toughest moment." In a blog on China's microblogging platform Weibo on Thursday, Zhang said that the number of imported COVID-19 infections in Shanghai reached a record high. He said vaccines and COVID-19 drugs are the core scientific underpinning to tide over the pandemic and return to regular life in the future. After comparing the clinical symptoms of patients infected with the new Omicron variant and Delta, Zhang's team found that Omicron is "more contagious, harder to detect, and has an unneglectable lethality." Citing a WHO statement that the Omicron variant carries a "very high global surge risk," Zhang said the best strategy for China is to remain patient and step up vaccination while adhering to the current COVID-19 prevention tactics. The Omicron variant has been identified as the culprit of recent COVID-19 resurgences in Tianjin and Henan's Anyang. Infections with this latest, highly infectious variant have also occurred in several Chinese cities, including Changsha and Guangzhou. Brant Truman (on left in rear row) is the new Chief Financial Officer for La Paz Regional Hospital. He comes to Parker from Washington State. Hes seen with his family. This service applies to you if your subscription has not yet expired on our old site. You will have continued access until your subscription expires; then you will need to purchase an ongoing subscription through our new system. Please contact the Parsons Sun office at (620) 421-2000 if you have any questions Today the White House will be meeting with executives from leading tech firms such as Apple, Google and Amazon to discuss software security after the United States suffered several major cyberattacks last year. In December, White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan sent a letter to chief executives of tech firms after the discovery of a security vulnerability in open-source software called Log4j that organizations around the world use to log data in their applications. In the letter, Sullivan noted that such open source software is broadly used and maintained by volunteers and is a " key national security concern." Thursday's meeting, which will be hosted by deputy national security advisor for cyber & emerging technology, Anne Neuberger, will discuss concerns around the security of open-source software and how it can be improved, the White House said in a statement. Other top tech companies in attendance at the meeting will include IBM (IBM.N), Microsoft, Meta Platforms, and Oracle. Government agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security, Department of Defense and the Commerce Department, will also be in attendance. For more on this, read the full Reuters report. According to a report out of Hong Kong, the worlds largest iPhone factory, operated by Foxconn Technology Group in the central Chinese city of Zhengzhou, has kept up with its production schedule, despite a jump in new Covid-19 cases across the landlocked province of Henan where the plant is located. Operations of the various assembly lines run by Foxconn, formally known as Hon Hai Precision Industry, have been unaffected by the recent outbreak, according to two company employees who spoke on condition of anonymity. They confirmed a report on Tuesday by Chinese media Yicai, citing a Foxconn representative, that the pandemic hasnt affected production capacity so far." The Taiwanese firms workers in the city, along with local residents, have all been subjected to coronavirus nucleic acid tests, as Henan became the first mainland Chinese province to combat both the Omicron and Delta coronavirus variants at the same time. Foxconns smartphone and components manufacturing operations in the provincial capital spread across low-risk zones for Covid-19 infection are located at the Zhengzhou Airport Economy Zone, Zhengzhou Economic and Technological Development Area and Zhongmou County. These operations, which employ more than 300,000 workers, make Zhengzhou responsible for producing about half of the worlds iPhones. The sixth round of coronavirus nucleic acid tests for Foxconn workers were conducted on Tuesday, according to the latest notice published by the company on its WeChat account. Foxconn provides mandatory tests for its employees. Those who refuse to get tested are prohibited from entering its production areas. For more on this, read the full South China Morning Post report by Coco Feng in Beijing. The Gospels of Matthew and Luke tell stories about Jesus birth and infancy with incompatible details. The geographical movements cannot be reconciled. In Matthew they are from Bethlehem and want to return there, and only go to Nazareth when they fear Herods son Archelaus. In Luke they are from Nazareth, go to Bethlehem and within a couple of months of Jesus birth they are back in Nazareth by way of Jerusalem. The census under Quirinius that Luke connects with the birth of Jesus is a famous event that occurred after Herods son Archelaus was deposed. There is, to put it bluntly, no way that Jesus could have been born before Herod the Great died and after his son was deposed, no matter how one compresses or tries to adjust the lengths of reigns or specific dates. Some apologists try to posit a second time that Quirinius was legate of Syria, which is not inherently inappropriate, but there is a definite problem: we know a great deal about the governors of Syria and the life of Quirinius. There is a time period when we dont know who was governor of Syria, but during that time we know what Quirinius was doing, and it wasnt that. And so you should be wary of apologists who try to force things to fit their presuppositions about what scripture is and is not allowed to say, and yet who are not intimately acquainted with the relevant area of history in detail. I made a video (a TikTalk) about this topic and shared it on YouTube here: On a related note, as someone who engages with mythicism and other forms of pseudoscholarship online, I found this news from Australia that John Dickson shared truly astonishing. According to the article, many Australians are uncertain whether Jesus was a historical figure. I would really like to know more about how the question on the survey that this news article is reporting about was worded. The Jesus of the Gospels is heavily mythologized, and he becomes even more so thereafter. If people were asked about Jesus without further clarification, they may have answered in ways that are then turned into a category on a chart that gives an impression different than what they intended. It is hard to believe that such significant numbers of people in Australia deny the conclusions of mainstream secular historical investigation. Here is a link to the NCLS article about their survey results. Lionel and Bronwyn Windsor responded to this, but not in a way that I think is ideally suited to those with genuine doubts and questions about this topic. Elsewhere, Valerie Tarico added a second part of her discussion of Jesus and others, helpfully asking whether they are largely legends (a view held by mainstream historians) rather than pure fiction (a really fringe view). I still cant fathom why she continues to foreground people with no relevant expertise like David Fitzgerald when there are so many historians and scholars who are genuinely worth talking to about the subject. At any rate, read her blog post here if youre so inclined: Buddha, Abraham, Jesus, Muhammed Larger-than-life historic figures or largely legends? Part 2 Also related, I continue to wonder why people accept what John Shelby Spong wrote as though it reflects mainstream scholarship. His idea of what midrash was is hopelessly wrong and has contributed to (and/or been influenced by) a significant amount of mythicist thought. This comes up in a guest post on Bart Ehrmans blog here: See also: Preconceived Podcast with Eric Meyers about Jesus John MacDonald continues blogging about topics related to the historical Jesus and Christian apologetics, and kindly interacts with and links to my blog posts when he does. On the infancy story in Luke, which is not historical but reflects the history and culture of that time, an older book confirms the claims made by Kenneth Bailey and others. The 1913 book by Frederic John Scrimgeour, Nazareth of Today, is available online via Hathi Trust. Some students of Galaxy International School and DPS International School all located in Accra have been honored at the Annual International Junior Honors Society Awards ceremony held recently in East Legon, Accra. The students were awarded medals from various competitions including but not limited to Thailand International Maths Olympiad (TIMO), DrCT Computational Thinking Contest, VANDA Science Competition and American Math Olympiad (AMO. The students expressed their excitements after being honored by the prestigious awards ceremony in Accra. They were also grateful to their teachers who stood behind them through thick and thin to achieve such a milestone. With the International Junior Honor Society offering students the opportunity to study in higher school of their choice both abroad and locally, the students were optimistic of securing a scholarship to their preferred school after being inducted into the society. The International Junior Honor Society is supported by STS, and a prominent board of advisors. IJHSs goal is to help its members get into top universities and win scholarships. The Board of Advisors interview members and recommend the best candidate to apply for scholarships at top schools. The selected students engaged in lots of leadership roles by making huge contributions to their local and global communities. One can be inducted to the IJHS after winning a combination of three significant awards which is the criteria for induction into IJHS from the 2021 academic year. How to get inducted 1. Win gold awards and above from SIMCC international local competitions 2. Win Distinction and above from ICAS competitions managed by SIMCC (only 1 subject will be considered) 3. Win Individual Silver award and above from SIMCC Global Finals. Membership is open to all students from Grades 2 and above. Teachers will also be invited to join as members to help mentor students. Source: Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video 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 Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The Minority in Parliament is calling for a probe into circumstances that led to the death of Ms Augustina Awotwe, a 31year old mother of three at the Holy Child Catholic Hospital at Fijai in the Western region. The group is also calling for the interdiction of two personnel of the Ghana Ambulance Service who demanded GH600 to transfer Ms Awotwe to the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital after pregnancy complications leading to her death. "This is common in the Ghanaian society ... there is the need to do something about it" Mr Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, Ranking Member of the Health Committee in Parliament made the observation when he led some Minority MPs to pay a visit to the family of the late Augustina Awotwe and to commiserate with them at Shama junction in the Western region. The deceased who was delivered through a cesarian section had been referred to the Korle-Bu Teachings Hospital after some complications. However, officials of the Ambulance Service demanded GH600 from the husband of the deceased to fuel the vehicle. The husband's failure to raise the amount on time resulted in some delays eventually leading to the death of Ms Awotwe. Speaking to the media after close door engagement with the management of the Holy Child Catholic Hospital, Mr Akandoh assured the family of the deceased of Parliament resolve to get to the bottom of the matter so that this does keep repeating itself. He said such issues are common in the country and there is the need to do something about it. Mr Akandoh also indicated that the Minority intends to raise the matter on the floor of Parliament when it resumes sitting and prayed that the House would take action on the situation so that it does not re-occur. He urged the government to explain to Ghanaians that the use of the Ambulance Service is not covered under the NHIS and that their services are based on Cash and Carry. Source: GNA Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video LANZHOU, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- A freight train loaded with 1,300 tonnes of corn from Kazakhstan arrived at Lanzhou, capital of northwest China's Gansu Province, on Wednesday, marking a busy start of trade with Central Asia and beyond this year. It took about a week for the train to travel from Kazakhstan and arrive at its destination, a logistics park in Lanzhou New Area, the city's national-level development zone. The corn is the second batch of goods from Kazakhstan, as grain and oilseed crops from the Central Asian country were sent by train a few days ago. Since the park received its first batch of goods on Jan. 3, 15 international freight trains have sent more than 22,400 tonnes of goods worth about 270 million yuan (about 42.5 million U.S. dollars) to and from the park in less than 10 days. The logistics park has delivered 442 international freight trains linking China with about 40 countries since 2015. Lanzhou's international freight train service is China's first to see more inbound than outbound trains. The goods traded via the service cover corn, flaxseed, barley, sunflower seeds and wood. Ghana and Saudi Arabia have resolved to deepen trade and investment ties between them. The two countries firmed up their long-standing bilateral relations in Accra yesterday when Ghanas Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Ms. Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, received a special letter from the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Saudi Arabia, Prince Faisal Bin Farban Al Saud. The letter was delivered by the Charge d'Affaires of the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Accra, Mr. Saeed Al Baker. Trade, investment Ms. Botchwey said considering the strong relations that existed between the two countries, there was the need for them to explore opportunities in the areas of trade and investment. She said when Ghana participated in the Saudi Expo, it would offer the country an opportunity to court Saudi investors. "It is something we have worked on for a very long time and we are hoping that we can make a lot of progress on it," she added. The Saudi Food Expo 2022, the biggest food, beverage and hospitality fair on Saudi Arabia's business calendar, is slated for the capital city of the Kingdom, Riyadh, from February 20 to 23, 2022. According to the minister, Saudi Arabia was a very important friend of Ghana, and that Ghana had recognised the invitation to participate in the expo. Gratitude For his part, Mr. Al Baker expressed gratitude to Ms. Botchwey for the warm hospitality. He described the Saudi Food Expo 2022 as the biggest food, beverage and hospitality fair on the Saudi business calendar. Source: graphiconline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The President of the Ghana Catholic Bishops Conference (GCBC), Most Reverend Philip Naameh, has reiterated the need for political parties to focus on the common good of the people instead of serving partisan interests. The current political environment I would say is problematic. First of all, it appears to be departing from the tenets of democracy. If you look at what is happening in many aspects on the political front, it is very confrontational more than consensus-building. I think if you are talking about the service of the common good, this is not the way to go. Service of the common good has to engage people in the government, the opposition, the non-governmental organisations, the religious bodies, he stated. In an interview with the Daily Graphic, Most Rev. Naameh stated that there should be a modality of frequently consulting all the stakeholders including the world of business. But we don't see that. In fact, I would say the current politics is polarising the country, dividing the country. Our politicians behave as if everybody must be either NPP or NDC. And this is not the democratic culture. It is not sincerely a democratic culture, he stated. The full interview will be published in the January 15, 2022, edition of the Daily Graphic. Our people Most Rev. Naameh said the tendency of political parties, especially the NPP and NDC, to cater for their foot soldiers and card bearing members, before turning to possible future voters, was not good. The NDC comes in and provides its own solutions and NPP comes in and comes up with new things. This culture of missing continuity is what is also damaging the country. They leave behind everything that the previous government has done. I mean this is not a democratic culture. This does not serve the common good. There's nothing like an NPP Ghana. We are one Ghana neither is there anything like NDC Ghana. We have one Ghana. I think there must be a time to say that these people meant well. Let us put all that they did to good use for Ghanaians, he stated. Bishops silence Touching on concerns about the seeming silence of the GCBC on current national issues as compared to the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s, Most Rev. Naameh admitted that the concerns could not be debated. He, however, pointed out that in the periods that the GCBC was vociferous, it was during military regimes where the citizenry could not talk or were afraid to speak up. The Catholic Church and the Catholic Standard were the only voices for the people. There was a vacuum which we were filling. The media landscape has completely changed and I think Ghanaians should recognise that. There are many media companies who are reporting on a daily basis what is happening in the country, he said. Most Rev. Naameh, who is also the Catholic Archbishop of Tamale, however, expressed concern about the morality and ethics of the media. The media is everywhere and every small thing they are reporting but how are they reporting? That is what we are very concerned about now. And this communication of insult for example doesn't go down well with us and this is what we take up now in our pastoral letters, in our communique and all of that, because this one, the others can't do it. You will get media people coming and saying things with no ethical considerations and sometimes without even researching thoroughly on what they are putting out there, he stressed. Source: graphiconline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video A group called Concerned Youth of Asaman-Tamfoe for Community Mining Initiative and Development in Atiwa East District has embraced the introduction of the Community Mining Scheme as it will create employment opportunities and provide a livelihood for the youth. The Community Mining Scheme is a policy introduced by the government and aims at legitimising the participation of residents of host mining communities in small-scale mining. It is also meant to align with Ghanas Minerals and Mining Act, 2006, which regulates the countrys small-scale mining industry. Addressing a press conference at Asaman-Tamfoe, the Youth disclosed the measures put in place to ensure reclamation of land during and after mining, should the scheme becomes operational in the town. Mr Kwadwo Nti, Organiser, and spokesperson for the Concerned Youth of Asaman-Tamfoe highlighted some of the advanced measures put in place for small-scale mining in the area and said there shall be a mining committee that would see to the proper planning and implementation of the master plan for the project. He also said the committee shall be responsible for the proper allocation of sites to the youth of the community which shall primarily be a source of employment to young people. The committee shall further be responsible for the application of a proper mining method that allows for the reclamation of the land and the preservation of water bodies. As part of the master plan, there shall be the construction of mechanised boreholes, a water closet facility for the community, and construction of the ultra-modern palace for the community among several other projects. It is our hope and dream that the community mining if implemented in our community would help alleviate poverty and eradicate juvenile delinquency, Mr Nti said. Osabarima Kwame Koh II, Chief of Asaman- Tamfoe, said he was in support of the Community Mining Scheme if the advanced plans stated would be adhered to. He cautioned against shoddy work and said those found culpable would have their license disowned. The youth displayed several placards with inscriptions such as Hon. Seth Acheampong, Eastern Regional Minister, please we need your support; Asaman-Tamfoe Youth needs community mining commissioned; Hon. Abena Osei Asare our MP, Asaman-Tamfoe, people are ready for community mining; and Hon Abu Jinapor, we are ready, Time aso. Source: Michael Akrofi Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Cedar Mountain Chapel International (CMC), East Legon Assemblies of God, has received the Church of Excellence Award 2022. The award was presented to CMC by Rev. Doug Clay, General Superintendent, Assemblies of God, USA on Friday,7th January 2022 during an impartation service at its premises in Accra. Rev. Doug Clay who is the Chief Executive Officer of the General Council of the Assemblies of God, USA, during the presentation of the award to the recipient church amidst cheers and excitement from members admonished the church leadership and members to continue being a vibrant local church with global impact. Rev. Dr. Stephen YenusomWengam, the Lead Pastor of Cedar Mountain Chapel, responding in shock after the presentation was quick to defer the GLORY to God as he led his congregants to sing we give glory to the Lord, He Reigns. He further said, This is what God can do, Cedar Mountain Chapel. God has singled us out of the manyAssemblies of God churches around the globe with over 65 million population and honoured us, we are grateful to God. The Lead Pastor pledged the church's unwavering support to the kingdom growth through effective and innovative soul winning, leadership, and the exhibition of excellence. The Church of Excellence Award is a global annual award from the office of the Global General Superintendent, Assemblies of God, instituted to give churches a pat on the back for their good works. The recipient church must be one that reflects the excellence of God in their ministry. This includesusing excellent and innovative means to reach the world with the gospel, delivering church service in excellent ways and reaching the unsaved with the true gospel of Christ. ABOUT CEDAR MOUNTAIN CHAPEL, AG Cedar Mountain Chapel International (CMC) is a 21st Century cutting-edge New Testament model church under the Assemblies of God Ghana with the aim to excel in worship, raise leaders and provide leadership in all things. The Church uses every excellent and innovative means to win souls, thereby equipping the individual to live a fulfilling life on earth, to become relevant in society, and qualify them to live in eternity. The 11-year-old church which started at East Legon from humble beginnings currently has an active membership of about 1600congregants. In 2020, during the pandemic, the church built and dedicated their state-of-the-art 1,300-seater auditorium (Cedar First Chapel) at Shaishi where they currently worship. Rev. Dr. Stephen YenusomWengam is the Lead Pastor and is ably supported by three Associate Pastors, a church board, and members who are passionate about the things of God. As a church that believes in God for hard things, CMC is currently building a 6,000-seater auditorium with its accompanying MODERN facilities. ThisCedar City is believed will be a home for believers who are seeking a church to fellowship, feel belonged, and be equipped and empowered with the word of God. The church has contributed significantly towards the development of society. During the pandemic, the church provided relief items for over 5,000 people including pastors. Through its innovative soul-winning strategy, dubbed kindness evangelism, the church has been at the frontline, meeting the socio-economic needs of the vulnerable in society. Cedar Mountain Chapel is located at No. 1 Lagos Avenue, East Legon, Accra-Ghana. They run three services on Sundays.The first service is at 7am, the second service starts at 9:30am and the third service starts at5:30 pm. Source: Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) has directed the Tree Crops Development Authority (TCDA) to distribute five million seedlings of tree crops to farmers across the country this year. The crops are shea nut, cashew nut, mango, coconut and rubber. The seedlings will be distributed through regional directorates of agriculture after they have registered the beneficiary farmers. Last year, the authority distributed 1.2 million seedlings of the crops to farmers across the country. In addition, the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources is to roll out a separate project with oil palm to reclaim all illegal mining (galamsey) sites. Under the special project, the ministry will plant about two million seedlings of oil palm in areas destroyed by galamsey activities. The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the TCDA, Mr William A Quaittoo, announced this at a close-out meeting of the European Union (EU) co-funded Bono-Asante Atea (BAAT) project in Sampa in the Jaman North District in the Bono Region last Monday. Project The BAAT was a three-year cashew development intervention project implemented by the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) in five cashew growing districts in three regions. The beneficiary districts were Jaman North, Tain and Wenchi in the Bono Region; Nkoranza North in the Bono East Region and Ejura-Sekyeredumase in the Ashanti Region. The objective of the project was to increase employment in the cashew value chain of 14,500 people, especially women and the youth, while improving beneficiary assemblies cashew revenue by some 10 per cent. It was also to increase the income of beneficiaries by some 30 per cent, in addition to educating them on climate change adoption. In all, 75,000 community members, made up of permanent and casual cashew industry workers, transporters, cashew processors and exporters, municipal and district assemblies (MDAs) and departments of agriculture, were said to have benefited from the project. Advice Mr Quaittoo advised the public against playing politics with agricultural issues, especially the registration for and distribution of the crop seedlings, saying: Dont register through any political system and do not politicise the agricultural sector. He asked regional directors of agriculture to allow eligible farmers, irrespective of their political parties, to register for the seedlings and also urged farmers to form groups for the exercise. Let us think of the development of this country first; so do not be selective in the registration for and distribution of the seedlings, he added. According to Mr Quaittoo, Ghana currently produced 160,000 metric tonnes of cashew and said there was the need to improve on the production level. The Country Director of ADRA, Dr William Yaw Brown, commended cashew value chain actors for their hard work to increase yields. He said the introduction of beehives on cashew plantations was an innovative way of increasing the revenue of farmers. For his part, the Bono Regional Director of Agriculture, Mr Denis Abugri Amenga, expressed appreciation to ADRA for its intervention. Source: graphiconline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The case in which Blessed Godsbrain Smart, aka Captain Smart, a broadcaster, is accused of making "unsavoury comment" has been adjourned to February 15, 2022. This is because the substantive judge presiding over the case is on leave. Captain Smart is said to have made the comments on December 1, last year, to wit, "where we have gotten to, we require an uprising." The comment was allegedly made on Onua Television and Radio Station, where the accused work. He pleaded not guilty for offensive conduct to the breach of peace and admitted to bail in the sum of GHC 100,000 with two sureties, one to be justified. The Court presided over by Mrs Ellen Ofei Ayeh, ordered Captain Smart to be reporting every Tuesday and Friday to the Police. Source: graphiconline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video A 25-year-old mobile money vendor has been sentenced to 12 months in prison for stealing GH18,000 from the boss mobile money account. The Adenta Circuit Court sentenced Ibrahim Emmanuel, who pleaded guilty with explanation to the charge of stealing when he appeared before the court, presided over by Mrs Sedinam Awo Balokah. The convict explained that he had earlier complained to his boss about ill health and his boss gave him a medication, making him drowsy and his boss later had intimacy with him. However, Emmanuels boss, who is the complainant in the case, denied the allegations. The court upheld that the accused persons explanation confirmed his guilt and was sentenced to 12 months . The facts, as narrated by Chief Inspector Maxwell Lanyo, were that Emmanuel was in charge of the complainants Mobile Money joint at East Legon near A&C Shopping Mall. On July 3 last year, Emmanuel stole the phone, which contained an amount of GH30,000. The prosecutor said the complainant detected that GH18,000 had been transferred from the phone to the accused persons personal mobile phone. The complainant, he said, quickly alerted MTN Ghana. MoMo account blocked MTN blocked the MoMo account but the accused had withdrawn Gh 18,000 leaving GH12,000. On August 1, 2021, Chief/Insp. Lanyo said the complainant reported the accused to the police and on Jan 3, 2022, the accused was arrested from his hideout at Adjiriganor. Source: graphiconline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The Ghana Police Service has interdicted a suspected drunk uniform policeman who was captured in a viral video. A statement from the Service Wednesday January 12, 2022 said the policeman in viral video has been identified and in line with police regulations, has been interdicted, pending investigation into his conduct. Prior to the investigation, the Police Administration has assigned a clinical psychologist to evaluate him and offer him the necessary support, a statement issued by police said, adding that In addition, he will be referred to the Police Medical Board for thorough review and support towards rehabilitation where necessary. The Police said the officers suitability or otherwise to remain in the Service will depend on the outcome of the investigations and the recommendation of the Police Medical Board. The embattled uniformed policeman was captured in the video sitting and looking unstable. He stood up few moments afterwards and attempted to walk away but appeared unstable and wobbly in his steps. A citizen who witnessed the incident captured the video and ran commentary on it while criticizing the officers conduct and questioning the manner at which the service recruit such a character when there are many more responsible unemployed Ghanaians. Video 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. Featured Video The Ghana Police Service, will on Friday commence its 2021 Recruitment Training for successful applicants. A statement signed by Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Kwesi Ofori, Director-General, Public Affairs and copied to the Ghana News Agency, said all successful applicants were to report at the various training schools across the country as indicated in their appointment letters. It said those who failed the medical examination had been informed and a medical team had been assigned to support and advise them. The statement urged the public to be cautious of fraudsters who were circulating false information to defraud innocent applicants. It said anyone who had been approached by fraudsters should report to the nearest Police Station for assistance. The statement wished all successful applicants the best in their training. Source: GNA Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The Speaker of Parliament Mr Alban S. K. Bagbin, on the occasion of his first year in office as Speaker of the Eighth Parliament of Ghana, has expressed gratitude to Ghanaians for their support for him. A statement issued by the Public Affairs Directorate of Parliament, copied to the Ghana News Agency said Mr Bagbin expresses his heartfelt gratitude to the numerous well-meaning Ghanaians who had extended congratulations and encouragement to him as he concluded his first year as Speaker of the Eighth Parliament. "The Speaker is touched and humbled by the love showed him and the prayers said for him on that occasion," it said. "He recognizes that the overwhelming messages of goodwill are an indication that Ghanaians are following the work of the Eighth Parliament with lots of expectations and keen interest." The statement said the Speaker assures all Ghanaians that he would continue to play his part as best as he could to ensure the growth and development of Mother Ghana, especially in the area of Parliamentary democracy and good governance. It said Mr Bagbin looks forward to a stronger partnership with government and civil society in promoting accountability during this second year of his tenure. The statement said the Speaker further asks God's guidance and blessings for the Legislature as it begins the second year of its four-year tenure, and also for the Executive, the Judiciary, and all Ghanaians. Source: GNA Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video NEW YORK, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- The United States has been mobilized on federal, corporate and research fronts this week to deal with the highly contagious Omicron variant, as the country set its latest COVID-19 record with nearly 1.5 million new cases reported nationwide on Monday. In the week ending on Tuesday, the country reported 5.23 million cases, down from 5.28 million cases in the seven-day period ending on Monday. U.S. case counts were up 34 percent from a week ago, and on Tuesday 47 states reported higher case counts than a week earlier. Meanwhile, 21 states set records for cases in a week; 48 states reported more COVID-19 patients in hospital beds; and 41 states reported more COVID-19 patients in intensive-care units, data from Johns Hopkins University and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services showed. OMICRON PREVALENCE The Omicron variant will infect "just about everybody" regardless of vaccination status, top U.S. infectious disease expert Anthony Fauci said on Tuesday. But those who have been vaccinated will "very likely, with some exceptions, do reasonably well," and avoid hospitalization and death. Fauci told a Senate hearing that the unvaccinated are 20 times likelier to die, 17 times likelier to be hospitalized and 10 times likelier to be infected than the vaccinated. "Those who are still unvaccinated are going to get the brunt of the severe aspect of this," he said. A World Health Organization official on Tuesday predicted that the Omicron variant will have infected more than half of the population in the European region in the next six to eight weeks, if current trends hold. U.S. cases of COVID-19 infections have so far exceeded 62 million. POLICE LOSS For the second year in a row, COVID-19 was the leading cause of death for law enforcement officers in the United States, according to a report released on Tuesday by the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund (NLEOMF). A total of 458 officers died in the line of duty in the country last year, making it the deadliest year in more than 90 years and a 55 percent increase from 2020 -- 301 of them died because of coronavirus. "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, noting that the remaining deaths were attributed to heart attacks, strokes and 9/11-related illnesses. CORNER TURNING Still, "there are encouraging signs," reported USA Today on Wednesday. Boston has been a hot spot, but Mark Siedner of Massachusetts General Hospital told CBS that there are early signs the city has "turned a corner." One of those signs is a wastewater tracking system -- virus particles found in wastewater are no longer infectious but can still be measured and can reflect trends among people contributing to the wastewater. "The wastewater data are in, and the news is good," tweeted Bill Hanage, associate professor at Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health. The data is "providing solid evidence, that importantly can't be put down to exhausted testing capacity or other factors." COMPANY PERK The latest COVID-19 wave has left millions of Americans scrambling for tests. Without an adequate federal system for developing and distributing rapid tests, some of the country's largest companies have put their own testing services in place, reported The New York Times on Wednesday. Google will send full-time employees in the United States free at-home tests that deliver results within minutes and retail for more than 70 U.S. dollars each. Investment firm BlackRock offers tele-health supervision as employees self-administer rapid tests for international travel. "Some companies are using the tests to call their staff back to the office. For others, at-home COVID-19 testing has become the newest wellness benefit, a perk to keep employees healthy and working -- even from their couches -- while providing peace of mind," said the report. FEDERAL ACTION On Wednesday, the White House said that it would distribute millions of free coronavirus tests to schools across the United States to try to keep classrooms open. Five million rapid antigen tests will be made available to K-12 schools across the country each month. "Today the Biden-Harris Administration is doubling down on our commitment to keeping all schools safely open for full-time in-person learning," said a press release, noting that states will have to apply for them before the first shipments are made as early as this month. The White House also promised to make lab capacity available for 5 million free polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests, facilitated through three federally-funded regional providers each month. The providers will offer testing materials, supplies, lab results and reporting at no direct cost to schools. The New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament for Okaikwei Central, Mr. Patrick Yaw Boamah, has asked the elephant family not to be complacent in their quest to break the 8-year-jinx. The lawmaker told Kwabena Agyapong on Frontline on Rainbow Radio 87.5Fm that they can present the strongest and formidable team for the 2024 presidential polls, but with a strong and unified front, that victory they search for would be a mirage. He said without a strong foundation, the party would not win the elections. Using former President Kufour as an example, he said his approval rating was so high that he would have won a third term if Ghanas constitution allowed it. But we made some mistakes, and so lets focus on building a strong party. That should be our main focus. We should build a strong party from the base, so that no matter who we present as a candidate, we will win. If you dont build a strong foundation and appoint good national officers, constituency officers, dedicated polling station officers, coordinators for them to work and focus on who becomes flagbearer, then youve lost the plot. He insisted that our [NPP] energies and focus should be on building a strong party base. Source: rainbow radio Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Aspiring National Chairman and current National Treasurer of NPP, Kwabena Abankwah- Yeboah, visited the family of the late NPP stalwart, Ismael Ashitey, at his Tema residence on Sunday, 9th January 2022, to commiserate with them during this very difficult time of their grief. Abankwah-Yeboah paid glowing tribute to Ismael Ashitey, emphasing that "Isheal Ashitey was a man with extraordinary character, who exhibited complete commitment to the cause of our great party, the NPP and served diligently in several crucial capacities including NPP Greater Accra Regional Chairman , Greater Accra Regional Minister, to mention but a few portfolios. His passion and dedication to the NPP was greatly inspiring and he touched several lives without leaving a space for doubts in our hearts." He further stated that; "Indeed, I count myself very lucky for the lifetime opportunity to have met and learnt so much from such a phenomenal personality. In the period 2009-2013, as Greater Accra Regional Treasurer, I served under Ismeal Ashitey who was then Greater Accra Regional Chairman. Under his able and brilliant leadership, and with the support of the entire Regional executives, by the Grace of God, we worked hard to achieve the tremendous feat of moving our parliamentary seats in the Greater Accra Region from 9 seats to 16 seats. My deepest condolences to his beloved wife, children, family and to the entire NPP family for this incredible loss. Though Ismael Ashitey is not here with us anymore, and though no one can fill the void his death has created in our lives, I pray that the Good Lord Almighty, who is able to do all things, continues to bless his family and gives them the strength to endure this very difficult period of pain and sorrow. Ismeal Ashitey is going to be greatly missed everyday, because he truly meant a lot to us. May his gentle soul rest in peace and find the abode of heaven till that Great Day when we all meet again," he stressed. Source: Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament (MP) for Buem in the Oti Region, Mr Kofi Adams, has urged the Electoral Commission (EC) to hasten the processes to create a constituency for the residents of the Santrokofi, Akpafu, Lolobi and Likpe (SALL) traditional areas. He said the process leading to the creation of the SALL Constituency had been overly delayed. According to him, it appears the EC had not shown an interest in pursuing the matter. He said the EC's claim that it had submitted a Constitutional Instrument to the Attorney General's Department for the creation of the Constituency was not tenable. "If the electoral commission is so minded, the process is something they should have done long ago," Mr Adams said in an interview with the Daily Graphic. "Per their (EC's) own letter dated December 5, 2020, the creation of a new constituency is something they were aware of and they did not show much commitment to creating a constituency for the people of Santrokofi, Akpafu, Lolobi and Likpe in 2021 and I don't want the same attitude to be shown in 2022". Parliamentary pressure The Buem MP said the passage of the EC's budget for 2022 hinged on the re-wording of the report of the Special Budget Committee in relation to the creation of the SALL Constituency. He added that the EC had done a significant injustice to the residents of SALL by not allowing them to participate in the 2020 Parliamentary Election. Mr Adams stressed that it was a dark spot on Ghana's democracy that some citizens were not represented in Parliament. Reacting to a recent petition to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo by the #FixTheCountry Movement for the removal of the Electoral Commission Chairperson, Mrs Jean , and her two deputies over the inability of the residents of SALL to vote in the 2020 parliamentary election, Mr Adams said it was a separate issue and within the rights of the petitioners. The petitioners contend that the actions of the EC officials denied the people of SALL "right to vote" of in the said election. The petitioners assert that the actions of the EC officials, if considered in context and in light of their preceding and subsequent conduct, met the threshold of stated misbehaviour and or incompetence as required under Article 146 of the 1992 Constitution for their removal. Background It would be recalled that the EC, through a release issued on the eve of the 2020 election, caused the exclusion of SALL to vote and elect a Member of Parliament. Although voters in the SALL traditional areas were allowed to vote in the Buem Constituency for the Presidential election, they were directed by the EC not to participate in the parliamentary election. Source: graphiconline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The 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 Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The Majority Leader in Parliament, Hon. Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, has described himself as a utility player whose leadership has been exceptional over the years. To him, he is the perfect leader and loved by the majority caucus for his stance on issues in parliament. He was responding to claims by some NDC members in parliament that his leadership has been awful in recent times hence, a need for the majority to replace him. Quite recently, Hon Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu has been at the receiving end of attacks, especially regarding his leadership in the House. His critics say he has failed lawmakers in Parliament. NDC Member of Parliament for Banda, Ahmed Ibrahim, believed there is "leadership failure on the part of the Majority Leader", and further indicted him of failing "to be in constant touch with Parliament". Another of his critics, George Loh, a former MP for North Dayi in the Volta region, accused the Suame MP of not showing good leadership in the current dispensation. In his view, the majority leader displays arrogance and that has blocked any consensus building in Parliament. But Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu maintained on NEAT FMs morning show that his leadership is solid, and questioned the motive of an opponent craving for the leader of the other side to be replaced. Interesting how the opposition wants a change of captainship in a crucial match, he surmised on "Ghana Montie". Source: King Edward Ambrose Washman Addo/peacefmonline.com/ghana Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Mercedes Benz South Africa, in a recent social media communique, has welcomed Ghanaian musician Trigmatic to Sandton in South Africa. The multi-talented musician was spotted with his team touring the showroom of Mercedes Benz and hanging out with the staff of the automobile company. The company run by the caption #MBSandton would like to Welcome Ghanaian Superstar TRIGMATIC to SA! in expressing their joy for hosting the musician cum entrepreneur. Also, in a publication by beeniewords.com, Mercedes Benz South Africa is said to have shared a video showing pictures of the Ghanaian musician on giant screens at their lifestyle showroom. Trigmatic, who recently did a record with South Africas Ralf GUM and is currently promoting his Aduawa single off his Love From Jozi EP, took to his Instagram page to express his immense gratitude to the company for hosting him and his team. Trig (as he is affectionately called) is presently in South Africa to finalize his much-anticipated EP. View this post on Instagram A post shared by TRIGMATIC (@trigmaticofficial) Source: Peacefmonline.com/Ghana Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video 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. Featured Video Woburn, MA (01801) Today Showers early, then partly cloudy for the afternoon. High 58F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%.. Tonight Cloudy skies early, then off and on rain showers overnight. Low around 45F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%. BEIJING, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- Huawei took out 2,770 U.S. patents last year, ranking fifth on the list of companies getting the most U.S. patents, Bloomberg reported Tuesday. Citing a new study by Fairview Research's IFI Claims Patent Services, the report said, "that shows Chinese firms are increasingly responsible for a greater share of the world's innovation." The analytics firm said when it comes to global patent ownership, Chinese companies also dominate. Although Huawei's networking equipment is excluded from the U.S. market, and the Biden administration has banned it from obtaining some components for its phones, the Shenzhen-based company has succeeded in obtaining more patents, said the report. "Everywhere you turn, they (Chinese companies) seem to be establishing themselves, or seeking to establish themselves, as major players," IFI Claims Chief Executive Officer Mike Baycroft was quoted as saying. Thank you for reading the Philadelphia Tribune. You have exhausted your free article views for this month. Please press the "subscribe" button below and see our introductory price of $0.10 per week for 10 weeks. Otherwise, we look forward to seeing you next month. Hands of the Week: Five Big Hands from the RGPS Thunder Valley January 13, 2022 Chad Holloway Executive Editor U.S. Nicholas Baltz PokerNews is known throughout the world for our industry-leading live updates for both live and online events. In fact, right now we're offering various updates right here. Over the years, weve captured memorable hands, many of which have become a part of poker history. In this column, we will bring you some of the biggest hands of the week as reported in the PokerNews Live Updates. Last week, the RunGood Poker Series (RGPS) $575 No-Limit Holdem Main Event $200,000 GTD at Thunder Valley Casino Resort attracted a record 890-entry field and saw Kasey Orr take it down for $65,728 after a deal was made at the beginning of heads-up play. Below are five of the biggest and most interesting hands captured by the PokerNews Team. Remember, if youre playing an event PokerNews is covering, you can get in the updates via the MyStack App. You can download the app for iPhone or Android now to get started. Then, create a new PokerNews account or update your current one to start updating your status immediately. Your followers can see all the live action that you're involved in. Click here to download the My Stack app for iPhone, or click here to download the My Stack app for Android. Platt Gets Value With Big Slick Jeff Platt is a happy camper! On Day 1ab of the tournament, it was Level 5 (200/400/400) when poker broadcaster Jeff Platt three-bet from middle position to 3,200 and Thon Kong called from the small blind. The original raiser from under-the-gun in seat two also called. On the flop , the action checked to Platt, who bet 2,000, and only Kong called. The turn was the and both players checked to the river . Kong led for 6,000 and Platt called. Kong revealed for a bluff and Platt tabled for aces up and the winner. Joe Stapleton Makes Quads Joe Stapleton In Level 9 (600/1,200/1,200), Joe Stapleton was all in and at risk preflop against Soloman Stewart. Joe Stapleton: Soloman Stewart: The board came and Stapleton drilled quads to remain in contention. Julie Cornelius Makes Quad Aces Julie Cornelius Speaking of quads, it was Level 14 (2,000/4,000/4,000) when Julie Cornelius had an opponent all in and at risk preflop. Julie Cornelius: Opponent: The flop came to give her opponent a set of nines, but the turn was to vault Cornelius back in front with a set of aces. The river brought the and Cornelius made quads to score the knockout. Four-Way All-In Goes to Prok Alex Prok On Day 1c of the tournament, it was Level 16 (3,000/6,000/6,000) when a big hand went down. "Four-Way All-In," said a player from Table 2 as players gathered to watch. Daniel Hatch held the biggest stack and had Alex Prok, plus the players in seats four and five at-risk preflop. Alex Prok: Seat Four: Seat Five: Daniel Hatch: Hatch was in front with pocket aces but that would change on the flop . The turn brought the and the river was the to send a shock through the table as Prok drilled a set of nines to win it. Seats four and five were both eliminated while Hatch took a hit to his stack. Saunders Eliminates Platt and Angeleri Frank Saunders On Day 2 of the tournament, it was Level 18 (5,000/10,000/10,000) and players were in the money when there was a three-way all-in preflop on Table 6. Frank Saunders held the biggest stack as Jeff Platt was all in for 110,000 and Iris Angeleri was in for 165,000. Jeff Platt: Iris Angeleri: Frank Saunders: The board ran out clean for pocket kings and Saunders eliminated both opponents as he dragged a big pot. Because he was the shorter stack, Platt finished in 82nd place for $1,075 while Angeleri got the payjump by taking 81st place for $1,180. To see what all PokerNews is live reporting today, simply click here. Sharelines Check out some of the biggest & game-changing hands from recent PokerNews Online Live Updates. Chad Holloway Executive Editor U.S. Executive Editor US, PokerNews Podcast co-host & 2013 WSOP Bracelet Winner. Follow on: by Lillian Banda LUSAKA, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- In Zambia, art pieces such as paintings and sculptures have long been considered luxuries consumed by the rich and wealthy. However, the Twice Art Gallery, located in the northern part of the capital Lusaka, revealed that an increasing number of visitors are showing keen interest in a range of creative works including paintings and sculptures. The art gallery, which opened almost seven months ago, has some of the best paintings and sculptures by different artists from across Zambia. Local writers have also used it as an exhibition space to showcase their books. The place is a hive of activity particularly on weekends and during public holidays, attracting people from various sections of society to admire or purchase art pieces. "We have registered a significant increase in the number of people coming to buy paintings and sculptures in the last four months," said Twice Art Gallery proprietor Callen Chisha. Chisha, 45, a Zambian fine art specialist, is particularly happy that more locals have come not just to have a look at artworks on display but to buy items. "The clientele consists of different population groups with varying income levels, which is contrary to assertions that only wealthy people appreciate and buy art pieces such as paintings," he said. He also observed that the COVID-19 pandemic has not deterred fine art enthusiasts from acquiring art objects but has instead fueled the desire in many to reconnect with things that are of value to them. "It is gratifying to note that people are still able to set aside some resources to purchase art pieces despite the economic downturn resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. That shows that art is a valuable thing to humanity," Chisha said. He said that aside from beautifying life and workspaces, art pieces help people overcome difficult situations in life because they fill individuals with new energy and inspiration. Chisha explained that prices of items at Twice Art Gallery vary but start from 400 Zambian Kwacha (about 24 U.S. dollars), with sculptures being the most affordable. He commended members of the public for buying original art pieces from local artists, saying the move is helping the arts industry to flourish and continue being a source of livelihood for creative minds. Enditem. Would you like to receive breaking news notifications from The Post and Courier? Sign up to receive news and updates from this site directly to your desktop. Breaking News Columbia Breaking News Greenville Breaking News Myrtle Beach Breaking News Aiken Breaking News N Augusta Breaking News Click on the bell icon to manage your notifications at any time. Success! Please click the 'Allow' button in the 'Show Notifcations' alert in your browser if one is available. Thank you for signing up! Please enable notifications in your browser and reload the page. The city of Charleston is preparing to switch out vendors for its bike-share program by bringing on global micromobility giant Lime. The San Francisco company next month will replace Gotcha, a locally based mobility business, which launched the city's "Holy Spokes" service in 2016 and was sold about a year ago to a Miami company co-founded by Olympic track star Usain Bolt. Charleston's contract with Gotcha is set to expire in February. The city put out the call in August for applications, and Lime was selected from a pool of six candidates, including the existing vendor, transportation director Robert Somerville said. Lime will be bringing its motorized "e-assist bikes" to Charleston, giving riders an electric boost as they pedal. The battery-powered two-wheelers can reach speeds of up to 20 miles an hour, but they can also be capped in specific geographic areas, said Robert Gardner, Lime's director of government relations for the mid-Atlantic region. For example, the bikes can be programmed to slow down in high-traffic areas, such as lower Market Street on the peninsula. Lime is working with the city to figure out the specifics of where that feature will be used and what speed limits will be set. Like the program that Gotcha operates, Lime will position its bikes at existing hubs on the peninsula. It will be looking into other areas that could serve as docking stations. There will be a transition period between the programs, Somerville said. Gotcha is aware of the change and will be phasing out its fleet. Gardner said Lime will start out by making about 50 of its bikes available for the February launch and gradually roll out more to until it reaches about 500, likely by sometime in March. He added that he anticipates "a lot of flexibility" for adding docking areas or expanding the number of bikes as needed. While Lime also offers electric scooter programs, the city will limit its deal with the company to e-bikes. Charleston's traffic and transportation committee discussed the change at its Jan. 10 meeting. Chairman Mike Seekings said Lime seems eager to serve the Charleston market. "We should have an excellent experience with them," Seekings said. Gardner said Lime is looking to make some local hires, form partnerships and host trainings and helmet giveaways in Charleston. "We're just really excited to get started," he said. A Charleston-based convenience store chain recently picked up $511 million in fresh capital to continue its acquisition spree. Refuel Operating Co. received the infusion from Sixpoint Partners, a New York City investment bank focused on the middle-market private equity industry. The First Reserve Refuel Fund acquired Refuel and its more than 170 convenience stores across the Southeast from a previous First Reserve Fund, according to an investor's statement. The fund also provides additional "dry powder" for Refuel to continue pursuing its acquisition-driven growth strategy, Sixpoint Partners said. "Refuel is a blue-chip asset that will benefit from more capital and time to continue and accelerate its growth trajectory," said Eric Zoller, founder of Sixpoint Partners. "The additional capital is intended to fund expansion of the business as we continue to focus on building a leading U.S. convenience-store brand," said Neil Wizel, a partner at Stamford, Conn.-based First Reserve. Refuel, started by Mark Jordan of Sullivan's Island, opened its first convenience store and gas station in Charleston in 2010. Through a series of acquisitions and with the help of the prior First Reserve fund in 2018, the company's store count grew in recent years. "It turns out the runway for Refuel is a lot longer than we thought," Jordan said Jan. 13. "We are going to grow the company several times larger than we originally believed it was going to be." Announcements on further acquisitions could be made in the next 30 days. "We look to build between 10 and 20 stores a year for the foreseeable future," he said. Most of the new sites will be in South Carolina, North Carolina and Texas. The company currently is in the early stages of constructing a new location in Cleveland, Miss., that could open by year's end, according to Jordan. Refuel currently operates stores in the Carolinas, Arkansas, Mississippi and Texas. It added two convenience stores in the Magnolia State in December to bring its total count to 175. In the Charleston area, it has two stores each in Mount Pleasant and Goose Creek and one each on Daniel Island, Sullivans Island, West Ashley and the Summerville area. Two others are in the works on Folly Road on James Island and on Midtown Avenue at Hungryneck Boulevard in Mount Pleasant, a block away from another store at Venning Road. Jordan said the Midtown site could be developed into a new store, sold or turned into a stand-alone car wash location. Back-to-back record-setting sales of industrial properties illustrate a growing interest in the Charleston region from deep-pocketed investors that buy warehouse and distribution centers as a snarled supply chain puts a focus on markets near the Southeast's booming population. New York-based buyout giant KKR & Co. of "Barbarians at the Gate" fame provided the latest evidence. It recently closed on a 1 million-square-foot distribution center at the Charleston Trade Center in Summerville, paying $109 million to acquire the property from a development group led by The Keith Corp. of Charlotte. It is believed to be the highest price on record for a single industrial structure in the three-county Charleston market. The acquisition follows the previous high of $79 million that Galaxy Investments, a subsidiary of New York-based Cambridge Holdings, paid in October for the A&R Logistics distribution center on U.S. Highway 52. "Industrial is the crown jewel in the real estate market because of COVID-19 and industrial investments have ramped up rather significantly in the Charleston market during the last 18 months," said Lee Allen, managing director of the commercial real estate firm JLL, which brokered both sales. Global supply chain disruptions have put a premium on industrial space near major U.S. import hubs, such as Charleston, according to a report by CBRE Inc., a commercial real estate firm. The analysis found that vacancy rates in the Charleston region hit a historic low of 1.86 percent in the third quarter as leasing surged. Meanwhile, about 7 million square feet of new distribution space is under construction and other projects are on the drawing board. "The unprecedented amount of demand coupled with the proximity to the port ... will continue to contribute to elevated activity in the area," CBRE said. "As market fundamentals continue to strengthen, developers and investors alike remain bullish on the Charleston industrial market." Massie Flippin, a partner at Trinity Capital Advisors, described the region's industrial fundamentals "highly favorable," adding the Charlotte-based investment firm recently acquired 78 acres at Palmetto Commerce Park in North Charleston for 850,000 square feet of warehouse and distribution space. "We're confident that the port, Charleston's solid manufacturing base, and the region's deep labor pool will continue to drive growth and increase demand," Flippin said. The record-setting Charleston Trade Center property is fully leased to Delray, Fla.-based Twin Star Home, which imports a range of indoor and outdoor furniture, including coffee tables, bar stools, fire pits and patio seating. Its products are sold through retailers like Home Depot, Costco and Wayfair. Furniture is the fastest-growing import commodity at Charleston's port as retailers look for a gateway to serve the growing number of homes and residents in the Southeast. KKR's Ben Brudney, a director in the firm's real estate group, said in a written statement that it believes "that state-of-the-art distribution centers in close proximity to major population centers and key transportation hubs will have significant staying power and are a great match" for the company's long-term investment strategy. The region is also attracting investments from overseas. For example, Singapore's state-owned Mapletree Investments Pte Ltd. paid more than $200 million in October to take ownership of more than a dozen warehouses in the Charleston and Upstate regions through its Victoria Logistics Assets LP affiliate. The South Carolina acquisitions are part of a $3 billion U.S. real estate spending spree that Mapletree embarked on last year. "The U.S. logistics sector is amongst the best-performing and most-resilient of all the real estate markets in which Mapletree operates globally," Michael Smith, the company's regional CEO for Europe and the U.S., said in a written statement after the South Carolina investments were announced. CBRE said industrial markets nationwide have seen huge growth in institutional investments and many of those firms are finding opportunities in the Charleston-area as the market matures. "These veteran landlords have seen explosive rent growth in other markets which has led them to push the envelope of asking rents in the Charleston market," the CBRE report stated. "For example, buildings located in Palmetto Commerce Park have experienced monumental rent growth over a one-year time period. With a prime location, and minimal space available, the average asking rents have swelled 13.5 percent over the course of one year." The four-story building housing a Charleston-based software development company is now under new ownership. Chicago-based office owner and operator Zeller paid $61.5 million for the 145,800-square-foot structure at 215 Benefitfocus Way on Daniel Island, where tenant Benefitfocus Inc. develops cloud-based workplace software, according to the commercial real estate firm CBRE, which handled the sale. The previous owner of the nearly seven-acre property was DIEC II LLC, according to Berkeley County land records. CBRE called Zeller an active investor in the Southeast since 2017, with more than 1.3 million square feet of assets under management in the region. Sign up for our real estate newsletter! Get the best of the Post and Courier's Real Estate news, handpicked and delivered to your inbox each Saturday. Email Sign Up! "This acquisition is part of their long-term commitment to investing in growth-oriented markets with high quality assets," according to CBRE. CBRE said the company, founded in Charleston more than 20 years ago, will continue to occupy the building under its long-term lease. "Charlestons impressive demographics, specifically job growth and population growth, continue to attract new capital sources from outside of the market," said Patrick Gildea of CBRE. "Class A properties with nearby amenities continue to be the top targets for capital." COLUMBIA A Blythewood woman has been sentenced to two years in federal prison for defrauding the national COVID-19 relief program. Bridgett Dorsey, 39, pleaded guilty to receiving more than $1.2 million in loans related to seven business filings for relief under two federal programs intended to help companies survive the economic slowdown triggered by the coronavirus pandemic, according to the U.S. Attorney's office for South Carolina. It is the first such sentencing for CARES Act fraud in South Carolina. Documents submitted to support the loans greatly overstated the businesses' value, the number of employees or included addresses for businesses that did not exist, according to a Jan. 13 statement from the U.S. Attorney's Office. "This case highlights the Department of Justices commitment to prosecuting those who illegally take advantage of COVID-19 to line their own pockets," U.S. Attorney Corey Ellis said. Investigation into the fraud against the federal COVID relief program also unearthed cases of tax fraud by one of Dorsey's businesses, Virtual Financial Services. This included claiming deductions on tax returns for others that Dorsey knew were false, the statement said. Dorsey was sentenced to two years in federal prison and three years' probation by U.S. District Judge Cameron McGowan Currie on Jan. 5. Dorsey also was ordered to pay more than $1 million restitution. About $860,000 already has been paid or seized from her businesses, according to the statement. "It is always a shame to see the rampant abuse of programs designed to help ordinary people struggling through the pandemic," IRS investigator Brian Thomas said. COLUMBIA Former University of South Carolina Provost Michael Amiridis is expected to become the school's next president, The Post and Courier has learned. Amiridis will meet with students and staff virtually on the morning of Jan. 14, two days after the board held a closed-door meeting on the search. Trustees are scheduled to meet at 2 p.m. Jan. 14 soon after the virtual sessions end and are expected to hire Amiridis. "Presidential Election" is listed as an agenda item. Amiridis' return would be seen by many staff and alumni as a popular move for a school that has gone through a pair of troubled presidential searches since 2019 when Harris Pastides retired after 11 years of leading South Carolina's largest college. Amiridis, who has been chancellor at University of Illinois Chicago since 2015, became known during his 21 years in Columbia as an affable, effective leader who generally garnered respect. His name would often come up first among preferred successors as president because he understands the academic and political challenges of the school with an annual budget approaching $2 billion and more than 50,000 students across eight campuses. He reportedly was interested in the job in 2019 after Pastides' retirement, but Bob Caslen, a retired Army general who ran West Point, was hired instead in a search marred by a sanction from accreditors over lobbying by Gov. Henry McMaster. Caslen resigned in May amid a plagiarism scandal and later called coming to USC the "biggest regret of my life." While Amiridis often made wish lists again after Caslen left, there was no evidence he was among the final candidates after USC attracted more than 50 applicants for president. Some presidential candidates have interest in a job only if they are the sole finalist. USC's initial top choice to succeed Caslen, Purdue University Engineering Dean Mung Chiang, backed out in December just days before he was expected to win board approval, citing family reasons. Other leading applicants opted out after Chiang was named the board's preferred candidate. That opened the door to try to bring Amiridis back to USC where his former boss, Pastides, is serving as interim president. In addition to being a popular choice on campus, Amiridis' expected hiring also could alleviate political pressure on USC leaders. Three bills are under consideration at the Statehouse that would remove current university trustees and cut the size of the board in half. Amiridis' candidacy was confirmed by two sources who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly. USC declined comment. Efforts to reach Amiridis were not successful. Amiridis came from Greece to pursue a chemical engineering doctoral degree at the University of Wisconsin. He started a two-decade career at USC in 1994 as a chemical engineering professor. He rose through the ranks as chair of the department of chemical engineering and dean of the College of Engineering and Computing. He was promoted to provost in 2009 soon after Pastides took the president's office. He became interested in leading a college, including applying to run Florida State University. He eventually took over at University of Illinois Chicago where he launched a $750 million fundraising campaign and helped the college reach a school-record $400 million in research awards. In a return to USC, Amiridis would have several key spots to fill, including provost and vice presidents over research and fundraising. He also would look to smooth over relationships with two of USC's top three donors, Darla Moore and Lou Kennedy, who have pledged to stop giving to their alma mater in spats with the board and administration. COLUMBIA Students in a Midlands school district will switch to virtual learning at least temporarily due a teacher and staff shortage attributed to COVID-19. Lexington-Richland School District Five will move all students from in-person to online learning on Jan. 14 and Jan. 18, with plans to return Jan. 19. Students are off Jan. 17 for the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday. The number of teachers and staff out during the current spread of COVID-19 omicron variant is more than twice the number out during the spread of the delta variant, the district said. Schools have covered absences with available substitutes, support staff and school administrators, the district said. The district was no longer able to safely staff all of its schools and moved to virtual after consulting state health officials, a district release said. Lexington-Richland Five includes some 17,000 students and covers Lexington County north of Lake Murray and northwestern Richland County, including the towns of Irmo and Chapin. "School District Five did not make this decision lightly, as a shift in the instructional model impacts all families," the release said. "District administration, principals, nurses, teachers, staff, and parents will continue to work together to find solutions that will improve school operations. Our goal is to provide a safe and sustainable in-person learning environment for all students and staff." Sports events and school performances will continue as scheduled both days at 50% capacity. All other extracurricular activities will be postponed until in-person classes resume. Free meals will be passed out in front of each school from 11 a.m. until noon each day of virtual learning. UNITED NATIONS, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- United Nations Peacekeepers report a significant increase in terrorist attacks in the Central African Republic, a UN spokesman said on Wednesday. "Our colleagues at the peacekeeping mission there said they have noted a significant increase in the number of improvised explosive devices (IEDs), especially in the northwest of the country," said Stephane Dujarric, the chief spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. Among the IEDs found since the beginning of the year, "three out of five devices exploded on vehicles belonging to our peacekeepers or to the country's army," Dujarric added. He said the mission, known as MINUSCA, believes the armed Return, Reclamation, Rehabilitation group active in the area is deliberately targetting UN peacekeepers and Central African Republic armed forces with the devices. On the humanitarian side, the UN deputy special representative and humanitarian coordinator for the Central African Republic, Denise Brown, visited Ouaka prefecture in the country's midsection a few days ago and expressed her concerns about the situation, notably in the town of Boyo, the spokesman said. "She said that following the arrival of armed combatants in the town, there are allegations of killings, houses burned down and agricultural supplies stolen," Dujarric said, adding that MINUSCA deployed peacekeepers there to protect the population. There were no reports of casualties. COLUMBIA Richland School District Two's top official said he is home and doing well after a medical episode during a school board meeting Jan. 11, officials said. Baron Davis, superintendent of Richland Two schools, drew concern from his school board members and district officials after he paused while introducing the next meeting topic, putting a hand to his head and leaning over in his chair. As he tried to continue, someone attending to him implored him to stop and be still as the meeting was abruptly recessed and later adjourned. In a letter to parents and school staff Jan. 12, Davis said he went briefly to the emergency room the same night and was cleared to return home. He did not elaborate on what had happened beyond describing a "brief medical incident." "I feel it is important to share this news with all of you in an effort to be open and transparent," Davis wrote. "Also, I wanted to express my appreciation for the outpouring of support and concern shared by the Richland Two family." Davis, 50, has been the district's superintendent since 2017. In August, he agreed to a contract extension that would keep him with the district through 2025. He joined Richland Two in 2012 when he was hired as principal at Spring Valley High School where he also served as an assistant from 1999 through 2006. He was promoted to assistant superintendent in 2014. He also spent four years running Alcorn Middle School in Richland One, starting in 2008. In the first week of January, 31,522 South Carolina students were quarantined or tested positive for COVID-19, according to state health data released Jan. 12. This is more than four times as many students who were quarantined or tested positive the week of Dec. 13 before schools closed for winter break. Of those students, about 76 percent were quarantined after being identified as a close contact. The remaining 24 percent tested positive and are out of school isolating. Data from the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control's weekly school report comes as dozens of schools announce plans to move to remote learning as a result of either high cases or staffing shortages. They illustrate the struggle facing districts that are trying to keep schools open amid the surge of omicron cases throughout the state. The current increase in school cases isnt surprising given the overall increase across the state, S.C. Department of Education spokesman Ryan Brown said. Donate to our Investigative Fund to support journalism like this Our public service and investigative reporting is among the most important work we do. Its also the most expensive reporting we do. We cant do it without your support. Donate Now The sharp rise in cases has left critical staffing shortages in many schools and districts and some have been forced to move to temporary virtual instruction until enough staff can return, Brown said. The week of Dec. 13, the last week most schools were open before break, a total of 1,106 students were required to isolate and 6,672 were required to quarantine. There are about 781,000 traditional and charter school students in the state. As of 5 p.m. Wednesday, at least 137 schools enrolling about 9 percent of all students have gone virtual already or plan to, according to data The Post and Courier gathered from the Education Department, school districts and media reports. Eight districts have gone completely remote. Most closures have been to individual schools as district leaders work to limit the closures. The largest of the districts that have gone completely remote is Orangeburg County in the Midlands which has 11,319 students, according to Department of Education data. Sign up for our Education Lab newsletter. Email Sign Up! None of the states largest districts have closed schools yet, although Greenville County warned parents earlier this week that closures could be announced soon. While we have and will continue to make every effort to maintain in-person instruction, it is more likely this will not continue to be possible, spokesman Tim Waller told parents. Staffing shortages are driving many of the closures. Last week, 2,010 school employees tested positive and had to be isolated while 1,375 had to quarantine. Thats up from 200 and 192 the week before winter break. More coverage To read more in-depth stories from The Post and Courier's Education Lab, go to postandcourier.com/education-lab. Officials in Laurens County 56 said that at one school, Eastside Elementary, almost 40 percent of staff were absent. In Oconee County on Monday, the district could only fill half of the absences with a substitute, leaving other staff to scramble to cover the rest of classes, the director of human resources wrote to parents. The countys high schools are now virtual, a decision made in part because those schools have more support staff who can help plug vacancies at other schools. On a call with reporters Wednesday, DHEC Public Health Director Brannon Traxler said the department is working with schools to ramp up participation in a new test-to-stay program that officials hope will lead to fewer students having to quarantine. We are committed to really prioritizing keeping kids in school, she said. Traxler encouraged people to get vaccinated and boosted if theyre not already. She also encouraged people to wear masks in public and in school something not required in many of the districts going virtual. Vaccinations and mask-wearing will make it easier to keep schools open, Traxler said. BLUFFTON Nearly $15 million of public funds brought the Culinary Institute of the South to Blufftons Buckwalter Place, where 300-plus students can now study one of three main disciplines. Staffed by four full-time instructors, the 30,000-square-foot school features six classrooms, two teaching kitchens, a baking room, a lecture theater, cafe and restaurant. The school is the Technical College of the Lowcountrys fourth campus in its network of South Carolina-based community colleges. Classes started Jan. 10. According to Culinary Institute of the South Dean Miles Huff, the majority of culinary students end up working where they went to school after graduation. With Bluffton, Hilton Head Island and Beaufort becoming culinary destinations, the area was ready to join Myrtle Beach and Charleston as coastal South Carolina cities with culinary schools. In fact, members of the industry reached out to the college, saying they were in desperate need of trained culinary professionals. Bluffton is the second fastest growing place in South Carolina right behind Fort Mill, which is a suburb of Charlotte, Huff said. So its a perfect timing to have a culinary school in this area to support the hospitality (industry) as its growing tremendously. An Air Force veteran and Johnson & Wales University graduate, Huff brings experience to the new school after most recently serving as the culinary coordinator at the Culinary Institute of Charleston at Trident Technical College. This experience and knowledge of the Bluffton area helped him develop the course load for the schools three degree programs, areas of study he said will best prepare students for the local workforce. Each degree program has 10-week internships built in that can take students to a local restaurant or potentially somewhere outside the state, like Florida or even Spain and Italy. Associate degrees and certificates are available in culinary arts; baking and pastry arts; and hospitality and tourism management at the Culinary Institute of the South. We do encourage that they do try to venture into both just to be more well rounded culinarians, said Department Chair Jacqueline Orak, who will lead the baking and pastry program at the school. So we do stress multi-discipline across the board. At the Culinary Institute of the South, each student has their own workstation, and the kitchens are equipped with smart ovens, smart fryers and combination ovens that can cook up to six different proteins or vegetables at one time using multiple temperatures. So our students get to work with that technology and learn how it works, Huff said, describing other hands-on opportunities at the school. We have a restaurant thats open to the public; we also have a cafe thats open to the public. So take the cafe for example, students will learn how to use Square, a point-of-sale system. So theyll not only learn theory of management, but theyll learn how to run an actual business. The school, a $15.3 million project, was funded with $11.2 million from Beaufort County, Beaufort County School District and the Town of Bluffton. These funds came from hospitality taxes, according to a school representative. The state of South Carolina contributed $3.5 million, and $625,000 was raised from private investors and donors. In the future, the Culinary Institute of the Souths FOODseum will attract more food enthusiasts to the Bluffton compound. The interactive museum, set to open in 2022, will celebrate Southern cuisine through rotating exhibits, seminars and cooking demonstrations. Brandon Alter covers the town of Kingstree and Williamsburg County for The Kingstree News. He is from the suburbs of Washington, D.C. He graduated from the University of South Carolina's school of Journalism and Mass Communications in May 2021. Parts of Charleston, Berkeley and Dorchester counties are expected to see rain and colder temperatures this weekend as other parts of the state could get snow, weather forecasters said. Temperatures were expected to hover a few degrees above freezing in the tri-county area on the night of Jan. 15 into the following day, with rain mixed in, according to the National Weather Services Charleston office. A low-pressure system tracking across the state is causing the winter weather. There is a low probability the Lowcountry could see some freezing rain and light ice accumulation, but the system would have to move farther south for this to occur, Steven Taylor, a lead weather service forecaster, said. Northern portions of Dorchester and Berkeley counties were most likely to see severe weather, but several elements would have to come together for this to happen, Taylor said. Nevertheless, freezing rain is not a typical weather feature in the Lowcountry, and even minimal amounts can wreak havoc. More than 2,000 S.C. Department of Transportation workers have already begun prepping to work long hours over the weekend, according to a news release. The employees plan to work 12-hour shifts around the state to spread salt and other preemptive ice treatments to make roads safer. We are closely monitoring the forecast for this weekend, but rest assured that SCDOT is preparing for a worst-case scenario and will begin pre-treating highways as early as Thursday, Jan. 13, Secretary of Transportation Christy Hall said. SCDOT workers follow specific plans made for each county in the event of a weather emergency, the release states. The potential for snow and ice accumulation was more likely in the Midlands and Pee Dee regions of the state, Taylor said. A wintry mix was possible the night of Jan. 15 into the following day, said Chris Landolfi with the weather services Columbia office. Initial forecasts predicted between 2 and 5 inches of snow, but Landolfi said it was still too early to say whether there would be snow and how much. COLUMBIA A Republican-backed Statehouse bill opposed by LGBTQ advocates for allowing doctors to refuse non-lifesaving services is stalled over concerns it could backfire on COVID-mandate opponents who won't get vaccinated. The bill aims to protect doctors and other medical professionals from being fired, demoted or sued if they refuse to provide non-emergency services to which they morally object. It would also undo a Columbia ordinance passed last June banning so-called conversion therapy of youth questioning their sexual orientation or gender. A Senate Medical Affairs subcommittee took up the bill Jan. 12 but postponed a vote to advance it, with its chairman saying the legislation needs work. "Im concerned well make it easier for someone to discriminate against someone due to vaccination status," state Sen. Shane Martin, the panel's chairman and a bill co-sponsor, told the main sponsor, fellow Spartanburg County Republican Sen. Josh Kimbrell. South Carolina Equality Director Jeff Ayers applauded the delay. "This bill is a brazen attempt to make it easier to discriminate against people and deny LGBTQ South Carolinians the health care services they need," he said in an email. "Religious liberty is a fundamental right, but it is not an excuse to discriminate against people or deny them health care." The nonvote, he said, means that "basically, we live to fight another day." A 46-year-old state law, passed in response to the U.S. Supreme Court's landmark Roe v. Wade decision, already protects doctors who refuse to perform an abortion due to their moral or religious convictions. The bill co-sponsored by 10 GOP senators would expand those protections to all health professionals, as well as employers and insurance companies, who object to any medical procedure or service. "Youre not forced to violate your conscience, whether youre a psychologist or surgeon or oncologist," Kimbrell told his colleagues. "If theres a specific procedure you disagree with, youre not forced to do it." Asked for an example, Kimbrell cited the Columbia law similar to two ordinances in Florida that the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals struck down in November 2020 as an unconstitutional violation of therapists' free speech rights. The divided ruling did not affect South Carolina, which is in the 4th Circuit. Sign up for updates! Get the latest political news from The Post and Courier in your inbox. Email Sign Up! In passing the local ordinance, the Columbia City Council called on the GOP-controlled Legislature to pass a similar state law. Instead, the bill would bar local governments from passing local rules. "The city in which we sit has decided that if youre a Christian counselor or psychologist, and a young man or woman at the age of 10 or 12 comes in and is asking for counseling about struggles they're having about gender identity, and you say you dont agree with the idea that there are more than two genders, you can be ... fined $500 per instance," Kimbrell said. Senate Minority Leader Brad Hutto, D-Orangeburg, said Kimbrell's example has nothing to do with a medical professional refusing service. On the flip side, Hutto said, the legislation would allow doctors who strongly believe people should get vaccinated against COVID-19 to refuse to treat the unvaccinated. Hutto noted that Pope Francis earlier this week called for widespread vaccination, saying "health care is a moral obligation." That seemed to put the brakes on the bill's advancement, even though every Republican on the GOP-majority subcommittee is a co-sponsor. The bill is also among eight priorities pushed this session by conservative groups that held a news conference at the Statehouse as the meeting was ongoing. Others include banning transgender youth in female sports a bill that's already failed repeatedly additional abortion restrictions and vouchers for private education. The Columbia ordinance "restricts a counselor's ability to bring a biblical world view to minors dealing with sexual orientation issues," Palmetto Family Council President Dave Wilson said about why the bill dubbed the "medical ethics and diversity act" is on his group's legislative agenda. "When the government wants to step in and supersede the parent, we have an issue." It's unclear when the subcommittee will meet again. "I want to make sure what were passing isnt codifying what were railing against on the other side," said Martin, R-Pauline. COLUMBIA A proposal that could send South Carolina parents roughly $7,000 yearly for private K-12 education represents the latest in an 18-year push by school choice advocates, with the pandemic adding to arguments on both sides. The renewed debate kicked off Jan. 12 with testimony before a Senate panel. No vote was taken on the bill, estimated to cost $35.7 million in its inaugural year, when up to 5,000 students could participate. But the early hearing, held on the second day of the 2022 session, indicates the priority Republicans, who dominate the chamber, put on the effort. The legislation, co-sponsored by 22 Republicans, is back before the same subcommittee that advanced a similar proposal in March 2020, days before COVID-19 cut all debate short. That vote was tentative, with even the bill's co-sponsors saying many questions remained. Support has ramped up since, advocates say, due to parents' frustrations with public school closures and online learning or lack of learning amid the pandemic. The state Republican Party has made vouchers a priority, and the issue could dominate this year's race to replace retiring Republican state Education Superintendent Molly Spearman. "A lot of what has happened with COVID has exacerbated the issue. More people are talking about it," Senate Majority Leader Shane Massey, a co-sponsor of the voucher bill and the education subcommittee chairman, told The Post and Courier before the meeting. "It has mobilized a lot of the public who was not mobilized before." Patrick Kelly, spokesman for the Palmetto State Teachers Association, said the pandemic should highlight the importance of public schools for society to function. The entire economy is based on children being in public schools during the day, he said. He hopes people instead remember the pandemic's opening months, when the forced closure of all schools led to newfound respect of teachers and their jobs. Diverting potentially hundreds of millions of tax dollars to private schools that can pick and choose who they accept will deplete opportunities for the vast majority of students and their parents, who depend on their public schools, he and other opponents said. Similar arguments have been made against the idea since 2004, when then-Gov. Mark Sanford first launched the effort that divided the GOP and took center stage in every education debate throughout his tenure. The latest proposal would greatly expand the states limited scholarship program for children with disabilities, first approved in 2014. It would provide vouchers equal to the state's average per-pupil spending to any student whose parents earn up to 200 percent of the federal poverty limit, which is $53,000 for a family of four. Sign up for updates! Get the latest political news from The Post and Courier in your inbox. Email Sign Up! On average, districts get about $6,950 per student in state taxes this year, though the actual amount varies by district. The bill would initially cap the number of participating students and grades. But if every eligible student participates once those caps are gone, the total cost could skyrocket to $2.9 billion in school year 2026-27, according to the state Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Office. "It is our belief that this bill, as with other similar bills, is ultimately unaffordable, unaccountable to the taxpayers and unproven to improve the education for all students," said Jamie Devine, a Richland One school board member and president of the state School Boards Association. "We wonder what the loss of $2.9 billion would mean for the students who remain in public schools." Massey, R-Edgefield, said such a worst-case cost won't happen. Putting parameters on who's eligible and adding requirements for participating private schools will be the focus of future subcommittee meetings, he said. A court ruling serves as a new obstacle to advocates' push. In October 2020, the state Supreme Court blocked Gov. Henry McMaster's attempt to spend $32 million in federal COVID aid to help parents send their children to private schools holding in-classroom instruction when most public schools weren't. The justices unanimously found the program he tried to unilaterally create after years of failed legislative attempts violated the state constitution's ban on using public funds to directly benefit private schools. The ruling "does make it more difficult," Massey said. McMaster's would-be, one-year program actually hurt the effort, Massey said, adding that he still thinks it's doable through state law. In hopes the Legislature will figure it out, McMaster put $20 million toward a voucher program in his budget recommendations released Jan. 10. He proposes funding it with lottery profits. COLUMBIA Republicans in the Statehouse are poised to approve new congressional seat lines that offer a strong advantage to GOP incumbents in Congress. On a party line vote, the S.C. House of Representatives approved a congressional map that would solidify incumbents advantage by increasing the number of Republican voters in red districts and Democratic voters in the deep-blue district currently held by Rep. Jim Clyburn, the state's lone Democrat in Washington. A perfunctory vote Jan. 13 would send the maps to the Senate, which is still in the process of finalizing its version of the map. The House map which favors Republicans, but closely resemble current boundaries have been derided by critics as being drawn on racial and partisan lines, an allegation Redistricting Ad Hoc Committee Chairman Jay Jordan, R-Florence, said is not supported by the facts or the data. If there were concerns, there was a process to deal with those concerns, Jordan said, referring to public hearings held so far. Though the lines closely resemble those upheld by the Department of Justice a decade ago, groups including the American Civil Liberties Union and the S.C. League of Women Voters have opposed the maps and the process under which they were drawn. Critics have argued they disenfranchise voters of color by packing Black voters from competitive precincts in places like North Charleston, inside boundaries safe for a Democrat. Jordan has argued the characterization is not accurate. He noted that under the House's current proposal, the Black population in Clyburn's 6th Congressional District is less than it is now. But others argued the maps boundaries which were redrawn in response to voters from Beaufort County concerned with being moved into an inland district represented by 2nd District Republican Rep. Joe Wilson reduce the ability for Democrats to win in tightly contested districts like the Lowcountrys 1st Congressional District held by Republican Rep. Nancy Mace. Some questioned why the concerns of voters in Beaufort County were given more credence than voters in Charleston, who found themselves divided in representation between Mace and Clyburn. Downtown Charleston is closer to North Charleston than downtown Columbia, Rep. Kambrell Garvan, D-Blythewood, said. I find that concerning. Sign up for updates! Get the latest political news from The Post and Courier in your inbox. Email Sign Up! House Republicans have argued the Charleston area among the fastest-growing regions in the state has always been split, dating back to a deal struck between both parties following the 1990 census to give Democrats a majority-Black district. But some have begun to question the political motivations of the divide, particularly as elections in the Lowcountry have become increasingly competitive. On Jan. 11, Rep. John King, D-Rock Hill, wrote a letter to the House leadership objecting to the bills advancement to the floor, arguing that Republican Judiciary Committee Chairman Chris Murphy illegally placed a Republican colleague in the chair rather than King. King called the move a violation of House rules. The majority broke its own rule in order to get this bill to the floor today, King said. And when you look at the map, you can see why. Its because it was gerrymandered. It was drawn to elect six Republicans and only one Democrat. The ACLU has already filed a lawsuit against legislative leaders over those maps, while high-profile election law attorneys like Marc Elias to figures like Democratic National Committee Chairman Jaime Harrison have publicly stated South Carolina's congressional lines are likely to be met with scrutiny. The Houses map closely resembles a version currently waiting for approval in the Senate. But state senators are set to consider an alternative version of their map Jan. 13 that would make radical changes favorable to Democrats amid increasing pressure from liberal groups. Under that alternative map, Democrats would be favorites to win in two congressional districts, with a single-digit disadvantage in the 5th Congressional District held by Rock Hill Republican Ralph Norman, according to a partisan analysis released with the map. The map also includes a proposal to keep the ultracompetitive electorate within Charleston County whole, a key sticking point for Democratic activists like gubernatorial candidate Joe Cunningham, who previously represented the region in Congress. Earlier this week, SC Republicans claimed it was impossible to draw a congressional map that kept Charleston whole and Beaufort in #SC01, Cunningham tweeted Jan. 12. Well, not only is it possible, its quite easy! That proposal was criticized by South Carolina Republican Congressman Joe Wilson in a tweet Jan. 11, in which he said he favored the Senate plan with minimal line changes. The Associated Press contributed to this report. South Carolina's elected Republican Commissioner of Agriculture Hugh Weathers has announced his intent to run for a sixth term, saying it would be his final one in office. Weathers, a fourth-generation farmer from Bowman, has been in office since 2004. No Democrats have announced an intent to run. Filing officially opens for all statewide offices in March. Weathers' Jan. 13 announcement says he has represented the interests of more than 25,000 farms in the state, with agribusiness recognized as the biggest industry in South Carolina, supporting more than 247,000 jobs and generating more than $46 billion in economic impact each year. I have had the honor and privilege of serving our hardworking farmers and South Carolinas citizens for nearly two decades, he said. Im incredibly proud of the progress weve made, but there is still much work to be done." LUANDA, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- Angolan President Joao Lourenco on Wednesday slammed the acts of vandalism during the strike of taxi drivers' in Luanda on Monday as an "act of terror." Speaking at the 12th meeting of the Council of Ministers, Lourenco stressed that the country had been target of an act of rebellion that disrupted public order and vandalized public and private property. He also praised the police for their patriotic, tolerant and responsible behavior during the strike. The strike led by taxi drivers on Monday was marked by disturbances and acts of vandalism including the destruction of a bus of the Ministry of Health and a building of the ruling MPLA party, according to the police, who arrested 29 people following the riots. Jocelyn Rojas Taitano will not have to spend any time in federal prison after she was sentenced to two years of probation for admitting that she married a man to help him get a green card in exchange for money. Taitano, 36, appeared before District Court of Guam Chief Judge Frances Tydingco-Gatewood on Thursday. She has since pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit marriage fraud. Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Error! There was an error processing your request. Ms. Taitano was terrified when she was first approached by law enforcement. Shes got six children. She is as single mother and gets no help from the father, said defense attorney Briana Kottke. She is the only person out of the three charged who did not run and accepted responsibility. Co-actors Nam Hoon Kim and his mother, Mi Soon Lee, agreed to pay Taitano $800 per month. In total, she made $8,800 for her part in the sham. Authorities believe Kim and Lee fled to South Korea. I want everyone to know that I am really not a bad person. That was a terrible mistake that I will never make again. This has been a terrifying experience for me and I apologize, said Kottke, as she read her clients letter to the court. Its a lesson learned for me right now, said Taitano. The chief judge accepted her apology. Assistant US Attorney Stephen Leon Guerrero wanted Taitano to serve at least one month in the U.S. Bureau of Prisons. He noted that her sentencing was held moments after more than a dozen new U.S. citizens were sworn in during a naturalization ceremony inside the same courtroom. Prior to the hearing, I was able to partake in the naturalization ceremony that occurred with 14 individuals who went through the process and received their U.S. citizenship. What is important to note, we have 14 individuals with one from South Korea and 13 from the Philippines. We have people going about the process doing things the right way we have this defendant assisting her codefendant to conspire and try to get this illegal benefit and circumventing the process others had to go through, said Leon Guerrero. Thats not fair and thats not right. The indictment states in 2016, Kims mother approached and asked Taitano to marry Kim to help him get a green card to legally remain in the United States. Taitano agreed and the pair signed a marriage license with the Department of Public Health and Social Services. "They certified they were married at a Korean Methodist Church in Mangilao, Guam on Nov. 13, 2016, when in fact, an actual marriage ceremony never occurred, court documents state. Taitano was also accused of stating on immigration documents that she and Kim were residing in an apartment unit at the Summerville Apartments in Tamuning, when in fact, the couple had never lived together. Taitano had been residing in a separate residence with her children, documents state. Additionally, Kim primarily resided off the island while attending college in the U.S. mainland. During the alleged conspiracy, Lee and Kim leased the unit at the Summerville Apartments to create the appearance of a legitimate marriage between Taitano and Kim. Taitano also received an $800 check every month for about one year from Lee and Kim to pay rent for the Summerville Apartment unit. But, after paying only one month's rent, and with Lees and Kims knowledge, Taitaino kept the aggregate total of $8,800 for her personal use, documents state. Dont be so quick to be so naive, to get hooked in to try to help another person. It sounds like you were trying to help them, but you helped yourself because you kept the money, said Tydingco-Gatewood during the sentencing. Dont be so quick to say yes to people because look what happened, you end up with a crime here in federal court. Jillian Becker is the esteemed author and founder of the Institute for the Study of Terrorism. I became friendly with her through my interest in the subjects of her expertise. She has forwarded this first-hand account of the loss of her institutes terrorism archive: A University Has Lost an Archive The University of Leicester has lost the archive of the Institute for the Study of Terrorism (IST). I founded the Institute for the Study of Terrorism in London in 1984 under the aegis of Alun Gwynne Jones, Lord Chalfont, an erstwhile Minister of Defence. Its archive was built on the foundation of the research I had done for my books on terrorism in Germany and the Middle East: Hitlers Children: the Story of the Baader-Meinhof Gang and The PLO: the Rise and Fall of the Palestine Liberation Organization. The information I had gathered was augmented and updated continually through the six years of the Institutes existence. With a team of five, sometimes six or seven, we worked at it in subterranean offices in central London. Our register of terrorists, names of groups and individuals with details of their affiliations, their objectives, and their actions, steadily grew. We were a registered charity, but also funded ourselves by compiling reports for businesses needing to know what terrorist threats they could be faced with in foreign countries. Foreign contributors kept us posted on terrorist activity in their countries and regions, so quite often we received life-saving information ahead of the news agencies or even the intelligence agencies, Interpol, airport and port authorities, or the military. On one occasion, for instance, we were able to stop the import into Britain of lethal material disguised as wine in bottles with a very plausible label, because we had been tipped off by our contacts in Germany. Among our foreign advising experts was the head of the Small Arms Section of the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C. The Nature of the Archive We built, often at grave personal risk to ourselves, a unique and irreplaceable collection of documents and recordings; lists of names of terrorist groups and individuals; photographs of perpetrators, victims, crime scenes, battlefields; descriptions and assessments of weapons and explosives. The recordings included interviews I held with former terrorists who had served time in prison and wanted not just to return to normal life, but having come genuinely to regret their crimes, wanted to help oppose terrorism as a form of reparation. They would tell me about their organizations membership, methods, aims, actions and plans. It was easy for them to get in touch with us. Although our address was secret, our telephone number was in the directory. They would call and Id make an appointment to meet them in a public place, usually a busy hotel. Our chief archivist, Ian Geldard, was a brilliant researcher with an extraordinary talent for discovery and detection. Once, at the height of the scare of bombs in planes, he packed a suitcase with the apparatus of a time-bomb, including fake explosive, then passed with it through X-ray machines between Londons Heathrow airport and Berlins Tempelhof and back again without being stopped, proving how dangerously untrustworthy the safety measures were. We informed the media and the airport authority of the experiment and its results. The report was filed in our archive along with many others. My co-director Bernhard Adamczewski and I traveled across Europe, together and separately, to gather information firsthand. He found a wanted German terrorist in Vienna and informed the local police of the mans whereabouts. We visited battlefields in the Middle East and pulled bloodstained documents from the rubble of bombed terrorist offices and encased them in transparent plastic covers to be photocopied. The copies were translated and filed. I came upon the deserted camp of one west African terrorist organization where, in the rows of desks in the classrooms, there were exercise books in which students had taken down lessons extolling Soviet Communism as the ideal system. The course had been run by graduates of Moscows Patrice Lumumba University. Those proofs that the organization was serving the interests of the USSR went back to London with me and entered our archive. The Uses of the Archive Once we had come into existence, legislators, the press, law enforcement, the transport and travel industries no longer had to rely on the announcements put out by terrorist groups themselves to know what they were doing, what they intended to do, and why. We supplied dependable information to members of Parliament, scholars, news channels, individual reporters and investigative journalists, airport and seaport authorities. We co-operated with the police in Britain, including the terrorist section of Scotland Yards Special Branch, and were several times able to give helpful information to law enforcement in other Western and allied countries. I commissioned experts to write about particular terrorist organizations. We published their work as booklets in distinctive uniform yellow covers. We co-convened two international conferences, one with the Institute for European Defence and Strategic Studies, one with London Universitys Faculty of Laws which was opened by the Home Secretary. All this was done with the aim of promoting a shared understanding among Western policy-makers that terrorism was an inexcusable evil, regardless of the cause, however high, in the name of which it was carried out. The archive established that almost all the terrorist groups in the First World and its allies between 1969 and 1990 were supported with training, and/or funding, arms, asylum, by Soviet Russia. (A few were affiliated with China.) I called their actions the hot spots of the Cold War. With the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 and the defeat of the USSR in 1991, most of the terrorist wars in the West came to end. And since we had found and reported that most of them were Soviet sponsored, donors to our institute concluded that our usefulness was also at an end. In 1990, donations stopped. Businesses no longer asked for assessments of danger. I warned that the era of terrorism was not over, but few believed me. Hamas, a terrorist branch of the Muslim Brotherhood, was in power in Gaza and using terrorist methods against Israel. The ayatollahs governing Iran were supporting Hezbollah in Lebanon. Though I did not know that Osama bin Laden was just getting started with his organization al-Qaeda (so the colossal atrocity of 9/11 was already in the womb of time), I saw that the mass immigration of Muslims into the West meant that Europe and America could become targets of terrorism in furtherance of Islamic jihad. Reluctantly, I closed the Institute and sought a permanent home for the archive. Its obvious guardian would be a university. I anticipated that our records, solidly proving the guilt of two Communist regimes for promoting decades of mass murder in the West, would be a permanent resource for historians of the Cold War. The Archive Bought by a University The University of Leicester bought the archive in 1993. There, I thought, it will be safe. In due course the University archivist who had inspected the archive and negotiated the deal to acquire it, invited me and Ian Geldard to see how they were organizing it. They named it, with my approval, The Becker-Adamczewski Archive of the Institute for the Study of Terrorism. We were shown that published books were separately accommodated on the shelves of the main library, and that the bulk of the collection was to be kept in a special building, bought and adapted for the purpose of housing special collections. It was called the Scarman Centre for the Study of Public Order and was under the department of Criminology. Our archive was one of the first two to be put in it the other (we were told or I assumed) was that of Lord Scarman himself, the High Court judge. I was not entirely happy with the decision of the university to categorize our archive under Crime. I was doubtful that scholars would look for research material on terrorism under that heading. I would have classed it under Politics, International Affairs, War, or History, but the decision was not mine to make. I trusted that wherever it was kept, our unique and irreplaceable collection of documents, photographs, and recordings would be properly preserved and accessible to scholars. It was a treasure for a university to possess. What Happened to the Archive In 2007 I emigrated to America, where I launched a website called The Atheist Conservative. In 2020, the president of Republican Atheists, Lauren Ell, posted a profile of me on their website. I had mentioned to her that the IST archive had been bought by the University of Leicester. Wanting information about it, she contacted the university and was told that it could not be found. As soon as Lauren Ell informed me that the archive was apparently lost, I made my own inquiry and the loss was confirmed. The building in which the greater part of it had been housed was no longer in use by the university and there was no record of where the IST research material had been moved to. However, the Head of Archives and Special Collections, Dr. Simon Dixon, let me know that he was undertaking an investigation of the loss. Dr. Dixon did all he could to find the archive. He courteously kept me informed of the efforts he made, which were hampered by the lockdowns imposed on the university during the Covid-19 epidemic. In the late summer of 2021 he brought his search to an end. He had failed to find any remnant of the archive except the books which had been placed immediately in the universitys general library and apparently added to with more printed material some twelve years later. Dr. Dixon wrote to me in his final letter: I am very sorry to report that it has not been possible to locate the full archive My enquiries have included correspondence with current and former members of staff and a physical visit to the former School of Criminology building [T]he printed material acquired by the University in 1993 was integrated into the Librarys main run of holdings in 2005/6 and has subsequently been managed in accordance with our collections management policies. The rest of the archive had not been so managed. Only a trace, a fragment of it some correspondence had been found: While the unpublished archival material cannot be located, I have taken steps to ensure that a small amount of correspondence that has been recovered is preserved as part of the Archives and Special Collections for which my team are responsible. I have not given up hope that further records will come to light in future, and any additional material that I am made aware of will be permanently retained in the same way. I am extremely sorry not to be able to provide you with more conclusive information regarding the archive at this time. I believe Dr. Dixons apology is sincerely meant, but I have received no apology or expression of regret from the University of Leicester. If our archive was not relevant to learning, teaching and research at the University of Leicester, it could have been sold or given to some other institution. There are still some academies in America, or faculties within academies that would probably value it and make use of it. It could have been a national treasure. But it was treated as a thing of little or no value. Why? If one of the primary purposes of a university is to protect and hand on intellectual heritage, commitment to archive preservation is fundamental to that purpose. Perhaps the reason why the University of Leicester did not protect the IST archive was because it is now committed to erasing the past. An indication of this is in reports that the administration wants to decolonize the teaching of English literature by eliminating medieval studies (so Chaucer, inter alia, is to be removed from the curriculum), and focus on ethnicity, sexuality and diversity, Ceasing to teach something does not necessarily entail the destruction of materials used for teaching it. Is it likely that a university entrusted with documents of national and international importance would deliberately discard them because they are no longer useful to its teaching? Would it choose to waste the fruits of long, hard, even dangerous effort exerted against a malign force threatening the Western world? Sadly, I suspect it would if it came to believe that the Western world was systemically at fault and needed to be transformed. But if therefore it would no longer protect documents of public importance, should it still be funded with public money? The loss of an archive, whether by negligence or decision, is a calamity. To lose it by negligence is barbarously callous. To discard it deliberately is an act of intellectual vandalism, the equivalent of book-burning. If, in either case, a university is responsible, the disgrace must leave a permanent stain on its reputation. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell reportedly has been urging Maryland governor Larry Hogan to run for the Senate. So far, according to this report, Hogan has pushed back against the urgings of McConnell and Sen. Rick Scott, head of the National Republican Senatorial Committee. But McConnell isnt giving up. He even enlisted his wife, Elaine Chao, to talk to Hogans wife, Yumi Hogan, about the matter. Could Hogan defeat Van Hollen in deep blue Maryland? According to the Daily Caller, an internal poll has him leading the liberal incumbent by double digits, 49-37. Im not sure this result accurately reflects the state of an actual race between Hogan and Van Hollen. However, theres no doubt that Hogan is a very popular governor right now. Another poll conducted at the end of December had his approval rating at 74 percent. Among black voters, his rating was even higher 80 percent and he was above water with Republicans, Independents, and Democrats. In addition, Hogan was reelected in 2018, a terrible year for Republicans, by a margin of 12 points. It seems clear, therefore, that Hogan would put the Maryland Senate seat in play, at a minimum. Is Hogan interested in running? I dont know. On the one hand, hes a cancer survivor and may still have health concerns. On the other hand, he is said to have some interest in running for president in 2024. Hogan has no shot at becoming president. He seems to have a decent shot at being elected to the Senate. And, of course, a run for the Senate in 2022 wouldnt preclude a run for president in 2024. If anything, a successful Senate run might increase his credibility as a presidential candidate, at least in his own mind. Hogan is not a strong conservative. If elected to the Senate, he wouldnt invariably vote the party line. But Mitch McConnell and Rick Scott want him in the Senate for a reason. Not only would Hogan caucus with the Republicans, he likely would vote with them a good deal of the time on important issues. Chris Van Hollen never votes with Republicans on any matter of major significance. Maryland cannot elect a Republican Senator more conservative than Larry Hogan. In fact, it cannot elect a Republican Senator other than Hogan. I hope he runs. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell delivered the following remarks yesterday on the Senate floor regarding President Bidens speech in Atlanta the day before. In part, McConnell fact-checks Biden. In part, he criticizes the sense and sensibility of Bidens remarks. I think McConnells speech is as good or better than any of the columns I have seen exposing the disgusting demagogy and outrageous falsehoods of Bidens speech. McConnells staff emailed the text out under the heading Profoundly Unpresidential with this pull quote: The Presidents rant yesterday was incorrect, incoherent, and beneath his office A President shouting that 52 Senators and millions of Americans are racist unless he gets whatever he wants is proving exactly why the Framers built the Senate to check his power. This whole display is the best possible argument for preserving the Senate rules that extend deliberation, force bipartisan compromise, and let cooler heads prevail. Nothing proves it better than this episode. These are McConnells remarks as emailed to us yesterday afternoon: Twelve months ago, a newly-inaugurated President Biden stood on the West Front of the Capitol and said this: My whole soul is in this: bringing America together, uniting our people, and uniting our nation. Yesterday, the same man delivered a deliberately divisive speech that was designed to pull our country farther apart. Twelve months ago, this President said we should see each other not as adversaries, but as neighbors. Yesterday, he called millions of Americans his domestic enemies. Twelve months ago, this President called on Americans to join forces, stop the shouting, and lower the temperature. Yesterday, he shouted that if you disagree with him, youre George Wallace. If you dont pass the laws he wants, youre Bull Connor. And if you oppose giving Democrats untrammeled one-party control of the country, well, youre Jefferson Davis. Twelve months ago, this President said that disagreement must not lead to disunion. But, yesterday, he invoked the bloody disunion of the Civil War to demonize Americans who disagree with him. He compared a bipartisan majority of Senators to literal traitors. How profoundly unpresidential. I have known, liked, and personally respected Joe Biden for many years. I did not recognize the man at that podium yesterday. *** American voters did not give President Biden a mandate for very much. He got a tied Senate and negative coattails in the House. The narrowest majorities in over a century. This President did not get a mandate to transform America or reshape society. But he did arguably did get a mandate to do the one central thing he campaigned on: Bridge a divided country. Lower the temperature. Dial down the perpetual air of crisis in our politics. That is the one central promise that Joe Biden made. It is the one job citizens actually hired him to do. It is the one project that would have actually been consistent with the Congress that voters elected. President Biden has chosen to fail his own test. The Presidents rant yesterday was incorrect, incoherent, and beneath his office. He used the phrase Jim Crow 2.0 to demagogue a law that makes the franchise more accessible than in his own state of Delaware. He blasted Georgias procedures regarding local elections officials while pushing national legislation with almost identical language on that issue. The President implied things like widely-popular voter I.D. laws are totalitarian on the same day Washington D.C.s Democratic mayor told citizens to bring both a photo I.D. and a vaccine card anytime they leave their house. The President repeatedly invoked the January 6th riot while himself using irresponsible, delegitimizing rhetoric that undermines our democracy. The sitting President of the United States of America compared American states to totalitarian states. He said our country will be an autocracy if he does not get his way. The world saw our sitting Commander-in-Chief propagandize against his own country to a degree that would have made Pravda blush. *** There was no consistent standard behind anything the President said. He trampled through some of the most sensitive and sacred parts of our nations past. He invoked times when activists bled, and when soldiers died. All to demagogue voting laws that are more expansive than what Democrats have in his own home state. Georgia has more days of early voting than Delaware or New York. Georgia has no-excuse absentee voting which Delaware and New York do not have. If Georgia or Texas present Jim Crow emergencies, then so do a whole lot of Democrat-run states. The Senate Democratic Leader is going on cable TV and saying Georgia is greatly restricting or eliminating early voting. This is a lie. Provably false. Georgia has more early voting than New York. The Democratic Leader has tried to fearmonger about one rural Georgia county that condensed multiple voting locations into one. Well, this county is overwhelmingly red! They were clearly not involved in trying to suppress Democratic votes. 70% Republican in that one county in 2020. Take a step back for one minute. President Bidens story is that democracy is on deaths door but he spent nine months chasing a reckless taxing and spending spree before addressing it? It must not be that much of an emergency. Citizens are meant to believe a return of Jim Crow is on the table but this was only President Bidens sixth priority, after he was blocked from spending $5 trillion on windmills and welfare? Democrats own behavior refutes their false hysteria. *** Twelve months ago, the President said that politics need not be a raging fire destroying everything in its path. That was just twelve months ago. Yesterday he poured a giant can of gasoline on that fire. Twelve months ago, the President said every disagreement doesnt have to be a cause for total war. But yesterday, he said anyone who opposes smashing the Senate and letting Democrats rewrite election law is a domestic enemy and a traitor like Jefferson Davis. One week ago, President Biden gave a January 6th lecture about not stoking political violence. Yesterday, with the worlds largest megaphone, he invoked the literal Civil War and said we are on the doorstep of autocracy. He talked about domestic enemies. Rhetoric unbecoming of a President of the United States. In less than a year, restoring the soul of America has become: agree with me, or youre a bigot. From lowering the temperature to invoking totalitarian states and the Civil War. This inflammatory rhetoric was not an attempt to persuade skeptical Democratic or Republican Senators. In fact, you could not invent a better advertisement for the legislative filibuster than a President abandoning rational persuasion for pure demagoguery. A President shouting that 52 Senators and millions of Americans are racist unless he gets whatever he wants is proving exactly why the Framers built the Senate to check his power. This whole display is the best possible argument for preserving the Senate rules that extend deliberation, force bipartisan compromise, and let cooler heads prevail. Nothing proves it better than this episode. It offers a perfect case study in why Senator Biden was right about the filibuster and President Biden is wrong. One respected scholar explained it this way: The smallest majority weve ever seen in our politics is trying to change the rules for how people get elected in every state Thats just about the best argument for the filibuster you could possibly imagine. *** Mr. President the citizens of the greatest country in the world deserve for their elected officials to treat them like grown-ups. The adults of America deserve to hear from the adults in Washington D.C. So let me close with some basic truths. Our country is more divided than we should be. No doubt. In recent years, I have vocally criticized people across the political spectrum who have sought to legitimize elections when they win and delegitimize democracy when they are polling badly or when they lose. I criticized top Democrats hysteria after 2016, when their rhetoric had 66% of Democrats across America falsely convinced that Russia had hacked our voting machines and changed the tallies. I criticized Speaker Pelosi and House Democrats who spent the run-up to 2020 hyping conspiracy theories and suggesting the election would be presumptively illegitimate if their side lost it. In December 2020 and January of last year, our side of the aisle defended our constitutional process despite political pressure and a literal mob. But now it is President Biden, Leader Schumer, and other Washington Democrats who dont like their poll numbers. So they are reversing their tune yet again. The people who spent November 2020 through January 2021 preaching sermons about the strength and sanctity of our democracy are now undertaking to delegitimize the next election in case they lose it. We have a sitting President invoking the Civil War, shouting about totalitarianism, and labeling millions of Americans his domestic enemies. We have a Senate Democratic Leader who now frequently calls American elections, a rigged game. Mr. President this will not be repaired with more lies, more outrage, and more rule-breaking. Unfortunately, President Biden has rejected the better angels of our nature. So it is the Senates responsibility to protect the country. This institution was constructed as a firewall against exactly this kind of rage and false hysteria. It falls to the Senate to put America on a better track. It falls to us. So this institution cannot give in to dishonorable tactics. We cannot surrender to recklessness. We have to stand up, stand strong, protect the Senate, and defend our country. Unilever is a massive international conglomerate headquartered in London that predominantly sells food products. Like many other companies Unilever has gone woke, as its web site reflects. Unilever claims to be all about its values, a company that take[s] action on the issues affecting our world. But many observers are not convinced. The Telegraph headlines: Investment star Terry Smith attacks Unilever for ludicrous focus on social and environmental issues. One of Britains best known investors has attacked Unilever for its ludicrous focus on sustainability, in a sign of growing City frustration at blue chip companies championing fashionable causes. Terry Smith, manager of the 29bn Fundsmith Equity fund, said that the consumer goods behemoth has become obsessed with its public image and mocked its efforts to imbue brands such as Hellmans mayonnaise with a higher purpose. He said this overzealous focus on environmental and social issues has proved a distraction at a time when the 101bn maker of products from Vaseline to Marmite is struggling with a falling share price. This line deserves to go down in history: In a letter to investors in his fund, Mr Smith said: 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 alert salads and sandwiches). And this stands as a monument to cluelessness: In 2019, its chief executive Alan Jope vowed that in the future, every Unilever brand will be a brand with purpose and said he would offload those that are not able to stand for something more important than just making your hair shiny, your skin soft, your clothes whiter or your food tastier. But of course, shiny hair, soft skin, white clothes and tasty food are the sorts of reasons why people buy the products that Unilever sells. It is hard to imagine a more radical disconnect between a company and its customers. Unilever owns Ben & Jerrys ice cream, among many other brands, and it was exposed to public opprobrium when Ben & Jerrys took an aggressive anti-Israel stance, from which Unilever was forced to beat a retreat. But woke capitalism marches on, a hard-to-kill zombie. Has any president in the last 50 years delivered a worse speech than Joe Biden did yesterday in Georgia? The only one that comes immediately to my mind is Jimmy Carters malaise address of 1979. But impolitic as it was, at least that speech contained a kernel of truth. I invite the distinguished presidential scholars among our readers and my co-bloggers to point to a speech worse than Bidens. How bad was the speech? So bad that even ankle-biting partisan Dick Durbin found it objectionable. Putting it as politely and as compatibly with his rank partisanship as reasonably possible, Durbin agreed that Biden went a little too far in his rhetoric. I want to make two observations about Bidens speech. First, it was boycotted by Georgias leading voting-rights activists. Leaders of a coalition of voting rights groups declined to attend. Even Stacey Abrams was a no-show. She cited scheduling issues, a laughably implausible excuse for not attending a presidential speech in her backyard. Thus, the only people likely to have appreciated Bidens over-the-top rhetoric Stacey Abrams and her crew werent in attendance because Biden seems already to have alienated them. With his speech, he alienated, or at least offended, nearly everyone to the right of Abrams and her crew. My second observation is that Biden lied about himself. This doesnt distinguish the Georgia speech from standard Biden fare. However, this particular lie the claim of having been arrested for protesting in favor of civil rights adds to the disgrace because Biden, a one-time ally of segregationists, was falsely and shamefully attempting to stand alongside heroes of the civil rights movement who suffered imprisonment for their efforts. Glenn Kessler, the Washington Posts fact checker, gives the president four Pinocchios, the maximum number, for his claim about being arrested. Kessler explains: [T]heres the president, saying he once had been arrested, during a section [of his speech] that recalled some of the heroes of the civil rights movement. He even suggested he had been arrested more than once, as he recalled it was the first time he had been arrested. Its certainly not the first time hes said hes been arrested. Previously, he has said he was arrested trying to see Nelson Mandela in South Africa ( Four Pinocchios false) and for trying to enter an all-female dorm room at Ohio University ( Partly False, according to USA Today). He has also suggested he was arrested for wandering onto the Senate floor as a star-struck kid, but most times he has indicated he was just given a warning. But theres no evidence we can find that Biden was ever arrested. Bidens claim in Georgia appears to be based on his alleged arrest in his early teens, of which his elderly mother supposedly reminded him when Barack Obama tapped him for the VP nomination, for protesting on behalf of a black couple that had moved into his neighborhood: The stories are roughly the same but there are subtle changes. In four cases, the protest supposedly took place in Lynnfield, Del., which was near the town of Mayfield. Bidens family moved there in 1955, the year he turned 13. In one version, the protest took place in Carrcroft, which is nearby. Both Lynnfield and Carrcroft are about a mile from Mayfield. In three cases, Biden asserts he was arrested for standing on the porch with the Black couple who were subject to demonstrations. On the face of it, that doesnt make much sense. After all, what would be the charge? In two versions, Biden says the police merely brought him back home from the protest after he stood on the porch. That makes a little more sense, though its unclear why police would take the time if they had their hands full with a protest. In any case, this means there would be no arrest record. . . . There was a protest against a Black couple who had purchased a house in an all-White area, but it was a neighborhood many miles away from the Biden home. Biden instead appears to be referring to a protest that took place outside the home of the real estate agent who was involved in the sale. Its possible that police might have taken the young Biden home from a dangerous situation as he said twice but thats not an arrest. Moreover, one would think such a memorable incident would have made it into one of Bidens memoirs. Instead, its not even mentioned in the book that specifically references the conversation with his mother about joining the ticket [the conversation in which Biden has claimed his mother referred to his arrest]. Ordinarily, one would think such an important moment in a young mans life would have merited an earlier recounting. . . . The Wilmington Journal. . .mentioned an arrest of a teenager at [the home of real estate agent] but not under heroic circumstances described by Biden. A 17-year-old youth was charged with breach of the peace after allegedly swinging at a woman identified by state police as Mrs. Elizabeth MacGuiness of Castle Hills during the demonstration at Leverings home, the newspaper reported on Feb. 27, 1959. After the arrest the boy was returned to the custody of his parents and will face action in Family Court, police said. The commotion caused by the young outsider was the only one observed by police all evening. Biden was 16 at the time. Bidens lie about his past is just a footnote to the larger, highly damning critique of his speech. Mitch McConnell laid out the real indictment forcefully in the speech from which Scott quotes at length here. But we shouldnt let Bidens false portrayal of his history pass without notice, and Im glad the Posts Kessler chose to notice it publicly. President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the appointment of Ogechi Paschal-Ejiogu to the Board of Directors of the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA). The appointment takes effect from January 6, a statement by the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA), said Thursday. The statement said Mrs Paschal-Ejiogu brings nearly two decades of cognate experience spanning the social services and healthcare industry to the Board of NSIA. The appointment follows the request by Ike Chioke, the former appointee for the South-East region of Nigeria, to be relieved of board duty at the NSIA as his firm was appointed to support the government in another role. Speaking on the appointment, the chairman, board of directors, NSIA said We are pleased to welcome Dr. Ogechi Paschal-Ejiogu to the Board. We thank His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari for prioritizing NSIAs Board appointments and also for the choice of Dr. Paschal-Ejiogu who brings invaluable international experience to the Board. In his comment, MD & CEO NSIA, Uche Orji, said Dr. Paschal-Ejiogus academic pedigree and deep experience in the social services and healthcare industry makes her a unique addition to the Board. Her wealth of experience will, contribute towards the attainment of the Authoritys long-term strategic goals. We are pleased with the appointment and look forward to working with Dr. Ogechi Paschal-Ejiogu and the Board, he said. According to the statement, Mrs Pascal-Ejiogu obtained a doctorate degree in Economics from USA, specialising in Public Policy and Development. A Doctoral-level academic, she possesses in-depth knowledge of complex economic concepts, and is adept at applying theories and ideas to real-world situations, the statement said. She also possesses a strong understanding of business finance, econometric modeling, data analysis, planning, and interpretation and has, over the last two decades, contributed significantly to the social services and healthcare industry both in Nigeria and in the United States of America. Prior to this, Mrs Paschal-Ejiogu graduated from the University of Reading, UK with a Masters in Development Economics and Policy, having also earned her first degree from the Imo State University where she bagged a B.Sc in Economics. Mrs Paschal-Ejiogu brings a unique set of skills, exposure, and expertise to the Board of the NSIA, which complements the existing array of Board-level talents, the statement said. The Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) is an investment institution of the federation set up to manage funds in excess of budgeted hydrocarbon revenues. Its mission is to play a leading role in driving sustained economic development for the benefit of all Nigerians through building a savings base for the Nigerian people, enhancing the development of Nigerias infrastructure, and providing stabilization support in times of economic stress. ABUJA, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- The Nigerian government on Wednesday ended its suspension of Twitter, seven months after it halted the operation of the California-based microblogging platform in Africa's most populous country. The lifting of the ban in Nigeria would take effect from 12 a.m. local time on Thursday (2300 GMT Wednesday) after the U.S. company had agreed to meet all the conditions set by the Nigerian government, Kashifu Abdullahi, director-general of the National Information Technology Development Agency, said in a statement. "The Federal Government of Nigeria directs me to inform the public that President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the lifting of the suspension of Twitter operation in Nigeria," said Abdullahi, who also participated in the government's negotiations with Twitter. The official noted that Twitter is a platform of choice for many Nigerians to communicate, "therefore, our engagement will help Twitter improve and develop more business models to cover a broader area in Nigeria." The Nigerian government suspended the operations of Twitter on June 5, 2021, two days after it accused the social networking company of double standards and supporting secessionists in the west African country. Information and Culture Minister Lai Mohammed said in a statement at the time that the suspension was indefinite, citing "the persistent use of the platform for activities that are capable of undermining Nigeria's corporate existence." Nigerian and Twitter representatives have been in negotiations since then over a number of key issues including national security and cohesion, Twitter's registration, the company's physical presence and representation in Nigeria, as well as a dispute resolution. On Oct. 1, Buhari said he had directed the ban of Twitter's operations in the country be lifted, but only if certain conditions outlined by the government were met. The president said his administration made the decision after Twitter reached out to the government to resolve the impasse. The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Abuja on Thursday dismissed two motions filed by the Abdullahi Ganduje-led faction of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the ensuing infighting rocking the states chapter of the party. This came on the heels of the earlier rulings of the court on November 30 and December 17, 2021, against the Mr Ganduje faction. The crisis pits the current governor of Kano State, Mr Ganduje, against a rival group within the party, led by a former Kano State governor, Ibrahim Shekarau. The two factions had held parallel congresses and produced two sets of state executives on October 18, 2021. While Mr Gandujes group produced Abdullahi Abbas as state chairman of the party, Mr Shekaraus camp elected Haruna Danzago to the same position. The FCT High Court, on November 30, declared the congress conducted by Mr Shekaraus group as valid and the officials it produced as the duly elected leaders of the APC in the state. It similarly on December 17, affirmed its decision rejecting a motion filed by the Ganduje faction asking the court to stay execution and set aside the judgment. The judge, Hamza Muazu, further imposed a fine of N1 million against the plaintiffs for filing a frivolous and time-wasting motion. Mr Muazu, on Thursday, rejected two motions for setting aside the judgment and stay of execution on local government congress. The Mr Ganduje-led faction had filed the motions following their appeal regarding the matter. They had subsequently transmitted the records of appeal to the Court of Appeal, a crucial procedural step that sets the stage for the hearing of the appeal. Ruling on Thursday, the judge, Mr Muazu, struck out the applications on the basis that he had lost jurisdiction to hear the case, the records of appeal having been transmitted to the Court of Appeal. Tosin Akeju watched her husband leave for his rice farm on Friday morning of March 5 in Isaba, Ikole Local Government Area of Ekiti State. It was his way of life. He always returned home, so she least expected anything different. But she became worried when he had not returned at dusk. His lifeless body was later found in a pool of his blood right in the middle of his farm. He had been shot by persons generally believed to be armed herders. Sharing his fate was his elderly farmworker, Omuse Yusuf, whose body was also recovered from the farm. Mr Akeju, a.k.a Jisoro, had had an argument with some herders foraging for honey on his farm days earlier. The altercation, according to an eyewitness, ended without any fisticuffs. Although there is no concrete evidence connecting that incident to his killing, residents hold herders responsible for the gruesome murder of Mr Akeju and Mr Yusuf. No one has been arrested for the crime. Mr Akejus death left his widow with four little children to raise alone. I dont know his offence to have warranted his killing at the farm, she told PREMIUM TIMES in Yoruba. Some people said the attack was carried out by the Bororos, others said it could be envious Yorubas and fingers have also been pointed at the Ebiras. Whatever the reason, his death was undeserved because he was such a generous man. The incident reawakened the need to address the rising insecurity in the communities, which had assumed ethnic and political colouration. Many residents believed that the quietness of Governor Kayode Fayemi-led administration on the plight of farmers has something to do with the governors speculated ambition to run for president in 2023. Although this has been denied by the government, the people want strong action from the government to curb the excesses of criminal elements. Mr Akejus widow has found small consolation in her employment by Ikole local government on a monthly salary of N30,000. Opeyemi Yusuf also lost his father, Mr Akejus farmworker, in the incident, 360 days after the death of his mother. Of the Idoma ethnic group from Benue State, his understanding of what happened is as vague as that of Mrs Akeju. His story revolves around conflicting reports from different sources. He was a loving father, caring, gentle and easygoing, he told PREMIUM TIMES. He still could not understand why anyone would take the life of such a man. The state government has also mitigated his pains with employment by the Ikole local government. But he remains concerned about the state of security in the country. He thinks the government should legalise the bearing of arms by individuals for self-protection. Iloris Fall In Orin Ekiti While Mrs Akeju still has tears in her eyes five months after the killing of her husband, it has been three years since Rachael Ilori lost her own husband. He was also shot by suspected herders at Premier Farm Settlement in Orin Ekiti, in Odo-Osi Local Government Area of the state. The farm was built in 1959 by the civilian government of late Obafemi Awolowo in the defunct Western Region. The settlement had a 96-room apartment, piggery, poultry, ranches and fish farms. It employed hundreds of citizens but was left to decay. Olusegun Oni, who was governor of Ekiti State between May 29, 2007, and October 14, 2010, tried to revive the farm but did not do much until he was removed from office. The settlement, situated on a plateau about 400 metres above sea level, is about six kilometres from Orin town. Because of the elevation, it takes about 30 minutes to access the farm on foot. The road is fairly motorable even though it is untarred. But it is difficult in the rainy season except for tractors and four-wheelers. The farm infrastructure is largely abandoned. The sheds for livestock such as the piggery and poultry have become hideouts for kidnappers. On the night of June 28, 2019, rumours filtered into the town that some strangers had taken shelter at the Premier Farm Settlement with their cattle. The villagers feared that allowing the herders to remain there could spell disaster for the farmers. Emmanuel Ilori, a farmer and famous hunter, was one of those who went to the site to chase away the herders. But the intruders, who were armed with automatic rifles, shot him from the dilapidated piggery in which they were hiding. By the time reinforcement came from the settlement, the attackers had fled. Rachael recalled that the herders had earlier grazed her husbands four acres of maize, causing losses estimated at millions of naira. He rejected a N50,000 compensation offered by the Fulani leaders in the state. Although it has been two years since Mr Ilori died, his 65-year old widow has not recovered from the nightmare. A year earlier, Premier Farm Settlement was the scene where a pregnant farmer was shot and butchered by suspected herders, who were reportedly on a reprisal attack over the killing of one of their own by farmers. In October this year, farmers reported that their farms at the settlement were heavily grazed by cattle at night. Some of the farmers lamented the losses due to the action of the herders. Many more have died in recent times due to the conflict. In Ekiti, the farmers association said 25 farmers were killed in the last three years in clashes with herders. The herders also submitted that several herders have been gruesomely murdered in the communities. The clashes result largely from the destruction of crops by livestock as herders have seen their usual grazing areas increasingly put to farming, making their search for grazing land more challenging. However, the outrage in recent times had been the brazen destruction of farmlands. Ineffective Anti-Open Grazing Law Ekiti State in 2016, under the administration of Ayo Fayose, enacted a law banning open grazing in the state, thus becoming the first state in the South-west to enact such a law. In spite of this development, open grazing is still witnessed in the states. PREMIUM TIMES reporter in the course of this investigation, saw cows moving freely in the rural communities visited. The law provides that anyone caught grazing on portions of land or any farmland not allotted by the government is liable to prosecution and herdsmen caught with firearms and any weapon whatsoever during grazing shall be charged with terrorism. The law also allows confiscated cattle to be taken to a government cattle ranch at Erifun and Iworoko Ekiti, while farm crop destroyed by the activities of any herder shall be estimated by agricultural officers and paid by the culprit. Violators of the law are liable to six months imprisonment without the option of a fine. Advertisements The All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) in Ekiti State, however, believes that the law is ineffective because cattle are still roaming around without any restriction in most places in the state. The chairman of AFAN, Adebola Adeniran, said the anti-open grazing law in the state was not being properly implemented, resulting in the continuous incursion into farms by nomads. The problem is still persisting in Ekiti, he told PREMIUM TIMES in December 2021. It is even more of a triplet thing. It is about herdsmen, banditry and kidnapping. As of yesterday, about 12 people were kidnapped to show you that the issue is still very much around. It has not been eliminated. To me, most of the steps taken by the government are more or less political. When you enact a law and you dont put it into effect, it is as good as just making a political statement. We still have cattle rearing all over the place, even in the cities. This is just a clash between the elites and the poor people of the state. The elites, the businessmen are the ones having the cattle around. All Is Well But the information commissioner for Ekiti State, Akin Omole, disagrees with the association. He argued that the farmers would need to produce specific particulars of the complaint or a breach where the government failed to take appropriate action. He said the law was being fully implemented in spite of challenges. If there is a law in place, there will still be some people who want to breach it, he said. The law enforcement agents must come in to bring lawbreakers to book. It is not that when the law is there, there will be full compliance immediately. He said several arrests had been made by Amotekun, adding that there has been a great improvement in addressing the problem. Somebody may say I saw herdsmen in my farm and reported to government and they did not do anything. That is a specific complaint. But when you are talking generally that it is not effective without putting across to me what are the things that made you say it is not effective, you must state instances of the happenings before we can come to that statement, Mr Omole further said. Farmers count losses Ezekiel Alagbalaowo farms cassava, maize and yams at Orin Premier Farm Settlement. He told PREMIUM TIMES that he lost three hectares of maize to cattle grazing in 2020. We reported the matter at the Civil Defence, nothing came out of it, he said. I borrowed the money from the bank, I am still repaying the loan as we speak. Mr Adeniran, as the leader of the farmers in Ekiti, surely knows where the shoe pinches. He said aside from many lives that were lost, many have lost their farms to herders activities. The association took a hundred hectares of land from the government. Because of the herdsmen, we are not able to operate there effectively, coupled with the kidnapping and the herders ravaging the farms, Mr Adeniran said. We are feeling the pain. When we take money from the banks or other micro-finance banks, at the end of the day it is difficult to redeem the loans. Herdsmen Count Losses Too While the farmers have been crying of attacks and killings within their fold, the Fulani herders have also suffered attacks from angry farmers or criminal herders whose identities could not be determined. Ibrahim Mumini, a herder and spokesperson for the Fulanis resident in Ekiti, while admitting that some herders had been involved in the destruction of farms, also said some Fulanis had suffered losses and fatal attacks. According to him, some had been killed. He said three years ago, a Fulani man was shot in Moba Local Government Area of Ekiti State, and later died from the wounds. He said in 2021, two Fulani herders were attacked but survived. Mr Mumini also recalled that early in the 2021, a very sad incident occurred in Oke-Akoko in Ikole Local Government, where two Fulani boys disappeared. At Ipao Ekiti a Fulani man was clubbed to death by the people of the town. In fact, the case is still in court, he told PREMIUM TIMES. So it is not only the farmers that are suffering or recording casualties. Mr Mumini also said the herders attacking farmers were not those resident in the state. He said it is criminally minded herders from outside the state that are over-running farmlands and sometimes harming farmers who tried to stand against them. We have been here for decades and this is our home. We cannot destroy anybodys farm because the farmers know us, they know where we live and when our herds are involved, we know how to trace the culprits and get them to pay compensations, he said. Mr Mumini said herders also suffered from kidnappings and related a story of how the Serikin Fulani was kidnapped in Orin Ekiti in 2014 and was only set free after N4 million ransom was paid. One Alhaji Tahir was also kidnapped along with his wife and daughter in May this year, but were released after N4million ransom was paid. Also on October 31, another Fulani man was kidnapped at Itaji Ekiti, he said in December 2021. The current state of affairs The Asaba of Isaba Ekiti, Adeyanju Oluwaseun, who is the traditional ruler of the Isaba community, spoke to PREMIUM TIMES on the phone. He said the death of Mr Akeju was not traced to herders, contrary to speculations. The monarch said efforts were being made to ensure peaceful coexistence between the herders and farmers in the state and peace had been fostered among them. I can say that there has never been any conflict in my town regarding herders and farmers, the 37-year-old traditional ruler said. Nobody can confirm that the killing of Jisoro was carried out by herdsmen, not even the police can confirm that. He, however, admitted that there had been cases where farmers complain that their farms were grazed by cattle. There have been strict instructions to my subjects that there should be no confrontation and that if anybody sees a Fulani or herdsmen in their farms they should report to me, he added. At Orin Ekiti, farmers also testified that the clashes had ceased. It was gathered that the combined efforts of the security agencies, youth groups, hunters and the traditional rulers of the community drove the intruders from the town. The Youth Leader of the town, Martins Omotoso, told PREMIUM TIMES that the community had faced the herders-farmers conflict for over 10 years. We thank God by March this year we drove them away from the community through the help of journalists, security agencies and the community using their own traditional way, he said. Before then, nobody could go to the farm. Whatever you had in the farm would be grazed before you return to the farm. Then, we could only grow cash crops like palm trees or other trees. Nobody could plant maize or yam or cassava. They also destroyed the land. After the cows have left the places, farming is usually difficult there. There was fear because at that time people could not go to the farm. Those who would go to farm would do so early and in groups. Mr Omotoso showed off his harvest of maize this year which was well over 15 tonnes, saying that it would have been impossible if the herders were still around. Mr Alagbalaowo also confirmed having a bumper harvest this year. For Mr Amole, the information commissioner, there is relative peace due to the efforts of the government and security agencies to tackle the problem. But for me and for the government in this state, when it comes to herders and farmers clashes, we have drastically reduced it, he said. Definitely, you have not been hearing much about that again. If issues happen it will be in the news. So this thing has been drastically reduced, but there could still be some breaches. Police, Amotekun tell their stories The police said they had addressed the issues despite the complaints of the farmers. Sunday Abutu, the police spokesperson in the state, said there had been no clashes due to measures taken by the police. There has not been herders and farmers clashes recently because the command has been able to create a synergy between the herders and the farmers, Mr Abutu said. He also denied that the police had been unprofessional in handling cases reported to it, saying such allegations were unfounded and should be disregarded. The command has asked every person to report whenever they see strange faces around, he added. The Ekiti Amotekun Corps Commander, Joe Komolafe, a retired brigadier-general, said its major challenges in dealing with the crisis were its inadequate logistics and personnel, the lack of modern communication and technological equipment and the restriction on the corps to bear arms. He also identified the failure of complainants to report cases promptly as another limitation to the effective handling of conflicts. To a very large extent we have been able to reduce the menace of herders, farmers clashes, he said. What we do is that when you bring in such complaints, we mediate between the farmer and the herder. When we arrest the offenders, the complainants will come and both parties will go to the farm to assess the damage and agree on palliatives for the owner of the farm and the owner of the cow pays. His payment is documented before they are released. There are some herders that are always on the move, and sometimes they can leave behind two or three cows that would be arrested, especially the foreigners. When we wait for a number of days and they dont come, we transfer the cows to Ekiti State Livestock department. When they eventually come, they will pay fines to the coffers of the government. When we came in it was a daily occurrence but as time went by the whole thing reduced. We have made efforts on enlightenment campaigns. To deal with the problems effectively, the Amotekun commander said the corps would need vehicles. He said the law that retrains it from bearing arms should be repealed. He also said the corps would need technology for tracking and precision, in order to make its job of policing the forest areas easier. Here we are talking of trackers, drones and even modern and effective communication. Even in areas where there are no signals, if we have satellite-based phones, we can be anywhere and communicate with our men effortlessly. These items will reduce the dangers our men face every day, he said. Finding a lasting solution Mr Mumini said Fulani herders are not comfortable with the ban on open grazing, saying it would not be easy to suddenly end nomadism. The Ekiti State Government is planning to create a ranch for the herders, but Mr Mumini said the ranch cannot contain all the herders. But he said the group has a proposal, which if adopted, would greatly reduce the conflicts and help check criminal elements among the herders. First, they want ranches built in the three senatorial districts. Mr Mumuni said herders were willing to go into the ranches provided the government provides them schools, health facilities and other social amenities. The group had earlier proposed a task force comprising the operatives of government and herders to help police the forest and ensure harmony among farmers and herders. According to Mr Mumini, the government rejected that proposal but agreed to register all Fulani herders. Mr Omole said the Commissioner for Agriculture, Olabode Adetoyi, would provide details on the efforts of the government to address the situation. I know government is addressing all these issues, he said. When there is a problem, people want immediate solutions to the problem. But there are no quick solutions to such problems. Mr Omole said it would be impossible to eradicate clashes. There are some crimes that you cannot eradicate. Most of these clashes happen in remote areas and how many policemen are in these areas? Before the policemen get there they would run away into the bush, he said. Mr Adetoyi said he would not make any comments on the matter. The Amotekun Corps Commander said with the setting aside for them of a large area in Ikole Ekiti (which is the hotbed of the crisis), herders could establish ranches. He said if the policies were carefully followed they would end the bloody clashes and deliver the needed development in the agricultural sectors for herders and farmers. Support for this story was provided by the Center for Democracy and Development (CDD) under its Strengthening the Delivery of Peace and Security (SDPS) project. At least 15 people have been reported killed and many others injured in an attack on Ancha village of Miango District in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State. The gunmen attacked the community at about 1:00 a.m. Thursday, while residents were asleep. The victims are believed to be members of the Irigwe ethnic group. The spokesperson of the Irigwe ethnic organisation, Davidson Malison, in a Thursday interview with reporters, said six people were also injured in the attack. He said more than 20 houses were burnt; while many vehicles, motorcycles and food crops were also destroyed. Mr Malison alleged that the attack was carried out by local Fulanis in the area, an allegation that was promptly denied by the latter. The Chairman of Gan Allah Fulani Development Association of Nigeria (GAFDAN) in Plateau State, Garba Muhammed, denied the allegation in a statement. We are not aware of the attack but it is not surprising to hear our name mentioned because whenever an attack is launched, our name is often called and that is unfair. Remember that on January 2, our members were attacked and killed around Rafin Bauna. We have reported the case to security agencies for investigation, he said. The attack in Bassa is at least the third in Plateau in 2022. It occurred barely 24 hours after armed persons ambushed and killed three persons on transit in Tyaana village, Riyom Local Government Area (LGA). About nine days before that, three people were ambushed and killed in Rafin Bauna village of Bassa LGA. The Plateau State Governor, Simon Lalong, has expressed sadness over the latest attack, describing it as another sad tale in the unending cycle of violent attacks in the area despite several measures taken by the government to tackle it. He ordered security agencies to fish out the attackers and prosecute them. President Buhari Speaks In a statement by his spokesperson, President Muhammadu Buhari expressed sadness about the fresh killings in Bassa. Mr Buhari suggested that the attack had ethnic colourations. He said the incident is not in keeping with the principles of the peace agreements reached between the Irigwe and the Fulani in the area. My thoughts are with the families of the victims in this time of grief. May their souls rest in peace, presidential spokesperson Garba Shehu quoted Mr Buhari as saying. The president urged the various communities in the area, and particularly the Plateau State Interreligious Council to do everything possible to commit to the peace agreement and prevent it from falling apart. Every group taking the law into their hands claims to be retaliating. As a society, there is no place for this sort of violence. This is unacceptable, Mr Buhari said. He commended Governor Simon Lalong for the state governments handling of the incident so far. The Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) said before a coroners inquest into the collapse of the 21-storey building at Gerard Road, Ikoyi, Lagos, that construction of the three high-rise blocks began before provisional approval was granted. The counsel for LASBCA, A.S Odugbemi, made the assertion while questioning Muritala Olawale, the Managing Director of Prowess Engineering Nigeria Ltd. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Mr Olawale was a former consultant structural engineer to the project. He withdrew his services via a letter dated February 20, 2020, over disputes on how the project was structurally executed. Mr Odugbemi during proceedings, disputed the contents of paragraph 17 of Mr Olawales Statement on Oath to the inquest. He stated that late Femi Osibona, the Managing Director of Fourscore Heights Ltd., contractor to the project, had informed his team that he had received provisional approval for the projects construction. According to Mr Olawales Statement on Oath, Mr Osibona showed his team a copy of the provisional approval from the Lagos State government and ordered them to commence construction on the site. Disputing Mr Olawales claims, Mr Odugbemi said LASBCA never granted Mr Osibona a provisional planning permit when the team moved to the site to commence construction in January 2019. He stated that LASBCA granted provisional approval in April 2019. Will you be surprised if evidence is provided to you right now that work had started before the provisional planning approval was granted in April 2019? Mr Odugbemi asked. Responding, Mr Olawale said I will be surprised. All the approval processes were being handled by the client (Osibona). I cannot answer the questions right now. I need to check my records. Mr Olawale did not give a specific answer to Mr Odugbemis query on whether the three high-rise blocks were covered by a general insurance policy as required by law. He, however, informed the panel that prior to construction, a soil test was conducted at the site by another company contracted to do the job. We have submitted the result of the soil test of the site to other panels investigating the collapse, he said. NAN reports that of the three high-rise buildings (Blocks A, B and C), situated on Gerard Road, Ikoyi, Lagos, Block B (21-storeys) collapsed on November 1, 2021, killing 46 persons while 15 persons were rescued alive. One of the deceased was Mr Osibona. (NAN) A leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, has expressed deep sadness over the passing on of a former Oyo State governor, Adebayo Alao-Akala. Mr Tinubu, a former Lagos State governor, in a statement signed by Tunde Rahman of his media office on Wednesday in Lagos, acknowledged that the late Mr Alao-Akala would sorely be missed by the people of Ogbomoso, Oyo State, and the APC. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Mr Alao-Akala, a chieftain of the APC and the governor of Oyo State between 2007 and 2011, died in his Ogbomoso residence on Wednesday at the age of 71. Born on June 3, 1950, at Ogbomoso in Ogbomoso North Local Government Area of Oyo State, Mr Alao-Akala had his elementary school at Osupa Baptist Day School, Ogbomoso. He later proceeded to Kamina Barracks Middle School, 5th Battalion of Infantry in Tamale, Ghana. Mr Tinubu said: I received the news of the passing of the former governor of Oyo State, Chief Alao-Akala, with shock and deep sadness. Coming a month after the death of the Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Jimoh Oyewumi; the loss of Alao-Akala, another eminent son of Ogbomoso and Oyo State, is disheartening. Alao-Akala passed on when the state and particularly our party, the All Progressives Congress, needed his services. He said that the late Alao-Akala died when his wisdom and experience were required to help resolve the leadership crisis in the state and wield the party together once again. Alao-Akala was a leader and a prominent politician who did his best not only for his Ogbomoso-hometown, but also for Oyo State and Nigeria, he said. According to the APC leader, Mr Alao-Akala served the country meritoriously in the police force, rising to the top of the ladder before venturing into politics. As governor of Oyo State, he contributed his quota to the development of the state and tried to enhance the welfare of the people. (NAN) The family of the late former head of interim national government, Ernest Shonekan, on Wednesday said the burial arrangements would be made public soon, as consultation towards the process is in top gear. The first son of the deceased, Adeboye Shonekan, made this known during an interview with journalists shortly after he officially presented a letter to Alake of Egbaland, Adedotun Gbadebo, announcing the demise of his father. Mr Shonekan, 85, died of natural causes, according to a statement issued by his family. The Ogun-born statesman was the head of the interim government that led Nigeria between the military governments of Ibrahim Babangida and Sani Abacha, from August 26 to November 17, 1993. My father passed away early yesterday (Tuesday), we are now going to go for consultations and we would carry his Royal Highness along, once the picture is clear we shall make further announcement. He was my mentor, he was a man of integrity, the deceased son said. He was a decent man and he exemplified everything they call a through Christian, all I can do is just to aspire to be like him. I will miss him for all those things I said, he was my mentor, someone I look up to every day, he just led by example, everything I do I used to consult him but he is not there anymore, he added. Mr Gbadebo in his remarks said the Egba kingdom has lost a great son of the land and disclosed that the palace joined in mourning the departure of Mr Shonekan. We lost a great son of Egbaland. We lost great authority in company business, corporate governance. We join the family in mourning the departure of a great man. God used him to maintain peace in the country for 82 days. The monarch prayed that God will replace the deceased with another great Egba son, adding that it was obvious that Mr Shonekan will be remembered for his patriotism. Ahead of preparation for the 2023 general elections, Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers Stare, on Tuesday, visited his Oyo State counterpart, Seyi Makinde, on the need for the gove rnors under the umbrella of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to be more united. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that some PDP chieftains in Rivers State, including former governor Celestine Omehia; two former Deputy Speakers of the House of Representatives, Chibudom Nwuche and Austin Opara, accompanied Mr Wike. A former presidential adviser on Amnesty Office, Timi Alaibe; a former Minister of Transport, Abiye Sekibo and the chairman of the Rivers State PDP, Desmond Akawor, were among the entourage. Mr Wike said he was on a visit to Mr Makinde to work out ways to strengthen the party for 2023 general elections. He said PDP could not afford to lose this opportunity, claiming that a lot of Nigerians were waiting for the PDP in 2023. PDP governors must be united. It does not matter who will be the partys presidential candidate. Once the party and governors are united, I can tell you that victory is on our way. So, the unity of the governors is key to making sure the party gets it right. It was the way we were united that made us produce the national chairman and the best national convention, which got surprised Nigerians. We should also do the same by working hard to produce the presidential candidate, who will win the election for the PDP in 2023. This is because if we lose it this time around, Nigerians will not be happy with us. We must all rally round anybody the party produces to be the presidential candidate and make sure that we win the election, Mr Wike said. The Rivers governor also used the opportunity of the visit to commiserate with Mr Makinde and the people of the state over the recent demise of Olubadan of Ibadanland, Saliu Adetunji. He prayed that God would guide and give the Oyo state governor, the wisdom and courage to install a new Olubadan. Mr Wike also thanked Mr Makinde for the way the convention committee of the party conducted the last national convention of the party. Sometimes, people dont know certain qualities of some people until you give them certain assignment. It is on record that, in the history of PDP, the last convention that you as the Secretary of the Planning Committee, came out to be the best of the best, he said In his response, Mr Makinde maintained that the unity of the party should be paramount to all members. The unity, especially that of the governors of our party is paramount and most of the successes we have recorded so far are really because we are together. This visit is timely and appreciated, because 2022 is the year when the political parties will take decisions on who would fly the flags of their parties, from the Presidency to even the lowest positions. This is a year we have to take serious decisions, because whatever we do and whatever the outcome is, Nigerians will have to live with that for the next four years, Mr Makinde stated. (NAN) The Nigerian government on Wednesday announced it had lifted the ban on the micro-blogging site, Twitter, effective 12 a.m., Thursday. Access to the platform has since been restored and Nigerians, for the first time in seven months, are accessing the site without the aid of a Virtual Private Network (VPN). Nigerians speak Following the lifting of the ban, many Nigerians are reacting in different ways, most attributing the decision to lift the ban to the upcoming general election in 2023 and the governments intention to use the platform for its campaign. According to Ugochukwu Ugwoke, a Twitter user, the Nigerian government lifted the ban on Twitter not because they care about the people but because elections are around the corner and they will be needing Twitter platform for their social media campaigns. Election is around the corner, so they wanna act like saints. I hope Nigerians will be wise this time around, a Twitter user, Oge, wrote. Sani Kadiri asked, Whats an election campaign without Twitter? Another user, Idris, said he knew when campaign season is around the corner, the ban will be lifted. Not FG lifting the #TwitterBan 13 months to election, so they can come back and use this same social media to campaign. Affliction shall not rise a second time, Queen Esther Iroanusi tweeted. Akintunde Babatunde wrote, they had to lift the #Twitterban. Election is nigh. They need the platform more than ever. Shameless people. #KeepitOn. Illegal order Others have asked that telecommunication companies be held accountable for obeying an illegal order and infringing on the rights of Nigerians. When we are done with @MBuhari, lets talk about the telecommunication companies that obeyed an illegal order from the Federal Government. Those guys prioritised their business interests over the fundamental rights of millions of Nigerians, Ridwan, a lawyer, tweeted. He added that when an illegal order is given to you by a draconian government, the first thing you do is to approach the court to seek protection from such an order. Instead, they obeyed, despite knowing that it has no legal basis. Adetola Olutosin, while reacting to MTNs we are back tweet wrote, Fascist enablers. At least you guys dispel the myth that private corps exist to entrench democracy, if fascism is profitable, you wont hesitate to throw the people under the bus. For Inibehe Effiong, the lifting of the ban on Twitter does not call for celebration. It calls for retribution by the sane, conscious and conscientious electorates during the next elections. As Nigerians, we must imbibe the culture of punishing parties and officeholders, who inflict pains on us, he noted. A regime/party that stifles free speech, promotes draconian policies and suffocates citizens should be dealt with at the polls by citizens. That is how we are going to build an accountable and a viable democratic country with the rule of law. Buharis regime shouldnt be praised. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested a suspected fake lawyer, Adekola Adekeye, in Lagos on charges of impersonation and forgery, a statement by the commission said on Thursday. The anti-graft agencys statement signed by its spokesperson, Wilson Uwujaren, said Mr Adekeye had visited the Lagos zonal of the commission on Tuesday posing as a lawyer to secure the release of a detained fraud suspect. The statement said he was, however, exposed when investigators dug in further to verify the documents he tendered to secure the bail of the detained suspect: Read EFCCs full statement: EFCC Press Release Fake Lawyer in EFCC Net For Forgery, Impersonation Operatives of the Lagos Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, have arrested a fake lawyer, Adekola Adekeye, whose stock-in-trade is forging documents to perpetrate fraud. Adekeyes travail began on Tuesday, January 11, 2022 when he came to the Lagos Command of EFCC posing as a lawyer to secure the bail of a suspected fraudster who is in the Commissions custody. However, nemesis caught up with Adekeye, when investigators dug in further to verify the documents he tendered to secure the bail of the suspected fraudster. A search at his residence further unearthed several forged documents dating back to 2005, including forged Lagos State University and Kwara State College of Education documents. He also claimed to be the owner of A.A. Emmanuel & Co. Chambers, which he had been using to perpetrate frauds until his arrest. He will soon be arraigned in court. Meanwhile, the Commission will continue to ensure that such impostors using fake personalities and documents to procure the bail of suspects are made to face the wrath of the Law. Wilson Uwujaren Head, Media & Publicity 13 January. The Administration of Criminal Justice Monitoring Committee (ACJMC) has bemoaned the living conditions of detained suspects sleeping on the bare floor at various police detention facilities. Sulayman Dawodu, the executive secretary of the committee, said this during the tours of some police divisions at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja. The ACJMC, established under section 470 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), and chaired by the Chief Judge of FCT High Court, distributed mats and simplified versions of the law to the police divisions during the tours. The basic minimal standard is that no detainee should have to sleep on the floor. The ACJMC has highlighted 25 divisions in the Federal Capital Territory to pilot the scheme, Mr Dawodu said. The tours began on January 6. The committee has visited 17 police divisions out of the 25 earmarked in the FCT. The committee has, so far, visited the FCT police divisions at Durumi, Maitama, Apo, Lugbe, Dutse, Kubwa, Lifecamp, Wuye, Mpape, Mabuchi, Utako, Bwari, Nyanya, Karu, Jikwoyi and Asokoro. All visited divisions received five copies of the ACJA, five copies of simplified ACJA and 25 sleeping materials each. Mr Dawodu stated during the ACJMC tour on Tuesday that the campaigns purpose was to improve custody management and detainee care in all police stations around the country. He also said it was to ensure that police personnel understood and apply the ACJA, the law that guides the criminal justice system, including court proceedings in criminal matters. He added that the Acts basic minimal standard is that suspects should be treated as humanely as possible. According to him, this would go a long way toward assuring detainees participation in investigations. Mr Dawodu added that the committee was using Abuja as a model for other states to follow. DPOs react The divisional police officers (DPOs) who visited during the tours, commended the committees gesture and expressed commitment to make the best use of the sleeping materials and copies of the ACJA. Godfree Ogbedie, a chief superintendent of police and DPO of the Utako division, said he was overwhelmed by the gesture, which he said would help to improve on the professionalism of the police. He added that treating a suspect with dignity should be the approach of the police. Mr Ogbedie added that the victims welfare should also be given consideration as much as attention is being paid to the suspects. The DPO of Wuye division, Harrison Oruruo, who is also a chief superintendent of police, pledged that the police would do everything possible to adhere to the provisions of the ACJA. Why visits appear delayed Responding to our reporters enquiry on the seeming delayed action on the problems identified at the police stations, Mr Dawodu explained that the committee had been planning it for some time but could not implement it because of a lack of funds. He said the expected fund only came a few months ago. The ACJMC has begun conducting supervision visits in accordance with section 34 of the ACJA, which mandates that the magistrate inspect police stations at least once a month. The committee has been in charge of organising the majority of these inspections, and during these visits, the committee has observed and identified the appalling state of custody management in police stations, Mr Dawodu added. Mr Dawodu added that the ACJMC had accredited representatives stationed permanently in police stations to monitor and report on police activities. The representatives, according to him, will be drawn from the Police Station Duty Solicitor Programme, which will be launched on January 14. He added that the committee would continue to visit these police stations monthly. DAR ES SALAAM, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan on Thursday warned ministers and other senior government officials over what she described as leakage of confidential government documents. "Leakage of confidential government documents to the public could affect the performance of the government," said President Hassan when she addressed ministers and deputy ministers in the capital Dodoma. The head of state expressed worries over the tidal wave leakages of confidential government documents to the social media, saying that "leakage of confidential documents to the public has now become like a disease." She directed the ministers and their assistants to plug loopholes that were being used to leak the confidential government documents. "Leakage of confidential government documents is unacceptable and it should be controlled," said President Hassan. Kenyas $3.6 billion ports master plan will transform the countrys sea, lake and dry ports over the next 30 years. Modern ports that comply with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) codes attract a greater shipping market, which could boost and sustain the economy of Kenya and the region. But with these expansions come security concerns, notably organised crime and terrorism. The Kenya Ports Authoritys (KPA) flagship project is the new Lamu Port, which commands an initial investment of $2.1 billion. It is one of the seven mega infrastructure development schemes under the Lamu Port-South Sudan-Ethiopia-Transport (LAPSSET) Corridor Project. This $25 billion programme is part of Kenya Vision 2030, which aims to transform the country into a middle-income economy. Lamu Port serves as a transhipment facility to other seaport hubs in, for example, Djibouti, South Africa and the United Arab Emirates. Transhipment ports are intermediate sites where goods are moved from one ship to another for transport to other destinations. Lamu is close to the Somalia border, where al-Shabaab is a dominant presence. The terrorist group notoriously focuses on state infrastructure, damaging property and fostering fear in local communities. This was demonstrated when they attacked the Manda Bay military base in Lamu in January 2020, killing three American defence staff and destroying US aircraft and vehicles. Al-Shabaab collaborates with transnational organised crime groups and gets involved in organised crime activities to fund its organisation and terror campaigns. For instance, the group reportedly smuggles legal commodities such as sugar, trades in illicit firearms, and engages in human trafficking, including recruitment drives in Kenya. In 2019, Kenyas government banned trade between Kenya and Somalia through the Kiunga border crossing and closed its border with Somalia due to security threats. The measures were also aimed at countering the syndicates involved in illegal fishing, human trafficking, contraband goods and terror merchants. Despite state efforts to encourage business in Lamu at the Kiunga border point, evidence of organised crime near the port persists. In April 2020, Kenyan authorities torched 12 tonnes of dry fish worth $45,000 (KES 5 000 000) smuggled from Somalia to Kenya. The Kenya Coast Guard based in Lamu burnt khat worth $222,000 (KES 25 000 000) that was headed to Somalia from Kenya. And although piracy has subsided off Africas east coast, an increase of shipping traffic due to the Lamu Port may ignite the interest in the hijacking of ships a crime al-Shabaab has been indirectly involved with in the past, a maritime security expert, speaking anonymously, told the ENACT organised crime project. Local grievances could exacerbate Lamu Ports susceptibility to infiltration by organised crime and terror groups. The historical marginalisation of communities and recent state excesses in the war on terror, such as extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances, have at times targeted people living in Lamu. Al-Shabaab takes advantage of such situations in recruiting its members from Lamu. Besides links to terror groups, in 2018, Lamu was identified as a drug trade hotspot. As a link to South Sudan and Ethiopia, the port presents an opportunity to expand drug trafficking to markets in northern Kenya and neighbouring East African states. Lamu Port and other LAPSSET infrastructure, such as the JubaAddis Ababa railway and Kenyas Isiolo Airport, are equally vulnerable to trafficking in minerals, wildlife and endangered tree species such as teak. Port security experts told ENACT that port stakeholders and users had set up Border Management Committees that bring together key government agencies. In Lamu, they focus on maritime security concerns, such as the smuggling of contraband goods and the link between human trafficking and terrorism. The committees aim to provide a coordinated response between the KPA and other arms of the state, including the police, Kenya Coast Guard Service, Immigration Department and Kenya Revenue Authority. The Border Management Committees have also incorporated Lamus local communities to improve intelligence gathering and enhance public participation in security-related decisions. However, KPA head of security Tony Kibwana notes that the absence of the KPA integrated maritime security policy and strategy hinders inter-agency responses to organised crime, especially at newer ports such as Lamu. The maritime plan is being developed and would expand the KPAs cooperation with government agencies such as the Kenya Coast Guard Service and the Kenya Navy to deter off-shore transnational maritime threats. Safe ports stimulate local, national and regional economies, benefiting both the public and private sectors. Securing ports against transnational organised crime is vital, and recent developments indicate that Kenya is making strides to secure its maritime space. The country was recently removed from the IMOs piracy red list due to its achievements in addressing piracy challenges. An immediate, positive consequence of this is reduced insurance and security expenses (by millions of dollars annually) for those using Kenyas ports. This aligns with the KPA Master Plan 2018-2047s goal of making Kenya an attractive and competitive transhipment and destination hub on Africas East Indian Coast. Mohamed Daghar, Regional Coordinator for Eastern Africa and Willis Okumu, Senior Researcher, ENACT Project, Institute for Security Studies (ISS) Nairobi, and Denis Ombuna Simon, Principal Security Enforcement Officer, Kenya Ports Authority This article was produced by ENACT. ENACT is funded by the European Union (EU). The contents of this article are the sole responsibility of the author and can under no circumstances be regarded as reflecting the position of the EU. (This article was first published by ISS Today, a Premium Times syndication partner. We have their permission to republish). The Nigerian Air Force has said its special forces in Kaduna State rescued a total of 26 kidnapped victims in Kaduna State on Wednesday. The spokesperson of the Air Force, Edward Gabkwet, an air commodore, stated this in a statement in Abuja. According to him, the incident happened on Wednesday when the team were patrolling along the Birnin Gwari-Kaduna expressway. The rescue of the victims comes amidst heightened insecurity caused by the activities of the terror groups in the North-west region, particularly in Kaduna State. Dozens have been kidnapped in the past few weeks while many others regained freedom. In December, a member of the Kaduna State House of Assembly representing Giwa Constituency, Rilwanu Gadagau, was killed on the Kaduna-Zaria highway. In the latest incident, Mr Gabkwet said the victims were rescued shorty after their kidnap. He said the victims who were traveling in different vehicles to Kaduna, Minna and Kano States were abducted by three different set of kidnappers on the same spot. Mr Gabkwet said efforts are on to rescue the remaining victims even as those rescued have been taken to hospital for medical attention. The NAF SF have extended their operations within the area with the hope of rescuing the remaining kidnapped victims while those rescued have since been moved to the 461 NAF Hospital Kaduna for thorough medical examination, he said. Read the full statement below. NAF SPECIAL FORCES RESCUE KIDNAPPED VICTIMS Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Special Forces (SF) today, 12 January 2022, rescued 26 kidnap victims while on a fighting patrol along Birnin Gwari-Kaduna Road. The rescue operation occurred when the SF came across 5 abandoned vehicles with their doors ajar near Anguwar Yako, an indication of forced removal or evacuation and likely kidnap scene. Acting on instincts, the SF began exploiting the general scene of the abduction and extended for about 3 kilometers radius well into the bushes while clearing the general area. Upon sighting the SF, about 3 kidnapped escapees suddenly came out from the bushes. Further search by the SF led to the discovery of 4 different groups of victims hiding in the bushes. After a thorough search further into the hinterland, a total of 26 victims were rescued. On interrogation, the victims who were traveling from Birnin Gwari to various locations including Kaduna, Minna and Kano, revealed that while enroute, large number of bandits in 3 groups suddenly appeared from the bushes from 3 different directions along the route and surrounded their vehicles. However, on sighting the SF, the kidnappers fled into the bushes with a handful of the victims while the other majority took cover and hid in the bushes until they sighted the SF. The NAF SF have extended their operations within the area with the hope of rescuing the remaining kidnapped victims while those rescued have since been moved to the 461 NAF Hospital Kaduna for thorough medical examination. Edward Gabkwet Air Commodore Director of Public Relations and Information Nigerian Air Force 12 January 2022 The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, has threatened to downtools, saying it is only awaiting the directive of the national leadership of the union. This, according to the union, is connected to the non-payment of its share of the earned academic allowance (EAA), which was recently disbursed to the universities by the Nigerian government. But the management of the university has absolved itself of complicity in the delayed disbursement to the academic staff, saying the factional crisis between ASUU and its splinter group on the campus- Congress of Universities Academics (CONUA), and their conflicting positions on the disbursement, have been responsible for the delay. The university said the fund to be disbursed is available and that it is only awaiting consensus between the two groups so that disbursement can commence. Strike threat The chairman of ASUU on the campus, Adeola Egbedokun, said the union will embark on an indefinite strike as soon as it receives a nod from the unions national leadership. We have commenced the process of obtaining permission, he said in a short message sent to PREMIUM TIMES reporter on Wednesday. He said despite the university confirming the receipt of the funds from the government since December 13,2021 and subsequent submission of its computation to the university on December 22, 2021 the management has so far failed to pay the lecturers. ASUU, OAU chapter, had at its congress on Tuesday agreed to embark on an indefinite and comprehensive strike, accusing the universitys vice-chancellor of undermining its struggles. According to a statement released after Tuesdays Congress, the resolution of the congress included the rejection of any move to verify the list of members submitted to the university by the union for payment. The statement reads in part: Constitution of any committee to be set up by the university administration to verify the correctness of all claims submitted by members of Academic Staff of the university as regards the Earned Academic Allowance, should be rejected since there was no such instruction in the accompanying documents from the NUC on EAA disbursement. That the ultimatum of Friday, 7th January 2022 given to the University Administration to pay EAA into the accounts of all deserving members of ASUU, OAU expired without concrete action (payment of members EAA) from University Administration, the union added. University reacts The universitys public relations officer, Abiodun Olarewaju, said the delay was as a result of an internal wrangling among the academic staff. He said lecturers will receive their payment as soon as the two parallel unions resolve their issues. According to him, since they are all academic staff, it will be unfair to listen to only one party in the disbursement of the allowances. A clarification message Mr Olarewaju sent to PREMIUM TIMES on Wednesday read in part: The management of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, is not holding on to the money in any way and we are ready to give every eligible member their entitlement. the university management has paid the non-teaching unions but because there is a disagreement between the members of the academic staff which the University Management wants them to resolve and come up with a common position. And when that is done, the University Management will release the money and give every eligible academic staff their due. CONUA reacts For about three years now, a breakaway faction from ASUU, under the umbrella of the Congress of Nigerian Universities Academics (CONUA), has consistently accused ASUU of high-handedness, dictatorship and refusal to accommodate dissenting opinions. Since its formation around 2019, its national president and chairman of the OAU branch, Niyi Sunmonu, in an elongated telephone interview with PREMIUM TIMES on Wednesday, said its members spread across 17 universities in the country. Describing it as a product of members quest for fairness, justice and responsible leadership, Mr Sunmonu, a PhD holder in Physics at OAU, said based on dues paid by members, there are about 650 members among roughly 1,400 academic staff of the university. He said his members had met with the university management and suggested acceptable sharing formula for the disbursement but ASUU has insisted on its stance, which he noted failed to recognise its members. He said: About N768 million was the amount released by the government for the academic staff on the campus, and the dispensation for EAA started in 2008/2009 session. So CONUA suggested that 50 per cent should be used to offset part of the outstanding between 2008 and 2013 academic sessions out of the outstanding estimate of about N1 billion. We also said 35 per cent of the remaining 50 per cent should be used to offset claims of academics between 2013/2014 and 2015/2016 sessions while the remaining 15 per cent should be for post 2016/2017, 2018/19, 2019/2020 academic sessions. The merit of this proposal, as far as we are concerned, is that those that are no longer in service as a result of retirement or death, those that are just recruited and those who have been in the system since then would all benefit. Advertisements He said the allowance is not for every academic staffer but for those who are deemed to have done excess work as contained in the agreement signed between ASUU and the federal government in 2009. However, CONUA said it later found out that ASUU had suggested to the university to deduct about N30 million from fund to be paid into the unions pension company- Nigerian University Pension Management Company (NUPENCO), while another roughly N80 million is earmarked for other ASUU members whose details have not been collated. The CONUA leadership added that based on evidence at its disposal, the compilation by ASUU is fraught with irregularities, and that if there is nothing to cover why should a union be afraid of verification by the paying authorities. While CONUA accepts the idea of claims verification by the university management, ASUU said it would not entertain such a decision because neither the government nor the National Universities Commission (NUC) accompanied the fund with such instruction. Wayforward While it is yet unclear what would be the final resolution on the matter, the university has said it is prepared to pay every eligible staffer but with verifiable evidence. The authority said its committee to be constituted for the verification exercise will accommodate representatives of the two factions and other relevant officials of the institution. But while ASUU is preparing to commence another round of industrial action, CONUA said it would be embarrassing to declare strike action over crumbs thrown at it by the ruling class. The ruling class will just be looking and laughing at us and they can claim to be justified whenever they accuse us of embarking on strikes for personal gains. That is ridiculous but that is what the system has degenerated into, Mr Sunmonu said. Meanwhile, in spite of the strike threat, the university has insisted that it is an internal issue that will be resolved internally. We are sorting out the process and within the shortest time possible, everything will be settled. It is an internal issue and we will resolve it in a family way, Mr Olarewaju wrote PREMIUM TIMES in a text message. About Earned Academic Allowances(EAA) ASUUs demands, in recent years, have been dominated by issues surrounding its Earned Academic Allowances. For instance, the recently averted strike in December listed the EAA as one of the most contentious subjects. And when the government released N22.5 billion to quench the fire of the looming strike, ASUU described it as paltry and vowed to continue with the strike. It, however, rescinded the decision to give room for further discussion after interventions by numerous groups in the country. The ASUU chapter of Plateau State University, Bokkos, also recently insistED it is not backing down on its declared strike that began on December 20, 2021 until the state government pays its EAA, which the union claimed currently stands at N142 million. According to the 2009 agreement, any lecturer who teaches beyond a certain number of students or supervises more than a certain number of students will be judged to have done excess work. They also include supervision and conduct of internal examinations, external examinations or some responsibilities outside basic teaching and research is considered excess work. A form was designed for automated calculations which is filled by the staff. Twitter has reacted to the Nigerian governments decision to lift the suspension on its operations after seven months. The company wrote on its public policy account that it was delighted with the restoration of its services in Nigeria. We are pleased that Twitter has been restored for everyone in Nigeria, the tweet early Thursday read. Our mission in Nigeria and around the world is to serve the public conversation. On Wednesday, the Nigerian government announced it has lifted its controversial suspension of Twitters operations in the country from Thursday 12am. CONTROVERSIAL SUSPENSION The government suspended Twitter operations indefinitely on June 4, after it alleged that the micro-blogging site was being used to undermine Nigerias corporate existence through the spreading of fake news that have violent consequences. The ban came two days after Twitter took down a controversial tweet by President Muhammadu Buhari which was seen by many as threatening violence against Nigerians of Igbo origin. Many Nigerians, however, ignored the ban and bypassed it by using Virtual Private Network (VPN) applications to remain active on the social media site. Days after the suspension, the government directed broadcasting stations to suspend patronage of the platform. It described its further use by the broadcast stations as unpatriotic. The ban on Twitter, costing Nigerian businesses billions of naira, was condemned by many Nigerians, civic groups and the international community, but the government claimed that many agreements had been reached with the social media platform ready to comply. On Thursday night, the government said Twitter has committed to establishing a legal entity in Nigeria during the first quarter of 2022. The legal entity, it said, will register with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC). Similarly, it said the social media platform has agreed to appoint a designated country representative to interface with Nigerian authorities. Other resolutions include Twitter reportedly agreeing to comply with applicable tax obligations on its operations under Nigerian law. The federal government said the company also agreed to give its officials the ability to take down tweets it considers a threat to the countrys security. Twitter did not immediately comment on those claims. The American firm merely said in its post that, We are deeply committed to Nigeria, where Twitter is used by people for commerce, cultural engagement, and civic participation. About two months after his return to partisan politics, publisher of the Ovation Magazine, Dele Momodu, has joined the growing list of aspirants jostling to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari come 2023. He made his declaration at the national headquarters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Thursday, after presenting his letter of intent to the National Chairmen of the party, Iyorchia Ayu, who in turn enjoined him to seek the support of party members. The veteran journalist, who was a member of the Labour Party (LP) and 2011 presidential candidate of the National Conscience Party (NCP), in October,2021, joined the PDP. He had said he joined the main opposition party so as to play an active role in saving the nation from the unpleasant grip of the All Progressives Congress (APC). He also apologised for his role in bringing Mr Buhari to power in 2015. Mr Momodu was among the Nigerian elite who strongly canvassed both online and offline against the 16 years rule of the PDP and the re-election bid of former President Goodluck Jonathan. However, in his Thursday interview with journalists at the PDP secretariat, Mr Momodu registered his commitment to the party as well as his determination to stick to his ambition all through to the end. He said he is better prepared for the countrys topmost political seat and is determined not to give up on his ambition, even for any of his fellow aspirants who thinks he can buy the whole of Nigeria with his money. I have been greatly humbled by the excitement already generated which reminds me of how it was 29 years ago when your good friend and my own adopted father, Chief Moshood Abiola, threw his hat in the ring. It is very obvious that Nigerians are eager to restore that promise of hope and the accompanying peace and joy that we lost, he said, adding that Nigeria needs urgent reset and total redirection. Aside from Mr Momodu, Nigerias former Senate President, Pius Anyim, has also officially declared interest in the presidential race. He made his intention known days back as his supporters in the South-east intensified campaign. The Governor of Abia State, Okezie Ikpeazu, about two weeks ago, also endorsed Mr Anyims presidential bid. There are also strong indications that a former Vice President and 2019 presidential candidate of the party, Atiku Abubakar, Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal, the immediate past Senate President, Bukola Saraki,and a former governor of Kano State, Rabiu Kwankwaso, may join the race for the PDP presidential ticket. The party has yet to zone the presidency to any of the countrys geo-political zones but there is a possibility that the ticket will be thrown open to all interested aspirants to contest. The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the interim forfeiture of N110.4 million suspected to be part of funds illicitly stashed in the accounts of a primary school teacher in Anambra State, the Independent and Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) said on Thursday. Roseline Egbuha is said to be a teacher at Ozala Primary School, Abagana, Anambra State, ICPCs spokesperson, Azuka Ogugwu, said in a statement. The statement added that the N110.4 million was traced to the accounts of one James Erebuoye and his co-suspects, who were allegedly beneficiaries of the funds in the primary school teachers bank accounts. The judge, D.U. Okorowa, likewise ordered the interim forfeiture of a Toyota Lexus SUV, a Toyota Venza car, an Ipad device, also said to be linked to other suspects facing investigations on the alleged money laundering allegations involving Ms Egbuha. ICPC said on Thursday that the court issued the order for the interim seizure of the properties following its ex-parte motion filed at the court. The properties were seized by the commission from Mr Erebuoye and his accomplices who were alleged to have benefitted from over N500 million illicit funds stashed in the account of a primary school teacher, Mrs Roseline Uche Egbuha, the statement read in part. The commission said it had in June 2020, arrested Mrs Egbuha, who teaches at Ozala Primary School, Abagana, Anambra State, for allegedly laundering N550 million. READ ALSO: ICPC conducts supervisory tracking of constituency projects It said in the statement that its investigation had revealed that an estimated N110,364,592.4 was moved sometime in 2020 from the bank account of the primary school teacher, who was being investigated for money laundering and other fraud, into different accounts owned by Mr Erebuoye and eight other persons, including two companies. The money to be forfeited includes N17.4 million that was transferred to the bank account of Erebuoye, N14.2 million to an account owned by one Ojo Alonge, N16.4 million to a company called DY Bako and Sons Ltd and N30.8 million to another company known as Dorason Construction Ltd. The order for interim forfeiture also covers the sums of N7.1 million traced to an account owned by Owoyemi Mayowa, N8.2 million, and N6.5 million traced to the bank accounts of Emon Aje Okune and Maureen Chidinma, respectively, the ICPC statement said. Despite the restiveness known with Jos, the capital city of Plateau State, North-central Nigeria, the management of the University of Jos (UNIJOS) has proposed a 100 per cent increase for hostel accommodation charges on the campus. Students have kicked against the proposal, even as they request more hostel facilities on the campus. The proposed increment is contained in an internal memo from the office of the vice-chancellor, Tanko Ishaya, and addressed to the office to the acting dean of students affairs. The memo, which is titled; Re: Proposal for the Review of Accommodation Charges, and signed by the principal assistant registrar in the VCs office, Zendi Mikuk, has gone viral among students, raising fears that more students will be forced to live outside the campus where they stand a risk of being attacked should there be an uprising in the town again. However, the university management has said nothing is concluded on the matter yet, saying it is still a proposal and that whatever is decided will be communicated to the public as soon as done. Possible implications If the proposal is approved, the 100 per cent upward review means that hostels like Naraguta and Zion Hostels which were previously N30,500 per year will now cost N61,000 per academic session. The universitys decision is coming at a time when there are increasing calls for the provision of accommodation to cater for more students. Students, for years, have been victims of recurrent violence in the restive Jos North LGA where the university is sited and where most students who live off the campus live. In 2019, at least four students of the institution were reported killed during the restiveness in Jos, leading to a panicky evacuation of students by various state governments and disruption of academic calendars. Another round of crisis engulfed the city in August 2021, and the university is yet to fully recover from the impact of the conflicts. Another concern is a possible protest by students. Past experiences have shown that students would not swallow such decisions without protests. It was the same experience in 2017 when school fee was increased and the students response led to the suspension of students union activities by the school management. A student-led advocacy and research group, Unijos Voices, had also, at the inception of the administration of the incumbent vice-chancellors administration, recommended the provision of sufficient hostel accommodation on campus, saying doing so would mitigate the impact of the crises on the students of the university. With the planned increase of accommodation fees, there are fears that this would push more students to stay off the campus, leaving them vulnerable during uprisings. Students union kicks Meanwhile, the president of the student union on the campus, Joseph Adankala, said the planned increase was unacceptable, insisting that the socio-economic realities do not justify the universitys decision. READ ALSO: He added that the students union has set up a seven-man committee to seek the reversal of the proposed increment to its initial fee. This is unacceptable because at a time like this, with difficult economic challenges in the country, we will expect that the school management is considerate and does not add to the existing burden our parents already carry, Mr Adankala said. The union president went further to describe the proposal as a vein piercing shock and a melancholic dismay, adding that; We (the union) will approach the school management and discuss our plights to find a lasting solution to this problem. Situation still under review University When PREMIUM TIMES reached out to the universitys deputy registrar in charge of information and publication, Abdullahi Abdullahi, he said no decision has been made yet and that the proposal is still under review. He said: It is an internal memorandum and it is not meant for the public. The proposal is still under review, and a decision has not been reached by the university. Whatever decision taken by the management will be communicated to the public. The prosperity gospel promises power to those who feel helpless and submerged in the storms of socio-economic crisis. But it is ultimately a hollow call because it masks the true nature of poverty, and so leads societies away from tackling it. Instead of questioning the inefficient or self-serving economic policies of politicians, prosperity preachers shame congregants for lacking the faith to banish poverty from their lives. You cant tackle issues like poverty until you understand their root causes. Pastors who focus on self-enrichment through misleading their congregations misdiagnose these causes. Thats dangerous. In a continent abundant with resources, why does the lavish wealth of a few exist alongside the poverty of millions? Pastor Chris Oyikhalome, leader of Christ Embassy, could answer by telling us that poverty is an affliction of those lacking faith. Prophet Shepherd Bushiri, of the Enlightened Christian Gathering, might beg us to remember that poverty is a demonic force that can only be wrestled into submission through spiritual warfare. These self-proclaimed men of God sever poverty from the economic systems and political orders which produce it. Instead, like many of the first European missionaries who brought the Bible to Africa, they skillfully manipulate religion in the pursuit and service of oppressive power. Their followers acclimatise to the inequities cultivated by capitalism, as the multi-millionaire preachers nefariously chase self-enrichment. Their tool is the prosperity gospel, a branch of Protestant christianity that conceives the salvation of humanity as a contractual agreement with God. Belief and surrender to Christ delivers not only atonement for ones sins but also exceptional health and extraordinary wealth. Through potent prayer, positive confessions and generous church offerings, one can access Gods ancient promise of prosperity. An outsider to the theology may view it as irrational but ultimately harmless dogma. This would be a naive mistake. Our ability to solve social plagues such as poverty or inequality partly depends on how we define these problems. In understanding the fundamental causes of poverty, we move closer to effective solutions to them. By relegating poverty to the realm of the supernatural, prosperity preachers disguise the true and tangible conditions which cause their congregants suffering and pacify their political consciousness. The prosperity gospel succeeds by exploiting desperation caused by economic dysfunction and social instability. The prosperity gospel elevates the myth that individuals with endless supplies of will-power can rise from destitution the religious way of condescendingly telling the poor to lift themselves up by their bootstraps. At best, it is a sedative respite from reality, lulling followers into slumber, while we all continue to be ruled by elites who prioritise profits and power over people. In South Africa, where pastors like Chris Oyikhalome attract large crowds in stadiums, 44 per cent of the working age population is unemployed, more than half of citizens live in poverty and the country stands as the most unequal society in the world. There is a pervasive sense of despair, desperation and disempowerment amongst ordinary people. Disempowerment drives citizens to disengage from political action which could alleviate their suffering. All these converge to render many vulnerable to abuse by prosperity preachers. Attuned to the desperation of their followers and by framing themselves as authentic prophets in a deeply religious continent, such pastors amass reverence which allows them to exploit their congregants. Pastor Tim Oluseun Omotoso, of Jesus Dominion International, currently sits in a SA prison on trial for 63 charges of rape, human trafficking and racketering. Prophet Bushiri, estimated to be worth $100 million, faces charges of theft, fraud and money laundering. The prosperity gospel promises power to those who feel helpless and submerged in the storms of socio-economic crisis. But it is ultimately a hollow call because it masks the true nature of poverty, and so leads societies away from tackling it. Instead of questioning the inefficient or self-serving economic policies of politicians, prosperity preachers shame congregants for lacking the faith to banish poverty from their lives. Rather than critiquing the monopolies multinational corporations have over resources, sermons encourage people to seek individual financial upliftment through offerings, even though the greatest victories against poverty were gained through collective political action and the redesigning of economic structures. The prosperity gospel elevates the myth that individuals with endless supplies of will-power can rise from destitution the religious way of condescendingly telling the poor to lift themselves up by their bootstraps. At best, it is a sedative respite from reality, lulling followers into slumber, while we all continue to be ruled by elites who prioritise profits and power over people. Andile Zulu is a political essayist who runs the Born Free Blues blog. This op-ed won the judges prize of the inaugural The Continent/Democracy in Africa Prize for Comment Writing. Working together and freeing up the air travel industry to reach its potential should be likened to the proverbial rising tide that lifts all boats. Some airlines may initially experience a drop in market share, but the great benefits to the industry will ensure growth of air travel across all states. A vibrant industry provides more jobs. By embracing a single African air transport market, the continent could grow the aviation industry, create more jobs and allow people to travel regionally. Cooperation in Africas air travel could create at least 155,000 jobs and $1.3 billion more in economic growth. It could also stop the situation where travelling to Europe is cheaper than travelling around the continent. And the opportunity exists right now, as a result of COVID-19. Many airlines are grounded. Some permanently. But, as wind blows out a candle but fans a fire, this can be an opportunity. This will give the surviving airlines a fighting chance to rebound and thrive as air travel re-opens. It will provide consumers with lower fares, higher connectivity and greater choice. Economies will also benefit. The first step is to free up the physical airspace above countries. That space, and the aviation industry, is governed by the Chicago Convention. This recognises the sovereignty of states to the airspace above their territory. They are mandated to provide air navigation infrastructure to guide flights in that airspace. In return, they can charge modest fees to recover their costs, like toll stations in the sky. But the fees vary wildly from country to country. In West Africa, countries work together and manage their airspace as one. Europe does the same. Other African countries should follow suit. This avoids the duplication of equipment and costs, resulting in lower overflight fees and hence lower operational costs for airlines and cheaper tickets. The flight of a typical regional aircraft, a Boeing 737, over a distance of 925 kilometres attracts overflight fees as high as US$1,265 in Sudan and as low as US$50 in the Seychelles. This is according to calculations by the African Airlines Association. Many countries consider aviation as a cash cow and milk it for what it is worth. In West Africa, countries work together and manage their airspace as one. Europe does the same. Other African countries should follow suit. This avoids the duplication of equipment and costs, resulting in lower overflight fees and hence lower operational costs for airlines and cheaper tickets. The second step concerns access to markets. Africa has a structural weakness where there is poor travel between countries, and a reliance on overseas airlines. During the phase of COVID-19 lockdowns, this meant many Africans were marooned in other countries. With fewer flights, offering little intra-African travel, the airline industry has not reached its potential. This means airports and airlines need to charge more per user. It means inadequate airport infrastructure and a skills gap for both technical and management expertise. All these are symptoms of a more malignant malaise. South African Airways has restarted operations after a hiatus of seventeen months triggered by a bankruptcy protection. Kenya Airways is heading back to nationalisation after a privatisation that was initially hailed as a great success. Doing the same thing repeatedly does not lead to different outcomes. The proposed Single African Air Transport Market seeks to cure this by introducing a single aviation market across the continent. This removes restrictions to market access, as well as those on airline ownership. And the market is there. Africa has 16 per cent of the worlds population but accounts for less than 4 per cent of the aviation service market. The proposed Single African Air Transport Market seeks to cure this by introducing a single aviation market across the continent. This removes restrictions to market access, as well as those on airline ownership. But it has run into headwinds. Ethiopia has been accused of protectionism. Uganda has expressed disquiet over potential domination of its fledgling air industry by more entrenched airlines. Other governments are also loath to set their flag carriers free because they are a source of national pride. They are also important diplomatic tools Ethiopia used its carrier to transport tens of millions of doses of COVID-19 vaccines when other airlines were in hibernation. Working together and freeing up the air travel industry to reach its potential should be likened to the proverbial rising tide that lifts all boats. Some airlines may initially experience a drop in market share, but the great benefits to the industry will ensure growth of air travel across all states. A vibrant industry provides more jobs. Daniel Odido (@aerospaceKenya) lectures at Moi Universitys School of Sciences & Aerospace Studies in Kenya. This op-ed won the audience prize of the inaugural The Continent/Democracy in Africa Prize for Comment Writing 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. SYDNEY, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- Following a government mandate to log positive Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs), the Australian state of New South Wales (NSW) recorded a vast record of 92,264 new COVID-19 cases on Thursday. Of the new cases, 30,877 were done through traditional PCR testing and a further 61,387 were self-reported by citizens since the government opened the self-reporting system on Wednesday. The surge in cases has been largely attributed to the Omicron variant, which has quickly outpaced PCR testing capacity across the country. Thursday's cases included a backlog of positive RATs from January 1. The avalanche of cases comes as the NSW government announced that self-reporting would be made mandatory and failure to do so would incur a 1,000 Australian dollars (about 700 U.S. dollars) fine. The state also saw its deadliest day of the pandemic, reporting a further 22 deaths on Thursday. In the same period, 2,383 people are in hospital with the virus, 182 of which require intensive care. Food shortages spurred by large numbers of workers in isolation continue to be one of the most pressing challenges faced by states across the nation. Suppliers have reported worker shortages between 20 and 50 percent. Joseph Romeo, director of national supermarket chain IGA, told national broadcaster ABC that they may have to begin to close stores due to the shortages. "If we have another big spike then it's going to be very challenging and there might be stores that we may have to close because we can't staff the stores to a minimum to get them operating," Romeo said. Workers in critical industries have received exemptions from usual COVID-19 isolation requirements this week as states scramble to bolster workforces in key industries. Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews announced on Thursday that the state would expand its isolation exemptions for critical workers in education, transport and freight industry. Victoria reported 37,169 new cases and 25 further deaths on Thursday. There are currently 953 people in hospital with the virus, 111 of which require intensive care. Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State on Thursday said he would fight corruption to a stand-still, if elected president in 2023. Mr Umahi said this while addressing a crowd of All Progressives Congress (APC) members and supporters at Abakaliki. The crowd came out to welcome him after his visit to inform President Muhammadu Buhari about his presidential aspiration. He told the people that the cardinal thrust of his administration, if elected president, would be to fight corruption, build infrastructure and deepen the nations economy. He said that corruption was stifling the nations economic growth. According to him, there will be no meaningful progress until the leadership of this country sits in a round-table to chat the way forward. Mr Umahi said, It is time for the leaders to sit down in a round-table. This is the time to repent and build a future for our children and grandchildren. It is not about Mr President, it is not about the governor. The led, have a lot to do. It is a question of turning away from our sinful ways and turning away from self and knowing that it is appointed unto man to die but once, after that judgment. He said his administration would focus on how to deepen the gains made by Mr Buharis administration. He further said he would devote more efforts towards improving other critical sectors of the economy, if voted into office. The governor also spoke on his meeting with the president, saying he re-echoed the recent appeal by the Igbo leaders for the president to pursue political solution to the activities of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra. I went and I saw the father of the nation and the leader of our great party, APC. And let me announce that the president, leader of our party and lover of Ebonyi, will be coming to Ebonyi in March. It is going to be a historic visit and Ebonyi will never be the same thereafter, Mr Umahi said. He reaffirmed his belief in one indivisible, united Nigeria, where fairness, justice and equity would reign. Let nobody be afraid of Nigerias president of Igbo extraction. Igbo men are builders, we are not destroyers and it is my position and that of South-east governors that anybody found disturbing the peace of the zone should be crushed, he said. The governor gave assurance that the ongoing projects initiated by his administration would not suffer setbacks because of his presidential project. (NAN) Renowned pharmacist and former Chairman of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), Sam Ohuabunwa, has notified the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of his intention to run for the 2023 presidential election under the partys platform. Mr Ohuabunwa presented his letter of intent to the National Chairman of the party, Iyorchia Ayu, on Thursday in Abuja. Veteran journalist and Publisher of the Ovation Magazine, Dele Momodu, also presented his letter of intent to run for president to Mr Ayu on Thursday. Mr Ohuabunwa, while speaking with journalists at the national secretariat of the PDP later, said running the office of president was not by age but management, experience, sound health and adequate planning. This office of president is a serious office. You must have experience in managing many things at the same time. I have the experience. I have been trained. I may belong to the older group but my Spirit, my heart is of a young person, Mr Ohuabunwa said. He said that if given the opportunity, his administration would set the Key Performance Index (KPI), review it every quarter and enthrone competence among others. I am coming to lay the foundation for proper unity of our nation to create a level playing ground where every child born in every part of this country will have the same opportunity like the other child to achieve his potentials the way it happens in the United States of America he said. Mr Ohuabunwa, who hails from Abia State, had, in September last year, signified his intention to run for the presidency. At the time, he was silent on the platform he hoped to achieve his aspiration. Nigerians are looking for a competent character and not just a political party, thus in 2023, it is possible to get the office of the president, he said. Aside from Mr Ohuabunwa, other prominent presidential aspirants from the South-east are a former Senate President Pius Anyim, Kingsley Moghalu, former Abia governor, Orji Uzor Kalu, and Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State. They are running on different political platforms. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has cleared all its six governorship aspirants for the July 16 governorship election in Osun State. Mohammed Adoke, the chairman of the partys screening committee, disclosed this while submitting the committees report to Umaru Bature, the PDP National Organising Secretary, on Thursday in Abuja. Mr Adoke, a former attorney general of the federation, said none of the aspirants was disqualified as all scaled the screening hurdles. He listed the partys governorship candidate in 2018, Ademola Adeleke; former Secretary to Osun State Government, Abdulateef Akinbade; Akin Ogunbiyi, Omirin Emmanuel Olusanya, Dele Adeleke, and Dotun Babayemi as the cleared aspirants. Mr Adoke told the National Working Committee (NWC) that the exercise was thoroughly conducted in line with the partys guidelines and constitution. In his remark, Mr Bature commended the committee members for their selfless service, promising that the party would give all the aspirants equal opportunity. Osun is one of the most important states to our party. We believe with the job this committee has done, all the aspirants will be glad of the outcome. The aspirants will see that we have done the best in their interest, Mr Bature said. Aside Mr Adoke, other committee members are a former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Aminu Wali; a former Governor of Plateau State, Fidelis Tapgun; a former member of the House of Representatives, Nnenna Ukeje and Rahman Owokoniran, who served as its secretary. The committee was constituted on Monday. Plattsburgh, NY (12901) Today Partly cloudy this morning, then becoming cloudy during the afternoon. High 66F. Winds SE at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Rain likely. Low near 50F. Winds SSE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall near a quarter of an inch. TOKYO, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- The Japanese government is mulling the idea of making shorter the 14-day period of self-isolation currently in place for those who have come into close contact with a person infected with the Omicron COVID-19 variant, officials said Thursday. In a bid to lessen the growing strain on the nation's medical facilities, the government's plan to lessen the period of self-isolation has been underpinned by the idea that Omicron's incubation period may be shorter in comparison to other variants. "We'd like to consider responding flexibly as needed," Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida told a press briefing in Tokyo. The National Institute for Infectious Diseases conducted a study on people in Okinawa Prefecture who were infected with the Omicron variant, finding that the incubation period of the Omicron variant was around three days shorter compared to the average five days for other variants of the virus. Japan is currently grappling with a sixth wave of infections, with new cases of Omicron running rampant around the country. The nationwide daily tally of new infections topped the 13,000-mark on Wednesday for the first time in over four months, official figures showed. Creates over 100 new vacancies as a result of impressive growth story DUBLIN and LONDON, Jan. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Fenergo, the leading provider of digital solutions for client lifecycle management (CLM), has strengthened its financial position through revenue growth to 91.3 million, a gross profit increase of 20% to 52.1 million and software licence growth of 22.3% to 41.1 million during the financial year ending March 2021. The firm also achieved a breakeven operating result, a significant step forward in profitability terms. Fenergo attributes its recent growth to rising demand amongst financial institutions for the SaaS edition of its CLM solution, which can be deployed quickly, reduce regulatory costs, and enable accelerated onboarding. With Fenergo CLM SaaS (powered by AWS) financial institutions can deliver a smoother, streamlined onboarding experience, whilst gaining operational efficiencies, satisfying regulatory obligations, and achieving business growth. Fenergo has focused investment on its SaaS strategy, on-cloud and on-premise product line development and team expansion, as it continues on its third chapter of growth. This follows Fenergo's recent acquisition by private equity and investment management firms Astorg and Bridgepoint which acquired the firm at a valuation affording it unicorn status. Marc Murphy, Chief Executive Officer, Fenergo, says: "The digital transformation and evolving regulation that is happening in the financial sector is continuing to increase our addressable market as financial institutions use our expertise to drive costs from their operating models. With the backing of our new investors, we are able to scale faster through the innovation of our platform and by tapping into best-of-breed technology talent. This ultimately allows us to continue to deliver more value and efficiency to the world's largest financial services firms." To fulfil the growing demand for its solutions, Fenergo has embarked on a global recruitment drive to fill over 100 vacancies, 61 of which are based in Ireland. Fenergo's innovative new model of borderless working means that employees can work on the latest in SaaS and cloud technology from anywhere in Ireland and avoid the challenges linked to commuting to work in the Capital City. As one of many perks, Fenergo supports employees wishing to relocate to any of Fenergo's offices around the world including Madrid, Sydney, Melbourne, New York, Toronto and more. "Without people, Fenergo wouldn't be where we are today. We recognise that to tap into the rich pool of technology talent Ireland has to offer, we have to make opportunities accessible beyond the Capital and into the regions. With that, we have launched a hybrid working model, which sets employees up to work from anywhere. Fenergo's advantage is that it is a highly successful, home-grown technology firm blazing a trail by delivering cutting-edge technology to the world's largest financial institutions. Another major differentiator for us is the ability for staff to deliver these solutions to our clients from any of our global offices where the opportunities arise," continued Murphy. Fenergo currently has 850 employees across 14 locations globally. Find out more about Irish job vacancies here. Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1724633/Fenergo_Limited_Logo.jpg SOURCE Fenergo Limited SINGAPORE, Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Azentio Software ("Azentio"), a Singapore-headquartered technology firm owned by funds advised by Apax Partners , today announced that iMAL R14.5, the latest version of the company's Islamic core banking platform, has successfully completed the annual certification review for the year 2022 by the Accounting and Auditing Organization for Islamic Financial Institutions (AAOIFI), the world's leading Islamic finance standard-setting body. This certification is a tangible proof of Azentio adhering to existing and newly issued AAOIFI Shari'ah and Financial Accounting Standards for the recently acquired iMAL R14.5 by Azentio. "AAOIFI is here to protect the integrity of the global Islamic finance industry through the means of standardization of best practices in the areas of Shari'ah, accounting, auditing, governance, and ethics. We are pleased to complete the review of the version 14.5 of iMAL for the year 2022 to ensure its compliance with AAOIFI's Shari'ah and Financial Accounting Standards," commented Omar Mustafa Ansari, Secretary General, AAOIFI. "By following and implementing AAOIFI standards in the right manner, we believe iMAL is mitigating Shari'ah non-compliance risks. Our continued collaboration is a testament to Azentio's ongoing commitment of following best practices not only for itself but also for its clients which are the world's leading Islamic financial institutions," Ansari concluded. Mohammed Kateeb, Global Head of Islamic Banking and President of Middle East & Africa at Azentio, said, "For our core banking platform iMAL new version to be certified by AAOIFI, reflects our ongoing commitment to creating a truly differentiated value proposition. The latest advancement in financial technology has posed unprecedented challenges for incumbent Islamic banks to remain competitive. We are combining advanced technologies with deep knowledge of Islamic finance and embedding this into our new platform to help our clients transform, accelerate innovation, and achieve operational efficiency, while providing Shari'ah compliance assurance to the Islamic financial services ecosystem. We ensure a compliance mindset in our design and development efforts, and continuously challenge ourselves to provide a unique platform that meets or exceeds the needs and expectations of our clients, always complying with the AAOIFI and Shari'ah rules." Azentio Software provides mission critical, vertical-specific software products for clients in banking, financial services and insurance verticals. The company has over 800 clients in more than 60 countries with a team of over 2,000 employees across offices in 9 countries globally. SOURCE Azentio Software Pvt Ltd In West Africa region, TATA Projects secured contracts worth around USD 244 million, having mix of Transmission Line, Sub-station and Distribution projects. TATA Projects signed an approximately USD 106 million contract for a distribution project in Mali being funded by World Bank under the ECOWAS Regional Electricity Access Program. Additionally, it also secured a Sub-station Extension order from EDM, Mali. TATA Projects further strengthens its presence in the region by securing around 500km of 330kV overhead transmission line projects in Burkina Faso and Niger, having approximate worth of USD 110 million, funded by World Bank and AfDB. After strengthening its presence in East and West Africa, TATA Projects has successfully forayed into the Central African nation of Cameroon, wherein the company was awarded a transmission line project worth around USD 21 million, being funded by World Bank. Speaking about the company's growth in Africa, Mr. Rajesh Kumar Pandey, SBU Head - International Business, TATA Projects Ltd, said, "Electricity is a necessity and implementation of these projects will touch a larger populace and connect them to an improved system. This contributes to the Sustainable Development Goal number 7 i.e. ensuring access to 'Affordable and Clean Energy' for all. As we transcend, we need to measure ourselves in sequential journey of touch, connect, access, effectiveness and affordability to have sustainable growth of the Community, Country and Co-existence of TATA." Upon completion, these projects will enhance system capacities, unlock demand centers and make power accessible to consumers, ushering development and economic prosperity in the region. Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1725909/Contract_Signing_Tanzania.jpg Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1725910/Sub_station_project_in_Mali.jpg Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1725911/Mr_Rajesh_Kumar_Pandey.jpg SOURCE TATA Projects Limited In West Africa region, TATA Projects secured contracts worth around USD 244 million, having mix of Transmission Line, Sub-station and Distribution projects. TATA Projects signed an approximately USD 106 million contract for a distribution project in Mali being funded by World Bank under the ECOWAS Regional Electricity Access Program. Additionally, it also secured a Sub-station Extension order from EDM, Mali. TATA Projects further strengthens its presence in the region by securing around 500km of 330kV overhead transmission line projects in Burkina Faso and Niger, having approximate worth of USD 110 million, funded by World Bank and AfDB. After strengthening its presence in East and West Africa, TATA Projects has successfully forayed into the Central African nation of Cameroon, wherein the company was awarded a transmission line project worth around USD 21 million, being funded by World Bank. Speaking about the company's growth in Africa, Mr. Rajesh Kumar Pandey, SBU Head - International Business, TATA Projects Ltd, said, "Electricity is a necessity and implementation of these projects will touch a larger populace and connect them to an improved system. This contributes to the Sustainable Development Goal number 7 i.e. ensuring access to 'Affordable and Clean Energy' for all. As we transcend, we need to measure ourselves in sequential journey of touch, connect, access, effectiveness and affordability to have sustainable growth of the Community, Country and Co-existence of TATA." Upon completion, these projects will enhance system capacities, unlock demand centers and make power accessible to consumers, ushering development and economic prosperity in the region. About TATA Projects Limited TATA Projects is one of the fastest growing and most admired infrastructure companies in India. It has expertise in executing large and complex urban and industrial infrastructure projects. The company provides turnkey end-to-end solutions to set up fully integrated rail & metro lines, commercial buildings and townships, data centres & airports, power generation plants, power transmission & distribution systems, oil & gas refineries, chemical process plants, water and wastewater management solutions, complete mining and metal purification systems. It is currently executing some of the most marquee projects across India such as New Parliament Building, Mumbai Trans-Harbour Link, Multiple Stretches Of Dedicated Freight Corridors, and Metro Rail Lines across multiple cities such as Mumbai, Pune, Delhi, Lucknow, Ahmedabad and Chennai. The company is driven to deliver projects on-time, using world-class project management techniques and has uncompromising standards for safety and sustainability. Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1725909/Contract_Signing_Tanzania.jpg Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1725910/Sub_station_project_in_Mali.jpg Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1725911/Mr_Rajesh_Kumar_Pandey.jpg SOURCE TATA Projects Limited SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Bold Metrics, the leader in AI Body Modeling, announced its move into the NFT space with the world's first body data NFT (patent pending). The move allows Bold Metrics to work with Web3 native Ethereum wallets like Coinbase and Metamask to provide a streamlined experience for shoppers buying clothes online, in-store, or in the Metaverse. "We've always had the vision of making body data portable, the missing link has been an open and secure standard NFTs allow us to deliver on this vision and instantly access the Web3 ecosystem." Daina Burnes, Co-founder & CEO of Bold Metrics Bold Metrics is unveiling the world's first Body Data NFT technology this week at #NRF2022 - Retail's Big Show Tweet this The Bold Metrics Body Data NFT can be powered by any body measurement capture methodology including Bold Metrics' proprietary AI body modeling technology. Shoppers with a Bold Metrics Body Data NFT in their Coinbase, MetaMask or other Ethereum wallets can instantly get apparel size recommendations on websites, access in-store concierge services, and generate avatars for use in popular Metaverses like Decentraland and The Sandbox. "Our AI has been instrumental for brands like Canada Goose and Men's Wearhouse in the Web2 world. Now as consumers move to Web3 and into the Metaverse, we are able to provide that same best-in-class experience using our Body Data NFT." Morgan Linton, Co-founder & COO of Bold Metrics With companies like Nike and adidas both making big moves in the NFT world and expanding into the Metaverse, Bold Metrics is positioning the company to play a key role in this digital transformation. Consumers will be able to easily create their Body Data NFT seamlessly from a phone, tablet, computer, or compatible AR/VR device and instantly provide brands, retailers, and Metaverses with their detailed body measurements authenticated on the blockchain. While the initial focus of the Bold Metrics Body Data NFT is on apparel and Metaverse applications, the company plans to integrate with innovative automotive companies, video games, and fitness solutions in the future. "When we look at how products will be personalized to people in the future, we see our Body Data NFT being at the core of these experiences. That future isn't ten years away, it's one or two years away and for some companies, it's happening right now." Jeff Mergy, VP of Product and Strategy at Bold Metrics Bold Metrics is unveiling the Body Data NFT technology this week at #NRF2022 Retail's Big Show, January 16-18, 2022 at the Javits Center in New York City. Attendees at the show will be some of the first to mint their Body Data NFT. About Bold Metrics Bold Metrics develops AI Body Modeling technologies that empower apparel brands to unlock the power of body data to boost conversions, slash return rates, and improve sustainability efforts. Bold Metrics innovative solutions supercharge supply chains through actionable insights based on actual customer body measurements, proprietary algorithms, and advanced machine learning technologies that have been proven to be the most accurate in its category. Media Contact: [email protected] SOURCE Bold Metrics LONDON, Jan. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- According to Brandessence Market Research, the Solar Panel Market size reached USD 182.02 Billion in 2021. The Solar Panels market is likely to grow at robust CAGR of 25.7% and reach size of USD 902.55 Billion by 2028 end. The Detailed Market intelligence report on the Solar Panels Market applies the most effective of each primary and secondary analysis to weighs upon the competitive landscape and also the market players expected to dominate Solar Panels Market during forecast period. The Top Key Companies of the Global Solar Panels market are, ABROS green GmbH ( Germany ) ) Jinko Solar Holding Co. Ltd. ( China ) ) Canadian Solar Inc. ( Canada ) ) Yingli Solar ( China ) ( ) SunPower Corporation ( U.S.A ) ) Abengoa Solar ( Spain ) ) eSolar Inc. ( U.S.A Solar Limited ( China ) ) Hanwha Q CELLS Co. Ltd. ( South Korea ) ) JA Solar Holdings Co. Ltd. ( China ) ) And Other Companies are also contributing Others Get Sample Copy of This Premium [email protected] https://brandessenceresearch.com/requestSample/PostId/624 Rise In Rooftop Application Driving The Global Solar Panels Market There has been an increase in the demand of the solar panels in the rooftop applications in the residence. There is a major fall in prices for the major components like the polysilicone and silver which are used for making the solar cells. The solar panels are not something that creates the noise and do not make any of the emissions. The drop in the prices for the industrial commodities have been used for the making of solar panels as well as the higher expectations of price for the natural gas and electricity are the major factors which are driving the growth of the solar panels in the period of forecast. Increase in the price of electricity in combination with the cheaper panels has been driving the market of solar panels. Segmentation Analysis of Solar Panels Market: By Technology Concentrated Solar Power Solar PV By Application Commercial Residential Industrial By Module type Thin Film Crystalline By Grid Connectivity On Grid Off Grid Solar Panels Market Demand Analysis and Overview Solar industry is witnessing a major growth in recent years, thanks to growing demand for renewable energy, and sustainable energy initiatives globally. In January, 2022, the EU proposed a new 0% VAT on various goods, including solar panels. The new tax apart from providing additional flexibility to member countries, also promote major drive towards greater sustainability in one of the key regions of the globe. Furthermore, tax credits, and research based development have also encouraged growth of the solar manufacturing industry in the US, another key region. Various states in the US have mandated suppliers to procure a certain portion of their energy through renewable stocks, with PV solar modules remaining highest in end-use. According to the Solar Foundation in the US, jobs in the solar sector in the US increased by 86% between 2014-2018, with workers now being employed at over 8000 businesses across the country. Furthermore, the investments also remain robust, with 2014 alone claiming over USD17.8 billion investments. With initiatives like tax credits, and state mandates, the production of solar output continues to reach record heights, while prices continue to decline, making the expansion of market a more promising development. For example, according to the US department of Energy, the cost of solar-generated electricity in the US declined from 28 cent per kilowatt-hour to 6 cent per kilowatt-hour between 2010-2017. This led to a decline of 52 to 16 cent per kWh price reduction for homeowners in the US. With growing demand, and steep decline in production costs, and promising profit margins in relation to home-electricity use, the solar production in the US remains the second-top in volume, globally. Get Methodology @ https://brandessenceresearch.com/requestMethodology/PostId/624 Solar Panels Market: Notable Developments According to a new report by the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), businesses in the US, and homeowners continue to upgrade demand for paired solar battery storage. This demand remains a relatively new phenomenon, with just 6% in total in 2020. However, the industry forecast estimates that the demand will likely grow to 25% of the total demand, with utility-scale application set to reap the biggest benefit. Solar Panels Market: Key Trends New companies have made their way into the US solar production, surpassing established giants like Topaz, which was launched in 2014. Companies like Solar Star, with annual output of 579 MW, and Copper Mountain Solar Facility overtaking Topaz recently. New companies continue to foray into the solar industry, with new company like Desert Sunlight Solar Farm accounting for over 550 MW capacity in 2015. Despite their large production capacities, these companies make for fraction of the total revenue volumes in the US solar market. Companies like utility scale PV, and installers remain leading drivers of the industry, with main opportunities in solar water heating, solar power systems, and solar electronic components. The growing initiatives by companies like Apple, Amazon, Walmart, Target, Google, along with signed deals with the US government, investments additional solar capacity continues to grow. In 2019, Apple became the leading end-player among businesses with capacities reaching 393 MW, largely catering to its data centers. Tax credits remain a promising incentive for homeowners to install solar panels. On Special Requirement Solar Panels Market Report is also available for below region: North America U.S, Canada Europe Germany, France ,Italy, Spain, Sweden, Netherland, Turkey, Switzerland, Belgium, Rest of Europe Asia-Pacific South Korea, 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/energy-and-mining/solar-panels-market-size-and-share Related Reports At Bellow: i-Factor: Live Market intelligence platform I-Factor is our guaranteed seal to keep our clients ahead of the competition, always. This knowledge platform delivers real-time updates on key economic indicators, competitive landscape, changing demand, trends, customized regional insights, and more. The platform visualizes key data points to help make decision making agile, trustworthy, and holistic. Register for free trail here @ https://brandessenceresearch.com/i-factor/login/userRegister Brandessence Market Research & Consulting Pvt ltd. Brandessence market research publishes market research reports & business insights produced by highly qualified and experienced industry analysts. Our research reports are available in a wide range of industry verticals including aviation, food & beverage, healthcare, ICT, Construction, Chemicals and lot more. Brand Essence Market Research report will be best fit for senior executives, business development managers, marketing managers, consultants, CEOs, CIOs, COOs, and Directors, governments, agencies, organizations and Ph.D. Students. We have a delivery center in Pune, India and our sales office is in London. Website: https://brandessenceresearch.com Blog: Renewable Energy Top Companies Follow Us: Linkedin Mr. Vishal Sawant Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Corporate Sales: +44-2038074155 Asia Office: +917447409162 SOURCE Brandessence Market Research And Consulting Private Limited VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Jan. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ --Bold Therapeutics, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing BOLD-100, is pleased to announce an extension of the option agreement with an undisclosed publicly traded South Korean biopharmaceutical company, originally executed in May 2020, for development and commercialization rights to BOLD-100 in South Korea. The extension is expected to further solidify cooperation between these companies, as well as support the addition of five clinical trial sites in South Korea: Seoul National University Hospital (PI: Do-Youn Oh); Samsung Medical Center (PI: Joon Oh Park); Severance Hospital (PI: Sun Young Rha); National Cancer Center (PI: Yongjun Cha); and Kangbuk Samsung Hospital (KBSMC) (PI: Dong-Hoe Koo). Bold Therapeutics' BOLD-100 is a first-in-class ruthenium-based small molecule therapeutic that (1) alters the unfolded protein response (UPR) through selective GRP78 inhibition; and (2) induces reactive oxygen species (ROS) which causes DNA damage and cell cycle arrest. Collectively, these effects result in cell death in both sensitive and resistant cancers, giving BOLD-100 the potential to significantly improve outcomes in a wide range of both solid and liquid tumors in combination with other anti-cancer therapies ranging from traditional chemotherapies to targeted therapies to immuno-oncology agents. BOLD-100 has been granted Orphan Drug Designations (ODDs) by the FDA in both gastric (stomach) and pancreatic cancers, and Bold Therapeutics expects to receive one or more Breakthrough Therapy Designations (BTDs) for BOLD-100 in 2022. Preclinical experiments have repeatedly shown that BOLD-100 improves outcomes in combination with a wide range of existing anti-cancer therapies, with particular synergy evident in drug-resistant cell lines. "As our partner is one of the fastest growing and most respected pharmaceutical companies in South Korea, we are honored to extend this option agreement that allows us to further leverage their substantial expertise in oncology development," said E. Russell McAllister, CEO of Bold Therapeutics. "We expect to complete our Phase 1b trial of BOLD-100 in combination with FOLFOX in the treatment of advanced gastrointestinal cancers imminently and immediately transition into a Phase 2a study at six sites in Canada, two sites in the U.S., and now five sites in South Korea. We look forward to continuing to work with our partner's team to advance this revolutionary cancer therapy." For more information about Bold Therapeutics, please visit the company's website at www.bold-therapeutics.com Media Contact: E. Russell McAllister, CEO [email protected] (604) 262-9899 SOURCE Bold Therapeutics Inc. NEW YORK, Jan. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Break Free NYFW, a runway show with a cause, announces their NYFW debut on Monday, February 14th, 2022. Is it too big a stretch to merge the conversation of mental health and recovery with fashion? Alexandra Nyman of LadyCat , whose premiere collection, Therapy, was inspired by her brother's struggle with Bi-polar Disorder, doesn't think so. LadyCat is spearheading a show during NYFW called Break Free . Described as an immersive runway experience of art, design, and fashion dedicated to raising awareness around mental health & addiction, Nyman is excited to be sharing this showcase with five other extraordinary designers: Zephyr , Jacqueline City Apparel , Love Disorder , Wu-Sah , and Adorn Your Clothes. Kelsey, the creative mind behind Zephyr, and is a proudly queer, disabled, designer, who creates magic in the Pacific Northwest. Over the past year she's focused full-time on healing from cptsd, including discovering and understanding her dissociative disorder. Jacqueline City is a 24 year old disabled fashion designer and CEO of Jacqueline City Apparel. City suffers from dysautonomia and POTS as well as heart disease and PTSD. Despite her health challenges, Jacqueline City continued to pursue her art and created Jacqueline City Apparel - a sustainable, vegan clothing line with inclusive sizing and affordable prices. Love Disorder's mission is to inform society about mental health issues while teaching how to become aware & accepting of the disorders challenging the world today. Svetlana Chernienko is a Canadian-American Mental Health advocate, activist, and TV-news contributor. As of this year, Svetlana will be working on her eco-sustainable fashion line, Wu-Sah, and striving to reach a bigger audience to shed as much light on Mental Health Awareness as she possibly can. Adorn Your Clothes is a place that allows you to love and adorn your clothes however you like. We hope as you adorn and reinvent your clothes, you will cherish it in your wardrobe longer, send less clothes to landfills, and stop global warming together. A portion of the proceeds from this showcase will go to the nonprofit organization, 10,000 Beds , which was founded by Jean Krisle. Krisle has worked within the recovery community to develop long-standing relationships with donors and leaders from across the world. Like Nyman's first showcase, Therapy, Break Free has garnered the support of many influencers. Like YouTuber Gabi DeMartino , breast cancer survivor Christine Handy , and sober model Jenn Ancelin . Media Contact: Alexandra Nyman [email protected] SOURCE Break Free NYFW, LLC CUPERTINO, Calif., Jan. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Bubble , the company that has made getting tailored home and life insurance an instantaneous online process, today launched its turnkey Insurance-in-a-Box offering on the heels of $1.75M in pre-seed funding anchored by The House Fund with participation from Tuesday Capital, Correlation Ventures, and North Coast Ventures. With Bubble, real estate and mortgage companies are able to embed digital homeowner's and life insurance seamlessly into real estate transactions. This enables people buying a home or refinancing a mortgage to easily often in just a few minutes online protect their homes as well as their families' futures at the same time as making a home/loan purchase. Bubble's Embedded Insurance-in-a-Box offering includes widgets, APIs, white-labeled or co-branded consumer sites and referral URLs that real estate companies can use to embed accurate home and life insurance quotes into home and loan purchase flows. Combining data from home and mortgage transactions with its own extensive database and proprietary analytics, Bubble delivers custom-tailored quotes in real-time. Through Bubble's online portal, customers can further personalize their coverage, maximize discounts, complete their applications, and have their policies approved and issued in a matter of minutes. Bubble integrates directly with top-rated insurance companies to match customers with customized policies instantly online. Its AI-guided recommendation engine, Bubble LifePal, currently finds the products with optimal coverage from Stillwater for homeowner's insurance along with SBLI and Pacific Life for term life, and integrations with other insurers are forthcoming. Customers are presented with transparent, personalized insurance packages, and often are able to get underwriting decisions and have their policies issued, all online in minutes. "We are excited to offer our range of home insurance products on Bubble's all-digital platform," said Stillwater VP of Inside Sales and Sales Systems, Alisa Ruenprapan. "Bubble's intuitive online flows demystify the process while giving users the flexibility to customize coverages to their needs. Together with Bubble, we're making insurance buying as easy as pie." Recognizing that home ownership is a key catalyst to life insurance purchase, Bubble pairs two unique term life products especially suited for younger home buyers: Next by Pacific Life & SBLI's Simplified Issue Term Life. "With Next Term Life, you don't have to anticipate the future and buy more life insurance than you need," explained Joe Kordovi, AVP of Innovations at Pacific Life. "You start with the coverage you need today and can increase or decrease at key life events, such as buying a house, without additional underwriting. It's an innovative product that lets you 'lock in' your health rating, typically when you're young and healthy. Bubble's online platform that integrates life insurance at this key milestone is the perfect entry point for Next Term Life." The other term life product by SBLI offers a completely fluid-less (i.e., no medical test) underwriting process and provides instant online decisions in minutes, a perfect complement for busy home buyers that already have their hands full. "SBLI is very happy to work with Bubble and offer a unique and simplified issue digital term insurance solution to Bubble customers through this valuable partnership. This strategic collaboration supports SBLI's continued commitment to build diversification in both our product and digital distribution areas," said Denis Clifford, SVP of Sales & Distribution at SBLI. "Bubble streamlines the natural flow of life events: starting a family, buying a home, insuring it, and insuring everyone living there," said Bubble Co-founder & CEO Avi Gupta. "Millennials especially stand to reap the benefits of bundling life and home insurance while they're young and healthy. They can lock in a great rate for the next several decades. Our mission is to make it as simple and straightforward as possible for them to do that." Bubble's digital Insurance-in-a-Box helps real estate companies minimize friction and speed transactions by enabling customers to quickly get insurance when they're buying a home. Lenders and loan servicers also mitigate the risk of default with term life policies covering borrowers. These companies in the housing ecosystem can even monetize insurance by sharing commission splits or referral fees with Bubble under certain circumstances. Dan Zettler, partner at Barnstable Mortgage Group, noted: "As mortgage brokers for nearly 20 years, partnering with Bubble allows us to leapfrog our offerings into the digital world with a completely online experience for personalized home and life insurance. Taking the pain and hassle out of insurance purchases is a no-brainer!" About Bubble Bubble's mission is to help homeowners protect their homes, loved ones and everything under their roof with the right insurance coverages, at the right time for the right price. By embedding online insurance into the path of a home or mortgage purchase, Bubble's sophisticated AI algorithms combine data from the real estate transaction with its own extensive library, to streamline the process of buying insurance, from an online quote to application to instant approval. Get your protective Bubble today at www.getmybubble.com Smart insurance for total assurance. About Next by Pacific Life Next by Pacific Life was created to provide a better, seamless digital experience for the modern customer. Offering an innovative insurance product built for customer engagement, Next by Pacific Life easily integrates with key digital distribution partners like Bubble. For more information on Next by Pacific Life, please visit https://life.meetnext.com . About SBLI (The Savings Bank Mutual Life Insurance Company of Massachusetts) For over 115 years, SBLI (The Savings Bank Mutual Life Insurance Company of Massachusetts) has specialized in providing hassle-free, affordable life insurance. Whether it be term life, whole life or a plan that combines the two, they offer dependable protection, at a fair price. Press Contact Frank Spence [email protected] (415) 294-1157 SOURCE Bubble MOL service station is seen in Budapest, Hungary, on Jan. 12, 2022. 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). (Photo by Attila Volgyi/Xinhua) 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. MOL service station is seen in Budapest, Hungary on Jan. 12, 2022. 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). (Photo by Attila Volgyi/Xinhua) NEW YORK, Jan. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Cambridge Wilkinson ("CW") is pleased to announce the closing of a $150MM credit facility for an institutional caliber litigation finance lender which specializes in originating and underwriting loans that have a first priority claim on all revenues generated by the case collateral. In addition, all of our client's loans have full recourse to the borrower and have a personal guarantee by all equity partners of the law firm. Our client launched their first fund in 2018 and a second fund in 2019 and is continuing to grow rapidly as they are preparing to launch their third fund. Uses of this credit facility is to continue to scale their platform. "We have continued significant demand from our alternative credit providers to structure facilities for specialty finance clients of all kinds. In this instance, we are fortunate enough to have worked with a litigation client with a fantastic track record and significant future pipeline. We much look forward to continuing to work with this client as they continue to scale their business," said Rob Bolandian, Partner and Global Head of Investment Banking at Cambridge Wilkinson. About Us: Cambridge Wilkinson is a leading global investment bank with the speed, connections, and the confidence to get transactions done. With a focus on middle market companies, we arrange debt and equity capital raises from $25 million to $5 billion and advise on mergers and acquisitions. In addition, we also provide flexible and scalable leverage facilities and credit facilities for private equity funds and alternative credit funds. We bring deep experience working with specialty finance institutions, real estate entities, funds as well as businesses spanning a variety of other industries. We offer unique access to a broad network of capital sources including large family offices, credit funds, banks, non-bank credit groups, insurance companies, private equity, sovereigns, and endowments. All securities assignments are completed through Avalon Securities, Ltd. a FINRA member and SEC registered broker-dealer. Rob Bolandian, Partner & Global Head of Investment Banking [email protected] Howard Chernin, Partner & COO [email protected] US 1-646-582-9423 SOURCE Cambridge Wilkinson NEW YORK, Jan. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Capchase, a New York-based provider of non-dilutive capital, announced today that it is featured in the AWS Activate Exclusive Offers program. This means that startups building on AWS that are members of AWS Activate can now access customized, discounted offers on Capchase's Recurring Revenue Financing and Expense Financing solutions directly through the AWS Activate Console. Capchase provides non-dilutive capital for recurring-revenue companies. Its proprietary CapScore helps companies forecast their next 12 months' worth of revenue and make that revenue available for immediate use powering growth initiatives without diluting founder ownership. Inclusion in the Activate Exclusive Offers program recognizes Capchase's Revenue Financing product as a solution that is important to the growth of the startups building and scaling their companies on AWS. The offer is available to startups in the US, UK and Spain. "Capchase is proud to be featured in the AWS Activate Exclusive Offers program," said Miguel Fernandez, co-founder and CEO of Capchase. "Like AWS, we are dedicated to helping startups grow and succeed at every stage of their journey. Capchase was created to solve a simple, yet persistent problem faced by nearly all startup founders: the need for financing that is fast, flexible, supports long-term growth and doesn't require giving up ownership. We are truly committed to our clients' success and hope to support many more startups in the AWS Activate Program to further their own growth." AWS Activate is a free program designed exclusively for startups that provides tools, resources, and support to help startups build and grow their business. Benefits include free AWS credits, AWS technical support, mentorship, pre-built infrastructure templates, and so much more. All of these benefits can be accessed from the Activate Console. To join AWS Activate, visit: https://aws.amazon.com/activate/. Chris Federspiel, co-founder and CEO of Blackthorn commented: "Capchase is the financial partner we needed two years ago, and I wish I found them sooner. They've allowed us to scale ahead of revenue, helping us build a financial model incorporating headcount, expenses, and revenue, with great communication and trust." To learn more about Capchase, visit www.capchase.com. About Capchase Capchase is a platform for recurring-revenue companies to secure non-dilutive capital. Founded in Boston, MA in 2020, the company provides financing by bringing future expected cash flows to the present day thereby extending an immediate line of credit. Companies that work with Capchase are able to secure funding that is fast, flexible, and doesn't dilute their ownership. Media Contact Ryan Walker R.J. Walker & Co. [email protected] 860-930-3611 SOURCE Capchase NEWTOWN, Pa., Jan. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Continuously addressing industry needs with cutting-edge Real-Time Location System (RTLS) technology, CenTrak today announces the launch of its TruFinder mobile application, introducing contact tracing capabilities and additional features to improve caregiver efficiency and community infection prevention. Available now on Apple iOS and Android at no charge to all new and existing TruView customers, the companion app represents the latest step in the ongoing development of the company's emergency alert and wander management system for senior living communities. "Our team seeks to ensure crucial programs at senior living communities are properly invested in and accessible, especially during these challenging times," said Deric Blattenberger, CenTrak's General Manager of Senior Care. "The offerings within our mobile app will aid communities throughout their mission of continuously providing high-quality care and a safe environment. By using the app's accurate Location Tracing report, communities can conduct more informed risk assessments and implement quarantine protocols that won't impede care. TruFinder's asset search and mobile system management capabilities enable resource-constrained teams to be more efficient and focused on what matters most their residents." Providing the most convenient option to interact with TruView, the app allows on-the-go users to quickly review the real-time location, as well as all past interactions, of residents, assets, and staff. By leveraging this data, the app's Location Tracing report enables leadership to view a complete history of any infected residents, the people the infected individuals encountered, the duration of their contact, and the precise location of the visit. Residents and staff members can then be assigned a precise risk level that will inform how they should quarantine. The contact tracing feature enhances both QAPI and infection prevention programs, ensuring communities can control any infection from spreading, implement the most appropriate response, and remain compliant with CMS and CDC regulations. In addition to the contact tracing offering, the real-time location insights securely shared by TruFinder allow staff to verify any vital assets within a room prior to entering resident spaces for the first time. This approach saves on personal protective equipment (PPE) and lowers redundant interactions improving efficiency and bolstering infection prevention. For further convenience, the app's camera access enables barcode scanning to manage system changes, like Geo-pendant assignments, and an option to add resident photos into system profiles. Launched in 2019, TruView addresses a critical need for an accurate location-based emergency alerting and wander management system for senior care communities. The new mobile app was designed to enhance the efficiency of staff with mobile system management and prevent the spread of infections through a built-in contact tracing component. As communities continue navigating COVID-19 and strategizing for another flu season during the pandemic, CenTrak wants to ensure communities can access these new capabilities, on top of the benefits already offered by the TruView system, without any additional costs or technology implementation requirements. About CenTrak CenTrak empowers health care leaders with actionable data to increase productivity, reduce operating costs, and transform patient care via market-leading locating and sensing IoT solutions. Founded in 2007 and named a visionary in the Gartner Magic Quadrant for indoor location services, CenTrak is trusted by more than 2,000 health care organizations around the world. For more information, visit CenTrak.com. Media Contact: Heather Fretz [email protected] SOURCE CenTrak Inc. Related Links http://www.centrak.com "Shelly and John have made substantial contributions to the development of our people and our company, and we are pleased to expand their leadership as we continue to deliver on our mission to produce clean, reliable, affordable, abundant American energy. The promotions of Shelly and John will help to ensure that Continental continues to lead the way," said Bill Berry, CEO. Shelly joined Continental in 2018 and has been Continental's Chief Culture Officer and Senior Vice President of Human Resources. She also oversees Continental's non-operated wells and has been a member of Continental's Board of Directors since 2018. In her new role, she will also be responsible for Health, Safety & Environmental, Government Relations, Investor Relations, Public Relations and Legal. Immediately prior to joining Continental, Shelly served as the Chief Operating Officer at Hamm Capital and as a Director of the Harold Hamm Foundation. Shelly graduated from Oklahoma State University with a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration in 1988. John joined Continental in 2005 in preparation for the Company's initial public offering after a career in public accounting serving numerous energy clients. In his expanded role, John will help drive the long-term strategic vision of the company and cultivate ongoing innovation. He oversees all financial functions, Information Technology, and corporate strategic planning. John graduated from Oklahoma State University with a Master of Science in accounting in 1991. About Continental Resources Continental Resources (NYSE: CLR) is a top 10 independent oil producer in the U.S. and a leader in America's energy renaissance. Based in Oklahoma City, Continental is the largest leaseholder and the largest producer in the nation's premier oil field, the Bakken play of North Dakota and Montana. The Company also has significant positions in the SCOOP and STACK plays of the Anadarko Basin of Oklahoma and newly acquired positions in the Powder River Basin of Wyoming and Permian Basin of Texas. With a focus on the exploration and production of oil, Continental has unlocked the technology and resources vital to American energy independence and our nation's leadership in the new world oil market. In 2022, the Company will celebrate 55 years of operations. For more information, please visit www.CLR.com. Investor Contact: Media Contact: Rory Sabino Kristin Thomas Vice President, Investor Relations Senior Vice President, Public Relations 405-234-9620 405-234-9480 [email protected] [email protected] Lucy Spaay Investor Relations Analyst 405-774-5878 [email protected] SOURCE Continental Resources IRVINE, Calif., Jan. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Cooper Housing Institute announced today that it has awarded Orange, California-based Illumination Foundation with a $100,000 grant to aid in the staffing of behavioral health therapists. The additional licensed behavioral therapists at Illumination Foundation will aid newly housed clients at their homes, assist in their behavioral health needs and provided therapy in order to ensure a smooth transition to housing stability. "The Cooper Housing Institute is proud to provide this grant to assist Illumination Foundation in expanding such a critical position at their non-profit association that provides necessary help to affordable housing residents in need," said Co-Founder Will Cooper Jr. "We recognize that treating mental health is fundamental to addressing the root cause of homelessness." Illumination Foundation, a non-profit 501(c)(3), provides targeted, interdisciplinary services for the most vulnerable homeless adults and children in order to disrupt the cycle of homelessness. More than 55,000 people are homeless in Southern California each year 32,000 children are part of that number. Illumination Foundation assesses every individual person to identify needs and provide immediate relief, when necessary, followed by the care that combines housing, case management, medical care, mental health, and workforce services to decrease community dependency. The organization offers a low-entry threshold for the most vulnerable members of the community, with a focus on keeping families together and helping those with significant and/or chronic health conditions. About Cooper Housing Institute The Cooper Housing Institute is a private 501(c)(3) foundation founded in 2018 by the Cooper family, whose commitment to affordable housing spans 50 years. The foundation strives to make housing a priority in the United States by supporting research, education and programs that address housing affordability and homelessness. The organization focuses on the root causes of the shortage of affordable housing and chronic homelessness across the nation, and aims to focus on objective, fact-driven research that brings often divergent groups together to embrace common sense solutions. The Cooper Housing Institute was formed by Will N. Cooper Sr. and Will N. Cooper Jr., leaders of Irvine, California-based WNC, a leading provider of investment, asset management and development services in the affordable housing industry. To learn more, visit https://cooperhousinginstitute.org/. Contact: Julie Leber Spotlight Marketing Communications 949.427.1391 [email protected] SOURCE Cooper Housing Institute San Mateo, Calif., Jan. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Goodera, the leader in virtual volunteering experiences for employees, announced its new app to enable distributed teams to create social impact on video meetings. The app, Karma by Goodera, is now available on the Zoom App Marketplace from Zoom Video Communications, Inc. Karma by Goodera will help any team create an impact on a Zoom meeting in less than 15 minutes through a variety of social actions. Create social impact on any Zoom meeting with Gooderas (Nextgen Impact Inc) app Create social impact on any Zoom meeting with Gooderas (Nextgen Impact Inc) app In 2020, since the pandemic accelerated the world into the Future of Work with distributed teams, companies have adopted virtual volunteering given the ease, accessibility, and impact. Karma app takes this a step further with short experiences, including, but not limited to, writing thank you notes for frontline workers and learning sign language to promote inclusivity in the workplace. Every team experience is curated from leading nonprofits across the globe and is designed to be fun and engaging. The activities cover multiple areas of social impact, from racial equality to gender rights, the pandemic, and the Afghan crisis. "Distributed teams are actively looking for ways to come together and do something meaningful," said Abhishek Humbad, Founder and CEO of Goodera. "Zoom is the Future of Work, and Karma by Goodera is a first-of-its-kind app that will enable employees to do good, with short and engaging experiences, during everyday business. We see this as a powerful amalgamation of purpose and business." "We believe more teams are consciously looking to give back at work, create meaningful social impact, and give back to the community," said Ross Mayfield, Product Lead, Zoom Apps & Integrations, Zoom. "Karma by Goodera fits right into the Future of Work and helps distributed teams embed social impact into meetings." Experiences inside the Karma app can be accessed seamlessly within the Zoom client and in-meeting experience. With every activity taking only a few minutes, teams can easily plug them in any meeting Be it daily check-ins or team retrospectives. Goodera powers volunteerism in large enterprises like Amazon, Warner Media, Novartis 50 of the Fortune 500 are Goodera customers. With the Karma app, Goodera is looking to expand its offering to the millions of small and medium businesses that want to create meaningful engagement and impact at work. Starting today, all Zoom users will be able to add the app and try out social actions with their teams. Karma by Goodera aims to give the control for creating social impact at work into the hands of every team across the globe. About Zoom Apps In-product Zoom Apps enable a seamless experience for using your preferred apps within Zoom, before, during and after a meeting. Boost meeting productivity with apps for file sharing, project management, whiteboarding, and more. Zoom Apps inspire collaboration and foster engagement by enabling meeting participants to execute in real-time, and get more out of meetings. About Goodera Goodera is the world's largest platform for virtual experiences for teams that want to create social impact. Goodera partners with 10K+ nonprofits across the globe and helps them turn volunteering exercises into engaging experiences for 1M+ employees. Goodera aims to build the infrastructure for organizations to do good in the Future of Work. Press Contact: Priyabrat Mohanty, +919986107823, https://www.goodera.com SOURCE Nextgen Impact Inc Founded in 2004 and headquartered in Dover Plains, NY., Structure Works serves enterprise customers globally. Specializing in enterprise account turnkey solutions, the Company brings skilled project management, installation, and support resources to the rapidly growing CTSI security integration line of business. Headquartered in Chantilly, Va., CTSI designs, engineers, installs, maintains, and manages highly engineered security, fire, nurse call, audiovisual, collaboration, and communication systems. CTSI serves thousands of clients across the United States. "The Structure Works acquisition marks a significant milestone in CTSI's history, as we now expand our capabilities internationally with the ability to support accounts throughout their global footprint," said Joe Oliveri, President and CEO of CTSI. "Structure Works is a terrific business, with several of the most talented employees in the industry who serve the security integration needs of some of the largest and most recognized businesses in the world." Nathan Brown, Managing Director at Wind Point, stated, "We are excited to welcome the entire Structure Works team as they significantly bolster the security integration business of the CTSI platform. Structure Works accelerates CTSI's strategic growth by greatly expanding our global footprint and security integration capabilities." "We are excited to be a part of the CTSI team and look forward to working with Joe Oliveri, his leadership team, and the fantastic organization they are building," commented Jim Muncey, President of Structure Works. "Combining the strengths of CTSI with our talented team and history of steady growth in the U.S. and abroad will be our formula for success as we continue to delight and expand our enterprise customer base." Structure Works represents the seventh acquisition for CTSI since partnering with Wind Point in June of 2020. CTSI's acquisition strategy will continue to focus on acquiring leading life safety, fire, security, nurse call, collaboration, and communication solution providers with complementary employee-focused cultures and a trusted commitment to customers. About Structure Works Structure Works, Inc. is a security integration leader supporting clients with turnkey design, installation and support of enterprise level card access, CCTV, and alarm systems. Additional information about Structure Works is available at www.structureworksinc.com About CTSI CTSI is a global systems integrator of fire, security, critical communications, collaboration, IT, and audiovisual solutions for enterprise, government, healthcare, and education customers. CTSI delivers unmatched design, installation, integration, managed, subscription, and central station monitoring services. The organization is staffed with industry leading engineers, user experience practitioners, programmers, technicians, central station, customer care, and project management representatives. Additional information about CTSI is available at www.ctsi-usa.com About Wind Point Partners Wind Point Partners is a Chicago-based private equity investment firm with approximately $4 billion in assets under management. Wind Point focuses on partnering with top caliber management teams to acquire well-positioned middle market businesses where it can establish a clear path to value creation. The firm targets investments in the consumer products, industrial products and business services sectors. Wind Point is currently investing out of Wind Point Partners IX, a $1.5 billion fund that was initiated in 2019. Additional information about Wind Point is available at www.windpointpartners.com Media Contact: Alan Rosenkoff, CTSI Phone: 908-229-1116 Email: [email protected] Connect with us: LinkedIn, Twitter, or please visit CTSI-USA.COM. SOURCE CTSI PHILADELPHIA, Jan. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Dechert LLP announced today that Alon Goldberger has rejoined the firm as a global finance partner based in the Philadelphia office, focusing on leveraged finance. Mr. Goldberger's experience extends across a variety of industries and business structures, representing diverse institutional consumers and providers of senior and subordinated debt financing, across a broad range of financing transactions, including, among others, asset-based and cash-flow lending, acquisition financings, and recapitalizations and restructurings. He received a J.D. from Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law and a B.S. from Touro College. He was previously an associate at Dechert before joining another law firm. "The depth and breadth of Alon's expertise ranges from the intricacies of complex acquisition financing and direct lending transactions to the nuances inherent in recapitalizations and restructurings," said partner Jay Alicandri, co-chair of Dechert's global finance practice. "His skills will be an enormous asset for our global finance practice and his return speaks to the firm's top-tier reputation with asset managers, private equity sponsors, insurance companies and other financial institutions. We are thrilled to welcome him back to Dechert." Mr. Goldberger commented: "Not only am I ecstatic to be back alongside familiar friends and colleagues at Dechert, but I am also delighted that the firm's global platform will permit my clients to access the firm's extensive capabilities across a wide range of practice areas and industries." Mr. Goldberger is admitted in New York and awaiting admission in Pennsylvania. Dechert's global finance group provides a responsive, interdisciplinary, multi-jurisdictional team to address the complexities of modern finance transactions across categories and geographies. With more than 170 lawyers in the world's major financial centers, our internationally recognized practice provides clients with innovative deal structuring, creative financing strategies and efficient execution. Our clients receive comprehensive solutions for all of their finance needs. About Dechert Dechert is a leading global law firm with 22 offices around the world. We advise on matters and transactions of the greatest complexity, bringing energy, creativity and efficient management of legal issues to deliver commercial and practical advice for clients. SOURCE Dechert LLP At the 2022 Whisky Magazine's Icons of Whisky and World Whiskies Awards , which took place in Scotland, Dewar's was aptly named Brand Innovator of the year. This annual ceremony takes place to celebrate the best and brightest people and places in the sector not just the distilleries and the teams that work in them, but also the individuals and businesses that support and promote the category. DEWAR'S has long been a pioneer among whisky brands since its founding in 1846, fostering a unique production process and bringing people together across cultures. In addition to the brand's heritage portfolio, in more recent years, the company has released a new range of eight-year-old cask finished whiskies inclusive of DEWAR'S Ilegal Smooth, DEWAR'S Caribbean Smooth, DEWAR'S Portuguese Smooth, and DEWAR'S Japanese Smooth with more to come. This honor comes shortly after the successful showing at the 2021 International Whisky Competition (IWC), where DEWAR'S Double Double 32-Year-Old and DEWAR'S Master Blender, Stephanie Macleod both won 'Best Blended Scotch Whisky' and 'Master Blender of The Year' respectively for the third year running. Macleod made history in 2019 as the first woman to win the IWC award. DEWAR'S Double Double 32-Year-Old, known for its rich treacle notes with a silky-smooth finish, received an outstanding score of 95 from the expert panel, including whisky author Sebastien Gavillet and world-renowned mixologist Francesco Lafranconi. DEWAR'S Double Double 32-Year-Old, which is processed using a unique "four-stage aging process" and is finished in Pedro Ximenez Sherry Casks, is part of the innovative DEWAR'S Double Double range conceived by Macleod. This range launched two years ago as an ultra-premium blended scotch series. "At DEWAR'S we aim to push the boundaries of what is expected from the whisky category and have a long-standing commitment to innovation, so we are delighted with our success in these competitions. These accolades further establish the brand's commitment to premium scotch and reinforce its reputation as the most awarded blended scotch whisky in the world," says Brian Cox, Vice President, DEWAR'S Scotch Whisky, North America. Commenting on the wins, Stephanie Macleod, Master Blender for DEWAR'S added: "It is an honor to be named Master Blender of the Year in the International Whisky Competition. I accept this award on behalf of the whole team at DEWAR'S, who have shown relentless hard work and dedication, despite the challenges this past year has held. It is incredibly rewarding to see these efforts appreciated, particularly for our innovative production methods across the portfolio." ENJOY RESPONSIBLY 2021 DEWAR'S BLENDED SCOTCH WHISKY 40% ALC. BY VOL IMPORTED BY JOHN DEWAR'S & SONS COMPANY, CORAL GABLES, FL About DEWAR'S Founded in 1846 by John Dewar, DEWAR'S has grown from a small wine and spirits merchant shop in Scotland, to one of the largest Scotch whisky brands in the world. Best known for its iconic DEWAR'S WHITE LABEL, it has expanded its family to create a portfolio of premium and super premium whiskies including DEWAR'S 12-Year-Old, DEWAR'S 15-Year-Old, DEWAR'S 18-Year-Old, DEWAR'S Double Double Series, DEWAR'S Caribbean Smooth and the exclusive DEWAR'S 25. These whiskies are crafted using the DEWAR'S oak marrying ageing process, which involves returning the hand-crafted blend to vintage oak casks for further maturation. The result is a smoother taste with a long, lingering finish; a taste that wins medals and applause, making DEWAR'S the world's most awarded blended Scotch. The DEWAR'S brand is part of the portfolio of Bacardi Limited, headquartered in Hamilton, Bermuda. Bacardi Limited refers to the Bacardi group of companies, including Bacardi International Limited. About Bacardi Limited Bacardi Limited, the largest privately held spirits company in the world, produces and markets internationally recognized spirits and wines. The Bacardi brand portfolio comprises more than 200 brands and labels, including BACARDI rum, GREY GOOSE vodka, PATRON tequila, DEWAR'S Blended Scotch whisky, BOMBAY SAPPHIRE gin, MARTINI vermouth and sparkling wines, CAZADORES 100% blue agave tequila, and other leading and emerging brands including WILLIAM LAWSON'S Scotch whisky, ST-GERMAIN elderflower liqueur, and ERISTOFF vodka. Founded more than 158 years ago, in Santiago de Cuba on February 4, 1862, family-owned Bacardi currently employs nearly 7,000, operates more than 20 production facilities, including bottling, distilling and manufacturing sites in 11 countries, and sells its brands in more than 170 countries. Bacardi Limited refers to the Bacardi group of companies, including Bacardi International Limited. Visit www.bacardilimited.com or follow @BacardiLimited. Media Contacts: Zara Biggs Nike Communications [email protected] SOURCE DEWAR'S ATLANTA, Jan. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Invesco Mortgage Capital Inc. (the "Company") (NYSE: IVR) announced today that Don Liu will join its Board of Directors in mid-February. Mr. Liu serves as Executive Vice President, Chief Legal and Risk Officer and Corporate Secretary of Target Corporation. Mr. Liu will also join the Audit, Compensation, Nomination and Corporate Governance committees of the Invesco Mortgage Capital Inc. Board of Directors (the "Board"). "We are extremely pleased to have Don join our Board," said Jack Hardin, Chair of the Invesco Mortgage Capital Inc. Board of Directors. "His extensive public company and legal experience, focused on mergers and acquisitions, business development and risk management, including the development of diversity and inclusion and ESG strategies and governance protocols, will greatly benefit the Board and assist the Board's ongoing efforts to promote principles of diversity." Prior to joining Target in 2016, Mr. Liu served in diverse leadership roles working across multiple business sectors and functional areas at Xerox as Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary; Toll Brothers as Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer; IKON Office Solutions as Corporate Compliance Officer and Chair of IKON Diversity Council; and Aetna U.S. Healthcare as Deputy Chief Legal Officer. Prior to becoming in-house counsel, he served as an associate at two New York City law firms specializing in securities and mergers and acquisitions. Mr. Liu received his B.A. from Haverford College and earned his J.D. from Columbia University School of Law. About Invesco Mortgage Capital Inc. Invesco Mortgage Capital Inc. is a real estate investment trust that primarily focuses on investing in, financing and managing mortgage-backed securities and other mortgage-related assets. Invesco Mortgage Capital Inc. is externally managed and advised by Invesco Advisers, Inc., a subsidiary of Invesco Ltd. (NYSE: IVZ), a leading independent global investment management firm. Additional information is available at www.invescomortgagecapital.com. Investor Relations Contact: Jack Bateman, 404-439-3323 SOURCE Invesco Mortgage Capital Inc. ZAGREB, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- In the previous seven days, Croatia has recorded over 48,600 new COVID-19 cases, the highest weekly caseload since the outbreak of the pandemic in early 2020, Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic said at a government session here on Thursday. This is double the number two weeks ago, Plenkovic said. The country has also reported more than 13,000 COVID-19-related deaths since the pandemic began. Plenkovic urged his compatriots to get vaccinated, emphasizing that the authorities have enough vaccine doses for everyone. On Thursday, Croatia reported 9,157 new COVID-19 infections, the second highest caseload since Feb. 25, 2020, when the first COVID-19 case was identified in the country, and 23 coronavirus-related deaths. On Thursday, the cumulative number of confirmed infections stood at 794,190 and the death toll at 13,006 across the country. The low vaccination rate -- 56 percent -- has widely been blamed for the high infection rate in the country. An accomplished communications professional, Williams brings expertise in public relations, media, strategic brand positioning, thought leadership and executive visibility. Williams, who is Black and Latina, also brings a personal passion for serving youth, especially reaching communities of color, efforts she's been committed to throughout her career in both the nonprofit and agency sectors. Her diverse personal and professional experience will be a significant asset in transforming BBBSA's broader public profile, engaging influential leaders, talent, media and aligning the organization's message and position within the Big Brothers Big Sisters' network and external audiences. "I am fortunate enough to have experienced the powerful impact mentorship can have on one's life. My mentors continue to provide support, advice, and leadership that guide me today," said Dvon Williams, chief communications officer, BBBSA. "It is because of this personal experience that I am excited to join BBBSA and amplify the work being done across the country to bring life-changing mentoring opportunities to all young people." Prior to joining BBBSA, Williams spent over a decade of her career building brand awareness and affinity for some of the top national non-profit brands in the country. She previously served as Senior Director, PR and Celebrity Relations at National 4-H Council where she established a dedicated PR and influencer relations team managing media and talent relations as well as reputation management and positioning. Her leadership advanced the brand's visibility into mainstream media and expanded its network of spokespeople to include diverse and representative voices for the long-standing organization. Williams also held positions at Boys & Girls Clubs of America where she led the development and execution of BGCA's Back-to-School campaign resulting in significant media visibility and increased cause marketing efforts that continue today. Her experience with these organizations as well as with Edelman PR have won industry recognition from MarCom Awards, Public Relations Society of America and Fast Company. "I'm excited to welcome Dvon to the BBBSA family as we move into our next chapter of growth and impact. She brings a wealth of communications experience, strategic storytelling ability, and personal passion to help elevate our powerful story of youth mentorship," said Artis Stevens, president and CEO, BBBSA. "Under Dvon's leadership, we will expand our efforts to promote and advocate the impact of Big Brothers Big Sisters and mentorship nationwide." Williams will remain based in the Washington D.C. area with her husband and two children. She is an alumna of George Mason University and member of ColorComm, a business community for women of color in the communications industry. Williams also volunteers her time as a mentor providing marketing and communications expertise to Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) women-owned, small businesses in her community. About Big Brothers Big Sisters of America Founded in 1904, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America is the largest and most experienced youth mentoring organization in the United States. The mission of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America is to create and support one-to-one mentoring relationships that ignite the power and promise of youth. Big Brothers Big Sisters' evidence-based approach is designed to create positive youth outcomes, including educational success, avoidance of risky behaviors, higher aspirations, greater confidence, and improved relationships. Big Brothers Big Sisters has over 230 local agencies serving more than 5,000 communities across all 50 states. For more information, visit: www.bigbrothersbigsisters.org . SOURCE Big Brothers Big Sisters of America PITTSBURGH, Jan. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- EQT Corporation (NYSE: EQT) (the Company or EQT) today announced the early results of its previously announced tender offer (the Tender Offer) to purchase for cash up to $250.0 million aggregate principal amount (the Maximum Tender Amount) of its outstanding 3.000% Senior Notes due 2022 (the Notes). The terms and conditions of the Tender Offer are described in the Offer to Purchase dated December 29, 2021 (the Offer to Purchase) and remain unchanged. The aggregate principal amount of Notes that were validly tendered and not validly withdrawn as of 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on January 12, 2022 (the Early Tender Date) and the aggregate principal amount of Notes that the Company expects to accept for purchase on the Early Settlement Date (as defined below), as well as certain other terms of the Tender Offer, are set forth in the table below. Withdrawal rights for the Tender Offer expired at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on January 12, 2022. As a result, tendered Notes may no longer be withdrawn. Title of Notes CUSIP Number Principal Amount Outstanding Principal Amount Tendered Principal Amount Accepted Tender Offer Consideration(1)(2) Early Tender Premium(1) Total Consideration(1)(2)(3) 3.000% Senior Notes due 2022 26884LAE9 $568,823,000 $205,924,000 $205,924,000 $962.50 $50.00 $1,012.50 (1) Per $1,000 principal amount of Notes accepted for purchase. (2) Does not include accrued and unpaid interest, which will be paid in addition to the Tender Offer Consideration or the Total Consideration, as applicable. (3) Includes the Early Tender Premium. Payment for Notes accepted for purchase is expected to be made on January 14, 2022 (the Early Settlement Date). The Company's obligation to accept for payment and to pay for the Notes validly tendered in the Tender Offer is subject to the satisfaction or waiver of a number of conditions described in the Offer to Purchase. The Company reserves the right, subject to applicable law, to (i) waive any and all conditions to the Tender Offer, (ii) extend, terminate or withdraw the Tender Offer, (iii) increase or decrease the Maximum Tender Amount, or (iv) otherwise amend the Tender Offer in any respect. The Company will continue to accept Notes tendered after the Early Tender Date up to the Maximum Tender Amount. The Tender Offer will expire at 11:59 p.m., New York City time, on January 27, 2022, unless extended or earlier terminated by the Company (such date and time, as it may be extended, the Expiration Date). Holders of Notes who validly tender their Notes following the Early Tender Date and on or prior to the Expiration Date will receive $962.50 per $1,000 principal amount of any such Notes tendered by such holders that are accepted for purchase, which is equal to the Total Consideration minus the Early Tender Premium. Payments for Notes purchased will also include accrued and unpaid interest from and including the last interest payment date for the Notes up to, but not including, the applicable settlement date for such Notes accepted for purchase. The settlement date for the Notes that are tendered following the Early Tender Date but on or prior to the Expiration Date is expected to be January 31, 2022, the second business day after the Expiration Date (the Final Settlement Date). Tendered Notes may be subject to proration if the aggregate principal amount of the Notes validly tendered would cause the Maximum Tender Amount to be exceeded. TD Securities is acting as Dealer Manager for the Tender Offer. The Information Agent and Tender Agent is Global Bondholder Services Corporation. Copies of the Offer to Purchase and any related Tender Offer materials are available by contacting the Information Agent at (866) 470-3700 (toll-free) or (212) 430-3774 (collect) or email [email protected]. Questions regarding the Tender Offer should be directed to TD Securities at (866) 584-2096 (toll-free) or (212) 827-7795 (collect) or [email protected]. This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell, a solicitation to buy or an offer to purchase or sell any securities. The Tender Offer is being made only pursuant to the Offer to Purchase and only in such jurisdictions as is permitted under applicable law. Investor Contact: Andrew Breese Director, Investor Relations 412.395.2555 [email protected] About EQT Corporation EQT Corporation is a leading independent natural gas production company with operations focused in the cores of the Marcellus and Utica Shales in the Appalachian Basin. We are dedicated to responsibly developing our world-class asset base and being the operator of choice for our stakeholders. By leveraging a culture that prioritizes operational efficiency, technology and sustainability, we seek to continuously improve the way we produce environmentally responsible, reliable and low-cost energy. We have a longstanding commitment to the safety of our employees, contractors, and communities, and to the reduction of our overall environmental footprint. Our values are evident in the way we operate and in how we interact each day trust, teamwork, heart, and evolution are at the center of all we do. Cautionary Statements This news release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Statements that do not relate strictly to historical or current facts are forward-looking. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, forward-looking statements contained in this news release specifically include statements regarding the Company's plans and expected timing with respect to the Tender Offer. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from projected results. Accordingly, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements as a prediction of actual results. The Company has based these forward-looking statements on current expectations and assumptions about future events, taking into account all information currently available to it. While the Company considers these expectations and assumptions to be reasonable, they are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, regulatory and other risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict and beyond the Company's control. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, volatility of commodity prices; the costs and results of drilling and operations; access to and cost of capital; uncertainties about estimates of reserves, identification of drilling locations and the ability to add proved reserves in the future; the assumptions underlying production forecasts; the quality of technical data; the Company's ability to appropriately allocate capital and resources among its strategic opportunities; inherent hazards and risks normally incidental to drilling for, producing, transporting and storing natural gas, natural gas liquids and oil; cyber security risks; availability and cost of drilling rigs, completion services, equipment, supplies, personnel, oilfield services and water required to execute the Company's exploration and development plans; the ability to obtain environmental and other permits and the timing thereof; the potential impacts resulting from new, or changes to current, government regulations or actions, including federal or state regulations imposing a fee or tax on methane or carbon; environmental and weather risks, including the possible impacts of climate change; and disruptions to the Company's business due to acquisitions and other significant transactions. These and other risks are described under Part I, Item 1A., "Risk Factors" and elsewhere in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020. In addition, the Company may be subject to currently unforeseen risks that may have a materially adverse impact on it. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which such statement is made, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. SOURCE EQT Corporation (EQT-IR) RICHMOND, Va., Jan. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Dr. Scott S. Brabrand, Superintendent of Fairfax County Public Schools, has been named as the new Executive Director of the Virginia Association of School Superintendents (VASS) by the organization's Board of Directors. Dr. Brabrand, who manages the 12th largest school division in the United States serving approximately 180,000 students, will complete five years as Fairfax's superintendent before he begins his leadership of VASS this July. Fairfax Superintendent Named New Executive Director of Virginia Superintendents Association Dr. Brabrand rose through the ranks as a teacher, assistant principal, principal, and assistant superintendent in Fairfax before becoming the school division's superintendent. While superintendent, he has led many significant school division achievements. Among them are successfully returning 99.5% of the division's students to in-person instruction during the Pandemic, increasing the graduation from 91% to 94% from 2017-2021, and leading systemic changes in the school division in order for the division's most challenged students to succeed. Prior to his work in Fairfax, he served for five years as superintendent of Lynchburg City Schools, a division of 8,000 students in central Virginia. In Lynchburg his leadership helped increase the Standards of Learning test pass rate in math by almost 14 points and in reading by 9 points. He also improved the division's graduation rate by 11% for economically disadvantaged students. Dr. Brabrand is the Past President of VASS, a professional non-profit organization that serves the state's 133 superintendents all of whom are members. In his new capacity, he will provide leadership for the professional growth of Virginia's superintendents and promote advocacy for the improvement of the state's public schools. In the selection of Dr. Brabrand, Dr. Zebedee Talley, Jr., the current VASS President and superintendent of Martinsville City Schools, said, "We are extremely delighted to have Scott as our organization's new Executive Director." He continued, "Scott brings many great leadership talents to VASS and a strong vision for the future in which he will grow and strengthen the organization so that it better serves its members and improves public education overall in Virginia." During his acceptance of the appointment, Dr. Brabrand exclaimed that, "As a life-long Virginian and product of Virginia's32 public schools, I am honored and humbled to accept this position on behalf of all of my fellow superintendents." He continued, "The Virginia superintendents have done an outstanding job under unprecedented conditions to serve the students, parents, staff and communities of this Commonwealth." "They will continue to focus on the success of every child and ensure that Virginia remains the leader in public education in this country," he assured. Dr. Brabrand will replace Dr. Ben Kiser, the current VASS Executive Director. VASS President Zeb Talley, complimented Dr. Kiser's work during the past seven years, when he said, "Ben has elevated the organization to a new level where he has increased VASS's influence statewide and he has expanded the support that VASS provides its members, especially during the Pandemic." Contact: Ben Kiser, VASS Executive Director (804) 815-7661 Zeb Tally, VASS President (276) 732-2441 SOURCE Virginia Association of School Superintendents BOCA RATON, Fla., Jan. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- As of 2020, there were 37.7 million people globally living with HIV and 680,000 people died from AIDS-related illnesses last year. Since the start of the epidemic, more than 36.3 million people have died from AIDS-related illnesses. Although antiretroviral therapy is effective in saving AIDS patients' lives, implementing the therapy worldwide has been drastically hampered by the lack of treatment monitoring diagnostics and disease management. According to recent statistics by USAIDS, the coverage of antiretroviral therapy is still only 59 percent, despite being affordable or freely available in most countries. Moreover, worldwide, about 1 in 4 people who have contracted the virus are unaware of their HIV status. Florida Atlantic University 's College of Engineering and Computer Science , in collaboration with FAU's Schmidt College of Medicine , has received a three-year, $1.3 million grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for an automated HIV self-testing assay. Another $1.3 million will potentially be awarded after a programmatic review of the progress made in phase I. With this grant, researchers are developing an affordable, disposable self-testing HIV-1 chip that can selectively detect HIV from whole blood samples, be highly sensitive to detect HIV during the acute infection, treatment and viral rebound; be rapid within 40 minutes; highly stable without requiring refrigeration; and fully automated providing true sample-in-answer-out ability. "The greatest challenge to reducing HIV in developing countries that have limited resources is the absence of self-testing assays for viral load and the lack of trained technicians as well as modern laboratory infrastructure," said Waseem Asghar , Ph.D., principal investigator and an associate professor in FAU's Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science within the College of Engineering and Computer Science. "Currently, there is no reliable technology that can detect HIV during the early stages of the infection or measure viral rebound in antiretroviral therapy in treated patients in self-testing format." One of the fundamental challenges to reduce HIV burden and its prevalence is the absence of HIV self-testing assays that are sensitive enough to detect new HIV infections during the first two-weeks, which is the acute phase, post-infection and viral rebound in virally-suppressed patients receiving antiretroviral therapy. Current self-testing technologies only detect the host antibody response to HIV infection, which usually arises three to four weeks after the initial infection and it is not an indicator of therapy failure and viral rebound. Asghar is developing this technology with co-investigator Massimo Caputi , Ph.D., a professor of biomedical science in FAU's Schmidt College of Medicine, who has expertise in the molecular biology of HIV-1 and the mechanisms of regulating cellular and viral splicing. Caputi has made important contributions to the understanding of how cellular proteins modulate the replication of the HIV-1 genome. The new technology employs an innovative microfluidic design integrated with molecular amplification that allows HIV testing without the need for skilled technicians to operate, making it suitable for self-testing format in developing countries as well as developed countries. The researchers plan to validate the functioning microchip with blood/plasma samples from more than 200 HIV-infected subjects. "No molecular HIV self-testing technologies have yet been commercialized that are able to detect HIV during the early stages of acute infection or viral rebound in suppressed patients on antiretroviral therapy and there is an urgent need to develop reliable and affordable HIV self-testing technologies," said Stella Batalama , Ph.D., dean, College of Engineering and Computer Science. "The technology that is being developed by professors Asghar and Caputi and our colleagues will be a game changer for helping to increase access to HIV testing and for improving treatment outcomes." Collaborators of the NIH grant include the University of Virginia and University of Pennsylvania. - FAU - About FAU's College of Engineering and Computer Science: The FAU College of Engineering and Computer Science is internationally recognized for cutting edge research and education in the areas of computer science and artificial intelligence (AI), computer engineering, electrical engineering, biomedical engineering, civil, environmental and geomatics engineering, mechanical engineering, and ocean engineering. Research conducted by the faculty and their teams expose students to technology innovations that push the current state-of-the art of the disciplines. The College research efforts are supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Department of Defense (DOD), the Department of Transportation (DOT), the Department of Education (DOEd), the State of Florida, and industry. The FAU College of Engineering and Computer Science offers degrees with a modern twist that bear specializations in areas of national priority such as AI, cybersecurity, internet-of-things, transportation and supply chain management, and data science. New degree programs include Master of Science in AI (first in Florida), Master of Science and Bachelor in Data Science and Analytics, and the new Professional Master of Science and Ph.D. in computer science for working professionals. For more information about the College, please visit eng.fau.edu . About Florida Atlantic University: Florida Atlantic University, established in 1961, officially opened its doors in 1964 as the fifth public university in Florida. Today, the University serves more than 30,000 undergraduate and graduate students across six campuses located along the southeast Florida coast. In recent years, the University has doubled its research expenditures and outpaced its peers in student achievement rates. Through the coexistence of access and excellence, FAU embodies an innovative model where traditional achievement gaps vanish. FAU is designated a Hispanic-serving institution, ranked as a top public university by U.S. News & World Report and a High Research Activity institution by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. For more information, visit www.fau.edu . Provided by Newswise, online resource for knowledge-based news at www.newswise.com Media Contacts: Gisele Galoustian Senior Media Relations Director, Research and Health [email protected] Mobile: 561-985-4615 SOURCE Florida Atlantic University Receive FREE Sample Report in Minutes! 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 of the pros and cons of prevalent pricing models. 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Contacts: SpendEdge Anirban Choudhury Marketing Manager Ph No: +1 (872) 206-9340 https://www.spendedge.com/contact-us SOURCE SpendEdge DULUTH, Ga., Jan. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Formetco, an innovative out of home advertising manufacturer for half a century is transforming the industry once again by partnering with SignBird to provide brand new state-of-the-art marketing resources to every billboard customer. Formetco Partners With SignBird To Offer Its Customers A State-Of-The-Art Marketing Resource SignBird produces breathtaking and eye-catching drone photography and videography, approach footage, and ride sheets to help billboard operators showcase their inventory to prospective ad buyers. Its production team travels to the operator's market to capture the strengths of their billboard location, producing a wide variety of photos and videos from the perspective of a vehicle and aerial drone. The proprietary creative materials are then used as a sales tool to effectively attract the interest of prospective advertisers and increase the bottom line for operators. "We can manufacture the highest quality LED billboard with all the bells and whistles, but if the operator can't make money selling ad space, it doesn't matter," says Daniel Hooper, Formetco Marketing Director. As part of the company's mission to provide the highest level of customer service, Formetco had been tinkering with the idea of shooting their own videos of newly installed boards on behalf of clients. "When we saw the outstanding work SignBird was doing for their own billboard customers, I knew we should be offering their services," Hooper adds. Effective immediately, every billboard purchase from Formetco will come with a SignBird Marketing Package to help the operator market their investment in dynamic and dramatic fashion. "We're not just installing digital billboards and walking away," says Britt McConnell, Formetco's Director of Digital Sales. "We're in constant pursuit of resources to help Formetco sign operators standout above and beyond their competition. Our exclusive partnership with Signbird is a prime example of our commitment to helping operators maximize the potential of their inventory." SignBird was founded by John James, a former billboard company account executive who saw the need to take the burden of marketing off the shoulders of billboard operators. Today, James' Tuscaloosa based SignBird boasts a long list of satisfied and successful customers. "Joining Formetco is a natural fit for us," says James. "We serve the same industry and have the same goals, just in a different way." says James. Visit Formetco Digital to learn more about Formetco's billboard products and our new partnership with SignBird. About Formetco, Inc. Since 1968, Formetco has researched, designed and developed thousands of innovative out-of-home products including cutting-edge digital displays, billboard hardware and safety equipment. Headquartered in Atlanta and owned by the same family since its founding, Formetco is proud to be the only supplier and manufacturer to have served the outdoor advertising industry for over 50 years. Press Contact: Daniel Hooper, 678-313-8019, https://www.formetco.com/ SOURCE Formetco, Inc. TUCKER, Ga., Jan. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Green Power EMC, the renewable energy supplier for 38 Georgia Electric Membership Corporations (EMCs), and Silicon Ranch, one of the nation's largest independent solar power producers, today announced an agreement to bring an additional 252 megawatts (MW AC ) of solar energy online to serve 16 subscribing cooperatives from across Georgia. The total capacity will be generated across three locations in southern Georgia and will produce enough low-cost, renewable power to help serve more than 44,000 EMC households annually. Silicon Ranch is funding the three utility-scale solar facilities and plans to build them in stages over the next three years. The company will also own, operate, and maintain the arrays for the long-term, a disciplined approach Silicon Ranch takes with every project it develops. Green Power EMC will purchase all the energy and environmental attributes generated by the facilities on behalf of its member cooperatives. This unique procurement model allows participating cooperatives to capture value through economies of scale and source low-cost renewable power to benefit the members and communities they serve. The first site, Snipesville III, will be a 107 MW AC solar facility located in Jeff Davis County. Construction is expected to commence later this year, and the facility is scheduled to be operational by mid-2023. The site will be in close proximity to two other cooperative solar projects. Nearby, Silicon Ranch and Green Power EMC commissioned Snipesville I (86 MW AC ) in December 2020. Silicon Ranch completed construction of Snipesville II (107 MW AC ) in December 2021 to provide power to one of Green Power EMC's member cooperatives, Walton EMC, as part of the utility's agreement to supply renewable energy to Meta's data center in Newton County. The second site in the portfolio, DeSoto II, will be a 65 MW AC solar facility located in Lee County. Silicon Ranch expects to begin construction in late 2022 and plans to bring the facility online by late 2023. The facility will be built next to DeSoto I, where construction is already underway and, like Snipesville II, the DeSoto I facility will serve Walton EMC to support Meta's Georgia operations. Governor Brian P. Kemp joined officials from Silicon Ranch, Green Power EMC, Walton EMC, and Lee County for a ceremonial groundbreaking at the project site in October 2021. The third site, Ailey, will be an 80 MW AC solar facility located in Montgomery County. Silicon Ranch plans to construct the project in 2024 and projects the facility to be online late that year. "Over the past eight years, Silicon Ranch has been proud to work shoulder to shoulder with Green Power EMC and the Georgia cooperatives to deploy more than one gigawatt of solar power and invest more than $1 billion across the state of Georgia," said Silicon Ranch Co-Founder and CEO Reagan Farr. "Over the past year, Silicon Ranch employed more than 1,000 Georgians to help us construct solar facilities across the state, and thanks to the leadership of Green Power EMC and Georgia's electric cooperatives, we will hire 1,000 more to help drive meaningful economic impacts in the communities where we locate." Silicon Ranch has committed to make significant capital investments and hire local craft workers in Jeff Davis, Lee, and Montgomery Counties to construct the projects over the next three years. Once the projects are operational, they will generate millions of dollars in new tax revenues to support the local economies, governments, and school systems of these rural communities for decades to come. Each of the projects will integrate Silicon Ranch's Regenerative Energy model, a holistic approach to design, construction, and operations that co-locates solar energy production with regenerative agriculture practices. Once each project is operational, Silicon Ranch will restore its land to a functioning grassland ecosystem, while keeping the site in agricultural production through managed sheep grazing using regenerative pastureland management practices. The innovative approach to land management delivers valuable environmental, social, and economic outcomes above and beyond the significant positive impacts a solar facility alone can produce, creating additional value for the surrounding communities and project stakeholders. "Georgia's cooperatives continue to grow their renewable energy portfolio with collaborative, low-cost solar power projects that deliver value to their members and the rural communities they locate in, not only through the clean energy they provide, but also through the manner in which it is generated," said Green Power EMC President Jeff Pratt. "By combining renewable energy generation with regenerative agriculture practices, this innovative solar portfolio with Silicon Ranch will benefit the people, land, environment, and local economies in Jeff Davis, Lee, and Montgomery Counties." The 252 MW AC portfolio further expands the industry-leading partnership between Silicon Ranch and Green Power EMC. Silicon Ranch pioneered utility-scale solar in Georgia and remains a market leader, with nearly two gigawatts across the state. Georgia's cooperatives lead the nation among electric co-ops for solar deployment, and in the past six years have grown their solar portfolio by 8,000 percent. About Green Power EMC Green Power EMC is a not-for-profit cooperative founded in 2001 to support 38 of Georgia's electric cooperatives in their search for renewable resources. The primary efforts of Green Power EMC have been to find, screen, analyze, and negotiate power purchase agreements with Georgia-based renewable resource providers. In addition to sourcing renewable energy, Green Power EMC provides education programs that help member-consumers learn both the challenges and opportunities of utilizing renewable energy. For more information, visit greenpoweremc.com or follow Green Power EMC on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn. About Silicon Ranch Corporation Silicon Ranch is one of the largest independent solar power producers in the country, with nearly 150 operating facilities across more than 15 states coast to coast. Silicon Ranch owns and operates every project in its portfolio and has maintained an unblemished track record of project execution, having successfully commissioned every project it has contracted in its history. In recognition of its holistic approach to land management, which the company has trademarked Regenerative Energy, Silicon Ranch was named 2020's "Most Forward-Thinking" company by Solar Power World. Silicon Ranch pioneered utility-scale solar in Georgia and remains a market leader, with nearly 2 Gigawatts across the state. To learn more, visit siliconranch.com and regenerativeenergy.org and follow on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn. Media Contacts: Blair Romero, Green Power EMC, [email protected], 770-270-7290 Rob Hamilton, Silicon Ranch, [email protected], 615-838-4438 SOURCE Silicon Ranch Corporation With a focus on helping enterprises solve complex challenges, Alvin will spearhead efforts to develop and customize integrated digital solutions that take advantage of HGC Group infrastructure and services and relevant digital technologies, including cloud, cyber security and software defined networking solutions. Alvin is a 30-year veteran of the information and communications technology (ICT) and telecommunications industries. He has served as Commercial Director of HGC Group's Macroview Telecom, one of the largest Hong Kong-headquartered digital technology solution and managed service providers, since 2020. As such, he has been instrumental in the development of the firm's Managed Security Platform and market-leading one-stop solutions for managed cloud services. His new role will see him head up HGC Group's Solutions Development and Solution Consulting functions while continuing to lead the Group's ICT Solutions Pre-sales, ICT Partner Alliance and Business Development teams, as well as the Customized Solution Unit (CSU) and Logistics & Sales Support team. Andrew Kwok, Chief Executive Officer of HGC Group, said, "Alvin's appointment reflects the importance that HGC Group places on understanding our corporate customers and meeting their current and future needs with full-fledged telecom and ICT solutions. His rich experience in business consultancy and product development bodes well for enterprises seeking to harness digital transformation for improved competitiveness and success." Alvin Wong, Executive Vice President of Solutions and Product Development at HGC Group, said, "I am honoured to be invited to expand my contribution to HGC Group and our enterprise customers in this new role. All enterprises today face a fast-changing business environment. There has never been a better time for business leaders to steer their companies towards digital integration with the support of a partner, like HGC Group, that combines innovation, experience and business acumen to deliver real value. I am excited to share the excitement and success with our customers and partners at every stage of their transformation journey." About HGC Global Communications Limited HGC Global Communications Limited (HGC) is a leading Hong Kong and international telecom operator and ICT solution provider. The company owns an extensive network and infrastructure in Hong Kong and overseas and provides various kinds of services. HGC has 23 overseas offices, with business over 5 continents. It provides telecom infrastructure service to other operators and serves as a service provider to corporate and households. The company provides full-fledged telecom, data centre services, ICT solutions and broadband services for local, overseas, corporate and mass markets. HGC owns and operates an extensive fibre-optic network, five cross-border telecom routes integrated into tier-one telecom operators in mainland China and connects with hundreds of world-class international telecom operators. HGC is one of Hong Kong's largest Wi-Fi service providers, running over 29,000 Wi-Fi hotspots in Hong Kong. The company is committed to further investing and enriching its current infrastructure and, in parallel, adding on top the latest technologies and developing its infrastructure services and solutions. HGC is a portfolio company of I Squared Capital, an independent global infrastructure investment manager focusing on energy, utilities and transport in North America, Europe and selected fast-growing economies. To learn more, please visit HGC's website at: www.hgc.com.hk SOURCE HGC Global Communications Limited (HGC) BETHESDA, Md., Jan. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Hull Street Energy (HSE) has made a substantial capital commitment to SunGrid Solutions (SunGrid), a leading Battery Energy Storage Solution (BESS) services company. The investment marks the beginning of a partnership between HSE and SunGrid led by its Chief Executive Officer, Jeremy Goertz, Chief Revenue Officer, Stefan Goertz and Executive Vice President, Jake Wang. Energy storage will be a critical component of the modern, decarbonized electric resource mix, and represents a growing, multi-billion dollar market. SunGrid has built an attractive business providing a variety of services for power generation-to-battery, microgrid, stand-alone energy storage, distribution system support and renewable generation coupling applications. Through its partnership with HSE, it expects to expand its Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) footprint and proprietary SunGrid PowerPlay and SimpleOS technology solutions. SunGrid has deep industry expertise, an extensive execution track record and a significant pipeline, most recently having deployed more than 500 MWh of battery storage throughout the United States and Canada. "We are excited about the growth platform we've created and HSE's commitment to our growing services business. This is a critical step to establishing SunGrid as a premier Battery Energy Storage Solution company in the industry. The investment will enable growth for all of our partners today and into the future" said Jeremy Goertz, CEO. "In the face of continued growth of the intermittent renewable fleet and declining fossil-fuel fired generation throughout the 21st century, we believe that the modern grid will require vast quantities and many different types of new energy storage installations to achieve regional reliability goals," said Dr. Michael Booth, a Partner at HSE. "SunGrid's versatile and panoramic understanding of the storage sector will make it an important player in the industry of the future." Javelin Capital acted as financial advisor and The Law Office of Jon Staley, as well as Margie Strub Construction Law LLP and Renno & Co. Inc. acted as legal counsel to SunGrid. Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP and Goodmans LLP acted as legal counsel to Hull Street Energy. About SunGrid SunGrid has US headquarters in Houston, Texas, with global headquarters in Canada, and uses its strong execution focused team to deliver excellent partnerships across the North American Energy Storage sector. The company is focused on the BESS industry and brings its engineering-first delivery strategy to Turnkey and Balance of Plant EPC, and Integrated BESS enclosure systems, including its PowerPlay and SimpleOS platform. Having in-house engineering capabilities throughout North America allows SunGrid to take on projects from 250kWh to 1GWh. By focusing on strong Engineering as part of EPC and turnkey project delivery, SunGrid is a projects first company. For further information about SunGrid please see www.sungridsolutions.com. About Hull Street Energy, LLC Hull Street Energy is a private equity firm that specializes in deploying capital into the power sector as it decarbonizes. Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, the team leverages its decades of experience and unique knowledge of North American electricity infrastructure, fundamentals and grid operations, including fuel inputs, commodity contract structuring, renewable and fossil powered generation assets, energy storage, transmission and distribution systems, and electricity demand-side businesses to build value for stakeholders. For further information about Hull Street Energy please see www.hullstreetenergy.com. Media Contact: [email protected] [email protected] SOURCE Hull Street Energy WARWICK, R.I., Jan. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The first COVID-19 case was diagnosed in the United States on January 20, 2020. Since then, there have been many changes to the way we live our lives, do business, and travel. As the pandemic enters its third year, InsureMyTrip looks back at how travelers and the US travel insurance industry may have adapted over the past two years. Summary: Travelers are more apt to buy travel insurance as the pandemic continues to impact travel worldwide, this includes younger travelers Providers have adapted policies to cover COVID-19 as any other unforeseen illness Travel insurance requirements issued by countries, tour companies, and cruise lines have become more prevalent How Travelers Adapted to COVID-19 Pandemic According to data from InsureMyTrip, the number of travel insurance policies sold spiked in January and February 2020. But then, the travel industry took a major hit as parts of the world went into full or partial lockdown for much of 2020. Fast forward to 2021-2022, the number of travel insurance policies purchased begins to steadily increase, as more people get vaccinated, and countries reopen to tourists. Today, travel insurance demand continues to rise. Prior to pandemic: Cancel For Any Reason and quarantine coverage not widely known Travel insurance was rarely required to visit a country Most travel insurance policyholders were over 35 years old Today: Searches for "Pandemic travel insurance" and "Cancel For Any Reason" are most popular Younger travelers (18-24) are now more apt to buy travel insurance MORE: InsureMyTrip Issues Statement Regarding Omicron How Travel Insurance Adapted to COVID-19 Pandemic The travel insurance industry has adjusted policies over the past two years to provide more coverage options to travelers during the pandemic. "We've seen companies really look at what would be covered, as well as what wouldn't be, and update their definitions accordingly," says Meghan Walch, Product Manager for InsureMyTrip. Prior to pandemic: Travel insurance policies were designed to cover common issues that travelers faced, not global pandemics Policies did not have a clear definition of what constitutes as a covered quarantine Today: Travel insurance companies continue to address the dynamic situation and update policy language to expand or clarify coverage Trip cancellation coverage can cover diagnosed COVID-19 illness before traveling, including all variants* May cover emergency medical care if you become ill with COVID-19 while traveling, including all variants Travel delay benefits may help with the cost of additional accommodations if quarantined at your destination ** MORE: COVID-19 & Travel Insurance Information Hub How InsureMyTrip Adapted to COVID-19 Pandemic As travel insurance companies adapt, InsureMyTrip continues to offer more ways for travelers to find the coverage that can help to reimburse money lost due to covered pandemic-related issues. Prior to pandemic: No references to COVID-19 Policy benefits did not reflect the need for extended quarantines No widespread, prolonged pandemic to have set precedence prior to COVID-19 Today: COVID-19 filter added to quote-results page on InsureMyTrip.com Cancel For Any Reason Eligibility tool Visa Requirement and Travel Restriction tool MORE: Cancel for Any Reason Travel Insurance Advice for Purchasing Coverage During the Pandemic Purchase early, before an issue/illness becomes known, to get the most coverage options available Read the policy carefully and ask questions Consider Cancel For Any Reason, if eligible Know what coverage may be required by your travel provider or the country you are visiting "Travelers can find coverage for unforeseen COVID-19 related issues as travel insurance companies adapt their current coverage. It is important to read the details of a policy and ask questions if something isn't clear," says Walch. Media Contact: Meghan Kayata [email protected] *An illness must be unforeseen prior to purchase **Self-quarantine and government/border closures to stop the spread of Covid-19, are not considered covered quarantine. About InsureMyTrip It's simple. InsureMyTrip finds you the right travel insurance plan, every time. InsureMyTrip is the authority on travel insurance. We are committed to empowering travelers to make the best possible insurance decisions by leveraging our technology, data intelligence, and expertise. SOURCE InsureMyTrip BEIJING, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice Premier Liu He on Thursday held a virtual meeting with Emmanuel Bonne, diplomatic counselor to French President Emmanuel Macron. Liu and Bonne exchanged views on China-France and China-EU economic and financial cooperation, the global response to COVID-19, G20 financial issues, and climate change. Liu said China attaches great importance to the development of the bilateral relations, and is willing to work with France to implement the consensus reached by the two heads of state and continuously push forward pragmatic cooperation. Bonne said France is committed to realizing the cooperation goals set by the two heads of state and actively promoting the development of EU-China relations. They agreed to maintain communication on bilateral and multilateral issues of common interest. OAKLAND, Calif., Jan. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Graphite Health, a member-led company intent on transforming digital health care to improve patient outcomes and lower costs, announced today that Kaiser Permanente is now an organizing member. Kaiser Permanente is the fourth organizing member of Graphite Health, joining SSM Health, Presbyterian Healthcare Services, and Intermountain Healthcare. "Kaiser Permanente is committed to improving health care in the U.S., and our decision to join Graphite Health reflects another step we're taking to further that mission," said Greg A. Adams, Kaiser Permanente chair and CEO. "Graphite Health is tackling some of the most pressing issues in health care today, making it easier to adopt digital health tools with a focus on trust and transparency. By joining Graphite Health now, we are excited to help shape the future of digital health transformation, and to improve patient and member experience at Kaiser Permanente and beyond." Graphite Health operates as a non-profit company with a governance structure that prioritizes purpose over profit. Graphite Health's board, composed of executives from the organizing health system members, serves the common interests of members and provides oversight. Health system members have a voice in the company's direction and receive technology solutions designed for and by them along with the resources required to onboard and adopt these new capabilities. As part of joining the organization as a member, Prat Vemana, Kaiser Permanente's senior vice president and chief digital officer, will join the board of Graphite Health. "We know that by working together to address interoperability at scale, we can create more convenience, better quality care, and lower costs. That's why we are thrilled to add Kaiser Permanente to Graphite Health's growing list of member systems," said Ries Robinson, MD, CEO of Graphite Health. "As Kaiser Permanente is nationally known for their innovative approach, we look forward to working closely with them to digitally transform and improve health care, and ultimately, to help patients and members across the country live better, healthier lives." Modeled on Civica Rx, a health utility company, Graphite Health is creating a standardized, interoperable data platform that enables a secure and open marketplace to streamline the distribution of digital health solutions for both health systems and entrepreneurs. Fundamental to Graphite Health's vision is the Digital Hippocratic Oath, which serves as the ethical compass that guides all operations, including their approach to data sharing, integration, and technical processes. Graphite Health anticipates bringing additional healthcare systems and philanthropies into its coalition in the coming months, as well as partnering with leading technology innovators and growing its dynamic team. About Graphite Health Graphite Health is a member-led company intent on transforming digital health care to improve patient outcomes and lower costs. By making data interoperability easy and affordable, Graphite Health facilitates the rapid adoption of digital health solutions and uses that platform structure to run a secure and open digital app marketplace. This will bring significant efficiencies to health systems' operations, create a more modern and convenient patient experience that promotes better care, and make it easier for digital health entrepreneurs to implement their solutions at scale. Graphite Health is guided by the Digital Hippocratic Oath, which puts the privacy and trust of patients and providers first. Graphite's founding members include: Intermountain Healthcare, Presbyterian Healthcare Services, and SSM Health. For more information, visit us at: graphitehealth.io. About Kaiser Permanente Kaiser Permanente is committed to helping shape the future of health care. We are recognized as one of America's leading health care providers and not-for-profit health plans. Founded in 1945, Kaiser Permanente has a mission to provide high-quality, affordable health care services and to improve the health of our members and the communities we serve. We currently serve approximately 12.5 million members in 8 states and the District of Columbia. Care for members and patients is focused on their total health and guided by their personal Permanente Medical Group physicians, specialists, and team of caregivers. Our expert and caring medical teams are empowered and supported by industry-leading technology advances and tools for health promotion, disease prevention, state-of-the-art care delivery, and world-class chronic disease management. Kaiser Permanente is dedicated to care innovations, clinical research, health education, and the support of community health. For more information, go to about.kp.org For more information, contact: [email protected] [email protected] SOURCE Kaiser Permanente Liquid Meta focuses on providing liquidity to some of the most exciting Decentralized Applications and Exchanges in DeFi Partnership with XLD marks entry into emerging GameFi crypto category Liquid Meta is building proprietary software and tools to access, automate and unlock the tremendous growth within DeFi TORONTO, Jan. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - Liquid Meta Capital Holdings Ltd. (NEO: LIQD) ("Liquid Meta" or the "Company"), a decentralized finance infrastructure and technology company, today announced a partnership with XLD finance to provide liquidity to XLD's stablecoin-based ecosystem. "I am very pleased to announce our partnership with XLD Finance. This partnership marks our entry into the rapidly growing GameFi space, an area which we believe is extremely attractive," said Jonathan Wiesblatt, CEO. XLD's ecosystem project, xSpend, allows users to immediately use their GameFi tokens or stablecoins earned from play-to-earn games to pay for necessities and utilities. Additionally, XLD enables play to earn users in emerging markets like the Philippines to quickly convert their cryptocurrency rewards in games like Axie Infinity into fiat currency that they can spend on their day-to-day needs. "We believe Liquid Meta can provide substantial liquidity and infrastructure in this emerging crypto category. Liquid Meta will be deploying a portion of the proceeds raised from our RTO to provide liquidity to XLD's DeFi ecosystem projects, which allow users to spend their crypto in real life (i.e. to pay electricity bills, airline tickets, retail, etc.) and direct-to-cash offramp. This partnership is one of the first steps to scaling our liquidity mining operation while allowing our model to generate incremental cash flow for the development of tools and software products," added Mr. Wiesblatt. "Partnering with Liquid Meta, the first publicly traded, pure-play liquidity mining operation in the world was an easy decision for XLD. Having Liquid Meta's support will be key for us as we scale crypto-based financial services to the unbanked and underserved to Southeast Asia and Latin America," said Ian Estrada, Co-Founder & CEO of XLD Finance. "Furthermore, our model is highly dependent on capital liquidity on the fiat and cryptocurrency side to make sure that our customers get the best rates when converting their play to earn rewards. This partnership with Liquid Meta ensures that we are able to deliver this to our users," added Mr. Estrada. About Liquid Meta Liquid Meta is a decentralized finance infrastructure and technology company that is powering the next generation of open-access protocols and applications. The Company is creating the bridge between traditional and decentralized finance while ushering in a new era of financial infrastructure that benefits anyone, anywhere. To learn more visit: Website | LinkedIn | Twitter About XLD Finance XLD Finance is a stablecoin-based ecosystem driving financial inclusion through real-world financial services. XLD's roadmap includes the development of both Web 2.0 and Web 3.0 projects such as its own stablecoin, a DeFi wallet, early wage access, and a simplified crypto onramp & offramp platform for crypto natives and the financially underserved. Website | Discord | Twitter | Telegram | Medium | LinkedIn Cautionary Notice Neo Exchange has not reviewed or approved this press release for the adequacy or accuracy of its contents. Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Information: 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" 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. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Liquid Meta to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements are described under the caption "Risks and Uncertainties" in the Company's Filing Statement dated as of December 17, 2021 which is available for view on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Forward-looking statements contained herein are made as of the date of this press release and Liquid Meta disclaims, other than as required by law, any obligation to update any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, results, future events, circumstances, or if management's estimates or opinions should change, or otherwise. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, the reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Liquid Meta's operations could be significantly adversely affected by the effects of a widespread global outbreak of a contagious disease, including the recent outbreak of illness caused by COVID-19. It is not possible to accurately predict the impact COVID-19 will have on operations and the ability of others to meet their obligations, including uncertainties relating to the ultimate geographic spread of the virus, the severity of the disease, the duration of the outbreak, and the length of travel and quarantine restrictions imposed by governments of affected countries. In addition, a significant outbreak of contagious diseases in the human population could result in a widespread health crisis that could adversely affect the economies and financial markets of many countries, resulting in an economic downturn that could further affect operations and the ability to finance its operations. SOURCE Liquid Meta Capital Holdings Ltd DENVER, Jan. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Marigny Investments, a Denver-based private equity firm, announced today that it has made a majority investment in The Gauge House, a value-added distributor of measurement and instrumentation equipment. The Gauge House, based in Lafayette, Louisiana, distributes gauges, valves, regulators, tubing, and fittings. Ryan Elwell, who acquired the company in 2000, will continue to lead The Gauge House. Ryan Elwell, President of The Gauge House, said, "We are very excited about partnering with Josh and Marigny Investments. With Marigny's business knowledge and our team's industry expertise, we have the energy and resources to bring The Gauge House into a successful future." Josh Sartisky, Partner and founder of Marigny Investments, said, "Ryan and his team have built an amazing business with a culture built around servicing the customer. The Gauge House's strong product line of branded gauges, valves and fittings offers solutions for customers of all industries. I am excited to partner with The Gauge House and continue to build upon its success together." UMB Bank provided debt financing and Nelson Mullins served as legal counsel for Marigny Investments. Evangeline Securities served as financial advisor and Babineaux Poche Anthony & Slavich served as legal counsel for The Gauge House. About The Gauge House The Gauge House, with locations in Lafayette, LA and Houma, LA, is a value-added distributor of measurement and instrumentation equipment. The company supplies leading brands of pressure and temperature gauges, fittings, valves, tubing and associated products and services such as assembly, calibration, certification and testing. The Gauge House has a 35-year history of supporting customers throughout the United States and internationally. For more information visit www.gaugehouse.com. About Marigny Investments Marigny Investments is a Denver-based private equity firm that looks to partner with entrepreneurs seeking to transition their business into the next stage of growth. Marigny Investments targets overlooked opportunities in the B2B Services and Light Manufacturing sectors that have a demonstrated value proposition and recurring revenue. For more information visit www.marignyinvestments.com. For parties interested in exploring a partnership with The Gauge House please email Josh Sartisky ([email protected]). Media Contact: Chris Tofalli Chris Tofalli Public Relations, LLC 914-834-4334 SOURCE Marigny Investments SOUTHFIELD, Mich., Jan. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Michigan Council of Women in Technology Foundation has named Rajani Sinha , Office of CIO - ICT & Delivery, Stellantis North America, its president for 2022. Sinha replaces Jennifer Charters , executive vice president and CIO of Flagstar Bank, who led the organization throughout 2021. Jill Maiorano , managing director of healthcare at Microsoft, will assume the role of vice president. Under Charters' leadership, MCWT experienced its biggest year to date for revenue generation that drives its programming. The organization added 45 new partners for a total of 122 companies supporting MCWT's vision to make Michigan the No. 1 state for women in technology. Throughout 2021, the nonprofit encouraged students in their technology journey and supported the advancement of more women in technology fields through scholarships , expansion of GET-IT clubs , and the development of leadership clinics for women seeking positions in the C-suite. Sinha, a long-time MCWT volunteer with 20 years of IT experience, will continue to build on the momentum, supporting MCWT's 1,245 members and collaborating with partners to continue inspiring and growing girls and women in technology throughout the state. "This pandemic has disproportionately impacted women who have had to drop out of the workforce due to childcare and other challenges while the demand for tech talent has increased several fold," said Sinha. "We in MCWT would like to ramp up our partnership with state, corporate and community leaders to build an ecosystem where we provide training and tech opportunities for girls and women to thrive in this field. I look forward to using this platform to inspire women of all ages to pursue STEM careers and be champions for others in their communities." Maiorano also is an active MCWT member who has held many MCWT leadership roles over the last 20 years. "It has been amazing to see the organization evolve, grow and drive tremendous impact thanks to the commitment of our partners, volunteers, staff, executive board and advisory board," said Maiorano. Sinha and Maiorano will serve a one-year term alongside the MCWT board of directors . Chris Rydzewski continues as executive director. The Michigan Council of Women in Technology Foundation delivers programming, scholarships, networking, learning, mentoring, and technology experiences. Find more information at mcwt.org and connect via LinkedIn and Facebook . Editor's note: Headshots of Sinha, Maiorano and Rydzewski can be found at mcwt.org. SOURCE Michigan Council of Women in Technology Foundation CHESHIRE, Conn., Jan. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Medacist, the industry leader in drug diversion technology solutions, today announced the expansion of their relationship to provide RxAuditor Investigate to Houston Methodist, a leading hospital system comprised of an academic medical center in the Texas Medical Center and seven community hospitals serving the Greater Houston area. The multi-year deal is an extension of Houston Methodist's early adoption of Medacist's legacy application, RxAuditor OnDemand. The easy-to-use, web-enabled, drug analytics system provides the organization timely data to deliver increased clinical, economic and operational value. The Medacist Application Development Team worked diligently with Houston Methodist to customize its implementation, incorporating new features and updates that are unique to their clinical environment and workflows. Meeting on a biweekly basis, the team addressed the hospital's need for proactive detection of diversion and ensuring that medication units of measure within the facility were reflected in the software. "This platform met our standards on security infrastructure, an easy to use interface and diversion tracking capabilities," said Dr. Ghalib Abbasi, PharmD, MS, MBA, System Director of Pharmacy Informatics at Houston Methodist. "Drug diversion is always a high priority and hot topic for all medical facilities. This technology provides us the data we need to raise the flag early on potential diversion activity and build greater accountability into our health system." Houston Methodist has seen a great improvement within their nursing communications as a result of implementing RxAuditor Investigate. By leveraging RxAuditor Investigate, the nursing staff can share direct updates within the system, streamlining complex processes and ensuring all components of the case are visible. "We are excited to expand our relationship with Houston Methodist at this important time for all healthcare organizations," said David J. Brzozowski Sr., President & CEO, Medacist. "While drug diversion is a continual concern within all healthcare facilities, the safety of patients comes first. We look forward to continued collaboration to support our healthcare professionals to do their jobs during this critical time." Unlike other industry vendors, Medacist's sole focus is on drug diversion monitoring technology, leveraging the firm's 23 years of industry-specific data and superior customer service. As the holder of the only U.S. patent for drug diversion solutions, Medacist's RxAuditor Investigate, continues to be adopted within healthcare facilities at a significant rate, with more than 200 hospitals implementing its technology over the past 23 months since commercial release. For more information on RxAuditor Investigate and Medacist, please visit our website at https://www.medacist.com/ About Medacist Headquartered in Cheshire, CT, Medacist is a leading innovator in drug diversion analytics. With the only U.S. patent in this discipline, the company applies artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning and data analytics to clients' data in order to pinpoint unusual patterns throughout the lifecycle of drugsfrom procurement, to storage and management in a clinical pharmacy, to prescription and dispensation by doctors and nurses, to administration to the patient. Using Medacist's suite of analytic services, built on Genesis healthcare data platform, healthcare providers can identify possible abuse patterns for further investigation and action. SOURCE Medacist STOCKHOLM, Jan. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Medius, a leading provider of accounts payable automation solutions, announces the appointment of Jeff Swan as its Global Chief Revenue Officer. Swan, a former Oracle NetSuite VP and 20-year SaaS sales veteran, is the latest in a string of senior leadership hires - including CEO Jim Lucier, appointed in September, new CSO Branden Jenkins and CMO Kim Albrecht - charged with spearheading the next phase of the company's growth. Swan joins Medius from Oracle NetSuite where he spent 17 years in senior leadership, sales and account management roles, rising to Area Vice President for Product-based Industries in November 2018. Prior to that he led business development in Europe for AboveNet Communications. His expertise includes strategic account planning, sales management, client development, channel and direct sales and product and technology positioning. In his new role, Swan will be responsible for Medius's commercial strategy, sales and revenue operations reporting into CEO Jim Lucier. Based in the San Francisco Bay area, Swan will lead a global sales team of 120 employees and will be supported by regional leads Martin Billenius, newly appointed Chief Revenue Officer for EMEA & Asia, and Mike Ventrella, President of North America Sales. Jim Lucier, CEO of Medius, comments: "As well as reinforcing its leadership position in AP automation, Medius has built significant momentum in the wider spend management category in recent years powered by product innovation and strategic acquisitions. Jeff's breadth of expertise across business accounting, ERP, CRM and e-commerce will be critical as we expand Medius's enhanced service offering across our growing customer base." "The market for Medius's products and services is growing as pressure on companies to gain better visibility of and control over all aspects of spend intensifies", comments Swan. "The vision that Jim, the management team and the board have for the future of the company has the potential to transform the sector and I am looking forward to being part of the leadership group that executes against it." In addition to expanding its share of the accounts payable automation category through its source-to-pay (S2P) software suite, Medius is also eyeing further international expansion with a specific focus on North America. Lucier concludes: "Swan's deep understanding of the US market and strong network in the West Coast tech sector will be a major asset as we pursue an aggressive growth strategy here in North America." CONTACT: For more information, please contact: Dan Bird, Fight or Flight for Medius [email protected] +44 7885 670798 / [email protected] +44 330 133 0985 This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com https://news.cision.com/medius/r/medius-appoints-jeff-swan-as-global-chief-revenue-officer,c3485331 SOURCE Medius ANN ARBOR, Mich., Jan. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Stephen M. Ross School of Business has recently announced the 2022 recipients of its Honorary Paton Fellow Award: Karen Bird and James Leisenring. Bird and Leisenring will be recognized during the Paton Fellow Induction Ceremony on Thursday, March 24, 2022. Founded in 2016, the Honorary Paton Fellow Award recognizes individuals each year who have made significant contributions to the accounting industry. A track record of community or professional service and a positive impact on Michigan Ross accounting education is common among Honorary Fellows. Honorary Fellows are recognized alongside Paton Fellows, high-achieving undergraduate juniors and seniors pursuing an accounting-related career. Karen Bird Bird earned her undergraduate degree from Lake Superior State University and her MBA from Michigan Ross. Following her education, Bird combined her passion for both accounting and teaching, starting her 30-year career as a lecturer at Michigan Ross. She focused on teaching undergraduate financial and managerial accounting courses for many years, and co-authored a textbook specifically designed for Ross BBA students titled Financial Accounting. In later years, Bird served as the associate director of instructional development, a program for Michigan Ross doctoral students that provides support and resources to develop teaching and research skills. She also served on the BBA Curriculum Review Committee to help the top-ranked BBA curriculum. During her time at Michigan Ross, Bird had a meaningful impact on the lives of countless students, many of whom decided to pursue accounting after their experience in her courses. James Leisenring Leisenring earned his undergraduate degree from Albion College and his MBA from Western Michigan University. He joined the staff of the Financial Accounting Standards Board in 1982 as a director of research and technical activities. In the years following, he was appointed as a member of the FASB before being appointed as the vice chairman. He also served as the chairman of the Auditing Standards Board of the American Institute of CPAs, and was appointed a member of the International Accounting Standards Board. In 2003, he was inducted into the Accounting Hall of Fame and was given AICPA's Gold Medal Award of Distinction in 2019. Leisenring has profoundly impacted the lives of many students and colleagues by sharing his knowledge and passion for accounting. He is often referred to as a giant in the world of accounting, and he continues to contribute to the profession through a senior advisor role with the FASB and his extensive work on the Conceptual Framework . About Michigan Ross The Stephen M. Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan is a diverse learning community grounded in the principle that business can be an extraordinary vehicle for positive change in today's dynamic global economy. The Ross School of Business mission is to build a better world through business. Through thought and action, members of the Ross community drive change and innovation that improves business and society. Michigan Ross is consistently ranked among the world's leading business schools. Academic degree programs include the Bachelor of Business Administration, Full-Time MBA, Part-Time MBA (Online and Weekend formats), Executive MBA, Global MBA, Master of Accounting, Master of Business Analytics, Master of Management, Master of Supply Chain Management, and PhD. In addition, the school delivers open enrollment and custom executive education programs targeting general management, leadership development, and strategic human resource management. For more information, visit MichiganRoss.umich.edu. SOURCE Stephen M. Ross School of Business MOORESVILLE, N.C., Jan. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Mill Creek Residential, a leading developer and operator specializing in premier rental communities across the U.S., today announced it has broken ground on Amavi Coddle Creek, a three-phase master-planned community in the northern Charlotte metropolitan area. The development will mark Mill Creek's initial entry into the emerging single-family build-to-rent sector. Mill Creek will develop Phases I and II of the community, which will offer a mix of townhomes and duets. Mill Creek's phases will consist of 169 townhomes and 70 duets as part of the 504-home overall development. First move-ins are anticipated for summer 2023. "We're eager to expand our presence in the Charlotte market and officially enter the single-family rental market with our new brand, Amavi by Mill Creek," said Callum Parrott, president of single-family rentals for Mill Creek Residential. "We believe the area has favorable characteristics for strong single-family rental demand, including a diverse employment base and accessible retail and services. Amavi Coddle Creek will be a unique product type for the area, and we look forward to offering a best-in-class experience to our future residents." Amavi Coddle Creek is located approximately 30 miles north of Downtown Charlotte in a neighborhood accessible from Highway 3, a primary thoroughfare linking Charlotte's northern and eastern submarkets. The community's proximity to Coddle Creek Highway and Interstate 77 will enable residents to conveniently access Charlotte's key job centers, which include high-level employers such as Lowe's, Duke Energy, Bank of America, Truist, Wells Fargo, UNCC and Corning Optical. Amavi Coddle Creek's mix of townhomes and duets will include six distinct floor plans. The three townhome floor plans, which each offer three bedrooms and two-and-a-half bathrooms, will range from 1,452 to 1,911 square feet and include one drive-under option, in which the garage is beneath the home. The duet floor plans, which include three- and four-bedroom options, will range from 1,450 to 1,794 square feet. Community amenities will consist of a clubhouse and leasing office, pool, tot lot, bark park and open green space. The community will also feature modern streetscapes and aesthetically manicured common areas. Home interiors will be delivered with a variety of features and finishes including stainless steel appliances, wood plank-style flooring, kitchen islands, granite countertops and ceiling fans. The community will offer conventional leasing teams on site, as well as offer prospective residents the option to take self-guided tours of the homes. The experience will be tailored to the customer's desired experience, including the option of a fully contactless leasing and move-in experience, all backed by Mill Creek's Peace of Mind service guarantees. About Mill Creek Residential Mill Creek Residential Trust LLC is a national rental housing company focused on the development, acquisition and operation of both multifamily and build-to-rent single-family 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 SHANGHAI, Jan. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The New Development Bank (NDB) established by BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) is starting 2022 in expansion mode after welcoming four new members in the previous year. NDB was created in 2015 with the aim of becoming a global development bank to mobilize resources for infrastructure and sustainable development. During its first years of operation, the Bank focused on building solid foundations to operate at scale. After the initial establishment phase, NDB has now started admitting new members. NDB's Board of Governors authorized the Bank to conduct formal negotiations with prospective members in late 2020. After a round of successful negotiations, NDB has admitted four new members in 2021: Bangladesh, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Uruguay. "We are delighted to welcome Bangladesh, Egypt, UAE and Uruguay to the NDB. They bring over 280 million people that can benefit from NDB's investments in infrastructure and sustainable development", said Mr. Marcos Troyjo, President of NDB. "We will continue to expand the Bank's membership in a gradual and balanced manner". NDB's membership expansion is in line with the Bank's strategy to be positioned as the premier development institution for emerging economies and developing countries. Since the beginning of its operations, NDB approved about 80 projects in all of its members, totaling a portfolio of US$ 30 billion. Projects in areas such as transport, water and sanitation, clean energy, digital infrastructure, social infrastructure and urban development are within the scope of the Bank. Background information NDB was established by Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa to mobilize resources for infrastructure and sustainable development projects in BRICS and other emerging economies and developing countries, complementing the existing efforts of multilateral and regional financial institutions for global growth and development. NDB has an authorized capital of US$ 100 billion, which is open for subscription by members of the United Nations. SOURCE NDB LONDON, Jan. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Leading virtual private network provider NordVPN has developed an open-source tool and methodology that helps to objectively measure and compare the speed of different VPN services. The tool accounts for a broad array of testing use cases, allows users to add and compare different VPN services, and provides detailed reporting. "Connection speed is one of the most important factors that affect user experience when they use a VPN. People want to secure their internet traffic without having to sacrifice speed," says Vykintas Maknickas, a cybersecurity expert at NordVPN . "However, testing VPN speed meaningfully is a complex procedure because countless factors can impact it." Lack of a unified approach towards how performance is measured leads to the industry's current situation: different researchers via different outlets showcase different results ranked in different order. This conflicting information is bad for VPN users and providers alike. The confusion can make it difficult for users to make informed decisions. Likewise it can be hard for VPN providers to evaluate how their performance will measure up when they are working on improvements to their service and infrastructure. "A unified, standard speed-testing methodology would go a long way towards solving the problem for all of us. And that's what we're trying to achieve," Vykintas Maknickas adds. Community input and trust is crucial in order to reach the goal of having a standardized methodology. Therefore, NordVPN invites other VPN service providers, researchers, journalists, and tech enthusiasts to read the whitepaper , review the source code , and participate in the further development and refinement of the speed-test tool. ABOUT NORDVPN NordVPN is the world's most advanced VPN service provider, used by over 14 million internet users worldwide. NordVPN provides double VPN encryption, malware blocking, and Onion Over VPN. The product is very user friendly, offers one of the best prices on the market, and has over 5,000 servers in 60 countries worldwide. One of the key features of NordVPN is our zero-log policy. For more information: nordvpn.com . SOURCE NordVPN BERLIN, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- The Federation of German Industries (BDI) is "cautiously optimistic" about the economic recovery in industry and expects the country's gross domestic product (GDP) to grow 3.5 percent in 2022, the BDI said on Thursday. German exports are to grow around half as fast as in the previous year, increasing by four percent in 2022 year-on-year, according to the BDI. "Order books are full, but production is not keeping pace with demand," BDI President Siegfried Russwurm said. "Pandemic-related restrictions and supply bottlenecks are affecting large parts of the economy." Many German companies in the automotive, electrical and mechanical engineering industries are affected by supply bottlenecks, which would slow down industrial value creation by more than 50 billion euros (57.4 billion U.S. dollars) in 2021 and 2022, according to the BDI. The German economy could "face another stop-and-go year," the BDI noted. However, "with the right framework conditions, there is also a chance that the new year will be the year with the strongest economic momentum since 2010." High energy costs, slow digital transformation, lack of infrastructure investment and high taxes would make the business location less and less attractive for companies from Germany and abroad, Russwurm said. "Policymakers must reverse the negative trend of recent years, go beyond crisis management to increase the pace of action and embark on a growth course," he added. The German Council of Economic Experts (GCEE), an official advisory body to the German government, expects the country's GDP to grow 4.6 percent in 2022. Economic growth in Germany should "continue to pick up, provided that industrial output and consumer demand for services normalize next year." (1 euro = 1.15 U.S. dollar) NFTs (non-fungible tokens) are digital images that can be bought and sold using blockchain technology. Obsidian initially will offer five images by Tweedle that are part of an extensive collection owned by author, entrepreneur and philanthropist Hermene Hartman, publisher of N'Digo magazine and NDigo.com, and the host of N'Digo Studio, a television show and podcast. The images were bequeathed to Hartman by Tweedle's widow following his death in 1981. The NFTs of King will be auctioned in the NFT marketplace. "We always talk about King, the Southerner, but people forget that Dr. King came to Chicago and disrupted our city," said Hartman. "He let John up close and personal. Consequently, he took photos no one else had opportunities to take." Tweedle uniquely wore five cameras around his neck for the various news organizations he shot for, including The Daily News, Jet magazine, the Chicago Defender and the Chicago Sun-Times. "One of those was John's personal camera," Hartman said. "These are those photos." The Obsidian Collection was developed and launched in 2017 by Chicago entrepreneur and Executive Director Angela Ford. Obsidian is digitizing archival images and content from Black photographers, organizations and newspapers for licensing and permission to use to tell Black stories. "Obsidian will be the gateway to historic black NFTs such as this," said Ford. "The most important fact is these rarely seen collectibles are made available to new generations in new mediums." The Obsidian Collection is a virtual portal for Black culture providing access to images of historical, artistic and cultural significance gathered from Black newspapers, photographers, archives and community groups around the country. Media contact: T. Shawn Taylor | [email protected] | 312-371-6260. SOURCE The Obsidian Collection Archives EAST GRANBY, Conn., Jan. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Since 1985, Opus Inspection with our subsidiary Envirotest has operated the vehicle emission testing programs in the Tennessee counties of Davidson, Hamilton, Rutherford, Sumner, Williamson, and Wilson. With the programs coming to an end on February 4 in Davidson County and January 14 elsewhere, we want to celebrate the success of these programs with the citizens of Tennessee and our partners at Metro Public Health Department and Tennessee Department of Environment & Conservation. Together, we have reached attainment of the federal air quality standards for the Middle Tennessee region, which was no easy feat. Most other states with large metropolitan areas have a long way to go before they can match Tennessee's achievement. This accomplishment means that tens of thousands of Tennesseans have benefitted from a better quality of life, especially those with asthma and other vulnerable groups including children and the elderly. The inspection program in middle Tennessee has been reducing emissions of carbon monoxide (CO) by more than 10,000 tons per year, oxides of nitrogen (NOx) by more than 500 tons per year and volatile organic compounds (VOC) by more than 600 tons per year. And, by attaining the federal clean air standards, the State fostered a more sustainable business environment for Tennessee employers. We encourage Tennessee motorists to keep up the good work. Continue to maintain your cars and trucks, and please don't ignore the check-engine light. Mr. Andy McIntosh, CEO of Envirotest said, "Our vision and mission is to make the world a cleaner and safer place. As vehicle emission testing in Tennessee is ending, we want to thank Tennessee motorists in Middle-Tennessee and Chattanooga, and the hard-working Tennessee employees of Opus/Envirotest who strived to provide an efficient and quality service to the public. We'd also like to thank our partners in state and local government and the auto technicians who have repaired emission systems so that air pollution has been reduced and Tennesseans can breathe easier." Contact: Jim Sands Phone: (860) 392-2174 Fax: (860) 392-2105 [email protected] www.opus.global SOURCE Opus Inspection, Inc. CHICAGO, Jan. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- PeopleScout has been recognized as a Leader, the highest rating, in every category of NelsonHall's global 2021 NEAT Vendor Evaluation for RPO. The categories include: Geographic Footprint and Scalability, TA Transformation Journey, Innovation in Technology/Tools, Innovation in Service, as well as an Overall rating. Nikki Edwards, Principal HR Technology & Services Analyst, NelsonHall, said: "PeopleScout continues to evolve its next-generation programs, services, service delivery, and cutting-edge tech, leveraging creativity, innovation, and expertise to ensure that its total talent solutions are fit for purpose for today's talent challenges." NEAT is NelsonHall's vendor evaluation and assessment tool, offering companies around the world a comprehensive assessment of vendors' offerings and capabilities. The NEAT for RPO allows strategic sourcing managers to assess the capability of vendors across a range of criteria and business situations to identify the best performing vendors overall, with specific capability in technology/tools innovation, services innovation, candidate experience, geographic footprint and scalability, and taking clients on a talent acquisition transformation journey. "Our commitment to providing our customers with best-in-class customer service and innovative talent solutions has never been stronger," said Taryn Owen, PeopleReady and PeopleScout President & COO. "As we look to what's next, we will continue to optimize our ability to partner with our clients to help them solve their toughest talent challenges through the right combination of insight, human touch, and next-generation technology." Highlights from NelsonHall's evaluation of PeopleScout on the 2021 NEAT Vendor Evaluation include the company's: Broad range of existing and new RPO, and more widespread talent solutions, including those established for working in COVID-19 world Deep expertise in Talent Advisory services, notably employer branding, assessment, recruitment marketing, and the future of work consulting Global footprint across North America , EMEA and APAC through the 2018 acquisition of TMP Holdings LTD and previous acquisitions , EMEA and APAC through the 2018 acquisition of TMP Holdings LTD and previous acquisitions Commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, notably in pairing technology and talent advisory services for recruitment marketing and employer branding to deliver results Technology innovation, notably its comprehensive set of enhancements to its next-generation Affinix platform, including advanced use of automation, AI, and ML; Affinix Analytics with its Ask Affinix feature; and its roadmap of technology and tools to augment Affinix platform, including advanced use of automation, AI, and ML; Affinix Analytics with its Ask Affinix feature; and its roadmap of technology and tools to augment Affinix Unified approach to operational delivery and technology platforms and greater TrueBlue brand collaboration in tailored solutioning for clients. A Leader designation on the NEAT vendor evaluation is based on a combination of analyst assessments and feedback from RPO vendor clients. Interviews with clients focus on measuring the vendor's ability to deliver immediate benefit as well as evaluating the vendor's suitability to meet future requirements. Learn more about PeopleScout's 2021 NelsonHall NEAT Vendor Evaluation by downloading the full report. About NelsonHall NelsonHall is the leading global analyst firm dedicated to helping organizations understand the 'art of the possible' in digital operations transformation. With analysts in the U.S., U.K., and Continental Europe, NelsonHall provides buy-side organizations with detailed, critical information on markets and vendors (including NEAT assessments) that helps them make fast and highly informed sourcing decisions. And for vendors, NelsonHall provides deep knowledge of market dynamics and user requirements to help them hone their go-to-market strategies. NelsonHall's research is based on rigorous, all-original research, and is widely respected for the quality, depth, and insight of its analysis. About PeopleScout PeopleScout, a TrueBlue (NYSE: TBI) company, is a leading RPO provider managing talent solutions that span the global economy, with end-to-end MSP and talent advisory capabilities supporting total workforce needs.. PeopleScout boasts 97% client retention managing the most complex programs in the industry. The company's thousands of forward-looking talent professionals provide clients with the edge in the people business by consistently delivering now while anticipating what's next. Affinix, PeopleScout's proprietary talent acquisition platform, empowers faster engagement with the best talent through an AI-driven, consumer-like candidate experience and optimizes the talent process through data and actionable insights. Leveraging the power of data gleaned from engaging millions of candidates and contingent associates every year, PeopleScout enhances talent intelligence for clients across more than 70 countries with headquarters in Chicago, Sydney and London and global delivery centers in Toronto, Montreal, Bristol, Krakow, Gurgaon and Bangalore. For more information, please visit www.peoplescout.com. Press Contact: Sarah Katz Candelario Vice President of Marketing and Communications [email protected] 312-915-5544 SOURCE PeopleScout "It is my pleasure to announce the opening of entries for the second annual Pharmaceutical Executive APEX Awards program," said Mike Hennessy Jr., president and CEO of MJH Life Sciences , parent company of Pharmaceutical Executive . "This awards program celebrates breakthrough, creative work and is the only annual program that celebrates creative health care work judged by those who appreciate it most health care professionals. The 19 specialized categories cover various aspects of the health care field, allowing the program to comprehensively represent the industry." The 2022 Pharmaceutical Executive APEX Awards is the only annual medical advertising awards show celebrating the best creative health care work in the pharmaceutical industry exclusively judged by health care professionals across 19 specialized categories spanning from product/promotional work (Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulated) to disease awareness/general education/wellness work (not regulated by the FDA). Entries for the Pharmaceutical Executive APEX Awards will be evaluated by an exceptional jury, comprising the most respected and experienced health care professionals located across the United States. From world-renowned doctors to nurses and other medical specialists, the jurors will vote on the award within their specialties and/or areas of expertise. A full list of categories is available here. Up to five top-voted submissions will be considered finalists for the Pharmaceutical Executive APEX Awards, and agencies will be notified on April 4, 2022. Finalists will be selected based on communication clarity and credibility, uniqueness of the campaigns, the level of enthusiasm generated and overall response. Then, a general invitation to health care professionals will be sent to invite voting for the winners within their area of specialty/expertise. The 2022 Pharmaceutical Executive APEX Award gold winners will be announced at the live show June 2022 in New York City. The Pharmaceutical Executive APEX Awards call-for-entry period runs from January 3 to March 18, 2022, with escalating prices across four entry periods. For complete category descriptions, eligibility requirements and to submit entries, visit https://apex.pharmexec.com/pages/apex-home. To learn more about the benefits of sponsoring your brand, click here. Finally, a huge congratulations to all our 2021 winners who were honored at a virtual event in September! View the complete list of 2021 finalists and winners on our website. About Pharmaceutical Executive Pharmaceutical Executive is a multimedia platform that offers news, opinions, analysis, features and executive profiles. The magazine and its website serve as a forum for industry leaders to exchange opinions, experiences and insights about innovative business and marketing ideas, strategies and tactics. Pharmaceutical Executive is a brand of MJH Life Sciences , the largest privately held, independent, full-service medical media company in North America. Media Contact Alyssa Scarpaci 609-716-7777 [email protected] SOURCE Pharmaceutical Executive NEW YORK, Jan. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Planet Green Holdings Corp. (the "Company") (NYSE American: PLAG) announced today that the Company has entered into a Share Purchase Agreement with three investors (the "Transaction"). Pursuant to the agreement, the Company will receive gross proceeds of $7,000,000 in the aggregate, in exchange for the issuance of an aggregate of 7,000,000 shares of the Company's common stock, representing a purchase price of approximately $1.00 per share. The Transaction will be closed on customary closing conditions of this type of transaction. Forward Looking Statements This news release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of words such as "anticipate", "believe", "expect", "estimate", "plan", "outlook", and "project" and other similar expressions that indicate future events or trends or are not statements of historical matters. These statements are based on our management's current expectations and beliefs, as well as a number of assumptions concerning future events. Such forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other important factors, many of which are outside of our control and all of which could cause actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements. Accordingly, forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing our views as of any subsequent date, and we do not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date they were made, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required under applicable securities laws. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in forward-looking statements can be found in our reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which are available, free of charge, on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. For more information please contact: Ms. Lili Hu Chief Financial Officer Phone: 718 799 0380 Email: [email protected] SOURCE Planet Green Holdings Corp. NEW YORK, Jan. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- For the 14th consecutive year, Rabbi Andrew Baker, AJC's Director of International Jewish Affairs, will serve as Personal Representative on Combating Antisemitism for the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). Baker's appointment was announced by Zbigniew Rau, Poland's Minister of Foreign Affairs, who assumed the post of OSCE Chairperson-in-Office this month. "Your willingness to continue the mission of Personal Representative is greatly appreciated and I look forward to joining our efforts and developing partnership," said Minister Rau in a letter to Rabbi Baker. "It is my hope that during the Polish Chairmanship we will be able to further strengthen the focus of the OSCE on combating antisemitism. I wish you every success in this endeavor." Poland will host the OSCE Conference on Combating Antisemitism on February 7 and 8. The OSCE created the significant, high-level position in 2005. Baker was first appointed to the post in 2009, and has been reappointed each year since then by the rotating chairmanship. The OSCE organization's 57 members include the governments of all European and Eurasia countries, Canada, and the United States. "The OSCE has been in the forefront of confronting antisemitism in Europe since organizing the first intergovernmental conferences in 2003 and 2004, and this work is even more important today," said Baker. "To its credit, Poland continues an OSCE tradition in beginning its Chairmanship with a conference on combating antisemitism, an event that will also mark International Holocaust Remembrance Day." For more than 23 years, Baker has worked intensively with governments and Jewish communities across Europe on programs and policies to confront antisemitism. He regularly visits European capitals to assess threats to Jewish communities and how to address them. He was intimately involved in a ground-breaking OSCE project to train law enforcement on monitoring and countering hate crimes. "OSCE efforts are critical to combat persistent antisemitism, a cancer that continues to grow and threaten the fabric and fiber of member states, not just their Jewish communities," said AJC CEO David Harris. "Rabbi Baker, my long-time and cherished colleague, plays a critical role interacting with the entire OSCE, individual member countries, civil societies, and Jewish communities in the urgent mission confronting what some have called the world's oldest social pathology." AJC, the leading global Jewish advocacy organization, with headquarters in the U.S., maintains offices and posts in several OSCE member states. AJC Central Europe, dedicated to seven Central European countries the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, and Slovakia opened in Warsaw in 2017. Other AJC offices and posts in Europe are in Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, France, Germany, and Italy. SOURCE American Jewish Committee ATLANTA, Jan. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- With the digital transformation of American businesses accelerating in the past year, Randstad USA today announced five key appointments within the Randstad Technologies Group (RTG) U.S. executive leadership team that will help the company continue to expand and deepen its operations and market growth in 2022 and beyond. "The pandemic has clarified just how important it is for companies to keep pace with rapid digital transformation," said Graig Paglieri, CEO of Randstad Technologies Group. "With these exciting new changes to our executive leadership team, we are prepared to help companies across every industry adapt to the evolving landscape and plan for the future." Expanding on his promotion last December, Andy Speer will have increased responsibilities with his dedicated focus as RTG Chief Operating Officer & President, Solutions. Andy's responsibilities will include maximizing the impact of business execution across all RTG lines of business and directing investments and operational strategy by leveraging data and business intelligence via the newly formed RTG Data Center of Excellence and RTG Tools and Execution Optimization team. Alisia Genzler will leverage her more than 25 years of industry and career expertise in her new role as Randstad Technologies President & Chief Client Officer. In her role, Alisia will be responsible for overseeing all sales, recruiting, and federal business. Her focus will be to achieve increased market growth with a focus on improving Randstad Technologies' market position and growth engine. With over 19 years in the staffing industry, Angie Keller will continue to build on her transformative efforts in her new role as Randstad Engineering President. Her creative thinking and problem-solving skills will continue to establish Randstad Engineering as a high-growth, dominant player in the industry. Curt Schwab has been appointed President of Celerity, bringing 20 plus years of consulting experience to the position. In his new role, Curt will see that Celerity maintains its position as the premium advisory services arm of RTG, helping businesses respond to changeefficiently, quickly, and with focus on the customeras he facilitates integration among them all. About Randstad Randstad North America, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Randstad N.V., a 20.7 billion global provider of flexible work and human resources services. As a trusted human partner in the technology-driven world of talent, we combine the expertise and passion of our employees with some of the most innovative HR technologies on the market today to advance the careers and business success of our candidates and clients. Randstad's North American operations comprise 5,700 associates and a deployed workforce of more than 86,000 in the U.S. and Canada. In addition to staffing and recruitment, Randstad offers outsourcing, consulting and workforce management solutions for generalist and specialist disciplines, including technology, engineering, accounting and finance, clinical and non-clinical healthcare, human resources, legal, life sciences, manufacturing and logistics, office and administration and sales and marketing. Global concepts available to North American client companies include RPO, MSP, integrated talent solutions, payrolling and independent contractor management and career transition services. Learn more at www.randstadusa.com or www.randstad.ca . SOURCE Randstad US SAN FRANCISCO and AMSTERDAM, Jan. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Raydiant , the leading in-location experience management platform, today announced it has acquired Sightcorp , a spinoff company from the University of Amsterdam that provides state-of-the-art, proprietary AI-powered audience intelligence for digital signage, digital out-of-home (DOOH) media, and in-store analytics. Raydiant and Sightcorp will jointly enable brands to create personalized on-screen, in-location experiences that generate anonymous audience and performance analytics to help them increase audience engagement, deliver valuable content, enhance messaging, and more. Introducing Sightcorp By Raydiant "To survive and thrive in the future of brick and mortar, brands must deliver a seamless in-location customer experience that's convenient, digital, and personalized; yet many are held back by the complexities and high price point of achieving these goals," said Raydiant Chief Executive Officer, Bobby Marhamat. "We've built Raydiant from the ground up to help solve these pain points and are thrilled to add Sightcorp's unmatched technology into our product offerings to more deeply serve the evolving needs of brands, customers, and employees worldwide." Raydiant's 2021 " State of Consumer Behavior report " found that 60% of consumers have stopped doing business with a brand over one bad in-location experience, and Think by Google cites that people are 40% more likely to spend more than planned when they identify the shopping experience to be highly personalized. AI and digital signage solutions play key roles in delivering that personalization. Together, Raydiant and Sightcorp will provide dynamic, optimized content on screens powered by real-time audience and performance data insights. Retailers and media network owners will gain the opportunity to sell advertising space at a premium accompanied by ad performance metrics, targeting capabilities, and more. Sightcorp's proprietary technology allows media owners to provide advertisers and media buyers with meaningful audience insights and data visualizations based on live analysis captured anonymously on-camera, including age, gender, opportunity to see (OTS), impression and viewer counts, and attention and dwell times. To ensure privacy, the Sightcorp DeepSight Toolkit blurs all faces by default and is built to process all data offline and locally. Sightcorp cites the highest accuracy rate compared to its competitors and is the only player in the market applying 100% of the latest deep learning research in its audience analytics products. Joyce Caradonna, previously CEO of Sightcorp and now Raydiant's Managing Director EMEA, says, "This acquisition hits all of the synergy markers for us and will allow us to grow faster. We are very excited to continue investing big in research and development to create smart and innovative solutions that owners of on-premise media networks, agencies, and advertisers can use to seamlessly deliver compelling and valuable content to their target audiences." Sightcorp lists key players such as Intel and Simply NUC among their many partners. Raydiant serves more than 3,500 customers in 63 countries, including top brands such as First Bank, Dickey's BBQ, Harvard University, The Salvation Army, Red Bull, Chick-Fil-A, and Thomson Reuters. Additionally, Raydiant works with the U.S. gourmet burger chain Wahlburgers, owned by Raydiant investor Mark Wahlberg and family. Jonny Smith, CEO of Simply NUC Ltd, says, "We have a great partnership with Sightcorp, and we're excited about this acquisition as Sightcorp's innovative technology will help bring incremental value to Raydient's clients in an array of industries by enabling real-time end-to-end intelligence from the cloud to the edge." Raydiant is actively hiring in various cities around the U.S., such as San Francisco, as well as internationally to accompany Sightcorp's new offices. The company plans to expand its global headcount by 300% in 2022. Sightcorp's European team has a goal to grow from 20 team members to 100 in 2022, with plans to open offices in Lithuania and London. About Raydiant Raydiant is the in-location experience management platform of choice for the world's largest brands in retail, e-commerce, restaurants, and more. The platform empowers organizations to create personalized and meaningful end-to-end content experiences that help foster higher engagement from consumers and employee staff, which in-turn increases revenue for clients. Raydiant's plug-and-play, cloud-based solution empowers customers to create, manage, and scale on-screen experiences across 1 or 100,000 locations, saving them time, resources, and logistical headache. The company works with more than 3,500 brands including First Bank, Dickey's BBQ, Harvard University, The Salvation Army, Red Bull, Chick-Fil-A, Thomson Reuters, as well as the U.S. gourmet burger chain Wahlburgers, owned by Raydiant investor Mark Wahlberg and family. Raydiant acquired Hoopla in 2021 to enable people-first workplaces to broadcast performance updates, recognize wins and share successes to unify communications across their hybrid or remote workplaces. The additional acquisition of Sightcorp in 2021 enables customers to receive anonymous in-store screen engagement analytics on dwell times, viewers, and impressions to help brands increase sales and deliver optimized content while maintaining consumer privacy. Founded in April 2017, Raydiant is headquartered in San Francisco, California and backed by 8VC, Atomic Ventures, Lerer Hippeau, Mark Wahlberg Investments, Bloomberg Beta, Gaingels, Illuminate Ventures, Transmedia Capital, and Ron Conway. To learn more, visit www.raydiant.com . Media Contact: Brenda Manea 714.904.8592 [email protected] SOURCE Raydiant, Inc. CHINO HILLS, Calif., Jan. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Roll-Em-Up Taquitos the nation's first taquito-focused franchise, is rolling out yet another development deal, partnering with experienced restaurant operators David Weaver and Blake Terry to bring a total of 315 units collectively to Texas and Oklahoma. This master development deal closes the brand out in 2021 with a total of 420 units placed under development agreement, all in just six months of officially franchising. The brand's newest deal has established Roll-Em-Up Taquitos as one of the hottest new concepts in the country. "This partnership with David and Blake marks another major milestone in achieving Roll Em Up's growth potential and reflects the quality of the franchisees that are investing in our future," said Chief Development Officer Chris Wyland. "It solidifies Roll-Em-Up as a leader in the fast casual restaurant space. We are not the next big thing, we have arrived!" Franchise partners David Weaver and Blake Terry bring a wealth of knowledge in the franchising category, looking to utilize their experience to make Roll-Em-Up Taquito's entry into Texas and Oklahoma seamless. The duo has a combined 46 years of experience in the QSR segment, working with many brands including Wingstop, The Catch, Burger House, Subway, Smashburger, and Rusty Taco. "Having great food is no longer enough in today's fast casual space and this is what made us thrilled about Roll-Em-Up," said David. "The food, ambiance, and operations of Roll-Em-Up are outstanding, not to mention the reggae music playing in the background. It's a vibrant, fun, and delicious place to be and we had to be a part." In addition to building and operating a percentage of stores, the group will also act as a layer of operational support and training for additional future franchise partners in the region. "We plan on strategically growing these markets in order to give franchisees the ability to build a strong and healthy business in one of the best restaurants markets in the nation," added Blake. "The Roll-Em-Up Taquitos operational system is so simple that we can take on Mom and Pop operators, in addition to large, well-funded groups in order to meet our objectives over the next 5 years." The story of Roll-Em-Up Taquitos' is simple and began in the home of the Usrey family, where Father (Ron) and Son (Ryan) fell in love with Mama Karen's famous beef taquitos. The Usrey family, including patriarch Ron, always talked about opening their taquitos-only eatery, but unfortunately, Mama Karen passed before that dream became a reality. Fast-forward to today, they are "Blastin Reggae" and opened the first Roll-Em-Up Taquitos in Chino Hills, California in 2019, where they sold an average of 3,500 taquitos a day. Today, the brand has three locations open across Southern California in Chino Hills, Brea and Victorville. Roll-Em-Up Taquitos offers a focused yet straightforward menu of five different taquitos, including braised shredded beef, shredded chicken, potato, cheese, and avocado. To stay true to who they are, each taquito is rolled up daily ,only using fresh, never frozen ingredients, and pan-fried fresh to order just like Mama Karen did! Taquitos can be topped with cheese and sour cream, in addition to the brand's handmade mild or spicy house sauce, guac sauce, queso sauce, and their famous "lit" sauce. Other menu items include house-made bacon beans, rice, bomb AF chips, churro donuts drizzled with caramel sauce, and famous Street Corn loaded with butter, mayo, and cotija cheese, with an optional dusting of Hot Cheetos and Tajin or coated in queso. "Texas is a core market for our expansion and is traditionally hard to penetrate," stated Ryan Usrey, CEO and founder of Roll-Em-Up Taquitos. "By partnering with David and Blake, we are able to tackle the area with an experienced group who between them have operated hundreds of restaurants. We like to say our core demographic is flip flops to cowboy boots and everything in between, so we couldn't be more excited that we are heading to Texas!" To share Mama Karen's famous taquitos with families nationwide, Roll-Em-Up Taquitos is actively seeking franchise partners with previous restaurant ownership experience and passion for the brand. With a territory fee of $20,000 and franchise fee of $20,000, the initial investment to own and operate a Roll-Em-Up Taquitos restaurant rages from $278,000 to $585,000. For more information about Roll-Em-Up Taquitos franchise opportunity, visit www.franchise.rollemup.com . About Roll-Em-Up Taquitos For years the Usrey family (including patriarch Ron) always talked about their dream of opening their taquitos-only eatery based off Mama Karen's beef taquitos but unfortunately, Mama Karen passed before they could realize the dream together. Founded in 2019 and franchising since 2021, Roll-Em-Up Taquitos offers only the freshest ingredients for their five different kinds of taquitos that are always hand-rolled and pan-fried to order in custom cast iron skillets. Today, there are three open locations in California, with 420 in various stages of development. For more information, visit www.rollemup.com . Find us on Facebook , Instagram , Twitter and TikTok . SOURCE Roll-Em-Up Taquitos CANTON, Mass., Jan. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- School of Rock, the leader in performance-based music education, was recently ranked among Entrepreneur's Franchise 500, with the brand claiming the top ranking in the children's enrichment category, for the second year in a row. 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. School of Rock's position on the ranking is a testament to its strength as a franchise opportunity. "To once again rank number one in the children's enrichment category on the 2022 Franchise 500 list is an honor and validates the efforts of our network," said Rob Price, CEO of School of Rock. "Our mission is to not only enrich our students' lives through performance-based music education, but also to actively work toward inspiring the next generation of creators all over the world. We're excited to reach new milestones and rock to new heights in 2022." 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." To view School of Rock in the full ranking, visit www.entrepreneur.com/franchise500 . Results can also be seen in the January/February 2022 issue of Entrepreneur, available on newsstands January 11th. School of Rock provides students of all ages an exciting and engaging music lesson experience, which includes bass lessons , guitar lessons , singing lessons , drum lessons , and piano lessons . Drawing from all styles of rock and roll, School of Rock students learn theory and techniques via songs from legendary artists such as Aretha Franklin, Lenny Kravitz, and Led Zeppelin. Thanks to the school's performance-based approach, students around the world have gained superior musical proficiency, with some moving on to record deals and larger platforms such as American Idol, The Voice and Broadway. About School of Rock School of Rock helps aspiring musicians master skills, unleash creativity, and develop tools they need to thrive in life. Founded as a single school in Philadelphia, Pa., in 1998, School of Rock has become a rapidly growing international franchise with over 500 schools open and in development across 15 global markets. Since 2009, School of Rock has grown its student count from 4,000 to almost 50,000. School of Rock offers a wide variety of music lessons , including guitar lessons , singing lessons and piano lessons . The company also sells musical instruments and music gear through its GearSelect program. School of Rock was awarded US Patent 10,891,872 in 2021 for its innovative music education method. School of Rock also has garnered the following industry awards: 2021 Franchise Innovation Award for Most Innovative Use of Customer-Facing Digital Tools; 2021 Global Franchise's Awards Best Children's Service and Education Franchise; 2021 Entrepreneur Magazine's Franchise 500 Top Children's Music Enrichment Brand; Franchise Business Review's 2021 Top 200 Franchises and Culture 100 list; 2020 Entrepreneur Magazine's Top 200 Franchise and the #1 Child Enrichment Franchise; and 2018 Forbes # 2 Best Franchise Medium-Level Investment Award and the #1 Music Franchise in America. Follow School of Rock on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SchoolofRockUSA and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/SchoolofRockUSA . For more information on School of Rock visit www.SchoolofRock.com or call 866-695-5515. To learn more about School of Rock franchise opportunities head to http://franchising.schoolofrock.com/ SOURCE School of Rock MINSK, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- The Ministry of Communications and Informatization of Belarus on Wednesday issued a new postage stamp to mark the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Belarus and China. A total of 30,000 sets of the stamp are issued, and each set has five pieces, according to the press service of the ministry. Chinese Ambassador to Belarus Xie Xiaoyong, together with senior Belarusian officials attended the issuing ceremony for the stamp and the first-day cover. Developing relations with China is a priority of Belarus' foreign policy, the ministry said on its website, noting that the two countries have regularly exchanged high-level visits and actively carried out dialogues between governments, departments and regional administrations. Diplomatic relations between China and Belarus were established on Jan. 20, 1992. SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Scleroderma Research Foundation (SRF)the country's first and leading nonprofit investor in medical research into sclerodermaannounced a $1.5 million dollar matching gift, in the form of a grant to match every donation made in honor of the late Bob Saget, SRF Board member, comedian, actor, writer, director, producer, and philanthropist. The grant was provided by fellow SRF board members, philanthropists, and friends of Saget, Dr. Luke Evnin and Deann Wright who were inspired by the generous outpouring of love and admiration from friends, family, and fans seeking to honor Bob's legacy following his passing on January 9, 2022. With this tribute, SRF hopes to raise funds and awareness to extend Bob Saget's 30-plus years of commitment to the organization's mission to find a cure for scleroderma. Bob Saget Saget passionately championed the Scleroderma Research Foundation since losing his sister to the disease in 1994. In 2003, he joined the Board of Directors and since 1991 has hosted Cool Comedy Hot Cuisine, an event which brought together the best comedians, musicians, and more, raising over $25 million toward funding research. Saget also actively contributed to the day-to-day operations of the organization and played a pivotal role in its success. He met with patients, built lasting relationships through his gift of storytelling and laughter, and shared his own experience of the impact of scleroderma in his own family's life. He passionately sought to find a cure and connected deeply with those affected by the disease. Scleroderma, often misdiagnosed, is a rare, and often life-threatening autoimmune disease that can cause fibrosis in the skin and other vital organs. In the most serious cases, complications can result in damage to the heart, lungs, and digestive system. The SRF funds and facilitates the most promising, highest quality research aimed at improved therapies and, ultimately, a cure for scleroderma. "We, along with Bob's family, want to honor him and the legacy he wanted to leave behind, to recognize his singular and lifelong commitment to the Scleroderma Research Foundation, and to help us find a way to turn this horrible moment into something for the good," says Scleroderma Research Foundation Board Chairman Dr. Luke Evnin. "Deann and I have pledged to match the first $1.5 million that is received in this tribute." The Foundation mourns the loss of its beloved friend and believes this to be the most fitting way to honor Saget's life, who in an interview with SRF in Fall 2021 said, "being able to see direct positive results of the Foundation's work is the biggest gift of all." "Bob was the anchor of our SRF family," says Joanne Gold, Executive Director of the Scleroderma Research Foundation. "This organization was so close to his heart. He worked tirelessly every day to educate the public about this disease and help raise funds to drive research forward. His love and positivity radiated to everyone, and he brought so much hope and inspiration to scleroderma patients throughout the world. We can't imagine being able to do this work without Bob, but we owe it to him to push forward to one day find a cure." All donations received in honor of Bob Saget this week and going forward will be put toward the match. For more information and to donate, please visit us http://srfcure.org. About Scleroderma Research Foundation (SRF) The Scleroderma Research Foundation is focused on bringing the best minds in science together to find a cure for scleroderma. The SRF was established in 1987 by patient-turned-activist Sharon Monsky, when research on this potentially life-threatening illness was nearly nonexistent. Sharon lost her battle to the disease in 2002, but her vision lives on today, as the SRF remains committed to funding the most promising research aimed at improved therapies and finding a cure. Through the generosity of donors and support from events like Cool Comedy Hot Cuisine, the SRF has raised more than $37 million dollars to fund and facilitate research at top universities such as Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Stanford University, and University of CaliforniaSan Francisco, so thatone dayno one will suffer from scleroderma. Stay engaged with SRF at http://srfcure.org and via social media: Twitter , Facebook , and Instagram . Media Contact: Julie Richter | [email protected] | 650.270.3082 SOURCE Scleroderma Research Foundation DURHAM, N.C, Jan. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- President and CEO of Lanier Law Group, P.A., Attorney Lisa Lanier, has been recognized for a third year in a row by Super Lawyers, a nationally trusted guide of premier attorneys. For 2022, Attorney Lanier earned the following Super Lawyers listings as a result of her legal representation in Durham, North Carolina: Personal Injury - General: Plaintiff Social Security Disability Workers' Compensation: Claimant Personal Injury - Medical Malpractice: Plaintiff Personal Injury - Products: Plaintiff Part of Thomson Reuters, Super Lawyers requires each candidate to obtain a third-party nomination and pass two rigorous reviews. The first is an independent review in which the Super Lawyers Research Team considers 12 facets of a candidate's legal career, including: Verdicts and settlements Pro bono legal services legal services Notable awards and accolades Scholarly writings and contributions Position within law firm The second review, also referred to as the Blue Ribbon Review, is conducted by highly ranked attorneys. These panelists thoroughly reevaluate candidates within their own areas of practice. Super Lawyers recognizes no more than 5% of the nation's attorneys in each edition of its titular ranking guide. It is a great achievement to be listed in three consecutive editions, as Attorney Lanier has accomplished. In 1992, Attorney Lanier started out her legal career as an insurance defense lawyer. It was not long until she pivoted to represent personal injury victims. Her time working for the other side has proved beneficial to her clients, as she knows the common tactics used by insurance lawyers and how to combat them. Since 1995, she has remained on the plaintiff's side of the court. Attorney Lanier never backs down when it comes to advocating for her clients. Her drive has translated to a track record worth millions of dollars in client recoveries. As a result, she has also been acclaimed by Martindale-Hubbell, The National Trial Lawyers, America's Top 100 High Stakes Litigators, and peers and clients. Lanier Law Group, P.A. is a renowned plaintiff's trial law firm with 11 offices throughout North Carolina, including in Asheville, Charlotte, and Raleigh. To learn more about the firm, visit https://www.lanierlawgroup.com/. For further information about Super Lawyers, go to https://www.superlawyers.com/. Contact: Lisa Lanier (828) 412-3503 [email protected] SOURCE Lanier Law Group, P.A. HOUSTON, Jan. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Syzygy Plasmonics has been named a 2022 Global Cleantech 100 Company by Cleantech Group. The 100 companies on the list represent the private, independent, and for-profit companies best positioned to contribute to a more digitized, decarbonized, and resource-efficient future. This is the 13th edition of the widely respected annual guide. This year's list includes innovators from 94 countries. The sectors covered include Agriculture & Food, Enabling Technologies, Energy & Power, Materials & Chemicals, Transportation & Logistics, and Resources & Environment. Syzygy's platform technology is based on a field of science called photocatalysis, where the company is using light from LED's that are driven by renewable electricity to perform chemical reactions. This technology can electrify the production of many chemicals that form the foundation of human society, such as hydrogen, liquid fuels, fertilizer, and other chemical raw materials. By creating these commodities using renewable electricity, Syzygy strives to achieve its goal of preventing a gigaton of carbon dioxide from entering the atmosphere by 2040. Syzygy Plasmonics CEO Trevor Best says, "Reducing carbon emissions and fighting climate change are foundational to our mission at Syzygy. However, we must also be mindful of cost. What makes us excited about our technology is the potential that we are seeing for both reduced energy consumption and reduced capital costs, which help to make for great economics on top of the emissions reduction." "Syzygy is honored to be included in such a prestigious list of companies working to fight climate change," stated CTO Syzygy Plasmonics Suman Khatiwada PhD. The list combines Cleantech Group's research data with qualitative judgements from nominations and insight from a global, 85-member Expert Panel of leading investors and executives from corporations and industrials active in technology and innovation scouting. From pioneers and veterans to new entrants, the Expert Panel broadly represents the global cleantech community and results in a list with a powerful base of respect and support from many important players within the cleantech innovation ecosystem. The Global Cleantech 100 program is sponsored by Chubb. "We have the science and ingenuity to solve most of the issues and there is the investment capital, in both private and public markets, to propel a three-decade transformation, to net zero.," said Richard Youngman, CEO, Cleantech Group. "The 2022 Global Cleantech 100 companies show this in spades. What they, and hundred others like them, now need is braver regulators, policy makers and procurement departments, to enable such solutions to scale and go down their different cost curves much faster than the current trajectories." About Syzygy Plasmonics Syzygy is powering our clean energy future by producing the materials our world depends onwith light. Our plasmonic photocatalyst is a microscopic achievement in physics that makes many chemical reactions possible through simple LED lights and a decade of researchall while reducing carbon emissions and costs. https://plasmonics.tech/ Media Contact Leokadia Rucinski, Syzygy Plasmonics Email: [email protected] About Cleantech Group At Cleantech Group, we provide research, consulting, and events to catalyze opportunities for sustainable growth powered by innovation. We bring clients access to the trends, companies and people shaping the future and the customized advice and support businesses need to engage in external innovation. Industries are undergoing definitive transitions toward a more digitized, de-carbonized and resource efficient industrial future. At every stage from initial strategy to final deals, our services bring corporate change makers, investors, governments and stakeholders from across the ecosystem the support they need to thrive in this fast arriving and uncertain future. The company was established in 2002 and is headquartered in San Francisco with people based in London, Paris and Boston. Media Contact Laura Dolby, Cleantech Group Email: [email protected] SOURCE Syzygy Plasmonics GREENSBORO, N.C., Jan. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Tanger Factory Outlet Centers, Inc. (NYSE:SKT), a leading operator of upscale open-air outlet centers, announced today that its Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $0.1825 per share, payable on February 15, 2022, to common shareholders of record on January 31, 2022. About Tanger Factory Outlet Centers, Inc. Tanger Factory Outlet Centers, Inc. (NYSE: SKT) is a leading operator of upscale open-air outlet centers that owns, or has an ownership interest in, a portfolio of 36 centers. Tanger's operating properties are located in 20 states and in Canada, totaling approximately 13.6 million square feet, leased to over 2,500 stores operated by more than 500 different brand name companies. The Company has more than 41 years of experience in the outlet industry and is a publicly-traded REIT. For more information on Tanger Outlet Centers, call 1-800-4TANGER or visit the Company's website at www.tangeroutlets.com . Investor Contact Cyndi Holt Senior Vice President, Capital Markets [email protected] SOURCE Tanger Factory Outlet Centers, Inc. GA technologies group has been cultivating its business in the PropTech ( property x technology) field starting from 2013 of its establishment, the major service it provides which is the RENOSY portal site tops the market shares in both number of listings sold (pre owned mansions) and the actual amount of sales*1. The Company also achieves more than 3 billion JPY in crowdfunding*2 in which it is expanding its business in the real estate financing area actively with a business vision of helping its customers to achieve their ideal lifestyles through real estate. Besides the RENOSY portal site, RENOSY X, one of the sub companies of the GA group is focusing on the mortgage application service (BtoB) as well as helping to accelerate the process of digital transformation in the real estate industry (BtoB). Following with Shenjumiausuan, the biggest portal site with real estate commodities of Japan targets investors from the Greater China areas, Dear Life, a rental & lease portal site targets Japanese residents in Thailand. The Company is looking forward to expanding globally starting from the Southeastern Asian Market. The Company is positive about Mr. Furusawa's joining to the group, he has been in the position of the deputy managing director of the IMF for 6.5 years by November 2021. He is said to be an expert not only about Japan's economy but also the global economy. The Company is expecting the positive effects and insights Mr. Furusawa could bring to the group with his expertise on not only the economy field but also issues of income gaps, governance even climate change, and gender gap*3 etc. and last but not least the networking he owns. The Company is feeling strong about propelling its finance business in the global market with the join of Mr. Furusawa. Personal profile of Mr. Mitsuhiro Furusawa Graduated from the University of Tokyo Faculty of Law in 1979 Faculty of Law in 1979 Entered Ministry of Finance Japan in 1979 Graduated from ENA (Ecole nationale d'administration) ( France ) in 1983 ) in 1983 Worked as the Director's Assistant in the Budget Bureau of Ministry of Finance Japan (1990~) Worked as the Counselor of Japanese Embassy in France (1997~) (1997~) Worked as the Director of Vice Minister of Finance for International Affairs (1999~) Worked as the Budget Examiner (International affairs, economy) (2002~) Worked as the Minister of Japanese Embassy in the United States of America (2007) (2007) Worked as the Senior Deputy Director-General of the International Bureau (2009~) Worked as the Managing Director (Representative of Japan ) at the IMF (2010~) ) at the IMF (2010~) Worked as the Director-General of the Financial Bureau (2012~) Worked as the Vice-Minister of Finance for International Affairs (2013~) Worked as the Special Advisor to the Cabinet (2014~) Worked as the Deputy Managing Director of IMF (March, 2015~) Worked as the Chief Director of the Research Center of International Affairs of Mitsuisumitomo Bank (December, 2020~) Comments from Mr. furusawa I am happy from the deep of my heart to be invited to join GA technologies as an advisor. The Company is focusing on the Prop Tech field of the national market of Japan currently, however, I believe the service GA provides has the potential of becoming a world standard in the future. We could see that our lives have been changed by the pandemic and would never be the same again. The impact it brings is long lasting, and nations around the world are looking for ways to tackle the economic struggles due to the pandemic. From Mr. Furusawa's point of view, the most significant issue that lies in front of the global society is how the global economy to retrieve itself from the pandemic. This needs collaboration from all nations together. The role of the IMF is to analyze the economic situation on a bigger scale and to offer practical advice to nations around the globe. It also provides direct support to nations that face harsh difficulty particularly." He also points out that besides the efforts took by the governments around the world, companies should also think about new methods of approaching their businesses in order to survive.*4 With that being said, I could feel the passion and determination of the people working here of wanting to make the world a better place. Therefore I decided to take the role and hope to contribute to the growth of the Company's business even to the slightest extent with my past experiences. Comments from CEO Ryo Higuchi We expect Mr. Furusawa to be a strong backbone of the GA group on our approach to the real estate finance area and global expansion of our business. We believe with his experience at the IMF, he would be able to offer constructive advice on global economy, new businesses, more important the growth of the Company in a long-term with his expertise. We have been supporting the financial planning of our customers through "RENOSY"; however, Japan is way behind when it comes to asset management compared to the Western society. As people tend to live longer nowadays, asset management will become an essential part of our lives. High schools in Japan are starting to have lectures about asset management. We believe with the join of Mr. Furusawa, GA technologies is going to create more services that suit with the needs and wants of our target audiences. About GA technologies Company: GA technologies Co., Ltd. Representative: Ryo Higuchi URL: https://www.ga-tech.co.jp/en/ Head office: 40F of Sumitomo Fudosan Roppongi Grand Tower, Roppongi 3-2-1, Minato District, Tokyo Year of founding: March 2013 Capital fund: 7,219,146,516JPY (by October 2021) What we do: Running the RENOSY service, an online, one-stop real estate service platform Running the ITANDI BB service, a cloud service targets at real estate management companies Sub companies: ITANDI Co.,Ltd, Modern Standard Co., Ltd, Shenjumiausuan Co.,Ltd and 8 other companies *1: Research done by Tokyo Shokosha Feb .,2021) *2: By 12/21/2021 *3: Press release reference: Interview of Mr. Mitsuhiro Furusawa by F-N Group in March, 2020 ( https://www.fn-group.jp/1386/) *4: Press release reference: Interview of Mr. Mitsuhiro Furusawa by F-N Group in March, 2020 ( https://www.fn-group.jp/1386/) For this release, please contact below: Nami (+81-90-1503-9158), Judy, GA technologies Co., Ltd. MAIL: [email protected] SOURCE GA technologies Co .,Ltd. DENVER, Jan. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Top Gun Facility Services, a portfolio company of Osceola Capital, announced that it has acquired two additional facility services companies: American Striping Company and Apex Pavement Solutions. Concurrently, Top Gun Facility Services announced it has rebranded as Tendit Group, representing the Company's comprehensive offering of exterior facility maintenance services to commercial businesses, property managers and municipalities across the Mountain West. American Striping and Apex Pavement join Top Gun Pressure Washing, Bob Popp Window Cleaning, Emerald Isle Landscaping, and Zoneez Power Washing under the Tendit Group umbrella. The businesses will continue to operate independently under their respective brands but share best practices across all functional areas including marketing, purchasing, technology, HR, finance, and accounting. American Striping Company ("ASC"), headquartered in Centennial, CO, is a provider of roadway and parking lot striping and pavement marking services. ASC's service offering includes permanent striping, temporary striping, marking & striping removal, specialty applications, and traffic services. The Company's customers include commercial businesses, property managers, municipalities, airports, and government agencies across Colorado and Wyoming. Visit www.americanstripingcompany.com. Apex Pavement Solutions ("Apex"), headquartered in Golden, CO, is a provider of asphalt and concrete maintenance and repair services. Apex's service offering includes asphalt overlay, slurry seal, seal coat, infrared patching, crack seal, rotomilling, and concrete repair. The Company's customers include commercial businesses, property managers, HOAs, and municipalities across Colorado. Visit www.apexpvmt.com. Alejandra Harvey, CEO of Tendit Group, said, "The completion of these acquisitions and the launch of the Tendit brand marks a significant milestone in our company's history. These will allow us to offer a complete suite of services to our valued customers and serve as a launching pad to accelerate growth in Colorado and the Mountain West." Ben Moe, Managing Partner at Osceola Capital, said, "We continue to partner with the best exterior facility services brands in the Mountain West. Each brand has an outstanding culture, and we are excited about the continued organic and acquisition growth of the Tendit platform." About Tendit Group Tendit Group is a leading provider of exterior facility maintenance services in the Mountain West. The Company's core service offering includes pressure washing, asphalt maintenance, window cleaning, pavement striping & marking, landscaping, snow removal, and power sweeping. Tendit's customers include property managers, commercial businesses, hospitals, schools, contractors, restaurants, retail, municipalities, airports, HOAs, and government agencies. Visit www.tenditgroup.com. About Osceola Capital Osceola Capital is a Tampa-based private equity firm that invests in lower middle-market services companies, typically with EBITDA of $2 million to $10 million. Osceola has extensive experience partnering with management teams to execute buy-and-build strategies and drive long-term value creation. Visit www.osceola.com to learn more. For additional information about Tendit Group, please contact Ben Moe or Patrick Watkins at Osceola Capital. Contact: Chris Tofalli Chris Tofalli Public Relations, LLC 914-834-4334 SOURCE Top Gun Facility Services WASHINGTON, Jan. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- On January 13, 2022, the Transformative Justice Coalition will lead a one-day hunger strike to advance the moral imperative of passage of the Freedom to Vote Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act! THIS DAY OF ACTION IS OUR MOMENT TO STAND ON THE PATH OF RIGHTEOUSNESS AND JUSTICE IN THE SACRIFICIAL TRADITION OF CONGRESSMAN JOHN LEWIS AND SO MANY OTHERS! TJC will join UN-PAC and approximately 40 brave college students from throughout the nation as they resume their hunger strike at the US Capitol until voting rights legislation is passed. TJC is asking everyone to join them in this one day hunger strike for democracy by doing whatever they can safely do according to their own health and other needs. TJC will also be joining Un-PAC at a press conference at 2:00pm at Constitution and First Street, NE in Washington, DC to urge the U.S Senate to support rules reform to pass Freedom to Vote Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act. What: "GOOD TROUBLE 2022: ONE DAY HUNGER STRIKE FOR DEMOCRACY" AND PRESS CONFERENCE Who: Barbara Arnwine, Esquire Founder/President/Co-Leader, Transformative Justice Coalition Daryl D. Jones, Esquire, Board Chair/Co-Leader, Transformative Justice Coalition When: Thursday, January 13, 2022 all day and at 2:00pm. Where: Washington, DC and nationwide. Press conference at 2:00pm at Constitution and First Street, NE, Washington, DC (Senate side) For additional information go to: www.tjcoalition.org. Founded in 2015 by Barbara Arnwine, president emeritus of the Lawyer's Committee for Civil Rights, the Transformative Justice Coalition seeks to be a catalyst for transformative institutional changes that bring about justice and equality in the United States and abroad. Learn more at tjcoalition.org. For more information, contact: Lynn Whitfield, Esq. [email protected] (561) 856-6757 SOURCE Transformative Justice Coalition 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) NEWPORT BEACH, Calif., Jan. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Among the 11 most popular washer and dryer laundry appliances, Whirlpool 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, brand trust is critical among people searching for a new washer or dryer and Whirlpool is the brand people trust the most. In the Lifestory Research 2022 America's Most Trusted Study, 9,916 people were surveyed and asked opinions of washer and dryer laundry appliance brands. In study, consumers evaluate several brand equity metrics to understand brand trust. Whirlpol generated the highest Net Trust Quotient score (112.6) among shoppers and earned the #1 ranking in the 2022 Lifestory Research America's Most Trusted study. This is the sixth time in which Whirlpool has been ranked #1 in the annual America's Most Trusted Laundry Appliance 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 sales activity within the product industry. The laundry appliance brands in the national ranking included Whirlpool, Maytag, Bosch, LG, GE, Samsung, Kenmore, Frigidaire, Miele, Electrolux, Amana. For more information about the Lifestory Research 2022, America's Most Trusted Laundry Appliance study, visit https://www.lifestoryresearch.com/2022-americas-most-trusted-laundry-appliance To view the online press release, please visit https://www.lifestoryresearch.com/press-release/2022-national-laundry-appliance-brand-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 VISTA, Calif., Jan. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- 5Ms Publishing, a publishing company focusing on giving exposure to Haitian and Caribbean culture, has announced the release of an inspirational, cross-cultural, coming-of-age novel titled "Out of the Darkness" by Haitian author Jeanne Fortune. This touching book recounts the inspiring story following a young woman's challenging experiences while migrating from Haiti to the United States and trying to adjust to her new life. In a story that explores the struggles immigrants face when coming to the United States, Jeanne Fortune manages to touch on complex topics such as depression and fear of change in an eloquent and compelling manner. The protagonist of "Out of the Darkness," Cynthia Josaphat, is a Haitian teenager who is uprooted from the life she knows and faces a difficult transition as an immigrant in the United States. Being unfamiliar with the English language was the least of her worries as she faced obstacles such as unexpected heart surgery, homelessness, depression, and an abusive relationship. However, although this story is full of the trials and tribulations faced by a young Haitian immigrant, it is also a tale of redemption. Readers of "Out of the Darkness" will be moved by the heartfelt storytelling and protagonist Cynthia's discovery of self-love and perseverance. Out of the Darkness "Writing 'Out of the Darkness' was such an amazing learning and growing experience for me, and I know that my readers will feel a similar sense of growth after completing the story," stated Jeanne Fortune, author of the newly released novel. "Working with 5Ms Publishing has been such an honor, and I feel so grateful that they gave me the opportunity to bring my story to life. I hope this novel acts as a source of inspiration for immigrants while opening the eyes of non-immigrants to the many struggles we can face during difficult transitions." Readers will find "Out of the Darkness" to be a heartstring-tugging emotional rollercoaster that provides inspiration, encouragement, and reassurance to any person who has faced struggles or a difficult transition in their life. Jeanne Fortune is also the author of two charming children's books that also feature themes of celebrating diversity and multiculturalism. Her latest release, "Out of the Darkness," is available now for pre-order as an eBook, audiobook, hardcover, or paperback. The release date is January 25, 2022. www.fivemspublishing.com. Contact: 5Ms Publishing [email protected] SOURCE 5Ms Publishing LONDON, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- Top U.S. health authorities have warned that the Omicron variant is so contagious that it is likely most people in the United States will be infected, The Guardian reported on Wednesday. The Omicron variant, which replaced Delta in less than a month, is now responsible for more than 98 percent of new COVID-19 cases in the country, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "I think it's hard to process what's actually happening right now, which is (that) most people are going to get Covid, all right?" the British newspaper quoted Janet Woodcock, acting head of the Food and Drug Administration, as saying. "What we need to do is make sure the hospitals can still function," Woodcock added. "Omicron, with its extraordinary, unprecedented degree of efficiency of transmissibility, will ultimately find just about everybody," Anthony Fauci, chief medical advisor to the White House, was quoted as saying. A major global challenge in medicine is the safe and effective delivery of therapeutic agents to targeted organs. From cancer chemotherapy to prophylactic and therapeutic vaccinations, and on to virology, neurology and gene therapies, drug delivery is the key to improving drug efficacy and tolerability. That is why "drug delivery technologies" are said to be the choke point of drug and gene therapies. For 25 years, Professor Paul A. Wender, Francis W. Bergstrom Professor of Chemistry & Chemical & System Biology at Stanford University and an elected member of the US National Academy of Sciences, and his research group, have devoted enormous effort to developing innovative drug delivery technologies. He co-founded N1 Life with Dr. Xiaoyu Zang (Janice), a biotech rising star with a PhD in Chemistry from Stanford and expertise in molecular medicine, to accelerate the development and the translation of new therapeutic drug delivery tools to meet clinical needs. The drug delivery technologies of N1 Life have demonstrated significant advantages in non-antigen-dependent tumor targeting, tumor tissue and cell penetration, and overcoming multi-drug resistance. Accuredit has a complementary and proven track record in CMC development and clinical translation capabilities. Fully empowered by their respective technologies and resources, both sides will work together to develop drug delivery technologies and fulfill clinical translation for the ultimate benefit of patients. Dr. Xiaoyu Zang, CEO of N1 Life, said that "We are greatly impressed by the R&D and CMC capabilities of the Accuredit team led by Dr. Wang, who has extensive experience in drug development and program management. We share the same vision of "patient-first" with Accuredit. With our partnership and cross-functional synergy, we look forward to accelerating the translation of innovative drug delivery technologies from "bench to bed" to truly benefit more patients." "We are very pleased to establish a new joint venture, Napoltec, with N1 Life, which will be featuring complementary in mutually pursuing gene therapy drug development. The N1 Life team led by Dr. Zang and Prof. Wender has accumulated years of research and development experience in novel delivery systems. We look forward to working with N1 Life to build a next generation platform for a more effective and safe delivery of gene editing therapeutics with the potential to cure diseases for our patients." said by Dr. Yongzhong Wang, Founder, Chairman and CEO of Accuredit. ABOUT N1 LIFE N1 Life is a platform-based biotechnology company with a global footprint. It is committed to applying innovative drug delivery technologies to the development of clinical products that address unmet medical needs. The company has built its proprietary platform technologies for the delivery of small molecules, polypeptide, proteins, oligonucleotides, siRNA, mRNA, and DNA. The company's pipeline based on its own technology is currently focusing on drug-resistant oncology indications and skin diseases. The company was co-founded by Paul A. Wender, PhD, Bergstrom Professor of Chemistry at Stanford and elected member of the US National Academy of Sciences, and Dr. Xiaoyu Zang (Janice), a former graduate student in the chemistry department of Stanford University. The company is currently based in San Jose, California with a team of scientists/inventors from Stanford University. Contact: Xiaoyu Zang (Janice) Email: [email protected] ABOUT ACCUREDIT THERAPEUTICS Accuredit Therapeutics (Suzhou) Co., Ltd. was established in July 2021 with its focus on intracellular targets, based on new generations of safe, efficient, and highly targeted gene editing delivery technologies. The company uses industry-leading algorithms for off-target effect analysis, industry-proven CMC process development, and GMP manufacturing and commercialization experience and capabilities. The company is committed to providing patients around the world with innovative medicines and treatment options for the remedy of serious and life-threatening congenital genetic disorders and acquired diseases. The company has recently received large funding during seed round financing and is building a new generation of gene editing technology, delivery carrier technology platform, and large-scale GMP industrialization platform in line with international standards with an area of over 10,000 square meters. Accuredit Therapeutics (Suzhou) Co., Ltd. Address: R06, 2F, B6, No. 218, Xinghu Street, Industrial Park, Suzhou Contact: Nicole Zhang Email: [email protected] SOURCE Accuredit Therapeutics (Suzhou) Co., Ltd. INWOOD, N.Y., Jan. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Amazon revenue over the past several years has grown in the 30% range year-over-year. Winning products on Amazon can be immensely profitable. In particular, many private brands with custom "Designed for Amazon" products have been tremendously successful. Over ten billion dollars of debt and equity has been allocated worldwide to over one hundred Amazon brand acquisition firms like Thrasio to acquire private, "Amazon-centric" brands and products. Designed for Amazon Albert Scott is an eCommerce Management company that helps brands market and grow on Amazon.com. We have assembled a rich solution of custom software, business models and professional talent to enable our clients to become market leaders. These capabilities are instrumental in their rapid growth on Amazon.com. As a part of the Albert Scott mission, we help brands innovate winning products with our "Designed for Amazon" service. Our sophisticated service identifies and helps the brand create products that will succeed on Amazon. Here is how the "Designed for Amazon" service works: Product Identification: To identify "homerun Amazon products" we use a proprietary set of research tools that analyze "big data" available from the Amazon platform. We study the nuances of Amazon searches for features that Amazon buyers want. We study price points, how much marketing is being invested and at what cost, what are the reviews saying, who are the competitors, etc. Ultimately, we can "hone in" on the detailed specs for a winning product and features that we are confident will succeed. Complete Product Definition: Albert Scott professionals then define what the actual product should be. Using the results specs and features from the Product Identification, we define the product packaging with consideration for shipping cost limitations, product attractiveness, product durability, expected manufacturing or landed costs, etc. With this information, we can pinpoint the "cost of goods" and profit. Marketing Projection: We understand that a new product will need marketing investment. We create the financial model for an array of on-Amazon and off-Amazon marketing programs that will promote the new product. Our models are built on measured experience. With these projections, we can tell the brand when we expect profitability and what that profit will be. Manufacturing/Sourcing: If the brand wishes, Albert Scott will work with them to create and test a product with the features and cost determined by our research. Listing Creation: Albert Scott has spun-off a company, ListingBaby.com, focused on very high-quality listing development. We make sure the product listing that is created amplifies the nuances of or product which make it unique. Creative videos for Video in Search ("VIS") are often developed to accelerate sales. Sales Testing: Albert Scott tests product sales by an actual marketing effort. We sell the product on Amazon, and with a small marketing budget. We compare marketing costs by analyzing the ACOS (Average Cost of Sale) of different marketing channels. We watch reviews, feedback and customer returns issues to see what needs to be changed or improved in the product. Go To Market: We now have created a winning new product empirically - based on real data, market testing and real customer experience. Our unique Designed for Amazon service can be used by existing brands or by investors to build new, winning brands. The possibilities for product innovation are endless. These Designed for Amazon products later become winning products in the brick-and-mortar channel! About Albert Scott, LLC Albert Scott, LLC, represents many of the world's leading brands on Amazon.com. Through its highly-developed infrastructure, Albert Scott provides listing, marketing, and retail services for brands. All the Albert Scott services are provided by a team of experienced Amazon professionals. Media Contact: Yoni Lebovits [email protected] 347-388-9725 SOURCE Albert Scott, LLC STAMFORD, Conn., Jan. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Altus Power, Inc. ("Altus Power" or the "Company") today announced the expansion of its community solar program with the addition of a 2.5 megawatt (MW) solar project in Illinois. The project, located in Belvidere, Illinois in the greater Chicagoland area, is Altus Power's first in Illinois, extending the Company's operational reach into 18 states. With the addition of Illinois, Altus Power now has community solar programs in seven states, namely Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Hawaii and Illinois. Altus Power's community solar programs offer solar energy credits to a diverse range of subscribers in their communities, from homes to local schools and hospitals. The new Illinois project utilizes a rooftop photovoltaic solar system and, when fully subscribed, its customers will include local businesses and homes. "Altus Power is one of the largest providers of community solar in the country," said Lars Norell, Co-CEO of Altus Power. "The Belvidere project expands our footprint, and allows Altus Power to bring reliable, affordable power to more customers, in a new operating territory. We will also look to bring other adjacent offerings to our new customers, including energy storage and EV charging assistance, allowing communities and businesses to accelerate electrification. We welcome our new customers in Belvidere, Illinois to the more than 5,000 community solar customers we currently serve. Community solar programs provide savings and clean solar power to homeowners and enterprises while serving the goals of utilities across the country and Altus is proud to expand our presence into the state of Illinois." About Altus Power Altus Power, based in Stamford, Connecticut, is creating a clean electrification ecosystem, serving its commercial, public sector and community solar customers with locally sited solar generation, energy storage, and EV charging stations across the U.S. Since its founding in 2009, Altus Power has developed or acquired over 350 megawatts from Vermont to Hawaii. Visit altuspower.com to learn more. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of words such as "anticipate", "believe", "could", "continue", "expect", "estimate", "may", "plan", "outlook", "future" and "project" and other similar expressions that predict or indicate future events or trends or that are not statements of historical matters. These statements, which involve risks and uncertainties, relate to analyses and other information that are based on forecasts of future results and estimates of amounts not yet determinable and may also relate to Altus Power's future prospects, developments and business strategies. These statements are based on Altus Power's management's current expectations and beliefs, as well as a number of assumptions concerning future events. Such forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other important factors, many of which are outside Altus Power's control, that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements. These risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other important factors include, but are not limited to: (1) the ability of Altus Power to maintain its listing on the New York Stock Exchange; (2) the ability to recognize the anticipated benefits of the recently completed business combination and related transactions (the "Transactions"), which may be affected by, among other things, competition, the ability of Altus Power to grow and manage growth profitably, maintain relationships with customers, business partners, suppliers and agents and retain its management and key employees; (3) costs related to the Transactions; (4) changes in applicable laws or regulations; (5) the possibility that Altus Power may be adversely affected by other economic, business, regulatory and/or competitive factors; (6) the impact of COVID-19 on Altus Power's business; and (7) the failure to realize anticipated pro forma results and underlying assumptions related to the Transactions. Additional factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in forward-looking statements can be found under the heading "Risk Factors" Altus Power's Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 10, 2022, as well as the other information we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. New risks and uncertainties arise from time to time, and it is impossible for us to predict these events or how they may affect us. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance upon any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made, and Altus Power undertakes no obligation to update or revise the forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, changes in expectations, future events or otherwise. This press release is not intended to be all-inclusive or to contain all the information that a person may desire in considering an investment in Altus Power and is not intended to form the basis of an investment decision in Altus Power. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements concerning Altus Power or other matters and attributable to Altus Power or any person acting on its behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements above. Altus Power Contacts For Media: Cory Ziskind ICR, Inc. [email protected] For Investors: Caldwell Bailey ICR, Inc. [email protected] SOURCE Altus Power, Inc. Firm invests in stronger measures, systems to bolster security & privacy management VANCOUVER, BC, Jan. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - Angus Reid today announced it is now ISO/IEC 27001:2013 and HIPAA/HITECH certified. "At Angus Reid, our customers deserve to know that their information is secure with us," said founder and CEO, Angus Reid. "Both these new certifications confirm our commitment to fostering a culture of security awareness across all our interactions." The certifications are comprehensive security management standards that specify a set of best practices and controls. As an organization, Angus Reid has examined its information security risks and designed a set of security controls to mitigate them. That includes adopting a management process that reviews these controls on an ongoing basis and conducting an internal audit of the above to test for conformity. It also involves enlisting A-LIGN, an independent, third-party firm that tests for conformity and summarily issues these certifications, to conduct these audits. Upon issuing its report, A-LIGN determined Angus Reid to have technical controls in place and formalized IT Security policies, procedures, security measures, and countermeasures that protect it from unauthorized access or compromise. Further, IT personnel were found to be conscientious, knowledgeable, and aligned with best practices. "As a company, we continuously aim to meet industry standards and exceed customer expectations," added Reid. "These certifications reaffirm that we have robust, internationally recognized security controls in place and that protecting and managing customer data is an ongoing priority." About Angus Reid Angus Reid is one of North America's best known and respected names in opinion data, market research, and data services. The Angus Reid team offers a variety of research solutions to businesses, brands, governments, and not-for-profit organizations, and derives powerful insights that help to inform decisions. Data is collected through a suite of tools and proprietary panels. Primary among those is the Angus Reid Forum, an opinion community consisting of engaged residents across North America who respond to surveys on topical issues and provide answers to questions that matter. SOURCE Angus Reid KINGSTON, ON, Jan. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- In his latest book, "One of Us: A Biologist's Walk Among Bears," acclaimed grizzly bear biologist Barrie K. Gilbert delivers nearly 40 years' worth of expertise in a compelling, science-based call for conservation, appreciation and coexistence with grizzlies. Climate change does not only yield rising sea levels and intense droughts. It also opens the door for more frequent interactions between grizzlies and humans, as the bears are increasingly forced to leave their depleted habitats in search of resources. Unfortunately, our misconceptions surrounding grizzlies often mean these interactions are charged with fear. "One of Us" serves as the timely antidote to this fear, debunking common myths and encouraging smart, resourceful confidence in hikers, campers and the general public around bears. The book not only provides actionable strategies for eliminating fear-based reactions, but also inspires awareness, respect and sympathy for grizzlies, all of which are vital to maintain as human and grizzly populations continue to overlap. "Barrie Gilbert is probably the most experienced, credible grizzly bear biologist working on the planet today," said Doug Peacock, renowned nature writer and grizzly bear expert. "His time observing grizzly behavior in Alaska, Canada and the Northern Rockies exceeds any living researcher and places Dr. Gilbert in the rare company of our greatest naturalists, reminiscent of the Murie brothers. Here is the grizzly book, packed with incredible knowledge, to trust." Barrie Gilbert graduated with a degree in biology from Queen's University and a PhD in zoology from Duke University. He has spent thousands of hours among wild bears in Yosemite and Yellowstone national parks, Alberta, coastal British Columbia, and along Brooks River in Alaska's Katmai National Park. "One of Us: A Biologist's Walk Among Bears" is available in print and e-book formats in most major online bookstores, including Amazon , Barnes & Noble , Google Play , and Friesen Press. Media Contact: Barrie K. Gilbert [email protected] (613) 385-2289 SOURCE Kings Crest Global HOESBACH, Germany, Jan. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- On January 1st, 2022, ASC Technologies AG, the leading software, and cloud provider in the field of compliance recording, quality management and analytics, expands its international presence with its own representation in Milano, Italy. ASC has acquired its long-standing Italian partner Adabus S.r.l. together with all staff, and renamed its now fully owned subsidiary to ASC Technologies S.r.l. For almost 30 years, Adabus S.r.l. was ASC's leading sales and service partner in the Italian market. "With this transaction, we ensure that Italian customers have access to our best experts and solutions, from on-premise to hybrid solutions to pure cloud services," says Dr. Gerald Kromer, Chief Executive Officer of ASC Technologies AG. The direct market presence with its subsidiary ASC Technologies S.r.l. provides an excellent stepping-stone for ASC to meet the requirements of Italian customers. The new subsidiary, as per tradition, is based in Milano. "Italy is an important market for us and we are glad to continue our global expansion with our own subsidiary here. The acquisition of Adabus takes us one step further on our path to becoming a leading cloud recording & analytics company worldwide," explains Kromer. Giorgio Cutrignelli, formerly a senior manager at Adabus, will head the new subsidiary as Managing Director. He is not only responsible for leading the team on site, but also for cultivating existing and forging new customer relationships in the Italian market. He will be working in close cooperation with the sales and technology experts from the company's German headquarters. "Giorgio and his team draw on more than 20 years of experience in the information and telecommunications technology market and has a tremendous expertise which is of great value for our customers," says Kromer. "Thanks to his customer-oriented approach, he will offer our partners and customers the best possible support. With his expertise, he will help us in strengthening ASC's international reputation and further expanding our presence." For more information about ASC's portfolio, please visit www.asctechnologies.com. About ASC Please follow us on: LinkedIn | Facebook | YouTube | Xing | Twitter Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1625820/ASC_Cloud_Solutions_Logo.jpg SOURCE ASC Cloud Solutions NORTHBOROUGH, Mass., Jan. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Aspen Aerogels, Inc. (NYSE: ASPN) ("Aspen", the "Company"), a technology leader in sustainability and electrification solutions, today announced the retirement plans of the Company's CFO. John F. Fairbanks, Aspen's Chief Financial Officer, informed the Company of his intent to retire after 15 years of dedicated and valuable service to the Company. Mr. Fairbanks plans to step down from his role effective April 1, 2022. Concurrently, Ricardo C. Rodriguez, the Company's Chief Strategy Officer, will succeed Mr. Fairbanks as CFO. In addition, the Company announced several recent additions to its senior management team. "I would like to thank John for his significant contributions to the Company," noted Don Young, Aspen's President and CEO. "During his tenure, Aspen went from being an early stage company endeavoring to master its technology and to gain a commercial toehold to what is now a leader in its field a dynamic company, rich with opportunity. He has been a leader and mentor for all of his colleagues, and his impact on Aspen is immeasurable. John and I have worked side-by-side during these 15 years and my respect for him is deep. On behalf of the entire Aspen team and our Board of Directors, we wish him a very happy, healthy, and well-deserved retirement." Mr. Young added, "I am excited to announce that Ricardo Rodriguez will be named Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, effective upon John's retirement. Ricardo brings with him a wealth of automotive knowledge and financial acumen, with a strong track record of driving growth and delivering results. His leadership will be invaluable to Aspen and will make an immediate impact as we continue to stake our position in the EV megatrend." Mr. Fairbanks remarked, "My decision to join Aspen in October 2006 was the best of my career. I've been privileged to work with a talented and deeply dedicated team at Aspen for more than 15 years and am proud of the company we've built. I'm fortunate to be in a position to retire and look forward to spending more time with my family and to giving back to my community. I'm also thankful for Don and the Board's support during my tenure with the Company and am committed to providing a smooth transition for Ricardo into the role of Chief Financial Officer. Most importantly, I'm confident that Ricardo has the precise set of talent, skills and experience to be a successful leader at Aspen today and for the next 15 years." Ricardo Rodriguez joined Aspen in November 2021 as the Company's Chief Strategy Officer. Mr. Rodriguez brings to Aspen deep strategic, operational, and financial experience in the auto industry. Prior to joining Aspen, Ricardo was a Corporate Strategy Director at Aptiv, a $15 billion automotive technology company where he led the establishment of its Vehicle Electrification Systems group, among other value-adding initiatives. Previously, he has served in a variety of finance, planning and P&L leadership roles at ClearMotion, GM's OnStar division, Amazon and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (now Stellantis). In addition, Mr. Rodriguez worked as an investment banker at Lazard, where he focused on automotive M&A and restructuring advisory. Mr. Rodriguez received his Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from General Motors Institute / Kettering University while working at Magna International and holds an MBA from Harvard Business School. "I am honored to be appointed as Aspen's next CFO," commented Mr. Rodriguez. "With a revenue plan that is aligned with the megatrend of electrification and powered by a safety-critical proprietary solution, Aspen is a very unique technology supplier. I feel privileged to be part of the team that has been working with the top OEMs at the first principles level to address a core EV system level issue like thermal runaway. Joining the Company at this inflection point is extremely motivating and I am confident in our ability to create value as we execute our strategy. I look forward to working closely with Don and the talented Aspen team to build a company that can make the most of the opportunity that electrification presents to us." Mr. Young added, "Aspen is in the midst of a significant growth trajectory. We have recently recruited a number of additional talented leaders to bolster our outstanding team, a process that will continue as we build Aspen Aerogels." Keith Schilling has been appointed to the newly created role of Senior Vice President, Technology, reporting to Mr. Young, effective January 29, 2022. Mr. Schilling joined Aspen in November 2021 and brings extensive executive leadership experience to the Company. Prior to joining Aspen, Mr. Schilling held senior level commercial and technology leadership roles at Schlumberger, Tetra Technologies, the combined Baker Hughes and GE Oil & Gas Companies and Basic Energy Services, both domestically and internationally. Mr. Schilling also has extensive experience in developing partnerships, and has negotiated and successfully closed multiple acquisitions. Mr. Schilling received his Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering from Texas A&M University and holds an MBA from Erasmus University in the Netherlands. Mr. Young commented, "Keith is an accomplished leader, who has led businesses globally and worked with research and development teams to successfully develop and commercialize technology. He is a perfect complement to Aspen's brilliant group of scientists led by George Gould, Chief Technology Officer, and Alexei Erchak, Chief Innovation Officer. Their charter is aligned with our strategy to leverage our Aerogel Technology Platform into large and dynamic markets, with a mission to keep the technology platform central to the ethos of Aspen Aerogels and to enable us to have a profound impact on global sustainability." Mr. Schilling added, "I am honored and excited to lead the technology teams at Aspen, particularly as we build on the legacy of this great company. We seek to leverage our strong position in the Energy Infrastructure market, grow our EV and sustainable building materials markets, and explore new markets aligned with our strategy. I am excited to join this amazing and talented team and I look forward to a bright future with Aspen." Amy Damiano joined Aspen in June 2021 as Vice President of Marketing. In this role, Ms. Damiano provides strategic and marketing leadership to grow Aspen's business. Ms. Damiano joins Aspen from Sensata Technologies, a global technology company focused on automotive, industrial and aerospace markets, where she held several strategic and marketing roles. Prior to her tenure at Sensata, Ms. Damiano was employed at United Technologies in commercial sales. Ms. Damiano received her Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from Villanova University and her MBA from Southern Methodist University Laura Guerrant-Oiye joined Aspen in September 2021 as Vice President of Investor Relations & Corporate Communications. In this role, Ms. Guerrant is responsible for establishing the strategic direction and execution of the IR and corporate communications practices of the Company, in addition to establishing Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) reporting standards. Ms. Guerrant has 30 years of IR and capital markets experience, including the last 20 years as the principal and owner of her own IR & corporate communications advisory practice which predominantly served companies in the technology, industrials and life sciences industries. "Amy and Laura are additional examples of our adding talented individuals to the Aspen team as we capitalize on our rapidly growing opportunities in the EV and other sustainability driven markets," said Mr. Young. "These strategic hires have track records of success in their respective fields and are a testament both to the quality of the organization we are building and to the exciting growth opportunities at Aspen." About Aspen Aerogels, Inc. Aspen is a technology leader in sustainability. The Company's aerogel technology enables its customers and partners to achieve their own objectives around the global megatrends of resource efficiency, electrification and sustainability. Aspen's PyroThin thermal barrier products enable solutions to thermal runaway challenges within the electric vehicle and energy storage markets. The Company's carbon aerogel program seeks to increase the performance of lithium-ion battery cells to enable EV manufacturers to extend the driving range and reduce the cost of electric vehicles. Aspen's Spaceloft sustainable building materials provide industry-leading energy efficiency and fire safety to building owners. The Company's Cryogel and Pyrogel products are valued by the world's largest energy infrastructure companies. Aspen's strategy is to partner with world-class industry leaders to leverage its aerogel technology platform into additional high-value markets. Headquartered in Northborough, MA, Aspen manufactures its products at its East Providence, R.I. facility. For more information, please visit www.aerogel.com. Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking and Cautionary Statements This press release and any related discussion contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to be materially different from historical results or from any future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including statements relating to Aspen's 2021 financial outlook. These statements are not historical facts but rather are based on Aspen's current expectations, estimates and projections regarding Aspen's business, operations and other factors relating thereto, including with respect to Aspen's 2021 financial outlook. Words such as "may," "will," "could," "would," "should," "anticipate," "predict," "potential," "continue," "expects," "intends," "plans," "projects," "believes," "estimates," "outlook," "assumes," and similar expressions are used to identify these forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements include statements regarding, among other things, Aspen's expectations about its long term growth strategy, future growth trajectory, revenue and operations; Aspen's technology and alignment with broader trends in the EV market; opportunities presented by electrification; beliefs about the general strength, weakness or health of Aspen's business; and beliefs about current or future trends in EV thermal barrier, EV battery materials or other markets and the impact of these trends on Aspen's business. All such forward-looking statements are based on management's present expectations and are subject to certain factors, risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results, outcome of events, timing and performance to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the following: an inability to create new product, partnership and market opportunities; the right of EV thermal barrier customers to cancel contracts with Aspen at any time and without penalty; any costs, expenses, or investments incurred by Aspen in excess of projections used to develop pricing under the contracts with EV thermal barrier customers; any failure of Aspen or PyroThin to meet contractual specifications and requirements under contracts with EV thermal barrier customers; any failure of Aspen's products to meet applicable specifications and other performance, safety, technical and delivery requirements; the general economic conditions and cyclical demands in the markets that Aspen serves; and the other risk factors discussed under the heading "Risk Factors" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 and filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on March 12, 2021, as well as any updates to those risk factors filed from time to time in our subsequent periodic and current reports filed with the SEC. All statements contained in this press release are made only as of the date of this press release. Aspen does not intend to update this information unless required by law. SOURCE Aspen Aerogels, Inc. ARLINGTON, Va., Jan. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the American Trucking Associations President and CEO Chris Spear issued the following statement after the U.S. Supreme Court issued a stay of the Biden Administration's vaccine-or-test mandate for employers: "Today, ATA has won a tremendous victory on behalf of the trucking industry and workers and employers everywhere. Today's ruling by the Supreme Court validates our claim that OSHA far overstepped its authority in issuing an emergency temporary standard that would interfere with individuals' private health care decisions. "Trucking has been on the front lines throughout the pandemic delivering PPE, medical supplies, food, clothing, fuel, and even the vaccines themselves. Thanks to this ruling, our industry will continue to deliver critical goods, as our nation recovers from the pandemic and we move our economy forward." American Trucking Associations is the largest national trade association for the trucking industry. Through a federation of 50 affiliated state trucking associations and industry-related conferences and councils, ATA is the voice of the industry America depends on most to move our nation's freight. Follow ATA on Twitter or on Facebook. Trucking Moves America Forward. SOURCE American Trucking Associations VANCOUVER, BC, Jan. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - Awale Resources Limited ("Awale" or the "Company") (TSXV: ARIC) is pleased to announce that infill and follow up soil and termitaria geochemistry on the 5km long Sceptre Iron-Oxide Copper-Gold ("IOCG") target, Odienne Project, has refined the anomaly into 2 significant high tenor copper-gold ("Cu-Au") IOCG targets (Figures 1 and 2). The two Sceptre Cu-Au targets are now ready for follow up geophysics and maiden drilling in the first half of 2022 (Figures 3). On the basis of the regional geological setting of Odienne, the soil/termitaria data from the Sceptre prospect. and the initial drill results from the adjacent Charger prospect (see Company news release dated 22nd July 2021), the Company interprets the geological setting of the Odienne district to be comparable to that of other significant IOCG provinces globally. IOCG deposits are significant contributors to global copper and gold inventories, and the Company considers the Odienne project to contain significant potential for the discovery of the first major IOCG deposit known in west Africa. HIGHLIGHTS Follow-up soil/termitaria sampling has allowed for the definition of two distinct Cu-Au targets at the recently defined Sceptre anomaly, Sceptre East and Sceptre West anomaly, Sceptre East and Sceptre West Sceptre East (Figure 3) forms a coincident 1.5 km long, >368ppm (parts per million) Cu / >20ppb (parts per billion) Au footprint with a peak value of 1,776ppm Cu and 554ppb Au. Comparatively, this anomaly covers an area 4 times the size of the recently drilled Charger target, which returned 3m at 9 grams per tonne (g/t) Au and 0.4% Cu within a sulfide bearing hematite breccia (drill hole OERC-89, release dated 22 nd July 2021 ). The core of the Cu/Au footprint tested at Charger is a 400m long auger anomaly at >90ppb Au and > 100ppm Cu. Sceptre Main (Figure 3) forms a larger, NE trending 2.6 km long and 1.5km wide >110ppm Cu anomaly with coincident >14 ppb Au anomalism. The Sceptre Main target is known to contain a series of polymetallic veins that have returned high grade results with up to 26.7 g/t Au and 1.5% Cu in selective sampling from artisanal workings. View Attached Figures: http://www.awaleresources.com/_resources/maps/2022-01-12-Sceptre-Cu-Au-IOCG-Final-Figures.pdf Company CEO Glen Parsons commented today: "We are delighted that the Odienne IOCG project has continued to develop in this manner. There are striking similarities between the geology, mineralisation and crustal setting of Odienne and other major global IOCG provinces such as Olympic Dam and Carajas which host multiple Tier 1 deposits and are major contributors to global Copper and Gold inventories. These targets place Awale in a unique position to be drill testing the Sceptre targets that have potential deliver Tier 1 discoveries for the company, and developing the Odienne district into a new mineralised province in west Africa" Next Steps Planned exploration for the 1st half of 2022 will include ground geophysics both gravity and targeted IP surveys (gradient array and pole dipole sections) immediately followed by targeted trenching and drilling. Geophysics and trenching are anticipated to commence in Q1 2022 with scout drilling to follow over both the Sceptre East and Sceptre prospects in Q2. Background on IOCG deposits and similarities to the Odienne district. Precambrian IOCG provinces globally (e.g. Olympic Dam - Gawler Craton, Australia and Carajas - Amazonian Craton, Brazil) are important sources of copper and gold, and are characterized by their association with iron-oxides such as hematite and magnetite. These IOCG deposits formed during brief episodes of extension that postdated accretion of Paleoproterozoic terranes onto an Archean craton nucleus (Hayward and Skirrow 2010, Porter 2010) Figures 4 and 5 depict the crustal setting of both the provinces and Figure 6 includes Odienne location and as a comparison. These periods of extension and mineralization in the Gawler craton were characterized by bimodal volcanism and plutonism characterized by the Gawler range volcanics and the Hiltaba Suite plutons. The Olympic dam province hosts Carapateena (950Mt at 0.57% Cu, 0.25g/t Au, 2.7 g/t Ag Oz Minerals Resources and Reserves statement June 2020) and Prominent Hill (150 Mt at 0.9% Cu, 0.75 g/t Au and 2.5 g/t Ag Oz Minerals Resources and Reserves statement June 2021) along with the giant Olympic Dam deposit (10.1 Gt @ 0.61% Cu, 0.27 g/t Au, 1.0 g/t Ag, 0.21 kg/tonne U3O8 BHP Annual report 2021) Olympic Dam has a current projected mine life of some 40 years and has been operating since 1988*. The Carajas IOCG province is developed on the NE margins of Southern Amazonian Craton, although older than the Gawler has a similar setting is similar with accreted terranes, bimodal volcanism and plutonism and similar age to the Leo-Man Craton in west Africa. The deposits are located within the east-southeast trending 150 km long Itacaiunas Shear Belt, that cuts obliquely across the bimodal, but mainly mafic to intermediate volcanism which overlies the Mesoarchaean granitoid nucleus of the Amazonian craton (Porter 2010). Combined, all the Carajas deposit have been estimated to contain combined resources of >8 Gt @ 0.9 wt.% Cu and 0.2 g/t Au (Xavier et al., 2012)*. Awale has now adopted an IOCG model as the setting of the Odienne Projects which consists of a suite of volcanic and volcaniclastic rocks of basaltic to felsic composition that are synchronous or intruded by a series of late plutons. The project area sits on the margins of an interpreted deep seated major crustal structure where Paleoproterozoic rocks have accreted on to an Archean nucleus (Man Craton) that extends from Cote d'Ivoire westward into Guinea for over 200km. Recent studies show that a large igneous intrusive province has formed along this paleosuture zone, and this province extends through Odienne (see figure 6). The similarities in Odienne crustal setting to the Major Olympic Dam and Carajas IOCG provinces in Australia and Brazil are convincing. The Sceptre and Sceptre East and Charger Prospects are associated with a sequence of late bimodal intrusions likely coeval undeformed bimodal volcanic rocks along with hematite breccia within magnetite altered diorite at the Charger prospect. When paired with the Cu Au and Silver (Ag) mineralization and polymetallic zonation containing pathfinder elements typically associated with IOCG systems (including bismuth, silver, molybdenum, and tungsten) all provides compelling evidence for the comparison to the major global IOCG provinces. *References made to mines and analogous deposits provide context for the Odienne project but are not necessarily indicative that these projects host similar tonnages or grades of mineralization. Quality Control and Assurance Analytical work for auger/soil and termitaria geochemical samples is being carried out at the independent Intertek Laboratories Australia Ltd. an ISO 17025 (2017) Certified Laboratory. Samples are stored at the Company's field camps and put into sealed bags until collected by Intertek from the Company's secure Bondoukou or Odienne office and transported by Intertek to their laboratory in Tarkwa, Ghana for preparation. Samples are logged in the tracking system, weighed, dried and pulverized to better than 85%, passing a 75-micron screen, this pulp sample is then shipped to Australia where 10-gram split is analysed by ICP/MS with an Aqua Regia digest. Blanks, duplicates and certified reference material (standards) are being used to monitor laboratory performance during the analysis. Qualified Person The technical and scientific information contained in this news release has been reviewed and approved for release by Andrew Chubb, the Company's Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101. Mr Chubb is the Company's Chief Operating Officer and holds an Economic Geology degree, is a Member of the Australian Institute of Geoscientists (AIG) and is a Member of the Society of Economic Geologists (SEG). Mr Chubb has 18 years of experience in international minerals exploration and mining project evaluation. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD AWALE RESOURCES LIMITED. "Glen Parsons" Glen Parsons, President and CEO For additional information you are invited to visit the Awale Resources Limited website at www.awaleresources.com. Forward-Looking Information This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Actual results and developments may differ materially from those contemplated by such information. The statements in this news release are made as of the date hereof. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking information except as required by applicable law. Cautionary 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 SOURCE Awale Resources NEW YORK, Jan. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Bank of America today announced the launch of CashPro Forecasting, a tool that uses artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) technology to more accurately predict future cash positions across clients' accounts at Bank of America and other financial institutions. The solution was developed in collaboration with a fintech that specializes in applying machine learning to cash forecasting to help solve a top pain point for companies: how to measure future cash needs without a significant manual effort or a costly technology investment. "Many companies today rely on manual, repetitive work to forecast their cash needs, leaving little time to analyze the data for making strategic decisions, which is the actual objective of the forecasting exercise," said Ken Ullmann, co-head of Global Commercial Banking, Global Transaction Services at Bank of America. "With CashPro Forecasting, companies can automate their forecasting process while improving the accuracy of their predictions, all without making any IT investment." CashPro Forecasting is available to clients already using CashPro, the platform that the bank's corporate and commercial clients use to manage their everyday treasury and borrowing needs. "Unlike competitor solutions, CashPro Forecasting requires no onboarding since it's fully integrated into the platform, allowing it to automatically plug into the client's historical cash flow information," said Jay Davenport, head of Product Structuring Sales in Global Transaction Services at Bank of America. "A client can activate the service themselves from their CashPro settings, and begin using it immediately." CashPro Forecasting uses a variety of ML models to learn from a client's historical cash flows, automatically selecting the most accurate one for each account and using it to forecast future cash positions. At the end of each day, the models are retrained based on the new cash flows from that day, allowing them to continuously learn and adjust for changes in seasonality and other operational impacts specific to each company. "The economic repercussions of the pandemic have underscored the importance of first, cash visibility, and second, accurate cash flow forecasts. Many corporations experienced a harsh spotlight on the shortcomings of their cash flow forecasts regardless of source. As a result, pacesetter banks have been accelerating enhancements to their cash flow forecasting offering," said Alenka Grealish, Senior Corporate Banking Analyst at Celent. The key features of CashPro Forecasting include: Improved accuracy Machine learning technology automatically learns from historical cash flows Scenario analysis Users can create their own forecast scenarios by taking trailing averages or assigning growth rates Multibank reporting The service forecasts cash flows across Bank of America and bank accounts held at other third party banks Transaction mapping Users can create simple rules to automatically classify and forecast individual transactions into categories such as Collections or Payroll Simple setup Zero implementation. Companies can enable the service directly within CashPro and begin using it immediately Customizable Companies can forecast by account, currency, transaction type, or choose their own cash flow categories. These can be done on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis, up to a year in the future Backed by a team of innovators, Bank of America is a leader in treasury and transaction services, with CashPro Forecasting being the latest innovation brought to market. Others launched over the last year include: Account Validation, Recipient Select, Complete AP, the Executive Explorer travel card and an enhanced Intelligent Receivables. Learn more about the bank's Global Transaction Services capabilities. Bank of America Bank of America is one of the world's leading financial institutions, serving individual consumers, small and middle-market businesses and large corporations with a full range of banking, investing, asset management and other financial and risk management products and services. The company provides unmatched convenience in the United States, serving approximately 66 million consumer and small business clients with approximately 4,200 retail financial centers, approximately 17,000 ATMs, and award-winning digital banking with approximately 41 million active users, including approximately 32 million mobile users. Bank of America is a global leader in wealth management, corporate and investment banking and trading across a broad range of asset classes, serving corporations, governments, institutions and individuals around the world. Bank of America offers industry-leading support to approximately 3 million small business households through a suite of innovative, easy-to-use online products and services. The company serves clients through operations across the United States, its territories and approximately 35 countries. Bank of America Corporation stock (NYSE: BAC) is listed on the New York Stock Exchange. "Bank of America" is the marketing name used by certain Global Banking and Global Markets businesses of Bank of America Corporation. Lending, other commercial banking activities, and trading in certain financial instruments are performed globally by banking affiliates of Bank of America Corporation, including Bank of America, N.A., Member FDIC. 2022 Bank of America Corporation. All rights reserved. For more Bank of America news, including dividend announcements and other important information, register for news email alerts. Reporters May Contact: Louise Hennessy, Bank of America Phone: 1.646.858.6471 [email protected] SOURCE Bank of America Corporation NEW YORK, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- The federal government of the United States is sending medical teams to New York, New Jersey, Ohio, Rhode Island, Michigan and New Mexico to help hospitals overburdened by COVID-19, U.S. media has reported. U.S. President Joe Biden is to announce the deployments on Thursday when discussing steps the administration is taking to address a surge in infections driven by the Omicron variant, according to USA Today. "His remarks come as hospitalizations for COVID-19 are setting records," said the report, adding that some hospitals are delaying elective surgeries as states are deploying National Guard members to health care facilities. MORE TEST KITS After reaching the grim milestone of 800,000 coronavirus deaths in December, the United States continued to shatter records as the Omicron variant surges. According to Johns Hopkins University, the total number of COVID-19 cases in the country topped 60 million on Sunday. Just days before, it had shattered a single-day record with over 1 million infections. Despite initial evidence that the Omicron variant is less likely than previous variants to cause severe illness, the sheer number of infections have increased hospitalizations. Having struggled with staff shortages, schools are also seeing a decline in attendance as students stay away partly because of the limited availability of tests, The Wall Street Journal reported Thursday. "The U.S. administration has faced criticism for the country's low testing capacity at the start of the Omicron surge," said the report, noting that the federal government is planning to distribute millions of free COVID-19 tests to schools and other public sectors around the country in the coming week. Problems with the testing in the United States began at the very beginning of the pandemic, when the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) distributed faulty test kits to laboratories in February 2020. N95 GOING EXPENSIVE A total of 1,481,375 new cases and 1,904 new deaths were reported in the United States on Monday. The single-day increase of cases has set a new record around the globe since the onset of the pandemic, according to latest data of Johns Hopkins University. The potential for a new recommendation from the CDC is unleashing a scramble for highly protective N95 masks and boosting their prices, Bloomberg Wealth reported Wednesday. The agency is considering changing its guidance to advise that people wear higher-quality masks to better protect against Omicron. "That's contributing to a surge in prices for gold-standard N95 and KN95 face coverings on sites like Amazon.com," said the report. Quoting Camelcamelcamel, a website that tracks prices of products sold on Amazon, the report said one pack of 40 KN95 masks from the Hotodeal brand now costs 79.99 U.S. dollars from third-party sellers on Amazon, up from just 16.99 dollars in late November, while a 50-pack of Kimberly-Clark N95 masks is going for 57.15 dollars compared with 23.19 dollars in early October. MORE CRUISE DELAYS According to the CDC, the majority of cruise ships sailing in the United States have reported COVID-19 outbreaks in the last several weeks. These ongoing outbreaks have barred cruise ships from docking at ports of calls, infected crew, and forced passengers to quarantine aboard ships, Business Insider reported Wednesday. Norwegian and Royal Caribbean have postponed several sailings, citing travel restrictions or the COVID-19 outbreak. Almost 250 cruises were set to sail throughout the first month of 2022, but this ongoing rise in COVID-19 cases could continue to cause further cancellations, said the report. The CDC's Framework for Conditional Sailing Order will expire on Saturday at which point the health agency's COVID-19 guidance of risk mitigation for cruise ships will become voluntary. This means cruise lines can choose whether to follow the health agency's guidance or not, according to USA Today. The CDC recently told Americans to avoid travel on cruise ships, regardless of their vaccination status. MORE SURGES FLATTENED "Dramatic surges in cases in Northeast have flattened, suggesting that the Omicron wave is levelling off there," The New York Times reported Thursday. According to the newspaper, the number of new COVID-19 cases in New York City rose more than 20-fold in December but has flattened in the past few days. "In both New Jersey and Maryland, the number of new cases has fallen slightly this week. In several major cities, the number is also showing signs of leveling off," said the report. Though the timeline is consistent with the experience in South Africa and Britain, experts warned it is still too early to be confident, said the report. WASHINGTON, Jan. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Baszucki Brain Research Fund and the Milken Institute's Center for Strategic Philanthropy are pleased to announce that 45 scientists worldwide will receive funding to advance research for bipolar disorder. Today, the Baszucki family announced $9 million in grants to support bipolar disorder focused research. Across 31 distinct organizations, 45 research grants will provide up to $200,000 per award to support pilot research in therapeutic discovery and translational efforts. The announcement today builds on the family's prior investments in bipolar science, totaling more than $4 million. The new grants are intended to further ignite the field by addressing the historical underfunding of bipolar research highlighted by prior Milken Institute investigations. The founder and CEO of Roblox, David Baszucki, and his wife, author Jan Ellison, established the Baszucki Brain Research Fund in 2019 to invest philanthropically in breakthrough science for mental health conditions. Ellison shared: "Our own family's experience underscores the enormous challengesbut also the tremendous potential for recoveryfor those living with bipolar disorder. Our commitment with these initial grants is to partner with Milken and our brilliant awardees to advance innovative bipolar treatments that will bring new hope to families like ours." Bipolar disorder affects roughly 3% of the population or nearly 45 million people worldwide. It is a serious mental health disorder with dramatic and sometimes unpredictable shifts in mood, energy, and activity levels that can lead to the loss of employment, strained relationships and even suicide. Yet while it is a serious and often disabling mental health disorder, both the Baszucki family and the Milken Institute recognize that with the right treatments, recovery is possible. "In our work with the Baszucki family and the larger bipolar community over the last two years, we have been struck by the scarcity of funding but also by the tremendous commitment of scientists, clinicians, families and patients to transforming the treatment of this serious mental health condition," said Cara Altimus, senior director, Milken Institute Center for Strategic Philanthropy. "We are optimistic that the high quality of the research projects being funded, spanning neuromodulation, neurometabolism, genomics and new therapeutics, will expand the toolbox of treatments for those living with bipolar disorder." The Baszucki Brain Research Fund awardees include teams from: Baylor College of Medicine Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center Inc Brigham and Women's Hospital, Inc. and Women's Hospital, Inc. Dauten Family Center for Bipolar Treatment Innovation, Massachusetts General Hospital General Hospital Deakin University Fundacio Clinic per a la Recerca Biomedica (FCRB) Harvard College Harvard Medical School Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Johns Hopkins University Juvenile Bipolar Research Foundation Massachusetts General Hospital General Hospital Mayo Clinic McMaster University Medical University of South Carolina Ottawa Hospital Research Institute President and Fellows of Harvard College Stanford University Technische Universitat Dresden University Health Network University of California San Diego University of East London University of Iowa University of Maryland Baltimore University of Michigan University of Mississippi Medical Center University of Pennsylvania University of Pittsburgh University of Southern California University of Texas at Austin University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston University of Toronto Yale School of Medicine To learn more about bipolar disorder, the Baszucki family's grants, and to see more details about the awardees, visit: https://milkeninstitute.org/programs/advancing-medical-solutions/bipolar-research. About the Baszucki Brain Research Fund The Baszucki Brain Research Fund, part of the Baszucki Group, invests in innovative science and technologies to advance the prevention and treatment of bipolar disorder and other mental health conditions. We aim to fight stigma by catalyzing research, with a focus on neuro-metabolism, neuromodulation, and computational psychiatry. We support scientists and innovators pursuing breakthrough approaches to promoting vitality, stability and recovery in those at risk for or living with mental health conditions. About the Milken Institute The Milken Institute is a nonprofit, nonpartisan think tank that helps people build meaningful lives in which they can experience health and well-being, pursue effective education and gainful employment, and access the resources required to create ever-expanding opportunities for themselves and their broader communities. For more information, visit https://milkeninstitute.org/ SOURCE Baszucki Group SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Zephyr Project announces a major milestone today with Baumer joining as a Platinum member and Infineon Technologies, Qualcomm Innovation Center, Inc., Percepio and Silicon Labs joining as Silver members. These new members have selected Zephyr RTOS as one of the key technologies to build their next generation of connected products and solutions. Zephyr, an open source project at the Linux Foundation that builds a safe, secure and flexible real-time operating system (RTOS) for resource-constrained devices, is easy to deploy, secure, connect and manage. It has a growing set of software libraries that can be used across various applications and industry sectors such as Industrial IoT, wearables, machine learning and more. Zephyr is built with an emphasis on broad chipset support, security, dependability, longterm support releases and a growing open source ecosystem. "Zephyr fits where Linux can't," said Kate Stewart, Vice President of Dependable Embedded Systems at the Linux Foundation. "It will help these new members with development, delivery, and maintenance across a wide variety of products and models. We look forward to working with our new members to improve the technology their products and solutions are based on." Zephyr LongTerm Support (LTS) Release In October 2021, the Zephyr community of almost 500 contributors made the LTS v2 release available that offers vendors a customizable operating system that supports product longevity, security and interoperability. Product developers aren't locked into a particular architecture, back-end platform or cloud provider and will have the freedom to choose from an ecosystem of hardware. Additionally, products based on the LTS release will benefit from a maintained code base throughout their development and deployment lifecycle. The LTS will serve as the baseline for the auditable version of Zephyr, which will benefit both the maintained LTS and development branches. Learn more about the LTS v2 here . Commitment to Zephyr Baumer , one of the international leading companies for smart sensors, encoders and digital cameras for industrial automation, joins other Platinum members Antmicro, Google, Intel, Meta, Nordic Semiconductor, NXP and Oticon. Roman Kellner, Embedded Software Team Lead at Baumer, will join the Governing Board and its commitment to ensure balanced collaboration and feedback that meets the needs of its community. "The mission of the Governing Board is to cultivate an innovative relationship among stakeholders to advance the Zephyr Project's support of new hardware, developer tools, sensors, and drivers, while maximizing the functionality of devices that run applications developed using the Zephyr RTOS," said Barna Ibrahim, Zephyr Governing Board member and Marketing Committee Chair. "We are ecstatic to welcome Roman to the board and look forward to working more closely with Baumer." "Baumer as a sensor manufacturer relies on the capabilities of microcontrollers in a wide performance range for our product portfolio," said Roman Kellner. "Zephyr was chosen as our next sensor platform for its MCU vendor openness, reliability, high configurability, its added value compared to a pure RTOS scheduler and the future ability to cover non-safe and safe products with the same code base. We are happy to contribute our expertise to attribute Zephyr RTOS as a high performance sensor platform." The Zephyr Project also welcomes Silver members: Infineon , a world leader in semiconductor solutions that make life easier, safer and greener; , a world leader in semiconductor solutions that make life easier, safer and greener; Qualcomm Innovation Center, a subsidiary of Qualcomm Technologies, that focuses on enabling and optimizing open source software that work with Qualcomm Technologies' solutions; Percepio , a leader in visual trace diagnostics for embedded systems and IoT; and , a leader in visual trace diagnostics for embedded systems and IoT; and Silicon Labs , a leader in secure, intelligent wireless technology for a more connected world. These members join AVSystem, BayLibre, Eclipse Foundation, Fiware, Foundries.io, Golioth, Laird Connectivity, Linaro, Memfault, Parasoft, Pat-Eta Electronics, RISC-V, SiFive, Synopsys and teenage engineering, and Wind River. "The Zephyr Project is driving stability to developers which allows them to focus on product innovation and at Infineon, we are happy to be a part of helping customers drive differential value," said Danny Watson, Principal Product Marketing Engineer at Infineon. "Infineon aims to be a key contributor to the underlying scalable goals of the Zephyr Project and to shape it into providing more performance and intelligent based Open Source Software for Infineon's PSoC 6 Microcontrollers." "The Qualcomm Innovation Center (QuIC) is proud to become a new member of the Zephyr Project community," said Anthony Scarpino, Senior Director of Engineering at Qualcomm Canada ULC. "QuIC looks forward to contributing to the Zephyr Project to collaborate in building the best-in-class RTOS for secure, connected, resource-constrained devices. QuIC supports the building of micro-controller-based devices as part of the hardware and software ecosystems in upcoming products and sees participation in Zephyr as a path to world- leading innovative solutions." "At Percepio, we've long recognized the potential of Zephyr RTOS as the leading independent platform for small IoT devices where Linux isn't an option, yet capable enough for complex embedded IoT/Edge applications," said Mike Skrtic, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Percepio. "The latest Zephyr release brings expanded support for software tracing, which facilitates debugging and allows for improved reliability, security, and performance of embedded systems. We're pleased to have made significant contributions to the new tracing subsystem, to provide full kernel tracing support, enabling the high-end visual trace diagnostics Tracealyzer is known for." "We've had our eye on Zephyr for some time and are excited to officially be a member of this RTOS project," said Benny Chang, Vice President, Platform and Chief of Staff at Silicon Labs. "We appreciate the measures the Zephyr community is taking to build a reliable, well-tested RTOS for the IoT and look forward to connecting Zephyr users with our industry-leading hardware and connectivity solutions." To learn more about Zephyr RTOS, visit the Zephyr website and blog . About the Zephyr Project The Zephyr Project is an open source, scalable real-time operating system (RTOS) supporting multiple hardware architectures. To learn more, please visit www.zephyrproject.org . About the Linux Foundation Founded in 2000, the Linux Foundation is supported by more than 1,000 members and is the world's leading home for collaboration on open source software, open standards, open data, and open hardware. Linux Foundation's projects are critical to the world's infrastructure including Linux, Kubernetes, Node.js, and more. The Linux Foundation's methodology focuses on leveraging best practices and addressing the needs of contributors, users and solution providers to create sustainable models for open collaboration. For more information, please visit us at linuxfoundation.org . Media Contact: Maemalynn Meanor [email protected] SOURCE The Zephyr Project LAVAL, QC and VAUGHAN, ON, Jan. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Bausch Health Companies Inc. (NYSE/TSX: BHC) ("Bausch Health") announced today that, in connection with its previously announced intention to separate its eye health business, its wholly owned subsidiary, Bausch + Lomb Corporation ("Bausch + Lomb"), has publicly filed a Registration Statement on Form S-1 with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") and a preliminary base post-receipt pricing procedure ("PREP") prospectus with the securities regulatory authorities in each of the provinces and territories of Canada (other than Quebec) ("Canadian Regulators") relating to a proposed initial public offering ("IPO") of Bausch + Lomb's common shares concurrently in the United States and Canada. All of the shares being offered will be sold by a wholly owned subsidiary of Bausch Health. The number of common shares to be offered and the price range for the IPO have not yet been determined. Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC are acting as joint lead book-running managers for the IPO. J.P. Morgan, Citigroup, Barclays, BofA Securities, Guggenheim Securities, Jefferies, Evercore ISI, Wells Fargo Securities and Deustche Bank Securities are acting as joint book-running managers for the IPO, and DNB Markets, HSBC and Truist Securities are acting as co-managers for the IPO. The IPO will be made only by means of a prospectus. Copies of the prospectus and the preliminary base PREP prospectus, when available, may be obtained from Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, Attn: Prospectus Department, 180 Varick Street, 2nd Floor, New York, N.Y. 10014 or Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC, Attn: Prospectus Department, 200 West Street, New York, N.Y. 10282, by telephone at (866) 471-2526 or by email at [email protected]. The Registration Statement relating to the proposed offering has been filed with the SEC but has not yet become effective. The preliminary base PREP prospectus contains important information relating to the common shares and remains subject to completion or amendment. The common shares may not be sold, nor may offers to buy be accepted, prior to the time the Registration Statement becomes effective, and a receipt for the final long form base PREP prospectus has been issued by the Canadian Regulators. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy these securities, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state, province, territory or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state, province, territory or jurisdiction. Any offers, solicitations or offers to buy, or any sales of securities will be made in accordance with the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and otherwise in accordance with applicable securities laws in any other jurisdiction. The IPO is subject to market conditions, and there can be no assurance as to whether or when the IPO may be completed, or as to the actual size or terms of the IPO. About Bausch + Lomb Bausch + Lomb, a leading global eye health business of Bausch Health Companies, Inc., is dedicated to protecting and enhancing the gift of sight for millions of people around the world from the moment of birth through every phase of life. Its comprehensive portfolio of more than 400 products includes contact lenses, lens care products, eye care products, ophthalmic pharmaceuticals, over-the-counter products and ophthalmic surgical devices and instruments. Founded in 1853, Bausch + Lomb has a significant global research and development, manufacturing and commercial footprint with more than 12,000 employees and a presence in nearly 100 countries. Bausch + Lomb is headquartered in Vaughan, Ontario with corporate offices in Bridgewater, New Jersey. About Bausch Health Bausch Health Companies Inc. (NYSE/TSX: BHC) ("Bausch Health") is a global company whose mission is to improve people's lives with our health care products. Bausch Health develops, manufactures and markets a range of pharmaceutical, medical device and over-the-counter products, primarily in the therapeutic areas of eye health, gastroenterology and dermatology. Bausch Health is delivering on its commitments as it builds an innovative company dedicated to advancing global health. Forward-looking Statements This news release may contain forward-looking statements about a potential IPO or transaction involving Bausch + Lomb, which may generally be identified by the use of the words "anticipates," "hopes," "expects," "intends," "plans," "should," "could," "would," "may," "believes," "estimates," "potential," "target," or "continue" and variations or similar expressions, including statements about the timing of completion of the IPO, the pricing of the common shares to be issued pursuant to the IPO and the subsequent distribution of Bausch + Lomb shares to Bausch Health's shareholders (including the anticipated means of effecting the distribution and the opportunity for Bausch Health shareholders to consider it). These statements are based upon the current expectations and beliefs of management and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the risks and uncertainties identified in the prospectus relating to the IPO; risks relating to the transaction not being timely completed, if completed at all, including due to unfavorable market or other conditions or factors; risks related to the receipt of (or failure to receive) the regulatory approvals required in connection with the transaction and the timing of receipt of such approvals; the possibility that the other approvals for or conditions to the transaction are not received or satisfied on a timely basis or at all; changes in the anticipated timing for closing the transaction; business disruption during the pendency of or following the transaction; diversion of management time on transaction-related issues; the ability to retain Bausch + Lomb management team members; risks related to the reaction of customers and other parties to such transaction; the impact of such transaction on relationships with customers, suppliers, employees and other business counterparties; the risk that the proposed distribution of Bausch + Lomb common shares to Bausch Health's shareholders does not occur in the manner or on the timelines anticipated or at all; and other events that could adversely impact the completion of the transaction, including industry or economic conditions outside of Bausch Health's control. In particular, Bausch Health can offer no assurance that any IPO or distribution will occur at all, or that any such transaction or transactions will occur on the timelines, in the manner or on the terms anticipated by Bausch Health. In addition, actual results are subject to other risks and uncertainties that relate more broadly to Bausch Health's overall business, including those more fully described in Bausch Health's most recent annual report on Form 10-K and detailed from time to time in Bausch Health's other filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and the Canadian securities administrators, which factors are incorporated herein by reference. They also include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties caused by or relating to the COVID-19 pandemic, including a possible resurgence of the virus and variant strains thereof and its impact on access to health care products and services, the availability and use of effective vaccines, the imposition of new social restrictions, disruptions in Bausch Health's supply chain and distribution channels or the ongoing macroeconomic and health care recovery from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any of these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof. Bausch Health undertakes no obligation to update any of these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this news release or to reflect actual outcomes, unless required by law. SOURCE Bausch Health Companies Inc. BHG is one of the few scalable platform companies purposely built to address substance use disorder. Tweet this Over the last five years, the Company has grown through acquisitions and de novo sites from a minimal service, cash pay business model to a professionalized health care business, creating a national footprint. In 2021 alone, the Company added 36 locations in 13 States. Over the next five years, the Company expects to continue bringing state of the art services to underserved parts of the US by sophisticating its clinical model and continuing to scale into new markets. According to Ben Nordstrom, MD, PhD, Chief Medical Officer of BHG, "Our plan is to invest in acquisitions like CBH to rapidly scale points of access and to expand our service lines across our national footprint to address broader substance use disorders for which MAR has proven beneficial. Leveraging a more sophisticated and integrated care model that employs the full spectrum of evidence-based medication, behavioral therapy and mental health services brings opportunities to serve more of a population in crisis. Our medical mission is to empower our patients to realize their best level of functionality in the community." Most importantly, noted Dr. Nordstrom, BHG's clinical care model enables recovery care teams to meet each patient where they are as a unique individual, providing dynamic, flexible treatment and ongoing care as their goals, motivations, and needs change on their personal path toward recovery. "We knew that there was strong clinical alignment philosophically," said Brant Massman, co-owner of CBH. "CBH can expand its clinical model and service line offering to its 7k+ patient population by also adopting BHG's clinical model expansion plan, which is a build out of capabilities to provide care across the full spectrum of opioid use disorder, other outpatient substance use disorder treatment modalities, and mental health." CBH employs more than 280 people with seventy-five percent of the workforce engaged in clinical roles supporting patient recovery. About BHG Behavioral Health Group (BHG) is the largest network of Joint Commission-accredited outpatient opioid treatment and recovery centers in the U.S., delivering comprehensive, personalized evidence-based medical and behavioral therapies for individuals with opioid use disorder. With 117 locations in twenty-four states, BHG has more than 1,900 employees who serve more than 42,000 patients. To learn more, visit bhgrecovery.com. For Business Development Information: Dwight Mussleman [email protected] 214-365-6114 Media Contact: Nancy Buttyan [email protected] 214-365-6146 SOURCE Behavioral Health Group LONDON, Jan. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- BizClik Media Group, the UK's fastest-growing publishing company, has published the January 2022 edition of Mobile Magazine. The digital edition of Mobile Magazine is a trusted industry source for in-depth reports and interviews with leading minds in the mobile industry. This month's edition features an extensive lead interview with Huseyin Ipiv of Vodafone, about the company's supply chain digital transformation over the last two years. Talking about working with Vodafone, Ipiv said: "Today, I am working for a fantastic company called Vodafone. I have the privilege of working with a great supply chain team in Germany, managing the entire end-to-end supply chain for all consumer products." The January 2022 edition also contains extensive interviews with key thought leaders from Bell Canada, Edgepoint, Telus, and Bearingpoint. Talking in his foreward about the chip sector, Harry Menear, Editor in Chief of Mobile Magazine, commented: "Though it's definitely been galvanised by the global chip shortage, not to mention US sanctions against Chinese firms, change in the global microchip manufacturing sector has long been overdue." You can visit https://mobile-magazine.com/ for daily news and analysis of the ever-changing mobile industry, or click here to read the digital magazine. About BizClik Media Group BizClik Media Group (BMG) is one of the UK's fastest growing media companies with a global portfolio of leading industry, business and lifestyle digital communities. BizClik's expanding portfolio includes Technology, AI, FinTech, InsurTech, Supply Chain, Procurement, Energy, Mining, Manufacturing, Construction, Healthcare, Mobile, Data Centres, Cyber, and Sustainability. For more information, please visit https://www.bizclikmedia.com/ Media Contact: Kathryn Webb [email protected] SOURCE BizClik Media LOS ANGELES, Jan. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Oral Arguments will be heard this afternoon by the California Court of Appeals in Bradford Lund's appeal from Judge David Cowan's refusal to seal his confidential medical and financial records from the public record. Lund will argue that the probate court order violates the federal HIPAA mandate, the even more protective California legislation, "Confidentiality For Medical Information Act," and common law precedent, which protects an individual's right to keep such documents private. Lund's lawyers said in his appellate briefs: "The Trustees' [filing] illustrates their systematic vindictiveness and hostility against [Mr. Lund] which is the antithesis of what it means to be a fiduciary. It is appalling, but by now not shocking to Appellant, that his own fiduciaries would advocate for a position that is against his right to privacy designed to result in Appellant's embarrassment and an evisceration of his constitutional rights." The definition of a fiduciary is: "A fiduciary relation in law[is] founded upon the [loyalty] trust or confidence reposed by one person in the integrity and fidelity of another." "How is it in my best interest for my own trustees to be hostile and advocate against my right to keep my confidential information private when they should really be protecting me?" asked Bradford Lund. "The Trustees have spent tens of millions of dollars of my trust money to hostilely attack me and violate my rights," says Lund. According to the California appellate court filing, Mr. Lund says he has been in litigation with the Trustees for many years, over multiple breaches of fiduciary violations, including the right to his inheritance: "[Brad Lund], the grandson of Walt Disney, and a competent 51-year-old adult, has been fighting relentlessly for over a decade against his Trustees for the right to the inheritance of his family of hundreds of millions of dollars. The trustees have filed thousands of pages of documents going back decades in an effort to paint [Mr. Lund] in a false light and prejudice the court. [Mr. Lund's] most intimate, personal, and private information is now threatened to be public record unless this Court steps in to protect his federal and state constitutional right to privacy." Mr. Lund makes the argument that there is no necessity for the public to have access to these records since sealing the records still leaves them available for the court and opposing counsel to review and cite. Mr. Lund's filings therefore conclude that the Trustees' desire to open these records to the public is proof of their "hostility" towards him: "Without question, [Mr. Lund] has a privacy interest in the Exhibits he sought to have sealed. All of these Exhibits contain [Mr. Lund's] personal information regarding his medical status, his medical records, his financial information, and his private life. The Trustees' desire to have their own beneficiary's personal private information made available to the public clearly establishes their hostility toward [Mr. Lund]." At the end of the day, Mr. Lund is still the Trustees' beneficiary to whom they owe a fiduciary duty," said Lanny J. Davis, an attorney advisor for Mr. Lund. "All we are asking is that these records remain private to the general public. Why are the Trustees fighting so hard against that simple request from their beneficiary?" Contact: Alex Lange [email protected] (202) 480-4309 SOURCE Lanny Davis WASHINGTON, Jan. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Edison Electric Institute (EEI) today announced that Executive Vice President of Public Policy and External Affairs Brian Wolff also has been named EEI's Chief Strategy Officer in recognition of his demonstrated leadership, political acumen, and the creative and focused approach he takes to advancing EEI's public policy priorities on behalf of America's investor-owned electric companies. "By approving this expansion of Brian's role and his responsibilities, EEI's Board has recognized the ongoing value that Brian delivers on behalf of EEI's member companies," said EEI President Tom Kuhn. "Brian is at the forefront of promoting our industry's clean energy transformation and recently led a delegation of member company executives in Glasgow during the COP26 climate change meetings. He has helped to strengthen the issue management process and advocacy efforts of EEI through his work to advance our strategic priorities and to meet the growing opportunities and challenges facing our industry and the customers and communities we serve," added Kuhn. In 2021, Wolff was named one of The Hill's top lobbyists and was included on the Washingtonian's list of most influential people. He serves as co-chair of the Stanford Professionals in Energy alumni group and actively supports the University of Arkansas, where he serves on the university's Alumni Board and is a member of the Chancellor's Society. In addition, Wolff serves on the boards of the Public Affairs Institute, Capital Area REACH program, and the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Institute. He is a Presidential Leadership Scholar, having completed this prestigious program in 2018. Wolff directs EEI's communications and member engagement, customer solutions, government relations, and political and external affairs teams. He also serves as the executive vice president of the Edison Foundation. EEI is the association that represents all U.S. investor-owned electric companies. Our members provide electricity for more than 220 million Americans, and operate in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. As a whole, the electric power industry supports more than 7 million jobs in communities across the United States. In addition to our U.S. members, EEI has more than 65 international electric companies, with operations in more than 90 countries, as International Members, and hundreds of industry suppliers and related organizations as Associate Members. SOURCE Edison Electric Institute NEW ORLEANS, Jan. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- ClaimsFiler, a FREE shareholder information service, reminds investors that they have until March 7, 2022 to file lead plaintiff applications in a securities class action lawsuit against Bright Health Group, Inc. (NYSE: BHG), if they purchased the Company's securities between June 24, 2021 and November 10, 2021, inclusive (the "Class Period") and/or purchased or otherwise acquired the Company's shares pursuant to the Company's June 2021 initial public offering (the "IPO"). This action is pending in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York. Get Help Bright Health investors should visit us at https://claimsfiler.com/cases/nyse-bhg/ or call toll-free (844) 367-9658. Lawyers at Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC are available to discuss your legal options. About the Lawsuit Bright Health and certain of its executives are charged with failing to disclose material information during the Class Period and/or in the Registration Statement and Prospectus issued in conjunction with the initial public offering, violating federal securities laws. On November 11, 2021, the Company reported its 3Q2021 results, disclosing earnings per share below consensus estimates as well as an increase in the Company's medical cost ratio due to COVID-19 related costs and "a cumulative reduction in premium revenue due to an inability to capture risk adjustment on newly added lives." On this news, shares of Bright Health fell $2.36 per share, or 32.33%, to close at $4.94 per share on November 11, 2021. The case is Marquez v. Bright Health Group, Inc., et al., No. 22-cv-00101. About ClaimsFiler ClaimsFiler has a single mission: to serve as the information source to help retail investors recover their share of billions of dollars from securities class action settlements. At ClaimsFiler.com, investors can: (1) register for free to gain access to information and settlement websites for various securities class action cases so they can timely submit their own claims; (2) upload their portfolio transactional data to be notified about relevant securities cases in which they may have a financial interest; and (3) submit inquiries to the Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC law firm for free case evaluations. To learn more about ClaimsFiler, visit www.claimsfiler.com. SOURCE ClaimsFiler "I've had the opportunity to work alongside Annoesjka for more than two decades and am excited to see the New Jersey team flourish under her guidance," said Ms. Viqueira. "Her ability to build strong relationships with her clients and colleagues will provide her team with a strong mentor and leader." In her expanded role as a senior vice president and manager of the New Jersey consulting team, Ms. West will continue to work with a variety of clients, including corporate and public defined benefit plans, corporate defined contribution plans, endowments, and foundations, to develop, implement, and monitor their plan-specific objectives. She is also a member of Callan's Management Committee, Manager Search Committee, and Defined Contribution Committee, is active at Callan events and industry conferences, and is a shareholder of the firm. "I'm excited about this new opportunity to lead the New Jersey team and continue the success of our office," said Ms. West. "The last 20 years at Callan have been a tremendous experience for me, and I have no doubt that will continue in my new role." About Callan Callan was founded as an employee-owned investment consulting firm in 1973. Ever since, we have empowered institutional clients with creative, customized investment solutions backed by proprietary research, exclusive data, and ongoing education. Today, Callan advises on more than $3 trillion in total fund sponsor assets, which makes it among the largest independently owned investment consulting firms in the U.S. Callan uses a client-focused consulting model to serve pension and defined contribution plan sponsors, endowments, foundations, independent investment advisers, investment managers, and other asset owners. Callan has six offices throughout the U.S. Learn more at callan.com. Media Contact: Elizabeth Anathan [email protected] 415-274-3020 SOURCE Callan LLC SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The global carob chocolate market size is expected to reach USD 1.31 billion by 2028, registering a CAGR of 6.4% over the forecast period, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. The growing product demand as a healthier alternative, coupled with the growing expansion of online retail in the nutritional foods sector is acting as a major driver. The growing consumer demand for foods of higher nutritional and sensory quality has encouraged the introduction of carob ingredients, in bakery products. Key Insights & Findings from the report: North America accounted for the maximum share of the global revenue in 2020. The rising number of health-conscious consumers in the region is boosting the product demand as it is majorly promoted as a substitute for chocolate with no caffeine or theobromine content The chips product segment is projected to register the fastest CAGR during the forecast period The rising trend for preparing products using natural ingredients and clean-label products is expected to boost the demand for carob chocolate products, including carob chocolate chips The others segment is expected to register the fastest CAGR during the forecast period. The others segment includes independent grocery stores, airport retail stores, gym stores, and e-commerce websites Companies have been expanding their customer base by distributing products through various distribution channels Read 80 page market research report, "Carob Chocolate Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Product (Bars, Chips), By Distribution Channel (Health & Specialty Stores, Supermarkets & Hypermarkets), By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2021 - 2028", by Grand View Research Carob is a good source of antioxidants, as one tablespoon of it processed into a powder has approximately 25 calories, no saturated fat, no cholesterol, and 6g of carbohydrate. As compared to carob powder cocoa powder has more fat and caffeine. Carob also contains three times as much calcium as cocoa powder, has a high iron content, and is claimed to reduce cholesterol. Growing awareness regarding such benefits is driving product sales. The increased consumer demand for organic products has prompted several manufacturers to enter new industries with a slew of product launches. In this regard, brands are coming up with organic carbo chocolates. For instance, in January 2020, Carobou, the official importer and producer of The Australian Carob Co., released organic carob chocolate bars under the brand Aussie USA, which is USDA-certified organic, soy-free, and caffeine-theobromine-free. The supermarkets & hypermarkets segment accounted for the maximum revenue share in 2020. Supermarkets/hypermarkets offer a variety of products. Owing to the increasing demand for healthy products, many of these stores have been increasing shelf space and providing trained professionals that guide customers about the quality of the products, offer food samples, and provide expert recommendations. The market is characterized by the presence of small companies owing to family businesses and startups. Key players are focusing on expanding their portfolios by introducing new products. Market Segmentation: Grand View Research has segmented the global carob chocolate market on the basis of product, distribution channel, and region: Carob Chocolate Product Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2016 - 2028) Bars Chips Others Carob Chocolate Distribution Channel Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2016 - 2028) Supermarkets & Hypermarkets Convenience Stores & Drug Stores Healthy & Specialty Stores Others Carob Chocolate Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2016 - 2028) North America U.S. Europe Germany U.K. France Belgium The Netherlands Asia Pacific China Australia Central & South America Brazil Middle East & Africa & South Africa List of Key Players of Carob Chocolate Market Missy J's CAROBOU LLC The Carob Kitchen Uncommon Carob Foundations Food D&D Chocolates Iswari Caroboo Supertreats U.K. Carob World Check out more studies related to chocolate types and confectionaries, published by Grand View Research: Chocolate Market The global chocolate market size was valued at USD 130.56 billion in 2019 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.6% from 2020 to 2027. Rising awareness regarding dark chocolate as a healthier confectionery product, which consists of antioxidants that protect the skin from harmful ultraviolet rays, is expected to promote the market growth over the next few years. The global chocolate market size was valued at in 2019 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.6% from 2020 to 2027. Rising awareness regarding dark chocolate as a healthier confectionery product, which consists of antioxidants that protect the skin from harmful ultraviolet rays, is expected to promote the market growth over the next few years. Vegan Chocolate Confectionery Market The global vegan chocolate confectionery market size was valued at USD 467.2 million in 2020 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 14.8% from 2021 to 2028. Increasing acceptance of veganism among consumers, especially among millennials and the working population, has been fueling the product demand. The global vegan chocolate confectionery market size was valued at in 2020 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 14.8% from 2021 to 2028. Increasing acceptance of veganism among consumers, especially among millennials and the working population, has been fueling the product demand. Gluten-free Chocolate Market The global gluten-free chocolate market size was estimated at USD 1.40 billion in 2018 and is expected to register a CAGR of 7.8% over the forecast period. Increasing prevalence of the celiac disease is the key factor driving the product demand. Browse through Grand View Research's coverage of the Global Consumer F&B 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. BOSTON, Jan. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- In response to the federal government's request for comments on draft regulations that would revise the federal procurement process to factor in sustainability in government purchasing, Ceres submitted recommendations that would help reduce U.S. greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) while incentivizing zero-carbon innovation. The U.S. government is the world's largest purchaser of products and services, spending around $665 billion in 2020. Last year, President Joe Biden called the climate crisis a challenge that would require a "whole-of-government approach, and followed up on this statement by issuing an Executive Order and sustainability plan in December 2021. It outlined targets for federal climate-focused procurements that would significantly reduce carbon emissions from large federal vendors. ROCK SPRINGS, Wyo., Jan. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Cherry Creek Mortgage (CCM) announced that it has expanded its presence in Wyoming with the opening of a new branch location in Rock Springs. A grand opening event was held at the CCM Rock Springs office, bringing together the CCM team, as well as community partners, to celebrate the new branch location. The company opened its first office in Wyoming in 2019 and now has four locations across the state. The Rock Springs branch joins the Cheyenne, Casper, and Sheridan locations, expanding the company's ability to support home buyers and partners in Wyoming. Loan Officer Angela Salazar, a Rock Springs native with 14 years of experience in the finance industry, will assist clients with finding customized home financing solutions. "We are so excited to join the Rock Springs community and help local home owners find the best mortgage for their needs," said Salazar. "Born and raised here in Rock Springs, I love our community, and I am looking forward to bringing everything Cherry Creek has to offer to the area." Throughout its 35-year history, CCM has helped tens of thousands of buyers finance a home. The company is proud to offer a wide variety of home loans to its clients. The new branch's address is 157a K St, Rock Springs, Wyoming 82901. Learn more at www.cherrycreekrocksprings.com. 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] SOURCE Cherry Creek Mortgage In line with Cle de Peau Beaute's trademark dedication to harnessing the best in Science and Innovation, the brand leveraged cutting edge technology to congregate media from around the world in The House of Infinite Radiance a virtual home that presents all facets of the brand, present and future. In The House of Infinite Radiance, guests had the opportunity to meet Cle de Peau Beaute's three new Global Brand Ambassadors for the first time and preview the covetable collections that will be presented during the year ahead, through interactive touchpoints and bespoke content. "Our fortieth anniversary is an important occasion for Cle de Peau Beaute and it is the ideal opportunity for us to celebrate the women that we serve. We firmly believe that inner radiance lies at the core of every woman the brand also recognizes that true radiance is multi-faceted and finds expression in many different ways, each one as uniquely beautiful as the other. I'm therefore delighted to introduce Dakota, Diana, and Ella, three actors who are truly representative of today's women, empowered, confident, socially conscious, and always working towards unlocking their own potential and the potential of those around them. We're so excited to have them as a part of the Cle de Peau Beaute family," said Ms. Mizuki Hashimoto, Chief Brand Officer of Cle de Peau Beaute. When asked what it meant to them to be joining the Cle de Peau Beaute family, Dakota Fanning said, "It's an honor not just to be asked to represent such a distinguished luxury brand but also to take on this role with talented women like Ella and Diana. I've always been a fan of Cle de Peau Beaute products and I share the brand's belief about the importance of embracing and celebrating your unique and individual strengths." Diana Silvers added, "Cle de Peau Beaute is a brand with such a rich story, and what really resonates with me is their pursuit of excellence. They're always seeking to innovate and evolve, and I've seen how that results in such high-quality products designed with women's individual strengths in mind. The brand has built this global community of support around that message, and I'm really looking forward to being a part of that journey with Dakota and Ella." Ella responded, "What really speaks to me about the brand is that it champions high-quality products and a global philanthropic mission that empowers girls to find their voice through education. This is important to me, and I'm proud to do that with outstanding women like Dakota and Diana." The actors will make their first commercial appearance in January 2022 in a campaign shot by Cliff Watts. Dakota, Diana, and Ella will attend exclusive media launch events, starting this January with The House of Infinite Radiance. Over the course of 2022, Cle de Peau Beaute will be proudly presenting exciting new products and collections to celebrate this special year and to demonstrate their commitment to always striving for ultimate Radiance and perfection. About Cle de Peau Beaute Cle de Peau Beaute, the global luxury brand from Shiseido Co., Ltd., was founded in 1982 as the ultimate expression of elegance and science. Cle de Peau Beaute means the key to skin's beauty. The philosophy of the brand is to unlock the power of a woman's radiance by harnessing makeup technologies and advanced skincare from around the world. Forever guided by an exquisite aesthetic sensibility and intelligence, Cle de Peau Beaute has instilled its products with modernity, enchantment, and dynamism to emerge as an industry leader in delivering radiance so remarkable, it emanates from within. Available in 23 countries and regions worldwide*. *As of January 2022. Cle de Peau Beaute 40th Anniversary Site: https://www.cledepeau-beaute.com/int/40th-anniversary.html Cle de Peau Beaute Brand Ambassador Site: https://www.cledepeau-beaute.com/int/meet-ambassador.html Cle de Peau Beaute Official Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cledepeaubeaute/ Brand Ambassador Biographies Dakota Fanning is an American actor with an extensive list of films to her name. She is the youngest actor to have been nominated for a Screen Actors Guild Award. More recently, she was seen reprising her role of Sarah Howard in the second season of the critically acclaimed series, The Alienist. The series premiered in the U.S. as Cable's No. 1 New Drama and was nominated for a Golden Globe Award along with an Emmy Award for Best Limited Series. Fanning, who also recently starred in Quentin Tarantino's Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, will next be seen starring in the upcoming anthology series The First Lady and the drama series Ripley, both for Showtime. Apart from being a successful actor, she is also an Artist Ambassador for Save the Children. Diana Silvers, American actor and model, made her debut in M. Night Shyamalan's Glass. She is known for her role as Hope in Olivia Wilde's Booksmart, as Erin Naird in Space Force on Netflix, and as Maggie opposite Octavia Spencer in Blumhouse/Universal's Ma. Diana is a rising star, with headlines naming her "Hollywood's Newest Leading Lady." Outside of acting, Diana is passionate about giving back to her community; she supports many philanthropic causes, including St. Jude Children's Hospital, the National Breast Cancer Foundation, and the Joyful Heart Foundation. Ella Balinska is one of the most promising young actors of her generation. She is best known for her debut and leading movie role of Jane Kano, a fierce, former MI-6 agent in Charlie's Angels. Next, she stars in Netflix's highly anticipated live-action series Resident Evil, which recently wrapped production, and in Blumhouse-produced feature film, Run Sweetheart Run, which premiered at Sundance Film Festival and will have a global release on Amazon Prime. Ella has also been announced to take on the lead role of Frey Holland in Square Enix's video game epic Forspoken for Playstation 5. Ella has cemented her place in fashion and philanthropy; notably being the Global Ambassador for the iconic Panthere de Cartier Jewellery collection, and was invited to join the British Fashion Council as a founding patron of the BFC Foundation Charity. Having trained at the Guildford School of Acting in London, where she graduated with honors, she recently established a scholarship at her Alma Mater for students from the global majority supporting and deepening understanding of cultural identity and authenticity whilst training their craft. SOURCE Cle de Peau Beaute THUNDER BAY, ON, Jan. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - Clean Air Metals Inc. ("Clean Air Metals" or the "Company") (TSXV: AIR) (OTCQB: CLRMF) (FRA: CKU) is pleased to announce that, further to its news release dated December 1, 2021, the Company has filed a technical report detailing the Preliminary Economic Assessment of the Thunder Bay North Project near Thunder Bay, Ontario (the "PEA"). The technical report was independently prepared for Clean Air Metals by Nordmin Engineering Ltd. The report, titled "NI 43-101 TECHNICAL REPORT AND PRELIMINARY ECONOMIC ASSESSMENT FOR THE THUNDER BAY NORTH PROJECT, THUNDER BAY, ONTARIO" has been filed on the Company's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com as at January 13, 2022 and is also available on Clean Air Metals' website at www.cleanairmetals.ca. Further to its news release on December 1, 2021, the Company also advises of a change in the calculation of the future post-tax treatment used for the PEA. As a result of amended assumptions regarding resource capital pools, application of Ontario Mining Tax, federal and provincial corporate tax, the post-tax IRR is amended to 25.2%, post-tax NPV 5 is amended to C$293 million and the post-tax payback period is amended to 2.6 years. Original pre-tax operating assumptions and PEA project fundamentals have not changed. Qualified Person Mr. Brian Buss, P.Eng., a Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed and approved all technical information referred to in this press release. Social Engagement Clean Air Metals Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiary Panoramic PGMs (Canada) Ltd. acknowledge that the Thunder Bay North Project is on the traditional territories of the Fort William First Nation, Red Rock First Nation and Biinjitiwabik Zaaging Anishinabek. The parties together are the Cooperating Participants in a Memorandum of Agreement dated January 9, 2021. The Company appreciates the opportunity to work in these territories and remains committed to the recognition and respect of those who have lived, traveled, and gathered on the lands since time immemorial. Clean Air Metals is committed to stewarding Indigenous heritage and remains committed to building, fostering and encouraging a respectful relationship with First Nations, Metis, and Inuit peoples based upon principles of mutual trust, respect, reciprocity and collaboration in the spirit of reconciliation. About Clean Air Metals Inc. Clean Air Metals' flagship asset is the 100% owned, high grade Thunder Bay North Project, a platinum, palladium, copper, nickel project located near the City of Thunder Bay, Ontario and the Lac des Iles Mine owned by Impala Platinum. The Thunder Bay North Project hosts the twin magma conduit bodies which host Current and Escape deposits forming the basis for a positive preliminary economic assessment around a ramp access underground mine reported December 1, 2021. Executive Chair Jim Gallagher and CEO Abraham Drost lead an experienced team of geologists and engineers who are using the Norilsk magma conduit stratigraphic and mineral deposit model to guide ongoing exploration and development studies at Thunder Bay North. As the former CEO of North American Palladium Ltd. which owned the Lac des Iles Mine prior to the sale to Impala Platinum in December 2019, Jim Gallagher and team are credited with the mine turnaround and creation of significant value for shareholders. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS "Abraham Drost" Abraham Drost, Chief Executive Officer of Clean Air Metals Inc. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Cautionary Note The information contained herein contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities legislation, including statements regarding the potential of the Thunder Bay North Project and the Escape and Current deposits and timing of technical studies (include the preliminary economic assessment) and mineral resource estimates. Forward-looking statements relate to information that is based on assumptions of management, forecasts of future results, and estimates of amounts not yet determinable. Any statements that express predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance are not statements of historical fact and may be "forward-looking statements." Forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties which could cause actual events or results to differ from those reflected in the forward-looking statements, including, without limitation: political and regulatory risks associated with mining and exploration; risks related to the maintenance of stock exchange listings; risks related to environmental regulation and liability; the potential for delays in exploration or development activities or the completion of feasibility studies; the uncertainty of profitability; risks and uncertainties relating to the interpretation of drill results, the geology, grade and continuity of mineral deposits; risks related to the inherent uncertainty of production and cost estimates and the potential for unexpected costs and expenses; results of prefeasibility and feasibility studies, and the possibility that future exploration, development or mining results will not be consistent with the Company's expectations; risks related to commodity price fluctuations; and other risks and uncertainties related to the Company's prospects, properties and business detailed elsewhere in the Company's disclosure record. Should one or more of these risks and uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described in forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned against attributing undue certainty to forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and the Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. Actual events or results could differ materially from the Company's expectations or projection. SOURCE Clean Air Metals Inc. SANTA BARBARA, Calif., Jan. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Connectpoint , the leading provider of ePaper technology-based real-time passenger information to the U.S. transportation industry, today announced that it has been selected as the winner of the "Overall Smart City Solution Provider of the Year" award in the 6th annual IoT Breakthrough Awards program conducted by IoT Breakthrough , a leading market intelligence organization that recognizes the top companies, technologies and products that drive innovation and exemplify the best in the global Internet-of-Things (IoT) market today. Connectpoint 32" Digital Bus Stop at King County Metro Connectpoint joins other category winners including NVIDIA, Cisco, Bosch, Vodafone, Rheem, NETGEAR, Sonos, The LoRa Alliance, KORE, Verizon, Sony, Johnson Controls, Amazon (Ring), General Electric and Lenovo. This year's program attracted more than 3,850 nominations from companies all over the world. Connectpoint drives the digitalization of cities through an integrated system of information about the status of transportation systems. The Company delivers innovative smart city solutions such as the Connectpoint Digital Bus Stop, an advanced solar-powered (or A/C) wireless ePaper digital sign that provides real-time public transportation information 24/7. The ePaper displays are available in multiple sizes and can be quickly installed on poles, at shelters, or in a stand-alone fabricated pylon. Connectpoint's products are used at rail stations, transit hubs and bus stops. Timely and accurate real-time information is delivered seamlessly to passengers across all of an agency's digital signage with Connectpoint's easy-to-use and powerful Connectpoint Asset Management system (CPAM), designed specifically for the transportation industry. This cloud-based software is intuitive and customizable, allowing agencies to deliver alerts via the agency's real-time feed, as well as schedule custom messages for their riders. This tool gives agencies the freedom to remotely control as many signs as they please through one integrated backend system. "We are incredibly thankful for this recognition from IoT Breakthrough. Our solar powered digital bus stop solution has been widely adopted by the industry because it provides a clean, elegant, and durable solution to providing real-time digital signage without electrical infrastructure where it is needed most, at the bus stop level," said Rick Wood, CEO and President of Connectpoint. "Our digital bus stops account for 99% of all e-Paper signage deployments in the US public transportation industry. Sustainable, easy-to-read, real-time digital signage is in line with transportation agencies' Smart Transit initiatives. Real-time information helps transit riders navigate their journeys and, with a better overall customer experience, ridership increases." The mission of the IoT Breakthrough Awards program is to recognize the innovators, leaders and visionaries from around the globe in a range of IoT categories, including Industrial and Enterprise IoT, Smart City technology, Connected Home and Home Automation, Connected Car, and many more. "An ideal smart city framework addresses the challenges of growing urbanization, in which citizens engage with smart city ecosystems in many ways but especially via transportation," said James Johnson, managing director at IoT Breakthrough. "Never before have transit agencies been able to deploy digital signage solutions at bus stops without electrical infrastructure. Congratulations to the entire team at Connectpoint for winning 'Overall Smart City Solution Provider of the Year.' Their digital signage is an eco-friendly, energy-efficient solution for today's smart city environment." Connectpoint serves 26 transit agencies in the U.S. and has thousands of displays in the field, giving millions of riders information each year. About Connectpoint Connectpoint's ePaper digital signage, available in 4 sizes10", 13", 32", and 42"is the most deployed ePaper digital signage solution within the U.S. transportation industry. Connectpoint also offers LED and LCD digital signage solutions. Connectpoint designs, builds, and manages all product development, with content delivered and managed by CPAM, our device and technology-agnostic content management system. Clients have input and control over all signage from desktop or mobile devices. Our diverse and talented team have specific software expertise to deploy ePaper and other digital signage solutions, and are able to solve even the most complex issues and deliver on-time, challenging projects. In conjunction with our sister company, CHK America, we have helped power over 2 billion trips annually, allowing transit riders to make informed decisions. Connectpoint's robust client list includes WMATA, Washington D.C.; PAAC, Pittsburgh, PA; King County Metro, Seattle; Tri-Met, Portland; VIA, San Antonio, TX; Orange County Transit, CA; DASH, City of Alexandra, Virginia; GCRTA, Greater Cleveland, OH; SMART, SE Michigan; RTCSN, Las Vegas, NV; DART, Dallas, TX; FWTA, Ft. Worth, TX, ; Sonoma County Transit, CA; SMART Wilsonville, OR. For more information: Tasha Wood Sales & Marketing [email protected] 1 805 637 1994 SOURCE Connectpoint DALLAS, Jan. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Courts across the country will begin the new year with a rise in divorce filings beginning in January and peaking in February through March. Because January is a time for making resolutions and planning for a new year, many couples may take this season to reevaluate their relationship. If attempts of counseling, communicating, and compromising, aren't working couples may believe that divorce is the only option. According to Kris Balekian Hayes, managing partner at Balekian Hayes, PLLC, the following signs may imply that divorce is the best option. Balekian Hayes Balekian Hayes Major unhappiness. There will be hard times in life, but couples in a strong marriage can usually weather the storm together and cannot imagine a day without their spouse. Suppose the difficult time passes and you are finding that you are unhappy. In that case, it's essential to consider the following questions to determine if the marriage could be the source of unhappiness. How does my marital happiness rate on a scale from one to ten? Can my marriage be changed? Do I see us ever being happy again? You are the last to know. Communication is key to a happy and healthy marriage. Lack of communication in a relationship is a clear sign that divorce is around the corner, especially if your spouse isn't talking to you but is talking to others first. You are only staying together for the kids. It may seem easier to stay together for the kids, but it could have a lasting negative impact on their lives and future relationships. You feel ready to move on to someone else. Most people can't fathom the thought of someone new, but if you have already set your sights in a new direction, you probably were done a long time ago. You are only staying because you are afraid of change in general or fear a drastic change in lifestyle. Too often, people stay because they cannot afford to leave and are afraid of the unknown. If your reason for staying no longer involved your spouse, your marriage is likely over. You have tried time away, and it was not enough time. If you spend time away from your spouse and it only leaves you longing for more time away, being single might be what you are seeking. There may not be a perfect time to get divorced, but the answer is often January for some people who have decided to divorce in the fall or during the holiday season. Once the stress of the holidays is over and children are back to their regular schedule, couples will have more time, space and privacy to begin the divorce process. The best way to get guidance on your specific legal issue is to contact a lawyer. To schedule a meeting with Balekian Hayes, PLLC visit: https://bh-pllc.com/. About Balekian Hayes: Led by Kris Hayes, the family law attorneys of Balekian Hayes PLLC are dedicated to fighting for their clients and their clients' children. From contested divorces, to child possession disputes, to out-of-court mediation and arbitration proceedings, the firm provides the knowledge and expertise needed to help people during what can be one of the most stressful times in their lives. Kris Hayes is one of 47 lawyers in Texas that are board certified in both family law and child welfare and she also brings a Master of Business Administration to the equation to assist with high net-worth divorces and business preservation. To learn more about Balekian Hayes, https://bh-pllc.com/. Media Contact: Katie Mudd [email protected] 214-676-4254 SOURCE Balekian Hayes TEL AVIV, Israel, Jan. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- DataRails, the Excel-based financial planning and reporting software company, commissioned a report about the economic cost of largely manually-prepared financial reports in business. The study was undertaken with economist Roberto Cavazos, professor at the University of Baltimore Business School, and Mikhail B. Pevzner, Ph.D, Professor of Accounting, University of Baltimore. The report finds that financial planning and analysis (FP&A) teams spend at least two hours on manual work each week, such as budgets, month-end closes, and forecasts, with annual company budgets taking up to six months to prepare. The economic analysis, based on composites of 839,8000 small to large companies in the US, finds that these burdensome manual processes are costing US companies $6.1 billion annually. The study also finds that a further $1.7 billion of economic uplift could be released if FP&A departments hit a conservative 0.1% revenue uplift for their businesses through projects directly linked to top line growth. In total, the study finds that FP&A teams failing to capitalize on automation and insufficiently driving revenues will cost US businesses $7.8 billion in 2022. The study notes that 0.1% growth in revenues is a conservative return on investment for inventive FP&A teams. For instance, Amazon's high performing FP&A units were responsible for the birth of Amazon Prime, which today counts 200 million members. Other revenue-driven FP&A initiatives include manufacturing company Chemours whose FP&A team improved margins for industrial plants at the $6 billion company, while other companies including Lego and HP used real time data to drive revenue during COVID-19. The report notes that detrimental costs of poor manual financial processes could go beyond direct costs. Indirect economic costs include negative impact on retention and recruitment, inability to act on real-time economic data, and incorrect numbers hurting share prices and investor relations. Professor Mikhail B. Pevzner says: "Since COVID-19, the role of financial planning and analysis (FP&A) has gained even greater momentum as businesses seek better understanding of their numbers. However, despite more than a decade of efforts, the daily life of an FP&A professional still involves strategy-sapping manual processes, including identifying and correcting errors, updating reports, and collecting data. This is essentially depriving both companies and the wider US economy of billions of dollars of economic opportunity." Didi Gurfinkel, co-founder and CEO of DataRails adds: "We hear on a daily basis from FP&A professionals wanting to contribute strategic direction to their business. Despite being uniquely placed to deliver economic growth through measures such as scenario planning and responding to real-time data, FP&A professionals spend the vast majority of their time manually producing staple reports. This cycle leaves huge sums of money on the table by failing to capitalize on FP&A's insights, skills and ability to deliver top line economic growth." Methodology To assess the economic impact of FP&A processes, the study involved creating composite organizations representing 839,880 US companies (US small companies, small to medium, medium, and large) and their composite revenues. The study excludes the largest companies in the US, noting that Fortune 500 companies have mature FP&A departments often shadowing every business division. Such larger companies also have integrated Enterprise Resource Planning and connectivity, and often cost benefit analysis is factored into their performance metrics. Similarly, DataRails did not include companies with fewer than 50 employees in the US, as such companies rarely have an FP&A function. The calculation of hours lost through manual reporting was based conservatively on two hours lost on manual reporting a week multiplied by the $80,000 annual average salary of an FP&A professional based on the composite company sizes created. To arrive at the $1.7 billion unrealized economic uplift, the study used a 0.1% potential composite uplift for all companies in our study which carried out FP&A functions. Professor Roberto Cavazos, Executive in Residence at the Merrick School of Business at the University of Baltimore, has over 25 years' experience in economic analysis, statistical & data analysis, project and program management and policy, and technology with experience in financial, data and analysis for government and private sector organizations. Professor Mikhail B. Pevzner, Professor of Accounting and Ernst & Young Chair in Accounting has been a faculty member at the University of Baltimore's Merrick School of Business since 2013 where he teaches primarily in auditing and financial reporting areas. About DataRails DataRails is a financial planning and analysis platform that automates financial reporting and planning, while enabling finance teams to continue benefiting from the familiar spreadsheets and financial models of Excel. Media Contact Justine Rosin Headline Media [email protected] IL:+972 54 885 9141 US:+1 917 724 2176 SOURCE DataRails "Dawn of Justice" was founded in 2021 by Algirdas Paleckis as a new left political force aimed to articulate and promote interests of the citizens, who stand for more transparency and rotation in the political system of Lithuania, public access to budgeting procedures information, and share socialist political views. Philosopher and publicist Mikhail Bugakov reminded that NATO was founded in 1949 at the beginning of the Cold War and ever since then it has been a US-dominated organization, that claimed to be founded for protection, yet has been demonstrating aggressive policies and initiating numerous military operations abroad. Lawyer, civil activist and columnist Jonas Kovalskis started off quoting Lord Hastings Ismay, NATO's first secretary general, who described its purpose to "keep the Americans in, the Russians out, and the Germans down." Series of color revolutions and regime changes in Eastern Europe have brought highly controllable persons to power, he said, which means that they are not acting in the best interests of their own people. Militarization of the Baltic states implies active brainwashing and creation of internal as well as external conflicts, increasing threats of a full scale war. Lack of the strategic focus on cooperation and peace, loss of sovereignty might make the Baltic states victims of "somebody else's war". After the collapse of the Soviet Union, logically, NATO should have dissolved, Journalist, TV and radio producer Kazemiras Juraitis says. Yet, it occupied the empty space that was created when the USSR was seized to exist. The issue of benefits of NATO membership is also quite controversial: 2,5% of GDP Lithuania has to pay, basically are for used American military equipment, asylum seekers flowing into the country from Libya, Iraq, Syria, which has never happened in the times of Muammar Gadaffi, Saddam Hussein, Hafez Asad; depopulation, deindustrialization, degradation and censorship, Kovalkis adds. The country can not stand for its own interests becoming a weapon for USA and the UK. "NATO doesn't really guarantee security, but it does create threats to peace and security, now by spreading the myth of Russian aggression. Gribauskaite has called Lithuania a "buffer zone", and this kind of thinking will not lead us to better days, but it can lead us to war" - Bugakov says. Publicist Christopher Voishka compared NATO to "a criminal, neocolonial, terrorist organization that has one main value of commercial benefits at any price", saying that there are no real values and no benefits for the new members in NATO. Juraitis agreed, emphasizing that "it's time to wake up and leave NATO, there is no political organization in Lithuania that could take responsibility for such a move but our party - Dawn of Justice. And this decision is the one about life or death". Kovalkis concluded the discussion saying "the first thing we need to do is to spread awareness about NATO's criminal activities. The elites of LT should stop sending our troops to all the military adventures of the USA. We lose billions of dollars and no one is held responsible for it. What we need is a sovereign domestic and external policy". SOURCE Dawn of Justice OSLO, Norway, Jan. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- DigiPlex, the Nordic leader for scalable, sustainable and secure data centers, has joined the European Code of Conduct for Energy Efficiency in Data Centres. This voluntary code brings together participants from across the digital infrastructure industry to collaborate and agree on standards, practices and technologies aimed at reducing the environmental impact of energy consumed in data centers. DigiPlex is strategically focused to continue reducing its climate impact and the European Code of Conduct provides an excellent framework for these ongoing sustainability initiatives. The increasing energy demands of data centers, driven by the rapid digitalization of economies and societies globally, mean that sustainability and efficiency must always be high on the list of priorities. Even in the Nordics, where sustainable electricity from hydro-generation is plentiful, this demand must be balanced with overall capacity and the needs of other users. The European Code of Conduct will enhance DigiPlex's benchmarking of its performance and contribute to best practice that can benefit carbon reduction initiatives across the whole of Europe. The European Code of Conduct outlines a range of commitments including an initial energy audit and the preparation and implementation of an energy efficiency action plan at each data center site. DigiPlex already operates well below the 1.8 PUE level met by the majority of Code participants, and is continually seeking to further reduce their PUE, and other efficiency measures. As such the plans and best practices set out in compliance with the European Code of Conduct, provide ideal foundations for achieving certification to ISO 50001. The ISO Energy Management Standard (ISO 50001) outlines requirements for organizations to continually improve overall energy management. As well as demanding creation and implementation of policies and targets for energy management, it also calls for the use of data to measure results and make better decisions. Compliance with the EU Code will help DigiPlex formalize and audit the data it already has in place to prepare for ISO 50001 certification. The company plans to achieve this standard in 2023. Haakon Holm-Knapstad, Chief HR & Compliance Officer at DigiPlex, commented "Although voluntary, the EU Code of Conduct provides a stringent framework to help DigiPlex improve its already industry leading energy efficiency. With over 200 data points reported per site, it helps us prepare the granular data to support precise and effective improvement plans. This same data will be crucial as we approach ISO 50001 certification." DigiPlex CEO, Wiljar Nesse, added "We all need to play our part in decarbonizing Europe's economy. As a leader, it is incumbent on DigiPlex not to rest on its laurels, but to constantly challenge itself to be better, and to inspire others to be better. The EU Code of Conduct is a significant element in our mission to always put sustainability at the core." The latest certifications for all DigiPlex sites can be viewed here. CONTACT: Elisabeth Lennhede Head of Communications +46703322705 [email protected] This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com https://news.cision.com/digiplex/r/digiplex-joins-european-code-of-conduct-for-energy-efficiency-in-data-centres,c3482127 The following files are available for download: https://mb.cision.com/Main/7526/3482127/1517488.pdf 221013_DigiPlex Joins European Code of Conduct for Energy Efficiency in Data Centers https://news.cision.com/digiplex/i/haakon-holm-kapstad--chief-hr---compliance-officer,c2997761 Haakon Holm Kapstad, Chief HR & Compliance Officer https://news.cision.com/digiplex/i/wiljar-nesse--ceo--digiplex,c2997762 Wiljar Nesse, CEO, DigiPlex SOURCE DigiPlex In the Caribbean, Dominica followed Uruguay's safety and security score of 82 and Costa Rica's 79. Iceland, New Zealand and Switzerland ranked top globally, while economic giants like France (76.5), the US (64.4), and the UAE (65.9) trailed much further behind Dominica. The report acknowledged recent weather storms in the Caribbean but gave Dominica a high standing due to authorities prioritising the rapidly developing climate-resilient infrastructure on the island. "The region has also placed emphasis on physical safety, rule of law, and political stability. Most importantly, Dominica ranks high in categories like voice and accountability, where citizens feel empowered to hold leaders accountable to their demands and needs," the report stated. The WCR also offers well-rounded insight into the minds of global citizens and investors worldwide through over 500 interviews by factoring in their top five priorities: Safety and Security, Quality of Life, Economic Opportunity, Global Mobility and Financial Freedom. Overall, thanks to lucrative opportunities that appeal to business people and families through Dominica's Citizenship by Investment (CBI) Programme, the WCR placed Dominica in the top 30 per cent of 188 of the world's jurisdictions. "Caribbean citizenship offers global citizens access to some of the best travel and economic markets in the world through its growing roster of visa-free and visa-on-arrival destinations. But, the COVID-19 pandemic has subjected international travel to significant restrictions and made us question whether healthcare systems could adequately manage a global health crisis," said the CEO of CS Global Partners, Micha Emmett. "As a result, many High Net-Worth Individuals (HNWIs) are focusing more acutely on the importance of issues such as their quality of life, healthcare, safety and security, and financial planning." Dominica began welcoming foreign nationals to obtain its citizenship in 1993. The nation has been ranked as the number one CBI initiative for five consecutive years in the CBI Index, published by the Financial Times' Professional Wealth Management magazine. The island is politically and economically stable, with a low crime rate and rich investment opportunities. After submitting all the correct documentation through an authorised agent, successfully passing due diligence checks and making a qualifying contribution, investors become Dominica's citizens for life. They also gain the right to not only live, work and study in the country but pass their citizenship on for generations to come. [email protected], www.csglobalpartners.com SOURCE CS Global Partners 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. CAMBRIDGE and NORWICH, England, Jan. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Eagle Genomics, the Deep Tech software business pioneering the application of network science to biology, and the Quadram Institute, a world-leading institute creating new interfaces between food science, gut biology, and human health, are pleased to announce a new partnership committed to promoting the understanding of microbiome science. Building on the agreement announced in September 2021 with the Earlham Institute, a Norwich-based leader in data-intensive bioscience research, the partnership with the Quadram Institute will involve the sharing of datasets, innovation pipelines and tools to facilitate the understanding of complex microbiome data through Eagle Genomics' e[datascientist] platform. As scientists' understanding of the role of the microbiome - the population of trillions of different bacteria and microbes that colonize our tissues, organs, and environment - and its role in both health and disease continues to improve, gaining a deeper understanding of these complex biological systems has become of vital importance. By applying advances in genetic sequencing technology, laboratories across the world can now identify which species of microbes are present in different microbiome ecosystems, and also comprehend, from reading the sequence of individual genes, which functions those microbes might have. In addition, analysis of 'multi-omic' data from humans, as well as that of soil, plants, animals, and their interactions with their diverse hosts, could help scientists develop new innovations that to meet the rapidly increasing nutritional requirements of a growing global population. Such an approach would also help in reducing the carbon footprint of sectors such as food processing and agriculture. Eagle Genomics, which is focused on driving the digitization of scientific R&D across the Food, Healthcare, Personal Care and Beauty and AgBio industries, will be working with research group leaders at the Quadram Institute to efficiently exploit multi-dimensional, multi-omic biological data. e[datascientist]will provide the scientists with the opportunity to share their work more widely and establish new connections, in addition to using the platform to more easily interrogate, integrate and streamline new datasets. Such developments could help further advance the scientists' research - including the potential to translate their results. Anthony Finbow, CEO, Eagle Genomics, said: "Our new knowledge partnership with the Quadram Institute presents an exciting opportunity to share and provide access to novel datasets and tools through e[datascientist], providing invaluable insights in minutes rather than months. "At Eagle Genomics, we firmly believe that the microbiome has a critical role to play across numerous industries, both now and in the future. In order better to understand these intricate relationships and unlock radical innovation opportunities, it is critical to be able to efficiently interrogate multi-dimensional microbiome data. This is where e[datascientist] is playing an invaluable role. By harnessing nature - including its complex networks and associated data - we can help tackle the world's "Grand Challenges" while unlocking significant economic potential." Dr. Andrew Tingey, Senior Director, Global IP and Licensing Strategy, Eagle Genomics, said: "We are delighted to be forming this new strategic partnership with the Quadram Institute and its internationally-renowned team of experts. Building a network of key knowledge partners with world-leading research institutes is a critical area of focus for us, and this latest partnership demonstrates commitment to building that network and augments our previously announced partnership with the Earlham Institute. "We look forward to working with both Institutes and deepening our work together on our journey to becoming a global open platform for data innovation - combining open science and commercial R&D to benefit each partner and society." Dr. Roberto Zanchi, Head of Business Development, Quadram Institute, said: "We're delighted to be working with Eagle Genomics on this exciting new strategic partnership. Our world-leading work on genomics and multi-omics continues to help both the UK and low- and middle-income countries around the world deliver genomic surveillance of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, and is built on our long-standing expertise around pathogens in the food chain. "Data science is also absolutely key to our research at the Quadram Institute into the gut microbiome and its influence on human health, all of which is mediated by the complex interactions of micro-organisms, the food we eat, and the environment of the gastro-intestinal tract itself." e[datascientist] leverages artificial intelligence (AI) and network science in order to surface scientific connections and explore multi-causal relationships, for example to better understand the microbiome. The platform also improves the digitization, and reduces the siloization, of legacy scientific R&D systems, which can be used in tandem with datasets from publicly available databases, all in a standardized format. In this way e[datascientist] supports the entire R&D workflow, accelerating the generation of novel insights and ultimately reducing time to market. Eagle Genomics continues to be engaged in discussions with a range of other organizations to ensure that its platform continues to become the burgeoning global life sciences knowledge discovery hub. About Eagle Genomics Eagle Genomics is innovating at the intersection of biology, data sciences and bioinformatics to help drive the digital reinvention of the life sciences. Its award-winning AI-augmented knowledge discovery platform, e[datascientist], empowers scientists to exploit multi-dimensional data, in minutes rather than months, to help companies conduct science-led innovation for next-generation products. It supports the entire innovation workflow - from hypothesis through insight to product claims helping bring novel, safer and sustainable products to market, faster, across the Food, Healthcare, Personal Care and Beauty and AgBio industries. Eagle Genomics is forging strategic relationships with leading scientific establishments focused on the microbiome and in the UK has helped shape the Microbiome Strategic Roadmap. A Cambridge, UK-headquartered business with a global presence, it has sites in London's Knowledge Quarter, Hyderabad, India, New York's Genome Center as well as Paris' Station F and Potsdam Science Park, Germany. Find out more at www.eaglegenomics.com. About the Quadram Institute The Quadram Institute (quadram.ac.uk) is an interdisciplinary research centre at the forefront of a new era of food and health research. It brings together researchers and clinicians under one roof and houses one of Europe's largest endoscopy units and a clinical research facility. Based on the Norwich Research Park, The Quadram Institute is a partnership between Quadram Institute Bioscience, the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, the University of East Anglia and the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC). Its mission is to deliver healthier lives through innovation in gut health, microbiology and food and its vision is to understand how food and microbes interact to promote health and prevent disease. Four interconnected research themes in Quadram Institute Bioscience deliver a pipeline of research in plants, microbes, food and health: microbes in the food chain; the gut and the microbiome; food innovation and population health. Contacts Eagle Genomics Dr. Priya Kalia, Global Communications [email protected] Media Enquiries Eagle Genomics Carina Birt, Sarum PR +44 7970 006624 [email protected] Quadram Institute Andrew Chapple, Quadram Institute [email protected] SOURCE Eagle Genomics AUSTIN, Texas, Jan. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Electric Power Engineers, LLC ("EPE"), a leading consulting engineering firm focused on the power, renewable energy, grid modernization, and energy storage industries, today announced the acquisition of a controlling interest in EPE by Lime Rock New Energy, growth equity investors for the energy transition. As part of its investment in EPE, Lime Rock New Energy has also committed additional capital to accelerate EPE's continued growth. Based in Austin, EPE is squarely focused on the energy transition, providing a range of engineering services for power systems planning, design, grid integration, and regulatory compliance in the United States and international markets. Its experience and services cover the entire spectrum of generation, transmission, and distribution and are provided to renewable energy and storage developers, generation owners, transmission service providers, municipalities, electric cooperatives, and independent system operators. Founded in 1968, EPE has been led and majority owned by company president Hala N. Ballouz since 2007. Ms. Ballouz will continue to lead EPE and remain a significant minority owner of the company, along with her senior leadership team of Stephanie Badr, Hugo Mena, and Billy Yancey. Ms. Ballouz said, "When we set EPE's vision in 2015 on pioneering integrated T&D solutions, our focus became continuously innovating in consulting and software solutions to help our clients through the challenges of building the power grid of the future. We are very excited with our choice of the Lime Rock New Energy team as our partner with their focus on the energy transition. Together we intend to accelerate EPE's growth, reach, and excellence to serve a growing need for expertise necessary to ensure that our power systems reliably and economically drive toward necessary decarbonization goals." Mark Lewis, Managing Director of Lime Rock New Energy, added, "We believe that Hala and her team have built a company that delivers high quality engineering skills and integrated consulting plus software solutions to help their clients solve the increasingly complex challenges of integrating more renewable energy and technologies on to the grid. We have been impressed by EPE's fanatical focus on customers, its preeminent utility and developer customer base, and are looking forward to rolling up our sleeves to help the company execute its ambitious business plan, with a unified mission of accelerating and debottlenecking the energy transition today." Lime Rock New Energy closed its debut fund and associated vehicles at $375 million in November 2021. For more information on Lime Rock New Energy, please see www.lrnewenergy.com. For more information on EPE, please see www.epeconsulting.com. SOURCE Lime Rock New Energy SCHAUMBURG, Ill., Jan. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Emergency Nurses Association on Thursday applauded a key ruling on vaccine mandates for health care workers, while also reminding the public to think twice before visiting a local emergency department seeking a COVID-19 test. For months, the association has been on the record in support of a vaccination mandate for health care workers due to vaccines being the key element in the fight against COVID-19. "ENA is pleased by the Supreme Court's decision to uphold the federal mandate involving health care workers because of the connection it has to the safety of emergency nurses and patients in the ED," said ENA President Jennifer Schmitz, MSN, EMT-P, CEN, CPEN, CNML, FNP-C, NE-BC. "ENA also recognizes that broader vaccination mandates aimed at stemming the spread of COVID-19 would be beneficial to health care workers on the front lines of the pandemic for nearly two years and overall public health." In a Thursday video message, Schmitz, urged the public to reconsider before going to the emergency departments for a COVID-19 test. "Our country is experiencing a big surge in COVID-19 cases and adding people to waiting rooms who want tests is creating overcrowding," said Schmitz. "If you're not sure whether you have COVID, coming to an enclosed area where you know people have COVID is not your best bet." The association recommended anyone seeking a test to check with state and local health departments for options. Testing site information can also be found here: https://www.hhs.gov/coronavirus/community-based-testing-sites/index.html. Schmitz also asked the public to continue social distancing, wearing masks when appropriate and to practice good hand hygiene. About the Emergency Nurses Association The Emergency Nurses Association is the premier professional nursing association dedicated to defining the future of emergency nursing through advocacy, education, research, innovation, and leadership. Founded in 1970, ENA has proven to be an indispensable resource to the global emergency nursing community. With more than 50,000 members worldwide, ENA advocates for patient safety, develops industry-leading practice standards and guidelines, and guides emergency health care public policy. ENA members have expertise in triage, patient care, disaster preparedness, and all aspects of emergency care. Additional information is available at www.ena.org. ENA Media Contact: Dan Campana Director of Communication 847-460-4017 [email protected] SOURCE Emergency Nurses Association BIRMINGHAM, Ala., Jan. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Encompass Health Corporation ("Encompass Health" or the "Company") (NYSE: EHC), a national leader in integrated healthcare, offering facility-based and home-based patient care through its network of inpatient rehabilitation hospitals and home health and hospice agencies, today announced the extension of its solicitation of consents (the "Consent Solicitation") from the holders of its 4.500% Senior Notes due 2028, 4.750% Senior Notes due 2030 and 4.625% Senior Notes due 2031 (collectively, the "Notes") to certain proposed amendments (the "Proposed Amendments") described in the Consent Solicitation Statement, dated December 9, 2021 (as previously amended on December 16, 2021, as amended hereby and as may be further amended or supplemented from time to time, the "Statement") to the indenture governing the Notes (the "Indenture"). The Consent Solicitation is being made in accordance with the terms and subject to the conditions stated in the Statement. The expiration time for the Consent Solicitation with respect to the Notes is being extended to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on January 24, 2022, unless further extended or earlier terminated by the Company. Except as described above, all other terms and conditions of the Consent Solicitation as set forth in the Statement remain unchanged and in effect. Holders of the Notes who have validly delivered their consents with respect to the Proposed Amendments do not need to deliver new consents or take any other action in response to this announcement in order to consent to the Proposed Amendments. Consents (whether previously or hereafter delivered) with respect to the Notes may only be revoked in the manner described in the Statement. Encompass Health reserves the right to modify the Statement and the terms and conditions of the Consent Solicitation or to terminate the Consent Solicitation at any time. Citigroup Global Markets Inc. and Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC are the solicitation agents in the Consent Solicitation and Global Bondholder Services Corporation has been retained to serve as the information and tabulation agent. Persons with questions regarding the Consent Solicitation should contact Citigroup Global Markets Inc. at (toll free) +1 (800) 558-3745 or (collect) +1 (212) 723-6106 or by e-mail at [email protected] and Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC at (toll free) +1 (800) 828-3182 or (collect) +1 (212) 902-5962 or by e-mail at [email protected]. Requests for the Statement should be directed to Global Bondholder Services Corporation, at (toll free) +1 (866) 470-3700, (banks and brokers) +1 (212) 430-3774, by facsimile (for Eligible Institutions only) at +1 (212) 430-3775/3779 or by e-mail to [email protected]. None of the Company, the solicitation agents, the information and tabulation agent and the indenture trustee or any of their respective affiliates is making any recommendation as to whether holders of the Extended Solicitation Notes should deliver consents in response to the Consent Solicitation. Holders must make their own decisions as to whether to deliver consents. This press release is for informational purposes only and is neither an offer to sell nor a solicitation of an offer to buy any security. This announcement is also not a solicitation of consents with respect to the Proposed Amendments or otherwise. The Consent Solicitation is being made solely through the Statement referred to above and related materials. The Consent Solicitation is not being made to holders of the Notes in any jurisdiction in which the Company is aware that the making of the Consent Solicitation would not be in compliance with the laws of such jurisdiction. In any jurisdiction in which the securities laws or blue sky laws require the Consent Solicitation to be made by a licensed broker or dealer, the Consent Solicitation will be deemed to be made on the Company's behalf by the solicitation agents or one or more registered brokers or dealers that are licensed under the laws of such jurisdiction. Neither the Statement nor any documents related to the Consent Solicitation have been filed with, and have not been approved or reviewed by, any federal or state securities commission or regulatory authority of any country. No authority has passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of the Statement or any documents related to the Consent Solicitation, and it is unlawful and may be a criminal offense to make any representation to the contrary. About Encompass Health As a national leader in integrated healthcare services, Encompass Health (NYSE: EHC) offers both facility-based and home-based patient care through its network of inpatient rehabilitation hospitals, home health agencies and hospice agencies. With a national footprint that includes 145 hospitals, 251 home health locations, and 96 hospice locations in 42 states and Puerto Rico, the Company provides high quality, cost-effective integrated healthcare. Encompass Health is ranked as one of Fortune's 100 Best Companies to Work For. For more information, visit encompasshealth.com, or follow us on our newsroom, Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Forward-Looking Statements Statements contained in this press release which are not historical facts are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In addition, Encompass Health, through its senior management, may from time to time make forward-looking public statements concerning the matters described herein. All such estimates, projections, and forward-looking information speak only as of the date hereof, and Encompass Health undertakes no duty to publicly update or revise such forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. Such forward-looking statements are necessarily estimates based upon current information, and involve a number of risks and uncertainties about Encompass Health's business plans and strategies, and actual events or results may differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of a variety of factors, including those factors which may be identified from time to time in Encompass Health's SEC filings and other public announcements, including Encompass Health's current reports on Form 8-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and its latest annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020. No assurance can be given that the transactions described herein will be consummated or as to the ultimate terms of any such transactions. Media contact: Casey Winger | 205-970-5912 [email protected] Investor Relations contact: Mark Miller | 205-970-5860 [email protected] SOURCE Encompass Health Corp. STOCKHOLM, Jan. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- EnginZyme, a leading developer of cell-free biomanufacturing processes, out of over 10,000 entrepreneurs was named a 2022 Global Cleantech 100 Company by Cleantech Group. The 100 companies on the list represent the private, independent and for-profit companies best positioned to deliver solutions that will take us from commitments to actions in the sprint to net zero. "We are dedicated to solving one of the fundamental challenges of our time - how to produce better, greener, and cheaper products that modern society relies on," said Karim Engelmark Cassimjee, CEO and co-founder of EnginZyme. "To be acknowledged as a 2022 Global Cleantech 100 Company confirms the uniqueness of our technology and its potential to play a key role in tackling climate change. We are very excited to become a part of this community and look forward to contributing to the dialogues on this challenge." The list combines Cleantech Group's research data with qualitative judgements from nominations and insight from a global, 85-member Expert Panel of leading investors and executives from corporations and industrials active in technology and innovation scouting. From pioneers and veterans to new entrants, the Expert Panel broadly represents the global cleantech community and results in a list with a powerful base of respect and support from many important players within the cleantech innovation ecosystem. This is the 13th edition of the annual guide, and this year's list included entries from 94 countries. The sectors covered include Agriculture & Food, Enabling Technologies, Energy & Power, Materials & Chemicals, Resources & Environment and Transportation & Logistics. "We have the science and ingenuity to solve most of the issues and there is the investment capital, in both private and public markets, to propel a three-decade transformation, to net zero.," said Richard Youngman, CEO, Cleantech Group. "The 2022 Global Cleantech 100 companies show this in spades. What they, and hundred others like them, now need is braver regulators, policy makers and procurement departments, to enable such solutions to scale and go down their different cost curves much faster than the current trajectories." For detailed information on EnginZymes's outlook as an innovator, visit Cleantech Group's market intelligence platform i3 and search for EnginZyme. Download the report and meet the companies leading the sprint to net zero The innovators and investors on the 2022 Global Cleantech 100 list will meet in person or onscreen for Cleantech Forum San Francisco on 24-26 January About Cleantech Group Cleantech Group provide research, consulting and events to catalyze opportunities for sustainable growth powered by innovation. It brings clients access to the trends, companies and people shaping the future and the customized advice and support businesses need to engage external innovation. Industries are undergoing definitive transitions toward a more digitized, de-carbonized and resource-efficient industrial future. At every stage from initial strategy to final deals, the services bring corporate change makers, investors, governments and stakeholders from across the ecosystem, the support they need to thrive in this fast-arriving and uncertain future. The company was established in 2002 and is headquartered in San Francisco with people based in London, Paris and Boston. Media Contact: Laura Dolby, Cleantech Group [email protected] About EnginZyme EnginZyme was founded in 2014 with the vision for all of our everyday products to be manufactured sustainably. Our cell-free biomanufacturing platform is created through a best-in-class approach that combines the breadth and power of biology and the efficiencies of the chemical industry. By replacing traditional fossil-based manufacturing with a cell-free technology platform, we seek to play a key role in solving one of the fundamental challenges of our time - how to produce better, greener, and cheaper products for everyone. EnginZyme is recognised as a Technology Pioneer by World Economic Forum and is backed by Sofinnova Partners, Industrifonden and SEB Greentech VC. For more information, please contact: Hanna Laurentz, Director of Communications E: [email protected]; T: +46 728 902657 This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com https://news.cision.com/enginzyme-ab/r/enginzyme-selected-for-cleantech-group-s-100-list-of-companies-committed-to-taking-action-on-the-cli,c3485721 The following files are available for download: https://mb.cision.com/Main/20643/3485721/1520111.pdf Release https://news.cision.com/enginzyme-ab/i/ceo-karim-engelmark-cassimjee-2021,c2999824 CEO Karim Engelmark Cassimjee 2021 https://news.cision.com/enginzyme-ab/i/ctg-global100-2022-social-card-enginzyme,c2999834 CTG Global100 2022 Social card ENGINZYME SOURCE EnginZyme AB Porta previously served as lead political advisor to Mary Simon, Canada's first Indigenous Governor General, in her capacity as Minister's Special Representative for Arctic Leadership. He serves on the Governing Council for the Ocean Tracking Network and is also a senior advisor to the International Institute on Sustainable Development. He has published many articles on the threats facing the future of our ocean. Porta will chair the CEC's advisory committee in the coming year as the body holds public consultations in the three countries on pressing environmental matters of global concern. "The Commission for Environmental Cooperation is critical to continental environmental cooperation," said Porta. "I am looking forward to working with the members of the Joint Public Advisory Committee from Mexico, Canada and the United States to make strong, impactful connections between sustainability, trade, and the day-to-day issues people are facing." Following its public consultations, JPAC provides advice to the CEC Council, made up of North America's top, federal-level environmental officials, and is composed of nine citizen volunteers (three from each country). It advises the Council on any matter within the scope of the trinational Environmental Cooperation Agreement. The JPAC Chair is elected for a one-year term and by rotation from among the three countries' members. JPAC meets throughout the year in different North American locations, typically in conjunction with CEC events. For more information about the CEC's Joint Public Advisory Committee, visit www.cec.org/jpac. About the CEC The Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC) was established in 1994 by the governments of Canada, Mexico and the United States through the North American Agreement on Environmental Cooperation, a parallel environmental agreement to NAFTA. As of 2020, the CEC is recognized and maintained by the Environmental Cooperation Agreement parallel to the new Free Trade Agreement of North America. The CEC brings together a wide range of stakeholders, including the general public, Indigenous people, youth, nongovernmental organizations, academia, and the business sector, to seek solutions to protect North America's shared environment while supporting sustainable development for the benefit of present and future generations. Find out more at: www.cec.org. The CEC is governed and funded equally by the Government of Canada through Environment and Climate Change Canada, the Government of the United States of Mexico through the Secretaria de Medio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales, and the Government of the United States of America through the Environmental Protection Agency. SOURCE Commission for Environmental Cooperation NEWTOWN, Pa., Jan. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Built In today announced that EPAM Systems, Inc. (NYSE: EPAM), a leading digital transformation services and product engineering company, was honored in its 2022 Best Places To Work Awards for the large company category in New York City and San Francisco. The annual awards program includes companies of all sizes, from startups to those in the enterprise, and honors both remote-first employers as well as companies in the eight largest tech markets across the U.S. Learn more about EPAM career opportunities at www.epam.com/careers. EPAM Named 'Best Places to Work' by Built In "We are pleased to be recognized for a second year in a row as a Best Place to Work demonstrating a continued dedication to our entrepreneurial growth culture, benefits and inclusion in the workforce," said Larry Solomon, SVP, Chief People Officer at EPAM. "When our employees succeed, we succeed. That's why we continually strive to bring value to EPAMers through competitive compensation, health/wellness packages, continuing education and career advancement opportunities, purpose-driven work and more." Built In determines the winners for Best Places to Work based on an algorithm, using company data about compensation, benefits and companywide programming. To reflect the benefits candidates are searching for more frequently on Built In, the program also weighs criteria like remote and flexible work opportunities, programs for DEI and people-first cultural offerings. Tech professionals rely on Built In's Best Places to Work lists to connect with the nation's most innovative companies. Now in its fourth year, the award has expanded in reach and includes multiple categories, such as 50 Best Small Places to Work, 50 Companies with the Best Benefits, and 100 Best Remote-First Places to Work. "It is my honor to extend congratulations to the 2022 Best Places to Work winners," says Sheridan Orr, Chief Marketing Officer, Built In. "This year saw a record number of entrants and the past two years fundamentally changed what tech professionals want from work. These honorees have risen to the challenge, evolving to deliver employee experiences that provide the meaning and purpose today's tech professionals seek." To join our team at EPAM, visit epam.com/careers. About EPAM Systems Since 1993, EPAM Systems, Inc. (NYSE: EPAM) has leveraged its advanced software engineering heritage to become the foremost global digital transformation services provider leading the industry in digital and physical product development and digital platform engineering services. Through its innovative strategy; integrated advisory, consulting, and design capabilities; and unique 'Engineering DNA,' EPAM's globally deployed hybrid teams help make the future real for clients and communities around the world by powering better enterprise, education and health platforms that connect people, optimize experiences, and improve people's lives. Selected by Newsweek as a 2021 Most Loved Workplace, EPAM's global multi-disciplinary teams serve customers in more than 40 countries across five continents. As a recognized leader, EPAM is listed among the top 15 companies in Information Technology Services on the Fortune 1000 and ranked as the top IT services company on Fortune's 100 Fastest-Growing Companies list for the last three consecutive years. EPAM is also listed among Ad Age's top 25 World's Largest Agency Companies and in 2020, Consulting Magazine named EPAM Continuum a top 20 Fastest-Growing Firm. Learn more at www.epam.com and follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn. About Built In Built In is creating the largest platform for technology professionals globally. Monthly, more than three million of the industry's most in-demand professionals visit the site from across the world. They rely on our platform to stay ahead of tech trends and news, develop their careers and find opportunities at companies whose values they share. Built In also serves 1,800 innovative companies of all sizes, ranging from startups to the Fortune 100. By putting their stories in front of our uniquely engaged audience, we help them hire otherwise hard-to-reach tech professionals, locally, nationally or remotely. www.builtin.com About Built In's Best Places to Work Built In's esteemed Best Places to Work Awards, now in its fourth year, honor companies across numerous categories: 100 Best Places to Work, 50 Best Small Places to Work, 100 Best Midsize Places to Work, 50 Companies with the Best Benefits and 50 Best Paying Companies, 100 Best Large Companies to Work For, and 100 Best Remote-First Places to Work. Forward-Looking Statements This press release includes statements which may constitute forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, the accuracy of which are necessarily subject to risks, uncertainties, and assumptions as to future events that may not prove to be accurate. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied include general economic conditions and the factors discussed in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. EPAM undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as may be required under applicable securities law. SOURCE EPAM Systems, Inc. The United Nations Global Compact is the biggest global initiative dedicated to corporate citizenship and sustainability, created to encourage companies around the world to adopt a voluntary code with sustainable policies, to align their strategies with the universal principles on human rights, employment, environmental sustainability and the fight against corruption. The intention is to take action to promote the objectives of the United Nations, including the Sustainable Development Goals (2030 Agenda SDGs). "For Esaote, the health of humans, animals and the ecosystem have always been inextricably linked. The decision to sign up to the Global Compact is in line with the ongoing transformative innovation strategy, the aim of which is to make our contribution effective and measurable using ESG metrics, in the areas of greatest impact for us" stated Franco Fontana, CEO of Esaote S.p.A. "Promoting a culture of sustainability, enhancing human capital, ensuring health and safety in the workplace, increasing people's well-being, reducing environmental impact, investing in research and development for a sustainable, resilient and durable ecosystem: these are the pillars of the strategy Esaote is implementing for its development, which goes hand in hand with the multidisciplinary One Health approach aimed at reducing risks to health". A long-term strategy, on a journey that also includes the drafting of a sustainability report, the dissemination of socio-economic, ethical and environmental standards to suppliers and subsidiaries, the analysis and verification of value creation in the supply chain, all the way to the training of employees and business partners to ensure that an appropriate culture of ethics is in place. Esaote The Esaote Group is a leader in the biomedical equipment sector, especially ultrasound, MRI, and medical diagnosis software. It currently has approximately 1,180 employees. With facilities in Genoa and Florence, and production and research units in Italy and the Netherlands, the company has offices in over 100 countries across the world. www.esaote.com Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1724324/Esaote_Franco_Fontana.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1653938/esaote_Logo.jpg SOURCE Esaote ORLANDO, Fla., Jan. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Essentials PetCare, the originator of retail veterinary clinics, is expanding its industry first business model to full-service hospitals and veterinary professionals under a newly launched EPC partner clinic program. EPC Partner Clinics The EPC initiative provides an efficient way for established veterinary hospitals to increase practice capacity, as well as revenue and financial EBITDA, by keeping larger margin activities at its primary hospital (surgery, dentistry, internal medicine, radiology, hospitalization, advanced diagnostics) while performing lower margin "clinic services" (wellness and minor illness) at an affiliated satellite facility. "We have an easy, turnkey solution for established practices to increase efficiency, revenue and market reach within their community," states Dr. Douglas Spiker, President and Founder at Essentials PetCare. "Our EPC clinics are designed to provide the highest level of care while operating at an efficiency level that is difficult to achieve when combining clinic services with traditional, in-depth hospital services," Dr. Spiker added. EPC also provides a compelling opportunity for independent DVM practitioners to easily own and operate a well care veterinary clinic that reaches a new client demographic and operates with a reduced stress working environment. Essentials PetCare created the very first retail veterinary clinic at Walmart in 2016 and has since opened additional locations in Florida, Texas, and Georgia. For further information about EPC partner clinics, go to EssentialsPetCare.com/EPC2, or visit EPC at the Veterinary Meeting & Expo (VMX), booth #2547, January 15-19, 2022. About Essentials PetCare Established in 2015, Essentials PetCare, LLC is a purpose-driven organization that provides easy access to affordable, high-quality preventative and minor illness care for dogs and cats. The company's mission is to expand veterinary services to more pet-owning families who would otherwise not seek care because of cost. Essentials PetCare believes that no animal should ever suffer or put its family at risk of contracting diseases due to affordability. In addition to caring for pets, the company is focused on the wellbeing of its employees by promoting work-life harmony, including flexible scheduling, comprehensive benefits, and employee stock options. For more information about Essentials PetCare, visit EssentialsPetCare.com , @EssentialsPetCare on Facebook and Instagram, and @EssentialsPet on Twitter. Media Contact Rose Lugo: [email protected] or 310-909-6727. SOURCE Essentials PetCare IRVING, Texas, Jan. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Exeter Finance LLC, a leading indirect auto finance company, announced today that Chief Financial Officer Brad Nall will retire from the company. His successor will be auto finance industry veteran Jason Kulas, who will assume duties as the company's new CFO and Vice Chairman next month. Nall has served as Chief Financial Officer for five years and has held senior leadership roles at Exeter since 2012. In all, he has worked in the financial services sector for more than 25 years. Jason Kulas Brad Nall "Brad has been an incredible leader for our company and has played a key role in every strategic decision we've made as we've grown the company over the last five years. He has been a steady, valuable voice in the C-suite throughout his tenure as CFO, and I am personally sad to see him go," Jason Grubb, CEO, Exeter Finance said. "At the same time, I'm very excited for Brad and his family. He has worked hard for a long time and has earned the retirement that's ahead of him. We all wish him the very best." Grubb said that Nall will remain with the company into March assisting Kulas through a transition period. Kulas will officially assume the role as Exeter's Chief Financial Officer and Vice Chairman on Feb. 15, 2022. Kulas has over 25 years of experience in the financial services sector and has served as an Exeter board member and advisor since 2019. He is Non-Executive Chairman of Cash Converters, and most recently served as the Chief Executive Officer of EZCORP after previously holding positions as an independent director and as the company's President and Chief Financial Officer. He also served over 10 years in the CFO, President and CEO positions at Santander Consumer USA and was a Managing Director of Investment Banking with J.P. Morgan. Kulas earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Southern Methodist University and a Master of Business Administration degree with a concentration in Finance and Marketing from Texas Christian University. He has been involved in a variety of civic and philanthropic activities, including the SMU Dedman College Executive Board, the Baylor Scott & White Dallas Foundation, Salesmanship Club of Dallas and the Exchange Club of East Dallas. "Jason understands our industry and knows our company well. He has tremendous vision and incredible leadership abilities, and I know he will be a strong strategic partner to everyone in our organization," Grubb said. "We have plans to grow Exeter to serve more auto dealers and consumers in the years ahead, and Jason is going to be a great asset to have on our executive leadership team." Grubb's sentiments are echoed by Exeter Board Chairman Tom Dundon, who offers high praise for both Nall and Kulas. "Brad Nall has been an integral part of the executive team that turned Exeter around over the last handful of years and built it into an industry leader. We can't thank him enough. As we grow the company from here, we all agree Jason Kulas is exactly the right leader to help expand our offerings and guide Exeter forward. He possesses both the experience and insight needed to succeed in this critical role, and we couldn't be more excited," Dundon said. About Exeter Finance Exeter Finance LLC is an indirect auto finance company headquartered in Irving, Texas. Founded in 2006, the company underwrites, purchases, services, and securitizes retail installment contracts from U.S. automobile dealers. Exeter works with more than 12,000 dealers and 475,000 customers nationwide providing indirect financing for both new and used vehicles. The company has a serviced finance portfolio of more than $7 billion. For more information, visit www.exeterfinance.com. Contact John Hoffmann 469-754-4443 [email protected] SOURCE Exeter Finance WASHINGTON, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. House panel investigating the Jan. 6 Capitol riot on Wednesday asked House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy for a voluntary interview and records in his possession that are related to the attack. The panel in a letter to the California Republican requested information about his communications with then-President Donald Trump "before, during and after" Jan. 6, 2021, when a mob of Trump's supporters besieged the Capitol in an attempt to stop Congress from certifying the 2020 presidential election results. It also wanted to learn about how McCarthy, the top Republican in the House, interacted with Trump, White House staff and others in the week after the riot, "particularly regarding President Trump's state of mind at that time," according to the letter the panel sent to McCarthy. "We also must learn about how the President's plans for January 6th came together, and all the other ways he attempted to alter the results of the election. 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,'" said Bennie Thompson, Democrat from Mississippi who chairs the Jan. 6 panel. Thompson said the committee wanted to meet with McCarthy as soon as Feb. 3. McCarthy is the third GOP member of the House with whom the committee has sought cooperation on a voluntary basis, after two similar requests were turned down by representatives Scott Perry of Pennsylvania and Jim Jordan of Ohio. Considered one of Trump's most loyal allies in Congress, McCarthy said during a floor speech in the House chamber seven days after the riot that Trump "bears responsibility" for the attack. But his public statements regarding the events on Jan. 6 "changed markedly" after he met with Trump at the former president's Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida on Jan. 28, 2021, the committee alleged in the letter, asking McCarthy if he had been pressured by Trump or his representatives on what he should say about his conversations with Trump on Jan. 6. CALIFORNIA CITY, Calif., Jan. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- FairySwap is the first decentralized exchange (DEX) to launch on the Findora blockchain, creating an innovative new type of DEX that is privacy-focused and front-running resistant. DEXs face many challenges, and public blockchains like Ethereum make user data public. Wallet addresses, transaction amounts, transaction dates, asset types - are all visible to anyone who looks. This creates vulnerabilities that hackers, miners, and wealthy traders often exploit. Miner Extractable Value (MEV) is an attack where miners will arbitrarily rearrange transactions in a block to give themselves better trades. Hackers detect transactions before they fully execute in order to jump in and steal the price the original trader wanted. These attacks have cost users over $761 million USD in the last two years, making Ethereum an adversarial environment that some call a "dark forest." In the midst of that forest is FairySwap, a safe place where traders from many different blockchains can conduct business without broadcasting their actions. Using the zero-knowledge proof foundation provided by Findora, FairySwap gives traders secret on-chain identities to make their data publicly verifiable without making it public. FairySwap is a multi-chain DEX that supports tokens in many different crypto ecosystems. Findora's powerful EVM makes it a perfect environment for cross-chain swaps, and its groundbreaking privacy technology may allow users to pass regional KYC requirements without needing to reveal any personal data. The CertiK partnership helps keep FairySwap safe from direct attacks, and results in a safer environment for traders on this first-of-its-kind privacy DEX. About FairySwap FairySwap is a next-generation DEX, powered by zero-knowledge proofs, that is focused on privacy, front-running resistance, and community participation. 100% of all tokens will be given to the community through liquidity mining, marketing promotions, and other rewards, leaving none to be unfairly allocated to venture capitalists or insiders. Providing fast trades with low fees in true privacy - that's the magic of FairySwap! To learn more, visit https://www.fairyswap.finance/about About CertiK.io CertiK is recognized as a leading blockchain auditing firm, trusted projects like Polygon, Binance, and PancakeSwap. Its thorough, formal, and reliable verification tools and high-security standards make it a necessary partner for any DEX. Leveraging the most advanced security technology, it protects millions of users from hacks and malfunctions. With increased security for its users, FairySwap leads the way in private finance - or PriFi - the newest advancement for DeFi trading. Join Our Communities to Learn More About FairySwap, and stay updated: Telegram: Community Channel Twitter Handle: @fairy_swap Website: https://www.fairyswap.finance/about Github: https://github.com/Fairyswap Medium: https://medium.com/@fairyswap Discord: https://discord.gg/wUT7DmRRs4 Photo(s): https://www.prlog.org/12900845 Press release distributed by PRLog SOURCE FairySwap ORLANDO, Fla., Jan. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Real estate drives Florida's economy, and as the COVID-19 pandemic continues its second year, knowing what lies ahead in 2022 is key for policymakers, residents and Realtors. As part of this year's Florida Real Estate Trends summit, Florida Realtors Chief Economist Dr. Brad O'Connor will share his outlook for Florida's economy and housing market in 2022. A highlight of Florida Realtors 2022 Mid-Winter Business Meetings, the Real Estate Trends summit takes place Jan. 20 from 12:30-2:30 p.m. at the Renaissance SeaWorld Orlando. "Florida's residential real estate market flourished in 2021," says Dr. O'Connor. "We witnessed the return of the spring buying season, which we missed out on in 2020, and it brought with it record levels of home sales in the Sunshine State. While there were some signs later in the year of the beginning of a steady transition back to our historical rates of sales and home price growth, an expected rise in mortgage rates never really materialized in 2021, leaving the market red-hot going into 2022. "Lots of big questions about the housing market are going to be answered this year. Will the Fed's recent policy shift finally raise mortgage rates enough to cool home price growth? Will builders be able to keep up with their renewed vigorous pace of new home construction? Will outside interest in Florida real estate remain high on the other side of the pandemic? These topics and more will be discussed at this year's Florida Real Estate Trends." The event also features Dr. Jessica Lautz, vice president of demographic and behavioral insights at the National Association of Realtors. Lautz will offer insight into the "why" behind buyers' and sellers' decisions in 2022. Continuing with the topic of buyer motivation, four panelists will share what attracts residents and second home buyers to the Sunshine State. Panelists include: Deanna Armel, broker-owner, Armel Real Estate; John Boyd, principal, The Boyd Company; Melanie Schmees, director of business and economic research, Greater Naples Chamber of Commerce; and Kelly Smallridge, president and CEO, Business Development Board of Palm Beach County. Jennifer Warner, Florida Realtors economist and director of economic development, will serve as moderator for the discussion. "The information you'll gain from our Real Estate Trends event offers valuable insight for your business in the year ahead," says 2022 Florida Realtors President Christina Pappas, vice president of the Keyes Family of Companies in Miami. "This is a 'must-see' opportunity for Realtors and anyone interested in Florida's future." There are two ways to attend the 2022 Real Estate Trends event on Jan. 20; either in person during Florida Realtors 2022 Mid-Winter Business Meetings or virtually. For more information, go to 2022 Real Estate Trends on Florida Realtors' member website. Florida Realtors serves as the voice for real estate in Florida. It provides programs, services, continuing education, research and legislative representation to more than 225,000 members in 51 boards/associations. Florida Realtors Newsroom website is available at http://floridarealtors.org/newsroom. SOURCE Florida Realtors PITTSBURGH, Jan. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- F.N.B. Corporation (NYSE: FNB) announced it has launched Physicians First, a fully digital program for specialized loan and deposit products for physicians, dentists, veterinarians and other healthcare professionals. F.N.B. Corporation has introduced Physicians First, a digital banking solution for physicians on its proprietary eStore. Physicians can use FNB's digital channels to apply for loan and deposit products. Available online, in-branch and via mobile device through FNB's proprietary eStore, Physicians First provides a bundled suite of digitally accessible solutions that address the personal and professional financial needs of the medical community all in one place. By utilizing the eStore, FNB enables customers to conduct their banking, complete applications, upload information and schedule appointments with financial professionals online. With more than 250,000 physicians, dentists and veterinarians in its multi-state footprint and over $4 billion in new medical student debt created each year, FNB introduced Physicians First based on its significant potential to improve financial outcomes for members of the healthcare industry. The program packages commercial loans, deposit products, mortgages and consumer loans and wealth management services, as well as a new Physicians Education Refinance Loan to pay off medical school loans. "Physicians First presents an exciting and scalable opportunity to use FNB technology to deepen our client relationships and give busy healthcare professionals tools to save time and achieve their goals," said Vincent J. Delie, Jr., Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of F.N.B. Corporation and First National Bank. "We have seen significant growth in our physicians' loans over the past twelve months and applied our leading digital platform and extensive experience to develop a very unique, efficient way to meet the obvious demand for services that are specialized for these customers' needs." Physicians First packages a range of solutions to accommodate every stage of a doctor's career and life, including: Mortgage Solutions: A specialized mortgage program developed to streamline the homebuying process for interns, residents, fellows and established professionals, with flexible terms based on their unique situation and long-term goals. Consumer Banking: A wide range of personal deposit, credit and financial planning products and services, as well as Private Banking and wealth management capabilities for physicians who value an in-depth relationship with a vested partner. Business Products and Services: An array of solutions to support growth and success for practices of all sizes, including practice buy-in, equipment financing and leasing and other commercial lending solutions, as well as insurance, cash and treasury management, wealth management and employee benefits. The Physicians First program was designed to serve professionals with one or more of the following degrees: M.D., D.O., D.D.S., D.V.M., D.M.D. or others that require Doctor of Medicine or substantially similar degrees in the medical sciences. To learn more, visit fnb-online.com/physicians. About F.N.B. Corporation F.N.B. Corporation (NYSE: FNB), headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is a diversified financial services company operating in seven states and the District of Columbia. FNB's market coverage spans several major metropolitan areas including: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Baltimore, Maryland; Cleveland, Ohio; Washington, D.C.; and Charlotte, Raleigh, Durham and the Piedmont Triad (Winston-Salem, Greensboro and High Point) in North Carolina. The Company has total assets of more than $39 billion and more than 330 banking offices throughout Pennsylvania, Ohio, Maryland, West Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Washington, D.C. and Virginia. FNB provides a full range of commercial banking, consumer banking and wealth management solutions through its subsidiary network which is led by its largest affiliate, First National Bank of Pennsylvania, founded in 1864. Commercial banking solutions include corporate banking, small business banking, investment real estate financing, government banking, business credit, capital markets and lease financing. The consumer banking segment provides a full line of consumer banking products and services, including deposit products, mortgage lending, consumer lending and a complete suite of mobile and online banking services. FNB's wealth management services include asset management, private banking and insurance. The common stock of F.N.B. Corporation trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "FNB" and is included in Standard & Poor's MidCap 400 Index with the Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS) Regional Banks Sub-Industry Index. Customers, shareholders and investors can learn more about this regional financial institution by visiting the F.N.B. Corporation website at www.fnbcorporation.com. SOURCE F.N.B. Corporation Founded by brothers Conor and James McCarthy in 2015, Flipdish allows hospitality businesses to deliver seamless consumer digital experiences which drive business growth. The unicorn provides technology that powers QR code ordering & payment at the table, online ordering for pick-up and delivery, self-service kiosks, customer loyalty programs, and digital marketing. Conor McCarthy, Co-Founder and CEO of Flipdish comments: "Digitization has been transforming the hospitality sector for years. The ongoing pandemic has further accelerated the trend with hospitality businesses becoming increasingly dependent on digital experiences to attract and retain customers. Our investment will help us to empower more hospitality businesses around the world to grow with the best-in-class technology." McCarthy continues: "Tencent is our ideal partner with its track record of supporting food delivery companies. Armed with Tencent's insight and experience, Flipdish will be supercharged in 2022." Tencent will join existing Flipdish investors Tiger Global, Global Founders Capital, Elkstone, Enterprise Ireland and Growing Capital. Flipdish operates in 25 countries, including the United States, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, and the United Kingdom, with thousands of independent restaurant customers as well as major brands, such as All Day Kitchens and Popchew. Flipdish also works with some of the world's largest ghost kitchen companies, which partner with the likes of TGI Friday's, White Castle, Dickey's BBQ Pit, and many more. Flipdish has seen rapid revenue growth across multiple markets in 2021, fueled by restaurant operators bringing their online ordering capability in-house, rather than relying on food delivery marketplaces like UberEats & Doordash, the rapid adoption of their on-premise solutions like QR Code Order & Pay and Self-Order Kiosks, and the growth of exciting new verticals like ghost kitchens. The company particularly takes pride in the fact that the platform empowers restaurants to keep money in local economies, eliminating the exorbitant fees charged by marketplace services. When restaurants succeed, Flipdish succeeds. As part of the investment, Flipdish will be hiring 700 people in 2022. The majority are technology roles such as software architects, data scientists, engineers, and product designers. Others include a host of commercial roles. Numis acted as sole financial advisors to Flipdish. Press Contacts United States & Canada John DiLoreto Phone: 646-666-9625 Email: [email protected] United Kingdom Dan Bird Phone: +44 7885 670798 Email: [email protected] Ireland Rachael O'Hehir Phone: +353 86 1934174 Email: [email protected] About Flipdish Flipdish allows hospitality businesses to take control of their consumer digital experience and business growth. The unicorn provides technology that powers QR code order & pay at table, online ordering for delivery & collection, self-service kiosks, customer loyalty, and digital marketing. With a branded website, app or self-service kiosk, powered by Flipdish's world-class technology, restaurant owners can directly accept digital orders without having to list on aggregator platforms, at a lower cost and with more control over the customer experience. Flipdish helps thousands of hospitality brands in dozens of countries. Press Pack Press pack available at https://www.flipdish.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Flipdish-Press-Pack-2021.zip Support Local, Order Direct A disruptor in the digital food-ordering industry, Flipdish has recently launched a Support Local, Order Direct campaign which brings awareness to consumers on how to order directly from restaurants and takeaways, ensuring a majority of profits go directly to the establishment, and that the money gets funneled back into the economy. Link to photos Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1725245/Flipdish.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1725244/Flipdish_Logo.jpg SOURCE Flipdish BOSTON, Jan. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Brattle Group has been named in the "Outstanding" category of Global Competition Review's (GCR's) 2022 "Economics 23" ranking of the world's top firms for competition economics. Brattle's Antitrust & Competition practice provides economic analysis, litigation support, and expert testimony covering a full range of antitrust and competition issues in hundreds of transactions around the globe. Among the practice's many standout achievements in the past year, GCR noted the "major growth" of Brattle's Antitrust & Competition team, portfolio of work, and global footprint, including the opening of offices in Beijing and Shanghai. The firm now has competition specialists and offices in 10 countries across four continents, led by outstanding competition economists: The Brattle Group has been named in the "Outstanding" category of Global Competition Review's (GCR's) 2022 "Economics 23" ranking of the world's top firms for competition economics. Tweet this "GCR's ranking reflects how our Antitrust & Competition practice has expanded and evolved into a global group of preeminent competition economists," said Brattle President & Principal David L. Sunding. "This is also evident in the increased scope and complexity of the work we do to support clients around the world in their high stakes competition matters, often spanning multiple jurisdictions, regulatory bodies, and languages." In GCR's 20202021 research period, Brattle experts worked on a total of 94 competition matters: 36 mergers, 37 litigations, and 21 investigations. These included matters before the European Commission, US Federal Trade Commission, and other agencies, and represented a 36% increase in casework as compared to the previous year. Among other notable matters mentioned, Brattle assisted in the follow-on damages litigation Road Haulage Association Limited v Man SE, specifically regarding the application for a collective proceedings order (CPO). This was the first-ever CPO application in the UK following on from an EU cartel decision. Brattle also continues to provide expert consulting services on behalf of US Airways in connection with the legal and administrative proceedings involving Sabre and its subsidiaries in Section 1 and Section 2 claims pertaining to airline ticket distribution. Additionally, Brattle experts prepared reports and provided evidence as to efficiencies in the regulatory challenges in SECURE Energy Services Inc.'s acquisition of Tervita Corporation, as well as in Parrish & Heimbecker's asset purchase of grain elevators from Louis Dreyfus Company Canada. GCR's independent research ranks consultancies on the number of dedicated antitrust economists, the number of affiliated economists in Who's Who Legal: Competition, and most importantly its work on competition matters over the past year. Read Brattle's full profile on GCR's site. ABOUT BRATTLE The Brattle Group answers complex economic, finance, and regulatory questions for corporations, law firms, and governments around the world. We are distinguished by the clarity of our insights and the credibility of our experts, which include leading international academics and industry specialists. Brattle has 500 talented professionals across four continents. For more information, please visit brattle.com. SOURCE The Brattle Group DUBLIN, Jan. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The "The Global Off-Highway Vehicle Telematics Market - 3rd Edition" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. How will off-highway vehicle telematics market in the construction, mining, agriculture and forestry segments evolve in 2022 and beyond? This report covers the latest trends and developments in the dynamic telematics industry. The global installed base of active off-highway vehicle telematics systems is forecast to grow at a CAGR of 15.4 percent from 5.2 million units at the end of 2020 to 10.7 million units by 2025. Highlights from this report: Insights from 30 executive interviews with market-leading companies. Overview of the construction, mining, agriculture and forestry sectors. Profiles of 40 equipment OEMs and their telematics offerings. Comprehensive overview of the off-highway vehicle telematics value chain and key applications. Summary of the latest industry trends and developments. Market forecasts lasting until 2025. The report answers the following questions Which are the main telematics systems offered by off-highway vehicle manufacturers? Which are the key off-highway vehicle telematics applications? What business models are used by OEMs offering telematics? Which equipment manufacturers have developed their telematics offerings in-house? Which OEM telematics offerings are powered by telematics partners? How are aftermarket providers approaching the off-highway vehicle telematics market? How does the off-highway telematics market compare with other related markets? How will the off-highway vehicle telematics market evolve in the future? The analyst estimates that the global installed base of active off-highway vehicle telematics systems reached 5.2 million units in 2020. This includes connected units deployed on various off-highway vehicles across the construction, mining, agriculture and forestry sectors. The construction sector accounts for the largest share, driven by OEM telematics systems offered by heavy equipment manufacturers. Agriculture and mining each account for a similar number of connected units deployed on machines and vehicles used in agricultural and mining operations respectively. The remainder is represented by the forestry sector including telematics systems fitted to various forestry equipment. Growing at a compound annual growth rate of 15.4 percent, the active installed base of off-highway vehicle telematics systems across all sectors is forecasted to reach 10.7 million units worldwide in 2025. Key Topics Covered: Executive summary 1 The global off-highway vehicle market 1.1 Introduction 1.1.1 Off-highway vehicle manufacturers 1.2 The construction sector 1.3 The mining sector 1.4 The agricultural sector 1.5 The forestry sector 2 Off-highway vehicle telematics technologies and solutions 2.1 Introduction 2.2 Off-highway vehicle telematics infrastructure 2.3 Off-highway vehicle management 2.4 Equipment operator management 2.5 Safety management 2.6 Business models 3 Market forecasts and trends 3.1 Market analysis 3.2 Market drivers and barriers 3.3 Value chain analysis 3.4 Market trends 4 Construction and mining equipment manufacturers 4.1 Bobcat (Doosan) 4.2 Caterpillar 4.3 CNH Industrial 4.4 Deere & Company 4.5 Doosan Infracore (Hyundai) 4.6 Epiroc 4.7 Hitachi Construction Machinery 4.8 Hyundai Construction Equipment 4.9 JCB 4.10 Komatsu 4.11 Liebherr 4.12 Sandvik 4.13 Volvo Construction Equipment 4.14 Other manufacturers 4.14.1 Bell Equipment 4.14.2 BOMAG 4.14.3 JLG Industries 4.14.4 Kobelco 4.14.5 Kubota 4.14.6 Link-Belt Cranes and LBX (Sumitomo) 4.14.7 LiuGong 4.14.8 Mahindra & Mahindra 4.14.9 Manitowoc 4.14.10 Mecalac 4.14.11 SANY 4.14.12 Tadano 4.14.13 Takeuchi 4.14.14 Terex 4.14.15 Wacker Neuson 5 Agriculture and forestry equipment manufacturers 5.1 AGCO 5.2 ARGO Tractors 5.3 CLAAS Group 5.4 CNH Industrial 5.5 Deere & Company 5.6 Krone 5.7 Kubota 5.8 Mahindra & Mahindra 5.9 Ponsse 5.10 SDF 5.11 Tigercat 5.12 Vermeer For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/5z6kif About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. 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 NEW YORK, Jan. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Globo Comunicacao e Participacoes S.A. ("Globo") announced today that the previously announced cash tender offers (the "Tender Offers") to purchase any and all of its outstanding 4.843% Senior Notes due 2025 (the "4.843% Notes") and any and all of its outstanding 5.125% Senior Notes due 2027 (the "5.125% Notes" and, together with the 4.843% Notes, the "Notes"), expired at 5:00 p.m. New York City time on January 12, 2022 (the "Expiration Time"). The Tender Offers were made only pursuant to the Offer to Purchase and Notice of Guaranteed Delivery, each dated as of January 4, 2022 (together, the "Offer Documents"), which set forth the terms and conditions of the Tender Offers. At the Expiration Time, valid tenders had been received in the amounts set forth in the table below. No Notes were tendered pursuant to the guaranteed delivery procedures described in the Offer Documents. Title of Security CUSIP / ISIN Nos. Outstanding Principal Amount Prior to Tender Offers Principal Amount Tendered as of the Expiration Time Issuer Tender Offer Consideration(1) 4.843% Senior Notes due 2025 37957TAK7 US37957TAK79 $325,000,000 $226,942,000 Globo Comunicacao e Participacoes S.A. $1,047.50 P47773AN9 USP47773AN93 5.125% Senior Notes due 2027 37959DAA2 US37959DAA28 $200,000,000 $144,913,000 Globo Comunicacao e Participacoes S.A. $1,032.50 P47777AA8 USP47777AA86 (1) Per $1,000 principal amount of Notes and excluding accrued and unpaid interest from the applicable last interest payment date, which will be paid in addition to the applicable Tender Offer Consideration, up to, but not including, the Any and All Settlement Date, which is expected to be on January 18, 2022. Globo expects to accept for payment all Notes validly tendered and not validly withdrawn in the Tender Offers and expects to make payment for the Notes plus accrued and unpaid interest in same-day funds on January 18, 2022. Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC, Itau BBA USA Securities, Inc., and Morgan Stanley & Co. acted as the Dealer Managers for the Tender Offers. D.F. King & Co., Inc. served as the Information and Tender Agent for the Tender Offers. This press release is neither an offer to purchase nor a solicitation of an offer to sell any Notes in the Tender Offers. The Tender Offers were made only by, and pursuant to the terms of, the Offer Documents. The Tender Offers were not made in any jurisdiction in which the making or acceptance thereof would not be in compliance with the securities, blue sky or other laws of such jurisdiction, and do not constitute an offer to buy or the solicitation of an offer to sell Notes in any jurisdiction or in any circumstances in which such offer or solicitation is unlawful. In those jurisdictions where the securities, blue sky or other laws required the Tender Offers to be made by a licensed broker or dealer, the Tender Offers were deemed to be made on behalf of Globo by the Dealer Managers or one or more registered brokers or dealers licensed under the laws of such jurisdiction. NEITHER THE OFFER TO PURCHASE NOR ANY OF THE OFFER DOCUMENTS RELATING TO THE TENDER OFFERS HAVE BEEN FILED WITH OR REVIEWED BY THE FEDERAL OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION OR REGULATORY AUTHORITY OF ANY COUNTRY, NOR HAS ANY SUCH COMMISSION OR AUTHORITY PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THE OFFER TO PURCHASE OR ANY OF THE OFFER DOCUMENTS RELATING TO THE TENDER OFFERS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS UNLAWFUL AND MAY BE A CRIMINAL OFFENSE. 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. These forward-looking statements include statements regarding expectations as to the completion of the transactions contemplated by the Tender Offers. The forward-looking statements contained herein involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those referred to in the forward-looking statements. More information about Globo and other risks related to Globo is set forth in the Offer to Purchase. Globo does not undertake an obligation to update forward-looking statements. About Globo Globo is the largest media group in Brazil and controls the leading broadcast television network and the leading pay-TV programmer in Brazil, with one of the most frequently accessed digital content portfolios in the country, as well as a streaming platform mainly focused on Brazilian users present in Brazil, Canada, the United States and Europe. Globo is indirectly owned by, and is under the leadership of, the Marinho family, whose interests in Brazilian broadcast television date back to 1965 when TV Globo began broadcasting from Rio de Janeiro under the leadership of Mr. Roberto Marinho. SOURCE: GLOBO COMUNICACAO E PARTICIPACOES S.A. Investor Contact: Jose Brandileone e-mail: [email protected] Tel: (21) 2155 4000 SOURCE Globo Comunicacao e Participacoes S.A WASHINGTON, Jan. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- International, national, and local government leaders, financial experts, and technology innovators will meet at the National Press Club in Washington, DC to discuss blockchain, cryptocurrency and the Future of Money, Governance, & the Law, strategizing their next steps.(January 27-28, 2022) This event is hosted by the Government Blockchain Association, (GBA), and will offer learning, strategizing, and collaborating. Participants will hail from hundreds of organizations including: Barclays Bank Central Reserve Bank of El Salvador European Commission Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Federal Housing Finance Agency Federal Reserve Bank of Boston Kuwait Direct Investment Promotion Authority Massachusetts Division of Banks Maven Federal Credit Union Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation The Union of Arab Banks The World Bank U.S. Department of Homeland Security U.S. Department of the Treasury U.S. Congress United Nations According to a Chainalysis report in October of 2021, the Global Crypto adoption worldwide increased by over 880% last year. These numbers are not driven by a few crypto whales, but more likely reflect the actions of over a billion people. This represents the beginnings of major shifts in economic, financial, and governance systems. Blockchain technology, with its decentralized abilities, will cross borders, impacting national authority or even personal responsibility. Now, more than ever, government leaders need to collaborate to understand and address challenges to existing systems. Regulations must work locally and globally for people interconnected through new communities, technologies, and paradigms. On the evening of January 28, the government and industry leaders will attend 'The Roaring 20s' evening reception in the Gatsby-like ambiance of St Yves DC, The GBA's Roaring 20s Evening Reception will be an enchanting experience of networking in style. Guests will network with cryptocurrency mavericks, government policymakers, foreign ministers, and business moguls, all hoping to make the deal of the century. "The world only exists in your eyes. You can make it as big or as small as you want." F Scott Fitzgerald For more information go to https://bit.ly/2022-FoMGL or email [email protected]. SOURCE Government Blockchain Association PHOENIX, Jan. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Green Planet Group (OTC PINK: GNPG) an emerging leader in green technology, announced today that its wholly owned subsidiary, Healing the Earth Inc. (HTE) launched its urban farm operation last week. The company has trademarked the name "Healing the Earth Farms" as its brand name for all growing activities. The farm will utilize its patented growing technology to both demonstrate its effectiveness in growing 100% organic food with 97% less water, using no soil or chemical fertilizers, while accelerating growing time by as much as 300%. The farm will begin growing three varieties of micro-greens, a Kalefetti, Radish, and a Spicy Micro mix (See label pictures below). The "living" micro-greens are harvested with their roots intact which improves shelf life while maintaining taste and nutrition values. The Healing the Earth Farms label includes a QR code which will permit the retail customer to connect directly to its website to obtain additional product information and suggested recipes from Chef Alex. In addition, Chef Alex will begin a promotion whereby customers can submit their recipes for cash rewards. Also, in an effort to address world hunger, a portion of monthly revenues will be divided between two non-profits that provide direct help to people in Nigeria and South Sudan. Mr. Gerald Walker, Chairman/CEO of bizCbook.com has committed to help the company establish food growing systems in both countries. The farm will harvest food every day, 365 days per year, and will begin delivering its products to up-scale grocery chains in the fourth week of this month, at the rate of 280 units per day or 8,500 units per month. Projected monthly revenues will be $21,000. Revenues will grow as additional growing systems come online. In addition, the company expects that by operating its in-house farm successfully, it will accelerate sales of growing systems by demonstrating its revolutionary technology as proven. About Green Planet Group, Inc. The Company is comprised of four wholly owned subsidiaries: two operating companies and two development stage companies. The Company's Healing the Earth subsidiary has developed a new Fast Track growing system capable of growing vast amounts of fresh, organic food with extremely low water use. XenTx Lubricants produces lubricants and additives for gasoline and diesel engines which reduce emissions and improve fuel economy. AAQIS is developing a hydrogen generator which greatly reduces hydrocarbon emissions while improving fuel efficiency in internal combustion engines. Green Mining Technologies is developing restorative technology for placer mine tailings. For more information see: www.greenplanetgroup.com Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements contained herein are "forward-looking" statements (as defined Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995). Green Planet Group, Inc. cautions that the statements made in this press release constitute forward-looking statements and no guarantees of future performance and actual results may differ materially from projections in forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on estimates and opinions of management at the time the statements are made. SOURCE Green Planet Group, Inc. LONDON, Jan. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- CA Global Partners - a global leader in asset management and capital recovery and Hickman Shearer - a leading capital asset valuation, management and used equipment sales company, today announced they will conduct a live and online auction of a selection of over 3,000 pieces of high quality and well maintained outside broadcast and TV production equipment on behalf of Kroll LLP, the administrators of Arena Television Limited (in Administration). The assets, which include outside broadcast trailers and rigid trucks, Sony and Grass Valley camera channels, Canon and Fujinon lenses, EVS, sound and vision equipment, will be sold by negotiated sale and an online and onsite auction over a three day period, beginning on the 22nd February 2022. The full catalogue of assets will be available to view online in the coming weeks, and items will be available to view onsite prior to the public auction. Hickman Shearer and CA Global Partners combine decades of experience buying, selling, operating and valuing assets in the industrial and commercial industries across Australia, the UK, Europe, North America and Asia Pacific. "This partnership presented a complete solution for Kroll LLP, combining best-in-class asset valuation and disposition services with the certainty of recoveries for the creditors of Arena Television" said Tim Chapman, Managing Director of Hickman Shearer. "This is a genuinely unique opportunity to purchase equipment from the closure of a major UK business in the outside broadcast space and although the auctions will be held in the UK the sale is expected to attract a global audience of prospective buyers to deliver maximum recoveries to our client." said Dan Main, EMEA Director of CA Global Partners. For a more detailed asset list and to register your interest in the auction, please visit arenatvsale.com. Contact: Auction Inquiries Tim Chapman Hickman Shearer [email protected] +44 7508 909 961 Dan Main CA Global Partners [email protected] +44 7422 358 348 Media Inquiries Ivan MacQuisten IMacQ [email protected] +44 7842 201 292 SOURCE CA Global Partners Soft-launched at the end of December 2021, Popcorn Buds Pre-Packaged Flower joins High Life Farms' wide range of award-winning flower products cultivated and manufactured in the company's state-of-the-art facilities. Offering high-quality strains at a smaller bud size and more accessible price point, current Popcorn Buds strains available include Dr. Gonzo, Kush Mints and Wedding Cake, with others rolling out as available. The launch of Popcorn Buds comes on the heels of several other recent releases from High Life Farms as the company puts a renewed focus on pre-packaged flower. In October 2021, the company introduced Chief Premium Packaged Flower under High Life Farms' Chief brand, representing their highest quality flower per THC content starting at 23%, with strains including Alien OG, Apple Fritter, Melted Strawberries and Platinum Kush Mints. High Life Farms also recently released a mid-tier line of pre-packaged flower under their namesake brand with THC ranging from 18% to 23%, featuring strains Z Mints, Apple Fritter, Do Si Do and Lemon Cherry Gelato. Earlier in December 2021, Premium Greenhouse Mixed Lighting Flower was introduced from High Life's greenhouse grow with Apple Fritter and Melted Strawberries strains. "With new flower options such as Popcorn Buds and pre-packaged favorites such as Alien OG and Kush Mints, the cultivation team at High Life Farms is focusing our efforts towards crafting higher-end, premium strains tiered to meet the varying needs and desires of our diverse customer base," said Vinnie Celani, Co-Founder of High Life Farms. "From our meticulous attention to detail and artisanal approach to our top-of-the-line facilities and rigorous testing standards, High Life Farms takes pride in every step of the cultivation process. We're excited to start off 2022 with a full range of high-quality flower that our consumers will love." All of High Life Farms pre-packaged flower is available in sleek Grove Bags featuring TerpLoc Technology, which utilizes a blend of several film elements to create the optimal cannabis climate inside every package and protect product quality. In promotion of Popcorn Buds and its nostalgic packaging, High Life Farms will be giving away six one-year streaming-service subscriptions from now through March across the company's Instagram and Facebook platforms. Those interested can follow @highlifefarmsmi on Instagram and High Life Farms on Facebook for additional details. For more information on High Life Farms, please visit https://highlifefarms.com/ . About High Life Farms High Life Farms is a national privately held, vertically integrated cannabis company based in Michigan with operations in the world's largest cannabis market: California. High Life Farms' best-in-class portfolio includes cultivation, manufacturing, distribution, in-house brands, brand partnerships, white labeling solutions and ownership stakes in numerous dispensaries. The company believes in the cannabis plant's potential to improve health, wellness, happiness and that everyone should have the right to make choices that improve their personal wellbeing. For more information, visit https://highlifefarms.com/ . Media Contact: MATTIO Communications [email protected] SOURCE High Life Farms ROCKVILLE, Md., Jan. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research (IBBR) announces a newly funded five-year cooperative agreement with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) headed by the Co-Directors of IBBR, Dr. David J. Weber (PI) and Dr. John Marino (NIST). This award provides more than $3.3 million each year to support groundbreaking research, including technology and standards development that will impact vaccine and therapeutic discovery and development, and to improve access to life-saving treatments for addressing other crucial health challenges. IBBR is a joint research enterprise of the University of Maryland, College Park, the University of Maryland, Baltimore and NIST. Research born out of this new cooperative agreement will be applied to accelerating the development and manufacturing of new pharmaceutical and vaccine approaches including cell and gene therapies and mRNA vaccines. This type of bioscience and bioengineering research will enable robust and rapid responses to pandemics and help remove obstacles to care and treatment related to rare childhood diseases and complex cancers. "Trusting in and funding research makes it possible to find solutions to address major health and scientific challenges, and to prepare for the unknown," said Bruce E. Jarrell, MD, FACS, President of the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB). "UMB has invested heavily in operational support and high-end instruments for IBBR in support of the NIST relationship. I am very pleased to see that the long-standing NIST collaboration will continue." As part of the new agreement, NIST provided state-of-the-art equipment for the "IBBR Commons"a highly sophisticated research space shared with researchers throughout Maryland and the nation. For example, NIST recently partnered with Maryland to establish the Maryland Center for Advanced Molecular Analysis (M-CAMA) that established new cryo-electron (cryoEM) instruments and facilities to be used by NIST and researchers in Maryland for the timely development of new therapies and vaccines. "IBBR has long provided the critical link necessary to bring together researchers across disciplines to address major health challenges and help strengthen the state's economic base in bioscience and biotechnology," said Darryll J. Pines, Ph.D., President of the University of Maryland, College Park. "I am so pleased this collaboration between NIST and the University of Maryland, Baltimore and the University of Maryland, College Park remains strong, and I look forward to seeing the innovations it will lead to in the future." IBBR was established by the University System of Maryland Board of Regents in 2010, building on and integrating previous partnerships between the University of Maryland and NIST that date back to 1984. The institute connects dozens of experts from interrelated fields of study with the common goal of accomplishing world-class interdisciplinary research that can lead to real-world advances like drug discovery, more effective vaccines, and disease prevention and treatment. "Achieving truly groundbreaking results in fields like bioscience and biotechnology requires a wide array of resources, perspectives and expertisefrom pharmaceutical and biotech companies to academic and government institutions, to foundations and NGOs," said Jennifer King Rice, Ph.D., Senior Vice President and Provost of the University of Maryland, College Park. "What makes IBBR so unique and impactful is its ability to stand in the center of this circle of voices as the catalyst for collaborative and impactful work." "Having this important cooperative agreement with NIST enables us to develop and share the most sophisticated and advanced instrumentation for use in the discovery, development and manufacturing of safe and effective new medicines to treat human diseaseincluding, most recently, for COVID19," said E. Albert Reece, MD, Ph.D., MBA, Executive Vice President for Medical Affairs at the University of Maryland, Baltimore and the John Z. and Akiko K. Bowers Distinguished Professor and Dean of the University of Maryland School of Medicine. About IBBR IBBR is a joint research enterprise of the University of Maryland, College Park, the University of Maryland, Baltimore, and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). IBBR brings together critical elements necessary to inspire transformative discoveries in the field of bioscience and biotechnology and provides innovative solutions to major scientific and engineering challenges important to society. IBBR researchers seek to advance the fields of biomedical research, therapeutic development, biomedical manufacturing, and state-of-the-art measurement technologies, to support accelerated delivery of safe and effective medicines to the public. IBBR is financially supported in part by the University of Maryland Strategic Partnership: MPowering the State, an initiative designed to achieve innovation and impact through collaboration. For more information, contact: Nicole Tenly Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research University of Maryland 9600 Gudelsky Drive | Rockville, MD | 20850 [email protected] | 240.314.6209 SOURCE Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research UNION, Ill., Jan. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Specialty contractor, INTREN, today announced its purchase of Shade Tree Service Company, based in Fenton, Missouri. The purchase will allow the company to expand its existing vegetation management services to better serve the needs of its clients throughout the U.S. With the acquisition, INTREN will apply their expertise in specialty construction learned by successfully managing thousands of cross-disciplinary projects annually to enhance the experience and technologies of Shade Tree's vegetation management services. "This is an exceptional opportunity for INTREN to blend the people, processes, and technology of two highly respected companies to further enhance our long-term corporate strategy. Our goal in combining these two strong companies is to build a leader in utility solutions that will thrive for decades to come. We are pleased to have Shade Tree as a part of the INTREN family," said Sherina Edwards, President and Chief Executive Office of INTREN. Since its founding in 1935, Shade Tree's services have grown to include line clearance, tree trimming, herbicide applications and a host of vegetation management services for the electric and telecommunications industries. Commenting on the purchase, Jeff Baker, Director of Operations said, "The future needs new methods to help our nation's growing infrastructure, and alternative power sources. INTREN shares our vision of diversity and has a unified culture of safety and accountability. We could not be more pleased to be part of the company." About INTREN INTREN, a MasTec company, is a utility specialty contractor and professional services firm, designing, managing, building, and maintaining the infrastructure of the energy industry while providing innovative utility solutions to the nation's foremost utility companies, private contractors/developers, municipalities, and cooperatives. Founded in 1988 with a steadfast commitment to safety, INTREN is a certified diverse supplier by the National Minority Supplier Development Council and employees over 2,000 nationwide. https://intren.com/ About Shade Tree Service Company Shade Tree offers complete vegetation management services to the electric and telecommunication industries. The company provides extensive experience in all forms of transmission and distribution vegetation management projects including right-of-way clearing and maintenance, reclamation, emergency storm response and more. http://stsco.net/ Contact: Dennis Bednarski, Senior Vice President Operations and Acquisitions INTREN 815.923.2300 ext. 166 [email protected] SOURCE INTREN PITTSBURGH, Jan. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- "While working as a nurse, I am often called upon to insert and run an IV," said one of two inventors of a new medical accessory. "I was concerned, however, about the time it took to gather saline flushes and other supplies needed once I had the pump in place." Together they developed IV PUMP EXTENDER to address this issue. As such, it facilitates organization of IV supplies and keeps needed items readily accessible. Thus, it saves IV preparation time and effort for the medical professional and improves productivity and patient care. It is also convenient, effective and affordably priced. In addition, its simple design minimizes production costs. The original design was submitted to the Atlanta 3 sales office of InventHelp. It is currently available for licensing or sale to manufacturers or marketers. For more information, write Dept. 20-ALL-2640, InventHelp, 217 Ninth Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15222, or call (412) 288-1300 ext. 1368. Learn more about InventHelp's Invention Submission Services at http://www.InventHelp.com. SOURCE InventHelp Jeff Greenberg has several decades of experience in the insurance industry, having been chairman and CEO of Marsh & McLennan and executive vice president of AIG's domestic brokerage group. After leaving insurance, he founded Aquiline Capital Partners, a private investment firm based in New York and London with $7 billion in assets under management, where he is now chairman and CEO. Jeff is also a trustee of the Metropolitan Museum of Art and of the New York Presbyterian Hospital, alongside a number of other philanthropic commitments. Mark Wiseman is a leading investment manager and business executive, who was previously a senior managing director at BlackRock, the world's largest asset manager. Prior to BlackRock, Mark was president and CEO of the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board. He now is a senior adviser to Lazard and chair of Alberta Investment Management Corporation's board of directors. Mark is also on the board of the United Way of Greater Toronto, the Sinai Health System, and the Dean's Advisory Board at the Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto, as well as other non-profit organisations. Varun Chandra, Hakluyt's managing partner, said: "As Hakluyt continues to expand around the world, and especially in North America, we are very excited to have Jeff Greenberg and Mark Wiseman joining our advisory board. They both have exceptional track records as leaders of major businesses, and their insights and advice will be invaluable as we help our clients tackle their most pressing commercial issues. I am hugely looking forward to working with them both." Niall FitzGerald KBE added: "I am delighted to welcome Jeff Greenberg and Mark Wiseman to the Hakluyt International Advisory Board. It is always a pleasure to add to our network of advisers and, as highly respected business leaders, I am sure Jeff and Mark will bring great judgement and expertise to our work." Jeff Greenberg commented: "It's a privilege to be joining the Hakluyt International Advisory Board. Hakluyt works on critical and complex commercial issues for businesses around the world, and I am looking forward to advising the company in North America and beyond." Mark Wiseman said: "I am very pleased to be becoming part of Hakluyt's advisory board, and to be supporting the firm as it continues to expand in North America and around the world. It will be an honour to work with such a distinguished group of colleagues, advising Hakluyt on the issues that matter most." Both appointments to the Hakluyt International Advisory Board are effective immediately. Notes to editors Hakluyt is a strategic advisory firm that works with corporate leaders and investors around the world on their most important commercial issues. For more information on the company, please visit www.hakluytandco.com. The other members of the Hakluyt International Advisory Board are: Niall FitzGerald KBE (Former CEO and Chairman, Unilever) Manvinder ( Vindi) Banga (Partner, Clayton, Dubilier & Rice) (Partner, Clayton, Dubilier & Rice) Professor Sir John Bell (Regius Professor of Medicine, University of Oxford ) ) Sir Douglas Flint CBE (Chairman, abrdn) Muhtar Kent (Former CEO and Chairman, The Coca-Cola Company) Irene Lee (Chairman, Hysan Development Co. Ltd) Sir Iain Lobban (Former Director, GCHQ) Trevor Manuel (Former Minister of Finance, South Africa ) ) Lubna S. Olayan (Chair, the merged SABB and Alawwal Bank) Sandi Peterson (Former Group Worldwide Chairman, Johnson & Johnson) Alfonso Prat-Gay (Former Minister of the Economy and President of the Central Bank of Argentina ) ) Shuzo Sumi (Chairman, Sony Corporation) and Ratan Tata GBE (Chairman Emeritus, Tata Sons ). Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1725964/Hakluyt_Jeff_Greenberg.jpg Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1725965/Hakluyt_Mark_Wiseman.jpg SOURCE Hakluyt WASHINGTON, Jan. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the Supreme Court issued a stay of the Biden Administration's employer vaccine mandate in response to a challenge brought by the Job Creators Network and other groups. JCN was the first organization to file a petition at the Supreme Court requesting a stay. Alfredo Ortiz, president and CEO of JCN, issued the following statement: "The Supreme Court has stood up for small businesses by staying this illegal employer vaccine mandate. The court has confirmed what JCN has long argued: OSHA does not have the authority to implement this sweeping regulation that will burden American businesses, including many small businesses, with new costs and exacerbate the historic labor shortage. By Issuing this stay, the Supreme Court has freed small businesses to focus on bringing the economy back to its pre-pandemic peak." SOURCE Job Creators Network WICHITA, Kan., Jan. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Kansas College of Osteopathic Medicine (KansasCOM) at Kansas Health Science Center (KHSC), currently under construction in downtown Wichita, recently appointed three additions to its faculty: Eustaquio Abay II, MD, FACS, clinical faculty; Nicholas Wohlgemuth, Ph.D., faculty, biomedical sciences and Lawrence Zoller, Ph.D., faculty, biomedical sciences. Eustaquio Abay II, MD, FACS, clinical faculty, is a leader of local and national medical and civic organizations. A clinician, surgeon, and teacher, he is committed to medical education, advances in medicine and excellence in the art and practice of medicine. Dr. Abay founded both the Kansas Spine Hospital, as part of a Neuroscience Center of Excellence in the region, and the Abay Neuroscience Center, which is the biggest private neurosurgery group in the state of Kansas. Nicholas Wohlgemuth, Ph.D., faculty, biomedical sciences, spent the past decade as a teacher and scholar, most recently as visiting assistant professor in the Department of Biology at Rhodes College in Memphis, Tenn. For the past five years, he was also a postdoctoral research associate in the Department of Infectious Diseases at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Dr. Wohlgemuth is a published author, experienced presenter, and dedicated member of professional organizations. Lawrence Zoller, Ph.D., faculty, biomedical sciences, comes to KansasCOM as professor emeritus from the UNLV School of Dental Medicine. In his 48 years of teaching, Dr. Zoller has covered anatomy, histology, neuroanatomy, head and neck anatomy for graduate practicing dentists, endocrinology, and reproduction and sexuality. A published author, committee member and presenter, Dr. Zoller has received numerous awards for teaching excellence from both Boston University School of Dental Medicine and UNLV School of Dental Medicine. The KansasCOM campus is currently under construction to transform 116,000 square feet of the iconic building at 217 E. Douglas Ave. in the heart of downtown Wichita. Nearing completion, the campus features clean inspirational design, innovative state-of-the-art technology and learning spaces, an osteopathic skills training center, standardized patient teaching rooms, large lecture halls, small group study rooms, a virtual anatomy lab, and much more. About Kansas Health Science Center Kansas Health Science Center is a nonprofit organization committed to training well-prepared physicians and health care leaders who will positively contribute to the overall well-being of our communities. Opening the Kansas College of Osteopathic Medicine in 2022, KHSC strives to positively impact the health landscape in Wichita and the state of Kansas through directly addressing the disparity in access to health care. Learn more. SOURCE Kansas Health Science Center YOKNE'AM, Israel, Jan. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- ADASKY, maker of the automotive grade, advanced thermal camera technology, was selected as the winner of Konnect Volkswagen Group Innovation Hub Tel-Aviv and VW Commercial Vehicles "Startup Challenge," competing against other leading Israeli startups. In the "StartUp Challenge" Konnect and Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles screened more than 30 Israeli startups. In the final round 10 of them pitched in front of the experts team of Konnect and VW Commercial Vehicles in Germany. ADASKY won a paid proof-of-concept with VW Commercial Vehicles. ADASKYs technology will be evaluated for VW Commercial Vehicles for level 4 autonomous vehicles. "The goal of the challenge was to match the top Israeli technologies to our Mobility-as-a-Service products portfolio" said Dr. Astrid Wollenberg, Managing Director at Konnect - Volkswagen Group Innovation Hub Tel Aviv. "ADASKY's sensor is market-ready and will allow us to deliver to our customers safe and top-quality mobility services, in all weather conditions". "We are very grateful our technology was recognized by another major global OEM. Competing against Radar, LIDAR, and other impressive technologies, it's an important validation for ADASKY's lifesaving thermal technology," said Yakov Shaharabani, ADASKY CEO. ADASKY technology detects pedestrians, vulnerable road users at night and in harsh weather, where most other sensors fail. ADASKY's automotive-grade thermal sensor has been upgraded with "Time-To-Collision" (TTC) software, enabling Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) and Forward Collision Warning (FCW) capabilities through its thermal vision technology. About ADASKY ADASKY was established in Israel, January 2016, and led by former IDF Air Force high-ranking officers and automotive tech veterans with a mission to make mobility safer by way of advanced thermal sensing technologies in order to save lives. http://www.adasky.com. About Konnect Konnect is the Open Innovation Hub of the Volkswagen Group in Tel Aviv, Israel. The Innovation Hub's mission is to scout, test and match deep-tech Israeli startups to the Volkswagen Group brands, based on the core focus topics and needs of the Group. Leveraging the technical expertise and a deep understanding of the Israeli innovation ecosystem, the Konnect team evaluates potential technologies and manages the testing and validation through projects and PoCs. About Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles As a leading manufacturer of light commercial vehicles, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles is making fundamental and sustainable changes to the way goods and services are distributed in cities in order to improve quality of life, especially in inner city areas. The brand is the Volkswagen Group's leader in autonomous driving as well as in mobility services such as Mobility-as-a-Service and Transport-as-a-Service. For these solutions, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles is developing special-purpose vehicles such as robo-taxis and robo-vans to keep the world of tomorrow moving with all its requirements for clean, intelligent and sustainable mobility. MEDIA CONTACT: Scott Fosgard, Scott Fosgard Communications, +1.734.272.7440, [email protected] SOURCE ADASKY SHENZHEN, China, Jan. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- NextSmartShip, a world-leading fulfillment service provider for global e-commerce sellers, signed a strategic partnership agreement with LyncMed, a major global e-commerce platform for medical instruments. Under this partnership, NextSmartShip will empower LyncMed during its global expansion with industry-leading logistics and fulfillment expertise and the next-gen proprietary SaaS platform Fulfillship. Global e-commerce has seen exceptional growth since the pandemic. Besides traditional industry giants like Amazon, new e-commerce platforms such as Shopify, WooCommerce, Wix, Walmart, and other vertical platforms were also propelled into a higher growth trajectory. Fulfillment companies played a fundamental role during this. NextSmartShip has been the fulfillment partner for many of these platforms and is becoming the best and only option for more e-commerce, especially B2B platforms for their fulfillment solution, thanks to its comprehensive and innovative capabilities as a fully equipped provider throughout all supply chain stages and the in-depth experience serving 1000+ international DTC brands. Featuring: 97% global coverage with 70+ top international carrier partners; Next-gen SaaS platform offering smart functions like routes recommendation, fee estimation, smart inventory distribution, seamless tracking updates etc; Open API kits that allow easy integration into B2B platforms; Dedicated servers which ensure fast, stable, and secure data transmission; Top of the line value-added services, e.g., product assembling and kitting; One-stop experience: pick up at the door of your thousands of vendors (within China ) and deliver globally; ) and deliver globally; A seamless payment experience supporting flexible billing models; Highly-rated customer service. As one of the leading B2B players in a vertical field, LyncMed is committed to bridging different sectors and improving the efficiency of the whole value chain for the medical device industry. Through this new partnership, LyncMed hopes to meet more global requirements with a stable, efficient, complete yet flexible logistic solution powered by NextSmartShip. "Relying on our advantages in the global fulfillment industry, our innovative solution can help LyncMed build a robust platform that truly empowers global businesses in the medical device industry." "We have been chosen and recommended as the overall fulfillment solution provider for nearly ten similar supply chain e-commerce platforms globally, including some industry giants. This proves the scarcity of the 'NextSmartShip Solution'," said William Yu, CEO and founder of NextSmartShip. "We are much grateful to all our partners for their trust and recognition of our services and solution. We hope to provide a much more seamless and comfortable logistics experience for both sellers and their buyers on these e-commerce platforms so that sellers can truly focus on scaling their business through product development and supply chain management, which are their core advantages." To view more details, please visit: http://www.nextsmartship.com About NextSmartShip NextSmartShip is a tech-centered GLOCAL logistics powerhouse that strives to help DTC brands of different sizes to elevate their e-commerce business into the next big thing. With a short history from 2019, the company has been helping thousands of global DTC brands to gain exceptional growth via its professional, stable, and affordable fulfillment services. It now delivers over a million packages per year to international destinations. *** For media inquiries, please contact: [email protected] SOURCE NextSmartShip DENTON, Texas, Jan. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- HealthTrackRx, the nation's leading polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing lab, today announced that Leah Binder, President and CEO of The Leapfrog Group, has joined the company's advisory board. Binder brings a wealth of insight on driving quality and efficiency in healthcare to help guide the company's growth strategies. "Leah Binder brings exceptional experience across the healthcare value chain. We're thrilled to have her expertise to help guide us," said Martin Price, Executive Chairman and CEO of HealthTrackRx. "Through Leah's leadership, The Leapfrog Group has been driving game-changing health and safety policies throughout the healthcare delivery ecosystem. She's accomplished remarkable things for patient outcomes, and we believe she will help us do the same." The Leapfrog Group represents many of the nation's largest employers and healthcare purchasers calling for improved safety and quality in hospitals. Under Binder's leadership, The Leapfrog Group launched the Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade, which assigns letter grades assessing the safety of general hospitals across the country. She has also fostered groundbreaking innovations in the annual Leapfrog Hospital Survey, including partnerships to eliminate early elective deliveries, central line-associated bloodstream infections and safe use of health technology. "HealthTrackRx is bringing innovations to patient safety, which is an urgent need in this pandemic era. In particular, it is urgent for healthcare organizations to address infection, and this company is a pioneer in rapid detection and identification of antimicrobial resistance and optimal treatment strategies," said Leah Binder, President and CEO of The Leapfrog Group. "I'm excited to collaborate with the advisory team to advance initiatives that elevate patient care and strengthen our workforce." Binder is a regular contributor to Forbes.com, Harvard Business Review and other top-tier publications. She has been named on Becker's list of the 50 most powerful people in healthcare and consistently cited by Modern Healthcare among the 100 most influential people and top 25 women in healthcare. Prior to her position at The Leapfrog Group, Binder spent eight years as vice president at Franklin Community Health Network, an award-winning rural hospital network in Farmington, Maine. She previously worked as a senior policy advisor for the Office of Mayor Rudolph Giuliani in New York City and started her career at the National League for Nursing, where she handled policy and communications for more than six years. About HealthTrackRx HealthTrackRx is the nation's leading PCR-based infectious disease laboratory, delivering industry-leading testing turnaround times to clinicians nationwide. For more than 20 years, the company has mobilized accurate clinical decisions through advances in pathogen testing, antimicrobial stewardship, and value-based care programs. HealthTrackRx is among a limited number of labs in the U.S. granted FDA Emergency Use Authorization for Molecular Laboratory Developed (LDT) COVID-19 Authorized Test. For more information, visit HealthTrackRx at healthtrackrx.com and LinkedIn. SOURCE HealthTrackRx, Inc. NEW ORLEANS, Jan. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- ClaimsFiler, a FREE shareholder information service, reminds investors with losses in excess of $100,000 that they have until January 18, 2022 to file lead plaintiff applications in a securities class action lawsuit against Lightspeed Commerce, Inc. (NYSE: LSPD), if they purchased the Company's securities between September 11, 2020 and November 3, 2021, inclusive (the "Class Period"). This action is pending in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York. Get Help Lightspeed investors should visit us at https://claimsfiler.com/cases/nyse-lspd/ or call toll-free (844) 367-9658. Lawyers at Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC are available to discuss your legal options. About the Lawsuit Lightspeed and certain of its executives are charged with failing to disclose material information during the Class Period, violating federal securities laws. On September 29, 2021, Spruce Point Capital Management reported a range of allegations regarding the Company, including but not limited to, that it overstated its customer count by 85% and its gross transaction volume by 10% in pre-IPO documents; that there was "[e]vidence of declining organic growth and business deterioration through Lightspeed's IPO, despite management's claims that Average Revenue Per User ('ARPU') is increasing"; and that the Company's "[r]ecent acquisition spree has come at escalating costs with no clear path to profitability, while management pursues aggressive revenue reporting practices." On this news, Lightspeed's shares fell $13.73 per share, or 12.2%, to close at $98.77 per share on September 29, 2021. The case is Nath v. Lightspeed Commerce Inc., et al., 21-cv-06365910. About ClaimsFiler ClaimsFiler has a single mission: to serve as the information source to help retail investors recover their share of billions of dollars from securities class action settlements. At ClaimsFiler.com, investors can: (1) register for free to gain access to information and settlement websites for various securities class action cases so they can timely submit their own claims; (2) upload their portfolio transactional data to be notified about relevant securities cases in which they may have a financial interest; and (3) submit inquiries to the Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC law firm for free case evaluations. To learn more about ClaimsFiler, visit www.claimsfiler.com. SOURCE ClaimsFiler FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich., Jan. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- LUXIT Group, a leading global provider of innovative automotive lighting solutions, announced today that veteran purchasing professional Daniel Escamilla has joined the company as its Vice President of Purchasing. Purchasing executive brings 25 years of experience in the automotive and automotive lighting industries Tweet this Photo Caption: LUXIT Group Vice President of Purchasing Daniel Escamilla Escamilla joins LUXIT Group with more than 25 years of purchasing management experience in the automotive industry, including 14 years working in the vehicle lighting industry in Mexico, Italy and the United States. Escamilla's expertise will allow him to organize and centralize the Purchasing function of the four companies that formed LUXIT group, following this week's announcement of its launch, said LUXIT Group CEO, Stephane Vedie. "We are proud and excited to welcome Daniel as part of the LUXIT Group leadership team," Vedie said. "We have positioned LUXIT Group to be a global leader in next-generation technology for automotive small lamp, auxiliary lighting, and components for exterior and interior applications. Daniel's extensive experience will immediately strengthen our Purchasing and Supply chain organization." Escamilla joins LUXIT Group after serving in various Purchasing leadership positions for Marelli, Automotive Lighting, Valeo and Nissan. He holds a master's degree in Management and Business Administration from Universita degli Studi di Torino in Turin, Italy, and a bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering from Instituto Politecnico Nacional in Mexico City. "I am honored to have the opportunity to work with the talented team at LUXIT Group, particularly at this exciting time of transition and growth for the company," Escamilla said. "I look forward to putting my experience and skills to work to maximize our value to our customers." About LUXIT Group LUXIT (LUXITGroup.com) is a company of world-leading technology experts in vehicle small lamp design and manufacture, headquartered in Farmington Hills, Michigan, serving OEMs and Tier 1 customers separately under two divisions. Myotek, the Tier 1 division, is highly regarded as a leading designer, manufacturer, and supplier of innovative vehicle lighting. Myotek leverages global reach and logistical efficiency with its tech center in Irvine, California; international sales and engineering offices in Michigan, Taiwan, and China; and four manufacturing facilities in the United States, two in Taiwan, and two in China to serve OEM customers with unique solutions, competitive pricing, and aggressive time to market. Sea Link, the Tier 2 division headquartered in Largo, Florida, is a leading supplier of vehicle lighting components and infotainment engineering and manufacturing solutions. Sea Link specializes in cost-effective, precision-quality complex die casting; thixomolding; injection molding; metallization; PCB assembly, and assembled components. Four U.S. manufacturing facilities and two in China facilitate the company's time-efficient solutions, backed by sales and engineering offices in both Michigan and China to serve Tier 1 customers. CONTACT: Bonnie Osborn [email protected] 916-212-9110 SOURCE LUXIT Group Chris Ferrell, CEO of Endeavor Business Media, said of the hire: "Mark has a history of creating high performing teams and implementing tools and processes that support growth and maximize value. He also has strong experience designing metrics-based standards to track and optimize operational and financial controls. With this background he will be a great addition to the executive team as we pursue our goals of being a best-in-class B2B media company and to create value for all of our stakeholders in 2022 and beyond. Additionally, the entire team that interviewed Mark thought he would be a great fit with the Endeavor culture." Zadell joins Endeavor from Nixon Power Services, where as CFO he held responsibility for the corporate support functions, including finance, IT, and HR. Before that he held senior financial roles at Change Healthcare; Flippin, Bruce & Porter and Calyon Securities. He holds a BSc from Bowling Green State University, and an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. A Nashville resident, Zadell will join the EBM members of the corporate head office team based there. "I am thrilled and honored to come on board with this exciting team at such an important time in Endeavor's trajectory. I have watched EBM grow rapidly over the past 4 years; and cannot wait to be able to contribute to the next phase of growth. Endeavor is a dynamic company with strong brands, important audiences and innovative products, and is at the forefront of transforming B2B media. I look forward to joining the team." said Zadell of his appointment. Headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee, Endeavor Business Media, LLC was formed in late 2017 to acquire and operate trade publications, websites, events and marketing solutions. One of the largest B2B media companies in the US, the company addresses B2B audiences in the aviation, dental, facilities maintenance, fire & public safety, design engineering, buildings and construction, energy, manufacturing, industrial, technology, medical, securities, laser, lighting, oil & gas, public services, security, construction, vehicle repair, vending, and water & wastewater markets. The company has offices in Nashville, TN; Tulsa, OK; Nashua, NH; Birmingham, AL; Sarasota, FL; Skokie, IL; Fort Atkinson, WI; Arlington Heights, IL; Independence, OH; Santa Barbara, CA; Fort Collins, CO; and Overland Park, KS. For more information, visit www.endeavorbusinessmedia.com Media Contact: Anna Wackenhuth [email protected] SOURCE Endeavor Business Media CENTER VALLEY, Pa., Jan. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- As the nation prepares to mark Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Olympus offers a reminder that the healthcare community must continue to identify health disparities facing so many in our communities today and must work toward solving the issues that create such disparities. The African American community, for instance, is at a higher risk for several types of cancer as compared to other groups, highlighting the importance of improved access to screenings and treatment. "The risk of colon cancer amounts to 20% more in the African American community than the general population.1 There is still a need for better education and better access to CRC screening and treatment until medical disparities are a thing of the past," said Max Gill, Global Head of Global Health Economics, Olympus. Olympus Corporation of the Americas (OCA), as a global medtech leader, leads efforts to help diagnose and treat colorectal cancer, which is a disease that results in a disproportionate number of deaths among African American patients each year. As many diseases feature a genetic component, Olympus stresses the importance of learning about family medical history since early detection is key to prevention and treatment. Colorectal cancer, for instance, is one of the most preventable cancers through screening, and African Americans are diagnosed with colorectal cancer more often than any other group in the United States2, according to the Colorectal Cancer Alliance. In fact, African Americans are disproportionately burdened with not only colon cancer, but also other types of cancers where the same need for screening applies. In 2021, the American Cancer Society estimated there were 149,500 new cases of colorectal cancer and an estimated 52,980 deaths. 3 Between 2013-2017, African Americans accounted for nearly 45 instances of colorectal cancer per 100,000 cases and nearly 19 deaths per 100,000, which is more than any other group. 2 Between 2013-2017, African Americans accounted for nearly 45 instances of colorectal cancer per 100,000 cases and nearly 19 deaths per 100,000, which is more than any other group. Between 2013-2017, African American men accounted for nearly 172 cases of prostate cancer per 100,000 cases and about 38 deaths per 100,000 cases, more than double any other group. 2 Between 2013-2017, the death rate from breast cancer among African American women was 28 per 100,000 cases compared to 20 per 100,000 cases among Caucasian women 2 despite Caucasian women accounting for nearly 132 cases of breast cancer per 100,000 compared to 127 cases among African American women per 100,000. despite Caucasian women accounting for nearly 132 cases of breast cancer per 100,000 compared to 127 cases among African American women per 100,000. Despite declining mortality rates for cervical cancer, African American women are still 80% more likely to die from this form of cancer when compared to Caucasian women.2 Racial health disparity is not a new problem. In March 1966, Dr. King spoke at the annual meeting of the Medical Committee for Human Rights and joined the group in calling upon doctors and hospitals to comply with the Civil Rights Act. His words remain just as pertinent today. "Of all the forms of inequality, injustice in health is the most shocking and the most inhuman because it often results in physical death," Dr. King said. "I see no alternative to direct action and creative nonviolence to raise the conscience of the nation." Olympus agrees with these words from more than a half century ago and has made recent efforts to increase its involvement in finding solutions. Examples include: Olympus supports the non-profit organization MedTech Color to advance the representation of persons of color in the medtech industry. 4 Olympus last year announced its support for revised guidelines that make preventative screenings for lung and colorectal cancer available to more people and support efforts to raise awareness for colorectal cancer screenings. Through a partnership with the Colorectal Cancer Alliance, Olympus is helping to forge new inroads for African American and underserved communities by breaking down the barriers that exist for colon cancer screening and education. About Olympus Olympus is passionate about creating customer-driven solutions for the medical, life sciences, and industrial equipment industries. For more than 100 years, Olympus has focused on making people's lives healthier, safer and more fulfilling by helping to detect, prevent, and treat disease; furthering scientific research; and ensuring public safety. Olympus is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, with more than 35,000 employees worldwide in nearly 40 countries and regions. Olympus Corporation of the Americas, a wholly owned subsidiary of Olympus Corporation, is headquartered in Center Valley, Pennsylvania, USA, and employs more than 5,500 employees throughout locations in North and South America. For more information, visit https://olympusamerica.com. 1 https://www.cancer.org/latest-news/colorectal-cancer-rates-higher-in-african-americans-rising-in-younger-people.html 2 American Cancer Society, "Colorectal Cancer Facts and Figures, 2020-2022." 3 American Cancer Society, Cancer Statistics Center, cancerstatisticscenter.cancer.org, accessed Dec. 29, 2021 4 https://medtechcolor.org/ SOURCE Olympus RADNOR, Pa., Jan. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Milestone Partners ("Milestone") is pleased to announce the sale of Heights Finance ("Heights" or the "Company") to CURO Group Holdings Corp. (NYSE: CURO), on December 27, 2021 for total equity consideration of $360 million. Headquartered in Greenville, South Carolina, Heights provides installment loans and related insurance products primarily to underbanked consumers with limited access to credit from banks and other financial institutions. Founded in 1953, the Company has over 1,300 employees and 400 branches in eleven states spanning the southern and midwestern United States. Milestone originally invested in Heights, f/k/a Southern Management Corporation ("SMC"), in June 2012. The Company was re-branded in Q2 2021 following SMC's acquisition of Heights in December 2019. During Milestone's holding period, the Company executed on numerous growth initiatives, including the transformative add-on acquisition and subsequent re-branding to Heights, substantial upgrades to branch technology and a proprietary data warehouse build-out, which further enhanced its underwriting capabilities. During Milestone's holding, Heights diversified its product set, doubled its footprint and tripled earnings. Heights (www.heightsfinance.com) is a leading provider of consumer installment loans through over 400 branch locations across the southern and midwestern United States. The Company also provides installment loan-related credit insurance and ancillary products to a customer base that lacks access to traditional banking and insurance products. Heights operates in eleven states Alabama, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Wisconsin. Milestone Partners (www.milestonepartners.com) is a private equity firm that partners with management to invest in leveraged buyouts and recapitalizations of middle-market businesses. Based in suburban Philadelphia, Milestone Partners has closed over 100 acquisitions, add-ons and sale transactions since 1995, while managing almost $1 billion of committed equity capital. Within financial services, Milestone invests in niche, high-margin businesses in the insurance, specialty finance, financial technology and asset management sectors. Transaction targets typically have revenues of $20-$500 million and EBITDA / pre-tax earnings of $10-$100 million. SOURCE Milestone Partners - Revenue up 5.2% sequentially in constant currency; EBITDA margins at 21.5%; YTD TCV crosses $1.2 billion BANGALORE, India and WARREN, N.J., Jan. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Mindtree, a global technology services and digital transformation company, announced its consolidated results today for the third quarter ended December 31, 2021, as approved by its Board of directors. "We are pleased to have continued our positive revenue momentum through the third quarter of FY22 on the back of robust demand, aggressive customer mining, and end-to-end digital transformation capabilities," said Debashis Chatterjee, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Mindtree. "Our sequential revenue growth of 5.2% in constant currency reflects the strength of our strategy, execution, partnerships, and continued investments in our business and people. Our order book for the quarter was $358 million, up 14.6% year-over-year, and our year-to-date deal TCV crossed $1.2 billion. Our EBITDA margin for the quarter was 21.5%. In the first nine months alone, our PAT of $158.8 million surpassed PAT of the preceding fiscal year. The passion of our future-ready talent and the trust of our clients position us well in our endeavor to continue to deliver profitable industry-leading growth in the coming years." Key financial highlights: Quarter ended December 31, 2021 In USD: Revenue was $366.4 million (growth of 4.7% q-o-q / 33.7% y-o-y) (growth of 4.7% q-o-q / 33.7% y-o-y) Net profit was $58.3 million (growth of 8.0% q-o-q / 32.1% y-o-y) (growth of 8.0% q-o-q / 32.1% y-o-y) In INR: Revenue was 27,500 million (growth of 6.3% q-o-q / 35.9 % y-o-y) Net profit was 4,375 million (growth of 9.7% q-o-q / 34.0 % y-o-y) Other highlights: Clients: 265 active clients as of December 31, 2021 $5 million+ clients grew by 2, total 52 $10 million+ clients grew by 3, total 33 People: 31,959 Mindtree Minds as of December 31, 2021 Trailing 12 months attrition was 21.9% Some key deals won in Q3: A leading global hyperscaler signed an annuity contract with Mindtree. As part of the contract, Mindtree will support product/platform operations and security services across geographies. A global vacation company selected Mindtree as a strategic transformation partner to enhance its competitive differentiation in the leisure travel marketplace. Under this multi-year engagement, Mindtree will enable the company to enhance customer experience globally across marketing, sales and services for all its brands in the virtual and the real world. A leading global automotive manufacturer selected Mindtree to implement a digital factory, leveraging the IoT capabilities of Mindtree NxT. One of the largest home improvement retailers in the U.S. awarded an annuity contract to Mindtree for agile-based application development and maintenance services. A leading credit bureau selected Mindtree as a strategic partner to build a new specialty finance platform. Under this program, multiple companies that are acquired with alternative credit data will be integrated on to this platform, providing a strong suite of differentiated data assets and new products to meet changing market needs and enable rapid growth. One of the world's largest technology companies selected Mindtree as a preferred supplier for product engineering and cloud professional services to enable it to scale faster. Recognitions: Named a Major Contender in Everest Group's Mainframe Services PEAK Matrix Assessment 2022. Named a Major Contender in Everest Group's Advanced Analytics and Insights (AA&I) PEAK Matrix Assessment 2022. Named a Major Contender in Everest Group's Internet of Things (IoT) Services Supply Chain Solutions PEAK Matrix Assessment 2022. Named a Major Contender in Everest Group's Platform IT Banking Services PEAK Matrix Assessment 2022. Earned the Al and Machine Learning on Microsoft Azure Advanced Specialization. Won the Silver award in the Most Innovative Company of the Year category at the Best in Biz Awards 2021 in North America . About Mindtree Mindtree [NSE: MINDTREE] is a global technology consulting and services company that enables enterprises across industries to drive superior competitive advantage, customer experiences and business outcomes by harnessing digital and cloud technologies. A digital transformation partner to more than 260 of the world's most pioneering enterprises, Mindtree brings extensive domain, technology and consulting expertise to help reimagine business models, accelerate innovation and maximize growth. As a socially and environmentally responsible business, Mindtree is focused on growth as well as sustainability in building long-term stakeholder value. Powered by more than 31,900 talented and entrepreneurial professionals across 24 countries, Mindtree a Larsen & Toubro Group company is consistently recognized among the best places to work. For more, please visit www.mindtree.com or @Mindtree_Ltd. Safe harbour Certain statements in this release concerning our future growth prospects are forward-looking statements, which involve a number of risks, and uncertainties that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those in such forward-looking statements. The conditions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic could decrease customer's technology spending, affecting demand for our services, delaying prospective customers' purchasing decisions, and impacting our ability to provide on-site consulting services; all of which could adversely affect our future revenue, margin and overall financial performance. Our operations may also be negatively affected by a range of external factors related to the COVID-19 pandemic that are not within our control. We do not undertake to update any forward-looking statement that may be made from time to time by us or on our behalf. For more information, contact: [email protected]. Mindtree Limited Global Village, RVCE Post Mysore Road Bangalore-560059; CIN: L72200KA1999PLC025564 Phone: + 91 80 6706 4000 Fax: +91 80 6706 4100 E-mail: [email protected] [email protected] Website: www.mindtree.com SOURCE Mindtree EMERYVILLE, Calif., Jan. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, MycoWorks announced a $125M Series C funding round led by Prime Movers Lab, with participation from new investors SK Networks and Mirabaud Lifestyle Impact & Innovation Fund, in addition to other new and existing investors including DCVC Bio and Novo Holdings. The Series C funding round will be used to launch the first full-scale Fine Mycelium production plant to meet the growing demand for the company's materials, including MycoWorks' flagship product, Reishi. MycoWorks' patented Fine Mycelium process produces natural material with the performance of the finest animal leathers and lower environmental impact. It is a proprietary biotechnology platform that engineers mycelium to grow the only made-to-order, made-to-specification luxury material. Recognized globally as a breakthrough in materials science, Fine Mycelium materials offer superior hand feel, durability, and aesthetics. The process also unlocks new design possibilities for fashion and luxury brands, while its predictable, scalable tray-based process offers much-needed relief to supply chain constraints. Based in Union County, South Carolina, the new facility is modeled after the company's semi-automated Emeryville pilot plant that successfully demonstrates the scalability of the Fine Mycelium process. In operation for one year, the pilot plant demonstrates high production yields, meeting target costs, and bringing MycoWorks through its latest production milestone of 10,000 trays processed. The new facility, slated to be operational in a year, will enable initial mass-production volumes of several million square feet of Fine Mycelium materials per year. The financing will also support the expansion of the company's fast-growing team as well as continued research, development, and innovation to advance the Fine Mycelium platform. "We are thrilled to partner with new and returning investors who have deep experience in manufacturing scale-up. MycoWorks' Fine Mycelium platform produces the world's highest-quality, leather-like material via a proprietary process that we own and operate," said Matt Scullin, CEO of MycoWorks. "As the only vertically-integrated biomaterials company in the new materials space, we will use this new capital to continue growing our leadership position." "What MycoWorks has achieved with its Fine Mycelium platform is not just a breakthrough, it is a revolution for industries that are ripe for change," said David Siminoff, General Partner at Prime Movers Lab. "This opportunity is massive, and we believe that unrivaled product quality combined with a proprietary, scalable manufacturing process has MycoWorks poised to serve as the backbone of the new materials revolution." "MycoWorks makes the only product that we have found that resembles animal leather's quality, and they are producing it on a highly scalable platform. We are excited to partner to manufacture Fine Mycelium materials on a global scale," said Ho Jeong Lee, Executive Vice President of SK Networks. Refined over the course of two decades of research and development, Fine Mycelium offers brands' creative teams unprecedented levels of input and design at the material level. Brands can select and customize the thickness, weight, hand, and drape of Fine Mycelium materials. Using its highly controlled, tray-based system, Fine Mycelium engineers mycelium as it grows to exact specifications to create perfectly uniform, high-quality sheets at scale. Vertically integrated, Fine Mycelium can also transform brands' supply chains with increased traceability, minimized waste and post processing, and a greatly enhanced sustainability profile. MycoWorks announced its first partnership with Hermes in Spring of 2021 and has contracts in place with a range of major global luxury brands. MycoWorks is progressing towards entering the market at a range of price points as it moves into mass scale production. About MycoWorks In 2013, co-founders Philip Ross and Sophia Wang formed MycoWorks, a San Francisco-based biomaterials company dedicated to bringing new mycelium materials to the world. MycoWorks' patented Fine Mycelium technology, an advanced manufacturing platform and breakthrough in materials science, engineers mycelium during growth to form proprietary, interlocking cellular structures for unparalleled strength and durability. About Prime Movers Lab Prime Movers Lab invests in breakthrough scientific startups founded by Prime Movers, the inventors who transform billions of lives. Prime Movers Lab invests in companies reinventing energy, transportation, infrastructure, manufacturing, agriculture and human augmentation. Portfolio investments span in-space transportation, industrial solar heat, ag tech, brain upgrades, nano-structured materials, wafer slicing, prosthetics, 3D printing, mobility, longevity, and AI. For more information, please visit https://www.primemoverslab.com. SOURCE MycoWorks WASHINGTON, Jan. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- With students and teachers settling back into school after winter break, the National Park Foundation (NPF) is excited to announce 92 Open OutDoors for Kids grants to connect children to meaningful learning experiences with parks across the country. Open OutDoors for Kids is a program within NPF's Youth Engagement and Education initiative. National parks are America's largest classrooms and NPF seeks to connect as many kids as possible to them. Tweet this Students engage with a distance learning activity with Homestead National Historical Park in Nebraska, thanks to support from a National Park Foundation Open OutDoors for Kids grant to Expeditions in Education. In these photos, students excitedly show off the tractors they designed, as they learned about farming at Homestead National Historical Park and practiced their engineering skills. Photo credit: Steve and Dacia Jones/Expeditions in Education "National parks are America's largest classrooms, and Open OutDoors for Kids seeks to connect as many kids as possible to them," said National Park Foundation President and CEO Will Shafroth. "With parks, learning is fun, memorable, and hands-on. Parks open kids' eyes to the wonder and complexities of nature and history, sharing diverse perspectives that offer a wider understanding of our country's progress and struggles." At the core of Open OutDoors for Kids, NPF is making educational experiences in parks more accessible for all people, with a specific focus on children who live in communities that are striving to overcome a lack of resources to offer innovative learning opportunities for students. Programs such as Open OutDoors for Kids also help students, teachers, and families feel safe and supported as they explore national parks. "Education and access are central to the National Park Service mission and we are grateful to the National Park Foundation for their continuous work to bring unique national park experiences to students and teachers through the Open OutDoors for Kids program," said National Park Service Director Chuck Sams. This school year, NPF is partnering with the National Park Service, Expeditions in Education, and National Park Trust to support educational experiences, both in-person and virtual, across the country. Programs supported by NPF include: Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument ( Alabama ) Thanks to this grant, 1500 students from the local area will go beyond the classroom to explore the nonviolent struggle to dismantle racial segregation and discrimination in Birmingham, AL , during the 1950s and 1960s. They will visit Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, Kelly Ingram Park , and churches that were instrumental in the local civil rights movement including 16 th St. Baptist Church, St. Paul United Methodist Church, and The Historic Bethel Baptist Church. This program complements an immersive African American History institute program for high school students that NPF helped fund in partnership with the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH). ) Thanks to this grant, 1500 students from the local area will go beyond the classroom to explore the nonviolent struggle to dismantle racial segregation and discrimination in , during the 1950s and 1960s. They will visit Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, , and churches that were instrumental in the local civil rights movement including 16 St. Baptist Church, St. Paul United Methodist Church, and The Historic Bethel Baptist Church. This program complements an immersive African American History institute program for high school students that NPF helped fund in partnership with the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH). Fort Vancouver National Historic Site ( Washington , Oregon ) The park and its official nonprofit cooperating association Friends of Fort Vancouver are expanding traditional field trip opportunities to include virtual options so they can reach even more students. On-site and virtual field trip programs help children process how local history, including difficult topics like colonialism and trade, affects surrounding communities today. These educational programs encourage deeper personal connections with history, creating unique memories that expand children's views of their community and heritage. This project also interconnects with the work the park has done to broaden storytelling to include more stories about women in the fur trade, which is funded by a NPF Women in Parks grant. , ) The park and its official nonprofit cooperating association Friends of Fort Vancouver are expanding traditional field trip opportunities to include virtual options so they can reach even more students. On-site and virtual field trip programs help children process how local history, including difficult topics like colonialism and trade, affects surrounding communities today. These educational programs encourage deeper personal connections with history, creating unique memories that expand children's views of their community and heritage. This project also interconnects with the work the park has done to broaden storytelling to include more stories about women in the fur trade, which is funded by a NPF Women in Parks grant. Haleakala National Park (Hawai'i) A first of its kind in the National Park Service, this park is creating new distance learning programs in the Native Hawaiian language olelo Hawaii. These new programs, designed by two Hawaiian immersion schoolteachers and a digital media intern, offer educational opportunities to Hawaiian immersion students. The goal is to help strengthen the park's connection to the surrounding community and to perpetuate Native Hawaiian culture through the preservation and use of olelo Hawaii. Northeast Archeological Resources Program (including parks in Delaware , New York , Maine , Massachusetts , and Virginia ) The Mobile Exhibit and Archeology Laboratory (MEAL) will travel to students in parks, in classrooms, and in communities, engaging kids with archeology through digital and hands-on experiences. MEAL will make visits to many parks including Cedar Creek and Belle Grove National Historical Park, Martin Van Buren National Historic Site, Longfellow House Washington's Headquarters National Historic Site, Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument, and First State National Historical Park. , , , , and ) The Mobile Exhibit and Archeology Laboratory (MEAL) will travel to students in parks, in classrooms, and in communities, engaging kids with archeology through digital and hands-on experiences. MEAL will make visits to many parks including and Belle Grove National Historical Park, Martin Van Buren National Historic Site, Longfellow House Washington's Headquarters National Historic Site, and Waters National Monument, and First State National Historical Park. San Antonio Missions National Historical Park ( Texas ) In partnership with Expeditions in Education, the park will drastically expand its educational offerings by bringing on four seasonal education park rangers to engage thousands of students in classrooms and through distance learning about this National Park Service unit and the only UNESCO World Heritage Site in Texas . This program complements the Cultural Landscape Apprentice Program, a collaboration between the National Park Foundation's Latino Heritage Fund, National Park Service, Mission Heritage Partners, and American YouthWorks' Texas Conservation Corps, which matches local Hispanic and Latino young adults with opportunities to learn about cultural landscape management alongside National Park Service employees. "We are honored and grateful to receive this grant from the National Park Foundation, and eager to provide high-quality, curriculum-based programming to local youth," said Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument Acting Superintendent William (Bill) Reilley. View the full list of NPF Open OutDoors for Kids grantee projects for the 2021/2022 school year. Thanks to partners and donors, NPF is investing more than $2.3 million in its Open OutDoors for Kids program in fiscal year 2022, including support from Youth Engagement and Education premier partner Union Pacific Railroad and supporting partner GoGo squeeZ. Additional funding is provided by Alicia and Peter Pond, Apple, Columbia Sportswear, Sierra, Parks Project, Humana, The Batchelor Foundation, Inc., and many other donors. Since 2011, NPF has engaged more than one million students in educational programs connecting them with national parks across the country. NPF's goal is to connect another one million students to parks by the end of the 2024-25 school year. "Sparking the wonder that comes from exploring a national park whether it's in person or virtually is something Union Pacific is proud to have helped students nationwide experience, as we partner with NPF to create the next generation of adventurers and environmental stewards," said Union Pacific's Senior Vice President Corporate Relations, Chief Administrative Officer and Foundation President Scott Moore. "These new Open OutDoors for Kids grants fuel that sense of adventure as we work toward our joint goal of helping another one million students experience all that our national parks have to offer." Individuals, foundations, and companies can support NPF's Open OutDoors for Kids program by visiting the National Park Foundation website. ABOUT THE NATIONAL PARK FOUNDATION The National Park Foundation works to protect wildlife and park lands, preserve history and culture, educate and engage youth, and connect people everywhere to the wonder of parks. We do it in collaboration with the National Park Service, the park partner community, and with the generous support of donors, without whom our work would not be possible. Learn more at nationalparks.org. Endnote The majority of funding for this program supports fourth grade students at Title I schools. These schools receive financial assistance through the Elementary and Secondary Education Act to help ensure students have the resources to meet academic standards. Nationally, school districts in high-poverty communities have the highest total Title I allocations per eligible student. Schools in these communities are less likely to have the resources to engage national parks and outdoor education into student curriculum. SOURCE National Park Foundation WASHINGTON, Jan. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- As the nation continues to face dual health threats from an unprecedented respiratory pandemic and a youth e-cigarette epidemic that threatens millions of young people with a lifetime of addiction, a new report highlights how most states continue to shortchange programs designed to prevent kids from using tobacco products and help tobacco users quit. A handful of states, though, show a promising path forward for other states to follow. The report is a challenge to states to do more to fight tobacco use still the nation's leading preventable cause of death and prevent e-cigarettes from addicting a new generation of kids. This year (fiscal year 2022), the states will collect $27 billion from the 1998 tobacco settlement and tobacco taxes. But they will spend a paltry 2.7% just $718.5 million on tobacco prevention and cessation programs. This total is a 9.5% increase from last year but still barely a fifth (21.7%) of the total funding recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The overall increase in spending can be attributed primarily to three states Oregon, California and North Carolina. Oregon's increase is due to a $2-per-pack tobacco tax increase voters strongly approved in 2020, with some funds allocated for tobacco prevention and cessation programs. California's spending has been strong since voters there overwhelmingly approved a $2-per-pack tobacco tax hike in 2016. North Carolina has additional funds from their recent legal settlement with Juul, the company most responsible for causing the youth e-cigarette epidemic. Despite these increases, not a single state currently funds its tobacco prevention and cessation programs at CDC-recommended levels, and only 10 states provide even half the recommended amount. And the top three states in actual spending (California, Florida and New York) spent a total of $365.4 million or more than the other 47 states and Washington, D.C. combined ($353.2 million). These low levels of funding are even more alarming when compared to the more than $8.4 billion the tobacco industry spends annually to market their deadly and addictive products. The report "Broken Promises to Our Children: A State-by-State Look at the 1998 Tobacco Settlement" was released today by the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, American Heart Association, American Lung Association, Americans for Nonsmokers' Rights and Truth Initiative. These organizations have issued annual reports since the November 1998 landmark legal settlement between 46 states and the major tobacco companies, which along with individual settlements with four other states required the companies to pay more than $246 billion over time as compensation for tobacco-related health care costs. View the report, including state-by-state information and a ranking of the states. The report comes as youth use of e-cigarettes remains a serious public health problem. With 2 million U.S. kids using e-cigarettes, including 11.3% of high school students, states should be devoting more of their tobacco dollars to help fight this epidemic. Government surveys show that 20.8% of U.S. adults and 23.6% of high school students still use some form of tobacco, with cigarette smoking rates at 14% for adults and 4.6% for high school students. The U.S. also faces large disparities in who still smokes. Adult smoking rates remain the highest among people with lower income and less education, residents of the Midwest and the South, American Indians/Alaska Natives, LGBTQ Americans, those who are uninsured or enrolled in Medicaid, and those with mental illness. In addition, Black Americans die at higher rates from smoking-caused diseases, in large part due to the tobacco industry's predatory targeting of Black communities with menthol cigarettes. Altogether, tobacco use kills over 480,000 people and is responsible for over $226 billion in health care expenditures in the U.S. each year. "The tobacco companies remain as relentless as ever in marketing their addictive and harmful products including menthol cigarettes, flavored e-cigarettes and flavored cigars so it is critical that the states step up their efforts to protect our kids and help tobacco users quit," said Matthew L. Myers, President of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. "We know how to win the fight against tobacco, but most states are falling woefully short. They are literally sacrificing the health of their children and costing taxpayers billions by refusing to properly fund tobacco prevention efforts and ignoring the mountain of evidence that these programs save lives and money. Policymakers need to step up and implement the proven strategies that can end the grip Big Tobacco has had on this country for far too long." To accelerate progress, policymakers at all levels should fully implement proven measures to reduce tobacco use. In addition to funding tobacco prevention programs, these strategies include ending the sale of all flavored tobacco products, significant tobacco tax increases, comprehensive smoke-free laws, hard-hitting mass media campaigns, and barrier-free insurance coverage for tobacco cessation treatment. Other key findings in the report: Oregon (93.9%) and Alaska (89.6%) are the only states to provide even three-quarters of the CDC-recommended funding for tobacco prevention and cessation programs. (93.9%) and (89.6%) are the only states to provide even three-quarters of the CDC-recommended funding for tobacco prevention and cessation programs. Only 10 states ( Oregon , Alaska , Utah , California , North Dakota , Oklahoma , Delaware , Wyoming , Hawaii and Maine ) provide more than half of the CDC-recommended funding. , , , , , , and ) provide more than half of the CDC-recommended funding. 33 states and DC are providing less than 25% of what the CDC recommends; 19 states provide less than 10%. are providing less than 25% of what the CDC recommends; 19 states provide less than 10%. Connecticut has again allocated no state funds for tobacco prevention programs. has again allocated no state funds for tobacco prevention programs. Tobacco companies spend more than $11 to market tobacco products for every $1 the states invest to reduce tobacco use. According to the most recent data from the Federal Trade Commission (for 2020), the major cigarette and smokeless tobacco companies spend $8.4 billion a year almost $1 million per hour on marketing. For more information, visit: tfk.org/statereport. SOURCE Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids LARCHMONT, N.Y., Jan. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- New State Capital Partners ("New State") today announced the addition of three executives and a promotion. Miriam Diwan joins the firm as Head of Investor Relations; Steven Mayotte was named Operating Partner, Technology Enablement; and Michael Bernardi joins the investment deal team as an Associate. Ms. Diwan joins a growing presence in Los Angeles and Orange County, CA, while the others are based in Larchmont, NY. In addition, the firm has promoted Adam McDowell to Vice President. New State is a middle-market private equity firm that invests in business services, industrials, and consumer products. "It's our pleasure to start off the new year welcoming these three experienced members to our team, while acknowledging Adam's well-deserved promotion," said David Blechman, Founder and Senior Principal of New State. "With our recent investments in Avex, Arbor Works and Wilmington Paper, we are on our way to another year of rapid growth, and I'm certain that Miriam, Steve and Michael will be instrumental in contributing to our continued success." Ms. Diwan brings 15 years of private equity and investment banking experience across a variety of industries, both as a principal investor and an investor relations practitioner. Before joining New State, she was Director of Investor Relations at Levine Leichtman Capital Partners, a $9B middle-market private equity firm based in Los Angeles. Previously, Ms. Diwan was a part of the investment team at Amzak Capital, and prior to that, Sun Capital Partners. Mr. Mayotte joins New State with 15 years of experience in executive management and high-tech consulting. He has operational experience developing strategy and executing transformational solutions across a range of industries including financial services, hospitality, healthcare, and real estate. Mr. Mayotte was most recently the Chief Information Officer at PAYOMATIC, responsible for developing and implementing innovative strategies to create value using technology and for leading the company's digital transformation. Prior to joining New State, Mr. Bernardi was a Private Equity Associate at Stonebridge Partners, where he covered a variety of industries, including aerospace and defense, building products, business services, construction & installation, and food & beverage. About New State Capital Partners New State Capital Partners LLC is an entrepreneurial-minded private equity firm that strives to be nimble, decisive and cooperative. New State prides itself on a long-term outlook, approaching each potential investment as an opportunity to create lasting and valuable relationships with company founders and especially independent sponsors. The firm has the ability to invest up to $100 million in equity per transaction and seeks to invest in market-leading companies with $8 million to $40 million of EBITDA in the areas of business services, industrials, and consumer. New State and its affiliates have invested in 31 companies to date. For more information visit www.newstatecp.com. Media contact: Lambert & Co. Joanne Lessner, [email protected], 212-222-7436 SOURCE New State Capital Partners Packed into the eye-catching design are cutting-edge photo and video features including the industry's first Bokeh Flare Portrait Video and upgraded AI Highlight Video enable users to create memorable videography content, with a cinematic effect that will capture lasting memories Available on both the front and rear cameras, the DSR-like Bokeh effects can be applied to videos with just one click. The Reno6 Pro 5G's ultra-powerful imaging sensor behind the main camera, Sony IMX766, heightens a picture's dynamic range especially in low-light conditions, creating professional-level nighttime shots ideal for enjoying the cooler weather with desert adventures. The phone's advanced auto focusing capabilities ensure that the main subject in video always remains in focus, perfect for group gatherings. The Reno6 Pro 5G also provides creative post-production tools such as AI Palette for easy editing and fine-tuning to bring. Don't waste unnecessary time this year charging with OPPO's reliable and incredibly fast SuperVOOC Flash Charge, giving a full charge in just 30 minutes. The sleek design ensures the smartphone is lightweight and dynamic at just 7.99mm thick and weighing only 188grams, the perfect size for enjoying all the adventures 2022 has to offer. About OPPO OPPO is a leading global technology brand since 2004, dedicated to providing products that seamlessly combines art and innovative technology. OPPO is on a mission to building a multiple-access smart device ecosystem for the era of intelligent connectivity. The smartphone devices have simply been a gateway for OPPO to deliver a diverse portfolio of smart and frontier technologies in hardware, software and system. In 2019, OPPO launched a $7 Billion US Dollar three-year investment plan in R&D to develop core technologies furthering design through technology. OPPO is firmly pursuing the creation of the best technology products and technological artistry for global users. Based on the brand elements of leading, young and beautiful, OPPO dedicates to the mission of letting the extraordinary users enjoy the beauty of technology. For the last 10 years, OPPO has focused on manufacturing smartphones with camera capabilities that are second to none. OPPO launched the first mobile phone, the Smile Phone, in 2008, which marked the launch of the brand's epic journey in exploring and pioneering extraordinary technology. Over the years, OPPO has built a tradition of being number one, which became a reality through inventing the world's first rotating camera smartphone way back in 2013, launching the world's then thinnest smartphone in 2014, being the first to introduce 5X Zoom 'Periscope' camera technology and developing the first 5G commercial smartphone in Europe. Today, OPPO was ranked as the number four smartphone brand globally. OPPO brings the aesthetics of technology of global consumers through the ColorOS system Experience, and Internet service like OPPO Cloud and OPPO+. OPPO's business covers 40 countries with over six research institutes and five R&D centers across the world, from San Francisco to Shenzhen. OPPO also opened an International Design Centre headquartered in London, driving cutting edge technology that will shape the future not only for smartphones but for intelligent connectivity. About OPPO MEA OPPO started its journey in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region in 2015 after setting up its regional office in Egypt. Following the immense success of the brand's sales centre in Cairo in the first year, OPPO accelerated its expansion plan across the MEA region and inaugurated its country operations in the UAE in 2019. Now OPPO is physically present in more than 13 markets across the region, including Egypt, Algeria, Tunisia, Morocco, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, Qatar, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa and the Levant. To empower its presence in the region in line with its product localisation strategy, OPPO further invested in MENA and set up its very own factory in Algeria in 2017, thus, becoming the first Chinese brand to build a manufacturing premises in North Africa. Based on insights of local consumers in each country, OPPO has evolved the progress of product localisation, taking into consideration several perspectives towards each market, including product localisation, to further meet the core needs of users; marketing localisation, to better communicate with local young customers; and talent localisation, to understand local consumers further and provide an optimum customer service. Within the last year, OPPO has started to adjust its product line in the Middle East region specifically. This has included the launch of its flagship OPPO Find X Series and the introduction of the OPPO Reno Series. OPPO will continue to evolve its local product line to offer more premium series to consumers in the region. A forward-thinking international technology company, OPPO strives to be a sustainable company that contributes to a better world and have enacted positive change in every way possible through activating local community initiatives and humanitarian, charity campaigns. Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1723935/OPPO.jpg Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1451542/OPPO_Logo.jpg SOURCE OPPO MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., Jan. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- NewsBreak, The Nation's Leading Local News App, is celebrating significant local-publisher growth in 2021. 956 publications, including local news tv and radio stations, partnered with and joined the NewsBreak platform last year alone. NewsBreak connects and empowers local users, local content contributors, and local businesses at scale, with the goal of helping people everywhere live safer, more vibrant, more truly connected lives. By forging close partnerships with thousands of local publishers and businesses around the country, NewsBreak's priority is helping a new generation of readers find and engage with vital, locally published content and information. These additional publications will help bring a greater density of local journalism to millions of NewsBreak users across the country. By licensing content with NewsBreak, local outlets that readers already know and trust have a new, fresh way to find audiences on mobile that might otherwise elude them. In a time when local journalism is under threat, embracing innovative new solutions to reach readers will help strengthen these publications, and NewsBreak is proud to be working closely with and in support of them. Publications that joined in 2021 represent communities from across the country including the Tampa Bay Times, The Idaho State Journal, the Vermont Digger and the San Jose Spotlight. "Each new publication that joins the NewsBreak community is a valued partner, and we are proud to have so many new local partners this year. As the NewsBreak publisher community grows, we are better able to bring users the best and most reliable information from all around their neighborhoods," said Jeff Zheng, founder and CEO of NewsBreak. NewsBreak is a local-news platform that supports local communities by providing users with easy access to the news and information that is most important to them. By providing just a zip code or town name, a user can quickly see what is happening near where they live and work. Publishers interested in working with NewsBreak to significantly extend the reach of their content can contact the company through their website. About NewsBreak NewsBreak, The Nation's Leading Local News App, is a business name of Particle Media, Inc., a Delaware Corporation, founded in Silicon Valley in 2015 by Jeff Zheng. Yahoo co-founder Jerry Yang is Advisor. Harry Shum, former Executive Vice President of Artificial Intelligence and Research at Microsoft is Chairman of the Board. NewsBreak's mission is to make local information easily accessible and abundantly available, with the goal of helping people everywhere live safer, more vibrant, more truly connected lives. Its long-term vision is to be the world's largest intelligent local information platform, connecting and empowering local users, local content creators, and local advertisers. To download NewsBreak or to learn how to join our fast-growing team, please visit www.newsbreak.com/about. SOURCE NewsBreak WASHINGTON, Jan. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Industrial Hemp Council of America (NIHC) and the Hemp and Cannabis Costa Rica Council (HCANN-CR) announced today that they have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to cooperate on issues including improving the quality of hemp research, marketing, networking, and consumer protection services to strengthen and advance the brand of hemp in the global marketplace. "As NIHC continues to increase our global footprint, partnering with HCANN-CR presents a tremendous opportunity to promote American hemp in the Western Hemisphere," said Patrick Atagi, President and CEO of the National Industrial Hemp Council of America. "Working directly with our colleagues in Costa Rica will be a value add for American hemp producers with additional research opportunities and brand promotion to promote the hemp economy in both countries." "This alliance enhances the historical commercial partnership between the United States of America and Costa Rica," said Roy Thompson, Chairman of HCANN-CR. "The global hemp industry can help create thousands of jobs in Costa Rica, generating economic and social benefits for our population and the access to better and safer products for the consumers around the world. We recognize the American hemp industry as a global leader in technology, standards, and the importance of the environment as a priority. We are united by history, commerce, and values. We celebrate this agreement with great excitement." HCANN-CR and NIHC intend to strengthen the relationships between the organizations to improve the quality of hemp research, marketing, networking, and consumer protection services to advance the brand of hemp domestically and internationally. Together, they hope to identify and seek funding opportunities through numerous private, non-profit, and governmental organizations to increase the quality of industrial hemp research guiding public policy in both countries. NIHC already participates with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) in the Market Access Program (MAP) and has written a unified export strategy for the markets of Europe and Asia. While the agreement announced today between the two parties is not part of a cooperative agreement with the MAP program, NIHC can nonetheless rely on experiences in working with foreign governments overseas and utilize best practices in the international marketplace to develop more networking opportunities and open further markets in Costa Rica for hemp producers in the United States. The Costa Rican government recently approved the cultivation, processing, storage and transportation of cannabis production including industrial hemp. The new Costa Rican law does not allow for the recreational use of higher-THC cannabis. About the National Industrial Hemp Council of America: The National Industrial Hemp Council of America provides high-quality networking and resources for its members, from farm to consumer. Its leadership is composed of leading international, federal, state, private industry, and government professionals throughout the sector. The organization is dedicated to furthering market development, assisting members in entering the industry, and educating consumers on industrial hemp and its applications. For more information, please go to www.nihcoa.com. About the Hemp and Cannabis Costa Rica Council: The Hemp and Cannabis Costa Rica Council (HCANN-CR) was established by a team of global industry leaders in cannabis and global policy. HCANN-CR members represent a variety of sectors within the hemp and medical marijuana industry including growers and farmers, suppliers and equipment, processing and extraction, laboratory testing, professional services, manufacturers, wholesale and retail, medical professionals, and consumers. For more information, please go to www.hcann-cr.com. SOURCE National Industrial Hemp Council NEW ORLEANS, Jan. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- ClaimsFiler, a FREE shareholder information service, reminds investors with losses in excess of $100,000 that they have until January 18, 2022 to file lead plaintiff applications in a securities class action lawsuit against Owlet, Inc. f/k/a Sandbridge Acquisition Corporation (NYSE: OWLT; OWLT WS; SBG; SBG WS), if they purchased the Company's securities between March 31, 2021 and October 4, 2021, inclusive (the "Class Period") and/or held Sandbridge common stock held as of June 1, 2021 and were eligible to vote at Sandbridge's special meeting on July 14, 2021. This action is pending in the United States District Court for the Central District of California. Get Help Owlet investors should visit us at https://claimsfiler.com/cases/nyse-owlt/ or call toll-free (844) 367-9658. Lawyers at Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC are available to discuss your legal options. About the Lawsuit Owlet and certain of its executives are charged with failing to disclose material information during the Class Period, violating federal securities laws. On October 4, 2021, the Company disclosed the receipt of a warning letter from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration ("FDA") stating that "the Company's marketing of its Owlet Smart Sock product . . . renders [it] a medical device requiring premarket clearance or approval from FDA," which requirement the Company had not obtained, and also requesting that "the Company cease commercial distribution of the Smart Sock for uses in measuring blood oxygen saturation and pulse rate where such metrics are intended to identify or diagnose desaturation and bradycardia using an alarm functionality to notify users that measurements are outside of preset values." On this news, shares of Owlet fell $1.29, or 23%, to close at $4.19 per share on October 4, 2021, on unusually heavy trading volume. The case is Butala v. Owlet, Inc. f/k/a Sandbridge Acquisition Corporation, 21-cv-09016. About ClaimsFiler ClaimsFiler has a single mission: to serve as the information source to help retail investors recover their share of billions of dollars from securities class action settlements. At ClaimsFiler.com, investors can: (1) register for free to gain access to information and settlement websites for various securities class action cases so they can timely submit their own claims; (2) upload their portfolio transactional data to be notified about relevant securities cases in which they may have a financial interest; and (3) submit inquiries to the Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC law firm for free case evaluations. To learn more about ClaimsFiler, visit www.claimsfiler.com. SOURCE ClaimsFiler LAKEWOOD, Colo., Jan. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Oxi Fresh Carpet Cleaning, one of the nation's fastest-growing carpet cleaning franchises, was recently named a Top Franchise for 2022 by Franchise Business Review. This is the 17th annual ranking of the top franchise opportunities as rated by franchisees' overall brand satisfaction. The list is available at https://franchisebusinessreview.com/page/top-franchises/. Since first opening in 2006, Oxi Fresh has stood out amongst its competitors in the cleaning industry. Thanks to its eco-friendly, fast-drying cleaning system, Oxi Fresh has earned hundreds of thousands of positive reviews online. In addition, due to the company's commitment to providing strong levels of support to their franchises, Oxi Fresh has regularly appeared on this prestigious listing. Franchise Business Review, a market research firm that performs independent surveys of franchisee satisfaction and employee engagement, provides the only rankings and awards for franchise companies based solely on actual franchisee satisfaction and performance. Franchise Business Review publishes its rankings of the top 200 franchises in its annual Guide to Today's Top Franchises. Oxi Fresh was among over 300 franchise brandsrepresenting more than 30,000 franchise ownersthat participated in Franchise Business Review's research. Oxi Fresh's franchisees were surveyed on 33 benchmark questions about their experience and satisfaction regarding critical areas of their franchise systems, including training & support, operations, franchisor/franchisee relations, and financial opportunity. "While the pandemic impacted various business sectors differently, the last 18 months have clearly demonstrated the inherent strengths of the franchise business model. The old franchise adage of 'being in business for yourself, but not by yourself' has never been more important," said Franchise Business Review founder & CEO Eric Stites. "Thanks to fast innovations, significant support, and responsive crisis management, many franchise brands have emerged stronger from the pandemic, and that is reflected in high franchisee satisfaction." "As a brand, we are extremely proud of the perseverance we displayed throughout the past year," said CEO of Oxi Fresh Carpet Cleaning, Jonathan Barnett. "To receive recognition from Franchise Business Review is a great honor for us and motivates us to continue pushing our brand forward, providing only the highest-quality carpet cleaning services to our customers and the best support possible for our franchisees." "As an independent research firm, Franchise Business Review is committed to helping prospective franchisees get an objective view of the best franchise opportunities, based on actual feedback from franchise owners," said Michelle Rowan, president & COO of Franchise Business Review. "We survey franchisees from franchise companies in the marketplace today and identify those with the highest levels of satisfaction and performance in order to educate potential buyers and help them choose which franchise to invest in. The companies on this year's list of Top Franchises are the top-ranked brands in the key areas critical to their franchisees' success." Visit FranchiseBusinessReview.com to see the full description of the 2022 Top Franchises. About Oxi Fresh Carpet Cleaning Oxi Fresh Carpet Cleaning offers green carpet cleanings and exceptional results through innovative products and modern technology. The company's powerful combination of knowledgeable people, innovative technology, and robust processes has landed the brand in Entrepreneur magazine's Franchise 500, ranked in Inc. magazine's Inc. 500|5000, and saw them named as one of "America's Best Franchises to Buy," by Forbes magazine. Oxi Fresh has hundreds of locations throughout the United States and Canada, with more locations currently in development. For more information, visit oxifresh.com. About Franchise Business Review Franchise Business Review (FBR) is a leading market research firm serving the franchise sector. FBR measures the satisfaction and engagement of franchisees and publishes various guides and reports for entrepreneurs considering an investment in a franchise business. Since 2005, FBR has surveyed hundreds of thousands of franchise owners and over 1,100 leading franchise companies. FBR publishes free and unbiased franchisee satisfaction research reports throughout the year online at http://www.FranchiseBusinessReview.com. To read our publications, visit https://franchisebusinessreview.com/page/publications/. SOURCE Oxi Fresh Carpet Cleaning MIDDLETON, Mass., Jan. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Quadrant Knowledge Solutions announced today that it has named Parashift as a 2021 challenger in the SPARK Matrix analysis of the global intelligent document processing (IDP) market. The Quadrant Knowledge Solutions SPARK Matrix includes a detailed analysis of global market dynamics, major trends, vendor landscape, and competitive positioning. The study provides competitive analysis and ranking of the leading intelligent document processing vendors in the form of its SPARK Matrix, providing strategic information for users to evaluate different vendor capabilities, competitive differentiation, and market position. IDP solutions help organizations automate and streamline the process of capturing, classifying, and extracting relevant information from structured, semi-structured, and unstructured documents for further processing. They typically leverage artificial intelligence (AI), natural language processing (NLP), computer vision, deep learning, and machine learning (ML) for document processing. Driven by the dynamics of the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on business and technology, IDP solutions and technologies are continuously evolving to offer advanced data processing capabilities. This unprecedented rise in remote work due to the pandemic and the increase in digitalization promoting document conversion into digital formats, across multiple industry verticals - is expected to drive growth in the IDP segment. With the growing maturity and advancements in technologies, IDP vendors are making a significant investment in improving the features and functionalities of their IDP solutions, offering advanced document processing solutions. Vendors are also leveraging automation, ML, and AI in automating document processing to improve process efficiency, resource utilization, and productivity. "Parashift, with its comprehensive technology for document processing, has received strong ratings across the parameters of technology excellence and customer impact and has been positioned amongst the challengers in the 2021 SPARK Matrix of the intelligent document processing (IDP) market," said Pranjal Singh, Analyst at Quadrant Knowledge Solutions. "Parashift's proprietary Document Swarm Learning technology helps users to train document processing solution without the need for sharing any data or business knowledge with stakeholders. Additionally, the distributed training net system enables fast and low-cost data training that results in parallel learning when combined with Document Swarm Learning. With its robust technology platform, comprehensive functional capabilities, and compelling product strategy and roadmap, Parashift is well-positioned to expand its market share in the global intelligent document processing market." "We are excited to be on the radar of Quadrant Knowledge Solutions SPARK MATRIX! Intelligent Document Processing is very much at the beginning, and we are looking forward to continue to shift the paradigm how documents are processed by both machines and humans." Alain Veuve, CEO at Parashift. Additional Resources: About Parashift Parashift AG, founded in 2018, is a deep-tech company focused on empowering document processing through Machine Learning. Parashift is headquartered in Switzerland and employs nearly 40 engineers in Machine Learning, platform development and business development. Companies from SMEs to large corporations use Parashift to categorizes document types and extract business-relevant data with ease. Contrary to popular belief, document processing is anything but solved. Parashift's ML-based approach delivers results on a large variety of document types that have never been achieved in the industry before. Based on Parashift's Swarm-Learning approach combined with is no-code platform high setup and running costs are a thing of the past. Parashift takes a radically different approach by building a global data network that enables out-of-the-box capabilities that reduce implementation costs by up to four times. This allows organizations worldwide to automate not only the high-volume document use cases that often represent only a fraction of the documents circulating in the enterprise, but also those that were not previously economically attractive. More than 130 companies from FSI, logistics, real estate, and other sectors are working with Parashift to automate digital processes, solve media breaks, and drive enterprise-wide agility while improving customer satisfaction. Supported by several strong VC investors, Parashift has been recognized by Forbes.com as one of the 30 promising AI fintech startups in Europe About Quadrant Knowledge Solutions Quadrant Knowledge Solutions is a global advisory and consulting firm focused on helping clients in achieving business transformation goals with Strategic Business and Growth advisory services. At Quadrant Knowledge Solutions, our vision is to become an integral part of our client's business as a strategic knowledge partner. Our research and consulting deliverables are designed to provide comprehensive information and strategic insights for helping clients formulate growth strategies to survive and thrive in ever-changing business environments. For more available research, please visit https://quadrant-solutions.com/market-research/ Media Contacts: Parashift Media Emma Lebat [email protected] Riya Mehar Quadrant Knowledge Solutions [email protected] SOURCE Quadrant Knowledge Solutions After working closely together and evaluating the positive impact of the ACI's services, Parker and VNA Health Group have decided to partner together to further expand its programs and serve more seniors in their homes. Under this partnership, both organizations will share equal membership and leadership of the newly formed Parker Advanced Care Institute at VNAHG, Inc. "We are incredibly honored to be working with Parker on the new Parker Advanced Care Institute at VNAHG. This partnership is exciting because it's bringing additional resources to our homebound older adults, and making sure that they have the care they need to remain in the community, and be comfortable and independent," said Dr. Steven Landers, MPH, President and CEO of VNA Health Group. PACI, a non-profit entity, will continue to provide in-home primary medical care through an operating agreement with Visiting Physician Services (VPS) as well as with palliative clinicians working within VNA Health Group of NJ LLC. PACI's holistic service model includes care coordination, specialty services and support, advanced care planning, in-home palliative care, and medical advocacy. In-home holistic care is a critical service for homebound seniors, and can significantly lower overall medical costs by reducing the need for expensive hospitalizations. "This is the perfect partnership with an amazing organization to enhance our mission and our vision of providing an exceptional level of compassionate care for more seniors at home," said Roberto Muniz, President and CEO of Parker Health Group. "It's an ideal opportunity for Parker to help expand VNA's remarkably innovative programs that can make a tremendous difference in how people are cared for in New Jersey, and potentially throughout the country." The partnership between Parker and VNAHG will allow both organizations to share a vested interest in the growth and expansion of in-home primary care services. This partnership will allow PACI to continue to develop and support new or improved programming in these critical areas, and to expand these services to more individuals throughout the State. ACI's physicians, advanced practice nurses, and physician assistants provide care to over 6,000 patients and provide nearly 40,000 in-home visits per year. Over the next few years, PACI expects to significantly expand its reach to serve more seniors in the community. "Two mission-driven organizations each with more than 100 years of experience caring for our aging population are joining forces to bring groundbreaking and transformative programs to more seniors in the community, in the comfort of their own homes. It's truly an exciting collaboration," said Marguerite K. Schlag, MSN, EdD, RN, Chair of the Board of Trustees for Parker Health Group. For more information about the Parker Advanced Care Institute at VNAHG, please call 732-571-1000. About Parker Health Group, Inc. Parker Health Group, Inc. is a not-for-profit, New Jersey-based aging services organization with 115 years of experience that is committed to empowering older Americans. We are a diverse community of over 1,000 dedicated and passionate employees, caregivers, volunteers, thought leaders, researchers, educators, and partners. Our award-winning standards and approaches have made us a pioneer of inclusive aging services and long-term care residences, and a national thought leader on the conversation around aging in America. Founded in 1907, Parker has been challenging, changing, and expanding the idea of what it means to grow older in America, and how all of us can make aging part of life. For more information, visit parkerlife.org. About VNA Health Group, Inc. Visiting Nurse Association Health Group (VNAHG) is New Jersey's largest nonprofit visiting nurse association and visiting physician service that helps individuals and families achieve their best level of health and well-being by providing home health, hospice, palliative, and community-based care, and operating private-pay personal care services. A full range of primary care services is available through VNACJ Community Health Centers. VNA Health Group employs more than 2,500 staff members and cares for more than 150,000 people each year. For more information about VNA Health Group, please visit vnahg.org. Media Contacts: Lee Dorry Jenna Vaccaro Communications Manager Director, Strategic Initiatives Parker Health Group Visiting Nurse Association Health Group 732-565-2425 732-224-6868 [email protected] [email protected] SOURCE Parker Health Group, Inc. Project TexFlex will launch its initial VPP at 2410 Waugh Apartments in the Montrose neighborhood of Houston in the first quarter of 2022. Described by PearlX as a "win-win-win," each VPP provides load-serving and resiliency benefits to consumers, royalty and income streams for its multi-family real estate partners, and flexibility and capacity services to the Texas energy market allowing utilities to smartly leverage and control a previously untapped pool of available distributed energy resources to support grid stabilization. Based on a signed agreement with Moonlight Interests, LLC, developer of 2410 Waugh Apartments, PearlX will scale Project TexFlex throughout the multi-family real estate market in Texas. As owner and operator of the project, PearlX will purchase hardware and cutting-edge, cloud-based grid services technology from SolarEdge, while SolarEdge will also provide design and engineering support. First-of-its-kind initiative to increase accessibility of solar for Texans With a mission to expand clean energy access and reduce energy poverty, PearlX's novel underwriting approach will enable multi-family real estate communities engaged in the project to empower lower and middle-income tenants with cost-effective, flexible and resilient community solar & storage. PearlX utilizes a "non-credit" based underwriting method, which allows tenant subscribers who live within TexFlex properties to access the rewards of solar generation and battery storage without the obligation to present an industry-defined adequate credit score. "Mainstream solar and especially storage has traditionally been an amenity for the wealthy. If you don't have good credit, you don't have access," said Michael Huerta, CEO of PearlX. "Credit is the ability to repay. Electricity is the ability to live. Payment for electricity we believe is the highest form of credit." Huerta added, "When you look at the data, electric bills are paid before rent, cell phone bills, even car payments." How Project TexFlex Works Project TexFlex has the capability to reduce grid strain and outages, while increasing energy resilience across the state. Energy production is becoming distributed, but production still needs to be centrally controlled for grid stabilization. VPPs makes this possible by enabling cloud-based, real-time aggregative control, management and reporting of a pool of distributed energy resources. This is particularly critical and valuable in the wake of the "Big Freeze" of February 2021, which placed grids under huge strain and caused mass power outages. Utilizing onsite solar, the program will facilitate the delivery of energy back to the grid in near real-time. Utilities are provided with access to stored power when grid stabilization is needed or during energy shortages. For participating tenants, beyond access to low-cost solar power to reduce their own carbon footprint and electricity bills, they will also gain onsite grid resiliency to help power their home during blackouts, and can simultaneously further reduce energy costs by participating in demand/response events or time-of-use arbitrage programs, where excess solar is diverted to help support the grid. With the award-winning SolarEdge energy hub inverter and new energy bank battery, PearlX will deploy energy storage as both a grid asset and community storage asset. SolarEdge's advanced software for grid services also enables behind-the-meter VPPs to receive and respond to onsite and grid level signals. "Advances in solar & storage technologies are serving as the key enablers that helping to drive the new democratic and distributed energy economy in North America." said Peter Mathews, SolarEdge General Manager, North America. "Developments in software are providing the grid with much needed control to optimize the use of solar for different communities. This is making solar power more available and flexible, so that even renters can benefit from renewable energy." In launching this Project, PearlX and SolarEdge are creating a widely replicable, decentralized model that will facilitate Texas' accelerating energy transition, while offering safeguards against grid failures. At the same time, energy consumers across the state will benefit from more cost-effective and reliable power benefits. PearlX awarded an EPC contract to Austin based Native Solar to design and construct Project TexFlex. The project is under construction and will be interconnecting through an agreement with CenterPoint Energy in the first quarter of 2022. Following Texas, the project will continue in California and several other US states later in the year. About PearlX Founded in 2019, PearlX is committed to increasing energy equality at multi-family communities through onsite community solar and storage. PearlX delivers energy resilience and independence to subscribers, and long-life royalty and income streams for its partners and shareholders. The company is led by a world-class team of industry-leading veterans in the energy infrastructure and technology business who are driven by selling the most flexible and reliable electron with the highest energy margins. Learn more at: https://www.pearlx.com/ . SOURCE Pearlx Infrastructure UTAH COUNTY, Utah, Jan. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Premier Family Medical, a leading physician group in Utah County, announces additional services in response to the increased need for behavioral health support in Utah with the launch of its integrated behavioral health program at its American Fork Location. In collaboration with evolvedMD, Premier Family Medical will now offer patients access to high-quality behavioral health services in the same location as their primary care provider starting with the American Fork Location and expanding across their entire portfolio. "The pandemic changed us and continues to challenge us. With a deep commitment to this community, I am grateful that we now have an opportunity to support those closest to us," said Holden Holt, CEO of Premier Family Medical. "We may not be able to control the world around us, but we can control factors impacting our mental health. It's no longer taboo and it's at the top of our priority list. That's why we are ecstatic to announce our new collaboration with evolvedMD." Beginning in early 2022, evolvedMD will embed behavioral health specialists onsite within Premier Family Medical's primary care sites to collaborate and drive improved patient outcomes. "We want to normalize mental health," said Erik Osland, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of evolvedMD. "We've already made significant strides in the Salt Lake City area, and we're excited to keep that momentum going for patients and their families beyond the borders of SLC with Premier Family Medical." With the launch of Premier Family Medical, this marks the fourth major primary group in Utah that's committed to whole-patient care in collaboration with evolvedMD. For more information or to learn how your practice can benefit from behavioral health integration, please visit evolvedmd.com. About Premier Family Medical Premier Family Medical is a physician group which has been serving Utah for four generations. They are a group of Family Primary Care Physicians, dermatology, and ancillary care providers. Locations are available in Pleasant Grove, American Fork, Lehi, Lindon, Mountain Point Medical Center, Saratoga Springs, Eagle Mountain, and Vineyard, Utah. About evolvedMD Launched in 2017, evolvedMD is leading the integration of behavioral health services in modern primary care. Uniquely upfront and ongoing, our distinctive model places behavioral health specialists onsite within a practice. evolvedMD offers an economically viable and better way to integrate behavioral health that ultimately drives improved patient outcomes. Media Contact: Sentari Minor, Head of Strategy [email protected] (602) 396-8901 SOURCE evolvedMD BUSAN, South Korea, Jan. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Glass windows are exposed to harsh environmental stresses for extended periods of time. This creates tiny "contact flaws" on their surfaces, which grow when they encounter water droplets. To understand the mechanisms behind this phenomenon, a team of researchers from Pusan National University, Korea, examined this water-promoted cracking behavior on two widely used types of glass. Their findings provide important insights for engineers and designers into the causes of glass fracture. Scientists experimentally investigated the water-induced cracking behavior around contact flaws on annealed and tempered glass surfaces Glass windows often endure external environmental factors such as wind, rain, and humidity, which lead to the formation of microcracks in their surface. For instance, a gust of wind can propel sand onto a window and create microscale surface cracks due to the impact of sharp-edged sand particles. These microcracks then grow in size when aggravated by water droplets and humidity. When water comes in contact with these surface flaws, it penetrates the microcracks and slowly dissolves the silicon-oxygen bonds. This chemical attack breaks the glass networks which gradually degrades the mechanical strength and optical properties of glass structures. This environmentally enhanced crack growth process is known as stress corrosion or subcritical crack growth (SCG). The depreciation of mechanical performance due to SCG raises safety concerns for skyscrapers and high-rise buildings. Recently, scientists have taken an interest in the effect of SCG on two widely used types of soda-lime glass: annealed and tempered glass. However, most studies have focused on establishing crack growth rates, and not much is known about the effect of water on the propagation of crack flaws. Additionally, many of the studies investigated the microcrack propagation dynamics of annealed glass and not tempered glass. To address this gap in research, a team of researchers from Pusan National University (PNU) led by Prof. Sanghu Park, explored the mechanisms associated with water-promoted cracking behavior around surface micro flaws in both annealed and tempered glass in a study published in the Journal of the European Ceramic Society. Prof. Park explains, "Thermally tempered glass is of great commercial importance; it is used in displays, protection covers, vehicular windows, and others. The crack propagation of tempered glass is different from that of annealed glass by water droplets. So, it's really important to understand how water droplet promotes cracking behavior in different types of glasses." To emulate surface microcracks, the researchers created artificial flaws on a glass surface using a Vickers indenteran instrument used to test the hardness of a material. Then, the samples were exposed to atmospheric humidity and water to analyze crack growth. The team discovered that the maximum length of crack growth was much lower in tempered glass than annealed glass. A subsequent 24-hour water immersion text revealed the formation of radial cracks in annealed glass and lateral cracks in tempered glass. The comparative study provides new insights into the origin of glass cracks which can be useful for glass designers, engineers, and architects. "With an increase in typhoon and storm frequencies due to global warming, we need to find out new ways to protect the exterior of glass windows. We tried to understand the interactions between water and surface cracks to help solve safety problems associated with glass windows and structures," concludes Prof. Park. Reference Title of original paper: Vickers crack extension and residual fracture strength of annealed and thermally tempered glass in water Journal: Journal of the European Ceramic Society DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jeurceramsoc.2021.11.058 About Pusan National University Website: https://www.pusan.ac.kr/eng/Main.do Media contact: Na-hyun Lee [email protected] +82 51 510-7928 SOURCE Pusan National University The AIM Group's 2021 Real Estate Marketplaces Annual explores online property transactions, with almost 150 pages of trends, companies to watch, strategies and tactics, lists, charts and deep-dive analysis. Agents and brokers, lenders and lawyers, inspectors and assessors --- all are involved in property transactions. Coordinating the moving parts is difficult, and takes time. Enter the one-stop platform. "Purely digital transactions are coming to real estate" said AIM Group Executive Editor Peter M. Zollman. "Dozens of online real estate marketplaces and proptech companies are moving into transactions fast. Some markets, like Australia, already have online transactions; in others, they're 'coming soon.'" The report spotlights strategies and tactics at some of the world's most interesting digital real estate businesses: Cian, Hemnet, PropertyGuru, REA Group and more. Plus, there are "companies to watch:" AoCubo, CoStar and Houza. The report ranks the Top 50 real estate marketplace sites worldwide , the Top 15 real estate sites by revenue , and the Top 3 marketplaces in 66 countries. While Zillow is No. 1 globally, how will its catastrophic IBuying venture play out long-term? The report covers more than 230 companies, and was based on more than 100 interviews with senior executives in the real estate industry. It sells for $1,495 at AIMGroup.com , where a free preview is available. Note to editors: Free copies are available for coverage by calling 1-407-788-2780 or emailing [email protected]. Zollman is available for interviews at [email protected], 1-407-788-2780. Learn more about the AIM Group here . The AIM Group provides global business intelligence services news and analysis, conferences and consulting for automotive, real estate, recruitment and horizontal marketplaces and classified advertising companies. We work at senior levels with marketplace companies, investors and vendors, advising on strategic and operational opportunities and challenges. Our global team of more than 30 experts follows changes in the marketplace and classified advertising industry in greater depth than anyone else. We publish AIM Group Marketplaces Report and run global conferences for recruitment, automotive, and online marketplaces. Founded in 1998, the AIM Group is based near Orlando, Florida. Contact: [email protected] SOURCE AIM Group AUSTIN, Texas, Jan. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, in Rimini Street, Inc. v. Oracle International, the District Court for the District of Nevada held Rimini in contempt of court for willfully and repeatedly violating the Court's 2018 Permanent Injunction to stop violating Oracle's intellectual property rights. After finding that "Rimini's contemptuous conduct was extensive, deliberate, and pervasive," the Court fined Rimini $630,000 and found that Oracle is entitled to attorneys' fees, which the Court anticipated would be "sizable." "We are grateful that our rights have been vindicated once again, and the court recognizes Rimini as a bad actor that violates federal law," said Dorian Daley, Oracle Executive Vice President and General Counsel. About Oracle Oracle offers integrated suites of applications plus secure, autonomous infrastructure in the Oracle Cloud. For more information about Oracle (NYSE: ORCL), please visit us at oracle.com. Trademarks Oracle, Java, and MySQL are registered trademarks of Oracle Corporation. SOURCE Oracle ZURICH, Jan. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Scandit , the leader in Smart Data Capture, has launched ShelfView for retail. ShelfView is a smart data capture and analytics solution that enables real-time shelf visibility and empowers more intelligent and efficient store operations. Based on advanced computer vision technology, it enables retailers to effortlessly capture and process in-store data, such as pricing and inventory locations, to take action based on intelligence and accurate real-time information. Ideal for grocers and stores with high-SKU volume, Scandit ShelfView addresses some fundamental challenges retailers are facing today to tackle razor-thin margins and drive cost optimization. Introducing in-store labour automation and robotics can help retailers add another 2-4% to their profitability according to McKinsey . With rising labour costs, worker shortage and pressure to deliver omnichannel fulfilment, ShelfView automates routine tasks which are currently conducted manually and prone to error to maximise store associate efficiency and reduce employee turnover. ShelfView's initial capabilities will help retailers optimize three main workflows: Accurate price and promotion label execution: ShelfView analyzes both labels and signage in real-time, either via mobile devices or autonomous robots, to inform store associates of required adjustments to optimize sales and increase price integrity. ShelfView analyzes both labels and signage in real-time, either via mobile devices or autonomous robots, to inform store associates of required adjustments to optimize sales and increase price integrity. Frictionless in-store order picking: Shelfview, with autonomous robots, provides accurate product locations to store associates resulting in lower substitution rates, decreased picking delays and delivering an optimized customer experience. Any one second saved in order picking can translate in up to $10 million of annual cost savings 1 . Shelfview, with autonomous robots, provides accurate product locations to store associates resulting in lower substitution rates, decreased picking delays and delivering an optimized customer experience. Any one second saved in order picking can translate in up to of annual cost savings . Faster replenishment with precise in-store product localization: Via autonomous data capture, ShelfView can scan shelf and pallet labels to analyze the accurate location of pallets for replenishment. This can save stores up to 2.5 hours a day resulting in store associates being leveraged for more critical tasks2. ShelfView gathers in-store intelligence to improve retail execution by leveraging existing infrastructure without the need for significant additional investment. The solution can be scaled chain-wide, scanning millions of images per day, which can be processed on device or in the cloud to deliver actionable insights. ShelfView works seamlessly with Brain Corporation's BrainOS AI platform to deliver an easily scalable, accessible and cost-efficient way to automate the collection of data via the use of robots. Utilizing a multi-purpose design, Inventory Scan is a powerful new accessory that can be fitted to autonomous floor scrubbers to autonomously scan key details on in-store inventory. Additionally, ShelfView can be applied to mobile devices already in use by store associates. Scandit ShelfView enables retailers to: Boost operational efficiencies and reduce costs: ensure accurate pricing and promotion, accelerate the movement of inventory and reduce the low efficiency of in-store order fulfilment which erode profit margins. ShelfView increases productivity of store associates to quickly locate products or verify pricing and promotions. Expand workforce capacity: The hybrid approach of mobile devices and autonomous floor scrubbers enables retailers to expand the workforce by removing repetitive tasks from the employees and empowering them to focus on value adding tasks, such as customer engagement. Reducing tedious tasks aids retailers in retaining employees to reduce costly churn. Get real-time actionable intelligence and reduce errors: ShelfView delivers precise in-store inventory data to drive efficient shelf management and order fulfillment workflows. Enable store associates to correct store level issues before they affect sales. Improve customer experience and drive revenues: accurately placed, priced, and promoted inventory is essential to delivering a consistent in-store and online customer experience. Frequent and exact shelf management is vital to ensure a frictionless customer journey, particularly in today's omnichannel world. Christian Floerkemeier, CTO and Co-Founder of Scandit, said: "All retailers understand that improving the in-store shopper experience is more important than ever, but doing so economically remains critical. Automating and simplifying routine tasks empowers retailers to maximise revenues while increasing the efficiency, value and engagement of their store associates. By leveraging our smart data capture capabilities, ShelfView can increase on-shelf product availability, improve the rate of online orders fulfilled and lift sales through accurate pricing and promotion labelling to achieve this." With industry-leading performance, Scandit ShelfView leverages augmented reality (AR), object recognition, object detection, optical character recognition, and other advanced computer vision technology to process images acquired through both mobile devices and autonomous data capture. 1 Based on Scandit customer feedback. 2 Based on Scandit customer feedback. Notes to Editors To learn more about Scandit ShelfView, click here . About Scandit We're the leader in smart data capture giving superpowers to workers, customers and businesses with unmatched speed, accuracy and intelligence. Scandit Smart Data Capture platform enables smart devices, such as smartphones, drones, digital eyewear and robots to capture data from barcodes, text, IDs and objects to automate and provide insights for end-to-end processes. Scandit accurately scans data up to 3x faster than dedicated scanners in challenging light or at angles, on damaged labels, across multiple codes, with any smart device. Scandit enables innovation that delivers significant cost savings, increases employee retention and customer loyalty. We partner with customers at every step with trials, solution design, integration and customer success support included. Visit scandit.com to learn why market leaders across retail, transport and logistics, healthcare and manufacturing like Instacart, Levi's Strauss, Sephora, NHS and FedEx trust us. SOURCE Scandit LYNDHURSt, N.J., Jan. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Scarinci Hollenbeck successfully secured a $36 million judgement on behalf of Lawrence Delloye, the son of Ingrid Betancourt, a hostage held by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) for more than six years. The suit alleged FARC and several of its members violated the Antiterrorism Act (ATA) when they kidnapped and tortured Betancourt, causing Delloye to suffer significant emotional distress. Scarinci Hollenbeck successfully secured a $36 million judgement on behalf of Lawrence Delloye, the son of Ingrid Betancourt, a hostage held by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) for more than six years. Delloye was represented by Robert E. Levy , Chair of Scarinci Hollenbeck's Litigation Group. "While no sum of money can replace the time Lawrence Delloye lost with his mother or heal the trauma suffered at the hands of the FARC, we are proud to have helped achieve some measure of justice," Levy stated. Background of the Case FARC kidnapped Ingrid Betancourt in 2002, while she was campaigning to be president of Columbia. During Betancourt's six-year captivity which began when Delloye was 13, FARC released several hostage videos showing that Betancourt was alive, although in poor mental and physical health. At other times there was no communication and Delloye did not know whether his mother was alive. These videos and uncertainties caused Delloye immense emotional distress. In 2018, Delloye filed a lawsuit against FARC and several of its members alleging violations of the ATA, which enables victims of terrorism to seek damages in U.S. federal courts. On January 4, 2022, Chief U.S. District Court, for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, Judge Matthew W. Brann entered judgment, concluding that Delloye had successfully stated a claim under the ATA. Judge Brann also ruled Delloye was entitled to compensatory damages of $12 million, which is trebled under the ATA, along with attorneys' fees and costs resulting in a total judgment in excess of $36 million. The case is Delloye v. Revolutionary Armed Forces of Columbia et al. About Scarinci Hollenbeck's NJ Litigation Practice Scarinci Hollenbeck's NJ litigation practice is comprised of highly qualified and experienced attorneys, including those Certified by the Supreme Court of New Jersey as Civil and Criminal trial attorneys, representing clients in varied types of general, commercial, employment and criminal litigation. More information on the firm's NJ litigation practice can be found on our practice page: https://scarincihollenbeck.com/practices/litigation 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: Robert E. Levy Telephone: 201-896-4100 Email: [email protected] SOURCE Scarinci Hollenbeck, LLC CLEVELAND, Jan. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- SEAM Group, a global leader in energized asset performance, today announced the hiring of Scott Moretz as Vice President of Electric Vehicle Operations. Moretz brings nearly a decade of EV industry experience to the role, in which he will lead all aspects of EV infrastructure activity, including site and space planning, design and engineering, construction, commissioning, operations and maintenance, as well as specialty areas like energy storage systems, and solar batteries. SEAM Group CEO, Colin Duncan speaks about the electrification of the fleet. The scaling up of the infrastructure required to support the electrification of the fleet is immense. This change brings fluidity and some degree of uncertainty to the market, which is currently operating with a high degree of short-term tactical thinking. SEAM Group experts serve more than 500 clients globally, and inspect more than 2 million assets each year. Scott Moretz, SEAM Group Vice President of Electric Vehicle Operations "As we drive our mission of creating a safer, more reliable world, we continue to mature our global organization by adding passionate, seasoned industry veterans to our leadership team," said Colin Duncan, SEAM Group chief executive officer. "The electric vehicle sector is experiencing explosive growth, and Scott brings a breadth of experience to help expand our success in this market." Moretz has held key leadership roles at EVgo, and most recently served as Director of Engineering and Construction for North America at Electrify America. As an innovator in the EV industry, Moretz has worked closely with global charging system manufacturers, site hosts, and automotive manufacturers. One of his signature achievements includes leading the long-term, highly strategic installation of 4,200+ direct current fast charging (DCFC) units across 46 states and four Canadian provinces. A native of Abingdon, Va., Moretz received his Bachelor of Science degree from the United States Military Academy at West Point, NY. He was deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan post-Sept. 11, 2001, and was awarded the Bronze Star Medal on two separate occasions for his leadership in combat. "Throughout both my professional and military career, I have focused on mobilizing team members and developing best-in-class strategies to drive results," Moretz said. "Joining the SEAM Group leadership team enables me to work alongside fellow passionate, customer-first individuals, while growing our EV practice into a key line of business that can help optimize the utilization of EV infrastructure across the world." About SEAM Group SEAM Group is a global leader in energized asset performance focused on delivering safety, reliability, and maintenance solutions to some of the world's largest companies. Inspecting more than two million assets per year, SEAM Group offers a proven platform that combines strategic advisory, custom training, advanced technology, and actionable data management to position customers for success. Visit www.seamgroup.com/blog/ for company developments. Media Contact Karol Hernandez Marketing Director SEAM Group SOURCE SEAM Group The first benefit of owning an Odd Fellow NFT is VIP access, and table and bottle service, including a free bottle of liquor, at the Penthouse Club in Baltimore for the owner and four friends. Future exclusive benefits can be unlocked by the community through roadmap activation and 100 percent of the royalties from sales on OpenSea will go into the community wallet. Odd Fellow NFT owners will also receive a free stack of pancakes at an IHOP in New Jersey! Creating 11 NFTs for the project is Oschino Vasquez, the popular rapper who has written and produced multiple songs, mixtapes and studio albums and has worked with some of the greatest rap artists of all time, including Jay-Z and Kanye West. Vasquez has enjoyed a successful rapping and acting career through his affiliation with the State Property label since the early 2000s. Vasquez was signed to Roc-a-Fella Records along with Beanie Sigel, Freeway, Peedi Crakk, Omillio Sparks, and the Young Gunz (Young Chris and Neef Buck). Each Odd Fellow is unique and programmatically generated from more than 160 possible traits, and hand drawn by artist Redouane Belhadi. The Odd Fellows are stored as ERC-721 tokens on the Ethereum blockchain and purchasing an Odd Fellow costs 0.08 ETH. The Secret Society of Odd Fellows will be offering sneak peaks of the NFTs on its Discord and social media. "I think the biggest thing with this particular NFT is the real world utility. Blockchain technology and NFTs in this regard will truly change the world," Dunn said. "That's what we are looking to do here. Change the world." To learn more about the Secret Society of Odd Fellows NFTs, visit oddfellowsnft.com. Contact: Jeremiah Dunn, +14105982688 [email protected] SOURCE Secret Society of Odd Fellows NEWPORT BEACH, Calif., Jan. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Brand trust is among the most important features people consider when shopping for products for their homes. Today, Lifestory Research released seven product category studies from the 2022 America's Most Trusted Study. The brands of Pella, Andersen, Thomasville, Corian, Rubbermaid, and Rheem ranked #1 in brand trust within their respective product categories in the study. "Consumers are faced with a multitude of decisions when shopping for a product and search for signals that will support them in making a decision. Among the most important features that influence a decision is brand trust," said Lifestory Research President Eric Snider. America's Most Trusted is a study of people actively shopping or considering a product and have formed an opinion of the brand. The research program marks its tenth year in 2022, in which over 50,000 opinions were collected to identify the brands people trust the most. Trust is measured through the Lifestory Research Net Trust Quotient Score, which determines customers that are trust advocates and trust antagonists. This year the America's Most Trusted Study measured brand trust in 53 product classes in which the most recognized brands were evaluated by people actively considering a product. Today the results were released for 7 home design product studies. The studies examine brand trust for front entry doors, back patio doors, windows, countertops, custom closet systems, water heater, and cabinets. The 2022 ranking for each product category is based on people surveyed in the prior year between January and December in the United States who indicated they were actively shopping for the product for their home. Highlights of Product Studies and Brand Awards: Visit www.lifestoryresearch.com for detailed trust scores, ratings, and ranking from the 2022 study. America's Most Trusted Front Entry Door The Lifestory Research 2022 America's Most Trusted Front Entry Door earning the 5 Star Trust Rating is Pella. Pella received the highest Net Trust Quotient score (111.7) and earned the #1 ranking of most trusted front entry door brand. The ranking is based on 4,423 people surveyed while actively shopping for a new front entry door. The brands in the study included Pella, JELD-WEN, Stanley, Sierra Pacific, Therma-Tru, Weather Shield, Simpson, Milgard, Masonite, and Benchmark. For more information about the Lifestory Research 2022, America's Most Trusted Front Entry Door study, visit https://www.lifestoryresearch.com/2022-americas-most-trusted-front-entry-door America's Most Trusted Patio Door The Lifestory Research 2022 America's Most Trusted Patio Door earning the 5 Star Trust Rating is Andersen. Andersen received the highest Net Trust Quotient score (115.6) and obtained the #1 ranking of most trusted patio door brand. The ranking is based on 5,560 people surveyed while actively shopping for a new patio door for their home. The brands in the study included Andersen, Pella, Weather Shield, Milgard, Stanley, JELD-WEN, Marvin, Therma-Tru, and Masonite. For more information about the Lifestory Research 2022, America's Most Trusted Patio Door study, visit https://www.lifestoryresearch.com/2022-americas-most-trusted-back-patio-door America's Most Trusted Window The Lifestory Research 2022 America's Most Trusted Window earning the 5 Star Trust Rating is Pella. Pella captured the #1 ranking of most trusted window brand with the highest Net Trust Quotient score (118.9). The ranking is based on 5,130 people surveyed while actively shopping for a new window for their home. The brands in the study included Pella, Andersen, JELD-WEN, Milgard, Weather Shield, Marvin, and Ply Gem. For more information about the Lifestory Research 2022, America's Most Trusted Window study, visit https://www.lifestoryresearch.com/2022-americas-most-trusted-window America's Most Trusted Cabinet The Lifestory Research 2022 America's Most Trusted Cabinet earning the 5 Star Trust Rating is Thomasville. Thomasville received the highest Net Trust Quotient score (111.7) and earned the #1 ranking of most trusted kitchen and bathroom cabinet brand. The ranking is based on 7,260 people surveyed while actively shopping for cabinets for a home. The brands in the study included Thomasville, MasterCraft, Kitchen Craft, American Woodmark, Merillat, KraftMaid, Hampton Bay, Quaker Maid, Quality Cabinets, Allen + Roth, Glacier Bay, and Timberlake. For more information about the Lifestory Research 2022, America's Most Trusted Cabinet study, visit https://www.lifestoryresearch.com/2022-americas-most-trusted-kitchen-bathroom-cabinet America's Most Trusted Countertop The Lifestory Research 2022 America's Most Trusted Countertop earning the 5 Star Trust Rating is Corian. Corian was the #1 ranked countertop brand with the highest Net Trust Quotient score (105.7). This is the third year in which Corian is rated #1 in the annual America's Most Trusted Countertop study. The ranking is based on 5,684 people surveyed while actively shopping for a new countertop for a home. The brands in the survey included Corian, Silestone, Cambria, Caesarstone, Swanstone, Wilsonart, Staron, and Formica. For more information about the Lifestory Research 2022, America's Most Trusted Countertop study, visit https://www.lifestoryresearch.com/2022-americas-most-trusted-countertop America's Most Trusted Home Closet System The Lifestory Research 2022 America's Most Trusted Home Closet System earning the 5 Star Trust Rating is Rubbermaid. Rubbermaid received the highest Net Trust Quotient score (108.6) and earned the #1 ranking of most trusted home closet system brand. The ranking is based on 3,970 people surveyed while actively shopping for a home closet system. The brands in the study included Rubbermaid, California Closets, Closet Maid, IKEA Pax, and Closet Factory. For more information about the Lifestory Research 2022, America's Most Trusted Home Closet System study, visit https://www.lifestoryresearch.com/2022-americas-most-trusted-home-closet-system America's Most Trusted Water Heater The Lifestory Research 2022 America's Most Trusted Water Heater earning the 5 Star Trust Rating is Rheem. Rheem received the highest Net Trust Quotient score (110.4) and earned the #1 ranking of most trusted water heater brand. The ranking is based on 4,904 people surveyed while actively shopping for a new water heater. The brands in the study included Rheem, Bosch, GE, Kenmore, AO Smith, Ruud, Bradford White, and Riannai. For more information about the Lifestory Research 2022, America's Most Trusted Water Heater study, visit https://www.lifestoryresearch.com/2022-americas-most-trusted-water-heater To view the online press release, please visit https://www.lifestoryresearch.com/press-release/2022-national-home-design-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 BURLEY, Idaho, Jan. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Snake River Manufacturing (SRM) is pleased to announce an engagement with Chang Industrial (CI) for consulting in strategy and engineering. SRM's engagement with CI will increase factory automation and launch multiple autonomous and hybrid vehicle initiatives. SRM's autonomous snow removal vehicles will make snow removal faster and safer while hybrid crop harvesting equipment will make farming more efficient. Autonomous, hybrid and fully electric equipment are the innovative future that SRM is developing today, to make the world more productive. Grant Flaharty, CEO of Snake River Manufacturing, illuminated the partnership, "Snake River Manufacturing is about to change the trajectory of crop and snow removal equipment as we know it." Flaharty continued, "Everything that we do going forward will be about growth with disruptive innovation for a sustainable world and we are pleased to have Chang Industrial as our valued partner in such endeavors." Matthew Chang, founder of Chang Industrial, shares Flaharty's enthusiasm: "We are honored to serve as strategy advisor and engineer for Snake River Manufacturing. Their ethos of American Innovation and "made in the USA" is in complete alignment with our values as a company." Chang Industrial is launching three strategic work streams with SRM: New Autonomous Vehicle Production in snow removal vehicles Vehicle Updates and Upgrades conversion to hybrid and fully electric drives for ag and snow removal Factory Automation Masterplan streamline of production and work force enhancements through automation initiatives About Snake River Manufacturing Snake River Manufacturing is the parent company of both SRM-Kodiak and Double L. Combined, we employ over 125 team members in Southern Idaho and across the US. Snake River Manufacturing develops, manufactures, and sells equipment ranging from potato planting and harvesting/storage to commercial snow blowers. Snake River is innovating to make the world more productive in every category we represent. Learn more about our brands at www.doublelglobal.com or www.kodiakamerica.us and follow Snake River Manufacturing on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn. About Chang Industrial Chang Industrial is a boutique engineering firm that specializes in autonomous technologies and robotic automation. Chang Industrial seeks to modernize supply chain and improve workforce through creating technology road maps for companies to advance their technology initiatives. Chang Industrial has experienced rapid growth since its founding in 2017 and was nominated as the 11th fastest growing company in Northeast Florida. Learn more at www.changindustrial.com and follow us on LinkedIn. Snake River Holdings Media: Kathlene Simmons, [email protected] Chang Industrial Media: Karigan Cannon, [email protected] SOURCE SRM Holdings SALT LAKE CITY, Jan. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- SnugZ USA, LLC ("SnugZ"), a leading manufacturer of promotional products has acquired Sweda Company, LLC ("Sweda"), a City of Industry-based promotional and gifting products provider, combining two top-40 promotional products suppliers to enhance their ability to offer distributor partners an unparalleled product selection and the highest-quality service. SnugZ President and CEO Brandon Mackay said, "We believe this acquisition of Sweda will further strengthen our ability to innovate new products, expand into additional product segments, and most importantly, take advantage of the similarities between both companies to better serve our loyal customers." "I am thrilled about the combination of Sweda and SnugZ and know that our future, elevated together, is bright," said Jim Hagan, CEO of Sweda. "The synergies between our two companies, from our core values to our differentiators, will only strengthen our position in the marketplace. It is the perfect fusion of culture and creativity." David Topham, a Partner at Tower Arch Capital, added, "We are honored to partner with Jim Hagan and the entire Sweda team. Sweda's innovation and commitment to serving their distributor customers has redefined what it means to deliver high quality and creative products. This next chapter of growth will be very exciting as we leverage the expertise of both businesses." Based on 2020 promotional product sales, the combination of SnugZ and Sweda will create one of the top-10 largest suppliers and would provide customers with one of the most diverse product offerings in the industry. Mackay will remain CEO, and Hagan will stay on as president of Sweda. Tower Arch was advised on the transaction by Gibson Dunn & Crutcher LLP and BDO LLP, with financing provided by Zions Bancorporation and East West Bank. Financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed. For more information, visit www.snugzusa.com or www.swedausa.com. About SnugZ USA, LLC Founded in 1989, SnugZ is a pioneering promotional products manufacturer serving over 7,000 professional buyers in the promotional products sector. The company designs and manufactures a leading array of lanyard, identification, personal care, and gifting products. For more information, please visit www.snugzusa.com. About Sweda Company, LLC Sweda is a leading wholesale supplier, merchandiser, and marketer of gifting and promotional products. Sweda was founded in 1976 and is headquartered in City of Industry, California. For more information, please visit www.swedausa.com. About Tower Arch Capital Headquartered in Salt Lake City, UT, Tower Arch Capital ("Tower Arch") is a lower-middle market private equity fund with over $750 million in equity capital under management. Tower Arch seeks to partner with and grow high-quality family and entrepreneur-owned companies to deliver long-term value for their management teams and investors. Tower Arch brings operational, consulting, and financial expertise to small companies to help them improve their operations, scale, and grow. Target investments include control positions in entrepreneur and family-owned businesses with revenue between $20 million and $150 million or with EBITDA between $5 million and $25 million. For more information, please visit www.towerarch.com. SOURCE Tower Arch Capital The New Frontiers in Research Fund Transformation Award Will Support World-Leading Innovation in Organ Transplant. TORONTO, Jan. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - SQI Diagnostics Inc. ("SQI" or the "Company") (TSX-V: SQD) (OTCQB: SQIDF), a precision medicine and diagnostics company focused on respiratory health, congratulates the University Health Network (UHN) for winning one of only seven prestigious "New Frontiers in Research Fund Transformation" awards. New Frontiers in Research Fund is a program of the Government of Canada that supports lifesaving, Canadian-made innovations that can be marketed here and around the world. The Transformation stream provides large-scale support for interdisciplinary researchers to expand on areas in which Canada is a global leader. UHN has created and launched Ex Vivo Lung Perfusion (EVLP) technology that keeps donor lungs alive outside of the body ("ex vivo"), by delivering heat, oxygen, nutrients and other critical resources before transplant. Before EVLP, up to 80% of donor lungs were discarded because of subjective clinical assessment. Now, use of EVLP has doubled the number of lungs used for transplantation. UHN and SQI have already developed the TORdxTMLUNG rapid diagnostic test, which gives unprecedented immunological profiling of the donor lung and identifies those best suitable for transplantation. This new award would extend ex vivo technology and help develop new treatments to other organ transplants, together with advances in precision diagnostics. "Our partnership with UHN on lung transplant is one of our most established and important collaborations, and we congratulate them on this well-deserved award. Led by Dr. Shaf Keshavjee, they're the top lung transplant team in the world," says Andrew Morris, Chief Executive Officer of SQI. "To be recognized and supported by the Government of Canada for this accomplishment and just as importantly, how we accomplished it through a high-risk, high-reward approach is incredibly gratifying. I congratulate everyone involved, especially the amazing team at UHN. This funding from New Frontiers is a crucial next step in reaching international markets and expanding ex vivo preservation and therapies beyond lungs to other organs. We join with UHN in expressing our gratitude to the Government of Canada for their visionary leadership." "We have developed lung perfusion over a series of progressive steps, achieving Health Canada approval and global adoption. SQI has been a vital partner to develop next generation precision medicine diagnostic tools to identify even more donor lungs that are viable for transplant," says Dr. Shaf Keshavjee, Surgeon-in-Chief at UHN. "We look forward to working with SQI as our diagnostics partner for our next-level innovations in organ transplantation." About SQI Diagnostics SQI Diagnostics is a precision medicine and diagnostics company focussed on respiratory health. The Company's innovative respiratory health and precision medicine tests run on SQI's fully automated systems designed to simplify and improve COVID19 antibody monitoring, Rapid Acute Lung Injury testing, donor organ transplant informatics and immunological protein and antibody testing by increasing throughput, reducing costs and providing excellent data quality. For more information, please visit www.sqidiagnostics.com. Contact: Morlan Reddock Chief Financial Officer 437-235-6563 [email protected] FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION This news release contains certain forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements containing the words "will", "may", "expects", "intends", "anticipates" and other similar expressions which constitute "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements reflect the Company's current expectation and assumptions, and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated. The forward-looking statements in this news release include without limitation, statements with respect to the Private Placement, the Debenture Repayment and the use of proceeds of the Private Placement. These forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by the inherent risks and uncertainties surrounding future expectations. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from expectations include, but are not limited to, risks related to the failure to obtain necessary regulator and stock exchange approvals for the Private Placement, general economic and market factors, competition, the development and commercialization of the Company's diagnostics tests, the effect of the global pandemic and consequent economic disruption, and the factors detailed in the Company's ongoing filings with the securities regulatory authorities, available at www.sedar.com. Although the forward-looking statements contained herein are based on what we consider to be reasonable assumptions based on information currently available to us, there can be no assurance that actual events, performance or results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements, and our assumptions may prove to be incorrect. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements either as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable laws. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to sell any of the securities in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. persons unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. SOURCE SQI Diagnostics Inc. NEWPORT BEACH, Calif., Jan. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Lifestory Research released the results for three different flooring product category studies from the 2022 America's Most Trusted Study. Stainmaster, Arizona Tile, and Armstrong each were ranked #1 in brand trust within their respective product categories in the study. America's Most Trusted is a study of people actively shopping or considering a product and have formed an opinion of the brand. The research program marks its tenth year in 2022, in which over 50,000 opinions were collected to identify the brands people trust the most. Trust is measured through the Lifestory Research Net Trust Quotient Score, which determines customers that are trust advocates and trust antagonists. This year the America's Most Trusted Study measured brand trust in 53 product classes in which the most recognized brands are evaluated by people actively considering a product. The 3 flooring product studies released today examine brand trust within the categories of carpet, ceramic tile, and hard surface flooring (Laminate, Vinyl & Wood Flooring). The 2022 ranking for each product category is based on people surveyed in the prior year between January and December in the United States who indicated they were actively shopping for the product for their home. Highlights of Product Studies and Brand Awards: Visit www.lifestoryresearch.com for detailed trust scores, ratings, and ranking from the 2022 study. America's Most Trusted Carpet The Lifestory Research 2022 America's Most Trusted Carpet earning the 5 Star Trust Rating is Stainmaster. Stainmaster received the highest Net Trust Quotient score (112.8) and earned the #1 ranking of most trusted carpet brand. The ranking is based on 4,452 people surveyed while actively shopping for new carpet for their home. The brands in the study included Stainmaster, Karastan, Mohawk, Couristan, Shaw, Phenix, Masland, Kaleen, Stanton, and Anderson Tuftex. This is the third year in a row in which consumers chose Stainmaster as America's Most Trusted Carpet Brand. For more information about the Lifestory Research 2022, America's Most Trusted Carpet study, visit https://www.lifestoryresearch.com/2022-americas-most-trusted-carpet-flooring America's Most Trusted Ceramic Tile Flooring The Lifestory Research 2022 America's Most Trusted Ceramic Tile Flooring earning the 5 Star Trust Rating is Arizona Tile. Arizona Tile received the highest Net Trust Quotient score (101.4) and earned the #1 ranking of most trusted flooring tile brand. The ranking is based on 3,396 people surveyed while actively shopping for a new tile flooring for their home. The brands in the study included Arizona Tile, Interceramic, American Olean, Marazzi Tile, Shaw, Dal-Tile, Summitville Tile, Monarch Tile, Jeffrey Court, Crossville, Porcelanosa, and Florida Tile. For more information about the Lifestory Research 2022, America's Most Trusted Ceramic Tile Flooring study, visit https://www.lifestoryresearch.com/2022-americas-most-trusted-flooring-tile America's Most Trusted Laminate, Vinyl & Wood Flooring The Lifestory Research 2022 America's Most Trusted Laminate, Vinyl & Wood Flooring brand earning the 5 Star Trust Rating is Armstrong. Armstrong received the highest Net Trust Quotient score (108.0) and earned the #1 ranking of most trusted laminate, vinyl and wood flooring brand. The ranking is based on 5,401 people surveyed while actively shopping for new laminate, vinyl or wood flooring. The brands in the study included Armstrong, Pergo, Andersen, Bruce, Mohawk, Shaw, Mannington, Tarkett, and Congoleum. For more information about the Lifestory Research 2022, America's Most Trusted Laminate, Vinyl & Wood Flooring study, visit https://www.lifestoryresearch.com/2022-americas-most-trusted-laminate-vinyl-wood-flooring To view the online press release, please visit https://www.lifestoryresearch.com/press-release/2022-national-home-flooring-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 ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., Jan. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Foodstiks, a company known for their compostable wood cutlery, is pleased to announce that their revolutionary premium cutlery 24-piece boxes are now available on Target.com. Foodstiks is delighted to collaborate with Target.com in its efforts to provide consumers with a sustainable alternative to plastic. Foodstiks Foodstiks Wood is one of the most sustainable materials that can be used. Foodstiks is disposable cutlery made completely of Birch wood, dubbed "the only sustainable alternative to plastic." The environmentally friendly wood cutlery is backyard compostable, is 100 percent natural with no toxic chemicals added, and has natural antibacterial and antimicrobial properties that destroy 99 percent of all potential contaminants. Picnics, BBQs, birthday celebrations, school meals, and other events are just a few of the possibilities for the eco-friendly cutlery sets. The additionally sells the sturdy cutlery in 1000- and 6000-piece boxes that are perfect for food trucks, restaurants, salad bars, caterers, and any other foodservice professional looking for a non-plastic option. The sustainable cutlery is receiving recognition and rave reviews from consumers. One delighted customer said, "I can't believe this is just now an option in disposable utensils. These are great, work as intended and they are 100% compostable. These forks are durable, and the wood color even could look nice for a get together." Another happy customer put it this way, "Great product! These forks are great for the environment and good sturdy material. They have a nice design and feel nice in your hands. I recommend these for anyone looking to make a positive impact on the environment." Each year, forty billion pieces of plastic disposable flatware are used in the United States alone. Foodstiks' innovative cutlery enables consumers to make a shift and become part of the solution as society attempts to improve its habits and live more sustainably. Foodstiks are 100% Natural, 100% Renewable, and 100% Compostable. And now, Foodstiks 24-piece boxes are available on Target.com. About Foodstiks: Foodstiks, branded "The Only Sustainable Alternative to Plastic," was founded by Ina and Jim Henderson in St. Petersburg, Florida, in 2017. The forward-thinking company creates and distributes compostable, disposable wood cutlery as a more environmentally friendly alternative to plastic. The acclaimed ecological cutlery is now available on Target.com and can be used for a variety of purposes. CONTACT: To discover more about Foodstiks, their distribution, or to arrange an interview for an article, please contact us. Website: https://foodstiks.com/ Jim Henderson 727-502-2763 [email protected] Address: Foodstiks, 237 15th street, Saint Petersburg, Florida, 33704 Facebook- Foodstiks-Compostable Wood Cutlery Instagram- Foodstiks Wood Cutlery SOURCE Foodstiks Vendor Landscape The software as a service (SaaS) market is fragmented and the vendors are deploying organic and inorganic growth strategies to compete in the market. Market vendors should focus more on the growth prospects in the fast-growing segments while maintaining their positions in the slow-growing segments. The report analyzes the market's competitive landscape and offers information on several market vendors, including: Accenture Plc Adobe Inc. Alphabet Inc. Amazon.com Inc. Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LP International Business Machines Corp. Microsoft Corp. Oracle Corp. Salesforce.com Inc. SAP SE View more about the market's vendor landscape highlights with a comprehensive list of vendors and their offerings. Key Market Segmentation Segmentation by Cloud: Public Cloud: Public SaaS computing comprises entire software applications that are made available to clients over the Internet. IT services are delivered via the public cloud via the Internet or virtualization. Third-party suppliers provide these IT services. Multi-tenant buildings that desire to use or buy them can do so. Vendors charge a monthly subscription fee based on the number of computing resources used. The public cloud is becoming more popular as a result of its elasticity and scalability, which are ideal for IT-enabled businesses. Public cloud offerings include Microsoft Office 365 and Slack IPO, to name a few. Vendors that provide the public cloud offer software programs and applications such as ERP, CRM, and HRM, which can be used by enterprises. Request a FREE Sample of this report for more highlights into the market segments. Regional Market Outlook 52% of the market's growth will originate from North America during the forecast period. The US is the key market for the software as a service (SaaS) market in North America. North America was one of the first regions to adopt public cloud services, which were first presented over a decade ago. The growing need for cloud computing services in the United States is one of the main reasons behind the rise in SaaS demand. The availability of technologically advanced infrastructure, as well as the existence of a large number of cloud service providers (CSPs) based in the US, such as Microsoft, Salesforce, Oracle, and Adobe, will fuel market expansion in the region. Businesses in the region are investing in IT to develop corporate apps that will help them optimize their operations. SaaS solutions provide one-click access to various forms of software, including ERP, CRM, and HRM, using web browsers. The flexibility of SaaS solutions makes them suitable for temporary workloads and workloads that are experimental or prone to change unexpectedly. Furthermore, countries such as North America, Europe, APAC, South America, and MEA are expected to emerge as prominent markets for the software as a service (SaaS) market during the forecast period. Download our FREE sample report for more key highlights on the regional market share of most of the above-mentioned countries. Latest Trends, Driving the Software as a Service (SaaS) Market Market Driver: Augmenting use of mobile apps AI-enabled SaaS solutions help end-user businesses to get more value out of their data. Live chatbots, which are AI-powered SaaS, allow businesses to give tailored and automated services to their clients. Internal processes and operations are also sped up with AI-enabled SaaS. Because AI-enabled SaaS can create a speedy response to possible danger, it has increased security. The advantages allow businesses to better their internal operations. The advantages will enhance the adoption of AI-enabled SaaS, which will promote the SaaS market's growth. Market Trend: Increasing use of vertical SaaS Vertical SaaS is best suited for industries like retail, insurance, and car manufacturing. Vertical SaaS for certain industries is cost-effective and allows for finer customization. It can generate industry-specific customer data and insight, which is critical for businesses to meet their niche's client need. To grow their customer base, vendors are always concentrating on providing vertical SaaS with features customized to client demands. During the foreseeable period, such factors will boost demand for vertical SaaS. Find additional information about various other market drivers & trends mentioned in our FREE sample report . Need More? Are You Looking for Information Not Covered in This Report? Want to understand more about the various research methodology? Evaluate a specific segment or region in detail Identify key suppliers, customers, or other market players Analyze market regulations Tailor this report according to your needs. Get it done with our $1000 worth of free customization. Speak to Our Analyst Now ! Related Reports: HR Payroll Software Market by Deployment and Geography - Forecast and Analysis 2022-2026 Enterprise Application Software Market by Deployment and Geography - Forecast and Analysis 2022-2026 Software As A Service (SaaS) Market Scope Report Coverage Details Page number 120 Base year 2020 Forecast period 2021-2025 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 11% Market growth 2021-2025 $ 99.99 billion Market structure Fragmented YoY growth (%) 11.71 Regional analysis North America, Europe, APAC, South America, and MEA Performing market contribution North America at 52% Key consumer countries US, UK, Germany, Japan, China, and India Competitive landscape Leading companies, competitive strategies, consumer engagement scope Companies profiled Accenture Plc, Adobe Inc., Alphabet Inc., Amazon.com Inc., Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LP, International Business Machines Corp., Microsoft Corp., Oracle Corp., Salesforce.com Inc., and SAP SE Market Dynamics Parent market analysis, Market growth inducers and obstacles, Fast-growing and slow-growing segment analysis, COVID 19 impact and future consumer dynamics, market condition analysis for the forecast period, Customization purview If our report has not included the data that you are looking for, you can reach out to our analysts and get segments customized. About Us Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focus on emerging market trends and provide actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. Contact Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media & Marketing Executive US: +1 844 364 1100 UK: +44 203 893 3200 Email: [email protected] Website: www.technavio.com/ SOURCE Technavio LONDON and NEW YORK, Jan. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Bank of London, the next-generation technology company and the world's first purpose-built global clearing, agency, and transaction bank, today announces it has issued a non-exclusive licence of its next generation, secure, universal 1-click checkout patent to Seattle based Firmly, to further help drive frictionless ad-to-checkout commerce. Firmly, powered by The Bank of London's unique intellectual property, enables merchants to provision secure 1-Click checkout anywhere, including on social media sites. Returning users enjoy 1-Click checkout across millions of brands, exponentially increasing customer conversions while significantly reducing cart abandonment, by removing friction from the user experience (10+ clicks to 1-click). Anthony Watson, Founder & Group Chief Executive of The Bank of London, said: "We're excited that Firmly are entering the marketplace powered by The Bank of London. This commercial agreement drives the borderless economy of the future via our patented technologies. In addition, the 'zero change' integration checkout, allows Firmly's clients to deploy powerful solutions using a simple-touch web SDK or Android / iOS toolkit without the need for any developer teams". Kumar N Senthil, Co-Founder and CEO of Firmly, said: "We are super excited to partner with The Bank of London on the mission of enabling a seamless 1-click checkout anywhere so that we can bring the joy of shopping online to the customers instead of painfully providing the same information over and over again across every single website the customer shops". About The Bank of London The Bank of London launched 30th of November 2021 as the sixth principal clearing bank of the United Kingdom, and only the second clearing bank in 250 years. With a $1.1 billion valuation, it is the first pre-revenue bank in history to attain 'unicorn' status upon debut. The Bank of London is a leading-edge technology company and the world's first purpose-built global clearing, agency, and transaction bank. We leverage our patented technology innovations and differentiated bank capabilities to lift economies and communities by powering the borderless economic infrastructure of the future. The bank has been established to assist banks, clearing houses, digital & traditional asset firms, governments, financial services companies from local fintechs to global institutions, payment networks and non-financial brands seeking to launch fully compliant financial products and services in-country and across-borders. With headquarters in London and offices in New York, The Bank of London is a principal clearing bank of the United Kingdom authorised by the Bank of England's Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Bank of England's Prudential Regulatory Authority. For more information visit: thebankoflondon.com, or on Twitter and Instagram at: @thebankoflondon. About Firmly Firmly is an AI-driven checkout company that enables frictionless 1-Click Checkout anywhere. Founded by veterans in the eCommerce and payment industry is set to revolutionize the way people shop online. The mission of Firmly is to bring joy to the customers shopping online and help the brands & retailers to be successful. Firmly aids merchants to improve the conversion by reducing from 10+ clicks to 1-Click with ZERO change to their site. This capability allows any merchant to easily A/B test and see the improvements in ROAS instantly. For more information visit: www.firmly.ai SOURCE The Bank of London NAPA, Calif., Jan. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Doctors Company, An Interinsurance Exchange ("The Doctors Company"), today announced the consideration payable for the notes subject to its previously announced cash tender offer (the "Tender Offer") for any and all of its outstanding 6.50% Surplus Notes due 2023 (the "Notes"). The consideration payable for each $1,000 principal amount of Notes validly tendered and accepted for purchase pursuant to the Tender Offer was determined in the manner described in the Offer to Purchase, dated January 7, 2022 (the "Offer to Purchase"), by reference to the fixed spread over the yield based on the bid side price of the reference U.S. Treasury Security, all as specified in the table below, as calculated by the Dealer Manager (as defined below) at 2:00 p.m., New York City time, on January 13, 2022. Holders whose Notes are purchased pursuant to the Tender Offer will also receive accrued and unpaid interest thereon from the last interest payment date to, but not including, the settlement date for the Tender Offer, which is expected to be January 19, 2022. Title of Notes CUSIP Number / ISIN Principal Amount Outstanding Reference Treasury Security Bloomberg Reference Page(1) Fixed Spread (basis points) Consideration(2) 6.50% Surplus Notes due 2023 256141 AA0 / US256141AA06 (144A) U2541G AA1 / USU2541GAA14 (Regulation S) $200,000,000 0.125% UST due October 15, 2023 FIT4 +60 $1,086.32 (1) The page on Bloomberg from which the Dealer Manager quoted the bid side price of the Reference Treasury Security. (2) Per $1,000.00 principal amount of Notes validly tendered and accepted for purchase. The Tender Offer is being made pursuant to the Offer to Purchase and the related Notice of Guaranteed Delivery (the "Notice of Guaranteed Delivery," and together with the Offer to Purchase, the "Offer Documents"), which set forth the terms and conditions of the Tender Offer. The Tender Offer is scheduled to expire at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on January 13, 2022, unless extended or earlier terminated (such date and time, as the same may be extended, the "Expiration Time"). Holders must validly tender and not validly withdraw their Notes at or prior to the Expiration Time, or deliver a properly completed and duly executed Notice of Guaranteed Delivery for their Notes at or prior to the Expiration Time and deliver their Notes at or prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the second business day after the Expiration Time, which is expected to be January 18, 2022, in accordance with the instructions set forth in the Offer of Purchase, to be eligible to receive the consideration. Holders who validly tender their Notes may validly withdraw their tendered Notes when and in the manner described in the Offer to Purchase. The Tender Offer is conditioned upon the satisfaction or waiver of certain conditions described in the Offer to Purchase, including, among other things, the consummation of one or more debt capital markets issuances by The Doctors Company in an aggregate principal amount of at least $500,000,000 (the "Financing Condition"). On January 12, 2022, the Company priced an offering of $500 million of surplus notes, the closing of which would satisfy the Financing Condition. The Tender Offer may be extended, amended, terminated, or withdrawn. The Doctors Company has retained Wells Fargo Securities, LLC ("Wells Fargo" or the "Dealer Manager") as dealer manager for the Tender Offer. Global Bondholder Services Corporation is the Depositary and Information Agent. For additional information regarding the terms of the Tender Offer, please contact Wells Fargo by telephone at (866) 309-6316 (toll-free) or (704) 410-4756 (collect), or by email at [email protected]. Requests for documents and questions regarding the tendering of securities may be directed to Global Bondholder Services Corporation by telephone at (212) 430-3774 (for banks and brokers only), (866) 924-2200 (U.S. only toll-free), 001-212-430-3774 (International) or by email at [email protected] or to Wells Fargo at its telephone numbers (toll-free or collect) or e-mail. Copies of the Offer to Purchase and Notice of Guaranteed Delivery are available at https://www.gbsc-usa.com/thedoctorscompany. THIS PRESS RELEASE IS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT AN OFFER OR SOLICITATION TO PURCHASE NOTES. THE TENDER OFFER IS BEING MADE SOLELY PURSUANT TO THE OFFER DOCUMENTS, WHICH SET FORTH THE COMPLETE TERMS OF THE TENDER OFFER THAT HOLDERS OF THE NOTES SHOULD CAREFULLY READ PRIOR TO MAKING ANY DECISION. THE DOCTORS COMPANY RESERVES THE RIGHT, SUBJECT TO APPLICABLE LAW, IN ITS SOLE DISCRETION, TO: (I) WAIVE ANY AND ALL CONDITIONS TO THE TENDER OFFER, INCLUDING THE FINANCING CONDITION, AT ANY TIME AND FROM TIME TO TIME AT OR PRIOR TO THE EXPIRATION TIME; (II) EXTEND OR TERMINATE THE TENDER OFFER; OR (III) OTHERWISE AMEND THE TENDER OFFER IN ANY RESPECT. THE OFFER DOCUMENTS AND THIS PRESS RELEASE DO NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO PURCHASE, OR THE SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO SELL, NOTES IN ANY JURISDICTION IN WHICH, OR TO OR FROM ANY PERSON TO OR FROM WHOM, IT IS UNLAWFUL TO MAKE SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION UNDER APPLICABLE SECURITIES OR BLUE SKY LAWS. IN ANY JURISDICTION IN WHICH THE SECURITIES, BLUE SKY OR OTHER LAWS REQUIRE THE TENDER OFFER TO BE MADE BY A LICENSED BROKER OR DEALER, THE TENDER OFFER WILL BE DEEMED TO BE MADE ON BEHALF OF THE DOCTORS COMPANY BY THE DEALER MANAGER, IF THE DEALER MANAGER IS A LICENSED BROKER OR DEALER UNDER THE LAWS OF SUCH JURISDICTION, OR BY ONE OR MORE REGISTERED BROKERS OR DEALERS THAT ARE LICENSED UNDER THE LAWS OF SUCH JURISDICTION. NONE OF THE DOCTORS COMPANY, ITS BOARD OF DIRECTORS, THE DEALER MANAGER, THE DEPOSITARY AND INFORMATION AGENT OR THE FISCAL AGENT FOR THE NOTES IS MAKING ANY RECOMMENDATION AS TO WHETHER HOLDERS SHOULD TENDER NOTES IN THE TENDER OFFER. EACH HOLDER MUST MAKE HIS, HER OR ITS OWN DECISION AS TO WHETHER TO TENDER NOTES AND, IF SO, AS TO THE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF NOTES TO TENDER. Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements in this press release constitute forward-looking statements, which involve a number of risks and uncertainties. These statements include statements regarding the intent, belief or current expectations of The Doctors Company and its management team, including beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effects upon The Doctors Company. The Doctors Company cautions readers that any forward-looking statement is not a guarantee of future performance and that actual results could differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking information due to a number of factors, including, but not limited to, those listed under the "Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-looking Statements" in the Offer to Purchase. The information contained in this press release is accurate only as of the date of this press release regardless of the time of delivery. The Doctors Company does not intend, and is under no obligation, to update any particular forward-looking statement included in this press release, except as required by law. About The Doctors Company Founded and led by physicians, The Doctors Company (thedoctors.com), the nation's largest physician-owned medical malpractice insurer, is relentlessly committed to advancing, protecting, and rewarding the practice of good medicine. The Doctors Company helps physicians manage the complexities of today's healthcare environmentwith expert guidance, resources, and coverage. The Doctors Company is part of TDC Group (thetdcgroup.com), the nation's largest physician-owned provider of insurance, risk management, and healthcare practice improvement solutions. TDC Group serves the full continuum of care, from individual physicians to academic medical systemsover 100,000 healthcare professionals and organizations nationwidewith annual revenue of $1 billion and over $6 billion in assets. To learn more about our data-driven insights and to stay up to date on industry trends, follow and subscribe to The Doctors Company on Twitter (@doctorscompany), YouTube, LinkedIn, and Facebook. SOURCE The Doctors Company Throughout January, elementary schools in each of the five cities will receive nearly 800 brand-new coats to help their students stay warm and 'toast'-y this winter. Since joining forces with Operation Warm in 2020, Thomas' has donated to 20 elementary schools across the country with employees volunteering at 15 on-site events. The donations have resulted in more than 18,000 new winter coats for children in need. In addition to its ongoing partnership with Operation Warm, Thomas' will also release two ultra- limited-edition designs in honor of National Bagel Day. Beginning January 13, dough-voted fans can head to Thomas' Instagram account to enter for a chance to win some carb-tastic bagel swag. From a set to match with your own little Mini Bagel to the ultimate pronunciation guide for bagel connoisseurs, a hyper-limited quantity will be up for grabs through a fan giveaway. "For the Thomas' brand, one of the best parts of kicking-off the New Year is always another opportunity to celebrate National Bagel Day with our trusted partner, Operation Warm, to provide warmth to those who need it most," said Eduardo Zarate, Senior Director of Marketing for Thomas'. "As we approach the tremendous milestone of 20,000 children impacted through our partnership, we're grateful to have found a partner whose mission so closely aligns with our own to help families 'Wake Up to What's Possible' and spread warmth however we can." Thomas' dates back to 1880 when Samuel Bath Thomas created his original English Muffin in New York City using a secret process that included griddle baking to create a Nooks and Crannies English Muffin. The company has since added bagels and breakfast breads, including a line of swirl breads and mini croissants, to its breakfast offerings. Today, Thomas' sells the #1 English Muffin and #1 grocery bagel in the U.S. For a full list of Thomas' products and where to buy them, please visit www.ThomasBreads.com . About Bimbo Bakeries USA Bimbo Bakeries USA (BBU) is a leader in the baking industry, known for its category leading brands, innovative products, freshness and quality. Our team of 20,000+ U.S. associates operates more than 50 manufacturing locations in the United States. Over 11,000 distribution routes deliver our leading brands such as Arnold, Artesano, Ball Park, Bimbo, Boboli, Brownberry, Entenmann's, Little Bites, Marinela, Mrs Baird's, Oroweat, Sara Lee, Stroehmann and Thomas'. BBU is owned by Mexico's Grupo Bimbo, S.A.B de C.V., the world's largest baking company with operations in 33 countries. About Operation Warm Operation Warm is a national nonprofit that provides warmth, confidence, and hope through basic need programs that connect underserved children to community resources they need to thrive. Over the last 23 years, Operation Warm and our partners have used brand-new coats and shoes as a bridge for families in need to access everything from flu shots to new books. To make a lasting impact on the lives of children, visit www.operationwarm.org SOURCE Bimbo Bakeries USA $3.325 Million Settlement : A $3.325 million recovery secured by attorney Steven B. Dorfman for an injured construction worker was the 16 th largest work accident settlement in the U.S. in 2020, according to Top Verdict. : A recovery secured by attorney for an injured construction worker was the 16 largest work accident settlement in the U.S. in 2020, according to Top Verdict. $3.25 Million Settlement: A $3.25 million recovery secured by attorney Zach Perecman and attorney Adam M. Hurwitz earned the 17th spot on Top Verdict's list for the largest work accident settlement in the nation in 2020. The Perecman Firm, P.L.L.C., is a proven personal injury and workers' compensation practice that fights for injured victims and families across New York City with law offices in Midtown Manhattan and Long Island. In addition to recovering over half a billion in compensation for clients since 1983, The Perecman Firm has also established itself as one of the region's most respected workplace and construction accident practices in the region securing more than 50 separate verdicts and settlements valued at $1 million or more in the past five years alone. With results continually featured among the top recoveries in New York and the nation, The Perecman Firm's award-winning team has demonstrated the difference that highly skilled and experienced attorneys can make for their clients. For more information about the firm, visit www.perecman.com. Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Media Contact: Candice Votke 516.640.8197 [email protected] SOURCE The Perecman Firm, P.L.L.C. Related Links https://www.perecman.com LONDON and WASHINGTON, Jan. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The UK Government, through its innovation agency, Innovate UK, has awarded a six-figure grant to TAG TrustNet to turbo boost their efforts to make the digital advertising market more accountable, responsible and efficient. TAG TrustNet is a first-of-its-kind initiative that uses blockchain technology, specifically Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) developed by Fiducia, to reconcile billions of advertising impressions in near real-time to improve transparency, accountability and efficiency. Trustworthy Accountability Group UK Government Invests in TAG TrustNets Blockchain Initiative to Make Digital Advertising More Accountable, Responsible and Efficient Innovate UK is the national innovation agency that provides direct financial support and business advice to companies to de-risk their innovation journey, encourage private investment in innovation, and ultimately drive economic growth. In awarding the grant, Innovate UK commented that TAG TrustNet represented one of the most advanced DLT innovation programmes across the UK economy and that it provides an exemplar for other sectors to learn from and follow. A compelling reason for awarding this grant to TAG TrustNet was that this project originates in the UK but is of global importance, as evidenced by the appointment of TAG TrustNet by the US-based Association of National Advertisers (ANA) as the technical partner to its recently launched programmatic advertising study. Quotes: Innovate UK, Tom Fiddian, Head of AI and Data Economy Programmes: "The UK advertising sector is leading the way in demonstrating how a co-ordinated industry-led approach using block-chain technology can clean up supply chain issues and drive digital innovation. By lending the weight of Government support to this initiative we expect to accelerate widespread adoption in the UK, create a use case for other sectors to learn from, and facilitate export opportunities for the project." IPA, Paul Bainsfair, Director General: "As the professional body for the UK ad agency business, we have strongly backed this initiative from its conception. From increasing trust and transparency in digital advertising, to improving the buying and planning of programmatic media, to reducing operational costs, the benefits to the global industry are enormous. We are therefore delighted to have facilitated the conversations that have resulted in recognition from UK Government of the value of this initiative and look forward to the developments that this financial backing will enable." TAG, Mike Zaneis, CEO: "Receiving support from the UK Government is a huge milestone and achievement for TAG TrustNet. As digital crimes become more sophisticated and complex, the ongoing work done within the TAG Community and initiatives like TAG TrustNet become more important than ever. The support we've received from the IPA has demonstrate the industry's need to continue to work more collaboratively in maintaining a safer and accountable digital advertising ecosystem." Fiducia, Tim Brown, CEO: "We are extremely grateful to the UK Government and Innovate UK, together with the IPA, for their support to TAG TrustNet and Fiducia, as a cross-industry initiative using our DLT platform as an innovative always-on solution to address the digital advertising trust and transparency problems." Notes to editors: The US Programmatic market is set to surpass $100 billion this year. Background to the initiative The TAG TrustNet initiative started in the UK in 2018 when Fiducia approached the UK trade associations to validate the use of DLT in the digital advertising industry. This led to a two-year pilot with major brands (Unilever, Nestle, Johnson & Johnson, O2/Telefonica, Virgin, McDonalds, Santander), six large agency holding groups, adtech vendors, and publishers. After its successful completion and an industry consultation, the global advertising standards organisation, Trustworthy Accountability Group (TAG) - founded by the ANA, the 4A's and the IAB and that merged with its UK counterpart (JICWEBS) - decided in mid-2021 to launch TAG TrustNet as a global initiative, in line with its mission "to stop criminal activity and increase trust and transparency in digital advertising". In the UK, TAG TrustNet received - from inception - the continued support of the IPA and its members to build a transparent, more responsible and sustainable industry. It is in this context, that discussions were engaged with public authorities, including the DCMS, the CMA, the CMU and the Creative Industries Council (CIC), on which the IPA represents the advertising sector. This led to the introduction to Innovate UK. Contact: Andrew Weinstein 202-667-4967 [email protected] SOURCE Trustworthy Accountability Group DENVER, Jan. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Vangst , the cannabis industry's leading hiring platform, today announced the completion of its $19 million Series B financing. The round was led by Level One Fund, with participation from previous investors including Lerer Hippeau, Colle Capital, Casa Verde Capital, Phyto Partners, and new investors including L2 Ventures, Althea, Delta Emerald Ventures, Achari VC and others. Vangst's latest round of financing highlights the company's growth over the last three years alongside the maturing cannabis industry. In the past 12 months, the sector reported a 25% increase in full-time employees and currently employs over 400,000 individuals. Vangst currently works with 1,200 of the leading cannabis businesses, including Green Thumb Industries, Dutchie and Holistic Industries. The Vangst platform streamlines the hiring process by matching both full-time employees as well as vetted, credentialed, W2, on-demand GIG workers, with cannabis businesses across the U.S. As the first and only gig platform in cannabis, Vangst has filled over 150,000 part-time gigs since launching the product in 2018. "Cannabis is an undeniably large and fast-growing market, and Vangst is the only company offering scalable recruitment solutions tailored for the industry's unique needs," said James Stewart, Managing Partner at Level One Fund. "Few, if any industries, share the constant state of flux and unpredictability that cannabis has, and consequently, there are only a handful of founders equipped to handle the challenges that come with it. Vangst is not only an extremely effective solution to these challenges, but its founder is a true force of nature. We are proud to lead this round and support Vangst as it continues to be a crucial utility to the entire industry." Cannabis employment is expected to grow over 100% by 2025 and Vangst plans to use the new funding to expand its platform into new markets to support the influx of jobs. Vangst also will use this infusion of capital to launch products that support both cannabis businesses and employees, including training and employee payment solutions. "The cannabis industry is one of the fastest growing industries and job creators in the world, and Vangst is defining how cannabis businesses attract and hire talent in a brand new industry," said Karson Humiston, Founder and CEO of Vangst. "We are incredibly excited for the opportunity to help thousands of people land their dream job in the cannabis industry." About Vangst Vangst is the cannabis industry's hiring platform, helping cannabis companies find the talent they need to grow their businesses. From on-demand gig workers to trained and credentialed full-time employees, Vangst has built the industry's go-to-talent platform for all cannabis hiring. Vangst is proud to work with 1,200+ of the cannabis industry's leading businesses. Founded in 2016, Vangst has become one of the fastest growing companies in the cannabis industry, and was recognized as one of Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies, and most recently as one of the Top Cannabis Companies To Work For by MG Magazine. Media Contact: Renee Cotsis MATTIO Communications [email protected] SOURCE Vangst DAVIS, Calif., Jan. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The VIN Foundation is excited to announce its sixth annual Solutions for the Profession Competition. This year's competition asks veterinary students to address the shortage of workers in the veterinary profession by identifying primary causes, how this situation affects them professionally, and what actions can be taken to improve the situation. VIN Foundation Solutions for the Profession essay competition. The annual competition challenges veterinary students to suggest innovative solutions to issues facing the veterinary profession. Prior competitions have addressed topics such as diversity, practice consolidation, challenges of veterinary school, and the relevance of veterinary education to career goals. VIN Foundation Executive Director, Jordan benShea, stated: "Workforce shortages currently impact all levels of the veterinary profession; I am excited the VIN Foundation is encouraging veterinary students to consider the ramifications and to share their ideas for improving the health of the veterinary profession." Three entrants will win cash scholarships to help support tuition and education-related expenses: First place: $3,000 Second place: $1,500 Third place: $1,000 The VIN Foundation Solutions for the Profession Committee will select the anonymized top entries in the first round of judging. These essays will then be assessed by experts in the topic area, who will pass the top choices to three well-known leaders in the veterinary profession. These final judges will determine the winners. Learn more about VIN Foundation resources at VINFoundation.org/Resources. The VIN Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit provides tools and resources to support pre-veterinary students, veterinary students, and veterinarians throughout their careers. Learn more about the VIN Foundation and its programs at http://VINFoundation.org. The VIN Foundation is made possible through generous gifts by individual donors and grants. All gifts made to the VIN Foundation are tax-deductible. Media Contact: Jordan benShea VIN Foundation (888) 616-6506 [email protected] SOURCE VIN Foundation Cleveland, Jan. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Virtual Pharma Expo, the leading digital event series for pharmaceutical equipment manufacturers looking to learn about the latest equipment technology announced that there will be three events for 2022: February 22-23, 2022 : Solid Dose Manufacturing & Packaging Register for Free Solid Dose Manufacturing & Packaging Register for Free May 10-11, 2022 : Aseptic Fill/Finish Manufacturing & Packaging Register for Free Aseptic Fill/Finish Manufacturing & Packaging Register for Free September 13-14, 2022 : Solid Dose Manufacturing & Packaging Pharmaceutical Online (Life Science Connect Media), Techceuticals, and Federal Equipment Company sponsor the event making it free for attendees. Events in 2020 and 2021 drew thousands of attendees. This event is ideal for individuals in the following roles: Engineering Manufacturing R&D Formulation Maintenance Procurement Quality Assurance Technical Operations Don't miss this opportunity to interact, engage, and learn what's new and exciting in the pharmaceutical industry at this free virtual trade show! Presentation topics at the February event will include: Operational Efficiencies in Tableting High Shear Granulation and Fluid Bed Drying Technologies End of Line Packaging Innovations Serialization and Labeling Capsule Filling What You Should Know High Containment Guidelines for OSD Manufacturing Milling and Particle Size Reduction Roller Compaction And More! Virtual Pharma Expo registration is FREE at https://www.virtualexposeries.com/. Call For Exhibitors! Does your pharmaceutical equipment company or related service provider want to make a presentation at one of the upcoming Virtual Pharma Expos? Please use this form or contact Scott Moren at [email protected] . Pharmaceutical Online provides the pharmaceutical manufacturing and packaging industry with exclusive and daily actionable information. Pharmaceutical Online delivers in-depth technical and educational content, such as white papers, application notes, webinars, podcasts, case studies and many other resources to worldwide manufacturers each day. Techceuticals provides training and troubleshooting to the pharmaceutical industry. Our technical tips, articles, and training programs include tablet and capsule formulation assistance, operator training, public training seminars and hands-on training sessions for solid dose manufacturing, tablet compression, encapsulation, and film coating. Federal Equipment Company offers 60 years of expertise buying and selling pharmaceutical processing and packaging equipment. We optimize the value you recoup for surplus equipment and ensure you get the equipment you need quickly from our broad, on-hand inventory of reliable used machines. For more information: Scott Moren (814) 897-7700 [email protected] SOURCE Federal Equipment Company Volvo Trucks first began taking customer orders for its first Volvo VNR Electric model in December 2020, with commercial production starting in quarter two 2021 at the company's New River Valley manufacturing plant in Dublin, Virginia. Over the past year, Volvo Trucks has delivered the Volvo VNR Electric to customers in several states across the US, collecting valuable operating data to continually improve the technology to increase the efficiency of the truck under varying operating conditions. The next generation Volvo VNR Electric is now open for order. "It is a testament to Volvo Trucks' leadership that in a continuously evolving industry we are bringing the enhanced version of our VNR Electric to the market a year after sales of the VNR Electric first started," said Peter Voorhoeve, president, Volvo Trucks North America. "Volvo Trucks is at the forefront in the industry, always innovating and improving, while upholding the highest standards in design, construction and safety. Our team is proud of its role, together with dealers and customers, in accelerating the shift to electromobility and a more sustainable future." The enhanced Volvo VNR Electric's true power lies in the improvements made in the battery technology, design, management, and package offering. Improvements in battery design have resulted in an up to 40% increase in storage capacity for each battery. A dedicated Battery Thermal Management System (BTMS) was added to manage and maintain ideal environmental temperatures. Volvo Trucks has also introduced a new six-battery package option. Combining all three boasts an increased energy storage of up to 565kWh and offers an operational range of up to 275 miles. Regenerative braking energy is captured and fed back into the system to maximize energy efficiency and driving range. The enhanced Volvo VNR Electric also reduces the required charging time, as the state-of-the-art 250kW charging capability provides an 80% charge in 90 minutes for the six-battery package and 60 minutes for the four-battery version. Volvo Trucks has added two new configurations to its VNR Electric lineup a 6x4 straight truck and a 6x4 tractor joining its three existing models: 4x2 tractor, 6x2 tractor, and single-axle straight truck. Each Volvo VNR Electric configuration is designed for applications and drive cycles with local and regional distribution ranges, including food and beverage, drayage, and pick-up and delivery routes. "Volvo Trucks is continuing to expand the capabilities of the VNR Electric to make it more efficient, satisfy our customer demands for expanded range, and provide a better driving experience," said Andy Brown, Volvo Trucks' product marketing manager for electromobility. "The electric driveline featuring a two-speed I-Shift transmission provides best-in-class, powerful, and smooth acceleration. Innovations such as Volvo Active Driver Assist and Dynamic Steering make driving effortless and precise, while at the same time improving safety." Volvo Trucks is focused on supporting customers in their electromobility transition by expanding its network of Volvo Trucks Certified Electric Vehicle (EV) Dealerships that consult with fleets who are considering making the investment in the Volvo VNR Electric. The sales teams at Volvo Trucks EV Certified Dealerships are fully educated on guiding customers through the transition towards electromobility solutions and the service teams are trained and equipped to safely perform battery-electric truck maintenance and repairs. Volvo Trucks has certified dealers in California and New York and is working with numerous dealerships throughout North America to finalize their certifications. Volvo Trucks has also built a dedicated corporate salesforce to support dealers and customers, with electromobility district managers in place across the country. Funding and incentives are an important part of the total cost of ownership calculation for fleets deploying battery-electric trucks, and Volvo Trucks helps customers leverage funding programs across North America. In addition, Volvo Financial Services offers complete financing and insurance solutions for the Volvo VNR Electric and charging infrastructure. Volvo Trucks introduced the Volvo Gold Contract in conjunction with the initial launch of the Volvo VNR Electric to provide peace of mind for new electric truck owners. Incorporating maintenance, towing, uptime services, and full coverage of major components, the Volvo Gold Contract is the most advanced service contract available and comes standard with the Volvo VNR Electric. To learn more about the Volvo VNR Electric, visit the company's website . VIDEO - Volvo Trucks - Taking you Further with Electric For further information, please contact: Fredrik Klevenfeldt Director Brand Marketing Communications, Volvo Trucks North America [email protected] 336.543.3386 High-resolution images associated with this press release and others are available at www.volvomediabank.com . Volvo Trucks North America, headquartered in Greensboro, North Carolina, is one of the leading heavy-duty truck manufacturers in North America. Its Uptime Services commitment is delivered by a network of nearly 400 authorized dealers across North America and the 24/7 Volvo Trucks Uptime Center. Every Volvo truck is assembled in the Volvo Trucks New River Valley manufacturing facility in Dublin, Virginia, which meets the internationally recognized ISO 9001 standard for quality, 14001 standard for environmental care and holds a dual ISO 50001/Superior Energy Performance certification at the platinum level, indicating a sustained excellence in energy management. Volvo Trucks North America provides complete transport solutions for its customers, offering a full range of diesel, alternative-fuel and all-electric vehicles, and is part of the Volvo Trucks global organization. Volvo Trucks provides complete transport solutions for professional and demanding customers, offering a full range of medium to heavy duty trucks. Customer support is secured via a global network of dealers with 2,300 service points in more than 130 countries. Volvo trucks are assembled in 13 countries across the globe. In 2020 approximately 94,000 Volvo trucks were delivered worldwide. Volvo Trucks is part of Volvo Group, one of the world's leading manufacturers of trucks, buses, construction equipment and marine and industrial engines. The Group also provides complete solutions for financing and service. Volvo Trucks' work is based on the core values of quality, safety and environmental care. SOURCE Volvo Trucks North America HANGZHOU, China, Jan. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Weidai Ltd. (the "Company" or "Weidai") (NYSE: WEI), a leading auto-backed financing solution provider in China, today announced that it will change the ratio of its American depositary shares ("ADSs") representing its Class A ordinary shares from one (1) ADS representing one (1) Class A ordinary share to one (1) ADS representing three (3) Class A ordinary shares. For Weidai's ADS holders, the change in the ADS ratio will have the same effect as a one-for-three reverse ADS split. There will be no change to the Company's Class A ordinary shares. The effect of the ratio change on the ADS trading price on the New York Stock Exchange (the "NYSE") is expected to take place at the open of trading on January 26, 2022 (U.S. Eastern Time). ADS holders of record on the effective date will not be required to take any action in connection with the ADS ratio change. The exchange of every three (3) then-held ADSs for one (1) new ADS will occur automatically with the then-held ADSs being cancelled and new ADSs being issued by the depositary bank, in each case as of the effective date for the ADS ratio change. Weidai's ADSs will continue to be traded on the NYSE under the symbol "WEI". No fractional new ADSs will be issued in connection with the change in the ADS ratio. Instead, fractional entitlements to new ADSs will be aggregated and sold by the depositary bank and the net cash proceeds from the sale of the fractional ADS entitlements (after deduction of fees, taxes and expenses) will be distributed to the applicable ADS holders by the depositary bank. As a result of the change in the ADS ratio, the ADS price is expected to increase proportionally, although the Company can give no assurance that the ADS price after the change in the ADS ratio will be equal to or greater than three times the ADS price before the change. About Weidai Ltd. Weidai Ltd. is a pioneer and leading auto-backed financing solution provider in China supported by sophisticated and effective risk management system and technology. The Company transforms used automobiles, a type of "non-standard" collateral, into investable assets, to provide accessible credit for China's small and micro enterprises, and connects the borrowers with institutional funding partners through its platform. For more information, please visit http://weidai.investorroom.com/. Safe Harbor Statement This press release contains forward-looking statements. These statements constitute "forward-looking" statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and as defined in the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "will," "expects," "anticipates," "future," "intends," "plans," "believes," "estimates," "target," "confident" and similar statements. Weidai may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its periodic reports to the SEC, in its annual report to shareholders, in press releases and other written materials and in oral statements made by its officers, directors or employees to third parties. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about Weidai's beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Such statements are based upon management's current expectations and current market and operating conditions, and relate to events that involve known or unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, all of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond the Company's control. Forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any such statements. Potential risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited the following: Weidai's goal and strategies; Weidai's expansion plans; Weidai's future business development, financial condition and results of operations; Weidai's expectations regarding demand for, and market acceptance of, its solutions and services; Weidai's expectations regarding keeping and strengthening its relationships with borrowers, investors and financial institutions and other platform participants; general economic and business conditions; Weidai's assumptions underlying or related to any of the foregoing regulations and governmental policies relating to the online consumer finance industry in China; its ability to comply with existing or future laws and regulations related to data protection or data security; and Weidai's ability to meet the standards necessary to maintain listing of its ADSs on the NYSE, including its ability to cure any non-compliance with the NYSE's continued listing criteria; litigation and negative publicity surroundings China -based companies listed in the U.S.; and the duration of the COVID-19 outbreak, including the emergence of COVID variants, and its potential impact on the Company's business and financial performance. Further information regarding these and other risks, uncertainties or factors is included in the Company's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. All information provided in this press release is as of the date of this press release, and Weidai does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required under applicable law. For investor and media inquiries, please contact: In China: Christensen Mr. Rene Vanguestaine Tel: +86-10-5900-1548 E-mail: [email protected] In US: Christensen Ms. Linda Bergkamp Tel: +1-480-614-3004 E-mail: [email protected] SOURCE Weidai Ltd. DETROIT, Jan. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- WirelessCar, a global leader in transformative digital vehicle services for connected cars, today announced that its Smart EV Routing product has been awarded "Connected Car Product of the Year" by IoT Breakthrough, a leading market intelligence organization that recognizes the top companies, technologies and products in the global Internet-of-Things (IoT) market today. WirelessCar's Smart EV Routing is an API product that is fueled by connected car data, as well as data from numerous external sources. The API enables electric car manufacturers to bring high quality in-vehicle routing experiences into vehicle infotainment systems as well as integrating EV routing into web and mobile companion applications. By providing a routing experience specifically tailored for the needs of the electric vehicle driver, Smart EV Routing aims to reduce both charge and range anxiety. The product uses a variety of parameters, such as real-time dynamic vehicle data and other environmental data combined with intelligent routing algorithms in order to plan and optimize the best possible route for an EV driver. Smart EV Routing is a dynamic digital tool that provides peace of mind to the driver so that he/she can be confident about reaching the destination on long-distance journeys. "We are honored to be recognized by the IoT Breakthrough community for our Smart EV Routing product," said Martin Rosell, CEO of WirelessCar. "The product is agnostic in the sense that it allows car makers to use whatever content providers they want for their specific solutions regarding map data, traffic data, charging infrastructure, weather data and forecasts, and more." Rosell continued, "Independently of the car manufacturer's strategy, we believe that Smart EV Routing will help to drive EV adoption, education, and clearly and proactively address consumer uncertainties and complexities that arise when driving an EV. We believe this can be a clear brand statement itself, which can support a car manufacturer's brand building and positioning within the EV segment." WirelessCar announced the global launch of Smart EV Routing virtually at CES 2022. In November 2020, the company announced Detroit, Michigan as its new U.S. Headquarters. The IoT Breakthrough Awards program recognizes the innovators, leaders and visionaries from around the globe in a range of IoT categories, including Industrial and Enterprise IoT, Smart City technology, Connected Home and Home Automation, Connected Car, and many more. This year's program attracted more than 3,850 nominations from companies all over the world and the industry evaluation was broad and extremely competitive for the 2022 program. To learn more please visit: https://www.wirelesscar.com/products/smart-ev-routing/ To receive a virtual demo of WirelessCar's Smart EV Routing, please contact: [email protected] CONTACT: Media Contacts: Megan Kathman Skyya PR for WirelessCar +1 651 785 3212 [email protected] Noemi Kubiak WirelessCar +46 765 200727 [email protected] This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com https://news.cision.com/wirelesscar/r/wirelesscar-awarded--connected-car-product-of-the-year--for-smart-ev-routing-in-2022-iot-breakthroug,c3485597 The following files are available for download: https://news.cision.com/wirelesscar/i/smart-ev-routing---wirelesscar,c2999752 Smart EV Routing - WirelessCar SOURCE WirelessCar Panelists include Brad Nelson, Sales Director from Sojern; Max Tremaine, Co-Founder and CEO of Sherpa; Jonathan Nichols, VP of Underwriting for WorldTrips; Clay Coomer, VP of Marketing for WorldTrips; Suzanne Morrow, VP of Business Development for InsureMyTrip; and Dr. Michelle Nathan, Chief Medical Officer for On Call International. The 45-minute live virtual event will focus on data-driven predictions for the domestic and international travel industry in 2022. Experts will reveal how travel behavior and buying habits may evolve and the impact of the ongoing pandemic on travel demand. WorldTrips' 2022 Travel Behavior & Data Trends Webinar Tuesday, January 18, 2022 at 1:00 p.m. EST Panelists include: Brad Nelson, Director of Enterprise Sales, Sojern Jonathan Nichols, VP of Underwriting, WorldTrips Clay Coomer, VP of Marketing, WorldTrips Max Tremaine, Co-Founder and CEO, Sherpa Suzanne Morrow, VP of Business Development, InsureMyTrip Dr. Michelle Nathan, Chief Medical Officer, On Call International Add to calendar: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85743157932?pwd=NTEzTnNsYnBGdEVzWUd1SDA0L0ZyUT09 Media is welcome to submit questions in advance and/or RSVP to the event at [email protected] Media Contact: Clay Coomer, WorldTrips [email protected] About WorldTrips WorldTrips is a full-service organization offering a comprehensive portfolio of travel medical and trip protection insurance products designed to address the insurance needs of travelers worldwide. WorldTrips is a member of the Tokio Marine HCC group of companies. For more information about WorldTrips, please visit WorldTrips.com. In the State of California, operating as WorldTrips Insurance Services. California Non-Resident Producer License Number: 0G3970 SOURCE WorldTrips Xaar boosted its cash position with the sale of its 3D business Xaar PLC (LSE:XAR) has printed a share price rise after its latest update. The inkjet specialist said it ended the year strongly, with revenues expected to climb 23% to around 59mln compared to 2020. After an adjusted half year pretax loss of 2.3mln, it is forecasting a profit for the second half of the year. On the supply chain issues affecting many businesses, it said it had invested 7mln in inventory to secure materials to meet its 2022 production needs. It is also adapting product designs to allow for alternative components to be used. Net cash at the end of the year was 25.2mln, an increase of 7.1mln from the position six months previously. That included the 9.3mln initial consideration received from the sale of Xaar 3D and continued strong cash generation from its printhead business. Chief executive John Mills said: "We ended the year well with an improved second half performance which shows the positive momentum we have in the business . Strong order intake over the last few months gives us confidence of maintaining this momentum into 2022. "The investment in working capital gives increased certainty in our ability to maintain supply to our customers throughout the year, a year in which we expect to see further growth. We will continue to invest in capability and capacity to drive growth and deliver further opportunities to grow the business and accelerate our strategy." Xaar shares are up 4.59% at 186.8p. 2.09pm: Mobile Streams soars as it signs esports partnership Mobile Streams PLC (AIM:MOS) is on the move after it unveiled a strategic partnership with esports specialist International Gaming Systems. The contract, a revenue share, will see IGS's gaming and entertainment services launched and made available globally via Mobile Stream's website mobilegaming.com and its telecom company contracts. The services will begin in the first quarter of this year with the launch of a FIFA esports tournament involving a top Eurasian football league and a trading service for online gaming skins. These will precede the rollout of further esports, gaming and content services that IGS will deliver via Mobilegaming.com. Under the terms of the contract, IGS has committed to deliver a minimum of US$720,000 revenue to Mobile Streams over the first six months, a portion of which will be paid to IGS while Mobile Streams will fund modest start-up costs. Mobile Streams now expects its revenue across all services to exceed US$120,000 this month. Its shares have accelerated 26.74% to 0.55p. 11.44am: Countryside Properties (LSE:CSP) loses more than a quarter as chief executive departs amid disappointing trading Countryside Properties (LSE:CSP) has seen its shares collapse by more than a quarter after a disappointing update and the immediate departure of its chief executive. It said that Iain McPherson was stepping down by mutual agreement, with chairman John Martin taking on the chief executive role as well until a successor is found. The company said trading in the first quarter had been below its expectations. Revenues were down from 363.8mln to 249.8mln, while operating profits dropped from 36.6mln to 16.5mln. Martin will conduct a review of each of its developments across every region to make sure each site is being developed in accordance with its plans. On the costs of cladding in the wake of the Grenfell fire, it said: "We are currently working with landlords to expedite remediation in cases where the historic work on Countryside developments did not meet building standards, in accordance with the provisions made last year. We will update shareholders comprehensively when an industry-wide solution is identified." Meanwhile, in another board change, it has appointed Peter Lee of activist investor and shareholder in the company Browning West as a non-executive Director. As part of this move, Browning West has agreed not to requisition or propose resolutions at company general meetings, circulate statements to shareholders or seek to remove directors from the board. Countryside shares are down 27.49% at 298.6p. 11.04am: PipeHawk boosted by expansion plans and office deal PipeHawk PLC (AIM:PIP) has been boosted after it unveiled expansion plans for one of its key subidiaries. The company, which provides technology solutions for the highways, automotive, rail and aerospace industries, said its QM Systems division had signed a ten year lease for an office building at Hartlebury Industrial Estate in Worcestershire. The move will give an extra 80% office and commercial space when compared with QM's existing premises. It has been driven by the need for more space for QM Systems' project business and partly by QM's expansion into contract manufacturing and new producti introduction. Chairman Gordon Watt said: "The new premises will house our ongoing project business to develop and manufacture automated manufacturing and test systems...together with our expansion into new contract manufacturing. Here we have already signed contracts with two clients and are in advanced discussions with a third. The first of these is expected to commence production in June 2022. "In order to facilitate the growth of our business, QM is expecting to increase its workforce by approximately 70% over the next twelve months." Pipehawk has put on 19.29% or 3.8p to 23.5p. 10.20am: Mercantile Ports & Logistics sees its shares sink as Omicron hits its business Mercantile Ports and Logistics Ltd (LSE:MPL, LSE:) has seen its shares take on water after it warned full year revenues would be below market expectations. The company, which is developing and operating a port and logistics facility in Navi Mumbai India, had been recovering from the effects of the Delta variant when Omicron hit the country. It had signed a number of new contracts, its coal jetty was generating revenue for the first time and the first blocks of the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link, which had been constructed on the facility by Tata Daewoo, left by barge last month. It said its sales and marketing team had been making good progress in the last quarter of the year, but Omicron brought further strict lockdown measures to India and hit this momentum. The variant also had an impact on cargo movements in December, and some of the contracts that had been expected to be signed that month have been delayed, impacting revenues for 2021 So while revenues are expected to be significantly ahead of 2020, they will be below market expectations. It hopes there will be a quick rebound in activity and that the contracts that had been expected to be signed in December will be concluded in short order. Chief executive Jay Mehta said: "Having made progress and built momentum after the easing of restrictions from the Delta variant, it was disappointing for this momentum to stall with the emergence of the Omicron variant. However, the Company is well placed to make up lost ground and the recent achievements by Tata Daewoo demonstrate exactly what our facility can deliver. We expect to be able to evidence this further this year". Its shares are down 12.15% to 23.5p. 9.15am: ASOS in demand as it unveils plans to move to main market Next month will see the end of an era as an AIM-listed company worth nearly 2.5bn finally leaves the junior market. It was always a bit of an anomaly that a company as valuable as online fashion group ASOS PLC (AIM:ASC) was not on the main market, but it has now announced plans to move up in the world. Chief operating officer Mat Dunn said: "Our listing on AIM for the past 20 years has been an important part of ASOS' development, but the time is now right to move to the main market as we focus on delivering our medium-term guidance and longer-term growth ambitions." The company - which now owns theTop Shop brands - issued a profits warning in October, hit by supply chain problems and the fallout from the pandemic. At the same time, chief executive Nick Beighton stepped down. Now it has announced revenues rose by 5% to 1.39bn in the four months to the end of December, with 13% growth in the UK. Its margins were hit by the need for clearance sales to get rid of slow moving 2021 spring and summer stock, as well as the cost of flying in products to ease the supply chain issues. But it expects these pressures will ease, and it is sticking to its previous guidance for the full year, with revenue growth expected in the range of 10%-15% and adjusted pretax profit of 110mln-140mln. Dunn said: ""ASOS has delivered a robust start to the year, in line with the guidance we set out at full-year results, despite challenging market conditions...Looking ahead, while mindful of the near-term uncertainty relating to the pandemic, our guidance for the full year remains unchanged." The company's shares have climbed 7.79% to 2435p. The move from AIM will mean more institutional investors will be able to buy the stock if they wish. Russ Mould, investment director at AJ Bell, said: "The company should qualify for a place in the FTSE 250 index later this year and benefit from index funds buying its stock... ASOS should have made the move years ago given how it has progressed from being a UK business selling goods mimicking those worn by celebrities on the TV or in films, to now being an international online retailer. 8.43am: React boosted by contract with charitable housing trust React Group PLC (LSE:REAT) has reacted well to a new contract win. The cleaning, hygiene and decontamination company, has been awarded a new long-term contract with The ExtraCare Charitable Trust, a not-for-profit developer and operator of housing for the over 55s and an existing customer of the business. React will provide a range of facility management services across multiple sites, including contract cleaning, grounds maintenance, window cleaning and pest control. The new 5-year contract starts at the beginning of April 2022 and is worth a minimum of 1mln a year, which is more than three times greater than the previous contract and covers a larger number of facilities. React also hopes to provide the Trust with other specialist reactive services which would provide incremental revenue to the recurring component of the contract. Its shares are up 17.65% at 2p. Also benefiting from news of a contract win is Tekmar Group PLC (AIM:TGP), which provides technology and services for the global offshore energy markets It has been awarded a contract worth more than US$10mln to provide pipeline support and protection materials for a major subsea construction project in the Middle East. Chief executive Alasdair MacDonald said: "This major contract award represents a significant milestone in expanding our geographical presence, a key driver of our growth strategy, and builds on our encouraging recent contract momentum, including our partnership with DEME Offshore on the Dogger Bank Wind Farm. "These contracts highlight the breadth of our engineering capability and support our strategic growth plan as we continue to work through the industry related challenges we've previously highlighted." Tekmar is up 9.8% at 56p. Aviva PLC (LSE:AV.) announced today chief financial officer and director Jason Windsor has resigned from his position with effect from July 2022, to join housebuilding company Persimmon PLC (LSE:PSN). The insurance company says Windsor will continue in his role and assist in ensuring a seamless transition, with the hunt for his replacement on the way. Persimmon looks forward to welcoming Windsor, who has over 26 years of experience in senior financial roles. Prior to Aviva, he was the chief financial officer of UK Insurance and UK Life Business, where he spent nearly 10 years of his career. He was also the managing director at Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS) within its Investment Banking Division. Windsor will be replacing current chief financial officer Mike Killoran, who will be leaving the group as planned on 14 January. Roger Devlin, Persimmon's chairman, said, "Jason is a well-respected and proven FTSE 100 CFO and we are delighted to have recruited someone of his calibre and experience as Chief Financial Officer to complement our strong management team. Windsor added, " Persimmon has a leading position in a critical sector of the UK economy and I'm looking forward to working with the team. Great Western Mining Corporation PLC (AIM:GWMO)'s (Great Western Mining Corporation PLC (AIM:GWMO)) Brian Hall talks to Proactive about their plans for 2022 with the company currently in what he believes is a strong cash position'. He details their busy year ahead on all fronts as the firm developments in the Spring when their field operations will recommence. The Olympic Gold and Rock House projects in Nevada are set for a spring start-up following the signing of drilling contracts. At Olympic Gold, the plan is to initially track potential veins in the shallow area in Trafalgar Hill to follow up high grades seen last year. Drilling at Rock House is to follow up the high gold grades established last year in the Southern Alteration Zone (SAZ). "The time is now right to move to the Main Market as we focus on delivering our medium-term guidance and longer-term growth ambitions." The decision by ASOS PLC (AIM:ASC) to leave AIM will leave Londons junior market with just seven companies valued at more than 2bn. The seven non-dwarfs (market capitalisation in brackets) are Hutchmed (China) Ltd (4.2bn); Abcam (AIM:ABC) PLC (3.3bn); Fevertree Drinks (AIM:FEVR) PLC (3.1bn); Jet2 PLC (AIM:JET2) (2.7bn); RWS Holdings (AIM:RWS) PLC (2.3bn); ITM Power PLC (AIM:ITM) (2.2bn); Keywords Studios PLC (AIM:KWS, OTC:KYYWF) (2.0bn). ASOS, valued at 2.3bn, has been on AIM since late 2001 which is a long time for a company to put off the big leap to Londons main market, especially when for much of that time it has been AIMs highest-valued company, but then again, there are big companies on AIM that have been listed for longer, among them the aforementioned Jet2 and RWS. So, ASOSs decision does not necessarily mean that the markets big hitters are all planning to jump ship as well. In general, the costs and bureaucratic overheads of listing on AIM are lower than on Londons main market, which is why so many big companies stick with it. In its stock market announcement, ASOS gave a nod to those bureaucratic overheads, saying it has adopted, applied and reported against the UK Corporate Governance Code for several years. AIM-listed companies are not eligible for inclusion in the FTSE 100 or FTSE 250 and ASOSs market capitalisation would put it roughly halfway down the list of the biggest companies in the FTSE 250, so the switch to the main market will certainly attract the attention of fund managers running index-tracking funds. On the other hand, there are fund managers that prefer to back AIM, with its reputation for fast-growth companies. Alexandra Jackson, manager of the Rathbone UK Opportunities fund, said the fund has around a fifth of its portfolio in AIM companies and its been higher in the past. The reason it's come down is mainly actually because some of the AIM companies that we own have moved to the main list - which is fine, it doesn't really impact us, but I sense that other more global investors prefer it if some of these companies are main market listed. ASOS have spent years saying we dont need to so its interesting that a change in management has come with a change in view on that. Others in the portfolio that have moved include Draper Esprit, or Molten Ventures as its called now, the venture capital firm," Jackson noted. "Again they've been AIM-listed for a long time and they've just moved to the main list and I think it's about that sort of global, you know, wanting to take their place on a global stage and saying, you know, there's nothing you can sort of say that we're not doing, [that] we're not disclosing or we're not living up to the same reporting standards or governance or whatever. I don't have sort of strong views on AIM per se. I think it's still really good at doing what it's meant to do, which is be a good place for growth companies to raise capital in a quick way, there are lots of companies that we own that would not have been able to go on their journey without having access to the capital that AIM can provide quite quickly. I guess I'm a bit surprised at how many companies have elected in the last six to 12 months to move to the main list because there hasn't really been an obvious driver. We haven't seen that for a while and I think it is, for companies, just trying to eliminate any excuse that global investors might have for not investing in them. I think AIM does still have an edge for some people, there's no hiding that. It's called the junior index, the disclosure requirements are slightly lighter. Most of the companies that we own, they match their disclosure to the main list, we really like to see that and we definitely encourage our companies to do that, just so that there isn't really any difference. AIMs purpose is to enable fast-growing companies to gain access to capital so they can carry on growing. Its not hard to argue that ASOS has moved beyond that point but happily, there are some sizeable companies that have listed on AIM in the last year, including a couple that could soon join the AIM billionaires club and maybe one day become as big as ASOS. The two candidates for the billionaires club are Devolver Digital Inc (AIM:DEVO), a gaming software company that is valued at 927mln, and Big Technologies PLC (AIM:BIG), a surveillance technology company that is valued at 907mln. In total, around 75 companies floated on AIM last year, including a couple with a market capitalisation of less than 10mln, proving that AIM companies still come in all shapes and sizes. --- adds quotes from fund manager --- Paradigm Biopharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX:PAR), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company specialising in the treatment of pain associated with musculoskeletal disorders driven by injury, inflammation, ageing, degenerative disease, infection or genetic predisposition, has randomised and dosed the first subjects in its PARA_OA_002 clinical trial. The randomised, double-blind and placebo-controlled trial, which is being conducted across the US, Australia, the UK and Europe, will evaluate injectable pentosan polysulfate sodium (injectable PPS), registered as Zilosul, for the treatment of pain associated with knee osteoarthritis. Australian trials underway The Australian Clinical Research Network in NSW enrolled the first subjects in Australia in the last quarter of 2021. There are now eight sites in Australia, and all are on schedule to screen subjects in January. Of these eight local sites, four are already screening subjects, and the company reports that the first two subjects have now been dosed. Dosing the first participants in our PARA_OA_002 Phase 3 clinical program is an important achievement for Paradigm and for the development of Zilosul to treat the millions of people globally suffering from knee osteoarthritis, Paradigm chief medical officer and interim CEO Dr Donna Skerrett said. We now look forward to ramping up recruitment and enrolment throughout Australia and look forward to updating shareholders on first participant dosing in the US shortly. Addressing huge market potential Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most prevalent form of joint disease, affecting up to 16% of the population in the developed world, with more than 72 million people in the US, Europe, Canada and Australia suffering from it. The prevalence of OA is increasing in line with an ageing population and increasing rates of obesity. By 2030, the number of people suffering from OA in the US alone is predicted to increase by 86% to 67 million. Assuming there is a similar increase across the other relevant markets, even allowing for lower rates of obesity in non-US markets, it is plausible that more than 120 million people will be suffering from osteoarthritis by 2030. Solutions to painful disease This disease can have a significant impact on daily functioning. There is currently no known cure or spontaneous remission and it is associated with irreversible structural damage and progression over time. There are no drugs approved that can prevent, stop, or even restrain progression of OA. Paradigm hopes to commercialise a solution for this unmet need. About the trial The purpose of PARA_OA_002 is to measure the change in pain and function with subcutaneous injections of PPS compared with subcutaneous injections of placebo in participants with knee osteoarthritis pain. The trial will assess the dose and treatment effect on participants. Stage 1 involves a Phase 2b dose selection, with randomised participants receiving one of three dose regimens or a placebo for six weeks. Once the team has identified a dose based on an optimal balance of efficacy and safety, participants will be randomly allocated to receive one of four different combinations of the PPS and/or a placebo. In Stage 2, participants will be randomised 1:1 to receive the selected PPS dose regimen or placebo for six weeks. The primary endpoint in the pivotal study is a change from baseline at day 56 in pain, with secondary outcomes including change from baseline at multiple time points out to day 168 in pain and function, patient global impression of change, and quality of life. Lead investigator The Australian lead investigator for PARA_OA_002 will be A/Prof Andrew Ostor, a consultant rheumatologist at Cabrini Medical Centre, principal investigator at Emeritus Research, Melbourne and an Associate Professor in the Department of Medicine at Monash University, who was formerly director of the Rheumatology Clinical Research Unit at Addenbrookes Hospital, Cambridge, UK. His research interests include early inflammatory arthritis, osteoarthritis, biologic and novel treatments for rheumatic diseases, rheumatic manifestations of checkpoint inhibitors and disorders of the shoulder joint. Prof Ostor was the lead investigator for Paradigms Phase 2b clinical study. Whats next? The company has identified approximately 65 sites throughout the US and AUS, with additional sites being added in Europe and the United Kingdom to accelerate recruitment. Paradigm expects to report on first participant dosing in the United States during the current quarter. Dose selection will commence following completion of Day 84 of stage 1 participants, which is expected in the first half of next year. The company expects to begin filing regulatory applications with the European Medicines Agency and EU member countries for the confirmatory study, PARA_OA_003, soon after confirmation of the selected dose. Drill core from a previous campaign at the Redback deposit. Maximus Resources Ltd (ASX:MXR) has confirmed a new, high-grade gold zone at the Wattle Dam Projects Redback deposit in Western Australia. The precious metals explorer recently embarked on a drilling campaign in the region, co-funded by the WA Governments Exploration Incentive Scheme (EIS), and doubled down on the gold zone. The new target, known as the Western Contact, recorded as much as 21.3 g/t gold during assay with further results pending. Following the completion of the EIS drill holes, three resource holes initially underway in the Redback resource drill program were extended in depth to test the Western Contact. Promisingly, all three extended resource holes intersected an altered contact zone up-dip from the mineralisation intersected in the first EIS hole. Further drill testing on the Western Contact is underway, with several wedge holes planned from the completed EIS drill holes to save on costs and time. A new target area for exploration Commenting on initial assays from the Redback drilling campaign, Maximus managing director Tim Wither said: Having confirmed a wide zone of high-grade gold mineralisation and observed zones of alteration up-dip, opens up a new target area (Western Contact) for exploration and materially adds to the Redback mineralised system. These results, and ongoing intersections of alteration zones, analogous to those observed at Redback and at Wattle Dam, continue to increase our confidence in the near-term development potential of another high-grade gold mine at Wattle Dam. With the highly encouraging initial results from the ongoing diamond drilling program at Redback and several holes awaiting assays results, we look forward to updating shareholders as the program progresses over the coming months. Turning the soil at Redback The Redback Gold Deposit is roughly 600 metres south-southeast of the previously mined high-grade Wattle Dam Gold Mine. Local geology at Redback is similar to that observed at the high-grade Wattle Dam Gold Mine, with a high component of visible gold hosted within deformed ultramafic lithologies. Two EIS co-funded diamond drill holes dubbed RBDD008 and RBDD009 were completed in early December, designed to test the down-dip plunge of known mineralisation at Redback Gold Deposit. Ultimately, the holes intersected a wide interval of heavily altered ultramafics, with multiple occurrences of visible gold observed in hole RBDD008. Initial assays have come from a selected interval of alteration in RBDD008, fast-tracked through the laboratory to help Maximus plan for additional drill testing in the Western Contact target area. Some of the best results from the hole to date include: 11 metres at 3.2 g/t gold from 626 metres, including 3 metres at 5.7 g/t from 626 metres; 2 metres at 4.3 g/t from 631 metres and 1-metre at 7.1 g/t from 636 metres; and 2.5 metres at 6 g/t from 658.5 metres, including 1-metre at 13 g/t from 658.5 metres. Additionally, intervals containing visible gold in RBDD008 assayed 1-metre at 14.6 g/t gold from 628 metres and 0.5 metres at 21.3 g/t from 658.5 metres. The remaining intervals for both EIS holes, as well as the completed resource drill holes, have been sampled and submitted for assaying. Next on the agenda Moving ahead, Maximus has planned to conduct several wedge holes, which utilise the existing EIS drill holes as a platform to further test the new Western Contact target area. Initially, a wedge hole has been designed to intersect roughly 90 metres above the mineralised intersection in hole RBDD008. Several other wedge holes are planned and will be assessed as the drilling program evolves. In the meantime, the second phase of the planned Redback infill and resource extension program consisting of diamond and reverse circulation (RC) drilling is continuing in parallel. Through this program, the explorer hopes to provide adequate data to complete an updated mineral resource and subsequent development studies at Wattle Dam. The RC program at Redback is scheduled to kick off in the first weeks of February, and Maximus will continue to keep the market abreast of key updates. Shares are 5.26% higher at $0.08 this morning. Boadicea Resources Ltd (ASX:BOA) is encouraged by the continuing progress of exploration partner IGO Ltd on its tenements in the Fraser Range of Western Australia. Research and development (R&D) surveying is advancing within the Symons Hill tenement, with the goal of improving interpretation and understanding of the Orion chonolith for future diamond drilling. IGO has completed electromagnetic surveying over 99 surface stations across three targets - North Emporer, Mahi West and Fletching - on the South Plumridge licence. Interpretation of results from North Emperor and Mahi West should be completed in the current quarter, but Fletching has already been ruled out as a prospective target. IGO is primarily focused on massive nickel sulphide mineralisation. An exciting step Utilisation of IGOs leading exploration skills and funding on Boadiceas tenements continues to provide the highest potential for exploration success, Boadicea Resources managing director Jon Reynolds said. The recent news of R&D exploration within Symons Hill provides an exciting step in the understanding of the Orion chonolith and improving target locations for future drilling programs, strengthening the success of exploration efforts. The Fraser Range update has seen BOA shares as much as 6.85% higher to A$0.235. Future activities planned for the Transline and South Plumridge tenements include moving loop electromagnetic (MLEM) surveying and aircore drilling at: Ballast Eye (Transline North - E28/2849), an elliptical magnetic feature; Eggpie target (Transline South - E28/2866); Buckbeak Target (Transline West 1 - E28/2888 and Transline West 2 - E28/2895); and Beacon Target (South Plumridge - E28/2937). Heritage negotiations for the Transline and South Plumridge tenements are underway with Native Title holders. About Boadicea Resources Boadicea Resources is a mineral exploration company targeting nickel, copper and gold in Australia. The company has a total land holding of 1,735 square kilometres across 17 tenements including in some of Australias most prospective regions. BOAs Symons Hill, Transline and White Knight tenements in the Fraser Range are near major nickel discoveries in the region by IGO Ltd, Legend Mining and the Creasy Group, with Symons Hill just seven kilometres along strike from IGO's Nova-Bollinger operations. Diamond drilling in progress at the NE Bankan deposit. Predictive Discovery Ltd (ASX:PDI) has returned wide high-grade diamond drilling results at depth from the Bankan Gold Project in Guinea, including 33 metres at 4.5 g/t. Deep drilling underway at NE Bankan deposit is aimed at extending and infilling the high-grade gold zone at depth below the US$1800/ounce optimised pit shell containing the maiden resource estimate. This deeper drilling continues to extend the high-grade zone, now more than 100 metres below the open-pit, confirming Bankan as one of the most exciting gold deposits globally," managing director Andrew Pardey said. We have twin focuses of growing and infilling the known deposits at NE Bankan and Bankan Creek and continuing the search for further new gold deposits. Our technical director Paul Roberts is directing a range of aggressive programs designed to uncover new deposits along Bankans 35-kilometre-long gold corridor. Two multipurpose rigs are on site drilling the deep diamond holes. Map of the Bankan Project showing depth and drill intercept results. Highlights Two drill holes intersected broad zones of gold mineralisation more than 100 metres below the US$1,800/ounce resource pit shell. BNERD0103: 48 metres at 2.1 g/t gold from 562 metres and 8 metres at 1.4 g/t from 613 metres; and BNERD0104: 7 metres at 1.02 g/t from 516 metres and 33 metres at 4.5 g/t from 536 metres, including 8 metres at 13.4 g/t from 547 metres. The company is delighted with the results from the two holes with the BNERD0103 48-metre result reinforcing faith in a southerly plunge of the high-grade gold zone about 50 metres to the south of the interpreted position of the high-grade gold zone, while the BNERD0104 intercept provides further confirmation of the consistency of the core high-grade gold zone. Gold intercepts in this hole contain 170 cumulative gram metres of gold, which grow the inventory of exceptional mineralisation. On the back of these strong results, share prices have been as much as 6.3% higher this morning to A$0.287, a new high of more than eight years. Geology manager appointed The company also announces that Norm Bailie will take the helm as geology manager, focusing on the NE Bankan and Bankan Creek deposits. Bailie has a track record in international exploration management, driving exploration growth at several major African mines including Sukari, Tasiast and Chirano. "The addition of Norm, a high-calibre geologist with extensive African experience including a complete understanding of the development path from grassroots exploration through to reserve definition will allow us to fully maximise our world-class gold deposit, Pardey said. Next steps Diamond drilling continues, with the two multipurpose drill rigs drilling holes to depths of 500 to 650 metres below surface, to explore for deeper extensions of the high-grade gold zone. Planning is in train for additional resource definition drilling as part of the continued growth strategy. Aircore and power auger target definition is running in parallel, testing structural target areas interpreted from the aeromagnetic survey across the project area. Just when you expect the ASX to fall, it changes its name to Phoenix and rises again. Falls in IT, Consumer Discretionary, Health Care, Real Estate and Consumer Staples sectors were outweighed by gains in the big resources and financials companies with CBA and NAB higher. The S&P/ASX200 has so far gained 38.60 points or 0.52% to 7,477.50, crossing above its 125-day moving average. Over the last five days, the index has gained 1.62% and is currently 2.03% off its 52-week high. The top-performing stocks so far in this index are Crown Resorts Ltd up 8.08% and Liontown Resources (ASX:LTR) up 7.06%. As we reported this morning, Blackstone has upped its bid for Crown and any binding offer will now be endorsed by the board. Crown shareholders have welcomed the increased bid. "Crown remains a high-quality and valuable asset and is worth more to private equity than it is ever going to be worth listed on the ASX," Forager Funds Management's chief investment officer Steve Johnson said. Forrager is a Crown shareholder. "They can use more leverage and financial engineering and they don't have an ESG discount applied. "It is likely that a deal will get done, the increase in offer price is a welcome step in the right direction and we are supportive of the board continuing a push for an appropriate firm offer for shareholders." BHP and Rio have also had good days so far. BHP is 3.3% higher, RIO rose 2.3%, Pilbara Minerals is 5.9% higher Fortescue gained 1.7%, OZ Minerals gained 2.9% and South32 rose 3.4% after commodities jumped and Goldman Sachs (NYSE:GS) said the big, diversified miners were undervalued. Volatility expected in gas market in 2022 Wood Mackenzie has released its gas and LNG outlook and its not great news. The companys vice president Massimo Do Odoardo says that while the market will stay resilient in the short term, high prices will pressure demand and the rationale for China to switch from coal to gas will diminish. However, he did say we will see an increase in renewables investment. Meanwhile, investment in renewables and batteries will increase, limiting the headroom for gas demand to grow, he said. And in Europe, where the move towards renewables is already underway, policymakers will look to accelerate the shift away from natural gas, as the recent EU proposal to support biomethane and hydrogen suggests. On the small cap front Amplia Therapeutics Ltd (ASX:ATX) is 12.50% higher after doubling the batch scale of anti-cancer drug candidate AMP945 during its latest manufacturing run. Predictive Discovery Ltd (ASX:PDI) is up 6.30%. PDI has returned wide high-grade diamond drilling results at depth from the Bankan Gold Project in Guinea, including 33 metres at 4.5 g/t. Moho Resources Ltd (ASX:MOH) is 3.33% higher. MOHs research and development (R&D) collaboration with CSIRO and other external consultants is paying dividends, netting the company a $621,000 tax offset for eligible R&D expenditure conducted across its projects. Paradigm Biopharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX:PAR) is 1.68% higher after randomising and dosing the first subjects in its PARA_OA_002 clinical trial. Theta senior management team on site at Adit#3 of the Rietfontein Mine. Theta Gold Mines Ltd (ASX:TGM) will extend the Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS) for the TGME Underground Project in South Africa by incorporating the Rietfontein Mine. This follows encouraging progress with the Rietfontein Mine Pre-Feasibility Study (PFS) which provides the company with adequate confidence to add it to the DFS. With initial positive results, the Rietfontein PFS is nearing completion although further test work is required to confirm the processing recovery which has been conservatively assumed at 80%. Pleased with initial results The PFS and Underground DFS will run in parallel with both expected to be finalised in the second quarter of 2022. Chairman Bill Guy said, The board is pleased with initial results from the Rietfontein PFS and has decided to add Rietfontein to the TGME Underground Definitive Feasibility Study. It is expected that the addition will increase the production profile and mine life, along with further improving project economics. Adit entrances and surface footprint at Rietfontein Mine. Rietfontein high-grade ore was successfully mined up to 1945 using the shrinkage stoping method, producing 65,000 ounces of gold from 227,000 tons of ore, recovering more than 8 g/t, Guy said. This method was also chosen for the PFS due to the proven methodology and relatively low ore dilution. The Rietfontein development will take place within the existing historical footprint, with minimal new surface disturbance. All workstreams for the Rietfontein PFS were completed, except for the metallurgical test-work, due to backlogs currently experienced globally within labs. The Definitive Feasibility Study has been running alongside the Rietfontein PFS and solid progress has been made by the team. TGME Underground (UG) Project will now include Rietfontein as well as the Beta, Frankfort and CDM mines. Confidence in PFS The Rietfontein PFS confirmed the following production target at the assumed recovery factor, subject to favourable processing test-work results: 1.334 million ore tonnes which consist of 479,000 tonnes of indicated resources and 855,000 tonnes of inferred resources; Average planned dilution was calculated over a 90 centimetre stope width where the dilution considered an overbreak into waste of 10 centimetres on either side of the reef contact; Delivered ore grade of approximately 6.82 g/t gold; 293,000 ounces produced, including 107,000 ounces delivered indicated resources and 186,000 ounces delivered inferred resources; and LoM of approximately 7.6 years at 180,000 tonnes per annum production rate. The PFS requires validation from metallurgical test-work that is still in progress. Due to the global backlog experienced in laboratories, the metallurgical results are expected to be available in Q2 of 2022. Underground sampling at Rietfontein Mine. Rietfontein mine, with a mine delivered grade of 6.82 g/t, is the highest grade of the four mines incorporated in the project. As part of the DFS, the option of incorporating Rietfontein production earlier, as well as expanding throughput capacity, is being considered. Further test-work A current limitation to the Rietfontein study is that further metallurgical test-work is required. A sampling campaign is underway, from which more representable test-work can be done on the mines ore. For the PFS a metallurgical recovery factor of 80% was applied to Rietfontein, despite much higher recoveries achieved historically. The proven results will, therefore, be incorporated in the DFS, and it was decided not to declare a reserve for Rietfontein until further test-work is concluded. Strong economics Theta Gold continues to demonstrate strong project economics for what it believes to be only a small portion of the underground resource. The company will continue to build up its mining reserves during the next year by progressing Rietfontein and other mines through to DFS level. TGM remains focused on its target of reaching 160,000 ounces per annum within five years from a multi-mine development program. SEED Innovations Ltd (AIM:SEED, OTC:FFRIF)'s portfolio company Eurox Group signed an exclusive deal with Orchid Ventures Inc. (CSE:ORCD) to apply for approval for a medical vaporiser device in Germany. Under the deal, Eurox and Orchid Ventures OEM supplier PurTec and partner JWEI, will submit one of PurTec's disposable vaporiser devices to authorities in Germany for Medical Device Approval, Orchid said in a statement. SEED has an 8.85% shareholding in medical cannabis company Eurox. Eurox, PurTec, and JWEI will work in collaboration on several requirements and safety studies to prove the efficacy and safety of the device, the statement said. Upon approval, Eurox will have exclusive rights regarding sales and distribution of the vaporiser in the EU, UK and Brazil. READ: SEED Innovations portfolio company Eurox launches pain treatment in Germany Corey Mangold, founder, CEO and chairman of Orchid, said: "We are confident that with the combined experience and expertise of Eurox and JWEI, we will succeed in getting approval and be among one of the first vaporiser products in-market and available to consumers throughout the EU." We believe that PurTec and JEWI will be valuable, long term partners that can help us expand access to relevant and exciting new products that will complement our portfolio and advance our growth trajectory, added Dr. Bernhard Babel, co-CEO of Eurox Pharma GmbH. Our objective is to deliver with liquid vaping a controlled and consistent therapy form to patients with need for inhaling in Europe and beyond." Orchid Ventures is a California-based cannabis innovation company. Orchid owns 100% of PurTec Delivery Systems, a company that produces, markets and sells clean vaporizer hardware. Ceres Power Holdings PLC (AIM:CWR, OTC:CPWHF) confirmed revenue for 2021 will be in line with guidance and progress is continuing with its major commercial partners in early 2022. The developer of hydrogen-based solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) and electrolysers said revenue is expected to come in roughly at 31.5mln for the past calendar year, up 44%. Gross margin was consistently high, while cash and equivalents stood at close to 250mln at the end of December. "We've had another year of strong growth in 2021 and made important strategic investments in our team, our partners and our technology to ensure that Ceres is well-positioned to take advantage of the global urgency for clean energy technologies, chief executive Phil Caldwell said. Caldwell highlighted the progress made with key strategic partners Bosch, Weichai and Doosan as they look to scale production of Ceres technology. On the partnership with Weichai, Ceres said the pair remain committed to entering the Chinese market with SOFC technology. Discussions on the planned strategic relationship, including a joint venture in China, are progressing positively. Ceres said Korean partner Doosan is preparing for a soft launch of its 10kW SOFC product this year. In December Doosan announced a 89mln investment to build a 79,200sq metre SOFC stack manufacturing plant in South Korea. Production is set to begin production in 2024. Caldwell said progress was also made in developing new commercial partnerships, including some linked to solid oxide electrolysis. I look forward to providing further updates on our commercial progress in the coming months, he said. ANGLE PLC (AIM:AGL, OTCQX:ANPCY) said an ovarian cancer study has been hit by Coronavirus (COVID-19) delays, meaning it wont now be completed until sometime in the first half of this year. The problem is with a key external supplier, which has been unable to deliver certain reagents. This will have a knock-on impact on the sign-off for the companys planned US lab, which requires the results from the ovarian cancer study, which would demonstrate the potential of ANGLE's Parsortix and HyCEAD platforms. "The third-party supply chain issues were unexpected but are being closely managed and we look forward to reporting headline results from our ovarian cancer study once the sample analysis has been completed," ANGLE chief executive, Andrew Newland, said. Separately, we remain on track to achieve the first-ever FDA product clearance, the gold standard for medical devices globally, for a system to harvest cancer cells from patient blood for subsequent analysis, initially in metastatic breast cancer. Ongoing and constructive dialogue with FDA continues and a regulatory decision from FDA is awaited." In the update, investors were also told the company made the first submissions in the accreditation process for new labs in both the US and UK. ANGLE has developed pioneering technology that is able to perform liquid biopsies that pick up the tell-tale signs of cancer. Proterra is contracted to supply Vicinity with battery systems to power a minimum of 600 Vicinity commercial electric vehicles through 2024 Vicinity Motor Corp. (TSX-V:VMC) has announced a new collaboration with Proterra Inc, a leading innovator in commercial vehicle electrification technology, to power its electric transit buses and work trucks with its industry-leading battery technology. Under a new, multi-year supply agreement, Vancouver-based Vicinity said the Proterra battery systems will power its Vicinity Lightning 28-foot electric transit bus and its strip chassis platform to support several commercial vehicle configurations such as utility trucks, shuttle buses, and box trucks. The agreement is also expected to support its next-generation heavy-duty electric transit bus as well as the VMC 1200 Class 3 work truck and VMC 1500 Class 5 work truck with Proterra battery systems, Vicinity added. We are pleased to announce this new commercial relationship with Proterra, a true battery technology leader, Vicinity founder and CEO William Trainer said in a statement. I look forward to working closely with the Proterra team to make our vehicles, equipped with their advanced battery systems, a staple in North American public transportation and industrial spaces. The company noted that Proterra is contracted to supply it with battery systems to power a minimum of 600 Vicinity commercial electric vehicles through 2024. It said the Proterra Powered Vicinity Lightning vehicle is expected to begin production in the third quarter of 2022. Proterra batteries will be used in the production of Vicinity Lightning electric transit vehicles at Vicinitys Ferndale, Washington manufacturing facility. Designed for the US and Canadian markets, the Vicinity Lightning will comply with Buy America requirements for Federal Transit Administration-funded programs in the United States. Cities and towns across North America are driving towards a future with clean air and a healthier environment for our kids and future generations, Proterra CEO Gareth Joyce said. The question now is no longer if communities will transition to zero-emission, battery-electric transportation, but how fast we can get there. Together with Vicinity, we are excited to build on this innovative spirit as we bring more clean transportation solutions to the communities we live in and serve. Designed and manufactured in the US, Proterra said its battery packs leverage industry-leading energy density and a customizable design to fit within a variety of vehicles. Its best-in-class battery systems have been proven through more than 20 million service miles driven by Proterra transit vehicles across North America and selected by world-class commercial vehicle manufacturers to power school buses, work trucks, construction equipment, and more, it added. Contact the author at stephen.gunnion@proactiveinvestors.com First Au Limited considers Mt Turner a strategic acquisition that complements the Australian explorer's existing copper prospects of Dogwood in Victoria and Mabel Creek in South Australia Essex Minerals Inc. (TSX-V:ESX) said it has entered into binding terms with First Au Limited (FAU) for an arm's length option, earn-in, and acquisition of the Mt Turner project in north Queensland, Australia. Essex noted that its preliminary exploration activities have outlined a very large copper-molybdenum (with gold and silver) porphyry target at the project. The Vancouver-based junior added that FAU considers Mt Turner a strategic acquisition that complements the Australian explorer's existing copper prospects of Dogwood in Victoria and Mabel Creek in South Australia. "Copper is expected to play a critical role in the electrification of the global economy and the transition to green energy. An independent report by Goldman Sachs last year indicated the worldwide demand for copper for transitioning to green energy alone will increase from under 1Mt in 2020 to approximately 5.4Mt by 2030 (16% of total global copper demand), said Essex CEO Paul Loudon in a statement. "Having incubated the project with initial exploration expenditure, Essex is now leveraging its position in the project by joint venturing the next round of exploration expenditure then monetizing the project with a spin out or sale. Loudon added: This project incubation then spinout, particularly where we can retain a royalty and a right to provide stream or project finance, is fundamental to the company's business growth model." Financial terms Essex said upon execution of a formal agreement once certain conditions are met, FAU will pay it an Option Fee comprising 5 million fully paid ordinary FAU shares and 5 million two-year share purchase options exercisable at AU$0.03 per option and within 220 days fund a minimum AU$500,000 on exploration of the Mt Turner project, including a detailed induced polarization program over the main Mt Turner mineralized anomaly. Payment of the Option Fee is conditional on 60 days due diligence by FAU, completion by Essex of its share purchase of KNX Resources Limited, signing of a formal agreement, and TSX approval (if required). Subject to completing the minimum expenditure during the Option period and its willingness to proceed, Essex said FAU will pay it a further 10 million fully paid ordinary FAU shares and then will have the right to earn a 51% interest in the Mt Turner project by spending a further AU$2 million on exploration over two-years from exercise date of the Option. At the completion of the earn-in, FAU will then have the right to acquire the remaining 49% interest in Mt Turner by issuing to Essex either 49% of the equity in a special purpose vehicle formed to hold the Mt Turner project, or that number of shares in FAU equivalent to an independent valuation of the 49%. Essex also will retain a 1.5% net smelter return royalty over the project, which FAU can acquire for the payment of AU$3 million cash. Contact the author: patrick@proactiveinvestors.com Follow him on Twitter @PatrickMGraham Accelerating virtual healthcare, Cloud DX is on a mission to make healthcare better for everyone Cloud DX (TSX-V:CDX, OTCQB:CDXFF) has announced new partner funding from the New Brunswick Health Research Foundation (NBHRF). The company said that the funding will support ongoing clinical calibration and subsequent validation trials with the Cloud DX (TSX-V:CDX, OTCQB:CDXFF) Pulsewave 2.0 wrist-worn vital sign monitoring device. "The NBHRF is proud of our continued support of industry," said Meaghan Seagrave, NBHRF CEO in a statement. "Building strong partnerships like the one with Cloud DX (TSX-V:CDX, OTCQB:CDXFF) enables us to maximize the impact of our work. We are able to support the best health research for New Brunswick solutions to New Brunswick health challenges." The NBHRF Strategic Initiative Grant will be matched two to one by Cloud DX (TSX-V:CDX, OTCQB:CDXFF) over three years to support the ongoing research and development led by Dr. Keith Brunt and Dr. Robert Teskey and their teams at Cardiovascular Research New Brunswick (CVR NB), Dalhousie Medicine New Brunswick (DMNB), University of New Brunswick (UNB) and the IMPART investigator team, the company said. The research will be conducted with the Department of Cardiology at the New Brunswick Heart Center at the Saint John Regional Hospital (SJRH), part of the Horizon Health Network. "We are committed to ensuring informed-decision making clinically is built upon strong evidence, validated intellectual property that is peer-reviewed and aligned with regulatory expectations for medical devices, Brunt said in a statement. Our prior clinical research with an earlier version of the device was published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research, and key to the initial development of proprietary algorithms for the Pulsewave 2.0 device." Cloud DX said that it is in the process of clinically calibrating the PAD-2A device in preparation for subsequent clinical validation with the ISO 2020_AMD 1 universal protocol in order to submit the validation data to Health Canada and the FDA for licensing and clearance, respectively. This will satisfy the federal regulatory requirements in order to serve market needs in Canada and the United States, the company noted. As with its other devices, Cloud DX will include the Pulsewave 2.0 device in its Connected Health virtual care and remote patient monitoring solution upon clinical validation by the research team and subsequent licensing and clearance by the federal regulatory agencies. Teskey, an interventional cardiologist with the Horizon Health Network, New Brunswick Heart Centre said: "Clinically accurate vital sign monitoring at home is essential for our cardiac patients. This funding will support the ongoing clinical calibration and validation of the Cloud DX, Inc. Pulsewave 2.0, the non-invasive vital sign monitoring device." Contact Ritika at ritika@proactiveinvestors.com Murchison Minerals (TSX-V:MUR) CEO Troy Boisjoli joined Steve Darling from Proactive to talk more about the exploration company with Projects located in Saskatchewan and Quebec. Boisjoli talks more about their HPM Nickel Project and how they feel they have the right project at the right time. He also talks about the workplan in 2022. Riyadh, Jan 13 : Saudi Arabia plans to auction up to three mining licences in 2022, including Khnaiguiyah mines where zinc and copper deposits are estimated at around 26 million tonnes, Al Arabiya News has reported. The bidding process will start by the end of the first quarter of 2022, the Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources, Bandar Al-Khorayef was quoted as saying on the sidelines of an international mining conference in Riyadh. The Minister also pointed out that Saudi Arabia sought to create laws and regulations that contribute to the growth of the mining sector and attracting investments, Xinhua news agency reported. Meanwhile, Governor of the Public Investment Fund (PIF), Yasir bin Othman Al-Rumayyan stressed that many of the future industries depend on the mining sector. He pointed out that the PIF considers mining one of the main strategic sectors with great importance to realise the Saudi Vision 2030 goals. Berlin, Jan 13 : German Chancellor Olaf Scholz reiterated his support for mandatory Covid-19 vaccination in the country during his first briefing to the Bundestag (lower house of Parliament). Scholz on Wednesday said that he hoped for a swift discussion in the Bundestag on a general Covid-19 vaccination obligation, stressing that "I, for one, believe it is necessary and will actively campaign for it." Not getting vaccinated is not just a personal decision but has consequences for the entire country, he added. "There is no decision that you make just for yourself, and that is why mandatory vaccination is right." The German government has already made it mandatory for healthcare workers to get vaccinated. The vaccination rate in the country stood at 72.2 per cent on Tuesday, according to official figures. However, around 21 million people in Germany are still not vaccinated, Xinhua news agency reported. Alongside the Covid-19 vaccination campaign, the country's booster vaccination program would also need to be pushed ahead, the German Chancellor said. The goal is to administer more than one million vaccines per day, just as the country did before the Christmas holidays. He also warned that Covid-19 case numbers would increase sharply due to the more contagious Omicron variant. On Wednesday, Germany's Robert Koch Institute (RKI) for infectious diseases reported a new record of more than 80,000 daily Covid-19 cases. Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) Washington, Jan 13 : The US House panel investigating the January 6 Capitol riot has asked House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy for a voluntary interview and records in his possession that are related to the attack. The panel in a letter to the California Republican requested information about his communications with the then President Donald Trump "before, during and after" January 6, 2021, when a mob of Trump's supporters besieged the Capitol in an attempt to stop Congress from certifying the 2020 presidential election results, Xinhua news agency reported. It also wanted to learn about how McCarthy, the top Republican in the House, interacted with Trump, White House staff and others in the week after the riot, "particularly regarding President Trump's state of mind at that time," according to the letter the panel sent to McCarthy. "We also must learn about how the President's plans for January 6 came together, and all the other ways he attempted to alter the results of the election. For example, in advance of January 6, you reportedly explained to Mark Meadows and the former President that objections to the certification of the electoral votes on January 6 'was doomed to fail,'" said Bennie Thompson, Democrat from Mississippi who chairs the January 6 panel. Thompson said the committee wanted to meet with McCarthy as soon as February 3. McCarthy is the third GOP member of the House with whom the committee has sought cooperation on a voluntary basis, after two similar requests were turned down by representatives Scott Perry of Pennsylvania and Jim Jordan of Ohio. Considered one of Trump's most loyal allies in Congress, McCarthy said during a floor speech in the House chamber seven days after the riot that Trump "bears responsibility" for the attack. But his public statements regarding the events on January 6 "changed markedly" after he met with Trump at the former President's Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida on January 28, 2021, the committee alleged in the letter, asking McCarthy if he had been pressured by Trump or his representatives on what he should say about his conversations with the latter on January 6. London, Jan 13 : British International Trade Secretary Anne-Marie Trevelyan will on Thursday in New Delhi ceremonially launch negotiations between India and the UK for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the two countries. Trevelyan will meet her counterpart Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal, and the two will jointly and formally begin talks. UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: "The UK has world-class businesses and expertise we can rightly be proud of, from Scotch whisky distillers to financial services and cutting-edge renewable technology. We are seizing the opportunities offered in growing economies of the Indo-Pacific to cement our place on the global stage and deliver jobs and growth at home." Johnson, though, is in the midst of a major personal crisis, with calls for his resignation resonating across the length and breadth of Britain. His latest problem is a revelation that his office hosted a drinks party's during the height of the Covid-19 lockdown on May 20, 2020, which he and then partner had attended. The Prime Minister tended a grovelling apology in the House of Commons on Wednesday. But political observers think this may not be sufficient to save his job. Trevelyan stated before leaving London: "We want to unlock this huge new market (offered by India) for our great British producers and manufacturers across numerous industries from food and drink to services and automotive. "India marks the start of our ambitious 5-star year of UK trade and will show how the deals we negotiate will boost the economies across all nations..." The UK's Department of International Trade (DIT) forecast the Indian middle class "to increase to a quarter of a billion consumers by 2050". "India is set to become the world's third biggest economy by 2050, with a bigger population than the US and EU combined. A deal has the potential to almost double UK exports to India, boost our total trade by as much as 28 billion pounds a year by 2035, and increase wages across the UK by up to 3 billion pounds," the Department added. It estimated that "Indian companies already support 95,000 jobs across the UK", with the Tatas being the biggest Indian employer in the UK. The Department's expectation is that "the UK wants an agreement that slashes barriers to doing business and trading with India's 2 trillion pound economy and market of 1.4 billion consumers, including cutting tariffs on exports of British-made cars and Scotch whiskey". Presently, the two nations aim to double the present trade turnover by 2030. The DIT believes this stood at 23 pounds billion at the end of 2019. It cited: "Removing duties alone would increase exports to India by up to 6.8 billion pounds, supporting tens of thousands of jobs across the UK. Important UK exports like Scotch whiskey and cars currently face enormous duties of 150 per cent and 125 per cent respectively." -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text Washington, Jan 13 : US President Joe Biden 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 US Senate that requires 60 votes for virtually every piece of legislation to advance, reports xinhua news agency. Biden, a veteran US 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 "weaponised 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 US 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. The President's remarks 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 on Tuesday. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has vowed to take up the voting rights legislation this week and bring up a rules change vote by January 17 in the event that Republicans block the election bills. In response, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell on Tuesday warned of retaliation from the Republicans if Democrats were to force the rules change. Abuja, Jan 13 : The Nigerian government has lifted the ban on Twitter, imposed in June last year, saying the micro-blogging platform has agreed to set "a legal entity" in the west African nation during the first quarter of this year. The Nigerian government had indefinitely suspended Twitter after it accused the micro-blogging platform of double standards and supporting the secessionists in the country. "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 12 a.m. tonight, 13th January 2022," read the statement from Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, the director-general of Nigeria's tech agency, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA). Abdullahi said that the establishment of Twitter's legal entity is its "first step in demonstrating its long-term commitment to Nigeria". Twitter will also appoint a "designated country representative" to hold talks with the Nigerian government when required. "Twitter has agreed to comply with applicable tax obligations on its operations under Nigerian law. Twitter has agreed to enrol Nigeria in its Partner Support and Law Enforcement Portals," the statement read. Last year, the government expressed doubts about Twitter's operations in the country, after it deleted a tweet by President Muhammadu Buhari who made a reference to the country's 30-month civil war in 1967-1970, warning "those who wanted the government to fail" to desist from fomenting trouble. Twitter had deleted the President's post, following criticisms from some netizens. Lucknow, Jan 13 : The Uttar Pradesh State Election Commission has said that voters above the age of 80 years, physically challenged persons and those recovering from Covid-19 would be given the facility of casting their ballots from home during the upcoming Assembly polls. According to Election Commission of India (ECI), there are a total of 24.42 lakh registered voters above 80 years of age in Uttar Pradesh. To facilitate such voters, in October 2019, the Ministry of Law and Justice brought an amendment in conduct of election rules and included senior citizens above 80 years of age and physically disabled people under absentee voters. In June 2020, another amendment included Covid positive patients as absentee voters, who would not require to visit polling stations but would be provided postal ballot box at their homes to ensure that they are able to cast their vote in secrecy. ECI officials said: "Under the absentee category, people above 80 years of age, Covid positive patients, physically disabled and essential service providers (like railways, postal service etc.) can download the 12D form from the ECI website or receive a copy of the same from booth level officer (BLO). After filling it correctly, the 12D form should be submitted with the BLO within five days of notification of polls." Covid positive patients need to attach a medical report stating their Covid status, while physically disabled individuals can submit government issued certificates of disabilities. "Once the form is submitted, it will be scrutinised and a list of such voters would be shared with political parties that can visit the voters' house on the day of polling. A postal ballot box along with ballot paper would be provided wherein they can cast the vote in secrecy," the officer said, adding that the process would be conducted 24 hours before the actual polling under the supervision of an assistant returning officer. "This will be the first time that postal ballot exercise for 80 years above and Covid patients would be taking place." Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) New Delhi, Jan 13 : Six in 10 frontline workers in India worry that they could lose their jobs if they don't adapt to new technology, a new Microsoft report showed on Thursday. Nearly 88 per cent of frontline workers in India are excited about job opportunities tech creates. The top three reasons for considering a job change for them are to make more money, to look for a position to develop new skills, and for better employee benefits, according to Microsoft India's 'Work Trend Index' report. "Even as we continue to endure pandemic uncertainty right now, frontline workers are standing up to the challenge of keeping the wheels of the economy running," said Rajiv Sodhi, COO, Microsoft India. "There are clear signals about the opportunity to align business outcomes with the wellbeing and growth of frontline employees. It's encouraging to see that technology can help at this inflection point," he said in a statement. The Covid-19 pandemic has also strengthened ties and frontline workers have turned to each other for weathering this storm together. In India, 86 per cent of frontline workers report that they "feel very bonded to co-workers" because of shared stresses brought on by the pandemic. But their connections to leadership and company culture are weak. "Sixty-six per cent of frontline workers say that leadership does not prioritise building workplace culture, and that jumps to 69 per cent for those in management positions on the frontline such as department heads, store managers, and shop-floor supervisors," the findings showed. Sixty-five per cent of frontline workers say messages from leadership don't make it to them. Things are especially trying for frontline managers (67 per cent) who say their higher-ups are not effectively communicating with them either. At the same time, 17 per cent of frontline workers feel their voice is not being heard when communicating workplace issues, said the report. While 23 per cent of frontline workers in non-management positions don't feel valued as employees, many workers (65 per cent) wish more was being done to help with physical exhaustion or to support mental health (64 per cent). "As we embark on year three of the pandemic, 41 per cent of frontline workers believe that work stress will either stay the same or worsen in the coming year," the report mentioned. New Delhi, Jan 13 : 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 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 adistortion 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 dusk -- in the mating swarms -- are 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. 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 by -- partly debilitating - mosquito-borne diseases," said Albert. "In order to monitor and control mosquito populations, a quantitative understanding of acoustic mating in mosquitoes is needed. This will also help optimise genetic interventions, such as the release of genetically modified mosquitoes, designed to collapse local mosquito populations. Our findings provide the platform for this endeavour, 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. Srinagar, Jan 13 : The condition of three soldiers and two civilians injured in a gunfight between the terrorists and security forces in the Pariwan area of South Kashmir's Kulgam district was stable, the Army said in a statement on Thursday. One Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terrorist identified as Babar bhai of Pakistan, active since 2018 in the areas of Shopian-Kulgam was killed in the gunfight that erupted on Wednesday. One police personnel was also killed while three soldiers and two civilians were injured. "Last evening at about 6 p.m., the Security Forces got HUMINT (human intelligence) about presence of terrorists in general area Sehpura, Kulgam. A joint operation of the Indian Army and JKP was launched. Suspect houses were cordoned, as the security forces were carrying out house to house searches. At about 8.45 p.m., while searching a house, a terrorist opened fire with AK and lobbed a grenade," the Army said. It also said that since the area and house had civilians, the security forces exercised restraint to first evacuate the civilians. "In the process one Jammu and Kashmir Police Constable Rohit was mortally wounded, three soldiers and two civilians were injured. "The injured, including the civilians were evacuated to 92 BH, including evacuation of one of the civilians by Army helicopter. All the injured are stable," said the Army in the statement. Arms and ammunition, including one AK rifle, one pistol and two grenades were recovered from the slain terrorist. -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text Tunis, Jan 13 : From Thursday onwards, the Tunisian government will implement a new two-week curfew across the country to curb the spread of the latest wave of the Covid-19 pandemic. "The curfew will be in effect from Thursday for a period of two weeks renewable, depending on the epidemiological situation in the country," Xinhua news agency quoted a government statement as saying. "The nationwide curfew will be carried out from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.," it added. In addition, the government has decided to ban all public gatherings indoors and outdoors. All cultural and sport events would be cancelled or postponed until further notice. Wearing a mask is still compulsory in all places in addition to the continued application of preventive and hygiene measures, namely physical distancing, ventilation and hand washing. The government has also recommended the vaccine passport, the national vaccination campaign particularly the inoculation of the Covid-19 booster dose, as well as the postponement of any travel to countries experiencing a severe situation. Meanwhile, Tunisia reported 4,865 new Covid-19 cases in the last 24 hours, raising the tally of infections in the North African country to 749,832. The death toll from the virus rose by 11 to 25,707, while the total number of recoveries reached 700,004. New Delhi, Jan 13 : With no progress on a free trade deal with the US, and none expected in the foreseeable future, the formal start of talks with India is the biggest negotiation the UK government will launch this year, the BBC reported. India is on course to become the third largest economy in the world by 2050, and the government hopes UK-India trade will double over the course of this decade. On Thursday in New Delhi, British International Trade Secretary Anne-Marie Trevelyan will ceremonially launch negotiations between India and the UK for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA), during which she will meet her counterpart Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal. Trevelyan calls the prospect of a free trade deal with India "a golden opportunity" and there are certainly huge commercial prizes up for grabs, the BBC report said. Before leaving for New Delhi, she had said: "We want to unlock this huge new market (offered by India) for our great British producers and manufacturers across numerous industries from food and drink to services and automotive. "India marks the start of our ambitious 5-star year of UK trade and will show how the deals we negotiate will boost the economies across all nations..." EY's director of trade strategy, George Riddell says the move to open negotiations is a "welcome step", and one which he says is already generating real enthusiasm in the business community. The European Union (EU) has been trying for years to reach a meaningful deal with India, with little success. Australia too, has been working on a deal for a decade, the report said. Areas such as government procurement policy and the trade in services are particularly difficult. "The current terms under which services providers are trading between the UK and India date from 1995, and don't take into account any of the technological developments that have taken place over the past 25 years," the BBC quoted Riddell as saying. British officials say both sides are now keen to get a UK-India deal done quickly, and they would like it to be agreed by the end of the year. But it's an ambitious timeline. Meanwhile, the UK's Department of International Trade (DIT) has estimated that "Indian companies already support 95,000 jobs across the UK", with the Tatas being the biggest Indian employer in the UK. The Department's expectation is that "the UK wants an agreement that slashes barriers to doing business and trading with India's 2 trillion pound economy and market of 1.4 billion consumers, including cutting tariffs on exports of British-made cars and Scotch whiskey". Presently, the two nations aim to double the present trade turnover by 2030. and the DIT believes this stood at 23 pounds billion at the end of 2019. New Delhi, Jan 13 : He is considered the "Father of Fibre Optics", one of the seven "Unsung Heroes of the 20th Century" for his Nobel Prize deserving breakthrough that spawned the Internet and is behind devices ranging from endoscopes to high-capacity telephone lines. Yet, the self-effacing Indian American Narinder Singh Kapany, born in the sleepy town of Moga in undivided Punjab devotes just two-and-a-half-pages in his 277-page memoir to this momentous achievement. Instead, he focuses on his journey as an inventor-entrepreneur encompassing fibre optics communications, lasers, biomedical instrumentation, solar energy and pollution monitoring, registering in the process 120 patents, as also academics - but most importantly as a philanthropist. Over the past 50 years, the Palo Alto, California, based Sikh Foundation that Kapany founded in 1967 pioneered the display of Sikh Arts at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. It has worked tirelessly to promote and preserve Sikh art, heritage, education, culture, and religion by underwriting, mounting, and/or providing the art for numerous world-class Sikh art retrospectives, museum exhibitions and lecture series from London, to Toronto and the US, including New York City, Washington D.C. (at the Smithsonian for five years, Texas and California, where at San Francisco's Asian Art Museum, Kapany donated the nation's first permanent Sikh gallery. All this is in addition to four Chairs that the Foundation has underwritten at the Universities of California Santa Cruz, Sana Barbara and Riverside and the California State University East Bay, as also its support for Punjabi language programmes at Columbia, Stanford and the University of California Berkeley. "Together, we must work toward absolute equality for all, promoting love and charity. This not one way of moving forward; it is the only way," Kapany, who died on December 4, 2020 aged 94, nine months after completing his memoirs, maintains in "The Man Who Bent Light" (Roli Books). The spark was ignited in high school in Dehradun, where, a teacher told Kapany that light could travel only in a straight line. Determined to prove his teacher wrong, he went on to graduate from Agra University before going to Imperial College to work on a PhD in optics from the University of London. In 1953, working alongside physicist Harold Hopkins at the Imperial College, Kapany, after a great deal of trial and effort, was the first to successfully transmit high-quality images through fibre bundles, coining the term fibre optics in a 1960 article for Scientific American. He describes the breakthrough rather modestly: "On my request, Professor Hopkins appeared in the lab... I (had) affixed a black mask with the cut-out word 'FIBRE' to a lens that I had set up in front of the business end of the remaining end remaining (optical glass) bunch and beamed it to a makeshift projection screen on the far wall. "Well, Kapany, what do you have to show me? "I pulled up the single chair in the lab, placed it with the best sight line to the screen, and urged him to sit. "Ready, I asked. "Yes, yes, he said, feigning impatience. "I closed the door, shut off all the lights, and in a single, final effort, I switched on the light source. And there it was. On the screen. Like an optometrist's chart but with only a single line of large letters, as clear as it could be: F...I...B...R...E." Kapany had proved that ultimately, what it comes down to is persistence. "Doggedness is an important attribute in a field where, by most measures, only a fraction succeed," Kapany writes. This was an attribute that followed him through his life. In 1961, Kapany along with his wife moved to Woodside on the San Francisco Peninsula and today one of the wealthiest communities in the US, where he founded Optics Technology Inc. successfully taking it public in 1967. He was the first Sikh Indian to take a company public in Silicon Valley. The San Francisco Examiner, in February 1969, described him as '...the most dashing corporate officer in the area'. Subsequently, he founded Kaptron Inc. in 1973, which was later acquired by AMP Inc. In between, he was offered the post of Scientific Advisor to then Defence Minister V.K. Krishna, with Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru himself forwarding the recommendation to the UPSC, which made such senior appointments. However, the offer was a year in coming, during which Kapany had moved on. He was later offered the position of Assistant Secretary for Commerce in the administration of Richard Nixon but this didn't go through as he was known to be uncomfortable with the then US President. Kapany even had an extended meeting with Daniel Patrick Moynihan when he was named the US Ambassador to India to come on board as his number two "It was not to be the case, however, and largely, I believe, for the very trepidations he had expressed in our conversation that day: that it was simply too early in modern India's development for a partnership such as ours," Kapany writes. It's a measure of the man who was posthumously awarded the Padma Vibhushan, India's second highest civilian award, that he has no regrets. "To the years gone by, I bid a fond farewell. For those yet to come, I welcome them, I embrace them," Kapany wrote in the concluding chapter, titled "In Closing" that he signed off in March 2020. New York, Jan 13 : US President Joe Biden's nominee to be the top official dealing with sanctions has hinted that India may be spared sanctions for buying the S400 Triumf anti-missile defence system from Russia. James O'Brien, the nominee for Coordinator for Sanctions Policy, said on Wednesday that in considering sanctions on India, "there are important geostrategic considerations, particularly with the relationship to China" and "so, I think, we have to look at what the balance is". When he appeared before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee for his confirmation hearing, Republican Senator Todd Young asked O'Brien about sanctioning India under the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) which requires sanctions against countries buying Russian defence equipment. Young noted that Washington has imposed sanctions on Turkey's defence establishments for buying the S400 system and asked if that provided "any warning or lessons for how to proceed with India". "I believe they're very different circumstances and of course different security partnerships," he added. O'Brien said: "As you say, I think it's difficult to compare the two situations - with a NATO ally (Turkey) that is breaking with legacy defence procurement systems, and then it is India, a partner of growing importance, but that has legacy relationships with Russia." "The administration made clear that it is discouraging India from proceeding with the acquisition of Russian equipment," he said, but added that there were "important geostrategic considerations". "It'd be premature to say more, but this is something I look forward to working with with you and other interested members," he said. Young said that India importing the S400 system has "led some of my colleagues to call for sanctions under CATSA" but declared that he was against taking action against New Delhi. "India's vital ally in our competition against China, and that's why I believe we should resist taking any actions that might drive them away from us and the Quad. I'm therefore strongly supportive of waiving CAATSA sanctions against India, given our shared foreign policy interests." India, along with the US, Japan and Australia, is a member of the four-nation group that is known as the Quad, which is emerging as a key component in Washington's strategy against China's growing aggressive posture in the Indo-Pacific region. "Indians have a lot of legacy systems from previous decades and they are interoperable with the Russians systems and the Indians seek to defend their land border from Chinese incursions and defend the Indian Ocean from an increasingly adventurous and lawless blue ocean (Chinese) Navy and the People's Liberation Army," Young said. The S400 system and navy frigate ships India is acquiring from Russian are both "important systems for the Indians", he said. Chuck Schumer, the leader of the majority Democratic Party in the Senate, has previously expressed opposition to waivers while Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chair Bob Menendez has been ambivalent about it. Young, along with fellow Republican Senators Ted Cruz and Roger Marshall introduced a bill last year to help India evade the CAATSA sanctions. But the legislation called "Circumspectly Reducing Unintended Consequences Impairing Alliances and Leadership Act of 2021" (CRUCIAL Act) went nowhere in the last Senate session. It sought to exempt the members of the Quad from US sanctions for a 10-year period. Neither Japan nor Australia buys arms from Russia, but adding them to the exemptions list would turn the focus away from India and turn the spotlight on China. There is also support from the Democratic side for giving India CAATSA exemptions. Democrat Mark Warner joined Republican John Cornyn in warning Biden that sanctions could have a "deleterious effect on a strategic partnership" between Washington and New Delhi and asked him to waive the action. The first components of the S-400 valued between $4 billion and $5.5 billion began arriving in India in November. Although Russia continues to be the major arms supplier to India, New Delhi is increasing defence purchases from the US as the two countries enter into defence cooperation agreements. During former President Donald Trump's visit to India in 2020, he and Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a $3.5 billion arms deal that would include 24 Sikorsky MH-60R Sea Hawk multi-role helicopters and six Boeing AH-64E Apache Guardian attack helicopters. (Arul Louis can be reached at arul.l@ians.in and followed @arulouis) Lucknow, Jan 13 : Their silence, this time, is deafening and even unnerving. Muslim voters in Uttar Pradesh remain tight-lipped even as the political cauldron boils over with vote bank politics. Talk to any Muslim on the street and the reply about the political prospects is non-committal and even ambiguous. Fearing polarisation on religious line, most political parties are also not talking about the Muslim factor, and the Muslims, themselves, prefer to remain low key because they are aware that any 'appeasement' issue may actually prove detrimental to their interest. When Yogi Adityanath took over the reins of power in Uttar Pradesh in 2017, he ruptured the perception that Muslims could make or mar a government in the state. He chose a broader Hindu mobilisation to relegate Muslims to the wings. He pursued policies that did not serve Muslims, including a ban on cow slaughter and curbs on use of loudspeakers for 'azaan', to name a few. The ban on triple talaq has angered the men who feel it is an intrusion into Sharia laws. The women, though happy, feel that the law has not served its purpose. "How can we take on men on this issue without having financial independence. If we are dependent on the family for ourselves and our children, we cannot go against them," said Shaheen, a young graduate. 'Attacks' on Muslims on issues like transporting meat increased, anti-CAA protests and the law on love jihad opened a gateway for 'harassment' of Muslim youth (in inter-faith relationships). In short, Yogi Adityanath put the 20 per cent Muslims on the 'defensive' and proved that power could be attained and retained without the minority community. His recent remark on "80 per cent versus 20 per cent" proves this. "Muslims have been made to feel like second class citizens in the Yogi regime. He has branded the entire community under one label-anti-national-and it is this that hurts us. We have never opposed if anyone is punished for doing wrong but you cannot term the entire community as a wrong doer. In the past five years, everyone seems to have turned into right-wing police and all you need to bash up Muslims without getting booked is a saffron 'gamcha'," said a senior faculty member from the Shia Degree College in Lucknow. The huge following that Yogi Adityanath has built up among Hindus, cutting across caste lines, has also made non-BJP parties cautious on the Muslim issue. "We know that the BJP is waiting for us to utter a word on Muslims and they will then go all out to polarise the election on religious lines," said a Congress spokesman. According to sources, parties, this time, will not take the risk of fielding too many Muslims for this reason. Muslims' representation in Uttar Pradesh has historically fluctuated. The rise of socialist parties in the 1970s and 1980s and the decline of the Congress saw the first post-Independence rise in Muslims' representation in the Vidhan Sabha, from 6.6 per cent in 1967 to 12 per cent in 1985. The first rise of the BJP in the state in the late 1980s brought this percentage down to 5.5 per cent in 1991. The overall participation of Muslims in elections as candidates also decreased over the same period. The second phase of growth in representation started after 1991 and culminated in 2012, when Muslim candidates won 17 per cent of the assembly seats, achieving near-demographic proportion for the first time. The carving of Uttarakhand in 2000 also contributed to raise the percentage of Muslim's representation in Uttar Pradesh. The BJP's emphatic victory in 2017 reversed this trend back to the 1991 level -- 23 Muslims were elected, against 68 in the previous polls. This reflects the marginalisation of the community in policy-making. "It's not only about numbers, the slide in the community's representation also means almost no role for it in policy-making, which does not augur well for almost one-fifth of the state's population," said Maulana Khalid Rashid Firangi Mahali, member, All India Muslim Personal Law Board. As the election process begins, Muslims in Uttar Pradesh do not want to make any 'mistake' that will lead to a division in their votes. How the community will ensure that their votes are not divided, appears unclear to them also at this stage. "Defeating the BJP is a major factor though other factors also matter such as the candidate, the party, village level dynamics and local rivalries," said a senior cleric of Darul Uloom Deoband, adding that "had all Muslims voted for one strong party, the BJP would not have come to power in 2017". "The Yogi government has targeted Muslims like never before. From Azam Khan to Mukhtar Ansari, the government shown unmatched zeal in bringing them down. Others with similar offences were not even touched with a barge pole in this regime," said a Muslim MLA who requested anonymity. Mohd Azam Khan may have been an unpopular figure due to his brusque behaviour but the 86 plus cases slapped on him by the Yogi government and the two years he has spent in jail, have ensured sympathy for him in his community. Similarly, the action taken against mafia don and politician Mukhtar Ansari, who has a Robinhood image in the community, has also upset Muslims. "In these five years, the government has repeatedly flashed images of his properties being bulldozed. If he had illegally acquired his properties, the government should have waited for the court to decide. The government has worked as illegally as, perhaps, Mukhtar did. He is a five term MLA - having won three elections from behind the bars," said Abdul Ikhlaq, a high court lawyer. The Muslim community has been banking on tactical voting. Most political observers believe the community will wait till the last moment before voting for the strongest candidate to defeat the BJP. Tactical voting could become even more pronounced in this election. The presence of Asaddudin Owaisi's AIMIM in the Assembly elections, however, does not seem to be a major factor in swaying Muslim votes since the majority in the minority feels that Owaisi is not in a position to challenge the BJP yet. There are 143 seats in Uttar Pradesh, where there is an impact of Muslim voters. There are about 70 seats where the Muslim population is between 20 to 30 per cent and 43 seats where the Muslim population is more than 30 per cent. There are 36 seats in UP where Muslim candidates can win on their own whereas there are 107 assembly seats where Muslim voters can decide victory or defeat. Rampur, Farrukhabad and Bijnor are the areas where Muslim population is around 40 per cent. Apart from this, there are many such seats in western Uttar Pradesh, Rohilkhand and eastern Uttar Pradesh, where Muslim votes influence the election results. At the same time, there are nine such seats in western Uttar Pradesh, where Muslim voters decide the fate of candidates by votes. In these nine seats, the number of Muslim voters is about 55 per cent. These nine seats include Meerut Sadar, Rampur Sadar, Sambhal, Moradabad Rural and Kundarki, Amroha Nagar, Dhaulana, Behat of Saharanpur and Saharanpur Dehat. Rampur has the highest 50.57 per cent Muslim population. The Akhilesh Yadav-led Samajwadi Party won nearly half of the 57 Muslim-dominated seats in Uttar Pradesh during the 2012 Assembly elections. In 2017, the BJP put up a dominating performance in constituencies with a sizeable Muslim population and clinched as many as 37 of these seats. The Samajwadi Party's share came down to just 17 while the Mayawati-led Bahujan Samaj Party failed to retain even a single seat in 2017. Mumbai, Jan 13 : Filmmaker Sanjay Gupta will return to the director's chair with a web series titled 'Baby Patankar - Narcotics Queen of India' as he has acquired rights for the story of Baby Patankar, who established the country's biggest narcotics empire. The 10-part series, which is based on the life of Baby Patankar, popularly known as 'The Meow Meow Queen', will mark the OTT debut of Sanjay's production house, White Feather Films. Initially a domestic worker, with two kids in tow, Baby Patankar was thrown out of her house by an abusive husband. She somehow made ends meet by working in many homes and delivering milk bottles before she rose in the ranks as India's narcotics queen. Sanjay and his writers are currently penning the show that will go on floors in another six months. Sanjay will co-direct the series along with Samit Kakkad. Commenting on the development, Sanjay Gupta says, "I have been waiting for the right material to come by. Crime being my forte and I enjoy the beat very much. Here is a story that deserves to be told in all its glory. She rose from there to create and control the biggest narcotics empire in India. Her case was active till 2015." He adds, "She was arrested after 120 kilos of MDMA was found in her residence. Our story traces her rise to power, how she took over what was popularly presumed as a male bastion, her romance with a cop and how she exploited the relationship. The rivalry with existing drug lords who cut off her supplies, is another facet we will focus on. True stories like these are fascinating." The makers of the series co-produced by Bhushan Kumar of T-Series, are currently discussing the opportunity with a top OTT platform for exhibition. Srinagar, Jan 13 : As many as 18 sheep were killed and over a dozen injured in two stray dogs' attacks in J&K's Ganderbal district on the intervening night of Wednesday and Thursday. Locals in Watlar village of Ganderbal district said stray dogs barged into the cowshed of Abdul Gani Bhat at night and killed 14 sheep. Over a dozen others were injured in this nocturnal attack. Around 30 sheep were in the shed when the dogs attacked. "The dogs then attacked another cowshed in this village belonging to one Ghulam Qadir and killed 4 sheep while injuring 3 lambs", locals said. Locals alleged that Municipal Committee Ganderbal has done nothing to check the stray dog population that has grown exponentially over the years. "Women and children are now scared to even come out of their homes", locals said. In the first week of this month, stray dogs had attacked a flock of sheep in Gund area of the same district in broad daylight and killed 10 sheep. Ramanagar : , Jan 13 (IANS) Former minister and BJP MLC C.P Yogeshwar on Thursday demanded the arrest of Congress President D.K. Shivakumar. Yogeshwar is considered to be the arch rival of Shivakumar. Both hail from the same district. "Mekedatu padayatra was a farce. The ruling BJP government cannot budge before the 'goondaism' and utter negligence of Shivakumar. "He is a corrupt brigand. That is why he was not considered for the post of cabinet during the Congress rule," he charged. "Since four days the padayatra was being carried out by Shivakumar and gang. People were roped in by bribing them. The government will not bend before their dominance," he said. "Shivakumar should be taught in his own language. He should be arrested immediately. The padayatra was being taken up to promote the Congress party in southern Karnataka. Siddaramaiah did not take Shivakumar into the cabinet for a period of one year considering his criminal background. Now, Siddaramaiah is appearing to be weak," he maintained. "Corona is spreading rapidly in the state. Padayatra was nothing but self-promotion of Shivakumar and there was nothing called public interest in the padayatra," he charged. New Delhi, Jan 13 : A 15-year-old girl who was kidnapped from the national capital by a woman for getting her married to her drug addict brother, was rescued and the accused were arrested. The woman along with her boyfriend kidnapped the girl finding her as a soft target. Additional Commissioner of Police, South East Delhi, Surendera Chaudhary told IANS that the accused were identified as Ranjan Kumar, Dileep Kumar and Jyoti. "With their arrest, one minor girl has been emancipated and reunited with her family. They had even performed the marriage of the girl with one of the accused," the police said. In August 2021, a complaint was received at Kalkaji Police Station with regard to the kidnapping of a 15-year-old girl. The police after lodging a case started the investigation. During the probe, the team came to know that the family of victim originally belongs to Rajasthan's Ajmer and are of tribal caste. The police team scanned a lot of CCTV cameras to get a clue about the kidnappers which led the police to Sangam Vihar but after that there was no progress. In January, the parents of the missing girl who were in the regular touch with the police came to police station and informed that they had received a call from their daughter who said that she was in the area of Tigri Extension. Immediately, police swung into action and location of the mobile number from which the call was made by the victim was obtained. On analysing the last location of phone, it was found that the phone was active in the area of C Block, Tigri Extension. After door to door verification in the area, the police team finally succeeded in tracing the victim girl. "The girl was held hostage by the accused. We rescued the girl and arrested the accused. Jyoti, who was the mastermind, disclosed that she met with the victim girl at Nehru Place two-three days prior to the incident where she noticed that the girl was poor and needy and she could be allured easily," said the police. After two-three days, Jyoti came again to Nehru place with her boyfriend Dileep Kumar to execute her evil plan. She asked the victim that she could arrange her new cloths, if she accompanied her. On this pretext, the innocent minor girl agreed but she insisted to take her younger sister also with them. However, accused persons left her sister and kidnapped her. They took her in an auto. "The girl was then forced to get married to Ranjan Kumar, the drug addict brother of Jyoti. She was not allowed to use mobile phone or go outside the house. She managed to call her family members as nobody was present at that time in house. Accordingly, victim was rescued and all accused persons were arrested by prompt response of police team," said the police. Further probe in the matter is on. Chennai, Jan 13 : Two former Chief Ministers of Tamil Nadu -- K.Palaniswami and O.Panneerselvam -- on Thursday criticised the DMK government headed by Chief Minister M.K.Stalin in the manner of handling the Coronavirus third wave. According to Palaniswami, the government headed by him had increased the number of Covid-19 testing centres from one in March 2020 to 265 in April 2021. He urged the DMK government to increase the number of testing centres for the Omicron variant of coronavirus. "The government has the duty to inform the people as to the kind of infection they are suffering," Palaniswami said. He found fault with the Health Minister Ma. Subramanian for saying the state does not have the testing facility for Omicron, there is no need for lockdown and only those with less than 92 per cent oxygen should be admitted to the hospital. "How will a person without the pulse oximeter know his oxygen levels," Palaniswami asked. He said the AIADMK government had considered each life as important and te DMK government has similar responsibility. On his part, AIADMK Coordinator Panneerselvam said at a time when the Covid-19 infected people numbers are increasing in Tamil Nadu, the DMK government is not taking any sanitisation measures. The Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) during the AIADMK rule was to sanitise the streets where Covid-19 patients lived, sprinkling of bleaching powder on the street sides and distribution of herbal immunity booster drinks in the neighborhood, Panneerselvam recalled. Panneerselvam said in 2020, Covid-19 patients were admitted to hospitals nevertheless sanitization works were carried out. But with the DMK government advising Covid-19 patients to isolate themselves at their homes, no sanitization efforts are being taken, Panneerselvam said. According to him, it takes two days for Covid-19 test results to be announced and this has to be speeded up. Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) Melbourne, Jan 13 : The Novak Djokovic visa-saga in Australia continues even as World No 1 from Serbia was on Thursday drawn to start his campaign in the year's first Grand Slam against compatriot Miomir Kecmanovic, the World No 78. Djokovic, who had reached Australia with a certificate claiming exemption from vaccination as he had tested positive for Covid-19 in December, had his visa cancelled by the Australian government before a Federal Court in the country intervened to give him respite. There were still doubts over his participation in the event and there was intense speculation on Thursday when the draw for the event was delayed for some time. However, the organisers went ahead with the formalities on Thursday with the Serbian's name being included in the draw. Djokovic, the nine-time Australian Open winner, is hoping to become the player to win most Grand Slam titles by claiming his 21st men's singles crown in the Australian Open, which starts on January 17, breaking a tie for most tiles with Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. He is likely to face his first seeded player -- 25th ranked Lorenzo Sonego of Italy -- in the third round. Meanwhile, a decision is yet to come through from Australia's Minister of Immigration Alex Hawke as to whether or not the top-seeded Serb and nine-time champion will be allowed to defend his title. But organisers already have in place the guidelines to change the draw should Djokovic be forced to withdraw. According to the Grand Slam "ulebook: "If the withdrawal is among seeds 1 to 4, the 5th seed is moved into the open position, the 5th position shall be filled by the 17th seed, and the 17th position shall be filled by the next highest-ranked player eligible to "e seeded." As per this rule, if top-seeded Djokovic has to pull out, then fifth seed Andrey Rublev takes his place in the draw. Gael Monfils, the 17th seed 'akes Rublev's place, and Bublik becomes the new 17th seed. In case Djokovic withdraws after the order of play is made, he will be replaced by a Lucky Loser, a player who lost in the third and final round of the qualification stage. In case, Djokovic has to withdraw after playing his first-round match, his opponent in the second round will get a bye. Second seed Daniel Medvedev of Russia will open his campaign against Henri Laaksonen of Switzerland, ranked 92nd in the world. Next up for Medvedev will be Australia's Nick Kyrgios, who had withdrawn from the Adelaide International due to the Covid positive test and will open his Australian Open campaign against a qualifier if he recovers in time. IANS bsk New Delhi, Jan 13 : Elon Musk, who has been trying to launch Tesla in India for the past couple of years, is still haunted by the "key challenges" at the governments end that have grounded his electric cars from running on domestic roads. Despite the government luring him with various schemes and promises and repeated "come and manufacture/assemble your cars here" calls from the top ministers, Musk is "still working through a lot of challenges with the government". What are those key challenges that have stopped Tesla from taking concrete steps to finally roll out the most-coveted electric car for its fans in India? According to industry experts, the main challenge for Tesla to enter the Indian market is import duty. With a $39,990 global price tag, Tesla Model 3 may remain as an affordable model in the US but with import duties, it would become unaffordable in the Indian market with an expected price tag of around Rs 60 lakhs. Currently, India levies 100 per cent tax on the imported cars of price more than $40,000 (Rs 30 lakhs) inclusive of insurance and shipping expenses, and cars less than $40,000 are subject to 60 per cent import tax. The government may consider lowering import duty along with offering other sops to Tesla but for that, the EV major would have to invest in setting up a manufacturing facility in the country. "This has been ongoing for the last few years. Tesla wants to sell completely finished products in India where the Indian government wants to bring complete knocked down (CKD) products initially and start assembling in India," Soumen Mandal, research analyst, IoT, Automotive and Devices Ecosystem at Counterpoint Research, told IANS. Tesla wants to test the Indian market by importing cars before making any commitments for manufacturing. "The Indian market is very price-sensitive and we think Tesla will find difficulty in getting much market share," Mandal added. In 2015, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the Tesla headquarters at Palo Alto, California and met Musk who gave Modi a tour of the company's electric car plant. Since then, Musk has been tweeting about key challenges he faces in India. He has always blamed the Indian government's policies for giving up on his India dreams and also criticised the FDI norms for the delay in the electric car maker's entry into the Indian market. "Would love to be in India. Some challenging government regulations, unfortunately," Musk had tweeted. In the current scenario, the Indian government is encouraging the Indian automotive industry through a performance-linked incentive (PLI) scheme and Tata Motors, Mahindra & Mahindra, Ola Electric, Hyundai Motor and MG Motor have already started supporting domestic manufacturing. Another premium car brand, Mercedes-Benz is planning to launch India assembled flagship electric sedan, 'EQS' this year. "The hesitation of Tesla in launching locally-manufactured cars may affect it in getting early mover advantage and Mercedes-Benz may get the benefit of this situation," Mandal emphasised. Tesla in 2021 was busy testing Model 3 at several locations in the country. In November, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, informed that a Tesla car would cost about Rs 35 lakh in India, indicating that both Tesla and the government have a mutual interest in it. Tesla has already set up a corporate office in Mumbai, secured an office in Bengaluru and is looking for key executives to start operations in the country. Moreover, India is trying to reduce imports, especially from China. "Tesla will prefer China for importing cars to India compared to the US for reducing the cost of cars. This may be another reason the Indian government isn't relieving import duties to Tesla," Mandal told IANS. According to Prabhu Ram, Head-Industry Intelligence Group, CMR, from the near short-term perspective, Tesla may not see feasibility to channelise investments for making in India, or making direct imports. "However, from a long-term perspective, with India's e-mobility rapidly maturing, India may turn out to be a good growth bet for Tesla," Ram told IANS. (Nishant Arora can be reached at nishant.a@ians.in) Mumbai, Jan 13 : Actor Divyenndu, who enthralled the audience with his performance of Munna Bhaiya in 'Mirzapur', feels overwhelmed when people address him by the characters that he has portrayed on the screen. The actor also mentioned that more than the medium of exhibition, it's about the challenges that a character brings with itself. He always takes into consideration the relevance of the content before being a part of it. Talking about the characters, Divyenndu said, "Munna Bhaiya and Akhil Shrivastav (Bichhoo Ka Khel) have become homegrown characters to me. and it is an overwhelming feeling when people address me as these characters wherever I go, or ask me about these shows because that means I have left an impact for a longer term than just those few hours of watching the series and that is satisfying." He further mentioned that in the current times, content speaks for itself, "Shows like 'Mirzapur' and 'Bichhoo Ka Khel' have their content speak for them. As an actor, it was never about the medium for me, it has always been about how much I am getting to challenge myself as an actor, how much relevance my content has and as long it doesn't harm anyone, I would always want to be a part of it." "Both of these shows have broken all the shackles in terms of target audiences and have been liked by people from every strata of the society being OTT creations, and that is what proves what kind of groundbreaking hits these projects have been", he concluded. Patna, Jan 13 : Rashtriya Janata Dal Vice President Shivanand Tiwari on Thursday charged that the BJP wants to push the country into a civil war through events like 'Dharma Sansad' (religious congregation). "Dharma Sansad was held in Uttarakhand's Haridwar city where leaders of several extremist Hindu organisations had given hate speeches against a particular community and provoked for genocide," Tiwari told IANS. "Why are the Centre and state government allowing such an event to take place in the country? The extremist groups are openly provoking genocide. Their acts are aimed at breaking the country. They want to provoke civil war only to win elections and remain in power. What were the Prime Minister of India and the chief minister of Uttarakhand doing?" Tiwari said. He questioned the security breach of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Punjab. "The prime minister of the country has made an issue of his security breach.. of an incident where farmers were 1 km away from the actual spot. Why is he not commenting on an incident where leaders of several organisations openly provoked people for genocide? This is the double standard of the Narendra Modi government," he said. "In a democracy, farmers, students, unemployed youths, victims have the right to protest in front of the prime minister or the chief minister. Everyone knew that the farmers of the country are angry with the BJP government especially in Punjab and Haryana where more than 800 farmers lost their lives during the struggle against the three farm laws last year," Tiwari said. "Following the incident, the apex court of India has constituted an investigating committee headed by Retd judge of the Supreme Court. In this committee, officials of NIA, IB and other agencies are also involved. Still, you are not waiting for the report and initiated a signature campaign to garner public sympathy," he said. "We saw a person holding a BJP flag near the convoy of the prime minister in Bhatinda. He had also given a statement in public and claimed that when he saw the PM's convoy, he shouted slogans in his favour. I want to point out what the SPG was doing there. Why was that man allowed to reach the roadside near the convoy of the PM. The Indian government spends Rs 600 crore annually on the SPG but its men are incapable of providing security to the prime minister," Tiwari said. Seoul, Jan 13 : A South Korean passenger jet carrying dozens of citizens departed on Thursday from a Kazakh airport, eight days after it got grounded in the Central Asian nation gripped by political turmoil. The Asiana Airlines Inc. flight took off from Almaty International Airport at 1.13 p.m., carrying 43 South Koreans and four Kazakh nationals, Yonhap News Agency quoted an official at Seoul's Foreign Ministry as saying. The plane had been stranded in Kazakhstan since it landed on January 5, when protesters took control of the nation's main gateway. The airport resumed normal operations earlier on Thursday. The plane is expected to arrive at Incheon International Airport, west of Seoul, at around 10 p.m., the official noted. The South Koreans on the plane are mostly those who had originally booked the flight back home, while eight of them are crew members, according to the official. New Delhi, Jan 13 : Ahead of the Assembly elections 2022, micro-blogging site Twitter on Thursday announced new initiatives to empower citizens with the right knowledge before they cast their vote. As the states of Goa, Manipur, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand prepare for the Assembly elections 2022, Twitter said it is committed to enabling people to make informed decisions when exercising their rights. "Twitter is what's happening, and events of political and civic significance always find a place among the conversations on the service," Payal Kamat, Public Policy and Government, Twitter India, said in a statement. "In line with that, we have been working in partnership with official authorities, including the Election Commission of India to empower every #JagrukVoter on Twitter, and we will continue to harness the power of the Open Internet to strengthen civic dialogue and encourage quality participation this election season," Kamat added. Twitter will be launching a customised emoji, which will further be supported with a notification and reminder mechanism which will allow people to voluntarily sign-up for reminders on the day voting starts. Further, a voter education quiz will engage people in Q&As, equipping them with necessary facts about the polls. Twitter will also be expanding its dedicated search prompt, powered by the Election Commission of India, to provide people with real-time updates and developments on the elections from credible and authoritative sources. Twitter has also launched an information search prompt with the Election Commission of India and Chief Electoral Officers to make it easy to find credible and authoritative information for the Assembly elections 2022. These prompts provide credible, authoritative sources of information when people search with related keywords on Twitter's Explore page, the platform said. The prompt will direct people to resources where they can access reliable information about candidate lists, voting dates, polling booths, and more. Ramallah, Jan 13 : An 80-year-old Palestinian man who holds American citizenship was found dead in the West Bank following his arrest by the Israeli army, medics said here on Thursday. The Palestinian Health Ministry said that Omar As'ad's body was found in the village of Jiljilya before he was moved to the emergency room, reports Xinhua news agency. A local doctor, who tried to resuscitate the Palestinian man but found no pulse, said that it is possible that he suffered a heart attack, according to media reports. Jiljilya village mayor Fouad Motea said that Israeli soldiers suddenly stormed As'ad's car as he was on his way back home after visiting some relatives. The soldiers took him out of the car, blindfolded him, and cuffed his hands, then put him inside a building under construction, said the Mayor. The Israeli army confirmed that it had carried out an overnight operation in the village and a Palestinian was "apprehended after resisting a check", noting that he was alive when the soldiers released him. Meanwhile, the US State Department said that As'ad was an American citizen and it had sought clarification from the Israeli side over the incident. Patna, Jan 13 : The Bihar government has decided to withdraw rights of elected representatives of Panchayat bodies and Gram Kachahari (Village Court) to nominate others on their behalf. A decision to this effect was taken as often the husbands of women representatives would take part in Panchayat operations and meetings with the government employees. "We have witnessed that women Mukhiya, Sarpanch, ward members, ward councillors and others generally nominate their husbands or relatives to work on their behalf. Such a practice is completely wrong. Hence, we have decided to withdraw the rights of elected members of Panchayat bodies," said Samrat Chaudhary, Panchayati Raj minister of Bihar government. In Bihar, the term Mukhiya Pati (Hundand of village head) is quite common. The candidates who are being elected from women reserved seats generally stay indoors and their husbands would act like Mukhiya in their respective jurisdiction. "The seat reserved for women means the government wants to empower women. Unfortunately, this phenomenon is completely gone by in Bihar. Hence, we have decided to stop this practice," Chaudhary said. "We have asked the officials to implement the same and not allow any nominated person in the proceedings of Panchayat operations. New Delhi, Jan 13 : South Africa could be in the fray to host the 2022 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL), according to a newspaper report on Thursday. The report said that Sri Lanka could be a backup venue option if the third wave of the Covid-19 pandemic in India doesn't end by early April. In 2021, the 14th edition of the IPL in India was suspended after May 4 due to the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic breaching the bio-bubbles of various teams. The remainder of the tournament was then played in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), with Chennai Super Kings winning the final on October 15 in Dubai. "We can"t be dependent on UAE all the time so we decided to explore more options, South Africa's time difference also works out well for the players," a BCCI official was quoted as saying in The Indian Express. With the addition of two new IPL teams in Lucknow and Ahmedabad, the 2022 edition of the IPL will be very long. If the move happens, it will be the second time South Africa would host the IPL after the 2009 edition was shifted there due to the general elections in India. What has helped build South Africa's case is that they gave the Indian team, currently in the country for a three-match Test series followed by an ODI series of as many matches, good hotels and resorts where they are staying in a bio-secure bubble environment. The Indian team stayed at the Irene Country Lodge for the first two Test matches and are currently living in The Taj Hotel in Cape Town. "The place where the team was staying for the second Test is spread over several acres. There were walking tracks and even a pond on the property and that has made things easier for the players who for the last couple of years or so have been confined to their rooms on several overseas tours," further said an official. Incidentally, India's tour to South Africa was under huge uncertainty due to the Omicron variant causing a surge in cases in the Rainbow Nation. Eventually, the tour dates were rescheduled and the T20I leg shifted to a later date. But with cases coming down in South Africa, it could be an ideal destination for IPL to take place if the third wave in India continues into April 2022. Latest updates on IPL 2022 London, Jan 13 : A third dose of AstraZeneca's Covid vaccine, named Covishield in India, increases antibody response to the new vaccine-evading Omicron variant, according to a new trial published by the British-Swedish drugmaker on Thursday. The trial showed the third dose booster also increases the immune response to Beta, Delta, Alpha, and Gamma SARS-CoV-2 variants. The results of both were observed among individuals previously vaccinated with either AstraZeneca, Vaxzevria in the UK, or an mRNA vaccine. "These important studies show that a third dose of Vaxzevria after two initial doses of the same vaccine, or after mRNA or inactivated vaccines, strongly boosts immunity against Covid-19," said Professor Sir Andrew J. Pollard, chief investigator and director of the Oxford Vaccine Group at the University of Oxford, in a statement. "The Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine is suitable as an option to enhance immunity in the population for countries considering booster programmes, adding to the protection already demonstrated with the first two doses," he added. A recent study showed that AstraZeneca's shot increased antibodies when given as a booster after initial vaccination with its own shot or mRNA-based Pfizer's. But the study also noted that mRNA vaccines by Pfizer and Moderna gave the biggest boost to antibodies when given as a booster dose. AstraZeneca said that the new data adds to the growing body of evidence supporting Vaxzevria as a third dose booster irrespective of the primary vaccination schedules tested, adding that it is submitting the additional data to health authorities. "Given the ongoing urgency of the pandemic and Vaxzevria's increased immune response to the Omicron variant, we will continue to progress regulatory submissions around the world for its use as a third dose booster," said Mene Pangalos, Executive Vice President, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca. Meanwhile, AstraZeneca on Thursday also welcomed the US government's announcement for the purchase of an additional 500,000 doses of its antibody drug Evusheld. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had, last month, granted emergency use authorisation to Evusheld -- an injectable monoclonal antibody cocktail of tixagevimab co-packaged with cilgavimab - for Covid-19 among people with weakened immune systems. It is the first antibody treatment against Covid-19 that has won an EUA from the drug regulator. Evusheld is also effective against the Omicron variant. Delivery of the additional 500,000 doses is anticipated in the first quarter of 2022, the company said in a statement. This follows the previous government agreement for the purchase of 700,000 doses of Evusheld. Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) Panaji, Jan 13 : The BJP in Goa has shortlisted names for 37 out of the 40 seats, which go to polls on February 14, Union Minister of State for Tourism Shripad Naik said on Thursday. "We have shortlisted names for recommendation to the party's parliamentary board for 37 seats. Some seats will be finalised soon after more discussion," Naik told reporters after consecutive meetings of the BJP's state election committee and the party's core committee. The final list of candidates, Naik said, would be declared by the BJP parliamentary board in Delhi soon. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and state BJP president Sadanand Shet Tanavade are scheduled to leave for Delhi on Friday to attend the BJP's parliamentary board meeting on January 16. Goa will go to polls on February 14, with all 40 seats voting on the same date. The last date for filing of nominations is January 21 and the results will be announced on March 10. New Delhi, Jan 13 : Indian Intelligence agencies and Mumbai Police which had been making efforts to bring Dawood's nephew Sohail Kaskar back to India, had to face a tough time as Kaskar managed to give them a slip and has now reached Pakistan. "Sohail Kaskar, the nephew of Underworld Don Dawood Ibrahim, has reached Pakistan from Dubai giving the Indian Intelligence agencies a slip," a Mumbai police source said. Indian Intelligence agencies had been working on him for a long time. Kaskar was recently charged with narco terrorism by US agencies. He was held along with Danish Ali by US agencies. Ali was recently brought to India with the help of international support. Mumbai Police had hoped that Sohail too will be brought back to India. The sources have claimed that recently a call was traced by Indian agencies which was made by Kaskar. When the agencies worked on it they came to know that Kaskar had left the US long back and had reached Pakistan via Dubai. The intelligence agencies have no idea as to how he was let go by the US and wasn't handed over to India. In 2001, Danish went to Dubai where he met Kaskar. They then started living together for three years. Kaskar reportedly pushed Danish into the smuggling of diamond and took him to Russia. Danish went to Russia on a student visa in 2003. In the meantime, Sohail was arrested in a diamond smuggling case in South Africa where he spent about a year in jail. After coming out of jail, Sohail and Danish started smuggling of arms. Both went to Spain where they came on the radar of US agencies. Spanish agencies and the US worked together to bust their nexus. One decoy of Spanish agency was sent to Danish Ali, who told Sohail and Danish that he was working for Revolutionary Arm of Colombia and needed arms against his government. US agencies did sting operation of their meetings and collected evidences. They also gave Danish and Sohail money to win their confidence. Finally in 2014, US agencies held Danish and Sohail in drug and arms dealing and the probe was given to Federal Bureau of Investigation. On September 12, 2018, Sohail was convicted by a US court after which Indian agencies tried to bring him back to India. US agencies had found an Indian passport from him and it was said that he will be handed over to India under Mutual Legal Assistant Treaty 2005. Sohail Kaskar is son of Noora Kaskar who died in 2010 due to kidney failure. If he was handed over to Indian agencies, he would have been a great help to establish connection of terrorism cases related to Dawood Ibrahim. Chennai, Jan. Jan 13 : Director Halitha Shameem says she was amazed by actress Lijomol Jose's performance in her film 'Loners', which happens to be one of the five episodes in the anthology 'Putham Pudhu Kaalai Vidiyaadha' that is to release on Prime Video on January 14. Talking about the talented actress, who shot to the limelight for her brilliant performance as Sengani in the critically acclaimed courtroom drama 'Jai Bhim', director Halitha says, "I liked Lijo's performance in 'Sivappu Manjal Pachai'. Dir Sasi, Dir Gnanavel and actor Manikandan - all three of them praised her and Manikandan, in particular, told me that I should work with her as she was way too sincere. "I liked the way she presented herself in an awards event that we attended together. She was simple and down to earth, more relatable. When I approached her for the role, she read the script and enacted a few scenes. She recorded these on her phone and sent me the video clips. Tears started rolling as I watched those clips. I was truly amazed at her performance. "'Loners' was recorded in sync sound. I didn't even do a bit of ADR with her! Her pronunciation and rendering of lines were all so perfect." Talking about Lijomol's performance in 'Jai Bhim', the director says, "After watching 'Jai Bhim', I felt even more proud of her, for all the hard work." In the episode 'Loners', directed by Halitha Shameem, Lijomol plays Nalla, who goes through a break-up during the pandemic and serendipitously meets Dheeran (played by Arjun Das) at a virtual wedding. What follows is a series of deep meaningful conversations that enables them to develop a bond virtually and be alone together. Each story in 'Putham Pudhu Kaalai Vidiyaadhaa... ' is standalone and yet they are all bound together by the theme of personal discovery of hope and new beginnings through human connection. These are stories of optimism, love and second chances, set in the second Covid-19 lockdown. The stories feature Aishwarya Lekshmi, Arjun Das, Dhilip Subbarayan, Gouri G Kishan, Joju George, Lijomol Jose, Nadiya Moidu, Nirmal Pillai, Sananth, and TeeJay Arunasalam, and are directed by Balaji Mohan, Halitha Shameem, Madhumita, Richard Anthony and Surya Krishna. Mumbai, Jan 13 : 'Yeh Kaali Kaali Aankhein' casting director Shivam Gupta opens up on casting Shweta Tripathi, Tahir Raj Bhasin and Anchal Singh for the web series. Shivam said: "Casting of 'Yeh Kaali Kaali Aankhein' happened in 2019 where we started briefing and testing many actors. Meanwhile we auditioned fresh faces, semi known, known actors for the main 3 characters and it was also challenging as we were about to start shooting in March 2020." "But then lockdown happened and that time the female cast was different apart from Tahir but it didn't work out due to Covid-19. Therefore after working through the entire lockdown for casting we finally got our main female characters Anchal and Shweta. Our final cast Anchal, Tahir and Shweta is an extremely talented and beautiful cast." He further adds about actor and screenwriter Saurabh Shukla, who is known for movies such as 'Satya', 'Yuva', 'Barfi!', 'Jolly LLB', 'Kick' and many more joining the cast of the web show. "Also the interesting part was that Saurabh Shukla sir joined us after 2 days of shoot. It's a big show and I'm hoping for the best. We have casted many new actors from theatre backgrounds and have given breaks to many fresh faces as well. It's a mixed bunch of ensemble cast." Shivam Gupta is one of the youngest casting directors who started his journey with films like 'Daddy', 'Trapped' and went on to be associate casting director with films like 'Raid', 'Batti Gul Meter Chalu' and 'Sacred Games Season 2' amongst others. Talking about how the casting process plays a pivotal role in the success of a film or show he adds: "Casting plays a very important role in the success of a web series or a movie because the very first thing is casting only. If the cast is not good then there's no point in the whole storyline because we visualise the whole plot and the story through the actors in the film." The psychological thriller series 'Yeh Kaali Kaali Aankhein' is all set to release on Netflix on January 14. Kolkata, Jan 13 : In a major haul, the Special Task Force and the Special Operations Group have recovered drugs mainly Brown Sugar worth around Rs 10 crore from Siliguri. Six people, including two from other states, have been arrested in this connection. According to police, the seizure which is the highest in the last five years is considered to be a major success for the Siliguri Police Commissionerate and the Special Task Force because the cops are hopeful that while interrogating the people, police might get into certain leads which will enable them to intercept international rackets. Acting on a tip-off, the Special Operations Group of Siliguri Police Commissionerate raided the Kankata junction of the Eastern Bypass adjacent to Siliguri on Wednesday afternoon and detected certain suspects who were wandering in the area aimlessly. Police intercepted the four and a huge amount of brown sugar was recovered from under the clothes. Police arrested the four identified as -- Kamal Sheikh of Kaliaganj in Baningsar of Nadia district, Monirul Islam of Bishnupur in South 24 Parganas, Shamsul Alam of Bajwaj and Mohammad Meherul of Biswas Colony of Matigara near Siliguri. "The quality of brown sugar is very high and it has a market value of nearly 7.5 crore. We are interrogating the four to find out whether there is any international racket involved in it," a senior police officer of Siliguri Police Commissionerate said. In a separate raid by the Special task Force, a large quantity of brown sugar worth 2.5 crore was recovered from the secret chamber of a truck in Siliguri on Wednesday evening. Acting on a tip-off, the Special Task Force of the state police intercepted the truck at Phulbari near Siliguri and conducted a search operation. The brown sugar was then recovered from the truck's secret chamber. Two persons - both residents of Jharkhand identified as Hafizur Rahman, a resident of Assam, and Dalim Sheik were arrested in the incident. "We had information that some brown sugar was being transported to Bihar from Assam in a truck and so we intercepted the truck and recovered the drug. Two persons have been arrested in this connection. We are interrogating the duo," the officer added. New Delhi, Jan 13 : Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal, on Thursday launched the negotiations between India and the UK for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the two countries in the presence of British International Trade Secretary, Anne-Marie Trevelyan. The FTA negotiations in New Delhi are expected to facilitate the target of doubling bilateral trade between India and the UK by 2030, set by the Prime Ministers of both the nations, Narendra Modi and Boris Johnson, in May 2021. Speaking on the occasion, Goyal said that both India and the UK are vibrant democracies, with a partnership build on the shared history and rich culture of the two nations. The diverse Indian diaspora in the UK, who act as a 'Living Bridge', adds further dynamism to the relations between the two countries, he said. The FTA with the UK is expected to provide certainty, predictability and transparency and will create a more liberal, facilitative and competitive services regime, the minister noted. "The FTA negotiations with the UK are expected to increase our exports in leather, textile, jewellery and processed agri products. India is also expected to register a quantum jump in the export of marine products through the recognition of 56 marine units in India. "The mutual recognition agreements (MRAs) on pharma could provide additional market access. There is also great potential for increasing exports in service sectors like IT/ITES, nursing, education and healthcare, including AYUSH and audio-visual services. India would also be seeking special arrangements for movement of its people," Goyal said. The minister assured that subsequent to the unveiling of the FTA, the two nations would proactively and regularly engage with each other, for deliberating on the scope and coverage of the trade deal. Observing that the UK is a major trade partner of India with substantial bilateral volume of trade in goods and services, Goyal said that with the cooperation extended across areas like tourism, technology, startups, education, climate change etc,. the two nations are looking forward to a mutually beneficial trade deal with balanced concessions and market access package in a wide range of sectors. Calling for the enhancement of sectoral cooperation by addressing market access issues and removing trade restrictions, Goyal said that it would help generate direct and indirect employment in both the nations. Earlier, Trevelyan had stated before leaving London: "We want to unlock this huge new market (offered by India) for our great British producers and manufacturers across numerous industries from food and drink to services and automotive. "India marks the start of our ambitious 5-star year of UK trade and will show how the deals we negotiate will boost the economies across all nations." New Delhi, Jan 13 : The Indian passport now ranks at 83rd position on the Henley Passport Index, climbing seven places from the 90th rank last year, the London-based global citizenship and residence advisory firm, said. It released the rankings for the year 2022, based on exclusive data provided by the International Air Transport Association. As per the report, Japan and Singapore top the list of being the most powerful passports in the world for the year 2022. The visa-free score of both countries is at 192. Afghanistan (rank 111) and Iraq (rank 110) continue to be in the 'worst passports to hold' category having a visa-free score of 26 and 28 respectively. Pakistan's passport is fourth among the worst or least powerful passports. The index includes 199 different passports and 227 different destinations. Updated quarterly, the Henley Passport Index is considered the standard reference tool for the global citizen and sovereign states for assessing passport rank on the global mobility spectrum. Mumbai, Jan 13 : Actor Puneett Chouksey has some memorable memories of the harvesting festivals of Lohri and Makar Sankranti. He says: "The joyous festivals of Lohri and Makar Sankranti are here. These festivals with their agrarian roots signify the end of chilly winters and a move towards warmer, sunny days. It is truly a happy time for all of us. Sesame seeds (til) are an integral part of these festivals as they are used to make special snacks during these festivals. The snacks made out of these seeds carry with them the lingering remembrance of our childhood festivities." The 'Sirf Tum' actor reveals being a foodie and shared how he use to celebrate the festival during childhood. He said: I'm a foodie, and food is an important part of Lohri and Makar Sankranti celebrations. I remember when I was a kid, a typical Lohri day would start with my friends in my hometown going from door to door asking for traditional sweets such as gajak, chikki, jaggery, popcorn, sesame seeds (til), rewari and peanuts." "Then as the night falls, family and neighbours use to sit around a holy bonfire enjoying Lohri-special snacks. I remember, as kids, we used to dine on til ke ladoo and gajak on the days around Makar Sankranti. They were all home made stuff and used to last for weeks. Taste and aroma of til is very subtle yet it remains with you all your life. And interestingly they seem exciting only in the month of January not round the year," he adds. Puneett has earlier also featured in shows like 'Sadda Haq', 'Laal Ishq', 'Shakti', 'Naagin 3' among others. Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 13 : State Congress president K. Sudhakaran on Thursday warned the ruling CPI-M in Kerala to see that they take steps to end the violence in the state. Sudhakaran said that this has started ever since a SFI engineering student was murdered at a state run engineering college in Idukki district, early this week. Across Kerala at numerous places the offices of the Congress party and at some areas the homes of Congress leaders including lawmakers like N.K. Premachandran's car came under attack of the angry CPI-M workers. "Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and his Police are maintaining a stoic silence as by now numerous Congress offices and leaders have faced the wrath of the CPI-M goons. If things do not end soon, we will have no qualms to say that we are quite capable of taking care of ourselves. If you think you can keep us under check by unleashing violence, then such thoughts are out of place and please don't underestimate us," said Sudhakaran. "Things are now coming out on what has happened at Idukki and the statement of the Idukki SP of Police is only needed. The Congress party is not one which indulges in violence and we know very well what democracy is unlike the CPI-M who has scant respect for such things. Sudhakaran's angry response has come at a time when a former top party colleague, K.P. Anil Kumar a former organising general secretary of the Congress party, who shifted his loyalties and became a CPI-M member last year, on Thursday said there are people in the state who will take the task of beating up Sudhakaran, like a rabid dog. New Delhi, Jan 13 : In the past few months, there has been a discussion about whether schools should return to traditional schooling or adopt a hybrid model. For many schools, it was easy to choose and adapt to the changing times by implementing a hybrid education model. For many others, there was no option but to return to traditional schooling because such groups of schools lacked funding. With the Covid-19 new variant, Omicron, shutting down schools in many states, including the national capital, thousands of schools in the second group are sufferings due to the absence or lack of modern technologies in their systems. Keeping this in view, Eupheus Learning, a school-focused distribution platform and Varthana Finance Private Ltd, an education-focused NBFC, has signed an MoU to strengthen schools with financing options and modern education offerings. "Since our inception, we have been committed to transforming the Indian education system by enabling the 21st Century Learning. With this MoU with Varthana Finance, we are taking another step in the direction to support and empower schools with a one-stop solution for their financial, operational and academic needs", Amit Kapoor, Co-Founder, Eupheus Learning, said in a release. The benefits mentioned under the MoU will only cover schools that fall under the umbrella of Eupheus Learning and Varthana. The financial assistance extended under the MoU will help schools expand their infrastructure, invest in teacher training, and introduce new learning methods into their classrooms. Yogesh Gaat, Chief Business Officer, Varthana said that this strategic partnership would significantly improve learning outcomes for students and the performance of educators. "Our vision to support high-quality education aligns well with Eupheus, and we are confident that this partnership will yield great results", he added. India's education system is one of the largest globally, after China, with more than 1.5 million schools, around 9.7 million teachers and over 265 million students of pre-primary to higher secondary level. In the past two years of the pandemic, the number of dropouts has increased significantly. Among all segments, the dropout in secondary level is as high as 17 per cent. Such financial aid from private players will provide a base to schools on which they can make provisions to provide quality education to the majority of students. Los Angeles, Jan 13 : For more than two years, Oscar-nominated documentary filmmaker Amy Berg has been secretly working with Evan Rachel Wood on a documentary about the life of the Golden Globe-nominated actress, especially her emergence as an activist, reports 'Variety'. Berg also documents Wood's decision to come forward to allege that heavy metal artiste Brian Hugh Warner, better known by his stage name Marilyn Manson, had "horrifically abused: her while they were in a relationship. The result is 'Phoenix Rising', which was announced on Wednesday (U.S. Time) as part of this year's Sundance Film Festival lineup, and will air in two parts on HBO in the coming months. Though Wood had spoken publicly about her experiences with domestic violence, and in 2019 created the Phoenix Act, a bill that extends the statute of limitations on domestic violence from three years to five -- which passed in California -- 'Variety' reports that it wasn't until Februrary 1, 2021 that she accused Manson as being the perpetrator of that abuse in a post on Instagram. Manson has denied all wrongdoing -- and his representative had no further comment to 'Variety'. But in the aftermath of Wood's allegations -- which opened the floodgates of other Manson accusers -- his label, agent, manager and longtime publicist dropped him. Since then, Manson has been the subject of investigations by the 'Los Angeles Times' and 'Rolling Stone'. Bengaluru, Jan 13 : In a bid to facilitate thea Future Digital Jobs@ Government Polytechnic and Engineering Colleges' initiative, the Department of Collegiate and Technical Education (DCTE) entered into Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Karnataka Digital Economy Mission (KDEM) on Thursday. On the occasion at Vidhana Soudha, C.N.Ashwatha Narayan, Minister for Higher Education and IT/BT said that the partnership envisions harnessing and enhancing collaborative initiatives between academia and industry. "This collaboration would enable to organise future digital jobs drive exclusively for students of government institutions and to provide career counselling and guidance to students in government institutions leading to meaningful internships, projects, and placements," he explained. "This would help to conduct workforce research for industries in regions 'Beyond Bengaluru' and facilitates industry talks, mentoring seminars, and workshops for students, faculty, etc. It also plays a role in establishing incubation centres, centres of excellence in government institutions", the Minister listed out. This MoU will enable support development of relevant curriculum, enhancing infrastructure for teaching among other things, Guiding young entrepreneurs, especially in rural Karnataka through mentorship and talent development, Narayan stated. The MoU is expected to chiefly benefit students studying in 92 polytechnic and 14 engineering government institutions. Srinagar, Jan 13 : Jammu and Kashmir National Conference President and Srinagar MP Farooq Abdullah on Thursday expressed outrage over the incendiary remarks and 'genocidal' threats against Muslims and other minority groups and demanded stern action against those spewing venom at hate speech conclaves across the country. Voicing concern over the inflammatory and provocative speeches against Muslims at an event in Haridwar and other such hate speech conclaves of right wing groups, he said: "The nature of speeches delivered in Haridwar between 17 and 19 December 2021, and other such hate speech conclaves across the country is deplorable. Recurring such open seditious and genocidal calls in the country are deeply disturbing." Censuring the government of turning a blind eye to the hate speeches against the Muslim community, Abdullah said the criminal hush in government circles raises a question mark that begs to be answered. He said that India being a signatory to the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (CPPCG) under Article 3 C which clearly criminalises 'Direct and public incitement to commit genocide' - should act firmly against such groups and individuals that call for 'genocide' of country's Muslims. "These hate speech conclaves also fit a variety of crimes under Indian laws and are antagonistic to national integrity and peace. The prevailing blanket silence of the country's head and absence of any punitive action has emboldened such hate mongers," he said. "I will be grateful if action is taken against those who have violated the Genocide convention. Urgent action is needed otherwise it will embolden those who spread hatred thereby vitiating the atmosphere. It will inevitably result in further alienation of the minorities which is not in the interest of India," he added. Abdullah demanded that the groups and individuals spewing hate be taken to task. "It is high time that the government stops emboldening these hatemongers with its inaction and establishes rule of law," he said. Bengaluru, Jan 13 : Madhukar G. Angur, former chancellor of Alliance University, who was placed under arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), has moved Karnataka High Court challenging the trial court order which sent him to judicial custody. He has also moved a bail plea which is yet to be heard. Angur has claimed in his first plea challenging court order that Section 167 CrPC was applicable to only police and not to agency. He has said in the plea that the application u/s 167 CrPC preferred by the ED as well as the court was not maintainable under law. He has stated in the plea filed through his counsel that he joined the investigation on each occasion and was not running away anywhere. He has accused the ED of misusing its power. The ED on Saturday arrested Madhukar G. Angur, the former Chancellor of Alliance University in connection with a prevention of money laundering case for allegedly misappropriating university funds by cheating around 4,500 students' parents to the tune of Rs 107 crore. Earlier, four separate cases under various sections of the Indian Penal Code were registered by Bengaluru Police against Angur. The ED initiated money laundering investigation on the basis of these FIRs registered against him. The ED found that he was allegedly involved in money laundering through different means. Madhukar Angur, Priyanka B.S. and Ravi Kumar, the three accused had physically lodged themselves inside the campus premises of the Alliance University, Bengaluru, between 2016 and 2017. During this time Madhukar Angur and others informed the parents of the students through emails and physical notices not to deposit the fee in the official accounts of the Alliance University and instead asked them to deposit the fees of their children into the illegally opened bank accounts by Madhukar Angur and others in the name of Srivari Educational Services. Hence, the parents of about 4,500 students were persuaded to deposit the fees in the said illegally opened bank accounts and amounts to the tune of Rs 107 crore were siphoned off by Madhukar Angur and others by collecting the tuition fees, hostel fees and other fees illegally from the students. "The accused was produced before the City Civil and Sessions Judge and Special Judge for PMLA cases at Bengaluru on saturday. The ED sought the judicial custody of the accused. The court after hearing the arguments of both the sides allowed the move of the ED. The court has remanded him to seven days judicial custody," said the ED official. New Delhi, Jan 13 : The Supreme Court has stayed the Punjab and Haryana High Court direction to OLX India to adopt a screening mechanism in connection with sellers, who could post an advertisement on the online platform. A bench of Justices U.U. Lalit, S. Ravindra Bhat, and Bela. M. Trivedi said: "Liberty to serve the learned standing counsel for the State. Pending further consideration, the effect and operation of the order under challenge to the extent it issued certain directions against and in relation to the petitioner shall remain stayed." Senior advocate Siddharth Luthra represented OLX India B.V. in the top court. The top court was hearing a plea by OLX India B.V. challenging the high court order, which was passed in December last year. The high court had passed a slew of directions to OLX, in a matter where a person had used another person's identity to post an advertisement on the online platform. The plea, against the high court order, contended that OLX is an online marketplace, which connects sellers with potential buyers and is nothing more than a passive conduit between a buyer and a seller similar to the classifieds column in a newspaper. The plea added that the platform qualifies as an "intermediary" as defined under Section 2(1)(w) of the Information Technology Act, 2000. The matter before the high court was that a police official had gone to the petitioner's house and handed him a notice that a person identified as Umar Ali, had used the petitioner's Aadhaar card to post an advertisement for sale of a motorcycle. The petitioner was informed that the impersonator had cheated a person in connection with sale of the motorcycle, and an FIR has been registered against the petitioner. The petitioner then moved the high court urging it to issue directions for conducting fair and impartial investigation in the FIR. "Since this court is dealing with such or similar type of cases every day, wherein by using OLX platform, the accused persons are cheating the innocent people, it would be necessary to issue notice to the Home Secretary, Govt of Haryana as well as Director General of Police, Haryana to inform this Court whether any guidelines have been issued with regard to giving an advertisement on a platform like OLX or any other similar agency," said the high court in its order. The high court directed for filing affidavits explaining whether it is feasible to lay guidelines. It also directed that all the advertisements on OLX platform be deleted and be re-listed only after attaching an open PDF file along with each advertisement, and passed a slew of directions on the nature of documents required. Chandigarh, Jan 13 : Close on the heels of terror module backed by the International Sikh Youth Federation (ISYF) busted, Punjab Police on Thursday said it have recovered 2.5 kg RDX, one detonator, codex wire, five explosive fuses along with wires, 12 cartridges of AK 47 Assault Rifle. Director General of Police (DGP) V.K. Bhawra said the recovery was made on the interrogation of Amandeep Kumar, the prime accused in the two recent incidents of grenade attacks in Pathankot. Amandeep was among the six operatives of ISYF arrested on Monday. He confessed to have carried out two grenade attacks in Pathankot, including at an Army camp in Pathankot. Senior Superintendent of Police Kanwardeep Kaur said following revelations of Amandeep teams were sent to Gurdaspur district and recovered the explosive material, which according to Amandeep was to be used in assembling of IEDs. She said the consignment was provided by self-proclaimed chief of ISYF (Rode) Lakhbir Singh Rode, presently residing in Pakistan, to Amandeep through his associate and handler of this terror module, Sukhpreet Singh. Between June and July in 2021, Rode figured prominently in operationalising a series of terror modules through his network in Punjab and other countries. A large number of militant hardware that includes RDX, tiffin IEDs, associated explosive material for assembling IEDs, hand grenades, fire arms and also narcotics have been pushed by him across the international border mainly via drones and using his network of cross-border smugglers, an official statement said. Bengaluru, Jan 13 : The padayatra by the Congress demanding speedy implementation of the Mekedatu project has indeed led to a surge in Covid cases in the state and the party is responsible for this, charged Health and Education Minister K. Sudhakar. Speaking to the media at Vikasa Soudha on Thursday, Sudhakar, maintained that the BJP government handled the situation with maturity without giving any scope for chaos. He also appreciated the Congress for calling off the padayatra in the interest of the health and safety of the citizens. "Several thousands of innocent people have participated in the padayatra. We are yet to see how it will spread Covid. The government did not stop the padayatra by brutal force but we tried to convince them," he said. The irresponsible statements made by KPCC President D.K. Shivakumar are very unbecoming and have hurt the morale of Covid warriors. They have even hurt top officers as well as frontline workers, he charged. Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai has very deep understanding and knowledge of irrigation issues and he is very well aware of what needs to be done to benefit the state. The Opposition should join hands with the government in such inter-state water issues. The Uttar Pradesh Congress has cancelled all political rallies despite elections. The Karnataka Congress should also have postponed the padayatra, Sudhakar opined. The government has lodged FIRs and issued notices to all those who have violated Covid norms. CM Bommai has managed the situation very sensitively without giving room for any violence, he said. Mekedatu is an inter-state issue and Tamil Nadu has approached the Supreme Court. The ruling DMK is a UPA alliance partner and if the Congress high command is really concerned about Karnataka, it could have discussed with the Tamil Nadu CM to withdraw the case, said Sudhakar. "On Dec 28, 2021, there were 356 cases in the state including 269 in Bengaluru. On January 5 we had 3,605 cases in Bengaluru and 641 in the rest of the state. On January 11, we had 10,800 cases in Bengaluru alone and 3,673 in the rest of the state. So between December 28 and January 11, in 15 days, the cases have increased by 32.64 per cent in Bengaluru Urban district, 32.65 per cent in BBMP and 36.44 per cent in the state," explained the minister. While the doubling time in the first wave was 10-12 days, it was 8 days during second wave. But in the third wave the cases are doubling every 2 or 2.5 days. It is therefore important for everyone to get both the doses of vaccine. Between January 1-11, there were 62,641 active cases and about 6 are in hospital, 1 per cent in Covid Care Centres and the rest 93 per cent are in home isolation, said the minister. "We have set a target of at least 2 lakh tests per day and we will increase it further. About 1 lakh tests are being done in Bengaluru. About 265 labs are operational in the state and there are 9 genomic labs, 5 are state and 4 are central government labs. We have a capacity to sequence 1,875 samples in one batch," claimed Sudhakar. After the second wave, at a total cost of Rs 243 crores, we have established an additional 6,386 oxygen beds and 2,928 ICU beds in 147 taluk hospitals. 665 oxygen beds and 263 ICU beds have been added in 19 district hospitals at a cost of Rs 25 crores. 217 out of 266 oxygen plants allotted to Karnataka are operational. 3,460 ventilators and 8,100 oxygen concentrators are available, he elaborated. Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) Bengaluru, Jan 13 : The ruling BJP in Karnataka after scuttling Congress padayatra on Mekedatu is in no mood to celebrate as five days of foot march successfully provided a platform for the much awaited understanding between State Congress President D.K. Shivakumar and Opposition leader Siddaramaiah. Shivakumar and Siddaramaiah, always vying with each other for supremacy in the affairs of the Congress party in Karnataka, have buried their hatchet for now. Further more, they are targeting the BJP more effectively. Siddaramaiah's poignant attacks on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Amit Shah are well known. His recent verbal attacks on RSS have created a furore and became national news. Shivakumar on the other hand, has enraged the BJP's central leadership and even sent to jail. With former Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa being sidelined in the party, BJP Karnataka unit leadership falls short to match the aura and mass appeal of Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar, according to analysts. Shivakumar with huge resource capabilities and with Siddaramaiah's appeal on minorities and backward classes, Congress if puts up a united fight, it won't be difficult to attain power in Karnataka in the upcoming assembly elections, say senior Congress leaders. The BJP on the other hand seems to be divided and many leaders are still hopeful of being projected as the Chief Ministerial candidate for the 2023 assembly elections despite high command making it clear that next elections would be fought under the leadership of Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai. Former Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar who refused to be in the Bommai cabinet, openly stated that he can't work under his junior. He is yet to be placated. Shettar is clearly maintaining distance from CM Bommai. Party sources say that all is not well between Yediyurappa and Bommai as well. With all this, the cabinet reshuffle after the results of five states is expected to create more rift within the BJP as the talks are rife that all seniors and aged ministers would be dropped from the cabinet and Gujarat model would be adopted in the state. It is going to be a challenging situation for CM Bommai, party sources say. Manjunath Adde, Congress Spokesperson stated that the high command has defined the roles and responsibilities of the leaders. Siddaramaiah as a Opposition leader and Shivakumar as the party President have galvanized the party. "There are clear signs in the state of Congress returning to power. The wave will only grow stronger for Congress in the coming days," he explained. New Delhi/ London, Jan 13 : Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal, on Thursday launched the negotiations between India and the UK for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the two countries in the presence of British International Trade Secretary, Anne-Marie Trevelyan. Ahead of the launch of the FTA negotiations, British Minister Boris Johnson said: "A trade deal with India's booming economy offers huge benefits for British businesses, workers and consumers. As we take our historic partnership with India to the next level, the UK's independent trade policy is creating jobs, increasing wages and driving innovation across the country." "The UK has world-class businesses and expertise for which we can rightly be proud of, from Scotch whisky distillers to financial services and cutting-edge renewable technology. We are seizing the opportunities offered in growing economies of the Indo-Pacific to cement our place on the global stage and deliver jobs and growth at home," Johnson said in London. The India-UK bilateral trade relationship is part of 'Roadmap 2030' announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his British counterpart Johnson in May 2021. India and the UK will seek to agree a mutually beneficial agreement supporting jobs, businesses and communities in both countries. Patna, Jan 13 : The Bharatiya Janata Party's Bihar wing lodged a written complaint against Padma Shri Award winner Daya Prakash Sinha in the Kotwali police station of Patna on Thursday. BJP's Sanjay Jaiswal filed the FIR against Sinha and alleged that he has used the name of the BJP to defame it. That he has also published a book where he compared Samrat Ashoka with Mughal emperor Aurangzeb is condemnable. "Sinha, in his Wikipedia page, mentioned that he is a national convener of the BJP cultural wing and vice president of the Indian Council of Cultural Relations which is completely false. He has used the name of the BJP which is completely incorrect," Jaiswal said. Sinha also mentioned in an interview that the character of Samrat Ashoka was similar to Mughal emperor Aurangzeb. Both of them had an ugly history during the initial period. They killed their brothers and put their fathers behind bars. Samrat Ashoka had set his wife on fire for criticizing a monk, while referring to the book. "The aforesaid statement made in an interview has an effect of spreading hatred in the society," Jaiswal said. RJD vice president Shivanand Tiwari said that the statement of Daya Prakash Sinha was completely unfortunate. "Samrat Ashoka was the pride of Bihar. He ruled the place where we are currently and Patliputra was the capital of his kingdom which was spread till Iraq and Iran in the west and Myanmar in the east. He was the greatest ruler of our country," he said. New Delhi, Jan 13 : India is gaining share in manufacturing exports and share of global merchandise exports is now at an all-time high, Credit Suisse said in a report. Gains in commodities may not last, but momentum should persist in electronics (large market size, opportunities for share gains, policy support) and specialty chemicals (a decade of steady growth has brought scale to firms). In textiles, exports are growing after a decade-long stagnation, currently mostly in upstream yarn/fabric, but order-books for apparel are strengthening too. The opportunity in autos is as much local (strong demand growth gives scale), as potential share gains as global industry disrupts (new OEMs, business models and supply chains), the report said. India's manufacturing share of GDP has been declining steadily since 2012, partly due to a stagnation in exports of manufactured goods. As exports pick up again, either due to the impact of PLI schemes or otherwise, they could boost GDP by 2.4 per cent in five years. The boost to jobs would be concentrated in electronics and apparel. Electronics hold much promise, not only on the large size (30 per cent of global goods exports), but also opportunities for share gains, given geopolitical shifts and China's shrinking industrial labour force. Helped by policy support, a critical mass appears to be building, with local and global firms investing in capacities in India (even those not gaining from PLI schemes). In chemicals,while India lacks sustainable advantage in bulks, its share of global exports of specialty chemicals has risen steadily (these are now 10 per cent plus of India's exports). Through steady growth, and in some cases China ceding share, the industry has now gained critical mass. India has seen gains in electronics, chemicals, autos, apparel, the report said. India runs a structural deficit in sectors dependent on resource availability, like oil, gas, coal and gold (together around a fifth of global exports); the share in agriculture is higher than average given structural advantages, but its share of manufactured goods exports is lower. Within manufactured goods, pre-Covid-19 Indias' share was above average in jewellery (though it has low value-add) and textiles, and below average in electronics. Since 2015, metals have grown the fastest, but these may not sustain (global commodity cycles). Growth in electronics and machinery has been well above average though chemicals and textiles (incl apparel) have contributed the most in absolute terms given their size. While electrical and equipment together account for $600 bn of global exports annually, India's opportunity would be primarily in labour-intensive segments initially; scale could eventually drive upstream integration. To broaden these share gains and to consolidate them, we need to see evidence of Indian groups investing in the value chain (like Tata Electronics, which has already invested $1 bn in its Hosur facility and plans to hire 40,000 workers), as well as foreign technology companies setting up operations in India. Elsewhere, in consumer electronics like air-conditioners, import substitution has driven significant growth in manufacturing, Credit Suisse said. Textile and apparel exports from India have picked up over the past year, as after a period when lockdowns hurt demand for new clothes, global apparel markets have rebounded. However, while rolling 12M exports have broken through the $35 bn level they were stuck at for much of the last decade, growth, at least until Nov-2021, was in upstream yarn and fabric, and downstream apparel exports were lower than the prior peak in May-2019. This could just be a time lag in demand flowing through a value-chain, and preliminary data for Dec-2021 shows a meaningful pick-up in apparel exports. However, there can be another factor as well: India lacks the treaty advantages that Bangladesh and Vietnam possess. Further, the US ban on Xinjiang cotton effective Dec-2021 could help upstream businesses in India going forward, the report said. It is unlikely that China will cede its entire market share in apparel (ready-made garments, or RMG), but trends of the past decade are likely to persist. While nearly all of China's share in cotton apparel was taken by Bangladesh and Cambodia and that in man-made fibres by Vietnam, current industry feedback suggests that volumes are also beginning to shift to India. (Sanjeev Sharma can be reached at Sanjeev.s@ians.in) New Delhi, Jan 13 : Seat sharing formula between BJP and its alliance partners, Nishad Party and Apna Dal has been finalized. Both the Apna Dal and Nishad party are likely to contest a dozen seats each. Sources said that the formula for seat sharing was decided after a meeting of leaders of both the alliance partners with union home minister Amit Shah on Wednesday night. "Last night, Nishad Party chief Sanjay Nishad, union minister and Apna Dal chief Anupriya Patel separately met Shah and discussed the formula for seats sharing. In the meeting the seat sharing formula was finalized," sources said. It is learnt that Nishad party will contest about 15 to 18 seats and Apna Dal will contest 10 to 14 seats. "Couple of candidates of both the parties may contest on the BJP symbol," sources said. The BJP's Central Election Committee (CEC), meanwhile, met on Thursday to finalise candidates for the Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls. Sources said that names of 172 candidates have been finalised where polling will be held in the first three of the seven-phased polls. For the first time, the CEC meeting is being held in the hybrid form as a few of the CEC members, including party chief J.P. Nadda, Rajnath Singh and Nitin Gadkari have tested positive of Covid infection. According to sources, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Nadda, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari virtually joined the CEC meeting. CEC member and Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan is also attending the meet at party headquarters. Union Ministers Shah, Dharmendra Pradhan and Anurag Thakur, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath are among the leaders who are physically attending the meeting. Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya and Uttar Pradesh BJP general secretary (organization) Sunil Bansal are also present in the meeting. The Assembly polls will be held in seven phases in February-March starting from February 10. Counting of votes will be held on March 10. New York, Jan 13 : While the pandemic affected people from all walks of life, children were the most affected. Several studies have shown that the pandemic has not only robbed kids their playtime and social interactions, it has also affected their motor and communication skills, Nature reported. A team of researchers at the NewYork-Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital along with those from Columbia University in New York City analysed neuro-developmental differences between babies born before and during the pandemic. While most newborn babies at the hospital exposed to Covid-19 seemed to do just fine, the study findings showed that the infants born during the pandemic scored lower, on average, on tests of gross motor, fine motor and communication skills compared with those born before it (both groups were assessed by their parents using an established questionnaire). Importantly, it didn't matter whether their parents had been infected with the virus or not; there seemed to be something about the environment of the pandemic itself, the report said. The pandemic induced lockdowns isolated many young families, robbing them of playtime and social interactions. Another study led by researchers at Brown University's Advanced Baby Imaging Lab, found that babies motor, visual and language skills dipped during the pandemic. The findings, posted on a preprint server and which may soon appear in JAMA Pediatrics, showed that the pandemic-born babies scored almost two standard deviations lower than those born before it on a suite of tests that measure development in a similar way to IQ tests. The team also found that babies from low-income families experienced the largest drops, that boys were more affected than girls, and that gross motor skills were affected the most. The longer the pandemic has continued, the more deficits children have accumulated. "The magnitude is massive - it's just astonishing," Sean Deoni, a medical biophysicist from the lab was quoted as saying. Although children have generally fared well when infected with SARS-CoV-2, preliminary research also suggests that pandemic-related stress during pregnancy could be negatively affecting foetal brain development in some children. A team from the University of Calgary in Canada surveyed more than 8,000 pregnant people during the pandemic. The study posted preprint showed that babies born to people who reported more prenatal distress - more anxiety or depression symptoms - showed different structural connections between their amygdala - a brain region involved in emotional processing, and their prefrontal cortex - an area responsible for executive functioning skills, the report said. However, some researchers propose that many of the children falling behind in development will be able to catch up without lasting effects. "I do not expect that we're going to find that there's a generation that has been injured by this pandemic," said Moriah Thomason, a child and adolescent psychologist at the New York University Grossman School of Medicine. New Delhi, Jan 13 : The 14th round of the India-China Corps Commander Level Meeting was held at the Chushul-Moldo border meeting point on the Chinese side. Representatives from the defence and foreign affairs establishments of the two sides were present at the meeting. The two sides had a frank and in-depth exchange of views for the resolution of the relevant issues along the LAC in the Western Sector, informed the ministry of external affairs in a statement. Both sides agreed to follow the guidance provided by the Leaders and work for the resolution of the remaining issues at the earliest. It was noted that this would help in restoration of peace and tranquility along the LAC in the Western Sector and enable progress in bilateral relations. The two sides also agreed to consolidate on the previous outcomes and take effective efforts to maintain the security and stability on the ground in the Western Sector including during winter. They agreed to stay in close contact and maintain a dialogue via military and diplomatic channels and work out a mutually acceptable resolution of the remaining issues at the earliest. In this context it was also agreed that the next round of the Commanders' talks should be held at the earliest. New Delhi, Jan 13 : The Nishad Party, which is contesting elections in Uttar Pradesh in alliance with the BJP, has claimed that the BJP has agreed to give it 15 to 18 seats in the state. It is contesting the assembly polls in alliance with the BJP for the first time. Party President Sanjay Nishad told IANS, "We discussed the issue of seat sharing at a meeting with Home Minister Amit Shah. They have agreed to give us seats on which the party was preparing for the last 7 years. However, out of 15-18 seats, our candidates will fight on the BJP symbol on 2-3 seats as per the alliance strategy. We will try our best to help each other win as many seats as possible." The BJP in 2017 fought the state elections together with the Apna Dal and Omprakash Rajbhar's Suheldev Bhartiya Samaj Party. Rajbhar is now with the Samajwadi Party (SP), while the BJP got a new ally in the Nishad Party. On the question of several leaders, ministers and MLAs leaving the BJP, Sanjay Nishad said, "The ministers you are talking about are those who were talking something else during Prime Minister's rally 15 days ago, and now they are saying something else. After 15 days, they will again say something else." "Earlier, our boat's master for 70 years used to be someone else, who used to drown our boat. Now, Sanjay Nishad is his own master. Since 2019, we are winning with the BJP, even when SP and the BSP came together. In 2022 too, we will win," he added. On the Congress releasing a list of 50 women candidates, Nishad said, "There is a difference between distributing tickets and winning seats. This is nothing but a political stunt." On the question of not aligning with Akhilesh Yadav, Nishad said, "Our vote is for a purpose. Nishad Party, Apna Dal and BJP are together to defeat those forces which exploited us for 70 years." New Delhi, Jan 13 : After Nida Ul Nasser, a second person, this time a man, has come forward with allegations of sexual abuse, ratcheting up a 'Me Too reckoning for the closed-off Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya, Samaa TV reported. The latest story came to light from the Chair of the Computer Science and Software Engineering Department of the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, Muhammad Afzal Upal. "I was six years old when an older male relative sexually abused me. He was visiting our house in Rabwah, Pakistan, the then worldwide headquarters of the Ahmadiyya Muslim community," 51-year-old Upal, an Ahmadi, said in a column. "Staying quiet is no longer an option for us; the safety of our children depends on us raising our voices and holding our leaders accountable," he said, as per the report. Upal's revelations came months after those of Nida Ul Nasser, 36, who alleged of being sexually assaulted from early childhood to the age of 25. She spoke of a long history of sexual abuse by her father and by close family members of the global leader of the community. Furthermore, a recording surfaced in December of the leader telling her to remain silent or face the system of the Jamaat, which could lead to her excommunication. The UK police are investigating Nida's case, the report said. Talking to Samaa Digital, Upal said he is an Ahmadi and is in favour of the system of the Jamaat and wants to make it accountable, transparent and safe for his children as well as for those of the other Ahmadis. "There were too many other Rabwah boys of my age who were known victims," he wrote. Upal claimed to know of one case of a boy who lived down the street from him. Being a known victim, he was far more attractive a target for sexual predators, he said. There was always a line-up of older boys from the neighbourhood wanting to take him out to a coffee shop or a restaurant, he wrote. "Instead of taking any action against the abusers, the Jamaat high-ups forced the family of the victim to vacate the residential quarters of Tehrik-e-Jadid, an auxiliary organisation of Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya, as a punishment of 'spreading vice'," according to Upal, the report said. Mumbai, Jan 13 : As several witnesses in the Malegaon 2008 blast case are turning 'hostile', the Maharashtra Congress accused the National Investigation Agency (NIA) of allegedly 'weakening' the case by not pursuing it with 'honesty and sincerity', here on Thursday. State Congress Working President M. Arif Naseem Khan also urged the Maharashtra Anti Terrorism Squad (ATS) - which originally probed the case under the Martyr Hemant Karkare - to take necessary steps to monitor the developments in the case. Submitting a memorandum to the ATS Chief, Additional Director-General of Police Vineet Agrawal, Khan said that the witnesses who turned hostile are invoking the names of Bharatiya Janata Party-RSS to "malign the Maharashtra government and ATS" to gain political mileage in the Uttar Pradesh elections next month, and urged the probe agency (ATS) must take note of this. The September 29, 2008 (Malegaon 2008) bomb blast was allegedly engineered in this minority-dominated Nashik town by Hindu fundamentalists, killing 6 and injuring over 100 others, during Ramadan month when Muslims were breaking their fast. The Maharashtra Police and then the ATS probed the case and in 2011 it was taken over by the NIA, and the trial is being conducted on a daily basis at the Special NIA Court in Mumbai. "Of the 223 witnesses examined, 16 have turned, claiming that the ATS tortured them to give evidence against the accused. We feel the presence of the ATS in the court is inevitable to protect the image of the Maharashtra government and the ATS," Khan added. Among the accused in the sensational Malegaon 2008 case are Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur, Swami Amritananda Dev Teerth, Dayanand Pandey, Lt Col Prasad S. Purohit, and others. The Congress leader said that the ATS was being sought to be tarnished as an 'anti-Hindu' agency with the witnesses, allegedly influenced by the accused, are deliberately naming BJP-RSS people for political gains in the upcoming UP assembly polls. "The NIA is not prosecuting all the accused with honesty and sincerity. Out of 223 witnesses who deposed so far, 16 important ones have turned hostile and over a 100 more are still left to be examined. These witnesses are crucial and need to be protected. The NIA has not challenged any orders passed in favour of the accused which shows their intentions clearly," Khan said. Some of the witnesses in Malegaon 2008 case even went beyond their recorded statement mentioning names like UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, but the NIA's Special Public Prosecutor took no objection, and another witness said he was tortured and threatened by the ATS to take names of Yogi and 4 RSS leaders. Moscow, Jan 13 : Russia's Roscosmos state space agency and NASA are in talks on extending the operation of the International Space Station (ISS) until 2030, Roscosmos CEO Dmitry Rogozin said on Thursday. "The talks with NASA on extending the operation of the ISS until 2030 are underway," Roscosmos CEO was quoted as saying by TASS new agency. Rogozin also said that the US and Russia have reached an agreement on the engineering support for the Zarya module until 2024 carried out by Russia. On December 31, the Joe Biden administration committed to extending the ISS operations through 2030. "The International Space Station is a beacon of peaceful international scientific collaboration and for more than 20 years has returned enormous scientific, educational, and technological developments to benefit humanity," NASA Administrator Bill Nelson had said in a statement. Astronauts have lived and worked onboard the ISS orbiting roughly 250 miles above the Earth's surface for more than 20 years. "The ISS costs about $3 billion a year, roughly a third of NASA's annual human space flight budget, and while current plans call for the Station's retirement in 2024, an extension to 2030 is likely," the US space agency has said in an audit report. The extension comes as NASA is already making plans to transition from the ISS to commercial space stations and other private platforms in low Earth orbit, CNET reported. Earlier in December, NASA awarded more than $400 million to three companies -- Blue Origin, Nanoracks and Northrop Grumman -- to develop designs for space stations and other "commercial destinations" in space. NASA has said the transition away from the ISS will allow it to save money and focus on its Artemis missions to the moon and Mars. Ahmedabad, Jan 13 : Reliance Industries (RIL) on Thursday signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoU) with the Gujarat state for a total investment of Rs 5.955 lakh crore as part of the investment promotion activity for 'Vibrant Gujarat Summit 2022', which was supposed to be held from January 10-12 in Gandhinagar, but was postponed due to the surge in the number of Covid cases in the state. These projects will create 10 lakh employment opportunities in the state. "To make Gujarat net zero and carbon free, RIL proposes to invest Rs 5 lakh crore in the state over the span of 10 to 15 years to set up 100 GW renewable energy power plant and green hydrogen eco-system development," the company said in a statement. "RIL will develop an eco-system for assisting small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and encourage entrepreneurs to embrace new technologies and innovations, leading to captive use of renewable energy and green hydrogen," it added. Besides, in consultation with the state government, RIL has started the process of scouting land for 100 GW renewable energy power project in Kutch, Banaskantha and Dholera. "The company has requested for 4.5 lakh acres of land in Kutch," it said. "RIL will invest another Rs 60,000 crore in setting up new energy manufacturing-integrated renewable manufacturing, solar PV module (manufacture of Polysilicon, wafer, cell and module), Electrolyzer, energy-storage battery, and fuel cells," the company said. A total of Rs 25,000 crore investments will be made by RIL in the existing projects and new ventures over the next 3 to 5 years. "RIL has also proposed to invest Rs 7,500 crore over 3 to 5 years for Jio Network upgradation to 5G and another Rs 3,000 crore over 5 years in Reliance Retail," it said. Patna, Jan 13 : A prominent jeweller of Bihar's Nalanda district was shot at by five persons on Thursday. The victim was identified as Suman Kumar Chintu, the owner of Suhagan jewellers in Nalanda district. The incident occurred at his shop located in Pahadi Magadh colony in the Sohsarai police station area around 4 p.m. The condition of the victim is critical and he has been referred to Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH) for better treatment. Following the incident, the Nalanda Superintebent of Police also visited the spot. The employees of Suhagan jewellers, in a statement to the police said that 5 persons posing as customers came to the shop. "They got into an argument with the owner of the shop and one of them pulled out a gun and shot at him. The victim sustained gunshot injuries in a vital part of the body and his condition is critical," said Dr Mohamad Shibli Nomani, the SDPO of Biharsharif range in Nalanda district. "The jewellery and cash in the shop was intact. We have scanned the CCTV footage. We have taken the DVR of the CCTV for a detailed investigation. The actual reason will be ascertained only after the statement of the victim," Nomani said. "Nalanda police is investigating all the angles, and extortion cannot be ruled out," he said. Extortion from jewellers in Bihar is taking place frequently these days. A jeweller of Begusarai district named Promod Kumar Poddar raised the same issue of extortion on January 11. He had received an extortion call on December 31. New Delhi, Jan 13: Two Baloch nationalist organisations, the Baloch Republican Army (BRA) and the United Baloch Army (UBA) announced their dissolution and the formation of a new organisation the Baloch Nationalist Army (BNA). In a news article on Tuesday, The Balochistan Post reported that BRA spokesman Beebagr Baloch and UBA spokesman Mureed Baloch announced in a joint statement that the councils of the two organisations met in Balochistan to discuss the political situation in the province and how to take forward their resistance against the Pakistani forces. Mureed Baloch will be the official spokesperson of the merged group and the new outfit will continue to be a part of the Baloch Raaji Aajoi Sangar (BRAS). The Central Command Council of the BNA will organise and plan the resistance to Pakistani forces. Geo-political analyst Mark Kinra told India Narrative: "Since its formation in 2018, the BRAS has been in the limelight for its attacks on Pakistani forces and Chinese investments. Formed by Allah Nazar Baloch, it is an umbrella organization which initially comprised many groups. Now Beebagr Baloch and Mureed Baloch have merged their groups to make BNA within the umbrella organization BRAS". The joint statement said that the new organisation, Baloch Nationalist Army, has been formed after dissolving the BRA and UBA and will now "expand the national resistance and will unite Baloch forces against the fascism of the Pakistani military". Kinra adds: "The coming together of these groups makes BRAS a unified armed Baloch nationalist organisation today, representing almost all nationalist Baloch armed factions from Balochistan. With the coming together of these groups, they can share weapons, intelligence and even safe havens to conduct operations against Pakistani security forces and Chinese nationals working on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects in a more effective manner". The Baloch people claim that their region was an independent nation in 1947 as it had been granted freedom by the British government. They claim that Pakistan sent its troops and forcibly annexed it, ignoring the resolution passed by the Baloch legislative assembly. Numerous nationalist organisations in Balochistan have taken to arms against the Pakistan government, military and intelligence agencies. Data analysed by the South Asia Terrorism Portal (SATP), says that overall fatalities in Balochistan have increased from 215 in 2020 to 311 in 2021, up by 44.65 per cent. This shows a rising trend that Baloch nationalists have been successful in intensifying their attacks against the Pakistani forces. The region had recently witnessed a mass agitation against poor development, and lack of basic facilities like water and power as well as the depletion of opportunities for fishermen. (The content is being carried under an arrangement with indianarrative.com) --indianarrative Gurugram, Jan 13 : A Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the Gurugram police have arrested a Border Security Force (BSF) Commandant, his wife, sister and one more person for allegedly cheating of Rs 125 crore in the name of getting a construction tender at the National Security Guard (NSG) campus, Manesar in Gurugram. The police said on Thursday, a total of Rs 13.81 crore and 6 high-end vehicles (Tata Harrier, Range Rover, Jeep Compass, BMW, Safari and Volvo) were recovered from their possession. The culprits have been identified as BSF Deputy Commandant Praveen Yadav, his wife Mamta Yadav, sister Rituraj Yadav who was a manager at a private bank, and Dinesh. According to the police, the complainant Monesh Israni and three others filed separate written complaints with the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Manesar, Gurugram on January 8. Israni told the police that Praveen Yadav, posing as the Deputy Commandant, Dinesh Mohan Sorkhi and Kamal Singh in connivance with other associates had cheated them of Rs 125 crore in the name of getting the construction tender of Perifill Road, STP and housing flats in the NSG campus, Manesar. Acting promptly, Commissioner of Gurugram police constituted an SIT led by ACP (crime), Preet Pal Sangwan including Inspector Sandeep Kumar, Incharge Manesar crime branch, who with the lead inputs arrested the alleged criminal on Thursday. During police interrogation, they disclosed that Yadav was the mastermind of this fraud. Yadav works as a Deputy Commandant in the BSF and was on deputation and was stationed till the last year-2021 at the NSG campus, Manesar. Meanwhile, he was also looking after the construction work being done on the campus. During this, he got in touch with the complainants. "The accused was investing money in the stock market for many years and he had suffered a loss, to make up for which he planned to cheat people. As per his plan he used to take people/contractors into confidence by saying that he will help them get huge tender for road, construction and installation of solar power in the campus. The accused had also introduced himself to the complainant as an IPS officer, and changed his name to Sombir Jakhar," Sangwan told IANS. The accused used to keep expensive/luxury vehicles to impress people and used to make money in the name of getting the tender. "The accused was helped by his sister Rituraj Yadav, who had opened bank accounts in a fake name of NSG and started taking fraudulent money in the same. The culprit had also opened a fake company in which Praveen Yadav, his wife and his sister were the directors. The accused had also made a plan to cheat people for getting work done in Hyderabad, but before that, he was arrested by the police," Sangwan added. The accused will be produced before a local court for further investigations, the police said. A case under relevant sections of the IPC was registered against the accused persons at the Manesar police station. New Delhi, Jan 13 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said that irrespective of the variant, proven way to tackle the pandemic remains vaccination, while reviewing the public health preparedness to Covid-19 and National Vaccination Progress. The Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday chaired a high-level meeting with Chief Ministers and Lt Governors, Administrators of States and UTs to review the preparedness to Covid-19. Union Ministers Amit Shah, Dr Mansukh Mandaviya, Minister of State Dr Bharati Pravin Pawar were among those who were present in the meeting. Addressing the meeting, PM Modi said that India's battle with the biggest pandemic of 100 years has now entered its third year. "Hard work is our only path and victory is our only option. We, 130 crore people of India, will surely emerge victorious against Corona with our efforts", he said. Talking about the new Covid variant Omicron, PM said that this variant is infecting the general public many times faster than the earlier variants. "We have to be alert, be careful, but we also have to take care that there is no panic situation. We have to see that in this festive season, the alertness of the people and the administration is not lowered anywhere. The way the central and state governments had adopted a pre-emptive, proactive and collective approach, the same is the mantra of victory this time as well. The more we can limit the corona infection, the less the problem will be, he added. PM Modi said that made in India vaccines are proving their superiority all over the world. It is a matter of pride for every Indian that today India has given the first dose to about 92 per cent of the adult population. The coverage of the second dose has also reached around 70 per cent in the country, he informed. We have to intensify the Har Ghar Dastak campaign for 100 per cent vaccination, he said, highlighting that India has also vaccinated about 30 million of its adolescents. The sooner the precaution dose is given to the frontline workers and senior citizens, the more the capacity of our healthcare system will increase, he said. The Prime Minister stressed that while making any strategy, it is very important to keep in mind that there should be minimum damage to the livelihood of the common people, economic activities, and momentum of the economy should be maintained. So it would be better to focus more on local containment. He stressed that we should be in the position to provide maximum treatment in home isolation situations and for that home isolation guidelines should keep on improving and they should be strictly followed. Regarding health infrastructure, the Prime Minister lauded the states for using the Rs 23,000 crore package that was given earlier to revamp the health infrastructure. Under this more than 800 paediatric units all over the country, 1.5 lakh new ICU and HDU beds, more than 5,000 special ambulances, more than 950 liquid medical oxygen storage tank capacity have been added. The Prime Minister stressed the need to keep on expanding the infrastructure. "In order to defeat Corona we need to keep our readiness ahead of every variant. Along with tackling Omicron, we need to start preparing for any future variant from now itself", the Prime Minister said. The Chief Ministers thanked the Prime Minister for his leadership during the successive waves of Covid-19. They especially thanked the Prime Minister for his support & guidance and for funds provided by the Central Government which has been of immense help in boosting health infrastructure in the states. Karnataka CM Basavaraj Bommai talked about the spread of cases in Bengaluru and measures taken to contain it, while West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee highlighted the possibility of increase in cases due to coming festivities and the administration's preparedness to tackle it. Tamil Nadu CM M.K. Stalin said the state stands together with the Centre in the fight against this wave. Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren talked about misconceptions in some rural and tribal areas which have caused some difficulties in the vaccination programme. Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath talked about steps being taken to ensure that no one is left out of the vaccination drive. Punjab CM Charanjeet Singh Channi thanked the Prime Minister for fund and infrastructure support, especially in meeting oxygen requirements. Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma said that steps like precaution dose have proved to be an immense confidence booster. Manipur CM N. Biren Singh said that the state is taking steps to increase the vaccination coverage. Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) Gurugram, Jan 13 : A team of the New Colony Police Station of the Gurugram police have arrested 5 people who were planning to loot a petrol pump and also to execute a dacoity of Rs 1 crore at a house of the Faridabad based businessman, on Thursday. The police also recovered 1 pistol and 1 cartridge, 1 Brezza car, 1 knife and an iron rod from the arrested people. The five arrested people were identified as Anuj Kadyan, Ajay, Vinesh and Ravinder, all residents of different districts of Haryana while Wazid is a resident of Uttar Pradesh. As per the information received, Police received a tip-off from an informer that some suspicious people were planning a petrol pump robbery. Acting on the info, Police laid a trap and arrested 5 persons. "On interrogation, the arrested people accepted that they were planning to loot a petrol pump and a dacoity at a house of the Faridabad based business of Rs 1 crore," Subhash Boken, spokesperson of the Gurugram police said. A case under various sections of the IPC was registered against the accused at the New Colony police station. New Delhi, Jan 13 : India Meteorological Department (IMD) will celebrate its recent achievements like improvement in weather forecast accuracy and enhancement in climate services among others as it marks its 147th foundation day on Friday. "With a humble beginning in 1875, the IMD has marched forward with various milestones and paradigms to serve the society," it said in a statement on Thursday. "IMD is celebrating 147th Foundation Day on 14th January 2022 and the function will be organised virtually at Mahika Hall, Ministry of Earth Sciences," it added. Other than improvement in the weather forecast accuracy, there has been enhancement in climate services, weather forecasting services, Numerical Weather Prediction modelling and meteorological observations. The IMD sais that 33 Doppler Weather Radars are operational across the country with four being commissioned in January 2022 at New Delhi, Leh, Mumbai, and Chennai. "A very high resolution city scale air quality model 'ENvironmental information FUsion SERvice (ENFUSER)' has been operationalised for Delhi. Hourly air quality forecast for 72 hours of all criteria pollutants (PM10, PM2.5, O3, CO, NO2, SO2) is generated for the domain at 30 metre spatial resolution. "Impact Based multi-hazard Forecast (IBF) and risk-based warnings valid for next five days extended to whole country for all types of severe weather at city, district and meteorological sub-division levels," it added. "Dynamical web-based decision support system for impact-based forecast of cyclones has been developed by the NDMA in collaboration with the IMD and the system is installed in the IMD," the IMD said. On automation of generation of cyclone warning bulletins for aviation, ports etc, it said: "Besides, automatic generation and display of coastal weather observations, coastal weather forecast for the next five days, coastal weather bulletin and location-specific coastal forecast for 325 locations and nowcast for 138 stations." Under climate service, a multi-model ensemble forecast scheme for monthly/seasonal rainfall and temperature commencing from April 2021 along has been introduced that will give a probabilistic prediction of the spatial distribution of rainfall and temperature. A climate monitoring and prediction services for south Asia based on above scheme has also been enhanced. Under weather forecast accuracy, Probability of Detection (POD) for heavy rainfall warning with 24 hour lead period is 74 per cent in 2021, which has improved by 51 per cent in year 2021 as compared to their skill between 2002-20. False Alarm Rate (FAR) and Missing Rate (MR) are 26 per cent in 2021, which has improved by 21 per cent and 53 per cent, respectively, in 2021 as compared to their skill between 2002-20, the IMD added. Panaji, Jan 13 : Imposing a night curfew just for the name's sake has no point, Goa Health Minister Vishwajit Rane said on Thursday, ruling out imposition of the restriction in the state, which has seen a steep spike in new Covid infections. "It's not like people are mixing in a big way. If we simply put it for name's sake and it is not followed, then there is no meaning," he said, after emerging from a video conference with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Central government officials and Chief Ministers and Health Ministers of other states. Rane also said that the tourist footfall to Goa had dwindled over the last few days amid the emergence of the third wave nationwide. "Hotel occupancy is less, fewer people are coming, flights are at only 50 per cent (occupancy). So we have to follow protocol, masks, and gatherings have already been restricted," he said. Goa currently has 16,887 active cases, while the state reported 3,728 new cases on Thursday. New Delhi, Jan 13 : Over 5 million primary and high school students in China currently suffer from spinal deformities, with the numbers increasing by about 300,000 every year, Global Times reported. The issue trended on China's social media on Thursday, with many netizens attributing the situation to Chinese students' heavy schoolbags. According to a report by China Central Television (CCTV), scoliosis has become the third major disease endangering the health of Chinese children and adolescents following obesity and myopia. It appears in childhood or adolescence when children and adolescents grow and develop the fastest. Besides, poor sitting postures, carrying schoolbags improperly, and the height of desks and chairs can also be factors that cause the disease. Females at the peak of their growth are more likely to suffer from the disease, with an incidence rate up to 1.5 times as often as males. The statistics were estimated based on research conducted by the Committee for Prevention and Control of Spinal Diseases under the Chinese Preventive Medicine Association, combined with the consensus of authoritative magazines and domestic experts, CCTV reported. According to the report, a 13-year-old girl from Hengshui in North China's Hebei Province was diagnosed with severe scoliosis, which a doctor thought was caused by long-term poor sitting posture. If her condition is not fixed, it could result in uneven shoulders, legs of different lengths, body deformities and other serious consequences, the report said. On China's Twitter-like Sina Weibo, many netizens attributed the situation to students' heavy schoolbags, and inappropriate sizes and heights of desks for children in different physical developmental stages. A netizen pointed out that although Chinese children's average height is taller today than in the past, the sizes of desks and chairs remain unchanged. According to Liu Haiying, head of the department of spine surgery at Peking University People's Hospital, scoliosis is a deformity of the spine that causes it to deviate from the normal midline, which is combined with a rotation of the spine. Jammu, Jan 13 : Director General of Police J&K, Dilbag Singh on Thursday led senior officers of the department, family members, relatives and friends in paying floral tribute to the martyr SgCt Rohit Chib and attended the funeral at the Jogi Gate cremation ground. Senior officers including ADGP Jammu, Mukesh Singh and other Police and civil administration officers and large number of people paid their tributes to the martyr. Speaking to media persons, the DGP said that J&K Police along with other security forces is fighting against terrorists and their supporters with firm determination. He said that a good number of terrorists were neutralized in the beginning of 2022 and people have heaved sigh of relief after the elimination of these terrorists. He said that in the coming days more stringent actions will be taken against terrorists and with the support of people more and peaceful environment will prevail soon. The DGP said that it has become a trend of Pakistani based agencies and terrorists to attack on forces and disturb peace and order while using civilians as shields. Efforts and precautions are being taken to save the lives of civilians during encounters, he added. He said that efforts are being made to infiltrate terrorists in our land. He said that forces on the border and hinterland are protecting with utmost dedication and every effort of infiltration will be thwarted. Pertinently Rohit Chib attained martyrdom on Wednesday in an encounter at Pariwan area of District Kulgam while evacuating the civilians from the encounter site to safer places. In the encounter a top terrorist linked with proscribed terror outfit JeM was killed while three Army soldiers and two civilians were injured. Rohit Chib had joined the J&K Police as constable in the year 2011 and was promoted to the next rank for his dedication and devotion towards duties in the year 2017. New Delhi, Jan 13 : Forest cover in the 140 hill districts of the country has shown a decrease of 902 sq km (0.32 per cent) with all eight states of the northeast region also showing a decline, as per the India State of Forest Report 2021 (ISFR 2021) released on Thursday As per the current assessment, the total forest cover in the hill districts is 2,83,104 sq km, which is 40.17 per cent of the total geographical area of these districts. Hill districts are those which have 2/3rd area as hills. Arunachal Pradesh, that has 16 hill districts, has shown a loss of 257 sq km forest cover compared to 2019 assessmen, Assam's three hill district (- 107 sq km), Manipur's nine hill districts (- 249 sq kms), Mizoram's eight hill districts (- 186 sq km), Meghalaya's seven hill districts (- 73 km), Nagaland's 11 districts (- 235 sq km), Sikkim's four districts (- 1 sq km), and Tripura's four districts (- 4 sq kms). In the case of the other districts in the Himalayan states and UTs, not all have shown decline. West Bengal's sole district has shown a slight decline (- 18 sq km), Jammu & Kashmir's 22 districts (29 sq km), Ladakh's two districts (18 sq km), Uttarakhand's 13 hill districts (2 sq km) and Himachal Pradesh's 12 districts (9 sq km). Total forest cover in the northeastern region is 1,69,521 sq km, which is 64.66 per cent of its area. The current assessment shows a decrease of forest cover to the extent of 1,020 sq km (0.60 per cent) in the region. Incidentally, Assam, as a whole, has shown smaller negative change (- 15 sq km) compared to just three of its hill districts (- 107 sq km). The ISFR2021 divides forests into distinct categories according to density of canopy: very dense forest (VDF), moderately dense forest (MDF) and open forest (Open). India is blessed with a multitude of forests that vary with altitude and the ISFR2021 has also brought out the forest cover data according to altitude with respect to the total geographical area of the country at that altitude. At 0-500 m altitude, of the 23,29,321 sq km, as much as 39,456 sq km is VDF, 1,51,917 sq km is MDF and 1,90,571 sq km is open, totalling to 3,81,944 sq km of forest cover. Similarly, at 500-1,000 m altitude, of the total 541,747 sq km, as much as 25,956 sq km is VDF, 94,259 sq km is MDF and 77,747 sq km is open, making it 1,97,962 sq km of total forest cover. Of the 1,17,835 sq km between 1,000-2,000 m altitude, the forest cover is 15,743 sq km is VDF, 34,599 sq km is MDF and 75,261 sq km open to make the total 75,261 sq km. So is with the 2,000-3,000m altitude, of the 56,891 sq km, the forest cover is divided as 15,241 sq km is VDF, 18,500 sq km MDF and 7,162 sq km open to make 40,903 sq km total forest cover. And for, 3,000-4,000 m altitude, of the total 59,298 sq km, the forest cover is 3,356 sq km is VDF), 7,458 sq km MDF and 6,304 sq km open to total 17,138 sq km forest cover. Last, for altitude above 4,000 m, of the total 1,82,377 sq km, an area of 27 sq km is VDF, 157 is MDF and 417 is open, to total 601 sq kms of forest cover, the ISFR 2021 data showed. New Delhi, Jan 13 : RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das-led Financial Stability and Development Council sub-committee, in a virtual meeting on Thursday, discussed the emerging scenario from the third Covid wave on the financial system. "The 'Sub-Committee' reviewed the major developments in the global and domestic economy as well as in various segments of the financial system and discussed the assessments of members about the scenario emerging from the third wave of the Covid-19 pandemic," the RBI said. It also discussed various inter regulatory issues and matters relating to the use of Aadhaar based e-KYC and Aadhaar Enabled Payment System by regulated entities, the central bank added. Besides, it reviewed the activities of various technical groups under its purview and the functioning of 'State Level Coordination Committees' (SLCCs) in various states or UTs. "The members resolved to maintain a close watch on the unfolding developments and act proactively to ensure that financial institutions and financial markets remain resilient amidst the challenges posed by the resurgence of the pandemic," the RBI said. New Delhi, Jan 13 : A top Chinese consumer group has called for a boycott of a KFC meal promotion, saying it encourages food waste, the BBC reported. The China Consumers Association (CCA) says the promotion sent some customers into a buying frenzy. KFC launched the promotional campaign last week with Pop Mart, a Chinese toy maker known for its mystery boxes. Under this, customers are able to collect limited edition versions of large-eyed and round-faced Dimoo dolls when buying certain KFC set meals. KFC "used limited edition blind box sales to induce and condone consumers' irrational and excessive purchase of meal sets, which goes against public order, good customs and the spirit of the law", the state affiliated CCA said in a statement. That led one customer to spend 10,494 yuan ($1,649) on more than 100 of the meals in one go to collect the toys, while people also paid others to purchase meals for them, or just threw them away, the statement added, the report said. KFC launched the hugely popular promotional campaign last week to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the opening of its first outlet in Mainland China. New Delhi, Jan 13 : Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi on Thursday expressed regret over the security breach during Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit to the state on January 5. Channi expressed regret while participating in a virtual meeting chaired by Prime Minister Modi with Chief Ministers and Lieutenant Governors/Administrators of states and UTs to review the prevailing Covid situation as well as the ongoing vaccination drive. "You visited Punjab. 'Jo hua uske liye mujhe khed hai' (I regret whatever happened)," Channi reportedly said. Sources said that Channi also wished the Prime Minister a long life. "Tum salamat raho qayamat tak, aur khuda kare qayamat na ho (May you stay safe till the end and may there be no end)," sources quoting Channi said. On January 5, The Prime Minister's rally in Ferozepur had to be cancelled due to a security lapse after some protesters blocked a route and forced his convoy to spend about 20 minutes on a flyover. The Prime Minister was enroute the National Martyrs Memorial at Hussainiwala when the incident happened. Channi had earlier said that there was no security breach during the Prime Minister's visit to the state. "There was no security lapse of any kind and there was no situation of any attack," Channi had said. Mumbai, Jan 13 : A day after the states Covid-19 tally shot past the 7 million-mark, new cases in Maharashtra remained in the 46,000 range for the second day, and although fatalities went up, no fresh Omicron case was reported, health officials said here on Thursday. After recording a record high of 46,723 Covid cases on Wednesday, the state's figures dropped slightly to 46,406 on Thursday, while fatalities increased from 32 a day before to 36 now, with the mortality rate dropping marginally from 2.01 per cent to 2 per cent. From the peak of 207 Omicron cases detected on January 9, the state's tally of the latest variant came down to zero on Thursday. 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 40,938 travellers have landed here from the 'high risk' countries of which 523 have tested positive along with 579 from other countries, with all their reports sent for genomic sequencing to confirm if they are afflicted by Omicron. Besides, another staggering 4,265 positive samples from field surveys conducted since November 1 have been sent for genomic sequencing and the results of 64 are awaited, the officials said. Of the 46,406 new Covid-19 cases reported on Thursday, Mumbai Metropolitan Region alone accounted for 26,537 infections, while Mumbai city remained at a high with 13,702 new cases. The next is Pune Circle's 10,865 infectees, followed by Nashik Circle's 2,813, Nagpur Circle's 2,805, Kolhapur Circle's 1,158, Latur Circle's 965, Aurangabad Circle's 655 and Akola Circle's 608 cases. The number of people sent to home quarantine shot up -- from 15,29,452 on Wednesday to 17,95,631 on Thursday -- while another 9,124 were shunted to institutional quarantine. Mumbai, Pune and Thane remain at the top with the highest number of active cases currently present in the state, with the afflictions shooting up from 240,122 a day before to 251,828 on Thursday. The recovery rate dropped from 94.52 per cent a day earlier to 94.39 per cent now. The state's cumulative figures of Covid-19 since the start of the pandemic in March 2020 now stands at 70,81,067 cases and 141,737 deaths, while a total of 66,83,769 patients have fully recovered till date. Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) Hyderabad, Jan 13 : All students of the Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad (IITH), who tested positive for Covid-19 during the last few days, had taken both doses of the Covid vaccine, officials said. As many as 120 students and staff have tested positive for the virus during the last one week on the campus located at Kandi in Sangareddy district. IITH officials said on Thursday that only double vaccinated students were invited to the campus as part of stringent measures to combat Covid spread. "We have 112 positive cases among the students at the moment. All of them have been isolated into separate isolation areas. Almost all the reported cases are either mild or asymptomatic and are showing good signs of recovery within 4-5 days," a statement said. IITH currently has 211 rooms for isolation and this number will be increased based on the requirement. The institute has suspended all offline activities and the semester is being conducted in completely online mode. Around 600 unaffected students have already vacated the campus. The authorities are in the process of converting the vacated hostel blocks into isolation facilities. Six well-qualified medical doctors and nine staff nurses are serving the IITH community 24x7 on a rotation basis. Four additional staff nurses have been recruited exclusively for monitoring the Covid cases, the statement said. Food and medicines for all the Covid-affected students are being delivered directly by the attenders following the necessary Covid protocols. Primary and secondary contacts of those testing positive are being quarantined for two days and are being advised to undergo testing if symptomatic, it said. IITH said that strict restrictions are imposed at entry and exit gates to contain the virus spread. Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) New Delhi, Jan 13 : Avantha Group promoter Gautam Thapar, who was arrested in connection with alleged misappropriation of a Rs 515 crore loan of Yes Bank, approached the Delhi High Court on Thursday, seeking regular bail in the case. Thapar was arrested in August 2021 by the Enforcement Directorate on allegations of money laundering in connection with allegations of siphoning of funds granted by the bank in the form of a loan. The bail application was filed under Section 439 of the Criminal Procedure Code, for grant of regular bail in a case registered by the Enforcement Directorate under the Prevention of the Money Laundering Act. Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appeared on behalf of Thapar, and was briefed by a team from Karanjawala & Co led by its senior partner, advocate Sandeep Kapur, and comprising advocates Vir Sandhu, Vivek Suri, Niharika Karanjawala, Apoorva Pandey, Mridul Yadav, Abhimanshu Dhyani, Sahil Modi, and Kajal. Rohatgi argued that there was no embezzlement of funds done by Avantha Group led by Thapar. The purpose of loan and usage of funds were structured by and were within the knowledge of the officials of Yes Bank and no fraud was committed by Thapar. The loan amount was received through legal channels and all the transactions were documented, the documents related to the said transaction are already in the custody of the investigating agency, he added. Further, Rohatgi submitted that the loan facility of Rs 515 crore sanctioned by the Yes Bank was secured by Oyster Buildwell Pvt Ltd with the appropriate collateral. The said collateral collectively amounted to over Rs 850 crore including CG Power shares worth Rs 728 crore and Jhabua Power Ltd shares worth Rs 126 crore, on the date of sanctioning of the loan facility. He said that on the date of invocation of the collateral by Yes Bank, the collective value of CG Power shares and Jhabua Power Ltd shares was approximately Rs 606 crore. It was the sheer negligence of Yes Bank that led to the loss of money to their bank in terms of selling of CG shares, which is valued at around Rs 1,400 crore now. Rohtagi also referred to the landmark judgment delivered by Justice V.R. Krishna Iyer in State of Rajasthan vs Balchand, AIR 1977 SC 2447 , where he laid down one of the basic rules of bail jurisprudence, i.e., "to provide bail and avoid jail time for the accused". The judgement has laid the foundation for a more lenient justice system and further referred to the order dated December 16, 2021 delivered by the apex court in case Satender Kumar Antil vs CBI which states that "We make it clear that our intent was to ease the process of bail and not to restrict it". The High Court, after hearing the arguments on behalf of Thapar, has now listed the matter for rebuttal arguments on behalf of the ED on January 17. New York, Jan 13 : Priyanka Chopra has achieved what every star anywhere in the world aspires for -- to be on the cover of 'Vanity Fair'. She's on the cover of the February 2022 edition of the magazine celebrated internationally as much for its in-depth articles as for its cutting-edge photography. Unveiling the cover, 'Vanity Fair' tweeted: "After a journey into 'The Matrix', the actor enters 2022 with her cup overflowing --reflecting on her storied Hindi film industry career, marriage, and creating a path for herself in Hollywood." Looking artfully messy, a sultry Priyanka appears on the cover in an off-shoulder, off-white ruffled dress from Fendi. The magazine, previously edited by celebrity journalists such as Tina Brown and Graydon Carter (who's played by Jeff Bridges in the film 'How to Lose Friends and Alienate People'), is now helmed by Radhika Jones, an Indian American. Describing her as "a driven woman who has transcended what's previously been possible for an Indian actor in Hollywood," the 'Vanity Fair' cover story goes on to say: "She is an outsider who broke down barriers and built a place for herself within the walls of Hollywood. Now she's on a mission to welcome others in." Priyanka, notes the article that traces her life's story from her days at the Army Public School, Bareilly, will finally be playing lead film roles as she had in India" with the rom-com 'Text for You' and Amazon's ambitious spy series 'Citadel' later this year. And about her own story, especially her rise to stardom in Hollywood, Priyanka says: "It's taken a lot of pavement pounding to be able to get people's attention, and to be able to get an acceptance of the fact that someone like me can be the lead of a Hollywood feature." She adds (and the sentiment will go down well back home): "There's very few of us from South Asia who get to do that. I hope that the part that I play in it will sort of push the envelope a little bit." New Delhi, Jan 13 : A petition has been filed in the Delhi High Court seeking regulation of protests by various political parties, blocking roads and causing inconvenience to the commuters and general public. The petition, which was in the nature of a Public Interest Litigation, will be heard on January 24. The plea, filed by advocate Ankur Bhasin, contended that the protests lead to traffic jams, cause great noise and air pollution, and are a form of public nuisance which needs to be curbed by the relevant authorities. "The genre of protest referred to the present writ petition, if left unregulated, would render nation's loss and leave an irreparable adverse impact upon the global image of the nation," the plea stated. It said since the petitioner's and other common citizens' fundamental right of Right to Life (Article 21) has been violated, and as such the present petition is filed before the court to secure the roads from being blocked for the purposes of protest since this not only cause hardships to the general public but also to emergency services such as ambulance and fire fighters. Narrating a personal ordeal he faced while he was going to the hospital after falling ill, the lawyer said he faced hardships at Azadpur flyover which was choked by protestors of a political party that caused traffic jams in the locality. He also described police's helplessness in mass blockade situations in the national capital. The plea also sought an independent inquiry under the supervision of a retired judge against political groups blocking roads under the garb of protests in Delhi, particularly at Azadpur Chowk. Cairo, Jan 14 : Arab League Secretary-General, Ahmed Aboul-Gheit has called for the "immediate release" of a United Arab Emirates (UAE)-flagged cargo ship and its crew hijacked off the coast of Yemen's western port city of Hodeidah. In a statement, Aboul-Gheit on Thursday condemned the seizure of the vessel by Houthi militia, describing it as "an act of piracy," Xinhua news agency reported.. "It is a dangerous escalation by the Houthis against the safety of Red Sea maritime navigation," he said. The Yemeni militias kidnapped the ship on January 2, with 11 crew members from five countries on board, including seven from India and the others from Ethiopia, Indonesia, Myanmar, and the Philippines, according to the UAE's Permanent Representative to the United Nations. Berlin, Jan 14 : The number of daily Covid-19 cases in Germany hit a new record of 81,417, around 17,000 more than a week ago, the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) for infectious diseases has said. The country's seven-day Covid-19 incidence rate also rose to 427.7 cases per 100,000 inhabitants on Thursday, up from 285.9 a week ago, according to the RKI. Federal Health Minister Karl Lauterbach urged his unvaccinated compatriots to get their first vaccine shot, Xinhua news agency reported. "For anyone who wants a booster, vaccines are available," he told the Bundestag (lower house of Parliament) on Thursday. As of Wednesday, 72.3 per cent of the country's population had been fully vaccinated, with at least 37.5 million booster shots administered, according to official figures released by the RKI and the Ministry of Health (BMG). However, 20.9 million people in Germany are still unvaccinated. Lauterbach reiterated his support for compulsory coronavirus vaccination in Germany, which he described as "the safest and fastest way out of the pandemic." The country's Standing Committee on Vaccination (STIKO) said on Thursday that the current rise in Covid-19 case numbers "due to the Omicron variant and the feared consequences for the healthcare system in Germany make an expansion of the vaccination campaign necessary." Children aged between 12 and 17 years and adolescents should receive a Pfizer or BioNTech vaccine booster shot in the age-appropriate dosage, the STIKO recommended. The third vaccine dose should be administered minimum three months after the previous vaccination. Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) New York, Jan 14 : The federal government of the US is sending medical teams to New York, New Jersey, Ohio, Rhode Island, Michigan and New Mexico to help hospitals overburdened by Covid-19, state media has reported. US President Joe Biden is to announce the deployments on Thursday when discussing steps the administration is taking to address a surge in infections driven by the Omicron variant, according to USA Today. "His remarks come as hospitalisations for Covid-19 are setting records," said the report, adding that some hospitals are delaying elective surgeries as states are deploying National Guard members to healthcare facilities. After reaching the grim milestone of 800,000 coronavirus deaths in December, the US continued to shatter records as the Omicron variant surges, Xinhua news agency reported. According to Johns Hopkins University, the total number of Covid-19 cases in the country topped 60 million on Sunday. Just days before, it had shattered a single-day record with over 1 million infections. Despite initial evidence that the Omicron variant is less likely than previous variants to cause severe illness, the sheer number of infections have increased hospitalisations. Having struggled with staff shortages, schools are also seeing a decline in attendance as students stay away partly because of the limited availability of tests, The Wall Street Journal reported Thursday. "The US administration has faced criticism for the country's low testing capacity at the start of the Omicron surge," said the report, noting that the federal government is planning to distribute millions of free Covid-19 tests to schools and other public sectors around the country in the coming week. Problems with the testing in the US began at the very beginning of the pandemic, when the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) distributed faulty test kits to laboratories in February 2020. A total of 1,481,375 new cases and 1,904 new deaths were reported in the US on Monday. The single-day increase of cases has set a new record around the globe since the onset of the pandemic, according to latest data of Johns Hopkins University. The potential for a new recommendation from the CDC is unleashing a scramble for highly protective N95 masks and boosting their prices, Bloomberg Wealth reported Wednesday. The agency is considering changing its guidance to advise that people wear higher-quality masks to better protect against Omicron. "That's contributing to a surge in prices for gold-standard N95 and KN95 face coverings on sites like Amazon.com," said the report. Quoting Camelcamelcamel, a website that tracks prices of products sold on Amazon, the report said one pack of 40 KN95 masks from the Hotodeal brand now costs $79.99 from third-party sellers on Amazon, up from just $16.99 in late November, while a 50-pack of Kimberly-Clark N95 masks is going for $57.15 compared with $23.19 in early October. According to the CDC, the majority of cruise ships sailing in the US have reported Covid-19 outbreaks in the last several weeks. These ongoing outbreaks have barred cruise ships from docking at ports of calls, infected crew and forced passengers to quarantine aboard ships, Business Insider reported Wednesday. Norwegian and Royal Caribbean have postponed several sailings, citing travel restrictions or the Covid-19 outbreak. Nearly 250 cruises were set to sail throughout the first month of 2022, but this ongoing rise in Covid-19 cases could continue to cause further cancellations, said the report. The CDC's Framework for Conditional Sailing Order will expire on Saturday at which point the health agency's Covid-19 guidance of risk mitigation for cruise ships will become voluntary. This means cruise lines can choose whether to follow the health agency's guidance or not, according to USA Today. The CDC recently told Americans to avoid travel on cruise ships, regardless of their vaccination status. "Dramatic surges in cases in Northeast have flattened, suggesting that the Omicron wave is levelling off there," The New York Times reported Thursday. According to the newspaper, the number of new Covid-19 cases in New York City rose more than 20-fold in December but has flattened in the past few days. "In both New Jersey and Maryland, the number of new cases has fallen slightly this week. In several major cities, the number is also showing signs of leveling off," said the report. Though the timeline is consistent with the experience in South Africa and Britain, experts warned it is still too early to be confident, the report added. Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) Tehran, Jan 14 : Iran's top human rights official has slammed the US for failing to honour its promises to close down Guantanamo Bay detention camp, 20 years after the infamous prison was established in Cuba. "January 11 marked 20 years since the opening of Guantanamo Bay, the notorious US prison, (in) which detainees are held extra judicially. Promises were made to close the facility, but there are still expansion plans to be built this year," Kazem Gharibabadi, the Iranian Judiciary Chief's Deputy for International Affairs and Secretary of the country's High Council for Human Rights, said in a tweet. "There is no perspective on closing the facility. Even military spending bill entails provisions barring the use of funds to transfer detainees to other countries or into the US unless certain conditions are met," Gharibabadi noted. The Guantanamo Bay detention facility, a symbol of US torture and abuse of prisoners, marked on Tuesday the 20th anniversary of the first prisoners' arrival, amid renewed calls for its shutdown and US reflection on the country's terrible human rights record, Xinhua news agency reported. The detention site at Guantanamo Bay naval base on the island of Cuba admitted its first detainees on January 11, 2002, as part of the US-led global war on terror in response to the September 11 terrorist attacks in 2001, which killed nearly 3,000 on American soil. Over the past two decades, about 780 inmates were thrust into the cells of the US military prison, where they were reportedly subjected to torture and other brutal treatment. Until now, 39 people 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. Between 2002 and 2021, nine detainees died in custody in Guantanamo, two from natural causes and seven reportedly from suicide. None of them had been charged or convicted of a crime. Ljubljana, Jan 14 : Slovenia has launched a massive three-day vaccination campaign to curb the fast spread of the Omicron coronavirus variant. The three-day vaccination campaign was launched by Slovenia on Thursday. Until Saturday, vaccination centres across the country will be open at least 12 hours a day with no appointment needed, Xinhua news agency reported. "We are expecting a bigger number of patients (than usually) to come in, so we are prepared with bigger teams to vaccinate, and we are ready to vaccinate anyone who comes," Haris Mustajbasic, a vaccination coordinator in a health centre in Ljubljana, told Xinhua. Although Slovenia started its vaccination campaign more than a year ago, so far only 57 per cent of the country's 2.1 million population have been fully vaccinated. Health Minister Janez Poklukar visited several vaccination centres on Thursday and told the media: "I am glad there is a lot of interest. This will help us master the pandemic together and return to the life that we knew before the outbreak." "We have 153 patients in intensive care units on Thursday," he said. "Ninety per cent of them have not been vaccinated. So, I again invite the public to take part in the vaccination days that we have organised." Slovenia has been fighting Covid-19 since March 2020. To date, it has logged 512,793 confirmed Covid-19 cases and has lost over 6,000 people to the coronavirus, the National Institute of Public Health said. Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) Berlin, Jan 14 : The Federation of German Industries (BDI) is "cautiously optimistic" about the economic recovery in industry and expects the country's gross domestic product (GDP) to grow 3.5 per cent in 2022, the BDI has said. German exports are to grow around half as fast as in 2021, increasing by four per cent in 2022 year-on-year, according to the BDI on Thursday, Xinhua news agency reported. "Order books are full, but production is not keeping pace with demand," BDI President Siegfried Russwurm said. "Pandemic-related restrictions and supply bottlenecks are affecting large parts of the economy." Many German companies in the automotive, electrical and mechanical engineering industries are affected by supply bottlenecks, which would slow down industrial value creation by more than 50 billion euros ($57.4 billion) in 2021 and 2022, according to the BDI. The German economy could "face another stop-and-go year," the BDI noted. However, "with the right framework conditions, there is also a chance that the new year will be the year with the strongest economic momentum since 2010." High energy costs, slow digital transformation, lack of infrastructure investment and high taxes would make the business location less and less attractive for companies from Germany and abroad, Russwurm added. "Policymakers must reverse the negative trend of recent years, go beyond crisis management to increase the pace of action and embark on a growth course," he said. The German Council of Economic Experts, an official advisory body to the German government, expects the country's GDP to grow 4.6 per cent in 2022. Economic growth in Germany should "continue to pick up, provided that industrial output and consumer demand for services normalise next year." (1 euro = $1.15) Mokhotlong Airport, Mokhotlong, Lesotho [ MKH / FXMK ] If you are planning to travel to Mokhotlong or any other city in Lesotho, this airport locator will be a very useful tool. This page gives complete information about the Mokhotlong Airport along with the airport location map, Time Zone, lattitude and longitude, Current time and date, hotels near the airport etc... Mokhotlong Airport Map showing the location of this airport in Lesotho. Mokhotlong Airport IATA Code, ICAO Code, exchange rate etc... is also provided. Mokhotlong Airport Info: Mokhotlong Airport IATA Code: MKH Mokhotlong Airport ICAO Code: FXMK Latitude : -29.2818 Longitude : 29.0728 City : Mokhotlong Country : Lesotho World Area Code : 536 Airport Type : Small Timezone : Africa/Maseru Mokhotlong Airport Timezone : GMT +02:00 hours Current time and date at Mokhotlong Airport is 15:00:31 PM (SAST) on Tuesday, May 3, 2022 Looking for information on Mokhotlong Airport, Mokhotlong, Lesotho? Know about Mokhotlong Airport in detail. Find out the location of Mokhotlong Airport on Lesotho map and also find out airports near to Mokhotlong. This airport locator is a very useful tool for travelers to know where is Mokhotlong Airport located and also provide information like hotels near Mokhotlong Airport, airlines operating to Mokhotlong Airport etc... IATA Code and ICAO Code of all airports in Lesotho. Scroll down to know more about Mokhotlong Airport or Mokhotlong Airport, Lesotho. Mokhotlong Airport Map - Location of Mokhotlong Airport Load Map Lesotho - General Information Country Formal Name Kingdom of Lesotho Country Code LS Capital Maseru Currency Loti (LSL) 1 LSL = 0.063 USD 1 USD = 15.853 LSL 1 LSL = 0.06 EUR 1 EUR = 16.653 LSL More LSL convertion rates Tel Code +266 Top Level Domain .ls This page provides all the information you need to know about Mokhotlong Airport, Lesotho. This page is created with the aim of helping travelers and tourists visiting Lesotho or traveling to Mokhotlong Airport. Details about Mokhotlong Airport given here include Mokhotlong Airport Code - IATA Code (3 letter airport codes) and ICAO Code (4 letter airport codes) Coordinates of Mokhotlong Airport - Latitude and Longitude (Lat and Long) of Mokhotlong Airport Location of Mokhotlong Airport - City Name, Country, Country Codes etc... Mokhotlong Airport Time Zone and Current time at Mokhotlong Airport Address and contact details of Mokhotlong Airport along with website address of the airport Clickable Location Map of Mokhotlong Airport on Google Map. General information about Lesotho where Mokhotlong Airport is located in the city of Mokhotlong. General information include capital of Lesotho, currency and conversion rate of Lesotho currency, Telephone Country code, exchange rate against US Dollar and Euro in case of major world currencies etc... MKH - Mokhotlong Airport IATA Code and FXMK - Mokhotlong Airport ICAO code Qachas Nek Airport, Qachas Nek, Lesotho [ UNE / FXQN ] If you are planning to travel to Qachas Nek or any other city in Lesotho, this airport locator will be a very useful tool. This page gives complete information about the Qachas Nek Airport along with the airport location map, Time Zone, lattitude and longitude, Current time and date, hotels near the airport etc... Qachas Nek Airport Map showing the location of this airport in Lesotho. Qachas Nek Airport IATA Code, ICAO Code, exchange rate etc... is also provided. Qachas Nek Airport Info: Qachas Nek Airport IATA Code: UNE Qachas Nek Airport ICAO Code: FXQN Latitude : -30.1117 Longitude : 28.6719 City : Qachas Nek Country : Lesotho World Area Code : 536 Airport Type : Small Timezone : Africa/Maseru Qachas Nek Airport Timezone : GMT +02:00 hours Current time and date at Qachas Nek Airport is 15:00:32 PM (SAST) on Tuesday, May 3, 2022 Looking for information on Qachas Nek Airport, Qachas Nek, Lesotho? Know about Qachas Nek Airport in detail. Find out the location of Qachas Nek Airport on Lesotho map and also find out airports near to Qachas Nek. This airport locator is a very useful tool for travelers to know where is Qachas Nek Airport located and also provide information like hotels near Qachas Nek Airport, airlines operating to Qachas Nek Airport etc... IATA Code and ICAO Code of all airports in Lesotho. Scroll down to know more about Qachas Nek Airport or Qachas Nek Airport, Lesotho. Qachas Nek Airport Map - Location of Qachas Nek Airport Load Map Lesotho - General Information Country Formal Name Kingdom of Lesotho Country Code LS Capital Maseru Currency Loti (LSL) 1 LSL = 0.063 USD 1 USD = 15.853 LSL 1 LSL = 0.06 EUR 1 EUR = 16.653 LSL More LSL convertion rates Tel Code +266 Top Level Domain .ls This page provides all the information you need to know about Qachas Nek Airport, Lesotho. This page is created with the aim of helping travelers and tourists visiting Lesotho or traveling to Qachas Nek Airport. Details about Qachas Nek Airport given here include Qachas Nek Airport Code - IATA Code (3 letter airport codes) and ICAO Code (4 letter airport codes) Coordinates of Qachas Nek Airport - Latitude and Longitude (Lat and Long) of Qachas Nek Airport Location of Qachas Nek Airport - City Name, Country, Country Codes etc... Qachas Nek Airport Time Zone and Current time at Qachas Nek Airport Address and contact details of Qachas Nek Airport along with website address of the airport Clickable Location Map of Qachas Nek Airport on Google Map. General information about Lesotho where Qachas Nek Airport is located in the city of Qachas Nek. General information include capital of Lesotho, currency and conversion rate of Lesotho currency, Telephone Country code, exchange rate against US Dollar and Euro in case of major world currencies etc... UNE - Qachas Nek Airport IATA Code and FXQN - Qachas Nek Airport ICAO code World Amenities, Inc., a leading global supplier of signature skincare brands and custom amenities, is pleased to announce it is in hiring mode to support its 2022 growth and expansion initiatives. In Q4, World Amenities added three experienced managers to head up its supply chain and logistics divisions. The new team members cover key roles in national distribution sales management, corporate account management, online sales account management, and one-on-one direct customer service, management, and quality control. The addition of these individuals will help drive World Amenities 2022-2023 growth initiatives, said Co-owner and Manager Paul Hodge. With travel and tourism on the rebound, the hospitality industry requires a tighter turnaround for ordering amenities and delivery. To this end, one of World Amenities key 2021 Q2 milestones was moving the majority of its product and product packaging to North America. The move serves all parties interests customers, product end-users, and vendors. Based on demand for shorter lead times, in Q1 2022, World Amenities will open its third distribution center in Atlanta, Georgia. The 40,000 square feet distribution center is ideal for servicing the needs of its expanding customer base. From supplying New York Citys Manhattan hotels to customers across the South, Eastern seaboard, and the Caribbean, product shipping time is approximately 48-72 hours. With the current frazzled status of the supply chain logistics industry, the North America manufacturing move and adding an East Coast distribution center was fortuitous, said Co-owner Paul Hodge. For 2022, we are focusing on hiring talented and experienced managers to orchestrate and streamline our production, packaging, and on-time delivery. Additional 2021 milestones include World Amenities making its first appearance on the Inc. 5000 list of Americas Fastest-Growing Companies. It was one of 27 travel and hospitality firms on the national list and the only hospitality company among San Diegos 107 listed companies. In addition, Co-owner and Manager Paul Hodge was recognized as one of its outstanding 40 under 40 business leaders by the San Diego Metropolitan magazine and one of San Diegos NEXT Top Business Leaders finalists by the San Diego Business Journal. The 2021 awards support World Amenities growth and reputation in the industry. To learn more about World Amenities, Inc., visit https://www.worldamenities.com. About World Amenities, Inc. Founded in 2015, World Amenities, an Inc. 5000 company, is a trusted leading global supplier of quality luxe skincare-based brands and custom amenities, necessities, and accessories. The company brings a wealth of 20 years of experience in the innovation, production, and distribution of advanced skincare and cosmetic brands to more than 70 global markets in 40,000 plus hotels, salons, spas, medical and educational sites. With three distribution centers, World Amenities is an influencer on the hospitality industrys standards and expectations. It uniquely designs, formulates, customizes, and manufactures each personal care guest room amenity, with artisanal skills and cosmetic-quality ingredients. In addition, World Amenities products are environmentally friendly, recyclable, and biodegradable. For more information, go to https://www.worldamenities.com. Pop Jots Logo, designed by Jason Starr in 2021 (Jason Starr, Pop Jots, Copyright 2021) Pop Jots was founded by Starr in 2021 under the parent company of Pop Radish Communications, LLC in Pleasant Grove, Utah. The company uses customized writing, copywriting, and advertising to help businesses stand out, connect with customers, and build stronger brands. Strategic Communication Expert and Filmmaking Professional, Jason R. Starr, is excited to announce the official launch of his new marketing company, Pop Jots, in Pleasant Grove, Utah on January 13, 2022. Pop Jots offers a variety of writing, copywriting, and advertising services to various businesses across the country. These services help businesses stand out, attract more customers, and grow. Pop Jots was founded by Starr in 2021 under the parent company of Pop Radish Communications, LLC in Pleasant Grove, Utah. The company uses customized writing, copywriting, and advertising to help businesses stand out, connect with customers, and build stronger brands. It provides services to startups, non-profit, food, finance, education, family, self-help, and creative professionals. Pop Jots's writing and advertising services include the following: Billboard Ads Direct Mail Email Messages Press Releases Product Descriptions Radio Spots Search Engine Ads Social Media Ads Video Scripts And more "One reason why I started Pop Jots is that many businesses are struggling as a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. I've noticed that many companies are having a harder time finding customers, and I wanted to do something to help them out. I'm confident that my copywriting and advertising services will give many of these companies the boost they need to be successful," said Starr. Before starting Pop Jots and its parent company, Pop Radish Communications, LLC, Starr has spent over seven years working for SkyVibe, LLC and Two Little Hands Productions in Salt Lake City, Utah. At these companies, he helped grow over 20 viral children's channels on YouTube. Across all 20 of these channels, Starr helped these companies reach billions of views and many millions of subscribers. Jason Starr's degrees and certifications include the following: A Bachelor's in Media Arts from Brigham Young University (2013) A Master's in Strategic Communication from Purdue University (2020) Professional certifications in Digital Marketing from the Digital Marketing Institute and the American Marketing Association (2021). About Pop Jots: Pop Jots is a copywriting and advertising company that was founded in Pleasant Grove, Utah in 2021. The company was founded by Jason R. Starr and is a subsidiary of Pop Radish Communications, LLC. Pop Jots's mission is to use persuasive words and creative ads to help businesses stand out, connect with their customers, and build stronger brands. For more information about Pop Jots and its marketing services, please visit https://www.popjots.com. Business owners can also contact Jason Starr directly by emailing him at contact@popjots.com or by calling him at 855-POP-JOTS. Family-run Miami Monument Company is dedicated to supporting families during their times of grief, so it has re-launched its website to offer an easier-to-use customer experience when choosing the fitting memorial for their deceased loved ones or relatives. Their website - https://miamimonumentcompany.com/ - outlines the companys specially-made high-quality memorials, including cemetery monuments, cemetery markers, headstones for graves, cremation urns, caskets, and more. People can browse through the different categories. For example, they can view a wide selection of grave markers and headstones that give them the opportunity to mark a deceased loved ones grave with a lot of love and a touch of class. These include bronze and granite grave markers. They also offer a variety of headstones and monuments in granite and marble and custom-made statues in many sizes and monuments with different shapes that allow you to make the best decision for your deceased one. Caskets are large containers that hold your loved one at their burial site. MMC offers a selection of 18 or 20 gauge caskets and wooden caskets. An 18-gauge casket is thicker metal than the 20-gauge casket, which allows for more intricate designs. As a family-owned business with more than ten years funeral service experience, we aim to manufacture and provide the highest quality in memorial monuments, said the companys Yanay Mesa. When purchasing a monument for a deceased loved one, families can rest assured that we will help them in their time of need. Our customer service staff is very knowledgeable and empathetic to your needs. We will help you with all your needs and worries, offering quality cemetery monuments in Miami at affordable prices so you can make the best decisions possible. The companys opening hours are Monday-Friday: 9am to 5pm, Saturday: 10am-4pm and Sundays: By Appointment Only. "Glenns relentless focus on customer experience, product quality, and innovation makes him the ideal leader to guide the company into a new era while keeping it in Rochester." The ownership transition is a testament to the tremendous business created under company founder Bruno Glavichs leadership over the past 43 years. The company anticipates a seamless transition as the current team will continue to deliver the same excellent and reliable products and services they are known for worldwide. This is an exciting time to make this transition as optics, photonics, and imaging technologies have become ubiquitous in virtually every industry, and we can offer both standard and custom solutions for many of these applications, said Mr. Jackling. He went on to say, We have attracted an experienced and talented workforce that wants to help build on Brunos years of success as we transition our US-based company to new ownership. We look forward to continued growth and new opportunities. Mr. Glavich began the company by providing essential OptoImaged products to the local Rochester community. Since then, APPLIED IMAGE has earned a reputation globally for its unique ability to create components and standards with unsurpassed quality and precision. Some of its best-known products are Barcode verifier and scanner test standards which ensure these devices are capable and calibrated, Flexible Encoders used in inkjet printers, and Test Targets & Test Patterns for image evaluation of cameras, scanners, and machine vision systems. A proud moment for the company was being selected by NASA to manufacture the camera systems calibration targets used on two of the Mars Rovers and the International Space Station, recalled Mr. Glavich. Additionally, Glenns relentless focus on customer experience, product quality, and innovation makes him the ideal leader to guide the company into a new era while keeping it in Rochester something I wanted, said Mr. Glavich. Over the years, Mr. Jackling has been instrumental in updating the companys capabilities to more advanced manufacturing technologies and formalizing its quality systems with ISO 9001:2015 certification and becoming an ISO 17025:2017 accredited calibration lab. In this newly released video, Mr. Jackling and his team showcase some of the companys latest technology, quality processes, and operational procedures that support customer success. The terms of the transaction were not disclosed. About Applied Image, Inc. APPLIED IMAGE is located in Rochester, NY, a community recognized globally as a primary center for Optics, Photonics, and Imaging Technology. The company is a global supplier of precision imaged optical components and calibration standards for a wide range of industries and applications. Standard and custom products are used to test, calibrate, align, control, or measure optics, photonics, or imaging systems or serve as OEM components within an imaging or inspection system. http://www.appliedimage.com About Bruno Glavich After graduating from Rochester Institute of Technology with a BS in Imaging Science and MBA degrees, Mr. Glavich participated in various volunteer roles at his alma mater, including in the advisory panel to the president of RIT. Additionally, Mr. Glavich was a founder of the Rochester Region Photonics Cluster (RRPC) and assisted the group in becoming legally organized while serving on their board. In addition, he was instrumental in establishing Rochester as the PIANY headquarters and identifying leadership to guide the RRPC. Today Mr. Glavich resides in Florida with his wife and daughter, and they enjoy spending summers in Rochester. About Glenn Jackling Glenn Jackling has served as the CEO & President of APPLIED IMAGE since 2015. Glenn was awarded an MBA from the University of Rochester and an MS in Applied and Mathematical Statistics and a BS in Mechanical Engineering from Rochester Institute of Technology. Mr. Jackling held numerous senior management roles at various companies in the local community, including Eastman Kodak, CPAC, and Newtex. Glenn lives with his wife Stephanie in Greece, NY, and has two sons and two step-daughters. Cybersecurity concerns have never been higher than they are today due to digital transformation efforts in industries like healthcare, education, government, financial, and even non-profits and small businesses. Gradient Cyber, a leading provider of cybersecurity and security operations as a service (SOCaaS), today announced a strategic business partnership with Westelcom. The partnership brings together Gradient Cybers 24/7 SOCaaS capabilities with Westelcoms mission-critical business telecommunications services delivering turnkey solutions to help customers design, deploy, operate, and protect their networks safeguarding their business operations from unexpected disruptions. With the combined solutions portfolio, Westelcom becomes a 24/7 trusted security advisor speeding customer digital transformation efforts, reducing unplanned operational downtime, and continually monitoring critical communications infrastructure for cybersecurity anomalies and breaches. This partnership is a perfect fit for both companies as Westelcom moves to offer a comprehensive cybersecurity portfolio to their customers, explains Steve Chappell, Chief Executive Officer, Gradient Cyber. Twenty-four by seven security operations are a mission-critical capability that companies must adopt as their businesses become almost one hundred percent reliant on their digital communications infrastructure. We are excited to partner with a first-class company like Gradient Cyber, said Paul Barton, President, Westelcom. Together we will provide vital security services to our partners and their end customers. Gradient Cyber offers reseller and MSSP programs that provide partners with a competitive monthly residual compensation structure along with product training, joint business plan mapping, collaborative marketing efforts, and comprehensive pre- and post-sales support. About Gradient Cyber Gradient Cyber is a trusted cybersecurity partner operating primarily across the United States and specializing in small and mid-market enterprises concerned about cybersecurity but lacking the staff to give it the attention it deserves. For a fraction of the cost of hiring one cyber analyst our cybersecurity team is on the job 24/7 to improve your security, so you dont have to think about it anymore. Well tell you what you need to know, what needs to be done, and eliminate the noise. Gradient Cyber is the only SOCaaS partner improving your security using 24/7 cybersecurity expertise, a SecOps delivery platform for threat detection across your IT infrastructure swim lanes, and diagnostics to strengthen your security posture even when there are no threat alerts. Learn more at https://www.gradientcyber.com. Follow Gradient Cyber: Blog and LinkedIn. Gradient Cyber Media Contact: Roark Pollock, mailto:rpollock@gradientcyber.com [rpollock@gradientcyber.com __title__ null]. About Westelcom Westelcom is a New York based telecommunications provider that offers mission-critical business communication services over their fiber network in upstate New York and nationally through a diverse blend of partners. The company offers traditional services like SIP/PRI/POTs/Long Distance, dedicated internet access, broadband, colocation, and web hosting and also provides managed services like SD-WAN along with more current solutions like UCaaS, UC, and collaboration solutions. As a leading carrier of telecommunications services, Westelcom has extensive expertise in serving the health care and education industry to include providing managed internet services to multiple regional telemedicine networks in New York, regional hospitals, and medical facilities along with several school district locations. Their Mission is to exceed customers expectations by providing excellent customer experience in communications solution design, delivery, and support. Westelcom can be reached at http://www.westelcom.com or 866.482.5427. GOD NOW: a potent opportunity for reflection and a rejuvenation of faith. GOD NOW is the creation of published author Janet Zann Sheldon, a loving wife, mother, and grandmother. She draws inspiration from her University of Michigan masters degree in educational psychology, coupled with her St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Seminary masters degree in theological studies. Zann Sheldon shares, Do you feel like we need God now? Do you feel like God isnt helping us or that you dont know where He is or even if He is? If He cares, why doesnt He make the fires, earthquakes, floods, viruses, and other dangerous things go away? What about the people who are sick? Victims of injustice? Hungry? Lonely? Depressed? In pain? Homeless? Dying? Why doesnt He answer and help us? Why does there seem to be so much turmoil, chaos, and unhappiness in this country and in the world? Doesnt He love us? So much is wrong! Why? What are we supposed to do? How can we have a better life? Where is the love? These and other questions will be covered and given genuine answers in GOD NOW. P.S. There is a good ending! Published by Christian Faith Publishing, Janet Zann Sheldons new book will encourage readers in their faith as they consider the questions and answers found within. Zann Sheldon offers an opportunity for spiritual growth as readers discover an articulate discussion of key spiritual questions that challenge many believers. Consumers can purchase GOD NOW at traditional brick & mortar bookstores, or online at Amazon.com, Apple iTunes store, or Barnes and Noble. For additional information or inquiries about GOD NOW, contact the Christian Faith Publishing media department at 866-554-0919. "Leveraging IoT, the Accuhealth platform and service consistently improves patient health while also reducing total cost of case." IoT Breakthrough, a leading market intelligence organization that recognizes the top companies, technologies and products in the global Internet-of-Things (IoT) market, today announced that it has named Accuhealth, the market leader in Remote Patient Monitoring, as winner of the IoT Health & Wellness Company of the Year award in the 6th annual IoT Breakthrough Awards program. Accuhealth delivers an industry leading and breakthrough end-to-end remote patient monitoring (RPM) solution that collects daily patient biometric data to enables providers to get ahead of negative health outcomes, while reducing the overall cost of care. The Companys proprietary Artificial Intelligence (AI), and voice sentiment analytics capabilities, combined with their 24/7/365 Health Operations Center, ensures the highest quality of care, empowering physicians to routinely deliver 100,000+ touchpoints to their patients each and every day. Accuhealth uses the most accurate, reliable and easy to use remote patient monitoring devices on the market, provided by Tell Health. Accuhealths innovative healthcare program collects and analyzes physiologic patient data taken from home and electronically transmits that information securely to providers in a different location. Patient data can include weight, temperature, blood pressure, blood sugar, oxygen saturation and other vital information. Additionally, Accuhealths new partnership with Telli Health provides the worlds first FDA certified and approved plug-and-play Sigfox SpO2 Pulse Oximeter. The innovative product uses Sigfox, the initiator of the 0G network and the worlds leading IoT service provider. The network allows for ease of deployment, low-cost and low-power requirements Remote Patient Monitoring increases the cadence of communication and feedback between patients and providers, and this has never been more important than during a global pandemic, said James Johnson, managing director at IoT Breakthrough. As an example, wireless-enabled pulse oximetry devices were a definitive need for Covid patients being monitored remotely. As the most recognized and most adopted RPM company in the United States, Accuhealth is revolutionizing RPM by creating a better patient experience, accomplishing better provider participation, reducing the overall cost of care and enabling better health outcomes - congratulations to Accuhealth for being our IoT Health & Wellness Company of the Year. Accuhealths biometric devices can be deployed anywhere globally , which is critical given SpO2 is a crucial biometric that indicates how effectively a patient is breathing and how well blood is being transported throughout the body - a key indicator for COVID-19 patients. The mission of the IoT Breakthrough Awards program is to recognize the innovators, leaders and visionaries from around the globe in a range of IoT categories, including Industrial and Enterprise IoT, Smart City technology, Connected Home and Home Automation, Connected Healthcare, and many more. This years program attracted more than 3,850 nominations from companies all over the world. We are honored to be recognized for our innovation and momentum in the connected healthcare market with this 2022 IoT Breakthrough Award, said Stephen Samson, CEO, Accuhealth. I consider this industry recognition as a strong testament to the dedication and innovative approach that the entire Accuhealth team brings to work each day. Remote patient monitoring works and the proof is in the data. In 2021 alone, Accuhealth prevented 3,271 hospital visits, which has an estimated net savings for the US healthcare system of over $44 million dollars. Leveraging IoT, the Accuhealth platform and service consistently improves patient health while also reducing total cost of care. This creates an unparalleled healthcare experience - for both patient and provider. About IoT Breakthrough Part of the Tech Breakthrough, a leading market intelligence and recognition platform for global technology innovation and leadership, the IoT Breakthrough Awards program is devoted to honoring excellence in Internet-of-Things technologies, services, companies and products. The IoT Breakthrough Awards program provides a forum for public recognition around the achievements of IoT companies and products in categories including Connected Home and Home Automation, Connected Car, Industrial IoT (IIoT) and Smart City, Consumer IoT and more. For more information visit IoTBreakthrough.com. About Accuhealth Accuhealth is a leading healthcare technology company based in McAllen, Texas. Founded in 2018, Accuhealth has become a premier provider of turnkey remote patient monitoring solutions to clinics and enterprises worldwide, providing hardware, software, and first-line 24/7/365 clinical monitoring to physicians with real-time vital information and AI-enhanced data. Accuhealths services yield improved outcomes, increased patient satisfaction, reduced costs for payors, and increased revenue for clinics. Accuhealths touchpoints as a service makes remote monitoring a breeze for providers, their patients, and clinical staff finally, its remote patient monitoring made easy and done right. Visit https://www.accuhealth.tech/ for more information. Accuhealth provides patient care to 48 states in the US working with over 5000 healthcare providers and over 130 employees. Certified Pre-Owned Hyundai Vehicles is Available at Boucher Hyundai of Waukesha Hyundai is one of the top-selling automobile brands in the United States. The brand offers certified pre-owned cars to help drivers get more bang for their buck. These cars are available at Boucher Hyundai of Waukesha. The dealership offers a wide range of top-quality Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) Hyundai models at attractive prices to fit every budget. All their CPO Hyundai vehicles undergo an extensive inspection before being added to the inventory. The dealership makes sure to fully detail each car and give it a fresh oil change and new tires. In addition, all their CPO Hyundai vehicles come with a manufacturer-backed warranty. This means that drivers can buy confidently when doing business with Hyundai's CPO vehicle program. The vehicles are inspected by certified technicians who take into account both cosmetic and mechanical criteria to determine whether a vehicle is up to the standards. The dealership offers a variety of financing options, including lease deals for drivers who don't want the responsibility of maintaining their vehicle themselves. With Boucher Hyundai's great rates, there is an option that will work for everyone! Individuals can visit the dealership's website, https://www.boucherhyundai.com/ certified-pre-owned-hyundai-waukesha-wi to find out what certified pre-owned vehicles are in stock at present. Boucher Hyundai of Waukesha is located at 1583 E. Moreland Blvd., Waukesha, WI, and can be reached at 800- 240-5881. At Aprio, we are dedicated to fostering belonging, purpose, innovation, and growth for our team members, driving a high-performance work environment that continuously creates amazing opportunities for our people. Aprio, LLP, a nationally recognized business advisory and CPA firm, is proud to announce the firm has been honored with a Glassdoor Employees Choice Award, ranking 38th in the U.S. small and medium company category which recognizes the Best Places to Work in 2022. The Employees Choice Award is based solely on the input of employees, who elect to provide anonymous feedback by completing a company review about their job and work environment on Glassdoor, the worldwide leader on insights and reviews for job seekers. The commitment the Aprio team made to heroically serving our clients over the last two years has been amazing, and being honored as the only accounting firm on Glassdoors small and medium company Best Places to Work list further highlights our mission-driven culture and passion for whats next, said Richard Kopelman, Aprio Managing Partner & CEO. At Aprio, we are dedicated to fostering belonging, purpose, innovation, and growth for our team members, driving a high-performance work environment that continuously creates amazing opportunities for our people. One of Aprios fundamentals is to provide a great team member experience. The firms highest-ranked workplace factors on Glassdoor are Culture & Values, Diversity & Inclusion and Career Opportunities and in 2021 Aprio: Launched a 10-year partnership with Operation HOPE to empower Black entrepreneurs, connecting Aprio team members as mentors, Relaunched Excelle, a development experience specifically curated for young female professionals, Awarded over $25,000 to team members in a quarterly contest for business automation ideas and Promoted 100+ professionals, recognizing rising talent across each practice area and office location. The world of work is rapidly evolving, fueled by the pandemic and now millions of workers re-evaluating their expectations from employers. This years 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. Its 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 years Employees Choice Award winners. Glassdoors 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 Glassdoors 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. For the complete list of the Glassdoor Best Places to Work winners in 2022, please visit: https://www.glassdoor.com/Award/Best-Small-and-Medium-Companies-to-Work-For-LST_KQ0,43.htm. To learn more about Aprio, visit aprio.is/whatsnext. About Aprio Aprio is a premier, full-service business advisory and certified public accounting firm that advises clients and associates on how to achieve whats next. Aprios associates work as integrated teams across advisory, assurance, tax, outsourcing, talent solutions and private client services, bringing the best thinking and personal commitment to each client. Across practices, Aprio brings together proven expertise, deep understanding and strategic foresight for industries including Manufacturing and Distribution; Non-Profit and Education; Professional Services; Real Estate and Construction; Retail, Franchise and Hospitality; and Technology and Blockchain. Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, Aprio has grown to over 800 team members. To serve clients wherever life or business may take them, Aprios teams speak more than 30 languages and work with clients in over 50 countries. For more, visit https://www.aprio.com/. 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 http://www.glassdoor.com. "Glassdoor" and logo are proprietary trademarks of Glassdoor, Inc. City of Huntsville joins the Alabama Purchasing Group Registered vendors can access bids, related documents, addendum and award information. The City of Huntsville announces it has joined the Alabama Purchasing Group and will be publishing and distributing upcoming bid opportunities on the bidnet direct bid solicitation platform. bidnet directs Alabama Purchasing Group connects participating agencies from across Alabama. The purchasing group provides a transparent bid process through which the bid is available to all vendors at the same time. The City of Huntsville invites all vendors to register online at http://www.bidnetdirect.com/alabama/cityofhuntsville. The City of Huntsville joined the purchasing group in December 2021. The City of Huntsville will utilize the system to streamline the purchasing process including bid management and bid distribution. The Alabama Purchasing Group is a single, online location for managing sourcing information and activities and provides local government agencies the tools needed to have a transparent bid process while minimizing costs and saving time. The Alabama Purchasing Group expands an agencys vendor pool and enhances vendor competition without increasing distribution costs. In addition to the existing vendors on the Alabama Purchasing Group, all vendors looking to do business with the City of Huntsville can register online: http://www.bidnetdirect.com/alabama/cityofhuntsville. The City of Huntsville invites all interested bidders to register today. Registered vendors can access open bids, related documents and files, additional addendum and award information from all participating agencies. In addition, the Alabama Purchasing Group offers a value-added service to notify vendors of new bids targeted to their industry, all addenda and advance notification of expiring term contracts. With one click, the City of Huntsville can now see how many vendors match a specific opportunity, how many have downloaded documents, responded and more. The City of Huntsville also has its own, branded page on the public side of the Alabama Purchasing Group in which vendors can view all closed bids and any awarded information. Through the Alabama Purchasing Group, the bidnet direct platform provides the City to have bid solicitation and award information at our fingertips. The information is fully tracked and auditable. Vendors can access documents and addenda right online. And we can see that the vendor has indeed seen the addendum. It is exciting to build on to the transparent office we strive to be by becoming a part of the Alabama Purchasing Group, stated Tamara Yancy, Procurement Manager of the City of Huntsville. Vendors may register on the Alabama Purchasing Group: http://www.bidnetdirect.com/alabama/cityofhuntsville. bidnet directs vendor support team is available to answer any questions regarding the registration process or the bid system at 800-835-4603 option 2. Other local Alabama government agencies looking to switch from a manual bid process, please contact the Alabama Purchasing Group for a demonstration of the no-cost sourcing solution. About the City of Huntsville: Huntsville is a city centrally located in the northernmost part of the U.S. state of Alabama. It is located in Madison County and is incorporated in three counties, Madison, Morgan, and Limestone. It is largest city in Alabama according to the 2020 Census with a population of 215,006. The City was incorporated on December 9, 1811, under an act of the Mississippi Territorial Legislature first as Twickenham, and then in 1812, Huntsville. Situated in the beautiful Tennessee Valley, the City has grown in land area of over 220 square miles. The Federal Base, Redstone Arsenal is a large employer and a major presence in the area. Huntsville is considered a leader in aerospace engineering. About bidnet direct: bidnet direct, powered by mdf commerce, is a sourcing solution of regional purchasing groups available at no cost to local government agencies throughout the country. bidnet direct runs regional purchasing groups, including the Alabama Purchasing Group, across all 50 states that are used by over 1,600 local governments. To learn more and have your government agency gain better transparency and efficiency in purchasing, please visit https://www.bidnetdirect.com/buyers Cristina Martinez joins Gilbane Building Company as Business Development Manager in New Jersey. "Cristina Martinez is the absolute embodiment of the Gilbane core values and will be a seamless fit for us both technically and culturally as we look to continue to expand our presence in New Jersey," said Chris Cornick, Director of Business Development, Gilbane Building Company. Gilbane Building Company is pleased to announce that Cristina Martinez has joined the company as Business Development Manager in the Newark office, focused on strategic growth in New Jersey. In this position, Ms. Martinez will serve as a partner, advocate, and strategist to Gilbanes regional New Jersey clients, delivering Gilbanes high level of client satisfaction. We could not be more excited to welcome Cristina to the Gilbane team here in New Jersey, said Chris Cornick, Director of Business Development, Gilbane Building Company. I have known Cristina for nearly a decade and have always had tremendous respect for her as a peer, but even more so as an individual with a true passion for the success of our industry and the people within it. Cristina is the absolute embodiment of the Gilbane core values and will be a seamless fit for us both technically and culturally as we look to continue to expand our presence in the State. Cristina launched her career in structural engineering, working on analysis and design of complex high-rise structures, commercial projects, as well as renovations of existing historical buildings. Among the projects she participated in are Times Square Tower, Somerset Corporate Center, and the redevelopment of the retail concourse at Rockefeller Center. Several years into her career, she transitioned into a marketing and business development role, leveraging her engineering expertise to better support clients needs and build successful industry relationships across all market sectors. Cristina is deeply connected in the local architecture, engineering, construction (AEC) industry, serving as President of the Board of Directors of the ACE Mentor Program of New Jersey and serving on the boards of Leadership Newark and Stevens Institute of Technology Alumni Association. She is an active member of Professional Women In Construction, the Association of Medical Facility Professionals and Women Builders Council. Cristina was also named to Engineering News-Records Top 20 under 40 list, which recognizes young professionals who have made significant contributions to the AEC community. Cristina earned a Bachelor of Engineering and a Master of Engineering, both from Stevens Institute of Technology, with structural engineering concentrations. About Gilbane Building Company Gilbane provides a full slate of construction and facilities-related servicesfrom pre-construction planning and integrated consulting capabilities to comprehensive construction management, general contracting, design-build, and facility management servicesfor clients across various markets. With an office in Newark, Gilbane has been delivering construction services in New Jersey since 1966 for clients across various market sectors including commercial office, multi-unit and high rise residential, cultural, education, healthcare, public sector, and life science and technology. Founded in 1870 and still a privately held, family-owned company, Gilbane has more than 45 office locations worldwide. For more information, visit http://www.gilbaneco.com. Dele Health Tech, the data fusion fall technology leader, announced today the appointment of Jessica Heck Wesley as Vice President of Sales, Senior Living. Heck comes to Dele Health Tech with more than a decade of sales and operational experience in senior living. Her leadership positions include everything from community-level Executive Director to company Chief Strategy Officer. Jessicas first-hand knowledge of senior living sales and operations provides excellent insight for Dele Health Tech, as they rapidly expand their fall management solution across the entire continuum of the senior living space. The unique combination of data fusion and fall management expertise is what drew me to Dele Health Tech. They are revolutionizing the way the industry addresses the fall management problem in a dignified way. Dele Health Tech is making a difference in the lives of seniors and I needed to be a part of it, said Heck. Heck will lead the US-based sales team and further extend the companys footprint in the senior living marketplace. She will be focusing on sharing the companys innovative and dignified fall management solutions with independent living, assisted living, memory care, and continuing care retirement communities. Jessica is a proven and well-respected leader in the senior living industry. We are very excited and delighted to have her as part of our leadership team to help accelerate our growth, said Delaine Blazek, Chief Commercial Officer, Dele Health Tech. Ive had the pleasure of working with companies that understand the importance of using innovation to provide better outcomes for their residents, additional support to their front line workers, and ultimately peace of mind to their residents families. My goal is to ensure every senior living operator understands the importance of partnering with a dignified, innovative technology solution like Dele Health Tech, because seniors deserve a proactive approach to their care, added Heck. Ms. Hecks appointment is the latest of several strategic additions to the Dele Health Tech leadership team as the company continues its growth trajectory. ABOUT DELE HEALTH TECH Dele Health Tech (DELE) is revolutionizing healthcare with innovative data fusion for dignified fall management. Founded in Norway and operating in the US and Europe, the companys AI-based solution fuses room-sensor data with individual-level electronic health data to provide exceptional detection accuracy, nurse call integration, prediction, and commercially viable scalability for multiple healthcare and senior living scenarios. http://www.delehealth.com http://www.linkedin.com/company/dele-health-tech Carpenters Apprentice Ready Program MLK Day of Service Project We hope that these little libraries help foster stronger communities as neighbors share their books with one another and inspire local youth to read and learn. Dozens of little free libraries will sprout across Philadelphia communities this coming spring. In celebration of the upcoming Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday, the General Building Contractors Association (GBCA) and members of the JACs Carpenters Apprentice Ready Program (CARP) have partnered with local community members to design and build more than a dozen little book houses that will be placed in various areas of the city. Every year the GBCA orchestrates its MLK Day of Service Project. This year, the organization is getting a boost from the Clemens Construction Company, which has donated materials to build boxes. Spikes Trophies will donate decorative plaques for each box. "Dr. King famously said: Everybody can be great, because everybody can serve. And we couldnt have been more honored to have an opportunity to serve the communities in which we build," said Angela Hendrix, Senior Director, Training and Workforce Development with the GBCA. "We hope that these little libraries help foster stronger communities as neighbors share their books with one another and inspire local youth to read and learn. On Saturday, January 15th, approximately 30 CARP apprentices and their six instructors from the Carpenters Joint Apprentice Training Center will come together and work from a sketch to bring each box to life. Philadelphia Council Members Mark Squilla; Katherine Gilmore-Richardson; Derek Green; and Brian ONeills director of legislation Bobby Yerkov, will attend Saturdays MLK event at CARPs training center. The carpenters will then install the library boxes across various city districts in Spring, when the weather is more encouraging for people to take a book or leave a book. The General Building Contractors Association hopes the lending library boxes will remind community members that union carpenters build things big and small of everyday importance while also highlighting the rewarding career opportunities available to Philadelphians through CARP. The 12-week CARP program focuses on bringing more minorities and women from underserved communities into the trade. It takes people who have never even held a measuring tape and teaches them the basics of carpentry; opening the door to a viable career path, with a history of solid, predictable, wages and benefits that can scale and sustain a family. To learn more about the Philadelphia Carpenters Apprentice Program schedule for 2022, click here. Drew Coleman, Founder of Opt By partnering with Side, we've gained access to cutting-edge technology, plus legal, marketing, and administrative tools and services. Drew Coleman today announced the creation of Opt in partnership with Side, the only real estate technology company that exclusively partners with high-performing agents, teams, and independent brokerages to transform them into market-leading boutique brands and businesses. Opt will leverage Sides industry-leading invisible brokerage platform to support its elite agents and provide consistently exceptional customer service to clients. "At Opt, we understand that the real estate transaction can be confusing for both buyers and sellers," Coleman said. "We believe all of our clients deserve an advocate, partner and friend who puts their goals and needs first. By partnering with Side, we've gained access to cutting-edge technology, plus legal, marketing, and administrative tools and services. That makes us even better equipped to focus on what's always mattered most to us providing an outstanding customer experience to every one of our clients throughout the Portland metro area." Coleman launched his Portland real estate career in 2001. Since then, he and his team have closed more than 1,500 transactions, with 340 worth $175 million in 2021 alone. In 2020, he was the highest-producing agent at a company that is ranked No. 1 in the Pacific Northwest for average sales volume per broker. A powerhouse leader in organized real estate, Coleman served as 2019 president of the Portland Metropolitan Association of REALTORS and recently finished his term as 2021 president of the Oregon REALTORS. His deep knowledge of the Portland real estate market makes him distinctly well-equipped to connect with clients of all types, from first-time buyers to sellers of luxury homes. Partnering with Side will ensure Opt remains on the cutting edge of the evolving real estate market while continuing to deliver premium services to its clients. Side works behind the scenes, supporting Opt with its one-of-a-kind brokerage platform that includes proprietary technology, transaction management, branding and marketing services, public relations, legal support, lead generation, vendor management and more. Additionally, Opt will join an exclusive group of Side partners, tapping into an expansive network from coast to coast. Hilary Saunders, Sides chief broker officer, said: Im excited to welcome Drew and his exceptional team to the Side community and cant wait to assist them in providing incomparable customer service to their clients. Side is led by experienced industry professionals who handle marketing and compliance and world-class engineers who develop technology designed to improve agent productivity and enhance the client experience. The company believes that homeownership is a fundamental human right, and Side is on a mission to improve the public good by providing top-performing agents with the best real estate service, experience and results. About Opt Opt combines years of local expertise with friendly, world-class service to create the perfect real estate experience for Portland metropolitan area buyers, sellers and investors. Opt is focused on providing exceptional customer service and building long-lasting relationships with clients from all walks of life. For more information, visit theopt.com. About Side Side transforms high-performing agents, teams and independent brokerages into successful businesses and boutique brands that are agent-owned. Side exclusively partners with the best agents, empowering them with proprietary technology and a premier support team so they can be more productive, grow their business and focus on serving their clients. Side is headquartered in San Francisco. For more information, visit http://www.sideinc.com. DuPonts Pyralux HP laminate adhesive system combines best-in-class insertion loss performance with increased functionality and processing, in multi-layer flex and rigid-flex applications. We are excited to bring this best-in-class laminate adhesive system to our customers as a critical offering in our portfolio of Pyralux products, says Andy Kannurpatti, global business director, DuPont ICS Films & Laminates DuPont Interconnect Solutions (ICS), a business within the Electronics & Industrial segment, will introduce the Pyralux HP laminate adhesive system at the 2022 Institute for Printed Circuits (IPC) APEX Exposition to be held in San Diego, CA from January 25 - 27, 2022. In todays high-performance electronic devices, data consumption continues to stretch the limits across a variety of end-market segments. High-speed signal transfer across the network creates numerous environments where signal integrity is often diminished, resulting in costly issues for end users. These issues are of utmost importance in demanding applications where reliability and high performance are critical for success. To improve the performance of these devices, DuPont developed the epoxy-based Pyralux HP laminate adhesive system that combines best-in-class insertion loss performance with increased functionality and processing. This engineered solution was specifically designed for Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and Printed Circuit Board (PCB) manufacturers to address the needs in high-performance and high-reliability applications in the telecommunications, networking, medical, industrial, military and aerospace markets. The Pyralux HP laminate adhesive system possesses robust processability while maintaining excellent electrical performance to optimize signal integrity in demanding and extreme environment PCB applications. This IPC-certified product is available as a sheet adhesive or as a coverlay that is well-suited for a wide variety of multi-layer flex and rigid-flex applications. The Pyralux HP laminate adhesive system enables processing at lower temperatures, providing PCB designers and producers with an expanded range of applications they can support when using this unique system. We are excited to bring this best-in-class laminate adhesive system to our customers as a critical offering in our portfolio of Pyralux products, says Andy Kannurpatti, global business director, DuPont ICS Films & Laminates. The Pyralux HP adhesive laminate system is another example of why DuPont has been the preferred flexible laminate solution provider for more than 40 years. Our innovation in offering the widest array of PCB construction options is driving device speed and reliability enabling a range of applications from 5G connectivity to autonomous vehicles, said Kannurpatti. About DuPont Electronics & Industrial DuPont Electronics & Industrial is a global supplier of new technologies and performance materials serving the semiconductor, circuit board, display, digital and flexographic printing, healthcare, aerospace, industrial and transportation industries. From advanced technology centers worldwide, teams of talented research scientists and application experts work closely with customers, providing solutions, products and technical service to enable next-generation technologies. About DuPont DuPont (NYSE: DD) is a global innovation leader with technology-based materials and solutions that help transform industries and everyday life. Our employees apply diverse science and expertise to help customers advance their best ideas and deliver essential innovations in key markets including electronics, transportation, construction, water, healthcare and worker safety. More information about the company, its businesses and solutions can be found at http://www.dupont.com. Investors can access information included on the Investor Relations section of the website at investors.dupont.com. # # # DuPont, the DuPont Oval Logo, and all trademarks and service marks denoted with , SM or are owned by affiliates of DuPont de Nemours, Inc. unless otherwise noted. 1/12/22 Pictured: Chef Jon Yao (of Los Angeles Kato Restaurant) and farmer Aaron Choi in a greenhouse at Girl & Dug Farm. (Image Courtesy of Life & Thyme) KCET, showcasing the best of PBS while being the leading source for arts, culture and news in Southern California, announced today the launch of the fourth season of Emmy-winning food series THE MIGRANT KITCHEN, produced in partnership with Life & Thyme, an award-winning culinary publication dedicated to documenting global food culture. The new season goes beyond Los Angeles to explore booming food scenes across the nation, introducing a new generation of chefs whose cuisine is inspired by the immigrant experience. THE MIGRANT KITCHENs fourth season will premiere on Tues., Jan. 25 at 8:30 p.m. PT on KCET in Southern California and on Mon., Jan. 31 at 7:30 p.m. on PBS SoCal as well as nationwide on Sat., Jan. 29 at 8:30 p.m. ET/PT on Link TV (DirecTV 375 and DISH Network 9410). Drawing on traditional cuisines and local resources to create a fusion of flavors and techniques, the new season ventures into the kitchens of those who have transformed the culinary landscape of America. From the origins of Korean food in Brooklyn to exciting Russian fare served up in the Pacific Northwest, questions of agricultural sovereignty in Puerto Rico and food inspired by the Black experience in Houston, new episodes of the James Beard Award nominated series celebrate food culture and innovation, as well as history and human stories. Kicking off the new season, THE MIGRANT KITCHEN documents Southern Californias own Chef Jon Yao, winner of the 2021 Michelin Young Chef Award for his Taiwanese restaurant Kato, which he opened when he was just 25. Award-winning chefs and food influencers Bonnie Morales (Kachka), Jose Enrique (Jose Enrique Restaurant), Chris Williams (Lucilles), Jonny Rhodes (Indigo), Jenny Kwak (Haenyeo) and Sohui Kim (Insa) are among the series core subjects with this fresh round of episodes, representing a diverse range of cultures and food customs, historical backgrounds, and American experiences. Additional digital content at kcet.org/migrantkitchen will support the launch of the new season, including editorial articles highlighting the chefs and restaurants, as well as educational content and recipes inspired by each episode. THE MIGRANT KITCHEN will telecast as follows (subject to change): Los Angeles- Tues., Jan. 25 at 8:30 p.m. on KCET, Mon., Jan. 31 at 7:30 p.m. on PBS SoCal and Sat., Jan. 29 at 8:30 p.m. ET/PT on Link TV Taiwanese food is poised for a renaissance in Los Angeles, where chef Jon Yao of Kato draws on his experience growing up in the San Gabriel Valley, fusing his heritage with produce from Southern California's cutting-edge farmers while educating diners on the nuances of this unique regional cuisine. Portland - Tues., Feb. 1 at 8:30 p.m. on KCET, Mon., Feb. 7 at 7:30 p.m. on PBS SoCal and Sat., Feb. 5 at 8:30 p.m. ET/PT on Link TV A long-misunderstood culture of Russia and the Ukraine finds a fresh audience and following at Katchka, a restaurant that celebrates both chef Bonnie Morales roots as well as the particular Pacific Northwest bounty. Puerto Rico- Tues., Feb. 8 at 8:30 p.m. on KCET, Mon., Feb. 14 at 7:30 p.m. on PBS SoCal and Sat., Feb. 12 at 8:30 p.m. ET/PT on Link TV In Puerto Rico, chefs like Jose Enrique work with farmers and communities to rescue a vibrant culture from a history of colonialism and agricultural oppression, and create opportunities for a more independent and self-sufficient future. Houston- Tues., Feb. 15 at 8:30 p.m. on KCET, Mon., Feb. 21 at 7:30 p.m. on PBS SoCal and Sat., Feb. 19 at 8:30 p.m. ET/PT on Link TV Soul food has long been a polarizing stereotype and limited conversation about the resiliency of the Black identity. In Houston, Texas, chefs Chris Williams of the renowned Lucilles and Jonny Rhodes of Indigo are on a mission to empower the Black community of Texas through entrepreneurialism, fighting agricultural oppression and uplifting African American foodways. Brooklyn- Tues., Feb. 22 at 8:30 p.m. on KCET, Mon., Feb. 28 at 7:30 p.m. on PBS SoCal and Sat., Feb. 26 at 8:30 p.m. ET/PT on Link TV In Brooklyn, a long tradition of female-driven food customs that began centuries ago in South Korea enters a new era in the hands of two powerful chefs, Jenny Kwak of Haenyeo and Sohui Kim of Insa. Join the conversation on social media using #MigrantKitchen, #LifeandThyme, and #KCET About KCET KCET is part of the donor-supported community institution, the Public Media Group of Southern California, which was formed by the merger of PBS SoCal and KCETLink Media Group. As one of Southern Californias two flagship PBS stations, KCET is on-air, online as well as in the community, and plays a vital role in the cultural enrichment of Southern California. KCET offers a wide range of award-winning local programming as well as the finest public television programs from around the world. Throughout its 55-year history, KCET has won hundreds of major awards for its local and regional news and public affairs programming, its national drama and documentary productions and its website, http://www.kcet.org. For additional information about KCETs original productions, web-exclusive content, programming schedules and community events, please visit kcet.org. KCET Originals and PBS programming are available to stream on the FREE PBS App on iOS and Android devices, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Android TV, Samsung Smart TV, and Chromecast. KCET is also available to watch live on YouTube TV. We welcome and are thankful for our new board members, said Tomas Leon, Equality Health Foundation president. Their diverse background and breadth of expertise will create new opportunities and result in a real impact for the individuals and communities we serve. Equality Health Foundation (EHF) is honored to welcome five new board members elected during the boards annual meeting held December 23. Board members include Maria Harper-Marinick, Paul Luna, Chris Camacho, Todd Sanders and Tony Astorga. The Equality Health Foundation is a new non-profit organization that aims to level the healthcare playing field in culturally diverse and under-resourced communities. Their goal is to expand access to care, accelerate health education, and eliminate healthcare inequalities so that everyone has an opportunity to lead longer, healthier lives. We welcome and are thankful for our new board members, said Tomas Leon, Equality Health Foundation president. Their diverse background and breadth of expertise will create new opportunities and result in a real impact for the individuals and communities we serve. New board members join the Equality Health Foundation board from a variety of professional backgrounds: Dr. Maria Harper-Marinick is a national leader in higher education and a strong advocate for access to opportunity, equity, and student success. She served the Maricopa Community College District, one of the largest community college systems in the nation, for almost 30 years in a variety of leadership roles, most recently as Chancellor. She is a Senior Fellow for the College Excellence Program and The Aspen Institute. Issues in Higher Education named Maria one of 25 exceptional women leaders who have made a difference in higher education. Paul Luna is President and CEO of Helios Education Foundation, an organization that is dedicated to creating opportunities for individuals in Arizona and Florida to succeed in postsecondary education. Luna is responsible for guiding the strategic direction of the organization, cultivating strong community relationships and initiating strategic partnerships in Arizona and Florida for the Foundation. Prior to joining Helios in 2006, Luna served as President of Valley of the Sun United Way. As a first-generation college student, he attended Stanford University where he earned a degree in Civil Engineering. Chris Camacho serves as the President and CEO at the Greater Phoenix Economic Council, one of the longest standing public-private partnerships for economic development across the country. He previously served as the organizations Executive Vice President. During his tenure, GPEC has led the attraction of more than 230 companies creating 38,881 jobs and $2.9 billion in capital investment. In 2016 he was appointed by the U.S. Secretary of Commerce to serve on the U.S. Investment Advisory Council, to advise the Secretary on foreign direct investment policies and strategies. Todd Sanders is currently President and CEO of the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce. Prior to assuming his current role, he represented the interests of the business community in the State Legislature as Vice President of Public Affairs for the Phoenix Chamber. Prior to joining the Chamber, Sanders served as a Policy Analyst for the Arizona House of Representatives in the areas of taxation, environment, political subdivisions and international trade. Tony Astorga retired in 2011 from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona where he served for over 22 years as the Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. He also held the position of President of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Mexico from 1994-1999 and Chief Business Development Officer from 2009-2011 during his tenure at BCBSAZ. He has previously served on various community and business boards and has been involved in community leadership roles as co-chair of the Governors Citizens Finance Review Commission, Maricopa Community Colleges ACE Campaign Cabinet, and Governors Film and Television Commission. We believe everyone should have access to resources that enable and encourage healthy living, said Frank Placenti, board chairman. A vision like this cannot be accomplished alone and requires a passionate group of community leaders like our newest board members to make a sustainable and transformative change. For more information about the Equality Health Foundation, visit http://www.equalityhealthfoundation.org. About Equality Health Foundation The Equality Health Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing equal health for all and leveling the healthcare playing field in diverse, underserved communities. The Foundation works to expand access to care, accelerate health education, and eliminate healthcare inequalities so that everyone in the community has an opportunity to lead healthier and longer livesa movement for advancing equal health for all. For more information, visit equalityhealthfoundation.org or follow @EQHFoundation on Facebook, @EQHFoundation on Twitter, and @EQHFoundation on LinkedIn. ### Roy Napoli, GM, Erdie Industries Erdie Industries, a manufacturer of custom and innovative shipping tubes and paper cores, announces the promotion of Roy Napoli to General Manager. Napoli joined the company in May 2020 as the production manager. Before joining Erdie Industries, Napoli had an extensive manufacturing background in the packaging industry, including a management role at a leading manufacturer of end caps and plastic caps for mailing tubes. Erdie Industries was founded in 1983 by John Stephen Erdie and his son, Jason Stephen Erdie. The company was built and continues to grow on a foundation of new products and ideas, carrying on the tradition of Jasons grandfather John Erdie, who worked for Pillsbury and created the familiar cardboard packaging tube. In 2007, the company patented the Twist-n-Pull Mailing and Shipping Tube, and in 2013 the company received a second patent for the Tri-Hex Mailing and Shipping Tube. Its exciting to be a part of an organization that is focused on creating value through innovation and service. At Erdie Industries, were always looking to not only improve our existing products and services.. but to bring value to the marketplace with new products and ideas, Napoli said. As the General Manager, Napoli will be responsible for analyzing productivity and designing/implementing programs to drive KPIs. He will also be testing, developing, and introducing new products. I spent several years working in other fields before moving back into manufacturing in a management role, Napoli reflects. While directing operations, I gained valuable experience at all levels of administration and assisted customers with the development of new products. Those experiences have prepared me for my new role here at Erdie Industries. Company president Jason Erdie says, Were very excited to have Roy as a part of our company. He compliments our management team very well. To learn more about Erdie Industries visit erdie.com. 2021 VAR Stars Were very proud to be selected as a member of the VAR Stars for 2021, said David Faye, CEO of Faye. Faye, a global technology consulting and software company, has been selected as a member of Bob Scotts VAR Stars for 2021, a group of 100 organizations honored for their accomplishments in the field of midmarket financial software. Members of the VAR Stars were selected based on the principle of quality, not revenue. Growth, industry leadership and recognition, and innovation determine who will be recognized. The full list is available for download here. Each year, 100 VAR Stars are picked from the best organizations that market financial software. It is always an honor to recognize those who contribute to the development of our business, Bob Scott said. Were very proud to be selected as a member of the VAR Stars for 2021, said David Faye, CEO of Faye. Being on a VAR list is a testament to our people and their commitment to innovating and consistently meeting our mission to make the best software in the world even better. We are honored to be recognized and congratulate all the others that have also achieved this honor. The financial software industry is a highly competitive, fast-paced environment. Faye focuses on solutions that provide automation, integration and data beyond the accounting department. Fayes ERP, CX and CRM software solutions and integrations create 360-views of customer interactions to the entire organization. Learn more about Fayes Software Integration Products here. About Faye Faye is a global leader in software strategy, deployment, integrations and ongoing management for mid-market companies through to enterprise. An Inc. 5000 award winner eight years in a row, Fayes team works with brands in more than 25 countries to optimize and integrate CRM, CX, marketing automation and ERP platforms into complex tech stacks. Headquartered in California and with teams across four continents, Faye makes the best software in the world even better by supporting Zendesk, SugarCRM, Salesforce, HubSpot, and more. As the Zendesk Development partner of the year and SugarCRM Americas Reseller of the Year, Fayes depth of expertise is showcased through a library of custom-built software enhancements, tools and integrations used by hundreds of thousands of users every day. About Bob Scott Bob Scott has been informing and entertaining the mid-market financial software community via his email newsletters for 22 years. He has published this information via the ERP Global Insights (formerly Bob Scotts Insights) newsletter and website since 2009. He has covered this market for more than 29 years through print and electronic publications, first as technology editor of Accounting Today and then as the Editor of Accounting Technology from 1997 through 2009. He has covered the traditional tax and accounting profession during the same time and has continued to address that market as executive editor of the Progressive Accountant since 2009. 2022 Style Watch As we head into a new year, Flooring America/Flooring Canada just released its 2022 Style Watch a trend prediction of the 10 most distinctive flooring styles to watch this year. Fueled by the pandemics home improvement boom, the flooring industry is experiencing a surge in popularity as consumers spending more time at home embarked on renovations and upgrades. As we head into a new year, Flooring America/Flooring Canada just released its 2022 Style Watch a trend prediction of the 10 most distinctive flooring styles to watch this year. 2022 Flooring Style Watch: 1. Hints of Blue. When it comes to infusing color into flooring, blue is fast becoming the new neutral. And with Pantone naming Very Peri, a periwinkle blue shade as 2022 Color of The Year, look for blue hues in interiors and flooring. Blue tends to be trend proof and stay en vogue. Blue shades can also maintain the neutral look of floors. Get The Look: Riverside Jungle by Tigressa Cherish in Lakeside https://www.dropbox.com/s/6fpm063ajqejv9g/riverside-jungle-by-tigressa-cherish-in-lakeside--1-.jpeg?dl=0 2. Luxurious Comfort. In chaotic times, people turn to comforts of the past and turn their homes into cozy retreats. A subset of the cottage core trend, luxurious comfort includes the return of wallpaper, vintage furniture, and soft, plush carpets. Consumers will continue to seek the comfort of a soft carpet underfoot by installing carpet in bedrooms, living rooms and family areas. Get The Look: Rival & Delightful by Revival by Resista in Succulent https://www.dropbox.com/s/jmv1j32m26j5gm5/rival-by-resista-in-succulent.jpeg?dl=0 3. Distressed Vintage. The Cottage Core trend goes hand-in-hand with another 2022 style to watch: Distressed Vintage. Think white-washed antique barn and hand-scraped European Oak finishes that create lived-in interiors and harken back to retro styles from black-and-white tile to traditional dark hardwood flooring. Get The Look: Gilmore White Oak by Floorcraft Heritage in Burly https://www.dropbox.com/s/48h3f3uyl26mdb7/Gilmore--White-Oak---Burly--2-.jpg?dl=0 4. Organically Natural. During the lockdown with so many having to put vacations on hold or work from home, many yearned to bring the outdoors inside and expand outdoor living spaces. This will continue into next year, with increased focus on nature-inspired textures and all natural materials. Bring this trend inside the home with wood, natural stone, or greenery. Get The Look: Revo Tile in Power Grey Matte https://www.dropbox.com/s/ujn0f1savp1ec4u/revotile-power-grey-matte-by-floorcraft.jpg?dl=0 5. Multipurpose Workspaces. Speaking of work from home, it continues to drive the market as WFH paves the way for continued upgrades to the working spaces in the home so offices or co-workspaces feature floors that combine function and feel good underfoot. Get The Look: Moonlight by Tigressa Cherish in Reflection https://www.dropbox.com/s/jzl9gpsc0w9pp5t/Moonlight-by-tigressa-cherish.png?dl=0 6. Lighter and Brighter. Light floors will continue to be popular in 2022, making white oak and white ash appealing choices for many homeowners wishing to remodel their floors. Light colors open the home and act like mirrors by refracting light to make spaces with few windows and natural light feel larger and less confining. Get The Look: Downs H2O Timber in Gainsboro https://www.dropbox.com/s/3i6ejbjii1kzja9/Downs-H2O---Timber---Gainsboro--1-.jpg?dl=0 7. Waterproof Flooring: For active families with kids and pets, the waterproof wave in flooring will continue well into 2022. These flooring products can withstand all kinds of unexpected accidents thanks to waterproof cores and revolutionary scratch-resistant technology. Get The Look: Lanes Prairie White Oak by Aquadura H2O in Banana Cream https://www.dropbox.com/s/x3ys7m5175kr75h/Lanes-Prairie-White-Oak-by-Aquadura-H2O.jpeg?dl=0 8. Patterns on Patterns. Designers are predicting a pivot to patterns on carpets. Fun textures add dimension and patterns lend a distinct warmth to home design that can be subtle or bold. The maximalist trend will feature loud layered patterns and dramatic animal print area rugs. Get The Look: Define Yourself by Design Distinction in Sugar Sand https://www.dropbox.com/s/cbvuzev68vve8yw/Define-Yourself-by-Design-Distinctions.jpeg?dl=0 9. Unlimited Variation. Embracing the beauty in wood variances is predicted to be one of next years design trends. Following a season of monochrome palettes with whites, grays and beiges, design will turn toward variation and various colorations across floors making it more conducive to decorating the surrounding room with warm and cool tones. Get The Look: Downs H20 Plank in Bristlecone Pine https://www.dropbox.com/s/6rhzvcifywu9x9q/Downs-H2o-Plank---Bristlecone-Pines.jpg?dl=0 10. Charismatic Personality. While many new flooring styles include modern finishes, warm and natural-feeling floors are an everlasting style popular in homes year after year and this year is no exception. Theres evidence that this trend is hot for 2022, with aesthetics that thrill both traditional and blended design types like modern farmhouse and shabby chic. Get The Look: East Bluff by Floorcraft in Wynford https://www.dropbox.com/s/rrq6b445a7m6u13/east-bluff-by-floorcrafrt.jpeg?dl=0 It is an enormous honor to fight for justice, protect livelihoods, and guide business owners through our often-complex legal system. I consider myself extremely fortunate to help others each day. For the sixth consecutive year, Irvine, CA-based trial attorney Gregory G. Brown has been selected by his peers for inclusion in Best Lawyers for 2022. Brown has been included in the list each year since 2017. Attorneys named in the Best Lawyers publication are recognized by their legal industry peers for their legal excellence in specific fields. After receiving more than 10,000,000 peer evaluations, Best Lawyers honored approximately 5% of practicing lawyers in the United States, exemplifying the work of the most elite and top-rated lawyers in the country. The 2022 Best Lawyers list marks the 40th year the esteemed list has been published. Brown is the Founding Partner of Brown & Charbonneau, LLP, based in Irvine, California. A member of the California Bar since 1987, Brown has spent his entire career practicing in Southern California. As a Certified Specialist in Civil Trial Advocacy, Browns breadth of experience includes both plaintiffs and defense work in the areas of contract actions, fraud and breach of fiduciary duty cases, trade secret litigation, trust litigation, commercial contract disputes, intellectual property disputes, unfair competition, false advertising, shareholder derivative actions, corporate litigation, complex dissolution actions, real estate & construction, personal injury and professional liability suits. Brown is also a graduate of the Pepperdine/Strauss Institute for Dispute Resolution, and the National Institute of Trial Advocacy. Of being named to the Best Lawyers in America list, Brown said, After almost 35 years of practice, I still love the challenge each new case brings. It is incredibly rewarding to help others involved in complicated, and oftentimes highly emotional disputes. It is an enormous honor to fight for justice, protect livelihoods, and guide business owners through our often-complex legal system. I consider myself extremely fortunate to help others each day. About Gregory G. Brown For four decades, Southern California based business and trial attorney Gregory G. Brown has represented plaintiffs and defendants in a variety of complex legal matters. Named Attorney of the Year, and featured as Leaders in Law by Forbes magazine, Browns victories on behalf of clients include numerous 7-figure verdicts and settlements, and successful defenses of Fortune 500 companies facing 8-figure claims. Brown has served as an instructor and judge for the Orange County Bar Associations College of Trial Advocacy. He has authored numerous articles and serves as an Arbitrator and Mediator. Visit http://www.bc-llp.com. Fulcrum Equity Partners, an Atlanta-based growth equity fund, announces their investment in DriverReach, a recruiting and compliance management system that solves truckings primary challenges of driver recruiting and retention. The $7.5M investment round also includes participation from growth equity studio CreativeCo Capital, who has operating and investing experience in the logistics space. Indianapolis-based DriverReach has over 350 customers across the US and counting. This round of funding will be used to accelerate their growth and develop additional product features and functionality. The investment opportunity came after an introduction from Indianapoliss TechPoint, the growth accelerator for Indianas tech ecosystem and an early supporter of DriverReach. The partnership between Fulcrum Equity Partners and DriverReach will ensure the Company continues to set the pace and standard of innovation in the world of driver recruiting, logistics, and compliance management technology. Fulcrum Venture Partner Scott Dorfman says, We are seeing massive growth in transportation, logistics, and trucking due to the explosion of eCommerce. This means our investment in DriverReach is an opportunity to help fill the driver pipeline. A better applicant experience will streamline the process of qualifying drivers and dramatically improve speed-to-hire. With decades of logistics experience behind him, Dorfman adds, This increased demand for drivers means logistics companies must be able to recruit, onboard, and manage drivers via non-traditional avenues. DriverReach CEO Jeremy Reymer, an experienced carrier and vendor in the trucking industry, founded DriverReach in 2016 to address the ongoing driver shortage. Seeking a solution to empty trucks sitting and high driver turnover in an industry known to be slow in adopting new technology, DriverReach offers recruiters modern technology to create a better experience for the driver applicant. Reymer explains, You have to look at the applicant from the drivers point of view. Because CDL drivers are constantly on their smartphones, the ideal application experience must be completely mobile-responsive. Fulcrums support, deep software roots and operating experience, means we can make it easy for drivers to apply and remain engaged with a clean, modern interface. In addition to serving as an information repository that automates the recruitment process, DriverReach also navigates the complex safety and licensing requirements of the highly regulated trucking industry. It acts as a repository for compliance artifacts which keeps drivers current and compliant while also aggregating this information for the regulators. About Fulcrum Equity Partners Fulcrum Equity Partners is an Atlanta-based growth equity firm that manages over $600 million and provides expansion capital to rapidly growing companies led by strong entrepreneurs and management teams. Fulcrum targets companies within healthcare services, healthcare IT, B2B software, and technology-enabled services. Fulcrums initial target investment is $5 million - $25 million to provide financing to meet a wide range of needs, including internal growth initiatives, acquisitions, divestitures, shareholder liquidity, and recapitalizations. The partners have over 140 years of relevant experience in Fulcrums target markets, including significant operating experience in senior executive positions at companies that grew rapidly and enjoyed successful exits. Additionally, Fulcrums limited partners include over 100 current or former business owners/CEOs of leading companies in a wide variety of industries that provide a rich resource for the firm and portfolio companies. Learn more at http://www.fulcrumep.com. About DriverReach DriverReachs modern recruiting and compliance management system provides a better applicant experience and dramatically improves speed-to-hire. A mobile-friendly DOT application feeds directly into a full-service ATS with email and text functionality, streamlining the process of qualifying drivers so companies can Hire. Better. Faster. As an American Trucking Association Corporate Partner, DriverReach is dedicated to improving the hiring process for drivers and carriers alike. For more information visit driverreach.com. GE Appliances (GEA), a Haier company, today announced that it has been named Smart Appliance Company of the Year by IoT Breakthrough, a leading market intelligence organization that recognizes the top companies, technologies and products in the global Internet-of-Things (IoT) market, for the fourth consecutive year in the 6th annual IoT Breakthrough Awards program. Since winning the 2021 IoT Breakthrough Award for Smart Appliance Company of the Year, GEA has continued to introduce new breakthrough software, product innovations, services and partnerships for the connected home and smart kitchen. With over 650 smart appliances in its portfolio, GEA is the leading force in smart appliance innovation. In early 2021, GEA introduced the industrys first-ever over-the-air upgrade to 200,000+ owners by delivering No-Preheat Air-Fry technology to over 60 smart oven models, including previously sold appliances with WiFi capabilities. GEA continues to release updates, such as the GE Profile Turkey Mode, with customizable wallpapers for LCD screens, new alert sounds, scrolling fun facts, and weather reports all designed to enhance and personalize the owners experience. GEA also launched the industrys first in-oven CookCam in the GE Profile Smart Slide-in Range. Combined with WiFi capabilities, the feature allows owners to live stream the contents of your oven to any smart device and instantly adjust cooking settings via the SmartHQ app. Additionally, SmartHQ Pro is a tangible B2B service/product that includes two powerful SmartHQ platform solutions. It provides a command center to remotely manage appliances across multiple units and simplifies service on-site through precision diagnostics. Lastly, GEAs Smart Health Check leverages cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and machine learning to analyze a wide array of product performance characteristics ensuring that consumers and service technicians have the most up to date information on appliances. We are humbled to once again receive this recognition for our leadership in the connected appliance space, said Shawn Stover, VP of SmartHome Solutions for GE Appliances. Our goal is to simplify consumers lives through innovative solutions that enhance performance and deliver a more convenient experience. GEA will continue to drive the future of IoT smart appliances by offering a cadence of regular upgrades and new partnerships to broaden the value of appliance connectivity for our consumers. The mission of the IoT Breakthrough Awards program is to recognize the innovators, leaders and visionaries from around the globe in a range of IoT categories, including Industrial and Enterprise IoT, Smart City technology, Connected Home and Home Automation, Connected Car, and many more. This years program attracted more than 3,850 nominations from companies all over the world. By 2025 there will be around 41.6 billion of connected IoT devices. Of particular benefit to consumers is smart appliances that offer functionality, convenience, security, as well as savings. One of the primary benefits of these devices is the up to the second information they provide. Leveraging the connected data allows for a holistic approach to ensure that product issues are proactively resolved, said James Johnson, managing director at IoT Breakthrough. We couldnt be more pleased than to present GE Appliances with our Smart Appliance Company of the Year award for the fourth straight year. GEA continues to lead with the most expansive connected product offering that allows consumers to stay on top of their appliances in new ways that are created just for them and their lifestyle. About GE Appliances GE Appliances strives to make the world a better place and is committed to leading in the communities where its 14,000 employees live and work. A purpose-rooted and passion-driven organization, GE Appliances believes there is always a better way. Its corporate headquarters is in Louisville, Ky., and it sells products under the Monogram, Cafe, GE Profile, GE Appliances, Haier, and Hotpoint brands. Its appliances, which are in half of all U.S. homes., include refrigerators, freezers, cooking products, dishwashers, washers, dryers, air conditioners, water filtration systems, water heaters, wine & beverage and small appliances. For more information, visit geappliancesco.com. About IoT Breakthrough Part of the Tech Breakthrough, a leading market intelligence and recognition platform for global technology innovation and leadership, the IoT Breakthrough Awards program is devoted to honoring excellence in Internet-of-Things technologies, services, companies and products. The IoT Breakthrough Awards program provides a forum for public recognition around the achievements of IoT companies and products in categories including Connected Home and Home Automation, Connected Car, Industrial IoT (IIoT) and Smart City, Consumer IoT and more. For more information visit IoTBreakthrough.com. The HeroZona Foundation, Sons of the American Legion and Travis L. Williams Post 65s Play It Forward for the Arts program are excited to announce a community celebration on Monday, Jan. 17, from 3 to 4 p.m. to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The event will be hosted at the Travis L. Williams American Legion Post 65 (1624 E. Broadway Rd.) in Phoenix. The event is a continuation of First Institutional Baptist Church Senior Pastor Dr. Warren H. Stewart Sr.'s MLK day challenge to lift, lower, smooth and straighten the 85040 zip code. Event speakers include National Newspaper Publishers Association: Black Press of America President and CEO Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr., Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church Senior Pastor Dr. Terry E. Mackey, The Art Hamilton Group Founder Art Hamilton and Phoenix Suns Minority Partner and Arizona Cardinal Larry Fitzgerald. At a time when our nation and world appear to be divided on multiple issues, the dream and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. about the oneness of all humanity into a global beloved community is a very relevant goal to strive to attain today, said Dr. Chavis. The event will be moderated by Millionaire Mastermind Academy Founder Dr. Velma Trayham. Special guests include U.S. Representative for District 7 Ruben Gallego, City of Phoenix District 8 Vice Mayor Carlos Garcia, and Phoenix Suns President and CEO, Jason Rowley. Its always a great honor for us to host this celebration in remembrance of the great civil rights leader, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., says U.S. Army Desert Storm Veteran and HeroZona Foundation Co-Founder, Alan AP Powell. This event allows our community to pay tribute to the incredible strides Dr. King made for our country and discuss how we can continue his legacy. The event is supported in part by APS, Phoenix Suns, 101.1 The Bounce, Mega 104.3, Loyalty Restaurant & Lounge, Nissan and more. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. 's message of equality and social justice for all transcends race, ethnicity, gender, religion and the generations that have come since his passing, said Phoenix Suns President & CEO Jason Rowley. Very few leaders in American history have impacted our society in such a profound and lasting way. It is our duty and obligation to honor his memory by striving daily to live up to the ideals of his legacy. The foundation has launched a variety of community programs including The Bridge Forum Time for Change Summits, which bring leaders from across the country together to discuss racial inequality, police relations, veterans issue, mental health and more. Other initiatives include Phoenix Tools 4 School, Holiday Bike Giveaways, MLK Celebrating the Dream, Veterans Reach to Teach and the HeroZona Forgotten Heroes Breakfast. For more information about the foundations community program partnerships visit herozona.org or follow on Facebook.com/HeroZonaOrg. Since the day residential cleaning brand Home Clean Heroes opened its doors, the company has been on a mission to help others. To be an even greater force for good, Home Clean Heroes has announced a new national initiative theyre rolling out systemwide called Heroes First in which franchisees will partner with a national nonprofit to make a difference in their local communities. The brand is announcing their partnership with the First Responders Childrens Foundation, a national philanthropic organization with a 20-year legacy. Its their mission to support the children and families of First Responder heroes who risk their lives every day in service to their communities. Through Heroes First and their partnership, the brand will be able to give back to communities real heroes: first responders. This new initiative makes Home Clean Heroes the only residential cleaning service to focus on first responders. Home Clean Heroes has always been dedicated to supporting others in the community said Home Clean Heroes President Joe Delatte. This new partnership will allow us to establish a new differentiating component of the core mission for our brand and our Home Clean Heroes family, in which we put the true Heroes First. Heroes First will allow Home Clean Heroes and the First Responders Childrens Foundation to collect contributions that will be donated to the families of first responders in an effort to alleviate the pain of financial hardships for those who have suffered tragic circumstances or death in the line of duty. First responders are always on call, and now its time to give back. There are several ways in which the First Responders Childrens Foundation gives back to our nations heroes. It does this through scholarships, Toy Express, grants, bereavement assistance, National First Responders Day and the Thanksgiving Day Parade Breakfast for families of fallen police officers and firefighters, to name a few. We are grateful for the partnership with Home Clean Heroes, said First Responders Childrens Foundations President Jillian Crane. The foundations 20-year history and national footprint gives us the resources and experience of working with first responder organizations on national and local levels, and we are grateful to have Home Clean Heroes as a partner in our joint effort of supporting local first responders and their families. How to Contribute to the Heroes First Mission There are several ways Home Clean Heroes will support Heroes First. The brand is participating in a franchisee/franchisor matching contribution. $1 of every recurring or one-time service fee collected will be donated to First Responders Childrens Foundation. Customers will also be given the opportunity to contribute to Heroes First. Customers will be given an opportunity to round-up or add a nominal donation to their service cost, which will go directly to the initiative. Home Clean Heroes will provide customers with other ways to fundraise for First Responders Childrens Foundation through Heroes First, including a co-branded donation portal that can be visited through links on the website or social media as well as local initiatives for franchisees. Delatte noted that the mission at Home Clean Heroes remains the same: to provide differentiated, high-quality residential cleaning services to customers. However, the company has reinvigorated its passion for supporting first responders and their families through Heroes First. ABOUT FIRST RESPONDERS CHILDRENS FOUNDATION For 20 years, First Responders Children's Foundation has been providing college scholarships to the children of first responder parents who have been injured or lost in the line of duty. The Foundation also awards grants to families enduring significant financial hardship and supports educational activities and programs created by first responder organizations to benefit children or the communities in which they live. The First Responders Children's Foundation COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund was established in March 2020 to provide financial hardship grants, PPE, and hotel accommodations to first responders on the front lines of the pandemic. The Foundation also pays for funerals of first responders who have made the ultimate sacrifice. More information about First Responders Childrens Foundation is available at http://www.1stRCF.org. Follow First Responders Children's Foundation on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram @1stRCF ABOUT HOME CLEAN HEROES Virginia Beach-based Home Clean Heroes is a Buzz Franchise Brand committed to cleaning up your home and freeing up your schedule. Experience super-powered service, refreshingly simple scheduling and your very own friendly team of professional grime-fighters whose duty is to make your life easier and cleaner. Founded in 2017, the residential cleaning business has set itself apart by providing a tech-savvy approach to the $6 billion cleaning segment, utilizing proprietary technology for operational efficiency including field management software, in-vehicle GPS and data tracking. The brands commitment to providing convenient, customizable and trustworthy home cleaning services has earned recognition from Franchise Gator as one of the Fastest Growing Franchises and as a Top Emerging Franchise of 2021 and by Franchise Connect Magazine as one of the Top 100 Home Service Franchise Opportunities. For more information, visit https://homecleanheroesfranchise.com/. The release of the 2021 Data Breach Report supports the Data Privacy Week 2022 initiative to educate businesses on data collection best practices. "It's important to educate businesses on the benefits of respecting data privacy and protecting personal information," said Eva Velasquez, President and CEO of the Identity Theft Resource Center. "Just as its vital that we educate consumers on how to protect their personal privacy and information. Today, the Identity Theft Resource Center (ITRC), a nationally recognized nonprofit organization established to support victims of identity crime, announced its commitment to Data Privacy Week 2022. The ITRC supports the principle that all organizations share the responsibility of being conscientious stewards of personal information. As part of Data Privacy Week 2022 on January 24-28, the ITRC will unveil the 16th edition of our Annual Data Breach Report, supported by Sontiq, a TransUnion company, at 11:30 a.m. EST/8:30 a.m. PST on Monday, January 24 at the two-day virtual Identity, Authentication, and the Road Ahead policy forum presented by the Better Identity Coalition (BIC), FIDO Alliance and the ITRC. The policy forum will bring together leaders from government, industry and nonprofits to discuss important identity-related topics. The 2021 Annual Data Breach Report will explore fundamental shifts in the root causes of identity-related crimes. Interested media, public policy, and business leaders may register for the virtual conference at the ITRCs website idtheftcenter.org. "The ITRC is honored to take part in Data Privacy Week 2022 and bring awareness to the importance of data collection best practices for businesses," said Eva Velasquez, President and CEO of the Identity Theft Resource Center. "The number of data compromises is far too high. It is important to educate businesses on the benefits of respecting data privacy and protecting personal information, just as its vital that we educate consumers on how to protect their personal privacy and information. Data Privacy Week 2022 is an expanded effort from Data Privacy Day that generates awareness about the importance of privacy, highlights easy ways to protect personal information, and reminds organizations that respecting privacy is good for business. This year, we encourage individuals to learn more about how to manage and protect their valuable online data. We also encourage businesses to respect customer data and learn about the responsibility they hold for keeping individuals' personal information safe from unauthorized access and ensuring fair, relevant and legitimate data collection and processing. According to a Pew Research Center study, 79 percent of U.S. adults report being concerned about how their data is being used by companies. As technology evolves and the COVID-19 pandemic continues to influence how consumers interact with businesses online, data collection practices are becoming increasingly unavoidable, making it imperative that companies be open and honest about how they collect, use and share consumers' personal information and communicate their policies clearly and concisely. For more information about Data Privacy Week 2022 and how to get involved, visit staysafeonline.org/data-privacy-week/. For more information on the ITRC's 2021 Annual Data Breach Report, email media@idtheftcenter.org. About the Identity Theft Resource Center Founded in 1999, the Identity Theft Resource Center (ITRC) is a national nonprofit organization established to empower and guide consumers, victims, business and government to minimize risk and mitigate the impact of identity compromise and crime. Through public and private support, the ITRC provides no-cost victim assistance and consumer education through its website live-chat idtheftcenter.org and toll-free phone number 888.400.5530. The ITRC also equips consumers and businesses with information about recent data breaches through its data breach tracking tool, notified. The ITRC offers help to specific populations, including the deaf/hard of hearing and blind/low vision communities. About Data Privacy Week Data Privacy Week began as Data Privacy Day in the United States and Canada in January 2008 as an extension of the Data Protection Day celebration in Europe. Data Protection Day commemorates the Jan. 28, 1981, signing of Convention 108, the first legally binding international treaty dealing with privacy and data protection. NCA, the nation's leading nonprofit, public-private partnership promoting cybersecurity and privacy education and awareness, leads the effort in North America each year. For more information, visit staysafeonline.org/data-privacy-week/. About the National Cybersecurity Alliance The National Cybersecurity Alliance is a nonprofit organization on a mission to create a more secure, interconnected world. We advocate for the safe use of all technology and educate everyone on how best to protect ourselves, our families, and our organizations from cybercrime. We create strong partnerships between governments and corporations to amplify our message and to foster a greater "digital" good. National Cybersecurity Alliance's core efforts include Cybersecurity Awareness Month (October); Data Privacy Week (Jan. 24 - 28); and CyberSecure My Business, which offers webinars, web resources and workshops to help businesses be resistant to and resilient from cyberattacks. For more information, please visit staysafeonline.org. Media Contact Identity Theft Resource Center Alex Achten Head of Earned & Owned Media Relations 888.400.5530 Ext. 3611 media@idtheftcenter.org Single-use device reprocessing has presented a strategy for improving care without suffering the usual hardship of cost reduction initiatives. Innovative Health, LLC, a specialty cardiology reprocessor, announced today that the company has received clearance to reprocess Boston Scientifics INTELLAMAP ORION High-Resolution Mapping Catheter. The catheter is widely used in catheter ablation procedures for atrial fibrillation. Innovative Health has built a leading portfolio of FDA clearances to reprocess medical devices in the EP lab and has enabled EP labs across the country to reduce procedure device costs by as much as 30% without compromising patient safety or necessitating treatment adjustments. These savings are strategically important in many EP labs. EP labs often struggle to pay for new technologies or treat patients under CMS reimbursement, and single-use device reprocessing has presented a strategy for improving care without suffering the usual hardship of cost reduction initiatives, said Innovative Health CEO Rick Ferreira. Now, it is up to the EP labs if they want to take advantage of the extra savings. Innovative Health partner hospitals already save hundreds of thousands of dollars per year by using reprocessed devices from Innovative Health, and in 2021, the number of partner hospitals saving more than $1 million doubled. High-performing hospitals receive Innovative Healths Excellence in Electrophysiology reprocessing award in January and February. Clearance for Boston Scientifics INTELLAMAP ORION High-Resolution Mapping Catheter means that Innovative Health can now offer every major brand mapping catheter across multiple manufacturers. The FDA clearance can reduce costs by an additional $1,300 in some ablation procedures. About Innovative Health Innovative Health is an advanced medical device reprocessing company that offers smarter utilization of medical devices in hospitals cardiology and electrophysiology programs. Inspect Point, a cloud-based business management software for the fire inspection industry, announced today a $28 million investment from Mainsail Partners, a growth equity firm that invests exclusively in fast-growing, bootstrapped software companies. Founded in 2014 Inspect Point is an end-to-end business solution that strives to enable fire inspection companies to operate more efficiently by supporting the full spectrum of core business functions, from completing inspections to documenting deficiencies, creating service proposals and work orders, generating compliance reports, scheduling and dispatching technicians, communicating with customers and reviewing dashboards. Utilizing capital invested by Mainsail Partners, Inspect Point intends to invest further in its product to deliver more solutions to address common industry challenges. Fire inspection technicians often struggle with the always growing set of compliance codes, which can vary by type of equipment, jurisdiction and parameters set by local fire marshals. Inspect Point aims to help technicians understand these targets, identify deficiencies more quickly and drive high-margin service revenue more effectively. Under the leadership of Inspect Points CEO and co-founder, Padraic Doyle, the company has built a comprehensive business management suite for fire inspection companies. We believe we have grown considerably in a relatively short time, said Doyle, and weve achieved this level of success without any outside capital, which we believe is a testament to the strength of our core product. When considering a partner, we were committed to finding someone who respected our roots and culture and also has experience helping software companies get to the next level of growth. We find that Mainsail Partners fits that profile. We are excited to work with the great team at Inspect Point, said David Farsai, a Partner at Mainsail Partners. They have clearly built a robust product with staying power that we believe is well positioned in an attractive market. We look forward to lending our experience and resources to help the company scale. Inspect Points VP of Strategy, Drew Slocum, is experienced in the fire & life safety industry, which has seen a recent influx of capital and innovation. As fire protection becomes even more of a priority, we continue to see more companies spring up to support it, said Slocum, who serves on multiple fire industry associations and hosts The Fire Protection podcast. While many of these products are launched as either general field service management or point solutions for inspection, Inspect Points product covers the full cycle of fire protection work. We believe the timing is perfect to partner with Mainsail, so we can capitalize on the industrys momentum while we make efforts to broaden our customer base and increase the value of our product. About Inspect Point Inspect Point is a cloud-based solution that facilitates fire protection inspections. The Inspect Point backend, combined with the Inspect Point iPad mobile application, provides companies with the capability to perform and manage their inspection business within a single comprehensive solution. Featuring a library of built-in NFPA & UL-C templates, Inspect Point was created by industry insiders for the fire industry. As technology advances in fire protection, Inspect Point aims to be there every step of the way. About Mainsail Partners Mainsail Partners is a growth equity firm with offices in San Francisco, California, and Austin, Texas, that invests exclusively in fast-growing, bootstrapped software companies. The firm has raised over $1.3 billion and invested in more than 50 growing companies since 2003. Mainsail prioritizes investments in B2B software companies with compelling business models in growing markets. The firms approach to driving value creation is anchored in a dedicated Operations Team that is purpose-built to help founders scale their businesses and accelerate growth. These women and men include former software company operators who leverage real-world experience, well-established best practices, and a true partnership ethos to support management teams. For more information, visit mainsailpartners.com or follow the firm on LinkedIn. We are excited to bring our award-winning coffee and focus on good to the Cincinnati metro area. To thank the West Chester community for their warm welcome, we are offering any regular size drink for just $1 at our Grand Opening." - Crimson Cup Founder and President Greg Ubert On Tuesday, January 18, Butler County coffee lovers can enjoy award-winning coffee drinks for just $1 at the Grand Opening of Crimson Cup Coffee Shop West Chester. We are excited to bring our award-winning coffee and focus on good to the Cincinnati metro area, said Crimson Cup Founder and President Greg Ubert. To thank the West Chester community for their warm welcome, we are offering any regular size drink for just $1 at our Grand Opening. Between 6:30 a.m. and 6 p.m., we invite you to come inside for extended offerings at our brew bar, or enjoy java on the go through our drive-thru. Crimson Cup West Chester operates inside Telhio Credit Union's new Beckett Ridge Branch, 8249 Market Place Drive in Hutzelman Square, West Chester, Ohio. The West Chester location is the first Crimson Cup Coffee Shop in the Cincinnati metro area. The shop features the Columbus roasters full menu of hot, iced and frozen espresso drinks, including mochas, lattes and cappuccinos. Customers also can choose hot and iced tea, cold-brewed coffee, hot chocolate, fruit smoothies and other custom drinks. We consciously craft our award-winning coffee to brighten your day, Ubert said. Good coffee for you, good for the communities we support. The coffee has earned awards at national competitions including the Good Food Awards, Golden Bean North America, and Roast magazines Roaster of the Year. A brew bar with a Modbar pour-over module speeds preparation of hand-brewed, high-scoring craft coffees. Well have an exceptional selection of craft coffees for you to try at our Grand Opening, said Coffeehouse Manager Hayley Forney. Get out of the cold and warm up with your new favorite brew. The bar also has a tap for dispensing Crimson Cup Nitro, a frothy cold-brewed coffee infused with nitrogen bubbles. The shop features an indoor counter and seating, outdoor patio, and drive-thru service for coffee lovers on the go. Crimson Cup West Chester is open 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. seven days a week. Customers can place mobile ordered through the Crimson Cup Coffee & Tea app, available for Apple and Android devices. The West Chester location joins four other company-owned Crimson Cup Coffee Shops in Columbus and Tallmadge, Ohio. In 2020, the company also opened a flagship store, Crimson, in Easton Town Center, Columbus. About Crimson Cup Coffee & Tea Columbus, Ohio coffee roaster Crimson Cup Coffee & Tea is celebrating 30 years of Coffee + Community. Since May 1991, Crimson Cup has roasted sustainably sourced craft coffee for consumers and wholesale coffee customers. It is a 2020 Good Food Award winner, 2019 Golden Bean Champion for Small Franchise/Chain Roaster and Roast magazines 2016 Macro Roaster of the Year. Through its 7 Steps to Success coffee shop startup program, the company teaches entrepreneurs to run independent coffee houses in their local communities. By developing a coffee shop business plan, entrepreneurs gain insight into how much it costs to open a coffee shop. Crimson Cup also supports life-enriching projects through its Friend2Farmer initiatives, promoting the education, health, sustainability and economic growth of small-plot coffee farmers and their communities. Crimson Cup coffee is available through over 350 independent coffee houses, grocers, college and universities, restaurants and food service operations across 30 states, Guam and Bangladesh. The company also operates several Crimson Cup Coffee Houses and a new Crimson retail flagship store. To learn more, visit crimsoncup.com, or follow the company on Facebook and Instagram. Jencap continues to reformulate sales models and embrace shifts to digitally transformed and customer-focused marketing. Mike will help transform our existing sales model and take our programs division to the next level, said John LaCava, President and Chief Executive Officer of JPA. Jencap Program Administrators (JPA), a division of Jencap Group LLC (Jencap), is pleased to announce the newly created executive role of Chief Revenue Officer. Mike Schofield, formerly President and Chief Executive Officer of MiniCo Insurance Agency (MiniCo), a JPA company, will assume this new role effective immediately. Jencap and the insurance industry continue to reformulate sales models and embrace a shift to digitally transformed and customer-focused marketing. This ongoing shift created the need for this new role of Chief Revenue Officer to combine strategies, processes and technologies that maximize Jencaps revenue opportunities. I have worked with Mike for many years and cant think of anyone better suited to transform our existing sales model and take our programs division to the next level, said John LaCava, President and Chief Executive Officer of JPA. Schofield has over 35 years of executive-level insurance experience and proven success managing agency underwriting, sales, marketing, claims and customer care. As Chief Revenue Officer, he will partner with all revenue-generating departments to create meaningful omni-channel interactions with JPA prospects, customers and affiliated producers. Schofield will also partner with and support JPAs program leaders on new program development, carrier acquisition and product expansion activities. About Jencap Jencap Group LLC (Jencap) is one of the largest wholesalers in the U.S. with notable industry-leading expertise in wholesale brokerage, binding authority, and program management. Its specialized divisions and affiliate organizations provide niche underwriting prowess, broad market access, and nationwide influence. Headquartered in New York, Jencap leverages its collective power to exceed the expectations of more than 15,000 independent agency partners. For more information, visit: JencapGroup.com. Under Mr. Olivers leadership, Johnson Controls is a leading force in making buildings safer, more comfortable, more efficient, and ultimately, more sustainable. Congratulations to Mr. Oliver for being our 2022 IoT Company CEO of the Year. IoT Breakthrough, a leading market intelligence organization that recognizes the top companies, technologies and products in the global Internet-of-Things (IoT) market, today announced that Johnson Controls Chairman and CEO George Oliver is its IoT Company CEO of the Year in the 6th annual IoT Breakthrough Awards program. Johnson Controls (NYSE: JCI) is the global leader for smart, healthy and sustainable buildings and has been at the forefront of transforming building systems with connected digital technology to accelerate improvements in energy efficiency, indoor air quality and sustainability. Oliver leads a global team offering the world's largest portfolio of building technology, software as well as service solutions with some of the most trusted names in the industry. With Oliver at the helm, Johnson Controls introduced OpenBlue, a complete suite of digitally connected solutions that serves industries from workplaces to schools, hospitals to campuses and more. The platform, underpinned by the growth of IoT, includes tailored, AI-infused service solutions such as remote diagnostics, predictive maintenance, compliance monitoring, advanced risk assessments and more. A core service solution enabled by the OpenBlue platform is OpenBlue Net Zero Buildings, which unites building systems through open digital architecture, including digital twin and dynamic modeling, to optimize building performance. Optimizing building performance to improve safety and enhance comfort while making them more sustainable is at the forefront of the digital transformation, said James Johnson, managing director at IoT Breakthrough. Under Mr. Olivers leadership, Johnson Controls is a leading force in making buildings safer, more comfortable, more efficient, and ultimately, more sustainable. Congratulations to Mr. Oliver for being our 2022 IoT Company CEO of the Year. The mission of the IoT Breakthrough Awards program is to recognize the innovators, leaders and visionaries from around the globe in a range of IoT categories, including Industrial and Enterprise IoT, Smart City technology, Connected Home and Home Automation, Connected Car, and many more. This years program attracted more than 3,850 nominations from companies all over the world. Im incredibly honored to receive this recognition from IoT Breakthrough. It should go without saying that this award belongs to the entire Johnson Controls team. We are dedicated to working collaboratively to create a culture of innovation that can solve todays challenges while constantly asking whats next, said Oliver. Sustainability is an integral part of the Johnson Controls vision and we have a special responsibility to be a part of tackling climate change as we build the operating and digital solutions that can address the nearly 40 percent of global CO2 emissions coming from buildings. Under Oliver, Johnson Controls was the first S&P 500 industrial company to publish an integrated sustainable finance framework and issue a sustainability-linked bond, furthering Johnson Controls leadership in sustainable finance. Johnson Controls was also one of the first industrial companies to issue a green bond in the U.S. dollar debt capital markets. In January 2021, Oliver was chosen by Business Roundtable to serve as chair of the organization's Energy & Environment Committee. Oliver has also testified before the U.S. Senate Budget Committee during a hearing on Climate Change: The Cost of Inaction. In his prepared statement to the committee, Oliver said Johnson Controls has been reporting its emissions and taking action to reduce its footprint for 20 years. Oliver joined President Joe Biden for the presidents virtual Leaders Summit on Climate. The two-day summit featured world and business leaders, including Oliver, who reiterated that Johnson Controls would do its part to help the US meet its goal to cut emissions by approximately 50 percent by the end of the decade. Since signing the United Nations Global Compact in 2004, the company has remained fully committed to aligning its operations and strategies with the Compact's Ten Principles. Building on its history of sustainability leadership Johnson Controls has committed to achieving net zero Scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions by 2040 ten years ahead of the Paris Climate Agreement goal. The company aims to cut its operational emissions by 55 percent and reduce customers' emissions by 16 percent before 2030. These ambitious 2030 emissions reduction targets have been approved by the Science Based Targets Initiative. Johnson Controls is no stranger to IoT Breakthrough. The company was named "Overall IoT Company of the Year and "IoT Innovator of the Year" in 2020 and 2019 respectively. In 2021, Johnson Controls was recognized as "IoT Partner Ecosystem of the Year." #### About IoT Breakthrough Part of the Tech Breakthrough, a leading market intelligence and recognition platform for global technology innovation and leadership, the IoT Breakthrough Awards program is devoted to honoring excellence in Internet-of-Things technologies, services, companies and products. The IoT Breakthrough Awards program provides a forum for public recognition around the achievements of IoT companies and products in categories including Connected Home and Home Automation, Connected Car, Industrial IoT (IIoT) and Smart City, Consumer IoT and more. For more information visit IoTBreakthrough.com. About Johnson Controls At Johnson Controls (NYSE:JCI), we transform the environments where people live, work, learn and play. As the global leader in smart, healthy and sustainable buildings, our mission is to reimagine the performance of buildings to serve people, places and the planet. With a history of more than 135 years of innovation, Johnson Controls delivers the blueprint of the future for industries such as healthcare, schools, data centers, airports, stadiums, manufacturing and beyond through its comprehensive digital offering, OpenBlue. With a global team of 100,000 experts in more than 150 countries, Johnson Controls offers the world's largest portfolio of building technology, software as well as service solutions with some of the most trusted names in the industry. For more information, visit johnsoncontrols.com or follow us @johnsoncontrols on Twitter. If you would like to know more about the Central Neighborhood Health Foundation lawsuit, please contact Attorney Jackland K. Hom today by calling (619) 255-9047. The Los Angeles labor law attorneys, at Zakay Law Group, APLC and JCL Law Firm, APC, filed a class action complaint against Central Neighborhood Health Foundation for allegedly failing to provide employees with timely, off-duty meal and rest periods. The Central Neighborhood Health Foundation class action lawsuit, Case No. 21STCV44468, is currently pending in the Los Angeles County Superior Court of the State of California. A copy of the complaint can be read here. According to the lawsuit, Central Neighborhood Health Foundation allegedly violated California Labor Code Sections 201, 202, 203, 204, 210, 226, 226.7, 246, 510, 512, 1194, 1197, 1197.1, 1198, and 2802 by failing to: (1) pay overtime wages; (2) pay minimum wages; (3) provide required meal and rest periods; (4) reimburse employees for required expenses; (5) provide accurate itemized wage statements; and (6) provide wages when due. The lawsuit also alleges Central Neighborhood Health Foundation violated the Private Attorneys General Act ("PAGA"), which gives rise to civil penalties as a result of Central Neighborhood Health Foundation's conduct. PAGA allows aggrieved employees to file a lawsuit to recover civil penalties on behalf of themselves, other employees, and the State of California for Labor Code violations. An "aggrieved employee" is defined as "any person who was employed by the alleged violator and against whom one or more of the alleged violations was committed." Cal. Lab. Code section 2699(c). PAGA allows aggrieved employees to become deputized as private attorneys general to enforce the Labor Code. If you would like to know more about the Central Neighborhood Health Foundation lawsuit, please contact Attorney Jackland K. Hom today by calling (619) 255-9047. Zakay Law Group, APLC and JCL Law Firm, APC are labor and employment law firms with offices located in California that dedicate their practices to fighting for employees who have been wronged by their employers due to unfair employment practices. Contact one of their attorneys today if you need help with workplace issues regarding wage and hour, wrongful termination, retaliation, discrimination, and harassment. -THIS IS AN ATTORNEY ADVERTISEMENT- (LEFT: Oakland Zoos Main Entrance in 1990 vs. RIGHT: the Zoos Main Entrance in Present Day; Photo Credit Oakland Zoo) "Its with enormous pride to serve as CEO during this incredible milestone. There has been so much accomplished over these many years in making the Zoo what it is today, and Im honored to lead Oakland Zoo into the next 100 years" says, Nik Dehejia. January 1st marked the launch of Oakland Zoo's centennial year. Since June 6, 1922, the Zoo has evolved from a single building in Snow Park near downtown Oakland, to Joaquin Miller Park in 1926, to its current location in the hills of Knowland Park in 1939. Today, the Oakland Zoo has evolved greatly with the changing times and attracts almost 900,000 guests per year and is 100-acres large; and is one of the four largest zoos in California. While growing in size, Oakland Zoo has also become a pioneer in animal welfare over the years, and proudly partners with animal rights organizations including PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals). Some techniques, such as protected contact management for elephants, are now practiced by zoos worldwide. The Zoo is a leader in animal rescue by providing animal care, rehabilitation, and sanctuary for animals rescued from human-wildlife conflict, the exotic pet trade, or natural disasters. Oakland Zoo is also dedicated to youth education and partners with over 25 conservation organizations globally, equally committed to preserving species and their habitats in the wild. Its with enormous pride to serve as CEO during this incredible milestone. There has been so much accomplished over these many years in making the Zoo what it is today, and Im honored to lead Oakland Zoo into the next 100 years. So much has evolved in the past century in the world and in the role of zoos and their purpose Oakland Zoo is fully committed in doing our part and leading the next generation of conservationists to blaze the trail ahead, Nik Dehejia, CEO of Oakland Zoo Conservation Society of California. In the early years, from 1922 to 1950, Oakland Zoo was founded by and under management of naturalists Henry A. Snow and his son Sidney Snow. Although no longer privately owned, and managed by the Conservation Society of California, the Snow family legacy remains actively present today, through the great granddaughter of Henry Snow and the granddaughter of Sidney Snow, Nancy Clark: As great granddaughter and granddaughter of the Zoo's founders, Henry and Sidney Snow, and as current Co-Chair of the Board of Trustees, I am thrilled both personally and professionally at how much the Oakland Zoo has accomplished and grown these 100 years. Our family is certain that Henry and Sidney would be beyond proud at what the Oakland Zoo has become, Nancy Clark, Co-Chair of the Board of Trustees, Oakland Zoo Conservation Society of California. While Oakland Zoo takes pride in its accomplishments, milestones, and animal-focused efforts, much was undertaken in recent decades to evolve and improve the zoos facilities, programs, and public reputation. Virtually bankrupt and branded by media and the Humane Society as one of the ten worst zoos in the U.S in 1984, Dr. Joel Parrott's began his tenure as CEO and President that same year and began turning things around. Significant changes were made to improve animal care and welfare, habitats and infrastructure. Conservation work and education programs were created. In 1988, Oakland Zoo received accreditation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). With Dr. Parrotts vision, the Zoo grew from 25 acres to 100 acres, 15 employees to 240, and is the nationally accredited, award-winning, progressive, conservation and education-focused Zoo it is today. One of the most significant Oakland Zoo projects in the past decade is the opening of the California Trail. A 45-acre, transformational project which furthered the Zoo's commitments to animal care, education, and conservation. The California Trail expansion spotlights the significance of the states unique environmental history and what we can all do to ensure the future of Californias wildlife and the nature that surrounds us. The next 100 years will lead a purpose-driven future focused on the pursuit of excellence in animal care and welfare, the rescue and rehabilitation of animals in the wild, and the conservation of threatened species everywhere. Education programs will expand, and work to inspire youth in natural sciences to find solutions to the growing climate challenge, the preservation of nature and the importance of wildlife. To celebrate with their community and Zoo guests throughout the year, new and exclusive events are planned such as a birthday celebration festival on June 5th at the Zoos original birthplace, Snow Park, in downtown Oakland. The special day will be filled with festivities for all ages to enjoy and free to the community. The Zoo has brought back and enhanced many guest favorite events as well, such as Brunch for the Wild Bunch, Earth Day, Walk in the Wild, and Boo at the Zoo. As the Zoo reflects on its history, it invites the community to share their Oakland Zoo memories, and Zoo visits this year by tagging them on social media using #OZ100. For more information on the Zoo's Centennial Celebration, events, and festivities, please visit: http://www.oaklandzoo.org/centennial Contact: Isabella Linares Oakland Zoo ilinares@oaklandzoo.org Office: 510-632-9525 ext. 239 Erin Dogan Harrison Oakland Zoo eharrison@oaklandzoo.org Office: 510-632-9525 ext. 120 ### ABOUT OAKLAND ZOO AND THE CONSERVATION SOCIETY OF CALIFORNIA: Oakland Zoo, home to more than 850 native and exotic animals, is managed by the Conservation Society of California (CSC); a non-profit organization leading an informed and inspired community to take action for wildlife locally and globally. With over 25 conservation partners and projects worldwide, the CSC is committed to conservation-based education and saving species and their habitats in the wild. Oakland Zoo is dedicated to the humane treatment of animals and is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), the national organization that sets the highest standards for animal welfare for zoos and aquariums. Were extremely excited about the acquisition of East Commerce Solutions. Ed and his team have built a well-established and respected name in the industry and share a mutual vision with Payroc that people do business with people. - Jim Oberman, CEO at Payroc Payroc WorldAccess, LLC, (Payroc), a global payments leader, has announced the acquisition of East Commerce Solutions, a leading merchant service provider offering an array of products and services that has a customer centric approach. With $2 billion dollars in annual processing volume, ECSs client base extends throughout the United States, including Alaska and Hawaii. Edward Medeiros founded East Commerce Solutions in 1994 and has built the company into one of the top nationally ranked ISOs. Edward stated, East Commerce Solutions has always been a customer advocate first and foremost. I am excited to increase our product offerings with Payrocs technology stack and international reach, which will provide the opportunity to drive future growth for both companies. James Oberman, CEO of Payroc stated, "Were extremely excited about the acquisition of East Commerce Solutions. Ed and his team have built a well-established and respected name in the industry and share a mutual vision with Payroc that people do business with people. We look forward to enhancing our offering through our joint broad suite of products and value-added services on a global scale. East Commerce Solutions was represented by Alex Wayman, Managing Director of Eastabrook Advisors, LLC out of Boston, MA. Visit http://www.estabrookpartners.com to learn more. About Payroc Payroc is a high-growth merchant acquirer, processor, and payment facilitation powerhouse processing more than $40 billion in annual charge volume in over 40 countries, for more than 110,000 merchants. The company offers best-in-class sales enablement and payment processing technology on a global scale, delivering proprietary, innovative and full-service merchant acquiring solutions together with key card brand network payment sponsorship registrations. Payroc (through its subsidiaries) is a registered Visa third party processor, Mastercard third party servicer, payment facilitator and encryption support organization for Fifth Third Bank, National Association (Fifth Third), and in Canada is registered with Peoples Trust Company, Vancouver, Canada. To learn more, visit http://www.payroc.com. About East Commerce Solutions, Inc. East Commerce Solutions, Inc., is a merchant services provider based in East Providence Rhode Island. Founded in 1994, East Commerce Solutions offers a variety of merchant services solutions including credit card processing, hardware for mobile, NFC and EMV capable processing, software and E-Commerce solutions, POS systems, gift card programs, cash advance programs for working capital and payroll services. For additional information, visit East Commerce Solutions at http://www.eastcommercesolutions.com. Knight Automotive Group has been serving Canada for over 45 years, with 14 dealership locations across Western Canada...This transaction marks Knight Automotives first dealership acquisition in the United States. Performance Brokerage Services, North Americas highest volume dealership brokerage firm, is pleased to announce the sale of Sunrise Ford of Fontana and Sunrise Ford of North Hollywood in California from the Bruncati family to Kevin Knight and Knight Automotive Group. Sunrise Ford has been owned and operated by the Bruncati family for more than 30 years. Robert Bruncati began his career in 1981 as a Ford dealer in Los Angeles. In 1991, Robert and his wife, Maureen Bruncati, established Sunrise Ford of Fontana. They acquired Sunrise Ford of North Hollywood in 1996, which has a long-standing presence in the community and has been at its current location since 1966. In 2014, Sunrise Ford of Fontana won Ford Motor Companys prestigious Triple Crown award. Over the years, Robert and Maureen Bruncatis three sons took over the family business and managed the day-to-day operations. Following the sale, owner James Bruncati commented, The team at Performance Brokerage did a phenomenal job. Jonathan Forgy did a great job of building a comprehensive packet, and Jason Stopnitzky did a great job at finding the right buyer. They found a buyer that fit very well with the culture we built. Kevin Knight and Braeden Mueller from Knight Automotive were a pleasure to deal with and I feel they will do extremely well in the future. Thank you to the whole team at Performance Brokerage Services. Over the last 5 years, Performance Brokerage Services has advised on the sale of over 250 dealerships, making it the highest volume dealership brokerage firm in North America. In 2021, the company consummated over 72 transactions, marking a record-breaking year. Jonathan Forgy, CPA, an Associate Broker for Performance Brokerage Services, commented, I want to thank the Bruncati family for the vote of confidence in our firm to handle the sale of their generational family business as a Ford dealer for over forty years. The family was looking for an advisor that could help them maximize the value of their dealership without compromising confidentiality. It was important for the Bruncati family to find the right buyer who would take care of their employees and invest in the company and community. The buyer will benefit from the dealerships tremendous goodwill with customers, employees, and the community. It has been an honor to work with the Bruncati family throughout the process and we wish them well in their future endeavors. Knight Automotive Group has been serving Canada for over 45 years, with 14 dealership locations across Western Canada. Knight Automotive was founded by Ted Knight, and is led today by his son and President, Kevin Knight. This transaction marks Knight Automotives first dealership acquisition in the United States. Braeden Mueller of Knight Automotive Group commented, The entire Performance Brokerage team was excellent to work with. We continued to be in touch over the years and they worked with our group to find the right fit on our first acquisition in the United States. Knight Automotive Group looks forward to working with Performance Brokerage on future acquisitions. The dealerships will remain at their current locations at 16005 Valley Boulevard in Fontana and 5500 Lankershim Boulevard in North Hollywood, California. The Bruncati family was represented by Les Chayo of Chayo Law in Beverly Hills, California. Knight Automotive Group was represented by David C. Meyer, Partner at Arent Fox LLP in Los Angeles, California. About Performance Brokerage Services Performance Brokerage Services, Inc. is North Americas highest volume dealership brokerage firm, specializing in buy-sell activity for automotive, commercial truck, motorcycle, RV and equipment dealerships. With over 25 years of experience, 700 dealerships sold and a 90% closing rate, the companys reputation is unmatched and governed by the utmost ethical conduct and integrity. The company offers a unique approach by providing complimentary estimates of value with no upfront fees, no reimbursement of costs and paid a success fee after the transaction closes. Headquartered in Irvine, California, and supported by 6 regional offices in Utah, Florida, Texas, Virginia New Jersey, and Canada, clients benefit from national exposure with local representation. As trusted and respected experts in the field, the company utilizes an extensive network of industry related attorneys, accountants, hundreds of registered buyers, and longstanding relationships with most of the auto manufacturers. For more information about the services offered by Performance Brokerage Services, visit https://performancebrokerageservices.com. With the power of Propark and its wide-ranging, back-office support, we will continue that Houston tradition and seek growth opportunities in markets throughout Texas. Propark Mobility announced today that the company acquired Sovereign Services, a parking management provider in Houston, Texas. Sovereign Services is a phenomenal five-star parking management company. They have led the parking industry in Houston with a guest-first approach that strongly aligns with Proparks own values. Were thrilled to welcome them to Propark Mobility and collaborate with their team in Texas, said David Schmid, Proparks Chief Investment Officer. For over 30 years, Sovereign Services has provided premier parking management services for hotels, restaurants, events, and healthcare facilities throughout the Houston area. The renowned company, whose founders will retire this year, will continue as Sovereign Services, but will be powered by Propark. With the addition of Proparks proprietary parking technology and back-office support, Sovereigns expert team will leverage their industry knowledge and Houston presence to expand the companys portfolio, adding to more than 90 existing Sovereign and Propark locations. Sovereign Services was founded on a simple philosophy: the total commitment to the highest standards of service in the industry. With the power of Propark and its wide-ranging, back-office support, we will continue that Houston tradition and seek growth opportunities in markets throughout Texas. The future is bright, and we look forward to bringing our unique brand of five-star service to industries across the state, said Chris Rockwell, Sovereign Services President. About Propark Mobility Propark Mobility is one of the countrys largest privately-owned parking companies, providing full-service parking and mobility services for over 500 hospitality, healthcare, commercial and off-airport locations, in over 75 cities across the United States. For more information, please visit http://www.propark.com. With their breakthrough 3D visual guiding sensor, Quanergy is transforming the future of smart cities and smart spaces, enabling intelligent traffic flow management systems to provide safety for both passengers and pedestrians as well as smart infrastructure. IoT Breakthrough, a leading market intelligence organization that recognizes the top companies, technologies and products in the global Internet-of-Things (IoT) market, today announced that it has selected Quanergy Systems, Inc., a leading provider of OPA-based solid-state LiDAR sensors and smart 3D solutions for automotive and IoT, as winner of the Smart City Innovation of the Year award in the 6th annual IoT Breakthrough Awards programs. IoT Breakthroughs Smart City Innovation of the Year award recognizes the Quanergy 3D LiDAR Smart City Flow Management Solution, which uses 3D IoT LiDAR sensors & computer vision software to collect real-time traffic data including classification of pedestrians, vehicles types and traffic volume, with high accuracy under any lighting and weather conditions. This breakthrough 3D IoT LiDAR sensor solution plays a critical role for smart citys ICT (Information, Communications, Technology) infrastructure and enables smart cities traffic control planner to provide smarter and data-driven information for both pedestrians and drivers. When integrated with traffic lights via 3rd party applications, Quanergys 3D LiDAR Smart City Flow Management solution can send the real-time traffic information through an app on smart phone or provide data to drivers through V2X (vehicle to everything) and beacon equipment. Better traffic policies and road management are paramount to building safer cities and saving lives, and LiDAR technology is playing a critical role in the development in this area as smart cities grow throughout the world, said James Johnson, managing director at IoT Breakthrough. With their breakthrough 3D visual guiding sensor, Quanergy is transforming the future of smart cities and smart spaces, enabling intelligent traffic flow management systems to provide safety for both passengers and pedestrians as well as smart infrastructure. We extend our hearty congratulations to the entire Quanergy team for taking this well-deserved 2022 IoT Breakthrough Award. The mission of the IoT Breakthrough Awards program is to recognize the innovators, leaders and visionaries from around the globe in a range of IoT categories, including Industrial and Enterprise IoT, Smart City technology, Connected Home and Home Automation, Connected Car, and many more. This years program attracted more than 3,850 nominations from companies all over the world. Smart cities make peoples lives better - whether it's alleviating daily inconveniences like finding parking or improving safety by optimizing traffic policies that make the city safer and simpler to navigate, said Dr. Kevin J. Kennedy, Chairman and CEO of Quanergy. Now, advanced 3D insights can be leveraged in real-time to transform IoT operations in smart cities and deliver the next evolution of smart city innovation. We are honored to receive this 2022 IoT Breakthrough Award in recognition of our innovation and success in driving breakthrough smart city technology forward. Among the many IoT implementations around the globe, Quanergys 3D LiDAR, in combination with partner Parifex, is currently being used by the French Ministry of Interior in France for highway speed monitoring and enforcement. Meanwhile, in the city of Busan, South Korea, Quanergys IoT LiDAR solution is collecting and analyzing traffic data including the walking direction of pedestrians, their traffic volume and number of speeding vehicles in order to better understand traffic patterns, and predict safety hazards. #### About IoT Breakthrough Part of the Tech Breakthrough, a leading market intelligence and recognition platform for global technology innovation and leadership, the IoT Breakthrough Awards program is devoted to honoring excellence in Internet-of-Things technologies, services, companies and products. The IoT Breakthrough Awards program provides a forum for public recognition around the achievements of IoT companies and products in categories including Connected Home and Home Automation, Connected Car, Industrial IoT (IIoT) and Smart City, Consumer IoT and more. For more information visit IoTBreakthrough.com. About Quanergy Systems, Inc. Quanergy Systems mission is to create powerful, affordable smart LiDAR solutions for automotive and IoT applications to enhance peoples experiences and safety. Quanergy has developed the only true 100% solid-state CMOS LiDAR sensor built on optical phased array (OPA) technology to enable the mass production of low-cost, highly reliable 3D LiDAR solutions. Through Quanergys smart LiDAR solutions, businesses can now leverage real-time, advanced 3D insights to transform their operations in a variety of industries including industrial automation, physical security, smart cities, smart spaces and much more. Quanergy solutions are deployed by over 400 customers across the globe. For more information, please visit us at quanergy.com. Chairman Lee Man-hee testifying to the Secrets of Heaven I am not God, Jesus, or the Lord of a religion. I was just a farmer from the countryside, but Jesus chose me one day and showed me how the prophecies became fulfilled. This is my testimony, On January 3, 2022, Shincheonji Church of Jesus, the Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimony (Chairman Lee Man-hee, Shincheonji Church) started its lecture series on explaining the parables of the Bible, which is key to understanding heavens secrets. Chairman Lee Man-hee of Shincheonji Church was the first lecturer for Shincheonji Online Seminar: Testimony on the Parables of the Secrets of Heaven and Their True Meanings, which broadcasted on the churchs official YouTube channel. During his lecture, Chairman Lee explained in detail why the secrets of heaven were written in parables, why we must understand the parables true meanings and how we can. During his lecture, Chairman Lee first explained why the prophecies of the Bible are written in parables by saying, God said in Psalm 78 to tell the future generations the hidden things from of old by speaking in parables. This is why Jesus came and spoke in parables regarding the prophecies of Revelation and the four gospels. Chairman Lee also said, It says in the Bible that things will not remain as parables forever, but there comes a time when things will be spoken plainlythis is when the prophecies in parables become fulfilled. He added, The true entities of the prophecies appear once they are fulfilled. These true entities will be revealed in the future lectures. I am not God, Jesus, or the Lord of a religion. I was just a farmer from the countryside, but Jesus chose me one day and showed me how the prophecies became fulfilled. This is my testimony, Chairman Lee said. Jesus chose one person to be his messenger and had him see, hear, and testify to all the events of Revelation for the churches. The Tribe Leaders have been testifying to such content recently (through the Revelation seminars). Chairman Lee said that the testimony of Revelation was given through the previous seminars, but since the Book of Revelation is recorded with parables, there may be difficult contents for a lot of people. Through the parable seminars, which are equivalent to the elementary course of Zion Christian Mission Center, the education center operated by Shincheonji Church, Chairman Lee said the participants will clearly perceive the true meanings of the parables inside the Bible and the content of the Book of Revelation. Chairman Lee said, There are elementary, intermediate, and advanced courses (in Zion Christian Mission Center). One must understand the elementary course to understand all of the Bible, so it is a must. This is why this explanation of the parables began. He noted that the intermediate and advanced courses will also be preached to the whole world. To the pastors in particular, Chairman Lee said, You should record these lectures and make notes. If there is anything that should be corrected, please let us know. Applaud if they did a good job, and let us be one under God by the truth. The online seminars will run through March 28th, Monday and Thursday at 10 AM (KST), for a total of 24 seminars. Instructors of Zion Christian Mission Center will be conducting this seminar series, and it will be broadcast in 24 languages via the churchs official YouTube channel. The main topics of the seminar will include: Two Kinds of Spirits; Basic Biblical Knowledge; Figurative Seed, Field, Tree, and Bird; Figurative Food and Yeast; Figurative Bowl, Scales, and Staff; Figurative Fire, Censer, Pot; Figurative Light, Lampstand, Blind, Deaf, and Wedding Clothes; Figurative Treasure and Rich; Figurative Stone and Idol a total of 24 topics. Brian Hogan is an extremely smart and innovative financial executive with a track record of success throughout his career in the life sciences, said Slone Partners President Tara Kochis. Slone Partners, a nationwide executive search firm for life sciences, biotechnology, and healthcare companies, has announced the placement of Brian Hogan as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) at InterVenn Biosciences, a California-based biotechnology company that utilizes a proprietary high-throughput glycoproteomic interrogation platform using artificial intelligence and mass spectrometry for next-gen precision medicine. Hogan brings more than 20 years of finance and leadership experience in public and private companies to InterVenn. Prior to joining the company, Brian was the CFO at Clear Labs. His previous roles also included: Senior Vice President of Global Finance and Accounting at Portola; CFO at Adicet Bio; and Vice President of Finance at Genomic Health. In his new role at InterVenn, Hogan will have responsibility for all aspects of finance and investor relations as the company accelerates its growth strategy to scale the companys capabilities, operations, and partnerships. Brian Hogan is an extremely smart and innovative financial executive with a track record of success throughout his career in the life sciences, said Slone Partners President Tara Kochis. He brings energy, passion, and vision to the InterVenn leadership team as the company expands its footprint in the liquid biopsy, diagnostics, and healthcare space. I am delighted to welcome Brian to InterVenn as our CFO, said Aldo Carrascoso, CEO of InterVenn. The expansion of InterVenns executive leadership team with this critical new hire is a significant step forward toward our ability to take the company to the next level. With his extensive experience in the life sciences industry, Brians leadership within the financial function will be a driving force to scale our organization and help accelerate the growth of our innovative pipeline of liquid biopsy products and clinical solutions. We are happy to continue to add talent at InterVenn in partnership with Slone Partners, said Erwin Estigarribia, Chief Operating Officer at InterVenn. They have what we believe is a critical understanding of our values and are able to match candidates to our needs where other recruiting organizations have struggled. Hogan earned a bachelors degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance from California State University, Sacramento, and an MBA from Saint Marys College of California. ABOUT SLONE PARTNERS Slone Partners delivers the leaders who build amazing and diverse life sciences and healthcare organizations People Are Our Science. Founded in 2000, Slone Partners specializes in delivering world-class C-suite leadership, executive, and upper management talent to the most promising and established biotech, diagnostics, research tools, healthcare, precision medicine, medical device, and laboratory services companies. With national and global clients, Slone Partners uniquely and precisely provides an array of executive search and advisory services, including diversity, equity, and inclusion strategy, to innovative life sciences and healthcare companies. To learn more about Slone Partners value proposition and processes, visit http://www.slonepartners.com or call 888.784.3422. ABOUT INTERVENN BIOSCIENCES InterVenn Biosciences has developed a proprietary glycoproteomic biomarker discovery and interrogation platform based on artificial intelligence-empowered mass spectrometry for next-gen precision medicine. The company is working on developing novel predictive tests in a range of indications, including ovarian, pancreatic, liver, prostate, lung, kidney and other cancers, as well as on tests for treatment response prediction and monitoring of treatment efficacy, and disease progression. https://intervenn.com This integration with Rain gives our clients the opportunity to support their workforce through immediate access and relief to wages, said Mary Ann Mirto, Chief Customer Officer, SmartLinx. This partnership is just one example of how we bring our mission of Caring for Those Who Care, alive. SmartLinx, announced its collaboration with Rain, a global leader in financial wellness. Through this partnership, SmartLinx looks to address today's challenges with financial insecurity, hiring and retaining skilled workers, and reducing employee turnover in the healthcare sector. This collaboration expands SmartLinx solution offerings to deliver Rains robust, on-demand pay and financial tool kit functionality directly to employees using SmartLinx without requiring payroll integration or post-payroll reconciliation, at no cost to the employer or employee. Since the start of the pandemic, 1 in 3 healthcare workers has experienced financial insecurity. These financial difficulties are not only stressful for employees and their families, but they are also incredibly disruptive and distracting and can potentially lead to delivery of lower quality of care. Access to wages and greater financial freedom provides an opportunity to improve nurse and patient experience. In fact, nearly 60% of employees state that they would work harder for an employer that provided same day pay. Our workforce management integration with Rain gives our clients the opportunity to support their workforce through immediate access and relief to wages for participating employees, said Mary Ann Mirto, Chief Customer Officer, SmartLinx. This partnership is just one additional solution in which we bring our mission of Caring for Those Who Care, alive. By integrating Rain with SmartLinx Workforce Management and the Go Mobile App, SmartLinx clients can now give employees access to more control and flexibility over how and when they are paid. This effortless process enables employees to get paid up to 50% of their earnings, after each shift, instead of waiting until payday, resulting in higher productivity, reduced stress, decreased turnover, and increased job applicants. "We are excited to partner with SmartLinx in the on-demand pay space, said Alex Bradford, CEO, and co-founder of Rain. Rain is a comprehensive financial wellness platform that puts employees on a path to financial freedom while helping employers drive engagement, productivity, retention, and recruiting. Together we look forward to serving SmartLinxs clients through this partnership." About SmartLinx In 2000, we started out as business owners, frustrated by the lack of a purpose-built scheduling solution that the industry desperately needed. Work wasnt working for us, so we created our own solution, and SmartLinx was born. Were a 16-Stevie-award-winning SaaS company, supporting hundreds of thousands of healthcare workers across the nation through the healthcare providers we serve. For more information, please visit SmartLinx.com. About Rain Rain is the largest on-demand pay provider globally with operations in the US, India, Brazil, and the EU. Rain provides on-demand pay and other financial wellness benefits to employees of mid- to large-sized organizations. Rains mission is to kill predatory financial products and guide people to financial freedom. Find out more at https://rain.us. Solas Energy Consulting is committed to achieving net zero emissions for its operations throughout the US and Canada. Leveraging our extensive experience in quantifying and advising clients on GHG emissions and sustainability programs help us understand areas where we can make improvements in our own business operations. Solas Energy Consulting Inc., a provider of comprehensive energy solutions, today announced that all greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions created through its operations from 2019 through 2021 have been offset with Gold Standard Certified Emission Reductions, through Less, a Bullfrog Power company. The carbon offsets are part of Solas Energy Consultings commitment to achieving net zero emissions for its operations. Solas Energy Consulting quantified its operational Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions to determine the offsets. The resulting 326.6 tonnes of CO2 equivalent offsets are equivalent to the GHG emissions created by driving 820,810 miles in an average passenger vehicle. I am delighted to announce that these offsets bring Solas Energy Consulting to our corporate goal of net zero emissions for our US and Canadian operations for 2019 through 2021, noted Paula McGarrigle, Co-founder and Managing Director of Calgary-based Solas Energy Consulting Inc. Leveraging our extensive experience in quantifying and advising clients on GHG emissions and sustainability programs help us understand areas where we can make improvements in our own business operations. Evelyn Carpenter, Co-founder and President of Fort Collins-based Solas Energy Consulting Inc. added, We are pleased to have offset our GHG emissions for the past three years and are working to identify opportunities to further decarbonize our operations. Because vehicles for on-site construction management activities are the greatest contributor to GHG emissions for our US operations, we are evaluating transitioning our current truck fleet to electric and/or hybrid vehicles to further reduce our carbon footprint. In addition to reducing its carbon footprint, Solas Energy Consultings environmental initiatives include engaging with businesses, communities, indigenous groups, and governments to identify and help manage environmental impacts. The company also contributes to the development of educational programs on climate change management and sustainability. Read more about Solas Energy Consultings commitment to the environment in the companys 2021 ESG Report. About Solas Energy Consulting Solas Energy Consulting provides comprehensive strategy and consulting services for renewable energy solutions throughout the US and Canada. The companys expertise spans development and management of utility and commercial projects involving wind, solar, biomass, hydropower, geothermal, hydrogen, energy storage, grid modernization, and electric vehicles (EV). With over 20 years of experience in project development, construction management, and climate change advisory, Solas Energy provides its clients with the depth and perspective required to navigate the complex issues associated with renewable energy project development and climate change policy. Solas Energy maintains offices in Fort Collins, Colorado, USA, and Calgary, Alberta, Canada. More information about the company can be found on Solas Energy Consulting's website or their LinkedIn page. From left to right: Guy Salame (CEO), Roma Bronstein (CTO) and Amit Batazir (Chief Product and Risk Officer). The worlds first digital insurance platform designed exclusively for e-commerce sellers Today, Spott announced the launch of the worlds first digital insurance platform designed exclusively for e-commerce sellers. As part of a broader suite of financial services, Spotts insurance offering enables e-commerce businesses to protect their stores against claims and comply with up-to-date insurance requirements from leading marketplaces, most notably Amazon. The e-commerce liability insurance market, which Spott aims to address, is valued at $5 billion and is forecast to grow rapidly, spurred by the latest requirements from leading e-commerce marketplaces for sellers to hold liability insurance. However, despite the growing demand for coverage, traditional insurers have challenges accurately assessing risk and providing attractive offers to online sellers. Were witnessing a widening chasm emerge between the rapidly growing e-commerce industry and the established financial services sector that has been operating according to the same principles for decades, said Guy Salame, co-founder and CEO of Spott. Spott bridges the gap between these industries by providing sellers with seamless access to innovative and lucrative financial products tailored to their unique needs. The technology weve built enables sellers to succeed and thrive in a highly competitive and dynamic environment that is filled with risks and opportunities. Spott provides competitive insurance quotes to e-commerce businesses and enables them to swiftly purchase policies that satisfy the requirements of marketplaces at a price that reflects the business risk level. Spott is currently serving hundreds of e-commerce sellers worldwide and has partnered with top-tier digital brokers and leading commercial carriers in the U.S. Spott was founded by experienced entrepreneurs, Roma Bronstein (CTO), Amit Batzir (Chief Product and Risk Officer) and Guy Salame (CEO). Prior to founding Spott, Bronstein was a co-founder of Jeeng (acquired by PowerInbox), Batzir was Head of Data Intelligence at PayPal, and Salame was VP product for insurtech startup Planck. The co-founders joined forces with veteran fintech leader Yuval Tal, the founder of Payoneer and Borderfree, to build Spott. Tal currently serves as Spotts Chairman and is Managing Partner at Team8. Through the combined experience of these entrepreneurs in data analysis, risk management, e-commerce, and insurtech, Spott is primed to be a leader in the field of insurance for e-commerce businesses. Spott was founded in 2021 and grew to a staff of 20 spread across offices in Tel Aviv and New York, after completing an $8.3m seed funding round led by Team8 and Viola Ventures. The company is currently expanding its global business operations and developing additional financial services. Spotts solution is powered by advanced data and event-driven technologies that enable a new breed of financial products and services for the e-commerce market. In addition to its insurance offering, Spott provides real-time insights and helps sellers to proactively avoid account suspensions, supply chain issues, list hijacking, counterfeiting and others. Spotts services also empower online sellers to boost sales volume, launch new products, expand to new markets, scale marketing activities, and broaden geographic reach. Spott has entered the market at the perfect time, said Yuval Tal, Chairman of Spott and Managing Partner at Team8. Their technology will dramatically improve underwriting processes, enabling insurers to quantify risk not only on a business level, but also on a product level, and help sellers easily access insurance coverage tailored to their needs. As frontrunners in the insurance space, the table is set for Spott to build a strong global customer base and rollout a much broader suite of financial services that will help sellers accelerate growth, scale faster and manage risk more effectively. About Spott Spott is a platform for e-commerce financial services that provides online sellers with a full spectrum of insurance and financing products. The company developed advanced technology to accurately assess, quantify, and price e-commerce business risk. By leveraging insights from business, market, and ecosystem data, Spott offers insurance and other financial services that are uniquely tailored to sellers requirements, enabling them to protect their stores and generate more profits. Learn more: http://www.spottme.com About Team8 Team8 is a venture group that builds and backs technology companies in the fields of cybersecurity, data and fintech. Team8 rethinks venture to provide entrepreneurs with an unfair advantage, accelerating success in an increasingly competitive landscape. Its extensive network of global leaders uniquely positions Team8 as the venture partner of choice with a deep understanding of industry-wide challenges. Team8s leadership team includes serial entrepreneurs, unicorn founders, bank and fintech CEOs and other global tech leaders. For further information, please visit http://www.team8.vc. About Viola Ventures Viola Ventures is part of Viola, Israels leading tech-focused investment group with over $4B AUM. Founded in 2000, Viola Ventures empowers early-stage startups to become global leaders. The fund manages over $1B and has backed 100 companies, including 8 of Israels unicorns such as Payoneer, ironSource, Verbit, Lightricks, Outbrain, Redis Labs and Pagaya. Check out Viola at http://www.viola.vc. I was immediately attracted to this role because I truly believe in the strength of the Stratus Building Solutions business model, said Doug Flaig, President of Stratus Building Solutions. Stratus Building Solutions, the nation's leading green commercial cleaning and janitorial services franchise, is excited to announce Doug Flaig as its new president. Flaig will work alongside the executive team as the company strives to expand its influence and international footprint. Flaig brings a vast franchising background to the Southern California-based brand. He started his career with 7-Eleven, where he spent seven years. He eventually moved on to leadership roles with Dunkin Brands, Burger King, and Wetzels Pretzels. Flaig also spent time working as a consultant and joins the Stratus family after serving as the Chief Operating Officer of Safe Facility Services. I was immediately attracted to this role because I truly believe in the strength of the Stratus Building Solutions business model, said Doug Flaig, President of Stratus Building Solutions. Ive seen a lot of different franchise models, and what Stratus offers is top-notch. This is a brand that has everything it needs to take the next step in its growth. Flaig, who assumed the role at the start of the new year, is a Southern California native and has spent most of his career in the state. He is the father of five children, three in their 20s, a 19-year-old, and a 13-year-old. To be able to stay right here in Los Angeles and take on this role is an exciting opportunity, Flaig said. I am ready to work with the corporate team to support our franchise owners in every way possible. My time in franchising has shown me how crucial it is to have great communication with franchisees, and I am looking forward to traveling to meet many of our owners over the coming months. Doug is a great fit for our leadership team and brings fresh ideas, said Afshin Cangarlu, CEO of Stratus Building Solutions. We will definitely look to him to find ways to implement and advance many of the goals weve been setting over the past decade. Stratus Building Solutions is an industry-leading franchise in green commercial cleaning that uses state-of-the-art cleaning equipment, sustainable processes, and biodegradable and non-toxic branded cleaning chemicals. This month, the company received its highest ranking in 13 years on Entrepreneurs prestigious Franchise 500 list, coming in at number 32. For more information on Stratus Building Solutions, visit http://www.stratusclean.com. ### About Stratus Building Solutions Stratus Building Solutions is an international franchise company in the commercial cleaning industry, founded in 2006 and headquartered in Los Angeles, California. Stratus was developed to provide environmentally friendly commercial cleaning services driven by dedicated, entrepreneurial, small-business owners and regional support offices. Stratus has over 2,500 unit-franchisees in 60 major cities across the United States and Canada. Stratus is setting new standards in the building services and maintenance franchise industry by being the first to offer green janitorial products with their proprietary Green Seal Certified line of cleaning chemicals. To learn more about franchising opportunities, visit https://www.stratusclean.com/. When shelters, the veterinary community, and pet parents all learn the most current tactics, tips, and strategies to keep pets happy and healthy, everyone wins. Fear Free, LLC and the San Francisco SPCA have teamed up once again for the second annual Fear Free Pet Behavior Symposium, which aims to prevent fear, stress, and anxiety in pets by educating and inspiring those who care for them. With all the false and harmful information on the internet, it can be hard to know what is truly best for pets. Fear Free aims to provide veterinary teams, pet professionals, pet parents, and animal welfare communities with the scientifically backed knowledge and tools needed to look after both a pets physical and emotional wellbeing. The best minds in veterinary medicine will present virtually at the Fear Free Pet Behavior Symposium, February 12 and 13, to three focused audiences: pet guardians, shelter personnel, and veterinary professionals. This years symposium will feature all new content focusing on the practical and environmental concepts of Fear Free as well as the latest strategies and processes demonstrated in veterinary clinics and shelters today. Attendees can view the sessions live or on demand for 90 days after the event. Pet guardians will learn how to help their cats and dogs live happy, healthy, and full lives. Presentations from veterinary and behavior experts will explore topics like common behavior problems, enrichment, the emotional wellbeing of pets, and tips for new adopters. Shelter and veterinary professionals will learn how to integrate Fear Free concepts into their everyday work, such as identifying stressed body language and gently handling animals. These tracks will give attendees a deep dive into the latest science-based animal behavior research, like Fear Free dentistry, implementing Fear Free into animal anesthesia, reducing stress in the shelter environment, and feline body language. The symposium features Fear Free experts from the veterinary and shelter world, including renowned Fear Free founder Dr. Marty Becker and board-certified SF SPCA veterinary behaviorists Drs. Jeannine Berger and Wailani Sung. We received wonderful feedback from attendees of our first Fear Free Symposium, and were excited to offer it again this year, explained Dr. Berger. This symposium has something for everyone, whether youre a pet guardian or animal welfare professional. We will teach practical ways to incorporate Fear Free concepts, and what you learn at this symposium will have a real-life impact on the physical and emotional wellbeing of the animals in your life. Since 2016, Fear Free has provided online education to more than 140,000 veterinary professionals, pet professionals, animal welfare communities, and pet owners. By closely listening to the needs of the profession and those of the new generation of pet owners, Fear Free has become one of the single most transformative initiatives in the history of companion animal practice, providing unparalleled education on emotional wellbeing, enrichment, and the reduction of fear, anxiety, and stress in pets and improving the experience of every human and pet involved. "We are so excited to once again connect and inspire communities that are highly intertwined and need to all be working together to ensure the emotional wellbeing of pets, Fear Free Founder and Chief Professional Relations Officer Dr. Becker said. When shelters, the veterinary community, and pet parents all learn the most current tactics, tips, and strategies to keep pets happy and healthy, everyone wins." RACE CE credit will be available for both the shelter and veterinary sessions. Pricing for the various tracks is $9.99 for pet guardians, $149 for shelter personnel, and $295 for veterinary professionals. Learn more and register at sfspca.org/fearfree. ### About Fear Free Founded by Dr. Marty Becker and developed by hundreds of experts in behavior, medicine, and handling, Fear Free offers online and in-person education to veterinary professionals, the pet professional community, animal shelter staff and volunteers, and pet owners. Fear Free provides both professionals and pet lovers alike with the knowledge and tools to look after a pets physical and emotional wellbeing. Veterinary or pet professionals can learn more about becoming Fear Free Certified by visiting fearfreepets.com. Pet owners can visit fearfreehappyhomes.com to access free videos, articles, and more that will help improve the physical and emotional health of their pets right at home. Shelter, rescue, and animal welfare employees and volunteers can visit fearfreeshelters.com to enroll in the complimentary program. About the San Francisco SPCA The San Francisco SPCA is an independent, community-supported, nonprofit animal welfare organization dedicated to saving, protecting and providing immediate care for cats and dogs who are homeless, ill or in need of an advocate. The SF SPCA also works long-term to educate the community, reduce the number of unwanted kittens and puppies through spaying and neutering, and improve the quality of life for animals and their human companions. The organization does not receive government funding. For more information, visit sfspca.org. Im thrilled to announce The Spur Group is joining Reply, a company that shares the same focus on great experiences for its people and customers, said Randy Karr, CEO of The Spur Group. The Spur Group has been acquired by Reply [MTA, STAR: REY] and joins the Reply network of companies worldwide. The Spur Group, the U.S.-based go-to-market consulting and technology firm, is excited about providing additional value to our clients and opportunities for our employees. Im thrilled to announce The Spur Group is joining Reply, a company that shares the same focus on great experiences for its people and customers, said Randy Karr, CEO of The Spur Group. We bring to Replys U.S. network a set of unique capabilities, including strategic business consulting and go-to-market expertise. Reply has existing businesses in many different markets, current relationships with many of our targeted customers, standard processes, and structures we can tap into, and a pool of capabilities we can now access. As a company, we are now stronger than we have ever been. The Spur Group, based in Bellevue (Seattle), supports the main tech giants and global brands including Cisco, Microsoft, Rockwell Automation, Qlik, and VMWare in defining go-to-market and positioning strategies combining skills in strategy, marketing, data analysis, and operating models. The Spur Group received multiple accolades in 2021, including being named on Inc. Magazines Inc 5000 list, as one of Washingtons Best Places to Work by Seattle Business Magazine, and on Puget Sound Business Journals Middle Market Fast 50 list. CG Petsky Prunier, part of the Canaccord Genuity Group, served as the exclusive financial advisor to The Spur Group. REPLY Reply [MTA, STAR: REY, ISIN: IT0005282865] is specialized in the design and implementation of solutions based on new communication channels and digital media. Reply is a network of highly focused companies supporting key European industrial groups operating in the telecom and media, industry and services, banking, insurance, and public administration sectors in the definition and development of business models enabled for the new paradigms of AI, cloud computing, digital media and the Internet of Things. Reply services include Consulting, System Integration, and Digital Services. http://www.reply.com THE SPUR GROUP The Spur Group is the leading provider of end-to-end go-to-market services. We turn customer, partner, and employee experiences into competitive advantages by helping our clients gain actionable insights, strengthen customer engagements, improve partner leverage, fuel execution excellence, and grow revenues faster. http://www.thespurgroup.com Coronado Panama Im not talking just about our busy, bustling capital. Adventurous types come here and quickly realize that Panama still has many untapped areas. And for anyone in search of new opportunities, thats very exciting. Like so many others, I grew up thinking of the U.S. as the Land of Opportunity, as if there were only one, says Jessica Ramesch, IL Panama Editor who lives in Panamas cosmopolitan capital, Panama City. After 16 years in Panama, I know better. Panama is clearly a land of opportunity, too. Turns out, its one of the best out there. And many expats from the U.S., Canada, Europe, and beyond have found its easier to live and work in Panama than it was back home. Im not talking just about our busy, bustling capital. Adventurous types come here and quickly realize that Panama still has many untapped areas. And for anyone in search of new opportunities, thats very exciting. Consider Portobelo, located on Panamas Caribbean sideone of the most desirable regions on the planet. Here, folks can live on a mere fraction of what it would cost in a famous Caribbean destination like The Bahamas. With rentals going for as little as $500 a month, single expats can live well on $1,250 a month. And unlike The Bahamas, Panama is in a hurricane-free zone and boasts a cosmopolitan world capital. Located on a narrow isthmus between the Pacific and the Caribbean, Panama is warm and tropical, a place that welcomes new people and businesses. The home of the Panama Canal, this country is an international commerce hub. Thats an attractive combo thats hard to find elsewhere, notes Ramesch. There are many warm, beautiful countries that make working or owning property prohibitive for foreigners. Panama welcomes business-minded expats and retirees. Sure, Panama has a few restrictions. These keep foreigners from doing certain thingslike practicing medicine here. But there are still so many options open to potential expats. If you would like to work here as a freelancer or consultant, or open a brick-and-mortar business like a cafe or school, thats fine. Be our guest, says Panama. The country has just unveiled a new extended-stay visa for digital-nomad types: The Temporary Telework Visa. It allows foreign nationals to come down and stay herenot for three months or even six, but for nine months. And that period can be extended for an additional nine months. Thats a generous total of 18 months, and the main requirements are simple: the applicant must have medical insurance and an external source of income (at least $3,000 a month). In addition, Panamas Foreign Professionals Visa has been around for over eight years and allows foreign nationals to work in Panama. The main requirements are simple: applicants need a university education and to have arranged for a job in Panama. But Panama is most famous for its Pensionado or Pensioners Visaa strong point that helps it claim first place in InternationalLiving.coms 2022 Annual Global Retirement Index for the 11th time. Many pension holders have moved here, meaning to retire and live the good life, says Ramesch. Sip ronconcolas on the beach, thats what I want to do, they say. Problem is, they look aroundand what do they see? Opportunity. Niches to fill and raw, natural destinations with inexpensive land. And thus, many of them rejoin the working masses, albeit on their own terms. There are quite a few more benefits to living and doing business here. If folks are from the States, they dont have to worry about exchange rates; Panama started using the U.S. dollar as an official currency in 1904. Panama has a large international banking sector and banks here are famously liquid and stable. And then there are the attractive tax laws. Panamanian income tax is due only on income earned in Panama. As a freelance writer for an international publication based outside of Panama, Ramesch says she pays zero income tax in Panama on that income. She works out of her home, and she isnt required to set up any kind of corporation or pay for licenses or certificatesno business fees of any kind. Though I am not required to declare income, I do, every year, she says. I simply go to the countrys online 'Etax' website and list my foreign sourced income. I dont have to pay any taxes to Panama on it, but Ive now got enough local income tax declarations to get a substantial home loan here. In fact, Ive just submitted all the paperwork for one. The home Ive chosen is one of many apartments here with property-tax exemptions. Ill pay less than $25 a year on my property tax till 2030 (thats not a typo). After 2030, property taxes on this property will kick in, but at just 0.5% a year, they wont make much of a dent in my budget. My office will be my balcony overlooking the tropical Pacific. The building has a social area where I can work on my laptop or have drinks with my neighbors. There are also two pools, a gym, and a party room. Ill continue to live on my current budget of around $2,600 a month, including mortgage payments. (And diversions like dinners outone of my favorite places is owned by Italian expats.) In five years, I can sell with no penalty owed to the bank. I know it all sounds too good to be true. Ive been here for 16 years and Im pinching myself. But for me, and for so many others, Panama is 'the one'the perfect land of opportunity. More information on the opportunity available in Panama, can be found here: The U.S. Isnt The Land of Opportunity More information on Panama, the Worlds Best Place to Retire 2022, and the other 24 countries that rank in the top spots for retirees, can be found, here: The Worlds Best Places to Retire in 2022 Editor's Note: Members of the media have permission to republish the article linked above once credit is given to Internationalliving.com Further information, as well as interviews with expert authors for radio, TV or print, is available on request. Photos are also available. For information about InternationalLiving.com content republishing, source material or to book an interview with one of our experts, contact PR Managing Editor, Marita Kelly, +001 667 312 3532, mkelly@internationalliving.com About International Living Since 1979, InternationalLiving.com has been the leading authority for anyone looking for global retirement or relocation opportunities. Through its monthly magazine and related e-letters, extensive website, podcasts, online bookstore, and events held around the world, InternationalLiving.com provides information and services to help its readers live better, travel farther, have more fun, save more money, and find better business opportunities when they expand their world beyond their own shores. InternationalLiving.com has more than 200 contributors traveling the globe, investigating the best opportunities for travel, retirement, real estate, and investment. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/internationalliving/ Twitter: @inliving https://twitter.com/inliving?lang=en Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/International.Living/ We are excited to lead the dry cleaning industry and remain in the top 100, said Andrew Gibson, President of Tide Cleaners. Tide Cleaners combines world class franchisees with support by our talented team. Together we are the most trusted brand in dry cleaning." Tide Cleaners, the nations leading on-demand dry cleaning and laundry service franchise, is honored to announce its latest recognition as a leading franchise in Entrepreneurs 2022 Franchise 500. Tide Cleaners is ranked No. 76 in the 43rd annual Franchise 500 ranking, marking its third consecutive year in the top 100. This prestigious list is widely considered an invaluable resource for potential franchisees. We are excited to lead the dry cleaning industry and remain in the top 100, said Andrew Gibson, President of Tide Cleaners. Tide Cleaners combines world class franchisees with support by our talented team. Together we are the most trusted brand in dry cleaning. Few industries have been challenged like dry cleaning in the past 24 months however, Tide Cleaners continues to rebound faster than the industry and consistently grow units every year for more than a decade even through the pandemic. Tide Cleaners is known for its innovation and ability to adapt in difficult situations like the global pandemic. Tide Cleaners provides convenient solutions for those hard-working professionals or families who are always on the go or working from home. All locations are designed and equipped to provide dry cleaning, outerwear cleaning, shirt laundry, and wash and fold laundry, among other exclusive services. Currently, Tide Cleaners has 191 outlets in more than two dozen states. 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 years list showed us how being resilient, supportive, and nimble can help navigate extraordinary challenges and also underscore the grit and innovation that define entrepreneurship. The Entrepreneur Franchise 500 ranking is compiled after analysis of more than 150 data points, including costs and fees, size and growth, support, brand strength, and financial strength and stability. The 500 franchises with the highest cumulative scores in those areas earn their ranking on the list. To view Tide Cleaners in the full ranking, visit http://www.entrepreneur.com/franchise500. Results can also be found in the January/February 2022 issue of Entrepreneur magazine, available on newsstands January 11. About Tide Cleaners Tide Cleaners represents Tide, Americas number one laundry detergent, which has been a trusted brand for more than 70 years. Agile Pursuits Franchising, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Procter & Gamble, launched Tide Cleaners, a brick-and-mortar dry cleaning and laundry concept, in 2008 with headquarters in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Tide Cleaners business model provides numerous solutions to make getting clean clothes more convenient for busy people. Based in Cincinnati, Ohio, the company has 191 locally-owned and operated locations in more than two dozen states and over 1,800 locker locations across the U.S. Visit http://www.tidecleaners.com to learn more about the services Tide Cleaners has to offer. For franchising information and opportunities, visit https://tidecleaners.com/en-us/partnerships/franchise. About Procter & Gamble P&G serves consumers around the world with one of the strongest portfolios of trusted, quality, leadership brands, including Always, Ambi Pur, Ariel, Bounty, Charmin, Crest, Dawn, Downy, Fairy, Febreze, Gain, Gillette, Head & Shoulders, Lenor, Olay, Oral-B, Pampers, Pantene, SK-II, Tide, Vicks, and Whisper. The P&G community includes operations in approximately 70 countries worldwide. Please visit http://www.pg.com for the latest news and information about P&G and its brands. For other P&G news, visit us at http://www.pg.com/news. The speed of adoption of TrendMiner, and the intelligence in the use of it, is bringing added value to customers in a variety of industries. Users who explore the boundaries inspire us to push even further in the current and future development of the platform. IoT Breakthrough, a leading market intelligence organization that recognizes the top companies, technologies and products in the global Internet-of-Things (IoT) market, today announced that TrendMiner, a Software AG company, has been selected as winner of the IoT Analytics Solution of the Year award in the 6th annual IoT Breakthrough Awards program. TrendMiner develops and delivers advanced analytics solutions to support digital transformation, optimize production processes, increase plant productivity and improve equipment effectiveness. The Company serves a variety of industries, including: Chemical, Oil & Gas, Food & Beverage, Pharmaceutical, Water & Wastewater, and Mining & Metals. TrendMiners self-service analytics platform features advanced search technology with pattern recognition and machine learning (ML), and connects easily with existing time-series databases (historians) and other operational business applications, such as Maintenance Management systems, LIMS systems and many others. Users can gain insights into production data, find anomalies and their root causes, monitor production performance and predict problems early. The solution can be deployed on premises, hosted in a customer management cloud environment or offered as a full Software as a Service (SaaS) solution. With a high-speed search engine, advanced filter options and patented pattern recognition, TrendMiner empowers process experts and engineers to analyze data themselves and gain valuable operational insights quickly. TrendMiner proactively provides recommendations to uncover previously hidden correlations and identify the root causes of process behavior. Self-service analytics is now being accepted by the industry as a new and valuable standard way of working, and this is especially true with the onset of the pandemic, said James Johnson, managing director at IoT Breakthrough. The breakthrough value of TrendMiner is that it delivers one common and shared view on facts and the ability to share a variety of production process knowledge and expertise, which can be distributed among others to enable an organization to make the right decisionsquickly and decisively. Congratulations to the entire TrendMiner team on being our clear choice for IoT Analytics Solution of the Year. The mission of the IoT Breakthrough Awards program is to recognize the innovators, leaders and visionaries from around the globe in a range of IoT categories, including Industrial and Enterprise IoT, Smart City technology, Connected Home and Home Automation, Connected Car and more. This years program attracted more than 3,850 nominations from companies all over the world. We are so grateful for this award from IoT Breakthrough. Theres a growing trend toward having central expert groups supporting local teams in their day-to-day execution. Our typical user is someone with a deep understanding of the production process or assets and access to the data they are generating. They need the combination of their subject matter expertise and the insights that reside in the data to support fact-based decision making for troubleshooting and continuous improvement activities, said Joan van de Wetering, General Manager, TrendMiner. The speed of adoption of TrendMiner, and the intelligence in the use of it, is bringing added value to customers in a variety of industries. Users who explore the boundaries inspire us to push even further in the current and future development of the platform. By speeding up root cause analysis, users can identify areas for optimization. Direct access to analytics ensures actionable information is available from captured time-series data at all levels of the plant, which allows improvement at all stages of the production process. With 24/7 monitoring, TrendMiner can send notifications to process experts and other relevant stakeholders when patterns deviate from ideal parameters. This allows a plant to take corrective action quickly when an anomaly occurs. The solution also enables process experts to make proactive and prescriptive data-driven decisions. The interactive and model-free predictive mode detects trends in historical data so that users can forecast in minutes future events during batch runs, transitions or equipment startups. The solution also enables process engineers to show specific trend monitors on a personal dashboard acting as their own production cockpit. Contextual data from business applications can be integrated to provide a clearer view of operational behavior and improvement opportunities. #### About IoT Breakthrough Part of the Tech Breakthrough, a leading market intelligence and recognition platform for global technology innovation and leadership, the IoT Breakthrough Awards program is devoted to honoring excellence in Internet-of-Things technologies, services, companies and products. The IoT Breakthrough Awards program provides a forum for public recognition around the achievements of IoT companies and products in categories including Connected Home and Home Automation, Connected Car, Industrial IoT (IIoT) and Smart City, Consumer IoT and more. For more information visit IoTBreakthrough.com. About TrendMiner TrendMiner, part of the IoT & Analytics division of Software AG, delivers self-service data analytics to optimize process performance for the Chemical, Petrochemical, Oil & Gas, Pharmaceutical, Metals & Mining industries. TrendMiner software is based on a high-performance analytics engine for time-series data that empowers process experts to interpret data directly, without the support of data scientists. The plug-and-play software adds immediate value upon deployment and eliminates the need for infrastructure investment and long implementation projects. Search, diagnostic and predictive capabilities enable users to speed up root cause analysis, define optimal processes and configure early warnings to monitor production. TrendMiner software also helps team members to capture feedback and leverage knowledge across teams and sites. Furthermore, TrendMiner offers standard integrations with a wide range of historians such as OSIsoft PI, Yokogawa Exaquantum, AspenTech IP.21, Honeywell PHD, GE Proficy Historian and Wonderware InSQL. Founded in 2008 and now part of Software AG, TrendMiners global headquarters is in Belgium. TrendMiner has offices in the U.S., Germany, Spain and the Netherlands. African wildcat We need to preserve this beautiful small wildcat...Cats make great companions but we do need to control their numbers, using humane nonlethal methods, which work more effectively than killing. Alley Cat Rescue, Inc. (ACR) is urging South African farmers and veterinarians to assist in preserving the African wildcat (Felis l. cafra). The African wildcat, or AWC, has been labeled by the International Union for Conservation of Nature as in decline. This is due in part to habitat loss and hunting, but also to hybridization through breeding with domestic cats. The most effective way to prevent hybridization is to spay/neuter outdoor cats - those that are feral as well as those that work to control rodents on farmland - and then return the cats to their outdoor homes. This is known as trap-neuter-return (TNR). To help preserve the AWC, Alley Cat Rescue is urging all South African farmers to sterilize their domestic cats, and hopes that the veterinary community there will facilitate this by making the process as convenient and affordable as possible for barn cats. Alley Cat Rescue has been involved with preserving the wildcat subspecies, Felis l. cafra, for many years. The organization is now expanding its focus geographically from South Africa to any territory Felis lybica inhabits via their new African wildcat Project. The Project has begun collecting data from individuals in these areas on ACRs Facebook group (facebook.com/ACRAWCProject) . Those reporting sightings are asked to provide the sighting date, location, and notable physical characteristics. The goal of the African Wildcat Project is to create a map of AWC distribution that will aid ACR and other conservation groups in monitoring the species population. Alley Cat Rescue is encouraging anyone in South Africa who has personally seen an AWC to report the sighting via their Facebook page or survey at surveymonkey.com/r/AWCReport. ACR President, Louise Holton is passionate about this iconic species. We need to preserve this beautiful small wildcat...Cats make great companions but we do need to control their numbers, using humane nonlethal methods, which work more effectively than killing. For more information about African Wildcats and ACRs conservation projects, visit http://www.saveacat.org/african-wildcats.html. Alley Cat Rescue is an international nonprofit organization dedicated to the welfare of all cats: domestic, stray, abandoned, feral, and small wildcat species. ACR advocates for humane nonlethal control of feral cats. For more information about ACR, visit their website http://www.saveacat.org. "Todays constant influx of cyber threats demand a comprehensive platform tailored to meet an organizations unique and ever-evolving security needs, and thats why we developed the BOSS platform" - UncommonX CEO John Morris Continuing its streak of industry accolades, UncommonX, a SaaS-based cybersecurity managed detection and response (MDR) provider, today announced its Business Operations Security Suite (BOSS) has been named a winner of Security Todays CyberSecured 2021 MSSP Award. The achievement was earned for the outstanding product development achievement of tech solutions transforming the cybersecurity space. Todays constant influx of cyber threats demand a comprehensive platform tailored to meet an organizations unique and ever-evolving security needs, and thats why we developed the BOSS platform, said John Morris, CEO, UncommonX. It is an honor to be recognized for the incredible innovations from our team of dedicated cybersecurity development professionals. The BOSS threat management and intelligence platform provides midsize organizations with enterprise-class cybersecurity protection based on its adaptive technology that integrates seamlessly into an organizations infrastructure and processes to help identify, prioritize and manage ongoing internal and external security risks. The platform provides a 24/7 holistic view into an organizations entire digital environment through clear contextual and situational awareness to yield accelerated outcomes that safeguard against ransomware and other cybersecurity attacks. Launched in 2020 by 1105 Medias security group to recognize leading product and service providers in the cybersecurity sector, Security Todays CyberSecured Awards honor the outstanding product development achievements of manufacturers and suppliers whose products or services are considered particularly noteworthy in the transformation of cybersecurity. As we near the end of 2021, it is always a pleasure to evaluate the IT security solutions entered in our product awards contest, said Ralph C. Jensen, editor-in-chief of Security Today magazine and CyberSecured eNews. The IT security products we see today are the guardians of digital networks. I am amazed at the brilliance, integrity and thoughtfulness each solution brings to the end user. With so many networking issues announced every day, the demand for robust security is absolutely paramount. About 1105 Medias Infrastructure Solutions Group 1105 Medias Infrastructure Solutions Group includes several leading industry media brands that provide new product and technology solutions for security professionals: Security Today, securitytoday.com, CyberSecured, Campus Security & Life Safety, campuslifesecurity.com, and GovSec. The brands print, digital, custom media and research products integrate physical and IT security coverage and provide the smartest, most cost-effective solutions for reaching security decision-makers. About UncommonX UncommonX offers unmatched enterprise-class cybersecurity protection as a managed detection and response (MDR) provider by combining adaptive threat and intelligence software with 24/7 industry experts, making it easy to constantly both map and fix root causes of security vulnerabilities. Taking a market-first inside-out approach to ongoing digital security risks through unique curated threat feeds and automated analytics, the UncommonX BOSS intelligent security platform provides clear contextual awareness to yield accelerated outcomes to mitigate and guard against threats. Recognizing the importance in addressing a gap in protecting mid-size organizations from cybersecurity threats, UncommonXs mission is to protect vulnerable organizations. Headquartered in Chicago, UncommonX is a privately-held company. For more information visit http://www.uncommonx.com. Outstanding presenters, networking with top players in the mass timber industry, 120+ exhibits, and tours to leading mass timber buildings and projects are a few of the event's many highlights. Momentum is building for the 2022 International Mass Timber Conference, the worlds largest mass timber event in Portland, Oregon, USA, April 1214, 2022. Near record attendance is expected as the conference returns in person for the first time since 2019. A companion virtual day is slated for May 12, 2022, offering more opportunities for attendees, exhibitors, and sponsors to learn, engage, and connect online. Recently announced keynote speakers at the in-person conference in Portland include world renowned architects Shigeru Ban and Jeanne Gang. Opening the main conference festivities on Wednesday, April 13, is Shigeru Ban of Shigeru Ban Architects. One of the most influential architects of our time, Shigeru Ban inspires, uplifts, and innovates. His efforts on behalf of humanitarian relief and dedication to beautiful design have won him numerous accolades, including the Pritzker Architecture Prize, TIME Magazine Innovator of the Year, and many more. Bans mass timber projects include the Swatch Headquarters (one of the largest timber developments in the world), Kentucky Owl Park, Aspen Art Museum, and Terrace Housethe Vancouver, British Columbia, timber tower will be the tallest hybrid wood structure in North America. Jeanne Gang will launch the final day of the conference with a keynote address the morning of Thursday, April 14. Jeanne has been honored with the Cooper Hewitt National Design Award in Architecture and been named one of the most influential people in the world by TIME Magazine. She is the founding principal and partner of Studio Gang, an international architecture and urban design practice headquartered in Chicago. Her approach has produced award-winning projects across scales and typologies, from cultural and community buildings such as the Chicago River Boathouses, Writers Theatre, and Arcus Center for Social Justice Leadership, to structurally dynamic towers like Aqua, Solar Carve (40 Tenth Ave), and MIRA. Ongoing work includes major cultural and civic projects throughout the Americas and Europe. Jeanne is a MacArthur Fellow and a Professor in Practice at the Harvard Graduate School of Design. Conference participants will have a choice on Tuesday, February 12, of joining one of two optional day-long mass timber toursbuildings, manufacturing, and researchor attending an educational workshop produced by WoodWorksA Mass Timber Clinic: Introducing and Mastering Design Topics. A Welcome Reception will follow later that evening at 5:30 PM for all registered participants. The conference has already set numerous personal records for its 2022 event. The number of exhibitors has grown by 34% since the conference was last in person and the exhibit hall is almost sold out with over 120 companies slated to exhibit, so far. Only a few exhibit spaces remain available for sale. A record number of sponsorships have been sold out for some time. And interest is high for rooms at the official conference hotelsHotel Eastlund and Hyatt Regency Portland. Reservations currently exceed the contracted room blocks by a wide margin. Although Hotel Eastlund is now sold out, the much larger Hyatt Regency continues to honor the discounted conference rate while rooms last. Participants save 30% off the full price of select attendee passes and all remaining exhibit spaces when registering through January 19. While most prices increase after that date, attendees can still save 20% through March 16. The conference is produced by Forest Business Network in cooperation with the wood design experts at WoodWorks-Wood Products Council. The event is supported by Premier Sponsors including Hexion, Kallesoe Machinery, Timberlab, Kalesnikoff, and Western Archrib. Major Sponsors include: Think Wood, Freres Lumber Co. MPP, Sansin, Seagate Mass Timber, Hilti, Nordic Structures, DR Johnson Wood Innovations, Idaho Forest Group, Sustainable Forestry Initiative, WholeTrees, Weyerhaeuser, DCI Engineers, Simpson Strong-Tie, Skanska, USNR, Business Oregon, Sterling, Turner Construction, and TallWood Design Institute. Partners include MOD X, US Forest Service, and Mass Timber Strategy. About Forest Business Network FBN is a top-tier consultancy, event marketing, and news and information source in the forest products sector. Its weekly email newsletter is a go-to news resource for global industry professionals. FBNs president and CEO, Craig Rawlings, is a nationally recognized expert in under-utilized timber and biomass. About WoodWorks WoodWorks (woodworks.org) provides free one-on-one project assistance as well as education and resources related to the code-compliant design of non-residential and multi-family wood buildings. WoodWorks technical experts offer support from design through construction on a wide range of building types, including mid-rise/multi-residential, educational, commercial, corporate, institutional and public. FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT: https://www.masstimberconference.com https://www.facebook.com/masstimberconference/ https://twitter.com/masstimberconf https://www.instagram.com/masstimberconference/ https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/mass-timber-conference/ Entrepreneurs Franchise 500 With Ziggi's Coffee's unwavering commitment to growing the brand with only the best franchisees, we're bringing a culture of being the best part of every customer's day to communities across the nation. Ziggis Coffee was recently recognized as one of the top 500 franchises in Entrepreneurs Franchise 500, a highly sought-after honor in the franchise industry. The 2022 Franchise 500 ranks Ziggis Coffee as 283 out of 500 top franchises for its outstanding performance in areas including unit growth, financial strength and stability and brand power. 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 years list showed us how being resilient, supportive, and nimble can help navigate extraordinary challenges and also underscore the grit and innovation that define entrepreneurship. It is an honor to be recognized on the Entrepreneur's 500 List for another year, said Justin Livingston, Vice President of Franchise Development. With Ziggi's Coffee's unwavering commitment to growing the brand with only the best franchisees, we're bringing a culture of being the best part of every customer's day to communities across the nation. In the Ziggi's Coffee Franchise, every franchisee, vendor and customer are family. We look forward to expanding our family and setting each franchisee on a path to success and happiness with a brand they can be proud to be a part of. To view Ziggis Coffee in the full ranking, visit http://www.entrepreneur.com/franchise500. Results can also be seen in the January/February 2022 issue of Entrepreneur, available on newsstands January 11th. Ziggis Coffees position on the ranking is a testament to its strength as a franchise opportunity. Founded in 2004, the Colorado-based company is on a mission to elevate the standard of service within the coffee shop industry. With 47 locations nationwide and over 100 additional units in development, Ziggis Coffee is positioned to quickly grow its presence in a variety of communities across the U.S. To learn more about Ziggis Coffee and its franchising opportunities, visit ziggiscoffee.com/franchise/ or follow Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. ### Two books published by HarperCollins through its partnership with Fox News Books appear on PWs Religion Nonfiction Bestsellers list for December. Fox News personalities Rachel Campos-Duffy and Sean Duffy are in the #2 spot with a collection of Christmas traditions from across the U.S. in All American Christmas, which features 16 pages of photography, holiday recipes, and stories from other Fox personalities such as Steve Doocy and Dana Perino. The book was published in November by HarperCollins conservative nonfiction imprint, Broadside, as part of an agreement with Fox News Books, an imprint of Fox News Media. Marketing and publicity for the book included promotions across all Fox News shows and platforms. Another book from the Fox News/Broadside team, The Women of the Bible Speak by host of Fox News @ Night Shannon Bream, comes in at #4 on our Religion Nonfiction bestsellers list. The book became a national bestseller after it released in March 2021 and has since sold 389,298 copies to date, according to Fox. Fox News Medias senior v-p of marketing and brand strategy Michael Tammero, who was part of the team that first launched Fox News Books in 2020, says that sales for both All American Christmas and The Women of the Bible Speak were propelled by leveraging "the influence and power of all FOX News Media platforms to maximum effect." Also on our Religion Nonfiction list, Sarah Young takes two spots with her recently- released 365-day devotional Jesus Listens, while her megaseller 2004 devotional, Jesus Calling, comes in at #3. Rounding out the top five on our Religion Nonfiction Bestsellers, Shannon Roberts Prayer Journal for Women comes in at #5 after a sales boost amid the holiday shopping season. In Religion Fiction, Mitch Albom takes the #1 spot with The Stranger in the Lifeboat (Harper), which became a national bestseller after its release on November 2. The story follows a group of people struggling for survival adrift at sea who encounter a man claiming to be the Lord, and their survival depends on whether or not they believe it. Marketing and publicity for the book included an author interview with CNNs Anderson Cooper as well as coverage on GoodMorningAmerica.com, Thrillist, Newsy, and other media outlets. To date, the book has sold 339,000 copies, according to NPD BookScan. Albom is the author of dozens of books, including one of the top-selling memoirs of all time, Tuesdays with Morrie. WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. Attention, aspiring pilots. Purdue University Global is teaming with the National Society of High School Scholars (NSHSS) to host a hands-on career exploration event for anyone interested in pursuing a career as a professional pilot. The event is scheduled for 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET on Feb. 19 at Sterling Flight Training in Jacksonville, Florida. Registration is required and limited to 200 individuals. Attendees will hear from professional pilots, current Purdue Global flight students and certified flight instructors about the pathway to earning several flight certificates and ratings that are key to becoming a professional pilot. In addition, optional discovery flights will be offered throughout the day. During these 15-20-minute flights over Jacksonville, the front passenger will be able to take control of the aircraft with the supervision of one of the Sterling Flight Training instructors, providing a first-hand experience of being a pilot. We know there is an anticipated shortfall of professional pilots on the horizon, and Purdue University Global has made a commitment to offering a first-rate professional flight program, said Andrew Rachmell, professional flight business development specialist for Purdue Global. We are excited to work with NSHSS to provide an inside look into what it takes to becoming a pilot through our program. Purdue Global has partnerships with several affiliate flight training centers, including Sterling Flight Training. Others are with Cincinnati-based Lunken Flight Training Center and New Orleans Aerial Tours & Flight Training. NSHSS is pleased to partner with Purdue University Global for this hands-on exploration of a high-demand career in aviation, said James Lewis, NSHSS president and co-founder. In our most recent career interest survey, Gen Z students identified several aviation companies as their top employers of choice, so we know there is also high interest in these careers. Creating opportunities for discovery in a variety of careers is one of the best ways to foster students future success. Purdue Globals professional flight degree program is a collaboration between Purdue Global and Purdue Universitys School of Aviation and Transportation Technology announced in 2019. It combines the quality of Purdues legendary aviation program spanning more than six decades with the flexibility and affordability that Purdue Global offers. Students accepted into the program, with a private pilot certificate, will complete their Bachelor of Science degree courses online through Purdue Global, which includes aviation and general education classes, while completing professional flight training at one of the Purdue Global affiliate training centers across the country. During flight training, students will be working toward earning certificates and ratings in instrument, commercial, multi-engine and certified flight instructor. As students progress in their flight training to becoming certified flight instructors, they will have the foundation necessary to serve as flight instructors and accrue additional flight experience required by airlines and corporate flight departments to get hired as professional pilots. Upon reaching certified flight instructor status, students can then begin working full time teaching others while completing their degree and earn compensation for their work, which can help with education costs and living expenses. Purdues School of Aviation and Transportation Technology, one of six departments and schools in the Purdue Polytechnic Institute, is recognized worldwide as a leader in aviation education and provides its expertise in curriculum development, faculty hiring and accreditation by the Aviation Accreditation Board International. As U.S. airline pilots approach the federally mandated retirement age of 65, the industry faces a shortage of pilots. Reports forecast a need for more than 800,000 pilots over the next 20 years, and airlines are already finding it hard to fill open positions. 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 NSHSS The National Society of High School Scholars (NSHSS) is a globally-distinguished academic honor society dedicated to recognizing high-achieving students in more than 26,000 high schools across 170 countries. Since 2002, NSHSS has supported young academics on their journey to college and beyond. The benefits of NSHSS extend well beyond ones academic career. Through events, study abroad programs, internships, scholarships, college fairs, and career and leadership opportunities, NSHSS provides its 1.7 million members with the resources and network to excel as they prepare to become the leaders of tomorrow. Learn more about the benefits of NSHSS and what it means to become a member at nshss.org. Media Contact, Purdue Global: Tom Schott, 765-427-1721, tschott@purdue.edu Media Contact, NSHSS: Karen Kane, karen.kane@nshss.org Sources: Andrew Rachmell James Lewis If you're interested in submitting a Letter to the Editor, click here. Submit New York City, NY (11385) Today Mainly cloudy. A few peeks of sunshine possible. High near 65F. Winds E at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Cloudy skies early, then off and on rain showers overnight. Low 51F. Winds ESE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 60%. Firebird has had two primetime series commissions in its first two years" Wilderness adapted by Marnie Dickens for Amazon Prime Video and Nikki May debut Wahala, adapted by Theresa Ikoko for BBC One. Both will shoot in 2022 in the US, Canada and London. BBC Studios has a 25% stake in Firebird and is the global distribution partner for all its content.Known for powerful and agenda-setting films such as The Left Behind, Killed By My Debt, Murdered For Being Different, Against The Law and Murdered By My Father, Rafaele will bring her development slate with her when she starts with Firebird in January 2022.Over the course of her career, Rafaele has had a factual background, focusing on drama and responsible for executive producing a range of programmes including Louis Theroux documentaries Savile, Drinking to Oblivion, By Reason of Insanity, Transgender Kids; BBC Threes The Call Centre; and four-part series Life and Death Row: The Mass Execution. Before that, she spent ten years as a documentary and drama director, making films ranging from an exploration of the Asian underground music scene in RTS award-winning film This England through to a BAFTA nominated exploration of the life of the poet Stevie Smith. Her last directing credit was on C4s teen drama series Skins.Commenting on her appointment, Rafaele said: Im thrilled to be embarking on an exhilarating new adventure with Firebird Pictures . Liz has championed and produced some outstanding drama of scale and ambition and Im really looking forward to working closely with her and Craig, to help take my projects to the next level and expand into exciting new territories. I cant wait to get started.Elizabeth Kilgarriff added: We are very pleased to welcome Aysha to Firebird she is a brilliant producer and someone I have admired for a long time. Her passion for championing the next generation of British story-tellers makes her a natural fit for us, and her bold and ambitious slate brings a rich seam of new ideas and talent to Firebird. Its a very exciting collaboration and perfect start to 2022. By Elizabeth Kwiatkowski, 01/12/2022 ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT Elizabeth Kwiatkowski is Associate Editor of Reality TV World and has been covering the reality TV genre for more than a decade. : Before the 90 Days star Kim Menzies has lost her beloved mother, Sally.Sally passed away on Monday, January 10 and Kim -- who currently stars on Season 5 of : Before the 90 Days with boyfriend Usman "SojaBoy" Umar -- is in mourning."My mom passed away last night. No one will ever understand how close her and I were," Kim, 50, captioned a slideshow of photos with her mom from over the years in a touching tribute Tuesday on Instagram."She was my #1 supporter and my best friend. I will miss you for the rest of my life but I know you will always be with me and in my heart. I love you Mommy."Kim added a red heart emoji and a broken-heart emoji to her post.Kim did not disclose the cause of her mother's death or the circumstances surrounding Sally's passing.But Sally suffered from rheumatoid arthritis, which is an autoimmune and inflammatory disease, prior to her death. While rheumatoid arthritis cannot cause death, the widespread inflammation can lead to life-threatening complications."I live at home with my mother because I'm her primary caregiver," Kim revealed on : Before the 90 Days' fifth season."She has rheumatoid arthritis in her hips and it's caused her to not be mobile, so I pretty much do everything for her. My mother is my best friend. I love her to death. I would lay down in the street and die for two people in my life, and that is my mother and my son Jamal."Supportive and sweet comments rolled in from Kim's family, including Season 5 stars Jasmine Pineda and Memphis Smith."So sorry for your loss my Kim," Jasmine wrote.And Memphis commented, "You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers! Keep your head up Kim your mother will still be watching over you as you continue your journey! Love you always.": The Other Way stars Kenny Niedermeier and Armando Rubio also expressed their condolences and told Kim that they're "sorry" for her loss."Our hearts goes out to you," Kenny wrote, with Armando adding, "May she Rest In Peace. Hugs to you and yours."2 star Danielle Mullins wrote, "So sorry for your loss, sending prayers for you and your family."And 7 star Anny Francisco told Kim, "Sorry love. I know [the] pain. I will praying."Sally appeared on the first episode of : Before the 90 Days' fifth season that aired in December.On the episode, Kim was preparing to travel to Zanzibar, Tanzania to meet her love interest, Usman, for the first time. Kim, a Super Fan of Usman's music, messaged the Nigerian rapper on social media, which resulted in a friendship.The couple then talked virtually and on the phone for about a year after."I'm excited, but I struggle with guilt because even though a family friend is going to be looking after my mom while I'm gone, it's very very nerve-wracking for me," Kim shared during the episode."This trip will be the longest I've been away from her since I became her caregiver."Usman, coming off a nasty divorce from his Season 4 : Before the 90 Days co-star Lisa Hamme , determined that he wanted to get to know Kim in-person before deciding whether or not they should be in an exclusive and serious relationship.Sally promised her daughter that she would exercise while Kim was gone, saying, "I'll be fine. I'll miss you a lot. I just don't want you to be hurt. I just hope this is all good for you because if it's not, I'll go off and find him and I'll beat the crap out of him!"Sally worried that Kim would try to be "the perfect woman" again and get her heart broken, but she still gave her daughter her blessing to pursue love with a much younger man."I want her to be herself when she goes over there and stay true to herself," Sally said in a confessional.Sally added, "But what if she goes over there and there's no chemistry? It's going to kill her. It's going to kill her."Kim, however, believes "love is love," and Sally assured her daughter that she'd be able to come back home if things didn't work out with Usman."I know. I know I can," Kim replied, before telling the cameras, "I understand my mom's concerns and I know I'm taking a big risk putting my heart out there like that.""But one thing I am sure of is that I'm in love with this man and it feels pretty damn good to do something to make Kimberly happy," she said. "Why shouldn't I live my best life? Why shouldn't I? Who's to say this is not going to be my best life?": Before the 90 Days currently airs its fifth season on Sunday nights at 8PM ET/PT on TLC.Want more spoilers or couples updates? Click here to visit our homepage! Microsoft has stopped making Xbox One consoles to focus on Xbox Series X/S instead. ADVERTISEMENT "To focus on production of Xbox Series X/S, we stopped production for all Xbox One consoles by the end of 2020," Xbox's senior director of console product marketing Cindy Walker said in a statement to The Verge published Thursday. The strategy appears to have worked with Xbox head Phil Spencer telling The New York Times in an interview for an op-ed piece earlier this week that the company has sold more of the Series X/S than it has of any previous generation. In July 2020, Microsoft discontinued the Xbox One X and digital X Box One S, as it launched the Xbox Series X, according to previous reporting from Engadget and The Verge. Microsoft also quietly stopped making the Xbox One S at the end of 2020, according to Verge's latest report. Niko Partners Senior Analyst Daniel Ahmad tweeted that this would put shipments of Xbox Series X/S above 12 million units. Meanwhile, Sony had planned to end PlayStation 4 production, but recently confirmed to Bloomberg it's still making new PS4s. The PS4 system "is one of the best-selling consoles ever, and there is always a crossover between generations," Sony told Bloomberg. Andrew Burnap has joined the cast of Disney's live-action Snow White remake. ADVERTISEMENT The Hollywood Reporter said Wednesday that Burnap, 30, will star in the new film based on Disney's 1938 animated movie Snow White and the Seven Dwarves. Burnap joins previously announced stars Rachel Zegler and Gal Gadot, who will play Snow White and the Evil Queen, respectively. Sources said Burnap will play the male lead, a new character created for the film who will sing. Deadline confirmed Burnap's casting. Snow White is directed by Mark Webb and features original songs by La La Land duo Benj Pasek and Justin Paul. Marc Platt will serve as producer The new movie will begin production in the United Kingdom this spring. Burnap is known for playing Toby Darling in the Broadway play The Inheritance. He won a Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play for the role in 2020. FOLLOW REALITY TV WORLD ON THE ALL-NEW GOOGLE NEWS! Reality TV World is now available on the all-new Google News app and website. Click here to visit our Google News page, and then click FOLLOW to add us as a news source! The actor has also appeared on Younger and The Good Fight. As a co-conspirator in The Lost Branch Sportsmans Club, Jon Osborn can often be found fly fishing, bird hunting, or just plain daydreaming. Born a century too late, he prefers waxed cotton over nylon, bamboo fly rods over graphite, and old double-guns over autoloaders. All that aside, he considers himself blessed to call Michigan home. Reach him at lostbranchsportsmansclub@gmail.com. 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 Heavy demand for free at-home COVID-19 tests on Wednesday stalled out the Vermont Department of Health's website for ordering the kits. Meanwhile, the state is maintaining it's not a crash and that the problem is being worked on. You are the owner of this article. Cones on Route 9 in Marlboro mark out some of the problem areas that damaged peoples tires last fall. BRATTLEBORO After announcing a run for Congress last week, Kesha Ram Hinsdale visited several communities in Vermont to talk with voters. Beckley, WV (25801) Today Partly to mostly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 82F. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Low 62F. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 60%. HAMDEN A major shoe retailer is leaving North Haven for Hamden Plaza. DSWs current location at 410 Universal Drive North will close later this month when the business is set to open a storefront in the Hamden Plaza at 2100 Dixwell Ave. In Hamden, a town that has emphasized the need for economic development in order to ease the tax burden, officials say the move reflects a revitalization of Dixwell Avenue as well as the marketability of retail space in close proximity to other shopping options. I think that Hamden has so much to offer and I think that the magic mile on Dixwell is really just starting to see a lot of improvement, said Mayor Lauren Garrett. Arnold Gold / Hearst Connecticut Media Andrew Bermant, who co-owns Hamden Plaza, said demand for the plazas retail space surged last year. 2021 has been just incredibly busy for us on the leasing front. Ive had more retailers looking for space in Hamden Plaza than I can remember in recent history, he said. DSWs Hamden location has a tentative Jan. 27 opening date, he said. Leaving North Haven While a win for Hamden, the news runs counter to the usual business headlines involving North Haven, a town renowned for its ability to attract business. In late 2019, for example, Amazon opened an 855,000-square-foot fulfillment center there. The following year, the municipality won over Ferraros Market, the Italian grocery store that and long-time New Haven staple. Last year, First Selectman Michael Freda announced that the home decor retailer At Home is coming to an 85,000-square-foot space in the North Haven Commons Shopping Center. Freda, known for his extensive efforts drawing business to town, said he is already working to find a new retailer for the DSW space. I was told that they were unable to reach an agreement with the landlord over there, that the lease had expired, so thats something that, of course, we cant control, he said of the reason DSW is leaving the Universal Drive North location. DSWs media relations team did not return requests for comment Wednesday afternoon. Freda said he can guarantee the space will get a new retailer. Its disappointing that DSW couldnt work out to renew their lease in that plaza, he said. But they will be replaced, and we will be bringing in another very important retailer there. Despite the loss of DSW, demand for retail space in North Haven remains high, Freda said. Theres so much pent-up demand, one retailer leaves and I got a line up of others that were talking to, he said. Making the deal Bermant, the Hamden Plaza co-owner, said he learned in early 2021 that DSW was interested in leasing space on his property. By then, it had become clear that an agreement with another retailer, which had stalled due to COVID, would not go forward, according to Bermant. At that point in time DSW made us a proposal and we worked hard to come to an agreement, and we ended up signing the lease in the beginning of June, he said. We started with the knowledge that we were gonna be combining the former Dressbarn Space and Phoenix Buffet space into one. Because we knew that DSW had a very tight timeline to open their new store, Bermant said, his team got an early start on the improvements. It felt very good to ... get that deal done for the shopping center, for the other tenants in the shopping center, and for the community. Drawing business to Hamden Erik Johnson, Hamdens acting town planner and economic development director, said Dixwell Avenues array of stores helps draw business. It is a diverse, convenient destination there that also gets a lot of traffic and visibility, so I think this movement of DSW shows that Hamden continues to be a preferred destination for shoppers, he said. The plaza alone boasts a Shoprite, a Planet Fitness, a Starbucks, a Panera Bread, a uBreakiFix, a Marshalls and an Ashleys Ice Cream, among other storefronts. Also nearby is a Walmart, a Home Depot, a Stop & Shop and more. DSWs relocation is not the first time Hamden has poached a major retailer from North Haven, Johnson pointed out. In 2019, Ulta Beauty made the move. Johnson also praised Bermants efforts with the plaza. Bermant has done a really good job of refreshing and keeping the plaza a relevant shopping destination, Johnson said. Meanwhile, the town will continue to seek ways to spur economic growth, according to officials. Were looking to work with the state to improve the traffic signals, which will allow better flow in and out of the centers on Dixwell Avenue, Johnson said, adding that Hamden is also looking for ways to enhance lighting in the area. Mayor Garrett said the town is considering an expansion of New Havens traffic-calming proposal for Whitney Avenue, which includes adding a bike lane and narrowing the roadway to slow drivers. Making our shopping areas more accessible and walkable, and managing traffic to get people to slow down a little bit and take a look at what Hamden has to offer, Garrett said, is a great way to bring business to town. meghan.friedmann@hearstmediact.com 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. DANBURY As teachers demand schools be permitted to switch temporarily to remote learning amid a COVID-19 surge and staff shortages, some local lawmakers are reluctant to advocate for distance learning unless its the last resort. Some say it is. Im really torn, said state Rep. Bob Godfrey, D-Danbury. He said hes weighing the academic, social and mental health benefits of in-person learning with the contagiousness of the omicron variant that has, in part, driven COVID-19 cases to their highest rates. I think probably there should be kind of a local option, Godfrey said. I would prefer the option be with the superintendent of schools and not politicians. In Danbury, where school closed for part of last week due to staff shortages, the superintendent has said he wants to work with the Danbury delegation to advocate for remote learning to prevent students from doing nothing at home on days like that. The governor has insisted he wants to keep schools open, arguing students learn better in the classrooms. State legislation prevents remote learning days from counting as part of the required 180 school days. Many teachers in Danbury and across the state planned to wear black on Wednesday as part of their push for N95 masks, at-home test kits and more flexibility to allow for temporary distance learning. We all agree that in-person learning is best for our students, but we must be able to ensure that our buildings can be staffed safely too, NEA Danbury said on its Facebook page. When we are not able to do this due to staff illness and quarantine, we MUST be able to offer a better alternative for our students than closing. We urge Governor Lamont to allow districts to make that decision when and if it is needed. A remote day of learning is far better than no day of learning. Health and safety concerns Democrats said they expected to discuss remote learning Wednesday, when its caucus planned to meet. State Rep. Ken Gucker, D-Danbury, said hes on board with remote learning counting as one of the 180 school days. He said he gets calls from teachers every day who are worried about conditions in schools. As much as we dont want to go back to remote learning because there are arguments and studies that say that it's not as good, were finding that I don't think we have much of a choice, he said. In Danbury, 296 staff members were absent last Jan. 3, and 322 employees were out Jan. 4, the superintendent said. Student attendance was at 74 percent on Monday and 80 percent on Tuesday, down from the average of the mid 90s, he said. When so many teachers are absent, what learning is really happening? Gucker questioned. Its not just the short staffing of the teachers not being able to be in school, he said. Its a safety issue. Its a safety issue for the children and the teachers. State Rep. Raghib Allie-Brennan, D-Bethel, said hes heard from families and teachers who are worried about going into school when positivity rate exceeds 20 percent. Hes advocating for districts and families to be permitted move to remote learning or a hybrid model if they wish. Were kind of forcing people to go into a situation that to me sounds dangerous, he said. State Rep. David Arconti, D-Danbury, said allowing schools to temporarily go remote could be a potential solution to the issue. Hed want to get feedback from teachers and other stakeholders before supporting any proposals. The teachers hes spoken with want to be in class. They believe that doing virtual for an extended period of time isnt the best for students, he said. So I think we can all put our hands together to look at an option that could be a limited, virtual basis. State Rep. Pat Callahan, R-New Fairfield, said he doesnt support remote learning. His views are shaped by what hes heard from his wife, a Connecticut teacher. Seeing everything firsthand and hearing it at the dinner table, the learning experience is certainly best in-person, he said. The kids are missing so much when theyre not in-person, both socially and educationally. Parents face the costly challenge of finding child care, too, he said. But he said he recognizes the need to have an option to have some sort of learning in cases like Danburys where schools were forced to close due to staff shortages. I understand Danbury schools are bursting at the seams, and theres been such an influx of students there in this past year, Callahan said. If you don't have the staff, what are you going to do? But I know in some schools, they're just being flexible. And, some teachers, theyre covering subjects and students they normally don't, but theyre all professionals. The state is facing its worst COVID surge in terms of the positivity rate, with hospitalizations climbing toward their highest numbers ever. Callahn said he hopes cases peak and then fall quickly, alleviating these challenges for schools. For now, all educators and students should have N95 masks and access to testing, Arconti said. In the meantime, doing the bare minimum right now is making sure everyone is as safe as humanely possible while in-person learning is taking place, he said. 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 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. WINSTED Since Connecticut took steps to legalize the sale and use of various types of cannabis, including marijuana, towns like Winsted have been examining the impact of welcoming businesses focused on providing those products to their customers, whether they sell it, or grow it themselves. Members of the Planning & Zoning Commission discussed a draft ordinance change earlier this week and had more questions than answers for some of the concerns, such as how growers or manufacturers would be regulated if such a business were to move into town. They also tried to understand the states plan allowing retail marijuana shops based on population one for every 25,000 people and that towns can receive up to 3 percent of a shops sales to be used for specific community improvements and programs. Connecticut announced in early January that on Feb. 3 it will open its first 90-day application period for retailers and disproportionately impacted area cultivators. Application periods for other license types will open on a rolling basis. The state will also have multiple lotteries on an ongoing basis and will announce the number of licenses available ahead of each round. Dispensaries and producers that are already a part of the medical program will be exempt from the lottery and can apply for hybrid licenses that allow them to participate in both the medical and the recreational markets, under the new state law. Among the Winsted zoning commissioners this week were new alternate members Charlene Lavoie and Feliks Viner, along with Chairman George Closson, Vice Chairman Craig Sanden, Peter Marchand, Willard Platt and John Cooney. Winsted has a zoning regulation for a Marijuana Dispensary Facility, and the commission is adding wording for retail cannabis. Still River Dispensary on Winsted Road is a medical marijuana provider, which has been open for three years. There are no retail establishments selling marijuana. I went through this, and the only thing thats not in the regulation that I can see is to show what zones you can do certain things in, Closson said. I proposed keeping businesses in the town center zone (Main Street), the town gateway (Route 44, Winsted Road) and the industrial/innovation zone (the towns industrial park). Weve got potential on our Main Street, the huge flexibility of what can be done in the town gateway (area), and innovation zone, in case something comes up with the industrial part (of the cannabis) industry, growing it, things like that, he said. Lawmakers gave their final approval for the bill, An Act Concerning Responsible and Equitable Regulation of Adult-Use Cannabis, in June 2021, legalizing the sale and cultivation of marijuana for adults over 21. The legislation creates a structure for recreational marijuana markets and eliminates criminal convictions for certain marijuana-based offenses. Adults are allowed to have up to 1.5 ounces of marijuana with them, and up to 5 ounces in a locked container in their home or cars glove compartment or trunk. According to the bill, cities and towns can prohibit these businesses through local zoning ordinances, or restrict the location of retail establishments related to schools, churches and hospitals. Residents can also petition for a vote on whether a town should allow them. Zoning Enforcement Officer Pam Columbie said the towns existing ordinance doesnt include growers or manufacturers. You can get a license to grow and a license to sell, but if you dont have a license to transport it youre done, Viner said during the boards discussion. All the proposed retail and industrial and manufacturing uses for cannabis are regulated by the state. The commission is also waiting for the Board of Selectmen to give them guidance on the local ordinance. Closson sent a letter this week to Town Manager Josh Kelly, requesting input and direction from the selectmen. We need guidance before we start this (process to have the ordinance approved), Closson said. Before we send it to the Council of Governments and the state, we need to hear from them; so far we havent. So for now, we can leave the regulation where it is, and make the changes weve talked about. Once we hear from the Board of Selectmen, well start the formal process. Marchand and the rest of the board agreed. We need input from the selectmen, to know what their wishes are, Marchand said. We shouldnt be in the forefront on this, they should, Closson said. Im sure (the selectmen) are going to have a public hearing to discuss the issue. I dont see us pushing the cart down the street on this one. Well put our cannabis file down now, and wait. Closson reminded the commission that if the town receives the 3 percent local tax payment, the moneys uses are very specific. Theres a Municipal Authority Impact Overview, that shows how the money can be used, he said. Right now, it can be used for streetscape improvements where the retail is located, youth employmet and training programs, services and support (for people getting out of prison), mental health and addiction services, and community servies. There are people who think we can put it to our highways and sidewalks, but we cant. Support local journalism We are making critical coverage of the coronavirus available for free. Please consider subscribing so we can continue to bring you the latest news and information on this developing story. This weekend, anglers can fish state waters where there is an open season. All other fishing regulations apply, such as limits on the number and size of fish you can keep and any seasons when you must release certain fish species. After NATO-Russia Council [NRC] held the crucial second of the three dialogues scheduled between Western powers and Moscow on Wednesday, Jan. 12 to discuss Russian draft treaties, and defuse tensions over the Ukrainian crisis, the Kremlin earlier yesterday indicated that the key negotiations had no meaningful breakthroughs. The meeting was convened in Brussels for the first time since July 2019. Despite at least 4-hour of discussions, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg warned that the risk for armed conflict in Europe was real" and that during the key dialogue between Moscow and at least 30 NATO members, which wasnt easy, no gaps were bridged. Todays meeting of the #NATO#Russia Council is underway. It is a timely opportunity for dialogue at a critical moment for European security. When tensions are high, it is even more important that we sit down around the same table and address our concerns. pic.twitter.com/Ek8ey05aGL Jens Stoltenberg (@jensstoltenberg) January 12, 2022 Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko echoed similar disgruntled sentiments as he declared that the NATO-Russia talks have no room for a common positive agenda which had previously existed. He emphasised that the NATO and Western alliance clearly demonstrated that talks had hit a deadlock with their recent diplomatic spat creating hurdles in the implementation of the Russian draft treaties. According to Grushko, Moscow had noticed a "reversal to the old NATO which is aimed at deterring Russia and undermining its regional security. "We support peaceful solutions based on reasonable balance," Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko told a press conference after the meeting. He lambasted NATO and Western powers for striving to "contain Russia" and gain "superiority." "I think we [Russia] managed to make it clear to NATO members that the situation is becoming intolerable for us," he warned after the consultation, accusing NATO of "unfriendly" actions. Watch LIVE as Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman @DeputySecState talks to members of the press at @NATO HQ about the NATO-Russia Council that was held today. https://t.co/ezf32P65Vw US Mission to NATO (@USNATO) January 12, 2022 NATO, Russia had 'many disagreements', very unpredictable and dire consequences for European security: Russia Deputy FM Russia-NATO Council talk was open and direct, Grushko said, according to Russias state-affiliated news agencies. He categorically stressed that the two sides had many disagreements despite that Moscow spoke candidly, directly and without politically correct formulas with NATO about the possible outcomes for the European security in case of a further deterioration of an already heated up situation. Russian officials derided NATO's expanding military presence in Eastern European countries, as he said: "The expansion does not resolve the issue of security. The expansion just moves the division lines, not removes them." "We candidly, directly, without equivocating or using any politically correct formulas stressed [to NATO] that further escalation of the situation can result in very unpredictable and dire consequences for European security," Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko said at the press conference following the Russia-NATO Council in Brussels. 'We rejected those demands,' says NATO NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, meanwhile, told a press conference post the second round of consultations with Russia that the talks that happened for the first time in 2 years, marked a "defining moment for European security. The latter stressed that the dialogue focused on the situation in and around Ukraine, but it was a difficult and "direct" one, adding that the differences with Kremlin will not be easy to bridge. He, although, reiterated that it was a positive sign for all 30 NATO allies that sat down with Russia after two years. The NATORussia Council had a serious exchange on Russia's military build-up in & around #Ukraine & implications for European security. #NATO Allies & #Russia agreed to explore a schedule of future meetings. Allies are ready to table proposals & seek constructive outcomes. pic.twitter.com/dszyECAfGe Jens Stoltenberg (@jensstoltenberg) January 12, 2022 Both NATO and Russia stressed that there was a need of further dialogues, particularly on the arms control and missile deployment, and NATOs military deployment in Eastern Europe. The two sides also discussed about reestablishing offices in Brussels and Moscow, as both Russia and the alliance had shut offices and suspended mission during the October, 2021. The move was prompted after NATO expelled Russian diplomats over espionage allegations, which Kremlin retaliated. About the draft proposal outlining Russias security guarantees that were published last month, NATO said: We rejected those demands. Russia held the first round of dialogue with the US in Geneva on January 10, and the third round of talks are now scheduled at the OSCE Permanent Council in Vienna on January 13, where Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko and Deputy Defense Minister Alexander Fomin will represent Moscow. Intensifying their efforts against the ruling Imran Khan-led government, opposition parties are contemplating bringing a no-confidence motion against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI). According to News International, 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 in a bid to look at the option of a no-confidence motion against Pakistan PM Imran Khan. Addressing a press conference, flanked by the Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Shahbaz Sharif, Fazlur 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," he added. All-party session on January 25 Moreover, the Jamiat Ulema-e Islam chief also said that the long march announced against the ruling government has become inevitable. He said that the PDM will march towards the capital on March 23 to oust the PTI-led government. However, he also added that the long march plan will be finalised during the all-party session scheduled on January 25. "The government does not realize the grievances of the common man," Jamiat Ulema-e Islam chief said, adding: "We do not give Prime Minister Imran Khan and his government the right to re-colonize an independent state. Separately, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) chief spoke of the upcoming second phase of local government polls in Kyber Pakhtunkhwa. Speaking prior to Fazlur, PML-N leader Shahbaz Sharif stated that in the 74-year history of Pakistan, the PTI government is the most incompetent one to ever come to power. Sharif claimed that the nation is undergoing the most difficult period. He informed that during his meeting with the PDM leader Fazlur, he discussed a no-confidence motion against Imran Khan 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," PML-N Chief Shahbaz Sharif said. (Image: AP/Twitter) Afghanistan-based truck drivers have urged the Taliban government to take appropriate action against Iranian armed bandits. According to the truckers, armed people have robbed the transit trucks which have been used for transporting supplies from Iran to Afghanistan. It is to mention that hundreds of trucks travel between Afghanistan and Iran every day, exporting and importing essential goods, Tolo News reported. Truckers claimed that the armed individuals represent a huge security risk to drivers and others who import goods from Iran. Following the appeal of the truck drivers, Herat authorities stated they have discussed the issue with Iranian officials. The chief of the Herat customs, Mahajar Farahi stated, We have submitted all the problems--like the robbery of drivers--to the Iranian officials. The (Iran) side pledged to tackle the problems," ANI reported. Iranian official responded to the appeal of truckers Iranian authorities have promised to pursue the matter. Responding to the problems, Mohmmad Sadiq, Iran's consular officer in Heart said, We consider ourselves committed to legally investigating the complaints about the mistreatment of your (Afghan) nationals and drivers--that have a tremendous role in economic development between the two countries," Tolo News reported. Since hundreds of vehicles cross the border between Afghanistan and Iran every day, exporting and receiving goods, the truck drivers have expressed optimism that the current issues will be resolved soon, as per the Tolo News. Afghanistan and Iran established many committees to expand cooperation Last year in November, according to the Afghan Ministry of Finance, Afghanistan and Iran had established many committees to expand cooperation in the areas of economics, agriculture, railways, commerce, as well as investment. The two nations' committees were formed during a conference between Iran's special envoy to Afghanistan, Hassan Kazemi Qomi, and Taliban members in Afghanistan, Tolo News reported. Many things were decided and agreed upon during the conference, according to the report, which included the shipment of oil and flour to Afghanistan. It was also agreed that representatives from both countries would be selected. The assessment of the Khaf-Herat railway project was one of the other agreed terms by Afghanistan and Iran. In addition to this, the other agreed terms included agribusiness investment, the establishment of a joint chamber of commerce between Afghanistan and Iran, trade and business visas, and the resolution of fuel problems. (Image: AP/ Representative Image) United Nations on Wednesday revoked right to vote of at least eight countries, including Iran, Venezuela, and Sudan due to the unpaid dues. In a letter dispatched by the United Nations [UN] Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to the General Assembly, the UN announced that the voting rights of a total of 11 countries that are behind their payment have been suspended with immediate effect. The other nations include Antigua and Barbuda, the Republic of Congo, Guinea, Papua New Guinea, and Vanuatu. Member of the United Nations which is in arrears in the payment of its financial contributions to the Organization shall have no vote in the General Assembly if the amount of its arrears equals or exceeds the amount of the contributions due from it for the preceding two full years, the letter by the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres read. Voting rights scrapped in compliance with Article 19: UN [Credit: UN] In a press update on Jan. 12, the UN General Assembly of the United Nations said that the defaulting nations voting rights have been scrapped in compliance with Article 19 of the Charter of the United Nations, which clearly states that member states in arrears in the payment of its dues in an amount that equals or exceeds the contributions due for two preceding years can lose its vote in the General Assembly. These countries will no longer have a say in crucial matters in the 193-member General Assembly. The minimum payments that these nations need to pay to the UN to restore voting rights are $18,412,438 for Iran, $39,850,761 for Venezuela, and $299,044 for Sudan. And the other five other countries can pay less than $75,000 to restore their voting rights. In some cases, as the UN outlined, the member states are given exemptions if they prove or show that the conditions in their respective countries are beyond control which may have, in turn, contributed to this inability to pay. These exemptions, though, did not apply to these nations mentioned on the UNs list as of Jan. 12 according to Secretary-General Antonio Guterres letter. The UN also generated the list of readjusted, minimum payments necessary to reduce the amounts owed by those Member States on their contributions so that they remain below the gross amount assessed for the preceding two full years2020 and 2021. The UN General Assembly exercises the authority to decide "that the failure to pay is due to conditions beyond the control of the member," and in which case, they can still continue to vote. At least three African countries on the list of nations in arrears namely Comoros, Sao Tome and Principe, and Somalia will still be able to keep voting rights. Iran has lost its UN voting right for the second time, the first time being in January 2021 when it defaulted on the payment. Iran a two-time defaulter The Islamic Republic, however, was able to get its right back in June 2021 after paying minimum dues as it lambasted the United States former President Trump for slapping sanctions linked to the unilateral withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear deal. Iran accused the US of its financial woes and blamed Washingtons imposing crippling sanctions that battered its economy during the global coronavirus pandemic. At the time, the Iranian leader Hassan Rouhani told the UN that US sanctions have prevented the country from accessing billions of dollars in foreign banks as its assets were frozen. The payment was made with the assistance of the other countries banking systems and government officials including South Korea, whom the UN deputy spokesman Farhan Haq thanked exceedingly. Villagers living near Ta Kream Mountain say the government is failing to protect Cambodias natural resources. Satellite images in sequence, dating from 2014, 2017, 2019, 2020 and October 2021, that show changes in the landscape at Ta Kream mountain in Cambodia. Chinese and Vietnamese companies are grinding Cambodias Ta Kream Mountain into gravel, ruining its natural beauty and causing respiratory problems for area residents, villagers told RFA. Environmental activists and villagers told RFA that the mountain, in the northwestern province of Battambang, is being systematically destroyed to support a construction boom within the province and in the capital Phnom Penh. The Banna district in Battambang once counted 31 mountains within its borders that had became popular tourist attractions, some of which were home to ancient temples. A few of the mountains were destroyed by development in 2013. Now Ta Kream and several other nearby peaks are at risk of falling to the same fate. Residents of Ta Kream village have petitioned local authorities to stop the companies, both for environmental and health reasons. Several residents said they have developed respiratory problems from the large amounts of dust the gravel operations kick up. I am so sad because we could be having wild vegetables and mushrooms but now the forest-covered mountains have become deserts, a villager, who declined to be named for security reasons, told RFAs Khmer Service. He said the gravel operations are destroying wildlife habitats, as well as the identity of the villagers. In December, a group of villagers protested and blocked a road in an effort to stop the gravel mining. They have also appealed to authorities to step in. But so far local officials have sided with developers, charging some protesters with incitement, the source said. Other villagers told RFA that the four gravel companies Heng Chat Construction, Nim Meng Group, and the Tang Thailong and Thy Long companies are likely operating without licenses, because the local authorities tried to hide information and ignored their health concerns. But Soeum Bunrith, a spokesman for the province, told RFA that the gravel companies were all licensed and had performed environmental impact studies. The companies have also constructed many local buildings and a highway to Phnom Penh, the spokesman said. He however acknowledged that the companies have negatively impacted the environment and the livelihood of the people and promised that the authorities would not ignore these issues. We have studied the villagers complaints and educated the investors, he said. Any development will impact local communities, so the companies must find ways to protect the environment and the peoples livelihood if they want to sustain their businesses. Gravel companies have been exploiting Cambodias mountains for two decades with little transparency, Phoung Keo Raksmey, an environmentalist, told RFA. The government should have been responsible back then, she said, adding that it is the governments duty to protect the mountains. I have observed that the central and local government have supported these kinds of businesses. I hope they will wake up and protect our natural resources, she said. RFA was unable to reach Ministry of Environment spokesman Neth Peaktra for comment. The government should take tougher measures to protect natural resources, and resolve the villagers concerns, Heng Kimhong, head of the research and advocacy program of the Cambodian Youth Network, told RFA. How much revenue from the mountains exploitation goes to the government and the local community? he said. There should be transparency before these peoples lives are impacted. Cambodias natural resources are being destroyed due to government negligence and corruption, Soeung Seng Karuna, spokesman for the Cambodian Human Rights and Development Association, told RFA. I urge the authorities to reconsider this case because the issues impact villagers. Authorities should protect natural resources and our forests, he said. Translated by Samean Yun. Written in English by Eugene Whong. The move comes amid ruling party concerns over the Candlelight Party's growing popularity ahead of local elections. Authorities in Cambodia are ordering an opposition party to remove a sign from a public road, sparking accusations of political bias in favor of the Cambodian Peoples Party whose leader Hun Sen has ruled Cambodia for more than 35 years. The move by officials in central Cambodias Tboung Khmum province reflects CPP concern over the growth of the Candlelight Party, which has been working since November to prepare for local elections scheduled for June 5, party activist Sou Yean told RFA on Wednesday. Sou Yean said he has refused orders from authorities in Tboung Khmums Dambaer district to take down his partys sign. All political parties have equal rights, said the activist, a former member of the now-banned Cambodia National Rescue Party who was recently released from prison. Provincial deputy governor Keng Bunna denied accusations of political bias in ordering the signs removal, saying its placement at the side of a public road had led to complaints from villagers living nearby. Even though the sign was put up in a public space, it might interfere with traffic, Keng Bunna said. Candlelight Party members should consult with authorities in the future over where their signs can be placed, he said. They need to coordinate this with the authorities so we can make sure their signs dont affect the flow of traffic. We dont restrict the activities of any political parties, he added. Sou Yean said however that his party had informed local authorities about the installation of its sign according to legal requirements, and that the signs placement did not interfere with traffic flows. The Candlelight Party will continue its activities in spite of authorities pressure and intimidations, he said. Kang Savang, a monitor with the Committee for Free and Fair Elections in Cambodia (Comfrel) said that opposition parties in Cambodia have frequently been blocked in their attempts to put up signs advertising their partys presence and activities. It isnt right for the authorities to refuse permission. Instead, they should work to find compromises so they dont engage in political discrimination, he said. The Candlelight Party was formerly known as the Sam Rainsy Party, whose leader merged the group with other opposition forces to form the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP). Cambodias Supreme Court dissolved the CNRP in November 2017 in a move that allowed Prime Minister Hun Sens Cambodian Peoples Party to win all 125 seats in Parliament in a July 2018 election. The ban came two months after the arrest of Kem Sokha, president of the CNRP, who faces trial on treason charges this month. Hun Sens crackdown on the opposition and civil society drew U.S. sanctions and the suspension of trade privileges with the European Union. Reported by RFAs Khmer Service. Translated by Samean Yun. Written in English by Richard Finney. Hong Kong political artist Kacey Wong is planning a new exhibition on the the democratic island of Taiwan, where he has described himself as "exiled" during a citywide crackdown on political opposition and public dissent under a draconian national security law imposed by Beijing. "I will be launching an art exhibition in March in [the city of] Tainan," Wong said via his Twitter account on Jan. 8. Wong, whose political performance art has included works referencing the 1989 Tiananmen massacre and pro-democracy movement, Chinese censorship, and the national anthem law banning any disrespect to the Chinese national anthem in Hong Kong, says his next work will combine elements of traditional culture and current fears over the Chinese Communist Party (CCP)'s growing military threats against Taiwan. "[I will be] creating a dragon missile launching system, combining local beliefs and military tension into one, to vanguard freedom and democracy of Taiwan with art!" Wong tweeted. Wong confirmed he had left Hong Kong for Taiwan in August, joining a growing wave of migrants seeking a democratic society in which they can express themselves freely without political constraint. He said his departure was prompted by the arrests of 47 opposition politicians and pro-democracy activists for "subversion" under the national security law for taking part in a democratic primary in the summer of 2020. Wong has also been denounced by the CCP-run Ta Kung Pao newspaper. Denunciations in state media are increasingly a precursor to arrest under the national security law or illiberal, colonial-era laws relating to sedition and public assembly. A graduate in architecture and sculpture from schools in New York, London and Australia, Wong is a former assistant professor at the Hong Kong Polytechnic's School of Design. His work became popular during the 2019 protest movement, which started as a series of mass popular protests against plans to allow the extradition of alleged criminal suspects to face trial in mainland China, and broadened to include demands for fully democratic elections and greater official accountability. At the start of the protest movement, he pushed around a "mobile prison" installation on the streets labelled with a sign "HKCN." He also took to the streets on June 3, 2019, the 30th anniversary of the Tiananmen massacre, playing the Chinese national anthem, the March of the Volunteers, as a sad lament on the accordion. Earlier work has included tying himself up in red string to protest the disappearances of Causeway Bay booksellers Lee Bo and Lam Wing-kei, who emigrated to Taiwan in 2019, warning that the mainland Chinese authorities would soon pursue dissidents in Hong Kong despite promising to guarantee the city's freedoms, a prediction that has proved accurate since the national security law took effect. Wong's last piece of performance art in Hong Kong was on July 1, 2020, amid street protests on the first day that the national security law took effect. He walked the streets dressed like a tourist from mainland China toting shopping bags labeled with a selection of crimes under the national security law. "It was pretty awful because the police had blocked off every street and were throwing pepper bombs randomly, so the smell was everywhere," Wong told RFA in an interview in September 2021. "That was the last political performance art I did as part of an actual demonstration." Continues to speak out Wong has continued to speak out on Hong Kong politics. He recently quipped on Twitter that the most powerful party in the city's new Legislative Council (LegCo), chosen under new rules ensuring that only "patriots" pre-approved by a government-backed committee could run in last month's elections, was the "Birthday Party," referring to a mass gathering of pro-CCP political figures and lawmakers at a scandalous party that resulted in a cluster of COVID-19 cases, compulsory mass quarantine and the wrath of Beijing. "For me, everything that happened in Hong Kong is actually a kind of war, a war of culture, censorship and white terror spreading across every social class," Wong told RFA. "Hong Kong people have said before that the red lines in life keep moving, but they're more of a red sea." "The truth is that there are no lines," Wong said. "The lines are drawn when they say you broke the law, and then they are moved to a different point after that." "Teachers don't know how to teach any more because their students might make a complaint about them," he said. "A lot of people are changing their names and deleting photos on Facebook." "People just talk quietly among their friends now, while before people in Hong Kong could sit down for dimsum and talk and laugh about anything and everything," Wong said. Wong appreciates his new environment. "The skies here are much bigger, because everyone in Hong Kong lives in high-rise buildings, 30-stories, 60-stories high, so you can only see a small amount of sky from the street." "My intention in leaving wasn't to leave Hong Kong behind, but to switch to a different battlefield," Wong said. "That's how I see it." He still feels a strong sense of exile, too. "I didn't leave Hong Kong. Hong Kong left me," Wong said. "If I want Hong Kong to survive, it has to be hidden away inside me." "But I'll live as a Hongkonger wherever I am." Translated and edited by Luisetta Mudie. The Chinese South china Sea claims are by far the largest, covering up to 90 percent of the sea. UPDATED at 8:35 A.M. on 2022-01-14 The U.S. State Department has issued its most comprehensive study yet on Chinas sweeping maritime claims in the South China Sea and concludes that they amount to an unlawful claim to most of the disputed waterway and gravely undermine the rule of law. The 47-page Limits in the Seas report, released on Wednesday, also states that Chinas claim to historic rights over the South China Sea is unlawful a finding that concurs with the decision of the 2016 international arbitration tribunal in a case brought by the Philippines. China, which has ignored the tribunal, has been engaged in territorial disputes with five other claimants in the South China Sea. The Chinese claims are by far the largest, covering up to 90 percent of the sea. These claims, especially considering their expansive geographic and substantive scope, gravely undermine the rule of law in the oceans and numerous universally recognized provisions of international law reflected in the Convention (on the Law of the Sea or UNCLOS), the State Department report says. In the report, the U.S. reiterates its call for the Peoples Republic of China (PRC) to conform its maritime claims to international law and to comply with the decision of the tribunal, as well as to cease its unlawful and coercive activities in the South China Sea. Beijing insists that it holds historical rights to most of the South China Sea and has declared the arbitration tribunals ruling null and void. It also points out that the U.S. is not a signatory of UNCLOS, which China ratified in 1996. "China sets great store by the Convention and earnestly observes the Convention in a rigid and responsible manner. The U.S. refuses to join the Convention, but styles itself as a judge," said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin. "Such political manipulation is irresponsible and undermines international rule of law," he told a news conference in Beijing Thursday. "Our sovereignty and relevant rights and interests in the South China Sea are established in the long course of history and are in line with the UN Charter, UNCLOS and other international law," added Wang. The U.S. report, which examines four categories of maritime claims made by China, is one of a series issued by the State Departments Office of Ocean and Polar Affairs, Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs on maritime claims by different countries. Its really well-argued, based on the latest information from Chinese sources, said Bill Hayton, a well-known South China Sea scholar. It doesnt change the U.S. position in any way but it gives everyone who follows developments in the South China Sea a really good set of data points on which to base their discussions, he added. Fiery Cross Reef in the disputed Spratly Islands, pictured in an Aug. 20, 2021, satellite image. It is one of the major bases China has built on disputed features in the South China Sea. Credit: Planet Labs. Historical rights The U.S. position has always been that it doesnt take side in the dispute about which country has sovereignty over the islands in the South China Sea. The new study examines only the maritime claims asserted by the PRC and does not examine the merits of sovereignty claims to islands in the South China Sea asserted by the PRC or other States. However, the findings show that "the overall effect of these maritime claims is that the PRC unlawfully claims sovereignty or some form of exclusive jurisdiction over most of the South China Sea. In recent years, China has been developing artificial islands and stepping up military presence to reinforce its sovereignty claims despite concerns and protests from neighboring countries. The new report builds on a previous U.S. analysis of Chinas so-called nine-dash line that encircles most of the South China Sea and serves as the basis for the claim to historical rights in the sea. The idea of 'historic rights' in the South China Sea was invented by Professor Kuen-Chen Fu and other nationalist 'New Party' politicians in Taiwan in the late 1980s and 1990s, explained Hayton, adding that it was then incorporated into Chinas legal framework. China also claimed that its nine-dash line is a successor to the U-shaped line map issued by the Republic of China government, based in Taiwan, in 1947. But Taiwan, despite being a claimant, does not recognize the nine-dash line used by China to claim historical rights in the South China Sea, said Chung-Ting Huang, a research fellow at the Taiwanese Institute for National Defense and Security Research. Taiwan and China are not on the same page about the definition of the nine-dash line, Huang said. Noting that China has not provided any additional information about the substantive content of this historical rights claim, the Limits in the Seas report said the claim is inconsistent with international law and the international community, including littoral states of the South China Sea, has made clear that it rejects the PRCs historic rights claim. Other maritime claims Besides historic rights, three other categories of claims examined in the State Departments report are sovereignty claims over maritime features; straight baselines; and maritime zones. Baselines are demarcation lines connecting the outermost points of the features of archipelago that are meant to circumscribe the territory that belongs to it. China claims sovereignty over more than 100 features in the South China Sea that are submerged by water during high tide. Beijing has been drawing straight baselines around four groups of scattered islands in order to claim ownership of everything within those baselines. Analyzing each of those claims using UNCLOS, the report said that Chinas expansive maritime claims are plainly inconsistent with international law. The United States and numerous other states have rejected these claims in favor of the rules-based international maritime order within the South China Sea and worldwide, it concluded. A North Korean missile test is shown in a photo taken on Jan. 11, 2022 and released by North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on Jan. 12, 2022. The US Treasury Department on Wednesday announced sanctions on five North Korean nationals living abroad for allegedly helping to supply the countrys ballistic missile and weapons of mass destruction programs. The move follows Tuesdays launch by Pyongyang of a hypersonic missile, the second launch in less than a week and one of six tests carried out by North Korea since last year in defiance of multiple U.N. Security Council resolutions. The new sanctions target North Koreas continued use of overseas representatives to illegally procure goods for weapons, Brian E. Nelson, under secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, said in a statement Wednesday. The DPRKs latest missile launches are further evidence that it continues to advance prohibited programs despite the international communitys calls for diplomacy and denuclearization, Nelson said. Named in the sanctions announced on Wednesday were Russia-based North Korean national Choe Myong Hyon and four North Koreans living in China: Sim Kwang Sok, Kim Song Hun, Kang Chol Hak, and Pyon Kwang Chol. As a result of todays action, all property and interests in property of the individuals and entities that are in the United States or in the possession or control of U.S. persons must be blocked and reported to OFAC, the Treasury Department said, referring to the departments Office of Foreign Assets Control. Foreign financial institutions or individuals facilitating or engaging in prohibited transactions with the designated individuals may themselves face U.S. action, the Treasury Department said. Desperate for relief from international sanctions over its nuclear and weapons programs, Pyongyang has been stepping up pressure on Washington and South Korea over denuclearization talks that have stalled since the failed Hanoi Summit between leaders of the U.S. and North Korea in February 2019. North Koreas fragile economy has been laid low by border closures and the suspension of trade with China since January 2020 to prevent the spread of the coronavirus pandemic. Pyongyang also faces strict trade sanctions imposed by the U.S. as well as the U.N. Security Council over its multiple nuclear and missile tests. Sanctions' effectiveness questioned Speaking to RFA, Bruce W. Bennett an adjunct international/defense researcher at the RAND Corporation said that North Korea is clearly receiving support for its missile and weapons programs from outside the country. And part of the way it gets that assistance is by having some of its people operating overseas and acquiring technology from companies that are more interested in profit than in national loyalty and following the rules," Bennett said. "And so as a result, the course of action the U.S. has to take is to sanction those individuals, and to try to reduce the potential of that kind of thing continuing. The question now is how successful these sanctions are likely to be, Bennett said. And thats very difficult to predict, he said. Its a little hard to try to get this kind of activity under control. Ken Gause, a North Korea expert at the Center for Naval Analyses, agreed. "There's nothing really you can do to hold [North Korea] accountable. We put up about as much pressure as we can," he said. "China's not playing ball, Russia's not playing ball. As long as they're not playing ball any sanctions are really going to fall flat." "But if you were going to want to actually try something that may get you a different answer than just lobbing on more pressure, it's to do something very different, which is to figure out a way that you can entice North Korea into freezing their program," Gause said. "And that means some sort of carrots, not just sanctions." Written by Richard Finney with additional reporting by Hye Jun Seo of RFAs Korean Service. Company officials say that cars have sat for months as even used tires are hard to come by. A shortage of tires in North Korea is forcing many of the nations motor vehicles off the road, crippling the ability of some companies to carry out normal business operations, company officials in the country told RFA. Automobiles are a relatively rare sight on the northern half of the Korean peninsula, especially outside of the capital Pyongyang. Even there, usually only the wealthy elites own cars. Most of the motor vehicles in the country are attached to either the military or to state-owned companies. The shortage is yet another effect of a two-year-long border closure and trade ban with China due to the coronavirus. Sources said domestic production of tires is negligible and importing tires has been almost impossible. New tires are very rare and even used tires are hard to find, an administrative official at a transportation company in the northeastern province of North Hamgyong, who requested anonymity for security reasons, told RFAs Korean Service on Jan. 9. Tire shortages have occurred in the past, but it is extremely difficult to find them these days, just like it was during the Arduous March, the source said, referring to the 1994-1998 North Korean famine and economic collapse which killed millions of people. The source said that two of the four cars owned by his company cannot be used due to the tire shortage. Drivers will use the same tires until the treads are worn out and shiny, so it has become the norm to re-use punctured or torn tires by putting a small piece of an old tire tube over them. Sometimes they have to be put in at an angle because the tires they are using are either larger or smaller than the vehicles specifications, the source said. I have never seen new tires produced locally. Since international trade is stopped due to the border closure, it has become difficult to import used tires, said the source. The ban has become problematic for many North Korean drivers who use their vehicles for supplemental jobs in the countrys nascent market economy, the source said. They can no longer drive their cars to earn a little extra income because they dont have tires. At a company in Hongwon county in nearby South Hamgyong province, a 2.5-ton truck has been grounded since the fall because its tires are worn out, an official from the company told RFA Jan. 10. Due to a fuel shortage a long time ago, the vehicle was converted to run on wood charcoal fuel. We only used it a little bit, only when it was absolutely necessary. But these days even if you have charcoal, you still cant drive it because the tires are worn out, said the second source, who requested anonymity for security reasons. Drivers these days can make money by driving their company cars as they wish, and they pay for tires and parts by themselves. They sometimes even provide their own charcoal when they need to, but now they cant because they cant find tires, the second source said. The second source said the companys policy on after-hours use has kept many of the companys vehicles in commission until now. The cars would have been out of service long ago if it were not up to the drivers to maintain them. Among the other businesses in the province that have been supplied with cars like we have, many have already disposed of their vehicles, the second source said. Only the most profitable companies, like the fisheries, have enough money to keep their vehicles running, the second source said. Ultimately, things are more difficult for most companies because without tires there is no choice but to park the vehicles. This makes life harder for their workers. Translated by Claire Lee. Written in English by Eugene Whong. Abduqahar and Ablikim Eziz were home only a few days before authorities picked them up again. A building officially called a vocational skills education center, but believed to be a detention facility for Muslim Uyghurs, is seen in Hotan, northwestern China's Xinjiang region, Sept. 7, 2018. Two Uyghur brothers detained in a Xinjiang internment camp for four years before being released in August 2021 were rearrested just a week later and are now being forced to work in factories, local officials and a Uyghur in exile who has knowledge of the situation said. The brothers from Lop (in Chinese, Luopu) county in Hotan (Hetian) prefecture were held in a camp in the countys Sampul village, said the Uyghur source, who is also from Lop. Authorities arrested Eziz Abdulla, a farmer living in the villages Aydinkol hamlet, along with his two sons, Abduqahar Eziz and Ablikim Eziz, for illegal gatherings while they were watering their crops in a field in 2017, the source said. At that time, from January to March of 2017, not only the father and sons, but also 20 percent of the other residents of the village were taken to the re-education camps for illegal religious activities and illegal gatherings, and spreading harmful information, the Uyghur in exile said. Chinas network of re-education camps is believed to have held up to 1.8 million members of the mostly Muslim minority group and other Turkic minorities since 2017. Many detainees are forced to work in factories in Xinjiang or elsewhere in China. Government officials say the camps are vocational training centers to purportedly prevent religious extremism and terrorism in the region. Four months after Eziz Abdullas arrest, his wife, Tursungul Mettomur, received a verdict letter stating that her husband had been sentenced to 13 years in prison. Many other residents of the neighborhood received similar prison sentences, without legal due process, the Uyghur in exile said. A year later, Tursungul learned that her two sons, one in his 30s and the other in his mid-20s, were in a training center, the Uyghur source said. The woman was able to communicate with her sons via videoconferencing and eagerly counted the days until their release. She had found a woman for her younger son to marry and agreed with the fiances parents on future wedding arrangements. In August 2021, local police told Tursungul that her two sons were going to be released, the Uyghur source said. But just a week after they were freed, police apprehended both sons again, without explanation. The younger one was arrested while he and his mother were planning his wedding with his future in-laws. The police told Tursungul where her two sons would be taken but advised her not to disclose information on their whereabouts, the Uyghur source said. Officers also warned her that if she disobeyed their order, her husband would serve a longer prison sentence than the one he had received. As a result, Tursungul did not tell anyone, including the future in-laws, where her sons had been taken, the Uyghur source said. With the two sons gone again, Tursungul, her older sons wife, and two grandchildren continued their family life without any male presence in their home, the Uyghur source said. A womens affairs director in Sampul initially told RFA that all so-called trainees in the village had been released. But after an RFA reporter mentioned the names of detainees, including Abduqahar and Ablikim Eziz, the local official said they were in the training center in Lop or in prison in Ghulja (Yining), a city in far northern Xinjiang near Kazakhstan. She was unable to provide further information about the two disappeared brothers. A police officer in Sampul village confirmed the information RFA had received about the two brothers and said they had been sent to Lop and Kashgar, which is also in Xinjiang, to perform forced labor. The two sons were released from training, and now they are working by government arrangement in factories in Lop and Kashgar, he said. The police officer also confirmed that their father, Eziz Abdulla, had been sentenced to 13 years in prison four months after his arrest and was serving a sentence in Tumshuq, a city in the western part of Xinjiang. The release and then rearrest of Uyghurs is not uncommon in Xinjiang. In earlier RFA reports, Uyghurs released from the re-education camps were only home for a couple of days before they were apprehended again and taken to forced labor sites. In one instance, authorities sent three youths who had completed training in Imamlirim village in Uchturpan (Wushi) county in Aksu (Akesu) prefecture to a factory after they had been home for only one night. They were told that they would not be allowed to return except for festivals. Translated by the Uyghur Service. Written in English by Roseanne Gerin. Hungary will offer a fourth COVID-19 vaccine shot to people who ask for it, after conferring with a doctor. Anyone can get a fourth coronavirus jab based on a consultation with a doctor," said Gergely Gulyas, Prime Minister Viktor Orban's chief of staff, on January 13. On January 12, Denmark became the first EU member state to offer a fourth shot to its most vulnerable citizens. Israel and Chile are also offering fourth shots. Hungary is experiencing a fifth wave of infections driven by the highly contagious omicron variant. Early data from multiple countries show the variant causes less severe illness and fewer hospitalizations and deaths compared to delta, especially among the vaccinated. Gulyas said the government does not expect a rapid increase in hospitalizations and deaths despite expectations that infections will likely hit all-time highs. New COVID-19 infections jumped to 9,216 on January 13 from 7,883 the previous day, but the number of patients treated in hospital declined. In Hungary, 40,164 people have died of COVID-19. Just over six million Hungarians have received at least two shots, and 3.3 million have also received a third booster, out of a population of 9.8-million. Based on reporting by AFP and Reuters Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch (HRW) have urged Kazakh authorities to respect human rights after detaining thousands amid anti-government rallies that turned deadly in the former Soviet republic's largest city, Almaty, last week. Kazakh officials have said that almost 10,000 people were arrested across the country after protests over a sharp hike in the price of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) in the remote western region of Manghystau spread all the way to Almaty. The unrest escalated and turned deadly as security forces battled against some in the streets who allegedly attacked police, captured and torched government buildings, and looted shops. In its World Report 2022 issued on January 13, HRW said that Kazakh authorities "have failed to prioritize protecting human rights during the countrys current crisis, and should urgently cancel any order to shoot to kill without warning and uphold the rights of those in detention." With dozens, perhaps hundreds killed and thousands in detention, the human rights concerns over the crisis in Kazakhstan are acute and need to be urgently addressed, HRW's Europe and Central Asia director, Hugh Williamson, said. The global spotlight is on authorities in Kazakhstan to show that they respect peoples basic human rights. Kazakhstan should be transparent about the recent events, investigate abuses by government forces, and hold those responsible accountable. A day earlier, Amnesty International demanded that Kazakhstan immediately release journalists and activists arrested during and after the unprecedented protests in the oil-rich Central Asian nation. Amnesty said that individuals who did not commit internationally recognized crimes but were arrested arbitrarily and for violating Kazakhstans controversial law on public gatherings must be also released immediately. The rights group also called on Kazakh authorities to conduct thorough and unbiased investigations into all reported human rights violations during the protests, including cases where police are accused of using deadly weapons against peaceful demonstrators. The exact number of protesters killed during the unrest remains unknown, although Kazakh authorities have said that at least 18 law enforcement officers were killed. A Telegram-channel affiliated with the Kazakh government said on January 10 that 164 civilians died during the unrest, but the Health Ministry said later that the figure was not true and was mistakenly published due to a technical malfunction. "The silence of authorities regarding the exact number of victims from the unrest and the circumstances of their deaths is outrageous. The information about victims among the civilian population must be revealed immediately," Marie Struthers, Amnesty Internationals director for Eastern Europe and Central Asia, said. During the protests, Kazakh authorities switched off the Internet and restricted mobile-phone operations for five days. Kazakh President Qasym-Zhomart Toqaev blamed rights activists and independent journalists for "inciting" the protests, which led to the arrest of several reporters in different towns and cities across the country. Some reporters are still said to be missing. "Authorities must restore unlimited access to the Internet, unblock all other forms of communication, and stop repressing those who collect and share information. During a crisis, independent information has a decisive impact," Struthers said. Officials in Kazakhstan said earlier this week that order has been restored in most of Kazakhstan. Toqaev requested help from the Russian-led Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) as the protests spread on January 5. The CSTO quickly sent more than 2,000 troops to Kazakhstan, mainly Russian soldiers, but also small contingencies from CSTO member states Belarus, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Armenia. On January 13, CSTO troops began withdrawing from Kazakhstan in a process authorities have said will last 10 days. NUR-SULTAN -- Troops from the Russia-led Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) have begun to withdraw from Kazakhstan after being called in to help stabilize the Central Asian nation following deadly unrest sparked by a fuel price hike amid an apparent standoff with loyalists of former President Nursultan Nazarbaev. The "collective peacekeeping forces...are starting to prepare equipment and materiel for loading into the planes of the military transport aviation of the Russian aerospace forces and returning to the points of permanent deployment," said a Russian Defense Ministry statement carried by Russian news agencies. The CSTO -- an alliance comprised of Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Armenia, and Tajikistan -- have said the pullout should take about 10 days to complete, though Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said on January 13 that it may take only seven days to finish. The CSTO troops arrived in Kazakhstan last week after President Qasym-Zhomart Toqaev declared a state of emergency on January 5 and asked the bloc for military assistance when the protests turned deadly, with security personnel and mobs clashing on city streets nationwide. The exact number of people killed in the violence remains unclear. Although the official death toll was announced as 164, Toqaev has said hundreds of civilians and security forces were killed and injured. 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 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 nation. Toqaev also fired the head of the countrys National Security Committee (KNB), longtime Nazarbaev ally Karim Masimov, and then had him arrested on a charge of high treason. Several other security officials were also detained. The KNB said in statement on January 13 that Masimov is being investigated for "actions aimed at forcibly seizing power." According to the statement, Masimov's former deputies, Daulet Erghozhin and Anuar Sadyqulov, have been also arrested in conjunction with the case. Toqaev sought to reassure citizens that he was working toward economic stability, ordering the central bank and the financial regulations agency to ensure foreign exchange market stability in order to build confidence in the local currency -- the tenge. With reporting by AFP and TASS The U.S. Senate is scheduled to vote this week on a bill sponsored by Senator Ted Cruz (Republican-Texas) to slap sanctions on the operators of the Nord Stream 2 natural-gas pipeline in Europe. Cruz struck a deal with Democrats last month to get a vote on the sanctions bill by January 14 in exchange for lifting his hold on dozens of President Joe Biden's ambassadorial nominations. Senator Jon Ossoff (Democrat-Georgia) said the vote would take place on January 13. Senate Democrats on January 12 unveiled rival legislation to impose sweeping sanctions on Russian government and military officials and key banking institutions if Moscow "escalates hostile action in or against Ukraine." The Democrats' bill would sanction Russia, including top Russian government and military officials and key banking institutions, if Moscow invades Ukraine. It also would expedite security assistance to Ukraine and bolster its defenses. Cruz's bill, which would need 60 votes to pass under the terms of the deal struck with Democrats, is not expected to garner enough support to advance. And if it passed, its prospects in the House of Representatives are uncertain. The senator has said sanctions are needed immediately to stop the project. His bill would slap sanctions on the pipeline within 15 days of passage and would impose sanctions regardless of whether Russia invades Ukraine and allow Congress to reinstate the sanctions should the president waive them. The $11 billion undersea pipeline, controlled by Russia's state gas company Gazprom, was completed in September after years of controversy but has not yet received regulatory approval from Germany. The Baltic Sea pipeline is set to double Russian gas supplies to Germany, which the EU's biggest economy says is needed to help it transition away from coal and nuclear energy. But critics say Nord Stream 2 will increase the EUs energy reliance on Russia, while enabling Moscow to reroute gas exports around Ukraine, depriving the country of billions of dollars a year in transit fees. Senator Robert Menendez (Democrat-New Jersey) on January 12 proposed the rival bill, which provides an alternative for Democrats who support sanctions on Nord Stream 2. "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. Menendez's bill also would seek public disclosure of assets held by President Vladimir Putin and his family in and outside Russia. It also would seek an estimate of the total annual income and personal expenditures of Putin and his family members from 2017-21. National Security Council spokeswoman Emily Horne said Cruz's bill to impose new sanctions over Nord Stream 2 regardless of whether Russia invades Ukraine removes the leverage that the threat of sanctions provides. We support Senator Menendezs legislation, which would trigger severe costs to Russias economy if Russia further invades Ukraine, just like President Biden and our allies and partners have made clear we will do, Horne said. With reporting by Reuters and AP When St Petersburg's Polytechnic University announced on December 20, 2021, that dozens of students in college accommodation had contracted COVID-19 and were self-isolating in a facility outside the city, the news immediately prompted fears that the omicron variant surging in the West since early December, and leading to rates of illness and hospitalization not seen for months, had finally taken hold in Russia. As relatives sought information, and the university failed to supply exact numbers of those who tested positive, it fell on independent sleuths to conclude that the majority of the cases could be attributed to the highly infectious new coronavirus variant. RFE/RL's Coronavirus Coverage Features and analysis, videos, and infographics explore how the COVID-19 pandemic is affecting the countries in our region. "Active spread [of omicron] has begun," Aleksandr Solovyov, a prominent Russian doctor and member of the Federation of Laboratory Medicine, wrote on Facebook on December 21. But a day after the incident, Anna Popova, the head of Russia's coronavirus task force, said that only 41 omicron cases had been discovered in the country, without clarifying if they had resulted from local spread or had been detected in arrivals from abroad. 'West-To-East Tidal Wave' Such confusion and contradictory information may harm Russia's preparedness as the country steels itself for what the World Health Organization (WHO) warns is a "west-to-east tidal wave" of omicron infections that will soon see half of Europe infected and may hit vaccine-skeptic populations like Russia's the hardest. "I am 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," Dr. Hans Kluge, the WHO's regional director for Europe, said at a news conference on January 11. In a meeting that same day, members of the Russian government's coronavirus task force warned that the country may soon see six-figure daily infection rates if social distancing and other precautionary measures aren't followed. "Russia finds itself at a turning point," Health Minister Mikhail Murashko said in comments carried by TASS. With stubbornly low vaccination rates despite rolling out the world's first approved coronavirus shot in August 2020, Russia is facing the likelihood of a surge in coming weeks as omicron cases rise. Despite evidence from multiple countries suggesting the fast-spreading omicron causes less severe illnesses than previous variants, the WHO has warned that the unvaccinated remain at high risk. Widespread Distrust According to Our World In Data, 47 percent of Russia's population has been fully vaccinated. That figure compares to 62 percent of the population in the United States and an average of 70 percent of the population across the countries of the European Union. And, according to the Russian government, only 5 percent of the population has received a booster shot. Sociologists and health experts say that widespread distrust toward the authorities has severely hobbled the vaccination drive and helped accelerate the rate of infections in Russia. The politicized rollout of the Sputnik V vaccine after its approval in August 2020, critics say, was not followed by an outreach campaign aimed at persuading weary Russians. No celebrities or senior officials have been vaccinated on camera, and the Kremlin announced only in March 2021 that Putin had received the first dose of a vaccine, without providing any video footage or saying which shot he had been given. Official statements have continued to add to the confusion. On January 11, coronavirus task force head Popova said that the country had confirmed 305 cases of omicron infection. But, according to an analysis by the Kommersant newspaper published two days before Popova's statement, sequencing data submitted by Russian health experts to international databases suggests that at least 32 percent of the more than 15,000 coronavirus cases recorded in the country each day are omicron. Murashko, the health minister, said on January 6 that the highly infectious variant is now spreading locally, despite the previous assurances that all new omicron cases had come from abroad. "Omicron has launched a new wave of the pandemic," the Rossia-24 state news channel declared on January 11 in a report that encouraged Russians to get vaccinated or receive booster shots to blunt the force of the new variant's spread, setting the tone for the TV reports that followed. Some have dismissed calls for concern. The first week of 2022 saw Russia record the lowest average daily case load since June 2021, prompting optimism as the country began an extended annual holiday following New Year's Eve celebrations. But distrust in official figures remains high amid evidence that they are regularly doctored, and experts insist Russia's omicron epidemic is yet to really begin. "If we see that omicron cases [in Western countries] are generally mild, we need to remember that those are countries where most older people are vaccinated," epidemiologist Vasily Vlasov told the Dozhd TV channel. "I certainly wouldn't assume that everything will pass as easily here. The first two weeks of this year have brought a reminder that Central Asias relationship with the Taliban authorities in Afghanistan are far from smooth and could potentially turn bad very quickly. The Tajik government does not communicate directly with the Taliban and made clear in August when the militants captured Kabul that until the Afghan government is inclusive -- meaning the large ethnic Tajik population is represented in government -- Dushanbe will not consider recognizing the Taliban as Afghanistan's legitimate government. That's one reason the Tajik border has been the tensest section of Afghanistans northern frontiers, as Dushanbe continues to say there are militants in northeastern Afghanistan that are a threat to Tajikistan. At a Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) summit on January 10, Tajik President Emomali Rahmon said: According to the Tajik intelligence services, the number of camps and training centers for terrorists bordering the southern borders of the CSTO in the northeastern provinces of Afghanistan totals more than 40, and their numerical strength is more than 6,000 militants. Rahmon also told the leaders of Russia, Belarus, Armenia, Kazakhstan, and the head of Kyrgyzstans cabinet of ministers taking part in the summit that "You and I know very well that since the second half of August 2021, thousands of members of [Islamic State], Al-Qaeda, [Jamaat] Ansarullah, Hizb ut-Tahrir, and other terrorist groups have been released from prisons in Afghanistan." Ansarullah is comprised mainly of Tajik citizens who have been fighting alongside the Taliban for years. The Taliban reportedly deployed some of the Ansarullah fighters to guard the border with Tajikistan, prompting Dushanbe to further strengthen its forces along the Afghan border. As for Rahmons latest claims of training camps and thousands of militants in northeastern Afghanistan, Bilal Karimi, the deputy spokesman for the Taliban, said, There is no such training center in any part of the country in which insurgents are being trained." Return Our Aircraft The Taliban also had a complaint of its own against Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Mawlawi Mohammad Yaqoob, the son of Taliban founder Mullah Omar and currently the militant groups defense minister, said on January 11 that the Taliban want the warplanes and helicopters in Tajikistan and Uzbekistan that escaping Afghan government forces flew to those two countries as the Taliban were moving on Kabul to be returned to the Taliban. Information from just before the Taliban took control of most of Afghanistan showed 46 or 47 Afghan warplanes and helicopters landed in the Uzbek border town of Termez, and two passenger and 16 military aircraft had flown to Tajikistan, though Tajik officials said only three Afghan planes and two helicopters were on its territory. A subsequent report suggested some of the helicopters have already been moved to the U.S. Air Forces bone yard, a huge parking lot for mothballed aircraft in the state of Arizona. Our planes that you have, that are in Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, must be returned to us, Yaqoob said. Yaqoob also warned Tajikistan and Uzbekistan not to test our patience and not to force us to take possible retaliatory steps to [reclaim the aircraft]. Tashkent Playing Nice Such talk has been going back and forth between Tajik authorities and the Taliban for months, but Uzbekistan has taken an entirely different and more amiable position toward the Taliban. Since the Taliban seizure of power, Tashkent has worked to keep cargo, including humanitarian aid, moving across the Uzbek-Afghan border and officials from the two sides -- from local leaders to foreign ministers -- have met to discuss issues of common interest. Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan have been supplying electricity to Afghanistan for years as part of deals reached with the Afghan government of 2001-2021. All three have said they would continue sending electricity to Afghanistan even though the Taliban admits it cannot pay for it now. But Afghan state power company Da Afghanistan Breshna Sherkat said in a statement on January 12 that Uzbekistan had reduced electricity exports to Afghanistan by 60 percent and that 16 Afghan provinces are facing shortages. Uzbek officials reportedly pointed to a technical problem at a substation as the reason for the reduction and said the electricity should return to its regular flow in two or three days. But Da Afghanistan Breshna Sherkat said on January 13 that full power had already been restored. Turkmen Beware? And recently a video was posted of Taliban fighters near Turkmenistans border showing off a Turkmen Army military belt they say was left behind by a Turkmen soldier who crossed into Afghanistan. One Taliban fighter said in Turkmen that the soldier had crossed the border with others to steal near the village of Qarqeen, in Afghanistans Jowzjan Province, which borders Turkmenistans Mary Province. But when they saw Taliban fighters in the area, the Taliban soldier claims, the intruders ran away and one dropped his belt. The Taliban fighter warns that neither he nor his associates will have sympathy for anyone who covets land or property in Afghanistan. This comes just a little more than a week since the Taliban said Turkmen border guards shot dead an Afghan citizen, and days later fired on Taliban fighters who came to investigate in the Khamyab district, to the west of Qarqeen in the Jowzjan Province. That exchange of fire reportedly lasted several hours, with Taliban fighters firing rockets at the Turkmen border guards. There were no reports of casualties. Though it is quite likely that none of the governments in Central Asia wanted to see the Taliban return to power, that is now the reality. The first days of 2022 are another reminder to the Central Asian states bordering Afghanistan that they are dealing with a militant group, not politicians. The URL has been copied to your clipboard The code has been copied to your clipboard. Iranian teachers took to the streets of more than 50 cities across Iran to demand better working conditions and pay. Amateur video posted on social media on January 13 showed teachers holding up pens and chanting for justice in nationwide protests. ASHGABAT -- Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov has ordered the National Security Ministry to impose further controls on the Internet in the tightly controlled Central Asian nation, which is already known for having the world's slowest and most expensive service. Berdymukhammedov said at a televised session of the State Security Council on January 12 that "control over the Internet had not been properly conducted in 2021." He ordered the National Security Ministry to focus more on people who post on social networks "ideas damaging to Turkmenistan's constitutional structures, actions that disrupt social order, and propagate terrorism, extremism, ultra-nationalism, and other illegal activities." Berdymukhammedov's orders come days after protests over gas price hikes in neighboring Kazakhstan led to deadly nationwide unrest and the removal of Kazakhstan's first president, Nursultan Nazarbaev, from the political scene. During the protests, Kazakh authorities switched off the Internet and restricted mobile-phone operations for five days. Berdymukhammedov has ruled his country with an iron fist, tolerating little dissent while shutting it off from the outside world amid an economic crisis that has pushed many of its citizens into poverty. The hard-line government in Ashgabat has stepped up control on people's access to information in recent years in an attempt to contain the message coming out of Turkmenistan about people's hardships, while also blocking any information coming from abroad that is critical of the Turkmen government. In December, the U.K.-based Cable.co.uk said in a report on worldwide broadband speed that Turkmenistan, with an average Internet speed of 0.50 megabits per second (Mbps), was the slowest of all 224 countries surveyed in 2021. In Turkmenistan, it took just over 22 hours and 34 minutes to download a movie file with a size of 5 gigabytes. A third round of talks in Europe in a week aimed at defusing tensions between Russia and the West appears to have ended in deadlock, with neither side budging on their core positions in tense diplomacy seeking to avoid a major security crisis. Diplomats offered a dire assessment of developments at a meeting of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) in Vienna on January 13, taking place against the backdrop of Western concerns that a Russian military buildup on Ukraine's doorstep may be a prelude to an invasion. "It seems that the risk of war in the OSCE area is now greater than ever before in the last 30 years," Polish Foreign Minister Zbigniew Rau said, launching his country's yearlong chairmanship of the 57-member security organization. "For several weeks we have been faced with the prospect of a major military escalation in Eastern Europe," he said. 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. Western officials say Russias combative rhetoric and buildup of some 100,000 troops near Ukraine is an attempt to pressure the United States and European allies to bend toward the Kremlin's wish list. Moscow insists its military deployment is a response to what it sees as the growing presence of NATO in its sphere of influence and denies it plans to invade Ukraine. The U.S. envoy to the OSCE talks said the West should not give in to blackmail. "As we prepare for an open dialogue on how to strengthen security for the benefit of all, we must decisively reject blackmail and never allow aggression and threats to be rewarded, U.S. Ambassador Michael Carpenter told the OSCE meeting. Reinforcing Moscow's increasingly tough stance on demanding security guarantees from the West, Russias representative Alexander Lukashevich told the OSCE that his country would take action if its concerns were not taken seriously. "If we don't hear a constructive response to our proposals within a reasonable time frame and an aggressive line of behavior towards Russia continues, we will be forced to draw appropriate conclusions and take all necessary measures to ensure strategic balance and eliminate unacceptable threats to our national security, he said after the talks in Vienna. "Russia is a peace-loving country. But we do not need peace at any cost. The need to obtain these legally formalized security guarantees for us is unconditional, he added. Lukashevich said Russia wasn't getting "a constructive response" to its proposals. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said: "I believe that the only way for the Russians to confirm their lack of intention to solve problems by force is to continue the discussion in the established formats, in particular in the OSCE." OSCE observers monitor the conflict in eastern Ukraine, where a nearly eight-year war between Russia-backed separatists and government forces has killed more than 13,200 people. The barrage of pessimistic comments overshadowed hopes for a quick breakthrough after a week of high-stakes diplomacy that saw Russian representatives meet with NATO members in Brussels following a two-year hiatus and top diplomats from Moscow and Washington holding bilateral strategic talks in Geneva. Briefing reporters after the week of talks, U.S. national-security adviser Jake Sullivan said the United States had not determined whether Russia has made the political decision to further invade Ukraine and that there was still hope to make diplomacy prevail. "We're ready to make progress at the negotiating table... and we're ready to take the necessary and proper steps to defend our allies, support our partners and respond robustly to any naked aggression that might occur, Sullivan said. In Berlin, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz sounded a little more upbeat, suggesting negotiators under the so-called Normandy format could soon meet to find a political path to end the conflict in eastern Ukraine. As mediators, both Germany and France have tried several times to revive the Normandy talks, which include Ukraine and Russia. The last high-level meeting within the four-way framework occurred in Paris in 2019. With reporting by AFP, AP, and Reuters Richmond, KY (40475) Today Becoming windy with scattered thunderstorms this afternoon. Potential for severe thunderstorms. High 82F. Winds SW 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%. 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. | Roanoke Rapids, NC (27870) Today Partly cloudy with afternoon showers or thunderstorms. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. High 86F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 30%.. Tonight Thunderstorms during the evening will give way to mostly cloudy skies after midnight. Low 64F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%. However, the information announced in a press conference relating to the monetary policy in 2021 spoke of the implementation of banking sector tasks in 2022. This indicated that we are overcoming difficulties to support the economy as well as the banking industry during the ongoing pandemic. Rise in bad debts Mr. Dao Minh Tu, Deputy Governor of the State Bank of Vietnam, said that credit has recovered well and the banking industry has made many efforts to support the economy as well as businesses. However, despite the goal of maintaining the bad debt ratio below 3%, due to the complicated development of the pandemic, the bad debt ratio on the spreadsheet so far is 1.9%, an increase of about 0.21% compared to 1.69% at the end of 2020. The ratio of bad debt on the balance sheet and debt sold to Vietnam Asset Management Company (VAMC) increased to 3.9%. In a more complete calculation, the forecast for bad debt ratio could be up to 8.2%, or even higher if the pandemic continues to develop and spread virulently. It can be seen that each time the State Bank of Vietnam publishes data on bad debt, this ratio increases much more. In May 2021, the State Bank of Vietnam forecast that by the end of the year, the bad debt ratio on the balance sheet will be at 1.54% to 1.91%, and the ratio of bad debt on the balance sheet and unresolved debt sold to VAMC, will be 3.43% to 3.84%. Reporting to the National Assembly Economic Committee in September, the State Bank said that it had carefully planned and reported to the Government on the trend of bad debt increasing sharply, with the ratio of bad debt on the balance sheet and potential bad debt at the end of 2021 expected to be 7.1% to 7.7%. However, now the number on bad debts continues to be much higher. Such a sharp increase in the bad debt ratio is not surprising, because the Covid-19 pandemic has had a strong impact on the activities of most businesses and individuals, especially during the fourth wave. According to Mr. Le Trung Kien, a representative of the State Bank Inspection and Supervision Agency, on an average in 2021, nearly 10,000 businesses withdrew from the market per month, including those that were direct customers of banks. This was one of the sources of bad debts. Another bad debt that is increasing is the potential source of bad debt from the policy of restructuring the repayment term, with value of accumulated deferral and delay of about VND 607,000 bn. Mr. Nguyen Quoc Hung, General Secretary of the Vietnam Bank Association, said that more than VND 600,000 bn is in the early stages and will increase sharply in 2022 because VND 3,000,000 bn of outstanding loans are affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. Contributing to the increase in bad debts are loans to risk sectors. The State Bank of Vietnam has always affirmed strict control credit in potentially risky areas, but in fact, these fields still attract credit quite strongly. For instance, in the market report of the third quarter of 2021 for the real estate sector, the Ministry of Construction said that as of 30 September 2021, the credit balance for real estate businesses reached VND 682,594 bn. This figure increased by VND 10,370 bn compared to VND 672,224 bn at the end of June 2021, equivalent to an increase of 1.54%. At the same time, credit for the whole economy only increased by 0.67%, from 6.44% at the end of June to 7.17% at the end of September 2021. Unseen risk factors For many years, the State Bank of Vietnam has avoided publishing data related to risk areas and affirmed that it was still under control, although it has failed to create confidence. There is still information showing the inflow of capital to these fields. The opinion of many experts also points out that because the State Bank does not have strict control, apart from the official credit flow, there are many ways for capital from the bank to flow underground into risk areas. When lending to this field, banks receive high-profit margins, but at the same time also create more debt for banks. Dr. Nguyen Tri Hieu, a financial expert, said that restructuring the repayment term is just like sweeping all the garbage under the rug, by not solving the real problem of the banking system and the economy at present. The State Bank of Vietnam with high bad debt is a challenge for the banking industry in 2022 and following years, but it is necessary to look at it objectively so as to deal with it effectively. As for commercial banks, we draw an insider perspective that bad debt is still not too bad. Many bank leaders believe that the business plan for 2021 was calculated after drawing lessons from 2020. Moreover, the current trend is that commercial banks have good financial capacity, and the operational safety index is in line with the State Bank practices, while also differentiating risks by increasing service revenue. For rescheduling of debt repayment terms, the State Bank allows three years, but conditional banks still make full provision. If we look at the analysis of Dr. Le Xuan Nghia, an economist, we see that bad debt is exposed and we need to exercise caution. Since 2016, the banks had been healthy again and financial indicators had been positive. Return in assets (ROA) and return on equity (ROE) were gradually getting better. However, when the pandemic suddenly hit, the market became difficult, and banks dealt rapidly with assets, profits, and equity. Even during the two years of the pandemic, there were banks showing a profit growth rate of nearly 200%. This is unusual and should not be cheered, as it is a most worrisome situation. Thien Minh Sanford, NC (27330) Today Some clouds and possibly an isolated thunderstorm this afternoon. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. High 89F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 30%.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low around 65F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. powerofforever/Getty Images A state senator was escorted out of the Capitol building in Olympia after intentionally defying coronavirus protocols Monday as the Legislature met to convene the 2022 legislative session. Sen. Phil Fortunato, in a statement on his legislative website, said he purposefully entered the building without first submitting a negative test, which is required of all senators who wish to work on-site. Fortunato, a Republican from Auburn, said in his statement that the Senates coronavirus protocols dont pass constitutional muster. He also argued that such protocols arent needed because, in his view, the virus will eventually become endemic. We have now been in an emergency for nearly 700 days and its becoming clearer that this virus is something we are going to have to live with, he said. It is time to return to normal proceedings and Zoom is not a substitute to being able to represent my constituents on the Senate Floor. Fortunatos flouting of the rules comes at a time when the extraordinarily contagious omicron variant of the virus is ripping through Washington. The state is averaging nearly 15,000 new cases a day, a whopping 242% increase over the last two weeks. Hospitalizations have shot up 104% in that same time. Dr. John Lynch, a medical director at Harborview Medical Center, said at a recent briefing that Washington is now closer to a crisis situation than its ever been. Fortunatos test of the Senates virus protocols also comes just under a month after his colleague, Sen. Doug Ericksen, died after being hospitalized with the virus, which he contracted while on a trip to El Salvador. At some point in time we have to push back, and I intend to at every step of the way, Fortunato said in his statement. I believe the Governor and the Democratic majority, under the guise of public health, have instituted policies that violate our rights and endanger our democracy. Fortunato, who represents the 31st legislative district, said he would attempt to enter the building again on Wednesday, when the Senate is scheduled to vote. His statement does not say whether he will submit a negative test beforehand. Occasionally, newspapers report factual errors. A well-intentioned interview subject gives bad information, a name is spelled wrong, a breaking news story is inadvertently peppered with grammatical errors. But no incorrect newspaper story has had a bigger impact on Seattle history than one published June 7, 1889. The previous day, a glue pot tipped over at what is now the corner of First Avenue and Madison Street. Though nobody died, the resulting fire destroyed Seattle's business district, consuming more than two-dozen blocks of wooden buildings, most of the city's wharves, nearly a dozen brick buildings and Seattle's railroad terminals. The Post-Intelligencer presses were destroyed, but the newsmen set up a temporary shop on property owned by publisher Leigh "Alphabet" Hunt on Fourth Avenue. Reporters rushed to find people who knew where the blaze began. "The fire was caused by the overturning of a glue pot in Jim McGough's paint shop, under Smith's boot and shoe store, at the corner of Front and Madison streets, in what was known as the Denny block," the P-I wrote. For nearly a century, that was repeated by some historians and authors who wrote books about the fire. They missed the correction published nearly two weeks later in the P-I. "My shop was in the flat just over where the fire occurred," McGough told the P-I for that article, published June 21, 1889. "At that time I was at work in a building at the corner of Fourth and Terrace streets, and hearing the alarm and being a fireman of Company No. 1, I quit work and hastened to join my company, not knowing the locality of the fire." The Great Seattle Fire actually started in the Clairmont and Company cabinet shop, below McGough's shop in the basement of the Pontius building. RELATED: Back to the future: Photos show Capitol Hill then, and now But the inaccuracy continued. When the P-I published its centennial edition in 1963 it republished historic front pages, including the one from the day after the Great Seattle Fire. But it didn't mention that the McGough reference was incorrect. A book published in the 1970s of historic P-I front pages also forgot to mention the mistake. It didn't help that in multiple history articles, both the P-I and Seattle Times continued to say the fire had started at McGough's paint shop. The Times even mentioned it in the 1965 obituary for McGough's second daughter, Ella. The mistake was repeated in Murray Morgan's classic Seattle history book "Skid Road," published in 1951. Sales of the book through 1999 totaled nearly a quarter million, according to Historylink.org. "The History of Seattle Washington," published two years after the fire, also inaccurately said the fire started in McGough's paint shop, and the "History of Washington" made the mistake again in its 1893 publication. How did the P-I story become so prevalent? The Seattle Times wasn't around when the Great Seattle Fire happened, and no other daily publications were published the day after it started. The best article noting the inaccuracies and corrections to the story was done by Hugh McGough, a prominent Seattle attorney who roughly 10 years ago authored an article, "The Great Seattle Fire Don't Blame Jimmy McGough." His full article can be read here. Hugh McGough, who says he's not a close relative of James McGough but is probably related through family in Ireland, notes that Nard Jones' 1972 book "Seattle" makes the mistake, as do more than a half-dozen others. Even the "History of the Seattle Fire Department" incorrectly states that McGough's paint shop was the source of the fire, Hugh McGough said. The effort to clear James McGough's name was first led by James R. Warren when he was director of the Museum of History and Industry. He had the correct facts in his 1989 book on the fire, as did Clarence Bagley in his earlier "History of Seattle," and as J. Willis Sayre had done in "This City of Ours." RELATED: Seattle spots: What they once were and what's there today In the years since Hugh McGough published his work, he's noticed more people have corrected the fire accounts, he said Wednesday. McGough said he understands how people came up with the initial mistake and repeated it. The 24-year-old worker who tipped the glue pot in the Clairmont and Company cabinet shop that afternoon of June 7, 1889 first identified in the P-I as "an old Swede named Berg" was John E. Back. Two weeks after the fire, a P-I reporter found and interviewed him about the massive blaze. "I cut some balls of glue and put them in the glue pot on the stove," Back said. "I put in some shaving where there was little fire, and then went to work about twenty-five feet away, near the front door. "After a while somebody said 'Look at the glue.' Another fellow, a Finlander from New York, then took a piece of board and laid it on to smother the glue, but the board caught fire. Then I run and took the pot of water to smother the fire and poured it over the pot of glue, which was blazing up high. When I throw the water on, the glue flew all over the shop into the shavings and everything take fire." Back is believed to have left Seattle shortly after the story was published. No record of him exists here after 1889. Each year after the fire, McGough would object when the newspapers continued to blame him for the fire. One of the Times articles from June 1895 is included in Hugh McGough's account. "I'm getting mighty tired of all this notoriety," James McGough said. "Every year the papers come out and say that the fire started in my shop and the story is all told over again. As a matter of fact, the fire did not start in my shop at all, and every year I have gone around and made the correction for the benefit of the newspapers." Born in 1850, McGough came to Seattle from San Francisco in 1883 and married his wife, Sarah, here in 1890, according to the P-I's archive. He continued his painting business after the fire and amassed property at Three Tree Point in Vancouver, Queen Anne Hill, Smith Cove and his home at what's now 23rd Avenue South and South Norman Street near Judkins Park. On Jan. 20, 1910, riding a horse and buggy, he tried to cross the intersection at what is now Eighteenth Avenue South and South Jackson Street. But McGough's horse shied and motorist R.L. Fitts hit the buggy. McGough was thrown under the car, dragged for roughly 200 feet and killed. McGough, who was survived by six children and his wife, is buried at Calvary Cemetery near University Village. His wife was buried beside him in 1943, survived by five grandchildren and one great-grandchild. About four months after the Great Seattle Fire, the city created a professional fire department. McGough's second son, Thomas, became a captain in the Seattle Fire Department. His grandson, James H., became a battalion chief. Hugh McGough, also an amateur genealogist, said some of James McGough's descendents now live in Tacoma. And the glue pot that started the Great Seattle Fire? It's on display at the Museum of History and Industry. Native American roots in the Seattle area go far deeper than simply bearing the name of a once-powerful Suquamish chief. After all, it was only 168 years ago that Arthur Denny and company landed at Alki Point, beginning the white colony that was to become Seattle. By comparison, the ancestors of the Suquamish, Duwamish, Nisqually, Snoqualmie and Muckleshoot tribes that once dominated the region traveled from eastern Siberia across a land bridge to Alaska more than 11,000 years ago, according to historylink.org. The tribes that once numbered people in the tens of thousands around Puget Sound cultivated a rich culture, all speaking variations of the Lushootseed, or Puget Salish, language, according to Suquamish history. RELATED: Resentment toward Chinese peaks with 1886 riots in Seattle But it wasn't long after the Denny Party's landing that white settlers began to upset the Native society, first by simply crowding the area and starting the process of stripping natural resources, and then by forcibly removing Natives to reservations, where they were taught to abandon their own culture and language in favor of American, Christian teachings. One of the photos above even shows a boarding school on the Puyallup reservation where children were separated from family members and taught English and "how to make a living." RELATED: Photos: Space Needle opened to public 56 years ago Today, many Native people have rekindled bits of their past through artifacts, research and a renewed embrace of the region's true cultural roots. Outside groups, too, have worked to restore and promote Native American culture and history. The photos above show some early scenes of Native Americans in and around Seattle and then some later scenes as the city grew and the culture changed. Click through to get a glimpse of what you might have seen of Native Americans around the area in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. This article was first published on Dec. 13, 2015. Senior editor Daniel DeMay can be reached at danieldemay@seattlepi.com. Follow him on Twitter: @Daniel_DeMay. Seattle Post-Intelligencer archive, as preserved by the Museum of History & Industry When they offered this take on Seattles predominately white, well-to-do Windermere neighborhood, the map makers returned to a favorite phrase. No racial problems in this area. That, of course, depends on how one defines the term. To the New Deal-era assessors drawing up maps that would block lending into minority communities for generations, racial problems meant to concern people who werent white. And why were there no racial problems in Windermere? The property in this area is protected with building and racial restrictions. The class of original purchasers indicate a permanent district of professional men as home owners. The maps and reports drawn up by the Home Owners Loan Corporation (HOLC), such as those minted for Seattle in 1936, were obvious in their racism. The long-lived practice they fostered redlining was subtler. Home Owners Loan Corporation Redlinings name was literal. Lines were drawn around areas seen as problematic so that bankers could avoid extending loans into them. Non-white, would-be homebuyers, particularly black home buyers, couldnt live in white neighborhoods and they couldnt get loans to buy in non-white, redlined areas. The HOLC maps are the earliest, clearest illustrations of the practice, said Robert Nelson, director of the digital scholarship lab at the University of Richmond. Nelson joined with colleagues at three other universities to pull the HOLC maps back into the light. Their project Mapping Inequality: Redlining in New Deal America collects the redline maps and accompanying documentation for dozens of Americas largest cities, including Seattle, Tacoma, Portland and Spokane. They tell a depressing story, Nelson said recently. They partly help to explain why we have such massive wealth inequality along racial lines. The maps were road maps for investment in Americas cities, and they warned bankers off extending loans to non-white neighborhoods. The slideshow above collects some of the statements made about Seattle neighborhoods. Though it doesnt contain racial slurs, some of the language is antiquated and rings as derogatory. Its not subtext. Its just text, Nelson said. Its not like they mince words at all. Its explicit. The HOLC maps pair well with another piece of Seattles racial history the racist covenants that kept non-white residents from living outside areas of central and southern parts of Seattle. Racial lines drawn in those covenants mirror those on the HOLC maps, and have only begun to blur as gentrification has pushed Seattles black and East Asian communities out of newly desirable neighborhoods in the booming city. Highlighted well by the University of Washingtons Seattle Civil Rights & Labor History Project, the covenants prevented people of color and Jews from living in much of the city. Discriminatory covenants were ruled illegal in 1948. But neighborhood councils and real estate professionals continued to prevent people of color from buying homes in most Seattle neighborhoods, as did sundown laws that prohibited non-white people from being on North Seattle streets after sunset. The covenants themselves have left a lasting imprint on the city, University of Washington professor James Gregory told seattlepi.com in 2014. North Seattle is still very largely white. And that certainly can be traced to the restrictive covenants that kept African-Americans and Asians from buying, renting or inhabiting houses in most North Seattle neighborhoods, continued Gregory, a lead researcher on discrimination in Seattle. Black Realtors and bankers fought to help minority home buyers caught in a system that, intentionally or not, kept them from building wealth. Blocking mortgages to minority neighborhoods also created a self-fulfilling prophesy, Nelson said. Abandoned homes could not be resold. Entrepreneurs couldnt raise capital to open up shop. By failing to invest, bankers made loans in those renter-heavy neighborhoods a bad investment. Nelson said he hopes the maps will help Americans understand that racial segregation, economic disparity and blight didnt come about accidentally. In the Mapping Inequality project, Nelson was joined by Assistant Professor LaDale Winling of Virginia Tech, Professor Richard Marciano of the University of Maryland and Nathan Connolly, an associate professor at Johns Hopkins University. Seattlepi.com reporter Levi Pulkkinen can be reached at 206-448-8348 or levipulkkinen@seattlepi.com. Follow Levi on Twitter at twitter.com/levipulk. London, KY (40741) Today Clouds and some sun this morning with more clouds for this afternoon. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 84F. Winds SSW at 10 to 20 mph.. Tonight Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Low 57F. Winds WSW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 60%. Nearly a month after Mayor London Breed vowed a police crackdown on drug dealing, open-air drug use and other crimes plaguing the Tenderloin, arrests in the neighborhood have remained flat and the Police Department has not sent more officers to patrol the area. The figures reveal an anti-climactic start to what was widely considered to be among the most aggressive stances on policing Breed has issued. In a speech last month, Breed touted felony warrant sweeps, condemned policies that she said allowed criminal suspects back on the street the following day and promised an ultimatum to open-air drug users: get treatment or go to jail. Its not clear more police will make a difference given the neighborhoods intractable problems, and the Tenderloin initiative is only supposed to last a few months. Expanding the police presence is part of a push by the mayor to address street crime and open drug use in the Tenderloin. Facing pressure from residents and businesses as well as unflattering attention to the problems in national media, Breed declared a state of emergency in the neighborhood, allowing the city to expedite opening a service center to help people get off the streets. Matt Dorsey, a spokesperson for the San Francisco Police Department, said although week-to-week and shift-to-shift staffing in police districts can vary, Breeds emergency declaration contains no specific provision for additional police staffing in the Tenderloin at this time. According to data released by the mayors office Monday, there were 33 arrests made for Tenderloin drug dealing offenses in the previous three weeks, a figure on par with previous months. Police averaged about 10 felony drug arrests in the Tenderloin per week in 2021. In a Wednesday interview with The Chronicle, Breed said she intends to soon deploy more police to the Tenderloin. She said efforts have been impeded by the omicron surge particularly infections within the police department and budget approvals. Police should act as a deterrent to crime, she said, and a link to community resources. But she said they should also embrace some of the rarely used enforcement tools in the Tenderloin, like the citys controversial sit/lie ordinance, which allows officers to issue a ticket or misdemeanor citation to anyone sitting or lying on the street between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m. The goal of using those laws has more to do with getting people to commit to what we want them to do, Breed said. We dont want to them lay on the sidewalk high. ... We want to move them to a location where they could potentially get treatment or help. Breeds Tenderloin emergency declaration, which was approved by the Board of Supervisors in late December, green-lighted a service center where outreach workers can refer people on the streets for housing and treatment. Randy Shaw, executive director of the Tenderloin Housing Clinic and a longtime advocate for the neighborhood, said the mayors remarks created the expectation that a police crackdown would start in January. Tenderloin residents knew the linkage center would take time to open, Shaw said, but presumed the increased police visibility would be immediate. After witnessing the sudden surge in police staffing to Union Square following the flash-mob-style robberies of luxury goods, Shaw said community members were told those officers would be redeployed to the Tenderloin. I certainly thought that by now wed see some evidence (of more police), he said. And there is none. I think a lot of people this week are rather mystified. Breed has also come under fire from criminal justice reform advocates, who say her plans are reminiscent of the United States failed war on drugs. John Hamasaki, a criminal defense attorney and San Francisco police commissioner, said San Francisco was united in its frustration with the level of neglect in the Tenderloin. But the solution here to the three crises that exist there, which are homelessness, drug use and mental health police dont solve any of those crises, he said. I think its really unfortunate that the heated rhetoric caused a lot of fear and distress in the community, that people will be arrested and jailed for sit/lie violations or for drug-use violations, he said. None of those things address the underlying problems. Police staffing in the Tenderloin, Dorsey said, has remained roughly at the same level since the launch of Breeds Mid-Market Vibrancy and Safety Plan in May 2021 another initiative that bankrolled $8 million in new officers and unarmed community ambassadors. Dorsey said the most significant difference is the amount of drugs that officers have seized as of late. Weekly fentanyl seizures in May 2020 averaged about 360 grams. In the past three weeks, he noted, the average weekly fentanyl seizure is roughly three times that amount. 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. Breed said she has had several conversations with Chief Bill Scott about increasing police presence, and officers desire to have places to direct people struggling with addiction. Breed said she sees arrests as a last resort if they cant get someone to move, or if an encounter turns violent. I think the role is making sure that we are able to help people one person at a time, she said. And when a line is crossed, that were prepared to make sure that there are consequences for people who commit violent acts or are selling drugs. Breed said she doesnt have a specific number of how many more officers shell want in the Tenderloin I just want sufficient police to stop a lot of the crime thats happening, she said. In addition to the Tenderloin police plan, the mayors office is introducing citywide policing legislation around increasing law enforcement access to security camera footage and banning street vending in existing problematic areas. To pay for the increased law enforcement, the mayor plans to introduce a supplemental budget this month to increase police overtime. The goal is safety. The goal is prevention, Breed said. And hopefully, with that increased presence and those changes, that we can see that behavior. Megan Cassidy is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: megan.cassidy@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @meganrcassidy When Libby Cater joined the board of the American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco in 1972, she brought along an Alabama lilt, a quick wit and a backstory that verged on the cinematic. Under her maiden name of Anderson, shed been the first female student body president at the University of Alabama. In 1974, that schools exclusive Anderson Society for academic excellence was created to honor her. She then became special assistant to first lady Claudia Johnson, which put her front and center on the Lady Bird Special campaign train as it chugged through the South during Lyndon Johnsons 1964 presidential campaign. Still ahead of her was a position as assistant executive director of the Presidents Commission on Women, an appointment by Jimmy Carter. Cater, who was in the trenches of the fight for womens liberation in the 1950s right up through 2021, died Jan. 7 at her home in San Rafael. She was 96. The cause of death was old age exacerbated by a fall at the home of her daughter, Morrow Cater. Wherever she went, my mother inspired women to stand up for their rights, Morrow Cater said. She was powerful but charming, Southern sweet but sassy. And very, very funny. Caters time in the Bay Area lasted several decades, in separate stints, but she made the most of it. First settling in a big brick house in Pacific Heights, her first new friend was a neighbor, Chronicle columnist Herb Caen. She offered him an unused parking slot, and they were soon hosting dinner parties together. After just a few years in the city, she moved to the Stanford campus, where her husband, S. Douglass Cater, was teaching in the graduate communications program. While there, she developed a program focused on integrating women into leadership positions at the Aspen Institute for Humanistic Studies, a respected think tank. She was the lead author of a 1977 treatise titled Women and Men: Changing Roles, Relationships and Perspectives. Libby was one of those Southern women who did something the Confederate Army never could: She conquered Washington, said political commentator Bill Moyers, who knew Cater from both the Johnson White House, where he worked as press secretary, and from the Aspen Institute. She was determined to be not only a beautiful woman but an intelligent woman who wanted to bring a lot of savvy to policy and politics. Libby Anderson was born Aug. 2, 1925, in Birmingham, Ala. Her father, Benjamin Payne Anderson, had been wounded in combat in Europe during World War I. Her mother, Margaret Morrow Anderson, grew vegetables and fished to help feed her children. The family was poor, and after graduating from the segregated Phillips High School in Birmingham, Cater attended the University of Alabama on an academic scholarship. In her junior year she was elected vice president of the Student Government Association. The president resigned to serve in World War II, and she was elevated to president. She learned typing and shorthand, and worked her way through at office jobs, graduated with honors in 1946 with a bachelors degree in commerce and business administration. The dean of the business told her she was so smart that she would be running a corporation someday, her daughter saud, but shed be doing it as a secretary to the CEO, not as the CEO itself. This rankled her. Her first job was in public relations at a Birmingham steel company, but she was quickly recruited to be administrative assistant to Alabama Rep. Laurie Battle in Washington, D.C. She met and married Douglass Cater in Washington, where he was bureau chief of the Reporter magazine, an influential political periodical. They were married in 1950. In 1954, when Battle decided to run for Senate, Cater was recruited to run for his office, which could have made her the first female representative from Alabama. But she was pregnant at the time with her first child and declined. She said that she didnt even consider it, her daughter said. That was the state of affairs for women at that time. The Caters settled in Alexandria, Va., where guests at their dinner parties and impromptu dances included Supreme Court justices, diplomats and elected officials, including then-Senate Majority Leader Johnson and his wife, Lady Bird. Libby was smooth, the most gracious and relaxed hostess in the world, said Judith Moyers, retired CEO of Public Affairs Television, who attended the Caters parties with her husband, Bill. Once Johnson became president, both Caters went to work at the White House. Douglass became special assistant on health education and welfare, and Libby accepted the job as special assistant to the first lady, even though Cater had four young children to raise. 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. After President Johnson surprised the nation by announcing he would not run for a second term, the Caters left Washington for the Bay Area. She had served on the board of the Arena Stage, a pioneer in the regional theater movement, in Washington. That got her recruited to the board of ACT, which she served from 1972 to 1976. In addition to that and her own writing for the Aspen Institute, she edited three books written by her husband. In the early 1980s, Douglass Cater accepted the position of president at Washington College, a redbrick liberal arts school on the shores of eastern Maryland. He died after a bout with lung cancer in 1995, and his widow moved to Washington, D.C., where she connected with Najeeb Halaby, an old friend from the Johnson administration who had also been widowed. They were married in 1997, an event that made the new Mrs. Halaby stepmother to Queen Noor of Jordan. Halaby died in 2003, and Cater later returned to California to live with her daughter in San Rafael. She was an active public speaker into her 90s. In 2016, Cater gave her last speech at a Womens Association event held at St. Luke Presbyterian Church in San Rafael. Having transplanted from the harsh reality of Washington, D.C., and its world of politics, it is time to take stock, she told an audience of a few hundred women and their daughters. Stop living in the past and get caught up in the California euphoria of living in the moment. Be alive. Be here, now, today. This is it make every moment count. Cater was predeceased by a son, Douglass Cater Jr., and daughter, Rebecca Sage Cater. Survivors include daughter Morrow Cater of San Rafael, son Benjamin Cater of Fresno, and five grandchildren. Donations in her name may be made to: Ritter Center, P.O. Box 3517, San Rafael, CA 94912, or Marin Shakespeare Company Social Justice Program, P.O. Box 4053, San Rafael, CA 94913. Sam Whiting is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: swhiting@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @samwhitingsf A federal judge says Pacific Gas and Electric Co. can be held responsible for any contamination caused since the early 1900s by a manufactured gas plant that the utilitys predecessor company operated near San Franciscos Ghirardelli Square. The Cannery plant was based at the citys waterfront, above Aquatic Park Cove, from 1898 until 1906, when it was damaged in the San Francisco earthquake. Such plants used oil and coal to produce gas that they supplied to customers, while also generating potential pollutants. The plaintiff in the current case, a private citizen and former Marina District resident, said a limited investigation by the National Park Service in the early 1980s found signs of coal tar and other contaminants near the former plant site. But after PG&E said it was not responsible, federal and state regulators took no action, and the issue was not addressed until the current lawsuit. At issue in the case is whether PG&E is legally responsible for the conduct of the Cannery plants owners. It was originally owned by Equitable Gas Light Co., whose property was purchased for by PG&Es predecessor, San Francisco Gas and Electric, for $708,850 in August 1903. Although Equitable remained in business, U.S. District Judge William Orrick said in his ruling Tuesday, Frank Drum, who was to become an executive of SFG&E and later the president of PG&E, made an arrangement to buy all of Equitables stock and installed himself and his friends on the companys board of directors, which then approved the stock sale to SFG&E. After the stock deal, Orrick said, Equitable functioned merely as SFG&Es alter ego. As a result, he said, PG&E, as successor to the San Francisco utility, can be held accountable for Equitables operation of the plant. PG&E also contended that the San Francisco company shut down the Cannery plant immediately after acquiring it. But Orrick said SFG&Es report listed income from the plant from September through at least November 1903, and that there was no evidence any customers went without gas during that period. If PG&E is ultimately found responsible for contamination, Orrick could order the company to clean it up and pay penalties to the federal government, said Stuart Gross, attorney for the plaintiff, Dan Clarke. He said Clarke filed the suit in the public interest and would not receive any compensation. For decades, PG&E was able to evade responsibility on the basis of its assertion now refuted that it never owned or operated the plant, Gross said. No government agency ever challenged that assertion, letting PG&E off the hook. He said Clarke learned about the Cannery plant during lawsuits against PG&E over similar facilities that once operated on the citys northern waterfront. In a statement issued by Gross, Clarke said he had brought up the subject of the Cannery plant to PG&E, and they refused to even discuss it. 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. PG&E spokesperson Jeff Smith said the company is committed to a clean environment and to addressing any impacts from historical operations, including the former manufactured gas plants. But he said PG&E disagrees with Orricks ruling. The utility believes the evidence demonstrates that PG&E is not the corporate successor nor has ever operated the former Cannery (plant) and is therefore not responsible for the alleged contamination, Smith said. Correction: An earlier version of this story misidentified the year in which San Francisco Gas and Electric purchased the Cannery plant property. It was 1903. Bob Egelko is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: begelko@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @BobEgelko To much of the rest of the country, California is the most progressive state in the union. To the Working Families Party, it isnt as progressive as it could be and thats why the national organization has launched a California branch and will announce former San Francisco Supervisor Jane Kim as its executive director Thursday, The Chronicle has learned. The party, which was founded 23 years ago in New York and has expanded in recent years to a dozen other states, isnt aiming to run its own candidates in California next to Democrats and Republicans for now. Instead, this year it is planning to introduce itself to voters by focusing on a handful of legislative races, even if that means taking on more moderate Democrats in the hope of pulling the larger party further to the left particularly on health care, criminal justice reform and wealth inequality. With roughly half of the Legislature due to be termed out in the next two years, party organizers want to take advantage of this transitory moment to change state politics. Democrats control all statewide offices and hold a supermajority in the Legislature. It has already started endorsing office-seekers, including Jennifer Esteen in Alameda Countys 20th Assembly District. It also plans to support San Francisco District Attorney Chesa Boudin as he fights the recall campaign against him. A party isnt a ballot line, said Kim, who was the California political director for Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders 2020 presidential campaign. Its a political home for people that share a common ideology, platform and commitment to making change through elections. Kim thinks a lot of working-class Californians dont feel totally at home in the Democratic Party. Organizers believe there is a market for their voice in a state where Sanders soundly defeated Joe Biden in the 2020 primary. Too often, Kim said, California Democrats listen more to wealthy donors and powerful corporate interests than they do the multiracial working-class voters who form the backbone of the party. That is one reason, she said, why California does not have a single-payer health care system or a tax on the super wealthy, like the kind that Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren proposed during her presidential campaign. Legislation on both was written but didnt even get a hearing in the Legislature last year. (On Tuesday, however, the Assembly Health Committee supported single-payer legislation written by Assembly Member Ash Kalra, D-San Jose.) Kim and Christina Livingston, a state officer in the Working Families Party, declined to name a corporate Democrat legislator whom the organization would be targeting this year. Instead, they pointed to the kind of progressive whom the party has endorsed, Assembly Member Alex Lee, D-San Jose, who backs a single-payer health plan. The party, through its seven regional chapters in California, will endorse and support candidates in local elections with the goal of building a bench of like-minded candidates. Organizers are building the party by tapping into the membership of more than 40 progressive community, labor and grassroots organizations who are affiliating with them. Among them are Courage California, AFSCME 3299, CHIRLA Action Fund and SEIU 1021. Instead, for now, the Working Families Party is hoping to appeal to voters frustrated with Democrats. The Working Families Party expects to have a seven-figure budget for the year, which is modest in a state where it costs millions to air TV advertising for a week in one of Californias major media markets. But competing monetarily isnt the only challenge organizers face, said Thad Kousser, a professor of political science at UC San Diego. 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. For starters, Californias top-two primary system where the top two finishers, regardless of their party affiliation, advance to the general election makes it hard for a third-party candidate to compete. And if a Working Families Party-blessed candidate were to make it into the general election, it would likely be at the expense of a Democrat. If that were to lead to a Republican winning the general election, some Democrats would try to taint the Working Families Party as spoilers. In order for a third party to show strength, you have to weaken a (major) party by costing it elections, Kousser said. The Democratic Party wont move to the left unless it feels a threat. Thats the dilemma a party like this faces, he said. Still, Kousser said, given Sanders success in California, there is a thirst for this type of governance. Democrats in California are largely Berniecrats. Kim and other Working Party leaders emphasize that they have no intention of being spoilers. There is enough room for the Democratic Party and a Working Families movement, Kim said. I really believe that new progressive energy and activating young voters ultimately benefits the multiracial, working-class movement here in California. Joe Garofoli is The San Francisco Chronicles senior political writer. Email: jgarofoli@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @joegarofoli Gabriel Sanchez, a state appeals court justice in San Francisco, was confirmed to the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on a near party-line Senate vote Wednesday, becoming President Bidens third appointee to the nations largest federal appellate court. Sanchez won confirmation on a 52-47 vote, with Republicans Susan Collins of Maine, Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska joining 49 Democrats in supporting him, with one absence. He succeeds Judge Marsha Berzon of San Francisco, who is transferring to senior status with a reduced caseload. Sanchez, 45, spent six years as deputy legal affairs secretary for Gov. Jerry Brown, a fellow Yale Law School alumnus, before Brown appointed him to the First District Court of Appeal in 2018. During Senate confirmation hearings on his federal nomination, some Republicans criticized Sanchez for his role in helping to draft Proposition 57, an initiative sponsored by Brown and approved by voters in 2016. It made thousands of California prisoners eligible for earlier parole consideration if they had been sentenced to felonies the law classified as nonviolent, and also allowed judges, instead of prosecutors, to decide whether youths ages 14 to 18 should be charged as adults for serious crimes. Sanchez told the senators he had simply been doing his job carrying out Browns policies. When I took the role of a judge on the appellate court, I left all that behind, he said at the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing, according to coverage by the National Law Journal. Rakim H.D. Brooks, president of the civil rights organization Alliance for Justice, praised Wednesdays confirmation vote. Sanchez has spent his career advocating on behalf of people who need access to equal justice under the law the most, he said. Another Ninth Circuit judge, M. Margaret McKeown, appointed by President Bill Clinton in 1998, announced Tuesday that she will take senior status when her successor is confirmed, creating another vacancy for Biden to fill. 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. The San Francisco-based Ninth Circuit, which hears appeals of federal cases in nine Western states, has 29 judges, 16 of them appointed by Democratic presidents. All four of Bidens nominees to the court Sanchez, Lucy Koh, Jennifer Sung and Holly Thomas have been racial minorities. Koh, a federal judge in San Jose, and Sung, a labor lawyer and state regulatory official in Oregon, were confirmed on close Senate votes. Thomas, a Los Angeles Superior Court judge and a former NAACP attorney, kept her nomination alive on an evenly split Judiciary Committee vote last month and could come up for Senate confirmation early next week, said Carl Tobias, a University of Richmond law professor who monitors judicial nominations. Bob Egelko is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: begelko@sfchronicle.com San Francisco prosecutors decision to drop charges against a man who was repeatedly punched by a police officer after allegedly cutting another officer with an X-Acto knife prompted criticism from the police chief even as it raised questions about the officers use of force and whether the mans arrest was warranted at all. Plainclothes officers conducting a burglary surveillance operation in Noe Valley detained Sergio Lugo on Feb. 17, 2021, after suspecting he was casing the area. What happened next left Lugo with extensive injuries to his face, including a fractured cheekbone, and put him in jail for four months. According to police, Lugo whod allegedly been looking into houses and cars at first cooperated with the officers but then tried to walk away. When confronted, they said, he lunged toward the officers with an X-Acto knife, cutting one in the hand and knee. Another officer injured his hand during the conflict, police said. But the city Public Defenders Office, which represents Lugo, said he was falsely accused of assaulting police after being illegally detained. Lugo who had not been linked to a burglary walked away from the officers after asserting his right not to be searched but was pinned to the ground without any verbal warning and beaten by the officers, prompting two witnesses to call the police, the office said. Lugo and the two officers were hospitalized for their injuries, which are depicted in photographs released by the Public Defenders Office. The incident, though, was not captured on police body cameras, because the officers were not wearing them. Police Department policy does not require plainclothes officers to wear the cameras, which could compromise undercover investigations, a department spokesperson said. News of the cases dismissal sparked swift reaction in San Franciscos criminal justice community. Police officials said the decision sent a message that criminals could assault officers with impunity, while defense attorneys said Lugo was proved to be the victim as the case unfolded in court. These kinds of attacks are unacceptable and shouldnt be tolerated by our criminal justice system, Police Chief Bill Scott said. When they are, it sends a dangerous message that emboldens criminals to use violence and not just against police officers. Deputy Public Defender Alexandra Pray, who represented Lugo, said, The police had no right to detain, search, initiate force and escalate force against Mr. Lugo who committed no crime. Police created this situation, and given the evidence, the prosecution finally did the right thing and dismissed these charges. District Attorney Chesa Boudin, a former public defender, is facing a recall election this year driven by critics who say he is too lenient. Scott has not taken a position on the recall. Boudins office initially charged Lugo with assault on an officer, exhibiting a deadly weapon to resist arrest and three counts of resisting arrest using force. Tal Klement, chief of the offices general criminal division, said prosecutors dismissed the case after additional witness statements, testimony at a preliminary hearing and an interview with one of the involved officers produced a fuller picture. Klement said the case was initially presented as an intentional assault against multiple officers, allegations prosecutors take very seriously. But as new evidence emerged, Klement said the office didnt oppose Lugos release from custody in June 2021. The case was scheduled for a jury trial set to begin this week before prosecutors dropped it. We dismissed the case because of the questionable detention of Mr. Lugo, the severity of Mr. Lugos injuries and the conflicting evidence about the cause of the officers injuries, Klement said. Klement pointed to court testimony that an officer had initially mistaken the utility knife Lugo was carrying for a vape pen, because the knife had its cap on. The cap may have come off at some point during the altercation while Lugo was on the ground and the three officers were on top of him, attempting to disarm him, Klement said. 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. The Chronicle reviewed a transcript of the preliminary hearing. In court, the officer who was cut, Sgt. Alexander Lentz, said, When I bent over to regain my control of his arm, we are now on the sidewalk and I saw the object in his hand. He was thrusting it up at my, like, chest, my neck. And I saw that it was it didnt have the plastic cap on it anymore and I thought it was some sort of a weapon. So I brought my left hand up and got cut in the finger, which I felt. The officer who injured his hand, Glennon Griffin, testified that he punched Lugo in the face 15 to 25 times after deciding that I needed to act swiftly and aggressively because of the threat from the blade. The testimony and the circumstances of the struggle called into question whether the first officers cuts were inflicted intentionally or accidentally, Klement said. The officer who was cut was treated with a bandage, according to court testimony. The officer with the hand injury was treated with an ice pack at the hospital. Lugo was treated for cuts, bruises and the broken cheekbone, defense attorneys said. At the end of the preliminary hearing in April, San Francisco Superior Court Judge Richard Darwin said he believed prosecutors had enough probable cause for the case to go to trial, but expressed doubt over whether a jury would convict. Darwin said there was no serious bodily injury to the officers and questioned whether they had enough suspicion of a crime to detain Lugo. The Police Department conducted a use-of-force evaluation in the case and found the officers force to be reasonable under the circumstances, said police spokesperson Matt Dorsey. Such evaluations are standard in all cases that result in injuries. Andres Picon and Megan Cassidy are San Francisco Chronicle staff writers. Email: andy.picon@hearst.com, megan.cassidy@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @andpicon, @meganrcassidy A San Francisco man was arrested on suspicion of shooting and killing a 68-year-old man Tuesday afternoon, police said. San Francisco police were called to the 1300 block of Geneva Avenue around 4:48 p.m. Tuesday following a report of a shooting. Officers found a man suffering from a gunshot wound, San Francisco police said in a statement. Officers and medics rendered aid and the man was taken to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries. He was pronounced dead at the hospital, officials said. His identity was not released. Police identified Lenard Liu, 58, of San Francisco as the suspect and arrested him. He was booked into San Francisco County Jail early Wednesday for homicide and attempted homicide, officials said. Additional details about the shooting were not immediately available. The shooting is under investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact police investigators at 415-575-4444. Andy Picon is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: andy.picon@hearst.com Twitter: @andpicon More than 6,000 Oakland school district students are still not fully vaccinated despite a requirement that would remove them from in-person instruction at the end of the month. Thats nearly a third of the districts students ages 12 and older, a number so large the school board for a second time will consider a delay on enforcement of the COVID-19 vaccine mandate. When the board passed the requirement in October, it set a Jan. 2 enforcement deadline, which it then moved to Jan. 31. With that second deadline now approaching, board members have introduced a new resolution shifting the date to August. We recognize enforcement could potentially be a problem, said board President Gary Yee. I think were doing as much as we can. The likely delay exemplifies the challenges public schools have had in navigating an ever-changing pandemic and a tug-of-war between those in the education arena who want more government mandates such as vaccination requirements and masking, and those who want families and workers to be able to make their own choices. Other California districts have also delayed student vaccine mandates because of low numbers of students getting the shot or legal concerns. The current omicron surge has raised the stakes on the debate even further, with students and teachers staging sickouts in Oakland and other districts to protest what they say is a lack of high-quality masks, testing and other sick leave for teachers and staff. Yet few of those involved in the unauthorized strikes are demanding mandatory vaccinations for students, teachers and staff. While the Oakland school board voted to require district school students be vaccinated, it did not include adults in the mandate. Instead, the district followed the state health directives requiring adults in schools to be vaccinated or get tested weekly, with Gov. Gavin Newsom saying teachers and school staff will also be required to get the jabs on the same timeline as students. Newsoms statewide student vaccine mandate requires eligible students be vaccinated by the start of the semester after full approval of the COVID-19 vaccines for each age group of children. Jessica Christian/The Chronicle 2021 For ages 12 to 16, at least, that will probably mean the start of the 2022-23 school year. The vaccine is already fully approved for those 16 and older. Currently, the governors mandate allows for personal and medical exemptions. The governors office did not explain why adults in schools would not be required to get the fully approved vaccine sooner than students. The vaccines have proved safe and highly effective at preventing severe illness and hospitalization. The majority of those currently hospitalized for COVID-19, including children, are unvaccinated. In Oakland, the school board could vote on the student vaccine enforcement delay as soon as next week as part of a special meeting. Until then, under the current requirement, students must be vaccinated by the end of the month to remain in classrooms. Those not vaccinated must sign up for independent study or be dropped from the districts rolls. District officials said they have called families who havent submitted proof of vaccination for their students multiple times, and provided information on where and how to get a vaccine. Whether the vaccine requirement kicks in this month or in August, there will be some who will not get the shot and the district and the state should be planning for those kids, said Lakisah Young, director of Oakland Reach, a parent-run group working with underserved families. Do a vaccine mandate, but dont look surprised and shocked when you have 2,000, 3,000 kids whose parents say no-go, she said. The holdouts have created a very strong narrative on their end why theyd never need to get vaccinated, she said. What happens to their children? What needs to happen is they get access to high-quality education. 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. Parents decision not to vaccinate despite significant outreach is not the same as them deciding they dont want their child to read, Young said, adding the district and state will need to strengthen the academic alternatives for these families, including distance learning and independent study. In the meantime, students can get a medical or personal-belief exemption to the requirement, both of which require a physicians signature. Local pediatricians say they have been seeing an increase in families wanting a personal-belief exemption from the districts vaccine requirement, which requires the doctors signature to verify the family has been advised of the safety, benefits and risk of the vaccine. Pediatrician Dr. Robin Winokur has signed a few of those district forms, adding her own note in the margin that she doesnt agree with it. Our signature is the one thing they need to be allowed to do this, which feels so wrong, she said. This mom the other day wouldnt even tell me what her personal belief was. Winokur said its clear that unvaccinated children are the ones who get sicker and she believes the Legislature should amend state law to include COVID-19 in vaccinations required to attend school, with no personal-belief exemption allowed. Dr. Noemi Spinazzi, a UCSF physician at Childrens Hospital Oakland, hasnt had to sign one of the exemption forms yet, but is glad a doctors signature is required. It means families have to at least speak to a physician. I am at least glad they have a chance to get some counseling, she said. People dont trust the government and they dont trust Big Pharma, but they end up having more trust in their doctor and their childs doctor. Jill Tucker is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: jtucker@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @jilltucker When restaurateur Eugene Lee learned that Oakland students had created an online petition last week demanding school district officials provide KN95 masks to help protect all pupils during the omicron surge, he sprang into action. Lee, whose restaurant Noodle Belly is opening Saturday in Oaklands Fruitvale district, reached out to Mayor Libby Schaaf, who put him in touch with Oakland Unified School District officials. This week, he donated 10,000 KN95 masks to the district and another 15,000 to the city for emergency workers. It was a no-brainer for me, said Lee, who also owns a roofing supply store in San Francisco. These students, these future leaders, theyre demanding these things and it seemed like the school district was in a very tough bind, he added. With the recent surge in COVID-19 cases due to the omicron variant in the Bay Area, some Oakland students began circulating an online petition last week and threatened to go on strike by not attending school starting Tuesday if the district did not meet their safety demands. Some students were also expected to call in sick Thursday as the district was bracing for another teacher sickout less than a week after a group of teachers forced the closure of 12 campuses by calling in sick to protest working conditions. The students petition demands that the district provide KN95 or N95 masks for all students, offer twice-weekly PCR and rapid tests for all staff and students, and create more outdoor spaces to eat when it rains. Students are not comfortable going to school with the rising cases of COVID-19, the online petition reads. If these demands are not met (by Monday), we will be striking by not attending school. We will be striking until we get what we need to be safe. Ayleen Serrano, a 10th-grader at MetWest who helped organize the petition, on Thursday said students were grateful for the KN95 mask donation from Lee. We are really, really thankful, Serrano said. It was super nice of him because its going to help some percent of the schools. But that wont stop students from going on strike, she said. The masks are just one of the students three demands, and Serrano said she would like to see the district provide masks to all students more than once. Oakland Unified School District had about 48,000 students enrolled in the 2020-21 school year, according to state data. John Sasaki, a spokesperson for the school district, in a statement Wednesday said the district was distributing the donated KN95 masks to all high schools before the extended Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday weekend. He added that the district has ordered enough KN95 masks for all students and will distribute them as soon as they are delivered. He also said the district last year ordered new tables and shade structures where students can eat, but supply chain issues have slowed their delivery. Where deliveries have been made, our staff is already installing these structures at schools, and this process will continue as we receive more of the supplies, he said. 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. We thank our students for staying in front of these issues, and bringing their concerns to District leadership, the statement said. For Lee, donating the masks to Oakland students and emergency workers represents a core value of his business: helping the community. He said he donated masks during wildfire season to several Bay Area cities, and at the start of the pandemic in 2020, he gave about 35,000 KN95 masks to different cities for hospital workers. Lee also credits his parents for instilling in him a mentality to help his community and those in need. Even though (Noodle Belly is) not open yet, it was an opportunity to put money where my mouth is and actually put some action behind the things Ive been saying for years, he said. Jessica Flores is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: jessica.flores@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @jesssmflores Relax, pork obsessives: The so-called bacon apocalypse is still several months away. Despite proclamations of the Great California Bacon Crisis and national headlines stating that bacon may disappear this year due to a new state law, bacon and other pork products are still widely available in the Bay Area. Proposition 12 went into effect Jan. 1, increasing the minimum square footage for the confinement areas for breeding pigs, egg-laying chickens and veal calves that are sold in California. The egg and veal industries have responded to Prop. 12, passed in 2018 with 63% of the vote, without any issues. But the pork industry has warned of a bacon apocalypse this year, arguing that itll cost millions to retrofit barns and that the law will result in pork shortages in California. The stakes are high, given that California consumes about 14% of the countrys pork yet only 4% of existing sow housing nationwide meets Prop. 12s standards, according to a 2021 report by the financial services company Rabobank. Scott Strazzante/The Chronicle Some major pork producers, including Seaboard Foods and its subsidiary brands like Dailys Premium Meats and Prairie Fresh, have already cut off California. The boycott isnt universal, though, with companies such as Perdue Farms and Hormel Foods committing to comply. But if other major producers steer clear of California, supplies are likely to dwindle, leading to higher prices. The situation isnt dire yet, though. The law actually allows for pigs born in 2021 to be sold in California in 2022. With hogs typically raised for about six months before slaughter, the final supply of 2021 pork is due to arrive in June. What will happen in July, however, is a concern for local restaurants and butchers. Theres a high probability we will see relatively volatile pricing with pork prices over the course of 2022, said Clifford Pollard of Cream Co. Meats, an Oakland butcher and distributor that works with sustainable ranches. For sure, were bound to see increases, but to what degree, Im not sure. The Associated Press reported that the price of bacon could jump 60% if half the pork supply in California was suddenly gone. But David Samiljan, owner of Barons Quality Meats, a popular butcher with locations in San Francisco, Alameda and Castro Valley, said he doesnt think the situation will get that bad. It depends on how angry the pork producers are and how much they want to punish California, said Samiljan, who supports the law. Scott Strazzante/The Chronicle The vast majority of pork in the country is known as commodity meat, meat that is produced on an industrial scale. Thats the industry that is most impacted by Prop. 12, and Samiljan expects the prices on the commodity pork available at most supermarkets to rise 10% to 20%. Meanwhile, higher-quality pork that already meets Prop. 12 standards what Samiljian calls the natural market and might be deemed humane or sustainable could see modest increases because of supply and demand. Yet even farmers who already complied with the law prior to Jan. 1 are wondering how it will impact them, according to Cream Co.s Pollard. Hes hearing from farmers who arent sure how to prove they comply and what that might cost. Depending on whats required, some of the costs of compliance might be passed on to consumers. The California Department of Food and Agriculture did not respond to questions about enforcement. One major meat seller isnt concerned yet, however. A Whole Foods Market spokesperson told The Chronicle that the grocery chain doesnt expect to see any price increases or shortages of pork as a result of Prop. 12 this year because Whole Foods already maintains animal welfare requirements. Several other grocery chains, including Safeway, Trader Joes and Sprouts Farmers Market, did not respond to requests for comment. Restaurant owners, though, are worried about pork prices rising or availability tanking later this year. Several owners told The Chronicle they havent seen any sudden price fluctuations on pork since Jan. 1, but some are starting to hear warnings from vendors about the future availability of certain products. Food Guide Top 25 Restaurants Where to eat in the Bay Area. Find spots near you, create a dining wishlist, and more. The real impact is that there are major pork manufacturers telling us, This pork chop youve been buying for the last 15 years were not providing it to you anymore, said Benjamin Shahvar, owner of Buttercup Diner, which has five Bay Area locations and sells a lot of bacon. This is going to be a major disruption to the industry. Shahvar preemptively found a new bacon provider before the start of the year, and unsurprisingly, the bacon is more expensive, though he declined to say by how much. He hasnt adjusted menu prices yet. Are Californians going to realize that when they go to a grocery store and a restaurant that this is why the product isnt here anymore and this is why the product theyre now buying is possibly 50% more? Thats the rub for me, Shahvar said. I wonder if the electorate understood that. Bronte Wittpenn/The Chronicle Pork is the top seller at Senor Sisig, and CEO Evan Kidera said Prop. 12 could greatly impact his Filipino-Mexican food trucks and restaurants this year. But its difficult to isolate the price of pork from all of the other challenges restaurants have been dealing with lately, particularly the skyrocketing cost of goods because of pandemic-related supply chain issues. Before the pandemic, he said, pork cost about $1.40 per pound, and now its $2.50 per pound. Prop. 12 has drawn multiple legal challenges. The California Grocers Association and the California Restaurant Association sued the state late last year in an attempt to delay the start of enforcement by more than two years. The lawsuit will get its first hearing next week. Multiple agriculture industry groups, including the National Pork Producers Council on one occasion and the North American Meat Institute on another have sued California, claiming the law is unconstitutional. The Supreme Court could still hear an appeal by the National Pork Producers Council, but it already rejected a similar challenge last summer. Assuming the law remains, it could affect more than just the pork world. Restaurants may stop buying pork and rely more on chicken, Kidera predicted, potentially resulting in rising chicken prices as well. He said itll all come down to individual business owners, and individual consumers: How much are you willing to pay for a taco or a burrito before youre like, Oh man, thats a lot compared to before? Janelle Bitker is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: janelle.bitker@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @janellebitker Jeff Chiu/Associated Press A major crash blocked three westbound lanes on the Bay Bridge Thursday morning, causing a traffic nightmare for those traveling from the East Bay into San Francisco. "An absolutely miserable commute on the Bay Bridge," KCBS Radio wrote on Twitter. Like the rest of the country, the San Francisco Bay Area is recording an unprecedented number of COVID-19 cases, driven by the highly contagious omicron variant. San Francisco's seven-day average was 1,525 new cases a day as of Jan. 4, more than four times last winter's peak of 373 cases per day. But how much longer will this explosion of cases last, and when will we hit the peak? The answer is soon, public health officials and experts said. S.F. Health Director Dr. Grant Colfax said at a Tuesday press conference that cases and hospitalizations will continue to climb in coming days, but he suggested the peak is in sight. "We have reason to believe that we could turn the corner soon, but were not there yet," Colfax said. Dr. Jeanne Noble, the director of COVID response at the UCSF emergency department, is working on the front lines of the pandemic and said the peak could come as early as about Jan. 15. "Although it is still hard to predict and could be a bit longer," Noble said. Dr. Peter Chin-Hong, an infectious diseases expert at UCSF, speculated it may peak within the next week. "South Africa peaked in 3-4 weeks after their omicron surge commenced (just before Thanksgiving)," Chin-Hong wrote in an email. "London is descending from their surge, and New York and DC have likely plateaued already (they have a head start on us by about two weeks)." The number of people in hospitals with COVID usually peaks two or more weeks after the surge in cases, but experts told SFGATE hospitalizations in the omicron surge may not lag as much as they did with previous variants. This is because many of those hospitalized with COVID went to the hospital for other reasons, such as a hip fracture or a bowel obstruction, and happened to test positive with no symptoms. The proportion of people hospitalized in California with serious illness due to COVID is much lower now than it was at this time last year when vaccines were scarce. Some 79% of cases in California are now caused by the omicron variant, which multiple studies say causes more mild illness than previous strains of the virus. After reviewing the charts of every COVID-positive patient at UCSF hospitals on Jan. 4, Noble determined that 70% of them were in the hospital for other reasons. Last week, Marin County recorded a spike in COVID-19 hospitalizations. But of the 19 people hospitalized in the county, at least 42% were incidental cases, including five patients in a psychiatric ward who had no symptoms of the virus. Nevertheless, Chin-Hong said nailing down exactly when hospitalizations will peak is difficult, and he expects "an unpredictable slow burn for several weeks in the hospital," with the peak in hospitalizations hitting in late January and continuing into February. "South Africas hospitalizations peaked 4 weeks after the surge started, but our population is significantly older and there is a bigger population of severely immunocompromised patients which may lead to a more unpredictable hospital curve here," Chin-Hong wrote. "So far there is less of a run in ICU bed use fortunately so ventilator shortage is less of an issue in California ... compared to previous surges." Colfax said while hospitalizations are increasing in the city, the "numbers are not climbing nearly at the level that they would have if we didn't have such great coverage with vaccines." In San Francisco, 85% of the eligible population (residents 5 and over) is fully vaccinated. "We are optimistic that because of our city's high vaccination and booster rates, we will get through this omicron surge without running out of those all-important intensive care unit beds," Colfax said. Even with the peak likely near, public health officials are continuing to urge anyone who hasn't gotten vaccinated or boosted to do so immediately. "If you are up to date on your vaccinations, it is extremely unlikely you would be hospitalized due to COVID," Colfax said. 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 ABC's "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 we're living with this virus - that it's 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 comorbidites. So really, these are people who were unwell to begin with. And yes: really encouraging news in the context of omicron." 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 ABC's editing distorted what Walensky really said. This week ABC replaced its clips online with a longer, unedited version of Walensky's 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% - died of covid-19. Of the small number who did die, she noted, most of them had underlying health conditions. That was the "encouraging news" Walensky was referring to: that vaccinations protect the vast majority of people. ABC's 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 Friday's 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." 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 for 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 News's Tucker Carlson, criticized ABC in August for the way it edited anchor George Stephanopoulos's interview with President Joe 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 Biden's 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. Waikiki Beach is often where visitors first fall in love with Hawaii. Its soft sand, calm and inviting waters and view of Leahi (aka Diamond Head) are known worldwide. Once home to Hawaiian royalty, Waikiki is now a popular tourist destination, generating 41% of the states tourism revenue in 2015. But climate change threatens the iconic beach. With global sea levels conservatively estimated to rise at least 3 feet by 2100, Waikiki Beach may not be around at the turn of the century. Some scientists think Waikiki Beach could disappear even sooner. As the seas rise because of climate change, 70% of all sandy shorelines on Oahu, Maui and Kauai are chronically eroding. Thirteen miles of their beaches have already been lost to erosion in the past century. Sea level rise is not the only driver. Warming oceans have sickened coral reefs, which no longer produce enough sand to replenish the beaches. Seawalls and other coastal protections, intended to protect the beaches, instead, are making the problem worse, studies have found. And, especially on beaches with steep slopes, every visitor pushes a little more sand into the sea. Since 2006, the government has invested $10 million into maintaining Waikiki Beach, including beach nourishment, hauling in tons of sand from other sources and placing it on the beach. Its a short-term, unsustainable solution. Beach nourishment is typically designed for a discrete period of time, 10 to 20 years usually, Dolan Eversole, a scientist with the University of Hawaii Sea Grant College Program, told SFGATE. Inevitably, the seas will rise too far, and the costs will grow too high. In Waikiki, without beach nourishment, we would expect the beach to completely disappear in 20 to 30 years, says Eversole. That would be devastating for an economy that depends on tourism visitors spent $17.75 billion statewide in 2019. The state predicts losing Waikiki Beach would mean a loss of $2.22 billion a year. Audrey McAvoy/AP On the island of Oahu, where Waikiki is located, 25% of its sandy beaches have already disappeared. Researchers at the University of Hawaii have used aerial photography to map beach erosion. Large parts of Ewa Beach are now effectively gone, said Eversole. In two-thirds of Lanikai, theres no beach at all. Its wet sea walls. You have to swim to go down the coast, whereas it used to be a big white sandy beach. At the estimated 3 feet of sea level rise by 2100, flooding will increase, impacting homes and businesses. On Oahu, this equates to flooding of approximately 3,800 structures, including hotels in Waikiki, as well as 18 miles of roads. More than 13,000 residents would be displaced. The process of beach nourishment takes beach fill from another source and places it on the beach to offset erosion. It can include complementary features, like adding breakwaters and groins, that help slow erosion and stabilize the sand. This strategy would offer temporary, short-term solutions for beaches that are valuable enough to the economy. Eversole said hes not sure beach nourishment is going to accomplish the needs in the longer term, which he defines as 50 years or less. Long-term, there are only two real options: adapt, or get out of the way. You can build differently so that your infrastructure is able to withstand flooding or erosion events, you can build up so the flooding goes under it, said Eversole. Then, theres managed retreat, rebuilding buildings back from the water. In a lot of places around the state, were really just talking about moving across the street, like a few hundred feet is all it takes and then you might have another 100 years or more before its going to be a problem again. While Eversole does not believe managed retreat is a first choice for economically important places like Waikiki, theres growing strong interest in it. But Hawaii has no experience with managed retreat and no plan to pay for it. The only thing certain is it would need to be a phased, multi-decade approach. Hawaii isnt the only state struggling to plan long-term for beach erosion. Last year, California Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoed Senate Bill 83, which would have carved a path for other managed retreat plans around the nation. The bill would have created a low-interest loan program to help cities buy homes vulnerable to coastal erosion, then rent them out to repay the loan. Eventually, when the homes became unsafe to live in, the towns would tear them down. Unfortunately, it does not comprehensively address the costly activities envisioned, likely to be carried out for decades, Newsom explained of his veto. On the island of Maui, two opposing groups are squaring off over bringing in sand or moving buildings back to address the issue of erosion at Kaanapali Beach, another popular tourist destination. Of all the islands, Maui has the highest rate of erosion, with 85% of its beaches degraded and 4 miles totally lost. AP Co-sponsored by the state of Hawaii and the Kaanapali Beach Operators Association, the beach nourishment project would be the first at Kaanapali Beach. In October, the Board of Land and Natural Resources submitted the final environmental impact statement to Gov. David Ige; the decision is now in his hands. But many people in the West Maui community have expressed strong opposition. A lot of the community is committed to sitting down there on the beaches, blocking equipment, getting arrested, whatever we got to do, Kekai Keahi, a 49-year-old Lahaina resident and community organizer, told SFGATE. Community members have significant concerns about the damage a beach nourishment project could cause, including the impact to coral reefs, and potential changes to surf breaks and canoe paths. Adding sand to a beach is a more complicated process than it sounds. The source of the sand has to be compatible with the current sand. How much sand must also has to be determined carefully, as well as whether it's added all at once or in increments. Too much sand could smother reefs and affect nearshore environments. When features change underwater, surf breaks could also be affected. A lot of us grew up there, and learned to fish there and we still fish there, Keahi said. A lot of our fishing holes, its all going to be taken away. Its going to be covered. The plan calls for 50,000 cubic yards of sand between Hanakaoo Beach Park and Hanakaoo Point, and 25,000 cubic yards of sand between Hanakaoo Point and Puu Kekaa (aka Black Rock). The source of the sand is offshore, and the project would widen the beach anywhere from 41 to 78 feet. Once completed, its expected to reverse the beachs erosion by 30 years, but according to the environmental impact statement, the lifespan is anticipated to be less than 30 years because the rate of erosion along Kaanapali Beach has accelerated. Keahi says hes not against tourism, but he is against projects that want to make a profit at the expense of the environment. He also said he doesnt believe the erosion is happening to the extent the plan says. His 80-year-old father, who grew up in Lahaina, told him the sand is in the same place as when he was a kid and that the ocean is going where the ocean used to be, prior to the hotels bringing in sand and gravel to build right on the beach. But Keahi knows sooner or later, managed retreat will be the answer. Hawaiian people, they understood that we are not here forever, said Keahi, whose family owns a house on the beach in Lahaina. The land may be, but well be gone. We are just stewards. My grandmother always say, one day this ocean is going to take our house, he continued, but then when the ocean does come and take our house this is real Hawaiian style when the ocean does come and take our house, we say thank you and we move along. Eversole is watching Kaanapali intently. Waikiki, which literally means spouting water, was wetland in pre-contact times, with three streams running through it and a sparse amount of sandy shore. The Waikiki we know of today is largely man-made, and the beach has been engineered since the late 19th century. Ive heard people say, You should just let it be natural, let it erode and be natural, said Eversole. We are way too late for that for Waikiki. I would agree with that for some places like the North Shore where its more rural, but in a highly urbanized place like Waikiki, thats not a viable option. For Waikiki, solutions and alternatives are limited because of its man-made history, but in time, the beach will disappear, flooding will be an increased problem at its hotels and adaptation or getting out of the way will become a necessity. To accept that will require a shift in perspective for the entire state. We understand that once nature comes and says, Im reclaiming this, we just say thank you for allowing us to be here as long as we was, and we move, Keahi said. Thats Hawaiian culture, thats how we understand nature. We do not stop nature, we move with nature. WASHINGTON - Democrats' hopes of finally pushing through voting rights legislation after months of Republican opposition appeared to be fatally wounded Thursday as two Democratic senators announced they would not support changing Senate rules that have long allowed a minority of senators to block legislation. The fresh statements from Sens. Joe Manchin, W.Va., and Kyrsten Sinema, Ariz., came as President Joe Biden traveled to Capitol Hill to deliver a final, forceful appeal for action, putting an exclamation point on their party's long and so far fruitless effort to counter restrictive Republican-passed state voting laws. The trip was rendered futile before Biden even set foot in the presidential limousine Thursday when Sinema explained her views in a midday floor speech. Manchin issued a written statement outlining his position shortly after Biden left. Leaving the room after a lunch meeting that stretched over an hour, Biden acknowledged doubts that the push for federal voting legislation would ultimately be successful. "I hope we can get this done. The honest-to-God answer is, I don't know if we can get this done," he said. "But one thing for certain, one thing for certain, like every other major civil rights bill that came along, if we miss the first time, we can come back and try a second time." The imminent failure of the voting effort was another blow to an administration that has been struggling to deal with a wave of new coronavirus infections, persistent high inflation and new foreign policy challenges abroad, including a potential Russian invasion of eastern Ukraine. Not long after Biden left Capitol Hill, the Supreme Court invalidated his national vaccine-or-testing mandate for private businesses. Still, Democrats vowed to move forward with a floor confrontation in the coming days that threatens to bring their year-long quest to counter Republican-passed state voting restrictions to an especially frustrating end. 3 1 of 3 Photo for The Washington Post by Sarah Silbiger Show More Show Less 2 of 3 Photo for The Washington Post by Oliver Contreras Show More Show Less 3 of 3 In an apparent last-ditch attempt to salvage the effort, Manchin and Sinema traveled to the White House late Thursday for a private meeting with Biden, according to two people familiar with the gathering who spoke on the condition of anonymity to describe the plans. Aides had no comment on the meeting after it concluded. But there appeared to be little hope that either Manchin or Sinema would reverse their long-standing public positions defending the filibuster, the Senate's 60-vote supermajority rule, as a tool to facilitate bipartisan cooperation and guard against wild swings in federal policy. "While I continue to support these [voting] bills, I will not support separate actions that worsen the underlying disease of division infecting our country," Sinema said in her speech Thursday, adding that lawmakers "must address the disease itself . . . to protect our democracy." "The response requires something greater and, yes, more difficult than what the Senate is discussing today," she said. Manchin, in his statement, defended the filibuster's "important role in protecting our democracy from the transitory passions of the majority and respecting the input of the minority in the Senate." "Ending the filibuster would be the easy way out," he said. "I cannot support such a perilous course for this nation when elected leaders are sent to Washington to unite our country by putting politics and party aside. It is time we do the hard work to forge the difficult compromises that can stand the test of time and deliver on the promise of a brighter tomorrow for all Americans." Biden, a former six-term senator, delivered his closed-door pitch two days after he made a pointed public case for changing the filibuster to pass voting rights bills. Inside the room, Biden did not personally target the holdout senators, multiple attendees said, but rather made a high-minded pitch about the moral urgency of the moment while also drawing on his experience as a senator to lament the decline of an institution that has become increasingly riven by political polarization. Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., said Biden's remarks were similar to his Tuesday speech in Atlanta, "but it was probably a little bit heavier on, 'Hey guys, I've been a senator for 36 years. I love this place. And I know when it is an important moment.' " "He emphasized not only that history will be watching you, but that a lot of people don't have an opportunity to do something that will do so much good for so many at a time where it's so necessary," Kaine said. Attendees said Manchin posed a question to Biden about the history of Senate rules, leading to a respectful back-and-forth. Sinema, according to multiple senators, did not address Biden or her colleagues. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., who called the struggle to persuade Manchin and Sinema "an uphill fight" in interviews this week, laid out a plan Wednesday to bring two key voting rights bills to the Senate floor in the coming days, setting up a final showdown over the rules early next week. Schumer's plans to hold floor votes on the matter ahead of the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday were stymied, however, after Sen. Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii, announced Thursday he had tested positive for the coronavirus, putting him into isolation for the time being, and winter storms were forecast for the weekend. The majority leader said late Thursday that the proceedings would begin next Tuesday, postponing the scheduled Senate recess. Speaking on the Senate floor Thursday morning, Schumer said Democrats had no choice but to move forward unilaterally after trying to secure GOP cooperation on voting rights for months. "Every step of the way, we've been met with near total resistance," he said. "I have said for months that just because Republicans have refused to work with us to protect voting rights does not mean Democrats would stop working to move forward on our own. The matter is simply too important." Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., meanwhile, accused Democrats of focusing on the divisive and distracting issue of voting rights and Senate rules instead of more pressing challenges to the nation's economy and security. "There's a path forward for my Democratic colleagues to respond to the country they have so badly disappointed, but it isn't to try to break the Senate and rewrite election laws, it's to actually start tackling the issues that American families need tackled," he said. After Sinema spoke Wednesday, McConnell called her speech "a conspicuous act of political courage," while other Republicans marveled at how Democrats brought the issue to a head knowing Sinema's long-standing views on the filibuster. "She's just expressing a frustration that they don't appear to be listening to her," said Senate Minority Whip John Thune, R-S.D. "She's been clear. She's been public from the beginning about this, and they seem to continue to think that somehow they're going to switch her, and the more they do that, I think the more dug in she's gotten." More than a half-dozen Republicans, including top leaders McConnell and Thune, watched Sinema's speech inside the Senate chamber, while only two Democrats opted to attend in person. Delivering the speech wearing purple, a symbol of Washington bipartisanship, Sinema said she wished there had been "a more serious effort on the part of Democratic Party leaders to sit down with the other party and genuinely discuss how to reforge common ground" on voting rights issues. But she also said Republicans "have a duty to meet their shared responsibility to protect access to voting and the integrity of our electoral process." The suggestion that Democrats could have done more to win GOP support for voting bills rankled some Democratic senators, including some who had tried to negotiate a compromise over the course of last year to no avail. "It's important to emphasize that what [Republicans] blocked was our ability to even have a debate on the issue," said Sen. Raphael Warnock, D-Ga., who faces a difficult reelection campaign this year in a state that was among the first to pass new voting restrictions. "They are not serious. And it is unfortunate that politicians are choosing power over the principles of democracy." The confrontation has been nearly a year in the making, initially spurred by new voting laws passed by Republican state legislatures starting early last year that sought to scale back voting by mail, early voting, ballot drop boxes and other provisions that have made voting more convenient and accessible but became a central focus of former president Donald Trump's false claims that the 2020 presidential election was stolen. Civil rights groups with close ties to Democratic Party leaders have been especially forceful in calling for action, warning that the GOP state laws threaten to depress minority turnout and swing future elections. Republican leaders in Washington have aggressively countered the push, arguing that the state laws are justified to restore faltering public confidence in elections and that the federal government has no role in dictating how states run their elections. In fact, the Constitution gives Congress wide latitude to regulate the conduct of federal elections, and the Senate has tried four times over the past year to pass voting rights bills. Each time, with one exception, Republicans banded together to block their advancement. (Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska voted to advance one bill, the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, in November.) The failed efforts have spurred rising interest among Democrats in changing the Senate rules to prevent future GOP blockades.While Manchin and Sinema have been closely involved in discussions with their colleagues about the Senate rules, they made no public indication that they would breach the 60-vote rule, which has been eroded over the years for executive nominations, budget legislation and other limited circumstances. Manchin this week told reporters that he was not willing to change the rules without GOP buy-in, and he again defended the importance of the supermajority threshold, saying senators "need to be very cautious [about] what we do." Sinema has made clear she supports federal legislation on voting rights but has consistently expressed reservations about changing Senate rules to pass it - a position that only solidified after she led a group that negotiated a bipartisan infrastructure bill this past summer. After she detailed her argument Thursday identifying widening political divisions as the crucial element threatening American democracy, several of her colleagues openly questioned her analysis and expressed fears that a failure to act urgently could permanently harm the nation. "What is poisonous is taking away people's right to vote," said Sen. Martin Heinrich, D-N.M. "That's not a slippery slope - that is a real slope to not having a functioning democracy." "She believes that the risk of changing the filibuster is greater than the risk of what's going on in the states," said Sen. Angus King, I-Vt. "I hope profoundly that she's right. I fear that she's wrong." LONDON - Buckingham Palace announced Thursday that "with the Queen's approval and agreement," all of Prince Andrew's military affiliations and remaining royal patronages have been returned - a devastating blow for Elizabeth II's second son, who is facing a U.S. civil lawsuit that accuses him of having sex with a teenager trafficked by disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein. Andrew, who denies the lawsuit allegations, has been mostly out of the public eye for the past year, and many organizations distanced themselves from him after he defended his relationship with Epstein in a disastrous 2019 BBC interview. But he had retained his honorary military titles with multiple British regiments. And the Buckingham Palace website had listed dozens and dozens of schools, hospitals and clubs with which he was still associated - including the Army Officers' Golfing Society, the Fly Navy Heritage Trust, the Foundation for Liver Research and the elite Westminster Academy. Thursday's decision means the former Navy pilot and divorced father of two adult daughters is now facing his accuser alone, without the backing of the palace and without the shield of honors his lifelong protector - his mother and his queen - had bestowed upon him. The two-sentence statement from the palace ended, "The Duke of York will continue not to undertake any public duties and is defending this case as a private citizen." Where the money will come from for Andrew to defend himself - or settle out of court - is a hot topic in Britain. He has been receiving a $27,000 annual pension from his navy service and a $342,000 annual allowance for his service as a senior working royal, according to figures widely reported by British media. Those funds may no longer be available. Royal biographers have observed that the 61-year-old Andrew has often been seen as a favorite of his mother. But the 95-year-old queen has also been insistent during her long reign that duty, service, honor, and the preservation of the monarchy are supreme. Andrew will stop using the honorific title "His Royal Highness," though he remains a duke and a prince. His many patronages will be distributed among other members of the House of Windsor. The MailOnline's Thursday headline was: "Queen Casts Andrew Out." Nick Goldstone, a legal commentator and Head of Dispute Resolution at Ince law firm in London, said the stripping of titles and honorifics means "it would appear that the royal family are trying to distance themselves from the fallout from the Virginia Giuffre case and the toxicity of the allegations made against the Duke of York." A judge in New York ruled on Wednesday that the lawsuit brought against Andrew by Giuffre can go forward, for now. Andrew's defense team had argued that a 2009 agreement 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, who died by suicide while awaiting trial for sex trafficking in 2019. But U.S. District Court Judge Lewis Kaplan determined that the settlement does not unequivocally free the royal from liability. The revoking of Andrew's military titles comes after 150 British veterans signed an open letter calling for the queen to strip her son of his military titles, adding that "if necessary, that he be dishonourably discharged." In their letter, the veterans wrote, "We are particularly upset and angry that Prince Andrew remains a member of the armed forces and continues to hold military titles, positions and ranks, including that of Vice Admiral of the Royal Navy." The veterans complained that the prince had brought disrepute on Britain's armed forces and had been "uncooperative and less than truthful" about his friendship with Epstein. Andrew's precipitous fall follows other great family scandals, from the divorce and death of Princess Diana to the decision by Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, to quit their roles as senior royals and move to southern California, along the way accusing their immediate family of casual racism. - - - The Washington Post's Shayna Jacobs in New York contributed to this report. 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. By Jackie Botts and Jesse Bedayn CalMatters Amid growing awareness of inequality and jobs that don't pay enough to cover child care and housing, California is considering a radical proposal: Allow the state to negotiate wages, hours and work conditions for an entire industry. Proponents in the state Legislature say one solution to inequality is to empower workers to negotiate through unions, but that's not happening in the fast food industry where frequent turnover, inexperience and intimidation make it too difficult for workers to organize. Only 3 percent of fast food and counter workers belong to unions nationwide. In Sacramento, a union-backed Democratic proposal called the Fast Food Accountability and Standards Recovery Act, or FAST Recovery Act, would establish a state-appointed council to enact industry-wide minimum standards for wages, working hours and work conditions. If passed by state lawmakers and signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom, the proposal would also hold corporate franchisors responsible for compliance, not just the local franchise owners. "California has the opportunity to really pave a path forward in a way that can work for both workers and employers," said David Madland, a senior adviser to the American Worker Project at the Center for American Progress, a liberal Washington, D.C., think tank. Legislation to approve the FAST Recovery Act, AB 257, fell three votes short of passing the state Assembly last June with eight Democrats voting no and another 13 not voting. Newsom did not take a position. With strong support from major state labor groups, the issue is expected to resurface this year even though the bill's author, Assemblymember Lorena Gonzalez, unexpectedly resigned from office the first week of January to transition into chief officer of the California Labor Federation, which supports the proposal. One of the nation's largest unions, Service Employees International Union, vowed to continue pushing the bill. It funds the Fight for $15 and a Union campaign, which organizes low-wage workers to advocate for better wages and work conditions, primarily in fast food. Fight for $15 is planning an art demonstration, downgraded from a rally due to Omicron concerns, on Wednesday at the state Capitol and Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon could transfer authorship to a committee or another lawmaker. "The path forward on this bill is still being worked out," said Rendon's spokesperson Katie Talbot. Address low wage and poor conditions Proponents, who have set up a website, say the FAST Recovery Act is needed to address low wages and poor conditions for workers. California's fast food workers -- a majority of whom are people of color, Latino and women -- made an average $14.73 an hour in 2020, with California's minimum wage rising to $15 this month for most businesses. Proponents also point out they are more vulnerable to COVID-19 and more likely to encounter injury, wage theft, customer assault and harassment. A new report from the UCLA Labor Center documents dangerous conditions during the pandemic, with nearly a quarter of surveyed workers having contracted the virus. Less than half said their employers offered paid sick leave -- mandated by state and federal law -- to workers who got COVID-19. "It may not be in the cards to have the kind of traditional labor format we've seen in the United States in the near future," said Saru Jayaraman, director of the UC Berkeley Food Labor Research Center. "But it may very well be in the cards to see these really innovative sector-wide, power-building strategies that change entire sectors." The idea of negotiating wages and work conditions for an industry, rather than for each workplace separately, has been modeled for many years in Europe and around the world. Known as "sectoral bargaining," it has also gained support among progressives in the U.S. such as Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren as a way to reduce income inequality. Multiple studies of sectoral bargaining in other countries have found evidence that it reduces inequality, and tends to swell union ranks -- with some notable exceptions. But a number of European studies find that sectoral bargaining can reduce profits or productivity for companies. A 2015 study found that sectoral bargaining led to more layoffs during the Great Recession in Europe. Under current American labor law, true sectoral bargaining is rare because multiple employers would have to voluntarily agree to come to the same negotiating table with workers, said Madland, the researcher at the Center for American Progress. He says America achieved this in the auto industry more than a century ago, and rail workers benefit from that arrangement today. However, American "workers cannot insist on multi-employer bargaining," unlike in other countries, he said. The California proposal would carve a state path by directing an 11-member council -- composed of fast food workers, franchisees and franchisors, and state health, safety and labor officials -- to do the negotiating. The governor and leaders in the state Senate and Assembly would appoint the members. Its rules would be revisited every three years and, unlike traditional collective bargaining, they would be enforced by state agencies. The laws would apply to every restaurant that belongs to a fast food chain with 30 or more franchises. Opposition from business, moderate Democrats It's a highly controversial proposal with opposition from industry, Republicans and a divide among Democrats. Before the bill's failed Assembly vote in June, Assemblymember Ken Cooley, a moderate Democrat from Rancho Cordova, said the power given to an unelected council was an "exceedingly problematic" precedent that is "undermining of the rule of law." Business groups are also adamant the government stay out of private negotiations. They argue the free market adjusts wages where it is needed, citing the fact that many California fast food restaurants are now raising their wages to $17 or $18 per hour to attract workers amid a labor shortage. Republicans said the bill was an example of government overreach that would destroy minimum wage jobs and small businesses. Meanwhile, the coalition of organizations lobbying against the bill, which include 40 local and ethnic chambers of commerce, launched a website with the slogan "Stop the Takeout Takeover." "The people who will pay for Lorena Gonzalez's initiative aren't the 'evil corporations.' It's the working people who rely on that fast food" for either meals or employment, said Will Swaim, president of the right-leaning California Policy Center. Industry groups also questioned whether the new model is needed since California is known for the strictest labor standards in the country, such as being first to set the $15 minimum wage and protections against heat illness. "Throwing all of that out to this test case of a panel is absurd," said Matt Sutton, a senior vice president at the California Restaurant Association. Sutton also said the FAST Recovery Act's extension of liability to corporate franchisors could raise costs and potentially drive fast-food chains out of the state. Franchise owners testified in hearings that the bill could change the franchise model, making local owners more regulated by the corporation and less independent. "AB 257 would result in me and so many other franchisees losing our autonomy since the state would essentially be stripping us of our identity as business owners and making us basically employees for large corporations," said Michaela Mendelsohn, a franchise owner of multiple El Pollo Loco restaurants, at a spring hearing. State-imposed bargaining Gonzalez said she also believes her bill is not the best solution. She says the state government shouldn't be in the business of bargaining and she would rather maintain "a private-sector approach to reducing income inequality." Unions, Gonzalez added, do a better job responding to workers' needs worksite by worksite instead of one-size-fits-all state labor laws, which employers fight and the government enforces unevenly. But given that businesses continue to fight union drives, Gonzalez said, and the U.S. Congress has stalled on federal labor law reform, the FAST Recovery Act is necessary to help workers and, she hopes, encourage more support for labor unions. "Maybe an individual fast food franchisee or restaurant says 'You know what, I'd rather have a conversation with my workers in my workplace, allow them if they so want to unionize, and provide them not what these people at the state level are bargaining for but what the workers in my workplace actually want,'" Gonzalez said. "That would be a great solution." For now, though, Assemblymember Ash Kalra, a San Jose Democrat who chairs the Assembly labor and employment committee, said that where labor organizing campaigns have failed in low-wage industries, the government needs to act. "That's the only way you can do it in some of these industries," Kalra said. "Worksite by worksite is nearly impossible." Fast food workers protest Two McDonald's workers agreed. At different franchises in California, both helped organize two-week walkouts during the pandemic, with support from Fight for $15. Imelda Arroyo earns $15.50 per hour at a McDonald's in Oakland. She has little left for her 7-year-old daughter after paying $1,950 for rent. The single mother feels she deserves better wages, health insurance, paid sick leave, and "a place where we can explain our concerns" before having to resort to strikes. Even though "fast food workers like me don't have a union," Arroyo said, "at least we are hoping to get something like AB 257." Another worker, Imelda Rosales, said her weekly hours were cut from 40 to 27 after protesting unsafe work conditions and unpaid sick leave last winter at a McDonald's in a small, desert town near Palmdale. The franchise owner, Andrew Marroquin, said the restaurant complied with paid emergency leave for all employees and didn't retaliate, but Rosales disputes his claim. "We have to hurry up and fight so that the law passes," Rosales said. "And then continue (fighting) for the union after." --This article is part of the California Divide project, a collaboration among newsrooms examining income inequality and economic survival in California. 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. Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (R) and Lao Prime Minister Phankham Viphavanh (Photo: SGGP) During the visit, the two PMs held talks, attended signing ceremonies for cooperation agreements, launched the Year of Vietnam Laos Solidarity and Friendship, co-chaired the 44th meeting of the Vietnam Laos Inter-Governmental Committee on Bilateral Cooperation, and met businesses from the two countries. Viphavanh paid a courtesy call to Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong as well as met President Nguyen Xuan Phuc and National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue. He paid floral tribute to President Ho Chi Minh at his mausoleum and laid a wreath at a monument to war heroes and martyrs on Bac Son street, Hanoi. President Nguyen Xuan Phuc hosted a reception for Lao Minister of Public Security Gen. Vilay Lakhamphong. Lao Deputy PM and Minister of National Defence Gen. Chansamone Chanyalath visited former Vice Secretary of the Central Military Commission and former Minister of National Defence Gen. Ngo Xuan Lich. Meanwhile, Vilay Lakhamphong also held talks with his Vietnamese counterpart Gen. To Lam. During talks and exchanges, both sides reaffirmed the two countries consistent policies of treasuring and giving the top priority to consolidating bilateral great relationship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation. Despite Covid-19 pandemic, the two countries maintained the exchange of delegations via all channels and regularly carried out bilateral cooperation mechanisms in various forms. The two sides pledged to maintain all-level visits and exchanges in a flexible and effective manner while seriously and effectively realising agreements reached by their leaders. The two PMs discussed ways to lift economic ties on par with bilateral special ties and vowed to step up connectivity between the two economies, including in hard and soft infrastructure, especially road, railway and airway transportation projects, thus helping Laos achieve its goal of becoming a regional logistics centre linking with seas and oceans. They promised to effectively carry out economic agreements, create a stable and transparent legal corridor and business environment conducive to enterprises. Priority will be given to improving the quality of education-training collaboration; enhancing cultural, sport and tourism exchanges; and developing coordination in clean agriculture, e-commerce, digital transformation and innovation. Leaders consented to joint celebrations during 2022 Year of Vietnam Laos, Laos Vietnam Solidarity and Friendship to mark the 60th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties and the 45th anniversary of the signing of Vietnam Laos Treaty of Amity and Cooperation. They will effectively realise protocols and plans on national defence-security cooperation, as well as work closely together to seek, unearth and repatriate remains of Vietnamese soliders falling in Laos. They vowed to continue working closely together and offering mutual support at multilateral forums, particularly in ASEAN, the United Nations and Mekong sub-regional cooperation mechanisms. They will maintain ASEANs common stance on strategic issues related to regional peace and stability, including the East Sea issue. The two PMs witnessed the signing and exchange of nine cooperation documents in security, border, economic, banking, education, health care and electricity fields. On the occasion, Viphavanh invited Chinh to visit Laos in his time of convenience. Chinh accepted the invitation with pleasure. VNA The national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines is one of the nine airlines to operate at terminal 4 at Changi International Airport in Singapore. Currently, SIA operates 11 weekly flights from HCMC to Singapore and 11 others from Hanoi to Singapore. The carrier will offer two weekly flights from Singapore to HCMC, and one weekly flight to Hanoi, starting on January 13, using 303-seater Airbus A350-900. Flights to and from Da Nang continue to be suspended. Tickets for flights between Vietnam and Singapore are available for sales through various SIAs distribution channels. Requirements for travel on SIAs commercial flights to Vietnam include: - Vietnamese passport holders may enter with valid passport; advance approval is not required. - All foreigner nationalities must hold a written approval from the Immigration Department of Vietnam and valid related documents, including visa label, temporary residence card or a written approval from the Consular of Vietnam if they are holding diplomat passports. The above documents are to be presented upon check-in. There is no need to submit these documents to SIA separately. - Where specified, approvals can be city-level specific and not interchangeable. The passenger cannot use an approval from the Immigration Department for entry to Hanoi to enter HCMC/Da Nang. - All passengers (except children below two years old) are required to present a negative Covid-19 RT-PCR test certificate at check-in. The test certificate must be in English and the test must be done within three days prior to arrival to Vietnam. Passengers transiting through Singapore are required to present negative Covid-19 test certificate , which must be done within 48 hours before the scheduled flight departure for Singapore. Therefore, passengers are advised to time their Covid test to fulfill both entry and transit requirements stated above, whichever is stricter. All passengers are required to make heath declaration at tokhaiyte.vn prior to arrival in HCMC and Hanoi. When entering Vietnam, passengers must install PC-Covid app to perform health declaration and monitoring in accordance with prevailing regulations of Vietnam. They are subjected to an antigen rapid test upon arrival at airports in HCMC and Hanoi. The test fees are to be borne by the passenger. Travelers are subjected to quarantine requirements in accordance with prevailing guidelines prescribed by the Vietnams Government. By Kim Khanh Wood chips flew through the air over the weekend as woodcarvers from near and far descended upon the Shippensburg Fairgrounds to showcase thei Try out LudingtonDailyNews.com for only 99 per month for the first 3 months, $9.99 a month after. Unlimited website access 24/7 Unlimited e-Edition access 24/7 The best local, regional and national news in sports, politics, business and more! With a Digital Only subscription, you'll receive unlimited access to our website and e-Edition. Our digital products are available 24/7 and are accessible anywhere, anytime. Infosys outperformed its peers Tata Consultancy Services and Wipro in the quarter ended December 2021 in terms of sequential growth and said its revenue will grow by 19.5-20% in the fiscal ended March 31, 2022, buoyed by sustained expansion in global technology spending amid the ongoing pandemic. Marking an industry first, India's three largest IT services firms announced their quarterly results on the same day with industry leader TCS saying it will buy back shares worth Rs 18,000 crore at Rs 4,500 apiece. It also declared an interim dividend of Rs 7 per share, while Wipro declared an interim dividend of Rs 1 per equity share. Infosys grew 7% in dollar terms over the previous quarter and TCS 4.5%both beating analyst estimates. Wipro grew 3%, a tad lower than street expectations. India's $150 billion IT exports industry is benefiting significantly from global corporations moving from data centres to the cloud, enabling applications to be accessed on smartphones and providing insights based on analytics gathered from the digital shift. "There is demand out there which requires significant focus on customers, talent development and partnerships to participate in this ecosystem," TCS CEO Rajesh Gopinathan said. Large corporations are also looking at this (technology spends) "from a capex perspective, (as) something they want to invest in, it is not just an opex spend," said Salil Parekh, chief executive officer of Infosys, whose early push to snag large digital transformation deals is boosting his company's topline. "Just as a percentage of their revenue, the amount that (companies) want to spend on technology is going up." The Bengaluru-headquartered IT company, which hiked its revenue forecast for the full year by three percentage points, said its profit in the third quarter rose by 12% to Rs 5,197 crore, while revenue grew by 23% to Rs 31,867 crore. TCS recorded a 12.2% increase in profit at Rs 9,763 crore while revenue expanded by 16.3% to Rs 48,885 crore. The Mumbai-based technology major generated a revenue of $25 billion in the calendar year 2021. It does not provide revenue forecasts. "There is no reason why we should not aspire to continue to grow. Whether that growth will be 10% or 15% or 20%, will vary from period to period. But there is significant (scope) available for growth, and that is what we're setting up the company for," CEO Gopinathan said in an earnings call on Wednesday evening. Analysts are of the view that TCS' intake of nearly 77,000 freshers in the financial year, so far "indicates strong underlying demand and anticipation of large deal inflows going ahead," said Ashis Dash, research analyst, Sharekhan by BNP Paribas in a note. Infosys's "excellent all-round growth" in the quarter "despite wage revision of seniors, rising attrition, lower utilisation and higher subcontractor expenses," indicates that the (company) "is getting some pricing benefits," Dash wrote. Wipro, which completed a year of CEO Thierry Delaporte's new strategy in December, said its third quarter profit remained flat at Rs 2,970 crore and revenue grew by 29.6% to Rs 20,313 crore as it continued to grow business from banks, retailers and health care customers globally. "We've added a third of the company to our revenue base in (the last) five quarters. This quarter, we are 28% bigger than we were a year ago," Delaporte told ET. The company expects to grow 2-4% in the quarter to March between $2.7 billion and $2.75 billion. Delaporte said all Wipro offices globally would be closed for the next four weeks as a proactive measure given the spread of the Omicron variant. Plans to return to office by adopting a hybrid model would be calibrated in the context of the evolving situation, keeping employee and client preferences in mind. As of now, 90% of company's employees globally have received the first dose of Covid-19 vaccine and 65% are fully vaccinated. The three Indian IT firms reported their highest attrition in three years as they saw their people snapped up by rivals as well as global companies and startups that are benefiting from the rise in technology spending worldwide. Infosys saw attrition shoot up to 25.5%, Wipro reported a spike in attrition to 22.7% and relatively lower for TCS at 15.3%. They also revised upwards their hiring target for the year ahead from campuses as well as experienced professionals. The United States Attorneys Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that a Shenandoah man was indicted on January 11, 2022, by a federal grand jury for firearms and drug trafficking offenses.According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, the indictment charges Alnaldo Perez-Rodriguez, 35, of Shenandoah, with being in possession of a Walther .380 caliber pistol in furtherance of drug trafficking, being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, and being in possession of fentanyl and methamphetamine for distribution in Schuylkill County on December 3, 2021.The case was investigated by the FBI Safe Streets Task Force, the Schuylkill County Drug Task Force, State Parole Agents, and the United States Marshals Fugitive Task Force. Assistant United States Attorney Robert J. OHara is prosecuting the case.This matter was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justices violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime. To continue, please log in, or sign up for a new account. We offer one free story view per month. If you register for an account, you will get two additional story views. After those three total views, we ask that you support us with a subscription. A subscription to our digital content is so much more than just access to our valuable content. It means youre helping to support a local community institution that has, from its very start, supported the betterment of our society. Thank you very much! If you have an event you'd like to list on the site, submit it now! Go to form Not too far from where the new Shepparton Art Museum (SAM) stands alongside Lake Victoria on Yorta Yorta land, the local Rumbalara Football Club has its regular training and matches. Most locals know of the Indigenous footy club, as did Lin Onus, the late Yorta Yorta artist, whose work is the subject of a retrospective as the centrepiece of the museums launch program. While putting together Lin Onus: The Land Within, SAMs artistic director/CEO Rebecca Coates and Indigenous curator Belinda Briggs were drawn to one painting, in particular, showing Rumbalara players on the field. It is called Time and it is undated but the boofy hair-dos on the players suggest late 70s. Lin Onus, 3/4 Time. Courtesy of the Koorie Heritage Trust Collection and courtesy the Lin Onus Estate. Credit:Graham Baring Briggs, a Yorta Yorta woman, has been able to positively identify one of the players in the painting: her father. The figure walking off-field is noticeable because his elbow seems to be at an odd angle. As she explains, when he was a youngster, her dad broke his arm and it never healed correctly so it always had its own way of poking out. Happily, it didnt stop him playing footy. In Shepparton, connections are everywhere and the new SAM is helping to deepen the ties. No doubt, other locals will play guess-who-that-is with this painting, and they might also notice that the dramatic lozenges of colour on the gallery walls are actually Rumbalara team colours. Neil Young and I go back a ways. For half a century weve been walking down a one-way street. Hes been on one side, and Ive been on the other. Hes never known Ive been there, and thats fine. At the start, hed release an album to the breeze and Id scoop it up with my hands and tuck it under my arms, and on we walked. Id take it on trust. Neil Young: single-minded, guided only by his muse. Credit:Invision/AP This year (2022) marks the 50th anniversary of Harvest, the record that catapulted Young into the orbit of stardom. It was the first of his albums that landed on the McFadyen record player. I was drawn to it through the tiny speakers in the transistor sending forth a keening, high Canadian voice looking for a heart of gold. The single Heart of Gold was everywhere. I was 14 and just stepping into the oceanic whirl of rock music. Neil Young became the moon to my tide. I scraped the money together (about $5.95) and bought the album and found, like a revelation, that there were other songs on it, such as Old Man and The Needle and the Damage Done, that were just as good. Towns across Western Australia have recorded some of the hottest weather ever recorded in the country, while other parts of the nation are preparing for heavy rains, humid nights and the after-effects of an ex-tropical cyclone. Three towns in Western Australias Pilbara region have hit more than 50 degrees, with Onslow recording 50.7 degrees, on par with the hottest temperature ever recorded in Australia at Oodnadatta Airport in South Australia, which recorded 50.7 degrees on January 2, 1960. Two other towns in the region, Roebourne and Mardie, recorded 50.5 degrees on Thursday and stand in equal-second spot as the hottest on record. The record-breaking temperatures have been caused by several factors including heat building up over inland WA and high ocean temperatures. While towns in WA have recorded degrees above 50, NSW and Victoria are preparing for wet weather in the coming days. Credit:Nick Moir Mardie previously held the second-hottest record when it reached 50.5 degrees on February 19, 1998, while Wilcannia Post Office in NSW owns the third hottest day, recording 50 degrees on January 11, 1939. Heres one explanation for the constant compliments: people may be comparing my water skills to those of Man. As soon as we arrive at the beach, I exit the car like a coiled spring. I burn my way down the path and head straight into the water. Not Man. First, he has to make camp. My athleticism when in the water is drawing plenty of favourable reviews. Children shout look at that dog swim, and look Mum, that kelpie just caught a wave. If dogs could blush, Id be permanently red-faced, and not just from the sunburn. Personally, I dont think my achievements are that surprising. If a dog cant dog paddle, who can? Its your dog Clancy here, writing from a beach down the coast. Heres my news: I love it here. Im thinking of becoming a professional surfer, or at very least a cast member of Bondi Rescue. This involves him laying out his towel, placing his sunscreen and book to one side, and then hiding his car keys in one of his shoes. The thieves will never think to look there, he says to Lady, even though every Australian has been using the same supposedly iron-clad security system for the past century. Lady then suggests a swim, but Man says, First I have to heat up. He then positions his body in a way that resembles the Max Dupain photograph Sunbaker, albeit now featuring a 63-year-old man with spindly arms, white hair and a fair amount of childhood sun damage. Max Dupains Sunbaker. Credit:State Library of NSW All this time, Im gambolling in the water, prancing though the waves and playing chasey-chasey with other dogs. I leap in and out of the water. If anything, Ive become an animal that is half dolphin and half gazelle. I can hear the laughter of children and the crashing of the waves. The air smells sweet with the sea breeze. I want this afternoon to last forever. I run back to Man and try to remind him of the delightful feeling of water on your skin. I do this by standing next to him and vigorously shaking myself. This covers him with a tsunami of water, which has the desired effect of awakening Man from his slumber. He stumbles to his feet, complaining loudly, and announces that, since I left him soaking wet, he may as well join me in the water. When they attend an arts event, I doubt many people consider how that event is funded while they wait for a live performance to begin. Few audience members are aware of the pressure on arts companies to find the financial support needed to complement government funding, assuming those companies are fortunate enough to receive it. The financial support provided to Sydney Festival by the Israeli Embassy has genuinely offended people. I respect the decision made by artists to boycott the festival. They are doing what they believe is right. Sponsorship of Decadance sparked a boycott that has wreaked havoc with the Sydney Festivals program. Credit:Daniel Boud But beyond the discussion of who is right and who is wrong, the boycott should prompt us to think about the reason arts organisations need to pursue sponsorships. According to the festivals 2020 annual review, 27 per cent of its funding comes from donations and partnerships. Applications for the limited pool of government support are extremely competitive. Evidence of the ability to raise private sector income is part of the process. Organisations that can exhibit success tend to fare better in the process as it shows less long-term reliance on government money and increased likelihood of sustainability. Those who do not attract government funding also need to find alternative income sources. Noticing discussion around the traps recently about swimming lessons, and the lack thereof, David Witney of Pottsville was reminded of his Irish grandmothers indisputable logic. She used to say to the kids, Dont be going near the water till you can swim! It sounds so simple, yet... Following on from Caroline Davies dash for the negative calorie benefits of broken foods (C8), Jenny Mooney of Karuah recalls that she was told years ago that choc tops and chocolate-coated almonds at the movies also undergo this magic. They are part of the cinema experience and therefore do not count as food. Similarly, Barbara Ryan of Caringbah South firmly asserts that there are no calories in food eaten while standing in front of an open fridge, or anything left on the kids plates. Although Barry Riley of Woy Woy couldnt afford biscuits of any kind as kid in the 40s, he and his friends had fun asking people if they had any broken biscuits (C8). If the answer was yes, wed yell Well, fix them! and run away laughing. All the talk of misshapen and discoloured teeth on masks (C8) reminded Neil Brough of Seaforth of a former work colleague whose teeth were so badly discoloured that it was said of him that he only needed a white one to have a snooker set. When he proposed a competition for the most boring activity during lockdown, Col Begg of Orange says he had no idea that Granny would trump his hand with the proposal to determine the number of todays column if they had been consecutively numbered from Column 1. Touche Granny! Now wheres my calculator? Arresting officers will ask all suspects and victims if they are Indigenous in a policy change that NSW Police says will provide improve data and ultimately create a fairer justice system. From Friday, it will be mandatory for police to ask all offenders and victims if they are Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander and to record their response in the police database. It follows a recommendation from the NSW Police Aboriginal Strategic Advisory Council. NSW Police officers will now have to ask all victims and offenders if they are Indigenous. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen People will be asked whether they identify regardless of their appearance or background, but it will not be mandatory to respond. NSW Polices corporate sponsor for Aboriginal engagement, Assistant Commissioner Joe Cassar said the approach would improve justice outcomes for Indigenous people, who are overrepresented in prisons. NSW and Victoria are working together to devise a plan to stop another school year from being disrupted, as the federal government announced teachers and childcare workers would be exempt from isolation. With term one less than three weeks away, young teenagers will also be able to consent to a COVID-19 jab without a parent or guardians permission at state hubs, with NSW easing guidelines as vaccine uptake among children aged 12 to 15 stalls. Teenagers will be able to access vaccines at hubs without a parent present. Credit:Getty Images Under new national rules announced by Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Thursday, workers in sectors including education who are a close contact defined as living with someone who has COVID-19 can return to work if they do not have symptoms and return a negative rapid antigen test result. While the supply of rapid antigen tests and how they will be used to monitor COVID-19 is a major component of the return-to-school plan, the NSW government is also considering how the education workforce and outbreaks in classrooms will be managed as it seeks to mitigate the widespread closure of schools. For most of the 33 years until Scott White stood in a closed Sydney courtroom this week and uttered the words Guilty, I am guilty, guilty, the American IT entrepreneur Steve Johnson had endured a persistent message from the NSW Police Force: your brother killed himself in 1988 by leaping from a cliff at North Head, near Manly. Suddenly it was over, Mr Johnson said on Thursday night. This man finally found the soul to confess and put an end to this. My family are all in tears. Steve Johnson, the brother of murdered Scott Johnson, has finally got closure over the death of his brother. Credit:Jessica Hromas If not for Steve Johnsons dogged refusal to believe his younger brother, Scott Johnson, had been in any frame of mind to end his life - a position that did not always win him friends among police investigators - the truth almost certainly would never have emerged. The stage for Whites unexpected confession to the murder on Monday - it surprised even his defence counsel when he changed his plea to guilty - would have never been set. Scott Johnson had been a 27-year-old gay man, a maths genius on the cusp of securing his PhD in Australia, when his naked body was found at the base of the cliff in December 1988. Queensland deserves more support from the federal government after saving Canberra billions of dollars through the coronavirus pandemic, the states Health Minister says. With Queensland poised to finally open its borders fully to interstate travellers on Saturday, Health Minister Yvette DAth said the state should receive financial support from the Commonwealth because it had missed out on the vast sums given to NSW and Victoria. Queensland Health Minister Yvette DAth says if theres federal support to be given, Queenslands deserving of it. Credit:Matt Dennien We have done the Commonwealth a huge benefit in the way Queensland has managed the virus because since June last year, the Commonwealth has provided $252 million in COVID-19 disaster payments to Queensland, she said. [To] New South Wales and Victoria combined, they have provided $11 billion. Police have released new footage in their search for the driver involved in a fatal hit-run that killed a man in Melbournes north last weekend. Investigators released CCTV vision of the car they believe struck the 30-year-old on Sydney Road in Fawkner in the early hours of Saturday morning. In the video, the vehicle can be seen travelling along Sydney Road following the collision. Police believe the car could be a dark Audi Q7 manufactured between 2012 and 2015 and that it might be showing signs of damage. Professor Sutton noted early and consistent implementation of all the measures is the best strategy to avoid more restrictive measures being necessary in the future, and called for a ban on dance floors, fresh density caps in hospitality and restricted access to hospitals and aged care homes, among other measures. However, at that time, only the introduction of an indoor mask mandate was accepted by Mr Foley, who argued further changes to the rules might diminish the governments social licence to manage the pandemic and likely contribute to community fatigue and distress. Cases have since surged dramatically, forcing the cancellation of most elective surgery and contributing to dangerously long delays in answering triple-zero calls. Most of Professor Suttons earlier recommendations have now been adopted, in addition to mandated third doses for some workers and other measures. The new meeting notes seen by The Age said quarantine hotels were likely to be used for the temporary transfer of COVID-19 patients who had improved but were unable to go home. Paul Gilbert, assistant secretary of the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federations Victorian branch, said the minimum one-nurse-to-four-patient ratio was blowing out to one for every six to eight patients in some major metropolitan hospitals. In intensive care units, where a one-to-one ratio is expected, critical care nurses were overseeing up to three patients. Some critical care nurses working in ICU are overseeing up to three patients. Credit:Penny Stephens Chronic understaffing meant nurses were exhausted and burnt out and the quality of healthcare provided would inevitably decline. It means that if a nurse has to get somebody out of bed on day three after a particular operation and help them in the shower, that might not be able to happen on day three. It might not happen on day four, Mr Gilbert said. This is really quite scary and frustrating for our members, but thats the kind of thing thats happening out there. At the time of the meeting between the Health Minister and senior health department officials more than a week ago, 12 hospital services in Victoria had altered their model of care and some warned they were no longer able to meet optimal nurse-to-patient ratios. These workforce challenges would only increase as more healthcare workers became infected, with recent trends suggesting an increase in the number of clinical healthcare workers with COVID-19 rising in excess of 10 per cent per day, the notes say. Australian Medical Association president Dr Omar Khorshid said COVID-19 patients still needing care should be in hospitals. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen Australian Medical Association president Dr Omar Khorshid said the possible use of hotel quarantine facilities as de facto hospitals presented an unacceptably dire outcome. If they still require care, they should be in a health facility and these hotels are not health facilities. That would basically be an admission the hospital systems are failing to cope. That would be No.1 a bad decision for those individuals, putting them at an increased risk of further problems, but also it would be a reflection of how serious the situation is in the hospitals. Loading But if the hotels were used to help COVID-positive patients isolate when they could not return home and no longer needed hospital care, this was not unreasonable, he said. Dr Khorshid said one of the problems with long delays in getting test results was that people missed out on useful therapies that were only effective in the early stage of infection. You only have a short window in which some of these therapeutics are useful and if youre not getting a test result in time, you cant decide whether or not to give [them to] a potentially vulnerable person who might otherwise be eligible for these treatments. You dont have the information you need to say yes or not. There are now more than 950 Victorians in hospital with COVID-19. Health officials have consistently said this number is expected to increase, although they have not said by how much. Modelling done for the NSW government has forecast a peak of about 4700 COVID-positive hospitalisations by late January equivalent to almost eight major city hospitals. On Thursday afternoon, the Victorian government announced that all further tickets to the Australian Open not already sold would have to abide by a 50 per cent cap. Face masks will be mandatory for all patrons attending the tournament, except when eating or drinking. There have been calls since late last month to consider restrictions for the event. When police arrived at 7.50pm on Thursday at the run-of-the-mill brown brick house on Kellaway Crescent in suburban Mill Park, they found a scene of fear and horror. A woman, 39, stabbed and bleeding, had fled to her neighbours house for help, allegedly pursued by her husband. She left blood on the neighbours door in her futile hunt for safety. Poonam Sharma. The woman later died. Police also found a six-year-old girl who had been stabbed, her wounds serious enough that she later died in hospital. Her big sister, 10, had somehow managed to escape. The woman was 39-year-old dental nurse Poonam Sharma. Neighbours say she was a good mum to her daughters Vanessa, 6, and Angela, 10. The girls, according to the neighbours, loved ice-cream and walking together to a nearby park to play. Western Australia is seeing a surge in rental prices not seen since the 2013 mining boom with house rents the third-best performing in Australia, unit rents the second-best performing, and gross rental yields the countrys highest. A new report from Domain shows that in terms of annual change in house rental prices from December 2020 to December 2021, Perth was the third-best performing with a 10.8 per cent jump, behind only Brisbane and Canberra (12.9 and 12.5 per cent respectively). This equated to a $45 jump from a median $415 per week to $460. Perth units were even better performing, behind only Darwin, rising a dramatic 11.4 per cent, or $40, from a $350 per week median to $390. It was a sweltering 40-degree day the first time Margaret Hoogewerfs husband went missing and police spent hours searching for him as concern for his welfare grew. He was eventually found by his son, thankfully unharmed. Acting Superintendent Steve Scott and Margaret Hoogewerf. Credit:Holly Thompson The second time he went missing Margaret thought she had her bases covered with a GPS tracker, but soon discovered it had stopped working. It was then she called police again, but this time her husband was found within 30 minutes. Isolation rules will be eased for teachers, childcare workers and food supply chain staff to ease the Omicron waves impact on the economy, as federal and state leaders work on new testing protocols to manage outbreaks in schools to keep students in classrooms. Industry groups welcomed the moves but warned that businesses still needed rapid antigen tests to make the protocols work, while an emergency meeting of unions has been called on Monday to discuss workers response. Australian Council of Trade Unions Secretary Sally McManus warned the rules put workers under intolerable pressure amid rapid antigen test shortages. Prime Minister Scott Morrison said governments were managing a very delicate balance between the economy and public health. The less restrictions you put on people to get them to work, the more pressure that could potentially put on your hospital system, and vice-versa, he said. The Attorney-Generals department has confirmed religious schools right to sack teachers for their views on sexuality under the federal governments revised Religious Discrimination Bill and signalled protections for LGBTQI students will be delayed. A parliamentary inquiry into the bill also heard many teachers whose lifestyles diverged from strict doctrine upheld by the religious schools they worked for feared losing their job and had experienced discrimination. Attorney-General Michaelia Cashs department confirmed religious schools right to sack teachers for their views on sexuality under the governments proposed religious discrimination bill. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen In a submission to the inquiry, Michaelia Cashs department said the new law would allow a religious school to consider a persons religious beliefs about issues such as sexuality if it is part of its religious doctrines, tenets, beliefs or teachings. The department also signalled changes to the separate Sex Discrimination Act aimed at safeguarding LGBTQI students reportedly agreed to by Prime Minister Scott Morrison in exchange for four moderate Liberal backbenchers support of the religious discrimination bill would be delayed. Last year the tiny Caribbean island state of Barbados achieved something of which Australias political system seems incapable. It dropped its ties to the British monarchy and became a republic. We must seek to redefine our definition of self, of state and the Barbados brand, in a more complex, fractured and turbulent world, said Sandra Mason, the last governor-general of Barbados who was also elected its first president. Our country and people must dream big dreams and fight to realise them. Looking at her pride in this transition, Australians who, like the Herald, support a republic will seethe at the thought of the lack of progress here. Since the failure by a vote of 55 per cent to 45 per cent of the constitutional referendum on a republic in 1999, the major parties do not want to touch the idea, even though opinion polls say it commands a solid majority. But the ever-optimistic Australian Republican Movement has crafted a proposal which it hopes will break the political deadlock by healing the rift inside the republican camp over how to select a president that thwarted the 1999 referendum. The plan aims to reconcile the split in the republican vote that cruelled that referendum between those who would like the president chosen by a two-thirds vote of Parliament successfully painted by monarchists as the politicians republic and those who favour choice by popular vote, which is the more democratic system. Only the former minimalist model was put to voters in 1999. Rents in northern NSW have jumped over the past year, buoyed by a spillover effect from coastal hotspot Byron Bay and the shift to remote work. It now costs $850 a week to rent the median house in the greater Byron shire, Domain figures show, a 13.3 per cent rise in 12 months and $250 a week more than in greater Sydney. Byron shire rents are higher than Sydney, and the growth is spilling into neighbouring areas. Credit:Peter Braig Living in the town of Byron Bay itself costs a median $925 a week, up almost a third in five years and even more for larger family homes. More affordable neighbouring towns have clocked double-digit price rises as sea-changers look for less expensive options than the hippie-turned-glamour destination, while some Byron locals have had little choice but to move to a cheaper town nearby. Paris: Emmanuel Macron, as President of the EU Commission, has called for a stronger European defence strategy, declaring the time has come to turn the bloc into a standalone military power. As France takes over the six-month rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union this month, Macron made it clear he wanted to ramp up the Continents strategic and defence autonomy. Frances President Emmanuel Macron has previously said Europe should have its own army, separate to NATO. Credit:AP Since Britain left the EU, France has become the only remaining major military power and French companies would be in pole position to benefit from bumper defence contracts handed out by Brussels. Paris is still smarting from losing a multi-billion dollar Australian submarine contract to Britain and the US. After a meeting with Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, Macron said the EU would finalise its so-called Strategic Compass in the coming months. ~Partnership provides major step forward for Instant Payments in the Caribbean region~ Willemstad/ Philipsburg:--- The Centrale Bank van Curacao en Sint Maarten (CBCS), in close collaboration with Worldline and the local commercial banks, has implemented the basic infrastructure for Instant Payments (IP). As a result as of 15 January 2022, all interbank payments in and between Curacao and Sint Maarten will now be processed within a few seconds, 24 hours a day, and 365 days per year. This will also be the case for interbank payments between banks in Bonaire. With the exception of two local commercial banks, which will join later in 2022, all banks in Curacao, Sint Maarten, and Bonaire are participating in the IP CSM. The IP CSM, developed by Worldline, fully complies with international standards and ISO 20022. With the introduction of the Instant Payments CSM, the CBCS is one of the first financial institutions to make use of a dual currency system for Instant Payments. This means that now interbank transactions made with both Netherlands Antillean guilders and US-dollars are processed within just a few seconds, 24 hours a day, 365 days per year. Looking to the future, partnership with all local banks Implementing the basic infrastructure for IP CSM is only the first step for the CBCS. In collaboration with the local commercial banks and Worldline, additional technological possibilities are being developed. After Instant Payments are available to all bank customers on the islands, the CBCS will expand the payment options to more efficient mobile and online P2P (person-to-person), P2B (person-to-business), P2G (person-to-government), and in-store payments. The involvement of other stakeholders in the financial sector will be considered in this context. Later the infrastructure will be connected to IP payment ecosystems in other currencies, such as Aruba and the Netherlands. Leila Matroos, executive director of the Centrale Bank van Curacao en Sint Maarten: "The introduction of Instant Payments is the result of our ambition to modernise the technological infrastructure, and to stimulate economic development in Curacao and Sint Maarten. This way, we are better prepared for the future, and for the countless developments in the world of payments. By working together with an experienced IP processor from the Eurozone, we can easily connect to other countries at a later stage. The implementation by the Centrale Bank van Curacao en Sint Maarten is a logical next step after the earlier introduction of Instant Payments by the Central Bank of Aruba. Instant Payments is on its way to becoming the new global payment standard. In this global context, the processing of Instant Payments for different currencies at the same time proves Worldlines strong ability and ambition to be one of the leading global service providers for payments processing, says Michael Steinbach, Managing Director Financial Services at Worldline. That is why we continue to support the CBCS with their essential route towards 24/7/365 payments. Being the largest IP processor in the Eurozone, we are therefore very proud to work with the CBCS on this implementation and further expansion. Willemstad, January 12, 2022 CENTRALE BANK VAN CURACAO EN SINT MAARTEN Somerset, KY (42501) Today Some sunshine with a thunderstorm or two possible this afternoon. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. High 83F. Winds SW at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 30%.. Tonight Thunderstorms likely this evening. Then a chance of scattered thunderstorms overnight. Low 56F. Winds W at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 60%. A solar eclipse occurs when the moon gets between Earth and the sun, and the moon casts a shadow over Earth. A solar eclipse can only take place at the phase of new moon, when the moon passes directly between the sun and Earth and its shadows fall upon Earths surface. But whether the alignment produces a total solar eclipse, a partial solar eclipse or an annular solar eclipse depends on several factors, all explained below. The fact that an eclipse can occur at all is a fluke of celestial mechanics and time. Since the moon formed about 4.5 billion years ago, it has been gradually moving away from Earth (by about 1.6 inches, or 4 centimeters per year). Right now the moon is at the perfect distance to appear in our sky exactly the same size as the sun, and therefore block it out. But this is not always true. When is the next solar eclipse? A NASA map of the path the partial solar eclipse of April 30, 2022 will take across the Pacific Ocean, Antarctica and South America. (Image credit: Fred Espenak/NASA) The next solar eclipse will be a partial solar eclipse on April 30, 2022. It will be the first of two partial solar eclipses in 2022; the second will occur on Oct. 25. We won't see another total solar eclipse until 2023. Related: Solar eclipse guide 2022: When, where & how to see them The April 30 eclipse will only be visible from parts of Antarctica and the southern tip of South America, as well as parts of the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. Types of solar eclipses There are four types of solar eclipses: total, annular, partial and hybrid. Here's what causes each type: The total solar eclipse of July 2, 2019, as seen from the La Silla Observatory in Chile. (Image credit: Petr Horalek/ESO) Total solar eclipses Total solar eclipses are a happy accident of nature. The sun's 864,000-mile diameter is fully 400 times greater than that of our puny moon, which measures just about 2,160 miles. But the moon also happens to be about 400 times closer to Earth than the sun (the ratio varies as both orbits are elliptical), and as a result, when the orbital planes intersect and the distances align favorably, the new moon can appear to completely blot out the disk of the sun. On the average a total eclipse occurs somewhere on Earth about every 18 months. There are actually two types of shadows: the umbra is that part of the shadow where all sunlight is blocked out. The umbra takes the shape of a dark, slender cone. It is surrounded by the penumbra, a lighter, funnel-shaped shadow from which sunlight is partially obscured. During a total solar eclipse, the moon casts its umbra upon Earth's surface; that shadow can sweep a third of the way around the planet in just a few hours. Those who are fortunate enough to be positioned in the direct path of the umbra will see the sun's disk diminish into a crescent as the moon's dark shadow rushes toward them across the landscape. During the brief period of totality, when the sun is completely covered, the beautiful corona the tenuous outer atmosphere of the sun is revealed. Totality may last as long as 7 minutes 31 seconds, though most total eclipses are usually much shorter. Joe Matus, an engineer at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, captured this image of the Great American Total Solar Eclipse from Hopkinsville, Kentucky, on Aug. 21, 2017. (Image credit: Joseph Matus/NASA/MSFC) Partial solar eclipses A partial solar eclipse occurs when only the penumbra (the partial shadow) passes over you. In these cases, a part of the sun always remains in view during the eclipse. How much of the sun remains in view depends on the specific circumstances. Usually the penumbra gives just a glancing blow to our planet over the polar regions; in such cases, places far away from the poles but still within the zone of the penumbra might not see much more than a small scallop of the sun hidden by the moon. In a different scenario, those who are positioned within a couple of thousand miles of the path of a total eclipse will see a partial eclipse. The closer you are to the path of totality, the greater the solar obscuration. If, for instance, you are positioned just outside of the path of the total eclipse, you will see the sun wane to a narrow crescent, then thicken up again as the shadow passes by. This composite image of an annular solar eclipse was taken by Koji Kudo from Kawasaki, Japan, on May 21, 2012. (Image credit: Koji Kudo) Annular solar eclipses An annular eclipse, though a rare and amazing sight, is far different from a total one. The sky will darken ... somewhat; a sort of weird "counterfeit twilight" since so much of the sun still shows. The annular eclipse is a subspecies of a partial eclipse, not total. The maximum duration for an annular eclipse is 12 minutes 30 seconds. However, an annular solar eclipse is similar to a total eclipse in that the moon appears to pass centrally across the sun. The difference is, the moon is too small to cover the disk of the sun completely. Because the moon circles Earth in an elliptical orbit, its distance from Earth can vary from 221,457 miles to 252,712 miles. But the dark shadow cone of the moon's umbra can extend out for no longer than 235,700 miles; that's less than the moon's average distance from Earth. So if the moon is at some greater distance, the tip of the umbra does not reach Earth. During such an eclipse, the antumbra, a theoretical continuation of the umbra, reaches the ground, and anyone situated within it can look up past either side of the umbra and see an annulus, or "ring of fire" around the moon. A good analogy is putting a penny atop a nickel, the penny being the moon, the nickel being the sun. Hybrid solar eclipses These are also called annular-total ("A-T") eclipses. This special type of eclipse occurs when the moon's distance is near its limit for the umbra to reach Earth. In most cases, an A-T eclipse starts as an annular eclipse because the tip of the umbra falls just short of making contact with Earth; then it becomes total, because the roundness of the planet reaches up and intercepts the shadow tip near the middle of the path, then finally it returns to annular toward the end of the path. Because the moon appears to pass directly in front of the sun, total, annular and hybrid eclipses are also called "central" eclipses to distinguish them from eclipses that are merely partial. Of all solar eclipses, about 28% are total; 35% are partial; 32% annular; and just 5% are hybrids. Predicting solar eclipses Eclipses do not happen at every new moon, of course. This is because the moon's orbit is tilted just over 5 degrees relative to Earth's orbit around the sun. For this reason, the moon's shadow usually passes either above or below Earth, so a solar eclipse doesn't occur. But as a rule, at least twice each year (and sometimes as many as five times in a year), a new moon will align itself in just such a way to eclipse the sun. That alignment point is called a node. Depending on how closely the new moon approaches a node will determine whether a particular eclipse is central or partial. And of course, the moons distance from the Earth and to a lesser degree, Earth's distance from the sun will ultimately determine whether a central eclipse is total, annular or a hybrid. And these alignments don't happen haphazardly, for after a specific interval of time, an eclipse will repeat itself or return. This interval is known as the Saros cycle and was known as far back as the days of the early Chaldean astronomers some 28 centuries ago. The word Saros means "repetition" and is equal to 18 years, 11 days (or a day less or more depending on the number of leap years that have intervened). After this interval, the relative positions of the sun and moon relative to a node are nearly the same as before. That third of a day in the interval causes the path of each eclipse of a series to be displaced in longitude a third of the way around Earth to the west with respect to its predecessor. For example, on March 29, 2006, a total eclipse swept across parts of western and northern Africa and then across southern Asia. One Saros later, on April 8, 2024, this eclipse will recur, except instead of Africa and Asia, it will track across northern Mexico, the central and eastern United States and the Maritime provinces of Canada. Observing a solar eclipse safely As a solar eclipse approaches, the mainstream media often will provide a variety of warnings and advisories against looking at the sun with bare eyes, as blindness could ensue. This has given most people the idea that eclipses are dangerous. Not so! Its the sun that is dangerous all the time! The sun constantly emits invisible infrared rays that can damage your eyes. Ordinarily, we have no reason to gaze at the sun. An eclipse gives us a reason, but we shouldn't. There are safe ways, however . . . By far, the safest way to view a solar eclipse is to construct a "pinhole camera." A pinhole or small opening is used to form an image of the sun on a screen placed about 3 feet (or about 1 meter) behind the opening. Binoculars or a good telescope mounted on a tripod can also be used to project a magnified image of the sun onto a white card. The farther away the card, the larger you can focus the image. Look for sunspots. Notice that the sun appears somewhat darker around its limb or edge. This method of solar viewing is safe so long as you remember not to look through the binoculars or telescope when they are pointed toward the sun; put another way, never look directly at the sun when any part of its blindingly bright surface is visible. A variation on the pinhole theme is the "pinhole mirror." Cover a pocket-mirror with a piece of paper that has a -inch hole punched in it. Open a sun-facing window and place the covered mirror on the sunlit sill so it reflects a disk of light onto the far wall inside. The disk of light is an image of the sun's face. The farther away from the wall is the better; the image will be only 1 inch across for every 9 feet (or 3 centimeters for every 3 meters) from the mirror. Modeling clay works well to hold the mirror in place. Experiment with different-sized holes in the paper. Again, a large hole makes the image bright, but fuzzy, and a small one makes it dim but sharp. Darken the room as much as possible. Be sure to try this out beforehand to make sure the mirror's optical quality is good enough to project a clean, round image. Of course, don't let anyone look at the sun in the mirror. If you're around leafy trees, look at the shadow cast by them during the partial phases. What do you see? Is it worth a photograph? You will see scores of partially eclipsed suns projected through pinhole gaps between the leaves. This is caused by diffraction, a property of light. According to Vince Huegele, an optical physicist at the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center, the light rays do not shoot straight by the rim of the gaps, or a pinhole, but bend around the edge. This wave effect creates a pattern of rings that resembles a bull's eye. If you want to get all set up for it, we have guides to the best cameras for astrophotography, and the best lenses for astro, so you can be well prepared when the time comes. You should never look directly at the sun, but there are ways to safely observe an eclipse. See how to safely observe a solar eclipse with this Space.com infographic (Image credit: Karl Tate, SPACE.com Contributor) Acceptable filters for unaided visual solar observations include aluminized Mylar. Some astronomy dealers carry Mylar filter material specially designed for solar observing. Also acceptable is shade 14 arc-welder's glass, available for just a few dollars at welding supply shops. Of course, it is always a good idea to test your filters and/or observing techniques before eclipse day. Unacceptable filters include sunglasses, old color film negatives, black-and-white film that contains no silver, photographic neutral-density filters and polarizing filters. Although these materials have very low visible-light transmittance levels, they transmit an unacceptably high level of near-infrared radiation that can cause a thermal retinal burn. The fact that the sun appears dim, or that you feel no discomfort when looking at the sun through these types of filters, is no guarantee that your eyes are safe. There is one time when you can safely look directly at the sun: during a total eclipse, when the sun's disk is entirely covered. During those few precious seconds or minutes, the magnificent corona shines forth in all its glory surrounding the darkened sun; a marvelous fringe of pearly white light. It differs in size, in tints and patterns from eclipse to eclipse. It is always faint and delicate, with a sheen like a pale aurora. It has a variable appearance. Sometimes it has a soft continuous look; at other times, long rays of it shoot out in three or four directions. It may stand out from the disk in filmy petals and streamers. But when the sun begins to again emerge into view, the corona quickly disappears and you'll need to protect your eyes once again. Eclipses in ancient history As best as we can determine, the earliest record of a solar eclipse occurred over four millennia ago. In China, it was believed that the gradual blotting out of the sun was caused by a dragon who was attempting to devour the sun, and it was the duty of the court astronomers to shoot arrows, beat drums and raise whatever cacophony they could to frighten the dragon away. In the ancient Chinese classic Shujing (or Book of Documents) is the account of Hsi and Ho, two court astronomers who were caught completely unaware by a solar eclipse, having gotten drunk just before the event began. In the aftermath, Zhong Kang, the fourth emperor of the Xia dynasty ordered that Hsi and Ho be punished by having their heads chopped off. The eclipse in question was that of Oct. 22 in the year 2134 B.C. In the Bible, in the book of Amos 8:9, are the words, "I will cause the sun to go down at noon, and I will darken the Earth in the clear day." Biblical scholars believe this is a reference to a celebrated eclipse observed at Nineveh in ancient Assyria on June 15, 763 B.C. An Assyrian tablet also attests to the event. A solar eclipse even stopped a war. According to the historian Herodotus, there was a five-year war that raged between the Lydians and the Medes. As the war was about to move into its sixth year, a Greek sage, Thales of Miletus foretold to the Ionians that the time was soon approaching when day would turn to night. On May 17, 603 B.C. the sun faded away just as Thales had alluded that it would. So believing that it was a sign from above, the combatants called a truce, which was cemented by a double marriage, for, as Herodotus wrote: "Without some strong bond, there is little of security to be found in mens covenants." And giving new meaning to the term "scared to death," is the timid emperor Louis of Bavaria, the son of Charlemagne, who witnessed an unusually long total eclipse of the sun on May 5, A.D. 840, which lasted for over five minutes. But no sooner had the sun begun to emerge back into view, Louis was so overwhelmed by what he had just seen that he died of fright. Modern study of eclipses Astronomers have learned much by studying eclipses and by the 18th century, observations of solar eclipses were recognized as providing veritable treasure troves of astronomical information, though sometimes getting that information wasnt easy. Samuel Williams, a professor at Harvard, led an expedition to Penobscot Bay, Maine, to observe the total solar eclipse of Oct. 27, 1780. As it turned out, this eclipse took place during the Revolutionary War, and Penobscot Bay lay behind enemy lines. Fortunately, the British granted the expedition safe passage, citing the interest of science above political differences. And yet in the end, it was all for naught. Williams apparently made a crucial error in his computations and inadvertently positioned his men at Islesboro just outside the path of totality likely finding this out with a heavy heart when the narrowing crescent of sunlight slid completely around the dark edge of the moon and then started to thicken! During a total solar eclipse, a few ruby-red spots may seem to hover around the jet-black disk of the moon. Those are solar prominences, tongues of incandescent hydrogen gas rising above the surface of the sun. During the total eclipse of Aug. 18, 1868, the French astronomer Pierre Janssen trained his spectroscope on the prominences and discovered a new chemical element. Two English astronomers, J. Norman Lockyer and Edward Frankland, later named it "helium," from the Greek helios (the sun). The gas was not identified on Earth until 1895. And because sunlight is blocked during a total eclipse, some of the brighter stars and planets can be observed in the darkened sky. Under such conditions astronomers were able to test part of Einstein's now-celebrated general theory of relativity. That theory predicted that light from stars beyond the sun would bend from a straight path in a certain way as it passed the sun. The positions of stars photographed near the sun's edge during a total eclipse on May 29, 1919, were compared with photographs of the same region of the sky taken at night; the results strongly supported Einsteins theory. Our modern technology now allows astronomers to make most of the observations that once had to await an eclipse. But a total eclipse of the sun will always remain among the most impressive of natural spectacles and is a sight that will always be remembered. Be sure to put it on your bucket list; you will not be disappointed. This photo of the partial solar eclipse of Sept. 13, 2015, was snapped by astrophotographer K.J. Mulder from his home in South Africa. (Image credit: K.J. Mulder/ Worlds in Ink Additional Reading Track down a lot of information from the Eclipse Chasers, grab resources for eclipse photography on Mr. Eclipse.com, and on NASA's Eclipse Website, find calendars, maps and information about past and future solar and lunar eclipses. Bibliography Editor's Note: If you snap an amazing solar eclipse photo and would like to share it with Space.com's readers, send your photo(s), comments, and your name and location to spacephotos@space.com. Follow us on Twitter @Spacedotcom and on Facebook. Halley's Comet is arguably the most famous comet in history. As a "periodic" comet, it returns to Earth's vicinity about every 75 years, making it possible for a person to see it twice in their lifetime. It was last here in 1986, and it is projected to return in 2061. The comet, officially called 1P/Halley, is named after English astronomer Edmond Halley, who examined reports of a comet approaching Earth in 1531, 1607 and 1682. He concluded that these three comets were actually the same comet returning over and over again, and predicted that it would return in 1758. Halley's calculations showed that at least some comets orbit the sun. Halley didn't live to see the comet's correctly-predicted return, but the comet was given his name. (For those looking for help with pronunciation, the name traditionally rhymes with the word valley.) Photos: Halley's Comet Through History Scientists finally got an up-close look at the comet when it last visited in 1986 when several spacecraft were sent to Halley's vicinity to sample its composition. High-powered telescopes also observed the comet as it swung by Earth. While the comet won't be back for up-close study for decades, scientists continue to investigate comets, looking at other small bodies. A notable example was the Rosetta probe, which looked at Comet 67P/ChuryumovGerasimenko between 2014 and 2016 and concluded that the comet has a different kind of water than Earth's water. The history of Halley's comet The first known observation of Halley's Comet, or Comet Halley, took place in 239 B.C., according to the European Space Agency. Chinese astronomers recorded its passage in the Shih Chi and Wen Hsien Thung Khao chronicles. Another study (based on models of Halley's orbit) pushes that first observation back to 466 B.C., which would have made it visible by the Ancient Greeks. When Halley's returned in 164 B.C. and again in 87 B.C., it probably was noted in Babylonian records now housed at the British Museum in London. "These texts have important bearing on the orbital motion of the comet in the ancient past," a research paper in the journal Nature noted about the tablets. This portion of the Bayeux Tapestry shows Halley's Comet during its appearance in 1066. (Image credit: Public domain) It's also thought that another appearance of the comet in 1301 could have inspired Italian painter Giotto's rendering of the Star of Bethlehem in "The Adoration of the Magi," according to the Britannica encyclopedia. Halley's most famous appearance occurred shortly before the 1066 invasion of England by William the Conqueror. It is said that William believed the comet heralded his success. In any case, the comet was put on the Bayeux Tapestry which chronicles the invasion in William's honor. Astronomers in these times, however, saw each appearance of Halley's Comet as an isolated event. Comets were often foreseen as a sign of great disaster or change. Even when Shakespeare wrote his play "Julius Caesar" around 1600, just 105 years before Edmond Halley calculated that the comet returns over and over again, he included a now-famous phrase sepaking of comets as heralds: "When beggars die there are no comets seen; The heavens themselves blaze forth the death of princes." Discovering Halley's comet Astronomy began changing swiftly around Shakespeare's time, however. Many astronomers of his time believed that Earth was the center of the solar system, but Nicolaus Copernicus who died about 20 years before Shakespeare's birth published findings showing that the center was actually the sun. It took several generations for Copernicus' calculations to take hold in the astronomy community, but when they did, they provided a powerful model for how objects move around the solar system and the universe. Edmond Halley Years passed and the comet appeared in 1531, 1607 and 1682. Halley suggested the same comet could return to Earth in 1758. Halley did not live long enough to see its return (he died in 1742) but his work inspired others to name the comet after him. On each successive journey to the inner solar system, astronomers on Earth turned their telescopes skyward to watch Halley's approach. This photo of Halley's comet was taken by the Russian Vega 2 spacecraft, one of two Soviet probes (Vega 1 was the other) to rendezvous with the comet during its 1986 trip through the solar system in March 1986. The closest approach of Vega 1 to Halley was 8890 km while Vega 2 had a close encounter at 8030 km. (Image credit: ESA) The comet's pass in 1910 was particularly spectacular, as the comet flew by about 13.9 million miles (22.4 million kilometers) from Earth, which is about one-fifteenth the distance between Earth and the sun. On that occasion, Halley's Comet was captured on camera for the first time. According to biographer Albert Bigelow Paine, the writer Mark Twain said in 1909, "I came in with Halley's Comet in 1835. It is coming again next year, and I expect to go out with it." Twain died on April 21, 1910, one day after perihelion, when the comet emerged from the far side of the sun. Halley-like comets There is a group of comets called "Halley family comets" (HFC) because they appear to share the same orbital characteristics of Halley, including being highly inclined to the orbits of Earth and other planets in the solar system. However, this family has a range of inclinations, which prompts other astronomers to suggest they may have a different origin than Halley. Some suggest these comets could have evolved from members of the Oort Cloud, or from Centaurs (objects that generally have a closest approach between Jupiter and the Kuiper Belt.) Alternatively, HFCs could have come from somewhere just beyond Neptune. Sending spacecraft to Halley's comet When Halley's Comet came by Earth in 1986, it was the first time we could send spacecraft to look at it up close. That was a fortunate occurrence, as the comet ended up being underwhelming in observations from Earth. When the comet made its closest approach to the sun, it was on the opposite side of that star from the Earth making it a faint and distant object, some 39 million miles (63 million km) away from Earth. Several spacecraft successfully made the journey to the comet. This fleet of spaceships is sometimes dubbed the "Halley Armada." Two joint Soviet/French probes (Vega 1 and 2) flew nearby, with one of them capturing pictures of the nucleus, or "heart," of the comet for the first time. The European Space Agency's Giotto craft got even closer to the nucleus, beaming back spectacular images to Earth. Japan sent two probes of its own (Sakigake and Suisei) that also obtained information on Halley. NASA's International Cometary Explorer (already in orbit since 1978) also captured pictures of Halley, snapping its shots from 17.3 million miles (28 million km) away. "It was inevitable that this most famous of all comets would receive unprecedented attention, but the actual magnitude of the effort has surprised even most of those involved in it," NASA noted in an account of the event. The astronauts aboard Challenger's STS-51L mission were also scheduled to look at the comet. But, sadly, they never got the chance. The shuttle exploded about two minutes after launch on Jan. 28, 1986, due to a rocket malfunction, killing all seven astronauts on board. It will be decades until Halley's gets close to Earth again in 2061, but in the meantime, you can see its remnants every year. The Orionid meteor shower, which is spawned by Halley's fragments, occurs annually in October. Halley's also producedsa shower in May, called the Eta Aquarids. When Halley's sweeps by Earth in 2061, the comet will be on the same side of the sun as Earth and will be much brighter than in 1986. At least one study has pointed out that it is difficult to predict Halley's orbit on a scale of more than 100 years, and that the comet could collide with another object (or be ejected from the solar system) in as little as 10,000 years, although not all scientists agree with the hypothesis. When Halley next returns to Earth's vicinity, one astronomer predicted it could be as bright as apparent magnitude -0.3. This is relatively bright, but it won't be the brightest object to skywatchers as it will be well below that of the brightest star in Earth's sky: Sirius, at magnitude -1.4 as seen from Earth. While it will be decades before we can send another spacecraft to Halley's Comet, there have several other missions that have studied comets from up close. Between 2014 and 2016, for example, the Rosetta probe examined Comet 67P/ChuryumovGerasimenko up close and made comparisons to other comets. One of its key findings was uncovering that Comet 67P had a different kind of water (specifically, a different deuterium-to-hydrogen ratio) than what is seen on Earth. Back in the 1980s, similar examinations of Halley by the Giotto probe also showed that Halley has a different D-to-H ratio in its water than on Earth. Other notable cometary missions include NASA's Stardust (which captured samples of comet 81P/Wild and returned them to Earth), NASA's Deep Impact (which deliberately sent an impactor into 9P/Tempel on July 4, 2005), and the European Space Agency's Philae (which landed on Comet 67P in 2014.) This reference page was updated on Jan. 11, 2022 by Space.com senior writer Chelsea Gohd. The wormhole theory postulates that a theoretical passage through space-time could create shortcuts for long journeys across the universe. Wormholes are predicted by the theory of general relativity. But be wary: wormholes bring with them the dangers of sudden collapse, high radiation and dangerous contact with exotic matter. Wormhole theory Wormholes were first theorized in 1916, though that wasn't what they were called at the time. While reviewing another physicist's solution to the equations in Albert Einstein's theory of general relativity, Austrian physicist Ludwig Flamm realized another solution was possible. He described a "white hole," a theoretical time reversal of a black hole. Entrances to both black and white holes could be connected by a space-time conduit. In 1935, Einstein and physicist Nathan Rosen used the theory of general relativity to elaborate on the idea, proposing the existence of "bridges" through space-time. These bridges connect two different points in space-time, theoretically creating a shortcut that could reduce travel time and distance. The shortcuts came to be called Einstein-Rosen bridges, or wormholes. "The whole thing is very hypothetical at this point," said Stephen Hsu, a professor of theoretical physics at the University of Oregon, told our sister site, LiveScience. "No one thinks we're going to find a wormhole anytime soon." Wormholes contain two mouths, with a throat connecting the two, according to an article published in the Journal of High Energy Physics (2020). The mouths would most likely be spheroidal. The throat might be a straight stretch, but it could also wind around, taking a longer path than a more conventional route might require. Einstein's theory of general relativity mathematically predicts the existence of wormholes, but none have been discovered to date. A negative mass wormhole might be spotted by the way its gravity affects light that passes by. Certain solutions of general relativity allow for the existence of wormholes where the mouth of each is a black hole. However, a naturally occurring black hole, formed by the collapse of a dying star, does not by itself create a wormhole. Through the wormhole Science fiction is filled with tales of traveling through wormholes. But the reality of such travel is more complicated, and not just because we've yet to spot one. The first problem is size. Primordial wormholes are predicted to exist on microscopic levels, about 1033 centimeters. However, as the universe expands, it is possible that some may have been stretched to larger sizes. The universe began expanding immediately after the Big Bang. (Image credit: Getty) Another problem comes from stability. The predicted Einstein-Rosen wormholes would be useless for travel because they collapse quickly. "You would need some very exotic type of matter in order to stabilize a wormhole," said Hsu, "and it's not clear whether such matter exists in the universe." But more recent research found that a wormhole containing "exotic" matter could stay open and unchanging for longer periods of time. Exotic matter, which should not be confused with dark matter or antimatter, contains negative energy density and a large negative pressure. Such matter has only been seen in the behavior of certain vacuum states as part of quantum field theory. If a wormhole contained sufficient exotic matter, whether naturally occurring or artificially added, it could theoretically be used as a method of sending information or travelers through space, according Live Science. Unfortunately, human journeys through the space tunnels may be challenging. "The jury is not in, so we just don't know," physicist Kip Thorne, one of the world's leading authorities on relativity, black holes and wormholes, told Space.com. "But there are very strong indications that wormholes that a human could travel through are forbidden by the laws of physics. That's sad, that's unfortunate, but that's the direction in which things are pointing." How do wormholes work? Wormholes may not only connect two separate regions within the universe, they could also connect two different universes. Similarly, some scientists have conjectured that if one mouth of a wormhole is moved in a specific manner, it could allow for time travel. "You can go into the future or into the past using traversable wormholes," astrophysicist Eric Davis told LiveScience. But it won't be easy: "It would take a Herculean effort to turn a wormhole into a time machine. It's going to be tough enough to pull off a wormhole." However, British cosmologist Stephen Hawking has argued that such use is not possible. "A wormhole is not really a means of going back in time, it's a short cut, so that something that was far away is much closer," according to NASA's Eric Christian. Although adding exotic matter to a wormhole might stabilize it to the point that human passengers could travel safely through it, there is still the possibility that the addition of "regular" matter would be sufficient to destabilize the portal. Today's technology is insufficient to enlarge or stabilize wormholes, even if they could be found. However, scientists continue to explore the concept as a method of space travel with the hope that technology will eventually be able to utilize them. "You would need some of super-super-advanced technology," Hsu said. "Humans won't be doing this any time in the near future." Additional resources Which of Albert Einsteins theories proved correct? Read NASA's article about 10 things Einstein got right to find out. To see an artist's impression of a wormhole, watch this short clip from ESA's movie "15 Years of Discovery". Bibliography "Phantom energy traversable wormholes". Physical Review D (2005). https://journals.aps.org/prd/abstract/10.1103/PhysRevD.71.084011 "Wormholes in spacetime and their use for interstellar travel". American Journal of Physics (1987). https://aapt.scitation.org/doi/abs/10.1119/1.15620 "The General Theory of Relativity". The Meaning of Relativity (1922). https://link.springer.com/chapter/10 "Multi-mouth Traversable Wormholes". Journal of High Energy Physics (2020) https://www.researchgate.net/publication/347125665_Multi-mouth_Traversable_Wormholes Unfortunately, since the 126 has been shut down, TK, Tommy, and Nancy are left to work as paramedics for a private company. It's curious why only they weren't just shifted to other firehouses, but this keeps them together, so we'll take it. Because of the private company, sometimes TK & Co. are able to go places -- and do things -- others aren't. This does, however, lead to more risky situations, such as TK falling into an icy pond and not receiving treatment right away. TK, Tommy, and Nancy save the child trapped under the ice, because of course, this is 911: Lone Star, but also, this is 911: Lone Star, at the same time, TK falls in. Given the temperature, he almost immediately becomes hypothermic. On its own, not a terribly unlikely thing to happen to a firefighter. In Texas? Well. Before the tragic fall, Nancy pesters TK about his breakup with Carlos, and oh boy. It's the beginning of the storyline, so I may eat my words by the end of this season, but this is... dumb. Maybe they broke up for a valid reason, but when we last left them, they were on fairly good terms. Maybe not the best, but definitely not breakup level bad terms. I have hope in the writers given what we've seen so far, but the way Carlos speaks about it makes it sound like the possibility of them reconciling isn't likely. Carlos Poor Carlos. Theres a small chance that the writers have broken up Carlos and TK to give Carlos his own identity. I would support it, but its really not necessary if thats why. Theres no reason why Carlos cant grow on his own while in a relationship with TK. Its a bit frustrating, but since we dont have the full picture yet, Im trying to be patient with my judgments of storylines so far. Carlos has phenomenal detective skills, as he should, obviously, but getting to see them in action for things other than arresting people he cares about is always the best part of watching Carlos. Judd, Grace, and Mateo Judd and Grace remain the best couple on television in the return of 911: Lone Star. Their mutual respect towards each other, even when it comes to something like cleaning up after himself at her work, is the best thing about them. They never push each other too far, and they know theres a time to open up to each other and they almost always take that opportunity. Judd doesnt want to stress out Grace, understandably, which is why he doesnt want to discuss the 126 being torn down. Grace is still at work, which is interesting given that she seems very, very close to her due date. Judd does what he does best though; he goes to work and he puts his heart into it. Mateo is still at the firehouse that was previously treating him like garbage, so hopefully, in the next few episodes, well get some flashbacks to what happened in the several months we missed. Owen and Marjan Marjan seems to be the only person taking the shutdown seriously, at least to her. Shes live-streaming herself getting construction shut down, which is unbelievably cringey, and later, she demands to know why Owen wont just apologize to Billy. Shes right, actually. Owen is spending time away in a cabin in the middle of nowhere because he doesnt have any more hope in the world, I guess? Itll be interesting to see why that happened, what really inspired that, but instead of delving into that, hes now [checks notes] helping a group of undocumented people get to safety. Sure. Thats not out of absolutely nowhere. Paul It seems as if 911: Lone Star is finally recognizing that Brian Michael Smith is capable of a lot more than what theyve given him. Thank god. Having him opposite our teenage hero is the perfect combination, as his vulnerability is relatable to Lindsey, but his softness is there when she needs it. Brian Michael Smith plays Paul like he really is Paul, which is exactly what you want in a fictional character. There are questions about TK and Carlos, questions about Mateos spot within his firehouse, questions about Owen being in the middle of nowhere. Hopefully, these will come in the next few weeks! What did you think of The Big Chill and Thin Ice? Let me know in the comments below! David Ramsey isnt done with his time in the Arrowverse. The actor will reprise his role as Arrows John Diggle and star in drama Justice U for The CW.The project, which is currently in development, is written by Michael Narducci (The Vampire Diaries) and Zoanne Clack (Greys Anatomy) and has quietly been in the works for months. Ramsey will also direct the pilot should The CW opt to move forward with the script. The directing gig is part of an overall deal Ramsey has signed with Berlanti Productions that will see the actor helm and guest star in multiple episodes of shows within the Arrowverse.Heres how the network describes Justice U: After spending years fighting alongside masked heroes, John Diggle embarks on a new mission to recruit five young meta humans to live undercover as freshmen at a prestigious university. There he will oversee their education and train them to become the heroes of tomorrow. Arsenal playmaker Martin Odegaard is unavailable for Thursday's EFL Cup semi-final first leg with Liverpool, according to a report. Arsenal will reportedly have to cope without Martin Odegaard for Thursday's EFL Cup semi-final first leg with Liverpool. The former Real Madrid man enjoyed a stellar December with the Gunners, registering three goals and three assists to be nominated for the Premier League's Player of the Month. Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta admitted in his pre-match press conference that the team's situation was "extremely volatile" due to injuries and coronavirus, without naming any fresh concerns. However, Goal reports that Odegaard missed training on Thursday and did not travel with the squad to Anfield, so the Gunners will be forced to cope without the Norway captain tonight. The report adds that Emile Smith Rowe and Takehiro Tomiyasu are also expected to remain absent, but there is hope that Granit Xhaka will return from his battle with COVID-19. Meanwhile, Liverpool have been boosted by the returns of Trent Alexander-Arnold and Alisson Becker to training ahead of the first leg, which was originally postponed due to a batch of Reds coronavirus cases that have since turned out to be false positives. Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp insists he is "very positive" over the prospect of a new contract for Mohamed Salah. Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has insisted that he is "very positive" about the prospect of a new deal for Mohamed Salah. The 29-year-old sees his current contract at Anfield expire in 18 months' time, although he recently re-affirmed his desire to stay put with the Merseyside giants. Talks over a new deal are yet to bear fruit, but Klopp has alleviated fears of Liverpool fans and expects Salah to put pen to paper on fresh terms imminently. Speaking to reporters ahead of Thursday's EFL Cup semi-final first leg with Arsenal, Klopp said: "We know, I know that Mo wants to say, we want him to stay. That's where we are. These things take time, I cannot change it. It's all in a good place. "I am very positive about it. The fans are not as nervous as you are. They know the club and know the people dealing with things here. We cannot say anything about it. "Things take time, there are so many things in negotiations. It's a third party too with the agent, it's nothing to worry about; it's a normal process. We always talk about it, but there's nothing to say. All fine, not done, but talks." Salah has registered 23 goals and nine assists in 26 games for the Reds this term, although his Egypt side kicked off their Africa Cup of Nations campaign with a 1-0 defeat to Nigeria on Tuesday. The introduction of 100,000 First Bosses a new book by state Sen. Will Haskell (D-Westport) brings readers directly into the room where he performs his job. Here, Haskell recalls drafting legislation for the program that would eventually fund free tuition at Connecticuts community colleges, but he does so without the filter of rose-colored glasses. Then a freshman senator, Haskell described feeling hesitant when answering questions from the nonpartisan attorneys who were helping to craft the bill. My toes crunched and my shoes felt too small, like they did when I didnt know the answer on a chemistry test, he writes. This conversational tone is prevalent throughout the book, which Haskell decided to write after the 2020 election. Following his upset victory in 2018 which unseated a longtime incumbent Haskell began getting calls from dozens of young people who also had aspirations for public office. The funny stories, mistakes and advice he gained along the way can be found in 100,000 First Bosses: My Unlikely Path as a 22-Year-Old Lawmaker. Haskell, who is not running this November for re-election, spoke with Hearst Connecticut Media ahead of the books release. Hearst: The introduction stresses the need to vote young people into all houses of government. How do you feel your time in office has strengthened representative democracy within your district, or even the state? Haskell: People buy into the promise of representative democracy, but its not representative. Theres really not enough young people at the table where decisions are made. As a state senator I saw firsthand how much of a difference it can make for a constituent to call their state representative. If I get 10 calls about a bill its gonna shape how I spend my time in the legislature. Free community college and paid family medical leave were stripped out of the (federal) Build Back Better Plan, but those were actually accomplished in Connecticut. I really believe if we direct even a portion of the activism we have for Washington towards our local and state governments then well start to see transformative changes in our community. Hearst: Some of the chapter names (You Can Never Wear Shorts Again, Drinking From A Water Hose) imply that being a politician is not all glitz and glamour. How do you believe your book will re-frame how society perceives young people running for public office? Haskell: Its a peek behind the scenes of what it actually looks like on a granular level to get your name on the ballot, and show people its not as hard as you think. The takeaway is that more people should run for office, but (there are) many un-sexy tasks that come with trying to get ... your community to support you. During the campaign I had trouble connecting with middle-aged men who were deeply skeptical about electing someone younger than their kids or grandkids, but I also had older constituents who were excited about finally passing the torch to our generation something President (John F.) Kennedy had promised decades ago. Hearst: The books title is derived from the number of constituents you represent. Can you recall an experience you had with a constituent(s) that drove you to write the book? Haskell: The day we went to Ridgefield High School for (its annual) mock election in 2018. The first question I got was on cannabis legalization, and I was honest that I supported it so long as we enacted strong regulations to keep people safe. We ended up winning that mock election, and (it reflected) the fact that young people are really eager to see candidates their own age on the ballot. Young voters are a core part of (the Democratic partys) coalition, but we dont do a good job of meeting voters where they are. I spend as much time going to high schools as I do going to senior centers to understand in a meaningful way the needs of the next generation. Hearst: Do you have a favorite chapter or part of the book that was easier to write than the others? Haskell: Chapter 28, When Optimism Arrives in the Voting Booth. Hearst: Whats one piece of advice you hope someone who was in your shoes will gain from reading the book? Haskell: (If) youre interested in politics, being young is not a liability its an asset. People will be excited to lick envelopes, call constituents and knock doors for your campaign. We may not know what its like to have a mortgage or start a small business, but we have a host of other experiences and perspectives our older colleagues might not yet know or understand. What this job has taught me is that underdog candidates can still pull off a win, and when we do we have a chance to change public policy. Hearst: You recently announced you would not seek re-election this fall. In addition to law school, do you see yourself mentoring young politicians who hope to make a splash as you have? Haskell: As I was writing this book I was asked to think about a fundamental question: Who is the intended audience? Its somebody who is feeling pessimistic or frustrated (with) the direction of government and wants to see more done, but doesnt know how to go about making the changes. Its their voice that we so desperately need. I hope other unlikely candidates pick up this book and ... it makes everyone feel a little optimistic about the state of our politics. When I launched my campaign I felt pessimistic about where we were heading, but now, as I prepare to leave, I feel more optimistic than ever before. 100,000 First Bosses hits store shelves Jan. 18. alyssa.seidman@hearstmediact.com Milton, PA (17847) 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 around 70F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Periods of rain. Low 52F. Winds SSE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 80%. Rainfall near a quarter of an inch. Ashtabula, OH (44004) Today Cloudy with periods of rain. High 64F. Winds ESE at 10 to 20 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 51F. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 70%. The president of Cartel Alfa trade union, Bogdan Hossu, stated on Thursday that he proposed, at the meeting of the Tripartite National Council for Social Dialogue, the capping of the prices for electricity and gas at the level of December 2020, Agerpres reports. "We have proposed that all prices, for both economic operators and households, remain at the level of December 2020, for both electricity and gas. (...) The chaos started with the liberalization, with the lack of clear regulations in this regard, and with the failure to enforce some of the laws that are in force today, the lack of control and monitoring of the system. Like this we will also solve the problem of the citizens affected by the increases, instead of sending them to chase wild goose," said Hossu, after the meeting that took place at Victoria Palace, in the presence of Prime Minister Nicolae Ciuca.He added that the PM said he would consider the proposal, also agreed by the employers' representatives."According to Article 4 of the Competition Council Law, the price can be capped at a certain level. We have requested a temporary cap, which will also prevent the citizens from running to submit various complaints (...) Temporarily means at least 6 months, but in my opinion one year it would be better, until January 1 next year, during which time the normative acts should also be submitted to Parliament," said Hossu. Prosecutors with the National Anti-Corruption Directorate (DNA) are conducting searches on Thursday in a case in which Marian Vanghelie, a former mayor of Bucharest District 5, is also targeted, judicial sources have told AGERPRES. According to the quoted sources, the raids also include the former mayor's house in Bucharest.The sources said that Vanghelie would have done private business with the City Hall of Sector 5 through intermediaries. The possibility of adopting new sanctions represents the EU's contribution to deterring future aggressive actions from Russia, Foreign Minister Bogdan Aurescu said on Thursday before the informal meeting of EU foreign ministers (Gymnich), which takes place on Thursday and Friday in Brest. "Today we will also discuss the role of the EU in this situation and what the EU can do to help de-escalate things. The EU can be united, and this is the most important issue I will emphasize today, and I believe that the EU can move forward with the planning of new sanctions to be adopted in case of need, for I believe that the possibility of having such new sanctions adopted represents EU's contribution to deterring future aggressions from Russia," said the head of the Romanian diplomacy. He added that "for Romania, the most important issue on the agenda is the security situation in our eastern neighbourhood and I will present my country's stand with respect to the recent developments." In this context, Bogdan Aurescu mentioned the US-Russia meetings, the NATO-Russia Council and the OSCE talks on this topic. "During these meetings we expressed our position that the security architecture in Europe should be maintained and we rejected the proposals put forward by Russia, which were considered unacceptable, and we reaffirmed NATO's values and foundations. The purpose of these meetings was to find ways to de-escalate the situation and to find ways and means to improve the security situation in this region and in Europe as a whole. The ball is now in Russia's hands and we have to wait and see what is the Russian's side conclusion after this dialogue, which took place during these meetings, through the week," the Minister said. Aurescu also said that at the Brest meeting he will underscore "the need to support the resilience of Ukraine and other partners in the eastern neighbourhood and the need for the European Union to get more involved in resolving protracted conflicts in this area., Agerpres informs. Approximately 100 employees with the education system are taking part in a rally at Victoriei Square, requesting the Government to increase salaries of employees from the education system, in accordance to the Wage Law, Agerpres reports. Members of the Federation of Free Education Unions (FSLI), Federation of Education Unions (FSE) Spiru Haret and the Alma Mater National Union Federation, which represent 300,000 employees in the education system, are participating in the protest.The participants are displaying banners with the following messages: "Always sacrificed, never respected", "Appeal for Romania's future - allocate 6% of GDP", "We don't want special pensions, we want normal wages", "Romania's future is in our classrooms", "Masks are disposable, teachers - NOT".The employees in the education system are displeased that the Government has not increased their salaries in accordance with Law 153/2017. According to the three union organizations, the teaching staff should have benefited from salaries that are stated by framework law nr. 153/2017 starting with September 2020."The salary increase of only 4% starting with January 1, 2022, which means an increase of income of approximately 65 RON for the teaching staff, has provoked a state of general discontent among "employees of the education system", according to a press release of the three unions.Furthermore, the unions are highlighting that over 30,000 non-teaching staff are benefiting from minimum wage, despite the fact that since the COVID-19 pandemic was declared, these employees have carried out other types of activities that have no connection with those specified by the position they are holding.Also, the teaching staff is the only state employee category that does not benefit from bonuses for work conditions, the three unions remind. The European Commission has wired 1.942 billion euro to the account of the Finance Ministry (FM) open at the National Bank of Romania (BNR), the sum representing pre-financing worth 13 percent of the loan of approximately 14.94 billion euro contracted by Romania as part of the Recovery and Resilience Facility, the Finance Ministry announced on Thursday, Agerpres reports. "On January 13, 2022, with the entry into force of the Loan Agreement [the Recovery and Resilience Facility] between the European Commission and Romania, the sum afferent to the pre-financing in the loan component will be wired, totaling 1,942,479,890 euro, representing 13 percent of the total loan value. This amount comes to complete the first tranche of the pre-financing, on the grant component, paid by the European Commission on December 2, 2021, worth 1.85 billion euro. Thus, up to this moment, a total sum of 3.79 billion euro was granted to Romania, since the moment of approval and start of implementation of the PNRR [National Recovery and Resilience Plan] on November 3, 2021," the quoted source mentions.The sum for the implementation of the PNRR is 29,181,842,750 euro. Romania has requested non-returnable financial support worth 14,239,689,750 euro and loans of 14,942,153,000 euro as part of the Recovery and Resilience Facility. All of these represent 13.09 percent of the GDP reported in 2019.The plan contains 171 measures, of which 64 reforms and 107 investments, structured around six pillars and 15 components.The main objectives of the plan are to accomplish the green transition and the digital transition, consolidating, at the same time, medical assistance, education, social cohesion and inclusion. Bogdan Aurescu will take part on Thursday and Friday in the EU Foreign Ministers' informal meeting (Gymnich type), which will take place in Brest (France), organized by the French presidency of the EU Council, Agerpres reports. According to a press release sent by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAE), the topics of discussions will include the security situation in the EU Eastern Vicinity, EU-China relations, evolutions in Mali.Minister Aurescu will congratulate the evolution of the document regarding the Strategic Compass towards a common approach of the Joint Policy for Security and Defence, according to the principles of the EU Global Strategy of 2016. Aurescu will highlight the need of an adequate reflection of the current security situation in the Eastern Vicinity, including in the extended Black Sea region, the need for settling the prolonged conflicts in the region, as well as an in-depth discussion regarding the EU's rapid intervention capacity, taking into consideration the necessity of ensuring full complementarity with NATO and avoiding any duplication with this organization and consolidating instruments for countering the hybrid threats.Minister Bogdan Aurescu will present Romania's evaluation for recent evolutions and will reiterate the messages regarding the importance of maintaining EU unity and keeping the adoption policy of firm and credible measures of deterring Russia, at the same time with consolidating Ukraine's and partners' resilience in the Eastern Vicinity. He will highlight the necessity of strengthening EU-USA and EU-NATO partnerships, as well as supporting the implementation of conclusions of the European Council of June 2021 regarding EU's policy towards Russia.The Romanian Minister of Foreign Affairs will highlight the necessity of maintaining international pressure on Mali for the observance of the calendar and to avoiding actions that could affect the EU-Mali relations, as a whole, or the security situation in the region. In this framework, he will remind of Romania's commitments in the region, including the decision of participating in the Takuba mission.Bogdan Aurescu will also highlight the importance of a Summit with concrete results, which will reflect the common vision regarding the future of EU-Africa relations. Government on Thursday approved a memorandum by which the Prime Minister Chancellery becomes an institution in charge with the making operational in Bucharest the European Cybersecurity Competence Centre (ECCC) and the coordination of the GLI-CYBER inter-institutional working group, Agerpres reports. The Secretariat General of the Government and the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure will designate representatives within the working group, to have the capacity of members.The GLI-CYBER group, which is being set up through Prime Minister's Decision No. 533/202, will be in charge with the identification of the necessary measures for making ECCC operational in Bucharest.Representatives of the Presidential Administration, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Research, Innovation and Digitalization, the National Cyberint Centre - Romanian Intelligence Service, the National Cyber Security Directorate will also have representatives to act as members of this working group. Romania's Defence Minister Vasile Dincu participated in an informal meeting of the European Union defence ministers on Wednesday and Thursday, in Brest, France. The event began with a working dinner attended by representatives of NATO, the UN and the European Parliament to discuss challenges posed by the interference of state and non-state actors in EU military areas, according to a statement released by the Romanian Defence Ministry (MApN). The attending ministers highlighted the negative impact of groups such as the Wagner Group in areas of strategic interest to the European Union - Ukraine, Libya, the Central African Republic and, most recently, in Mali. The secretary-general of NATO also presented the main conclusions of a recent meeting of the NATO-Russia Council. In his remarks, Dincu also highlighted the negative influence of the above-mentioned group in conflict areas, which contributes to the deterioration of the security state and has a destabilising effect, interfering with the EU's operational efforts. The Romanian official also stressed the importance of close co-operation and dialogue with NATO and the UN, as well as synergies between operational efforts to combat the negative effects of the interference by these actors, voicing Romania's support for such efforts. On the second day of the meeting, debates began with a session on current issues, during which the defence ministers discussed the security situation in Ukraine and the country's border with the Russian Federation generated by the massive deployment of troops, including the outcomes of a recent visit to Ukraine of the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell. Dincu reiterated his concerns over the strengthening of the Russian military presence in the Eastern Neighbourhood, saying that along with other hybrid actions, such actions are part of a broader strategy of the Russian Federation to increase influence in areas of interest, while limiting the European journey of the neighbouring states. He also underscored the importance of co-operation and coordination with NATO and the US in order to de-escalate the situation in the area. Discussions continued with a session dedicated to strategic areas of interest to the European Union (maritime, cybernetic, outer space), in which there is an increase in global competition. The ministers focused on space challenges, including current and future threats and the capabilities needed, as well as the process of reflection on the EU Space Security and Defence strategy. In view of the increasing threats from space and the emergence of technologies that allow the overlapping of civilian and military activities, Dincu underscored the importance of the part of the European Union Satellite Centre (EU SatCen) in developing the EU's space capacity as it is an important tool for substantiating the planning and decision-making processes at European level. The meeting ended with a joint session of defence and foreign ministers on the EU's Strategic Compass. Discussions were based on the revised version of the document, with ministers providing policy guidance for further negotiations on the text in council working formats. The member states emphasised the importance of agreeing this March on an ambitious but realistic document that will guide the EU's efforts to develop security and defence for the next five-ten years. Dincu highlighted the role of this instrument, emphasising the importance of strengthening the EU's capacity for action in tandem with NATO. The Romanian official stressed the relevance of properly reflecting on the security situation in the European Union's Eastern Neighbourhood with defence and security consequences, especially in the Black Sea region, which must remain an area of strategic interest to the EU. On the sidelines of the informal meeting, Dincu had a meeting with the French Minister of the Armed Forces, Florence Parly, to discuss items on the bilateral agenda in a NATO and EU context. The Minister of Justice, Catalin Predoiu, met on Thursday with Andrew Noble, the ambassador of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to Romania, with whom he discussed judicial cooperation in civil and criminal matters. According to a release from the Ministry of Justice sent to AGERPRES, the two officials stressed the need to continue joint actions to combat human trafficking, as well as to intensify the exchange of experience and cooperation with British specialists. The topics on the agenda of the Ministry of Justice were also addressed, namely the abolition of the Justice Crimes Investigation Section, the amendment to the laws of justice, the Criminal Code and the Code of Criminal Procedure. "In the spirit of the constructive dialogue developed in recent years, the Romanian minister drew attention to the topic of requests for assistance targeting Romanian minors in the United Kingdom, whose number has increased significantly in recent years, and stressed the need to intensify the exchange of information in a timely manner, in specific cases," the release reads. At the same time, according to the quoted source, in criminal matters, the discussion focused on the increasing number of European arrest warrants and transfer requests for convicted persons (Romanian citizens convicted in Great Britain), with the cooperation in the matter of the European arrest warrant experiencing a notable intensification since 2014. The Romanian side mentioned the steps taken to facilitate this process and considered it essential to shorten the response times from the British side. The meeting was attended also by the Ministry of Justice's Deputy Director of the International Law and Judicial Cooperation Department, Simona Franguloiu. The most new cases of infection with SARS-CoV-2 since the last report are in Bucharest - 1,210 and the counties of Timis - 792, Cluj - 712, Suceava - 550, Brasov - 457, Iasi - 399, Maramures - 347, Bihor - 337, Constanta - 316, Bacau - 308, the Strategic Communication Group (GCS) informed on Thursday, Agerpres reports. The Capital City remains in the red scenario regarding infection rate with SARS-CoV-2, with an incidence of 3.63 cases per thousand inhabitants, going up from the previous day, when it was 3.32 per thousand inhabitants.The following counties are also in the red scenario: Cluj - 4,91 cases per thousand inhabitants, Suceava - 3.67, Timis - 3.32, Brasov - 3.20, Ilfov - 3.19. Prime Minister Nicolae Ciuca met on Thursday with Azomures SA CEO Harri Kiiski, the discussions being focused on identifying solutions to maintain the production of competitive fertilizers in Romania, in the context of the current energy crisis. According to a Government press release sent to AGERPRES, the meeting was attended by the Minister of Energy, Virgil Popescu, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Adrian Chesnoiu, and the representative of the AMEROPA Group, Mihai Anita."Discussions focused on finding solutions to keep fertilizer production competitive in Romania, in the context of the current energy crisis that has led to higher natural gas prices. The prime minister voiced his appreciation for the efforts of the company's management and pointed out that maintaining a stable and predictable business climate for companies is a priority for the Government he leads. The support of the important producers in Romania will have significant effects on the development of the economy and will contribute to job stability," reads the release. Prime Minister Nicolae Ciuca paid a working visit to the Horia Hulubei National Nuclear Physics and Engineering Institute on Thursday to discuss with the institute's management solutions to meet the deadline of the "Extreme Light - Nuclear Physics" (ELI-NP) project. According to a government press statement, other governmental officials that accompanied Ciuca on his visit were Minister of European Investment and Projects Dan Vilceanu, Minister of the Economy, Entrepreneurship and Tourism Florin Spataru, and senior official with the Ministry of Research, Innovation and Digital Transformation Iulian Popescu. "Prime Minister Ciuca toured the institute's logistical facilities, experiment rooms and laboratories under the Extreme Light - Nuclear Physics project. Discussions were held with the management of the institute and of the ELI-NP project, officials of the Presidential Administration, MPs, local administration and academic officials. The current state of the project implementation was presented necessary solutions for meeting the ELI-NP project deadline were discussed. A meeting of the Interinstitutional Committee on the ELI-NP project will be held to the same end," according to the statement. At the same time, the discussions focused on closer collaboration between the research community, academia and the private sector. "The common goal is to capitalise on research projects in the commercial sector as well, which will bring economic and social benefits., Agerpres informs. Prime Minister Nicolae Ciuca sent condolences to the family of the girl who lost her life in a car accident on Thursday in Bucharest and asked the Interior Minister to make sure that the investigation in this case is carried out quickly. "I learned with sadness about the tragic car accident in which a little girl lost her life, today, in Bucharest, after being hit by a police car. I am appalled by the violent death of the child and send condolences to the grieving family. I spoke with the Minister of Health and I am confident that the doctors will do everything necessary to take care, in the best possible conditions, of the second girl, about whom I received assurances that she is out of any danger. I also ordered the Minister of Interior to make sure that the investigation is carried out very fast in this case. Those who represent a public authority, especially when wearing a uniform, are the first who have the duty to protect the citizens and ensure compliance with the law," Nicolae Ciuca said in a post on the Government's Facebook page, Agerpres.ro informs. A police van injured two minors who were crossing the street in district 1 of the Capital City on Thursday. One died and the other was taken to hospital, where she is being treated by doctors. The policeman behind the wheel had not consumed alcohol. On Thursday, President Klaus Iohannis decorated cultural luminaries, including pan flute player Gheorghe Zamfir and the Constanta State Theatre to mark January 15, the Romanian National Culture Day, at a ceremony that took place at Cotroceni Palace. "For the National Culture Day, we acknowledge the role of Romanian cultural icons in the modernisation and democratisation of Romania, in adhering to European values. The exemplary involvement of thinkers, artists, promoters and founders of cultural institutions in asserting the identity, statehood and national unity of Romania goes down in history. This holiday is also an opportunity to express the gratitude of our society to the contribution of contemporary artists to increasing the thesaurus of Romanian culture. Part of a worldwide dialogue and exchange of values, through prestigious participations in international festivals and competitions, contemporary creation constantly boosts the prestige of our country," Iohannis told the ceremony at the Cotroceni Presidential Palace. The chief of state bestowed a Romania's Star medal in the rank of Knight on Mircia Dumitrescu, a corresponding member of the Romanian Academy; a Romania's Star medal in the rank of Knight on Gheorghe Zamfir, performer, composer and conductor; a For Merit medal in the rank of Knight on Vasile Gheorghe, writer and translator; a Cultural Merit medal in the rank of Commander on the Constanta State Theatre; a Cultural Merit medal in the rank of Knight on writer Ioan Hadaring as well as on writer and translator Luan Topciu; and a Cultural Merit medal in the rank of Knight on visual artist Stefan Baloc. "Mr Gheorghe Zamfir, you have carried to the four corners of the world the vibration and the chords of the Romanian Mioritic space. For many, the depth of the Romanian folklore is identified with the ancestral sound of the panpipe and with the virtuosity of Gheorghe Zamfir! Mr Mircia Dumitrescu, your activity impresses with the overflowing energy that you display in the academic quarters and in the workshop. Through a wide range of inspired and successful artistic expressions your work and activity are an example worth following to the generations that had the chance of having you as their mentor! (. ..) Mr Luan Topciu, Mr Stefan Balog, Mr Ioan Hadarig, you have distinguished yourselves by capitalising on the cultural heritage of national minorities, by the energy with which you have enhanced the interethnic cultural dialogue and presented it to the Romanian and foreign public as one of the values and characteristics of our culture! Over the last two centuries, Romania's modernity has been configured by assuming humanistic values, by integrating our country with the Western political, economic and social processes. This historical process was based on knowledge, dialogue and interference between the culture of the Romanian area and the European space. You, Mr Geo Vasile, through your decades-long activity in the service of cultural dialogue, prove the importance, topicality and vitality of such relationship. I am also glad to congratulate those who have taken to the stages of the state theatre in Constanta, in the 70 years since its establishment, serving Ovid's muse for millennia!," President Iohannis said. Iohannis underscored the need to support culture. "We have recently celebrated 15 years since Romania's accession to the European Union: a political option and the expression of the nation's will, but also the completion of a process that defined the Romanian society and culture in the last century and a half. Not coincidentally, one of the strongest ties to the values of the European Union are achieved by the Romanian culture. Therefore, we need not only to appreciate, but also to support its action in promoting social cohesion, understanding, mutual respect and tolerance," added Iohannis. Dumitrescu thanked the chief of state for the awards. "We need a national culture, not a nationalist one, which landmarks are of a universal culture in the construction of which we have to participate actively while preserving our identity and getting integrated with the great culture of the world," he said. Dumitrescu invited Iohannis to visit his "Perspectives" exhibition at Romania's National Museum of Arts, Agerpres informs. The Pro Consumers Association (APC) is requesting PM Nicolae Ciuca to dismiss Virgil Popescu, the Minister of Energy, because he urged the population to not pay their energy bills, and this type of populist statements creates social chaos, Agerpres reports. "The Pro Consumers Association (...) has noted with concern the populist message of the Minister of Energy, Virgil Popescu, who urged the population to not pay their high energy bills. We are reminding Virgil Popescu, the Minister of Energy, that according to article 42, paragraph 6 of Law nr. 51/2006 of community services of public utilities, "The bill, issued for services of public utilities is an enforceable title". Such populist statements do not solve the problem regarding the impossibility of paying gas and electricity bills for millions of Romanians, but rather it creates economic and social chaos, which is why the Pro Consumers Association is requesting Prime Minister Nicolae Ciuca to dismiss Virgil Popescu, the Minister of Energy," says a press release sent by APC to AGERPRES on Thursday.Furthermore, the association is requesting the PM to adopt, through an emergency ordinance, economic measures such as the elimination of the VAT for electricity, gas, firewood, pallets and fuels for the period of February 1, 2022 - June 30, 2022 and the elimination of the cogeneration tax, the green certificate tax, excises and other taxes included in the prices of electricity, gas, firewood, pallets and fuels for the period of February 1, 2020 - June 30, 2022.Furthermore, the organization is requesting the elimination of the VAT for bread, milk, eggs, meat, cooking oil, fruits and vegetables."In the event that the Romanian Government will not apply the measures mentioned above for the period of February 1, 2022 - June 30, 2022, we will contemplate during the spring of this year foreclosures for hundreds of thousands of families and an alarming increase of poverty of the Romanian population," the press release points out.The Pro Consumers Association (APC) is a public utilities organization, status obtained through Government Decision nr. 1106/2005, with an uninterrupted activity of over 31 years in the field of defending rights and economic interests of consumers (www.apc-romania.ro), member of the European Consumers Organization since 2005, the only organization of consumers in Romania qualified to introduce actions in justice based on Directive nr. 1828/2020 regarding actions in representation for protecting collective interests of consumers. During its working session last December, the Holy Synod decided to include Saint Diadochos, Bishop of Photiki, in the calendar of the Romanian Orthodox Church, with commemoration day on March 29. The Holy Synod also approved the Saints service, akathist, synaxarium, and icon. Saint Diadochos was born around 400 and served as the Bishop of Photiki in Epirus of Northern Greece. In 451, he took part in the Fourth Ecumenical Council of Chalcedon as Bishop of Photiki and supported Orthodoxy against the Monophysites. His signature appears in a letter from 458 addressed to Emperor Leo I, in which he mentions the death of Patriarch Proterius of Alexandria, killed by the Monophysites. Diadochos writing and ascetic practice were influenced by Evagrius the Solitary and Saint Macarius the Great, incorporating ideas of hesychia (stillness, rest, quiet), sensible spiritual experience, and the fierceness of the fight against the demons. His best-known work, On Spiritual Knowledge and Discrimination (known as the One Hundred Chapters), was written for his monks in reaction to strange doctrines coming from the heretical Messalian sect in Mesopotamia, who taught that each person has a personal demon to be exorcised by constant prayer. He is also thought to be the author of a sermon on the Ascension and a dialogue with Saint John the Baptist. The One Hundred Chapters represent a complete treatise on the spiritual life, the ultimate goal of which is to unite the soul with God through love (chapters 1-2). His writings essentially contain dogmatic teachings and spiritual counsel. The mystical experience referred to by St. Diadochos is consolidated around prayer, the only one able to drive away evil thoughts. If, then, the mind be found keeping in mind the holy name of the Lord Jesus, and use it as a weapon of that most holy and glorified name, the deceitful deceiver will depart (ch. 31:32). The Holy Hierarch Diodochos, Bishop of Photiki, will be celebrated annually on March 29, together with the Holy Martyrs Mark, the Bishop of Arethusa, and Cyril the Deacon. Thanks to the efforts of the Social-Philanthropic Department and the Anastasie Crimca Foundation of the Archdiocese of Suceava and Radauti, 500 families were blessed with food for Christmas. Over the last two months of the year, the archdiocese arranged five charity concerts with the participation of 43 vocal groups and artistic ensembles. The concerts raised $17,170 (75,000 lei), which was used to purchase 8.8 tons of food for 500 families. On Christmas Eve, gifts of staple foods, meat, and candy were distributed to needy families and single elderly people through the archdiocesan welfare offices. The smile of the children that they were visited by Santa Claus, the joy of the parents that they have something to put on the holiday table and that their children are happy for the gifts received, the joy of the grandparents that they received these packages with meat and candy and that they were also visited by someone for the holidays, the joy given by the feeling that they are not alone now, when they are in the last part of the earthly lifeall these joys are, I think, some of the strongest prayers before God, for all those involved in this project, commented Archimandrite Iustin Tanase, head of the Social-Philanthropic Department. TechAngels Group's 2021 investments in local startups amounted to 8.9 million euros, twice the figure of 2020, and its investor network has grown by 40 percent, the tech business supporting association said in a statement on Thursday, Agerpres reports. "Investments by members of TechAngels, the largest network of private investors interested in supporting the Romanian tech startup ecosystem, were a combined 8.9 million euros in 2021, double the amount of 2020 and 43 percent more than in 2019. The financing was directed to 69 startups, of which 14 benefited from follow-on rounds," the cited document states.40 percent of investors allocated up to 50,000 euros each, 37.5 percent invested between 50,000 and 500,000 euros, and 5.5 percent gave out over 500,000 euros. This year, 20 percent of the group chose not to invest in new solutions, some of them being new members. Automation, robotics and b2b process solutions accounted for no less than 44 percent of the ideas presented by the startups seeking financing from TechAngels. Next by numbers are health and education solutions (10 percent each), in line with the major concerns of the society in this period. Tech solutions also emerged this year for growing communities, as well as more sustainability-oriented solutions, with applications in everyday life and in business. Many of the resources targeted by startups were intended for expanding solutions regionally and internationally, product scaling and development.TechAngels is an open group of private investors interested in supporting the development of technology start-ups in Romania and in the region. Ian Froeb Ian Froeb is the restaurant critic for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Follow Ian Froeb 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 When I finally crossed paths with the oxtails at Chez Ali one afternoon in early December, they still needed another hour on the stovetop before they would be ready for the cafeteria-style buffet. I didnt mind waiting. You cant hurry oxtails, and this was the first time in four visits to Chez Ali that they had been available. It was lunch, though, and I had skipped breakfast. Chez Ali happens to serve a few dishes perfect for snacking in a situation like this: small, pilliowy and very spicy Kenyan-style samosas filled with beef or vegetables or maybe a heftier, flaky, golden Jamaican patty. (The patties are store-bought, but the slowly building kick of the beef version will more than do in a pinch.) But Chez Ali is also one of the inaugural stalls inside the Food Hall at City Foundry, which opened in August in midtown after several years of anticipation, delays and shuffled vendor lineups. That day, I decided to experience the Food Hall as a food hall, not a series of destination restaurants. I made note of the time and wandered to another stall for an appetizer elsewhere. When I returned an hour later, the oxtails were ready. Alioun Thiam, the chef and owner of Chez Ali, smokes the knobby cuts of beef offsite and then cooks them in a big pot on the stalls stovetop with onion, garlic, potato, bell pepper and tomato. The beefs juices and the softened vegetables form a rich ad-hoc sauce with a subtle toasty sweetness. The oxtails themselves are smoky, peppery and so tender you can scoop the meat off the bone as though it were softened butter. Chez Ali makes for a fitting introduction to the Food Hall at City Foundry not simply the project that the developer and Lawrence Group CEO Steve Smith first envisioned more than six years ago, but the reality of its gestation. Chez Ali wasnt among the future Food Hall tenants City Foundry announced in 2019, many of which didnt come to fruition, but I already cant imagine the hall without it. Thiam isnt a newcomer to the St. Louis restaurant scene, though to my embarrassment Chez Ali is my first experience with his cooking. He immigrated to the United States from Senegal in the early 1990s and relocated from New York City to St. Louis at the turn of the century. In the first half of the last decade, he operated Teranga Grill at Union Station. He then opened Chez Mathy International Cuisine in the citys Fountain Park neighborhood, which he has rebranded as Chez Ali. A self-taught cook, Thiam has drawn inspiration from his late mother. I used to watch her cook back in the day, he told me in an interview over the summer. I think naturally I got the gene from her, even though I never cooked. Chez Ali draws on the cuisines of Senegal and the Ivory Coast and more broadly on Afro-Caribbean traditions. As Thiam has adjusted to cooking in the stalls small kitchen and running two locations, Chez Alis cafeteria menu has focused on a few staple main courses. On my visits, curry chicken and jerk chicken were always or imminently available, the oxtails and Senegalese yassa chicken less frequently so. The curry hums with warming spices, a prickly, but not overwhelming bite of scotch bonnet chiles and invigorating splashes of vinegar and citrus. Those scotch bonnet chiles, one of the key ingredients bridiging Thiams west African and Caribbean influences, are a more fearsome presence in the jerk chicken. As with the oxtails, Thiam smokes the jerk chicken at the erstwhile Chez Mathy. (Sometimes, when circumstances require it, he skips the offsite smoking and grills it at the Food Hall instead.) He finishes the chicken at Chez Ali with myriad accents among them: those chiles, a wet jerk concoction, garlic, parsley and Dijon mustard that coalesce into a bite as joyous as a summer block party, smoky and salty, tangy and searing. Dijon mustard, lemon juice, green olives and vinegar electrify the yassa chicken, one of Senegals signature dishes. This kaleidoscopic brightness unfolds around the charry edge of the chicken and the sweetness of the dishs ample onions. Beneath it all is a chile that simmers until, suddenly, it blossoms. Just as I was finishing my visits for this review, I happened on a dish that I not only hadnt seen on its cafeteria line before, but that I didnt even realize I should be looking for, a brawny lamb fried rice. At a glance, I had mistaken this fried rice for Thiams jollof rice. This might be the most famous west African dish, a source of intense debate about which countrys is better. I just wanted a second chance with Chez Alis version. Your main course here comes with cabbage and your choice of white rice or rice and beans. The latter is more heavily seasoned by default and delicious though Thiam will advise you to pair white rice with the yassa chicken. On the day I waited an hour for oxtails, jollof rice was also an option. I could tease out a little of its peppery character through the oxtails smoke and spice and natural essence, but not so clearly that I felt I had truly experienced it. After years of waiting for City Foundry to open, Im relieved to be struck by an altogether different kind of excitement, even impatience eager to return to Chez Ali to see what else Ali Thiam has in store for us. We are currently not assigning star ratings to restaurants. This review is based on dine-in service and takeout. Where Chez Ali at the Food Hall at City Foundry, 3730 Foundry Way More info cityfoundrystl.com Menu Senegalese, Ivorian and Afro-Caribbean fare Hours Lunch and dinner daily (closed Tuesday) How much Jerk chicken plate $14 Yassa chicken plate $14 Oxtail plate $20 A note on indoor dining This weeks review is based on both dine-in and takeout service. The dine-in visits took place in November and December. Shortly before Christmas, while vaccinated and boosted, I decided to pause dining indoors for at least a few weeks owing to the community spread of the omicron variant. Please listen to local health authorities and use your best judgment when deciding whether to dine indoors at this time. Stay up-to-date on what's happening Receive the latest in local entertainment news in your inbox weekly! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. NORMANDY Students at Lucas Crossing School will attend classes online Thursday after more than 30% of the staff called out sick. Like most districts, Normandy Schools Collaborative is grappling with severe staff shortages due to the surge in COVID-19 cases since winter break. The district could be the first to have to extend the school year to make up for missed hours in the buildings. Missouri requires school districts to provide 1,044 hours of instruction each year. The state instituted a rule in 2019 for alternative methods of instruction, allowing up to 36 hours of virtual learning for school closures due to snow days or other emergencies. The rule was made more flexible during the 2020-2021 school year, but that extension expired in July. Lucas Crossing will hit the 36-hour limit on Thursday, and Normandy High School is getting close. After three days of distance learning, students returned to Normandy High on Wednesday but were sent home by 10 a.m. because of a water main break on campus. Mike Jones of the Normandy School Board slammed state leaders for not giving districts more flexibility to move online during the latest surge of the virus. Missouri is obviously governed by some Neanderthals who belong in a different age, Jones said Tuesday at a board meeting. How irresponsible and incompetent the leadership of this state is to put people in a position that they have to make these kinds of decisions that undermine the well-being of the community. The state board of education heard a presentation Tuesday about the problem but maintained the 36-hour limit on virtual learning. School leaders are calling the state daily to report that they can only replace half of their absent teachers with substitutes, if that, said Mallory McGowin, spokeswoman for the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Each day we are seeing schools barely have enough staff they need to operate in-person and safely, McGowin said. We are continuing to monitor the situation. We really do believe first and foremost that our schools are among the safest places for a large portion of Missouri students. In Normandy, one option is for students to take online classes in the classroom, supervised by a librarian, aide or secretary. Otherwise, schools could have to make up in-person days at the end of the year, raising questions about graduation, summer school and union contracts. Other districts are also reporting precarious situations with staffing. Administrators in multiple districts are filling in as substitutes in classrooms, including St. Louis Public Schools Superintendent Kelvin Adams. The transportation director and secretaries in Mehlville School District washed dishes after lunch Wednesday at Mehlville High. Nearly 60% of the Rockwood School Districts 2,279 total cases of COVID-19 among students and staff this school year have been reported in the last three weeks, according to Superintendent Tim Ricker. People are frustrated. Theyre burned out. Theyve been working their tails off, Ricker said at a special meeting Tuesday where the Rockwood School Board voted to extend a mask mandate at least through Feb. 3. Several other districts have also tried to stem infections by reversing plans to make masks optional this month, including Fox, Francis Howell, Kirkwood, Lindbergh and Mehlville. But in Wentzville, the School Board voted Monday against a mask mandate, saying it would be too late to change the high numbers of absences. There are some signs that the surge may be peaking. Nationwide, 998 schools were closed on Wednesday because of the virus, down from a high of 3,766 a week ago, according to the data tracking site Burbio. Stay up to date on life and culture in St. Louis. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. ST. LOUIS On Christmas Eve 1938, the local Works Progress Administration office laid off 1,100 women, most of them widows or mothers whose husbands had deserted them. The boss said the state welfare program could pick them up. By then, the federal agency known as the WPA had become the bull's-eye of attacks on President Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal, and Congress was in a budget-cutting mood. The agency had 33,000 people on its payroll in the St. Louis area, building the sloped banks of River Des Peres, pouring sidewalks in Kirkwood and typing government paperwork. Critics called it make-work, if there was any work involved at all. For the women, the issue was more stark. The WPA paid $42 a month, but state welfare provided $30 monthly for a woman with two children. And the state system already was overwhelmed by applications for relief. On Jan. 11, 1939, about two dozen former WPA women spent the night outside the state welfare office at 2221 Locust Street, hoping to get interviews. They kept a fire in a wash tub. "The days are coming in which they will say, Blessed are the barren,'" said Elizabeth Thomas, quoting the Bible as she waited on the sidewalk. She lived at 2816A Burd Avenue with her elderly parents and 11-year-old daughter. The cry arose to fight City Hall. On Jan. 13, more than 70 women marched inside City Hall, filled the gallery in the aldermanic chamber and glared down at the aldermen in session. Their leader, Helen McKinney of 4625 Enright Avenue, was allowed to speak during a recess. "We have been laid off and there is no help for us at the relief station," she said. "We must have food and rent. A lot of us are being evicted." After aldermen voted to ask for state help, McKinney shouted, "We are not satisfied." To her friends, she said, "Just sit tight, girls." The women vowed to remain inside City Hall. Sit-ins were numerous during the Great Depression but few were conducted entirely by women. City Hall watchmen took a hard line, refusing to pass along a food basket. In the cramped gallery, demonstrators couldn't sleep. They prayed and sang "Silent Night." Black demonstrators taught the whites traditional spirituals. At noon Jan. 14, police Capt. Albert Wetzel moved in with 30 officers. The weary 42 holdouts resisted, then surrendered. Nobody was arrested. A small delegation tried to meet the next week with Gov. Lloyd Stark in Jefferson City but made do seeing an underling. By Jan. 27, harried state case workers had interviewed half of the 1,100. As WPA layoffs continued, their story drifted away. Read more stories from Tim O'Neil's Look Back series. UPDATED at 12:30 p.m. with statement from construction firms and club spokesman ST. LOUIS A construction worker was rushed to a hospital Thursday morning when a stack of drywall toppled onto him at the MLS stadium, St. Louis fire Chief Dennis Jenkerson said. The accident happened about 6:40 a.m. at the St. Louis City SC stadium, near North 20th and Market streets. Jenkerson said the worker suffered injuries mostly to his legs. He might have some broken bones, Jenkerson said. Drywall is heavy stuff. The victim was transferred by paramedics, and Jenkerson said he thinks the man was critical although he did not have an update on the mans condition. Rescue crews taking the man to the hospital told fire officials that construction workers had been using a forklift to move drywall, and the load shifted. Thats when the drywall temporarily pinned the construction worker, Fire Capt. Garon Mosby said. The coworkers freed him before we got there. The victim was conscious and alert as he was taken by ambulance to a hospital, Mosby said. Mosby said there have been one or two other calls for paramedics for incidents during construction at the stadium, but its been relatively safe for that magnitude of a project. St. Louis-area construction firms Alberici and L. Keeley and Minneapolis-based Mortenson are building the 22,500-seat soccer stadium. Construction is slated to wrap up in July. The inaugural season of St. Louis City SC starts in March 2023. The construction firms released a statement after noon on Thursday, saying in part, Safety is a top priority for our project team and a full investigation into this incident is being conducted. Construction work continues on-site. The statement also said the worker received immediate medical attention from project safety personnel and first responders and was transported to Saint Louis University SSM Hospital for further care. A spokesperson for the club said theyre hoping the injured worker has a quick recovery: Our construction partners have done an incredible job focusing on the safety of the stadium construction site, and we very much appreciate their quick actions in handling this situation. Steph Kukuljan of the Post-Dispatch contributed to this report. Shake off your afternoon slump with the oft-shared and offbeat news of the day, hand-brewed by our online news editors. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. JEFFERSON CITY Missouri lawmakers have only been in their annual session for a week, but COVID-19 is already taking its toll. Senate Minority Leader John Rizzo, D-Independence, announced on Twitter Thursday that he tested positive for a breakthrough infection of the respiratory disease, meaning he will be out of action for at least the next five days. Im glad my vaccination & booster have kept my symptoms almost nonexistent. As was said yesterday, Omicron will find just about everybody. Vaccinations are critical to getting through this. Stay safe, Rizzo tweeted. His announcement follows a House member who said she too is at home after testing positive. Thanks to being vaccinated & boosted, Im experiencing very mild symptoms and isolated immediately upon returning home from Jefferson City, tweeted Rep. Keri Ingle, D-Kansas City. With the Legislature now on a weekend break that includes Mondays Martin Luther King Jr. holiday, Rizzos absence appears unlikely to slow down the already deliberative body. But Senate President Dave Schatz, R-Sullivan, said COVID-19 has already affected some duties of the upper chamber, including delaying the confirmation of former Rep. Becky Ruth, R-Festus, as the new director of the Office of Child Advocate. Ruth announced earlier this week that she had been hospitalized with complications related to the coronavirus. With the folks with COVID and all the other things weve got going on were going to do our best to get through the process, Schatz said. Were going to have some challenges when it comes to that. Gov. Mike Parson is scheduled to deliver his State of the State speech on Wednesday. The address is scheduled to take place in the House chambers, with members of the Senate, the Judiciary and executive branch officials packing into the room. Last year, fearing an outbreak, House Speaker Rob Vescovo, R-Arnold, canceled the speech, forcing Parson to deliver it in the Senate. Parson later complained that House leadership had engaged in a purposeful and disgusting scheme to embarrass him by cutting off access to the House chamber hours before the speech. Senate Majority Leader Caleb Rowden, R-Columbia, said there were no plans to curtail Senate action or boost mitigation measures by requiring masks or increasing the amount of cleaning in the building. Rather, he said Senate leaders are recommending people follow U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advice to stay at home for five days if they test positive and then wear a mask when they return. Unlike previous sessions during the pandemic, there is no on-site testing in the Capitol. Rowden said differing opinions among senators on how to stay safe during the pandemic have led leaders to take a laissez faire approach to trying to control its spread. Its a day and an hour at a time, Rowden said. Were telling people to be careful. Rowden also acknowledged the virus could come into play on high-profile issues like approving new congressional maps. If a narrow vote is expected, for example, the Senate could delay action until infected members return to the Capitol. There are positive COVID cases popping up here and there, Rowden said. In the House, there is no one officially counting how many people test positive, leaving enforcement of COVID-19 to individual members. Some wear masks when they are in public settings like the House floor, but most dont. House Minority Leader Crystal Quade, D-Springfield, said there are not a lot of members who have tested positive, but added, I dont know the number. Across the street from the Capitol, the Supreme Court continues to require people to wear masks in public spaces. At the nearby Harry S Truman office building, home to 2,100 state employees, the cafeteria was shut down this week for cleaning. To help the workers get food, officials called on food truck operators to set up camp next to the building at lunchtime Wednesday and Thursday. Grace Zokovitch of the Post-Dispatch contributed to this report. Originally posted at 12:15 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 13. Concerned about COVID-19? Sign up now to get the most recent coronavirus headlines and other important local and national news sent to your email inbox daily. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. JEFFERSON CITY A state appeals court Thursday sided with Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft in a court case brought by a fellow Republican statewide officeholder. In a 28-page decision, the Missouri Court of Appeals Western District rejected an appeal of a case brought by Treasurer Scott Fitzpatrick alleging that Ashcroft wrote flawed ballot language for a proposed constitutional amendment that would change how the treasurers office invests taxpayer dollars. The proposed referendum, which would go before voters in 2022, was a legislative priority for Fitzpatrick, who says the changes he wants would allow his office to earn higher interest rates on certain investments. A Cole County judge sided with Ashcroft in a decision released in December and Fitzpatrick asked the appeals court to review the case. The proposed referendum would allow the treasurer to put money in a wider range of investments, as long as they are qualified under a set of standards designed to ensure the money is safe. But Fitzpatrick said the ballot language written by Ashcrofts office is flawed and misleading. In particular, Fitzpatrick said some of the wording is intentionally argumentative and likely to create a prejudice against the proposed measure. The appeals court, in a decision written by Judge Cynthia Martin, said the section in question is not intentionally argumentative or likely to create prejudice or confusion for voters. Fitzpatrick said he was reviewing the opinion and had not made a final decision on whether to appeal the case to the Supreme Court. Following the Dec. 13 Cole County ruling, Ashcroft said he was pleased with the initial decision issued by Circuit Judge Daniel Green. This was ridiculous from the beginning. It was a complete waste of taxpayer funds in an attempt to force a specific voter outcome on the amendment. I am pleased that the court affirmed that our summary of what the amendment would do was fair and sufficient, Ashcroft said. Fitzpatrick, meanwhile, is running for state auditor in 2022. He has a primary challenger in Rep. David Gregory, R-Sunset Hills. No Democrats have stepped forward to run for the auditor post being vacated by Democrat Nicole Galloway. Ashcroft is planning to run for governor in 2024. Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe, also a Republican, also has said hes going to run for the position. Gov. Mike Parson is not seeking reelection. Originally posted at 10:10 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 13. Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. COLUMBIA, Mo. Republican lawmakers on Wednesday debated a proposal that would raise the bar for amending Missouris Constitution, an effort that follows the success of several Democratic policies at the polls. The measure, discussed Wednesday by the state House elections committee, would require support from at least two-thirds of voters to amend Missouris Constitution. Currently, constitutional amendments are adopted if approved by at least 51% of voters. Right now, the threshold is too low, Republican sponsor Rep. Mike Henderson, of Bonne Terre, told his colleagues. The Missouri Constitution is a living document, but it should not be an ever-expanding document. Hendersons proposal would go before voters for final consideration if passed by the GOP-led Legislature this year. Republicans have been trying to make the initiative petition process harder following the recent passage of several Democratic-backed policies at the polls, including expanding eligibility for Medicaid. Democrats called the effort to raise the bar for constitutional amendments shortsighted and raised concerns that it will limit direct democracy. Its an attempt to deny the citizens of this state a participation in their democracy, said Democratic Rep. Joe Adams of University City. Its to deny them the right of initiative petition to change the Constitution. I believe that it is unnecessary and unwarranted. Hendersons proposal would also increase the number of signatures needed to put a proposal on the ballot. Now, it takes 8% of voters from six out of eight congressional districts to put a measure on the statewide ballot. The pending measure would require signatures from 10% of voters in all eight congressional districts. Under the current system, petition backers often ignore the most rural districts and focus on collecting signatures where the population is denser. That sometimes means petition gatherers spend a lot of time in urban areas but rarely visit rural areas, where it takes more time to collect the same number of signatures. JEFFERSON CITY A discussion of vaccine mandates and exemptions quickly fractured along political lines and kicked lawyers into gear during a House Judiciary Committee hearing Wednesday afternoon. The committee heard testimony on six bills related to vaccine mandates and medical treatment requirements, in what is likely to become a continuing subject of debate as lawmakers meet in the third year of the pandemic. The bills would legislate bans or limits on health requirements for public entities, employers, or any person or organization, with different stipulations but similar effects. Advocates and opponents toiled over the difficulty of defining a belief, the role and rights of employers and employees, the nature of the states economic system, and broader philosophy and legalese for more than three hours, largely acknowledging room for adjustment in the legislation. Employees as well as employers have rights in this regard. How thats defined, how thats applied is basically what were talking about here, said Rep. David Evans, committee chairman and a bill sponsor. The bills that allow for vaccination mandates stipulate that employers must accept broader exemptions than the current federally required religious exceptions. These exemptions largely fall into arguably catch-all phrases like conscientious objection and sincerely held beliefs, sponsors said, in efforts to include beliefs that defy traditional understanding of religion. Quite frankly, a lot of employers dont know how to apply (religious exemptions), and a lot of employees want to use it, said Evans, R-West Plains. The state clearly has a role in helping our businesses and helping our employees define what that means. Several sponsors made the case that accommodations could be made for employees that refused vaccination, citing telework options. Evans bill would also allow employer mandates to be exempt from the bills limitations if employers could prove that limiting requirements would cause them undue hardship. This hardship was the crux of much of the opposition to the bills. Opponents largely represented health care organizations, arguing that safety in the workplace was a critical factor in the decision to impose health-related mandates, and chamber of commerce and other business representatives, largely arguing against the imposition of any government control, including both federal vaccine mandates and state mandate restrictions. This free market argument against government intervention split Republicans in the room. An employer has an obligation to his employees to render them as fair and safe working environment as possible, said Rep. Rudy Veit, R-Wardsville, contending that individual employers are owed the autonomy to make such decisions themselves. Two bills sponsored by Rep. Cyndi Buchheit-Courtway one broad ban and one outlining exemptions took altered approaches to mandate bans, specifically targeting vaccines or medical treatments that have not yet been fully approved by the Food and Drug Administration. This would allow for mandates requiring the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccination, which was fully approved in August 2021. Buchheit-Courtway, R-Festus, acknowledged that the federal government already prohibited mandates for unapproved vaccines, but she, like many other sponsors, emphasized a perceived need to clarify rules in state law. The bills that allow for mandates but require broad exemption options include workers compensation provisions making employers requiring vaccination liable for any adverse medical event related to the vaccination. Severe or persistent side effects from COVID-19 vaccines have proven to be extremely rare, according to the CDC. Just over half of the state is vaccinated as the omicron surge continues, with far fewer having received boosters. In the St. Louis area, positivity rates are nearing 40% and COVID-19 hospitalizations are breaking records. Another bill, HB 1713, sponsored by Rep. Alex Riley, R-Springfield, also tackled a COVID-related issue, proposing a Missouri Religious Freedom Protection Act. Under the bill, public officials would be prohibited from limiting religious gatherings or services except in cases where violence was being planned or committed or emergency evacuations. This would prevent religious entities from being subject to any future shutdown or quarantine orders. The hearing also opened debate on a bill, HB 1897, to establish one or more nurseries in prisons for female inmates with newborns younger than 18 months. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Bruce DeGroot, R-Ellisville, which received support from pro-life and criminal justice advocates, would establish facilities run by the Department of Corrections. Nine other states have already set up similar programs. Grace Zokovitch gzokovitch@post-dispatch.com JEFFERSON CITY A state senator on Thursday compared one Wildwood-based company with an illegal drug dealer, calling the argument its video gaming devices arent games of chance loose and fictitious. The comments by Sen. Bill White, R-Joplin, followed testimony during a Missouri Senate hearing by Thomas Robbins, lobbyist for Torch Electronics, who said opponents of the unregulated machines were on a mission against a single small business. As far as stamping on small business, people that sell pot can be considered a small business too, White said. And it is illegal under our statutes. The hearing Thursday was on Senate Bill 632, which targets the thousands of unregulated gaming devices that have flooded the state in recent years. Similar legislation has failed in the past amid lobbying by Torch, which employs the lobbying firm of former House Speaker Steve Tilley, and disagreement among senators about how to expand legal gambling in the state. In response to Whites comparison, Gregg Keller, spokesman for Torch, said in an email: I cant imagine why a Republican from southwest Missouri would go on record supporting increased taxes and fees, hurting law-abiding small businesses, enlarging government, and taking police officers off the street. But Im sure Sen. White has his reasons. The legislation would state clearly that an illegal gambling device is one not regulated by state gambling authorities that involves cash payouts. It bans individuals and companies convicted of illegal gambling from participating in any future expansion of legal video gambling in the state. It requires the Missouri Gaming Commission to refer tips to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, which would be required to investigate. A spokesman for Sen. Dan Hegeman, R-Cosby, who is sponsoring the legislation, said the referrals are already occurring but that the bill puts the practice in statute. The legislation also threatens the liquor licenses of establishments that gaming authorities or law enforcement report as in possession of an illegal gambling device. No one should have a liquor license whos operating these illegal games, Hegeman said at the hearing. Hegeman said he believed Missouri law already prohibited such devices, as evidenced by a 2020 court ruling in Platte County against Kansas-based Integrity Vending LLC, but that county prosecutors have been slow to take up illegal gambling cases. The conviction, lack of appeal and destruction of machines in the court case in Platte County have taken any ambiguity about these games being illegal away, Hegeman said, referencing the public destruction of the companys games with a backhoe last year. It was a very exciting event, said Hegeman, who attended the public destruction. Hegeman said he was a little disappointed in the lack of action that weve seen or havent seen out of some of the prosecutors in the state of Missouri. Its always frustrating when it takes a second law to deem something thats illegal ... to try to address it because of the lack of action of the prosecutors. Unlike regulated gaming, no proceeds are diverted to education. There are also no government-sanctioned resources for addicted gamblers or rules to protect consumers from low payouts. Among those who testified in support of Hegemans bill were Mike Winter of the Missouri Gaming Association, which represents the states 13 licensed casinos, Ray McCarty of the Associated Industries of Missouri and Andy Arnold of J&J Ventures, an Effingham, Illinois, company that is seeking authorization of legal video gambling in Missouri. J&J has contributed more than $100,000 to Missouri politicians over the past five years. Meanwhile, Torch, last June funneled more than $200,000 to political action committees connected to Tilley, according to state ethics commission records. Robbins, the lobbyist for Torch, was the only person to testify against the legislation during the Senate Governmental Accountability and Fiscal Oversight Committee hearing on Thursday. Its drafted, designed and targeted to put a single Missouri family-owned small business out of business, Robbins said. Senate Bill 632 will result in the cascading effect of ultimately forcing many more veterans organizations, c-stores and truck stops across Missouri to lay off employees and/or close. The company is owned by Steven Miltenberger, who has contributed to the campaigns of Missouri politicians such as Gov. Mike Parson and Attorney General Eric Schmitt. (Schmitt said last year he was returning contributions from Miltenberger and his wife.) Robbins, during the hearing, also said the legislation ran counter to the principles of the Republican Party. Having grown up in a very conservative Republican household I was schooled in the merits of limited government, rugged individualism and the awesomeness of private enterprise, Robbins said. He said the measure stands in stark contrast to those bedrock Republican principles as it balloons government on the backs of small business. He said Torchs games werent gambling devices. Players can see the outcome before they even play or deposit money, Robbins said, referencing a prize viewer function on the devices that players arent required to use. Meanwhile, Torch faces an ongoing criminal prosecution in Linn County. In Greene County, Torch sued Prosecuting Attorney Dan Patterson in an attempt to stop an investigation into the company. The lawsuit followed the seizure in June by the Missouri State Highway Patrol of several of the companys devices. Torch has also sued the Missouri State Highway Patrol in a similar attempt to ward off scrutiny. Originally posted at 1:15 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 13. Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. SPRINGFIELD, Ill. Ornate chandeliers dangle from the Illinois state Capitols 20-foot-high ceilings, which are cloaked in elaborate decor and supported by pink scagliola columns. The clickety-clack of footsteps on beige, maroon and dark teal marble floors reverberate through its airy rotunda. The elegant sights and sounds of the Capitol will soon be masked by dusty specks of brick and mortar and blaring power tool drills as the 19th century symbol of state government business undergoes a massive renovation this year to meet 21st century needs. It will be the second major construction project on the building in a decade and will force some legislative sessions to find new locations for the next few years, while also being a temporary inconvenience for school groups and other tourists who wont get to see the historic structures full grandeur. The project also presents a hefty price tag for Illinois taxpayers: $224.3 million. The renovation is focused on the buildings north wing and will include an underground parking garage, an underground conference center and a two-level welcome center for visitors. In addition, there will be updates of everything from heating and cooling systems to plumbing and ventilation. Unfortunately, when utilities and infrastructure are challenged to outlast their recommended lifespan, we are often forced to address maintenance emergencies that costs a significant amount more than a planned renovation, said Andrea Aggertt, the architect of the Capitol, who oversees the buildings improvements. The structures iconic dome, taller than the U.S. Capitols, will not be affected by the project. The project comes as the Old State Capitol, the Illinois statehouse up until 1876, which is a few blocks away and a noted tourist attraction, is also under renovation. For this project, some construction has already begun in the basement, a section of the Capitol thats connected to tunnels leading to the William G. Stratton building to the west and the Michael J. Howlett building to the south. Prep work for the project began last year and the underground parking garage should be completed by early 2023, according to Aggertts office. The preliminary work includes asbestos abatement in parts of the building. In June, some legislative staff and other employees will be moving to other offices and wont be able to return until January 2025, around the time the project is slated for completion. Scrapings on the north are evidence of consultants trying to figure out what was the original paint color when the building opened in 1888. The Capitol took about 20 years to complete at a cost of about $4.5 million. If were going to cut into all of these walls and replace the piping and the duct work and electrical that when we go back, were going to restore the Capitol to what we call Capitol proper. So that Capitol proper timeline we are focusing on is the late 1800s to the early 1900s, said Aggertt. Security upgrades will be another priority for the north wing. In September 2004, an unarmed security guard was killed by a shotgun blast as he staffed a sign-in desk just inside the north doors. The killing prompted the installation of metal detectors and armed guards, as well as armed secretary of state police officers at the entrance. As part of the latest project, a two-level entryway will be built for public access. Mezzanines between the first and second floors and the second and third floors were built in the 1960s and 1970s to give legislators more office space. Architecturally, theyve proven problematic, Aggertt said. Unfortunately, there have been things that have destroyed what Im going to call the fabric of the Capitol building over the years. Putting in the mezzanines, that was a huge one, Aggertt said. The mezzanine offices resulted in lowered ceilings barely tall enough for a tall person to pass under. State Sen. John Connor, whose office is on a mezzanine, said thats only really a problem for someone who is taller than 6 feet. Hes about 5 feet 9. This definitely (has) a flavor of its own because of the unusual way of subdividing the floor, said Connor, a Lockport Democrat. The project will also aim to make the building more wheelchair accessible, Aggertt said. State officials promised the U.S. Department of Justice over 10 years ago to make 60% of the buildings entrances compliant with the federal Americans with Disabilities Act. Right now, there is only one such entrance, on the buildings west wing. That means someone in a wheelchair can get in (those) doors, but they cant come in the north or the east and the south; while (theres) a ramp, that ramp slope does not meet ADA, Aggertt said. Senate Republican Leader Dan McConchie, who uses a wheelchair, said the planned improvements are long overdue after not being prioritized in the past. I mean, look, the Americans with Disabilities Act was passed over 30 years ago. And the fact that we still are so far out of compliance is really, you know, unfortunate, he said. It is ... high time that we made the peoples house accessible for everybody. McConchie said the lack of access has been a problem in areas where the Senate convenes. At a redistricting hearing earlier this year, handicapped seating for committee members was inaccessible. So, I sat at a witness table because I couldnt get back to where any of the other members were, recalled McConchie, of Hawthorn Woods, who has served in the state Senate since 2016. Many of the senate offices have limited accessibility. After he was elected, he had only a few to choose from. There was only I think three out of over 20 offices that actually met accessibility standards, McConchie recalled. So, I was limited in the number in which offices I could choose because, you know, most of them ... either the doors werent wide or other things. So, yeah, theres a whole bunch of issues. I mean, this typically happens with a very old building like that. In the early 2010s, the Capitols west wing underwent a $51.5 million renovation that included a new stairwell and doors, waterproofing, roofing and accessibility upgrades. Notably, some copper-clad wooden doors cost nearly $670,000. Then-Gov. Pat Quinn suggested the improvements were too over the top. We dont need a Palace of Versailles as our state Capitol, he said. While Illinois is in a slightly better financial position, the north wing renovations will cost more than four times as much as the project a decade ago. Aggertt said the work will be funded by Pritzkers Rebuild Illinois plan, an ongoing six-year, $45 billion program to repair and upgrade roads, bridges, university buildings, state facilities and other infrastructure. Despite the costs, Aggertt said its buildings like the Capitol, around for nearly 150 years, that often need the most work. What were trying to do is to restore the building back to the timeframe when it was built. Its taken us a lot of studying and a lot of research to do that, she said. But our plan is that this building will last another 150 years for many people to enjoy. 2022 Chicago Tribune. Visit chicagotribune.com. ST. LOUIS The FBI in 2018 opened an investigation into NorthSide Regeneration and its real estate deals involving a now-lapsed Missouri tax credit program that funneled more than $40 million in credits to the developer and companies associated with it, documents obtained by the Post-Dispatch confirm. FBI agents focused on allegations that NorthSide and other companies were involved in fraud in the form of paper-only real estate transactions designed to manipulate Missouris tax credit system for profit, according to a March 2018 synopsis of the investigation. The Post-Dispatch previously said that federal investigators appeared to be scrutinizing NorthSides use of the tax credit program, reporting an FBI agent attended a 2018 trial involving the developers real estate transactions and quoting a property owner who said agents asked him about a failed deal with NorthSide. But the documents, released under a federal Freedom of Information Act request and then obtained by the Post-Dispatch late last year, provide a clearer understanding of the investigation and confirm one of the targets was NorthSide Regeneration, led by developer Paul McKee and represented by attorneys at Stone, Leyton and Gershman. The report includes details on multiple interviews conducted by FBI agents, including one with a representative from the real estate arm of the Archdiocese of St. Louis that inked one of the final tax credit deals with NorthSide Regeneration. Details on some of NorthSides paper-only transactions came out in a 2018 eminent domain trial for one of those properties, which was transferred to NorthSide to net the developer tax credits but was later deeded back to the original owner once the city needed to buy it to assemble a site for the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency. After those details emerged, St. Louis officials terminated their 2009 development agreement with NorthSide Regeneration. But members of the St. Louis Board of Aldermen have continued to work with the developer. In 2019, they approved up to $6.4 million in city incentives for a 19-bed health center set to open this spring on the site of the former Pruitt-Igoe housing complex. The Post-Dispatch has documented other instances of transactions in which NorthSide put no money down and used seller-financing to acquire real estate essentially writing an IOU and transferring the ownership on paper in order to collect millions of dollars worth of state tax credits under the former Distressed Area Land Assemblage program. One of those deals involved a company partially owned by Steve Stone, NorthSides longtime attorney, who helped write the Distressed Area state tax credit legislation. Another involved fellow developers McKee had worked with in the past Larry Chapman and Bob Clark, who owned the downtown Bottle District before transferring it to NorthSide and triggering $9 million in state tax credits. Another involved a north St. Louis factory that was later deeded back to the original owner after NorthSide collected $2.5 million in tax credits for the purported sale. In all, at least a quarter of the $43 million in state tax credits provided to NorthSide under the program nearly all of the $47 million the state ultimately awarded before the program ended in 2013 were disbursed through seller-financed transactions. Statute of limitations The release of the documents indicates the investigation is closed, said attorney Neil Bruntrager, who has handled dozens of criminal cases in federal court. The Justice Department can refuse to admit the existence of an ongoing investigation, he said, so if they are acknowledging the existence and providing reports, the reasonable conclusion is that the investigation is ended. The documents do not include any FBI interviews after August 2018. An FBI spokesman did not respond to a request for comment. An assistant U.S. Attorney in the Eastern District of Missouri was briefed in 2018 on the case and agreed to bring wire fraud charges if the evidence warranted, according to the documents. The statute of limitations for wire fraud is five years unless it involves a financial institution. Most of the transactions in the FBI report occurred in 2012 or earlier more than five years before the investigation was opened. Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitts office already settled a state tax credit lawsuit brought by his predecessor against NorthSide, dropping all future claims in exchange for a $324,000 payment from NorthSide. In response to questions about the federal investigation sent to McKee and Stone, attorney Paul Puricelli with Stone, Leyton and Gershman said they didnt know whether the federal investigation was still open and that they were surprised by the newspapers interest in these stale issues. Puricelli said the FBI did not subpoena or interview McKee, NorthSide or other affiliated companies. The FBI report, however, does indicate at least one grand jury subpoena was issued in March 2018, though the identity of the person or company is redacted. It says a lawyer for the entity requested a meeting after the subpoena was issued, which an FBI agent and an assistant U.S. attorney attended. Among the deals included in the report was NorthSides acquisition of the Elkay manufacturing building on North 15th Street. NorthSide obtained nearly $2.5 million in tax credits from the state on a transaction valued at some $4.9 million well above the $75,000 the prior owners paid for the building in the 80s. After obtaining the tax credits, NorthSide deeded the property back, prior owner Rick Pierce previously told the Post-Dispatch. Another deal in the report appears to be the former Buster Brown building at Jefferson and Cass avenues, which the city had to acquire through eminent domain when its owner, Jim Osher, could not come to an agreement to sell. The city demolished the structure for the NGA project. It was that 2018 eminent domain litigation that ultimately led to the discovery of the NorthSide real estate transactions under scrutiny. The city wanted to pay $810,000 for the building. Osher pointed to his 2011 transaction with NorthSide to argue for more. But that seller-financed transaction, for a paper value of $3.75 million without real money changing hands, was later unwound when the city wanted to buy the building for the NGA. The state later flagged the transaction and sought to claw back the tax credits. Companies connected to Osher were also listed as targets in the investigation. One of the FBI interviews appears to be with Osher. Reached by phone this week, Osher who in 2017 ran for St. Louis mayor as a Republican confirmed he met with the FBI. I told them everything they wanted to know, he said. Osher had split the proceeds of the tax credits with NorthSide on the transaction. All the money I got from Paul McKee, all of it plus way, way, way more, was reinvested into the city, Osher said. All the moneys been reinvested into the city and thats exactly what the money was supposed to do, is to reinvest. Asked if he thought the investigation was ongoing, Osher said no. I think its done because of the statute of limitations, he said. He said he heard that from an attorney but couldnt recall who the lawyer was working for. There is no indication in the report that the FBI looked at the deal for the Bottle District land that has recently been back in the news. Though its owned by NorthSide Regeneration, Bob Clark of Clayco in September indicated he could donate the land to the city for a redesigned convention center. He made the comments during a last-minute lobbying campaign against the long-planned expansion of Americas Center. The companies registered to Larry Chapman that transferred the Bottle District to NorthSide for no money down in a seller-financed deal triggering hundreds of thousands of dollars in tax credits for brokerage fees and interest still appear to hold liens on the property. Chapman said this week that it wouldnt be a problem to transfer some Bottle District land if it was going to be part of a redesigned convention center. We always did all that in partnership with Paul, Chapman said. Hes our partner in NorthPark, and we were going to help make that develop no matter what, so we could always do that. Chapman said he was never contacted by federal investigators about the tax credit transactions. Puricelli, the NorthSide lawyer, said NorthSide is under contract to sell the Bottle District and intends to do so. Archdiocesan loan Most of the FBI documents relate to NorthSide real estate deals the Post-Dispatch has already reported on. But there are some new details on one of the last transactions to trigger Distressed Area tax credits a deal Northside made with the Archdiocese. The transaction for the former St. Patrick Catholic Church on Cole Street was completed just weeks before the August 2013 sunset of the Distressed Area program. The sale of the church building, reported to the state as worth $995,000, triggered $497,500 in state tax credits for NorthSide. The representative from the Archdiocese real estate company told the FBI that NorthSide put $200,000 as a down payment on the land and the church was not offered any portion of tax rebates. The July 30, 2013, note NorthSide made out to the Archdiocese, though, says that once NorthSide received the state tax credits, it would pay $200,000 to the Archdiocese property company, St. Louis City Catholic Church Real Estate Corporation. Much of the initial payment for the church was financed by one of Chapmans Bottle Works companies, which lent NorthSide $110,000 for the down payment. In the 2018 interview with the FBI, the church real estate representative said the company agreed to the terms of the deal because it had been difficult to sell the building. NorthSide was supposed to pay off the building in 2016. It asked for a two-year extension, to August 2018. Puricelli, NorthSides lawyer, said the Archdiocese has extended the note a few times and NorthSide is current on the loan. The developer owes just $311,000 from the original $885,000 note. The church building is now leased to Grace Missionary Baptist Church, led by pastor Jonathan Davis. A spokeswoman for the Archdiocese said it defers to buyers on whether to divulge details on transactions. To our knowledge, she said, no Church representatives have been subpoenaed in relation to this investigation. Originally posted at 11 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 13. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Regarding the editorial Parson calls all clear on the pandemic as hospitals are overwhelmed (Jan. 9): In my opinion, the elected leaders of Missouri are actively engaged in making Missouri the laughingstock of the nation. Our governor recently rescinded his emergency orders of protection in the midst of the highest level of infections and hospitalizations since the pandemic began. Our attorney general, who specializes in filing frivolous lawsuits, refused to file an appeal (which was requested by the state agency he was supposed to be representing) of a circuit judges ruling that the states health care system was unconstitutional in authorizing local authorities to make decisions about local health emergencies. A sitting U.S. senator perpetuated the former presidents lies of voter fraud, when every single lawsuit making such allegations was thrown out of the courts. Press Release January 12, 2022 Bong Go urges eligible Filipinos anew to get jabbed as PRRD assures sufficient vaccine supply and more proactive measures to combat COVID-19 Senator and Chair of the Senate Committee on Health Christopher "Bong" Go reminded the public to get vaccinated and boosted once eligible, following President Rodrigo Duterte's directive to fast track the vaccine rollout especially outside the National Capital Region. In his Talk to the People address on January 10, the President said there is no excuse for qualified Filipinos to be unvaccinated when there are plenty of vaccination sites and more than 213 million COVID-19 vaccine doses delivered nationwide since February of last year. "Hinihikayat ko po ang lahat na magpabakuna lalo na't bukas na ang programa sa general population. Pwede na rin magpabooster ang mga qualified. Nasa datos naman na kung sino ang positibo at grabe 'yung sintomas ay kadalasan sila 'yung mga hindi pa bakunado," Go pointed out. "Kaya ipakita natin ang malasakit sa ating mga frontliners at magpa-schedule na tayo sa pinakamalapit nating vaccination site. Huwag kayong matakot sa bakuna dahil ito ang tanging solusyon para unti-unti na tayong makabalik sa ating normal na pamumuhay," he appealed. The government aims to vaccinate 77 million Filipinos and complete the 12 to 17 age group before the end of the first quarter of 2022. It also targets to fully vaccinate 90 million Filipinos and finish the booster shots of 72.16 million individuals by the second and third quarter, respectively. To do so, the government hopes to inoculate three million senior citizens and all remaining unvaccinated adults, the 25 million eligible for boosters, and minors. The Emergency Use Authorization of different vaccine brands will also be expanded to include other minors. In the meantime, new vaccinators will be hired to ensure the deployment of sufficient doses nationwide. Local government units are also encouraged to collaborate with the private sector to increase public demand for both primary and booster shots. "Importante na bakunado kayo para maiwasan niyo ang mga severe na sintomas ng sakit kung ma-infect man kayo. Kaya 'wag kayo matakot sa bakuna. Matakot kayo sa COVID-19 dahil ito ang nakakamatay. Gaya ng sabi ng mga eksperto, if you're not protected against COVID-19, the virus will itself find you and infect you," cautioned the senator. The government has administered 114.2 million COVID-19 doses as of January 10. A total of 57.8 million individuals have received their first dose while 52.8 million Filipinos are fully vaccinated. Another 3.6 million have obtained their booster shots. The need for increased vaccination coverage became even more apparent following the surge in COVID-19 infections during the holiday season and the entry of the Omicron variant in the country. The Department of Health logged 33,169 new cases on January 10, its highest single day tally since the pandemic started. New cases of COVID-19 slightly decreased on January 11 to 28,007. To counter this, NCR, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, Rizal and other areas were placed under Alert Level 3. LGUs are also implementing granular lockdowns. The President further ordered the DOH and National Task Force for COVID-19 to continue working with public and private hospitals in NCR Plus areas to increase their bed capacities. They are supported by the One Hospital Command Center which maintains a real-time record of available hospital beds and health workers. The Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) testing capacity of NCR Plus areas will likewise be expanded to handle the influx of tests and ensure that laboratories are operational seven days a week. There are currently 310 RT-PCR laboratories nationwide. In addition, the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases and Department of Interior and Local Government were instructed to ensure that emergency operation centers are available in every LGU to meet the country's response objectives. "Lagi natin alalahanin na hindi kaya ng gobyernong mag-isa ang laban kontra pandemya. Hindi rin kakayanin ng mga frontliners kung patuloy na dadami ang kailangang dalhin sa mga ospital. Preventing the spread of COVID-19 starts with us by being responsible citizens and following health and safety protocols," said Go. "Kaya let us remain vigilant at sumunod sa mga patakaran. Ugaliing magsuot ng mask, mag-social distancing, maghugas ng kamay at kung hindi kailangang lumabas ay manatili nalang sa bahay upang maiwasan ang hawaan ng sakit. Magtulungan tayo para hindi bumagsak ang ating healthcare system habang binabalanse natin na pasiglahin muli ang ating ekonomiya," he added. LONDON MARKET MIDDAY: Stocks lower as half-point US rate hike looms Tuesday, May 3, 2022 - 12:22 Shares were trading slightly lower in London at midday Tuesday, as investors prepare for interest rate hikes in both the US and UK later this week. All eyes are on the conclusion on Wednesday of the Federal Reserve's two-day policy meeting, where it is expected to lift borrowing costs by half a percentage point. It would be the first time since 2000 that the US central bank has raised rates by 50 basis points at one meeting. Earlier Tuesday, Australia joined the tightened cycle started by central banks elsewhere. The Sydney-based central bank raised the main lending rate by 25 basis points to 0.35%, the first increase since November 2010. 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 0.7% at 745.25. The Cboe 250 was down 0.5% at 18,172.69. The Cboe Small Companies climbed 0.1% to 15,174.74. In mainland Europe, the CAC 40 in Paris was up 0.2% and the DAX 40 in Frankfurt was up 0.4%. Markets are particularly worried about lockdown in China and how fast US interest rates might go up. We'll get clarity on the latter tomorrow when the Federal Reserve gives its latest policy decision, with markets expecting half a percentage point increase in the Fed Funds rate. Central banks typically raise rates by a quarter percentage point, but the Fed is under pressure to be more aggressive to combat rising inflation, said AJ Bell's Russ Mould. The Bank of England will announce its own rate decision on Thursday. Can the BoE surprise with a 50bps hike at some point this year? The short answer: it's a long shot, commented Sanjay Raja, senior economist at Deutsche Bank. While a bigger move may be on the table in the coming meetings, we see...reasons why a 50bps move remains unlikely in the UK, despite other central banks upping the ante for bigger moves. Raja noted that the UK central bank moved early, so it doesn't need to catch-up with global peers. As well, more so than other advanced economies, the UK is at risk of falling into recession. In the FTSE 100, M&G was up 3.0% at midday on Tuesday, 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 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. The chancellor 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. The view was echoed by UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson who said on Tuesday that a windfall tax on big energy firms would deter investment and make it harder to meet the country's net-zero environmental goals. At the other end of the large-caps, Segro was the worst performer, down 7.4%. Kepler Cheuvreux downgraded the warehouse property investor to 'hold' from 'reduce'. In the FTSE 250, Auction Technology Group was the best performer, up 7.0%, after JPMorgan raised the online auction operator to 'overweight' from 'neutral'. Energean was up 4.5%. Subsidiary Energean Israel signed a gas sales agreement with the East Hagit Power Plant Ltd Partnership. Under the agreement, Energean will supply gas to East Hagit for a term of 15 years, with a total contract quantity of up to 12 billion cubic feet. Energean said the agreement has the potential to generate revenue of up to $2 billion over the offtake period. On AIM, Hutchmed (China) was down 15%, 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 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. The dollar was higher across the board as the US Federal Reserve's two-day policy meeting gets underway. The pound was quoted at $1.2512 at midday on Tuesday, down from $1.2568 at the London equities close Friday. The euro was priced at $1.0517, down from $1.0547. Against the Japanese yen, the dollar was trading at JP130.11, up from JP129.68. On the economic front, UK manufacturing sector activity edged higher last month on increased intakes of new business against a backdrop of rising price inflationary pressures, S&P Global said. The UK S&P Global-CIPS manufacturing purchasing managers' index was 55.8 points in April, up slightly from the preliminary estimate of 55.3 and the score of 55.2 registered in March. S&P said the start of the second quarter saw a mild growth acceleration in the UK manufacturing sector. The rate of expansion in output improved from March's five-month low, leading to a further solid increase in staffing levels. Brent oil was quoted at $106.51 a barrel on Tuesday at midday, down sharply from $110.30 at the London equities close on Friday. Gold stood at $1,858.33 an ounce, down from $1,906.75. New York was pointed to a slightly lower open ahead of earnings reports from semiconductor maker Advanced Micro Devices, drugmaker Pfizer, and coffee-house chain Starbucks. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was called down 0.2%, the S&P 500 down 0.1%, and the Nasdaq Composite down 0.3%, based on futures trading. The stock indices had closed up 0.3%, 0.6% and 1.6% respectively on Monday. Copyright 2022 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved. China has several thousand ballistic missiles, most of them known to be armed only with a variety of conventional (non-nuclear) warheads. It turns out China has a lot more of these than earlier believed. Another revelation is that China considers nuclear warheads much less important than previously believed. A recent effort to calculate how many nuclear warheads China has concluded that they have not been producing enough plutonium for an expansion of their nuclear warhead inventory and apparently configure their longer range (ICBM and IRBM) missiles with several types of conventional warheads and keep a small number of nuclear warheads in a separate location. This means that even ICBMs are seen as primarily non-nuclear missiles. Recent reports of new missile silos being built inland are apparently not for nuclear missiles, but long-range missiles armed with conventional warheads. This strategy has long been suspected because for decades China openly threatened Taiwan with over a thousand short range ballistic missiles armed with several types of conventional warheads and standing by for a surprise attack that would be able to overwhelm any BMD (Ballistic Missile Defense) capability Taiwan has, even if reinforced by American or Japanese Aegis BMD destroyers. The hundreds of new silos in central China would be more difficult to disable by airstrikes and provide longer range ballistic missiles with conventional warheads to assist attacks on Taiwan, as well as South Korea, Japan and American bases in the Pacific. This use of non-nuclear ballistic missiles is more in line with published Chinese strategy, which emphasizes avoiding the use of nukes at all costs while also using all ballistic missiles as artillery equipped with non-nuclear warheads. To maintain this large force of ballistic missiles requires regularly using some of them to test new guidance systems and conventional warhead designs. This means China carries out far more test launches than anyone else. In 2019 China was noted to have carried out more missile launches, for testing and development, than the rest of the world combined. China is a nuclear power that is not particularly concerned about boasting of how many nukes and delivery systems it has. China is also better able to keep secret most of its missile tests. Rather than firing missiles out to sea, where they have to issue a warning to ships to avoid the area where the warheads will land, China conducts most of its missile tests at an inland test site near the Gobi Desert. Plenty of open space and far from prying eyes. The only nation with a good idea of how many Chinese missile tests there are each year is the United States, which has a worldwide network of early-warning satellites that can spot the heat generated from a ballistic missile launch anywhere on the planet. For a long time, the U.S. did not disclose how many Chinese missile launches they spotted each year but in a 2018 speech an American official commented that China launched more missiles each year than the rest of the world combined. Similar comments since then indicate that China is currently launching more than a hundred missiles a year, most of them at the remote inland test site in the northwest. The Americans also have a network of electronic monitoring satellites that can collect telemetry data. This is what the test warhead transmits back to earth about how the missile is performing. This data is encrypted and the U.S. says even less about how many of these signals it captures and decrypts. A growing number of American analysts, including the more senior ones that specialize in ballistic missile and nuclear weapons trends, have maintained that the large Chinese missile force, including the ones the West classifies as nuclear only exist mainly to support surprise attacks by missiles carrying non-nuclear warheads. Chinese military journals describe over a dozen types of non-nuclear warheads, but little is said about any nuclear warheads except basic models. The U.S. is very interested in finding out details of new Chinese missiles because some will have capabilities that the U.S. and Russia gave up for several decades because of the INF (Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces) disarmament treaty signed near the end of the Cold War. The U.S. did admit that the main reason for not renewing the INF Treaty with Russia in 2019 was not just Russian cheating but also because China never signed the INF treaty and was free to develop ballistic and cruise missiles with ranges of 500 to 5,500 kilometers the INF prohibs. China has openly developed a lot of ballistic missiles that the INF forbids. Originally INF was created to reduce the proliferation of shorter-range missiles with nuclear warheads. The Chinese preference for non-nuclear missiles was ignored or played down for a long time. China also insists it is unconcerned about who the target for nuclear armed missiles is. In 2009, China announced that its nuclear-armed ballistic missiles were not aimed at anyone and that was probably true. Like most countries, China has long refused to say who its nuclear-armed missiles are aimed at. Most of those missiles only have enough range to hit Russia, or India, or other nearby nations. For a long time, most were very definitely aimed at Russia, which had rocky relations with China from the 1960s to the 1990s. But after the Soviet Union dissolved in 1991, the new, much smaller, Russia became much friendlier with the wealthier (more capitalist, but still run by communists) China. Relations between China and India also warmed up then went into a deep freeze as China claimed more and more Indian territory. China is believed to have 300-400 nuclear warheads but only about 200 of them are ready for use and most of them are the new standard 400kt type, which is smaller and lighter than the megaton (1,000kt) warheads China originally produced. Fewer than a hundred of Chinese ballistic missiles could reach the United States. These include the older (and about to be retired) DF-5, plus the newer DF-31A and DF-41. Now it turns out that these missiles normally carry a non-nuclear warhead, which the nuclear warheads stored somewhere else. Some are stored near ICBMs but even those long-range missiles are kept ready to fire with non-nuclear warheads. Few Chinese ballistic missiles lacking intercontinental range are armed with nuclear warheads or apparently even equipped to handle nuclear warheads. Chinese strategy has long been to use lots of ballistic missiles armed with various kinds of high-explosive warheads. China was long believed to have about 2,000 ballistic missiles, most of them short (under a thousand kilometers) range plus over 300 cruise missiles. It turns out that China actually had about 50 percent more ballistic missiles, assigned to theater (local) commands that have these missile brigades as a form of long-range artillery. China is also developing more cruise missiles concentrating, as is the United States, on stealth and additional capabilities. In recognition of all this China created a fourth branch of the military, the Rocket Force, in 2016. At the time this was assumed to signal a major expansion of nuclear armed ballistic missiles. That didnt happen. China is also developing and deploying many new missiles. In fact, China has more types of ballistic missiles, at least 40, than any other nation. What was long overlooked was how many of these shorter-range ballistic missiles China had built. China also invests heavily in its new missile technologies, like its hypersonic glide missile, the DF-ZF. Chinas current ballistic missile inventory apparently includes about twenty DF-41 (range of 14,000 kilometers), about eighty DF-31 - 50 (8,000 kilometers), thirty DF-5 - (14,000 kilometers), thirty DF-4 (5,500 kilometers), about a thousand DF-26 (4,000 kilometers), 600 DF-21D Anti-Ship Ballistic Missile (1,500 kilometers), 700 DF-21 (1,700 kilometers), 500 DF-16 (800 kilometers), 300 DF-15B (800 kilometers), 500 DF-15A (900 kilometers), at least 1,200 DF-11A (700 kilometers). The only cruise missile is the CJ-10A (1,500 kilometers). There are several hundred other short-range ballistic missiles as well, some of them still in development. Since the 1990s China has always had a few active DF-5 ICBMs. For a long time, these were their only missiles that could reach the United States. The U.S. has since installed 18 ICBM interceptor missile systems in Alaska. There are to deal with North Korean missiles but could also destroy most Chinese missiles headed for the western United States. It makes sense for China to simply say that it is not aiming nuclear missiles at anyone. Modern guidance systems can be quickly (in minutes) programmed for a new target, so it doesn't really matter that, normally, the missiles have no target information in them. The DF-5s, moreover, are liquid-fueled, and the considerable activity required to ready them for launch can be detected by spy satellites. The DF-5s have been largely replaced by solid fuel DF-41s. These missiles can be moved, erected and launched from a special truck. With a 15,000-kilometer range, they can reach all of the United States. The third stage contains multiple warheads, each with an explosive yield of about 400 KT. India is of growing concern to China, but there are shorter range ballistic missiles, like the DF-21, to deal with that threat. The Chinese introduced the DF-21 in 1999 and now has nearly a thousand in service or on order. Most have non-nuclear warheads. This missile has a range of over 1,800 kilometers and was designed to use the new 400 kiloton nuclear warhead. It's a two-stage, 15 ton, solid-fuel rocket. Launched from Tibet, the DF-21 can reach most major targets in India. Back in 2006 China put the larger DF-31 into service. Sort of. This was China's first solid-fuel ICBM (with a range of over 8,000 kilometers) and roughly equivalent to the U.S. Minuteman I of the 1960s. The DF-31 weighs about 46 tons and is 20 meters (62 feet) long and 2.25 meters (7 feet) in diameter. It was designed for use on submarines, land silos and mobile launchers (which would halt at those "parking lots in the middle of nowhere" visible in satellite pictures of Qinghai province). The DF-31 has been shown stored in a TEL (transporter, erector, launcher) vehicle. Driving these vehicles along special highways in remote areas provides more protection from counterattacks than using a reinforced silo. Later, the improved DF-13A appeared, with multiple warheads and more range (up to 12,000 kilometers, which could cover all the United States.) The DF-31 was in development for over twenty years and only had its first successful launch in 1999. It's now believed to have a reliable and accurate guidance system, as well as a third stage that carries at least one 400 kiloton warhead. DF-31s are in service, along with DF-31As and most of these appear to be aimed at European Russia. Then there is a submarine-launched missile the JL (Julang) 2 SLBM (Sea Launched Ballistic Missile). This missile has had a lot of problems as have the SSBNs (ballistic missile carrying nuclear subs) that carry them. The 42-ton JL-2 has a range of 8,000 kilometers and would enable China to aim missiles at any target in the United States from a 094 class SSBN cruising off Hawaii or Alaska. Each 094 boat can carry twelve of these missiles, which are naval versions of the existing land based 42-ton DF-31 ICBM. The JL-2 was supposed to have entered service in 2015, but kept failing test launches. China decided that JL-2 was reliable enough and ordered it installed in four SLBMs. No Chinese SSBN has ever gone on a combat cruise, because these boats, as well as the SLBMs, have been very unreliable. It always seemed strange to foreigners that China was not putting more resources into making its SSBNs capable of regular service. Now we know; China does not value or fear nukes as much as other nations. This is not really novel, as China continues to use classic Chinese strategies and tactics. China does not try to hide this as most of their foreign foes do that for them. Board Addition Enhances U.S. Governance as Part of U.S. Listing Strategy TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Carbon Streaming Corporation (NEO: NETZ) (OTCQB: OFSTF) (FSE: M2Q) (Carbon Streaming or the Company) is pleased to announce the addition of Alice Schroeder to the Companys Board of Directors. We warmly welcome Alice Schroeder to Carbon Streamings Board of Directors, stated Company Chairman Maurice Swan. Her international board experience, combined with her financial and capital markets knowledge will strengthen our Board expertise, especially as we seek to execute on our international investments and U.S. listing strategy. Ms. Schroeder has chaired and served on several boards in the financial services and health care sectors throughout her career and has chaired or been a member of numerous Nominating & Governance, Audit and ESG committees. She is currently serving on the boards of Prudential plc, HSBC North America Holdings, RefleXion Medical, Natus Medical Inc. and Westland Insurance and previously served on the board of Bank of America Merrill Lynch International. Ms. Schroeder was named to the National Association of Corporate Directors Directorship 100 list in 2020 and is the author of the #1 New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestseller, The Snowball: Warren Buffett and the Business of Life, the story of Buffett and Berkshire Hathaway. As a shareholder of Carbon Streaming, I look forward to taking an active role as an independent director and contributing my strengths on the board to help fight climate change and positively impact local communities while also maximizing shareholder returns, stated Ms. Schroeder. Alice Schroeder was formerly CEO and chair of WebTuner Corp from 2014-2017. Prior to WebTuner, Ms. Schroeder was a Managing Director and Senior Advisor in the equities division of Morgan Stanley, leading their global insurance research teams based in London and New York City. She was previously a Managing Director at CIBC Oppenheimer and PaineWebber, beginning her career on Wall Street in 1993. Ms. Schroeder was appointed to the Board of the Company on January 10, 2022. With this appointment, six of the eight Board members are independent, and three are women. Ms. Schroeder holds an MBA and a BBA from the Red McCombs School of Business at The University of Texas at Austin and is a qualified CPA. About Carbon Streaming Carbon Streaming is a unique ESG principled investment vehicle offering investors exposure to carbon credits, a key instrument used by both governments and corporations to achieve their carbon neutral and net-zero climate goals. Our business model is focused on acquiring, managing and growing a high-quality and diversified portfolio of investments in projects and/or companies that generate or are actively involved, directly or indirectly, with voluntary and/or compliance carbon credits. The Company invests capital through carbon credit streaming arrangements with project developers and owners to accelerate the creation of carbon offset projects by bringing capital to projects that might not otherwise be developed. Many of these projects will have significant social and economic co-benefits in addition to their carbon reduction or removal potential. To receive corporate updates via e-mail as soon as they are published, please subscribe here. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220111005553/en/ ON BEHALF OF THE COMPANY: Justin Cochrane, Chief Executive Officer Tel: 647.846.7765 [email protected] www.carbonstreaming.com Source: Carbon Streaming Corporation 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:[email protected]818-659-8052 Source: Quanta, Inc. London, United Kingdom--(Newsfile Corp. - January 13, 2022) - Floshin, a BEP20 token built on the Binance Smart Chain is excited to announce to the community its first product, Coinage Finance's ($CAGE) recent listing on PancakeSwap. Floshin To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/8203/109872_740bee8d24a388b5_001full.jpg Floshin caters to users looking to make their cryptocurrencies work, ensuring users can have various options and tools available. Users can use the Floshin token in multiple ways; it provides crypto users with the ability to interact with a variety of day to day real-life use cases. About Coinage Finance Coinage is the first product in the Floshin ecosystem. It is an automated market-making decentralised exchange for Polygon, Binance Smart Chain, and Ethereum networks; more networks will be available soon. It offers tools for both advanced and novice users. In addition, Coinage comes with a cross-chain bridge that helps reduce gas costs and offers high-level security while keeping transaction speed fast and swift. Coinage will also help startups and new businesses facilitate raising capital to scale their operations while providing priority access to early-stage investors by staking Floshin. Additionally, Coinage will help to eliminate the guesswork and stress of presales. Coinage $CAGE Listing $CAGE is now available on PancakeSwap and can be traded through by swapping with BNB. Floshin has been audited by independent audit companies. Coinage audit will also be added to the network in the coming weeks. About Floshin Floshin is a BEP20 token built on the Binance Smart Chain. At its core, the token was designed and developed to give people seamless access to decentralised financial services. The token's hyper-deflationary algorithm helps to reduce the circulating supply, increases the liquidity pool, and rewards every token holder. The project is fully audited by HashEx. Floshin - Tokenomics Total Supply: 1,000,000,000,000,000 Floshin I Transaction Charges: 8% I Rewards for holders: 3% (In BUSD) I Added to Liquidity Pool: 3% I Marketing & Development: 2% I Min. $50 in Floshin for rewards The Floshin ecosystem parades a team of experienced and competent blockchain experts who have committed their efforts to ensure the stability and distribution of tokens. Furthermore, FLOSHIN intends to prove it will develop scalable decentralised applications with functionality that will bypass current limitations. CoinMarketCap Floshin: https://coinmarketcap.com/currencies/floshin-token/ Coinage: https://coinmarketcap.com/currencies/coinage-finance/ CoinGecko Floshin: https://www.coingecko.com/en/coins/floshin Coinage: https://www.coingecko.com/en/coins/coinage-finance Buy on PancakeSwap: https://pancakeswap.finance/swap?outputCurrency=0xcb143ad43cd36e5d2c9768e3fb5b5153cd100104 BSCScan: https://bscscan.com/token/0x9a6fed601a11290500f8d76153c33cc254e9f6d0 Twitter: https://twitter.com/FloshinToken Telegram: https://t.me/floshintoken Discord: https://discord.gg/FloshinEcosystem Github: https://github.com/floshintoken/floshintoken/blob/main/Floshin-token_audit-report_1639581411580.pdf Media Details Company Name: Floshin Contact Name: Floshin Location: London, UK Email: [email protected] Website: https://floshin.com Website: https://coinage.finance To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/109872 Herzliya, Israel and Calgary, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - January 13, 2022) - Innocan Pharma Corporation (CSE: INNO) (FSE: IP4) (OTCQB: INNPF) (the "Company" or "Innocan"), is pleased to announce a second amendment (the "Amendment") to the research and license agreement with Yissum Research Development Company of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem Ltd. ("Yissum") for the performance of studies evaluating the efficacy of its CBD-Loaded Liposome Platform Technology (LPT) in treating dogs. The Amendment was signed by the Company's wholly-owned subsidiary, InnoCan Pharma Ltd. ("Innocan Israel"), and Yissum on January 10, 2022 and amends the research and license agreement dated January 21, 2020 as amended on August 15, 2021 (the "Research and License Agreement"). Pursuant to the Amendment, Yissum will conduct additional research relating to liposomal CBD on dogs (the "Additional Research") for an additional research fee of $100K. The Additional Research will be performed by Professor Merav Shamir of the Veterinary Neurology & Neurosurgery at Koret School of Veterinary Medicine Hospital - The Hebrew University of Jerusalem for a period of six (6) months in accordance with a new research program and budget which will supplement the previous research program pursuant to the Research and License Agreement. The Company believes that successful results will lead to further research for other veterinary indications to be decided and affirmed. As 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" (Published in GVR Grand View Research on Jan 2021), Innocan holds that this expansion will allow the Company to penetrate more markets in the future. Prolonged release of cannabidiol (CBD) from the liposomes injected subcutaneously to dogs showed continuous blood concentrations of CBD over a long time. In its recent study of its CBD-loaded liposome technology (LPT) on dogs, CBD showed prolonged and plasma concentrations for at least six weeks after a single administration. These results are a significant advance in the development of the technology demonstrating the advantages of LPT in dogs, which are good predictors to the behavior of LPT in humans. Professor Merav Shamir of the Koret School of Veterinary Medicine said, "Dogs are the Western world's primary household pet, and is often considered as 'member of the family.' As such, its owners pursue the best possible medical treatment for their dog and are ready to spend whatever it takes to ensure life quality and extended life expectancy to their dogs. Our research is aimed to help dogs with serious and challenging medical conditions that may benefit from the CBD-Loaded Liposome Platform Technology." Prof. Chezy Barenholz of The Hebrew University of Jerusalem said, "We are proud to enter this new chapter in our collaboration with Innocan Pharma. We are convinced that our nanocarrier infrastructure biotechnology will play a major role in bringing our solutions to the market through Innocan." "We take pride in Innocan's agility to evolve and understand market trends," said Iris Bincovich, CEO of Innocan Pharma and added, "Our anticipated expansion to veterinary demonstrates how strong our scientific-core is, and allowing us to commercialize our IP in a variety of methods." The researcher may terminate the Additional Research in the event she discovers the administration of the treatment is harmful to the health of the dogs. Innocan's relationship with The Hebrew University Innocan Israel, has entered into the Research and License Agreement with Yissum, the commercial arm of The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, with respect to the design, preparation, characterization and evaluation of CBD (or other cannabinoids) loaded liposomes. The research and development initiative is led by Professor Chezy Barenholz, head of the Membrane and Liposome Research Department at The Hebrew University, which is the inventor of over fifty-five patent families, two of which underlie Doxil, an FDA-approved drug for breast cancer treatment. This unique liposome platform technology may have a wide range of applications, such as epilepsy, pain relief, inflammation and central nervous system disorders. A patent was filed covering this technology on October 7, 2019. About Innocan Innocan Pharma is a pharmaceutical tech company that focuses on the development of several drug delivery platforms containing CBD. Innocan Pharma and Ramot at Tel Aviv University are collaborating on a new, revolutionary exosome-based technology that targets both central nervous system (CNS) indications and the Covid-19 Coronavirus using CBD. CBD-loaded exosomes hold the potential to help in the recovery of infected lung cells. This product, which is expected to be administered by inhalation, will be tested against a variety of lung infections. Innocan Pharma signed a worldwide exclusive license agreement with Yissum, the commercial arm of The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, to develop a CBD drug delivery platform based on a unique-controlled release liposome to be administered by injection. Innocan Israel plans, together with Professor Barenholz, to test the liposome platform on several potential conditions. Innocan Israel is also working on a dermal product that integrates CBD with other pharmaceutical ingredients as well as the development and sale of CBD-integrated pharmaceuticals, including, but not limited to, topical treatments for the relief of psoriasis symptoms as well as the treatment of muscle pain and rheumatic pain. The founders and officers of Innocan Israel each have commercially successful track records in the pharmaceutical and technology sectors in Israel and globally. For further information, please contact: For Innocan Pharma Corporation: Iris Bincovich, CEO +972-54-3012842 [email protected] Lytham Partners, LLC Ben Shamsian CPA | Vice President Direct: 646-829-9701; Cell: 516-652-9004 [email protected] NEITHER THE CANADIAN SECURITIES EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER HAVE REVIEWED OR ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE. Caution regarding forward-looking information Certain information set forth in this news release, including, without limitation, information regarding the success of its research activities, collaborations, the potential for treatment of indications in dogs using the Company's LPT technology, further research of treatments towards other conditions, the treatment of other conditions and other therapeutic effects resulting from research activities and/or the Company's products, requisite regulatory approvals and the timing for market entry, is forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. By its nature, forward-looking information is subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, some of which are beyond Innocan's control. The forward-looking information contained in this news release is based on certain key expectations and assumptions made by Innocan, including expectations and assumptions concerning the anticipated benefits of the products, satisfaction of regulatory requirements in various jurisdictions and satisfactory completion of requisite production and distribution arrangements. Forward-looking information is subject to various risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results and experience to differ materially from the anticipated results or expectations expressed in this news release. The key risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to: general global and local (national) economic, market and business conditions; governmental and regulatory requirements and actions by governmental authorities; and relationships with suppliers, manufacturers, customers, business partners and competitors. There are also risks that are inherent in the nature of product distribution, including import / export matters and the failure to obtain any required regulatory and other approvals (or to do so in a timely manner) and availability in each market of product inputs and finished products. The anticipated timeline for entry to markets may change for a number of reasons, including the inability to secure necessary regulatory requirements, or the need for additional time to conclude and/or satisfy the manufacturing and distribution arrangements. As a result of the foregoing, readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking information contained in this news release concerning the timing of launch of product distribution. A comprehensive discussion of other risks that impact Innocan can also be found in Innocan's public reports and filings which are available under Innocan's profile at www.sedar.com. Readers are cautioned that undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking information as actual results may vary materially from the forward-looking information. Innocan does not undertake to update, correct or revise any forward-looking information as a result of any new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by applicable law. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/109914 (Tribune News Service) More than 30 people who were stopped at sea trying to migrate from Cuba to South Florida over the past week have been returned. The 33 migrants were taken back to Cuba Thursday aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Charles David Jr., the agency announced. They were taken into custody in three different stops since Friday: One happened about 80 miles off Key West after a U.S. Customs and Border Protection air crew spotted a rustic vessel carrying several people and alerted the Coast Guard to pick them up. Also last Friday, a Coast Guard airplane crew spotted another boat carrying migrants about 60 miles off Marquesas Key, the agency said. On Monday morning, a Customs Air and Marine Operations air crew called the Coast Guard to intercept a migrant boat about 12 miles off Long Key in the Upper Keys. The stops at sea are the latest in a series of migration attempts from Cuba to South Florida that have significantly increased over the past year. The Coast Guard and other federal agencies track migration by the fiscal year, which begins and ends in October. Last fiscal year was already the busiest the Coast Guard has been patrolling the Florida Straits since 2017, with 838 people caught along their dangerous journey. That was up from just 49 people caught in fiscal year 2020. With only four months into this fiscal year, its already on track to surpass last year, with the Coast Guard saying it has stopped 557 people so far on their way to the U.S. Experts on Cuba say more people are risking their lives to leave their homeland because of deteriorating political and economic conditions within the nation. We urge people not to take to the sea in unseaworthy vessels, Cmdr. Jessica Davila, executive officer at Coast Guard Air Station Miami, said in a statement. Our air and surface crews, along with our local and federal law enforcement partners, work together every day maintaining an active presence through the Florida Straits, and Mona and Windward passages to help save lives by deterring dangerous voyages. At the same time, there also has been an influx in seaborne migration from Haiti to South Florida. On Monday, a group of 176 Haitian migrants were stopped just off the coast of Key Largo in an overloaded, 60-foot, wooden sailboat. Those migrants have been transferred from the Border Patrol to Immigration and Customs Enforcement to be taken back to Haiti, Customs and Border Protection Division Chief Adam Hoffner said Thursday. Mondays incident was the third time an overloaded sailboat arrived in Key Largo carrying people from Haiti since November. 2022 Miami Herald. Visit miamiherald.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Stars and Stripes is making stories on the coronavirus pandemic available free of charge. See more stories here. Sign up for our daily coronavirus newsletter here. Please support our journalism with a subscription. WASHINGTON Two Marines are the first service members to receive waivers to the Defense Departments coronavirus vaccine mandate for religious reasons, the Marine Corps announced Thursday. The Marine Corps has received 3,350 requests for religious exemptions to the vaccine, the service said in a statement. The service declined to comment on the nature of the requests or why the two were granted after 3,212 were denied, citing privacy considerations. The remaining 138 requests have yet to be adjudicated. At every step, each accommodation request is given full consideration with respect to the facts and circumstances submitted in the request, the Marine Corps said in its statement. In each case, every reviewer weighs the compelling government interest against the individuals request and the circumstances of their situation. The lack of religious exemptions across the services has drawn scrutiny in recent weeks. On Jan. 3, a U.S. District Court judge in Texas granted a temporary injunction stopping the Navy from applying its vaccine mandate on 35 Navy special operators, citing the First Amendment. "The Navy servicemembers in this case seek to vindicate the very freedoms they have sacrificed so much to protect," Judge Reed OConnor wrote in his ruling. "The [coronavirus] pandemic provides the government no license to abrogate those freedoms. Chief Pentagon spokesman John Kirby has not said how the Pentagon plans to respond to the injunction, but defense officials are working with the Department of Justice to discuss legal options moving forward. The Defense Department allows all troops to apply for waivers to the mandate for medical, religious or other administrative reasons, but no service branch had approved any religious waivers until Thursday. As of Tuesday, the Army has issued 5,921 temporary exemptions, which include 653 pending medical exemption requests and 2,128 religious exemption requests. So far, the service has issued five permanent medical exemptions and declined 595 permanent medical exemption requests and 162 religious accommodation requests. The Air Force has approved 808 medical exemptions, 84 administrative exemptions and no religious accommodation requests as of Tuesday. It has denied 2,387 religious accommodation exemptions and has another 2,158 pending decisions. Some airmen who were denied religious exemptions have appealed the decision. So far, 148 appeals are awaiting decisions and 248 appeals have been denied, according to the most recent service data. The Marine Corps has approved 943 medical and other administrative requests in addition to its two religious exemptions as of Thursday, according to its most recent data. The Navy has approved eight active-duty permanent medical exemptions, 244 temporary medical exemptions and none of its 3,038 religious exemption requests. To date, the Army is the only service not to have kicked out active-duty troops from its ranks for refusing the coronavirus vaccine, according to the latest data provided by the service. As of Jan. 11, the Army has not involuntarily separated any soldiers solely for refusing the lawful order to receive the [coronavirus] vaccine, the service said in a statement. This month, Army officials intend to issue further guidance for the mandatory initiation of separation for soldiers who refuse this lawful order. Without the upcoming guidance, which Army spokesman Lt. Col. Terence Kelly said is still under development, the service doesnt have a process for separating soldiers who deny the vaccine. The Army has issued 2,994 general officer written reprimands to vaccine refusers as of Tuesday and has relieved six active-duty leaders from their positions including two battalion commanders, according to the announcement. Approximately 97% of active-duty soldiers have received at least one dose of the vaccine, according to the Army. Those counted in the unvaccinated total include 3,611 vaccine refusers and others awaiting responses on exemption requests. Reprimands and ousters followed Defense Secretary Lloyd Austins order in August that made the coronavirus vaccine mandatory for all troops. The service branches then set their own deadlines for troops to get vaccinated. While the Army has yet to kick out soldiers, its active-duty vaccination deadline of Dec. 15 was the last of the service branches. The Air Force deadline was Nov. 2 while the Navy and Marine Corps selected Nov. 28 as their deadline. As of Tuesday, the Air Force has separated 87 airmen who refused the coronavirus vaccine, according to its most recent data. About 97.6% of its active-duty force has had at least one dose of the vaccine. The Marine Corps so far has booted out the most troops with 351 Marines separated as of Jan. 6, about 100 of which happened in the past week. The Marine Corps vaccination rates have previously lagged behind the other services, though it caught up this week with about 97% of the force having received at least one dose, according to its most recent data. The Navy has ousted 20 sailors who had spent less than six months in active-duty service with entry-level separations, though the sea service to date has not separated any sailors with longer tenure. However, officials said they will do so in the coming months. The Navy led the service branches in vaccination rates even before the mandate was established. As of Wednesday, less than 2% of its active-duty force or about 5,209 sailors -- remain unvaccinated. So far, the Pentagon has not mandated the coronavirus booster shot, though Kirby on Thursday said those discussions are taking place. To date, the services have not publicly reported how many of troops have received the optional additional dose. As of Wednesday, nearly 300,000 active-duty, Reserve and National Guard troops have contracted the coronavirus, 2,378 of who were hospitalized and 88 have died, though the Pentagon does not break down that data by branch. In a statement emphasizing the importance of vaccines, the Marine Corps said about 88% of Marines who have been hospitalized with the coronavirus were unvaccinated at the time of their hospitalization. Stars and Stripes is making stories on the coronavirus pandemic available free of charge. See more stories here. Sign up for our daily coronavirus newsletter here. Please support our journalism with a subscription. (Tribune News Service) Early in the pandemic, the general public was discouraged from buying N95 masks over fear there wouldnt be enough for health care workers. Thats no longer the case. As the highly contagious omicron variant causes record COVID-19 cases across the U.S., people are swapping in N95 masks for their old cloth face coverings to better ward off the virus. N95 respirators are proven to provide high levels of protection against the droplets that cause infections leading to COVID-19 and many doctors and public health experts are now advocating for their use among the general population. "We strongly support people wearing more effective facepieces, including respirators," wrote researchers at the University of Minnesota's Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy. The center's director, Michael Osterholm, said Tuesday there is "more than adequate stock for health care workers as well as the general public." N95 masks are much easier to find now than in early 2020 after manufacturers, like Maplewood-based 3M, ramped up production. "You can get them at all the different retail outlets, home improvement stores, online in places you'd expect," said Raymond Eby, president of 3M's personal safety division. "The demand is increasing tremendously, but as of right now we're able to supply those outlets." Robust respirator production is likely needed. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is poised to recommend daily N95 and KN95 use for those who can tolerate it, according to the Washington Post. 3M is the largest producer of N95s in the United States and went to around-the-clock production nearly two years ago, eventually tripling production capabilities over 2019 levels. In 2020 the company reached its goal of producing 2 billion N95s and made 2.5 billion in 2021. "Sometimes it goes on a month-to-month basis," Eby said about current production levels. "Who knows if this is going to last for a year? So that's been the tricky part." On Wednesday, Eby will visit a Nebraska plant that produces N95s to thank the workers for "being able to do this for people worried about their loved ones," he said. "I hope we get back to a state of normalcy, but if it's needed, we'll be here." Why an N95? Masks are best at keeping your exhaled particles away from others. Respirators, like the N95, also keep others' particles away from you. 3M was the first to make disposable filtering face masks approved by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), a federal agency, in the 1970s. Originally designed for industrial use, 3M's N95 masks were improved over time for use in other settings like health care. N95 is not a brand name but a NIOSH certification of effectiveness blocking at least 95% of airborne particles. So while 3M N95 respirators are the market leaders, other brands and designs carry the certification. Experts have recommended respirators since the beginning of the pandemic, and now "even more so with this high level of contagion," Eby said. How does it work? Two things give the N95 its high level of effectiveness: the filter and the fit. Inside the mask is an electrostatic filter that prevents particles including viruses, bacteria and dust from getting through. A properly fitted mask ensures all air is passing through that filter and not leaking around the edges, which would allow particles in and out. How do I wear it? Eby said a number of online resources and videos can help users properly wear respirators. One strap should be below the ears and the other on the crown of the head. The metal nose clip should be formed with two hands. Those with facial hair can't get a complete seal, 3M says. 3M's basic fit-test to check for a good seal goes like this: "Place both hands completely over the respirator and inhale sharply. A negative pressure should be felt inside the respirator. If air leaks around nose, readjust the nose piece. If air leaks at the respirator edges, work the straps back along the sides of your head. If you cannot get a secure seal, look for another respirator model that fits you correctly." Can I reuse it? For daily life outside of hospitals, an N95 can be re-used so long as it doesn't get dirty or wet and maintains a proper seal. Eby said wearers should cycle through multiple respirators throughout the week. Used masks can be placed in a paper bag for at least 72 hours. What's with the different shapes and designs? Any bona fide N95 has been certified to filter at least 95% of particles. N95s with valves were produced for industrial settings that focused on keeping dust from getting in the mask rather than stopping pathogens from getting out, Eby said. As such, N95 masks without a valve are seen as the best choice in a pandemic. "We're selling a lot more without a vent for that reason," he said. What is a KN95? An N95 is certified by the U.S. government to be as effective as advertised. A KN95 is certified by Chinese government standards to filter 95% of particles. The CDC warns that "about 60% of the KN95 respirators in the United States are counterfeit" and don't meet U.S. safety guidelines. How to spot a counterfeit? Counterfeit N95 and KN95 sales flourished while respirators were in short supply and largely diverted to health care workers in 2020. The risks are lower when buying from mainstream retail outlets, but the CDC says to watch for a lack of markings on the respirator or headband and the use of ear loops instead of dual headbands. 2022 StarTribune. Visit at startribune.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. In the middle of Tokyo Bay sits an innocuous man-made island in the shape of a boomerang. It is a former gun battery base, built more than a century ago by the Meiji government for the protection of the capital city of Tokyo and called No. 2 Sea Fort. Recent years have seen the start of tours to the island for the general public, drawn by the history of the valuable military remains. The No. 2 Sea Fort is located some four kilometers west of Cape Futtsu in Chiba Prefecture and has a total area of approximately 41,000 square meters. Its construction, said to have been the biggest and most difficult civil engineering project of the Meiji era [1868-1912], started in 1889 and took 25 years to complete. The sea at that location has a depth of about 12 meters, and the island was constructed by transporting rocks by ship and dumping them on the sea floor to form a foundation, then pouring earth and sand on top. Upon completion, a turret gun base was built, and during the war, its operators kept a sharp eye out for foreign vessels entering Tokyo Bay. After World War II, the fortress became obsolete. As it began to deteriorate, the island was declared off-limits to the general public. It remained inaccessible for decades, until the establishment in 2018 of the No. 2 Sea Fort of Tokyo Bay Tourism Organization, set up jointly by the Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Ministry, the cities of Futtsu and Yokosuka, Kanagawa Prefecture, and other entities, with the aim of using the historic island as a tourism resource. In 2019, tours to the island started in cooperation with private travel agencies, including one departing and returning to Tokyo Station. On one day in November, about 40 people were seen on a tour from Yokosuka Port, following a guide who described the history of the turret gun base, its observation deck and other aspects of the island. This facility was built with the leading civil engineering technologies of the time, said the tour guide, Takeo Tomizawa, 70. Coming to this island and looking at the area around it, visitors will surely understand why a fortress was needed at a place like this. The visitors were impressed. To have such a massive fortress in the middle of the bay is amazing, said a 49-year-old woman from Saitama Prefecture. Ive got to hand it to Morgan Wallen: He played it perfectly. Last February, shortly after video surfaced of the country music superstar using the N-word, things didnt look too good for him. His music was pulled from streaming services and radio. The Country Music Association and Country Music Television distanced themselves from him, and his record label, Big Loud, suspended his contract. Considering how popular Wallen was, none of this was easy. But you have to consider the nations mood at the time. We were still grappling with the racially charged Jan. 6 terrorist attack and President Donald Trumps second impeachment. We also had just passed 500,000 COVID-19 deaths and exceeded the number of Americans who died in World War I and World War II combined. Oh, and it was Black History Month not exactly the right time of year for a white guy from Tennessee to be heard saying take care of this pass n in video caught by his neighbors and published on TMZ. But here we are, less than a year later. Wallen was not only back on the Grand Ole Opry stage last Saturday night but also managed to become just the fourth artist to hit No. 1 on Billboards Hot Country Songs and Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs charts. In fact, Broadway Girls, his collaboration with Lil Durk, debuted at the top of the latter chart. The video for it features the two in a bar filled with women dancing seductively, including Black women giving Wallen plenty of attention. He aint no racist, Lil Durk said. Thats my boy. We had a long talk. He had his public situation. ... I vouch for him, and he good. I wonder if Paula Deen is somewhere thinking, Damn, thats all I needed to do? The celebrity chef had many business deals canceled, including with the Food Network, after her dalliances with the N-word were made public in 2013, and she still hasnt fully recovered. Nearly a decade went by before Mel Gibson was being nominated for Oscars again after his antisemitic, homophobic and racist rants went public. No such timeout for Wallen. He managed to top even the hip-hop chart less than a year after his public shaming. Not that he spent the meantime in the doghouse. A recent NPR headline read in part: Morgan Wallen and Adele topped music sales in 2021. Thats right, he ascended to Adele-level sales after the incident. Seems like the old crisis-management playbook still has some juice left to it. How many times have we seen a beleaguered figure issue an apology that includes something about a mind-altering substance, maybe talking about plans to meet with leaders of whatever community theyve offended, perhaps pledging a donation, then hoping for the best? Remember when Roseanne Barr hilariously blamed Ambien for her racist tweets in 2018? Would you believe Lafayette, La., City Court Judge Michelle Odinet tried something similar just a couple of weeks ago by blaming a sedative for her racist rant that was caught on tape? That tactic usually doesnt work, but for Wallen, it didnt just work it accelerated the recovery process to lightning speed. A couple of days after the video leaked, Wallen posted an apology on Instagram in which he said: The video you saw was me on hour 72 of 72 of a bender and I also accepted some invitations from some amazing Black organizations. He then went on Good Morning America in July and told Michael Strahan: We got to a number somewhere around $500,000, and we decided to donate that money to some organizations, BMAC being the first one. The Black Music Action Coalition told Rolling Stone in September that Wallens support was not close to that number. The magazine said it reached out to 56 other Black-led or Black-founded charities across the country and found they hadnt received a dime from him. Like that great Jerry Seinfeld joke about taking a reservation versus holding a reservation, one doesnt actually have to keep a pledge to get positive media coverage from it, just make a showy promise. Not unlike the way the Grand Ole Opry pledged to fight discrimination back in 2020, in the wake of the George Floyd murder, stating in a public letter: Racism is real. It is unacceptable. And it has no place at our company, in our hotels or on our stages. If I were a Black country artist, I wouldnt know what to think. The Twitter account for the Grand Ole Opry promoted Wallens appearance with the word surprise, as if he had come out of retirement. But can anyone be upset with the Grand Ole Opry when Lil Durk said he vouches for him? Or when the song Wallen does with Lil Durk went to No. 1 on the chart that tracks music closely related to the Black community? Not that the Black community is monolithic or that white country artists didnt speak out against Wallens appearance. While Broadway Girls is still in the top 10 for R&B/hip-hop three weeks after its release, Lil Durk is nowhere to be found on the country chart. However, Wallen is, with the song Sand in My Boots. Its a good tune with lyrics about doing tequila shots and drinking whiskey. Sounds like a bender. Clearly, Wallen played his redemption tour perfectly. I just hope the rest of us didnt get played. LZ Granderson is an Op-Ed columnist for the Los Angeles Times. CAMP HUMPHREYS, South Korea Tara Graves celebrates her birthday Saturday in South Korea, her first since she was born here more than 45 years ago. Graves, 46, a personal fitness trainer and the wife of Camp Humphreys commander Col. Seth Graves, is among tens of thousands of South Koreans adopted to families around the world in the decades following the 1950-53 Korean War. In 2021, the Army sent the Graves family from Brussels to South Korea, where Seth took command of the largest U.S. military base overseas. The new assignment hit home for Tara Graves: She had not been in South Korea since she was adopted at 6 months old, she told Stars and Stripes in December. Although she saw the move as an opportunity to reconnect with her birth family and Korean culture, it required her, like many adoptees, to reopen emotional scars. Its almost like opening a box full of trauma, Graves said. You dont know exactly what youre going to get. Difficult childhood In 1975, Graves adoptive parents selected her from a catalog of childrens pictures and flew her from South Korea to New Jersey before her adoptive fathers job with manufacturing company 3M took them to Minnesota. It was a very difficult childhood growing up in Minnesota, she said. In the small town that we lived in, everyone was sort of predominantly Caucasian. As children, Tara and her younger brother, also an adopted Korean, were bullied and teased, she said. Her Minnesota upbringing fostered what she described as a a very scary situation due to her ethnic background in a predominantly white neighborhood. Being 5 years old and having older kids chase me down at the bus stop, throwing rocks at me, for what I looked like was very difficult, she said. At age 16, Graves, with her adoptive mothers help, started a search for her birth family, she said, because I wanted to know what happened. Through South Koreas social services, she discovered a note left at an orphanage by a family member, hoping Graves would receive it and contact her birth family. She eventually reached her birth mother and exchanged photos and translated letters. Graves said her birth mother refused to explain to her what transpired "until she saw me in person and that I learned how to speak the native language. Two years later, Graves let it go and stopped sending letters. I think I realized that the older that I became, I didnt have this void of needing to go back to the motherland; to be whole; to know my whole story or meet my biological family, she said. I didnt let that identify me. It wasnt my identity, being a lost Korean American adoptee. Healing Graves ultimately decided that reconnecting with her family may heal that part of me that hasnt healed. After moving to South Korea, she contacted one of her six Korean siblings and made plans to meet at a cafe in Pyeongtaek, where Humphreys is located roughly 40 miles from Seoul. It was an extremely emotional reunion, she said. Seth Graves and Jena, the couples 17-year-old daughter, also met their extended family members. She just looks like her sister, Tara recalled one of her siblings saying. Seth Graves said Tara and her birth family were all very excited to finally meet each other and described it as very emotional. "I think its a very special moment for her, Seth told Stars and Stripes on Thursday. Had she and I not met, she may have never made it back to Korea and had the opportunity to meet her family. Seth added that Taras birth family took her in with open arms and also accepted him and Jena as part of the family. While discussing her birth familys history with her siblings, Graves discovered the true story behind her birth and adoption, a story that conflicted with what was passed down to her. All of that was not true, she said. Her siblings told Graves that her birth mother divorced her father and left all of their children in his care. When her father died several years later, the eldest brother, who had recently graduated from high school, took care of his five siblings. "He remembers me being born and then feeding me, and everyone being happy, Graves said of her brother. And then, all of a sudden one day, I disappeared. Nothing to forgive While life in South Korea drastically improved in the decades that followed the Korean War, much of the population was still experiencing economic difficulties throughout the 1970s, Kongdan Oh, a former senior Asia specialist at the Institute for Defense Analyses, wrote in an analysis published by the Brookings Institution. Kim Hyung-bae, the eldest son and a manager of an elementary school in Gangwon province, explained that their parents wanted another son and because we are folks who experienced poverty they put Tara up for adoption. Men are blind in their own cause, Kim told Stars and Stripes. I asked our parents where she went but heard nothing from them. They were answerless. Kim said his siblings were too young to understand the concept of adoption, he said, but he felt guilt later on. I once thought that adoption is better for her, Kim said. I also felt bad for her and thought [she] should be in the U.S. even just that she should eat well and live well there. When the siblings first met, Kim asked Tara Graves for forgiveness, she said. Theres nothing to forgive, Graves said. But for him, it was very important that he had my forgiveness. About 22 years ago, Kim and his siblings exhumed the remains of their immediate family and reinterred them in one grave. Tara Graves siblings engraved their names on the tombstone. Among those names was Kim Eun-sook, Graves Korean name. I thought we may see her again some time, Kim said. And I wanted to prove that Tara has a family in South Korea. TOKYO The sixth wave of the coronavirus pandemic in Japan has pushed the countrys new case numbers to heights not seen in four months. Tokyo confirmed another 3,124 people tested positive for the virus on Thursday, five times the number a week prior and the most on one day since 3,097 on Sept. 2, according to public broadcaster NHK and metro government data. Japan reported 13,044 individuals tested positive on Wednesday, according to the Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center. Thats twice the previous days number but half the one-day record of 25,992 new cases on Aug. 10. U.S. Forces Japan, in a daily summary begun this week, reported 250 new cases at 12 U.S. bases Thursday and another 147 pending confirmation. Data from five installations was not available, according to the update. On Wednesday, the command reported 692 new cases at 17 bases and 118 pending confirmation. No one with the U.S. military is hospitalized with COVID-19 or considered seriously ill, according to the daily summaries. About 98% of the U.S. military in Japan is vaccinated and nearly 40% have received booster shots, USFJ spokesman Air Force Maj. Thomas Barger told Stars and Stripes by phone Thursday. The U.S. military population is nearing the end of its first week under a two-week order to remain on base or in their off-base homes, with some exceptions, to curb the coronavirus spread. USFJ imposed the order by agreement with the Japanese government, which expressed concern that Americans arriving in Japan for military duty or returning from holiday leave were bringing COVID-19 into Japanese communities. Its too early to say whether the stay-at-home order may be extended beyond its Jan. 24 deadline, Barger said. He said numbers may tell early next week whether the surge has peaked. Despite pandemic fatigue, people have complied with the order, Barger said. Camp Hansen, a Marine Corps base on Okinawa, accounted for 109 new cases on Wednesday but 55 on Thursday. Yokota Air Base in western Tokyo, the headquarters of USFJ, also reported 55 cases Thursday, up from 46 the previous day. The base fitness center closed until Thursday due to the increase in coronavirus cases, according to a statement from the center. Kadena Air Base, also on Okinawa, reported 88 cases on Wednesday but just four Thursday, according to USFJ. The 18th Wing has postponed physical fitness testing until the threat of severe coronavirus infections is passed, according to a statement emailed Thursday to Stars and Stripes. Yokosuka Naval Base south of Tokyo reported 86 cases on Wednesday but did not report on Thursday, according to USFJ. Another 118 were awaiting confirmation but were included in the USFJ total. Naval Air Facility Atsugi, about 25 miles southwest of Tokyo, had 32 people turn up positive Thursday, bringing the base total to 180, base spokesman Sam Samuelson said by phone to Stars and Stripes. Of those, 124 contracted the virus locally and 56 tested positive upon arrival in Japan. Sasebo Naval Base on Kyushu Island had 18 individuals test positive, according to a post on the base Facebook page Thursday. Fifteen had fallen ill and three were found during medical screenings. The base has 148 active cases. At Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, 25 miles south of Hiroshima, 29 people tested positive on Wednesday, according to a base news release Thursday. The base was a hotspot for COVID-19 and on Jan. 6 reported a peak of 529 active cases. Updated Friday, 5:51 a.m. Eastern Time CAMP FOSTER, Okinawa Air Force spouse Valerie Jackson shopped the commissary on Wednesday at this Marine Corps installation because the shelves are much emptier at nearby Kadena Air Base. The Kadena commissary is kind of lacking in supplies and were wanting tacos tonight, Jackson, 31, told Stars and Stripes. My husband went the other day and said that there was hardly anything left, like milk, sour cream, cheese. A "perfect storm" of supply chain issues coupled with the ongoing coronavirus pandemic has arrived at Defense Department commissaries worldwide, leaving shelves empty and shoppers frustrated. The New Year brought food shortages to Japan and South Korea, according to Facebook posts by military commands and notices on blank shelves and dairy cases. Periodic shortages also have occurred in recent months at some stores in Europe. Supply chain disruptions resulted in inconsistent shipment delivery to the Kaiserslautern Central Distribution Center in Germany, impacting chilled products, such as yogurt, dairy and deli meat, the most, said Kevin Robinson, a spokesman for the Fort Lee, Va.-based Defense Commissary Agency. But shipments started to arrive again last week, and the Kaiserslautern center, which distributes products to U.S. bases in Europe, is expected to receive an additional 76 chill containers during January. Over the next two weeks we are scheduled to receive our normal average shipments, Robinson said. If this consistent delivery continues, we should be in better shape. Meanwhile, at Camp Kinser in Okinawa, Marine officials said Tuesday that customers shouldnt expect inventories to be at normal levels for the immediate future. The same California distributor supplies commissaries in Japan and South Korea, so all are equally affected by shortages, said Kalani Patsel, commissary zone manager in Okinawa, in an email Thursday to Stars and Stripes. Products are trickling in and shelves may be restocked by the end of the month, according to Patsel and store notices. The same supply chain issues plaguing U.S. retailers the past year are to blame for shortages at military commissaries. Higher consumer demand, a backlog of container ships at ports around the globe and a shortage of drivers to haul merchandise away are contributing to the problem. "We have 100s of containers with commissary products sitting out in the US ports waiting to get off-loaded," Patsel wrote. "Now top that with a COVID case in any of these chain links and supply interruptions will occur." Its a perfect storm of supply-chain disruption, amplified by COVID-19, he said. Resupplying overseas commissaries is the top priority for the Defense Commissary Agency, Patsel said. He said he expected sufficient supplies are coming to meet demand, but panic buying could complicate matters. Milk, cheese, butter, sour cream and yogurt, along with eggs and chilled juices are conspicuously absent from shelves at most U.S. bases in Japan. Patsel said coffee creamer is the most requested item on Okinawa. "There will be times that we wont have an item in stock for whatever the reason is, he wrote in his email, however, I can assure you that we are doing our utmost to try and get the necessities to the customers as quickly as possible. In Italy, the commissary at Naval Air Station Sigonella in Sicily put purchasing limits on some items after running out of fresh meat and other products over the weekend. On Tuesday, the base announced on its Facebook page that the commissarys shelves were restocked with new supplies of meat, dairy products, cheese and deli items. The announcement followed a Monday post blaming empty shelves on significant supply chain disruptions impacting many bases throughout Europe. Those shortages resulted in some scarcity driven behavior or hoarding by Sigonella base commissary customers, so purchases of certain items would be limited, the base said Tuesday. Multiple signs have been posted near the dairy section and check-out areas with specific details, the base said. If you do not follow these requests, you will be politely asked to return the items. Meanwhile, local grocery stores are still an option for U.S. military consumers. Even under a stay-at-home order imposed until Jan. 24 by U.S. Forces Japan to stem the spread of the coronavirus, base residents are allowed to shop in off-base stores as an essential service. On Wednesday at the Camp Foster commissary, Navy spouse Roxane Evans, 30, had seen enough empty shelves. If they dont have what I need on base, she said, then I am just going to go out in town. Stars and Stripes reporter Alison Bath contributed to this report. Stars and Stripes is making stories on the coronavirus pandemic available free of charge. See more stories here. Sign up for our daily coronavirus newsletter here. Please support our journalism with a subscription. NAPLES, Italy Defense Department students now must wear high-protection face masks on school buses as Italy turns up the heat on the unvaccinated in the face of a surge of COVID-19 deaths and case levels. U.S students riding the school bus in Italy are required to wear N95 or FFP2 masks until Feb. 10 like their Italian counterparts, Naval Support Activity Naples announced Wednesday on its Facebook page. Students also will need them to attend school if they meet close contact criteria, it said. The Italian Health Ministry reported Thursday that 15 of Italys 21 regions were in the yellow risk zone, meaning infection rates, hospitalizations and ICU cases had risen to levels that triggered additional mitigation measures. Increased risk zones included Naval Air Station Sigonella in Sicily, U.S. Army Garrison Italy in Vicenza and Aviano Air Base. Only the Navy in Naples, which is in the Campania region, remained in a white zone with lower risk. U.S. military installations in Italy typically have followed local laws when it comes to COVID-19 unless Defense Department or Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines are tougher. The mask requirement applies to most Italian public transportation, such as planes, buses and trains. The government in Rome in recent weeks has adopted an array of new measures aimed at curbing infections, restricting the unvaccinated from most public places and encouraging those who are vaccinated to get booster shots. It has also decreed that COVID-19 vaccinations in Italy only will be considered valid for six months as of Feb. 1. That means people 12 and older who were not fully vaccinated or had a booster shot in the last six months, or dont have verified recovery from the virus, wont qualify for Italys super green health pass, which enables them to sit inside restaurants, cafes or bars or visit public places such as museums, movie theaters, gyms and sporting arenas. People whose vaccinations were completed longer than six months ago and havent received boosters, and those who have tested negative for COVID-19 or can prove recovery from the virus, qualify for the countrys basic green pass, which allows access to public offices, post offices, bank and nonessential stores and shopping malls starting Feb. 1. A green pass will be needed to visit the barber or hair stylist or use other personal services starting Jan. 20, Navy officials in Naples said. Unvaccinated people who dont meet those requirements are barred from most places and activities but can go to the grocery store or pharmacy. The Italian government accepts the U.S. CDC card in place of the super or basic green pass. Earlier in the month, Italy also mandated vaccines for people 50 and older starting Jan. 8. U.S. naval hospitals in Italy, Spain and Greece previously have reported strong demand for booster shots but officials were unable to offer details Wednesday. In mid-December, NSA Naples reported that it had given more than 2,700 booster shots since Nov. 1. Naples also is encouraging those in ages 12-18 who completed their vaccination series at least five months ago to get a booster, according to the hospitals Facebook page. The hospital held a booster shot clinic Monday-Wednesday and has another scheduled Jan. 21. Nationwide mandatory outdoor mask wearing was in effect at all U.S. bases in Italy as was indoor mask wearing with exceptions in certain circumstances, such as in personal residences. Some commands at Sigonella and Naples had started weekly testing of unvaccinated sailors late last month as required by the Navy, but it wasnt clear how many people were being tested. Due to operational security, neither base would release details on the number of those sailors who tested positive for COVID-19, said Lt. Cmdr. Matthew Comer, a Navy Region Europe Africa Central spokesman. An Army judges novel ruling to require a unanimous guilty verdict in an upcoming court-martial has drawn an array of characterizations by military law experts: totally wrong, partially right, rogue and brave among them. But all the analysts interviewed for this story agreed on one thing. They said the ruling will most likely be overturned by an appellate court. Col. Charles Pritchard, a judge in Kaiserslautern, Germany, issued the 16-page ruling this month in response to a motion by the defense for Lt. Col. Andrew Dial, who is charged with three counts of sexual assault. This judge obviously put a great deal of effort into it and used his noggin, said Eugene Fidell, a military law professor at New York University. It takes some courage for a judge to do this, so my hats off to him. Pritchard held that allowing a split guilty verdict would violate Dials constitutional rights under the Fifth Amendment guarantees of due process and equal protection under the law. In essence, he said the military must accord Dial the same right to a unanimous criminal jury guilty verdict as civilian defendants have been afforded in federal, and, since 2020, state courts. The ruling was a surprise because split jury verdicts have been part of the military justice system for at least a half century. Whats more, the U.S. Supreme Court has deferred to Congress to decide military law and regulations, including those involving jury rights, even when they deviate from civilian law. Yet many legal experts say its time that changed. The right to a unanimous criminal jury really is baked deeply into American legal culture, Fidell said. Pritchards decision followed the U.S. Supreme Courts 2020 ruling that in keeping with Sixth Amendment guarantees for criminal defendants, juries in state courts must reach unanimous guilty verdicts, which the federal courts had long required. The high courts 6-3 decision in Ramos v. Louisiana held that non-unanimous verdicts reflected a racist past and that a split verdict is no verdict at all. The decision left the military as the sole jurisdiction allowing split guilty verdicts, a situation ripe for defense lawyers to litigate. Pritchard agreed with Dials attorneys, finding that there is no rational basis for permitting court-martial convictions that arent unanimous. Its likely that more defendants will file similar motions, Fidell said. If I were a criminal defense counsel, I would raise it if I had a pending case, he said. Prosecutors are appealing Pritchards ruling, and the Army Court of Criminal Appeals set Jan. 25 as the deadline for the governments petition. Meanwhile, the court-martial for Dial, a member of Allied Forces North Battalion, based in Belgium, has been delayed. For how long is uncertain, in part because the Army appellate courts decision could in turn be appealed to the militarys highest court, the Court of Criminal Appeals for the Armed Forces. Rachel VanLandingham, a law professor at Southwestern Law School in Los Angeles, said Pritchard was half-right. While I disagree with the military judges rationale, I think the result is 100% correct, that the unanimous verdict requirement is constitutionally required, even in courts-martial, she said. Nevertheless, she doesnt think the ruling will survive an appeal. Other observers are of the opinion that Pritchard overstepped his authority. The judge clearly has gone rogue, said Victor Hansen, a law professor at New England Law Boston and former Army lawyer. Id expect a quick reversal by the military appeals court. Don Christensen, a former Air Force prosecutor and judge, said Pritchards ruling was clearly wrong. Christensen, who is also president of Protect Our Defenders, an advocacy group for survivors of military sexual violence, said Pritchards decision ignored previous Supreme Court rulings. It also ignores the fact that the justices did not include the military in the Ramos v. Louisiana decision and that Congress has also chosen not to require unanimous military verdicts, Christensen said. Although he supports unanimous military juries, he said allowing Pritchards ruling to stand would create chaos. If you get Judge Pritchard, you get one form of justice. If you get one of the other judges, youll get a different system of justice, Christensen said. The issue of split verdicts could have a large impact on sexual assault cases. Many military defendants choose to be tried by a judge rather than jury, Fidell said. But sexual assault defendants often choose a jury trial because the defense bar has decided (military jury) members have a greater propensity for acquittal. Defense Department statistics bear that out. Pritchards ruling said there was no constitutional requirement for unanimous verdicts to acquit and made no provision for a hung jury. In civilian trials when jurors can't reach a unanimous verdict, the result is no verdict and often a retrial. Instead, Pritchard's ruling said that even if only one juror voted to acquit and all the others voted to convict, the verdict would be not guilty. Sustaining this judges ruling in an untidy condition, it would throw the ball over to Congress, Fidell said. Its a matter thats been placed on their doorstep. I think it deserves their urgent attention. Even so, theres no guarantee that Congress would be interested in changing the rules, possibly because of an impact on sexual assault cases or for political reasons. Fidell recalled that in the U.K. some years ago a trial judge ruled that unanimous verdicts were required, but the Court-Martial Appeal Court said he was wrong to do so. They said, Fiddlesticks. Thats not the law, and stop doing that, he said. BELGRADE, Serbia - Russia increased its pressure Thursday on NATO and Europe, dashing hopes of further talks to defuse the crisis over Ukraines aim of joining the Western alliance. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said he saw no grounds to continue the talks, in a blow to the ongoing efforts to ease tensions. His comments came as the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe met in Vienna in the latest attempt to avert a major European crisis as Russia masses troops on Ukraines border. Speaking on Russian television, Ryabkov said the United States and its allies have rejected Russias key demands - including its call for an end to NATOs open-door policy for new members - offering to negotiate only on topics of secondary interest to Moscow. There is, to a certain extent, a dead end or a difference in approaches, he said. Without some sign of flexibility from the United States, I do not see reasons to sit down in the coming days, to gather again and start these same discussions. The comments are the latest in a campaign of steady pressure by Russia on the United States and NATO in recent months, which has included escalating military operations on Ukraines borders, amping up rhetoric and demanding sweeping changes to Europes security architecture. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, who described the Western position as arrogant, unyielding and uncompromising, said that President Vladimir Putin would decide on further action after receiving written responses to Moscows demands next week. The OSCE meeting ended in Vienna without any signs of a breakthrough. Secretary General Helga Schmid said afterward that the situation in the region remained very perilous, echoing the meetings opening remarks. It seems the risk of war in the OSCE area is now greater than ever before in the last 30 years, the groups Permanent Council chairman, Zbigniew Rau of Poland, said at the start. Europe faces a particularly grave threat to peace, he added, and must cleave to its founding principles that states are equal and should not use military force or threats. In addition to calling the talks unsuccessful, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov on Thursday highlighted a bill announced the day before by U.S. Democratic senators for tough new sanctions against Russians, including Putin, if there is military action against Ukraine. Peskov called it extremely negative, especially against the background of the ongoing series of negotiations, albeit unsuccessful, but negotiations. Sanctioning a head of state is an outrageous measure that is comparable to breaking off relations. Peskov also accused the United States and NATO of escalating the conflict, not Russia, with its efforts to entice new countries to join NATO. The meeting of the OSCE Permanent Council, which includes Russia and Ukraine, was part of a series of diplomatic steps this week designed to defuse tensions over the massing of Russian troops near the Ukrainian border, which has raised fears that Putin may be planning a renewed attack. Russian officials have denied any such plans and have rebuffed NATO calls to de-escalate, saying it has a right to move troops and forces on its own territory. Russia has also demanded sweeping security guarantees from the United States and NATO, including a halt to any further expansion eastward by the alliance. The impasse also marks a crucial challenge for the Biden administrations effort to show that democracies can prevail over authoritarianism and the defiance of international norms. Thursdays talks follow a meeting between U.S. and Russian officials in Geneva on Monday and a meeting of the NATO-Russia Council on Wednesday, the first of its kind in two years. The OSCE plays a key role in Ukraine, monitoring a cease-fire under the Minsk peace deal that was designed to end the war in eastern Ukraine between Kyiv and Russian-backed separatists. The war has killed more than 13,000 people since it began in 2014, in the wake of Russias annexation of Crimea. Russia denies any part in the war, calling it an internal Ukrainian conflict. The Minsk agreement has made no progress in ending the crisis and returning eastern Ukraine to Kyivs control. In recent years, the Kremlin has intervened by issuing passports to residents of eastern Ukraine, enabling them to vote in Russian elections. KYIV, Ukraine (Tribune News Service) On the picturesque streets of a snow-dusted capital, many ordinary Ukrainians are of two minds: They see ominous war clouds on the horizon, but hope the threat might yet prove a passing squall. For weeks, about 100,000 Russian troops, backed by armor and artillery, have been massed just outside Ukraine, hemming it in on three sides. Moscow says it doesnt want war, but the Kremlin offers up a near-daily recital of possible pretexts for conflict. The time between Orthodox Christmas on Jan. 7 and the Old New Year, still informally celebrated on Jan. 14, is traditionally a festive interlude. This year, the week was marked by a flurry of Ukraine-centered diplomacy in European capitals. There were high-level U.S.-Russia talks in Geneva on Monday, NATO meetings on Wednesday with a Russian delegation in Brussels, and consultations set Thursday in Vienna by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, in which both Russia and Ukraine are participating states. Watching it all unfold, ordinary Ukrainians express a mix of fatalism and wariness, defiance and disbelief. Many describe being caught off guard by Russian President Vladimir Putins 2014 annexation of Ukraines Crimean peninsula, and the eruption of a bloody separatist conflict in the countrys east. I dont believe a full-scale war is possible, said Diana Kolodyazhnaya, 29, a videographer who lives in the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv. But she ruefully acknowledges having the same skepticism eight years ago when she was living in the eastern city of Slavyansk, which was captured for a time by pro-Russia insurgents. Many Ukrainians describe a kind of split-screen existence, in which their daily routines are undisturbed, but they obsess over events they track in news reports and on social media. Im thrown from one extreme to the other when I read our news or Telegram [app] channels, it all looks very serious, said Alexei Lyapin, a 26-year-old information technology worker who lives in the western city of Lviv. And on the other hand, sometimes I just dont read news, and just live a normal life. Many people acknowledge a central contradiction: They altogether ignore some aspects of a prospective conflict, while worrying constantly about others. I dont know where the bomb shelters are, said Natalia Serebryakova, 43, a film critic who lives in the northeastern city of Sumy. She said she had not perused government instructions on where to take shelter in the event of fighting, or what to pack in an emergency grab bag. But Serebryakova thinks a lot about her 18-year-old son, who would be eligible for military conscription even though he is a university student. Decoding Putins intentions is never easy, and Ukrainians are more aware than most of the Russian leaders propensity for surprises. No one knows whats in Putins head, said Lyapin, the IT worker from Lviv. But people took careful note when Putin suggested in an essay last year that Ukraine and Russia are the same country, a Slavic brotherhood and sisterhood. To many, that sounded in line with Putins ambitions of continuing a sphere of Russian influence in onetime Soviet republics even though Ukraine has been independent for three decades. We know that these are imperial ambitions of Russia, said Anastasia Vinslavska, 34, who trained as a psychologist. Its exactly because of Russias desire to collect the lands of the former U.S.S.R. As tensions grow, many Ukrainians share a painful experience: ruptures with friends or relatives outside the country who have embraced nationalist narratives churned out by Russian media outlets, portraying Ukraine, in florid terms, as the true aggressor. Kolodyazhnaya, the videographer from Kyiv, said she had many relatives in Russia, including her mother, stepfather, aunt and uncle. But in a scenario that might sound familiar to many Americans politics are simply off-limits for discussion. In the beginning, my mother and I tried to talk about it, she said. But it is very difficult to agree on something when you live in completely different media spaces. Serebryakova, the film critic, has stayed in touch with friends in Russia who are not Putin supporters, but on Facebook, she unfriended those who turned over to the side of the Russian government. Geography looms large for many Ukrainians when it comes to assessing their personal level of risk. Weve made a stash of food and goods, just in case, said Igor Kalinichenko, 28. He lives in the eastern city of Kramatorsk, which was captured by Russia-backed separatists in 2014 before government forces regained control, and the present-day front lines between government troops and insurgents are only 30 miles away. If its going to be hot, well leave and take our relatives with us, said Kalinichenko, who works in tech support. But he said he knew many people with property and businesses that they would be reluctant to leave behind even if hostilities broke out. And in the event of a full-scale invasion, havens might be hard to come by. Where to go is a good question, which I cant answer right now, he said. I dont want to think about it. Even in parts of the country deemed relatively secure, people are preparing for the worst. Lyapin feels fairly safe in Lviv, which is fewer than 50 miles from the Polish border, but he has relatives in Ukraines east and in Kyiv. I cant just leave, he said. It would be very hard for me to move to Poland, for example, and support my family from a distance. All I can do is change my money to dollars and keep them in case everything goes bad. Ukraines army is dwarfed by the Russian armed forces, and its widely acknowledged that if Putin decided to brush aside ever-sterner Western warnings and reinvade, it would be almost impossible for Ukraine to stave off an initial advance. But a lot of Ukrainians are also confident that both regular and irregular defenders could inflict some punishment of their own. We are no longer helpless, Kolodyazhnaya said. She pointed out the immense logistical complexities of any Russian occupation, including staving off attacks by partisans, holding captured territory and building reliable supply chains. Vinslavska, the psychologist, served as a volunteer paramedic in 2017 in eastern Ukraine, and has since undergone nurses training. She has a paramedics backpack stocked with bandages and medications, but lately has been working out what else she should have on hand. If something happens, Ill add money, documents, underwear, a makeup kit and a phone charger, she said. And Ill be ready to go to war. (Special correspondents Huba and Kolotilov reported from Kyiv and Moscow, respectively, and Times staff writer King from Washington.) 2022 Los Angeles Times. Visit at latimes.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. As Washington and Tehran clash in Vienna over reviving the 2015 nuclear deal, Iran continues to struggle under the weight of U.S. sanctions. Among them are restrictions that make it difficult for Iranians to access information and fast-changing technologies that much of the rest of the world takes for granted. Over the years, Washington has issued exemptions for personal communications tools - such as applications for messaging, blogging and social networking - citing the U.S. interest in ensuring Iranians maintain access to the global Internet. Such exemptions do not include tools for business communications, which are wrapped up in Washingtons wide-reaching sanctions on Iran and its banking system. But with more and more of life occurring online, and the murkiness of the distinction between how people communicate personally and for business, U.S. policies can in effect end up aiding Tehrans mounting push to censor and surveil, analysts say. U.S. sanctions are so far-reaching that they govern in large part what Internet services, software and hardware Iranians can import or use. Many companies, however, simply avoid working with Iranians rather than navigate the morass of compliance regulations. That means that Iranians access to technology is limited, at a time when Irans hard-line government attempts to exercise even greater control over the Internet there. According to some analysts, U.S. policymakers have failed to keep up. These sanctions have forced the Iranian tech community to move their communication platforms and cloud services inside Iran, thereby making it easier for authorities to conduct surveillance and shut down the Internet during times of unrest, said Holly Dagres, a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council, a Washington thank tank, and author of a report released Thursday documenting social media trends in Iran. Some three-quarters of Iranians older than 18, out of a population of 84 million, use social media and messaging apps, according to a 2021 poll by the Iranian Students Polling Agency. But sanctions can mean limited access to some online services - and often affect most those without the financial means to afford VPNs and other temporary workarounds, said Dagres. It is impossible, for example, to make purchases in the online Apple store with an Iranian address. Start-ups have popped up to sell Apple gift cards to Iranians with the financial means, said Mahsa Alimardani of Article 19, a London-based freedom of expression group. Slack, a mainstay of communication in many communities, remains unavailable, Alimardani said, while Iranians cannot create accounts on Amazon Web Services or use Google Cloud Platform, popular cloud hosting services. What works one day may also not work the next, adding to daily uncertainties. With the countrys economy in shambles, Iranians seeking out information or educational opportunities in Web-based sectors such as gaming or coding can find themselves at a disadvantage. For months, Iranians have been protesting water shortages, in person and online. Security forces have met the demonstrations with Internet clampdowns and violence, underscoring the challenges Iranians face in communicating with each other and the outside world. Some had hoped that the Biden administration would ease or clarify tech-related sanctions - some of which have been in place for decades - as a goodwill gesture to Iran, after four years of the Trump administrations maximum-pressure campaign, said Ali Vaez, director of the Iran project at the International Crisis Group, a Brussels-based think tank. Instead, President Joe Biden prioritized negotiating a return to the 2015 deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, which would grant Iranians relief from nuclear-related sanctions, leaving in place a host of other blacklists. U.S. sanctions ban American citizens and companies from doing business with Iran, as well as non-U.S. citizens and firms that work in or with the United States. The U.S. Treasury Departments Office of Foreign Assets Control, or OFAC, is charged with enforcing sanctions, as well as issuing licenses for exemptions, in consultation with other arms of the government. Its a balance of ensuring the broadest possible information tools get to the people of Iran while at the same time guarding against tools, including software and hardware, that can be used by the Iranian government to target or otherwise censure the people of Iran, said John E. Smith, who ran OFAC for 11 years, until 2018. In 2009, after Iranian security forces violently suppressed massive pro-democracy demonstrations organized in part online, U.S. policymakers began considering how U.S. sanctions hindered Iranians access to Internet technology, Dagres said. During the Obama administration, OFAC announced new guidelines and licenses - known as General License D and General License D-1 - that would permit companies to export more online services, software, browsers and other Internet tools to Iran. These changes were crafted to include social media giants Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and WhatsApp, which many blacklisted Iranian leaders use. In the years since, however, Iran has advanced in developing its own National Internet Network, an alternative to the global Web that it can more easily censor and shut down. US sanctions are not the reason for Internet censorship in Iran - that onus falls on the Islamic Republic, said Dagres. Still, Iranian activists and digital rights groups have called for further changes and clarifications as something that the United States can do to have some positive impact, said Alimardani. New technology such as cloud-sharing services have taken off, for example, but their regulatory status remains unclear, Dagres said. Companies are often then left to interpret what could be a sanctions violation or what might be exempt. The issue arises when the sanctions architecture becomes simply too complex for companies to easily understand what is permitted, said Esfandyar Batmanghelidj, chief executive of the London-based Bourse & Bazaar Foundation, a think tank. For example, some international tech companies rely on U.S.-based servers or the U.S. banking system for their operations, meaning their activities fall under Washingtons jurisdiction. Last year, OFAC fined a Swiss IT firm $7.8 million after it used U.S.-based servers to run part of a lost-baggage program it provided to blacklisted Iranian airliners. A Treasury Department spokesman, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitive nature of sanctions, said in an email that the Treasury authorizes the export of certain services, software, and hardware incident to personal communications to Iran, including through Iran General License D-1 and other regulations, as part of our commitment to ensure the Iranian people have access to the tools of personal communications. One U.S. tech company took on the challenge in 2019 and applied for a general OFAC license to operate in Iran. GitHub, a Web-based software-development platform and repository, finally received it two years later. We really do fundamentally believe that software development, software collaboration, promotes the free flow of information and communication, Lynn Hashimoto, GitHubs head of product and regulatory legal, said of the companys decision. The license application process was labor and resource-intensive. OFAC declined to comment on whether other companies have applied for similar exemptions. OFAC considers applications to provide communications tools to Iran that might fall outside the general license on a case-by-case basis, although we do not comment on specific licenses, the OFAC spokesman said. But with a precedent now set, GitHub said it has since applied for OFAC licenses to operate in U.S.-sanctioned Syria and Crimea, too. WASHINGTON 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-Qaida 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. 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. 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 Joe 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. 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. 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. 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. 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-Qaida 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. 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. A Kentucky man convicted of a sex crime was given a month to decide between serving his country or serving time. Brandon Scott Price, a former guard at the jail in Franklin County, was sentenced earlier this month for sexually assaulting a female inmate, according to the State Journal, a newspaper in the state capital of Frankfort. Judge Thomas Wingate told Price at sentencing that he was getting a huge break and that if he didnt join the military within 30 days, he would have to report to the jail. The newspaper reported that Wingate handed Price a one-year suspended sentence for misdemeanor second-degree sexual assault. Price, 28, was initially charged with a felony. The State Journal report didnt say what the judge would do if Price joins the military by the deadline, but it could end up being a moot point. An Army regulation renders people ineligible to enlist if they were ordered or subjected to a sentence that implies or imposes enlistment in the armed forces unless they receive a waiver. Other services have similar discretion in choosing enlistees and all services have been scrutinized in recent years over sexual assault in the ranks. A Task and Purpose report Wednesday stated that Wingates offer seemingly tests the boundaries of a long-standing trope, adding that despite their repeated instances, such supposed choices carry no legal weight and only serve to further propagate another military myth. The State Journal report doesnt say when Price was convicted. But the charges stem from a 2019 federal lawsuit in which the female inmate alleged that Price had sexually assaulted her on Jan. 18, 2019. In a police interview, Price denied the inmates allegation but admitted that he had made the stupid mistake of letting the woman touch him inappropriately, the newspaper reported, citing authorities. President Joe Biden announced Thursday that he has ordered a new deployment of some 120 active-duty military medical troops into hospitals overwhelmed with coronavirus patients in six states as the United States faces its highest-ever spike in cases and hospitalizations. The deployment of mostly doctors and nurses is part of an increased federal response to the omicron variant of the coronavirus, the most infectious version of the disease since the pandemic spread worldwide in early 2020. The new military medical teams deploying will go to hospitals in Michigan, New York, New Jersey, Ohio, Rhode Island and New Mexico joining another 350 medical troops sent into U.S. hospitals across the nation since Thanksgiving, the president said. That effort is expected to grow to some 1,000 medical troops in the coming weeks, U.S. and defense officials have said in recent days. When you need something done call in the military, Biden said in his brief speech from the White House, announcing new steps that he plans to take to combat the virus surge, including an effort to make high-quality masks free to Americans, distribute some 500,0000 at-home test kits, and renewed messaging to encourage those who remain unvaccinated to get the vaccine shots. Biden blamed the more than 120 million Americans who are not vaccinated for the record hospitalizations. Federal coronavirus statistics on Thursday show some 155,000 virus-related hospitalizations across the United States just higher than the about 140,000-hospitilization peak last January, amid the delta variants surge. The vaccinated people [who] test positive, they overwhelmingly have either no symptoms at all or they have mild symptoms, Biden said. And if youre unvaccinated, if you test positive, then you are 17 times more likely to get hospitalized. As a result, theyre crowding our hospitals leaving little room for anyone else who might have a heart attack or an injury in an automobile accident, or any injury at all. And, yes, the unvaccinated are dying from [the coronavirus]. The data also shows thousands more Americans tested positive for the virus in recent days than ever before. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported a seven-day average of more than 782,000 positive cases as of Thursday, far surpassing last Januarys delta-driven spike of a seven-day average of some 250,000 cases. Deaths from coronavirus complications, meanwhile, have increased in recent days but remain lower than previous spikes. Last January, federal officials reported some 3,000 deaths per day, while the United States was averaging about 1,700 per day this week. More than 841,000 Americans have died from the virus, as of Thursday, data shows. Biden thanked the U.S. troops and other medical workers who have helped respond to the increasing caseload at hospitals in recent weeks. Like all health-care workers, they are heroes, and I'm grateful for what they do, he said. Thousands of American troops have been near-constantly deployed in support of coronavirus efforts since March 2020, including National Guard forces in all 50 states, who have run testing and vaccination centers, helped with logistics and surged emergency support into hospitals and nursing homes. More than 15,200 National Guard members were deployed Thursday across the nation to support coronavirus operations, according to the National Guard Bureau in Arlington, Va. Among them, some 6,000 troops were working in medical facilities, Guard officials said. The six new deployments will support Henry Ford Hospital just outside Detroit, University Hospital in Newark, the University of New Mexico hospital in Albuquerque, Coney Island Hospital in Brooklyn, Cleveland Clinic in Ohio and Rhode Island Hospital in Providence, according to the White House. It was not immediately clear Thursday when additional military medical teams would be deployed or for how long U.S. troops would continue to support hospitals. While our military is stepping up, as they always do, there are others sitting on the sidelines, and standing in the way, Biden said. The coronavirus is one of the most formidable enemies America has ever faced. We've got to work together, not against each other. Were America. We can do this. Stars and Stripes is making stories on the coronavirus pandemic available free of charge. See more stories here. Sign up for our daily coronavirus newsletter here. Please support our journalism with a subscription. American soldier John Gonsalves was serving in Germany in the aftermath of World War II when he wrote a letter to his mother in Massachusetts in 1945. Last month, the U.S. Postal Service finally delivered the letter to his family 76 years late. Angelina Jean Gonsalves, 89, was astonished to hold the airmail envelope in her hand after her mail carrier dropped it off at her home in Woburn, Mass., just outside Boston. The letter, which had a 6-cent stamp, had been forwarded from a Pittsburgh mail facility, and was addressed to John Gonsalvess mother, also named Angelina and long deceased, she said. Her husband died in 2015 at age 92, so seeing his tidy handwriting again was like taking a trip back in time, said Gonsalves. Way, way back in time, she said of the letter, which she received on Dec. 9. Seventy-six years! I could hardly believe it when I looked at the date. For a letter from Johnny to suddenly show up out of nowhere was amazing. The letter was penned on long white paper and dated Dec. 6, 1945. John Gonsalves was a 22-year-old Army sergeant when he wrote it from Bad Orb, Germany, near a Nazi prisoner-of-war camp that had been liberated by American troops. Dear Mom Received another letter from you today and was happy to hear that everything is okay, it began. As for myself, Im fine and getting along okay. But as far as the food, its pretty lousy most of the time. Gonsalves wrote about the dismal weather in Germany and how he thought hed be able to return to the United States in late January or early February. He ended with Love and XXXXX Your Son, Johnny, and included a postscript: Ill be seeing you - soon, I hope. It sounded just like Johnny, said Jean Gonsalves, noting that her husband enlisted in the Army in 1943 and served overseas for about three years. When she sat down at her kitchen table to finish reading the letter, she almost felt like her late husband was in the room with her, she said. It was a weird feeling like he was standing there, reading it to me, said Gonsalves, who was married to John Gonsalves for 61 years. I smiled when I saw his beautiful handwriting, she said. I always loved how he wrote his Es. Her regular mail carrier was excited when he rang her doorbell last month and delivered the letter, said Gonsalves. The mailman asked if my husband had been in the service, and I told him yes, but I didnt know him then, she said. He said he thought the letter was something personal for me and he was really happy to give me the letter as priority mail. Inside the registered envelope, Gonsalves also found a letter from Stephen D. Stowell, who works at the U.S. Postal Services processing and distribution center in Pittsburgh. Enclosed please find a letter from your husband, John Gonsalves, to his mother dated December 6, 1945, Stowell wrote. We are aware of the passing of your husband in 2015 (our condolences). As his next of kin, this letter now passes to you. We are uncertain where this letter has been for the past seven-plus decades, but it arrived at our facility approximately six weeks ago, Stowell continued. By virtue of some dedicated sleuth work by postal workers at this facility, we were able to determine your address, hence this letter delivery to you, albeit 76 years late. Due to the age and significance to your family history delivering this letter was of utmost importance to us, added Stowell, who did not respond to an interview request from The Washington Post. Gonsalves said that when she phoned Stowell to thank him for forwarding the unopened letter, she was told that the U.S. Postal Service had no idea how it ended up in Pittsburgh after more than seven decades. Theyre just not sure what happened, and I guess it really doesnt matter, she said. Im just so happy to have it. I would have been 13 when John wrote it. Gonsalves said she met her husband in 1949 about five years after he dropped his letter in the mail. They worked together making sandals at the Marilyn Sandal Co. in Stoneham, Mass., she said. I was 17 and had just graduated from high school, said Gonsalves, who grew up in Woburn, about 10 miles northwest of Boston. John was nine years older than me. One day, I was waiting with my girlfriend to catch the bus after work and he drove by and asked if wed like a ride home. About a month later, they went on their first date, then they married several years later on Oct. 25, 1953. John earned a degree in engineering and went to work for GTE Corporation, said Gonsalves, and the couple raised five sons together. One of them, Brian Gonsalves, 54, said he and his brothers were delighted to read the letter from their father a few weeks before the holidays. It might be 76 years late, but to us its perfect timing, he said. I can picture my dad writing that letter to his mom, hoping he would soon be coming home to see her, said Brian Gonsalves. Although it never made it to his mom, it made it to mine. And weve all been on an amazing little journey because of it. Jean Gonsalves said her husband didnt talk much about his military service, though she knew hed seen some terrible things. He was a quiet man, and I believe he just wanted to put it behind him when he came home, she said. John Gonsalves was in his element when he was with his family, she said. There was nothing he loved more than taking the boys camping and hiking and fixing things up around the house for all of us, she said. I miss him every day. Its wonderful to now have this little piece of history from his life, added Gonsalves. Honestly and truly, its such a nice surprise to see a glimpse into his past. MISHAWAKA, Ind. (Tribune News Service) Neighbors and others say they support the idea of helping homeless veterans get back on their feet by providing them a tiny home in a village that would also offer mental health, job search and other services. Just not near them. People like the idea of the village which would also provide mental health, job and other services for homeless veterans they just don't like the idea of it in their neighborhood. Some of those who would live next door to the newly designated location of "Troop Town" in Mishawaka, Ind., said it doesn't belong in their neighborhood. Alan Ritchie and Marcie Ritchie, who have lived in the area for 13 years, said the multi-family project would stand out amid the single-family properties nearby. "My primary concern is the effect on property values that could be detrimental with a homeless facility there," said Alan Ritchie. The Ritchies were among a half-dozen residents who came out to the Board of Zoning appeals and the Plan Commission meetings on Tuesday to express concerns about Troop Town. The project came before the boards because developers sought both a parking space variance and the necessary rezoning for it to continue. The land currently is zoned single-family, while the Troop Town project would need a multi-family zoning designation. The tiny house complex is the vision of Jim Metherd, a veteran who has been joined by Dan Gann, Warren Seegers and others, to build eight tiny homes on Jefferson Boulevard, across the street from Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 360 on the city's east side. The village would screen and admit veterans who may need a structured program to return to being productive members of society. Metherd previously told The Tribune he served in the U.S. Army and is a Desert Storm veteran, and Seegers and Gann are also veterans. Metherd said he retired in September 2020 to devote his time to the Troop Town project. "We are viewing this as transitional housing," Metherd has told The Tribune. "We're going to help you with anything from spiritual to employment to financial services to mentoring, to allow you the opportunity to become gainful in our community again." Each home would cost about $30,000 to build. In addition, organizers envision a welcome center and a community building for the residents. Metherd said other similar transitional housing projects have typically seen veterans stay for 12 to 20 months. The group has raised about $170,000 out of an expected total cost of $500,000. About nine months ago, Metherd and other group members considered property directly west of the VFW post on Jefferson for the site of Troop Town, but preparation costs were too high, his nonprofit group said. In exchange, the VFW offered a 116-by-283-foot tract on the north side of Jefferson that would be much less costly to develop for the project. Metherd explained the operating and executive boards have devised strict rules of conduct veterans will be required to abide by to live in the village. No veterans with felonies will be allowed to take part, he said, and a caretaker will live in the development, with a mission of keeping veterans who live there on their planned blueprint of getting back on their feet. Other neighbors spoke favorably Tuesday of past efforts by the city over the last decades to secure land and build single-family homes in the area for those who might not qualify for a traditional home mortgage. For example, Marcie Ritchie took part in the city of Mishawaka's First-Time Homebuyers program in 2008 that offered people incentives to buy their first homes. The program built homes on East Borley Avenue. The Borley Avenue area saw 14 of the program's 24 homes that were offered throughout the city. Ultimately, the zoning board on Tuesday voted 3-2 to allow one parking space per unit in the Troop Town development, although zoning rules call for 1.5 spaces per unit in multi-family developments. And after spirited debate by the Plan Commission over the range of disagreements between Troop Town planners and neighbors, the commission voted 5-4 to send the multi-family rezoning request approval to the Common Council. But council members warned organizers that more dialogue is needed between their group and neighbors if the plan is to get final approval from the council. Mike Compton, a council member, spoke about the meeting he organized between the tiny village planners and neighbors. He said the city has had a long history of supporting veterans, citing the development of the Nor Main Heights neighborhood from military veterans returning from World War II and other efforts. "You have a great opportunity to continue this process," Compton said. "But if the VFW can't get on board with the neighbors, it won't pass the council." Council member Dale "Woody" Emmons, who sits on the Plan Commission, echoed Compton's concerns. "When it comes to the neighbors, all the questions have not been answered," he said. The parking variance and rezoning request is expected to come before the council on Jan. 17, with a second reading and public hearing at the Feb. 7 council meeting. gswiercz@gannett.com (c)2022 the South Bend Tribune (South Bend, Ind.) Visit the South Bend Tribune (South Bend, Ind.) at www.southbendtribune.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. (Tribune News Service) An 89-year-old Army veteran said he had no choice but to run 100 yards and beat two pit bulls with a stick as they mauled a North Carolina woman after killing his loving miniature schnauzer. I had to, Dallas Campbell of the rural Enochville community in Rowan County, N.C., told The Charlotte Observer. I had to lay down afterward, but I had no choice. If what he did to save the woman keeps someone else from getting bit, it was worth it, he said. The woman, a family friend, was walking 2- to 3-year-old Kalee on a leash as she did every day at 2 p.m. when Dallas Campbell leaves for cancer-related radiation treatment, his son told the Observer. On Jan. 6, the pit bulls dashed from a cypress row on Cavin Lane and attacked Kalee then bit the woman in one of her arms and her legs as she clutched the terrified pooch in her arms, retired Air Force Lt. Col. Christoper Doc Campbell of Richmond, Va., said. The woman managed to call Dallas Campbell during the attack, his son said. Help me! Help me! the woman screamed into the phone, Christopher Campbell said. While on the phone with her, Dallas Campbell walked outside and saw the woman across a field. With a family friend, he ran as fast as he could to the scene, he told the Observer. One of the dogs was tearing that woman up, and I had to get it off her, he said. He picked up a thin stick and repeatedly swatted the dog, but when the dog finally relented, it returned to attack again, he said. Dallas Campbell kept hitting the dog with the stick, he said After a good strike on the dog, both pit bulls finally scampered away, Christopher Campbell said. The woman walking Kalee spent several days in a hospital. The injuries to her arm alone were worse than wounds he saw while serving in Afghanistan, Christopher Campbell said. She lost part of a foot and faces multiple surgeries on her arms and legs, he said. Animal control returned to the scene on Saturday, after Christopher Campbell said he posted about the incident that morning. He said the dogs were seized, but animal control hasnt told the family if the dogs were euthanized or are still impounded. Rowan County sheriffs Major John Sifford referred questions about the case to animal control, but no one at the department returned phone messages left by the Observer. Always a hero Christopher Campbell said hed long considered his dad a hero. In the 1950s, Dallas Campbell served in a branch of the Army that was the precursor to the present-day National Security Agency, his son said. Long after his service and back home in Rowan County in 1965, he and others founded Enochville Fire & Rescue less than a quarter mile from the Jan. 6 pit bull attack. Dallas Campbell told the Observer he served as Enochville fire chief for 30 years. He ran into burning homes, Christopher Campbell said. From 1977 until he retired in 1996, Dallas Campbell also operated Dals Bread and Bolts, a general store started by his father in the 1920s or early 30s as E.B. Smiths Grill. The store had a gas pump and a butcher shop outside, Christopher Campbell said. After retiring, Dallas Campbell still owned the building and leased it. Christopher Campbell said it took 45 minutes for an ambulance to arrive, despite the attack happening less than a quarter mile from Enochville Fire & Rescue. The squad doesnt have an ambulance, fire Chief Taylor Barnes told the Observer on Wednesday. Such 911 calls are routed to Rowan County EMS, he said. Barnes said Rowan EMS is so short-staffed due to COVID that the agency has had to call in FEMA crews to help. Rowan County EMS Division Chief T.J. Brown did not respond to a phone message from the Observer on Tuesday. Heartbroken over Kalee Referring to the attack by the pit bulls, Christopher Campbell, 62, said his parents are both heartbroken. They had Kalee for two years and loved her gentle nature, he said. Kalee died Friday night at a veterinarians, he said. She was the sweetest dog, Christopher Campbell said, mentioning a previous dog his parents had that was more difficult to handle. Never met anyone she didnt love. 2022 The Charlotte Observer. Visit charlotteobserver.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. 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. Last year saw a bat crowned New Zealand bird of the year and just like the long-tailed bat, a Tauranga based cider maker has broken the mold in their respective prizegiving. The Cider Factorie in Te Puna saw their Perfect Pear 2018 bottle-fermented cider crowned Champion Cider for 2021 at the New Zealand Fruit Wine & Cider Awards the first time a perry has scooped top prize since the awards inception in 1984. Cider maker Simon Pearce explains what makes the cider special is the methode traditionnelle technique in which it is made. Its made, in a way, like champagne, explains Simon. It is fermented and matured in a seasoned oak barrel for a few months and then it goes into its bottle where it is fermented again. It remains in that bottle for a few years where it develops its flavours. Once it is ready for drinking there is yeast sediment in the bottle and that gets popped out and topped up and you have a naturally clear sparkling cider. Head judge Merophy Hyslop says they simply could not look beyond the Tauranga submission when choosing New Zealands best. We just kept coming back to it, says Merophy. It had a really nice texture, lovely bubbles, good complexity and length. Its not easy to create pear cider you need some real skill to be able to make a cider like that. The process, Simon explains, is quite intense. However, the end result is a reflection of his hard work and the skills he has learned over the years. It is very different, he states. Certainly is a very, specialised product, very labour intensive and a labour of love. It is a challenge to use all my experience and techniques I have learned to produce something. Away from the prestigious perry, Simons personal post-work drop among the dozen or so on offer is the hop-infused apple cider. Other popular indulgences this summer include a mojito cider and a seasonal blueberry flavour their newest brew. That is the flavour of this summer, says Simon. Its very different and is proving really popular. The Cider Factorie began back in 2013. By 2015 they had opened a tasting room before opening the restaurant they occupy today in 2017. A team of about 12 have worked tirelessly to produce the award winning tipple and Simon is still taken aback at the accolade. It is great to have that recognition and very unexpected, he says. It is a boost for our team to say what we are doing is pretty good and to showcase that to our local population. Former Otumoetai College student Tazmyn Newman is hot footing it over to Australia on Monday to study the subject of her dreams: dance. Theres nothing I would be rather doing in life. The 18-year-old has battled the challenges that face many young people currently - both the cost of further education and current travel restrictions due to the global pandemic. She managed to get to Sydney to do a live audition at the school of her choice, Ettingshausens Pro in Sydney, one of Australias leading elite dance training faculties. She was the only New Zealander at the audition. Fortunately, the live audition occurred when the Trans-Tasman bubble was open, so I flew to Sydney to audition in person at Ettinghausens. The audition process consisted of dance classes throughout the day with interviews at the end. Tazmyn was accepted to study for a Diploma in Dance which consists of dancing weekly full-time hours, and practical and theory assessments. She won a scholarship to fund part of the course, and saved for the additional money herself by leaving Otumoetai College earlier to work in a cafe, as well as teaching dance. I saved my own money by completing NCEA Level 3 in June of 2021 so that I could dedicate the rest of the year to working full time and save up for the big move. Ive worked at Bean & Gone cafe in Aspire Gym for the last six months and when possible, I would teach some of the younger students their competition work at my studio KJ Studios. Shes not letting the pandemic get in her way either, although current restrictions mean her mum Brenda cannot travel with her to Sydney on Monday as originally planned. Mum and I are both aware that a potential outcome will be having to stay in Aussie for longer than originally anticipated, or I may not be able to come home during term holidays as I may have liked. It would be a lie to say we arent worried, however theres no point in letting that worry get in the way of anything and well cross any bridges when they get here should we need to. Tazmyn, who has been studying dance since she was three years old, has always been drawn to the discipline. I love everything about it from the training, feeling of moving, the freedom & expression, the friendships, the discipline, the fun involved and the list could go on. At the end of the day it just feels so good to move and perform, the feeling is unmatched. After completing her diploma, she would love to work on cruise ships. Nothing brings me more joy than the thought of living on the water, travelling the world, while dancing and performing for a live audience. Her ultimate dream is to own her own dance studio and work with young aspiring dancers. She cites Kelsey Andrew as her inspiration, a Tauranga dance teacher and owner of KJ Studios. Shes the most creative, talented, hardest worker in the room, and if it wasnt for her constant belief I wouldnt be in this position right now. Im constantly inspired by people all around the studio too without them probably ever realising. The younger dancers passion and genuine love for dance always inspires me, and all the teachers will always be people I look up to. Two former and besties of mine, John Tetley-Jones and Deija Vukona always inspire me to work harder and follow my dream, just like they have. There are five new community cases of Covid-19 in the Bay of Plenty today with 28 across the nation. All five of these cases are in the Tauranga area. Four of these cases are close contacts of previously reported cases and interviews continue to determine a link for the fifth case. All cases are isolating at home or in managed accommodation. There are also two further cases in Rotorua today. Both cases are linked to previously reported cases and are isolating at home or in managed accommodation. There are currently four people in Tauranga hospital with Covid-19, one of which remains in ICU or HDU. As well as the 28 community cases across New Zealand today there are 13 people at the border with Covid-19. New Zealand continues to see many border cases arriving from overseas, reflecting the growing number of Omicron cases globally, says a MOH statement. The seven-day rolling average of border cases is 29. Capital and Coast will become the first DHB area to reach the 90 per cent fully vaccinated milestone for Maori today. When the regions clinics closed for the day yesterday, they were only 32 second doses short and theyre expected to reach this significant milestone at some point today. Not far behind in reaching 90 per cent fully vaccinated for their eligible Maori populations are Canterbury and Auckland DHBs, who may get there next week. Forty two percent of the population currently eligible have now received their booster shot. We are strongly recommending boosters for anyone over the age of 18 who had their second vaccine dose at least four months ago, says a MOH spokesperson. Vaccination remains our key defence against all variants of Covid-19 including Omicron. Covid-19 vaccine update Vaccines administered to date (percentage of eligible people): 3,985,095 first doses (95%); 3,886,724 second doses (92%); 33,993 third primary doses; 637,058 booster doses Vaccines administered yesterday: 1,437 first doses; 3,842 second doses; 630 third primary doses and 41,853 booster doses. Maori (percentage of eligible people): 504,769 first doses (88%); 472,228 second doses (83%). Pacific Peoples (percentage of eligible people): 273,461 first doses (95%); 263,598 second doses (92%). Vaccination rates by DHB with active cases (percentage of eligible people) Northland DHB: First doses (89%); second doses (85%) Auckland Metro DHBs: First doses (96%); second doses (95%) Waikato DHB: First doses (94%); second doses (91%) Bay of Plenty DHB: First doses (94%); second doses (91%) Lakes DHB: First doses (92%); second doses (89%) Taranaki DHB: First doses (94%); second doses (91%) Tairawhiti DHB: First doses (92%); second doses (87%) Hawkes Bay DHB: First doses (95%); second doses (92%) Wairarapa DHB: First doses (95%); second doses (93%) Capital and Coast DHB: First doses (98%); second doses (96%) Hutt Valley DHB: First doses (96%); second doses (94%) Canterbury DHB: First doses (98%); second doses (96%) Hospitalisations Cases in hospital: 34; North Shore: 4; Auckland: 8; Middlemore: 17; Tauranga: 4; Waikato 1 Vaccination status of current hospitalisations (Northern Region wards only): Unvaccinated or not eligible (25 cases / 61%); partially immunised <7 days from second dose or have only received one dose (1 case / 2%); fully vaccinated at least 7 days before being reported as a case (15 cases / 37%). Average age of current hospitalisations: 49 Cases in ICU or HDU: 2; Middlemore: 1; Tauranga: 1 Cases Seven day rolling average of community cases: 30 Seven day rolling average of border cases: 29 Number of new community cases: 28 Number of new cases identified at the border: 13 Location of new community cases: Auckland (9), Waikato (3), Bay of Plenty (5), Lakes (2), Wairarapa (4), Hutt Valley (2), Canterbury (3), Number of community cases (total): 11,236 (in current community outbreak) Cases epidemiologically linked (total): 8,513 Number of active cases (total): 639 (cases identified in the past 21 days and not yet classified as recovered) Confirmed cases (total): 14,512 Contacts Number of active contacts being managed (total): 4,733 Percentage who has received an outbound call from contact tracers (to confirm testing and isolation requirements): 82% Percentage who has returned at least one result: 80% Tests Number of tests total (last 24 hours): 16,990 Tests rolling average (last 7 days): 15,208 Auckland tests total (last 24 hours): 5,556 Wastewater There has been a wastewater detection in Kawerau, in the Bay of Plenty on 10 January. NZ COVID Tracer Poster scans in the 24 hours to midday yesterday: 2,419,339 Manual diary entries in the 24 hours to midday: 43,460 My Vaccine Pass My vaccine pass downloads total: 4,757,806 My vaccine pass downloads (last 24 hours): 15,540 New cases identified at the border Arrival date From Via Positive test day/reason Managed isolation/quarantine location 3 January Sri Lanka United Arab Emirates Day 8 / routine Auckland 5 January Australia Direct Day 5 / routine Auckland 5 January India United Arab Emirates Day 5 / routine Auckland 6 January United States of America Direct Day 5 / routine Auckland 6 January United States of America Direct Day 5 / routine Auckland 7 January Australia Direct Day 3 / routine Auckland 7 January Australia Direct Day 3 / routine Auckland 7 January Singapore Direct Day 3 / routine Auckland 7 January Brazil United Arab Emirates Day 3 / routine Auckland 8 January Israel Turkey and Singapore Day 3 / routine Auckland 9 January United States of America Direct Day 1 / routine Auckland 9 January Australia Direct Day 1 / routine Auckland 11 January Great Britain United Arab Emirates Day 0 / routine Auckland COVID tracer app notifications An intermittent technical issue for with the Covid Tracer mobile phone notification system has meant that some notifications to individuals who have scanned into a location of interest recently have been delayed by around 24 hours, but notifications have now been sent. The issue affected recent notifications sent out about some of the larger festivals in the past two weeks. The Ministry's locations of interest page is updated each day and the Ministry recommends it should be regularly checked by the public. The issue has now been resolved. Todays cases There are also new community cases today in Auckland, Waikato, Hutt, Wairarapa and Canterbury. Regional updates We are continuing to ask anyone in New Zealand with symptoms no matter how mild to get tested, even if youre vaccinated. Please stay at home until you return a negative test result. We are also asking people to regularly check the locations of interest as these are regularly updated and to follow the advice provided. Testing and vaccination centre locations nationwide can be found on the Healthpoint website. Please also continue to check for any updated Locations of Interest and appropriate health advice, updated regularly on the Ministrys website. Auckland There are 9 cases to report in Auckland today. Health and welfare providers are now supporting 878 people in the region to isolate at home, including 180 cases. Waikato There are three new cases in Waikato today, two are linked to previous cases and one is under investigation. One is in Ngaruawahia, one in Whiritoa and one with location under investigation. Two new locations of interest were confirmed in Whitianga and Hamilton and will be added to the Ministrys locations of interest page. Pop-up testing sites are operating in Te Kuiti, Taumarunui, Tokoroa, Otorohanga, Putaruru, Ngaruawahia, Huntly, Hamilton and Whangamata today. For details of all dedicated testing sites including other general practices, please visit the DHBs website. Public Health staff in the region, together with primary care and manaaki providers are supporting 30 cases to isolate at home. Wairarapa There are four cases to report in South Wairarapa today. All four cases are isolating in the same house. These four cases have links to two new cases in Lower Hutt, which are detailed below. Hutt Valley The two Lower Hutt cases are from the same household. The two cases in Lower Hutt had been in Rotorua recently and further investigations and genome sequencing is underway to confirm the source of infection. Public health staff are working to determine any locations of interest arising from the cases in Hutt Valley and Wairarapa. Please keep checking the Ministrys website for regular updates Canterbury Today we are reporting three new cases in Canterbury all are household contacts in Christchurch. One of these cases is one we initially reported yesterday it is being officially added to our case numbers today. Two are linked to a previously reported case. The third remains under investigation. There will be further locations of interest from around Canterbury, following travel over the holiday break. These will be updated regularly, along with health advice, on the Ministrys locations of interest page. Note that locations of interest reflect where cases of Covid-19 have been, which is not always where these cases live. Over the past 40 years, Sunrise has grown, evolved, and innovated to become the iconic brand and industry leader you know today. Weve achieved this thanks to the hard work of our incredible, passionate team who live our mission, and by collecting, listening to, and adapting based on customer feedback - meeting their personal needs is what we are all about. We encourage you to check out this 40 Years of Sunrise Milestone Video to see the Sunrise journey and celebrate just some of the ways weve innovated through the years. Even with all of the advances and industry-firsts we have driven in the past four decades, staying true to our foundational mission to champion quality of life for all seniors and staying grounded in our principles is key to continuing to provide a deeply personalized experience to each resident and helping ensure their journey with Sunrise is a wonderful one. Unique, high-quality, resident-centered care has been a cornerstone of the Sunrise Senior Living brand since founders Paul Klaassen and Terry Klaassen opened the doors of the very first Sunrise in 1981. Opening our first community and actually living side-by-side with residents remains one of the most poignant and meaningful experiences of my life, said Terry. In getting to know and befriend each resident personally by engaging in conversation and activities, and sharing meals with them, we really got to understand their wants and needs. It is those personal connections that inspired us to write down and commit to a set of foundational principles and establish the mission to champion quality of life for all seniors, which has now guided the company for more than four decades. That commitment to the individual resident is something Sunrise remains passionate about still today and is brought to life across every community by our team of more than 22,000 serving hearts. We believe real happiness and joy come from serving others. We take pride in delivering high-quality care with a personal touch. We are committed to being a team residents can rely on not just to meet their needs, but with whom they can build personal connections and help bring meaning and purpose to their days. We continuously work to enhance the Sunrise experience based on feedback and by seeking new service offerings, technologies and resources that will ensure our high standards of quality shine through every part of the Sunrise lifestyle from our programming and activities, to individualized care plans, and evidenced-based approach to support memory loss, to amenities, community design, top-notch dining, and so much more. The Sunrise name itself is a reminder that each day provides a new opportunity to shine a light on the best in life, whatever the age or stage of our residents. Today, we are pleased to have in place a strong team of leaders who embrace Sunrises foundational history, mission, and principles as they drive strategic growth for a bright future, furthering the brand to help bring Sunrise to even more seniors and their families. I whole-heartedly believe great brands develop and maintain their differentiation through first leaning into what already makes them a tremendous value to their customers, and that is certainly the case with Sunrise., said new Chief Marketing Officer Maria Davlantes. Along with my fellow leaders and team members, I am so excited to help further develop the Sunrise story, seek opportunities to expand our impact, and help many more families experience the Sunrise difference. Terry Klaassen, too, is excited to see what the future holds for Sunrise. Its incredible to look back at where we began, setting out to help provide a comfortable home and personalized care to just a few families," said Terry. Today, to see how Sunrise has pioneered a personalized approach to senior care across the industry and truly set the gold-standard in senior living warms my heart and fulfills me in ways I never could have imagined. I cannot thank the Sunrise team of serving hearts enough for continuing to bring our vision to life and reinforcing the Sunrise legacy now and into the future. Reflections from Jack & Paul - Our Mission In honor of our 40th Anniversary, our co-founder, Paul Klaassen, recently sat down for a special fireside chat with our Chief Executive Officer, Jack Callison. They reflected on the strength of Sunrises mission and the countless lives that have been touched by our principles of service throughout the past 40 years. Watch Paul and Jack reflect on how Sunrise has stayed true to our foundational roots of championing quality of life for all seniors. A Message from cofounder Paul Klaassen Celebrating Individuality Providing a truly personalized experience is core to our offering as we recognize that every Sunrise resident has a life story that should be honored through our service. In the video below, Paul shares a story about Howard, one of the first Sunrise residents, and how the principle of celebrating individuality positively impacts everyones experience at Sunrise. Get website access for only 99 per month for the first 3 months, then $8.50 a month after. Cancel anytime! Unlimited website access 24/7 Unlimited e-Edition access 24/7 The best local, regional and national news in sports, politics, business and more! With a Digital Only subscription, you'll receive unlimited access to our website and e-Edition. Our digital products are available 24/7 and are accessible anywhere, anytime. Unlimited website access 24/7 Unlimited e-Edition access 24/7 The best local, regional and national news in sports, politics, business and more! With a Digital Only subscription, you'll receive unlimited access to our website and e-Edition. Our digital products are available 24/7 and are accessible anywhere, anytime. 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Once the email address is confirmed please provide your Account Number to activate your Print Subscription Service. 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 && 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. Seminole, FL (33772) Today Partly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 83F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight A few clouds. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low around 70F. Winds light and variable. Thank you for Reading! Please log in, or sign up for a new account and Purchase a Subscription to continue reading. Hayek Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Bombay Posts: 1,568 Thanked: 10,779 Times Re: Hayek's Road Trips - A Southern India Sojourn Day 2 Poona to Bangalore There are times when before a long drive, I find it difficult to get sleep. But fortunately, on this occasion, I managed to sleep very well waking up at 405 am, just before my alarm clock was scheduled to go off. I need my morning coffee to get me going, and the staff at the Restaurant had told me that room service would be able to get me a Cappuccino early in the morning. However, on calling them, I was told the Coffee Machine was out for a cleaning and hence had to make do with a Nescafe from the sachet that had been placed in my room. At any rate, I was ready by 4:55, having settled my bills, loaded the luggage in the car, and all set to go. The initial stretch of the Poona bypass had streetlights, and very light traffic and so progress was smooth, barring for the road works having now moved ahead of me. But after about 6-7 kms, the streetlights went off, and I gradually started getting used to driving in pitch dark roads. Fortunately, there was a Blue Safari being driven very well ahead of me, and I decided to just follow in his tracks, which made my night driving a lot easier. One challenge once we crossed the city bypass limits was the inconsistent road quality you had smooth roads punctuated by sudden potholes, and I did end up with a wheel in some of them with a bone jarring noise that sent shivers through my spine. The only positive about these is they made whatever residual sleepiness I may have had disappear in a trace. By 5:35, I was at the Khed Shivpur toll plaza, and while getting through it was easy, my friend the Safari driver disappeared, and it was left to me to thread my way through the truck traffic. I must say that some tinges of fear did cross my mind at this stage from time to time, I had no other vehicles around me and I was alone in my car. And then I spotted the reflective jackets of some of Punes intrepid cyclists who were out and about already and any such fears faded away. Climbing up and down the Khambatki Ghat in pitch darkness was an interesting experience. But I must say that, I have never had such a smooth and fast ride through all these stretches, I crossed the Anewadi toll by 6:30 and as daylight broke, I was already at Satara. As long as one of ADAGs potholes dont blow a tire, leaving Poona at 5 am makes immense sense. As I crossed Satara and headed toward Kolhapur, the road surface became super smooth, and combined with better lighting, my average pace started to rise. The outside temperature was a crisp 13.5 C and the BMW seemed to enjoy driving in such conditions. There were occasional fog banks but nothing too severe which hampered my journey. My sister-in-law had started from Kolhapur around this time, and was tracking approximately 1 hour ahead of me. Finally, around 7:40, a little more than 2 and a half hours after I started, I spotted a Vithal Kamats (about 30 km before Kolhapur) and decided to stop for a well-earned breakfast. The MID showed I had averaged 81 kmph, without ever driving much above 110 till this point in time. After a delicious breakfast (yes a Misal Pav plus a Batata Wada is a bit much for one person) and filter coffee, I set off again. Fortunately, the traffic had not picked up as yet, and very soon, I was on the bridge which marks the border between Maharashtra and Karnataka. My in laws had passed this point without being stopped, but there were KA cops around who flagged me down, and let me pass after a cursory glance at my RT PCR test certificate. Roads in Karnataka were not as super smooth as usual perhaps due to the floods shortly after my Goa trip in July, but progress was still rapid. A little after crossing the Hattargi Toll Naka, I noticed that there was an increased police presence, and slowed my pace down a little bit. Shortly after passing the turnoff for Belgaum city, I spotted a magnificent building on the left this is the Suvarna Vidhan Soudha (image source: Wikipedia), and it turned out that the winter session of the KA assembly was on. There was some traffic due to the security checks being conducted as very politicians and other hangers on were turning off towards the building, but I was soon past that point, and free to resume making rapid progress. I had been impressed by the quality of the Kognoli Belgaum stretch of NH 48 on my first trip to Goa back in 2011, and that positive impression had been reinforced in each of my subsequent trips in 2018, 2020 and 2021. But once I crossed this stretch, I realized that if Kognoli to Belgaum was good, Belgaum to Dharwad was even better. North Karnataka may be thinly populated, but the state has done a lot to build infrastructure here. As I approached Dharwad, there were signs for the Dharwad bench of the Karnataka High Court and IIT Dharwad (I must admit, I did not know there is an IIT in Dharwad). Just before Dharwad town at about 1030 am, I spotted an Indian Oil COCO outlet, and stopped for refuelling diesel, and a bio break. Refuelling in Karnataka was a pleasant surprise I had paid over Rs. 94 per litre at the start of my journey in Bombay, and here, I was able to tank up at Rs. 84.78 per litre. Wonder why Karnataka folks crib about being highly taxed! You guys have superb infrastructure, and low taxes. Shortly after my fuel break, I passed the IIT Dharwad campus on the left, and then saw the highway curve right to a toll booth for the Hubli bypass. I had been warned about this stretch from Team BHP threads but seeing a single carriageway with such heavy traffic brought back a ton of bad memories to me. This is a road right out of the 1990s the era before Atal Behari Vajpayee started building the Golden Quadrilateral. It is downright criminal that such as road exists in this day and age. Even back in the mid-1990s, when I drove down in my parents Maruti 800 to Poona, we used to have occasional 4 lane stretches which provided safe opportunities for passing. This single carriageway is in the midst of stretches with 3 lanes each way, there no passing lanes at all, and the slow truckers dont seem to have heard of the idea that they should pull over and let faster vehicles through. The only consolation was that I had 190 horses and 400 NM of torque under my belt, and was able to leave gaps to the vehicle ahead of me, spot gaps on the other side of the median, and accelerate my way through. I dare saw seeing a BMW in their mirrors probably also made the vehicles ahead of me less likely to try a passing move of their own before me. I believe I drove safely but fast and fortunately, this stretch lasted just over 30 km. There was a massive line of parked trucks beyond the toll booth at the other end of this corridor, but I was soon past them, and turning right back onto a superlative 3 lane stretch heading towards Southern Karnataka. The next 350 kms were without doubt the best stretch of road I have driven on in India ever. Or at least since the days in the late 1990s when the brand new Bombay Poona expressway had just been inaugurated. 3 lanes each way, super smooth surface, proper lane markings, barriers that prevented local traffic from entering wherever they felt like, service lanes so that scooters do not occupy the highway all of these were present in this stretch. My average moving speed would have been close to 110 kmph with peak speeds of not much more than that through most of this section. Just around 1235, I saw signs for the Apoorva Resorts Davangere which was on the other side of the road. I debated taking an exit to get to the other side to make a lunch halt, but realized that I had 8 Teplas and some fruit with me and decided to instead stop after the next toll plaza and eat lunch in my car. The Selfie ... which triggered this catch up Posted a selfie with my location at the Heballu toll plaza (same name as a notorious for traffic jams Bangalore locality) and realized that my sister in law and her husband, who stopped for lunch at a Cafe Coffee Day a little earlier were now just getting there. Indeed felt great to catch up with them in the middle of the highway especially as I had been a long way behind them till they stopped. After a delightful reunion, and polishing off the Teplas, we were on our way again. The rest of our family, who were visiting relatives in South Bangalore, suddenly realized that we were way ahead of schedule we had anticipated reaching Bangalore in time for dinner by 8 PM or thereabouts, but by 2:40, we had crossed Tumkur and were on the final stretch towards Bangalore. Peak Speed - Just before Tumkur The stretch of road from Tumkur to next toll plaza (Kulumapalya) near Neelamangala town was the worst stretch of the entire journey, road surface wise, it was as bad as the worst bits of Poona Satara, was 4 lane, and had heavy traffic. My average moving speed from Poona onwards as shown on my MID peaked at 91.3 kmph just before this stretch, but started trending inexorably downward after that. Despite the poor road surface, I had crossed Neelamangala by 3:10, and now was clearly in Bangalore city traffic. Bangalore traffic was not as bad as it can be, and at just after 4 PM exactly 11 hours after starting from Poona, I entered the Vivanta on Residency Road. My family, who had started from Bannerghata Road around the time I was at Neelamangala had not yet reached the hotel. Final Journey Stats It was indeed an amazing journey and tells you how doable long-distance drives are if you have good infrastructure. I was not very tired at the end of it and had reached in 3 hours less than what Google Maps had estimated. We had some friends of ours coming over for dinner later that evening and I had enough and more time to rest and freshen up before they turned up. Dinner that night was at Shiros in the UB City Mall I was quite shocked to see how crowded the mall was. Yes it was Christmas eve, but in my experience, Bombay malls were certainly not as crowded as UB City was that evening. I had hoped to wrap dinner up very early but it longer than expected, and it was well past 10 PM by the time we were ready to settle down. I had been keen on another super early start the next morning but we decided to postpone our start to 6 am given the circumstances. There are times when before a long drive, I find it difficult to get sleep. But fortunately, on this occasion, I managed to sleep very well waking up at 405 am, just before my alarm clock was scheduled to go off. I need my morning coffee to get me going, and the staff at the Restaurant had told me that room service would be able to get me a Cappuccino early in the morning. However, on calling them, I was told the Coffee Machine was out for a cleaning and hence had to make do with a Nescafe from the sachet that had been placed in my room. At any rate, I was ready by 4:55, having settled my bills, loaded the luggage in the car, and all set to go.The initial stretch of the Poona bypass had streetlights, and very light traffic and so progress was smooth, barring for the road works having now moved ahead of me. But after about 6-7 kms, the streetlights went off, and I gradually started getting used to driving in pitch dark roads. Fortunately, there was a Blue Safari being driven very well ahead of me, and I decided to just follow in his tracks, which made my night driving a lot easier. One challenge once we crossed the city bypass limits was the inconsistent road quality you had smooth roads punctuated by sudden potholes, and I did end up with a wheel in some of them with a bone jarring noise that sent shivers through my spine. The only positive about these is they made whatever residual sleepiness I may have had disappear in a trace.By 5:35, I was at the Khed Shivpur toll plaza, and while getting through it was easy, my friend the Safari driver disappeared, and it was left to me to thread my way through the truck traffic. I must say that some tinges of fear did cross my mind at this stage from time to time, I had no other vehicles around me and I was alone in my car. And then I spotted the reflective jackets of some of Punes intrepid cyclists who were out and about already and any such fears faded away. Climbing up and down the Khambatki Ghat in pitch darkness was an interesting experience. But I must say that, I have never had such a smooth and fast ride through all these stretches, I crossed the Anewadi toll by 6:30 and as daylight broke, I was already at Satara. As long as one of ADAGs potholes dont blow a tire, leaving Poona at 5 am makes immense sense.As I crossed Satara and headed toward Kolhapur, the road surface became super smooth, and combined with better lighting, my average pace started to rise. The outside temperature was a crisp 13.5 C and the BMW seemed to enjoy driving in such conditions. There were occasional fog banks but nothing too severe which hampered my journey. My sister-in-law had started from Kolhapur around this time, and was tracking approximately 1 hour ahead of me.Finally, around 7:40, a little more than 2 and a half hours after I started, I spotted a Vithal Kamats (about 30 km before Kolhapur) and decided to stop for a well-earned breakfast. The MID showed I had averaged 81 kmph, without ever driving much above 110 till this point in time.After a delicious breakfast (yes a Misal Pav plus a Batata Wada is a bit much for one person) and filter coffee, I set off again. Fortunately, the traffic had not picked up as yet, and very soon, I was on the bridge which marks the border between Maharashtra and Karnataka. My in laws had passed this point without being stopped, but there were KA cops around who flagged me down, and let me pass after a cursory glance at my RT PCR test certificate.Roads in Karnataka were not as super smooth as usual perhaps due to the floods shortly after my Goa trip in July, but progress was still rapid. A little after crossing the Hattargi Toll Naka, I noticed that there was an increased police presence, and slowed my pace down a little bit. Shortly after passing the turnoff for Belgaum city, I spotted a magnificent building on the left this is the Suvarna Vidhan Soudha (image source: Wikipedia), and it turned out that the winter session of the KA assembly was on. There was some traffic due to the security checks being conducted as very politicians and other hangers on were turning off towards the building, but I was soon past that point, and free to resume making rapid progress.I had been impressed by the quality of the Kognoli Belgaum stretch of NH 48 on my first trip to Goa back in 2011, and that positive impression had been reinforced in each of my subsequent trips in 2018, 2020 and 2021. But once I crossed this stretch, I realized that if Kognoli to Belgaum was good, Belgaum to Dharwad was even better. North Karnataka may be thinly populated, but the state has done a lot to build infrastructure here. As I approached Dharwad, there were signs for the Dharwad bench of the Karnataka High Court and IIT Dharwad (I must admit, I did not know there is an IIT in Dharwad). Just before Dharwad town at about 1030 am, I spotted an Indian Oil COCO outlet, and stopped for refuelling diesel, and a bio break. Refuelling in Karnataka was a pleasant surprise I had paid over Rs. 94 per litre at the start of my journey in Bombay, and here, I was able to tank up at Rs. 84.78 per litre. Wonder why Karnataka folks crib about being highly taxed! You guys have superb infrastructure, and low taxes.Shortly after my fuel break, I passed the IIT Dharwad campus on the left, and then saw the highway curve right to a toll booth for the Hubli bypass. I had been warned about this stretch from Team BHP threads but seeing a single carriageway with such heavy traffic brought back a ton of bad memories to me. This is a road right out of the 1990s the era before Atal Behari Vajpayee started building the Golden Quadrilateral. It is downright criminal that such as road exists in this day and age. Even back in the mid-1990s, when I drove down in my parents Maruti 800 to Poona, we used to have occasional 4 lane stretches which provided safe opportunities for passing. This single carriageway is in the midst of stretches with 3 lanes each way, there no passing lanes at all, and the slow truckers dont seem to have heard of the idea that they should pull over and let faster vehicles through. The only consolation was that I had 190 horses and 400 NM of torque under my belt, and was able to leave gaps to the vehicle ahead of me, spot gaps on the other side of the median, and accelerate my way through. I dare saw seeing a BMW in their mirrors probably also made the vehicles ahead of me less likely to try a passing move of their own before me. I believe I drove safely but fast and fortunately, this stretch lasted just over 30 km. There was a massive line of parked trucks beyond the toll booth at the other end of this corridor, but I was soon past them, and turning right back onto a superlative 3 lane stretch heading towards Southern Karnataka.The next 350 kms were without doubt the best stretch of road I have driven on in India ever. Or at least since the days in the late 1990s when the brand new Bombay Poona expressway had just been inaugurated. 3 lanes each way, super smooth surface, proper lane markings, barriers that prevented local traffic from entering wherever they felt like, service lanes so that scooters do not occupy the highway all of these were present in this stretch. My average moving speed would have been close to 110 kmph with peak speeds of not much more than that through most of this section. Just around 1235, I saw signs for the Apoorva Resorts Davangere which was on the other side of the road. I debated taking an exit to get to the other side to make a lunch halt, but realized that I had 8 Teplas and some fruit with me and decided to instead stop after the next toll plaza and eat lunch in my car.Posted a selfie with my location at the Heballu toll plaza (same name as a notorious for traffic jams Bangalore locality) and realized that my sister in law and her husband, who stopped for lunch at a Cafe Coffee Day a little earlier were now just getting there. Indeed felt great to catch up with them in the middle of the highway especially as I had been a long way behind them till they stopped. After a delightful reunion, and polishing off the Teplas, we were on our way again. The rest of our family, who were visiting relatives in South Bangalore, suddenly realized that we were way ahead of schedule we had anticipated reaching Bangalore in time for dinner by 8 PM or thereabouts, but by 2:40, we had crossed Tumkur and were on the final stretch towards Bangalore.The stretch of road from Tumkur to next toll plaza (Kulumapalya) near Neelamangala town was the worst stretch of the entire journey, road surface wise, it was as bad as the worst bits of Poona Satara, was 4 lane, and had heavy traffic. My average moving speed from Poona onwards as shown on my MID peaked at 91.3 kmph just before this stretch, but started trending inexorably downward after that. Despite the poor road surface, I had crossed Neelamangala by 3:10, and now was clearly in Bangalore city traffic. Bangalore traffic was not as bad as it can be, and at just after 4 PM exactly 11 hours after starting from Poona, I entered the Vivanta on Residency Road. My family, who had started from Bannerghata Road around the time I was at Neelamangala had not yet reached the hotel.It was indeed an amazing journey and tells you how doable long-distance drives are if you have good infrastructure. I was not very tired at the end of it and had reached in 3 hours less than what Google Maps had estimated. We had some friends of ours coming over for dinner later that evening and I had enough and more time to rest and freshen up before they turned up. Dinner that night was at Shiros in the UB City Mall I was quite shocked to see how crowded the mall was. Yes it was Christmas eve, but in my experience, Bombay malls were certainly not as crowded as UB City was that evening. I had hoped to wrap dinner up very early but it longer than expected, and it was well past 10 PM by the time we were ready to settle down. I had been keen on another super early start the next morning but we decided to postpone our start to 6 am given the circumstances. Last edited by Hayek : 10th January 2022 at 12:11 . NovemberKing_91 BHPian Join Date: Jun 2021 Location: Vadodara Posts: 66 Thanked: 126 Times re: Vadodara to the White Rann of Kutch, via Dholavira | Tata Nexon Quote: NovemberKing_91 Originally Posted by Day 1 Day 2 29th of December began with early morning tea being served. While the hosts were cooking up Poha, we made acquaintances with the other families which had arrived there already. Our itinerary for the day was one that would take us to two unique geographical features, through one of the most scenic routes ever imaginable. At around 0945h, we were on our way towards the White Rann of Kutch, through the Rann of Kutch lake. This road is formally known as the Aadhav-Dholavira Road, more commonly, as the Road to Heaven. It is a 10 feet wide, under construction road that cuts across the lake joining the landmass near Khavda (where there is a petrol pump) to Dholavira. With water or dried sea bed, depending on the season, on either side, driving on this road is a pleasure to the senses. The dried sea bed is white, due to the salt and it is so close to the road that I could actually get down and touch it. Since it was not completely dried out, the land is a bit mushy and you will sink a bit, so any thoughts of taking your car on to the Rann at this place, kindly throw it out immediately. Anyway, through this amazing road we went and arrived at the Khavda petrol pump. Our car being the only petrol car waiting in line, got served quickly and we were on our way towards the White Rann, near the tent city of Dhordo. There is a road which borders the Rann, with absolute emptiness on either side from a little south of Khavda to effectively the gates of the White Rann, we found and took it. While the road surface is awesome and invites high speed driving, please be careful since it is also a single lane road and you have to move away from the road to the shoulder to give way for oncoming traffic, and the shoulder is a couple of inches below the tarmac, so caution is advised. There is a BSF checkpoint at the entrance to the White Rann where you must show your pass, which can be obtained online easily, or there itself at the checkpost. Past that, we arrived at the White Rann of Kutch. As far as the eyes could see, right upto the horizon, it is white. The entire ground is white with salt crystals and quite a bit of crowd around. Despite the crowd, the Rann is so huge and space is so plentiful, it is easily possible to avoid fellow humans in the background of the photos if so desired. There are options to go into the Rann upto a few kms using camel or horse drawn carriages. There seemed to be provisions of driving on the Rann too, but I was not interested in that, so didnt explore further. Toilet facilities are lacking at this spot. There is a toilet block nearby though, which is still in construction phase and lacks water supply, hence cleanliness. Toilets are available at the border check point and the tent city though, which should be accessible. Next up, we had a 85 kms long trip to the next destination. En route, we stopped at the location where the Tropic of Cancer passes through and took a few photos. Our destination was the Khari river canyon. This is a river canyon or gorge of sorts made by the Khari river. At its deepest, it is about 50 ft deep. While it is not as big as the famed river canyons, it is still an unique feature and a first for us, so naturally, we were thrilled to see it. We took photos to our hearts content and now, we turned back. En route, we had a quick lunch at a roadside dhaba and were looking at a drive of about 200 kms back to the resort. One can go back the way they came, across the lake, we took the conventional route through the outskirts of Bhuj, Rapar, Balasar to reach our destination. Off course, night fell before we were anywhere near the resort. The roads are quite empty, which, provide you the confidence of driving quickly, also make you wary of the surroundings. Uneventfully, thankfully, we arrived back at our resort. The place is so pristine and has such little light pollution, stars are visible even in the dashcams video. We went out for a bit, switched off our lights and got off to admire the beautiful skies around, could identify a couple of constellations, saw a shooting star, then we felt cold and could hear foxes close by. My wife, not being fond of furry things, pets or otherwise, urged me strongly, to get back in the car, and hence we returned to the resort. The second night, we stayed at the Flamingo resort, which was about 200m from the Khadir resort. The hosts are amazing and the fact that the stay at Flamingo caters to the residential school being run makes you feel good. After a hearty meal, we retired for the night. Next day, we would be visiting the nearly 5000 year old metropolis of Dholavira in the morning, and then drive back home to Vadodara. Long day ahead! 29th of December began with early morning tea being served. While the hosts were cooking up Poha, we made acquaintances with the other families which had arrived there already. Our itinerary for the day was one that would take us to two unique geographical features, through one of the most scenic routes ever imaginable.At around 0945h, we were on our way towards the White Rann of Kutch, through the Rann of Kutch lake. This road is formally known as the Aadhav-Dholavira Road, more commonly, as the Road to Heaven. It is a 10 feet wide, under construction road that cuts across the lake joining the landmass near Khavda (where there is a petrol pump) to Dholavira. With water or dried sea bed, depending on the season, on either side, driving on this road is a pleasure to the senses.The dried sea bed is white, due to the salt and it is so close to the road that I could actually get down and touch it. Since it was not completely dried out, the land is a bit mushy and you will sink a bit, so any thoughts of taking your car on to the Rann at this place, kindly throw it out immediately. Anyway, through this amazing road we went and arrived at the Khavda petrol pump.Our car being the only petrol car waiting in line, got served quickly and we were on our way towards the White Rann, near the tent city of Dhordo. There is a road which borders the Rann, with absolute emptiness on either side from a little south of Khavda to effectively the gates of the White Rann, we found and took it. While the road surface is awesome and invites high speed driving, please be careful since it is also a single lane road and you have to move away from the road to the shoulder to give way for oncoming traffic, and the shoulder is a couple of inches below the tarmac, so caution is advised. There is a BSF checkpoint at the entrance to the White Rann where you must show your pass, which can be obtained online easily, or there itself at the checkpost. Past that, we arrived at the White Rann of Kutch.As far as the eyes could see, right upto the horizon, it is white. The entire ground is white with salt crystals and quite a bit of crowd around. Despite the crowd, the Rann is so huge and space is so plentiful, it is easily possible to avoid fellow humans in the background of the photos if so desired. There are options to go into the Rann upto a few kms using camel or horse drawn carriages. There seemed to be provisions of driving on the Rann too, but I was not interested in that, so didnt explore further. Toilet facilities are lacking at this spot. There is a toilet block nearby though, which is still in construction phase and lacks water supply, hence cleanliness. Toilets are available at the border check point and the tent city though, which should be accessible.Next up, we had a 85 kms long trip to the next destination. En route, we stopped at the location where the Tropic of Cancer passes through and took a few photos.Our destination was the Khari river canyon. This is a river canyon or gorge of sorts made by the Khari river. At its deepest, it is about 50 ft deep. While it is not as big as the famed river canyons, it is still an unique feature and a first for us, so naturally, we were thrilled to see it. We took photos to our hearts content and now, we turned back.En route, we had a quick lunch at a roadside dhaba and were looking at a drive of about 200 kms back to the resort. One can go back the way they came, across the lake, we took the conventional route through the outskirts of Bhuj, Rapar, Balasar to reach our destination. Off course, night fell before we were anywhere near the resort. The roads are quite empty, which, provide you the confidence of driving quickly, also make you wary of the surroundings. Uneventfully, thankfully, we arrived back at our resort. The place is so pristine and has such little light pollution, stars are visible even in the dashcams video. We went out for a bit, switched off our lights and got off to admire the beautiful skies around, could identify a couple of constellations, saw a shooting star, then we felt cold and could hear foxes close by. My wife, not being fond of furry things, pets or otherwise, urged me strongly, to get back in the car, and hence we returned to the resort.The second night, we stayed at the Flamingo resort, which was about 200m from the Khadir resort. The hosts are amazing and the fact that the stay at Flamingo caters to the residential school being run makes you feel good. After a hearty meal, we retired for the night. Next day, we would be visiting the nearly 5000 year old metropolis of Dholavira in the morning, and then drive back home to Vadodara. Long day ahead! abhi_tjet BHPian Join Date: Jul 2020 Location: Pune Posts: 394 Thanked: 1,527 Times View My Garage re: My maiden road-trip to Himachal and Kashmir | Fiat Linea 15th November - Today was the most challenging day. Not in terms of kms, but in terms of terrain, traffic and road conditions. To use NH44, J&K traffic police provide daily updates on Twitter, you need to plan accordingly and pass Nagrota bypass after Jammu before 12 pm towards Srinagar. Dalhousie - Nagrota was a bit less than 200 kms but it showed minimum 5 hrs for the same. Accordingly, we had only 1 hour of buffer. I also didn't wanted to leave very early due to risk of driving in winding roads in dark. Sun rise only happens close to 7 am. We thought of staying at Jammu for worst case scenario. With above constraints, we left for Srinagar from Dalhousie at around 5:45 am. While putting our bags in car, I looked above and was amazed to see huge number of stars on the sky. I had never seen so much stars on sky since my childhood days when we used to live in smaller towns. Unfortunately, it was not getting captured on mobile cams. So, with image of a beautiful starry sky in our eyes and mind, we left for Srinagar. Odo shot. The roads once we took the short cut from Dhar Kalan was surprisingly good and lasted throughout Madhopur(Punjab/JK border) where we joined NH44 despite some construction work going on after Shahpur Kandi. Crossing to J&K TJET at the border We didn't stopped en-route for breakfast since we had to cross Nagrota before time limit and ate the delicious sandwiches provided by the Manimahesh staff on the go. This was a mistake since there are only couple of decent family restaurant on the way. If I am remembering correct, there are no petrol pumps between Udhampur - Qazigund section. We got the tank topped up at a HP bunk before Jammu. Similarly, for restaurants, we found 1 near Udhampur, but somehow wasn't able to stop and missed it. Accordingly, we managed with dry fruits, biscuits, etc which we had with us and only ate after reaching hotel at around 4:30 pm. We were able to cross Nagrota around 10 AM, if I am remembering it right. There are lots of construction going on after Udhampur till Banihal. It becomes monotonous after a while seeing barren lands, diversion, cliffs. It's all dusty with not much of shoulder to park or relax. Roads, however, throughout are above average and not bad. Things changed for better after Banihal tunnel. Landscapes, road quality change dramatically from Qazigund onwards. Army presence is overwhelming from Qazigund onwards and seem like we are in other country or place. They generally and randomly stop the traffic to let the army convoy pass. It was a very different experience. We also passed the section of NH44 which is prepared for emergency airplane landing. Traffic was usual once we enter Srinagar and we reached our destination of the day via Boulevard Road(circular road along Dal Lake) - Chasme Shahi huts by JKTDC. Chasmeshahi is a VIP area. Our hotel was just besides Raj Bhawan where Governor resides. There is thorough checking for tourist taxies and tourist since there are lots of tourist areas nearby such as Botanical garden, Chasmeshahi garden, Pari Mahal, etc. We had a stay at Chasmeshahi and we were let directly About hotel - A very safe location(one of the safest in Srinagar). The property though beautiful was showing its age. Staff was enthusiastic but service wasn't. No inhouse restaurant. There was a Zaiqa restaurant adjacent to the property run by JKTDC which is the go to place if you need anything. On our request, they brought the dinner to our place in a tiffin and not on a proper tray and cutlery. Also, restaurant only opens after 9 am and close by 5 pm something. Entrance Reception Parking Our cottage for the night Night/early morning view November is also kind of off-season for visiting Himalayan as we experienced while staying in various govt properties. You need to order dinner in advance. Since this is a VIP place, there is no food outlet or any establishment near by. You need to have your car to venture out. We had a light snacks of Bread/Butter along with tea at Zaiqa and it was sunset already. Srinagar was much more chilly than Himachal. Strolled around nearby Chasmeshahi garden and called it a day. 16th November Got up early next morning in anticipation of getting this message. I wasn't disappointed This warning is triggered when temperature falls to 3 or below 3 degree Celsius It stays on the display for a while. Today was the most challenging day. Not in terms of kms, but in terms of terrain, traffic and road conditions. To use NH44, J&K traffic police provide daily updates on Twitter, you need to plan accordingly and pass Nagrota bypass after Jammu before 12 pm towards Srinagar.Dalhousie - Nagrota was a bit less than 200 kms but it showed minimum 5 hrs for the same. Accordingly, we had only 1 hour of buffer. I also didn't wanted to leave very early due to risk of driving in winding roads in dark. Sun rise only happens close to 7 am. We thought of staying at Jammu for worst case scenario.With above constraints, we left for Srinagar from Dalhousie at around 5:45 am. While putting our bags in car, I looked above and was amazed to see huge number of stars on the sky. I had never seen so much stars on sky since my childhood days when we used to live in smaller towns. Unfortunately, it was not getting captured on mobile cams. So, with image of a beautiful starry sky in our eyes and mind, we left for Srinagar.The roads once we took the short cut from Dhar Kalan was surprisingly good and lasted throughout Madhopur(Punjab/JK border) where we joined NH44 despite some construction work going on after Shahpur Kandi.We didn't stopped en-route for breakfast since we had to cross Nagrota before time limit and ate the delicious sandwiches provided by the Manimahesh staff on the go. This was a mistake since there are only couple of decent family restaurant on the way. If I am remembering correct, there are no petrol pumps between Udhampur - Qazigund section. We got the tank topped up at a HP bunk before Jammu. Similarly, for restaurants, we found 1 near Udhampur, but somehow wasn't able to stop and missed it.Accordingly, we managed with dry fruits, biscuits, etc which we had with us and only ate after reaching hotel at around 4:30 pm.We were able to cross Nagrota around 10 AM, if I am remembering it right. There are lots of construction going on after Udhampur till Banihal. It becomes monotonous after a while seeing barren lands, diversion, cliffs. It's all dusty with not much of shoulder to park or relax. Roads, however, throughout are above average and not bad. Things changed for better after Banihal tunnel. Landscapes, road quality change dramatically from Qazigund onwards.Army presence is overwhelming from Qazigund onwards and seem like we are in other country or place. They generally and randomly stop the traffic to let the army convoy pass. It was a very different experience. We also passed the section of NH44 which is prepared for emergency airplane landing. Traffic was usual once we enter Srinagar and we reached our destination of the day via Boulevard Road(circular road along Dal Lake) - Chasme Shahi huts by JKTDC.Chasmeshahi is a VIP area. Our hotel was just besides Raj Bhawan where Governor resides. There is thorough checking for tourist taxies and tourist since there are lots of tourist areas nearby such as Botanical garden, Chasmeshahi garden, Pari Mahal, etc.We had a stay at Chasmeshahi and we were let directlyAbout hotel - A very safe location(one of the safest in Srinagar). The property though beautiful was showing its age. Staff was enthusiastic but service wasn't. No inhouse restaurant. There was a Zaiqa restaurant adjacent to the property run by JKTDC which is the go to place if you need anything. On our request, they brought the dinner to our place in a tiffin and not on a proper tray and cutlery. Also, restaurant only opens after 9 am and close by 5 pm something.November is also kind of off-season for visiting Himalayan as we experienced while staying in various govt properties. You need to order dinner in advance. Since this is a VIP place, there is no food outlet or any establishment near by. You need to have your car to venture out.We had a light snacks of Bread/Butter along with tea at Zaiqa and it was sunset already. Srinagar was much more chilly than Himachal. Strolled around nearby Chasmeshahi garden and called it a day. Last edited by abhi_tjet : 12th January 2022 at 13:01 . Reason: Added pics Editor-in-Chief I'm Jaylan Harrington, Editor-in-Chief at Technician. I'm in NC State's class of 2022 majoring in communication. I've been at Technician since the fall of 2018. For more of my coverage, you can follow me @jaylan__1 on Twitter. (Photo : JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images) An illustration picture taken in London on December 30, 2021, shows a NFT (Non-Fungible Token) created by Nigerian digital artist FreddieJacobArt named "Oghenerukevwe" on Opensea NFT marketplace, displayed on a phone and Binance NFT marketplace displayed on a computer screen. - Non-fungible tokens or NFTs are cryptographic assets stored on a blockchain with unique identification metadata that distinguish them from each other. NFT (non-fungible token) platforms have been teeming with a lot of digital collections from various artists and collectors. Of course, the hype will not be complete if it isn't for OpenSea, the most popular place to buy, sell, and trade the tokens. So far, the platform managed to rake $3.25 billion in volume in just last month, per Dune Analytics. On top of that, the firm noticed that the total volume has skyrocketed to 90,968% from December 2020 to December 2021. Despite its popularity and dominance among NFT investors, there will come a time when it would fall off because of unexpected trends or demand. This is why we will share the ideal NFT marketplaces that you need to visit just in case OpenSea unexpectedly collapses. Here are the top five NFT marketplaces that could potentially dethrone OpenSea in the next few months. Rarible According to a report from Cointelegraph, Rarible has been showing better performance in increasing its monthly trading volumes. Before OpenSea became a staple among NFT investors, this platform was only one of many marketplaces traders and buyers. However, when OpenSea launched to the public, Rarible was not able to keep up with it; that's why several people switched to a new place. This time, we would possibly see Rarible bounce bank from its mistake. Many token enthusiasts could potentially flock to it since the platform now supports Tezos and Flow blockchains. In the future, we could conclude that it would also support Polygon and Solana since these two are progressively booming in the market. This would redeem its position as a good competitor with OpenSea for this year. Related Article: Reddit is Testing NFT Platform That Can Convert Karma Points to Ethereum Tokens Coinbase NFT Currently, Coinbase is the closest rival that could come toe-to-toe with OpenSea. The source wrote that there were over 1.1 million users listed in the database during its waitlist process. As more collectibles grow in value, the NFT marketplaces need to contain them to cater to the needs of prospective buyers and collectors. Coinbase NFT understands the need to connect NFTs to society. The platform has strong ties with "Lazy Lions," "DeadFellaz," and other collections. Hopefully, we could see that Coinbase NFT will launch the P2P system. We could also anticipate its support for several blockchains. Zora Decentralization and the new Web3 is what Zora is known for. This NFT marketplace houses several historical transactions, including the original doge-meme NFT of PleasrDAO. Its price reached $4 million. The platform does not only allow investors to do whatever they want on the marketplace, but also it establishes trust in the artists. This is coined because of its seamless autonomy for their pieces. There are a lot of things to be improved in Zora, but it has the potential to beat OpenSea in 2022 if it gives what the people want to add to it. FTX NFT For Solana fans, FTX is the best NFT marketplace you should visit to look for must-grab collectibles. What's interesting about this site is its bidding systems which are not present in other marketplaces. FTX.US President Brett Harrison expects that the influx of people will go to them by not requiring gas fees to the bids. The company is excited about some price actions that will take place upon implementation. In October, FTX NFTs said that it would now ditch projects that give the owners a bonus with regards to royalties. Still, 2022 is a perfect year for this site to change the landscape of NFT among fans. Magic Eden DappRadar listed Magic Eden as the leading Solana-reliant marketplace for NFTS. The edge of Magic Eden compared to its competitors is its low transaction fee, which only sits at 2%. Listing is also free to everyone on this platform. In another article, The VR Soldier reported about the top 5 most traded OpenSea Metaverse NFTs. For more NFT/crypto-related stories, don't forget to check Tech Times' report about the best NFT wallets and best cryptocurrency exchanges. Read Also: Coinbase's NFT Waitlist Sees More Than One Million Signups On Day 1, Says Source This article is owned by Tech Times Written by Joseph Henry 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Tesla and the members of its community of drivers and enthusiasts are all raining down on California's Solar Tax, a new regulation proposed by Governor Gavin Newsom and the CPUC. It aims to put tax over the solar movement and collect dues from its sale, mainly to affect Tesla's prices and operations, which Elon Musk calls "anti-environment." Tesla Protests Against Gov. Newsom, CPUC's California Solar Tax The Tesla website brings forth a campaign that goes against the latest proposition of the California state government, which aims to propose a Solar Tax campaign. The California Solar Tax from Governor Newsome and the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) wants a fee over the current sale of solar choices in the state. The Tesla Silicon Valley Club shared their opinions against the said Solar Tax, saying that people should come together and message the proponents of the law to create a voice. The post rallies that of the public to develop an awareness for people and make their petitions echo to those that push it, and hear their heed to stop this taxation. Read Also: Tesla CyberWhistle Online Listing Disappears | Page Not Found Error 404 Elon Musk Calls Cali's Solar Tax as 'Anti-Environment' The Tesla CEO and founder, Elon Musk, even call this move by California "bizarre" and "anti-environment. Musk's operations since 2004 with the clean energy company remained untaxed for its Solar focus, and it gave the company the freedom to push its campaign along with low prices for EVs and solar solutions. However, that is soon going to change because of the new move by California. Elon Musk and Tesla Clean Energy Bizarre anti-environment move by govt of California https://t.co/1OwdBNWbxT Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 12, 2022 Tesla is the home of clean energy, and it is because this is the branding and advocacy of the company for the planet. The goal is to bring environment-friendly solutions to modern takes on transportation and power consumption that would contribute to the world's well-being and its residents, with humans, animals, and the entire ecosystem. The clean energy company does this by pushing forth a lineup of electric vehicles that produce zero emissions despite providing a complete experience of a standard car. Moreover, it brings a lot of popular features that make it enjoyable for the user. The company also brings home energy solutions that contribute to a green home, focusing on gathering power with clean energy. Tesla Solar is one of the choices in the current industry for clean energy, including the Solar Roof, Powerwall, and other options from the company. People can enjoy a lot of Tesla's products and help the current state of the environment with clean energy. However, it would soon feel the effect of the Solar Tax in California, something that Musk and the community of its users are aiming to contradict and protest against. The California Solar Tax is something that the company does not support. Related Article: Tesla Security Flaw Allows Hackers Control Other Teslas! Unlocking Doors, Starting Vehicles, and More This article is owned by Tech Times Written by Isaiah Richard 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. NASA's Mega Moon rocket, the SLS, is now preparing for its first showcase and appearance to the public to let the world see its wings and glory. The famous space rocket is for the upcoming Artemis moon mission that aims to bring back humans to the lunar surface and feature the first women to step foot on the natural satellite. NASA SLS: Mega Moon Rocket to Show Up in Public for the First Time NASA is aiming to showcase the Mega Moon rocket, the Space Launch System (SLS), by mid-February this year, and it is now inviting the media to witness the event for a showcase to the world. The showcase would feature the towering might of the SLS, especially as it would be one of the first appearances it will have for the world to see. The venture would show the world that the United States and NASA are ready for its next mission to bring humans back to the Moon, focusing on the tech it developed for years. The mega moon rocket aims to bring the many cargoes that the astronauts would carry during their stint and research the natural satellite before they return for discoveries and more. Read Also: NASA Warning! An Asteroid is Passing By Earth on Jan. 18 | How to Watch Using Telescope NASA's Artemis Moon Mission: SLS Rocket in Preparation According to NASA, the Artemis I Moon Mission is now preparing the SLS rocket for its readiness once the time comes for its launch and mission. The SLS rocket will soon showcase its enormous body to the public, bringing the world to understand and see the many innovations NASA put on this new spacecraft. Not only that, but it would also address the other rockets intended for the mission, with Artemis II, Artemis III, Artemis IV, and so forth. NASA: Artemis Moon Mission and Future Crew Flights The NASA Artemis Moon Mission is one of the most awaited historic flights of the United States, attempting to return humans to the lunar satellite after 50 years since 1972. The next flight would land on the Moon by 2024, if not, 2025 to be the earliest launch of the space agency, under a series of missions towards the satellite. The national space agency spent a lot on the project already, and by the time it reaches its launch, NASA estimates a massive $93 billion for the mission alone. The space race and tasks are costly, and while this may cost America a lot of dollars, it would allow the country to learn more and study a lot in outer space. The Moon is a symbol of hope and aspirations to many, as it is an object that is frequently seen during the night's clear skies but cannot be taken in hand by anyone. The preparations now involving the SLS rocket will help in its readiness by 2024, taking up astronauts and the hopes of humankind to space and beyond. Related Article: NASA Artemis Moon Mission First Launch Suffers From Glitch; Gets DELAYED This article is owned by Tech Times Written by Isaiah Richard 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Tesla has removed any mention regarding the supposed "2022" launch of the Cybertruck from its official website. With that, this could be a bad sign for those that wanted to get their hands on the Tesla electric truck before the year ends. Tesla Cybertruck Announced in 2019 but had an Awkward Launch An article by Mashable was initially able to spot the removal, which happened some time in mid-December. The evidence can be found on the pages that were archived by the Internet Archive for those that haven't spotted the difference. The Cybertruck was initially announced back in 2019 and even hailed by Tesla CEO Elon Musk as the closest thing to an armored personnel carrier for the upcoming future. The vehicle became the subject of ridicule when its very own "indestructible "windows were obliterated during the unveiling. The prototype's unwieldy shape caused Musk to hit a traffic pylon after his dinner in Malibu. Cybertruck Production was Already Pushed to 2022 According to the story by Gizmodo, production was initially supposed to begin in 2021, but as of recently, in August 2021, Tesla had announced it would push production of the Cybertruck back to 2022. Now, the whole timeline seems to be in question despite Elon Musk not giving any comment regarding the most recent change. Tesla has infamously gotten rid of its very own public relations team, meaning there was nobody for Gizmodo to reach out to for a comment regarding the company's decision. Expectations for the Tesla Cybertruck When Elon Musk initially announced the Cybertruck, the CEO promised it would be selling at the price of $39,900 and would be capable of towing 7,500 pounds while also having a 3,500-pound payload to carry in its bed. Unfortunately, the promises, however, have disappeared in the course of the last couple of years as the 2022 production could be considered its latest failure. The Tesla Cybertruck is expected to be produced in Austin, Texas, but as of the moment, there is still no way to get confirmation regarding the company's plans to do so. Musk, the wealthiest man on the planet, actually thinks that his company doesn't really need a PR team since he can easily tweet out announcements. Read Also: Tesla to Announce New Product Roadmap Update on January 26 | Can We See Semi Truck This Time? Times that Elon Musk has Failed to Live Up to Promises Elon Musk, as per Gizmodo, has had a long history of making certain outlandish promises in which he fails to deliver on. These include the robotaxis that were initially supposed to arrive back in 2020. There were also claims by Elon Musk back in 2016 that his Tesla vehicles, by 2018, would be fully self-driving. The preorders for the Cybertruck are still open with a low $100 deposit, but the real question is when will the electric truck roll out with its target dates silently taken down. Related Article: Tesla Protests Against California's Solar Tax Backed by Gov. Newsom; Elon Musk Calls it Anti-Environment This article is owned by Tech Times Written by Urian B. 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. German authorities were under scrutiny after they misused the COVID-19 contact tracing app to continue its probe over the man's death. To seek potential witnesses in the crime, they faked the infection in the scene to gather more details about the incident. The country's officials previously warned that the app's data could be abused, resulting in public unrest. Here's what happened. German Police Misused Contact Tracing App According to a report by The Washington Post, the German police were currently under fire for wrongfully using the data from an app to identify potential crime witnesses. Originally, the application can only be used to detect the close contact of COVID-19 positive individuals. The location of the scandal was situated in the city of Mainz, near Frankfurt. Going back to November 2021, a case involved a man who fell to his death moments after he left the restaurant. As the probe continued, the authorities wanted to detect the possible witnesses in the incident. In addition, the police urged the local health authorities to release the Luca contact tracing app data to check the duration of stay of the people inside the restaurant at that time. Related Article: COVID-19: Coronavirus Contract Tracing Apps Raise Concerns on Effectiveness, Legality Worldwide Illegal Use of Luca App After retrieving information from the app, they reached out to 21 possible witnesses through the data. The problem is they "unlawfully" obtained the information from the Luca app. With that, some people said that the confidential details from the app might be used for other purposes. However, the Mainz prosecutors said that they had already put the police in an inquiry to guarantee that the information would be safe. In another report by 9to5Mac, tech titans like Google and Apple have a preventive measure to make contact tracing API safe from being stolen or maliciously used. The companies assured that no information would go to the government without the users' consent. Luca App Functionality DW wrote in a separate report that the Luca contact tracing app could input how long a person stayed at an establishment like a restaurant or bar. In doing so, the people are required to enter their details into the application. After that, they will conduct QR code scanning at a particular place and log out upon their departure. In the case of detecting COVID-infected individuals, the health authorities can quickly identify them to inform people who are exposed to the virus. More importantly, the Luca contact tracing app is subject to the data protection policies in Germany. This means that only local health professionals are permitted to use it. A person or a group could only obtain data from the app if the assigned department/authorities give their consent to those who need the personal information. Meanwhile, Tech Times reported that a group of health experts was calling Spotify to stop COVID-19 misinformation in the platform by forming a strict policy about it. Read Also: COVID Tracing App Alarms Over 100 People to Self-Isolate Before It's Too Late This article is owned by Tech Times Written by Joseph Henry 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Your virtual meeting just got more interesting and handy with Google Meet's new translated captions that support four languages: French, Spanish, German, and Portuguese. New Google Meet Feature Earlier this year, Google Meet began rolling out live translated captions to all users after testing them last year. This feature works on the web or mobile, but it is rather limited, translating only meetings from English into four languages: French, Spanish, German, and Portuguese. In the Workspace blog, Google stated that "Live translated captions help video call participants communicate better by translating a spoken language to captions in another language." Google also added that video calls equipped with translated captions are more inclusive, global, and effective because language ability is no longer a barrier for people to collaborate effectively. Moreover, providing users with the ability to consume content in their preferred language can improve information sharing, learning, and collaboration and help ensure good results in meetings. Although Google did not clarify who they designed this feature for, all Google meetings or training sessions with teams all over the world can be made more efficient using the feature. Since most schools saw a shift in learning environments due to covid-19, it is also valuable in educational settings. "It allows educators to connect and interact with students, parents, and community stakeholders with diverse backgrounds," said Google. Not just that, the live translated caption feature can provide students with the opportunity to communicate with students that speak different languages around the world. In turn, this will increase inclusivity among parents and stakeholders, bridging the gap between different linguistic backgrounds. Also Read: Google Adds New Features to Google Meet Including Co-Hosting and Screen-Sharing How to Activate Live Translated Captions? To activate this feature, users should first switch captions on in settings, set them to English, and then toggle underneath translated captions. They can then select one of the translated language options. To learn more, you can check out the translated captions help page for Google Meet. Google first announced this feature at the I/O developer's conference held last year. Meanwhile, Otter is also offering a similar live translated caption service that works both in Google Meet and Zoom. According to Google, this new feature is available to meetings organized by Google Workspace Business Plus, Enterprise Standard, Enterprise Plus, Education Plus, and Teaching & Learning Upgrade customers. The update began rolling out gradually yesterday, so you may take up to 15 days to notice it. However, the live translated captions do not cater to meetings organized by Google Workspace Essentials, Business Starter, Business Standard, Enterprise Essentials, Education Fundamentals, Frontline, Nonprofits, and G Suite Basic Business customers. Ultimately, not all video conferencing platforms offer live translated captions. Only Cisco Webex, Zoom, Adobe Connect, and On24 embed captions onto the same screen during meetings. Now, Google Meet just joined the roster. Read Article: Video Meetings: Some People Love Seeing Their Reflection During Zoom, Google Calls, Study Claims This article is owned by Tech Times Written by Thea Felicity 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. RMDS Lab, a known leader in cognitive computing, is planning to open the world's first NFT(non-fungible token) marketplace for science and technology IPs (intellectual properties). The schedule for its launch will be in March. In 2009, Alex Liu, who previously worked at IBM as a chief data scientist, founded the AI platform for researchers and scientists. The data-driven community is focused on bringing data science to other fields such as business and development. The Boom of NFTs Over the previous years, the popularity of NFTs has reached investors and collectors, artists, and other people from various industries. The digital collections are also used to authenticate IPs in the field of gaming, music, and more. Since the non-fungible tokens are currently in high demand, RMDS took this opportunity to establish a science-and-technology-related marketplace to sell NFTS linked to the intellectual properties. According to Digital Journal, one of the most popular NFTs sold during its early days was entitled "Everydays: The First 5000 Days." It was created by Beeple whose real name is Mike Winkelmann. In March 2021, a buyer purchased it for a whopping price of $59.35 million. Since then, different IPs from arts and other areas have appeared on NFT marketplaces such as OpenSea and Magic Eden. However, science-related IPs have gradually caught up in the NFT business. Related Article: Best NFT Marketplaces That Could Fare Better Than OpenSea in 2022 | Coinbase, Rarible, and More RMDS Launches NFT Marketplace For Sci-Tech IPs Chemistry World wrote in another article that science NFTs had entered the platform following the auctioned patent from UC Berkeley back in June 2021. The university was able to sell the non-fungible token as part of its fundraising for its research projects. The educational institution collected nearly $55,000 after selling an NFT about the cancer immunotherapy research launched by its own James Allison (1990s). With that, RMD Labs aimed to move science IPs into the NFT space to reach more investors and establish ties with them. The platform wanted to use the marketplace as a bridge to reach out to investors and collectors who love science and technology. If there's a technological improvement to unveil, the fundraising projects can easily seek help from the NFT community. RMDS Wants to Address NFT's Environmental Impact In an interview with Chemistry World, Liu said that getting funding for scientists through the "traditional" channels could take a lot of time. Some senior project managers allot more than half their time doing administrative activities. He added that through the NFT marketplace, their tasks would lighten, and they could focus on doing their real job inside the lab. Despite NFT's benefit to science, Liu was aware of its effect on the environment by stating its carbon footprint and energy use. According to him, it's also important to address issues concerning nature and even individuals' privacy and copyright rights. Speaking of NFT, Tech Times recently reported that VCR said that it would build the first members-only NFT restaurant based in New York City in 2023. For a science-related story, we also reported that experts spotted a new strange metal that could help them know more about quantum space. Read Also: Ovary Eggs as NFT? Armenian Artist Narine Arakelian Sells it Through a Digitized Art at Basel Miami Beach This article is owned by Tech Times Written by Joseph Henry 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Madisonville, KY (42431) Today Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. High 77F. Winds SW at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 60%.. Tonight A few clouds. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 52F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph. Last week, Omicron, the new extremely contagious variant of COVID-19, seemed to be spreading everywhere in Louisiana but one place. However, in Immigration Customs and Enforcement detention facilities in the state the number of positive cases was only 1% of the total population, a number immigrant advocates questioned. Then the new week began, and the number of positive cases among the immigrant population skyrocketed. ICE data updated Wednesday afternoon showed a total of 93 immigrants tested positive for COVID-19 and are currently in isolation inside the 10 facilities under the New Orleans ICE Field Offices supervision. That number was 17 three days earlier. Acadiana experiencing blood shortages amid Omicron variant, following national trends Lafayette Parish and surrounding areas are experiencing blood shortages at alarming levels amid the Omicron variant surge of COVID-19, followi Considering all 14 facilities that the NOLA ICE Office handles, including Adams County Correctional Center in Mississippi and Etowah County Jail in Alabama, the increase is even more striking. According to ICE data, a total of 168 immigrants tested positive for COVID-19. That number was 28 on Sunday, marking a +600% increase in less than 96 hours. The virus has changed, but the advice of doctors, epidemiologists, and public health officials has not, said Layla Razavi, interim co-executive director at Freedom for Immigrants, a nonprofit organization devoted to ending immigration detention. Thousands of medical experts have repeatedly warned that social distancing is impossible for people in crowded detention conditions. As of Wednesday, 25 immigrants are under isolation or monitoring after testing positive at the Alexandria ICE Staging Facility, while 26 contracted the virus at Winn Correctional Center in Winnfield. At the LaSalle ICE Processing Center in Jena, 26 tested positive, while seven have been in isolation at the Pine Prairie ICE Processing Center. +6 13 nurses sued Louisiana ICE facility saying mold made them sick; judge throws out 12 of the claims Three years ago, 13 nurses who worked at the LaSalle Detention Facility in Jena, filed a lawsuit against GEO Group, the private company that r Nationwide the number of positive cases inside ICE facilities jumped to 1,581 as of Wednesday, data showed. That number was 285 last week. Top stories in Acadiana in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up Last week, an ICE spokesperson told The Acadiana Advocate the agency's database is the only official source for information related to the detention facilities, adding that the agency continues to conduct COVID testing on all individuals during intake at all facilities, ensuring newcomers are isolated and monitored in accordance with CDC guidelines. ICE has consistently been under fire for its handling of COVID-19 inside the detention facilities since the pandemic started. Pro-migrant advocacy groups and immigration lawyers challenged the low data last week, claiming that ICE failed to respect the CDC guidelines and COVID-19 protocols. The immigration agency has repeatedly rejected the accusations. Since the onset of the pandemic, ICE has taken proactive measures to tailor conditions across its detention network to maintain safe and secure environments for detainees and staff, while adhering to guidelines for the prevention and control of infectious and communicable diseases from the CDC, the ICE spokesperson added. "This has included reducing the overall detained population, providing appropriate hygiene and personal protective equipment (PPE), suspending social visitation, and maximizing social distancing practices with staggered meals and recreation times. But dozens of asylum seekers The Advocate interviewed in November said the opposite, that the detention facilities' guards fail to follow strict rules on face coverage and social distancing. "When they spoke to us, they did not care to stay six feet apart. The dorms are packed," said one of them, Kokou Lare, an asylum seeker who spent months of detention at Winn Correctional Center. A September 2021 report by the Office of Inspector General of the Department of Homeland Security also observed that staff and detainees failed to wear masks and respect social distancing inside of Richwood Correctional Center, one of the facilities inspected in Louisiana, run by the private company, LaSalle Corrections. In a letter sent Dec. 15 to ICE, the American Civil Liberties Union criticized the agency claiming that it hasnt a coordinated strategy to ensure that detained people receive COVID-19 booster shots. Troubled Muse said it will open a digital animation and visual effects studio in Shreveport that will create 53 permanent jobs. Louisiana Economic Development said the jobs will have an average annual salary of $74,000, plus benefits. LED said the studio will create 40 indirect jobs in northwest Louisiana. A Louisiana pastors lawsuit over Gov. John Bel Edwards past COVID-19 restrictions on public gatherings was rejected for a second time Wednesday by a federal judge. U.S. District Judge Brian Jackson in Baton Rouge said the lawsuit by Tony Spell seeking an order blocking the restrictions is moot because the restrictions expired long ago. And Jackson rejected Spells request for damages from state officials. Spell garnered national attention in March 2020 when he began to flout the states public health order at a time when much of the country was in lockdown over the emergence of COVID-19. Louisiana was being hit especially hard at the time, but hundreds showed up to hear Spell claim that the virus was nothing to be concerned about. Jackson first rejected the lawsuit in November 2020. The following July, a panel of the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans ruled that the judge should look at the case again in light of three recent Supreme Court opinions blocking some restrictions on indoor worship in New York and California. The panel stressed that it wasn't ruling on the merits of the case. Rev. Tony Spell loses again in fight against Gov. John Bel Edwards' crowd-size limits A federal judge in Baton Rouge has reaffirmed that Gov. John Bel Edwards has the authority to fashion "reasonable restrictions" on religious a After reviewing the case again, Jackson again dismissed the lawsuit. Plaintiffs demand for damages fails because there is not now, and never has been, a clearly established right to unrestricted religious assembly, and at all relevant times Defendants reasonably believed that they were acting within the constitutional limits set by the Supreme Court and the Fifth Circuit, Jackson wrote. Spell also is fighting state charges for the violations of pandemic-related gathering limits. Press Release January 13, 2022 De Lima urges House of Representatives to pass proposed 'hold-over' franchise bill Opposition Senator Leila M. de Lima urged members of the House of Representatives to swiftly pass the pending legislative measure seeking to prevent the expiration of franchises with pending renewal applications. De Lima, a social justice and human rights champion, noted that the Senate has already approved its version of the bill amending the law to extend the existing franchise of a public utility pending its renewal by Congress. "I call on our counterparts in the House to pass this measure, as it remains crucial to the operation of existing franchises that are awaiting renewal by Congress," she said in her Dispatch from Crame No. 1203. "As stated in the objective of the proposed law, the measure only seeks to address a gap in the continuity of operation of public utilities pending the renewal of their franchises - again, a benefit that is, in the first place, already granted to, and being enjoyed by, holders of executive licensees," she added. House Bill No. 7923, authored by Paranaque City Rep. Joy Myra Tambunting, and Senate Bill No. 1530 which was filed by Senator Franklin Drilon, propose to amend Section 18, Book VII, Chapter 3 of the Administrative Code of the Philippines. These proposed bills seek the non-expiration of a license until a final determination by the granting agency is made, given that an application for renewal has already been filed in a timely manner. The Senate has since passed Drilon's measure while the House bill remains pending. "In principle, the proposal only expands a benefit that is already granted to licensees of permits granted by the executive branch, where the licensee has made timely and sufficient application for renewal, as provided for under Section 18, Book VII, Chapter 3 of the Revised Administrative Code. Presently, only the House of Representatives version of the bill remains pending for approval," De Lima explained. While the Department of Justice (DOJ) expressed support and claimed "nothing legally objectionable" in the measure, Solicitor General Jose Calida aired his strong opposition to the bill in a letter to National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) Commissioner Gamaliel A. Cordoba. Contrary to the position of the Solicitor General, De Lima maintained that there is nothing unconstitutional in the proposed measure, noting that Congress still has the choice whether to deny or approve the renewal of the franchise. "It only provides that pending the decision of Congress, the franchise continues to subsist so as to avoid losses both in income and in the service provided to the public during the period between its expiration and eventual renewal." "An authorization that, itself, would be emanating from Congress through this proposed bill. The purpose is just as clearly constitutionally valid, i.e., to avoid unnecessary losses that would be incurred both by the franchise holder and the public that it services during the renewal period, whether or not said franchise is eventually renewed anyway," she said. "For these reasons, there should exist no valid objection to the proposed bills on the matter, and the pendency of the House version of the bill should not be prolonged any further," she concluded. With COVID-19 hospitalizations in Louisiana on the rise, Gov. John Bel Edwards will offer an update at 10:30 a.m. Thursday on the state's pandemic response. Edwards isn't expected to issue a statewide mask mandate, or any other mitigation measures, despite a meteoric rise in coronavirus cases fueled by the highly-contagious omicron variant. On Wednesday, Louisiana set another single-day record for infections, as confirmed and probable COVID-19 cases climbed to 17,592, according to the Louisiana Department of Health. Although omicron causes hospitalization in a smaller percentage of infected people, the sheer number of infections is driving up hospitalizations at a rate similar to the delta surge thus far. The number of people hospitalized with the coronavirus statewide rose to 1,999 on Tuesday, the latest day for which data is available. That's the highest it's been since Sept. 6 of last year, when the state was coming down from record hospitalizations due to the surge. Three out of four patients currently in hospitals are not fully vaccinated, according to state data. Similarly, 74% of deaths from the last week of December, the most recent data available, were in unvaccinated people. The scoop on state politics in your inbox Get the Louisiana politics insider details once a week from us. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up New Orleans reinstated its mask mandate Wednesday for indoor public settings, though other large cities, including Baton Rouge and Lafayette, have opted not to reimpose restrictions. Edwards is scheduled to address the surge in a 10:30 a.m. press conference. Follow along and watch below. Can't see the video? Click here. As New Orleans re-instates its mask mandate, here's where the state and others stand As New Orleans joined Wednesday several major cities nationwide by reestablishing mask mandates in reaction to a dramatic surge of COVID cases Orleans Parish District Attorney Jason Williams talks with the media announcing an unprecedented and sweeping legal action that his office waived all objections to new trials for 22 state prisoners convicted by split juries between the years 1974 and 2014 on the Orleans Parish Courthouse steps Friday, Feb. 26, 2021. (Staff photo by David Grunfeld, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune | The New Orleans Advocate) ORG XMIT: BAT2102261729402742 James Packer says he is encouraged by Blackstones sweetened offer for Crown Resorts, but he is yet to answer the question that would deliver him a $3.26 billion pay day: Will he support it? The Crown Resorts board, though, has sent a clear signal that the boosted offer from Blackstone should be to his liking and finally end the Packer familys 23-year association with the casino operator. It still depends on Blackstone and Crown agreeing to terms on the private equity groups $13.10 per share offer announced on Thursday. For Packer, it will finally untether his fortunes, a personal wealth estimated at $5.7 billion last year by the AFRs Rich List, from the casino operations which have bedevilled his professional and private life since Crown staff were arrested by Chinese authorities in 2016. Packers last remaining link with Crown will be the $72 million two-storey apartment he acquired last month atop the Sydney casino, Crown Barangaroo, that was built following a brutally successful campaign by the billionaire to win a casino licence. In the United States, the federal government has moved more slowly than other countries to authorise rapid antigen tests for everyday use. Britain, for example, was 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 until recently been mostly financed by private companies like Abbott Laboratories. The result is a nationwide shortage of tests. Americans who cannot get tests are often left to wait in lines that can run as long as three hours. Or they can try to buy at-home tests online or in stores. Walgreens and CVS last month announced limits on the purchase of at-home rapid test kits at stores. The Biden administration has stepped up its efforts to make tests more broadly available and affordable, requiring insurer reimbursement for tests, invoking the Defense Production Act and announcing plans to ship 500 million tests to Americans. The United States is expected to have 1 billion rapid tests by the end of this year, or three tests per person, according to Tinglong Dai, a professor at Johns Hopkins Carey Business School. The country is now reporting more than 2 million tests a day on average, up from about 500,000 last summer and higher than at any previous point in the pandemic. Joseph Allen, an associate professor at the Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, said earlier coordination on the national level could have flooded the market with tests and made them more available for everyone. It doesnt surprise me that many organisations who were recognising they need these tests to stay in business were buying them, Mr Allen said. But with testing kits scarce, and sorely needed by people who cannot work remotely, some public health experts question the current distribution of resources. Theres a few better targets than at-home white-collar workers, said Dr Benjamin Mazer, a pathologist in Connecticut specialising in laboratory medicine. BlackRock, which has more than 7,600 US employees and has extended its work-from-home flexibility through January 28, offers its staff up to one at-home PCR testing kit each week, up to six monthly at-home antigen kits for employees or their family members exposed to COVID, and telehealth supervision for self-administered rapid tests needed for international travel, an option begun over the December holidays. At Morgan Stanley, bankers can receive up to four free BinaxNOW tests, which cost about $US40 in stores, every two weeks through a third party, though the shortage of tests has delayed shipment arrival. At JPMorgan, where corporate employees said they were told last month that they could temporarily work from home because of the fast-spreading omicron variant, bankers can order rapid tests. TIAA, an investment firm with 12,000 workers in the United States, began offering free at-home testing to its staff in December 2020. The majority of its employees have worked from home since the start of the pandemic, though roughly 5 per cent had been coming into the office last year. There is no limit on the number of tests employees can order, for themselves as well as their family, according to a spokesperson, Jessica Scott. Googles full-time employees in the United States have access to multiple types of coronavirus tests they can take at home, the company said. Since last year, employees have been able to request PCR tests provided by a company called BioIQ. Employees collect a nasal swab at home, and it is processed in the companys lab. Google also distributes to employees who want one a small testing device that produces results in minutes. To perform the rapid molecular test, employees insert a cartridge into the reader, swab their nose and place the swab in the cartridge for results sent by phone. The test is made by Cue Health, a company that provided testing for the NBA bubble. Google uses many temporary workers, vendors and contractors who do not get access to the Cue Health tests, according to documents reviewed by The New York Times. A spokeswoman for Google said temporary workers and vendors may use the at-home PCR tests performed by BioIQ if they were coming into Googles US offices. Other technology companies have taken more limited approaches to testing. Microsoft offers free rapid antigen home tests to employees on its campus, said a spokesperson, Frank Shaw. Meta, Facebooks parent company, provides testing at around 10 of its offices for employees who have returned for in-person work, said Tracy Clayton, a press officer for the company. Last month, Netflix announced a surprise second season of its Emmy-winning documentary series Cheer, which follows a national champion cheerleading team from Navarro College, a small-town Texas community college. While the new season shifts the focus to a fresh group of cheerleaders, one recent graduate remains in the news: Jerry Harris, the Navarro cheerleader whose mat talk and constant optimism in Season 1 made him a talk-show darling, has cast a shadow over the show. Twin teenage boys sued Harris in September 2020, accusing him of sexual abuse. He was also arrested that month on federal charges related to child sexual abuse imagery and remains in custody. Gabi Butler and TT Barker in season two of Cheer. The nine-episode season addresses the case from the start and includes an hour-long episode featuring on-camera interviews with Harris former cheerleading teammates from Navarro; the teams coach, Monica Aldama; the brothers who are suing Harris; their mother; and the USA Today reporters who broke the news. Heres what to know about the accusations against Harris, who is now 22, the status of his case and where Season 2 picks up. Of all the fascinating permutations within the Harry Potter universe, there is one intricate mystery of such depth, it became the audiences focus out of the recent Harry Potter reunion: the chemistry between actors Emma Watson and Tom Felton. Watson, 31, who played whip-smart Hermione Granger in the franchise, described the moment she fell in love with older bad boy Felton, after the child actors were asked to draw what they thought God looked like. Emma Watson and Tom Felton drew the most attention in HBOs Harry Potter 20-year reunion special. Credit:Getty Tom had drawn a girl with a backward cap on a skateboard. And, I just dont know how to say it, I just fell in love with him, Watson said, adding that she looked forward to days when they were working together on set. Though they insist nothing happened at the time when Felton, now 34, was playing the villainous Draco Malfoy, in real life, the two seem to have built a bond so close, it has younger Millennials, who grew up with the actors, perplexed. And intrigued. And maybe, given the times were living in, a little bit desperate for the pair to just get together and call it a day. Former prime minister and passionate republican Paul Keating has savaged the latest proposal to elect an Australian head of state, saying the country would be better off remaining a constitutional monarchy than experimenting with a US-style presidency. Mr Keating, who championed the republican cause as prime minister, said the Australian Republic Movements (ARM) model of voters electing a head of state from a pool of 11 nominees would threaten the system of parliamentary democracy that has served Australia well since federation. Former prime minister Paul Keating has blasted the Australian Republic Movements proposal to elect an Australian head of state. Credit:ABC Australia is in no requirement of a US-style presidency with its grandiosity and propensity to throw up individuals of the Donald Trump variety, Mr Keating told The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age. Australia is safer and better with the diffuse and representative power structure it currently enjoys. Mr Keating said under the ARMs proposal released on Wednesday, power would be purloined to an individual, who alone would possess the popular mandate and with it, the primary political authority the mandate would bestow. The actual rate of infection is probably towering above that, with huge numbers of Victorians either unable to get a test, or no longer bothering to report results. Acting chief health officer Ben Cowie on Monday said the true rate of infection was probably more like one-in-25, or 4 per cent. People queueing for COVID-19 tests in Melbourne. Credit:Joe Armao So one in 40, or 2.5 per cent, is only those who are confirmed, he said. I think it would not be out of the ballpark to suggest that something like 4 per cent of the Victorian population has COVID-19 right now. Many businesses are under severe stress as they battle staff shortages caused by positive cases, isolation requirements, and a lack of tests. Those problems have been greatly compounded by supply chain nightmares and a precipitous decline in consumer demand. Tourists are leaving regional Victoria in droves, with restaurants and cafes unable to keep their door open. As a tanned and relatively relaxed-looking Daniel Andrews put it on Tuesday, having returned from a Christmas break, the comparison between then and now is interesting. Weve gone from a situation where we had the lions share of cases, where we kind of had a different pandemic than the rest of the country. The way this Omicron variant is spreading now, pound for pound, youve got arguably more cases in many other parts of our country. Interesting indeed. For a man who fronted up to face the media for so many consecutive days in 2020 to explain why Victorians needed to accept so much tough love, the governments let it rip attitude to the latest Omicron outbreak seems like a significant about-face. A key difference is that this time the government has few choices to do anything other than let it rip at least to an extent. Omicron is a different beast: unbelievably infectious, roaring through the community, and yet, for the vast majority of people, far less severe. Empty restaurants in Southbank. Credit:Joe Armao Add in the notion that double-dose vaccination seems to do little to stop people getting the virus, and it becomes clear that the health, economic and political cost-benefit equation has changed. The economic and social costs of stricter measures such as lockdowns would probably now vastly outweigh the marginal benefits that might be achieved in controlling the spread by imposing tougher restrictions. Yet if the death toll continues to climb, the government may have no choice but to tighten up restrictions, particularly if our hospitals become swamped. As many people have pointed out, the wickedness of Omicron has more to do with the sheer weight of numbers than the severity of the disease per se. Loading The political equation has also changed for Mr Andrews. Having last year created the impression that vaccination was Victorias ticket out of the pandemic, the idea of imposing yet more lockdowns and school closures on a bone-weary public is being viewed within government ranks with extreme trepidation. There are, however, some political upsides for Andrews. As he noted this week, where Victoria previously had the lions share of cases, the disease is probably now just as prevalent in other jurisdictions, in proportional terms. This has blunted the state oppositions ability to direct the blame towards the state government, as it did in 2020 and 2021 over hotel quarantine and other failures. Omicron is now mostly a national issue. The Australian accent is a curious beast that is constantly evolving. Depending on where you come from you might say good day rather than gday, pronounce the Melbourne Bayside suburb of Brighton differently to your neighbour, or even argue over the pronunciation of words like plant and dance. From the development of our accent, derived from the early settlers who arrived as convicts from all over the United Kingdom, to more recent influences from America, the Pacific Islands and even text messaging, you might not think you have an Australian accent, but you absolutely do. Whether its Paul Hogans thick strayan or Cate Blanchetts posh, refined dialect, the evolution of how we speak is fascinating. But most doctors dont share that view. There are no laws or regulations prohibiting someone with a criminal history from receiving a transplant or an experimental procedure like the one Bennett had. Loading The key principle in medicine is to treat anyone who is sick, regardless of who they are, said Arthur Caplan, a bioethics professor at New York University. We are not in the business of sorting sinners from saints. Crime is a legal matter. While that is the official stance of federal officials and ethics committees in charge of transplant regulations, wide discretion is given at the local level to hospitals, who decide which individuals qualify to be added to the national waiting list. At that level, other considerations are often taken into account, including a persons history of substance abuse or a prisoners risk of developing an infection while in incarceration, along with access to follow-up care. Medical ethicists argue that the criminal justice system already imposes jail time, financial restitution or other punishments on those convicted of violent offences. Withholding medical services is not a part of that punishment. David Bennett snr (third from left) and family in 2019. Credit:AP That division between the legal and medical systems exists for good reason, said Scott Halpern, a medical ethics professor at the University of Pennsylvania. We have a legal system designed to determine just redress for crimes, he said. And we have a healthcare system that aims to provide care without regard to peoples personal character or history. University of Maryland Medical Centre officials declined to say whether they knew about Bennetts criminal past. In a written statement, officials said the Baltimore hospital provides life-saving care to every patient who comes through their doors based on their medical needs, not their background or life circumstances. This patient came to us in dire need, the officials added, and a decision was made about his transplant eligibility based solely on his medical records. David Bennett snr (centre) pictured with family in 2014. Credit:AP In interviews immediately after the historic nine-hour surgery, Bennetts doctors said they proposed the experimental procedure after their hospital, and others, deemed Bennett ineligible for a normal human heart transplant. Bartley Griffith, who performed the surgery, told reporters the patients condition heart failure and an irregular heartbeat made Bennett ineligible. His son, David Bennett jnr, who works as a physical therapist in North Carolina, also said several hospitals had declined to accept his father onto the waiting list because he had failed in the past to follow doctors orders and attend follow-up visits. He also didnt take his medication consistently. Bennett started having symptoms of heart failure in October. On November 10, he was taken to the University of Maryland. As Bennett confronted his mortality, his son said, he wondered about his ability to help others by possibly donating his organs or helping to advance medicine in some way. But Bennett was also still enjoying his life. He lives in a duplex, next door to one of his three sisters. He liked working as a handyman, cheering for the Pittsburgh Steelers, and spending time with his five grandchildren and his dog, Lucky. Griffith told the New York Times that he floated the option of a pig heart to Bennett in mid-December. I said, We cant give you a human heart; you dont qualify. But maybe we can use one from an animal, a pig, Griffith recounted. Its never been done before, but we think we can do it. I wasnt sure he was understanding me, Griffith added. Then he said, Well, will I oink? On New Years Eve, federal officials granted an emergency authorisation for the experimental procedure. It was either die or do this transplant, Bennett said in a statement the day before his surgery. By then, he had already spent weeks bedridden in the hospital. I want to live, he said. I know its a shot in the dark, but its my last choice. It represented not a second chance but a third chance for Bennett. More than 30 years ago, Bennett was found guilty of battery and carrying a concealed weapon following the stabbing of Shumaker. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison and ordered to pay restitution to Shumaker. The states Department of Corrections could not say how many years of the sentence Shumaker served or when he was released because the case is so old. Downey said she thinks he served about five years. Shumaker and his family also sued Bennett, who was ordered to pay $US3.4 million ($4.7 million) in damages. Downey said her parents never received a dime from the lawsuit. Her parents took out loans to purchase an accessible van and other equipment for their son. Now, as Downey read about the man being lauded for his bravery, she thought about the untold pain hed brought to her life. Downey doesnt deny the importance of the transplant, but she said it hurt to see people calling Bennett a hero. Hes being given another shot at life, Downey said. But my brother Ed wasnt given a shot at life. Ed was given a death sentence. She read story after story about the transplant. Her brothers name was not mentioned once. Washington: The US House Select Committee investigating the January 6 attack on the Capitol subpoenaed Meta, Alphabet, Twitter and Reddit on Thursday, seeking information about how their social media sites were used to help fuel misinformation in a failed bid to overturn the 2020 election. Two key questions for the Select Committee are how the spread of misinformation and violent extremism contributed to the violent attack on our democracy, and what steps - if any -social media companies took to prevent their platforms from being breeding grounds for radicalising people to violence, panel chairman Representative Bennie Thompson said in a statement. The assault on the Capitol on January 6. Credit:Bloomberg Its disappointing that after months of engagement, we still do not have the documents and information necessary to answer those basic questions. The subpoenas to the tech companies are the latest development in the House Select Committees investigation into the causes of the attack on the US Capitol by former President Donald Trumps supporters, and the role played by Trump, who has pushed false claims he lost a rigged election to Joe Biden. HARTFORD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Travelers Companies, Inc. today announced that it has expanded its telematics auto insurance offerings with the launch of IntelliDrivePlus. At each renewal, the app-based program calculates a new premium by measuring miles driven and driving behaviors, such as braking, acceleration, speed, time of day and distraction. IntelliDrivePlus is now available to customers in Arkansas, Nebraska and Ohio. Our original telematics program, IntelliDrive, grew by 50% during the last year, making it clear that consumers are increasingly comfortable with pricing that reflects their driving behaviors, said Michael Klein, Executive Vice President and President of Personal Insurance at Travelers. IntelliDrivePlus builds on that momentum and offers our customers even more options to personalize their insurance. IntelliDrive launched in 2017 and is available in 40 states. It calculates a premium based on driving behaviors, excluding mileage, which are tracked over a 90-day period. In comparison, IntelliDrivePlus calculates a premium by assessing changes in driving behavior and mileage, which are captured over the life of the policy. To learn more about IntelliDrivePlus, visit Travelers.com/IntelliDrivePlus. About Travelers The Travelers Companies, Inc. is a leading provider of property casualty insurance for auto, home and business. A component of the Dow Jones Industrial Average, Travelers has approximately 30,000 employees and generated revenues of approximately $32 billion in 2020. For more information, visit Travelers.com. Morgan Truck Body Embarks on 70th Anniversary at Forefront of Innovation and Electrification MORGANTOWN, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--As Morgan Truck Body celebrates its 70th year, the largest manufacturer of light- and medium-duty truck bodies in North America has announced that it will unveil multiple custom concept bodies in 2022. Morgan will debut two advanced concept bodies during an exclusive preview at NTEA Work Truck Week in March 2022 (Booth #4949), with an emphasis on weight reduction and integration of enhanced safety and sensing technology. Additional technology and innovation concepts will be unveiled at the Advanced Clean Transportation (ACT) Expo in May 2022. Our EV concept bodies are the culmination of extensive collaboration with technology partners and chassis OEMs to achieve the most versatile and technologically advanced solutions for our customers, says Dan DesRochers, President and COO, Morgan Truck Body. With 14 manufacturing locations, 8 Company-owned Service Facilities, and a network of more than 200 Morgan-Authorized Repair Centers throughout the U.S. and Canada, Morgan is well positioned to service our customers when and where they need support. In addition, we are doubling down on our commitment to electrification with the creation of a dedicated Innovation Lab within our Technical Center in Morgantown, Pennsylvania. Throughout its anniversary, Morgan will celebrate 70 years of growth from its modest beginnings to its present-day position as the leading producer of light- and medium-duty truck and van bodies in North America. The American success story began in 1952 when Elton Mountz started a small welding shop in Morgantown. As the industry grew, the business expanded to include refurbishing and repair, as well as assembly, mounting, and finishing of prefabricated van body assemblies. In 1990, ownership was transferred to entrepreneur John B. Poindexter, and in 2006, the companys name evolved to become Morgan Truck Body, LLC. Growth continued over the decades with innovative designs that provided lighter and stronger truck bodies, expanded product lines, regional distributors and expanded manufacturing and service facilities. Today, Morgan continues to grow and innovate by uniquely serving the expanding needs of customers while committing to meet the accelerating demand for electrification. Morgan Truck Body celebrates its 70th Anniversary with a legacy of manufacturing excellence and product leadership, says John B. Poindexter, CEO & Chairman, JB Poindexter & Co, Morgans parent company. As the market evolves, Morgan will continue to lead the industry with customer-centric innovations and technologies as the preferred provider of commercial truck solutions in an increasingly electrified future. About Morgan Truck Body, LLC Those who depend on trucks to move their business choose Morgan Truck Body. As the company celebrates its 70th Anniversary, Morgan remains committed to its mission to design, build, sell, and support the most reliable truck bodies in the world, as the preferred global partner providing innovative middle-mile solutions connecting the worlds supply chain. Founded in 1952 and headquartered in Morgantown, PA, Morgan Truck Body is the largest manufacturer of light- and medium-duty truck bodies in North America. Morgan employs over 2,300 team members in 14 manufacturing locations and 8 service centers across the United States and Canada. Morgan Truck Body, LLC is a subsidiary of JB Poindexter & Co, an owner-operated business enterprise providing best-in-class automotive and manufacturing goods and services. www.MorganCorp.com In this Tuesday, June 8, 2021, photo, a group of Brazilian migrants make their way around a gap in the U.S.-Mexico border in Yuma, Ariz., seeking asylum in the United States after crossing over from Mexico. 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. Instant unlimited access to all of our E-Editions and content on thechronicleonline.com. The Chronicle E-Edition Newsletter emailed to you each week, the night before the paper hits the street! This subscription is for NEW or RENEWING online subscribers. (The charge will appear as "Country Media Inc." on your credit card statement) We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Send us your news, photos, and videos and let us know what's going on! Submit Here Clarion, PA (16214) Today Partly cloudy early then becoming cloudy with periods of rain this afternoon. High 68F. Winds SE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 100%.. Tonight Cloudy with periods of rain. Low 59F. Winds S at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall near a half an inch. Batavia, NY (14020) Today A mix of clouds and sun this morning followed by some light rain this afternoon. High 68F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%.. Tonight Cloudy with periods of rain. Low 56F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 80%. Rainfall near a half an inch. 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 Cloudy with occasional rain showers. Low 53F. Winds SSE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 70%. 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 Click the image to the left and log in to get your exclusive reader perks. Police release tear gas into a crowd during clashes at the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington on Jan. 6, 2021. (Shannon Stapleton/Reuters) 11 Oath Keepers Charged With Seditious Conspiracy to Prevent Transfer of Power on Jan. 6 Defense attorney calls the indictment a rehash of false charges and 'malicious prosecution' Eleven members of the Oath Keepers, including the groups founder, Stewart Rhodes, were indicted on Jan. 12 by a federal grand jury in the District of Columbia for an alleged seditious conspiracy to attack the U.S. Capitol and prevent the certification of electoral votes from the 2020 presidential election. The indictment, which was unsealed on Jan. 13, brings the first Jan. 6, 2021-related charges against Elmer Stewart Rhodes III, 56, of Granbury, Texas; and Edward Vallejo, 63, of Phoenix. Rhodes faces a count of seditious conspiracy and four other charges; Vallejo is charged with seditious conspiracy and three other counts. Its the first federal indictment alleging seditious conspiracy on Jan. 6, a charge that, upon conviction, carries a maximum prison term of 20 years. Rhodes is the founder and leader of the Oath Keepers, a nationwide group of current and former military, law enforcement, and first responders who seek to defend and preserve constitutional rights, based on the oath they took to defend the United States from all enemies, foreign and domestic. The indictment includes new charges against nine previously charged Jan. 6 defendants: Thomas Caldwell, 67, of Berryville, Virginia; Joseph Hackett, 51, of Sarasota, Florida; Kenneth Harrelson, 41, of Titusville, Florida; Joshua James, 34, of Arab, Alabama; Kelly Meggs, 52, of Dunnellon, Florida; Roberto Minuta, 37, of Prosper, Texas; David Moerschel, 44, of Punta Gorda, Florida; Brian Ulrich, 44, of Guyton, Georgia; and Jessica Watkins, 39, of Woodstock, Ohio. In addition to their previous charges, the defendants are charged with seditious conspiracy and other Jan. 6 offenses. Among the other charges are destruction of government property, civil disorder, tampering with documents or proceedings, and conspiracy to prevent an officer from discharging any duties, according to the indictment. Protesters walk around in the Rotunda after breaching the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Jan. 6, 2021. (Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images) Jonathon Moseley, a Washington-based attorney who represents Meggs in his criminal case and Rhodes in his upcoming appearance before the House panel investigating the Jan. 6 breach of the U.S. Capitol, blasted the indictment as a publicity ploy. This is just a public relations gloss on the existing facts, Moseley told The Epoch Times in a statement. Faced with criticism from leading Democrats for not supporting their leftist narrative, the prosecutors have just slapped a new label on the false allegations already made. But I see no facts that would support the new charges. Furthermore, the U.S. Attorney and his prosecutors know that they are lying. They have known since March to May 2021 that every allegation they are making is a lie, he said. We have the documents. We have the proof. They know that we know that this prosecution is a total lie. And yet they are forging ahead with prosecutorial misconduct. William Miller, a spokesman for the U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of Columbia, declined to comment on Moseleys assertions. We typically do not comment on cases beyond what is stated or filed in court, Miller said. Eight other Oath Keepers previously charged in the sweeping Jan. 6 investigation are defendants in two related cases, the U.S. Department of Justice said in a statement. In one of those cases, charges were leveled against James Beeks, 49, of Orlando, Florida; Donovan Crowl, 51, of Cable, Ohio; William Isaacs, 22, of Kissimmee, Florida; Connie Meggs, 60, of Dunnellon, Florida; Sandra Parker, 63, and Bernie Parker, 71, of Morrow, Ohio; and Laura Steele, 53, of Thomasville, North Carolina. The third case involves charges against Jonathan Walden, 57, of Birmingham, Alabama. The 19 defendants named in the three indictments are charged with corruptly obstructing an official proceeding. Eighteen of the 19 defendants face charges of conspiring to obstruct an official proceeding, and conspiring to prevent an officer of the United States from discharging a duty. Eleven of the 19 are charged with seditious conspiracy. The first indictment charges that following the Nov. 3, 2020, presidential election, Rhodes conspired with the other defendants to oppose by force the transfer of presidential power to Joseph Biden Jr. from Donald J. Trump. The group communicated using encrypted message applications to lay out plans to travel to Washington for the Jan. 6 certification of Electoral College votes. A group clashes with law enforcement officers outside the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Jan. 6, 2021. (Joseph Prezioso/AFP via Getty Images) Rhodes and several alleged co-conspirators planned to bring weapons to support the operation, while others were organized into teams that were trained in paramilitary tactics, the indictment charges. The groups planned to bring gear that included knives, batons, camouflaged uniforms, tactical vests with protective plates, helmets, eye protection, and radio equipment. According to the Department of Justice summary of the alleged conspiracy, at about 2:30 p.m. on Jan. 630 minutes after protesters and rioters breached the Capitol buildinga group of Oath Keepers marched in a stack formation up the Capitols east steps and joined a mob and made their way into the Capitol. A stack is a military-style tactical formation used to breach buildings. Later, a second group made another stack formation, marched from the west to the east side of the Capitol, up the stairs, and into the building, the Department of Justice said in a statement. Other Oath Keepers remained outside the city in quick-reaction force (QRF) teams, ready to transport firearms and other weapons into Washington D.C. in support of operations aimed at using force to stop the lawful transfer of presidential power, the DOJ statement said. Moseley suggested the indictment is nothing more than a restatement of previous charges. I look forward to drinks on Kelly Meggss new yacht after the civil lawsuits for malicious prosecution, he said. Moseley said he was on the phone with Rhodes discussing his upcoming appearance before the Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the United States Capitol when the FBI called Rhodes. He patched me in on the call and I identified myself as his lawyer. The FBI special agent said they were outside and he needed to come out with his hands up and be arrested, Moseley told The Epoch Times. Moseley said he stayed on the line for 10 minutes before they hung up the phone. 15,000 California Restaurants and Bars Face an Unexpected Tax on Pandemic Era Grants SACRAMENTO, Calif.An unexpected state income tax from a pandemic-era federal grant could impact more than 15,000 food and beverage establishments financially. This could be the largest cost any business has in the entire year, Craig Winchester, partner at Perceptive Tax Advisory Group, told The Epoch Times. Its akin to almost the entire payroll costabout a 10 percent tax on some of these grants. Under President Joe Bidens American Rescue Plan Actwhich was signed into law last yearthe U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) approved $28.6 billion in tax-exempt grants through the Restaurant Revitalization Fund program for restaurants, bars, and other businesses that serve food and drinks. According to the SBA, the Restaurant Revitalization Fund distributes grants to replenish certain expenses like payroll and rent for the period between February 2020 through December 2021. Women reflect off a window while dining outside in Fullerton, Calif., on Dec. 22, 2020. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times) Of the more than 36,000 eligible businesses that applied for the grant in California, well over 15,000 were accepted. Each business received grantsranging up to $10 milliontotaling approximately $5.7 billion in the states share of the award money. While federal law exempts recipients from having to pay taxes on these grants, California law does not specify such an exemption. What [the restaurant owners] didnt realize is that not every state conforms to federal law, Winchester said. They thought that they had this money to help them sustain during the tough times, but now this could be just another nail in the coffin. This could result in an unforeseen cost of over $600 million in state income taxes that could hit the hospitality service industry, as reported by Winchester in the California Globe. However, California State Treasurer Fiona Ma said the state has been good about refraining from over-penalizing small businesses and doesnt believe California lawmakers would allow the tax to go through. These are people that are struggling and suffering, and theyre getting assistance from the federal government, Ma told The Epoch Times. They shouldnt be taxed on itnot enough that theyre not able to open. Theyre having a hard time keeping their employees on staff. On Jan. 10, Gov. Gavin Newsom released his proposed budget summary for 20222023, stating the states taxes generally conform with the federal treatment of grants, especially when it will assist businesses with their 2021 tax liabilities. While recipients of the program may be relieved after hearing Newsoms proposal, Winchester advised against claiming victory until it goes through the required steps to change the law. The biggest impediment to this is going to be false confidence it will happen, he said. Tavern House Kitchen and Bar offers fine dining in Newport Beach, Calif., on Sept. 9, 2020. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times) According to the National Restaurant Association, statewide COVID-19 lockdowns, protocols, and restrictions resulted in an estimated $250 billion loss in revenue for restaurants, bars, and other food-related establishments10 times the amount in the aid distributed through the program. If these 15,000 businesses didnt receive the Restaurant Revitalization Funds, many of them would not be in business, Jot Condie, president and CEO of the California Restaurant Association, a nonprofit organization representing more than 22,000 members, told The Epoch Times. Now theyre dealing with a second wave iteration of the crisis, in terms of these variants, Condie said. Were sort of in a soft lockdown right now. The government isnt shutting restaurants down, people are choosing to stay away. Condie said that following discussions with California lawmakers and budget-writing committees, the nonprofit is hopeful the grant money will be treated like other pandemic-era-related grants such as the Paycheck Protection Program and the Economic Injury Disaster Loan, both of which exempted federal and state income taxes. However, the California Restaurant Association and other California nonprofits continue to monitor how the programs tax law evolves over the next couple of months. I can imagine that we would mobilize and force and speak up to the powers that bewhether it requires state legislationto direct the treasurer to exempt that income, Tracy Hernandez, founding CEO of BizFed, a nonprofit organization established in 2008 that represents 180 business networks in Southern California, told The Epoch Times. There would definitely be a loud crying movement. I cant imagine any of the state assembly or senators choosing to say, No, were going to penalize. That wasnt the intent at allit was to be a lifeline to restaurants. Rancher John Ladd on his property that abuts the U.S.Mexico border near Naco in Cochise County, Ariz., on Dec. 8, 2021. (Charlotte Cuthbertson/The Epoch Times) A Gun at Every Door: Border Rancher Sees 2,400 Percent Increase in Illegal Aliens on Property Arizona rancher says Border Patrol only catches around 30 percenton a good day COCHISE COUNTY, ArizonaRanching and smuggling are respectively the primary legitimate and illegitimate economic drivers in Cochise County, Arizona. Much to John Ladds frustration, the two industries intersect on his ranch, which is sandwiched between the U.S.Mexico border and Highway 92, a convenient smuggling pick-up road. Ladds ranch shares 10 1/2 miles of border with Mexico and in mid-2019 had an average of 12 illegal aliens traversing it daily, with Border Patrol catching about half. Now, he says, its about 300 a day and Border Patrol catches about 30 percent on a good day. The numbers started escalating around the same time the 2020 presidential election swung Joe Bidens way. Im not going to say theres no hope, but nothings going to change as long as Bidens there and his administration, Ladd told The Epoch Times on Dec. 8, 2021. And so what are we going to do, just let them come through? The illegal immigrants traversing Ladds ranch arent seeking asylumtheyre mostly young, single men dressed head-to-toe in camouflage clothing and doing everything they can to avoid law enforcement and get to Phoenix. These people cant turn themselves in, theyll get deported. These are the bad people. Were dealing with the worst of the worst, Cochise County Sheriff Mark Dannels said. Dannelss border team has placed hundreds of trail cameras throughout the county since 2017 to detect illegal aliens, traffickers, and smugglers. We put our cameras in areas where Border Patrol wasnt going, he said. We went to the river areas, we went into the mountain areas, we went to the desert areas. The money for the cameras was raised from private donationsDannels refuses to accept government money that has strings attached. Four years ago, the sheriffs border team, called SABRE (Southeastern Arizona Border Region Enforcement), rid Ladds ranch of drug smugglers, which was the biggest problem at the time. There were 37 experienced smugglers [on his property] that are now sitting in prison, Dannels said in 2019. The drugs are still coming across, but the cartels are making an endless amount of cash with human smuggling, so theyve added a lucrative new revenue stream. Currently, Dannelss cameras are detecting about 6,000 illegal aliens per month in the county, while Border Patrol is detecting an additional 10,000. Detective Jake Kartchner, who is part of the sheriffs border team run by Sgt. Tim Williams, said each illegal alien must pay the Sinaloa cartel between $7,000 and $9,000 on average to get across the border. Getting across the border and to a road is the first step. Next, a smuggler receives a GPS location of a group, loads them up, and heads to Phoenix. The drivers are mostly U.S. citizens who are recruited via social media and paid about $1,000 per alien transported to Phoenix, according to the sheriffs office. Its like the cartel Uber. They just stage in public places all along the roadways waiting to get called up to go pick them up, Dannels said. He said 900 to 1,000 smuggling vehicles are tracked in the county each month. Ladd said he has watched vehicles load up on Highway 92 after crossing his property. Those cars arent even stoppingtheyre slowing down and theyre running along and open the door and jump in and off they go, he said. Its very well coordinated. No state law against smuggling illegal aliens exists in Arizona, and the federal government isnt prosecuting juvenile drivers or those transporting five or fewer aliens, according to Cochise County Attorney Brian McIntyre. Theyre Running Cochise County shares 83 miles of international border with Mexico and sits in the southeast corner of Arizona, abutting New Mexico. The landscape consists of remote desert and mountain passes. Border Patrol apprehensions in the Tucson sector, which encompasses Cochise County, almost tripled in 2021 compared to 2020. In fiscal year 2021, border agents apprehended more than 190,000 illegal aliens in the sector, compared to 66,000 the year before. Thousands more evaded captureincluding many on Ladds ranch. This new invasion, they dont want to get caught. This isnt like Texas, where theyre coming, Here I am. Theyre running, he said. Ladd said his family has to stay more vigilant than before and ensure everything is locked up. Weve got a gun at every door in the house. We had to go through all that again with the familyyou better understand if youre going to shoot somebody, the consequences, and you better make sure youre really in danger, he said. Ladd said two of the ranches on the Mexican side directly across from him are owned by the Sinaloa cartel, and the owners of the other two have been told to stay off their property after dark. Although hes not looking to sell, Ladd said the border has halved the value of his ranch since it was placed into a family trust in 1983. He had to get the ranch reappraised eight years ago when his mother died and the value had plummeted by half, he said, adding that improvements worth $2 million to $3 million had been undertaken during that time. In the appraisal, they said, This ranchs southern fence is the border,' Ladd said. That was the first sentence in the appraisal. His ranching costs are also higher as he deals with cut fences, gates left open, and more scattered herds. The amount of labor involved to get cattle now is three or four times what somebody 50 miles north has to put up with, he said. McIntyre said residents want to feel safe on their property. Youre not going to feel safe if youve got 100 people across your property line at night, he said. And you dont know that theyre armed and you dont know whos coming to pick them up and where theyre going to pick them up. It is a violation. TV Ads in Mexico Kartchner said the sheriffs office is currently investigating a new phenomenon involving television ads allegedly being broadcast in southern Mexico that spur illegal immigration. The commercials are pretty much telling themfrom what weve gatheredIt doesnt matter your immigration status, well hire you,' he said. The commercials are encouraging illegal immigrants to get to New Jersey, Oregon, or Chicago, and promising that work will be provided, Kartchner said. Theyll freely tell you why theyre coming across, he said of the illegal aliens they catch. He said up to 60 percent of them are currently saying they came because of the advertising. Ladd said he believes most illegal immigrants coming across his land end up being indentured servants to the cartel to pay off their smuggling debt. Hes bracing for another frustrating year in 2022 as the flow continues unimpeded. The plan is to let everybody come, he said, referring to the Biden administration. And theyre all going to vote Democratic. I think thats the biggest thing that people have finally understoodthats what hes doing. House Minority Leader Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) speaks during a weekly news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington on May 28, 2020. (Alex Wong/Getty Images) Abuse of Power: GOP Leader Kevin McCarthy Refuses To Cooperate With Jan. 6 Panel House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy on Wednesday said he wont cooperate with the Jan. 6 committee probing the breach of the U.S. Capitol, accusing the committee of an abuse of power. Hours earlier, the House Select committee asked the California Republican to voluntarily hand over information, including about former President Donald Trumps mental state during and after the events that unfolded on Jan. 6 last year. 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 a statement. The nine-member panel is not conducting a legitimate investigation, McCarthy asserted. The Jan. 6 Commission was created by the Democratic-led House during the summer of 2021 in an almost totally party-line vote. Only two Republicans, Reps. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) and Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.), voted in favor of the commission; these two are also the only two Republicans with a seat on the committee. Mississippi Rep. Bennie Thompson, Democratic chairman of the panel, had asked McCarthy in a letter to disclose his private conversations with the former president before, during, and after the Capitol breach. The panel also asked McCarthy to hand over his communications with former White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows in the days before Jan. 6. 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, Thompson said. 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. The committee acknowledged the sensitive and unusual nature of its request as it proposed a meeting with McCarthy on either Feb. 3 or 4. The Select Committee has tremendous respect for the prerogatives of Congress and the privacy of its Members, Thompson wrote. At the same time, we have a solemn responsibility to investigate fully the facts and circumstances of these events. Cheney, the committees vice chairwoman, did not rule out the possibility of McCarthy being subpoenaed by the panel in the future. Were going to evaluate our options, but we will get to the truth, she said late on Wednesday. Over the past month, several Republicans have been called before the commission. The first of these was Rep. Scott Perry (R-Pa.). Perry refused the summons, calling the Jan. 6 Commission illegitimate. Next to be targeted was Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), a vocal and outspoken critic of the Jan. 6 commission. Like Perry, Jordan refused the summons, citing real concerns over the commissions track record of presenting doctored evidence as fact. The Epoch Times has reached out to the Jan. 6 committee for comment. Joseph Lord and The Associated Press contributed to this report. Russian peacekeepers of the Collective Security Treaty Organization guard an area in Kazakhstan, on Jan. 12, 2022. (Russian Defense Ministry Press Service via AP) After Kazakhstan Unrest, Relatives Await Detainees Release ALMATY, KazakhstanWith about 12,000 people arrested after anti-government protests in Kazakhstan last week, friends and relatives of those held by police waited outside a jail Wednesday, hoping to learn their fate. Some even went to morgues to see if a loved one was among the scores killed in the unprecedented violence in the Central Asian nation. Authorities have refused to allow relatives or lawyers to see those in custody, giving little information about them, according to human rights activists. The demonstrations began Jan. 2 in the western part of Kazakhstan over a sharp rise in fuel prices and spread throughout the country, apparently reflecting wider discontent with the government, which declared a state of emergency for the whole country and asked a Russia-led military alliance to send in troops to help restore order. Another 1,678 people were arrested in the past 24 hours in Almaty, the largest city that was hit hardest by the turmoil, and more than 300 criminal investigations have been opened. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev blamed the unrest on foreign-backed terrorists, but did not provide any evidence, and had given shoot-to-kill orders to security forces to quell the unrest. Outside a branch of the Internal Affairs department that housed a large detention center, a man who gave his name only as Renat said he has been waiting nearly a week to see or get any information about a close friend, Zhandos Nakipovich. He said Nakipovich, whom he described as being like a brother to him, was taken into custody on Jan. 4 during a peaceful protest. He was at first held at a precinct, then they told us he was in the Internal Affairs department, Renat told The Associated Press. Since Jan. 6, weve been here and we dont know whether hes alive or not. Military checkpoints prevented anyone from getting close to the building. Neither lawyers nor relativesno one is allowed inside. Lawyers should be present during interrogation, but as you see, no one can pass, said Galym Ageleuov, head of the Liberty human rights group, who was waiting at the barricade. The checkpoint blocks the access for lawyers and relatives to see whats going on there. We dont even have the list of detainees, Ageleuov said. More than a dozen men and women in dark winter clothes gathered outside one of Almatys morgues, with some of them waiting to collect the bodies of relatives killed in the unrest. Huddled together in small groups, they stood at the gate of the facility, chatting quietly with each other but refused to talk to a reporter. Although the official death toll was announced as 164, Tokayev has said hundreds of civilians and security forces were killed and injured. Life in Almaty has started returning to normal after days of unrest that saw cars and buses torched, government buildings stormed and set ablaze, the airport seized and the sound of gunfire ringing out. The unrest had largely ended by last weekend. Kazakhstans President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, center, visits the Center for Operational Management of the Police Department in Almaty, Kazakhstan, on Jan. 12, 2022. (Kazakhstans Presidential Press Service via AP) Public transportation has resumed and shopping malls reopened, and the only reminders of the violence were occasional military roadblocks and the charred exterior of city hall, which was set ablaze at the height of the rioting. Authorities in the energy-rich country of 19 million sought to mollify the anger at the government by capping fuel prices for 180 days. The Cabinet resigned, and longtime former leader Nursultan Nazarbayev was ousted from his influential post of head of the National Security Council. Nazarbayev had stepped down as president in 2019 after nearly three decades in power, but retained influence in the security forces. Tokayev requested help from the Collective Security Treaty Organization, or CSTO, a Russia-led military alliance of six ex-Soviet states. The bloc sent over 2,000 troops to Kazakhstan, and Tokayev said the troops will start withdrawing Thursday. Hoda Muthana, an Alabama woman who left home to join the ISIS after becoming radicalized online. (Hoda Muthana/Attorney Hassan Shibly via AP) Alabama Woman Who Joined ISIS Stuck in Refugee Camp BIRMINGHAM, Ala.Attorneys for a woman who left her Alabama home to join the ISIS terror group plan to continue fighting for her and her young son even though the Supreme Court declined to consider her lawsuit seeking to re-enter the United States, one of the lawyers said Wednesday. Hoda Muthana and her 4-year-old child, the son of a man she met while with ISIS, have been living in a Syrian refugee camp for nearly the entire life of the child, and its unclear what steps might come next to argue for their admittance into the United States, said Christina Jump, who represents the womans family. But Jump, who works with the Constitutional Law Center for Muslims in America, said attorneys are considering options. We intend to stand by Hoda and her son and their rights to citizenship, she said. We do intend to keep working on her behalf. The Supreme Court on Monday refused to hear the appeal of a lawsuit filed by relatives on behalf of Muthana, who was born in New Jersey and fled her home in suburban Birmingham in 2014 to join ISIS, apparently after becoming radicalized online. She later decided she wanted to return to the United States, but the government determined she was not a U.S. citizen and revoked her passport while she was oversees, blocking her return. The government cited her fathers status as a diplomat from Yemen at the time of her birth in 1994. While the Supreme Court refused to consider overturning lower court rulings that said Muthana could be kept out of the country, Camp said she still believes the Department of State does not have the authority to revoke citizenship in the manner that was done to Ms Muthana. Both relatives and lawyers have a hard time maintaining regular contact with Muthana because she isnt allowed to have her own cellphone in the camp where she lives and internet service is spotty, said the attorney. Muthana has renounced ISIS and both she and her son have been threatened because of her stance, Camp said. The childs father is dead. The decision to revoke her passport was made under former President Barack Obama. The case gained widespread attention because former President Donald Trump tweeted about it, saying he had directed the secretary of state not to allow her back into the country. Alberta Premier Jason Kenney speaks at a press conference in Edmonton on Sept. 21, 2021. (The Canadian Press/Jason Franson) Alberta Wont Tax the Unvaccinated: Kenney Alberta Premier Jason Kenney said the province will not follow Quebecs footsteps in imposing a financial penalty on residents who did not receive a COVID-19 vaccine. Kenney said it is unfair to make the unvaccinated pay extra even if data shows they put a greater burden on the health care system compared to the vaccinated population. 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 on Jan. 11 in a Facebook town-hall meeting. Quebec Premier Francois Legault announced earlier that day that the province will make unvaccinated adult residents pay a significant financial penalty, making it the first jurisdiction in Canada to do so. Kenney said while the unvaccinated are taking up more hospital and intensive care beds, 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 back-country. There is a larger and deeper principle here, which is we have a universal health-care system, Kenney said. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Jan. 11 that he wants to see more details before passing judgment on Quebecs plan, but added that the province has given assurances that its policy will not violate the Canada Health Act. Alberta is currently fighting a rise in COVID-19 cases, amid the highly-contagious Omicron variant. The province added 6,789 new COVID-19 cases on Jan. 11 with 748 people in hospital, including 82 in critical care. Students from kindergarten to Grade 12 in Alberta resumed in-person learning this week after Kenney promised extra masks and millions more rapid tests for schools. The premier said last week that on top of the four million rapid tests from the federal government, the province will receive another 10 million from private suppliers, with one million tests already arrived and three million more to arrive each week after. However, provincial Health Minister Jason Copping said on Jan. 12 only 500,000 of the promised federal tests have arrived, and the balance of the 10 million from private suppliers was delayed due to global supply chain disruptions. Like other provinces, were encountering delays in the delivery of rapid tests from the federal government. We have not received the 4.3 million tests that we expected in December. We have so far received only 500,000 tests in January. Jason Copping (@JasonCoppingAB) January 12, 2022 Copping wrote on Twitter that as of Jan. 11, the province has shipped nearly 1.7 million rapid tests to schools, which is about 40 percent of the initial commitment of 4.3 million tests for this week. 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), he said. The Canadian Press contributed to this article. Workers in protective clothing walk from an apartment building in the Bronx borough of New York, on Jan. 11, 2022. (Matt Rourke/AP Photo) All Victims of Deadly Bronx Fire Identified, Including 2-Year-Old NEW YORKMany of the victims of New York Citys deadliest fire in years were still awaiting burial Thursday, after funerals began with services for two children killed by Sundays blaze in a Bronx apartment building. New York City police on Wednesday released the names and ages of the final three victims identified after the deadly blaze Sunday: a 31-year-old woman, a 47-year-old man, and two-year-old Ousmane Konteh, who is the youngest victim. The eight children who died in the fire range in age from 212. The oldest among the victims was a 50-year-old woman. Community leaders have been huddling to make arrangements for the 17 dead. The vast majority of victims had ties to Gambia. The most important thing is really giving each other support. We are all members of the same community, so we are like family, Haji Dukuray said Wednesday. His niece, Haja, died with her husband and their three childrenFatoumata, 5, Mariam, 11, and Mustafa, 12. The five are among the dead who have yet to be laid to rest, as are a 2-year-old boy, a mother who died with three of her children, and a husband and wife whose four children are now orphans. People prepare candles during a candlelight vigil outside the apartment building in the Bronx borough of New York, on Jan. 11, 2022. (Yuki Iwamura/AP Photo) Some families have been waiting for funeral homes to deliver their loved ones and, in some cases, deciding between burials here or having their loved ones returned to Gambia, in West Africa. The medical examiners office said that two of the dead were released earlier in the week and that funeral homes have yet to take possession of the others. Two victimsSeydou Toure, 12, and sister Haouwa Mahamadou, 5were remembered Wednesday during funerals at a Harlem mosque. The medical examiners office said all the victims suffocated from the thick smoke that poured out of a third-floor apartment, where officials say a malfunctioning electrical space heater sparked the fire. Many people escaped the 19-story building, but others died as they tried to make their way down the smoke-choked stairs. Army Offers Largest Ever Bonus at $50,000 to Entice New Recruits The U.S. Army is offering its largest enlisting bonus ever to entice recruits to join for six years, as the service struggles to hire skilled recruits amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The Army Recruiting Command announced in a press release on Wednesday that a bonus of up to $50,000 will be given to qualified individuals who sign on for a six-year active-duty enlistment. Previously, the maximum bonus for new full-time recruits was capped at $40,000, it said. Maj. Gen. Kevin Vereen, head of Army Recruiting Command, said that due to significant challenges faced by recruiters during the pandemic, the Army is hoping that the services largest ever bonus will entice qualified recruits to sign up long-term. We are still living the implications of 2020 and the onset of COVID, when the school systems basically shut down, Vereen said. We lost a full class of young men and women that we didnt have contact with, face-to-face. The Army Recruiting Command said in its release that the bonus new recruits receive will be based on a combination of incentives offered for the selected career field, individual qualifications, length of the enlistment contract, and the ship date for training. The Army is competing for the same talent as the other services, as well as the private sector, and must have the ability to generate interest in the current employment environment, according to Vereen. This is an opportunity to entice folks to consider the Army, Brig. Gen. John Cushing, who serves as deputy commanding general for operations under Vereen, said in a statement. Weve taken a look at the critical (military occupational specialties) we need to fill in order to maintain the training bases, and that is where we place a lot of our emphasis. Two years of the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus pandemic has made it more difficult to recruit in schools and at public events, and the competition for quality workers has intensified as young people weigh their options. Some, said Vereen, are taking what he calls a gap year, and are making the decision that they dont necessarily need to work right now. Were in a competitive market, Vereen said. How we incentivize is absolutely essential, and that is absolutely something that we know that is important to trying to get somebody to come and join the military. We want to promote the value of serving your country first, he added. But we also know that, this generation and I guess, human nature, you know, its all about compensation, too. The Associated Press contributed to this report. A sample vaccine vial is seen in front of the AstraZeneca logo in an illustration photo taken on Sept. 9, 2020. (Dado Ruvic/Reuters) AstraZeneca Says Its COVID-19 Shot Given as Booster Works Against Omicron AstraZeneca said its COVID-19 vaccine, called Vaxzevria, generated an antibody response against Omicron when given as a third booster dose to individuals who were earlier inoculated with either AstraZenecas shot or an mRNA jab. Citing preliminary data from an ongoing clinical trial, AstraZeneca said in a Jan. 13 statement that its COVID-19 vaccine generated an increased immune response against a number of variants, including Delta and the highly mutated Omicron strain. These important studies show that a third dose of Vaxzevria after two initial doses of the same vaccine, or after mRNA or inactivated vaccines, strongly boosts immunity against COVID-19, said Andrew J. Pollard, chief investigator and director of the Oxford Vaccine Group at the University of Oxford, which co-developed Vaxzevria. AstraZeneca said it plans to submit the data to health regulators around the world for approval for use as a third shot. Given the ongoing urgency of the pandemic and Vaxzevrias increased immune response to the Omicron variant, we will continue to progress regulatory submissions around the world for its use as a third dose booster, said Mene Pangalos, executive vice president of AstraZenecas R&D arm. Vaxzevria, which was invented by the University of Oxford, is a viral vector vaccine based on a weakened version of a common cold virus. Pfizer and Modernas COVID-19 vaccines are based on mRNA technology. COVID-19 is the disease caused by the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus, also known as SARS-CoV-2. AstraZeneca and its manufacturing partners have supplied over 2.5 billion doses of Vaxzevria across the world, even though it is not approved in the United States. Pfizer and development partner BioNTech have shipped about 2.6 billion doses. Separately, Oxford University and AstraZeneca last month started work on a vaccine specifically targeting Omicron though AstraZeneca has said it was not yet clear whether such an upgrade was needed. Pfizer Chief Executive Albert Bourla said a COVID-19 vaccine that specifically targets the Omicron variant would likely be ready in March, noting that the company had already started manufacturing doses. Bourla said Pfizer is ready to file for U.S. regulatory approval for the redesigned COVID-19 vaccine, noting also that he believes COVID-19 vaccines could eventually become an annual shot for most people, and some high-risk groups might be eligible to receive the shots more often than that. Mimi Nguyen-Ly and Reuters contributed to this report. At Hydropower Forum, Sen. Barrasso Decries Glacial Pace of Permitting for New Facilities On Jan. 11, the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources (ENR) held a hearing on hydropower, prompting senators to comment on factors that may threaten the continued existence and expansion of the renewable energy source. If these Democrats want to reduce energy prices, they need to work with Republicans to make it easiernot more difficultto produce American energy, ranking member Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) said in his written opening statement. Hydropower produces more than seven percent of our nations electricityits critical. In some countries, hydropower is a substantially larger source of electricity. For example, hydropower provides up to 95 percent of power produced in Norway. A country well known for its high mountain plateaus, abundant natural lakes and steep valleys and fjords, Norways topography lends itself perfectly to hydropower development, the International Hydropower Association notes in its article on Norway. Unlike other sources of renewable energy, hydropower is available when it is needed. That means hydroelectric dams can provide power whether it is day or nightwhether the wind is blowing, the sun is shining, no matter what. Hydropower can once again be our largest source of renewable energy if we maintain our existing hydroelectric dams and encourage the installation of turbines on our nations non-powered dams, Barrasso said. Hydropower is in fact vulnerable to winter weather. Frazil ice, a form of ice made up of thin ice crystals suspended in water, and other kinds of ice can interfere with hydropower production, as described in a 2013 technical paper that details the impact of ice on hydroelectric plants. Barrasso pointed out that fewer than 3 percent of American dams currently produce electricity. The glacial pace of permitting is a significant barrier to private sector investment in hydropower, he said. I encourage the committee to explore meaningful reforms to the hydropower licensing process. ENR Chair Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) echoed Barrassos remarks on the stability of hydropower. Unlike most other renewable energy sources, hydropower generation provides baseload electricity, he said in his own written statement. Its also flexible which means that the generation capacity is available when we need it, and it has the ability to respond to changing grid conditions and adjust output accordingly. That makes hydropower unique and valuable for maintaining grid reliability as more intermittent resources come online. Like Barrasso, he pointed out that a tiny fraction of dams in the United States generate power. He said that many dams in his home state of West Virginia and elsewhere can likely be retrofitted to produce hydroelectricity. While Manchins statement didnt emphasize regulatory burdens, it did tout the November 2021 infrastructure bill. He described the bill as a historic investment in new and existing incentives for new hydropower production, efficiency upgrades, and infrastructure and environmental improvements. Senators at the forum heard testimony from multiple witnesses, including the commissioner of the Bureau of Reclamation within the Department of the Interior, Camille Calimlim Touton. Our hydropower system faces tremendous challenges due to the historic drought facing the West. This can be seen most prominently in the Colorado River Basin, which is experiencing a 22-year drought, resulting in Lakes Mead and Powell reaching their lowest levels since initial filling decades ago, Touton testified in her written statement. She added that the falling lake levels could reduce power generation from the Hoover Dam. As with any energy resource, the development of hydropower across the West in the last century has created significant benefits, while also significantly impacting the environment and riverine communities, including tribal communities. Ongoing negotiations between the United States and Canada over the Columbia River Treaty, which yielded a number of dams on the Canadian side of the border, have drawn renewed attention to the human costs of large-scale hydroelectric projects. The building of the dams in Canada flooded those valleysand those valleys were made up of small communities, Barbara Cousens, an emerita professor at the University of Idaho, told The Epoch Times. The valleys were the only place for agriculture, because then you [only] have steep, forested mountains. So it really took away that livelihood for the local communities. Malcolm Woolf, president and CEO of the National Hydropower Association, also spoke before the committee. He emphasized that the imminent expiration of many hydropower licenses places much of U.S. hydropower at risk. The uncertainties surrounding the length and cost of the relicensing process threaten the availability of the renewable energy provided by the existing hydropower fleet. Relicensing takes, on average, 7.6 years to complete, with re-licensing for many facilities lasting over a decade, Woolf testified in his written statement. The role of state and federal resource agencies and tribal authorities need to be respected, but so do the deadlines established by Congress, Woolf said when questioned by Barrasso about how he might reform licensing, relicensing, and permitting. The second thing we need is to rein in the agency overrun. They are imposing requirements on our facilities that are not related to the facilities effectsbuilding an amphitheater for the Boy Scouts or feeding a third partys livestock. Mireille and John Knight (C) attended Shen Yun Performing Arts with their sons Nicolas and Michael at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre, in Atlanta, Georgia, on Jan. 12, 2022. (Sherry Dong/Epoch Times) ATLANTA, Ga.This is like a massage for the soul, and for the mind, and for the emotion. Youre able to let yourself go and forget all of the stress that you have in your day. And you can truly take in the beauty that humans can create, said Michael Knight who was enjoying Shen Yun Performing Arts with his family. The Knight family had gathered at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre in Atlanta to watch the worlds foremost classical Chinese dance and music company. Three of the family members are co-founders of the energy company Carbon Recall. Michael had arrived at the theater after a long day at work and experienced the life-changing power of a Shen Yun performance. Shen Yun offers many benefits. The calmness, the relaxation, the interconnectivity with the music and dance to get in touch with ones soul again, said Michael. Because you spend your life always moving around, always going from point A to point B as fast as you can because we live in a world where everything is moving very fast. So, you come and you sit down and you relax, and you get to really just pay attention to the world around you for one moment. And you realize how beautiful some of the arts and the things that we overlook in our daily lives are. And how much they can change you as a person, just by experiencing it one time, he said. Recalling the Water Sleeves dance that depicts the graceful ladies of the Chinese imperial court, Michael recounted his impressions. Watching them retract and detract the sleeves and the way they moved was like water. And you realize the powers of being like waterbecause water will always fill in the shape that it is filling, like a tea kettle or a cup or whatever shape it is that water willit will acclimate, it will transition itself. And it will always at the end of the day be fullof life, of whatever it is that you interpret that to be, through the dance, through the music, through your own selfwhen you inherit this sound and this art. And to kind of bring it back to full circle, it is almost like a reset. Like when you get a massage, you feel very light, you feel good, your bodys been reset in a sense, said Michael. Its really superbly done, said Mireille Knight, mother of Michael and Nicolas, and Johns spouse. Mireille is a computer analyst. I like how they brought together the sound and the visual[Shen Yun] married them very well together, she said. She was also impressed with how Shen Yuns innovative projection was able to create a seamless interaction between the projection and the actors on the stage. Ive never seen that before and this is very well done. To the point where the actors fly out of the horizon, Mireille said in awe. Shen Yun has a wide repertoire of dances including classical Chinese dance, but also folk and ethnic dancing that have their distinctive rhythms and unique dance styles. [It] was really exquisite dancingbeautiful. And when [the performers] are dancing, they have that beautiful bright smile on their face. The men are very powerful. When they jump in the air its like they defy gravity, Mireille said. The company also has a live orchestra with Western instruments serving as a foundation accentuating the distinct sounds of the traditional Chinese instruments. It also presents vocalists and solo instrumental performances. Mireille was inspired by the song, To Heaven in this Life, sung by Shen Yuns vocalist. The lyrics are translated to English on the backdrop for the audience to follow. And the message is, [that] at the end of the day, there is a divine power and then that power will always be able to overcome evil. And I think that this is what they wanted us to understand from that performance, and I got it, said Mireille. She praised the performance of the erhu player. The erhu is a traditional Chinese two-stringed violin. Wow, I mean seriously. She poured her heart into it. You could feel it, you see it. Its really beautiful. Shen Yuns music is very soft. Its good for the heart, Mireille said. It is good for us to understand more about the Chinese traditional culture. What we hear in the news is not the real China. I think personally [Shen Yun] is the real China, and I really applaud them and I wish them the best of luck. And believe me, if there is another show, well be the first ones to come, she said. Shen Yun is very much a Knight family affair with Nicolas Knight, a mechanical engineer, saying that his sister and brother-in-law had come to see the performance the previous day. It was an eye-opening experienceit was fantastic, he said. Shen Yun had offered a beautiful display of Chinese culture. Nicolas was also absolutely blown away by the soprano. The way she was able to carry notes it kind of just gave you chills down your body. Its that energy that she was giving off. He explained that he felt that he was actually on the stage with the dancers. I definitely plan on seeing more performances like this, he said. For John Knight, it was the delicate movements of the dance and the emotion that carried him through the performance. It was really gratifying and very wonderful, he said. He felt both touched and energized by Shen Yun. John is a security consultant in the solar energy field. I didnt know what to expect. I was very, very pleasantly surprised. Im familiar with martial arts so I saw a lot of the same type of movements in the Chinese dance. Classical Chinese dance dates back thousands of years and has become one of the worlds most comprehensive dance systems. Balance is the key, with the hard and the soft and the fast and the slow, rough and the gentlethey all came together in yin and yang, said John, describing the ancient Chinese concepts of balance. His body felt very light especially watching the dancers defy gravity, he said. A Shen Yun performance comes from the heart and all the elements of the detail are giving out a message, said Michael. Shen Yuns presenters prepare the audience with a brief description of each performance, something many audience members appreciate. Michael noted how the emcees had explained how through civilization we all share certain qualitiescompassion, love, logic, hatredemotions that innately make us humans. Regardless of what time you live in, whether its in 2022 or 122, you still share those emotions with those people. And youre able to draw that inspiration through time and youre able to make sense of what your life is about, he said. Reporting by Sherry Dong and Diane Cordemans. The Epoch Times is a proud sponsor of Shen Yun Performing Arts. We have covered audience reactions since Shen Yuns inception in 2006. The Michigan seal affixed to the wall above Carniak's seat at the Oakland County District Court in Rochester Hills, Mich., on Dec. 13, 2021, in a still from video. (AP/Screenshot via The Epoch Times) Audit: Michigan Paid $8 Billion in Improper Jobless Benefits During Pandemic An independent audit of the performance of Michigans unemployment compensation system during the pandemic gave state officials some good news and some bad news. The audit estimated that the Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) thwarted $44 billion in fraudulent unemployment claims but handed out an estimated $8 billion in improper benefits during the first 19 months of the pandemic. The state hired the multinational auditing and consulting firm Deloitte and Touche in July 2020 to investigate unemployment fraud. The results were made public on Dec. 29, 2021. The same day, Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced a pair of executive orders, which, she said, solidifies anti-fraud measures. According to the audit report, incrementally throughout the pandemic, about two dozen reforms and changes of procedures have been adopted by UIA to combat unemployment benefits fraud. The efforts have resulted in a steady decline in fraudulent claims. In a letter to Whitmer and to the chairs of the legislatures House and Senate Oversight committees, UIA Director Julia Dale stated, There is no acceptable level of fraud. Of the $39 billion paid out in Michigan in unemployment benefits since March of 2020, $32.9 billion came from federal programs. When Whitmer used her emergency powers as governor to lock down Michigans economy in the spring of 2020, the action greatly affected the states unemployment agency. The UIA was faced with a historic number of unemployment claims, Dale said in her letter. She said the agency received 380,000 claims in a single week, compared to the average of 5,000 and the previous weekly record of 77,000 during the Great Recession of 20072009. From the start of the pandemic until the end of November 2020, UIA workers processed nearly as many claims for unemployment benefits as they had in the previous seven years combined, according to a Michigan Labor Department report dated Nov. 25, 2020. The report describes how the flood of claims overwhelmed the UIAs 650 staff members, necessitating the hiring of almost 2,400 new employees and temporary workers. This was done to help ensure the timely payment of $26 billion in benefits to Michigans 2.2 million unemployed during the first eight months of the lockdown. Much of the claim processing was shared by hurriedly trained staff and workers hired from contracted private companies, Dale said. Because of the lockdown, the claims had to be handled by telephone, resulting in a call volume 150 times greater than normal. Cash-strapped applicants calling to sign up for benefits were kept on hold for hours. Some reported getting through to a call center at 2 or 3 a.m., but then had to wait many weeks, and even months, for their first check. Recognizing peoples financial needs, Dale said the federal government passed legislative remedies. The remedies, which included relaxing normal eligibility and verification requirements, made applying for unemployment benefits easier, and getting the first check faster. The federal legislation also, for the first time, granted unemployment compensation to part-time employees, independent contractors, gig workers, people with irregular work histories, and people with no recent connection to a workplace. The expanded safety net enticed thousands of Michiganders to take a chance to see if they could be approved to receive benefits. Many applied in good faith and were approved and paid, only to be told months later that they didnt qualify and had to pay the money back. After a few days, they would receive another letter informing them that they did, in fact, qualify and owed the state nothing. Amid a massive influx of claims, the UIA was forced to stand up new federal programs on short notice, while at the same time interpreting complex and often shifting federal guidance, Dale said. The complexities of the half-dozen new federal programs provided ample opportunity for criminals to exploit weaknesses in fraud detection, resulting in the theft of billions of dollars, she said. While fraudulent claims are often filed by criminals from other states or overseas, [some Michiganders] saw opportunity during a chaotic time to be paid more benefits than they were entitled to or be paid when they wouldnt normally qualify for any money, Dale said. To date, more than 50 Michiganders have been charged with fraud, with some cases recouping millions of dollars; five of the accused were UIA employees or contract workers. Thus far, nine people have been convicted or pleaded guilty and three have been sentenced, Dale said. According to the Michigan Department of Labor, as early as May of 2020, the U.S. Secret Service had issued warnings about sophisticated international crime rings exploiting the pandemic to commit large-scale fraud against state unemployment programs throughout the United States. Residents queue up inside their cars for PCR tests at the St Vincent's Bondi Beach COVID-19 drive through testing clinic on December 22, 2021 in Sydney, as the number of COVID-19 cases keeps on the rise across the New South Wales state ahead of the Christmas festivities. (Photo by Mohammad Farooq/AFP via Getty Images) Australian Health Experts Split Over Approach to Pandemic Management A schism has been brewing in Australias medical fraternity on how to handle the pandemic bestspilling over into the political realmwith one group pushing for strong measures to smother any potential transmission of COVID-19, and the other calling for society to learn to live with the virus. Dr. Nick Coatsworth, a former chief medical officer during Australias initial response to COVID-19, has been a leading voice in calling for a return to normalcy. In light of our community success, the evolution of the virus to a milder form and effective new treatments, the time for mandates and whole-of-community restrictions is therefore over. The case for fear of COVID-19 is now restricted largely to the social media platform of Twitter, he wrote in an op-ed in The Sydney Morning Herald on Jan. 1. 2022. Absent the perennial efforts of a small but vocal section of public health academia and a dwindling number of media personalities, our community is ready and can move to a phase of living with COVID-19 as an endemic virus, he said. Coatsworth warned the group would continue to push for disease control above all else, while trying to capitalise on the upcoming Australian federal election to influence public health policy. This will lead to inevitable calls for 2020-style policies in an attempt to damage the incumbent Coalition (government). It is critical that both major parties recognise that the challenges for 2022 and beyond are not related to COVID-19, he said. According to emails obtained by the Australian Financial Review, members of OzSagea lobby group comprised of notable health experts who advocate for strong containment measures against the virusbegan mobilising a response to Coatsworth. Would OzSAGE please publish an urgent fact check and response to this opinion piece in The Sydney Morning Herald yesterday? wrote Dr. Kerryn Phelps, president of the Australian Medical Association. It is having an impact in the community. Stephen Robson, former president of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, said, Agree with Kerryn 100 percent that a response is required. Richard Holden, an economics professor at the University of New South Wales, said he had an op-ed ready to go that he believed would tick most of the boxes. The article, authored along with Steven Hamilton, a visiting fellow at the Tax and Transfer Policy Institute at the Australian National University, was critical of the federal governments response to COVID-19. Policymakers point to current hospitalisations as low and say, everything is going to plan. But this ignores the fact hospitalisations lag cases by one to two weeks, they wrote in the op-ed published on Jan 3. Holden and Hamilton called the vaccination rolloutwhere there was not enough supply for a period of timeamong the greatest policy failures in Australian history. Shame on us for imagining theyd learnt their lesson. (Prime Minister Scott) Morrison says he doesnt want to look in the rear-view mirror, and we can see why. Another message chain saw Dr. Phelps warn against sending students back to class for Term 1 in 2022. Return to primary school classrooms should be delayed until vaccination levels are optimal, mitigation measures are completed, and the peak of this wave of the #Covid19 passes, she wrote on Twitter on Jan. 7. Coatsworths response on the social media platform was blunt, Ignore this individual. Late last year, most Australian governments began shifting their policy settings around handling COVID-19 towards living with the virusinstead of elimination focusing on high vaccination rates, testing, and prepping the hospital system for serious cases. The move has coincided with the onset of the Omicron variant, which has seen a dramatic spike in case numbers, while hospitalisation rates have grown at a steadier pace. Australian Opposition Leader Puts Onus of RAT Supply Issue on PM Australian Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese has blamed Prime Minister Scott Morrison and the federal government for the supply shortage of rapid antigen tests (RAT). It comes after the federal government placed an order for over $60 million RATs to five tenders, each under the condition of extreme urgency or events unforeseen. How is it we have got to this point? The rapid antigen tests were approved last September. The national plan made it clear that once we opened up, there would be an increased number of infections, Albanese told the ABC. He said that groups like the Australian Medical Association (AMA) had predicted the increased number of infections, and the governments tender had disrupted the normal commercial trade of RATs. This is the third year of the pandemic, Albanese said. [Morrison] doesnt have to be Nostradamus here. He just needs to have listened to the health experts and acted. However, Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce said the government would bring in supply but wasnt sure if they would be funding free tests. I dont even like saying free because nothing is free. All that happens is you just pay for it on your tax later on. If you want something to be free, youre fooling yourself because the money doesnt just fall out of the air. We just take it off your wages and your salaries and tax your businesses to pay for them, he told Nine network. Joyce later added that people such as pensioners and those in aged care would have access to RATs for free. 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) Health associations and unions have been calling on the government to provide free RATs for all Australians, with priority given to frontline workers. Equity mattersas it does for every aspect of public health. The people most at risk from the pandemic are often least able to afford RATs, if they can find any, Public Health Association of Australia CEO Terry Slevin said on Jan. 5. Everyone has the right to access RATs, not just those who can afford it, nor the insatiable desires of retailers who have the unusually close ear of government. The Australian Council of Trade Unions Secretary Sally McManus accused Morrison of ignoring growing calls to make RATs free. The first priority of any government should be to keep their citizens safe. We need the tools to achieve this, which are free and accessible rapid antigen tests, she said. Austin Fergason looks at a letter issued by the Ronald McDonald House BC and Yukon that says all guests need to have COVID-19 vaccination. (Austin Fergason) BC Family Faces Eviction From Ronald McDonald House Due to Vaccination Policy VANCOUVERA Kelowna family is facing eviction from a Ronald McDonald House facility in Vancouver after it abruptly introduced requirements that all guests need to have COVID-19 vaccination. Austin Furgason and his wife Lindsay have been staying at the facility run by the Ronald McDonald House BC and Yukon since October while their son undergoes treatment for his recently diagnosed acute lymphoblastic leukemia. In a letter issued on Jan. 10, Ronald McDonald House BC and Yukon (RMHBC) said that everyone five years and older who are working, staying or visiting our facilities must show proof of full vaccination (two doses) in addition to completing our existing screening. Because neither he nor his wife have chosen to take a COVID-19 vaccine, Furgason and his family are now forced to leave and find alternate accommodation until June when his sons treatment is scheduled to end. [They] evicted a four-year old boy with cancer, Furgason told The Epoch Times. It just shows they will go to any lengths to to get people jabbed because everybody whos been vaccinated wanted to get vaccinated. Everybody whos not vaccinated, doesnt want to get vaccinated. So anybody now, is getting vaccinated because of coercion and force or by taking jobs away. The Epoch Times reached out to RMH multiple times for comment but didnt receive a reply. Furgason posted a video on his Facebook page on Jan. 11 which shows him approaching a staff member at the RMH facility to verify if his family is going to be evicted. In the video, which has gone viral, the unidentified RMH staff member tells Furgason, What were doing is protecting the safety of everybody in the House. No youre not, because a vaccinated person can still get [COVID-19] and transmit it, Furgason tells her in response. Since posting the video, Furgason says he has received a lot of support, including from many guests at the RMH. So many people are being affected, Furgason said in an interview. There are people here who have been approaching me who are vaccinated, and theyre saying, I dont want to vaccinate my kid, hes fine. And hes in the middle of a cancer treatment. RMHs letter says the new vaccine requirements will be in effect by Jan. 17 for all new guests, and by Jan. 31 for the existing guests. After Furgasons video went viral, a GoFundMe page setup in October to support the family as their son receives cancer treatment saw donations quickly rise from $3,000 collected in a few months to more than $130,000 in just two days. Mitch Murphy, a friend of the Furgasons who set up the GoFundMe page, speaks very highly of his friends. They just glow everywhere that they go with the spirit of God, Murphy said. And so when Jack was diagnosed, I was just crushed. Furgason said he feels very elated by all the support his family has been receiving. I cant walk around being depressed. I feel like God would be like, Im taking care of you, he said. People saw a problem, and theyre saying we got this guys back. The community of people who agree that this is wrong, they had my back and they rectified my problem really quickly. For the time being, the family is heading back to Kelowna as their son doesnt have to be back for his treatment for another week. But the return stay at RMH will likely be short, if they even decide to come back, Furgason says. Im probably just going to leave to be honest. I mean, they dont want me here, he said. I thought this is my family and my home but if they think otherwise, what am I to do? Beijing Unlikely to Live up to Carbon Neutrality Pledge, Experts Say China's coal use surges as construction of coal power plants continues unabated Fifteen months ago, China publicly pledged to achieve carbon neutrality by 2060. However, analysts say the countrys ruling communist regime will unlikely fulfill such a commitment, based on its industry signs and its record of breaking international agreements. On Sept. 22, 2020, Chinese leader Xi Jinping addressed via video link the United Nations General Assembly in New York, promising that his country would go carbon neutral within 40 years. Just over six months later, Xi attended a 2-day virtual climate change summit led by the United States. At that April 2021 meeting, he reaffirmed his carbon neutrality commitment, vowing that China would comply with the objectives and principles laid out in the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change and its Paris Agreement. However, China is expected to take up more than one-thirdthe largest portion by countryof the global coal demand growth in 2021, according to Coal 2021: Analysis and Prospect to 2024 released by the International Energy Agency (IEA) on Dec. 17, 2021. The report says Chinas coal consumption is estimated to increase by 159 million tons between 2020 and 2021 while the global rise was about 450 million tons during the same period. The IEA says it maintains a special focus on China, the worlds largest coal producer, consumer, and importer. Chinese leader Xi Jinping (R) shakes hands with U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon during a joint ratification of the Paris climate change agreement with U.S. President Barack Obama (not pictured) ahead of the G20 Summit at the West Lake State Guest House in Hangzhou, China, on Sept. 3, 2016. (How Hwee Young/AFP via Getty Images) Coal-Fired Plants Expansion Takes Shape Environmental group Greenpeace revealed on its Chinese site on Dec. 17 that, as of November 2021, up to 85.6 percent of Chinas approved coal power projects for 2020 had already been in operation or under construction. This would correspondingly produce an installation capacity of 35.786 gigawatts (GW), which will, in turn, add a sharp rise to coal power capacity throughout the Chinese Communist Partys (CCP) 14th Five-Year Plan. In 2020, the CCP-approved coal capacity hit 41.8 GW, a rise of 200 percent year-on-year, according to Greenpeace. A low-carbon development policy research team of Greenpeace East Asia confirmed that the Chinese authorities had pushed hard their coal-fired plant projects throughout 2021, based on public data and satellite remote sensing imagery. The environmental groups report shows that 51 of the 82 projects on the list were under construction and four had been put into operation (2.857 GW), with a combined installed capacity of 35.786 GW, holding 85.6 percent of the approved total for 2020, by the end of November 2021. Another 12 projects, whose information was available to builders for bidding purposes, involve a total capacity of 2.1 GW. Additionally, unauthorized construction also existed in China, according to the report. Moreover, non-profit Global Energy Monitor noted that the 2020 steep growth of Chinas coal plants offset a retreat from coal in the rest of the world, causing the first increase12.5 GWin global coal capacity development since 2015, in a study titled Boom and Bust 2021: Tracking The Global Coal Plant Pipeline. Workers sort coal near a coal mine in Datong, Chinas northern Shanxi Province on Nov. 3, 2021. (Noel Celis/AFP via Getty Images) Coal Consumption Spurred Amid Power Crunch In September 2021, a power crunch swept 13 Chinese provinces, including southeast Guangdong, Chinas biggest manufacturing center. The energy crisis triggered suspension or on-and-off operation in factories and blackouts in residential areas, raising concern over Chinas supply pressure and surging coal prices. The demand-driven electricity supply eventually found its momentum in domestic coal outcomes and imports. A Dec. 15 report of energy production by the National Bureau of Statistics wrote that China produced 3.67 billion tons of raw coal from January to November, up 4.2 percent year-on-year. At the same time, China strengthened coal imports, which rose to 290 million tons, up 10.6 percent year-on-year, including 35.03 million tons in November, up 198.1 percent year-on-year. A Pattern of Breaking International Commitments There is no reason to believe that China will live up to this or any other agreement, Antonio Graceffo, an economics professor, and China economic analyst, commented in an email to The Epoch Times on Jan. 8. He cited examples of Chinas failure to fulfill its promises in the issues of the phase one trade deal with the United States and the reduction of nuclear arms. On the other hand, Graceffo analyzed challenges the Chinese economy faces, including overreliance on coal and zero-COVID policy, which added to the degree of difficulty in carrying out its pledges if the CCP wishes to boost its economy in 2022. So, it is highly unlikely that the CCP will make good on this commitment, Graceffo, also a contributor to The Epoch Times. said. We can finally admit that China never plays by the rules and never lives up to its word. Chinese workers walk past a coal-fired power plant in Hanchuan, Hubei Province on Oct. 13, 2021. (Getty Images) Anders Corr, a principal at New York-based Corr Analytics Inc, expressed his concern on the same day. Beijing is a virtuoso at breaking its international commitments and then denying that they existed in the first place or that if they did exist, denying that they were broken, said Corr, also a contributor to The Epoch Times. He said Beijing is also seeking to defeat the West by any means necessary, including by bringing the world to the brink of environmental catastrophe. We therefore must assume that any public commitments made by Beijing about carbon neutrality are strategic in nature rather than sincere, warned the analyst. Milton Ezrati, a chief economist for Vested, a New York-based communications firm, and contributor to The Epoch Times, said the only way China could meet its 2060 commitment is with technologies. However, he said, such workable technologies do not presently exist; nor will they come along in the intervening years. The lesson for the democracies and any other countries is that Chinas goodwill on any subject extends only as far as its interests allow, Ezrati added. If a nation wants to know how China will behave, understand its interests. Frank Yue Follow Frank Yue is a Canada-based journalist for The Epoch Times who covers China-related news. He also holds an M.A. in English language and literature from Tianjin Foreign Studies University, China. The sun sets behind a crude oil pump jack on a drill pad in the Permian Basin in Loving County, Texas, on Nov. 24, 2019. (Angus Mordant/Reuters) Biden Regulatory Uncertainty, Tight Market Supporting High Oil Prices Crude oil and natural gas prices are off to a hot start this year, driven by strengthening global demand, tighter supplies, and regulatory uncertainty. But some Wall Street institutions and the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) are split on whether this momentum will be sustained throughout 2022. In its January Short-Term Energy Outlook (STEO), the EIA projected that crude prices would subside in 2022 and 2023, citing growing global inventory builds and supply outpacing demand. The EIA estimates that supply withdrawals averaged 1.4 million barrels per day (bpd) worldwide last year amid renewed demand. The EIA anticipates that consumption growth will ease as inventories are poised to increase. STEO authors project that global crude production will increase by 5.5 million bpd this year, led by the United States, Russia, and the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). They will represent 84 percent of the growth. Global petroleum consumption will swell by 3.6 million bpd, while international stockpiles will advance by approximately 500,000 bpd this year, the EIA estimates. Overall, West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil prices will average $71.32 per barrel this year and $63.50 per barrel in 2023. Brent, the international benchmark for oil prices, is expected to average $75 per barrel in 2022 and $68 per barrel in the following year. The sun is seen behind a crude oil pump jack in the Permian Basin in Loving County, Texas, on Nov. 22, 2019. (Angus Mordant/Reuters) We expect global demand for petroleum products to return to and surpass pre-pandemic levels this year, but crude oil production grows at a faster rate in our forecasts, EIA Acting Administrator Steve Nalley said in a statement. We expect that as crude oil production increases, inventories will begin to replenish and help push prices lower for gasoline, jet fuel, and other products in the short term. This is vastly different from other estimates on Wall Street in recent weeks. In November 2021, JPMorgan Chase forecast that the price of a barrel of oil could soar to $125 in 2022 and $150 in 2023. The financial titan listed the impacts of underinvestment as one of the chief reasons for this call. It stated that it will prove challenging for OPEC and its allies (OPEC+) to avoid. In its recent Global Commodities Research report, JPMorgan Chase noted that demand has been holding steady despite the many variables across the global economy. With signs of demand withstanding the Omicron variant, low stocks, and increasing market vulnerability to supply disruptions, we see the need for more OPEC+ barrels, analysts wrote. As economies reopen and learn to live with an endemic COVID, the impact of the Omicron variant will likely be only limited on the expected rebound in 1Q demand growth. Analysts alluded to several key producing markets that could become problematic for global energy markets. Libya is warning that crude output could slide by 200,000 bpd as the country repairs a damaged pipeline. Ecuador declared force majeure last month on crude exports and production contracts amid heavy rainfall that initiated preventative shutdowns. Nigerias reliability has also come into question because of pipeline sabotage combined with unplanned maintenance and other technical problems. Will the Energy Industry Boost Output? With crude prices hovering at their best levels since 2014, many strategists have been befuddled by the lack of exploration and production efforts. But this could change in the coming year. Rystad Energy, an independent energy research and data analytics firm, forecasts that global oil and gas investments will rise 4.3 percent annually to $628 billion, buoyed by a 14 percent increase in upstream gas and liquefied natural gas investments in 2022. But uncertainty over President Joe Bidens regulatory and broader green agenda has weighed on the industry, despite the spike in energy commodity prices, says Claudio Galimberti, senior vice president of analysis at Rystad Energy. Investment in oil and gas is not what it would be with $85 a barrel five years ago, he told The Epoch Times. Five years ago, you would see much more activity because there would be much less uncertainty from a regulatory perspective. According to Baker Hughes, the total oil rig count stands at 588. This includes 481 rigs from crude-focused operators and 107 rigs from natural gas-focused activity. In its Commodities Oil Drilling Report, JPMorgan Chase noted that the present level of crude activity is already outpacing our average expectation for rigs (435) during the month. The EIA has shared the same sentiment regarding production. Writing in its STEO, the EIA projects that domestic crude output will climb nine consecutive quarters, swelling to 11.8 million bpd in 2022 and 12.4 million bpd in 2023. Production growth reflects oil prices that we expect will be sufficient to lead to continued increases in upstream development activity, which we forecast will proceed at a pace that will more than offset decline rates, the EIA stated. More supplies could be coming online over the next year or two as producers are expanding well completions in the Permian Basin of west Texas and New Mexico, the nations premier shale oil field. A customer prepares to pump gasoline into his car at a Valero station in Mill Valley, Calif., on July 12, 2021. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) These conditions could offer some relief at the pump by the third quarter, Galimberti said. Today, the national average price of gasoline stands at about $3.30 per gallon. But prices could come down 5 to 10 percent later this year, he said. The EIA reported on Jan. 12 that domestic crude inventories declined 4.553 million barrels, greater than the market estimate of a 1.904-barrel drawdown. Industry observers purport that the significant data point from the weekly U.S. energy snapshot was gasoline stockpiles soaring 7.961 million barrels, highlighting weaker-than-expected demand. Gasoline demand was weaker-than-expected and still below pre-pandemic levels, and if this becomes a trend, oil wont be able to continue to push higher, OANDA analyst Edward Moya said in a note. Moreover, natural gas inventories decreased by 179 billion cubic feet in the week ending Jan. 7, slightly more than the median expectation of 173 billion cubic feet, the EIA reported in its weekly storage report. Galimberti believes natural gas could hold firm at $4 in the first quarter, but the energy commoditys impressive start to 2022 could ease once producers take advantage of the bull market. February WTI crude futures fell $0.51, or 0.62 percent, to $82.13 per barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. February natural gas futures plunged $0.278, or 6.45 percent, to $4.048 per million British thermal units. February gasoline futures slipped $0.018, or 0.75 percent, to $2.3723 per gallon. February heating oil futures were flat at $2.5893 per gallon. President Joe Biden delivers remarks in the South Court Auditorium in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building in Washington on Jan. 13, 2022. (Andrew Harnik/AP Photo) Biden Says Government to Make High-Quality Masks Available to Americans for Free The U.S. government will launch an effort soon to make high-quality masks available to Americans for free, President Joe Biden said on Jan. 13. While there is an ample supply of top-notch masks at affordable prices available both online and in stores, Biden said that for some people, the mask is not always affordable or convenient to get. So, next week, well announce how were making high-quality masks available to American people, the American people, for free, added Biden, who wasnt wearing a mask while speaking inside the Eisenhower Executive Office Building in Washington. The Biden administration, which has been grappling with a surge in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations in recent weeks, is responding by expanding access to COVID-19 tests and sending military medical teams to hospitals, among other initiatives. The U.S. government, starting during the Trump administration, has invested billions in taxpayer funds in COVID-19 vaccines, which have been made available for no cost to Americans across the two administrations. Neither Biden nor the White House revealed more information about the mask effort; White House COVID-19 response coordinator Jeffrey Zients told reporters earlier this week that the federal government has a stockpile of more than 750 million masks. However, he indicated those were for health care workers and first responders. Right now, we are strongly considering options to make more high-quality masks available to all Americans, Zients said. After Omicron became the dominant CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus variantthe virus that causes COVID-19in the United States, experts have increasingly acknowledged that cloth masks do little to prevent infection. Some have urged people to turn to better masks such as N95 devices that must meet certain certifications. The Mayo Clinic recently told all patients and visitors to wear surgical or procedural masks when entering clinic property, joining other institutions across the country that have imposed similar requirements. N95 masks at a 3M lab in Maplewood, Minn., on March 4, 2020. (Nicholas Pfosi/Reuters) Any mask is better than no mask. But cloth masks and then surgical masks are not as good as N95-caliber masks, Ranu Dhillon, a physician at Brigham and Womens Hospital in Boston, told The Wall Street Journal. Other experts point to the growing prediction that virtually every American will be infected with the Omicron virus variant and say wearing masks does little except potentially delay infection. One can don an FFP2, FFP3, N95 mask, or a hazmat suit, or whatnot, but at this stage, all this may achieve is to delay the time until some of us will get infected, and thereby marginally prolong the pandemic, Francois Balloux, director of the University College London Genetics Institute, wrote on Twitter. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which purveys masking guidance thats used nationwide, recommends any mask is better than no mask and that recommendation is not going to change, the agencys director, Dr. Rochelle Walensky, told a virtual briefing this week. Biden said wearing masks is a pain in the neck but called them a really important tool to stop the spread especially of a highly transmissible Omicron variant. He was speaking several days after Dr. Anthony Fauci, his chief medical adviser, said just about everybody will contract the variant and that the pathogen wont be eradicated. Biden declined to take questions from reporters after delivering his remarks, but did answer a reporter who asked, as he was being ushered from the room, what the presidents message was to vaccinated Americans who wonder why they should continue to restrict their activities given the messaging from Fauci and other administration officials. Well talk about that later, said Biden. Come on. President Joe Biden speaks to reporters on Capitol Hill in Washington on Jan. 13, 2022. (Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images) Biden Says Supreme Court Ruling Upholding Health Care Vaccine Mandate Will Save Lives President Joe Biden on Thursday decried the Supreme Court blocking one of this administrations COVID-19 vaccine mandate but cheered justices leaving another in place. Justices in split rulings released earlier in the day said the mandate for private businesses with 100 or more employers, promulgated by the Department of Labor, appeared to exceed the authority granted by Congress to the departments Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). But in a narrow ruling, the nations top court agreed to lift lower court stays that had been entered against vaccination requirements for all health care workers employed by institutions receiving funding from Medicare or Medicaid, asserting a separate law did give the health secretary the power to impose such a mandate. Todays decision by the Supreme Court to uphold the requirement for health care workers will save lives: the lives of patients who seek care in medical facilities, as well as the lives of doctors, nurses, and others who work there, Biden said. It will cover 10.4 million health care workers at 76,000 medical facilities. We will enforce it. The Department of Health and Human Services said when the mandate was announced last year that it would cover approximately 76,000 providers and over 17 million workers. The White House and the agency did not immediately respond to requests for comment about the discrepancy. At the same time, I am disappointed that the Supreme Court has chosen to block common-sense life-saving requirements for employees at large businesses that were grounded squarely in both science and the law. This emergency standard allowed employers to require vaccinations or to permit workers to refuse to be vaccinated, so long as they were tested once a week and wore a mask at work: a very modest burden, Biden added. He urged states and businesses to impose vaccine requirements, arguing doing so would be do[ing] the right thing to protect Americans health and economy. The Biden administration has argued that vaccines help curb the pandemic by cutting down on the spread of the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus, also known as SARS-CoV-2, which causes COVID-19. But the vaccines effectiveness against infection, already dropping sharply over time against the Delta variant, have plummeted even more against the Omicron strain, according to studies and real-world data. A vial of Johnson & Johnsons COVID-19 vaccine sits at a vaccination clinic in Los Angeles, Calif., on Dec. 15, 2021. (Frederic J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images) Vaccines do not appear to be very effective in stopping the spread or transmission, Benjamin Flowers, Ohios solicitor general, said during oral arguments last week. Five justices disagreed, referring to a determination by the Biden administration prior to the emergence of Omicron that data showed that the COVID19 virus can spread rapidly among healthcare workers and from them to patients, and that such spread is more likely when healthcare workers are unvaccinated. Other Democrats, meanwhile, zeroed in on how justices blocked the private employer mandate. Two of the plaintiff lawyers had Covid, and the Supreme Court was protected by having them argue the case remotely, but the six conservative justices chose to halt vital pandemic workplace protections for the rest of the country anyway, Rep. Don Beyer (D-Va.) said in a statement. The vaccine or test requirement made workers safer. Now, the conservative Supreme Court is forcing American workers into unsafe conditions where unvaccinated coworkers arent required to test or wear masks, Rep. Marie Newman (D-Ill.) added. Republicans, though, argued both mandates should have been struck down. Todays Supreme Court ruling sends a clear message: Biden is not a king & his gross overreaches of federal power will not be tolerated, Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) wrote on Twitter. I had COVID and got the vaccine, but I will NEVER support a vaccine mandate that bullies hardworking Americans and kills jobs. The Supreme Courts decision to block the Biden Administrations OSHA vaccine mandate is a victory for personal freedom, Rep. Ashley Hinson (R-Iowa) added. However, I am disappointed in the Courts decision to allow the Administrations CMS mandate. The ticker and trading information for Blackstone Group is displayed at the post where it is traded on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), on April 4, 2016. (Brendan McDermid/File Photo/Reuters) Blackstone Requiring Office Staff to Get COVID-19 Booster Shots Blackstone Inc., the worlds largest alternative asset manager, is requiring its employees in the United States to get COVID-19 booster shots to work in the office, a spokesperson confirmed to Bloomberg. Workers must get the booster shots as soon as practically possible, a spokeswoman said Wednesday. Office workers will need to be tested for the virus on-site three times a week, they added. Employees at the New York-headquartered company are set to return to offices full-time on Jan. 28 after the company pushed back its original return-to-office deadline of Jan. 18 in light of increasing COVID-19 cases. The Epoch Times has contacted a Blackstone spokesperson for comment. Blackstones decision to mandate that its U.S. employees get the booster shots comes shortly after JPMorgan Chase Chief Executive Officer Jamie Dimon appeared to signal that New York employees who are not vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2 may be terminated if they refuse to comply with the companys vaccination requirements. If you arent going to get vaxxed, you wont be able to work in that office, Dimon told Reuters on Monday. Were not going to pay you not to work in the office, Dimon said. We want people to get vaccinated. When questioned as to whether or not JPMorgan Chase might implement a future policy that would allow employees to work between both home and the office, Dimon said, We dont have to answer this right away. JPMorgan Chase did not respond to comment from The Epoch Times. Earlier this month, Goldman Sachs Group Inc., which is also headquartered in New York City, changed its return-to-office plans for employees and asked eligible U.S. staff to work from home until Jan. 18 in light of the surge in case numbers driven by the fast-spreading Omicron variant. Those employees returning to Goldman Sachs would also need to get a COVID-19 booster shot, if eligible, by Feb. 1 in order to enter the company premises. As of Jan. 11, New York has reported 58,770 positive COVID-19 cases, 12,671 hospitalizations, and 166 new deaths, Those figures, while still high are a far cry from the high rates reported in recent weeks. According to Governor Kathy Hochul, 85.6 percent of all New Yorkers have at least one vaccine dose and a total of 34,611,241 doses have been administered. The data we are seeing on new infections offers a glimmer of hope that New Yorkers discipline in fighting the winter surge is paying off, Hochul said in a statement. We are getting through this, but we must stay vigilant and not take our hard-won progress for granted. A string of other banks have also implemented such mandates for employees, including Citigroup, who last year announced that all U.S. employees would need to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of employment. At the time, the bank said that employees had to submit proof of vaccination by Jan. 14, although the company requested that workers comply with the mandate by December. Biden in September 2021 announced that businesses with 100 or more employees were required to ensure all workers have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or submit to weekly testing. On Monday, that mandate went into effect across the nation, despite the Supreme Court having yet to make a decision on the rule, which is being challenged by a number of business groups and states across the United States. The Tesla logo is displayed on the exterior of the Tesla flagship facility in San Francisco on Aug. 10, 2016. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) California DMV Reviewing Approach to Regulating Teslas Public Self-Driving Test: Report California is reevaluating Tesla Inc.s Full Self-Driving (FSD) test program, to determine if the electric-car makers software should fall under its motor vehicle departments autonomous vehicle regulations, the Los Angeles Times reported on Tuesday. FSD is an advanced driver assistance system that handles some driving tasks, but Tesla says it does not make vehicles completely autonomous. The features require a fully attentive driver, according to the company. If Teslas cars are deemed autonomous by California, state laws would require it to disclose all crashes on public roads, even when under manual control. Those reports are made public, as is data on self-driving systems being disengaged. Californias Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) informed Tesla about the regulators review last week, the Los Angeles Times said. Recent software updates, videos showing dangerous use of that technology, open investigations by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and the opinions of other experts in this space prompted the reevaluation, the DMV said, according to the report. The DMV and Tesla did not immediately respond to Reuters requests for comment. In October last year, Tesla vehicles with the then latest 10.3 FSD software repeatedly provided forward-collision warnings when there was no immediate danger, according to video postings of beta users. However, Tesla fixed the software within a day. By Jaiveer Shekhawat and Shubham Kalia Dr. Thomas Yadegar, medical director of the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), walks out of the Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit at Providence Cedars-Sinai Tarzana Medical Center in Tarzana, California on Sept. 2, 2021. (APU GOMES/AFP via Getty Images) California Advances Bill That Would Create Nations 1st Single-Payer Health Care System California lawmakers this week advanced a bill that would create a single-payer health care system, or government-run universal health care, in an 113 vote in the Assembly Health Committee. Assembly Bill 1400, also known as the Guaranteed Health Care for All Act, would set in motion CalCare for all California residents regardless of citizenship status. The bill, authored by Assemblymembers Ash Kalra (D-San Jose) and Alex Lee (D-San Jose), would be coupled with a constitutional amendment to fund the coverage. The constitutional amendment ACA 11also authored by Kalraproposes a slew of taxes to push AB 1400 into reality. The amendment relies on a gross receipts tax, payroll tax, and a personal income tax on those earning above $149,509 to fund the single-payer health care system. AB 1400 and ACA 11 provides Californians a clear understanding of what they can expect from a truly publicly financed, single-payer health care system and allows them to decide for themselves if they are better off paying for the most expensive health care in the world with the worst outcomes of any wealthy nation, or guaranteed health care for all with CalCare while reducing overall health care costs, Kalra said in a statement. Californias current multi-payer health care system is paid for through several entities: private insurance companies, out-of-pocket patients, and government programs. AB 1400 and ACA 11 would reduce that to a single source, run by the state. The state Capitol in Sacramento, Calif., on Oct. 22, 2003. (Robyn Beck/AFP/Getty Images) The policy has received praise from the states House Democrats, but criticism from businesses, some Republicans, and taxpayer associations, who say the motion would burden the already tax-heavy Golden State. Republicans in the health committee argued the bill would cost too much and underpay health care workers, which could further contribute to the health care worker shortage. Kalras office said 57 percent of all Californians are in favor of replacing private health care insurance with a government-run program. ACA 11 will have to pass in the state legislature to make it on the November ballot to be approved by voters. Jon Coupal, president of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, told The Epoch Times the tax hikes will have an accelerating effect on the number of people and businesses leaving California. There are a lot of people who are not richwho are going to be making between $50,000 and $100,000 a yearwhich barely covers the cost of living in California, but theyre going to have the state demand that their employer take out 1 percent to give to the state, so theyre actually hurting the middle class and the working poor with this proposal, Coupal said. Since AB 1400 would extend to noncitizens, it would apply to roughly a million illegal immigrants living in the state and eliminate the states current model of private and government insurance programs, which sets it apart from Obamacare or Covered California. Its similar to Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) Medicare for All bid, but on a state level. I look forward to hearing Democrats explain how they plan to successfully take over more than 10 percent of the states economy when in the last decade theyve proven themselves incapable of simple things like building a railroad, providing clean drinking water, keeping the lights on and filling potholes, Assembly Republican Leader Marie Waldron said in a statement earlier this month. A tax sign is pictured on an H&R Block tax office in Los Angeles, Calif., on April 26, 2017. (Mike Blake/Reuters) An estimate by the California Taxpayers Association, which opposes the bill, found that it would cost businesses and individuals $163 billion annually to sustain the systema stark contrast to Gov. Gavin Newsoms estimate of $2.7 billion. Not only will ACA 11 need the governors signature and the legislatures approval, but voters would have to approve the tax increases, which may not reach the ballot box until 2024. California voters rejected a similar initiative in 1994. Jim Stanley, press secretary for the Assembly Republicans, told The Epoch Times in a previous interview that ACA 11 would increase payroll taxes on anyone earning more than $49,000 a year. That would be a massive middle-class tax increase, he said. If the fund that they create to pay for this runs out of money, they will be allowed to increase taxes with a simple majority vote in the legislature, so that is repealing part of Prop. 13 requiring two-thirds approval. And it would also include payroll tax increases on businesses. CalChamber, a business advocacy association, called AB 1400 and ACA 11 job killer bills of 2022. The chamber sent a letter to the bills authors, stating that the top personal income tax rate on individuals and sole proprietors would increase by 2.5 percent. Single payer health care is not free health care, CalChamber Policy Advocate Preston Young said in a statement on Jan. 11. AB 1400 and ACA 11 would not only ruin quality health care delivery in the state but create the largest tax increase in state history. Young said the bill would drive out more businesses and discourage companies from relocating to California. Employers may be forced to cut down on costs to survive another layer of taxes, too. According to ACA 11, employers with 50 or more employees would have to pay 1.25 percent payroll tax rate on wages and other compensation for their employees. CalChamber estimates that 94 percent of Californians already have some form of health care coverage. Newsom said in a press conference on Jan. 11 that he campaigned on universal health care and that his government is delivering on that. For those that are critical of this proposal, I would only offer thiswe have universal health care in this state and in this country, but its on the back end, he said. Its called the emergency room, and its costing you, the taxpayer, a fortune. Despite Newsom touting the bills as a relief for taxpayers, Coupal said even with the states hefty $31 billion surplus, its not going to last forever. And I just fear that California is pinning itself into a corner here, he said. When a recession comeswhich inevitably willits going to have built up all these expectations for a level of [health care] service thats not sustainable. A healthcare worker prepares to administer a dose of China's Sinovac CoronaVac vaccine to a person at a vaccination centre mounted at the Bicentenario Stadium in Santiago, Chile on Feb. 3, 2021. (Martin Bernetti/AFP via Getty Images) Chile Begins Fourth Vaccine Dose to Prevent the CCP Virus SANTA CRUZ, BoliviaOutgoing president Sebastian Pinera announced that as of Jan. 10 the nation will begin the next series of vaccinations against the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus. Immunocompromised people over 12 years of age who received their first booster dose before Sept. 12 last year will be eligible for a fourth dose, or second booster, of the vaccine. Pinera said, The world and Chile have been suffering the devastating consequences of the pandemic caused by COVID-19 for more than two years and today, due to the new variant Omicron, the world is experiencing record levels of contagion. The second stage will begin on Feb. 7 when residents over 55 years of age, who received their first booster before Aug. 15 of the previous year, will have access to the next round of immunizations. Chile is the first Latin American nation to offer the second booster dose against the virus. It has the highest vaccination rate in the entire region with more than 87 percent of its population fully immunized and more than 44 million doses administered. Approved immunizations for use against the CCP virus in the country include Pfizer-BioNTech, AstraZeneca, Johnson & Johnson, the Chinese Sinovac-CoronaVac, Sputnik V, and the jointly developed Chinese-Canadian CanSino vaccine. The CCP virus has reportedly killed 39,285 people in Chile since Jan. 3, 2020. On Nov. 29, the government decided to postpone relaxing their strict entry requirements and issued new restrictions for travelers arriving from seven African countries in a bid to stop the arrival of the new variant. However, vaccination and entry restrictions werent enough to curb a spike in new cases, which have been attributed to travelers arriving with Omicron. Undersecretary of health Maria Teresa Valenzuela said one month after the introduction of the new variant, we have a total of 698 confirmed cases, 95 percent of which are travelers. She added only 18 of the known cases were locally based. Minister of Health Enrique Paris noted that with 3,134 new cases registered on Jan. 6, its the highest daily case spike since July 8 last year. Nevertheless, theres a key distinction between the two peaks: The country is seeing far fewer severe cases with the Omicron variant. We can see a noticeable difference, for example, in the ICU situation on both days. On July 8 we had 2,167 patients on mechanical ventilation, today that record drops considerably to only 404 patients, Paris said. Chilean officials remain adamant about the role of immunization in their populations defense against the virus. There is evidence from the populationand at the level of neutralizing antibodiessuggesting the effectiveness of the boosters also falls over time, but at a slower rate than what we see with primary regimens. Its estimated that around six months after the reinforcement, the vaccines used will have an effectiveness against Covid-19 of less than 60 percent, Valenzuela said. China Asserts Unlawful Claims in South China Sea: State Department Study The State Department is calling on Beijing to stop its unlawful and coercive activities in the South China Sea after the department released a study rejecting Chinas maritime claims in the sea, which the Chinese regime continues to push. With the release of this latest study, the United States calls again on the PRC [Peoples Republic of China] to conform its maritime claims to international law as reflected in the Law of the Sea Convention, to comply with the decision of the arbitral tribunal in its award of July 12, 2016, in The South China Sea Arbitration, the State Department said in a Jan. 12 statement. China is currently locking horns with all its South China Sea neighborsBrunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam, and Taiwanin territorial disputes over reefs, islands, and atolls in the region. A 2016 international ruling has already rejected the regimes Nine-dash line claim to about 85 percent of the South China Seas 2.2 million square miles. The ruling states that Chinas claims had no historical basis and that Beijing had violated the sovereignty of the Philippines by asserting territorial claims with its artificial islands built on reefs and sea rocks. The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has rejected the ruling. In recent years, the Chinese regime has violated the ruling by building military outposts on the artificial islands and reefs in the areas that it claims. It has also deployed coast guard ships and Chinese fishing boats to intimidate foreign vessels, block access to waterways, and seize shoals and reefs. The 47-page study (pdf), put together by the State Departments Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs, states why Chinas four assertions, including sovereignty claims over maritime features, are inconsistent with international law. Chinas claim of more than 100 features in the South China Sea that are submerged below the sea surface at high tide is beyond the lawful limits of any states territorial sea, according to the study. Beijings use of maritime features to claim four island groups, including Taiwans Pratas Island, also known as Dongsha Qundao, didnt meet the geographic criteria for using straight baselines under the 1982 U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea. The overall effect of these maritime claims is that the PRC unlawfully claims sovereignty or some form of exclusive jurisdiction over most of the South China Sea, the study reads. These claims gravely undermine the rule of law in the oceans and numerous universally-recognized provisions of international law reflected in the Convention. The study is an update of another State Department study that was published in 2014. The United States formally rejected Beijings claims in the South China Sea on July 13, 2020, as former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the claims were completely unlawful and that China was conducting a campaign of bullying to control the area. (R) A screenshot image of the real-life news anchor on the N Xiaohei Finance program (L) N Xiaoheis AI-rendered virtual twin in a blue background. (An Epoch Times composite image) China Unveils AI News Anchor Thats Almost Indistinguishable From a Real Human AI is a high priority for the regime to strengthen its authoritarian rule Hello everyone, I am the artificial intelligence news anchor on National Business Daily. I am the virtual twin of the original host. I have been runningreporting the newsundetected for 70 days now, an AI (artificial intelligence) news anchor named N Xiaohei revealed to Chinese television viewers on Dec. 20, 2021, after 1,700 hours of a continuous live news broadcast. The same day, Chinese state-controlled media outlet National Business Daily (NBD) and AI company Xiaoice jointly announced the official launch of their collaborative live news broadcasting TV program run entirely by AIthe first of its kind. The TV program, AI Business Daily, will broadcast financial news 24 hours a day, seven days a week, hosted by two AI news anchorsnamed N Xiaohei and N Xiaobaiand technically supported by Xiaoice. N Xiaohei and N Xiaobai are virtual replicas of two real-life news anchorsa man and a woman. The Xiaoice Framework uses data collected from the two human anchors to train the AI models. Meanwhile, Xiaoice Neural Rendering technology makes the virtual humans facial expressions and body movements look real and natural. While AI anchors have appeared on Chinas TV programs in the past, they could be identified immediately. Since the test launch of AI Business Daily on Oct. 11, 2021, N Xiaoheis account on Douyinthe Chinese version of TikTokhas accumulated more than 3 million fans, even with the real person not appearing on air for 70 days. Xiaoice, in collaboration with NBD, has the ability to develop virtual replicas that are almost indistinguishable from real humans through advanced AI learning and rendering technologies, according to the Chinese state-run Xinhua News Agency. According to the report, Xiaoice Frameworks small-sample learning technology allowed the two virtual anchors to complete their training cycle in one week. Chinese business commentator Zeng Xiangling said that while long training cycles were needed to train AIs in the past, short training cycles significantly reduced the high cost of developing AIs. Not only that, the Xiaoice Frameworks technical driver makes the end-to-end automation on AI possible, enabling the AI to collect, edit, and broadcast financial news by itself. From reading financial information, generating text and graphs, and synchronizing with the pre-trained virtual anchor, the AI can broadcast a complete live video on the network without any human assistance. The era of an unwearied, safe, and reliable AI Being has arrived, Xiaoice CEO Li Di said. It is going to provide a steady news output. According to an NBD report, AI news anchors are modeled using deep learning neural network technology, enabling them to broadcast in Mandarin, English, and other languages. The advanced AI technology is now being used to upgrade and transform the Chinese media industry as well as its film industry. Since the success of the AI Business Daily program, each NBD news channel will fully collaborate with Xiaoice to create AI TV programs. Xiaoice, or Little Ice, is an AI system developed by Microsoft Asia in 2014. The company was formerly known as the AI Xiaoice Team of Microsoft Software Technology Center Asia. Its Microsofts biggest independent AI research and development team. In July 2020, Microsoft spun off the Xiaoice business into a separate company, allowing it to operate as an independent entity in China and other Asian countries. The Xiaoice Framework is one of the worlds complete artificial intelligence frameworks, with the largest AI interactions globally. Xiaoices Li said in October 2021 that a large number of AI subjects were created in the previous two years and that the number would rapidly expand. He expects AIs to eventually outnumber the human population, while incorporating diversity and individual customization. On Oct. 20, 2021, nine days after NBDs AI TV test launch, Chinas State Administration of Radio, Film, and Television released the section of the regimes 14th Five-Year Plan detailing its strategy for news broadcasting and audiovisual networks. The section proposes to strengthen AI applications in its news production and broadcasting, such as promoting the widespread use of virtual anchors in TV programs and improving news production and broadcasting efficiency using AIs. AI Risks Artificial intelligence doesnt need to eat or sleep, nor does it get sick or need overtime pay, and now it can actively generate news content. However, many are also very concerned about the rapid development of AI. Artificial intelligence has far surpassed humans in terms of calculation methods, performance, and learning ability, Mr. Wang, a 20-year IT industry expert in Japan, told The Epoch Times. But the biggest problem is that it has no ethics, morals, or personal values, he said; in the wrong persons hands, AI technology could be devastating to mankind. The current robotics technology is also very advanced. Some robots can even surpass humans or animals in many physical activities. Once AIs are given the ability to act physically, humans may not have the power to resist, granting the people in control of the AIs the ability to do whatever they desire, Wang said. Senior media professional Shi Shan told The Epoch Times that the Chinese regime has no bottom line for fraud. [The Chinese Communist Partys] AI technology can now produce a close-to-perfect virtual news anchor, but what is next? A fake politician? A party leader? Perhaps it has already been done, Shi said. The CCP is great at deceit. The international communities now have to pay close attention to the authenticity of Chinas audiovisual programs and other media content. Big data is the key to AI research and development: the more relevant data, the better the AI is trained. While rapidly developing its own artificial intelligence, the CCP deliberately limits the flow of Chinese data abroad. China uses its massive population for gathering and developing its local AI technology. Tang Bohua, a patent examiner in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, told the Chinese edition of The Epoch Times that the CCPs lack of regard for human rights and privacy opens up a huge data set for them, while the United States respect for these rights keeps data sets incomplete. On Jan. 4, the CCP introduced a new version of its Cybersecurity Review Measures. The newly updated rules will require all Chinese network platform companies with data on more than 1 million users to undergo a security review before listing abroad. A law professor at Taiwans National Taipei University of Technology, Christy Jiang, told Radio Free Asia on Jan. 4 that she believes the 1 million-user threshold most likely included all Chinese tech companies that may be seeking listings overseas. A Strategic Priority The CCP has prioritized AI development in recent years, making it a key national development strategy. It has mandated AI into many aspects of ordinary life, not only to surveil and control its people but also to use its massive population to spur development. To bolster the rapid development of AI, the CCP has issued a number of supporting policies and regulations, including its Made in China 2025 plan. In 2017, the State Council issued its New Generation Artificial Intelligence Development Plan, emphasizing the significance of AI in helping the government understand and control society. Artificial intelligence technology can accurately perceive, predict, and early-warn the major trends of society. [It can] grasp peoples cognition and psychological changes and proactively decide the responses. [This technology] will significantly improve the ability and level of social governance. It is irreplaceable for effectively maintaining social stability, according to the plan. It will have a profound impact on government management, economic security, social stability, and global governance. Hong Kong finance and economics columnist Alexander Liao says the CCP believes the emerging technology revolutionartificial intelligencecan revitalize the authoritarian system, which was on the verge of collapse. In 2013, the CCP proposed the Modernization of National Governance System and Governance Capacity plan and adopted it five years later at its 2019 plenary. According to Xinhua News Agency, the project is a series of institutional arrangements aimed to make Chinas governance system increasingly complete, scientifically standardized, and operate more effectively. In 2014, the CCP launched its social credit system, which links the social behavior of all ordinary citizens with a large-scale monitoring system in mainland China. The system uses facial recognition and big data analysis technology to enact social control on a mass scale. By 2020, the system had been integrated into almost all public service fields, including employment, education, loan services, travel ticket purchases, and more. This control method has been fully popularized in the form of health codes during the CCP virus pandemic. Liao said, All measures of modernization of governance are the basis for strengthening the CCPs authoritarian rule to ultimately achieving totalitarian control, and everything is rooted in artificial intelligence. Ellen Wan contributed to this report. China Shipyards Rank First in Global Orders, Yet Profits Fell by 20 Percent News Analysis China surpassed South Korea in receiving shipbuilding orders in 2021, ranking it first in the world. However, because most orders are for cheap container ships, coupled with soaring steel prices, profits in its shipbuilding industry dropped by at least 20 percent, industry insiders said. According to data by Clarkson Research Services, a British market research firm focused on the shipping industry, the global order volume of new ships in 2021 was 1846 or 45.73 million compensated gross tons (CGTs), of which China received 965 orders or 22.8 million CGTs, accounting for nearly 50 percent worldwide, and ranking it first in the world; South Korea was second with 403 orders or 17.35 million CGTs, or 38 percent of the total; while Japan ranked third with 9 percent of the total, reported Pulse News on Jan. 3, 2022. We received a large number of orders early in the year [2021], but these orders are a huge pressure on us. Those orders were measured at 4500-4600 yuan (about $706-$721) per ton, but now the price of steel has risen to 6000-6500 yuan ($941-$1019) per ton: it is apparently a loss, He Minghui, assistant general manager of Jiangsu Yangzijiang Shipping Group Company, said on the CCTV financial channel in October 2021. Soaring steel prices will greatly squeeze the profit margin of shipyards as the cost of steel accounts for 20-30 percent of building a single ship, Eworldship said on Oct. 14, 2021. Chinese media cited the China Association of the Shipbuilding Industry statistics as saying that in the first eight months of 2021, 470 shipbuilding enterprises in China achieved revenues of 182.16 billion yuan (about $28.5 billion), a 10.2 percent increase year-on-year, but total profits were only 1.94 billion yuan (about $300 million), a decrease of 21.8 percent. The global shipbuilding industry rebounded strongly after the pandemic outbreak, as many countries needed to import large quantities of food and household and consumable products, which spawned a global freight boom and a corresponding increase in transportation costs, Huang Jun, an economist living in the United States, told The Epoch Times. Those transport companies, having reaped the highest profits since World War II, are sure to add some new ships to expand their business, added Huang, who is the chief economist of the China Enterprise Capital Union (CECU), a board member of the Asian Real Estate Association (ASEA), and an executive director of the Research Committee. Workers take a break outside an under-construction Maersk triple-E class container ship at the Daewoo DSME shipyard in Okpo, South Korea, on Dec. 3, 2014. (Ed Jones/AFP via Getty Images) South Korea Surpasses China in High-Value Shipbuilding South Korean shipping companies continue to hold an overwhelming share of the market for high value-added vessel types such as LNG (liquefied natural gas) carriers and LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) carriers, which bring better profitability. According to South Korean media, in November 2021, the average price of each ship undertaken by South Korea is $123 million, three times higher than the simpler types China builds for an average price of $35 million. Of global orders, South Korean shipbuilders commanded 65 percent for high value-added vessels like VLCC (very large crude carrier) and LNG carriers, Pulse News said on Jan. 6. One South Korean ministry official said, in 2021, the countrys total orders for high value-added ships and eco-friendly vessels accounted for 72 percent and 62 percent respectively, Yonhap News, a Seoul-based media, reported on Jan. 6. Compared with South Korean shipyards, which mainly take orders from foreign shipowners, more than half of the orders taken by China shipyards are domestic, according to a report released by Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) on April 2021. Chinas first home-built aircraft carrier sets out from a port of Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Co. Shipyard for sea trials on May 13, 2018 in Dalian, Liaoning Province of China. (Getty Images) Chinas Shipbuilding Industry Is Under State-Run System The deformed state of Chinas shipbuilding enterprises is inseparable from the Chinese Communist Partys (CCP) state-run system. Shipbuilding is also a state-run strategy of Beijing authorities. Huang said, it [CCP] eagers (sic) to achieve its strategical goal as being a world industrial power, and on the other hand, it needs to digest domestic steel production in the shipbuilding industry. According to an August 2021 report by Cato Institute, a Washington-based think tank, Chinas shipbuilding industry accounted for less than 10 percent of global output in the early 2000s. It was identified as a pillar industry by the Beijing authorities during the eleventh (20062010) and twelfth (20112015) Five-Year Plans. Since then, Beijing has introduced an unprecedented number of policies aimed at developing Chinas shipbuilding industry to be the worlds largest. Cato Institute reported that from 2006 to 2013, Beijing gave the shipbuilding industry RMB 624 billion (about $97.8 billion) in subsidies, and the preferential policy resulted in a 140 percent increase in domestic investment in shipbuilding, and a 40 percent increase in their corresponding share of the world marketalmost three-quarters of which was achieved by crowding out business in rival countries. Beijings support policies have created considerable distortions, generating only 153 billion yuan (about $24 billion) in net profits for domestic producers and 288 billion yuan (about $44.4 billion) in consumer surplus (also known as net consumer gains) for global consumers. Those policies have attracted a large number of inefficient producers, exacerbated the level of overcapacity, and not translated into significant industry profits in the long run, the report said. As early as March 23, 2017, Chinas Economic Information Daily quoted a responsible person in a shipbuilding enterprise as saying, Shipbuilding companies are too hard. In the past, corporate profits could be 20 percent, but now it is quite difficult to maintain 5 percent. Sometimes the profit of a ship can only be equal to the tax. Wang Yong, director of the CCPs office of Jiangdong Shipyard expressed a similar opinion. He described their current dilemma as receiving an order is courting death, not accepting an order is waiting for death. Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. The Tencent headquarters in Shenzhen, in Guangdong Province, China, on May 26, 2021. (Noel Celis/AFP via Getty Images) China to Mandate Cybersecurity Reviews on Tech Firms Seeking Foreign IPOs Chinese network platform companies seeking foreign initial public offerings (IPOs) are already seeing new regulatory measures upon entering the new year. The new rules enable the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) to tighten its grip on Chinas technology sector, experts say. On Jan. 5, the Anti-Monopoly Bureau of Chinas State Administration for Market Regulation imposed fines on several big tech firms for violating antitrust regulations, which involved Chinese network platform companies. A day prior, the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC), along with 12 other government agenciesincluding the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC)announced a new version of its high-profile Cybersecurity Review Measures. The new rules, which will take effect on Feb. 15, require all Chinese network platform companies with data on more than 1 million users to undergo a security review before listing abroad. Where network platform operators that have information on 1,000,000 or more users in hand are to be publicly listed abroad, an application for cybersecurity review must be made to the Office for Cybersecurity Review, according to Article 7 of the new measures. The previous version of the measures did not explicitly mention listings abroad. In addition, Article 4 of the new measures also included the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) as part of the review process. However, holding more than 1 million users information is standard for most Chinese internet platform companies. According to the Chinese publishing and data company 36Kr, there are more than 1,335 mobile applications with more than 1 million monthly active users (MAUs) as of October 2021. The MAUs are only a tiny part of the overall application users or registers. According to the global mobile marketing analytics and attribution platform AppsFlyer, the average user retention rate of mobile apps in China on the 30th day is only 1.22 percent. Christy Jiang, a law professor at Taiwans National Taipei University of Technology, told Radio Free Asia on Jan. 4 that she believes the 1-million-user threshold most likely included all companies that may be seeking listings overseas. The CAC did not specify whether the rules would apply to companies seeking listings in Hong Kong. However, the CAC mentioned Hong Kong in the draft version of its Regulations on the Management of Online Data Security, released on Nov. 14, 2021. Article 13 of the regulations stated that data handlers listing on the Hong Kong stock market [that] impact or might impact national security must apply for a cybersecurity review in accordance with the relevant state departments and regulators. Based on the wording of the draft rules, Chinese tech companies with more than 1 million users seeking to list in Hong Kong could also be subjected to the cybersecurity review, but the procedures may differ from that of the foreign market. The logo of Alibaba Group is seen at its office in Beijing, China, on Jan. 5, 2021. (Thomas Peter/Reuters) Beijing Reinforces Anti-Monopoly Law On Jan. 5, the day after the new measures were promulgated, the Anti-Monopoly Bureau imposed fines on several Chinese internet giants, including Alibaba and Tencent, according to Chinese media. But the reports did not specify the number of companies involved. They have reportedly been involved in a total of 13 deals that violated the Antitrust Law12 of which were related to Chinese network platform companies. Each company was fined $80,000. Tencent Holdings was involved in nine cases and received about $720,000 in penalties. Alibaba Group Holdings was involved in two cases and was fined $160,000. The two internet giants had also received antitrust fines on Nov. 20, 2021, totaling about $1.68 million in penalties. According to China-based Soochow Securities, as of Jan. 6, Tencent holds shares in 47 listed companies in China across various industries, while holding more than 20 percent shares in seven of those companies. Tencent diversifies its investments in various industries including technology, media, finance, and service. Alibaba holds shares in 40 companies listed in China, with over 20 percent stake in nine of those companies under its portfolio. It has a broader investment scope than Tencent. Alibabas investment portfolio includes various sectors such as healthcare, food, retail, telecommunications, real estate, transportation, and finance. The strengthened regulatory and antitrust policies are intended to limit capitalist growth. These policies will significantly impact many firms and industries and restrict the development of many sectors, according to Soochow Securities. Last month, Tencent said it would divest $16.4 billion of its stake in JD.com, weakening its ties to Chinas second-largest e-commerce firm amid pressure from Beijings broad regulatory crackdown on tech firms, according to Reuters. Analysts suggest that Tencents move appeared to be forced by the CCPs Antitrust Law. Hou Jiyong, a founding partner of the Chinese venture capital firm Fengyun Capital, believes that Tencents substantial reduction in JD.com was influenced by the CCPs policy on anti-monopoly and preventing disorderly expansion of capital, according to a Reuters report. Tencent invested in JD.com in 2014, turning a competitor into a partner. The two joined forces to compete with Alibaba, ending the three-way rivalry of Chinese e-commerce. However, Tencent is now forced to give up its position as JD.coms major shareholderslashing its shares from 17 percent to 2.3 percent on Dec. 23, 2021due to the CCPs regulatory crackdowns. Chinas True COVID-19 Death Toll 366 Times Higher Than Official Figure, Analyst Says The Chinese regime has likely understated the countrys COVID-19 death rate by as much as 17,000 percent, in a systematic data-suppression campaign to sustain its political image, according to a U.S. analyst. That would put the number of COVID-19 deaths in China at around 1.7 million rather than 4,636, the two-year cumulative death figure that the Chinese authorities have maintained. Thats 366 times the official figure. Those findings, made by George Calhoun, director of the quantitative finance program at Stevens Institute of Technology, were based on data as of January generated by a model developed by The Economist. A vast majority of Chinas officially recorded deaths came from Wuhan during the first three months of the pandemic, with only hundreds more reported in the rest of the country since then. The Chinese regime only reported four additional deaths from April 18, 2020, ranking China as having the worlds lowest COVID-19 death rate, which Zhong Nanshan, the Chinese epidemiologist overseeing Chinas outbreak response, boasted about just last week. But that jaw-dropping data pointhundreds of times lower than that of the United Statesgave Calhoun pause. Thats impossible. Its medically impossible, its statistically impossible, Calhoun told NTD, a sister media outlet of The Epoch Times. Passengers wearing masks arrive at Shanghai Pudong International Airport in Shanghai on March 19, 2020. (Hector Retamal/AFP via Getty Images) Remember, in 2020, there was no vaccine, there was no treatment, he said. So you had an unprotected population that has shown zero COVID deaths, even though theyve had tens of thousands of cases. Curating public records and previous research reports, and analyzing the regimes pattern of hushing up scandals in the past, Calhoun arrived at a conclusion that to him seems obvious: China has made its zero-COVID policy a political objective, and is systematically falsifying data to prop up the claim. Somebody put a message out at the end of the first quarter in 2020 and said, Okay, we want to see zero COVID. Thats our policy. And it became zero COVID, he said. Anomalies The first smoking gun is a sudden drop in COVID-19 deaths since April 2020 from mainland China after a raging rate of infection, Calhoun said. From April 18, 2020, to Jan. 8, 2022, more than 35,000 cases were reported in mainland China (excluding asymptomatic cases), according to official data from Chinas National Health Commission. Only four deaths were recorded over the same period. By comparison, Hong Kong, which counted about half as many COVID-19 infections over the period, has reported 213 deaths to date. The case fatality rate (the proportion of those infected who died) in Wuhan during the first three months of the pandemic averaged around 7.7 percent, more than five times that of the United States and four times the world average. Case fatality rate in Wuhan compared with other parts of the world. (Courtesy of George Calhoun) Two scenarios are possible: either the virus was far more deadly in early 2020 in Wuhan than anywhere else, at any other time, or alternatively, the official infection numbers from China were too small by a factor of three or four, Calhoun said. Over the subsequent 20 months, theres been a consistent lack of COVID-19 data from China. As of September 2021, China has become the worlds only country that hasnt provided complete data on excess mortalityunexplained deaths beyond normal trends that can offer a crude estimate of uncounted COVID deaths, a survey from the University of Washington shows. The Economist model seeks to make up for that data gap. Based on the model, Calhoun said Chinas excess mortality was off by about 17,000 percent. This discrepancy, he said, even surpasses those by countries mired in large-scale civil unrest, such as Libya, Iraq, Afghanistan, and Venezuela. Venezuela, the highest of the four, has an estimated excess COVID-19 death ratio of 1,100 percent. Excess mortality for China and several other countries. (Courtesy of George Calhoun) Undercounting virus deaths is widespread across countries. Based on The Economists model, the United States official tally is short by about 30 percent. But Chinas case is extreme. They are through the roof, Calhoun said of the discrepancy between Chinas official figures and the estimated true death toll. Somethings driving that. While the virus might not be all to blame for the jump, tight-lipped Chinese authorities have offered few clues as to what else might have happened. Calhouns estimate coincides with anecdotal evidence from local residents, troves of internal documents leaked to The Epoch Times, and research studies into the impact of the virus in China, all of which indicate that the official figures have been grossly understated. During the early months when the pandemic first emerged in Wuhan, some of the citys funeral home workers told The Epoch Times they were working nonstop to cremate bodies. In March, thousands of ash urns were delivered to one of the crematoriums, when the official death number was over 2,000. The authorities raised the fatality figure by 50 percent a month later, attributing the gap to administrative inefficiencies. Medical staff wear protective clothing to protect against a CCP virus patient at the Wuhan Red Cross Hospital in Wuhan, China, on Jan. 25, 2020. (Hector Retamal/AFP via Getty Images) A study published in The Lancet last March said that as many as 968,800 people in Wuhan had antibodies by April 2020, which would mean they had been infected by the virus and developed immunity. The data inconsistencies arent limited to Wuhan. During a two-week period in February 2020, an internal document from Shandong health authorities showed that close to 2,000 people had tested positive for the virus, but only 755 infections were publicly recorded. Leaked documents suggest that the regime has continued to deem virus control a political task. In files recently obtained by The Epoch Times, a top Chinese official of Shaanxi Province, where the virus-hit Xian is the capital, ordered the toughest measures to be put in place to block the viruss further spread from Xian. With the Beijing Winter Olympics coming up, a spillover would create systemic risk and smear the national image, the document reads. Update: This article has been updated with case number and death toll data from Chinas National Health Commission, whose numbers differ from those provided by sources such as the Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center, which this article previously cited. Eva Fu China Reporter Follow Eva Fu is a New York-based writer for The Epoch Times focusing on U.S.-China relations, religious freedom, and human rights. Contact Eva at eva.fu@epochtimes.com Chinese leader Xi Jinping (left) and Kazakhstan's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev review an honor guard during a welcoming ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Sept. 11, 2019. (Mark Schiefelbein/AFP via Getty Images) Chinas Interests in Kazakhstan The US is worried about China's growing nuclear arsenal News Analysis As Kazakhstan was rocked by violent protests, China is worried about its investments in the country and the United States is concerned about Chinese nuclear assets. Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev ordered the military and police to fire without warning to quell anti-government protests, which began on Jan. 2 as a result of the doubling of the cost of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). Tokayev claimed that 20,000 bandits had attacked Almaty, the largest city, and blamed foreign-trained terrorists for the protests. As the protests grew, the list of grievances expanded to include inequality and authoritarianism. As of Jan. 9, around 5,800 people had been arrested and over 160 people were killed, including two children. Kazakhstan is a member of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), which includes Russia, Belarus, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Armenia. At Tokayevs request, 2,500 CSTO troops were dispatched to the country and he authorized a shoot-to-kill order to quell the unrest. The BBC reported that Tokayev dismissed calls to hold talks with protesters as nonsense. We have to destroy them, this will be done soon, he said in a televised address. Chinese leader Xi Jinping has expressed his support for Kazakhstan, while accusing and condemning foreign forces for undermining the peace and stability of the country. Beijing is most likely concerned about the safety of Chinese investments in the country and about violence spilling over into Xinjiang. Theres no clear answer as to what was behind the unrest. Pan Guang, director of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Studies Center at the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences, claimed that terrorism, separatism, and religious extremism (dubbed the three evils by Beijing) incited the protests, according to Chinese news site Guancha.cn. The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) uses the three evils as an excuse to justify its repressive policies and abuses in Xinjiang. Both the Trump and Biden administrations have called the repression of Uyghurs a genocide. President Joe Biden signed the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act on Dec. 23, banning products made with slave labor. Over the past two decades, China has built up its relationship with Kazakhstan, eroding the leading role that Russia has historically played in the region. Kazakhstan is a member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI, also known as One Belt, One Road). China is Kazakhstans second-largest trading partner with bilateral trade reaching $22.94 billion in November 2021. Beijing has invested $17 billion in Kazakhstan, including an 8.3 percent stake in the countrys Kashagan oilfield. Riot police gather to block demonstrators during a protest in Almaty, Kazakhstan, on Jan. 5, 2022. (Vladimir Tretyakov/AP Photo) By next year, 56 China-backed projects, valued at $24.5 billion are due to be completed. China obtains about 20 percent of its natural gas from Kazakhstan. During the unrest, one of the CCPs greatest worries was that the pipelines would be attacked. But state-run media Global Times reassured the Chinese that the pipelines were safe, because they are far away from the cities where the riots took place. Nuclear energy is another area where the two countries are cooperating and one that will become more crucial in the near future. China is engaged in a massive nuclear power plant building programwhich is designed to quadruple the countrys nuclear power generation over the next 15 years. State-owned China General Nuclear Power Group (CGNPC) partnered with the worlds largest uranium supplier, Kazatomprom (Kazakhstans national atomic agency), to construct the Ulba Nuclear Fuel Plant in which the CCP will be taking 49 percent ownership. While the CCP professes to support Kazakhstanforging an even closer community with a shared future thats predicated on neighborliness and win-win cooperationits arguable how much Kazakhstan is benefiting from the relationship. Kazakhstan runs a tremendous trade deficit with China, which is growing. Moreover, Chinas zero-COVID policy has kept the border closed, adversely impacting Kazakhstans exports. In the first 10 months of 2021, food exports to China decreased by 78 percent. At present, 12,000 railcars are stuck at the border. The border closure seems contrary to the BRI, which was meant to promote trade between its members and China. Additionally, as wages in China have risen, Kazakhstan had hoped that manufacturing jobs would come back. But so far, this has not happened in significant numbers. A further problem is Chinas increased electricity consumption. Chinese Bitcoin miners have crossed the border, using so much electricity that Kazakhstan has had to ask for help from Russia, exacerbating tensions with its larger neighbor. The Kazakh government has always maintained close ties with the United States, which it sees as a counterbalance to Russian influence. Over the past 30 years, American companies have invested $38 billion in the country, considerably more than China. U.S. oil companies, ExxonMobil and Chevron, have multi-billion-dollar operations that were disrupted by the recent violence. Chevron, which owns 50 percent of the Tengiz oilfield, had to cut production because some oil workers had gathered in support of the protests. In 2020, the United States purchased 22 percent of its uranium from Kazakhstan. America is concerned about competing for more expensive uranium on global markets as China is currently buying up enough of the worlds uranium to cause prices to increase. Chinas nuclear program in the region, and at home, is a concern for the United States. Parallel to its civilian nuclear program, the CCP has stepped up its nuclear weapons programsetting a goal of producing 700 nuclear warheads by 2027 and 1,000 by 2030. However, Washington wants to contain Beijings nuclear expansion in order to avoid a nuclear arms race. CGNPC, the Chinese company that has invested in Kazakh atomic energy, has been under U.S. sanctions for its connection with the Chinese military. Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. Chinese Spy Infiltrated UK Parliament, Britains MI5 Spy Service Warns Britains MI5 security agency has warned that an agent of the Chinese regime has been active in the UK Parliament. An alert issued by the agency said an individual named Christine Ching Kui Lee has been knowingly engaged in political interference activities on behalf of the United Front Work Department (UFWD) of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). It said Lee has been facilitating financial donations to political parties and politicians, and warned that anyone contacted by her should be mindful of her affiliation with the Chinese state and remit to advance the CCPs agenda in UK politics. Screengrab of an alert issued by the Office of the Speaker of the House of Commons of an MI5 Security Service Interference Alert (SSIA) warning that Christine Ching Kui Lee is an agent of the Chinese government, issued on Jan. 12, 2022. (PA) The alert was made public by Sir Iain Duncan Smith, a former leader of the Conservative Party, who called it a matter of grave concern. He called for Lee to be deported and demanded the government make a statement to the House of Commons. Tobias Ellwood, a Conservative former minister who now chairs the Commons Defence Committee, said: This is the sort grey-zone interference we now anticipate and expect from China. But the fact that its happened to this Parliament, there must be a sense of urgency from this government. According to MI5s Security Service Interference Alert sent to Parliament, Lee has acted covertly in co-ordination with the UFWD and is judged to be involved in political interference activities in the UK. It said: We judge that the UFWD is seeking to covertly interfere in UK politics through establishing links with established and aspiring parliamentarians across the political spectrum. The UFWD seeks to cultivate relationships with influential figures in order to ensure the UK political landscape is favourable to the CCPs agenda and to challenge those that raise concerns about CCP activity, such as human rights. MI5 said Lee had been engaged in the facilitation of financial donations to political parties, parliamentarians, aspiring parliamentarians and individuals seeking political office in the UK, including facilitating donations to political entities on behalf of foreign nationals. Although Lee has publicly stated that her activities are to represent the UK Chinese community and increase diversity, the security agency noted that her activities have been undertaken in covert co-ordination with the UFWD, with funding provided by foreign nationals located in China and Hong Kong. It revealed that Lee has extensive engagement with individuals across the UK political spectrum, including through the All-Party Parliamentary Chinese in Britain Group, which has been disbanded. Barry Gardiner, a Labour MP who received donations of more than 500,000 ($687,000) from Christine Lee between 2015 and 2020, said he had been liaising with our security services for many years about her. He said the UK security services have always known, and been made fully aware by me, of her engagement with my office and the donations she made to fund researchers in my office in the past. He said all the donations were properly reported and their source verified at the time, and added, I have been assured by the Security Services that whilst they have definitively identified improper funding channelled through Christine Lee, this does not relate to any funding received by my office. Gardiner said Christine Lees son, who had been employed as his diary manager, resigned earlier on Thursday, adding that the security services have advised him that they have no intelligence that shows he was aware of, or complicit in, his mothers illegal activity. Bob Seely, a Conservative MP who is a member of the Commons Foreign Affairs Committee, said it is clearly serious that there appear to be actual agents of a foreign, adversarial power in Parliament. I do fear that we have been complacent about the threat posed by the Chinese communist regime, he told the PA news agency. PA Media contributed to this report. Chinese Researchers Develop Small but Powerful Space Laser; Expert Warns It Could Be Weaponized A team of Chinese researchers claims to have developed a new laser system small enough to be deployed on a satellite. The device could inform the development of future weapons systems by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), according to one expert. This small but powerful laser is reportedly intended for communication, said Paul Crespo, president of the Center for American Defense Studies. It may not be best suited as a weapon, but a larger version certainly will be. The research team that created the laser said that it was not a weapon. An unnamed scientist from the Chinese Academy of Sciences, however, also said that a larger version could be weaponized, according to a report by the South China Morning Post, which first covered the development. A New Development and a New Threat The new laser could be used in a multitude of roles, both civilian and military, ranging from everyday communications to target acquisition. One of the parties that conducted the research, in fact, was the Shanghai Radio Equipment Research Institute (SRERI), a state-owned contractor that supplies the CCPs space program. Scientists from the company previously published research into space-based target detection and surveillance technologies. The potential for weaponization could spell trouble down the road, as the laser packs a powerful punch for its size. The system can generate a 1-megawatt laser and fire 100 times per second continuously for half an hour while in space. It and its power source combined weigh just over three pounds, an achievement in laser miniaturization. For comparison, a foray into laser technologies by the United States in the mid-2000s resulted in the development of the YAL-1, an aircraft-mounted laser system designed to shoot down missiles. That system produced a 1-megawatt laser and weighed roughly four tons. Whereas the Chinese laser emits lightning-quick but weak pulses of light, however, the American system shot one long beam, hence why the Chinese system cannot incapacitate larger weapons such as missiles. While the new laser is too small to seriously damage weapons systems, it does present a meaningful miniaturization of solid-state laser technology. This is important as size and weight considerations have consistently barred the widespread adoption of laser weapons by militaries throughout the world. The new system is also important because it could easily be upscaled to work as a weapon. Crespo, who previously served as an officer with the Defense Intelligence Agency, said that it would almost certainly be adopted by the Chinese military in the future. Everything the Chinese civilian sector does is dual-use, Crespo said. Of course [the laser] will be used in military applications. Dual-use refers to the capacity of a technology to fulfill both civilian and military uses. It is a core aspect of the CCPs national strategy of military-civil fusion, which seeks to ensure that all developments in the civil sector also improve military technology. To that end, laser systems are facing increasing scrutiny as a potential avenue for covert military development and have been targeted by U.S. sanctions against China. The U.S. Department of Commerce added several Chinese companies to its trade blacklist last year because of their role in driving military modernization programs related to lasers. A key reason for this, according to Crespo, is that satellite-based lasers could give China an advantage in weaponizing outer space, which is increasingly viewed by defense and security experts as a warfighting domain. It is for this reason that Crespo considers the CCPs space program and associated technologies a threat. Space-based platforms could decide which superpower dominates space, Crespo said. And whoever dominates space could dominate earth. US Not Without Response Despite an old military adage that lasers will always be a weapon of the future, the United States is not without response to the new Chinese technology. The recently-passed National Defense Authorization Act authorized the research and development of new energy weapons for the purposes of missile defense, and several recently-developed military programs exist to provide the United States with directed energy weapons. Lt. Gen. Neil Thurgood, who serves as director of hypersonics, directed energy, space, and rapid acquisition for the Army, spoke about the issue during a conversation hosted by the Center for Strategic and International Studies on Jan. 12. He described U.S. efforts as a campaign of learning and experimentation, and said that developing such systems was important as a cost-effective alternative to kinetic systems that require a projectile to be launched. He also explained that creating multiple technologies to fill different battlefield roles was essential. A high energy laser is designed to see a target, kill a target, and move to the next target, Thurgood said. High power microwaves, on the other hand, are different and designed to kill swarms of things. Among the new developments in U.S. energy weapons is a recently awarded $18.6 million contract for the creation of a compact directed energy system designed to counter drones. The system will augment other Army technologies such as the 30 and 50-kilowatt systems which are typically mounted on strike vehicles and deployed in strike groups with more conventionally armed counterparts to enable, in Thugoods words, killing in layers. Notably, the Army will test a 300-kilowatt laser later this year, believed to be capable of taking down missiles in flight. Similarly, the Navy has deployed prototype laser systems on some vessels, designed to defend against drones and other small craft. One ship, the USS Portland, conducted a successful shooting of a target drone in 2020, and again in 2021. Thurgood stressed that there was a need for the United States military to invest heavily and broadly in such technologies, to cover a wide array of potential fighting scenarios. There is no perfect weapons system that works everywhere, all the time, in every environment, Thurgood said. To that end, he described directed energy weapons as another arrow in the quiver, to be combined with more conventional weapons. Giving multiple ways for soldiers to be successful on the battlefield is really the heart of the issue, Thurgood said. Relatedly, the U.S. Navy announced the creation of a new division on Jan. 10 that will focus solely on developing new high-power microwave directed-energy weapons. The division follows the December opening of a new Directed Energy Systems Integration Laboratory in California. The near-peer and actual peer adversarial threats faced by the Navy today are so stressing that if we dont have facilities like this, we are simply not going to be able to keep pace, said Vance Brahosky, deputy technical director for the naval surface warfare center in a press release. The directed energy and high-power microwave technology testing that can now be done in this facility will allow us to evaluate and field warfighting capabilities so that the Sailors and Marines on our ships can fight and win. A Citibank sign is seen outside of a bank outlet in New York, on March 4, 2009. (Lucas Jackson/Reuters) Citi to Exit Mexican Consumer Business as Part of Strategy Revamp NEW YORKCitigroup Inc will exit its Citibanamex consumer banking business in Mexico, the bank said on Tuesday ending its 20-year retail presence in the country that was the last of its overseas consumer businesses. Citigroups decision to sell or spin off Citibanamex, Mexicos third biggest bank by assets as of June, is part of chief executive Jane Frasers strategy to bring Citigroups profitability and share price performance in line with its peers. After taking up the top job last year, Fraser pledged to simplify Citigroup by exiting non-core businesses, including consumer franchises in 13 markets in Asia, Europe, the Middle East and Africa. While Citigroups Mexican exit was not part of the announced plan it is consistent with that strategy refresh, Fraser said on Tuesday. Citigroup will retain its institutional client business in Mexico, as it has in other overseas markets. It will focus its consumer banking business on a targeted U.S. retail presence, global wealth management, and payments and lending, it said. The banks acquisition of Banamex for $12.5 billion in 2001 was the largest ever in Mexico at the time and came amid a wave of foreign purchases after an economic crisis devastated the countrys banking sector in the mid-1990s. Mexican billionaire Ricardo Salinas Pliego, who is ranked as the countrys third-richest man with a family fortune estimated in excess of $15 billion by Forbes, said he was analyzing if it was possible to acquire Citibanamex. Other possible buyers for Citibanamex could come from Canada, where the big six banks have excess cash to spend on deals. Bank of Nova Scotia already has a sizable Mexico business. The local arms of Banco Santander and BBVA would also have the cash, while Mexican institutions Banorte and Inbursa could use an acquisition of Citis operations to challenge this duo. An industry laggard hobbled by creaky technology and poor risk-management controls, Citigroups seeming inability to fix its operational issues and boost its share price has frustrated shareholders. Investor exhaustion plagues the bank, Odeon Capital analyst Dick Bove said last month. Frasers revamp amounts to the biggest overhaul for Citigroup since it was forced to unload assets following the 20072009 financial crisis. To date the bank has taken $2 billion in charges exiting Asian markets. Before becoming CEO, Fraser was responsible for the Mexico business and for Citigroups global consumer bank. In that role, she worked to build on investments the bank made to refurbish the Mexico consumer business which had been known as Banamex. By disposing of the Mexico consumer businesses, well be able to direct our resources to opportunities aligned with our core strengths and competitive advantages, Fraser said in a statement, adding Mexico remains a priority market for Citigroups institutional businesses. We expect Mexico to be a major recipient of global investment and trade flows in the years ahead, and we are confident about the countrys trajectory, she said. Merger Binge Citigroups acquisition of Banamex was one of several led by Sandy Weill, CEO from 19982003, who built the bank into a U.S. giant and, some analysts believe, set it up for its problems. Institutional investors and analysts, such as Mike Mayo of Wells Fargo, have long called for Citigroup to give up Citibanamex which they saw as drag on its investment returns. Frasers predecessor as CEO, Mike Corbat, had invested more in Citibanamex even after it suffered loan losses in a massive fraud involving a supplier to Mexicos state oil company. Citigroup shares rose as much as 1 percent in after-market trading. The bank did not estimate the cost of exiting the business or what it might receive in a sale. The business currently uses about $4 billion of tangible common equity. The Mexico consumer businesses provided about $3.5 billion in revenue in the first three quarters of 2021 and $1.2 billion in pre-tax earnings, Citigroup said. They include $44 billion of Citigroups $2.36 trillion of total assets. Citigroup said the timing of the exit is subject to regulatory approvals in the United States and Mexico. By David Henry Communism Is a Narcissistic Approach That Took Over Western Civilization: Dr. Christiane Northrup Dr. Christiane Northrup is a board-certified obstetrician-gynecologist with more than 30 years of experience and the former president of the American Holistic Medical Association. She also served on their board during the 80s and early 90s and is a public speaker as well as a talented harp player. Holistic Medicine, she explains, is a medical approach that appreciates and addresses the unity of mind, body, and spirit. It includes the modalities of homeopathy, osteopathy, chiropractic, herbology, and spiritual healing. Nothing would be left out [holistic medicine] would include drugs and surgery when theyre appropriate, Northrup told The Epoch Times, emphasizing that one should look for actual healers when they are seeking treatment, since a doctors negative energy can affect the patient. When you go to a doctor, you want to be looking for whether or not theyre a healer, she noted, they can be technically skilled, but remember, especially if someone is operating on you, their energy goes right into your systems. So if you have somebody who is angry, resentful, or whatever, that goes right into your body as well. So you want to choose somebody who feels like a healer, regardless of what tools they use. Modern medicine, which is abreast modern science, generally denies anything that cannot be seen or detected with the limited apparatuses, unlike mostif not allancient traditions, where the belief in the existence of spirit was common knowledge. Northrup was further asked about the breakup between the holistic approach and the technological/scientific aspect in healing. Communists, and particularly the philosophers of the Frankfurt school, gave her the impression of arrogant and narcissistic people that would denounce as delusional anyone who believes in gods. If you believe in God, you poor slob. Youre so deluded, you cant prove that. The way I see it always is someone with a cigarette and a disdainful arrogant attitude, thinking that anyone who believes in God or has a spiritual practice or belief in the living worldlike the Native Americans, [who believe that] there are spirits in the trees and in the land and in all of thatis primitive, hopelessly primitive, Northrup said. Dr. Christiane Northrup speaks at Broadway Rally For Freedom in Manhattan, New York, on Oct. 16, 2021. (Enrico Trigoso/The Epoch Times) This comes from an overly intellectual, narcissistic approach. And, frankly, I believe that took over all of Western civilization. And were seeing it, thats what communism is reallyTheres no God.' Maoist China Saw Traditional Chinese Medicine as Witchcraft You look at what happened in Maoist China, they made sure that all of the TCM (traditional Chinese medicine), which is based on Qi and lifeforce running through the body, was just seen as witchcraft. During the 1966 Cultural Revolution in China, extreme materialism, as well as Darwinism, took over the already troubled land, violently forcing out Confucian, Daoist, and Buddhist traditions. Some scholars believe that this period was one of the darkest in history, since China was until then the only culture that had been preserved uninterrupted from ancient times, possessing the best recorded (written) history, which included medical texts. Youths are seen at a rally during the height of the Red Guard upheaval waving copies of the collected writings of Communist Party Chairman Mao Zedong, often referred to as Maos Little Red Book, and carrying a poster of Karl Marx. (AP Photo) Theres a rich history of those traditions being passed down generation after generation within Chinese families for healing, Northrup further said. And its the same thing with shamanistic traditions, where you believe that there is lifeforce running through everything. Its like we lost something when we moved into this materialistic, reductionistic [thinking] where theres nothing other than what you can measure, and nothing else matters. Congress Launching Caucus to Bolster Relationship Between Israel and Arab Nations A group of House and Senate lawmakers will come together to form a bipartisan caucus to build on the success of the historic Abraham Accords and encourage further cooperation between members, while attempting to expand the agreement to include more nations that do not currently have diplomatic relations with Israel. The Senate Abraham Accords Caucus encourages partnerships between the United States, Israel, Arab states, and other relevant countries and regions, said the mission statement (pdf). The bipartisan Caucus also provides Congressional leadership to strengthen and expand the Abraham Accords by promoting the benefits of normalizing relations with Israel, it added. While the Abraham Accords resulted in peace, acceptance, and economic cooperation between Israel and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Bahrain, Sudan, and Morocco, the newly formed caucus will encourage and seek to incentivize countries that do not have diplomatic relations with Israel to join the agreement. The Israeli Knessets Abraham Accords Caucus welcomed the initiative by their American counterparts. I deeply cherish the support from the United States and offer my congratulations on the establishment of a sister-caucus in America, with whom we can advance further frameworks for regional cooperation, said Knesset member Ruth Wasserman Lande in a statement. The bipartisan caucus will also encourage partners in Europe to promote the Accord and highlight its importance in the Middle East, besides trying to resolve the long-standing Israeli-Palestinian conflict. It will enable U.S. institutions to invest in the development of the region and serve as a platform for engaging with the leaders of Egypt, Jordan and Palestine. The caucuss co-chairs will be Sens. James Lankford (R-Okla.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), and Cory Booker (D-N.J.), and Reps. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Wash.), David Trone (D-Md.), Ann Wagner (R-Mo.) and Brad Schneider (D-Ill.). The Accords made possible a tripartite deal between Israel, Jordan, and the United Arab Emirates, under which Jordan will develop renewable energy for Israel, while Israel will work on water desalination solutions for the Arab country. Long considered impossible by previous administrations and policy experts, the Abraham Accords were one of the highlights of President Donald Trumps tenure in the White House. His son-in-law and senior adviser, Jared Kushner, led negotiations on the deals, and it was signed on Sept. 15, 2020. The Biden administration has indicated a possibility of including more Muslim-majority countries into the framework like Saudi Arabia, Comoros, Kuwait, Qatar, Indonesia, and the Maldives. In just one year, the Abraham Accords have already transformed the Middle East by contributing to regional peace and stability, promoting U.S. interests, and enhancing Israels security, said Rosen in a statement. Booker said that the United States has a bigger role to play in fostering relationships between Israel and other Arab countries. I stand with Israel and for lasting peace in the Middle East, alongside my colleagues, as we launch the Abraham Accords Caucus, said Lankford. We will seek peace through expanding and encouraging the Accords and set the example for other nations who desire peace. Matthew Chapter 5, verse 9 importantly reminds us that Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Attorney General Merrick Garland makes remarks at a press conference at the Department of Justice in Washington on Aug. 5, 2021. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images) DHS and DOJ Contradict Each Other On Claims About School Board Meetings Assistant U.S. Attorney General Matthew Olsen said during a Jan. 11 congressional hearing on domestic terrorism that theres been an increase in violence against educatorsdirectly contradicting Department of Homeland Security (DHS) data. The hearing captured headlines due to Department of Justice (DOJ) officials refusing to answer questions about Ray Epps, the Jan. 6, 2021, protest participant who some have alleged to be a federal asset. But Olsen, the head of DOJs national security branch, also made unsupported claims about increasing school board violence. Olsen was responding to questions from Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) about why Attorney General Merrick Garland is devoting counterterrorism resources to investigate protesting parents committing violence against school board members. As the attorney generals memo indicated, there has been an increase in violence and threats of violence against individuals who serve in positions of public trustschool board members, teachers, other public officialsand this is a serious concern, Olsen said. This statement, however, contradicts DHS statistics. DHS Counterterrorism Coordinator John Cohen noted that during a Nov. 3, 2021, congressional hearing. Responding to questions from Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Cohen said the DHS hasnt seen any quantifiable evidence of a rise in death threats. We did reach out to state and local law enforcement, he said at the time. There have been some sporadic instances of violence at school board meetings and in educational facilities. However, the information that we received is that state and local law enforcement were not seeing widespread action. DHS and DOJ officials didnt respond by press time to questions by The Epoch Times about whether the data had changed since then. The DHS officials November statements came after Garland said in October that the evidence underpinning his claims of rising threats of violence was a letter from the National School Boards Association (NSBA) sent to the Biden administrationa letter characterizing protesting parents as domestic terrorism threats and calling for the FBI to use statutes such as the Patriot Act. Since then, the NSBA has retracted and apologized for the letter. Republican lawmakers as well as a group of 17 state attorneys general have also called for Garland to rescind his memo, saying it chills lawful dissent. Nevertheless, the federal probe continues. Grassley said at the Jan. 11 hearing that he hasnt received a response from Garland to letters about his school board investigation. Garland defended continuing the probe at an Oct. 27, 2021, Senate Judiciary Committee hearing, saying that the NSBAs follow-up apology letter does not change the associations concern about violence and threats of violence. At the Jan. 11 hearing, Olsen and FBI official Jill Sanborn downplayed the significance of federal resources being deployed to investigate parents. They stressed that they were only investigating violent crimes, and in no way are infringing on First Amendment-protected activity. Responding to a November FBI whistleblower leaking documents about the bureau tracking all instances of school-board-related violence in a central repository, Sanborn said tagging the cases is simply an administrative process to better analyze trends. Former FBI agent Marc Ruskin disagrees. He told The Epoch Times in November that the bureaus actions are significant. The fact that a tag has been assigned to these cases would indicate to me that its something theyre anticipating moving forward with these investigations, he said at the time. He also said the involvement of the FBIs counterterrorism division suggests that some of the school board threats will be treated as domestic terrorism cases. This is the true significance of the whistleblower documents, he said. Theres an intention or a likelihood that individuals being investigated are going to be categorized as domestic terrorists, Ruskin said in November. He said the decision by the FBI to classify angry parents as domestic terrorism threats has dark implications for free speech rights. The idea that the FBI is treating individuals who express opinions contrary to the prevailing government opinion as domestic terrorists is disturbing from a First Amendment point of view, Ruskin said. And it may very well be intended to have a chilling effect on freedom of expression. (L-R) Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-MS), chair of the select committee investigating the events on Jan. 6 at the Capitol, speaks as Rep. Liz Cheney (R-WY), vice chair of the select committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol, Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-IL) and Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD) listen during a committee meeting on Capitol Hill on Dec. 1, 2021. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images) Defense Attorney Accuses Jan. 6 Committee of Manipulating Public Opinion Rather Than Collecting Facts on Ray Epps "It could be taken as witness tampering. Im very concerned about it. The Jan. 6 committees announcement that it has cleared Ray Epps of being an FBI informant during the unrest at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, is an effort to manipulate public opinion rather than collect facts, an attorney representing a Jan. 6 defendant said on Jan. 12. The Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the United States Capitol announced on Twitter that it had met with Epps, who informed us that he was not employed by, working with, or acting at the direction of any law enforcement agency on Jan 5th or 6th or at any other time. The Committee has interviewed Epps. Epps informed us that he was not employed by, working with, or acting at the direction of any law enforcement agency on Jan 5th or 6th or at any other time, & that he has never been an informant for the FBI or any other law enforcement agency. January 6th Committee (@January6thCmte) January 11, 2022 That announcement came shortly after Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) grilled a senior FBI official during a Senate Judiciary Committee meeting about Epps and whether the agency had any undercover assets working at the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. It also came a day before Eppss attorney, John Blischak, told The Epoch Times that the FBI had met with Epps in Arizona. Blischak also said his client isnt an FBI informant. The developments did little to dispel online debate over the possible use of government agents or assets during the unrest at the Capitol on Jan. 6. An attorney who represents a Jan. 6 defendant said he was very surprised that the committee made such a public comment regarding Epps. I think they obviously were responding to Ted Cruz, Jonathon Moseley, an attorney representing defendant Kelly Meggs, told The Epoch Times. I also believe that the whole behavior, including that, makes it look like they are acting like a super PAC for Democrat reelection. It could be taken as witness tampering. Im very concerned about it. Moseley has subpoenaed Epps to appear in court in April in the Meggs case. I think its very extraordinary that they would comment at all, given the nature of what theyre supposed to be doing, Moseley said. Theyre not supposed to be commenting on the witnesses and influencing it. It really reveals the partisan nature of what theyre doing, that they went out of their way to influence the public discussion instead of just gathering data and issuing a report. Moseley said the Jan. 6 committees gratuitous defense of Epps set off a flurry of phone calls between attorneys who represent Jan. 6 defendants. Ive subpoenaed Ray Epps. It really does affect my case in terms of witness tamperingthe very thing theyve accused of other people, Moseley said. Im focusing on the unnecessary nature of the comment. Thats what really makes it stand out. Its very strange. A message left by The Epoch Times with a spokesman for the select committee wasnt returned. Speculation about Epps took on a life of its own after media website Revolver ran two extensive articles on Epps, with videos showing him recruiting people to go into the Capitol after then-President Donald Trump finished his rally speech on Jan. 6, 2021. Epps was also seen in video footage at the site of the first breach of police lines at the Capitol just before 1 p.m., in which he whispers to a young man mere seconds before the man pushes over a police barrier. Eppss photograph was initially on the FBIs Jan. 6 most-wanted list in early 2021, but by mid-year, the photo had been scrubbed from the FBI website. Epps hasnt been charged with being at the Capitol or inciting others to go into the Capitol. Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.), a member of the select committee, took to Twitter to taunt his colleagues who questioned if Epps was acting as an FBI informant or government asset. He posted at Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.): Is Ray Epps a fed? Its a HUGE accusation so please just yes or no. Not interested in circular reasoning, just asking questions, etc. Just, is Ray Epps a fed? Lets get you on record please. Massie had questioned Attorney General Merrick Garland about Epps at a public hearing in October 2021. How many agents or assets of the federal government were present on Jan. 6, whether they agitated to go into the Capitol, and if any of them did? Massie had asked. Garland replied, Im not going to comment on an investigation thats ongoing. To Cruz, Kinzinger wrote: Simple question for ya. Is Ray Epps a fed? Its time for you to account for your own opinion since you have lit the fire. Ted what say you? Being at a protest is not illegal. Going into the capitol is. Its that simple https://t.co/6ULiIbP8CC Adam Kinzinger (@AdamKinzinger) January 11, 2022 Cruz said the Department of Justice and the FBI owe Americans honest answers regarding Jan. 6, 2021. Under [President] Joe Biden, we have seen an incredibly partisan Department of Justice. Both the Department of Justice and the FBI have an arrogance that theyre not accountable to anyone, that they can stonewall, Cruz told Fox News. It should be very easy for the FBI to say, No, no federal agents participated in violent crime. No, no federal agents actively incited, encouraged others to commit violent crimes. If they were doing their jobs, those would be very easy questions to answer. There needs to be transparency. The Biden administration needs to fess up. Is this a politicized law enforcement operation that is targeting the enemies of the president, and did they actively encourage and solicit illegal conduct? Delta Air Lines jets are parked at Kansas City International Airport, Miss., on May 14, 2020. (Charlie Riedel/AP Photo) Delta Air Warns of Loss in Current Quarter on Omicron Turbulence CHICAGODelta Air Lines Inc. on Thursday reported higher quarterly earnings on the back of strong holiday travel demand, but warned of a loss in the quarter through March due to turbulence caused by the Omicron coronavirus variant. Despite expectations for a loss in the March quarter, we remain positioned to generate a healthy profit in the June, September, and December quarters, resulting in a meaningful profit in 2022, Dan Janki, Deltas chief financial officer, said in a statement. Delta said the Omicron variant will likely delay the recovery in travel demand by 60 days, but it expects the recovery to resume around the Presidents Day holiday in February. In an interview, Chief Executive Ed Bastian said bookings for international travel were down but he sounded confident that the transatlantic market would have a very strong spring and summer travel period once Omicron-driven border restrictions are lifted. Theres an enormous amount of pent up demand, Bastian told Reuters. Its going to be very active. He expects business travel to pick up by the middle of February. The Atlanta-based carriers adjusted profit for the quarter through December came in at 22 cents a share, beating analysts average estimate of 14 cents per share, according to IBES data from Refinitiv, marking the second profitable quarter in a row. The company estimates revenue in the March quarter will recover to 72 percent to 76 percent of 2019 levels. It expects to restore 83 percent to 85 percent of pre-pandemic capacity in the current quarter. Its capital expenditure in the quarter is projected to increase by about 69 percent from the December quarter to $1.6 billion. Peter McNally, global sector lead for industrials, materials, and energy at research firm Third Bridge, said the airline is managing well despite the challenges facing the industry. After nearly two years of raising liquidity and balance sheet protection, Delta is investing in its future, McNally said. Deltas shares were up 1.7 percent at $41.32 in opening trade. Operational Disruptions A surge in COVID-19 cases, driven by the Omicron variant, has caused havoc for the airline industry. An increase in daily employee sick calls, as well as a series of winter storms, have led to mass cancelations of flights. A woman and her child speak with an airline attendant at the George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, Texas, amid flight cancelations and delays, on Jan. 6, 2022. (Brandon Bell/Getty Images) Since Christmas Eve, U.S. airlines have canceled more than 31,300 flights, or about 7 percent of the scheduled total, according to flight-tracking service FlightAware. Delta had to cancel more than 2,000 flights. The airline, however, said its operation has stabilized over the past week, with cancelations declining to less than 20 flights a day. Yet, operational disruptions are projected to add to cost pressures in the current quarter. Bastian said 8000 Delta employees have contracted the virus since Omicron became the dominant variant. The case counts, however, have been declining over the last week, he said. We have more and more people coming back into the operation than new people getting impacted by the virus, he said. Last month, the company asked the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to soften quarantine guidelines for fully vaccinated individuals who experience breakthrough COVID-19 infections, warning the long quarantines may significantly impact our workforce and operations. Other airlines followed Deltas request. The CDC last month agreed to shorten the recommended isolation time to five days from the previous guidance of 10 days. Bastian said the quarantine guidelines were helpful in getting people out of isolation and back to work. He said the company is strongly encouraging its employees at day five to get tested and not to come back until theyre confident they are well. By Rajesh Kumar Singh Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) speaks during a news conference following the weekly Democrat policy luncheon on Capitol Hill on April 20, 2021. The Democratic Senator spoke about the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act. (Sarah Silbiger/Getty Images) Democrats Election Bill Schemes Lack Much-Needed GOP Support News Analysis Since returning from their winter break, congressional Democrats and President Joe Biden have made a renewed push to approve election legislation. But despite Democrats claims that states are engaged in an all-out assault on voting rights, Democrats continue to lack substantial Republican support for any elections measure, and this situation is unlikely to change before Novembers midterm elections. The first indication that Democrats would be renewing their push for election reform came on Jan. 3 in a Twitter post from Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.). What happened on [Jan. 6, 2021] is directly linked to the one-sided, partisan actions being taken by GOP-led state legislatures across the country, Schumer wrote. Specifically, Schumer is referencing the moves by state legislatures to strengthen their own voting laws in the wake of the 2020 election. After that election, which was rife with statistical anomalies, many were left concerned about the integrity of U.S. elections. To address these concerns, state legislatures across the nation have approved new election legislation that strengthens voter ID and absentee balloting requirements in addition to other reforms. Since well before the 2020 election, Democrats have said these sorts of requirements disproportionately affect minorities. However, the Supreme Court addressed this question recently and ruled that Democrats claims were untrue. In the case of Brnovich v. Democratic National Committee (DNC), the DNC argued that a new Arizona law that changed voter ID and absentee voting guidelines was meant to suppress the minority vote and was thus illegal under the Voting Rights Act (VRA). Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich, who has been eyed as a potential challenger to Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) in 2022, argued that the DNCs assessment was wrong. The court sided with Brnovich, ruling that statutes similar to those in the Arizona law were permissible under the VRA. Still, Democrats have continued to maintain the position that the Supreme Court is wrong and that the efforts by states to strengthen their voting laws constitute what many Democrats say are new Jim Crow laws. Schumers Jan. 3 statement on Twitter made it clear that Democrats would be focusing on the issue once they returned from winter break. We can and must take strong action to stop this anti-democratic march, he wrote. Thus far, Democrats have two courses to meet this end. Revision of the Electoral Count Act Proposed as Most Likely Solution to Win Republican Support The first involves revamping the Electoral Count Act of 1887 (ECA). This lawapproved 10 years after the end of the northern occupation of the south at the conclusion of the American Civil Warwas intended to address electoral problems raised during the 1876 presidential election. During that election, several states sent competing slates of electors to Congress, leaving Congress scratching its head over which votes they should count. This constituted a veritable election crisis, and concerns were heavy that a solution wouldnt be reached by Inauguration Day. Ultimately, Democrat Samuel Tilden agreed to allow Republican Rutherford B. Hayes to take the victory, but only on the condition that Hayes would immediately remove military occupation forces from the south. Hayes agreed to do so, but the issues raised during that election still showed Congress that action was necessary to prevent a similar electoral crisis in the future. In brief, the ECA left it up to states to work out such conflicts in the future. The ECA laid out the conditions under which Congress would arbitrate disputes, but this was mostly limited to situations where a governor had confirmed two competing slates of electors. Congress was also given the right to reject electoral votes over ministerial errors, such as a typo; over the ineligibility of a voted-for candidate to hold the presidency; or if the electoral votes werent regularly given. Some Democrats have suggested that while revising the ECA would be less extensive than a new standalone election measure, it may also be seen more favorably with some Republicans, such as Sens. Mitt Romney (R-Utah), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), and Roger Wicker (R-Miss.). Theres some indication that this course could gain some Republican support. While speaking to reporters on Jan. 11, Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) indicated that she would be on board with such a proposal. Still, the support of these sometimes-swing voters wouldnt be enough to push an ECA reform over the finish line. Like all legislation in the Senate, an ECA revision would need to get a more than 60-vote threshold to avoid death-by-filibuster. This means that 10 Republicans would need to support the legislation. And past experience makes this unlikely. Since the summer of 2021, Democrats have pushed through a slew of elections legislation, ranging from huge overhauls of elections that would put them entirely in the control of the federal government to smaller-scale compromise measures. One such compromise measure, created with the help and input of Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), won the support of Collins. But every other piece of legislation proposed by Democrats has faced unanimous opposition and filibusters by Republicans, and this track record makes it unlikely that Democrats can garner the support needed for a reworking of the ECA. Other Democrats Call for Ending Filibuster to Approve More Comprehensive Election Law The second option that Democrats have been peddling is a revival of the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act (H.R. 4). H.R. 4, introduced during the summer of 2021 by Rep. Terri Sewell (D-Ala.), is less wide-reaching than other legislation that Democrats have proposed. In contrast to the For the People Act, which would mandate that states allow felons to vote and which critics say would effectively legalize voting by illegal aliens, H.R. 4s biggest change to voting laws would be to restore federal preclearance requirements initially laid out under the VRA. Under the VRA, states that the federal government considered as having a history of discrimination were barred from changing their election laws without federal preclearance, or federal approval. H.R. 4 would reintroduce this provision to respond to the Supreme Courts 2013 decision in Shelby v. Holder. In that case, the Supreme Court ruled that the situation of minorities had changed so dramatically between the provisions introduction in 1965 and 2013 that the extraordinary measures employed by the measure could no longer be justified, and the court thus struck the provision down as unconstitutional. Speaking on the House floor, Sewell said that her legislation would restore key provisions of the VRA that were gutted by the Supreme Court and would once again prohibit any state or jurisdiction with a history of discrimination from implementing any election changes without receiving preclearance from U.S. Department of Justice. Previously, this legislation was approved by the House, but faced death-by-filibuster in the Senate. To overcome the objections of one-half of the nations elected senators, many Democrats are calling for the wholesale destruction of the filibuster, as this is the only way that Democrats can approve such an unpopular measure through the deliberative upper chamber. Technically, Democrats could do this. Under the nuclear option, Senate rules can be changed by a simple majority vote. However, this course has been one that senators from both parties have long been hesitant to use. While one party is in control of the Senate, such a rule change would indeed give them significant leeway to approve legislation that would otherwise be unable to overcome a filibuster. However, once that same party finds itself in the minority, it will have practically no ability to stop the opposing party from approving legislation that it considers to be bad. Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.), who has in the past opposed making changes to the filibuster, made just such a point while defending the filibuster during an appearance on The View. Sinema said the filibuster wasnt a good or a bad thing in and of itself, but is nothing more than a tool, in that its value comes from the way we utilize it. Specifically, she called it a tool for the protection of the minority, and noted that Democrats have used it to stop Republican legislation just as often as Republicans have used it to stop Democrat legislation. Also opposed to wholesale filibuster reform is Manchin, a longtime ally of Sinema. In the aftermath of the 2020 election, when it became clear that Democrats would take the Senate in a surprise flip, Manchin took to Fox News to calm moderate and Republican fears over what the party would do. Manchin noted during that appearance that Democrats could change the filibuster. But he noted that such a course would require the consent of all 50 Democrats and Vice President Kamala Harris. Manchin vowed that he wouldnt be the 50th Democrat to vote for such a course. Im supporting the filibuster. Im gonna continue to support the filibuster. I think it defines who we are as a Senate, Manchin said. Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) has also expressed lukewarm opposition to a filibuster change to approve voting legislation in the past. The long-serving Californian told Forbes that if democracy were in jeopardy, I would want to protect it, but said that she [doesnt] see it being in jeopardy right now. And these arent the only senators who have opposed a filibuster change in the past. Practically every Democratic lawmaker has, at some point over the past four years, expressed only tepid support for such a course, while many others have flat out opposed the proposal. Thus, this second course also lacks the votes on both sides of the aisle, as its all but guaranteed that no Republican will aid Democrats in this endeavor. Despite this renewed push for electoral reform, Democrats are unlikely to be able to make any significant changes to election law unless the situation on Capitol Hill transforms dramatically. Thus far, there has been no indication that such a transformation is imminent, especially as many Republican senators face tough reelection battles later in 2022. Press Release January 13, 2022 De Lima bewails increasing killings of media practitioners Opposition Senator Leila M. de Lima bewailed the increasing attacks and killings of media practitioners in the country, including the recent murder last Jan. 12 in Tacurong City, Sultan Kudarat of a hard-hitting radio commentator who is seeking an elective post. De Lima, a social justice and human rights champion, said authorities should thoroughly investigate all angles behind the killing to ensure justice and accountability. "Nagpapaabot po tayo ng pakikiramay sa mga naulila ng biktima. Mariin po nating kinokondena ang walang pakundangang pamamaslang na ito sa isa na namang kawani ng media. Sa gitna ng pandemya, hindi natigil ang ganitong karahasan, kundi tumataas pa," she said. "This alarming trend and incessant attacks and killings of members of the press makes it imperative for the authorities and institutions to conduct a thorough investigation and ensure that the perpetrators are swiftly brought to justice," she added. According to the initial report by the Philippine National Police Soccsksargen, radio commentator Jaynard Angeles was shot dead around 10 a.m. in a car wash establishment in Purok Sampaguita, Barangay New Carmen in Tacurong City. While in the shop, two unidentified male assailants reportedly shot the victim in the head and immediately left the scene using a black motorcycle and fled away. The police have yet to establish the motive behind Angeles' killing. Angeles, former station manager of Radyo ni Juan FM station, and who has been a broadcaster for more than 10 years, was also running for councilor in his hometown of Lambayong. He was a radio commentator or blocktimer at Radyo ni Juan-Tacurong at the time of his demise. Prior to Angeles' death, it was reported that the station manager of Radyo ni Juan in Tacurong, Benjie Caballero, was also shot dead in Tacurong in December 2019. Notably, Angeles' killing happened just less than a month since journalist Jess Malabanan was killed in the vicinity of his house in Samar last December 2021. The lady Senator from Bicol reiterated that the continued dangers faced by Filipino media practitioners makes it more important to pass her proposed Senate Bill (SB) No. 1523 or the Journalist Protection Act of 2020. "Journalists and media practitioners continue to face dangers as they serve as watchdogs against governments and as representations of the critical voices of the citizens. We need to safeguard their welfare by passing this timely legislation that will ensure that their rights are upheld all the time," she said. "Exasperating as it has become, we cannot stop denouncing these repeated acts of violence against media practitioners. We cannot fall victims to apathy and resignation. We cannot stop caring," De Lima lamented. "Bilang kawani ng malayang pamamahayag at tagapagsiwalat ng katotohanan, hindi pwedeng magwalang kibo lamang sa ganitong brutal na karahasan. Kung mananahimik tayo, baka bukas makalawa, wala nang umimik para sa atin kapag tayo o kapamilya na natin mismo ang mabiktima. Stop the killings! Justice to all victims!" she added. Not driven by sound science: EPA Reversal on Wyoming Coal Power Plants Plan Criticized Former EPA regional administrator tells Epoch Times he had approved the plan in November 2020 After more than a year of inaction, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced on Jan. 12 that it proposes to disapprove the State of Wyomings changes to its regional haze plan for PacifiCorps Jim Bridger coal power plant, potentially closing down Unit 2 of the facility for a year or more. Yet in an exclusive interview with The Epoch Times, a Trump EPA official verified that he greenlit those changes in November 2020. Greg Sopkin, former Region 8 administrator of the EPA, said that to the best of [his] recollection, he approved Wyomings revised submission on or around Nov. 20, 2020. Sopkin noted that he had stopped working for the EPA in November 2020. In a statement, the EPA told The Epoch Times that the action didnt take effect because it hadnt yet appeared in the Federal Register, leaving it subject to the White Houses Jan. 20, 2021, Regulatory Freeze Pending Review Memorandum. The EPAs proposed rule comes just weeks after Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon issued an emergency suspension order to keep the unit open. That order came after Gordon and PacifiCorp notified the EPA of their intent to sue over its inaction on the proposal on Nov. 14, 2021, based on its alleged violation of a nondiscretionary duty under the Clean Air Act. In Gordons Dec. 27, 2021, order, he wrote that installation of a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system on Unit 2 by Dec. 31, 2021, as required by the existing plan, wouldnt be feasible at this late hour. That plan also mandates the installation of an SCR system on Unit 1 of the plant by Dec. 31., 2022. The state instead wants to implement visibility-enhancing emissions limits on nitrogen oxide (NO x ) and sulfur dioxide (SO 2 ) as proposed by PacifiCorp in 2019. Gordons letter ended with a state of Wyoming-sponsored analysis from Timothy Considine, a professor of energy economics at the University of Wyoming. Considine calculated that the closing of Unit 2 could decrease value added to the state of Wyoming by $148.6 million while also reducing annual tax revenue by $33.2 million and employee compensation by $34.9 million. In addition, he estimated that the closure would cost 404 Wyoming jobs, including those directly and indirectly supported by the plant, as well as jobs induced by it. Most of those projected job losses would occur in Sweetwater County, the site of the plant and the coal mines that support it. Mayor Tim Kaumo of Rock Springs, Wyoming, the most populous city in Sweetwater County, didnt respond to a request for comment (Kaumo was ccd on Gordons Dec. 27, 2021, emergency suspension). Representatives for the Sweetwater Economic Development Coalition, a partnership between the county and local cities to aid businesses in the area, also didnt respond to a request for comment by press time. The state of Wyoming submitted its proposed revision to the EPA in May 2020. Gordons emergency suspension order noted that the Trump administrations EPA had completed its review of the revision in November 2020. Wyoming was notified on November 23, 2020 that the former Region 8 administrator, Gregory Sopkin, had signed the proposed action on November 20, 2020, and that Wyoming would be informed when the action would be published in the Federal Register. But that did not happen, Gordons letter reads. Sopkin confirmed his approval of the submission. In its proposed rule and a related statement, EPA doesnt appear to address those actions. The EPAs proposed rule does state that SCRs on Units 1 and 2 of Bridger would yield appreciable visibility improvement at a reasonable cost. It noted that the state had previously agreed that costs for the SCR requirements were reasonable and that those costs as estimated by the state remained eminently reasonable. In Gordons emergency suspension letter, he wrote that there were no known disadvantages to PacifiCorps proposed changes. Notably, PacifiCorp intends to switch to natural gas from coal on Units 1 and 2 by 2024. In light of this intention, it will never make sense for PacifiCorp to install SCR at Unit 2 for the purpose of restarting the Unit for the limited period of time until conversion. Accordingly, if EPA forces Unit 2 to shutdown, it will remain shutdown until it can be restarted as a natural gas unit, Gordons letter reads. The EPAs statement on its proposed rule states that PacifiCorps slated conversion from coal shouldnt have any bearing on the agencys decision: The companys intentions are not part of Wyomings proposed revisions to its regional haze plan thereby precluding the planned conversion from EPA consideration and analysis. In an email to The Epoch Times, a spokesperson for PacifiCorp said it would not be unusual for the company to combine its lawsuit with the state of Wyomings. PacifiCorp continues to seek a path that allows the units to continue operating in compliance with the Clean Air Act as we work towards the planned unit conversions to natural gas, the spokesperson wrote. Wyomings two senators expressed frustration with the EPA and its apparent departure from expectations established under the Trump administration. The EPAs decision today is a complete reversal from that of career EPA employees during the previous administration, Sen. Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.) told The Epoch Times. The Biden EPAs decision here is needlessly hurting Wyomings energy workers and threatening Americas energy independence as well. It is blatantly political, and I will continue to block President Bidens EPA nominees over this issue. Wyoming has worked tirelessly to comply with federal law on its regional haze plan for the Jim Bridger Power Plant. The Biden administrations decision to reverse course to appease environmental activists, including climate czars in the White House, will not help the people, or the environment, of Wyoming. Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) told The Epoch Times: The proposal to disapprove the State of Wyomings revised regional haze plan is not driven by sound science or sensible policy. It is pure political theater that puts the future of Wyomings energy workers at risk. Zbigniew Rau, Polish Foreign Minister and Chairperson-in-Office of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), gives a press conference at Hofburg Palace in Vienna, Austria, on Jan. 13, 2022. (Alex Halada/AFP via Getty Images) Europe at Highest Risk of War in Decades, Top Polish Official Says The probability of a new war in Europe is now higher than at any time in the past three decades, according to a top Polish official who addressed delegates gathered in Vienna for a final round of diplomacy talks. It seems that the risk of war in the OSCE area is now greater than ever before in the last 30 years, Zbigniew Rau said in the speech, without naming Russia. The head of the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs made the comment while addressing envoys from the 57 members of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE)listing a string of conflicts in which Moscows involvement has been alleged. For several weeks, we have been faced with the prospect of a major military escalation in Eastern Europe, Rau said, likely referring to Russias deployment of more than 100,000 troops near its borders with Ukraine. We should focus on a peaceful resolution of the conflict in and around Ukraine, he said, calling for full respect of the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and unity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders. Western nations have repeatedly accused Moscow of planning to invade Ukraine after the Kremlin massed military units, tanks, and artillery near Ukraines eastern border. A member of the Ukrainian State Border Guard Service stands near the border with Belarus and Poland, in the Volyn region, Ukraine, on Nov. 16, 2021. (Gleb Garanich/Reuters) Russia seized the Crimean Peninsula from Ukraine in 2014but has denied aggressive intent in the current crisis. The Kremlin insists the military deployment is a response to threatening behavior from the West after a growing presence of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in Eastern Europe. Moscow has laid out several draft demands in December, saying its 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. Washington has said some of the guarantees proposed by Russia are simply nonstarters for the United States, but that its open for negotiations and resolving concerns through diplomacy. The Jan. 13 talks were the third round of diplomacy this week, following Russia-U.S. talks in Geneva on Jan. 10 and a Russia-NATO conference in Brussels on Jan. 12 to discuss security proposals. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg received Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko at alliance headquarters for the talks. Stoltenberg said it is a positive sign that the 30 NATO members and Russia sat around the same table and engaged in substantive topics, though it appears more dialogue is needed, as there are significant differences between NATO and Russia that will not be easy to bridge. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg (L) chats with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko ahead of NATO-Russia Council at the alliances headquarters in Brussels, on Jan. 12, 2022. (Olivier Hoslet/Pool via Reuters) Russia on Jan. 13 gave a bleak assessment of its security talks with the United States and NATO this week, describing them as unsuccessful. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Moscow views a sweeping sanctions bill unveiled by U.S. Senate Democrats as extremely negatively and that its timing appears to look like an attempt to put pressure on Moscow. Peskov said that the first and second round of talks between Russia and the West had produced some positive nuances, but that Moscow was looking for concrete results, not nuances. Reuters contributed to this report. From NTD News Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases testifies, during a Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee hearing on Capitol Hill on Jan. 11, 2022 (Shawn Thew/Getty Images) Faucis NIAID Provided Funding to HIV Study Injecting Male Monkeys With Hormones: PETA The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), headed by White House coronavirus response team member Dr. Anthony Fauci, allegedly has been funding an experiment in which male monkeys were subjected to feminizing hormone treatments, according to an animal rights organization. The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) said NIAID paid around $205,562 to nonprofit Florida-based medical research facility Scripps Research to conduct the experiment, in which scientists expose male rhesus macaques to hormone therapy. The experiment was conducted to see if it would make the test subjects more susceptible to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), allowing scientists to study HIV rates in transgender women, PETA said. Titled A nonhuman primate model to study the immunological effects of feminizing hormone therapy in transgender women, the experiment was given the funding by NIAID in December 2021, the Washington Free Beacon reported. Since activated CCR5+ CD4+ T-cells are highly permissive to HIV infection, a better understanding of how FHT [female hormone therapy] impacts the male immune system may provide new insights into how to prevent HIV infection in TGW [transgender women], researchers wrote in their study. In this regard, here we will model FHT in nonhuman primates to prospectively address two knowledge gaps about the impact of FHT on the male immune system. To that end, FHT will be modeled in male rhesus macaques to determine whether it increases the availability of HIV target cells in the gut mucosa and whether FHT interferes with a prophylactic immune intervention. Ultimately, this project will advance our understanding of the pharmacodynamics of FHT and how it affects immune responses in biological males. However, Dr. Katherine Roe, a neuroscientist with PETA, told The Washington Free Beacon that the experiment was pointless and ineffective, given that monkeys cant contract HIV but only Simian Immunodeficiency Virus, a milder form of the disease. Its just bad science to suggest that dosing monkeys with feminizing medication makes them good stand-ins for humans, Roe said. This study will not help to prevent or treat HIV and will not help transgender women. PETA Senior Vice President Kathy Guillermo told Fox News on Jan. 12 that the monkeys who were involved in the experiment were placed in horrible and cramped conditions throughout the study. They take male monkeys [and] put them in metal boxesthats where theyre forced to live, Guillermo said. They subject them to so-called hormone treatment. And from that, theyre supposed to learn something about HIV transmission. This is a study that could be done with human volunteers, and we might actually find something out that would help human beings. Guillermo said that PETA had communicated to Fauci its grievances regarding the alleged experiment, which they believe to be a waste of taxpayers money. We wrote to Fauci last month, and we pointed out that HIV experiments on monkeys have killed tens of thousands of monkeys. Theyve cost us billions of dollars, and we have no vaccine to prevent HIV. Now, you would think that four decades of utter failure would inspire NIH (National Institutes of Health) to try something different, but they havent so far. I think it says youre not a very good human being, she said of the research. The NIAID is one of the more than 20 institutes and centers that make up the NIH. Scripps Florida told the Free Beacon in a statement that testing sub-populations is vital to discovering effective treatments for fatal diseases. The research you reference concerns a sub-population of people at greater risk of HIV infection, and factors that may or may not affect their response to a treatment/preventative approach in development, a spokeswoman said. It is through these types of targeted research studies that substantive progress against HIV, cancer, ALS, dementiaindeed most diseases and conditionswill be made. When contacted for comment, a representative from NIAID referred The Epoch Times to information regarding the study but declined to comment further. Scripps Florida didnt respond to a request by The Epoch Times for comment by press time. Federal Agency to Compile List of Employees Who Seek Religious Exemptions From COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate All employees at an obscure federal agency who claim religious exemptions from President Joe Bidens COVID-19 vaccine mandate will be added to a list, the agency stated in a Jan. 11 public notice. The Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency (CSOSA) posted the notice in the Federal Register, asking the public for comment on the new system, which is being called the Employee Religious Exception Request Information System. Biden announced in September 2021 that all federal employees must get a COVID-19 vaccine. Soon after, the Safer Federal Workforce Task Force issued guidance to agencies concerning when to grant exemptions for religious or medical reasons and how to track documents concerning the mandate. CSOSA stated that in order to meet the requirements outlined by the president and the task force, its creating a new system that will allow it to collect information related to religious accommodations to the vaccination requirements. The system will be used to house information on workers, volunteers, interns, contractors, and consultants with the Pretrial Services Agency (PSA) for the District of Columbia, an office inside CSOSA, who ask for religious exemptions. The primary purpose of the secured electronic file repository is to collect, maintain, use, andto the extent appropriate and necessarydisseminate employee religious exception request information collected by the agency in the context of the federally mandated COVID-19 vaccination requirement, the notice reads. In addition to being used to process religious accommodation requests, the secured electronic file repository enables PSA to log, track, and manage employee religious exception request information while leveraging technology to protect and secure the privacy of the records maintained in the system, according to the notice. Records may include workers religious affiliation, date of birth, job title, home address, age, and the office to which theyre assigned. They may also contain accommodation requests, as well as notes and decisions on the requests. It wasnt clear which part of the order and guidance the agency was seeking to comply with and CSOSAs spokesperson didnt respond to a voicemail or an email about the new system. Sara Parshall Perry and GianCarlo Canaparo, legal fellows at the Heritage Foundations Edwin Meese III Center for Legal and Judicial Studies, said the system is being tried out by a tiny agency in a likely attempt to avoid public scrutiny, predicting that it will eventually be rolled out across the government. Almost nobody has ever heard of the Pretrial Services Agency for the District of Columbia, and very few people pay close attention to it or are covered by its policies, they wrote in an op-ed. However, had Biden announced, for example, that the Department of Labor intended to adopt this policy, it would be big news. The Federal Register where announcements like this are made would be flooded with comments that the department would have to address. That would, of course, delay the policys rollout. With the Pretrial Services Agency, Biden likely expected that the policy would land quickly and without a splash. As it is, the notice of a new announcement provides less than 30 days for public comment. Florida AG Warns Public Against COVID-19 Testing Scams As the Omicron variant of COVID-19 spreads nationally, Floridas Attorney General Ashley Moody warns consumers there are bad actors who come in the name of helping others but only to help themselves to personal information. Moody recently announced that her office has received complaints about suspicious COVID-19 testing sites. As we have seen throughout the pandemic, scammers change tactics as news and situations change, Moody said in a press release. With the recent rise in the number of people seeking COVID-19 tests comes an increased risk that scammers will try to take advantage of the demand. Because of long lines of in-person testing, many have decided to seek the convenience of at-home COVID-19 tests and testing services the attorney generals office said. There are also reported incidences in Illinois as Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced his state is also cracking down on what he called fly-by-night testing centers referring to them as an enormous problem. A man walks-up at a COVID-19 testing site in Miami Beach, Fla., on Nov. 17, 2020.(Chandan Khanna/AFP via Getty Images) We intend to make sure that those operations are no longer doing to customers and patients what they have been doing, Pritzker said during a press briefing. Pritzker said that in some cases, testing sites are not informing people of their results while others are not taking responsibility for how long it takes to get results back from laboratories. The director of the Illinois Department Public Health, Dr. Ngozi Ezike said pop-up testing sites are helping to fill the demand and not all are illegitimate. We do want to urge some caution with some of these clinics, Ezike said. There unfortunately are those who are taking advantage of these crazy times to try to scam people. If you have any doubts, ask questions while at the testing location, she said. Specifically, about what lab the site is using and when you should expect to receive the results. Last week, the Sarasota Police Department received a report concerning suspicious individuals posing as staff and offering fake COVID-19 tests at a drive through facility located at Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota. Allegedly, they were asking for peoples personal information, the report stated. The police report said a Venice man, David Andrew Auxier, told them that two suspicious peoplea man and a womanshared online links asking for personal information and handed out COVID-19 testing kits to some people waiting to get tested at the stadium, the report said. People waiting for a COVID-19 test at a mobile station in New York on Dec. 29, 2021. (Richard Moore/The Epoch Times) It added a website was provided by the pair for a company identified as Oak Crest Laboratory Services, which was shared with police. The laboratory according to its website is based out of Oaklawn, Illinois, and has testing sites in and around the Chicago area. Another witness to the event, who asked to remain anonymous told a Florida television news station that he was located at the end of the testing line when a woman walked up to his car and handed him a Ziploc bag with a swab test. He said the woman asked for his phone and had him scan a QR code. I dont think medical professionals are actually wanting to touch your phone if Im possibly Covid positiveits just not protocol, the man told the TV reporter. She had no hazmat gear or anything like that. He said he went to a website that asked him to fill out some information and then the woman asked him to swab his own nose. She wasnt very specific about how to do the swab or any of that, he told officers. I began to look at the website and it just didnt look right so there are two red flags. The Epoch Times reached out to the laboratory via email for comment, but they did not respond by press time. He went on to say that he noticed someone collecting the swabs and throwing them into a trash bag. He said he approached the worker and asked him for proof that he worked there. The man claimed he did not speak English, he continued. I started speaking to him in Spanish, then the man said he spoke Russian. He said he called police and stayed in line warning others of what was going on. In the police report an employee at the site told authorities that there were two insurance employees going around and asking for information, but they did not speak Spanish. No further law enforcement action was taken, the report stated. The company who runs the Sarasota site, Real Diagnostics, said it has no ties to Oak Crest Lab. A spokesperson for the diagnostics firm said those in line will be asked to fill out their information on paper and should not submit anything unless it has the Real Diagnostics logo on the page. The company said they are now considering different ways to identify lab personnel, the spokesperson said in a release. While the testing sites managers said they have several case workers gathering insurance information from those waiting in the car line, none working that day matched the description of the man and woman reported by Auxier, according to the police report. France's Health Minister Olivier Veran walks after taking part in the weekly cabinet meeting at The Elysee Presidential Palace in Paris, France, on Dec. 15, 2021. (Ludovic Marin/AFP via Getty Images) French Health Minister Tests Positive for COVID-19 Frances Health Minister Olivier Veran on Thursday said he had tested positive for COVID-19. Consequently I will be isolating and continue to fulfill my functions remotely, he said in a tweet. France, one of Europes most-vaccinated countries, reported this week a daily record of more than 368,000 new COVID-19 cases. The seven-day average of new cases is close to 270,000. On Thursday, the French government decided it will let in vaccinated travelers from Britain without having to self-isolate or being required to offer a valid reason for the trip, Frances Prime Minister Jean Castex said. Frances Prime Minister Jean Castex speaks during a joint press conference with his Belgium counterpart after a bilateral ministerial meeting in Brussels, on Nov. 22, 2021. (John Thys/AFP via Getty Images) Castex said travel restrictions will be eased starting on Friday due to the Omicron variant being largely dominant in both countries. In mid-December, France had limited the breadth of what it considered valid reasons for traveling to the country and required an isolation time of 48 hours upon arrival. All those arriving from Britain must present a negative COVID-19 test taken within the previous 24 hours. Unvaccinated travelers arriving from the U.K. must still provide a valid reason for traveling and undergo a 10-day quarantine under police supervision. Epoch Times staff contributed to this report. Geopolitical and Economic Reasons Behind Chinas Support of Kazakhstans Suppression of Protests: Experts Large-scale protests recently broke out in Kazakhstan, with the countrys president ordering the military to suppress it with force. Chinese communist leader Xi Jinping praised the Kazakh presidents actions in the situation as decisive and strong. Experts say there are multiple factors behind the outbreak of civil unrest in Kazakh that have made the CCP authorities uneasy. In the worst unrest in Kazakhstan in more than a decade, protesters are angry about soaring fuel prices and took aim at the authoritarian government, as well as former president Nursultan Nazarbayev, tearing down a statue of him. Kazakhstans new president, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, said he ordered troops to open fire without warning in order to restore order. Tokayev accused foreign-trained terrorists of carrying out the riot, but provided no evidence. Tokayev also said that, at his request, Russia troops had arrived in the country and stayed there temporarily to ensure safety. Xi said that China opposes foreign forces inciting color revolutions in Kazakhstan and any attempts to interfere with cooperation between the two countries. He also mentioned that China is willing to provide support to Kazakhstan. International observers believe there are deeper reasons behind the Chinese regimes support of the Kazakhstan government. Prof. Feng Chongyi, a China expert at the University of Technology Sydney, told the Chinese edition of The Epoch Times: The civil strife in Kazakhstan has more to its history. The peoples opposition to fuel price increases was only a fuse, and behind it is the long-term corruption of the countrys government and its oppressive attitude towards its citizens, and the economic plunder of the Chinese communist regimes Belt and Road Initiative. As to why Xi expressed support for the current Kazakh government, Su Ziyun, a military expert at the Taiwan Institute for National Defense Security, said that, if the color revolution in Kazakhstan succeeds this time, the people who oppose the investment scheme of the Belt and Road Initiative will join forces, which will definitely change the CCPs investment in the country, all of which make Xi Jinping and the Chinese regime uneasy. Su said it is worth noting all the drivers behind the protests in Kazakhstan. One is geopolitics, because Kazakhstan is close to Chinas Xinjiang region. In terms of energy security, about 50 percent of Kazakhstans oil and natural gas are now exported to neighboring China. The other reason is the economy. China has invested nearly $23 billion in construction projects of its Belt and Road Initiative in Kazakhstan. If the political situation in Kazakhstan is unstable or the regime changes, these Chinese investments may be at risk. In addition, there are many anti-communist China forces in Kazakhstan. These people believe that the Chinese regimes investment in the Belt and Road Initiative has planted a debt trap for Kazakhs. Su added that the diplomatic or political situations in the countries surrounding China are almost all unstable: in addition to Kazakhstan in the northwest, there are Afghanistan and India in the southwest, North Korea in the northeast, Japan and Taiwan in the east, and countries around the South China Sea in the south. It can be said that Beijings international diplomatic model in the past decadeeconomic plunder and military expansionis the main cause of Beijings current strategic predicament, he said. Luo Ya and Li Jing contributed to the report. In this photo illustration, the messaging service Telegram app is seen on a mobile phone in London on Jan. 11, 2021. (Edward Smith/Getty Images) Germany Considers Shutting Down Telegram A member of the Federal Cabinet of Germany has suggested that the government may ban Telegram, likely as a result of its popularity among people who have been protesting CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus restrictions. We cannot rule this out, said Interior Minister Nancy Faeser in an interview with Die Welt weekly newspaper. A shutdown would be grave and clearly a last resort. All other options must be exhausted first. Telegram is a messaging app similar to Facebook Messenger, WeChat, and WhatsApp. What distinguishes it from the pack is its use of end-to-end encryption, a system of communication which ensures that messages can only be read on the senders and recipients devices and prevents interception by third parties such as telecom providers. This layer of privacy and security has made Telegram popular with political dissidents worldwide. In Germany, Telegram has been used as a hub of communication for the protest movement against the measures established to fight the CCP virus, including lockdowns, intermittent mask mandates, and restrictions for the unvaccinated. The protests have escalated since the Central European country imposed increasingly severe measures against unvaccinated citizens. In December, Germany imposed a national lockdown for the unvaccinated, barring them from all but the most essential public services in an effort to increase its vaccination rates. Telegram has been popular for political dissidents throughout the world, who are drawn to its promise of security by encryption and apparent independence from the tech oligopoly that controls the most popular messaging apps. In Iran, Telegram has enjoyed longstanding popularity, both as a means of communication between residents and expatriates and as an organizing tool of protest movements that emerge perennially against the Islamic regime. Meanwhile, Telegram has been completely blocked in China since 2015 and has been temporarily or partially blocked in Pakistan, India, Thailand, and Russia, among other nations. Germanys Interior Minister Faeser admitted it was unclear what legal procedures would be necessary to shut down Telegram, but said that the German government has been in conversation with the European Union to find ways of regulating the app. Should they decide to join the company of Iran and China in blocking Telegram, it will constitute a marked escalation in the German states battle with its citizens over its ongoing and indefinite CCP virus policies. Global Lockdowns Will Be Seen as a Huge Public Policy Error: Former Brexit Minister The world will look back at the CCP virus restrictions and see it as a huge public policy error, The UKs Lord David Frost said on Thursday. The former Brexit minister resigned from the Cabinet on Dec. 18, citing disagreements with the governments stance on lockdown restrictions, taxation, and regulation. During an interview on The Telegraphs Planet Normal Podcast on Thursday, Frost said he believes the lockdowns are inhuman, and the recent CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus restrictions are what took him out of the government in December. I didnt agree with the plan B measuresmasks, vaccine passportsthats what forced me out, he said. The former Cabinet minister said policies such as vaccine passports and mask mandates are COVID theater rather than effective measures to control the disease, and urged the government to focus on what he said does work, such as ventilation, antivirals, [and] proper hospital capacity. Managing your propertythats what we need to be focusing on going forward. Frost credited Prime Minister Boris Johnsons instincts for freedom for Englands slightly less bad form of lockdown than many other countries, but said he believes the world, looking at the restrictions in hindsight, will see it as a huge public policy error. While there has always been some opposition to the lockdowns across the political class in the UK, Frost said, the way civil society has echoed messages of the government the sort of Warden Hodges figure from Dads Army has become a kind of a thing again, rather than a figure of fun, has been quite surprising and worrying to him. Frost blamed the situation partly on the way speech on social media has been policed, and peoples limited willingness to consider new evidence in the CCP virus debate. Asked if he agreed with the Great Barrington Declarationa proposal by three top epidemiologists in late 2020 to focus on protecting the vulnerable while letting the rest of the population go about their normal lives and built up natural immunityFrost said hes not particularly an advocate for the proposal as opposed to other things, but one of the first things that began to trouble him was the way the Great Barrington declaration was dismissed. You know, [the proposal was dismissed] as kind of: Its unreasonable to talk like this. These people dont know what theyre talking about. Its unreasonable, its wrong. And that to me was the first sign that something was going wrong in the normal give and take on public debate in this question, he said. Frost said the other reasons why lockdowns were adopted include the ambiguity of some basic facts and the lack of balancing against the epidemiologists advice. I think it is surprisingly hard to get hard information about some basic facts, Frost said. While acknowledging that some data are publicly available, Frost said, Whats the case fatality rate? You know, theres a wide number of views on that. That is a controversial figure. What is the effectiveness of vaccines? How much do they reduce transmission? Its hard to get an objective view on that. How effective are masks? Again, these are political questions, not an objective one. Frost said he believes the government was a bit at fault in acting like a cheerleader and encouraging others to be cheerleaders instead of acknowledging contrary evidence and putting out the best information its got and allowing people to make their own minds up about it. Voices challenging the epidemiologists have also been lacking, Frost said, including a voice of the economy in this and an attempt to get to grips with trade-offs. Frost said he saw Johnson groping for that information which wasnt there, and that he believes Johnson hasnt necessarily been well served by everybody around him in developing a mechanism to achieve the balance. Speaking of the current situation in the UK, Frost said what worries him is that the debate seemed to be leaning towards fewer restrictions because the Omicron variant is mild. Do we go back to lockdowns if the next one is more dangerous? I would like to see the government ruling out lockdowns for the future, repealing the legislation, ending them, Frost said, adding that the policy is costly and ineffective. In an email to The Epoch Times, a Downing Street spokesperson said: Plan B measures were proportionate and responsible to slow down the spread of the Omicron variant, protect the NHS, and buy us time to get more boosters into arms. As the prime minister has said, the government does not believe we need to shut down our country again. Instead, we are taking a balanced approach, using the protection of the boosters and the Plan B measures to reduce the spread of the virus. The current measures are due to expire on Jan. 26, the government said it will continue to monitor the data on a daily basis and review the measures accordingly. Dr. Aldo Calvo, Medical Director of Family Medicine at Broward Health, shows a Regeneron monoclonal antibody infusion bag during a news conference at the Hospital in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., on Aug. 19, 2021. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun-Sentinel via AP, File) Government Control Led to Lack of Monoclonal Antibodies, Says Medical Supplies CEO The head of a medical supplies company involved in the distribution and supply of monoclonal antibodies across southeastern and northeastern regions of the nation, told NTD in a Jan. 12 interview that government takeover of the monoclonal antibody supply chain has exacerbated backlogs and shortages. The way the products are being distributed right now, relying on the government to determine who gets what, that process can be very lengthy in terms of time, Dealmed CEO Michael Einhorn said. As a result, physicians are reporting surpluses in certain areas, not enough in other areas which has fueled frustrations when critical patients are not receiving antibodies for COVID-19 infections. While its unclear how the monoclonal antibodies are being rationed among states, Einhorn said that commercialization of these products should be allowed, so that infusion centers that need them can order in products based on patient volume. If they have oversupply they wouldnt order more, Einhorn said, whereas when remedies are supplied by the state, nobodys going to say no the government as the products are free practically, leading to mismatches in supply and demand. I find it very difficult to believe that, in a mere year, a governmental agency in a different state can figure out the dynamics of a local regional health care system, he added. One particular monoclonal antibody, sotrovimab made by GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) and Vir Biotechnology, is in high demand as emerging reports suggest it is more effective than other products against Omicron. Dr. Marc Siegel, a practicing internist and a professor of medicine at NYUs Langone Medical Center, wrote in an op-ed in USA Today that Omicron is most susceptible to sotrovimab, made by GlaxoSmithKline, but in most states, it is almost impossible to find. Monoclonal antibody therapies have been shown to be effective in preventing severe disease or hospitalization in high-risk patients with mild to moderate COVID-19. On Jan. 12, the Biden administration secured 600,000 more doses of sotrovimab for an undisclosed sum, bringing the total doses purchased by nations globally to roughly 1.7 million, according to Reuters. The additional doses will be delivered in the first quarter of 2022 according to GSK. Since October 2021, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has delivered over 385,000 doses of sotrovimab to states across the nation. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Jan. 7 criticized the Biden administration that had cut Floridas supply of the remedy in half, to 150,000 doses. DeSantis added that before the government seized control of the monoclonal supply, Florida was administering 30,000 doses per week. Under the Biden administrations COVID-19 action plan, monoclonal antibodies are listed as a life-saving treatment, shown to reduce the risk of hospitalization by up to 70% for unvaccinated people at risk of developing severe disease. The plan also identifies the remedy as a key tool to improve health outcomes, prevent hospitalizations, and reduce the strain on hospitals. The Epoch Times has approached HHS for comment. Groups Compete for Donors in Recall of DA Gascon An official committee involved in a second effort to recall Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascon has become embroiled in a tug-of-war with a competing group, causing the two to spar over donors and voter signatures. Recall DA George Gascon, the recall committee that filed a petition with the county registrar in December 2021, advised donors on Jan. 12 to steer clear of the other group and advised them to try to get any donations they made to the group refunded. The smaller group, Recall Gascon Now, continues to organize and raise money and intends to collect signatures, despite not filing a petition themselves. The two committees have tried unsuccessfully to unify, which has devolved recently into infighting. Its a tug of war where one side has no weight, Recall DA George Gascon co-chair and former LA County District Attorney Steve Cooley told The Epoch Times. I consider them kind of outliers and a distraction taking away from a very good cause. Probably the best thing to do is just ignore them and focus on the real issue which is recalling George Gascon. Steve Cooley, former LA County District Attorney, in an interview with EpochTVs California Insider on Dec. 22, 2021. (Screenshot via The Epoch Times) The smaller Recall Gascon Now organization is run by LA County Republicans Karen Roseberry, a political consultant, and Marc Ang, founder of the conservative nonprofit organization Asian Industry B2B, writer, and community organizer focused on race relations. Roseberry ran unsuccessfully in 2016 for U.S. Senate in California during the election to replace retiring Democrat Sen. Barbara Boxer. Kamala Harris was elected to the seat. Roseberry told The Epoch Times that she never wanted to compete with the other committee. We dont need to be attacking each other, Roseberry said. We can mutually exist. She said she has different opinions about how to spend money and when the recall election should occur. The official Recall DA George Gascon committee plans to place the recall on the general election ballot in November. Roseberry said she believed a special election would have more success. The official recall committee launched the latest recall effort in December, citing disapproval with several of Gascons policies. He is basically the most dangerous man in Los Angeles County when it comes to public safety, Cooley said. That is because of his incredible criminal-friendly, victim-hostile policies. He is a clear and present danger to law-abiding citizens. Members of the official Recall DA George Gascon committeemade up mostly of crime victims, former police officers, and victims rights advocatesraised funds but wasnt able to collect enough signatures last year to get on the ballot. During the first recall attempt, the committee raised more than $1 million and collected over 200,000 signatures, according to organizers. The latest campaign needs to collect about 570,000 signatures in 160 days after a petition is accepted by LA County. The committee submitted a petition in mid-December 2021 and expects to hear back from the county soon, according to recall committee spokesman Tim Lineberger. If enough signatures are collected, the recall will be placed on the ballot before LA County voters. To date, the committee has raised $2.7 million for its second official attempt, which is backed by major donors, elected officials, and victims families, according to the recall committee. The city of Beverly Hills also voted recently to support the second effort. The city is one of a number of LA County cities to express public support for the effort, including Rancho Palos Verdes, Torrance, West Covina, Covina, Whittier, La Mirada, Santa Clarita, and many others. Rosemead School District is also in support of the recall, according to the groups website. Gascon has implemented several new controversial policies after taking office in December 2020. These include his decision to eliminate cash bail for some crimes, his policy not to prosecute suspects for some misdemeanor crimes, and his decision to seek reduced sentences related to hate, guns, and gangs. Roseberry said she formed the smaller Recall Gascon Now effort after the official recall organization declined to offer her a full-time, paid position as a political consultant. Her group raised about $30,000 and collected signatures, but were unable to submit them to the county because the official signatures were not turned in. This obsessive-compulsive desire to be the official campaign is not beneficial for unity or success, especially when it casts dispersions, Roseberry said. There is more than enough money to go around. There shouldnt be this need of monopolistic control. Cooley said it would not be possible to unify the two groups. Over several months, overtures have been made, but they want full-time high salaries and in charge. Thats not going to happen, Cooley said. They dont merit that at all. The official recall committee is encouraging donors to request refunds from Recall Gascon Now. The committee members said they were optimistic about gathering enough signatures during the second attempt because of substantial financial resources and a massive volunteer operation that is organized and ready to hit the ground running. If we get this recall on the ballot, there is no doubt voters will remove George Gascon from office, Recall DA George Gascon committee members said. Hawley, Democrats Bills Would Ban All Stock Trading by Members of Congress All members of Congress and their spouses would be banned from trading individual stocks under new proposals introduced this week by one Republican and two Democratic senators. Year after year, politicians somehow manage to outperform the market, buying and selling millions in stocks of companies theyre supposed to be regulating. Wall Street and Big Tech work hand-in-hand with elected officials to enrich each other at the expense of the country, said Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) in a statement announcing his proposed Banning Insider Trading in Congress Act. Heres something we can do: ban all members of Congress from trading stocks and force those who do to pay their proceeds back to the American people. Its time to stop turning a blind eye to Washington profiteering, Hawley said. Democratic Sens. Mark Kelly of Arizona and Jon Ossoff of Georgia also introduced legislation, called the Ban Congressional Stock Trading Act, aimed to stop insider trading by members of Congress and their spouses. In his statement, Hawley said the major provisions of his proposal include: A prohibition on holding, acquiring, or selling stocks or related economic interests while serving in Congress. Exempted from the prohibition are interests in diversified mutual funds, exchange-traded funds, or U.S. Treasury bonds. Senators and representatives have six months after being sworn into office to get rid of prohibited holdings or to place them in a blind trust. The blind trust must be maintained throughout their tenure in office. If the Senate or House ethics committees determine that an individual member has profited illegally on a prohibited stock or related economic interest, the gain must be turned over to the U.S. Treasury. Losses on such transactions may not be claimed on taxes, and the ethics committees may levy additional fines. The violations will be made public via the internet. The Government Accountability Office (GAO), beginning two years after enactment of the proposal, is required to audit the compliance status of all 535 members of Congress and make the findings public. The KellyOssoff proposal is similar to Hawleys and includes these provisions, according to a statement issued by the two senators: Requires all members of Congress, and their spouses and dependent children, to put certain investments into a qualified blind trust or divest them within 120 days after the enactment of this legislation. New members of Congress, and their spouses and dependent children, would be required to do the same within 120 days of assuming office. Covered investments that cannot be moved into a blind trust must be divested. Prohibits members, their spouses, and dependent children from personally acquiring covered investments during the members period of service. Includes reporting requirements to ensure accountability and public visibility into the holdings of members blind trusts. House and Senate Ethics committees must make publicly available key documents, including a copy of each blind trust agreement, the schedule of assets transferred into each trust, and a description of any extensions granted or penalties imposed. Clarifies the treatment of inheritances. Inheritances that are covered investments must be divested or placed into a blind trust not later than 120 days after the receipt. The two proposals come in response to recent revelations that at least 54 members of Congress have in some manner violated a law intended to prevent profiting on stock trades made as a result of having insider information not available to the general public. Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), for example, reportedly was five months late in disclosing a large investment made by her husband. Similarly, Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) was 16 months late in reporting that his wife had purchased stock in a firm that manufactures a treatment for the CCP virus, which causes COVID-19. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), when asked about the 54 members, said she agrees they should comply with the reporting requirements of the Stop Trading on Congressional Knowledge (STOCK) Act of 2012, but she said she opposes barring stock trading by senators and representatives. That law, which made such transactions illegal, was prompted by revelations by anti-corruption author Peter Schweizer in a best-selling book titled Throw Them All Out: How Politicians and Their Friends Get Rich Off Insider Stock Tips, Land Deals, and Cronyism That Would Send the Rest of Us to Prison. Among the incumbent politicians exposed by Schweizer, president of the Government Accountability Institute, in his book was Pelosi. After Schweizer appeared on 60 Minutes and elsewhere in the media, Congress quickly passed the STOCK law. But critics continued to insist after the law was approved that STOCK wasnt tough enough, especially after Congress quietly gutted many of its toughest transparency provisions in 2013. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona departs from a meeting in the U.S. Capitol Building on August 03, 2021 in Washington, DC. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images) House Republicans Demand Answers From Education Secretary on Domestic Terrorism Letter, School Closures House Republican leaders are demanding that Education Secretary Miguel Cardona explain, among other things, his involvement in a letter that advocated for the use of the FBI to quell parents protesting at local school board meetings. From the very beginning, the targeting of concerned parents has been nothing short of a witch hunt orchestrated by partisan demagogues in the White House, Department of Justice, and the Department of Education, said Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-N.C.), the top Republican on the House Education Committee. Foxx pointed to newly surfaced emails from the National School Boards Association (NSBA). Obtained and publicized by pro-parental rights group Parents Defending Education, the emails appear to show that the NSBAs September 2021 letter asking the Biden administration to treat disruptions at school board meetings as a form of domestic terrorism was crafted at Cardonas request. In what Foxx described as new-age McCarthyism, the letter prompted Attorney General Merrick Garland to issue a memo directing the FBI to help address an alleged disturbing spike in harassment, intimidation, and threats of violence against teachers and school leaders. That memo remains in effect, even after the NSBA apologized for and retracted the widely criticized letter. It is abundantly clear to me that Secretary Cardona must answer to the Education and Labor Committee, Congress on the whole, and especially the American people, Foxx said. Anything less is an insult to the proud parents who want to better the education of their children. In a separate letter sent to Cardona, Foxx, alongside House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), questioned why 1 million U.S. students had to face school closures at the beginning of the 2022 school year despite a $120 billion federal fund specifically set aside to make sure public schools opened safely for in-person instruction. McCarthy and Foxx wrote that Democrats argued that radical spending was necessary for schools to reopen safely for in-person instruction, but data suggested that only 4 percent of the relief fund was used as the vast majority of U.S. schools reopened in the fall of 2021, proving the claims to be false. Despite Democrats claims to the contrary, these funds were not needed to reopen schools, the lawmakers wrote. Because of this, some schools are grasping at any project they can find on which to waste these taxpayer funds, including indoctrinating students and staff with racist and divisive ideologies. As the head of the Department of Education, you cannot continue to sit idly by as families and students are left scrambling at the whim of special interests. By special interests, the lawmakers were referring to major teachers unions that are pushing for remote schooling. These are your political allies blocking the schoolhouse doors, they wrote. The lawmakers also demanded transparency from federal education officials. Specifically, they demanded that the Education Department hand over a list of all meetings or calls regarding the pandemic-related school closures since November 2021; a copy of any emails exchanged among the department, the White House, local school districts, and teachers unions regarding school closures; and any documents related to school closures and limited access to federal relief funds. How Good Is Chinas J-20 Fighter Jet? News Analysis How good is Chinas most advanced fighter jet, the J-20? The J-20 is a fifth-generation combat aircraft, which ostensibly puts it in the same league as the U.S. F-22 and F-35. Fifth-generation fighters have certain common characteristics: very low visibility (stealth), the ability to fly at supersonic speeds without using an afterburner (called supercruise), and most importantly, a highly advanced radar and suite of avionics and onboard computers for networked data fusion, enabling situational awareness in the battlespace. Theoretically, a fifth-generation fighter jet is nearly invisible to ground-based air defenses and other aircraft, and can detect and attack threats from far away. At the moment, most modern air forces fly what we call fourth-generation or fourth-generation-plus (4G+) combat aircraft. Fourth-generation fighters include the latest versions of the U.S.-made F-16 and F/A-18 and Russias Su-30, while the Anglo-German-Italian-Spanish Eurofighter Typhoon, the French Rafale, and the Swedish Gripen are examples of 4G+ combat aircraft. Technologically, fourth-generation and 4G+ fighters date from the 1970s and 1980s, although most have undergone significant upgrades over the years. All are multirole aircraft, capable of both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions. Theyre highly maneuverable, use fly-by-wire flight controls, and can launch fire-and-forget active radar-guided air-to-air missiles. 4G+ fighters, in addition, possess a modicum of stealth and improved avionics, such as an active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar. In general, most fourth-generation and 4G+ fighter jets are basically the same. A Venn diagram of their capabilities would show a lot of overlap. The difference is mainly in the number of engines they have (one or two). So how does the J-20 stack up? In the first place, the J-20 is certainly the best fighter jet in the Peoples Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF), but this is a skinniest-kid-at-fat-camp kind of argument. The best of the rest of the PLAAF fighter force are the J-10an indigenously developed combat aircraft initiated in the 1980sand the J-11, basically a reverse-engineered Soviet Su-27, a plane that first flew in the 1990s. An armed Chinese J-11 fighter jet, a 1992 copy of the Russian Su-27, flies near a U.S. patrol aircraft over the South China Sea in international airspace on Aug. 19, 2014. (U.S. Navy Photo/Released) Although heavily upgraded over the years, the J-10 and J-11 are barely fourth-generation fighters. Going up against comparable combat aircraft flown by better-trained pilots (such as Taiwanese F-16s or Japanese F-15s), these planes would be in a decidedly perilous situation. Hence the PLAAFs need for the J-20. According to the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), the J-20 is an advanced multirole stealth fighter fulfilling both air-to-air and air-to-ground combat roles. CSIS quotes a 2016 report by the U.S. Department of Defense that states that the J-20 represents a critical step in Chinas efforts to develop advanced aircraft to improve its regional power projection capabilities and to strengthen its ability to strike regional airbases and facilities. A U.S. Naval War College report adds that the J-20, once deployed, would immediately become the most advanced aircraft deployed by any East Asian Power. That said, what we knowand just as importantly, what we dont knowabout the J-20 throws a bit of cold water on these assessments. In the first place, details about the J-20s design undercut assertions about its apparent stealthiness. For one thing, the plane is hugemore than 2 meters (about 6.5 feet) longer than the U.S. F-22and it uses canards (winglets) at the front of the airframe for improved maneuverability. Both of these features make the J-20 more detectable by radar. Moreover, the J-20 appears to lack nozzle designs that reduce the heat signature coming from its engine exhaust. Therefore, the J-20 may only be stealthy from the front, according to aviation expert Richard Aboulafia. The J-20 is also likely underpowered. Early versions used a small Russian engine, which was later replaced by the indigenous WS-20 turbofan; this engine, however, has had its share of teething problems. Its possible, therefore, that the J-20 is incapable of supercruise. Secondly, what we cant see should also leave us questioning the aircrafts capabilities. In particular, we cant know what kind of radar, sensors, avionics, and computers are internal to the J-20 or how good they are; we mainly infer from what we know about other fifth-generation fighters. CSIS, for example, claims that the J-20 is slated to carry a variety of advanced systems, including an [AESA radar], a chin-mounted infrared/electro-optic search and track sensor, and a passive electro-optical detection system that will provide 360-degree spherical coverage around the aircraft. This assessment, however, is based on the argument that comparable systems can be found on the U.S. F-35. An F-35 fighter jet pilot and crew prepare for a mission at Al-Dhafra Air Base in the United Arab Emirates, on Aug. 5, 2019. (Staff Sgt. Chris Thornbury/U.S. Air Force via AP) Its impossible, short of espionage, to know how good the systems inside the J-20 actually are (Western intelligence agencies might be privy to some of this information, but theyre not talking). Its highly likely, however, that avionics on the F-22 and F-35especially those systems for sensor and data fusion, situational awareness, and connectivityare head-and-shoulders above those of the J-20. Consequently, analysts such as Aboulafia and John Venable of Heritage Foundation believe that the U.S. fifth-generation fighter would easily best the J-20 in a modern air-to-air contest, which is based on long-range first look/first shoot kinds of engagements, rather than any kind of Top Gun dogfight. The F-22, with its superior stealth, radar, and precision weapons, would destroy [the J-20] instantly, according to Aboulafia. Its likely that the Chinese are aware of the J-20s shortcomings, and perhaps thats why the PLAAF has so far fielded only limited numbers of the aircraft. Still, its as dangerous to under-guesstimate the potential of the J-20 as it is to exaggerate its capabilities. The PLA has been able to appreciably narrow its military-technological gap with the West over the past 20 years or so. Its incumbent upon the West, therefore, to keep moving the technological goalposts in order to stay comfortably ahead. Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. An Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent in Los Angeles on Oct. 14, 2015. (John Moore/Getty Images) ICE Has Lost 47,000 Illegal Immigrants After Release in 2021 Border Patrol agents were so overwhelmed by illegal immigrants on the southern border last year that they resorted to issuing a newly developed notice to report to tens of thousands of individuals before releasing them into the United States. The notice requested the illegal alien to report to a local Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) office within 60 days, where theyd be issued a notice to appearan official document that includes a date for their first immigration court hearing for their deportation proceedings. Normally, illegal immigrants are given notices to appear before being released at the border. More than 104,000 notices to report were issued in the five months between the end of March and the end of October 2021. Of those, 47,705 individuals have failed to report to ICE, according to official data received by Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.). Johnson had requested the information from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on Oct. 19, 2021. In his letter accompanying the data, DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas states: DHS is committed to ensuring a safe, orderly, and humane immigration system. It is important that we continue working together during these unprecedented times as we strive to keep the country safe and secure. Border authorities released more than 273,300 illegal aliens into the United States between January and August 2021. ICE transported more than 37,000 by bus from the border to larger transportation hubs such as San Antonio or Phoenix, and provided domestic flights for 51,750 individuals. Between March 21 and Dec. 5, 2021, ICE issued 50,683 notices to appear at local offices for illegal immigrants who had been issued a notice to report after apprehension at the border. For over 40,000 of those cases, ICE does not have data on what immigration court is overseeing these cases, despite the fact that ICE acts as the prosecutor in deportation proceedings, Johnson said in a statement. The number of illegal immigrants apprehended by Border Patrol during 2021 reached historic highs in several metrics, including the total number (1.7 million), the number of unaccompanied children, and the number of illegal aliens from countries other than Mexico or the northern triangle countries of Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador. 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) Intel Self-Censored by Deleting Mention of Xinjiang from Open Letter: Rubio Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) has criticized Intel for self-censoring after reports emerged that the company deleted references about Chinas Xinjiang region from an open letter to suppliers posted on its website. The letter, originally published in December 2021, asked suppliers not to source goods, services, or labor from Xinjiang, signaling concerns over potential forced labor abuses against Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities in the area. Due to backlash on Chinese social media, the U.S. chipmaker posted an apology on its WeChat and Weibo accounts on Dec. 23, 2021. The open letter was later modified and now includes a generic prohibition of using forced labor in the supply chains, with no specific mention of Xinjiang, as reported by the Wall Street Journal on Jan. 10. Rubio released a statement on Jan. 11, saying that instead of humiliating apologies and self-censorship, companies should move their supply chains to countries that do not use slave labor or commit genocide. The Chinese regimes campaign against Uyghurs in Xinjiang has been labeled genocide by the former and current United States administrations, and the parliaments from Canada, The Netherlands, Lithuania, Belgium, the Czech Republic, and the UK. An independent peoples tribunal, known as the Uyghur Tribunal, ruled on Dec. 9 that the Chinese regime has committed genocide against Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities in Xinjiang, through an array of repressive acts including mass internment, family separation, sterilizations, and forced labor. The U.N. estimates that more than 1 million Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities have been detained in internment camps in Xinjiang. Intels original letter said the company had been required to ensure that its supply chain does not use any labor or source goods or services from the Xinjiang region. According to Intels apology statement issued on Dec. 23, 2021, the now-deleted reference to Xinjiang had been included in the letter as an expression of compliance with U.S. law, rather than a statement of its position on the issue. On the same day as the apology, President Biden signed into law a highly anticipated bill that bans imports from Xinjiang. The legislation, called Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act, assumes goods produced in the regime are made with forced labor unless it can be proven otherwise by U.S. importers. Intel, in an emailed statement to The Epoch Times, said it would go on ensuring its global sourcing complies with applicable laws and regulations in the U.S. and in other jurisdictions where they operate. Rubio further said that if companies like Intel continue to obscure the facts about U.S. law just to appease the Chinese Communist Party then they should be ineligible for any funding under the CHIPS Act. The CHIPS Act was enacted into law as part of the FY 2021 National Defense Authorization Act. It authorizes federal incentives for domestic semiconductor manufacturing companies, but the initiative hasnt received appropriations yet. In June, the Senate passed a bill called the U.S. Innovation and Competition Act (USICA) of 2021, which would authorize $52 billion in funding to boost semiconductor production in the United States, securing funding for the CHIPS Act. However, the bill has since been stalled in the House. Rita Li and Nick Ciolino contributed to this report. Los Angeles City Controller Ron Galperin attends Venice Family Clinic Hosts 37th Annual Silver Circle Gala: Honoring Ivy Kagan Bierman and Russel Tyner at Regent Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills, Calif., on March 25, 2019. (John Sciulli/Getty Images for Venice Family Clinic) LA Controller Lists 26 City-Owned Properties Suitable for Homeless Housing LOS ANGELESLos Angeles Controller Ron Galperin released on Jan. 12 a list of 26 properties owned by the city that his team has identified as being suitable to house people experiencing homelessness. The locations were selected with criteria that included their size and current use. Homelessness is an existential crisis for Los Angeles, and things have only gotten worse during the pandemic, Galperin said. With tens of thousands of people sleeping on the streets nightly, the city must do more to alleviate homelessness by using the properties it owns. Galperin found that the city uses only a small portion of its land to address the homelessness crisis, and the 26 properties he identified would provide an additional 1.7 million square feet of space for interim housing. He said the locations could support tiny home villages, safe parking, safe camping areas, and support facilitiessuch as restrooms, showers, and laundry centers. Vacant land identified by Galperin includes the following locations: 394,000 square feet at 10901 S. Clovis Ave. in the Green Meadows area of South LA 121,000 square feet at 5975 S. Western Ave in the Chesterfield Square area of South LA 96,000 square feet at 12568 N. San Fernando Rd in Sylmar Galperin also identified a 25,000 square foot parking lot, controlled by the Los Angeles Department of Transportation, at 2010 S. Pisani Place in Venice. The regions most recent homeless count took place in 2020 and found that the city had 41,290 people experiencing homelessness. The 2021 count was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the 2022 count will take place between Jan. 25-27, when volunteers will look all over the county for people who are living on the streets. The status quo is unacceptable. My office took a fresh look at thousands of city properties and identified 26 that can be used right away for interim solutions, Galperin said. These properties are big enough, unused or vacant, and could give shelter and services to thousands of unhoused Angelenos. To look at a map of the properties, please visit the LA Controllers website. New York State Attorney General Letitia James, a gubernatorial candidate, speaks during an event in New York City on Oct. 30, 2021. (Scott Heins/Getty Images) Lawyer Responds to New York Attorney General Warning Doctors to Stop Prescribing Ivermectin A lawyer representing the Front Line Covid Critical Care (FLCCC) Alliance responded to the office of New York Attorney General (AG) Letitia James and claimed that they had become a victim to the unscientific and unsupported narratives perpetuated by the media and regulators about the effectiveness of ivermectin as an early treatment for COVID-19. Rather than looking at the full spectrum of available data, ivermectin has become a proxy in the debate over pandemic measures and a large body of excellent work has been ignored for unsound reasons, Alan Dumoff, a health care attorney, wrote in a letter to James on Jan.3 (pdf). Like so many others, we believe your Office has fallen victim to these unscientific and unsupported narratives, he said. Dumoff was responding to James warning letters to physicians associated with the FLCCC Alliance, ordering them to stop prescribing ivermectin to New York residents. In November 2021, James sent out letters to 41 physiciansthe majority of whom were from out-of-stateadvertising telehealth services and prescribing ivermectin and other medications in the FLCCC Alliances treatment protocol for COVID-19. You are hereby advised to immediately cease and desist from 1) prescribing ivermectin to residents of New York State and 2) advertising on FLCCC as a provider who will prescribe ivermectin, James wrote in her letter, obtained by The Epoch Times. These misleading claims about ivermectin violate New Yorks consumer protection statutes which prohibit fraudulent and deceptive business practices and false advertising, James added. For doctors who fail to comply with the directive, the AG threatened to take legal action to enjoin any deceptive acts and practices, and to seek restitution, damages, and penalties of up to $5,000 per violation. FLCCC Alliance says that some physicians have asked to be removed from its website, or have their listings amended to exclude the provision of services to New York residents, upon receiving the AGs letter. The Epoch Times reached out to James for comment regarding Dumoffs claim, but was told in an email to feel free to pull them [quotes] directly from the letters. Not FDA Approved Ivermectin tablets for human use are being prescribed off-label by some doctors for COVID-19. The drug has been widely prescribed for decades for a range of maladies, including for the treatment of head lice and other parasites. (Natasha Holt/The Epoch Times) James argument for issuing her letters is that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not approve or authorize ivermectin to treat or prevent COVID-19. The FDA initially approved ivermectin in 1981 as a veterinary product to prevent heartworm in dogs and cats and to treat certain parasitic diseases in some animals like horses and cattle. More than a decade later, the FDA approved it for human use in 1996 to treat a variety of parasitic diseases such as scabies, river blindness, and elephantiasis. However, the drug had already been given globally for the treatment of river blindness in 1987 when the French regulatory agency approved its usage in humans. Dumoff says that James cease and desist letters are based on the claim that the drug isnt approved by the FDA to treat COVID-19 are neither legal nor historically grounded. Physicians have the authority to prescribe medications to treat a condition other than what they were initially federally approved for, known as off-label prescribing. Prescribing FDA-approved drugs off-label is a common practice in the medical and veterinarian community. But off-label uses of approved drugs are extremely common in medicine and, by itself, provide no basis for an order to cease-and-desist either prescribing or advertising, Dumoff wrote. It is well-settled law that while manufacturers and distributors have limits on speech for off-label claims, that limitation does not apply to physicians. Dumoff added that there was no basis for the FDAs position on ivermectin and cant be relied upon since the health regulator has never conducted any formal review of the evidence nor published any guidance for comment about ivermectins use in COVID-19. The source for FDAs position comes from a consumer-facing page that was developed in response to a concern we share for the use of veterinary forms, as well as other allegedly reported safety concerns I address below, Dumoff said. The FDA took it upon itself to issue a broader warning, but until a short time ago the FDA page acknowledged that FDA has not reviewed data to support use of ivermectin in COVID-19 patients to treat or prevent COVID-19 While this statement curiously has been removed from the FDA website, it remains true. The FDA updated its website on Dec. 10, 2021, which no longer includes the sentence about not having reviewed the data. The FDA now only mentions that one of the FDAs jobs is to carefully evaluate the scientific data on a drug to be sure that it is both safe and effective for a particular use without further clarifying if it has done so for ivermectin. In an email to The Epoch Times, an FDA spokesperson said that to date, published clinical trials have shown mixed results and that while FDA-approved products may be prescribed by physicians for unapproved uses if they determine it is appropriate for treating their patients, including during COVID-19, the safety and efficacy of ivermectin for the prevention or treatment of COVID-19 has not been established. NIH Guidance on Ivermectin James also stated in her letter that the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has determined that there is insufficient data to recommend ivermectin for COVID-19. The NIH initially put out guidance in 2020 that there was not enough evidence to recommend the drug as a treatment for COVID-19. But the federal agency changed its stance in January 2021 (pdf), announcing that there is insufficient evidence to recommend for or against the use of ivermectin for the treatment of COVID-19. The change followed after two of FLCCCs cofounders and Dr. Andrew Hill, a researcher, and consultant to the World Health Organization (WHO), presented their data and findings to the NIHs COVID-19 Treatment Guidelines Panel. Particularly given the dearth of standard of care options in treating a novel coronavirus, such a neutral finding by the NIH historically places ivermectins use squarely within the reasonable judgment of the physician, Dumoff said. Safety and Efficacy The safety and efficacy of ivermectin as a COVID-19 therapeutic was also addressed in James letters. Your inclusion on the FLCCC website as a provider of ivermectin may mislead consumers as to the effectiveness of ivermectin in preventing and treating COVID-19, as well as provide physician endorsement and/or approval, James said. Adverse effects associated with ivermectin misuse are already increasing, as shown by a rise in calls to poison control centers reporting overdoses and adverse effects. Proponents of ivermectin say that it has a high safety profile, with more than 4 billion doses administered around the world since it was initially approved for human consumption in 1987. The drug is also on the WHOs list of essential medicines. According to the WHO, essential medicines are those that satisfy the priority health care needs of a population and are selected with due regard to disease prevalence and public health relevance, evidence of efficacy and safety and comparative cost-effectiveness. Dumoff claims that one of the often-repeated highly politicized drumbeat is that there are no scientific studies that show ivermectin is safe or effective in treating COVID-19. This is flatly inaccurate as there has long been a substantial body of completed research including peer-reviewed meta-analyses: presently, there are over 71 trials including at least 31 randomized controlled trials showing significant benefit, Dumoff said. Currently, over 50,000 patients have been included as study subjects with the overall signal of benefit in important clinical outcomes strongly positive with tight confidence intervals. And while poison control centers across the country have reported an increase in the numbers of calls for exposure to ivermectin in 2021, the total numbers of exposures were still lower than to hand sanitizers and cleaning products. There were a total of 594 ivermectin exposure cases reported in 2019, 650 cases in 2020, and 2,337 cases in 2021 (pdf). The significant rise in 2021 was due to many people ingesting the animal version of the drug that is more concentrated than the tablets for human consumption. No deaths were reported. In August 2021, the Mississippi State Department of Health sent out a health alert of increased calls to the states poison control center of possible ivermectin exposure. The alert (pdf) clarified that of the 14 recent ivermectin-related calls received by the Mississippi Poison Control Center, at least 70 [percent] were related to the ingestion of livestock or animal formulations of ivermectin purchased at livestock supply centers. FLCCC Alliance says it does not recommend ivermectin formulations for animals in the treatment of COVID-19. Reports of human exposure to hand sanitizers (pdf) and cleaning products (pdf) also saw an increase in 2021, where many of the cases occurred in children ages 0 to 5. Ivermectin cases were mostly reported in adults aged 40 to 79. No deaths were reported for exposure to hand sanitizers and cleaning products. The number of human exposures to ivermectin, hand sanitizers, disinfectants, and bleach, reported to the 55 poison control centers in 2019 and 2021. (aapcc.org/screenshot by The Epoch Times) A Taco Bell fast-food restaurant is seen in New Carrollton, Maryland, on December 31, 2014. (Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images) Man Charged in Killing of Taco Bell Employee COMPTON, Calif.A 39-year-old man was charged on Jan. 12 with murdering an employee at a Taco Bell restaurant in South Los Angeles. Jonathan Madden pleaded not guilty to one count of murder and two counts of attempted murder. Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) Chief Michel Moore announced Maddens arrest at a Tuesday night vigil for 41-year-old Alejandro Garcia-Galicia, who was shot by a man in a black sedan who allegedly tried to pay for his meal with a counterfeit bill at the restaurants drive-through window. Police were dispatched shortly before 11 p.m. Saturday to the 9900 block of Avalon Boulevard, near Century Boulevard, said Officer Norma Eisenman of the LAPDs Media Relations Division. Officers located Garcia-Galicia inside the kitchen area of the restaurant. He had been shot multiple times and was pronounced dead at the scene, Eisenman said. Garcia was working at the location with his 19-year-old son, who was the one who denied the money, CBS2 reported. Madden was taken into custody Monday at his home in South Los Angeles by members of the LAPD Gang and Narcotics Division, police said. He has remained behind bars since then, jail records show. Maddenwho was ordered to be held in lieu of a $4.15 million bailis due back in a Compton courtroom on Feb. 9. A date is scheduled to be set then for a hearing to determine whether there is sufficient evidence to allow the case against him to proceed to trial. Maryland National Guard Wont Fill In for Sick Bus Drivers After School Districts Request Maryland National Guard members will not be sent to the states most populous county to help alleviate a school bus driver shortage. At the request of Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS), the countys government sent a request this week to the Guard to send personnel to fill in for drivers out sick. Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich, a Democrat, said the request was rejected. Unfortunately, no resources are available, he told a virtual briefing on Wednesday. A spokesman for the Guard told The Epoch Times in an email that it is currently focused on supporting the Maryland Department of Health and other state agencies with missions for COVID-19 testing, supporting local hospitals and skilled nursing facilities, and assisting with non-life-threatening patient transport during the state of emergency due to a surge in COVID-19 hospitalizations. Additional questions were directed to the office of Gov. Larry Hogan, but werent returned. The request was also sent to other jurisdictions through the Maryland Interstate Emergency Management Assistance Compact, a county spokesman told The Epoch Times in an email. This request is wider reaching than just National Guard, he said. That said, many jurisdictions are facing similar challenges, so we are not sure we will get much support going this route; however we are exhausting all options nonetheless. Hogan, a Republican, declared a state of emergency earlier this month over a jump in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations in Maryland, and activated 1,000 members of the Maryland National Guard to help state and local health officials in their response to the pandemic. Officials said at the time that Guard personnel would be deployed to support COVID-19 testing sites and help with patient transport. Montgomery County officials, though, facing a severe shortage of bus drivers, submitted the request for assistance in addressing a bus driver shortage, which they attributed to COVID-19. County officials told news outlets that dozens of routes were canceled on Wednesday. Earl Stoddard, the countys assistant CEO, said during the county council this week that the county was also exploring pulling employees from other jobs to drive buses but had not yet decided whether to do so, Stoddard added. We continue to look for help and assistance for MCPS, whether its substitute teachers or school bus drivers, nurses or school social workers, Elrich said. These are professionals; we cant simply find any person off the street that perform. And there arent a lot of people out there who, even if theyre qualified who are looking to come back to work right now, apparently. Approximately a dozen schools in the county are conducting classes virtually because of COVID-19 outbreaks, though officials said during the meeting that their striving to keep schools open during the current wave, which is being driven by the Omicron variant of the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus. I want to be clear that no one has asked us to, at least nobody Ive talked to, has asked us to shut the schools down for the year and go virtual for the year, Elrich said. The hope is that people can be virtual for a short period of time until this wave goes through. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks at a news conference at the Broward Health Medical Center in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., on Sept. 16, 2021. (Wilfredo Lee/AP Photo Millions of COVID-19 Tests Granted Extended Shelf Life, DeSantis Says Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said one million expired COVID-19 test kits have been given an extension by the Food and Drug Administration and will be sourced out to health departments and other larger testing sites. The governor said in a press conference on Jan. 12 that much of the information about the COVID tests has been reported inaccurately. He noted that the kits in question arent for at-home use, but come 40 tests to a box and are to be administered by a professional. You just cant send those into someones home. Volunteers hand out boxes of COVID-19 rapid antigen Lateral Flow Tests (LFT), in northeast London, on Jan. 3, 2022. (Tolga Akmen/AFP via Getty Images) The kits originally expired in September 2021, but the FDA extended the date to December and once again another 90 days. On Dec. 30, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Nikki Fried called a news conference and accused the governor of hoarding test kits to the point of expiration. Its come to my attention that Governor DeSantis Department of Health has a significant number of COVID-19 tests stockpiled that are set to expire imminently, she stated. Given the governors lack of transparency throughout this pandemic, theres no known public information about these tests or how soon they expire. DeSantis said the tests Fried was referring to were part of a shipment Florida received in the summer when the state saw a dramatic decrease in COVID-19 case numbers for three months. When the Omicron variant emerged, testing rose as politicians chose to whip people up in a frenzy, the governor said. The Abbott tests were tests from a while ago and had expired at the end of summer, he told reporters. Then the FDA agreed to extend those tests for three months, but in those three months, there was almost zero demand in Florida for testing because we had such low COVID prevalence. DeSantis went on to say that the extension was for the end of December when cases were ramping up. The Florida Department of Health has received a letter giving the tests another extension that will expire in March. A BinaxNOW rapid COVID-19 test made by Abbott Laboratories is shown in Tacoma, Wash., on Feb. 3, 2021. (Ted S. Warren/AP Photo) Were glad the FDA granted an extension for shelf-life for the BinaxNOW COVID-19 Ag Card tests, Jeremy Redfern, press secretary for the health department, said in an emailed statement. COVID cases were so low in Florida that there wasnt enough demand to use the tests before they expired on Jan. 10, 2022. The governor said with the extension granted, the health department is continuing to distribute test kits to county emergency management offices, county health departments, public safety agencies, hospitals, and long-term care facilities. Kevin Guthrie, director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management, said the state secured nearly a million at-home tests and began sending out the first supplies on Jan. 6 to nursing homes and senior care facilities. The number of tests shipped will be dependent upon how many beds the facility has. Those sites can then ask for more kits if theyre needed, he said. The logo for Twitter appears above a trading post on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange on Nov. 29, 2021. (Richard Drew/AP Photo) Nigeria Lifts Suspension on Twitter After 7 Months Nigeria is set to lift a ban on Twitter starting Jan. 13, after the social media giant agreed to certain conditions to resume operations. Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, director general of the countrys National Information Technology Development Agency said that Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari had given approval to lift the suspension. 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, Abdullahi said in a statement. Therefore, the [federal government] lifts the suspension of the Twitter operations in Nigeria from midnight of 13th January 2022. Our 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, he added. Our engagement has been very respectful, cordial, and successful. Twitter did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Epoch Times. Twitter, a U.S.-based company, was suspended by the Nigerian government on June 4, 2021, after the social media giant took down a post from Buhari that threatened to treat regional secessionists in the language they will understand. Telecoms companies subsequently blocked access to users in Nigeria, which has a population of over 200 million. Nigerias Information Minister Lai Mohammed said at the time the government had blocked Twitter access because of the persistent use of the platform for activities that are capable of undermining Nigerias corporate existence. In August, Mohammed said the government had reached agreements on seven of 10 requests made to Twitter but was waiting for the companys response on final issues, including setting up a local office, paying tax locally, and cooperating with the government to regulate content and harmful tweets. In resuming operations, Twitter agreed to work with the Nigerian government and the broader industry to develop a Code of Conduct in line with global best practices, applicable in almost all developed countries, according to Abdullahis statement reads. Abdullahi said Twitter also agreed to appoint a country representative to engage with Nigerian authorities and comply with local tax obligations. Twitter furthermore agreed to set a legal entity in Nigeria during the first quarter of 2022. According to the statement, the move to establish a legal entity would signify Twitters first step in demonstrating its long-term commitment to Nigeria. Twitter previously set up its first presence in Africa last April, when it announced it was building a team in Ghana. Reuters contributed to this report. 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) NIH Reveals Wuhan Lab Partner EcoHealth Alliance Committed More Grant Violations The nonprofit that funneled United States grant money to a high-level laboratory in China committed a slew of violations, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) revealed this week. EcoHealth Alliance was non-compliant with eight different portions of a written agreement it entered into with the U.S. government, NIH informed the group in a letter sent last week that was made public recently by Republicans on the House Oversight Committee. EcoHealth failed to allow access to the Wuhan labs records and financial statements, report inventions created at the lab, or certify that the requirements imposed by it on the lab to make sure the funds were used in accordance with U.S. laws and regulations, among other failures, said Dr. Michael Lauer, an NIH deputy director. EcoHealth has demonstrated a history of failure to comply with several elements of the terms and conditions of grant awards not only for these active awards, but also for the suspended award, R0AI110964, Lauer informed Drs. Aleksei Chmura and Peter Daszak, EcoHealths chief of staff and president. NIH had previously suspended a single grant to EcoHealth but allowed the agency to continue to receive funds through other awards despite its links to the Wuhan lab, which is located near where the first COVID-19 cases were first identified in late 2019. U.S. intelligence officials have obtained evidence that the virus that causes COVID-19 may have come from the lab, but other officials have argued it has a natural origin. COVID-19 is the disease caused by the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus. The CCP has refused to cooperate with many investigators attempting to probe the virus origins throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. EcoHealth has not responded to requests for comment. Republicans on the House Oversight Committee said the new letter confirms EcoHealth hid the truth about their risky coronavirus experiments in Wuhan. In October of last year, Republicans successfully obtained information from the NIH that showed, according to many experts, that the U.S.-funded experiments at the lab included gain-of-function research on modified bat coronaviruses. Scientists there used a modified virus strain that ended up making mice sicker when compared to mice infected with the original strain, Lawrence Tabak, now the NIHs director, previously told lawmakers in a letter. Jack Nunberg, a virologist and director of the Montana Biotechnology Center at the University of Montana, told The Epoch Times in an email that the experiments were overly risky and Jonathan Latham, executive director of The Bioscience Research Project, said the experiments clearly constituted gain-of-function. Biden administration officials had alleged that the NIH didnt fund gain-of-function experiments in China. Tabak requested lab notebook entries and other files related to the experiments which EcoHealth had withheld, but the new letter shows EcoHealth has still not provided that information, Richard Ebright, a professor of chemical biology at Rutgers University, wrote on Twitter. Incredibly, EcoHealth has racked up even more violations of grant terms and conditions, he said. North Korea May Now Have Chinas Anti-Ship Ballistic Missile Commentary North Korea has just tested a radar-guided maneuvering warhead that may also be an anti-ship ballistic missile (ASBM) warhead, which could have been made possible through indirect transfer or assistance from China. American ships and forces in Japan and South Korea now face a much greater threat due to the failure of three U.S. presidential administrations to sanction and isolate the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) for turning this odious dictatorship into a nuclear missile state. On Jan. 5, Pyongyang tested a new liquid-fueled ballistic missile with a maneuverable warheadalmost identical to Chinas short-, medium-, and intermediate-range ballistic missiles. Debuted at the first major North Korean weapons exhibition in early October 2021, this warhead features four fins and looks like the radar-guided and maneuverable warheads used on the Chinese DF-15B short-range, DF-16B medium-range, DF-21C, DF-21D anti-ship, and DF-26B intermediate-range anti-ship ballistic missiles. Then on Jan. 6, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) provided revealing commentary on the test: In the test launch the academy reconfirmed the flight control and stability of the missile in the active-flight stage and assessed the performance of the new lateral movement technique applied to the detached hypersonic gliding warhead. Having been detached after its launch, the missile made a 120 km [75 miles] lateral movement in the flight distance of the hypersonic gliding warhead from the initial launch azimuth to the target azimuth and precisely hit a set target 700 km [435 miles] away. This means that the maneuverable warhead departed from its ballistic arc to a lateral or flatter trajectory for 75 miles. This maneuver is similar to that performed by the Chinese DF-21D ASBM, so it can use a larger radar in the fuselage of the warhead that can pinpoint its target and make precision guidance calculations. The North Korean maneuverable warhead is launched by a slightly smaller version of the 1,864-mile to 3,730-mile range liquid-fueled Hwasong-8 (HS-8) ballistic missile, but its likely to equip future North Korean solid-fuel missiles that can be launched more rapidly. This means that North Korea now has the potential to sink large U.S. Navy warships with its precision non-nuclear missile, and can attack with precision U.S. military forces in South Korea and Japan, as well as the naval and ground forces of those countries. Expect Pyongyang to sell this maneuverable warhead to its main allies Pakistan and Iran, creating significant new threats to Indian naval and ground bases, as well as to U.S. forces in the Persian Gulf, to Israel, and to other U.S. allies in the Middle East. China got its head start developing ASBM technology in the 1990s, when it took over an old Soviet espionage operation that was buying in bulk the discarded scrap from U.S. Army supply depots. Included in that scrap, apparently, were many of the excess spare parts of the U.S. Pershing-II intermediate-range ballistic missile that was armed with an innovative radar-guided warhead, which were made in excess by the U.S.-Soviet 1987 Intermediate Nuclear Forces Treaty. China improved upon this warhead for its DF-21C precision strike-capable medium-range ballistic missile, and then developed additional modifications for its DF-21D ASBM. A Chinese military vehicle carries a DF-21D missile after a military parade at Tiananmen Square in Beijing on Sept. 3, 2015. (Greg Baker/AFP/Getty Images) Its highly unlikely that North Korean engineers were able to replicate this development history, so one is left to consider that North Koreas precision warhead or ASBM was provided or enabled by Chinathe latest in a long trail of Chinese technological assistance. China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporations (CASIC) large 16-wheel transporter erector launchers (TELs) were carrying mock intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) in an April 15, 2012 Pyongyang parade. Even though U.S. and Japanese surveillance satellites had been tracking this transfer at least for five months, sources in the Obama White House claimed that the transfer was merely poor Chinese performance in sanctions implementation, but not willful proliferation, The New York Times reported on April 19, 2012. That CASIC TEL is now in its third generation and has grown to 18 wheels carrying the Hwasong-15. Over the last decade, other likely Chinese transfers include fourth-generation surface-to-air missile (SAM) technology, large solid fuel rocket technology, long-range land attack cruise missile technology. And on Sept. 29, 2021, China tested its hypersonic glide vehicle (HGV) warhead technology. All along, neither the Obama, Trump, nor Biden administrations have leveled even minimal sanctions against CASIC or other Chinese companies engaged in arming North Korea in violation of numerous U.N. sanctions on Pyongyang. It seems even the United Nations has lost its voice on this threat. Had sanctions been imposed, with additional sanctions following subsequent Chinese transfers, the process of vilifying and isolating the CCP would be much farther advanced by today. That in turn might have helped convince tragically conflicted South Korean political elites to allow the stationing of more powerful U.S. deterrent forces. As it stands, the Chinese regime is turning North Korea into a nuclear missile state, one now armed with advanced precision and anti-ship capable ballistic missileswhich undermines the extended U.S. nuclear and conventional military deterrent and increases regional instability. North Korea is also increasingly capable of undertaking surprise nuclear and conventional missile offensives as a prelude to a larger conventional invasion of South Korea, which if the United States sought to repel, might divert U.S. military forces sufficiently to allow China to invade Taiwan. A promise of immediate U.S. nuclear retaliation with tactical nuclear-armed theater-range missiles and cruise missiles might help deter North Korean and Chinese aggression. But some in the Biden administration seek to constrain a U.S. first strike option, and the United States has no nuclear-armed theater range missiles and cruise missiles. This diplomatic disaster has been a decade in the making. If it becomes a military tragedy, then both the Democrats and the Republicans can share in the blamebut mainly the Democrats, who are now in their second administration of failing to respond to this threat. Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. NSW COVID-19 Case Numbers Spike as RAT Results Added to Mix NSW COVID-19 numbers have risen sharply since Wednesday as around 82,000 cases were added by residents registering positive rapid antigen test (RAT) results. This comes as RAT registration went live on Wednesday morning via the ServiceNSW app directly to NSW Health. In an interview with the Seven Networks Sunrise program on Thursday, Digital Minister Victor Dominello said he expected the number to be high because although registration only started on Wednesday, people have been asked to enter positive RAT results from as far back as Jan. 1. As of this morning, its 82,000 over 12 days, said Dominello. This is not just people putting in their data from yesterday, its people having rapid antigen tests on the 2nd, 3rd, 4th of January and were putting all that data together. He said that the critical reason for the RAT result registration is to get the data to NSW Health in order to identify and give health care to those that really need it. Now, 99 percent, or over 99 percent of people that get COVID will have mild symptoms and can be treated at home, he said. But there will be that 1 percent or less that require additional health care, and if we can get that information to Health, then we can keep people safer. From Jan. 19, residents failing to report a positive RAT result will be subject to a $1,000 (US$728) fine, one which Dominello admits will be hard to enforce. Yes, I accept its going to be almost impossible to police, but other states and territories have gone down this path but the reality is, its primarily a signal to say we take this seriously because we really want people to register their RAT test so that, that way they can access health care faster if its required, he said. When asked if $1,000 was a large sum, Dominello replied that different states and territories had attached different amounts of weight to it, but more than anything else, the fine is a signal. And as weve seen throughout the last two years, overwhelmingly we need to rely on the public to do the right thing, as they have done, he said. Weve asked them to do the QR check-ins, theyve done that; weve asked them to get vaccinated, theyve done that, and Ive got no doubt theyll do the same in relation to the RAT. Meanwhile, Opposition Leader Chris Minns said on Wednesday that many families couldnt get their hands on RATs to prove whether theyre positive or not. I think millions of families in the state at the moment would be saying, Forget about the fine, wheres the test?' he said. He highlighted that many of the provisions the NSW Government has put in place over the past week require residents to have access to RATs in order to prove whether they can work or not or whether they can be free of close contact provisions and regulations. To not have those tests available is proving to be very hazardous to the NSW health system, he said. This is a fundamental failure of the NSW Government. Its the minimum responsibility of the government of the day to be able to tell the people of NSW whether theyve got the disease or not, and the failure to plan is having catastrophic effects on the millions of people who live in NSW. Dr. Kieran Moore, Ontario's Chief Medical Officer of Health makes an announcement in Toronto on Jan. 12, 2022. (The Canadian Press/Nathan Denette) Ontarios Chief Medical Officer Wont Recommend Quebecs Punitive Tax on Unvaccinated Ontarios chief medical officer says Quebecs proposed tax on the unvaccinated is punitive and he will not recommend such a measure to his government. Speaking at a press conference on Jan. 12, Dr. Kieran Moore said Quebecs proposed financial penalties on those who have not received the COVID-19 vaccine have never been considered by his ministry. We have not made that recommendation to [the] government ever throughout this pandemic. Its not one that we would bring forward. It does, in my mind, seem punitive, he said. Moore was responding to a question as to whether the Ontario government will follow Quebecs approach to tax the unvaccinated, and whether there is any public health value to implementing such a measure. On Jan. 11, Quebec Premier Francois Legault announced his intention to impose a new health contribution on the unvaccinated in the coming weeks. When asked if the penalty would be in the range of $50 or $100, Legault said the amount hasnt been decided but it will be significant. I think right now its a question of fairness for the 90 percent of the population who made some sacrifices, he added. I think we owe them this kind of measure. Ontario Premier Doug Ford doubled down on Moores comments, saying his province will not follow Quebecs footsteps either. We arent going down that road, were going to take a different approach, said Ford during a tour of a vaccination clinic in Toronto on Jan. 12. Alberta Premier Jason Kenney has also rejected Quebecs idea, saying it is unfair to make the unvaccinated pay extra even if data shows they put a greater burden on the health care system compared to the vaccinated population. 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 during a Facebook town-hall meeting on Jan. 11. During the press conference, Moore noted that the COVID-19 vaccines are still relatively new when asked why the province has not mandated vaccines in schools in order to increase uptake among children aged 5 to 11. It is a new vaccine, and as a result of that, we want greater experience with it before wed ever mandate it, and I dont think any jurisdiction in Canada has mandated the vaccine to date, he said. Moore, however, noted that Ontario has mandated vaccination for the highest risk setting of long-term care facilities. The increased risk of severe outcomes had to be balanced by maximizing immunization and protection of those individuals, he said. That is as far as this government has gone in terms of mandating vaccination, and putting a penalty on those who have not been vaccinated has not been entertained by this government. Andrew Chen and Noe Chartier contributed to this report Parents and students gather in protests of wearing masks in schools in front of The Orange County Board of Education in Costa Mesa, Calif., on May 17, 2021. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times) School Board President Ends Meeting After Attendees Refuse to Mask Up YORBA LINDA, Calif.A school board president abruptly ended a Jan. 11 meeting after parents refused to mask up amid a mesh mask prohibition debate that threatened the expulsion of a sixth-grade student. Carrie Buck, president of the Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School Board, urged attendees at the start of the meeting to put on a mask per state guidelines on masking, adding that mesh masks are not acceptable. Mask materials should block the light when held up to a bright source, and it should ensure that any particles coming from a persons mouth are contained within the mask, Buck read from a statement by the Placentia-Yorba Linda Superintendent James Elsasser. Mesh masks do not meet these requirements. Therefore, they are not acceptable in this building, or in any facility district within our schools. After pausing for nearly a minute to allow attendees to put on a mask, and providing masks for those that did not have one, Buck ended the meeting by saying audience members were still visibly not wearing masks. Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District holds a meeting on Jan. 11, 2022. (Screenshot) I dont think this has ever happened before in the community, Matt Huddleston, a parent of three students in the Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District, told The Epoch Times. Everybodys really astonished. Huddleston has attended the board meetings regularly for months along with other parents speaking against COVID-19 vaccine and mask mandates for K12 students. Until that night, he never experienced a meeting being canceled within the first five minutes. However, per government code, it is within the board presidents right to adjourn the meeting without calling for a vote, according to a district spokesperson. While the prohibition of mesh masks is a newly announced requirement, school board attendees speculate the rule popped up after a heated debate regarding acceptable masks to wear within schools. Maggie and Austin Uvalle, parents of a sixth-grader in Travis Ranch School in Yorba Linda, attended the Jan. 11 board meeting along with their attorney. The parents are working to file a lawsuit against the district, alleging their son, upon returning from winter break, was not allowed to go to school with a mesh mask and needed a medical mask, or cloth mask, even though mesh masks were not explicitly prohibited in the state or district masking guidelines for K12. Travis Ranch School and Yorba Linda Unified School District didnt comment on the incident. Maggie Uvalle extensively searched the school district website for guidelines regarding the usage of mesh masks in an attempt to find her son a more comfortable alternative to a medical or cloth mask. When no such guidelines were found, her son went to school wearing a mesh mask until one of his teachers ordered him to put on a medical mask on Jan. 5, Uvalle said. The following two days the student arrived back at school with a mesh mask after his parents reassured him he was not breaking any rules per the school districts website. It wasnt long before the sixth-grader was approached by the vice-principal, ordering him to change his mask, Uvalle said. School officials presented the Uvalles with alternative schooling options for their son. I declined it, Uvalle told The Epoch Times. They say if he comes to school in that mask one more time he will not be enrolled. Uvalle said the incident left her son in distress, worried about his honor roll status and reputation among his peers. It rattled our entire lives, she said. I dont know where we go from here. Its feeling very hopeless. Uvalle said she hopes that their attorney will assist with mending the issue. My issue is, I want to know how the school can enforce something that is not policy, she said. My concern is that today its a mask issue, but tomorrow its something else. A file photo of a mother putting a mask on a child. (August de Richelieu/Pexels) Leandra Blades, a Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School board member, is currently working on getting the sixth-grader back in the classroom. Theyre denying him an education, Blades told The Epoch Times. Blades said the issue that resulted in the adjournment of the Jan. 11 board meeting stemmed from over 50 parents arriving at the school board meeting in support of the student. Blades said she speculates her colleagues saw the lawsuit coming and quickly enacted the mesh mask policy to avoid repercussions. Before the board meeting, the school district didnt explicitly prohibit mesh masks, as many students and teachers wore them daily, Blades said. There have never been problems with mesh masks, Blades said. I brought a mesh mask to every board meeting. Ive worn mesh masks on the campuses, where Ive seen students [and] teachers wearing these masks. While the student is unable to go back to school, Blades shared that there are other students on the campus of Travis Ranch School that are wearing mesh masks every day. All over the district, [students are] wearing mesh masks, and nobodys saying anything, she said. Faced with the prospect of bringing a baby into the world with three heart defects, and a condition with her liver and abdominal organs growing outside of her body, a couple leaned toward faith to summon the strength to refuse abortion. Today, their baby girl is thriving. Mary-Christine and Ryan Robeson of York, Pennsylvania, both 31, first became aware of their unborn baby Ariannas devastating diagnoses at Marys 20-week scan. The ultrasound technician noted some significant issues with her development and said she would be back with the doctor, Mary told The Epoch Times. We sat and waited in silence the only thing we said to each other, as we waited, was that we knew they would ask us if we wanted to abort her. Arianna was then diagnosed with a giant omphalocele, a condition in which her liver and other organs were developing outside of her body. She also had atrial and ventricular septal heart defects (ASD and VSD), a larger-than-normal heart valve, a possible genetic disorder, and measured too small. By this time, the couple had already become aware of the babys gender and had seen her face, feet, and hands. Their then-1-year-old daughter, Lucia, even exclaimed, baby!! Aww! after seeing the ultrasound. The doctor offered the parents abortion. We responded saying, Thats not an option,' said Mary. She told us that [Arianna] would probably be very ill if she survived the pregnancy. She then stated, If you do decide to terminate, we would have to make that decision quick, since we would run into legal issues if we wait much.' Mary politely cut her off again. Later, at home, she broke down over the shocking news and cried for the remainder of the day. I repeated aloud, over and over, Thy will be done, while I sobbed, she recalled. Her husband and her daughter Lucia held her and they cried together. We call Lucia our bringer of light,' said Mary, That day, and for the remainder of the pregnancy, she lived up to her name. The stay-at-home mom, a former speech-language pathologist, and Ryan, a York City firefighter, then had to refuse abortion a further five times, twice more with doctors at their clinic in York, and three times with nurses at Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) after referral. I look back and wish I put them in their place for offering something so evil, for making us feel that we werent compassionate unless we ended her pain for her, recalls Mary. A nurse at their first appointment at CHOP even shared truly devastating stories of those who survived with omphalocele diagnosis. We received a lot of bad news, she said. They told us theyd never not intubated a baby with the severity of her diagnosis, we wouldnt be able to hold her for at least a month, there was no chance I would be able to breastfeed her, she would require breathing support and have long term pulmonary issues, [and] we were looking at a minimum of three to six months in the NICU.' Arianna would also likely need open heart surgery in her first month of life, said Mary. Yet, while heartbroken, Mary and Ryan remained positive, finding comfort in praying for a miracle and in the prayers of their friends and family. Mary claims that their conviction in choosing life for Arianna owes to their understanding of science and faith in God. Ryan and I knew that her life was not ours to take, she explained. As practicing Catholics, [we] believe in teaching our children that life is filled with hardships and crosses, but it is never acceptable to quit. I did not have the right to end her life, nor will I ever, she said. Mary further shared that, prior to being parents, she and her husband were cradle Catholics, but after giving birth to Lucia, they felt a strong calling to truly dive into their faith. We thought we felt this calling because God wanted to equip us with the knowledge and strength to raise our children to know and love Him, but now we see that Gods plans were even greater, Mary said. During her pregnancy with Arianna, Mary strengthened her faith and educated herself on how to care for Arianna and her symptoms. Arianna was born on the morning of July 1, 2020, in CHOP, through a scheduled Caesarean section. She cried, something that her parents were told wouldnt happen, and continued to cry for the next 30 minutes. After a brief moment to welcome their baby girl, Mary and Ryan watched as her belly was wrapped, noting the miracle of her breathing on her own. We were told by more than one neonatologist that they have never not intubated a baby in the OR, and if they didnt, then they would in the NICU.' Ariannas medical team then whisked her away to the NICU for the next 45 hours. Having prayed fervently to the patron saint of hopeless cases, St. Jude, Mary and Ryan gave their daughter the middle name Jude as a mark of gratitude. Mary described Ariannas NICU journey as incredible, painful, overwhelming, uplifting, inspiring, and exhausting all at the same time. She and Ryan refused a PICC line, convinced that Ariannas breathing, rooting, and passing bowel movements were signs that she was ready to eat on her own. On July 3, doctors agreed. Unable to hold her baby yet, Mary breastfed Arianna by leaning over her crib and the baby latched easily. A nurse later told me, In my 20 years of working as a nurse, I have never once seen anything like this,' Mary recalled. Bolstered by prayer, Mary and Ryan continued to push for less medical intervention. News from Ariannas cardiologist proved their hope was well-founded; her ASD stood a 50/50 chance of needing surgery later in life, but would not cause problems, the VSD would resolve on its own, and her bloodwork returned no genetic disorder associated with her diagnosis, said Mary. We knew it was a miracle, it didnt have to make sense! she said. During the remainder of the NICU stay, almost every doctor and nurse expressed that they had never seen a baby with her diagnosis thrive like this. Mary and Ryan had Arianna baptized on her eighth day in the NICU. She was discharged two days later, and the family of four began their life happily. After discussing treatment options with Ariannas doctor, Mary and Ryan opted to treat her at home, delaying surgery for the displaced organs until her body was bigger and the procedure carried less risk. They dressed her omphalocele in the medicated wrap and wrapped her belly to compress it and allow it to flatten over the months until she had surgery at 9 months old. She healed beautifully, said Mary. Arianna is living a completely normal and healthy life! She has met all developmental milestones and has the strongest, fiercest personality but also this contagious, irresistible smile. Mary and Ryan have since made it their mission to share Ariannas story, to bring glory to God, and to help other parents who may be suffering as they did. We were always pro-life, but never really expressed that, given how sensitive the subject is, Mary reflected. It wasnt until we were hit with a tragedy that we opened our hearts to the cause and decided to act. The couple now offers their support at a local womens center, donates to causes to help mothers and babies in need, speaks out against abortion, and plans to foster. We educated ourselves, and armed ourselves with faith and knowledge to do what we can to fight for this worthy and necessary cause, she 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 Party Factions a Cancer on Australian Democracy: MP Craig Kelly Internal factions that dominate decision-making in Australias major political parties are a cancer on the countrys democratic system, according to United Australia Party (UAP) leader Craig Kelly MP. In a wide-ranging interview with Emeritus Law Professor David Flint, Kelly, who last year resigned from the Liberal Party to join the UAP, said Australian politics was in disarray and that the current two-party political system was broken. If you were to have a clean piece of paper on how to draw up a political systemitd be pretty hard to go past the Westminster system, its as good as it gets, he told Flint in an episode of Australia Calling. But the problem weve got is were dominated by two political parties that have been able to almost create a duopoly between themselves, and both parties are heavily factionalised, so whoever is going to get started has to almost sign a blood allegiance to one of the factions and simply do as theyre told, he said. Theyre basically told how to vote, what position to take, how to get elected, and so much of politics is spent doing factional deals with each other, he added, saying less effort was being put into governing the country and developing good policy. Factionalism is undermining the traditional values of our Westminster system, he said, noting it was a cancer on our democracy. Kelly will contest the seat of Hughes at the next federal electiondue before May 2022against his former party. Meanwhile, Australias two major parties, the traditional centre-right leaning Liberal-National Coalition and centre-left Australian Labor Party (ALP), have been grappling with policy divisions between internal Left and Right-leaning factions. Factions differ markedly in how they see the political system operating, yet at the same time, they are a major factor behind which MPs get elevated to Cabinet, how policies are formulated, and who is preselected to stand in elections. The trend is nationwide and prevalent across the federal and state political arena. The Liberal Party, for example, has had to contend with an increasing divergence away from its traditional values around classical liberalism, the free market, and social conservatism. For example, moderate Liberal factions have been supportive of introducing euthanasia, abortion, and expanded renewable energy initiatives. Meanwhile, the ALP has experienced a more overt struggle to balance the interests of its traditional working-class voting base and newer white-collar, inner-city voters. The clash played out during the 2019 federal election where the ALP nearly lost control of the mining electorate, Hunter, a long-running Labor stronghold. Kelly called on MPs to instead be allowedand have the courageto make their own decisions, even if they dont always follow the party line. I think if you are using your own judgement, you are representing the interests of your electorate. You are not there as a political person to tick a box, he said. And thats how a Westminster democracy was set up to work. Decentralise for the Sake of Society The UAP candidate also called for the decentralisation of Australias cities away from major population centres noting that current trends will alter the fabric of society. For example, young adults who are increasingly concentrated in cities like Sydney and Melbourne are being priced out of the real estate market. If you take away entire generations dream of homeownership, it will fundamentally change the structure of the society, Kelly said. If you havent got a mortgage to pay, it changes the mentality [of young Australians, who then ask themselves]: Why bother saving? Just go party all weekend. I dont get to own this one piece of the world that is mine. Its like the great socialist mentality were getting out of Europe: You own nothing, and you will be happy, Kelly said in reference to the motto of the recent World Economic Forum meeting in Davos, Switzerland. Housing prices in Australias largest cities have seen a dramatic surge driven largely by the fallout of COVID-19 management policies. Sydneys current median housing price is AU$1.1 million (US$790,000), while Melbournes is AU$795,000. You get past Campbelltown [in southwest Sydney], and there are thousands of acres of open land, Kelly said. And then you come to the first suburbs of northern Canberrathere are blocks of land built on 300 square metres. Tiny blocks of land. He said state and federal governments needed to continue moving departments into regional centres to spread out development and employment opportunities. You can sell your property in Sydney for $1.5 million, and you can buy a luxury pad for a million dollars, with half a million in your pocket. I think people would jump at that opportunity, he said. Anything that decentralises power and control, I think, is good for our country. Part 2 of the interview with Craig Kelly MP coming Thursday, Jan. 20. Watch Next Part 1 Craig Kelly Interview on Rumble Part 2 Craig Kelly interview on Rumble Update: This article has been updated to include the Rumble video link and update the featured video link. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) speaks to reporters on Capitol Hill in Washington on Jan. 13, 2022. (Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images) Pelosi: McCarthy Has Obligation to Cooperate with Jan. 6 Panel House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) should cooperate with the House of Representatives panel investigating the breach of the U.S. Capitol, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said Thursday. He has an obligation as we seek the truth, Pelosi told reporters during a briefing on Capitol Hill. McCarthy announced a day prior that he would not cooperate with the committees abuse of power that stains this institution today and will harm it going forward. The panel, formally titled the Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the United States Capitol, includes just two Republicans, both of which were tapped by Pelosi. The House speaker refused to seat two of the members picked by McCarthy, prompting the top Republican to pull all his selections and denounce the process. Now he, along with other Republicans who have been targeted by the panel, are refusing to cooperate, leading to questions of whether the committee will turn to subpoenas against their colleagues. Spokespersons for the panel have not responded to requests for comment. Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.), the panels vice chair, said Wednesday that were going to evaluate our options, but we will get to the truth. Pelosi indicated she had knowledge of the panels plans but declined to share them with the press. They make their decisions and they come forward and Im not prepared to say what they do next, but theyll be telling us, she said. House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) speaks to reporters on Capitol Hill in Washington on Jan. 13, 2022. (Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images) I have no intention of interfering with the work of the committee. They have their data, they have their testimony that they are taking, they know the path that they are on, I dont. I defer to their judgment, she added later. Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.) has acknowledged the unusual nature of seeking information from the opposing partys leader in the House, but said it was necessary because we have a solemn responsibility to investigate fully the facts and circumstances of the Capitol breach. McCarthy told reporters on Thursday that he revealed details of his Jan. 6, 2021 phone call with former President Donald Trump with the American public that same day and that he had nothing to provide the committee that would help members craft legislation. My conversation was very short, advising the president what was happening here. There is nothing that I can provide the Jan. 6 committee for legislation for them moving forward. There is nothing in that realm. It is pure politics, he said. Isabel van Brugen contributed to this report. This police camera video provided by The Moab Police Department shows Gabrielle "Gabby" Petito talking to a police officer after police pulled over the van she was traveling in with her boyfriend. (Moab Police Department via AP) Police Officers Who Pulled Over Gabby Petito, Brian Laundrie Made Unintentional Mistakes: Review Police officers who stopped a vehicle containing Gabby Petito and Brian Laundrie several days before Petito disappeared made unintentional mistakes, according to a newly released review of the Aug. 12, 2021, stop. A formal complaint lodged with the Moab City Police Department triggered the review, which was conducted by Capt. Brandon Ratcliffe of the Price City Police Department. Ratcliffe found (pdf) that officers Eric Pratt and Daniel Robbins, who responded to a 911 call about a domestic dispute, didnt classify the incident correctly and that the reports they submitted on it did not contain enough details. The officers pulled over the van Laundrie was driving near Arches National Park after dispatchers received a call that a man was slapping the girl before they entered the vehicle. Laundrie went over the double yellow line in the road, according to police reports. Laundrie told officers hed been drinking and gotten into a little squabble with Petito, with whom he resided and to whom he was engaged. Laundrie admitted pushing Petito and that she then hit him. He said he suffered an injury near his eye. Park Ranger Ryan Kral, on the scene, noted injuries on Laundries neck and face. Laundrie also said hed swerved because Petito had grabbed the wheel. In this screenshot from a police camera video, Brian Laundrie talks to a police officer after police pulled over the van he was traveling in with his girlfriend, Gabrielle Gabby Petito, near the entrance to Arches National Park, Utah, on Aug. 12, 2021. (The Moab Police Department) Petito, who was crying, told officers that she and Laundrie had been fighting over personal issues. She said she had not been drinking and that Laundrie had locked her out of the van. She said they were fighting all morning and said injuries she suffered were from an altercation that she said she started. The officers separated the couple, letting Petito drive the van away while one took Laundrie to a motel. They classified the incident as an assault. The review found it should have been classified as a domestic violence investigation, given Petito and Laundrie were cohabitants and engaged. Ratcliffe said officers had probable cause for an arrest and should have arrested Petito on a charge of assault. While there were indications Laundrie assaulted his fiancee, her statements make it extremely difficult, if not impossible, to substantiate a charge against Brian as it relates to this incident, Ratcliffe said. Petitio was later found dead at Bridger-Teton National Forest. Her cause of death was ruled strangulation. Laundrie was found dead by suicide in Florida. Moab City said in response to the review that the officers who responded to the stop made several unintentional mistakes that stemmed from the fact that officers failed to cite Ms. Petito for domestic violence. City officials vowed to implement recommendations outlined in the review, including providing more training in investigating domestic violence incidents and strengthening the process for reviewing incident reports. Conservative MP John Brassard responds to a question as MP Pierre Paul-Hus looks on during a news conference on the collection of mobile data by the Public Health Agency of Canada, in Ottawa on Jan. 10, 2022. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press) Privacy Committee to Study Health Agencys Mobile Data Collection Program The House committee responsible for overseeing privacy issues unanimously voted Thursday to conduct a study of the federal health agencys mobility analysis program, which relies on data obtained from cellphones. At the onset of the special meeting of the Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics, Conservative MP and ethics critic John Brassard presented the initial motion on the study, which will require the testimony of the health minister and the chief public health officer, and members of the committee will also submit a list of witnesses. Mr. Chair, it becomes increasingly concerning that government is seemingly using this pandemic as a means and a cause for massive overreach into the privacy rights of Canadians, said Brassard. And as parliamentarians its incumbent upon us to make sure that we protect those rights, that there is proper scrutiny and oversight, not just of the privacy rights, but the constitutional rights of Canadians. Brassard said the committee should look into three main issues, including the data collection contract of the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), the agencys Request for Proposal (RFP) to enlist the service of a contractor to obtain data from cell towers, as well the general issue of privacy and data protection in the digital age. It was first reported last December that PHAC has been analyzing the anonymized movements of Canadians since the onset of the pandemic to evaluate policies, frame public messaging, and assess the responsiveness to coercive measures like lockdowns. PHAC has obtained its data from Teluss Data for Good program, as well as from the Communications Research Centre, which itself obtained the data from crowd-sourcing company Tutela. The latter collects data from 300 million devices worldwide by embedding its software in over 3,000 smartphone applications. All data providers and seekers involved have said one way or another that the privacy of cellphone users has been and will be respected through de-identification, but some members of the committee said Canadians should get due diligence from their elected officials. I think that Health Canada had a laudable end game, I dont think PHAC was trying to spy on Canadians, said committee vice-chair Bloc MP Rene Villemure. However, I do have a lot of questions about who acted on behalf of PHAC, who collected the data for what, by who? What was the security process behind all of this? Liberal MPs on the committee agreed with conducting the review but said PHAC has respected Canadians privacy and voiced that the mobility analysis it is conducting is being used in many other jurisdictions and has become a key pandemic tool. Iqra Khalid, the other committee vice-chair, said she believed PHAC did take into account what that accountability, that transparency really looks like around privacy. I do appreciate the privacy concerns and I think its valid to look at how data is collected and to ensure that Canadians personal cellphone data isnt something thats being collected, said Liberal MP Lisa Hepfner. This is mobility data. Its being used in jurisdictions all over the world to help authorities deal with a pandemic. Its really valuable information about where people are moving based on their postal codes. Villemure tried to put forward a motion at the end of the meeting to suspend PHACs RFPwhich was due to close on Jan. 21 but was recently amended to conclude on Feb. 4citing the need for more time to study it. The motion was not fully debated and could be addressed during the committees next meeting. Brassard agrees with that motion, saying the RFP needs to be put off until we are confident, until Canadians are confident that their data and their privacy is not going to be compromised as a result of this RFP. Khalid voiced opposition, saying PHAC shouldnt be prevented from obtaining a useful tool, and said Canadians should trust the safeguards put in place. Canada, over the past couple of years, has done really well with its response to COVID. And weve done that because weve had trust and faith in our public health officials, she said. Khalid said she supports the first motion, which raises absolutely valid issues. But on suspending the RFP, she said the last thing we need to do is to create fear-mongering, in reference to interpretations that PHAC will track or spy on Canadians. A staff member at a restaurant puts chairs on tables ahead of the 5 p.m. curfew in Montreal on Dec. 31, 2021. (The Canadian Press/Graham Hughes) Provincial, Federal Governments Wont Say if Theyve Evaluated Past COVID Lockdowns in Canada to Gauge Effectiveness As Canada enters the pandemics third year with a slate of new restrictions, neither Ottawa nor any of the provinces are saying if theyve done a cost-benefit analysis of previous lockdowns Many provinces have imposed restrictions in response to surging COVID-19 cases, but none have confirmed whether they have evaluated the success of these policies based on data and evidence from previous lockdowns in Canada. The Epoch Times asked all 13 provinces and territories as well as the federal government whether they have done any assessment of the costs and benefits of their various measures, such as closing down businesses, during the previous waves of the pandemic in order to inform current policy-making amid Omicron and future waves. Every jurisdiction either responded with unrelated comments or didnt respond at all. Ontario Premier Doug Ford walks to his office in the Ontario legislature building in Toronto on June 14, 2021. (The Canadian Press/Chris Young) The rationale for lockdown and restriction measures is to reduce COVID-19 case counts. However, theyve come at steep costs for Canadians, resulting in loss of business and livelihoods, negative impacts on mental health, increase in addictions, and even a rise in excess deaths, as different studies have shown. David Redman, a former executive director of the Alberta Emergency Management Agency, told The Epoch Times he has seen no evidence that governments in Canada have performed such evaluations, despite many places across the country now entering year three of the pandemic with new restrictions. There has never been, by any province or territory in Canada, to the best of my knowledge, a cost-benefit analysis or an advantage-and-disadvantages versus options open study done to justify in any way the use of NPIs [non-pharmaceutical interventions], said Redman, who is also a retired lieutenant-colonel in the Canadian Armed Forces. In the face of rising case counts due to Omicron, Quebec imposed a curfew, banned indoor dining in restaurants, and postponed school reopenings. Ontario also postponed school reopenings, limited indoor gatherings, and banned indoor dining in restaurants and bars. B.C. and a number of other provinces similarly imposed limits on gatherings and postponed school reopenings. Quebec Premier Francois Legault (L) and then-Public Health Director Horacio Arruda leave a news conference in Montreal on Dec. 30, 2021. (The Canadian Press/Graham Hughes) To impose such severe restrictions on our fundamental rights and freedoms should require due diligence to show that they are both necessary and have a favourable cost-benefit ratio for all society, Dr. Ari Joffe, a clinical professor in the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry at the University of Alberta, said in an interview. My review of the literature suggests to me that that has not been done, and that there were and still are far better responses available, especially focused protection. Douglas Allen, an economics professor at Simon Fraser University who has studied the impact of lockdowns, says governments are unlikely to commission such studies because they dont want to be seen as having imposed wrong policies in the past. If Im a politician, the last thing I want to have is reports floating around somewhere in the government saying that Im doing the wrong thing, Allen told The Epoch Times. They know what the answer is, and so to do a study would only get them in trouble. They must continue with the narrative that we are in a battle for our lives and the very existence of our nation is at stake. Empirical Studies Allen and Joffe have done the only two peer-reviewed studies in Canada on the cost-benefit analysis of lockdowns. Both of their studies show that evidence doesnt support imposing lockdowns, which have been a net-negative. Allens paper, published in the International Journal of the Economics of Business in September 2021, provides an analysis of different COVID-19 studies from around the world along with his own study on the issue. Douglas Allen, economics professor at Simon Fraser University. (Courtesy of Douglas Allen) The paper examines early models of the pandemic that in many cases were used as the basis of lockdowns, often predicting very dire outcomes. He dissects the assumptions made in the models and points out that many of them were wrong. Whats more, many of the studies put heavy emphasis on the benefits and very little attention on the harms of lockdowns, he says. His papers assessment of the different studies from around the world is that the imposed lockdown measures havent effectively curbed the harms of COVID-19. Most of the time, they find negative effects, Allen said. Allens paper enumerates a number of losses associated with lockdowns. Among them are loss of GDP, loss of educational opportunities, increased deaths from unemployment (Life expectancy depends on wealth levels), overdoses and deaths of despair, increased domestic violence, and lost non-COVID-19 medical services. His own analysis estimates that the cost-benefit ratio of lockdown policies in Canada was 141. It is possible that lockdown will go down as one of the greatest peacetime failures in modern history, Allens paper says. The paper by Dr. Joffe, published in Frontiers in Public Health in February 2021, says that initial modelling predictions induced fear and crowd-effects (i.e. groupthink) and that many assumptions were found to be too pessimistic compared to the evidence that emerged, such as the actual infection fatality rate. His cost-benefit assessment based on the emerging data was that lockdowns were 5 to 10 times more harmful than COVID-19. Lockdowns may prevent some COVID-19 deaths by flattening the curve of cases and preventing stress on hospitals. At the same time, lockdowns cause severe adverse effects for many millions of people, disproportionately for those already disadvantaged among us, Joffe wrote. The collateral damage included severe losses to current and future well-being from unemployment, poverty, food insecurity, interrupted preventive, diagnostic, and therapeutic health care, interrupted education, loneliness and deterioration of mental health, and intimate partner violence. Joffe says that since his paper was published, new evidence shows that lockdowns have even fewer positive effects than what he assumed in his cost-benefit analysis, especially given that Omicron is less severe compared to previous strains of the virus. Dr. Ari Joffe, a clinical professor in the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry at the University of Alberta. (Courtesy of Ari Joffe) The data that has emerged since I published that might mean that the cost-benefit analysis is even more against lockdowns than it was at that time, he said in an interview. A new preprint study by researchers from a number of Canadian and American universities looked at the relationship between the stringency of non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs), such as border closures, and the growth of COVID-19 case counts in Alberta, B.C., Manitoba, Ontario, and Quebec from February 2020 to February 2021. The paper, titled Stringency of Containment and Closures on the Growth of SARS-CoV-2 in Canada prior to Accelerated Vaccine Roll-Out, submitted in October 2021 and not yet peer-reviewed, concluded that the stringency of the measures didnt result in significant reduction in case counts. Taken together, the results of this study did not yield significant case reductions with increasing stringency of NPIs in the first and second waves across five Canadian provinces, the study says. Internationally, one of the most recent studies on lockdowns based on evidence has been done by Jonas Herby, a specialist consultant with the Denmark-based Center for Political Studies. Herbys study features the latest literature review of available studies, including 34 empirical studies evaluating the impacts of lockdown policies and whether they had been helpful in preventing deaths from COVID-19. He has compiled his findings as well as his own study on the issue in a paper that will be published soon. Herby says some of the studies found that lockdowns and other non-pharmaceutical interventions helped lead to fewer deaths from COVID-19 while other studies found that such policies resulted in more deaths. Overall, the effect on deaths is close-to-zero, he said in an email. The conclusion from his own soon-to-be-published study is that shelter-in-place orders are not good policies. We did not have shelter-in-place orders in Denmark, but it must have been terrible [in places they were imposed] and apparently to no use, he said. Decision-Making Tools David Leis, a vice president with the Winnipeg-based think tank Frontier Centre for Public Policy, says its appalling that the provincial and federal governments arent providing an evidence-based analysis of lockdowns in their jurisdictions, or havent even performed such analysis. Its just simply common sense in decision-making, to look at the pros and cons of different options. This is at the heart of basic option analysis when it comes to policy, he said in an interview. David Leis, vice president at the Frontier Centre for Public Policy. (Courtesy David Leis) Leis says that as Canada begins its third year of the pandemic, its clear that the lockdowns have had massive impacts on the society, and this requires ever more transparency. In this kind of challenged situation, you would think that health authorities by now would realize that their perceived credibility and confidence and trust hinges more than ever on being as transparent and objective as possible, and sharing information with the larger Canadian public. For Redman, its clear that the governments in Canada didnt follow the science. Science means you actually look at the evidence, develop a hypothesis, test it, and if it doesnt work, try something else, he says. Well, they never did any of that. Pandemic Management Redman says a fundamental problem has been that the premiers have put the departments of health, which have a very narrow focus, in charge. Instead, he says, the pandemic should be directly managed by the 13 premiers themselves through a task force. The task force should include the provincial chief medical officer of health, but also representatives from all major sectors of the provinces economy, as well as the head of the emergency management office. The medical officers of health did not want the [emergency management office] involved because the aim of the medical officers of health was to protect the medical system, not the province. So they didnt need the people whose job every day is to coordinate the protection of the whole province, he says. David Redman, former executive director of the Alberta Emergency Management Agency, in August 2018. (Courtesy of David Redman) Redman says that if he were still in charge of a provincial emergency management office, he would advise the premier to focus on specific areas to effectively manage the pandemic and minimize the impact as a whole, rather than just focus on reducing case counts. Number one, [focus on the] protection of those most at risk. Number two, remove fear from our society. And number three, get everyone else back to their normal way of life, he said. The people still in our hospitals, who are still suffering with this, are people who are over 60 with severe comorbidities. There are younger people in our hospitals, but theyre recovering and returning to their lives. The former emergency management executive has compiled his recommendations in a report published by the Frontier Centre for Public Policy, pointing out that all of the provinces and territories as well as Ottawa have ignored well-established pandemic response plans developed by their own governments, and that the mismanagement in the pandemic has had deadly results. Redman says there are many capable specialists in the governments across Canada who can provide sound advice but they are being sidelined and having their careers threatened if they speak out. He says he is personally aware of such cases in three provinces. He adds that many medical doctors are often afraid to speak out as well, lest they receive a warning from their regulating colleges. Pointing to the example of Ontario MPP Roman Baber who was kicked out of the governing Progressive Conservative Party for opposing Premier Doug Fords lockdown policies, Redman says this fear is extended to politicians, who also dont want to risk their careers. Joffe agrees that authorities need to implement a focused protection approach. That would involve protection of the most vulnerable in society to COVID, which means older people, and creating surge capacity in hospitals while not locking down the rest of the society with all the collateral harms that ensue, he says. Noe Chartier contributed to this report. Quebec to Relax Some COVID-19 Measures, Extends Vaccine Passport to Big Box Retail Quebec Premier Francois Legault says the province will relax some COVID-19 measures starting Jan. 17, lifting the provinces nighttime curfew and allowing students to return to in-person learning. The premier said on Jan. 13 that COVID-19-related hospitalizations in the province will reach a peak in the next coming days, according to public health experts. This means that the measures we put in place have worked. Were going in the right direction, Legault said in a press conference, adding that the public should remain very careful as the number of hospital admissions remains high and could still rise over the coming days. Legault said the province will lift the nighttime 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew on Jan. 17, which has been in place since New Years Eve. The Quebec government had imposed a similar curfew for five months, from January to May 2021. He also said students will return to school for in-person learning on Jan. 17. Legault said the decision was very important for our children, reassuring parents that self-tests will be distributed in schools. The premier first made the return-to-school announcement on Jan. 12, citing the public healths approval for opening primary and secondary schools. Junior colleges and universities will also be permitted to reopen on Jan. 17. Its very important for the children to go back to school, to learn, to find their friends, to find some normality, Legault wrote on Facebook on Jan. 12. The premier said about 98 percent of high school-aged students in the province have received one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine while 89 percent have received two doses. Legault also announced public health measures will tighten for certain public settings in the province. As of Jan. 24, vaccination against COVID-19 will now be mandatory for large indoor retail settings of more than 1500 square metres, with the exception of grocery stores and pharmacies, which are deemed essential. Legault cited Canadian Tire, Wal-Mart, and Costco as examples of big box stores that would be included in the new rules. Its simple, he said in French, if its bigger than 1,500 square meters, they have to enforce it. The Quebec government said last week that it would extend the vaccine passport to liquor and cannabis stores on Jan. 18. Legault also announced earlier this week that the province will make unvaccinated adult residents pay a significant financial penalty for refusing the jab, making it the first jurisdiction in Canada to do so. Quebec reported 8,793 new cases of COVID-19 on Jan. 13. The Health Department said 2,994 people were in hospital with COVID-19, with 443 people admitted in the previous 24 hours, and 326 patients discharged. There are 272 people are in intensive care, a rise of nine from the day before. The province saw 45 more COVID-19-related deaths on Jan. 13. Quebecs Tax on the Unvaccinated: Experts Weigh In on Possible Legal Challenges A tax on the unvaccinated, as planned in Quebec, would be a violation of the charter, say some legal experts, while others say its not certain whether the courts would rule against the tax given the trend of rulings in recent challenges against pandemic policies. On Jan. 11, Quebec Premier Francois Legault announced his intention to impose a new health contribution on the unvaccinated in the coming weeks. He didnt specify the amount to be levied but said it would be significant. John Carpay, president of the Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms, told The Epoch Times that such a tax is unconstitutional. Its taking bad government policies and making them even worse. You already had an announcement that youre a second-class citizen unless you got three injections to keep your QR code current, he said. Yet theres a basic right to bodily autonomy. That is part of the charters Section 7 rights to life, liberty, and security of the person, and courts have ruled unequivocally that right includes the right to bodily autonomy, Carpay noted. The individual citizen is allowed to control what does or does not get injected into her. And so any government pressure, whether direct or indirect, is a violation of fundamental charter rights. The Justice Centre has had mixed success in pursuing constitutional challenges against government responses to the pandemic. In March 2021, a challenge in B.C. succeeded in restoring the right to outdoor protests but not to in-person religious gatherings. Section 1 of the charter says the rights and freedoms guaranteed in the document can be curtailed only to the extent that they can be demonstrably justified in a free and democratic society. But when the Justice Centre challenged lockdown measures in Manitoba, Chief Justice Joyal upheld them. He stated in his ruling that determination of whether any limits on rights are constitutionally defensible should be guided not only by the rigours of the existing legal tests, but as well, by a requisite judicial humility that comes from acknowledging that courts do not have the specialized expertise to casually second guess the decisions of public health officials. In announcing the new tax, Legault called it shocking that the unvaccinated occupy half of the intensive care unit beds in the province. Unfortunately, there is still a small minority, about 10 percent of the population, that refuses to get vaccinated. I sense the frustration from Quebecers towards that minority that is clogging our hospitals, he said. All adults in Quebec who dont accept to go get at least a first dose in the next few weeks will have a bill to pay because there are consequences on our health system and its not up to all Quebecers to pay for that. Section 15 of the charter does not list vaccinated status among protected grounds against discrimination. However, Carpay says the language and tone used by the premier and others are similar to what the charter endeavours to spare those groups. Clearly, unvaccinated Canadians are an unpopular minority. And clearly, you have politicians who feel very comfortable to publicly vilify and defame the unpopular minority, he said. Carpay explains that when the Charter of Rights and Freedoms was debated in the early 1980s by Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau and the premiers at the time, they excluded sexual orientation. Then in a landmark decision in 1995, the Supreme Court of Canada declared that sexual orientation was included within the charter as an analogous ground. Analogous grounds of discrimination that are not listed in the charter are still charter rights, he said. So could you argue that vaccination status is akin to sexual orientation, and akin to numerous specifically mentioned grounds, such as race, religion and gender? That would be the legal question. I dont have an opinion on whether that should be pursued or not, or whether its got a good chance of success or not. Carpay is more confident of a Section 7 challenge, related to the rights to life, liberty, and security of the person, but the decision rests with judges. The person challenging this new fee or fine would have a very strong case. However, even with a strong case, its impossible to predict with any accuracy how a court would rule on the matter. Bruce Pardy, a law professor at Queens University, said the nuances of Quebecs distinct Charter of Rights and Freedoms add another layer of considerations. Its more complicated than it may look, and especially in the current COVID climate, the answer is not certain, Pardy said by email. Is this a round-the-back way of interfering with patient autonomy in medical decisions? Or is this really, in pith and substance, a tax? If it is a tax, does the tax discriminate in a way that is unconstitutional? (Thats not clear.) What will be the penalties for failing to pay the tax? Does it amount to requiring unvaccinated people to pay for medical care, unlike others? These are just some of the questions that will come up. Lisa Bildy, a lawyer with Libertas Law in Ontario, says Quebecs new penalty for the unvaccinated forces people to take an invasive medical treatment, which carries at least some personal risk and which they dont want or need, to assuage the fears of the majority. The Supreme Court of Canada has previously held that state interference with bodily autonomy, and serious state-imposed psychological stress, constitute a breach of the security of the person under Section 7, particularly where there are criminal sanctions. There is little difference in substance between a punitive tax and a fine imposed under the Criminal Code, she told The Epoch Times. If someone refuses to or cannot pay, the full force of the state can be applied against them. Although most charter challenges against pandemic measures have failed, with the courts giving wide berth to governments to manage the pandemic as they see fit, there must be a line that even the courts wont countenance governments crossing. Surely this is it. RCMP Commissioner Breached Duty With Slow Response to Watchdog Report, Judge Rules OTTAWARCMP Commissioner Brenda Lucki flouted the law by failing to respond promptly to a watchdog report about alleged spying on anti-oil protesters, a federal judge has ruled. In a newly released decision, Federal Court Associate Chief Justice Jocelyne Gagne said Lucki breached her duty under the RCMP Act by not submitting a response to the Civilian Review and Complaints Commissions interim report on the spying accusations as soon as feasible. The ruling is a victory for the British Columbia Civil Liberties Association, which argued there was a culture of complacency in the RCMP that had caused inexcusable foot-dragging on complaint files. The association lodged a complaint with the commission in February 2014, saying the RCMP improperly collected and shared information about people and groups who peacefully opposed the now-defunct Northern Gateway pipeline project and attended National Energy Board meetings. The complaints commission launched a public interest investigation and completed an interim report on the spying allegations in June 2017, forwarding it to the RCMP for comment on the conclusions and recommendations. The watchdog cannot make final findings and recommendations on a complaint until the RCMP commissioner responds to an interim report and, as a result, the complainant and the public are left waiting for resolution of the matter. Lucki responded to the report in November 2020, but only after the association launched its court action. Gagne said the Mounties waited a full three years to assign an officer to the matter, after which it took the commissioner only a few months to issue a five-page response to the interim report. In my view, a three-anda-half year delay is certainly not a reasonable interpretation of the as soon as feasible in the Act, Gagne said in her decision. Nor does it mean whenever resources become available. Gagne said the requirement means the commissioner should have up to six months to reply to an interim report unless there are exceptional circumstances. It would be up to the commissioner to argue more time is needed, Gagne added. The time-frame is in keeping with a memorandum of understanding signed in December 2019 by the complaints commission and the RCMP, which set a six-month target for responses. The RCMP had no immediate comment on the court ruling. Todays decision is a huge victory for police accountability and for communities from coast to coast who have been calling for justice, said Paul Champ, a lawyer for the civil liberties association. For the first time, a court has made clear that the RCMP commissioner must respond to CRCC reports expeditiously and it has placed a hard time limit on how quickly she must respond. We hope this decision brings an end to the RCMPs long-standing culture of complacency. The court decision is a step in the right direction, said Jessica Magonet, Champs co-counsel on the case. Communities have been demanding an end to the abuse of police power, Magonet said. The Federal Court decision shows that the RCMP commissioner cannot continue to thwart the complaints process by sitting on reports for years on end. When it comes to police accountability, justice delayed is justice denied. By Jim Bronskill People gather for a special service of prayer and reflection at St. James Church in Sydney, Australia on Dec. 19, 2014. (Brendon Thorne/Getty Images) Religious Organisation Should Hire to Ethos Argues Archbishop In the second Religious Discrimination Bill meeting on Jan. 13, Melbourne Archbishop Peter Comensoli stated that he would not put forward any amendments and expressed that this act will finally protect all different groups of discrimination following disability, LGBTIQ and aged groups. At the meeting, Comensoli expressed that religious schools should be allowed the right to hire staff that exhibits the ethos the school is looking for, in any organisation, whether its a religious one or not. He argued that regardless of the service, we approach that from the perspective of what our understanding of the human person is. Thats informed by our beliefs, informed by our teachings, informed by cultural practices. Comensoli stated that religious schools and organisations should not only be wanting to do so but are also free to do so. He also implied that the Equal Opportunity (Religious Exceptions) Amendment Bill 2021 introduced by the Andrews Government should be legally examined. The amendment introduced on Oct. 27 prevents staff at religious organisations and schools from discrimination based on their sexuality, marital status, gender identity or other attributes that are protected. Additionally, religious bodies that receive government funding will also not be able to refuse to provide services to people based on their sexual orientation or gender identity. This amendment opposes Comensolis assertion for schools to be able to hire staff based on the schools own policy statement, with all other discrimination acts still applying. This argument was heavily scrutinised by senator Janet Rice of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights and used the media report of a Newcastle Church of Ubuntu sacked a woman for getting Covid-19 vaccine as it was contrary to what is required of us by our Lord God and Creator. Comensolis team, professor Rocque Reynolds from Australian Catholic University, argued that opposing vaccinations are not part of Catholic doctrine. However, Rice disputed Reynoldss argument saying that since the bill will cover all religions, another non-Christian religion may decide it to be their doctrine and, once it has been made a policy, would be able to disengage staff as they wished. More Amendments Needed Stephen Smith, Head of National Workplace Relations Policy of the Australian Industry (AI) Group, also asked for the bill to be amended along with Catherine Brown and Lisa Annese from Diversity Council Australia (DCA). Currently, on the bill, statements of belief are not constituted as discrimination, giving people of faith a level of protection. Statement of beliefs can be a religious belief held by a person in good faith and made according to the religions doctrines, beliefs, or teachings. For someone who does not hold a religious belief, their statement of belief must be made in good faith and is something someone who has no religious faith can relate to. However, this excludes statements that would, or is likely to, harass, threaten, seriously intimidate or vilify another person or group of persons and are therefore not protected under statements of good faith. Smith argued that exclusions for the statements of belief are too narrow. He expressed that it is a very high bar, and there may well be a whole host of other statements, which are defined broadly, which are highly offensive and inappropriate that wouldnt meet those definitions. The AI Groups statement released today also supports his argument. It is essential that a religious activity at work can be subject to the relevant remedial action an employer may be required to take, or reasonably wish to take, to prevent harm to others and the employers business, the statement read. Annese from DCA reasoned that the statement of belief in the bill gave people of faith rights that overrode other anti-discriminatory acts. The representatives for both the DCA and the AI Group argued that Australians will lose discrimination protections in the workplace to accommodate the religious beliefs of people who may make discriminatory statements against them. However, Reynolds from ACU expressed that the exclusions gave the protection of statement of belief a suitable balance. It [the exclusions] does get rid of the provision about offensive, she said. Because, as you know, religion can have hard truths. Non-religious statements against religions can also have hard truths against people, and people may find them offensive, but people dont find them intimidating or threatening. Another meeting will be held on Jan. 14, with the joint team expected to hand in their report following the inquiry by Feb. 4. Rep. Greene: DC Vaccine Mandate Will Drive People to Shop, Dine Elsewhere Washingtons COVID-19 vaccine mandate will lead to people shopping and dining in Virginia and other nearby locales, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) says. Greene, who was a small business owner, sees the mandate as absolutely destructive for businesses in the nations capital. Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser, a Democrat, announced the vaccination requirements last month for many indoor establishments, including restaurants, gyms, and concert venues. One key issue, Greene says, is that people who dont want to comply can drive to another place that doesnt have the same mandate. Everyone Ive talked to says, Oh, Ill just go to Virginia. Its so close,' she told NTDs Capitol Report. Rep. James Comer (R-Ky.) told NTD, The Epoch Times sister media, that hes been told some trade associations and conventions will not be held in Washington because of the mandate. Theyre frustrated. They either havent been vaccinated or they dont think its anybodys business whether or not theyve been vaccinated, he said. Bowsers office did not respond to a request for comment. The mayor has said that a rise in COVID-19 case counts and concern about hospital capacity motivated the mandate, which affects all those 12 or older and takes effect on Saturday. In 2020, we had to shut down because we didnt know a lot about the virus, and we knew it was very dangerous, and we didnt have effective pharmaceutical interventions. But now we do. The vaccines are working and theyre working well to keep people out of the hospital and to keep people from dying from COVID-19. So we dont need those type of shutdowns. But we do need more people to get vaccinated and boosted, Bowser told reporters last month. As of Jan. 11, available hospital bed capacity in the District of Columbia was at 13 percent. But the majority of the 2,163 patients in hospitals on that date did not have COVID-19, according to city data. Additionally, data from several states released this month shows that some patients counted as COVID-19 hospitalizations were admitted for other reasons. Positive cases have also leveled off around 118,000 in recent days. Several Republican lawmakers wrote to Bowser this week asking her to rescind the mandate before it goes into effect, but Bowser has so far appeared to ignore the request. Comer (R-Ky.) and Rep. Ralph Norman (R-S.C.) noted that the Omicron variant of the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus has shown an ability to bypass vaccine-bestowed protection, actually infecting more vaccinated people than unvaccinated people in some areas. They also noted that the order contains no carve out for people who recovered from COVID-19, despite them, according to studies, having a high level of protection against re-infection. The lawmakers said they were told by Washington Chief Financial Officer Fitzroy Lee that hotel and restaurants revenues in the district are already down by significant margins when compared to before the pandemic and expressed concern that the revenues would drop even further if the mandate was not withdrawn. Greene said she hopes businesses in the district protest against Bowser and her mandate. They should be letting her know how bad this is, and that they wont tolerate this anymore, she said. The logo of Robinhood Markets, Inc. is seen at a pop-up event on Wall Street after the company's IPO in New York City, on July 29, 2021. (Andrew Kelly/Reuters) Robinhood Allows Employees to Work Remotely Permanently Stock trading app Robinhood plans to allow a major portion of its employees to work remotely on a permanent basis, following a similar shift by tech companies in the face of COVID-19 related uncertainties on returning back to offices. For a large segment of our employees, there will be no location or regular in-office requirement, and teams will come together in-person occasionally for key experiences and moments that drive connection and innovation, the company announced in a blog post on Wednesday. Some teams will need to live within a commutable distance to an office location due to regulatory and business reasons, and a small segment will still need to come into the office. Headquartered in Menlo Park, California, Robinhood has around 3,400 workers, and the Remote First move will allow the company to hire from anywhere in the country. The pandemic has forced many organizations to rethink their real estate and employee strategies, as many opt for, and invest in, a hybrid work culture. The plan was announced to the staff in December and the company does not expect any changes in the compensation structure for its workers. Other tech companies like Shopify and Coinbase have moved fully remote while Meta and Microsoft have yet to decide when they plan on opening offices. The employees currently follow a flexible work schedule, which has been applicable since the start of the pandemic. The highly-transmissible Omicron variant has dented plans of companies opening up and welcoming back staff to their premises. Although there is a surge of infections across the country, the latest variant displays less severe symptoms among those who are infected and results in fewer hospitalizations. Prominent organizations are calling for treating Omicron, which is the dominant strain currently, as an endemic condition, claiming that lockdowns and further restrictions will only work to destabilize economies. After going public in July, Robinhood shares hiked up over 50 percent before cooling off and steadily lowering in value over time. The stock is now 80 percent lower from its peak, with a current market capitalization of about $13 billion, leading some analysts to say that the company could be taken over. Robinhood manages around 22 million users with an average account balance of $3,500, according to Bloomberg. Compared to this, Charles Schwab, the leading brokerage, has 32 million users with an average of $240,000 in their trading account. While brokerages typically charge commission on trades, Robinhood offers the service for free. Instead, they make their money from other brokers routing their trades. This sequence, known as an order flow arrangement, is under scrutiny by the SEC. If the regulator decides to curb the practice, Robinhood will stand to lose 80 percent of its revenue. To charge customers would be going against the primary selling point for the firmzero brokerage. It was one of the main initial platforms where Redditors came together to buy shares of meme-stock, GameStop, but the platform soon halted trading in the stock which outraged users, and many called for a boycott of the company. Robinhood is set to announce its fourth-quarter and full-year 2021 financial results on Jan. 27. Russian Vishnya (also known as Meridian) class warship CCB-175 Viktor Leonov arrives at Havana's harbor on Feb. 27, 2014. The Vishnya class ships are used for gathering intelligence. (Adalberto Roque/AFP/Getty Images) Russia May Put Troops in Venezuela and Cuba if US Tensions Continue Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov, who headed Jan. 10s talks with U.S. officials in Geneva, said he could neither confirm nor exclude the possibility of a Russian military build-up within the borders of Cuba and Venezuela if tensions continue with the United States over Ukraine. Ryabkovs statement adds pressure to existing tensions with the West over the presence of Russian troops near the Ukraine border, which prompted a high stakes meeting with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) on Jan. 12 in Vienna. Putins government demanded a cessation of NATOs expansion, which was promptly rejected by the United States and its Western allies. In a televised interview, Ryabkov said, It all depends on the actions by our U.S. counterparts, referencing Russian President Vladimir Putins warning that Moscow was willing to take countermeasures if the United States challenged the Kremlin and added military pressure. A spokesperson for the U.S. State Department told The Epoch Times, We are not going to respond to bluster. If Russia actually started moving in that direction, we would deal with it decisively. Ryabkov also pointed out that the refusal to consider the important Russian demand for guarantees against the United States and its allies expanding into Ukraine and other former Soviet nations makes it challenging to discuss issues like arms control, and building confidence between nations. In June 2021, Russia reiterated its support for its allies in Latin America, with a particular emphasis on Cuba, Venezuela, and Nicaragua, in the presence of what was described as external threats. All three of the aforementioned countries endure the rule of entrenched dictators. Historically, Russia has been one of Venezuelas closest allies since 2006 and the regime of dictator Hugo Chavez. The latter signed a $2.9 billion arms deal with Russia that granted them access to Venezuelas rich oil assets. Today, the continued rule of Venezuelas dictator Nicolas Maduro is made possible, in part, by its strategic alliance with Putins government. Russia has also acted as a last resort lender to the debt-riddled nation and has provided military supplies to Maduros regime. And Russia continues to be one of Cubas most ardent supporters. The nations pledged to expand what they called strategic ties after talks on the island nation back in 2018. Then in October 2021, First Deputy Minister of Foreign Trade and Foreign Investment Ana Teresita Gonzalez said the two nations would continue to work on deepening their economic relations. The politically embattled island nation played a pivotal role between the United States and Russia during the notorious Cuban Missile Crisis of the 1960s, when then Soviet Union missiles arrived in Cuba and the United States responded by imposing a naval blockade. U.S. President John F. Kennedy and Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev came to an agreement for Moscow to remove the weapons in exchange for Washingtons vow not to invade Cuba, and also remove its missiles from Turkey. In December 2021, Ryabkov directly compared the current tensions over Ukraine to the Cuban Missile Crisis. If Russia decides to put troops in Cuba or Venezuela, it will be their first significant military presence in the Western Hemisphere since the end of the Cold War. South Australian Premier Steven Marshall at the Daily COVID-19 update in Adelaide, Australia on Nov. 20, 2020. (Kelly Barnes/Getty Images) SA Begins RAT System for COVID Close Contacts New COVID-19 rules have come into force in South Australia with the state moving to rely more heavily on rapid antigen tests. From Thursday, all close contacts of positive cases will only need to do a RAT rather than line up for a PCR swab. But anyone who tests positive will be required to report the result through an online system. Failure to report could result in a $1000 fine. Premier Steven Marshall said the rules were about getting as much real data into the system as possible to help model the likely trajectory of the current virus outbreak. Were keen to track every single one of those results, Marshall said. Health staff conduct tests at the COVID-19 testing centre in the Reactivating the Repat Hospital in Adelaide, Australia, on March 11, 2020. (Tracey Nearmy/Getty Images) While we think that 95 per cent of people would do the right thing, getting as many positive results into the system just improves that data. Close contacts will be provided with two free RATs which they should use on days one and six while isolating. The tests will initially be provided through one site established in the Adelaide parklands but more locations will follow. The parklands site will have the capacity to handle about 13,000 people a day. With rapid antigen tests in short supply in the wider community, there have been suggestions some people who are not close contacts will take advantage of the system to stockpile kits. But Marshall said officials would continually monitor the demand and compare it to the number of cases being detected. Well look at those numbers very carefully. We can see what the new infection rates are and we can work out whether weve got approximately the same number of close contacts, he said. Saskatchewan Premier Says Lockdowns Wont Help Province Get Through Omicron Saskatchewan premier Scott Moe says more lockdowns wont help provinces get through the Omicron variant. Its now clear, at least in this Omicron wave of the pandemic, that lockdown policies can cause harm in our communities, often with little or virtually no benefit, Moe said during a press conference on Jan. 12. They cause economic harm by taking away jobs and removing family livelihoods. They cause psychological harm by taking away social contact, most particularly for our youth, and theyre an infringement on the rights and freedoms that we have come to enjoy and value as Canadians. The Omicron variant, which is highly contagious but presents milder symptoms compared to earlier strains of COVID-19, does not justify imposing additional restrictions, the premier had said previously, in a video posted on Twitter on Dec. 23. In the press conference on Jan. 12, Moe reiterated his point, arguing that the Omicron variant will still spread even with severe lockdowns, as has been seen in other provinces thus far. He added lockdowns should be used only when necessary and if they can clearly be shown they are being effective and they are working. Were not seeing that as being the case today, he said. Public health orders in Saskatchewan, which were to expire at the end of the month, were extended on Jan. 12 to the end of February. The measures include mandatory masking in all indoor public spaces, mandatory self-isolation for a positive COVID-19 test, and proof of vaccination or negative test to enter some venues and businesses. Saskatchewan is the only jurisdiction in Canada without restrictions on gathering sizes. Moe said there are many ways people can protect themselves. What we can do is get our booster shot when eligible, use rapid tests that are widely available in Saskatchewan and continue to wear your mask when needed to protect yourself and those around you, he wrote on Twitter on Jan. 12. The Canadian Press contributed to this report Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.) during a hearing in the Dirksen Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill in Washington on May 14, 2019. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) Sinema Says She Wont Vote Down Filibuster, Dealing Another Blow to Biden Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.) said on Thursday that she will not help her party to weaken or abolish the filibuster, all but ending President Joe Bidens aspiration to pass comprehensive voting legislation that would increase the federal governments power over elections. This announcement comes as little surprise to observers of the Arizona maverick who, like former Sen. John McCain, has long been willing to break with her party on various issues. On the filibuster especially, Sinema opposes efforts by her party to change the peculiar Senate rule. Theres no need for me to restate my longstanding support for the 60-vote threshold to pass legislation. Theres no need for me to restate its role in protecting our country from wild reversals of federal policy, Sinema said on Thursday. The announcement, though unsurprising, is a hard blow to President Joe Biden and other Democratic leaders. On Twitter on Jan. 3, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer made clear that voting legislation would be one of the top priorities for Democrats returning from their winter recess. Schumer and others in his party have maintained that efforts by Republican legislatures across the United States to strengthen their election laws through stricter voter ID, absentee ballot rules, and other measures constitute a new Jim Crow that demands immediate congressional action. We can and must take strong action to stop this anti-democratic march, Schumer wrote in the tweet. Around a week after this tweet, Biden made clear that he stood behind Schumers goal. To protect our democracy, Biden told a mostly-black crowd in Georgia. I support changing the Senate rules in whatever way they need to be changed to prevent a minority of senators from blocking action on voting rights. The filibusters not used by Republicans to bring the Senate together but to pull it further apart, Biden said later during the speech. This announcement represented a significant change of course for the former senator, who during the late summer and early fall of 2021 still opposed efforts to weaken the filibuster. Democrats have made several efforts to pass various pieces of election legislation that would effectively put the federal government in charge of elections across the United States. However, these bills have all faced stiff resistance from GOP senators and, in one case, Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W. Va.). Because of the Senates filibuster rule, practically any election legislation that the House could send to the Senate would need the support of at least 60 senators, including 10 GOP senators, to open debate on the measure and allow it to go to a simple majority floor vote. To get around this Senate rule, which has been a mainstay in the Senate for decades, Schumer, Biden, and other Democrats have formulated a new strategy: Change the Senates rules completely to make the deliberative chamber into a smaller version of the House, where simple majority votes are the standard. Technically, they could do this. Using the so-called nuclear option, the majority party can change Senate rules by a simple majority vote. However, this is a course that many legislators have been hesitant to use in the past: While it does indeed allow the majority party to pass partisan legislation, this course can come back to hurt the party when they lose the majority, who will be equally empowered to pass partisan legislation. Since returning from their recess, this effort has been the main focus for Democratic leadership and rank-and-file members in the Senate. But according to Sinema, this all-or-nothing push obfuscates the larger debate over the value of the filibuster. This weeks harried discussions about Senate rules are but a poor substitute for what I believe could have and should have been a thoughtful public debate at any time over the past year, Sinema said. This is not the first time that Sinema has expressed her opposition to weakening the filibuster. Democrats had the same debate during the summer of 2021, and in that debate Sinema squarely opposed the radical changes being proposed by her party. In an appearance on The View, Sinema defended her position, calling the filibuster a tool for the protection of the minority. And Sinema is not the only opponent of the proposal. Manchin, an ally of Sinema, has vowed in no uncertain terms that he will not weaken the filibuster, and this is a position he has not deviated from since the beginning of the 117th Congress. Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) has also expressed opposition to changing the filibuster to pass voting legislation in the past, though it is unclear whether she continues to hold to this position as she has been far less outspoken than Sinema and Manchin. Still, Sinemas announcement represents another defeat for Biden, whose $1.85 trillion Build Back Better Act was effectively killed by Manchins opposition. Without the full support of his party in the Senate, Bidens aspirations to change the filibuster are practically dead on arrival. People walk past a school in London, Ont. on Jan. 6, 2022 , the day after the province of Ontario transitioned to online learning in the face of the fast spreading Omicron. (Geoff Robins/AFP via Getty Images) Teachers Unions Are Undermining Their Own Long-Term Viability Finally, schools across Canada are starting to reopen. Most provinces had switched to remote learning at the beginning of January to assess the impact of the Omicron variant. But now, thankfully, these remote learning sessions are coming to an end. Students in British Columbia and Alberta were back in class on Jan. 10. Meanwhile, Manitoba and Ontario plan to reopen their schools on Jan. 17. Given this trend, it looks likely that all Canadian students who want to be back in class will be able to return soon. Unfortunately, some teachers unions have been less than helpful when it comes to getting students back to school. Instead, they have pushed the narrative that schools are unsafe and that it is better for students to learn remotely. For example, at the beginning of January, the Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario (ETFO) called for a delay to the restart of in-person learning. Some of the safety measures they wanted in place included N95 masks for all students and teachers, mandatory vaccinations for everyone who works in or attends a school, and an expanded paid sick leave program. However, these demands are unreasonable. Not only are N95 masks costly, but they are also difficult to acquire in bulk, and hard for students to use effectively. Mandatory vaccines to attend school would be highly dubious since this would deny an education to many students because of a medical decision made by their parents. As for expanding sick leave, it is well-known that teachers already have generous sick leave benefits. The ETFO is far from the only teachers union to make such unreasonable demands. Earlier this month, the Manitoba Teachers Society (MTS) publicly demanded that all schools be moved into remote learning for the entire month of January. MTS wanted only the children of essential workers to attend in-person classes and for everyone else to stay home. In recent media interviews, MTS President James Bedford claimed that moving to remote learning is, for now, the best option for students. However, he must know that remote learning is substantially inferior to in-person learning. Sitting at home and looking at a screen is a poor substitute for an active in-person learning experience. What teachers unions fail to realize is that by demanding that schools be closed, they are undermining their own long-term viability. Right now, teachers unions across Canada are in the enviable position of having a monopoly over public schooling. In every province, membership in the teachers union is either automatic or compulsory for all public school teachers (except those employed by charter schools in Alberta). Thus, teachers unions have a secure position and a guaranteed revenue stream from dues-paying teachers. The vast majority of students in all provinces and territories attend public schools and this means that each teachers union has plenty of members. So long as public school enrolment remains stable and provinces require all public school teachers to pay union dues, teachers unions will not have to worry about losing money or their monopoly control. But that might be about to change. Many parents are fed up with ongoing school closures. Nowhere has this been more evident than in Ontario, where students have spent more time out of class than any other jurisdiction in North America. By consistently advocating for school closures, teachers unions have put themselves offside with the many parents who depend on a reliable and effective public school system for their children. If parents cannot rely on public schools, they will remove their kids and place them in private schools or even homeschool them. Once this becomes a trend, it will pick up steam. If school boards shrink in enrolment, they will have no choice to reduce the number of teachers that they employ. This will impact the bottom line of teachers unions in a big way. In addition, it makes little sense for provinces to continue giving teachers unions a monopoly if these unions are making it impossible for schools to function. If even one province decided to disrupt the status quo and allow teachers to opt out of paying union dues, or if a province decided to provide more funding to independent schools, this could become a trend across the country. After all, many grassroots teachers want to get back into the classroom and they arent particularly happy with their unions advocating for school closures. Teachers unions might be in a secure position now, but they had better be careful not to disrupt the education system too much. They could find themselves on the outside looking in, and wondering what happened to their comfortable monopolies. Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. A woman sits with her sign during a Loudoun County Public Schools (LCPS) board meeting in Ashburn, Virginia on Oct. 12, 2021. (ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images) Judge Orders Loudoun County Teenager on Sex Offender Registry, Parents of Victim Pleaded Against Jail Time 'I want him to become better in the future instead of sitting in jail for the rest of his life, but I also want him marked as a sexual predator,' victim's father says LOUDOUN COUNTY, Va.The teenage boy responsible for two sexual assault cases in Loudoun County schools on Jan. 12 was sentenced to probation at a residential treatment facility until his 18th birthday in July 2024. Judge Pamela L. Brooks of the Loudoun County Juvenile Court also ordered him to be placed on the sex offender registry, a rare outcome for juveniles and a first for Brooks. The 15-year-old will stay in the Loudoun County Juvenile Detention Center until his transfer to the locked residential facility, likely within the next week, according to the judge. The boy was found guilty on Oct. 25 on accounts of forcible sodomy and forcible fellatio inside a bathroom at Stone Bridge High School on May 28. On Nov. 15, he pleaded no contest to felony abduction and misdemeanor sexual battery charges for another case in a Broad Run High School classroom on Oct. 6. I felt relieved. I felt relieved that we got the ruling that is just, Jessica Smith, mother of the victim in the May assault, said with a bittersweet smile to The Epoch Times. Her 15-year-old daughter, the victim, echoed the sentiment. I felt relieved that we got justice for both the other victim and me and that hes going to serve his time. Visibly upset and with tears in her eyes, the defendants mother told The Epoch Times after the court ruling that placing the teenage boy on the sex offender registry was a move that adults made for political gain at the expense of her sons future. The registry placement was not included in probation officer Jason Bickmores recommendation but requested by Deputy Commonwealths Attorney Barry Zweig. The defense attorney unsuccessfully argued that the placement would work against the rehabilitation and betterment goal of the juvenile residential treatment program by leaving a lifetime impact on the boy. The case has drawn controversy in the county over how it was handled by administrators. Loudoun County Public Schools (LCPS) Superintendent Scott Ziegler, in particular, has been harshly criticized for allowing the boy to switch to another public school after the May assault. The assaults occurred before and after the county adopted a transgender-friendly policy that would allow boys who self-identify as girls to use girls bathrooms. At a school board meeting on June 22, Ziegler denied the existence of any school bathroom assaults, which some parents feared would be the result of adopting such a policy. However, emails later made public revealed that he and the school board, at the time of the meeting, were aware of the May 28 assault. In response to a public outcry over an alleged cover-up, Ziegler hired a law firm to conduct an independent review of LCPS handling of the two sexual assault cases. Scott Smith, father of the rape victim, during a media interview in front of the Loudoun County District Courthouse in Leesburg, Va., on Jan. 12, 2022. (Terri Wu/The Epoch Times) Sentence Before announcing her ruling, Judge Brooks said that she had dealt with many juvenile sex offenses, crimes more common than the public realized. She added that she had read many psychosexual and psychological evaluations, but the defendants report scared her. Yours scared me for yourself, your family, and society in general, Judge Brooks spoke to the defendant, adding, Young man, you need a lot of help. She said even though his attorney argued that the May 28 incident was consensual, the court had ruled otherwise. She told him, When someone says yes one day, it doesnt mean they say yes every day. No means no. You exhibited predatory behavior. She said she had never put any juvenile on the sex offender registry but would rule so today. Plaintiff attorney Elizabeth Lancaster said the placement on the sex offender registry was for the protection of the community, not for punishing the boy. According to her, a person on the registry cannot work as a school teacher or at a daycare, and his activities around children will be limited. In addition, a sex offender may face difficulties finding certain jobs; thats up to the employers assessment. Scott Smith, father of the victim in the earlier assault, said the boy committed a heinous violent sodomy to his daughter. I want him to become better in the future instead of sitting in jail for the rest of his life, but I also want him marked as a sexual predator, he told The Epoch Times. Do The Right Thing The victim impact statements during the hearing made a visual impact on the teenage boy. He cried, shoulders shaking, when Scott Smith spoke directly to him: You could change. You are young. I dont believe you are a monster. I thought you looked like a monster, but you really dont. Smith added that he was placed in a residential treatment center at about the same age and spent two years there. He later explained to The Epoch Times that it was due to destructive behavior resulting from a short temper and substance abuse. Do the right thing, man. I can see in your eyes; you know you did wrong, Smith told the teenager. Speaking of the economic and emotional toll suffered by their family, the Smiths said it was immeasurable. Their daughter is managing her days day by day, hour by hour, according to the mother. In addition, the couple had to spend so much time on legal matters that they didnt have time to do their family plumbing business. Scott Smith also said that their business lost customers because his family was accused of lying about the rape, and these customers chose not to call us. Both families said the sexual assault would have a long-lasting impact on the victims, who had been taking therapy sessions. But the families unanimously advocated for a residential placement for the boy to rehabilitate and become a better person. Later, the boy said he didnt know how much hurt he had caused until he heard the victim testimonies. I sincerely apologize to the court, families, victims, you, and you, he said while turning to the two victim families in the room. For Smiths daughter, the first victim to give her impact statement at the hearing, the moment the boy started crying was impactful. I felt like he finally understood what the other victim and I went through, she told The Epoch Times afterward. Independent Investigation Report Withheld On Jan. 10, in response to the Freedom of Information Act request by Fight for Schools, a local advocacy group, LCPS confirmed that the review by law firm, Blankingship & Keith, P.C., was complete and withheld its entirety under attorney-client privilege. You cannot have it both ways, said Ian Prior, executive director of Fight for Schools, at the Loudoun County school board meeting on Jan. 11, referring to having an independent investigation and attorney-client privilege at the same time. If it is an independent investigation, the attorney-client privilege does not attach, and it can be provided to the public with proper redactions, he said, urging LCPS to release the report. In response to Epoch Times inquiry, LCPS Public Information Officer Wayde Byard resent the same statement on Jan. 13 that the report was complete and withheld. In November, incoming Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares said he planned to investigate LCPS, including the on-campus sexual assaults. In addition, he would develop new legislation granting his office the power to intervene in the event of inadequacies by prosecutors. The P4 laboratory on the campus of the Wuhan Institute of Virology in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China, on May 13, 2020. (Hector Retamal/AFP via Getty Images) The Wuhan Lab Leak and the Cover-Up of the Century: Interview With an Expert Commentary Was the Sars-CoV-2 virus created in a Chinese lab? To some prominent authors, the answer is undoubtedly yes. To other authors, like George Calhoun, a professor of business at Stevens Institute of Technology, the answer appears to be yes. In a number of excellent pieces for Forbes, Dr. Calhoun has outlined the many ways in which Chinamore specifically, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP)has gone to great lengths to hide important data from the rest of the world. I reached out to Calhoun to get his opinion on the virus, truth, lies, and everything in between. Although he claims to be no expert on the origin of the virus, Calhoun is an astute man, someone who reads very carefully. When he first heard that the Wuhan Institute of Virology had been leading in the study of bat coronaviruses, it struck him, almost immediately, that the lab and the outbreak had to be connected. The coincidence was too obvious, he said. Indeed. Calhoun continued, To me the lab leak theory should have been the default hypothesis, or the null hypothesis as statisticians would say, to be thoroughly investigated. Instead, many prominent commentators chose to dismiss it for reasons that are not entirely clear. Ever since the world became aware of the goings-on in Wuhan, the details coming out have (in my opinion) continue to shift the emphasis towards the lab leak theory, added Calhoun. We then discussed Viral, a book by Matt Ridley and Alina Chan. Over the past few months, the book has gone viraland for good reason. Calhoun believes that the authors do a good job, with tremendous detail, fleshing out the two theories (zoonotic and lab leak). Moreover, they make an honest effort to compare them fairly, but the balance leans increasingly towards the lab leak. Another damning factor leading to this conclusion is the incredible stonewalling campaign by the Chinese. According to Calhoun, those in Beijing are behaving very much as though they have something terrible to hide. The whole national pride argument for not cooperating just doesnt hold water at this point, given the immense damage that the virus has wrought globally. To this, I responded: We really shouldnt be surprised that the CCP has attempted to deceive the world. After all, dogs bark and liars lie. Should any media outlets in the West take blame for enabling Beijing? By this, I mean a failure to report on the questionable figures that have been coming out of China since early 2020? In the U.S., for example, it seems like people got distracted by Donald Trumps language (Wuhan virus, etc.), instead of focusing on more important details, like the CCPs dishonesty. I then asked for his thoughts. Security personnel keep watch outside the Wuhan Institute of Virology during the visit by the World Health Organization (WHO) team tasked with investigating the origins of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China, on Feb. 3, 2021. (Thomas Peter/Reuters) Calhoun responded, I think a lot of the media definitely got distracted by their animus against Trump, and assumed that whatever his position might be, it was bad and wrong and they should uphold the opposite. He continued: I remember that when Trump put a ban on travel from Wuhan and China very early, [on] Jan. 31, 2020, he was attacked as xenophobic by [President] Biden, which kind of set the ground rules for the mainstream media. Even as Biden came around to support the travel ban, the hesitancy against criticizing China was baked into the media mindset. Was this intentional or just a case of blind ignorance? This is for readers to decide. However, its painfully clear that, in early 2020, the virus became a political issue rather than a medical one. Calhoun finds it amazing that the sort of simple analysis he has performed in his many columns, all based on public data (no real digging required), has not been done much until quite recently. Even The Economist really didnt draw out the implications, although their data is very clear. It really is 2 plus 2 equals 4and the media hasnt (by and large) done those calculations. I then asked Calhoun for his thoughts on the World Health Organizations (WHO) role in enabling the CCP, especially at the start of the pandemic. As to the WHOagain, I am not an expert so my view is conventional and based on general public information, responded Calhoun, before adding that the organization seems like a setup with all the dysfunctions of the U.N., and the liketoo hard to find the consensus among its members without compromising an awful lotwell-meaning, but not effective. Here, I somewhat disagree with Calhoun. Although the WHO may very well be run in a haphazard fashion, it appears to have knowingly allowed the CCP to control the virus origin narrative. I would associate many words with the WHO, but well-meaning is not one of them. Why? Because it appears to have caved to the CCPs request to ignore the possibility of a lab leak. The WHO may have had a road to Damascus moment when a leading adviser accused the CCP of a massive cover-up. But the accusations came far too latethe damage had already been done. So many livelihoods and lives had already been lost. Some believe that the WHO has blood on its hands. As I write this, hundreds of people around the world are seeking compensation from both China and the WHO. Will they be successful? I hope so, but I have my doubts. So does Calhoun. He believes that their efforts will be something like people trying to sue Saudi Arabia for 9/11 damages. In other words, it will be great political fodder, but unlikely to pay off in reality, he said. Lets hope that Calhoun is wrong. Sadly, hes probably correct. In all likelihood, the CCP will never pay a price for its deceit and lies. Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. Top NH Conservative Targeted by Child Services for Giving Son Ivermectin JR Hoell is the founder of a group critical of COVID-19 vaccine mandates One of New Hampshires leading political conservatives is fighting to keep his children from the states child protection services agency after giving his 13-year-old son ivermectin. JR Hoell is the founder of ReOpen NH, an activist group that criticizes COVID-19 vaccine mandates. Hoell, who has also led public education reform efforts and promotes Second Amendment and homeschooling rights, told The Epoch Times that the New Hampshire Division of Children Youth and Family (DCYF) showed up at his doorstep on the night of Dec. 9 with an emergency ex parte order to take custody of his son. I want to go on the record as calling the DCYF a terrorist organization, Hoell told The Epoch Times, they have no grounds to seek removal of my son from his home. Kathleen Remillard, Public Information Officer for the DCYF told The Epoch Times that the agency is unable to comment due to state and federal confidentiality laws. Hoell provided The Epoch Times with a medical report showing an Amherst, NH physician found the teen to be in overall good health less than 24 hours after the agency tried to take emergency custody of him. Hoells son, who stands over six feet tall and has a black belt in Taekwondo, had already returned to his martial arts classes and was over at a friends house when the DCYF showed up with two police officers on Dec. 9 looking for his son and 17-year old daughter. File photo: A package of ivermectin tablets. (Natasha Holt/The Epoch Times) They told me there was an ambulance parked at the end of the road to transport my son and daughter to the hospital. You either take them or well take them,' Hoell said the DCYF social worker told him. The emergency order, a copy of which was provided to The Epoch Times, claimed the teen was at risk of coma or death due to the amount of ivermectin administered to him. At that point in time, it had been nearly two weeks since his son had taken any ivermectin, according to Hoell. The entire family used pharmacy-grade Ivermectin he ordered online from an international company to treat COVID back in November. By the time the DCYF sought his children, all the family members had already returned to their daily routines, according to Hoell. It was a nurse practitioner who saw Hoells son for a routine follow-up exam on the morning of Dec. 9 that called the DCYF on Hoell. On Dec. 4, Hoell had taken his son to the emergency at the Catholic Medical Center because he was concerned his son was having an adverse reaction to Tylenol. Blood work performed on the teen that day showed his toxicology levels were all normal. The blood test results and the medical report from the emergency room visit, which were provided to The Epoch Times, also showed no elevated liver levels or anything suggestive of an overdose of ivermectin. According to Hoell, the nurse practitioner, who works for an outpatient clinic in Goffstown owned by CMC, did not do any follow-up blood work or other lab tests on Dec. 9 before calling the DCYF. Hoell said ivermectin was only discussed with the nurse practitioner in a casual manner and she never indicated she had any serious concerns about his son before leaving the practice. Ivermectin was not an issue at 9 oclock in the morning and then all of a sudden it turned into a risk of coma several hours later, said Hoell, those two positions are not compatible with one another. Lauren Collins-Cline, director of communications and public relations for CMD, told The Epoch Times the hospital was unable to comment due to privacy laws. A prominent local Democrat and Republicans both agree that the case against Hoell, long labeled a conservative firebrand by the states liberal press, sounds more like politics and less like actual child neglect. NH Republican Executive Councilor Dave Wheeler told The Epoch Times he has no doubt that the DCYF is practicing politics, having gone through something similar himself when he was the Senate Minority Whip. It sounds like theyre up to their old tricks, Wheeler said. In 1998, when Wheeler, who is serving his sixth term as executive councilor to the governor, was leading a charge to reform the DCYF including what he called severe abuse of hearsay evidence, when two police officers showed up at his home in Milford, New Hampshire, on what they alleged was an anonymous report of an adult male beating a young minor in the backyard. The case was covered by local media, which reported that it had been confirmed that Wheeler, the only adult male known to live in the household, was out of town at a Republican fundraiser at the time of the allegation. However, the Republican senator found himself under investigation by the DCYF. The agency eventually filed the matter without a finding, but not before the agency questioned Wheeler about some of his parenting choices including his and his wife Joys decision to homeschool their two children. The DCYF should stop chasing their tail and going after people like JR Hoell, Wheeler told The Epoch Times, Its pretty obvious theres no abuse and yet they are wasting thousands of taxpayers dollars and the courts time instead of chasing down real abuse. Hoell, who has homeschooled all four of his children including two that are now in college, said since obtaining an emergency custody order for his son, the DCYF has questioned a family doctor about the homeschooling of their children. In 2018, when he was a state representative, Hoell sponsored a bill to remove education neglect as a listed cause for the DCYF to initiate a child neglect petition. New Hampshire Democrat Patrick Long, former chairman of the states child and family law committee and board member of an organization aimed at reforming the DCYF, said in spite of being a polar opposite of Hoell when it comes to politics, he has no doubt there is something dubious about the DCYF custody petition. I dont believe at all for one moment that JR for one moment would do anything that would hurt his family, Long, who served alongside Hoell for several years in the NH legislature, told The Epoch Times, based on what I am hearing, this is a disgrace. Long serves as the vice chairman for the New Road Project, a nonprofit formed by DCYF whistleblower Anna Carrigan, who last year reached a financial settlement with the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services over claims she made against the DCYF for its own neglectful handling of child abuse and neglect cases. Long said the DCYFs emergency ex parte custody order for Hoells son is especially concerning given the agencys own reported shortage of foster care homes for children taken under out-of-home placement petitions. More questions about the motive behind the DCYF petition comes from a CMC patient who recorded a conversation going on just outside her hospital room about J.R. Hoell on Dec. 10 and posted it on TikTok At one point in the video, someone in the conversation can be heard referring to Hoell as a nut job and talking about a request put out to local police to be on the lookout for a dad who is a former state representative from Dunbarton. Natalie Reyes, the patient who recorded and posted TikTok video, said she could overhear a DCYF social worker and hospital staff going through Hoells Facebook pages and making comments about his use of ivermectin. The DCYF has filed to take this persons children because he gave them Ivermectin, I wish I was [expletive] kidding right now, Reyes says in her video. The physician who saw Hoells son the day after the DCYF tried to take custody of him, determined the teen had a mild case of hyperglycemia, which has been identified as a common lasting effect following a bout with COVID-19. While the Food and Drug Administration has not approved ivermectin for the treatment of COVID-19, the drug has been approved for early treatment of the disease in all or part of 22 countries, according to a tally maintained by a group of scientists and researchers. The NH DCYF has not rescinded its emergency custody order for Hoells son. However, it has agreed to stay the execution of the order until a preliminary hearing is held sometime in the next two weeks. Toshiba Should Overhaul Board and Management, Major Japan Pension Fund Says TOKYOToshiba Corps proposal to split itself into three companies wont solve its governance issues and the conglomerate should prioritize an overhaul of its board and management, said a senior executive at one of Japans largest pension funds. Ken Hokugo, corporate governance director at the Pension Fund Association (PFA), said the interests of Toshiba management and shareholders are not aligned. The most orthodox solution to the discrepancy is to bring onto the board someone who can monitor and discipline management, and to let the revamped board select the new chief executive, he said in written responses to Reuters queries. Hokugo declined to comment on how the PFA, which owns an undisclosed amount of shares in Toshiba, would vote on the conglomerates plan to break up into three companiesone for energy and infrastructure, another for electronic devices, and a third to house its flash memory chip assets. Nonetheless, his comments highlight broad shareholder concern about Toshiba, marking a rare public pronouncement from an influential Japanese pension fund, part of an industry that typically stays silent about companies they invest in. The PFA, which provides benefits to people who have left their employee pension programs, is one of the countrys largest pension funds with 12.5 trillion yen ($108 billion) in assets. Foreign shareholders have, however, been more vocal about their concern, with several of them having a tense relationship with Toshiba management after it was found by a shareholder-commissioned investigation last year to have colluded with the trade ministry to blunt their influence. Toshiba said in a statement to Reuters that its board and management firmly believe the break-up plan is the best path to create additional value for our stakeholders. Hokugo noted successful turnarounds at Olympus Corp and chip materials maker JSR Corp, which both invited shareholder ValueAct Capital to take a board seat. As a result of overhauls assisted by a ValueAct partner, their corporate values shot up, he said. Some Toshiba shareholders have told Reuters they are publicly or privately pushing the firm to do a more thorough review that would take into account potential private-equity bids. Toshiba failed to formally solicit buyout offers during a five-month strategic review before deciding on the break-up, giving the impression that a split was a foregone conclusion for management, Hokugo said. He also said it was understandable that some shareholders wanted to see a private equity deal as taking Toshiba private could allow for drastic measures that may be not possible for a listed company. Hokugo also stressed that it should be up to shareholders, not management, to decide on the best option to increase corporate value. Toshiba plans to hold an extraordinary shareholder meeting in March to gauge shareholder support for the break-up plan, but the exact date and what the bar will be for shareholder approval have yet to be decided. It will also brief investors on Feb. 7-8 on the business strategies of the companies to be created from the break-up. Years of accounting scandals and governance issues have seen Toshibas market value more than halve to around $18 billion from an early 2000s peak. ($1 = 115.4500 yen) By Makiko Yamazak Treat COVID-19 Like Common Cold, Says British Trust, While Pledging $22 Billion for Vaccine Research Pandemic-related lockdowns are no longer practical, according to the UKs largest charitable foundation focused on health research, which has called for moving toward treating COVID-19 like the common cold. I dont think it can mean going back into regular lockdowns, because it is just not economically viable. We dont do that for the flu, we dont do that for the common cold, Nick Moakes, chief investment officer of Wellcome Trust, told The Telegraph. Moakes said it was time that society shifted to living with the novel coronavirus. The best-case end game is where it is treated like the common cold, like flu. And on an annual basis, those that are vulnerable get a jab against itand the rest of us have built up a degree of immunity that protects us sufficiently. And we do live with it, he said. Based in London, Wellcome Trust is one of the largest providers of nongovernmental funding for scientific research in the world. Wellcome was founded in 1936 by Henry Wellcome with funds from his medical business, which went on to become GlaxoSmithKline. Wellcome Trust was an early investor in food delivery company DoorDash and profited from its initial public offering at the end of 2020. The trust currently has an investment portfolio of 38.2 billion pounds ($52.4 billion). Wellcome was one of the institutions that funded research into developing the COVID-19 vaccine by Oxford University and AstraZeneca. With the expansion of its portfolio, Wellcome plans to invest 16 billion pounds ($22 billion)the most in its historytoward research on funding next-generation COVID-19 vaccines over the next decade, according to an update from the nonprofit on Jan. 11. It contributed $1.65 billion during the past year to research grants and other charitable activities. European countries are at a split on how to proceed regarding the coronavirus. While some maintain that China-like strict shutdown procedures and mandatory vaccines are the only way to move forward, others have diverted to a more lenient path. When the UK decided against imposing tighter restrictions, German Minister of Health Karl Lauterbach said, From my point of view, its an unethical bet. Meanwhile, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said, We have to evaluate the evolution of COVID from pandemic to an endemic illness. Moakes said the priority was to get vaccines to countries with lower percentages of inoculations, and that a situation where the population is completely rid of the virus isnt realistic. Particularly with Omicron, zero-COVID is not a realistic aspiration. Very few countries in the world are pursuing a zero-COVID policy, he said, according to The Telegraph. Dr. Mike Tildesley, a member of the Scientific Pandemic Influenza Group on Modelling and a University of Warwick professor, has forecast COVID-19 evolving to become less severe and toward being endemic. He said the highly transmissible but milder Omicron variant is the beginning of that process. Trial Postponed for Wisconsin Man Accused of Killing Parents MADISON, Wis.The trial for a Wisconsin man accused of killing and dismembering his parents has been postponed because he tested positive for COVID-19, according to court officials. The test result Tuesday for Chandler Halderson, 23, comes a day after the National Guard tested all the inmates in the Dane County Jail because of a surging number of coronavirus cases. Halderson is being tried in Dane County Circuit Court on charges of killing and dismembering Bart Halderson, 50, and Krista Halderson, 53, in July. Clerk of Circuit Court Carlo Esqueda said the length of the delay depends on whatever symptoms Halderson may have. Court officials expect the trial, which began Jan. 3, will be postponed until at least Jan. 18. Chandler Halderson in this booking photo. (Dane County Sheriff) Halderson is charged with first-degree intentional homicide, mutilating and hiding a corpse, and giving false information to authorities. Prosecutors say Halderson killed his parents July 1 after his father discovered hed been lying about attending Madison Area Technical Collegeone 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. Haldersons attorney has said that he didnt kill his parents and prosecutors dont know what happened. Bart Haldersons remains were found in rural Dane County on July 8, the day Chandler Halderson was arrested. Authorities said he was shot once before his body was dismembered. Six days later, investigators found Krista Haldersons remains along the Wisconsin River in Sauk County. Unsecured Elections Are State and National Security Threat: Michigan Secretary of State Candidate Kristina Karamo Kristina Karamo, a Republican and a mother of two, decided to run for Michigan Secretary of State last year after witnessing irregularities during the 2020 election. She said securing elections are critical because theyre at the forefront of everything we have. Unsecured elections are state and national security threat, Karamo told The Epoch Times Tuesday. In order to protect our liberty and to maintain control over our government, we must protect our faith in who is sitting in various positions of power. And if we dont secure our elections, we dont have a functional Republic left. Karamo serves as a professor at Wayne County Community College. In March 2021, she declared her run for Secretary of State, the states top election officer. I was a poll challenger at the TCF center in Detroit. And I personally witnessed illegal ballots being cast. And I personally witnessed other laws being violated, said Karamo. I was in the TCF center for a total of 37 hours. And after leaving out, it was unreal. Its like coming out of a war zone, which I dont say that lightly. Poll workers board up windows so ballot challengers cant see into the ballot counting area at the TCF Center where ballots are being counted in downtown Detroit, Mich., on Nov. 4, 2020. (Seth Herald/AFP via Getty Images) Karamo came forward and spoke upas one of the whistleblowers at the timeand testified before the state senate oversight committee. But nothing happened. So I just decided Im gonna run for Secretary of State because Im not gonna sit here and just expect other people to solve issues when I know Im competent enough to solve them myself, Karamo said. Not just because she feels like she has the competency as an individual, Karamo explained, but also because she has competent individuals around her who can give her advice. Her campaign website states that Karamo now leads a research teamcomprised of former Secretary of State personnelwhich forms the basis of her future policy team. Election Integrity is a Voter Rights issue Election integrity is a voter rights issue because were trying to improve and expand on voter rights to ensure that when we cast the vote, its legally counted and not nullified by illegal ones, Karamo said. Currently, Democrats and Republicans have polarized views on how to administer an election. For example, Republicans deem voter ID requirements essential for election integrity; Democrats think that would disproportionally burden certain voters, thus suppressing voter rights. Karamo said voter ID should be required. We need to have voter IDstoo critical to our election system, Karamo said. When youre dealing with a secure system, we always have to err on the side of security, not err on the side of people will do the right thing. So we must have voter ID. In Michigan, even though voter ID is required, voters can still cast a ballot without a voter IDas long as they sign an affidavit attesting that a photo ID is not with themand the ballot will be counted with all other ballots on Election Day. Karamo said even with the regulation in place, the Secretary of State still has broad latitude to minimize the problems. When issues are challenging, there are so many administrative liberties that the Secretary of State has to overwhelm those legislative challenges to where they minimize some of the problems, Karamo said. For example, the Secretary of State could investigate and ensure those voters without voter IDs are who they say they are, said Karamo. Another concern is the same-day registration, said Karamo. One of the biggest problems we have is same-day registration, that has to go away, Karamo said. Weve done over 150 events in the campaigns. Ive talked to lots of clerks. And same-day voter registration is a total nightmare, Karamo said, noting that theres no waiting period to verify the person is a legal voter, and its hard to prevent fraud. She also wouldnt allow private money, like Mark Zuckerbergs money, to be used in Michigan elections if she elected, Karamo said. Because whatll happen is, youll have a private group tell a clerk or municipalityif you do this, Ill give you X amount of dollars, Karamo said. You ask for corruption. Youre asking for it. So that is something that I just would not allow. Karamo criticized current Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson for corrupting the election system. Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson speaks in Detroit, Mich., on Aug. 18, 2020. (Rebecca Cook/Reuters) She said Benson did nothing about the election irregularities in the 2020 election, such as people receiving absentee ballots in dead relatives name, stopping the count of ballots in the middle of the night, accepting and funneling Zuckerbergs money to Democrat counties, etc. And then after the election, she claimed that she claimed that she conducted an audit and she lied because she is guilty of the sin of lying through omission, Karamo said. She purposely left out the fact that she opted for a weaker audit. She did not even follow her own post-election audit manual. Liz Boyd, spokeswoman for the Benson for Secretary of State Committee, responded to The Epoch Times via email that in 2020 Benson presided over the most secure election in Michigan history that saw record turnout even during a pandemic. This has been confirmed by hundreds of audits and the Republican-led Senate Oversight Committee, which found no evidence of fraud in the 2020 election. Local election officials on both sides of the aisle have credited Secretary Benson with implementing programs that have made it possible for every voterno matter who they vote forto cast their ballots in a safe and efficient manner, Boyd added. Benson hasnt announced her reelection race yet but is expected to run. Last November, Bensons campaign had a total of over $1 million in hand after expenses, compared to Karamos $116,000, according to financial data on Michigan candidates. Karamo said shes not worried about that because Benson is the incumbent and is expected to lead in campaign funds. And a lot of people are not ready to donate before the primary season. Im the challenger. Therefore I have an uphill battle, and I know well be victorious. In Michigan, Republican and Democratic Parties hold endorsement conventions instead of primaries to determine nominees for secretary of state, attorney general, and state supreme court. The GOP convention is scheduled to be on April 23, four months earlier than usual. Other Republican candidates for secretary of state are two township clerks, Cindy Berry and Cathleen Postmus, and a Michigan House of Representatives member, Beau LaFave. Last September, former President Donald Trump endorsed Karamo. Fight for Every Michigander Irrespective of Political Affiliation Im determined to fight for every Michigander irrespective of political affiliation, Karamo said. This should not be a partisan issue. This is an American issue. This is the issue of voter rights. Karamo said if a group of Democrats came forward alleging Republicans engaging in election fraud, as the Secretary of State, she would investigate that as well. She wont ignore it because election fraud is a form of voter suppression. Its a voter rights issue. Karamo encouraged people to get involved as early as in the primary season. The primaries are important. The primaries are the opportunity when you get to pick competent people to run in the general, but too often in the general people are kind of feel as though theyre stuck with the lesser of two evils, Karamo said. America is a republic that can totally be saved. But it requires all of us to be involved and fight back, Karamo added. So I encourage people to get involved. Trustworthiness is one of the qualities she has, Karamo said. Im a woman of my word. I fear God above everything else, Karamo continued. When you realize that at the end of the day, you answer to somebody else for the choices you makesomebody greater than yourselfyou function a lot differently in life, in decisions you make. Utah, Minnesota Face Legal Action for Factoring Race, Ethnicity in Administering COVID-19 Drugs A nonprofit group led by former members of the Trump administration on Wednesday threatened to sue the health departments of Minnesota and Utah after they issued guidance that considers race and ethnicity to determine COVID-19 treatment eligibility. America First Legal (AFL) in two separate letters to both states accused the health departments of issuing blatantly racist, unconstitutional, and immoral policies that direct the ration of medicine based on race and self-selected ethnicity. In Utah, COVID-19 patients are subject to a scoring system to determine who is most at risk, and therefore, eligible for certain treatments. The racial/ethnic category receives two points, similar to patients with the highest-risk comorbidities such as being severely immunocompromised, having diabetes, or being obese. The system grants one point for COVID-19 patients with other high-risk comorbidities, including hypertension, coronary artery disease, chronic kidney disease, congestive heart failure, and chronic liver disease. A patients age also determines how many points they receive. A person aged 16 to 20 would receive one point, while those aged 71 to 80 would receive four. Meanwhile, in Minnesota, a document from the health department says that based on guidance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, race and ethnicity alone, apart from other underlying health conditions, may be considered in determining a patients eligibility for [monoclonal antibodies]. The FDA has acknowledged that in addition to certain underlying health conditions, race and ethnicity may also place individual parents at high risk for progression to severe COVID-19, the document states. It is ethically appropriate to consider whether a patient has elevated risk of poor COVID-19 outcomes and that this risk cannot be adequately addressed by determining eligibility based on underlying health conditions (perhaps due to impaired access to health care and underdiagnosis of health conditions that elevates risk of poor COVID-19 outcomes), it says. AFL President Stephen Miller issued a statement calling for the policies to be immediately rescinded. These racist policies decide questions of life and death based on skin color and must be rescinded immediately. Its an abomination. They radically violate federal law, the United States Constitution, and the sacred principle of equal justice for all, said Miller. Equity is the use of raw societal power to discriminate against American citizens based on their race or other protected characteristicsand these equity programs spreading throughout government must be abolished if liberty and equality are to survive and endure. No right is safe if the government can award or deny medical care based on race. End this horrid injustice, Miller added. Gene Hamilton, AFLs vice-president and general counsel, said the policies are rooted in Marxist principles and social justice. They demand the use of government power to distribute and redistribute resources not based on equal rights, but based on equity, he said in a statement. All Americans who reject the influence of Marxism and support equal rights for all should prepare themselves to fight back against these efforts in the weeks, months, and years ahead. We at America First Legal will not stand by idly and let this happen, Hamilton added. The Epoch Times has reached out to the Minnesota Department of Health and Utahs health department for comment. Members of National Nurses United rally in front of the Brooklyn VA Medical Center for the alleviation of staffing shortages at VA hospitals nationwide, on January 13, 2022. (Dave Paone/The Epoch Times) VA Nurses Union Holds Brooklyn Rally to Address Staffing Shortage BROOKLYN, New YorkNational Nurses United, the union that represents nurses at hospitals throughout the United Statesincluding several Veterans Affairs hospitals in New Yorkis holding localized rallies nationwide this week in an effort to alleviate staffing shortages at veterans hospitals. About 20 members of the New York region gathered at the entrance to the Brooklyn VA Medical Center at 7:30 am on Jan. 13, with signs and speeches in hand. The first member to speak was medical-surgical nurse Carissa Coccimiglio. She spoke of her time working at the location since 2015. As the years went on, I have noticed significant changes here and not for the better. The facility is expecting nurses to take on more and more responsibility, to meet certain criteria so our hospital can receive an X number of stars, she said in her prepared statement. Coccimiglio went on to say the number of nurses on staff has dwindled and theres moral distress amongst them because of the hospitals failure to provide adequate staffing. This, in turn, has led to poor quality care for the veterans and a safety issue for the nurses, she said. Medical-surgical nurse Carissa Coccimiglio reads her prepared statement at the National Nurses United rally in front of the Brooklyn VA Medical Center on Jan. 13, 2022. (Dave Paone/The Epoch Times) The NNU is demanding the VA hire more nurses, including contract or travel nurses on a temporary basis, and streamline the hiring process. Our process is one of the slowest, James Young, an infectious control nurse and the director at NNU, told The Epoch Times. Young believes the VA hospitals are so short-staffed that each campus needs at least 15 to 20 new hires. He said recruits could be from other agencies, recent graduates, or from out of state. Travel nurses would be provided housing, as they were during the early days of the pandemic. While the pandemic hasnt helped the situation, Young said the staffing shortage had been going on for years, and put the blame squarely on the VA, saying it has not lived up to the demands of the needs of veterans. Young said the latest spike in cases of the Omicron variant includes nurses, so the already diminished staffs get even smaller when large numbers of them call in sick. Maria Lobifaro is an Intensive Care Unit nurse and the associate director of NNU. She worked at the Brooklyn VA Medical Center full time for nearly 10 years. But last month she made the decision to convert from full-time to intermittent. The decision was solely made on the way that theyre staffing this hospital, she told The Epoch Times. It is unsafe. Not just for veterans, but for nurses. She went on to say that nurses are regularly expected to take assignments outside of their scope of practice, and that puts their nursing licenses in jeopardy. Lobifaro said shes personally met with upper management of the hospital on four separate occasions in 2021, and voiced her concerns regarding the staffing shortage each time. It fell on deaf ears, she said. The first meeting, they completely brushed it off. We told them, Your contract nurses are getting ready to leave; the regular nurses that work here cannot staff this facility. Didnt do anything. Lobifaro said this was repeated three more times. Members of National Nurses United rally in front of the Brooklyn VA Medical Center for the alleviation of staffing shortages at VA hospitals nationwide, on Jan. 13, 2022. (Dave Paone/The Epoch Times) Gene DiGiacomo was one of the two Vietnam veterans in attendance. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1968-70. The system doesnt care, the 77-year-old told The Epoch Times. As a cancer survivor of Agent Orange, DiGiacomo has been in and out of the Brooklyn VA hospital countless times over the decades and has seen firsthand the need for a better allocation of funds. This government has a tendency of always putting money other places, he said. They seem to think that we did our job and were done. DiGiacomo has witnessed the staffing shortage personally. Theres not enough staffing to cover the people who need help. Michael A. Drake, the public affairs officer for the VAs NY Harbor Healthcare System, responded to The Epoch Times request for a comment with an email stating, The VA New York Harbor Healthcare System is meeting this nation-wide staffing shortage head-on by streamlining our recruitment for essential healthcare roles, which includes fast-tracking the onboarding process for nursing staff. We are proud of our nurses for continuing to deliver exceptional care to our veterans during this pandemic. In the meantime, DiGiacomo offers this solution: Its very simple. Staff us up. The Google logo is seen outside the Google Germany offices in Berlin on Aug. 31, 2021. (Sean Gallup/Getty Images) Watchdog Says Google Offers to Exclude Showcase From General Searches in Germany BERLINGoogle has offered to remove Google News Showcase content from general search results in Germany in a bid to end a competition inquiry, the countrys Federal Cartel Office said on Wednesday. Alphabets Google launched Google News Showcase in 2020. The platform promotes content from more than 1,000 publishers that have agreed to license content for a fee. Germanys Cartel Office said in June that it was investigating Googles Showcase product under new powers to regulate internet companies, after a complaint by Corint Media, which manages the rights of German television and radio stations. The Bonn-based Cartel Office is concerned that Googles dealmaking power could lead to some news providers being squeezed out of the market, and that including Showcase results into its general search engine could give it an unfair advantage over competitors. The German Cartel Office said in a statement that Google has now given assurances that access to Showcase was based on objective criteria. It also said that the conditions for Showcase participation would not impede a publishers ability to assert general ancillary copyright, under which content providers must pay publishers for the use of news snippets. The regulator said that the investigation will now consult with Corint Media as well as with other news publishers to assess whether Googles proposal would be effective. Reuters signed a News showcase agreement with Google a year ago, and Wall Street Journal owner News Corp. closed a similar deal a month later. Corint Media, based in Berlin, said it welcomed the Cartel Offices announcement on Wednesday. This means that the substitute competition by Google that had been feared, which would have made the offerings of publishers dispensable in the long run, will not be possible, Christoph Schwennicke and Markus Runde, managing directors of Corint, said in a statement. Corint says it manages the rights of almost all German and several international private television and radio stations as well as of numerous press publishers. Google said it was working closely with the Cartel Office to find the right approach as efficiently as possible. We have already made some adjustments and proposed further improvements. We will also address further questions, it said, adding that it would continue to work on its Showcase offering. By Maria Sheahan, Klaus Lauer and Nadine Schimroszik Darrell Brooks is escorted out of the courtroom after making his initial appearance in Waukesha County Court in Waukesha, Wis., on Nov. 23, 2021. (Mark Hoffman/Pool/Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel via AP) Waukesha Christmas Parade Attack Suspect Darrell Brooks Faces 71 New Charges Waukesha Christmas Parade attack suspect Darrell Brooks is facing 71 new charges in an amended criminal complaint filed by prosecutors on Wednesday. Brooks, 39, a convicted felon with a long history of criminal charges, now faces 77 charges in total for allegedly ramming his red Ford Escape into a Christmas parade in Waukesha on Nov. 21, killing six people and injuring scores more. He steered his vehicle for five blocks through the parade route in the Milwaukee suburb of Waukesha according to the complaint. It cites police estimates that the SUV reached speeds of up to 25 mph and says some people landed on the hood, with Brooks carrying them along. Brooks was charged with six counts of homicide two days after the parade. The new charges include multiple counts of reckless endangerment, hit-and-run involving death, battery, and bail jumping. Those killed in the incident were Wilhelm Hospel, 81, Virginia Sorenson, 79; LeAnna Owen, 71; Tamara Durand, 52, Jane Kulich, 52, and Jackson Sparks, 8. All of the victims who were killed and most of the people that were injured were walking right down the middle of the road in plain view, the complaint said. (The street) was clearly closed to traffic, there were barricades in place and police present to direct motorists for the entire length of the parade route. Just minutes before driving through the parade, Brooks beat up the mother of his child because she had not bailed him out of jail several days earlier after he was arrested for running her over with the same SUV, the complaint said. Days after the Christmas parade attack, Waukesha residents told The Epoch Times they were shaken, heartbroken, and in disbelief. Elizabeth Boyd, who works at real estate investment and property management company Smart Asset Realty in downtown Waukesha, told The Epoch Times that although she wasnt at the Christmas parade, several of her colleagues who did attend were left shaken by what they witnessed. I have lived in Waukesha my whole life and dont think anything like this has happened before. It was very hard to process. It really breaks your heart, said Boyd. Karla Maldonado, manager at Smart Asset Realty, said she met with colleagues on Nov. 22 to draw inspiring messages on their business windows. She told The Epoch Times that she is having difficulty processing the events that unfolded the night before. This is really hitting home. I couldnt believe it could happen. I dont think I have fully processed it and most of the time I try not to think about it, Maldonado said, adding that when her son told her about the incident, she was in complete shock and immediately called everyone she knew at the parade to make sure they were safe. A business owner in her 50s in downtown Waukesha, who declined to disclose her name in fear of repercussions, described the attack as a senseless act. Brooks has a preliminary hearing in the case scheduled for Friday, during which a judge will determine whether theres enough evidence to proceed to trial. He is currently being held in Waukesha County jail on $5 million bail. Cara Ding and The Associated Press contributed to this report. WESTON A group of students has created an online petition after high school administrators announced the school will have midterms starting next week. The petition states the COVID pandemic is raging through the school system and has created obstacles to students learning, preventing them from preparing for the exams. It also said the pandemic has affected students mental health and asks administrators to take that into account and cancel the exams like other high schools have done. Midtems are scheduled for next Friday and then the following Monday through Thursday. We respectfully request that the decision to proceed with midterms be reconsidered as the student body attempts to navigate through an already extremely stressful time in our lives, the petition reads. It also points to the number of students who are unable to be in school because they tested positive and are in isolation or are a close contact to a positive case and are quarantining, with the possibility it could worsen as the omicron variant spreads. These students who are being affected by the virus are already facing an obstruction to their learning by being required to stay home from school and learn remotely, reads the petition, which doesnt name its organizers other than concerned students. According to the petition, there were 157 students who tested positive or were in quarantine in the district as of last Tuesday or Wednesday. According to the districts COVID dashboard, there were 65 students who tested positive or were in quarantine as of this Tuesday. While certain students may have been able to utilize the time over break or the few days this week to study for the exams, what about the students who cant? the petition states. Many students have been sick, been spending time with ill family members, and have missed out on receiving the extra help they need. Juliane Givoni, Weston High Schools interim principal, sent an email to families last Friday announcing midterms would go forward with some alterations. In light of the recent and current COVID-19 case rates affecting our school community, I felt it necessary to assess whether moving forward with exams as originally planned was still appropriate and feasible, she said. Givoni said she spoke with student leaders, representatives from the Parent Teacher Organization, teachers, counselors, school and district administrators, and colleagues from neighboring districts. In the course of my conversations, students and adults affirmed my own belief that a) there is value in the practice of preparing and sitting for a cumulative assessment, and b) the scoring of said assessments provides valuable data regarding student performance, Givoni said. However, we share concerns about student readiness and instructional continuity due to recent COVID-19 related absences, as well as uncertainty around what the outlook will be two weeks from now, when exams are slated to begin. Among the changes is having the exams count for less of the overall grade in the course. Teachers also have the ability to alter the content, format and intensity of the exam based on what was actually covered in class. How the tests will be given was already changed earlier this year to shorten the testing period and add more break time between exams. We will monitor student absences to assess the need for additional make-up exam periods beyond those already scheduled, Givoni said, adding teachers are available for extra help, as well as the writing center and math lab. The midterms wont be given remotely and students isolating or in quarantine will make up the tests when they return in person, she said. Any additional school cancellations will push the schedule back that number of days, Givoni said. I have learned much as an educator amidst a pandemic, most notably that flexibility is key, Givoni wrote. We continue to monitor the health and wellbeing of our students and staff, and we seek to respond in an informed and measured capacity. While the online petition had a little more than 600 signatures as of Wednesday afternoon, many of the online comments about why people were signing it were jokes. Some comments did focus on the negative effect students said the exams would have on their mental health alongside the pandemic. The petition said the high schools mission statement is to empower each student to serve as part of a caring and supporting community. Now, more than ever, the student body urges administration to put the mental health and safety of its students first, it said. The students of WHS are currently dealing with the health, social, and emotional effects of the pandemic. The administration should show empathy to the students and understand what we are going through as we try to simultaneously navigate the pandemic and continue to adapt to the new school year. Dreamstime / TNS The head of a Norwalk environmental consulting company has pleaded guilty to paying bribes to a maintenance official at Massachusetts colleges to obtain work contracts, federal prosecutors said. Stephen Dinapoli, of Wilton, pleaded guilty in federal court in Springfield, Mass., to one count of conspiracy and two counts of bribery concerning programs receiving federal funds, the U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of Massachusetts said. He is scheduled to appear for sentencing on April 20. 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. 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. 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. Salida, CO (81201) Today Sunshine early followed by partly cloudy skies and gusty winds this afternoon. High 72F. Winds S at 20 to 30 mph. Higher wind gusts possible.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies. Low 38F. Winds WSW at 15 to 25 mph. Higher wind gusts possible. Sevierville, TN (37876) Today A mix of clouds and sun. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 87F. Winds SW at 10 to 20 mph.. Tonight Cloudy skies early with scattered thunderstorms developing late. Low 63F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%. Kingston, TN (37763) Today A mix of clouds and sun. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High near 85F. Winds SSW at 10 to 20 mph.. Tonight Scattered thunderstorms. Low 64F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%. Instant unlimited access to all of our content on thenewsguard.com. The News Guard E-Edition Newsletter emailed to you each week, the night before the paper hits the street! This subscription is for NEW or RENEWING online subscribers. (The charge will appear as "Country Media Inc." on your credit card statement) A Nigerian online news outlet, The Nigerian Voice, yesterday reported that one Moses Oko who allegedly murdered the late Jennifer Anthony has been arrested and would be be tried before a competent court of jurisdiction after the police concluded their investigation. The gruesome and disheartening murder of the late Miss Jennifer Anthony had trailed the social media with many cautioning ladies,especially, to be careful of those they keep company with either as in relationship or friendship. While I, on one hand, deeply commiserate with the family and friends of the deceased for the huge lost of this their promising and lovely loved one, I also, on the other hand, send kudos to the State Command of Nigeria Police Force for their swift action and move which they took into the painful incident. Considering how the suspected killer was arrested, it is not an understatement that Nigeria Police Force is still efficient and effective to their call mandate. Though, there may be some ugly treads within the force like harassment, extortion, brutality, among other vices, yet, some Nigerian police officers have displayed some level of dedication to ensure justice is served without bias and also to ensure the laws and order are maintained in accordance with the Constitution of the country. According to The Nigerian Voice, the alleged murderer was apprehended in Makurdi, Benue State after he had committed the crime in Jos. I know that the police ordinarily did what they are paid and employed for, but I still use this piece to commend the efforts of the police team in the state command who got the serial killer arrested in due course to face the wrath of the law. Mind you, the contention of this treatise is not only to praise the Nigeria Police Force alone, but also to reflect on the circumstances of the atrocious criminality. Moses Oko, the suspected murderer, is not more than 20 years of age. I repeat, he is just twenty year-old, two years below mine. Could you just imagine his temerity, effrontery and audacity to carry out such crime! Intriguingly, what could have made a 20 - year- old agile man gruesomely murdered his harmless beautiful girlfriend? I would like to read the psychological perspective of Professor John Egbeazien Oshodi on the possible state of the psychology of this young man before he executed his nefarious act. While I cannot tell what might have transpired between him and the deceased, I would like to know his motives, mission and aims for killing his fellow human? Frankly speaking, I'm perplexed and I despise this country, Nigeria! A country where the leaders; political, religious and institutional, are selfish, greedy, heartless,corrupt and nonchalant to the plights of average people. A country where the elders are self-centered, liers, betrayers and thieves who reap off the country at the detriment of its stability. A country where those who should be entrusted with the future of the country are now rather fully engaged in all sort of criminalities: Yahoo plus, political thuggery, etcetera. A country where everyone is craving and desperate to get quick wealth and sudden stardom. I certainly weep for the country and for the future of myself. To talk about the society, the society itself is in disarray. No more moral values to be enforced. Perhaps, who moral values help when the society is readily in search for wealthy person to bestow an honorary title even without investigating the source of the person's wealth. Who really cares for any social values when many a parents eulogize a child who comes home with exotic cars and expensive designers without even knowing what the child does for the large - living. What does one expect when the society only acknowledges those with money, even in religious gatherings? Sadly to say, some things have gone wrong in the society of ours. Nevertheless, at least, to correct these anomalies, the government should provide employment for the increasing youth population, or otherwise create a well enabling environment for the youth to use their creative minds to provide jobs for themselves. In the same vein, the society as well must refrain from praising those whose sources of wealth are suspicious in order to return sanctity and sanity to our society. To my fellow young individuals, take note that shortcut cuts one's life short as Dr Ganiu Bamgbose, one of my lecturers, will always say. I will implore you not to be in hurry to enjoy life. Contentment, diligent, endurance and consistent are key factors that bring everlasting joy to one's life without hitch. Therefore, On this note, I so submit to fellow Nigerians! Damilare Adeleye is a content writer and an undergraduate in Lagos State University. Can be reached via 09063561152 It has started, the quest for a better Nigeria in 2023. Who are the ones running? How many are vying?. We are in crucial and very giddy times, where we have to be meticulous in our validations. Personally, the 2023 election is an election of reckoning. President Buhari has disclosed that even if he has a desired candidate, he would rather not specify, so that the person would not be eliminated before the election. President Buhari also added that he is not a Kingmaker and that if the party cannot agree, the opposition would take over, meaning that those who want to contest should work for it and also hinting that the opposition has a footing. Nigeria is in a setting, the 2023 election is in a frame and the candidates, the major thread. A critical reminder to every candidate is that, the system would be more effective this time and as required, the law and the conclusion of the people must prevail. We have all seen the likes of Bola Tinubu, Dave Umahi, Dele Momodu, Yahaya Bello, Pius Anyim and others not identified declare to run for Presidency. It is important to note that they all have the right to contest for the position but the equilibrium here, is competency and character. We have also seen recent photos in the media, where it seems that former President Jonathan and Incumbent President Buhari are very close. Should we expect anything from these two? Do they think that we know there is something to it? It is the same Jonathan that the President Buhari administration viciously blamed for everything that is inappropriate with Nigeria today and now he and President Buhari are seen as buddies. Politics is indeed a network of no permanent foes but only connected interests. Nigerians, the major stakeholders of the Nation herself, should be nothing less than attentive to these findings. It is true that we want a new Nigeria, a better environment and a greater future for the younger generation but we should also remember that a wrong choice can jeopardize these desires. Elections are all about choosing right and not just choosing. Every citizen should bear in mind that the Life of this Giant called Nigeria, depends on the right choice in 2023. I believe that we would elect who can fix the economy, who can be strong, energetic, sensitive and healthy and a leader with a working team that will serve selflessly. In Nigeria, we know anything is possible but we as the people should as well note the fact that Nobody owns Nigeria, rather, the ownership is collective. Our Country shall survive. Contact: [email protected] New York, January 13, 2022 Nigerien authorities should not contest the appeals of journalists Moussa Aksar and Samira Sabou, and should reform the countrys cybercrime law to ensure it is not used to prosecute the press, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On January 3, the High Court in Niamey, Nigers capital, convicted Aksar and Sabou of violating the countrys 2019 cybercrime law, according to Ahamed Mamane, the journalists lawyer, who spoke to CPJ in a phone interview. The court convicted Sabou, editor of the privately owned Niger Search news website and manager of the privately owned Mides-Niger news website, of defamation by electronic communication, according to Mamane and court documents reviewed by CPJ. Aksar, publication director of the privately owned LEvenement newspaper and chair of the Norbert Zongo Cell for Investigative Journalism in West Africa (CENOZO), a Burkina Faso-based news outlet and investigative journalism organization, was convicted of the same defamation charge and of dissemination of data likely to disturb public order or undermine human dignity, according to those sources. Aksar was given a suspended prison sentence of two months and fined 100,000 West African francs (US$172); Sabou was given a suspended prison sentence of one month and fined 50,000 francs (US$86), according to Mamane and those documents. The journalists appealed the convictions on January 4; Mamane told CPJ that a hearing date for the appeal had not been set. Authorities in Niger should not oppose journalists Moussa Aksar and Samira Sabous appeals of their convictions, and should instead focus on reforming their cybercrime law to ensure journalists are not subject to legal harassment, said Angela Quintal, CPJs Africa program coordinator. Across Africa and the world, laws focused on cybercrime have been leveraged to prosecute journalists for sharing or reporting news online. Its an alarming trend that must be reversed. The charges stem from the journalists connections to a May 2021 report about drug trafficking in Niger, originally published by the Global Initiative Against Transnational Crime, a Switzerland-based organization that tracks organized crime. LEvenement republished that report on its website, and Mides-Niger published a summary of the report, which Sabou also posted on her Facebook page, according to Mamane and Sabou, who also spoke to CPJ by phone. Sabous professional Facebook page, where she frequently posts reporting and commentary, has about 110,000 followers. In a response to that reporting, Nigers Central Office for the Repression of Illicit Trafficking (OCRTIS) defended its work and said the report contained unfounded accusations. Authorities arrested and questioned Sabou over that report in May, and summoned Aksar about it in July, according to a joint statement by the U.N. Special Rapporteurs for human rights defenders and freedom of opinion and expression. In June, the Central Office for the Repression of Illicit Trafficking filed a defamation complaint against the Global Initiative; it withdrew that complaint in December, but Nigers state prosecutor continued the prosecution of the journalists for sharing the reporting, according to multiple reports by the initiative and the withdrawal request letter, which CPJ reviewed. Reached by phone yesterday, Niger state prosecutor Chaibou Moussa Saidou Maiga requested questions on the case sent via messaging app; CPJ sent those questions but received no response. When CPJ called Omar Guero Dan Mallal, a lawyer for the Central Office for the Repression of Illicit Trafficking, he asked CPJ to call back in an hour; when CPJ did so, no one answered. CPJs calls to the organizations director, Boubacar Issaka Oumarou, also went unanswered. Separately, in May 2021, Aksar was convicted of defamation under the cybercrime law and ordered to pay 200,000 West African francs (US$367) in a fine and 1,000,000 francs (US$1,835) in damages over a September 2020 LEvenement report alleging embezzlement at the countrys Ministry of Defense, according to Mamane, as well as news reports and a tweet by the Norbert Zongo Cell for Investigative Journalism in West Africa. Mamane told CPJ that Aksar has appealed that conviction and the next court date is scheduled for March 14. Previously, in June 2020, Sabou was jailed on cybercrime charges following a defamation complaint about a post on her Facebook page about an audit of Nigers military, as CPJ reported at the time. Mamane told CPJ that the case had been sent for review by the Court of Cassation, and a next hearing date had not been set. Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State has assured that Igbo Presidency, come 2023, would further unite, rather than divide Nigeria.. Umahi made the declaration in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State capital on Thursday, shortly after returning from Abuja where he met with President Buhari over his presidential ambition. Umahi was speaking against the backdrop of alleged fears in some quarters that an Igbo President would split the country. He emphasized that the industrious nature of an Igbo man has made him a natural builder with investments across the country, adding that no real Igbo man would want to destroy what he has built over the years. The Southeast Governor's forum chairman, stated emphatically, that the Igbo's of South east were better placed in continuing to be part of Nigeria. He maintained that any one found fanning the embers of secession should be crushed, stressing that Ebonyi is not, and cannot be part of Biafra. Umahi said: "My position for Southeast governors is that anyone that wants to cause insecurity in Southeast must be crushed. " Enough is enough. "Our economy has been destroyed, and we warned about it. " If not by the grace of God, southeast would have been destroyed before other parts of Nigeria. "The people doing this are just very little, and insignificant part of the entire people of Southeast: they were dishing out those hate speeches. " The Igbo man is a builder, not a destroyer. "And let no body be afraid of the presidency of an Igbo man. " There is no body from the Southeast that will become president that will not work for the greater unity of this country, because we have invested everywhere. "I have been saying it, and Elechi said it, that Ebonyi State is not part of Biafra. "We've been so oppressed, and now we are finding our feet, and you want us to go back. "We will not." On his Presidential ambition, Umahi, noted that he would fight corruption in the country to standstill, while creating strong infrastructural base for total development, if he succeeds. He acknowledged that he may not be the most qualified among the contenders but insisted that like David, the man of war, he was backed by his relationship with God, and the prayers of the clergy and elders of the State. He however, asked his supporters not to be given to provocation, but allow God to fight the battle. He said: "I am the choice that Nigeria is waiting for. "Other aspirants may be more qualified than I am, but don't forget that I am David. "What we have that others do not have is God, and prayers "As president of Nigeria, God willing, In will fight the corruption in this country to a standstill. "What we did in Ebonyi State, we will replicate in Nigeria: quality hospitals like the King David university of medical sciences in all zones of the country. " So, let no man be afraid of the presidency of an Igbo man because no Igbo man will fail Nigeria as a president." While soliciting for prayers from the Christian Association of Nigeria, he assured Ebonyi people that pursuing his ambition will never delay any of his developmental projects in the State. In their separate speeches, the Ebonyi State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Stanley Okoro Emegha, and the chairman of the State Elders Council, Chief Ben Oka, among others, applauded the developmental achievements of Governor Umahi in the state, calling on him to unconditionally accept the beckoning of Nigerians to be the President of this country come 2023 The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has apprehended one Oluwasegun Bolarinwa, who claims to an Army General, for alleged N270 million fraud. The suspect, Oluwasegun Bolarinwa, who posed as a Nigerian Army General, allegedly made false representations to the complainant, Kodef Clearing Resources. He claimed President Muhammadu Buhari shortlisted him and one other to become Chief of Army Staff (COAS) and that he needed a short grant to press and process the appointment. Bolarinwa allegedly forged a letter of appointment as COAS purportedly signed by Buhari and showed the same to the victim. Fake Army General Oluwasegun Bolarinwa The suspect, reportedly lied that he was expected to pay a certain amount of money into the coffers of the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN). Bolarinwa was arrested at his house in the Alagbado area of Lagos on Wednesday, January 12, 2022. Six pump action guns, three cartridge bullets, a swagger stick and several forged documents were recovered from him. EFCC spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren, noted that Bolarinwa will be charged to court after investigation is completed. If you want to know how your wife will look in old age, just look at your mother-in-law. - African Proverb Only earlier this week former Lagos State Governor and National leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu, made known his intention to join the race for the number one position of the country, the Nigerian Presidency. Tinubu a seasoned politician and adjudged determining factor of South Western politics, is certainly not just another flash in the pan politician whos declaration should be seen as a media stunt, neither are his political antecedents unknown to any grown up Nigerian. Dubbed Jagaban of Nigerian politics, he has survived the political transition from one dispensation to the other, successfully installing and removing loyalists in his state of Lagos and even beyond Lagos to almost all the South Western states where he has proven his grit by installing his loyalists whom he usually groomed from Lagos to take over in their various states. He was adjudged the single most influential person at the inception of the Buhari administration producing a Vice-President and several ministers, including other juicy positions where he put his boys. Tinubu who many have touted to be the magic wand that gave success to the 2015 victory of APC via the Northern and Southern alliance, midwifed by him, has also proven his mettle in governance as reflected in his tenure as Lagos State Governor. He has also succeeded in making and maintaining his wife as senator and his family members as important officials in the state. He is incontestably a powerful man with the track record of delivery. This is why his decision to throw in the hat in the race didnt come as a surprise but was expected long ago even though many political pundits have criticized it owing to the toga of a king maker which he carries but has now refuted; others have criticized this decision based on his age. They have complained that he may be too old to run a complex nation like Nigeria and may lack the physical and intellectual strength needed for such a task. All these postulations may be valid or not depending on which side of the divide one falls. However I have my grouse buried deep in his statement to journalists after his visit to the president, where he declared his intent. According to news outlets Sen. Ahmed Bola Tinubu, while fielding questions from reporters stated thus, I have the confidence, vision, and capacity to rule, build on the foundation of Mr. President and Nigeria better. Ive done that before in Lagos State. Youve seen that experience and the capacity to turn things around and that is what we are doing. This is certainly the greatest political and ironic statement ever! This is unfortunately reminiscent of the failed bogus and in-explanatory statements bandied during the 2015 Buhari/Osinbajo campaign where so many unrealistic promise were made without practical proof as to how they would be delivered, just because it came from a man Nigerians believed was honest and a performer in previous outings ( especially the younger generation who had not witnessed his administration in the military but heard of superfluous feats achieved and had longed to enjoy a replay), but have had their dreams shattered as nearly all these promises remained at the podiums where they were spoken and the bill boards they were displayed. It is pertinent this time around to critically ask Tinubu what he meant by the above statement. We will save ourselves another 4 or 8 years of the locust if he specifically tells Nigerians what foundation the PMB administration has laid which he has promised to build upon. It will be clearer if Jagaban tells us what aspects he is building upon. Is it the security sector which is completely dysfunctional? Is it the nepotism that has become a cankerworm in the fabric of the nation? Is it the inability of the administration to drift the nation away from our over dependence on crude revenues but has rather deepened our dependence on it? Is this foundation that of inability to fight corruption but rather provide a cushion for it to relax and continue to eat deep into the life of Nigeria? Did Tinubu in his declaration to build on PMBs foundation refer to the bastardized nations judiciary? Does he intend to take us through another round of reckless borrowing and also Father Christmas sharing in the name of several empowerment schemes whose only achievement has been to become cash cows for a cabal who has taken advantage of our lack of data to eek a living off the acclaimed poverty alleviation programs? For me this declaration no clear! Jagaban has to actually tell us if he intends to steer the ship away from the current docile and failed (it is however worth mentioning that the government has done well in the delivery of the SKUK projects) trajectory or he intends to bamboozle us with grammar when electioneering campaigns begin like they did in 2015, so as to send us deeper into the abyss of failure! I pray Asiwaju comes out to simplify because using Buhari as your yardstick is as suspect as the looks a hungry cat gives a piece of iced fish. Ati Terkula writes from Makurdi, Benue State. No need to close schools where COVID cases found BANGKOK: There is no need to completely close schools where COVID-19 cases are found, because most already have effective control measures in place to halt the spread of any infection, a senior Health Ministry official said yesterday (Jan 12). CoronavirusCOVID-19healthVaccine By Bangkok Post Thursday 13 January 2022, 08:30AM Students take a nasal swab for an antigen test before class starts on their first day back at Yamjardwitchanusorn School in Bangkoks Bung Kum district on Jan 4, after the New Year holiday. Photo: Varuth Hirunyatheb / Bangkok Post Sumanee Wacharasin, hazards communication director of the ministrys Department of Disease Control, said yesterday that almost all schools had passed COVID-19 control evaluation. As of Tuesday, 95% of students aged 12 years or more had received their first COVID-19 vaccine shot and 70% were fully vaccinated, reports the Bangkok Post. Staff had also been vaccinated and school managements had COVID-19 response measures ready, including the temporary closure of individual classrooms where infections were found. Under these circumstances, it is unnecessary to completely close any school because of COVID-19 infection, regardless of the number of cases. Closure would affect the education of students whose studies have already been seriously disrupted over the past two years, Dr Sumanee said. Regarding vaccination of children aged 5-11 years, the government had ordered the Pfizer mRNA vaccine made especially for the young and it would arrive either late this month or next month, Dr Sumanee said. Inoculations would start with children aged 11 and then proceed with younger ones in a descending order of ages. She said officials were still in the process of approving use of inactivated vaccines for young children. According to Dr Sumanee, on Jan 7 there were 7,526 local COVID-19 infections and they included 1,048 people under the age of 19 years, or 13.9% of all local infections. From Dec 26 to Jan 1, the most infections among people aged 6-18 years were in Bangkok, with 282, followed by 105 in Chon Buri, 91 in Ubon Ratchathani, 60 in Samut Prakan, 56 in Phangnga, 52 in Kalasin, 51 in Phuket and 50 each in Khon Kaen, Phatthalung and Roi Et. The most common cause of infection among the young was contact with infected people, mainly other family members, Dr Sumanee said. On Tuesday there were new COVID-19 clusters at schools in three provinces - six cases in Chanthaburi, five in Bangkok and two in Nonthaburi, she said. Police allowing misuse of royal insignia threatened with charges under Section 112 PHUKET: A lawyer accompanied by a top representative of an anti-corruption organisation filed a complaint with Region 8 Police yesterday over police in Nakhon Sri Thammarat not taking any action to investigate a member of a volunteer foundation accused of misusing a royal insignia and a Royal Thai Police badge. police By The Phuket News Thursday 13 January 2022, 01:11PM The member of the volunteer foundation used the insignia, called the Phra Maha Phichai Mongkut, and the police badge to stage checkpoints and force local residents to comply with other instructions given, explained Kottachayanat Liaotrakul, Secretary to the President of the Anti-Corruption Governance Association, at Region 8 Police headquarters in tha Chatchai yesterday (Jan 12). The volunteer foundation was not named in the report of the meeting yesterday by the Phuket office of the Public Relations Department (PR Phuket), but the actions described match those usually conducted by Civil Defense Volunteers, or OrSor. Region 8 Police Commander Lt Gen Amphol Buarabphon received the complaint. Also present was Parinya Jitijedsadaphon, Advisor to the Chairman of the Police Commission. The matter was brought to the Region 8 Police because a formal complaint filed at Sichon Police Station in Nakhon Sri Thammarat had resulted in no action being taken by police to investigate the complaint, Mr Kottachayanat said. Lt Gen Amphol noted that he was aware of the complaint and that he would look into the claims, including investigating the behaviour of the police officers to determine whether or not they have been neglectful of their duty. According to a report of the meeting yesterday by Thai-language news agency Manager Online, but not mentioned in the PR Phuket report, after the meeting Mr Kottachayanat said, The [anti-corruption] association calls for justice in this case and will prosecute the police concerned under Section 112 [the lese majeste provisions] for allowing the Foundation to use the Phra Maha Phichai Mongkut insignia without asking for royal permission. We will also file for the police officers, from the commander in chief down to the investigating officer, to be prosecuted under Section 157 [of the Criminal Code], he added. Section 157 of the Criminal Code regards an official wrongfully exercises or does not exercise any of his functions to the injury of any person, or dishonestly exercises or omits to exercise any of his functions. Mr Kottachayanat also levied an ultimatum: If we dont get an answer tomorrow [sic] we will prepare to file legal proceedings through the Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases, Region 8. Police donate food relief to police PHUKET: Region 8 Police Commander Lt Gen Amphol Buarabphon presided over a ceremony yesterday (Jan 12) to donate rice and dry food to police officers serving under the Provincial Police Region 8 as a gift and encouragement to the brothers and sisters of police officers under the jurisdiction. police By The Phuket News Thursday 13 January 2022, 02:00PM The ceremony was held at 10am in front of the Region 8 Police headquarters at Tha Chatchai. In total, 1,000 bags of rice, 1,000 packs of instant noodles and 1,000 packs of Chinese sausage were handed over to officers serving at 20 police stations in Region 8 Polices area of jurisdiction: Phuket, Phang Nga, Krabi, Ranong, Chumphon, Surat Thani and Nakhon Sri Thammarat. The donations were supported by three private sector [organisations], noted a report of the handover. Joining Lt Gen Amphol were four Region 8 Police Deputy Commanders: Maj Gen Saksira Puak-Am, Maj Gen Wimon Pitakburapha, Maj Gen Sonthichai Awattanakulthep an dMaj Gen Thaworn Saengrit. Also present for the handover was Narumon Buarabphon, Chairperson of the Provincial Police Region 8 Housewives Association. The flood disaster situation in various areas of Provincial Police Region 8 and the impact of the 2019 coronavirus epidemic situation has caused police officers under the Provincial Police Region 8 to suffer, Lt Gen Amphol said. Pol Gen Suwat Chaengyodsuk, Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Police is concerned about the well-being of his subordinates. There is a policy for the agency to take care of welfare and alleviate suffering from such impacts, he added. Therefore, we have provided rice, dry food and equipment to prevent the spread of COVID-19 to be given as gifts and encouragement to the brothers and sisters of police officers under the affiliation, amounting to 20 police stations under our jurisdiction, Lt Gen Amphol said. Suspects in killing of Bengal tigers expected to surrender KANCHANABURI: Five men accused of hunting and killing two Bengal tigers near the Myanmar border in Thong Pha Phum district were expected to turn themselves in to police today (Jan 13). animalswildlifecrimeMyanmarpolice By Bangkok Post Thursday 13 January 2022, 03:33PM Officials display the pelts of two Bengal tigers, tiger meat and other items seized on Jan 9. Photo: supplied / Piyarat Chongcharoen National park rangers inspect tiger meat found being grilled at the campsite near the Myanmar border in Thong Pha Phum district on Jan 9. Photo: supplied / Pirayat Chongcharoen. The pelt of a Bengal tiger being dried at the hunting camp near the Myanmar border in Thong Pha Phum distgrict of Kanchanaburi. Photo: supplied / Piyarat Chongcharoen Charoen Chaichon, head of the Thong Pha Phum National Park, said today that park officials had presented evidence gathered at a campsite near the border to investigators at Pilok police station, reports the Bangkok Post. The evidence included two slain female Bengal tigers, one shotgun, five shotgun cartridges, two home-made rifles, 176 rounds of ammunition, two bottles containing gunpowder, one bag of gunpowder, one loaded shotgun, a parcel envelop addressed to Dao Khongjitvivat, a pack of blood presure pills with the name Mrs Jorpae, and 22 ping-pong bombs, Mr Charoen said. National park officials have sought permission from police investigators to keep the carcasses of the two Bengal tigers, four folding knives, three flashlights, one solar cell panel with its accessories, five hammocks, ropes and other items. The national park chief said park officials Wanchai Soonkham and Uthen Buaroy had been assigned to file charges with Pilok police against the suspects for violations of the forest reserve law, the National Park Act and the Wildlife Conservation and Protection Act. A source said the five fugitive suspects were local residents. They planned to surrender to police later today. Niphon Chamnongsirisak, director of the Protected Area Regional Office 3 (Ban Pong), yesterday revealed the hunting and killing of the wild animals at the Thong Pha Phum National Park headquarters. National park rangers seized the pelts of two Bengal tigers and other items at a campsite near the Myanmar border on Jan 9. Five people fled the campsite, leaving meat from the tigers cooking on a grill. US judge rules that Prince Andrew sex assault case can proceed NEW YORK: A US judge ruled yesterday (Jan 12) that a sexual assault lawsuit brought against Prince Andrew can move forward, piling pressure on the royal and causing further embarrassment for the British monarchy. sexcrime By AFP Thursday 13 January 2022, 08:27AM In this file photo taken on April 11, 2021, Britains Prince Andrew, Duke of York attends the Sunday service at the Royal Chapel of All Saints in Windsor, England. Photo: AFP / file New York judge Lewis Kaplan said he denied in all respects Andrews motion to dismiss the civil complaint by accuser Virginia Giuffre, who says the prince abused her when she was 17. Giuffre alleges that late disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein lent her out for sex with his wealthy and powerful associates, including to Andrew, an allegation that Queen Elizabeth IIs second son has repeatedly and strenuously denied. Andrews lawyers had last week urged Kaplan to throw out the suit, citing a settlement that Giuffre signed in 2009 with Epstein. Andrews attorney Andrew Brettler said Giuffre had waived her rights to sue other defendants in relation to alleged sex crimes committed by Epstein. But Kaplan said in his 46-page decision that the agreement was riddled with drafting problems and ambiguities. The parties have articulated at least two reasonable interpretations of the critical language. The agreement therefore is ambiguous, he wrote. The deal made public for the first time by a New York court this month showed that Giuffre agreed to drop a civil claim against Epstein for US$500,000 (B16.6 million). The settlement contained a provision purporting to protect other potential defendants from being sued related to alleged sexual abuse committed by Epstein, who killed himself in jail in 2019. The agreement mentioned no names, but Andrews legal team argued that it covered the royal. Kaplan said, though, that it could not be determined that the agreement was intended to benefit Prince Andrew or others comparable to him. The judge also noted that Andrew was not a party to the agreement between Epstein and Ms. Giuffre. As a very general matter, the only persons who can enforce a provision of a contract are parties to that contract - the people who agreed to it, he wrote. Giuffre sued the prince for unspecified damages last year, alleging he sexually assaulted her in 2001 when she was a minor under US law. Maxwell conviction She says Andrew assaulted her at Epsteins home in New York, and on Epsteins private island in the US Virgin Islands. Giuffre alleges the prince also sexually abused her at the London home of Ghislaine Maxwell, who in December was found guilty of sex trafficking minors for Epstein. The 61-year-old Andrew has not been criminally charged. Kaplan noted that he wasnt ruling on whether or not Giuffres allegations were true. The law prohibits the court from considering at this stage of the proceedings defendants efforts to cast doubt on the truth of Ms. Giuffres allegations, even though his efforts would be permissible at trial, said the judge. The case could go before a jury trial in the latter half of this year if Giuffre and Andrew are unable to reach a settlement. Former New York attorney Richard Signorelli described the ruling as devastating for Andrew. Hes facing very serious consequences, Signorelli told AFP, adding that paying Giuffre off could potentially be very costly. Giuffres lawyer David Boies said she 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. Andrews lawyers did not respond to request for comment. The prince has rarely been seen in public since he was forced to quit the royal frontline in 2019 for failing to distance himself from Epstein, who killed himself in prison that year while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. In a disastrous 2019 interview with the BBC, Andrew said he had no recollection of ever meeting Giuffre. He denied her claim that they had shared a sweaty dance at a London nightclub, saying that at the time he could not sweat due to a condition related to having fought in the 1982 Falklands War. Giuffres lawyers recently demanded that Andrew hand over medical records proving that he is unable to sweat. Andrews legal team has accused Giuffre of seeking to profit from a baseless lawsuit. Southern Pines, NC (28387) Today Partly cloudy with afternoon showers or thunderstorms. High 89F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 50%.. Tonight Partly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 66F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Viewed of Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading. Clearfield, PA (16830) Today A mix of clouds and sun this morning followed by mostly cloudy skies and a few showers this afternoon. High 69F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 30%.. Tonight Rain. Low 57F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%. Rainfall near a half an inch. Today Cloudy with occasional rain showers. High 58F. S winds shifting to NW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 60%. Tonight Rain early...then remaining cloudy with showers overnight. Low 43F. Winds WNW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 80%. Rainfall near a quarter of an inch. Tomorrow Showers in the morning, then cloudy in the afternoon. High 59F. Winds NW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 50%. 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. Press Release January 13, 2022 Bong Go supports PRRD's call to amend law on state of calamity declaration; stresses need to pass DDR bill Senator Christopher "Bong" Go has expressed his support for President Rodrigo Duterte's call to amend Republic Act No. 10121 or the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010. "Gawin nating mas akma ang ating sistema sa mga hamon ng makabagong panahon at sa mga dagdag na pangangailangan ng mga mamamayan, katulad ng agarang rescue, relief and rehabilitation," Go said. "Dapat, one-step ahead tayo sa gobyerno dahil hindi natin alam kung kailan magkakaroon ulit ng mga krisis at sakuna katulad ng hinaharap natin ngayon," he added. Under RA 10121, there is no concept of anticipatory action and earlier declaration of a state of calamity prior to actual damage by various calamities. President Duterte earlier described the current law as a legal hurdle that prevents swift government action. Go said that he is consulting concerned authorities in order to propose a measure that can amend this law and expedite the process of declaring a state of calamity in severely affected areas, when necessary, by waiving the need for a thorough assessment of damage prior to a declaration. This, he said, will subsequently hasten the release of necessary public funds for disaster response. "Bukod sa kasalukuyang mga pagsisikap para makontrol ang pagkalat ng virus, nananatili rin akong nakatuon sa paghahanda ng bansa sa mga posibleng krisis na ating madadaanan sa hinaharap," he assured. In his Talk to the People address on Monday, January 10, Duterte pointed out the flaws of RA 10121 when it comes to dealing with disasters. The law, according to the President, stipulates that a declaration of state of calamity may only be made, as well as the release of funds, after the conduct of the damage assessment and needs analysis, delaying government response. "I hope we can correct these things before we go out," said Duterte, as he asked Senator Go to look into the matter and lead efforts to rectify the existing law before his term ends. "We can propose something like this... 'yung mga (some) corrective measures sa batas (in the law). Kasi the next time na wala na tayo (So when we are no longer here), at least 'yung (the) next administration would be in a position to deal with the problem faster and more sensible," Duterte added. Under Section 16 of RA 10121, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council shall recommend to the President the declaration of a cluster of barangays, municipalities, cities, provinces, and regions under a state of calamity, and the lifting thereof, based on the criteria set by the National Council. The President's declaration may warrant international humanitarian assistance as deemed necessary. "It could be a post-disaster that would be done immediately. It would take time... the assessment of which would really depend now on the ability of the Executive Department to release the money immediately," Duterte explained. On his part, Go said he supports the call of the President to improve the existing mechanisms so that the next administration can proactively cope with calamities and other natural disasters. "Suportado ko po ang panawagan ng Pangulo na i-amend ang mga probisyon ng RA 10121 upang mapabilis ang disaster response. Buhay po ang nakataya sa bawat oras na nadedelay ang pagkilos ng gobyerno pagdating ng sakuna," Go said. "Hinihikayat ko rin po ang mga kasamahan ko sa Kongreso na suportahan ang hangarin nating lahat na mas maging epektibo ang pagresponde ng gobyerno sa mga kalamidad," Go added. Moreover, Go previously filed Senate Bill No. 205, otherwise known as the Department of Disaster Resilience Act, which seeks to create a highly specialized agency with a clear unity of command that will be tasked with ensuring adaptive, disaster-resilient and safe communities. "Base rin sa naging pahayag ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte noong Lunes ng gabi sa kanyang Talk to the People address, muli kong hinihikayat ang mga kapwa ko mambabatas na ipasa na natin ang panukalang magtatatag ng Department of Disaster Resilience," Go said. The department shall concentrate on three key result areas, namely: disaster risk reduction, disaster preparedness and response, and recovery and building forward better. "Ang Department of Disaster Resilience ang magko-coordinate sa national at local governments para bago dumating ang bagyo, naka-prepare na ang mga kakailanganin. Kapag nandiyan na ito, alam na kung saang ligtas na lugar dadalhin ang mga kababayan natin. Ang departamento rin ang mamumuno sa rehabilitation at recovery efforts. Back to normalcy agad ang target natin 'pag may nasasalanta," explained Go. SBN 205 is currently pending in the Senate Committee on National Defense and Security, Peace, Unification and Reconciliation. Hearings were conducted on November 11, 2019 and February 2, 2021. A committee report is yet to be submitted to the plenary. To further mitigate the impacts of disasters on local communities, Go also renewed his commitment to push for the passage of Senate Bill No. 1228 which provides for the establishment of an evacuation center in every municipality, city and province. "Besides providing temporary shelter, they should also be able to cater to the victims' basic needs. Mayroon dapat itong sapat na mga emergency packs, katulad ng blankets, tubig, at gamot na handa na tuwing may sakuna," he said. Urging the country to learn from past experiences and lessons from the current COVID-19 pandemic, Go said it is high time that the nation scales up its preparedness and resilience against pandemics and natural disasters. "The focus is on preparation and resilience," said Go in his previous statements. "We should shift our focus from 'damage control' to 'damage mitigation and control'," he added. On December 18, two days after Typhoon Odette hit, Duterte and Go conducted aerial inspections of Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte, Dinagat Islands and Southern Leyte. They were likewise on hand to comfort victims in Cebu, Bohol and Negros Island from December 19 to 20. They returned to Siargao Island and Dinagat Islands on December 22, visited Palawan and Cebu on December 23, and Negros Oriental on December 29. Montreal, CA (H4T1V6) Today Generally cloudy. Slight chance of a rain shower. High near 18C. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Rain likely. Low 11C. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall around a quarter of an inch. Two foundations are coming together to improve the health of our community. The Lachine Hospital Foundation is integrating with the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) Foundation to Dream Big for Lachine Hospital. Under one umbrella, we can increase our impact to ensure excellence in health care. Together, we are committed to raising $5 million to purchase state-of-the-art equipment for the modernization project of the Lachine Hospital, read the press release. Founded in 1913, Lachine Hospital has provided compassionate care to its community for over a century. As part of the MUHC, it combines the friendly atmosphere of a community-based hospital with the renowned expertise and resources of the number one research hospital in Quebec. With this integration, the MUHC Foundation and the Lachine Hospital Foundation will work towards better serving every person who relies on the Lachine Hospital. For 80 years, the current Lachine Hospital site and its dedicated staff have helped countless patients overcome difficult diagnoses, health emergencies and more. Starting this spring, the current Lachine Hospital building will be renovated and expanded, making sure every patient has access to a modern hospital. A bigger and modernized hospital means greater care and comfort for patients and a healthier community. Thats our big dream for Lachine: to revitalize our hospital to serve the growing needs of our community, the statement read. The $5 million Dream Big: Lachine Hospital campaign is raising funds for state-of-the-art medical equipement not covered by government budgets and is part of a larger $210 million project to modernize the Lachine Hospital of the MUHC. The revitalization project includes: A state-of-the-art intensive care unit Additional surgical suites equipped with cutting-edge technology An expanded emergency room A larger and more comfortable palliative care unit Individual patient rooms McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) Foundation Lachine Hospital Foundation of the MUHC AB EDWARDSVILLE Four people have been charged with the Dec. 27 burglary of a barn in rural Edwardsville. Bobby L. Walker, 32, of Sorento; Rowan M. Cook, 19, and Brett A. Foster, 36, both of Staunton; and Richard W. Wilson, 38, of Mount Olive, were each charged with burglary, a Class 2 felony. Walker was also charged with aggravated fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer and driving while license revoked (third subsequent offense), both Class 4 felonies, and improper lane usage, a Class P misdemeanor. The case was presented by the Madison County Sheriffs Department. According to court documents, on Dec. 27 Walker and Cook allegedly entered a barn in on Illinois 143 in Edwardsville to commit theft. Foster and Wilson allegedly entered the same barn Dec. 28 to commit theft. Walker was also charged for allegedly attempting to flee from a Madison County sheriffs deputy in a 2006 Cadillac Escalade, reaching speeds in excess of 21 miles above the posted speed limit, while his license was revoked for a 2013 DUI conviction out of Macoupin County. He also has convictions for driving while license revoked out of Macoupin County in 2014 and 2018. Bail was set at $75,000 for Walker; and $50,000 each for Cook, Foster and Wilson. Other felony charges filed Jan. 11 include: Lucas P. Robbins, 28, of Caseyville, was charged with residential burglary, a Class 1 felony. The case was presented by the Edwardsville Police Department. On Jan. 1 Robbins allegedly entered a home in Edwardsville to commit theft. Bail was set at $100,000. Tiffany K. Kerley, 32, of Pontoon Beach, was charged with robbery, a Class 2 felony. The case was presented by the Pontoon Beach Police Department. On Oct. 19 Kerley allegedly took car keys and documents from another person by entering their vehicle and striking them in the face and head. Bail was set at $45,000. Leron M. Revan, 24, of St. Louis, was charged with offenses relating to motor vehicles, a Class 2 felony. The case was presented by the Granite City Police Department. On Jan. 10 Revan allegedly had a stolen 2011 Dodge Charger. Bail was set at $60,000. Deandre L. Higgins, 34, of Alorton, was charged with unlawful possession of cannabis and aggravated fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer, both Class 4 felonies. The case was presented by the Granite City Police Department. On Jan. 10 Higgins allegedly had 100-500 grams of cannabis and was driving a 2010 Hyundai Elantra, attempting to flee from a Granite City police officer, reaching speeds in excess of 21 miles above the posted speed limit. Bail was set at $35,000. GILLEPIE The Illinois Valley Economic Development Corp. has announced its Community Services Block Grant Program funded by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity will award scholarships of up to $1,000 to five income eligible residents of Macoupin, Jersey, Greene, and Calhoun counties. The CSBG scholarships are open to income-eligible residents who desire to further their education at an Illinois accredited two-year community college or four-year college or university. All applicants must be enrolled, or intend to enroll, as a full-time student taking 12 hours or more for the fall 2022 semester. This is a competitive scholarship and is not based solely on economic need. EDWARDSVILLE Four men were charged Wednesday with cannabis trafficking after allegedly being found with almost 150 pounds of cannabis. Carlos D. Sandoval-Garcia, 22 of Washington, Michigan; and Luis D. Euceda, 21, Jose M. Alvarez Chavez, 42, and Carlos E. Barajas, 29, all of Port Arthur, Texas; were charged Jan. 12 with unlawful cannabis trafficking, all Class X felonies. The cases were presented by the Metropolitan Enforcement Group of Southwestern Illinois. According to court documents, the four allegedly were found to be in possession of 66,678 grams, or just under 147 pounds, of cannabis hidden in the cargo area of a 2021 Ford Expedition. Court documents state they were traveling from Ponca, Oklahoma to Jamestown, New York. Bail was set at $250,000 each. Other drug-related felony charges filed Jan. 12 by the Madison County States Attorneys Office include: Shauna R. Sisk, 41, of Wood River, was charged with unlawful possession of methamphetamine, a Class 3 felony. The case was presented by the Hamel Police Department. On Dec. 15 Sisk allegedly had less than five grams of methamphetamine. Bail was set at $15,000. Lloyd E. Curtis, 60, of Granite City, was charged with unlawful possession of methamphetamine, a Class 3 felony. The case was presented by the Granite City Police Department. On Jan. 11 Curtis allegedly had less than five grams of methamphetamine. Bail was set at $30,000. Billy L. Felchlin, 48, of Staunton, was charged with unlawful possession of a controlled substance, a Class 4 felony. The case was presented by the Hamel Police Department. On Dec. 23 Felchlin allegedly had less than 15 grams of fentanyl. Bail was set at $15,000. Scott Olson/Getty Images SPRINGFIELD Illinois farmers planted more acres but harvested more corn and soybeans last year, according to figures released Wednedsay. The U.S. Department of Agriculture's 2021 Illinois Crop Production Summary states that Illinois farmers planted 11 million acres of corn last year, down 3 percent from 2020, and harvested 2.19 billion bushels of corn, up 3 percent from the prior year. ALTON ICU nursing manager Keely Nelson has received the 2021 Merciful Love Award at OSF HealthCare Saint Anthonys Health Center. Each year, the Sisters of St. Francis of the Martyr St. George present the Merciful Love Award to a Mission Partner to honor the often hidden and unrecognized ways they live and share the Mission of OSF Saint Anthonys with others. Nelson was nominated by two different Mission Partners. Both commented on her calming and caring demeanor, along with her attentive listening and desire to help staff and patients with the struggles of everyday life and the difficulties of illness. Serving with love isnt just a few kind gestures; its a feeling you give with each encounter," said Nelson. "In each encounter, you are crossing that persons path for a reason. You never know what others may be struggling with, and a simple Hello, how are you today? can be life-changing for that person. The Merciful Love Award stems from the Mission of the Sisters of St. Francis of the Martyr St. George who were joined in ministry with The Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis in 2014. The foundress, Mother M. Anselma, received the mission from God to Make the Merciful Love of Christ visible in the world. A 49-bed acute care hospital in Alton, OSF Saint Anthonys serves the residents of Madison, Jersey and Macoupin counties. It is home to OSF Moeller Cancer Center, which provides the latest diagnostic tools and treatment for patients. OSF Saint Anthonys also provides 24-hour access to a physician-staffed emergency department, in addition to cardiovascular, neurology, pulmonology, surgical and rehabilitation services. OSF Saint Anthonys is part of OSF HealthCare, an integrated health system with 15 hospitals in Illinois and Michigan, and innovation and digital health divisions that provide access to specialty care and remote monitoring. COLLINSVILLE The Great Rivers & Routes Tourism Bureau of Southwest Illinois will host its annual Tourism Summit on Thursday, Jan. 27, at the Gateway Convention Center in Collinsville. The Tourism Summit is the bureaus opportunity to meet with our partners and state leaders to showcase the economic impact of tourism on our six county region, Cory Jobe, President & CEO of the tourism bureau noted. In the coming year, we will be taking a regional, cooperative approach to building the destination we need for tourism that will also enhance the livability of southwest Illinois. Featured speaker at the summit will be Cathy Ritter, former Illinois and Colorado Office of Tourism State Travel Director and the founder of Better Destinations LLC. Jobe will highlight the bureaus 2021 accomplishments which include a new website, increased targeted digital ad campaigns, a new data intelligence platform to give the region the clearest view of the visitor economy, and a resurgence in the cruise industry and group travel to the region. Three businesses from the region will be recognized for their accomplishments. The summit is sponsored by Alton Works, Carrollton Bank, the City of Collinsville and Phillips 66 Wood River Refinery. Tickets remain available for the 7:30 a.m. breakfast meeting which will highlight the accomplishments of the Great Rivers & Routes Tourism Bureau in 2021 and provide a look into the bureaus plans to create the next great destination for the visiting public and residents. Individual tickets are $24.50. All tickets are sold through the bureaus website: https://www.riversandroutes.com/things-to-do/buy-tickets/. JERSEYVILLE Two Jerseyville men were charged recently with failing to register as sex offenders. Dalton A. Hardwick, 22, of the 600 block of Snedeker, Jerseyville, was charged Jan. 3 with unlawful failure to register as a sex offender, a Class 2 felony. According to court documents, on Dec. 31 Hardwick allegedly failed to register with the Jerseyville Police Department within three days of establishing a residence in Brighton and a new place of employment. He has a conviction for failure to register as a sex offender out of Jersey County on Oct. 18, 2021. Bail was set at $25,000. In an unrelated case, Christopher L. Keene, 41, of the 400 block of Sherman Street, Jerseyville, was charged Jan. 6 with failure to register as a sex offender, a Class 3 felony. According to court documents, on Jan. 2 Keene allegedly failed to register with the Jersey County Sheriffs Department after establishing a residence in Cottage Hills. According to the Illinois State Police Sex Offender Registry, Keene was convicted of aggravated criminal sexual abuse out of Adams County. At the time of the incident the victim was 16 and Keene was 22. No bail was noted. In other Jersey County States Attorneys Office felony charges, Dustin M. Kraushaar, 30, of Brighton, was charged Dec. 28 with defacing firearm ID markings, a Class 2 felony; unlawful possession of weapons by a felon, a Super Class 3 felony; and unlawful restraint and domestic battery, both Class 4 felonies. According to court documents, on Dec. 24 Kraushaar allegedly slammed a girlfriends arm into a door and would not let her leave the residence. He allegedly also had a Herters Inc. Western Derringer .357 caliber pistol with an obliterated serial number. He has a prior felony conviction, making him ineligible to possess weapons. Bail was set at $50,000. Also, Carla L. Greenwood, 44, of Greenfield, was charged Dec. 14 with unlawful possession of methamphetamine, a Class 3 felony. On Dec. 12 Greenwood allegedly had less than five grams of methamphetamine. Bail was set at $10,000. Scranton, PA (18503) Today Partly cloudy skies this morning will become overcast during the afternoon. Slight chance of a rain shower. High 73F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Showers this evening, becoming a steady rain overnight. Low 52F. Winds SE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 90%. Westerly, RI (02891) Today Generally cloudy. High 58F. Winds E at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Cloudy this evening with showers after midnight. Low 47F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%. When Westerly Police Chief Shawn Lacey chatted with Rhode Island Gov. Daniel McKee during a tour of the COVID-19 regional vaccination clinic at the Westerly Senior Center on April 7, neither of them could have predicted the regions municipalities would be breaking records for positive tests well into 2022. With the rapid-fire onset of the omicron variant, towns are making tough calls that blur the lines between safety and commerce or education. The Government has received a fresh appeal for urgent help for older people facing unaffordable increases in energy bills. Give the elderly on the lowest incomes 500 payments and cut 5 per cent VAT from April until at least the end of the year, the charity Age UK urges ministers in a new letter warning of a mounting crisis. Older people are already rationing food and energy use, and are too worried to use their oven and living on soup and sandwiches instead, it says. Appeal for help: Age UK has sent two letters to the Government in recent months warning of a crisis for elderly people facing soaring energy bills The move follows a call by former Pensions Minister and campaigner Ros Altmann for an emergency winter manifesto to save the lives of older people. Age UK cites experts and industry data forecasting that energy bills could spike by up to 50 per cent this spring, and hit an average 2,000 a year after the price cap is reassessed in April. It claims financial support for older people during the colder months has remained broadly unchanged for years and is nowhere near enough to match the scale of the current problem. A government spokesperson says: 'We are taking decisive action to help more than 11.4million pensioners with the cost of living by providing winter fuel payments of up to 300 per household. 'This is on top of wider support which includes billions of pounds for households via the energy price cap, warm home discount scheme, cold weather payments, household support fund, and freezes to alcohol and fuel duty. Are you elderly and anxious about energy bills? Age UK is urging older people to call its free national advice line on 0800 169 65 65 before turning the heating off or down. Its staff will check you are receiving everything you are entitled to, including pension credit and attendance allowance. Find out more about pension credit here, or call Age UK which will help you apply for help that includes cold weather payments. Age UK adds that energy providers have a duty to offer support if people are struggling with bills or debt, and you can ask about an affordable repayment plan. What if your supplier has gone bust? Find out what to do here. Read more about dealing with soaring energy bills here. Scroll down for energy saving tips to help cut costs. 'Domestic fuels such as gas and electricity are already subject to the reduced rate of 5 per cent of VAT.' Read more from the Government about what it is doing to help below. What has Age UK told the Government? The charity has sent two letters to the Government in recent months warning of a crisis for elderly people facing soaring energy bills. This week's letter, sent to the Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng and Work and Pensions Secretary Therese Coffey, calls for immediate action to protect vulnerable older people from the cold this winter. It says the potentially devastating impact of the escalating crisis will be nothing short of catastrophic for many older people without intervention. Age UK adds: 'The letter underscores the need for longer-term thinking about how older people with the least ability to pay can be protected from energy price rises in the future. 'The unprecedented hike in wholesale energy prices will be totally unmanageable for those living on low fixed incomes many of whom have few, if any, savings to fall back on. 'Older people are typically at home more than younger age groups and feel the cold to a much greater extent.' Caroline Abrahams, charity director at Age UK, went on: 'Older people, particularly those living on low fixed incomes, urgently need reassurance from the Government that they can afford to keep warm when low temperatures demand it, without going into debt something most dread and will do anything to avoid. 'Many older people are well practiced at making a small pension go a long way, but that wont be enough to protect them from the impact of rising household bills and soaring energy costs this time round. 'We are already hearing utterly heart-breaking stories from older people. 'This isnt a crisis thats arriving in the spring, its one thats here already for many older people because their fear of unaffordable bills is driving them to not even try to stay adequately warm this winter.' What elderly people say about energy bills Susan told Age UK: 'We only put heating on now in the morning and before we go [to] bed, we just wear lots and lots of layers. 'My daughter has brought us weighted blankets to use in the lounge to keep us warm. I have severe osteoarthritis that is affected by the cold and my husband has chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. He is 73 and struggles with the cold. 'I am 94 years old with heart failure arthritis etc and feel the cold all the time. I am housebound and spend a lot of time in my bedroom 'We no longer make meals that use the gas oven and just use hob to heat up beans and soup, otherwise we make sandwiches. 'We were already struggling the past couple of years, but with the huge rise in the cost of living including food, petrol and cleaning products, we are finding ourselves in desperate times, it is so scary.' Paulene said: 'I am 94 years old with heart failure arthritis etc and feel the cold all the time. 'I am housebound and spend a lot of time in my bedroom as it is warmer than the living room as I am scared what my next year's outstanding bill will be. I don't have the heating on very high.' Stephen says: 'I'm already stressed and not putting heating on. My plan ends end of November and my direct debit increases from 59 to 75. 'Lord help us all come next April with another round of energy increases on energy, water council tax. We will neither be able to eat or heat.' What does the Government say about energy bills? The current reduced rate of VAT already costs 5billion a year. Higher energy prices will increase the cost of this relief. Freezes to alcohol and fuel duty and the reduction of the universal credit taper and increase in work allowances alone provide over 4.2billion of support per year. This is on top of other support for living standards including: - The Household Support Fund is worth 500million and will support millions of households in England with essentials over the coming months - The Warm Home Discount which provides a 140 rebate on energy bills each winter to over 2.2million low-income households - The Cold Weather Payment which provides 25 extra a week for poorer households when the temperature is consistently below zero. - Winter Fuel Payments which are provided to over 11.4million pensioners - 200 for households with somebody who has reached State Pension age and is under age 80 or 300 for households with somebody aged 80 and over. - Saving 15 million households 100 a year on average since 2019 through the Energy Price Cap - Increasing the National Living Wage The Energy Price Cap will remain in place at least till the end of 2022 to protect 15million customers and ensure they pay a fair price for their energy. The price cap applies to default and standard variable tariffs. This means that any consumer who has come to the end of a fixed term tariff, has moved to a new home, or has been moved to a new supplier as part of the Supplier of Last Resort process will be protected by the price cap as long as they dont actively choose another tariff. The setting of the level of the price cap is a matter for Ofgem. Ofgem make clear that their methodology takes account of wholesale prices observed over several months. Their consultations are on issues that they have already recently outlined publicly. The Government remains committed to seeking to legislate to extend the energy price cap beyond the existing longstop date of December 2023, when parliamentary time allows. It continues to reflect on the price caps effectiveness and will take this into account in the design of any future cap. S4 Capital, the ad agency run by former WPP boss Sir Martin Sorrell, has followed its 2021 deal spree with a merger between its Media Monks subsidiary and California-based data consultancy 4 Mile Analytics. S4 announced the deal alongside a trading update, which revealed that performance in the first 11 months of its financial year was strong and it the firm is well ahead of its previous guidance of 40 per cent gross profit growth. The firm told investors on Wednesday that the deal 'significantly expands' Media Monks' data and digital media capabilities, and expasnds its client base. Sir Martin Sorrell hailed the 'growth opportunity ahead of [S4] in 2022 and beyond' Santa Cruz-based 4 Mile Analytics provides data analytics, data engineering, data governance, software engineering, UX design, and project and product management for a number of Fortune 500 brands. With around 50 data specialists, 4 Mile Analytics generated revenues of approximately $6.5million in 2021 and is targeting to double up this year. It follows Media Monks' November merger with Italian content marketing agency Miyagi, which added 70 staff to S4's roster and marked its 11th deal in as many months. Nick Fogler, founder and chief executive, welcomed the prospect of 'huge opportunities to bring the offerings of the wider group to our clients and provide even more opportunities for our team'. Tyler Pietz, global executive vice president for data at Media Monks, added: We've seen incredibly strong demand for data analytics and engineering expertise from our clients. Nick and his team at 4 Mile Analytics will bring additional expertise, scale and clients to one of our fastest expanding service areas.' S4 Capital also revealed that operational earnings margins improved 'significantly' in the second half of its financial year. The firm's revenues more than doubled in the third quarter of 2021 after it landed 'whopper' clients. Digital marketing, in which S4 specialises, has accelerated during the pandemic as more companies advertise online rather than in print and on TV. Income rocketed up 106 per cent to 178million over the period, better than previous expectations, while gross profits surged 92 per cent to 144.4million. Recent client additions include social media giant Facebook and computer maker HP. Existing clients include Google, Amazon, Burberry and Netflix. S4 shares remain roughly 40% off their September peak Sir Martin Sorrell hailed the 'growth opportunity ahead of us in 2022 and beyond', adding that S4's budgets are set at 25 per cent like-for-like gross profit/net revenue growth 'in line with that three year plan, which seeks to double the size of the company organically and targets an improvement in the operational EBITDA margin back towards previous levels'. S4 shares were up 5.7 per cent by midday on Wednesday to 560p, but had fallen back slightly to 555p this morning. The shares remain down roughly 40 per cent since their September peak, driven by concerns about reduced margins. Analysts at Peel Hunt said the de-rating of the stock 'overdone, with the shares now trading on only 28x FY22E PE'. 'We believe confirmation of ongoing performance will support the share price.' The analysts gave S4 a Buy rating with a target price of 950p. 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. Confident: Online retailer ASOS said it continues to believe revenues will grow by around 10 to 15 per cent this year Shares in fashion brand ASOS jumped by 11.3 per cent on Thursday after the group upheld its annual guidance in defiance of an Omicron-disrupted Christmas party season and supply chain pressures. The online retailer said it continues to believe revenues will grow by around 10 to 15 per cent this year while adjusted pre-tax profits will come in between 110million and 140million. Its share price was further fuelled by the announcement that it would seek to join the main stock market - broadening its appeal to fund managers and institutional investors. The update saw ASOS's revenue rise by 5 per cent year-on-year to 1.39billion in the last four months of 2021 as it revealed it had to fly in some products in order to sidestep logistical difficulties. ASOS was also affected by serious port congestion in its United States market and the introduction of harsher trading restrictions across Europe in response to accelerating Covid caseloads, which impacted demand for partywear. Margins were further affected by clearing out stock remaining in its spring and summer clothing collections, and higher freight costs, with the firm having to raise prices modestly across its brands to offset these extra outlays. But despite these troubles, its US sales leapt 11 per cent while revenues in its UK market exceeded expectations by climbing by about 75million to 645.2million. Meanwhile, trade at its Topshop brands, acquired by ASOS from Arcadia Group last year, surged by over 200 per cent thanks to strong performances across all regions, particularly the UK, Germany and United States. The period also saw the group begin a 'Partner Fulfils' scheme in conjunction with sportswear giant Adidas and Reebok, which it plans to expand across Europe, and strong trade at two Nordstrom stores in the US where it sells a line of its products. Separately, ASOS declared plans to leave the junior Alternative Investment Market of the London Stock Exchange after 21 years on the index - and 22 years after its founding during the apex of the dotcom bubble. High trade: Sales at ASOS's Topshop brands, acquired from Arcadia Group last year, surged by over 200 per cent thanks to strong performances across all regions It thinks that the move to the London Main Market is necessary given the current scope of the company and would boost its corporate profile as well as widen its base of institutional investors. Chief operating officer Mat Dunn said: 'Our listing on AIM for the past 20 years has been an important part of ASOS' development, but the time is now right to move to the Main Market as we focus on delivering our medium-term guidance and longer-term growth ambitions.' AJ Bell investment director Russ Mould noted that the AIM index has 'historically been a place for young growth companies,' while the Main Market is more suited to bigger firms 'that have successfully disrupted a market and are now generating decent profits.' He added: 'ASOS should have made the move years ago given how it has progressed from being a UK business selling goods mimicking those worn by celebrities on the TV or in films, to now being an international online retailer.' Decline: ASOS shares have seen their value plunged by more than half in the last six months ASOS shares may have skyrocketed today, but their value has plunged by more than half over the last six months following well-publicised problems regarding its supply chain and Covid-related uncertainty even as sales have boomed. Short-sellers have recently targeted the retailer, with the share of its stock on loan up a third in recent weeks to 8 per cent, according to research from financial information provider IHS. Victoria Scholar, Interactive Investor's head of investment, said: 'This has been an unloved stock over the last year with investors welcoming today's pop in the shares. 'The stock is close to retracing the losses it suffered in the first week of the year with a break above resistance at 24.46, potentially paving the way for further gains. 'However, there is a dauntingly long way to go to reclaim the highs from March last year at around 60 a share, particularly in the face of challenging market conditions and volatile demand.' Instant unlimited access to all of our content on tillamookheadlightherald.com. The Headlight Herald E-Edition Newsletter emailed to you each week, the night before the paper hits the street! This subscription is for NEW or RENEWING online subscribers. (The charge will appear as "Country Media Inc." on your credit card statement) Carrollton, GA (30117) Today Sunshine to start, then a few afternoon clouds. High around 85F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy with a slight chance of thunderstorms overnight. Low 62F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 30%. Cumberland, MD (21502) Today Partly cloudy this morning, then becoming cloudy during the afternoon. Slight chance of a rain shower. High around 75F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Periods of rain. Low 59F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 80%. Rainfall around a half an inch. Kingsport, TN (37660) Today Sun and clouds mixed. 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%. Around a hundred Rwandans have crossed into DR Congo in recent days, saying they are fleeing the countrys Covid-19 vaccination rules, local sources said on Wednesday. Small groups of Rwandans, travelling by canoe, have landed on the southern edge of Idjwi island in Lake Kivu which straddles the border, Karongo Kalaja, the administrator of Idjwi, told AFP. We have already recorded at least 100 arrivals, Kalaja said. The authorities are interviewing them to find out why they crossed, he added. SOURCE: AFP The 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 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. 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 that failed to persuade Kim to roll back his nuclear program despite unprecedented engagement, 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. SOURCE: REUTERS We have to take care of each other, it doesnt matter where we are from, says Robert Sabuda, co-chair of New Paltz for Refugees, a new organization founded to help support settlement for recently arrived Afghans to the Hudson Valley. The grassroots organization came about in a grassroots way. Over the summer, Sabuda, a childrens book author and illustrator who has been in New Paltz since 2004, watched in horror as people desperately attempted to flee Afghanistan after the U.S. military left the country in August and the Taliban took over. Sabuda, who is on the board of a nonprofit that helps Iranians resettle in Canada, has long been involved in refugee issues. Refugees and homelessness make me crazy. I couldnt believe what I was seeing, he recalls. Keenly aware of how difficult it is for refugees to get into America, especially under the prior administration, Sabuda, who is also the executive director of an organization called Afghan Refugee Housing Network, felt called to help. For better or worse, we created something big over there, he says, referring to Afghanistan. We are now responsible for that. People who worked for us were allies and friends. Theyre coming here now and we have to help them. New Paltz for Refugees Sabuda felt certain there were other locals feeling the same way and sought them out. All of a sudden overnight theres up to 100,000 refugees wanting to come. The U.S. hasnt seen that kind of influx that fast since the end of the Vietnam war, he says. New York State has received nearly 1,800 Afghan refugees who fled the country since August, and Gov. Kathy Hochul on Dec. 7 announced the state would allocate $2 million for refugee resettlement services statewide. Resettling an Afghan family of 7 Through Hearts and Homes for Refugees, an organization in Westchester, Sabuda found a similarly concerned neighbor in New Paltz, Beth Glace. Three months ago, the two met up and decided to form and co-chair New Paltz for Refugees to assist those fleeing Afghanistan, for now. They gathered other volunteers and quickly found themselves in a position to help sponsor an Afghan family of seven to resettle in the area after Sabuda put out a call on his network for a family to sponsor in New Paltz. He was inundated with responses, though the local group was only prepared to take on one family to start. The family arrived in December, after fleeing from the Kabul airport aboard a U.S. military plane and spending time in a camp in Wisconsin. Sabuda notes that there are tens of thousands of Afghans in refugee camps in the U.S., which is where refugees first land when they come to the U.S.To protect family members still in Afghanistan, exact details of the resettled New Paltz family are not provided. New Paltz for Refugees New Paltz for Refugees Hudson Valley nonprofit helps resettle Afghan refugees who fled the Taliban. (New Paltz for Refugees) Hudson Valley nonprofit helps resettle Afghan refugees who fled the Taliban. (New Paltz for Refugees) New Paltz for Refugees is now a core group of six volunteers leading about two dozen general volunteers tasked with specific needs like social services, media, education, and fundraising. Sabuda says they have currently raised over $50,000, including via a Go Fund Me campaign that has raised almost $15,000. While there are government-funded resettlement agencies, this local organization is independent. We did not go that route, says Sabuda. Still, they happily collaborate with anyone who is government-funded. One person asked for support of four brothers who arrived in Harriman, says Sabuda. So New Paltz for Refugees gathered and delivered a U-Haul full of donations of household goods. This truck was filled with everything for their new apartment since they arrived from their camp with very little, says Sabuda. They also work with other local groups who help with refugee resettlements, including Christ the King and the Jewish Congregation of New Paltz. New Paltz for Refugees plans to sponsor another Afghan family, but not just yet. The group got up and running so fast, theyre spending some time discussing next steps and how best to tackle local challenges. Foremost among this, as is the case for so many in the region, is affordable housing, especially for large families. Its so difficult, says Sabuda. Downtime is the best time Make the most of your Hudson Valley weekend, every week with our newsletter. For the resettled family of seven, Airbnb donated housing for a month, and a New Paltz for Refugees volunteer who runs an Airbnb donated a place to stay until the end of the school year. New Paltz is generous, says Sabuda, his voice full of warmth. Donations like this are critical. Refugees exiting government camps are only given $1,225, says Sabuda. If housing cant be located, refugees are placed in hotels, and fees are deducted from that small stipend. It has been disastrous, notes Sabuda. New Paltz for Refugees is committed to helping as long as there is need. Eventually this flood of refugees in the U.S. will taper off but not next month or even for the rest of the year, says Sabuda. Locals have been reaching out to offer their help. Currently high on New Paltz for Refugees volunteer wish list is landlords who are flexible and dont require a credit check; refugees of course do not have any. They just got here a month ago! That helps tremendously, says Sabuda. Employers willing to hire workers recently arrived from Afghanistan are welcome, too. Jobs are critical and many of these newcomers to the U.S. are professionals. The organization is also in need of volunteers with specific skillsets, such as lawyers able to donate time and legal help. Sabudas most simple ask is something anyone in the Hudson Valley and beyond can easily offer: awareness. Just an awareness that there are Afghans here and its a good thing. They are our friends. Love is love and hate doesnt belong here. We need to get back to that. SCHENECTADY Which policies would you like to see from your local officials, and what are the top three priorities lawmakers should focus on in the future? What does it mean to have safe, thriving and healthy communities? How should neighborhoods be policed? And if you had a hypothetical $100 to put in 10 buckets, how would you allocate those funds? Those are among the questions posed as part of a survey distributed as part of the Black Freedom Project, a statewide initiative designed to advance organizing strategies for Black-led and -centered groups and to influence policymaking across New York state. For weeks, Schenectady-based activists All of Us, a member of the Black Freedom Project, have been hitting the pavement in Schenectady and Saratoga Springs seeking out Black voices. Were not only reaching out to the Black community, but the most impoverished Black community, said Jamaica Miles, a Schenectady activist and city school board member who is leading the local push. This is an opportunity to listen to the most disadvantaged and make directions to pull them out of poverty and not simply tread water. Miles said its the first local survey that she knows of designed to deliberately reach the Black community about policymaking and public safety. And its a process thats intentional not performative, she said, which is a flaw that she believes mars government-facilitated outreach efforts. The city [of Schenectady] is not going out and having conversations with those folks, Miles said. All of Us is working with the City University of New York's Public Science Project. Once the survey process is completed, organizers will work with researchers to crunch the data and identify trends. Then the results will be distributed via tailored reports to local lawmakers including City Council and Schenectady and Saratoga County legislative bodies in an attempt to drive policymaking. Miles said a key component is meeting people on their own turf. From food pantries and nonprofit agencies to libraries and homeless shelters, organizers have cast a wide net with a focus on the citys Hamilton Hill and Mont Pleasant neighborhoods. Theyve also solicited feedback in Saratoga Springs. Its an old-fashioned, shoe-leather method activists have also deployed when soliciting feedback that formed the spine of their demands for change for the Schenectady Police Department. The results are in See the winners of each category of the 2022 Best of the Capital Region contest, as determined by popular vote. Organizers have garnered feedback from roughly 430 people as of midweek including those who are currently incarcerated. Surveys were printed, mailed and distributed before being sent back. Central issues that have surfaced so far include housing and food insecurity, Miles said, and how the ongoing coronavirus pandemic has exacerbated those needs. The survey will close out at the end of the week. I dont know if Im as much surprised as I am sad, Miles said of the results. These are folks that have had hard times they have a lot to say if you just take the time to listen. All of Us received a $10,000 grant for gift cards to help bolster participation. While theres no hard deadline for the reports to come back, Miles hopes organizers will receive the results during Black History Month in February. Afterward, the community conversations will continue, Miles said: This is not a one-off. SCHENECTADY Four reputed gang members lay in wait for at least an hour in a sedan parked near an after hours club for their intended target during the early morning hours of July 5, 2020. After shots were fired, it was Ieasha Merritt, a 34-year-old innocent mother, who was caught in the line of fire while out enjoying a holiday weekend with friends. Court papers related to the arrest last month of the man prosecutors say likely fired the fatal shot offer a motive and haunting look into the tragic events that began with a fight in a city park 24 hours earlier and ultimately resulted in the killing of Merritt, who was shot in the head. She was treated at a hospital but died on July 10, 2020, leaving behind a teenage son and other grieving relatives, including her mother Shanta Merritt. Authorities revealed in court filings that an armed Tevin Jet or Jets Alvarez, a member of the Bloods street gang, and three friends, two of whom also had guns on them, were sitting in a car positioned on the side of Hamlin Street where they could see the exit of 878 Albany St., the site of an illegal after hours club run by the man they were after. Once he emerged from the club at around 6:15 a.m., Alvarez, the court papers indicate, hopped out from the rear drivers side, and was allegedly the first person to fire his weapon. Two other men jumped out from the rear and front passenger side of the vehicle and opened fire in the direction of the man they were gunning for. Warren Cusaac, 34, has also been indicted on two counts of second-degree murder and six counts of criminal possession of a weapon. Police have previously said that he drove three other individuals to the area of 880 Albany St. "with the intent of shooting an individual across an occupied parking lot." His alleged accomplice, Xzobiaire Green, 19, faces one count each of attempted murder and attempted assault as well as two counts of criminal possession of a weapon for his alleged role in the slaying. A five-count indictment charges Alvarez with two counts of second-degree murder, and three counts of criminal possession of a weapon. All three remain jailed with no bail pending future court dates. Attorney Jim Tyner, who is Alvarezs new attorney, declined comment Wednesday, saying he had just been appointed a day ago to represent him and that it would be irresponsible for him to say anything about the case. On Wednesday, Shanta Merritt, who lives downstate, said she attends all the court hearings remotely. Every time I hear a little bit of whats going on with my daughter, my stomach starts turning, but Im happy that theyre off the streets, she said, adding she is looking forward to the day when her daughters killers will be sentenced and everybody is caught. She said police are still hunting for one more person. The deadly shooting and the events leading up to it were recorded on multiple surveillance video cameras in an area where the crime happened. From the video, it is clear that Ms. Merritt is struck by one of the first shots at a time when it appears that only the defendant has begun to fire, the court papers state, adding that between 10 to 12 shots were fired before the gunman return to the sedan and it drove away. Police have said Cusaac, 34, the alleged getaway driver, never the left the vehicle. As they sped away from the scene, one of the occupants fired out the car window at the intended target. It does not appear that the man was struck by gunfire, according to the information filed in the case. The results are in See the winners of each category of the 2022 Best of the Capital Region contest, as determined by popular vote. Only 24 hours earlier - on July 4th 2020 - the man apparently drew the ire of Alvarez and his buddies after allegedly pointing a gun at them while apparently attempting to break up a fight involving his nephew and another man at Jerry Burrell Park in the Hamilton Hill neighborhood. The court documents reveal that after they left the park, Alvarez, now 29, and several of his buddies began to discuss plans for retaliating against the man who pulled the gun on them. Four days after Merritts shooting, prosecutors say Alvarez was involved in another shooting in Schenectady's Mont Pleasant neighborhood. While running away, authorities said, he ditched a gun in bushes. The gun was recovered by police, who later though ballistics testing say they were able to match it to shell casings from the homicide. The gun was also swabbed for DNA and a major profile was developed that matched the defendant,according to court documents. The District Attorneys Office says it also has video of a strikingly similar gun in terms of its color, size, and several distinct markings that Alvarez is seen handing to his wife. Prosecutors in their application for a protective order to shield the identities of any potential prosecution witnesses for fear of intimidation or harassment cited an example of where Alvarez allegedly posted a message on Facebook attacking a man who had cooperated with police in an unrelated shooting and calling him a rat. The defendants and their friends are not only affiliated with a known street gang, they are also clearly known to carry guns and use them, states the court papers. The protective order would be good until 30 days before trial. Alvarez was arraigned last month in county court on the offenses related to the homicide, as well as the other shooting in Mont Pleasant. In March 2012, Shanta Merritt also lost her 19-year-old son Daryl Adams, who was gunned down in Queens. Police arrested two men immediately after that shooting and the pair were sentenced separately in 2012 and 2013 for his slaying. ALBANY Disbarred former Guilderland Town Justice Richard Sherwood is out of federal prison less than six months after a judge rejected his request for early release and gripes that life behind bars was "far beyond the pale." The 61-year-old convicted swindler, a former real estate and trusts attorney who ripped off nearly $12 million from elderly clients including one with dementia was sentenced to 4 years in prison in December 2019. His expected release date was October 2023. But on Dec. 16, Sherwood was released from a federal prison camp in Otisville, Orange County, and placed into the custody of a Philadelphia halfway house. Sherwood was placed on community confinement, which would permit him to be back in his Guilderland home. "For privacy, safety, and security reasons we do not discuss any individual inmates conditions of confinement, reason for transfer, or specific release plans," a federal Bureau of Prisons official at Otisville said in an email, adding that Sherwood will be under confinement until Oct. 17, 2023. On Thursday, no one answered the door at Sherwood's home in an upscale Guilderland neighborhood near a country club. He could not be reached by phone. In July, Sherwood asked Senior U.S. District Judge Lawrence Kahn for early release from Otisville, referring to himself as a "victim." Sherwood complained that before being sent to Otisville a facility that a federal prosecutor in Sherwood's case said was "hardly a rough-and-tumble prison" he was subjected to incarceration at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn and a prison in Allenwood, Pa., alongside murderers, robbers and drug dealers Sherwood said his experience included a lack of human contact, as well as "extremely limited or long stretches of no use of TV, radio, computer or phone." And after being sent to Otisville, Sherwood griped, he was forced to be in his cell round-the-clock and was served underwhelming meals. "While I certainly recognize that I am in prison and that the conditions will never be similar to life on the outside, nor should they be, these were never the conditions under which it was intended that I live when my plea was negotiated and I was sentenced," Sherwood told his attorney, Lauren Owens, in February, after the prison's warden rejected his request for release. "They are far beyond the pale." Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Barnett, who said Sherwood "betrayed the dead and deceived the dying" in his crimes, filed a motion last summer to oppose Sherwood's request. "Sherwood seeks to convert his 54-month term of imprisonment into a 19-month, time-served term but his crimes are no less despicable with the passage of time, and a 54-month term of imprisonment remains the correct sentence," he stated. The results are in See the winners of each category of the 2022 Best of the Capital Region contest, as determined by popular vote. Kahn rejected Sherwood's request. "No one, regardless of which strata of society they belong to, should be granted special treatment or consideration when confronted with the inarguably stressful conditions extant in the prison system," Kahn said. Neither the judge nor prosecution have any say in whether the Bureau of Prisons released Sherwood. The federal prison system has granted compassionate release to increased numbers of inmates due to the pandemic. In early 2018, Sherwood and his former business partner, Thomas Lagan, were arrested and charged in two cases -- one led by the state attorney general's office, the other by federal prosecutors, FBI and criminal investigators for the IRS. That July, Sherwood pleaded guilty to second-degree grand larceny in Albany County Court to settle the state case. He pleaded guilty to in federal court in Albany to conspiracy to launder money and filing a false tax return. He had underreported his earnings by $4.7 million. Sherwood and Lagan had since 2006 provided estate planning and financial advice to late Walter and Pauline Bruggeman, philanthropists from Niskayuna. Sherwood admitted that he conspired to steal millions of dollars from the estate of Pauline Bruggeman and her sisters Anne Urban and Julia Rentz who died in 2013. Rentz, at the time, had dementia. And Sherwood and Lagan wrote eight checks (each for $14,000) to each other, their wives and children. And they sent tens of thousands of dollars from client estates to pay college tuition for Lagan's daughter. Lagan, 63, who is serving a six-and-a-half-year term, is still listed as being in a federal prison at Fort Dix in New Jersey. BETHLEHEM Police on Thursday identified the man whose remains were found by a farmer in 1981. Franklin D. Feldman was a transient and his cause of death will likely never be known, officials said. Four decades ago during the spring thaw, a farmer trudged out to his fields to fix a fence damaged in a winter storm and discovered the partially decomposed body of a man lying near the tree line abutting the back of Elm Avenue Town Park. Forty-one years later, at a press conference Thursday, Bethlehem police identified the man as Feldman. A search of the Times Union archives revealed no previous stories done about a man by that name or his disappearance. Investigators tracked down Feldmans aging relatives in Massachusetts, who said hed been off their radar and they hadnt heard from him for years before his disappearance. The relatives readily volunteered DNA samples, which investigators used to successfully match them to their John Doe. His cause of death, which doesnt appear to be foul play, will likely forever be a mystery, said Bethlehem Police Cmdr. Adam Hornick, who has worked the case since it was resurrected in 2013, meticulously rebuilding the file from two sheets of paper after records were lost during a flood in the early 1990s. Officials said the breakthrough was the result of the historic use of modern investigative methods. This case is the first case in the Capital Region and the first in Albany County history thats being solved with the use of investigative genetic genealogy, Hornick said. For investigators, the key rested 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 in 2017. Both labs were able to extract DNA and ultimately create a DNA profile. Yet state regulations on familial DNA at the time 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 Hornick argued would have solved the case. We learned that the request was rejected by the state as the unidentified human remains policy did not allow for the submission of evidence to identify victims, but only for evidence that had been left behind at a scene, Hornick said. 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, a move that allowed investigators to move forward. With the changes to those laws, a sample like this can be submitted just for the purpose of determining the identity of a victim or a deceased person, Hornick said. The results are in See the winners of each category of the 2022 Best of the Capital Region contest, as determined by popular vote. After police refocused media attention on the case in 2019, the man's DNA was sent to the FBI in October 2020. Working with the Houston-based private firm Othram, Feldmans DNA was finally matched in October to two elderly living relatives, including an aunt and a paternal first cousin. One of the relatives had never even met Feldman, who had not been reported missing. The search narrowed when officials consulted with the U.S. Social Security Administration, who determined the person had no record of existing since 1980. At the time of his death, Feldman would have been 41 years old. Even in the 1970s, he was living in unknown locations in New York state and would have only periodic contact with (his relatives), Hornick said. The use of familial DNA brings hope to other families seeking missing loved ones, Hornick said. But he said the advances can be bittersweet for families seeking answers, particularly those watching closely as long cold cases are cracked. Unfortunately, sometimes it always stokes fears or concerns about bringing that closure because that closure means that their loved one is deceased, Hornick said. Officials gathered Thursday at Elm Avenue Town Park adjacent to where the body was initially discovered on April 3, 1981. The man had 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. The man had experienced periods of homelessness, Hornick said, and those clippings contained a list of local resources, including soup kitchens. So those puzzle pieces started adding up once we were able to put a name with it, Hornick said. ALBANY New York's eviction moratorium is set to lift on Saturday, and 1,472 public housing individuals and families in Albany who owe a total of over $3 million in rent could face eviction proceedings, according to the Albany Housing Authority. The federal Department of Housing and Urban Development is encouraging residents to enter into long-term repayment plans with public housing authorities in order to stay in their homes. But the path to receiving the most obvious source of financial assistance, the states emergency rental assistance program (ERAP), is riddled with obstacles for those who need it most, advocates say. People in Section 8 and public housing are put to the back of the line forever, said Marco Flagg, program manager at the Center for Law and Justice, an advocacy group in Albany that provides services to the disadvantaged and communities of color. Programs such as public and Section 8 housing, which provide government-subsidized housing and vouchers to have rent based on one's income, are geared specifically toward low-income individuals and families. However, the way the ERAP policy is currently written gives lower priority to those residents in the distribution of funds, requiring them to exhaust all other financial assistance options before being considered for ERAP funding. But advocates say that condition in the policy makes it unnecessarily harder for funding to go to the most vulnerable communities, requiring them to navigate more red tape with the Department of Social Services and other programs while more financially stable New Yorkers are able to get to the front of the line for assistance. The ERAP policy was, I think, racist and elitist, said Lauren Manning, assistant director at the Center for Law and Justice. You knew that Black folks are the primary residents in public housing. And you knew it wasnt fair that they couldnt actually access ERAP on increased cost of living when you made this policy. While public housing residents rent costs are determined by income, housing advocates say the formula fails to take into account the increased cost of living Americans have faced since the start of the pandemic particularly child care which has made it harder for lower-income residents to make rent. According to HUD, 62 percent of public housing residents in Albany County are Black, and 63 percent are extremely low income meaning they earn only 30 percent of the countys median income. And of the 1,472 families that could face eviction after the moratorium expires, many are concentrated in redlined neighborhoods those that banks and the federal government deemed unstable almost a century ago, limiting residents' access to home mortgages and disincentivizing investment. In Albany, public housing residents wait years to secure housing through the Albany Housing Authority, a public entity that oversees government-subsidized housing that includes large apartment developments such as Ida Yarbrough and Ezra Prentice Homes, as well as high rises like South Mall Tower and Townsend Park. The authority is proposing a long-term repayment agreement to its residents who currently owe rent, without penalties or interest, according to the Albany Housing Authority's general counsel, who added that recent HUD guidance is encouraging all tenants to enter into those agreements. It is our goal to reach an agreement with every tenant which allows them sufficient time to pay their past due balance and avoid eviction, Cheyanne Spoto, chief of staff, said in an email. Spoto also said that the housing authority has been providing residents with one-on-one assistance for ERAP applications. But as of Dec. 6, only 333 of the 1,472 public housing residents who owe rent had applied for ERAP funding, and 27 of those applications had been paid. However, some advocates say the proposed repayment plan isn't enough. United Tenants of Albany, a nonprofit organization that works to improve housing conditions and stability, said that about 15 percent of their calls have been from public housing residents with eviction fears often working, single moms with multiple children. "(The repayment plan) still excludes the fact that this is a majority-minority population that has already been bearing the consequences of this pandemic," said Canyon Ryan, ERAP coordinator and housing counselor at United Tenants of Albany. Ryan said the convoluted nature of making public housing residents find other assistance before applying for ERAP made it almost impossible to get help. He said that the amount private landlords have received from ERAP $11.2 million in Albany County compared to what public housing residents have received $175,227 demonstrates "how excluded public housing tenants have been, when they're the people who are already the most disenfranchised in terms of having an income, in terms of stability." To date, there are 10 Albany Housing Authority residents that have been served eviction warrants since the start of the pandemic, most of which took place in the last month, according to the agency's counsel. Dozens more are already facing court dates in the city's civil court. The authority filed over 85 cases in November and December of 2021 and roughly 100 cases are scheduled for later this month, according to its general counsel, Brian Kremer He noted that in the cases where tenants showed up, their cases were adjourned or an agreement was reached. The housing authority said staff members would be on hand to speak with tenants who appeared. A review of the citys civil court calendar showed that the overwhelming majority of those tenants do not have attorneys representing them. The results are in See the winners of each category of the 2022 Best of the Capital Region contest, as determined by popular vote. Prior to the pandemic, the authority averaged more than 200 eviction cases per month, typically reaching payment agreements with those tenants. Once public housing residents lose their homes, it would take years for them to be able to secure one again the wait-list for public housing and Section 8 was at 13,400 applications in October, up from 10,000 before the pandemic began. In an attempt to stave off thousands of possible evictions and an anticipated homelessness crisis, the Center for Law and Justice is proposing for Albany County to use $3 million of the $167.54 million it is getting in American Rescue Plan funding to pay off the families back rent. Its fiscally irresponsible for them not to address this, said Manning, pointing out the numerous county resources that would have to be used to support these residents if they lost their homes. This is potentially 2,000 to 5,000 people their homeless system could not absorb it. When asked by the Times Union about the center's request, Albany County Executive Dan McCoy in a statement declined to say whether he would use Rescue Plan funding to pay off residents back rent. I have been vocal about the administration of the ERAP program from the beginning, he said in an email. Albany County had to reallocate to New York State the $9 million the federal government had awarded in order to be assured that the state would provide more funding to assist those who needed it. I once again ask OTDA (Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance) to get involved because we know this situation is not unique to only Albany Housing. Troy and Schenectadys public housing programs have explored similar ways to support their residents through payments. Troy Housing Authority, which has 264 households that owe $700,474 in rent, is looking for a way for residents to use other agencies eviction prevention funds (which were not available during the moratorium) as a down payment to enter into a repayment agreement. However, Thomas Hulihan, director of planning and program development, wrote in an email that these agencies are anticipating that requests for eviction prevention assistance will greatly exceed funds available and we are working with them on ways to maximize these funds. Similarly, Schenectady Municipal Housing Authority is working with a local community action program that has made funds available to our residents to prevent eviction for non-payment of rent, Executive Director Richard Homenick wrote in an email. Homenick added that with the timeline of the eviction process, their residents would likely not be removed from their homes before the end of June. Housing advocates highlighted the critical situation communities will be facing if these thousands of households ultimately get evicted, expecting it to have a ripple effect on public safety and education, and crush counties' homelessness services. "You're going to have the potential couple thousand families on the street that are going to flood the shelters. It's going to make everything more expensive for the shelters to operate," United Tenants' Ryan said. "I don't know where these people are going to go." Steve Hughes contributed reporting to this story. RENSSELAER The city wants to join with the neighboring town of East Greenbush and Rensselaer County to hire an environmental lawyer to oppose the states relicensing of the controversial S.A. Dunn landfill, Mayor Michael Stammel said. Plans to form a united legal front were unveiled by Stammel Tuesday night when he appeared before the Rensselaer County Legislature to support a measure calling on the state Department of Environmental Conservation to not relicense the construction and demolition debris dump. All Im asking for is a little support from the county, Stammel said Wednesday following the meeting. If the city, town and county unite in hiring an environmental attorney, they will be able to pool their resources legally and in their public opposition, Stammel said. This would be in addition to the lawyer, Colleen R. Pierson of the Albany law firm of OConnell and Aronowitz, that the grassroots organization the Rensselaer Environmental Coalition has retained to champion its opposition to the license renewal. DEC is conducting an assessment on whether to grant an enhanced renewal operating permit for the landfill. S.A. Dunn takes action to exceed each and every standard set by our regulators. By every objective measure, through extensive sampling and testing, it has been determined that S.A. Dunn does not negatively impact the health and safety of residents, Jeff Burrier of the company said in a recent statement. Legislature Chairwoman Kelly Hoffman, R-North Greenbush, said Tuesday night that legislators have been united in their opposition to the landfill and its relicensing. Mark Fleming, D-Troy, spoke in opposition to the landfill during the legislatures monthly meeting. Hoffman said she would take up Stammels proposal seeking to unite the city, town and county with one legal team. She said she would get more information from the mayor. Hoffman said she had a preliminary conversation with the county Health Department about what steps could be taken in response to the Rensselaer Environmental Coalitions request for an investigation of the landfill. The results are in See the winners of each category of the 2022 Best of the Capital Region contest, as determined by popular vote. County Executive Steve McLaughlin also will be asked to join in the fight, said Stammel, who said he would be contacting McLaughlin. Stammel is past chairman of the legislature and worked closely with McLaughlin on county issues over the last four years. Rensselaer County is reviewing the issue regarding resident concerns about the Dunn landfill and permit issues. We are interested in seeing if the town and city are fully utilizing their regulatory capabilities with regard to the property, said Richard Crist, the county director of operations and McLaughlin spokesman. Stammel said he discussed working together with East Greenbush Supervisor Jack Conway in December when the town held a public forum on the landfill. Town officials have expressed concerns about garbage and pollution from the dump that may impact their community which borders the site. Conway could not be reached for comment Wednesday. Wendy Liberatore/Times Union SHUSHAN A couple was discovered dead in their Washington County home that had no heat on, WNYT-13 reported on Wednesday. Washington County spokesman Roger Wickes would not comment on the death of the 74-year-old woman and a 66-year-old man in their County Route 64 home that, the news channel reported, was 30 degrees inside when their bodies were discovered. ALBANY U.S. Rep. Tom Suozzi called for an investigation on Thursday into Gov. Kathy Hochuls use of state aircraft, asking for Hochul herself to refer the matter to Attorney General Letitia James office for inquiry. Suozzi, a Democratic congressman from Long Island, is running in the Democratic primary for governor against Hochul, who assumed the job in August. She has emerged as the clear front-runner in the June primary, buoyed by historically fast campaign fundraising while she frequently used state aircraft to travel around New York. She wasnt doing her job as governor, to prepare for COVID, Suozzi alleged in a Zoom press conference on Thursday morning. She was politicking and fundraising. And she was using taxpayer-funded state aircraft. James office did not immediately have a comment, and Comptroller Thomas DiNapolis office which referred a matter related to former Gov. Andrew M. Cuomos possible misuse of state resources to James last year declined to comment. Hochul's office declined to address Suozzi's call for an attorney general investigation on Thursday, and also declined to address numerous other requests made by Suozzi, including that Hochul release more information about her unprecedented campaign fundraising. Hochul's office did say that it has so far identified three plane "trips" that merit reimbursement to taxpayers all first flagged in a Times Union article last week which were invoiced on Wednesday and reimbursed on Thursday morning by Hochul's campaign. The total amount reimbursed was $19,949, according to Hochul's office. Her press secretary, Hazel Crampton-Hays, said that in December, the governor's office had retained a new deputy counsel to oversee ethics, Pei Pei Cheng de-Castro, who is a former senior investigator at the Joint Commission on Public Ethics. "Governor Hochul is committed to transparency, accountability, and the highest ethical standards," Crampton-Hays said. "The governor's new deputy counsel who oversees ethics is completing a thorough review of all aircraft usage and necessary reimbursements identified thus far have been made, and we are creating additional controls and processes to better ensure consistent adherence to the strictest ethical guidelines." Hochul's office says it reimburses taxpayers for all mileage in state cars related to political activity and charters aircraft for political activity. In 2008, when Cuomo was attorney general, he investigated possible misuse of state aircraft by former Senate Majority Leader Joseph L. Bruno. Former Gov. Eliot Spitzer's office had sought an investigation, but did not make any formal referral, which would have given Cuomo's office subpoena power. Although the attorney general's office is generally required to get a referral to investigate public corruption, Cuomos office investigated anyway, and its resulting report on the "Troopergate" matter criticized Spitzers office for misusing State Police, while clearing Bruno. Suozzis call follows two reports in the Times Union last week. One examined how several taxpayer-funded flights Hochul took during her first 45 days in office likely should have been reimbursed by her campaign, but were not. The other disclosed that before Hochul became governor, her request to take state aircraft to a campaign fundraiser in Buffalo was rejected by Cuomos top aide, who argued such a flight for nongovernment purposes was illegal. After Hochul became governor, she took a state aircraft from Syracuse to Buffalo to attend a private campaign event on Sept. 19 without conducting any on-the-ground state business before departing the next morning from Buffalo. State aircraft cannot be used when the primary purpose of a flight is campaign-related. Hochuls office, citing a 2013 state ethics opinion, argues that the Sept. 19 flight was legal because she was returning home to Buffalo. The 2013 opinion had allowed Cuomo to fly from his primary residence in Westchester County to locations besides Albany on official business. Hochul, who did conduct official business in Syracuse before flying to Buffalo, argues that she was returning home to Buffalo, where she had begun the day. Hochul moved into the Executive Mansion in Albany upon taking office, but still has a condo in Buffalo; past state ethics opinions have not addressed the issue of multiple residences, and whether a governor can take taxpayer-funded air travel to any of them. Hochul's campaign has now reimbursed taxpayers for aircraft use on Sept. 19, according to her office, but it was not immediately clear how much reimbursement stemmed from the Syracuse to Buffalo trip, and how much stemmed from a trip earlier that day from Buffalo to Syracuse, which had included a private campaign event. Suozzis campaign released a video Thursday highlighting Hochuls use of state aircraft, and her pledge to restore ethical and transparent government in Albany. Suozzi also called for Hochul to take several other actions, including releasing her schedule beyond her first 45 days in office, every request to use state aircraft made by Hochul, and any approvals or denials made by Hochuls counsel. Suozzi requested that Hochul release a full list of who Hochul met with during 64 private campaign-related events during her first 45 days in office, how many of those were fundraisers, as well as the hosts of any fundraisers. In October, the Times Union filed a Freedom of Information Law request seeking Hochuls daily schedule, including the hosts of any fundraisers. But the response by Hochuls office, which was posted on her government website in early January, did not include any information about the hosts of fundraisers, or the nature of the private campaign-related events held. Suozzi also called for Hochul to reimburse taxpayers for any improper travel, as well as any campaign money raised at "private events" on any improper, taxpayer-funded trips. Suozzi said that as governor, he would ban use of state aircraft for any nonofficial events, and called on Hochul to do the same. Hochuls office already last week said that her counsel would re-review her flights, and that her campaign would make any necessary reimbursements. On Thursday, Hochul's campaign declined to address Suozzi's calls for the release information about past aircraft denials by counsel and about her campaign fundraisers. Hochul's office also declined the address the calls to return campaign funds raised during the trips in question, and to ban state aircraft for nonofficial events. According to her schedules, during her first 45 days in office, Hochul attended 64 private events" related to her gubernatorial campaign, including donor meetings and fundraisers, allowing her campaign to raise a record-setting $10 million during her first three months in office. Hochuls campaign has relied heavily on top Albany lobbying firms to raise campaign cash, requesting that they commit to raising $250,000 for events Hochul attends in person. The lobbyists have been throwing money at her, not only the lobbyists themselves, but their clients that have business before the state, Suozzi charged on Thursday. Amid a whirlwind schedule juggling governmental and campaign activities, Hochul used state-issued aircraft for 45 flights over the first 45 days in office. None of the trips were considered mixed use by Hochuls office consisting of both government and campaign-related activities despite a busy campaign schedule on many of the trips. And none of the flight costs for using either a state-owned Beechcraft King Air 250 or a state helicopter were reimbursed to taxpayers by Hochuls campaign. Many of the private events were back-to-back meetings lasting less than an hour and held in New York City, suggesting they were meetings with campaign donors. What's Included With a Digital Only subscription, you'll receive unlimited access to our website and e-edition. Our digital products are available 24/7 and are accessible anywhere, anytime. If you have any questions or need further assistance, please call our customer service team at 570-724-2287 or email dtaylor@tiogapublishing.com. A Jackson County legislator is far too panicked by a recent pandemic debate to proceed. Without much verification the newspaper is carrying 3rd person reports claiming that voters might shoot an elected official. Meanwhile . . . Insiders report the Legislature has completely wiped their hands of this policy gambit and have told Crystal that they would not support it. In the aftermath of this EPIC PUBLIC HEALTH POLITICAL FAIL, here's a bit of political pouting via the Kansas City Star . . . Jackson County Legsislator Crystal Williams blamed the furor surrounding the proposed rule on Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt and his rhetoric on the issue and the steps hes taken in the courts to challenge the legal authority of public health agencies statewide to manage the spread of infectious diseases of all kinds. I lay all of this struggle at his nasty, venal feet, Williams told The Star. His unfettered ambition has brought my county to its knees when it comes to public health. Schmitt did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Williams decision to pull her public health ordinance or her characterizations of his role in her decision. The measure that Williams co-sponsored with legislator Jalen Anderson was introduced Monday and was to have come up for discussion before the county legislatures health and environment committee next week. But opponents of restrictions such as mask mandates and the like have sent Williams and others angry messages since the proposal was announced. The tone of the rhetoric on social media platforms has also been worrisome throughout the pandemic, she said, whenever the county imposed restrictions meant to curb the spread of COVID-19. I have had colleagues say to me they are afraid they are going to be shot, she said. Accordingly . . . If Crystal can prove this threat then she should hand it over to authorities. Just for the record . . . TKC will NEVER condone any threat of terrorism or credible talk of violence . . . Caveat: Talking about "opening a can of whoop-ass" amid a debate is acceptable if only because we all know that's a funny rhetorical metaphor. Still, if we see legit threats of violence in the comments that person will be banned and NEVER allowed to post again. That being said . . . SMEARING LEGIT POLITICAL OPPOSITION BY ASSIGNING VAGUE THREATS OF VIOLENCE TO THEIR SIDE IS A TOTALLY IRRESPONSIBLE & REPREHENSIBLE TACTIC!!! We don't believe Crystal would stoop to that level and, again, she should report any legit threats to authorities so everyone can condemn violence and move forward with HONEST DISAGREEMENTS REGARDING PUBLIC HEALTH POLICY . Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com news link . . . That post title is a sloppy way of saying that our neighbors on the Kansas side of the metro are cracking down the public and the pandemic once again. Accordingly . . . Critics might ask . . . If masking hasn't really worked to spread of COVID thus far, why is it going to work now?!?! But not TKC . . . A confession because this is a blog: I enjoy NOT looking at your nose & mouth. I'm not an introvert at all but grew up during that whole killer clown scare during the 80s and don't enjoy talking to strangers. And thinking about masks lately . . . I really hope our leaders aren't this malevolent but masking has a way of keeping people quiet. That part of it makes it seem like something less than a public health precaution even if the practice of wearing mostly useless masks is commonplace in many Asian countries. Because TKC has mixed feelings about EVERYTHING, often we notice that masks function like muzzle of sorts for people who aren't actively providing health care to patients . . . And now, it's the dress code once again. And probably forever. Here's a quick round-up of the sitch . . . Roeland Park, Kansas passed a mask order 7-1. It also includes a provision for signage on businesses. People could face a $25 fine and businesses could get a $250 fine. The mask order will start on Tuesday, Jan. 18. Mission, Kansas also approved a mask mandate Wednesday night. The city council hopes it'll take some pressure off businesses who implement mandates. Mission's indoor mask mandate also begins Jan. 18 and will end Feb. 23. Violators could face a $25 ticket. Because of the pandemic, Prairie Village City Council met virtually Wednesday night. There was no public comment, but council members debated a mandate some agree has little teeth, but may be better than nothing without any decision by the county so far. Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com news links . . . 3 Johnson County, Kansas cities vote to bring back mask mandates PRAIRIE VILLAGE, Kan. - Three Johnson County, Kansas suburbs voted Wednesday night to reinstate mask mandates. It comes with the average number of daily cases still climbing, according to a regional COVID dashboard. Roeland Park, Kansas passed a mask order 7-1. It also includes a provision for signage on businesses. Masks mandates returning to the metro JOHNSON COUNTY, KS (KCTV) -- Several towns in Johnson County met Wednesday night to discuss and vote on new mask mandates. Prairie Village, Mission and Roeland Park in Johnson County all voted to require masks in public settings at their individual city council meetings. Developing . . . The COVID news remains dire as we move forward into the "dark winter" that continues to threaten any hope for a return to "normal" that now is only a vague memory. And so, we share a few of the more important local updates as pandemic headlines and restarted public health actions moved quickly today . . . Here's TKC news gathering . . . Curve Still Not Flattened KC hospitals face shortages of morgue space, treatments and ventilators KANSAS CITY, Kan. - Doctors from around the Kansas City area are alerting the public to new shortages in their battle to fight COVID-19. In addition to fewer health care workers in the hospitals, doctors said they now face shortages of morgue space, monoclonal antibody treatments and ventilators needed to treat critically ill patients. Time Of For Pandemic Kansas City considers 10 days of paid COVID leave for city employees KANSAS CITY, MO (KCTV) -- Kansas City leaders are considering a measure that would give up to 10 days of paid COVID-19 leave to city workers who test positive for the virus. Kansas City's Finance, Governance and Public Safety Committee on Wednesday morning is set to discuss and possibly vote on the proposal. JoCo Covered Amid COVID 4 Olathe high schools temporarily universally masking OLATHE, Kan. - As of Monday, four Olathe high schools have returned to temporary universal masking due to daily absence rates above 7%. The schools include: Olathe North High School Olathe Northwest High School Olathe South High School Olathe West High School Olathe North, Northwest and West all returned to universal masking on Jan. Life Lesson For Sunflower State Kansas board passes emergency measure to ease COVID-19-related substitute shortages A Kansas state board is hoping that making it easier to obtain a substitute teaching license will help ease the severe shortage of substitute teachers across the state. The Kansas State Board of Education Wednesday passed a temporary emergency change to the requirements to obtain a Temporary Emergency Authorized License. NOT Official COVID Outbreak But Peek Public Health Impact Bonner Springs, Edwardsville schools canceling classes due to spike in illnesses by: Brian Dulle Posted: / Updated: BONNER SPRINGS, Kan. - The Bonner Springs/Edwardsville School District announced Wednesday that it is canceling classes for the rest of the week due to an uptick in student and staff absent due to illness. Take A Breath Kansas City hospitals seeing shortage of ventilators KANSAS CITY, Mo. - In what feels like a flashback to mid-2020, Kansas City area hospitals are seeing a shortage in ventilators. With the surge in COVID-19 cases causing an influx of critically-ill patients, the equipment is once again being stretched thin. Kansas City Star Double Down On Hot Mic Faux Pas Fauci called Kansas senator a moron. But Marshall's COVID games are worse than dumb OPINION AND COMMENTARY Did Tony Fauci know his microphone was still live at a Senate Health Committee meeting Tuesday afternoon? The director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases reacted with exasperation to a series of confused but combative questions from Kansas Sen. Roger Marshall. "What a moron," Fauci muttered. Rock Chalk Spike Recorded One Kansas City area hospital sees highest number of COVID patients since pandemic began KANSAS CITY, Kan. - The University of Kansas Health System has more COVID-19 patients right now than at any point during the pandemic. KU Health System leaders said their emergency rooms are overwhelmed, and their hospital is full. But the problems aren't just isolated there. Developing . . . In this quick compilation we share some of the most relevant local news links on the topic of local crime, police action and threats to public safety. We take special note of the worsening situation in the suburbs and human interest focused on recovery and hope. Here's the TKC collection . . . Police capture man wanted in hit-and-run that killed Kansas City mom, hospitalized her 2 young children KANSAS CITY, MO (KCTV) -- Police have captured a man wanted in a September hit-and-run crash that killed a Kansas City mom and hospitalized her two young children. Kansas City police had put out an alert last week asking for the public's help in finding Arnold L. King, 24. Blue Springs residents say police aren't investigating property crimes BLUE SPRINGS, Mo. - Frustration is growing for some Blue Springs homeowners who say their property crime cases aren't being fully investigated. Vicki Briles said she's been the victim of multiple home invasions and thefts, and police haven't investigated any of them. "Our one incident personally cost us $30,000. Wanted: Jerry Hood JACKSON COUNTY, MO (KCTV) -- According to the KC Crime Stoppers TIPS Hotline, 42-year-old Jerry Hood is wanted for a sex offender registration violation out of Jackson County. His original offense took place in 2001 in Marshall, Missouri. It involved the sexual assault of a child younger than 14 years old. Douglas County Sheriff attempting to locate suspect who led deputies on high-speed chase by: Brian Dulle Posted: / Updated: LAWRENCE, Kan. - The Douglas County Sheriff's Office is asking the public for help in an effort to locate a suspect who led deputies on a high-speed chase through Lawrence late last month. The sheriff's office said 48-year-old Tyrone "Ty" Leroy Alexander, of Baldwin City, ran from deputies on Dec. Man facing charges in Kansas City homicide arrested in Lee's Summit by: Brian Dulle Posted: / Updated: KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A 26-year-old man wanted in connection with mid-December homicide in Kansas City, Missouri, is now in custody following a brief police chase. Roy Justin Puls has been charged with second-degree murder and armed criminal action related to the Dec. Loved ones looking for justice after Cass County woman found dead inside home PLEASANT HILL, Mo. - Pleasant Hill, Missouri, doesn't see many murders. An incident from this weekend has the small Cass County town talking, and a man who's familiar to police is behind bars, charged with murdering a woman with whom he lived. Police records show the body of 39-year-old Sara Maloney was discovered on Sunday afternoon. Suspect in double killing in Kirksville in custody in Belton KIRKSVILLE, Mo. - A Kirksville man charged with killing two people, including an 18-month-old child, and wounding two others has been arrested after 11 days on the run, police said. Anquan "AJ" Glover, 22, was arrested Monday by U.S. Police find flamethrower, AR-15 style rifle in Kansas City man's apartment after arrest A Kansas City man is facing three felonies in federal court after he allegedly posted video messages threatening his associates with a flamethrower on Facebook, leading authorities to discover several weapons, including an AR-15 style rifle, in his residence. Independence woman recovering after hit by suspected drunk driver head-on KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Lisa Rikli is thankful her daughter, Makayla, is alive after she was hit by a suspected drunk driver going the wrong-way on Interstate 29 early Sunday morning. The Missouri State Highway Patrol said the crash happened off I-29 near the Tiffany Spring exit just after 1:30 a.m. Developing . . . It's unfair to think that all of a person's belongings can fit into a shopping cart or a nap sack on a stick. Nevertheless . . . This kind of generous offer might spark a bit of resentment given MILLIONS coming out of the budget to support a growing homeless KCMO homeless population. Here are the deets for the latest handout . . . "Kansas City's homeless shelters only permit people to bring one bag during overnight stays, so a new program will provide 30-gallon bins where people can safely lock away the rest of their belongings and retrieve as needed." Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com news link . . . Since last year Mayor Q has dedicated countless hours and MILLIONS OF TAXPAYER DOLLARS toward the plight of the homeless. Here's the punchline . . . THE KANSAS CITY HOMELESS CRISIS IS WORSE THAN EVER AND NOW PROVES EVEN MORE DEADLY!!! Proof of this tragic fact from the morning news cycle . . . Police and firefighters were called out around 6 a.m. to a fire at Interstate 70 and Benton Boulevard. A homeless encampment under the interstate there caught fire and killed one person . . . The fire burned so hot that the Missouri Department of Transportation had to be called out to check the structural integrity of the bridge. Until MoDOT gives its approval, all westbound I-70 traffic into the city is being diverted onto the 18th Street exit just south of the scene. A quick roundup . . . The Mayor turned Bartle Hall into a homeless camp for a bit last year but the problem persists. The Mayor has provided free motel housing, food and job training for the homeless and sparked by his generosity this population is rapidly growing on local streets. And coming soon . . . Mayor Q wants to destroy working-class neighborhoods with tiny homes for the "houseless" despite widespread objections from nearly every neighborhood in Kansas City. Scroll down a bit on the front page and notice another homeless guy was burned to death earlier this week. To wit . . . MAYBE IT'S TIME TO RECONSIDER MAYOR Q'S HOMELESS STRATEGY AND REALIZE THAT IT'S ONLY MAKING THE PROBLEM WORSE!!! Moreover and just like many home owners have consistently noted . . . Two poor souls dead in a fire this week MIGHT be a sign that allowing the homeless to set up camps throughout urban areas isn't a great idea even if it support the 12th & Oak agenda. Remember that last Mayor Q ignored weeks of complaints about camps in Westport before he allowed cleanup following a high-profile negotiation with some guy who called himself Gaddafi. Even public radio has listened to the complaints of locals who don't want the homeless camping on a toxic site in Northeast but the outcry has been ignored, downplayed and opposed by the city manager & the Mayor's office. Fact: Permissive policy toward homeless camps by the mayor & his allies on council have preceded these tragic deaths. Our main point . . . Homeless burning to death serves as a painful reminder that appeasing activists doesn't create a viable solution to a crisis on local streets. Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com news link . . . Deadly homeless camp fire halts all I-70 traffic into Kansas City KANSAS CITY, MO (KCTV) -- A Thursday morning fire at a homeless encampment under the interstate killed one person and halted all westbound I-70 traffic into Kansas City. Police and firefighters were called out around 6 a.m. to a fire at Interstate 70 and Benton Boulevard. Fatality homeless camp fire shuts down I-70. The westbound Lanes of I-70 closed at 18th Street, just before the Benton curve, due to a fatality homeless fire under a highway overpass. Upon arrival, they found a large structure 7nder the bridge that was ablaze. The impacted overpass crosses the railroad tracks that run east and west, just before Crossing Truman Road to the east. Developing . . . Kansas is ramping up public health orders quickly. Here's another update as the pandemic dress code is back in action . . . The council voted 7 to 1 to pass the measure. The mask mandate takes effect Jan. 18. Businesses are required to post signs asking people to wear a mask and could face a $250 fine per day for not requiring masks. Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com news links . . . Roeland Park City Council votes in favor of a new indoor mask mandate Hide Transcript Show Transcript TO HELP THE COMMUNITY FIRST AT 4. HELP IS ON THE WAY NOW FOR KANSAS SCHOOLS WHIT STAFF SHORTAGES. I'M KELLY ECKERMAN THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION IS VOTING TO TEORMPARILY EASE THE REQUIREMENTS FOR SUBSTITUTE TEACHERS. KMBC9'S EMILY HALLWICK IS LIVE NOW IN KANSAS CITY KANSAS WITH REACTION FROM LOCAL DISTRICTS. And just so readers don't think it's a JoCo phenomena . . . Douglas County Commission votes to continue mask mandate KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The Douglas County Commission met Wednesday to discuss a mask mandate. After hours of discussion and public comment, the commission voted to implement a mask mandate that begins on Thursday and runs until Feb. 9. The meeting was in response to an emergency mask mandate that was passed last week . Developing . . . Brevard, NC (28712) Today A mix of clouds and sun. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 82F. Winds SW at 10 to 20 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies early will give way to cloudy skies late. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 63F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Johnstown, PA (15901) 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 around 70F. Winds SSE at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Rain early...then remaining cloudy with thundershowers developing overnight. Low 59F. Winds S at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 90%. Press Release January 13, 2022 PINUNO BILL PROPOSES TO INCREASE COMPENSATION OF SOCIAL WORKERS IN GOVERNMENT SERVICES Senator Manuel "Lito" Lapid has filed a bill which proposes to increase the compensation of public social workers. The measure which seeks to amend Republic Act No. 9433 also known as the "Magna Carta for Public Social Workers," proposes that the salary grade of entry-level junior officer public social workers shall be at least salary grade 13 or based on the Salary Standardization Law of 2022, that will be equivalent to P29,798 per month. Social workers are in the frontlines of government service. The nature of the work of social workers is mostly ground or field work exposing them to a number of hazards and risks. Given the crucial and vital role of these social workers in our society, especially in the time of the current pandemic, it is only fitting that we give them just recognition and appreciation through an increase in their compensation, which has always been lower to that of their counterparts in the private sector. "Napakarami ng responsibilidad na ginagampanan ng mga social worker dito sa ating bansa. Kahit sa gitna ng pandemya, matiyaga silang nagtatrabaho para makapaghatid serbisyo sa ating mga kababayan kasama na riyan ang pamimigay ng relief goods sa mga tinamaan ng kalamidad. Ang mga social workers din ang nagbibigay ng suporta at gabay sa mga bata, kababaihan at mga pamilya na biktima ng pang-aabuso. Kasama rin sa trabaho nila ang pagtuturo sa mga bata sa mga day care centers at pagtulong sa out-of-school youths at OFWs. Sa dami ng kanilang responsibilidad, marapat lamang na bigyan sila ng tamang pagkilala at malaking tulong sana sa kanila at kani-kanilang pamilya kung mabibigyan sila ng mas mataas na sweldo para may sapat silang panggastos at pambili ng kanilang pangangailangan," Pinuno explained. Pinuno's bill proposes to amend RA 9433 by adjusting the salary grades of public social workers. The bill also seeks to amend the definition of "public social worker" to include not only those performing social work functions under the position title "social welfare officer" but to all positions in the government that require registered/licensed social workers. This will expand the coverage of the said law by also including those whose services are engaged through job orders or contracts of service. "Sa ilalim ng aking isinusulong na panukalang batas, bagamat hinihiling kong taasan ang pasahod sa mga social workers, dapat manatili pa rin at hindi mabawasan ang lahat ng benepisyong ibinibigay ng gobyerno ngayon sa mga public social workers. Dapat lamang na manatili ang mga benepisyong ito lalo't sa gitna ng pandemya sila ay nahaharap sa matinding hamon bilang mga frontliners"" Pinuno said. The bill also states that Local Government Units which do not have adequate or sufficient funds shall only partially implement the established rate as may be approved by the social work management and consultative council. Within ninety (90) days after the approval of this Act, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), in consultation with the Social Work Management and Consultative Council, shall modify the Index of Occupational Services, Occupational Groups, Classes and Salary Grades to adjust the salary grades of public social workers. FILE - Rep. Trey Hollingsworth, R-Ind., speaks during a House Financial Services Committee hearing, Sept. 30, 2021 on Capitol Hill in Washington. Hollingsworth says he won't seek reelection to the southern Indiana congressional seat that he first won in 2016 despite criticism that the wealthy Tennessee transplant had little connection to the state. Hollingsworth has been mentioned as a possible candidate for Indiana governor in the 2024 election and alluded to a possible run for other political offices in a column posted online Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2022, by The Indianapolis Star. (Al Drago/Pool via AP, File) 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 Instant unlimited access to all of our content on triplicate.com. The Triplicate's E-Edition Newsletter emailed to you each week, the night before the paper hits the street! This subscription is for NEW or RENEWING online subscribers. (The charge will appear as "Country Media Inc." on your credit card statement) Tucson, AZ (85741) Today Sun and clouds mixed. High 91F. Winds SSW at 10 to 20 mph.. Tonight Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Low 59F. WSW winds shifting to SE at 10 to 15 mph. Tullahoma, TN (37388) Today Partly to mostly cloudy with widely scattered showers or thunderstorms possible this afternoon. High 81F. Winds SW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 30%.. Tonight Variable clouds with scattered thunderstorms. Low 62F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%. Stop the bias against Muslims. It's the call to action coming from one Imam, as the Muslim c King receives his bachelor of arts degree in sociology from Morehouse College. July 26, 1948: President Harry Truman issues Executive Order 9981 to end segregation in the Armed Services. May 17, 1954: Brown v. Board of Education, a consolidation of five cases into one, is decided by the Supreme Court, effectively ending racial segregation in public schools. Many schools, however, remained segregated. August 28, 1955: Emmett Till, a 14-year-old from Chicago is brutally murdered in Mississippi for allegedly flirting with a white woman. His murderers are acquitted, and the case bring international attention to the civil rights movement after Jet magazine publishes a photo of Tills beaten body at his open-casket funeral. Rosa Parks is arrested for refusing to vacate her seat and move to the rear of a city bus in Montgomery to make way for a white passenger. Director J. Edgar Hoover orders the FBI to begin the COINTELPRO program to investigate and disrupt "dissident" groups within the United States. Montgomery Bus boycott ends King appears on the cover of Time magazine. At the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., King delivers his first national address, "Give Us The Ballot," at the Prayer Pilgrimage for Freedom. King and Ralph D. Abernathy meet with Vice President Richard M. Nixon and issue a statement on their meeting. Nine black students known as the Little Rock Nine are blocked from integrating into Little Rock Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas. President Dwight D. Eisenhower eventually sends federal troops to escort the students, however, they continue to be harassed. Eisenhower signs the Civil Rights Act of 1957 into law to help protect voter rights. The law allows federal prosecution of those who suppress anothers right to vote. During a book signing at Blumsteins Department Store in Harlem, New York, King is stabbed by Izola Ware Curry. He is rushed to Harlem Hospital where a team of doctors successfully remove a seven-inch letter opener from his chest. King embarks on a month-long visit to India where he meets with Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and many of Gandhis followers. Four African American college students in Greensboro, North Carolina refuse to leave a Woolworths whites only lunch counter without being served. The Greensboro FourEzell Blair Jr., David Richmond, Franklin McCain and Joseph McNeilwere inspired by the nonviolent protest of Gandhi. The Greensboro Sit-In, as it came to be called, sparks similar sit-ins throughout the city and in other states. King meets privately in New York with Democratic presidential candidate John F. Kennedy. Six-year-old Ruby Bridges is escorted by four armed federal marshals as she becomes the first student to integrate William Frantz Elementary School in New Orleans. Her actions inspired Norman Rockwells painting The Problem We All Live With (1964). Throughout 1961, black and white activists, known as freedom riders, took bus trips through the American South to protest segregated bus terminals and attempted to use whites-only restrooms and lunch counters. The Freedom Rides were marked by horrific violence from white protestors, they drew international attention to their cause. King, Ralph Abernathy, Albany Movement president William G. Anderson, and other protesters are arrested by Laurie Pritchett during a campaign in Albany, Georgia. King is arrested at an Albany, Georgia prayer vigil and jailed. After spending two weeks in jail, King is released. During the closing session of the SCLC conference in Birmingham, Alabama, a member of the American Nazi Party assaults King, striking him twice in the face Bernice Albertine, Kings fourth child, is born. Conflict in Birmingham reaches its peak when high-pressure fire hoses force demonstrators from the business district. In addition to hoses, Police Commissioner Eugene "Bull" Connor employs dogs, clubs, and cattle prods to disperse four thousand demonstrators in downtown Birmingham. Governor George C. Wallace stands in a doorway at the University of Alabama to block two black students from registering. The standoff continues until President John F. Kennedy sends the National Guard to the campus. The March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom attracts more than two hundred thousand demonstrators to the Lincoln Memorial. Organized by A. Philip Randolph and Bayard Rustin, the march is supported by all major civil rights organizations as well as by many labor and religious groups. King delivers his "I Have a Dream" speech. After the march, King and other civil rights leaders meet with President John F. Kennedy and Vice-President Lyndon B. Johnson in the White House. A bomb at 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama kills four young girls and injures several other people prior to Sunday services. The bombing fuels angry protests. King delivers the eulogy at the funerals of Addie Mae Collins, Carol Denise McNair, and Cynthia Dianne Wesley, three of the four children that were killed during the 15 September bombing of the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church in Birmingham. Carole Robertson, the fourth victim, was buried in a separate ceremony. U.S. Attorney General Robert Kennedy authorizes the FBI to wiretap Kings home phone. King is named "Man of the Year" by Time Magazine. President Lyndon B. Johnson meets with King, Roy Wilkins, Whitney Young, and James Farmer and seeks support for his War on Poverty initiative. King is arrested and jailed for demanding service at a white-only restaurant in St. Augustine, Florida. After King criticizes the FBIs failure to protect civil rights workers, the agencys director J. Edgar Hoover denounces King as "the most notorious liar in the country." A week later he states that SCLC is "spearheaded by Communists and moral degenerates." King meets with FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover at the Justice Department. King receives the Nobel Peace Prize at a ceremony in Oslo, Norway. He declares that "every penny" of the $54,000 award will be used in the ongoing civil rights struggle. Black religious leader Malcolm X is assassinated during a rally by members of the Nation of Islam. In an event that will become known as "Bloody Sunday," voting rights marchers are beaten at the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama as they attempt to march to Montgomery. President Johnson signs the Voting Rights Act of 1965 to prevent the use of literacy tests as a voting requirement. It also allowed federal examiners to review voter qualifications and federal observers to monitor polling places. King and his wife move into an apartment at 1550 South Hamlin Avenue in Chicago to draw attention to the city's poor housing conditions. King delivers "Beyond Vietnam" to a gathering of Clergy and Laymen Concerned About Vietnam at Riverside Church in New York City. He demands that the U.S. take new initiatives to end the war. King publicly reveals his plans to organize a mass civil disobedience campaign, the Poor People's Campaign, in Washington, D.C., to force the government to end poverty. King leads a march of six thousand protesters in support of striking sanitation workers in Memphis. The march descends into violence and looting, and King is rushed from the scene. King returns to Memphis, determined to lead a peaceful march. During an evening rally at Mason Temple in Memphis, King delivers his final speech, "Ive Been to the Mountaintop." King is shot and killed while standing on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel in Memphis. President Johnson signs the Civil Rights Act of 1968, also known as the Fair Housing Act, providing equal housing opportunity regardless of race, religion or national origin. The Congressional Black Caucus is formed. The U.S. Supreme Court in Alexander v. Holmes County Board of Education orders immediate desegregation of public schools, signaling the end of the "all deliberate speed" doctrine established in Brown II Fred Hampton, chairman of the Illinois chapter of the Black Panther Party, is shot and killed while asleep in bed during a police raid on his home. In the past 24 hours, the National Police has received nine false bomb reports in relation to 600 infrastructure objects in different cities across Ukraine. This was stated by the head of the National Police, Ihor Klymeneko, who spoke with Rada TV, Ukrinform reports with reference to the Ministry of Internal Affairs. "We are currently figuring out who is making sham bomb threats. During the New Year holidays alone, we received 132 such reports. Nine perpetrators have been detained in nine regions, including large cities Kyiv, Dnipro, and Odesa. The culprits had different motives for committing the crime. Some were in a state of intoxication," said Klymenko. The head of the National Police added that some bomb reports are coming from the temporarily occupied territories of Donetsk and Luhansk regions. Klimenko also said that the National Police would respond to any such calls. "We are considering every such call. Significant forces of the National Police are involved in verifying bomb threats. The safety of our citizens is our No. 1 priority! said the police chief. As Ukrinform reported earlier, on January 12, at 13:00, the Security Service of Ukraine received a message about the bombs allegedly planted at four metro stations, several shopping malls, as well as Zhuliany and Boryspil airports. Following an inspection, subway operations were promptly resumed. The airports operate as usual. Also, law enforcers were verifying bomb threats in relation to schools in Lviv and Cherkasy. im Over the past day, January 12, the Russian-occupation troops launched three attacks, using weapons prohibited under the Minsk agreements once, in the Joint Forces Operation (JFO) area in eastern Ukraine. As a result of the enemy's actions, one serviceman of the Joint Forces received combat injury. The soldier is in a medical institution. His health status is satisfactory, the press center of JFO Headquarters posted on Facebook. The enemy launched two attacks, using hand-held anti-tank grenade launchers and tripod-mounted man-portable antitank guns towards Prychepylivka (50km north-west of Luhansk). Near Novozvanivka (70km west of Luhansk), the occupiers fired 120mm mortars on Ukrainian positions. The Ukrainian troops returned fire without resorting to weapons banned under the Minsk agreements and forced the enemy to cease shelling. As of 07:00, January 13, no ceasefire violations by the Russian-occupation forces were recorded. ol Over the past eight years, the Navy of the Armed Forces of Ukraine has restored the potential of the marines and coastal artillery. "If you want peace, you need to be ready for war. Since 2014 we focused on restoring our marines and coastal artillery We have restored their potential. At the moment, the forces we have on the coast are capable of fighting off any landing party of the enemy," Deputy Commander of the Naval Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Vice Admiral Andriy Tarasov told Sky News in an interview. Tarasov said he was confident other parts of the Ukrainian armed forces would be able to help the navy defend its coastline if needed. The UK is an important ally, supporting efforts by Ukraine to buy new warships and weapons, including missiles, as well as renovate other naval bases, Vice Admiral Tarasov said. As reported, the United States already contracted 10 Mark VI boats for further supply to the Ukrainian Navy under the U.S. Foreign Military Sales program. ol Ukraine's free trade agreement with Turkey could be signed in February during Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's visit to Kyiv. "During the visit, we have discussed economic issues, free trade area. We are now one step away from signing the free trade agreement. We hope that on February 3, when Mr. Erdogan will visit Ukraine, this agreement will be signed and give an even greater impetus to achieving the goal of $10 billion in trade turnover between Ukraine and Turkey," Roman Hryshchuk, co-chair of the Verkhovna Rada Group on Interparliamentary Relations with the Republic of Turkey, told Ukrinform, summing up the results of the first day of the Ukrainian delegation's visit. During the meetings at the Parliament and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkey, Ukrainian parliamentarians thanked for Turkey's support for Ukraine's territorial integrity, the Crimea Platform, and participation in its inaugural summit. Hryshchuk expressed hope that the current visit would provide an impetus for closer ties between the parliaments of Ukraine and Turkey. The official visit of the Speaker of Mustafa Sentop, Speaker of the Parliament of Turkey, to Ukraine is expected this year. During the visit to Ankara, the Ukrainian delegation met with Speaker of the Grand National Assembly (Parliament) of Turkey Mustafa Sentop, Adviser to the President of Turkey Yalcn Topcu, co-Chair of Ukraine-Turkey Inter-Parliamentary Friendship Group Tugrul Turkes and the Group members, Head of the Turkish parliamentary delegation to PACE Ahmet Yildiz, Head of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Parliament of Turkey Akif Klc, and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkey Yavuz Selim Kiran. As reported, President Zelensky stated the need to expand free trade agreements with the European Union, Canada, and Israel and expected to sign the FTA with Turkey in early 2022. Photo credit: Olha Budnyk ol Respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all nations is one of the key principles of European security, therefore NATO calls on Russia to withdraw its troops from Ukraine, Georgia, and Moldova, where they are uninvited and not welcomed. This was stated by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, who spoke at a press conference following a meeting of the NATO-Russia Council in Brussels, Ukrinform reports. The agency asked whether the current blackmail by Russia and the threat of a new war in Europe would affect NATO's stance on other violations of international law by Russia, including the temporary occupation of Crimea and Donbas, Georgia, and their military presence in Moldova. "Russia has military forces in Georgia, in Ukraine, in Crimea, and also in Moldova. And these forces are there without the consent of the governments of these countries, they are uninvited and not welcomed. And NATO Allies also in the meeting today, called on Russia to withdraw those forces and to respect the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Georgia, of Ukraine, of Moldova. And, again, these are fundamental principles to respect the borders of all countries for peace and security in Europe," said Jens Stoltenberg. He noted that NATO engages in dialogue with Russia in good faith but will not make concessions on key principles, including the sovereignty and territorial integrity of any European nation, the right of any nation to choose its own security arrangements, and the ability of NATO allies to defend each other. " So NATO engages in these talks, the dialogue, in good faith. ()And then, at the same time we have to be prepared that Russia once again chooses confrontation. () And therefore we also made it very clear that any use of force against Ukraine will be a severe and serious strategic mistake by Russia. And it will have severe consequences and Russia will have to pay a high price, NATO Secretary General said. He emphasized that, should Russia launch a new round of aggression against Ukraine, NATO would be forced to seriously increase military presence in its eastern flank. At the same time, Stoltenberg noted that although NATO continues to provide political and practical support to Ukraine, it is important to remember that Ukraine is a partner, not a NATO ally. The security guarantees contained in Article 5 of the Washington Collective Defense Treaty apply to allies exclusively. A number of diplomatic events are taking place this week to discuss European security issues and reduce tensions over Ukraine that have been provoked by Russia. In particular, the first round of talks between Russia and the United States took place in Geneva on Monday. The NATO-Ukraine Commission met in Brussels on the eve of the NATO-Russia Council, with the participation of Olha Stefanishyna, Vice PM for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration. On Wednesday, the security situation in Europe and around Ukraine was discussed by EU defense ministers in an informal meeting in the French city of Brest, and on Thursday, the discussion will continue with the participation of EU foreign ministers. The current state of European security within the OSCE will also be discussed this week. im After the meeting of the NATO-Russia Council in Brussels, Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko said the parties had no "common positive agenda." Grushko made the statement during a briefing, an Ukrinform correspondent reports. "All practical cooperation between us and the Alliance in areas of common interest has been suspended. Today we have no common positive agenda, not at all," Grushko said. He again accused the United States and its allies of trying to gain an advantage in all operational domains (land, sea, air, space, and cyberspace) and in all possible theaters of war. At the same time, according to the Russian deputy foreign minister, the Russian side in the talks "directly, without trying to get around corners, using politically correct formulas, pointed out that further escalation could lead to the most unpredictable and severe consequences for European security." Grushko believes that the meeting "was a frank conversation." As Ukrinform reported earlier, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said at a meeting of the NATO-Russia Council on January 12 that the Alliance was ready for a dialogue with Russia on key issues of arms control and confidence-building, but would not compromise on key principles, including that of allies defending each other and of nations being able to choose their own security arrangements. At the same time, he said, the Allies are ready for new meetings with Russia to discuss issues and concrete proposals in more detail. These include arms control, confidence-building measures, transparency of military activity, and the establishment of a communication mechanism to prevent misunderstandings and military incidents. im NATO provides practical and political support to Ukraine and will continue its efforts to ensure Ukraine's right to self-defense, while Ukraine does not pose any threat to Russia's security. This was stated by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg during a press conference following the NATO-Russia Council meeting in Brussels on Wednesday, an Ukrinform correspondent reports. "Ukraine is a sovereign nation. Ukraine has the right to self-defense. ()That's enshrined in the UN founding charter, and of course, some NATO Allies and NATO help them to uphold that right to self-defense," Stoltenberg said. He stressed that any assumption that Ukraine is a threat to Russia is an attempt to turn reality upside down, as its Russia who is the aggressor that has already used and continues to use military force against Ukraine. "Ukraine is not a threat to Russia. Russia has the biggest land power in Europe. They are one of two major nuclear powers. They have invested heavily in new, modern capabilities over the last years. But not only that, Russia has used military force against Ukraine before. In 2014, they occupied and took a part of Ukraine, Crimea. And they continue to illegally occupy Crimea and they control through the separatists in eastern Ukraine, Donbas. So the whole idea that, in a way, Ukraine threatens Russia is absolutely to put the whole thing upside down. It is Russia that is the aggressor. This crisis is a making of Russia. And therefore it is important that they (Russia - ed.) de-escalate, the NATO secretary general added. A number of diplomatic events are taking place this week to discuss European security issues and reduce tensions over Ukraine that have been provoked by Russia. In particular, the first round of talks between Russia and the United States took place in Geneva on Monday. The NATO-Ukraine Commission met in Brussels on the eve of the NATO-Russia Council, with the participation of Olha Stefanishyna, Vice PM for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration. On Wednesday, the security situation in Europe and around Ukraine was discussed by EU defense ministers in an informal meeting in the French city of Brest, and on Thursday, the discussion will continue with the participation of EU foreign ministers. The current state of European security within the OSCE will also be discussed this week. im At a meeting of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine on December 30, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky instructed the authorities to work out a mechanism for cooperation with international and foreign partners so that the oligarch status and related restrictions are applied including beyond the countrys borders. This was announced by Justice Minister Denys Maliuska, who spoke with Rada TV, Ukrinform reports. "One of the tasks set by the President at the latest meeting of the National Security and Defense Council is to work out a mechanism for cooperation with our international and foreign partners so that the oligarch status and relevant restrictions do not remain exclusively within our country. So that our partners react as well as also establish additional controls over the assets and activities of such persons abroad. We will be working to this end," the minister said. According to Maliuska, the status of an oligarch will "automatically" lead to problems for doing business abroad. However, the Minister stressed that Ukraine wants this to be legally fixated. "The resistance is great, the war isnt over yet. There are a few more lines of defense that will obviously be used by oligarchs. But until nothing unpredictable happened, they didnt invent anything that we wouldnt expect in advance," he said. As Ukrinform reported earlier, on December 30, Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council Oleksiy Danilov said the government would start formally designating certain businessmen as oligarchs as early as May 2022. On September 23, the Verkhovna Rada passed the law "On Prevention of Threats to National Security Related to Excessive Influence of Persons Who Have Significant Economic or Political Weight in Public Life (Oligarchs)." On November 4, it was signed off by Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada, Ruslan Stefanchuk, and the next day by President Volodymyr Zelensky. im Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba had a telephone conversation with newly appointed Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands Wopke Hoekstra as part of consolidating international support for Ukraine and deterring Russian aggression. The chief Ukrainian and Dutch diplomats coordinated their positions against the background of ongoing diplomatic contacts with Russia in Europe. The ministers pointed out the unacceptability of Russia's demands to influence the further nature of Ukraine's relations with NATO and the EU, the Ministrys press service informs. Kuleba informed his Dutch counterpart about the current security situation near Ukrainian borders and in the area of the Russian-Ukrainian armed conflict. Hoekstra reaffirmed his unconditional support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity and his commitment to the principle of "no decisions on Ukraine without Ukraine." The foreign ministers separately discussed the implementation of a comprehensive package to deter Russia from a new wave of aggression in Europe, which covers political, economic and security areas. In this context, Kuleba underscored the priority of international efforts to shore up Ukraine's defense sector. The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands praised the efforts of the Ukrainian leadership to implement reforms. The foreign ministers agreed to continue to work closely together to bring to justice those responsible for the downing of MH17. ol The Biden administration quietly authorized an additional $200 million in security assistance to Ukraine. In late December, the Biden administration quietly authorized an additional $200 million in security assistance to Ukraine. The security package authorized the shipment of much of the same defensive equipment the US has provided in the past, including small arms and ammunition, secure radios, medical equipment, spare parts and other equipment, Politico informs. The $200 million was approved as part of President Joe Bidens authority, which empowers him to have the secretary of State ask the secretary of Defense to deliver items from existing Pentagon stock to a country in peril. The presidents team is then required to tell Congress that an unforeseen emergency required immediate military assistance. We have been providing defensive assistance to Ukraine, including through deliveries that have taken place in just the last few weeks. We will continue to do so in the weeks and months ahead through a range of mechanisms, including the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, a State Department spokesperson told Politico. The media outlet was told in Kyiv that the United States would send radar systems and some maritime equipment, though it was unclear when the first deliveries would be made. As noted, this isnt the first time Biden has used his authority. In August, he committed the United States to send $60 million in military aid to Kyiv shortly ahead of a meeting with Zelensky. Part of that tranche, including small arms and ammo, were delivered to Ukraine last month. ol NATO leadership has chosen a distinctively diplomatic tone for communication with Russia within the NATO-Russia Commission meeting On January 9, 10, 12, and 13, all nations and international organizations that oppose Russian aggression and arrogant "ultimatums" approached the series of talks "Civilized World vs Aggressive Non-Systemic Russia" without any illusions. This helped them maintain the tone within the framework of decency and with the prospect of continuation. Western powers traditionally follow the principle that it is better to talk than to fight. And the only thing left Ukraine us is to listen to what was said after the four-hour meeting. But not much was said In short, as has been noted by almost all key players in American and European politics, Russia's ultimatum for NATO not to further expand eastwards has been rejected, for the second time in three days. However, this was done in an emphatically diplomatic way. "We had an open discussion, focusing on tensions around Ukraine and increasing the number of Russian troops at the border. But only Ukraine and NATO have to decide when Kyiv can join NATO. Russia should not have a veto," said NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg. NATO's principled position on the above-mentioned issue is also clear: the Alliance wants Russia to remain in the spotlight at all times. However, in these negotiations to agree on Russia's mutual representation in NATO and vice versa - failed Jens Stoltenberg: We have made it clear also in the meeting today that we [would like to] actually reopen, re-establish, both the NATO office in Moscow and also the Russia mission to NATO because we believe in dialogue. () What we have made clear is that regardless of whether these offices are reopened or not, we strongly believe that if Russia is willing to sit down in a series of meetings, addressing a wide range of issues. Jens Stoltenberg Another interesting detail is that, compared to Geneva, the leadership of the Russian delegation has changed. Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov was replaced by Lavrov's other deputy, Alexander Grushko, while the military was represented by Russian Deputy Defense Minister Alexander Fomin. On the U.S. side, however, Wendy Sherman, the US Deputy Secretary of State, remained in place following the talks in Geneva on January 9-10, underscoring Washington's steadfast approach. "In todays NATO-Russia Council, I reaffirmed the fundamental principles of the international system and of European security: Every country has the sovereign right to choose its own path," said Wendy Sherman. As for how to ensure de-escalation, Sherman recommended that the Kremlin simply withdraw troops to the barracks. NATO harbored no special expectations. Jens Stoltenberg said that a good result would be an agreement to hold further meetings. It seems that the parties have achieved it. And it is very important for Ukraine that the NATO Secretary General emphasized the principled position: we cannot talk about the Russian invasion today, because in 2014 Russia ALREADY attacked Ukraine and occupied part of its sovereign territory. So Russia is no mediator for Stoltenberg, but a party to the conflict. Ukraine has the right to self-defense and poses no threat to Russia. Meanwhile, some major developments are being reported from the U.S. as regards the Ukraine issue. In late 2021, the U.S. presidential administration turned out to have quietly provided Ukraine with an additional $200 million in military aid. The supply of almost the same set of defense weapons that the United States had previously supplied to Ukraine is envisaged. These include small arms and ammunition, portable radios, medical equipment, spare parts for certain equipment, and more. Senate Republicans, at the initiative of Senator Mark Rubio, prepared for a vote a resolution demanding that the administration impose a severe sanction package on Russia in case of further aggression. The measures have been finally named publicly and specifically. Among them is the requirement that Nord Stream 2 never be put into operation if aggression continues. According to the Washington Post, Senate Democrats have drafted their list of sanctions that will be applied if Russia does invade. The White House seems to have agreed to these proposals, so they are expected to also be voted soon. For the first time on the list of what we have long heard about, such as the blocking of Russias access to SWIFT, there is a threat of personal sanctions against Vladimir Putin. This would be an unprecedented move as presidents are very rarely subject to sanctions in international relations. As for Putin, it remains to conclude that the next level might be a summons to the Hague tribunal. So far, we have come to the point where continuing to discuss the issue of whether "Putin will attack or not" has become ridiculous, despite all seriousness of the situation. Ukraine and its partners must stop asking this question without a chance of getting an answer. Its the same as constantly repeating the strange formula "nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine." How is it even possible on practice? It has long been said how this formula should be laid down: "no DECISIONS about Ukraine without Ukraine." However, we have already come to the conclusion that on the eve of the Russia-NATO Council, that is, the BILATERAL format, some Ukrainian politicians continued to publicly complain that "Ukraine is once again left out of the talks involving its fate. The OSCE consultations will take place in Vienna on Thursday, January 13. The Ukrainian delegation will take part in these contacts. The meeting will really be interesting, first of all, because it may highlight the position of various European powers - both our friends, members of the Normandy format, and those who have not yet expressed any special sympathy for Ukraine. So we wait. Oleh Melnychuk, Kyiv im Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba and his Canadian counterpart Melanie Joly have discussed steps to deter Russia from its further aggression, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry has said. "Dmytro Kuleba and Melanie Joly have discussed steps to deter Russia from a new wave of aggression in Europe, including the implementation of a painful comprehensive deterrence package for Moscow, which includes political, economic and security measures," the statement said. It notes that during their phone call, Joly said Russia's demands for guarantees that Ukraine will never be allowed to join NATO were unacceptable. Joly reaffirmed Canada's unwavering support for Ukraine amid Russian threats and a build-up of Russian troops along the state border and in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine. Kuleba thanked his colleague for Canada's efforts to consolidate the international response to Russia's aggressive actions. A separate topic of the conversation was the development of bilateral cooperation in the fields of security and defense, the statement said. Both ministers also agreed to intensify cooperation to bring Iran to account for the downing of flight PS752 and to establish justice in this tragedy, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry said. op Ukraine and Georgia need "some time" to meet NATO's high standards and be ready to join the military alliance, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman has said. She said this after a meeting of the NATO-Russia Council in Brussels on Wednesday, January 12, according to an Ukrinform correspondent. "We [at NATO] are open to everyone, and certainly Ukraine is one of those countries that very much wants to become a member, and so they are going through the process. It does take some time and there is a lot of work that has to get done to make sure that the high standards of NATO are met," Sherman said. Sherman, who led the U.S. delegation in talks with Russian officials in Geneva and Brussels, also noted that the same was true for Georgia. op What happens next after the NATO-Russia Council talks will be absolutely critical to peace and security in Europe, UK Foreign Secretary Liz Truss has said. She commented on the results of a meeting of the NATO-Russia Council held in Brussels on January 12, according to the UK government's website. According to Truss, the UK and its allies made clear to Russia that its military build-up on the border of Ukraine and in illegally annexed Crimea is unacceptable. Truss stressed that her country condemns Russia's aggression and destabilizing activity. "A further military incursion into Ukraine would be a massive strategic mistake and come with a severe cost on Russias economy, including coordinated sanctions. The quagmire of a long-running conflict would cost lives and damage communities on both sides. This is the reality of armed conflict, as we have seen before," she said. Truss noted that Russia is in violation of its commitments through its recent actions on the borders of Ukraine and in illegally annexed Crimea. She recalled that the UK and its allies are united in their support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and they are pushing back against the Kremlin's threatening behavior. "What happens next will be absolutely critical to peace and security in Europe. The only way forward is for Russia to de-escalate and engage in meaningful discussions," Truss said. Photo: Getty Images op During their visit to Ankara, the representatives of the Verkhovna Rada Group on Interparliamentary Relations with the Republic of Turkey suggested establishing the Crimea Platform at the Turkish Parliament. "We thanked Turkey for supporting the Crimea Platform [established by Kyiv], participating in its summit, and signing the declaration. We suggested establishing the Crimea Platform in the Turkish Parliament. Technically, we will work on this issue with our colleagues, the head of the friendship group [in the Turkish Parliament] a little bit later," Verkhovna Rada Group co-chair Rustem Umerov told Ukrinform, summing up the results of the first day of the Ukrainian delegation's visit. The Ukrainian MP stressed that the UkraineTurkey friendship group is the largest one in the Verkhovna Rada. A solid delegation arrived in Ankara, fruitful meetings were held, he said, recalling that preparations are also underway for the Strategic Council meeting with the participation of the presidents of Ukraine and Turkey. "We hope that on February 3, when the President of Turkey arrives in Ukraine, we will sign several agreements. We are waiting for the ratification of one of them in the Turkish Parliament. This is an agreement on the construction of apartments for internally displaced persons from Crimea, Crimean Tatars," the MP said. According to him, the threat of further Russias military aggression against Ukraine was also discussed during the visit. "We talked about the situation near the borders. Our main message is that we are ready for any challenge now, but we defend not only Ukraine but Europe also, so we rely on the help of international partners. We negotiate politically and diplomatically, but the situation on the eastern border is unacceptable Turkish colleagues were informed about the current state of affairs, including the situation of political prisoners and prisoners of war. We encourage our colleagues to support our messages on this issue at all international platforms where they are present," Umerov noted. The possibility of Turkey's assistance in the release of political prisoners was also touched upon in the light of a successful case in this area the release of Ilmi Umerov and Akhtem Chiygoz four years ago. During the visit to Ankara, the Ukrainian delegation met with Speaker of the Grand National Assembly (Parliament) of Turkey Mustafa Sentop, Adviser to the President of Turkey Yalcn Topcu, co-Chair of Ukraine-Turkey Inter-Parliamentary Friendship Group Tugrul Turkes and the Group members, Head of the Turkish parliamentary delegation to PACE Ahmet Yildiz, Head of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Parliament of Turkey Akif Klc, and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkey Yavuz Selim Kiran. On Thursday, January 13, the group of Ukrainian parliamentarians will arrive in Istanbul to meet with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and visit Baykar Teknoloji production facilities. Photo credit: Olha Budnyk ol President Volodymyr Zelensky will meet with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev on Friday, January 14, who will be paying a working visit to Ukraine. Thats according to the press service of the Ukrainian head of state, Ukrinform reports. "On January 14, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky will meet with President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, who will pay a working visit to our country," the Presidents Office wrote. The meeting will take place at the Mariinsky Palace in Kyiv. Read also: Zelensky asks Aliyev to help free Kremlin prisoners It is planned that at 13:15 local time, the two leaders will deliver statements to the media. Earlier, at a meeting with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev in Brussels in December last year, President Volodymyr Zelensky proposed holding a summit in Kyiv in February 2022 with the participation of Azerbaijani and Turkish leaders. Earlier, Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan would come to Ukraine in early 2022. A meeting of the NATO-Russia Council has demonstrated the unity of the North Atlantic Alliance in the issue of Russia's aggressive behavior but the threat remains. Polish Deputy Foreign Minister Pawel Jablonski said this in a comment to the Polish Press Agency (PAP), Ukrinform reports. According to him, the meeting in Brussels showed the strength and unity of the military alliance. "It's a very good signal. It is important that this signal does not end there, and that NATO's policy should continue to be consistent," Jablonski said. According to him, the situation related to Russia's actions is far from over. "Russia is escalating, threatening and blackmailing the Western world. The threat has not passed, as Russia poses a direct threat to Ukraine. It is obvious that any escalation of Russian aggression in Ukraine is also dangerous for the whole of Europe," Jablonski said. He stressed that the NATO-Russia meeting in Brussels on January 12 had already affected relations between Moscow and the West. "If Russia thought that with its offensive statements and demands it could scare Europe, now Moscow has realized that its plan has failed. However, this does not mean that Russia will not repeat such actions," the Polish diplomat said. Drawing attention to the tactics of Russian President Vladimir Putin, Jablonski noted that the Russian leader is acting aggressively, escalating the situation. "He can withdraw tactically but only with the goal of returning to the offensive in a while. Even if not in the near future, this should be taken into account in the longer term," Jablonski said. op Recent bills with new sanctions against Russia and increased support for Ukraine could be passed pretty quickly, but some points need to be amended. Kurt Volker, former U.S. Ambassador to NATO and former U.S. Special Representative for Ukraine Negotiations, said this in an interview with Ukrinform. "There are a few things in the bills that the White House does not support, including some automaticity of some of the sanctions," he said. Volker noted that the White House wants to preserve the freedom of the president's executive powers, including the possibility of making certain exceptions to sanctions. "If the administration and the Democratic leadership because both chambers are controlled by the Democrats - work out some changes to the bills that preserve their intent, that preserve increasing support to Ukraine and a clear statement of support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity and so on, I suspect that they could pass pretty quickly," Volker said. In this regard, he explained that "the Republicans' support is there, the Democrats just don't want to be crossing the administration." "But if they can work something out with the administration, I think it would go quickly," he said. At the same time, Volker noted that the White House is able to impose sanctions on Russia on its own, without any agreement with Congress. "The administration actually already has the authority it needs to impose more sanctions if they want. They don't need the legislation," he stressed. A group of influential Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives on January 10 initiated a bill to ensure Ukraine's independence by strengthening its defense (GUARD), which proposes to grant Ukraine NATO Plus status, as well as impose sanctions on Russia's Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline. op The United States and European countries must take action and impose sanctions on Russia, strengthen NATO allies and increase aid to Ukraine, and then continue the dialogue with the Kremlin. Kurt Volker, former U.S. Ambassador to NATO and former U.S. Special Representative for Ukraine Negotiations, said this in an interview with Ukrinform. "Now is the time to be increasing support for Ukraine, training, equipment. Now is the time to apply sanctions until Russia stands down its military forces. We should be putting these in there today rather than waiting to see if Russia invades and then doing it after the fact," Volker said. According to him, Putin is cynically using the diplomatic process for his own insidious plan to get a formal rejection from the West of the Kremlin's ultimate demands to NATO and the United States. "And then he [Putin] can use that rejection as a pretext, saying, well, because Russia's security interests were ignored, we have no choice, we have to take things into our own hands," Volker said. He added that if the Kremlin decides to invade Ukraine, it will be most convenient to do so by the middle of February. "They [the Russians] want to be able to carry out military action on frozen ground and end it before the ground thaws. So they have a window in which they can act, do what they're going to do, and then be able to go into negotiation," Volker said. He urged the United States and NATO to "take preemptive steps." "We want to prevent - we should want to prevent - a new invasion rather than wait for that to happen," Volker said. At the same time, he said he was sure that the current U.S. administration seems to understand the need to be much tougher than in 2014 or 2015. "So they seem to have prepared the ground for quick deployment of very tough sanctions. They've also said that they will reinforce a military presence in NATO countries in Eastern Europe and increase security assistance to Ukraine. So they've said all of these things, and I think they mean it, I believe they are committed to it. The only thing I would say is that I would urge them to do it now, don't wait," Volker said. op The OSCE should focus its efforts on the peaceful settlement of the "conflict in and around Ukraine" in accordance with the Minsk Agreements and with full respect for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity. "We should focus on the peaceful settlement of the conflict in and around Ukraine in accordance with the Minsk Agreements and with full respect for Ukraine's sovereignty, territorial integrity and unity within its internationally recognized borders," OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Poland Zbigniew Rau said at the OSCE Permanent Council meeting in Vienna, an Ukrinform correspondent reports. Rau pointed out the importance of the activities of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine. He also expressed the belief that the OSCE SMM's mandate should be extended after March 31, 2022. "The SMM should be able to fully and effectively carry out its mandate in the territory of Ukraine," the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Poland added. He stressed that Polands OSCE chairmanship would pay "special attention to improving the security situation in the OSCE region, especially with regard to finding ways to peacefully resolve regional and protracted conflicts." In his speech, he also underscored the need to reach a peaceful settlement in Georgia, Transnistria, and Nagorno-Karabakh, and expressed concern over the developments in Kazakhstan. The OSCE Permanent Council meeting began at the OSCE Headquarters in Vienna on Thursday, January 13. Poland presents the priorities of its chairmanship in 2022. It is also expected that the delegations of the participating countries will speak about the current escalation provoked by Russia's military build-up near the Ukrainian borders. Photo credit: WYBORCZA.PL ol Ukraines Sich-2-30 (Sich-2-1) spacecraft has been launched into orbit in the United States. "Sich-2-30 satellite was launched at the Cape Canaveral U.S. Air Force Station Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40)," an Ukrinform correspondent reports. Sich-2-30 spacecraft was designed at the Pivdenne (Yuzhnoye) State Design Office, Dnipro City, to monitor the use of land, vegetation, forest, water resources and to eliminate the consequences of natural disasters. In addition, the satellite can help obtain data on the creation of engineering structures, the movement of military equipment and ships. The satellite is to become the first domestic Earth remote sensing spacecraft over the past 10 years. Initially, the satellite was designed under the name "Sich-2-1", then it was renamed "Sich-2-30" as its launch was timed to coincide with the 30th anniversary of Ukraine's independence. The satellite weighs 180 kg. The launch of Sich-2-30 into the Earth orbit was scheduled for January 10, 2022, but then postponed to January 13. Photo credit: SpaceX ol 31.12.2021 Another missed Christmas party It is nothing but a little bit of RNA with a protein shell, and yet it has changed our world dramatically. And we begin realizing that it may never be just like before. But perhaps, that is a good thing, and an essential one for our world. Of course, our Vertiefungs-Modul Biochemistry in January and February was severely affected, with too much online teaching, and we even skipped one of our Fortgeschrittenen-Module because the burden on the group was too high. But we again had excellent Bachelor students, Lara Luneberg, Antonia Irion, Dominic Gogol, and Dominik Peters. Katharina Ost and Merle Diekmann finished their Master theses. Soofia Khanahmadi from Iran and Naivy Yuvicel Nava Cruz from Mexico defended their doctoral projects, and Margareta Hellmann, supported by a fellowship from Deutsche Studienstiftung, started hers. The Indo-German Bioeconomy International BMBF project smartBioS and the Public Private Partnership AIF project nanoControl both came to a successful end this year, while the Indo-German Bioeconomy International BMBF project Bio-Fun and the German-Norwegian Bioeconomy-in-the-North BMBF project LignoLIPP as well as the parallel projects BYPROVALUE (NRC) and co-Fun (DAAD) have continued successfully, though slowly. During the last two months of the year, we even had a guest from Norway, Dr. Dana Bytusova, who brought precious samples from different fungi and analysed their cell walls. Perhaps not surprisingly in a difficult year, we had only eight papers published, but we are proud of each single one, and some more are currently in the review process, and some others are more or less ready for submission. Thus overall, the year was not a bad one scientifically, and it was certainly a good one personally given the high spirits and excellent internal and external cooperations we enjoyed. So we are looking ahead with good hopes and high expectations for an excellent and satisfying 2022. "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 Kindergarten student Jackson Middleton uses hand sanitizer in the classroom of Kindergarten Teacher Dr. Amanda Hartigan at Chadwick School in Palos Verdes, California on Thursday, Nov. 5, 2020. (Al Seib/Los Angeles Times/TNS) 'Flurona' is real, but don't panic it's common to get two viruses at once Presidente @PedroCastilloTe: "Queremos que esta agenda bilateral brinde estabilidad economica y juridica al pais. Hago un llamado a los empresarios colombianos, de America y del mundo para que acudan al pais e inviertan sin temor". ???????? #BinacionalPeruColombia pic.twitter.com/aVvU6nlhll ?? En vivo | Suscripcion de la Declaracion Presidencial y clausura del VI Gabinete Binacional Peru-Colombia. ???????? #BinacionalPeruColombia https://t.co/bCb1Ig6URq Bullock Countys Hendley Culpepper is pictured second from right with Governor Kay Ivey and seven other Distinguished Young Women Participants of Alabamas DYW. They welcomed visitors to the Holiday Candlelight Tour at the Governors Mansion. (@FahadShabbir) The risk of dying from cancer in the United States has fallen by nearly a third in three decades, thanks to earlier diagnoses, better treatments and fewer smokers, an analysis said Wednesday Washington, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 13th Jan, 2022 ) :The risk of dying from cancer in the United States has fallen by nearly a third in three decades, thanks to earlier diagnoses, better treatments and fewer smokers, an analysis said Wednesday. The cancer death rate for men and women fell 32 percent from its peak in 1991 to 2019, the American Cancer Society (ACS) said in its annual report. The drop represents about 3.5 million total deaths averted. "This success is largely because of fewer people smoking, which resulted in declines in lung and other smoking-related cancers," it said, adding that lung cancer causes more deaths than any other kind. And the rate of decline is accelerating, data shows. In the 1990s, the risk dropped one percent yearly. Between 2015 and 2019, the rate shrank twice as fast -- about two percent a year. "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 ACS report said. "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," it added. In 2004, only 21 percent of people diagnosed with lung cancer were still alive after three years. In 2018, the number grew to 31 percent. Improving treatments and early screening are also helping to decrease death rates, but disparities in cancer outcomes persist. The ACS reports that cancer survival rates are lower for Black people than for white people for almost every cancer type. Black women are 41 percent more likely to die of breast cancer than white women, even though they are four percent less likely to get it. And American Indians and Alaska Natives have the highest liver cancer incidence of any major racial/ethnic group in the United States -- a risk more than double that in white people. The ACS attributes the gap to "inequities in wealth, education, and overall standard of living," stemming from "historical and persistent structural racism and discriminatory practices." Additionally, the Covid-19 pandemic "greatly reduced" people's ability to access cancer services, including prevention, detection and treatments, the organization said. "These delays in care will probably worsen cancer disparities given the unequal burden the pandemic is having on communities of color," the report warned, adding that the numbers do not account for the toll of pandemic because the most recent data available is from 2019. Cancer is the second most common cause of death in the United States behind heart disease. In 2022, ACS anticipates 1.9 million new cancer cases and nearly 610,000 deaths -- about 1,670 deaths a day. According to the organization, 42 percent of the predicted cancer cases are "potentially avoidable," since they can be caused by smoking, excess body weight, drinking alcohol, poor nutrition and physical inactivity. President Joe Biden, who lost his son Beau to brain cancer in 2015, wanted to make the fight against the disease a priority in his presidency, but it has so far been largely eclipsed by efforts to combat the Covid-19 pandemic. Geneva, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 13th Jan, 2022 ) :The head of Human Rights Watch hailed as "historic" a German court's sentencing Thursday of a former Syrian colonel to life in prison for crimes against humanity in his war-ravaged country. "This is really historic," HRW executive director Kenneth Roth told reporters in Geneva following the verdict in the first global trial over state-sponsored torture in Syria. 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 The Government of Sindh is taking all possible steps to ensure the protection of human rights keeping in view the recommendations and suggestions forwarded by NGOs and members of civil society KARACHI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 12th Jan, 2022 ) :The Government of Sindh is taking all possible steps to ensure the protection of human rights keeping in view the recommendations and suggestions forwarded by NGOs and members of civil society. This was stated by Special Assistant to the Chief Minister for Human Rights, Surendar Valasai while addressing a workshop on "Development of Human Rights Programs" organized by the Department of Human Rights here on Wednesday. He said that the Department of Human Rights was taking steps for the immediate resolution of issues related not only to women's rights but also to minorities, transgender people, persons with disabilities and other human rights issues in Sindh. A dynamic Provincial Human Rights Vigilance Committee has been set up in this regard while a Fact-Finding Committee has been formed to collect information about the social media reports about human rights violations including child labour, forced labour and low wages at the Brick Kilns in Tharparker and Umerkot. The workshop was attended by a large number of members of various NGOs and civil society of the province. Earlier, addressing the workshop, Secretary Sindh Human Rights Department Jawed Sibghatullah Mahar gave a detailed briefing on the performance of the department, highlighting the aims and objectives of the department. Iqbal Detho, a Human Rights Expert, emphasized the need to enhance the capabilities and capabilities of human rights department employees. He recommended immediate removal of obstacles in the implementation of forced marriages, Minority Rights Commission, Labor Law and other laws. Expressing his views on the occasion, Dr. Subhash Guriro said that the Department of Human Rights should be further strengthened in collaboration with educational institutions and universities. "We are also ready to provide research on various issues," he said. Our university teaches human rights subjects, and workshops and seminars should be held not only in universities but also in colleges and schools. He further added that it has been observed that human rights and social science education has been neglected by the government. Young people need to be involved in the field of human rights and we need to create social scientists to solve these problems. On the occasion, Ms. Rahima Panhwar said that the training and expertise of the staff should be ensured, whenever a person is nominated as a member of the Human Rights Committee, he should be active in human rights while Human Rights Complaints Cell staff should be trained to compile grievance data, and liaise with NGOs for better results and legal aid. Zahid Farooq has said that the complaints of helpless and weak people need to be addressed. Advocate Altaf Khoso said that departmental training should be ensured to enhance the capacity of human rights department employees. He further said that centralized and digitized reporting and monitoring system should be implemented for better results. Abid Memon said that about 15% of the population of Pakistan consists of persons with disabilities and there is a need to include persons with disabilities in the government committee.On this occasion, Naghma Iqtdar said that we have to fully implement the mandate of our human rights department and prepare a strategic plan for the future.Naseem Akhtar Sheikh, Mukhtiar Kapri, Uroosa Khati Samar Abbas, Sajida Baloch and others also addressed on the occasion. ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 13th Jan, 2022 ) :The Council of Common Interests (CCI) during its 49th meeting held here Thursday with Prime Minister Imran Khan in chair approved the conduct of 7th Population and Housing Census as well as the establishment of "Census Monitoring Committee". The committee will be chaired by Deputy Chairman Planning Commission, all Provincial Chief Secretaries, Chairman National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA), Chief Commissioner Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) and other senior officials. The committee will oversee and monitor the census activities to ensure expeditious, transparent and credible census operations, a press release issued by the PM Media Office here said. As per recommendations of the Census Advisory Committee, the CCI decided to conduct the 7th Census adopting international best practices, using digital technology and GIS monitoring system. It was apprised that Housing Census would be conducted before the Population Census. While welcoming the Chief Ministers, the Prime Minister stated that frequency of CCI meetings can be increased as per demands of the provinces. He congratulated the CCI members on the establishment of CCI's permanent secretariat and stated that it manifested a collaborative spirit between the Federal and Provincial governments. The Prime Minister emphasized that the federal government was fully committed to resolve national issues in consultation with all federating units and stakeholders. He further emphasized that the government wanted to have a credible census data that can be used for initiating policies and projects for the welfare of citizens. The meeting approved Annual Report of CCI for the Fiscal Year 2020-21. It was informed that a total of 6 meetings were conducted during the FY 2020-21 during which 21 agenda items were considered with 13 decisions implemented and 06 decisions under process. While discussing the implementation status of previous decisions, the CCI was informed that an independent CCI Secretariat has been established with a budget of Rs. 110.928 million. An independent Secretariat will facilitate effective coordination between the Federal and Provincial governments. The CCI also decided that additional water requirements for Karachi would be discussed by the committee formed to reconcile views of the provinces at the political and technical levels and issues related to water. (@Aneesah05582539) Three members of the Beirut family spent Christmas behind bars in Cuba, locked away for taking part in unprecedented protests against a communist regime notoriously intolerant of dissent Havana, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 13th Jan, 2022 ) :Three members of the Beirut family spent Christmas behind bars in Cuba, locked away for taking part in unprecedented protests against a communist regime notoriously intolerant of dissent. They are among hundreds of people detained since July 11, when spontaneous street protests in 50 cities saw thousands of people clamoring for change, chanting "Freedom," "Down with the dictatorship" and "We are hungry." Now the axe is falling, with sentences of up to 30 years being handed down on charges ranging from public disorder to sedition. The family's ordeal started on July 11 when Exeynt Beirut, 41, was detained in Guantanamo in Cuba's east on the first day of protests against harsh living conditions and government repression. When they learned about his fate, Exeynt's father Fredy, 64, and sister Katia, 36, took to the streets of La Guinera, near their home in Havana, with hundreds of other protesters the following day. The protest in La Guinera was the most violent of the two-day uprising, and claimed its only recorded death. Fredy Beirut's ex-wife, 59-year-old Zoila Rodriguez, said he was arrested the same day, on his way home by motorcycle. Seven days later, the security forces called in Katia, who reported believing she had nothing to fear. Instead, she was accused by prosecutors of having filmed the events on her mobile phone in order to publish and encourage others to rebel, according to the charge sheet AFP has seen. With 158 others, the father and daughter were charged with sedition, according to the Cubalex rights group. After months in pre-trial detention, both were sentenced, two days before Christmas, to 20 years' imprisonment. "When my daughter's father comes out (of prison), he won't come out alive, he is 64 years old," Rodriguez told AFP at her home in Havana. Exeynt Beirut was given a four-year sentence in a separate trial for public disorder. Cubalex said dozens of people were injured during the protests of July 11 and 12, and 1,355 were detained, of whom 719 remain behind bars. The revolt was met by a regime clampdown that elicited global condemnation. Since then, the government has arrested hundreds more in a bid to instill fear and suppress dissent, according to a recent Human Rights Watch report. Many were held without due process and subjected to sham trials, and some tortured, it said. "My daughter and my husband started (to be tried) for the crime of public disorder, which was changed to sedition," said Rodriguez, who now splits her time between prison visits and caring for Katia's nine-year-old son. "Me, my family, all the people going through this are very angry," she added. "It is inconceivable that... in a country where people take to the streets and peacefully demonstrate, they are given 20 years." The prosecution accuses Fredy, Katia and others of having shouted "counter-revolutionary slogans" and of using "denigrating phrases against the leadership of the country." Another La Guinera protester, Dayron Martin Rodriguez, 36, was sentenced to 30 years in jail. According to his mother Esmeralda Rodriguez, 63, he had gone out to buy food for his pigeons, when he ran into a rally. "He started recording to send his father the video," she told AFP by telephone from Ecuador, where she now lives. He was arrested and charged with being part of a crowd that pelted police with stones and bottles. His mother said Rodriguez told her by telephone that "they have ended my life." He will be 66 when he gets out. Cubalex director Laritza Diversent told AFP the harsh sentences were meant to serve as a deterrent. The legal process has been plagued by violations of due process, she said, without independent defense lawyers and trials held behind closed doors. "Most of the evidence they have is testimony from the state agents who used violence against the demonstrators," she said. None of the videos put into evidence show the police assaults. Some families are still fighting. Andy Dunier Garcia Lorenzo, 34, will go on trial this week after his arrest on July 11 in Santa Clara, central Cuba, with prosecutors seeking a sentence of seven years for public disorder. His family have launched a campaign to collect food for prisoners and are urging accredited embassies in Cuba to send observers to his trial. Cuban officials deny the existence of political prisoners in the country. They consider the opposition to be illegitimate and allege it is financed by the United States. The armorer on the set of "Rust" sued the film's ammunition supplier Wednesday, accusing him of leaving real bullets among the dummy cartridges, resulting in the fatal shooting of a cinematographer Los Angeles, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 13th Jan, 2022 ) :The armorer on the set of "Rust" sued the film's ammunition supplier Wednesday, accusing him of leaving real bullets among the dummy cartridges, resulting in the fatal shooting of a cinematographer. Hannah Gutierrez-Reed was the armorer in charge of weapons on the Western movie set in New Mexico, where actor Alec Baldwin fatally shot Halyna Hutchins in October after being told his firearm was safe. Film industry safety rules completely prohibit live ammunition on sets, precisely to avoid such an accident. In her civil suit filed Wednesday in a New Mexico court, Gutierrez-Reed accused supplier Seth Kenney of providing the production of "Rust" with ammunition that was "misrepresented as only dummy ammunition," meaning it had no gunpowder and was inert, "when it contained both dummy and live ammunition." According to the case documents, Gutierrez-Reed said police had discovered seven bullets suspected of being live after the tragedy. They were distributed among a box of cartridges, a cart with other ammunition and cartridge belts intended for the actors to use as accessories. The armorer and her lawyers believe that Kenney and his company "created a dangerous condition on the movie set, unbeknownst to Hannah Gutierrez Reed. " Their negligence "caused live rounds to be introduced on set, resulting in a foreseeably catastrophic outcome," the lawsuit said, seeking damages but without specifying the amount. Kenney told investigators he could have potentially sold the film production homemade ammunition, possibly made from recycled components, marked with a logo that matched the one on the fatal round. But he later ruled out that possibility during an interview with ABC. Baldwin was brandishing a Colt gun during a rehearsal for the film when it discharged a live round, killing Hutchins. Investigators have not yet filed criminal charges over the tragedy, and have refused to rule out charges against anyone involved, including Baldwin. In his first major interview since the shooting, Baldwin said in December he had been told the gun contained no live ammunition, and had been instructed by Hutchins to point the gun in her direction as she prepared to film the scene. Baldwin told ABC he does not feel guilty for Hutchins' death, adding that he had started cocking the gun when the bullet fired, but did not pull the trigger. Delta Air Lines said Thursday it was past the worst of the Omicron Covid-19 surge as it projected a strong spring travel season while reporting a fourth-quarter loss New York, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 13th Jan, 2022 ) :Delta Air Lines said Thursday it was past the worst of the Omicron Covid-19 surge as it projected a strong spring travel season while reporting a fourth-quarter loss. The big US carrier, the first airline to report results, said operations had essentially recovered after the industry canceled thousands of December flights during a holiday-season Covid-19 outbreak in which thousands of employees could not work because of the virus. "Delta's operation has stabilized over the last week and returned to pre-holiday performance," said Chief Executive Ed Bastian. "Omicron is expected to temporarily delay the demand recovery 60 days, but as we look past the peak, we are confident in a strong spring and summer travel season with significant pent-up demand for consumer and business travel." Bastian told CNBC that about 8,000 employees had caught the virus, but had recovered. "There's been no significant issues" with health effects, he said. "But it knocked them out of the operation for a period of time." Delta reported a loss of $408 million in the quarter on revenues of $9.5 billion, which are down about 17 percent from the equivalent period of 2019. Delta projected that its first quarter 2022 capacity would be 83 to 85 percent of the 2019 level. The airline also forecast fuel prices of between $2.35 and $2.50 a gallon, up from $2.10 in the most recent quarter. Bastian told CNBC the airline would adjust if there is a "superspike" in oil prices, as some analysts have warned is possible. "We've seen it in the past," Bastian said of higher oil prices. "We've figured out what we have to do to be able to recover, that it ultimately comes down to pricing. You need to be able to put a product and service that customers are willing to pay for. It includes all the prices of oil and all the costs of delivery."Shares of Delta rose 1.7 percent to $41.30 in pre-market trading. Russian investigators said Thursday that six people, including two officials, had been charged over the torture of prisoners Moscow, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 13th Jan, 2022 ) :Russian investigators said Thursday that six people, including two officials, had been charged over the torture of prisoners. A prisoner advocacy group last year published harrowing footage of abuse at a jail in the central city of Saratov. It was leaked by former inmate Sergei Savelyev, who fled Russia and requested asylum in France. In an interview published Thursday, the head of the Investigative Committee, which handles serious crimes, said six people were facing legal action. "Four convicts were charged with committing violent acts of a sexual nature," Alexander Bastrykin told state news agency RIA Novosti. In addition, two officials are facing charges of abuse of power, he said, without specifying who the officials were. (@ChaudhryMAli88) The Russia-NATO Council discussed the elements impacting the "degradation" of security arrangements in Europe, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko, one of Moscow's negotiators at the meeting, said on Wednesday BRUSSELS (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 12th January, 2022) The Russia-NATO Council discussed the elements impacting the "degradation" of security arrangements in Europe, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko, one of Moscow's negotiators at the meeting, said on Wednesday. "Today's meeting was devoted to the analysis of all factors that affect the European security degradation, which we have been witnessing in recent years," Grushko told a press conference following the Council. He said the Russian delegation tabled its opinions on how to overcome the European security crisis. Valdosta, GA (31601) Today Mostly sunny skies this morning. Scattered showers and thunderstorms developing during the afternoon. High 89F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70%.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 64F. Winds light and variable. Lincoln, RI (02865) Today A few showers this morning with mostly cloudy conditions during the afternoon hours. High 61F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 30%.. Tonight Cloudy. Slight chance of a rain shower. Low 46F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph. ???????? El Peru y Colombia mantienen una relacion bilateral de alto nivel y cuentan con mecanismos para tratar temas de mutuo interes y disenar acciones conjuntas en favor del desarrollo fronterizo, defensa y seguridad, migracion, inversiones y comercio.#BinacionalPeruColombia pic.twitter.com/2hbVyQk1TB Egypt's parliament is set to approve new legislation drafted in collaboration with local Christian Churches regarding on the personal legal status of Christians in the country. By Lisa Zengarini A long-awaited law on the personal legal status of Christians in Egypt is expected to be approved soon by the Egyptian Parliament. According to a member of the parliamentary legislative committee, the draft law should be discussed shortly after Parliament opens its new session on 23 January. The drafting of the new legislation, which includes provisions on sensitive issues relating to family law, has been a long process that started in 2014 and in which all Egyptian Churches have been involved. A long process The Ministry of Justice ended the drafting process in June 2021 after 16 sessions, during which it consulted legal experts, government officials and Church representatives to reach consensus on the wording of the text. Discussions have focused in particular on delicate matters like divorce and legal separation of spouses, to which Christian Churches have different ecclesial approaches. Christian leaders had delivered their joint proposed text to the Egyptian authorities on 15 October 2020. Cooperation with Churches The cooperation with Christian leaders in drafting the law confirms the good existing relations between the local Churches and the present Egyptian government led by President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi. Since he took power in 2014, the Egyptian president has made a number of friendly gestures towards the local Christian Churces, especially the Orthodox Coptic Church, the largest Christian community in the country. Al-Sisi is the first Egyptian President to have attended Orthodox Coptic Christmas liturgies. on more than one occasion, he has defined the Coptic community as an essential part of the Egyptian identity. In 2015 he reacted strongly to the beheading of 21 Egyptian Coptic Christians held by the Islamic State in Libya, and in July 2016 announced he would increase penalties against those fomenting religious violence. On 30 August that year, the Egyptian Parliament approved a new law designed to make it easier to build new churches in Egypt, which for years has been a major reason of tension with the Muslim majority especially in the south. However, improved relations have not stopped Islamist attacks against Christians in Egypt. Christians count for some 10% of the country's 87 million population. Family, friends of jailed human rights advocate Guo Feixiong urge communist authorities for his release, freedom of travel so he can attend funeral After being separated from her husband since he was arrested in 2006, Zhang Qing battled cancer for over a year before succumbing to the disease on Jan. 10. Zhangs dying wish was to be reunited with her husband, renowned human rights activist Guo Feixiong. That wish went unfulfilled as Guo whose real name is Yang Maodong was arrested in China on Dec. 5, 2021 and was being held in an undisclosed detention center at the time of her death. Guo was denied the right to leave the country multiple times due to his human rights work defending Falun Gong practitioners and other disenfranchised groups in China. Guos sister Yang Maoping announced in a tweet that Zhang had passed away in Germantown, Maryland on Monday morning and is survived by the couples son and daughter. A matter of basic freedom and humanity Chen Guangcheng, a Chinese dissident-in-exile, urged the international community to press the Chinese government in allowing Guo to return to the U.S. to deal with his wifes death. Guo Feixiong should be free, Chen, who escaped the communist regime in 2012 and is now a Distinguished Fellow at the Catholic University of America, told Vision Times. Its a fundamental human right for him to come to the United States to deal with his wifes affairs. It is a matter of basic freedom and humanity. Chinese Communist Party secretly abducted Guo Feixiong. It is inhumane. We call on Guo Feixiong to be free as soon as possible and come to the United States. Chen Guangcheng added. Last January, Zhang, who was a U.S. permanent resident, was found to be suffering from late stage intestinal cancer and pleaded for her husbands return. After being notified of his wifes situation, Guo made every effort to be reunited with her. However, authorities in China continually denied him the right to leave the country on grounds of endangering national security. Guo was blocked from boarding a flight to the U.S. from Shanghai Pudong International Airport in January and told that an active travel ban against him was still in place. He then announced an indefinite hunger strike and appealed for the international community to help him reunite with Zhang on humanitarian grounds. However, on Dec. 5, Guo disappeared after posting an open letter on Nov. 29 appealing to Chinese Premier Li Keqiang to let him join his wife in the U.S. Guo has not been heard of or seen since then. On Dec. 2, 2021, the U.S. State Department called on Chinese authorities to release Guo Feixiong so he could help care for his wife. A State Department spokesman told The Epoch Times in an email that We are deeply concerned about Chinese human rights activist Guo Feixiong (aka Yang Maodong) being detained and restricted from leaving the country. Activists in China known to disappear This isnt the first time activists in China have been arrested or made to disappear as authorities there has a long history of imposing arbitrary restrictions on freedom of movement, including both domestic and international travel bans. Although the Chinese constitution states that its citizens enjoy many basic rights as those guaranteed by the law in democratic countries, in practice, the regime overrides Chinese law and most attorneys, judges, and prosecutors defer to the Party line in sensitive cases. READ MORE: Renowned Chinese Lawyer Tang Jitian Disappears After Years of Standing Up for Falun Gong, Other Persecuted Groups Guo is a well-known human rights activist and independent writer in China. He participated in the student movement that took place in Tiananmen square in 1989 and was also a vital participant in the countrys pro-democracy groups. According to NGO Front Line Defenders, Guo Feixiong provided legal assistance and organizational support to residents in the Taishi village of Guangdong in 2005. As a result of his involvement in this case, he was held by police for three months without an official charge and went on a hunger strike to protest his unlawful detainment. Guo was also arrested four times by government authorities and spent a total of 11 years in prison over two occasions. His wife left China with their two children and immigrated to the U.S., where they were granted asylum in 2009. The couple has been separated for 15 years. In a major blow to President Bidens national vaccine mandate, the Supreme Court on Thursday blocked his administration from enforcing its sweeping vaccine-or-test requirements for large private companies.The conservative majority court expressed significant skepticism about Bidens mandate voting 6-3 to block its enforcement. The OSHA mandate would have required that all workers at businesses with 100 or more employees either be vaccinated or submit a negative COVID-19 test on a weekly basis in order to enter the workplace. The top court however allowed similar requirements to stand for medical facilities that take Medicare or Medicaid payments. In an unsigned opinion the court wrote that, Although Congress has indisputably given OSHA the power to regulate occupational dangers, it has not given that agency the power to regulate public health more broadly, adding that, Requiring the vaccination of 84 million Americans, selected simply because they work for employers with more than 100 employees, certainly falls in the latter category. However, in a separate ruling, concerning the administrations vaccination rules for health-care workers, the court asserted, We agree with the Government that the [Health and Human Services] Secretarys rule falls within the authorities that Congress has conferred upon him. On Friday, the Biden administration argued that the rules were necessary to address the grave danger posed by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic with liberal justices acknowledging the governments position and expressing sympathy over the death toll from the pandemic and the unprecedented wave of COVID-19 infections sweeping the nation due to the omicron variant. Bidens mandate faced numerous legal challenges The mandate was facing numerous legal challenges with industry groups, private business and state attorneys general suing to block the measure while other unions sued in an attempt to expand its scope to smaller businesses. In November, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) suspended the enforcement of the mandate after being crushed with legal challenges. At the time, approximately 40 parties were participating in challenges of the emergency directive. Amongst the parties was one restaurant operator, Gulf Coast Restaurant Group, while the industrys largest labor union, Service Employees International Union (SEIU) sought to expand the unprecedented mandate. Popular right-wing news outlet, The Daily Wire, was also one of the entities challenging the mandate. Thirty-four of the challenges, seeking to overturn the mandate, were consolidated into a single suit. READ MORE: Federal Court Blocks Biden Administrations Private Business COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate On Nov. 6 of last year, a federal appeals court blocked Bidens mandate citing grave statutory and constitutional issues. At the time the court gave the Biden administration just two days to respond to a plaintiffs request for a permanent injunction. Because the petitions give cause to believe there are grave statutory and constitutional issues with the mandate, the mandate is hereby stayed pending further action by this court, a panel of judges for the New Orleans-based Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled at the time. Faced with the panels decision on Nov. 8, White House Press Secretary, Karine Jean-Pierre, told a room full of reporters that people should not wait, to enforce the Biden administrations vaccine mandate despite the stay. They should continue to move forward and make sure theyre getting their workplace vaccinated, Jean-Pierre said when asked about the courts decision. At the time, Republican attorneys general from Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina and Utah in addition to several private companies petitioned the courts and asked for a pause arguing that the requirements of the mandate exceed the authority of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, which will enforce the mandates, and amount to an unconstitutional delegation of power to the executive branch by Congress, CNBC reported. The White House argued that pausing the mandate would likely cost dozens or even hundreds of lives per day, and further argued that the OSHA was acting within its authority established by Congress. SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), is actually a man-made bat vaccine created by EcoHealth Alliance and the Chinese Communist Partys BSL4 Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV), according to a report filed by a USMC Major working under a fellowship at the Department of Defenses Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). The briefing and its supporting documents were obtained by investigative journalist outlet Project Veritas and published on Jan. 10. While providing the trove of documents, Veritas describes DARPA as an agency under the U.S. Department of Defense in charge of facilitating research in technology with potential military applications. Included in the cluster is a 45-page proposal authored by the now-notorious Peter Daszak and his New York-based EcoHealth Alliance in March of 2018 dubbed Project DEFUSE. The submission is in response to a Broad Agency Announcement issued by DARPA in January of 2018 coined PREEMPT, which stands for Preventing Emerging Pathogenic Threats. On its face, DARPAs PREEMPT program sought to nip potential pandemic threats that might emerge from latent zoonotic [cross-species] transmission mutations in native animal and livestock populations in different parts of the world in the bud before U.S. soldiers would be affected. Daszak and EcoHealth are an individual and organization extensively tied not only to gain-of-function research at the WIV, but spurious attempts to cover up and delegitimize the theory that the COVID-19 pandemic that has plagued mankind for more than two years emerged as a result of a laboratory leak from the CCP facility they are so closely tied to. In a very brief summary, EcoHealths Project DEFUSE claims its purpose is to create a vaccine for bats who make caves in Chinas Yunnan Province their home carrying Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) coronaviruses (a class of virus, like influenza or ebola) for the purpose of inducing suitable antibodies that can prevent evolution of a mutation capable of zoonotic transmission on the level of the 2003 SARS outbreak. DEFUSE, on its own, is not entirely news. In September, The Intercept published the identical proposal after it was released by the pseudonymous Decentralized Radical Anonymous Search Team Investigating COVID-19 (DRASTIC) in an article titled Leaked Grant Proposal Details High-Risk Coronavirus Research. While The Intercepts article primarily focused on the project in the context of the issue of whether general gain-of-function research or a laboratory mishap could have contributed or caused the pandemic, what is different about Project Veritass cache is that it comes to a blunt and concrete conclusion with significant implications for the human race in 2022. In an Aug. 13, 2021 letter penned on DARPA letterhead by USMC Major and DARPA Fellow Joseph Murphy addressed to the Inspector General of the Department of Defense, the Major opens without holding anything back. SARS-CoV-2 is an American-created recombinant bat vaccine, or its precursor virus, he states. It was created by an EcoHealth Alliance program at the Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV), as suggested by the reporting surrounding the lab leak hypothesis. The program he refers to is exactly Project DEFUSE. Although funding for DEFUSE was rejected by DARPA in a scathing rejection notice included in the Veritas documents, the program was nonetheless funded by Anthony Fauci and Francis Collins through the NIAID and NIH. SARS-CoV-2s form as it emerged is likely a precursor, deliberately virulent, humanized recombinant SARSr-CoV that was to be reverse engineered into a live attenuated SARSr-Cov bat vaccine, Murphy said. mRNA inventor Robert Malone, a scientist recently expelled from Twitter shortly after sharing a presentation with scathing criticisms of the clinical trials Pfizer relied on for the approval of the EUA for its vaccine product, explained in a Jan. 11 Substack article commenting on the Project Veritas release that attenuated means to be mutated to be non-pathogenic, presumably to bats and humans. Page 4 of Daszaks 2018 Project DEFUSE proposal extensively depicts exactly a plan to deploy targeted immune boosting, described as a process where his team would apply polyvalent chimeric recombinant SARS-CoV spike proteins in the presence of broadscale immune boosting treatments to boost immune memory and suppress specific SARSr-CoVs. The targeted immune boosting was to be captained by UNC Chapel Hills Ralph Baric, a leading player in gain of function research conducted with the WIV over the span of many years. DEFUSE planned on using a novel delivery method to administer its vaccine to Yunans bat caves, because bats are difficult to inject with needles, such as transdermally applied nanoparticles, sticky edible gels, and aerosolization via prototype sprayers. In his report to the IG, Murphy stated that he synthesized certain undisclosed intelligence collections with Project DEFUSE to come to his conclusions. The Major stated that the IC collections he referenced had identified the same WIV personnel, such as Bat Woman Shi Zhengli, referenced in EcoHealths proposal, used the lexicon of the proposal, and even cited the same virus variants. Included in Murphys report were several spreadsheets containing cost breakdowns for WIV personnel, including Shi, paying senior doctor-titled researchers in the range of $10 to $25 USD per hour for their services. Murphy also stated he was privy to further evidence made available by U.S. congressional investigations, as well as information received from DRASTIC, that showed DEFUSE was still underway as late as April of 2020 despite the pandemic being in full bloom. When gain of function research was terminated by former President Donald Trump, DEFUSE came to an end. In his letter to the IG, which predates the emergence of Project DEFUSE documents on the DRASTIC website by more than a month, Murphy states he found the trove had suddenly appeared unmarked and without classification or distribution data in July of 2021 on a top secret DARPA share drive at the same time that he was conducting his own probe and Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) began his own investigation. The unmarked nature combined with the timing signals that the documents were being hidden, states Murphy, adding, No files at DARPA go unmarked in classification or distribution, including proprietary documents. Continuing his exposition of his findings, Murphy redefined SARS-CoV-2 as SARSr-CoV-WIV, implying its genesis at the CCPs Wuhan lab. In his analysis, the virus plaguing mankind is actually a synthetic spike protein chimera engineered to attach to human ACE2 receptors and inserted into a recombinant bat SARSr-CoV backbone. In laymans terms, Murphy opines that the virus causing COVID-19 is not actually a coronavirus at all. Instead, it is simply a laboratory-engineered spike protein affixed to a base composed of a variant of SARS-causing coronaviruses found in bats. It is likely a live vaccine not yet engineered to a more attenuated state that the program sought to create with its final version. It leaked and spread rapidly because it was aerosolized so it could efficiently infect bats in caves, but it was not ready to infect bats yet, which is why it does not appear to infect bats. In the Majors words, his findings shuck the mysteries surrounding the sometimes-asymptomatic sometimes-serious nature of COVID-19, The reason the disease is so confusing is because it is less a virus than it is engineered spike proteins hitch-hiking a ride on a SARSr-CoV quasispecies swarm. Murphy sounded the alarm on the implications of this conclusion for the global novel gene therapy vaccination drive, which utilize genetic instructions encapsulated in a man-made lipid nanoparticle to have the human body create only the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 under the apparent rationale of inducing an immune response against the portion of the virus used to enter and infect cells. The gene-encoded, or mRNA, vaccines work poorly because they are synthetic replications of the already-synthetic SARSr-CoV-WIV spike proteins and possess no other epitopes. The MacMillan Dictionary of Immunology defines an epitope as the portion of an antigen [virus] that makes contact with a particular antibody or T cell receptor. Murphy continues, The mRNA instructs the cells to produce the synthetic copies of the SARSr-CoV-WIV synthetic spike protein directly into the bloodstream, wherein they spread and produce the same ACE2 immune storm that the recombinant vaccine [SARS-CoV-2] does. The report to the IG also warns that in Project DEFUSEs own proposal, Daszak cautioned that using a conventional vaccine approach to manipulating the immunity of the Yunnan bat cluster lacks sufficient epitope coverage to protect against quasispecies of coronavirus. Murphy warned, The nature of using a spike protein vaccine with one epitope against a spike protein vaccine with a quasispecies [SARS-CoV-2] may explain the unusual (and potentially detrimental) antibody response amongst the unvaccinated to the new COVID variants. Although the letter was penned more than three months prior to the emergence of Omicron in Botswana among a suite of fully vaccinated diplomats from an unidentified country, his comments ring especially true in light of current circumstances. Multiple studies have revealed that being fully vaccinated with the existing injections not only provides limited or no protection against Omicron, but can produce negative vaccine efficacy, meaning the vaccinated are more susceptible to infection than the unvaccinated. Fundamentally, the knowledge the proposal provides signals that the risk of Antibody Dependent Enhancement (ADE) from vaccination should be evaluated with high priority, on top of the reality that single-epitope vaccines will have little effect against SARSr-CoV-WIV, as indicated in the proposal. Murphy also sounded the alarm on the potential for SARS-CoV-2 to grow more powerful in todays vaccine-zealotry environment, the mass vaccination campaign actually creates an accelerated gain of function for it. Since it is designed for bats off of a human-susceptible SARS-CoV, vaccinating humans against it actually gains its function back towards a more attenuated human-susceptible form. Improving the SARSr-CoV-WIV spike protein to gain robustness against monoclonal vaccines is one of the steps of the DEFUSE program. The Major continued, The mechanism to improve the SARSr-CoV-WIV spike protein (other than direct engineering) is to challenge it against animals that have spike protein-only antibodies. The attenuated virus will either die or adapt its form to neutralize the spike protein-only antibodies. The intent was to perform this task against humanized mice [genetically engineered to express ACE2 receptors found in human lungs] and batified mice [mice given bat-only antibodies after having their immune system destroyed by irradiation]. Instead, it was done with the worlds population. In his Substack Post, Robert Malone stated he felt Murphys letter appears to be the real deal so far, adding, This report is damming on so many fronts. If validated, it is as big as the Pentagon papers. This would mean that research funded and conducted by the US Government has caused the death of millions of people world wide. Just ponder that. I cant hardly wrap my head around the idea. Shocking doesnt describe how important this is. History will remember, Malone added. In the latest work by award winning filmmaker Leon Lee, an enthralling story about Falun Gong a spiritual practice that has been persecuted by the Chinese regime since 1999 comes alive on the big screen in a masterful way. The movie features a group of college students enrolled in Chinas prestigious Tsinghua University whose lives are turned upside down after they become targets in the governments comprehensive campaign against the traditional qigong discipline. Lee, who received a Peabody Award for his 2014 documentary Human Harvest, described how the film narrows in on the factors behind the Chinese governments persecution of Falun Gong and how it goes beyond just forcing individuals to renounce their beliefs to creating an entire atmosphere of oppression that extends even beyond Chinas border. The crackdown completely destroyed an entire nation In China, every school, every medium or large workplace, sometimes even private enterprises, the military, news organizations, almost every place, even your community, your neighborhood, there will be a Communist Party representative who is responsible to carry out the party policies, Lee told The Epoch Times. In other words, the entire nation is mobilized in the crackdown against Falun Gong, Lee added. Your colleagues, your classmates, your friends, everybody is mobilized [to] turn against you. So, in a sense, the crackdown completely destroyed the entire nation, Lee said. Falun Gong, also known as Falun Dafa, is a Chinese traditional spiritual discipline practiced by tens of millions of people in China and around the world since its introduction to the public in 1992. The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) began a massive campaign to eradicate the popular faith in July 1999, incarcerating millions of people over the following decades. Thousands of Falun Gong practitioners have since died from torture and abuse, with the number still on the rise. READ MORE: Abused by Chinese Police for More Than 20 Years, Woman Dies 2 Days After a Final Harassment The film explores the life of Wang (Ting Wu) the films main character who witnesses his classmates turn against him after he decides to take up the practice. The story tells how Wang is expelled from school and becomes an enemy of the state. The movies director added that Wang, who the movie is based on, eventually spent eight years in a Chinese prison for upholding his faith before finally escaping China. This still from the film shows people in China doing the Falun Gong exercises. Self-censorship in free countries In the film, the regimes persecution of Falun Gong catches the attention of Daniel Davis, a reporter for the Chicago Post played by Sam Trammel. The subplot highlights the issue of international media outlets buckling under pressure from the Chinese regime when it came to reporting on issues sensitive to Beijing particularly Falun Gong, which has been a taboo subject in China ever since the persecution began. For example, the Canadian Broadcasting Company, at one time, was scheduled to air a documentary about the persecution of Falun Gong. And immediately, their Beijing bureau was visited by security officials. So, at the last minute, they actually pulled the documentary. It was such a hassle that they did not have time to change the lower third on screen, Lee said. And now its unfortunately even worse because few large companies probably control 90 percent of the media in the U.S. And if you actually look into it, the vast majority of them have huge business entities in China; theme parks, hotels, and various investments in China. After seeing Wang and a classmate being chased by police for hanging a banner with the words: Falun Dafa is good on a bridge, Trammels character decides to investigate the matter and shed light on the persecution. Despite warnings from his assistant Ming Xu, played by Anastasia Lin (Miss World Canada 2015 and an outspoken human rights activist in her own right), the movie zeroes in on the perilous realities of going against an oppressive regime. When explaining one of the scenes that takes place in a classroom, Lee explains how this scene, this experience shows that, no, you wont have a life. Simply renouncing your faith is not enough; you have to turn in your friends, you have to betray the people you love, you have to completely sell your soul to the regime in order to survive. On an individual level, Lee said the scene also explains that it is impossible for individuals to live normally after the all-encompassing oppression they experience and the toll this takes on their psychological health. Do you still call that living? Lee questioned. For Lee, the film is much more than just a human rights story taking place in China. If we look at people in China, as you see in the film, the length theyre willing to go to speak the truth, I think its inspiring, to me at least, Lee said. Challenges in creating Unsilenced When speaking about the challenges that went into the making of the film, Lee said: Most of my films have centered on human rights issues in China, partly because nobody else is doing it. But until I started really doing these films, I didnt know just how difficult it would be. Indeed, many of the issues surrounding CCP pressure on foreign media spotlighted in the film became a reality for Lee during production. When scouting locations for the movie, Lee told his production team, Guys, were making a film about China, but there are two things you need to know. Number one, we cannot use a Chinese cast. Number two, we cannot use Chinese locations. So good luck. In addition to budgeting and logistical difficulties, Lee also explained how the team faced an uphill climb in terms of casting. Even when we decided to make this film in Taiwan, several senior cast members, even after signing a deal memo, would back off, sometimes only days before production would start. In terms of locations, it was the same thing. Lee said. Initially, I thought Taiwan is a democracy and this film is about China. But the fact that we cannot make it in China, but we can make it in Taiwan, actually shows the world that Taiwan is a democracy and why we need to defend Taiwan. However, many still feared potential retaliation from the Chinese regime, Many people were so afraid to allow us to use their locations, Lee added. Unsilenced will hit select theaters in 30 cities across the U.S. on Jan. 21. Watch the trailer here: Unsilenced (2021) Theatrical Trailer BATTAMBANG PROVINCE Its been four years since the Cambodia National Rescue Party was dissolved, however Prak Chhorn, a former commune councilor in Battambang province, is still itching to be involved in politics. He says hes just waiting for the right time to restart his public activism. There is now a noncompetitive opposition party, said 53-year-old Chhorn, who lives in Stok Broveuk commune in Rukhak Kiri district. As the next round of local elections approaches on June 5, 2022, many local activists of the now-banned opposition party are still keen to take on the ruling Cambodian Peoples Party, despite many of their dissident colleagues being imprisoned, harassed, beaten and fleeing into exile. And the space for anti-government activities is only getting tighter, as Prime Minister Hun Sen recently reignited his warnings of a color revolution, a charge that was at the center of the legal case to dissolve CNRP, ordering military and police forces to be ready to crack down. Chhorn, an opposition hardliner who initially joined the Sam Rainsy Party before it joined forces with Kem Sokhas Human Rights Party to form the CNRP in 2012, was among 5,007 opposition commune councilors elected in 2017, cementing the party as a genuine threat to Hun Sens power. As the ruling party has sought to swipe all traces of the CNRP from Cambodias political landscape, Chhorn is among the hundreds of activists and officials who have faced legal and physical threats. In November 2019, Chhorn was arrested at his home and detained at the police station for a day before being released. And he has been hit with at least two charges in court, though he doesnt know if they have been dropped or not and due to new political party laws those charges could bar him from future office. I dont have complete freedom right now since I am unsure whether my case has been dropped or not, he told VOA Khmer in a recent interview. There are many difficulties for grassroots activists. But what I have to do is to move forward for change, he added. I want to see real democracy in Cambodia. Democracy is just in paper, not in practice. Opposition in disarray While the elimination of Cambodias only major opposition party may have revealed the fragile state of Cambodias democracy, the CNRP has never seemed as divided as its leaders attempt to find a way to remain relevant and build momentum ahead of the next elections. In November, a rift opened between the two CNRP coalition partners, led by Sam Rainsy and Kem Sokha, as factions loyal to each of the longtime opposition leaders pursued separate political plans. Sokha and his allies, many who remain in Cambodia, have maintained a strategic silence and set up the Cambodiaism Party, as they seek restoration of their political rights. Meanwhile, Rainsy and his top deputies Mu Sochua and Eng Chhai Eang manage the partys feisty social media presence and global network of supporters from overseas. Ahead of Junes commune election, a number of former CNRP commune chiefs and councilors still in the country have also started organizing under the Candlelight Party, an obvious allusion to the logo of Rainsys former, eponymously named party. Sokha, who remains under court supervision for allegedly conspiring with the United States to overthrow Hun Sen, posted a message on his Facebook page on November 28, asking Sam Rainsy to stop using his name and image for any political activities. He accused his partner of undermining the spirit of party unity by openly supporting the Candlelight Party. Their actions showed that Sam Rainsy and Kem Sokha are not one person, because all these activities dont have any support from me or [reflect] my stance, reads Kem Sokhas Facebook post. Rainsy, who has repeatedly accused Prime Minister Hun Sen of attempting to split the CNRP, said in a Facebook post that Sokha was speaking as a political hostage, a claim that both Sokha and Hun Sen denied. After Kem Sokha posted his public message on Facebook, Phnom Penh court in December set a date for his long-delayed trial on treason charges, ordering him to appear at the court on Jan. 19 fueling speculation that Sokhas statement was part of a bid to have the charges dropped and return to politics. Sebastian Strangio, a journalist and author of Hun Sen's Cambodia, wrote in a commentary article published in The Diplomat in late November: In the countrys increasingly inhospitable political climate, it is less surprising that such a rift has emerged than that the Sokha-Rainsy pact managed to survive as long as it has. Eng Chhai Eang said in a previous interview with VOA Khmer that opposition leaders will continue to do advocacy from abroad as politicians in the country are unable to say anything. The leaders will not abandon CNRP, he added. Fear at the grassroots Chhorn says villagers in his commune dont dare to openly talk to him about politics. If I meet people in public, they are scared but meeting them at home is fine. They talk more, he said. Other opposition activists have given up, for now at least. Chea Chiv, 41, is among 118 CNRP figures who were banned from doing politics for five years. He has not asked for his political rights to be reinstated since he thinks there is no potential opposition party to contest elections. Chiv still faces two charges and was jailed for 10 days in 2020 for allegedly conspiring along with dozens of party colleagues to incite social unrest by supporting Sam Rainsys return to Cambodia. I remain silent and completely ignore any political affairs, he said. Rom Saron, 49, a rice farmer and former CNRP councilor in Tbeng Meanchey commune, is ready to return to politics but is waiting for the countrys leaders to be compromising with each other. He urged the CPP to allow the opposition to come back to contest elections in 2022 and 2023, and release its activists. It is not true with the accusation of treasonIt is very severe. Please dont use this word for Cambodians who have the common will to develop the country, he said. Sin Chanpeourozet, the former chief of Ochar commune in Battambang province, decided to join the Candlelight Party, which she describes as a return to the former Sam Rainsy Party, with similar ideals to the dissolved CNRP. People still support me. We will win if we stand in the commune election, she said, noting that CNRP won seven of 11 seats in the 2017 commune election, allowing her to become commune chief for around four months prior to partys dissolution. People are under pressure so they cant speak from their hearts, she added. Chanpeourozet, as with many other activists, says she has been under surveillance from local authorities. Ahead of November 9 [2019], when Sam Rainsy announced his return, police came to guard in front of my house since November 5, she said. The inter-governmental Mekong River Commission (MRC) on Thursday called on China and mainland Southeast Asian countries to better coordinate management of Mekong hydropower dams and reservoirs after three years of record low flows and extra dry conditions. The Mekong River's flow dropped to the lowest levels in more than six decades from 2019 to 2021 due to an increased number of reservoirs, dams and other water storage, a worsening of the climate situation and unusually low rainfall, a new MRC river flow report showed. Dry conditions in the past three years have affected navigation, river ecosystems and riverbank stability in the region where tens of millions of people depend on the Mekong for their livelihoods. The MRC - of which Laos, Cambodia, Thailand and Vietnam are members - recommends governments of those countries improve coordination on the operation of hydropower dams and water storage in the Mekong basin to ease impacts of drought. "Proactive cooperation is essential, not just from China but from all the MRC member countries, to jointly address these issues," said An Pich Hatda, MRC Secretariat Chief Executive Officer. There are at least 13 dams along the 4,350 km (2,700 mile) Mekong River, 11 of which are in China. Authorities in Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam and China did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the MRC's call. The commission last year called for greater data sharing on hydropower operations between China and MRC member countries to improve the management of the river basin. A United Nations special envoy has urged Southeast Asian countries to support international efforts to engage all sides in the crisis in army-ruled Myanmar, days after a top regional leader traveled there to meet its junta chief. Noeleen Heyzer, the secretary-general's special envoy on Myanmar, held virtual talks with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, the new chairman of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and sought a collaborative effort in humanitarian aid and seeking progress in a stalled five-point peace plan, the U.N. said in a statement on Thursday. Hun Sen visited junta boss Min Aung Hlaing last week, a move rights groups said risked legitimizing the military's coup last year and its crackdown on thousands of democracy activists and supporters of Aung San Suu Kyi's ousted government. Myanmar has been in chaos for nearly a year, with the military suppressing protests and fighting on different fronts with ethnic minority armies and newly formed militias it calls "terrorists." At least 1,400 civilians have been killed, according to activists cited by the U.N. "The special envoy advocated for confidence-building measures involving all stakeholders, in addition to ethnic armed organizations," the statement said of Heyzer's discussion with Hun Sen. The conflict has caused discord within ASEAN about how to deal with Myanmar, which saw the unprecedented sidelining last year of its top general from ASEAN meetings over a failure to honor peace commitments. An envoy from the previous chair, Brunei, made meeting all stakeholders a precondition for visiting, which the junta rejected. Cambodia's incoming Myanmar envoy Prak Sokhonn said that approach was not productive. Heyzer urged Prak Sakhonn to work with her and the international community on "a coordinated strategy towards creating an enabling environment for inclusive dialog." "She emphasized solutions needed to derive from engaging directly with and listening carefully to all those affected," it said. For the first time in more than a year, Tanzania has released figures on coronavirus, confirming 100 cases since a third wave of infections began. President Samia Hassan says Tanzania has budgeted $470 million to buy COVID-19 vaccine. The actions mark a sharp turn from Hassans predecessor, the late John Magufuli. A week ago, Tanzanias health ministry warned citizens that a third wave of COVID-19 infection was spreading across Africa. On Monday, President Samia Hassan announced Tanzania has recorded 100 such cases in recent days, and said 70 patients required oxygen. She warned citizens to protect themselves from infection. Hassan said when you look at the number of patients, its not that high but we must protect ourselves so it doesn't rise. She said the first step her government has taken is to go in line with the world by allowing the vaccine. And it will be voluntarily, she said. Hassan emphasized that a citizen who want to be vaccinated will get the shot and those who dont want it will not be disturbed until they change their minds. Hassan said $470 million has been budgeted to purchase COVID-19 vaccine and provide economic relief for businesses that were severely hit by the pandemic. In a message on Twitter, U.S. Ambassador to Tanzania Donald Wright welcomed Hassans intent to buy vaccine and signaled that the U.S. is ready to help. Now, are the countrys health care services ready to deal with COVID-19? Shadrack Mwaibambe is the president of the Tanzania Medical Association. He says we have taken lessons from the first and second waves of COVID-19. The country is standing firm and where there are weaknesses, we are continuing to address them he says. Mwaibambe says thats why the president has decided to handle the pandemic using scientific methods like accepting its presence and shes fighting it. The amount of money that is set is enough and she has not diverted it to other areas he says. Rights activists say with the government now doing its part, citizens should also follow COVID-19 guidelines. Felista Mauya is the director of empowerment and accountability with the Legal and Human Rights Center. "We continue to emphasize that citizens and the whole society should continue to observe precautions by washing hands, wearing masks, and observing social distancing," she says. "Mauya added that people should focus on the guidelines and statements that our leaders are issuing following all the health guidelines and we can fight the virus." President Hassan has yet to announce when the vaccine will arrive, but said Tanzania has joined the COVAX facility that sends doses to lower-income countries. She said specialists are determining which brand of vaccine will be sent to Tanzania and how it will be distributed. Burkina Faso's military prosecutor this week said authorities had arrested eight soldiers for what local media reported was a plot to overthrow the state. Burkina Faso has been rattled by increasingly deadly Islamist militant attacks and widespread protests over insecurity. Analysts warn the military may be unhappy with the government and its efforts to halt the attacks. Burkina Fasos government has yet to confirm or deny local media reports that the eight troops arrested this week were in fact planning a coup. The military prosecutors office on Tuesday issued a statement that said the troops were arrested for plotting to destabilize the country and were under investigation. It gave no further details. Within minutes of the statement, local media began speculating that an attempt to overthrow the government had been foiled. Siaka Coulibally is an analyst with the Center for Public Policy Monitoring by Citizens in Burkina Faso. What information we have suggests there is some probability this was an attempted coup, he says. Do we know that for certain, asks Coulibally, and do we know the attempt was really likely to succeed? Media reports named Lieutenant Colonel Emmanuel Zoungrana with seven other soldiers as being taken into custody. President Roch Kabore in December relieved Lieutenant Colonel Zoungrana of his post after an attack on a military base in northern Burkina Faso left at least 49 troops dead. An increasing number of attacks on troops and civilians have been blamed on terrorists linked to al-Qaida. Coulibally says Kabores recent sacking of military leaders could have sparked fighting within the military. He says there may very well be some score settling going on between the leaders of the different units. He says we should be cautious while waiting for the investigations to give much more convincing results. Rumors of a possible coup in Burkina Faso have been underscored with disruptions to the internet. During November protests against the government and insecurity, the internet was shut down for eight days. As the troops were arrested this week, mobile internet services were disrupted. Andrew Lebovch is an analyst with the Berlin-headquartered European Council on Foreign Relations. Theres been persistent unrest and unhappiness within the ranks of Burkina Fasos armed forces as the security situations gotten worse, amid feeling that the government is not doing enough or is not pursuing the right strategy in fighting terrorism From the government side, there is likely some concern given the coups in Mali and Guinea about unrest among soldiers in more elite units," said Lebovch. But analysts warn that a military takeover would only further damage Burkina Fasos security and stability. Michael Shurkin is director of global programs at 14-N Strategies, a Senegal and U.S.-based consultancy. A coup d'etat in Burkina Faso would be disastrous for Burkina Faso and also for the region It would undermine Burkina Fasos government and make it less capable of dealing with the insurgency than those who would support a coup think it would Burkina Fasos real strength, its asset, is the vibrancy of its democracy," said Shurkin. "Anything that undermines that asset, I think, is very shortsighted. Burkina Fasos last attempted coup was in 2015 by supporters of former president Blaise Compaore, just a month before the countrys first democratic elections. A popular uprising overthrew Compaores 27-year-rule in 2014 and he fled into exile in Ivory Coast. The elections were held in November, electing Roch Kabore as president. The House plan would raise a starting teachers salary to $43,000, which is higher than neighboring states of Tennessee, Arkansas, Louisiana and Alabama. YEREVAN, JANUARY 13, ARMENPRESS. The government will co-finance the construction of kindergartens in communities by 70-80%, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said at the Cabinet meeting. He stated that if the community is ready to finance the construction or renovation of a kindergarten by 20%, the government will co-finance. The community must also bear another duty that it must take care of the needs of the kindergarten from the moment of its operation. The talk is about the maintenance costs, salary budget. Therefore, the government will finance the construction or renovation of a kindergarten by 70-80% if communities submit an application, the PM said. He said that they are doing this for the government program of building and renovating 500 kindergartens in 5 years, and according to him, this formula makes it realistic for achieving this goal. U.S. President Joe Biden sympathized with coronavirus-weary Americans Thursday while ramping up the governments effort to combat the surge of the omicron variant across the country. I know were all frustrated as we begin the new year, Biden said in a short White House speech. Its been a long road, but were going to get through this. In his latest effort to fight the highly transmissible omicron variant, Biden said the government would by next week start sending free face masks to all Americans and now plans to buy 500 million more COVID-19 test kits, on top of the half-billion he previously announced. Biden said that by next week, anyone in the U.S. who wants free test kits will be able to order them online. In the U.S., 15 million COVID-19 tests are now being conducted daily, and there are 20,000 free testing sites around the country. In addition, Biden said the military is deploying a total of 120 physicians, nurses and other medical personnel to hospitals in six of the 50 U.S. states where health care workers have been particularly overwhelmed by new coronavirus cases. It is the beginning of an eventual deployment of 1,000 military health care workers. He identified the states as New York, New Jersey and Rhode Island in the eastern part of the country, Ohio and Michigan in the Midwest, and New Mexico in the southwest region of the U.S. Since late November, the U.S. already has dispatched more than 800 military and other federal emergency personnel to 24 states, tribes and territories, according to the White House. That includes more than 350 military doctors, nurses and medics helping staff hospitals. Biden said most Americans are safe from serious illness from the coronavirus because they have been fully vaccinated. But he acknowledged that "the unvaccinated are dying. He again implored the estimated 40 million unvaccinated people to get inoculated. In all, more than 208 million people in the U.S. are fully vaccinated, and 77 million of those have also had booster shots, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. But the U.S. leads the world with more than 840,000 coronavirus deaths, and another 1,800 are dying daily. Recently, an additional 780,000 coronavirus cases were being recorded each day. Cambodia on Wednesday postponed the first Association of Southeast Asian Nations meeting under its 2022 chairmanship, the government said, amid reports of differences among the bloc's members over Prime Minister Hun Sen's visit to Myanmar last week, during which he did not meet with democracy leaders. An in-person foreign ministers retreat, scheduled for next week in Siem Reap, was postponed indefinitely, according to an announcement by Khieu Kanharith, the host country's 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 new date for the meeting. The reason for the postponement, he added, is that many ASEAN foreign ministers "have difficulties traveling to attend the meeting." The postponement effectively delays the official endorsement of Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn as ASEAN's new special envoy for Myanmar. Radio Free Asia, 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 Wednesday. Divisions within ASEAN over Hun Sen's trip to Naypyidaw and a potential invitation to the Myanmar junta's foreign minister to attend the ASEAN diplomats retreat might be why some diplomats chose not to attend next week's meeting, analysts said. ASEAN states who cited travel difficulties were likely being polite instead of saying outright that they didn't want to go to Siem Reap, according to Sophal Ear, a Cambodia expert at Arizona State University in the United States. "This is not officially a boycott, but [some member states' foreign ministers] came up with some excuses as to why they cannot join the meeting. The chickens are coming home to roost, it's karma for Cambodia's 'Cowboy Diplomacy,' " Ear, an associate dean and professor at the university's Thunderbird School of Management in Phoenix, told RFA. "When you do things others don't want you to do, they don't 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 Cambodia's chairmanship had got off to a "rocky start." "Seems internal divisions over the chair's 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 bloc's meetings. Indonesian President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo had categorically said that if Burmese coup leader Senior General Min Aung Hlaing did not implement an earlier agreed upon five-point road map to democracy, then Myanmar should be represented only 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 Sun's 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 bloc's five-point consensus. Back then, Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Singapore had backed shutting out the coup leader from the regional bloc's top summit. By visiting Myanmar and meeting with Min Aung Hlaing, Hun Sen legitimized him, 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 has done 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 February 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 may 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 Myanmar's readiness' In other developments, Japan on Tuesday "welcomed Cambodia's 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 Thailand's 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, Myanmar's close ally, spoke in favor of Hun Sen and Cambodia, as well as Myanmar. "China appreciates Myanmar's readiness to create favorable conditions for ASEAN's special envoy to fulfill his duty and [he] works toward effective alignment between Myanmar's five-point road map and ASEAN's five-point consensus," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin told reporters. The two road maps 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," Wang said. In an attempt to attract more foreign students, Dartmouth College in New Hampshire says it will admit international students regardless of their ability to pay tuition. International students will be admitted through a need blind process used for U.S. students. The college charges about $80,000 per year for tuition and accommodation. Talent is spread all across the world, college president Philip Hanlon told the Financial Times. We want to remove any financial barriers. This move benefits every student on campus, not just international ones. Tomorrows leaders have to be global citizens. By us bringing together students from all over the world they will learn from their peers. A variety of factors has led to decreased numbers of international students applying to U.S. colleges. These include rising costs, stricter visa policies and the COVID-19 pandemic. Dartmouth said its most recent class took in 14% international students, compared to 8% in 2013 when Hanlon took charge. A handful of other universities is taking similar measures. In the Dartmouth College statement, Hanlon said that while there was no target, he expected international applications will skyrocket and would not be surprised if the proportion reached 25 percent in the coming decade. Dartmouth has stepped up recruitment abroad, diversifying from students often drawn from richer families in Canada, Europe, China and India to offer financial aid to those from countries such as Kenya, Vietnam and Brazil, the report said. Autocratic leaders are facing a democratic backlash from their people in several countries around the world, according to the organization Human Rights Watch in its annual global report, which was published Thursday. The report said that in the past 12 months there have been a series of military coups and crackdowns on opposition figures. In Myanmar, the military seized power last February and ousted the democratically elected government, jailing President Win Myint and State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi. In Nicaragua, opposition members were jailed on treason charges ahead of the November election, as President Daniel Ortega consolidated power. In Uganda, President Yoweri Museveni was re-elected in January 2021 after security forces arrested and beat opposition supporters and journalists, killed protesters, and disrupted opposition rallies. Democratic Backlash The conventional wisdom these days is that autocrats are in the ascendancy and democratic leaders are in the decline, but when we looked back over the last year, we found that that view is actually too superficial, too simplistic, said Kenneth Roth, the executive director of Human Rights Watch, in an interview with VOA. In fact, there are encouraging signs of democratic uprisings, Roth said. There's an emergence of a series of popular demonstrations, popular protests for democracy against the autocrat. And we've seen this in a range of countries: in Thailand, Myanmar and Sudan, in Uganda, Nicaragua, Cuba, Poland, many parts of the world, these outpourings of support for human rights, for democracy, and against autocratic rule. Despite the optimistic tone, the report catalogues the suppression of democracy and human rights in more than 100 countries. Tens of thousands of opposition activists, human rights defenders and civilians have been jailed, beaten or killed. Russia In Russia, opposition leader Alexey Navalny remains in prison on parole-related violations after surviving a nerve agent attack he blamed on the Kremlin. Russia denied involvement. The legislative crackdown that started in November 2020 intensified ahead of the September 2021 general elections, the Human Rights Watch report says. Numerous newly adopted laws broadened the authorities grounds to target a wide range of independent voices. Authorities used some of these laws and other measures, to smear, harass, and penalize human rights defenders, journalists, independent groups, political adversaries, and even academics. Many left Russia for their own safety or were expelled. Authorities took particular aim at independent journalism. Since December 2020, the report says, the number of individuals and entities (that) authorities branded (as) foreign mediaforeign agent exploded, reaching 94 by early November. Most are prominent investigative journalists and independent outlets, the report said. Human Rights Watch says Moscow continues to suppress democracy at home and lend support to autocrats overseas, including President Alexander Lukashenko in Belarus, who has jailed hundreds of anti-government demonstrators and activists following the 2020 election that critics say was rigged. Russia earlier this month sent troops to Kazakhstan to help its autocratic president, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, crush anti-government protests. Russias president, Vladimir Putin, continues to offer military support to his Syrian ally, Bashar al-Assad, who is accused of crimes against humanity in his brutal suppression of the 2011 uprising and its aftermath. China The report says China has locked up thousands of pro-democracy activists and has intensified its crackdown on democratic freedoms in Hong Kong following the imposition of the National Security Law on the territory. With President Xi Jinping at the helm, the Chinese government doubled down on repression inside and outside the country in 2021. Its zero-tolerance policy towards COVID-19 strengthened the authorities hand, as they imposed harsh policies in the name of public health, the Human Rights Watch report says. Authorities (are) committing crimes against humanity as part of a widespread and systematic attack on Uyghurs and other Turkic Muslims in Xinjiang, including mass detention, torture, and cultural persecution. Tibetans continued to be subjected to grave abuses, including harsh and lengthy imprisonment for exercising their basic rights, the report adds. China has denied committing abuses in Xinjiang. Rule by force Roth says, despite the seemingly overwhelming force wielded by oppressive states, there is cause for hope. To maintain power by force is a very short-term strategy. If you look at Myanmar where the junta performed a coup almost a year ago, all they have is force. The entire population is against them. I think in Sudan, the military is facing something similar. They've just ousted the civilian prime minister, but they now face such a hostile population, Roth told VOA. Opposition coalitions The report says that in countries that still permit reasonably fair elections, opposition politicians and electorates are getting more sophisticated. Weve seen the emergence in a number of countries that still permit reasonably fair elections of broad political coalitions, alliances for democracy. And we saw these coalitions oust Prime Minister (Andrej) Babis in the Czech Republic, they got rid of (Benjamin) Netanyahu in Israel, they were really behind the coalition that chose Joe Biden to contest (U.S. President) Donald Trump. And today in Hungary and in Turkey, Prime Minister (Viktor) Orban and President (Recep Tayyip) Erdogan are facing similar broad coalitions that are really putting their grasp on power in jeopardy, Roth said. Democratic duty Human Rights Watch says the leaders of democratic countries must end their support for autocratic regimes, like Saudi Arabia and Egypt and they must do a better job of delivering for their own people. Particularly today when there really are big global challenges, climate change, the pandemic, poverty and inequality, the threats from technology. These are huge problems that demand visionary leadership, Roth told VOA. But instead, typically we're getting from democratic leaders minimalism, incremental change, really short-term steps, and that's not enough. If that's all that they can come up with, they're going to generate despair and frustration, which are going to be a breeding ground for a second wind for the autocrats. The Human Rights Watch report strikes an optimistic tone but cautions that the outcome of the battle between autocracy and democracy remains uncertain. The European Unions drug regulator is warning that too many doses of COVID-19 vaccines could eventually weaken the bodys immune system, rendering the extra shots ineffective. Marco Cavaleri, the head of vaccine strategy for the European Medicines Agency, said earlier this week that booster shots can be administered once, or maybe twice, but it's not something that we think should be repeated constantly. Cavaleri said instead that boosters should be administered just like an annual flu vaccination. Cavaleri is the latest health expert to urge against offering a fourth shot of a two-dose COVID-19 vaccine in an effort to provide extra protection against emerging variants of the coronavirus. Britains Health Security Agency said last week there was no immediate need for people to get a fourth shot, as the current booster regimens are providing good levels of protection. The World Health Organization has repeatedly said that providing first doses to poorer nations is a higher priority than richer nations offering boosters. In China, authorities in the central city of Xian have ordered two hospitals to temporarily shut down amid reports they denied treatment for critical patients in two incidents. A pregnant woman suffered a miscarriage after personnel at Gaoxin Hospital refused to admit her because she did not have a valid COVID-19 test. Meanwhile, a woman posted on social media that her father died of a heart ailment after he was refused treatment at Xian International Medical Center. The city of 13 million people, home of the world-famous Terracotta Warrior sculptures, has been under strict lockdown protocols since December, sparked by a wave of COVID-19 infections driven by the delta variant of the coronavirus. Residents have not been allowed to leave their homes unless they have essential jobs or are undergoing testing, which has led to a massive backlash. At least three-quarters of all teachers in France walked out of their classrooms Thursday to protest what they said are the governments inconsistent COVID-19 health protocols for educators and students. Frances largest teachers union, SNUipp-FSU, says the strike demonstrates the growing despair in schools as the government has issued three changes in coronavirus testing rules in the space of a week. Teachers are also angry over a lack of highly protective masks and air quality monitors. Separately, Frances minister of tourism says it will relax restrictions on travelers from Britain effective Friday. Fully vaccinated visitors will not be required to enter into quarantine upon their arrival, nor will they have to provide a compelling reason for traveling to France, but will still have to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test within 24 hours of their trip. Some information for this report came from Agence France-Presse. As the United States and Russia met for talks in Geneva this week, the future security of Europe was at stake. But the European Union was not present and bloc officials have voiced growing frustration, as Henry Ridgwell reports from London. As the United States and Russia met for talks in Geneva this week, the future security of Europe was at stake. But absent from the negotiating table was the European Union, to the clear frustration of the blocs officials. On this dialogue, there are not two actors alone. It's not just U.S. and Russia. If you want to talk about security in Europe, Europeans have to be part of the table, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell told reporters January 5. Borrell made the comments following a visit to the front lines of the conflict in eastern Ukraine, where Russian-backed rebels continue to fight Ukrainian forces nearly seven years after Moscows forceful annexation of Crimea. Latecomers The EU is late to the table, says analyst Liana Fix, a resident fellow at the German Marshall Fund in Washington. The problem here is that the European Union has not been involved formally in talks in 2014 when the Ukraine crisis started. Back then we had Germany and France in the Normandy format [talks] and no official EU representative, Fix told VOA. On the other side, the European Union should make it clear what it can contribute to the discussion, she said. Within the European Union, the question is: Who is more powerful the member states or the EU as an institution itself? And on the other hand, in Moscow, the EU is not taken seriously. There are fears the smoldering war in eastern Ukraine could be about to reignite. In recent months, Russia has massed over 100,000 troops close to the Ukrainian border, prompting Western fears of an imminent invasion. Meanwhile, Moscow complains of a NATO military buildup in Eastern Europe and has warned of the dangers of confrontation. Those tensions came to a diplomatic head this week. But neither the U.S.-Russia bilateral talks nor Wednesdays summit between NATO and Russia the first such meeting in two years appear to have yielded progress. Amid a changing world order and rising geopolitical tensions, France is leading a European push for what Paris calls greater strategic sovereignty, partly driven by doubts about America's commitment to NATO that took root during the administration of former President Donald Trump. French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said this week that Russian President Vladimir Putin was deliberately trying to bypass the EU. He has no consideration for the European Union, and he is totally determined to try to put dents in European unity, which is solidifying, Le Drian told BFM TV. Moscow also aims to undermine the transatlantic alliance, argues analyst Petro Burkovskiy, a senior fellow at the Kyiv-based Democratic Initiatives Foundation. Russia uses these talks in order to destroy trust between the United States and European partners and tries to demonstrate that the United States [is] ready to discuss its security in Europe and discuss its policy in Europe behind the European partners, Burkovskiy told The Associated Press. Key EU role Without its own military force, the European Union as an institution may not be taken seriously by Moscow but it does have a key role to play, said Fix. "When the European Union and the United States now think about sanctions towards Russia in case of an intervention, of an invasion of Ukraine, then it is the European Union that will have to deliver an economic sanctions package and have to deliver the agreement of all member states, Fix said. Meanwhile, following talks between NATO and Russian officials Wednesday, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman, who led the United States delegation, said transatlantic allies were united. I think one of the things that Russia has done, which it probably did not expect, it has brought all of Europe, NATO and non-NATO allies alike, together, to share the same set of principles, the same ambition, the same hopes and the same commitment to diplomacy, she told reporters. While much of the world was focused on last weeks deadly conflict between security forces and protesters in Kazakhstan, independent analysts were intrigued by another struggle playing out this one between the rival camps of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and his still-powerful predecessor, Nursultan Nazarbayev. The upshot, these analysts say, is likely to be a turn away from the soft authoritarianism and carefully balanced international diplomacy cultivated during Nazarbayevs three decades in power, toward a sterner domestic policy and a more pronounced tilt toward Russia and China. Nazarbayev, who ruled the oil-rich Central Asia nation from independence in 1989, handed over the presidency to his hand-picked successor in 2019 but remained a powerful figure as leader of the ruling political party and chairman of the national security council. But last weeks protests, which left 164 dead and 12,000 detained according to a government tally, brought long-standing resentments to the fore, with the demonstrators chanting Shal ket! (Old man out) and denouncing the system Nazarbayev had created. Desperate to quell the protests, Tokayev stripped Nazarbayev of his titles in what some analysts saw as an effort to deflect blame for the nations problems onto his predecessor while strengthening his own grip on power. Pauline Jones from the University of Michigan says Nazarbayevs first exit in 2019 was graceful and well-timed, but ultimately incomplete. Nazarbayev built his reputation on the perceived success of his model of development, which was in turn predicated on stability and prosperity through economic liberalization and soft authoritarianism. But, says Jones, He retained both formal and informal influence, as lifelong chairman of the Security Council, leader of the ruling political party, Nur Otan, and with the title Elbasy, or Leader of the Nation. While the protests were sparked by anger over a spike in fuel prices in the nations west, Jones says concrete political demands quickly emerged. Foremost among these was for the regime to finally distance itself from Nazarbayev. And Tokayev responded not just by dismissing Nazarbayev from his formal position but by attempting to remove his allies in the security apparatus while replacing them with his own. The moves against Nazarbayev were not enough to satisfy the protesters, according to Temur Umarov, an analyst with the Carnegie Moscow Carnegie. People still think [Nazarbayev] is part of the system, so it's just not enough, he said. During the protests we heard people saying they want competitive elections and political reforms. Barbara Junisbai of Pitzer College says Nazarbayev had long balanced the interests of competing factions among the nations elite but failed this time by allowing the violence to overwhelm Almaty, Kazakhstans largest city which is home to Nazarbayevs clan. I have been to protests in Kazakhstan and the police and military presence were tangible even at peaceful protests, said Junisbai, who described it as strange that this time the security forces were ineffective in stemming the violence. Umarov sees potentially lasting effects from the crisis that could change the Kazakhstan that experts have come to know. He says an embattled Tokayev and his reshuffled government may now further restrict freedom, vigorously prosecute activists, and push for repressive laws on NGOs, media and public gatherings. Umarov also voiced concern over Tokayevs decision to invite troops from the Russia-led Collective Security Treaty Organization on a peacekeeping mission to help stem the protests. This replaced Kazakhstans multi-vector foreign policy, which emphasized balance among major powers, with a decisive lean toward Moscow. Jones, the University of Michigan analyst, said Nazarbayev wanted his legacy to be a modern Kazakhstan, stable and prosperous, but he will now be remembered for systemic fragility, repression, and dependence upon foreign intervention to prop up the regime. Tokayev has taken the country in a more repressive direction. His use of violent suppression of protests and shoot-to kill-order has opened the door to the use of state violence as a tool of regime stability. Analysts fear Tokayev will continue to choose repression over reform, especially after calling protesters terrorists, dismissing demonstrations as being orchestrated by foreign interests. But if he chooses reform, he could possibly restore some of his popularity and legitimacy, which would make him more willing to hold elections in the future and allow at least some semblance of political competition, Jones says. Still, she sees the turn toward solidarity with Russia and China as taking Kazakhstan's authoritarian regime in the direction of greater repression. These two authoritarian players always wanted more influence in Kazakhstan, and Russia now has boots on the ground. Kazakhstan's image, which Nazarbayev carefully and expertly cultivated, has been tarnished. And that positive image had been important both for international and domestic audiences in securing regime legitimacy, says Jones, adding that Kazakhstan has lost credibility in the West. Like the other analysts, Nargis Kassenova of Harvard University says until a few days ago, Tokayev didn't have full power and was a transitional figure in the process that started in 2019. She too sees accumulated social and economic grievances, mismanagement, and corruption as the sparks of the demonstrations. It's unsurprising that these protests spread, given the worsening economic situation and pandemic. Kassenova urges an independent investigation while hoping for better days: As bad as the situation seems, if the good people are put in charge of reforms, maybe we do have a chance ... It's hard to change ways overnight. An immediate challenge, she says, is whether the political elite can find some kind of equilibrium that is good for the stability of the country. Political machinations amid violence are unlikely to have made that easier. The founder and leader of a far-right group has been arrested and charged in federal court with seditious conspiracy for his involvement in the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol. Stewart Rhodes, 56, founder of the Oath Keepers, is among 11 defendants accused of helping to instigate violence at the Capitol. He did not enter the Capitol. His case is the first time the Justice Department has brought a seditious conspiracy charge against a Jan. 6 rioter. Rhodes was arrested Thursday in Texas, his attorney, Jonathan Moseley, told the Associated Press. He has been subject to a lot of suspicion to why he wasnt indicted, so far in the Jan. 6 riot, Moseley said. I dont know if this is in response to those discussions, but we do think its unfortunate. Its an unusual situation. The seditious conspiracy indictment alleges that, following the Nov. 3, 2020, presidential election, Rhodes conspired with his co-defendants and others to oppose by force the execution of the laws governing the transfer of presidential power by Jan. 20, 2021, the Justice Department wrote in a press release. Beginning in late December 2020, via encrypted and private communications applications, Rhodes and various co-conspirators coordinated and planned to travel to Washington, D.C., on or around Jan. 6, 2021, the date of the certification of the electoral college vote, the indictment alleges, the statement continued. According to the Justice Department, Rhodes and his fellow conspirators were prepared and willing to use force and to transport firearms and ammunition into Washington, D.C. Rhodes is one of many members of the group charged with crimes on that day. Some information in this report came from The Associated Press. Prayers and the compelling need to bury the dead filled a Bronx mosque Wednesday, as a bereaved community prepared to say goodbye to those lost in New York City's most devastating fire in decades. Among those awaiting funeral rites were a 2-year-old boy, a mother who died with three of her children, a family of five, and a husband and wife whose four children are now orphans. In all, 17 people died, including eight children. Burial plans remained uncertain as some families were waiting for funeral homes to deliver their loved ones and, in some cases, deciding between burials here or having their loved ones returned to Gambia. Islamic law calls for bodies to be cleansed and buried as soon as possible after death, usually within 24 hours. "This community, these people, have gone through so much," said Sheikh Musa Drammeh, who was helping the neighborhood cope with the tragedy at a Bronx apartment complex. "Now they are mourning, but they are very understanding that if it happened, it had to happen," he said. "And they have no right to question why it happened." The medical examiner's office said that two of the dead were released earlier in the week and that funeral homes had yet to take possession of the others. "We have been open, and we are ready to release the decedents, so there's no delay on our end," said the medical examiner's spokesperson, Julie Bolcer. Memorial display A memorial wall took shape near the burned apartment building Wednesday afternoon, as a Miami man, Leo Soto, invited passersby to affix photos of the dead, flowers and signs with messages such as, "Bronx strong" to a fence. He had helped organize a similar effort after last June's condo collapse in Surfside, Florida, and traveled to the Bronx after hearing about the fire. "It's a different community," Soto said, "but the same amount of suffering." Community leaders were huddling to plan funeral arrangements. The vast majority of those who died in the fire had ties to Gambia, Africa's tiniest country. "The most important thing is really giving each other support. We are all members of the same community, so we are like family," said Haji Dukuray, whose niece, Haja, died in the fire with her husband and their three children Fatoumata, 5, Mariam, 11, and Mustafa, 12. Mustafa had just celebrated his birthday the night before the fire. "Such beautiful angelic eyes," neighbor Renee Howard, 68, had said about Mustafa earlier in the week. The medical examiner's office said all the victims suffocated from the thick smoke that poured out of a third-floor apartment, where officials say a malfunctioning electrical space heater sparked the fire. The fire itself didn't spread far, but the smoke streamed into hallways and filled a stairwell. People ran down the darkened steps, some from the top floor of the 19-story building. Many escaped, but others collapsed and perished on their way down. Legal action In the first lawsuit to arise from the fire, a married couple who live in the building accused the building's owners of negligence because of a lack of functioning safety measures. The lawsuit, filed Tuesday in state court in the Bronx, cited self-closing doors that didn't close, fire alarms that went off "all the time" and the lack of a sprinkler system, although one was not required by law. The lawsuit sought class-action status for all building residents and included demands for at least $1 billion in damages. In response, the ownership group, Bronx Park Phase III Preservation LLC, said it was "devastated" by the tragedy and was "cooperating fully with the fire department and other agencies as they continue to investigate." A list of names of the deceased from New York City police included eight children. The dead ranged in age from Ousmane Konteh, 2, to Fatoumata Drammeh, 50, who died along with three of her children Foutmala, 21, Nyumaaisha, 19, and Muhammed, 12. Ishak Drammeh arrived at the mosque Wednesday to join in prayers and make funeral arrangements for his wife and three children, who he plans to lay to rest in the United States. Drammeh was drained but calm as he spoke inside the mosque. "I try to deal with it," he said. "I try to take it from God. Every time I think of them, I pray for them." He was thankful that another daughter survived and hoped his son Yajub, 16, would soon be released from the hospital. He was in Columbus, Ohio, for work when a cousin informed him of the fire. Inside the mosque, people sat with Drammeh and kept him company between prayers. One service for Gambians The mosque's imam, Musa Kabba, envisioned a single service for all the Gambian victims as a way to surround them with support. Two of the dead were believed to come from families from Mali and would have separate services. "We're all very anxious, to be honest with you," said Dukuray. "It's the most important thing to know right now, and I can't focus on anything until that really happens." But amid the tragedy, he and others said, the fate of their loved ones was in God's hands. "As a Muslim, what we are taught in our faith, what it teaches us when anything happens to us when there's a disaster or whether you lose something or you lose a loved one, is that the good Lord has allowed it," he said. Dukuray continued, "The only thing we are guaranteed in this life is death." YEREVAN, JANUARY 13, ARMENPRESS. Thirty-two years ago on this day, Azerbaijanis began a state-sponsored massacre of the Armenian population in Baku, which became known as the Baku Pogroms. Tens of thousands of Armenians fell victim to the cruel atrocities or forced displacement. The Baku Pogrom began in 1990 January 13th and lasted until January 19th. It was a state-sanctioned pogrom organized by the Azerbaijani Popular Front. After the six days of atrocities, Baku the city once having an Armenian population of 250,000 had no Armenians left. The anti-Armenian hysteria in Azerbaijan had risen back in late 1988 and early 1989. On January 13, 1990 a mass rally took place with the attendance of thousands. Afterwards, the crowd separated into smaller groups and started attacking and murdering Armenians in their homes with extreme cruelty. The perpetrators had the addresses of their would-be victims. The mob would defenestrate their victims from their apartments, kill them with metal pipes and knives, women were raped, and many were burnt alive. Only six days later, when the Soviet authority was jeopardized in Baku, Mikhail Gorbachev ordered a state of emergency in the Azerbaijani capital to restore public order. More than a dozen militants were killed during an armed resistance with the troops, and many were arrested. Since evidence and facts were concealed and covered up, the exact number of Armenians who were killed during the pogroms was impossible to be revealed, but according to various estimates at least 500-600 were murdered from 1988 to 1990. The anti-Armenian pogroms went on even after 1990 January, leading to a complete and forced exodus of Armenians. Despite the Azerbaijani denialist policy, the Baku Pogroms, and the preceding Sumgait Pogrom of 1988, as well as in Kirovabad (Gyanja), have been condemned by a number of international organizations. The pogroms against the Armenians were condemned by the European Parliament in resolutions adopted in 1988, 1990 and 1991. In 2002, United States Committee for Refugees Director Bill Frelick recorded and spoke about the consequences of the Baku Pogroms. Eyewitness accounts, as well as the above-mentioned resolutions, indicate that the anti-Armenian actions in Baku and Sumgait were of organized nature or at least were carried out at the permission of the then-Azerbaijani authorities. Only a tiny percentage of thousands of vulnerable Afghans seeking to move to the United States under a refugee resettlement program announced last summer have relocated overseas to begin the processing of their applications, according to unpublished State Department data. There are two primary avenues for Afghans seeking to move to the United States. One is a decade-old special immigrant visa program open to military interpreters and others who worked on government-funded contracts. The other is a refugee admission program run by the State Department and other agencies. In early August, as a Taliban onslaught threatened to bring down the U.S.-backed government in Kabul and triggered a surge in demand for special immigrant visas, the State Department announced that at-risk Afghans ineligible for the SIV program could seek refugee status under a new Priority 2 designation. Although the United States and its allies evacuated more than 124,000 people from Kabul after the Taliban takeover, tens of thousands of other vulnerable Afghans who were left behind are struggling to find a pathway to safety. The Priority 2, or P-2, refugee program was meant to help relocate at-risk Afghans such as journalists and rights activists who were otherwise ineligible for special immigrant visas available to military interpreters. To be eligible, an individual must have worked in Afghanistan for the U.S. government, a U.S.-based media organization or nongovernmental organization, and must be referred by the U.S.-based employer. Unprotected Afghans who do not meet the P-2 criteria may be referred under the State Department's pre-existing Priority 1 refugee program by the U.S. Embassy in Kabul, the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees or a designated NGO. But regardless of the designation, referral to the program came with a catch that has hindered the ability of most Afghans to take advantage of it. Applicants must first relocate to a third country where their applications are processed, a procedure that, according to the State Department, can take 14 to 18 months or more. For Afghans without appropriate travel documents to leave Afghanistan or the financial means to live in a third country, the requirement has proved to be an insurmountable obstacle. As a result, the vast majority of applicants to the refugee program, many of them journalists, human rights activists and aid workers, have remained stranded in Afghanistan facing an uncertain future. "It clearly is not suited for a situation where people are being prevented from leaving," said a U.S. government official with access to the Afghan refugee data who asked to remain anonymous when discussing the program's challenges. "If this was a country where it was easy to get out, then P-2 would be fine." State Department data shared with VOA by a spokesman show that the department has received about 12,000 referrals to the Afghan P-2 refugee resettlement program and approximately 17,000 P-1 referrals. Of the total number of referrals, more than 4,200 have "accepted" status, meaning they have submitted all the required documents. But just over 350 a little more than 1% of all P-1 and P-2 applicants together are identified as having been moved to a third country, including Pakistan and Turkey, where processing of their cases has begun, according to two people familiar with the data. The government official cautioned that the actual number of people who have relocated to a third country could be higher, noting that some refuge-seeking Afghans may not have contacted the State Department yet. But even if more people have left, tens of thousands still are stranded in Afghanistan. "Hearing that only one percent of people have been able to leave the country and move to the next step, unfortunately, confirms our worst fears," said Betsy Fisher, director of strategy at International Refugee Assistance Project, a refugee advocacy organization based in New York. "I think it shows that there is a tremendous amount of work to be done to make this program work." Logistical challenges frustrate P-2 applicants The State Department has long recognized the difficulty many Afghans face in moving overseas to begin the processing of their refugee cases. Asked what the State Department was doing to make the P-2 program work, the spokesman said, "We continue to call for safe passage for all those who wish to leave Afghanistan, and we have been very public about advocacy to other countries to respect the principle of nonrefoulement and to allow entry for Afghans seeking protection. "Individuals with urgent protection needs should follow procedures to register for international protection and assistance with the government of the country they are in," the spokesman said. For P-2 applicants unable to leave Afghanistan, that's no comfort. Most lack passports to travel and money to live on for an extended period in a foreign country. What is more, uncertainty over whether a case will be approved deters many from leaving the country, said a Kabul-based TV writer and producer who has been referred to the program by a U.S.-based nongovernmental organization. "I can try to sell everything I own and move to a third country but what if, at the end of the process, they reject my case? What do I do then?" the writer, who requested anonymity, said in a WhatsApp message to VOA. Even those who have made it to a third country and received a status confirmation from the State Department complain about the exorbitant cost of an unpredictably long waiting time. "Without money, a job, and a house to live in, I simply cannot afford to wait for a process that could take years," said a veteran Afghan editor who is staying at a guesthouse in Islamabad, Pakistan. This quandary has led some frustrated refugee advocates to suggest that the administration should simply shut down the program if it can't find a way to help the applicants leave the country. Pushing for changes Others, however, say shuttering the program is not a solution. Instead, they've been pressing the Biden administration to institute a number of changes to the program. One proposal would expand the SIV program to allow employees of NGOs and other Afghans to apply for immigrant visas. Another would direct the State Department to prioritize the evacuation of P-2 applicants along with SIV applicants. Some advocates have pushed for financial support for P-2 applicants living in a third country. None of the proposals has gained public support from the Biden administration, which, according to refugee advocates, remains focused on evacuating American citizens, permanent residents and special immigrant visa holders. "The administration has told us in many, many different ways that the P-2 program is not a priority of theirs," said Katie LaRoque, senior manager for democracy, rights and governance at InterAction, an alliance of U.S.-based international NGOs. Supporters of the Afghan evacuation say they haven't given up the fight. While the U.S. military is no longer present in Afghanistan, our mission there is not over," said Republican Representative Peter Meijer, who last year co-sponsored legislation that would expand the SIV program and ask the administration to prioritize the evacuation of P-2 applicants from Afghanistan. "We still have interpreters and other Afghan partners who put themselves and their loved ones at risk now stranded in Afghanistan, and the chaotic and heartbreaking withdrawal that the world witnessed over the summer shows just how vulnerable they still are." This week the United Nations launched a more than $5 billion funding appeal for Afghanistan, much of it aimed at direct payments to health workers and others, instead of financial support for the Taliban government. Aid groups warn half the population faces acute hunger in what is one of the world's most quickly worsening humanitarian crises. VOA's Cindy Saine and Nike Ching contributed to this report. In a landmark ruling, a German Court Thursday convicted a former Syrian intelligence officer of crimes against humanity for his role in state-sponsored torture and murder under Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's government. The regional court in the western city of Koblenz found 58-year-old Anwar Raslan guilty of overseeing the murder of 27 people at the al-Khatib detention center in Damascus, also known as "Branch 251", in 2011 and 2012. Raslan has denied all charges. Raslan and another defendant, junior officer Eyad al-Gharib, were put on trial in April 2020. Gharib was accused of helping to arrest protesters and deliver them to the detention center. He was sentenced to four-and-a-half years in prison last year. Their trials were the first to address state-led torture during Syria's civil war, which began in 2011. Efforts by the U.N. Security Council to refer Raslans and other cases from Syria to the Hague-based International Criminal Court have been blocked by Syrias main allies, Russia and China. The German court tried the two men under the principle of universal jurisdiction for serious crimes. Human rights activists hope the trial will set a new precedent. Human Rights Watch Executive Director Kenneth Roth told the French news agency, AFP, the verdict was historic, and expressed his hope the trials will allow nations around the world to try suspects for war crimes, and mass atrocities in their own countries. Some information for this report was provided by the Associated Press, Reuters and Agence France-Presse. Three years ago, the collapse of the tailings dam at an iron ore mine forced members of the Pataxo-Hahahae tribe to move their homes to higher ground. Now, the rain-swollen Paraopeba River has flooded their new village and left them homeless again. About 50 Pataxo-Hahahae tribe members have taken shelter in a local school, but their houses in the village of Nao Xoha have been contaminated by muddy, tailings-filled waters of the river. "We lost houses. We lost bathrooms. We lost our medical center. We lost furniture. Our community is all flooded," Chief Sucupira Pataxo-Hahahae said on Wednesday. "It makes your heart bleed. "The water contaminated by ore flooded our homes and backyards. There's no way we can live there anymore. We have a lot of kids," he said. Heavy rains have pounded the mining region of Minas Gerais state in southeast Brazil relentlessly for the past two weeks, causing dams to overflow and flooding towns and roads. More than 20 people have died. In January 2019, a dam collapsed at a mine near Brumadinho owned by giant miner Vale SA, releasing a mudflow that crashed through the mine's cafeteria and buried houses and farms, killing 270 people. No Pataxo-Hahahae died in the disaster. But miles downstream, their way of life became unsustainable on the banks of a polluted river where they had bathed, washed their clothes and fished for their main source of food. The village had 80 residents at that time, who had to uproot everything and move to safer ground 30 meters (98 feet) away from the river. Now that new site is under water. "It is so sad to see this happen again," said Marina Pataxo-Hahahae, looking out at her flooded backyard. Kazakhstans political turmoil erupted at precisely the moment the U.S. and Russia began to negotiate deep disagreements over Ukraine, NATO and European security. The deployment of 2,500 peacekeepers by the Kremlin-led Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) struck many Washington experts as a shift in Kazakhstans foreign policy that strengthens Russias hand. But on January 11, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, who leads a country that has long claimed to pursue a balanced multivector foreign approach, announced that CSTO forces would begin departing as early as this week and should be completely gone by the end of January. Still, argued the Atlantic Councils John Herbst, a former U.S. ambassador to Ukraine and Uzbekistan, President Vladimir Putins goal of restoring Russian influence in the post-Soviet space is not limited to Ukraine, Georgia, and Moldova; Tokayevs invitation gives Moscow the chance to do just that in Central Asias richest country. Herbst adds that Tokayev had another option for external support the China-backed Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) which also includes Russia, but chose the CSTO, showcasing the tilt toward Moscow. Despite growing cooperation in opposing U.S. policies globally, China and Russia, he says, are competitors in Central Asia. Jennifer Murtazashvili, of the University of Pittsburgh and the Carnegie Endowment, says the early departure of the Russian troops changes little because Tokayev needed Russia to help him win an internal battle that he claims was an attempted coup. With or without boots on the ground, the effects of Russian intervention will likely last for a long time. Kazakhstan is beholden to Russia in a way that it wasn't before, limiting the scope of Kazakhstan's multi-vectored foreign policy. So, it is not the length of the Russian deployment, but the fact that Kazakhstans leadership needed to call upon outsiders to protect the country that makes it likely to be more responsive and beholden to Russia. Anti-government protests erupted in the first days of the new year, gradually turning into violent riots, especially in Kazakhstans largest city, Almaty. Tokayev says foreign-backed terrorists are behind the deaths of more than 160 people and material damage could be $2-$3 billion, according to the government. About 12,000 have been detained. Murtazashvili says Kazakhstan had seen sporadic protests since a 2019 reshuffle in which Tokayev replaced Nursultan Nazarbayev, who had led the country since 1989. These events came on the heels of the 10th anniversary of a massacre in western Kazakhstan, where more than a dozen oil workers died. A painful increase in gas prices triggered a lot of indignation about history and the government. Murtazashvili argues that protests started locally. Different protesters in different parts of the country had different grievances focused on local governance. Tokayev had promised local governance reforms but never delivered. She is among many researchers who simply do not accept Tokayevs statements about terrorists being at the root of the protests. Because it's the same explanation that we see immediately after every other instance of unrest in Kazakhstan and other authoritarian countries, whose regimes try to justify their use of force. Kazakhstan is a police state with a powerful security apparatus, Murtazashvili adds, so it is simply unbelievable that 20,000 extremists could have carried out such an operation. William Courtney, former U.S. ambassador to Kazakhstan, says the longer-term U.S. interest in a peaceful, stable, more open and pluralistic Kazakhstan will endure. It is also in Americas interest, he said, that Russia does not perceive an opportunity for imperialistic adventures. Murtazashvili diverges from Herbsts assessment of Russia-China competition in the region, seeing instead a division of labor where Russia dominates security, while China builds and finances infrastructure. This gives Central Asians a great deal of autonomy as they engage with Russia and China. She does not see Central Asian countries as pawns of great powers. What we've seen over the past several years is these Central Asian countries actually embrace this rivalry and take advantage of it. The Biden administrations response to the bloody events in Kazakhstan has been largely limited to calls for calm. But Courtney cautions the U.S. needs to be careful about what it says when events are moving quickly. We've had 30 years of really good relations with Kazakhstan, which took an enormous number of positive steps in the international community, from nonproliferation to hosting Syria talks. Our relationship with Kazakhstan has a lot more political capital left in it, he says. Indeed, the oil-rich country boasts Americas largest direct investments in the region. For years, both Republican and Democratic administrations hailed Kazakhstan as a leader and reliable strategic partner. On Monday, Kazakhstans National Day of Mourning, the State Department expressed condolences to Americas trusted friend. We believe in the resilience of Kazakhstans people and their capacity to rebound from this crisis, it tweeted. In a call with Foreign Minister Mukhtar Tileuberdi on January 6, Secretary of State Antony Blinken reiterated Washingtons full support for Kazakhstans constitutional institutions and media freedom and advocated for a peaceful, rights-respecting resolution to the crisis. The State Department also condemned violence and destruction of property in Kazakhstan, calling for restraint by both authorities and protesters, urging all parties to find a peaceful resolution. Murtazashvili agrees the U.S. has much at stake but harbors doubt about its influence in the region following its precipitous withdrawal from Afghanistan. I think the U.S. should take a very careful look at its strategy toward Central Asia. Does the U.S. have any credible interests in this region now? One early debate will be whether the Nazarbayev era is truly over in Kazakhstan. Courtney says the power elite that supported Nazarbayev and his close family people may be gone, but the power structure he established may yet endure. A group of Kenyan LGBT students protested Thursday against a Cabinet ministers recent suggestion they be banned from boarding schools. The schools are common in Kenya and the students and rights groups say a ban would be discriminatory and compromise their safety. Dozens of angry students took to the streets of Nairobi Thursday in a peaceful protest to Kenya's Ministry of Education. They were armed with placards that denounced a suggestion by the Cabinet secretary for education, George Magoha, that homosexual students be barred from boarding schools. MaryLiz Biubwa, one of the protesters, said Magohas comment is beginning to have an effect at some schools. "Because of the directive Magoha has given, I have two students who have reached out, one I am planning to start the journey of helping them tomorrow, because she was already sent out of school. She has KCSE in March, she cant go back because she will be told she is gay, said Biubwa. KCSE is Kenya's certificate of secondary school examination. In their two-page petition to the education secretary, the protesters called on him to withdraw his December remarks, and to criminalize all types of phobias they say put people's lives at risk, including the lives of homosexual students. Makena Njeri is the founder of Bold Africa, a gay rights network. "Being a gay student going through high school already was a challenge all the way down to even being very close to being expelled. This already is discriminating me as a child when I was growing up.Now that the government is adding more pressure to institutions to continue discriminating [against] the kids [and] is something that we'll not stand, said Njeri. Kenya is one of many African countries that outlaw homosexuality. VOA has established that the cabinet secretary has yet to officially order boarding schools in Kenya to bar suspected gay students. A state education official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said ordinarily, a formal circular would be sent to all heads of boarding schools. "Implementing such a directive would be very difficult and can lead to a lot of fury. You can see that the statement he made is already causing chaos. What if a principal of a school was seen doing that? it would be a disaster, said the education official. The LGBT community leaders who presented their petition to the Ministry of Education are expected to meet with Magoha next week. Mali has accused France of breaching its airspace and threatened unspecified consequences if it happens again. Malis military government Wednesday condemned France for flying a military plane into the country from Ivory Coast this week. In a statement, government spokesman Colonel Abdoulaye Maiga called the flight Tuesday from Abidjan to Malis city of Gao a clear breach of its airspace. Maiga also accused the French military plane of switching off its communication with Malis aviation authorities. He threatened consequences if the incident is repeated, saying Malis government would refuse any liability relating to the risks to which the perpetrators of these practices could expose themselves. A French military official, who refused to be named, denied the claims to Agence France-Presse, saying all procedures were respected and that Malian authorities had approved the flight. The French military maintains a base in Gao, to help Mali fight Islamist insurgents, after gradually withdrawing troops from other bases in northern Mali. The statement came just hours after a West African aviation authority accused the French military plane of violating regional sanctions against Mali. The Dakar, Senegal-based Agency for Aerial Navigation Safety in Africa and Madagascar also told Malis National Civil Aviation Agency it was not notified of the flight in advance. The Economic Community of West African States Sunday banned transport and trade between member states and Mali after the military leaders delayed elections. Leaders of Malis August 2020 coup promised elections in February but last week announced a plan to hold the polls in 2026. France is supporting the ECOWAS sanctions against Mali and its national airline, Air France, Wednesday suspended all flights to Mali until further notice. Some information in this report came from Agence France-Presse. Two U.S. government agencies - space agency NASA, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), said Thursday 2021 was the sixth hottest year on record. In separate reports, the agencies also said their data indicates the last eight years were the eight hottest since modern recordkeeping began. They also said global temperatures in 2021 were .85 degrees Celsius above the 20th century average. NOAA says last year was also the 45th year since 1977 average global temperatures rose above the 20th century average. The agencies data shows global temperatures, averaged over a 10-year period to take out natural variability, are nearly 1.1 degrees Celsius warmer than 140 years ago. In an interview with reporters, NOAA analysis chief Russell Vose said it is warmer now than any time in at least the past 2,000 years, and probably much longer." He predicted 2022 would also be among the warmest years ever. Both agencies attributed weather anomalies from the past year, like melting sea ice, severe wildfires, and record flooding, as attributable to the warming climate. NASA climate scientist Gavin Schmidt told the Associated Press the long-term trend is very, very clear. And it's because of us. And it's not going to go away until we stop increasing the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Some information for this report came from The Associated Press, and Reuters. Nigeria has lifted a seven-month ban on Twitter, which it imposed after the microblogging platform deleted a tweet by President Muhammadu Buhari it deemed offensive. Nigeria's Twitter users and free speech supporters welcome the ban being lifted, but they also question how much the company has bent its rules to restore market access to Africa's largest population. The end of the Twitter ban came into effect at 12 a.m.Thursday. A statement released by the chairman of the negotiation committee between Nigerian officials and Twitter, Kashifu Inuwa, said the lifting of the ban was approved by President Muhammadu Buhari following the committee's recommendations. The statement said Twitter agreed to be legally registered in Nigeria, run a local office, appoint country representatives to interface with authorities, pay taxes and enroll officials in its partner support portals - giving authorities access to monitor and manage prohibited contents. Human rights activists say they are concerned by the list of conditions, citing authorities' past attempts to stifle free speech. Seun Bakare, Amnesty International's spokesperson, says nothing is publicly known about any new rules. "Amnesty International is not privy to the details of the agreement that the Nigerian government has reached with Twitter. We do not know how much Twitter has had to bend it's rules on offensive tweets to restore market access to Nigeria, but one thing we know is that if these rules are against fundamental principles of freedom of expression, access to information, we will begin a campaign again to say no," Bakare said. Twitter did not confirm it had agreed to the government demands but said in a tweet Thursday: "We are deeply committed to Nigeria, where Twitter is used by people for commerce, cultural engagement, and civic participation." The Nigerian government banned Twitter in June of last year following the removal of a tweet by Buhari that threatened regional separatist groups in strong terms, violating the company's rules of engagement. Nigerian authorities said Twitter was being used too often to promote fake news and polarize Nigerians along tribal and religious lines. The lifting Thursday allows millions of Twitter users like Abdullahi Otaki to resume their accounts and messaging. Personally, I was very excited, a lot of Nigerians are excited as well. Its been very difficult for online vendors as their businesses were on stand-still, so it's a welcome development," Otaki said. However, human rights activist and co-founder of Center for Liberty Nigeria, Ariyo Dare, says the lifting of the ban was not people-oriented. There's nothing to be excited about regarding the latest unbanning of Twitter in Nigeria. The decision was taken for regime protection, it was taken to protect the ego of the president, it was not done in national interest, Dare said. During the ban, many users avoided the government's restriction using virtual private networks to operate Twitter locally. But most major businesses and corporations, including many news agencies, complied with the government's ban. An outlawed militant alliance fighting the government of Pakistan confirmed Thursday that one of its top commanders was killed in neighboring Afghanistan earlier in the week. The Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan, known as the Pakistani Taliban or TTP, in a statement identified the dead man as Khalid Balti, saying he was killed on Sunday while traveling. The TTP paid tribute to Baltis contributions to the group and vowed to avenge his killing soon; but it did not say who was responsible. No group has claimed responsibility. The confirmation comes after Pakistani security officials disclosed on Monday that Balti had died in Afghanistans eastern border province of Nangarhar, saying they were in the process of gathering more information about the circumstances. In Islamabad, a government official who asked not to be named said that in 2014, Balti went on the run after fleeing a Pakistani counter-terrorism military operation against TTP bases in border districts and taking refuge on the Afghan side. He was planning terrorist activities in Pakistan and was working for unification of all TTP (breakaway) factions, the official said. He added Balti had planned several attacks against Pakistani security officials and civilians in close liaison with the TTP chief Noor Wali Mehsud. An Afghan Taliban government spokesman rejected reports the TTP commander was killed on the Afghan side of the border. Bilal Karimi told VOA that nothing like that happened nor are any foreign nationals here. Pakistan launched major ground and air counterterrorism offensives in 2014 in volatile districts next to the Afghan border, killing thousands of TTP militants and forcing others to take shelter in Afghanistan, where U.S-led foreign troops were battling the Afghan Taliban in support of the Western-backed government in Kabul at the time. U.S. counterterrorism drone operations also killed many key TTP commanders along with others. Afghan security forces arrested Balti in 2015. He and other inmates were released when the Taliban seized power in Afghanistan in August 2021. TTP in its statement Thursday said that Balti was arrested in early 2015 and remained in custody until the end of 2021. It didnt elaborate. The Taliban government in Afghanistan later mediated and brokered a 30-day cease-fire between Pakistan and TTP in a move aimed at laying the groundwork for substantive peace talks. The truce expired in early December without any progress in the peace process and the militants resumed attacks in Pakistan. Afghan Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, in a visit to Islamabad in November, confirmed his government had played a central role in arranging the talks. The new Afghan rulers are under pressure from neighboring countries and the global community at large to stop transnational terrorists from using Afghanistan for cross-border attacks The Talibans seizure of power in Afghanistan has accelerated the countrys human rights crisis and humanitarian catastrophe, a new report warned Thursday. The Islamist group rolled back womens rights advances and media freedom after taking control of the conflict-torn impoverished nation, Human Rights Watch alleged in its annual review of rights practices around the world. Afghans are caught between Taliban oppression and the specter of starvation, lamented Patricia Gossman, associate Asia director for the U.S.-based watchdog. Governments involved in Afghanistan over the past two decades should provide humanitarian aid and fund basic services, including health and education, while using their leverage to press for an end to Taliban rights violations, she said in a statement. Despite assurances that they would respect human rights of all Afghans, the interim Taliban government announced a steady stream of polices and regulations that curtailed womens rights. Afghan women are largely prohibited from working in jobs outside of teaching and health care while many secondary schools for girls remain closed across the country. The Taliban religious police have told women they cannot travel in public without being accompanied by a male guardian and have ordered taxi drivers to offer a ride only to women who wear a hijab or headscarf. Taliban authorities are also cracking down on dissent and wide-ranging restrictions on media as well as violence against journalists have led to the closure of nearly 70% of Afghan television and other news outlets. Womens rights and media freedom were hailed as the foremost achievements of the international presence in Afghanistan over the past two decades. The Taliban seized power from the Western-backed government last August on the heels of a U.S.-led foreign troop withdrawal from Afghanistan after 20 years. Relief agencies say the subsequent freezing of billions of dollars in Afghan foreign assets, international sanctions on the Taliban and suspension of most non-humanitarian aid to the poverty-stricken country have accelerated an economic collapse, deteriorating an already dire humanitarian crisis, an outcome of decades of wars and natural disasters. The United Nations has warned millions of Afghans are at risk of famine and nearly four million children are severely malnourished. The Taliban victory propelled Afghanistan from humanitarian crisis to catastrophe, with millions of Afghans facing severe food insecurity due to lost income, cash shortages and rising food costs, said Human Rights watch. The Taliban have announced a blanket amnesty for Afghans who served the deposed government, but the global rights monitor said Taliban forces had summarily executed many former members of the Afghan governments security forces. The expedited (foreign troop) withdrawal did not include plans for evacuating many Afghans who had worked for the US and NATO forces or for programs sponsored by donor countries, the Human Rights Watch said in the report. It added that the chaotic evacuation of thousands of Afghans left behind many who remained at risk of Taliban retaliation. Chief Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid rejected the findings of the Human Rights Watch report as baseless. All the rights of the people of Afghanistan have been protected since the Islamic Emirate (the Taliban) came to power, Mujahid tweeted in response to the report. Such reports are based on misinformation spread by some hostile circles as propaganda, he said without elaborating further. Taliban leaders say they will soon allow all female students to rejoin schools as well as universities across Afghanistan in line with "Islamic law and teachings. However, Afghan women and rights activists have routinely demonstrated against the restrictions, prompting Taliban forces at times to use violence to disperse the rallies. YEREVAN, JANUARY 13, ARMENPRESS. Armenia expects that diplomatic ties will be established with Turkey as a result of the dialogue process, and the border between the two countries will be opened, Armenian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Vahan Hunanyan said responding to questions from ARMENPRESS ahead of the first meeting between the Armenian and Turkish special envoys planned for January 14. Hunanyan underscored that the Turkish government seemingly shares the approach of starting the dialogue without preconditions. ARMENPRESS What are the main goals that Armenia wants to achieve through the dialogue with Turkey? Vahan Hunanyan Armenias expectations from this dialogue are essentially the same that were since the 1990s. We expect that as a result of the process diplomatic relations will be established between Armenia and Turkey and the border between the two countries which was unilaterally closed by Turkey itself in the early 90s will be re-opened. ARMENPRESS There are opinions claiming that by agreeing to start dialogue with Turkey, Armenia has already accepted Turkeys preconditions in the context of normalization of relations with Armenia. How would you comment? Vahan Hunanyan - The Republic of Armenia has always stated its readiness to normalize relations with Turkey without any precondition. In this regard I have to state that Armenias stance hasnt changed, and the same position is reflected in the 2021-2026 Armenian Government Program. As weve mentioned in the past, weve regularly underscored the need for preserving the without preconditions principle in our contacts with international partners. Our impression is that the Turkish government also shares the approach of starting the dialogue without preconditions. ARMENPRESS - The first meeting of the special envoys of Armenia and Turkey in the normalization process is scheduled to take place on January 14 in Moscow. What will be the format of the meeting and what expectations does Armenia have from this meeting? Vahan Hunanyan - The meeting of the special envoys of Armenia and Turkey will be hosted by the Russian side in Moscow. Essentially, this first meeting will have the nature of a [courtesy meeting]. It is difficult to expect tangible results from a single meeting, but this will kick off the process. Shant Khlgatyan Dozens of journalists and human rights defenders in El Salvador had their cellphones repeatedly hacked with sophisticated spyware over the past year and a half, an internet watchdog said Wednesday. Reporting on its latest findings about use of the Israeli firm NSO Groups Pegasus spyware, the University of Torontos Citizen Lab said it had identified a Pegasus operator working almost exclusively in El Salvador in early 2020. While the researchers could not conclusively link the hacks to El Salvadors government, the report said, the strong country-specific focus of the infections suggests that this is very likely. Sofia Medina, spokesperson for President Nayib Bukele, said in a statement that El Salvador is no way associated with Pegasus and nor is a client of NSO Group. She said the government does not have licenses to use this type of software. The government is investigating the use of Pegasus to hack phones in El Salvador, she said. Medina said that on Nov. 23 she, too, received an alert from Apple as other victims did saying she might be a victim of state-sponsored hacking. She said El Salvadors justice and security minister received the same message that day. The Citizen Lab investigation did not include government officials, Medina said. NSO, which was blacklisted by the U.S. government last year, says it sells its spyware only to legitimate government law enforcement and intelligence agencies vetted by Israels Defense Ministry for use against terrorists and criminals. Bukele, a highly popular president, has railed against his critics in El Salvadors independent press, many of whom were targeted in the hacking attacks. Citizen Lab conducted a forensic analysis of 37 devices after the owners suspected they could be the targets of hacking. Their investigation carried out with Access Now was reviewed by Amnesty Internationals Security Lab. John Scott-Railton, senior researcher at Citizen Lab and an author of the report, said the aggressiveness and persistence of the hacking was jaw-dropping. Ive seen a lot of Pegasus cases but what was especially disturbing in this case was its juxtaposition with the physical threats and violent language against the media in El Salvador, Scott-Railton said. This is the kind of thing that perhaps wouldnt surprise you in a dictatorship but at least on paper El Salvador is a democracy, he said. Citizen Lab has uncovered the use of Pegasus to target journalists, human rights defenders, diplomats and dissidents during the past several years. Targets have been from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Mexico and the United States. While Citizen Lab is not blaming the mass hack on the Bukele government, Scott-Railton said all the circumstantial evidence points in that direction. The victims are almost exclusively in El Salvador. The infrastructure used to infect Pegasus victims is global so the command-and-control servers managing the surveillance in this case would not be expected to be local. Twenty-two of those targeted work for the independent news site El Faro, which during the period of hacking was working on stories related to the Bukele administrations alleged deal-making with El Salvadors street gangs to lower the homicide rate and support Bukeles party in mid-term elections in exchange for benefits to gang leaders. Bukele has vehemently denied there was any negotiation with the gangs. In December, the U.S. Treasury designated two officials from Bukeles government, and alleged as El Faro had that the administration made a deal with the gangs. Julia Navarrete, one of the El Faro journalists whose phone was hacked, said Wednesday that this software doesnt just allow someone to listen in all calls, it is entered in the device and extracts all of the information. Carlos Dada, El Faros director, said the high point of interventions in their phones was in September 2020, when El Faro broke the story about the alleged negotiations between Bukeles government and the gangs. These coincidences in the end are not so gratuitous, he said. The highest intensity of the telephone interventions against 22 people at El Faro happened in the months around our most sensitive publications and most critical of the government. Carlos Martinez, an investigative reporter with El Faro, said the analysis found that the hackers spent 269 days inside his phone. That doesnt stop being frightening, he said. Its difficult to process. The spyware operator actually tried to enter his phone again while it was being analyzed, allowing investigators to determine that the operator was in El Salvador. Apple sued NSO in November, trying to stop its software from compromising its operating systems. Facebook sued the company in 2019, alleging that it was hacking its WhatsApp messenger app. Human Rights Watch has released its World Report for 2022, which gives a country-by-country review of human rights in more than 100 states over the last year. In the HRW report released Thursday, which cites reporting by VOA at times, the monitoring group criticizes governments in the western Sahel region and their international partners, including France, the EU and the U.S., for reluctance to hold security forces to account for human rights abuses. Ida Sawyer is the deputy director of HRWs Africa division. Weve seen how international partners have regularly issued statements to denounce abuses by Islamic armed groups, but they remain reluctant to denounce abuses by pro-government forces or to publicly press the national authorities to investigate the allegations of abuse, Sawyer said. Sawyer added that some international partners offering military support in the region were also failing to hold their own armed forces to account for alleged abuses. We have specifically called for a thorough investigation into allegations that a French airstrike killed 19 civilians in Bounti village in central Mali last January, Sawyer said. France has denied the findings of a U.N. report into the incident, saying the people killed were combatants and the report is biased. Meanwhile, Sahel governments have rejected accusations by HRW that their armed forces are committing atrocities. For example, Burkina Fasos government denied a HRW report in 2020 saying that more than 180 people were executed and buried in a mass grave in the northern town of Djibo. Mali and later Niger and Burkina Faso has been embroiled in a conflict with armed groups linked to Islamic State and al-Qaida since 2012. According to data by the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project, more than 8,000 civilians died in the conflict in those countries during that period. The report says that Sahel governments and international partners have taken steps to engage security forces in human rights training. The report also expresses concerns for the human rights of people displaced by the conflict. The United Nations refugee agency says there are almost 3.5 million displaced people in the western Sahel. Alexandra Lamarche, senior advocate for West and Central Africa at Refugees International, spoke with VOA. "Numerous reports of atrocities and human rights violations, including murder, rape, torture and violent persecution based on ethnic and religious grounds," Lamarche said. "All of which fuels intercommunal violence and continues to force people to flee their homes and the temporary displacement camps they sought refuge in. Lamarche added that little effort has been made by governments to protect the displaced from such abuses. One of Russias top diplomats says he can see no reason to renew talks with the U.S. and NATO about Russian troops massed at the border with Ukraine anytime soon, and he accused Western powers Thursday of being concerned only about their own security needs while ignoring Moscows. Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov said military specialists are giving Russian President Vladimir Putin options about how to respond, if tensions worsen over Ukraine. He did not close the door entirely on continuing discussions, though, saying, Hope springs eternal. But he added that talking only on the terms and issues more suitable for the West is not an option for Moscow. The U.S. and the European rejoinder to Russian proposals will determine if further security talks are held, he added. During the interview, Ryabkov said he could not exclude the possibility of a Russian military deployment to Cuba and Venezuela if tensions mount. Ryabkovs hard-edged remarks to Russian television came as a meeting in Vienna of the Permanent Council of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe wrapped up. The OSCE meeting was the latest high-level gathering in a frantic week of east-west diplomacy, which has seen no breakthroughs in trying to defuse a growing confrontation over Ukraine, along whose borders Russia has deployed 100,000 troops. On the eve of the OSCE meeting, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg warned Moscow that the 30-member alliance is ready to send troop reinforcements to Central Europe if Russia invades Ukraine. Stoltenberg said there is a real risk of a new armed conflict in Europe after NATO allies unanimously rejected the Kremlins demands for a guarantee that Ukraine would never be admitted to the alliance. Throughout all the stages of the bilateral and multilateral talks that have taken place this week, the chasm dividing Russia from the U.S. and European nations has seemingly been unbridgeable. Russia has reiterated demands for NATO to stop admitting any new members, including the former Soviet republics of Ukraine and Georgia, and to pull back any NATO military presence from the former communist states of Central Europe that started to join the alliance from 1997. Western powers have maintained their position that NATO has an open-door policy, and independent sovereign states have the right to choose to join alliances or not. On Monday, an American delegation, led by Wendy Sherman, the U.S. deputy secretary of state, met Ryabkov for nine hours of talks, with the American side emphasizing NATO would never agree to give the Kremlin a de facto veto over its membership. We were basically saying to the Russians: some of the things you put on the table are non-starters for us. We are not going to agree that NATO cannot expand any further. We are not going to agree to go back to 1997, she said. Together, the United States and our NATO allies made clear we will not slam the door shut on NATOs open-door policy, a policy that has always been central to the alliance. Ryabkovs remarks Thursday prompted market traders to sell off the Russian ruble, and the share prices of leading Russian companies fell sharply in trading, too. The market has had its head in the sand about Russia-related geopolitical risks and is just waking up now, said emerging markets bond trader Timothy Ash in a note to clients. Traders may be realizing that Moscow is just going through the motions on the diplomatic front now, but it is set on war. Alexander Vindman, a former director for European Affairs on the U.S. National Security Council, tweeted Now what? Diplomacy looks to be a dead-end. Ryabkov has been Russias lead negotiator in talks with the West that have included bilateral discussions with U.S. diplomats in Geneva on Monday and talks in Brussels with Western alliance members on Wednesday. His boss, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, also sounded an inflexible note Thursday, saying, Russia is not even ready to discuss Americas absolutely unacceptable demand for Russian troops to return to their barracks. And Alexander Lukashevich, the Russian envoy to the OSCE, said Russia will have to act, if it continues to be targeted by what he called aggressive behavior. Meanwhile, OSCE Chairman Zbigniew Rau, during a press conference in Vienna, identified Russia as the aggressor when asked about the Kremlins military buildup on the borders of Ukraine. Any threat posed to a neighboring country in the OSCE space is extremely concerning and not only to the country who the threat is exercised against it's a challenge to the whole 57 states, which are committed to the same principles that are based on equal sovereignty, territorial integrity within the internationally recognized borders, Rau, who is Polands foreign minister, told reporters. Stoltenberg warned Wednesday that Russia is in danger of achieving the opposite of what it wants, if it launches any further attacks on Ukraine. If Russia once again uses force against Ukraine and further invades Ukraine, then we have to seriously look into the need to further increase our presence in the eastern part of the alliance, he said. Latvian and Estonian diplomats say they have been lobbying NATO to expand its military footprint in their countries as a deterrent to Russia. NATO units were sent in rotation to Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia and Poland in 2014 after Russia annexed Crimea and used armed proxies to seize part of the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine. A Russia-NATO meeting Wednesday overran its scheduled time because every one of the alliances 30 member states wanted to speak to underline unanimity over the issue of NATO membership. Efforts to de-escalate tensions along the Russia-Ukraine border shift Thursday to Vienna and a meeting of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europes Permanent Council. The session follows a bilateral meeting between Russia and the United States in Geneva on Monday and talks Wednesday in Brussels between Russia and NATO. U.S. State Department spokesperson Ned Price told reporters that after Thursdays meeting, the parties involved would reflect on the discussions and determine appropriate next steps. Price said Wednesday the United States expects the Russian delegations to the three sets of meetings will have to report back to [Russian] President [Vladimir] Putin, who we all hope will choose peace and security, and knowing that we are sincere, and that we are steadfast when we say we prefer the course of diplomacy and dialogue. The United States and its NATO allies have urged Russia to de-escalate tensions and for the situation to be resolved diplomatically, and on Wednesday offered ideas for reciprocal actions to reduce risks, improve transparency and communication and arms control. U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman, who led the U.S. delegation in Brussels, 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, during a press conference. After the nearly four-hour meeting on Wednesday, Sherman said, there was no commitment to de-escalate, nor was there a statement that there would not be. 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. Russia has sought security guarantees such as the withdrawal of NATO troops and military equipment from countries that border Russia, and limiting the expansion of the 30-member NATO alliance. It has also denied it has plans to invade Ukraine. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko told reporters Wednesday that the discussions with NATO were deep and substantive, but said Russia does not seriously consider NATO to be a defensive alliance that poses no threat to Russia. 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. 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 Putin escalates hostile action against Ukraine. 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. Some information for this report came from The Associated Press and Reuters. Here's a look at what U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and other top diplomats have been doing this week: US, Russia, Ukraine The United States and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) allies speak with one voice in urging Russia to de-escalate tensions along Ukraine's border and reject Moscow's demand that the alliance cease expansion, as diplomats meet in Europe. U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman, who led the U.S. delegation to participate in Wednesday's NATO-Russia meeting in Brussels and Monday's U.S.-Russia meeting in Geneva, told reporters the talks ended with "a sober challenge" for Moscow to reduce tensions and "choose the path of diplomacy" and "to continue to engage in honest and reciprocal dialogue." While NATO is not budging on its "Open Door" policy, the Western alliance has offered no timetable to Ukraine's call to be admitted into NATO, prompting some observers to argue Russian President Vladimir Putin is already exercising a veto on NATO membership. US, NATO Navigate Diplomacy as Russia Avoids De-Escalation Aside from Kyiv, No One in Rush for Ukraine to Join NATO US, Russia Hold 'Frank and Forthright' First Day of Talks Amid Ukraine Tensions US, North Korea The United States imposed sanctions January 12 on five North Koreans it alleges are responsible for securing goods for Pyongyang's weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missile programs. The latest U.S. sanctions come after North Korea declared success in what it called its second "hypersonic missile" test this year. "It is our estimation that some rethinking will need to be done on Pyongyang," said State Department spokesperson Ned Price when pressed by reporters that current U.S. policy does not appear to be working as North Korea continues its nuclear and missile programs and dialogue has hit an impasse. US Targets North Koreans in Russia, China for Aiding Pyongyang's Weapons Development State Media: Kim Jong Un Observed North Korea's Latest 'Hypersonic' Launch Kazakhstan The State Department said it welcomes "reports of calm" in the city of Almaty but cautioned Washington would continue to call upon the Russia-led Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) and the government of Kazakhstan to respect human rights. Secretary Blinken questioned why Russia deployed troops and condemned a shoot-to-kill order issued by Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. Protests broke out in Kazakhstan earlier this month over fuel prices and escalated into widespread violence, the worst since the former Soviet republic gained independence three decades ago. Putin: No More Color Revolutions Kazakh President Issues Shoot-to-Kill Order to Quell Protests US, Nicaragua The U.S. and European Union on Monday announced sanctions on six Nicaraguan officials for what the Biden administration called "fraudulent national elections orchestrated by their regime in November, further consolidating their control of power to the detriment of the Nicaraguan people." The announcement comes on inauguration day for President Daniel Ortega and his wife, Vice President Rosario Murillo. The U.S. Treasury Department accused the six officials of "state acts of violence," spreading disinformation and targeting journalists. US Announces More Sanctions on Nicaraguan Officials US, Japan The United States and Japan agreed to sign a new defense collaboration deal to counter emerging defense threats, including hypersonic and space-based capabilities after top diplomats and defense chiefs met on January 6 during the virtual U.S.-Japan Security Consultative Committee ("2+2") meeting. Secretary Blinken said the two nations must "strengthen our alliance and address the toughest challenges" while citing Russia's military buildup against Ukraine, Beijing's "provocative" actions over Taiwan and North Korea's latest missile launches. US, Japan to Launch New Defense Research and Development Agreement US, Japan to Hold Virtual Talks on Security, Indo-Pacific Region Horn of Africa Secretary Blinken has named career diplomat David Satterfield as the new special envoy to the Horn of Africa "amidst some of the world's most challenging conflicts." Satterfield, 67, who has experience in the Persian Gulf states, Lebanon and Iraq, most recently served as ambassador to Turkey. He is replacing Jeffrey Feltman, another veteran diplomat, who had held the Horn of Africa posting, covering the countries of Somalia, Djibouti, Eritrea and Ethiopia, since last April. Blinken called the appointment "instrumental" in continued efforts "to promote a peaceful and prosperous Horn of Africa and to advance U.S. interests in this strategic region." US Names New Horn of Africa Envoy Sudanese security forces fired live ammunition and tear gas on pro-democracy protesters in the capital of Khartoum on Thursday, according to activists, as nationwide demonstrations against an October 25, 2021, military coup continued. The military takeover of Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdoks civilian government occurred after weeks of escalating tensions between military and civilian leaders over Sudans transition to democracy. The coup has threatened to derail the process, which had slowly progressed since the ouster of longtime autocrat Omar al-Bashir in a popular uprising in 2019. Since the civilian governments ouster, marches by the pro-democracy movement have been held on a nearly daily basis. Protesters marched Thursday in various parts of Khartoum, its twin city of Omdurman and in the western region of Darfur under tight security, according to online footage and activists. As protesters in Khartoum demanded the removal of military leaders from power and the establishment of a civilian government to lead the transition, at least six people sustained gunshot wounds in the Bahri district when security forces fired live ammunition to disperse demonstrators, according to activist Nazim Sirag. Security forces also fired tear gas to disperse protesters on a street leading to the palace, according to the pro-democracy movement. White smoke, possibly from tear gas, could be seen as some protesters scampered while others threw stones at the troops, online videos showed. The police said that Col. Ali Hamad was killed while providing security at a protest near the presidential palace. Police spokesman Idris Abdalla Idris told Sudan TV Hamad fell martyr (died a martyr's death) after a police statement said Hamad received deadly stabs by groups of protestors in different parts of his body. More than 60 people have been killed and hundreds of others injured in protests since the coup, which Sudanese military chief General Abdel-Fattah al-Burhan said was necessary to avoid a civil war. Some information in this report came from The Associated Press and Reuters. When a gunfight erupted during clashes in Diyarbakir in October 2014, video journalist Rojhat Dogru was at the center of the action. At one point, a little too close. Hit by a bullet, Dogru was rushed to a hospital, where he uploaded footage to the Iraq-based Gali Kurdistan TV while being treated. The coverage won Dogru an award but now, seven years after the clashes, the video journalist is fighting a life sentence. A court in Diyarbakir last week issued the sentence after convicting Dogru of disrupting the unity and integrity of the state. It further sentenced him to 10 years and 10 months for attempted deliberate killing, and a year and three months for propagandizing for a terrorist organization. The verdict has appalled press freedom advocates. This is the heaviest punishment I've seen recently. There is no murder, no bombing, but it is just news coverage, Veysel Ok, co-director of Turkey's Media and Law Studies Association (MLSA), told VOA. Violent clashes As a Kurdish journalist, Dogru covered events in Diyarbakir and the region for Gali Kurdistan TV, including footage on what is known as the Kobani protests in 2014. That coverage earned him a Southeastern Journalists Association award. Protests broke out that year after pro-Kurdish groups claimed Ankara was reluctant to help Kurds in Kobani, a city in neighboring Syria besieged by the Islamic State militants. Police were called in as the protests turned violent, with clashes between supporters of the Free Cause Party, an offshoot of a violent Kurdish Islamist militant group, and PKK supporters. The PKK is designated a terrorist organization by the U.S. and Turkey. Official figures put the death toll at 37, and an indictment in the mass court case lists hundreds wounded as well as schools and public buildings damaged and over 1,700 homes and businesses looted. The Turkish government accuses the pro-Kurdish Peoples Democratic Party (HDP) of instigating the protests, and over 100 people, including former HDP co-chairs Selahattin Demirtas and Figen Yuksekdag, have stood trial for the protests. The HDP denies the charges against it. From awards to lawsuits In an interview about his coverage that day, Dogru spoke of the crucial role journalists play in documenting such events. "I took the footage of the moments when two groups shot each other on the streets in an unbiased and objective way. This footage was crucial in terms of showing that both sides in the conflict had weapons in their hands, Dogru said in an article published on the MLSAs website days before the court issued its verdict. Although I was injured, I continued to take a video. I even took video of the moments when I was injured with my camera, Dogru said. The journalist was left needing treatment for injuries to his chin, stomach and leg. The first lawsuit against Dogru was filed three years after the clashes, the journalists lawyer, Resul Temur, told VOA. The plaintiff, named in some reports as Ridvan Ozdemir, alleges he was caught in the clashes and injured by a gun fired from Dogrus direction. Ozdemir alleged that Dogru shot him, and a case was filed on charges of disrupting the unity and integrity of the state and attempted deliberate killing. 'Beyond normal' Dogru denied the allegation, telling the MLSA it is beyond normal to shoot with a gun in one hand while taking a footage with the camera in the other. He added that an expert witness watched the footage and, in a report filed with the court, said that Dogru had not used a gun. During the trial, said Temur, the plaintiff did not remember whether Dogru was holding a camera. We said that it was strange that he did not remember the camera but remembered the gun, Temur said. More charges followed in 2018 when authorities allegedly found Dogrus number on a PKK member detained by the police in Diyarbakir. In December of that year, Dogru was held in pretrial detention on accusations of membership of a terrorist organization. He was released in February 2019 under judicial control. A judge in Diyarbakir later combined the legal charges into one case, which reached its conclusion on January 6. An arrest warrant was also issued for the journalist, who did not attend the hearing in person. Temur told VOA they have appealed and called the trial biased. A heavy price The verdict astonished press freedom advocates who believe that a higher court should reverse it on appeal. It is against the nature of the job of a cameraman to shoot with one hand and use a gun with another. This was refuted by the expert report [in the court]. So, the punishment is not acceptable, Mucahit Ceylan, president of the Southeast Journalists Association, told VOA. In this region at critical times, [Dogru] risked his own life to cover the news, was injured, and now he is punished, Ceylan said. He believes the verdict will be overturned on appeal. Ok, the MLSA co-director, was also shocked by the heavy sentence. Of course, there is a possibility that this will be reverted from the Constitution and European Court of Human Rights, but [until then] he will eventually spend years in prison, Ok told VOA. A heavy price will be paid, and there is nothing legal about it. This story originated in VOAs Turkish Service. The U.S. Supreme Court delivered a blow to President Joe Biden on Thursday, blocking his mandate that employees of large businesses be vaccinated against COVID-19 or face weekly testing. At the same time, the nation's highest court allowed a vaccination mandate for health care workers at facilities receiving federal funding. "I am disappointed that the Supreme Court has chosen to block common-sense life-saving requirements for employees at large businesses that were grounded squarely in both science and the law," Biden said in a statement. The president welcomed the requirement that health care workers be vaccinated, saying it would affect some 10 million people working at facilities receiving federal funds and will "save lives." But Republican Senator Rick Scott of Florida said the court's ruling "sends a clear message: Biden is not a king & his gross overreaches of federal power will not be tolerated." "I had COVID & got the vaccine, but I will NEVER support a vaccine mandate that bullies hardworking Americans & kills jobs," Scott said via Twitter. After months of public appeals to Americans to get vaccinated against the virus that causes COVID-19, which has killed more than 845,000 people in the United States, Biden announced in September that he was making vaccinations compulsory at large private companies. Under the mandate, unvaccinated employees would have to present weekly negative tests and wear face masks at work. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), a federal agency, gave businesses until February 9 to be in compliance with the rules or face the possibility of fines. But the Supreme Court's six conservative justices ruled the mandate would represent a "significant encroachment into the lives and health of a vast number of employees." "Although Congress has indisputably given OSHA the power to regulate occupational dangers, it has not given that agency the power to regulate public health more broadly," they said. "Requiring the vaccination of 84 million Americans, selected simply because they work for employers with more than 100 employees, certainly falls in the latter category," they added. The three liberal justices dissented, saying the ruling "stymies the federal government's ability to counter the unparalleled threat that COVID-19 poses to our nation's workers." The vaccination mandate for health care workers at facilities receiving federal funding was approved in a 5-4 vote, with two conservatives, Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Brett Kavanaugh, joining the liberals. "Ensuring that providers take steps to avoid transmitting a dangerous virus to their patients is consistent with the fundamental principle of the medical profession: first, do no harm," they said in the majority opinion. Vaccination has become a politically polarizing issue in the United States, where about 63% of the population is fully vaccinated. A coalition of 26 business associations had filed suit against the OSHA regulations and several Republican-led states had challenged the mandate for health care workers. In his statement, Biden said it is now up to states and individual employers to determine whether they should be requiring employees "to take the simple and effective step of getting vaccinated." He said the Supreme Court ruling "does not stop me from using my voice as president to advocate for employers to do the right thing to protect Americans' health and economy." "We have to keep working together if we want to save lives, keep people working, and put this pandemic behind us," he said. The United States is proposing more international sanctions against North Korea, as part of a wider effort to ramp up pressure on Pyongyang following its most recent missile tests. The United States Wednesday strengthened its own sanctions against North Korea, designating five North Koreans it alleges are responsible for securing goods for Pyongyangs weapons programs. On top of those measures, the United States wants the United Nations Security Council to impose stronger sanctions, according to a tweet from Linda Thomas-Greenfield, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. She did not offer any more details. There was no immediate reaction from China and Russia, which are permanent members of the Security Council and would need to approve any sanctions. Both have recently called for North Korea sanctions to be relaxed rather than strengthened. North Korea is already barred from a wide range of economic activity under a series of Security Council resolutions. China and Russia agreed to many of those sanctions following North Koreas 2017 nuclear and long-range missile tests. Since then, North Korea has refrained from nuclear tests or intercontinental ballistic missile launches. In 2019, though, the North resumed launches of shorter-range weapons. It has since unveiled several new systems, including many designed to evade the missile defenses of the U.S. and its allies. Already this year North Korea has conducted two tests of what it described as hypersonic missiles. The missiles feature maneuverable reentry vehicles that detach in flight and are theoretically harder to intercept. U.S. officials condemned the launches, pointing out that North Korea is banned from ballistic missile activity by existing U.N. sanctions. On Wednesday, the United States went a step further. The Treasury Department sanctioned four China-based North Koreans and a Russia-based North Korean, accusing them of procuring materials for North Koreas weapons programs. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the United States will use every appropriate tool to address North Koreas weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missile programs, which constitute a serious threat to international peace and security and undermine the global nonproliferation regime. Taken together, the moves suggest the United States is taking a firmer stance on North Korean missile tests. Since 2019, the United States has played down North Koreas short-range launches, presumably to preserve the possibility for future talks. State Department spokesperson Ned Price said Wednesday that the U.S. approach toward North Korea remains unchanged. I would strenuously object to the idea that these sanctions indicate anything other than a genuine effort to constrain North Koreas in this case, their ballistic missile programs, Price said at a regular press briefing. The United States remains willing, ready, and able to engage in diplomacy with North Korea, he added. North Korea walked away from nuclear talks in 2019 and has said it will not rejoin them until the United States drops its hostile policy. The United States appears to be balancing the need to respond to North Koreas tests against its goal of keeping the door open to negotiations, Eric Brewer, a former White House National Security Council official, said. It seems they are framing this in strictly counterproliferation terms and avoiding some of the language that would suggest a larger pressure-centric effort is in the offing, said Brewer, who now focuses on nuclear policy at the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies. Despite the apparent inability of existing sanctions to prevent North Korea from developing its nuclear weapons program, U.S. officials have defended the approach, saying it is important to set a precedent for other nations considering acquiring nuclear weapons. We continue to enact measures that put constraints on these WMD and ballistic missile programs, that hold proliferators and other bad actors accountable for their activity, Price said Wednesday. Well continue to do that. An ethnic Uyghur who escaped to Morocco is facing the possibility of being sent back to China while his wife fights for his freedom. The story of Idris Hasan, whose Chinese name is Yidiresi Aishan, started 14 years ago. In 2008, when he was a 20-year-old student at the China University of Petroleum in eastern China, he and four of his fellow Uyghur classmates were beaten and arrested by local police. His wife, Zeynure Obul, said the reason given by the police was that he and his Uyghur classmates were from Xinjiang and appeared suspicious in an ethnic Han majority Chinese city. A Radio Free Asia reporter reached out to Hasan for an interview after he wrote online about the unjust incident. My husband spoke to RFA about what happened in a phone interview and his life changed since then, Obul told VOA from Istanbul. Police target She said he became a regular target of police interrogations since that media interview. They scolded him for receiving an interview from a U.S. media, and when he graduated, he decided to leave the country in 2012, right after our marriage, Obul said, adding that she joined her husband in Turkey in 2013. While in Turkey, Hasan helped Uyghur rights groups using his graphic design skills. After living in Istanbul for more than a year, the couple applied for a Turkish permit to continue to stay in Istanbul on humanitarian grounds. I got quickly approved for the humanitarian residence, but the Turkish police took my husband to an extradition center and kept him there in a cell, Obul said. Obul said Turkish authorities told her Hasans passport was on a wanted list provided by China. From 2014 until last year, my husband was arrested arbitrarily four times by Turkish authorities, Obul said. The longest time he stayed in detention in Turkey was more than a year. In 2021, after seeing his name on a publicly disclosed Turkish government document about Chinas wanted Uyghurs in Turkey, Hasan decided to leave the country. His two previous attempts at the Istanbul airport to leave Turkey were unsuccessful, Obul said, adding that the border police interrogated him and did not let him leave. In July, he finally succeeded and flew to Casablanca, Morocco. My husband told me on the phone that the border police were on the phone with their boss for a long time before they released him to fly to Casablanca, Obul said. When Hasan got there, he sent his wife a message telling her he had arrived. Four days later she received a call from him from a Casablanca detention center saying he had been arrested at the airport and taken to a prison near the town of Tiflet. He was then detained for months because of delays in his court hearing. Request to Interpol Obul corresponded with Interpol and learned her husbands arrest in Morocco was due to Chinas Red Notice to Interpol, which is a request to law enforcement worldwide for a fugitive. After organizations like Amnesty International spoke of my husband, Interpol finally canceled my husbands name from its list, saying it informed all 194 member countries about this change, Obul said. Interpol confirmed cancelling the red notice for Hasan which was under his Chinese name, Yidiresi Aishan. In an email to VOA Interpol said the notice was issued according to the information available when the request was made, but Interpol will not comment on the reasons why the red notice was canceled. "We cannot communicate any specific information about the information examined in our review process or any exchanges that could have taken place between the General Secretariat and a specific member country," Interpol stated in the email. Last month, however, during a sixth trial by a Moroccan court, it was decided that Hasan would be extradited to China. VOA sent multiple inquires to the Chinese Embassy in Washington asking about the nature of Hasans crime but has not received a response. The Moroccan Embassy in Washington also did not respond to VOAs multiple requests for an interview about whether Hasan would be deported. After waiting for my husbands freedom for months, the Moroccan authorities have made a decision that presents a grave threat to the life and safety of my husband and father of my three children, Obul said. Carolyn Nash, Amnesty International USAs Asia advocacy director, described Hasans case as a grave reminder of the extraordinary efforts of the Chinese authorities to extend the government's repressive power outside its borders to intimidate diaspora communities and chill critical speech. Moroccan Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch must stop the extradition of Idris Hasan immediately, Nash told VOA. If they [Morocco authorities] fail in this obligation, it could have horrifying implications for the safety of Uyghur diaspora communities across other regions of the world. Accusations of mistreatment The United States is among the countries and international rights organizations that accuse China of genocide and crimes against humanity toward Uyghurs and other Turkic ethnic groups in Xinjiang. They say more than 1 million Uyghurs are being detained in internment camps while facing torture and other mistreatment by Chinese authorities. Beijing denies the accusations and has said that the complexes are vocational training centers built to counter extremism and terrorism in Xinjiang and improve the lives of Uyghurs. U.N. human rights experts have called on Morocco to halt Hasans extradition to China, stating that Moroccos decision violates principles of non-refoulement, which is the practice of not sending asylum-seekers back to a place where they will be persecuted. According to Mary Lawlor, the U.N. special rapporteur on human rights defenders, it's encouraging that Hasan has not been deported yet. While he remains in Morocco there is still hope for him, and for a positive outcome. The case isn't complicated he shouldn't be put in danger by being extradited to China, Lawlor told VOA. Editor's note: This story has been updated with new information from Interpol. YEREVAN, 13 JANUARY, ARMENPRESS. The President of the Republic of Armenia Armen Sarkissian had a meeting with the President of the National Assembly Alen Simonyan on January 13. As ARMENPRESS was informed from the Office of the President, a reference was made to the external and domestic challenges faced by the country. President Sarkissian expressed concern with regards to the recent days provocations of the Azerbaijani armed forces and the continuing Azerbaijani militant rhetoric. President Sarkissian and the President of the National Assembly referred also to the role of the parliamentary diplomacy and highlighted more active and efficient activities in that area. Western diplomats fear the spread of extremist groups and persistent economic and social problems in Western Africa and the Sahel are nearing a tipping point that could have disastrous consequences for the region and beyond. The officials from both Europe and the United States warned Thursday that international efforts have so far failed to counter factors that are driving young people to take up arms and called for increased cooperation with countries in the region. "The rise of violent extremism and the worsening of the humanitarian situation in the Sahel and the wider West African region is threatening the future of the entire African continent and of all of us," European Union Ambassador to the U.S. Stavros Lambrinidis told the virtual conference. "This is as high stakes as it gets." U.S. officials described the situation as no less dire. "Despite a decade of robust international investments, the region continues to trend in the wrong direction," said U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Michael Gonzales. "Armed groups continue to expand their presence as well as their capabilities and their violence," Gonzales added. "We need to address the underlying drivers of insecurity more holistically in order to turn the tide." The biggest concern has been Mali, where terrorists linked to groups like Islamic State and al-Qaida have continued to make inroads, and where the military government, which seized power in August 2020, postponed elections scheduled for this February until 2026. Earlier this week, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) imposed a series of sanctions against Mali's interim government for refusing to hold elections as initially agreed, including the suspension of all commercial and financial transactions, and putting financial assistance on hold. The EU on Thursday announced it would follow suit with its own sanctions against Mali's interim government. "Despite all the warnings that we made to the Malian authorities, we see no sign of progress on the part of these authorities," EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said following a meeting with the EU defense minister in the French city of Brest. "The risk that the situation in this country [Mali] continues to deteriorate is evident," he said. "We will follow the situation closely." Borell said that despite the imposition of sanctions, EU missions to Mali to train and advise Malian armed forces will continue. Mali's ambassador to the United Nations decried the ECOWAS sanctions as "illegal, illegitimate and inhumane" but said the interim government remains open to additional talks with its neighbors. Further complicating matters, European officials have raised concerns about Mali's decision to bring in mercenaries from the Russia-based Wagner Group to bolster its security forces a charge that Mali's interim government has denied. The U.S. Defense Department, while declining to confirm the reports, described the prospect as worrying. "Given the Wagner Group's record, any role for Russian-backed Wagner Group forces in Mali will likely exacerbate an already fragile and unstable situation," spokesperson Cynthia King told VOA. The U.S. suspended military training and cooperation with Mali following the August 2020 coup. Germany, which has about 1,000 troops in Mali, has said it would be taking another look at its mission. France, which had 3,000 troops in Mali, has slowly been reducing its military footprint, withdrawing from all but one of its military bases in the country. Despite the drawdown, French officials insist they remain committed to helping Mali defeat terrorist groups on its soil. "France will not abandon Mali or the other Sahel countries," French Ambassador to the U.S. Philippe Etienne told Thursday's virtual conference on the region. "At the request of African nations, France is continuing to combat these armed groups in the Sahel with very appreciated support from the United States." "Young recruits who join these terrorist organizations are doing this not necessarily because they want to engage in jihad but also because they have no other prospects," he said. "Stabilizing the Sahel in the long term will take time, and there's a long way to go." Emanuela Del Re, the EU special representative for the Sahel, said the goal, ultimately, is to "keep Mali engaged and not isolate it." "We must keep the dialogue open and alive and hold the transitional authorities to their commitments," she said. VOA's Margaret Besheer and Annie Risemberg contributed to this report. In male-dominated societies like Burkina Faso, wives are most often blamed when marriages run into trouble. But a project funded by the World Bank is testing the concept of teaching men how to be better husbands by taking them to school. Henry Wilkins reports from Yako, Burkina Faso. The URL has been copied to your clipboard The code has been copied to your clipboard. The dry season in Central Africa sees a great southward migration of Chadian and Sudanese cattle herders into the Central African Republic in search of water and pasture. But the tens of thousands of livestock crossing farmlands leads to conflicts between herders and farmers. VOA60 Africa- Security forces fired tear gas Thursday at thousands of protesters marching on the presidential palace in Khartoum Share HARARE (Reuters) - A freelance reporter working for the New York Times in Zimbabwe will appeared in court on Wednesday, his lawyer and the newspaper said, in a case critics say illustrates the authoritarian nature of President Emmerson Mnangagwa's government. Jeffrey Moyo, a 37-year-old Zimbabwean, spent three weeks in jail last year accused of obtaining fake accreditation documents for two of the U.S. newspaper's journalists on a visit. The New York Times said the charges were baseless and that a Zimbabwe Media Commission official had issued him papers for Christina Goldbaum and Joao Silva. They were expelled. "It was a nasty experience, sleeping on the concrete floor and having no contact with my family," Moyo told Reuters. "It was terrible, but I'm optimistic that things will go well." Officials were not immediately available to comment on the trial due to take place at a court in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe's second biggest city. But a spokesperson last year accused Moyo of paying a bribe to break immigration laws. The government of Mnangagwa, who replaced long-serving autocrat Robert Mugabe in a 2017 coup, has testy relations with non-state media. Another prominent reporter, Hopewell Chin'ono, who is critical of the government, has been arrested three times. "The state has a very weak case ... Jeffrey believed he was dealing with a bona fide official of the Zimbabwe Media Commission," Moyo's lawyer Doug Coltart told Reuters. Moyo had also worked for the Thomson Reuters Foundation charity. Reporting by Nelson Banya; Editing by Promit Mukherjee and Andrew Cawthorne Zanu PF secretary for administration, Obert Mpofu, has allegedly barred Siphosami Malunga and his business partners from entering Esidakeni Farm, which they bought from a white commercial farmer a couple of years ago. According to Zephania Dhlamini, one of the owners of the farm, Mpofu sent his security guards and workers to evict their employees and started planting crops in areas targeted for maize and onion cultivation. Dhlamini said, Mpofu has deployed armed people at the farm who are not allowing us to access the farm. We are under siege despite the fact that he was ordered by the High Court to leave the farm. We are seeing a situation where a senior ruling party is defying the courts. We have been locked out of the farm which belongs to us. We have to go back to the courts once again. An irate Dhlamini further said, This is not right. This has to stop because someone is taking our farm by force. We are not happy about this. Mpofu told VOA Zimbabwe Service that he has nothing to do with what is currently going on at Esidakeni Farm. He said, I dont know what they are talking about. Mpofu recently told Dhlamini and his partners to shut up because he was allocated part of the farm by the government. Another Zimbabwean, Dumisani Madzivanyati, who also occupied the farm and was ordered to leave by the High Court, is still carrying out farming activities at Esidakeni Farm. Dlamini co-owns the farm with Charles Moyo and Malunga, who is a son of liberation icon, Sydney Malunga, who died in a mysterious car accident a couple of years ago. Sydney Malunga was laid to rest at the National Heroes Acre in Harare. 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. 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. 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. 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. ___ 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. Following a ruling by the European Court of Human Rights, Poland, Romania and Lithuania, which operated secret CIA prisons, were each sentenced to pay compensation of up to 100 000 dollars to Abu Zubaydah, a CIA victim who had been detained on their territory. Six members of the Bush administration had attended a dozen White House demonstration meetings and authorized each of the tortures he was subjected to. They are Vice President Dick Cheney, Secretary of State Colin Powell, CIA Director George Tenet, National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice, Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, and Attorney General John Ashcroft. Abu Zubaydah had, in particular, undergone the ordeal of waterboarding 83 times. The abuses he endured became the symbol of US barbarism. He is still being held at the illegal US Naval Base at Guantanamo (Cuba). Local news is important. It's the information that will directly impact your life because its going on around you, every day. Join our group of dedicated readers today ... Subscribe YEREVAN, JANUARY 13, ARMENPRESS. Russia is seriously concerned about the escalation of the situation on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border and calls for refraining from the use of force, ARMENPRESS reports the official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry Maria Zakharova said during the briefing, referring to the provocations carried out by the Azerbaijani side on January 11. "We are seriously concerned about the aggravation of the situation on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border. We urge the parties to refrain from the use of force and to resolve all disputed issues exclusively through political and diplomatic means," Zakharova said. According to her, in the long run, the main "prescription" for ensuring stability and security in the region is the speedy start of the delimitation process, which will be followed by demarcation. Zakharova reminded that this was recorded in the joint statement of the leaders of Armenia, Russia and Azerbaijan made in Sochi last year. She stressed the need to work on the establishment of a relevant bilateral commission, assuring that Russia is ready to provide comprehensive consulting assistance. On January 11, the units of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces once again provoked, opened fire on the Armenian military positions located in the Upper Shorzha section of Gegharkunik region, and a shootout started. 3 Armenian servicemen were killed. Photo: Samir Hussein/WireImage Kris Jenner and her former bodyguard Marc McWilliams are expected to start hashing out the 2020 sexual-harassment case he filed against her in closed-door discussions. News of this development emerged Wednesday in a Daily Mail report, which revealed that the judge in McWilliamss lawsuit told his lawyers to expeditiously start the arbitration process. The case against Jenner has been quietly handled in the midst of other high-profile lawsuits and cases involving the family and their partners (the Astroworld lawsuits, the Tristan Thompson paternity suit, and Kim Kardashians alleged involvement in a crypto scam, to name a few). Heres what we know about McWilliamss civil claims so far. McWilliams accused Jenner of groping. McWilliams filed a Los Angeles Superior Court lawsuit against Jenner in September 2020, claiming that he was subjected to sexual harassment and racial and gender discrimination, as well as wrongful termination. In addition, McWilliams sued Kourtney Kardashian, whom he also claims to have provided security for, and the company that employed him, David Shield Security. McWilliams provided more details on Jenners alleged sexual harassment in February 2021 including a purported incident on October 22, 2017. While he was riding in the passenger seat of Jenners Bentley that morning, she placed her right hand on the inside upper left thigh and groin area of the [McWilliams] in a manner that was overtly sexually offensive, he said. McWilliams claimed that Jenner caused her right hand to move up the upper inner left thigh and groin area, while caressing the Plaintiff. He was shocked and offended and tried to shift away from her groping only to have Jenners right hand make contact with [McWilliamss] inner groin and genital area, he claims. Michael Rhodes, lead counsel for Kris Jenner, denied McWilliamss accusations, telling Vulture in an email: We categorically deny Mr. McWilliams allegations and we look forward to proving that Ms. Jenner is completely innocent of these false claims. McWilliams said he was fired for complaining. This is McWilliamss wrongful termination allegation. McWilliams said that he started working for Jenner, Kardashian, and David Shield Security in February 2017. His lawsuit claims that he complained to his bosses at David Shield about Jenner in May 2017, around when the alleged harassment started. Around September 2018, Jenner began intentionally retaliating against [him] for his complaints concerning unwanted sexual advances and other harassment, namely by cutting his work hours and assignments, his lawsuit claims. McWilliams was told that he was suspended from shifts with Jenner, but that he would keep working with Kardashian. Ultimately, McWilliams claims, he was wrongfully terminated in September 2019 because of his harassment complaints. McWilliamss claims will be weighed in private, at least for now. On August 31, 2021, McWilliams, Jenner, Kardashian, and David Shield Security agreed to stipulate to proceed to final, confidential, and binding arbitration of all claims by Plaintiff for liability and damages against all Defendants. Its possible that if arbitration doesnt work out, the case will wind up back in court, but thats just the nature of these proceedings in general. So whats next? The judge in McWilliamss case, Armen Tamzarian, said during a January 6 proceeding that an arbitrator had yet to be appointed. Tamzarian said McWilliamss lawyers had to get an arbitration scheduled ASAP. The judge scheduled a status conference for January 6, 2023. If arbitration does work out, court filings will indicate that McWilliamss case is dismissed. However, the terms of the deal would remain under wraps. The Huntsville Police Department and the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency will host a news conference at 10 a.m. Thursday regarding the case of David McCoy, a Huntsville officer accused of murdering his pregnant girlfriend while off duty. WAAY 31 will air the conference live on TV and online here. Click on any of the links below to read more about the case: An investigator on Friday shared details of the relationship between the former Huntsville officer and his pregnant girlfriend, as well as details from a five-hour interview in which he admitted to shooting her. 203 residents live in the Aghabekalanj community of Artsakhs Martakert region. January 13, 2022, 12:16 The intra-community roads of Aghabekalanj will be asphalted STEPANAKERT, JANUARY 13, ARTSAKHPRESS: The head of the Aghabekalanj community Hovik Saiyan told "Artsakhpress", noting that the villagers live their normal lives. "28 displaced residents have settled in the village. We have a municipality building that needs renovation. We do not have an aid station, and the ceremony hall is half-built. 16 students attend the communitys school. Intra-community roads will be asphalted in the near future," said the head of the community. During the 44-day war, two houses in the village were destroyed and about twenty houses were partially damaged. The village is gasified, provided with electricity and water supply. Speaking about the employment of the population, the head of the community mentioned that the main directions of employment are cattle breeding and agriculture. Decatur, IL (62521) Today Scattered thunderstorms during the morning. Cloudy skies this afternoon. Morning high of 66F with temps falling to near 55. Winds W at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 40%.. Tonight Cloudy. Low 44F. Winds N at 10 to 20 mph. The CSTO peacekeeping forces in Kazakhstan have launched preparations for withdrawing from the country, the Russian Ministry of Defense said. January 13, 2022, 15:04 CSTO peacekeepers prepare to pull out from Kazakhstan STEPANAKERT, JANUARY 13, ARTSAKHPRESS-ARMENPRESS: The CSTO peacekeepers are loading equipment on Russian military cargo planes. The return of the CSTO peacekeepers to their countries will be organized in partnership with the Kazakh side, the Russian Defense Ministry said. On January 6, the CSTO sent over 2000 peacekeepers comprising contingents from its member states Armenia, Russia, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan after the President of Kazakhstan also a CSTO member invoked article 4 when mass riots turned into deadly clashes with authorities in various Kazakh cities, with President Tokayev describing the events as terrorist attacks. This content is expired! Unfortunely this content is expired and cannot be viewed anymore; if You are the owner of this content please login to our Website, go to our access panel and enable this content again. Costa Concordia ran aground off west coast of Italy on 13 January 2012. Italy marks 10 years since the Costa Concordia cruise ship ran aground off the Tuscan island of Giglio, resulting in 32 deaths, in one of the worst maritime disasters in modern Italian history. The accident occurred in calm seas on the night of 13 January 2012 when the luxury liner carrying 3,206 passengers and 1,023 crew deviated from its planned route during a seven-day Mediterranean cruise. Captained by Francesco Schettino, the Costa Concordia was making its way between the port of Civitavecchia, 60km north of Rome, and Savona in Italy's northern Liguria region, when disaster struck. Giglio sail-past salute In an act of bravado, Schettino steered the 292m-long vessel towards the shore to "salute" Giglio, a small island off Italy's west coast, running the ship aground on jagged rocks in shallow waters at around 21.45. The impact caused a 53-m long gash in the port-side hull, along five compartments, including the engine room. The 114,500-ton cruise liner soon began taking on water, resulting in a loss of power, propulsion and electrical systems. The rudder was also out of action, meaning the ship could not be steered. Plunged into darkness, the vessel quickly listed to the port side, before strong winds pushed it back inland, about 500m from the village of Giglio Porto. There it grounded, resting on its starboard side, with almost half the ship left above water. A frantic passenger contacted her daughter on the mainland, and at about 22.15 the Italian coast guard telephoned Schettino, who downplayed the situation, noting only that there was a blackout aboard. Francesco Schettino When the coast guard called back 10 minutes later the crew admitted that the ship was taking on water, with Schettino requesting tugboats. The first rescue boat arrived at 22.39 and a chaotic evacuation operation ensued. Some passengers said that the signal to deploy the lifeboats and abandon ship was not given until nearly 23.00. Abandoning ship Schettino left the bridge at around 23.20 and shortly afterwards he abandoned ship.He would subsequently claim that he slipped off the Concordia and landed in a lifeboat. The rescue effort was also reportedly hampered by the fact that some 600 passengers had not received evacuation drills and a large part of the crew did not speak Italian. The last crew member left the bridge about 15 minutes after Schettino, even though there were still roughly 300 people still on the ship. By midnight the Concordia was listing severely, compromising the release of lifeboats and forcing many to escape by clambering down rope ladders over a distance equivalent to 11 stories. Gregorio de Falco At 12.40 an enraged coast guard captain, Gregorio de Falco, telephoned Schettino, who was in a lifeboat with other Concordia officers, ordering him repeatedly to return to his ship and oversee the evacuation. Frustrated with Schettino's excuses, de Falco shouted down the phone: "Vada a bordo, cazzo!" (Get on board, for fuck's sake!). Schettino refused. The rescue operation at this stage comprised dozens of boats and numerous helicopters. By dawn 4,194 people were evacuated and taken on shore to Giglio, a holiday island whose permanent population was less than 1,000. Search for survivors That day, 14 January, divers rescued the last three survivors trapped inside the Concordia.Over the following two weeks rescue divers searched the ship for missing people and recovered most of the bodies. The body of the last missing person, an Indian crew member, was not recovered until 3 November 2014. Captain Coward After the accident Schettino was vilified in the Italian media, referred to as Captain Coward, Captain Calamity and even Italy's most hated man. In 2015 he was convicted of manslaughter and causing the shipwreck, and was sentenced to 16 years in prison. Schettino appealed the sentence, blaming members of his team for the crash, however in May 2017 Italy's highest court upheld the earlier verdict and Schettino began his jail term shortly afterwards. Salvage operation The ship wreck was the subject of a complex and unprecedented salvage operation, during which a Spanish diver lost his life, bringing the total death toll from the disaster to 33. The ship made its final voyage in July 2014 when it was successfully towed away from Giglio and taken to Genoa, where it was dismantled for scrap in an operation completed three years later, in July 2017. The Costa Concordia wreck recovery was one of the most expensive in history (about $2 billion), costing more than three times the vessels building cost in 2004 (about $612 million). Cover photo credit: dvoevnore / Shutterstock.com. Several nations announce ban on pig meat from Italy. Italy faces restrictions and bans on exporting pork and cured meats to a number of countries after the discovery of new cases of African swine fever, or ASF, in wild boar in the north Italian region of Piemonte. China, Japan, Taiwan and Kuwait have blocked purchases of pork products from Italy, reports Italian newspaper Il Sole 24 Ore, while neighbouring Switzerland has introduced restrictions. The news was announced on Wednesday by Confagricoltura, the confederation of Italian agriculture, which convened to take stock of the situation and assess measures being adopted at an international level. Last year, exports from Italy's pig sector amounted to about 1.5 billion, with 500 million worth of sales destined for non-EU markets, reports Il Sole 24 Ore. Confagricoltura president Massimiliano Giansanti called for the "quick and effective" implementation of "surveillance and biosecurity measures for the protection of farms" as part of efforts to "limit the damage as much as possible." ASF is a viral haemorrhagic disease that can rip through pig herds, usually killing an animal within 10 days, causing considerable financial losses to farms and upsetting the supply chain. The disease is highly contagious among pigs and wild boar however it is not transmitted to humans. ASF originated in Africa before spreading to Europe and Asia and has led to the deaths of hundreds of millions of pigs worldwide. The disease was detected in Italy in early January after tests were carried out on a dead boar in Ovada, about 120 km southwest of Milan, Reuters reported. The regional goverment of Piemonte moved to introduce protocols aimed at preventing the spread of the virus which can be transmitted to pigs from wild boar. The latest development comes amid calls to deal with Italy's growing wild boar population which continues to make inroads into urban life, notably in Rome where the hogs' forays into town often make international headlines. Eight referendums to be assessed by courts next month. Italy's constitutional court is to rule on the validity of eight referendums on 15 February, including one referendum each on legalising euthanasia and cannabis, and six on justice reform. The two highest-profile of the eight referenda relate to euthanasia and cannabis, which received the green light from the court of cassation on Wednesday after it validated the signatures gathered from the public in petitions. Right-to-die activists secured more than 1.2 million signatures in a petition calling for a referendum to decriminalise euthanasia, while weed advocates amassed 630,000 signatures in their campaign. In both cases the number signatures - a large amount of which were gathered online via Italy's digital identity system SPID - were well in excess of the half a million threshold required to trigger a public vote. Cannabis The cannabis petition called for a referendum to legalise the growing of marijuana for personal use and scrap prison sentences for selling small amounts of the drug. In November the right-wing Lega and Fratelli d'Italia (FdI) failed to in their attempts to sink the progress of the cannabis petition by tabling a "suppressive amendment." However the motion was rejected by the centre-left Partito Democratico (PD), the populist Movimento 5 Stelle (M5S) and the liberal +Europa, while the centre-right Forza Italia - an ally of the Lega and FdI - abstained from voting. Euthanasia The euthanasia petition called for a referendum to abolish a clause in a 1930 law that punishes the homicide of a consenting person with up to 15 years in jail. The campaign received a boost in November after Italy's first medically assisted suicide case was authorised by the ethics committee of the Marche regional public health authority. Assisted suicide is a divisive issue in Italy and faces strong opposition from conservative politicians and the Vatican which condemns it as "an intrinsically evil act." The other six referendums awaiting judgement from the constitutional court next month concern a range of justice reforms, relating to issues including pre-trial preventive custody; keeping careers separate between judges and prosecutors; and a modification to the existing anti-corruption Severino law which prohibits politicians with felony convictions from holding elected office. Cortona competes with two more famous contemporaries. Open any guide-book and, to reduce fame to a crude word-count, the Bs have it: Bernini and Borromini. Or vice-versa. Part alphabetical/alliterative coincidence perhaps, part their biographically fascinating rivalry, Bernini and Borromini have tended to push Pietro da Cortona, Romes third Baroque genius, to the background. Right of SS. Maria Maggiores altar Berninis simple grave-slab contains the phrase DECUS ARTIUM ET URBIS/ glory of arts and city. The same could be said of Pietro da Cortona. Spectacular ceilings, tapestries, fresco-cycles, church and palace facades and an entire church, SS. Luca e Martina, in the Roman Forum. His work adorns Rome, and also beyond. Like Berninis father, Cortona was Tuscan, together with the same-named town (Cortona) the painter, a.k.a Pietro Berrettini, is named after. And it was Florentine merchant-banker/ecclesiastical family, the Sacchetti, who supplied his first commissions. He designed one of the family villas, the since-demolished Casa del Pigneto out along Via Aurelia, north of the Tiber and brilliantly reproduced it on canvas. Undepicted are the mosquitoes which would soon make the palace uninhabitable. Between the Tiber and a sail-flecked sea, the building stands spotlit by a break in the clouds. Self portrait by Pietro Da Cortona. In the Sachetti familys second/substitute casa, 66 Via Giulia, his portrait of Cardinal Giulio Sacchetti (now in Galleria Borghese) was long the salones centre-piece. For the cardinal's brother, Marcello, there were a series of early paintings eventually passed down to the Capitoline museum. One is a haunting depiction of Marcello, a model of taste and elegance. An anxious/melancholy gaze and the left hand clutching a white handerchief suggests the illness causing the noblemans untimely death (1629). Tuscan connections recurring, when Maffeo Barberini (from another exiled Florentine family) became pope, Marcello Sacchetti was appointed his general and secret treasurer. Pietra Da Cortona, talent already proven, was in the right place and at the right time, progressing from Sacchetti painter/architect to papal one. But, unlike occasionally volatile Bernini and the infamously grumpy Borromini, Cortona with his reassuringly stable character wasnt inclined to throw such opportunities away. To quote art historian Jorg Merz, He moved gently through Romes quarrelsome artistic world, avoiding the limelight. Writing in 1736, Pascoli (one of Cortona's biographers) describes him as friendly and charming, courteous and wary when he spoke of himself. And so to his frescoes in S. Bibiana, where in 1624, during fitful renovation work, masons came upon two urns. Given the churchs associations with the family home of the Roman martyr, the pope quickly identified the remains as the saints, and a favourable omen for his papacy. Sacchetti providing funding, renovation was stepped up. Bernini assumed architectural duties, Cortona that of painting one of the three naves. The church nowadays stands like an abandoned ship between Terminis numerous rail-tracks. Se piove pe Santa Bibiana, piove quaranta giorni e un settimana goes a local proverb. (If it rains on S. Bibiana's Day, it'll rain for 40 days and a week.) And Cortonas frescoes (of the saint refusing to worship pagan gods, and her subsequent martyrdom) are interwoven with motifs depicting lush fruit and foliage. The bucolic imagery points back to the fertility of Horti Liciniani outside, a source of herbs against nervous disorders, the saint appropriating curative powers previously attributed to the Minerva Medicina Roman temple down the road (Via Giolitti.) Cortona and Bernini next meet in the Capitoline Museums. In Cortonas theatrical and life-sized Rape of the Sabine Women. Like the sculptor, Cortona designed masques and stage-sets and two figures in the foreground seem familiar; their poses borrow from Berninis Daphne and Apollo/ Pluto and Proserpine statues. Hereby saving costs of a model? From his apprenticeship under Domenichino, Cortona was a prolific drawer; sculptures and friezes supplied a repertoire of ready-made, dramatically-proven stances. Yet, adopting the then-fashionable idea that painting and poetry are sides of the same coin, Cortona would add any number of imaginative, sometimes humorous touches of his own. In his Triumph of Bacchus in the Capitoline Museums, for example, an infant centaur totters on the tips of his hooves to peer inside an amphora. Offsetting the classical fixities of the temple behind is the rollicking energy of the gods entourage. A riot of colour as well as limbs, critics citing the influence of Rubens who had passed through Rome not long before (1606-8). Cortonas versality continues in a proto-landscape of the alum mine to which Pope Urban had awarded the Sacchetti family a monopoly. Inside Palazzo Barberini Cortona takes a leap in scale. Climb either stairway Borrominis spiral or Berninis grand, if-more-conventional, equivalent the ceiling in the Salone hosts another triumph, The Allegory of Divine Providence and Barberini Power. Cortona directs a cast of hundreds. Artist fees often depended on just that, the number of figures portrayed, here to the princely tune of 4000 ducats. Temperance, Religion and Piety personified, occupy their respective clouds. Fury, disarmed, reclines on his weapons. Dunce Titans get flunked by a spear-wielding Minerva. Crane your neck some more and theres Hercules clubbing Avarices harpies. At ceilings centre hover, like heraldic aeroplanes, so-called bomber bees, the Barberini symbole. Images of nepotism? Cortona a servant of power? But wait. Off to one side Silenus, the boozy centaur, appears to slip Providences gaze. As hes poured another drink, the glorious slob, on transfer for The Triumph of Bacchus, almost steals the scene. Cortona, then, is a secret satirist? Except, from his sympathetic portrait of Urban VIII back in the Capitoline Museums one may hazard that the Barberini pope is smiling too. The ceiling could have turned out differently. While Cortona was away decorating Florences Pitti Palace, two overweening assistants determined to complete the masterwork on their own. However their presumption was checked when the intonaco / plaster ran out, stuccatoris / plasterers' pay having fallen in arrears. Urbans papacy once ended, Barberini cardinals having fled to France, one might expect a downturn in Cortonas fortunes. But, talent and tact ever to the fore, he was soon decorating pro-Spanish Innocent Xs Pamphilij palace/ new power-centre in Piazza Navona with "Stories of Aeneas." Ownership currently resting with the Brazilian embassy, the fresco-cycle is visitable twice a week for guided tours in Italian and Portuguese. Under Alexander VII, Cortona's first Chigi commission was S. Maria della Pace. The Baroque facade of S. Maria della Pace was added by Cortona at the behest of Pope Alexander VII. The facade of the new church, alternating concave and convex a la Borromini, conjured harmony from urban mess. Better seen than described, a confined space suddenly seemed much larger. So pleasing was this piece of street theatres effect that a wall-notice stipulates the design be in no way changed by future generations. Today's crowds keep to nearby Piazza Navona. Comparatively secluded, Piazza della Pace, matching its name, remains one of Romas most delightful squares. And to think Cortona claimed his architecture was a mere hobby Also little visited in SS. Luca and Martina. As tourists shuttle between the Roman Forum and Campidoglio, the church is easily overlooked, which is a pity, given its beautiful crypt. Cortonas work actually began back under Pope Urban, inspired, as with S. Bibiana, by concurrent exhumation of a saint Martina. The remains authenticity has since been contested*, but initially fortune and/or providence seemed in Cortonas favour. Until his patron, Cardinal Francesco Barberini, was accused by Innocent X of embezzlement and fled to France. A seven year interruption ensued. After which Cortonas work started again, this time on the upper church, including rose-stuccoed dome and the floor where he would eventually be buried. Out of envy or no, some of Cortonas fellow S. Luca academicians suspected a plot to turn the church, (his beloved daughter he called it) into a private mausoleum**. The lower church was roped off and a six-year controversy broke out. Accusing the academicians of obtructionism, Cortonas supporters prevailed, duly placing in the lower church a more fulsome wall-plaque/cenonotaph and bust. Not that Cortona ceased painting altogether. Next door to the rippling facade of Borrominis Oratory, S. Maria in Vallicella combines spectacle with the miraculous. Look up and one sees an expanse of (blue) sky. The church-roof, or its remains, threatens to crash down on ones head. Only the presence of the Virgin and some strong-armed putti prevent disaster. Cortona continued creating alterpieces. In Borrominis S. Ivo, then in S. Carlo dei Catinari. In Pope Alexanders 1661 refurbishment of Castel Gandolfos church to newly-canonised Tommaso da Villanova, he created The Crucifixion altarpiece. Working alongside him in the church was Bernini, as they had done back in S. Bibiana 37 years before. By Martin Bennett *Donatella Sparti, Article, 998 **Corinna Ricosoli- from Who telleth a tale of unspeaking death, Dublin This article was published in the December 2021 online edition of Wanted in Rome magazine. Cover image: Cortona's vast Allegory of Divine Providence and Barberini Power, at Palazzo Barberini, marked a watershed in Baroque painting. Placeholder while article actions load Faced with a new wave of coronavirus infections, Austria and Italy became the first countries in western Europe to make Covid-19 vaccines compulsory. A handful of other nations -- Indonesia, Turkmenistan and Micronesia -- have also issued such mandates. A number of others have stopped short of that, requiring vaccination for access to public places, in some cases with the option of taking a test instead. Such edicts are controversial. Austrias sparked protests, and the U.S. Supreme Court Jan. 13 blocked a federal rule compelling large employers to require Covid vaccination or testing. 1. What happens to those who violate a mandate? Mandates dont mean forced vaccinations, but rather penalties or denial of services for those who dont get the shots. Indonesia punishes refusers by levying fines and denying them government assistance. Austria planned to impose a fine of as much as 3,600 euros ($4,000) when vaccines become mandatory in February for everyone living in the country over the age of 14. On Jan. 5, Italy made vaccines compulsory for people over 50, with sanctions kicking in from Feb. 1. Germany was considering a vaccine mandate for adults. Advertisement 2. What are the rules that fall short of mandates? Frances national assembly approved legislation that would mean only those who are fully vaccinated under local rules can go to restaurants, museums and concerts, or get on trains or airplanes. The law would effectively ban a life out of ones home or workplace for the unvaccinated. Other countries, including Morocco, are requiring proof of vaccination for entry into public places such as restaurants and offices. In Saudi Arabia and Lebanon, the requirement can also be met with proof of recent recovery from Covid. In the Netherlands, a negative coronavirus test is an alternative. Some countries, such as Australia, England, France, Greece and New Zealand have mandated Covid vaccination for certain workers, notably in health care. The Supreme Court in the U.S. let such a rule take effect there even as it quashed a separate mandate for all employees of large companies. 3. Are vaccine requirements something new? Advertisement No. According to a study in the journal Vaccine published in October 2020, before Covid vaccines became available, more than 100 of the 193 members of the United Nations had nationwide mandates requiring one or more vaccines. Of those, 62 imposed a penalty for noncompliance. The most common penalties were fines and denial of school enrollment for children who arent vaccinated. A few countries, including Canada and the U.S., had regional rather than national mandates. Government requirements for vaccines have a long history in the U.S. At the turn of the 20th century, the city of Cambridge, Massachusetts mandated that residents get a smallpox vaccination. Pastor Henning Jacobson rejected both the shot and the obligation to pay a $5 fine, appealed all the way to the Supreme Court, and lost in a landmark 1905 ruling. More recently, New York City ordered people in part of the borough of Brooklyn to be vaccinated against measles or pay a $1,000 fine after an outbreak there in 2019. 4. What happened with the Covid vaccine mandate for U.S. employers? An emergency rule issued by President Joe Bidens administration, applicable to businesses with 100 or more employees, would have required workers to be vaccinated or to wear a mask and start being tested. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration rule was met by a flurry of lawsuits from Republican state attorneys general, companies and other organizations seeking to block it. The Supreme Court said that OSHA had the power to regulate occupational dangers but not public health more broadly. Advertisement 5. Can U.S. employers require the shots on their own? They can and they have -- public and private employers both. Most nonunion companies have relatively wide scope to create such requirements largely because employment relationships are presumed to be at-will in nearly every U.S. state. Companies can fire at-will workers for any legal reason, which could include refusal to comply with a vaccine mandate. In addition, employers have a legal duty to provide a safe and healthy workplace. Even before the pandemic, many health-care facilities required workers to get inoculated against certain diseases, sometimes in response to state provisions. Employer mandates of Covid vaccines picked up after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the first time gave full approval in August to such a vaccine -- the one made by Pfizer Inc. and its partner BioNTech SE -- for use in people 16 and older. Previously the vaccine was authorized only for emergency use. 6. What objections can U.S. workers raise? Advertisement The Americans with Disabilities Act allows a worker to request an exemption from a vaccine mandate if she has a disability thats covered by the law. In such a case, the employer must communicate with the worker to determine whether an exemption is a reasonable accommodation given her disability and job responsibilities -- and isnt an undue burden for the employer. Failing to engage in that process or provide a reasonable accommodation could be grounds for a lawsuit. A worker with a health condition that compromises her immune system has a good chance of prevailing on a claim if she has a doctors advice that she should avoid a vaccine. An employer would need to show that allowing a worker to remain unvaccinated would cause an undue burden or pose a direct threat in the workplace, which would be difficult to do if there are alternatives available such as working from home or moving to an area segregated from coworkers. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, which enforces federal laws against job discrimination, has said that ADA protections apply to Covid vaccines. Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act prohibits workplace discrimination based on religion, giving workers the right to seek an exception to a vaccination mandate based on religious beliefs. The EEOC defines religion beyond membership in a church or belief in God. Religion for the purposes of federal anti-discrimination law covers strongly and sincerely held moral or ethical beliefs, according to the agency. But employers can deny religious accommodations if they would create an undue burden. 7. Are vaccine mandates effective? Advertisement There are lively debates among public health authorities and academics about the efficacy of vaccine mandates. Supporters cite studies showing that stricter rules on inoculating schoolchildren lead to lower rates of vaccine-preventable diseases. Most of the data, however, relates to children, whereas a Covid vaccination campaign needs to reach a significant portion of adults. Some health specialists argue that mandates -- especially if theyre imposed by governments -- will boost resistance to taking vaccines and provide ammunition for anti-vaccine activists at the political fringe. On the other hand, theres some evidence that employer mandates work. After Houston Methodist Hospital announced a mandate at the end of March 2021, the portion of its staff who were vaccinated went from 84% in April to 99% in June; 153 people quit or were dismissed because of the policy, but they represented less than 1% of 26,000 employees. Just 3% of employers with mandates reported a spike in resignations in a November survey by Willis Towers Watson. More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com 2022 Bloomberg L.P. GiftOutline Gift Article Placeholder while article actions load From ovens to refrigerators, automobiles to surgeons tools, more and more items are connected wirelessly to the internet. As use of such devices soars, so does the demand for airwaves to carry all that data. The need for more space -- more spectrum -- to carry mobile signals is causing friction in a once-placid policy arena. One fight that erupted in the closing days of 2021 pitted mobile phones against the U.S. aviation sector. 1. What are airwaves, exactly? The term refers to the invisible electromagnetic waves that carry information through the atmosphere to our smartphones -- and to TVs, radios, iPads, ships at sea, aircraft, garage-door openers and any other gadgets that send or take in signals wirelessly. The so-called electromagnetic spectrum encompasses the full range of airwaves, from tiny, high-frequency waves like those used in radiation therapy to longer, low-frequency waves such as those that deliver radio programming. High-frequency waves can carry a lot of information but dont go far and can be stopped by walls or even rain. Low-frequency waves go far and penetrate obstacles but dont carry a lot of information. Of particular value in this wireless age are mid-band airwaves that can carry ample data for significant distances. One of those is the C-band. Advertisement 2. Whats the fight over C-band? This part of the spectrum offers an ideal mix of coverage and capacity to carry the emerging 5G wireless technology that promises data speeds 100 times faster than those of recent years. The C-band had been used by satellite providers to beam programs down to TV and radio stations around the country. The U.S. Federal Communications Commission wanted to open some of the C-band to 5G uses, a shift that dramatically increased demand for those frequencies. 3. Who owns the airwaves? Thats a tricky question. By law, U.S. airwaves belong to the public; the federal government grants rights, expressed as licenses, to companies to use certain frequencies. These rights are rarely revoked, and when companies with licenses are sold, the airwaves rights typically transfer -- commanding a hefty premium from the buyer. In recent years, the FCC has arranged payment for TV broadcasters to leave frequencies that are needed for mobile uses. A swath of C-band airwaves was auctioned off in early 2021. Advertisement 4. Who used to hold the C-band licenses? Four satellite companies dominated activity in the C-band in the U.S. The two biggest were Intelsat SA and SES SA, both based in Luxembourg, which between them controlled about 90% of commercial traffic. Along with Telesat Canada of Ottawa, which also owned some C-band rights in the U.S., these companies made up the C-Band Alliance (CBA), which was formed in 2018 to push their ideas on how best to sell rights to their portion of the spectrum. 5. How did mobile phones get pitted against air traffic control? The fight that burst into public view in the final days of 2021 was over whether a new service for mobile phones would interfere with the electronics airline pilots need to land their planes. Frequencies within the C-band are near airwaves used by aircraft radar altimeters -- sensitive devices that track altitude, allowing landings in foul weather and that also feed multiple critical safety systems. Some of the nations most powerful corporations and industries found themselves at odds. AT&T Inc. and Verizon Communications Inc. agreed to a two-week delay in activating their new 5G service on the frequencies the government auctioned off for $81 billion. Advertisement 6. How are other countries handling this issue? Some moved faster to free mid-band airwaves for use by mobile communications. South Korea, the U.K., Spain, Italy, Austria and China all held auctions or allocated the frequencies before the U.S. That put the U.S. behind in some aspects of what the wireless industry calls The Race to 5G. The term refers to efforts to establish a 5G network before other countries do, in order to foster the same type of tech leadership that helped boost world-leading brands such as Qualcomm Inc., Intel Corp. and Silicon Valley companies such as Google and Facebook Inc. More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com 2022 Bloomberg L.P. GiftOutline Gift Article 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. Sometimes a tree is just a tree. As I mentioned in this column two weeks ago, they are always there, wherever we look. But do we actually look at an individual tree? In many cases, the only time we look at a tree for what it is will probably be in December, as we are trying to select the perfect tree for our living room. At that moment, the tree will have become very important. A couple of weeks ago, we talked about Quinine and cork. Today, we will look at one of the most important trees, one that many of us would miss dearly if it disappeared: the cacao tree. Can you imagine life without hot chocolate, chocolate ice cream, chocolate cake and a Hershey bar? If you have never tasted Vandermint chocolate liqueur from the Netherlands, you are not a bona fide chocaholic. What a disaster that would be! All of these treats derive from a single genus of trees that grows in tropic areas around the world, generally within a few hundred miles north or south of the equator. The theobroma cacao tree is thought to have originated either in Mexico or Peru, though there are frequent discussions about it beginning in various parts of Africa. As you might expect, the genus theobroma has many species, giving the final product different characteristics. Actually, the Ivory Coast on the western side of Africa is the worlds largest producer of cacao beans. In 2018, nearly 2 million tons were shipped from there. That is nearly a third of all that is produced in a single year, worldwide! The tree is relatively small, seldom growing more than 30 feet. It takes about five years to produce its first fruit. The fruit is called a pod, and that pod, once it is opened with a machete, contains some 30 to 50 purplish seeds, surrounded by a sweet pulp with a lemonade-like flavor. That pulp and the seeds are piled in bins or on grates, where it all ferments. As it does, so the pulp liquifies and drains away, leaving the seeds. The heat generated in the fermentation process turns the beans brown, giving us that cocoa color. Once totally dried, they are packed in burlap bags and shipped to wherever for conversion into cocoa powder. An interesting number to me was that it takes 150 to 300 beans to make a pound of chocolate. Here are some very important terms in the world of cocoa: Cocoa butter (also known as theobroma oil) is an edible fat extracted from the cocoa bean. It is used to make chocolate and is often used in ointments and pharmaceutical items. It does have cocoa flavor and smell. It has a low melting point. Chocolate, the end product, is produced from cocoa liquor and cocoa butter, sometimes processed with sugar, sweeteners and small amounts of vegetable fat. White chocolate is made with cocoa butter mixed with milk powder and sugar. Milk chocolate is the result of mixing cocoa liquor, cocoa butter and milk powder with sugar. Milk chocolate usually has less than 40 percent of cocoa liquor. Cocoa liquor refers to the product produced by grinding cocoa beans, fermented or unfermented, that have been roasted. Who gets to make all this chocolate into the taste treats we love so much? Well, first of all, there is the Nestle company, with plants all over the world. Its most popular product these days is the wafer covered in chocolate bar, the Kit Kat. You might be surprised to learn that their plant in Japan turns out that bar in some 70 flavors, including green tea, soy and wasabi. Lindt, based in Switzerland, provides us with a couple of great choices. First of all, we often see, on store shelves, bars with the various percentages of chocolate. The higher the percentage, the smaller the amount of sugar. To me, 80% is delicious. Lindt also markets those packages filled with balls of chocolate filled with chocolate mousse. You have to just love those little chocolate balls from Ferrero-Rocher. Theyre wrapped in gold foil. The chocolate is made with crushed hazelnuts, and when you get to the center you are treated with a whole hazelnut. Mmmmm. Be safe. Stay well and mask up. Carmen Cosentino operates Cosentino's Florist in Auburn with his daughter, Jessica. He was elected to the National Floriculture Hall of Fame in 1998, and in 2008, received the Tommy Bright award for lifetime achievements in floral education. In 2016, Carmen and Jessica were presented Teleflora's Tom Butler Award, naming Cosentino's the florist of the year at the company's annual meeting in Hawaii. Carmen can be reached at cosenti@aol.com or (315) 253-5316. Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Placeholder while article actions load As the Supreme Court continues dismantling legal support for sensible federal powers that enhance the publics well-being, it also plants the seeds for future national problems. Consider Covid-19 testing and vaccination mandates. The courts conservative majority ruled Thursday that the Biden administrations use of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration to enforce mandates in workplaces of 100 employees or more lacks congressional authorization and is therefore illegal. OSHA is charged with securing workplace safety, and the 1970 act that created it required it to develop standards in conjunction with the businesses it regulates and through public hearings. But OSHA is allowed to act more quickly on its own when emergencies arise by invoking emergency temporary standards. OSHA has invoked such standards only nine times before now, and courts fully upheld just one of those actions. The bar to qualify for an emergency is high, and the Supreme Court doesnt believe Covid-19 meets it. The White House pointing to 800,000 American deaths and two years of viral assaults that have sideswiped the economy and communities thinks it does. Advertisement Alas. If it isnt an emergency, the court noted, then OSHA is bound by its enabling legislation. So it cannot tell employers to require people to look after their health and the health of their coworkers. It would be intrusive, the court said, and permit OSHA to regulate the hazards of daily life. The Secretary has ordered 84 million Americans to either obtain a COVID-19 vaccine or undergo weekly medical testing at their own expense, the court also observed. This is no everyday exercise of federal power. Thats correct. This isnt an everyday exercise of federal power. The pandemic is not an everyday event. Its a national crisis that provoked a patchwork of responses, exposing how inadequate balkanized measures can be in a national emergency. But the court insisted on narrowly defining OSHAs mandate in part, it said, because OSHA is empowered only to set workplace safety standards, not broad public health measures. Advertisement Its unfortunate that the Supreme Court embraced this slender bit of legal sophistry first spouted by lower courts to block federal mandates. Lethal, contagious viruses dont distinguish between workplaces and homes. Thats how theyre able to foster pandemics. There are plenty of substances used outside the workplace, including tobacco, drugs and alcohol, that are banned in the workplace. Theyre banned because theyre dangerous and they illustrate how public health intersects with the workplace. The court said it could not determine whether the costs and potential resignations that employers would bear from a mandate were less weighty than the White Houses concern for deaths and hospitalizations. Congress has to assess that balance, the court said, and decide whether to further empower OSHA or some other agency to issue workplace mandates. The courts conservative justices are consistent in citing this reality: Congress makes the laws. But their longstanding preference that the federal government get out of the way of states lurks in the background. States know better how to arrange their own legal and regulatory affairs, the argument goes, and federal overreach is the problem, not the solution. Advertisement In the real world, relying on states to be effective stewards of public health and other values that cross state lines will continue to create hornets nests. Not always, but certainly on seminal issues. Public health crises, voting rights, reproductive rights, gun regulation and gambling are just some of the things that states now have an outsized role in managing, even though their choices affect core national values and cause shockwaves beyond their borders. Public health emergencies arent best left to states alone to manage, or to Congress to endlessly debate even if the Supreme Court thinks so. Just wait to see what happens when the next virus tears through workplaces nationwide. This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners. Timothy L. OBrien is a senior columnist for Bloomberg Opinion. More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com/opinion 2022 Bloomberg L.P. GiftOutline Gift Article Based on Brazen Virtue, a 1988 book by best-selling romance novelist Nora Roberts, Brazen tells the story of Grace Miller (Alyssa Milano), a successful mystery novelist who becomes involved in the investigation of her sister Kathleens murder and romantically entangled with the hunky D.C. police detective assigned to the case (Sam Page, who comes across as a low-rent version of Dan Stevens). The story, which boasts a bunch of juicy suspects (a couple of whom are students of Kathleen, a high school teacher) and a scandalous secret about the victims hidden life as a Web-video dominatrix, is as pulpy as a tall glass of Tropicana. But Milano whose casting created a tempest in a teapot after some Brazen Virtue fans objected to the actresss prominent liberal activism makes for an appealing and strong heroine, one whose expertise as a crime writer makes her a pretty good detective, even if the film feels, at times, like something you might find on the Lifetime channel. TV-14. Available on Netflix. Contains violence and some sensuality. 96 minutes. Placeholder while article actions load StarSolid StarSolid StarHalf StarOutline ( 2.5 stars ) A mixture of well-researched historical fact and pure fiction, Munich: The Edge of War is a smart and entertaining thriller that suffers from just one thing: We all know how it ends. Wp Get the full experience. Choose your plan ArrowRight Set mostly in 1938, just before and during the September conference of world leaders in Munich that gave permission to Adolf Hitler to annex the Sudetenland, a majority-German section of western Czechoslovakia, the film posits a conspiracy of anti-Hitler Germans to scuttle that agreement. Their rationale: If the British and French prime ministers, Neville Chamberlain (Jeremy Irons) and Edouard Daladier (Stephane Boucher), refused to acquiesce to Hitlers demands, he would invade anyway, triggering a rebellion along with Hitlers arrest and/or assassination by German generals, who were not prepared for, and did not want, a war with England and France. Advertisement The Munich Agreement, which would ultimately lead to Chamberlains legacy being tarnished forever for this act of appeasement, could be scuttled if Chamberlain were to be persuaded that the Sudetenland was only the first step of many in the Fuhrers rapacious territorial ambitions. The film, for that reason, centers on a politically explosive memo, outlining Hitlers global vision for Lebensraum or living space. Paul von Hartmann (Jannis Niewohner), an underling in the German foreign ministry, gets hold of the document, and tries to deliver it to Chamberlain. The character of Paul, though based loosely on Adam von Trott zu Solz, a person who was involved in a 1944 plot to assassinate Hitler, is entirely fictional. So is his English counterpart and liaison to Chamberlain: Hugh Legat (George MacKay), one of Chamberlains private secretaries and an old college chum of Paul, who studied with him at Oxford. Munich is Hugh and Pauls small story, set against the backdrop of a much larger one thats all-too-well known. (Ulrich Matthes makes for a nicely deranged and scary Hitler. And Sandra Huller, so good in the Oscar-nominated Toni Erdmann, is delightful to see as Pauls married girlfriend and co-conspirator.) Thats not to say that there isnt drama in the conspiracy plot, which is more personal than political. The question of how Paul, for instance, evolved from a rabid Nazi shown in flashbacks to 1932 arguing with Hugh about German pride to someone willing to risk his life to stop Hitler gives the film interest. Irons makes for a watchable and surprisingly sympathetic Chamberlain, but this is Niewohners film, and his characters transformation is compelling. So is the reason for it, which involves an old girlfriend (Liv Lisa Fries). MacKay, for his part, is a bit too buttoned up to garner much of our interest. This is more the result of his character subdued, dutiful, distant than his performance, which is solid as always. Handsome, well-acted and intelligently conceived, Munich is nevertheless hampered by the forgone conclusions of its historical backdrop. One of Hitlers bodyguards (August Diehl), who happens to be a childhood friend of Pauls yet still tenaciously suspicious of him lends the proceedings some suspense. Its not because the fate of the world hangs in the balance, but because the fate of Paul and Hugh does. Advertisement Directing from a screenplay by Ben Power, who has adapted Robert Harriss 2018 novel for the screen, German filmmaker Christian Schwochow makes you understand the stakes that are at play in this complicated game of geopolitical chicken. He just hasnt figured out how to make you feel them. PG-13. At Landmarks E Street Cinema; available Jan. 21 on Netflix. Contains some strong language, mature thematic elements, smoking and brief violence. 131 minutes. GiftOutline Gift Article Placeholder while article actions load On display at the National Gallery of Art, an 18th-century print has the emotional resonance of a meme. Artist Henry Treshams 1784 illustration from The Adventures of Sappho depicts the Greek poet collapsed beside a tree arms flung overhead, chest exposed, legs splayed, eyes rolled back. Disoriented and exhausted, she could be the poster child for pandemic January. The picture, included in the exhibition Aquatint: From Its Origins to Goya, utilizes etching and aquatint techniques, but it owes its drama to the latter, which produces areas of tone rather than line. You can see aquatint in the landscape that recedes into the distance in fading shades of brown or in the muddy foreground roiling toward her feet like a foreboding fog. Her robes, represented with contrasting shadows, weigh on her, while her off-white chest appears stark in contrast, as if drained of color and air. At the bottom of the page, a caption reads, I seem to be breathless. Popularized in Europe in the 1700s, aquatint, which takes its name from the resemblance to watercolor, introduced new textures in printmaking. (It works by exposing a copper plate to acid through a layer of granulated resin, leaving an evenly pitted surface that creates a broad range of tones in the finished print.) Clouds appear luminescent and aqueous; smoke spreads across the page, ghostly and gaseous; water looks fluid and dynamic. Francisco Goya, the most famous artist associated with the technique, embraced the haunting potential of aquatint to create gut-wrenching images that skewered politics and society in his Los Caprichos and Disasters of War series. Aquatints rise is perhaps not so very different from any modern innovation in image-making. Some say color television reduced the psychological distance between the viewer and the events on the screen. And TikTok, a social app full of ambient, short form videos paired to music, has been credited with a renewed sensitivity to vibes, or a places emotional energy. A look at Louis-Jean Desprezs mysterious Tomb with Death Standing (1779/1784), which shows smoke rising from an altar, or at Joseph Fischers cozy 1798 Self-Portrait With an injured Foot, which depicts the artist reading in the dark, and you can see how aquatint captures not just the what of a place, but its feel. With grainy texture and rich shadow, aquatint is attuned to atmosphere fit for representing moonlight dancing on a quiet sea or a flame flickering in a claustrophobic interior. Nowadays when you can purchase Starry Night socks and Great Wave T-shirts its hard to imagine a time in which art could not be easily reproduced. But part of the excitement around aquatint was that it could mimic qualities of other artistic media: painterly brushstrokes, subtle ink tones, fluid watercolors. In comparison to older printmaking techniques, which relied on lines, and created images with a more mechanical look, aquatint prints appear untethered from the machine, closer to the artists hand. As expressive as paint, yet as reproducible as a woodblock print, the aquatint process was perfected the in the 1760s by Jean-Baptiste Le Prince the first aquatint celebrity, according to the wall text who tried to keep his methods secret. It was in vain. As aquatint spread through Europe, it found pragmatic uses. In the show, theres a catalogue advertisement for a fireplace; works by art collectors who used it to document their objects; and prints by artists who used it to study other artists. In a way, whats on view are 18th-century fixations, the images people wanted to multiply: a heavy helping of Neoclassical imagery; copies of Old Masters; popular Russian scenes by Le Prince; and the occasional volcano which could be rendered with greater scientific precision through aquatint. Advertisement But aquatint did more than replicate the past. The medium seems almost biased toward darkness and, eventually, the darkness of the present became its most compelling subject. In 1797, Giovanni De Pian was commissioned by the Venetian government to make prints that reflected the decrepit, inhumane condition of prisons. They show figures of exaggerated size, crowded into small underground cells, whose dampened walls seem to press down on all sides. Here, the mediums dark, cloudy texture appears like narrowing vision on the edges of sight. Francisco Goya, the longtime painter for the Spanish court, surely could have adopted the aquatint process for the same reasons that some earlier artists did: as an expression of technical skill. But instead, he created surreal, almost unhinged scenes that critiqued politicians, war and inequality. Advertisement In Nada (1810/1820), from the Disasters of War series, a skeletal figure lies, half-buried, as if struggling to lift itself from the grave. Its white lips and black eyes are raw with pain its torso blurry and blotchy, as if illuminated by headlights, just outside the frame. And Still They Dont Go! (1799) shows a single, emaciated man straining to stop a wall from collapsing on the mangled, gaunt figures at his feet. Above, a grayness looms in the sky, poised to descend with unflinching finality. Like any new technology, aquatint, in its earliest days, embraced an idealism, found in prints depicting fantasies of classical antiquity. But Goya and De Pian pushed it beyond that, shining a light on injustices hidden from public view and often from the conscious mind with a gnawing nihilism. Their subjects were the outcasts and the depraved. Paradoxically, because it tends toward darkness, aquatint, for them, has the power to bring realitys bleakest truths to light. Aquatint: From Its Origins to Goya National Gallery of Art, West Building, Sixth Street and Constitution Avenue NW. 202-737-4215. nga.gov. Dates: Through Feb. 21 Prices: Free. GiftOutline Gift Article Placeholder while article actions load Two racy white wines headline our lineup this week, including a budget-minded acid-freaks dream from Spain and a crisp zero-alcohol sauvignon blanc from New Zealand. A winter-weight white from Alsace, a bistro beauty of a Beaujolais and a savory tempranillo from Spain round out the list. Wp Get the full experience. Choose your plan ArrowRight Dave McIntyre GREAT VALUE Txakoli Primo Zarautz 2020 StarSolid StarSolid StarHalf StarOutline ( Excellent/Extraordinary ) Spain, $13 Txakoli, a white wine from Spains Basque region, is a wine-geek favorite because of its intensely tart acidity. First sip is like a jolt of energy to your palate, dousing your taste buds with electric citrus flavors of lime zest and orange blossom, followed by kumquat and mango. Acidity this high screams for food. Anything pungent with olives or fermented flavors will help soften the wines texture and draw out the fruit. Alcohol by volume: 11.5 percent. Bottle weight: 405 grams (Light). Advertisement Imported by Tri-Vin, distributed in the District and Maryland by DMV, in Virginia by Dionysos Imports: Available in the District at Classy Corks, Lee Towers Market, Pauls of Chevy Chase, Riggs Liquor, Rodmans, S&S Liquor, Sherrys Fine Wine & Spirits, Yes Organic Market (Capitol Hill). Available in Maryland at A&A Wine & Spirits in Gambrills, ABD Liquor in Prince Frederick; Bay Wine & Spirits in North Beach; Downtown Crown Wine and Beer, FineWine.com in Gaithersburg; Dunkirk Wine & Spirits in Dunkirk; Eastport Liquors in Annapolis; Edgewater Liquors in Edgewater; Franklins Restaurant Brewery & General Store in Hyattsville; Harborview Liquors in Baltimore; Kenilworth Wine & Spirits in Towson; Kings Contrivance Liquor in Columbia; Liberty Wine & Liquors in LaVale; Longmeadow Wine & Liquors in Hagerstown; McHenry Beverage Shoppe in McHenry; Old Farm Liquors in Frederick; Pine Orchard Liquors, Wine Bin in Ellicott City; Port of Call Liquors in Solomons; Sniders Super Foods in Silver Spring; the Winery in Chester; Town & Country Wine Liquor Etc. in Easton; Town Center Market in Riverdale Park; Vintage 414 in Cambridge; Wemyss Liquors in St. Leonard. Available in Virginia at Wegmans (various locations). Giesen 0% Dealcoholized Sauvignon Blanc StarSolid StarSolid StarOutline StarOutline ( Excellent ) Advertisement New Zealand, $17 A wine-geeks way of politely dismissing a wine is to say, It tastes like wine. Well, this dealcoholized sauvignon blanc tastes like sauvignon blanc, and I mean that as sincere praise. Light-bodied, racy acidity with the characteristic grassy, gooseberry flavors of New Zealand savvie. Its lighter and less pungent than Giesens regular sauvignon blanc, but it fills the bill for a white wine without the buzz. The addition of 6 percent sauvignon blanc grape juice helps with the body. ABV: 0. BW: 420 (Light). Imported by Pacific Highway Wines, distributed in the District and Maryland by Opici, in Virginia by RNDC: Available in the District at Bell Wine & Spirits, Classy Corks, Connecticut Avenue Wine & Liquor, Whole Foods Market (various locations). Available in Maryland at Total Wine & More (Laurel, Towson). Available in Virginia at Total Wine & More (various locations), Whole Foods Market (various locations). Available online at Proof No More. GREAT VALUE Willm Pinot Gris Reserve 2019 StarSolid StarSolid StarHalf StarOutline ( Excellent/Extraordinary ) Advertisement Alsace, France, $17 Pinot gris from Alsace tends to be weightier than its Italian cousin, pinot grigio, despite being made from the same grape. This makes it an ideal cold-weather white. Look for notes of lilac, honeysuckle and peach. Drink on its own or with smoked fish or fowl, sausages and cheese. ABV: 13.5 percent. BW: 445 grams (Light). Imported and distributed by M. Touton: Available in the District at AB Liquors, the Bottle House, Cairo Wine & Liquor, Calvert Woodley, Capitol Hill Wine and Spirits, Central Liquors, Cleveland Park Wine and Spirits, Grand Liquor, H Street Fine Wines and Liquors, Harrys Reserve Fine Wine & Spirits, Haydens Liquor, Hop, Cask & Barrel, Lions Fine Wine & Spirits, MacArthur Beverages, Morris Miller Wine & Liquor, S&S Liquor, Sherrys Fine Wine & Spirits. Available in Maryland at Allview Liquors, Jasons Wine & Spirits, Pine Orchard Liquors in Ellicott City; Bradley Food & Beverage in Bethesda; Choice Wine & Beer in Wheaton; Cranberry Liquors in Westminster; Dawsons Liquors in Severna Park; Downtown Crown Wine and Beer in Gaithersburg; Fulton Wine & Spirits in Fulton; Glenwood Wine & Spirits in Glenwood; Greenbelt Co-op in Greenbelt; Hunt Valley Wine, Liquor & Beer in Cockeysville; Harrisons Wines & Spirits, Town & Country Wine Liquor Etc. in Easton; Mills Fine Wine and Spirits in Annapolis; Montgomery Plaza Liquors in Catonsville; Old Farm Liquors, Riverside Liquors, Ye Old Spirit Shop in Frederick; Patuxent Wine & Spirits in Lusby; Port of Call Liquors in Solomons; Rodmans in White Flint; Roland Park Wines & Liquors, Wine Source in Baltimore; Rosewick Wine & Spirits in La Plata; Takoma Park-Silver Spring Co-Op in Takoma Park; Total Discount Liquors in Eldersburg; Village Pump Liquors in College Park; the Winery in Chester; Woodmore Wine and Spirits in Lanham. Available in Virginia at Bistro LHermitage in Woodbridge, Norms Beer & Wine in Vienna; Wegmans (various locations). Domaine Chavrier Beaujolais-Villages A Chene 2019 StarSolid StarSolid StarHalf StarOutline ( Excellent/Extraordinary ) Advertisement Beaujolais, France, $20 Bistro wine. The type of red that could be served in a carafe in a modest Paris hole-in-the-wall to wash down the inexpensive but delicious plat du jour. Unfortunately, its a little pricey for that once it gets over to this side of the Atlantic. Its still delicious, and the type of wine I wish were available in 3-liter-box format for those occasions when just a glass or two are needed and we could stretch the joy over several weeks. ABV: 12.5 percent. BW: 405 grams (Light). Imported and distributed by Elite Wines: Available in the District at Classy Corks, Congress Market, District Liquors, Grand Liquor, Irving Wine & Spirits, Mac Market, Old City Market and Oven, Pauls of Chevy Chase, Rodmans, Sherrys Fine Wine & Spirits, State Liquors, Uptown Market, Wagshals Deli, Wardman Wines, Wine & Butter, Yes Organic Market (Petworth). Available in Maryland at FineWine.com in Gaithersburg; Fleet Street Spirits, Quarry Wine & Spirits, Remington Bottle, Wine Source in Baltimore; Frederick Wine House in Frederick; Maple Lawn Wine & Spirits in Fulton; Old Town Market in Kensington; Ronnies Beverage Warehouse in Forest Hill; Sniders Super Foods in Silver Spring. Available in Virginia at the Cheese Shop in Williamsburg; Cheesetique (Del Ray), Department of Beer and Wine, Lost Dog Cafe, Slaters Market in Alexandria; City Vino in Fredericksburg; Front Royal Wines in Front Royal; Kroger in Henrico; Lombardy Market, McDonough Market, Oxford Cellars, Pucks Market, Yellow Umbrella Provisions in Richmond; Towers Foods, Westover Market in Arlington; WineStyles in Montclair. Altos de Aranda Tempranillo Crianza 2016 StarSolid StarSolid StarHalf StarOutline ( Excellent/Extraordinary ) Advertisement Ribera del Duero, Spain, $22 Grown at high altitudes (averaging 800 meters above sea level), this wine combines a laser focus with impressive depth and freshness. Look for the savory tobacco leaf and blueberry notes typical of tempranillo, with a spicy edge on the finish from spending a year in French and American oak barrels. Pair this with heartier, rib-sticking foods. ABV: 14 percent. BW: 405 grams (Light). Imported and distributed in the District and Maryland by Artisans & Vines; distributed in Virginia by LK Wine Tours & Sales: Available in the District at Cleveland Park Wine and Spirits, Pauls of Chevy Chase, Rodmans. Available in Maryland at Beer Wine & Co., Bradley Food & Beverage, Capital Beer & Wine, Georgetown Square Wine and Beer in Bethesda; Dawsons Liquors, Magothy Wine & Spirits in Severna Park; Downtown Crown Wine and Beer, FineWine.com in Gaithersburg; Edgewater Liquors in Edgewater; Elkridge Furnace Inn in Elkridge; Grosvenor Market in Rockville; Iron Bridge Wine Co. in Columbia; Potomac Grocer in Potomac; Town Center Market in Riverdale Park; the Winery in Kent Island. Available in Virginia at Aldie Peddler in Aldie; Manoletes Taqueria Gourmet, Murphy Beverage in Winchester; Woodstock Cafe & Shoppes in Woodstock. Availability information is based on distributor records. Wines might not be in stock at every listed store and might be sold at additional stores. Prices are approximate. Check Winesearcher.com to verify availability, or ask a favorite wine store to order through a distributor. More from Food: GiftOutline Gift Article Placeholder while article actions load This Date Lab could have gone very differently. If 31-year-old Alex Da Silvas friends had their way, you would have been treated to a date suited for reality TV. One buddy in particular told him to do something crazy because this column is for entertainment. Wp Get the full experience. Choose your plan ArrowRight I had this whole argument with them about comparing it to The Bachelor, Alex explained in his interview. I was like: This is not The Bachelor. It isnt, though when Date Lab specimens have a dramatic go at it, well, it definitely makes this writers job easier. Instead, Alexs date with Katie Hitchcock-Smith at Los Cuates in Georgetown was a cerebral affair. We talked a lot about high-level intellectual stuff, which may be uncool but ... , Alex said, trailing off. If thats uncool, at least they were uncool together. It was kind of like I knew him already, recalled Katie, 27. He seemed familiar, just his presence and his vibe. She thought the conversation flowed right off the bat: It was just really natural and nice. Alex, however, said that he had to acknowledge the uniqueness of the Date Lab setup to ease into the situation. In the meantime, he nervously ate chips and guac. Advertisement Alex may have gotten past the inherent weirdness of the evening, but he returned to it repeatedly during his interview, discussing applying game theory to his rating and joking that hed put the rating Katie gave in his Twitter profile. As a jazz bassist who studied music in undergrad and played on Saturday Night Live as an alternate for house band member James Genus, it tracks that Alex is fixated on form but also adept at improvisation. Not only did Katie and Alex have plenty to talk about, they happened to find common ground in unexpected places. Alex, currently a program analyst for the federal government, is studying urban planning in grad school, which Katie learned about in college. He was telling me about what makes a good city and whether we should focus on cars versus the walkability of things, she said. I found that to be really interesting. Meanwhile, Katie, a consultant at a professional services company, formerly worked for Elizabeth Warren, whom Alex supported in the 2020 presidential primary. Over burritos (seafood for him and chicken for her) and one drink a piece (a Pacifico and strawberry daiquiri, respectively), they talked about their family experiences. Alexs father is from Togo and his mom hails from Uganda. Katie grew up with two gay moms, which gave her a strong interest in social justice that shes working toward applying to her career she has her sights on law school with the goal of becoming a civil rights lawyer. Advertisement Via the discussions about their prospective careers, they touched on matters related to race. I wouldnt say it was an elephant in the room, said Alex, who has dated interracially in the past (as has Katie). They spent about two hours at the restaurant, though in this time they did not manage to burn through the $150 that The Washington Post allots for dinner. We tried to figure out how to give the waitress the rest of the money, said Alex. I dont think that worked, but it was cool to see that she was into giving a dab to the really awesome waitress that we had. They had a mutual attraction, and mutually expressed it in their postdate interviews: Alex said Katie was definitely very attractive while she said she definitely thought he was handsome. He admired her power attire (a black top and gray skirt), though it did leave him feeling underdressed. She liked his glasses. Alex described Katie as intensely smart. Katie said: Hes very interesting and very smart. I think Im definitely going to be in contact with him, whether or not it works out romantically. Advertisement Wait, what? This sounds like it went great! How is it not working out already? It takes me a while to really warm up to people in a romantic sense, so Im going to leave it open, explained Katie. Were going to see. But there were no red flags. After they left the restaurant, Alex walked Katie to her bus stop. He hugged her and asked for her number and that was that. During his interview a few days after the date, Alex said he was planning on calling Katie that day to set up another date. Perhaps the slight disparity in enthusiasm stems from their goals going into the date: Alex is ready to find a partner, whereas Katie has a more if it happens, it happens approach. Still, both sounded hopeful about moving forward. I thought it went really well, said Alex. If she says it didnt, though, it didnt. Rate the date Alex: 4 [out of 5]. Advertisement Katie: 4. Update Katie and Alex didnt meet up again. Rich Juzwiak is a writer in New York. To our commenters A reminder from the Date Lab team: Our daters volunteer to participate in the column. While we appreciate a lively discussion assessing our matchmaking skills, please follow our community rules and do not comment on someones appearance or write a personal attack. GiftOutline Gift Article Placeholder while article actions load With his signature eye patch and fiery speeches, Stewart Rhodes is among the most recognizable leaders of the anti-government movement and one of its most controversial. As founder of the Oath Keepers, part of the self-styled militia segment of the far right, Rhodes projected himself as the commander of a private army willing to confront tyrannical federal authorities and defend the Constitution by any means necessary. In reality, according to extensive interviews with his associates and extremism trackers, Rhodes is a couch-surfing propagandist whose thousands of recruits paid membership dues but mostly acted as keyboard warriors, disseminating violent rhetoric but rarely showing up in great numbers when Rhodes called. The Oath Keepers contingent that participated in the U.S. Capitol attack was among the biggest showings researchers have seen from the group about two dozen members or associates, including Rhodes, have been charged with conspiracy, and a handful more face other charges related to individual actions they allegedly took that day. Advertisement It was also a moment that would implode the organization and alienate Rhodes from other anti-government leaders. Oath Keepers members, including those charged in the Capitol attack, bristled at what they see as Rhodess pattern of calling on followers to rise up and then abandoning them when they faced legal consequences. He sets the stage for other people to very quickly make the decision for themselves to engage in criminal or violent behavior, said Sam Jackson, an extremism scholar whose book Oath Keepers traces Rhodess path from Army paratrooper to Yale Law graduate to far-right figure. Rhodess record of eluding arrest ended Thursday, when he was taken into custody and charged with seditious conspiracy, along with 10 other Oath Keepers members or associates. The news spread quickly among far-right militants and the researchers who study them, with both camps parsing what the development might mean for the broader movement. The Oath Keepers origin story begins in 2008, during the mobilization of the anti-government movement in response to the election of President Barack Obama. Rhodes introduced the concept at an April 19 rally in Lexington, Mass., echoing the date and location of the first shots of the American Revolution. Advertisement Tasha Adams, Rhodess estranged wife and a vocal critic, said her husband had become increasingly radical in the years before Obama was elected. Adams said she cared for their children while Rhodes studied constitutional law at Yale and then served as an aide to libertarian then-Rep. Ron Paul (R-Tex.). By 2008, Adams said, Rhodes was on a more militant path, imagining himself as the next George Washington. When she expressed misgivings about the then-fledgling Oath Keepers project, Rhodes reassured her, she said. He swore to me there would never be any actual militia training, Adams recalled. He said this is about pushing the First Amendment to the absolute limit and thats it. We called it the libertarian version of the ACLU. Instead, researchers say, the Oath Keepers evolved into a major plank of the anti-government movement, a collection of far-right armed groups that share conspiratorial beliefs about an overreaching government that seeks to disarm and subjugate citizens. The idea is implicit in the Oath Keepers slogans of Guardians of the Republic and Not on our watch! Rhodes appealed to veterans and former police officers to defend the Constitution, through armed rebellion if necessary. Researchers say the group was instrumental in pushing such once-fringe rhetoric into the mainstream. Even without large numbers of Oath Keepers showing up for standoffs with federal authorities, extremism trackers say, their role in the spread of far-right ideology is dangerous. Advertisement If you have 10,000 people who start using this language of calling sitting congresspeople oath breakers, or saying military members have the right to refuse vaccination because thats an unlawful order, Jackson said, well, Oath Keepers there are still having some sort of effect. Experts say Rhodes and other far-right leaders grew more visible during the rise of Donald Trump, whom they perceived as an ally and who was the first major-party presidential candidate to be widely embraced by the militia movement. Oath Keepers raised more than $350,000 in crowdfunding campaigns to cover their travel and other expenses to attend the pro-Trump rally outside the White House on Jan. 6, 2021, according to researchers at the nonpartisan Canadian Association for Security and Intelligence Studies. The group booked a block of hotel rooms and, Rhodes has said, positioned so-called quick-reaction forces nearby in case emergency backup was needed. Advertisement But Rhodes has maintained that there was never any intention to enter the Capitol and that the groups role was mainly to provide security on a day when Trump supporters, at the presidents urging, were protesting the congressional certification of the 2020 presidential election. Members who went inside the Capitol, Rhodes has said, went totally off-mission. Oath Keepers founder Stewart Rhodes denied involvement in the Capitol attack in an interview with The Post on Feb. 28, 2021. He was arrested on Jan. 13, 2022. (Video: Aaron Davis/The Washington Post) As the months ticked by with no charges against him, many in the anti-government movement turned on Rhodes, excoriating him for letting his followers take the heat. His reputation was shredded in right-wing forums, where he was accused of being an FBI informant, the only way many militants could rationalize his not being charged. The idea that Rhodes might again escape consequence while his foot soldiers languished in jail was the final straw for members who had long complained that Rhodes misused the groups funds for such personal expenses as fancy steak dinners and hair dye. Advertisement Some Oath Keepers chapters, which already had only a loose affiliation with Rhodes, declared their independence completely. Hampton Stall, an extremism researcher who monitors self-styled militia groups, said any future iteration of the Oath Keepers is likely to come from an insurgency thats trying now to regroup into a movement that can endure beyond Rhodes. If theres any sort of accountability that ever comes to him, it will have been after years of him basically telling people to take up arms and shoot people, Stall said. His role within the Oath Keepers environment is less about coordinating specifics and more about creating the fertile ideological soil for violence. GiftOutline Gift Article Placeholder while article actions load Stewart Rhodes founder and leader of the extremist group Oath Keepers was arrested Thursday on a charge of seditious conspiracy, accused of guiding a months-long effort to unleash politically motivated violence to prevent the swearing-in of President Biden that culminated in the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol. The 56-year-old, who was at the Capitol that day but has said he did not enter the building, is the most high-profile person charged in the investigation so far. The indictment filed against Rhodes and 10 other Oath Keepers or associates marks the first time the historically rare charge of seditious conspiracy has been leveled in connection with the wide-ranging Jan. 6 probe. Rhodes and certain co-conspirators ... planned to stop the lawful transfer of presidential power by January 20, 2021, which included multiple ways to deploy force, the indictment reads. They coordinated travel across the country to enter Washington, D.C., equipped themselves with a variety of weapons, donned combat and tactical gear, and were prepared to answer Rhodes call to take up arms at Rhodes direction. Advertisement Most of the individuals facing the seditious conspiracy charges were arrested previously, but one, 63-year-old Edward Vallejo of Phoenix, is also a new defendant in the case. Officials said Rhodes was arrested Thursday morning in Little Elm, Tex., and Vallejo was taken into custody in Phoenix. The most damaging evidence in the 48-page, 17-count indictment comes from the defendants own words, often shared in the encrypted messaging app Signal. The indictment alleges that a core group of Rhodess most strident adherents planned for and participated in obstructing Congress on the day lawmakers certified Bidens 2020 election victory. The attack on the Capitol came after a rally outside the White House, at which President Donald Trump urged his supporters to march to Congress. The pro-Trump rioters injured scores of police officers and ransacked Capitol offices, halting the proceedings as lawmakers were evacuated from the House floor. Advertisement According to the indictment, the plotting for violence began just after Biden won the election. On Nov. 5, Rhodes told an invitation-only message group of Oath Keepers leaders: We arent getting through this without a civil war. Too late for that. Prepare your mind, body, spirit, Five days later, he published a call to action titled, WHAT WE THE PEOPLE MUST DO, suggesting his organization follow the example of an anti-government uprising in Serbia, the court filing says. Oath Keepers founder Stewart Rhodes denied involvement in the Capitol attack in an interview with The Post on Feb. 28, 2021. He was arrested on Jan. 13, 2022. (Video: Aaron Davis/The Washington Post) On Christmas Day in 2020, Rhodes sent a message to a similar group, saying he doubted Congress would keep Trump in the White House. The president had spent weeks making unfounded allegations of election fraud and pressing state election officials to pursue those allegations. But even his own attorney general, William P. Barr, said there was no evidence of anything that would cast doubt on Bidens win. Advertisement The only chance we/he has is if we scare the s--- out of them and convince them it will be torches and pitchforks time. ... But I dont think they will listen, Rhodes wrote. Six days later, on New Years Eve, he sent a message in an encrypted group chat to other Oath Keeper leaders, saying, There is no standard political or legal way out of this. In interviews with The Washington Post over the past year, Rhodes a former Army paratrooper and Yale Law graduate who has become one of the most visible figures of the far-right anti-government movement has repeatedly denied wrongdoing. He said he was communicating with members of his group on Jan. 6, 2021, in an effort to keep them out of trouble, and emphasized that Oath Keepers associates who did go into the Capitol went totally off mission. Advertisement That mission, he and other Oath Keepers have argued, was to provide personal protection for, among others, longtime Trump adviser Roger Stone. A number of the individuals charged as part of the alleged Oath Keeper conspiracy were involved in guarding Stone in the days and hours leading up to the attack on Congress. Stone has not been charged with any wrongdoing. An attorney for Rhodes, Jonathon A. Moseley, did not respond to a request for comment, but in a tweet asked another lawyer for Oath Keepers to call him urgently saying, Immediate need for perfect bail hearing. Rhodes is scheduled to appear before a U.S. magistrate judge in Plano, Tex., at 2:30 p.m. Central time on Friday. An earlier indictment charged 19 alleged Oath Keepers adherents with conspiracy and aiding and abetting the obstruction of Congress. Two of them have pleaded guilty and agreed to cooperate with investigators. The rest pleaded not guilty and are preparing for upcoming trials. Advertisement In one of three new indictments unsealed Thursday, Rhodes and 10 others were charged with seditious conspiracy, a charge related to the use of violence to hinder the execution of federal law and punishable by up to 20 years in prison. Seven others, who are not alleged to be ringleaders or organizers, remain charged with conspiracy and obstruction of Congress. The conspiracy charge against one individual, Jonathan Walden, 57, of Birmingham, Ala., was dropped, though he still faces other charges. In splitting up the largest charged case into smaller groups of defendants, prosecutors effectively drew a distinction between two alleged conspiracies: one by Oath Keepers associates who worked together and breached the Capitol that day with angry Trump supporters, as initially charged; and a second, allegedly led by Rhodes, to thwart the results of the election and the transfer of power, starting immediately after the 2020 presidential election. The defendants who have already pleaded guilty acknowledged they were among a group that forced entry through the Capitols East Rotunda doors after marching single-file in tight formation up the steps wearing camouflage vests, helmets, goggles and Oath Keepers insignia. Advertisement Some defendants also admitted to stashing guns in a nearby Arlington, Va., hotel for possible use by what they called a quick reaction force. In an interview with The Washington Post last February, Rhodes acknowledged that effort, saying the quick-reaction force was only if the president calls us up. We thought antifa might try to storm the White House, he said, without evidence. If such a thing happened, he posited, D.C. gun laws would no longer apply, because we would have been part of the military. Rhodes has accused prosecutors of trying to manufacture a nonexistent conspiracy. In an online interview Wednesday with NorthWest Liberty News, he said federal agents would love to put me behind bars but insisted he committed no crimes. I dont do illegal activities. I always stay on this side of the line, he said. I know where the lines are, and it drives them crazy. Advertisement Rhodes also said he has grown disillusioned with Trump, accusing the former president of not supporting members of the Oath Keepers charged in the Jan. 6 investigation. All of the people that are being unlawfully detained or denied bail, theyre being abandoned by Trump. ... He didnt pardon anybody while he was still in office, Rhodes said, adding that he also thinks the former president should have helped with the Jan. 6 defendants legal defense. I do feel abandoned by him, Rhodes added. In interviews last winter, Rhodes seemed focused on putting distance between himself and the people who entered the Capitol on Jan. 6. He showed photos on his phone to illustrate where he was at different points that day always outside, always with people acting peacefully, he said. Just so were clear on this: We had no plan to enter the Capitol, zero plan to do that, zero instructions to do that, Rhodes said. Advertisement He said any government claim that he did more than ask his members to meet outside the building would be complete garbage. The indictment charges that Rhodes and eight others tampered with evidence by deleting files, messages or photographs on their electronic devices. But the charging document shows FBI agents recovered a great deal of their communications including discussions after the riot in which Rhodes followers voiced enthusiasm for continued rebellion. We got food for 30 days, Vallejo allegedly said in a leadership Signal chat the night of Jan. 6, adding, We have only [begun] to fight! On Jan. 11, the charging papers allege, another Oath Keeper suggested they adopt tactics similar to the North Vietnamese Army during the Vietnam War. Weve been organizing a bugout plan if the usurper is installed, the persons Facebook message said. ... Something like 20+ Oath Keepers going to Kentucky mountains on hundreds of acres apparently. ... Be like the NVA and network tunnels. The federal government last brought sedition charges in 2010, against members of the self-described militia Hutaree in Michigan who were accused of plotting to rise up against the government. A judge dismissed the charges, saying the government failed to prove the group had firm plans to launch attacks. The last successful federal sedition prosecution came 26 years ago, when Omar Abdel Rahman, also known as the blind sheikh, and nine others were convicted of plotting to blow up the United Nations, the FBI building and bridges and tunnels between New Jersey and New York, part of an effort to change U.S. policy toward the Middle East. Over the past year, the Justice Department has charged more than 700 people in connection with the Jan. 6 attack. The FBI is seeking to arrest more than 200 more. But some Democrats and lawyers say the department has been too cautious in pursuing more-serious charges, including against individuals who may not have been at the Capitol but may have organized or incited the violence. In a speech last week, Attorney General Merrick Garland urged his critics to be patient, noting that federal conspiracy investigations typically start with the lesser allegations and work their way toward graver charges. Aaron C. Davis, Rachel Weiner and Matt Zapotosky contributed to this report. GiftOutline Gift Article Placeholder while article actions load Judge allows lawsuit against Prince Andrew Wp Get the full experience. Choose your plan ArrowRight 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 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. Advertisement Andrew, 61, has vehemently denied the allegations in the lawsuit and has not been criminally charged. In the lawsuit, Giuffre alleges that the prince sexually abused 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. 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. Shayna Jacobs Justices toss GOP Statehouse maps The Ohio Supreme Court declared GOP-drawn legislative maps invalid on Wednesday, agreeing with voting rights advocates that the lines were unconstitutionally gerrymandered. Advertisement In a 4-to-3 ruling, the court sent the maps back to the Ohio Redistricting Commission to take another crack at complying with provisions of a 2015 constitutional amendment. That amendment requires that there be an attempt at avoiding partisan favoritism. Justices gave the panel 10 days and retained jurisdiction to review their handiwork. The dispute comes amid the process of redrawing legislative and congressional district maps that states must undertake once per decade to reflect changes from the U.S. Census. This was the powerful Redistricting Commissions first time drawing new legislative maps of 99 Ohio House and 33 Ohio Senate districts. Its members five Republicans and two Democrats failed to arrive at bipartisan consensus, so the map they approved Sept. 16 along party lines was set to last only four years, rather than 10 years. Advertisement Associated Press Army ups bonuses for recruits to $50,000 The U.S. Army, for the first time, is offering a maximum enlistment bonus of $50,000 to highly skilled recruits who join for six years as the service struggles to lure soldiers into certain critical jobs during the continuing pandemic. Maj. Gen. Kevin Vereen, head of Army Recruiting Command, told the Associated Press that shuttered schools and the competitive job market over the past year have posed significant challenges for recruiters. In the last two years, as the pandemic raged, many decided to stay in, lessening the pressure on recruiting to help keep the Army at its full strength of 485,000. Last years recruiting goal was 57,500, and Vereen said it will be about the same this year. To entice recruits, those who sign up for a six-year enlistment in one of several high-demand career fields can get bonuses that total as much as $50,000. Given the high standards, it will be difficult for many to qualify for the top bonus. Until now, the Army has offered a maximum bonus of $40,000. Associated Press GiftOutline Gift Article Placeholder while article actions load Democrats hopes of finally pushing through voting rights legislation after months of Republican opposition appeared to be fatally wounded Thursday as two Democratic senators announced they would not support changing Senate rules that have long allowed a minority of senators to block legislation. Wp Get the full experience. Choose your plan ArrowRight The fresh statements from Sens. Joe Manchin III (W.Va.) and Kyrsten Sinema (Ariz.) came as President Biden traveled to Capitol Hill to deliver a final, forceful appeal for action, putting an exclamation point on their partys long and so far fruitless effort to counter restrictive Republican-passed state voting laws. The trip was rendered futile before Biden even set foot in the presidential limousine Thursday when Sinema explained her views in a midday floor speech. Manchin issued a written statement outlining his position shortly after Biden left. Advertisement Leaving the room after a lunch meeting that stretched over an hour, Biden acknowledged doubts that the push for federal voting legislation would ultimately be successful. I hope we can get this done. The honest-to-God answer is, I dont know if we can get this done, he said. But one thing for certain, one thing for certain, like every other major civil rights bill that came along, if we miss the first time, we can come back and try a second time. 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 imminent failure of the voting effort was another blow to an administration that has been struggling to deal with a wave of new coronavirus infections, persistent high inflation and new foreign policy challenges abroad, including a potential Russian invasion of eastern Ukraine. Not long after Biden left Capitol Hill, the Supreme Court invalidated his national vaccine-or-testing mandate for private businesses. Advertisement Still, Democrats vowed to move forward with a floor confrontation in the coming days that threatens to bring their year-long quest to counter Republican-passed state voting restrictions to an especially frustrating end. In an apparent last-ditch attempt to salvage the effort, Manchin and Sinema traveled to the White House late Thursday for a private meeting with Biden. Afterward, a White House official who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the meeting called it a candid and respectful exchange of views about voting rights. But there appeared to be little hope that either Manchin or Sinema would reverse their long-standing public positions defending the filibuster, the Senates 60-vote supermajority rule, as a tool to facilitate bipartisan cooperation and guard against wild swings in federal policy. Advertisement While I continue to support these [voting] bills, I will not support separate actions that worsen the underlying disease of division infecting our country, Sinema said in her speech Thursday, adding that lawmakers must address the disease itself . . . to protect our democracy. The response requires something greater and, yes, more difficult than what the Senate is discussing today, she said. Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.) on Jan. 13 said that she would not support changing filibuster rules to pass voting rights legislation. (Video: The Washington Post) Manchin, in his statement, defended the filibusters important role in protecting our democracy from the transitory passions of the majority and respecting the input of the minority in the Senate. Ending the filibuster would be the easy way out, he said. I cannot support such a perilous course for this nation when elected leaders are sent to Washington to unite our country by putting politics and party aside. It is time we do the hard work to forge the difficult compromises that can stand the test of time and deliver on the promise of a brighter tomorrow for all Americans. Biden, a former six-term senator, delivered his closed-door pitch two days after he made a pointed public case for changing the filibuster to pass voting rights bills. Inside the room, Biden did not personally target the holdout senators, multiple attendees said, but rather made a high-minded pitch about the moral urgency of the moment while also drawing on his experience as a senator to lament the decline of an institution that has become increasingly riven by political polarization. Advertisement Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) said Bidens remarks were similar to his Tuesday speech in Atlanta, but it was probably a little bit heavier on, Hey guys, Ive been a senator for 36 years. I love this place. And I know when it is an important moment. He emphasized not only that history will be watching you, but that a lot of people dont have an opportunity to do something that will do so much good for so many at a time where its so necessary, Kaine said. Attendees said Manchin posed a question to Biden about the history of Senate rules, leading to a respectful back-and-forth. Sinema, according to multiple senators, did not address Biden or her colleagues. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.), who called the struggle to persuade Manchin and Sinema an uphill fight in interviews this week, laid out a plan Wednesday to bring two key voting rights bills to the Senate floor in the coming days, setting up a final showdown over the rules early next week. Advertisement Schumers plans to hold floor votes on the matter ahead of the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday were stymied, however, after Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) announced Thursday he had tested positive for the coronavirus, putting him into isolation for the time being, and winter storms were forecast for the weekend. The majority leader said late Thursday that the proceedings would begin next Tuesday, postponing the scheduled Senate recess. Speaking on the Senate floor Thursday morning, Schumer said Democrats had no choice but to move forward unilaterally after trying to secure GOP cooperation on voting rights for months. Every step of the way, weve been met with near total resistance, he said. I have said for months that just because Republicans have refused to work with us to protect voting rights does not mean Democrats would stop working to move forward on our own. The matter is simply too important. Advertisement Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), meanwhile, accused Democrats of focusing on the divisive and distracting issue of voting rights and Senate rules instead of more pressing challenges to the nations economy and security. Theres a path forward for my Democratic colleagues to respond to the country they have so badly disappointed, but it isnt to try to break the Senate and rewrite election laws, its to actually start tackling the issues that American families need tackled, he said. After Sinema spoke Wednesday, McConnell called her speech a conspicuous act of political courage, while other Republicans marveled at how Democrats brought the issue to a head knowing Sinemas long-standing views on the filibuster. Shes just expressing a frustration that they dont appear to be listening to her, said Senate Minority Whip John Thune (R-S.D.). Shes been clear. Shes been public from the beginning about this, and they seem to continue to think that somehow theyre going to switch her, and the more they do that, I think the more dug in shes gotten. Advertisement More than a half-dozen Republicans, including top leaders McConnell and Thune, watched Sinemas speech inside the Senate chamber, while only two Democrats opted to attend in person. Delivering the speech wearing purple, a symbol of Washington bipartisanship, Sinema said she wished there had been a more serious effort on the part of Democratic Party leaders to sit down with the other party and genuinely discuss how to reforge common ground on voting rights issues. But she also said Republicans have a duty to meet their shared responsibility to protect access to voting and the integrity of our electoral process. The suggestion that Democrats could have done more to win GOP support for voting bills rankled some Democratic senators, including some who had tried to negotiate a compromise over the course of last year to no avail. Advertisement Its important to emphasize that what [Republicans] blocked was our ability to even have a debate on the issue, said Sen. Raphael G. Warnock (D-Ga.), who faces a difficult reelection campaign this year in a state that was among the first to pass new voting restrictions. They are not serious. And it is unfortunate that politicians are choosing power over the principles of democracy. The confrontation has been nearly a year in the making, initially spurred by new voting laws passed by Republican state legislatures starting early last year that sought to scale back voting by mail, early voting, ballot drop boxes and other provisions that have made voting more convenient and accessible but became a central focus of former president Donald Trumps false claims that the 2020 presidential election was stolen. Civil rights groups with close ties to Democratic Party leaders have been especially forceful in calling for action, warning that the GOP state laws threaten to depress minority turnout and swing future elections. Heres what you need to know about the procedures complicated history meant to delay, delay, delay. (Video: Drea Cornejo/The Washington Post) Republican leaders in Washington have aggressively countered the push, arguing that the state laws are justified to restore faltering public confidence in elections and that the federal government has no role in dictating how states run their elections. In fact, the Constitution gives Congress wide latitude to regulate the conduct of federal elections, and the Senate has tried four times over the past year to pass voting rights bills. Each time, with one exception, Republicans banded together to block their advancement. (Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska voted to advance one bill, the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, in November.) The failed efforts have spurred rising interest among Democrats in changing the Senate rules to prevent future GOP blockades.While Manchin and Sinema have been closely involved in discussions with their colleagues about the Senate rules, they made no public indication that they would breach the 60-vote rule, which has been eroded over the years for executive nominations, budget legislation and other limited circumstances. Manchin this week told reporters that he was not willing to change the rules without GOP buy-in, and he again defended the importance of the supermajority threshold, saying senators need to be very cautious [about] what we do. Sinema has made clear she supports federal legislation on voting rights but has consistently expressed reservations about changing Senate rules to pass it a position that only solidified after she led a group that negotiated a bipartisan infrastructure bill this past summer. After she detailed her argument Thursday identifying widening political divisions as the crucial element threatening American democracy, several of her colleagues openly questioned her analysis and expressed fears that a failure to act urgently could permanently harm the nation. What is poisonous is taking away peoples right to vote, said Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.). Thats not a slippery slope that is a real slope to not having a functioning democracy. She believes that the risk of changing the filibuster is greater than the risk of whats going on in the states, said Sen. Angus King (I-Vt.). I hope profoundly that shes right. I fear that shes wrong. GiftOutline Gift Article A man and woman were taken into custody in connection with a bank robbery reported on Auburn's west side Wednesday afternoon. Officers from multiple law enforcement agencies responded to the report of a robbery at the KeyBank branch, 355 Genesee St. in Auburn, at 12:07 p.m. Auburn Police Chief James Slayton said a male suspect entered the bank and passed a note to a teller demanding money. A weapon was not shown. Slayton said he could not disclose if any money was turned over to the suspect. After the interaction inside the branch, the suspect then fled the building and headed east on foot. A short time later, the suspect was spotted getting into the passenger side of a white Ford Escape, and police put out an alert to be on the lookout for that vehicle, which was heading west. Information was gathered by responding officers and investigators, which included developing leads to possible suspects, the suspects' vehicle and the direction that they left the scene. New York State Police and the Cayuga County Sheriff's Office later executed a traffic stop on the vehicle on Route 90 in Aurora and took the two suspects into custody, Slayton said. Arrested for third degree robbery were Johann A. Bass, for entering the bank and stealing an undisclosed amount of cash, and Elizabeth A. Yoensky, for her alleged role as the driver. The defendants were processed and held pending arraignment. The chief said the investigation into the reported robbery is ongoing and if anyone has any information in regard to the robbery or the suspects, they can contact Detective Sean DeRosa at (315) 255-4706 or sderosa@auburnny.gov. Callers can remain anonymous. Love 3 Funny 6 Wow 10 Sad 3 Angry 16 Placeholder while article actions load The court has been supportive of state requirements targeting the pandemic but skeptical of broad federal responses. All six of the courts conservatives said Congress had not given the Occupational Safety and Health Administration power to impose such a sweeping requirement in workplaces across the nation. But Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. and Justice Brett M. Kavanaugh joined the courts three liberals to say the secretary of health and human services did have the ability to require vaccination of health-care workers at facilities receiving federal funds. Advertisement The courts orders, issued after an emergency hearing Friday, might seem like a split decision. But the OSHA vaccine-or-test requirement would have applied to 84 million people. The requirement for health-care workers covers about 10 million. On Jan. 13, the Supreme Court blocked the Biden administration from enforcing a vaccination-or-testing requirement for large employers. Heres what to know. (Video: Julie Yoon/The Washington Post) Approximately 63 percent of the country is fully vaccinated, according to estimates. The Biden administration had hoped the OSHA requirements would compel upward of an additional 20 million to get the shots and estimated there were more than 2 million holdouts among the health-care workers, distributed unevenly across the country. President Biden accentuated the news regarding health-care workers and said he was disappointed the court ruled against the administration on the workplace rules. The Court has ruled that my administration cannot use the authority granted to it by Congress to require this measure, but that does not stop me from using my voice as President to advocate for employers to do the right thing to protect Americans health and economy, Biden said in a statement. I call on business leaders to immediately join those who have already stepped up including one third of Fortune 100 companies and institute vaccination requirements to protect their workers, customers, and communities. In its unsigned order blocking the OSHA workplace rules, the court wrote that although the risks associated with the coronavirus occur in many workplaces, it is not an occupational hazard in most. Advertisement COVID-19 can and does spread at home, in schools, during sporting events, and everywhere else that people gather, the order says. That kind of universal risk is no different from the day-to-day dangers that all face from crime, air pollution, or any number of communicable diseases. Permitting OSHA to regulate the hazards of daily life simply because most Americans have jobs and face those same risks while on the clock would significantly expand OSHAs regulatory authority without clear congressional authorization. The opinion said OSHA might have more limited authority. Where the virus poses a special danger because of the particular features of an employees job or workplace, targeted regulations are plainly permissible, it said, mentioning those who work in particularly crowded or cramped environments. Joining Roberts and Kavanaugh in stopping the OSHA requirements were Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel A. Alito Jr., Neil M. Gorsuch and Amy Coney Barrett. Advertisement Thomas, Alito and Gorsuch went further, questioning exactly how much power Congress could give an agency. If federal law really did endow OSHA with the power it asserts, that law would likely constitute an unconstitutional delegation of legislative authority, Gorsuch wrote. The courts three liberals Justices Stephen G. Breyer, Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan issued a joint dissent withering in its criticism of the majority and defensive of OSHAs expertise and authority. Over the past two years, COVID-19 has affected indeed, transformed virtually every workforce and workplace in the Nation, they wrote, adding that employers and workers alike had responded to the special risks of transmission. It is perverse to read federal law as constraining OSHA from addressing one of the gravest workplace hazards in the agencys history, the dissent says. Advertisement The justices asked who should decide the protection American workers should receive: An agency with expertise in workplace health and safety, acting as Congress and the President authorized? Or a court, lacking any knowledge of how to safeguard workplaces, and insulated from responsibility for any damage it causes? The justices own workplace has been closed to the public for nearly two years because of the pandemic. All of them are vaccinated and have received booster shots, and all except Gorsuch have been wearing masks on the bench because of the particularly contagious omicron variant responsible for the most recent spike in cases and hospitalizations. The now-halted OSHA regulations would have required employers with at least 100 workers to require vaccinations of most workers, or implement a weekly testing regime along with masking. Advertisement Businesses and 27 Republican-led states asked the court to put the workplace requirements on hold. One federal appeals court said the rules could not go forward; another said OSHA had the authority. There was a similar battle over the requirements for health-care workers, which the Biden administrations initial forecast indicated would cover as many as 17 million workers. The requirement from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) mandated vaccination of critical health-care workers at facilities that receive funds from the agency, allowing for religious and medical exceptions. Objecting states said that the federal government did not have such a power and that it would mean workers would quit rather than comply at a time when their service is most needed. Courts had put the requirement on hold in about half of the states. Advertisement Roberts and Kavanaugh joined the three liberals in saying federal law in this case expressly gives the secretary of health and human services responsibility for protecting the safety of patients and controlling infectious diseases. Of course the vaccine mandate goes further than what the Secretary has done in the past to implement infection control, the five-member majority wrote in that unsigned order. But he has never had to address an infection problem of this scale and scope before. In any event, there can be no doubt that addressing infection problems in Medicare and Medicaid facilities is what he does. Thomas dissented, saying Congress did not expressly authorize the power to require vaccinations. These cases are not about the efficacy or importance of COVID-19 vaccines, he wrote, joined by Alito, Gorsuch and Barrett. They are only about whether CMS has the statutory authority to force healthcare workers, by coercing their employers, to undergo a medical procedure they do not want and cannot undo. Federal law grants OSHA authority to issue emergency rules for up to six months to protect employees exposed to grave danger from substances or agents determined to be toxic or physically harmful or from new hazards. Although Biden administration officials had once expressed doubt about their powers, they changed course in September, saying OSHA had not only the authority but also the responsibility to act. Advertisement The temporary rule would have given companies with 100 or more workers a choice: Mandate that all employees be vaccinated or require unvaccinated employees to provide weekly negative coronavirus test results and wear face coverings to work on-site. The rules were set to take effect Jan. 4, but OSHA pushed back the date in response to the litigation and said it would not immediately issue citations for those not in compliance. Soon after the administration announced the rules for private companies in November, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit blocked enforcement of the policy. Lawsuits emerged around the nation and were consolidated for review by a different court. A panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit dissolved the 5th Circuits stay, saying the rules could go into effect. Advertisement The states challenging the policy for health-care workers said the federal government did not have such coercive powers over the states. As a practical matter, they said, worker opposition to the vaccine would cost the facilities skilled employees. A panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit dismissed a request from Florida to stop the requirement. But a district judge in Missouri stopped the rules, and the 5th Circuit agreed with a challenge from Louisiana. In response to concerns about a shortage of health-care workers, the administration said the secretary of health and human services has given facilities some flexibility to meet the new requirements, including an additional 60 days to get employees fully vaccinated. The agency also said it will hold off on any enforcement action, as long as 90 percent of the workforce is vaccinated and the facility has a plan to immunize its remaining workers. The OSHA cases are National Federation of Independent Business v. Department of Labor and Ohio v. Department of Labor. The health-care worker cases are Biden v. Missouri and Becerra v. Louisiana. Ann E. Marimow contributed to this report. GiftOutline Gift Article Placeholder while article actions load A Texas judge ruled Wednesday that a top Republican congressional recruit must continue living away from her family home until after the March 1 primary, following a contentious court hearing with her estranged husband. Wp Get the full experience. Choose your plan ArrowRight Monica De La Cruz, who is backed by House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), testified that she had moved out of her Edinburg, Tex., home to an Airbnb rental last year, after her husband accused her in court papers of mistreating his teenage daughter and she told police he was trying to provoke her by making video recordings of her. A top recruit for her party with nearly $1 million in the bank, De La Cruz is running for the only open competitive seat in the state, the 15th District, which stretches north from the border city of McAllen to the eastern suburbs of San Antonio. She was endorsed last year as a Young Gun by McCarthy and this year as a Trailblazer candidate by the Congressional Leadership Fund, a super PAC tied to the leader endorsements whose monikers come with the promise of significant financial support. Advertisement Hidalgo County Judge Fernando Mancias ruled that De La Cruz would be able to take possession of the marital home starting on April 1, rejecting her husbands efforts to keep the house indefinitely. She told the court she hopes to return with her two children from a previous marriage, who have been staying with their father. I am grateful that the judge understood the facts and ruled in our favor, De La Cruz said in a statement to The Washington Post. I continue to ask for privacy for the minors involved. The ruling was the latest turn in an acrimonious separation process between De La Cruz and her husband, Johnny Hernandez, who have been married since 2015. De La Cruz in court denied the allegations of mistreatment, including her husbands assertion that she was verbally abusive and pinched his daughter to stop her from crying. Advertisement She also defended her own conduct in the face of text messages, introduced into the court record, in which she attacked Hernandezs daughter by name during a fight with him. I loved her and I accepted her into our home, De La Cruz said of the daughter during the Jan. 7 court hearing. I loved her as I did my other kids. Hernandez testified that she had been cold to his daughter for an extended period of time before the recent incidents. His daughter had been living for much of the last two years with her biological mother, Hernandez said in court. De La Cruz and Hernandezs relationship deteriorated in late August, when Hernandez took a trip to visit his daughter and at one point decided to drive his ex-wife to her home after she had been drinking, he testified. He later told De La Cruz that he wanted to bring his daughter back to Edinburg to live with them again. Advertisement Text messages from the time, which were introduced in court, showed that De La Cruz threatened to end the marriage when she found out that her husband had driven his ex-wife home while intoxicated. De La Cruz testified that she suspected Hernandez had been cheating on her with his ex-wife, both during and before their current marriage. I love my husband and I dont like him sleeping with his ex-wife, she told the court. Hernandez, in an interview, said he had not cheated on De La Cruz. His ex-wife, Marlies Vanewijck, also denied in an interview any relationship with Hernandez beyond their efforts to raise their daughter. She confirmed that she had drunk alcohol the night she got a ride from Hernandez. The text messages showed that De La Cruz threatened to end the marriage in August if Hernandez brought his daughter home, and directed a four-letter expletive at Hernandez, his ex-wife and their daughter. Advertisement She later repeated the vulgar message twice, referring to his daughter by name. The Washington Post is not disclosing her name because she is a minor. Not very congressional, her husband responded in the text message thread. You dont mean that about me and my daughter. I mean every word, De La Cruz shot back. After the August incident, relations between the couple remained combustible, court documents show. On Nov. 15, a week after De La Cruz was named a Young Gun, police were called to their home. De La Cruz told officers that Hernandez and his sister had been following her around the house and video recording her in an effort to instigate a rise out of her, according to the Edinburg Police Department report of the incident. The report said she told officers she felt afraid of him. Advertisement Hernandez, the report said, told police that he had recorded his wife because she appeared to be intoxicated. No charges were filed as a result of the incident. Both Hernandez and De La Cruz are now seeking a divorce. Hernandez said he had worked with his wife for years to get involved with local Republican politics, but that their separation has led to him being ostracized from local party officials. She has become so shortsighted with everything, Hernandez said in an interview. If it doesnt help her campaign, she doesnt care. She would rather not deal with it. De La Cruz ran against Rep. Vicente Gonzalez (D-Tex.) in the 2020 cycle, coming about three percentage points short of victory. Gonzalez has since announced that he will compete in 2022 in a neighboring congressional district, placing De La Cruz in contention for a key pickup opportunity for her party. Despite the support of national Republicans, De La Cruz will face a challenge in the GOP primary from Mauro Garza, an area business executive, and Ryan Krause, who ran against her in the primary in 2020. GiftOutline Gift Article Placeholder while article actions load The Republican National Committee is threatening to keep its partys presidential nominees from participating in debates sponsored by the Commission on Presidential Debates, the nonprofit organization that has hosted them for more than three decades. Wp Get the full experience. Choose your plan ArrowRight In a letter dated Thursday, RNC Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel wrote that Republican voters have lost faith in your organization. She also expressed frustration with the commissions unwillingness to adopt several commonsense changes that the RNC has advocated. Accordingly, the RNC will initiate the process of amending the Rules of the Republican Party at our upcoming Winter Meeting to prohibit future Republican nominees from participating in CPD-sponsored debates, McDaniel wrote in a letter first reported by the New York Times. In a statement, Frank J. Fahrenkopf, co-chairman of the debates commission, noted that his organization has dealt directly with the candidates for president and vice president who qualify for general-election debates, not their party organizations. Advertisement The CPDs plans for 2024 will be based on fairness, neutrality and a firm commitment to help the American public learn about the candidates and the issues, Fahrenkopf said. In an interview, Fahrenkopf called the meetings with the RNC cordial but said the committee wanted to control things we arent prepared to let them control. He said the Democratic National Committee had not made any similar demands. In a separate letter sent to the RNC in December, the commission said it would consider an earlier-scheduled debate because of early voting, but rejected RNC suggestions that it should have a representative at the organizations board meetings and have more influence on picking moderators. The commission also said it did not control the personal political activities of its members but would attempt to continue to be nonpartisan. Republicans have previously accused the Washington-based commission of bias. During the 2020 cycle, President Donald Trump complained vociferously about the commission, at one point tweeting that it was stacked with Trump Haters & Never Trumpers. Advertisement Trump for months considered not participating in debates, although he was ultimately won over by the national television ratings and his belief that he could embarrass then-Democratic nominee Joe Biden onstage, people close to him said. In the 2024 cycle, the RNC could force Republican candidates to pledge before participating in primary debates which the commission does not sponsor that they would not participate in a commission-led general-election debate. But eventually, as Fahrenkopf noted, the candidate and not the party organization would decide whether to participate in the debate. In her letter, McDaniel pressed several arguments about the commissions perceived bias, saying it was a glaring conflict of interest that one of the moderators it tapped in 2020 had once worked for the Democratic nominee. Advertisement She was referring to Steve Scully of C-SPAN, who was an intern for Biden for one month in 1978, when Biden was a senator from Delaware, according to a biography published by George Washington University. The debate Scully was scheduled to moderate wound up being canceled after Trump objected to holding it virtually because of coronavirus concerns. In the letter, McDaniel also renewed an RNC objection that the first presidential debate in 2020 did not take place until after early voting had begun in several states. And she accused the commission of making unilateral changes to previously agreed-upon debate formats and conditions. The RNCs concerns strike at the core of whether the CPD credibly can provide a fair and impartial forum for presidential debates, McDaniel wrote. Asked about the RNCs plans, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Biden has participated in many debates over the course of his career and believes they play a role in allowing the American people to hear from candidates and where they stand. So I think its more . . . a question best posed to the RNC on what theyre so afraid of. The Commission on Presidential Debates was established in 1987 and has hosted general-election debates every cycle since 1988. GiftOutline Gift Article Placeholder while article actions load The Senate on Thursday rejected a bill sponsored by Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Tex.) that would impose sanctions on those responsible for the construction of a new Russia-to-Germany natural gas pipeline. The bills failure amounts to an endorsement of President Bidens approach to countering Russian President Vladimir Putins expanding influence in Europe. The new pipeline, Nord Stream 2, is entirely owned by Russian energy company Gazprom, a majority of which is owned by the Russian government. The pipeline has already been completed but is not yet running because it has not received German regulatory approval. The White House said Thursday it strongly opposed Cruzs measure, which it argued would only serve to undermine unity amongst our European allies at a crucial moment when we need to present a unified front in response to Russian threats against Ukraine. Advertisement The Administration does not believe this bill is a genuine effort to counter Russian aggression or protect Ukraine, the White House said in a statement. Cruzs legislation garnered support from 55 senators, short of the 60 votes necessary for passage. Democratic leaders, with the backing of the White House, proposed a competing package of sanctions Wednesday in a bid to tamp down potential defections. Despite the measures failure, Cruz said the large bipartisan majority that backed it had sent a message to the Biden administration with Thursdays vote. President Biden should listen to the Senate and to the people and government of Ukraine, and reverse his catastrophic decision to grant Russia waivers from congressionally mandated sanctions, he said in a statement. The Cruz measure called for Biden to impose sanctions on entities responsible for the planning, construction, or operation of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline and their corporate officers within 15 days. The president would have been able to lift the sanctions for national security purposes with congressional approval. Advertisement Thursdays developments took place after a deal hammered out last month that unlocked confirmations for a slew of ambassador picks in exchange for a floor vote on Cruzs bill. Proponents of the legislation argued that it is a means of opposing Russian aggression, with Cruz on Thursday calling Nord Stream 2 the pipeline that Putin built so he can invade Ukraine. Putin sees Nord Stream 2 as an alternate route to get his gas to Europe that Ukraine cannot touch, and so he has moved to complete what he couldnt do in 2014, Cruz said in remarks on the Senate floor, referring to Russias annexation of Crimea from Ukraine that year. A vote against the legislation, Cruz added, would effectively give a green light to Putin. Opponents have argued that it is necessary to retain the threat of sanctions without yet enacting them in order to deter Putin from invading Ukraine in the future. If the United States moves unilaterally and prematurely, Sen. Robert Menendez (D-N.J.) argued Thursday, it could have the opposite effect and might even be the excuse Putin is looking for right now. Advertisement Right now, we have a new German government that has blocked the pipeline from moving forward, Menendez, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said on the Senate floor. Right now, that German government is a productive partner with us on this critical issue. They are where we need them to be working to coerce Putin not to re-invade Ukraine, making clear that if Putin advances into Ukraine, there will be no Nord Stream. That is where we need the German government to be, he said. Ahead of Thursdays vote, Menendez, Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) and other senior Democratic senators unveiled competing legislation that would sanction Putin if he invades Ukraine. We engaged in some pretty quick education amongst our colleagues to explain how circumstances had changed in particular with this new German government, Murphy told reporters as the Senate was on the verge of defeating the bill. With a handful of colleagues, we ran out of time, but Im glad 85 percent of the Democratic caucus showed solidarity with the president. I think thats significant. Advertisement The Democratic-led effort is backed by the White House. It 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 target companies in Russia that offer secure messaging systems such as SWIFT, which banks use to exchange key information with other financial institutions. 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 Washington Post on Wednesday 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 pushed by Cruz, will not counter further Russian aggression or protect Ukraine. Advertisement Even so, some Democrats remained unconvinced. Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), who voted for Cruzs measure, said in a statement Thursday that she supports both the Texas Republicans plan and the White House-backed proposal because the United States must do whatever is in our power to prevent this pipeline project from coming online. As Vladimir Putin escalates his provocative aggression toward Ukraine, we must stand firm and hold the Kremlin accountable for their past actions and develop tools to deter future aggression, Baldwin said. The other Democrats who voted with Republicans to impose the Nord Stream 2 sanctions were Sens. Catherine Cortez Masto (Nev.), Maggie Hassan (N.H.), Mark Kelly (Ariz.), Jacky Rosen (Nev.) and Raphael G. Warnock (Ga.). In its statement Thursday, the White House said the Biden administration has been clear with our allies that Nord Stream 2 is a harmful Russian geopolitical project that is a bad deal for Ukraine and a bad deal for Europe. The Administration strongly believes any new sanctions authority should allow us to impose maximal costs on Russia if it further invades Ukraine, in a manner that would preserve Transatlantic unity, it said, adding that Cruzs legislation does not do that. Sammy Westfall contributed to this report. GiftOutline Gift Article New York state prisons have adopted a testing mandate for visitors as COVID-19 cases surge over the winter. The state Department of Corrections and Community Supervision is requiring all visitors ages 2 and older, regardless of their vaccination status, to be tested before entry into a correctional facility. DOCCS will issue home test kits to visitors, who must leave the facility to test themselves. If the test is negative, they must present the test to an officer to complete processing. The new policy took effect on Tuesday. DOCCS advised visitors who are traveling to a prison by bus to be tested before their trip. Even if they are tested in advance, they will still be required to take a test when they arrive at the correctional facility. The testing mandate will allow DOCCS to continue visitation. In the past when there were increases in COVID-19 cases, the department suspended visitation throughout its system or at select facilities affected by outbreaks. "As we continue to monitor the effects of COVID-19 within our institutions and in the outside communities, particularly with the omicron variant, we are seeing an unprecedented increase in the positivity rate across New York state," DOCCS wrote on its website. "Our greatest concern continues to be the safety and well-being of our employees and those individuals within our care, custody and supervision, particularly during this public health emergency." There have been other changes to visitation policies in response to the COVID-19 surge. Visiting rooms are operating at 50% capacity and masks are required during visits. Incarcerated individuals may have two weekend visits a month and weekday visitation is still in effect at maximum-security facilities. Visits will be limited to three adults and one child under age 5. Any incarcerated individuals who are in isolation or quarantine will not be allowed to have visitors. According to data provided by DOCCS, there have been 2,007 new positive cases among the statewide incarcerated population since Dec. 1. Locally, Cayuga Correctional Facility a medium-security prison reported 54 new cases during that time period, while Auburn Correctional Facility, a maximum-security prison, had 15 new cases. There have been six COVID-19 deaths in state prisons in the last 40 days, according to the department. Since the pandemic began, 41 incarcerated individuals and 17 DOCCS employees have died of COVID-19. Online producer Robert Harding can be reached at (315) 282-2220 or robert.harding@lee.net. Follow him on Twitter @robertharding. Concerned about COVID-19? Sign up now to get the most recent coronavirus headlines and other important local and national news sent to your email inbox daily. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Trusted local news has never been more important, but providing the information you need, information that can change sometimes minute-by-minute, requires a partnership with you, our readers. Please consider making a contribution today to support this vital resource that you and countless others depend on. U.S. Rep. John Katko is seeking the reauthorization of a federal program to assist police departments and a change that would help law enforcement agencies in rural areas access the funding. Katko, R-Camillus, has introduced legislation to renew the Community Oriented Policing Services program for 10 years through 2031. The program is administered by the U.S. Department of Justice. Since the creation of the department's COPS office in 1994, it has provided more than $14 billion to support police departments. While the bill would reauthorize the program for the next decade, it would also update it to ensure that rural police departments can obtain grants for hiring police officers. Katko explained that this funding can be used to increase wages for police officers. "Since the COPS program was launched, local police departments have received funding to bolster training, purchase life-saving protective equipment, and expand community policing initiatives," said Katko, who is the ranking member of the House Homeland Security Committee. "As a former organized crime prosecutor, I worked alongside police officers and saw firsthand the good the COPS program does. It is vital to keeping our police officers and the communities they serve safe." Katko introduced the bill with two other members of Congress, U.S. Rep. Tom Rice, a South Carolina Republican, and U.S. Rep. Abigail Spanberger, a Virginia Democrat. The reauthorization of the COPS program is supported by several national law enforcement organizations, including the Fraternal Order of Police and the International Association of Chiefs of Police. It also has been endorsed by two of the top law enforcement officials in central New York. Onondaga County Sheriff Eugene Conway and Syracuse Police Chief Kenton Buckner issued statements in support of Katko's bill. Buckner noted that Syracuse has benefited from the COPS program the city has used the funding to hire and train police officers. Conway added that the need for the program is "critical now and going forward." "As someone who has worked at the village, town and county level of policing in this community, the COPS program has been the most beneficial program at the federal level that supports law enforcement," Conway added. "Less funding for police departments is not the answer at this time, as we are being called upon to service calls well beyond normal expectations." Online producer Robert Harding can be reached at (315) 282-2220 or robert.harding@lee.net. Follow him on Twitter @robertharding. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. 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. 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. 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. London: The World Health Organisation (WHO) on Wednesday said vaccination status should not be used to disqualify people from travelling internationally and governments should only use vaccine mandates as a last resort. The comments came in response to questions from The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age about the ongoing row surrounding worlds No.1 mens tennis player Novak Djokovic. The World Health Organisation has cautioned against the use of vaccine mandates. Credit:AP Only vaccinated people are currently eligible to enter Australia after the countrys border reopened on a limited basis late last year. A few hotel quarantine spaces are maintained for the non-vaccinated and those given exemptions. Australia and other jurisdictions around the world have also introduced vaccine passports or apps to allow entry to major events, restaurants and other facilities. They are also now required for workers in some professions. Salisbury, MD (21801) Today Mostly cloudy skies this morning will become partly cloudy this afternoon. 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 50%. The village of Cayuga has accepted a $126,000 purchase offer from a real estate company to buy a recreation center built in honor of veterans in the 1940s. At a meeting Wednesday night, the village Board of Trustees approved a resolution to accept the purchase of Cayuga Memorial Hall from Gemcole Properties Inc. for $126,000. The hall, on 6200 Center St., has been used as a recreational center. According to Cayuga County property records, the two-story building was built in 1945 and currently has a total market value of $149,259. After the meeting, Deputy Mayor Don Wilson Jr. said Gemcole a real estate development and management business out of Manchester intends to renovate the memorial hall into four to six apartments. Before the meeting started, Mayor William Sherman said village residents fundraised for the construction of the building as a memorial to veterans. Sherman said diminished use, maintenance costs and other factors caused the village to deem the building as "surplus," with the village starting the process of getting the building up for sale around a year ago. Shortly after the meeting started, the board moved to go into executive session to discuss three purchase offers for the building, with the assistance of real estate agent Nate Krause. About 30 minutes later, the board returned to public session and Trustee Shane Ellis made a motion to accept the offer from Gemcole. Wilson seconded the motion and the resolution was approved. After the meeting, Wilson expressed mixed feelings on the purchase. "As a kid who grew up here, we're losing the rec center that we all used," he said. "But at the same time, it's a good feeling, too, to know that we're going to take that burden out of what we have for our village budget." A pamphlet from 2019 about the board seeking public comment on the hall's future said the building didn't meet American Disabilities Act accessibility requirements for a public building. The scope of the needed work was studied by an architect, "and the total price tag that we received was $508,780," the pamphlet said, noting the review was done in 2018. While the building is still used as a recreational center, Wilson noted it is used by the village about two days a week for about four months a year, saying the use does not justify the cost of maintaining it. He said having the building privately owned will bring new property tax revenue to the village, and the village won't have to pay electricity and other expenses. The building's gym and recreation room is also currently used by John Paul II Academy, a Catholic-based institution for pre-kindergarten to eighth grade that operates across the street at 6201 Center St. Wilson said the school knows "in our contract, that this is happening." Staff writer Kelly Rocheleau can be reached at (315) 282-2243 or kelly.rocheleau@lee.net. Follow him on Twitter @KellyRocheleau. Love 0 Funny 1 Wow 0 Sad 3 Angry 0 Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. House panel advances bill giving benefits to families of Kentucky first responders who die from COVID-19 The Jefferson County Circuit Court Clerk issued its last driver's license at Bowman Field on Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2022. Kentuckians will now visit any KYTC Driver Licensing Regional Office in the state for licenses. (WDRB photo) Two Kentucky lawmakers have filed a bill that proposes expanding non-public school tuition assistance to all Kentucky counties. (WDRB/file) Kentucky Republican activist Larry Forgy speaks out against casinos in the state's racetracks, during a press conference Thursday Feb. 9, 2012 at the Capitol in Frankfort, Ky. (AP Photo/John Flavell) With Gasgoo Daily, we will offer daily important automotive news in China. For those we have reported, the title of the piece will include a hyperlink, which will provide detailed information. BYD wins the bid for lithium extraction project in Chile Chile has awarded a lithium extraction contract to China's BYD Chile and Chile's Servicios y Operaciones Mineras del Norte, according to the country minerals ministry. The two companies would be awarded the right to extract 80,000 tonnes of lithium each. BYD bid $61 million for its lot, while Mineras del Norte bid $60 million. Four new variants of GAC Toyota's Wildlander hit market GAC Toyota recently started selling four new variants of the Wildlander SUV, which were priced from 200,800 yuan ($31,570) to 243,800 yuan ($38,330). Presale of 2022 BYD Song MAX DM-i to begin on Jan.15 The BYD Song MAX DM-i will become available for presale from Jan. 15. The model will carry a DM-i plug-in hybrid electric system composed of a 1.5-liter naturally aspirated engine and a permanent magnet synchronous motor that churns out up to 145kW. Production at Toyota Motor's Tianjin plant still suspended on Jan.13 Production at Toyota Motor's Tianjin plant was still halted on Thursday, according to a local media outlet CATL forges strategic partnership with China Merchants Group CATL announced on Wednesday it has formed strategic cooperation with China Merchants Group on areas like technology innovation, green transportation, integrated finance, and green industrial park. Gotion High-Tech wins bid for Huaibei-based energy storage power station project A consortium of Hefei Gotion High-Tech Power Energy Co.,Ltd. (Hefei Gotion) and Southwest Electric Power Design Institute Co.,Ltd. have won the bidding for implementing the project of Huaibei Wanneng energy storage power stations 1st phase, said Gotion High-Tech, the parent of Hefei Gotion. Restructuring application of Renault Brilliance Jinbei Auto accepted by court The restructuring application of Renault Brilliance Jinbei Automotive Company Limited (hereinafter referred to as "RBJC") was accepted by the Shenyang Intermediate People's Court on Jan. 12th, according to an announcement released by RBJC's parent, the HK-listed Brilliance China Automotive Holdings Limited (called the Company or Brilliance China for short). CATL applies for patent registration for anode-free metal battery tech CATL has deployed anode-free metal battery technology and filed relevant patent application, according to a local media outlet. The material design and core techniques about the technology are likely to be used for the company's next-generation sodium-ion battery. Chinese luxury EV brand HiPhi sells 4,237 vehicles in 2021 Human Horizons, the Chinese startup owning the luxury EV brand HiPhi, announced on Wednesday the monthly sales of the HiPhi X, the brand's only production model for sales, hit new highs of 919 units in Dec. 2021, jumping 20.4% from the previous month. CATL, BYD make up 68.3% of China's 2021 installed power battery capacity In December 2021, China's power battery outputs reached 31.6GWh, soaring 109% year on year, while also growing 12% month on month, according to the China Automotive Power Battery Industry Innovation Alliance (CAPBIIA). WSU Honors Martin Luther King, Jr. Legacy with Community Event January 13, 2022 OGDEN, Utah Weber State University will honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with an event focused on his dream of a Beloved Community. The Office of Diversity will host Marion Howe-Taylor and Amy McDonald, co-creators of the film Beloved Community Project, for a virtual screening and panel presentation Jan. 19 from 6-7:30 p.m. Their film focuses on the Beloved Community, an idea shared by King, which encourages the creation of justice for all people through methods of nonviolence, and educates others to minimize misunderstandings and recognize common humanity. The film presents these ideas while covering locally relevant global issues and asking what we can do individually to change. For Dr. King, the Beloved Community was not a lofty utopian goal, explained Adrienne Andrews, WSU assistant vice president for diversity. Instead, the Beloved Community is a realistic, achievable goal that can be attained by a critical mass of people committed to and trained in the philosophy and methods of nonviolence. A question and answer session with Howe-Taylor and McDonald will follow the screening. To view the film or a trailer in advance, visit the Brolly Arts website at this link The campus community is invited to participate by registering at this link. Visit weber.edu/wsutoday for more news about Weber State University. LOS ANGELES BongaCams on Thursday announced it has joined forces with EuroLive.com. "When two websites of such a scale join their forces, it opens inspiring perspectives: thousands of new models, lots of additional features and bonuses, higher traffic and conversion rate!" said a BongaCams rep. Created in 2006, EuroLive.com is one of the first sources in the history of the webcam industry, according to BongaCams. EuroLive is especially popular with French-speaking audiences. With the move, EuroLive.com marks a new milestone in website development and opens lots of additional opportunities not only for the members, but also for webcam models, studios, and webmasters across the globe! 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This year as BongaCams celebrates its 10th anniversary it has placed a focus on ongoing development and creating the most comfortable conditions for members, while offering the models the best income opportunities. 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. 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 Lynn Freeman shot herself shortly after Flagstaff police and a behavioral health technician from Terros Health left her at home with a gun in 2017. Her family says both the city and the mobile crisis response provider are liable for Freemans death. A 2017 complaint filed by Freemans mother, Georgia Terry, against the City of Flagstaff and Terros Health claimed police officers failed to protect the woman, knowingly leaving the 54-year-old woman intoxicated in her home with access to a gun after she told police she was suicidal. The officers dispatched a Terros Health behavioral health technician to respond, but the tech left about 30 minutes later after they failed to convince Freeman to open up to them, the complaint alleged. After nearly four years, the Flagstaff City Council approved the settlement with Freemans family for $50,000 in December. Jason Bliss, the attorney for Terry, confirmed Terros settled for a separate, undisclosed amount. All parties involved declined to comment on the settlement. Bliss said neither he nor Terry could comment as they signed a confidentiality agreement as part of the settlement. Sarah Langley, interim public affairs director for the City of Flagstaff, declined to comment as the city generally does not comment on litigation or settlements. A spokesperson for Terros confirmed they have been working with all parties involved, but couldnt provide any additional details due to patient privacy laws and provider-patient confidentiality. The settlement comes just months after the Flagstaff City Council approved a $2.5 million contract with Terros Health to develop and employ an alternate response mobile unit in the city. When questioned if the settlement will have any impact on the contract, Langley said the city has many contracts with providers of multiple services, and the alternative response agreement with Terros is such a contract; contracts exist separate and apart from litigation. The partnership is expected to start in early 2022. Family: The City failed her. Flagstaff police were dispatched to Freemans home on the night of March 21, 2017, after Freemans sister alerted authorities that she received an alarming text message that she intended to harm herself, the complaint detailed. Freemans sister told the dispatcher her sister had a history of suicide attempts. Freeman was drinking alcohol, crying and requesting help, according to court documents. She was experiencing a mental health crisis after receiving divorce papers from her estranged husband. He was at the home when police responded and told officers there was a shotgun in the home, but he was unsure if Freeman knew that. According to the complaint, Freeman told the officers, I do want to kill myself, so you might want to take me in. She allegedly did not respond when questioned whether she had a weapon in the room and the officers did not ask again. The officers statements included in the police report indicate they might not have properly heard her. They did not transport her to a hospital or behavioral health facility, but instead requested the help of Terros. The local behavioral health provider was contracted to provide crisis intervention services and a technician arrived shortly after. The complaint alleges that the officers did not inform Terros of Freemans past suicide attempts or the other risk factors. The technician allegedly didnt request any information either. The officers left shortly after as the technician told them they were no longer needed, the court documents detailed. The complaint alleges that the technician spent approximately 30 minutes with Freeman before leaving the woman alone with her estranged husband and access to a weapon, alcohol and prescription pills. The tech said they would follow up by phone the next morning. Freeman and her estranged husband began arguing almost immediately after the tech left, according to the complaint. Freeman then returned to the bedroom, where she got a gun and reemerged to shoot herself in front of him. Freeman died later that night, leaving behind her adult son and family. Her organs and tissue were donated. She had recently put a down payment on a new home and told friends and family she was looking forward to starting fresh. The notice of claim alleges that the citys negligence in failing to protect Freeman and properly train its officers to interact with a person experiencing a mental health crisis, along with the responding behavioral health personnel, resulted in her death. Lynn needed help getting through one short crisis in her life. She asked for help. The City failed her. Her family will forever pay the price, a representative for the family wrote in the notice of claim. If you are having thoughts of suicide, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 (TALK). Reporter Bree Burkitt can be reached at 928-556-2250 or bburkitt@azdailysun.com. Love 0 Funny 6 Wow 0 Sad 6 Angry 1 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. The views expressed by public comments are not those of this company or its affiliated companies. Please note by clicking on "Post" you acknowledge that you have read the TERMS OF USE and the comment you are posting is in compliance with such terms. Your comments may be used on air. Be polite. Inappropriate posts or posts containing offsite links, images, GIFs, inappropriate language, or memes may be removed by the moderator. Job listings and similar posts are likely automated SPAM messages from Facebook and are not placed by WFMZ-TV. In January, Northern Arizona Healthcare (NAH) plans to host two virtual public participation meetings about its planned development of a new Flagstaff Medical Center (FMC) campus. The mandatory meetings, one held Jan. 6 and the other set for Tuesday, are the first phase of the citys approval process. Afterwards, NAH plans to distribute a summary of both meetings to nearby residents while continuing to work on planning the campus. The next stage of getting the project approved is a presentation to the Planning and Zoning Commission and the Flagstaff City Council -- which has not yet been scheduled. At the first meeting, some of the project's leaders discussed details of their plans for the new campus and responded to community feedback and questions. The new location will include a health and wellness village in addition to the new hospital and ambulatory care center (ACC) that NAH plans to build for FMC. What we're envisioning is a healthy lifestyle destination, not only for the City of Flagstaff, but our region as a whole," said NAH's Chief Operations Officer Josh Tinkle. "That has emphasis on wellness, innovation, virtual care, and continuing to retain and keep the local healthcare that we have here right in northern Arizona. We want the hospital and ambulatory clinic to be an anchor for the site, but we do not want it to be the primary focus." The primary reason for the new campus is that FMCs location does not have enough room to adequately provide the care it needs to and that the location doesnt offer the option for expansion. Two major streets run through the current campus, for example. Most of FMCs current campus was built in the 1980s, according to a timeline included in the presentation. The typical shelf life for hospitals here in Arizona is typically somewhere in that 30- to 50-year time frame, said Steve Eiss, vice president of real estate and development. Some of the major healthcare expansions in the Valley over the last decade were all to replace buildings that were originally constructed in the early 70s and 80s. The real typical reason behind that has to do with just an inadequate size for what we need these days to make sure we have things like proper ventilation, new medical technologies and to provide current staffing efficiencies. He also said the hospital's current patient bed space was smaller than standards nationwide. FMC has around 1,700 square feet per bed currently, compared to a current national average of 2,300 -- which is predicted to be 2,500 by the end of the new campuss projected development. We're more than 25 percent smaller than contemporary benchmarks and even smaller than that when we look into future casting what healthcare's going to be -- and again, the primary drivers of that are updated codes, increasing the size of operating rooms and patients along with necessary space for the infrastructure and proper ventilation," he said. Other changes that will require additional space are updating technology and adding an ACC and parking spaces (though COVID restrictions provide temporary mitigation, Eiss said the campus is currently short about 500 spaces, 1,000 if they were to add an ACC to the original site). The presentation also outlined a broad timeline for the projects other phases of development, though Eiss noted that this is more a best guess than anything set in stone. The hospital and ACC will be built first, on a 55-acre parcel that will include 22 acres of ponderosa pine forest. This wellness retreat area will be a buffer between the hospital and property to the west (which is likely to become a residential area) in addition to giving connection to the current forest and Fort Tuthill County Park. NAH is asking for an exception to Flagstaffs height requirements for part of the hospital building. About 15% of the new hospital building will be over 80 feet, with a height of 150 feet being the tallest section listed. Eiss said half of the building will be 60 feet or less in height. The reason for this request has to do with patient transport. NAH plans to have the first two floors of the hospital building be diagnostic and treatment areas, with inpatient rooms directly above, taking up most of the tallest part. Although that might sound counterintuitive to some people, the most efficient way to design a hospital for not only staff efficiency but patient efficiency to get to places like the OR [operating room] or imaging in case of an emergency is to bring them directly down vertically, Eiss said. After the completion of the hospital and ACC (by 2027, according to the presentation), the development will take place in three phases, planned to be completed in 2040. Phase 2 (2025-2030) includes a hotel and grocery store along with restaurants and retail, which will also be included in phase 3 (2027-2035), along with a conference center and clinical partnerships. The final phase (planned for 2030-2040), will include a research and development and incubator space. Also included in the presentation were a few images depicting potential uses for the current FMC campus, though plans had not yet been decided. These are based on analysis of peer facilities around the country, hospitals in smaller areas that have closed in the last decade and the things that have replaced them. Some themes they found that could be used as options include using the space for housing, senior living, memory care or a community gathering space. As with the health and wellness village, small scale commercial mixed-use retail" was also an option. NAH is committed to ensuring that the redevelopment is in the best interests of the community, Eiss said. ...We tried to show what a few mixes of those would be. We can take the existing campus we have and existing water and power and sewer infrastructure that is unlike most properties in the City of Flagstaff and while we dont have adequate parking for our healthcare facility currently, we do have quite a bit of parking as it relates to other types of uses. Redevelopment plans are far from finalized and the work isnt expected to begin until 2028. The presentation also addressed some of the feedback NAH had received on the project so far, both supportive and critical. The organization has held more than 50 community meetings on the project so far, Eiss said. NAH has submitted an economic development plan to the City of Flagstaff. Once the project is complete, it expects to see a $389 million annual positive impact on the city. It also expects to bring new clinical services and better access to care for northern Arizona residents, through things like additional oncology and rehabilitation services and decreased emergency department wait times. The projects traffic impact analysis has been submitted to the city and is currently under review. Eiss said the new location will be easier to access for the majority of patients, 60% of whom are not Flagstaff residents. He also said that, despite concerns, it was likely that Beulah would need to be widened to four lanes with new traffic signals to accommodate the additional traffic. NAH is continuing to work with Mountain Line and other development partners to bring public transportation to the area around the new campus, according to Eiss. The next public participation meeting for this project will take place virtually on Tuesday. Additional project details, links to the meeting and ways to give feedback can be found at nahealth.com/expansion. Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 2 Angry 23 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Thank you for reading the Herald-Whig You have reached our free-content limit. If you are a current subscriber, please log in to continue viewing content or purchase a subscription by clicking the Subscribe button below. Thank you for supporting independent Journalism. Administrative Officer, Buenos Aires, Argentina Organization: UNICEF - United Nations Childrens Fund Country: Argentina City: Buenos Aires Office: UNICEF Buenos Aires, Argentina Grade: NO-A Closing date: Monday, 24 January 2022 Administrative Officer (NO-A), Buenos Aires, Argentina #00110988 (Only National Candidates) Job no: 547464 Position type: Fixed Term Appointment Location: Argentina Division/Equivalent: Latin America and Caribbean Regional Off School/Unit: Argentina Department/Office: Buenos Aires, Argentina Categories: Finance and Administration UNICEF works in some of the worlds toughest places, to reach the worlds most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential. Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone. And we never give up. For every child, Care How can you make a difference? Main Accountabilities and Key End Results: 1. Appropriate interpretation and application of administrative policy and procedures are timely implemented to support operations at the country and sub-country levels. 2. The budget preparation and implementation are properly administered, monitored and controlled in the area of administrative management and services. 3. Management and operations of delivery and improvement in administrative support services are timely and effectively provided, and security arrangements are well established for enhanced safety and security. 4. Property management of administrative supplies, office equipment, vehicles and other properties are effectively performed. 5. All administrative transactions and arrangements of contracts satisfy the requirements as stipulated and are in compliance with the applicable policies, procedures, rules and regulations. 6. Staff capacity is enhanced through active staff learning/development programmes in the area of administrative management and services. 7. Effective working relations are maintained with other agencies, local authorities and implementing partners. UNDG administrative harmonized policies and processes including on joint offices, commons premises and common services are effectively implemented 8. Any other assigned administrative management responsibilities and services are effectively carried out and delivered To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have Qualifications and Competencies: Education: University degree in social sciences, business management, administration, finance or any other relevant field of discipline. Work Experience: One year of relevant professional work experience with both national and International work experience in office management, administration, finance, accounting, ICT, human resources, supply or any other relevant function. Work experience in emergency duty station. Language: Proficiency Fluency in English and another UN language. For every Child, you demonstrate UNICEFs values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA). The UNICEF core competencies required for this post are: Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness (1), Works Collaboratively with others (1), Builds and Maintains Partnerships (1), Innovates and Embraces Change (1), Thinks and Acts Strategically (1),Drive to achieve impactful results (1), Manages ambiguity and complexity (1) Functional competencies: Analyzing (L1), Applying Technical Expertise (L2), Following Instructions and Procedures (L2), Planning and Organizing (L2) Technical Knowledge: a) Specific Technical Knowledge Required (for the job) (Technical knowledge requirements specific to the job can be added here as required.): Administrative service management functions of the job as required in the context of the country situations and conditions of service; UNICEF administrative service managements policies, procedures and guidelines in the manual as relevant, in the context of the country situations and conditions of work; UNICEF Mid-Term Strategic Plan (MTSP) as it relates to administrative service management in the context of the country situations and conditions of service b) Common Technical Knowledge Required (for the job group): Principles of office management, operations management, programme management and administration; Administrative service managements goals, visions, positions, policies, and strategies; Information and Communication Technology administration; Supply operations, logistics and purchasing administration; Rights-based and Results-based management and programming approach in UNICEF; UNICEF emergency programme policies, goals, strategies, approaches and procedures; Gender equality and diversity awareness c) Technical Knowledge to be Acquired/Enhanced (for the Job); UN policies and strategy to address issues in harmonization of administrative service management and operations in the common system; UNICEF positions about UN common approaches to administrative service management and operations issues; UN security guidelines; Government regulations and laws in the locality pertinent to administrative service management and operations; UNICEF strategic framework for partnerships and collaborative relationships To view our competency framework, please visit here. UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization. UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check. Remarks: Click here to view complete Job Profile: ARG 19010 JP Administrative Services Officer NOA.pdf Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. Advertised: Jan 05 2022 Argentina Standard Time Application close: Jan 23 2022 Argentina Standard Time Link to the organizations job offer: https://unjobs.org/vacancies/1641413730388 Williamson, WV (25661) 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 88F. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Variably cloudy with scattered thunderstorms. Low around 65F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%. Reliable and accurate information are of the utmost importance. Here are trusted resources for updates on COVID-19. You can follow Centers for Disease Controll on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Flickr, and LinkedIn. You can follow World Health Organization on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. You can follow Health and Human Services on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. For updates on the status of COVID-19, you can also follow updates online from the Centers for Disease Control, World Health Organization, or sign up to receive their email updates. Willmar, MN (56201) Today A mix of clouds and sun. High near 55F. Winds NE at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Partly to mostly cloudy. Low 36F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph. Winchester, VA (22601) Today Partly cloudy skies this morning will become overcast during the afternoon. Slight chance of a rain shower. High 72F. Winds SE at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Rain showers early with scattered thunderstorms arriving overnight. Low 57F. Winds SE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 60%. NEW YORK (AP) 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. She was 78. FILE - Ronnie Spector appears in the press room after performing at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony on March 15, 2010, in New York. 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. She was 78. (AP Photo/Peter Kramer, File) NEW YORK (AP) 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. She was 78. Spector died Wednesday after a brief battle with cancer, her family said. 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, a statement said. No other details were revealed. Tributes flooded social media, from Stevie Van Zandt saying it was an honor to produce her, to Brian Wilson, who wrote on Twitter: I loved her voice so much and she was a very special person and a dear friend. Diane Warren called her The voice of a million teenage dreams including mine. 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. FILE - Ronnie Spector, of The Ronettes, performs after being inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame at the induction ceremony in New York on March 12, 2007. 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. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig, File) We werent 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 wed get out on stage and hike them up to show our legs even more. Spector, born Veronica Bennett, and her multiracial bandmates grew up in the Washington Heights area of Manhattan. 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 didnt 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. They were signed to Philles 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 groups 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. Its just the best feeling when I go out and they say, Ladies and gentlemen my heart stops for a minuteRonnie 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. After touring Germany in 1967, the Ronettes broke up. Spector married Ronnie in 1968, then she said 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. The couple divorced in 1974. Phil Spector was sent to prison in 2009 for the murder of actress Lana Clarkson and died in 2021. Ronnie Spectors influence was felt far and wide. Brian Wilson became obsessed with Be My Baby and Billy Joel wrote Say Goodbye to Hollywood in Spectors 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. 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. 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 didnt 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 Joels Say Goodbye to Hollywood with Bruce Springsteens E Street Band, and recording the 1999 EP She Talks to Rainbows, which included her first ever recording of Dont 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 Spectors 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. ___ Mark Kennedy is at http://twitter.com/KennedyTwits NEW ORLEANS (AP) 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. This undated photo provided by the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality on Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2022, shows cleanup work at the site where more than 300,000 gallons of diesel spilled on Dec. 27, 2021, just outside New Orleans. An October 2020 inspection revealed external corrosion along a 22-foot section of pipe in the same area as the spill. But documents show repairs were delayed after a subsequent inspection indicated the corrosion was not bad enough to require work immediately under federal regulations. (Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality via AP) NEW ORLEANS (AP) 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 pipeline's 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. 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. 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. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Wednesday he needs more information before he can say whether he supports Quebecs anti-vaccination tax, as Ottawa struggled to make good on its promise to deliver COVID-19 rapid tests. Paramedics transfer a patient to a hospital in Montreal, on Monday, January 10, 2022. With COVID-19 cases putting Canada's hospitals at or near capacity, Quebec's unprecedented plan to tax adult residents who refuse to be vaccinated against the virus is coming under fire. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Wednesday he needs more information before he can say whether he supports Quebecs anti-vaccination tax, as Ottawa struggled to make good on its promise to deliver COVID-19 rapid tests. Trudeau said Quebec has reassured the federal government that its plan to tax adult residents who are not vaccinated against COVID-19 won't violate the principles of the Canada Health Act, which regulates the country's provincially run universal health-care systems. "Details matter. We need to know exactly what measures they're putting forward. We need to know the terms and conditions so we can know if it'll be effective," Trudeau said. "We'll be looking at the details to see how exactly this will transpire." The federal government has tried to encourage people to get vaccinated with travel restrictions and some vaccine mandates, Trudeau said, but the tax proposed by Quebec is unprecedented and would need further study. Quebec Premier Francois Legault announced Tuesday he planned to make the unvaccinated pay a "significant" financial penalty, but few details were provided. Legault said people who are not vaccinated against COVID-19 occupy a disproportionate number of hospital beds and should be required to pay an additional contribution to the health-care system. On Wednesday, Quebec reported 52 more deaths linked to COVID-19 and an increase of 135 hospitalizations. There were 2,877 people in hospital with the infection, including 263 in intensive care. Alberta Premier Jason Kenney was quick to denounce Quebec's proposal to tax the unvaccinated. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks during a press conference in Ottawa on Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick He said Alberta would not consider such a tax, adding that it would be akin to making a smoker pay more for lung cancer treatment. Kenney said data shows the unvaccinated are proving to be a vastly greater burden on the hospital system, 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. 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 to access to our health-care system free of cost for medically necessary services. Federal Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos said Wednesday that access to PCR tests in the provinces is at a crisis. The at-home rapid tests are an important tool to combat the fast-spreading Omicron variant, he said. The federal government had promised to deliver 140 million rapid tests to provinces by the end of the month. But some have flagged that shipments of those tests have been slow to arrive. In Ontario, fewer than 0.3 per cent of the tests committed to the province in January have been delivered. The Ontario government announced that students and staff in school and daycare settings will each get two rapid tests after in-person learning resumes Monday. Tests are to be distributed starting next week, first to staff, then to children in daycares and students in public elementary schools, followed by high school students. People with symptoms are to use two tests 24 to 48 hours apart and can return to school after negative results once their symptoms improve. Ontario school boards can rotate between in-person and remote days or combine classes, if needed, to minimize school closures driven by COVID-related staff absences. "That is going to bea layer of protection that we didnt have," said Ontario Education Minister Stephen Lecce. "That is going to help empower parents with greater certainty that they have the virus." In Saskatchewan, health orders that were to expire at the end of the month were extended to the end of February. They include mandatory masking in all indoor public spaces, mandatory self-isolation for a positive COVID-19 test, and proof of vaccination or negative test to enter some venues and businesses. Premier Scott Moe stopped short of bringing in measures around gathering sizes. He said lockdown policies are an infringement on rights and freedoms. Officials in the Northwest Territories, which hit a record 1,072 active cases, said they would not order a lockdown in communities with outbreaks as happened in previous waves. In Atlantic Canada, Nova Scotia's chief medical officer of health warned that the ongoing spread of the Omicron variant has created the most serious challenge of the pandemic for the province's health system. Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. Dr. Robert Strang said as many as 500 to 700 health-care workers have been off the job in recent days because of COVID-19. Also Wednesday, the federal government announced that businesses will have more time to repay loans from the Canada Emergency Business Account. Businesses and non-profit organizations struggling during the COVID-19 pandemic will have until the end of 2023 to pay back interest-free loans of up to $60,000. When the government first created the 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 have a portion of the loan forgiven. British Columbia announced that businesses ordered to close due to public health restrictions can now apply for provincial relief grants of up to $10,000. Bars, nightclubs and lounges that do not serve full meals, as well as gyms, fitness centres, and event venues, were among those ordered to temporarily close on Dec. 22, with a reopening date set for next Tuesday. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 12, 2022. REGINA - Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe says he will not impose additional measures to try to limit the spread of COVID-19 despite the province bracing for increased pressure on health care due to the Omicron variant. REGINA - Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe says he will not impose additional measures to try to limit the spread of COVID-19 despite the province bracing for increased pressure on health care due to the Omicron variant. "Lockdown policies can cause harm in our communities often with little or virtually no benefit," Moe said during a briefing Wednesday. A woman wears a mask as she walks by a retail store on the Scarth Street Mall in Regina on Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Michael Bell He added that he's not criticizing other provinces, but said Saskatchewan will take a different approach. "(Lockdowns) cause economic harm by taking away jobs and removing family livelihoods. They have psychological harm by taking away social contact, most particularly for our youth, and they're an infringement on the rights and freedoms that we have come to enjoy and value as Canadians," Moe said. "That's why they should be used only when necessary and if they can clearly be shown they are being effective and they are working. We're not seeing that as being the case today." The government is relying on vaccinations and people to voluntarily change their behaviour to minimize Omicron's impact. "This change alone can reduce our transmission by up to 50 per cent so we should never underestimate our individual actions on the impact of our transmission rate," said chief medical health officer Dr. Saqib Shahab. He estimates one in every 100 people in the province has Omicron and is transmitting it without knowing it. It will be one in 50 people by next week and one in 25 within two weeks, he said. "It's no one's fault, but it's highly transmissible," said Shahab, who added that people need to avoid all non-essential gatherings outside of work and school for the next four weeks. While ruling out further measures and a "vax tax" on those not vaccinated, the province did extend its public health orders, which were to expire at the end of the month. Mandatory masking in all indoor public spaces, mandatory self-isolation for a positive COVID-19 test, and proof of vaccination or a negative test to enter some venues and businesses are to continue until the end of February. Saskatchewan is the only jurisdiction in Canada without restrictions on gathering sizes. The Opposition NDP and the Saskatchewan Teachers' Federation have both called for the measure. On Wednesday, the province reported a test positivity rate of 30 per cent. There were 121 people in hospital with COVID-19, including nine in intensive care. Cases and hospitalizations are expected to rise, said Shahab. He said it's important to keep case numbers as low as possible, and one way to do that is to limit interprovincial travel. "If we can keep it from coming to the province all at once, that's going to relieve pressure on hospitalizations," said Shahab. "We have to sit and watch very closely and other mitigating measures still may be required." Shelley Cook | Uplift A weekly review of funny, uplifting news in Winnipeg and around the globe that is delivered to your inbox each Wednesday. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. The Saskatchewan Health Authority, bracing for a staff shortage and a rise in acute-care hospitalizations,plans to release a plan for hospitals on Thursday. Moe said up to 15 per cent of provincial health-care workers could get sick in the coming weeks and be out of the workforce for at least five days to self-isolate. "The sheer number is going to stress and challenge the services we provide in our communities, and that includes education and the health-care sector." Opposition NDP Leader Ryan Meili said Moe is showing a lack of leadership. "It's ironic when the premier is trying to tell us things are going fine, they've got this under control, it's not going to be a big deal," Meili said. "Yet he's also planning to roll out a surge plan. It's mixed messaging loud and clear once again." This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 12, 2022. REGINA - Saskatchewan's chief medical health officer says he's considering whether to revise the province's public health order on masks in light of Premier Scott Moe testing positive for COVID-19 after a news conference. Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe speaks during the Saskatchewan Party 2021 Convention in Saskatoon, Sask., Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Liam Richards REGINA - Saskatchewan's chief medical health officer says he's considering whether to revise the province's public health order on masks in light of Premier Scott Moe testing positive for COVID-19 after a news conference. Dr. Saqib Shahab says he has flagged the matter with the Ministry of Health. Moe took off his mask at a COVID-19 briefing Wednesday with Shahab, government officials, a sign language interpreter and reporters in the same room. On Thursday morning, he tested positive for the virus using a rapid-antigen test. The 14 people who were at the briefing were told to self-monitor for symptoms. Moe tweeted that he was feeling fine and would self-isolate at home for the next few days. The province's mask rule says that people can remove their face coverings when addressing congregants in places of worship, speaking at a media appearance or recording video for film and television as long as safety protocols are in place. "In the past it wasn't a concern, but we'll have to see if it's an issue with Omicron," Shahab said Thursday. The setting, ventilation and physical distancing need to be considered should there be a change to the order, he said. "We have to recognize throughout Canada, governments, when they address the media ... masks are removed," Shahab said. "But I think it's definitely worth revisiting." Shahab, who wore an N95 mask at all times during the briefing, said he's confident it will keep him protected and encouraged everyone to upgrade their masks. "If you have noticed, I always keep my mask on," he said. "In the past it was to make a point that whatever profession we are in education, health-care a mask really is not an impediment for the most part in effective communication." Shahab said he will take a rapid test three, five and seven days following the possible exposure and recommended those who were also in the room do the same. The government said Moe's last negative result, through routine testing, was Sunday evening, one day before he attended Ducharme Elementary School in La Loche, Sask., with Education Minister Dustin Duncan to make a funding announcement. Both politicians were unmasked at times during the announcement. Those who attended the event, including elementary school students, are not deemed to have been close contacts of Moe. "The current time frame for close contacts identified by public health is 48 hours," Julie Leggott, deputy chief of staff to Moe, said in a statement. Leggott said all members of the legislature, including Duncan, routinely self-monitor for COVID-19 symptoms and follow all protocols should they test positive. That would include notifying all close contacts and self-isolating for the required time. Shahab said the 48-hour window is precautionary and does not necessarily mean someone you've been in contact with was infectious two days earlier. But with the highly contagious Omicron variant, everyone should assume they've been exposed, he said. "We should really behave as if every time we're outside the house, we are in contact risk of exposure and we need to be conscious of that and manage accordingly." Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. He recommended people stay home when sick, wear their best mask and take rapid tests at home. Politicians across Canada were quick to offer supportive words to the Saskatchewan premier. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tweeted: "Sorry to hear that, Scott. Glad youre feeling fine." Conservative Party Leader Erin O'Toole wished Moe "all the best," while Saskatchewan and Alberta NDP leaders, Ryan Meili and Rachel Notley, wished him a speedy recovery. Moe and Shahab have both indicated they are vaccinated against COVID-19 and have had their booster shots. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 13, 2022. In many ways, travel in 2021 was more challenging than it was in 2020. While demand for travel returned, sufficient hospitality staffing often did not, leading to long waits at airports, hotel check-in desks and restaurants. In many ways, travel in 2021 was more challenging than it was in 2020. While demand for travel returned, sufficient hospitality staffing often did not, leading to long waits at airports, hotel check-in desks and restaurants. The eye-catching travel deals seen in 2020 mostly faded away, making way for price increases, like soaring rental car prices. Despite social distancing recommendations, travelers often found themselves in bigger crowds than ever. Mobs clamoring around airline customer service counters to rebook canceled flights left people barely six inches apart let alone six feet. This year might bring similar challenges for travelers, but heres a good way to skirt most of them: Travel during shoulder season. The definition of shoulder season varies by destination, but it typically means the period of time between a regions peak season and offseason. This timespan can last months or just weeks. For instance, if a places peak season is summer and its offseason is winter, then the shoulder season would be spring and fall. Alternatively, a place may experience peak travel during a holiday weekend, but demand will drop off the weekend before or after these times can also be considered shoulder season. Here are five reasons why shoulder season is the best time to travel, especially during the pandemic. 1. EXPECT TO PAY LOWER PRICES THAN FOR PEAK SEASON TRAVEL Airfares averaged 23% cheaper when booked for shoulder season versus peak season travel. Thats according to a NerdWallet analysis conducted in December 2021 of more than 100 airfares taken from the most popular routes in the U.S. across eight major airlines. The same routes were compared for flights booked for peak versus shoulder season days, where peak season flights were those booked for the Monday before or after a major holiday. In contrast, the shoulder season flights were those taken two weeks before or after that date. The difference was starkest around Christmas: Flights averaged 50% cheaper when booked for Monday, Jan. 10 versus Monday, Dec. 27. 2. YOU WONT COMPETE AS MUCH FOR COVETED RESERVATIONS Those higher flight prices typically stem from supply and demand which means demand is higher during peak season. Increased interest leads to more competition across the board, whether for a hotel room at the price point you want or the chance to nab tickets to that concert. And thats only scratching the surface. Restaurants are more likely to get filled, airplanes to fly with fewer empty seats and wait times to get longer, and the likelihood of a complimentary upgrade diminishes. Book during shoulder season and youll vie with fewer folks for your top experiences. 3. YOU WONT SEE AS MANY OFFSEASON CLOSURES While demand is high during peak season, sometimes demand drops so low during offseason that the places you want to visit arent even open. Boat tour operators might board up for the winter, and charming ski town cafes could close for the summer. For example, January in Utahs Zion National Park averages about 16% of the number of visitors that come during peak season in July, and most tourists will have a rough go. Ice forces certain trails to close, some roads become inaccessible to drivers, and the museum and services like shuttle buses arent available. Instead, consider a trip during the September shoulder season, when crowds are at only about 85% of the parks peak but most amenities are available. Plus, youll benefit from mild weather and the emergence of fall colors. Around the world, hotels often take the offseason to do renovations, so the pool might become off-limits. Airlines typically cut back routes, so youll have less flexibility on what day or time you can fly. But the shoulder season is less likely to entail such challenges. Travel before summer crowds arrive and you might be pleasantly surprised with a newly renovated hotel room. Head to the mountains just after the winter holidays to take advantage of still-snowy slopes without as many skiers on them. 4. WEATHER IS GENERALLY PRETTY GOOD The shoulder season likely wont bring the sweltering heat or storms that come with a regions offseason. And in some cases, the weather during shoulder season is actually better than peak season. Summer at Floridas theme parks is often humid and muggy and thats before you add in the crowds of out-of-school kids. During shoulder season, you might forgo sunny summer days on the beach, but youll typically get temperate weather, not to mention a less sweaty smile in that photo with your favorite character. Shoulder season in the Rocky Mountains might not entail the romanticism of white powder snow surrounding a cozy cabin. But, you can pack light and leave the parka at home. 5. YOU COULD MORE LIKELY EXPERIENCE UNIQUE, LOCAL EVENTS 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. Tourist hot spots typically want year-round crowds, so they often host events, concerts and other festivities that dont occur at times when crowds would be large anyway. Theme park food festivals are among the most common shoulder season delights. Southern California theme park Knotts Berry Farm typically hosts its annual boysenberry festival from March to April. Hawaii comes alive in the fall with festivals spanning multiple islands, including the annual Waikik i Hoolaulea, which is a giant block party on Oahu, and the Kauai Mokihana Festival, a weeklong celebration of Hawaiian culture. ________________________________________ This article was provided to The Associated Press by the personal finance website NerdWallet. Sally French is a writer at NerdWallet. Email: sfrench@nerdwallet.com. Twitter: @SAFmedia. RELATED LINK: NerdWallet: Start booking your trips backward: Get your rental car first https://bit.ly/nerdwallet-start-booking-your-trips-backward A new app providing settlement information and services to newcomers will also expose them to a Manitoba non-profit focused on workforce integration. A new app providing settlement information and services to newcomers will also expose them to a Manitoba non-profit focused on workforce integration. Manitoba Start, the provinces leader in newcomers career services, launched the Manitoba edition of Arrival Advisor Tuesday. (Its) a response to meet our new digital reality, said Dayna Hinkel, the manager of Manitoba Start. Through Arrival Advisor, immigrants and refugees can fill out an anonymous questionnaire indicating which Canadian documents they have, their work and housing situations, resources theyre looking for and more. Users then receive tailored lists, broken down by subject, on how to access help and settle. People who dont want to take the questionnaire can browse the apps topics, including employment and health care, or search nearby support agencies. Its about finding that correct information and connecting, Hinkel said. Newcomers who use the free app will learn of Manitoba Start, she said. The non-profit conducts initial intake and needs assessments for the province and creates individualized settlement plans. Later, it works with immigrants and refugees to fit them in Manitobas job market. Were labour market responsive, Hinkel said. There are massive pros to Arrival Advisor, according to Lori Wilkinson, a sociology and criminology professor at the University of Manitoba who specializes in immigration. I think right now, the release of this app is hugely important, she said. Some settlement agencies have closed their physical offices during the pandemic, making it difficult for immigrants and refugees to get support, Wilkinson said. Most have cellphones and are adept at using them, she said. Some refugees use theirs as maps when fleeing their home countries. They share information, like where theres checkpoints, where theres places to plug in your cellphone, Wilkinson said. Its amazing at the refugee level, their innovative use of technology to help each other out. The app, created by Vancouver-based PeaceGeeks, is only available in English and French. It will be translated into another language by this spring, and two more in the following two years. Hinkel would not specify the languages, saying theyre still in development. Most immigrants entering Canada for work purposes can speak English or French, or have a family member who can, said Wilkinson. But, many refugees cant. Some communities, even this app might not be helpful to them, Wilkinson said. Ottawa funds the app, with support from the province. I would urge the government to maybe put some money into translation as soon as they can, Wilkinson said. I think the people who need it most are the ones who may not be able to read English or French. Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. Most refugees came to Manitoba from Eritrea, Syria and Somalia in 2020. More recently, Afghanis have been prominent, though many who arrive can speak English or French because of their previous connections with the Canadian government. Most immigrants to Manitoba come from India, China and the Philippines. Its common for them to speak varying degrees of English, Wilkinson said. Manitoba Start deals largely with provincial nominees, who may enter the province based on their skills and work experience. Arrival Advisor is available on Apples App Store and the Google Play store. PeaceGeeks first developed the app for British Columbia. Arrival Advisor doesnt track personal data. gabrielle.piche@freepress.mb.ca CHICAGO (AP) Students in the nation's third-largest school district returned to classrooms Wednesday after Chicago Public Schools canceled five days of classes amid a standoff with the teachers' union over COVID-19 safety protocols. Students walk outside Roberto Clemente Community Academy in the Ukrainian Village neighborhood on the first day back to school, Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2022 in Chicago. Chicago schools will offer more COVID-19 testing and have standards to close school related to infection rates, but the cost of a bitter union battle and five days of missed schools has parents and union members questioning if it was worth it. (Pat Nabong/Chicago Sun-Times via AP) CHICAGO (AP) Students in the nation's third-largest school district returned to classrooms Wednesday after Chicago Public Schools canceled five days of classes amid a standoff with the teachers' union over COVID-19 safety protocols. Their return happened the same day the full membership of the Chicago Teachers Union narrowly gave their stamp of approval to the hard-fought safety plan that includes expanded testing and metrics to shut down individual schools during outbreaks. It passed with roughly 56% of the vote. Leaders of the union gave their tentative approval two days earlier allowing students to return. They urged members to accept it, acknowledging that teachers didn't get initial demands including a commitment to flip to remote learning districtwide during a surge of COVID-19 infections. This vote is a clear show of dissatisfaction with the boss," Union President Jesse Sharkey said in a statement, referring to Mayor Lori Lightfoot. This agreement covers only a portion of the safety guarantees that every one of our school communities deserve ... Our members vote today represents a unions, and a citys, frustration with a mayor that has simmered since the beginning of this pandemic. Lightfoot and Schools CEO Pedro Martinez issued a joint statement saying they were pleased with the vote and the agreement would guarantee predictability and stability for the rest of the school year in the roughly 350,000-student district. A man adjusts a boy's face mask as they arrive at Jordan Community Public School in Rogers Park on the North Side, Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2022 in Chicago. Students returned to in-person learning Wednesday after a week away while the Chicago Public Schools district and the Chicago Teachers Union negotiated stronger COVID-19 protections. (Ashlee Rezin /Chicago Sun-Times via AP) We all agree we must prioritize the health and well-being of everyone in our school communities including our kids, families, and staff," they said. 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 Lightfoot, a Democrat, 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 has referred to the union action as an illegal work stoppage. Both sides filed complaints with a state labor board. Students and parents arrive at Jordan Community Public School in Rogers Park on the North Side, Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2022 in Chicago. Students returned to in-person learning Wednesday after a week away while the Chicago Public Schools district and the Chicago Teachers Union negotiated stronger COVID-19 protections. (Ashlee Rezin /Chicago Sun-Times via AP) Lightfoot who disclosed Tuesday that she had tested positive for COVID-19 and was isolating at home 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. For parents and students in Chicago, the return to schools brought mixed emotions, along with staffing and attendance issues due to infections. Trinity Washington, a freshman at a high school on the citys Northwest Side, said she supported the teachers push and plans to be more cautious about keeping a mask on at school. She noted that a school dean has contracted COVID-19 and is on a ventilator. Students and parents arrive at Jordan Community Public School in Rogers Park on the North Side, Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2022 in Chicago. Students returned to in-person learning Wednesday after a week away while the Chicago Public Schools district and the Chicago Teachers Union negotiated stronger COVID-19 protections. (Ashlee Rezin/Chicago Sun-Times via AP) I feel like everyone should just go home and stay virtual because it feels like everyone in our building is just getting sick and sick and sick, she said. Some schools reported being short-staffed and lower attendance with students out sick or in required isolation following close contact to a person with COVID-19. District officials said about 89% of teachers reported to schools. The district's online COVID-19 infection tracker showed more than 13,000 students and adults were in quarantine on Wednesday. Shelley Cook | Uplift A weekly review of funny, uplifting news in Winnipeg and around the globe that is delivered to your inbox each Wednesday. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. Some individual classes reverted to remote instruction following infections in the two-day window students returned before the union standoff. One school in the city's heavily-Mexican neighborhood of Little Village was particularly hard hit with up to 10 classrooms flipping to remote learning Wednesday, according to the district. Derrontae Gonzalez, the mother of a 5-year-old boy and a 12-year-old girl in Chicago schools, said she understands why teachers pushed for stricter COVID-19 protocols. But she told The Chicago Sun-Times that the days of cancelled classes were difficult, particularly for her son who has a learning disability. Im not concerned, Gonzalez said of the return. I think the school takes precautions to make sure kids are safe. And I make sure my kids have masks. ___ Follow Sophia Tareen on Twitter: https://twitter.com/sophiatareen. Follow Kathleen Foody on Twitter: https://twitter.com/katiefoody. On Tuesday, the City Centre Community Committee rejected an application to rezone the contentious 514 Wellington Cres. property, but it is not the end of the story. On Tuesday, the City Centre Community Committee rejected an application to rezone the contentious 514 Wellington Cres. property, but it is not the end of the story. After more than three hours of presentations on the matter, councillors voted down the re-zoning application in a two-to-one vote. Property owner Jeff Thompson, his architect and urban planner presented a detailed report on their proposed four-storey, eight-unit condo development on the site of a former character mansion. As detailed and professional as their presentation was, about a half dozen neighbourhood residents were almost as thorough in their presentations to the committee in opposition to the re-zoning application. It has been more than five years since Thompson acquired the property and started planning its redevelopment. There has been vocal and passionate opposition to re-development dating back to before the original heritage mansion was demolished in 2020. Thompson said he respects the passion and dedication of those in opposition but said that it has been a rocky few years in his efforts to redevelop the property. According to councillor John Orlikow, who represents the neighbourhood on city council, among other things, the fact that the application was being made perhaps months before city council receives a heritage report on whether or not Crescentwood should be designated an Historical Conservation District (HCD), the application should be rejected. Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. Councillor Sherri Rollins, who had to remind some of the presenters about issues of decorum after one of them referred to the developers presentation as puffery, also voted to oppose. Committee chairperson Cindy Gilroy voted to accept the re-zoning which was recommended by city administration, claiming that it is counter-productive to deny infill developments while waiting for other city business like the HCD applications, to be completed. Neighbours and the councillors who voted down the re-zoning were concerned about the height, density of the development and the impact on traffic and parking in the area. The matter will now go to the full city council. It is expected that there will be a further appeal. martin.cash@freepress.mb.ca Your browser does not support the video tag. More than 80 fact checking organizations are calling on YouTube to address what they say is rampant misinformation on the platform. More than 80 fact checking organizations are calling on YouTube to address what they say is rampant misinformation on the platform. In a letter to CEO Susan Wojcicki published Wednesday, the groups say the Google-owned video platform is one of the major conduits of online disinformation and misinformation worldwide. YouTube's efforts to address the problem, they say, are proving insufficient. What we do not see is much effort by YouTube to implement policies that address the problem, the letter says. 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. Shelley Cook | Uplift A weekly review of funny, uplifting news in Winnipeg and around the globe that is delivered to your inbox each Wednesday. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. The problem, these groups said, is especially rampant in non-English speaking countries and the global south. The fact checkers are all members of the International Fact Checking Network and include Rappler in the Philippines, Africa Check, Science Feedback in France and dozens of other groups. They lambasted YouTube, saying it frames discussions about disinformation as a false dichotomy" of deleting or not deleting content. Displaying fact-checked information is more effective than deleting content, the fact checkers wrote. They propose that YouTube focuses on providing context and debunks that are clearly superimposed on videos. They also called for YouTube to act against repeat offenders and beef up efforts against misinformation in languages other than English. In a statement, YouTube spokesperson Elena Hernandez said the company has invested heavily in policies and products in all countries we operate to connect people to authoritative content, reduce the spread of borderline misinformation, and remove violative videos. She called fact checking a crucial tool to help viewers make their own informed decisions, but added that it is one piece of a much larger puzzle to address the spread of misinformation. OTTAWA - Many Canadians put aside time early in the new year for a review of their finances and experts say a look at your will should be a part of the process in order to insure your estate plans are up to date. Edmonton-based lawyer Wendi Crowe is shown in a handout photo. Many Canadians put aside time early in the new year for a review of their finances and experts say a look at your will should be a part of the process in order to insure your estate plans are up to date. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO OTTAWA - Many Canadians put aside time early in the new year for a review of their finances and experts say a look at your will should be a part of the process in order to insure your estate plans are up to date. Lawyer Wendi Crowe says you don't need to update your will every year, but she says to have a read through it once a year to see if there are any changes you might need to make. "You know the initial process of thinking about estate planning and putting something in place should be done with a whole lot of flexibility in mind so you don't have to change it every two weeks or every six months," says Crowe, who leads the national private client services group at Miller Thomson. "But the fact is that you know you cant think of everything that might happen and you do need to update to let your plan serve you." Having a will is an important part of your financial plan, but issues may arise if it sits in a desk drawer, unchanged for decades as life moves on from where you were when it was written. As families and assets change, the plan will need to evolve. Marriages, divorces, births and deaths, often mean an update is required. "Good planning at the outset means you don't need to update as much, but certainly any time any of those things happen, you should be reviewing," Crowe says. A young person, she says, may go several years without needing to make changes, but if they get into a serious relationship or marry and start having children and those children start to grow up, changes may need to happen more frequently. Moving between provinces may also prompt a review because while a will from another province would be considered valid, the rules governing wills and probate differ between provinces. Crowe adds it isn't just your will that you need to remember to keep up to date. You also need to ensure that the beneficiaries for things like life insurance policies are kept current with your wishes. Lawyer Tina Garbas-Tyrrell suggests having a lawyer read over your will once every three to five years. "Quite often my clients will contact me and I'll take a quick read over the will and often I'm happy to tell them that no changes are needed, but it gives them peace of mind knowing that they, you know, put their mind to it," said Garbas-Tyrrell, a wills and estates expert at TGT Law. Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. "But sometimes we find that a significant change is required, so you don't really know until you look at the documents." Garbas-Tyrrell says people often name an executor or guardian for their children from the generation older than themselves and that can require changes as those people age. "As time goes by, often those people pass away or have become disabled themselves, so you want to make sure that the people you've appointed as estate trustees and guardians are still alive, willing and capable of performing the duty you would hope that they would perform," she said. Both Garbas-Tyrrell and Crowe say if you want to make changes to not just write them in by hand on your will, but instead have your will redrafted and signed properly to ensure your wishes are clear to avoid any disputes after your death. "Writing on the face of the will, I think it's safe to say is always a bad idea," Garbas-Tyrrell says. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 13, 2022. CALGARY - Canadian food processors hard-hit by labour shortages are asking the federal government for emergency access to more temporary foreign workers. CALGARY - Canadian food processors hard-hit by labour shortages are asking the federal government for emergency access to more temporary foreign workers. Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. The food and beverage manufacturing sector has asked Ottawa to increase the cap on temporary foreign workers it currently operates under. It wants the rules changed to allow for 30 per cent of an employer's workforce to be made up of TFWs, instead of the currently levels of 10 to 20 per cent. Canadian Meat Council spokeswoman Marie-France McKinnon says food processors struggled with labour shortages even before the pandemic, and the Omicron wave has exacerbated the problem. She says some meat processors are currently operating with more than 30 per cent of their positions vacant. Industry groups are calling on the federal government to implement an emergency foreign worker program before the end of this month. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 13, 2022. GIGLIO, Italy (AP) Fog horns wailed and church bells tolled Thursday as Italy honored the 32 victims of the Costa Concordia shipwreck on the 10th anniversary of the disaster, with a commemoration that recalled the moment the cruise ship struck a reef and capsized off the Tuscan island of Giglio. CP GREGORIO BORGIA / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS The luxury cruise ship Costa Concordia lies on its side after running aground off the tiny Tuscan island of Giglio, Italy. GIGLIO, Italy (AP) Fog horns wailed and church bells tolled Thursday as Italy honored the 32 victims of the Costa Concordia shipwreck on the 10th anniversary of the disaster, with a commemoration that recalled the moment the cruise ship struck a reef and capsized off the Tuscan island of Giglio. Some of the 4,200 survivors attended the anniversary events, which began with a noontime Mass and ended with a candlelit procession to Giglio's dock at the exact moment, 9:45 p.m. local time, that the Concordia hit the rocks that sliced a 70-meter (230-foot) gash in its hull. Coast guardsmen placed a wreath of flowers on the dock, and the parish priest led the small group in a moment silent prayer pierced only by fog horns and church bells commemorating the absurdity of the disaster: a stunt ordered up by the captain that ended with 32 people dead and a mammoth cruise ship flopped on its side. Bells rang out earlier Thurday in the same Giglio church that opened its doors that freezing night and took in hundreds of passengers who abandoned ship and reached shore in lifeboats. Some had climbed off the lopsided liner on rope ladders after it flipped onto its side; others were plucked from the decks by rescue helicopters. I invite you to have the courage to look forward, Grosseto Bishop Giovanni Roncari told survivors, relatives of the dead and Coast Guard officials who had helped coordinate the rescue. Hope doesnt cancel the tragedy and pain, but it teaches us to look beyond the present moment without forgetting it. CP The Costa Concordia ship lies on its side on the Tuscan Island of Giglio, Italy, Monday, Sept. 16, 2013. Engineers on Monday succeeded in wresting the hull of the shipwrecked Costa Concordia from the Italian reef where it has been stuck since it capsized in January 2012, leaving them cautiously optimistic they can rotate the luxury liner upright and eventually tow it away. Never before has such an enormous cruise ship been righted, and the crippled Concordia didn't budge for the first three hours after the operation began, engineer Sergio Girotto told reporters. (AP Photo/Andrea Sinibaldi, Lapresse) The Concordia captain, Francesco Schettino, is serving a 16-year prison sentence for manslaughter and other charges for having ordered the crew to steer the ship off course and closer to Giglio in a stunt known as tourist navigation" to give passengers and those on shore a thrill. After the ship hit the reef, the engine room flooded and generators failed, causing a power outage that sent the ship adrift until it eventually crashed offshore and capsized. Evidence presented at the trial showed Schettino downplayed the severity of the situation in communications with the Coast Guard and delayed an evacuation order, then abandoned ship before all the passengers and crew were off. Giglios vice mayor at the time, Mario Pellegrini, had climbed on board the listing ship that night to help coordinate the rescue, and found sheer chaos in the absence of orders from the captain or crew. He recalled he finally climbed down after the last passengers and crew had been evacuated, at around 6 a.m. the following morning. This two-photo combo shows from top, part of the harbor of the Tuscan tiny island of Isola del Giglio, Italy, on Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2022, and the same spot on Thursday, Jan. 19, 2012, with the shipwrecked hulk of the cruise ship Costa Concordia. Italy on Thursday, Jan. 13, 2022, is marking the 10th anniversary of the Concordia disaster with a daylong commemoration, honoring the 32 people who died but also the extraordinary response by the residents of Giglio who took in the 4,200 passengers and crew from the ship on that rainy Friday night and then lived with the Concordia carcass for another two years before it was hauled away for scrap. (AP Photo/ Andrew Medichini and Gregorio Borgia) The memories I have from that night inside the ship are terrible, of the tears and desperation of the people, he said Thursday. I would have wanted to save everyone, but thinking about it again, everything I could do, I did. The 10th anniversary is also recalling how the residents of Giglio took in the 4,200 surviving passengers and crew, giving them food, blankets and a place to rest until day broke and they were ferried to the mainland. Giglio's people then lived with the Concordias 115,000-ton, 300-meter (1,000-foot) carcass for another two years until it was righted and hauled away for scrap. It was right to be here, to pay tribute to those victims, but the primary motivation is to thank and greet the people who helped me that night, from Giglio, said survivor Luciano Castro. This two-photo combo shows from the top, part of the harbor of the Tuscan tiny island of Isola del Giglio, Italy, on Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2022, and the same spot on Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2012, with the shipwrecked hulk of the cruise ship Costa Concordia. Italy on Thursday, Jan. 13, 2022, is marking the 10th anniversary of the Concordia disaster with a daylong commemoration, honoring the 32 people who died but also the extraordinary response by the residents of Giglio who took in the 4,200 passengers and crew from the ship on that rainy Friday night and then lived with the Concordia carcass for another two years before it was hauled away for scrap. (AP Photo/ Andrew Medichini and Pier Paolo Cito) Giglios residents for their part warmly welcomed Kevin Rebello, whose brother Russel, a Concordia waiter, was the last person unaccounted-for until crews discovered his remains while dismantling the ship in 2014 in a Genoa shipyard. Kevin Rebello had become close to many Giglio residents and rescuers during the months that divers searched for his brother. And on Thursday, as he arrived for the commemorative Mass, he received an award from the Civil Protection Agency. This is for (Russel), Rebello told reporters as he clutched the plaque. He would be proud of it. This two-photo combo shows at top, amateur photographer Giuseppe Modesti standing in the port of the Tuscan tiny island of Isola del Giglio, Italy, Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2022, holding a tablet with the iconic photograph he took of the passengers leaving the cruise ship Costa Concordia the night it crashed off the island, and below, Modesti standing on the same spot on Friday, Feb. 3, 2012, and holding the same photograph with the shipwrecked hulk of the cruise ship Costa Concordia in the background. Italy on Thursday, Jan. 13, 2022, is marking the 10th anniversary of the Concordia disaster with a daylong commemoration, honoring the 32 people who died but also the extraordinary response by the residents of Giglio who took in the 4,200 passengers and crew from the ship on that rainy Friday night and then lived with the Concordia carcass for another two years before it was hauled away for scrap. (AP Photo/ Andrew Medichini and Pier Paolo Cito) The anniversary comes as the cruise ship industry, shut down in much of the world for months because of the coronavirus pandemic, is again in the spotlight because of COVID-19 outbreaks that threaten passenger safety. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control last month warned people to avoid cruises, regardless of their vaccination status, because of the infection risk. For Concordia survivors, the COVID-19 infections on cruise ships are just another indication that passenger safety still isnt a top industry priority. Concordia passengers were largely left on their own to find life jackets and a functioning lifeboat. Because of the delayed evacuation order, many lifeboats couldn't be lowered because the ship was already on its side. Ester Percossi recalled being thrown to the ground in the dining room by the initial impact of the reef gashing into the hull like an earthquake. The lights went out, and bottles, glasses and plates flew off the tables. Kevin Rebello, brother of Russel Rebello, a waiter who died in the shipwreck of the Costa Concordia cruise ship, arrives in the tiny Tuscan island of Isola del Giglio, Italy, Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2022. Italy on Thursday, Jan. 13, 2022, is marking the 10th anniversary of the Concordia disaster with a daylong commemoration, honoring the 32 people who died but also the extraordinary response by the residents of Giglio who took in the 4,200 passengers and crew from the ship on that rainy Friday night and then lived with the Concordia carcass for another two years before it was hauled away for scrap. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini) We got up and with great effort went out on deck and there we got the life vests those that we could find, because everyone was grabbing them from each other to save themselves, she recalled. There was no law. Just survival and that is it. 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. Former Coast Guard Cmdr. Gregorio De Falco returned for the commemorations, 10 years after he became something of a national hero when audio emerged of his expletive-laden communications with Schettino in the hours after impact, ordering him to get back on board and coordinate the rescue. You prepare all your life for these mass rescue operations with the hope that you never have to do one, De Falco said Thursday. But it happened to us. A television crew films in the port of the tiny Tuscan island of Isola del Giglio, Italy, Thursday, Jan. 13, 2022. Italy on Thursday is marking the 10th anniversary of the Costa Concordia cruise ship disaster with a daylong commemoration, honoring the 32 people who died but also the extraordinary response by the residents of Giglio who took in the 4,200 passengers and crew from the ship on that rainy Friday night and then lived with the Concordia carcass for another two years before it was hauled away for scrap. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini) Costa sent representatives to the ceremonies and issued a statement saying the companys thoughts were with the victims and their relatives. Costa noted that since the disaster, it undertaken the massive operation to right the ship, remove it, and restore the damaged seabed. The cruise line, a unit of U.S.-based Carnival Corp., thanked the rescue crews and residents of Giglio as well as the Costa employees who gave their assistance and worked restlessly that night and in the following phases with generosity and courage. __ Winfield reported from Rome. SAO PAULO (AP) The medals were billed as the most sustainable ever produced. FILE - Dredging barges operated by illegal miners converge on the Madeira river, a tributary of the Amazon River, searching for gold, in Autazes, Amazonas state, Brazil, Nov. 25, 2021. Much like brown and black tributaries that feed the Amazon River, gold illegally mined in the rainforest mixes into the supply chain and melds with clean gold to become almost indistinguishable. (AP Photo/Edmar Barros, File) SAO PAULO (AP) The medals were billed as the most sustainable ever produced. To match the festive spirit of South Americas first Olympics, officials from Brazil, the host country for the 2016 games in Rio de Janeiro, boasted that the medals hung around the necks of athletes on the winners' podium were also a victory for the environment: The gold was produced free of mercury and the silver recycled from thrown away X-ray plates and mirrors. Five years on, the refiner that provided the gold for the medals, Marsam, is processing gold ultimately purchased by hundreds of well-known publicly traded U.S. companies among them Microsoft, Tesla and Amazon that are legally required to responsibly source metals in an industry long plagued by environmental and labor concerns. But a comprehensive review of public records by The Associated Press found that the Sao Paulo-based company processes gold for, and shared ownership links to, an intermediary accused by Brazilian prosecutors of buying gold mined illegally on Indigenous lands and other areas deep in the Amazon rainforest. The AP previously reported in this series that the scale of prospecting for gold on Indigenous lands has exploded in recent years and involves carving illegal landing strips in the forest for unauthorized airplanes to ferry in heavy equipment, fuel and backhoes to tear at the earth in search of the precious metal. Weak government oversight enabled by President Jair Bolsonaro, the son of a prospector himself, has only exacerbated the problem of illegal gold mining in protected areas. Critics also fault an international certification program used by manufacturers to show they arent using minerals that come from conflict zones, saying it is an exercise in greenwashing. There is no real traceability as long as the industry relies on self-regulation, said Mark Pieth, a professor of criminal law at the University of Basel in Switzerland and author of the 2018 book Gold Laundering. People know where the gold comes from, but they dont bother to go very far back into the supply chain because they know they will come into contact with all kinds of criminal activity. ___ Much like brown and black tributaries that feed the Amazon River, gold illegally mined in the rainforest mixes into the supply chain and melds with clean gold to become almost indistinguishable. Nuggets are spirited out of the jungle in prospectors dusty pockets to the nearest city where they are sold to financial brokers. All thats required to transform the raw ore into a tradable asset regulated by the central bank is a handwritten document attesting to the specific point in the rainforest where the gold was extracted. The fewer questions asked, the better. At many of those brokers Amazon outposts the financial systems front door the gold becomes the property of Dirceu Frederico Sobrinho, known universally by just his first name. For four decades, Dirceu has embodied the up-by-your-bootstraps myth of the Brazilian garimpeiro, or prospector. The son of a vegetable grocer who sold his produce near an infamous open-pit mine so packed with prospectors among them Bolsonaros father they looked like swarming ants, he caught the gold bug in the mid-1980s and began dispatching planeloads of raw ore from a remote Amazon town. He secured his first concession in 1990, one year after the nation rolled out a permitting regime to regulate prospecting. Today, from a high rise on Sao Paulos busiest avenue, he is a major player in Brazils gold rush, with 173 prospecting areas either registered to his name or with pending requests, according to Brazil's mining regulator's registry. In the same building is the headquarters of the nations gold association, Anoro, which he leads. Dirceu, until last year, was also a partner in Marsam. But even with gold jewelry dangling from his fingers and wrist, Dirceu still proudly boasts his everyman garimpeiro roots. You dont motivate someone to go into the forest if theyre not chasing after a dream, he said in a rare interview from his corner office studded with a giant jade eagle. Whoever deals in gold has that: They dream, they believe, they like it. We have a saying among the garimpeiros: Im a pawn, but Im a pawn for gold,' he adds. At the center of Dirceus empire is F.DGold, Brazils largest buyer of gold from prospecting sites, with purchases last year totaling more than 2 billion reais ($361 million) from 252 wildcat sites, according to data from the mining regulator. Only two international firms that run industrial-sized gold mines paid more in royalties in 2021, a sign of how once artisanal prospecting has become big business in Brazil at least for some. In August, federal prosecutors filed a civil suit against F.DGold and two other brokers seeking the immediate suspension of all activities and payment of 10 billion reais ($1.8 billion) in social and environmental damages. The complaint alleges the companies failed to take actions that would have prevented the illegal extraction of a combined 4.3 metric tons from protected areas and Indigenous territories, where mining is not allowed. Dirceu said his company complies with all laws and has implemented extra controls, but he acknowledged that determining the exact origin of the gold it obtains is impossible at present. He has proposed an industry-wide digital registry to improve transparency. FILE - Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro attends the launch of the Mining and Development Program, at the headquarters of the Ministry of Mines and Energy, in Brasilia, Brazil, Sept. 28, 2020. Bolsonaros administration introduced legislation that would open up Indigenous territories to mining something federal prosecutors have called unconstitutional and activists warn would wreak vast social and environmental damages. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres, File) The ongoing suit is the result of a study published in July by the Federal University of Minas Gerais which found that as much as 28% of Brazils gold produced in 2019 and 2020 was potentially mined illegally. To reach that conclusion, researchers combed through 17,400 government-registered transactions by F.DGold and other buyers to pinpoint the location where the gold was purportedly mined. In many cases, the given location wasnt an authorized site or, when cross-checked with satellite images, showed none of the hallmarks of mining activity deforestation, stagnant ponds of waste meaning the gold originated elsewhere. Dirceus name and those of F.DGold and his mining company Ouro Roxo have popped up repeatedly over the years in numerous criminal investigations. He has been charged but never convicted. A decade ago, federal prosecutors in Amazons Amapa state accused his company of knowingly purchasing illegal gold from a national park that was later transformed into gold bars. The charges were dismissed in 2017 after a federal judge in Brasilia ruled that F.DGold made the purchases legally, as evidenced by the invoices. Separate money laundering charges against Dirceu were also dismissed, due to lack of evidence. Dirceu has denied wrongdoing. ___ Whatever its origin, all the raw ore purchased by F.DGold ends up at Marsam. F.DGold accounts for more than one-third of the gold Marsam processes, according to Andre Nunes, an external consultant for Marsam. After almost two years as a partner in the Sao Paulo-based refiner, Dirceu stepped down last year and his daughter, Sarah Almeida Westphal, assumed management responsibilities. It was part of an effort to put different family members in charge of their own businesses, which function as separate legal entities, said Nunes, who previously worked for F.DGold. As much as its the same family, its important that each monkey has its own branch, he said. But the federal tax authority's corporate registry shows Dirceu and Westphal remain partners in a machine rental and air cargo venture based in the Amazonian city of Itaituba, the national epicenter of prospecting. And Westphal could be seen working on a computer at F.DGolds office on the day the AP interviewed Dirceu. From Marsam, the gold travels far and wide. More than 300 publicly traded companies list Marsam as a refiner in responsible mining disclosures they are required to file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The refiner has been virtually the only supplier to Brazils mint over the past decade, according to data provided to the AP through a freedom of information request. Why do they want our bars? Because theyre accepted all over the world, said Nunes, who is also a member of Marsam's six-person compliance committee. Enabling such robust sales around the world is a seal of approval from the Responsible Minerals Initiative, or RMI. The certification program run by a Virginia-based coalition of manufacturers emerged with the passage a decade ago of legislation in the U.S. requiring companies to disclose their use of conflict minerals fueling civil war in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Later, its standards were supplemented by tougher guidelines developed by the Paris-based Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development or OECD Marsam is one of just two refiners in Brazil certified as compliant with RMIs standards for responsible sourcing of gold, having successfully completed two independent audits. The last one was performed in 2018 by UL Responsible Sourcing, an Illinois-based consultancy. But its ties to Dirceu's family and its strategic positioning at the pinch point between the Amazon rainforest and global commerce raises questions about its previously unexamined role in the processing and sale of gold allegedly sourced from off-limit areas. Marsam hasnt been accused by prosecutors of any wrongdoing and insists that it only refines gold, not sell it, on behalf of third-party exporters and domestic vendors. The company in 2016 introduced a supply chain policy, which it has updated over the years, requiring it to seek out information from suppliers whenever they are publicly linked to illicit activities. They are also expected to analyze a mandatory declaration of origin form submitted by each client. No such risks were identified in the most recent RMI report and Marsam was moved to a lower risk category requiring an audit once every three years. Critics say one problem is that the OECDs guidelines that RMI measures companies against pay scant attention to environmental crimes or the rights of Indigenous communities. Instead, they are geared toward risks stemming from civil wars and criminal networks. In Latin America, only Mexico, Colombia, and Venezuela where drug cartels or guerrilla insurgencies are active are classified as conflict-affected and high-risk areas deserving greater scrutiny for sourcing practices. But the influx of illegal miners into Indigenous territories has been on the rise in recent years in Brazil sometimes ending in bloodshed. In May, hundreds of prospectors raided a Munduruku village, setting houses on fire, including one that belonged to a prominent anti-mining activist. The attack followed clashes farther north in Roraima state, where miners in motorboats and carrying automatic weapons repeatedly threatened a riverside Yanomami settlement. In one incident, two children, ages 1 and 5, drowned when a shooting sent people scattering into the woods. FILE - A gold miner weighs his weekly production at an illegal mine in the Amazon jungle, in the Itaituba area of Para state, Brazil, Aug. 22, 2020. Nuggets are spirited out of the jungle by prospectors to the nearest city where they are sold to financial brokers. (AP Photo/Lucas Dumphreys, File) In their suits against F.DGold and the two other brokers, prosecutors blame expanding mining activity for the illegal clearing in 2019 and 2020 of some 5,000 hectares of once pristine rainforest located on Indigenous territories as well as exacerbating internal rifts that may be irreconcilable. Experts say these kinds of activities barely register in corporate boardrooms where sourcing decisions are made and given the seal of approval by international certification programs. Certification connotes a degree of certitude that isnt at all possible in the gold industry, especially in Brazil, said David Soud, an analyst at I.R. Consilium, which recently prepared a report for the OECD on illegal gold flows from neighboring Venezuela. The result is a lot of blind spots that can easily be exploited by bad actors. ___ Some of those blind spots are created by Brazils own weak oversight. Under Brazilian law, securities brokers like F.DGold cant be held responsible if the prospector whose ore they buy lies about its provenance. Nor is there any effective way to track the information provided at the point of sale. Its a system that inhibits tracking and accountability at best, and at worst enables willful ignorance as a means to launder illegal gold, according to wildcat mining experts including Larissa Rodrigues of the environmental think tank Choices Institute. For starters, experts say there need to be electronic invoices feeding a database that allows information to be verified. The supply chain is absorbing gold that doesnt come from that chain. We know this happens, said Rodrigues. Its a fact that fraud exists, but you cant prosecute because you cant prove it. Dirceu didnt deny the possibility that F.DGold has unwittingly bought dirty gold. But he insists F.DGold, as an entity regulated by Brazils powerful central bank, follows the law and goes beyond what is required such as hiring in 2020 two companies to monitor through satellite imagery the sources of its gold. The moment we had knowledge this could be happening, we hired them, he said. As president of the nations gold association, he claims to have been pushing since at least 2017 a plan to create a digital profile of every participant in the supply chain, complete with the garimpeiros photo, fingerprints and ID number. Digitalization and automation is the start of traceability, he said. The more legality, the more security there will be for our activities. Yet for all the apparent industry goodwill, and the support of Brazils tax authority, the proposal remains just that an idea that hasnt even been taken up by Congress. In the past two decades, the central bank hasnt revoked authorization for any company that purchases gold. For its part, Marsam says it uses its best efforts to identify the origin of the metals it refines. That includes requiring clients to sign affidavits attesting to the metals legality, demanding original invoices and conducting client visits to verify they have systems in place to prevent fraud. But it doesnt visit the mines themselves something that RMI requires of refiners operating only in high-risk jurisdictions. We have to be diligent, but not do work that isnt ours, Nunes said. Asked when was the last time Marsam suspended a client it suspects of trading in dirty gold he shook his head, struggling to recall. I dont remember it ever happening, Nunes said before finally harkening back to one instance more than a decade ago. ___ RMI wouldnt discuss prosecutors' allegations against F.DGold, despite its close affiliation with Marsam, citing confidentiality agreements to encourage refiners to participate in its grievance process. In a statement, it said that it takes all allegations very seriously and works with companies to address concerns. As part of that process, refiners are expected to trace activities all the way back to the mine whenever red flags are detected. If they dont then address the concerns, they will be removed from the conformant list. A 2018 report by the OECD found that while RMI's standards are aligned with its guidelines there are significant gaps in the way RMI and other industry initiatives carry out audits, relying more on a refiners policies and procedures than its due diligence efforts. RMI-approved auditors also demonstrated a lack of basic technical skills and familiarity with the OECD guidelines, the study found. There was also an observed absence of curiosity, professional skepticism and critical analysis, according to the report. RMI said it has since strengthened implementation efforts and is awaiting the outcome of a new assessment being conducted for the European Union. Additional analysis in 2017 by Kumi, a London-based consulting firm that advises the OECD, found that only 5% of 314 end-user companies then registered with RMI, most of them U.S. based, had policies on sourcing conflict materials that were in line with the OECD guidelines. End-user companies set the tone for what happens in their supply chains, said Andrew Britton, managing director of Kumi, which is conducting a new assessment of certifiers now for the European Commission. Its really important that companies due diligence on their supply chains really probes into potential risks and is not simply a box-ticking exercise. ___ While land grabbing by ranchers, loggers and prospectors is hardly new in the Amazon, never before has Brazil had a president as outspokenly favorable to such interests. Bolsonaro campaigned for the nations top job with promises of unearthing the Amazons vast mineral wealth, and his support for prospectors has encouraged a modern-day gold rush. Bolsonaros father prospected for gold at Serra Pelada, where Dirceu first saw gold mining, and the president sometimes draws on his upbringing to rally support from prospectors. While campaigning, he aired videos in the Amazon region in which he boasted of sometimes pulling over at jungle stream and pulling a pan from a car to try his luck. Interest in the Amazon isnt about the Indians or the damn trees; its the ore, he told a group of prospectors at the presidential palace in 2019, vowing to deploy the armed forces to allow their operations to continue unfettered. Then in May 2021, he attacked environmentalists for trying to criminalize prospecting. Its really cool how people in suits and ties guess about everything that happens in the countryside, he said sarcastically. Beyond the rhetoric, Bolsonaros administration recently introduced legislation that would open up Indigenous territories to mining something federal prosecutors have called unconstitutional and activists warn would wreak vast social and environmental damages. Dirceu said he opposes allowing mining of Indigenous lands unless local people support the activity and are given first priority to pursue it themselves. But even as he fashions himself a reformer from the inside, hes also benefitted from the current free-for-all. For one, he doesnt even consider prospectors working without a permit to be illegal just irregular. Given persistent efforts to deregulate gold extraction, calls by Dirceu and the gold association to increase accountability over the gold supply chain ring hollow, said Robert Muggah, who oversees an initiative on environmental crime in the Amazon at think tank Igarape Institute. Soon, Dirceu may stand to profit even more. Recently, F.DGold received approval to begin exporting directly. Dirceu said the company is currently seeking clients abroad and hopes to begin shipments soon. Shelley Cook | Uplift A weekly review of funny, uplifting news in Winnipeg and around the globe that is delivered to your inbox each Wednesday. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. If he succeeds, it means that, for the first time, someone will have a hand in the entirety of Brazils gold supply chain: from the Amazon where the gold is mined, to the outposts where it is first sold, to the planes that bring the ore to his daughters refinery in Sao Paulo and, finally, into the hands of foreign buyers. "Its really important to understand that the nature of gold extraction in countries like Brazil is linked, ineluctably, to the global markets, said Muggah. ___ Goodman reported from Miami. Follow Biller and Goodman on Twitter at @DLBiller and @APjoshgoodman ___ Contact APs global investigative team at Investigative@ap.org or https://www.ap.org/tips/ FILE - A gold miner weighs his weekly production at an illegal mine in the Amazon jungle, in the Itaituba area of Para state, Brazil, Aug. 22, 2020. Nuggets are spirited out of the jungle by prospectors to the nearest city where they are sold to financial brokers. (AP Photo/Lucas Dumphreys, File) SAO PAULO (AP) The medals were billed as the most sustainable ever produced. To match the festive spirit of South Americas first Olympics, officials from Brazil, the host country for the 2016 games in Rio de Janeiro, boasted that the medals hung around the necks of athletes on the winners podium were also a victory for the environment: The gold was produced free of mercury and the silver recycled from thrown away X-ray plates and mirrors. Five years on, the refiner that provided the gold for the medals, Marsam, is processing gold ultimately purchased by hundreds of well-known publicly traded U.S. companies among them Microsoft, Tesla, and Amazon that are legally required to responsibly source metals in an industry long plagued by environmental and labor concerns. But a comprehensive review of public records by The Associated Press found that the Sao Paulo-based company processes gold for, and shared ownership links to, an intermediary accused by Brazilian prosecutors of buying gold mined illegally on Indigenous lands and other areas deep in the Amazon rainforest. The AP previously reported in this series that the scale of prospecting for gold on Indigenous lands has exploded in recent years and involves carving illegal landing strips in the forest for unauthorized airplanes to ferry in heavy equipment, fuel, and backhoes to tear at the earth in search of the precious metal. Weak government oversight enabled by President Jair Bolsonaro, the son of a prospector himself, has only exacerbated the problem of illegal gold mining in protected areas. Critics also fault an international certification program used by manufacturers to show they arent using minerals that come from conflict zones, saying it is an exercise in greenwashing. There is no real traceability as long as the industry relies on self-regulation, said Mark Pieth, a professor of criminal law at the University of Basel in Switzerland and author of a 2018 book called Gold Laundering. People know where the gold comes from, but they dont bother to go very far back into the supply chain because they know they will come into contact with all kinds of criminal activity. ___ Much like brown and black tributaries that feed the Amazon River, gold illegally mined in the rainforest mixes into the supply chain and melds with clean gold to become almost indistinguishable. Nuggets are spirited out of the jungle in prospectors dusty pockets to the nearest city where they are sold to financial brokers. All thats required to transform the raw ore into a tradable asset regulated by the central bank is a handwritten document attesting to the specific point in the rainforest where the gold was extracted. The fewer questions asked, the better. At many of those brokers Amazon outposts the financial systems front door the gold becomes the property of Dirceu Frederico Sobrinho. For four decades, Dirceu has embodied the up-by-your-bootstraps myth of the Brazilian garimpeiro, or prospector. The son of a vegetable grocer who sold his produce near an infamous open-pit mine so packed with prospectors among them Bolsonaros father they looked like swarming ants, he caught the gold bug in the mid-1980s. Today, from a high rise on Sao Paulos busiest avenue, he is a major player in Brazils gold rush, with 173 prospecting areas either registered to his name or with pending requests, according to Brazil's mining regulators registry. In the same building is the headquarters of the nations gold association, Anoro, which he leads. Dirceu universally known by his first name until last year, was also a partner in Marsam. But even with gold jewelry dangling from his fingers and wrist, Dirceu still proudly boasts his everyman garimpeiro roots. You dont motivate someone to go into the forest if theyre not chasing after a dream, he said in a rare interview from his corner office studded with a giant jade eagle. Whoever deals in gold has that: They dream, they believe, they like it. At the center of Dirceus empire is F.DGold, Brazils largest buyer of gold from prospecting sites, with purchases last year totaling more than 2 billion reais ($361 million) from 252 wildcat sites, according to data from the mining regulator. Only two international firms that run industrial-sized gold mines paid more in royalties in 2021, a sign of how once artisanal prospecting has become big business in Brazil at least for some. In August, federal prosecutors filed a civil suit against F.DGold and two other brokers seeking the immediate suspension of all activities and payment of 10 billion reais ($1.8 billion) in social and environmental damages. The complaint alleges the companies failed to take actions that would have prevented the illegal extraction of a combined 4.3 metric tons from protected areas and Indigenous territories, where mining is not allowed. Dirceu said his company complies with all laws and has implemented extra controls, but he acknowledged that determining the exact origin of the gold it obtains is impossible at present. The ongoing suit is the result of a study published last July by the Federal University of Minas Gerais that found that as much as 28% of Brazils gold produced in 2019 and 2020 was potentially mined illegally. To reach that conclusion, researchers combed through 17,400 government-registered transactions by F.DGold and other buyers to pinpoint the location where the gold was purportedly mined. In many cases, the given location wasnt an authorized site or, when cross-checked with satellite images, showed none of the hallmark signs of mining activity deforestation, stagnant ponds of waste meaning the gold originated elsewhere. ___ Whatever its origin, all the raw ore purchased by F.DGold ends up at Marsam. F.DGold accounts for more than one-third of the gold Marsam processes, according to Andre Nunes, an external consultant for Marsam. After almost two years as a partner in the Sao Paulo-based refiner, Dirceu stepped down last year and his daughter, Sarah Almeida Westphal, assumed management responsibilities. It was part of an effort to put different family members in charge of their own businesses, which function as separate legal entities, said Nunes, who previously worked for F.DGold. As much as its the same family, its important that each monkey has its own branch, he said. But Westphal could be seen working on a computer at F.DGolds office on the day the AP interviewed Dirceu. More than 300 publicly traded companies list Marsam as a refiner in responsible mining disclosures they are required to file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The refiner has been virtually the only supplier to Brazils mint over the past decade, according to data provided to the AP through a freedom of information request. Enabling such robust sales around the world is a seal of approval from the Responsible Minerals Initiative, or RMI. The certification program, run by a Virginia-based coalition of manufacturers, emerged with the passage a decade ago of legislation in the U.S. requiring companies to disclose their use of conflict minerals fueling civil war in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Later, its standards were supplemented by tougher guidelines developed by the Paris-based Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development or OECD Marsam is one of just two refiners in Brazil certified as compliant with RMIs standards for responsible sourcing of gold, having successfully completed two independent audits. The last one was performed in 2018 by UL Responsible Sourcing, an Illinois-based consultancy. Marsam hasnt been accused by prosecutors of any wrongdoing and insists that it only refines gold, not sell it, on behalf of third-party exporters and domestic vendors. The company in 2016 introduced a supply chain policy, which it has updated over the years, requiring it to seek out information from suppliers whenever they are publicly linked to illicit activities. They are also expected to analyze a mandatory declaration of origin form submitted by each client. No such risks were identified in the most recent RMI report and the Marsam was moved to a lower risk category requiring an audit once every three years. Shelley Cook | Uplift A weekly review of funny, uplifting news in Winnipeg and around the globe that is delivered to your inbox each Wednesday. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. Critics say one problem is that the OECDs guidelines RMI measures companies against pay scant attention to environmental crimes or the rights of Indigenous communities. Instead, they are geared toward risks stemming from civil wars and criminal networks. In Latin America, only Mexico, Colombia and Venezuela where drug cartels or guerrilla insurgencies are active are classified as conflict-affected and high-risk areas deserving greater scrutiny for sourcing practices. Certification connotes a degree of certitude that isnt at all possible in the gold industry, especially in Brazil, said David Soud, an analyst at I.R. Consilium, which recently prepared a report for the OECD on illegal gold flows from neighboring Venezuela. The result is a lot of blind spots that can easily be exploited by bad actors. ___ Goodman reported from Miami. Follow Biller and Goodman on Twitter at @DLBiller and @APjoshgoodman ___ Contact APs global investigative team at Investigative@ap.org or https://www.ap.org/tips/ MONTREAL - The federal government says the vaccine mandate for truckers crossing into Canada from the United States will come into effect this Saturday as planned, despite a previous statement from the Canada Border Services Agency that said Canadian truck drivers would be exempt. Traffic backs up on Fort St. next to the Ambassador Bridge, Monday, Oct. 4, 2021, in Detroit. Truckers say the federal government's backtrack on a slated vaccine mandate changes little for the industry and an already strained supply chain. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP/Carlos Osorio MONTREAL - The federal government says the vaccine mandate for truckers crossing into Canada from the United States will come into effect this Saturday as planned, despite a previous statement from the Canada Border Services Agency that said Canadian truck drivers would be exempt. In a release Thursday, Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos along with the transport and public safety ministers said the CBSA statement from Wednesday evening was "provided in error," and that Canadian truckers must be vaccinated if they want to avoidquarantine and a pre-arrival molecular test, starting this weekend. "This has not changed," the cabinet ministers said. "Our teams have been in touch with industry representatives to ensure they have the correct information." Unvaccinated American big-riggers will be turned back at the border beginning Jan. 15, the ministers said, with the U.S. preparing to impose similar restrictions on Canadian truckers on Jan. 22. Government representatives offered no explanation for the incorrect information emailed to media more than 20 hours earlier. Up to 26,000 of the 160,000 drivers who make regular cross-border trips will be sidelined as a result of the mandate, adding further bottlenecks and potential price hikes to the flow of goods ranging from produce to auto parts and medical devices, say the Canadian Trucking Alliance and the American Trucking Associations. The federal Conservatives as well as trade groups representing oil, manufacturing and export companies called on Ottawa this week to postpone the impending deadline, which was announced on Nov. 19. "Todays reversal by the Trudeau government will only make Canadas cost of living crisis worse by driving the price of basic essentials like groceries up," Conservative transport critic Melissa Lantsman said in a statement. "At a time when inflation is already at a record high, Canadians will be the ones paying the price for the Trudeau governments poor policy decisions." Bison Transport CEO Rob Penner says the new rule will hamstring long-haulers, who carry the bulk of the roughly $24 billion in food products imported to Canada annually from the U.S., according to the United States Trade Representative. I dont know if its grocery shelves empty, or just significantly more expensive meals," said Penner, whose Winnipeg-based fleet of 1,000 tractor-trailers carries retail goods and food and beverages into Canada. Some 30,000 trucks roll across the border each day hauling nearly $850 million in freight, according to 2020 figures from the U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Teamsters Canada, which represents 15,000 truckers in Canada, says the logistics chain is already missing tens of thousands of drivers due to poor working conditions. "Blaming professional drivers is not the answer," spokesman Stephane Lacroix said in an email, referring to possible cost increases or stock shortages. Shelley Cook | Uplift A weekly review of funny, uplifting news in Winnipeg and around the globe that is delivered to your inbox each Wednesday. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. "It is the labour shortage that is primarily responsible, not the pandemic and its impact." Government officials met virtually with union and corporate representatives on Wednesday, where the latter were told that the trucking industry's exemption from the vaccine mandate would end Saturday as planned, according to Canadian Trucking Alliance president Stephen Laskowski. Canadian truckers who are unvaccinated or partially vaccinated will need to undergo a 14-day quarantine. They will also need to meet requirements for "pre-entry, arrival and Day 8 testing," the ministers said Thursday. The ArriveCan app or web portal remains the only way to submit vaccination information, including for American truckers starting Saturday, the border services agency said in an email Tuesday. Further proof of vaccination may be required at the border, CBSA spokeswoman Rebecca Purdy wrote. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 13, 2022. Winnipeggers will soon be able to enjoy new works of art downtown but they wont last forever. Winnipeggers will soon be able to enjoy new works of art downtown but they wont last forever. Thats because the sculptures will be made of ice. The new exhibit, called Winter Wanderland, is a joint venture of Downtown Winnipeg BIZ and Sputnik Architecture. Slabs of ice, each measuring about two by three metres, will be mined out of the frozen Red River, deposited in various locations downtown and turned into 11 works of art. Tentative locations include the Millennium Library, True North Sqaure and the Alt Hotel. Lawrence Bird, of Sputnik Architecture, said artists expect to be harvesting the ice next week, and carving the blocks shortly after. "Were actually ahead of where we thought we would be," Bird said Wednesday. "We thought we wouldnt be on the river until February but it has been so cold and the ice is thick. RUTH BONNEVILLE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES Internationally renowned Ice Architect Luca Roncoroni shaves ice for a creation last January. "This is the kind of weather we pray for. Were happy to get them out early so they can be out longer." Bird said Sputnik has been working with artists and ice sculptors for about a decade on the popular river skating trail before expanding to various parts of the city last year. This year, the firm and Winnipeg BIZ will focus on the downtown. Sculptures will vary in sizes, and lights will be installed in each so "the whole block will light up like a light bulb". "People were cutting ice out of the river 100 years ago to keep ice boxes cold so this is like a return to history," said Bird. "We think this is a way to embrace the cold weather we have around us." Chris Pancoe, a multi-media artist and ceramic and sculpture technician at the University of Manitobas School of Art, is looking forward to crafting a work from solid ice. Mike Deal / Winnipeg Free Press Files A young skater examines an ice sculpture on the River Trail at The Forks in 2015. "Both with ice and snow, the sculpting happens pretty quickly," said Pancoe. "Youre taking material away so whatever you end with is smaller than the block you started off with. Youre not using a chisel or hammer like with stone or wood. Youre essentially carving water so figuring out an idea ahead of time is great because it is done so quickly. "It is a seductive medium and when you come across a big ice block and one that comes from the river it is great. There are no bubbles in it and it freezes perfectly." Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. Pancoe said freezing was a different story last year when the BIZ sponsored Snowfa, an event for which artists created works you could sit on. He said they were working against the normal elements of a Winnipeg winter. "We had such a freakishly warm winter, we were carving while watching it melt," he said. "We wont have that problem this year." Pam Hardman, spokeswoman for the Winnipeg BIZ, said its hoping the venture will bring people downtown. "Businesses are finding it tough right now," Hardman said. "We really wanted to add something to encourage people to come downtown and buy a hot chocolate or find a business they had never seen before. "Winnipeg is a winter city and people are looking for things to do outside especially during a pandemic." kevin.rollason@freepress.mb.ca The family of a Berens River First Nation woman reported to be missing in Winnipeg for more than two weeks fear shes in harms way. The family of a Berens River First Nation woman reported to be missing in Winnipeg for more than two weeks fear shes in harms way. Candace McKay-Paul, 34, hasnt spoken to family since Dec. 28 which her eldest sister, Jessica Maude, said is out-of-character for the mother and grandmother. "Candace is vulnerable and we are concerned for her well-being. Candace is very loving, kind and very protective of her family," Maude said from Pauingassi First Nation during a virtual news event Wednesday organized by Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak. McKay-Paul, who lives in Winnipeg, was last seen Dec. 29 by city police and a building owner in a suite inside an apartment block at 729 Wellington Ave., her sister told the Free Press. She was reported missing Jan. 6, Winnipeg Police Service Const. Rob Carver said. That day, police and community organization the Bear Clan Patrol issued a poster seeking information on the missing mother. "Each day that passes, as a family, weve become more concerned. It has been 16 days without any contact from Candace," Maude said. "Candace has two sons and one grandchild who miss her and want her home." McKay-Paul is 5-6, weighs 115 to 135 pounds, has shoulder-length brown hair and tattoos on her forearms and neck. Maude asked anyone with information about her sisters whereabouts to contact the WPS missing persons unit at 204-986-6250. MKO missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls liaison unit director Hilda Anderson-Pyrz emphasized the stress the family is under, as the search is underway in Winnipeg. Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. "Its very challenging times right now in the midst of a pandemic, but its equally challenging for Jessica as she is not residing in Winnipeg," she said. "Weve often said that there needs to be more supports and resources for families who have loved ones who are missing, especially when the family is from a community outside of Winnipeg," Anderson-Pyrz said, calling it heart-wrenching for families. Carver said an investigation is underway. He noted in some missing person cases, police dont issue public notifications through the media. "Over the past year, the Winnipeg Police Service received 7,780 missing person reports, averaging 707 per month," he said. "It would not be practical for us to issue a media release in each case. Investigators use various criteria to determine whether an individual case should be the subject of a media release." erik.pindera@freepress.mb.ca Days after Monstrosity Burger touted on social media how customers had cleaned us out of food, the province has confirmed the restaurants owners are now facing a monstrous fine of up to $1 million for repeated alleged breaches of pandemic restrictions. Days after Monstrosity Burger touted on social media how customers had "cleaned us out" of food, the province has confirmed the restaurants owners are now facing a monstrous fine of up to $1 million for repeated alleged breaches of pandemic restrictions. The Corydon Avenue burger restaurant, and the adjoining Tuxedo Village Family Restaurant, which is run by the same owners, have been hit with seven counts of violating the Public Health Act, according to the provinces latest enforcement update. According to court documents, the offences are alleged to have occurred Nov. 24-26. They include three counts each of failing to restrict admission to customers who can provide proof of vaccination and failing to remind customers to wear a mask when required, and one count of failing to ensure anyone arriving for a takeout order is able to maintain a two-metre distance from customers. A woman who identified herself on the phone as a manager at Monstrosity Burger declined to speak to a reporter Wednesday afternoon. "Were not interested in speaking with anybody," the woman said. "Have a great day, OK." Court documents show the charges were sworn Dec. 24 but appear to have had no immediate impact on business. In a message posted to Monstrosity Burgers Facebook page on Sunday, the restaurant said it would have to close for a day to re-stock after customers "cleaned us out" of food. "What a weekend!" the post said. "Were overwhelmed with emotion from your on-going (sic) support! It continues to be an amazing ride! So many old friends and so many new friends." JOHN WOODS / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Last fall, Monstrosity Burger was fined thousands of dollars for allowing unvaccinated and unmasked patrons to eat inside the restaurant. The post generated dozens of messages from customers praising the restaurant and its "stand for freedom." "I hope other businesses are paying attention and are learning a thing or two from you," said one customer. News of the charges comes at a time when many city restaurants have chosen to close temporarily or permanently in the face of the Omicron variant. Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. Last fall, Monstrosity Burger and Tuxedo Village Family Restaurant owners Dave Jones and Paulina Jojnowicz were hit with eight tickets totaling $40,000 for allowing unvaccinated and unmasked patrons to eat inside their restaurants. The couple vowed to fight the tickets in court. In an Instagram post at the time, they decried a decision by provincial health enforcement temporarily restricting the restaurants to takeout and delivery-only as "corruption at the highest level." In an Instagram message posted Tuesday and attached to a picture of Adolf Hitler, Monstrosity Burger urged followers to ignore the governments "freedom-stealing mandates." "You who comply are the reason for these restrictions and lockdowns!" the restaurant wrote in all-caps. "Stand up against them." The first court date for the restaurant is Jan. 26. dean.pritchard@freepress.mb.ca An imminent return to in-class learning has prompted some Manitoba parents to book early COVID-19 follow-up shots for their young children, but public health officials say it is worth the wait. An imminent return to in-class learning has prompted some Manitoba parents to book early COVID-19 follow-up shots for their young children, but public health officials say it is worth the wait. Both Canada and Manitoba, per the National Advisory Committee on Immunization and the Manitoba Pediatric Vaccine Advisory Committee, initially recommended an eight-week interval or 56 days between first and second shots for youth aged five to 11, the latest population to became eligible for a jab. The above recently reaffirmed their support for that timeframe, following reviews of the guidance and consideration of Omicron. With that in mind, and Nov. 24 being the first day child-sized doses were administered in Manitoba, second doses will start to ramp up later this month. It is not lost on Jennifer Wilder, a mother who works in an elementary school, that upwards of 200,000 K-12 students will be back doing face-to-face learning full-time by then. Wilder said she has come to terms with the fact that she and her children, in grades 2 and 5, will likely contract the virus, given how infectious and widespread the new variant is and how many contacts her family will have in the coming weeks. "I dont think theres any right answer right now. Sending them back to school is scary, but at the same time, I know they need it. I just couldnt live with myself knowing that I didnt do everything I could (to keep them safe)," she said. The mother of two consulted a family doctor before making a number of requests to pharmacies in Winnipeg to find a site that would allow her children one of whom has asthma and both of whom have dwarfism, which potentially puts them at greater risk of severe outcomes should they contract SARS-CoV-2 to get subsequent shots before they return to school on Jan. 17. (Immunocompromised students should wait eight weeks between shots, per officials, who recommend families consult physicians before adjusting a timeline.) Last week, Wilder provided informed consent so her children could get their second doses after a six-week interval at the Safeway Crestview pharmacy on Portage Avenue. Some parents have been turned away from clinics or had their childrens follow-up appointments cancelled because it has not been two months since an initial dose of Pfizer-BioNTechs child-sized vaccine was administered in the province. Vaccination sites will continue to enforce that interval, although it is possible to shorten the duration to a minimum of three weeks or 21 days, in some circumstances. During a Wednesday news conference, Dr. Joss Reimer addressed the countless messages she has been receiving from parents on the subject and why officials are standing by the existing recommendation, the result of weighing concerns about Omicron against the known benefit of waiting two months between jabs, while taking into account the fact children are at a much lower risk of severe outcomes compared to adults. "Children had a robust immune response in the original (clinical) trials and so we expect that even if the first dose may not provide the full benefit of two doses, its still very helpful," said the medical lead for Manitobas COVID-19 vaccine taskforce. Reimer noted that protection is greatest approximately two weeks and two months after receiving a dose, which is the current timeline for many students. Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. She also unveiled provincial data to show a Manitoban who has received one dose, at any point in the pandemic, is three times less likely to end up in an intensive care unit compared to someone who is unvaccinated. "We dont know when, if or what kind of variant might circulate in our communities in the future, so while theres no question that we want children protected against Omicron, we are also trying to think about how to give them the best possible protection in the months to come because we know that COVID is here to stay," added Reimer. Just over half of children aged five to 11 have received an initial jab in Manitoba. Two per cent of that group has received a second dose. The latter statistic includes Ian Walkers children, who recently secured second doses at the Sobeys pharmacy on Henderson Highway, 40 days post-initial shot. "With the prevalence of COVID, we figured it was probably our best bet to do that," said Walker, who will be in contact with 55 students daily when his Winnipeg students come back to class next week. "It was the best choice for our family." maggie.macintosh@freepress.mb.ca A nine-month investigation led by the Winnipeg Police Service organized crime unit spanning at least three provinces has resulted in 12 arrests and the seizure of numerous guns, drugs and vehicles. A nine-month investigation led by the Winnipeg Police Service organized crime unit spanning at least three provinces has resulted in 12 arrests and the seizure of numerous guns, drugs and vehicles. "In my opinion this is probably the most important investigation weve had here to date. Theres rising gun violence in the city and we were able to take a significant amount of guns off the street, and drugs," Winnipeg police Insp. Elton Hall told reporters Thursday. The investigation into the alleged firearm trafficking ring, dubbed Project Phoenix, began in May but had its roots in prior police work. "Phoenix is a resurrection, or rebirth of sorts. These individuals were identified by our organization a couple of years ago. We believe they were trafficking guns in and out of the city of Winnipeg," Hall said. Before another recent organized crime investigation, Project Gold Dust, that resulted in a massive cocaine trafficking cell busted and numerous people arrested across the country in February, city police had flagged the alleged gun traffickers, Hall said. "We learned that they were very sophisticated, they were well-insulated so we didnt have a lot of success," he said. "Given the increase in gun violence this year, in April, we sat down with the organized crime unit to figure out a way to relook at these individuals." Among the seizures were about 40 firearms; 30 kilograms of methamphetamine; six kilograms of fentanyl; 15 kilograms of cocaine and 100 kilograms of cannabis. (Mike Deal / Winnipeg Free Press) By the summer, investigators believed drugs were also being handled by the suspect network. The Edmonton Police Service, Ontario Provincial Police and RCMP then became involved. The U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Canada Border Services, Correctional Service of Canada, and Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada also assisted. In December, investigators executed 16 search warrants: four in Winnipeg, three in Anola, two at Stony Mountain Institution, four in Alberta, and three in the Greater Toronto Area. On Thursday, at Winnipeg police headquarters, Hall stood behind a display of drugs, cash and guns seized by police. "I can tell you that there are guns on this table right now that are stolen, theyre stolen from the United States," he said, noting police arent alleging the gun trafficking ring was involved in smuggling the weapons across the southern border, but rather interprovincially. "These handguns and the guns you see here are used for two things: theyre used for target practice and shooting human beings." Two of the people arrested, one from Alberta and one from Quebec, face charges for using drones to smuggle large quantities of drugs and other contraband into Stony Mountain Institution in Manitoba and Collins Bay Institution in Kingston, Ont., both federal prisons. Some of the guns and cash seized by police. (Mike Deal / Winnipeg Free Press) At Stony Mountain, investigators seized methamphetamine, fentanyl, cocaine, cannabis and other contraband, which altogether would net approximately $700,000 in the prison, police said. Among the seizures were about 40 firearms; 30 kilograms of methamphetamine; six kg of fentanyl; 15 kg of cocaine; 100 kg of cannabis; smaller amounts of heroin, ecstasy and psilocybin mushrooms; one kg of an agent used to cut drugs; 11 vehicles; four snowmobiles; three trailers; and a Bobcat. Police froze numerous bank accounts, but Hall was not able to say how many or much money was involved. Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. Charges have been laid against six of the 12 people arrested and are pending for the other six. Police are seeking arrest warrants for three more people. Matthew Cody Knysh, 30, of Winnipeg, is charged with 20 firearms offences. Mitchell Steven Lee Bruneau, 40, of Anola, is charged with six firearms offences and four counts of conspiracy. Jason Dean Bigl, 29, of Winnipeg, is charged with possessing and trafficking in firearms and four counts of conspiracy. Stacy DeSantis, 25, is charged with trafficking (controlled substance) and conspiracy. Mario Grosso, 36, of Heritage Pointe, Alta., is charged with trafficking (controlled substance) and conspiracy. Joseph Louis Savino, 35, of Winnipeg, is charged with six firearms-related offences and trafficking (controlled substance). Hall would not expand on why the conspiracy charges were laid Thursday, citing the ongoing investigation by numerous police agencies. All of the accused remain in custody. erik.pindera@freepress.mb.ca The Winnipeg Community Taxi Association is calling on the City of Winnipeg to take strong action to deal with the increasing number of thefts and assaults on cabbies. A driver who had to get stitches after what the association called an unprovoked attack will speak with journalists later today. Teachers in France are on a nationwide strike over how the government is handling the COVID-19 situation in schools. Education Minister Cliff Cullen will speak at a news conference today about what the provincial government is doing to make schools safer when they reopen to students next week, Premier Heather Stefanson said Wednesday. EVEN before the COVID-19 pandemic, another threat to business continuity was looming the silver tsunami. Canadas 1.2 million small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) community has been bracing for the departure of nearly three-quarters of its owners, who plan to retire within the next decade. Opinion EVEN before the COVID-19 pandemic, another threat to business continuity was looming the silver tsunami. Canadas 1.2 million small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) community has been bracing for the departure of nearly three-quarters of its owners, who plan to retire within the next decade. Often, the intent is for owners to transfer the company to relatives or sell to a third-party purchaser. The reality is that either way, many entrepreneurs have yet to draft a formal succession plan or are unable to execute it due to various factors, heightened by the COVID-19 reality. Theres a lesser-known, but proven, third option that rarely gets the attention it deserves. SMEs could also consider selling the business to employees or community stakeholders who have formed co-operatives. Such transitions, known as Business Conversions to Co-operatives (BCC), are a tried-and-true solution for rescuing businesses or for succession planning in numerous jurisdictions around the world. Lack of knowledge about BCC as an option here comes at a significant cost to Canada. If there was more knowledge of this concept throughout Canada, potentially thousands of companies and the jobs they provide could continue to operate. Successful examples of BCCs have been documented in Canada across multiple industries. These include such diverse stories as the Battle River Railway, where a group of farmers formed a co-operative to purchase a shortline railway so they could continue its operation and transport their produce to high-throughput terminals. Theres also the community of a remote town coming together to safeguard their only grocery store, now known as the Epicerie Moonbeam Co-op Grocery. In Canada, co-operative conversions can take many forms. Retiring owners can either sell to the staff or to others as part of a community or multi-stakeholder buyout. Another example is Arise Architects, where a retiring business owner transitioned his business, with the support of staff, into an employee-owned co-operative. There are such stories across Canada, and Manitobans can reflect on how conversions played a role in keeping local businesses going, when buying tools at Pollocks Hardware Co-op Ltd. on Main Street in Winnipeg or getting equipment repaired at Standard Machine Works, for example. If more SME owners understood co-operative conversions as an option, it would prevent them from just permanently closing their doors and stripping communities of jobs, products and services. This is particularly pertinent for rural, remote and northern communities, where this economic activity is so important. In Canada, co-operative conversions can take many forms. Retiring owners can either sell to the staff or to others as part of a community or multi-stakeholder buyout. In Quebec, a worker-shareholder co-operative, formed by the employees of a business, can also enter co-ownership agreements with the traditional investors who own the business. Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. So why arent our governments doing more to encourage BCCs? If this proven solution were further embraced, funded and promoted by various levels of government and other stakeholders from the business community, it would enable and accelerate conversions to consumer, producer, worker and multi-stakeholder co-operatives, depending on the local needs. This could be accomplished with the assistance of programs such as the Cooperative Support Buyout Program in Quebec, by encouraging participation in the Investment Readiness Program of the Social Innovation and Social Finance Strategy, or by leveraging existing sector led co-operative development funds. In addition to the transition solution that conversions can offer, it should be noted that former owners can also become members of the newly formed co-operatives, as part of a staged retirement and knowledge transfer plan. The Conversion to Co-operatives Project found that more than 50 per cent of Canadas SME owners do not desire to fully retire and that a BCC could provide a tangible way to stay involved and secure their legacy. Co-operative associations and federations can assist businesses looking into the BCC option. But more needs to be done at the provincial and federal levels to showcase BCCs more widely as a legitimate pathway; Canadas co-operative conversion solution could help mitigate the effects of our SME silver tsunami and keep our communities thriving. Marcelo Vieta is an associate professor and co-director of the Centre for Learning, Social Economy & Work (CLSEW) at the University of Toronto. Daniel Brunette is the director of advocacy and partnerships at Co-operatives and Mutuals Canada. In the end, perhaps something good actually did come out of Shovelgate. In the end, perhaps something good actually did come out of "Shovelgate." Probably not for Progressive Conservative MLA and Minister of Economic Development and Jobs Jon Reyes, who found himself at the centre of a Twitterverse implosion this week after tweeting a picture, snapped from an upstairs window, of his wife out shovelling their homes driveway after returning from a 12-hour hospital shift. The intent was clearly affectionate and respectful: "Even after a 12 hour night shift at the hospital last night, my wife still has the energy to shovel the driveway. God bless her and all our frontliners. Time to make her some breakfast." But the immediate online reaction, on a social-media platform known more for its hair-trigger snark and insults than its deliberative sympathy and insight, was emphatically condemnatory. - @JONREYES204 Manitoba MLA Jon Reyes received backlash for posting this tweet about his wife shovelling snow after a 12-hour hospital shift. From Winnipeg to the farthest reaches of cyberspace, in venues ranging from Twitter itself to the august Washington Post to gutter-dwelling TMZ, Mr. Reyes well-intended photo/tweet became the target of intense scrutiny and merciless derision. Heck, even the ladies of TVs The View saw fit to weigh in, albeit mostly supportively. The most common implication, however, was that the Waverley MLA was shiftless and insensitive for leaving the grunt work of driveway clearing to his overburdened wife. Of course, it all amounted to several shovels-full of nonsense. And all it took to defuse the situation was for Cynthia Reyes the aforementioned snow-scraping spouse to issue a Twitter statement of her own, clarifying her non-victimhood and, in the process, offering a useful lesson in online decorum, thinking before tweeting and generally decent human behaviour. "I just wanted to shovel," Mrs. Reyes said online, explaining she arrived home Saturday morning when everyone in the house was still asleep, and viewed the overnight accumulation of snow as an opportunity to take in some fresh air and decompress a bit in a "quiet and peaceful" place after hours of wearing an N95 mask in a stressful environment. She also rightly questioned the fault-finding commenters assumptions about the nature of her partnership with her husband, and of their rush to assign gender roles to tasks that are shared equitably in their household. "My shovelling was an act of self-care and taking care of my home and family," she wrote, adding that "this tweet probably would not have gone viral if the gender roles were reversed or if my husband were not a politician." MLA Jon Reyes' (left) tweet was mocked in venues ranging from Twitter itself to the Washington Post to TMZ. (Province of British Columbia photo) Its just the way the Reyeses roll, she explained he likes cooking, she likes shovelling, and vice-versa. Unlike the online rudeness reverberators, she perceived her husbands tweet as honest, genuine and sincere. "I am grateful that he appreciates what I do and that he loves me and shows it publicly," she wrote. "So I will not be divorcing him over shovelling as many have recommended." The lessons to be gleaned from this tempest on a two-car garage approach are twofold: First and this would be well heeded by Mr. Reyes as he continues to be "unapologetically himself," as his wife proudly describes is that before ever hitting "send" on a tweet or any other social-media submission, its wise to pause and thoughtfully assess what the ramifications might be when the judgmental eyes of the online world find it. And second, a more general piece of advice to those whose first social-media impulse is to unleash scorn either their own, or the retweeted abuse of others: think twice; consider context; favour kindness over cruelty. Instead of snark-tweeting, maybe go outside and shovel some snow. Its rumoured to be a great stress reliever. 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 Stay informed The latest updates on the novel coronavirus and COVID-19 delivered to your inbox every weeknight. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. Dylan Robertson Parliamentary bureau chief In Ottawa, Dylan enjoys snooping through freedom-of-information requests and asking politicians: "What about Manitoba?" Read full biography A surge in demand in at least one hospital emergency department in Winnipeg has left patients on stretchers in hallways waiting to be admitted to a ward, as labour leaders raise concerns care could be compromised. A surge in demand in at least one hospital emergency department in Winnipeg has left patients on stretchers in hallways waiting to be admitted to a ward, as labour leaders raise concerns care could be compromised. Manitoba Association of Health Care Professionals president Bob Moroz said pressure at Grace Hospital has become so intense, staff have compared the situation to a war zone and are concerned they wont be able to keep up with patient demand. RUTH BONNEVILLE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES At one point Wednesday, as many as 74 patients were being treated in Grace Hospitals emergency department, which has a typical bed base of 31. "They are telling us that this is the worst that they have seen during COVID (pandemic)," Moroz said Wednesday. "They are worried and they dont believe they will be able to help everybody who comes in who needs that help. "Theyre scared for the people coming into these emergency rooms and theyre worried about themselves." The association represents about 6,500 people working in the health-care system, including respiratory therapists, imaging technologists and occupational therapists. Moroz said members in the Grace emergency department have reported the facility as being "beyond full," and patients are being triaged and placed into beds in the hallway rather than admitted to a ward. Many of the incoming patients are testing positive for COVID-19, he noted. "It is absolutely crushing," Moroz said. "We need to stop people from getting sick from COVID and Omicron (variant)." At one point Wednesday, as many as 74 patients were being treated in Grace Hospitals emergency department, which has a typical bed base of 31. At least 17 were positive for COVID-19 on arrival. A spokesman for the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority said such COVID-19 patients are being cohorted, rather than assigned beds in a hallway. "There are indeed patients in (the emergency department) waiting for admittance to hospital who are on stretchers in the hall outside the regular ED treatment rooms," the spokesman said in a statement to the Free Press. Patients who are given beds in the halls are monitored and cared for in the same way as others, the spokesman said, noting the use of hallway medicine is a temporary response to the surge of COVID-19 positive, and suspected, patients. "Grace Hospital is addressing this scenario with a team approach and a get-it-done attitude," the spokesman said. "The hospital is balancing staff, including clinical managers and directors, across all areas of the hospital to address areas of greatest need." At the same time, Manitoba Nurses Union president Darlene Jackson described emergency rooms as overrun and filled beyond capacity by patients with non-pandemic health issues but, at present, there are not enough staff to treat them. "This is causing a serious backlog on an already taxed and worked-to-capacity system," Jackson said. "The longer we stay stuck here, the worse off patient care will be for all Manitobans." Moroz said workers are becoming increasingly concerned they will have to turn patients away while others are leaving without being seen. Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. "That is devastating to get to a point where youre not going to be able to help people in the emergency room," Moroz said. Health Minister Audrey Gordon said her office meets with health system leaders daily, sometimes hourly, to get situation updates from the front line as the Omicron variant throttles the health system. "I dont want the message to Manitobans to be that we somehow lost sight of what is happening in hospitals and ICUs," Gordon said during a lengthy news conference Wednesday. "We do see the escalation in the numbers of people that are presenting." The minister called on the public to get vaccinated against COVID-19, including the booster dose. "Our message today is: the way that you stay out of the ER hallways and the way that you stay out of our hospitals and our ICUs is to recharge your immunity by getting your third dose," Gordon said. "That is how you help yourself, your friends, your family members and all Manitobans and its not by lining up in the ERs." danielle.dasilva@freepress.mb.ca Winnipeg Mayor Brian Bowman never thought he would have to tell people not to ingest urine, bleach or horse medicine. Thats what happens when disinformation explodes during a pandemic. Winnipeg Mayor Brian Bowman never thought he would have to tell people not to ingest urine, bleach or horse medicine. Thats what happens when disinformation explodes during a pandemic. As the COVID-19 pandemic nears its third year, elected officials like Bowman are still fighting false or dangerous claims made by conspiracy theorists or anti-vaxxers. In one of the mayors latest tweets, he took aim at bogus COVID-19 treatments or cures that continue to be promoted by vaccine skeptics. Please do not: drink urine, consume bleach, ingest horse medicine, Bowman wrote to his 73,000 Twitter followers Wednesday. Please: get vaccinated! Limit your contacts, wash hands, wear a mask, watch distance. It sounds like common sense, but the number of Twitter users who challenged him shows theres still a need to state the obvious, he told the Free Press. Bowman decided to post the tweet after seeing online chatter about unauthorized or discredited COVID-19 infection therapies. Having to recommend to people not to take horse medicine or consume bleach or urine is absurd, he said, but it is also absurd not to follow the advice of health professionals. I was just providing factual information. As you can see, there are people who believe these are things that can prevent COVID. There are people in our community and online who dont agree with the advice of getting vaccinated. Bowman has received online threats while sharing official Canadian public health guidance and encouraging people to get their shots, but he remains undeterred. Some of those threats have been forwarded to the police, he said. Morden Mayor Brandon Burley has faced similar vitriol and threats, after speaking out against Manitobans who refuse to get vaccinated or flout public health orders. There are times, Burley said, he wishes social media didnt exist given how some are using it to spread false information and dupe others in a time of crisis. Jen Zoratti | Next A weekly look towards a post-pandemic future delivered to your inbox every Wednesday. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. It has impaired our response more than it has helped it, he said. Like Bowman, Burley has occasionally used humour or sarcasm to debunk or highlight claims that arent true. Some people dont expect humour from elected officials, but that is what is needed to make sure people understand the irony and, often, the absurdity of the practices they are engaging in, he said. Its insane were in a position where people would rather drink their own urine rather than trust a scientist. chris.kitching@freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @chriskitching Habitat for Humanity has announced that an anonymous local donor has generously given 40 pallets of brand new ceiling fans, light bulbs, and assorted light fixtures to the ReStore in Winona. This donation, and donations like these, help Habitat for Humanity build and repair homes by generating sales at the ReStore. The ReStore sells energy-efficient products to families, landlords, and businesses looking to purchase affordable materials locally. Gifts like this further the ReStores mission of supporting Habitat construction and repair projects in the community. This year, the ReStore is helping to fund the building of house #53 located in the east end of Winona. Another generous local donor came forward with a gift of warehouse space to store these pallets until they can be sold at the ReStore. To make a donation of products or materials to the ReStore, call Jen Tepovich at (507) 961-9399 or email manager@habitatwinona.org. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol rescued a woman and arrested a man suspected of kidnapping her in Indiana on Wednesday night near Grand Island. The patrol was alerted by law enforcement authorities in Indiana that a man and a woman he allegedly kidnapped were believed to be traveling westbound in Nebraska. Troopers were able to locate the vehicle, a Chevrolet Silverado, on Interstate 80 near Grand Island. A warrant had been issued for the drivers arrest, and Indiana officials believed the driver to be armed with several firearms. At approximately 8:20 p.m., troopers with the patrol's SWAT Team attempted to stop the vehicle at mile marker 314, near Grand Island. The suspect then drove through the median and began traveling eastbound. Troopers immediately performed a tactical vehicle intervention to bring the vehicle to a stop. The suspect, William Brittingham, 52, of Demotte, Indiana, was arrested without further incident, according to the patrol, and the woman was rescued. The woman reported she had been handcuffed by Brittingham during the drive from Indiana to Nebraska. Numerous firearms were found inside the cab of the pickup, according to a release from the patrol. Brittingham is in the Hall County Jail, awaiting extradition to Indiana. Homeland Security Investigators, the Lincoln/Lancaster County Narcotics Task Force, and the Omaha Police Department assisted in this operation. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Chris Meyer, elected as the new Winona County Board chair, has had plenty of local government experience to get to this point. She previously served as a member of the county Parks and Environmental committee, as well as the county planning commission. During her time on the planning commission is when Meyer decided to take things one step further. Jim Pomeroy, the former District One county commissioner, asked me if Id be interested in running several years prior to my decision, Meyer said. I became interested because while people think that state and federal office hold greater importance, I realized that at the local level there is an immediate impact on ones neighbors. Meyer, who was elected chair during the Jan. 4 board meeting, also knows how crucial local government is, especially on decisions that arent made by the state. Minnesota is one of about 10 states in the country where the state itself does not administer health and human service and public health functions. That function is pushed down to the county government. The state still mandates and controls the services, but its the county that actually delivers the services such as income supports or medical assistance. Our county staff manages those programs, hence making local governance so important for our residents, Meyer said. Our primary function as commissioners is to raise the levy, approve the budgets, and deal with the funding parts of government, which is why understanding finance and having a business background like I do is important. For Meyer, being chair doesnt change too much in terms of her overall goals, it just adds a little more weight behind them. Our policy sets the role of the chairperson on the County Board and that is to try to find common ground and keep us moving in a positive and courteous say. I believe that we all (the board of commissioners) care deeply about the community and Winona County, but I think we have very different ideas about how to best care for the county, Meyer said. It is hard for us to agree on a wide variety of topics, but it is my goal to see if we can keep talking and find common ground. We might not be able to, but we still need to govern, so my role as board chair is to keep us as civil as we can be in our discourse, she said. With the ongoing pandemic, Meyer acknowledges that while other projects and decisions will be crucial, navigating the pandemic is still on the forefront of her mind. Meyer said, We are in the midst of a public health crisis and putting our county resources into getting as many people who will to get vaccinated and boosted. That is the result of many cooperative agreements with cities, fire departments, and schools around the county. I urge folks to follow CDC guidance. Right now Public Health is saying that we really need to upgrade to higher quality masks in public because the omnicron variant is so contagious. Meyer included a message for citizens of the county: Other goals and concerns I have for Winona include becoming a more welcoming and accepting community, and bringing our best selves to civil discourse. While these are societal issues they require that we think about community, citizenship, and how we can come together to support democracy and our way of life. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 1 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Baraboo School District Officials made the decision on Thursday afternoon to switch to virtual learning starting Friday and through next week. Baraboo District Communications Director confirmed Thursday that starting Friday students will convene in virtual classrooms. She said the decision was made by the School District Administration staff. Due to the extreme increase in the number of positive COVID-19 cases amongst students and school staff, the School District of Baraboo will move to virtual and asynchronous learning beginning Friday, January 14, 2022 through Friday, January 21, 2022, according to a statement sent to families from Supt. Rainey Briggs. Students will attend class virtually Friday, have Monday off for the Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday, then virtual learning Tuesday through Thursday. There is a scheduled teacher work day Jan. 21. Briggs said more information regarding instructional schedules, food service and technology needs will be coming from building principals in the near future. On Thursday students were sent home from school buildings with the proper technology and education materials to learn remotely. Not having enough staff members is truly putting students and staff at a safety risk as well as not being able to educate students to the level expected. We will be closely monitoring all building staff absences to best support future needs to switch to a mix of synchronous and asynchronous if need be, Briggs said. Please know that we will be utilizing district staff that are in good health to support in other departments and classrooms. Briggs advised parents to contact building principals with any questions. Thank you for your understanding during this ever evolving situation so together we are serving every student, every day, in every way, Briggs said. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Are you tired of the pandemic? We all want it to go away. Some folks complain that people in power havent done enough, but heres the thing: Epidemiologists say that the two best tools we have for fighting it are masks and vaccines, and nobody is safe until we all are. Ice fishing season is here and next weekend everyone will have the opportunity to fish on Silver Lake for free. Beginners are welcome. Portage FFA and Portage Ice Fishing Team have teamed up to hold a free event Jan. 15 with prizes available for largest fish and anglers could win gift cards. There is enough ice on Silver Lake for ice fishing as it has gotten colder. Before heading out on the ice anglers need to check the ice because ice can vary across areas. IF YOU GO What: Portage Ice Fishing Contest sponsored by Portage FFA and Portage Ice Fishing Team When: Saturday, Jan. 15, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Where: Silver Lake Beach and Park, 522 Silver Lake Drive, Portage What you need to bring: Arrive in warm clothes, your own ice fishing gear. But gear will be provided to beginners. No ice is safe ice, Matt Meenen said. People should take a spud bar with them to check the ice because there is no such thing as 100% safe ice. Meenen works at Portage bait shop Tackle It, 2830 New Pinery Road, and said a spud bar is a long metal rod that can test ice thickness. He added most reports are showing 8 to 8 inches of ice on area lakes. Theres ice out there, but catching fish has been super slow, Meenen said. The weather hasnt been great for fishing, but people have been catching good fish. Most people shopping and getting gear at Tackle It have told Meenen they are heading north. Anglers have been going to Silver Lake locally, heading to Montello to Buffalo Lake and trekking further north to Castle Rock Lake in Adams and Juneau counties. Joshua Capodarco is one of the advisors for the Portage FFA Chapter, he is also an agriculture teacher. He said all people need to bring is a good attitude and warm clothes. Anyone can bring their own fishing equipment, however, if they dont, we have supplies to provide, Capodarco said. Members of the Portage Ice Fishing Team will be on the Silver Lake Jan. 15 to assist anglers of any skill level. If you are a beginner, the ice fishing team will provide instruction. The Portage Ice Fishing team is a club of 62 members run through Portage High School and is funded with community donations, Capodarco said. Portage FFA will serve hot cocoa and snacks in the Silver Lake Beach parking lot. The event is free and next weekend is a free fishing weekend though the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, so a fishing license is not needed. Portage Police Chief Keith Klafke is an ice fisherman and said the first thing people going out on the ice should do is use common sense. That includes letting people know where youre going and give them a contact number to contact you, Klafke said. Going out with a buddy as a team is also helpful. If you go out alone and something happens nobody knows. But if you do go out alone, be careful and continue checking the ice periodically because the thickness can vary. The DNR website also has a number of safety tips for ice fishing throughout the season. Dress warmly in layers. Dont go alone. Head out with friends or family. Take a cell phone if available, and make sure someone knows where you are and when you are expected to return. Know before you go. Dont travel in areas you are not familiar and dont travel at night or during reduced visibility. Avoid inlets, outlets or narrow that may have current that can thin the ice. Look for clear ice, which is generally stronger than ice with snow on it or bubbles in it. Carry some basic safety gear: ice claws or picks, a cellphone in a waterproof bag or case, a life jacket and length of rope. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. The newly formed Portage Boys & Girls Club is one step closer to becoming the next club in Wisconsin. The Edward C. Lenz and June M. Lenz Charitable Trust is supporting the Together We Can Portage Project with a $150,000 challenge grant. The grant will match every dollar donated until they reach the goal of $300,000. To become an official club the group needs to raise $300,000 as an operating budget. All potential clubs are required to raise an operating budget before becoming a club to show the community supports the club. Together We Can project called the grant an early Christmas present when it was announced last week. The group has been fundraising for the club since the summer. Portage Mayor Rick Dodd and Police Chief Keith Klafke have both said they support the idea of bringing a Boys & Girls Club to Portage to have an afterschool site for homework and programming opportunities for area kids. Portage would become the fourth club as a part of the Boys & Girls Clubs of West Central Wisconsin along with Baraboo, Reedsburg and Tomah. How To Donate To donate, visit www.BGCWCW.org/ and click the Portage Project button on the main menu. All donations received will be restricted to the Together We Can Portage Project. The idea to bring a Boys & Girls Club came from Alexis Brauner a Portage High School graduate. She sent a survey to Portage schools with questions regarding interest in the club. Brauner said 91% of families who responded to the survey said they would be interested in sending their children to a Boys & Club The benefits of having a Boys and Girls Club in Portage include academic and productivity assistance for our youth as well as character and workforce development through various programming models including sports/recreation, health/wellness, the arts, Brauner said. In July, the potential group received non-profit status and were given permission to use Portage School facilities for some programming, School Superintendent Josh Sween said. The Boys & Girls Club are planning on using school facilities until they can move into their own site in Portage. Boys & Girls Clubs provide youth with regular access to and engagement in areas such as STEM, physical activity, homework help and tutoring, summer learning loss prevention, and engagement in the arts, Karen DeSanto said. As a result, Club youth can leverage and create opportunities that shift the course of their life trajectories and overcome cycles of inequity. DeSanto is the executive director for the Boys & Girls Clubs of West Central Wisconsin. In a statement released announcing the matching grant DeSanto cited a University of Michigan study that found every dollar invested in Boys & Girls Club returns $9.60 in economic benefits to the individual and society through future earnings and cost-savings to their communities. The study is the first national return on investment estimate for Boys & Girls Clubs. Researchers made use of newly available youth outcomes data, collected through surveys of Club members across the country, to examine how the costs required to provide Club programming compare to the long-term benefits for youth and families in economic terms, DeSanto said. She added, Boys & Girls Clubs provide youth with regular access to and engagement in areas such as STEM, physical activity, homework help and tutoring, summer learning loss prevention, and engagement in the arts. As a result, Club youth can leverage and create opportunities that shift the course of their life trajectories and overcome cycles of inequity. It is unknown if there is a deadline for how long the Portage Club has to raise $300,000. The Reedsburg club was able to raise the same amount in less than 90 days before the club opened in 2017. The Boys & Girls Club of West-Central Wisconsin offers a variety of nationally recognized programs designed to empower youth to excel in school, become good citizens, and lead healthy, productive lives, DeSanto said. The organization works diligently to create a safe, fun environment where youth can pursue academic success, good character & citizenship, and a healthy lifestyle. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. High schools would be able to offer a gun safety course statewide under a Republican-authored bill that came before an Assembly Education Committee for a public hearing Wednesday. Democratic Gov. Tony Evers, a former state superintendent and educator who has encouraged the Legislature to pass gun control legislation, would almost certainly veto the bill. The bill would require the state superintendent to create a curriculum that includes information on the different types and mechanisms of firearms and ammunition, the principles of firearm safety, the location of safety devices, how to load and unload a gun, how to engage safety devices and how to carry and transport a gun. Bill co-author Rep. Treig Pronschinske, R-Mondovi, said Wednesday the bill would lead to proper gun usage and fewer dangerous gun incidents. Critics of the bill have said that we should not educate kids on firearms because it could be dangerous, Pronschinske said. This is ridiculous. We educate youth on drugs and sex. We certainly dont want kids to try heroin or to have unintended pregnancies. Education is key to safety and is almost in every aspect of life. In response, Rep. Dave Considine, D-Baraboo, pointed to the potential dangers of farming. The next thing Im going to hear is that we have to offer farm safety and have tractors be driven around in a course at school to make sure farmers are safe, he said. Under the bill, schools would be able to avoid offering a gun course by adopting a resolution to opt out of it. That provision led the Wisconsin Association of School Boards to oppose the bill even though the group has supported similar bills without that provision. Several other school associations lobbied against the bill, including the Wisconsin Council for Administrators of Special Services and Wisconsin Association of School District Administrators, though no representatives from those organizations appeared or shared testimony at the hearing Wednesday. Wisconsin Gun Owners, the sole lobbying group supporting the bill, said, Educating our youth in the safe handling, storage, use of firearms, and historic right to bear arms is necessary for the cultivation of the proper culture and respect for firearms. A similar bill came up in 2017 when Republicans controlled the Legislature and governors office but did not pass. Unlike the current bill, the 2017 bill explicitly prohibited live ammunition and did not include the opt-out provision. Under the federal Gun-Free Schools Act, guns on K-12 campuses are prohibited and punishable by at least a one-year expulsion. Pronschinske said Wednesday, however, the class would use replica guns, not real guns. Committee member Rep. Sondy Pope, D-Mount Horeb, questioned how the firearm course could be a semester long as the legislators suggested, and wondered why it would be a four-credit class. I just cant imagine how an entire semester is spent doing this for credit. It just seems kind of ridiculous to me, she said. The governors office did not respond to a request for comment Wednesday. Requiring a police etiquette course Another Republican-authored bill brought before the Assembly Education Committee Wednesday would require the state superintendent to create a fifth- through 12th-grade course on how to interact with law enforcement with mutual cooperation and respect. Many negative interactions between students and officers resulted from misunderstandings on proper etiquette, bill co-author Rep. Andre Jacque, R-De Pere, said Wednesday. When things go wrong with an interaction between law enforcement and youth, the price that we pay for that, I mean, theres no theres no going back with some of the catastrophic things that can occur, Jacque said. The Wisconsin Rural Schools Alliance opposed the bill, writing that the organization saw it as an unfunded mandate. Several school associations also opposed the bill, while the Wisconsin State Lodge Fraternal Order of Police and Wisconsin Chiefs of Police Association supported it. Democratic committee member LaKeshia Myers, D-Milwaukee, said the bill does not consider that compliance does not always mend situations people have with police, especially when it comes to Black people. You can be compliant and you still may not make it home, she said Wednesday. In response, Jacque said, there shouldnt be racial stereotyping by law enforcement officers, just as I dont think that there should be a stereotyping of how (an officer) conducts his job. Wisconsin Fraternal Order of Police president Ryan Windorff said Wednesday that the class could mitigate the fear that citizens have toward police, which he said makes policing more difficult. Virtually every single recent high-profile incident of a bad encounter with law enforcement was exacerbated by a citizen unnecessarily escalating the situation, Windorff said. Like the gun education bill, school districts could opt out of the law enforcement etiquette course under a bill provision. Partnership to increase gold recovery Wits and DRDGolds Ergo Mining Proprietary Limited (Ergo) sign a second five-year research and support agreement to enhance skills and research in mining. The research will seek to allow for more effective optimisation and improve the probability of increased gold recovery, as well as environmentally friendly treatment technologies. The technological focus areas will comprise of four inter-related and interdependent categories, namely: alternative leaching technologies; fluidisation and recovery technology; Environmental treatment technologies and chemical measurements and modelling technologies. Herman Potgieter, Professor of Metallurgy and Materials Engineering at the School of Chemical and Metallurgical Engineering says these areas of research are of interest and importance because it can help to recover more of the gold left in old mine dumps. Furthermore, do it in a more environmentally friendly manner by neutralising or removing the cyanide used in the process from the effluent, reduce the amount of water used in the process and improving the energy usage in the plant. For every additional 0.1g of gold recovered, profit increase by US$10 000. For a plant treating old mine waste containing 60 kg of gold per month, any such an improvement could yield substantial more net income for the company." We also seek to obtain a detailed and thorough understanding of the environmental impact of the Ergo plant operations in terms of energy usage, effluents, and emissions during the liberation of the gold contained in the sulphides. The research will also assist Ergo in developing new measurement techniques to reliably quantify small amounts of gold in the leached solutions and predict the optimum reagents to use based on density functional theory (DFT) calculations and modelling techniques applied to various parts of the process. Watch video for a highlight of speeches. The partnership will also expand efforts to increase specialised skills for the sector by providing support to students. Ergos Managing Director, Henry Gouws says DRDGOLD remains committed to engaging with educational institutions within the areas in which they operate to set up programmes aimed at upskilling our youth, to empower them to make an active contribution to our economy. We look forward to working with the Gold Research Group within the School of Chemical and Metallurgical Engineering as we seek to optimise and improve gold recovery as well as identify and evaluate environmentally friendly treatment technologies. Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment Professor Thokozani Majozi has applauded the partnership. This is a momentous occasion and comes at a time when we are thinking anew in terms of how we sustain research going forward. We strongly believe that having collaborations of mutual benefit with key industries is essential. During the signing ceremony Majozi highlighted the importance of long-term partnerships. We need long-term partners because research, by its nature takes time. You start seeing the benefits of the relationship over extended time. The School of Mining Engineering at Wits University is recognised as one of the largest mining engineering programmes in the world. Located at the heart of the South African mining industry, it is the only mining school in Africa with a significant postgraduate activity and draws many of its students from countries throughout the continent. Alumnus appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada Dr Graham Sher honoured for his contributions to public health and development of countrys blood service operator. One of Canadas highest civilian honours, the Officer of the Order of Canada, has been awarded to Wits alumnus and CEO of the Canadian Blood Services Dr Graham Sher (BSc 1984, BSc Hons 1986, MBBCh 1987, PhD 1999). Dr Sher, who has been CEO since 2001, was among the 135 appointments and promotions were announced during the last week of December 2021 by Governor General Mary Simon. Created in 1967, the award recognises people whose service, innovations and compassion shape Canadian society, foster imagination as well as unite people and communities. Dr Sher was acknowledged for his contributions to public health and for being instrumental in the development of Canadas largest blood services operator. Ive been in Canada for 31 years, but I am an immigrant. That Canada would seek to honour me with one of its highest orders, for those who have made it a better country, is very moving, he said on the organisations website. Dr Sher completed his medical and doctoral degrees at Wits and became the first person in his extended family to obtain a university degree of any kind. To avoid compulsory military service in late 1980s he chose to launch his academic medical career in Canada. This was still the height of the apartheid era in South Africa, and I had strong reservations about participating in the military for a government whom I really believed was on the wrong side of humanity and the wrong side of history, he says. I was also really drawn to exploring career options abroad. Initially he pursued a post-doctoral research programme at the University of Toronto and then specialised in blood disorders at the same university. After he gravitated towards working in the public health system, which combined clinical medicine, research and teaching. Dr Sher also serves as the chair of the board the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer and is a founding member of the Alliance of Blood Operators. Read full interview here Psychic healing vendor show The Holistic healing vendor show will be Saturday Jan. 15 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Big Horn Resort, 1801 Majestic Ln. Vendors include reiki practitioners, intuitive readers, aura readers, palm readers, crystal sales, and other retail items. All ages are welcome. Schoolhouse Rock at the Alberta Bair Theater Schoolhouse Rock Live is the Emmy Award-winning 1970s cartoon series that taught history, grammar, math, civics and more through songs. Two showtimes are on Jan. 20, at 9:30 a.m. and at 12:30 p.m., at the Alberta Bair Theater, 2801 3rd Ave. N. Visit AlbertaBairTheater.org for tickets and more information. Yoga at The Garage Yoga For Athletes will be hosted at The Garage, 2123 First Ave. N., on Thursday Jan. 20 from 6-7 p.m. All levels are welcome, but be prepared to work. This session combines yoga, core work, mobility drills, Pilates, stretching and breath control. Cost is $5 at the door. And more music The Cimarron Band will play at Moose Lodge, 131 Calhoun Ln., on Saturday Jan. 15 from 7-10 p.m. Dinner will be served at 6 p.m. Cost for dinner and dance is $15. Cost for the dance is $5 only. To register and pre-pay for the dinner, call 406-248-4991. Repeat Offenders will play at the Pub Station Taproom, 2502 First Ave. N, on Saturday Jan. 15 at 7 p.m. This show is 21+. This event serves as the rescheduled date for tickets originally purchased for the Nov. 26 show. Tickets are $10 at ThePubStation.com. Free Spirit - SOUL returns to Craft Local, 2413 Montana Ave., on Saturday Jan. 15 from 9-11 p.m. This is a nine piece soul, funk, blues and reggae band. All ages are welcome and there is no cover charge. Dead Sky, a Grateful Dead tribute band, will perform at The Garage, 2123 First Ave N, on Saturday Jan. 15 from 7-9 p.m. $10 cover charge. MJ Williams returns to Walkers Grill, 2700 First Ave. N., on Sunday Jan. 16 from 7-10 p.m. with jazz music. Williams is joined by local jazz players Erik Olson, Parker Brown and Bill Honaker. There is no cover charge. The Yonder Mountain String Band and Buffalo Commons bring bluegrass music to the Pub Station Ballroom, 2502 First Ave. N., on Friday Jan. 21 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $29.50 at ThePubStation.com. All ages are welcome to attend. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 1 Sad 0 Angry 0 A man has been sentenced to 60 years in prison for a homicide at a Ballantine motel in 2019. James Reese Eder, 34, was sentenced in Yellowstone County District Court to serve time in prison and pay restitution for the death of Carl Archer Jr. Eder shot Archer during a robbery at the Tiger Town Motel. The defendant chose to commit a violent act in the dark world of methamphetamine; this was the unfortunate and predictable result, wrote Judge Rod Souza in sentencing documents filed Jan. 7. Members of the Yellowstone County Sheriffs Office arrived the motel in November 2019 after speaking with two women who said their friend, Archer, had been shot, according to an affidavit filed in court. They found Archer in one of the rooms dead from a gunshot wound to the head. During the course of their investigation, Yellowstone County detectives learned that one of the women, China Rose Dawn Davis, had conspired with Eder to rob Archer of drugs and money. Video surveillance gathered from the morning of the shooting showed Davis and the second woman meeting with Archer in a room at the Tiger Town Motel. At around 3:30 a.m., a van pulled up to the gas pumps in front of the motel, and a man later identified as Eder got out of the passenger's side of the vehicle carrying what looked like a shotgun or rifle. The van followed Eder as he walked toward the building before parking, according to court documents. In the span of about a minute, footage showed Eder walking into one of the motel rooms, leaving still carrying the firearm and getting back into the van. Davis and the second woman were then seen running out of the same motel room. YCSO personnel found and arrested Eder at an apartment in Billings later that same day. After receiving a search warrant, investigators found a shotgun on the property believed to be used in the shooting. One person interviewed by detectives said that Eder told her on the day of the shooting that he was in Ballantine with Davis the night prior and planned to rob someone. He then said things went bad and he shot a man with a shotgun, court documents say. In June 2020, Davis gave a statement to law enforcement regarding the shooting, and said she and Eder planned to rob Archer of drugs. Archer owed her and she manipulated Eder into going along with the robbery, she told detectives. Yellowstone County prosecutors eventually charged the 31-year-old with deliberate homicide with a weapons enhancement for her role in Archers death under the felony murder rule. Because she allegedly took part in the felony that resulted in a death, she was just as culpable as Eder. Despite saying on the stand during her trial that she only intended to rob Archer, a jury convicted Davis in September 2021. She is scheduled for sentencing in February of this year. A third person connected to the robbery, Charlie Reimers, was sentenced to 20 years with the Department of Corrections, with 15 years suspended. The 32-year-old man pleaded guilty to robbery by accountability as part of a plea agreement after prosecutors initially charged him with deliberate homicide by accountability. Eder recruited Reimers to drive him to the motel where he shot Archer, according to information shared in court. Although he gave Eder a .410 shotgun, he was unaware of the robbery plan and refused to return to the motel after the shooting when Davis called Eder to come back for the meth she stole. After initially pleading not guilty to deliberate homicide with a weapons enhancement, Eder changed his plea in June 2021. For the weapons enhancement, he was sentenced to an additional five years in Montana State Prison to be served consecutively with the 55-year deliberate homicide sentence. The court also ordered that he pay nearly $10,000 in restitution, the majority of which will go to Archers family. Archer was 53 years old at the time of his death. You took him [Archer] away from me and the rest of my family. You will never know or understand the hurt and loss I am feeling right now. A part of me is gone. There is a hole in my heart that I cannot heal, Archers mother said, according to records filed in court. Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 2 Angry 5 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. An off-duty officer was fatally shot during an attempted robbery while house-hunting with his girlfriend, according to Los Angeles Police Chief Michel Moore. Texas mother allegedly put son in trunk of car to avoid being exposed to Covid-19 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. (Source: Xinhua) These are some of the most luxurious homes on the Billings market. 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. && Campaigners hopeful of further funding to repair landslip damage council report due soon This article is old - Published: Thursday, Jan 13th, 2022 Ken Skates MS hopes work to repair a collapsed road between Cefn Mawr and Chirk will get under way soon as Wrexham Council prepares a bid for further financial support. The Welsh Government has already awarded Wrexham Council 175,000 for ground investigation and detailed design of remedial works for the B5605 at Newbridge, which suffered a landslip following severe storms last year. The council is awaiting a final report, due in early February, and will then put together a business case for more major funding from the Welsh Government. Mr Skates, the MS for Clwyd South, said he hopes to see spades in the ground as soon as possible. Before Christmas I raised the issue of the closed road at Newbridge once again with the Welsh Government after the announcement of a 175,000 grant to help Wrexham Council carry out the initial work required, said Mr Skates. These investigations will shape the application the council will submit to the Welsh Government for further funding. I hope its successful and that we can see spades in the ground as soon as possible. Mr Skates said he had been in contact with Wrexham Councils lead member for the environment, David Bithell, a number of times on the issue. He added: Sadly, there has been misinformation circulating about this issue over recent months and an element of mischief-making. However, I would like to thank Cllr Bithell for the way he has gone about trying to resolve this issue and sought to work with other elected members for the benefit of the communities we represent. I spoke to him on this issue again this week and we are both hopeful things will progress quickly once the council submits its funding bid. Mr Skates wrote to the Welsh Government last month after being contacted by local councillors Frank Hemmings (Chirk) and Derek Wright (Cefn). Cllr Wright said: Weve been continually bending Kens ear about this as local people are frustrated and they want to see action. Although this is a B-road, it is a vital link between our communities and some people have been without a bus service for nearly a year. Its the councils responsibility to carry out the repairs, but obviously for something on this scale they need help. All Ken can do is try to make sure the Welsh Government knows exactly how important this is for the people of our area. We have done all we can to get things moving on this. Cllr Hemmings said he had been in contact with both Welsh Water and BT, who have subsequently redirected sewers and fibre cables. Cllr Hemmings added: Funding for major projects like this isnt just signed off there is a process that has to be followed. I know people in Chirk are fed up of waiting for the work to be carried out, but the grant from the Welsh Government has really got the ball rolling. That has paid for the surveys to be carried out, and significant progress couldnt have been made until that is done. It is important to know the cause of the landslip and how it should be repaired. Hopefully the council will be able to get this application in soon and it will tick all the boxes, and then it will just be a matter of time before work get under way to reopen the road. Cllr David A Bithell, Lead Member for Environment and Transport at Wrexham Council said, Since Storm Christoph a lot of work has been carried out by the council but one of the issues outstanding is New bridge the B5605. We met with the councils contractors who are carrying out geotechnical surveys and they are preparing options to the council. I have asked that these are with us as soon as possible. Clearly these options will need to be considered and we will be submitting a business case to Welsh Government for their consideration. I have visited Newbridge several times and I am very familiar with the area and we do understand the significant impact this is causing for local people and residents and businesses. We are hopeful that working with Welsh Government we will have some solutions in the near future. I do hope our submission will be supported to addresses local concerns. Mr Skates added: I think we are all frustrated that progress on this hasnt been quicker, but all public bodies need to go through the same process when public money is being spent it isnt given out for projects of this magnitude without due diligence being carried out. I look forward to Wrexham Council submitting a successful funding application as soon as possible, and I hope work can then get under way as a matter of urgency. A written response to Mr Skates from Lee Waters, Deputy Minister for Climate Change, said: The Welsh Government has awarded funding of 175,000 for 2021-22 from the Resilient Roads Fund to Wrexham County Borough Council (WCBC) for ground investigation and detailed design of remedial works for the B5605 at Newbridge. These works will inform any future application by WCBC for funding for the construction of the remedial works. A Biden administration defense of Trump-era coal policies in Montana and Wyoming sparked legal action by environmental groups this week arguing that a court order concerning climate change was being ignored. At issue is a 2018 U.S. District Court order that the Bureau of Land Management, when developing resource management plans for coal mining, factor in the environmental consequences such as the burning the coal downstream at power plants in the United States. The court order specifically addressed the resource management plans coming from Bureau of Land Management field offices in Miles City and Buffalo, Wyoming, where plan revisions were expected to reduce the amount of public coal up for lease. BLM did make changes to the plans, during the Trump era, which the Biden administration now defends. BLMs range of alternatives and analyses of potential emissions complies with both the courts order and (the National Environmental Policy Act), attorneys for the agency said in a Jan. 7 filing. But environmental groups represented by Earth Justice argued Monday that BLMs revisions were meaningless, specifically because land removed from the resource management plan wasnt going to be mined for coal. The plaintiffs are asking the court to order a second try from BLM. BLM considered a number of alternatives that on paper looked like they were different, said Shiloh Hernandez a co-counsel for Earth Justice. But at the end of the day, they admitted that under every alternative the exact same amount of coal would be developed. They were only changing numbers related to areas where they didnt expect any coal development. The defense of BLM policies filed Jan. 7 was the opposite of what the Biden administration had indicated it would do to cut emissions of greenhouse gasses, Hernandez said. Plaintiffs in the lawsuit include the Western Organization of Resource councils, its member groups in Montana and Wyoming, the Center for Biological Diversity, wild Earth Guardians, Sierra Club and Montana Environmental Resource Center. Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 4 Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Bhaskar Sunkara (Twitter/@democracynow) On the one-year anniversary of Trumps putsch attempt of January 6, Jacobin editor and prominent Democratic Socialists of America member Bhaskar Sunkara published an opinion piece in the Guardian advising the Democratic Party as to how it can defuse political tensions in America and restore faith in the two-party system. The article, headlined When American democracy crumbles, it wont be televised, appears with the subhead, Dont expect a dramatic fascist storming of the Capitol building or a military takeover when our crisis comes to a head. Sunkaras method is an exposition of the DSAs political role, which is to dull social discontent and channel it behind the Democratic Party. He begins by stressing the relative stability of the capitalist two-party system. To the extent there is a political crisis in America, it is slow-moving, he writes. January 6 was not an expression of the crisis of the two-party system, but of its strength. January 6 was not a coup, Sunkara says. The protest was disorganized and dissipated after protesters got bored. Democrats and the media blew it out of proportion in wall-to-wall coverage that only exacerbated tensions. The strongest sign that the United States wasnt actually in danger of falling to fascism that day was the response to 6 January from American elites who opposed Trump and defended the Constitution. The American ruling class, Sunkara writes, is far from ready to openly abandon liberal democratic norms. The reality is the exact opposite. January 6 showed the ruling class was entirely unwilling to take any action to defend liberal democratic norms when faced with an attempt to overthrow the Constitution and establish a dictatorship. The fecklessness Democrats displayed in response to the theft of the 2000 election played out on an even higher level. The Democrats are far more fearful of social opposition from below than they are of the anti-democratic plots of the far-right, even when the country comes to the precipice of dictatorship. On January 6, the coup failed due to tactical shortfalls and accidents, not due to opposition from any section of the elite. Elements in the police fraternized with demonstrators and the military gave Trump 199 minutes and refused to send troops to rescue members of Congress trapped beneath the Capitol. Almost 150 Republican members of Congress voted against certifying the election results and not a single Democrat made a popular appeal while the putsch was underway, either to the masses of working people in Washington D.C. or across the country, to rally in defense of democracy. The corporations Sunkara claims were opponents of dictatorship are now donating millions of dollars to the same Republicans involved in the plot. Sunkaras efforts to downplay the significance of January 6 are entirely in line with the Democratic Partys response. Far from exaggerating the danger of January 6, the Democrats have taken no serious legal action against the chief conspirators. On January 8, Biden said we need a strong Republican Party, while Democrats constantly refer to Republicans as their colleagues. After presenting January 6 as a sign of the stability of the political system, Sunkara says the true danger is not dictatorship, but political polarization and rising tensions. The American political system was uniquely ill-equipped to handle polarization, he writes. As a result, Its no wonder so many Americans lack faith in the ability of politics to change their lives. With this bait-and-switch, Sunkara concludes that the left should not demand that Biden enact left-wing policies on the grounds that this will fuel the growth of the far-right. If Trumpism was the counter-revolution inaugurated by eight years of tepid liberalism under President Obama, what kind of response would a more confident leftwing government inaugurate? Thats a question that every progressive should ask themselves, especially as they attempt to push Biden to become the new FDR. After all, we can expect reactionary forces to become even more aggressive if faced with a more assertive leftwing foe. How does one defuse the situation? To begin with, Democrats need to focus less on conjuring nightmares about the future (even if some of those fears are warranted) and more on offering dreams that people can believe in. That means clearer bread-and-butter messaging about the material gains that politics can offer people. They should lead with this program, while being willing to take measures to pursue institutional reform to carry out this program once in power, such as eliminating the Senate filibuster and weakening the power of the courts. It is the job of Democratic Party operatives like Bhaskar Sunkara to advise capitalist parties how they might defuse the situation or devise new election slogans (though he could be more original than plagiarizing Obamas change we can believe in with dreams that people can believe in). Socialists do not hope to offer solutions to the Democratic Partys messaging problems. We do not seek to defuse social tensions, because tensions in society are ultimately a product of the division of capitalist society into classes with irreconcilable interests. Socialists fight to educate and mobilize the working class so that it can establish a socialist society where classes cease to exist and where production is organized democratically to meet human needs. But the crux of Sunkaras argument reveals the anti-socialist character of the DSA. He argues that the left would objectively aid the fascist right if it attempted to push Biden to become the new FDR. First of all, it is the Democrats, not their left critics, who are responsible for aiding Trump by downplaying January 6. And what Sunkara says helps the fascists is actually the only force capable of crushing them: the social power of the working class mobilized independent of the Democratic Party. Sunkara is denouncing opposition to an administration that is sacrificing the lives of countless workers to Wall Street in the course of the pandemic. The Biden administration is now carrying out a version of the Trump administrations let it rip policy of herd immunity, which will soon kill their 900,000th person in the United States. Biden is forcing workers and students to return to work and school as the Omicron variant ravages the entire world in order to fuel corporate profits and enrich the financial aristocracy that derives its wealth from Wall Street speculation. The Democratic administration and Democratic Congress were unable to even pass a modest social infrastructure bill but managed to pass the largest Pentagon spending bill in US history. These are the policies that Sunkara says cannot be opposed, lest we anger the far-right, whose COVID policy wish list is meanwhile being fulfilled by Biden himself. In actual fact, it is Sunkara who, by presenting January 6 as an exaggeration that merits little attention, provides the right with political cover for its ongoing conspiracies. Sunkaras argument is drawn from the political playbook of the Stalinist bureaucracy, the privileged caste of bureaucrats which attempted to maintain its rotten alliances with sections of the bourgeoisie and suppress the working class by slandering left-wing opposition as fascist or left in form, right in content. The argument was used to physically exterminate the socialist, Trotskyist opposition to the counterrevolutionary Stalinist bureaucracy. It was a central element of the frame-up of the Moscow Trials and the political genocide that was the Great Terror. In the GPU dungeons of the Spanish Civil War, countless socialist workers and left-wing opponents of the Popular Front were tortured and killed on the made-up grounds that they formed a Fifth Column in alliance with fascism. On this basis the Stalinists poisoned the political climate and prepared for the August 1940 assassination of Leon Trotsky in Mexico City. It is significant that a substantial section of the DSA leadership celebrated Stalins assassination of Trotsky last year. But Sunkaras argument is even baser today than it was in the period of the Popular Front, where the sections of the bourgeoisie with which Stalinism was in alliance at least recognized that saving capitalism required enacting social reforms. In his article, Sunkara says Biden must not be pressured into becoming an FDR! He argues that workers and young people must remain passive and uncritically support a capitalist party that has not enacted a single serious social reform in 50 years. Sunkaras appeal is part of a longstanding effort by the DSA to defend the Democratic establishment from left-wing criticism, a role the DSA has played since its foundation as a faction of the Democratic Party. In March, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez denounced opponents of Biden as bad faith actors and claimed criticism of the administration was an exercise in privilege and that socialists should de-prioritize human rights. Sunkaras argument is slightly different, but the end goaldisarm left-wing opposition to Bidenis the same. The purpose of the DSA is not to popularize socialism, but to block its development as an opposition to the Democratic Party. But Sunkaras effort to silence criticism of Biden also undermines the DSAs justification for its relationship with the Democratic Party. When confronted with criticism from the left, the DSA argues there is a path to socialism through its inside-outside strategy. The DSA works inside the Democratic Party only in order to use outside pressure to push the Democrats to the left. But Sunkara now blames outside pressure for fanning the far-right and instead demands uncritical adherence to the inside leadership of the Biden administration. Socialists and young people interested in joining an organization that is the opposite of what Sunkara and the DSA envision should join the SEP and IYSSE. As a tsunami of COVID sweeps across the country, Sally McManus, the head of the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) has issued a public appeal to Prime Minister Scott Morrison, whose bipartisan let it rip policies have caused the disaster, to closely collaborate with the national union federation. Amid a national crisis that calls for national leadership, the union chief proclaimed in an open letter this week that we stand ready to work with Government. McManus intervention is a warning and a pitch to the ruling elite. While couched in mealy-mouthed words of concern over the dire plight of workers, the clear message is that governments are sitting atop a powder keg of latent opposition. Unless they more directly enlist the services of the union bureaucracy, anger over vast workplace transmission could erupt, and an unprecedented supply chain crisis will deepen, threatening not only the profitability, but even the very functioning of the capitalist economy. ACTU secretary Sally McManus [Credit: actu.org.au] Tellingly, the Murdoch-owned Australian featured a report on McManus appeal. Just days before, it had published an editorial calling for co-operation between employers and workers in individual enterprises and between unions, governments and industry groups, stating: It is time to resurrect the consultative approach between employers and unions that characterised the early months of the pandemic in Australia. McManus letter included a thumbnail sketch of the current situation. Right now, working people and their families are suffering, the toll is physical with so many sick; psychological with high levels of anxiety and uncertainty; and economic as businesses are again shutting down or reducing operations and workers are losing income. In addition, parts of our health care system are being overwhelmed and health care workers are exhausted, and now parts of supply chains are failing with so many workers sick at once. People are struggling to access tests, vaccines and now essentials in supermarkets, she wrote. McManus did not spell out the implications, but they are obvious. When people are suffering, exhausted and struggling, they are also angry and opposed to those responsible for inflicting these conditions upon them, chief among them the prime minister to whom she wrote her polite appeal. This is not an individual phenomenon, or one applying to a handful of sectors, but a mass social experience of the working class. The extent of community transmission is such that over recent days up to half of the countrys truck drivers have been off work because they are infected or close contacts. Anecdotal reports indicate that similar infection tolls are being registered in food production plants, such as abattoirs, and throughout much of warehousing. The governments to whom McManus is appealing, both Liberal-National and Labor, have responded by keeping ever-larger numbers of potentially-infected workers on the job. They changed the definition of a close contact to an individual who has spent four hours or more in a home with a positive case, thereby excluding all workplace exposures. And now, a growing number of those who fit this narrow definition are being instructed to continue working. This has been imposed on workers deemed essential in food production and supply, but governments are broadening it to a host of other sectors. In other words, the situation for millions of workers is intolerable. The ACTU and its affiliates do everything they can to keep a lid on expressions of opposition among workers. But one need only log onto Twitter or Facebook to get a sense of the anger that exists. McManus essential argument is that her own organisations extensive experience in suppressing such anger must be utilised. At no point in her letter does McManus challenge or oppose in any way the basic premise that the economy must remain fully open, as the virus spreads unchecked, so that corporate profit-making activities continue. Instead, she outlines cosmetic proposals, some of which have no chance of being implemented, to take the sharp edges off what is occurring, in words, not reality. To be blunt, the ACTUs program is to do nothing to halt continuing mass infections, and consequently, deaths. In her only concrete proposal related to workplace conditions, McManus writes that mask requirements need to now be upgraded to N95 or P2 standard. But they are in short supply. The ACTU chief did not even call for the higher quality masks to be provided by governments or employers, meaning workers would pay. Similarly, McManus calls for Rapid Antigen Tests to be free and accessible for all. But because they are also scarce, she writes: Until supply has been resolved, they should be prioritised for frontline and essential workers. In other words, even in the unlikely event that Morrison acted on the appeal, it would only be a pledge for universal testing at some point in the distant future. The shift to rapid antigen, moreover, is bound up with the scaling back of far more reliable PCR testing. McManus writes that the government should broaden and increase support payments for workers, people out of work and businesses affected by COVID, but is not even so bold as to suggest a dollar figure. In the only hint of dissent throughout the letter, McManus condemns the redefinition of close contacts, and writes that those exposed in workplaces should be included among them and provided with pandemic leave. But that horse has bolted, without the unions putting up a semblance of opposition. This was exemplified by the statements of Victorian Labor Premier Daniel Andrews today. He acknowledged the important work of the unions, with whom his government is collaborating closely, while declaring that workers in education, transport and a host of other sectors can now be forced onto the job, even if they are household contacts of a COVID-infected individual. Governments are sending potentially-ill workers onto the job, moreover, because their policies have resulted in rampant transmission of the virus, such that much of the population has been exposed. The return to a scientifically-based definition of contacts would require urgent measures to dramatically reduce transmission. This would have to include the immediate closure of all non-essential businesses and other lockdown policies, as the only means of ensuring that workers in genuinely essential industries can continue their work, free from the constant risk of COVID exposure. But the government, the ACTU and the corporate elite are determined to prevent any workplace shutdowns. McManus repeatedly harkened back to the earliest stages of the pandemic, writing: In 2020 we were constantly meeting with your government to ensure that decision making included a consideration of issues affecting workers. This needs to be reinstituted. The reference clearly exposes what the ACTU is seeking to do. When the COVID crisis struck, there was widespread anger among workers over government policies allowing the spread of the virus, as well as a social crisis afflicting those in industries that were impacted. Massive queues rapidly formed outside Centrelink welfare offices across the country. Teachers expressed widespread opposition to the reopening of the schools, workers in high-risk industries discussed industrial action. Under these conditions, the ACTU and the government formed a de facto partnership. McManus and then Industrial Relations Minister Christian Porter unilaterally altered awards covering millions of workers. This cut their conditions, including paid overtime, while ensuring they remained on the job. As the initial lockdown measures which had been instituted as a result of popular demands were ended, the ACTU and its affiliates herded workers back to their places of employment. The ACTU and the government devised the JobKeeper scheme, a massive government handout to big business to the tune of hundreds of billions of dollars. At the same time, it tied furloughed workers to their employers, who provided them with a limited government-subsidised wage as a means of dampening down social opposition. Meanwhile, the unions enforced further pro-business restructuring in a host of sectors. Porter publicly described McManus as his new best friend forever. The Australian Financial Review and the Australian hailed the partnership. Above all, the purpose of the collaboration was to prevent the emergence of any independent movement of workers to address the crisis. Everything was to be worked out behind closed doors, in secret talks between the union bureaucrats and big business politicians, as workers were kept on the job. That is what the unions are seeking to do now. Their aim is to subordinate workers to the very governments that are letting the virus rip, in the interests of corporate profits. This is a program of continuing mass infection, death and social breakdown. To defend their health, lives and most basic social rights, workers must take up a struggle against the governments and the unions, which function as an industrial and political police force of big business. The mass workplace transmission will not be ended through appeals to Morrison or any other politician. Rank-and-file safety committees, independent of the trade unions, must be established at every workplace, to fight for the necessary measures to end transmission and save lives, including through strikes and other forms of industrial and political action. Non-essential workplaces must immediately be shut, with full compensation for workers and small businesspeople, or the mass spread of the virus will continue. Everything must be done to prevent the government-union plans to reopen the schools at the end of the month, or millions of children will be exposed to a potentially deadly virus. Essential workers must be provided with advanced safety equipment, including high-grade masks, free of cost, as well as daily rapid antigen tests and PCR tests when they have been exposed to the virus. If they are close contacts, including through workplace transmission, they must be allowed to isolate on full pay for a fortnight. Where necessary, essential workplaces must be retooled to ensure social distancing is possible, and the highest quality filtration systems need to be installed. Such measures must be aimed at ending transmission, as part of the fight for the global elimination of the virus. The claims that it is possible to live with the virus, peddled by governments and the unions, stand exposed as lies to justify massive levels of illness and death. Such a struggle raises the issue of which class controls society and determines its priorities. Capitalism has shown in practice that it is the rule of billionaires and the major corporations, who are willing to sacrifice lives and the most basic public health measures, on the altar of profit. The interests of the working class are ensuring health, safety, scientifically grounded public health measures and the necessities of life, including a decent income for all. These can only be realised through the reorganisation of society, to meet social need, not profit. That requires a fight for workers governments and for socialism. Across Australia, 221 COVID-19 deaths have been reported in the past week, the highest number in a seven-day period since the start of the pandemic. New South Wales (NSW) and Queensland also recorded their highest daily death tolls today. In NSW, 22 deaths were reported this morning. The majority, 14, were vaccinated. Queensland reported six deaths, more than one-third of the states total during the pandemic. Twenty-five people died from COVID-19 in Victoria in the past 24 hours. These grim figures did nothing to halt the drive by the Australian ruling elite to further slash isolation rules and force potentially infectious workers back to work. National Cabinet will meet this afternoon to discuss the expansion to broader industries of exemptions currently applying to workers in food production and distribution, as well as health and aged care. Staff collect samples at a drive-through COVID-19 testing clinic at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia, Saturday, Jan. 8, 2022. (AP Photo/Mark Baker) As has frequently been the case in recent months, Victorian Labor Premier Daniel Andrews is leading the charge. Andrews announced today that reduced isolation rules for close contacts, which came into effect this morning in food production and distribution, will be extended to a broader list of industries. From Tuesday, Victorians exposed to COVID-19 and potentially infectious will be herded back to work in emergency services, education, critical utilities, custodial facilities, transport, freight and critical state government projects. The inclusion of education on the list follows yesterdays statement by state Education Minister James Merlino that teachers and students will absolutely be forced to return for in-person learning on day one, term one. This is under conditions where vaccinations for children aged 511 only began on Monday, meaning not a single child in this age range will be fully vaccinated when school goes back. In the last ten weeks of the 2021 school year, more than 920 schools were closed or partially closed in Victoria as a result of COVID-19 infections, at a time when active cases in the state were just 7 percent of current figures. The insistence that children must return to school has nothing to do with concerns over their education. Instead it is motivated by the demands of business that their parents must be able to return to work rather than stay home to supervise remote learning. This is especially pressing now with the surge in COVID-19 cases resulting in staff shortages across virtually every industry. Supermarket shelves are bare and fast food chains have been forced to cut menu items because of supply constraints. More than 150,000 new COVID-19 cases were reported nationally today, including 92,264 in NSW, where rapid antigen test (RAT) results were reported for the first time. Todays figure includes RAT results dating back to January 1. In Victoria, 37,169 cases were reported, while 14,914 were recorded in Queensland. In NSW, 2,383 people are hospitalised for COVID-19, with 182 in intensive care units (ICUs) and 60 on ventilators. More than half of those in ICU have received at least two vaccine doses. More than 5,500 health care workers are infected with COVID-19 or in isolation. The health system in Queensland is also in an escalating crisis. Some 556 people in the state are hospitalised for COVID-19, 26 are in ICU and 10 on ventilators. In a statement Tuesday, the Queensland branch of the Australian Paramedic Association wrote that the states ambulance service was on its knees. Paramedics, the statement claimed, face shortages of personal protective equipment, and are being forced to work shifts longer than 12 hours and attend call-outs alone. According to the APA, some Queenslanders have waited as long as six hours for urgent ambulance call-outs. Doctor Sonu Haikerwal from the Haan Respiratory Clinic on the Gold Coast told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, the hospitals are inundated. Haikerwal reported that she had even had an ambulance bring a patient to her clinic because the hospitals were overstretched. Haikerwal said: Weve got a full-blown crisisI had a lady with potential sepsis who needed to be admitted but was sent home because theyre so overwhelmed by COVID. In Victoria, COVID-19 hospitalisations continue to grow since surpassing on Tuesday the previous record set during the height of the Delta wave in October. Today, 946 people are hospitalised with the virus in the state, with 111 in intensive care and 29 on ventilators. Twenty-five deaths were reported today, the third highest number since the start of the pandemic. More than 6,600 Victorian health workers are currently unavailable for work due to COVID-19 infection or exposure. According to a report in the Age yesterday, during some shifts in recent weeks, more than 70 percent of triple-zero emergency calls in Victoria were not answered on time. In December and January, callers have consistently waited more than five minutes to get through to an operator to request an ambulance. The massive surge of COVID infections has exacerbated longstanding staff shortages in the service. One worker told the Age an electronic board in the call centre that changes colour according to wait times was almost always red. The worker said: Every now and again it goes orange, to indicate that [the wait] is less than four minutes. But its rare that its green where there are no calls waiting. It generally doesnt last more than a few minutes. Victorian Ambulance Union Secretary Danny Hill parroted the government line that the breakdown was the result of people calling emergency services unnecessarily, admonishing the public, its only for dealing with emergencies. With GPs overrun and unable to answer all phone calls, let alone see everyone seeking an appointment and hospital emergency departments turning away people with mild symptoms, emergency services are the last option for the hundreds of thousands of people left to manage the deadly disease alone at home. Across Australia, there are almost 3,000 active COVID-19 cases among aged care residents, with outbreaks at around 500 facilities. For months, Australias state, territory and federal Labor and Liberal-National governments, corporate media and unions have insisted we must live with the virus, for the sake of the economy. In fact, this criminally reckless approach has catapulted the countrys productive forces into a crisis. With critical industries in tatters, the ruling elite is doubling down on its murderous let it rip policies, forcing infectious workers back on the job. In addition to accelerating the growing wave of infection, illness and death, this will only exacerbate the labour crisis as increasing numbers of workers become too sick to work. The working class must now quite literally take their lives into their own hands. Independent rank-and-file safety committees must be formed in every workplace to prevent management and the unions from continuing to place the health and lives of workers and families at risk. The role of these committees includes making the decision to shut down production where appropriate. The growing number of fully-vaccinated people hospitalised and dying from COVID-19 makes clear that while it is a crucial tool, vaccination alone cannot end the pandemic, or limit transmission and severe illness to a point where the health system can continue to function properly. What is urgently required is the intervention of the working class, which must demand an immediate halt to all non-essential production and a move to remote online learning in the schools and the universities, as the first steps in a fight for the elimination of COVID-19. Autoworkers across the United States are supporting the growing movement by teachers and students to shut down in-person schooling to contain the spread of the Omicron variant. Chicago schoolteachers are battling a sellout by the Chicago Teachers union to reopen schools, while students, parents and teachers across the country are organizing walkouts and sickouts to force buildings to shut down. A city-wide walkout by students in New York City on Tuesday affected dozens of schools. This is part of an international struggle, including a nationwide strike by French teachers today. I support the student walkouts [in New York City], its the safe thing to do, one Stellantis Sterling Heights Assembly Plant (SHAP) worker said. The newly elected mayor [Eric Adams] should be ashamed of himself but his arrogant attitude will only make things worse. So, the students have done that, the safest thing possible for their own health and their fellow students health and safety. If the mayor has a problem with what they did, then he should enroll his children in that school. Stellantis workers at Warren Truck Plant in suburban Detroit (WSWS Media) A worker at General Motors Wentzville Assembly Plant near St. Louis said, To keep the children and staff safe, I think online school should be enforced till the numbers go down. Shutdowns, vaccine and mask mandates, widespread testing and contact tracing are needed, she added. Thats the only way we are going to get past this. A worker at Fords Chicago Assembly plant said, I know that teachers are needed, but they also have the right to be safe doing it and the children have the same rights to be safe. Its very sad that parents have to choose to work or not work. We have a coworker here at Ford Chicago that had to take a leave because she has no one to care for or watch her child when they are not in school. They say over a million workers quit their jobs because of their children. I know if I had a child in school, I dont think that I would send them. I would home school them if I could. And these union [leaders] are up to no good. Right now, UAW Local 551 at the Chicago plant is trying to change the local bylaws so they can screw us over. I think walking out or a wildcat would be a good idea [with teachers and autoworkers united]. I thank the teachers for all their hard work and taking care of the children at their own risk. We, the whole world, need good teachers. Teachers are the future of our community and our lives. Another Stellantis worker from Indiana, after watching a video of the walkouts in New York, said simply, This is exactly what all the factory workers should do. After two full years of the pandemic, the situation in the United States is dire. More than 814,000 new cases were recorded yesterday and over 2,200 people died, while hospital systems are spread past the breaking point. Alongside schools and nursing homes, factories and construction sites are the primary centers of transmission for the virus, according to outbreak figures recorded by the state of Michigan. The state abruptly stopped tracking outbreaks in factories in late November, citing the difficulty in obtaining data from worksitesan indication of the cover-up of infections by the auto companies, with the assistance of the pro-corporate United Auto Workers. The situation in the plants is rapidly deteriorating. At least 500 workers are currently out sick at Stellantis Warren Truck plant in the Detroit area, while at SHAP, over 1,000 are currently out. The death toll continues to mount. Yesterday, UAW Local 1700 announced the death of SHAP worker Thomas Whitney. The cause of death was not announced, but COVID-19 is widely suspected. In response, management is flooding the plants with temporary part-time (TPT) workers to try to replace them, in the words of one SHAP worker. At Warren Truck, anger is at the boiling point over the decision to work TPTs, who are the lowest-paid and most exploited section of the workforce, for 12-hour shifts and six days per week to maintain production. A letter from a TPT to the World Socialist Web Site went viral among autoworkers last week, many of whom wrote in to the WSWS with their own experiences. A skilled worker at Chrysler Technical Center in Auburn Hills, Michigan, explained the dangers white collar workers at the facility face. The housekeeping may be better and the restrooms cleaner than in the factories, but the new company [Stellantis] that took over doesnt give a crap about the health and safety of workers at CTC either. As for the UAW, we call the health and safety reps, and they dont respond. We talk about this every day. There is a joint labor-management health and safety committee, and they work together. Most of the workers at the tech center are masked and 100 percent of the non-union workers are vaccinated because of the company mandate. The UAW is opposed to a mandate because they want workers to show up to work. Referring to those lost to COVID-19, he added, The UAW health rep at CTC passed away the day before Christmas from COVID. The worker continued, When the building is fully staffed, there are 11,000 people who work here. Some 8,0009,000 are working remotely now. There are 2,000 in the building on any given day. All the UAW-represented workers, except the designers, are in the building. That includes those workers involved in electronics and building and making things that cannot be done remotely. We got paid sick leave before the pandemic, but we arent getting it for COVID. There is a lack of social distancing. They are supposed to do tracing and inform us when someone is infected. But they keep things secret by falsely pointing to the HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) rules designed to protect the privacy of patients. I know the law, and this does not prevent the company and the union from revealing COVID infections to protect public health. Im 62 years old and have preexisting conditions. I show up for work like the workers in the factories. For the corporations, they look at me about to retire, and they say my life doesnt matter anymore. My wife is a retired schoolteacher, and the schools are just like the factories, few masks, no social distancing and COVID everywhere. I voted for Biden, but not for this. Trump gets vaccinated and riles up his supporters about dont take away my rights with vaccines and masks. I say, Dont take away my right to live. But its both parties. They dont care, they want all of us to get sick. Other autoworkers voiced support for the teachers. Given the gravity of the situation, I dont think its a bad thing to go remote, a veteran Ford Chicago Assembly worker told the WSWS. Look, at this point, the teachers have to look out for themselves. Nobody else is going to do it for them. The union isnt going to do it for them. The government or city obviously isnt going to do it for them. Theyre going to have to hunker down and pull it off on their own. Nobody else is going to care about their health or how it affects them. The policies of both big business parties have been virtually identical in relation to the pandemic, he said. The Democrats are about the same as the Republicans. They say, Lets take it easy here, keep going to work, well be all right. COVID-19 is spreading widely at the Ford plant, he said. Its crazy. Were having outbreaks of COVID, a lot of outbreaks. Theres a lot of people out with it. Its like a little chain reaction. They keep moving people from one place to another, back and forth. Theres quite a bit of exposure here, he continued. If anything, youre more exposed here than anywhere else. Management and the UAW, however, are not saying anything. Theyre just saying theres an uptick. They dont have the sense of urgency like when things first started. Before they had the clean-up crew going around, cleaning up all the tables where you eat. The whole facemask policy and social distancing, its very lax now. If they see someone without a mask, they might say something, they might not. And were all going in and out at the same time, so theres no social distancing. I think theyre just doing the bare minimum to comply with state law and not be liable, but other than that they really dont care. When he tested positive for the COVID-19, he said management asked him if he had stayed six feet apart from the other workers. I said, What do you mean? Im working, which means you have to be a foot from someone or six feet from someone, or whatever. Unless you change your job, its just not possible to maintain that distance. Lets cut the BS. We have to work side-by-side all night. And its not well-ventilated, they know this. I dont know what theyre expecting from the workers. The workers are doing what they can. Face masks? Okay, what else? Six feet apart, well, thats impossible. Addressing himself to educators directly, he said, All those sweet words about How we care about our educators. Dont listen to the words, look at the actions. And the actions show they dont care. As workers, we have to look out for our best interests. Thats it. Thats the bottom line. A Mack Trucks manufacturing worker in Macungie, Pennsylvania, said, I want teachers to know I support your fight to save the lives of students and your own. The CTU is betraying you, diverting your struggle and misdirecting your momentum, in an effort to demoralize you the same way all the other trade unions do, including the UAW, which represents me. We had a worker die from COVID and the UAW has yet to acknowledge his death. I cannot imagine the trauma it would be for a classroom of students to lose a teacher to this virus in an entirely preventable death. Hold your ground. Fighting back against what will surely mean mass infections and deaths as a result of keeping schools open is the most important thing for everyone in the working class to fight for right now. You are leading that fight. Im doing everything I can to spread word and build support for you where I am. It used to be common sense to protect children at all costs. Now its the governments and teacher unions policy to infect children at all costs. You have the power to stop this and we as a class can bring an end to this virus if we make the conscious effort to do so. For all the students walking out, thank you for supporting your teachers and community by taking the actions necessary to protect yourselves and all of us. To anyone who doesnt see it, you are saving lives. It means everything to see such a strong future for the world embodied in your actions. Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro, right, with then Justice Minister Sergio Moro standing behind him attend a Brazilian flag ceremony at the Alvorada Palace in Brasilia, Brazil, Tuesday, Oct.15, 2019. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres) On January 6, as the US marked one year since the coup attempt led by Donald Trump at the US Capitol, there was an ominous report about the Brazilian militarys preparations for the presidential election this coming October. Reporter Igor Gielow of Folha de Sao Paulo reported that the Brazilian Army has altered its 2022 schedule, advancing all of its 67 military exercises to before the elections. In private conversations, the journalist reports, the Army High Command justified the changes on the grounds of fears of incidents of violence during or after the October election. During this period, they reportedly determined, the entire force must be available for potential needs. According to the Folha article, military chiefs speak among themselves about a possible Capitol scenarioreferring to the January 6 siege of the US Capitol in Washingtonorganized by radical supporters of Brazils fascistic President Jair Bolsonaro. Although presidential nominations have yet to be made official, the coming election in Brazil will likely be centered on a contest between Bolsonaro, recently affiliated with the Liberal Party (PL), and former President Luis Inacio Lula da Silva of the Workers Party (PT). With record levels of popular disapproval, Bolsonaros chances of reelection are seriously in question. The most recent poll, released by Quaest/Genial on Wednesday, points to the possibility of Lulas victory in the first round with 45 percent of the vote, followed by Bolsonaro with 23 percent. However, the fascistic president has already made clear that he will not bow to the results at the ballot boxes. Bolsonaro has given ample prior warning of his plan to carry out a coup detat if he is defeated at the pollsjust as Trump did in the US. The Brazilian presidents immediate response to the storming of the Capitol in January of last year, after supporting Trumps claims of electoral fraud, was to state that if we dont have printed ballots in 2022...were going to have worse problems than the United States. Since then, extraordinary political events in Brazil have highlighted the mortal crisis of bourgeois democracy in South Americas largest country. In late March, Bolsonaro fired his defense minister and the entire command of the armed forces. This act, unprecedented in Brazilian political history, occurred as the president called for the total subordination of the Armed Forces to his administrations agenda, particularly to his rejection of all measures to control the COVID-19 pandemic being implemented by local governments. The episode coincided with the 57th anniversary of the US-backed coup in Brazil in 1964, which ushered in a 20-year-long military dictatorship. This grim anniversary was openly celebrated in the first military order of the day issued by Bolsonaros new defense minister, General Walter Braga Netto. A further escalation of the political crisis took place in May, when a Parliamentary Commission of Inquiry (CPI) began its investigation into the Bolsonaro administrations homicidal response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The CPI was the target of repeated public threats not only from Bolsonaro, but from the military commanders themselves, who made it clear that they would not accept being judged by the elected civilian legislature. While the CPIs initial hearings were being held, Bolsonaro led far-right rallies in which he reaffirmed his coup plans. One of the demonstrations included the presence on the platform of his former health minister, General Eduardo Pazuello, who was being questioned at the time by the CPI for his criminal administration of the COVID-19 crisis, especially in the city of Manaus. The mere presence of Pazuello, an active military officer, at a political demonstration represents a violation of the military code justifying his arrest, which never occurred. At the same time, Bolsonaro demanded that the Congress approve his so-called printed ballot amendment to the Constitution, threatening that without it he would prevent the 2022 elections being held. Heeding the presidents conspiratorial demands, Congress brought the proposal to a vote in August. Not only did the military endorse the presidents concerns about fraud at the polls, but, at Bolsonaros request, staged a parade of tanks through Brazils capital, Brasilia, while the Congress was preparing to vote. Astonishingly, the bill was approved by most members of Congress, while not reaching the two-thirds majority required for a constitutional amendment. A month later, on September 7, Bolsonaro called for a national day of protests against an alleged plot, supposedly headed by the Supreme Court, to oust him from power. The fascistic demonstrations, with banners calling for a military intervention and for the assumption of absolute powers by the president, constituted a dress rehearsal for a coup by Bolsonaro. In every one of these critical moments, the corporate media acted in unison to anesthetize public opinion in the face of political threats unparalleled in recent decades. The same attitude was taken by the corrupted bourgeois opposition to Bolsonaro headed by the PT, as well as by the pseudo-left petty-bourgeois tendencies gathered in and around the Socialism and Freedom Party (PSOL). According to these forces, each of these episodes was testimony to the strength of bourgeois institutions and the democratic commitment of the Armed Forces in the face of Bolsonaros lunatic adventures. In reporting on the Armys latest maneuvers, Folha has repeated these same cynical arguments. In a recent episode of its daily podcast featuring Igor Gielow, titled How the Army prepares for the risk of a Brazilian-style [storming of the] Capitol, the journalist did his best to trivialize as much as possible the discussions taking place within the military command and to present the military as the champion of democracy. I dont see any possibility [of the Armed Forces] supporting a civil disobedience by the president, he stated. Gielows explanation that the reason for the generals wanting to be able to mobilize all of their troops is to contain episodes of violence like those at the US Capitol makes no sense. For that purpose, a battalion or two of military police would suffice. The clear concern of the military command in having all its forces gathered at H houror paraphrasing US General Mark Milley, Brazils Reichstag momentis guaranteeing a unified response of Brazils military forces to a coup detat. Whether they would back Bolsonaros bid to seize power as an authoritarian dictator, oppose it or seize power themselves is an open question. Although the PT remains completely silent on the matter, the policy being consistently pursued by Lula in his race for the presidency is to vie with Bolsonaro for the support of the reactionary national bourgeoisie and the armed forces. Instead of preparing a mass mobilization against the imminent coup threats, combined with growing social inequality and the deadly, out of control COVID-19 pandemic, Lula seeks to sell himself to the ruling class as its most capable representative in blocking the growth of such a movement. Alongside the PSOL, the PT sought to prove itself along these lines by derailing the massive demonstrations against Bolsonaro and his homicidal response to the COVID-19 pandemic that erupted last year. For Brazils working class and youth, to believe that the military is preparing to block a coup promoted by Bolsonaro and his supporters is political suicide. The forces that seek to minimize the serious dictatorial threats in Brazil are paving the way for the rise of an authoritarian regime. These risks can only be eliminated through a mass movement of the working class mobilized against the entire capitalist system and in the struggle for international socialism. New information is coming to light, based on research by The Intercept, indicating a long-standing pattern of neglect regarding maintenance by the owners of the Bronx apartment building known as Twin Parks North West, where fire killed at least 17 people last Sunday. Public records reveal that twice last year, on April 2 and October 21, the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) issued official notices of violations. These involved the discovery of broken or defective fire-retardant material in the walls, which were found on the first and 12th stories of the building. The issuance of formal notices by HPD indicates that direct inspections had confirmed violations of the citys housing code or state law. The October violation had subsequently been marked as closed, but that from April remains open. In addition, 17 other violations are also open, including ones for mouse and cockroach infestations, lead-based paint and mold. Volunteers with the "Wall of Hope Foundation" build a memorial wall for the victims of New York City's deadliest fire in three decades, in the Bronx borough of New York, Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2022. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer) A representative of the buildings owners, Camber Property Group, Belveron Partners and LIHC Investment Group claimed that all of the violations had been cured (i.e., remedied) and that HPD had simply not updated its records regarding the April fire retardant violation. This is despite the HPD records being marked as up to date prior to the fire. A spokesperson for the HPD stated that the agency would review its records and that health and safety are its top priority. In addition to the violations observed directly by HPD personnel, the department had recorded 65 complaints by members of the public since 2014, 11 of which were received in 2021. An independent database, Who Owns What, indicates that at least 169 violations were recorded for the building since 2010. Tenants have told the press of persistent heat and fire safety issues that have gone on for years. The buildings owners are big players in New Yorks affordable housing industry. They hold multiple properties in northern Manhattan and the Bronx. Some of these receive subsidies from the city. The building that burned on Sunday was part of a set of properties in the Bronx purchased by the group in January 2020. The latest acquisition by a consortium consisting of Camber, LIHC along with a nonprofit organization encompassing a nine-building complex in Harlem was concluded a day before the fire. The purchase price of $85 million included a $73.1 million loan from the New York City Housing Development Corporation. The real estate industry has long been an overwhelming force in the political and economic life of the city and is notorious for enjoying lax enforcement of regulations by the city government. In addition, the building where the deadly fire took place is under the jurisdiction of Homes and Community Renewal, a New York State agency. The longstanding poor conditions at the site of the fire, despite years of recorded violations and complaints, are emblematic of governmental subservience to private real estate interests. As with the response to the pandemic, profits before lives is the guiding principle under capitalism. The city Fire Commissioner has stated that a major reason that the fire had such a devastating impact was the failure of the fire door at the entrance to the apartment where the fire started to close automatically, as it should have done. It was not obstructed, but simply failed to function as designed. Following an earlier deadly Bronx fire in 2018, the city passed legislation that mandated all residential buildings to have self-closing doors by mid-2021. Nevertheless, according to the HPD, the city has issued more than 22,000 self-closing door violations, but none at the building in question, despite the fact that news reports indicate that multiple tenants had reported problems with these doors. The colossal number of violations regarding this feature alone illustrates the criminal neglect of the citys slumlords and the life-threatening conditions produced by this neglect. Late last year, the New York City Public Advocate released its latest worst landlords list, an annual compilation of unresolved housing code violations. The top offender on the list managed 330 apartments in 17 buildings, which received an average of 1,442 violations per building. Of these, 418 were classified as immediately hazardous. The second highest had 1,302 violations across a dozen buildings, and the third had 1,192 violations. In addition to the abysmal conditions in privately held though often publicly subsidized properties, the survey awarded a dishonorable mention to the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA). This public agency owns 176,000 apartments which, although not subject to housing code enforcement, are notorious for dangerous and decaying conditions. In November 2021, there were 600,480 open work orders for repairs in NYCHA buildings, up by more than 121,600 from a year earlier. Thus, it is clear that whether the landlord is private or public, there is a critical lack of decent, affordable housing for the working class. The abysmal housing conditions suffered by millions of working class residents which are being compounded by the intensifying pandemic are about to get even worse. On January 15, New York States eviction moratorium will expire. It is projected that more than 200,000 families will be facing eviction, placing even more pressure on the already grossly inadequate and overpriced stock of affordable housing. The bulk of the 40,000 eviction filings in the city since March 2020 were located in the Bronx. Even before the pandemic, housing costs in the Bronx, the citys poorest borough, placed extreme economic stress on residents. A 2018 report by NYUs Furman Center found that an average of 39 percent of renter households in three zip codes in the Bronx were classified as rent burdened, meaning that 50 percent or more of their take-home pay went to rent. The inevitable result of this combination of factors will be to pack large numbers of people, many of whom are highly exploited immigrants, into overcrowded living spaces, or onto the street, creating ideal conditions for the accelerating spread of COVID-19 and death. The citys new mayor, Eric Adams, and the states governor, Kathy Hochul, both Democrats, have promised that the residents of Twin Parks North West who cannot return to their apartments will be rehoused. Most residents currently have project-based Section 8 federal housing vouchers, which normally ties their voucher to the specific building. However, state officials promised that those who could not return would be eligible for other Section 8 housing. That remains to be seen. Hochuls refusal to extend the eviction moratorium clearly indicates her subservience to the real estate lobby. It is also significant that Adams transition team includes Rick Gropper, a Camber co-founder. Tenants displaced by an earlier Bronx fire, in March 2020, remained without stable housing for 18 months. The deterioration and lack of available affordable housing in New York City, as in the country as a whole, has been developing for decades due to cuts in public funding and privatization. These precarious and dangerous housing conditions for the working class exist not only in the US, but around the world, as exemplified by the notorious 2017 Grenfell Tower fire in London, which killed 72 people. The resulting inquiry has constituted a colossal cover-up of governmental responsibility. The Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) is claiming that its deal with Democratic Mayor Lori Lightfoot and the Chicago Public Schools to reopen schools to in-person learning has passed by the narrow margin of 55.5 percent in favor. With 20 percent of teachers not recording a vote, this means that only 44 percent of teachers voted in favor of a return to class as the pandemic spreads out of control. The official vote total released at a CTU House of Delegates meeting on Wednesday night showed 10,342 votes in favor of the agreement and 8,278 opposed. The CTU has about 25,000 voting members, which means that approximately 6,400 teachers did not vote at all, either as a conscious abstention or due to problems with balloting. Elementary school teachers in Chicago (@CTULocal1) Teachers had only 24 hours to discuss and vote on the agreement following the CTUs move to shut down their remote work action after four days and send them back into schools before the vote ended. The CTU also made it clear that even if teachers voted against the deal, it would be up to the unions House of Delegates, made up of union building reps, to decide when and whether to resume any job action. Having demobilized the teachers, the CTU made clear that it was opposed to any real struggle against Lightfoot and the Biden administration that backed her. After teachers voted overwhelmingly for remote-only instruction, Lightfoot locked them out of their online accounts, preventing educators from conducting virtual classes with their students. She denounced teachers for illegally striking, threatened to fine them and went on a national media tour to denounce educators for supposedly abandoning impoverished and minority children. Teachers and parents furious at the CTU for caving into Lightfoot and the school district have assailed the union, which has resorted to the most pathetic attempts to save face. In a series of slides posted on Twitter, CTU President Jesse Sharkey said, We accomplished more than nothing, but less than we wanted. Among the supposed gains he listed were keeping students home for a few days, in keeping with their farcical claim on Facebook to have absolutely flattened the curve. My biggest worry is the divisiveness of Covid in our union, Sharkey said. Steady at the helm. We didnt get what we wanted, but dont take a difficult situation and turn it into evidence of bad faith. He added that teachers should not question the integrity of the union leadership. One educator tweeted, You think if CTU hadnt spent two hours yesterday waxing poetic about how their terrible agreement is good actually that vote wouldnt have been this slim? Because multiple teachers at my school voted yes bc its not going to get any better. Several parents expressed their anger over the CTUs deal of death in comments sent to the Chicago Educators Rank-and-File Committee, which issued a statement opposing the agreement and calling for a citywide walkout to keep the schools closed and convert to full remote learning. I am a parent with two children attending CPS, and I wanted to send this email to show my support and encourage rank-and-file members to vote no and to walk out from school. The city administration has failed us, and Im deeply disappointed, but not surprised. I appreciate everything that teachers and all other school staff have been doing, and I only want everyone to be safe. My children dont feel safe going to school either. We would rather have remote classes or even no classes, instead of being in-person. Safety first. Another parent wrote, I am a mother of two CPS students. I am immunocompromised being a kidney transplant recipient. I also am undergoing Chemo treatment. I lost my mother and cousin last year one month apart from COVID. I implore to you to please vote NO on the agreement made yesterday. This causes danger to families like mine who have already suffered so much from COVID. Hospitalizations in Chicago are higher than they have been throughout the entire pandemic, with 189 Chicagoans a day being hospitalized on a seven-day average. The city currently has a positivity rate of 17.9 percent. Hospitals in some parts of the city, including the heavily working class south and west sides, have no ICU beds available. Some are being placed on bypass, meaning they are no longer taking emergency patients. Many hospitals have been delaying elective procedures by request of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker. Chicago is seeing five pediatric hospitalizations a day, and the states own contact tracing figures show that 43 percent of infections are traced to schools, with industrial workplaces following just after. In suburban Cook County, which surrounds Chicago, 59 percent of cases are traced to schools. It is likely the states figures would look worse if Chicagos numbers were included, as it comprises around 20 percent of the states population. After posturing for months that it would reject any deal without a districtwide health metric to trigger a transition to remote learning, the CTU accepted Lightfoots demand that only individual schools would close for five days if 30 percent or more teachers are absent for two consecutive days due to testing positive for COVID-19 or are in quarantine from exposure. Even this will happen only if substitute teachers cannot bring the number to under 25 percent. Schools could also be closed if 40 percent of students are infected or in quarantine. The toleration of such high levels means the CTU has sanctioned the Democratic Partys adoption of the homicidal policy of herd immunity. The overcrowded and poorly ventilated schools will become superspreaders of the deadly disease through working class communities. The CTU also dropped demands for widespread testing of students on an opt-out principle, with the district agreeing to merely test 10 percent of students at each school. These 10 percent would not even be tested every week. Rather, just a portion of them would be selected randomly. The only other mitigation measure agreed to by CPS, which the CTU has touted as a win, is that the school district will provide a limited supply of KN95 masks to CPS workers and students, which will likely amount to two masks per person. The struggle is far from over. Teachers, parents and educators will not accept mass infections and deaths. But the sabotage by the CTU underscores the need to build new organizations that genuinely represent teachers and will fight to mobilize the working class to close schools and nonessential businesses, as part of the implementation of a public health policy to stop the transmission of the disease and eliminate it. The Chicago Educators Rank-and-File Committee is leading this fight. As Chicago educators resume this struggle, they must fight to link up the growing national and international movement to close schools and save lives, including the student walkouts across the country and todays nationwide strike by French teachers. We urge educators to contact the WSWS to join and build the Chicago Educators Rank-and-File Committee. The Teacher-Student-Parent Safety Committee (TSPCS) in Sri Lanka stands in complete solidarity with the Chicago educators struggle for virtual schooling to save the lives of teachers and students from the worsening coronavirus pandemic. Teachers in Chicago, the third largest school district in the United States, are fighting against a murderous agreement between the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) and Chicago Public Schools (CPS) to reopen schools amid an unprecedented surge in COVID-19 infections. Striking teachers demonstrate in February 2020 [WSWS Media] The TSPSC welcomes this courageous initiative to save the lives of children, educators, school workers and the entire population. It marks a major fightback against the capitalist classes around the globe who place profits above human lives. According to the shocking recent report of the American Academy of Pediatrics, the week ending January 6 recorded a 580,247 pediatric COVID-19 cases in the US, up 74 percent from the previous week. The opposition of Chicago teachers, which shows that the working class no longer tolerates such a horrible situation, provides a great example and inspiration to teachers and workers internationally. The Sri Lankan government ordered schools to be fully open for all grades from last Monday, despite the country being on the verge of a severe increase in Omicron variant infections. The Gotabhaya Rajapakse government is artificially maintaining low official numbers of infections and deaths by carrying out fewer tests and less contact tracing in order to paint a rosy picture and to claim the situation is not so dangerous. In reality, more than a thousand students and hundreds of teachers have been infected in the past three months since the government partially reopened schools in October. Hundreds of thousands of students and teachers are now being exposed to the danger of the Omicron variant through having to travel to school on congested public transportation and being packed into overcrowded classrooms. The more than 250,000 government school teachers in Sri Lanka, as a part of the working class, are a decisive force in the fight against these criminal policies of countrys ruling elite. They demonstrated their power last year by staging a determined 100-day strike for better wages. But the education sector trade unions betrayed this struggle, accepting the Rajapakse governments meagre wage increase and supporting the governments decision to reopen schools during the pandemic. The role being played by Chicago Teachers Union has sharply revealed that workers can have no confidence in the unions. Throughout the pandemic, the CTU has worked closely with the government and education authorities to suppress teachers opposition and push them back into in-person learning. The TSPSC calls on Chicago teachers to join the Chicago Educators Rank-and-File Safety Committee, which is mobilising educators to stop the reopening drive of Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot and the CTU. As Chicago Educators Rank-and-File Safety Committee correctly noted in their latest statement, the governments and the CTUs ruthless intent is to pack children into crowded and dangerous classrooms, even if there are not enough healthy teachers to teach them. They want their parents to keep working and producing profits for the billionaires who have enriched themselves while more than 850,000 have died. No worker around the world should allow this agenda to succeed. We are discussing the political experiences of Chicago teachers with Sri Lankan teachers and fighting to gather support for their struggle as a significant step in the development of the International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees. We are emphasising that Chicago teachers are by no means isolated and that they must continue their struggle as part of the international working class. David OSullivans unfair dismissal claim against Metroline bus company is scheduled for a preliminary hearing at Watford Employment Tribunal today. OSullivan was dismissed one year ago after he alerted colleagues to the spread of COVID-19 at Cricklewood bus garage in London. David OSullivan (WSWS Media) OSullivan asserted his rights to a safe workplace under Section 44 of the Employment Rights Act. A public transport worker for three decades, he was accused of spreading inaccurate and damaging information, inciting unlawful industrial action and of bringing the company into disrepute. A disciplinary investigation dismissed OSullivans safety concerns and found him guilty of gross misconduct. Todays preliminary hearing is listed for case management. It will confirm the legal grounds for OSullivans unfair dismissal claim and establish a timeline for the case. There are huge delays at the Employment Tribunal and he has been advised that a full hearing may not take place until summer next year, at the earliest. OSullivan told the World Socialist Web Site yesterday that hes prepared for the fight ahead, This case is not just about me, its about 73 preventable deaths of London bus workers. Its about the rights of key workers to a safe workplace. We cannot accept drivers being sacked because they insist on health and safety protections to prevent our colleagues from getting ill and dying. A 20,000 crowdfund to support OSullivans legal case was completed last night. OSullivan said, I am very grateful. Id like to thank every single person who donated. Its a significant achievement. The pandemic has killed more than 176,000 people in the UK, and millions more globally. These were preventable deaths, and this situation cannot be allowed to continue. I would like to thank the World Socialist Web Site and my colleagues on the London buses for getting behind me. I am doing this for all of us. Ahead of todays hearing, some of OSullivans colleagues on the London buses sent messages of support. Names have been changed to protect against victimisation. Daniel from Cricklewood garage said: For Dave to risk his job to defend the drivers was a really brave thing to do, because he also has a family. Hes from an older generation and is a revolutionary person. Everyone knows whats happening. No-one is happy with the situation, its just that we have bills to pay, but we support him. When Dave was dismissed, everyone was not happy, because we knew what management was hiding. They were covering up who was sick with COVID. Dave found out what was happening, and he published it. He wanted to tell everyone. He knows about our rights, and they did not like that. I hope he wins. Priya from Cricklewood garage said: Be strong David, and we wish you all the best. Respect. Nothing has been done to protect us. There is so much they should be doing to fix safety. Theyve got the money, but they dont want to spend it on us. When I got sick last year from COVID I was off work for nearly four weeks, but it was very hard because I got less than 100 a week statutory sick pay. People with COVID are being pressured to return to work before they are wellas soon as their isolation period finishes. At first, they were being forced to come back after 10 days. Now they are putting on Blink [the company app] to come back after six days, because the government is changing the rules. So, after five days, you are back at work on the sixth day. It took more than three weeks for me to fully recover [from COVID]. We had two drivers at the garage who died with COVID. The company tried to hide this as much as possible. When the second driver died last year, all the drivers were crowding around. He was a very nice man. Nothing had been done, by the management or the union to protect us. I want David to get his job back. Its not fair. He is an older driver too, and he was only trying to help us. Lamalfrom Cricklewood garage said OSullivans case is the battle between an abusive management power and a working class employee. Whatever the outcome, it will represent a victory because David has the power to fight the unjust forces against him and he has the following of his colleagues. Thomasfrom Cricklewood garage said, the treatment of the drivers during COVID was the worst thing you can think of. By both the management and by the union. At the same time, they were getting us to work longer hours. Recently theyve brought back to the garage drivers they previously sacked, putting them on worse conditions. Weve got one driver who was sacked and after a few days he was asked if he wanted to come back on a W0 contract. It basically means he would go from earning about 15 an hour to starting on 12. Of course, he said no. The situation is even worse now. So many people left the buses because of how they were treated in the pandemic. So they have extended our hours again. Last week I was supposed to have short duties, but I worked 11 hours a day, seven days straight, thats 77 hours in one week. And just a 45-minute break. I had COVID, and I know at least five other drivers who had COVID too. The company doesnt do any contact tracing. Recently, one of our drivers got a positive COVID test. A driver asked why the company didnt notify us. They said that because of new government laws, you dont have to be contacted because you dont need to isolate, because youre double jabbed. The truth is that they dont want you to isolate because they are short of drivers. Dave is being used as an example to not go against the company. I hope that he will win to prove that we workers have basic human rights too. Vincent from Stamford Brook (RATP) said: David has my full support, and the truth has to come out. Fight until the end! They [Metroline] tried to deny responsibility for the duty of care they have for drivers health and safety. David was just trying to do his duty of care as a worker and as a responsible human being. The outcome of this case has to be the truth, and for the company to be held responsible. The results have to be public. The court has to not only give an example to other companies, but a warning to other companies as well. Its not only about money, its about lives. Vincent also condemned the union for its role in helping to frame-up OSullivan, Unite on the buses are working closely with TfL [Transport for London] and the operators. They are out of order and its an absolute disgrace. The WSWS urges bus and transport workers to join the fight for OSullivans reinstatement. For more information, please visit the campaign page. NorthWestern Energy has been ordered to stop construction of a natural gas pipeline under the Yellowstone River, following a county decision to withdraw a permit for the project. Neighbors to the proposed pipeline won a court order Wednesday stopping the project because Yellowstone County permitted NorthWestern to drill in the floodplain without the county first informing the public or giving neighbors a chance to respond. The pipeline is to serve a 175-megawatt gas-fired power plant that NorthWestern sited on the north side of the Yellowstone River near Laurel. The 18-stack power plant would be the utility's largest newly-constructed generation project in Montana by capacity. Prior to the order, boring equipment had been staged in the floodplain and trenching leading to the site was underway. Neighbors have raised concerns about the location of the power plant, as well. Landowners adjacent to the project say theyre concerned about damage to their land and the floodplain. They owe the people who are adjacent to this project an apology, in writing, neighbor Aaron Felder said of the county. Yellowstone County insists that its done nothing wrong, but would follow the court order of District Judge Michael Moses, withdraw the permit, order NorthWestern to stop, and restart the permitting process, complete with public notice and participation. The Board of County Commissioners will be asked on Tuesday, Jan. 18, to set a Public Hearing regarding whether to issue a new floodplain permit to the applicant for Tuesday, Feb. 1, Jeana Lervick, attorney for Yellowstone County, told the court. At and prior to the public hearing, if approved, all members of the public, including petitioners, will have the opportunity to submit comments and concerns regarding the permit application. The county asked that the neighbors case be dismissed because the county was starting over. NorthWestern spokeswoman Jo Dee Black said the following in an email: "NorthWestern Energys installation design for the Byron Pipeline ensures the safety of the public and the environment, including the Yellowstone River, during construction and its use to deliver natural gas for our Montana customers. "Although delaying work is costly, NorthWestern Energy has followed the permitting process and will continue to do so to secure approval, again." The withdrawn floodplain permit isnt the first obstacle the power plant has faced. NorthWestern had initially sought an easement to bore a natural gas pipeline beneath Riverside Park, which offers the community its best public access to the Yellowstone River. After the easement effort stalled, the utility rerouted the pipeline downstream from the city park where approval of the Laurel City Council wasnt needed. The Laurel City Council had delayed votes critical to the plants development and briefly formed a fact-finding mission to square NorthWesterns claims about the project with neighborhood concerns about noise and pollution. Last October, the state Department of Environmental Quality was sued for allegedly ignoring the states Constitution when issuing an air permit for the power plant. In a lawsuit filed Oct. 21, the Montana Environmental Information Center and Sierra Club said DEQ ignored the power plants contribution to local air and water pollution. The area where the power plant would be located has already been dinged by the EPA for excessive sulfur dioxide levels, mainly emanating from a CHS oil refinery near the gas-fired power plant site. Carbon dioxide from the gas-fired plant, some 769,706 tons a year, is a climate change contributor. NorthWestern hasnt responded to questions about the status of the power plant for a few weeks, but told existing and potential investors in one-on-one meetings Dec. 8 that construction of the $275 million power plant is expected to begin this year, with the power plant operating by the winter of 2023-2024. The utility does disclose the air permit lawsuit against DEQ as an issue. In September, NorthWestern withdrew its request to get the power plant preapproved by the Montana Public Service Commission for long-term customer billing. The utility informed the Montana Public Service Commission then that construction and supply chain challenges related to the COVID-19 pandemic forced the withdrawal because the project needed to start as soon as possible. The preapproval process, which takes up to 270 days, is likely to continue until April. Love 17 Funny 3 Wow 2 Sad 0 Angry 8 Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. The UK Educators Rank-and-File Safety Committee held an emergency meeting Tuesday evening, Close All Schools To Stop the Spread of Omicron! Introducing the event, Socialist Equality Party Assistant National Secretary Tom Scripps began by explaining that the message from the ruling class was that society had to learn to live with an endemic COVID-19. Year 7 pupils arrive back at Great Academy Ashton in Manchester as schools reopen after the summer holidays, Ashton-Under-Lyne, England, Friday, Sept. 3, 2021. Fewer measures are in place in schools than during last term, with bubbles and masks no longer in use in England and Wales, while Northern Ireland has also scrapped social distancing requirements. ( AP Photo Jon Super) Anyone opposed to this agenda has come under vicious attack, including SafeEdForAll (Safe Education for All) campaigner Lisa Diaz. Scripps added, More than misinformation, the main weapon in the hands of the government and its allies is the political argument that there is no alternativethat resuming normal life depends on accepting the toll of the virus. Fighting to protect the population from the virus means defeating this political lie and all those who support it. And that includes the trade unions and all the opposition parties. Tania Kent, a Socialist Equality Party member, special needs teacher and chairperson of the Educators Committee gave the main report. She explained, We are in the midst of the greatest public health disaster for over 100 years. Kent referred to the 3 million children already infected, the 117,000 with Long COVID and the 127 killed by the virus; and to the 570 educators officially reported killed by COVID-19 and the tens of thousands of school staff suffering Long COVID. Describing schools as holding pens for children, so that their parents can continue to work and produce profit, she said none of this would have been possible without the part the trade unions, and especially the education unions, have played as partners to the crimes committed by this government. Kent raised the joint statement issued by the education unions endorsing the return to classrooms this January and noted how union members took to social media to denounce their complicity with the governments criminal agenda. Calling for schools to be shut as part of an urgent programme of lockdowns and other public health measures to eliminate the virus, she concluded, Independent rank-and-file committees must be formed to organise mass walkouts at unsafe workplaces and impose the necessary restrictions while the virus is brought under control. The meeting heard reports from international speakers. Speaking from Chicago in the US was Kristina Betinis, an SEP member and educator. Betinis spoke about the ongoing struggle of teachers in Chicago who are in the forefront of a fight to close schools as COVID-19 paediatric infections and hospitalisations reach record levels. She described the struggle in Chicago as the highest expression of the developing class battle in the United States right now On January 6, 23,000 Chicago public school teachers refused to return to their school buildings and demanded that the city allow then to teach remotely as they did last year. The Democratic [Party] Mayor Lori Lightfoot immediately locked them out. Teachers in Chicagos Pilsen neighborhood march against the unsafe reopening of Chicago Public Schools last year [Credit: Twitter, @rcoppo1] The Chicago Teachers Union had capitulated to the Mayors demands, sending teachers back into schools today with about 340,000 students to follow. Now, said Betinis, the fight was to reject this agreement, but even more than that, the formation of rank-and-file committeesorganisations that can take control, in each school, of the situation, shut the school down and get the disease transmission under control. Tamino, a student from Germany and member of the International Youth and Students for Social Equality, explained, Here in my federal state, Baden-Wurttemberg, there are COVID tests for us students only in the first week. After that almost nobody will get tested anymore. The policy of the government is not to close schools to stop the spread of the virus but to keep them open at all costs. He noted, Just like in the UK this policy is supported by all ruling class parties, no matter if they call themselves left or right. The Left Party-led state of Thuringia was the state with the highest incidence rate for almost the entire pandemic There is growing opposition developing among students, parents and teachers here in Germany as well. On social media a lot of people express their anger and are organizing themselves in order to fight back. Many teachers are leaving the unions. The network of independent rank-and-file committees in Germany is receiving growing support. Dermot Quinn of the Socialist Equality Group in Ireland said, In schools there has been record levels of absenteeism. He cited official statistics showing that even before the onset of Omicron, there was more outbreaks in schools than in any other public setting. Omicron has come along and it has led to the situation getting worse for teachers and up to 50 percent are staying away. The unions are not doing anything about this. Melissa, a parent of a primary school pupil, told the meeting, Another parent whose partner tested positive for COVID was told if they didnt send their child into school they would be fined. Kent responded that this was one of the most criminal elements of the policy of the government and that prosecutions have to be opposed in a public campaign, as with Lisa Diaz. The education unions, she pointed out, say absolutely nothing about this whatsoever. This point was underscored by a parent attending from France who explained there was no protection at the schools apart from masks and no information about COVID from the principal or from the unions who wish to keep the school open. Speaking of the unions, they said, They do not care about childrens health or parents or teachers, many of whom are sick at the moment. Gnana, a member of the Socialist Equality Party (France) argued, Only a globally-coordinated, scientific health strategy can defeat the highly contagious Omicron variant. He described, Schools have become completely unsafe. Positive cases are exploding, with over 300,000 new infections every day in France. Despite this catastrophe, the government still insists on face-to-face classes and the Macron government is threatening that if parents refuse to send their children to school, family benefits will be suspended, and they will be prosecuted, facing fines of 15 to 30 thousand euros or even prison time. It also refuses to listen to scientists and doctors who oppose school re-openings, warning that it leads to mass infections. Sarah Paxman gave a moving account of her courageous fight to protect her vulnerable son from COVID-19. I refuse to see my child ill from something that could be prevented, she explained. Denouncing the legal threats against her as disgusting, Sarah said Right about now, I feel I could prosecute them. Another participant argued, Disabled people have been culled during the pandemic, with over two-thirds of people whove died having a disability. Scripps made clear that this was the deliberate agenda of a section of the ruling class which considered the pandemic an opportunity, through the mass spread of the virus, to cull dependents, in the words of a Telegraph columnist early in the pandemic. This policy had already seen catastrophic falls in life expectancy. A National Health Service nurse then gave an account of the terrible crisis in the hospitals, with dozens of trusts declaring critical incidents, dangerous levels of bed occupancy and ambulance crews waiting hours and hours to hand over seriously ill patients. One of my colleagues in the intensive care unit told me that often one nurse had to look after 3 critically ill patients. In our trust, nearly 250 colleagues are currently absent due to COVID-19 symptoms or isolating We are exhausted and overworked. Not only the physical demand but also the emotional situation is intolerable. We know what is needed to fulfil the requirements of patients, but we simply cant fulfil them. Despite our best efforts over the last 2 years, tragically, nearly one thousand COVID-19 patients who were under our care died. That is one in every five. The NHS trade unions have played the most despicable role in sacrificing their members to the death and suffering from COVID-19. David OSullivan, a member of the London Bus Rank-and-File Committee, who was sacked last year after asserting his right to a safe workplace under Section 44 of the Employment Rights Act, described his own experience. He said, In London alone, 73 bus workers have been killed by COVID and all of these were preventable deaths. While the rich and powerful can shelter in their mansions and penthouses and fly to their island hideaways and country retreats, the working class has been sent into unsafe workplaces and crammed into schools and buses like cannon fodder. The campaign for my reinstatement is spearheading a fightback by bus and transport workers. It is winning growing support. Kent closed the meeting by acknowledging the key connections that had been made between different countries and sectors and calling on attendees to join this committee, participate in its work, distribute its material, write for it on your own experiences and to build its influence as broadly as possible. Tuesdays meeting announced the launch of the Educators Rank-and-File Safety Committee (UK) Twitter account, which can be followed here. Today, French teachers are mounting a nationwide, one-day strike against the government of French President Emmanuel Macron and its school health protocols for COVID-19. Also joining the strike are school inspectors and nurses, a reflection of mounting anger and public alarm as the Omicron variant spreads massively across Europe. This strike is part of an emerging international mobilization of the working class and youth against capitalist governments subordination of health and life to private profit. Last week, as teachers in France prepared to go out on strike, Chicago teachers voted to reject a return to in-person learning, which the trade unions working with the city administration is attempting to overturn. Protests are proceeding and petitions are circulating against keeping schools open during the Omicron wave in New York, San Francisco, Boston and beyond. Parents, teachers and students of the Eugene Delacroix high school demonstrate outside the Avicenne hospital with banners reading "COVID at school equals hospitalised parents" ,left, or "Overcrowded classes, equals saturated hospital", right, Monday, March 29, 2021 in Bobigny, north of Paris. (AP Photo/Michel Euler) The crisis in the French schools epitomizes the disaster unfolding internationally as schools are kept open, with barely any safety measures in place, while over 7 million people catch COVID-19 each week in Europe. A week ago, according to the latest official figures, 3.2 percent of elementary and junior high students and 4.7 percent of high school students had COVID-19. With Omicron, these incidence rates are doubling at least once a week. Today, over 5.6 percent of the population overall has the virus. Education Minister Jean-Michel Blanquer did not even bother to inform school staff of the health protocols as the winter term began on January 3. He released an initial protocol to the media on January 2, less than 24 hours before classes were to begin. The protocols were introduced chaotically, constantly modified and designed to keep classes open even as COVID-19 cases explode. The result is an unmitigated disaster. Three-quarters of teachers are expected to join in the strike, shutting down half of the nations schools. This mass support reflects the bitter experiences workers have had in virtually every country, as governments forced the opening of unsafe workplaces and schools, costing over 123,000 lives in France and 1.5 million in Europe. One school teacher told the WSWS, We have students who have lost their parents or grandparents and who blame themselves for it and its in our arms that they break down and cry. Such things matter. We are living horrible experiences. I am angry, extremely angry, she added, denouncing protocols and unreliable testing kits imposed by Blanquer. It changes every three days, from one day to the next, in statements to the press. It is intolerable for us, facing parents the next day without official confirmation of what we are doing. The government has visibly abandoned any idea of protecting schools from COVID-19. Another school teacher spoke to the WSWS of her fears of Long COVID affecting generations of children in the future. I am outraged. Data on the virus, though it is still not well understood, shows that it persists inside the body and leads to lasting damage in both adults and children. I am very angry that we are letting the virus spread like this, inciting children to go to school without knowing what these generations will suffer in terms of health consequences. This eruption of anger has compelled the French teachers unions to finally authorize strike action. The same unions isolated teachers who went on wildcat strikes against an unsafe return to schools in November 2020, even as they were assaulted by Macrons riot police. Union official Stephane Crochet told France-Info, There is anger among all teachers, from kindergarten to high school. We have colleagues crying as they spend their entire evenings sending messages to families to explain the new protocols. Among the rank and file, tensions are very sharp. We have never seen this level of exasperation and exhaustion. A class confrontation is emerging between the teachers and the Macron government. Even as France posts record infection totals day after day, with 368,149 cases yesterday, Macron is signaling that he does not intend to move an inch from policies of mass infection adopted throughout the entire European Union (EU), in the United States and internationally. Prime Minister Jean Castex, who said last month he would rely on a vaccine-only approach to the pandemic, has boasted that France is the country that has kept its schools open the longest. Insisting that schools cannot shut classes when infections occur in them because otherwise every school in France would be closed, he pledged, We will not shut down the schools or the country. Blanquer, who has overseen a wage freeze in education during Macrons term, has made no secret of his contempt for teachers who oppose his use of schools as holding pens, so that parents can be forced to go to work and make profits for the banks. Calling for unity of the Nation around its schools, he lectured them for lacking patriotism, One does not go on strike against a virus. Teachers face a merciless political struggle against the Macron government, in which their natural allies are workers internationally entering into struggle against state policies of mass infection. School strikes and protests are growing across the United States, and across Europe campaigners for safe schools such as Lisa Diaz in Britain are fighting media slander campaigns attacking them for not sending their children into unsafe schools. And explosive anger is building up in factories and workplaces around the world against the ruling elites policies of mass infection after two years of the pandemic. To wage a political fight against the Macron government, teachers must take the struggle out of the hands of national union bureaucracies. Having abstained from taking action over the two years of the pandemic, these bureaucracies have long records of calling and then selling out one-day strikes in order to reach deals with successive governments in France and across Europe. The COVID-19 pandemic has shown more clearly than ever before that there is nothing to negotiate with governments like that of Macron. Such negotiations have already produced cuts to pensions, job security, and workers salaries in the interests of the banks. Now it is not only the livelihoods but the lives of hundreds of thousands and millions of workers around the world that are under threat. In November, before Omicron emerged, the World Health Organization (WHO) projected that COVID-19 would claim 500,000 lives by April in Europe. Currently, over 1,500 people die in France, 20,000 across Europe and 46,000 worldwide each week. On Tuesday, the WHO warned that over half of Europe will catch the Omicron variant in two months, based on current health protocols, swamping hospitals and triggering an even greater surge in deaths. Yet Paris and other European governments reacted not by tightening but by loosening health restrictions. Against governments capable of such monstrous policies, the way forward is to build a powerful international movement in the working class to oppose and ultimately crush the ruling elites resistance to a scientific policy in the interests of the great mass of the working population. The way forward is the construction of rank-and-file committees internationally in schools and workplaces, independent of the trade unions, to coordinate strikes and actions to impose a global, scientifically guided health policy to stop the pandemic and eliminate transmission of the virus. They can also fight far-right media propaganda against vaccination and public health measures and educate workers and youth on how to end the pandemic. This requires a lockdown, the end of in-person education and nonessential production and the pursuit of a Zero COVID policy. The Parti de legalite socialiste calls on to teachers, youth and workers interested in joining such committees in their countries and stopping the pandemic to contact the World Socialist Web Site and fight to build the International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees (IWA-RFC). New revelations in last Julys assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moise add to evidence that the plot was orchestrated by powerful political figures within Moises cabinet, representing rival sections of the countrys corrupt ruling elite and backed by US authorities. Following the execution of Moise at the hands of gunmen who broke into his residence, recently appointed prime minister and longtime US stooge Ariel Henry was tapped as the new head of the government by the so-called Core Group, foreign diplomats from North America and Europe, including the US ambassador to Haiti, along with representatives from the United Nations and the Organization of American States. Henry was hand-picked after a brief power grab by acting PM Claude Joseph, Henrys predecessor, was shot down by Washington and its allies. Authorities pose for a group photo in front of the portrait of late Haitian President Jovenel Moise at at the National Pantheon Museum during his memorial service in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. (AP Photo/Odelyn Joseph) Henry and other Haitian authorities overseeing the murder investigation have concocted an official narrative attributing the killing to some 40 suspects, including Moises security officers, several native businessmen and Haitian Americans, as well as 18 Colombian mercenaries who have been arrested for carrying out the assault on Moises residence. Although the investigation has been ongoing for several months, and more than half of those accused in the murder plot were arrested immediately following the assassination, little to nothing has been revealed from high-ranking officials on who exactly ordered the presidents killing and what figures financed and directed plot. In fact, the investigation, which has been mired in evidence-tampering since it began, has fueled popular hatred against leading authorities such as Henry and Joseph, who are widely believed to have been intimately involved in carrying out the assassination, with the blessing of American intelligence. New details into the assassination plot point to a massive cover-up from the highest levels of the state. A report in the New York Times this week confirmed allegations of a connection between Henry and Joseph Felix Badio, a former justice ministry official now wanted by the government on suspicion of having organized the attack. Phone records revealed by the Times, as well as interviews with Haitian officials and Rodolphe Jaar, a Haitian businessman and former drug trafficker with ties to Henry, point to incriminating evidence of Henrys role in the assassination. The phone records showed Badio spoke to Henry before and after the killing, including in two calls for a total of seven minutes the morning after the assassination. Even after plans to arrest Badio were well underway, the murder suspect visited Henry, according to two Haitian officials close to the investigation. Four months after the assassination, Badio traveled to Henrys personal residence twice and was able to enter the complex unmolested by the PMs security detail, despite being wanted by the police. The phone conversations between Henry and Badio had been initially exposed in September by the nations chief prosecutor, Bed-Ford Claude, who declared the calls established evidence linking the acting prime minister to the assassination. Claude issued a police summons for the prime minister, ordering him to testify about his connections in the assassination plot. Henry then refused to meet with the chief prosecutor to answer questions and denounced the requests for testimony as politically motivated. The chief prosecutor subsequently issued an order to the judge overseeing the case to institute a travel ban prohibiting Henry from leaving the country, and demanded that Henry be charged in the murder investigation because of his alleged connections to the prime suspect. Hours after Claude's overture to the lead judge, Henry reportedly asked the minister of justice, Rockefeller Vincent, to fire Claude. Vincent claims that after he refused, both of them were sacked under orders from Henry based on fraudulent accusations of serious administrative fault. Henry has since then repeatedly denied any involvement in the murder but has not directly addressed the phone calls. Other major details came from an interview the Times conducted with Jaar, who not only admitted to helping finance and plan the assassination, but also said he was assured by Badio that Henry would whitewash the investigation and protect the killers. Shortly before the assassination, Badio informed Jaar that Henry would serve as a useful ally after the president was overthrown, according to the Times. According to a senior security official, Jaar was detained in the Dominican Republic on Friday after six months in hiding. Jaar recounted in the interview with the Times the words of Badio and the lengths to which he went to assure him of Henrys loyalty. Referring to Henry, Badio told Jaar, He is my good friend, I have full control of him. After police officers arrested the Colombian mercenaries accused of carrying out the assault, Jaar said Badio had sought help from Henry to escape capture by the police. Henry, according to Jaar, responded that he would make some calls to ensure Badios safety. According to the Times, several Haitian officials involved in the investigation also confirmed that Henry was in touch with Badio on multiple occasions, and argued that Henry would be a formal suspect in the investigation if he werent the head of the nations government. Jaar also claimed that he thought the goal of the plot had been to overthrow President Moise in a coup instead of killing him outright. According to Jaar, the plotters intended to swear in a former Supreme Court judge, Windelle Coq-Thelot, as the new president. Jaar suggested that they expected support from key elements of the Haitian state, including the security forces, in their coup attempt. This lends credibility to the belief that Moises security guards had been accomplices in the attack, since not a single member of Moises security detail was injured during the shootout, and the mercenaries were allowed to cross multiple security checkpoints to enter the presidents palace. The most explosive element of Jaars testimony was his allegation of direct involvement of American officials, who he says green-lighted and helped orchestrate the conspiracy against Moise. Jaar said he only agreed to be involved in the assassination because he was reliably informed by Badio and other plotters that it had the full support of the United States. If the U.S. government was involved, then it was safe, Jaar noted. Jaar claimed the US organized the plot out of nervousness over Moises supposed connections to terrorists and drug traffickers. Last November, the US Senate Judiciary Committee criticized the Drug Enforcement Administration for corruption surrounding its Haiti operations, citing a Times investigation in August connecting Moises head of palace security to Caribbean-based drug smuggling. After hiding out in Haiti, Jaar escaped to neighboring Dominican Republic, where he was arrested last weekend at the request of US authorities. The Moise regime was notable for its rampant corruption and for being widely hated by the Haitian population. Moise repeatedly confronted outbreaks of mass protests since 2018, while only clinging to power due to Washingtons support of his government. Then-President Donald Trump backed Moise during weeks-long protests involving tens of thousands during the fall of 2019. They were sparked by the impoverished nations worsening social conditions and Moises own involvement in a massive corruption scandal that saw the siphoning of billions of dollars in aid from Venezuela by his allies in Haitis venal ruling elite. Coming into office as a result of fraudulent elections in 2016, in which barely 23 percent of the electorate participated, Moise repeatedly sought to consolidate a dictatorship. He refused to step down in the early months of 2021 despite his five-year term as president expiring in February. In the weeks before his assassination, Moise was also preparing to ram through an illegal constitutional referendum aimed at further cementing a presidential dictatorship and protecting presidents from prosecution for any crimes committed while they were in office. The Biden administration decisively reaffirmed its backing of the president even as Moise intensified his dictatorial policies. Rival sections of Haitis corrupt kleptocracy grew bitter over Moises lurch towards authoritarianism, and saw his attempts to consolidate power as an opportunity to enrich his cronies. Moises presidency was embroiled in clashes between powerful political and business figures, with some suspected of narcotics and arms trafficking. In police interrogations of the captured plotters, some confessed that a top priority of the attack was retrieving a list that detailed suspected drug traffickers that Moise was planning on handing to the US government, according to a Times report citing three senior Haitian officials with knowledge of the investigation. One of the central figures in Moises dossier was Charles Saint-Remy, a Haitian businessman with links to the countrys drug trade. Significantly, Saint-Remy is also the brother-in-law of former President Michel Martelly, a figure with close political ties to former members of the US-backed Duvalier dictatorship. He was installed to head a puppet regime under the aegis of US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. Martelly tapped Moise to be his successor as president. Both Martelly and Saint-Remy exerted huge influence in Moises government, dictating which of their business associates and the countrys oligarchs would receive lucrative contracts. Although a political protege of Martelly, Moise had become increasingly resentful of Martellys influence, with one report claiming that Moise was unable to choose his own cabinet members without the approval of Martellys family or that of Mr. Saint-Remy. Moise also deeply mistrusted an important member of Martellys security force, Dimitri Herard, who would eventually continue his role under Moises regime. According to presidential advisors, Herard was found on at least one occasion spying on the president for Saint-Remy, informing him about Moises meetings. Notwithstanding US imperialisms nominal backing of the Moise regime, the claim made by the Times that no evidence has emerged of any of the murder suspects having collaborated with the American government or that the United States was involved in or aware of the plot is dubious at best. Even in the wake of Henrys purge of the chief prosecutor and justice minister following their questioning his incriminating phone calls with Badio, the US government has stood faithfully by Henry. Meanwhile, of the 39 people arrested in connection with the assassination, several previously served as informants for the FBI and Drug Enforcement Administration, according to CNN. No one arrested has yet been formally charged. The working class and destitute peasantry are the true victims of the Haitian ruling-classs political intrigues, which are, in the final analysis, aimed at defending a system of exploitation and grinding poverty which is rooted in centuries-long oppression at the hands of American and world imperialism. Like the bilateral negotiations between the US and Russia on Monday, the meeting of the NATO-Russia Council on Wednesday also ended with no tangible result. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg called it a positive sign that the 30 NATO countries and Russia were sitting at the same table again for the first time in two and a half years and dedicated themselves to substantial issues. There is a fundamental willingness on both sides to continue the dialogue, he added. However, there are still considerable differences of opinionand not only over Ukraine. Both Stoltenberg and US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman reiterated their unwillingness to comply with Russian demands for security guarantees. U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman speaks during a media conference after a meeting of the NATO-Russia Council at NATO headquarters, in Brussels, Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2022. (AP Photo/Olivier Matthys) We will not compromise on our basic principles, emphasized Stoltenberg. He categorically ruled out Russias demand for no further expansion of NATO. Russia has no right of veto on the question of whether Ukraine can become a NATO member, he declared. Sherman also stated on the question of Ukraines NATO membership, Every country has the sovereign right to choose its own path. She said that she made this basic principle of international order and European security clear again in talks with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Gruschko. In fact, the talks in Geneva and Brussels were less of a dialogue than an ultimatum. NATO members and the Western media have been accusing Russia for weeks of planning a military attack on Ukraine, which Moscow firmly denies. They justify the accusation with the fact that Russia has relocated 100,000 soldiers near the Ukrainian borderwhich Moscow has neither denied nor confirmed. However, Moscow emphasizes that Russia is free to move troops and carry out military maneuvers on its own territory. The US has threatened major consequences for Russia. Last Saturday, two days before the talks in Geneva, the New York Times reported, The Biden administration and its allies are assembling a punishing set of financial, technology and military sanctions against Russia that they say would go into effect within hours of an invasion of Ukraine, hoping to make clear to President Vladimir V. Putin the high cost he would pay if he sends troops across the border. The Times cited officials who described details of those plans for the first time. Such moves are rarely telegraphed in advance. But with the negotiations looming President Bidens advisers say they are trying to signal to Mr. Putin exactly what he would face, wrote the newspaper. The plans that the United States have discussed with allies in recent days include cutting off Russias largest financial institutions from global transactions, imposing an embargo on American-made or American-designed technology needed for defense-related and consumer industries, and arming insurgents in Ukraine who would conduct what would amount to a guerrilla war against a Russian military occupation, if it comes to that. The exclusion of Russia from the SWIFT system, which executes global financial transactions between more than 1,100 banks in 200 countries, is also being discussed. Moscow has every reason to be concerned. Since the last Stalinist rulers of the Soviet Union, Mikhail Gorbachev and Boris Yeltsin, expressed their unrestrained loyalty to imperialism and dissolved the Soviet Union in 1991, the largest Western military alliance has moved ever closer to the borders of Russia and has broken all promises it previously made. NATO has incorporated former Warsaw Pact members and three former Baltic Soviet republics and armed them to the teeth. It has attacked and destroyed several international allies of Russia in violation of international law in order to bring about regime changeincluding Iraq, Libya and Syria. The NATO-Russia Council was established in 2002 to ease tensions between the Western military alliance and Moscow. German Chancellor Gerhard Schroder (Social Democrats, SPD) raved about a historic event with which bloc thinking had finally been overcome, and about a new quality in relations with Moscow. The council met monthly at ambassadorial level. Twice a year, the foreign and defense ministers and the chiefs of the general staff met to discuss arms control and the fight against terrorism and drug trafficking and to exchange information on planned exercises. When the US and Germany supported the pro-Western coup in Ukraine in 2014 and Russia responded by annexing the Russian-populated Crimea after a referendum, the body fell into a crisis. After the assassination attempt on the double agent Sergei Skripal in London, for which the British government blamed the Russian secret service without substantiated evidence, NATO expelled several Russian diplomats. The NATO-Russia Council had not met since then. In the meantime, the US and other NATO members have systematically armed the Ukrainian army and the fascist militias that are fighting against pro-Russian separatists in the east of the country. Among other things, they have received cutting-edge Javelin anti-tank missiles. It is these ultra-nationalist militias that the New York Times says Washington wants to use in the guerrilla war against Russia. Official US military aid to Ukraine in 2021 was $250 million, with this years planned military spending amounting to $300 million. On Monday, CNN and Politico reported that President Joe Biden approved additional shipments of firearms, ammunition, radios, and other military equipment. The military aid will thus be significantly increased again. The unstable Ukrainian regime, undermined by oligarchic struggles and corruption, and the ultra-nationalist militias on which it relies can at any time be used for a provocation that will force Moscow to react. The east of Ukraine, in which a civil war has been smoldering since 2014, is mostly populated by residents of Russian descent. It would not be the first military conflict that the US and its allies have provoked in this way. If NATO is now back at the negotiating table with Russia after a two-and-a-half-year ice age, there are two reasons. First, public opinion in the US and Europe, which is largely opposed to a war against Russia, needs to be attuned to a military confrontation. The western media is constantly spreading the mendacious narrative: We are peaceful and want to negotiate, but Putin wants to invade Ukraine and is making demands that cannot be met. Secondly, the US is developing the conflict with Russia as part of its geopolitical strategy, which is aimed at halting the economic and military rise of China and keeping the Europeans under control. A close alliance between Russia and China therefore needs to be prevented. The Biden administration knows that the Putin regime is under massive social pressure because of its murderous COVID-19 policy and glaring social inequality, and is therefore susceptible to political maneuvers and deals. The European NATO members support the aggressive course against Russia but are pursuing their own interests. German imperialism in particular regards eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union as traditional areas of expansion that it tried to conquer during the First and Second World Wars. Berlin fears that the United States will disadvantage Germany if it submits to its line. This is particularly evident in the conflict over Nord Stream 2. Washington wants to use the completed but not yet approved gas pipeline as leverage against Russia, while Berlin wants to put the pipeline, on which Germanys energy supply depends, into operation. The conflict runs straight through the German government. While the Greens and the Free Democrats advocate stopping the pipeline, the SPD supports it. The rivalries between the NATO powers are another factor that increases the risk of war. The explosive mixture of rivalries between imperialist allies, preparations for war against their opponents and social tensions are reminiscent of the eve of the First World War. This is also recognized by right-wing bourgeois commentators. The 83-year-old journalist Michael Sturmer published in Die Welt a comment entitled The new sleepwalkers. The title refers to the historian Christopher Clarks bestseller about the causes of the First World War. The former SPD chairman and German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel described the current situation in the Ukraine conflict as dramatic and threatening. This madness can only be stopped by a socialist offensive by the international working class against war and capitalism. It is the only social force that is motivated neither by profit nor national interests. A growing number of New Zealands COVID-19 experts are warning that the country is unprepared for an Omicron outbreak that is likely to have fatal consequences. Otago University professors Nick Wilson and Michael Baker have called the highly transmissible variant a huge threat and declared it is only a matter of weeks before it sweeps into the country. While reported new community cases of the Delta variant dropped to a daily low of 14 on January 11, more than 90 Omicron cases were detected at the border last week, with three cases entering the country. Over 300 border-related COVID-19 cases are currently in Managed Isolation and Quarantine (MIQ), including 65 new arrivals on Wednesday alone. Genome sequencing is under way to ascertain which of the recent arrivals are infected with Omicron, but it is already the dominant strain internationally. University of Otago epidemiologist Professor Michael Baker [Photo: University of Otago, Wellington / Luke Pilkinton-Ching] Public health expert Peter Davis told Stuff on Wednesday that with 10 times the number of infected arrivals at the border than in the past, the authorities may have all but thrown in the towel on preventing a community (and inevitably nationwide) outbreak of the Omicron variant. We need to turn down the tap urgently, Davis declared. Wilson and Baker also called for a significant tightening of the numbers entering the country. The priority is to have a tighter border so that we dont have to vaccinate kids and conduct a booster program during an outbreak, Wilson declared. The countrys inadequate MIQ facilities, which are all situated in the middle of major cities, have proved to be an ongoing problem, including with infected people regularly escaping. Wilson told the Guardian on January 10 he was perplexed that poor ventilation and shared spaces within MIQ had not been fixed and the resulting high risk of an Omicron outbreak was unacceptable. To relieve the pressure on MIQ, Wilson said, the government ought to require rapid antigen testing for travellers immediately prior to allowing them on flights, and cap the number of travellers coming from high-risk countries such as the UK, where Omicron rates have skyrocketed. Wilson added that despite New Zealands high vaccination rates, the number of adults who had received a booster dose of the vaccine remained dangerously low. He noted that the vaccine rollout for children between five and 11 still had not begun. Wilson sharply criticised the Labour-led governments traffic light COVID-19 management system, which replaced more broadly-based lockdowns in December, as not fit for purpose with Omicron. The system intentionally allows significant social interaction for vaccinated people in the community, even when COVID is prevalent. David Welch from Auckland University also said that the governments assumptions around immunity from vaccinations that underpin the traffic light system do not hold for Omicron. Baker called for the government to rapidly reinstate an amended version of the previous alert level system. The traffic light system wont help us very much because it was never designed to dampen down transmission, it was only designed to nudge people towards vaccination, Baker said. Baker warned that if the government sticks to its current timetable of largely opening the border with Australia in March, the country could expect the rapid spread of Omicron and very high levels of absenteeism at workplaces for several months. With the borders open, he warned, we would be expecting a more severe flu season and the other respiratory infections that dominate in winter. On Tuesday, another epidemiologist joined those calling on the government to delay re-opening schools, which is due in less than three weeks. Dr Amanda Kvalsvig, at the Department of Public Health at the University of Otago, said Omicron had triggered an avalanche of child cases overseas, at higher rates than previously seen in this pandemic. Schools and hospitals are struggling to manage the high rates of infection and there are rising concerns about post-acute effects in children, including Long Covid and an increase in autoimmune problems like diabetes, she warned. Here in New Zealand we have an opportunity to break that pattern, but we need to be decisive and move fast. Her comments came after Education and COVID Response Minister Chris Hipkins told the New Zealand Herald he wanted students back in class fulltime this year to avoid more disruption to their learning. Hipkins claimed that mandated vaccinations of staff, and an expected 90 percent vaccine coverage for students, justify re-openings. In fact, the Ardern-led government has openly embraced the homicidal herd immunity policy of ruling elites internationally and is letting the deadly virus spread. Hipkins declared that the best scenario for New Zealand is COVID mutating over time to become more transmissible but much less severe. Last month he flatly stated: We are moving to a different space now, where we are going to have COVID-19 in the community. In a sign of increasingly vocal opposition among the scientific community, Kvalsvig bluntly declared that to stop school outbreaks, children needed to be able to stay home if they had symptoms or tested positive. That means that working parents need sick leave support to stay home too, and children whore at home for longer than a few days will need educational and social support, she said. Kvalsvig added there are a number of key protections that needed to take place before sending children back to school. They included high vaccination coverage among all school-aged children, effective ventilation in schools, high-grade masks, access to rapid antigen testing (RAT) and support to stay at home. Worldwide and in NZ, children are the least-vaccinated age group. This immunity gap needs to be closed as quickly as possible, she said. There has been no reaction from the Labour government to these warnings. Indicating a criminal level of complacency, the cabinet remains officially on holiday and is not due to meet until January 17. Deputy Prime Minister Grant Robertson flatly declared that at this stage schools will reopen as planned, and encouraged parents to get their children vaccinated. In fact, vaccines for children have only just arrived in the country. Deep concern is building up in the working class, including among teachers and parents. Tahuna Intermediate principal Simon Clarke told the Herald that this year would be much harder than last. The next part will be when were actually trying to deal with it within our schools, and teachers are getting sick, children are getting sick, and trying to keep the school open, which I think is what the ministry want us to do, he said. As the present surge in the coronavirus is shattering all previous pandemic case and hospitalization highs across the country, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) forecast on Wednesday that as many as 62,000 people will die from COVID-19 in the US over the next four weeks. The CDC also reported on Tuesday that, as of January 8, the Omicron variant accounts for 98.3 percent of all new COVID-19 infections. In some regions of the country, such as the Deep South, Florida and the New York-New Jersey area, Omicron is estimated at more than 99 percent of cases. People wait in a long line to get a COVID-19 test, Monday, Jan. 3, 2022, in North Miami, Fla. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier) Despite the exponential rise in cases and the catastrophic strain being placed upon the US health care infrastructure, the corporate media and political establishment are continuing to push the unscientific claim that Omicron is a milder variant of the virus. However, as the following reports from states across the US show, the false assertions about Omicron are being used by the capitalist elite to block any measures to stop the spread of the virus and keep workers on the job and students in the schools regardless of how many people die from the pandemic. Florida On Tuesday, there were 71,742 new cases, and Florida set a new 7-day average record of 65,551 cases of COVID-19. There were 11,378 people hospitalized in the state, according to the US Department of Health and Human Services. The number of hospitalizations is up 291.9 percent over the past two weeks. Justin Senior, CEO of the Safety Net Hospital Alliance of Florida, told ABC25 in the Palm Beach area that hospitals in the state were being hit by a tidal wave and that the biggest issue is that Omicron is so infectious that nurses and doctors are being forced to miss work. Senior said that the states hospitals are facing intense workloads while theyre short-staffed, and theres a lot of difficulty there and a lot of stress. While the media and politicians in the Democratic and Republican parties are attempting to blame the Omicron surge on the unvaccinated, Jackson Memorial Hospital in the Miami area reported 514 COVID-positive patients with 117, or 23 percent of them, vaccinated. The fact that Omicron is infecting the vaccinated is also proof that the variant is not mild. On Tuesday, Miami-Dade County had the highest per capita rate of daily COVID-19 cases of any densely populated county in the country with a 7-day average of 4,065 cases per 100,000 population. Broward Countys rate was 2,573, and Palm Beach Countys was 1,947. Overall, Florida ranks the fifth highest among states for average daily per capita cases. After he was criticized for being silent and unavailable over the past two weeks, Florida Republican Governor Ron DeSantis gave a press conference on Wednesday and claimed that hospital staff shortages were the result of healthy employees being sent home after they were exposed to the virus. He also claimed of the surge that youll see a downturn very soon in areas that were hit first by Omicron. Michigan Michigan health officials reported on Tuesday that the pandemic is pushing the entire health care infrastructure to the point of collapse. Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, the chief medical executive for the state, told Crains Detroit Business that Michigan is on the path of the most pessimistic of possible modeling outcomes from the Omicron surge. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is projecting 8,000 hospitalizations per week by the end of January, and deaths could reach as many as 1,800 per week. As dire as these projections are, she added, These models are not taking into account that our health systems are already under strain. Adding more cases right now is going to lead to more strain and worse outcomes. Dr. Bagdasarian shot down claims that Omicron will bring herd immunity and end the pandemic. She said the percentage of unvaccinated people remains too high and the virus remains too dangerous to allow mass spreading. Its not something magical that happens overnight, she said. Michigan reported a new record number of 1,301 weekly confirmed cases of COVID-19 per 100,000 residents and a test positivity rate of 33.2 percent. Another statistic that exposes the claims of the mildness of Omicron is the fact that it is infecting young people ages 20 to 29 years and 30 to 39 years in greater numbers than any other age groups. Child hospitalizations also reached a record in Michigan on Tuesday at 107, which is 66 percent higher than the week of December 20. The MDHHS reported that there were 22 new pediatric hospital admissions every day during the past week. Lauren Yagiela, a doctor at Childrens Hospital of Michigan, said that the hospital is seeing a rise in COVID-19 pneumonia, myocarditis and multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C). Yagiela told Crains that even though the majority of children have recovered, these children can be in the hospital for up to one or two months. Pediatric ICU admission can have a lasting impact on their emotional and physical health. There is growing opposition within the working class to the policies of the Michigan state government. An organization called the Michigan Parent Alliance for Safe Schools issued a statement on Tuesday which said, [T]he state is on fire, because many of those in power have not used that power to keep us from getting to this point. The group said that children, educators and health care workers are suffering needlessly due to a dereliction of duty and demanded that a mask mandate be adopted in all of the states K-12 schools. Arizona Total cases of COVID-19 in Arizona surpassed 1.5 million on Tuesday, and the number of deaths approached 25,000. For the sixth consecutive day, the Arizona Department of Health Services reported more than 10,000 new cases. The number of hospitalizations hit 5,082, and the number of COVID-19 ICU patients hit 1,183 on Tuesday, both are pandemic highs in the state. The death toll hit 213. Dr. Marjorie Bessel, chief clinical officer at the Arizonas largest health care network, Banner Health, told a press conference in Phoenix on Tuesday that Omicron is not only filling up Arizona hospitals with COVID-19 patients. She said, [w]hen the surge occurs in the community, our own employees also get ill. So, we are seeing an increase now of our team members who are becoming ill. Dr. Bessel reported that the hospital chain had to close some of its urgent care locations due to staffing shortages. She also said that nearly a third of in-patient beds at Banner hospitals are occupied by COVID-19 or suspected COVID-19 patients, with roughly 90 percent of those being unvaccinated. Colorado Health officials in Colorado reactivated crisis standards of care for emergency medical services on January 7 in response to the surge in COVID-19 cases across the state. Dr. Eric France, chief medical officer of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE), made the decision in response to EMS staff becoming ill with coronavirus. The guidance is a form of triage, permitting EMS personnel to stop life-saving measures in patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, limiting the cases taken to the hospital. The announcement from the CDPHE was made in the same week that hospitals in the Denver area warned of razor thin capacity that would get worse if more frontline workers continue to get sick with COVID-19. Kathy Howell, the chief nursing officer for University of Colorado Hospital, told ABC7 Denver, Weve seen a sharp uptick in the last couple of days, and if we stay at this trajectory, we also will have a record number of in-patients. Howell reported that 98 percent of the hospital systems ICU beds are full, and their acute care beds are well over capacity. She also said she was concerned for what Omicron will do to an already exhausted workforce who are not only tired but who are now getting sick from COVID-19 due to the variants effectiveness at by-passing vaccination. Texas On Wednesday, the Texas Department of State Health Services reported 61,113 confirmed new cases of COVID-19 and 14,704 probable cases for a total of 75,817, the highest daily state total since the pandemic began. Test positivity rates reached 35.6 percent in Texas on Tuesday. James Versalovic, pathologist-in-chief at Texas Childrens Hospital in Houston, where patients are tested for COVID-19 upon admission regardless of whether they are showing symptoms, told the Texas Tribune that the percentage of tests coming back positive reached an all-time high for the pandemic and nearly all of them are the Omicron variant. Meanwhile, Cook Childrens Medical Center in Fort Worth reported a record 69 pediatric coronavirus patients in a single day. School districts in the Dallas-Fort Worth area are canceling classes due to the surge in cases. In Mansfield, six elementary schools are closed Thursday through the MLK holiday where district officials are reporting absences and a shortage of substitute teachers due to the Omicron spike. In rural Boyd and Maypearl independent school districts classes were canceled after a surge in new cases. Amid a record surge of COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations due to the rapid spread of the Omicron variant, a growing movement of the working class is developing internationally to stop the pandemic and save lives. Today, an estimated 75 percent of all primary school teachers across France are taking part in a nationwide strike that is expected to shut down half of all French schools. On Wednesday, a record 3,145,916 people were officially infected with COVID-19 worldwide, including 814,494 in the United States, 363,719 in France, and 241,976 in India, with five other countries reporting more than 100,000 official new cases. Hospitalizations are surging worldwide, with more than 140,000 people now hospitalized for COVID-19 in the US, over 23,000 in France and nearly 20,000 in the United Kingdom. Teachers, parents and children march in the Brooklyn borough of New York to protest the reopening of city public schools amid the threat of a teachers strike, Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2020 in New York. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan) Before the strike in France, last week 25,000 Chicago teachers took part in a powerful collective action to stop in-person learning, in defiance of the school reopening policies pursued by the Democratic Party at the local, state and national levels and supported by all the teachers unions. On Monday, the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) abruptly reached an agreement with Democratic Mayor Lori Lightfoot to reopen the citys schools. Facing widespread disgust among rank-and-file teachers, the union rammed the deal through by giving teachers only one day to vote, with only 44 percent of all CTU members voting in favor of the deal and 20 percent of members abstaining. Inspired by the struggle of Chicago teachers, educators in San Francisco and Oakland, California, organized wildcat sickout strikes last week to stop in-person learning. Rank-and-file committees, built independently of the unions by educators across the USincluding in New York City, Michigan, Pennsylvania, throughout the South and along the West Coasthave organized widely-attended online meetings over the past two weeks and are expanding in each region of the country. Throughout this week, high school students in New York City, Chicago, Boston, Oakland, Portland, and other US cities have circulated petitions calling for a remote learning option, garnering thousands of signatures. On Tuesday, nearly 1,000 students at over 30 K-12 schools in New York City walked out of class calling to demand a switch to remote learning, and similar demonstrations are planned in Chicago and Oakland in the coming days. According to a poll conducted last weekend, the majority of US adults support remote learning, including 63 percent of those with an income less than $50,000. In the United Kingdom, where COVID-19 infections and hospitalization among children have reached record levels, educators and parents are deepening their struggle to stop unsafe school reopenings. The Educators Rank-and-File Safety Committee (UK) held a widely attended meeting Tuesday, which presented a plan of action to force the switch to fully remote learning. In a video posted Wednesday, British parent Lisa Diaz, who has led a series of school strikes since October, voiced her support for Chicago teachers, declaring, Youre making a stand, not just for yourselves, but for the children. She concluded, I just want to send all my solidarity from the UK and say thank you for taking a stand. And whilst Im here, well done to all the teachers from France who are doing the same, and the kids in the US who are walking out. In Hidalgo and Baja, Mexico, strikes have begun involving tens of thousands of teachers. While the primary focus is on contract issues related to pay, these strikes coincide with the forced reopening of schools amid skyrocketing COVID-19 infections. The growing international struggle of educators and youth against school reopenings comes in response to the global implementation of this deadly policy by world governments on behalf of the corporate and financial elite. Throughout the world and, in particular, in the United States and across Europe, capitalist governments have responded to the emergence of the Omicron variant by dropping all pretense that they aim to stop the pandemic. All talk of mitigations and ending the pandemic has disappeared. Instead, they now openly support the herd immunity strategy formerly pursued by only the most right-wing governments. They are determined to allow the uncontrolled spread of the virus, based on the unscientific belief that it will quickly run out of hosts and become endemic. In the US, the Biden administration and its representatives ever more explicitly state they intend to allow the entire population to become infected. On Tuesday, the Center for Strategic and International Studiesone of the leading think tanks of American imperialismposted a Fireside Chat with Dr. Anthony Fauci. In the interview, Bidens chief medical adviser declared with callous indifference that Omicron will, ultimately, find just about everybody. Regarding vaccinated people, Fauci stated, Some, maybe a lot of them, will get infected and will do reasonably well. Fauci added, those who are still unvaccinated are going to get the brunt of the severe aspect of this, and some fraction are going to get seriously ill and are going to die. Fauci lamented only the fact that this will challenge our health system. The reopening of schools is central to the herd immunity strategy for two reasons. First, returning students to class is necessary to force parents back to work. Second, overcrowded and poorly ventilated school buildings are hotbeds of viral transmission, enabling COVID-19 to spread as rapidly as possible and quickly infect students, educators, their families and their communities. What sparked todays strike by French teachers were efforts by the Macron government to quietly change reopening guidelines in such a manner as to keep schools open as COVID-19 cases explode. Within one week, these protocols were clearly disastrous, prompting rank-and-file teachers to demand strike action. In Chicago, the CTU is now enforcing a policy whereby individual schools will only close if more than 30 percent of staff or 40 percent of children are either infected with COVID-19 or in quarantine due to exposure. In other words, their deal is predicated on accepting mass infections in schools and communities. The fight against herd immunity is a common global struggle that is increasingly being taken up by the international working class, in direct opposition to the capitalist system. By its very nature, the pandemic cannot be fought on a national basis or through appeals to the powers that be. COVID-19 will be eliminated only through a globally coordinated mass movement to impose temporary lockdowns, shut down schools and nonessential production and deploy all available public health measures. One of the great challenges confronting workers in every country is to not see their struggles as isolated incidents but rather as part of a global process. To generalize their experiences and coordinate their struggles globally, workers require new forms of organization, rank-and-file committees, that are democratically run and answerable to the workers themselves. Numerous such committees have been established among educators, autoworkers, health care workers, logistics workers, and other sections of the working class, which are now united under the aegis of the International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees (IWA-RFC). This network of committees must forge ever closer links and actively fight to unify and lead the growing movement of the working class to stop the pandemic and save lives. Those who wish to become seriously involved and to build a rank-and-file committee at your school, neighborhood or workplace, fill out the form below, and the World Socialist Web Site will contact you today. COVID-19 cases continue to rise in the Philippines as Omicron has now become the dominant variant. Officially 32,246 new cases were recorded on January 12. The administration of President Rodrigo Duterte has responded with a series of half-measures. A number of regions have been placed under Alert Level 3, which reduce public gatherings and indoor activity without imposing lockdowns. The overwhelming majority of schools remain closed to in-person education. A vaccine mandate has been put in place, requiring proof of full vaccination be displayed before entering business establishments, public buildings, or riding public transit. Those partially or entirely unvaccinated have been instructed to remain home. Communist Party of the Philippines leader Jose Maria Sison (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini) The vaccine mandate is hobbled by the fact that vaccines have not been available until very recently for the majority of the population. Some of those who will be compelled to remain home have not had the opportunity to be fully vaccinated. The measure is further undermined by the exceptions created by the Duterte administration, allowing the unvaccinated to go out for essential activities, a list that includes reporting to work. The Stalinist Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) has attacked the half-measures of the Duterte administration from the right. They do not demand more effective mandatory vaccination, the closure of employment as the essential activity loophole, closure of all non-essential businesses, and cash aid to the working population. Rather, the CPP denounces mandatory vaccination as fascist, demands the full reopening of schools and an end to all lockdowns. They articulate the interests of sections of the capitalist class who see any limitation to business activity as an intolerable barrier to the production of profit and who call for letting the disease rip through the community. On January 8, Marco Valbuena, chief information officer of the CPP, issued a statement denouncing the vaccine mandate as patently discriminatory, unlawful, fascist, burdensome, and above all, useless and stupid. The CPP did not simply argue that the mandate could not be enforced until vaccines were fully available, but went further and adopted the argument of far-right and libertarian forces that vaccination was a choice of every individual, and should not be imposed. The CPP issued a second statement that declared Requiring or mandating people to get vaccinated is discriminatory, oppressive and burdensome. No individual has the right to infect others, any more than they have the right to smoke in a crowded public building. This is not a question of personal liberties or choices, but of public health. Vaccination can and should be mandated, as one element of a strategy to eliminate the virus. The concern of the CPP, however, is not public health or the mass infection of workers, but the continued profits of corporations. Valbuena wrote Prohibiting more than half the population from becoming economically productive will only further collapse the economy marked by business closures and bankruptcies, widespread unemployment, loss of income, dislocations, supply disruptions and cause the further deterioration of the peoples overall socioeconomic conditions. The CPP speaks with the same voice as the Makati Business Cluba leading corporate association. Workers need to be economically productive, damn the cost in human lives, or there will be disruptions to supply chains and business closures. Valbuena argued that many Filipinos had concerns over the safety and efficacy of vaccines. There is truth to this, but Valbuena deliberately ignores the fact that the party and the various national democratic organizations that follow its political line have been instrumental in cultivating anti-scientific opposition to vaccines. A leading culprit has been Romeo Quijano, former chair of Health Alliance for Democracy (HEAD), a member organization of the national democratic umbrella group BAYAN. Quijano falsely claimed that vaccines are more dangerous than COVID-19, and called on the mass movement to oppose mandatory vaccinations as an attack on the individuals right to free and informed consent. It is this line that is being repeated by Valbuena and the CPP. Bulatlat, a news publication associated with the national democratic movement, has run multiple utterly unscientific, anti-vaccine articles, peddling the notion that COVID-19 was produced in a biological weapons lab working in cahoots with Big Pharma, with funding from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, to promote vaccine mania. Bulatlat published an article by Quijano in 2019, Vaccination: Most deceptive tool of imperialism, in which he argued that the eradication of smallpox and the seemingly dramatic decline in polio cannot be largely attributed to the vaccines but were rather a result of the strengthening of natural immunity. The vaccines were an imperialist Trojan horse, a money-making plot of imperialist Big Pharma. Quijano explicitly rejects the germ theory of disease and calls for wholistic balance between humans and microbes. This is quack-speak for living with the pandemic. While the CPP and national democratic organizations, such as BAYAN, criticize Duterte for the inefficient roll-out of vaccines for COVID-19, they are in fact opposed to mass vaccination and a vaccine mandate. The CPP articulates the economic interests of the capitalist class, who are hostile to any public health measure that will limit their business activity and the production of profit. Vaccine mandates, lockdowns, school closuresall necessary measures to save human lives and put an end to the spread of the pandemicare opposed by the elite and their allies in the CPP. The positions adopted by the CPP are often indistinguishable from those of the far-right. Founder and ideological leader of the CPP, Jose Ma. Sison has on multiple occasions shared material on Facebook originating with the far-right, decrying vaccines as part of a campaign of global genocide staged by the Vaticans UN. Sison promoted material from Afshine Emrani, a Los Angeles based physician and right-wing Zionist, who has been trumpeting the lie that Omicron was nothing more than a seasonal cold virus and would produce global immunity to COVID. Sison wrote on January 6, that people can welcome Omicron as the effective vaccine developed by mass herd immunity. Whatever vaccine hesitancy exists in the Philippines, the CPP has been instrumental in cultivating it. Not only does the party oppose mandatory vaccination, it is the spearhead of the drive to re-open schools. The party-list organizations of the Makabayan Coalition, the electoral group of BAYAN, particularly the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT), have been demanding a return to in-person education since the middle of 2020. They promoted the slogan, #LigtasNaBalikPaaralan (Safe Return to Schools), peddling the idea that there was a safe way to put children and teachers back in classrooms in the midst of a global pandemic. In May 2020, representatives of Bayan Muna, ACT, Gabriela, and Kabataanthe party-list organizations of the Makabayan Coalitionintroduced legislation mandating the reopening of schools with the provision of mass testing and contact tracing. This was a recipe for a massive spike in cases. The bill has fortunately not been acted upon and has been pending in committee for the past year and a half. The blended online and module education promoted by the Duterte administration as a replacement for in-person instruction has placed an immense burden on teachers and has meant a significant loss of education for students, particularly those from poor communities. However, rather than demand government funding to improve distance education, the organizations of BAYAN are pushing students and teachers back into the classroom. The bill was in keeping with the policy of the CPP, which published a statement in Ang Bayan in the same month calling for schools to re-open: Researches [ sic ] indicate that school children are less vulnerable to Covid-19 infection. There is no strong evidence to prove that school closures can stop the spread of the infection. This is a lie. Every country that has returned to in-person education has seen infection rates skyrocket with schools becoming a leading vector for the mass spread of the virus. The demand to return to in-person education is not about education at all, but about getting workers back on the job and using teachers to provide childcare to make this possible. The CPP has similarly opposed all lockdown measures implemented by the government. In April 2020, as the pandemic spread like wildfire, the Christians for National Liberation, an integral part of the CPP, issued a statement denouncing Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) as a fascist instrument of Dutertes Martial Law. The CPP did not demand aid to the working class and poor communities, but the lifting of lockdown. The bottom line for the CPP is the economic interests of the capitalist class. Lockdown in 2020 produced the countrys first recession in 29 years. The gross domestic product contracted by the highest rate in history. National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Planning Secretary Karl Chua, reported that every week of lockdown would see lost production output of PHP150 billion ($US3 billion). It was concern over these statistics that CPP spokesperson Valbuena was articulating when he denounced vaccine mandates and called for the population to be economically productive. Like their capitalist allies, it is the loss of profit that concerns the CPP and not the loss of human lives. An indefinite strike by 200,000 power-loom operators in the Coimbatore and Tiruppur districts of the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu has paralysed the transformation of yarn into cloth in one of the countrys principal textile and cloth manufacturing centres. The action, which began Sunday, is being led by power-loom owner-operators. But it is being supported by hundreds of thousands of other power-loom workers, whose own wages are directly dependent on the terms of work agreed to between the owner-operators and so-called master weavers. The latter are middlemen used by the large domestic and global garment companies to manage a brutal putting-out production system akin to that of early 19th century Britain. The strike has resulted in more than half a million owner-operators and workers directly or indirectly employed in the power-loom sector in the two districts halting work. Indian media claims the strike is causing a loss of 600 million rupees worth of production per day and will, if it continues, cripple the textile export industry. Indian power-loom operator strike (apparelresources.com) Neither the power-loom owner-operators nor the hired hands who work alongside them have received a pay increase since 2014. The final straw triggering the strike was reportedly the big mills refusal to sanction a minuscule increase in piecework rates agreed with the operators last November. The owner-operators are paid a pittance by the large mills to weave the yarn into cloth, and employ up to five or six workers on piecework to perform the job. A 2014 report noted that the workers labour on average between 10 and 12 hours per day, but must complete double shifts of 16 hours or more when demand is high. Under conditions of the surging COVID-19 pandemic, the development of the power-loom strike involving hundreds of thousands is significant and shows that workers will not passively accept the capitalist class offensive against them. Almost a million people depend directly and indirectly for their livelihood on the power-loom industry in these two Tamil Nadu districts. Work in neighbouring districts tied in one way or another to textile manufacturing in Coimbatore and Tiruppur has also come to a halt as a result of the strike. Wage agreements in the local power-loom industry are supposed to be renewed every three years. But no agreement has been reached since 2014. Indeed, reports suggest the owner-operators have had to endure payment cuts even as their operating costs have risen substantially. The large mills, which use the cloth produced by the power-loom workers, export at least part of their production of finished garments to giant western retailers such as GAP and IZOD. They outsource a major portion of the weaving to small and medium power-loom owner-operators, since it is more profitable for them to pay a piece rate. The power-loom industry is itself based upon shuttle looms, an obsolete technology. The agreement reached last November, during tripartite talks held between master weavers, power-loom owner-operators and representatives of the labour department, provided for a 20 to 25 percent hike in piece-wage rates. It was to supposed to come into force in December. But the master weavers reneged on it. M. Manoharan, a power-loom worker in Tiruppur told IANS: We are treated badly. We weave the cotton yarn into beautiful material, or rather convert the cotton yarn to the beautiful cloth materials, but we are never given any recognition and we dont want that. We need a hike in our wages that have been stagnant since 2014. Even after the tripartite talks decided that wages would be hiked by 20 to 25 percent, nothing happened and we had to resort to this strike. Hope the authorities will open their eyes at least now. During talks on January 8, the cloth manufacturers from Avinashi in Tiruppur District told the power-loom unit owners that the 20 percent pay hike previously announced for the Palladam variety of fabric would be provided in stages, with 10 percent paid immediately and a second 10 percent hike introduced at a later date. This offer, however, was rejected by the power-loom unit owners associations. Whilst the owner-operators have themselves been squeezed by rising prices, they also fear the reaction of the power-loom workers who work alongside them. The latter desperately need pay hikes amid the immense economic hardships caused by the Indian authorities ruinous mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Joint Commissioner of Labour, Coimbatore, attempted to prevent a strike, which would cripple the whole industry. He appealed to the power-loom unit owners associations to await the decision of talks involving cloth manufacturers from Tiruppur and Palladam and members of job working power loom unit owners associations on Tuesday, January 11, and not to engage in direct action. In a statement issued to the press, the power-loom owner-operators of Tiruppur and Coimbatore district said: Wage increases for power-loom workers have not been fully available for 7 years since 2014. Many people have abandoned the industry due to the high prices and are looking for other ways (to live). Under these conditions, the textile manufacturers are delaying the implementation of the 20 percent increase in Palladam variety and the 23 percent increase in Somanur variety (of cloth) announced by the State Ministers, District Collectors and Labour Welfare Officers in the talks held at the Coimbatore District Collectorate on 24.11.2021 after several rounds of negotiations for a new wage increase from 2020 onwards. Condemning this lethargic trend, we have decided to engage in an indefinite strike from 9.01.2022 (Sunday) as per the decision taken by the federation of (power-loom) weavers associations in two districts. The power-loom workers are paid on average a pittance of 300 rupees (US$4) per day. As they do piece-rate work, a worker has to work long hours to earn this wage. The workers are not entitled to any social security benefits including provident fund or medical insurance. They labour under a No work No pay policy, meaning they are not paid for holidays. Some workers who are provided with accommodation are compelled to work even longer hours since they are paid less because they are provided with lodging. Many of the working power-loom owners are indebted to the banks and many have had to shut down due to bankruptcy. The power-loom workers associations leading the strike have not made any effort to mobilize the support of other sections of the working class around the current job action. Instead, their orientation is towards appealing to the big business DMK-led state government, which has a notorious anti-working class record. The DMK-led government, which came to power last May with the support of the two main Stalinist partiesthe Communist Party of India (Marxist) or CPM and the Communist Party of India (CPI)continued the drive of its predecessor to open up the economy amid Indias devastating second wave of the pandemic. Predictably, it has spurned the owner-operators appeals that it intervene on their behalf. The union federations affiliated to the Stalinist CPM and CPIthe Center of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) and All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) respectivelydo everything in their power to suppress and isolate workers struggles. They are doing nothing to mobilise support for the power-loom workers struggle or mobilise the hired hands as an independent force. The power-loom workers struggle is part of a growing wave of social struggles, involving ever broader sections of the working class and urban and rural toilers across India and internationally. There is mass anger over the failure of employers, including government-owned hospitals, to provide workers with proper PPE and safe working conditions, or to pay their regular wages, amid the two-year-long pandemic. The privatisation drive of Indias far-right, Narendra Modi-led BJP central government is encountering increasing resistance, including from coal miners, and steel, power and bank workers. Tens of thousands of Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) workers have now been on strike for more than 70 days, paralysing inter-city bus transport in Indias second largest state. The workers are pressing for the state-owned MRSTC to be merged into the state government so as to derail governments plans to break up and privatise the bus service. Last Thursday, thousands of Delhi University teachers joined a one-day strike to protest the Delhi Union Territory governments funding cuts, which have resulted in their wages and benefits not being paid for months. And on Friday, thousands of ambulance workers in Uttar Pradesh struck or joined protests to demand the reinstatement of 10,000 workers who were sacked last year, and better compensation for the families of co-workers who died from COVID-19. The workers were sacked in the midst of Indias Delta variant-driven second wave of the pandemic, when the BJP state government awarded the ambulance contract to another company. An emergency meeting of the regional Southern Educators Rank-and-File Safety Committees (SERFSC) was held on January 8 to discuss the alarming spread of the Omicron and the need to give our full support to the courageous stand taken by Chicago teachers. A record number of teachers, parents and workers from states across the South attended. The meeting was held as new cases of COVID-19 across the region have reached or exceeded the previous records of the last two years. Those attending the meeting expressed their determination to stop the criminal spread of the virus and reported on their workplace conditions. Speaking at the meeting, a pre-K teacher in Virginia said that after having been exposed to the virus, My boss told me that because Im vaccinated and dont have symptoms, I should come to work. I told them absolutely not because I work with infants, [there is] no way to stay six feet away, and they cant wear masks. A child receives a COVID-19 test (Credit: Envato) A teacher in Alabama told the meeting, You pay dues and the union does nothing to protect you. Its garbage. Teachers are retaliated against for reporting cases. Weve had good nurses and staff, but if they abide by rules, theyre gone soon and theres a new nurse who lets anything ride. An art teacher in Arkansas shared, I applaud Chicago. My family in Kansasschools in her town are closing. I feel jealous. She continued that almost no students and many faculty do not wear masks at her school. Its terrifying to go to school. There are no protections for teachers unless they take it upon themselves. I have a booster, but I also have family members that I worry about spreading the virus to. Aside from anxiety about getting COVID for myself, Im more afraid of giving it to people in my family who have no defense at all. I feel like I am in the Twilight Zone. Nicholas, a doctoral candidate in North Carolina, gave his support to Chicago teachers. The teachers sickout in Chicago is extremely heartening. The government and CDC have obviously abandoned the population. Seeing that happen in Chicago and spreading is really extremely heartening. The meeting attendees affirmed the following resolution: We call upon educators, parents, students and other workers across the South to organize and take up the fight to immediately close schools to stop the transmission of COVID-19 and save lives. We give our full support to teachers in Chicago, who voted overwhelmingly last week to teach remotely in order to protect their lives and those of their students and communities. Although teachers remain determined, their so-called union, the Chicago Teachers Union, colluded with the school district and the Democratic administration of Mayor Lori Lightfoot to call off the remote work action that was democratically decided and forced teachers back into the school buildings before they had a chance to vote on the rotten agreement signed by the CTU and the district. We also support the growing wave of students organizing across the country to demand remote learning and protect their livesfrom New York City, to Oakland, Seattle, Massachusetts and Missouri. To bring these struggles into a unified, mass movement, we call on educators, students and other workers to join us in building rank-and-file safety committees today at every school and workplace. These committees are independent of the treacherous unions, the National Education Association and the American Federation of Teachers, which have played an integral part in allowing schools to reopen amid a deadly pandemic, and independent of both big-business parties. These committees allow us to share information, to communicate with educators across the country and globe, to counter the lies of the media that schools are safe and Omicron is mild, and to work in coordination with each other to lay the foundation for joint, collective action across the region and nationally to guarantee our demands are met. Our local committees, as part of the International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees (IWA-RFC), also enable us to build the broadest possible support in the working class internationally. We affirm that the international working class is the only social force capable of putting an end to this pandemic, securing high quality working conditions for ourselves and high quality public education for our students. We also direct our call for joint action with bus drivers, food service workers, janitors, and other school support staff, hospital and nursing home workers and all workers being ravaged by COVID-19 due to the criminal indifference of the corporate and political establishment, which has prioritized its own profits over our lives from the beginning of this pandemic. They have stuffed their pockets while our families, co-workers and students have fallen ill and died! We also appeal to university staff and students to form committees in your school and fight for remote instruction until transmission is stopped. The situation in the South is dire in every state. Educators and other workers face chaos in our workplaces with mixed and contradictory messages about safety procedures. We must make life-and-death decisions every day as we choose between our own safety, the safety of our children, and the need to go into unsafe workplaces to keep a roof over our heads and food on the table. According to the New York Times, on January 10 the three states where cases are rising the fastest are in the South: Mississippi, Texas and South Carolina. According to Johns Hopkins University, between January 3 and January 8, Mississippi saw a record-breaking 42,810 new cases. ICUs in the state are at 85 percent capacity, and the positive test rate is currently 43 percent. Only 48 percent of Mississippians are double vaccinated, and only 16 percent triple vaccinated, while the Omicron variants ability to evade immunity means that three doses is the new fully vaccinated. There are no statewide mask mandates. On January 6, Republican Governor Tate Reeves stated, We are not going to have any mandates. We are not going to have any requirements forced on you by the state. However, the state is forcing one mandate on the population: Go to work, get sick, and dont complain! In Texas there were 44,000 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 on January 7. The states positivity rate is 35 percent, while only 18 percent of the state has received three shots. A headline in the Houston Chronicle on January 9 read, Omicron is on track to shatter Texas Covid-19 hospitalization records. More than 50 ICUs in the state are at 100 percent capacity, with some cities like El Paso reporting no available ICU beds. Pediatric hospitalizations have surpassed the previous peaks. As Texass Republican Governor Greg Abbott begins his campaign for reelection, he is sticking to the criminal strategy of personal responsibility and vaccination-only to combat Omicron. His fascistic ban on mask mandates in schools remains. Last week, South Carolina recorded 72,932 new cases, a record for the state. Only 53 percent of South Carolinians have received two shots, and 15 percent have received three. The state has broken its record for new cases four times in two weeks. The state health department released alarming case numbers for January 8 through January 10: 16,630 on Saturday, 15,234 on Sunday, and 12,827 cases on Monday. An average of 81 people are dying each week from the virus since the end of December, and hospitals are seeing an increasing number of COVID-19 patients requiring critical care and ventilators. Republican Governor Henry McMasters school mask mandate ban was overturned by a federal judge, but mask requirements are haphazard throughout the state. To save lives, educators must take matters into their own hands. In addition to building committees in every school, we have specific demands that must be implemented immediately. Our demands are guided not by what the politicians or businesses are willing to concede but what is necessary to save lives and prevent the lifelong debilitation of children. We urge educators to fight for the following: The immediate closing of school buildings until the rank-and-file committees, with the advice of trusted scientists, determine that it is safe to return The implementation of and funding for high-quality remote education Financial support for parents who must stay at home with their children Financial support for all workers and small businesses that are affected by temporary lockdowns A program of mass vaccination globally, including of children A program of mass testing and rigorous contact tracing, including the establishment of readily accessible testing centers in each city and town For the CDC to reverse its capitulation to big businesses and reinstate a 14-day quarantine for all infected and exposed individuals, with full financial and social support Mandatory masking with KN95-grade or higher masks in all public places. These must be provided free of charge to workers. A science education program directed at the working class conducted with the assistance of scientists and physicians To pay for these demands, a tax on the billionaires and the expropriation of the pandemic profiteers to meet the needs of society and carry out a Zero COVID program globally. Those who agree with this program should sign up here to join or build a committee, share this statement with your co-workers, become a voice of opposition in your school, and attend our next meeting on Sunday, January 23, at 4:00 p.m. ET. Reach out here for more information: southerneducatorsrfc@gmail.com. U.S. Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., says its time to change the filibuster, not only for voting rights legislation but for all bills, because the requirement of a 60-vote supermajority to override opponents has ground business to a standstill. Speaking recently with the left-leaning Center for American Progress Action Fund, Tester said the filibuster has become politicized beyond usefulness. He called the voting rights legislation that Senate Democrats expect to take up in the coming days too important to be thwarted by procedural maneuvers. I have to make the decision, Jon Tester, did you come to the United States Senate to sit around and watch folks like Ted Cruz and Josh Hawley just stop things, or did you come to the United States Senate to get things done?' Tester told CAP Action CEO Patrick Gaspard. And I came to the United States Senate to get things done. I do think that bipartisan is always the best. But at some point in time, and in the case of voting rights, you have to say this is important for our democracy, its important for our country, maybe the most important thing Ill ever do as a United States senator. Am I going to sit here and allow a rule thats been weaponized stop us from doing something that could very well save our democracy?," Tester said. The filibuster is a Senate tradition that historically has allowed lawmakers through debate to talk a bill to death by speechifying nonstop. At least initially there was no way to end debate, but then rules were changed to allow lawmakers to end a filibuster through a super-majority vote, now set at 60 senators, to invoke cloture. Some Senate matters were also ruled off limits to filibusters, like budget resolutions and judicial nominations. This is an abridged explanation of the Senates official history. But the modern filibuster is free of nonstop debate. Rather, if 41 senators indicate they wont vote to invoke cloture, the threat of a filibuster is objection enough and bill votes are simply abandoned. President Joe Biden and Senate Democratic leadership are now proposing a carve-out to the filibuster rule when it comes to voting rights legislation, specifically The Freedom to Vote Act, the Democrats response to state-level voting law changes in 19 states, including Montana, which make it harder for some people to vote. After Democratic Sen. Kyrsten Sinema announced on the Senate floor Thursday that she wouldn't back a filibuster change, the rally cry for voting rights deflated. Tester, Montanas only statewide-elected Democrat, said he would settle for carving out a filibuster exception so voting rights legislation can advance, but his preference would be to change the way the filibuster is used in all cases. He also mentioned two new Montana laws passed on party lines in the 2021 Montana Legislature that made voting more difficult. Specifically, Tester pointed out the new law wont allow university students to use school photo ID cards for voter identification without producing further documents, while concealed weapons permits qualify as sufficient identification. The state also made it more difficult for one person to submit ballots for multiple people. The state's new voting laws say the person gathering ballots cannot be paid to do so, which was met with objection by Indigenous lawmakers who said groups like Western Native Vote were important for registering Indigenous voters and gathering ballots. Republicans have been adamant that Montanas election law changes were done for election integrity and not to make voting more difficult. Sen. Steve Daines, R-Mont., last week framed Montanas new election laws as making it harder to cheat and said most people support voter ID requirements. Hes called Senate Democrats voting rights legislation a far-left power grab. Cheating hasnt been a problem in Montana elections. The Gazette reported in 2020 that a decade-long study of more than 7 million ballots cast in Montana elections showed just one confirmed case of illegal voting. Love 10 Funny 1 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 26 Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Tony Palladeno Jr., a well known and outspoken Flint, Michigan water activist, passed away from complications of COVID-19 on January 10 at the age of 60. He had been hospitalized since December 16 at Hurley Hospital in Flint where he was placed on a respirator. Tony worked for the Flint Journal for 24 years. Tony Palladeno speaking at an SEP meeting in Flint, February, 2018 (WSWS Media) An impoverished working class city of 90,000 north of Detroit, Flint is the home of the historic sit-down strike of the 1930s against General Motors and the site of one of the greatest public health crimes in American historythe poisoning of the entire citys water system with lead which began in 2014. Tony was a determined and principled opponent of the poisoning of the citys water, as well as the political cover-up that continues today. Tony seemed to be everywhere; he rarely missed a protest, a rally, or town hall meeting. He worked tirelessly to advocate for Flints residents by exposing the dangerous effects of drinking water tainted with lead. Tonys death is one of countless tragedies which now occur daily due to the homicidal herd immunity approach to the coronavirus pandemic taken at every level of government. Many heartfelt messages of support have been sent to his wife Leah and their family. Leisa Sutton, a Flint resident, wrote on Facebook, We were fortunate to know a man who would give you the shirt off his back if he thought you needed it. Always had a ready ear, a contagious smile, and a sincerely amazing spirit. He loved being of service to his fellow humans and had an amazing pride and genuine passion for his hometown and his adopted communities. Florlisa Fowler, another Flint water activist, wrote on Facebook, Lost a dear friend and fellow Flintstone / Water Warrior Tony Palladeno Jr, today. Flint will never be the same without you! We lost a true fighter. Our condolences to his wife, and family! Godspeed Tony, RIP we will miss you dearly! The lead-in-water poisoning was triggered by the decision of Republican Governor Rick Snyder, together with local and state Democrats and backed by the Obama administration, to switch the water supply from Detroits long-reliable system to the heavily polluted Flint River in April 2014 without adding any corrosion controls. Behind the switch were financial and corporate interests involved in the money-making Karegnondi Water Authority (KWA) scheme. Thousands of residents were poisoned by lead, which leached from the systems pipes, and suffered innumerable negative health effects. Tony became active very soon after the impact of the water switch became apparent to residents, causing rashes, hair loss, and later miscarriages, and deaths. Florlisa organized the Flint Water Class Action Facebook group, immediately after she heard a local TV news report September 8, 2014, announcing that General Motors Flint Engine plant would be switching away from the Flint River source, because the parts were being corroded from the water. I set up the Facebook page to make Flint residents aware and to give us a voice. Our first protest was in December of that year. Tony showed up. He was carrying a bright orange sign and water bottle, screaming at the cars and people going by to bring attention to what was going on with our water. He was telling us how it also affected him and those he cared about in Flint. The many protests organized and joined by Tony and others connected residents with scientist Marc Edwards of Virginia Tech and Flint pediatrician Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha, who documented the dangerous levels of lead contamination in the drinking water. The ongoing protests initiated by Tony and other Flint residents finally broke through the wall of silence put up by the entire political establishment, which until then ignored and denied residents stories of rashes and illnesses. Through the courageous and unstinting efforts of residents, the Flint water crisis became known not only in the US but throughout the world. Tony Palladeno holding a sign at a water protest Tony had a knack for speaking bluntly and compassionately. During the second year of the water crisis he contrasted the compassion of residents and workers with the indifference of the government. As donations of bottled water were pouring in daily from residents and support groups, he noted it shows the compassion and grief others feel towards Flints dilemmawhich the residents had no say over. More to the point and I might be out on a ledge here, but I keep seeing and feeling like the good people of Katrina (Hurricane Katrina, 2005) on their roofs begging our government for help! Our government has not stepped in. Why? The political establishment was fearful of the growing unity of black and white workers joining together to mount a fight against those responsible for the poisoning. In 2016 hearings were held by the Michigan Civil Rights Commission to investigate whether racial discrimination played a role in Flint's water quality problems, then two years old. Governor Rick Snyder appointed an eight-member panel with the aim of presenting the water poisoning as a racial issue, with the support of the Democratic Party. The report, issued in February 2017, claimed without evidence that race was the decisive factor in the impact of the citys water crisis. Tony rejected this. He was quoted in the Detroit Free Press: This is not a black and white thing because this is killing all of us. On April 20, 2017, Tony, his wife and four other residents were arrested at a town hall meeting, called by Democratic Mayor Karen Weaver, and Governor Snyders fixer Rich Baird, held provocatively at a church rather than a public venue. The event, ostensibly to allow residents to air feedback, questions and concerns, was filled with heavily armed police who handcuffed and dragged them off for exercising their freedom of speech. Nearly eight years since the onset of the water crisis, and the six residents are the only people who have been arrested. Not one public figure or elected official has been arrested or put on trial. Florlisa explained, Tony and I had many talks. We wanted to do more, but the COVID situation made it difficult. He never sold out. He was a firm believer that we needed to change things for the betterment of the people, for a better quality of life. The Flint water crisis was a prelude to what is happening with the pandemic. Its all about money over the health and lives of the working class. The water crisis was the same waymoney over our lives. Now theyre forcing everybody back to work, for the benefit of the corporations. Its like there was a veil over your eyes, you think you have a safety net, and then something like this happens and it opens your eyes and your mind because you realize that the safety net has been ripped from under you. The water crisis and the pandemic are experiences that are life-changing. It gives you a broader perspective, it changes your entire life. Tony Palladeno was imbued with the fighting spirit of the working class, and his contributions will be carried forward by workers and youth now entering into struggle against the entire ruling class and the capitalist system. As the Omicron variant of the coronavirus continues to cause a surge of new daily infections throughout Australia and internationally, young people employed in hospitality, retail, warehousing, and other industries are on the frontlines of the viruss spread. Propelled by the criminal let it rip policies of Australias federal and state governmentsLiberal-National Coalition and Labor alikethe profit-driven campaign to reopen businesses and schools across the country has seen the country pass 1 million total COVID infections since the beginning of the pandemic. Daily case numbers are now above 100,000 nationally. Baristas in masks serving coffee [Source: Australian Government Department of Health] Last weeks tragic death of fit, healthy, double-vaccinated 23-year-old James Kondilios in Sydney has refuted the incessant government-media lies that young people will not be affected, especially if they are vaccinated. These lies have been used to justify the lifting of public health measures in the interest of big business which has been supported by the entire political and media establishment, and the pro-business trade union apparatus. Nina, a 20-year-old cafe worker in a shopping centre in Melbournes southeast, said the business is severely understaffed. She added that the boss doesnt really do anything for the workers there. She doesnt put in place any COVID-safe practices. She hasnt even filled out the COVID-safe plan which we were supposed to have. Its pretty shocking. We dont have many staffits 4 employees running a whole cafe. So, most days theres only 2 people working when there should be 3 at least. That means that the two workers dont get a break. The government removed subsidies for small businesses to make sure they stay open no matter the consequences, so this kind of thing is happening to cafes and small businesses everywhere, she added. No one at work has got COVID yet, but its also unclear because the RATs [rapid antigen tests] arent that reliable, Nina noted. My coworker did a rapid antigen test which came back negative, Nina explained, so my boss got her to come in to work on Sunday even though shes in a household with COVID-positive people. Shes only seventeen and spends a lot of time with her twin sister, so she might very well be positive. The boss doesnt put any effort in to support any of the workers. When were in isolation she doesnt organise with the others a proper roster or let us know when she can go in to help out. She never goes in to help out anyone working there. Were left on our own to organise everything I tried to quit this job in December, but I have just been dragged back in because theres no staff. The only reason Im there is because I am concerned for my coworkers. Im worried that if I leave, therell be three staff members running a cafe and theyll just lose their jobs because its not going to survive. Referring to safety precautions for the workers at the cafe, Nina said theres hand sanitiserthats about it. The place is just running as usual. I wouldnt even know from centre management about the kind of ventilation, but it doesnt seem like its good because it gets so hot. Its really hard to socially distance. Its a very small space. I serve people and, obviously when eating and drinking coffee, people will take their masks off and talk to each other. Its hard to distance from them because I have to drop off food, drinks, clear tables. When asked about whether the union has mounted a campaign against the unsafe reopening, Nina said: Absolutely not. I wouldnt even know about the union for hospitality workers. I also work at a pizza place, Nina added. I do delivery driving. I come into contact with so many people. Theres no way to trace who I come in contact with and its hard to distance in the workplace. When I deliver, some people dont wear masks. The relaxation of public health measures like proper masking, social distancing, lockdowns, and all of thata lot of people do still take COVID seriously, but there are some who have been influenced by whats being promoted by the government that its not serious. Asked what she thinks has caused the latest surge in cases, Nina said that it is the result of the policies of the Australian federal and state governmentsincluding the Labor government of Daniel Andrews here in Victoriaof ending all public health measures for the sake of returning workers to work to create profit for big business. Its now spread from people in workplaces and gatherings over Christmas and New Years. Theyre pushing this attitude that its not that serious, or that everyones going to catch it anyway and theres nothing you can do about it. The governments let it rip policy thats allowed the Omicron variant to spread and have an exponential rise in cases infecting so many people could lead to so many more deaths. The death of the young, double-vaccinated 23-year-old just goes to show how serious the situation is. They say it doesnt matter if you catch COVID because they need workers back at work and children back in schools. Its absolutely criminal. Public health measures are important, and they do work when done correctly. COVID is an extremely serious disease and has caused the deaths of millions of people. Cotton On distribution centre just outside Geelong [Source: Google Maps] Twenty-two-year-old Lachie is a warehouse worker at a Cotton On distribution centre in Geelong, a city 60 kilometres southwest of central Melbourne. Cotton On is a clothing and stationery company, and Australias largest retailer, employing 22,000 workers globally. With 1,500 stores in 18 countries (600 in Australia), Cotton Ons parent company COGI Pty Ltd made a net profit of almost $69 million from $1.32 billion sales in the year to June 27, 2021 according to the Australian. Lachie said there are around 100 workers in the Geelong warehouse during each shift. Like many young people in Australia, Lachie has to live in cramped accommodation to afford rent. Having to isolate due to a positive case in the house which he shares with three other young workers and students, Lachie said that he is worried about keeping his job. He said his manager removed the shift she had down for tomorrow because I didnt come in today. There are no other shifts this week. Im sort of in between thinking that theyre going to have me back or theyve replaced me already. Regarding the safety measures at his workplace, Lachie said there is hand sanitiser in common areas, a trough for handwashing and masks are mandatory but they only supply surgical masks. One lady goes around wiping down the railing and surfaces, but its pretty rare, he said. We go on picking runs where dozens of people take trolleys, fill them with clothes or whatever for the order, and then bring them back. And then they get passed on to another team to be sorted or to another team who completes partial picks, Lachie explained, but the trolleys arent wiped down after. Lachie said that Cotton On reverted to immediate shift changes, removing the wait time between shifts. In October/November there was up to an hour in between, he said. Now, theres no cleaning in between shifts. We just basically cross paths and now the lunch breaks are all muddled together. We were all in bubbles before this. Each team had its own bubble. Now were jumbled in together. The warehouse worker added that it is impossible to socially distance in communal areas and during shift change. In October and November, the workplace brought in a RAT regime in which each bubble got tested on different days about two or three times a week. There were a couple of tents with nurses. Unfortunately, those RATs are unreliable. Theyve removed temperature checks, and after that they removed the RAT testing in late November with the whole reopening drive by Victorian and international governments. They marched in lock step, he said. My coworker tested positive. Shes waiting to get a rapid antigen test to see if her infection has passed, but theyre out of stock everywhere and theyre unreliable. What choice do workers have given PCR test results can take up to a week? You might be locking yourself in for a few weeks. She cant afford that, so in that sense, shes forced to want to go back to work. Asked if the union has campaigned among workers for better conditions and safety measures, Lachie said: I forget the union even exists most of the time to be honest. I haven't seen anybody from the union. Never heard of anybody from the union coming in. Lachie said that the government response to the pandemic has been criminal, adding: Theyve openly worked to butcher contact tracing methods and isolation requirements, basic public health measures, in order to make sure workers are back on the job within a week [of testing positive]. They may be infectious. They may still be ill. In the process, theyve also made sure theres a pittance of financial support workers can get if they miss out on work due to isolating. Just $450 a fortnight. You cant live on that. Youd be living off rations. I pay $200 a fortnight for rent. But wheres money for food, transport, bills? There is none. In order to protect themselves, Lachie said that, while workers should wear N95 masks and socially distance, public health measures have to be state policy. Whats really required is the shutdown of all non-essential production, and full financial support for all workers and small businesses. Theres no other way to stop transmission. With the current level of infection, I think it has to be done as immediately as possible. INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (WTHI)- The Indiana House Committee on education passed a controversial bill that asks for more transparency when it comes to a student's education. Under House Bill 1134, educators would have to share lesson plans and curriculum guides with a committee comprised of other teachers, parents, and community members. Along with that, school systems would be required to give parents the ability to opt-in or opt-out their students to different lessons. Supporters of the bill believe it gives parents more control over their child's education. But, teacher and state representative Tonya Pfaff feels a law is not necessary to make this happen. "If you have a problem with a teacher," she said. "You have a problem with the curriculum, if you have a problem with a book in the library, there is already a process in place for you to put your complaint in." Others are concerned this bill could prevent other conversations in the classroom. The bill list topics such as gender, sexuality, race and political affiliation as issues that should not be a part of the curriculum. While these are often difficult conversations to have, state representative Dr. Vernon Smith believes it's something students and other individuals need to hear. "People need to feel guilty in order to change," he said. "They need to feel discomfort in order to change." Many teachers testified these requirements also put extra stress on school systems that are already struggling with burnout and short staffing. One opposer of the bill said there were other ways to encourage parent involvement in their child's education. "Many of our teachers are very much wanting their parents to be involved in the classroom, " Rachel Hathaway, executive director of Teach Plus Indiana, said. "And often find it to be a struggle to get parents involved in their classroom. So, our hope is that as we work to be more transparent that we are thoughtful of the owness it's putting on teachers." The bill now passes onto the full House for hearing. TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTHI) - The National Law Enforcement Memorial Fund report shows 458 members died in the line of duty in 2021. It showed the leading cause of death among officers was COVID-19. "We don't sign up to die we sign up because we want to protect." The National Law Enforcement Memorial Fund has been conducting this officer fatality report for 30 years now. In Indiana, we lost four officers in 2021. One of those was Detective Greg Ferency in Terre Haute. Ferency was shot and killed in the line of duty in July. Chief Shawn Keen with the Terre Haute Police Department tells me the department has dealt with officer deaths before. "We've lost three in less than ten years, so it's been definitely something our department and our officers are way too familiar with more than they should be." These fatalities are up 55 percent in comparison to 2020. Marcia Ferranto, with the National Law Enforcement Memorial Fund, says officers put their lives on the line every day. "When we were sheltering in place, law enforcement was out on the front line, and many of these men and women and like I said cases are still coming in have been exposed to COVID and they're dying from COVID." In 2020, the report states we had 258 officer deaths. Now, that number has doubled. "I can tell you it was one of the saddest days in recent law enforcement history when we came out with these numbers. These are the worst numbers since 1930." Chief Keen says a lot of what keeps him going is the support of his community. "There's a lot of challenges as we move forward, and having that support is just amazing, and you know the number of times we'll be out in public, and people say thank you you have no idea just those simple words means a lot to the officers." Click here for the full report. 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. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Missoula County Public Schools trustees met for fewer than four minutes at their regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday night because trustee Mike Gehl refused to wear a mask in the boardroom. Board chair Diane Lorenzen asked Gehl if he would wear a mask twice before closing the meeting. I would like the record to reflect that trustee Gehl has chosen not to wear a mask in spite of the fact that everyone else in the room was wearing a mask and that the district requires teachers and students to wear masks, Lorenzen said at the start of the meeting. Trustee Gehl, could I please ask you to wear a mask? As Ive stated before chairman, Im not required to," Gehl replied. "If you could state a state code that Im obligated to follow I would be more than happy to follow that, but Im not bound by any state statute whatsoever. After Lorenzens second request, Gehl responded that he did not feel he needed to wear one because she was wearing her own mask. Lorenzen later added that the board has received pushback from district teachers that board members dont enforce policies they set. The board approved a universal masking policy for the district in a 6-3 vote in August. The same policy was extended in October. Gehl voted against the policy both times. The board-approved mask policy states that face coverings are required to be worn by all students, staff, volunteers or guests inside all MCPS facilities, including administrative offices. Tuesdays meeting was held in a hybrid format, with trustees and district staff meeting in a boardroom in an administrative office building, while the public was limited to virtual participation on Zoom or streaming online. Throughout the first semester of the school year the trustees largely conducted their meetings in an entirely virtual format on Zoom. This was one of the few times they met in person in any capacity this school year. Trustee Gehl appeared in the press complaining that we didnt have meetings in person. So here we sit in person with trustee Gehl refusing to wear a mask, Lorenzen said at the meeting. Lorenzen then opened up the floor for comment from the other board members. Trustee Grace Decker said that Gehls refusal to wear a mask sends a terrible message to our staff and to the community as he was defying the boards own policy. She likened his actions to bringing a beer into the boardroom. Youve called the meeting to order, but we are not in order because we are not following the policies that we as a body have set, Decker concluded. Trustee Nancy Hobbins backed up Deckers remarks and added that she did not feel comfortable participating in the board meeting with Gehls defiance of the policy amid this most recent surge of COVID cases. So I will leave this meeting if we cant all follow the rules, Hobbins said. Rather than adjourning, Lorenzen opted to simply close the meeting until further notice. Another date had not yet been set by Wednesday morning. Apparently we will have to meet virtually until trustee Gehl is off the board, Lorenzen said. Gehl told the Missoulian he felt that Lorenzen orchestrated the situation, saying that the board had met in person a few times since the mask policy was approved. Theyve asked me to wear masks before and Ive politely said, No Im not interested in doing that, Gehl said. Thats the end of it. He said what transpired at the meeting was in retaliation for his voicing his support in a letter for Superintendent of Public Instruction Elsie Arntzen following two letters from superintendents around the state who condemned her leadership of the Office of Public Instruction. When asked if he feels the districts mask policy does not apply to him, he said that hes not a paid staff member of the district and therefore the district has no jurisdiction over enforcing its rules on him or any other member of the public. Im not bound to follow district policy, Gehl said. Im a citizen and Diane is not in my chain of command. Lorenzen told the Missoulian on Wednesday that her decision to suspend the meeting was to protect MCPS staff from unwanted contact with other peoples breath at all times. Maybe I dont have the authority to remove a non-masked adult in the boardroom, but I do have the authority to release the MCPS staff and trustees from the obligation to remain in the room. So thats what I did, Lorenzen said, adding that she was exercising her personal responsibility to reduce the spread of COVID. Elizabeth Kaleva, a local lawyer who represents the school district, said that House Bill 501 passed by the Legislature states that a person who refuses to wear a mask in a space requiring them cannot be cited for criminal trespass. However, it is incorrect for Gehl to insinuate that board policies do not apply to him, she said. School district trustees are expected to adopt policies and rules governing the school, she said. Even without the application of criminal laws, the district has the right to control the conduct of those individuals present on school property, Kaleva said. (Several district policies) incorporate these rights to control the conduct of visitors, which would include board members, on district properties. Gehl questioned whether his fellow trustees wear masks when grocery shopping or at other indoor activities, such as athletic events. One of Gehls children participates in winter athletics and he noted that very few people wear masks at those events. Its hypocrisy at its best, Gehl said. The board typically schedules two meetings a month to stay on top of the latest happenings with the district. "We hope we can continue to do that and I'll work with the board chair to figure out an effective way to run board meetings so we can continue because we have items that need to be addressed by the board," Superintendent Rob Watson said on Wednesday. "I'm hoping that by our second January meeting we'll have this figured out so that we can continue with the business of the school district." The board's agenda for Tuesday night included approving personnel reports for the elementary and high school districts, as well as athletics and Montana High School Association proposals. Gehl intends to participate in future MCPS board meetings, regardless of how they are held, he said. If we go back to in person, I will be at the meetings there, and if were going to be in a virtual setting then thats where I will participate in, Gehl said. Love 0 Funny 1 Wow 1 Sad 0 Angry 3 Three years ago, millennials became the largest living adult population in the United States, but not in Wyoming, where a steady flow of young people have migrated out of the state for years. A recent report by the Department of Workforce Services noted a 6% decrease in Wyomings millennial population between 2014 and 2020. That comes despite a slowdown of youth exodus in 2019-2020 and anecdotal evidence that fewer millennials left during the pandemic. It could be that with the COVID pandemic, there wasnt as much reason to travel to another state to find work because it affected everybody, not just us, Michael Moore, author of the report, said. That wasnt the only impact the pandemic had on Wyomings demographics. Wyomings overall population grew modestly between 2020 and 2021 according to the latest release from the Economic Analysis Division. The authors noted the majority of the states population increase was from people moving into the state. Amy Bittner, the principal economist with the division, stated COVID-19 may have prompted more people to move to Wyoming than leave the state. Moores department heard anecdotes of younger workers leaving larger metropolitan areas and moving to more rural areas like Wyoming, where they can work remotely, in what has been dubbed the Zoom boom. Some 22% of Americans moved due to COVID-19 according to a study from Pew Research. The nationwide economic downturn may have also made the prospect of moving to a city with few supports less appealing. Pew also found that young adults, who were particularly impacted by job losses and college shutdowns, moved at a higher rate. Despite pandemic related shifts, experts say that to truly address Wyomings youth exodus and brain-drain problem, more job opportunities need to be created, infrastructure improved and cultural shifts must take place. A decades-long problem The pandemic-related slowdown in the millennial exodus came as a surprise to some. Its funny because it doesnt fit the narrative, Matt Henry, assistant instructional professor at the Honors College of the University of Wyoming, said. Henry helped run Imagining Wyomings Future: A Youth Vision for 2030 contest and has spent a lot of time thinking about why young people are leaving. Hes heard from a lot of his students, many who are interested in working in the non-profit sector or other civic engagement professions, that they leave Wyoming because they cant find opportunities post-graduation in the state, he said. Young people have also recounted to WyoFile that they struggled to envision a future in Wyoming because there were few job opportunities outside of the oil and gas industry. The Department of Workforce Services has been tracking young Wyoming residents after they graduate high school for decades. Its latest study, released this fall, followed 18-year-olds over the course of a decade. Basically the report says the same thing that the one from 2012 said, that 10 years later we lose 50% to 60% of our youth in a given year, said Tony Glover, manager of the Research and Planning division of Workforce Services. Although not all high school seniors could be tracked 10 years later, the department found that roughly 12% were working in Colorado, Utah, Idaho, Montana, South Dakota, Nebraska, Alaska, Oklahoma, New Mexico and Texas. Colorado and Utah have some of the highest proportions of millennials in the country, with populations comprised of 24.5% and 23.4% of the generation, respectively. Neighboring Mountain West states have also seen astronomical population growth in general Idaho, Utah, Montana and Arizona had the highest annual growth rates in the nation, making Wyomings addition of 1,536 residents last year seem modest by comparison. In Moores analysis of millennials leaving the Wyoming job market, he noted that economic downturns have played a part in young people leaving. Younger male workers are the most likely to lose their jobs during times of economic downturn in Wyoming, he wrote. Efforts have been made to stanch the perpetual loss of young workers. For example, in 2015 the state launched Wyoming Grown. The program aims to draw back people who have left Wyoming by connecting them with potential job leads. Last year the program partnered with the states tourism department and launched WY Relocate a marketing campaign extolling the natural amenities Wyoming has to offer. The campaign generated 3,000 leads, from business owners interested in potentially moving to the state to remote workers considering a new home, according to Shaye Moon, the business training and support unit program manager for the Department of Workforce Services. She was not able to say how many of those leads translated into relocations. Annual employment in the state was also up by 3.1% between July 2020 and 2021 according to the latest report from the Economic Analysis Division. Employment opportunities drive migration into an area, which is typically true for Wyoming, Bittner stated in the release. A temporary fix I dont think that the trend that we saw from COVID would reliably predict any major long-term shift, said Amber Pollock, president of ENGAGE Wyoming, a grassroots organization focusing on the future of 18- to 35-year-olds in the state. Theres a lot of folks who have been trying to solve the problem for a long time. Pollock said shes heard of people that moved home to Wyoming because they lost their job or were furloughed, or took a semester off of school when the pandemic hit. A lot of folks moving back have family here and so a better support system for the financial situation that a lot of folks in our demographic were facing. Henry, at the University of Wyoming, echoed that. Ive had a few students go home as they look for work. Moon also said the pandemic played a role in the interest expressed through the Wyoming Grown program. People that moved away for a job opportunity in a bigger city, are now rethinking their entire life plan, she said. COVID has played a big part in wanting to come back here, where theyre not in a city where theyre so close to everybody. One thing the pandemic hasnt changed? The reasons that compel young people to leave the state in the first place, according to Pollock namely better educational opportunities, career advancement and culture elsewhere. She believes addressing issues like access to health care and public transportation, as well as enacting non-discrimination ordinances, could truly help retain the next generation of Wyomingites. WyoFile is an independent nonprofit news organization focused on Wyoming people, places and policy. Jerome Kowalski entered the Livingston County Jail on May 6, 2008 after being arrested for the murder of his brother and sister-in-law. He has been incarcerated ever since even after his conviction was vacated amid misconduct proceedings against the judge who sentenced him. Now, Kowalski could walk free for the first time in more than a decade if a Shiawassee judge grants his attorneys' motion to instate bond pending trial. Kowalski was charged after his brother and sister-in-law, Richard and Brenda Kowalski, were murdered in their home in 2008. Kowalski subsequently both confessed and denied committing the crime, and was convicted and sentenced to life in prison in 2013. His conviction was vacated in January 2019 after the Michigan Supreme Court found that the judge who sentenced him, Theresa Brennan, failed to disclose her relationship with the lead investigator in the homicides, Michigan State Police Sgt. Sean Furlong. Kowalski is currently being held without bond at the Livingston County Jail awaiting a new trial. A jury trial was set to start Monday, but Judge Matthew Stewart adjourned it indefinitely citing the drastic rise in COVID-19 cases in Livingston County. In a motion filed Tuesday, Kowalski's attorneys Heather Nalley and Mark Gatesman asked Stewart to set a reasonable bond and permit his release pending trial. "This court, like everyone else, cannot control the rage of the pandemic," Gatesman wrote in the motion. "But it can control whether or not Defendant is afforded his Constitutional and court rule right to bond and to better assist in the preparation of his defense, and that is what it respectfully should do in this case." 'Nowhere else to go' According to the Michigan Constitution, a person denied bail has the right to a trial within 90 days after the bail is denied. "If the trial is not commenced within 90 days after the date on which admission to bail is denied and the delay is not attributable to the defense, the court must immediately schedule a bail hearing and set the amount of bail for the person," Article 1 states. Story continues Kowalski, 75, is "elderly and in ill physical health" and has no prior criminal history, Gatesman argued in the motion. "Defendant is by now elderly, not in the best of health and has been incarcerated for many years," he wrote. "He has minimal resources and nowhere else to go. He simply wished to assist his counsel, appear for trial and clear his name." Gatesman argued Kowalski never failed to appear for court, voluntarily spoke with police prior to his arrest and is not a flight risk. A motion hearing is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Jan. 20 in front of Judge Stewart. Contact Kayla Daugherty at 517-552-2848 or kdaugherty@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter @KayDaugherty92. This article originally appeared on Livingston Daily: Attorneys ask for Jerome Kowalski's release pending new murder trial The judge in the case of a woman accused of rear-ending a motorcyclist at more than 100 mph north of Bismarck is considering whether the most serious charge of attempted murder should be moved to trial. Dazechnae Willis, 28, also is charged with aggravated assault and reckless endangerment in the Aug. 28, 2019, crash on U.S. Highway 83. Her two young children were passengers in the vehicle she was driving. Willis was southbound about 4 miles north of Baldwin -- between Bismarck and Wilton -- when her SUV struck Kelsey Schaefer, who was riding a 1996 Harley Davidson, from the rear, authorities allege. Schaefer and the bike were thrown under the tandem axles of a semitrailer. He suffered a serious brain injury and multiple other injuries that required months of hospitalization and physical therapy, the Highway Patrol said in an affidavit. Willis and her children were not injured. Data downloaded from Willis vehicle showed she was going 107 mph and accelerating just before the crash, Trooper Robert Moyle testified at a Wednesday hearing. Willis was acting strangely, after the crash, Moyle said. She was on her knees in the median and uttering such phrases as come to Jesus, you must repent, the trooper said. She was transported to a Bismarck hospital, and underwent 30 days of mental health treatment, according to Moyle. The crash scene showed no signs that Willis applied her brakes, the trooper said. The most significant marks on the highway were those left by the motorcycle as it slid on its side. It appears from all of the evidence that this was an intentional act, Burleigh County States Attorney Julie Lawyer said. She did not offer a theory as to what prompted the alleged incident. Authorities have said Willis and Schaefer did not know one another. The charge of attempted murder can only be moved to trial if its established that Willis took a step toward accomplishing that, defense attorney Kyle Weinberger said. The charge of reckless endangerment fits the allegations, but we dont have showing of intent for the underlying charge of murder, Weinberg said. I understand Ms. Lawyers assumptions but nothings been factually proven to support that allegation, Weinberger said, adding later there is no death in this instance, theres no attempted murder. That cannot be found under Supreme Court rulings. South Central District Judge Bonnie Storbakken said she would take the arguments on the attempted murder charge under advisement. Shell rule later, and Willis will not formally enter pleas in the case until then. Storbakken set aside three days for a trial starting April 19. Reach Travis Svihovec at 701-250-8260 or Travis.Svihovec@bismarcktribune.com Love 2 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 3 Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Welcome back to the Coronavirus Watch newsletter. It's digital producer Ray Padilla giving you the latest news regarding COVID-19 and the omicron variant as it surges through West Tennessee. In the last newsletter, we talked about how the new omicron COVID-19 variant brought a familiar set of challenges to businesses and institutions. Last week, nearly four in 10 coronavirus tests reported in Tennessee came back positive and hospitals continue to fill with COVID-19 patients, our Brett Kelman reports. However, the virus is spreading so fast that some experts predict omicron may soon peak and fizzle, like it did South Africa and appears to be doing in the United Kingdom. Dr. Stephen Threlkeld, medical director of the infectious disease program at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Memphis, said the fast-spreading omicron wave could potentially leave Tennessee in a stronger position because many unvaccinated residents may be left with a resistance to the virus after a mild omicron infection. Doctors say omicron patients are less ill, and some are primarily admitted for other reasons, but rising hospital admissions remain a concern. Of the about 152,600 active COVID-19 cases, 2,879 were hospitalized as of Wednesday. We are still overloaded, Threlkeld said. We are still overloaded with very tired people taking care of all those patients. Vaccination information COVID-19 vaccines are now widely available to all Tennesseans 5 years old and up. No appointments are necessary. Walk-in options are available at all health departments, and you can also make an appointment if you prefer. The Food and Drug Administration has authorized vaccine booster shots for people 12 years old and up. For all vaccine information, eligibility, and to find vaccine sites in your area, visit the Tennessee Department of Health website. Coronavirus by the numbers Shelby County (as of Thursday): 27,301: Active cases 2,734: Total deaths 546,357: Fully vaccinated Madison County (as of Jan. 8): Story continues 2,436: Active cases 363: Total deaths 89,294: Fully vaccinated (as of Wednesday) Tennessee (as of Jan. 8): 152,689: Active cases 21,095: Total deaths 2,269,681: Fully vaccinated (as of Wednesday) Note: Tennessee Department of Health no longer publishers virus statistics daily. This has been Ray Padilla with your weekly update on COVID-19 news in West Tennessee. You can reach me by email at raymond.padilla@commercialappeal.com or on Twitter at @Ray_Padilla_. This article originally appeared on Jackson Sun: Coronavirus Watch: Tennessee could see peak COVID-19 cases The investigation into the October shooting death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the Santa Fe, New Mexico, set of "Rust" has always hinged on one critical question. How did a live bullet find its way into Alec Baldwin's replica Colt .45 that tragic day? "Rust" armorer Hannah Gutierrez Reed believes it was the result of negligence on the part of Seth Kenney, a New Mexico-based weapons and ammunition supplier who was responsible for providing inert ammunition to the Baldwin-produced film. Instead, a live round fired from Baldwin's gun killed Hutchins and wounded director Joel Souza. In a lawsuit filed Wednesday against Kenney and his company PDQ Arm and Prop, Reed contends that Kenney supplied the "Rust" set with live bullets mixed in among dummy and blank rounds. It adds that Kenney actively sought to place the blame for the shooting on Reed's actions during the low-budget film shoot. 'Rust' shooting investigation: Alec Baldwin's mobile phone sought in New Mexico search warrant An aerial photo of the Bonanza Creek Ranch in Santa Fe, New Mexico, a frequent destination for crews shooting Westerns. Investigators are still piecing together how cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was killed there on the set of the Alec Baldwin movie "Rust." "Defendants (Kenney and PDQ Prop) as suppliers of prop ammunition to the 'Rust' set, sold, distributed, and advertised its props as dummy ammunition and not live rounds," the complaint reads. "Hannah relied upon and trusted that Defendants would only supply dummy prop ammunition, or blanks, and no live rounds were ever to be on set." The lawsuit asks for a jury trial on four counts, including violation of New Mexico's Unfair Trade Practices Act, creating a "dangerous condition" on the set, and providing materials with "false and deceptive product labels." USA TODAY has reached out to Kenney's attorney for comment. Months before the "Rust" shoot, Kenney helped actors on a movie shoot in Texas practice live-round shooting to get a feel for how real guns kick back, the complaint says. Veteran movie set armorer Thell Reed, Hannah Gutierrez Reed's father, who joined Kenney on that assignment, says there were hundreds of live rounds used that day in Texas, some with casings marked "Starline Brass," the same same stamp found on the live round that killed Hutchins. Story continues His daughter's 24-page civil complaint paints the "Rust" set as lax and messy. Crews were quitting, guns with dummy rounds were going off accidentally, and key figures were not following protocols. 'I didn't pull the trigger': Alec Baldwin gives first interview since fatal 'Rust' shooting In the days leading up to the Oct. 21 shooting, property master Sarah Zachry had a gun discharge toward her foot. Minutes later, a student double for Baldwin has his weapon go off. Neither had live ammo. Reed confronted Zachry about the accidental discharges, but the complaint says she soon received a terse text from Kenney, who had recommended both Reed and Zachry for their "Rust" jobs, telling her to lay off Zachry. "Don't forget she's your boss," Kenney wrote Reed. "Don't push it." Kenney subsequently called a police officer friend Officer Troy Teske, of Bullhead City, Arizona, who he had met through Thell Reed to complain that he never wanted to work with the younger Reed again. On the day of the shooting, more chaos reigned. Reed's complaint notes that a full box of "dummy" rounds suddenly appeared. Reed's questions to Zachry about where the box came from went unanswered. Reed set about inspecting and loading Baldwin's Colt .45. The next minutes have been described by various players in the "Rust" tragedy over the past months, and investigators are trying to piece together exactly what happened. Reed's version of events has her shaking all six bullets she made sure were loaded into his Colt .45, their individual rattles indicating that they were dummy rounds. 'It's infuriating': Nicolas Cage, Angelina Jolie and other celebrities react to 'Rust' shooting Cinematographer Halyna Hutchins died on Oct. 21, 2021, in New Mexico after Alec Baldwin discharged a prop firearm on the set of "Rust." She was 42. When it came time for Baldwin to return to the church-scene set, Reed handed the Colt to assistant director Dave Halls, who told her that the gun wouldn't be used during rehearsals. Reed contends the gun stayed with Halls. She says she asked Halls to call her back if and when the gun was to be handed to Baldwin, so she could spin the chamber and assure the actor the gun was safe. She stepped outside, given COVID-19 protocols limiting the number of personnel allowed inside the small church. Then, a shot rang out. Baldwin had taken the weapon from Halls who had called out "cold gun" and was practicing cross-drawing when the gun discharged as it was pointed toward his cinematographer. "Had Hannah been called back in, she would have re-inspected the weapon, and every round again, and instructed Baldwin on safe gun practice with the cross draw," the complaint reads. "Hannah would never have let Baldwin point the weapon at Halyna, as part of standard safe gun practices. Apparently, no one inside the Church stopped Baldwin from doing so, including AD Halls." In the immediate aftermath of the shooting, Reed's lawyers say Kenney reached out to his friend, Officer Teske. "During that call from Seth to Troy at 4:03 p.m. on October 21, just hours after the shooting and before Halyna had been pronounced deceased, Seth stated words to the effect to Troy that Hannah had messed up," the complaint reads. "How and why, Seth came to this almost immediate conclusion that Hannah had 'messed up' and offered it up unsolicited to Troy is neither understood or yet to be explained or clarified." Candles are placed in front of a photo of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins during a vigil at Albuquerque Civic Plaza on Oct. 23, 2021, in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Two days earlier, Hutchins was killed on the set while filming the movie "Rust" at Bonanza Creek Ranch near Santa Fe. The complaint goes on to paint Kenney as mounting a concerted effort to shift the focus away from himself, including initiating a text message exchange with Reed in which he suggested that AD Halls had essentially bullied Hannah and not allowed her to do her job safely. Seth stated that if she would shift blame to Halls, he would 'have her back.' " For his part, Baldwin said in his TV interview with George Stephanopoulos in December that he never pulled the Colt's trigger, and that the gun went off after he pulled the hammer back at the request of his cinematographer. Baldwin has not elaborated on why he was wielding a gun during rehearsal. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 'Rust' armorer sues ammunition supplier, claims he mixed up bullets This story about The Tragedy of Macbeth first appeared in a feature about black-and-white cinematography in the Below-the-Line Issue of TheWraps awards magazine. It was the obvious choice, cinematographer Bruno Delbonnel said of the decision to shoot Joel Coens The Tragedy of Macbeth in stark black-and-white. Delbonnel had never before shot a film in the format: The first of his five Oscar nominations came 20 years ago for his rainbow-lollipop photography of Jean-Pierre Jeunets 2001 film Amelie, and in the decades since, his zeal for bold colors has transmuted into desaturated, moody projects such as Inside Llewyn Davis and Darkest Hour (each Oscar nominated as well). But for the bold new Shakespearean adaptation starring Denzel Washington and Frances McDormand as dramas greatest murderous couple, the decision was never in question. First, a play feels more like a movie when its shot in black-and-white, Delbonnel said. Joel wanted to shoot on sets, with very little furniture and no ornamentation. And black-and-white brings with it a level of abstraction. It disconnects you from reality in interesting ways, and we liked that idea for this. Kathryn Hunter in The Tragedy of Macbeth (A24/AppleTV+) The films aesthetic is magnificently spare. One scene opens with a white dot on the screen, which is slowly revealed to be an overhead shot, looking down at a point of light. We discussed the idea of haiku, that great Japanese poetry, Delbonnel said. In three sentences, you have a world. Everything for us was about describing the environment as simply as we could. So in our film, a castle is just a room with four walls. Washingtons Macbeth is told by the Witches (all three are played in this version by American-born British stage actress Kathryn Hunter) that he will not be defeated until Birnam Wood comes to Dunsinane. Coens film interprets this in an astonishing moment, as the castle windows open and a tsunami of leaves cascade in. Going with the haiku again, Delbonnel said. The forest inside the castle doesnt make any sense but it works. It simply means that the forest is the English army and the army has arrived there. But why not use some imagination to show that? Story continues In addition, Coen and Delbonnel were guided by the 400-year-old prose of Shakespeare. My Elizabethan English is not that good, the French cinematographer said, but in the play, the characters are always talking about night and day and not knowing which is which. So color would obviously be very obstructive. Following Shakespeares lines motivated the decisions we made and helped us to pick the best moments which would be just gray. Then the sudden move to more contrast would be more powerful. That use of contrast is a nod to German Expressionism, marked by sharp architectural angles and Gothic dread. To prepare, he and Coen watched scenes from Fritz Langs two-part 1924 silent film Die Nibelungen. That big castle shape with the two towers in Langs film? he said with a laugh, Yeah, that we stole. They also screened Orson Welles 1948 Macbeth and Akira Kurosawas 1957 adaptation Throne of Blood, both rich with black-and-white atmosphere. Other B&W classics that he and Coen watched for inspiration: 1928s The Passion of Joan of Arc (for the closeups), 1955s The Night of the Hunter (for that incredible white line in the sky), F.W. Murnaus 1927 classic Sunrise (for one scene where a guy walks in a swamp to meet a woman) and Andrei Tarkovskys 1962 film Ivans Childhood (for that little hut with the rafters at the crossroads, which is an important location in our film). Macbeth is, of course, is the most cloaked-in-superstition play of all time. Fearing bad luck, actors avoid speaking the title in a theater. Delbonnel dismissed that history until Friday the 13th of March 2020. We were minutes away from shooting the Lady Macbeth sleepwalking scene, he said. And then we were told that the studio was shutting down due to COVID and we had to leave right away. Suddenly we thought to ourselves, Oh, damn, we should not have touched Macbeth. Instead of flying back to his homebase Paris, he stayed in Northern California for five months of lockdown, joining Coen as a guest in the editing room, until rigorous testing protocols allowed the crew to resume filming. Ive been on some adventures in my career, Delbonnel said. But this one, working in black-and-white, collaborating with Joel and the actors, this experience was unforgettable. Read more from TheWraps four-part feature on black-and-white cinematography here: Why Belfast Cinematographer Added Splashes of Color in the Movies Black-and-White World Cmon, Cmon Director on Why the Joaquin Phoenix Film Had to Be in Black-and-White Passing': How Classic Hitchcock Thrillers Influenced the Dreamy Black-and-White Look Read more from the Below-the-Line Issue here. Nearly a month after a magistrate judge approved a search warrant for Alec Baldwin's cell phone, the actor has yet to comply with the order issued as part of an investigation into an on-set shooting that killed a cinematographer and wounded the director, authorities said. "To date, the cell phone has not been turned over to authorities," the Santa Fe County Sheriff's Office said in a statement issued on Thursday. Sheriff's officials in New Mexico also noted that the search warrant for Baldwin's phone was approved by a Santa Fe County magistrate judge on Dec. 16 and that Baldwin's attorney acknowledged receipt of the warrant. The Santa Fe County District Attorney's Office has been negotiating with Baldwin's lawyer to retrieve the phone and its contents. "The Sheriff's Office was advised that, due to jurisdictional concerns, the Santa Fe District Attorney's Office would be facilitating the retrieval of the phone on a consent basis," according to the agency's statement. Baldwin released a video statement on his Instagram refuting claims that he's not complying with the warrant. "Any suggestion that I am not complying with requests or orders, or search warrants about my phone, that's bullsh--. That's a lie," Baldwin said. He said he and his attorney are following a process required when one state requests information or evidence from a subject who lives in another state. "It's a process that takes time. They have to specify what exactly they want. They just can't go through your phone and take, you know, your photos or your love letters to your wife or whatever," Baldwin said. "But, of course, we are 1,000% going to comply with all that. We're, you know, perfectly fine with that." The news on Baldwin's cellphone came as a backstage armorer for the film "Rust" filed a lawsuit alleging the movie's prop ammunition supplier was the source of a live round loaded in a gun that went off when held by Baldwin, fatally striking cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and wounding director Joel Souza. Story continues The armorer, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, filed the lawsuit on Wednesday in a New Mexico district court, naming Seth Kenney, the founder and managing member of PDQ Arm & Prop LLC in Albuquerque, as the sole defendant. PHOTO: Candlelight vigil for Halyna Hutchins, who was killed by a prop gun on the movie set of 'Rust,' where she was the cinematographer. (Ted Soqui/Sipa USA via AP, FILE) In the lawsuit, filed in Bernalillo County Second Judicial District Court, Gutierrez-Reed alleges the live round that killed Hutchins on Oct. 21 and was surgically extracted from Souza's shoulder came from a box of prop ammunition Kenney supplied to the movie that was clearly marked as inert, dummy rounds. "The ammunition boxes failed to state a material fact, the contents contained both dummy and live ammunition, which were deceptively sold," the lawsuit contends. Gutierrez-Reed, 24, claims she loaded the antique .45-caliber Colt revolver with what she thought were two dummy rounds that came from the box Kenney provided and four others she retrieved from her pocket. "To the best of Hannah's knowledge, the gun was now loaded with six dummy rounds," the lawsuit states. "Hannah relied upon and trusted that defendants would only supply dummy prop ammunition or blanks, and no live rounds were ever to be on set." PHOTO: Aerial photo of the Bonanza Creek Ranch in Santa Fe, N.M., Oct. 23, 2021. (Jae C. Hong/AP, FILE) Gutierrez-Reed contends the box of ammunition in question mysteriously showed up on set the morning of the fatal incident. The lawsuit also contends that the "chaotic nature" on the film set, which included some members of the film crew abruptly quitting and walking off the job a day before the fatal incident, "created a perfect storm for a safety incident." In an interview with ABC News days after the shooting, Kenney denied that the live round and other live rounds investigators found on the set came from his company. "It's not a possibility that they came from PDQ or from myself personally," Kenney said. "When we send dummy rounds out, they get individually rattle tested before they get sent out." In a new statement to ABC News issued Wednesday after the lawsuit was filed, Kenney said: "Investigators thoroughly examined the PDQ Arms & Prop, LLC inventory and concluded that PDQ's portion of Dummy Rounds and Blanks supplied to 'Rust' were safe." MORE: Cinematographer Halyna Hutchins dies after prop gun fired by Alec Baldwin fires live round "As a result," the statement continued, " Seth Kenney and PDQ Arm & Prop, LLC are not of interest in the ongoing investigation." In the lawsuit, Gutierrez-Reed also recounts two instances where guns were accidentally discharged on the set prior to the fatal incident. One episode involved the movie's prop manager, and another involved Baldwin's stunt double, according to the lawsuit. The suit contains a heated exchange of text messages between Guiterrez-Reed and Kenney over the misfirings of the guns, in which Gutierrez-Reed suggested reporting the incidents to production officials. In response, Kenney purportedly texted "mistakes happen" and advised Guiterrez not to "push it." MORE: Halyna Hutchins, cinematographer killed on the 'Rust' set, was a 'rising star' "Hannah interpreted this as that Seth, who was called the 'Armorer/Mentor' in call sheets, wanted to sweep this security incident under the rug," the lawsuit states. PHOTO: Actor Alec Baldwin attends the 2019 PEN America Literary Gala at the American Museum of Natural History, May 21, 2019, in New York. (Evan Agostini/Invision/AP, FILE) Meanwhile, a homicide investigation being led by the Santa Fe County Sheriff's Office is continuing. No criminal charges have been filed. Guiterrez-Reeds suit comes weeks after her attorney, Jason Bowles, first suggested in an interview with "Good Morning America" that "sabotage" was involved in the fatal on-set shooting near Santa Fe, New Mexico. He did not cite specific evidence for his claim. MORE: Criminal charges 'on the table' in deadly shooting on 'Rust' set: District attorney Santa Fe County District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies told ABC News in November that investigators have found no evidence that sabotage was involved in the shooting. In an interview in December with ABC News' George Stephanopoulos, Baldwin said he had "no idea" how a live bullet got onto the set of "Rust," a Western he also was producing. He also claimed he "didn't pull the trigger" on the firearm that killed Hutchins and wounded Souza. "Someone put a live bullet in a gun," an emotional Baldwin said, "a bullet that wasn't even supposed to be on the property." Alec Baldwin hasn't turned over phone in probe of fatal on-set shooting: Authorities originally appeared on abcnews.go.com 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 Rocket hits Green Zone, US Embassy in Iraq: 'We're still assessing the damage' The U.S. Embassy and other parts of the Green Zone in Baghdad were attacked by "terrorist groups" Thursday, according to the embassy. "The U.S. Embassy compound was attacked this evening by terrorist groups attempting to undermine Iraqs security, sovereignty and international relations," the embassy said in a tweet. "We have long said that these sorts of reprehensible attacks are an assault not just on diplomatic facilities, but on the sovereignty of Iraq itself." This is the latest rocket or drone attack on the U.S. presence in Iraq and neighboring Syria in recent weeks, though so far none have caused any American casualties. No one has yet claimed responsibility for the attack. Iran-backed militias have conducted previous attacks, including last Thursday, calling them retribution for the U.S. strike that killed Iranian General Qassem Soleimani two years ago this month. Security sources told ABC News that three rockets were fired from the Dora area, south of Baghdad. Two were intercepted, and one landed inside a school in the Green Zone, causing damage and injuring a woman and a girl. MORE: Russian troops begin leaving Kazakhstan after government restores control "In a cowardly terrorist act, the innocent residents of the Green Zone in Baghdad and the headquarters of the diplomatic missions that the Iraqi security forces bear the responsibility of protecting were attacked by a number of missiles launched from the Dora area south of the capital, which led to the injury of a girl and a woman," the Iraqi government said. The Green Zone is a heavily fortified area of Iraq that is home to various governmental buildings as well as several foreign embassies. "We're still assessing the damage," Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said Thursday. "We're still assessing the health and safety of our people." ABC News' Luis Martinez contributed to this report. Rocket hits Green Zone, US Embassy in Iraq: 'We're still assessing the damage' originally appeared on abcnews.go.com A Brevard County judge sided with attorneys for Florida Rep. Randy Fine on Wednesday, throwing out a request for a restraining order filed by Brevard School Board member Jennifer Jenkins after she said Fine "cyberstalked" her on social media. Fine's legal team moved to dismiss the case, arguing the series of public Facebook posts, in which Fine targeted Jenkins with personal and increasingly inflammatory rhetoric over her support of Brevard's public school mask mandate, amounted to protected speech and failed to meet the statutory definitions of harassment or cyberstalking. "Like statutes that regulate speech, court-ordered injunctions also are subjected to First Amendment scrutiny," Fine attorney Aaron Lyons said to Senior Circuit Judge James Earp at Wednesday's hearing. "There is an extremely high level of scrutiny that applies to speech, particularly speech between public officials commenting, whether it's offensive, defamatory, whatever, between themselves or about themselves." Earlier: School Board member Jennifer Jenkins files for injunction against Randy Fine, cites 'cyberstalking' More developments: 'Cyberstalking' injunction hearing against Randy Fine continued to December Earp apparently agreed, calling the arguments "well taken" but offering no further comment before granting the motion to dismiss. Speaking with reporters after the hearing, Jenkins said she "respected" but "completely disagreed" with the judge's decision. "Personally, I feel this ruling today just gives authority to someone with power (and) political position to incite harassment and threats against another individual, and excuses that behavior," Jenkins said. Fine was in Tallahassee on Wednesday for the legislative session and did not appear in court. He was chairing a session of the House PreK-12 Appropriations Subcommittee when the ruling was handed down. Story continues Brevard School Board Member Jennifer Jenkins and her attorneys, faced attorneys for State Rep. Randy Fine in the Viera courtroom of Judge James Earp. "Jennifer Jenkins doesn't seem to understand that elected officials are allowed to be criticized," Fine told FLORIDA TODAY. "She's proven to have no understanding of the law, whether it's breaking it on mask mandates .... or wasting the court's time with this." Earp also granted without comment Wednesday a motion to dismiss in a similar case filed against Fine by Robert Burns, a Brevard political consultant and Fine critic who has been publicly linked to Jenkins. Burns who has run helped run past campaigns for Fine's political opponents is another frequent target of Fine's rhetoric and name-calling on Facebook, and often trades barbs with Fine and other Brevard elected officials in public venues. "It's clear (harassment) is what's happening," Burns said. "What I told the judge was, if what he is doing is not cyberstalking, than what possibly can be? What else can you do?" Jenkins filed her request for injunction in October. She accused Fine in court documents of "cyberstalking" and "harassment" that began in July, when Fine posted her personal cell phone number and urged his Facebook followers to express their views a school mask mandate then under consideration (and later passed) by the Brevard County School Board. The incident resulted in "hundreds of calls, texts and voicemails," she wrote in a two-page, handwritten statement. Previously: Jenkins' requests for temporary injunction against Fine denied Fine defended his posting of the cell phone number, pointing out the number was already publicly available on campaign documents filed by Jenkins during the last election. "From that point on, Randy posts lies on social media, daily, sometimes multiple times a day, calling me 'mentally ill,' 'child abuser,' 'prostitute,'" Jenkins wrote in her complaint. "I am terrified this narrative of 'child abuser' will incite violence, more threats and harassments against me and my family." Her multiple requests for a temporary injunction which judges may issue in advance of a hearing if a party can prove an immediate danger of injury, loss or damage were all denied. Judge James Earp. Brevard School Board Member Jennifer Jenkins and her attorneys, and attorneys for State Rep.Randy Fine in a Viera courtroom on January 12. Christopher Muro, a political science professor at Eastern Florida State College, said Wednesday's ruling was "not surprising" given the court's longstanding deference to political speech. "First Amendment protections are very broad when it comes to even offensive speech," Muro said. "In the absence of an overt action that would leave a reasonable person fearing imminent death or danger, the courts almost exclusively will fall on the side of free speech." Brevard Democratic Executive Committee chair Pamela Castellana, who accompanied Jenkins to court Wednesday, called the outcome "appalling." "Keeping a person from her day in court and the opportunity to face her abuser is disgusting," she said. 'This has been so difficult for me and my family': School Board member Jenkins' comments about threats, harassment grab national attention 'Various forms of harassment': Police reports, neighbors back Brevard School Board member's claims of threats, harassment Jenkins said she would discuss her options to continue pursuing the case with her attorneys. "I'm disappointed because of the extreme amount of stress and trauma my family has gone through because of his harassment, and I'm going to figure out how to go forward," she said. Eric Rogers is a watchdog reporter for FLORIDA TODAY. Contact Rogers at 321-242-3717 or esrogers@floridatoday.com. Follow him on Twitter: @EricRogersFT. Brevard School Board Member Jennifer Jenkins, seen at far left, and her attorneys, including Kelly Damerow. At right is the attorneys for State Rep.Randy Fine, in the Viera courtroom of Judge James Earp. This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Brevard School Board member's case against Florida Rep. Randy Fine tossed 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 https://www.instagram.com/therealaliwentworth/p/CYpwjIWrKPY/?utm_medium=copy_link Working HED: Ali Wentworth and George Stephanopoulos Celebrate Her Birthday with Cute Photo: 'Do Better 2022' Ali Wentworth is 57! The Go Ask Ali podcast host commemorated her birthday Wednesday with a cozy snap featuring her husband George Stephanopoulos. In the photo, Stephanopoulos is seen wrapping his arm around his wife of 20 years, as they smile for the camera. Stephanopoulos notably rocked a pink and purple leopard-print birthday hat complete with purple garland. The birthday girl sported a sparkly tiara as she and the journalist posed in front of a fun cake. "That's a wrap on this year's birthday," Wentworth captioned the special photo. "Now back to cleaning up dog poop, taking rapid tests, laundry and endless Zooms." She concluded with a final note: "Do better 2022!" She received birthday wishes from celebrity friends like Maria Shriver who commented, "Happy happy!!" and Jennifer Grey who wrote, "happy birthday, man your dude can really rock a party hat " Debra Messing was a fan of Wentworth's headpiece, and chimed in with, "Keep the tiara ON!" RELATED: Ali Wentworth Recalls Joke About Her Sex Life That Left Husband George Stephanopoulos 'Enraged' Before commemorating her birthday, Wentworth and Stephanopoulos celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary in November. She opened up about the milestone while appearing on an episode of The Talk last month, revealing she didn't know what to get someone who "doesn't like gifts." The co-hosts intervened and gifted her a sexy Playboy bunny-inspired costume complete with pink bunny ears and matching corset to surprise her husband with in the bedroom. Wentworth's own interest in the outfit worn by Reese Witherspoon's Legally Blonde character Elle Woods on Instagram inspired the gift. "You can use that for date night," said Sheryl Underwood. "This is a 20th-anniversary present," replied Wentworth. "George can thank us later, too," Natalie Morales chimed in. "I love that!" Story continues While on the daytime show, Wentworth also told a hilarious story from Stephanopoulos' birthday years before. RELATED: Sarah Michelle Gellar Jokes She's 'Unimpressed' with 2022 and Is 'Bringing 1983 Back' "I remember years ago on [George's] birthday, I surprised him by getting a hotel suite with a fire, and I had a bathrobe on and chocolate, champagne. And he showed up for 'lunch,' " Wentworth recalled using air quotes, "and then he had to go back to work." She added, "And I called the front desk and I said, 'Listen we only used this for an hour. You can resell this. So, can we get some kind of a deal?' And the receptionist was like, 'Mrs. Stephanopoulos, we don't charge by the hour at this hotel. You might want to try something further up in maybe Queens.' " Wentworth opened up to PEOPLE about her and Stephanopoulos' evolving romance in 2018. "I recently started working out again because I started feeling bad that I'm the only woman he's going to have sex with for the rest of his life," she said at the time. "He's perfectly fit, and I felt pity for him." RELATED VIDEO: Ali Wentworth on Husband George Stephanopoulos Being the 'Last Good Man Standing' in Morning TV Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. While she admitted he wasn't her type at first, her friends convinced her to have a change of heart and the pair got engaged within two months of dating. "Even that felt like, tick tock mister. What's the hold up?" Wentworth recalled. "I was just like, let's get married. Let's start our lives together." Stephanopoulos said the sentiment was mutual, adding, "We planned a trip to Greece and I had a ring made, and I think she knew." Wentworth confessed, "I did know! I knew that you had the ring made because you were meeting your cousin for breakfast, and he was a jeweler. I knew it was in your backpack!" Students from Northside and Southside High Schools walk in the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day parade, Monday, Jan. 20, 2020, along Garrison Avenue in downtown Fort Smith. Leaders throughout Fort Smith are planning events to honor Martin Luther King Jr. The events will start with an ecumenical service led by Carnell Elementary Principal Taneka Tate. It will start at 6:30 p.m. Sunday at St. James Missionary Baptist Church. This will be followed by breakfast from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Monday in Stubblefield Arena. Masks will be required and officials will take people's temperatures at the door, said John Blue, the executive director of diversity equity and inclusion at the University of Arkansas Fort Smith. Directly after the breakfast participants will partake in a march from the arena to the bell tower. At the tower, Pastor Jackie Flake will speak on the theme of living a maladjusted life, a sentiment taken from one of King's speeches. So for Dr. King, Dr. King, took this sociological term, and he basically cast it in reference to living maladjusted to the current ills of the society at the time, at that time dealing with racism, social injustices, dealing with economic disparities and all those things, so for us to take that same theme, living a maladjusted life, is just basically challenging people not to adjust or give in to what is a typical current state of affairs," Flake said. The march will be in lieu of the annual parade in honor of King. Talicia Richardson, a member of the Celebrate the Dream Team, said the group chose to have a march as a way of better engaging the community. Its involving anyone that chooses to participate without being formally associated with an organization per se," Richardson said. Any extra food from the breakfast will be donated to the Riverview Hope Campus. The university will also host two discussions. On Wednesday, Bente Eriksen, executive director of the Literacy Council of Western Arkansas, will talk at noon at the fireplace of the Campus Center. On Friday, Joey Potts, the director of the Five West Crisis Stabilization Unit, will talk at noon at the fireplace of the Campus Center. Story continues Blue said the university is also having two drives. The first, which is gathering school supplies for the children at Carnell Elementary, began Monday and will end Jan. 21. The second, which is gathering peanut butter for the River Valley Food Bank, began Wednesday and ends Jan. 20. For those looking to get off campus, Antioch for Youth & Family is requesting volunteers serve on Martin Luther King Jr. Day Alex Gladden is a University of Arkansas graduate. She previously reported for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette and The Jonesboro Sun before joining the Times Record. She can be contacted at agladden@swtimes.com. This article originally appeared on Fort Smith Times Record: Community to celebrate MLK Diane Kruger had a rocky road to getting cast in Quentin Tarantinos Inglourious Basterds as Bridget Von Hammersmark, a German film star turned Allied spy in World War II. She detailed how it went down on a recent episode of the podcast Reign with Josh Smith. He auditioned everyone, said Kruger, who is currently promoting her new action thriller The 355. He didnt want to audition me because he saw a movie that I was in he didnt like. So he didnt believe in me from the get-go. Literally, the only reason he auditioned me is because there was no one left to audition. More from IndieWire Kruger, who starred on FXs The Bridge and who has appeared in such films as In the Fade and National Treasure, didnt specify which movie of hers Quentin Tarantino didnt like. But she did say she had to foot her own bill for the audition process just to be considered. I had to pay for my own flight from New York to go to Germany because he wouldnt, even though, obviously, hes American, but he wouldnt see me in the U.S., Kruger said. So I had to jump through all these hoops that definitely put my nose out of joint, but I was like, You know what? Fuck him! Im just gonna do that and prove to him that I can do it.' She added, Thankfully it all worked out, but sometimes it just seems so unfair and youve gotta change the narrative. Kruger also said the moment was likely enlightening for the director. I think for him, too, that mustve been a lesson. Sometimes you are the one that puts and Im sure Im guilty of that too you put people in boxes. You think theyre gonna be one way and then theyre not at all. Krugers performance in Basterds earned her a Screen Actors Guild Award nomination for best supporting actress, as well as plenty of critical acclaim. Story continues Back in 2018, when allegations of Quentin Tarantinos on-set mistreatment of actors emerged, Kruger came to his defense in an Instagram post, saying, I would like to say that my work experience with Quentin Tarantino was pure joy. He treated me with utter respect and never abused his power or forced me to do anything I wasnt comfortable with. Best of IndieWire Sign up for Indiewire's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Freetrade founders Viktor Nebehaj, left, and Adam Dodds (Freetrade) Stock broking upstart Freetrade has struck a deal to plug directly into the German stock market to give clients fee-free access to names like Adidas and BMW. The app-only trading platform has signed a deal with Equiduct to let British clients access the German exchange. Freetrade customers can now buy and sell most German stocks with no commission or charges, only foreign exchange fees. CEO and founder Adam Dodds said: The addition of European stocks to the platform is a key step for us as we begin our expansion into Europe and beyond. Our mission is to get everyone investing while keeping prices low. Freetrade, which has over 1 million customers, lets people trade shares for free on its app, akin to the wildly popular US business Robinhood. Freetrade started life in London in 2016 and launched its app in 2018. Like Robinhood, Freetrade targets young first-time investors, mainly in the millennial demographic. It makes money through a freemium model, encouraging users to sign up to monthly subscriptions that offer extras like an ISA account and interest on cash balances. Many rival brokers let customers buy and sell European stocks but do so by working through a third party that charges a fee. Most also charge their own platform fees on top. Plugging directly into exchanges is technically challenging and expensive to build but Freetrade believes the investment will pay off. Dodds said: Freetrades unique direct to market access and proprietary brokerage platform helps to unlock cost-savings that we can pass onto our customers through a simple and low-cost investment experience. Major German companies like Adidas, BMW, Mercedes, Deutsche Telekom, Puma, and Siemens will now be available to Freetrade customers at no charge. Smaller companies will be tradable commission free for customers who sign up for a subscription. Freetrade already offers Finnish stocks on its platform and plans to add markets in Austria, Belgium, Netherlands, Portugal and Sweden soon. Dodds said: We will continue to add more European exchanges to the platform as we expand across Europe. Freetrades fast growth and aggressive business plan has prompted rivals to take action. AJ Bell, itself a challenger not that long ago, is launching a commission-free investment app of its own called Dodl. Katherine Ryan has poked fun at the backlash received by Molly-Mae Hague over comments she made about wealth inequality. The comedian, actor and writer recently appeared on Hits Radio,, where she was asked to share her inspirational tips on how to look on the bright side of life. Ryan said: I mean, its not funny I suppose, but I think that gratitude, even in my darkest moments, has always led the way and has attracted abundance into my life. So any time I feel bratty or I feel like, well, this isnt working for me, I want to go to the Maldives I dont really have huge problems in my life anymore , but I feel like I just remember that I do have. Ryan continued Its when I had nothing that I realised I had everything, and I think a lot of people are feeling the strain of being restricted. And I just think if you focus on what you do have, even if its just the health of your loved ones, then you have everything. When Hits Radio shared Ryans answer on Twitter, the comedian replied: Please internet, dont same 24 hours me. Ryan was referencing the recent backlash to former Love Island contestant Hagues comments about wealth inequality and poverty. Katherine Ryan poked fun at Molly-Mae Hague backlash in response to Hits Radios tweet (Twitter @Kathbum) During a December appearance on YouTube series The Diary of a CEO. Hague said: I just think youre given one life and its down to you what you do with it. You can literally go in any direction. When Ive spoken in the past Ive been slammed a little bit, with people saying, Its easy for you to say that, youve not grown up in poverty, youve not grown up with major money struggles. So for you to sit there and say we all have the same 24 hours in a day is not correct. And Im like, but technically what Im saying is correct we do. Hague continued: So I understand we all have different backgrounds and were raised in different ways and have different financial situations, but if you want something enough you can achieve it and it just depends to what lengths you want to go to get to where you want to be in the future. Story continues The reality star turned Pretty Little Things businesswoman was widely criticised for her tone deaf comments after they went viral. On Monday (10 January), Hague shared a statement on Instagram, writing: When I say or post anything online, it is never with malice or ill intent. Molly-Mae Hague apologised after backlash to comment she made in an interview in December (Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images) I completely appreciate that things can affect different people in different ways however I just want to stress that I would never intend to hurt or upset anyone by anything that I say or do. She added: I apologise to the people that have been affected negatively or misunderstood the meaning of what I said in the podcast, the intentions of the podcast were only ever to tell my story and inspire from my own experience. In the wake of the controversy, which led to her Wikipedia page being vandalised, Hagues representative defended the stars remarks. Following the viral video, Hagues friend and fellow former Love Island contestant Maura Higgins called out another one of the ITV2 shows star for commenting on the backlash Hague was receiving. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he is reviewing plans by Quebec to impose a tax on residents who refuse to get vaccinated against COVID-19 without a medical exemption. Quebecs Premier Francois Legault on Tuesday announced that residents who decide not to get a coronavirus vaccine for nonmedical reasons would have to pay a health care tax, amid a new surge in coronavirus infections in the province. A health contribution will be charged to all adults (who) dont want to get vaccinated. We are there now, he told reporters. Those who refuse to get the shot bring a financial burden to hospital staff and Quebecers. The 10% of the population cant burden the 90%. On Wednesday, Trudeau said during a pandemic update that his administration is currently reviewing the plan and awaiting more details from the province. As weve said, incentives and strong measures whether its vaccine passports, whether its requirements for travelers, whether its the requirement for public servants to be fully vaccinated we have taken very strong measures in the past and they have worked in terms of keeping Canadians safe, he told reporters. We will continue to look and work with the provinces and look at measures put forward, Trudeau added, according to Canadas CTV News. Quebec has yet to release a timeline for the rollout of the measures, or how much the penalty would be, though Legault has said that 50 or 100 Canadian dollars ($40 or $80) wouldnt be significant enough for him. If enacted, the tax would be the first of its kind in North America. During the briefing, the prime minister added that Quebec has assured the federal government that it would respect the key principle of the Canada Health Act, which is to facilitate reasonable access to health services without financial or other barriers. Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos agreed with Trudeaus remarks on strong measures, praising the effectiveness of vaccine mandates. Story continues The keyword here is benevolence. Both the language and the actions are there and designed to protect people, he said. This is a severe disease, we want people to be protected against it. No one, I believe, is thinking or certainly speaking of forcibly, physically vaccinating people in Canada, Duclos added. Texas Governor Greg Abbott greets a Texas National Guard member before a press conference on the United States' southern border in Mission, Texas on Oct. 6, 2021. Texas Governor Greg Abbott's crackdown on migrants crossing the U.S.-Mexico border has been challenged as unconstitutional by the Austin-based defense attorney Angelica Cogliano, representing Jesus Alberto Guzman Curipoma. Guzman Curipoma was arrested on Sept. 17 in Kinney County on charges of criminal trespassing. Originally from Ecuador, Guzman Curipoma is a college-educated engineer with no prior criminal record. He is one of thousands of migrants arrested and detained as part of Abbott's strict enforcement of his border initiative, Operation Lone Star. Fact check: Texas' 'Operation Lone Star' isn't finishing border wall construction Travis County District Judge Jan Soifer has scheduled a virtual hearing in Guzman Curipoma's case for Thursday. Soifer will weigh whether Abbott's Operation Lone Star does indeed violate the constitution. The hearing is slated to begin at 9 a.m. CT; watch the livestream here: Abbott launched Operation Lone Star in March to address an influx of migrants crossing the border into Texas. By April, more than 178,000 people had been taken into custody under the program, according to according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection data. Texas lawmakers have allocated $1 billion to spend on Operation Lone Star over the next two years. In a Jan. 4 court filing, Cogliano argued that Operation Lone Star violates the Supremacy Clause of the U.S. Constitution, which stipulates that state laws cannot supersede federal laws. The Texas government is restraining the liberty of thousands," the filing states. This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Watch: Abbott's Operation Lone Star called into question at court hearing Its been a little out-of-body did I already use that phrase? asks Cathy Ang on a recent Friday, the day after new episodes of And Just Like That have been dropping. The actress has yet to use that specific phrasing in conversation, but the messaging is consistent: Being part of the latest Sex and the City chapter makes for one hell of a breakout role. Ang plays Lily Goldenblatt, daughter of Charlotte York and Harry Goldenblatt, in what is her first major job after finding acting only recently while studying music at New York University. The San Francisco Bay Area native is still pinching herself about the whole experience. More from WWD I feel like I dont belong its weird to be on such an iconic show and have people already be fans, she says of the immediate social media onslaught that she received. Its really exciting, peoples response to the show, whatever they are, its because they care about the show. And I think its exciting to see everyone just engaging in the conversation. This is a show people want to talk about right now. Ang grew up a music die-hard, eventually moving to New York to attend Steinhardt for vocal performance. While there, she fell in love with theater and discovered the world of Broadway, taking advantage of her proximity to some of the best shows in the world. I have always turned to music for expressing myself and wanting to connect to some piece of art, she explains. I wasnt sure though that I could actually make a career out of it, but I made a deal with my parents [to let me try it]. Like many immigrant families we made a deal and I was lucky they let me try it out and it led to me kind of working. So were still on that track. Cathy Ang in And Just Like That. - Credit: Craig Blankenhorn Craig Blankenhorn She watched Sex and the City for the first time after getting the audition for Lily. (In fact, she didnt know who the character was initially as they kept any specifics under wraps, but she was able to take a strong guess as to who it might be. I wasnt sure who this other Asian teenage girl would be, she says). She first watched the movies to get a quick sense of the SATC world before diving into the series, and, as expected, became obsessed. Story continues Being a SATC newbie had its benefits as she was able to approach the audition like it were any other project and without the added sense of trying to match an existing show. Because I knew so little about the show at that point I really just got to kind of be myself, she says. Cathy Ang - Credit: Lexie Moreland/WWD Lexie Moreland/WWD She instantly saw herself in Lily and was drawn to the mother-daughter relationship the character has with Charlotte. I think as a mid-20s person everyone can remember how difficult it was in those teenage years, with your parents, she says. And I think something that was just so true and it felt like those words I was sent, I felt like they were my own. I connected with what she was saying. I think that desire to have a good relationship with your parents was so clear, even from the audition. Once she got to set, the nerves set in. Im not gonna lie, I was pretty starstruck. And I dont think thats terrible, but maybe I was a little too anxious about it and in my head, she says. This is also just one of my first TV jobs, and I just felt the pressure to do well, since first of all a bunch of people extra people, even were watching, but also because I have so much respect for [these women]. Theyve been playing these characters for a couple of decades now, and are powerhouses in the industry. Theyve created their own brands, theyre directors, theyre artists in so many different ways. And its exciting but nerve-wracking to meet people who you hope one day could be your mentors. Those mentors are now texting buddies who have been sending her memes about how Lily ruined Carries wedding. And so thats kind of fun, she admits with a grin. Cathy Ang - Credit: Lexie Moreland/WWD Lexie Moreland/WWD Best of WWD Sign up for WWD's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Newly confirmed COVID-19 cases set a pandemic record in North Dakota on Wednesday, surpassing a high set in November 2020 before the availability of vaccines. North Dakota's coronavirus dashboard showed 2,400 new cases from 14,760 tests processed Monday, which also is a record. The previous reported highs were 2,278 cases on Nov. 14, 2020, and 14,462 tests on Nov. 12, 2020. The previous record for tests also was artificially high -- it reflected a catch-up day necessitated by a third-party testing lab backlog and a state software problem. Records are based off the state Health Department's daily reports. The agency often revises data on its dashboard later based on updated information. The spike in cases this month is driven by the highly contagious omicron variant of the virus, which has spread around the globe and first surfaced in North Dakota in late December. The state's reported 14-day rolling test positivity rate surpassed 14% on Wednesday, nearly double what it was at the start of the month. The state target is less than 5%. Active cases of COVID-19 in North Dakota have more than tripled from 1,861 reported Jan. 1 to 6,062 on Wednesday, with 1,087 in Burleigh-Morton counties -- their first total in excess of 1,000 since early October. Statewide active cases are still far from the record of 11,656 reported on Nov. 11, 2020, however. The surge also might not be long-lived. The Associated Press reported this week that scientists are seeing signals that COVID-19s alarming omicron wave might be on the verge of peaking and dropping off dramatically, simply because the variant has proved so wildly contagious that it might be running out of people to infect less than two months after surfacing in South Africa. Modeling by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicates COVID-19 cases in North Dakota could continue rising steeply for three more weeks -- surpassing the peak of late 2020 -- before sharply declining. COVID-19 hospitalizations and deaths have not matched the rapid climb in cases in North Dakota. Health officials say many omicron cases have few or no symptoms. There were 128 COVID-19 patients in the state on Wednesday, up 13 from the previous day but still relatively stable compared to the past several weeks. As a comparison, North Dakota's reported high was 332 hospitalizations on Nov. 16, 2020. The most recent state data showed about 8% of staffed inpatient beds available statewide and about 4% of intensive care unit beds open. In Bismarck, neither Sanford Health nor CHI St. Alexius Health had any beds listed in either category. The Health Department confirmed seven more virus-related deaths, raising North Dakota's pandemic toll to 2,041. The state no longer publicly reports the county, sex and age range of newly confirmed deaths. The dashboard death total for Burleigh County increased by two, to 286; Morton County's total rose by one, to 133. Cass County, home to Fargo, also saw its total rise by one, to a state-leading 292. There have been 187,528 confirmed COVID-19 cases in North Dakota during the pandemic that began in March 2020. There have been 179,425 recoveries and 7,097 hospitalizations. The Health Department is hosting a virtual town hall at 11 a.m. Central time Thursday to discuss omicron. It's open to the public, online via Microsoft Teams Live Event at https://health.nd.gov/covidtownhall. It also will be simulcast across the Health Department's Facebook, Twitter and YouTube channels. No registration is necessary. More information North Dakota continues to have one of the worst COVID-19 vaccination rates in the country, according to the CDC. Agency data on Tuesday showed 64.1% of North Dakota adults being fully vaccinated. The rate for all vaccine-eligible people in the state -- age 5 and older -- is 57.2%. The CDC recommends COVID-19 booster shots for all adults; 44.3% of North Dakota adults have received a third dose of vaccine, according to state data. The federal agency last week also recommended that adolescents ages 12-17 receive boosters as well. North Dakota's Health Department hopes to add booster data for teens to the state vaccine dashboard sometime next week. The coronavirus transmission risk is considered substantial or high in all of North Dakota's 53 counties except Billings, according to the CDC's COVID-19 data tracker website. The CDC recommends people in those risk categories wear masks in public indoor settings. People can go to https://www.ndvax.org or call 866-207-2880 to see where COVID-19 vaccine is available near them. A list of free COVID-19 testing offered by local public health units is at health.nd.gov/covidtesting. For more detailed information on coronavirus in North Dakota, go to www.health.nd.gov/coronavirus. For more information on coronavirus variants, go to https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/transmission/variant.html. Reach Blake Nicholson at 701-250-8266 or blake.nicholson@bismarcktribune.com. Concerned about COVID-19? Sign up now to get the most recent coronavirus headlines and other important local and national news sent to your email inbox daily. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. The Martin Luther King Jr. commemorative community worship service set for 3 p.m. Sunday in Yakima has been moved from in-person to online as Congressional candidate Joe Kent encourages those outside the Department of Health in Tumwater on Wednesday who showed up to protest a nonexistent plan to forcibly quarantine people who refuse the COVID vaccine. Kent is seeking to unseat U.S. Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler in Southwest Washingtons 3rd Congressional District. Our directory features more than 18 million business listings from across the entire US. However, if we're missing your business, add your business by clicking on Add Your Business. From the organisers: "Come and join us for one of the years most popular and longest-running charity events, enjoying a touch of Scottish culture in the heart of Central Europe. Traditional Scottish cuisine, pipers and drummers flown in from Scotland, an amazing whisky bar, and your chance to try Scottish ceilidh dancing in this incredible five-star setting, not to mention the raffle and auction! Its a milestone event this year, 25 years of Burns Suppers in Budapest, and 25 years of helping sick and underprivileged children throughout Hungary. With all the disappointment of missed events over the last 18 months, you wont want to miss this one! The Burns Supper tickets always sell very quickly, so please reserve yours early to avoid disappointment. *We are mindful of the fluid covid situation. Please be reassured that purchased tickets will be refunded if we are unable to hold the event. On this basis we do encourage you to buy your tickets as normal since this makes it much easier for us to plan numbers and make all the arrangements. Date and time: Saturday 22 January 6:00 pm Venue: Corinthia Hotel Budapest, Erzsebet korut 43-49 Register now by clicking here Click here to virtually visit Robert Burns International Foundation An Illinois court has revoked a decision by state regulators to allow the Dakota Access Pipeline to operate with an expanded capacity, though judges stopped short of restricting the amount of oil flowing from North Dakota through the line while officials review the matter. The Appellate Court of Illinois issued its ruling Wednesday, directing the Illinois Commerce Commission to take into consideration the pipeline operator's history of safety and environmental violations in Pennsylvania. Sunoco, an affiliate of operator Energy Transfer, is developing a natural gas liquids pipeline system there and has committed numerous violations and faced fines from Pennsylvania regulators for construction-related spills and other problems. "Sunoco's conduct as a pipeline operator in Pennsylvania is relevant" to public security "and ought to be taken into consideration," the ruling says. The Illinois commission opted not to consider those issues in its original decision to allow Dakota Access to expand its capacity from 570,000 barrels per day to 1.1 million barrels per day. Environmental groups raised the matter during those deliberations, suggesting Illinois regulators look into whether the same problems that occurred in Pennsylvania could arise with Dakota Access. They brought it up again when they appealed the commission's decision in court. A leader of one of the groups said in a statement Thursday that they are gratified the court voided the commission's "flawed approval" of the expansion, an issue they had fought since July 2019. "Two and a half years later, we appreciate that key arguments of our appeal will be reconsidered," said Deni Mathews, chairperson of Save Our Illinois Land. The other groups involved in the litigation include the Natural Resources Defense Council and the Sierra Club. The appellate court also concluded that the Illinois commission misinterpreted "the public" to mean "the world" when it considered the public need for the pipeline's expansion. The judges said regulators should have interpreted the term to mean "the United States" at its broadest. Illinois regulators will need to review those matters and make a new permitting decision, which could take months. The commission there is the equivalent of the North Dakota Public Service Commission, which approved the pipeline expansion in early 2020. The pipeline runs from North Dakota to Illinois, transporting Bakken oil from the western part of the state to market. The court stopped short of granting all that environmental groups asked for, notably declining to limit the amount of oil flowing through the pipeline to its previous capacity of 570,000 barrels per day while the review takes place. Energy Transfer announced its expansion plans in 2019, seeking to nearly double Dakota Access's capacity by building pump stations in several states to boost the line's horsepower. It secured necessary state and local approvals and revealed in August 2021 that it had completed the first phase of its expansion. The line has the capacity to transport as much as 750,000 barrels per day. North Dakota Pipeline Authority Director Justin Kringstad keeps a close eye on oil transportation data and said he believes the line is currently carrying around 570,000 to 575,000 barrels per day. The pipeline expansion occurred amid the downturn brought on by the coronavirus pandemic, which sent North Dakota's oil production plummeting. The state's oil output has recovered somewhat to 1.1 million barrels per day, but it's still below pre-pandemic levels. Energy Transfer did not immediately respond to a Tribune request for comment Thursday. The pro-pipeline GAIN Coalition said in a statement that it was disappointed in the Illinois ruling. "Once again, an activist court has attempted to impose its political will in a straightforward regulatory matter," spokesman Craig Stevens said. "When courts act to quash regulators mindful decisions, it undermines their authority and risks private investment as regulatory certitude is imperiled." Meanwhile, a separate legal battle over the pipeline continues at the U.S. Supreme Court. Lower courts have vacated the federal permit for the pipeline's Missouri River crossing in North Dakota and ordered a more thorough environmental review of the line at the request of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, but Energy Transfer has appealed those decisions. The Supreme Court justices are expected to decide in the coming weeks whether to hear the case. The Standing Rock Reservation lies just downstream from the pipeline's river crossing, and tribal members fear an oil leak would contaminate their water supply. Energy Transfer has long maintained the line is safe. Reach Amy R. Sisk at 701-250-8252 or amy.sisk@bismarcktribune.com. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 1 Angry 0 Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Hungary ranks 23rd out of the 27 member states of the European Union according to the 2021 indicator measuring the development of the digital economy and society, writes profitline.hu. In terms of the corporate integration of digital technologies, Hungary ranks 26th among the European Union (EU) member states, while it ranks 25th in digital public services, according to the DESI index published by the European Commission last November. Based on the aggregate indicator measuring the digital development of each member state, Hungary is ranked 23rd. YORK The trend of new COVID-19 cases in the health district continues to be on an upward trajectory with daily case counts the highest theyve been in a year. As of Wednesday, Jan. 12, the Four Corners Health Department was reporting a new 7-day case total of 412 in the district. Thursday morning, during a community briefing session, Four Corners Director Laura McDougall said the current surge is due to the Omicron variant. We are having a large, large surge of cases right now, there are so many out there, McDougall said. We had 412 cases in the past seven days and the number of positive cases in the district just yesterday alone was 98. Things are really picking up. Wed been in a surge with Delta earlier and now its even higher with Omicron. She said there were 131 new COVID cases in York County in the last seven days. McDougall said the health department continues to get a lot of questions many calls about what people are supposed to do regarding quarantining after they test positive. She noted the CDC recently changed guidelines. She explained that Day Zero the day a person starts to have symptoms and/or tests positive is the first of five days that person must isolate. After five days, if the person has no fever and is no longer having symptoms, they can go back to work or school but they need to wear a mask for five more days. So in essence, it is still in a form of isolation for 10 days, McDougall said. Omicron is very contagious and people are getting sicker faster, she said further. It is important to do what we can to slow it down. And we are seeing vaccinated people come down with it, as well as people who already have had COVID. In the last seven days, 10% of those who tested positive in the district had previously tested positive for COVID. So keep in mind that just because you have had COVID before or you are vaccinated, you can still get it, so take all the steps to protect yourself and others. She also noted that monoclonal treatments that had been widely and effectively used in the past, to treat COVID, are not as effective with the Omicron variant. And the treatment that is most effective against Omicron is not readily available. Margaret Brink, Four Corners board president, said she was concerned about a lot of activities that are going to be happening in the near future, with a lot of crowds. Please, please, take precautions. Keep vigilant and wear the dang masks. And thank you to Jim (Ulrich, CEO of York General Health Care Services), Laura (McDougall) and all their staffs for supporting the crazies who dont get vaccinated. Ulrich reported, during the community briefing, that seven-day rolling counts of new cases have essentially doubled in the state. Nebraska went from 9,676 in a 7-day period to now 19,241 in a week. Regarding the number of statewide hospitalizations, the number was 445 on Christmas Day and on Jan. 11 it was 641. Has that made it harder for us to transfer patients? Yes. At York General Hospital, we had 25 employees out for COVID reasons of those, 21 had COVID, Ulrich continued. That does strain our system. The good news is that for the most part, most had minor symptoms and are back as quick as they can be. We have only had one inpatient with COVID here and there we have only one right now. We continue to give monoclonal injections and we do have a limited amount of the treatment Laura was earlier describing. We gave 19 treatments this past week. The Hearthstone has had some positive residents, but they are doing well and have mild symptoms, Ulrich said. When the community spread gets so high, there is really no way to keep it out of our facilities. He said the hospitals overall census is a little higher than normal and the number of people coming to the emergency room (for all types of reasons) has been a little higher than average. He also noted testing supplies are getting low. And he noted that the Quick Clinic set a record for the number of patients seen in a day, last Tuesday, as they hit the 41 mark by 5:30 p.m., with 2 hours still to go before closing. Heartland Superintendent Brad Best reported that COVID, influenza and other illnesses have hit that community this week, leading to the closure of the elementary school for the rest of the week. Earlier this week, we had an absence rate of 20% in the elementary school and by yesterday morning it went to 35%, Best said. Also, half our staff was out. So we made the decision to close the elementary today and tomorrow and then see where we are at next Monday. He said the Heartland high school is still open, but they do have a 15% absence rate at this time. We are hoping a 4-day break will help us turn the corner, Best said. He also noted because they dont have detailed information on case numbers, per types of confirmed illnesses, right or wrong, we are lumping illness into one category because with these many absences and illness we just had to close the elementary wring. Tyler Hinton from York College reported that the case numbers on that campus are pretty minimal, as we have less than 10 students in quarantine at this time. York Superintendent Mitch Bartholomew was unable to be part of the community briefing, but the York Public Schools data dashboard (on Thursday morning) showed very low numbers regarding COVID cases. There were no cases being reported among students or staff at Yorks elementary school; only one student/staff member was reported as being absent due to COVID at the middle school; and only one student/staff member was being reported as absent due to COVID at the high school. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. 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. Major 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 #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 (NeDNR)working with the Attorney Generals Office, natural resources districts (NRDs), and public power districts in our statehas 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 January 10th, I announced Nebraskas intention to construct this canalpending the Unicamerals approvalto 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 one 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 supplyand 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. Toyota Camry is one of the Japanese automotive brands most recognized vehicles globally and has been in India for a long time. Toyota recently updated the long-running model with a 2022 Toyota Camry Hybrid. It has been priced at Rs 41.7 lakh (ex-showroom). The new model has received many upgrades regarding the body and looks of the car. However, the mechanics are more or less the same. The upgraded look is made evident by an upgraded front bumper beautified by using the new grille that Toyota is using. It also has got the new 18-inch alloy wheels with a more sport-oriented look. Coming to the rear end, the taillights' outlines remain the same though the parts with the LED have been upgraded. Toyota has also improved the color palette by adding a new Metal Stream Metallic color. The upgrades have also affected the cabin. Camry gets a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It is equipped with a sound system formed with nine JBL speakers. The instrument cluster looks are also improved with the new wood effect, giving it a more premium feel. Read also: Mahindra XUV700 price hiked by upto Rs 80,000; check new price list The mechanics remain the same with a 2.5-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine working with an e-CVT automatic gearbox operated with paddle shifters. The engine gives out 178 hp aided by a permanent magnet synchronous motor as a part of the hybrid system with 120 hp. The safety features on the Camry include nine airbags, an electronic parking brake with hill start assist, a rear parking camera and sensors with dynamic guidelines, traction control, stability control and a tyre pressure monitoring system, among other things. It also has three driving modes, namely Normal, Eco and Sport. 2022 Toyota Camry has been equipped with dual-zone climate control, three-zone climate control, ventilated seats, electrically operated rear sunshade, wireless charger, electronically adjustable steering wheel with memory function, reclinable rear seats and multi-information display with a myriad of other features. Live TV #mute About 100 units of Mahindra Scorpio Pick-up trucks were handed over to the Kenya Police at Simba Corp's headquarters during a handoff ceremony. These trucks are only available for commercial and special application use, and they have a single cab design. Mahindra Scorpio single-cab commercial pickups are only available on international markets. Besides the bold radiator grille, the Pick-up Truck features dual-beam headlights with LED daytime running lights. There are two rectangular fog lamps neatly positioned at each end of the front bumper, giving it a chunky and muscular appearance. As a token of appreciation, Anand Mahindra, Chairman of Mahindra & Mahindra, tweeted, "Nairobi, Kenya. We're delighted to be a part of the Police Service team. The 'Beast' under the bonnet of the Scorpio is at their service." He commented on the Simba Corp post saying "We are happy to announce that we have officially handed over 100 units of Mahindra Scorpio Single Cab Pik up to the National Police Service." Nairobi, Kenya. Were delighted to be a part of the Police Service team. The Beast under the bonnet of the Scorpio is at their service! https://t.co/yrYlDwYhkw anand mahindra (@anandmahindra) January 10, 2022 The interior layout is essentially the same as that of the current-generation Scorpio. Powered by the same 2.2-litre, four-cylinder mHawk turbodiesel engine as the current Mahindra Scorpio, this pick-up truck makes 118 BHP of power and 280 Nm of torque mated to a 5-speed manual transmission. It is not clear whether the Kenya-spec model gets the same AWD as the Australian model. Mahindra is also planning to launch the new-generation Scorpio in India this year and likely will also introduce the Getaway lifestyle Pick-Up SUV at a later date. Live TV #mute Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), the national air carrier of Pakistan, and few other airlines have been adjudged worst airlines globally in terms of safety as per a study done by AirlineRatings. The ranking system ranks airlines on fiur parameters and gives stars from 1-7. PIA has received the lowest one-star rating from the study. Along with Pakistan International Airlines, there are 6 other airlines that have got one star rating in terms of safety and those are Air Algerie, Sriwijaya Air, Scat, Iran Aseman Airlines, Airblue and Blue Wing. According to the AirlineRatings, airlines get three stars if they avoid fatalities over the long term, two stars if they avoid serious incidents, and one star if they pass audits and are in compliance with Covid. The best airlines get 7 star rating. Read also: Yezdi to make a comeback in India today with these motorcycles: Watch it live here [Video] On its second landing attempt in Karachi in 2020, a Pakistan International Airlines Airbus A320 crashed in a crowded place, killing 100 people. In addition to runway incursions and loss of separations, PIA has experienced several incidents involving smoke indicators and engine failures in recent years. Sriwijaya Air which is an Indonesian based airlines, lost 62 passengers and crew members last January after one of their Boeing 737-500 aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff from Jakarta. The ATR 72-200 of Iran Aseman Airlines crashed into the Zagros Mountains in Iran in 2018, killing all 66 people onboard. In July 2014, an Air Algerie MD-83 flying to Algiers went down in northern Mali, killing all 116 on board. SCAT Airlines, based in Kazakhstan, makes the list for losing 21 passengers and crew and a Bombardier CRJ200 in January 2013. Last but not least, Suriname-based Blue Wings Airlines lost an Antonov An-28 as well as 19 people in 2008 when their landing went wrong at Lawa Antino Airport in Benzdorp, Suriname. Of the seven one-star airlines, only Air Algerie received the audit tick. As part of this category, the airline is assessed on how it adheres to IATA's Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) regime. This means assessing its operational management and control systems. However, IOSA isn't compulsory, and not every airline participates. Following the incident of Pakistan International Airlines Flight 8303 in 2020, PIA was banned from flying to EU and USA. There are currently 96 airlines on the EU's blacklist and airlines from over 20 countries are banned in USA. Live TV #mute Akasa Air, India's newest airline backed by the Big Bull Rakesh Jhunjhunwala recently placed a massive order of 72 Boeing 737 Max family of aircrafts, one of the largest orders for the Max plane globally and also the largest order post the 737 Max grounding. Slated to start operations this year, the airline has received the initial clearance (NOC) from the civil aviation ministry and DGCA to launch the ultra-low-cost carrier. We decode what exactly is Akasa Air and what new does it bring to the table? Key Details Backed by ace investor Rakesh Jhunjunwala Operations to start in Summer 2022 Low cost domestic airline Will fly single aisle Boeing 737 Max aircraft Focus to harness technology for enhanced customer experience Start Date SNV Aviation under which Akasa will fly says that the airline brand is targeting Summer 2022 to start the operations in India. Akasa Air has already received the No Objection Certificate to operate flights in India. Fleet In an earlier released statement, the airline mentioned that the company plans to operate approximately 70 planes in the next four years. While the Airbus' Chief Commercial Officer Christian Scherer had previously stated that Airbus is in conversation with Akasa for an aircraft procurement deal, the Indian brand, at the Dubai Air Show, sealed a deal with Boeing to procure 72 737 Max aircrafts. The Max 8 aircraft is the same single aisle aircraft that was grounded after a couple of deadly crashes in late 2019. Following modifications and clearance from the FAA, DGCA has also approved operations to resume in India. Key People Akasa Air is backed by ace investor Rakesh Jhunjhunwala, who is the co-founder of the newest airline and owns 40% of the company. Ex-Jet Airways CEO Vinay Dube will be the CEO of Akasa Air with a 15 per cent stake. The brand is also looking to hire other industry leaders at the top spot before beginning of the operations. Routes Akasa Air plans to offer flights across India with an "endeavour to be the nation's most dependable, affordable and greenest airline". While no announcement has been made in this regards, it is expected the Akasa will serve the major domestic routes with the ultra low cost airline to attract the potential flyers. Live TV #mute India shuttler Saina Nehwal on Thursday bowed out of the ongoing Indian Open 2022 at the KD Jadhav Indoor Hall in New Delhi. Malvika Bansod defeated Nehwal 21-17, 21-9 in the second-round match which lasted for 35 minutes. The 31-year-old Nehwal was trailing 5-7 in the first game, and Malvika was in no mood to let this advantage and she ended up winning the first game 21-17. Bansod then did not look back, and she continued with her momentum, winning the match inside 35 minutes. Notably, Saina was recently involved in a controversy with actor Siddharth, who made an alleged sexist remark against the shuttler. The 43-year-old actor had quote retweeted Saina's tweet on PM Modi's security breach and used a sexist term, which hurt the sentiments of Saina and her family. Criticising the PM security breach in Punjab, Saina had tweeted: "No nation can claim itself to be safe if the security of its own PM gets compromised. I condemn, in the strongest words possible, the cowardly attack on PM Modi by anarchists." Siddharth had replied by writing: "Subtle cock champion of the world... Thank God we have protectors of India." After facing the backlash over the sexist term, he clarified, COCK & BULL" That's the reference. Reading otherwise is unfair and leading! Nothing disrespectful was intended, said or insinuated. Period. On Tuesday, Siddharth posted an apology letter for Saina and tagged her on the tweet as well. He 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." 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. The Rang de Basanti actor however said that his word play had no intentions of being malicious and sexist and that he is a staunch feminist himself. He wrote: "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." Notably, Siddharth has also deleted the tweet which stirred the controversy in first place. The SickKids Foundation in Toronto works to raise money to support Torontos Hospital for Sick Children. Until recently, the foundation was still managing their diverse fundraising endeavors manually, with phone calls and emails. As those efforts accelerated and expanded, growing complexity revealed the need for a more intentional digital transformation. Thats why their IT team turned to Atlassians Jira Service Management solution to help streamline processes, track incidents, and resolves issues faster. Download now to learn more about the switch. New Delhi: School education startup Lead has become the second unicorn this year with a valuation of USD 1.1 billion after USD 100 million (about Rs 740 crore) funding by Westbridge Capital, GSV Ventures and Elevar Equity. Lead has tied up with 5,000 schools across 500 towns/cities and expects to make an annual revenue run-rate of USD 80 million, serving close to 2 million students, it said in a statement on Thursday. It plans to use the proceeds to achieve its vision of providing quality affordable education to 25 million students with an annual revenue run-rate of USD 1 billion by 2026. The immediate focus would be towards product and curriculum innovation, growth in its footprint and hiring top talent across functions, co-founders Sumeet Yashpal Mehta and Smita Deorah said in the statement. They said the valuation has doubled in the last nine months on the back of strong growth in its operating and financial metrics. The current round is its fifth round of institutional funding since 2017. A company spokesman told PTI that with the fifth round cumulative equity capital has jumped to USD 170 million. Founded in 2012, Lead has been transforming core schooling in the country with its full-stack solutions. Over the years, it has been making global-standard education accessible and affordable to students, especially in non-metro cities. Also Read: LIC could launch India's biggest IPO issue by mid-March: Report It combines technology, curriculum, and pedagogy into an integrated system of teaching and learning, thus improving student learning outcomes and teacher performance in schools across the country. Also Read: Post Office Scheme: Invest Rs 95 daily to get about Rs 14 lakh on maturity, heres how Live TV #mute New Delhi: Infosys, on Wednesday (January 12), announced that the countrys second-largest IT company is planning to hire 55,000 freshers for the ongoing financial year 2022 (FY22). The hiring will be made as part of its global graduate hiring program. Nilanjan Roy, Chief Financial Officer of Infosys, said that the company continues to prioritize investments in talent acquisition and development. Infosys has further increased our global graduate hiring program to over 55,000 for FY22 to support our growth ambitions", he said. "Despite the cost escalations driven primarily by supply-side challenges, we delivered another quarter of healthy margins, with improved cost optimization, continued operating leverage and a stable pricing environment," he added. Infosys announcement to ramp up the hirings as part of the global graduate has come at a time when high attrition rates in the IT industry has become a major issue for companies. Companies such as TCS, Infosys, Wipro and HCL Tech, among others, are faced with high attrition rates. Meanwhile, Infosys has also posted its quarterly results for Q3 FY22. The IT major reported a near 12% rise in December-quarter profit, on strong demand for its software services from global businesses transforming their digital infrastructure. The Bengaluru-headquartered companys consolidated net profit jumped to Rs 5,809 crore ($786.06 million), from Rs 5197 crore a year earlier, Reuters reported. On the other hand, revenue from operations at the software services firm by revenue increased to Rs 31,867 crore. Also Read: Maserati to enter Formula E in 2023, becomes 1st Italian brand in electric motorsports "We expect the healthy technology spend to continue with large enterprises progressing on their digital transformations," Chief Executive Officer Salil Parekh said in a statement. Also Read: Union Budget 2022: Ficci demands separate section for home loans repayment for both principal and interest components Live TV #mute Drama took place on Day 3 of the third Test when a DRS saved South Africa captain Dean Elgar from getting dismissed. In the last hour of the day's play, in one of the Ashwin overs, Elgar was caught right in front of the stumps. India appealed and umpire Marais Erasmus raises his finger. Elgar took a review but the ball tracker suggested that the ball would have missed the stumps. Everyone on the field was shocked, including umpire Erasum who said 'that is impossible. India captain Virat Kohli was very angry after watching the ball tracker. He and the Indian team felt that was out. Kohli was fuming and showed his anger at the end of the over, going up to the stumps and saying: "Focus on your team as well when they shine the ball eh, not just the opposition. Trying to catch people all the time." KL Rahul then was heard the next second: "The whole country against us 11." It seems the messages were to the Supersport TV crew who are operating the DRS. Watch: New Delhi/London: Britain and India formally launched free trade agreement talks in New Delhi on Thursday with the aim of wrapping up a deal by the end of the year that could boost annual bilateral trade by billions of pounds. Britain has made a deal with India one of its post-Brexit priorities as, free from the European Union`s common trade policy, ministers look to gear trade policy towards faster-growing economies around the Indo-Pacific region. Meeting in New Delhi on Thursday, Indian trade minister Piyush Goyal and his British counterpart Anne-Marie Trevelyan said they would also launch an "early harvest" or a limited-scope interim trade agreement in the next few months, before finalising the free trade agreement. "This is an opportunity that we must seize to steer our partnership along the track of mutual prosperity for the decades to come," Trevelyan said. Britain said the deal could almost double British exports to India, and by 2035 boost total trade by 28 billion pounds ($38.3 billion) per year. Total trade in 2019 was worth 23 billion pounds, according to British statistics. India and former colonial power Britain already share strong trade ties, and more than a million people of Indian origin live in Britain after decades of migration. India is seeking greater opportunities for Indians to live and work in Britain, and any trade deal could be contingent on relaxing rules and lowering fees for Indian students and professionals going to Britain. However, Goyal said that sensitive issues will not be a roadblock as both countries will not make them a necessary condition for the trade deal. "Nothing is necessarily a deal-breaker in this agreement," Goyal said. "And I will not think there is any way for anybody to worry about issues which are sensitive to any country, because both sides have agreed that sensitive issues are not our priority," he added. Ministers want to tap into the wealth of India`s middle classes and their appetite for premium British products like Scotch Whisky. They also hope India can become a big customer of its green technology industry, and that existing service sector trade routes can be strengthened. Live TV #mute New Delhi: The upcoming budget is unlikely to make any provision for recapitalisation of state-owned lenders, as over Rs 3.36 lakh crore has been spent on the banks in the last six years, a domestic rating agency said on Thursday. The banks will raise capital through internal accruals and fundraising from the market, Icra said in a note, adding that the lenders have the ability to manage. Courtesy of the over Rs 3.36 lakh crore of fund infusions from the taxpayers, the state-owned banks' stock of net non-performing assets has reduced to 2.8 per cent as of September 2021 from the 8 per cent level of March 2018, the Icra note said. With high provisions on legacy stressed assets, the earnings outlook for public banks also seems healthy, as we expect most public banks to incrementally remain profitable and generate growth capital requirements internally, it said. It can be noted that in the past, the bank recapitalisation allocation is one of the most keenly awaited numbers in the annual budget exercise. The agency said recoveries from legacy NPAs as NARCL (National Asset Reconstruction Company) becomes operational could aid the bottom lines of the banks in the coming years. It said public banks were also able to roll over their additional tier I bonds that were due for a call option in FY22, reflecting a strong investor appetite for their issuances, which bodes well for their future issuances. With cleaner balance sheets and an improved earnings outlook, banks can also raise capital from market sources as they have done in recent yearsfor the first time in over a decade, we do not expect any capital to be budgeted by the government of India for public banks despite the enhanced regulatory capital requirements, it noted. The agency also said it expects the budget to have some provision for a permanent refinance window from the RBI, as such entities account for a fourth of the overall lending in the economy. Also Read: Flipkart acquires Yaantra to strengthen re-commerce business, improve after-sale offerings We expect the Budget to continue with some of the liquidity and guarantee schemes to ensure near-term funding availability for NBFCs (non-infra) and to provide guidance on the medium-term support framework for the sector, which could boost investor confidence and would be key for a sustainable revival, it added. Also Read: PM Kisan: Havent received 10th instalment yet? Farmers can still get Rs 2000 by THIS date Live TV #mute New Delhi: Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Thursday said that sensitive issues will not be a roadblock as both countries will not make them a necessary condition for the trade deal. Goyal met UK Secretary of State for International Trade Anne-Marie Trevelyan in New Delhi for the formal launch of negotiations for a free trade agreement. Both sides are holding deliberations over an array of trade opportunities of mutual interest, benefiting India and the UK. India is seeking greater opportunities for Indians to live and work in Britain, and any trade deal could be contingent on relaxing rules and lowering fees for Indian students and professionals going to Britain. "Nothing is necessarily a deal-breaker in this agreement," Goyal said. "And I will not think there is any way for anybody to worry about issues which are sensitive to any country, because both sides have agreed that sensitive issues are not our priority," he added. "Met with UK Secretary of State for International Trade @AnnieTrev for the launch of India-UK Free Trade Agreement Negotiations," Goyal said in a tweet. Held a productive discussion with Secretary of State for International Trade @AnnieTrev at the India-UK Joint Economic & Trade Committee. Deliberated on enhanced market access, greater multilateral cooperation & full support to ongoing FTA negotiations between & pic.twitter.com/3KjS5aK4ZX Piyush Goyal (@PiyushGoyal) January 13, 2022 Britain has made a deal with India one of its post-Brexit priorities as, free from the European Union`s common trade policy, ministers look to gear trade policy towards faster-growing economies around the Indo-Pacific region. India's exports to the UK stood at USD 8.15 billion in 2020-21, while imports aggregated at USD 4.95 billion. India's main exports to the UK include ready-made garments and textiles, gems and jewellery, engineering goods, petroleum products, transport equipment, spices, pharmaceuticals and marine products. Imports from Britain include precious and semi-precious stones, ores and metal scraps, engineering goods, chemicals and machinery. In the services sector, the UK is the largest market in Europe for Indian IT services. With Agency Inputs Live TV #mute New Delhi: Actress Sushmita Sen recently cleared up rumours of her adopting a son which were going viral on social media after she was papped with her friend's son Amadeus. The actress, in a witty manner, took to Instagram to squash the rumours and called them 'random news'. She shared a picture of her having a chat with her godson Amadeus about the rumours in the media. Along with the picture, she wrote, "Having a chat with my Godson Amadeus about the random news concerning him, going viral in the media... His expression says it all. Picture courtesy: Sreejaya (Amadeus' mom)." Take a look at her post: Former Miss Universe and Bollywood actress Sushmita Sen had adopted Renee in 2000 as a baby and her second daughter Alisah in 2010. For the unversed, the 46-year-old diva recently went through a breakup with her longtime beau Rohman Shawl and she announced it on social media in order to update her fans. Sushmita and Rohman reportedly started dating in 2018 and broke up in 2021. Rohman, who is a model by profession walked the ramp for many top designers and endorsed several big brands. New Delhi: With the plethora of releases on OTT, what makes 'Human' the best choice for a viewing? Disney+ Hotstar for the first time ever is bringing forth a gripping narrative that will bring viewers to the edge of their seats! We list down 5 reasons why Hotstar Specials Human needs to be on your watchlist this weekend! The Unique Plot - Human is a story that centres around human clinical drug trials, a topic hitherto never explored before. A suspense thriller that delves deep into a world which people are unaware of! A complete eye-opener. Shefali Shah - National Award Winner Shefali Shah steps into the layered role of Dr Gauri Nath and in her own words, this has been the most complex role she has ever played. All the more reason to watch the series! Kirti Kulhari - For the first time ever, multi-faceted actor Kirti Kulhari is essaying the role of a doctor. The trailer gave a brief glimpse of her role and has only left us wanting more! Vipul Amrutlal Shah & Mozez Singh - With the power-packed direction of Vipul Amrutlal Shah and Mozez Singh, the 10 episode series is sure to blow our minds away. The directors have put together an impactful narrative that touches upon different aspects of human character. Ensemble Star Cast - Along with Shefali & Kirti, Human boasts of a stellar star cast comprising Seema Biswas, Ram Kapoor, Vishal Jethwa amongst others who are sure to impress all of us with their acting prowess. Starring actors Shefali Shah and Kirti Kulhari, Human will be available on Disney+ Hotstar from 14th January 2022 onwards. New Delhi: Jai Bhim actress Lijomol Jose is all set to bring another striking performance with Amazon Original Series Putham Pudhu Kaalai VidiyaadhaaLooking at the trailer of the 5-episode Tamil anthology, Lijomol has showcased her prowess as an actress. In the episode Loners, directed by Halitha Shameem, Lijomol plays Nalla, who goes through a break-up during the pandemic and serendipitously meets Dheeran (played by Arjun Das) at a virtual wedding. What follows is a series of deep meaningful conversations that enables them to develop a bond virtually and be alone together. Director Halitha shares her thoughts on Lijomol and how she became a part of her vision, I liked her performance in Sivappu Manjal Pachai. Dir sasi, Dir Gnanavel, actor Manikandan all the three were in praise of her and Manikandan particularly told me that I should work with her as she was way too sincere. And, I liked the way she presented herself in an award event we went together. She was simple and down to earth, more relatable! And, when I approached her for the role, she read the script and enacted few scenes, recorded on her phone and sent me the video clips. Tears started rolling as I watched those! I was truly amazed at her performance. Loners was recorded in sync sound. I didn't even do a bit of ADR with her! Her pronunciation and rendering of lines were all so perfect. Talking about her reaction to Lijomols performance in Jai Bhim, the director shares, After watching Jai Bhim, I felt even more proud of her, for all the hard work and effort. Each story in Putham Pudhu Kaalai Vidiyaadhaa is standalone and yet they are all bound together by the theme of personal discovery of hope and new beginnings through human connection. These are stories of optimism, love and second chances, set in the second Covid-19 lockdown. The stories feature Aishwarya Lekshmi, Arjun Das, Dhilip Subbarayan, Gouri G Kishan, Joju George, Lijomol Jose, Nadiya Moidu, Nirmal Pillai, Sananth, and TeeJay Arunasalam, and are directed by Balaji Mohan, Halitha Shameem, Madhumita, Richard Anthony and Surya Krishna. Following the success of the first edition, Putham Pudhu Kaalai Vidiyaadhaa promises to enthrall audiences with a heartwarming narrative that celebrates the spirit of resilience and grit in the face of adversity. The five-part anthology is set to premiere this Pongal, January 14, 2022, on Amazon Prime Video in India and more than 240 countries and territories worldwide. New Delhi: The 14th round of the Indo-China Corps Commander Level Meeting that Initiated after a military face-off at Galwan valley in 2020 was held on Wednesday (January 12) at the Chushul-Moldo border meeting point on the Chinese side on Wednesday. The main focus of the meeting, which lasted for over 13 hours, was to discuss a way to carry forward the disengagement process at Hot Springs (Patrolling Point 15). However, no breakthrough could be achieved by the talks between the militaries of India and China and the two sides agreed to stay in close contact and maintain dialogue to work out a mutually acceptable resolution of the remaining issues at the earliest, said a joint statement. Here are some key takeaways from the 14th Indo-China Corps Commander Level Meeting Representatives from the defence and foreign affairs establishments of the two sides were present at the meeting. It was agreed that both sides should follow "the guidance provided by the state leaders" and work for the resolution of the remaining issues at the earliest, a joint statement read. The two countries also agreed to consolidate on the previous outcomes and take effective efforts to maintain the security and stability on the ground in the Western Sector including during winter. Both India and China agreed to stay in close contact and maintain dialogue via military and diplomatic channels and work out a mutually acceptable resolution of the remaining issues at the earliest. The two sides agreed that the next round of the commanders' talks should be held at the earliest. The last round of official conversations between the two nations took place on October 10, 2021, which also ended in a stalemate as none of the sides could reach a common ground. Last week, India described China's renaming of some places in Arunachal Pradesh as a "ridiculous exercise" to support "untenable territorial" claims, asserting that the state has always been and will always remain an "inalienable" part of India. Live TV This is part one of our series, The Political Theology of Global Secularism. Check back frequently for forthcoming installments. Ed. Globalization is a complex and multifaceted phenomenon that has many aspects: economic, military, political, and cultural. We tend to think of globalization in its most obvious manifestation in the economic realm. This is even perhaps more the case during the current period of globalization, when we compare the restricted trade before the collapse of Communism with the economic integration, global capital markets, the rise of China and India, and rapid technological advances in the last three decades. Economic globalization is not new. John Maynard Keynes wrote in 1920 of the happy age of global commerce before the outbreak of World War I, and in some areas like migration, the world was more open in Keynes day than it is today. Nevertheless, the technological advances that allow for instantaneous communication have made our period of globalization bigger, faster, and more widespread than ever before. The effects of the global shutdowns during the COVID-19 outbreak have highlighted both our interconnectedness and the fragility of the current system. The trade-offs of globalization Like all things in life, globalization comes with trade-offs. Global integration has brought about many benefits: We have not had a major European war in 70 years; trade and globalization have led to profound decreases in poverty and disease; and global interaction has enabled remarkable development, especially in the area of supply chain, communication and information. So many of the things we consume, even simple ones like coffee, require complex global supply chains. At the same time, globalization has come with real negatives, some of which have sparked backlash from worker and student protests to Brexit and the rise of economic nationalism on the Right and Left. On the economic side, not everyone has benefitted equally. As my colleague Alejandro Chafuen has noted, many countries in Africa have been left out. China has used globalization and markets to increase its power over its people and spread its influence throughout the world. In Europe and the United States despite more access to a variety of goods and services, technology, and specialty items not everyone has participated in the bounty. Some areas that relied heavily on manufacturing have lost jobs and are suffering communal breakdown. In the U.S., life expectancy for white working-class males has actually decreased. Angus Deaton and Ann Case have argued that some poor people in the United States are as bad off as their counterparts in Africa and Latin America. A pressing question is how to respond to those who have suffered from globalization socially, politically, and culturally without losing the benefits of global interaction. Simply telling them that globalization makes everyone better off, or to get retrained, is not a serious response. Political overreach Beyond economics, there is real worry about political overreach of supranational organizations and the democracy deficit in the EU. Brexit, nationalist movements, debates about migration, and border control are just a few examples of the pushback against global political integration in favor of the national state. There are also real political and cultural concerns including imposing secular Enlightenment visions of the person and society on developing countries, something I will discuss in more detail. All of these are important issues, and any serious analysis of globalization must take both the positives and negatives into account. Beyond political economy Beyond the political and economic elements, I would argue that there is also an increasing ethos or ideology of globalism a way of seeing the world that extends beyond economic or political integration which, for lack of a better term, it is a type of technocratic, global secularism. It is more broadly a way of seeing the world a set of political, cultural, and philosophical values that underlie the dominant view of globalization held by many who work in and lead global institutions. To be sure, not everyone who supports economic and political integration holds to the ideas I will discuss. There are many disagreements over the right balance between global integration and national and local sovereignty. Nevertheless, these ideas and worldview hold a dominant and influential place in the debates over globalization. Though not primarily economic, the ideology of globalism does contain economic elements. Most prominent is the value placed on economic efficiency, which can often blend with the view that sees nation states and local attachments as archaic obstacles to global economic integration. Ultimately, I will argue that the ideology of globalism is as much a religious vision as it is economic or political one. And it is important to consider its theological nature. This may sound surprising, because the dominant, contemporary vision of globalism is thoroughly secular. Yet I say there are theological elements in play, because much of the underlying vision is rooted in foundational questions about the nature of Gods existence and His role in the universe, of good and evil, of life and death, and the meaning of salvation. Current globalism contains ideological and religious components that any serious consideration of globalization must consider. This worldview has its origin in a number of sources. The aspirations of global society are as old as mankind, but we find much of its inspiration in the Enlightenment. In his essay on Perpetual Peace, the German Enlightenment philosopher Immanuel Kant foresaw a world with a federation of states, the abolition of armies, republican government, and world citizenship based on hospitality. For Kant the establishment of the kingdom of God on Earth was the gradual transition from the ecclesiastical creed to the sovereignty of pure religious faith. As Josef Pieper explains, the Religion of Faith would be supplanted by the Religion of Reason with a focus on man, empirical evidence, and technical solutions. Thus, in order to understand contemporary globalism, we must not simply stop at the political and economic level but also view it theologically and as a religious movement, specifically an alternative to Christianity whereby the kingdom of Heaven is realized in the current age. Contemporary global secularism is the recurring motif of the Tower of Babel an attempt to solve the problems of sin, evil, suffering, division, and death through political and technical means. What Id like to do in this series of short essays is briefly address the topic of secularism and several of what I see are some of the main characteristics and values that animate both the secular modern state, and this global secular vision. This is in no way exhaustive, and many are interconnected, but I think some of the dominant characteristics of the modern state and secular globalism include: philosophical materialism; plastic anthropology, a malleable view of the human person; adherence to the sexual revolution; the primacy of the technical; humanitarianism; social engineering; and suspicion of local attachments The topic of contemporary secular globalism is complex, and this can only be a broad, thematic overview. There is not a single source of our problems, nor a single solution to the problems we face. But I hope this series of essays will highlight some of the key characteristics of globalism and make some distinctions between its economic, political, and cultural aspects. I invite your engagement and look forward to spirited discussion and debate. (Photo credit: Foundations World Economic Forum. CC BY 2.0.) New Delhi: Maharashtra Police on Thursday (January 13, 2022) said that 265 of its personnel lost their lives to COVID-19 so far. The state police also added that the highest number of deaths was recorded in Mumbai Police. At least 126 Mumbai Police personnel lost their lives to COVID-19. Currently, there are 2,145 active cases of COVID-19 in the Maharashtra Police. Maharashtra Police says 265 of its personnel lost their lives to COVID-19 so far, with the highest number of deaths being in Mumbai Police at 126 There are 2,145 active cases of COVID-19 in the State Police ANI (@ANI) January 13, 2022 Earlier, on Wednesday, an official said that at least 370 police personnel tested positive for coronavirus infection in Maharashtra in the last 24 hours. Those infected included 60 officers and 310 constables, he said. At present, a total of 504 officers and 1,678 constables are undergoing treatment for coronavirus infection across the state. Meanwhile, Maharashtra recorded 46,723 fresh coronavirus cases on Wednesday, up more than 27 per cent from a day ago, taking the overall tally above the 70-lakh mark, while 32 more patients succumbed to the infection, the health department said. The new cases included 86 infections of the highly contagious Omicron strain, pushing their cumulative count in the state to 1,367, the health department said in a bulletin. The bulletin said 28,041 patients were discharged in the last 24 hours, taking the number of those recovered from the infection so far to 66,49,111. Mumbai city reported 16,420 cases. Live TV New Delhi: NEET-UG counselling will begin from January 19, announced Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Thursday. The minister also released the schedule for the counselling process. NEET-UG counseling to begin from January 19: Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya Schedule as follows: pic.twitter.com/zllKWmXInm ANI (@ANI) January 13, 2022 The announcement comes just a day after the Federation of Resident Doctors Association (FORDA) 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 the declaration of the NEET-PG Counselling 2021 schedule soon after pronouncement of judgement by the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court on Friday gave a go ahead to NEET-PG Counselling for 2021-2022 based on existing EWS/OBC reservation criteria following an nationwide outrage by the doctors over the delay in counselling amid the COVID crisis. 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 NEET as existing criteria this year. 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. Live TV New Delhi: Ahead of the launch of the negotiations of India, UK free trade agreement, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said that the deal benefits British businesses and takes partnership with New Delhi to the next level. Boris Johnson said, "A trade deal with Indias booming economy offers huge benefits for British businesses, workers and consumers. As we take our historic partnership with India to the next level, the UKs independent trade policy is creating jobs, increasing wages and driving innovation across the country". The negotiations will be formally launched today by India's trade minister Piyush Goyal and visiting British International Trade Secretary Anne-Marie Trevelyan. The pact is expected to increase total trade by up to 28 billion a year by 2035. The British PM said, his country has "world-class businesses and expertise we can rightly be proud of, from Scotch whisky distillers to financial services and cutting-edge renewable technology" and "we are seizing the opportunities offered in growing economies of the Indo-Pacific to cement our place on the global stage and deliver jobs and growth at home. The Trade Secretary is in India for two days and will co-chair a meeting of the UK-India Joint Economic and Trade Committee. Pointing how the "deal with India is a golden opportunity to put UK businesses at the front of the queue as the Indian economy continues to grow rapidly", Minister Anne-Marie Trevelyan said, We want to unlock this huge new market for our great British producers and manufacturers across numerous industries from food and drink to services and automotive." UK-India economic relationship stood around 23 billion in 2019. Last year, British and Indian Prime Ministers announced that economic ties aimed at doubling the value of UK-India trade over the next decade through the 2030 Roadmap. International Trade Secretary is also expected to meet with Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, and Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav during the India visit. Live TV New Delhi: The cases of Covid-19 in Delhi are going up, but hospital admission rate has stabilised, which is a good sign, Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain said on Thursday (January 13). But the capital will report more than 27,000 cases today, he added. "Delhi is expected to report around 27,500 Covid cases today as well. The rate of hospital admissions among Covid patients is stagnant for the last 4 days, which is a good sign. Bed occupancy stands at 15%," said Jain, adding, "There is no plan of lockdown." Jain also added that hospital admission rate stabilising also indicates that coronavirus cases may go down soon. The minister also said that they have got Covid-related deaths audited and "they are mostly among those with comorbidities." Meanwhile, India saw a massive surge in Covid cases and recorded 2,47,417 new infections, 380 deaths in the last 24 hours, pushing the total death toll to 4,85,035, as per data released by the Ministry of Health on Thursday (January 13, 2022). The active cases stand at 11,17,531. An increase of 1,62,212 cases has been recorded in the active COVID-19 caseload in a span of 24 hours. The country also recorded 84,825 recoveries today, taking the total number of recoveries to 3,47,15,361. (With Agency inputs) Live TV New Delhi: Swami Prasad Maurya, former BJP minister who recently quit the party ahead of the assembly election on Thursday (January 13) alleged the saffron party of foul politics over his resignation and said that he wont deter from his decision no matter how much he is troubled. A non-bailable warrant has been issued against me in an 8 yr old case. It's just 2nd day of my resignation (as UP min). Even if dozens of cases are registered against me, my morale will not be weakened. The more they trouble me, the more strongly I'll defeat them, said Maurya. A non-bailable warrant has been issued against me in an 8 yr old case. It's just 2nd day of my resignation(as UP min). Even if dozens of cases registered against me, my morale will not be weakened. The more they trouble me, the more strongly I'll defeat them: Swami Prasad Maurya pic.twitter.com/Ra3ilWh2xh ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) January 13, 2022 The leaders comments came in response to an arrest warrant issued against him on an 8-year-old case just a day after he resigned as a cabinet minister in the Yogi Adityanath-led government in Uttar Pradesh. The warrant was issued by a local court on Wednesday in a 2014 case 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. The warrant came after Maurya, who is an influential OBC leader in Uttar Pradesh, had resigned from the Yogi Adityanath cabinet and the party on Tuesday. Mauryas resignation struck a series of exits from the saffron camp ahead of the UP Assembly Election and led to the resignation of seven other leaders alleging neglect towards the backward classes. Live TV New Delhi: All shopkeepers and their staff at Delhi's popular Sarojini Market have been administered both doses of COVID-19 vaccine, making the shopping hub a "fully vaccinated" market, officials said on Thursday. The Chanakyapuri sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) on Thursday distributed certificates of "fully vaccinated market" to its five market associations. Officials said that all the registered street vendors in the market have also been vaccinated. There are around 100 registered vendors authorised by the New Delhi Municipal Council. The Sarojini Nagar Market is one of the most popular shopping destinations of the city having an average footfall of nearly 10,000 people per day in normal conditions. The market has drawn criticism for the violation of COVID-19 protocols during the second and third waves of the pandemic. It was shut on December 25 and 26 last year following a huge crowd and violation of Covid appropriate behaviour by shoppers and market staff as well. The officials said that four shops in the market were sealed earlier this week for not adhering to COVID-19 guidelines. A senior official of the New Delhi district said that it was conveyed to all the market associations that any new staff member joining would also have to be fully vaccinated. To ensure this, an undertaking has also been taken by the heads of the market associations, the official said. Sarojini Nagar Mini Market Association president Ashok Randhawa said there are around 600 shops in the market with around 2,000 staff members, including shop owners. "Now I am glad to say that our market is fully vaccinated. All the workers, managers and shop owners are fully vaccinated here. Certificates have also been issued in this connection," Randhawa told PTI. He said that they have been asked to paste these certificates at the gates of each shop so that customers visit the market without any fear. He said that a few days back the market associations here were directed by the New Delhi district magistrate to ensure full vaccination of every staff and shop owner and submit vaccination certificates to the DM office. "We submitted vaccination certificates to the DM office around two days back. Today the Chanakyapuri SDM gave us fully vaccinated market certificates,? Randhawa said. He, however, added that due to the pandemic and subsequent restrictions the footfall in the market has drastically gone down from 10,000 to 2,000 people per day. "We appeal the to central as well as the state government to help traders. They should help us by either waiving the rent or moratorium on EMIs," he said. Randhawa said that the district administration has set up a vaccination camp in the market and a COVID-19 testing centre near the metro station. Live TV New Delhi: At United Nation Security Council, India has called on Houthi rebels to release its nationals from hijacked vessel off the coast of Yemen. Expressing "grave concern" at the hijacking of Rawabi vessel, Indian envoy to United Nations TS Tirumurti said, "We urge the Houthis to immediately release the crew members and the vessel". TS Tirumurti also said that the "Houthis also bear the responsibility of ensuring the safety of the crew members till their release." The UAE flagged ship was hijacked by rebels last week, and has 11 crew onboard of which 7 are Indian nationals. Envoy Tirumurti said the incident can "exacerbated the ongoing tensions" in the region and has the "potential to deeply compromise the maritime security in the region." New Delhi is in touch with the company operating the ship. The development comes even as there has been intensification of military operations in Yemen. Reiterating Indias call for an "immediate and comprehensive ceasefire across Yemen" which is followed by a "robust and inclusive political process with the involvement of Yemeni women", the Indian envoy emphasised the "process fully respecting Yemens unity, sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity." Extremely concerned by the continued intensification of military operations in Yemen. Urge the Houthis to immediately release crew members & vessel: Ambassador of India to UN, TS Tirumurti at UNSC meeting on Yemen (File pic) https://t.co/JQxXvP4Fk5 pic.twitter.com/JuXdvNELSA ANI (@ANI) January 12, 2022 Yemen has been in a state of civil war since 2011 when amid the Arab Spring, the then-President Ali Abdullah Saleh was ousted. Indian Envoy called on "all parties to the conflict to immediately cease fighting, de-escalate the situation and engage unconditionally" as "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." Indian envoy also "condemned the continued cross-border attacks into Saudi Arabia targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure." Live TV New Delhi: The Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terrorist, who was gunned down in the Kulgam district of Jammu and Kashmir in an encounter has been identified as Babar, a Pakistani national active in Shopian and Kulgam since 2018, an official said on Thursday (January 13, 2022) morning. Inspector-General of Police (Kashmir) Vijay Kumar said that an AK rifle, a pistol, and two grenades have been recovered from the terrorist. "The JeM terrorist killed in the Kulgam encounter has been identified as Babar, a Pakistani national active in Shopian & Kulgam since 2018. One AK rifle, one pistol, and two grenades have been recovered," the IGP told ANI. #UPDATE | The JeM terrorist killed in the Kulgam encounter has been identified as Babar, a Pakistani national active in Shopian & Kulgam since 2018. One AK rifle, one pistol, and two grenades have been recovered: Inspector General of Police (Kashmir) Vijay Kumar pic.twitter.com/V6slrT9aKt ANI (@ANI) January 13, 2022 Earlier, on Wednesday, an encounter broke out between security forces and terrorists in the Pariwan area of Jammu and Kashmir`s Kulgam district. On Wednesday night, Vijay Kumar had informed that one police personnel SgCt Rohit Chhib was martyred during the operation, while three army soldiers sustained injuries. Two of the civilians also received minor injuries during the operation. Live TV New Delhi: Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar on Thursday (January 13) targeted BJP over the mass exodus of some of its key ministers from the party ahead of the crucial Uttar Pradesh Assembly Elections. The veteran politician taking a dig at the party said that not one day goes by when a minister doesnt leave the BJP. Not a single day passes when a BJP leader does not leave the party. Take UP, for example, 13 MLAs are leaving BJP to join another party. I have come to know that 4 BJP MLAs are leaving it today itself, Pawar was quoted as saying by ANI. The statements came just hours after another BJP leader, Mukesh Verma, MLA from Shikohabad Assembly constituency, resigned from the primary membership of the party alleging 'lack of respect' by the government towards backward classes and Dalits. Verma is the seventh leader to leave the saffron camp in the last three days. The string of defection kick-started after backward leader and a minister of Yogi Adityanath-led cabinet Swami Prasad Maurya left the party alleging "gross neglect" by the BJP towards Dalits, backward classes, farmers, unemployed youth and small traders. Maurya and other leaders have hinted at joining the Akhilesh Yadav led Samajwadi Party ahead of the assembly polls, which comes as a big jolt to the ruling party. Later in the day, another ex-BJP minister, Dharam Singh Saini, who recently quit the party with others met Akhilesh Yadav and joined the Samajwadi camp. "I welcome him to the Samajwadi Party," Yadav tweeted Deputy Chief Minister of UP Keshav Prasad Maurya urged the rebel leaders to reconsider their decision. Meanwhile, Assembly polls in Uttar Pradesh will start from February 10 in seven phases. Live TV New Delhi: Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) will contest the upcoming Uttar Pradesh elections with Samajwadi Party (SP) and the final seat sharing will be decided soon, NCP leader and Maharashtra minister Nawab Malik said on Thursday (January 13). We've decided to contest elections with Samajwadi Party in Uttar Pradesh. One seat has been announced and talks are on for other seats. We will support the alliance which is forming in UP, ANI quoted Malik as saying. We've decided to contest elections with Samajwadi Party in Uttar Pradesh. One seat has been announced and talks are on for other seats. We will support the alliance which is forming in UP: NCP leader & Maharashtra minister Nawab Malik pic.twitter.com/MFMNqKj0Mq ANI (@ANI) January 13, 2022 NCP supremo Sharad Pawar had announced on Tuesday that his party will ally with Akhilesh Yadav-led SP in the upcoming UP polls. "The people of Uttar Pradesh are looking for a change. We will surely see the change in the state," Pawar had said. A day after Pawars announcement NCP UP president Umashankar Yadav had met Akhilesh Yadav. Samajwadi Party took to Twitter to inform, NCP`s Uttar Pradesh President Umashankar Yadav met National President Akhilesh Yadav and held a discussion on the election. NCP leader KK Sharma will be the joint candidate of the SP-NCP alliance from the Anupshahar - 067 assembly seat of Bulandshahr. Meanwhile, in a big jolt to BJP, three ministers have resigned in three days from the Uttar Pradesh cabinet. Akhilesh Yadav welcomed all three in SP after they announced their resignation. UP minister and OBC leader Dharam Singh Saini quit the Yogi Cabinet on Thursday, following the footsteps of Dara Singh Chauhan and Swami Prasad Maurya who quit on Wednesday and Tuesday, respectively. Maurya is likely to join SP on Friday. Hitting out at BJP over the flurry of resignations, NCP chief Sharad Pawar said today, "Not a single day passes when a BJP leader does not leave the party. Take UP, for example, 13 MLAs are leaving BJP to join another party. I have come to know that 4 BJP MLAs are leaving it today itself." The development comes in the wake of crucial 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 1979 Self-defense Counterattack Against Vietnam(2) During his stay in the US, mentioning serval times to president Carter, Deng was trying to discuss the Vietnam issue, disclosing to president that a military attack against Vietnam is a must. President Carter had remained silent in response to Dengs suggestion. By principle, Carter disagreed Dengs strike first to gain overwhelm, particularly the military action concerns the Sovereignty of a state, a big country towards a small one. Deng said: "We cannot permit Vietnam to play Wildman." President Carter's attempt to dissuade the Chinese leader from such a course of action was unsuccessful. Deng offered no assurance that there would not be a Chinese invasion of Vietnam. As a president loving peace, Carter had never initiated a war, which looks uncommon compared to all the previous presidents tenure. Labeled by enduring, his foreign policy approached president Roosevelts concept, but seemed a bit out of sync with Americas world police thinking after World War II when expansionism prevalent. The first president visiting Cuba, Mr. Carter, after stepping down from presidency, was also the first president who first even passed the 38th parallel (San-Ba Line) in 1994 and stayed in Pyongyang for three days. Deng Xiaoping came to power again by the end of July,1977 while president Carters tenure started in January 1977. Judging by Carters experience and ideas, it was distinct that Carter would deem what Deng Xiao Ping wanted, initiating a war that is a big communist country towards a small communist one, based on tactical evaluations, was like making a mountain out of a molehill. Vietnam had not invaded Chinas territory de facto or made a large personal and property damage at that time. Supposedly it would be hard for President Carter to understand what is in Deng Xiaopings mind because any surmising of the consequences of Soviet-Vietnam cooperation looks like a game in the computer with no substantive meaning. The key point in fact lies in the big gap between Dengs thinking and Carters peace concept. Therefore, President Carter had shown no interest in Dengs suggestion to resolve the conflict between Vietnam-Cambodia by war, and even opposed it. In his explanation to President Carter, Deng Xiao ping describes Vietnams consolidation of its Indian-china forces supported by the Soviet Union as a key step of the USSRs strategic deployment in the world scope. The USSR has gathered a number of forces around East Europe and the borders of China. Now, Deng Xiaoping Ping warned, the USSR is building up military bases in Indo-ChinaAfricaand the Middle East. Although Carter was paying more attention to what is happening in realty, he, meaning while, thought much of his Assistant to National Security Affairs Zbigniew Kazimierz Brzezinskis opinion of the possible strategic impact that Vietnam shall have occupied Cambodia, which coincides with Deng Xiao pings assumption. In his tenure, President Carter did not pay a visit to China, the only one American president that in his tenure had not visited China. Because Chinas Political arena had been metamorphosing with wired waves and clouds, which made Carters understanding of China hard: who is leading China? But for Carter, the most worrying thing was that Deng Xiao Ping would take advantage of his visit to China to make a statement that the president got involved in the war against Vietnam and it was the US and China that together plotted the war. Feb 17,1979, the war named Self-defense Counterattack Against Vietnam did initiate! (2) New Delhi: In the wake of exponential rise in daily Covid-19 cases, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday (January 13) interacted with chief ministers to review the situation. Calling vaccination the 'biggest weapon' against Covid-19 pandemic, PM Modi said, "I sincerely appeal all to follow COVID appropriate behaviour and help keep Covid-19 away. "Compared to previous variants Omicron is rapidly spreading...it's more transmissible...Our health experts are assessing the situation. It's clear that we have to stay alert, but also ensure to avoid panic," he added. The PM said there is a need to counter Covid-related misinformation that is being spread. Compared to previous variants Omicron is rapidly spreading...it's more transmissible...Our health experts are assessing the situation. It's clear that we have to stay alert, but also ensure to avoid panic: PM Modi during the meeting with states over COVID situation pic.twitter.com/zM1Xseyeg4 ANI (@ANI) January 13, 2022 Modi stressed that people and administration should remain alert during the festive season. Commenting on India's vaccination drive, PM said, "We have vaccinated nearly 3 cr adolescents within 10 days; This shows India's potential, our preparedness to deal with this challenge." "We need to further accelerate 'Har Ghar Dastak' programme to reach 100 per cent vaccination coverage," he told the CMs. PM asked states to continue following "pre-emptive, collective, and proactive approach" in dealing with the Covid-19 threat. "Rs 23,000 crores package allocated by the Centre to states has been utilized well with many states strengthening their health infrastructure. Center & states need to follow this pre-emptive, collective, and proactive approach this time too," ANI quoted him as saying. Emphasizing on local containment, Modi said we also need to be ready for any future variants of coronavirus. "Sooner we give precautionary dose to frontline workers and senior citizens, stronger our healthcare system will become," the PM said. Modi asserted that the 130 crore people of India will surely "emerge victorious from Coronavirus pandemic with our collective efforts". The virtual meeting comes on the day when India reported 2,47,417 new COVID-19 cases, the highest in 236 days, and 380 deaths, as per Ministry of Health data. The total coronavirus caseload has mounted to 3,63,17,927, while the death toll stands at 4,85,035. The Omicron tally has reached 5,488 cases so far. Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya also attended the meeting. (With agency inputs) Live TV Washington: 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. 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. Live TV New Delhi: In the latest blow to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ahead of Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls, minister and OBC leader Dharam Singh Saini on Thursday (January 13, 2022) resigned from the state cabinet. UP minister Dharam Singh Saini resigned from the BJP today, becoming the eighth MLA to break off ties with the saffron party in the last three days. UP Minister Dharam Singh Saini resigns pic.twitter.com/Ey7fxThUtN ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) January 13, 2022 Minutes after the resignation, Dharam Singh Saini was welcomed in Samajwadi Party (SP) by party chief Akhilesh Yadav. With the arrival of Dr. Dharam Singh Saini ji, another warrior of 'Social Justice', our 'positive and progressive politics' has got more enthusiasm and strength. Hearty welcome and greetings to him in SP! In the twenty-two, the victory of inclusive-harmony is certain!, tweeted Akhilesh Yadav in Hindi. Dharam Singh Saini is the Minister of State (Independent Charge), Ayush, Food Security and Drug Administration(MOS). He is a close aide of another Uttar Pradesh minister, SP Maurya, who recently resigned from the cabinet and the BJP. Meanwhile, the BJP's Central Election Committee met on Thursday to finalise the party's candidates for the seats which will go to the polls in the initial phases of the Uttar Pradesh elections starting from February 10. BJP president J P Nadda and Union ministers Rajnath Singh and Nitin Gadkari, all three of whom have contracted coronavirus, joined the meeting via video conferencing, while Home Minister Amit Shah and several other leaders besides those from Uttar Pradesh, including Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, met physically. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was also scheduled to join the meeting virtually. Live TV New Delhi: Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has released Congress party's first list of 125 candidates for Uttar Pradesh polls. The list of candidates include 50 women. "By fielding 40% women and 40% youth in UP, we hope to start new kind of politics in state," Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said. In a crucial move, Congress will field Unnao rape victim's mother from the state. "In the first list of 125 candidates for UP polls, 50 candidates are women, including Asha Singh, mother of the Unnao rape victim. From Shahjahanpur, we have fielded Asha worker Poonam Pandey who led an agitation for a raise in honorarium," Priyanka said. "Our list gives a new message. We want to tell those who have struggled for their rights and for seeking justice in the past, that they have the power to fight for their rights and the Congress party will give that power to them to be a part of power in the state," Priyanka also said. She went on to slam the current UP government which is at helm, led by CM Yogi Adityanath. "UP government is dictatorial. Our focus is to bring people's issues, women and development in centrestage in Uttar Pradesh," Priyanka added. The AICC general secretary in-charge for Uttar Pradesh did not answer whether she will contest the elections herself. She said the party will not run a negative campaign in these polls and will instead run a positive campaign for a bright future of Uttar Pradesh while highlighting the issues concerning the people and those of women and development. Uttar Pradesh is scheduled to have seven-phase polls beginning from February 10 (With Agency inputs) Live TV Firozabad (UP): In a fresh jolt to the BJP, on Thursday (January 13), Mukesh Verma, MLA from Shikohabad Assembly constituency (Firozabad district in UP), resigned from the primary membership of the party alleging 'lack of respect' by the government towards backward classes and Dalits. Verma is the seventh legislator, including two ministers, to have resigned from the BJP over the last three days. "Since the voices of the backward classes, Dalits, unemployed youth, traders of medium and small scale industries and shopkeepers among others are being ignored, I am resigning from the primary membership of the party," Verma stated in a letter to BJP state president Swatantra Dev Singh. He said he will continue the 'fight for justice' under Other Backward Classes (OBC) leader Swami Prasad Maurya. Maurya, after resigning from the Yogi Adityanath-led cabinet on Tuesday, had alleged "gross neglect" by the BJP towards Dalits, backward classes, farmers, unemployed youth and small traders. Verma, also an OBC leader, also sent a copy of the letter to the party's national president JP Nadda. There are speculations that he will join the Samajwadi Party (SP). In the recent past, Verma had met SP leaders amid rumours that the BJP would not field him in the upcoming polls. Avtar Singh Bhadana, Brijesh Kumar Prajapati, Roshan Lal Varma, Bhagwati Sagar and Vinay Shakya are the five other leaders that quit the BJP in the last 36 hours. Verma could not be contacted over phone. New Delhi: The Congress has turned over a new leaf by bringing into electoral politics those who have struggled for justice, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said on Thursday after releasing the party's first list of 125 candidates, including 50 women, for the assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh. She said the Congress has brought women to centre stage of politics in Uttar Pradesh and no party can ignore them anymore. Addressing an online press conference while releasing the party's candidate list, she said the party wants to bring in a new kind of politics in the state by putting those who have fought for justice at the forefront of electoral politics and by focussing on positive campaigns instead of negative narratives. She said it is easy to mobilise people on hate and negativity, but very difficult to mobilise them on issues concerning them and development. The Congress general secretary said the party seeks to strengthen itself in Uttar Pradesh and bring the issues concerning people, development and women empowerment to centre stage of politics. As she released the first list of party candidates, she said the Congress wants women to participate in the political process as they comprised 50 per cent of the population and it is their right to stand up for themselves. "Our list gives a new message -- if there is injustice with you, then you have the power to fight for your rights. In Uttar Pradesh, the Congress party will provide that power to you and will support and help you in all ways so that you fight for yourself, come into politics and take power in your hands and then ask for your rights yourself," she told reporters. She said with 40 per cent of the candidates being women and 40 per cent of them being youth, the party hopes to start a new kind of politics in Uttar Pradesh. "It is a historic start," she claimed, adding, "We hope we will start a new kind of politics." "Change is certain when the voices of struggle and of those making new politics come together. Change is certain when we walk together with the determination to win UP. UP will fight and will win," she later said in a tweet in Hindi, using the hashtag "Congress is coming". Priyanka Gandhi skirted a question on whether she would contest the assembly polls, but said she would remain in Uttar Pradesh even after the polls and continue to raise issues of people. She said her party would certainly support any other party after the elections to keep the BJP out of power. "I will continue my efforts and will remain in UP even after elections. But if my party wants me to play a role elsewhere, I will fulfil that. I will continue to raise issues of people and bring in a new kind of politics," she said. "I feel very strongly that we need to steer politics, not just of UP, but of the country, into a more positive and constructive direction," she said. "It is much easier to mobilise people on hate and negativity. It is much much tougher to mobilise people on a positive agenda. But if we don't start, it is never going to happen," she said, adding that the youngsters are looking for politics that shows them a future. The Congress in its first list fielded the Unnao rape victim's mother Asha Singh from the Unnao assembly seat and anti-CAA activist Sadaf Jafar from Lucknow central. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also tweeted, "In Unnao, the one with whose daughter the BJP did injustice, now she will become the face of justice - will fight and win! #Election2022". Priyanka Gandhi said the Congress wants that Asha Singh should carry forward her struggle and get justice. "I want her to take power in her hands and carry forward her fight," she said, adding that the party has given tickets to journalists, actors, activists and social workers who have struggled on the streets for justice and for their rights. The Congress is banking on women power and has announced that it will reserve 40 per cent of the seats for women candidates in the upcoming polls. "We are mobilising women to stand up for themselves and ask what is rightfully theirs to participate in the political process with the energy, strength and capacity that they actually have," she said, adding that she does not see them as a separate votebank. "I see this as empowering women to ask for their rights and stand up for themselves and see it as their right. It is absolutely their right to participate in politics, as they comprise 50 per cent of the population," she said. The Congress general secretary said the party's role will be two-pronged -- to strengthen the organisation in Uttar Pradesh where it has been out of power for the last 30 years and also bring people's issues to focus. Taking on the Uttar Pradesh government, she said it has been "dictatorial" and the "discussion in elections is skewed". "Our focus would be to bring issues of people to centre stage," she said. She also said that parties should not worry about the 'aya ram, gaya ram' politics of leaders frequently switching parties. She, however, lamented that when leaders from the Congress leave, the ideological fight weakens. Uttar Pradesh is scheduled to have seven-phase polls beginning on February 10 and ending on March 7. Results will be announced on March 10. Live TV New Delhi: Amid an alarming Covid-19 surge, Karnataka Congress on Thursday (January 13) temporarily suspended its Mekedatu padayatra. Leader of Opposition in the state Assembly Siddaramaiah asserted the decision was not taken in the wake of the ruling BJP government in the state registering cases against Congress leaders or banning the yatra but due to Covid-19 concerns and in the interest of public health, PTI reported. He added that they will continue their march once the Covid third wave subsides and the restrictions are relaxed. Addressing reporters after meeting with party leaders and legislators, Siddaramaiah said, "We are concerned about the health of the people in Karnataka, it is our responsibility to see to it that the Covid doesn't spread because of our padayatra, despite taking all the necessary measures we had concerns, so we discussed today. We don't want people to feel that we are responsible for worsening Covid situation. Further, the senior Congress leader said that their padayatra was to reach Bengaluru by Friday evening, which has been reporting high coronavirus cases. "...So we have decided to temporarily halt this padayatra here. Once the third wave declines and Covid-19 rules are relaxed, we will continue the remaining distance of the padayatra from Ramanagara," he added. The Karnataka Congress step comes after several leaders including Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge, who had attended the inaugural of the Mekedatu padayatra on January 9, have tested positive for Covid-19. The 10-day long march demanding implementation of Mekedatu project was scheduled to conclude at Basavanagudi in Bengaluru on January 19. On Wednesday, the Karnataka High Court had questioned the state government as to why it allowed the Congress' padayatra, which is being held flouting Covid curbs, and asked why no appropriate action was taken to restrain the yatra. Karnataka CMs appeal Earlier today, Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai urged to Congress leaders Siddaramaiah and D K Shivakumar to call off their ongoing padyatra. "I'm ready to take all the necessary measures for the implementation of the Mekedatu project, taking all of you into confidence," Bommai said in a press statement. The government on Wednesday had prohibited inter-district and intra- district (within Ramanagara) movement of vehicles and persons for participating in the padayatra. (With PTI inputs) Live TV Thiruvananthapuram: After officially announcing his Hindi remake of Lokesh Kanagaraj's Tamil film 'Kaithi', actor Ajay Devgn visited Kerala`s famous Sabrimala Temple to offer his prayers to Lord Ayyappa. Several videos and pictures from his pilgrimage have been doing the rounds on the internet. In the viral clips, Ajay can be seen wearing a mandatory black ensemble and a `mala` around his neck. Reportedly, Ajay observed month-long pre-pilgrimage rituals ahead of his visit to Sabrimala Temple. From sleeping on the floor to eating vegetarian food, walking barefoot, and abstaining from consuming alcohol, Ajay strictly followed the rituals before his holy visit. The temple is situated 3000 feet above sea level on the hills in Kerala`s Pathanamthitta district. New Delhi: Actress Nia Sharma is known for her super hot looks. The Jamai Raja actress is currently busy promoting her latest music video - Phoonk Le. The song is sung by Nikhita Gandhi and features Nia. The actress has promoted her song on Bigg Boss 15 and at a Pan-beedi show. Nia recently grooved with auto-rickshaw drivers on Phoonk Le to promote it. Check it out: In the video, Nia can be seen standing in the middle and auto wallahs standing behind her. The actress is dressed in high-waisted black tights that she paired with a white cotton-shirt crop top. Nia wore pencil heel black boots and black sunglasses to complete her look. While many were impressed with Nias video, trollers did not deter to attack her. Urfi javed ki Ammi Nia sharma, wrote one. Another commented, Rakhi Sawant mini. While, a third commented, Corona gye kya. However, Nias fans liked her latest video. Yeh Bandi Zabardast hai, commented one of them. Talking about her journey, in an interview with Bollywood Bubble the Naagin actress shared how producers did not pay her after she had worked forcing her to beg them. We have been made to beg, cry and to plead. Why should an actor always beg and plead to producers. I didnt come from a wealthy family. I have rents, EMIs to pay but why do I need to utter it from my mouth when my very deserving payment is due? I made sure to extract to those no matter how. I was ready you blacklist me or dont give me work again, I never cared those things, shared Nia. New Delhi: Late actor Sushant Singh Rajput's sister Priyanka, in a new Instagram post, said that she doesn't want any biopic to be made on her brother until 'justice is served'. Priyanka also expressed that she doesn't think any current actor has the innocence and dynamicity of the late actor. She also subtly criticised the film industry and called it 'insecure', claiming that it doesn't have the courage to truthfully portray SSR's life story. Listing down reasons for why she thinks a biopic on her late brother Sushant Singh Rajput shouldn't be made, she said, "I firmly believe that no movie on SSR should be made, at least, not until justice is served. This is my promise to my brother, artist, genius @sushantsinghrajput. Secondly, who has the capability to enact Ssrs handsome, innocent & dynamic persona on screen, I wonder!!!" "Thirdly, it can only be illusory to expect that anybody from this insecure film industry has the courage & integrity to truthfully portray Ssrs outrageously Unique story where he always followed his heart; left the most dominant & dynastic of production houses, at the peak, on his own terms. Lastly, my brother wanted to do his own biopic if it is ever made, and with emergence of AI technology, there is no reason why this cant be Reality in near future," she concluded. Take a look at her post: Actor Sushant Singh Rajput, who allegedly died by suicide on June 14, 2020, stays alive in the memory of his family, friends and loved ones. The sudden death of the actor came as a shock for his close ones, who still have not been able to cope up with the loss. The NCB began probing the alleged use of drugs in some quarters in Bollywood after the late actor's sudden demise. Sushant Singh Rajput's death is being investigated by three premier agencies of the country - the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) and Enforcement Directorate (ED) respectively. The 34-year-old star in a short span of time earned all the love of his followers, leaving behind a lasting memory. Tennessee Senator Marsha Blackburn expressed dire concern over Andre Mathis, one of Biden's Black judicial nominees, insinuating he was a criminal with a "rap sheet." "He has a rap sheet with a laundry list of citations, including multiple failures to appear in court," she said at yesterday's Senate Judiciary Committee hearing. "In Tennessee, we expect our judges to respect the law. If Mr. Mathis thought he was above the law before, imagine how he'll conduct himself if he's confirmed as a federal judge." And the grave crimes he committed? He received a few speeding tickets more than 10 years ago, one for going a whopping 5 mph over the speed limit, which he paid for after the tickets' deadlines had passed. From HuffPost: What Blackburn referred to as a rap sheet, a term for a person's criminal history that stems from the acronym for Record of Arrests and Prosecutions, was actually related to three speeding tickets Mathis got more than 10 years ago, one of which was for going 5 miles over the speed limit. His driver's license was temporarily suspended when he didn't pay them on time and did not show up to court for them. Mathis told the committee he has never been arrested or charged with a crime. In the case of his speeding tickets, he said he simply forgot to pay them and didn't realize his license had been suspended until he got a notice in the mail from the Tennessee Department of Motor Vehicles, at which point he paid his tickets. Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.), who joined the hearing after Blackburn's remarks, said he "almost laughed" when he learned how she described Mathis' driving record. "I laughed with my staff that I have a rap sheet now, probably much longer than the witness's," said Booker, telling a story about his experiences as the first Black family moving into his New Jersey neighborhood as a kid. "I was pulled over quite a few more times than [my white friends] were. We all knew what it was about," he said. "My brother and I used to think, 'If we're Black, you just prepare for being pulled over.' Sometimes I was pulled over for going 3 miles over the speed limit, for something cracked or that looked awry on my car." Blackburn seems to have forgotten that she, too, was pulled over for a speeding ticket not too long ago, but as a Senator she "flashed her congressional pin before being let go," according to HuffPost. New Delhi: Election in five states in the country is around the corner and if you are a voter of the five poll-bound states Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Goa and Manipur your Voter ID/EPIC card must be up-to-date. EPIC (Electors Photo Identification Card) number is the voter ID card number. For your Voter ID to be up-to-date, your residential address is one of the main criteria that decides your electoral ward or division or Assembly constituency. In order to be able to vote in your current constituency, your address must bear the particulars and address of that constituency. In case, you have shifted your residence recently, you must get it updated on your voter ID card so that your correct electoral ward can be ascertained. To get the EPIC of the new address user needs to fill the migration. To fill the form users are required to Register them on Voters Portal (https://voterportal.eci.gov.in) using email ID and need to follow below steps: Step 1: User needs to select form Shifted to other Place Step 2: User needs to provide the voter ID card number Step 3: User will verify the fetched details Step 4: Select the option accordingly from two i.e., Shifted outside the Assembly Constituency & Shifted within Assembly Constituency. Step 5: User will fill New Address, Upload an image, and upload the relevant documents. Step 6: At the last user will verify the filled details and submit the form. Step 7: Reference ID will get generated for status tracking The ECI website mentions that in case of shifting from one place of residence to another place of residence within the same constituency you must fill Form 8A. While in order to make any change in (Name, Photo, Age, EPIC Number, Address, Date of birth, Age, Name of relative, Type of relation, Gender), you must fill Form 8. Live TV #mute New Delhi: In the latest episode of Bigg Boss 15, contestants had a huge fight during the cycle fixing task in which Shamita Shetty was the 'sanchalak'. Nishant and Rashami start off fighting in the beginning. In the current task, it was Pratik Sehajpal vs Tejasswi Prakash, and while Tejasswi's cycle was almost fixed, Pratik's was still missing a wheel. So, Pratik tried to steal and break Tejasswi's cycle to win. However, Tejasswi defended her cycle and allegedly hit Pratik on the hand. Pratik accused Tejasswi of getting violent and Tejasswi said that he was putting force on her physically. After the task is paused, Abhijit, Devoleena and Rakhi discussed the task and Tejasswi's behaviour. Devoleena sided with Pratik and said that Teja's behaviour last week was very unpleasant. Shamita told Nishant that she does not see Tejasswi in the top 5. Nishant felt her thinking was flawed and said he didn't agree with it. Later, Nishant had a heart-to-heart conversation with Rakhi and told her that he feels emotionally affected by her. Rakhi apologised to him and said that she will support him in the upcoming tasks. In a one-on-one conversation, Pratik asked Abhijit Bichukale why he was against him in every task. Abhijit said that that was not the case and that he was instigated by others. Coming back to the task, Tejasswi and Pratik got into an altercation after Pratik tried to break Tejasswi's cycle and both of them got injured in the process. Tejasswi started crying and blamed Pratik for getting too physical. Pratik, while fixing his cycle, hit his nose and it started bleeding. He was then called to the medical room for assistance. Tejasswi made sarcastic comments at the time which irked Devo and she lashed out at Tejasswi. It still remains to be seen which contestant will win the task. Stay tuned to this space for more updates on Bigg Boss 15. New Delhi: Lohri is the festival that marks the passing of the winter solstice. &TV artists Shivya Pathania (Devi Parvati, Baal Shiv), Tej Sapru (Prajapati Daksh, Baal Shiv, Shrenu Parikh (Genda Agarwal, Ghar Ek Mandir- Kripa Agrasen Maharaja Ki), Pawan Singh (Zafar Ali Mirza, Aur Bhai Kya Chal Raha Hai), Sapna Sikarwar (Bimlesh, Happu ki Ultan Paltan) and Rohitashv Gour (Manmohan Tiwari, Bhabiji Ghar Par Hai) share what makes this festival special and how it is celebrated across different regions. Shivya Pathania, aka Devi Parvati from Baal Shiv, shares, In Himachal Pradesh, Lohri is celebrated with great zeal to mark the last sowing of the Rabi crop. I remember being extremely excited to walk around the bonfire during my childhood, and even today. I believe a walk around the fire brings positive energy to my life. I cannot be more excited to bring prosperity to my life this year. I am sure this is going to be a Happy Lohri for each one of us. Tej Sapru aka Prajapati Daksh from Baal Shiv shares, Lohri is celebrated in most parts of India, but the feeling of the festival in Punjab is an experience of a lifetime. Decorated homes, crowds making wishes around the bonfire and eating the most amazing, sweet dishes make Punjab the most beautiful place to be in during Lohri. However, what people dont know is that Punjabis also attribute the festival to Dulla Bhatti who was the local hero of the region and saved young girls from being sold for slavery. People honor the leader by performing dance and songs in his name on the occasion of Lohri. So, if you are lucky enough to be in Punjab for Lohri, do not miss the festivities, performing bhangra on the beats of dhol and eating the most delicious gajak and til laddoo. Shrenu Parikh, aka Genda Agarwal from Ghar Ek Mandir-Kripa Agrasen Maharaja Ki, says, I have always been fascinated by the festival of Lohri because of its vibe. Though it is not celebrated in my household, I celebrate it with my friends from Punjab. On that night, our friend circle gathers at her place, where we dance to Punjabi songs and eat the most amazing festive food. Like every year, I am excited about the celebration and looking forward to spending some good time with them. Pawan Singh, aka Zafar Ali Mirza from Aur Bhai Kya Chal Raha Hai? adds, In my family, Lohri is a huge celebration. But my sole reason for awaiting the festival every year is to eat the delicious platter including the incredible Sarson da saag, make di roti, panjiri, pinni and makhane di kheer made by mother. This Lohri will be no different, and I would say Khao, khilaao aur khush hokar Lohri ka tyohaar manao. Sapna Sikarwar, aka Bimlesh from Happu ki Ultan Paltan, shares, The festival is celebrated with great pomp across the Northern states. I love the way Lohri is celebrated, and especially the festive attire during the festival fascinates me the most. Women wear kurtas with pants or sharara nowadays. In addition to salwar or churidar, many girls team kurtas with pants, sharara or palazzo, which are trendy. I hope we have a special track to dress up in my festive best with parranda and salwar kameez. I wish everyone a very Happy Lohri. Rohitashv Gaur aka Manmohan Tiwari from Bhabiji Ghar Par Hai shares, The word Lohri comes from Tilhori, i.e. Til (Sesame) and Rohri (Jaggery), and both are my favourites. Both the ingredients are believed to cleanse the body and bring new energies to life. Hence, I wait for the day to eat more and more sweets made from it. And I am waiting to experience it this year as well. Here's wishing everyone a very Happy Lohri! Tune in to watch Baal Shiv at 8:00 PM, Ghar Ek Mandir-Kripa Agrasen Maharaja Ki at 9:00 PM, Aur Bhai Kya Chal Raha Hai? at 9:30 PM, Happu Ki Ultan Paltan at 10:00 PM and Bhabiji Ghar Par Hai at 10:30 PM, airing every Monday to Friday only on &TV Geneva: Amid surging COVID-19 cases following the emergence of Omicron variant, the World Health Organisation (WHO) cautioned against concurrent outbreaks of COVID-19 and other respiratory diseases during the coming spring. WHO`s Health Emergencies program member, Maria van Kerkhove, on Wednesday, at a press briefing, said that this could happen as population mixing increases, and as other respiratory pathogens such as influenza circulate in spring. WHO also urged for preparedness against these concurrent outbreaks. Omicron variant rapidly replacing Delta According to the data, 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. 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. Heavy burden on healthcare systems 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. The number of weekly reported deaths has remained stable since October 2021, at an average of 48,000, Xinhua news agency reported. Massive surge in COVID cases in India Meanwhile, India has been witnessing a massive surge in COVID-19 cases in the past few days. According to the Union Health Ministry, India reported 1,94,720 new COVID-19 cases and 442 fatalities on Wednesday. The daily positivity rate due to this virus in the country is 11.05 per cent. Active cases account for 2.65 per cent of the total cases. (With IANS inputs) Live TV The Republican National Committee is planning to require its presidential candidates to pledge not to participate in debates orchestrated by the Commission on Presidential Debates. Of course, that is the organization that has sponsored the presidential and vice-presidential debates for more than three decades. From the New York Times: The move by the R.N.C. was an outgrowth of those long-held complaints and came after months of discussions between the commission and party officials. According to the R.N.C.'s letter, the chairman of the party's temporary presidential debate committee, David Bossie, began discussions last year with the debate commission's co-chairman, Frank Fahrenkopf, a former Republican official. The Republican Party chairwoman, Ronna McDaniel, had demanded that changes be made to the commission and how the debates were held, writing in a letter to the commission in June that the party and its voters had lost faith in the commission. The change requiring candidates to refuse participation in the commission's debates is to be voted on at the R.N.C. winter meeting in Salt Lake City in February. If the R.N.C. moves forward with it, it is unclear what that would mean for future debates. But it would change the approach to be similar to what happened before the commission existed, when the two parties or campaigns had to negotiate directly and agree on terms, or no debates would take place. 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. Buffalo Next Must-read local business coverage that exposes the trends, connects the dots and contextualizes the impact to Buffalo's economy. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Seventeen public school districts and 11 private schools across Erie County this week began implementing a Covid-19 testing program aimed at keeping children who might have been exposed to the virus from being sent home to quarantine. Covid cases explode in area schools this month Its pandemic learning, Omicron style, where rising cases mean continued issues covering classrooms and securing enough bus drivers. County Health Commissioner Dr. Gale Burstein announced the launching of the program Tuesday following the success last month of a pilot program in Grand Island schools. The test-to-stay-in-school program as it has been dubbed initially showed that of 193 tests given over a two-week period, only one child tested positive for the virus. That meant just one child had to quarantine at home and miss school, while about 70 other children, who were tested over multiple days, got to stay in class as long as they remained symptom free. Like the pilot program, the expanded testing program targets children who have been identified as close contacts of someone who tested positive for Covid-19. Gov. Kathy Hochul announced last month that counties across the state would be given the option to enact their own test-to-stay programs, which the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also supports. The participating public and private schools in Erie County have agreed to work closely with the Erie County Department of Health Epidemiology School Team to coordinate testing and data reporting. The county health department also shared information with these schools on how to pick up a supply of Covid-19 test kits. Test-to-stay could start next week in Erie County; details of program revealed Erie County Health Department officials met with more than 150 administrators, superintendents and nurses from public, charter and private schools Friday afternoon to explain how the "test-to-stay" program will work. Additional documentation from the New York State Department of Health indicates that school staff are also eligible for the program. The county health department announced Wednesday that it is incorporating this and other updates into its protocols, and will communicate these and future anticipated updates regularly to participating schools. The school districts and schools in Erie County that are participating in the test-to-stay program are as follows: Alden Central School District Akron Central School District Amherst Central School District Clarence Central School District Cleveland Hill Union Free School District Eden Central School District Erie 1 BOCES Frontier Central School District Grand Island Central School District Iroquois Central School District Kenmore-Town of Tonawanda Union Free School District Lackawanna City School District Lancaster Central School District Sweet Home Central School District Tonawanda City Schools Williamsville Central School District West Seneca Central School District Bishop Timon-St. Jude High School Buffalo Seminary Canisius High School Christian Central Academy Mount Mercy Academy Nardin Academy The Park School of Buffalo Sacred Heart Academy St. Joseph's Collegiate Institute South Buffalo Charter School Tapestry Charter School Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Erie County Health Commissioner Dr. Gale Burstein has spent the past two years in the spotlight as a face of the public health response to the Covid-19 pandemic. Along with County Executive Mark Poloncarz, Burstein's application of state and federal restrictions have swept her into a political storm that has worsened since revelations in 2020 that she received tens of thousands of dollars in overtime pay, unlike almost anyone else in her position in New York. Questions regarding Burstein's overtime are simple: How much overtime did she get paid? And is there anything wrong with her receiving that money? Poloncarz apologizes for outburst, swearing in response to Mychajliw's reports Last week, Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz denounced Stefan Mychajliw, using a curse word to describe "lies" publicized by the former comptroller regarding the amount of overtime being collected by Health Commissioner Dr. Gale Burstein. But getting true answers is tricky because of the political haze hanging over the conversation, thanks to the war of words and sometimes numbers between Democratic County Executive Mark Poloncarz and former Republican County Comptroller Stefan Mychajliw. Both sides have presented competing overtime figures, using differing definitions of what counts as overtime pay. The Buffalo News conducted its own review after requesting and receiving reports and documents from the former Comptroller's Office, the county's budget office, the Personnel Department and the County Attorney's Office. Based on that analysis, here are the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about the matter. Q: How much overtime has Burstein made during the pandemic? A: Based on a conservative estimate, she has received more than $282,000 in cash overtime for 2020 and 2021. That's more than what the county Division of Budget and Management originally calculated and less than what the former Comptroller's Office calculated. This figure includes regular overtime pay, special overtime pay for Covid-19 related work and compensatory time Burstein accrued during 2021 that she was able to cash out at year's end as a result of a county policy change made last year. The number includes $13,000 Burstein received for work she did on paid holidays. The overtime figure does not include unused vacation time that Burstein was eligible to cash out. These figures were calculated by The News after reviewing her 2020 and 2021 year-end paychecks, which account for work done each year through the second or third week of December. The total overtime amount is greater when calculating all overtime through Dec. 31 of each year. Q: Does Burstein receive more overtime than anyone else in Erie County government? A: Burstein received the most overtime pay of any county employee in 2020, when she collected more than $168,000. However, she scaled back her overtime reporting after the spring, so she received the second-most overtime of any county employee in 2021, according to comparative information provided by the county Personnel Department. Joseph Usinski, a lieutenant in the Sheriff's Office, collected more overtime than Burstein in 2021 and has cumulatively received the most overtime pay since 2020. Pandemic overtime makes Burstein highest-paid Erie County employee Erie County Health Commissioner Dr. Gale Burstein continues to be the highest-paid employee in Erie County government. The fact that Burstein collected more overtime pay than most other employees doesn't mean she worked the most overtime hours. Because her base pay exceeds $200,000, her hourly overtime rate is much higher than other employees who may work more overtime hours but receive less money. Of the 15 highest overtime earners over the past two years, 14 worked in the Erie County Sheriff's Office and 11 were union employees, according to information provided by the Personnel Department. Four of the highest overtime earners more than doubled their base pay and worked for the sheriff. However, over the last two years, Burstein has received the most overtime pay of any political appointee in the Poloncarz administration. In addition, she was the highest paid employee in Erie County government in 2020 and 2021 because of both her high base pay as a medical doctor $209,000 as of 2021 and her overtime payments. Q: Isn't Burstein salaried? How can she legally collect overtime? A. This question is hotly disputed and grounds for a lawsuit filed against the county earlier this month. Until the Covid-19 health crisis struck, politically appointed county administrators and commissioners were often described as receiving a "salary" because they did not collect overtime. They received annual pay, and if they worked longer hours than their regular schedule, they were entitled to compensatory time capped at 80 hours a year. However, over time, the administration has been redefining these appointed positions as hourly wage positions on the basis that all appointees have long been required to clock in and out of work each day, providing a record of hours worked. Because their daily hours are tracked, and because of past practices and changing requirements under the federal Fair Labor Standards Act, the Poloncarz administration has made the policy determination that only elected officials are truly salaried. All other employees are hourly wage workers who must be compensated for all hours worked. This policy position has been repeatedly attacked by critics, notably Mychajliw and some other Republican elected leaders. Lawyer Todd Aldinger, who in 2016 served as the Republican chairman of the Erie County Charter Revision Commission, also represents taxpayers in a lawsuit against the administration's payment of Burstein's overtime. Aside from the health commissioner's status as a political appointee, some have also argued that certain union restrictions and state laws and wage exemptions prohibit overtime for Burstein, who is budgeted to receive annual compensation of $216,000 this year. The administration has responded that the county's policy decisions are compatible with federal laws and were vetted when stimulus money was made available to provide overtime pay to employees who worked on Covid-19-related response efforts. Q: Do health commissioners in other counties collect overtime? A: Rarely. Most other counties consider their top appointed administrators, including their public health leader, to be salaried, and therefore ineligible for overtime, regardless of how they account for their hours worked. Erie County is unusual in considering its "managerial confidential" appointees to be hourly wage workers. Overtime for top Erie County appointees exceeds most other counties The bulk of the Covid-19 overtime in Erie County was paid out to administrators in the Erie County Sheriff's Office. In November 2020, the Comptroller's Office reported that the Covid-19 overtime that Erie County government paid to its high-level, managerial confidential administrators exceeded by nearly $900,000 the combined total paid to administrators in 52 other counties across New York State. Monroe, Nassau, Westchester and Suffolk counties, whose large governments also received federal aid to battle the coronavirus, did not spend that money on overtime for top appointees, the Comptroller's Office reported. Based on responses to a series of statewide Freedom of Information Law requests, the Comptroller's Office could find only one county, Greene County, that paid $3,100 in overtime to its top health official. Officials with Onondaga County and Niagara County confirmed to The Buffalo News that none of their political appointees are entitled to overtime pay, even though such employees account for their hours through timesheets or by clocking in and out, similar to Erie County. WKBW reported similar findings in December. Q: Regardless of whether this is legal, is it fair for Burstein to collect overtime? A: The Poloncarz administration and other Burstein supporters say yes, pointing to her work ethic and long hours during the pandemic, which are not disputed. Most other counties also are not responsible for their own public health lab, as Burstein is. Therefore, if Burstein is legally entitled to overtime pay, she should receive it, just like any other county employee, they argue. Her supporters also contend that Burstein is being unfairly singled out by Republicans when most of the county employees who receive high overtime pay work in the Sheriff's Department, which is headed by a Republican. Burstein's detractors have argued that it is an abuse of taxpayer money to allow overtime for anyone who earns such high, annual compensation and who is politically appointed to a taxpayer-funded position. Commissioners have not historically been able to do so prior to 2020, and no other major county in New York State appears to permit this practice. The Buffalo News: Good Morning, Buffalo The smart way to start your day. We sift through all the news to give you a concise, informative look at the top headlines and must-read stories every weekday. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Lots of people have decided to throw caution to the wind as the Omicron variant fuels the latest surge in a nearly two-year-old pandemic, figuring the most it will do is inconvenience them with a mild cold or flu. Quite a few of them have been wrong. To be sure, the newest variant of concern is roughly three times more transmissible than Delta, which caused the last surge, making it harder to keep at bay. Research from where the latest surge started and first intensified also suggests it packs less power to sicken and kill. Omicron may be less virulent, but do not confuse it with the common cold virus that has almost no potential to cause lethal disease, said Dr. Thomas Russo, an infectious disease specialist with the University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. Even though you might not land in the hospital, this could significantly impact your activities of daily living, Russo said, as well as put loved ones and strangers at higher risk of infection and serious illness. Several leaders on the front lines of pandemic care answered questions for readers of The Buffalo News in recent days, including what to do if the Omicron version of Covid-19 becomes part of their lives. All of them asked all of us to consider whether a vaccine, booster, mask-wearing and other prevention measures would be better route to ride out the latest pandemic peak. Here is what else they had to say. When will this pandemic end? Certainly not during the next few weeks, experts say Medical leaders answered questions last week about where the region stands and what the future holds in regards to the pandemic. Q: How bad is this surge? More than 400 people in Western New York have been hospitalized with Covid-19 every day since mid-December, save Christmas Eve and Christmas, with counts topping 600 daily this week. More than 250 people have died, including about 170 in Erie County. Positive daily test counts have set pandemic records, and hospitalizations across America have doubled during the last two weeks to more than 145,000, also a pandemic benchmark, with Covid-19 patients filling 24,000 intensive care beds. More than 15,000 Americans have died from the disease since New Years Day. The original purpose of vaccines, masks and other measures was not meant to prevent all infections, but to limit spread and prevent severe sickness and death, said Dr. John Sellick Jr., an epidemiologist who oversees infectious disease control at Kaleida Health and the Veterans Affairs Western New York Healthcare System. An Omicron-fueled case of Covid-19 while often, but not always, milder in those vaccinated and boosted remains a threat, he said, especially for those older than 65, obese and with chronic health conditions. People with those risks who are unvaccinated and not previously infected face the greatest threat. We still see the majority of people who are in the ICU are unvaccinated, Sellick said. If you're a Las Vegas guy, and you're convinced that you're going to have a mild case, and it's going to be OK, that's wonderful. But that's not a bet that I'd want to take. Dr. David Holmes, who works at the Erie County Medical Center Family Health Center, said this week that one of his older patients with cancer got infected earlier in the pandemic before vaccines were available, and again during the current surge after he got fully vaccinated. His symptoms were mild both times. During this surge, Holmes prescribed the anti-viral drug Azithromycin to a healthy young adult patient who developed pneumonia about two weeks after testing positive for the coronavirus. I dont understand it, said Holmes, who, despite his job and contact with loved ones who have tested positive for the virus in recent weeks, continues to test negative and be symptom-free. There must be some sort of natural protection, maybe a protective gene, that some people have and others don't. Q: What have been the most common recent Covid-19 symptoms? People have described it to me as having one of the most severe colds of their lives, said Holmes, a UBMD Family Medicine physician and clinical associate professor of family medicine at the UB medical school. Fatigue, congestion, coughing and aching muscles are the most common complaints, followed in some cases by a loss of taste or smell, he said. I haven't had a lot of complaints about fever, he said, but a lot of people don't take their temperature. The latest brand of Covid-19 continues to carry the potential for lingering discomfort, including the most common symptoms, as well as fatigue and brain fog. Q: If you come down with respiratory symptoms, what should you do? Stay home, rest and get plenty of fluids. Use Tylenol, ibuprofen and other cold medicines as needed. Contact your primary medical provider for guidance on a care plan that includes monitoring oxygen level and body temperature. You're treating the symptoms and basically waiting for your immune system to kick in and fight off infection, Holmes said. A fever is actually a good thing because that's the body's way of helping to fight off the infection. And just like with any cold treatment, obviously stay away from people as much as you can. If you have to go out, wear a mask. If you have to be around family members, wear a mask because you don't want to be transmitting the virus to them. Q: When should you go to the ER? Those with symptoms and most at risk should first talk with their primary care provider, and specialists if needed, about treatments most likely to keep them convalescing at home. They can also learn how to connect with emergency telemedicine services that can assess a state of illness, then make recommendations about possible emergency care. Call 911 or get to an emergency room if symptoms start to include chest pain, shortness of breath, heart palpitations, confusion or lightheadedness, as well as blueish skin, lips or nailbeds that signal oxygen deprivation. Any of these can suggest a worsening case of not only Covid-19, but other potentially life-threatening conditions. Q: Are the monoclonal antibody sotrovimab or the new Pfizer antiviral pill Paxlovid available in the region to treat Covid-19? Both are proven to reduce hospitalizations and severe illness significantly for those with serious Covid-19 symptoms when taken soon after symptoms appear. The problem, right now, is that neither will be readily available until later this month at the earliest. Sotrovimab, the only monoclonal antibody highly effective against the Omicron variant, must be administered in a hospital and is in very low supply nationally. Kaleida Health quickly exhausted its allocated 60 doses of the Pfizer antiviral pill after it was approved Dec. 22. The health system is working with the state health department and medical providers to make both treatments easier to get when supplies increase, said Dr. Michael Mineo, chief medical officer with Kaleida Healths Buffalo General Medical Center, Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital in Amherst and DeGraff Medical Park in North Tonawanda. I'm not even thinking we're going to have a significant amount of either during this wave, he said. Q: What else is circulating? Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), rhinoviruses and influenza. The flu resulted in more than 9 million illnesses, as many as 710,000 hospitalizations and 12,000 to 52,000 deaths annually during the decade before the pandemic began, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This season is expected to start peaking soon. We're quite concerned about the combination of flu and Covid on top of each other, Russo said. We were worried about that last year, except it was a non-flu year because of Covid-prevention measures, so we never really learned what the health consequences of that could be. He encouraged all those eligible get a flu vaccine, even now, and even though the strains included in the latest jab are not a good match with what is circulating. Nonetheless, Russo said, the vaccine prevents serious illness to a significant degree, just like Covid-19 vaccines. Q: How accurate are Covid-19 tests? The Binax Now from Abbott is the most common at-home test on the market. If you buy that or a similar test, are symptomatic and the result is positive, you almost certainly have Covid-19, Russo said. These at-home antigen tests detect viral parts that can be harder to come by for those who are fully vaccinated and boosted or who fail to adequately collect nasal or saliva samples. Results are less dependable for those who test negative and have symptoms, he said, particularly for those who live or spent time indoors with others who tested positive. New studies suggest the antigen tests also may be less sensitive to the Omicron variant. That means the tests might be yielding more false negatives, especially in the early days of infection, The Wall Street Journal reported this week. And preliminary data from one small study suggests that people could be contagious before they get a positive result on a rapid test. Russo suggested people in those cases follow up with a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test, which detects, amplifies and measures the viral code and generally provides a more accurate result. Antibody testing weeks after symptoms can determine if you contracted the virus. None of these tests can specifically identify which Covid-19 variant is present. Q: Are other Covid variants circulating in the region? Yes, but to a far lesser degree, said Jennifer Surtees, a UB associate professor of biochemistry who tracks Covid-19 variants of concern in the region as co-director of the university Genome, Environment and Microbiome Community of Excellence, or GEM. The lab sequences positive test samples during a process that takes several days. About 20% of the samples collected during the two weeks ending Dec. 21 contained the Omicron variant, with the rest mostly Delta. Sixty percent of 200 tests collected by Dec. 29 and sampled this week were Omicron; 35% of the rest were Delta. Surtees late this week expects to start sequencing another 400 samples taken mostly this month. She estimated they will be 90%-95% Omicron-related because that percentage of samples from KSL Diagnostics, a UB testing partner, contains a characteristic that suggests the new variant is at play. Q: How do you expect things to go during the next several weeks, then beyond? Health care leaders hope the worst of the surge will yield to better conditions by February. Many hope that far lower rates of infections, hospitalizations and deaths will follow. Were not there, yet. There's only so many ways the virus can mutate, Sellick said. I'm not challenging it to come up with another, better one. We're all hopeful this convinces a lot more people to get vaccinated and boosted and that we will see this start to move into the endemic disease mode and out of this kind of hair-on-fire mode. Hospital leaders say two-thirds of hospital patients admitted regionally in recent weeks, including three-quarters sent to intensive care, have been unvaccinated. Q: Are we likely to see some immune protection wane over a certain period, even for those whove had the Omicron variant? This has been the case so far with Covid-19 including for those both vaccinated against and infected with all forms of the virus that causes the disease. Health providers and the CDC will make recommendations about further vaccines, preventative steps and treatments depending on the damage Covid-19 continues to do and what data reveals will work best for public health and those at greatest risk. We're in far better shape now, Russo said, than we were in earlier days with the level of community-wide immune protection. The Buffalo News: Good Morning, Buffalo The smart way to start your day. We sift through all the news to give you a concise, informative look at the top headlines and must-read stories every weekday. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Archer Daniels Midland on Thursday received the demolition permit it needs to demolish the Great Northern grain elevator. Afterward, Justice Tracey Bannister of the Appellate Division held a hearing on a request from the Campaign for Greater Buffalo History, Architecture & Culture for a temporary restraining order to prevent the demolition until further review. She's considering the request and made no immediate ruling. Judge rejects stay as preservation group eyes appeal of Great Northern demolition order The Campaign for Greater Buffalo said it sought the restraining order as a bridge to its expected appeal in appellate court next week that could come as early as Monday. Mayor Byron Brown's refusal to block the demolition comes amid calls from preservationists and others to save the hulking, wind-damaged structure. A Jan. 5 State Supreme Court ruling cleared the way for its demolition. In his first public comments on the Great Northern since that ruling, Brown told The News the city's reason for having waited to release the demolition permit to ADM was merely procedural. The application for demolition had been incomplete, Brown said. Presented with a completed application, the city was legally obligated to issue a demolition permit to ADM under the law and the Jan. 5 court decision, Brown said. Sean Ryan calls on city to rescind Great Northern demolition; put demands on ADM "The structure can be repaired and rehabilitated, but in order to get there, we need the City of Buffalo to step up," State Sen. Sean Ryan said. Brown said the city "worked strenuously" to convince ADM to "preserve the building," but was unsuccessful, even as his administration contends the building cannot be salvaged. "I brought letters and other communications we have received to ADM, and stated my desire to see the structure preserved," Brown said. "I told them we would work with federal, state and local tax benefits, tax exemptions, historic tax credits, new market tax credits to find resources to help with the preservation and stabilization of the structure." Developer Douglas Jemal on Wednesday offered to give ADM $100,000 to stabilize the property and to pay for the cost of an independent evaluation by structural engineers. Douglas Jemal offers ADM $100,000 to stabilize Great Northern grain elevator "I want to save the Great Northern, and I won't let ADM bully this city around," Jemal said. Brown said Jemal's offer has nothing to do with the city. "That is between Mr. Jemal and ADM," Brown said. "The city is not the owner of this property." The abandoned grain elevator, designated a local historic structure, was damaged in a windstorm on Dec. 11. The storm left a large hole in the north wall. James Comerford, the city's commissioner of permit and inspection services, issued an emergency demolition order six days later, citing ADM engineering reports, as well as drone footage, exterior inspections and the opinion of the fire commissioner. Comerford determined the structure posed "an immediate threat to health, welfare and safety to the public." In the Jan. 5 ruling, State Supreme Court Justice Emilio Colaiacovo said Comerford acted "rationally" and upheld the commissioner's decision. The judge said narrow legal parameters prevented him from considering a submission from a consulting structural engineer who works with Jemal and other statements that cast doubt on the conclusions made by ADM-hired engineers. Judge allows demolition of Great Northern grain elevator In his ruling, Judge Emilio Colaiacovo found that James Comerford, the Buffalo commissioner of permit and inspection services, made a "rational" decision in ordering an emergency demolition after a Dec. 11 windstorm damaged the north wall. The company, which acquired the Great Northern in 1993, three years after it was locally landmarked, sought to demolish the structure in 1996 and 2003. Comerford said the company also approached him informally a year or two ago seeking an emergency demolition that he turned down. Brown was under public pressure to rescind the demolition permit or slow down the process to allow for an independent evaluation of the Great Northern. The 1897 structure is the last remaining brick box-style grain elevator in North America and the first grain elevator in the world, along with the Electric Elevator, to harness electricity from Niagara Falls. Preservationists say demolishing the Great Northern would be among the most significant architectural losses in Buffalo in decades. But Brown said he saw no need to revisit the decision. The mayor questioned whether he or the commissioner, under the city charter, could reverse the decision to issue the emergency demolition permit. "While I supervise the commissioner, legally it is not believed that the mayor can reverse or overturn a decision by the commissioner of permit and inspection services proposing those assigned duties," Brown said. ADM seeks to demolish damaged grain elevator despite preservationists' objections Archer Daniels Midland, in a statement, said the large hole in the flat brick northern wall, exposing large steel bins, posed a safety hazard, including to workers in its flour mill next door. He said the same could apply to Comerford. "The commissioner's authority to rescind or change the notice of condemnation is not specifically set forth in the city charter and city code," Brown said. The mayor said he didn't feel a need to consider opinions submitted to the court that challenged the ADM engineering reports. During a fact-finding hearing, Colaiacovo questioned a city attorney on the city's reliance on ADM's conclusions, rather than seeking an impartial viewpoint. "What ADM is saying to us is they are simple statements and are not affidavits," Brown said. "ADM has told us they completely disagree with all of those individuals who have commented, and that the structure, from their engineering reports and studies, cannot be salvaged and is dangerous." Sanjay Khanna, a consulting structural engineer who works with Jemal, reviewed the concerns raised by engineers working with ADM and in a statement to the court said they all appeared correctable. Demolition of Great Northern grain elevator stayed; Douglas Jemal wants to buy and save structure "I looked at that building very closely, and that building absolutely could be saved," Jemal told The Buffalo News. "It's a magnificent building. I have tackled a hundred times worse than that. "There is no question in our mind that this building can be retained," Khanna wrote. Robert Shibley, dean of the University at Buffalo's School of Architecture and Planning, is one of a number of other structural engineers, architects and academics who have questioned the scope, methodology and conclusions of ADM's reports and called for an in-depth investigation. Paul McDonnell, Campaign for Greater Buffalo's president, delivered a point-by-point refutation of the ADM reports to the mayor on Monday. McConnell, as director of facilities for the Board of Education, oversaw the $1.3 billion Joint Schools Construction Board Project that restored or rehabilitated 48 Buffalo public schools. "ADM did not thoroughly investigate the true condition of the building and whether it can be repaired, and therefore we believe their conclusions that the building needed to be torn down are in error," McDonnell said. "Mitigation of the public harm does not require demolition." The mayor was asked if these opinions were grounds for revisiting the decision. The city code allows revocation of permits if "misrepresentation as to a material fact in the accepted application, plans or specifications" is found. "I don't know, legally, if there is, necessarily, another path because this went through a legal process that lasted a few weeks, and in that legal process there was nothing that was presented where the judge determined that the emergency demolition should not move forward," Brown said. Mark Sommer covers preservation, development, the waterfront, culture and more. He's also a former arts editor at The News. The Buffalo News: Good Morning, Buffalo The smart way to start your day. We sift through all the news to give you a concise, informative look at the top headlines and must-read stories every weekday. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Virtual Reality Southern Illinois U Helping Build Virtual Aircraft Mechanics Training An Illinois university is co-developing virtual reality software to help students learn aviation maintenance. The project is a partnership among three entities: the Aviation Technologies program at Southern Illinois University (SIU) in Carbondale; workforce development organization Man-Tra-Con; and TRANSFRVR, which develops simulation-based training. The work is being funded through part of a $1.2 million grant from the U.S. Department of Labor's Delta Regional Authority. The university is providing the training curriculum. Content will be delivered through the Oculus headset and hand controllers. "What we are doing is developing a whole library of virtual reality simulations that students in our program can use to help with training of the hands-on skills that are required for an aviation maintenance technician," said Karen Johnson, associate professor in the SIU Department of Aviation Technologies, in a statement. "While these are in no way intended to replace the real world, hands-on experience, they are a stepping stone or bridge between what you would learn in the classroom and coming into the hangar." Johnson referred to the VR training as a "risk-free" zone where skills can be practiced without injury or embarrassment. "For a student who has never been exposed to these types of skills and content, it can be intimidating to try this in front of peers," she explained. "With VR, it's one-on-one, by themselves and if they mess up, they're not really messing up." She noted that she expected the VR software to serve as a recruiting tool to the aviation field. The system is already being used on a trial basis at several high schools. "Any of the area high schools that have a career and technical education program can use these simulations in their programs as well. It may be just like as an introductory tool to the profession, but it also is a good recruitment tool for [the university], to show these students some of the career paths and to introduce them to how to maintain aircraft. Kids actually get to see it rather than just hear someone talking about it," Johnson said. Kathy Lively, CEO of Man-Tra-Con, said she anticipated the new technology helping build the region's economy and keep graduates closer to home. "There is an increased industry demand, even right here at the Southern Illinois Airport," said Lively. "Our goal is that these might help a person be ready to go to work with some of the employers that are coming on site. We hope some of these students will stay here upon graduation and that we can help combat 'brain drain' for our region. This will give them opportunities to stay here." Democratic Gov. Tony Evers announced Thursday he had pardoned 54 more people, bringing his total to nearly 400, the most of any Wisconsin governor. Most of the latest pardons involved low-level drug offenses. Other offenses included fraud, burglary, theft and drunken driving. These pardon recipients have the support of many local officials, neighbors, and community members and have earned a second chance, Evers said in a statement. Evers has granted 391 pardons over three years in office, more than the nearly 300 pardons that former Democratic Gov. Jim Doyle issued over eight years. Republican Govs. Tommy Thompson and Scott McCallum issued 262 pardons before Doyle took office. Republican Gov. Scott Walker didnt issue a single pardon during his two terms before Evers defeated him in 2018. A pardon doesnt erase or seal a conviction, but it does restore the right to own a gun, to vote, to be on a jury, to hold public office and to hold various licenses. A pardon doesnt keep someones criminal record from showing up on background checks, but applicants often say clemency makes them more attractive to employers. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 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. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) The land of gundams and Ultramen might be one of your kids dream destinations but boo-hoo, were all under stay-at-home orders. Still, you can bring Japan to your home and even create fun memories with your otaku kid! Watch anime together in cosplay Photo by Ketut Subiyanto from Pexels You are a millennial mom so chances are you grew up watching Ghostfighter and Sailor Moon in the 90s. If you are an ultra tita, you probably know Voltes V and Daimos. Whichever generation you came from, you and your kid can bond over watching anime series and movies on streaming sites. You can even wear costumes of anime characters while watching the new ones like My Hero Academia, Jujutsu Kaisen, or Demon Slayer. Make sure the show is age-appropriate for your kid. Learn origami together Origami, the Japanese art of folding paper, does not have to be complicated. Watch Origami videos online together and try to compete with your kid on who makes the best paper figures. You can start with simple paper structures like boats and planes. This will also be a great opportunity to nurture your kids creativity while being stuck at home. Make a ninja-themed party New Year celebrations and birthdays do not need to be traditional. Why not have a ninja-themed party where every member of the family is dressed as a ninja! You can also have paper shuriken throwing games and ninja magic shows for every shinobi to enjoy! Prepare chicken karaage together Photo by Alex Green from Pexels Can we let you in on a little secret? We know a Japanese restaurant favorite that can be ready in just 5 minutes! Order a pack of Purefoods Crispy Chicken Karaage and have your young otaku place it inside the microwave oven. These are fully cooked chicken thigh fillets, deliciously seasoned with spices and coated with crispy breading. A quick trivia - Karaage is Japanese style of deep-frying meat but with Purefoods Crispy Chicken Karaage, you no longer need to use oil because its ready-to-cook, making the meal healthier. When its done, take a pic of your kid wearing an apron and a toque to immortalize his or her first Japanese dish - a delicious plate of Purefoods Chicken Karaage. Itadakimasu! Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 13) The Philippine General Hospitals beds for COVID-19 patients are nearly 90% occupied as the facility is seeing a steady increase in COVID-19 admissions, a hospital official said on Thursday. Our ERs (emergency rooms) are also getting overwhelmed with a lot of visits. Right now, we have 312 confirmed COVID-19 patients admitted to PGH. Thats the highest so far since the last surge from Delta, and that represents close to 90% of our bed occupancy, PGH spokesperson Dr. Jonas del Rosario told CNN Philippines New Day. Looking at the distribution, 65% are mild to moderate and then the rest are belonging to the severe and critical, he added. He also noted that around 90% of patients admitted to PGH are incidental COVID-19 hospitalizations, or patients primarily admitted for other ailments but tested positive for COVID-19. They came in not because primarily of COVID pneumonia but more of their worsening medical condition. It just so happens that they have COVID infection as well. So only about 10%-12% are coming in primarily for COVID, he added. Del Rosario also said PGH is trying to speed up its triaging, and it has a better system now because it has more beds. We are still not admitting any non-COVID elective cases. So we are limiting to life-and limb-threatening emergencies, he added. Our OB-maternity ward has just recently opened again. We closed it for about a week. Now I was told that we can again accept women who are COVID-positive to deliver. The Philippines on Wednesday broke another COVID-19 record with 208,164 active cases. The countrys daily cases hit all-time on Monday with 33,169 new infections. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 14) All is quiet Friday at a fishing village in Maragondon, Cavite a day after a court-ordered demolition turned violent, with residents clashing with police and the demolition team. The incident in Patungan Cove, Barangay Sta. Mercedes on Thursday left at least 13 people hurt according to residents and police: five villagers, five policemen, and three members of the demolition team. The demolition order covers a 4 to 5-hectare land - home to more than 600 families. A CNN Philippines video on Thursday showed dozens of agitated residents running along the seashore, some hurling stones at members of the demolition team carrying shields. Shots could be heard in the background. On Friday, groups of residents were seen huddled along the shore, on guard beside sandbags around the community. Glass bottle shards and a spent bullet casing litter the ground. There were no police or demolition team members in sight. Fisherfolk organization Pamalakaya said the Manila Southcoast Development Corp. (MSDC) a subsidiary of Sy-led conglomerate SM Investments Corporation (SMIC) plans to convert the area into an exclusive beach resort. SMIC, however, denied it has an investment in the property nor is the group in any talks to acquire land in the disputed area. "The area of the demolition incident that happened last Jan. 13, 2022 is not a property of SM," it said. Cavite Governor Jonvic Remulla refused to give a comment due to personal reasons, while Cavite Vice Governor Jolo Revilla and other local officials of Maragondon were not answering phone calls. CNN Philippines' Stanley Buenafe Gajete contributed to this report. 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) The Department of Health (DOH) said close contacts of COVID-19 patients are not required to undergo testing unless they start exhibiting flu-like symptoms. DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire on Wednesday said the updated testing protocol covers the general population. She added that health workers, senior citizens, and immunocompromised individuals should be prioritized for RT-PCR testing. "Testing of asymptomatic close contacts shall also not be required unless symptoms will develop," she said. "With increasing cases, current science on benefits of vaccination, and features of Omicron make us confident to make testing optional when actions are the same regardless of test result," she added. For health workers who are considered as close contacts, testing is also optional. Vergeire said that if a test will be done, it should be conducted at least five days from the onset of symptoms. "Testing shall now be optional for community level actions, specifically testing should not be required for asymptomatic close contacts," she added. "Instead symptoms monitoring is recommended." All close contacts are urged to immediately undergo quarantine and monitor their health. The updated policy also mentions that contact tracing, one of the pillars to control the spread of the coronavirus, is no longer a government priority amid the ongoing COVID-19 surge in the country. "We're saying contact tracing will take a backseat," Vergeire explained. "Hindi siya priority intervention in areas with high infection rates katulad dito sa NCR (National Capital Region). Mas mabilis na po ngayon ang impeksyon na kumakalat kaysa makapag-contact tracing tayo. Based on epidemiological concepts, hindi na applicable na mag-contact tracing pa tayo kapag ganito na ang transmission and infection rates." [Translation: It's not the priority intervention in areas with high infection rates like in the NCR. The infection is spreading faster than the conduct of contact tracing. Based on epidemiological concepts, it's no longer applicable to do contact tracing if the transmission and infection rates are this fast.] She also said the Department of the Interior and Local Government was instructed to provide contact tracers with other tasks like helping monitor individuals under home quarantine. The DOH said it will present the updates to the Inter-Agency Task Force on Thursday so that all concerned agencies are aligned on the policy. Under the Philippines' current guidelines, a seven-day isolation is required for fully vaccinated individuals and 14-day quarantine for partially vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals. The government also is no longer requiring fully vaccinated health workers exposed to COVID-19 patients to undergo quarantine, as long as they are asymptomatic and wearing protective equipment. 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. ADVERTISE IN THE JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022 (TV KIDS FESTIVAL) PRINT AND DIGITAL EDITION! When you advertise in the January/February edition of TV Kids, you will receive the following extensive print and online exposure: The magazine will be sent out as a digital edition to approximately 35,000 online subscribers. The digital edition will be extensively promoted in our newsletters, websites and social media handles for several weeks before and during TV Kids Festival. The magazines will also be mailed to the homes or offices of our subscribers worldwide. We can offer you two options: A full-page advertisement in the print and digital edition for US$2,000, or a two-page spread for US$3,000. A two-page spread advertisement solely in the digital edition for just US$2,000. Here are all the free value-added benefits you will receive from advertising with us in the January/February edition. 1. We have the best articles, the best interviews, the best design, the best paper, the best printing, the best distribution and the best circulation. 2. You will receive a company profile up front in the magazine featuring program highlights, an image of a show, a quote from an executive at the company and a headshot. 3. Your company profile will also be published in TV Kids Daily and World Screen Newsflash before the event. 4. Your company profile will also run on TVKids.com before the event. 5. You will receive invaluable social media exposure by having your profile tweeted to @worldscreen's and @tvkidsdaily's followers. 6. This edition will be prominently displayed on the home page of the virtual TV Kids Festival, which runs from February 1 to 4, 2022. 7. You will also get your complete program listings in a digital edition of TV Listings, which will be available to our online database of 35,000 readers a week before the event. 8. We will also place video clips of your programs in your own Screening Room on WorldScreenings.com, our video portal powered by Brightcove. 9. We will place your electronic box advertisement on TVKids.com for two months. 10. Your company's product news will receive priority treatment in our five online daily newsletters and eleven online weekly newsletters. DEADLINES FOR THE FEBRUARY 2022 ISSUE: Space Reservations.........January 21 Ad Materials.......................January 24 For more information, please contact Ricardo Guise on rguise@worldscreen.com or Dana Mattison on dmattison@worldscreen.com. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 13) Twenty-three former government officials who served during the administration of President Fidel V. Ramos pledged to help Vice President Leni Robredo win the presidency. The former government officials including 14 Cabinet secretaries who served from 1992 to 1998 said the country sorely needs a leader who will bring out the best of servant leadership in public officials, inspire unity in the government and among Filipinos, and empower the country to once again become a humane, progressive, and economically vibrant nation. "We believe that Vice President Leni Robredo is the only presidential candidate who possesses the above-described qualities, and who can credibly lead us Filipinos closer to that dream," they said in a statement. "We therefore enjoin our fellow Filipinos to support her candidacy, as we ourselves pledge our wholehearted commitment to do our share to help her become the next president of the Republic of the Philippines," they added. Robredo said she is humbled by the support of the officials, whom she described as brilliant public servants. "Marami po ang nagsasabi na (Many say) FVR had one of the best pool of Cabinet secretaries in recent years. Honored by the faith you have placed upon me, Sirs and Maams. Makakaasa po kayo na lagi kong sisikapin (Rest assured I will work hard) to be worthy of the trust that you and our fellow Filipinos have given me," she tweeted. CNN Philippines correspondent Anjo Alimario contributed to this report. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 13) President Rodrigo Duterte has signed a law renaming Roosevelt Avenue in Quezon City after the late king of Philippine movies, Fernando Poe Jr. Republic Act No. 11608 orders the Department of Public Works and Highways to implement the changes within 60 days from its effectivity. The 2.9-kilometer Roosevelt Avenue hosts the ancestral home of Poe, where he spent most of his childhood years. Poe's daughter, Senator Grace Poe, expressed gratitude. She said Fernando Poe Jr. Avenue will be another chance for Filipinos to remember her father's legacy. The multi-awarded film legend, who passed away in December 2004 at the age of 65, was declared a National Artist posthumously in 2006. More popularly known as FPJ and "Da King", he starred in and produced more than 300 blockbuster and critically acclaimed films including "Ang Panday," "Agila," "Ang Probinsyano," "Isang Bala Ka Lang," "Ang Maestro," "Sigaw ng Katarungan," and "Kapag Puno Na Ang Salop." (CNN) He's an unlikely critic of the Hong Kong government but after being hauled off to mandatory quarantine over the weekend, pro-Beijing lawmaker Junius Ho did not hold back. Broadcasting live on Facebook on Saturday, Ho, who is known for his staunchly pro-establishment views, slammed his hand on the table and shook his finger angrily. The city's uncompromising COVID-19 strategy was as unsound as "sandcastles on the beach," he said. "The government's handling of matters is completely outrageous, completely disordered!" he said in another post that night. Ho was among dozens of Hong Kong bureaucrats and lawmakers ordered into quarantine last week after they were potentially exposed to COVID-19 at an official's birthday party on January 3. More than 200 people attended the event at a Spanish restaurant, of which at least one has been confirmed positive with COVID-19. An investigation is underway to determine whether the restaurant or any of the officials present broke any rules. Hong Kong, along with mainland China, is one of the few places still following a strict zero-Covid model. The city is largely closed off to the outside world, with the government doubling down on its aim of eliminating all local cases of the virus in the hope of reopening its border with mainland China. Stringent restrictions, a sweeping track, trace and test regime, and harsh border measures, including 21 days of quarantine for almost all arrivals, have kept the infection rate and death toll remarkably low for a city of 7.5 million. But the controversial and divisive measures have also served to isolate Hong Kong, taking a toll on international businesses and any resident who wishes to travel. In Hong Kong, anyone who tests positive for the virus or is deemed a close contact of a confirmed case faces serious consequences. Positive cases are sent to hospital, regardless of whether they have symptoms. They can only leave after testing negative for the virus twice in succession, upon which they must complete another 14 days of isolation in a government camp. Close contacts like Ho and the partygoing officials also face weeks of isolation and multiple tests at a government facility. In his video, Ho made no apology for going to the party, which ignored government guidance to avoid large gatherings amid Hong Kong's first local outbreak of coronavirus cases in nearly three months. Instead, the 59-year-old lawmaker had a long list of complaints about his experience at the Penny's Bay government quarantine center. It was late at night, but he hadn't eaten dinner. He said he was not allowed to drive to the facility, authorities had taken too long to arrange transportation, and the rules were altogether too rigid. The city's leader, Carrie Lam, should resign over the party scandal, he said. The current Covid outbreak in Hong Kong, driven by the highly infectious Omicron variant, has been traced to infected aircrew members from Hong Kong's flag carrier, Cathay Pacific, who violated isolation rules by going to restaurants and bars. In response, the government last week imposed new restrictions, including closing bars and suspending dine-in at restaurants after 6 p.m. Lam criticized Cathay's senior management for the actions of its staff and said the government would take legal action against the airline if necessary. "Although the management may not be aware of all the actions that each employee takes, it's not an excuse to not to be blamed," she said. The new restrictions have deepened public frustration with the pro-Beijing government, who many view as being out-of-touch with local needs. Following last year's "China patriots only" election, the city's legislative body is made up exclusively of pro-Beijing or pro-establishment members. And as details of the birthday party emerged, the public outcry grew louder, with many calling out the alleged hypocrisy. "At the height of the fire, you still attended such a large gathering? Are you encouraging the public to do the same as you?" one top comment read below Ho's Facebook video. Many of the officials who attended the party have publicly apologized and vowed to be more careful in future. They include Hong Kong's police commissioner, treasury secretary, anti-corruption commissioner and home affairs secretary. But almost as quickly as they'd been whisked away to quarantine, Ho and several other officials were released after one of the cases linked to the party was deemed a false positive. "They had me waiting around all day, and only told me now I can go!" Ho said on Facebook. "And they can only send me to the Tsing Yi MTR station If that was the case, they should have told me earlier so I could get a driver to come pick me up!" On Monday, the government shortened its policy of 21 days quarantine for close contacts to 14 days, citing a lack of capacity and the shorter incubation time for the Omicron variant. Lam said the party scandal was a "deep disappointment." Pending the investigation, she would take action if officials were determined to have broken the rules, she added. But apparently contradicting her earlier comments about Cathay Pacific, she stopped short of taking personal responsibility. Accountability "does not mean that I'm responsible of the decisions and actions of my colleagues," she said January 6, adding the party was "a private event." At a news conference Tuesday, Lam admitted she had attended a wedding banquet in late November or early December, but urged the public to avoid "fault-finding." There had been "criticisms about the way that we handle this epidemic," Lam said, but she defended the government's tough anti-Covid stance. "There is no point to say who is at fault and who is the source of all these problems because the problems will occur as we continue to fight the epidemic," she said. "The importance is we maintain the vigilance to enforce, and we punish people who fail to comply by issuing penalties and also taking them to court." This story was first published on CNN.com "How a birthday party exposed Hong Kong officials to the harsh reality of zero-Covid" (CNN) 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. "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. This story was first published on CNN.com, "Magawa, the 'hero rat' who sniffed out landmines, has died" (CNN) A federal judge in New York on Wednesday denied a motion to dismiss a lawsuit against Prince Andrew filed by Virginia Giuffre, a woman who alleges she was sexually trafficked to the royal when she was underage. "Ms. Giuffre's complaint is neither 'unintelligible' nor 'vague' nor 'ambiguous,'" Judge Lewis Kaplan wrote in the ruling. "It alleges discrete incidents of sexual abuse in particular circumstances at three identifiable locations. It identifies to whom it attributes that sexual abuse." Giuffre alleged in the lawsuit that the late financier Jeffrey Epstein trafficked her and forced her to have sex with his friends, including the Prince, and that Andrew was aware she was underage (17) in the US at the time. She alleges the Prince sexually abused her at Epstein's private island in the US Virgin Islands, at his mansion in Manhattan and at his former girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell's home in London. Prince Andrew has denied the allegations and had moved to dismiss the suit. CNN has reached out to his attorneys for further comment. The ruling sets up a dramatic series of legal proceedings for Queen Elizabeth II's third child that could have major ramifications for Buckingham Palace. The long-running allegations against Andrew, 61, have already dramatically tarnished his public standing, and he stepped back from royal duties in late 2019. Andrew has until July 14 to potentially answer questions about the case under oath, following a ruling made by Kaplan last year. If the case is not settled, Prince Andrew could face a trial date between September and December 2022. Buckingham Palace declined to comment, saying, "We would not comment on what is an ongoing legal matter." Giuffre's attorney Sigrid McCawley said the judge's ruling is "another important step in Virginia's heroic and determined pursuit of justice as a survivor of sex trafficking." The civil suit stems from the sprawling and disturbing allegations against Epstein, the wealthy sex offender who befriended a series of powerful men despite a sketchy history. Epstein pleaded guilty in 2008 to state prostitution charges and in July 2019 was indicted on federal sex trafficking charges. Prosecutors accused him of carrying out a decades long scheme of sexual abuse of underage girls, flying them on private planes to his properties in Florida, New York, New Mexico and the US Virgin Islands. He died by suicide in prison before he could face trial. Maxwell, his former girlfriend and close associate, was arrested in 2020 and accused of facilitating the abuse scheme. A federal jury convicted her in December on five federal counts, including sex trafficking a minor and conspiracy. Giuffre was not one of the four women who testified in Maxwell's trial that they had been abused. Still, she was mentioned in the trial when Carolyn, one of the victims, testified that Giuffre had recruited her to come to Epstein's home in Palm Beach, Florida. What the ruling means Kaplan's ruling Wednesday allowed the lawsuit to continue, but he did not determine the facts or validity of the case. The prince's attorneys had argued that Giuffre's lawsuit violated the terms of her 2009 settlement agreement with Epstein in Florida, in which she agreed to a "general release" of claims against Epstein and others. That settlement, which was released to the public last week, shows that Epstein paid Giuffre $500,000 to drop the case without any admission of liability or fault. The prince's name does not explicitly appear as a party. However, Giuffre's attorney David Boies argued the settlement is irrelevant to her claim against the prince, noting Andrew did not know about it at the time and that it didn't apply to him. In the ruling, Kaplan wrote that both sides put forth "reasonable interpretations" of the settlement's meaning. "The agreement therefore is ambiguous. Accordingly, the determination of the meaning of the release language in the 2009 Agreement must await further proceedings," he wrote. Giuffre brought her case under the Child Victims Act, a New York state law enacted in 2019 that temporarily expanded the statute of limitations in child sex abuse cases to give survivors more opportunities to seek justice. Prince Andrew's attorneys argued that the law is unconstitutional, but the judge rejected the argument, citing another judge's analysis that this line of argument was "creative" but "without merit." Further, the judge denied the defense's request for a clearer statement of facts from Giuffre, writing in his opinion that Prince Andrew will naturally obtain more details about the claims during the pretrial discovery process. Kaplan also rejected the defense assertion that Giuffre's claims in the complaint are vague or ambiguous. What Giuffre alleges In claims made prior to filing her lawsuit, Giuffre alleged that in 2001 Epstein brought her to London, where she was introduced to Prince Andrew and went dancing at a nightclub with Epstein, Maxwell and the Prince. In a BBC interview broadcast in 2019, Giuffre said she had been taken to the Tramp nightclub where, Giuffre alleged, Andrew asked her to dance and was "sweating all over me." Andrew has denied the claims, telling the BBC in 2019: "It didn't happen. I can absolutely categorically tell you it never happened. I have no recollection of ever meeting this lady, none whatsoever." He claimed in the same interview that he could not sweat, due to a rare medical condition, and that on the night he is alleged to have had sex with Giuffre, he was in fact taking his daughter to a party at a Pizza Express restaurant in Woking, southwest of London. Giuffre's lawyers asked Andrew in court filings to provide documents proving both of those claims. Andrew's team responded that he was unable to do so, because he has no documents proving a medical condition that prevents sweating, and could not identity anyone he encountered at the pizza restaurant. Please note this email account is strictly for journalist enquiries. The relations between the UK and France have been affected due to the AUKUS pact between the US, UK, and Australia, fishing licenses row, and unlawful migration. Same as usual, no copy-paste, no hackwork, no tricks. A reset in relations with France can't come soon enough ABOUT INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS INTERNSHIPS ABROAD. relations between the governments of the French Republic and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. In 1578, the Irish College in Paris was established as a Catholic school to train Irish students. 08/03/2021 press release. Bachelor in International Relations | IE University There's one big problem for Britain-Germany relations ... EG Group strives to provide the best possible service with every contact. So though the rhetoric may be cooling, the dispute still threatens to derail U.K.-EU relations. U.S. Relations With France - United States Department of State Olufunmilayo a 2 postes sur son profil. The cancelation means that the UAE has chosen Huawei's 5G technology over the F-35, which is used by the US as a "favor" to form military alliances with . Political relations - Ambassade de France en Irlande ... Political relations with Ireland are good and France's capacity for initiative has a strong impact, with which the Irish most often associate. More information about Ireland is available on the Ireland Page and from other Department of State publications and other sources listed at the end of this fact sheet. Dublin Working as part of the global fashion communications team and based in the press office of the Dublin Primark Head Office above the flagship Mary Street Penneys store. Bitterness over Brexit lies behind fraying France-UK relations Mel Bay The Salutation: A Collection Of Christmas Carols ... Ireland-France relations are "stronger than ever" - Martin. Responsible for identifying and developing Infrastructure Services projects with new clients across all of Wipro's portfolio and all markets. Justice served for China as UAE scraps F-35 deal ... The plan was signed by Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney and Mr Jean-Yves Le Drian, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs during the visit of . Labor Relations: Contemporary Issues in Human Resource ... With ISS, you are investing in a strong strategic position built over more than a century - from which we aim to deliver consistent and predictable . Wikipedia. Today, the two countries are close partners in the European Union, enjoying strong economic, political and cultural links. Instance of. More press release . 27 November 2021. Direct Intervention: Canada France Relations, 1967 1974 (Carleton . The Bachelor in International Relations prepares students for an international career in the public, private, and non-profit sectors. Future Leaders Invitation Programme (PIPA) Forget AUKUS, the Northern Ireland protocol row is the real threat to smooth ties between London and Berlin. Studies in Franco-Irish Relations. If Boris Johnson opts to trigger article 16 of the Northern Ireland protocol relations will deteriorate even further, with the EU planning a big retaliation in response that could lead to a trade war. After dozens of French boats were denied post-Brexit . Authority control. Investor relations. A. The intensity of France's reaction to the fishing dispute with the U.K., in which Paris is . In Anglo-Irish Agreement that gave the government of Ireland an official consultative role in the affairs of Northern Ireland. Foreign Relations of the United States Treaty Between the United of States of America, Belgium, the British Empire, China, France, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, and Portugal. Consultez le profil complet sur LinkedIn et decouvrez les relations de Olufunmilayo, ainsi que des emplois dans des entreprises similaires. The Summer Vacation Abroad: Or, Notes Of A Visit To England, Scotland, Ireland, France, Italy, And Belgium|Ferdinand Wilton De Ward only difference is that you will get the work done faster but for a slightly higher fee. Ryanair customer service may be contacted on Ryanair Help Centre.. Contact Us. Despite acknowledgements that Brexit has made things "difficult" for Anglo-Irish relations, Ireland is aiming to work on areas where cooperation is possible in a "tripartite" way, sources say. As the Direct Intervention: Canada France Relations, 1967 1974 (Carleton Library Series)|Eldon Black leader of sustainable and cheap online writing assistance, WriteMyEssayOnline features all necessary elements for providing college kids with effective academic support. As for the . Trade and investment between the United States and France are strong. Now, France's prime minister has written to the EU . Video: Psaki REJECTS claims Kamala is 'unhappy' ahead of awkward bill signing with Biden: Press secretary says VP is a 'vital partner and the President 'relies on her counsel' The work of the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs. Ireland's economy: At the cutting edge. Both nations are members of the European Economic Area, North Atlantic Treaty Organization, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development and the United . SES Networks expands partnership with Orange to enhance maritime services. If Henry VIII harboured ambitions of regaining the lost World Endeavors interns in the field of international relations work for organizations engaged with issues of global importance, such as human rights, globalization, humanitarian action, and international economic development. Bilateral Economic Relations. . In Paris the view is that Britain can't be . Publications. Ireland-France Relations. French-Icelandic relations are foreign relations between Iceland and France. Specifically, it's ready to make securing positive relations with the E.U.-skeptical Trump administration a priority. Location. The rows won't go away (we're talking about Britain and France after all) but managing these within a framework of trust, civility and predictability is the essence of good diplomatic relations. 12312 Port Grace Boulevard. Considered one of the most significant developments in British-Irish relations since the establishment of the Irish Free State in 1922, the agreement provided for regular meetings between ministers in the Irish and British governments The partnership framework . The French and Irish agree on many international and community issues (UN . The partnership between France and Ireland is remarkable in more ways than one regarding European affairs. Political relations. 08/02/2021 press release. LONDON Britain and France are barking at each other over fish again. Signed at Washington February 6, 1922. U.S.-IRELAND RELATIONS U.S. relations with Ireland have long been based on common ancestral ties and shared values. Political relations with Ireland are good and France's capacity for initiative has a strong impact, with which the Irish most often associate. The cultural ties uniting France and Ireland are also very close: French is the first foreign language taught in Ireland, and France the leading destination for Irish Erasmus+ students. Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin When he welcomed Macron to the government building, he described both countries as "the oldest and best friends.". Irish president Michael D Higgins' four-day state visit to the UK, the first for an Irish head of state, is another milestone . 26th March: 7.30pm. Despite strained political relations since then, trade between Ireland and Israel has grown significantly as both countries have become global leaders in areas such as technology and pharmaceuticals. A bid is a fee writers offer Mel Bay The Salutation: A Collection Of Christmas Carols From England, Ireland, Scotland, Sweden, Germany, Italy, And France Arranged For Fingerstyle Guitar|Duck Baker to clients for each particular order. In 2016, Israel was Ireland's 11th-largest export partner, with $1.63 billion. We know how to make the customers happy in no time. Express Burn Free CD and DVD Burner Free VIEW . Discover the Ministry (history, virtual tour, etc.) 07/30/2021 press release. France and Ireland have a long history of relations given the proximity between Ireland and France, there has always been migration back and forth between the two since ancient times. Speaking in Lisbon, he fumed: "What we see is an organisation that doesn't always look like it wants us to succeed." Our argumentation explains the relationship between employers and employees . 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The Hobbit Revised Edition, Pineapple Clothing Brand, Stemmed Glassware Examples, Vat Exemptions In Sri Lanka 2020, Black And White High Contrast, Places To Surf Near Illinois, 6001 Executive Blvd Rockville Md 20852, + 18moreromantic Restaurantsthe Chronicle Restaurant, Rodean Restaurant, And More, Covered Roof Deck Design, Sheffield United Average Corners, Elastic Waist Work Pants Men's, Elk Grove Harvest Festival, ,Sitemap,Sitemap Natural disasters and political unrest have made Haiti an uncertain place to live but, according to 1C The Sanctuary officials, locals will soon be able to make a difference. 1C is partnering with Mission of Hope to send packed food to children in need in Haiti. They're the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, said Tim Oberdieck, who is the director of Christian education intern at 1C. Half of their population are food insecure, which means they don't know where the next meal is coming from. And we want to do something about that. A packing event which will be open to the Columbus community as a whole will be held in March. The purchased food items things like rice and beans will be organized to be sent to their next destination. Our goal is to pack 40,000 meals, which costs $12,000, Oberdieck said. To raise those $12,000, we are hosting two, what we're calling, Fellowship Fundraiser Feasts. The feasts will be held at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 29, and at 12:30 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 30, at 1C, 2200 28th Ave. in Columbus. The cost is $29 per person and the meal includes prime rib, a baked potato, green beans, salad, a dinner roll and dessert. Oberdieck noted that people can register for the event at 1cchurch.com. There will be 100 meals available for each time slot. There is a limit on meals so that organizers know how much food to plan for, he added. There may be meals available at the door but that wont be guaranteed, so Oberdieck is encouraging people to register for the event. We'll join together for about an hour-and-a-half to talk about Haiti and just join together for food, Oberdieck said. 1C officials have been considering the ongoing issues in Haiti for a while, he added. Haiti has been something that our pastor has just had on his heart for a long time. And he's worked with Mission of Hope before, Oberdieck said. He saw a need, brought it to our staff. We've been working with people at 1C and some other churches to put this event together. Oberdieck noted that while 40,000 is a drop in the bucket, its still a step in the right direction. Many of the people who are food insecure are children, just because their parents passed away in one of the natural disasters or the political unrest or kidnappings, he said. A lot of those kids don't have someone who can provide food for them. So if we can step in, and do that, even for a day, that's huge. Thirty cents can feed a child for a day, he added, so a $29 meal has the potential to make a lasting impact. It's a way for someone in Columbus, Nebraska, to make an impact on a child across the globe, Oberdieck said. You don't have to go to Haiti. Actually, most people can't because of COVID. So this is a way that you can still make a lasting impact on somebody despite the state of the world that we're in right now. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. It remains unclear whether or not Platte County will be able to use its American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds for utility infrastructure under new guidance from the United States Treasury on Jan. 6. County-level allocation information from the treasury indicates that Platte County can expect to receive slightly more than $6.5 million thanks to the federal COVID-19 economic relief package. "(The City of Columbus was) authorized to use their money for infrastructure -- we were not," District 6 Supervisor Jerry Engdahl said at a Jan. 4 Platte County Board of Supervisors meeting where Columbus Exposition and Racing member Tom Jackson requested ARPA funds to build utility infrastructure for a casino and horse track being planned near Columbus. On Jan. 4, board members indicated that the City of Columbus has already committed ARPA funds to utility development, but Engdahl remained uncertain about whether counties could use ARPA funds the same way. "I still think all of that refers to cities," Engdahl said. The board didn't take any action on the ARPA funding request on Jan. 4. "I would refer this to our legal staff to see whether or not we can legally do this," Board Chairman and District 2 Supervisor Jerry Micek said at the meeting. "The main thing is we get it in writing that this is a project that can be done with these funds." However, things may have changed since the Jan. 4 meeting. On Jan. 6, the treasury released new guidance on how ARPA funds may be used by various government entities. It's too early to say whether the casino's request may be eligible, though, because the new guidance is still being deciphered. "Key changes...included new flexibility to use Recovery Funds to invest in broadband infrastructure, services and programs to contain and mitigate the spread of COVID-19, including capital investments in public facilities, and investments in housing and neighborhoods," a page on the National Association of Counties (NACo) website said on Wednesday afternoon. "NACo will release an in-depth analysis of Treasurys Final Rule in the coming days." In the meantime, the casino isn't the only entity interested in the county's ARPA funds. On Tuesday, Habitat for Humanity of Columbus Executive Director Lori Peters told the Telegram that Habitat is on the agenda for the board's upcoming Jan. 18 meeting to ask for ARPA funds. However, the board has indicated in recent meetings an intention to use ARPA funds for possible broadband development. Broadband came up again during the ARPA fund discussion at the Jan. 4 meeting. "We have not been able to find that we could do anything, right now, except broadband," Engdahl said. "We've been looking for ways to spend that money." Molly Hunter is a reporter for The Columbus Telegram. Reach her via email at molly.hunter@lee.net. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Nebraska Attorney General Doug Peterson has filed a lawsuit against Douglas County Health Director Lindsay Huse and other county and city officials challenging Huse's indoor mask mandate for Omaha. Peterson, along with plaintiffs Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services and Director of Public Health Dr. Gary Anthone, wrote in the suit that Huse's authority to issue a mask mandate under Omaha's municipal code "conflicts with applicable state law." The matter has been assigned to Douglas County District Court Judge Shelly Stratman, who has scheduled a hearing for Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. Huse has said that as she considered issuing a temporary mandate, she conferred with the county attorney who advises the health department and the city attorney, both of whom told her she was on solid legal ground. Huse's order, which she announced Tuesday, took effect at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday for schools and other public indoor spaces within the city limits of Omaha. There are several exceptions where the mandate does not apply. Peterson is seeking a temporary and permanent injunction declaring the mandate "void and unlawful" and that Huse did not have "jurisdiction or authority" to issue it. The Cumberland Valley School Board approved several contracts on Jan. 3 for an HVAC/building renovation project slated to begin this year at Middlesex Elementary School. The school board initially discussed renovating Middlesex and other district elementary buildings on March 2, 2020. However, the Middlesex project was delayed until now due to financial effects of the pandemic. District officials previously had said the district plans to complete renovations at all elementary schools over the next several years for building equity throughout the district. For the Middlesex project, school directors approved the following proposals: HVAC commissioning by HEA Engineers, of Wrightsville, for $54,476, funded by the districts bond construction fund. This measure is to ensure that materials are installed correctly, said Michael Willis, the districts director of business and support services. Paving, seal-coating and line striping by Tru-Trac Industries LLC, of Carlisle, for $91,723 through a COSTAR cooperative purchasing program and funded by the districts bond construction fund. Digital entrance site sign by Strickler Signs, of New Oxford, for $34,690 through a COSTAR purchasing program and funded by the districts bond construction fund. A furniture, fixtures and equipment purchase for additional classroom furniture from Tanner Furniture Inc., of Harrisburg, for $702,109.87 through a COSTARs agreement. Last month, the school board authorized PFM Financial Advisors to proceed with the intent to issue one or more series of general obligation bonds totaling $25 million intended to fund building projects not only at Middlesex, but also at Green Ridge Elementary and Eagle View Middle School. In November, CV school directors awarded prime contractor bids for the Middlesex renovation project totaling $7.21 million, which was $700,000 less than what the district originally had budgeted, Willis then reported. All prime contractor bids authorized for Middlesex work will be funded through the districts bond construction fund as follows: General construction: eci construction LLC, Dillsburg, $2.63 million Plumbing: Midstate Mechanical & Electrical LLC, Dillsburg, $362,735 HVAC: Frey Lutz Corp., Lancaster, $3 million Electrical: Lobar Inc., Dillsburg, $1,188,000 Also last week, the Cumberland Valley School Board authorized an amendment to a master service agreement between the district and architects Crabtree, Rohrbaugh & Associates for a proposed building addition, alterations and renovation project next year at Eagle View Middle School. Architects fee is to be 5.25% of the projects final construction cost estimate and funded through the districts bond construction fund. The district is considering a building addition and other work at Eagle View next year due to projected enrollment growth in those grades, Willis said. Finally, the school board last week accepted a proposal for a video scoreboard at Chapman Field from Strickler Signs, New Oxford, for $662,000 using a COSTAR purchasing program. The purchase will be funded through the districts sponsorship fund without taxpayer money. The new video scoreboard offers the district increased opportunity for garnering sponsorship money through running advertisements on its video screen during events. The new scoreboard will have the capacity for nine advertisement spots, an increase from the existing scoreboards three spots. Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 In our 37th year of publishing excellence, World Screen, with our April (MIPTV) 2022 editions, will demonstrate, yet again, why we are the most trusted and respected provider of news, interviews and analysis in the international media business. We have the best editorial team, the most comprehensive articles, the most important interviews, the most attractive layout, the finest printing (we won the Gold Ink Award for Best Printed Trade Magazine in the World), the best-quality paper stock, the earliest and most extensive convention distribution, and a controlled circulation. Dont take our word for itif you compare our recent MIPTV editions to those of our competitors, you will see an abundance of evidence pointing to our position as the number one publisher in the business. HERE ARE SOME OF THE ARTICLES WE ARE PUBLISHING AT MIPTV 2022: WORLD SCREEN Chasing Scale: As consolidation among production and distribution companies continues, leading execs weigh in on the value of talent and IP as the streaming wars intensify. TV KIDS STEAMed Up: Producers and distributors discuss how science, tech, engineering, arts and math curricula are being incorporated into hit shows. Changing Faces: A look at how the kids' industry is faring when it comes to creating shows that speak to diversity and inclusion. TV DRAMA Crime Time: Checking in on new trends in crime drama. By the Book: Known IP is proving to be a winner. TV REAL Wild Side: A look at innovations in wildlife filmmaking. Remaking History: History docs remain in high demand. TV FORMATS (Digital Edition Only) Game On: Game shows continue to lead access and prime-time grids. We can offer you the following options: A single-page advertisement in the print and digital editions for US$2,500. A 2-page spread in the print and digital editions for US$4,000. A 2-page spread advertisement before the first page of editorial in the digital edition only for US$2,500. You can also add an embedded video to your advertisement in any of our digital editions. The cost is US$750 per enhanced page. To learn more about this innovative service, click here. Also available at MIPTV 2022: WORLD SCREEN GUIDE Advertisers in the guide receive a full page of information about their company (including an executives headshot) opposite their ads. The guide will be available at MIPTV, mailed to our database of program buyers and sent out as a digital edition to 30,000-plus readers before the market. In addition, distributor profiles from the guide will run in our e-mail newsletters World Screen Weekly, TV Formats Weekly, TV Real Weekly, TV Kids Weekly or TV Drama Weekly. Here are the value-added free benefits you will receive from advertising with us at MIPTV: 1) We will place your advertisement on a right-hand page up front in World Screen or, if you prefer, inside any of our targeted magazinesTV Kids, TV Drama, TV Real and TV Formats. These targeted magazines appear both inside World Screen and as stand-alone publications with their own print and/or digital distribution at the market, and their own circulation to programming executives worldwide. When you advertise in our targeted magazines, it's like being in TWO magazines for the price of one! 2) A company profile up front in the magazine featuring program highlights, an image of a show, a quote from an executive at the company and a headshot. 3) The profile will also be published in one of our daily newsletters during the weeks prior to the market. 4) The profile will also run on WorldScreen.com, TVKids.com, TVReal.com, TVDrama.com or TVFormats.ws. 5) We will also run your profile and advertisement in the digital editionsreaching 35,000 media executives a week before the marketat no charge. The digital editions will be extensively promoted in our newsletters, websites and social media handles for several weeks before and during MIPTV. 6) You will receive invaluable social media exposure by having your profile tweeted to @worldscreens followers. 7) As an advertiser, you will also get our listings service (including a color image of a program) in the April (MIPTV) edition of TV Listings. 8) Your listings will also be included in the World Screen App, available for iOS and Android devices. 9) We will place video clips of your programs in your own Screening Room for MIPTV on WorldScreenings.com, our video portal powered by Brightcove, 10) We will place your electronic button advertisement on the home page of any one of these 10 targeted websitesTVKids.com, TVFormats.ws, TVDrama.com, TVReal.com, TVEurope.ws, TVAsia.ws, TVLatina.ws, TVMEA.ws, TVUSA.ws and TVCanada.wsfor two months. 11) Your company's product news will receive priority treatment in our five online daily newsletters, 10 online weekly newsletters and 22 websites. DEADLINES FOR THE APRIL EDITIONS: World Screen Guide Space reservations ............................ March 1 Advertising materials ..........................March 7 World Screen, TV Kids, TV Real, TV Drama, TV Formats Space reservations ............................March 7 Advertising materials .........................March 10 For more information, please contact Ricardo Guise at rguise@worldscreen.com or Dana Mattison at dmattison@worldscreen.com. A surge in COVID-19 cases over the past two weeks has prompted the Carlisle Area School District to temporarily close four of its elementary schools starting Friday and switch to remote instruction. The rate of positive cases within the past 14 days has moved the Bellaire, Mooreland, Mount Holly Springs and North Dickinson school buildings over the 5% threshold for closure as designated by the Pennsylvania Department of Health, acting Superintendent Patricia Sanker said in a news release on the school district's website Thursday. According to the CASD website, the district reported 203 cases in the current 14-day rolling count as of Wednesday, up from 112 the previous week. District officials said the plan is to re-open all four elementary schools for in-person learning Tuesday. All other school buildings in the district will be open Friday. As a result of increases in active student cases, information from contact tracing, and the level of community spread, the district will adhere to DOH guidelines and close the schools tomorrow, Sanker said. All other schools will remain open. The closed schools will conduct an asynchronous (non-Zoom) learning day Friday like the snow day held on Jan. 7, she said. Your students building principal and/or teacher will communicate the specific learning plan for the day. All district schools will be closed on Monday in commemoration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Sanker asked families to consult with their family physician about getting their child vaccinated. Our goal is to reduce our active cases to less than 2%, she said. Email Joseph Cress at jcress@cumberlink.com. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 2 Sad 0 Angry 0 The Pennsylvania Game Commission is asking for the publics help in finding turkeys to trap for ongoing and new turkey projects. The commission is asking residents to report the location of any turkey flocks they see between now and March 15. Residents can report sightings online at pgcdatacollection.pa.gov/TurkeyBroodSurvey. Residents will be asked to provide the date of the sighting, the location and the type of land (public, private or unknown) where the birds were seen. The commission will then assess the sites for the potential to trap turkeys. They will not be moved, but rather have their legs banded and released on-site. In four Wildlife Management Units, the commission will also outfit a sampling of turkeys with GPS transmitters for monitoring over time. The commission said trapping the turkeys during winter is part of its ongoing population monitoring, as well as the launch of its large-scale hen study. The commission will look at how landscape and weather affects hen nest rates, nest success, poult survival, predation, habitat use and movement. Its going to be the largest turkey project weve ever conducted, with the hope of answering many questions regarding current hen population dynamics, said Mary Jo Casalena, the commissions turkey biologist. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 In response to an uptick in patients with COVID-19 across the health system, Penn State Health announced Thursday it has revised its patient visitation guidelines. Under the revised guidance, adult patients may have one family/support person per day, and pediatric patients may have two family/support persons per day, according to a news release from the health system. The revised guidance applies to patients without COVID. Visitation restrictions for patients with COVID will remain in place. The guidelines take effect Jan. 13 at Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Penn State Health Hampden Medical Center, Penn State Health Holy Spirit Medical Center, Penn State Health St. Joseph Medical Center and Penn State Health Medical Group locations. The policy changes apply to inpatient and outpatient surgery, as well as outpatient clinic and procedural areas and emergency departments. Penn State Health will continue to screen all family/support persons who wish to enter any facility, and no one with COVID symptoms will be permitted to enter. Everyone entering the facilities will also be required to wear a medical-grade mask such as a surgical mask at all times and maintain social distancing guidelines. Penn State Health facilities will provide surgical masks to any patients or visitors who do not have one upon arrival. Thursday's data update Cumberland County reported 470 cases of COVID-19 and one death in Thursday's update from the state Department of Health. According to department open data, the seven-day average of new cases in the county sits at 419.1, down from 422.6 on Wednesday that's the first drop in the county's 14-day case rate since Dec. 28. There were 158 patients hospitalized with COVID-19 in Cumberland County in Thursday's report, a decrease of eight since Wednesday. The 14-day average for hospitalizations in the county sits at 138.4. The county's highest 14-day hospitalization rate was 168.7 on Jan. 2, 2021. The 14-day average for COVID patients on ventilators sits at 17.1. There are 22 adults in intensive care (the same as Wednesday) and 20 on ventilators. Eight adult ICU beds remain open of the 114 currently staffed across the county, and 43 of 94 ventilators in the county are in use. The county reported 56 deaths in October, 33 in November and 54 in December. It has 18 deaths so far in January. Franklin County reported 129 patients hospitalized with COVID-19 Thursday (a decrease of 12 since Wednesday), with two of 38 currently staffed ICU beds available in the county and 24 of 34 available ventilators in use. There are 24 adults in intensive care and 18 on ventilators. Dauphin County reported 244 patients hospitalized with COVID-19 Thursday (an increase of 14 since Wednesday), with 18 of 197 currently staffed ICU beds available in the county and 106 of 174 available ventilators in use. There are 46 adults in intensive care and 34 on ventilators. 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 Wednesday evening, the CDC says Cumberland County has 65.7% of its total population fully vaccinated. The CDC also reported that 69.4% of the population 5 and older are vaccinated, while 73.6% of the population 12 and older are fully vaccinated. The CDC also began reporting another set of numbers that include booster shots, with 32.8% 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 19th week of the school year, the department reported 262 cases among children aged 5-18 in Cumberland County during the week of Dec. 29-Jan. 4, an increase of 101 cases over the previous week. The total number of cases in Cumberland County for this school year is 2,768. Statewide, the number of cases among 5- to 18-year-olds saw its largest increase of the school year with 20,456 cases reported during the week of Dec. 29-Jan. 4, compared to 12,518 during the previous week. The state said the total number of cases in that age group for the school year is 156,417. County numbers in the southcentral region (updated Jan. 13): Adams County (pop. 103,009): 170 new cases; 20,856 total cases (17,352 confirmed, 3,504 probable); 45,715 negatives; 294 deaths (+1); 52.3% of county population vaccinated 170 new cases; 20,856 total cases (17,352 confirmed, 3,504 probable); 45,715 negatives; 294 deaths (+1); 52.3% of county population vaccinated Bedford County (pop. 47,888): 68 new cases; 9,347 total cases (6,292 confirmed, 3,055 probable); 13,404 negatives; 234 deaths; 37.5% of county population vaccinated 68 new cases; 9,347 total cases (6,292 confirmed, 3,055 probable); 13,404 negatives; 234 deaths; 37.5% of county population vaccinated Blair County (pop. 121,829): 190 new cases; 24,632 total cases (19,526 confirmed, 5,106 probable); 49,852 negatives; 530 deaths (+3); 50.2% of county population vaccinated 190 new cases; 24,632 total cases (19,526 confirmed, 5,106 probable); 49,852 negatives; 530 deaths (+3); 50.2% of county population vaccinated Cumberland County (pop. 253,370): 470 new cases; 41,885 total cases (31,979 confirmed, 9,906 probable); 108,732 negatives; 751 deaths (+1); 65.7% of county population vaccinated 470 new cases; 41,885 total cases (31,979 confirmed, 9,906 probable); 108,732 negatives; 751 deaths (+1); 65.7% of county population vaccinated Dauphin County (pop. 278,299): 489 new cases; 50,725 total cases (42,549 confirmed, 8,176 probable); 133,640 negatives; 798 deaths (+7); 59.4% of county population vaccinated 489 new cases; 50,725 total cases (42,549 confirmed, 8,176 probable); 133,640 negatives; 798 deaths (+7); 59.4% of county population vaccinated Franklin County (pop. 155,027): 374 new cases; 33,806 total cases (27,849 confirmed, 5,957 probable); 66,188 negatives; 585 deaths (+3); 46.8% of county population vaccinated 374 new cases; 33,806 total cases (27,849 confirmed, 5,957 probable); 66,188 negatives; 585 deaths (+3); 46.8% of county population vaccinated Fulton County (pop. 14,530): 29 new cases; 3,433 total cases (1,709 confirmed, 1,724 probable); 5,199 negatives; 55 deaths; 34.2% of county population vaccinated 29 new cases; 3,433 total cases (1,709 confirmed, 1,724 probable); 5,199 negatives; 55 deaths; 34.2% of county population vaccinated Huntingdon County (pop. 45,144): 108 new cases; 9,242 total cases (7,614 confirmed, 1,628 probable); 22,813 negatives; 209 deaths (+2); 49.1% of county population vaccinated 108 new cases; 9,242 total cases (7,614 confirmed, 1,628 probable); 22,813 negatives; 209 deaths (+2); 49.1% of county population vaccinated Juniata County (pop. 24,763): 32 new cases; 4,069 total cases (3,740 confirmed, 329 probable); 7,050 negatives; 155 deaths; 38.7% of county population vaccinated 32 new cases; 4,069 total cases (3,740 confirmed, 329 probable); 7,050 negatives; 155 deaths; 38.7% of county population vaccinated Lebanon County (pop. 141,793): 279 new cases; 31,577 total cases (27,290 confirmed, 4,287 probable); 64,849 negatives; 423 deaths; 52% of county population vaccinated 279 new cases; 31,577 total cases (27,290 confirmed, 4,287 probable); 64,849 negatives; 423 deaths; 52% of county population vaccinated Mifflin County (pop. 46,138): 78 new cases; 9,989 total cases (9,477 confirmed, 512 probable); 18,385 negatives; 249 deaths; 47.6% of county population vaccinated 78 new cases; 9,989 total cases (9,477 confirmed, 512 probable); 18,385 negatives; 249 deaths; 47.6% of county population vaccinated Perry County (pop. 46,272): 48 new cases; 7,452 total cases (5,834 confirmed, 1,618 probable); 14,286 negatives; 159 deaths; 46.2% of county population vaccinated 48 new cases; 7,452 total cases (5,834 confirmed, 1,618 probable); 14,286 negatives; 159 deaths; 46.2% of county population vaccinated York County (pop. 449,058): 1,171 new cases; 99,967 total cases (82,556 confirmed; 17,411 probable); 200,400 negatives; 1,269 deaths (+2); 55.8% of county population vaccinated ZIP code-level counts (updated Jan. 13): 17013: 4,813 positives, 16,678 negatives - +248 since Jan. 7 17015: 2,920 positives, 8,233 negatives - +160 since Jan. 7 17050: 4,683 positives, 17,719 negatives - +294 since Jan. 7 17055: 5,098 positives, 19,242 negatives - +274 since Jan. 7 17011: 4,727 positives, 16,079 negatives - +363 since Jan. 7 17007: 722 positives, 2,156 negatives - +41 since Jan. 7 17065: 543 positives, 1,437 negatives - +29 since Jan. 7 17324: 610 positives, 1,439 negatives - +36 since Jan. 7 17241: 1,336 positives, 3,582 negatives - +78 since Jan. 7 17257: 3,695 positives, 8,144 negatives - +294 since Jan. 7 17240: 361 positives, 749 negatives - +21 since Jan. 7 17025: 2,198 positives, 6,760 negatives - +118 since Jan. 7 17070: 2,082 positives, 6,249 negatives - +117 since Jan. 7 17043: 707 positives, 2,416 negatives - +37 since Jan. 7 17019: 2,447 positives, 6,353 negatives - +105 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): 203 cases within the current 14-day rolling count, according to the charts last update on Jan. 13. (reports cases as they occur and updates a chart): 203 cases within the current 14-day rolling count, according to the charts last update on Jan. 13. 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) Email Jeff at jpratt@cumberlink.com. Follow him on Twitter @SentinelPratt. Concerned about COVID-19? Sign up now to get the most recent coronavirus headlines and other important local and national news sent to your email inbox daily. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. A two-story wood-framed home in St. Francois County was destroyed in a Wednesday morning fire that also caused a brushfire in an adjoining field. Firefighters responded to a 10:19 a.m. call reporting a large amount of black smoke rising from a home located at 963 Pendelton Road. By the time the Doe Run Fire Department arrived on the scene, Fire Chief Lynn Kindle described the residence as being 100% fully involved with the second story already collapsed. According to Kindle, firefighters went into a defense mode where they began attacking the fire from the exterior of the structure. When I got there, she was cooking pretty good I mean, she was hot, he said. There were initial concerns that at least one person might be in the house, but Kindle confirmed that was not the case. We were told there may have been, but it was unconfirmed, he said. As soon as we got the fire knocked to a point where it was safe, we did a search and nobody was in the residence, which is a good thing. Although the St. Francois County Ambulance District was on the scene as firefighters attempted to bring the fire under control, no injuries occurred. Kindle estimated that it took several hours to bring the house fire and brushfire under control. It took some time because all that metal was trapping it down and we had to get it to where we could get in and get the metal pulled out to where we could get the rest of the fire put out, he said. Kindle advised that an investigation of the fires cause is already underway by the Missouri Fire Marshal's Office. We had them called and a representative from their office did show up, he said. Theyre doing the investigation, so we dont know anything as of right now. Other departments responding to the fire in addition to Doe Run were Farmington, Wolf Creek, Pilot Knob, Cherokee Pass, Big River and De Soto Rural. Potosi moved up to cover for Doe Run. A mobile home fire Tuesday morning on Hickory Street in Farmington was quickly extinguished by the Farmington Fire Department. Farmington Fire Chief Todd Mecey stated that a Farmington police lieutenant on patrol discovered the fire in the 200 block and called it in. He made contact with the resident and they were able to safely escape, he said. When firefighters arrived within two minutes of the 7:30 a.m. alarm, smoke was showing and there was an active fire inside the mobile home. The blaze was under control within 10 minutes. Mecey stated that the first alarm was quickly disregarded with Wolf Creek Fire Department put on standby until the response was completed. An investigator with the department determined that the fire was electrical and accidental in nature. According to Mecey, the structure had moderate fire damage and extensive smoke damage. There were no injuries. Kevin R. Jenkins is the managing editor of the Farmington Press and can be reached at 573-783-9667 or kjenkins@farmingtonpressonline.com Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 2 Angry 0 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. The Bonne Terre City Council, at its Monday meeting, held a public forum beforehand in which infrastructural plans were discussed and prioritized. It was spearheaded by Cochran Engineering Vice President David Christensen as part of the process of applying for a Community Development Block Grant to repave a number of roads throughout town. The effort would fall under the CDBG general infrastructure grant category. If the grant is approved, the roads targeted for resurfacing would include Point View, from Route K to the dead end; Summit Street, from Benham to Oak streets; Division Street, from Murrill to West De Soto streets; Long Street, from Murrill to Buchanan streets; Branch Street, from Church Street to the city limits; and Rock Quarry Road, from Mine Shaft to the city limits. In all, Christensen estimated more than $600,000 would be needed for the milling and resurfacing. Hes also built in contingencies in case they find more improvements need to be made. City Administrator Shawn Kay, who has seen CDBG grants through for the city before, said fortunately, the Missouri Department of Economic Developments CDBG are somewhat flexible. I can tell you from past experience, that CDBG is flexible when it comes to that type of stuff, Kay said. So if we get into one of these streets and it becomes more work than we anticipated, they would let us maybe drop Point View if we have to dig out a couple 100 yards or something. Christensen handed out a survey to measure what the assembled citizens thought should be the towns five top priorities. Roads topped the list, with sidewalk, stormwater system, water lines and wastewater issues also receiving attention. The aldermen later voted to approve a resolution to seek the general infrastructure grant through the CDBG program, and authorizing Mayor Brandon Hubbard to pursue securing that funding. The council tabled an issue that would amend the safety ordinance regarding dogs and cats to avoid naming specific breeds, chiefly pitbull. The thought was shared that many cities have updated their animal safety ordinances to avoid naming pitbulls specifically in their verbiage. One citizen pointed out that Chihuahuas and other small dogs have been known to bite more than any other breeds. One of the aldermen responded by saying he would rather be bitten by a Chihuahua than a pitbull. The topic will be addressed at a later meeting. The aldermen also: Voted in favor of amending its ordinance regarding alcohol in vehicles or public places. The ordinance had prohibited open containers on highways, streets, alleys and public places. Kay explained the move to amend the ordinance cam in light of the many events held in the citys public spaces that might involve of-age adults wanting to enjoy a beer with Uncle Fred at the family reunion or outdoor wedding reception, and the recent changes in Missouri state law regarding open containers. Approved contracting with Maloney, Wright and Robbins to perform annual city audits for the fiscal years 2021-23. Voted to let Kay work with Elite Contracting and Investments LLC to buy 3.32 acres of land in the industrial park. Kay said if theres no development within a year, the terms allow the city to buy back the land at the same price. The company is the same that intends to develop the land at Route K and Stormy Lane. Sarah Haas is the assistant editor for the Daily Journal. She can be reached at 573-518-3617 or at shaas@dailyjournalonline.com. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. The Fredericktown City Council approved the purchase of a used 105-foot ladder truck for the fire department during its regularly scheduled meeting Monday night. The $50,000 purchase from the City of Farmington is a budgeted item and will replace a current truck which has been in need of constant repair over the past few years. "Our existing one, as you guys know, we keep pumping money into it every year," Fredericktown Fire Chief John Clark said. "We have pumped enough money in it the last four years to buy this truck. It is to replace that truck." Clark said it is a great deal for a truck which is in very good shape and will come almost fully equipped with equipment and hoses. "It is 105-foot ladder, which will give us a ladder truck for our ISO rating," Clark said. "Our current one is 65 foot, it does not go down on our ISO as a ladder truck, so this should help improve our ISO rating." Clark said the ISO rating is an insurance rating for the city, and the lower the number, the better insurance rates for the citizens covered under the Fredericktown Fire Department. "Currently our rating is at a 4," Clark said "We were the first ones in this part of the county when we got our 4. "We beat Farmington, Cape, we beat all of them. Now those guys are sitting at a 3, so hopefully this will get us down to a 3 and keep us in competition with all those full-time departments." This will not be the first time this particular truck has been to Fredericktown. It has been used for mutual aid in numerous occasions including the fire at the old middle school building. Clark said this was the truck that went "plum through" the roundabout during that fire because the firefighters did not know the roundabout was there. In other work session business, the council discussed Prop P and the status of the public safety building. The discussion began with clarifications of the wording of Prop P. "I just wanted to read and clarify what the residents of Fredericktown voted on Tuesday, Aug. 7 of 2018," Alderman Paul Brown said. "The city residents of Fredericktown voted to approve Proposition P which states, 'Shall the City of Fredericktown, Missouri impose a citywide sales tax of one-half of one percent for the purpose of improving the public safety of the city by providing revenue solely for the operation of the Fredericktown Police and Fire Departments, including the construction of a new Police and Fire Department facility, hiring a school resource officer, and other enhanced public safety services?'" Police Chief Eric Hovis then asked, specifically for clarification purposes, if any of the aldermen have said no to any equipment, any raises or any buildings at this point in time. The aldermen agreed that was accurate and that nothing had been decided at this point. City Administrator James Settle then presented the council with current plans for the public safety building. He said he took the changes back to FGM Architects and the price is still going to be $3.4 million because the price per square foot did not change. The hard cost of the building is $2.7 million with extra soft costs of about $700,000. "We just need to make a decision if this is the way we want to go," Settle said. "This gives a complete build up of the fire department and a complete building (current fire house) for the police department. Also, they are just going to be separate and not together." "I think that was our goal to get a bigger facility for the fire apparatus, obviously this truck coming in is going to be bigger than the one weve got," Alderman Rick Polete said. "If the police department could renovate the existing fire house opposing to just tearing it down, that would be very beneficial, just in my opinion. Then maybe incorporate city court in that far bay." Brown said he thinks it is a good idea, but is stuck on the cost. He said he would like to look at the $700,000 soft cost and see what is really necessary and not necessary. "I mean I would certainly like to stay at the 2.7 or 2.5 number if at all possible," Brown said. "I think this is the direction we need to go, but I think we need to do a little more digging into what is incorporated in these soft numbers but it is just part of the process." The council directed Settle to move forward with this design plan and begin discussing details. Also during work session, Alderman Kevin Jones made a request to have the council consider amending a zoning ordinance which requires mobile homes to be no older than 10 years prior to placement. Jones said he is having trouble finding mobile homes in that age range for his mobile home park due to price increases and manufacturing backlogs. The council, with Jones abstaining, voted to send the request to the planning and zoning commission for it to look into increasing the ordinance to 25 years. During regular session business, three ordinances were passed. The first allows the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission to place lighting around the roundabout. The second ordinance grants the city a utility easement from Great Southern Bank in order to provide services to Meadows of Fredericktown. The council also passed an ordinance to execute an agreement with the Fredericktown R-I School District relative to the employment of School Resource Officers. During her mayor's report, Mayor Kelly Korokis recognized a long-time city employee who recently died. "I just want to extend our condolences to the family of Ted Brewington," Korokis said. "He was a very, very fine man. He worked for the city for 30 years. He actually retired and came back part time. He will be greatly missed." The next meeting of the Fredericktown City Council will be Jan. 24, immediately following the 5:30 p.m. work session at city hall. Victoria Kemper is reporter for the Daily Journal. She can be reached at 573-783-3366 or at vkemper@democratnewsonline.com Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Editors Note: Exhibits shares information about exhibitions presented on display or online in Charlottesville and Albemarle, Buckingham, Fluvanna, Greene, Louisa, Madison, Nelson and Orange counties. Items must be received by noon Friday for the next weeks issue. Include the opening and closing dates of your exhibit and a telephone number the public may call with questions. Send your information to jsathe@dailyprogress.com. The Arts Center in Orange: Sea Summit Sky, new paintings by Ramey Campbell, can be seen in the Morin Gallery through Jan. 22. artscenterinorange.com. (540) 672-7311. The Bridge Progressive Arts Initiative: Parasitic Plasticity includes works by 2021 Collaborative Residents Margaret Kim, Miriam Tobias and Jum Jirapan. Exhibition can be viewed by appointment throughout January. the bridgepai.org. Cville Arts Cooperative Gallery: The Studio Sale is presented throughout January. Open to the public from noon to 5 p.m. Sundays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. 118 E. Main St. (434) 972-9500. The Center at Belvedere: Natural Public Lands of Virginia, photographs by Ben Greenberg, will be on view through Feb. 25. There will be a reception and walking tour of the photographs on Thursday and a classroom presentation on Jan. 18. Masks strongly recommended. thecentercville.org. (434) 974-7756. Chroma Projects: Gallery will be closed for the month of January. artlab@chromaprojects.com. chromaprojects.com. The Fralin Museum of Art at the University of Virginia: In keeping with UVa guidelines, masks are required indoors, regardless of vaccination status. uvafralinartmuseum.virginia.edu. The Gallery at Studio IX: The Prolyfyck Exhibition Series continues in January with the art of Marley Nichelle to benefit Prolyfyck Run Creww. studioix.co. Face coverings must be worn when entering the building and at all times in the gallery. (434) 242-0905. James Monroes Highland: Interior spaces have reopened for the first time since March 2020. Look for newly interpreted interior spaces in Highlands standing house. Exhibit content creates an inclusive story of Monroes life and career that includes enslaved people, Monroes family and additional historical figures as important parts of the sites history. highland.org/plan-your-visit/tours-and-tickets/. Kluge-Ruhe Aboriginal Art Collection has opened the first part of the two-part exhibition Irrititja Kuwarri Tjungu (Past & Present Together): 50 Years of Papunya Tula Artists, tracing the Papunya Tula Artists movement from 1971 through the mid-1990s. It can be seen through Feb. 27. The second part, celebrating the role of women artists and featuring paintings created during and since the 1990s, will be open from March 17, 2022, to Feb. 26, 2023. Boomalli Prints and Paper: Making Space as an Art Collective can be seen through June 19. Tours have resumed and will be led for free by volunteer guides at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. each day the museum is open. Longer tour experiences for groups will be available for purchase. Masks are required. Make reservations at kluge-ruhe.org. 400 Worrell Drive. (434) 244-0234. The Looking Glass: Arts from Underground classes will begin with artmaking from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursdays and karaoke from 8 to 10 p.m. for $25 per person. IX Art Park Foundation has opened a major expansion of its immersive art museum, which opened in January 2020, featuring works by 12 new and returning artists. Mixed-media creatures by Joe Vena, video projection art by Aaron Farrington and multicolored bar designed by River Hawkins. See new works by technology artist Jeff Dobrow and gnome house creator Katarzyna Borek. Caterpillar tunnel features mixed-media art by artist-in-residence Samantha Ashkani. Entrance features curio shop by Marc Boston and Adrienne Oliver and assembled by new curio coordinator Ella Caplin. Mad Travelers Treehouse features art by John Snell and lead artist Kathryn Wingate. Hours are 4 to 8 p.m. Thursdays, noon to 8 p.m. Fridays, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturdays and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sundays. Admission is $15, $12 ages 4 to 13 and free for ages 3 and younger. ixartpark.org. McGuffey Art Center: Connections: possibilities/impossibilities by Susan Patrick is in the Sarah B. Smith Gallery. 2022 New Members Show on the first floor features works by Andrea Trimble, Miriam Tobias, Rob deBara, Mike Powers, Anna Fox Ryan, Stuart Howe, Jill Averitt, Sam Fisher, Shandoah Goldman, S. Dawn Hanson, Alan Box Levine, Benita Mayo and Karen Pape. Skywatch is in the Associate Gallery. All exhibitions on view through Jan. 30. Public reception has been rescheduled for 5:30-7:30 p.m. Friday. mcguffeyartcenter.com. Nichols Gallery: Gallery hours: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursdays through Sundays, and by appointment or by chance. 5420 Governor Barbour St. in Barboursville. (540) 832-3565. Piedmont Place: Photography, oils, pastels and mixed-media works by bozART members Randy Baskerville, Sara Gondwe, Julia Lesnichy, Brita Lineburger, Craig Lineburger and Andy Stafford can be seen in the second-floor hallway at 2025 Library Ave. in Crozet through March 31. All works are for sale. Piedmont Virginia Community College: Drawology, paintings and drawings by Frank Walker, will be in the North Gallery and The Figure: Who We Are by the life drawing community at McGuffey Art Center will be in the South Gallery through Saturday. pvcc.edu/performingarts. (434) 961-5362. Random Row Brewery: Photographer Cassidy Girvin is the featured artist for January and February at 608 A Preston Ave. Hours: 4:30 to 10 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, 4:30 to 11 p.m. Fridays, noon to 11 p.m. Saturdays and noon to 8 p.m. Sundays. Rockfish Valley Community Center: Student Sketches, Paintings, Projects, Pixels, pieces by art class and Art Club students at Nelson County High School. 190 Rockfish School Lane in Afton. rockfishcc.org. (434) 361-0100. Second Street Gallery: Inside the Artists Studio in the Main Gallery and The Third Mind in the Dove Gallery will be on view through Jan. 21. Opening reception is set for 4 to 7:30 p.m. Friday. secondstreetgallery.org. Torosiete Museum of Contemporary Art: Hearts Lonely Hunters (1995) by Daniel Kuttner and Beatrix Ost is streaming at the virtual contemporary art gallery. Streaming instructions: http://heartsmovie.torosiete.museum/. Les Yeux du Monde: "Signs of the Day" by Dean Dass has been extended through Jan. 31. A closing reception will be from 2 to 4 p.m. Jan. 30. Dean Dass will discuss the show in a talk at 3 p.m. Masks will be required for entry, and a capacity limit will be placed on the number of attendees allowed in the gallery at one time. Gallery hours are 1 to 5 p.m. Thursdays through Sundays and by appointment. To make an appointment, call (434) 882-2622 or email LYDMGallery@gmail.com. Visit LYDM.co for more information. (434) 882-2622. Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Charlottesville: Shirley Paul is the featured artist for January, and her work can be seen from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily except for Saturdays. 717 Rugby Road. (434) 293-8179. Jason Kessler and two other defendants have filed post-trial motions seeking to overturn a federal jurys verdict finding them responsible for a conspiracy to commit acts of violence surrounding the 2017 Unite the Right rally. Kessler, Nathan Damigo and Identity Evropa are among more than a dozen defendants in the Sines v. Kessler lawsuit that spun out of the deadly events that rocked Charlottesville in August 2017. After a month-long trial in Charlottesvilles federal court last fall, Kessler, Damigo, Identity Evropa and others were found by an 11-person jury to have entered into a conspiracy to commit violence in the Charlottesville events. The jurys decision was based on Virginia conspiracy laws. The jury could not make a unanimous decision on two federal conspiracy counts based on a federal anti-Ku Klux Klan law. Those counts specifically alleged the defendants entered into a conspiracy to commit racially motivated violence. Racial motivation was a factor in the state conspiracy claim, though not as explicitly as the federal claims. The jury also ordered the defendants to pay $1 in compensatory damages to seven of the nine plaintiffs and $500,000 in punitive damages. Each corporate defendant was ordered to pay $1 million. Kessler was additionally ordered to pay $200,000 for racial, religious or ethnic harassment or violence committed against plaintiffs Natalie Romero and Devin Willis. However, in a post-trial motion filed last week, Kesslers and Damigos attorney, James Kolenich, argued that in spite of the jurys findings the plaintiffs failed to prove his clients entered into a conspiracy. The plaintiffs were required to present specific facts that would allow a jury to reach a verdict that is based on more than mere speculation, Kolenich wrote, citing language from prior court cases. Pursuant to [federal law], a district court may grant judgment notwithstanding the verdict if there is no legally sufficient evidentiary basis for a reasonable jury to find for the non-moving party. The bulk of Kolenichs arguments end in the request for a directed verdict, which is a ruling entered by a judge who has determined there is insufficient legal evidence for a jurys conclusion. For practical purposes, a directed verdict overturns a jurys decision. Kolenich argued that the plaintiffs evidence of unlawful conspiracy against Damigo included that he was friends with co-defendant Richard Spencer and Spencers friends and associates; that he was present at Alt Right parties where planning for Unite the Right was undertaken; that he asked for fake Antifa accounts to be set up; that he admitted that he and/or Identity Evropa were working with other Alt Right groups as to August 11th and 12th, among other related evidence. None of that evidence provides anything that would allow the jury to find either unlawful agreement or foreseeability of any acts that injured any plaintiff, Kolenich argues. First, there is no evidence of what the contents of any communications Mr. Damigo was proven to have, was, he wrote. Where evidence of contents was proven, it was innocuous such as working with other Alt Right groups. Additionally, Kolenich argues that video depositions and other exhibits do not implicate Damigo in anything more than having what the law considers racial animus as well as being acquainted with other Alt Right personalities. Kolenich further argues that the plaintiffs claims of conspiracy against Identity Evropa appear to depend entirely on the activities of defendant Elliott Kline, who declined to show up for the trial. Klines actions were outside the scope of what Identity Evropa authorized him to do, Kolenich argued. He said the plaintiffs provided no evidence that [Identity Evropa] ever authorized Mr. Kline to enter into an unlawful conspiracy. The arguments on Kesslers behalf are more complicated. Kolenich argued that evidence against Kessler was based on constitutionally protected rhetoric that does not amount to unlawful agreement or foreseeability. The evidence at trial showed that Mr. Kessler limited his plans for physical altercation to legitimate self-defense, Kolenich writes. He was careful to include warnings that Antifa must start any fights or there could be no Battle of Charlottesville, though he was confident Antifa could be relied on to give the Alt Right a legal reason to fight them. Kessler is entitled to a directed verdict on the plaintiffs fourth claim regarding the torch march injuries to plaintiffs Willis and Romero because, in part, neither plaintiff gave testimony that they saw him at the march. The punitive damages awarded were also unconstitutionally excessive, Kolenich argued. He cited prior a U.S. Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals ruling that it is [the courts] obligation to order a remittitur or award a new trial in these situations. A remittitur is the legal process by which an excessive verdict of the jury is reduced. Kolenich also argued that punitive damages must bear some reasonable relationship to the compensatory amount awarded and that Virginia code limits punitive damages to $350,000. As such, the court must reduce the [punitive damages] awarded to plaintiffs [Seth Wispelwey] and [Elizabeth Sines] to zero and order a new trial, Kolenich wrote. The Court should further reduce the awards to all other plaintiffs to no more than 526 to 1. Kessler and Damigos filing is the latest post-trial filing from a defendant seeking either a new trial or reduced damages. Chris Cantwell, a neo-Nazi who represented himself during the trial, has already filed several motions and documents alleging he is entitled to a new trial. Counsel on behalf of the plaintiffs has yet to respond to any of the motions from the defendants, though they are expected to respond to Cantwell in the coming weeks. coming weeks. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Local officials and the Region Ten Community Services Board are scrambling for solutions after a shortage of mental health workers forced the Albemarle-Charlottesville Behavioral Health Docket to pause admissions. Started in 2015, Behavioral Health Docket also sometimes referred to as the therapeutic docket or mental health docket has become a successful tool for local courts to divert people from jail in favor of treatment. In mid-November, however, the docket stopped accepting new clients due to staffing issues at Region Ten, causing significant impact on the program. Jim Hingeley, Albemarle County commonwealths attorney, said prosecutors and mental health partners have cobbled together a process to work with those already in the program. We can come up with alternatives but in no way are they as effective as the therapeutic docket, Hingeley said. I guess you could say we have a big box of Band-Aids and weve started putting Band-Aids on problems that need more than just bandages. The alternatives actually existed before the docket was created and do not offer the same supports, said Nina-Alice Antony, senior assistant commonwealths attorney for Charlottesville. The reason we really wanted the therapy docket from the beginning was that it provides a level of judicial oversight and community that is unlike any other experience youll have in the justice system, Antony said. It takes someones case out of an adversarial system and puts them into an alternative docket thats more of a collaborative community of people trying to get them where they need to be. Liz Murtagh, head of the Charlottesville-Albemarle Public Defenders Office, said staff shortages at Region Ten are a huge issue for her clients, with some waiting more than a month for treatment. If you have someone in crisis or who has a substance abuse problem and they need to be seen immediately, they still dont get seen immediately, she said. If youre trying to meet the needs of someone whos in a crisis theyve been arrested, they need assistance and were trying to resolve the case if that treatment or evaluation piece doesnt happen, it slows everything down. Since the pause in new referrals began, current participants have continued to receive treatment. Those already approved to be assessed for docket eligibility have continued on through the process. The docket currently has 16 active participants, four inactive participants and seven pending entries, with an additional two scheduled to be entered Wednesday. The therapeutic docket is voluntary, but it begins with a referral from one of numerous sources, including jail officials, OAR, police, defense attorneys, prosecutors or a mental health professional at Region Ten. The docket is currently overseen by Albemarle County General District Court Judge Matt Quatrara. The docket is for those for whom a serious mental illness played a significant part in the crime committed. It is only open to those charged with misdemeanor offenses. Defendants are not eligible if they committed a felony or have a significant history of violent or sexual offenses. Region Ten has continued its commitment, allocating other resources to attempt to support participants. Those include a peer support specialist, an intern to work with participants and a new clinician. Region Ten is among several community service boards that assist with the local courts diversionary and treatment dockets. Like many mental healthcare providers across the nation, it has been experiencing a workforce crisis for years. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and the increased need for mental health services, the crisis has only been exacerbated, said Joanna Jennings, community relations coordinator for Region Ten. She said the community service board has had to temporarily pause additional referrals to maintain safety for current clients. That includes clients participating in the Mental Health Docket. Jennings said unprecedented gaps in staffing combine with increased risk for staff and clients, increased complexity of cases and compassion fatigue to create stress and burnout among caregivers. The burnout leads to some staff members leaving their positions for other jobs, more pay elsewhere, or to stay at home. There are currently 2,400 open positions for community service boards across Virginia, said Jennings. The current average vacancy rate across the state is 15% but Region Tens vacancy rate is nearly 40% in some of the most essential programs. Jennings said staff is wooed away by offerings from Virginia state hospitals that provide bonuses for recruitment and retention as well as state general funds directed at the Department for Behavioral Health and Developmental Services. Those funds are slated to bring that departments salaries up to 75% of the national average. This approach creates inequity that has a significant negative impact on [a community boards ability] to hire, Jennings said. We are currently asking that every new dollar invested in Virginias psychiatric hospital system that a new dollar is also invested in community-based care. The Virginia Association of Community Services Boards is currently advocating for a $167.5 million investment in recruitment and retention programs, according to Region Ten. The proposal includes a path to licensure by paying for clinical supervision hours, and funding for loan repayments and scholarships. Katie Moore, the probation program manager for the mental health docket, said the Behavior Health Dockets advisory board recently was awarded a U.S. Department of Justice grant. The approximately $500,000 grant will be used to provide additional staff to support the docket, including one at Region Ten, one at OAR and one at Partner for Mental Health. We were fortunate to receive federal grant funding that will help to expand capacity and we have applied for an increase in local funding from both the city and county, Moore said. Typically, we have received tremendous support for the program from both the city council and county board of supervisors. While we are faced with this current challenge, the support and resolve for the docket is strong and we look forward to expansion of these services in our community. Although the federal grant provides a path forward, it is a temporary solution to a complicated issue, said several docket advocates. The money is certainly welcome, but it doesnt change the fact that, on a basic level some positions OAR and Region Ten have been advertised for more than a year and no one wants the jobs because the pay is too low for work that requires a masters degree, Antony said. Were all very excited about the possibilities the grant opens up but we still have fundamental issues with getting more funding across the board to these organizations so that they can recruit and retain the staff they need to run at full capacity, Antony said. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. (434) 978-7261 Albemarle County Police Major Sean Reeves will become the departments first home-grown chief when he takes office March 1. The Albemarle County Board of Supervisors announced on Wednesday that Reeves, who currently serves as a deputy chief on the department, will take over for retiring Chief Ron Lantz, who announced his retirement last year. Lantz has been chief since 2016. Reeves joined the county police department in 2001 to start his law enforcement career. He is also the first veteran and first member of the Latin American community to lead the department. Reeves said he was honored in the faith, trust and confidence of county officials in approving his promotion. This journey would not have been possible without the support of my family, friends, various community members and members of the Albemarle County Police Department, both past and present, he said. Reeves served in the U.S. Army and graduated from the FBIs National Criminal Justice Command College. He has a masters degree in criminal justice from Liberty University and has served as a patrolman, investigator and in professional standards and community support. I couldnt be more proud of an individual for how hes worked starting in this organization as a line level police officer and committing himself to 20 years within Albemarle Countys police department and serving in a variety of roles, County Executive Jeff Richardson said. Albemarle hired a search firm for the police chief position, but was not able to provide cost estimates for the search on Wednesday. As part of the process, the county released a community survey to gauge what attributes residents wanted to see in its new chief. More than 550 people responded to the survey, the county said in a news release. In his time with the county, Reeves helped create the departments cybercrime unit, a community coalition for mental health crisis response, worked on the body camera program, and served as the departments lead in county incident management teams for COVID-19, Confederate statue removal and events surrounding the Unite the Right rally in August 2017. The county will hold several opportunities for residents to meet Reeves and will announce dates in February. Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. 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. Yost lost his General Assembly seat in the 2017 election. The victor that year was Democrat Chris Hurst, who served two terms. In November, Hurst was defeated by Jason Ballard, who returned the western New River Valley seat to the GOP. 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. University of Virginia Provost Liz Magill will leave the university to take the reins of the University of Pennsylvania as that schools president, officials announced Thursday. Magill has served as UVAs chief academic officer and executive vice president and since August 2019, the first woman to hold the position. She was on the UVa School of Law faculty for 15 years, including a stint as vice dean, before serving as the dean of Stanford University Law School. She will take over the job at Penn on July 1. I am tremendously excited and humbled to help write the next chapter at the University of Pennsylvania, Magill said in a statement. At the same time, I am grateful for my time at UVa, a place and community that have truly changed my life. UVa President Jim Ryan on Thursday named Ian Baucom, the dean of the College and Graduate School of Arts & Sciences as Magills successor. Baucom has served as dean since 2014. David Hill, a psychology professor and former department chair and associate dean, will serve as interim dean of the arts and sciences college. As provost, Magills job was to advance UVas academics and research efforts as well as strengthen ties to the Charlottesville area community. She also led UVas scholastic response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including 2020s quick pivot to virtual classes, something which until the virus struck only existed in a handful of courses. UVa moved an estimated 4,000 classes from in-person to remote and officials credited Magill for helping keep UVas extensive research effort on track while balancing the needs of the university and community. Her wise and decisive actions have ensured the safe continuation of UVas teaching and research mission and she has been an incredible partner to me, to our faculty and deans, and to the universitys leadership team, said Ryan, who served with Magill on the law school faculty. Liz is incredibly smart but also a very good listener, said Dr. Mitch Rosner, chair of the department of medicine. She can very quickly assess these complicated challenges and has a true ability to ask just the right questions to help bring clarity to an oftentimes confusing situation. Weve been very lucky to have her on our team and our side during this ongoing pandemic. Magill said the pandemic forced often insular departments at the school to leave silos and join ranks. This pandemic has changed almost everything about running a university, but not all of those changes have been negative, Magill said. The pandemic forced us to strengthen the muscle of collaboration as we made dozens of sweeping decisions that schools and university units would have never made together otherwise. Magill said her experiences as a faculty member and provost will influence her decisions as Penn president. At the same time, she said shell miss the community and the school that she leaves behind, a place she and her family feel at home. Ill miss Bodos, for sure, the egg bagel on sesame with cheddar, in particular. I will miss the beauty of Grounds, the Rotunda and the Pratt Ginkgo. I love the Pratt Ginkgo, she said. But the thing Ill miss most is the people, the talented and dedicated and selfless people Ive had the opportunity to meet and work. Ryan said the university will also miss Magill. Although shell be greatly missed here on Grounds, its heartening that she will bring her considerable talents to Penn, which I know will flourish under her leadership, Ryan said. Im deeply grateful for Lizs service and her friendship. I know shell always be a Hoo at heart. Kerrville, TX (78028) Today Cloudy skies this morning will become partly cloudy this afternoon. High 84F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Mostly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 69F. Winds SE at 10 to 15 mph. The Benton County Republican Women are hosting Marc Thielman, candidate for governor of Oregon, at noon Jan. 25. The event kicks off at 11:30 a.m. at New China Buffet, 1720 NW Ninth St. in Corvallis for those wanting to eat. Thielman is superintendent of Alsea School District 7J. He is campaigning on economic policies and reform, plans to fight for affordable housing solutions, and is against socialism, according to the Benton County Republican Women. The public is invited. Further information is available at 541-745-5374 or carolynleewebb76@gmail.com. Love 0 Funny 2 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Who or what is Giraffe Telecom and why has the Gambian government granted it a license, making it the countrys fifth mobile operator? These have been the questions on many industry observers lips since rumours were heard late last week that a new operator had joined Africell, Gamcel, Comium Mobile and QCell. However, it was only this week that Ebrima Sillah, Minister of Information and Communication, said he could emphatically confirm the issue of a fifth licence on an early morning radio talk show. The Voice newspaper quoted him as saying: Of course, there is a space for a fifth operator; its all good for the Gambian customers. The minister argued that spectrum underuse was a factor and added that another important reason for the award was that, as he put it, between 60 and 70 percent [of the companys shares] are owned by ordinary Gambians who are doing business in this country. Despite these assurances, there is still little information about the new player and the process behind the award does not seem, so far, to have been very transparent. Unconfirmed reports based on a Paradise Television news item last week suggest that Giraffe Telecom is backed by a Turkish businessman and that no one on the investor register, which is publicly available from the Gambian registrar of companies, has a history in telecoms operations or investment. Other questions involving infrastructure supply, marketing and rollout also need to be answered, but these factors are arguably less significant than the viability of a new player in Gambias apparently overserved mobile market. Mobile penetration in the country is over 150 percent, according to some estimates. Two operators Africel and QCel dominate mobile service provision. State-backed Gamcel has had a troubled history, including reports of requests for a government bailout in 2019, and Comium, as regular readers will know, has had problems paying its debts. How, in other words, can a new player make money in a four-operator, high-penetration country that has a population of a little over two million? Nigerias government lifted its ban on Twitter at midnight after securing assurances from the social media company, ending a seven-month blockade of the platform. Twitter was blocked in Nigeria on 4th June 2021 after the platform removed a post by Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari issuing a threat of punishment to regional secessionists. Telecom providers were thereafter ordered to prevent users from accessing the service. Reuters reported that Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, director general of the National Information Technology Development Agency, had now confirmed that Buhari had approved lifting the ban after Twitter agreed to comply with certain orders, including opening a local office in Nigeria with a representative to work with the government. In his statement, Abdullahi said: 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. Therefore, the [federal government] lifts the suspension of the Twitter operations in Nigeria from midnight of 13th January 2022. In addition to meeting its tax obligations in Nigeria, Twitter also pledged to work with Nigerian authorities and the telecoms sector to develop a Code of Conduct in line with global best practices, applicable in almost all developed countries. Diyar Al Muharraq, one of the largest real estate development companies in the Kingdom of Bahrain, has signed a memorandum of understanding with Saudi Telecom Company-owned operator stc Bahrain, to construct and operate additional telecommunication towers. The result, say the partners, will be significant improvements to network connection and internet services in the areas housing the towers. Theres also an environmental angle to this partnership. Following the plan issued by the Telecommunication Regulatory Authority to reduce the number of telecommunication towers, these sites will be shared by all telecommunication companies operating in Bahrain. Following the completion of the project, the masterplan will include a total of 13 operating towers. Diyar Al Muharraq is one of the largest integrated cities in Bahrain, offering a variety of housing solutions and what it calls a unique, balanced mix of residential, commercial, recreational, and healthcare facilities, creating a fully integrated and futuristic model city. This isnt the first involvement of Diyar Al Muharraq in the telecommunications sector. In September last year we reported that the principal telecommunications company in Bahrain, Batelco, had announced the expansion of its mobile network to cover major housing developments currently being built by the Ministry of Housing and the private sector across Bahrain including Diyar Al Muharraq. Authorities on Thursday identified the man who was found shot to death outside a residence in Malone on New Years Eve, as well as his suspected shooter. The victim was Quinton Beckwith, 33, and the man charged with an open count of murder in the case is his cousin, Charles Edward Peterson Jr., Jackson County Sheriff Donnie Edenfield revealed in a morning press conference. Peterson was arrested in Coves County, Illinois on Tuesday, Jan. 11, with probable cause established on Friday, Jan. 7, for his arrest in the case, Edenfield said. The U.S. Marshals Great Lakes Regional Fugitive Task Force took him into custody without incident. That team had taken on the task after a warrant was issued for Petersons arrest. Both men were residents of Jackson County at the time of the shooting, and Peterson has a prior record of offenses, officials said. No suspected motive was disclosed. The case remains under investigation by the Jackson County Sheriffs Office with assistance from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. JCSO reports that authorities were called to a residence in Malone around 12:55 a.m. on Dec. 31, 2021, on reports that shots had been fired in the vicinity. Responding officers found Beckwith in the front yard. He had been shot at least once, and was pronounced dead at the scene. At the press conference, Edenfield said assistance from Jackson County citizens was vital in identifying and rounding up the suspect. As of Thursday, Peterson remained in custody in Illinois, with extradition pending. This is meant to allow over 1,500 trucks currently stranded at the border to complete customs procedures to enter China, the province Peoples Committee said. Amid the Covid-19 outbreak, China has recently tightened checks on imported goods and their transport, leading to congestion of Vietnamese container trucks at border gates over the past month. Each day, they complete customs clearance for 80-100 trucks, with 70 percent of the vehicles carrying agricultural products, mainly fruits. As of Jan. 12 morning, at the three border gates of Huu Nghi, Tan Thanh and Chi Ma, 1,548 trucks had been stranded, with nearly half carrying fruits. The province said it needs about half a month to release all the stranded goods. Last week, Lang Son advised localities nationwide not to transport goods to border gates, but over 100 trucks still carry goods to the province each day. Earlier, Deputy Prime Minister Le Van Thanh asked the two northern provinces of Lang Son and Quang Ninh to recommend localities and enterprises not to transport goods to border areas, and stop receiving them if trucks continue to carrying goods there. He also asked ministries, sectors and localities to strive to release all the stranded goods before the Lunar New Year (Tet). According to the General Department of Vietnam Customs, Vietnam earned $1.75 billion from exporting fruits and vegetables to China in the first 11 months of 2021, up 3.6 percent year-on-year despite Covid-19 impacts. China remained Vietnams top fruits and vegetables export market with a market share of 54 percent in the 11-month period. Workers at the Pou Chen Vietnam factory in Dong Nai return to work on January 12, 2021, following a four-day strike over Tet bonus cut. Photo by VnExpress/An Phuong Around 16,000 workers of Taiwanese-invested footwear maker Pou Chen Vietnam, a Nike contract manufacturer, have returned to work after four days of strike over Tet bonuses. Nguyen Tan Phap, head of the labor union at Pou Chen Vietnam, located in Dong Nais capital town Bien Hoa, said Wednesday that most workers have returned to their stations, ending their strike. He did not elaborate. The workers had struck work to protest the companys decision to pay less bonus than last year for the Tet (Lunar New Year) festival. Tet, the most important festival in Vietnam, falls early February this year. A worker had said the company announced that employees who have worked for it a full year or more will be given Tet bonuses of 1-1.54 months salary around VND5 million ($217) to nearly VND20 million. The highest bonus in 2021 was 1.87 months salary, and in previous years, 2.2 months. "With this (coefficient), the Tet bonus in 2022 will be lower than before." Explaining the drop in bonuses, Tsai Ming Jyh, director of Pou Chen Vietnam, said that the Covid-19 pandemic had forced the factory to close down, affecting its revenue and profits. However, the firm had still given workers part of their salaries for nearly three months during the closure. This years Tet bonus was discussed by the firm and the labor union, he added. Pou Chen Vietnam in Bien Hoa, part of Taiwans Pou Chen Group, has around 16,000 workers. The group has seven other factories in several southern Vietnam localities, totaling over 130,000 workers. It plans to give workers over VND1.2 trillion ($52.8 million) in Tet bonus this year. The entire adult population has received at least one Covid-19 vaccine 10 months after the immunization campaign began. As of January 12 some 163.5 million shots had been administered, with 78.4 million people getting one jab and 71.5 million and 13.6 million getting their second and third, according to the Ministry of Health. It means 93 percent of the population has received at least two shots. In the case of children under 18, eight million have got one shots and six million have got a second, with 90 percent of those aged 12-17 getting one and 68 percent being fully vaccinated. The government plans to fully vaccinate everyone aged 12-17 this month, and give adults booster shots within the first quarter of the year. Vietnam is among the top six countries in the world in terms of vaccination rate, Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh said on January 5. Despite the high vaccination rate, Vietnam has seen a surge in the number of infections, around 17,000 a day, compared to around 3,700 daily cases three months prior. Around 213 deaths a day on average were recorded in the past seven days, compared to around 101 three months prior. Experts have attributed the rise in the number of new cases to the fact that Vietnam has reopened to adapt to the coronavirus, while the majority of deaths are those who are either unvaccinated or not fully vaccinated. A coffee shop in Hanoi is partly open to serve takeaways amid Covid-19 restrictions, May 2021. Photo by VnExpress/Giang Huy Beleaguered Hanoi businesses want the city to adjust its Covid-19 risk assessments and prevent the situation of having to close and reopen every other week. On Monday, a coffee shop on Hoan Kiem Districts Dinh Le Street began cleaning up and setting up tables to reopen, after spending half a month sending takeaways. Hung, an employee, said that for over past two weeks "only a few regular customers came by a day for takeaways." Dinh Le is part of Trang Tien Ward, one of five wards of Hoan Kiem currently determined as having a medium coronavirus risk, and thus allowed to resume in-person dining services. The other four are Phan Chu Trinh, Tran Hung Dao, Hang Trong, Trang Tien and Hang Bac. Hoan Kiem District as a whole is still at high coronavirus risk, so all wards outside of the aforementioned five must still stick to doing takeaway orders. However, as a small downtown district that's only around 5.29 square kilometers wide, residents can travel between wards easily to shop and eat out as they please. Hanoi classifies its regions into different coronavirus risk levels based on several metrics, including the number of community transmission cases, vaccination rates and medical capabilities. Amid an ongoing Covid-19 surge in the capital, almost all of its major districts have seen their coronavirus risk levels shift 2-3 times already, meaning decisions to resume and suspend businesses and services have also flipped and flopped multiple times. Just two weeks prior, downtown districts like Hoan Kiem, Tay Ho and Hai Ba Trung only allowed takeaways, but are allowing food and beverage businesses to reopen this week. Cau Giay District, however, has to suspend in-person dining and only allow takeaways this week once its coronavirus risk level changed to high. Ngoc Anh, a restaurant owner on Tran Dai Nghia Street in Hai Ba Trung District, said it's too much pressure to wait for every weekend to see if they can open next week or not. She said authorities should instead just isolate areas with infections and let services operate as usual, as closing down and reopening every week is too unstable for any business. "If the city wants to ban services, those bans need to be applied citywide to avoid people simply moving to another region to enjoy services. That would be much more difficult to manage," she said. Tran Quang Huy, who lives on Dang Van Ngu Street in Dong Da District, said he had to travel five kilometers to another district to enjoy breakfast or coffee with friends because his district has increased its coronavirus risk level. "Even though it's the new normal, I feel like we're still in a social distancing period," he said. New metrics Tran Van Phuc, a doctor at the Saint Paul General Hospital, said the daily number of infections may increase, but that should not be a metric to determine an area's coronavirus risk level. "The criteria to determine coronavirus risk levels should be changed. If we go with what we have now, all of Hanoi would be a risk zone," he said. Around 99 percent of adults in the capital have already received two Covid-19 vaccine shots, and coronavirus cases and their close contacts have been allowed to be quarantined and treated at home. Under current measures to contain the coronavirus, Hanoi's daily infection tally may increase but its number of severe cases and deaths remain lower than the national average, Phuc said. From January 3 to January 9, the Covid-19 fatality rate in Hanoi was around 0.4 percent against the national average of over 1.3 percent, he added. Coronavirus risk levels should be determined based on the number of beds used at ICUs and the death rate, Phuc argued. Regarding vaccination rate, most of Vietnam have basically received vaccine coverage, so such a metric might no longer be necessary, he added. As long as the number of used beds in ICUs doesn't exceed 70 percent, the situation should still be considered "safe," he said. Taking a more cautious approach, Tran Dac Phu, former head of the General Department of Preventive Medicine, said a surge in the number of infections may lead to system overload and eventually increase the number of severe cases and deaths. "Based on scientific findings and real-world experience, the number of infections should still be a metric to be managed because it reflects what the coronavirus situation looks like," Phu said, adding that authorities could stop announcing the number of daily new cases while still keeping track of it for policy changes deemed necessary. Phuc also proposed separating Covid-19 cases into two categories: infected people are those who test positive for the coronavirus while Covid-19 patients are symptomatic cases. "Changes in how we compile data and present statistics through dividing Covid-19 cases into two categories would help with prevention of the disease and provision of treatment for patients," he said. Foreigners shared several ways to deal with blasting karaoke in Vietnam, from throwing back at it with death metal rock to moving away. "It's a terrible problem in HCMC. I live in An Phu and they do often during the week. Tired to ask them to stop. I m thinking to change to another area more comfy. A small group of 4/5 people can annoy 1,000 inhabitants. It should be forbidden and especially during Covid time, the one in the street." Silvain Aumon "You have to become better at penalizing noise disturbance. Especially in late evening and night, loud talking and everything above should be dealt with a harsh fine. Noise is a cause of stress and therefore a serious health hazard affecting masses of people. Costs for treatment in the long run will be high if not taken care of. This is for sure underestimated." jenskuhn-bay "When the more civic approach did not work, I chose to give my neighbors the same experience. So I simply blasted Death metal rock when they took a break. Things got better in a matter of days." dempseyroll84 "When I was volunteering private school classroom English support here, it was a resounding thumbs down for karaoke and dogs barking continually. Some complained that neighbors got drunk all days and into the night, singing and they could not get a full 8 hours sleep. My own neighbor has the speaker so loud it feeds back. They don't even know what feedback is, it's max volume and that's all they know. Other students told of so much dog noise through the day causing them stress because it broke their concentration and dogs kept them awake at night. People have no idea about noise transfer here, they are still ceramic tiling the walls of their living rooms like bathrooms. So many homes here are echo chambers, that's possibly contributory to the reason they all feel the need to shout here." zedbou... "Yes, indeed a big problem in Vietnam. Maybe it might be fun for Vietnamese, but I know not one foreigner who have fun for it, when you live next door. To me it was one of the reasons to leave Vietnam for Thailand after 8 years living in Vietnam and I don't regret a moment that I left." Murphy Heiniger 10 years ago, communication over social media helped bring down dictators in the Arab Spring, said USAID Administrator Samantha Power. Today, it seems the opposite has happened. The rise of new technologies over the past two decades parallels the democratic recession and in fact has helped fuel it. While it's true that digital technology has enabled immense scientific and economic progress that we benefit from every day, including at this Summit, it has also given governments the ability to surveil, to censor, and to repress their people as never before. Authoritarians learned that Big Data, social media control the Internet, and artificial intelligence could make them even more powerful. Speaking at the virtual Summit for Democracy Event Countering Digital Authoritarianism And Affirming Democratic Values, Administrator Power noted that because technology companies and many democratic governments, including the United States, were too slow to realize or act upon the severity of the problem, digital-enabled repression spread around the globe. Of the 3.8 billion people around the world who have access to the Internet, the vast majority -- some three quarters -- live in countries where governments, last year, arrested and jailed people for expressing non-violent political or social views online. Adding, authoritarians only own the future if we let them. The United States plans to introduce several initiatives as part of the Presidential Initiative for Democratic Renewal. First, USAID will expand its digital democracy work, investing up to $20 million annually. Second, the United States and partners will use export control tools to prevent the proliferation of software and technology used to enable serious human rights abuses. Third, the United States, Canada and Denmark will launch a Surveillance Principles Initiative outlining how governments should use surveillance technology in line with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the rule of law. Fourth, a series of new International Grand Challenges on Democracy-Affirming Technologies, will provide funds to help build democratic values into the next generation technologies. Fifth, the United States will help closed societies access an open Internet through a new fund for anti-censorship technology. And finally, the United States and its partners aim to strengthen the global multi-stakeholder system of Internet governance. In the tech world, "Move fast and break things," has been the prevailing mantra, said Administrator Power. A lot has been broken. And now, it is incumbent on all of us to move fast too, faster than we ever have before, to repair our democracies. The United States, the UK, the European Union, France, the Arab Interior Ministers Council, and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation condemned the January 2 hijacking of a merchant ship by the Houthis off the coast of Hudaydah, Yemen. The vessel was a UAE-flagged ship called the Rwabee. The Saudi-led Coalition, which has been fighting Houthi rebels since 2015, after the Houthis forced the internationally recognized Yemeni president into exile, said the ship was carrying medical field equipment. In a statement condemning the seizure, U.S. State Department Spokesperson Ned Price said, These actions [by the Houthis] interfere with freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and threaten international trade and regional security. The Arab Interior Ministers Council called the hijacking a criminal act and a serious threat to the freedom of maritime navigation and global trade in the Bab al-Mandab strait and the southern Red Sea. The Organization of Islamic Cooperation also condemned the seizure saying such action could disrupt humanitarian aid and other relief efforts to help the Yemeni people. The incident targeting the Rwabee was not the first Houthi seizure of a commercial ship. In 2019, they briefly seized a Saudi-flagged ship and two South Korean vessels, and they have launched drones for maritime attacks against oil tankers and other targets multiple times. Well into its seventh year, the war in Yemen has led to a terrible humanitarian disaster, with the United Nations estimating 300,000 fatalities because of the hostilities, disease, and lack of food and water. Spokesperson Price said that Houthi actions, like the seizure of the vessel, come at a time when all parties should be de-escalating and returning to inclusive political talks. We urge the Houthis to immediately release the ship and crew unharmed and to cease all violence that sets back the political process to end the war in Yemen. With the emergence of the Omicron variant, and continued challenges to equitable access to life-saving care and vaccines, the world is at a critical point in its global response to COVID-19, said Secretary of State Antony Blinken in a statement. Thats why the United States is providing an additional $580 million from the American Rescue Plan Act to support seven international organizations working in the global fight against COVID-19. To date, the United States has shared over 350 million vaccine doses with more than 110 countries and economies worldwide. The United States is providing more than $19.6 billion for life-saving health, economic, and humanitarian COVID-19 assistance to its partners to fight this virus and its impacts. The rapid spread of the Omicron variant reinforces that we must all continue to accelerate our efforts to end this pandemic and that none of us are safe until all of us are safe, said Secretary of State Antony Blinken in a statement. With this additional $580 million, the United States is supporting seven such partners to accelerate the critical work they are doing to help end the pandemic. This funding includes $280 million for the World Health Organization, including $50 million for the Contingency Fund for Emergencies, to help contain the spread of COVID-19, particularly through surveillance and laboratory testing. $170 million will go to the United Nations Childrens Fund to expand its efforts to deliver COVID-19 vaccines around the world including to high-risk and vulnerable populations. $75 million is slated to fund the Pan American Health Organization to provide technical cooperation to support implementation and monitoring of COVID-19 vaccinations in the Americas. $20 million will go to the United Nations Development Program to help address the socioeconomic impact of COVID-19. Another $20 million will assist the United Nations Population Fund in its efforts to mitigate higher rates of maternal and neonatal mortality and morbidity related to COVID-19. $10 million will go to the Food and Agriculture Organization to improve health surveillance, early warning, and risk assessment tools for animal-borne diseases; and $5 million will fund UN Women programs to prevent and respond to gender-based violence. These resources reflect the deep commitment of the United States and the American people to a healthier, more secure world, in keeping with President Bidens commitment to elevate the global ambition to end the COVID-19 pandemic in 2022. ELKO Picture this: Giant letters on the hilltop near the huge American flag overlooking Elko spelling We the People. The W and P letters could be 26 feet tall, and the three words would be spread out over 140 feet on the city-owned property, said Catherine Wines of the Elko Arts and Culture Advisory Board. She said the board thought it would be a great to do another art project. The bigger the better. The Art and Culture Advisory Board spearheaded the 9-1-1 memorial at Elko City Hall, the Sesquicentennial Sagebrush in Elko City Park, and the city-wide centennial cowboy boot installation. 9/11 memorial reminds us of the fallen It took months and months of waiting to get the steel to Elko because of high demand. The section of I-beam finally arrived and the board set to work. Now, the Sestercentennial Art Project would celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 2026. Wines told the Elko City Council she was aware We the People are not the words beginning that document, but the words are representative. The U.S. Constitution begins with the words We the people. I dont think there is a conflict at all, Wines told the council, which on Jan. 11 approved allowing the Arts and Culture Advisory Board to begin raising funds now for the project that is more than four years down the road. It looks like a great project. Its great that you are getting an early start, said Mayor Reece Keener, who reminded the council that fundraising for the Centennial Tower downtown took three years and we barely got it done within that time frame. Wines said the preliminary estimate is that the project would cost $250,000 to $300,000, and the concept she showed the council was an early version she put together. The color, the exact size, the placement, and other details are still in the planning stages, she said. The councils approval for the advisory board to start raising money included later designating the Elko Flag Foundation or the Elko Art Foundation as the fiscal agent for the fundraising. Jon Wahrenbrock of the Elko Flag Foundation told the council he felt there would be a lot of support for the project. The Flag Foundation is supporting this wholeheartedly, he said. Wines told the council she didnt think there would be much to do on the design side, and the board wont need to hire an artist. She said the font for the letters is ours. Its very artistic but there would need to be a survey of the site for the proper location. The words would be visible from the Elko County Fairgrounds and parks, and they would face the city rather than Interstate 80. For that size structure, you will need concrete, Keener said. Wines told the council the project would be somewhat like the Hollywood sign in California but smaller. She also said she would donate design time, and she has talked to a couple of engineers who might donate their time to the project. Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 1 Sad 0 Angry 2 In 2017, while exploring rock glaciers in the Himalaya, eco-hydrologist Karen Anderson couldn't help but wonder about the plants. Shrubs and grasses seemed to be thriving across many of the high-altitude mountain slopes. The landscape made her wonder: "Is there more plant coverage now than in the past?" The question seems simple, but the answer has complex and important implications for the region's water cycle. Research in other parts of the world has shown that changes in the type and expanse of vegetation can lead to changes in the flows and stores of water. So, an expansion of plants in the Himalaya--not just the retreat of glaciers--could affect the water supply for one fifth of Earth's human population. But how this plant-water relationship will play out remains unclear. "There is such a lack of information about Himalayan ecology in this high-altitude zone, at least in western science, that we don't really understand what the impacts of changing vegetation will be," Anderson said. "Most of the scientific expeditions to the Himalaya have been to the glaciers, which have been an area of major concern as they retreat under climate change." Anderson and colleagues set out to evaluate how plant life has changed in the Hindu Kush Himalaya over the span of 26 years. They focused on elevations above the tree line but below permanent snow and ice. In this area, known as the subnival or alpine zone, you can find shrubby plants and seasonal snow. In the Himalaya, the zone generally includes altitudes between 4,100 to 6,000 meters (13,000 to 20,000 feet) above sea level. The high altitude and the remoteness of the region add to the challenge of studying its plants. But Anderson, based at the University of Exeter (England), did not need to return to Nepal to begin the investigation. Instead, she and colleagues used the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index, or NDVI, derived from Landsat satellites. NDVI gives an indication of the land's greenness, which the scientists used to map the abundance of vegetation across the subnival zone from 1993 to 2018. They checked the accuracy of their maps against images from Google Street View and the photographs Anderson shot during her field work in 2017 (above). The maps at the top of this page show the extent of vegetation in 1993 (green-yellow) and 2017 (dark green). They span the mountainous area around Mount Everest and Dingboche, Nepal, a mountain village at an altitude of 4,410 meters (14,500 feet). Notice the small but significant increases in vegetation cover by 2017. Increases tended to be more substantial on steeper slopes at lower elevations, and on flatter areas at higher elevations. The findings were published in Global Change Biology. "This work was the first step towards trying to explore the scale of this ecosystem, to describe how it is changing, and to discuss the likely implications," Anderson said. For example, the expansion of plants elsewhere in the world has been shown to alter the water cycle by intercepting rainfall or trapping snow. Plants also can warm the soil through albedo-driven effects, and they can cool the air through evapotranspiration. "As glaciers recede and plants expand with climate change, what will this mean for water security?" Anderson asked. "I think this is a really important question and something that my research group is taking forward." NASA Earth Observatory images by Joshua Stevens, using data courtesy of Anderson, K., et al. (2021). Photography by Karen Anderson. Story by Kathryn Hansen. More imagery Please follow SpaceRef on Twitter and Like us on Facebook. 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. Covid-19 case numbers have reached new daily records in recent weeks there have been growing calls for further economic support for American people and businesses, but it is highly unlikely the government will provide more stimulus checks to the general public. Pressure has risen on on Americans as one form of federal financial support, the Child Tax Credit, has been removed. However, there are other types of support that the government has been providing and is providing to those in need. Some states have also introduced extra pandemic-related support that state residents can access. Which states offer their own stimulus checks or other types of financial relief? The standout state is California, which has the only real form of stimulus checks remaining, and these are just the last payments of a plan set up last year. Others, like Alaska, have state-run dividend packages that are sent to residents each year. These cannot be classed as relief checks as they have existed for over 50 years, and are a form of payment to residents that have decided to live in Alaska permanently. The most generous state-sponsored relief initiative came in California, but the final payment was sent out as late as January 11th. States introduce stimulus check alternatives Although not quite a proper stimulus check, numerous states have introduced new forms of financial support for residents. Many of these are specificially related to the pandemic and offer cash incentives. Florida stimulus relief update On the back of an additional round of $1,000 stimulus checks for around 170,000 teachers and principals during 2021, as a thank you for their work throughout the pandemic, Florida's 2022 budget includes a $1,000 bonus for teaching staff. Indiana stimulus relief update Indiana's residents will receive a state-funded tax refund worth an estimated $125 each, when they file their 2021 tax returns after the state recorded a budgetary surplus on the previous fiscal year. January 24 marks the first day in which US residents can begin to file their taxes. New York relief update Undocumented workers in New York can access a $2.1 billion stimulus check fund, allowing those unable to claim the initial two stimulus checks to receive some support. You must simply be a state resident who earned less than $26,000 in 2020, and have missed out on the previous stimulus checks. Another funding plan includes investment in tourism workers who have had their earnings annihilated by the lack of tourism. This includes funding for startups, as well as investment in tourism-related jobs, according to tweets by Gov. Kathy Hochul. Tennessee relief update Earlier this year the Tennessee state legislature passed SB1358, which provided a one-time hazard pay bonus of $1,000 for full-time employees and $500 for part-time employees of the state's public schools. These should have been received by the end of the year, but like problems the IRS is facing, payments could still be received now. Texas relief update Another state focusing on educators for the additional stimulus checks is Texas, where individual school districts introduced various bonus schemes to encourage teachers back to the classroom. Fort Worth and Arlington have increased the pay of district employees by 4%; Denton has provided a bonus payment of $500; while the Irving school district has promised a $2,000 stimulus payment for teachers who returned to the classroom in September. Secretary-General of the Vietnam National Commission for UNESCO Mai Phan Dung speaks at the 41st session of the General Conference of UNESCO in Paris in November 2021 (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) - The Vietnam National Commission for UNESCO reviewed tasks in 2021 and discussed orientations for 2022 during an online conference on January 12. At the event, Chairman of the Commission Dang Hoang Giang underlined that Vietnam fulfilled its role as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for the 2020-21 tenure, demonstrating the image of an active and responsible nation at international forums, including the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO). The Vietnam-UNESCO relations have been strengthened, he affirmed. The complex developments of COVID-19 forced the cancellation of various activities of the commission, and budget of ministries, sectors and localities for related activities were slashed, according to the commission's report. To promote Vietnams image and role at UNESCO forums, protect national interests and capitalise on knowledge so as to build policies and sustainably develop the country, the commission defined some orientations for activities in 2022, such as studying the tendency of cooperation and changes in policies of countries and country groups in UNESCO. It will give recommendations on policies and strategies to the Government in the expertises of education, culture, science communications and information. The commission is to uphold its role as an active member of the Executive Board of UNESCO for 2021-25 and the UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee of the 2005 Convention for the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions for 2021-25; and in the implementation of a memorandum of understanding on Vietnam-UNESCO cooperation for the 2021-25./. Photo for illustration (Source: VTV) Standards Chartered held that the GDP growth will rebound strongly to 6.7 percent in 2022 and 7 percent in 2023, saying Vietnams medium-term outlook remains positive, said the Vietnam News Agency. The bank made the forecast in its latest reports titled Still battling headwinds and Vietnam - Moving back to high growth. The economy should continue to bounce back in 2022 as the pandemic improves. Income growth has outpaced spending growth in recent years; this provides a decent savings buffer against the pandemic. said Tim Leelahaphan, economist for Thailand and Vietnam at Standard Chartered. COVID-19 remains a key risk, at least in the short term. The first quarter could see a full resumption of factory operations, after closures in Q3/2021, and government stimulus; clearer recovery is expected in March, he noted. Economists at Standard Chartered said a continued improvement in the global trade environment will support exports in 2022 although import growth is likely to remain high. In the recent Vietnam at a glance report, HSBC said after two years of growth slowdown, the countrys economic growth will accelerate to reach 6.5 percent in 2022. The Government also targeted this years GDP expansion at 6.5 - 7 percent, equivalent to the pre-pandemic levels. It noted Vietnam has recovered steadily after hitting bottom in 2021 and that it will regain growth momentum in all aspects soon. Manufacturing and export are expected to retain their leading positions, partly thanks to the stable commitments to foreign investment attraction. Besides, domestic demand is likely to bounce back further when current restrictions are gradually removed and the labour market revives. HSBC noted the biggest obstacle needing attention now is the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak, especially the appearance of the Omicron variant, but it is encouraging that the vaccination has been much improved, enough for avoding another period of widespread social distancing. Hai Phong works to maintain top position in FDI attraction The northern port city of Hai Phong is working to continue to improve its business and investment environment to attract large investors and maintain its leading position in investment attraction. Hai Phong city (Photo: haiphong.gov.vn) According to the Ministry of Planning and Investment, in 2021, Hai Phong drew over 5.1 billion USD in foreign direct investment (FDI), the highest among localities nationwide, up nearly 3.4 times compared to that in the same period last year. Commenting on the business and investment environment of Hai Phong, Wu Yu Gan, Deputy General Director of Flat Vietnam, said that his firm has received effective and practical support from authorities of Hai Phong, a promising investment destination. Le Trung Kien, head of the Hai Phong Economic Zone Management Board said that the bright spot in FDI attraction of Hai Phong is the success in luring big investors with high technologies, including LG. By the end of 2021, local industrial parks attracted 420 FDI projects worth nearly 19.1 billion USD, according to the Vietnam News Agency. In 2022, the city aims to lure 2.5-3 billion USD. Right in January, the board accepted a 35-million USD project from a Chinese investor. At a recent confrrence to implement the Resolution on socio-economic, defence, security tasks of the city in 2022, Secretary of the municipal Party Committee Tran Luu Quang held that the city will face challenges in FDI attraction in the time to come. In order to continue maintaining its FDI results, the city should roll out measures to attract human resources to work in IPs, he said, adding that in the 2021-2026 period, the city needs about 200,000 labourers from other localities. Along with giving support to workers in health care services and housing, the city will speed up administrative reform to make it easier for investors during their investment process, while focusing on human resources training, he added. Vietnamese photographer wins gold at intl photo contest RGB 2021 The photo Afternoon on the Cat Ba Bay by Vu Manh Cuong has won the International Federation of Photographic Art (FIAP) gold medal at the international photo contest RGB 2021. Afternoon on the Cat Ba Bay (Photo: Vu Manh Cuong) The contest honours outstanding works of both professional and amateur photographers around the world in the four categories of Open Monochrome, Open Colour, Nature and Photo Travel. Vietnamese photographers winning the ribbon award at this contest include Duong Duy Khang with Ben thuyen Tam Coc (Tam Coc Marina), Vu Manh Cuong with Wayback 2, Duong Vu with Feeding 3 and Tinh phu tu 2 (Father Love 2), and Vu Hai with Mu Cang Chai tourist site. Red River Delta named among top 52 Places for a Changed World The Vietnamese Red River Delta has been named among the list of the top 52 Places for a Changed World in 2022, as selected by the New York Times of the United States. The New York Times said its annual list of destinations to visit this year focuses on spots where visitors can be part of the solution to problems such as over-tourism and climate change. Quan ho singing (Photo: toquoc.vn) According to the US media outlet, travelers will undoubtedly flock to the countrys world-famous beaches and dynamic megacities once travel begins to normalise again. But head north to the traditional villages of the Red River Delta, and you can immerse yourself in centuries-old cultural practices and a way of life that is at risk of disappearing, says the newspaper. Charly Wilder, editor of the New York Times, noted in the article that since ancient times, villagers along the Cau river in northern Vietnam have sung Quan Ho, a call-and-response folk music style performed by alternating all-female and all-male duets. They typically come from neighbouring villages, with this being recognised as part of UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2009, according to the Voice of Vietnam. In the decade since, 49 ancient villages in Bac Ninh and Bac Giang provinces have taken measures to safeguard the cultural heritage of Quan Ho, which includes countless rituals celebrating culinary traditions and to address rural-urban migration through cultural tourism, he added. Wilder went on to reveal that several Hanoi-based tour operators, such as Vietnamstay and Khoa Viet Travel, have offered guests the chance to explore the villages Buddhist temples, craft communes, Ly Dynasty pagodas, and waterways while also helping to preserve the past. Other destinations to make the New York Times list include Chioggia of Italy, Chimanimani National Park of Mozambique, Queens of New York, Northumberland of the UK, Zihuatanejo of Mexico, Ibera Park of Argentina, and the Alentejo Wine Region of Portugal. This is in addition to the Lucayan Archipelago of the Bahamas, Turk & Caicos, Evia of Greece, Cobscook Shores of Maine, Hoonah of Alaska, Cleveland of Ohio, and Courmayeur of Italy. Cashew nut exports to EU likely to inch up 15% this year Vietnamese businesses are expected to export 155,000 tonnes of cashew nuts worth US$900 million to the European Union in 2022, representing a rise of 15% in volume and 10% in value compared to 2021, the Voice of Vietnam quoted the forecasts set out by the Ministry of Industry and Trade. Photo for illustration (Source: CPV) Last year witnessed businesses ship 135,000 tonnes of cashew nuts worth US$816 million abroad, an increase of 16.5% in volume and 7.9% in value compared to the previous year, despite complicated developments of the COVID-19 pandemic causing several difficulties in production, customs clearance, and high freight rates. This positive growth can largely be attributed to high demand for the nuts in the EU market throughout the Christmas and New Year period. There have been significant changes occurring in the export structure of cashew nuts to the market, with a specific focus on the types of W320 and W240, especially high-added value products such as W180. At present, the EU makes up the countrys second largest cashew nut export market, accounting for 23% of the entire sectors total volume and 22% of its total value. Local cashew nut exports to the bloc have enjoyed a zero tax rate since the enforcement of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) back in August 1, 2020. This move has helped the local cashew industry increase exports to the demanding market and contributed to expanding its market share in several niche markets over the coming year./. At the meeting (Photo: congthuong.vn) Besides the background of political relations, Vietnam and Belarus are also jointly implementing the Vietnam - Eurasian Economic Union Free Trade Agreement, of which Belarus is a member, and many bilateral cooperation agreements in most economic fields. On January 11, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Dang Hoang An met with Belarus Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. N. N. Borisevich. During the meeting, the two sides discussed the preparation of the official visit to Vietnam by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Belarus R.A. Golovchenko in 2022. Statistics from the General Department of Vietnam Customs showed the total bilateral trade turnover in 2020 reached USD108.5 million. By the end of the third quarter of 2021, the total bilateral trade turnover reached USD89.6 million, a year-on-year increase of 38.1%. According to Deputy Minister Dang Hoang An, although bilateral trade has grown, two-way trade turnover between Vietnam and Belarus is still modest and does not meet the potential. Within the framework of the official visit to Vietnam by Belarusian Prime Minister R.A. Golovchenko in 2022, I hope that businesses of the two sides will have the conditions to meet and exchange directly to promote trade and investment cooperation, he said. Appreciating the traditional friendship between the two countries, Deputy Minister Borisevich said that Vietnam is the most important and reliable partner in the region, and Belarus always continues to promote that cooperative relationship to raise the level of strategic partnership. Therefore, the official visit to Vietnam by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Belarus in 2022 is expected to create an important impetus to promote cooperation between the two countries to new heights, helping to promote bilateral trade and investment cooperation relations to be more commensurate with the very close political and diplomatic relations between the two countries. "One of the preparations for this visit is to hold the 15th meeting of the Vietnam - Belarus Intergovernmental Committee on economic - trade and scientific - technical cooperation," said Deputy Minister Borisevich. Regarding this issue, Deputy Minister Dang Hoang An affirmed that the Ministry of Industry and Trade will closely coordinate with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam and relevant ministries and branches to effectively organize the visit of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Belarus./. French Vietnamese painter Vincent Monluc (Photo: dantri.com.vn) The exhibition displays nearly 100 artworks in watercolor and oil paints painted by Vincent Monluc over the past years, since he returned to Vietnam and participated in live painting tours. Artistic paintings by Vincent Monluc convey his love for Vietnam. The exhibition presents many landscapes, daily life, portraits of workers on streets, villages and countryside in the three regions of Vietnam. According to professional painters, Vincent Monluc's paintings have a very unique feature, a new way of expression, interference between the West and the East, rich in humanity. The exhibition is named Giac mo because over the past years, he has always had a burning desire to return to his hometown to paint, and when he does it, he still thinks its a dream, said painter Ho Hung, Chairman of the Saigon Watercolor Club. Vincent Monluc was born on October 31, 1952 in Vietnam. At the age of 12, he followed his family to settle in France. He started his passion for drawing with watercolors very early and when he was an adult, he worked in the animation industry for a long time. Sharing about the exhibition, the painter believed that he fulfilled his dream; the biggest desire in life is to live with a love of painting despite having gone through many different jobs. Although he has been able to travel and paint in many places around the world, since 2019, he decided to stay permanently in Vietnam to stabilize his life and create paintings. For Vincent Monluc, Vietnam always brings great emotions and he wants to explore and see Vietnam through the art of painting. The exhibition will run until the end of January 20./. At the event (Photo: VNA) Speaking at the event, Minister of Home Affairs of Laos Thongchan Manixay highlighted that the management board of Phat Tich pagoda and Vietnamese Buddhist followers in Laos have made practical contributions and timely support worth up to billions of kip for Lao people living in difficulties nationwide. The Minister sincerely thanked Vietnamese monks, nuns and Buddhist followers in the pagoda, as well as the Vietnamese community and businesses in Laos for their assistance for Lao people, especially those in disadvantaged, flood-hit areas, zones affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, local pagodas and centres for caring needy and disabled people. At the event, Vietnamese Ambassador to Laos Nguyen Ba Hung called on the Vietnamese community in Laos to make more contributions and support Lao people who are still facing difficulties in their life, thus contributing to nurturing and promoting the special relationship between the two countries. On the occasion, a program to raise funds for the restoration of Phat Tich pagoda in Vientiane was launched. The Vietnamese Ambassador said he supports an idea to restore the pagoda, while calling for contributions of Vietnamese people working and living in Laos, and those in the homeland to the work. Accordingly, 250,000 USD was raised from Buddhist followers, Vietnamese individuals and businesses in Laos. Phat Tich pagoda has made important contributions to developing Vietnamese Buddhism in Laos, promoting the close relationship between the Buddhism of the two countries, and supporting Vietnamese and Lao disadvantaged people./. Consul General of Vietnam in Khon Kaen Chu Duc Dung gives an excuse to overseas Vietnamese return home by road (Photo: VNA) On the morning of January 12, more than 60 overseas Vietnamese living and working in the Northeastern region of Thailand in difficult circumstances returned to Vietnam by road in the context that commercial flights are still very few and expensive. Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, there have been many flights to bring Vietnamese citizens home. However, bringing citizens home by road through a third country is unprecedented. According to Consul General of Vietnam in Khon Kaen Chu Duc Dung, bringing Vietnamese citizens home by road is a big challenge, that is, the procedures for applying for permission to open, enter and exit the three different countries of Thailand, Laos and Vietnam. In addition, because it was only in Laos for one day, the coordination must also be very rhythmic, precise and very meticulous. Consul General Chu Duc Dung said that bringing overseas Vietnamese home by road greatly reduces costs for them and helps Vietnamese living and working in Thailand return home to celebrate Tet. On this occasion, the Consul General also thanked the local authorities, especially Mukdahan province, and the immigration police of Thailand and Laos, for creating favorable conditions for Vietnamese citizens to return home safely, conveniently and fast. "After more than 2 years of the outbreak of the pandemic, being returned to my hometown to meet my relatives again, I am extremely touched and thankful for the care of the authorities. In the foreign land, in difficult circumstances, we can feel and understand deeply about the gestures of overseas Vietnamese, as well as the officers of the Consulate General," shared Ms. Tran Thi Tram Oanh, one of the citizens who were allowed to return home on this occasion./. Scrap containers (Photo: VNA) Specifically, the environmental protection deposit aims to ensure that scrap importers bear the responsibility for handling possible environmental pollution risks arising from the imported scrap. Organisations and individuals importing scrap shall make deposit at the Vietnam Environmental Protection Fund or the local environmental protection fund or the credit institution where they open a transaction account. The deposit is made in accordance with each shipment or each contract with information and value of the imported scrap shipment./. Dan Daley says he's looking to fix a glitch in the recent gaming compact. The final harness racing contest at Floridas last venue for the sport will take place this April, but Rep. Dan Daley wants to make sure that anyone else who wants to take up the sport in Florida can. The Democratic lawmaker from Coral Springs has filed legislation (HB 1269) to correct what he sees as a glitch in last years legislation that was part of a Gaming Compact between the state of Florida and the Seminole Tribe of Florida. Democrat Sen. Shevrin Jones has filed a companion bill (SB 1794). The bills call for anyone who has permits to run other kinds of wagering greyhound racing, thoroughbred and quarter-horse racing or jai alai games during the 2020-21 year to also be able to get a permit to run two-wheeled sulkies around a racetrack. Currently, if someone wanted to race sulkies around a racetrack for people to bet on, theres no mechanism to get that permit, Daley said. HB 1269, which I filed for the 2022 Session, provides an avenue for harness racing to return to Florida while allowing the families in this industry to operate their small businesses and continue to raise their families, Daley said. He estimated 10,000 jobs will disappear along with the sport when adding up the jockeys, horse caretakers and material suppliers. Agriculture is the second-largest industry in Florida and once again, its being taken for granted, Daley said, commenting on the way the sport was simply eliminated. The Isle Casino is closing its harness racing track at the end of this season because of a planned redevelopment of the land that its track now sits on. The casino is planning to build a hotel, a cinema, shops, restaurants and apartments on the land where an old grandstand sits. Daley, pointing out the harness racing operation is still drawing profits and crowds at Isle Casino, said the state should at least provide a way for harness racing to exist, even if the Isle Casino has found a more profitable use for its land. The 233-acre facility that once drew celebrities like Jackie Gleason, Mickey Mantle and Whitey Ford made Pompano Beach the Winter Capital of Harness Racing starting in 1964, according to Frank Cavaioli, a retired history and political science professor. Cavaioli wrote a book titled Pompano Park Harness Track. (Anne Geggis / floridapolitics.com) Vaccination for pregnant women at Thanh Nhan Hospital, Hanoi, September 2021 (Photo: VnExpress) As of January 12, the country injected a total of 163.5 million doses of vaccine, including 78.4 million for the first dose; 71.5 million for the second dose; and 13.6 million for the third dose. 93% of the population nationwide has been fully vaccinated, with the second dose. According to the COVID-19 Immunization Portal, 51 provinces and cities cover the full dose for more than 90% of the adult population. The rest of the provinces all achieved the coverage rate of the second dose reaching over 80%. Vietnam has injected 14 million doses of vaccine to children under 18 years old, including 8 million for the first dose; 6 million for the second dose. Ninety percent of children aged 12-17 received the first dose and 68% received the second dose. Additionally, 33 provinces and cities have completed two doses for children. To date, Vietnam has received 206 million doses of vaccine, including 60 million doses of AstraZeneca; 88 million doses of Pfizer and Moderna; 51 million doses of Sinopharm; 5 million doses of Abdala; and 1.5 million doses of Sputnik V. Of which, 103 million doses were purchased using the State budget, the rest came from aid from the COVAX Facility, businesses and foreign countries. Vietnam started the COVID-19 vaccination campaign on March 8, with the goal of covering 70% of the adult population in 2021, equivalent to 50 million people. So far, the vaccination campaign has achieved results that exceed the initial plans. In recent Government meetings, the Prime Minister asked for completion of vaccination for people aged 12-17 in January and the third dose for adults aged 18 or more in the first quarter of this year. At a Government meeting with localities on January 5, Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh said that from a very low vaccination rate, Vietnam rose to one of the six countries with the highest vaccine coverage rate in the world./. Photo for illustration. (Source: danviet.vn) Accordingly, Hanoi strives to welcome and serve 9-10 million visitors in 2022, including 1.2-2 million foreign visitors. Total revenue from tourists is expected to reach 27.8-35.8 trillion VND. The average room occupancy rate in 2022 will reach 40-45%. The Department of Tourism has proposed many solutions to achieve the targets, in line with the developments of the COVID-19 epidemic, as well as the actual situation in Vietnam and Hanoi. In addition, the Department will carry out a plan to upgrade the quality of tourism products, and tourist destinations associated with heritage - relics, and craft villages in districts and towns. The Department will host tourism promotion programs and implement a plan to develop Hanoi culinary tourism and plans to develop agricultural and rural tourism, night tourism, and gift products. It will cooperate with Vietnam Airlines Corporation to organize programs and events to stimulate demand and promote the citys tourism at home and abroad, and receive foreign famtrip delegations into Vietnam./. A worker at an automobile factory in Aichi, Japan (Photo: AFP/VNA) Japanese Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Hagiuda and Singaporean Minister for Trade and Industry Gan Kim Yong reiterated their countries commitment to building a free and fair rules-based trading system including by maintaining high standards for the trade agreement, Kyodo cited in a joint statement as saying. The two ministers said they aim to expand the trade pact to those who are able to fully meet, implement and adhere to its high standards. The statement was issued after Hagiuda visited Singapore during a tour of Southeast Asian countries including Indonesia and Thailand starting last week. Singapore is chairing the CPTPP Committee, the blocs decision-making body this year, following Japans mission in 2021. The CPTPP covers 13 percent of global GDP and groups together Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, and Vietnam. The UK and China applied to join the trade deal last year while the Republic of Korea and the Philippines expressed their interest in joining./. -- Following the Omicron outbreak, Tianjin, with a population of about 14 million, immediately took action to block the spread of the epidemic. -- Faced with this new threat, all of the local governments have stuck to their usual zero-COVID-19 approach. -- By putting people's lives first, China has implemented the "dynamic zero-case policy" to maintain the normal functioning of society and promote economic development at the same time. TIANJIN, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- Minasyan Anush, an Armenian who lives in north China's Tianjin Municipality, no longer feels anxious after receiving her negative test result for COVID-19. A student at Nankai University, Minasyan was a little worried after news on Sunday that two cases of the Omicron variant had been confirmed in Tianjin, which neighbors Beijing. "I knew that the world is now facing the new Omicron variant, which is transmitted much faster than any other COVID-19 variants that have emerged before," she said. However, the local government's rapid response over the following three days gave the 26-year-old girl a much-increased sense of safety. ZERO-COVID-19 APPROACH Following the Omicron outbreak on Sunday, Tianjin, with a population of about 14 million, immediately took action to block the spread of the epidemic, asking local residents not to leave the city unless necessary. On Wednesday, the municipality launched the second round of citywide mass nucleic acid testing, following close behind the first round, which started early Sunday, amid efforts to find out possible infections and quickly contain the epidemic. A medical worker takes a swab sample from a citizen at a COVID-19 testing site in Binhai New Area in north China's Tianjin, Jan. 9, 2022. (Xinhua/Zhao Zishuo) Although the total number of local cases in the latest flare-up in Tianjin has increased to 137 as of Wednesday, Minasyan felt at ease, knowing that the tally will be cleared to zero soon. The Omicron variant hit Tianjin and central China's Henan Province in early 2022, while the Delta variant epidemic in northwest China's Shaanxi Province had not yet ended. Faced with this new threat, all of the local governments have stuck to their usual zero-COVID-19 approach. "China has adopted the approach of 'dynamic zero-case policy' for two years, and this has proved to be successful. We must continue to put people's lives first," said Zhang Boli, an academician with the Chinese Academy of Engineering and recipient of the national honorary title "the People's Hero" for his outstanding anti-epidemic efforts. Zhang Boli, an academician with the Chinese Academy of Engineering, speaks in an interview with Xinhua on Jan. 11, 2022. (Photo by Hao Jie/Xinhua) According to data from Johns Hopkins University, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases globally has exceeded 313 million, as of Wednesday. But Zhang believes that seeking "herd immunity" is an irresponsible approach in terms of protecting people's lives and health. "It is inappropriate to regard Omicron as 'flu with a larger size'," said Zhang. Although the symptoms caused by Omicron are mild, it can still cause serious harm to middle-aged and elderly people. In the city of Anyang, in central China's Henan Province, 123 local COVID-19 cases have been registered since the first case was reported on Saturday. The first cases in Anyang are believed to be linked with the same transmission chain of the Omicron variant in Tianjin, according to the publicity department of the Anyang municipal government. A medical worker takes a swab sample from a resident at a COVID-19 testing site in Baoliansi Township in Anyang, central China's Henan Province, Jan. 10, 2022. (Xinhua) On Monday evening, the Anyang municipal government ordered all vehicles off roads and required all residents to stay put for epidemiological investigation and nucleic acid testing. "We will take firm and decisive measures to break the chain of transmission of the virus," said Gao Yong, mayor of Anyang. "We must put people's lives first." LIFE FIRST Shortly after an epidemic emerged in Xin'an County in the city of Luoyang in Henan Province, more than 2,500 medical workers from different hospitals in Luoyang rushed to the county to join the battle against the virus. On New Year's Day, the first day of her arrival, Xiao Xiaoniu, a nurse from the Songxian County People's Hospital, worked till 10 p.m. together with her colleagues. They collected 1,600 samples for nucleic acid testing. Xiao forgot that it was her birthday until a colleague reminded her. In Tianjin and Henan, lots of communities have worked to ensure that vulnerable groups would be tested first in the mass nucleic acid tests and would not be left waiting in the freezing weather. Aerial photo taken on Jan. 9, 2022 shows a COVID-19 testing site in Nankai District of north China's Tianjin. (Xinhua/Sun Fanyue) Many residents joined in the fight voluntarily. Zong Di, one of the volunteers in Tianjin, went door-to-door to help residents register for nucleic acid testing and cope with their troubles. "Before you know it, the day is over," Zong said. By putting people's lives first, China has implemented the "dynamic zero-case policy" to maintain the normal functioning of society and promote economic development at the same time. In response to the COVID-19 outbreak, the Tianjin municipal authorities have used both online and offline channels to ensure citizens get daily necessities. People mostly place their orders online and receive their deliveries from neighborhood outlets. Residents select vegetables in a shop in north China's Tianjin, Jan. 11, 2022. (Xinhua/Li Ran) According to the Tianjin municipal bureau of commerce, local authorities have mobilized major wholesale suppliers, supermarkets and vegetable markets to add inventory in order to cope with the market demand for meat, eggs and vegetables. "There is a supermarket in our community supplying meat, eggs and vegetables for us. The price is rather stable and we don't need to go out to buy daily necessities," said Ma Xiaodong, who lives in the Jinnan District of Tianjin. (Reporting by Li Kun, Song Rui, Li Yating, Feng Dapeng, Han Chaoyang, Li Baojie, Li Laifang; Video reporters: Sun Zhenghao, Chen Changqi, Li Shuai, Xu Jian, Liu Runzhi; Video editors: Yang Zhixiang, Cao Ying) Editor: WXY By Zhang Andi BEIJING - Kazakhstan is the world's largest landlocked country, whose territory is equivalent in size to Western Europe. Kazakhstan shares a 1,778-kilometer border with China and is a crucial link in the Belt and Road Initiative. Since Jan. 2, 2021, protests broke out in Kazakhstan to oppose the rise of liquefied petroleum gas prices and were fuelled into a nationwide turmoil. Kazakhstan Ambassador to China held a press conference on Jan. 10 to explain the situation in Kazakhstan. According to Gabit Koishibayev, Ambassador of Kazakhstan to China, what began in western Kazakhstan as a peaceful rally with demands of a purely socio-economic nature was followed by mass unrest in which participants did not make any specific economic or even political demands, and the rioters had no intention of negotiating with the authorities. In the press conference on January 10, Ambassador Koishibayev stated that Kazakh law enforcement had arrested more than 8,000 people in the protests by Jan. 10, no Chinese citizens included. Ambassador Koishibayev stressed that not all of the 8,000 were terrorists, but some had broken administrative laws or engaged in looting during the demonstrations. He said, President Tokayev had instructed the law enforcement agencies to set up a team of investigators to conduct a large-scale investigation, and when the investigation was completed, the results would be released to the international community. Ambassador Koishibayev introduced that the Internet service terminals caused by the protests in Kazakhstan have been restored and the following problems, including the interruption of transactions during the shutdown, have been resolved. Schools and kindergartens have adjusted the holiday time, and work units and state institutions are gradually resuming services. Here's a comprehensive timeline of the Kazakhstan turmoil. Editor: ZAD To date, Russia is persecuting 130 Ukrainian citizens on political and religious charges, of whom 121 are in prison, including two women, Verkhovna Rada Human Rights Commissioner Liudmyla Denisova has said. "Today is the Day of the Ukrainian Political Prisoner... Now Russia is persecuting 130 Ukrainian citizens on politically motivated charges, of whom 121 are in prison, including two women (15 in the temporarily occupied Crimea, 106 in the territory of Russia) and nine people deprived of the right to freedom of movement," Denisova said on her Facebook page. According to her information, some 76 people have already been sentenced to long terms, some 45 people are under trial and investigation. The ombudsman said that among the prisoners there are parents with many children, people with serious illnesses, public journalists and human rights activists. "In the families of the Ukrainian political prisoners of the Kremlin, some 207 underage children were left without parental care and attention," Denisova said. Thus, the ombudsman said the protection of the rights of Ukrainians and their release is her priority and "a common task of all authorities and the international community for the ultimate goal of returning to their homeland." The Ukrainian Embassy in Germany has explained the current travel regime for Ukrainian citizens to Germany. "According to the report of the German Robert Koch Institute, starting from January 9, 2022, Ukraine is no longer included in the list of the so-called 'countries of increased risk for Germany.' The 'Green List' of countries whose citizens can freely enter the Federal Republic of Germany," the embassy said on Facebook on Wednesday. It is indicated that the statement of the Robert Koch Institute on the procedure for entry from January 9, 2022 concerns exclusively the quarantine regulations of the Federal Government of Germany, in particular, now citizens of Ukraine are exempted from the requirements for electronic registration and quarantine. "Fully vaccinated citizens of Ukraine can enter Germany, even without urgent need. General rules of entry apply for this category of persons. It is important that vaccines against COVID-19 are allowed in the EU: Comirnaty (BioNTech), Moderna, AstraZeneca or Janssen. Vaccination with the last required dose should be carried out at least 14 days before entry," the embassy said. It is also noted that unvaccinated citizens of Ukraine can enter Germany only in case of urgent need, presenting either a negative test result (PCR or antigen), made no earlier than 48 hours before entry, or a certificate of recovery. At the same time, if the trip is planned by plane, it is recommended to follow the requirements of individual airlines as well. The requirement to present a negative test result or certificate applies to persons over six years of age. Kuleba denies information about his possible appointment to post of head of Kyiv City State Administration First deputy head of the Kyiv City State Administration for the exercise of powers for self-government Oleksiy Kuleba denied rumors about his possible appointment as the head of the Kyiv City State Administration. "It never happened, and now again. As they say, they married me without asking. Today I read a lot of messages about my appointment to a new position. It came as a complete surprise to me," Kuleba wrote on his Facebook page on Wednesday evening. He noted that he did not speak with anyone about any positions and is at his workplace, where he performs his duties. "I am at the workplace at the Kyiv City State Administration, I carry out the tasks set by mayor of the capital, Vitaliy Volodymyrovych Klitschko," wrote Kuleba. The deputy head of the Kyiv City State Administration called on the media "to be more careful with unverified information." Residents of eastern Ukraine should be able to meet, support each other - ICRC The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) notes the importance of providing opportunities for meetings for residents of eastern Ukraine, whose relatives live on opposite sides of the disengagement line. "Civilians and infrastructure ensuring the delivery of essential services must be spared, families must be able to see and support each other, and detainees must be treated humanely," ICRC Director of Operations Dominik Stillhart said in a statement, released by the ICRC's press office on Thursday. He said that this is required by the rules of international humanitarian law applicable to all armed conflicts. The ICRC representative noted that Ukraine was once again in the center of media attention, "but it never stopped being one for the people suffering through the fighting." "We support hundreds of thousands of people living close to the line of contact who regularly suffer from disrupted access to medical care, food, water, heating and electricity, but also to education, social services and livelihood opportunities," the statement said. Stillhart noted that thousands of civilians and participants in the fighting were killed, injured, detained or separated from their families, and hundreds of people are still looking for missing loved ones. Some 230,500 flights were performed in the airspace of Ukraine in 2021, which is 62.3% more than in 2020 and 31.2% less than in pre-crisis 2019, according to the website of the Ukrainian State Air Traffic Services Enterprise (UkSATSE). According to the enterprise, in the airspace of Ukraine, in 2021, in particular, 29,600 domestic flights (40.4% more compared to 2020 and 3.7% less compared to 2019), 116,900 international flights (69.8% more and 28.2% less respectively) and 83,900 transit flights (61.2% more and 40.8% less respectively) were performed. Ukrainian airlines performed 81,700 flights in 2021 (64.4% more than in 2020 and 25.5% less than in 2019), and foreign ones 148,700 flights (61.2% more and 34.1% less respectively). At the same time, it is noted that in December 2021, the traffic volume in the country's airspace almost reached the level of 2019 with an indicator of 92.3%. The number of transit flights in the last month almost equaled the corresponding figure in 2019, primarily due to the resumption of flights in the Simferopol flight information region. "In 2021, despite the usual realities caused by the pandemic and the restrictions associated with it, we got hope for a full restoration of traffic in the airspace of Ukraine this year. External factors vaccination of the population and the acceptance of the new realities of air travel, as well as our proactive work to attract airlines to perform transit flights in the airspace of Ukraine, allowed us to actually reach the level of traffic of the same period in pre-COVID 2019 by the end of the year," Head of UkSATSE Andriy Yarmak said. As reported, the State Air Traffic Services Enterprise provided 142,047 flights with air navigation services in 2020, which is 57.6% less than in 2019. Equine Guelph announced the recipients of its 2021 tuition awards on Thursday, Jan. 13. Katelynn Rourke is the recipient of the Roger LHeureux Memorial Equine Award and Vanessa MacDonald has received the Stuart Stocks Memorial Equine Award. Selected for their love of horses, commitment to their welfare and desire to learn, both winners will receive two online courses through Equine Guelph valued at $549 each (Certificates are available in Equine Science, Equine Welfare and Equine Business six courses complete the certificate). Rourke comes from a non-horsey family and caught the horse bug at age six when she started riding lessons. Following her dreams to own and train horses, the path has been one of always trying to understand what makes horses tick. Rourke has worked with equine nutritionists, massage therapists, and became a race office administrator. As a certified trainer, she saw success right off the gate with her first green training project. Together they ended up winning their first start! Already a student of Equine Guelphs short courses on TheHorsePortal.ca, Rourke believes in continuously researching how to better herself as a trainer and caretaker, so her horses can feel and perform at their best. She is now ready to dive into the 12-week courses awarded. "This is a great opportunity to learn all the latest innovations and improve my skills as a horse person!" said Rourke. I am so excited to get started in these courses. I would love to take the Equine Nutrition and Equine Behavior courses! MacDonald plans to apply what she learns in the two online courses to giving horses in her care, including her best friend 'Bumble,' optimal care. MacDonald first met After Market while grooming at Rideau Carleton Raceway during the summer of 2016 and she knew right away how special this horse was. They bonded and MacDonald enjoyed watching his confidence grow as she tended to him with the utmost attention. They were separated when he was sold and resold to different trainers across North America, but he was never forgotten. Five years later, MacDonald jumped at the chance to purchase him and bring him home when he turned up for sale in Ohio. Overcoming injuries and all the exchanges, 'Bumble' won his first start for MacDonald, who says he has more than earned his forever home. Standardbreds are bred to race a mile, but anyone who has the opportunity to work around them knows they go so much farther than that for us, said MacDonald. I am elated to be given the chance to go an extra mile for them in return. They are well worth every effort. The Roger LHeureux Memorial Equine Award was established in loving memory of Standardbred driver, trainer and groom, Roger LHeureux, by David LHeureux and Crystal Fountains Inc. The Stuart Stocks Memorial Equine Award has been created by the Stocks family in memory of their beloved brother, son and uncle, and avid follower of top Thoroughbred racehorses, Stuart Stocks. Submissions will be accepted for this years applicants until November 30, 2022. (With files from Equine Guelph) The OSCE voiced consolidated international support for Ukraine amid military pressure and illegal ultimatums coming from the Russian Federation, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said. "The meeting of the OSCE Permanent Council has shown that our work has yielded results - the OSCE voiced consolidated international support for Ukraine in the face of military pressure and illegal ultimatums from the Russian Federation. The partners fully share Ukraine's position: the OSCE principles enshrined in the Helsinki Final Act are unshakable, including the states' right to freely choose which organization or union treaty to be a part of," Kuleba said in a comment posted on the website of the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry on Thursday. He pointed out that with the support of partners, Ukraine continues working to ensure that the Russian Federation, instead of ultimatums on European security, begins to faithfully implement the Helsinki Decalogue. In particular, it's about the cessation of aggression in Donbas, the de-occupation of Crimea, real steps to resolve the remaining long-term conflicts created by it in the OSCE area, namely in Georgia and Moldova. "In the same context, I remind that according to the fundamental documents of the OSCE, the Russian Federation pledged 'not to consider any part of the OSCE region as a sphere of its influence.' Despite the unsatisfactory week of big diplomacy for Russia, I believe that the only way for Russians to confirm their lack of intentions to solve problems by force is to continue the discussion in established formats, in particular in the OSCE," Kuleba said. He noted that Ukraine is ready for further close cooperation with the Polish Chairmanship in order to effectively implement the OSCE agenda after analyzing the positions of the participating States following the meeting of the OSCE Permanent Council on January 13. "Ukraine will also continue to work actively with partners to implement a comprehensive package of deterring the Russian Federation from a new wave of war in Europe, which has already begun to operate," the minister said. On Tuesday, January 18, at 11.00, the press center of the Interfax-Ukraine news agency will host press conference entitled "Three weeks with cash registers: situation unstable." Participants include Deputy Minister of Economy of Ukraine for digital development, digital transformations and digitalization Ihor Diadiura; founder of E.C. Consulting, tax consultant Oleksandra Tomashevska; ICET advisor, member of the working group under the Ministry of Finance on the application of cash registers Andriy Panasiuk (8/5a Reitarska Street). The broadcast will be available on the YouTube channel of Interfax-Ukraine. Due to quarantine restrictions, the number of places in the press center is limited, the presence of a PCR test or a certificate of vaccination is required. Admission of journalists requires registration on the spot. Additional information and materials by phone: (067) 500 8068 (Dmytro Harny). Head of the Association of Ukrainian Cities, mayor of Kyiv, leader of the UDAR party, Vitali Klitschko, declares political pressure on local governments in view of the searches at the representatives of local government in the city of Chernihiv. "The events taking place in Chernihiv region are noteworthy. Over the past few months, local authorities have been searched five times more than in the last six years. Everyone knows how the searches were carried out in the city of Kyiv - they did not find anything, and now they have come to mayor Chernihiv - to representative of the team of the UDAR party, Vladyslav Atroshenko. Both in Kyiv and in Chernihiv, the reasons for the searches are the same: the mayors should agree to 'fixing games' instead of representing the interests of their voters," Klitschko said at a press conference at the Interfax-Ukraine news agency on Thursday. At the same time, he called such "political pressure" "unprofessionalism or sabotage", which can lead to instability or to chaos, since Chernihiv region borders on Belarus. In turn, mayor of Chernihiv Vladyslav Atroshenko said that in December last year there were about 60 searches at enterprises that carried out work in accordance with the won tenders, the main managers of funds for which were the Department of Housing and Communal Services and the Department of Capital Construction of Chernihiv City Council. "When I have read the decision of the judge of the Pechersky court to conduct searches, to be honest, I was surprised and took it as a joke: I was accused of creating an organized criminal group in Chernihiv city ... Searches are sometimes brutal, there are facts of threats to lawyers with physical violence right at the place of searches, there are facts of searches in the families of ordinary employees in front of their disabled children," he said. According to Atroshenko, he received information that these searches may indicate political and forceful pressure in July 2021 after the Unity Forum in Chernihiv, at which he, together with Klitschko, signed a memorandum on joining forces and joint participation in elections on the basis of UDAR party. "I received the first signals from the SBI that they were the ones who received the 'fass command' from the President's Office to work on Atroshenko, the mayor of the city of Chernihiv ... The second reason is that I publicly stated that the notorious memorandum on maintaining tariffs is a wrong decision, and the goal of maintaining tariffs must be technically and legally achieved in a completely different way, which will also save public funds. The third reason is the elections in the 206th constituency, to be held on March 27 (the Central Election Commission appointed interim elections of MPs in the electoral district No. 206 in Chernihiv region in connection with the death of MP Anton Polyakov]," explained Atroshenko. He also noted that the President's Office was allegedly ready to ease the pressure on him if two requirements a re met: Atroshenko "had to back off from Klitschko" and "agree and surrender the 206th district." Al-Azhar condemned Friday terrorist attack on a mosque in Afghanistans capital Kabul that left dozens of worshippers dead and injured. Hundreds of people demonstrated on Friday in front of the national assembly in Bangui, calling for a constitutional change which critics fear is a push to keep the president of the Central African Republic in power, an AFP correspondent said. The operator of the controversial Nord Stream 2 pipeline from Russia to Germany -- criticised by some Western countries as a geopolitical weapon -- said Wednesday it was ready to begin delivering gas. But Germany's energy regulator BNetzA earlier this month said the approval process for the pipeline is likely to drag into the second half of 2022. "As of December 29, the gas-in procedure for the second string of the Nord Stream 2 Pipeline has been completed," operating company Nord Stream 2 AG said in a statement. "This pressure is sufficient to start gas transportation in the future," the Switzerland-based company added. President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday confirmed that Russia was ready to send gas via Nord Stream 2 as soon as German authorities give their approval. "As soon as they decide to start work, large volumes -- additional volumes -- of Russian gas will immediately begin to flow to Europe," he said on state television. Gas prices in Europe have been ticking up over the past week, and Putin suggested that launching the pipeline would send them back down. "This, of course, will immediately affect the price on the market, on the spot, and all those countries and consumers of those countries that consume Russian gas, of course, will immediately feel this," he said. Nord Stream 2 was completed in September but BNetzA suspended the German approval process in November, saying it needed to become compliant with German law before it could be certified. The Baltic Sea pipeline has for years divided European capitals and raised tensions between the EU and Washington, with critics saying the project will increase Europe's dependence on Russian gas. Western countries have for weeks accused Russia of limiting gas deliveries to put pressure on Europe amid tensions over the Ukraine conflict and to push through Nord Stream 2. Putin and Russian energy giant Gazprom have rejected the accusations. Search Keywords: Short link: Iraq's new parliament held its first session on Sunday, nearly three months after Iraqis voted in a general election whose results have been contested by powerful Iran-backed factions. The meeting ushers in what is likely to be a lengthy period of political wrangling among rival groups to choose a new president and prime minister. As leader of the biggest bloc, Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr a maverick leader remembered for leading an insurgency against US forces after the 2003 invasion has the upper hand in choosing the new prime minister. But he will have to manage tensions with rival Shiite groups who continue to reject the election results and are demanding to have a say in the government formation process. Lawmakers from al-Sadr's bloc arrived early to the parliament building in Baghdad, donning white shrouds Muslims use to wrap their dead in a sign of their willingness to die for him. Al-Sadr, one of Iraq's most influential political leaders, was the biggest winner in the Oct. 10 vote, securing 73 out of Parliament's 329 seats. Pro-Iran factions that alleged voter fraud lost around two-thirds of their seats a significant blow. Supporters of armed groups pitched tents and staged a sit-in around the capital's so-called Green Zone, which houses the Iraqi government and many foreign diplomatic missions, for more than two months, while they appealed Iraq's top court. Tensions culminated in November with an assassination attempt with armed drones against Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi's residence _ an attack blamed on Iran-aligned groups. The premier was unharmed. The Court rejected the appeal filed by Iran-backed factions and ratified the election results late last month, clearing the way for a government to be formed. Lawmakers on Sunday are expected to elect a parliamentary speaker and two deputies. Parliament will then have to elect a new president, who in turn will have 15 days to appoint a prime minister nominated by the largest bloc to form a new government. Under an unofficial agreement dating back to the 2003 U.S.-led invasion, Iraq's presidency a largely ceremonial role is held by a Kurd, while the prime minister is Shiite and the parliament speaker is Sunni. The election was held months ahead of schedule in response to mass protests in late 2019, which saw tens of thousands in Baghdad and predominantly Shiite southern provinces rally against endemic corruption, poor services and unemployment. They also protested against the heavy-handed interference of neighboring Iran in Iraq's affairs through Iran-backed militias. Independent candidates drawn from the October 2019 protest movement who ran under the Imtidad list won nine seats. Some of them arrived to the parliament building riding a tuk tuk from Tahrir square, the epicenter of the protest movement. The colorful three-wheeled motorcycle vehicles ferried demonstrators back and forth from the square and became a symbol of the protest movement. Hamzeh Hadad, a political analyst, said the makeup of the new parliament could help make elected officials more accountable to the public due to the new smaller electoral districts. ``With many independents and new political parties elected like Imtidad Movement, we could see a true opposition formed in parliament for the first time,'' he said. ``This is what Iraqis will be hoping to see from the new legislature.`` Search Keywords: Short link: By Azernews By Laman Ismayilova The Culture Ministry's Public Council has discussed plans for the year 2022. The event provided insight into extensive work to be carried out by the Public Council this year. First, the chairman of the Public Council Garay Alibayov informed about the working groups operating within the council. He said that four working groups function within the public council. One of them is led by well-known actor and art reader, Honored Artist Azad Shukurov. "This working group will hold master classes for young people interested in art. The activity of the second working group headed by Doctor of Philosophy in Art History Gunel Seyidahmadli is connected with our cultural heritage. The next working group is headed by People's Artist Vidadi Hasanov, and this working group is engaged in theatrical performances and festivals in Azerbaijan. The last group, called International Relations, is led by Honored Art Worker, musicologist Jahangir Salimkhanov," said Garay Alibayov. MP Fazil Mustafa noted that there are a number of problems in the field of culture. He stressed that the activities of the Public Council will give impetus to the elimination of these problems. Speaking at the meeting, Honored Artist Azad Shukurov said that he had held talks with the University of Culture and Arts, the Baku Music Academy and other educational institutions. He noted that the purpose of the group is to identify talented young people in the regions and help them in their education in the field of culture and art. "Often such young people do not know where to turn. For this reason, we plan to hold meetings in the regions and explain all the points to talented young people to enter universities. It would also be good to hold meetings with cultural figures living in the regions. This would lead to the sharing of their experiences and the revival of theaters in the regions. We must support talented young people to develop our culture as a whole," he said. The head of the Culture Ministry's Department Ismayil Abdulazimov commented on the proposals put forward by the council. "Cooperation with the public council can help find solutions to problems. Citizens should benefit from our joint activities. All our work must be citizen-oriented. As usefulness increases, problems will decrease. We are ready to listen to the Public Council's solution proposals. I believe that as a result of mutual cooperation we will overcome common problems," he concluded. Iraqi authorities have repatriated 111 Iraqi families linked to the Islamic State group from a Kurdish-run camp in northern Syria, a local official said on Monday. They arrived on Saturday and were transferred to Al-Jadaa camp south of Mosul, in Nineveh province, said the official who declined to be named. Since May 2021, at least 339 families linked to the jihadist IS group have been moved from Al-Hol camp in northeast Syria to Al-Jadaa which hosts around 7,500 internally displaced people. These include families of jihadists, some of whom hail from other parts of Iraq, including the provinces of Salaheddine and Ramadi, according to Iraqi authorities. The prospect of their return to their places of origin has sparked concern among residents who survived the brutal rule of IS when it occupied one third of Iraq between 2014 and 2017. In late 2017, Iraq declared "victory" over IS after driving the jihadists from all urban areas, with support from a US-led coalition. Iraqi authorities announced last month their intention to close Al-Jadaa, the last camp sheltering displaced in Iraq, outside of the autonomous region of Kurdistan. But the process is long and facing resistance from local populations who don't want IS group families among them. According to the International Organization for Migration, six million Iraqis were displaced during the IS group rule. Around 1.2 million of them still have not been able to go home, including more than 100,000 who live outside camps in "informal sites". Search Keywords: Short link: President of Egypt's National Council for Human Rights (NCHR) Moushira Khattab said on Tuesday that the World Youth Forum (WYF) reflects the current stage of Egypt's new republic, which she said expresses a high-level political will to let the youth take the lead in implementing the National Strategy for Human Rights. Speaking at the World Youth Forum's (WYF) Model of United Nations-Human Rights Council, Khattab commended the holding of the simulation model, hailing the four-day event as a "strong and inspiring" start to President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi's initiative as regards declaring 2022 year of civil society. She also thanked the president for supporting women, pointing out to the recent formation of the NCHR, where women account for more than 44 percent of its members. The NCHR president added that the coronavirus is an international pandemic, but it lacked international cooperation, noting that there is now an attempt to redress this via the diplomacy of vaccination. In this regard, Khattab said Egypt started early in its measures against COVID-19, noting that a committee has been formed under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly. The committee brought together a large number of the ministries concerned in order to follow up the coronavirus situation nationwide on a daily basis, she added. The official noted that Egypt has launched seven health initiatives, including the 100 Million Healthy Lives initiative and another one addressing the Hepatitis C virus. She also shed light on the States efforts to eradicate slums, and build new cities. The WYFs Model of United Nations-Human Rights Council was attended by President El-Sisi and a number of representatives of countries and non-governmental organisations. The annual event, which Egypt inaugurated in 2017 to bring the worlds youth together to promote dialogue and discuss development issues, started on Monday and will close on Thursday. With over 15,000 people from more than 160 countries taking part in the last three editions of the forum, the fourth edition of the WYF is hosting hundreds of youths who hail from 196 countries. Search Keywords: Short link: President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi said on Wednesday that Egypt is ready to transfer its expertise to African countries to help them and encourage others to support them. It is our duty towards them, and this is considered a human right, he said while responding to a question by the United Nations resident coordinator in Egypt during a meeting with development partners on the fringe of the World Youth Forum (WYF) in Sharm El-Sheikh. He said Egypt is focusing on pushing forward three main sectors in the coming period: Namely technology-intensive industries, agriculture, and communications and information technology. He stressed that the country is exerting strenuous efforts to realise more progress in these sectors in the coming period. Meanwhile, the president called for shrinking imports by encouraging the private sector to produce imported products. If this happens within the coming two or three years, Egypt will save up to $30 billion paid in imports, he assured, adding that this will also create jobs. El-Sisi noted that Egypt started working on developing communications and information technology almost three years ago and managed to jump from 40th position to 3rd at the African level in terms of internet speed. He also referred to upgrading the infrastructure of universities and schools to launch the e-learning system. As for agriculture, he said up to 3 million feddans will be valid for cultivation within two years maximum, but we need the support of international organisations. Furthermore, El-Sisi shed light on the project of cleaning up lakes and its huge cost, adding that the achievements realised serve the environment and economy. Speaking about the infrastructure in Africa, El-Sisi said that if electricity was provided, people would not burn trees or remove forests and there will be improvements in the climate. On providing coronavirus vaccines, the president said that Egypt is working on producing two vaccines, adding that there is also a private sector company working on producing vaccines in Egypt. Answering a question on climate change, El-Sisi expressed confidence that the world will do its best to improve climate conditions. The president said that Egypt is working on an electric linkage project with Greece and Cyprus, adding that Egypt has the needed infrastructure to become a regional energy hub. Regarding renewable energy, El-Sisi said that the country is living on less than 10% of Egypts total area because the rest of its lands are deserts and that this is an opportunity to produce renewable energy whether solar or wind energy or establish hydrogen energy projects. The stability witnessed in the country is detrimental to achieving its energy aspirations, he said, adding that Egypt is gearing up to be a developed country with an energy infrastructure. Answering a question about women empowerment, the president stressed his respect to womens capabilities, citing the steps taken to achieve gender equality. He also said that these are not slogans, noting that almost half of civil servants are women. As for economic reforms, El-Sisi said that the application of economic reforms is not easy. Furthermore, he said that there is a dire need for the private sectors contribution to support the efforts being exerted by the government, as it has great capabilities and more chances of success. He added that projects like the Decent Life Presidential Initiative do not aim to build housing units only, but they are integrated projects serving in all main fields of structure, including the infrastructure of transportation and IT. Shifting combating corruption, the president affirmed that the Egyptian state will never tolerate corruption, as it seeks to get rid of any negative aspects that can hinder the countrys progress and prosperity. Answering a question about irregular migration, the Egyptian leader said that the country is hosting 6 million migrants and refugees and is ensuring a decent life for them that is comparable to that of Egyptian citizens. Regarding the next climate conference that will be hosted by Egypt in November, President El-Sisi said that preparations have been underway to host the conference since the conclusion of the UNs Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) in Glasgow, the UK. Moreover, the State and its institutions are doing their best to render the conference successful, he added. Youths will also be included in work teams of the conference, he said, adding that their contributions will ensure the success of the event and that their voice will be heard. Search Keywords: Short link: The seizure of a UAE-flagged ship by Yemeni rebels is a "dangerous escalation", the United Arab Emirates said on Thursday, urging the UN Security Council to adopt a firm position. The UAE's first public condemnation of the hijacking comes 10 days after Houthi rebels captured the Rwabee with 11 crew on board in the Red Sea. The Iran-backed insurgents say the ship was carrying military hardware but the Saudi-led coalition fighting in support of the Yemeni government insists it was medical equipment. "We condemn, in the strongest terms, the Huthi act of piracy against the civilian cargo vessel Rwabee off the port of Hodeida," Lana Nusseibeh, the UAE's permanent representative to the United Nations, told the Security Council. "This is a dangerous escalation against the safety of maritime navigation in the Red Sea. It requires the adoption of a firm position by the Security Council," she said, according to a foreign ministry statement. The vessel's seizure has raised fears the seven-year war could spill over into the busy Red Sea shipping lane, a vital conduit for Gulf oil and cargo. It prompted a coalition threat to bomb rebel-held ports including Hodeida, a lifeline for the shattered country where millions are teetering on the brink of famine. Hans Grundberg, the UN's special envoy for Yemen, also said violence was escalating with clashes in Marib and Shabwa provinces, air strikes in Sanaa and Taez and fighting near Hodeida, as well as increasing drone and missile attacks on Saudi Arabia. "We appear to once more be entering an escalatory cycle with predictable devastating implications for civilians and for the immediate prospects of peace," the Swedish diplomat told the Security Council. "I am worried that battles could intensify along other fronts." Yemen's civil war began in 2014 when the Houthis seized Sanaa, prompting Saudi-led forces to intervene to prop up the government the following year. The UN has estimated the war killed 377,000 people by the end of 2021, both directly and indirectly through hunger and disease. Search Keywords: Short link: Russian airstrikes in desert areas of eastern Syria have killed 11 suspected members of the Islamic State group, a war monitor reported Thursday. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which monitors casualties of the decade-old conflict, said the overnight strikes focused on an area between Palmyra and Al-Sukhna. "The jihadist organisation's members hide in caves in this area," Observatory chief Rami Abdel Rahman said. The strikes killed 11 IS fighters and wounded around 20 others, some of them seriously, he said. Abdel Rahman said he had counted a total of 229 Russian airstrikes against targets in the Syrian desert already this year. Thursday's strikes were the deadliest of their kind since November when the Observatory reported 16 killed in jihadist ranks. The Islamic State group's self-declared caliphate once stretched across vast parts of Syria and Iraq and administered millions of inhabitants. A long and deadly military fightback led by Syrian and Iraqi forces with backing from the United States and other powers eventually defeated the jihadist proto-state in March 2019. The remnants of IS mostly went back to their desert hideouts from which they continue to harass the Syrian government and allied forces. The group is thought to be attempting to secure sources of funding through trafficking and racketeering, prompting observers to warn of a jihadist resurgence in the region. Search Keywords: Short link: Egypt's President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi declared on Thursday that 2022 would be the Year of Civil Society in Egypt. During his speech at the closing ceremony of the fourth edition of World Youth Forum (WYF) Thursday evening in Sharm El-Sheikh, El-Sisi directed the forum management and concerned institutions to establish a dialogue platform between the state, youth and local as well as international civil society organizations. In September during the launch of Egypts National Strategy for Human Rights, Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi first declared 2022 the Year of Civil Society. The president also directed the WYF management to activate its initiative to establish a business incubator for start-ups and small industries in coordination with the cabinet and concerned institutions, as well as to include the private sector, international organizations and development partners. El-Sisi also directed the WYF management to coordinate with youth groups from Egypt and the world to prepare for the upcoming UN Conference on Climate Change (COP27), which the city of Sharm El-Sheikh will host next November. Climate change and COP27 were among the issues discussed in this years edition of the WYF. The Egyptian president also assigned the cabinet the task of preparing a comprehensive vision with development partners to extend the various Egyptian initiatives to African countries, within the framework of the Egyptian states responsibility toward the region. The National Training Academy (NTA) was assigned by El-Sisi the task of preparing training programs for Arab and African youth to address the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic as well as current conflicts, in addition to training programs for entrepreneurship and technology. Earlier Thursday, Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi attended the closing session of WYF, which included a graduation ceremony for the trainees of NTA. The academy, established by presidential initiative in September 2015, trains youth from Egypt and the region in modern methods of management, scientific and practical planning. President El-Sisi also directed the WYF to activate an interactive dialogue platform to exchange visions and ideas on all topics of interest, and provide the results of this dialogue to different state institution. He also directed the WYF, concerned institutions as well as Egyptian and world youth to promote water issues worldwide. The cabinet and state institutions were also assigned to prepare for the government a comprehensive vision for the reconstruction of conflict areas regionally. During his speech, El-Sisi said that the coronavirus pandemic imposed itself on the forums agenda, creating questions about the fate of the world and the pandemics effect on human lifestyles. The Egyptian president expressed his great happiness for having participated in the WYF dialogues, in which the youth of Egypt and the world opened a door of hope and light to overcome this delicate stage of human history. He also warned that the world was in a dire need of resolve and the will human conscience if development is to be achieved, calling for the world to put aside its conflicts. The Egyptian president stressed the importance of managing differences in the world in order to remain vibrant and full of humanity. The fourth edition of the WYF kicked off on Monday, bringing the worlds youth together to promote dialogue and discuss development issues under the slogan Back Together With over 15,000 people from more than 160 countries taking part in the last three editions of the forum, first inaugurated in 2017, the fourth edition of the WYF hosted hundreds of youths from 196 countries according to the forum. Search Keywords: Short link: Egypt's President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi attended on Thursday the closing session of the World Youth Forum (WYF) in Sharm El-Sheikh, which included the release of the international event's recommendations and the graduation ceremony of the trainees of the National Training Academy (NTA). The WYF's final recommendations included holding an international summit for global financing institutions and donors to look into the best means to help impoverished communities. The recommendations, read out by NTA CEO Rascha Ragheb during the session, urged the involvement of youths in climate change issues and promoting awareness about climate goals at the regional and international levels. The forum demanded establishing a business council for African ventures with the participation of young entrepreneurs and businessmen to provide funding opportunities for innovations. The World Health Organisation should adopt an initiative on the mutual recognition of the coronavirus vaccination certificates, Ragheb added. The forum also called for localising water desalination technologies in all countries that suffer from water scarcity to produce water at a lower cost. The WYF called for prioritising issues regulating the use of trans-boundary water resources and developing a global model of governance to address the management of shared water resources based on the sustainable rules of international law. Moreover, the recommendations stressed the need for unifying the United Nations efforts to launch a platform to guarantee the provision of the needed funding for reconstruction. The last recommendation focused on launching an international strategy to reinforce social and humanitarian solidarity and creating "bigger" chances for consolidating international peace and security. NTA trainees graduation During the closing session, El-Sisi handed graduation certificates to NTA graduates who attended a youth leadership programme meant at establishing a strong and rich base of youth competencies to qualify them for political, administrative, and community work. The idea of the programme began with the announcement of the initiative by El-Sisi for the Presidential Programme for Youth Leadership in September 2015. The academy, established following directives from El-Sisi in 2015, brings together future leaders from Egypt and the region and provides training on theories of management, scientific, practical planning that helps in increasing their abilities to apply modern methods to address Egypts problems. With the economic, technological, and global environmental changes, the NTA facilitates multi-stakeholders sustainable initiatives and thrives to be the leading catalyst of holistic transformation and innovation, preparing effective global leaders who can effect change their societies. The national academy has so far delivered its different programmes to more than 28,820 trainees from Egypt and Africa, the NTA's CEO Ragheb said at the session. The ceremony organisers screened a documentary about the activities of the NTA, starting with a speech by President El-Sisi for the Egyptian and Arab youth. The documentary asserted that Egypt's "New Republic" pays great attention to youth. Closing sessions key speakers The closing session of the four-day WYF witnessed the participation of Togolese Prime Minister Victoire Tomegah Dogbe, who expressed in a recorded video his gratitude for President El-Sisi for organising the WYF. She added that over 70 percent of the residents of Africa are young, representing an important power for the economic transformation of the African countries, saying political leadership should provide opportunities for youth. Director-General of the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) Gerd Muller said biodiversity and climate change constitute a growing global threat. The pandemic has taken a huge toll on economic and social aspects, urging more international support to confront these challenges, Muller said in a recorded speech played at the ceremony. He also rejected some countries' practice of hoarding doses of Covid-19 vaccines and booster shots, noting that the vaccination rate in Africa stood at only eight percent. He also pointed out to the efforts exerted by the UNIDO to further increase vaccine production in developing nations, especially in Africa. The fourth edition of the WYF kicked off on Monday, bringing the worlds youth together to promote dialogue and discuss development issues. The fourth edition of the WYF, which was inaugurated in 2017 to bring the worlds youth together to promote dialogue and discuss development issues, was held under the slogan Back Together. At the opening ceremony, El-Sisi said "the World Youth Forum has become a platform for dialogue and communication among young people, and is a tool for exchanging visions between the entire world, especially at this crucial moment in human history." With over 15,000 people from more than 160 countries taking part in the last three editions of the forum, the fourth edition of the WYF is hosting hundreds of youths from 196 countries. Search Keywords: Short link: Two military aircraft took off from East Cairo military base to Tanzania carrying tons of medical aid Thursday, the Egyptian Armed Forces announced. According to the Egyptian Armed Forces, the Egyptian Ministry of Health and Population provided the aid within the framework of Egypt's constant support to the African peoples amid crises. The provision of aid aims to alleviate burdens on the Tanzanian citizens as per President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi's directives, the statement by the Egyptian Armed Forces said. Search Keywords: Short link: Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi has stressed that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has not imposed the adoption of any obligatory tracks on Cairo when it applied for the global lender-backed economic reform programme in 2016, saying that they were very understanding. In a meeting with development partners and NGOs on the sidelines of the World Youth Forum (WYF) in Sharm El-Sheikh, El-Sisi said that the country expressed its seriousness to the IMFs officials to move forward on the track of reforms no matter how difficult it was. The country, El-Sisi said, based its stance on the fact that the IMF has its own expertise, and if the countries [adopting the IMF adjustment programme] are able to implement the technical recommendations for reform, then they will certainly succeed. The president praised the Egyptian people who helped the government to implement such reforms, saying the commitment was not only restricted to the government, but the Egyptian people endured the harshness of reform, and not a single Egyptian came out complaining from the pain of the reform. The first phase of the countrys reform programme that concluded in 2019 included the floatation of the Egyptian pound, lifting nearly all fuel subsidies, implementing a value-added tax, and raising the prices of electricity and transportation. Egypt secured a much needed $12 billion loan from the global lender. Currently Egypt is focusing on the second phase that covers structural reforms. The programme has very positive effects on the national economy, said the Egyptian president. The reforms achieved before the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic helped overcome its repercussions, he added. Egypt also launched the 100 Million Health Initiative for four years by making use of the World Health Organisations (WHO) expertise and has screened more than 70 million Egyptian citizens, he said. The WHO provided Egypt with technical support to administer medical tests under the 100 Million Health Initiative to curb the rates of the Hepatitis C virus worldwide. The president also shed light on the countrys Decent Life Initiative, which comprises a series of countryside-focused national infrastructure projects to develop the countrys poorest villages. The 2019-launched initiative aims to drastically change the life of nearly 60 million people, he said, hoping that the project will be finalised within the coming three months. Furthermore, Egypt is targeting becoming an energy hub in the Middle East, El-Sisi said, indicating that the country has been working for four years to that end. Egypt has already become able to supply Europe with energy, El-Sisi affirmed. He also noted that the state through a package of investment incentives is working on attracting businesses to invest in the Egyptian Suez Canal Economic Zone. Moreover, Egypt will be enacting laws regulating the work of the SCZone in order to attract more companies to do business in the country, he concluded. Search Keywords: Short link: The United Nations called Thursday on Mali's ruling junta to announce an election timetable amid anger over its suggestion of staying in power for five years before holding a vote. "It is absolutely essential that the government of Mali present an acceptable election timetable," UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told reporters. He said he hoped to "get in contact quickly" with the junta. "I am working with the ECOWAS and the African Union to create conditions which can allow the government of Mali to adopt a reasonable and acceptable position to accelerate a transition which has already been underway for a long time," he added. This could bring back a sense of "normalcy in relations between this state and the international community, ECOWAS in particular," Guterres said, referring to the Economic Community of West African States. In a sharp escalation after months of diplomatic tensions, ECOWAS last week agreed to shutter borders with the Sahel state and impose a trade embargo. The move came after Mali's interim government proposed staying in power for up to five years before staging elections, defying international demands that it respect a promise to hold elections on February 27. Mali's army initially promised to stage elections in February of this year, after staging a coup in August 2020. But in December, it suggested staying in power for up to an additional five years, citing security concerns. Search Keywords: Short link: By Trend Hungary and Azerbaijan will expand the spheres of trade-economic cooperation, the Hungarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade told Trend on Jan. 10. According to the ministry, this is expected to occur after the meeting of the bilateral intergovernmental commission on economic cooperation, which is scheduled for February in Baku. "We positively look at the further development of bilateral trade-economic cooperation. Hungarian companies have significantly expanded their presence in the Azerbaijani market in recent years," the ministry reminded. "In 2020, Azerbaijan became Hungary's 78th largest export partner. From January through October 2021, Hungary mainly exported beverages, livestock, and medicines to Azerbaijan." "At the same time, Hungary as a whole imported telecommunications equipment, sound recording and reproducing devices, metal products, and power generating machines and equipment from all countries," the ministry also said. "Besides, thanks to its proven reserves of natural gas, Azerbaijan can play an important role in diversifying the supply of blue fuel to Europe." "Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Peter Szijjarto, during his visit to Baku in March last year, said that from 2023 Hungary will be interested in buying Azerbaijani gas. According to him, Azerbaijan and Hungary also have the potential to develop cooperation in the field of agriculture," concluded the ministry. Austria's foreign minister said Wednesday that the European Union wants to help Lebanon escape its economic meltdown, but only if the country's leaders clean up Beirut's affairs. Alexander Schallenberg told reporters after meeting his Lebanese counterpart in Beirut that Lebanon should reach a deal with the International Monetary Fund, move forward with the investigation into the August 2020 port blast and restructure the hard-hit banking sector. Lebanon's economic crisis, which started in 2019, is rooted in decades of corruption and mismanagement by the small country's political class. Bickering between rival groups has so far prevented economic reforms demanded by the international community in order to release billions of dollars of investments. ``Frankly we are very concerned about what is going on in the country,'' Schallenberg said. ``Our message is, help us to help you.'' ``Austria will continue to stand on the side of the Lebanese people but what we want to see is action on the side of Lebanon,'' he said. Lebanon's economic crisis has been described by the World Bank as one of the world's worst since the 1850s. Tens of thousands of people have lost their jobs since October 2019 and the Lebanese pound lost more than 90% of its value. That leaves nearly 80% of the population of 6 million, including 1 million Syrian refugees, in poverty. Amid the crisis, Lebanon's government has not met since Oct. 12. The powerful Hezbollah and its allied Amal group of Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri have demanded that the judge leading the investigation into the port blast be removed. The Aug. 4, 2020, explosion in the center Beirut killed more than 200 people. ``The solutions are in the hand of the leaders of this county,`` Schallenberg said, adding, ``they're the only ones who can get this country and the people out of this.'' Lebanon's Foreign Minister Abdallah Bouhabib said the government is working on reforms, including in the corruption-riddled electricity sector. Bouhabib added that he hopes that Beirut will reach a deal with the IMF by the end of February. Schallenberg said that there has to be a deal between Lebanon and the IMF, ``in order for us as a European Union to give economic assistance.'' The Austrian foreign minister said his country will continue to help Syrian refugees in Lebanon, with the eventual goal of returning them to their country. Schallenberg is scheduled to visit Austrian peacekeepers deployed in southern Lebanon near the border with Israel. Search Keywords: Short link: Two Israeli commando officers were killed by friendly fire in the occupied West Bank overnight, the army said on Thursday. The two officers were on patrol around their base in the Jordan Valley when they were "misidentified and mistakenly killed" by Israeli army fire, the military said on Twitter. "Immense sorrow this morning with the announcement of the death of two officers of Unit Egoz," said Defence Minister Benny Gantz, adding that an in-depth investigation was already underway. Egoz is an elite commando unit of the Israeli army specialised in counterinsurgency. Prime Minister Naftali Bennett sent condolences "in the name of the whole Israeli people" and promised the necessary lessons would be learnt. According to investigators, the officers left their quarters and headed to a training area at around 11:00 pm (2100 GMT), probably to go out on patrol. Shortly afterwards, they identified what they thought was a suspect and fired warning shots in the air. A soldier from the same unit, who was apparently on patrol nearby, fired at the officers, not realising they were soldiers and believing that he was under fire, and killed two of them. Last week, two Israeli air force pilots were killed when their helicopter crashed into the Mediterranean off the port city of Haifa following a technical fault. Search Keywords: Short link: A German court on Thursday sentenced a former Syrian colonel to life in jail for crimes against humanity in a landmark first global trial over state-sponsored torture in Syria. Anwar Raslan, 58, was found guilty of overseeing the murder of 27 people at the Al-Khatib detention centre in Damascus, also known as "Branch 251", in 2011 and 2012. He sought refuge in Germany after deserting the Syrian regime in 2012. Prosecutors had accused him of overseeing the murder of 58 people and the torture of 4,000 others at the detention centre, but not all of the deaths could be proven. The defendant, wearing a green winter jacket and listening to the verdict through headphones, remained emotionless as his sentence was read out in court. More than 80 witnesses, including 12 regime deserters and many Syrian men and women now living across Europe, took the stand to testify during the trial, with around a dozen also attending the verdict. The presiding judge said they deserved "full respect". Syrian activists gathered outside the court on Thursday holding banners and posters with slogans such as "where are they?" referring to their relatives who have disappeared in Syrian detention centres. Raslan was put on trial in April 2020 along with another lower-ranking defendant, Eyad al-Gharib, who was accused of helping to arrest protesters and deliver them to the detention centre. Gharib was sentenced to four and a half years in prison last year for complicity in crimes against humanity, in the first verdict worldwide over torture by Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's government. 'Systematic Attack' The court in the western German city of Koblenz at that time noted a "widespread and systematic attack against the civilian population" since Syria's civil war began with a brutal crackdown on protests in March 2011. The case against the two men was brought using the legal principle of universal jurisdiction, which allows offences to be prosecuted even if they were committed in a different country. Other such cases have also sprung up in Germany, France and Sweden, as Syrians who have sought refuge in Europe turn to the only legal means currently available to them. In another prominent case in Germany, the trial of a former Syrian doctor charged with crimes against humanity is due to open next week. The chief prosecutor in the Raslan trial, who has noted Germany's historical responsibility to judge such crimes, quoted a Holocaust survivor in his closing speech. Raslan worked for 18 years in the Syrian secret services, where he rose through the ranks to become head of the domestic intelligence "investigation" service, according to a German investigator who testified at the opening of the trial. Prosecutors say he oversaw rape and sexual abuse, "electric shocks", beatings with "fists, wires and whips" and "sleep deprivation" at the prison. Flogging, Electric Shocks Witnesses reported flogging, electric shocks, cigarette burns and blows to the genitals. Some say they were hung by the wrists, with only the tips of their feet still touching the ground. One man testified about mass graves that he was responsible for cataloguing. Some witnesses have hidden their faces or appeared in disguise, fearing consequences for their surviving relatives in Syria, while other victims have been too afraid to come forward at all. "I hope we were able to give a voice to those who are deprived of it" in Syria, Wassim Mukdad, a former detainee who testified in the trial, told AFP ahead of the verdict. "I want justice to be done," he said. Images of dead Syrians smuggled out of the country by "Caesar", a defector who had worked as a photographer for the Syrian military police, have also been used as evidence in the trial. Raslan remained silent throughout the trial but said in a statement through his lawyers that he had "neither beaten nor tortured" prisoners and had "never acted inhumanely". They said he "did not and would not condone" the abuses committed by the Syrian regime and felt "regret and compassion" for all the victims. Raslan has never attempted to hide his past and told police about his time in Syria in February 2015 when he sought police protection in Berlin. According to the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitoring group, at least 60,000 people have been killed under torture or as a result of the terrible conditions in Assad's detention centres. "This trial is very important for Syrians because it examines very serious crimes that continue to be committed today," said Syrian lawyer Joumana Seif. Search Keywords: Short link: A group of independent United Nations rights experts urged Tehran on Thursday to halt the imminent execution of a man convicted of killing a classmate when he was a minor. "We urge the Iranian authorities to immediately and permanently halt the execution of Hossein Shahbazi and annul his death sentence, in line with international human rights law," the experts said in a statement. Shahbazi, now 20, was just 17 when he was arrested in 2018 for fatally stabbing a classmate during a fight between four individuals. The four UN experts -- on child rights, extrajudicial executions, torture, and the rights situation in Iran -- pointed out that the court had relied partially on confessions reportedly obtained under torture. The experts, who are appointed by the UN but do not speak on its behalf, highlighted that Shahbazi had been denied access to a lawyer and to his family during the 11 days of police interrogation. Shahbazi's execution had been scheduled for January 5, but was temporarily halted, the experts said, warning that he "remains at risk of imminent execution." Last week marked the fourth time Shahbazi's execution had been scheduled and postponed, the statement said, warning that these repeated execution dates were "causing irreversible psychological pain and suffering to him and his family". The experts highlighted that they had previously raised concerns with Tehran about Shahbazi's case. "International law unequivocally forbids the imposition of the death penalty on persons below 18 years of age," they said. "Iran must observe its international obligations by imposing de jure and de facto moratorium on the execution of juvenile offenders once and for all." Currently, more than 85 juvenile offenders are on death row in Iran. Search Keywords: Short link: At least four rockets targeted the US Embassy in Baghdad's heavily fortified Green Zone on Thursday, two Iraqi security officials said. The area is home to diplomatic missions and the seat of Iraq's government. Three of the missiles struck within the parameters of the American Embassy, the officials said. Another hit a school located in a nearby residential complex. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to talk to the media. An Iraqi military statement said a girl and a woman were injured in the attack, without providing more details. The statement said the rockets had been launched from the Dora neighborhood of Baghdad. Witnesses said they heard the embassy's C-RAM defense system _ supposed to detect and destroy incoming rockets, artillery and mortar shells _ during the attack. The attack is the latest in a series of rocket and drone attacks that have targeted the American presence in Iraq since the start of the year, following the second anniversary of the U.S. strike that killed Iranian Gen. Qassim Soleimani and Iraqi militia commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis. Last Thursday, a series of attacks targeted American troops in Iraq and Syria. Rockets struck an Iraqi military base hosting U.S. troops in western Anbar province and the capital. Pro-Iran Shiite factions in Iraq have vowed revenge for Soleimani's killing and have conditioned the end of the attacks on the full exit of American troops from the country. The U.S.-led coalition formally ended its combat mission supporting Iraqi forces in the ongoing fight against the Islamic State group last month. Some 2,500 troops will remain as the coalition shifts to an advisory mission to continue supporting Iraqi forces. The top U.S. commander for the Middle East, Marine Gen. Frank McKenzie, warned in an interview with The Associated Press last month that he expects increasing attacks on U.S. and Iraqi personnel by Iranian-backed militias determined to get American forces out. Search Keywords: Short link: Thousands of Israeli nationalists staged a protest Thursday outside the parliament building in Jerusalem, urging the government not to demolish a West Bank settlement outpost. The demonstration came a month after a Palestinian gunman fired on a car filled with seminary students at the Homesh outpost, near the West Bank city of Nablus, killing 25-year-old Yehuda Dimentman and wounding two people. The Homesh outpost is considered illegal by the Israeli government. It is the site of a former settlement evacuated as part of Israel's withdrawal from the Gaza Strip in 2005. But in recent years, settlers have re-established an unauthorized outpost at the site, one of dozens of outposts in the occupied West Bank that are considered illegal but tolerated by the government. The protesters voiced opposition to the government's West Bank settlement policies, shouted chants against Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and waved Israeli flags. Bennett's government was formed last year from a coalition of disparate parties, ranging from ultranationalists to dovish factions and a small Islamist party. The coalition has agreed not to address divisive issues, but disagreements, particularly over Israel's 54-year occupation of the West Bank, have repeatedly come to the fore. Israel captured the West Bank in the 1967 Mideast war, and in the decades since has established dozens of settlements now home to hundreds of thousands of Israelis. The international law considers settlements illegal and an obstacle to peace. The Palestinians seek the territory as the heartland of a future independent state. Search Keywords: Short link: UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Thursday urged the United States and the World Bank to unfreeze Afghan funds, locked since the Taliban's return to power, to prevent "the nightmare unfolding in Afghanistan" from getting worse. "We must... rapidly inject liquidity into the economy and avoid a meltdown that would lead to poverty, hunger and destitution for millions," Guterres told reporters in New York. After the Taliban hardline Islamist movement seized power in mid-August as the United States ended its 20-year war in Afghanistan, the country has found itself on the brink of a humanitarian catastrophe. Billions of dollars of assets are frozen by Washington, aid supplies are heavily disrupted and over half of the population faces the threat of famine. An estimated 4.7 million people will suffer from acute malnutrition in 2022, including 1.1 million children with severe acute malnutrition, according to aid agencies. Speaking to reporters two days after the UN said it needs $5 billion in aid for Afghanistan in 2022, Guterres called on Washington to take the lead in helping the country avoid a meltdown "because the major part of the world financial system works in dollars." Last month, international donors agreed to release $280 million in aid to Afghanistan, after repeated warnings that more than half the population face acute food shortages this winter. "I hope the remaining resources - more that $1.2 billion" from the Afghanistan Reconstruction Trust Fund (ARTF) "will become available to help Afghanistan's people survive the winter, Guterres told journalists. Washington seized nearly $9.5 billion in assets belonging to the Afghan central bank. The International Monetary Fund and the World Bank also suspended activities in Afghanistan, withholding aid as well as $340 million in new reserves issued by the IMF in August. "Freezing temperatures and frozen assets are a lethal combination for the people of Afghanistan," Guterres said. Guterres also called on the Taliban to protect the rights of women and girls. "No country can thrive while denying the rights of half its population," he said. Search Keywords: Short link: 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. Search Keywords: Short link: At the COP26 climate summit, held in Glasgow in November 2021, the EBRD set out a plan to support the transition to a low-carbon economy in its regions including Egypt by doubling the mobilisation of private-sector climate financing by 2025. Throughout the past five years, EBRDs Green Cities programme a 5 billion urban environmental programmehas grown to include 53 cities and helps them identify, priorities, and connect their environmental challenges with sustainable infrastructure investments and policy measures. Cairo, Alexandria, and 6 October joined the programme to achieve urban sustainability. EBRD provided Egypt with a 25 million loan to develop the countrys first dry port in 6 October city. The two parties signed a 1 million agreement to extend advisory services for Egypts other dry port in 10 Ramadan city. These excellent results underscore the banks strong dedication to continuing to support its clients in the wake of the pandemic as well as its commitment to decarbonise economies and enable the transition to a more sustainable future, with a focus on involving the private sector and supporting reforms to tackle climate change, said EBRD President Odile Renaud-Basso. In November, the EBRD announced the Green Cities programme was doubling in size, allocating a further 2 billion to invest in green urban infrastructure over the next two years. The bank said that the 2021 green finance record was a key element in the EBRDs second highest overall annual business volume ever, adding that the record of 11 billion was set in 2020 when its investments were buoyed by emergency lending at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. The EBRD supported 413 projects in 2021, up from 411 in 2020, while the share of private-sector investment hit 76 percent, according to EBRD. Egypt is a founding member of the EBRD. Since the start of the banks operations in the country in 2012, the EBRD has invested more than 7.7 billion in 132 projects in Egypt. Search Keywords: Short link: Playwright, director and actor Khaled El-Sawi will present Hamlet's ghost in a hologram fused into Hamlet Upside Down, directed by Mazen El Gharabawy. The play Hamlet Upside Down will open on the stage of Cairo's Salam Theatre later this month. Written by Sameh Mahran and directed by Mazen El-Gharabawy, El-Sawi will present the character of Hamlet's ghost using 3D mapping and hologram technology. As revealed by the director, the play is full of surprises, and the choice of the star Khaled El-Sawi is the most important of them. "I present this character for the first time in an Egyptian theatre through a modern technology. We are currently working on filming El-Sawi's scenes which will appear during the play," he added. Born in 1963 in Alexandria, El-Sawi is among the leading film actors of his generation. Following his studies at the Academy of Theatrical Arts, El-Sawi began his theatre career, soon shifting his focus onto film and television where he worked as an assistant director, director and actor. He was assistant director in the film Samaka we Arbaa Oroush (A Fish and Four Sharks), and a director for several programmes released on the Nile International Network's satellite channels. El-Sawi co-founded the Egyptian Foundation for Theater Enthusiasts. He wrote a number of theatre plays including Haflet Maganin (Crazy Party) and Operette El-Darfil (The Dolphin Operette), for which he won the Taymour Award for Theatrical Ingenuity in 1991 and 1992 respectively. El-Sawy's career includes a variety of distinct roles in film, including Emaret Yacoubian (Yacoubian Building), Keda Reda, Cabaret, El Farah (The Wedding) and El-Feel El-Azraq (The Blue Elephant). He also starred as a lead in television series Tofahet Adam (Adam's Apple) and Khatem Suleiman (Suleiman's Ring). Mazen El-Gharabawy is an Egyptian director and actor, and head of the Sharm El-Sheikh International Theatre Festival for Youth. A graduate from the Academy of Theatrical Arts, his acting credits include Downtown Girls (2005), and The Thief and the Book (2010). He directed a number of plays, such as The Rituals of Life and Death (2013), and Midsummer Night's Dream (2015), and a short film The Legacy of Humiliation (2010). While in recent years his main focus has been directed towards the Sharm El-Sheikh International Theatre Festival for Youth, through which he provides numerous creative cooperations while providing platform for Arab and international theatre artists to present their works, El Gharabawy continues to direct plays at Egyptian theatres. The date of Hamlet Upside Downs premiere is yet to be revealed. Search Keywords: Short link: By Azernews By Vugar Khalilov Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov and Saudi ambassador to Azerbaijan Hamad bin Abdullah bin Saud bin Khudair have discussed mutual cooperation, the ministry reported on January 12. Bayramov stressed the high level of political relations between the two friendly countries, the report added. In reflecting on his official travel to Saudi Arabia last year, the minister expressed satisfaction with his meeting with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, as well as his meetings with his counterpart at international events. The recent meeting in Riyadh of the Joint Commission between the governments of Azerbaijan and Saudi Arabia contributed to the growth of relations, Bayramov said. He expressed his delight at the prospect of meeting Saudi Arabia's foreign minister in Azerbaijan. In turn, the ambassador stressed the progress of the two nations' ties as well as recent bilateral discussions noting that mutual visits have a favorable impact on the development of connections. The sides exchanged views on cooperation within international organizations, as well as other issues of mutual interest. Azerbaijan and Saudi Arabia established a diplomatic relationship on February 24, 1992. Saudi Arabia was among the first countries that recognized Azerbaijan's independence on December 30, 1991. Moreover, Azerbaijan opened its embassy in Riyadh in April 1994 and the Saudi Arabia embassy operates in Baku since June 1999. It should be noted that the trade turnover between Azerbaijan and Saudi Arabia amounted to $13.4 million in 2020. In addition, the trade turnover between the two countries amounted to $7.5 million in the first five months of 2021. KYODO NEWS - Jan 13, 2022 - 23:54 | All, Japan, Coronavirus COVID-19 booster shots for Japan's general public will start sooner than initially scheduled amid a surge of new cases driven by the spread of the highly transmissible Omicron variant, the health minister said Thursday. The government will shorten by one month the interval between the second and third vaccination shots for people aged 18 to 64 from the current eight months, and by one month for those over 64 to six months in principle, Shigeyuki Goto told reporters. The change is likely to present municipal governments, which are responsible for carrying out the inoculation drive, with the daunting task of executing it, however, including sending out vaccine tickets to residents in a timely manner. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said on a TV program on Thursday that the government will strive to shorten the booster shot interval for people aged 18 to 64 by another month to six months, if at all possible. While protection against the virus is likely to fade over time, three doses of mRNA vaccines would provide immunity against Omicron, according to researchers and vaccine makers. The highly mutated new variant has become the dominant strain in the United States and elsewhere after it was reported by South Africa last November. The capital Tokyo reported 3,124 new infections Thursday, topping the 3,000 mark for the first time in more than four months, with the seven-day rolling average of new COVID-19 cases standing at about 1,500, according to the metropolitan government. It projects that the seven-day average will surge to 9,576 daily in a week if cases increase at the current pace. In response to the recent spike in infections, the interval for the third dose for health care workers and the elderly in nursing homes was shortened last month to six months, with others aged 65 and older becoming able to receive their booster shots with a seven-month interval from February. Kishida later indicated that the government would further shorten the vaccination intervals, prompting the health ministry to study the possibility of starting booster shots for the general population sooner. Japan has also increased the capacity of hospital admissions to 37,000 COVID-19 patients, up 30 percent from the level when the country was hit by the worst of the fifth wave of the pandemic. KYODO NEWS - Jan 13, 2022 - 23:19 | All, Japan, Coronavirus The Japanese government is considering shortening the current 14-day isolation period to 10 days for those identified as having been in close contact with a person infected with the Omicron COVID-19 variant, officials said Thursday. The envisioned policy change, aimed at minimizing social disruption and preventing a strain on the medical system, comes as research suggests Omicron has a shorter incubation period than other variants of the virus. But it could also fuel public concern about the recent alarming pace of rise in the number of daily coronavirus infections in the country, which reported over 18,000 new cases Thursday, well above Wednesday's tally of roughly 13,200. "We have to devise ways to maintain social functions," Prime Minister Fumio Kishida told reporters in Tokyo. "We'd like to consider responding flexibly as needed." The National Institute for Infectious Diseases has said a study of people infected with the Omicron variant in Okinawa Prefecture shows that the incubation period was around three days compared with about five for the other variants. The Tokyo metropolitan government raised its COVID-19 alert to the second highest of four levels as the capital reported 3,124 infections Thursday, topping 3,000 for the first time since Sept. 2. It was last at that alert level in September. The metropolitan government also projected that the seven-day rolling average of daily new COVID-19 cases will surge to 9,576 in a week if they continue to increase at the current pace. In western Japan, Osaka Prefecture saw over 2,400 new COVID-19 cases Thursday, surpassing 2,000 for the first time since early September. The health ministry says a person is a close contact if they have interacted with an infected person at a short distance or for an extended time, thus facing a relatively high risk of infection. The current policy requires people identified as close contacts to isolate themselves for 14 days at home or designated facilities. On Thursday, an advisory panel for the health ministry discussed the proposal to cut the isolation period to 10 days, and further to seven days depending on conditions of those identified as a close contact, officials said. The panel is expected to make a conclusion on Friday. The Omicron variant, known to be highly transmissible, has been added to the list of coronavirus "variants of concern" by the World Health Organization, as it has the potential to evade immunity provided by vaccines. But the risk of developing severe symptoms from Omicron is said to be likely lower than that for other variants. In the United States and Europe, where Omicron has spread rapidly, isolation periods have been shortened recently. On Wednesday, the health ministry notified prefectural and local governments that doctors and nurses who have had close contact with people infected with COVID, including the Omicron variant, will be able to continue working if they test negative each day. In the southern island prefecture of Okinawa, which has seen a spike in COVID-19 cases, medical services are affected by a staff shortage as many of their employees have been forced to miss work after coming into close contact with those who have contracted the virus. Okinawa confirmed a record 1,817 cases Thursday, beating the previous high of 1,759 logged Saturday. According to the government, about 16,000 medical facilities nationwide are involved in monitoring the health conditions of infected people recuperating at home, up 30 percent from late November. Also on Thursday, economic revitalization minister Daishiro Yamagiwa requested that leaders of Japan's major business groups promote teleworking so companies can continue operations even if workers are infected with the virus. "Teleworking is an effective means to continue operations. I want each entity to think out what plans can be utilized," Yamagiwa told the leaders in an online meeting. Masakazu Tokura, the head of Japan's powerful business lobby Keidanren, said he would accept the request and called for shortening the isolation period for people who had close contact with the infected. "There should be a system where people can swiftly return to society after they test negative," Tokura said. Related coverage: Tokyo projects daily cases to average nearly 10,000 in 1 week Japan's daily coronavirus cases top 13,000 for 1st time in 4 months FOCUS: COVID vaccination requests at work pose worry in Japan's booster push KYODO NEWS - Jan 13, 2022 - 12:16 | World, All The U.S. Treasury Department on Wednesday imposed sanctions on five North Koreans based in Russia and China over their alleged ties to Pyongyang's weapons-development programs, following recent ballistic missile tests by the secretive country. The actions are part of ongoing U.S. efforts to counter North Korea's nuclear and ballistic missile programs and target its "continued use of overseas representatives to illegally procure goods for weapons," Brian Nelson, undersecretary of the treasury for terrorism and financial intelligence, said in a press release. "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," the official added, referring to the acronym of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, North Korea's official name. The five individuals who will face asset freezes in the United States include Russia-based Choe Myong Hyon, a chief representative of a subordinate entity of the Second Academy of Natural Sciences, a North Korean weapons research and development organization. Choe has allegedly worked to procure telecommunications-related equipment from Russia for North Korean companies, the department said. The four others are China-based representatives of the academy's subordinate organizations who have been involved in procuring software, chemicals and other goods for North Korea. The Treasury Department said the sanctions followed six North Korean ballistic missile launches since September 2021, noting that each violated multiple U.N. Security Council resolutions. "The United States remains committed to seeking dialogue and diplomacy with the DPRK, but will continue to address the threat posed by the DPRK's unlawful weapons programs to the United States and the international community," it said. North Korea test-fired missiles twice this month, claiming both involved hypersonic weapons technology. The second missile test on Tuesday was watched by leader Kim Jong Un, according to state-run media. In a related move, the State Department imposed sanctions on a North Korean national, a Russian national and a Russian entity for allegedly having engaged in activities or transactions that have materially contributed to the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction or their means of delivery by North Korea. The U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, meanwhile, said in a Twitter post that the United States is proposing additional sanctions be imposed by the world body against North Korea following the missile launches. But the U.N. Security Council is unlikely to be able to endorse the proposal as China and Russia have called for the lifting of some international sanctions on North Korea citing its economic difficulties. Related coverage: North Korea conducts test-firing of hypersonic missile reaching 1,000 km North Korea conducts 2nd missile test in less than a week North Korea confirms testing of newly developed hypersonic missile Wed. KYODO NEWS - Jan 13, 2022 - 22:04 | All, Japan, World Japan and Thailand agreed on Thursday to launch new energy policy dialogue and implement joint projects to promote decarbonization, Japan's industry ministry said, as the two countries aim for net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Japanese Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Koichi Hagiuda and his Thai counterpart Supattanapong Punmeechaow signed a memorandum for the new initiatives during talks in Bangkok, according to the Japanese ministry. Under the dialogue framework, a comprehensive long-term program will be launched along with joint projects to be carried out through cooperation in green technology and human resources to help promote investment in the energy sector, according to the memorandum. The latest agreement comes after Tokyo earlier this year outlined its "Asia Energy Transition Initiative," under which it promised to give $10 billion in financial support to Thailand and other member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations for renewable energy, energy efficiency, LNG and other projects that are expected to create new jobs and investment. The energy dialogue between Japan and Thailand underscores the importance of global energy transition, while aiming to provide opportunities for energy trade and investment in the two countries, the Japanese government said. Hagiuda left Japan on Sunday and visited Indonesia and Singapore before arriving in Thailand. He will return to Japan on Friday. Joseph Maker Gordon (2nd R), his wife Nyanchuor Kiir Guem (2nd L) and his son Ngok Joseph Maker (1st R) pose for a photo with a member of a Chinese medical team at Juba Teaching Hospital in Juba, South Sudan, on Jan. 13, 2022. Joseph Maker Gordon, a 59-year-old minister in a local church in Juba who fled conflict from his hometown of Malakal in Upper Nile state in 2014 to Juba, is now grateful to Chinese doctors who treated his family members with complicated ailments. (Photo by Denis Elamu/Xinhua) by Xinhua writer Denis Elamu JUBA, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- A South Sudanese man, who fled conflict from his hometown of Malakal in Upper Nile state in 2014 to the capital Juba, is now grateful to Chinese medical doctors who treated his family members with complicated ailments. Joseph Maker Gordon, a 59-year-old minister in a local church in Juba, was recently in pain after developing hemorrhoids under the skin around his anus and underwent surgical operation which did not go well as he continued to release blood in his stool. To compound matters, his aging wife Nyanchuor Kiir Guem had chest and breast pain (mastalgia) while his 22-year-old son Ngok Joseph Maker needed an operation after suffering a cartilage piercing bump. Gordon told Xinhua on Thursday that the 9th batch of Chinese medical team has eased the burden of treating his family after the trio were successfully examined and provided with proper treatment at the Juba Teaching Hospital. "We came to Juba teaching hospital to visit Chinese doctors, my son was having pain in his ear and they managed to do the operation without consultation charges," he said after being examined following his operation two weeks back. Gordon was operated on in a health facility outside Juba Teaching Hospital, but he continued to experience bleeding amid pain while releasing his stool. "I personally came for hemorrhoid treatment, the operation was done late last year, they (Chinese) managed to stop the bleeding, and they said their role is to help patients as part of bilateral relations with South Sudan," he disclosed. The 15-member medical team arrived in the country from Anhui Province in September last year. "I call on South Sudanese who cannot afford medical costs in private health facilities to come to the Chinese, they have done several operations," added Gordon. He expressed further relief after Chinese doctors assured him of a follow-up of his wife's medical recovery, noting that they also promised to operate Guem if the need arises. Gordon, who underwent a successful operation on his ear last week by a team of Chinese doctors, said he had been enduring severe pain since 2019. "The swelling in my ear started after piercing my ear with the needle in 2019. It was operated on in 2020 but the pain continued. I was again this year operated on at Juba Teaching Hospital," said Joseph who is now relieved of the pain. Ding Zhen, general surgeon and team leader of the Chinese medical team who treated the family, said they will monitor Gordon's family. He noted that Guem suffered pain in her chest and breast for five years. "We will follow up with her (Guem) case to ensure she is totally healed of her pain," said Ding. However, Gordon noted the need to support Chinese doctors in the translation of local languages in order to ease their communication with patients in need of their services. "We have a problem with language, their work is practical but they need translators to pass the message to patients so that they can understand, their services, especially minor operations that I witnessed, are very good," he said. Ngok Joseph Maker (2nd R), Joseph Maker Gordon's son, poses for a photo with members of a Chinese medical team at Juba Teaching Hospital in Juba, South Sudan, on Jan. 6, 2022. Joseph Maker Gordon, a 59-year-old minister in a local church in Juba who fled conflict from his hometown of Malakal in Upper Nile state in 2014 to Juba, is now grateful to Chinese doctors who treated his family members with complicated ailments. (Photo by Denis Elamu/Xinhua) BUDAPEST, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- To keep the fifth COVID-19 wave under control, Hungary's government would offer a fourth dose of the COVID-19 vaccine to the country's citizens on a voluntary basis, a senior official said here on Thursday. "Those who want to will be able to receive the fourth jab after consulting with a doctor," Gergely Gulyas, Prime Minister Viktor Orban's chief of staff, told journalists, adding that the government will soon publish the relevant decree. The move was made necessary by the fast-spreading Omicron coronavirus variant. "Most infections are now caused by the Omicron variant, but the government expects the number of people needing hospital care not to rise as fast as the number of infected," Gulyas said. The government also decided to modify its official pass, called "protection certificate" in Hungarian, which will from Feb. 15 be called "vaccination certificate." The card will only be issued to those who have received three vaccine doses or at least a second jab in the past six months. "The government is confident that this step will convince many unvaccinated people to get inoculated, but no new measures are planned to make vaccination mandatory," Gulyas said. The government has also reduced the quarantine period from ten days to seven days, allowing those with a negative test result out of isolation after five days. In schools, even in the lower grades, unvaccinated children who come in contact with someone with COVID-19 will have to quarantine for five days. For them, homeschooling will be offered as an option. On Thursday, the country logged 9,216 new COVID-19 cases in a 24-hour span (3,382 cases on Tuesday), raising the official national total to 1,318,093. In the past 24 hours, 81 people have died from the disease, taking the cumulative death toll to 40,164 in the country, while 1,155,505 have recovered. Currently, 2,647 patients are being treated in hospitals, including 249 on ventilators, the government's website said. Indonesia kicked off the COVID-19 vaccine booster campaign on Wednesday. President Joko Widodo announced that all booster shots will be free. #GLOBALink Produced by Xinhua Global Service KABUL, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- China has witnessed the import of more Afghan pine nuts since November when the war-torn country resumed the export of the nut to its neighbor. On Monday, about 45 tonnes of pine nuts were transported by a cargo flight to Shanghai, marking the first flight carrying a shipment of pine nuts to China in 2022. Afghan private airline Kam Air has run more than 30 cargo flights taking pine nuts to China since November. Afghanistan historically exported 10,000 tonnes of pine nuts to China each year, creating jobs for thousands of people in the country. The air corridor between Afghanistan and China was launched in November 2018. Exports had been disrupted last year after the collapse of the U.S.-backed Afghan administration to the Taliban, but to China at least, trade more or less resumed at the end of October with the first air shipment of 45 tonnes of pine nuts. Produced by Xinhua Global Service BEIJING, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- The United States' signing of the so-called "Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act" into law was nothing but a political farce, said a law professor from China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region at a press conference Thursday in Beijing. The conference was held by the Xinjiang regional government, with Chinese and foreign scholars participating both online and offline. "As a law teacher working in Xinjiang for over four decades, I have gained an in-depth understanding of the labor situation in Xinjiang and clearly know that the so-called 'forced labor' fallacy in Xinjiang is groundless," said Chen Tong, a professor with the law school of Xinjiang Normal University. Xinjiang has always respected the will of workers in formulating employment policies, expanding employment channels, and providing employment services for the people in the region, said Chen. The region has fulfilled its obligations under international conventions and actively practiced international labor and human rights standards, ensuring to the maximum extent that people of all ethnic groups enjoy the right to work, the professor added. De Quanying, another law professor at Xinjiang University of Finance and Economics, said that the United States' act is totally hegemonic and the greatest violation of human rights. Xie Guiping, a professor with Zhejiang University, said that the atrocious act fully unmasks the United States' intent of luring the international community into suppressing China's development, mounting a full-blown attack against certain industries of China, creating mass unemployment in Xinjiang and undermining the region's security, stability and ethnic unity. Hiroshi Onishi, a professor from Japan's Keio University, made a presentation speech via video link during the conference, refuting the so-called "forced labor" claims with facts based on his field research in Xinjiang. "I have conducted research on Xinjiang 11 times and have many Uygur students," said the Japanese professor, adding that people in Xinjiang told him that many people are happy to have the chance to work in the more developed coastal regions, which is by no means compulsory for them, and there is no such thing as "forced labor transfer." Hospital and military personnel work at a vaccination point in Seville University in Seville, Spain, on Jan. 7, 2022. (Photo by Gustavo Valiente/Xinhua) According to figures issued by the Ministry of Health on Wednesday, 33.95 percent of the Spanish population have so far been given a third dose of vaccine, while 80.39 percent have had two shots and 84.67 percent just one. MADRID, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- The Spanish government on Thursday agreed to offer a third dose of vaccine against COVID-19 to everyone aged over 18. Previously the "booster jab" of the vaccine had only been available for people aged 40 and over, along with those who had been given the single dose 'Janssen' vaccine, essential workers and those with immune deficiency problems. Military personnel gives a shot to a child at a vaccination point in Seville University in Seville, Spain, on Jan. 7, 2022. (Photo by Gustavo Valiente/Xinhua) The administration of the third dose would be "in descending age order," said Minister of Health Carolina Darias, adding that the minimum time between receiving the second and third vaccination would be reduced from six months down to five. She also said that anyone who had been infected after receiving a second vaccination would need to wait at least a month before receiving a booster shot. According to figures issued by the Ministry of Health on Wednesday, 33.95 percent of the population have so far been given a third dose of vaccine, while 80.39 percent have had two shots and 84.67 percent just one. Medical workers work at a hospital in Barcelona, Spain, Dec. 22, 2021. Spain's Ministry of Health reported some 60,000 new cases on Wednesday. (Photo by Francisco Avia/Xinhua) By Azernews By Sabina Mammadli The U.S. Department of State and the OSCE Minsk Group have called for the de-escalation between Armenia and Azerbaijan. In a message posted on its official Twitter account on January 12, US Policy in Europe and Eurasia from the Department of States Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs said: "We express condolences to families of those killed and call on the sides to deescalate, including by withdrawing troops, demarcating the border, and returning detainees." Meanwhile, the OSCE also expressed "deep" concern about renewed clashes along the Armenia-Azerbaijan border that resulted in casualties. "We call to refrain from the use of force and to continue the meaningful political dialogue initiated recently. Poland as the OSCE Chair is committed to working with partners to renew and strengthen efforts aimed at establishing lasting peace and promoting sustainable development in the region," said a statement by the OSCE Chairmanship-in-Office. On January 11, Azerbaijani soldier Ayaz Nazarov was killed in an Armenian-initiated provocation in the direction of the Kalbajar region of the Azerbaijani-Armenian state border. In an interview with local journalists on January 12, President Ilham Aliyev said that six to eight Armenian troops were killed during the border escalation. "According to the information I received from the [Azerbaijani] defence minister, six to eight enemy servicemen were killed and many others were wounded. Shortly after this incident, the Armenian side began to insistently request a ceasefire... Crimes, provocations, covert provocations [by Armenia], punitive measures by the Azerbaijani side, and then pleas for a ceasefire. As a result, Azerbaijan has once again demonstrated humanism, but only after we came to the conclusion that the punitive operation should be stopped," he said. 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. On a cold winter night after dinner, when Ibrahim was chatting with his family members happily at home, a U.S. missile strike turned the joy into grief and permanent suffering. It was in December 2005, over two years after the U.S. troops illegally invaded Iraq. #GLOBALink WINDHOEK, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- Fully vaccinated Namibians, permanent residents and truck drivers will no longer be required to present a negative PCR COVID-19 test result upon entry into Namibia starting Sunday, an official said Thursday. The above-mentioned categories of people can enter the country at any time with a valid and authentic vaccination card, said Minister of Health and Social Services Kalumbi Shangula at the 39th COVID-19 public briefing on amendments to public health general regulations. "For all other categories of travelers, including truck drivers who are not fully vaccinated, the validity of a negative PCR COVID-19 test results remains 72 hours from the time of the collection of the specimen to the time the individual presents him/herself at the point of entry into Namibia," he added. Shangula highlighted that non-Namibians who arrive with PCR test results older than 72 hours and are not in possession of a de-isolation certificate, will be denied entry into the country while Namibians who arrive without a valid PCR test result or a de-isolation certificate will be subjected to a PCR test at own cost at the port of entry and will be quarantined at own cost. "Such travelers will be released from quarantine if the PCR results are negative. Namibian citizens and permanent residence permit holders who present positive PCR test results at points of entry may be allowed to proceed to the final destination and be subjected to isolation at their own cost or to supervised home isolation provided that they have obtained approval for such supervised home isolation from the responsible officials," he said. According to the official, the current regulations are due to expire at midnight on Jan. 15 and the new measures will commence from Jan. 16 to Feb. 16. 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. U.S. President Joe Biden walks out from the White House in Washington D.C., the United States, on Jan. 11, 2022. (Photo by Ting Shen/Xinhua) The U.S. administration has faced criticism for the country's low testing capacity since the Omicron surge started. NEW YORK, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- The federal government of the United States is sending medical teams to New York, New Jersey, Ohio, Rhode Island, Michigan and New Mexico to help hospitals overburdened by COVID-19, U.S. media has reported. U.S. President Joe Biden is to announce the deployments on Thursday when discussing steps the administration is taking to address a surge in infections driven by the Omicron variant, according to USA Today. "His remarks come as hospitalizations for COVID-19 are setting records," said the report, adding that some hospitals are delaying elective surgeries as states are deploying National Guard members to health care facilities. A man receives COVID-19 test in Washington, D.C., the United States, on Dec. 30, 2021. (Photo by Ting Shen/Xinhua) MORE TEST KITS After reaching the grim milestone of 800,000 coronavirus deaths in December, the United States continued to shatter records as the Omicron variant surges. According to Johns Hopkins University, the total number of COVID-19 cases in the country topped 60 million on Sunday. Just days before, it had shattered a single-day record with over 1 million infections. Despite initial evidence that the Omicron variant is less likely than previous variants to cause severe illness, the sheer number of infections have increased hospitalizations. Having struggled with staff shortages, schools are also seeing a decline in attendance as students stay away partly because of the limited availability of tests, The Wall Street Journal reported Thursday. "The U.S. administration has faced criticism for the country's low testing capacity at the start of the Omicron surge," said the report, noting that the federal government is planning to distribute millions of free COVID-19 tests to schools and other public sectors around the country in the coming week. Problems with the testing in the United States began at the very beginning of the pandemic, when the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) distributed faulty test kits to laboratories in February 2020. A man wearing a face mask is seen in a shopping center in New Orleans, Louisiana, the United States, Jan. 11, 2022. (Photo by Lan Wei/Xinhua) N95 GOING EXPENSIVE A total of 1,481,375 new cases and 1,904 new deaths were reported in the United States on Monday. The single-day increase of cases has set a new record around the globe since the onset of the pandemic, according to latest data of Johns Hopkins University. The potential for a new recommendation from the CDC is unleashing a scramble for highly protective N95 masks and boosting their prices, Bloomberg Wealth reported Wednesday. The agency is considering changing its guidance to advise that people wear higher-quality masks to better protect against Omicron. "That's contributing to a surge in prices for gold-standard N95 and KN95 face coverings on sites like Amazon.com," said the report. Quoting Camelcamelcamel, a website that tracks prices of products sold on Amazon, the report said one pack of 40 KN95 masks from the Hotodeal brand now costs 79.99 U.S. dollars from third-party sellers on Amazon, up from just 16.99 dollars in late November, while a 50-pack of Kimberly-Clark N95 masks is going for 57.15 dollars compared with 23.19 dollars in early October. Cruise ship Majestic Princess is seen at a pier in San Francisco, the United States, on Oct. 11, 2021. Majestic Princess became the first cruise to call on the Port of San Francisco on Monday since the port ceased operation of cruises due to the COVID-19 pandemic last year. (Photo by Liu Yilin/Xinhua) MORE CRUISE DELAYS According to the CDC, the majority of cruise ships sailing in the United States have reported COVID-19 outbreaks in the last several weeks. These ongoing outbreaks have barred cruise ships from docking at ports of calls, infected crew, and forced passengers to quarantine aboard ships, Business Insider reported Wednesday. Norwegian and Royal Caribbean have postponed several sailings, citing travel restrictions or the COVID-19 outbreak. Almost 250 cruises were set to sail throughout the first month of 2022, but this ongoing rise in COVID-19 cases could continue to cause further cancellations, said the report. The CDC's Framework for Conditional Sailing Order will expire on Saturday at which point the health agency's COVID-19 guidance of risk mitigation for cruise ships will become voluntary. This means cruise lines can choose whether to follow the health agency's guidance or not, according to USA Today. The CDC recently told Americans to avoid travel on cruise ships, regardless of their vaccination status. Medical workers carry a patient to a hospital in New York, the United States, Dec. 13, 2021. (Xinhua/Wang Ying) MORE SURGES FLATTENED "Dramatic surges in cases in Northeast have flattened, suggesting that the Omicron wave is levelling off there," The New York Times reported Thursday. According to the newspaper, the number of new COVID-19 cases in New York City rose more than 20-fold in December but has flattened in the past few days. "In both New Jersey and Maryland, the number of new cases has fallen slightly this week. In several major cities, the number is also showing signs of leveling off," said the report. Though the timeline is consistent with the experience in South Africa and Britain, experts warned it is still too early to be confident, said the report. Houthi members ride a truck during their withdrawal at Salif port in Hodeidah, Yemen, on May 11, 2019. (Xinhua) CAIRO, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul-Gheit on Thursday called for the "immediate release" of a United Arab Emirates (UAE)-flagged cargo ship and its crew hijacked off the coast of Yemen's western port city of Hodeidah. In a statement, Aboul-Gheit condemned the seizure of the vessel by Houthi militia, describing it as "an act of piracy." "It is a dangerous escalation by the Houthis against the safety of Red Sea maritime navigation," he said. The Yemeni militias kidnapped the ship on Jan. 2, with 11 crew members from five countries on board, including seven from India and the others from Ethiopia, Indonesia, Myanmar, and the Philippines, according to the UAE's permanent representative to the United Nations. COTONOU, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- Benin on Wednesday received a second batch of Sinovac COVID-19 vaccines as well as syringe units donated by the Chinese government. The handover document was signed Wednesday afternoon in Cotonou, between the Chinese Ambassador to Benin Peng Jingtao and the Beninese Health Minister Benjamin Hounkpatin. Hounkpatin said that this donation followed a first batch made on March 21, 2021, which had made it possible to support the launch of vaccination in his country. According to him, China was very early on by Benin's side since the outbreak of the pandemic and has always shown its support at all stages of Benin's fight against the pandemic. For his part, Peng said he saw in this donation a new gesture of solidarity from China to help the people of Benin to find a normal life. He stressed that China always remains a loyal partner, friend and brother of Benin. According to data from the World Health Organization, 1,815,764 doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered as of January 3 in Benin, with 1,421,442 people fully vaccinated, or 11.7 percent of the population. KHARTOUM, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- A high-ranking police officer was killed on Thursday during protests demanding civilian rule in Sudan's capital Khartoum, the Sudanese police said. "Acting Interior Minister and the Police's Director General eulogize the death of Brigadier General Ali Barima Hammad, who died while performing his duty to protect the demonstrators near Stack Medical Laboratory," the press office of the Sudanese police said in a statement. Police did not reveal the circumstances which led to the death of the senior police officer, but the new casualty might mark an escalation of confrontations between protesters and security forces. Sudanese protesters took to the streets again on Thursday in the capital Khartoum and other cities in new and increasingly regular demonstrations to demand civilian rule. Protesters gathered in central Khartoum and tried to reach the presidential palace, eyewitnesses told Xinhua. Crowds of demonstrators in Omdurman also headed towards Al-Arbaeen Street, a vital street leading to a bridge linking Omdurman and Khartoum cities, the eyewitnesses added. Khartoum State's Police issued a statement earlier on Thursday announcing partial closure to some bridges linking the major cities of Khartoum, Omdurman, and Bahri. Military units have been deployed at the entrances of most of the bridges and on the internal roads to the presidential palace and the army's general command headquarters. Sudan has been suffering a political crisis after the general commander of the Sudanese Armed Forces Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan declared a state of emergency on Oct. 25, 2021 and dissolved the Sovereign Council and the government. CAIRO, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- Egypt's Suez Canal succeeded in achieving the highest annual revenue in its history in 2021 thanks to the new paralleled waterway and the marketing policy pursued by the Suez Canal Authority (SCA) to overcome the crisis caused by the COVID-19, Egyptian experts said. Earlier this month, SCA Chairman Osama Rabie said the revenue of the man-made canal reached 6.3 billion U.S. dollars in 2021, up 12.8 percent year on year, the highest in the canal's history. He noted that the waterway also registered the largest annual net tonnages of 1.27 billion tons in 2021, compared to 1.17 billion tons in 2020, marking an increase of 8.5 percent. Mohamed Ali Ibrahim, professor of Transport and Logistics at the Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport, attributed the unprecedented increase to the new Suez Canal, a 35-km waterway opened in 2015 alongside the original 190 km one. "The new canal reduced the transit time for ships and attracted new types of ships and containers not able to sail through the original canal," the professor said. In addition, adopting flexible marketing policies to encourage vessels to use the Suez Canal route, amid the crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, attracted more ships to the canal, Ibrahim added. According to the SCA, the number of ships that passed through both directions of the canal in 2021 increased 10 percent to 20,694, compared to that of 18,830 in 2020. Egyptian economist Karim Al-Omda agreed that the unprecedented annual revenue of the Suez Canal has been achieved thanks to the wise marketing policy of the SCA, which helped attract a larger number of ships that used to sail through other navigational routes. "The frequent expansions implemented by the Egyptian government on the Suez Canal have made the canal more capable of accommodating larger ships," he told Xinhua. Al-Omda also highlighted the significant impact of the revenue surge on the Egyptian economy, as it is one of the most important sources of foreign currency for Egypt. "This would increase confidence in the Egyptian economy," he said. The Suez Canal is a major lifeline for global seaborne trade since it allows ships to travel between Europe and South Asia without navigating around Africa, thereby reducing the sea voyage distance between Europe and India by about 7,000 km. Every year, about 12 percent of the global trade volume, representing more than 25 percent of the world's container traffic, passes through the Suez Canal. LILONGWE, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- The Southern Africa Development Community (SADC), a regional bloc, has underscored the need for member states to strengthen the region's mission in Mozambique's northern province of Cabo Delgado until there's peace. The resolution was made at the SADC Extraordinary Summit for Heads of State and Government that was convened Wednesday in Lilongwe, Malawi, to review the regional body's Standby Mission to Mozambique (SAMIM). "Summit noted the good progress made since the deployment of the SADC Mission in Mozambique and extended its mandate," the communique of the SADC Extraordinary Summit said. Malawian President Lazarus Chakwera, who is the sitting SADC Chairperson, urged the member states to remain united against acts of terrorism in Cabo Delgado in particular, and the region in general. "Our collective mission in Mozambique is paramount and ongoing, and the stakes for all of us as the Member States are high," said Chakwera. "What we are fighting for is the very stability of our region ... What we are fighting for is our own peace of mind, which is inextricably linked to the peace of mind of our brothers and sisters in Mozambique." Chakwera said so long as men, women and children in Northern Mozambique keep fleeing their homes to escape the armed threats to their lives, none of the SADC member states can be at peace. The SADC Chairperson noted the "remarkable progress" made by SAMIM in Cabo Delgado, adding that the region's troops, together with the Mozambican defense forces and other partners, have brought renewed hope to the affected population. Chakwera, however, called on the SADC member states not to relax but to rather increase their commitment to bringing peace to Northern Mozambique. "What remains now is for us to stay the course and stick together: We cannot relent; We cannot regress; We cannot retreat," he stressed. "Our approach to this mission must continue to be multidimensional and comprehensive. It must not only focus on neutralizing the threat, but also have a post-conflict plan to rebuild." SADC Executive Secretary Elias Magosi said apart from reversing the socioeconomic gains of the region, terrorism has the potential to erode the peace and security the region has enjoyed for a long time. He also described issues regarding the Mission in Mozambique as "an emergency" and that the SADC member states "need to move with speed to implement the decisions taken by Heads of State and Government." SAMIM was established in June 2021 with a mandate to combat terrorism and acts of violent extremism in Cabo Delgado Province of Mozambique until the terrorist threat is neutralized and security is restored. DHAKA, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday urged unvaccinated people to get jabbed to protect lives from the Omicron variant of COVID-19. Speaking at an inauguration ceremony online, Hasina said the Omicron variant is spreading fast and families are getting infected, calling on all people in the country to follow the health protocols properly and abide by the latest directives issued by the authorities. Bangladeshi authorities on Thursday started to impose stringent rules to combat a fresh spike in COVID-19 infections. In parts of Dhaka and elsewhere in the country, mobile courts initiated drives and fined those violating the restrictions. On Monday, Bangladesh's Cabinet Division issued a circular with 11-point directives to be effective from Thursday until further notice. Under the directives, people must wear masks at gatherings, shopping malls and restaurants. Buses and trains should be operated at half capacity. All sorts of open-air gatherings, including social, political and cultural functions, were banned amid fears of the spread of the highly-contagious variant. Also, people will have to show their vaccine certificates to eat at restaurants and stay in residential hotels. By Azernews By Sabina Mammadli By Sabina Mammadli Azerbaijani Prosecutor-General Kamran Aliyev has been received by Russian President Vladimir Putin as part of his visit to Moscow. Aliyev is visiting the Russian capital to attend the events dedicated to the 300th anniversary of establishing the Russian prosecutor's office. As part of the event, Kamran Aliyev met his counterparts from Russia, Turkey, Tajikistan, Pakistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan. Moreover, he met President of the International Association of Prosecutors Cheol-Kyu Hwang and Director General of Human Rights and Rule of Law of the Council of Europe Christos Giakoumopoulos and others. The event was also attended by the Azerbaijani ambassador to Russia Polad Bulbuloglu. Aliyev also held meetings with the leaders of reputable international organizations, discussed existing ties and prospects for further cooperation. Within the event, the prosecutor-generals of the Turkic-speaking states held a meeting to discuss prospects for further cooperation. On October 3, 2009, at the 9th summit of the heads of the Turkic-speaking states in Nakhchivan, a decision was made to create the Council of Prosecutors within the framework of the Cooperation Council of the Turkic-speaking States, which has been later renamed into the Organization of Turkic States. As in many other spheres, Azerbaijan and Russia successfully cooperate in the law-enforcement field. Independent Azerbaijan's Prosecutor-General's Office signed the first international agreement on legal assistance and cooperation with Russia on January 25, 1993. SYDNEY, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- As Australian children prepare for their third year of schooling during the pandemic, there is growing debate as to the most suitable time to reopen classrooms. Queensland has broken ranks with the rest of the nation by declaring its school term will start with face-to-face classes on Feb. 7 instead of Jan. 24. Students in years 11 and 12, meanwhile, will begin online classes on Jan. 31. Announcing the change, Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said COVID-19 modeling projections had shown the highly contagious Omicron variant would likely peak in Queensland around the last week of this month and the first week of February. By delaying school for a fortnight, Palaszczuk said students would avoid "heading back to primary or secondary schools just as the rapidly rising number of Omicron cases in Queensland hits its peak." "I know parents are concerned about sending children back to school at a time like this, so I want to assure them that delaying the start of the school year is a sensible solution," she said. That is a view generally shared by Dr. Divna Haslam, a clinical psychologist from the University of Queensland Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences, who told Xinhua that an advantage of the delay is that it will give parents more certainty in planning their family and work schedules. "I think a lot of parents may have expected school to start at the usual time but then faced a snap lockdown due to a COVID breakout. This delay should make them feel more confident there won't be a sudden change just after the term begins," Haslam said. Palaszczuk's tactics, however, have been criticized by some politicians including Prime Minister Scott Morrison, who said it could needlessly extend the disease's duration. "As we see the Omicron wave rise, I mean, sometimes you do things which just pushes the wave further out," Morrison told reporters. Meanwhile, Dominic Perrottet, premier of New South Wales, who is confronting Australia's largest outbreak, is adamant that schools in his state will stick to their original starting date of Jan. 28. Speaking to reporters this week, Perrottet said his state would have access to 100 million rapid antigen test (RAT) kits which would be a "core part of the plans of getting kids back in the classrooms." "These tests will be crucial to ensure that we get kids back to school day one, term one," Perrottet said. One reason the RATs will be so vital is no student aged from five to 11 will be fully vaccinated when schools reopen. The 2.3 million Australian children in that age group only became eligible for the first of their two jabs this week and, as such, it will be at least four more months before they can be fully vaccinated. The potential for schools to become COVID-19 hotbeds has been noted by OzSAGE, a multi-disciplinary network of Australian pandemic experts. In a statement this week, OzSAGE predicted that "sending unvaccinated children back to school at the predicted epidemic peak will worsen the situation." One of the variables of the fast-evolving crises is that different regions of Australia will suffer outbreak peaks at different times. Omicron first appeared in New South Wales in early December before advancing into Victoria and Queensland then surging to other states, with the exception of Western Australia, which has kept its daily case numbers down to single digits. The fact that other expected peaks are lagging behind those on the east coast could eventually create problems for those states' education authorities, according to Haslam. "I think Queensland was lucky because our peak is estimated to occur around the time school was due back," she said. "It's certainly easier to delay the start than it is to go back to school and then have lockdowns." New Delhi: Former Uttar Pradesh chief minister Akhilesh Yadav on Wednesday announced that Samajwadi Party will contest 2022 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections alone. The announcement holds significance as the Samajwadi Party had formed an alliance with the Congress to contest the 2017 Uttar Pradesh Assembly Elections. The SP and Congress had contested on 298 and 105 Assembly constituencies respectively. However, both the parties failed to leave any impact and the alliance was snapped after the elections. Taking note of the poor performance, the Samajwadi Party decided to forge an alliance with Mayawatis Bahujan Samaj Party sans Congress for 2019 Lok Sabha elections. Under the tie-up deal, both the parties contested on 38 seats each and keeping the Congress out of the alliance. However, that too didn't last for long and both the parties parted their ways. Meanwhile, Akhilesh Yadav slammed the BJP government and said that all cases lodged against Rampur MP Azam Khan would be withdrawn if the Samajwadi Party comes to power. According to a statement issued by the party, Yadav made these remarks at Rampur, where he met Khan's family at his residence and visited Mohammad Ali Jauhar University, Urdu Gate and Rampur Public School International. He assured the party's full support to Khan, who is facing several police cases including those related to the alleged land-grabbing. Authorities claim that the gate of Mohammad Ali Jauhar University, established by Khan in 2006, is built on government land. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: The Modi-led central government on Wednesday decided to merge loss-making telecom firms BSNL (Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited) and MTNL (Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited) as part of a revival package. Till the time of merger, the MTNL will act as a subsidiary of BSNL. The revival plans also includes raising sovereign bonds, monetising assets and voluntary retirement scheme (VRS) for employees. Union Cabinet approves revival plan of BSNL (Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited)&MTNL (Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited)&in-principle merger of the two. Spectrum of 4G to be allocated to Telecom PSEs (Public Sector Enterprises).VRS (voluntary retirement scheme) packages to be offered. https://t.co/KluEorlN9A ANI (@ANI) October 23, 2019 Briefing reporters on decisions taken by the Cabinet headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said the government will put in Rs 29,937 crore for revival of the two state-owned telecom companies. The revival package includes raising of Rs 15,000 crore sovereign bonds and monetising Rs 38,000 crore of assets in next four years. Also, voluntary retirement will be offered to employees to cut cost, he said. Meanwhile, the Cabinet has hiked the minimum support price (MSP) for wheat by Rs 85 to Rs 1,925 a quintal and for pulses by up to Rs 325 per quintal. A decision in this regard was taken at a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Union Minister Prakash Javadekar: Cabinet has decided to increase the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for Rabi crops, MSP for wheat and barley has been increased by Rs 85 , gram by Rs 255, Masur (Lentil) by Rs 325, mustard by Rs 225. pic.twitter.com/ZqulWe9p50 ANI (@ANI) October 23, 2019 The MSP is the rate at which the government buys grains from farmers. "In a move to increase farmers' income, the Cabinet has increased the MSP of rabi (winter-sown) crops for the current year," Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar told reporters after the meeting. The CCEA has approved Rs 85 per quintal hike in wheat MSP to Rs 1,925 per quintal for the 2019-20 rabi crop, up from Rs 1,840 per quintal last year. For all the Latest Business News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Two truck drivers, who had come to transport apples in Kashmir's Shopian district, were shot dead by terrorists on Thursday evening and their trucks were set on fire. Another truck driver was injured in the attack, according to news agency PTI. "It's an unfortunate incident. The truck drivers had ventured into interior areas without informing the security forces," a senior official said. The official said that bodies of two drivers had been recovered, while another injured was being evacuated to hospital in Srinagar. Director General of Police Dilbagh Singh said in the evening, terrorists fired at trucks near Chittargam in Shopian and injured three drivers. The terrorists stopped the three trucks bearing registration number of Haryana, Rajasthan and Punjab and started indiscriminate firing at the drivers who made an unsuccessful attempt to flee the area. The terrorists also torched two of the trucks. One of the dead has been identified as Mohmmed Illiyas, a resident of Alwar in Rajasthan, while the injured has been identified as Jeevan from Hoshiarpur in Punjab. The identity of the other deceased is being ascertained. Officials said police teams have been fanned out in the area to nab the culprits. On October 14, two terrorists, including a suspected Pakistani national, shot dead the driver of a truck having Rajasthan registration and assaulted an orchard owner in Shopian district. The driver was identified as Sharief Khan. Two days later, Punjab-based apple trader Charanjeet Singh was killed and Sanjeev injured when terrorists attacked them in Shopian district. "It's an unfortunate incident. The truck drivers had ventured into interior areas without informing the security forces," a senior official said. The official said that bodies of two drivers had been recovered, while another injured was being evacuated to hospital in Srinagar. Director General of Police Dilbagh Singh said in the evening, terrorists fired at trucks near Chittargam in Shopian and injured three drivers. The terrorists stopped the three trucks bearing registration number of Haryana, Rajasthan and Punjab and started indiscriminate firing at the drivers who made an unsuccessful attempt to flee the area. The terrorists also torched two of the trucks. One of the dead has been identified as Mohmmed Illiyas, a resident of Alwar in Rajasthan, while the injured has been identified as Jeevan from Hoshiarpur in Punjab. The identity of the other deceased is being ascertained. Officials said police teams have been fanned out in the area to nab the culprits. On October 14, two terrorists, including a suspected Pakistani national, shot dead the driver of a truck having Rajasthan registration and assaulted an orchard owner in Shopian district. The driver was identified as Sharief Khan. Two days later, Punjab-based apple trader Charanjeet Singh was killed and Sanjeev injured when terrorists attacked them in Shopian district. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: The BJP won three Assembly seats, the Shiv Sena bagged two and an Independent candidate emerged victorious on one seat in Maharashtra on Thursday, as per the results announced by the Election Commission so far. Senior BJP leader and state school education minister Ashish Shelar won from Bandra-West seat in Mumbai by defeating Congress' Asif Zakaria by 26,507 votes. BJP's Parag Shah defeated Satish Pawar of the MNS by a margin of 53,319 votes from Ghatkopar-East seat in Mumbai. Besides, Sunil Rane of the BJP won from Borivali Assembly seat in Mumbai by defeating his Congress rival Kumar Khilare by 95,021 votes. This Urban (General) constituency has an estimated Scheduled Caste population of 3.22% and a Scheduled Tribe population of 0.88%. The estimated literacy level of the district in which this constituency falls in is 89.91%. In the 2014 Maharashtra Assembly elections, Vinod Tawde of BJP won in this seat by defeating the SS candidate by a margin of 79267 votes which was 44.29% of the total votes polled in the constituency. BJP had a vote share of 60.5% in 2014 in the seat. In the 2009, Gopal Shetty of BJP won in this seat by defeating the MNS candidate by a margin of 30227 votes which was 20.8% of the total votes polled in the constituency. BJP had a vote share of 47.43% in 2009 in the seat. In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, BJP got the most votes and the in the 152. Borivali Assembly segment of Mumbai North Lok Sabha constituency. Mumbai North Parliament seat was won by BJP. Shiv Sena leader Sunil Prabhu defeated NCP's Vidya Chavan from Dindoshi Assembly seat in Mumbai by 44,511 votes. Ajay Choudhary of the Shiv Sena won from Shivadi seat in Mumbai by defeating his MNS rival Santosh Nalavade by 39,337 votes. Independent candidate Mahesh Valdi won from Uran seat in Raigad district against Shiv Sena's Manoj Bhoir by a margin of 5,710 votes. Election for all 288 Assembly seats in the state were held on Monday. Exit polls have predicted a comfortable win for the ruling BJP-Shiv Sena alliance government in the state. Around 25,000 personnel are deployed on counting duty, an election official said, adding police have also made adequate arrangements to ensure a smooth counting process. The polling held on Monday saw a voter turnout of 61.13 per cent, a dip from the 63.20 per cent recorded in 2014, the official said. (With agency inputs) Mumbai: Nearly 200 people have been booked and 33 of them arrested by Mumbai Police for allegedly attacking policemen and damaging vehicles during the funeral procession of a man who committed suicide after being unable to trace his teen daughter, an official said on Wednesday. Around seven police personnel were injured in the attack on Tuesday, he said. Pancharam Rithadiya (44) allegedly committed suicide last week by jumping in front of a running train at Tilak Nagar railway station here after not being able find his 17-year-old daughter missing since some months. In the suicide note, he purportedly mentioned that the police did not help him in tracing his daughter. After his death, Wadala GRP registered an offence of abatement to suicide against five persons. During his funeral procession to a crematorium in suburban Chembur on Tuesday, mourners allegedly hurled stones at the police and also vandalised a police van and some other vehicles, Additional Commissioner of Police (east region)Lakhmi Gautam told PTI. "Seven police personnel, including four officers, were injured in the attack," he said.A police van, a taxi, a car, 10 to 12 motorcycles and three auto-rickshaws were damaged in the incident, another police official said. The police lodged an FIR late Tuesday night against nearly 200 people and arrested 33 of them, Gautam said. "Till now, 33 people have been arrested. We are analysing the CCTV footage and some videos which have gone viral on social media to identify the others involved in the violence," he said. The accused have been booked under various Indian Penal Code Sections, including 143, 145, 147 (rioting), 307 (attempt to murder), 326 (voluntarily causing grievous hurt by dangerous weapon), 353 (assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty), the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act and the Maharashtra Police Act. A police official on Tuesday said some mourners trailing the procession suddenly tried to block the road at Umarshi Bappa Chowk in Chembur. As the police personnel tried to remove the protesters, some of them ran to a nearby under-construction building and hurled stones, injuring two police constables and an officer of Traffic Police, he said. Eye-witnesses earlier claimed that people got provoked when a policeman shoved a woman mourner with a stick. New Delhi: Maharashtra Assembly Election Results 2019: BJPs Maisaheb Dnyanjyoti Manohar Patil is leading from Dhule Rural. Dhule Rural is an Assembly constituency in North Maharashtra region of Maharashtra in Dhule district. This seat is reserved for General category. In the 2014 Maharashtra Assembly polls, Kunal (Baba) Rohidas Patil won the seat by a massive margin of 46082 votes with margin of 19.65% votes. The Indian National Congress polled a total of 234571 votes. Where as Prof Shard Patil won this seat in the 2009 Maharashtra Assembly elections, beating the INC candidate by a margin of 18982 votes. Shiv Sena polled 193169 votes, 52.06% of the total votes polled. Now the trends show Kunalbab Rohidas Patil getting a slim lead. In Maharashtra, the exit polls have predicted that the BJP-Shiv Sena alliance will retain power comfortably. The incumbent alliance has already crossed majority mark of 145 in morning trends of postal ballots. The scenario is same in Haryana, though JJP may just upset BJPs poll celebrations. New Delhi: An Indian Army helicopter with the Northern Army commander Lt Gen Ranbir Singh on board force-landed due to technical reasons in general area Jammu and Kashmirs Poonch district on Thursday afternoon, the Army said, adding that there were no casualties. Earlier, news agency PTI reported that the chopper was crashed in the Poonch district. The Helicopter had made a force landing on account of technical snag, in general area of Poonch earlier today. The crew and passengers are safe. https://t.co/7Q2MazEkPm ANI (@ANI) October 24, 2019 However, the official statement of the Indian Army said: One ALH Dhruv Helicopter force-landed due to technical reasons in general area Poonch, Jammu & Kashmir. All seven persons travelling in the helicopter are safe. The helicopter, which is believed to have developed a technical snag, crash-landed at Poonch district's Bedar area, officials said. Northern Army commander Lt Gen Ranbir Singh was part of the seven-member crew, including two pilots. A thorough investigation has been launched. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: In a big setback, seven Haryana ministers, including Ram Bilas Sharma and Capt Abhimanyu, and state BJP chief Subhash Barala lost, in the Assembly elections. Haryana Assembly Speaker Kanwar Pal, a BJP legislator from Jagadhri, was also lost from his constituency to Congress's Akram Khan. Sharma, a five-time legislator, lost to Congress's Rao Dan Singh. The Dushyant Chautala-led JJP and the Independents are likely to play a key role in government formation in Haryana as the BJP and the Congress do not seem to attain majority on its own and remained locked in a tense fight. Seven Independent candidates have registered victory. If the trend holds, former deputy prime minister Devi Lal's great grandson Dushyant Chautala and the Independents are likely to emerge as kingmakers. The Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) is ahead in just one seat of Ellenabad where Abhay Singh Chautala is the incumbent legislator. Haryana Lokhit Party (HLP) president Gopal Kanda registered a win from Sirsa seat. With the Haryana assembly polls heading for a fractured mandate, senior Congress leader and former chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda urged non-BJP outfits on Thursday to join hands. Hooda alleged the administration was putting pressure on the Independents at the behest of the BJP and not allowing them to move freely. Commenting on the results and trends so far, JJP leader Dushyant Chautala said, "This shows there was huge anti-incumbency against the (Manohar Lal) Khattar government." Asked whom would his party support in the event of a hung assembly, the JJP leader said, "It is too early to say anything. We will first summon a meeting of our MLAs, decide who would be our leader in the House and then take it further." Taking a swipe at the BJP's 'mission' of securing 75 seats, he said they will fall way short of their target as the "people of Haryana want change". State Congress chief Kumari Selja said the people of Haryana have rejected the BJP and are ready to "embrace a new dawn of justice". Haryana Assembly Elections: Who are all the independent candidates? New Delhi: India and Pakistan signed the Kartarpur agreement at zero line on Thursday. The simple ceremony was held at the zero line near Dera Baba Nanak in Gurdaspur. Officials of either countries didnt cross the border. No senior official was present during the signing of the pact. Earlier, India had asked Pakistan to review the $20 of fees levied on pilgrims. There are also reports that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be present to see of the Kartarpur pilgrims during a ceremony on November 8. The entire issue is based on Indian pilgrims rights to visit the Kartarpur Gurdwara, which is said to be the site where Guru Nanak spent his final years. So far, Indian pilgrims could have the darshan of the gurdwara by binoculars kept at the border. #KartarpurCorridor Agreement signing ceremony between India and Pak today. Some pics of Peace and tranquility for moment. pic.twitter.com/oVLQiEuWB4 Madhurendra kumar (@Madhurendra13) October 24, 2019 Despite repeated requests from Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh and Centre, Pakistan was adamant on imposing the facilitation charge. In the final draft proposal sent to India earlier this month, Islamabad made it clear that every pilgrim from India will have to pay USD 20 to visit the Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur. Although India has once agin asked Pakistan to reconsider its decision, Pakistan is highly unlikley to give up its plan as the ties between the two countries has been strained over the last few years. India and Pakistan have decided to build a special corridor linking Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Pakistan's Kartarpur - the final resting place of Sikh faith's founder Guru Nanak Dev - to Dera Baba Nanak shrine in India's Gurdaspur district. The Indian side of the Kartarpur corridor, which is likely to facilitate the visa-free travel of Sikh pilgrims on both sides, is expected to be completed by the end of next month. Kartarpur Sahib in Pakistan is located across the river Ravi, about four kilometres from the Dera Baba Nanak shrine. It was established by the Sikh Guru in 1522. The first gurdwara, Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib, was built in Kartarpur, where Guru Nanak Dev is said to have died. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. By Azernews By News Center Turkey has decided to start the mass production of the Hurjet light combat aircraft, Yeni Shafak has reported. A written statement was made after the Defence Industry Executive Committee meeting chaired by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the report added. During the meeting held at the Presidential Complex, issues regarding the production of new domestic and national systems used by the Turkish Armed Forces and security units were discussed, and the first stage mass production decision was taken for Hurjet, whose first flight is planned next year. In addition, the implementation of various projects in the areas such as air, land and sea platforms, communication and information systems has been decided. Moreover, the production of different equipment, ammunition and missiles, as well as modernization, logistics, cyber security, and artificial intelligence issues were discussed at the meeting. The attention was drawn to the importance of research and development activities in the production of critical and advanced technologies. It was emphasized that the development of all kinds of technology purchased from abroad is an absolute necessity for fully independent defense industry and that the support for the sector will continue. Regardless of all obstacles, Turkey will continue to move forward with firm steps towards its goals with its determination in the design, development and production of domestic and national systems and technologies, the statement underlined. Earlier, Erdogan attended the National Technologies and New Investments Collective Opening and Promotion Ceremony at Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) Facilities in Kahramankazan. Taking a photo with TAI employees in the aircraft hangar, Erdogan signed a manufactured piece of Hurjet. Erdogan inaugurated the center, which will be the heart of the National Combat Aircraft project. Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) started production and assembly activities for the Training and Light Attack Aircraft - Hurjet developed with national resources. The company, which plans to start the final assembly by the middle of 2022, will release Hurjet from the hangar at the end of the year. New Delhi: Telangana High Court Admit Card 2019 is released. All candidates who applied for the Telangana High Court exam can download the admit card by visiting the official website of Telangana High Court, i.e. hc.ts.nic.in. The Telangana High Court admit card is released for 1539 office subordinate, copyist, junior assistant, process server, typist, field assistant, record assistant, examiner and stenographer Grade III posts. It is to note that the Telangana High Court exam for all the posts is going to be conducted online from November 4 to November 7, 2019. In order to download the Telangana High Court Admit Card 2019, candidates need to follow the below mentioned steps: First, visit the official website of Telangana High Court, i.e., hc.ts.nic.in Navigate and click on the Telangana High Court Hall Ticket Link A new page will open Enter the required credentials and download the Telangana High Court Hall Ticket 2019 Candidates must make sure to take a printout of the Telangana High Court admit card as it is a mandatory document. All candidates need to carry it without fail at the time of examination. Importantly, candidates can also click on the below mentioned Direct link to download the Telangana High Court Admit Card: Telangana High Court Admit Card 2019 New Delhi: The Congress on Thursday wrested back its traditional Jhabua Assembly seat in Madhya Pradesh from the BJP in the bypoll for the constituency. Congress candidate and former Union minister Kantilal Bhuria won by margin of over 27,804 votes, defeating BJP's Bhanu Bhuria, who was contesting his maiden election, an official said. Kantilal Bhuria polled 96,155 votes while his BJP rival got 68,351 votes, the official said. The Congress lost the seat to BJP in last year's Assembly polls when BJP's G S Damor defeated Kantilal Bhuria's son Vikrant Bhuria by 10,437 votes. However, the BJP leader fielded Damor in the general elections from Ratlam-Jhabua Lok Sabha seat, which he won by defeating Kantilal Bhuria. Later, Damor resigned from Jhabua assembly seat which necessitated by-poll in the tribal dominated constituency. Madhya Pradesh chief minister Kamal Nath termed the result in Jhabua as the victory of people's confidence in the Congress and his government. "People have expressed faith in the government's work and have given their seal of approval for it. It is a gift of Diwali to Congress by the voters of Jhabua," he said. Kantilal Bhuriatermed it as "a victory of chief minister Kamal Nath and his works and expressed his gratitude towards him". Asked whether he would become minister in the Nath cabinet, he said, "It is the prerogative of chief minister to make a person minister or not."A Home Just In OnePlus Nord CE 5G in Nepal: The cheap version of the reputed brand is not cheaper than its competitors OnePlus Nord CE 5G is a mid-range release from OnePlus in Nepal and one of the many Nord series smartphones from the company. OnePlus has always been a smartphone to watch and has established itself as one of the best smartphone companies in the world. The release of the OnePlus 9 series directly rivals the best smartphones in the Nepali market not only in terms of specifications and features but also in price. But before OnePlus goes to compete against the best smartphone companies with their own flagships, others are already famous for providing a solid smartphone at a reasonable price. Since the OnePlus series no longer provides that flagship feature at an affordable price, it has released a different series, the Nord series. The main idea of the Nord series is to regain the popularity OnePlus was originally known for. OnePlus Nord CE 5G, accordingly, has many things to offer. Yet, it seems the phone is not priced rights in terms of its competition in the market. So, lets get into the details of the phone to know more. Specifications Dimension Height: 159.2mm Width: 73.5mm Thickness: 7.9mm Weight: 170 grams Display 6.43 inches Fluid AMOLED, 90Hz Sim Dual sims Resolution 1,080*2,400 pixels OS Android 11, OxygenOS 11.0.5.5 Chipset Qualcomm Snapdragon 750G 5G (8nm) GPU Adreno 619 Storage 128/256GB SD card slot No RAM 8/12GB Camera Front: 16MP, f/2.5 Rear: 64MP, f/1.8 8MP, 119 degrees (ultrawide) 2MP, (depth) Sound Loudspeakers 3.5mm headphone jack Battery 4500mAh, Li-Po, non-removable Fast charging 30W Sensors Under-display optical fingerprint, accelerometer, compass, gyro, proximity Colours Blue void, charcoal ink, silver ray Price Rs 44,999 (8/128GB) Rs 51.499 (12/256GB) Design and display Photo: oneplus OnePlus Nord CE 5G has a simple and elegant design. There are no fancy camera modules or curves on the phone. It has a glass front, a plastic back and a plastic frame build. The back has a soft touch and matte finish that does not allow the fingerprint to stay on the phone. Similarly, the camera module is placed vertically on the phone. With weighing only 170 grams and 7.9mm in thickness, this is one of the lightest and slimmest phones from OnePlus. The phone features a 6.43-inch fluid AMOLED display with a 90Hz refresh rate and has a resolution of 1,080*2,400 pixels. There is a cutout on the display for the front camera which resides at the corner. It also features an under-display fingerprint sensor. Cameras Photo: oneplus OnePlus Nord CE 5G features a triple camera setup on the back. The 64MP main camera is housed together with a 119-degree 8MP camera and another 2MP depth sensor. On the front, there is a 16MP HDR selfie camera. The camera features portrait mode on both the back and front. It also offers a night mode feature for low light and night photography. The selfies from the camera look good as well. The rear camera can shoot videos in 4K resolution, but not with the ultrawide lens. The video from the ultrawide lens is limited to 1080p only. Even the front camera is only capable of shooting videos at 1080p resolution only. Performance and battery Life OnePlus Nord CE 5G runs on Android 11 with OxygenOS 11.0.5.5 on top. Meanwhile, the phone is powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 750G 5G (8nm) chipset and the graphics are handled by Adreno 619. Photo: oneplus The phone features a 4,500 mAh non-removable Li-Po battery that supports 30W fast charging. The phone gets a 70% charge in just 30 minutes. This power should get you throughout the day and even though if you are low on power, just a few minutes of charging should be enough to continue your work. Storage, connectivity and other features OnePlus Nord CE 5G comes in two variants. The 8GB RAM variant comes with 128GB of internal storage whereas the 12GB RAM variant comes with 256GB of internal storage. There is no memory card slot on the phone, which means the storage of the phone cannot be expanded. Along with supporting a 5G network and dual-band wifi, the phone also supports Bluetooth 5.1, is NFC enabled and has a USB Type-C 2.0. OnePlus Nord CE 5G also features a 3.5mm headphone jack for audio connectivity but does not provide stereo speakers. The price of OnePlus Nord CE 5G is Rs 44,999 for 8/128GB and Rs 51,499 for 12/256GB variants. Verdict Photo: oneplus In this price range, the OnePlus Nord CE 5G competes against the likes of Samsung A52, Xiaomis Mi 11 Lite 5G and Poco F3. This is one of the most stacked segments in the market and unfortunately for OnePlus, there are many other smartphones that offer a better value at this price. Poco F3, Samsung A52 and even Poco X3 Pro offer a better display with a higher refresh rate than OnePlus Nord CE. This phone may offer a better-looking build, cleaner Android experience and longer battery life although they lack in many other aspects. The phone does not have an IP certification, nor has an HDR10 support display. The phone does not have a microSD card slot as well as stereo speakers. Although the phone offers a respectable performing SoC (chipset), there are other smartphones on the market that offers a better and newer version. It is really hard to predict how the phone fares in the market with a price tag like this. (Adds background, details) By Carolina Pulice MEXICO CITY, Jan 13 (Reuters) - Nubank said on Thursday it was not interested in bidding for Citigroup's Citibanamex consumer banking business in Mexico, pouring cold water on analyst speculation the Brazilian online lender could consider such a purchase. "Nubank believes that mergers and acquisitions are an important avenue for growth, but at the moment it has no interest in buying Citibanamex in Mexico," Nubank said in a statement in response to a question from Reuters. Nubank, which went public in December, has been expanding in Mexico and some analysts said the Citi unit, likely to carry a price tag between $4 billion and $8 billion, could be of interest to it. Citigroup aquired Banamex for $12.5 billion in 2001 after an economic crisis that devastated the bank sector in the mid-1990s. Mexican billionaires such as Carlos Slim and Ricardo Salinas Pliego, and banks like Canada's Scotiabank and Spain's Santander are among front-runners to buy the Citibanamex assets. (Reporting by Carolina Pulice; Editing by Christian Plumb) Accenture Security receives highest score in "Current Offering" category in research report NEW YORK, January 12, 2022--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Accenture (NYSE: ACN) has been named a Leader in the latest Forrester Research report on global cybersecurity consulting providers, which notes that Accenture "earns credibility with tech expertise but proves it with vertical knowledge." This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220112005706/en/ Accenture named a Leader in global cybersecurity providers (Graphic: Business Wire) The report "The Forrester Wave: Global Cybersecurity Consulting Providers, Q4 2021" includes a comprehensive, 21-criterion assessment of the top 12 cybersecurity consulting providers across three high-level categories: "Current Offering"; "Strategy"; and "Market Presence." In addition, client references and buyer feedback were factored into every criterion evaluated in the report. According to the report, Accenture achieved the highest score in the Current Offering category, with the highest possible score in seven of the 10 sub-criteria, including contribution to cybersecurity industry, knowledge transfer to client teams, and alignment with client chief information security officer (CISO) needs. In the report, Forrester notes that: "Accenture is a valued partner for clients that know the firm can handle complex technical tasks when precise execution matters." "Accenture brings stellar delivery via skilled practitioners across complex global engagements, and client references confirm that sentiment." "CISOs seeking a partner with strong technical skills that wont shy away from complicated deployments should examine Accenture." Kelly Bissell, who leads Accenture Security globally, said, "An organization's responsibility to help secure their entire ecosystem extends across a sprawling and complex supply chain, from the wellhead to the gas pump, or from a banking system to the app on a mobile device. We are honored to be recognized by Forrester as a leader in global cybersecurity consulting. Behind this recognition is our talented team of people, who are laser focused on helping our clients secure their businesses end to end." Story continues Accenture Security was also positioned as a Leader in previous Forrester Wave Reports, including "The Forrester Wave: European Managed Security Services Providers, Q3 2020," and The Forrester Wave: European Cybersecurity Consulting Providers, Q3 2021." More information on Accenture in "The Forrester Wave: Global Cybersecurity Consulting Providers, Q4 2021" report can be found here. About Accenture Accenture is a global professional services company with leading capabilities in digital, cloud and security. Combining unmatched experience and specialized skills across more than 40 industries, we offer Strategy and Consulting, Interactive, Technology and Operations services all powered by the worlds largest network of Advanced Technology and Intelligent Operations centers. Our 674,000 people deliver on the promise of technology and human ingenuity every day, serving clients in more than 120 countries. We embrace the power of change to create value and shared success for our clients, people, shareholders, partners and communities. Visit us at accenture.com. Accenture Security is a leading provider of end-to-end cybersecurity services, including advanced cyber defense, applied cybersecurity solutions and managed security operations. We bring security innovation, coupled with global scale and a worldwide delivery capability through our network of Advanced Technology and Intelligent Operations centers. Helped by our team of highly skilled professionals, we enable clients to innovate safely, build cyber resilience and grow with confidence. Follow us @AccentureSecure on Twitter, LinkedIn or visit us at accenture.com/security. This document makes descriptive reference to trademarks that may be owned by others. The use of such trademarks herein is not an assertion of ownership of such trademarks by Accenture and is not intended to represent or imply the existence of an association between Accenture and the lawful owners of such trademarks. Copyright 2022 Accenture. All rights reserved. Accenture, and its logo are trademarks of Accenture. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220112005706/en/ Contacts Alison Geib Accenture +1 703 947 4404 alison.geib@accenture.com Denise Berard Accenture +1 617 488 3611 denise.berard@accenture.com NEW YORK, Jan. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- 41% of the growth will originate from APAC for the bathroom sinks market. China and Japan are the key markets for bathroom sinks in APAC. Countries such as Indonesia are expected to spur the sales of bathroom sinks owing to the growing residential sector, increasing investments in infrastructure, and continuous implementation of policy reforms to spur private investments. Market growth in this region will be faster than the growth of the market in the European, North American, and South American regions. The growing construction activity in emerging countries will facilitate the bathroom sinks market growth in APAC over the forecast period. The bathroom sinks market size is expected to increase by USD 1.84 billion from 2020 to 2025, registering a CAGR of 4%, according to the latest research report from Technavio. Attractive Opportunities in Bathroom Sinks Market by End-user and Geography - Forecast and Analysis 2021-2025 For more insights on the bathroom sinks market - Download Our Free Sample Report The bathroom sinks market covers the following areas: Bathroom sinks market - Driver The key factor driving growth in the bathroom sinks market is the increase in building refurbishment activities. There is a growing trend of home improvement and repair spending around the world. Construction spending on remodeling activities is witnessing continuous growth in American and European markets. Rising disposable income, coupled with the growing awareness about home decor, is expected to drive renovation and remodeling activities, thereby, fueling the demand for bathroom sinks. Home prices are expected to rise, facilitating an increase in demand for refurbishment services as homeowners often leverage the value of their homes through loans to fund remodeling projects. Bathroom sinks market - Challenge Fluctuations in raw material prices will be a major challenge for the bathroom sinks market. Bathroom sinks are typically made up of different materials such as ceramic, concrete, copper, glass, granite, marble, nickel, plastic, polyester, stainless steel, and stone. Most of the raw materials are sourced goods and obtained on the basis of purchase orders. Any change in raw material prices will adversely affect the production cost of bathroom sinks. Fluctuating prices of raw materials such as ceramic, concrete, copper, glass, and steel hinder the growth of the bathroom sinks market. Increment in material costs will lead to a rise in production costs, which, in turn, inflates the price of the equipment. Story continues Bathroom sinks market - Segmentation & Revenue Generating Segment The Bathroom Sinks Market is segmented by End-user (Residential and Non-residential) and Geography (APAC, North America, Europe, MEA, and South America). The bathroom sinks market share growth by the residential segment will be significant for revenue generation. The growth in the residential sector growth across the globe is expected to drive the global bathroom sinks market. The housing sector in the US is showing signs of a strong recovery post the economic slowdown. On the other hand, APAC has the maximum number of emerging economies in its portfolio. In APAC, countries such as India, Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, and the Philippines have significantly contributed to the growth of the global bathroom sinks market. Technavio report presents a detailed picture of the market by the way of study, synthesis, and summation of data from multiple sources by an analysis of key parameters. For additional information on segmentation - Request an Exclusive Free Sample Now! Companies Mentioned The bathroom sinks market is fragmented and the vendors are deploying growth strategies such as focusing on technological advancements and innovations to compete in the market. Duravit AG Elkay Manufacturing Co. FRANKE Holding AG HSIL Ltd. Jaquar Group JOMOO Kitchen and Bath Co. Ltd. Kohler Co. LIXIL Corp. Roca Sanitario SA Toto Ltd. Subscribe to our "Lite Plan" billed annually at USD 3000 to join a community, who are eligible to view 3 reports monthly and download 3 reports annually. Related Reports: Ceramic Sanitary Ware Market -The ceramic sanitary ware market size is expected to grow by USD 17.76 billion, at a CAGR of 8.71%, between 2020 and 2025. Download a free sample now! Bidets Market -The bidets market size is expected to reach a value of USD 1.34 billion, at a CAGR of 5.73% during 2021-2025. Download a free sample now! Bathroom Sinks Market Scope Report Coverage Details Page number 120 Base year 2020 Forecast period 2021-2025 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 4% Market growth 2021-2025 USD 1.84 billion Market structure Fragmented YoY growth (%) 1.45 Regional analysis APAC, North America, Europe, MEA, and South America Performing market contribution APAC at 41% Key consumer countries US, China, UK, France, and Japan Competitive landscape Leading companies, competitive strategies, consumer engagement scope Companies profiled Duravit AG, Elkay Manufacturing Co., FRANKE Holding AG, HSIL Ltd., Jaquar Group, JOMOO Kitchen and Bath Co. Ltd., Kohler Co., LIXIL Corp., Roca Sanitario SA, and Toto Ltd. Market Dynamics Parent market analysis, Market growth inducers and obstacles, Fast-growing and slow-growing segment analysis, COVID-19 impact and future consumer dynamics, market condition analysis for the forecast period, Customization purview If our report has not included the data that you are looking for, you can reach out to our analysts and get segments customized. About Us Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. Contact Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media & Marketing Executive US: +1 844 364 1100 UK: +44 203 893 3200 Email: media@technavio.com Website: www.technavio.com/ Technavio (PRNewsfoto/Technavio) Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/bathroom-sinks-market-records-a-cagr-of-4-by-202541-of-growth-to-originate-from-apac-17000-technavio-reports-301459737.html SOURCE Technavio Announcement of Periodic Review: Moody's announces completion of a periodic review of ratings of BMW Bank of North AmericaGlobal Credit Research - 13 Jan 2022New York, January 13, 2022 -- Moody's Investors Service ("Moody's") has completed a periodic review of the ratings of BMW Bank of North America and other ratings that are associated with the same analytical unit. The review was conducted through a portfolio review discussion held on 11 January 2022 in which Moody's reassessed the appropriateness of the ratings in the context of the relevant principal methodology(ies), recent developments, and a comparison of the financial and operating profile to similarly rated peers. The review did not involve a rating committee. Since 1 January 2019, Moody's practice has been to issue a press release following each periodic review to announce its completion.This publication does not announce a credit rating action and is not an indication of whether or not a credit rating action is likely in the near future. Credit ratings and outlook/review status cannot be changed in a portfolio review and hence are not impacted by this announcement. For any credit ratings referenced in this publication, please see the ratings tab on the issuer/entity page on www.moodys.com for the most updated credit rating action information and rating history.Key rating considerations are summarized below.BMW Bank of North America 's (BMW Bank) Aa3 long-term deposit rating is derived from the bank's baa2 baseline credit assessment (BCA), uplift derived from a high probability of support from the BMW Group, whose ultimate parent is Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft (BMW AG, A2 Issuer Rating), and the application of Moody's advanced loss given failure analysis to BMW Bank's assumed liabilities at failure.The baa2 BCA reflects BMW Bank's asset quality and good profitability, which benefit from its practice of selling lower quality auto loans to its immediate parent, BMW Financial Services NA, LLC. BMW Bank's profitability currently is very high due to exceptionally high used car prices and various stimulus programs implemented by the US government in the last 18 months. Moody's expects, however, that its profitability will return to historical levels once used car price changes become less pronounced and when the benefits of government stimulus subside. As a result of improved performance, BMW Bank's capital, as measured by tangible common equity-to-risk weighted assets, has increased to over 15.4% at 30 September, 2021 and remains in line with Moody's expectations. BMW Bank remains reliant on confidence-sensitive wholesale funding, primarily brokered CDs, which constrains its baa2 baseline credit assessment.This document summarizes Moody's view as of the publication date and will not be updated until the next periodic review announcement, which will incorporate material changes in credit circumstances (if any) during the intervening period.The principal methodology used for this review was Banks Methodology published in July 2021. Please see the Rating Methodologies page on www.moodys.com for a copy of this methodology.This announcement applies only to EU rated, UK rated, EU endorsed and UK endorsed ratings. Non EU rated, non UK rated, non EU endorsed and non UK endorsed ratings may be referenced above to the extent necessary, if they are part of the same analytical unit.This publication does not announce a credit rating action. For any credit ratings referenced in this publication, please see the ratings tab on the issuer/entity page on www.moodys.com for the most updated credit rating action information and rating history. Inna Bodeck Vice President - Senior Analyst Financial Institutions Group Moody's Investors Service, Inc. 250 Greenwich Street New York, NY 10007 U.S.A. JOURNALISTS: 1 212 553 0376 Client Service: 1 212 553 1653 Donald Robertson Associate Managing Director Financial Institutions Group JOURNALISTS: 1 212 553 0376 Client Service: 1 212 553 1653 Releasing Office: Moody's Investors Service, Inc. 250 Greenwich Street New York, NY 10007 U.S.A. JOURNALISTS: 1 212 553 0376 Client Service: 1 212 553 1653 2022 Moodys Corporation, Moodys Investors Service, Inc., Moodys Analytics, Inc. and/or their licensors and affiliates (collectively, MOODYS). 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(NYSE: CMI) and with support from Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC), the Canadian Gas Association (CGA) and NGIF Capital Corporation, is thrilled to announce that the first-of-its-kind in North America hydrogen-blending project is now fully operational and successfully serving the Markham community. Hydrogen blending refers to injecting clean hydrogen into the delivered natural gas to reduce its carbon footprint. Enbridge Gas Hydrogen-Blending Facility in Markham Ontario. (CNW Group/Enbridge Gas Inc.) This $5.2 M pilot blending project involves enhancements to the existing Markham Power-to-Gas facility, which was built through an Enbridge-Cummins joint venture in 2018 to help balance Ontario's electricity supply and demand by storing the province's surplus electricity as pure hydrogen until it's needed. Through this innovative project, clean hydrogen from the facility is now also being injected into a portion of Enbridge Gas' existing natural gas system serving about 3,600 customers in Markham, Ontario. Blending hydrogen with traditional natural gas reduces greenhouse gas emissions, enabling lower carbon natural gas service delivery without impacting energy costs, reliability, or safety. This project will eliminate up to 117 tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions annually, moving the City of Markham further toward its objective of net zero emissions by 2050, and is just one of many steps Enbridge Gas is taking as part of its overall commitment to help drive Ontario's transition to a clean energy future. Additionally, the pilot project's success places Enbridge Gas in a position to validate and pursue larger-scale hydrogen-blending activities in other parts of its distribution system, strengthening the capacity for made-in-Ontario clean energy solutions. Quotes "Congratulations to Enbridge and the City of Markham for the successful launch of this pilot project. The effective utilization of hydrogen is a critical part of our government's plan to lower emissions across Canada. This initiative highlights the significant opportunities associated with clean hydrogen as well as the innovative technologies being developed by companies operating in Canada's energy sector. I look forward to seeing the deployment of similar and scaled initiatives going forward." Minister of Natural Resources, the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson Story continues "I'm excited to see that this innovative low-carbon hydrogen project is fully operational. Today's announcement is great news for families and businesses in the Markham area. Low-carbon hydrogen has the potential to play an important role supporting Ontario's reliable, clean and sustainable energy future. Our government proudly supports the production of this promising new energy source." Ontario Minister of Energy, Honourable Todd Smith "There is tremendous potential in low-carbon hydrogen to fuel a cleaner, greener Ontario, and I commend Enbridge for its innovation in this exciting space. As the first project of its kind, this pilot represents the new era for hydrogen-blending in our province and will save 117 tonnes of carbon emissions: more than the annual energy use of 14 homes. Our government looks forward to introducing Ontario's first ever low-carbon hydrogen strategy soon so that we can expand use of this clean fuel for families and businesses across the province." David Piccini, Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks "The City of Markham commends Enbridge Gas on the launch of its hydrogen-blending initiative that will see local households participate in this first-of-a-kind project in Canada that aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions with Ontario clean energy solutions. Markham's GHG's per capita is amongst the lowest of any large municipality in Canada and Enbridge Gas' hydrogen-blending project complements our municipal energy plan of reaching net zero emissions by 2050." Mayor of Markham, Frank Scarpitti "Zero-carbon hydrogen is now playing a role in Ontario's shift to lowercarbon, sustainable energy solutions and is an important example of the investments Enbridge Gas is making across multiple markets to green the natural gas grid while continuing to meet the demand for safe, reliable and affordable energy." Cynthia Hansen, Executive Vice President & President, Gas Distribution & Storage. "Projects like this demonstrate that the energy transition is accelerating quickly, driving the green hydrogen economy in North America, and paving the way for large-scale adoption. Cummins is proud to leverage our electrolyzer technology to support Ontario's zero-carbon goals and bring cleaner, greener energy to residents." Amy Adams, Vice President of Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Technologies, Cummins Inc. "Enbridge Gas' hydrogen-blending pilot project is an excellent example of the type of innovation the Canadian Gas Association aimed to advance when we created the Natural Gas Innovation Fund several years ago. We are excited to see this groundbreaking project come to life. By leveraging our world-class energy delivery infrastructure, Enbridge Gas is advancing the development and use of renewable gas that will support innovation, and make meaningful emission reductions, all while continuing to meet customers' needs for affordable and reliable energy." Timothy M. Egan, President & CEO, Canadian Gas Association and Chair, NGIF Capital Corporation "The Enbridge and Cummins hydrogen-blending project is a great example of the cleantech investments NGIF Capital Corporation is making in the natural gas sector. The demand for better environmental performance, while maintaining resiliency and affordability, requires steady investments in energy solutions including the production hydrogen. NGIF Industry Grants is proud to have provided early funding support to this successful pilot that is changing the face of the industry." John Adams, President and CEO of NGIF Capital Corporation and Managing Partner, NGIF Cleantech Ventures Key Facts On Oct. 29, 2020, the Ontario Energy Board approved an application by Enbridge Gas for a project to leverage the Markham Power-to-Gas facility in order to pilot the blending of renewable hydrogen gas into the existing natural gas network, reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Through this pilot project, Enbridge Gas will initially provide a maximum hydrogen blended content of up to two percent by volume of the natural gas supplied to approximately 3,600 customers in Markham, Ontario in Q3-2021, eliminating up to 117 tons of CO2 annually from the atmosphere. The pilot project will not impact the standard market cost of natural gas. The hydrogen-blending project construction cost was $5.2M. The Markham Power-to-Gas facility was commissioned in 2018 through a partnership between Enbridge Gas and Cummins Inc. (which acquired Hydrogenics in 2019) with support from the Province of Ontario. Since then, the facility has provided regulation services to the IESO to help balance electricity supply and demand and ensure system reliability. The plant has also proven its potential as a solution to the challenge of storing the province's surplus electrical energy using Enbridge's existing natural gas pipeline infrastructure or in the form of pure hydrogen, which can later be reconverted back to electricity. To learn more about hydrogen storage and blending visit enbridgegas.com/hydrogen and/or watch the video: Discover the Potential of Renewable Hydrogen. About Enbridge Gas Inc. Enbridge Gas is Canada's largest natural gas storage, transmission and distribution company based in Ontario, with over 170 years of service to customers. The distribution business provides safe, affordable, reliable energy to about 3.8 million customers and is leading the transition to a clean energy future through net-zero emissions targets and investments in innovative low-carbon energy solutions. The storage and transmission business offers a variety of storage and transportation services to customers at the Dawn Hub, the largest integrated underground storage facility in Canada and one of the largest in North America. Enbridge Gas is owned by Enbridge (ENB), a Canadian-based leader in energy transportation and distribution. Learn more at enbridgegas.com. About Cummins Inc. Cummins Inc., a global power leader, is a corporation of complementary business segments that design, manufacture, distribute and service a broad portfolio of power solutions. The company's products range from diesel, natural gas, electric and hybrid powertrains, and powertrain-related components including filtration, aftertreatment, turbochargers, fuel systems, controls systems, air handling systems, automated transmissions, electric power generation systems, batteries, electrified power systems, hydrogen generation and fuel cell products. Headquartered in Columbus, Indiana (U.S.), since its founding in 1919, Cummins employs approximately 61,600 people committed to powering a more prosperous world through three global corporate responsibility priorities critical to healthy communities: education, environment, and equality of opportunity. Cummins serves its customers online, through a network of company-owned and independent distributor locations, and through thousands of dealer locations worldwide and earned about $2.3 billion on sales of $23.6 billion in 2019. See how Cummins is powering a world that's always on by accessing news releases and more information at https://www.cummins.com/always-on . SOURCE Enbridge Gas Inc. Cision View original content to download multimedia: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/January2022/13/c3748.html - Job boosting concession area is three-and-a-half times the size of Washington DC - Landmark deal increases Forever Oceans finfish production capability by more than 25% and positions Brazil as an emerging leader in sustainable seafood BRASILIA, Brazil, Jan. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Bill Bien, the CEO of Forever Oceans, a leading innovator in sustainable seafood, met today with Jorge Seif Junior, Secretary of Aquaculture and Fisheries of the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply to sign a concession agreement that puts Brazil on track to be an emerging leader in sustainable seafood production. The initial 20-year agreement authorizes Forever Oceans to ocean-raise fish within automated enclosures in two zones, located 7-15km (4.3-9.3 miles) off the Brazilian coast of the state of Bahia. Together, they represent the largest offshore concession ever given for sustainable marine aquaculture, totaling 64,200 hectares, an area three-and-a half times the size of Washington DC. The operation is expected to create up to 500 jobs over the next eight years. (L-R) Mr. John Lopes, Forever Oceans President, Brazil, Mr. Bill Bien, Forever Oceans CEO, Brazilian President Mr. Jair Bolsonaro, Secretary of Aquaculture and Fisheries Mr. Jorge Seif Junior, attending to an event at the Palacio do Planalto, in Brasilia, where the contract for Concession of the Use of Union Domain Waters between the Union and Forever Oceans. Photo credit: Alan Santos/PR "With a coastline of more than 8,500 km, Brazil is one of the main frontiers for fish production, generating, in addition to healthy food, employment and income," said Seif. "This landmark agreement is historic for Brazil and will set the country on the path to the development of sustainable marine aquaculture." In 2018, the global marine aquaculture market produced 7.3 million metric tons of finfish valued at US$35.4 billion(1). The global demand for finfish from marine aquaculture is forecast to grow threefold to 21 million metric tons by 2050(2), as more consumers incorporate fish as a part of a healthy diet. "This agreement will help us to serve the growing demand for delicious, nutritious seafood and gives us the space to scale and grow rapidly, and the opportunity to develop the largest offshore sustainable seafood capability in the world," said Bien. "We will bring our different approach to the waters of Brazil, applying our expertise in aquaculture, conservation and innovation to raise delicious and protein-rich fish in deep-ocean waters in a highly environmentally-friendly and sustainable way that's good for people and the planet." Story continues In addition to the new site in Brazil, the Virginia, US-headquartered company has a research and technology facility in Hawaii, and offshore operations in Panama and plans an offshore operation in Indonesia. In Brazil, the company will ocean-raise Forever Oceans Amberjack, known locally as 'Olho de Boi' or Remeiro. This versatile finfish is praised for its taste, protein, nutrition and is rich in Omega-3. An onshore hatchery in Ilheus, Bahia, Brazil, will raise fingerlings from eggs for placement in large deep-ocean enclosures, enabling them to swim and grow in a protected and more natural environment. Initially, 24 automated enclosures are planned inside the two ocean zones, which comprise responsible eco-friendly aquaculture zones. The operation in Brazil is expected to create approximately 300-500 good-paying jobs over the next eight years once full capacity is achieved. In September 2021, Forever Oceans was named in Seafood Source Magazine's Top 25 Seafood Innovators list. About Forever Oceans Forever Oceans is a leading innovator in sustainable seafood. Our mission is to provide a new way for the world to produce delicious, sustainable seafood that's good for people and the planet. We know fish, we know conservation and apply unique innovations. These include ruggedized enclosures where everyday tasks are automated using advanced systems. They ensure our operations are efficient, integrated with the environment and supportive of local communities. Forever Oceans was recently named one of America's most innovative seafood companies by Seafood Source. Our Research and Technology Center is in Hawaii, and we have offshore operations in Panama, Brazil and one planned for Indonesia. Our sustainable seafood will be in US restaurants in early 2022. Learn more about Forever Oceans at ForeverOceans.com. 1 FAO UN https://www.fao.org/fishery/en/aquaculture/en 2 'Oceans' Future to 2050 Marine Aquaculture Forecast'. 2021 report by DNV. https://www.dnv.com/Publications/marine-aquaculture-forecast-to-2050-202391 (From Left) Mr. John Lopes, President Mr. Jair Bolsonaro, Secretary of Aquaculture and Fisheries Mr. Jorge Seif Junior, and Minister of Citizenship Mr. Joao Roma holding the signed contract. Photo credit: Alan Santos/PR SOURCE Forever Oceans AD Ports Group, a global enabler of trade and logistics, has announced the launch of Kizad Communities Development & Services Company, a project that aims to champion the staff wellbeing across the full value chain. The company will provide integrated solutions for staff residential communities, including new developments, key services, and property management solutions within Khalifa Industrial Zone Abu Dhabi (Kizad). AD Ports Group is already playing a significant role in transforming the concept of workers residential communities through its subsidiary, ZonesCorp. As part of the Industrial Cities & Free Zone Cluster of AD Ports Group, the operator of purpose-built economic zones oversees the largest portfolio of employee accommodations in the emirate with more than 40 fully developed communities providing full amenities, facilities, and services to residents in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain. The new project will take on the operations of the existing processes and expand on this concept. On the launch, Abdullah Al Hameli, Head of Industrial Cities and Free Zone Cluster, said this comes as part of AD Ports Groups support towards Abu Dhabis economic development and the growth of its ecosystem. "The move aligns with the UAE's wise leadership vision for Operation 300bn, the country's industrial strategy that aims to grow the industrial sector and enhance its role in stimulating the national economy," he stated. "By providing integrated services utilising the latest technologies at an attractive location and competitive prices, Kizad Communities is set to introduce a new reimagined concept for employee residential communities. In addition, the project further elevates the UAE's attractiveness for foreign direct investment, optimizing trade across Abu Dhabis entire value chain, and better connecting the Middle East to the rest of the world," he added. ZonesCorp CEO Mohamed Al Khadar Al Ahmed said one of the main goals of the company is to further smart partnerships while championing staff well-being across the value chain. "With a full range of accommodation services for companies and their employees, including advanced technology solutions, it will increase the business environment attractiveness and the returns for the emirates industrial and commercial businesses, as well as it will support the growth and expansion of Abu Dhabis economy and its reach into new geographies and markets," he added.-TradeArabia News Service DUBLIN, January 13, 2022--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The "Micro and Nano Air Vehicles for Defense and Security - Market and Technology Forecast to 2030" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. This report offers a detailed analysis of the global micro and nano UAV market for defense and security over the next eight years, and provides market size forecasts. Furthermore, it covers key technological and market trends in the industry and analyzes factors influencing demand for micro and nano UAV systems. The micro UAV Market for military applications is projected to register a CAGR of 5.7% over 2020-2030. And nano UAVs will register a growth of 34.04% from 2022 to 2030. By 2030, the worldwide need for military-grade micro and nano UAVs will reach about 100,000 systems. The major growth of the market is anticipated from 2025 to 2030 when the majority of demand for micro and nano drones will generate in Asia, Central and Eastern Europe, and the Middle East and Africa. Most nations are yet to test and take trials of micro and nano drones and approve the products. The U.S. and European nations are currently ordering micro and nano UAVs as a part of their futuristic robotic army programs. It will be an integration of ground robots with aerial robots. Nano UAVs are especially considered as flying sensors to help personal surveillance and reconnaissance. The need was established during Afghanistan and Gulf wars. After coming back from wars in Afghanistan the US and NATO countries will show a reduction in ground-based situational awareness needs and it will depend on more on-air surveillance using nano UAVs. The future will be to fight wars with electronic countermeasures using space warcraft and UAVs. China is investing heavily in swarms of combat UAVs. The targets are India and control intrusions in South China Sea region. To counter China's ambitious policies Japan and India are working on UAV policies to include more micro and nano UAVs. This will increase the demand for micro and nano drones in Asian markets. Story continues In particular, it provides an in-depth analysis of the following Overview : Snapshot of the micro and nano UAV market during 2022 - 2030, including highlights of the demand drivers, trends, and challenges. It also provides a snapshot of the spending concerning regions as well as by application, types, and platforms. It sheds light on the emergence of new platforms like the BUG and Fengniao. Market Dynamics : Insights into the technological developments in the platforms and micro and nano UAV systems and a detailed analysis of the changing preferences of governments around the world. It also analyzes changing industry structure trends and the challenges faced by the industry participants. Segment Analysis : Insights into the micro and nano UAVs market from a segmental perspective and a detailed analysis of factors influencing the market for each segment. Regional Review : Insights into present micro and nano UAV strength and future demand for top countries within a region. Regional Analysis : Insights into the micro and nano UAV market from a regional perspective and a detailed analysis of factors influencing the market for each region. Trend Analysis - Key Defense Market : Analysis of the key markets in each region, providing an analysis of the micro and nano UAV platforms expected to be in demand in each region. Key Program Analysis : Details of the top programs in micro and nano UAVs are expected to be executed during the forecast period. Competitive landscape analysis: Analysis of competitive landscape of the global micro and nano UAV industry. It provides an overview of key defense companies, together with insights such as key alliances, strategic initiatives, and a brief financial analysis. Reasons to buy Determine prospective investment areas based on a detailed trend analysis of the micro and nano UAVs market over the next eight years Gain an in-depth understanding of the underlying factors driving demand for micro and nano UAV platforms in the top spending countries and other potential non-US markets across the world and identify the opportunities offered by each of them Strengthen your understanding of the market in terms of demand drivers, industry trends, and the latest technological developments, among others. Identify the major channels that are driving the global micro and nano UAV market, providing a clear picture of future opportunities that can be tapped, resulting in revenue expansion. Channelize resources by focusing on the ongoing programs that are being undertaken by the defense ministries of different countries within the global micro and nano UAV markets. Make correct business decisions based on thorough analysis of the total competitive landscape of the sector with detailed profiles of the micro and nano UAV systems providers around the world which include information about their products, alliances, recent contract wins, and financial analysis wherever available Companies Mentioned AeroVironment BAE Systems Baykar Makina Elbit Systems Elistair Lockheed Martin EMT GmbH Huaqing Innovation Limited Leonardo Lockheed Martin Parrot Teledyne FLIR Zala Aero Group Zyrone Dynamic For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/3tuyrd View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220113005570/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 LONDON, Jan. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- JK Tech, a next-generation digital transformation, and IT services provider has announced a strategic partnership with Progress, a leading provider of products to develop, deploy and manage high-impact applications, to help enterprises across industries in the United Kingdom to redesign and innovate their businesses to meet their digital transformation goals. The company is organising a webinar- Modernise Your Applications to Accelerate Digital Transformation, on the 20th of January, to demonstrate the usage and present the benefits of this collaboration to its clients. JK_Tech_Logo The two companies joined hands to create innovatively personalised,easy to implement, secure solutions,to provide effective digital transformation services to their customers.These services are built on JK Tech's robust 4R modernisation framework helping clients through the transformation journey to Value Realisation. Commenting on the alliance, Ram Kumar, Senior Vice President, and Business Head UK & EU Region, JK Tech, said, "Our association with Progress is over two decades old. We are confident that this alliance will prove beneficial for all our clients in their journey towards modernisation and digital transformation as they can reap the benefits of the product suite by Progress and modernisation framework by JK Tech. The comprehensive solution will enable businesses to deliver impeccable customer experience along with increasing operational efficiency." Adding to this,Phil Dunlop, VP of Sales, EMEA, Progress said, "We are happy to announce that our partnership with JK Tech has further developed to offer a complete digital transformation solution. JK Tech's Progress Center of Excellence which is envisioned to accelerate the digital transformation will assist businesses in their digital growth journey." Having the latest new-age technologies that result in higher efficiency and productivity, JK Techensures the ultimate level of security and analytics to Progress end-users and in the UK and the Nordics. JK Tech's Progress Center of Excellence comprises consultants having core competencies in the implementation ProgressOpenEdge. Story continues About JK Tech- JK Tech is a next-generation Digital and IT services provider enabling clients globally to navigate their digital transformation. JK Tech stands by its vision of being "committed to a superior experience" with its customers, its people, and its social environment. JK Tech offers specialised capabilities across automotive, manufacturing, retail & consumer products, healthcare with its niche solutions across Modernisation and Automation that help improve their performance and create lasting value across its enterprises. www.jktech.com Twitter, LinkedIn Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1513832/JK_Tech_Logo.jpg AMSTERDAM (Reuters) -Pieter Elbers, the chief executive of KLM, the Dutch arm of Air France-KLM, will not serve a third term, the company said on Thursday. Elbers, 51, is a 30-year veteran of the company who oversaw restructurings at KLM before and during the coronavirus pandemic. The company said he will step down as of May 1, 2023. KLM has been part of the Air France-KLM group since 2004, but relations between the Dutch subsidiary and its French-dominated parent have been strained in recent years by KLM's relatively stronger financial performance. "The Air France-KLM Board of Directors has approved that the Supervisory Board of KLM, after close consultation with CEO Pieter Elbers, has established that (he) will not enter into a third term," the company said in a statement on the group website. Air France CEO Ben Smith and Chairwoman Anne-Marie Couderc thanked Elbers for his service. In a separate statement on KLM's website, Elbers said he was proud of his time at the company and would continue to "support KLM in this transition toward new leadership." In 2019, the Dutch state purchased a 14% stake in Air France-KLM in a surprise move it said it hoped would help it gain more influence and protect the Netherlands' interests in the company. Elbers is known as a strong advocate for KLM interests within the group, but has always rejected the idea - sometimes mooted by Dutch politicians - that KLM should split from the group. (Reporting by Toby Sterling Editing by Susan Fenton and Mark Potter) Law Enforcement Credit Union now serves Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, and Ventura Counties VAN NUYS, Calif., Jan. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Los Angeles Police Federal Credit Union (LAPFCU) has expanded into the neighboring Southern California counties of Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, and Ventura. Now, sworn officers and civilian law enforcement professionals working for agencies in these counties, and their immediate family members, qualify for LAPFCU membership. Those volunteering at agencies in these counties are also eligible for LAPFCU membership. Expansion "Our mission is to serve as a trusted advocate for the law enforcement community by providing banking services, financial services, and programs designed specifically for our members. Extending our footprint into neighboring counties is an important step in advancing our mission and assisting more people who work in law enforcement," said Edwin Hada, President and CEO of LAPFCU. With branches and ATMs located at police facilities, in recent years the Credit Union has focused on developing specialized programs that meet the unique needs of working law enforcement professionals. This includes personal loans for new recruits, a zero down payment first-time homebuyer program with no private mortgage insurance requirement, and a debt cancellation program for those who are killed in the line of duty. "These programs have been very well received, to the point where there's been interest in joining our credit union from law enforcement agencies outside of Los Angeles County. Therefore, a regional expansion is a perfect way to extend our support for the law enforcement community." Hada said. In addition to responding to demand for its services, LAPFCU determined the timing was right to broaden its support for law enforcement because professionals working in that field have faced unprecedented challenges in recent years. About Los Angeles Police Federal Credit Union Story continues Los Angeles Police Federal Credit Union was founded in 1936 and is based in Van Nuys, California. The Credit Union, with assets of $1.3 billion, currently serves 42,000 members who are law enforcement personnel, and their family members. LAPFCU provides an expansive roster of financial products and services. For more information, visit lapfcu.org. Contact: Matt Dalton Vice President, Marketing and Business Development Los Angeles Police Federal Credit Union (818) 779-3327 mdalton@lapfcu.org lapfcu.org Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/los-angeles-police-federal-credit-union-expands-into-neighboring-counties-301460946.html SOURCE Los Angeles Police Federal Credit Union Awards honor Maxim top dealer in Canada for Truck and Bus WINNIPEG, MB, Jan. 13, 2022 /CNW/ - Maxim Truck & Trailer, a Truck & Bus commercial dealership, has received the prestigious International Truck Presidential Award and the top IC Bus Diamond Award. Maxim was the only dealership in Canada to receive both awards, representing a tremendous accomplishment. Troy Hamilton, President of Maxim Truck & Trailer celebrates prestigious awards as top truck and bus dealership in Canada. (CNW Group/Maxim Truck & Trailer Inc.) Maxim Truck & Trailer earns top awards as Canadian Truck and Bus Dealership for 2021. The Presidential Award honors the top eight percent of International Truck dealerships that achieve the highest level of performance in terms of operating and financial standards, market representation, and most importantly, customer satisfaction. Only 14 dealers in North America earned this prestigious recognition in 2021. This is the second year in a row that Maxim has earned the Presidential Award. The IC Bus Diamond Award goes to dealers who have made a tremendous impact on their community, customers, and the school bus industry. There are only 10 Winners in all of North America including Maxim Truck & Trailer as the sole winner in Canada. "The Presidential and Diamond awards are the highest honors an International dealer can achieve from the company," said Mark Belisle, group vice president of Dealer Sales and Operations at Navistar. Belisle continued, "These awards also recognize the effort and dedication of all the dealership's employees. A highly skilled, professional staff is a critical success factor for any commercial truck and bus dealership. Maxim is clearly committed to growing their business and being recognized by customers as the dealership of choice in their markets. I congratulate everyone at Maxim Truck & Trailer for their commitment to outstanding customer service, operational excellence and representation of the International Truck and IC Bus brands." "These awards are a great honor for everyone at Maxim Truck & Trailer because they recognize all the hard work and professionalism we bring to customers in the Manitoba, Saskatchewan and North Western Ontario market areas," said Troy Hamilton, President of Maxim Truck & Trailer. "This past year has not been easy with all of the COVID and supply chain issues so I want to recognize the staff and team at Maxim Truck & Trailer who made these awards possible." Story continues About Maxim Truck & Trailer Maxim Truck & Trailer is a full-service International Truck dealership serving customers in Winnipeg, Brandon, Regina, Prince Albert and Thunder Bay. Maxim is also an Idealease affiliate. Additional information is available atwww.maximinc.com. About Navistar Navistar, Inc. ("Navistar") is based in Lisle, Illinois with subsidiaries and affiliates that produce International brand commercial trucks and engines and IC Bus brand school and commercial buses. Additional information is available at www.Navistar.com. SOURCE Maxim Truck & Trailer Inc. Cision View original content to download multimedia: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/January2022/13/c2964.html SANTERAMO IN COLLE, Bari, Italy, January 13, 2022--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Natuzzi S.p.A. (NYSE: NTZ) ("Natuzzi" or the "Company" and, together with its subsidiaries, the "Group") announced today that, consistently with what announced in the press release of December 23, 2021, the Company and its Chief Financial Officer, Mr. Vittorio Notarpietro, have agreed that the Mr. Notarpietros resignation became effective on January 10, 2022. Pending the search for a new Chief Financial Officer, the Company has appointed Mr. Giuseppe Cacciapaglia, the Companys Global Financial Statement and Tax Director, as Chief Accounting Officer, effective immediately. Mr. Cacciapaglia joined the Group in 1996 and has covered several relevant roles in the last 25 years. Before being appointed as the Global Financial Statement and Tax Director of the Company in 2017, he was Chief Financial Officer of Natuzzi China and Chief Internal Audit Officer of the Company. ___________________________________________________________________ About Natuzzi S.p.A. Founded in 1959 by Pasquale Natuzzi, Natuzzi S.p.A. is one of the most renowned brands in the production and distribution of design and luxury furniture. With a global retail network of 616 mono-brand stores and 567 galleries as of September 30, 2021, Natuzzi distributes its collections worldwide. Natuzzi products embed the finest spirit of Italian design and the unique craftmanship details of the "Made in Italy", where a predominant part of its production takes place. Natuzzi has been listed on the New York Stock Exchange since May 13, 1993. Always committed to social responsibility and environmental sustainability, Natuzzi S.p.A. is ISO 9001 and 14001 certified (Quality and Environment), ISO 45001 certified (Safety on the Workplace) and FSC certified (Forest Stewardship Council). View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220113005771/en/ Story continues Contacts For information: Natuzzi Investor Relations Piero Direnzo | tel. +39.080.8820.812 | pdirenzo@natuzzi.com Natuzzi Corporate Communication Vito Basile (Press Office) | tel. +39.080.8820.676 | vbasile@natuzzi.com NEW YORK, Jan. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The "PD-1 And PD-L1 Inhibitors Market by Application (solid tumors and blood-related tumors) and Geography (North America, Europe, Asia, and ROW) - Forecast and Analysis 2021-2025" report has been added to Technavio's offerings. With ISO 9001:2015 certification, Technavio has been proudly partnering with more than 100 Fortune 500 companies for over 16 years. Attractive Opportunities in PD-1 and PD-L1 Inhibitors Market by Application and Geography - Forecast and Analysis 2021-2025 The potential growth difference for the PD-1 and PD-L1 inhibitors market between 2020 and 2025 is USD 29.97 bn. To get the exact yearly growth variance and the Y-O-Y growth rate, Talk to our analyst. Key Market Dynamics: Market Driver Market Challenges The reduction in cancer mortality rate is driving the growth of the PD-1 and PD-L1 inhibitors market. This is owing to the increasing approvals of novel cancer therapies in recent years. However, underdeveloped economies such as Niger have high mortality rates, while developed countries such as the US, the UK, and Canada have witnessed a significant decrease. The reduction in the mortality rate of cancer is primarily due to the availability of novel drugs, including PD-1 and PD-L1 inhibitors. This proven efficacy of cancer drugs leads to a high patient adherence ratio, which drives the market growth. The reducing mortality rates of cancer and the rising adoption rates of PD-1 and PD-L1 inhibitors are encouraging vendors to spend heavily on research and development (R&D) of novel drugs. This is expected to add significant value to the PD-1 and PD-L1 inhibitors market during the forecast period. The availability of alternative therapies may challenge market growth. The efficacy of PD-1 and PD-L1 inhibitors has been proven for the treatment of various types of solid tumors and blood-related tumors. However, the market faces a heavy threat from the presence of alternative therapies. As a result, various vendors have started developing therapies for inhibiting PARP and HER-2. In addition, there are multiple targeted therapies approved for the treatment of various types of cancer, and the market has witnessed the advent of regenerative therapies such as CAR T-cell therapy and gene therapy. Story continues To learn about additional key drivers, trends, and challenges available with Technavio. Read our FREE Sample Report right now! The PD-1 and PD-L1 inhibitors market report is segmented by application (solid tumors and blood-related tumors) and geography (North America, Europe, Asia, and ROW). North America will be the leading region with 51% of the market's growth during the forecast period. The US and Canada are the key countries for the PD-1 and PD-L1 inhibitors market in North America. By application, the solid tumors segment will have significant market share growth during the forecast period. The market has witnessed a significant increase in the approval of drugs for the treatment of various solid tumors in the last four years. The recent approval of IMFINZI, developed by AstraZeneca, for the treatment of urogenital cancer is expected to contribute heavily to the growth of the solid tumors segment. View our sample report for additional insights into the contribution of all the segments and regional opportunities in the report. Some Companies Mentioned To gain access to more vendor profiles with their key offerings available with Technavio, Click Here Related Reports: Protein Therapeutics Market by Product and Geography - Forecast and Analysis 2021-2025: The protein therapeutics market share is expected to increase by USD 115.12 billion from 2020 to 2025, and the market's growth momentum will accelerate at a CAGR of 8.08%. Download Free Sample Report Cancer Immunotherapy Market by Type and Geography - Forecast and Analysis 2022-2026: The cancer immunotherapy market share is expected to increase by USD 74.45 billion from 2021 to 2026, and the market's growth momentum will accelerate at a CAGR of 14.67%. Download Free Sample Report PD-1 And PD-L1 Inhibitors Market Scope Report Coverage Details Page number 120 Base year 2020 Forecast period 2021-2025 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 19.11% Market growth 2021-2025 USD 29.97 billion Market structure Fragmented YoY growth (%) 18.40 Regional analysis North America, Europe, Asia, and ROW Performing market contribution North America at 51% Key consumer countries US, Germany, UK, Canada, and China Competitive landscape Leading companies, competitive strategies, consumer engagement scope Companies profiled Agenus Inc., Amgen Inc., AnaptysBio Inc., AstraZeneca Plc, BeiGene Ltd., Bristol-Myers Squibb Co., Checkpoint Therapeutics Inc., F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Merck and Co. Inc., and Pfizer Inc. Market Dynamics Parent market analysis, Market growth inducers and obstacles, Fast-growing and slow-growing segment analysis, COVID-19 impact and future consumer dynamics, market condition analysis for the forecast period. Customization purview If our report has not included the data that you are looking for, you can reach out to our analysts and get segments customized. Key Topics Covered: Executive Summary Market Landscape Market Sizing Five Forces Analysis Market Segmentation Customer landscape Geographic Landscape Vendor Landscape Vendor Analysis Appendix About Us Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focus on emerging market trends and provide actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. Contact Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media & Marketing Executive US: +1 844 364 1100 UK: +44 203 893 3200 Email:media@technavio.com Website: www.technavio.com/ Technavio (PRNewsfoto/Technavio) Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/pd-1-and-pd-l1-inhibitors-market-to-grow-by-usd-29-97-billion-reduction-in-cancer-mortality-rate-to-boost-market-growth--17-000-technavio-research-reports-301459516.html SOURCE Technavio SALT LAKE CITY, Jan. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- SnugZ USA, LLC ("SnugZ"), a leading manufacturer of promotional products has acquired Sweda Company, LLC ("Sweda"), a City of Industry-based promotional and gifting products provider, combining two top-40 promotional products suppliers to enhance their ability to offer distributor partners an unparalleled product selection and the highest-quality service. Tower Arch Capital Logo. (PRNewsFoto/Tower Arch Capital) SnugZ President and CEO Brandon Mackay said, "We believe this acquisition of Sweda will further strengthen our ability to innovate new products, expand into additional product segments, and most importantly, take advantage of the similarities between both companies to better serve our loyal customers." "I am thrilled about the combination of Sweda and SnugZ and know that our future, elevated together, is bright," said Jim Hagan, CEO of Sweda. "The synergies between our two companies, from our core values to our differentiators, will only strengthen our position in the marketplace. It is the perfect fusion of culture and creativity." David Topham, a Partner at Tower Arch Capital, added, "We are honored to partner with Jim Hagan and the entire Sweda team. Sweda's innovation and commitment to serving their distributor customers has redefined what it means to deliver high quality and creative products. This next chapter of growth will be very exciting as we leverage the expertise of both businesses." Based on 2020 promotional product sales, the combination of SnugZ and Sweda will create one of the top-10 largest suppliers and would provide customers with one of the most diverse product offerings in the industry. Mackay will remain CEO, and Hagan will stay on as president of Sweda. Tower Arch was advised on the transaction by Gibson Dunn & Crutcher LLP and BDO LLP, with financing provided by Zions Bancorporation and East West Bank. Financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed. For more information, visit www.snugzusa.com or www.swedausa.com. Story continues About SnugZ USA, LLC Founded in 1989, SnugZ is a pioneering promotional products manufacturer serving over 7,000 professional buyers in the promotional products sector. The company designs and manufactures a leading array of lanyard, identification, personal care, and gifting products. For more information, please visit www.snugzusa.com. About Sweda Company, LLC Sweda is a leading wholesale supplier, merchandiser, and marketer of gifting and promotional products. Sweda was founded in 1976 and is headquartered in City of Industry, California. For more information, please visit www.swedausa.com. About Tower Arch Capital Headquartered in Salt Lake City, UT, Tower Arch Capital ("Tower Arch") is a lower-middle market private equity fund with over $750 million in equity capital under management. Tower Arch seeks to partner with and grow high-quality family and entrepreneur-owned companies to deliver long-term value for their management teams and investors. Tower Arch brings operational, consulting, and financial expertise to small companies to help them improve their operations, scale, and grow. Target investments include control positions in entrepreneur and family-owned businesses with revenue between $20 million and $150 million or with EBITDA between $5 million and $25 million. For more information, please visit www.towerarch.com. Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/snugz-usa-a-portfolio-company-of-tower-arch-capital-acquires-sweda-company-301460071.html SOURCE Tower Arch Capital Saudi Arabia is now considered the top-performing market as Middle East construction output recovers. The Saudi Arabian construction market, which was valued at around $37 billion in 2020, is expected to register a CAGR of 5.2% over the period 2021-2026. Construction companies are facing a new world. The marketplace is changing with both public- and private-sector project owners placing a new emphasis on sustainability and resilience, explains Abdulrahman Inayat, Co-Founder and Director of W7Worldwide, a Saudi based independent communications agency. An organisations client base, stakeholders, competitors and relevant communication strategies may therefore be affected dramatically. The construction sector plays a key role in rebuilding efforts after crises, and this is the time to reach out with proactive communications to take on an industry leadership position. W7Worldwide has produced its timely guide with 7 Communication Strategies for the Construction Sector to Harness the Covid-19 Rebound. The report advises to firstly research the current market identifying trends and the sectors with the greatest resurgence to then revise the communications strategy accordingly. It is vital to connect and communicate with the right stakeholders and target audiences in the new post Covid landscape to stay ahead of the competition. The pandemic and its disruption of global supply chains have increasingly affected construction activities, with shortages of raw materials, contractors, and workers. This requires collaboration and effective communication across the supply chain. Individual countries will seek to strengthen their construction and infrastructure capabilities. International companies may wish to partner with leading local players, providing new economic opportunities that need to be supported by government. Companies therefore need to include public affairs effort as part their communications strategy. In a still uncertain world, industry journalists are looking for stories to show how the construction industry is emerging from the crisis. Many are looking for CEOs who will share their insight and expertise during this time of transition and change for everyone. Companies across the construction sector are elevating sustainability as a core principle of their practices in the global drive to address climate change and achieve carbon emission reduction targets set out by their governments. Sustainability strategies therefore require companies to set and communicate realistic targets. The construction sector has a major role to play in creating a resilient and sustainable recovery from Covid-19 and now is the time to reset.-- TradeArabia News Service CHICAGO, January 13, 2022--(BUSINESS WIRE)--William Blair, the premier global boutique with expertise in investment banking, investment management, and private wealth management, announced that Brent Gledhill, the firms president, has been elected chief executive officer, succeeding John Ettelson, who has been appointed William Blairs chairman. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220113005648/en/ William Blair's CEO Brent Gledhill. (Photo: Business Wire) Gledhill assumes the leadership role as William Blair celebrates a record year for client impact and firmwide growth in 2021. "It is my pleasure to announce Brents new role as CEO, the capstone to a seamless and strategic transition that has the entire firm optimistic about sustaining our growth trajectory and maintaining the firms unique culture throughout our next phase of growth," said Ettelson, who led the firms global expansion for the past 18 years and an increase in annual revenue to just over $2.3 billion. "After being named president during the firms record-setting 2021; having spent 12 years as the head of investment banking, leading business growth and exceptional client service in our global investment banking group; and serving as a member the firms executive committee, Brent is positioned well for the continued delivery of strong results and supporting our corporate values." Gledhill joined William Blair as an investment banker in Chicago in 1997. He was promoted to head the firms European and Asian banking group in 2001, based in London. In 2009, Gledhill returned to the United States and was named global head of investment banking. Under his leadership, the firm opened offices around the world and completed strategic partnerships with firms in Asia, Israel, and Australia. This expansion included growing the investment banking team to more than 700 bankers on four continents, while consistently delivering world-class service and outcomes for clients across more than 30 countries. In July 2021, Gledhill was named president as part of the executive committees leadership transition plan. With this promotion, he becomes the sixth CEO in the 87-year history of the firm. Story continues "I am honored to have been elected as William Blairs CEO and entrusted to serve the firm by empowering our global team and preserving our unique culture," Gledhill said. "I want to thank my colleagues at William Blair, especially John, for making this transition as smooth as possible and executing at the highest level day in and day out to ensure our clients continued success. I step into this role focused on investing actively to grow the impact we make for clients, by expanding our relationships and intellectual capital, innovating to enhance our processes, and hiring experts around the world who fit our collaborative culture." William Blairs 2021 success was the result of recent and continuing strategic business investments firmwide, including the firms global investment banking team expanding by 53% over the past three years; William Blair Investment Managements acquisition of Investment Counselors of Maryland, a well-known $4 billion firm with a strong long-term track record of delivering client results; and the firms leading private wealth management group opening new offices in Denver; Stamford, Connecticut; and Washington, while also hiring additional advisors in Atlanta, Baltimore, and New York. About William Blair William Blair is the premier global boutique with expertise in investment banking, investment management, and private wealth management. We provide advisory services, strategies, and solutions to meet our clients evolving needs. As an independent and employee-owned firm, together with our strategic partners, we operate in more than 20 offices worldwide.* *Includes strategic partnerships with Allier Capital, BDA Partners, and Poalim Capital Markets. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220113005648/en/ Contacts Tony Zimmer tzimmer@williamblair.com YES Communities Hug-A-Home Sandhill Shores team members assist long term resident in the community. Sandhill Shores team members assist long term resident in the community. Denver, Colorado, Jan. 13, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Sandhill Shores, a community located in Fort Pierce, Florida, and owned and operated by YES Communities, completed a 100% volunteer-led Hug-A-Home renovation project for a long-term resident. A team of employees and local vendor volunteers, including BMR Handyman and Cleaning, came together to help renovate the residents owned home. Connie Silvis has lived in her home for more than twenty-five years and is well-loved by the team and residents at Sandhill Shores. Community Manager Laura Patterson said, Mrs. Connie is almost seventy years old and still works full time. She is one of the nicest people we could ever hope to meet and was an obvious choice for the Hug-A-Home program. We would be hard-pressed to find anyone more deserving. Upon hearing about the Hug-A-Home, Connie began to tear up. Having recently faced some unwelcome news, the Hug-A-Home project helped bring up her spirits. Mrs. Silvis said, This is the kindest thing anyone has ever done for me and Im grateful for Sandhill Shores and YES Communities for doing this. She is excited to come home every day to the improvements, which include a new coat of paint, a deep cleaning, and repairs. YES Communities is focused on serving our residents and the surrounding community. Our team members donate thousands of hours of their time and resources annually to give back. Hug-A-Home is a part of the YES We Care program, which has invested over $430,000 since 2018 in assistance to team members, residents, and local organizations. About YES Communities YES Communities is a premier operator of manufactured housing communities and based in Denver, Colorado. YES has been recognized as the Manufactured Housing Institute's "Community Operator of the Year" from 2009 to 2019. Attachment CONTACT: Vanessa Jasinski YES Communities 1-833-625-0269 media@yescommunities.com Featuring hundreds of photographs by 120 women from 20 countries from the 1920s through the late 1950s, National Gallery of Arts The New Woman Behind the Camera is an impressive exhibit in offering a wide world of emotions and experiences. After World War I, many women would open their own photography studios for portraits. These entrepreneurial women were also experimental in their art, like Dorothy Wilding. Her portrait of Diana Wynyard (1936), with the British actress posed with eyes closed in contemplation, has been compared to sculptural works. There are self-portraits like Ilse Bings Self-Portrait with Leica (1931), in which she is reflected in a mirror. The double images suggest the interconnection of who she is with what she does with her camera. Outside of a studio, in a unguarded moment, an unknown photographer captured a photo of a woman who would become a world-famous photographer. Not printed until much later, Homai Vyarawalla photographing Ganesh Chaturthi at Chowpatty Beach, Bombay (late 1930s) shows the new woman, aiming her camera, unaware that this spontaneous moment would be saved forever. During the Depression, Dorothea Lange who had started her own studio would go to work for the Farm Security Administration. She would capture images of haunting faces for which she is so well known, such as Drought refugees from Oklahoma camping by the roadside, Blythe, California (August 17, 1936). What all these works share is that they are about people, whether portraits, or of places where people live, or what they do, or of objects that people use. City street scenes are filled with the most diversity. One iconic work is Homai Vyarawallas The Victoria Terminus, Bombay (early 1940s, printed later). Vyarawalla gives a new perspective of street vendors and a symbol of British Colonialism as framed together by the wheels of a carriage. While there are no people in Berenice Abbotts Vanderbilt Avenue from East 46th Street (October 9, 1935), the stately skyscrapers are evidence of human presence. The world of fashion advertising promoted glamorous shots. The dazzling Translucent Hat (1950) by Lillian Bassman suggests how fashion both reveals and conceals within the same image. In dramatically sharp contrast to the lure of high style, there are scenes of rural depression areas, like Marion Post Wolcotts Haircutting in front of general store and post office on Marcella Plantation, Mileston, Mississippi (1939). Avant-garde photographers used a variety of objects like spoons, baskets, bowls, light bulbs and building grids, as well as the lines and curves of the human body, either nude or draped. Olive Cottons Teacup Ballet (1935) displays how cup handles forming shadows are like arms akimbo in dancers. In Martha GrahamLamentation (1935), Barbara Morgan captures that emotional moment in dance performance, underlining the idea that the body itself is an art medium. The political is personal in the eye of the camera. Hou Bo was Mao Zedongs official photographer. In a short video of women photographers talking about why they choose cameras for their work, she recounts an incident about how she had to position herself precariously overhead, to take Proclamation of the Peoples Republic of China by Mao Zedong, at the Gate of Celestial Peace in Tiananmen Square (1949). More informal is her photo included in the exhibit of Mao Zedong Swimming in the Yangtze River (1956, printed later). World War II photos are an emotional spin from the joy in Lucy Ashjians Savoy Dancers (19351943) to devastating wartime portraits like Therese Bonneys book Europes Children (1943). Bold and fearless, the women with cameras went everywhere and up close in global photojournalism, perhaps Margaret BourkeWhite being the most well known. In a display case with magazines like Life, we are reminded that this is not only art in a gallery but the visual recording of history as it was happening. The William B. Crawley Great Lives series returns to UMW this year with a lineup of personalities who loom larger than lifeand who are timely subjects for 2022. The lives of Dolly Parton, Vincent van Gogh, Ida B. Wells, Jimmy Carter and more will be revealed during the three-month series, which marks its 19th season this year. The organizers are taking a wait and see strategy with the lectures. Tentatively planned to be entirely in-person for the first time in two years, the surge of the COVID-19 omicron variant has necessitated the first four lecturesall in Januarybe livestreamed online. They can be accessed on the program website (umw.edu/greatlives). Crawley said they will monitor the COVID situation with the hope that the subsequent 12 lectures, beginning on Feb. 1, can be in person in George Washington Halls Dodd Auditorium. All updates will be announced on the website. These free lectures will take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays, from Jan. 18 through March 10, at 7:30 p.m. Proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test is required, as are face masks, for all attendees. The lecture series was forced online during its last two seasons due to the pandemic. And in 2021, only in-house talent was used. Crawley said UMWs professors received rave reviews for their lectures, and when you think about it, teachers make great speakers. They are used to crafting engaging presentations every day. Several UMW professors will present lectures this year as well, including Stephen Farnsworth, discussing the life of Charlie Chaplin. A political science professor may seem a strange fit to comment on a comedian, but Chaplin was also politically active and brought his politics into his comedic work. Professor Surupa Gupta will offer insight on Indira Gandhi, the first and only woman to become Indias prime minister. Marjorie Och, a professor of art history, will share her thoughts on the endlessly appealing Vincent van Gogh. Local families may be especially interested in the life of the late artist due to the recent Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience, which has travelled the world and has been in Washington, D.C., since August. Also of interest to audiences will be the lecture on Dolly Parton by Sarah Smarsh. Parton built a successful career, penning songs about working-class women, but shes also revered for partially funding the Moderna vaccine and promoting childhood literacy, for which shes been in the news recently. According to Smarshs biography She Come By It Natural, Partons recent surge in popularity makes sense. Maybe its no coincidence that Partons popularity seemed to surge the same year America seemed to falter, Smarsh writes. A fractured thing craves wholeness, and thats what Dolly Parton offersone woman who simultaneously embodies past and present, rich and poor, feminine and masculine, Jezebel and Holy Mother, the journey of getting out and the sweet return to home. Similarly, Jimmy Carter, whose presidency has been recast as consequential by writer Jonathan Alter, has been thrust into the cultural consciousness of Americans for his faith, honesty and volunteerism. Alter will present his lecture on Feb. 1. The series begins on Jan. 18 with astronaut John Glenn, who was the third American in space and first to orbit the Earth. Historian Jeff Shesol, author of Mercury Rising: John Glenn, John Kennedy and the New Battleground of the Cold War, will discuss Glenns career, which also spanned time in Congress. That will be followed a lecture on Frances Perkins, who was perhaps the most famous woman in America at her time, according to Crawley, but who few know now. FDRs labor secretary, Perkins helped deliver the New Deal and will be discussed by biographer Kirstin Downey. Female groundbreakers such as pioneering aviators who didnt get the same glory as their male counterparts and Sandra Day OConnor, the first woman on the Supreme Court, are also lecture topics for 2022. Journalist Ida B. Wells will also be discussed. Biographer Sarah Silkey will cover the career of the pioneering Black woman who forged her path by exposing the horrors of lynching and white supremacy. Her work was a portent of what was to come in America. The life and lynching murder of Emmett Till in 1955 will be discussed by David Tell. Other authors will be highlighted, too. C.S. Lewis, who penned The Chronicles of Narnia and was noted for his theological writing, will be the topic of the final lecture on March 10. Sylvia Plath and Homer round out the literary topics during the series. Season highlights also include the Catholic missionary Mother Teresa. Rescheduled due to the pandemic, and widely anticipated according to Crawley, is a lecture by Eric Jay Dolin on Americas pirates, whose crimes shaped the early U.S. All lectures will also be archived and available to watch after recording online. The universitys archives contain the entirely of the 19 years of lectures. The annual lecture series started in 2004 as a biography-focused course, Great Lives: Biographical Approaches to History and Culture, using the wealth of knowledge and experience UMW instructors had to offer. That course opened to the public for free because of its widespread appeal and the schools mission of public service. The response was so great, Crawley said, that the program was moved from its original room, a 200-seat lecture hall, to the 1,200-seat Dodd Auditorium. Looking forward to two decades of the series, Crawley said hes glad to be able to provide a service to the community, one that extends the public mission of UMW to educate and inspire. 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. Want to see more like this? Get our local education coverage delivered directly to your inbox. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Hunting, airplanes and toys are each the focus of events this weekend. Here are more details about those events and a few more taking place in our area: Deer & Game Expo This years Nebraska Deer & Game Expo will take place from 3-8 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday at Lancaster Event Center, 4100 N. 84th St., in Lincoln. The three-day event will feature trophy deer, world class hunting seminars, hunting and outdoor exhibitors, an expanded 3D archery shoot, a big buck contest, a monster shed contest, and more. The speakers will include Bill Chromy with Standing C Excavating, Luke Wallace with Whitetail Properties, Curt Goettsch with Victory Outdoors, and Jared Scheffler with Whitetail Adrenaline. Admission to the expo are $10 for adults, $5 for youth ages 6-15, and free for ages 5 and under. A three-day pass is available for $20. Military/veterans will receive half-price admission all weekend. Ladies will receive half-price admission on Friday. Indoor air show The Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum near Ashland will be hosting an indoor air show from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. The event will feature remote-controlled (R/C) and control line (C/L) models. Starting at 10 a.m., model pilots will demonstrate all of the loops, flips, and barrel rolls in the museums climate-controlled hangars. Several R/C clubs will fly throughout the day. Museum admission is $14 for adults, $11 for seniors, $12 for active/retired/veteran military members, $7 for children ages 4-12, and free for children ages 3 and under. Toy & Buckle Show The 36th Annual Husker Toy & Buckle Show is set for 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday in Pavilion 1 at Lancaster Event Center. The event will feature farm toys and other collectibles. Admission is $5. Children under 10 will be admitted free with an adult. Womens Expo A special event for women the Lincoln Womens Expo will take place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday at Lancaster Event Centers Multi-Purpose Arena. The expo will offer health and wellness information, shopping, educational opportunities, food and beverage tastings, and more. Admission is $5. Fiber arts exhibition Spinners Web, a Fremont area spinners and weavers guild, will present Back to the Basics from 2-4 p.m. Saturday in Keene Memorial Librarys auditorium, 1030 N. Broad St., in Fremont. Members of the guild will be spinning wool and other fibers into yarn. Other demonstrations may include weaving, crocheting, knitting and other fiber arts using hand-spun and commercial yarns. The free event is open to the public. Fundraising dinners Two local organizations will be hosting fundraising dinners on Saturday. Cedar Bluffs Sons of the American Legion Post 158 will be having a steak fry from 5-8 p.m. at American Legion Post 158 in Cedar Bluffs. Grilled steak will be served along with a baked potato, salad and bread. The cost is $15. Steak fry and raffle tickets may be purchased from any SAL member or at the door. Fremonts Izaak Walton Chapter will be having its January Family Dinner at 6:30 p.m. Saturday at Izaak Walton Park, 2560 W. Military Ave. Baked ham, scalloped potatoes, broccoli, salad, bread, dessert, coffee or juice will be served. The cost is $10 for adults, $5 for kids, and free for ages under 3. Twenty free games of bingo with prizes will be played after dinner. The dinner is open to the public. Martin Luther King Jr. Day The Durham Museum and Omaha Childrens Museum both have special events planned to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday, Jan. 17. The Durham Museum in Omaha will offer free admission to the community from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday as it highlights MLKs legacy and message of peace, tolerance, community service, and an inclusive, hopeful future for all. In addition to the museums permanent exhibitions, guests can enjoy special activities at The Platform, contribute to a community art project, view a screening of the famous I Have a Dream speech and have a chance to enter to win a museum membership for the year. Advanced registration is required, and space is limited. Each person visiting must reserve a ticket in advance by calling 402-444-5071 or visiting www.durhammuseum.org. The Omaha Childrens Museum will offer Martin Luther King Jr. Day activities from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday. Guests are invited to attend the Color and Light Science Show, make friendship bracelets and listed to a reading of The Skin You Live In. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Stay up-to-date on what's happening Receive the latest in local entertainment news in your inbox weekly! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Friday Concerts Pictures at an Exhibition & Anthony McGill, 7:30 p.m., Holland Performing Arts Center, Omaha. Tickets, which range from $20 to $81, are available online at www.ticketomaha.com. Shayna Steele, 7:30 p.m., Holland Performing Arts Center, Omaha. Tickets, which are $10, are available online at www.ticketomaha.com. Events Fremont Eagles Club open, 3 p.m. to midnight, 649 N. Main St., Fremont. The club may stay open later or close early depending on business. The kitchen will be open from 5:30-7:30 p.m. The menu will include catfish, shrimp, hamburgers and cheeseburgers, soup, appetizers, chicken tenders, baked potatoes, fries, onion rings, and salad. Everyone is welcome. Nebraska Deer & Game Expo, 3-8 p.m., Lancaster Event Center, Lincoln. Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for youth ages 6-15, and free for ages 5 and under. A three-day pass is available for $20. Military/veterans will receive half-price admission all weekend. Ladies will receive half-price admission on Friday. WWE Friday Night Smackdown, 6:45 p.m., CHI Health Center Omaha. Tickets start at $20 and are available online at www.ticketmaster.com. Live music by Down Memory Lane Band, 7-11 p.m., Fremont Eagles Club main floor, 649 N. Main St. There is no cover charge. Everyone is welcome. Saturday Concerts Pictures at an Exhibition & Anthony McGill, 7:30 p.m., Holland Performing Arts Center, Omaha. Tickets, which range from $20 to $81, are available online at www.ticketomaha.com. Events Nebraska Deer & Game Expo, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Lancaster Event Center, Lincoln. Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for youth ages 6-15, and free for ages 5 and under. A three-day pass is available for $20. Military/veterans will receive half-price admission all weekend. Indoor Air Show, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Strategic Air Command and Aerospace Museum, near Ashland. The event will include remote controlled and control line models. Model pilots will be giving presentations. Museum admission is $14 for adults and $7 for children. Investigate Saturday Science Lab Owls, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Morrill Hall, Lincoln. Guests are invited to explore interactive, hands-on science activities with Morrill Hall educators. The program is included with museum admission. Lincoln Womens Expo, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Lancaster Event Centers Multi-Purpose Arena, Lincoln. Admission is $5. Opening of Design Zone exhibit, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum, near Ashland. The exhibit, which will be on display through May 15, visitors can go behind the scenes and see home videogame developers, music producers, roller coaster designers and other creative problem solvers use math and science to do the things they do. Fremont Eagles Club open, 11 a.m. to midnight, 649 N. Main St., Fremont. The club may stay open later or close early depending on business. There will be line dance lessons at 6 p.m. and karaoke with Curtis Morris from 7-11 p.m. Spinners Web presents Back to the Basics, 2-4 p.m., Keene Memorial Library Auditorium, 1030 N. Broad St., Fremont. Members of the spinners and weavers guild will be spinning wool and other fibers into yarn. Other demonstrations may include weaving, crocheting, knitting and other fiber arts using hand-spun and commercial yarns. The event is open to the public. Sons of the American Legion Steak Fry, 5-8 p.m., American Legion Post 158, Cedar Bluffs. Grilled steak will be served along with a baked potato, salad and bread. The cost is $15. Steak fry and raffle tickets may be purchased from any SAL member or at the door. January Family Dinner, 6:30 p.m., Izaak Walton Park, 2560 W. Military Ave., Fremont. Baked ham, scalloped potatoes, broccoli, salad, bread, dessert, coffee or juice will be served. The cost is $10 for adults, $5 for kids, and free for ages under 3. Twenty free games of bingo with prizes will be played after dinner. The dinner is open to the public. For more information, call or text Kim at 402-620-1732. Sunday Events 36th Annual Husker Toy & Buckle Show, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Lancaster Event Center, Pavilion 1, Lincoln. The event will feature farm toys and other collectibles. Admission is $5. Children under 10 will be admitted free with an adult. Lincoln Womens Expo, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Lancaster Event Centers Multi-Purpose Arena, Lincoln. Admission is $5. Nebraska Deer & Game Expo, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Lancaster Event Center, Lincoln. Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for youth ages 6-15, and free for ages 5 and under. A three-day pass is available for $20. Military/veterans will receive half-price admission all weekend. Fremont Eagles Club open, noon to 6 p.m., 649 N. Main St., Fremont. The club may stay open later or close early depending on business. Monday Events Martin Luther King Jr. Day activities, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Omaha Childrens Museum. Guests are invited to attend the Color and Light Science Show, make friendship bracelets and listen to a reading of The Skin You Live In. Life Size Candy Land, 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., Keene Memorial Library, 1030 N. Broad St., Fremont. Guests are invited to play their way through the childrens area with their family and friends, and collect their prize at the end. Drop in to play all day. Free admission, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., The Durham Museum, Omaha. The Durham is offering free admission to the community to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The museum will highlight MLKs legacy with special activities, including a community art project and a screening of the famous I Have a Dream speech. Advanced registration is required, and space is limited. Visit www.durhammuseum.org or call 402-444-5071 to register. Fremont Eagles Club open, 3 p.m. to midnight, 649 N. Main St. The club may stay open later or close early depending on business. Tuesday Concerts Tedeschi Trucks Band with Raye Zaragoza, 8 p.m., Orpheum Theater, Omaha. Tickets start at $35 and are available by phone at 402-345-0606 or online at www.ticketomaha.com. Events Fremont Eagles Club open, 3 p.m. to midnight, 649 N. Main St., Fremont. The club may stay open later or close early depending on business. Wednesday Events Fremont Eagles Club open, 3 p.m. to midnight, 649 N. Main St., Fremont. The club may stay open later or close early depending on business. Jan. 20 Theater What the Constitution Means to Me, 7:30 p.m., Orpheum Theater, Omaha. Tickets start at $35 and are available by phone at 402-345-0606 or online at www.ticketomaha.com. Events Fremont Eagles Club open, 3 p.m. to midnight, 649 N. Main St., Fremont. The club may stay open later or close early depending on business. The kitchen will be open from 5:30-7:30 p.m. The menu will include hamburgers and cheeseburgers, tacos and soup. Everyone is welcome. Presentation by author Seth Varner, 7-8 p.m., Keene Memorial Library, 1030 N. Broad St., Fremont. Varner is author of Visit531Nebraska: Our Journey to Every Incorporated in the State. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Stay up-to-date on what's happening Receive the latest in local entertainment news in your inbox weekly! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Farmers voiced their opposition to construction of a trail on a former railroad line when the Dodge County Board of Supervisors met Wednesday. During the meeting, the board received an agreement, signed and drafted, between the Nebraska Trails Foundation, Fremont and Elkhorn Valley Railroad (FEVR), Rail to Trail Foundation and Dodge County. This agreement would have the former FEVR rail completely deconstructed, and a bike/trail path put in its place. While the county, state and trail association sees this as a positive investment for activity and possible economic growth for the future, some county residents see it as a detriment to their careers. Kirk Brand, a farmer in Dodge County, spoke about this trails effect on his livelihood and its possible effect on trail walkers. There are several dangerous and detrimental aspects about the trail, Brand said. The trail would run through an extensive agricultural area which could expose people to crop protection pesticides. Brand listed the three main ways pesticides are applied, which are by airplane, ground sprayers or pivot systems. It would not be safe for anyone to be walking on trails near where these applicators are being used, Brand said. Aerial treatments would no longer be able to be used because aerial companies will not apply any products in one half-mile of a public use area. Brand talked about how this would affect him. Every year, we apply thousands of acres of fungicides with planes, he said. They will not fly over our farm if anyone is walking within a half-mile. I guess there would be 6,000 acres that could no longer be treated. I dont think well be able to grow there anymore. Im guessing well lose our contracts. Though the board did not agree to Brands plea, members were sympathetic and acknowledged how there are oversights that need to be addressed. Your comments are heard and they do need to become a part of their discussion, said Bob Missel, board of supervisors chairman. The board approved that Brands comments be shared with the trails committee. Robert Mulliken, another Fremont farmer, also shared his concerns, echoing many aspects of what Brand stated while introducing some new problems the trail could possess. Mulliken said the bulk of maintenance work on the trail would be from volunteer efforts, which could mean the trail could decay into ruin. This is all good in theory, but it isnt sustainable, Mulliken said. Volunteers could move, could work at any business like an attorney, get a better job offer within the county or city, their kids are growing up or something else. If we start passing these things without worrying about it, then it comes back on the taxpayers. Missel acknowledged Mullikens comments. There are clearly a lot of things that need to be discussed and we appreciate the comments, Missel said. Supervisors had elections for the 2022 term. Results are as follows: Board of Supervisors Chairman: Bob Missel Board of Supervisors Vice Chairman: Lon Strand Board of Supervisors Secretary (Keeper of the Agenda): Fred Mytty The board also mentioned the availability of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) application for those interested. The application is available online on Dodge Countys website and must be filed before the end of January. Dodge County has received more than $7.2 million from the federal government for its use in ARPA. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Republican Chris Lichtenberg, a sergeant with the Saunders County Sheriffs Office announced his campaign for Saunders County Sheriff on Tuesday after current sheriff, Kevin Stukenholtz, announced that he will not be seeking another term. As a life-long resident of Saunders County, a current sergeant with the Saunders County Sheriffs Office, and a life of demonstrated public service to the citizens of Saunders County, I look forward to serving the citizens in yet another way, Lichtenberg said in a press release. Lichtenberg has over 20 years of law enforcement experience, including supervision and administrative rolls. He also is the Village Board Chairman in Cedar Bluffs, is the Assistant Fire Chief and EMT for the Cedar Bluffs Fire Department, and is a past Chief of Police for Cedar Bluffs. He has received numerous awards, including State Law Enforcement Officer of the Year by the American Legion, a Heroism Award by Governor Ricketts, and a Heroism award by the Nebraska State Firemans Association. Lichtenberg grew up in rural Saunders County near Cedar Bluffs and currently lives in town with his wife Stacey and daughter who is a senior in high school. He also has two adult sons and one daughter-in-law who made Chris and Stacey grandparents last year. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. An Iowa woman was arrested and jailed for driving under the influence and refusal to submit, Fremont Police reported. Police contacted Ashley D Rounds, 38, at 2:10 a.m., Jan. 12. She was in her vehicle and upon initial contact appeared to be possibly impaired, police said. She was arrested after an investigation. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Global security company Lockheed Martin said it has secured a contract worth $102 million from Egypt for upgradation of 25 AH-64D Apaches to the E-model version of the aircraft. This modernization for the Egyptian Air Force includes Lockheed Martins Gen III Target Acquisition Designation Sight/Pilot Night Vision Sensor (Gen III TADS/PNVS) and the Gen III Day Sensor Assembly (Gen III DSA). As per the deal, Lockheed Martin will be delivering the upgraded sensor kits as part of a remanufacture effort to boost the D-model Apaches to E-models. "Lockheed Martin is committed to a strong and sustained partnership with our customers in US and around the world," remarked Tom Eldredge, Director of Lockheed Martins Missiles and Fire Control Rotary Wing Sensors programme. "This contract enables us to respond rapidly to Egypts emerging defence needs, including requirements for new sensor systems and upgrades," he stated. The award is part of an indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (ID/IQ) contract signed with the US Army. The ID/IQ serves as the contracting vehicle to provide Gen III DSA and Gen III TADS/PNVS systems and services, he added. Fremont Public Schools is now accepting registrations for new students for the 2022-2023 school year. Those needing to register are new preschool and kindergarten students, along with any students new to the area that will be attending Fremont Public Schools next school year. Every new student to the district will need: A certified birth certificate for the student. A current copy of the immunization record for the student. Any student enrolling from another state and/or all kindergarten and 7th grade students must have a vision exam, physical exam or vision/physical refusal form signed by a parent or guardian. All high school students will need a certified copy of the students high school transcript showing credits earned. New students will need to schedule an appointment with the counseling office at 402-727-3056 after the above information has been received and they have been approved for enrollment by an FHS administrator. These documents should be uploaded through the registration site. Once the registration process has been completed, a registrar will get in touch with you. If you are not able to complete the registration process online, contact your childs school for assistance. Parents can find all necessary information and the registration site through https://fremonttigers.org/student-registration/. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Want to see more like this? Get our local education coverage delivered directly to your inbox. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. 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 Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 When the Taliban seized control of Afghanistan, government officials, retired military officers, and hard-line clerics in neighboring Pakistan celebrated the militant groups return to power. Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan said the Taliban had broken the shackles of slavery by toppling the Western-backed Afghan government. But even amid the celebrations, observers warned that the Talibans forcible takeover of Afghanistan in August could galvanize Pakistans own violent insurgency. Those fears have now been realized as the Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan (TTP), also known as the Pakistani Taliban, has intensified its attacks in recent months. In a further blow to Islamabad, the Afghan Taliban has been unwilling to crack down on the TTP, a close ideological and organizational ally. A major Pakistani military offensive in 2014 drove many of the militants from the country's tribal belt across the border to Afghanistan. The Afghan Taliban facilitated a monthlong cease-fire between the TTP and Islamabad. But the truce ended on December 9 after peace talks broke down, triggering a new wave of TTP attacks in Pakistan. The Afghan militants have links with both Islamabad and the TTP. Analysts say the Taliban takeover in Afghanistan has emboldened and strengthened the TTP. The withdrawal of foreign troops from Afghanistan in August has significantly reduced U.S. air strikes in the region, allowing the TTP to operate more freely. TTP fighters have also obtained sophisticated weaponry, including U.S.-made firearms, which their Afghan allies seized from Afghanistan's defeated armed forces. Sharp Uptick In Attacks Pakistan recorded at least 294 militant attacks in 2021, a 56 percent increase compared to the previous year, according to the Islamabad-based Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS). The think tank attributed the sharp rise in attacks -- the majority carried out by the TTP -- to the Talibans takeover of Afghanistan. At least 395 people -- more than half of them security personnel -- were killed during 2021, added the report, which was released on January 1. The TTP claimed 45 attacks in December, the highest of any month last year. The TTP carried out most of its attacks in the tribal belt in northwest Pakistan, its former stronghold, and in the restive southwestern province of Balochistan. The uptick in violence coincided with the end of the monthlong cease-fire between the TTP and Islamabad. The truce was announced on November 10 after weeks of secret talks between Pakistani military officials and representatives of the TTP in Afghanistan that were mediated by the Afghan Taliban, sources told RFE/RL's Radio Mashaal. The cease-fire was intended to pave the way for formal talks over a negotiated end to the TTPs 14-year insurgency in Pakistan, where thousands of people have been killed in militant attacks and clashes between the TTP and the military. But the talks broke down after disagreements over terms. The TTP demanded the release of 100 fighters in Pakistani prisons, while Islamabad only released a dozen. In return, the government demanded a nationwide truce. The TTP also demanded the implementation of Islamic Sharia law in Pakistans tribal region, a demand that observers said the government would likely reject. Since the talks collapsed, the TTP has carried out a spate of deadly attacks against Pakistani security forces. The militant group claimed responsibility for the killing of four Pakistani soldiers in the North Waziristan tribal district on December 30. A day earlier, one police officer was killed in the same district by armed militants on motorcycles who managed to escape. TTP A Long-term Threat Abdul Basit, a Pakistani counterterrorism and security expert, says the TTP is sending a signal to Islamabad that it is negotiating from a position of strength. Riven internally, debilitated by the death of successive leaders, and forced from its strongholds, the TTP was seen for years as a largely spent force. But the group has reemerged over the past two years, unifying squabbling factions and unleashing a wave of deadly attacks. But the TTP is no longer the same militant outfit that wreaked havoc in Pakistan from 2007 to 2014. Under the leadership of Noor Wali Mehsud, more of a religious figure than a fighter, who has been in charge since 2018, the TTP has retained its close links with Al-Qaeda, the U.S.-designated terrorist network. But it has also become organizationally decentralized and reduced indiscriminate attacks against civilians, observers say. Basit says the TTP mostly targets Pakistani security forces and has moved away from a global to local jihadist narrative. The groups change in focus and rhetoric coupled with the sanctuaries at its disposal in Afghanistan under the Taliban regime makes the TTP a long-term threat for Pakistan, he says. Abdul Sayed, a Sweden-based researcher who tracks militant groups in the region, says the Afghan Taliban is unlikely to bow to Islamabads demand that it expel the TTP or prevent it from using Afghan territory from carrying out attacks in Pakistan. Because of the sympathy and support in the Afghan Taliban rank and file for the TTP, it is not only difficult but impossible for their leadership to initiate action against the TTP, he says. Sayed says Pakistan could target TTP sanctuaries in Afghanistan. But that, he says, will likely strain Islamabads ties with the Afghan Taliban. Last month, a suspected Pakistani drone strike targeted Faqir Mohammad, a senior TTP leader, in Afghanistans eastern province of Kunar. But the missile fired by the drone failed to explode. The incident triggered condemnation by the Taliban regime in Kabul. Observers say the TTP has also been boosted by the pullout of foreign troops from Afghanistan in August and the reduced number of U.S. drone strikes in the region. Over the years, U.S. air strikes were successful in eliminating successive TTP leaders and commanders. But with the U.S. counterterrorism capability in the region severely diminished, TTP fighters have been allowed to move and operate relatively freely, observers say. The militants often shifted weapons and held meetings during the night to avoid detection, a source in Pakistans tribal belt with knowledge of the TTPs military strategy told Radio Mashaal. But that, he says, has now changed. In early December, the TTP released a video that it claimed showed its leader, Mehsud, traveling in a convoy of cars and visiting different training camps and commanders inside Afghanistan in broad daylight. The Pakistani source added that the TTP, which has mostly used light arms, mortars, and homemade improvised explosives devices (IEDs), has obtained modern weapons. That includes, he said, U.S.-made M16 machine guns and M4 assault rifles fitted with night vision. That has coincided with an increase in nighttime sniper attacks by the TTP, the source added. Observers say the weapons are likely from the stockpiles amassed by the Afghan Taliban, which seized millions of dollars in American-made weapons and equipment from Afghan security forces. Civilians caught up for years in TTP attacks and Pakistani Army offensives are bracing for more violence, with their hopes of peace dashed. The real problem is that the government and the TTP want to secure their own interests, says Abdul Salam, a tribal elder from the South Waziristan tribal district. The result is trouble and destruction for the common people. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called for the conditional release of frozen Afghan foreign currency reserves and urgent international funding as millions of people in the country face starvation in a worsening humanitarian catastrophe. "International funding should be allowed to pay the salaries of public-sector workers, and to help Afghan institutions deliver health care, education, and other vital services," Guterres also told reporters in New York on January 13. International assistance accounted for 40 percent of Afghanistan's gross domestic product and 80 percent of its budget before the Taliban took control of the country in mid-August with the collapse of the internationally-backed government. When the Taliban captured Kabul, international support dried up and some $9.5 billion in Afghan central bank reserves were frozen outside the country, mainly in the United States. "The function of Afghanistan's Central Bank must be preserved and assisted, and a path identified for conditional release of Afghan foreign currency reserves," Guterres said. "We must do even more to rapidly inject liquidity into the economy and avoid a meltdown that would lead to poverty, hunger, and destitution for millions," he said. The appeal comes as UN aid chief Martin Griffiths will hold a virtual talk with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on January 14. Guterres said the two would discuss creating mechanisms to "allow for an effective injection of funds into the Afghan economy" that would also "create the conditions for the financial system in Afghanistan to be able to operate in the local currency." In an interview with the Associated Press, the UNs World Food Program chief in Afghanistan Mary-Ellen McGroarty called on the international community to put humanitarian issues above political considerations to avoid disaster by making sure that aid money can reach the country. McGroarty said international funding can get into the country independently of the Taliban According to the UN humanitarian organization, 22.8 million people face acute food shortages in Afghanistan and 8.7 million are close to starvation. With reporting by AP and Reuters The Pakistani Taliban has confirmed the killing of its former spokesman who was once among the central leaders of the outlawed group. The Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan (TTP) said on January 13 that Khalid Balti, alias Mohammad Khurasani, had been killed over the weekend in Afghanistans eastern Nangarhar Province. The current TTP spokesman, who also goes by the name Mohammad Khurasani, did not provide details of Baltis death but said it would be avenged. No one has claimed responsibility for Balti's killing, which was reported earlier in the week but not confirmed. Balti was a TTP commander and served as the group's spokesman from 2011 to 2015, when he was arrested in Afghanistan. He was freed after the Afghan Taliban seized power in mid-August. Since then, he had lived in the Nangarhar and Kunar provinces, where most of the Pakistani Taliban are believed to be hiding. The TTP is a separate militant group from the Afghan Taliban, which toppled the Western-backed government in Kabul in mid-August. But Pakistan's militant groups are often interlinked with those across the border in Afghanistan and the TTP follows the same hard-line Sunni Islam as its Afghan counterparts. Pakistan conducted a massive military operation against the TTP across the northwestern regions in June 2014, forcing the group's militants and leadership to take refuge across the border in Afghanistan. The TPP has been behind numerous attacks on Pakistani security forces and civilians over the last 14 years. In November, the Pakistani government reached a monthlong cease-fire with the TTP that lapsed on December 9. Since then, the TTP has resumed attacks on Pakistani security forces. The Taliban, who brokered the truce, have assured Islamabad that Afghan soil will not be used to carry out violence against Pakistan. With reporting by AP and Dawn Saudi Arabia-based Quara Holding has partnered with leading Ethereum software firm ConsenSys, a blockchain infrastructure company providing solutions 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. TradeArabia News Service To further combat voter fraud in the Pikes Peak region, the El Paso County Clerk and Recorders Office will fund a new investigator position in the Fourth Judicial District Attorneys Office, Clerk and Recorder Chuck Broerman and District Attorney Michael Allen said Wednesday. Were always looking at ways to increase transparency so our voters know our elections are accurate and secure, Broerman told The Gazette. The addition of a new investigator position in the District Attorneys Office, which examines and prosecutes such cases, is another way to ensure election security locally, Broerman and Allen said. It will allow the department more resources as they investigate potential voter fraud in the Fourth Judicial District, which includes El Paso and Teller counties. Part of our duty as Americans is to take part in our voting process, Allen said. This ensures people can continue to have confidence in our elections. The El Paso County Clerk and Recorders Office will fund the new position with about $60,000 annually from the departments budget and the county will fund the benefits package, bringing the total cost to around $75,000, Broerman said. The move brings the number of investigators in the District Attorneys Office, who also work on other types of criminal cases, to 25. Though voter fraud is rare, it does happen, Broerman and Allen said. Prosecuting these cases also educates the public about what constitutes voter fraud, they said. The most prevalent examples are people who fill out and sign ballots for other voters in their homes or those who receive and submit more than one ballot, Broerman said. Thats why we do signature verification, to make sure that you and only you are casting that ballot, he said. The amount of voter fraud occurring locally depends on several factors, like the nature of the election, Broerman said. High-profile elections, including presidential elections, tend to see more fraud cases, for example. Following the November 2020 general election, Allen said his office received 96 potential cases of voter fraud among roughly 383,000 ballots cast in El Paso County and about 17,000 in Teller County, data from the Colorado Secretary of States Office show. A fraction of them were prosecuted about 10, Allen said. The November 2020 election in particular raised concerns for some Americans over the security of local and national elections after former President Donald Trump and other Republicans claimed that mail-in balloting is largely fraudulent. Local and state leaders in Colorado and other states have refuted those claims. While 96 cases of potential voter fraud isnt a lot, Allen said, Broerman added any occurrence of voter fraud is too many. Even in one (instance), its important for us to scrutinize that because that lessens the impact of every other voter in our county, Broerman said. The El Paso County Clerk and Recorders Office has several safeguards in place to ensure the integrity and accuracy of its elections, Broerman said, including signature verification, an accuracy test done prior to the election and an audit following the election, and security systems for rooms containing voting equipment and ballots. Other election protections include making a digital copy of each ballot available to the public for inspection and participating in an additional, independent audit of the countys voting results following the election, Broerman said. A hearing set for Thursday for Letecia Stauch, accused of killing her stepson in 2020, has been moved back two weeks, according to court records and dockets. Stauch is accused of first-degree murder in the death of 11-year-old Gannon Stauch. A motions and review hearing set for Thursday was continued by parties and set for Jan. 27, according to court records and documents. The delay comes after Fourth Judicial District Judge Gregory Werner in December ordered Stauch to undergo a mental evaluation at the Colorado Mental Health Institute at Pueblo. Before he issued the order in December, Werner said it was possible the motions hearing set for Thursday could be set back if Stauch arrived at the hospital too close to the hearing date, and cited a letter he received in mid-November on an unrelated case describing a roughly 352-person waitlist at the hospital at the time. Nothing else from either side, so Judge Werner ends the hearing, adding before he did that if Jan. 13 rolls around and Ms. Stauch just arrived at the state hospital, he'll have to vacate the motions hearing. Ms. Stauch signs off Webex. esteban candelaria (@ubercandelaria) December 9, 2021 Roster records indicate Stauch is currently being held at the El Paso County jail. El Paso County Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Deborah Mynatt said the office will not release the specific location of any inmate. Stauchs trial is currently still scheduled to begin March 28, according to court records. In addition to first-degree murder, Stauch is charged with child abuse resulting in death, tampering with a body and tampering with physical evidence. Authorities believe Gannon Stauch was killed sometime after 2 p.m. on Jan. 27, 2020. In an email to The Gazette, Gannon's father, Al Stauch, noted that was the two-year anniversary of Gannon's death, adding that's what's important. "He should be the highlight of this horrible situation, not Tecia," he wrote, referring to Letecia Stauch. He offered his "deep appreciation for the community's support." The Gulf Cooperation Council Interconnection Authority (GCCIA ) will be hosting a special panel discussion focused on the current state of global communication networks. The forum, which aims to take a closer look at the latest technologies and current investment opportunities in global communications, will be held at the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai. The forum comes at a time the communications industry will continue with its many digitization projects and emerging technologies. According to a recent report issued by Mckinsey, one of the world's leading management consulting firms, the increased trajectory covering the creation of new channels, products and services in the communications segment will not slow down--particularly in the global efforts to address the pandemic. The event is being positioned as a strategic opportunity to further evaluate and study MENA's overall communications connectivity while also planning to increase ways on how to bolster infrastructure investment in the region. Ahmed Al Ebrahim, GCCIA CEO, said: The GCCIA is excited to host this forum, which looks to play a key effort in the continuing move to position the MENA region as a central hub for global communication networks. Panelists at this event will tackle the challenges currently being faced by the industry and how to promote interoperability among different communication networks and entities. Officials of the GCCIA explained that the forum will allow them to take a closer look at policy considerations aimed at addressing legal and institutional frameworks for investment, technologies and financing--even those covering public-private partnerships. The panel will also look into future and emerging technologies, including the use of terrestrial cable in the GCC and the opportunities it brings for Hyperscales / Cloud companies and other large enterprises. The exciting one-day forum is expected to be attended by some of the world's leading personalities in the field of communications, which include Greg Varisco, CEO, Cinturion Group; Hani Askar, Chief Global Business Officer, Batelco; Kamil Hilali, Chief Strategy Officer, Zain; Rafik Shafik, Chief Technology Officer, Infonas; Adel Al Daylami, CEO, AIM; Veer Passi, Group CEO, Kalaam; Sameer Dawood, Manager, System Engineer, Infinera; Lihu Brent, Regional Director, Huawei and Azz Eddine Mansouri, General Manager, Ciena. "We are truly honoured to be joined by a distinguished panel of communication experts--all coming together to help give us their insights and perspectives on the continuously growing communications industry and how we can reinforce Mena region's leading position within the industry," concluded Ebrahim. TradeArabia News Service GoDaddy, the firm that empowers everyday entrepreneurs, is tying up with MyFatoorah in the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) region, to offer new payment solutions to GoDaddys ecommerce solution. MyFatoorah, a local UAE payments provider, specialises in secure, swift payment solutions across the GCC region. The new addition to the GoDaddy E-store offering in the region, allows customers to sell online and accept, track and process payments easily. By linking their e-commerce websites and platforms, merchants can conduct online sales, refunds and other transactions. Selina Bieber, General Manager, Mena, GoDaddy said: We are excited to partner with MyFatoorah and integrate GoDaddys E-store, to offer entrepreneurs and small businesses, smart, smooth and seamless payment options and tools. GoDaddy hopes this partnership will help simplify business transactions and help small business owners with e-commerce payment solutions. With the GoDaddy E-store, business owners can easily create an online store that lets customers pay the way they want, by securely accepting over 40 payment methods, including MyFatoorah. Abdullah Al Dabbous, Founder and CEO, MyFatoorah, said: MyFatoorah has been playing a key role in driving digital payment adoption in the region by providing convenient and easy-to-use payment link and payment gateway solutions to traders of all sizes, especially start-ups and SMEs. Our partnership with GoDaddy will be a unique opportunity and driver to support the growth of all businesses in UAE, KSA and across the GCC. The integration with MyFatoorah is one of GoDaddys series of recent partnerships. Earlier this year GoDaddy partnered with the Arab Fashion Council, Startups Without Borders and Wamda, among others. GoDaddy offers small business owners and entrepreneurs in the Mena region with the tools they need to create their own digital identities and help to grow their businesses, including domain names, website building tools, hosting, Managed WordPress, website security, online marketing, email and Microsoft Office.-- TradeArabia News Service Mesa County Commissioner Scott McInnis was a Republican member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Colorado from 1993 to 2005. A record 11,663 El Paso County residents have tested positive for the coronavirus in the last week, close to double the number of cases the county saw a week ago. "We are seeing cases and positivity at stratospheric levels," said Dr. Michael Roshon, an emergency room physician with Penrose-St. Francis and the vice president of research operations for Centura. On average in El Paso County, 32% of those tested are positive, Tuesday data showed, far above the 5% positivity rates communities have aimed for since the beginning of the pandemic to keep the virus in check. While case numbers are soaring and likely to keep rising in the coming days, the omicron variant is causing less severe sickness and a far smaller percentage of people are needing hospital care than during the delta variant-driven spike in cases. El Paso County and Colorado hospitals say they can likely absorb the surge in demand for hospital care expected in the coming days, despite staffing shortages, without rationing care. Locally, hospital officials have made changes to protect their capacity such as delaying procedures, staffing up and putting surge plans in place. "We are in a better place than we were when delta hit us at its hardest," said Dr. David Steinbruner, chief medical officer for UCHealth Memorial Hospital Central and Memorial Hospital North. In El Paso County demand for hospital care is up slightly, with 193 patients in need of COVID-19 care Tuesday. The last time county hospitals were caring for more than 200 patients was mid December during the delta-driven spike. The county peak was Nov. 18, when 237 patients needed COVID care. Across the state, as of Wednesday, more Coloradans were hospitalized with COVID-19 than in November 2021, when hospital capacity was at its most critical point of the pandemic. Rachel Herlihy, Colorado's state epidemiologist, told reporters Wednesday that 1,577 people are hospitalized with COVID-19, one more than the Nov. 23 high. Since Christmas Day 585 people infected with the virus have been admitted to the hospital, and the steep incline has yet to show signs of slowing. New modeling from researchers at the Colorado School of Public Health, presented by Herlihy, indicate a number of scenarios for the state's hospitals in the coming weeks. Herlihy said it was "likely" that Colorado would end up somewhere between two of them: one it's already surpassed, of 1,479 patients by Jan. 11, and the other that's much higher, 2,144 patients by Jan. 15. The state's overall record for most COVID-19 patients at one time is 1,847, set on Dec. 1, 2020. A large percentage of those patients, however, have COVID-19 as a secondary condition or "incidental infection" because it is spreading so fast. Herlihy said preliminary data indicates that 65% of patients currently hospitalized with COVID-19 in Colorado are there because of the virus. The remaining 35% are "incidental" cases, meaning the patients may have gone to the hospital for another reason and tested positive subsequently. The ratio in previous waves, Herlihy said, was between 80% and 90% of COVID-positive patients hospitalized for the virus. At UCHealth, for instance, roughly a third of the 362 patients hospitalized with COVID-19 are being treated for complications from the virus, said Michelle Barron, the system's senior medical director of infection prevention and control. She compared that to August 2021, when only three of 80 COVID-19 patients had incidental cases. That does not mean, Herlihy and others said, that those "incidental infections" can simply be discounted. Herlihy said that infections in other patients may complicate their other condition; it complicates their treatment, as they need to be isolated; and it may extend their length of stay. COVID-19 infections "continue to be a significant strain on the health care system," she said. In El Paso County Roshon said he expected the community would see cases increase for another week and that the high volume of cases could translate into greater hospital demand that could challenge local capacity. "I think its going to be close," he said. To help ease some staffing needs, the state sent about 30 registered nurses, certified nursing assistants and respiratory therapists from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to Penrose Hospital. They're expected to stay about three weeks. "It has been a godsend. Its one of the reasons we are not over capacity," he said of the additional staff. UCHealth has also staffed up, hiring many new graduates and offering incentives to encourage staff to stay, Steinbruner said. Still hospital systems have had trouble competing with the pay available to nurses who choose to work for travel agencies, he said. Primary care offices have also been busy, with the thousands of mild and moderate coronavirus cases in the county. Many of them are break-through cases, said Dr. Richard Vu, founder of Matthews-Vu Medical Group. "We have lots and lots of people testing positive for COVID, and most of them, I would say, more than 90% of those positive cases have mild to moderate disease and we can manage them at home. ... Not surprisingly many of those people have already been vaccinated," he said. Some folks coming down with the virus have also received a booster shot, he said. His clinics are using monoclonal antibody treatments on a first come, first served basis because they need to be used early on in the disease progression to be effective. The Centers of Disease Control and Prevention recommend prioritizing the treatments for those who are highest risk, but that is just not practical, he said. "If we prioritize, then we lose time. ... If we lose time, then we lose effectiveness," he said. The community is also seeing a high level of other viruses that did not circulate as much last winter, such as colds and parainfluenza, he said, urging residents to get tested to see if their mild symptoms are coronavirus. Such widespread but largely mild sickness in the community and nationally could be a step toward the virus becoming more endemic, similar to the flu, as more people develop immunity, several local health providers said. "I think we have gotten through the worst," Steinbruner said. The coronavirus could also mutate into a variant that is highly transmissible like omicron, but more deadly, Vu said. El Paso County Spokeswoman Michelle Beyrle urged residents to get vaccinated, wear masks in indoor settings, stay home when sick and limit large indoor gatherings to help slow the spread of the virus. Half a million dollars. That's the surprising grant award amount that the City of Britt will be receiving for its estimated $9.02 million water quality improvement project. In the first full week of January 2022, Governor Reynolds announced that Britt was one of 16 Iowa communities that have been awarded a total of $6.2 million in grants to advance water quality projects. The funding is made available through the Wastewater and Drinking Water Treatment Financial Assistance Program. It was created as a part of Senate File 512, which was Gov. Reynolds' first legislation signed into law back in January 2018. "It's a big project and obviously this grant from the state covers a large portion of it," Britt Mayor Ryan Arndorfer said. "We're still working with the architect (Bolton & Menk) on the final plans, but it looks to be right around $9 million." The city's water infrastructure improvements include the upcoming construction of a new water treatment and water storage facility. Arndorfer said a bid-letting for the new water plant construction is planned for late March. He said that the hope is that construction could begin yet this spring or early summer with a goal of having the plant operational by the spring of 2023. "The water tower part is done and will ensure some of the highest quality water in the area for quite awhile," Arndorfer said. "This (grant) will allow us to take out $500,000 less in the water fund from the state." Arndorfer said that existing customer water rates, which have already been established, will not be changing as a result of the grant award. He noted that the $500,000 grant award is the largest that the city has received in more than a decade, dating back to a comparable large grant received for the city's fire station many years ago. Arndorfer said that state officials just made the announcement and will be reaching out to city officials with contracts that need to be completed. Once that process is completed, the city anticipates finding out exactly when the funds will be made available. Investing in water quality infrastructure within our state has been a top priority of my administration since day one," said Gov. Reynolds in a news release. The first bill I signed into law as Governor in 2018 created opportunities for communities to upgrade their water infrastructure and Ive remained steadfast in my commitment to building upon that. The Wastewater and Drinking Water Treatment Financial Assistance Program receives a portion of the tax on metered water and had more than $6 million available for allocation in 2021. A committee consisting of designees from the Iowa Finance Authority, Iowa Department of Natural Resources and the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship judged all Wastewater and Drinking Water Financial Assistance Program applications, based on program priorities. Priorities for grant awards include disadvantaged communities, projects that will significantly improve water quality in their watershed, projects that use alternative wastewater treatment technologies, communities with the highest sewer or water rates, projects that use technology to address nutrient reduction, and projects to address improvements to drinking water source waters. The communities of Adel, Auburn, Boone, Britt, Carlisle, Chariton, Winneshiek County Festina, Grandview, Hartford, Indianola, Lake Park, McGregor, Mount Ayr, Perry, Treynor and Wheatland also received similar awards of varying amounts from the program this year. Editor's Note: The Iowa Finance Authority and Iowa Governor's Office provided information for this story. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Valent BioSciences LLC recently announced that it is undertaking two major environmental initiatives at its biorational manufacturing facility in Osage. They include a new prairie restoration project and solar field, both situated on existing Valent BioSciences land, which will provide a variety of benefits to the local community. For the prairie restoration project, Valent BioSciences is restoring 34 acres of highly diverse native prairie on its land in Mitchell County, which will be accessible to the public. This project will help establish and support a diverse native habitat for birds, butterflies, insects, reptiles and small wildlife. The prairie will also become a rest stop for monarch butterflies that migrate to and from Mexico each year. According to a press release, at maturation, the prairie will sequester approximately 170 tons of carbon dioxide annually, helping mitigate the effects of greenhouse gas in the environment. Another environmental benefit is that it will need little maintenance and wont require the application of fertilizers or pesticides. The prairie will be available for local community and school use. A walking path will make it easy for visitors to traverse the prairie and interact with nature. In conjunction with the project, Valent BioSciences applied for and received a grant for prairie seed from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Iowa Natural Resources Conservation Service. A 1.5-megawatt alternating current (AC) solar field will be constructed on 12 acres of Valent BioSciences land adjacent to the prairie restoration project in conjunction with its partners, OneEnergy Renewables and Heartland Power Cooperative. This field will include approximately 3,700 bifacial solar panels that produce power from both sides of the panel and also track the sun from east to west. Once the solar field is operational, the Osage facility will receive the Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) generated by the solar field. This project ensures that renewable energy will help power the Valent BioSciences facility, according to the press release. The solar field is expected to produce about 3.4 million kilowatt hours of solar-generated electricity annually, which is anticipated to provide approximately eight percent of the Osage facilitys total annual electricity usage. This amount of electricity generated is enough to power approximately 425 average-sized homes annually. We are proud to support these environmental initiatives, which align with our focus on sustainability and enhancing the quality of life in our local communities, said Paul Kelley, Valent BioSciences Vice President of Supply Chain and Manufacturing. Much work has also been going on behind the scenes to make these initiatives a reality, and we want to thank OneEnergy Renewables, the Heartland Power Cooperative, the City of Osage, the Mitchell County Conservation Board, and Pheasants Forever for their valuable contributions and assistance. OneEnergy is excited to work with Valent BioSciences and Heartland Power Cooperative on this exceptional project, said Tobin Booth, OneEnergys CEO. We look forward to working with the community and county to permit the project this winter, and then to construct the site starting in the spring. We are thankful for the opportunity to partner with Valent BioSciences and OneEnergy on this project, said Heartland Power Cooperative CEO Jon Leerar. By working together, Heartland Power Cooperative and OneEnergy are able to provide knowledge and experience in the energy industry to help Valent BioSciences reach their sustainability goals. The 46-acre parcel of land that will be the home for the prairie and solar field was removed from row crop production during the fall and the 34-acre prairie site was planted on Dec. 1 with a pollinator mix that includes high-quality annual and perennial wildflowers. Construction on the solar field is intended to start in April 2022, with an anticipated completion date in September 2022. Valent BioSciences has also planted more than 200 trees of different species around its Osage facility during the past two years. Headquartered in Libertyville, Ill., Valent BioSciences is a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd., and is the worldwide leader in the development, manufacturing, and commercialization of biorational products with sales in 95 countries around the world. For additional information, visit the companys website at www.valentbiosciences.com. OneEnergy Renewables develops and delivers community and utility-scale solar energy facilities across the United States. OneEnergys mission is to make clean energy the number one electricity choice for consumers and utilities. For more information, please visit: www.oneenergyrenewables.com. Heartland Power Cooperative is a member-owned rural electric distribution cooperative with offices in Thompson and St. Ansgar. Heartland Power serves nearly 5,300 homes, farms, businesses, and industry with over 1,900 miles of electric power lines across 12 counties in Northern Iowa and Southern Minnesota. For more information visit its website at www.heartlandpower.com. Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 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 Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. At Expo 2020 Dubai, for the first time ever, Italy is promoting Lazio as a destination for luxury tourism, a sector that is enjoying growth and expansion throughout the Middle East. We want to strengthen the Lazio brand and its top-class excellencies to bring together institutions, associations, enterprises and operators of the trade, highlighting that our region truly is a solid point of reference for travellers and leisure tourists, said Valentina Corrado, Lazio Regional Minister for Tourism, Local Agencies, Urban Security, Local Police and Administrative Streamlining. At a forum at the Italy Pavilion Amphitheatre on how the central region will play a crucial role in attracting more wealthy travellers from the Arabian Peninsula and wider Middle East, Corrado said Rome is one of the top five destinations for non-European high-end tourists boosting the Lazio regions appeal to travellers from the Gulf region. Tourists from this area typically enjoy art cities, fashion and design, opting for destinations featuring wellness-related offering and locations with activities for families in exclusive facilities, ensuring privacy, security and high-level services. Aside from Rome the art city par excellence and one of the most visited destinations in the world Lazio also boasts a whole raft of beautiful and spectacular off the beaten track destinations, all of which feature strong cultural, artistic and tourism-related elements, continues Corrado. Lazio also offers important strategic assets and incomparable attractions including a natural vocation for wellness tourism; a solid high-end commercial offering featuring the most iconic Made in Italy brands; a host of luxurious accommodation options, villas and prestigious residences; high-quality food & wine and Michelin-starred restaurants; an immense array of heritage destinations including six Unesco world heritage sites; and a diverse agenda of international events attracting visitors with great purchasing power. Organised by Lazios Regional Department for Tourism, Lazio, a Luxury Destination was also attended by Paolo Glisenti, Commissioner-General for Italys participation at Expo 2020 Dubai; Valentina Corrado, Lazio Regional Minister for Tourism, Local Agencies, Urban Security, Local Police and Administrative Streamlining; Quirino Briganti, Responsible for Lazio Region activities at Expo 2020 Dubai; Matteo Caroli, Tenured Professor of Economics and International Enterprise Management at LUISS University, Rome; Giorgio Palmucci, ENIT President; Marco Misischia, National President of CNA (Confederation of Craftsmen and SMEs); Lavinia Biagiotti, President and CEO of Biagiotti Group; Fausto Palombelli, President of Unindustria Association division for tourism and leisure, and Carlo Acampora, CEO of Grand Hotel Via Veneto. A high-end tourism survey conducted in May 2021 by Bain & Company on behalf of the Altagamma Foundation (a luxury brands committee) revealed that in 2019, the year before the outbreak of the pandemic, the luxury tourism sector in Italy still generated an overall turnover of 25 billion euros ($29 billion) (pre-pandemic this figure is around 60 billion euros). This included both direct and indirect revenues from 1% of accommodation facilities and 3% of overnight stays in Italy, accounting for 3% of Italys GDP that year. Nicola Zingaretti, President of Lazio, said: Lazio has huge potential in terms of high-end tourism with top-notch food and wine, art, culture and local craftmanship just some of the offerings available to visitors. Aside from the magnificence of Rome, our region is home to a vast richness of beauty, traditions and unique locations that appeal to well-travelled tourists. Besides the economic impact, mainly driven by foreign tourists, high-end tourism helps enhance the image of Italy as a world destination and gives new momentum to the promotion and development of Made in Italy excellence. Food and shopping typically represent the reason why visitors choose to visit Italy. The BCG survey commissioned by Altagamma in 2021 shows that among luxury tourists, Italy ranks first in terms of art cities, countryside towns/resorts and experiences related to food and wine, art and culture. Corrado concluded: We are promoting a sector that has been hit very hard by the pandemic through investment and planned activities that will stimulate the entire tourism chain and its satellite industries, to support the sector and make our territory appealing and competitive at an international level. Showcasing and describing the most evocative scenarios of our region and the experiences to potential visitors from the Arabian Peninsula and Gulf, allows us to connect with our guests and give them and insight into the most authentic thrills they can enjoy. Leisure travellers from the Gulf region to Italy look for authentic experiences in high-quality accommodation and opt for Made in Italy shopping experiences, while savouring delicious local foods. This is, therefore, an important segment for Lazios tourism economy and all its linked activities, which in turn can benefit the regions entire economic and productive system.-- TradeArabia News Service The year 1860 was momentous for the family of William and Mary Stilson. William cast his vote for Abraham Lincoln for president. William was elected sheriff of Cerro Gordo County and Ida was born on the family farm in Owens Grove. Settling on the farm in 1856 after his travels from Wisconsin, William at first could not see the advantages of living in a wilderness as his brother promoted. He walked or rode with mail carriers to Osage and then Mason City. Lost in a terrible blizzard he found shelter in Osage before moving on. He didn't stay long though, in 1859 he traveled to Illinois to marry Mary Stevens and bring her back to the Owens Grove farm. Ida, her sister Julia and their parents lived on the farm until the family moved into Mason City in 1870. William had been rejected by the army when fighting began in the Civil War. He served the community of Mason City in many ways as the sheriff, in city government working to grade roads, install drainage and build board sidewalks downtown. Thedore Roosevelt Jr., on a campaign trip for his father in Mason City, stopped by the Stilson home to meet William and shake his hand. Ida was a lifelong member of the First Baptist Church, a member of the Eastern Star and a charter member of the local Sorosis Club. Founded nationally in 1868 the Sorosis Club was organized for women as a professional organization. This was a time when women were becoming more independent, active in reform groups and interested in self-development. Ida took care of her parents for many years; her obituary describes the home as uncommonly happy with admirable devotion and attention to her parents. Ida lived her life following the family motto: Its of the greatest importance to make friends, than it is to make money. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 A significant winter storm will be impacting all of Iowa Friday and Friday night. Winter storm warnings and winter weather advisories are up for all counties in the state through early Saturday morning. Scattered snow showers will move in during the morning Friday from the northwest and spread to the southeast. Snow looks to be widespread during the afternoon and evening hours Friday. Due to higher temperatures, a rain/snow mix is anticipated for the far western part of the state during the afternoon. For everyone else, this will be an all snow event. Snow showers will become less numerous late Friday night and all snow is expected to exit southeastern Iowa by mid-morning Saturday. While there continues to be uncertainty in how long the heaviest snow will last, its looking increasingly likely that portions of the state could see 8 to 10 inches. This is most likely to occur along a line stretching from Estherville, Iowa in the north to Corydon, Iowa in the south. West and east of this line, snow totals will gradually get smaller. The forecast snow total for Sioux City, is 3 to 5 inches. For Mason City, the snow total should range from 4 to 8 inches. Waterloo is looking at 3 to 7 inches of snow. Muscatine will likely see 2 to 5 inches. Meanwhile, the Quad Cities is expected to see one the lower snow totals in the state, but will still end up with 1 to 4 inches. During the afternoon and evening Friday, snow will be heavy at times. With temperatures below freezing except for the far western portion of Iowa, snow will be able to accumulate quickly. Winds will also be gusting 25 to 30 mph. The combination of falling and blowing snow will greatly reduce visibility. All of this will lead to hazardous road conditions. Travel should be avoided during the afternoon and evening hours. If you must venture out, give yourself plenty of extra time to reach your destination. Drive below the speed limit and expect to encounter snow covered roads. While the heaviest snow will be behind us after midnight and winds will be coming down, travel will still not be easy across the state through at least Saturday morning. Breezy conditions will continue to blow the snow thats already fallen around. As is usual with winter storms, it will take snow plows time to clear the roads. Major highways and interstates will likely be in good shape after the early morning hours Saturday, but secondary roads may not get plowed until the afternoon, especially in locations with the higher snow totals. Along with the snow, expect temperatures to drop. While high temperatures Friday will range from the mid 30s to upper 20s across most of the state, low temperatures Friday night will be in the upper single digits and teens. Factor in the breezy conditions and feels like temperatures will be around zero degrees in many locations early Saturday morning. High temperatures Saturday will generally be in the upper teens and low 20s, but wind chills will likely not climb out of the single digits. Winds will be light Saturday night, but low temperatures will still reach around zero degrees for many. Matt Holiner covers weather and the environment across the Midwest. Holiner has seven years of professional meteorology experience and has forecast every type of weather for cities across the country. He holds the National Weather Association's Seal of Approval. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. The rate of new confirmed coronavirus infections in Iowa recently surpassed the states previous peak in November 2020, according to newly released state data. On Sunday, the states one-week total for COVID-19 cases was nearly 38,000. The previous peak in 2020 was about 34,000. That means an average of more than 5,400 people have been testing positive for the virus each day. Nine of the states 10 most-populous counties reached new infection-rate peaks recently. The outlier was Dubuque County, which is approaching a new peak. The spike in infection rates is most pronounced in Polk County, where a recent one-week total was 70% higher than the previous peak in 2020, and in Johnson County, where it is more than double. In Cerro Gordo County, 12.22% of the population has tested positive in the last seven days, according to the federal CDC, up 70% from the previous week. Hospitalizations increased 3.45% in the county. The national infection rate is currently triple its 2020 peak, according to the New York Times, largely due to the omicron variant. In Iowa, the State Hygienic Lab has confirmed the variants presence in 44 counties, said Sarah Ekstrand, a spokesperson for the Iowa Department of Public Health. The counties include: Allamakee, Benton, Black Hawk, Bremer, Buena Vista, Carroll, Cass, Cedar, Cherokee, Chickasaw, Clay, Dallas, Decatur, Delaware, Des Moines, Dickinson, Dubuque, Fayette, Franklin, Hancock, Jasper, Jefferson, Johnson, Lee, Linn, Madison, Marshall, Mitchell, Monona, Montgomery, Page, Palo Alto, Plymouth, Polk, Pottawattamie, Ringgold, Scott, Story, Wapello, Washington, Webster, Winnebago, Winneshiek and Woodbury. Ekstrand said 62% of the coronavirus samples evaluated by the lab in the past two weeks were omicron. The number of infected people who are receiving inpatient treatment at hospitals also reached a new recent high of 923 on Tuesday, and 22 were children. That total is still considerably lower than the 2020 peak of more than 1,500. In response, the state has extended its contract with a Kansas company to place 100 additional out-of-state nurses at the larger hospitals in the state, Ekstrand said. The state had planned to have the nurses for six weeks starting in early December, but now nurses will remain until Feb. 11. The original agreement was expected to cost more than $9 million, at a rate of more than $15,000 per week per nurse. The state is also seeking to create a hotline that can facilitate patient transfers for hospitals. The goal is to establish a call center to help relieve pressure on hospital staff in order for them to be able to spend more time caring for ill patients, Ekstrand said. This story is published with permission from Iowa Capital Dispatch. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 OFFICIAL EXPLANATION Project SC Butler: Sentence Correction (SC1) For SC butler Questions Click Here THE PROMPT Quote: In 1962 when the idea of a united Europe was proposed and a draft charter drawing up, a number of tentative steps to put the concept into practice were taken and now on the eve of monetary union what once seemed like a farfetched dream has been almost realized. three so, or, for but although if. and THE OPTIONS Quote: A) In 1962 when the idea of a united Europe was first proposed and a draft charter drawing up, a number of tentative steps to put the concept into practice were taken and idea was first proposed a draft charter drawing up Quote: B) Since 1962 when the idea of a united Europe was first proposed and a draft charter had been drawn up , a number of tentative steps putting the concept into practice have been taken but but idea was first proposed a charter had been drawn up was proposed had been drawn up before Quote: C) Since 1962 when the idea of a united Europe was first proposed and a draft charter [was] drawn up, a number of tentative steps to put the concept into practice have been taken and have almost been realized and and [was.] was was drawn up Quote: D) Before 1962 when the idea of a united Europe was first a proposal and a draft charter drawn up, a number of tentative steps to put the concept into practice were taken although before 1962 although was was drawn up, Quote: E) During 1962 when the idea of a united Europe was first proposed and a draft charter drawn up, a number of tentative steps that put the concept into practice have been taken if . . . IF now on the eve of monetary union what once seemed like a farfetched dream has been almost realized. NOTES and proposing drawing up the idea was proposed charter drawn up proposed had been drawn drawing but although. if then COMMENTS Who dares, wins. GMAC occasionally tests comma splices, semicolons, colons, and Oxford commas. I have posted quite a few questions and official explanations that involve comma splices and semicolons. You can find one such question GMAC occasionally tests colons. Here are the rules: What comes before a colon must be an independent clause. What comes after a colon does not have to be an independent clause but can be so. (The latter case is rare.) What comes after the colon expands upon, explains, or gives examples in support of the first part of the sentence. **PunctuationGMAC occasionally tests comma splices, semicolons, colons, and Oxford commas.I have posted quite a few questions and official explanations that involve comma splices and semicolons.You can find one such question here (not official, but good). My OE is on the thread.GMAC occasionally tests colons. Here are the rules:What comes before a colon must be an independent clause.What comes after a colon does not have to be an independent clause but can be so. (The latter case is rare.)What comes after the colon expands upon, explains, or gives examples in support of the first part of the sentence. Authorities have arrested a North Carolina suspect in a Jan. 4 burglary of a Danville pawn shop. Charlie Joe Harrell, of Burlington, North Carolina, is facing charges of burglary and grand larceny, the Danville Police Department announced Thursday morning. He was arrested Wednesday night in North Carolina. Danville police have worked with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives offices in Roanoke and Greensboro, North Carolina, in the case. Tips sent in from the public led the investigation to Charlie Joe Harrell as the suspect and aided in locating the suspect vehicle as well, Danville police wrote in a news release. Officials provided photos from video surveillance of the suspect after the early morning burglary at Riverside Pawn Shop at 2384 Riverside Drive occurred Jan. 4. This week they released photos of a vehicle they believed was involved: a 2006 to 2008 Honda Civic, with a headlight out, damage to the front bumper, a primer-colored rear bumper, black primer on the front bumper and damage to the left rear. The help from the public combined with teamwork between multiple law enforcement agencies over multiple days led to the recovery of all 7 firearms stolen in this burglary, along with illegal narcotics and more illegal firearms, police wrote in the release. As a result of this investigation into the burglary, multiple other individuals are now facing various firearms and narcotics related charges. Numerous agencies helped with the investigation including the Caswell County (North Carolina) Sheriffs Office, the Burlington Police Department, the Greensboro Police Department, the Danville Commonwealths Attorneys office and the United States Attorneys Office for the Western District of Virginia. While authorities continue to investigate, Harrell is believed to be the only suspect. Nearly two years ago, a fire that started on private property consumed 90 acres in the mountains of North Carolina 70 of which were on federal land in the Nantahala National Forest, prosecutors said. Now, a 42-year-old man has been convicted on charges he intentionally started the blaze. A federal jury found Casey Lee Evans guilty on Thursday after a three-day trial in the Western District of North Carolina, court filings show. The charge carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office. Evans, who was taken into federal custody after the verdict was announced, could not be reached for comment. A defense attorney appointed to represent him declined to comment in a statement to McClatchy News Jan. 7. Prosecutors said the fire started on April 3, 2020, near Cals Cove Road in Franklin, which sits in the Nantahala National Forest about 68 miles southwest of Asheville. A second fire in Pisgah National Forest started around the same time, according to a news release from the U.S. Forest Service. Rangers initially said the Cals Cove fire was estimated at 30 acres and had spread from private property into U.S. Forest Service land in the Nantahala Ranger District. About 25 firefighters and a Forest Service helicopter were called to quell the blaze, which was dubbed the Cals Creek Fire. The next day, the Forest Service said, the fire was estimated at 90 acres with 70% contained and 35 firefighters on scene. It reached 90% containment by April 6, 2020. Prosecutors said the blaze burned for several days before it was successfully extinguished, consuming about 70 acres of federal land and 20 acres of private property. Chaos in the courtroom Evans wasnt indicted until a year later. His defense attorney said in court documents that he acknowledged his responsibility for starting the fire in question immediately. Evans also continued to live at the house on the property where the fire reportedly began until he was arrested on April 24. Evans remained in jail until he was arraigned before a judge four days later, court documents show. Prosecutors requested he be evaluated for competency to stand trial, and the hearing was continued until April 30 so both parties could prepare. During the second hearing, a special agent with the Forest Service was called to testify, prompting Evans to begin objecting loudly, the judge said in court documents. Evans was reportedly reminded that anything he said could be used against him, and the judge threatened him with removal. Evans lawyer was given a moment to speak with him, during which time the judge said he remained agitated and did not appear to want to speak quietly and confidentially with his attorney. He then began using profanity, making outbursts and yelling obscenities before the judge called a deputy to remove him from the courtroom, which he reportedly resisted. Defendant continued to yell loud obscenities as he was taken out of the courtroom and moved through the halls of the courthouse, the judge said. Evans was subsequently committed to a mental health facility for a psychiatric examination, court documents show. A forensic psychologist at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in New York determined he was competent to stand trial, and the case began to move forward again in October. The judge found Evans in contempt of court for his outburst during the April 30 hearing which he reportedly apologized for during a later appearance and he was sentenced to 30 days in prison. Going to trial The case went to trial on Jan. 4. During testimony, Evans said he was clearing brush on his property when the fire started and didnt know it was federal land. Indeed, Mr. Evans is aware of no federal or state statute that would generally prohibit him from burning brush on his own land, his defense attorney said in court filings. The jury returned its verdict two days later, finding him guilty on one count of timber set afire meaning he willfully and without authority did set on fire timber, underbrush and grass upon lands owned by the United States, court documents show. Evans was taken into custody immediately after the verdict, and his defense attorney has since filed a request for his release while they await sentencing. His attorney said Evans absence has worked a severe hardship on the family in that he keeps up the property on which they live, including cleaning up fallen branches and leaves and maintaining generators and other equipment used by the household. His mother has stated that she is unable to maintain the property and it is falling into disrepair without Mr. Evans assistance, attorneys said in the motion. Evans attorney said he hasnt done anything dangerous or illegal since his indictment, nor is he likely to flee. Court documents show a judge has not ruled on the request as of Jan. 7. Updated 8:13 p.m. LIBERTY A Southeast Guilford High School student was injured Wednesday when a school bus ran off the road and overturned, the Highway Patrol said. The 16-year-old student was taken to Moses Cone Hospital for minor injuries, the patrol said in a news release. Troopers said the bus driver, 74-year-old Mary Delores White of Julian, also had minor injuries but was not taken to a hospital. Troopers responded just before 5 p.m. to a report of a crash on Smithwood Road near Lake Juno Road in Guilford County. White was driving west on Smithwood Road when the bus went off the road to the right, struck a culvert then crossed to the other side of the road and overturned, troopers said. The crash remains under investigation and charges are pending, the patrol said. Smithwood Road was closed for nearly three hours during the investigation. A Guilford County Schools bus carrying one student was involved in an accident Wednesday afternoon, according to media reports and district officials. Bus No. 1456 was involved in an accident with the driver and one student on board, district spokesman Janson Silvers confirmed. WGHP-Channel 8 is reporting that the Southeast High School bus crashed Wednesday afternoon on Smithwood Road in Liberty near the intersection of Lowe Mail Road. Video on the station's website shows a bus on its side in a ditch. A 16-year-old passenger was taken to Moses Cone Hospital with minor injuries, the TV station reported. The Guilford County Sheriff's Office did not respond to a request for information early Wednesday evening. No further details were available. A North Carolina firefighter known for his dedication to his community spent weeks in the hospital with COVID-19. Chris Hoover, a battalion chief with the Asheboro Fire Department, died on Jan. 8, more than a month after contracting the disease. He was 47, officials said. Hoover is remembered as a dad and longtime firefighter in Asheboro. He loved fishing and spending time on the pier at the Waterway Campground with his friends and his extended family, Ridge Funeral Home & Cremation Service said in an obituary on its website. Mostly he loved spending time with his family and friends, especially his girls. When he wasnt with relatives, officials said Hoover also served the nearby Ash-Rand Rescue Squad & EMS and the Tabernacle Volunteer Fire Department. Anytime you had a question, he was right there, said Samantha East, an Asheboro Fire Department spokesperson who worked at Tabernacle. As far as being a leader, he wasnt one of those that would just tell you to go do this or do that, he would jump in there and help you do it. In the Asheboro department, East didnt always cross paths with Hoover but said he was considered as a big brother to some. He had a big heart, East told McClatchy News in a phone interview. But at the same time, he loved to play jokes on us because we are a family here. We do live together pretty much. We work 10 days a month together, 24-hour shifts. Hoover had worked for the Asheboro department for 24 years and became battalion chief in 2016. He also spent the past two decades with Tabernacle, according to his obituary. After Hoovers death, the departments were among several sharing their condolences on social media. Asheboro officials in a news release thanked those who had offered supportive messages. It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Battalion Chief Chris Hoover after a hard-fought battle with COVID-19, the department wrote in a Facebook post. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Hoover family. The nearby Ramseur Fire Department said: He was respected by so many and will be greatly missed. Also weighing in was the Fire & Rescue Management Institute at UNC-Charlotte, which listed Hoover as a 2019 graduate. Our prayers of comfort and love are with Chriss family and his fire service family, the program said. Hoovers life was cut short after he was hospitalized with coronavirus-related complications in late November. He died at UNC Medical Center in Chapel Hill, officials said. The Asheboro Fire Department in a news release didnt say whether Hoover was vaccinated against COVID-19. Health officials have urged all eligible adults to get their shots to help protect them from getting seriously sick. Collinsons Priority Pass has launched a global tie-up with CarTrawler, the global B2B provider of technology solutions for the travel industry, offering members access to CarTrawler services through the Priority Pass app. The partnership represents a push towards creating a seamless travel experience for Members by going beyond the airport to enhance the overall customer journey. With 56,000 locations worldwide, CarTrawler leverages a network of over 2,200 car rental and mobility providers to ensure optimal availability and pricing allowing for travellers to choose from a range of add-on transport options that best suit their needs, budget and schedule. The service will be available globally to all Priority Pass Members in 42 different languages and includes car rental and a variety of airport transfer options, including shuttle and on-demand ride-hailing. The new global partnership gives Priority Pass Members the added value of a streamlined travel experience, which enables them to book ground-based transport effortlessly, and is accessible within each market that Priority Pass has a presence, including the GCC region. Members in the GCC gain access to competitive rates from multiple car rental and mobility providers such as Careem, Avis and Hertz and Members can use any valid payment card to hire their vehicle or pay for their transfer. Collinson is dedicated to continually innovating our range of premium travel experiences, to meet the rapidly changing needs of todays traveller. More specifically our customers are looking for enhanced, digitally enabled, end-to-end customer experiences. This partnership with CarTrawler directly responds to that need, providing a market-leading benefit, beyond the airport, delivered directly into their hands via our Priority Pass app, said Christopher Evans, Joint CEO at Collinson. The travel industry is rapidly changing, and with it are consumers demands. Due to Covid-19, travel can be quite stressful, so it is more important than ever to provide travellers with solutions that make their journey relaxed and stress-free. Our global research, The Return Journey, highlighted that todays traveller is willing to pay for services and experiences that make their journey more seamless. For example, a third (30%) of UAE travellers said that they are willing to pay extra to have access to a quiet area where they can sit and relax. The same sentiment is also seen in Saudi Arabia where over one in three would pay for airport lounge access (37%). The survey also highlights that 22% of travellers in the UAE and 27% in Saudi would be willing to pay for transport to and from the airport that is supplied by a travel brand or vendor, and so we are proud to partner with CarTrawler as we continue to enrich the customer journey at every step, said Priyanka Lakhani, Senior Vice President Commercial, EMEA. CarTrawler CCO Aileen McCormack commented: CarTrawlers purpose is driving successful partnerships, so we are excited to partner with Priority Pass on this seamless customer proposition for their Members. Not only does it provide the broadest choice and breadth of car rental and mobility options to Priority Passs Members around the world; it also enables us to use our world class technology to curate a best-in-class traveller journey which eliminates the stress and worry which travellers are facing today. As the travel industry looks to recover from the global pandemic, a partnership like this is important to help get the industry back to where it needs to be. Todays partnership announcement is yet another example of how Priority Pass is improving customer journeys - by creating relevant, personalised and premium end-to-end experiences.-- TradeArabia News Service A man entered the cockpit of an American Airlines plane in Honduras and caused damage while the aircraft was at the gate, the airline said in a statement. After doing damage, the passenger attempted to jump out of a window, American Airlines spokesperson Sarah Jantz told CNN. The incident occurred as the flight was boarding for Miami, the airline statement said. "Crew members intervened and the individual was ultimately apprehended by local law enforcement," the statement said. A replacement aircraft was making its way to Honduras and the flight was rescheduled for a later time, the airline said. "We applaud our outstanding crew members for their professionalism in handling a difficult situation," it added. The reason for the attack wasn't given, although airlines have been dealing with a surge in incidents involving unruly passengers amid the Covid-19 pandemic, especially as personnel are now tasked with enforcing mask rules and other Covid-related protocols. In 2021, the Federal Aviation Administration reported it received more than 5,980 complaints of unruly passengers. The agency said it received 4,290 masks-related incident reports last year and there were 1,075 investigations initiated -- more than five times as many as in 2020. As part of efforts to discourage bad behavior, the FAA and the Transportation Security Administration announced last month that travelers who cause difficulties can lose their TSA PreCheck credentials, saying that the procedure is a "privilege reserved for low-risk travelers." Passengers who create problems are also subject to fines and individual airlines can ban certain travelers. *** CNN's Taylor Barnes contributed to this report. The-CNN-Wire & 2022 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved. Infertility affects about 12% of women aged 15 to 44 in the United States, and couples can spend tens of thousands of dollars seeking help from medical experts during their journey. NASCARs Kyle and Samantha Busch know this story all too well. The couple experienced issues with infertility while trying to get pregnant with their first child in 2014. They made the decision to seek help through in vitro fertilization shortly after. We tried to have children naturally for quite a while, and it wasnt working. So ultimately we had to go through the route of IVF, Samantha Busch told CharlotteFive recently. In going through that, we realized its not only a physical and emotional struggle, but the financial hurdles are also crazy and things add up so fast, and insurance doesnt cover any of it. The Busch family welcomed their first son, Brexton, in 2015. The joy the couple felt in being able to have their own bundle of joy inspired them to launch the Bundle of Joy Fund an organization created in September 2015 to provide grants to Charlotte-area families seeking IVF due to infertility. They recently hosted their annual fundraiser with a theme of Vegas Baby where they announced that Bundle of Joy has helped over 80 families with IVF costs. More than $1 million has been raised. And Baby No. 48 in the group was born only a few weeks ago. Bundle of Joy Funds impact on Charlotte families To distribute the money, Bundle of Joy partners with The Reach Clinic in Charlotte and Lake Norman. Several factors contribute to the selection process, including the overall medical and financial needs of the applicants. Applicants also complete an essay, and a panel reviews it all before making a decision. Many of them (Bundle of Joy recipients) have said this is life-changing, Kyle Busch said. Them not having the means to go through it themselves, they would never be able to have children. So, with us being able to raise money and raise awareness, it has been very rewarding to be able to do that. In a short video presentation, Samantha Busch could be seen presenting Bundle of Joy families with checks for tens of thousands of dollars, explaining that the foundation wanted to help them along their IVF journey. Recipients were overwhelmed with emotions, knowing they had financial backing during a stressful time. Its not just about the money Of course, the grants are the main focus, but it is also about education and empowerment, Samantha Busch said. This is why we share our story openly, so other women will feel comfortable asking questions or talking about it, and finding the support groups they require. This community is amazing. The families get together for birthdays, theres a Bundle of Joy annual gathering and even a Facebook group for them to keep in touch. The families have now built a culture around this fund, Samantha Busch said. Kyle and Samanthas infertility journey When Kyle and Samantha Busch began their fertility journey, they found they each had presenting factors that affected their ability to conceive naturally. We started IVF shortly after we found out that I had male factor and she (Samantha) had female factor. That was around February or March 2014, Kyle Busch said. We then started the process of shots and preparing. Our son was implanted in September and born in May 2015. Since then, we have had five other rounds that have not taken, so its not 100% success rate each time. The couple also shared news during the Vegas Baby fundraiser that during their last round of treatments, they decided to move forward again with a gestational carrier who is now 19 weeks pregnant with a baby girl. Brexton is so excited to become a big brother, Samantha Busch said. RALEIGH The legal fight over North Carolinas redistricting plans shifted quickly to the state Supreme Court the day after trial judges refused to throw out the new maps. By Wednesday, nearly half of the justices had been asked by lawyers to stay out of upcoming deliberations because of alleged conflicts. Plaintiffs in the case filed appeal notices with the states highest court almost immediately after Tuesdays ruling by a three-judge panel that allowed the use of congressional and legislative districts approved by the Republican-controlled General Assembly for upcoming elections. The court already signaled last month to expect a fast-moving hearing schedule. State election officials have said they need final maps in place by mid-February to keep the once-postponed primary election now set for May 17 on time. State law would give legislators two weeks to address any unlawful districts. Lawyers for Republican legislative leaders asked Wednesday that Associate Justice Anita Earls be recused because of previous ties to groups involved with the plaintiffs. They had already demanded that Associate Justice Sam Ervin IV step away because as the only sitting member running for reelection this year the courts decisions could affect when elections hell be competing in are scheduled. And attorneys for a group of voters who challenged the maps repeated late Tuesday their call to remove Associate Justice Phil Berger Jr. because his father, Senate leader Phil Berger of Eden, is a named defendant and whose district is among those being challenged. Registered Democrats hold a 4-3 seat advantage on the Supreme Court, so any departure would be significant. Berger is a Republican. Earls and Ervin are Democrats. State law requires at least four justices to conduct business. Recusals received intense scrutiny in recent months after the state NAACP asked the younger Berger and another Republican justice be disqualified from a case challenging two constitutional amendments approved by voters in 2018. Bergers father also was a lawsuit defendant. Those motions led the court to ask lawyers about the recusal process and whether it should be changed. Ultimately the court boiled down the process in late December to two options: an individual justice can either decide on a motion or ask the rest of the court to do so on their behalf. Last week, Berger and Associate Justice Tamara Barringer separately wrote they could be fair and impartial and wouldnt step aside. Berger noted that his father was a defendant in his official capacity as Senate leader just like he is in the redistricting litigation. Lawyers for voters in the remapping case wrote Tuesday the older Bergers involvement in this case is even more personal. They are directly challenging Bergers Senate district as a unconstitutional and partisan, and the success or failure of the statewide Senate map could affect whether a Republican majority continues, they wrote. A reasonable observer would not believe that Justice Berger can neutrally resolve a constitutional challenge to the boundaries of the specific district under which his father is elected, and to the districts statewide that determine his fathers leadership position in the General Assembly, according to the motion. According to Republican legislative leaders, Earls should be recused because the National Democratic Redistricting Committee endorsed her for justice when she ran in 2018 and has been raising money for redistricting litgation. Earls also helped create the Southern Coalition for Social Justice, which for years challenged legislation passed by Republicans. Because of (Earls) record of public advocacy against the legislative defendants, any reasonable observer would think she could not be anything but partial to the plaintiffs in this case, the GOP leaders lawyers wrote. RALEIGH Durham County is investigating a physicians tenure as the countys public health medical director following a 20-count federal indictment accusing her of committing Medicare fraud at her private practice. From Dec. 19, 2019, to Dec. 31, 2021, Dr. Anita Jackson served as medical and laboratory director at the Durham County Public Health Department. She oversaw all clinical functions of the department with a focus on the countys response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Jackson was indicted last week and charged by federal prosecutors with billing Medicare roughly $46 million for medical services at Greater Carolina Ear, Nose and Throat through fraudulent means, the indictment in federal court alleges. The practice generated at least $5.4 million from the services, which were sinus treatments. The charges accuse her of identity theft, mail fraud, deceiving regulators and patients as well as falsifying medical documents from 2014 through 2018 at her practices in Raleigh, Lumberton and Rockingham. The indictment further alleges Jackson netted hundreds of thousands of dollars by reusing balloon devices inserted into patients noses that came into contact with mucus and other bodily secretions, despite the devices being authorized for single-use only. Durham County officials only learned of the indictment when they read about it in the newspaper. The health department transitioned from having its medical director as a contracted position to a permanent full-time job. Jackson was paid a total of $540,982.84 over three consecutive contract periods for her work, according to the county. Her contract work did not include any financial transactions of behalf of the health department. As medical and laboratory director, Jackson described herself on her LinkedIn profile as playing an integral role in the countys pandemic response with expertise on COVID-19 testing in historically marginalized populations. Jackson, who has received degrees from the University of Illinois and Harvard, has worked as an otolaryngologist or doctor specializing in the medical and surgical care of the ears, nose and throat for over 20 years. Efforts to reach Jackson or her attorney by phone. A receptionist at Greater Carolina Ear, Nose and Throat who picked up the phone hung up at first and then declined to connect The News & Observer to Jackson in a second call. Her attorney told a local media outlet that the charges were bogus and an evil prosecutorial indictment. Jackson worked at UNC-Chapel Hill as a research professor at the Eshelman School of Pharmacy from May 2017 to July 2019, a university spokesperson said. The university would not say whether Jackson left the faculty voluntarily or not. Her tenure as faculty member overlaps with the period investigated by federal prosecutors at her practice. The university has not yet said when it learned of the federal accusations against Jackson. In 2005, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina sued Jackson for allegedly overcharging the insurer millions of dollars through fraud. Jackson countersued, and the initial case was settled out of court in 2009. An outside group is pouring money into North Carolinas Republican U.S. Senate primary in an effort to back one of the races lesser-known candidates: political newcomer and combat veteran Marjorie Eastman. The group, Restore Common Sense Inc., has spent roughly $1 million in the last month backing Eastman, according to Federal Election Commission filings. The group paid for a full-page ad takeover on The News & Observers and The Charlotte Observers homepages Wednesday. Its spending will also fund billboards, radio ads and social media ads backing Eastman, according to FEC filings. The political action committees ads on behalf of Eastman are the latest indication that spending in North Carolinas Senate race will set record highs. This seat is one of a handful among other swing states that may determine whether Republicans take control of the U.S. Senate for the remaining two years of President Joe Bidens term and hamper his first-term agenda. One of the states two seats is up for grabs in 2022, replacing the retiring Republican Sen. Richard Burr of Winston-Salem. Our enemies view America as weak, a Restore Common Sense-funded ad backing Eastman reads. Restore Common Sense in Washington D.C. Elect Marjorie Eastman for U.S. Senate. Listed as a contact for Restore Common Sense Inc. is Fred Eshelman, a Wilmington executive who founded a pharmaceutical company, who also reportedly gave $2 million to a group trying to root out voter fraud. He has since sued that group, True the Vote, saying it did not spend his money as advertised, the Washington Post reported. Eshelman did not respond to a request for comment. Eastman is running behind other candidates in the Republican primary, according to a recent poll commissioned by one of her opponents, former Gov. Pat McCrory. Club for Growth Action, another outside spending group, has spent millions backing another of Eastmans opponents, Rep. Ted Budd. Former President Donald Trump endorsed Budd last summer, and the group has run ads advertising the former presidents support. Club for Growth Action spent more than $3.5 million between January and November last year in support of Budd. RALEIGH Susan Rouse, an inmate at North Carolinas largest prison for women, reports that neither she nor the 100-plus prisoners in her unit can receive boosters for COVID-19 despite repeated requests and the rapid spread of the virus. In December, according to Rouse, she even signed a document stating she had received her shot on the promise that it was coming soon. But after filing a grievance with the N.C. Correctional Institute for Women, which houses roughly 1,700 people at capacity, she remains on medical quarantine without the boosters protection. People are getting sick, and thats not what theyre telling the news, said Rouse, 74, who is serving a 14-year term for embezzlement. I dont want my obituary to say Susan Rouse died in NC Correctional Institute for Women. Rouses experience in the prisons minimum-security Canary Unit, which houses inmates on work-release, is corroborated by family and friends of at least two other inmates there. The prison in southeast Raleigh has seen multiple outbreaks since the pandemics beginning, and three people there tested positive for COVID-19 over a weekend in early January. Multiple inmates say they have been told there will be no more testing. Theyre scared, said Kerwin Pittman, director of policy for Emancipate NC, a nonprofit social justice group with a client in the Canary Unit. As of Thursday, the N.C. Department of Public Safety reported it had vaccinated more than 21,000 of its roughly 29,000 inmates statewide. Its COVID-19 dashboard shows 773 active cases or 2.7% of the total prison population. In December, Commissioner Todd Ishee noted that almost 77% of the offender population is vaccinated. And our staff have proven themselves to be heroes during this prolonged public health emergency, he wrote. But the vaccination numbers do not include booster shots, said John Bull, a spokesman for the prison system. He noted every inmate in the Canary Unit has been tested for COVID-19 between Jan. 3 and Jan. 11 some more than once. Keep in mind offenders in that housing unit are under medical quarantine because they were potentially exposed to others in that housing unit who tested positive, Bull said in an email. As a result, they do not interact with offenders in other housing units while they are kept under close medical observation and tested again if they show symptoms of COVID-19. At the womens prison in Raleigh, the state reports 46 active cases, up eight from Wednesday. Nobody in the Canary Unit has gotten a booster, Rouse said, and despite being confined to their dorms, inmates are increasingly being removed. She added that prisoners are getting their temperatures taken on their foreheads as a precaution but others report no regular COVID-19 tests are happening. I guess if you run a fever, youre out, Rouse said. I think they are scrambling. Even before the omicron variant, inmates reported tight conditions worsened by pandemic. Kimberly Ann Case, who got out of the womens prison on Nov. 28, said she asked for a booster shot near the time of her release because her mother lived in a nursing home and was vulnerable to the spread. They would not give me one, she said. She also reported difficulty getting tested. Unless you have a fever, she said, they will not give one. These days, we have Denzel Washington. We have Viola Davis, Kevin Hart and Jamie Foxx. We have Octavia Spencer, Regina King and Samuel L. Jackson. We have Idris Elba, Lupita Nyongo, Taraji P. Henson, Michael B. Jordan, Mahershala Ali, Tiffany Haddish and Will Smith. We have, in other words, a bounty of bona fide, mainstream Black movie stars. But once upon a time, we African Americans had only one. His name was Sidney Poitier, and he died last week at the age of 94. Praises have been raining upon his name ever since, and deservedly so. As an actor, Poitier was known for an economy of expression and movement that could be shattered at any moment by a sudden volcanic intensity. As a social activist, he was brave, supporting the civil rights movement and using his art to illuminate and explore provocative racial themes. And he was a path breaker: first African American to be voted the nations top box-office attraction, first Black man to win the Academy Award for best actor, which he took home for 1963s Lilies of the Field. But to fully appreciate what Sidney Poitier meant to us, at least you have to understand what it was like back when he was the only one. You have to know why Jet magazine felt it necessary to run a page listing the Negro performers who would be on television that week. You have to remember how word that the Temptations or Supremes were going to be on The Ed Sullivan Show was enough to make you alert all your friends. You have to understand why Martin Luther King said, You cannot, when Nichelle Nichols told him she was leaving her role as Uhura on Star Trek. In other words, you have to have some sense of how it was to be Black in mainstream American culture. Which is to say, largely invisible. From the porters toting Jimmy Stewarts bags in Mr. Smith Goes to Washington to the maid Mae West commands to Peel me a grape in Im No Angel, Black film characters were almost always servile and incidental, orbiting the main action like satellites until it was time to serve coffee or provide comic relief. In a society that draws so much of its sense of the world and of itself from what it sees onscreen, to be unseen there or to be seen only in demeaning caricature is, in a very real sense, not to exist. Culturally speaking, it is a kind of death. In his years of greatest impact the late 1950s through the 60s Poitier required the movie-going world to see Black people. In those years, the Miami-born Bahamian actor was a doctor, a teacher and a soldier, a cop, a convict and a warmhearted handyman. In other words, he embodied Blackness in all its shades of humanity and did so with an unyielding insistence upon his own and therefore, upon our dignity and worth. As they say these days, he represented. It is not an easy thing to represent. Indeed, it is an unfair albeit often necessary burden. To represent a people to be their avatar in unwelcoming places is to surrender some of your own prerogatives as an individual, your ability to act according to your own tastes and moods without need of calculating whether that will adversely impact the millions of people whose hopes are embodied in you. Yet Sidney Poitier did exactly that. Indeed, he bore upon himself the needs and aspirations of an entire people with singular grace and class. For so many years, he was the only one we had. As it turned out, he was also the only one we would need. Leonard Pitts Jr. is a columnist for the Miami Herald, 3511 NW 91st Ave., Miami, FL, 33172. Readers may contact him at lpitts@miamiherald.com. Online travel agencies (OTAs), reeling under Covids impact, face further strain from the growing presence of Google in the market, and how the tech giants control could impact competitivity and, therefore, consumer choice. According to GlobalData, the OTA market value decreased by a woe-some 60.4% year-on-year (YoY) in 2020. Ralph Hollister, Travel and Tourism Analyst at GlobalData, comments: Googles growing presence in online travel will be ominous for OTAs that have no choice but to rely on the search engine for web traffic. Regulators are starting to control Google's practices, but the company has to be treated differently due to its position as a dominant search engine, as well as the fact that it is not offering directly competing services. Low competition can lead to rising prices, so it is vital for all travelers that the right balance is achieved. Laura Petrone, Thematic Analyst at GlobalData, comments: Google certainly has a huge responsibility when it comes to competitivity. Google has a monopoly over internet searches, and it has been accused many times of violating competition law to preserve this monopoly. Digital platforms like Google can use data generated knowledge from one market and taking advantage of their scale, they can expand their services to new markets. However, they need to be careful: in doing so they end up attracting even more regulatory scrutiny, as they are viewed as data monopolies in whichever sector they move into. From 2015 to 2019, the OTA market was seeing growth of 9.4% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), reaching $480.3 billion. This rapid growth rate and future growth potential intensified Googles focus on online travel. By 2019, the OTA market was already blaming weakened visibility in Google search results for poor third quarter earnings. Expedia Groups net income fell by 22% YoY in Q3 2019, which it partially blamed on changes to Googles algorithm, resulting in lost visibility. Hollister continued: Google really ramped up its activity in online travel prior to the pandemic. When looking at 2019 alone, Google launched its Travel Hub, added flight check-in and hotel booking abilities to Google Assistant, attached lodging listings to its Maps function, created a search site for hotel availability by destination, and Alphabet even launched its own ride hailing app. Google clearly has both the business model and capital needed to better weather an event like Covid-19: by 2020, Alphabets (Googles parent company) revenue was over 15 times the amount of Bookings and Expedias combined. Struggling OTAs will rely more and more heavily on Google Search traffic as they look to recover from the impact of the pandemic. Google will have to be mindful not to expand or act too aggressively in the short-term, or it will face more frequent anti-competitive claims, lawsuits, and fines.-- TradeArabia News Service A Helena car wash was fined $2,819 by the Occupational Health and Safety Administration for a June incident in which a worker lost part of his leg, officials said Wednesday. Woodys Car Wash did not ensure each employee less than 4 feet above dangerous equipment was protected from falling into the equipment when the equipment was not covered, according to the Oct. 19 OSHA citation. OSHA also noted that on the day of and before the June 29 incident, employees were exposed to amputation hazards while working near the exposed opening on the vehicle track. Attempts to reach Woodys management on Wednesday were unsuccessful. In July they said they take our workplace safety obligations seriously and were devastated by the accident and the injury to our employee. They also said they "immediately modified the equipment involved in the injury, Levi Gadaire was on the drying end of the car wash. He said a pickup truck had come through the line and he had his normal walking boots on rather than his water-repellent shoes. He went to the side of the truck. He said his leg fell into an open hole where the rollers go and got caught. He lost his right leg, below the knee. Doctors said they could not reattach the leg. Gadaire said in July he planned to return to Woodys, where he could possibly work in the booth or chat with customers until he graduates from college. His goal is to get his bachelors degree in computer science. On Wednesday he said he had yet to return to work, but added he recently had a second surgery and was expecting to get a prosthetic leg soon. Im glad they didnt get fined huge, Gadaire, 47, said Wednesday of the fee levied by OSHA against the car wash. He said he was doing well and was still living with his mother in Boulder and taking computer classes. He said his Gofundme page was still up at https://bit.ly/3qmOjXK. Gadaire said he is often asked if he wants to return to Woodys and says he tells folks: Yes, because I can do school and work at the same time. I can kill two birds with one stone, he said. Assistant editor Phil Drake can be reached at 406-231-9021. Love 6 Funny 2 Wow 0 Sad 6 Angry 5 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Montana Conservation Voters Action Fund, a registered political committee, is facing a fine for failing to timely report expenditures supporting municipal election candidates in Helena, Missoula and Billings last year. MCVAF is negotiating with the Montana Commissioner of Political Practices on a fine to be paid by the organization. The organization sent out campaign mailers within Helena supporting Mayor Wilmot Collins and city commission candidates Eric Feaver and Melinda Reed. All three candidates later won the election. The mailers said they were were "Paid for by Montana Conservation Voters Action Fund." The organization also paid for live phone calls to voters during the 2021 campaign season in support of Feaver and Reed. MCVAF spent nearly $9,000 in the Helena municipal elections last year. The organization also spent money on similar ads and actions in the Missoula and Billings municipal elections. As a registered political committee, the group is permitted to engage in these political actions. However, it failed to report its expenses as required. Helena resident David Nielsen filed a campaign practices complaint against MCVAF in late December. The commissioner determined that the group did in fact neglect to report its expenditures and referred the case to the Lewis and Clark County Attorney's Office. The case can be waived back to COPP to be resolved by payment of a negotiated fine. The case will return to the commissioner's desk if the county attorney takes no action within 30 days. In a statement, Jake Brown, MCVAF's political director based in Helena, said his organization supports Montana's campaign finance laws and "our state's long tradition of transparency." "Unfortunately, our vendor failed to submit the required reports related to our work in Helena," Brown wrote in the statement. "As soon as we learned of his mistake, we submitted the reports, terminated the vendor, and are working to improve our processes so this doesn't happen again. We regret this error, but we'll continue our work protecting public lands, clean air, clean water and voting rights." Of the more than $30,224 MCVAF spent in campaign expenditures, more than $30,044 was reported 50 days after Election Day, according to the commissioner's filings. Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 1 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. After announcing plans to take over Montana Rail Link, BNSF Railway Co. officials said they will keep the MRL employees now working in Helena and at their current locations throughout the state. We recognize the value of MRL employees skills and experience, and our intent is for them to continue to work at their current locations, Lena Kent, general director of public affairs for BNSF, said Tuesday. Since 1987, the two companies had what they described as a unique lease arrangement in which Montana Rail Link leased and operated the tracks owned by BNSF between Huntley, Montana and Sandpoint, Idaho. BNSF announced Monday that the lease is ending and that it will resume operations and maintenance of its mainline rail corridor. Katie Farmer, president and CEO of BNSF, said the line will become the "MRL Subdivision" in "recognition of the shared heritage of BNSF and MRL." BNSF has committed to keeping all of Montana Rail Link's 1,200 employees in their current jobs with similar pay, benefits and other terms of employment, Montana Rail Link officials said. The agreement must be approved by the U.S. Surface Transportation Board. This agreement protects our workers, our customers, and our long-term commitment to safety, and it will ensure a more seamless operation of rail services in Montana, Derek Ollmann, president of MRL, said Monday in a news release. Helena is one of the primary locations in the state for Montana Rail Link, with a facility at 1500 Railroad Ave. and about 60 employees in the Queen City. Other primary locations include Billings/Laurel, Livingston and Missoula. Ollmann said there have been many changes in the rail industry since this long-term lease was signed, and given the need to be competitive in the current environment, we believe that this was the right time to revisit our longstanding agreement with BNSF. Montana Rail Link officials said that more than 90% of the loads moved on its leased line were on behalf of BNSF. Montana Rail Link officials said one train is the equivalent of 300 semi-trucks, and the trains move the equivalent of 40,000 semi-trucks each week. Montana Rail Link said on its website that it has about 1,300 employees with an annual payroll of $127.8 million and pays $12.3 million in property taxes. It operated more than 900 miles of track in Montana and Idaho. Founded in 1987 by Dennis Washington, it is a Class 2 regional railroad headquartered in Missoula and serves nearly 150 Montana businesses, connecting them with domestic and international markets. Railroads in the United States are based on their operating revenues. Class 2 railroads have annual operating revenue of less than $489,935,956 and more than $39,194,876. They are also "line haul" carriers that maintain at least 350 route miles, according to the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association. Helenas Montana Rail Link workforce includes mechanical employees who service, inspect and fuel locomotives used in helper, local and road operations. The transportation service in Helena includes crews that run the helper service over the pass, service local industries, and provide switching services. MRLs maintenance-of-way workforce performs track inspection, track maintenance, and other activities in the Helena area in order to ensure the safe movement of trains. The signal crews respond to service interruptions and ensure the proper operation of MRL signal and communications equipment, including active-warning devices at vehicle crossings. According to the MRL website, track laborers start at $21.84 an hour, signal apprentices at $21.11, switchman trainees at $29.1 and mechanical apprentices are $22.27 an hour. Members of the Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority, which includes 17 member counties looking at expanding passenger rail service through southern Montana, briefly discussed BNSF taking over Montana Rail Link at its meeting Wednesday. Chair Dave Strohmaier was asked if this would impact the group's efforts. He said representatives from BNSF and Montana Rail Link were expected to attend the authority's next meeting. He said the group would work with both companies through the transition. "Burlington Northern Santa Fe has a long track record across the nation of working collaboratively with passenger rail interests, and I suspect that will continue with our efforts here in the state of Montana and beyond," he said. "My glass is half full that we will have a good working relationship going forward and that working relationship will be with a partner who has a tremendous amount of experience in this area." Assistant editor Phil Drake can be reached at 406-231-9021. Love 4 Funny 0 Wow 2 Sad 4 Angry 0 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Note: This story has been updated after the Montana State News Bureau learned the Department of Corrections' COVID-19 tracking page went without an update between September and December in 2021. The Montana Department of Corrections reported 99 new COVID-19 cases among inmates and staff in its prison facilities across the state since late September. Montana State Prison, the secure men's facility outside Deer Lodge, has seen 24 cases among inmates since Sept. 17. Twenty-two staff have also contracted the virus in that time, according to the state corrections department, which posts its COVID-19 testing results online. The facility has 1,600 beds. Since Sept. 17, eight cases have also turned up in inmates at the Montana Women's Prison in Billings, along with six in Pine Hills Youth Correctional Facility in Miles City and 14 in the Riverside Special Needs Unit in Boulder. Two staff at the women's prison have tested positive, along with 10 at Pine Hills and 13 at Riverside since that time. The Montana Department of Corrections said in an email Wednesday none of the new cases required any COVID-related hospitalizations of inmates. "The department continues to rely upon guidance from the CDC related to the management of COVID-19 in correctional facilities. The departments Health Services Bureau also consults with the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services and local health departments related to the mitigation of the virus," spokesperson Carolynn Bright said in an email. The corrections department reopened facilities to visitors and volunteers last April, requiring each person to be screened before entry. Prison employees are encouraged to self-screen each day before their shift, the department said in September. The omicron variant has emerged as what appears to be the most contagious strain of COVID-19 yet, although it also seems to be less lethal; 172 Montanans were hospitalized Wednesday and the state reported 9,613 active cases. The Lewis and Clark County Sheriff said Tuesday roughly 30 people, about one-third of people held in the county jail, have tested positive with COVID-19, along with four detention officers. The tally in state prisons brings COVID-19 cases among inmates to 1,062 since the beginning of the pandemic; 319 staff have tested positive in that same time. Six inmates have died from COVID-19, the last death occurring in December 2020. Love 0 Funny 1 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 1 Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Several tribes and Indigenous-rights groups in Montana on Wednesday asked a state district court judge to put the brakes on new election laws that ended Election Day registration and restricted ballot-collection practices in the state. Arguing that the changes will irreparably harm the voting rights of Native Americans living in Montana, the plaintiffs are asking Yellowstone District Court Judge Michael G. Moses to issue an injunction blocking the enforcement of the two laws until a ruling is made on their constitutionality. The American Civil Liberties Union filed the request for a preliminary injunction on behalf of a coalition that includes Western Native Voice, Montana Native Vote and the Blackfeet, Confederated Salish and Kootenai, Fort Belknap Indian Community and Northern Cheyenne tribes. The lawsuit was initially filed by the groups as a challenge to two election-related bills signed into law following the 2021 legislative session. Last month it was consolidated with two other cases challenging Republican-led changes to voting laws. Montana Secretary of State Christi Jacobsen is the defendant in the case. In previous elections, Western Native Voice and Montana Native Vote have both engaged in gathering and turning in absentee ballots to make it easier for Native Americans in the state to vote by mail-in ballots. Other get-out-the-vote groups, including some active on college campuses, also collect and turn in ballots for voters who may have difficulty getting to places to drop off their ballots. Republicans in the Legislature opposed those efforts, which they often refer to as ballot harvesting, as a potential source of voter fraud. After a separate effort to ban the practice failed to advance from the 2021 legislative session, Republicans amended HB 530 to include some of those proposed restrictions. An earlier law, passed through a ballot initiative, had restricted third-party ballot collection in Montana until it was struck down by a state district court judge in 2020. The groups argue in the injunction request that the restrictions will have an outsized impact on Native Americans living on reservations, which are home to thousands of Montana voters who lack equal access to registration and voting opportunities and who experience greater barriers to casting mail ballots. The filing also notes that satellite polling locations hosted by county election offices on reservations often have limited hours and days of operation during the early voting period. Without being able to register on Election Day, the groups argue, those voters are more likely to be forced to travel further than their non-Native counterparts who live off-reservation something that is especially difficult for the disproportionate number of Natives living in Montana who lack access to a vehicle or do not have money for insurance or gasoline. The plaintiffs argue that the new laws pose a sufficient threat to their due process, free speech and other fundamental rights under the state and federal constitutions, that the court should grant the injunction until the constitutional challenges are resolved. The consolidated case also includes a challenge to a new law that added new restrictions to the state's voter identification rules, including requiring students who use their college identification to furnish a secondary form of ID. Another law that limits campaign activities on college campuses is also being challenged in the case. In a statement, ACLU Montana Executive Director Caitlin Borgmann argued that the laws are geared toward making it harder for Native voters to cast their ballots. Montana legislators should be working to broaden access to the polls for all Montanans, including Indigenous voters, Borgmann stated in a press release announcing the court filing. On Wednesday, Jacobsen spokesperson Richie Melby issued a statement from Jacobsen, vowing to defend new election laws and stating that "thousands of Montanans have had their voices heard by casting their votes since state officials implemented Montana's very reasonable election rules." Montanas primary election is scheduled for June 7. School district elections will be held on May 3, and ballots for that election will be sent out beginning on April 13. Love 10 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 4 Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. AMERICAN FALLS, Idaho A Montana man has been charged with felony driving under the influence after prosecutors say he crashed into an eastern Idaho home, injuring a woman who was inside. Patricia Kavanaugh said she was asleep in her American Falls home when a truck crashed through her bedroom wall about 12:45 a.m. on Sunday, EastIdahoNews.com reported. She was thrown from her bed by the impact, and the vehicle's front wheel came to rest on the bed. Kavanaugh said the crash left brick, mortar and glass scattered into her living room. "There were bright lights, and the engine was roaring. There was dust everywhere and blood everywhere," she said. "It took out the whole bedroom wall, completely demolished my bed and threw me eight feet." Kavanaugh was taken by ambulance to a nearby hospital, where she was treated for several injuries. She was released later that day. "I'm bruised and scraped up and hurt like heck," she said, "but I've been hurt this bad falling off a horse really good." American Falls Police Chief Brandon Wilkinson said the Polson man believed to be driving the truck was arrested early Sunday. He has pleaded not guilty and is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on Jan. 25. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 1 After over a dozen homes of Muslims tribals (Gujjar-Bakerwals) were demolished in an eviction drive by the administration in Jammuthe Hindu-dominated winter capital of Jammu and Kashmirthe families have accused the administration of selectively targetting them. Auqib Javeed | TwoCircles.net Support TwoCircles JAMMU A demolition drive in a tribal Muslim locality in Jammu by the Jammu Development Authority (JDA), has sparked protests in the winter capital of Jammu and Kashmir. The demolition drive left over a dozen of tribals (Gujjar and Bakerwals) homeless. Local tribal Muslims accused the SDA of selectively targetting them. Atrocities of tribal muslims in Jammu in the form of selected eviction drives and making them homeless is highly unacceptable action of JDA. We demand strict action against officials involved is this upliftment of Gujjar Bakerwals?@islahmufti @pzfahad @AakashHassan @TribalArmy pic.twitter.com/d7Axiw2wrZ Showkat Choudhary ( ) (@Showkatchodhary) January 12, 2022 Muskan Choudhary, whose house was demolished by the authorities told TwoCricles.net that in the wee hours of January 11, a team of Jammu Development Authority (JDA) along with police demolished their houses with bulldozers without serving any prior notices. We are living here since 1947 and how did we suddenly become encroachers. They destroyed everything including the utensils in which we were serving food to our animals, Choudhary said. Choudhary said that the demolition has left 12 families homeless, who are living under the open sky in this bone-chilling cold. Where will we go? She questioned, adding that We have children, and animals to take care of. This is sheer brutality. On January 11, the JDA along with the Jammu and Kashmir Police demolished over a dozen structures in the Roop Nagar area of the Jammu district. The JDA said that they retrieved 41 Kanal prime land in Roop Nagar. However, the tribals and regional political parties questioned the selective nature of the demolition. In a tweet, former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti said that J&K admins selective demolition of houses in Jammu & rendering tribals homeless is yet another method to vent their hatred by targeting minorities. Seemingly these communal policy decisions are sanctioned at the top. People need to stand up against such atrocities, she tweeted. J&K admins selective demolition of houses in Jammu & rendering tribals homeless is yet another method to vent their hatred by targeting minorities. Seemingly these communal policy decisions are sanctioned at the top. People need to stand up against such atrocities. https://t.co/YRA7EQ2QS8 Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) January 12, 2022 Ravinder SharmaHigh-level Spokesperson of Congress demanded a high-level enquiry into the matter. Why several Tribal families were uprooted in Jammu, after decades of their occupation by JDA, when several unauthorised colonies were regularised in the past in the city. High level enquiry and justice demanded, Sharma tweeted. Why several Tribal families were uprooted in Jammu,after decades of their occupation by JDA, when several unauthorised colonies were regularised in the past in the city. High level enquiry and justice demanded. @OfficeOfLGJandK @INCJammuKashmir Ravinder Sharma (@RavinderJKPCC) January 12, 2022 Another victim of the demolition drive told TwoCircles.net that if they (Govt) intent to go for demolition drive they should have at least served prior notice. Why werent we served any notice. They just came and demolished our houses and left, Arshad Bibi, whose house was demolished said. They didnt let us take our personal belongings from the house, another victim, Seema Bibi said. In a statement, JDA said that the anti-encroachment drive was jointly launched by the District Administration, Police & JDA at Sector-06 Roop Nagar, Tehsil Jammu North and the encroached land falling under khasra No. 1193 and 1206 was retrieved during five hours long anti-encroachment drive. During the drive, out of 17 pacca/kacha structures raised upon the JDA land were also demolished and removed. Around 75 per cent retrieved land was fenced by the JDA engineering team on the spot, reads the statement. Muslims tribals aghast Following the demolition drive, tensions flared up in the area with several tribal activists hitting roads to protest. It may be noted that this is not the first time that the selective demolition drive was launched against the Gujjars. On 18 July 2020 the Finance and Forest Department demolished houses belonging to the Gujjar and Bakarwal community as a part of the demolition drive to root out people living illegally. In January 2021, the administration again launched a demolition drive in the Bathindi and Sunjwan areas of Jammu. Both areas are Muslim dominated. This Vikas of Gujjar Bakerwals is being done in J&K, see people have been made homeless where they will go, Zahid Parwan Choudhary, a tribal activist said. JDA again Started selective eviction drive against Gujjar Bakerwals demolished several houses at upper Palora, near Roop Nagar, Jammu. This Vikas of Gujjar Bakerwals is being done in J&K, see people have been made homeless where they will go. Fake slogans of Dev of GBs r visible pic.twitter.com/CY1eliuifV Zahid Parwaz Choudhary (@ZahidParwaz) January 11, 2022 The anti-encroachment drive was jointly supervised and coordinated by Pankaj Mangotra, VC JDA, Ghansham Singh, ADC (L&O), Jammu, Kulbir Honda, SP Jammu North, Pawan Kotwal, SDM Jammu North, Jai Singh, Tehsildar Jammu North, Simridhi Sharma, Tehsildar JDA, Sh. Shabbir Ahmed Khan, Dy. SP and Sajjad Ahmed, Dy. SP. Auqib Javeed is a journalist based in Kashmir. He tweets at @AuqibJaveed. DECATUR Police say an armed 42-year-old man told officers he sold cocaine to earn the money he needed to support his girlfriend and their child. The man was arrested after police said they spotted his car heading along Eldorado Street around 2 a.m. Sunday without lights. A sworn affidavit signed by Officer Paul Vickers said the vehicle smelled strongly of cannabis, which the man acknowledged he had in the car. He also warned police there was a loaded .380 caliber Ruger handgun in the glove compartment that he didn't have a license for. Also located was a small ... zip-up container with six individually wrapped plastic baggies with a white powdery substance, approximately .2 grams each, Vickers said, also noting a bag of cannabis was tucked into a side pocket of the drivers door. The man was quoted as acknowledging to Vickers that he sold cocaine. (He) informed me he was doing this because he recently got back into a relationship with his childs mother and wanted to help financially support her and their child, the police officer said. He quoted the man as saying he had paid $1,650 for the drug after making a trip to Chicago over Christmas. (He) stated he has been selling cocaine for the past three weeks in Decatur, Vickers added. He stated he brought the two ounces of cocaine back to Decatur and broke it down into small individual packages, approximately .5 grams each, and sold them to people for $10 each. The man was booked on preliminary charges of armed violence, aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, being a felon in possession of a firearm and dealing in cocaine. A check of Macon County Jail records Wednesday showed he remained in custody with bail set at $100,000, meaning he would need to post a bond of $10,000 to be released. Prosecutors had asked for bail to be set at $300,000. All preliminary charges are subject to review by the state attorneys office. Contact Tony Reid at (217) 421-7977. Follow him on Twitter: @TonyJReid Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. SPRINGFIELD A measure before the General Assembly would require new and renovated residential or commercial buildings to set aside parking spaces that could easily be converted into electric vehicle charging stations. Rep. Robyn Gabel, D-Evanston, advanced House Bill 3125 through the House Energy and Environment Committee on Tuesday, noting she would work on an amendment to remove extra language that does not pertain to the parking provision. Under the bill, newly built or extensively renovated residential buildings would have to make all spaces electric vehicle capable, meaning they meet certain wiring requirements. Depending on the size of the parking lot, a certain number of spaces would have to be electric vehicle ready, meaning they contain receptacles with the necessary voltage to install an EV charging station. Residential buildings would be required to have at least six parking spaces ready for installation of charging stations. If there are one to six parking spaces, all spaces would be required to be EV ready. Buildings with 24 parking spaces or more would have to have at least one fully equipped charging station. Commercial buildings would need to set aside 20% of parking for EV ready spaces. Neda Deylami, an EV advocate for the Sierra Club, said the passage of the bill is more urgent than ever to fight climate change and make personal transportation more affordable and convenient. One of the best conveniences of an EV is that you can wake up to a fully charged vehicle in your own home. A privilege that is less certain for renters or those in multifamily homes who tend to have lower incomes overall as well, Deylami said. Gabel said the cost of adding charging stations should not exceed $1,000, but Rep. Carol Ammons, D-Urbana, said she is concerned that extra costs could be created with the construction and installation of EV charging stations. Im concerned that people will start doing significant markups on the installation part of this that we probably wont foresee, and so some kind of control in that would be something Im interested in as you work on this, Ammons said. Deylami said that the bill would help establish guidelines that protect owners and renters from unreasonable restrictions. Building owners would be responsible for obtaining approval from associations in order to install a charging station which must comply with the associations architectural standards and be installed by a licensed contractor. Within 14 days of approval, owners would need to provide a certificate that names the association as an additional insured party. Owners would be responsible for paying for the installation, energy usage, and any damage. But Kristofer Kasten, who represents the Community Associations Institute of Illinois, said his group doesnt oppose electric vehicles but that they have some very practical concerns about financial burdens and how the bill, as drafted, applies to associations. If associations install EV charging stations in common areas for unit owners to use, the bill outlines that the association would need to develop terms of use and may need to create new parking spaces to help with the installation of charging stations. Associations would also be liable to unit owners for damages and would have to pay a civil penalty of up to $1,000. Kasten said he hopes there is a way to address the concerns to not impede building owners and renters. HB 3125 is the latest proposal to support the EV industry. The Clean Energy Jobs Act, signed last year, sets a goal of putting 1 million EVs on Illinois roads by 2030, while the Reimaging Electric Vehicle Act creates incentives for EV manufacturers to expand or relocate to Illinois. The bill passed committee on a partisan roll call, although Gabel said she would continue to work on it before bringing it for a full House vote. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 3 MATTOON The Bible said it best: Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Or even lay it down for fellow passengers on a doomed airliner, which is the message of shining hope, courage and supreme selflessness embodied in the story of Mattoons native son, Arland D. Williams Jr. That story will be celebrated again Thursday at the hometown school named in his honor, the Arland D. Williams Jr. Elementary School. Its part of the school's continuing remembrance of its namesake, and this time it marks the 40th anniversary of the crash of Air Florida Flight 90 on Jan. 13, 1982. The aircraft had just taken off from Washington National Airport in a snowstorm when it lost power and smashed into the 14th Street highway bridge before plunging into the ice-choked waters of the Potomac River. Of the airliners 79 passengers and crew, all but six were killed in the initial impact, along with four motorists on the bridge, a structure later rebuilt and renamed in Williams honor. Six survivors from the plane had been left clinging to the broken tail section, which remained afloat for a while. Williams, a federal bank examiner on his way home to Georgia where he lived, was one of them. Onlookers watched in horror as they struggled to keep their heads above the mind-numbingly cold water. And then a U.S. Park Police helicopter appeared, and lowered a rope. Williams, who was described by the helicopter crew as appearing the most lively and alert, repeatedly guided his fellow survivors to the rope and bypassed the chance to save himself. Some survivors also recalled him praying with them as they waited to be saved. But when the helicopter finally came back for Williams, the last man in the water, the tail section suddenly sank down and the 46-year-old Mattoon man was gone; his body to be recovered later. President Ronald Reagan posthumously awarded him the United States Coast Guard Gold Lifesaving Medal at a White House Oval Office ceremony attended by Williams' mother, Virginia, his father, Arland, and children Arland III and Leslie Ann. Such extraordinary bravery has become the stuff of American legend, right up there with the passengers of United Airlines Flight 93 on Sept. 11, 2001. On that flight, passenger Todd Beamers famous last recorded words were Lets roll as his fellow travelers decided to take on the terrorists who had hijacked their flight. Ordinary people caught in a moment of extreme peril, and inspired to do extraordinary things, just like Williams did those 40 long years ago. I remember being kind of shocked at what happened, said Jack Collinsworth, 87, a Marine veteran and friend of Williams since high school, recalling his reaction to the tragedy of the disaster in the Potomac. But no, it didnt really surprise me that he did what he felt he had to do to help those people in the waters. He was that type of person. He was a great humanitarian, a decent person. He meant no harm to anybody, he always had a smile on his face. He was every ounce a gentleman. Collinsworth, who still lives in Mattoon, was at the elementary school recently to record a video that will be played for the schools more than 700 students, aged from 5 to 11. In it, he talks about the man their school is named after and encourages the students to ask not what someone can do to help them, but what they can do to help someone else. No student could have a better role model than Arland, thats for sure, added Collinsworth. School principal McLain Schaefer said his students will spend Thursday looking at the characteristics that make someone a hero and cause them to be driven to do great things: Were challenging the students with questions like How can you be a hero today in our school? How can you be a hero in our community? At your house?, he added. We have three things we focus on at Williams elementary: one of them is learning, one of them is leading and the other one is service. And were blessed to have a story of service and supreme sacrifice ingrained here in who we are, and we want to continue that legacy of Arland D. Williams. Kris Maleske, community services and parental involvement director for the Mattoon School District, points out a memorabilia collection just inside the schools main entrance. There are all kinds of choice things chronicling Williams heroism, ranging from pictures and a letter from President Reagan to the strangely poignant, like a jet-fuel stained dollar bill a fellow surviving passenger, Joseph Stiley, had in his wallet on that fateful day. Stiley had traveled to Mattoon in 2003 to attend the schools dedication ceremony and meet the Williams family, who were there as honored guests. It brought an emotional response in me that I did not anticipate, Stiley had said of the school dedication. Maleske moves on from the bedraggled dollar to show off a bronze bust of Williams which watches over the school entrance area. Students cant help but glance at it as they shuffle by and fall under its gaze in turn, a timeless reminder that the man who laid down his life for others grew up in their hometown, and learned his values there. Contact Tony Reid at (217) 421-7977. Follow him on Twitter: @TonyJReid Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. These are some of the most luxurious homes on the Decatur and Macon County market. Re: iTWire - Demand your employees back to the office at your own peril Thx for article by Robert Inshaw, great topic.Amazing to see that the rest of the business community are finally seeing[] Re: iTWire - Netgear Australian debut of world first Nighthawk RAXE500 Tri-band WiFi 6E router Hey Staff Writer, is this article about Australia or somewhere called "Ausrtalia" as that's what you wrote. Re: iTWire - Professionals Australia establishes Game Workers Australia to represent video game workers Thx Ken! Important issue.The employees (or often unpaid 'internship/apprentice') of AA/AAA gaming/software companies are usually given a raw deal in[] Re: iTWire - Google blames Microsoft 'monoculture' for govt security problems Warnings about softwre monoculture posing a danger are nothing new. The renowned security technologist Bruce Schneier warned about the same[] While the government of India makes claims of Sab Ka Vikaas (Development for everyone)the concerns and voices of Dalits and Adivasis are often neglected. For these Adivasis from Jharkhand, a road that they may use once or twice in their lifetime has ruined their way of living and their natural habitwhich is central to their indigenous way of life. Suchitra | TwoCircles.net Support TwoCircles JHARKHAND For the last 56 days, hundreds of Adivasis in Jharkhand have been protesting against a stone mining project. The villagers claim that a Ranchi based construction company, Shivalaya Construction Co. Pvt. Ltd. has been doing illegal mining of stones at Dhajwa hill in Palamu district of the state. Jharkhand Janadhikar Mahasabha (JJM) is a coalition of progressive organisations, formed to facilitate efforts to defend peoples rights in Jharkhand. According to an RTI filed by them, a lease was granted to the company for plot no. 1046 for mining stone. JJM claims that the lease was granted to the company with a fake gram Sabha approval. Although, even if the lease was given for plot 1046, the company has been mining stones in a nearby plot, plot no. 1048. Due to illegal stone mining in Dhajwa mountain, a part of the mountain has been levelled. Villagers are continuously raising this issue. The company has been mining stones from the mountain without a lease. But till now, no action has been taken by the administration. The people started a dharna (protest) against illegal mining on November 18 and they went on a hunger strike on December 19. The plot that was leased is a farming land, where poor Adivasi farmers do farming, Yugal Pal, a local Adivasi activist told TwoCircles.net. He said that Palamu has a history with the illegal sand mafia and stone chip mafia. The region has lost so many hills to these illegal mining activities, he added. A circle officer confirmed that the mining is illegal, but there has been no administrative restriction on the mining as of yet. The protest is not just about one hill, according to the villagers. While talking to TwoCircles.net, Yugal said that the mining activities pollute the areas nearby as well. Most of the people in these villages are migrant labourers and amid the Covid-19 pandemic, they have no option but to farm on the little lands they have. The majority of these people are landless farmers. Stone mining releases a lot of toxic liquids which makes the lands nearby infertile. The dust that comes out of the mining area makes it harder for the people to breathe who live in nearby villages, Yugal said. A villager, who wished to remain anonymous, said that because of illegal mining, the groundwater level has gone down. My tube-well went dry a couple of years ago, but my bother from nearby Aurangabad district in Bihar, does not have a problem like this, he said. Yugal further said that the Koel river is the lifeline of this region and it has become very polluted in recent years. We dont have much population or big industries here, so how is it that this river has become polluted? Its because of these illegal mining activities, he said. The lease for mining was given to the company for the construction of a nearby 4-lane road. While the government of India makes claims of Sab Ka Vikaas (Development for everyone)the concerns and voices of Dalits and Adivasis are often neglected. For these Adivasis from Jharkhand, a road that they may use once or twice in their lifetime has ruined their way of living and their natural habitwhich is central to their indigenous way of life. Suchitra is an independent journalist working on social justice, focusing primarily on gender justice. She tweets at @Suchitrawrites SPRINGFIELD McHenry County Auditor Shannon Teresi announced her bid for the GOP nomination for comptroller on Wednesday, becoming the latest Illinois Republican aiming to challenge an incumbent Democrat for statewide office. Teresi, Demmer and Milhiser are among a growing slate of Republicans running for statewide office in an election year that could be challenging for Democrats nationwide. Teresi said her decision to run was motivated by a need for transparency in managing taxpayer dollars and her desire to root out the waste, fraud, and abuse in Illinois. Illinois needs a comptroller with real financial experience, not a career politician controlled by the special interests, she said. Teresi was appointed McHenry County auditor in 2018, was elected later that year and reelected in 2020. She had previously worked in the auditors office after a private sector stint at PricewaterhouseCoopers. As auditor, Teresi worked to make the audit process accessible to taxpayers online and implemented paperless systems to save costs, among other reforms. If Teresi wins the Republican nomination for comptroller, she will likely face Democratic incumbent Susana Mendoza, who has held the office since 2016. Mendoza responded to Teresis announcement with a statement welcoming all candidates to the race. When Illinois voters chose me in 2016 and 2018, they elected a strong, battle tested, proven leader who knows how to get things done, Mendoza said. There is no challenge that I will not rise up to for Illinois. Mendoza defeated appointed Republican incumbent Leslie Munger in 2016, taking about 49% of the vote to Munger's 44%. She was reelected in 2018, winning 60% of the vote against an underfunded opponent in a strong Democratic year. Mendoza has yet to file her latest quarterly fundraising report, but had $512,164 cash on hand as of Sept. 30 and has reported raising nearly 190,000 since. Teresi had just over $35 in her campaign account, according to the Illinois State Board of Elections. Thursday is the first day candidates across Illinois can begin circulating petitions to be on the states June 28 primary ballot. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 SPRINGFIELD A continuing sharp spike in COVID-19 cases being driven by the omicron variant has pushed the states hospital capacity to its limits and is prompting the state to bring in additional health care workers from other states and countries. Gov. J.B. Pritzker said Wednesday that more than 2,000 additional health care workers have been deployed throughout the state, including 919 in hospitals hit hard by the surge, with another 552 scheduled to arrive within the next several days. This current wave of COVID is causing more people to get sick than ever before in the pandemic, Pritzker said. And the vast majority of the serious illnesses and deaths are among the unvaccinated. As of Wednesday, the Illinois Department of Public Health was reporting 7,219 people hospitalized with COVID-19 in the state, down slightly from the record 7,353 who were hospitalized on Tuesday. Another 271 people in the state had died of the disease just since Monday. We have never had this many COVID patients in the hospital at any point in the pandemic. Not in spring of 2020; not in the winter of 2020, IDPH Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike said, noting that the previous pandemic record was 6,175, set in November 2020. Over the past seven days, more than 227,000 new cases have been confirmed in Illinois out of 1.9 million tests performed, for a seven-day case positivity rate of 12 percent. But as difficult as this moment is, there will be an end to it, Pritzker said. We have all the necessary tools for prevention, and we are nearer than ever to having everything we need to detect and treat the disease to keep even the most vulnerable people alive. I can't say enough about how extraordinary our hospitals and our health care heroes have been throughout this pandemic. Pritzker said the state was taking several actions to bolster its health care workforce, such as allowing out-of-state health care providers to continue practicing in Illinois with expanded permissions to care for all patients, not just COVID-19 patients. In addition, doctors trained in other countries have been given permission to provide assistance to licensed physicians in Illinois. And out-of-state providers, including physicians, nurses and mental health providers, are being allowed to provide telehealth services to patients in Illinois if they have a pre-existing provider-patient relationship. Meanwhile, Pritzker issued an executive order late Tuesday spelling out protocols that schools now need to follow whenever a student or school employee tests positive for COVID-19. Consistant with the latest guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the order requires infected individuals, regardless of their vaccination status, to be excluded from school premises for a minimum of five days and a maximum of 10 days following the onset of symptoms or the date of their test. Schools also must exclude students or employees who come in close contact with an infected person for a minimum of five days after their exposure, and those individuals must continue to wear a mask at all times around others, including when outdoors, for an additional five days after they return to school. The surge in COVID-19 cases has also resulted in other state actions. House and Senate leaders in the General Assembly announced Wednesday that they were canceling in-person session days next week, although committees will continue to meet remotely. Given the recent COVID-19 numbers, this is not the time to bring hundreds of people together inside the Capitol, Senate President Don Harmon, D-Oak Park, said in a statement. Through our remote committee process we have proven that we can get work done, protect peoples health and at the same time expand the legislative process to people who might want to testify but wouldnt have the time or resources to come to Springfield. And the Illinois Department of Corrections announced that it was pausing all inmate transfers into state facilities from county jails as it responds to COVID-19 outbreaks in IDOC facilities. Congregate living facilities present unique infection control challenges due to the lack of quarantine and isolation space, IDOC Director Rob Jeffreys said in a statement Wednesday. The Department recognizes the hardships county jails face when we cannot accept admissions, but we must take aggressive action to keep the community and everyone who lives and works in our facilities safe and healthy. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 When Chicago teachers went on strike last week to protest COVID-19 safety protections in the nation's third-largest school district, Democratic Party officials leapt into action. Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker pushed for a quick end to the job action and helped secure rapid tests to entice teachers back to work. Mayor Lori Lightfoot said the strikers "abandoned their posts" in "an illegal walkout." White House press secretary Jen Psaki stressed that students should be in school. The standoff ended with a tentative agreement late Monday. Nearly two years into a pandemic that shows no signs of waning, Democrats are speaking out more forcefully against COVID-19 school closures, recognizing a rising anger among parents worried that their kids are falling behind. But in doing so, Democrats risk angering some teachers unions, which are advocating for more protections for educators as the omicron variant takes hold and whose support helped get Democrats elected. The political peril for Democrats became clear after their candidate lost the Virginia governor's race in November to a Republican who focused on education and slammed the prior year's school closures. Now, in what already promises to be a tough midterm election year, with frustrations mounting among their base over stalled voting and spending legislation, they may face real trouble over an issue that directly affects Americans' lives. "When you tell a parent that their kid can't be in school a lot of times politics doesn't touch people's lives, but that's a massive impact on parents' lives that pisses them off," said Brian Stryker, a Democratic pollster based in Chicago. "The Chicago strike may be the moment when Democrats said: 'Enough. We're done with all these.'" That's left some teachers feeling left out in the cold. John Coneglio, head of the Columbus, Ohio, Education Association, said omicron has sickened so many teachers that students aren't learning in overcrowded classrooms. The union has called for two weeks of remote learning. Still, none of the Democratic-voting city's leaders has backed the union. "I think their silence speaks," Coneglio said. "We're hoping our local politicians see this is a citywide problem, and that sticking your head in the sand and saying, 'It's on you guys to solve this,' isn't fair." At the same time, Democrats are cognizant of the concerns of parents such as Megan Bacigalupi, who quit her job at a San Francisco Bay Area nonprofit last year to help her two young children deal with the hassles of remote learning. She's since founded a group, CA Parent Power, to push to keep schools open. "Overwhelmingly, Democratic parents are quite willing to vote for an independent or a Republican in November," said Bacigalupi, who just changed her registration from Democrat to unaffiliated and said she's never voted Republican in her life. "Two years in, it doesn't feel like we are in a place where our worldview won't be shaped by COVID policies." Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, said the recent story of schools and COVID-19 is a triumph. She contrasted last winter, when as many as 45% of the nation's schools were closed during a surge, to now, when vaccinations are widespread and 98% of schools are open despite even higher COVID-19 caseloads. "That shows remarkable strength and courage and fortitude on behalf of teachers and paraprofessionals," Weingarten said. "Omicron is the enemy, not each other." The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has said that schools can remain safe when proper protocols are followed, including observing safe distancing, wearing masks and getting vaccinated. The White House announced Wednesday that it would be sending more COVID-19 tests to schools in an effort to keep them open during the omicron surge. "Schools should be the first places to open and the last places to close," CDC Director Rochelle Walensky said during a Senate hearing Tuesday. In Oakland, where Bacigalupi lives, schools did not reopen until August 2021, and a teacher sickout protesting conditions closed them for one day last week. Bacigalupi's frustrations are shared by a growing number of education-oriented parents who became activists to push back against extended school closures. "I have been watching the failure of my party happen in real time," said Keri Rodrigues, president of the National Parents Union and a committee member of the Massachusetts Democratic Party, "and it's devastating because unfortunately I feel like the Democrats in this country are just not in conversation with parents, families and communities, and have completely ignored us to listen only to the priorities of the unions." The vast majority of schools are still in-person, and most switches to remote learning are happening on a case-by-case basis as the virus sickens too many teachers. The few switches to remote learning that have happened, in places such as Prince George's County in Maryland, are only supposed to last a couple of weeks, at the peak of the omicron variant spread. But parent activists don't trust the districts to return promptly. "The idea that these numbers are going to drop precipitously in the next two to four weeks, I think, is a dubious prospect," said Shavar Jeffries, president of Democrats for Education Reform, which supports charter schools and has opposed the return to virtual learning. "I think this is a very slippery slope." Republicans are happy to keep dinging Democrats on school closures. President Joe Biden "promised to get kids back into school and beat COVID he has failed to do both," said Emma Vaughn, press secretary of the Republican National Committee. Biden has been increasingly vocal about the need for in-person instruction. On Monday, Psaki said the White House was trying to "assist" Pritzker and Lightfoot as they worked to resolve the strike. "The president's view is to that schools should be open across the country, and more than 95% are across the country; that the mental health impact on kids of not having schools open is very harsh and hard, and he does not want to see schools closed across the country," Psaki said. Stryker, the Democratic pollster, said Biden has been clear on the issue, "but I don't think we've heard it trickle down in the Democratic Party enough." That's damaging, he said, not because voters identify the party with teachers unions, one of its biggest backers, but because they see Democrats as being stuck in the past when it comes to virus safety. "It's voters thinking we're still living in 2020," Stryker said. Democratic politicians seem to be getting the message. In Nevada on Tuesday, the Clark County School District, which includes Las Vegas, announced that its schools would take extra days off over the upcoming Martin Luther King Jr. Day weekend, returning to classes the following Wednesday, because of omicron. The state's Democratic governor, Steve Sisolak, quickly tweeted his reaction. "I know many parents and families will be disappointed with the Clark County School District's decision," Sisolak wrote. "Let me be clear, I am absolutely committed to keeping schools open for in-person learning and keeping our students, educators and staff safe." Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 CHICAGO 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. Heres what we do (and dont) know so far: Q: Who will be able to get the tests for free? 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 later this month. 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? 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. 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. 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 500 million over-the-counter, at-home tests starting later this month. 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? A: You can try, but insurance companies are not required to cover those. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 CHICAGO - 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. In less-vaccinated neighborhoods, many of which are on the citys heavily Black South Side, 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 MATTOON The Bible said it best: Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Or even lay it down for fellow passengers on a doomed airliner, which is the message of shining hope, courage and supreme selflessness embodied in the story of Mattoons native son, Arland D. Williams Jr. That story will be celebrated again Thursday at the hometown school named in his honor, the Arland D. Williams Jr. Elementary School. Its part of the school's continuing remembrance of its namesake, and this time it marks the 40th anniversary of the crash of Air Florida Flight 90 on Jan. 13, 1982. The aircraft had just taken off from Washington National Airport in a snowstorm when it lost power and smashed into the 14th Street highway bridge before plunging into the ice-choked waters of the Potomac River. Of the airliners 79 passengers and crew, all but six were killed in the initial impact, along with four motorists on the bridge, a structure later rebuilt and renamed in Williams honor. Six survivors from the plane had been left clinging to the broken tail section, which remained afloat for a while. Williams, a federal bank examiner on his way home to Georgia where he lived, was one of them. Onlookers watched in horror as they struggled to keep their heads above the mind-numbingly cold water. And then a U.S. Park Police helicopter appeared, and lowered a rope. Williams, who was described by the helicopter crew as appearing the most lively and alert, repeatedly guided his fellow survivors to the rope and bypassed the chance to save himself. Some survivors also recalled him praying with them as they waited to be saved. But when the helicopter finally came back for Williams, the last man in the water, the tail section suddenly sank down and the 46-year-old Mattoon man was gone; his body to be recovered later. President Ronald Reagan posthumously awarded him the United States Coast Guard Gold Lifesaving Medal at a White House Oval Office ceremony attended by Williams' mother, Virginia, his father, Arland, and children Arland III and Leslie Ann. Such extraordinary bravery has become the stuff of American legend, right up there with the passengers of United Airlines Flight 93 on Sept. 11, 2001. On that flight, passenger Todd Beamers famous last recorded words were Lets roll as his fellow travelers decided to take on the terrorists who had hijacked their flight. Ordinary people caught in a moment of extreme peril, and inspired to do extraordinary things, just like Williams did those 40 long years ago. I remember being kind of shocked at what happened, said Jack Collinsworth, 87, a Marine veteran and friend of Williams since high school, recalling his reaction to the tragedy of the disaster in the Potomac. But no, it didnt really surprise me that he did what he felt he had to do to help those people in the waters. He was that type of person. He was a great humanitarian, a decent person. He meant no harm to anybody, he always had a smile on his face. He was every ounce a gentleman. Collinsworth, who still lives in Mattoon, was at the elementary school recently to record a video that will be played for the schools more than 700 students, aged from 5 to 11. In it, he talks about the man their school is named after and encourages the students to ask not what someone can do to help them, but what they can do to help someone else. No student could have a better role model than Arland, thats for sure, added Collinsworth. School principal McLain Schaefer said his students will spend Thursday looking at the characteristics that make someone a hero and cause them to be driven to do great things: Were challenging the students with questions like How can you be a hero today in our school? How can you be a hero in our community? At your house?, he added. We have three things we focus on at Williams elementary: one of them is learning, one of them is leading and the other one is service. And were blessed to have a story of service and supreme sacrifice ingrained here in who we are, and we want to continue that legacy of Arland D. Williams. Kris Maleske, community services and parental involvement director for the Mattoon School District, points out a memorabilia collection just inside the schools main entrance. There are all kinds of choice things chronicling Williams heroism, ranging from pictures and a letter from President Reagan to the strangely poignant, like a jet-fuel stained dollar bill a fellow surviving passenger, Joseph Stiley, had in his wallet on that fateful day. Stiley had traveled to Mattoon in 2003 to attend the schools dedication ceremony and meet the Williams family, who were there as honored guests. It brought an emotional response in me that I did not anticipate, Stiley had said of the school dedication. Maleske moves on from the bedraggled dollar to show off a bronze bust of Williams which watches over the school entrance area. Students cant help but glance at it as they shuffle by and fall under its gaze in turn, a timeless reminder that the man who laid down his life for others grew up in their hometown, and learned his values there. Contact Tony Reid at (217) 421-7977. Follow him on Twitter: @TonyJReid Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 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. 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. 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. 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. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 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 Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 A South Dakota man is facing a felony drug charge after his mother unknowingly served his marijuana-laced brownies to a group of seniors, officials say. Two yoga and wellness enthusiasts have opened a cafe and boutique at 612 N. Trade St., sharing space with Wildlight Wellness Collective. Pamela Luzardo and Bita Salem opened La Luz & Co. in December after having met in a yoga class at Wildlight. I started taking yoga and meditation when my mom passed away in November 2019. And it really helped me with my grief. So this is something dear to my heart, said Salem, a full-time math tutor. Luzardo also owns the building and is one of the yoga instructors at Wildlight, a separate business owned by Jeremy Grace. I started studying yoga about five years ago when I was going through a transition in my life, Luzardo said. Then Bita and I both took one of Jeremys classes, and we struck up a conversation. La Luz is a boutique on one side that sells clothing, jewelry, essential oils and other items. Luzardo said they focus on selling items that are ethically or sustainably made, whether local or global. Items include saris from recycled fabrics in India and handbags handcrafted by indigenous women in Colombia, Luzardos home country. The other side of La Luz is a cafe that sells coffee, tea and a variety of other drinks mostly supplemented with ingredients designed to promote health and wellness. We have offerings that are similar to what you get in any coffee shop, but our specialty drinks use these superfood powders, Luzardo said. Customers can get a regular pour-over coffee, espresso, tea or chai latte. But they also can get tea, coffee and other drinks that have powders and concentrates containing ingredients associated with wellness. La Luz & Co. Address: 612 N. Trade St., Winston-Salem, N.C. 27101 Phone: (336) 955-1398 Hours: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday Facebook: @laluzandcompany La Luz is using local companies Magic Beans Coffee and Vita Pour for its coffee and tea. Its wellness powders and concentrates come from Anima Mundi, a company based in Costa Rica. Everything in the cafe is plant-based. Nondairy milks include almond, oat and macadamia. La Luz Latte is espresso with house-made rose and cardamom syrups, coconut cream and dirty rose chai collagen booster (associated with bone and joint, nail and hair strength and more). Mucuna Rose Matcha combines matcha with rose powder (associated with anti-inflammatory properties) and mucuna (associated with stress reduction, lower cholesterol and more) as well as a euphoria elixir for added mood boost. The cafe offers a handful of cacao elixirs. Mushroom Mocha Milk is described as nourishing and immune boosting. Sleeping Beauty is recommended for relaxation and sleep. Other elixirs include Golden Sun Milk, made with a nondairy milk of your choice, it includes turmeric, cardamom, lavender, and more for what is described as an energizing, stress-relieving, anti-inflammatory effect. La Luz also sells a few snacks, including energy balls, date bars, muffins and cookies. La Luz replaces the Wild Alchemy Bar that closed down here during the pandemic. Some longtime residents also may remember Bubbling Well Bead and Tea Bar that operated in this space years before, when it shared space with Golden Flower Tai Chi Center. Luzardo and Salem said they felt that the space needed a cafe again. It just felt like something was missing, Luzardo said. Our tagline is mindfulness is a lifestyle whether you are putting something in your body or buying something for your home. Its important to us to have community, Salem said. We wanted to have this platform for people to come and connect. Stay up-to-date on what's happening Receive the latest in local entertainment news in your inbox weekly! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. A Pilot Mountain woman who took her 14-year-old son into the U.S. Capitol building on Jan. 6, 2021, is challenging the sentence she received last week three-months in federal prison followed by three years of probation. Virginia Marie Spencer, 38, pleaded guilty on Sept. 9, 2021, to a misdemeanor charge of parading, demonstrating or picketing in a federal building. U.S. District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly sentenced Spencer after a hearing on Jan. 7. Allen H. Orenberg, Spencers attorney, filed a motion Tuesday, asking Kollar-Kotelly to enter an order correcting her sentence. He also asks the judge to delay the sentence until the alleged mistake is corrected. In court papers, Orenberg said Kollar-Kotelly was wrong to impose both an active prison sentence and a probationary sentence. Because Spencer pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge for what Orenberg says is legally a petty offense, Kollar-Kotelly was not authorized to sentence Spencer to a three-months in federal prison followed by probation. The Court should either impose a sentence of imprisonment, without a term of supervised released (sic), or a period of straight probation, or a period of probation with a special condition of home confinement, Orenberg said. Assistant U.S. Attorney Douglas Collyer opposes the motion, Orenberg said in court papers. Orenberg said Kollar-Kotelly made an error that he claims must be corrected. Prosecutors allege that Virginia Spencer and her husband, Christopher Spencer, went to a rally on Jan. 6, 2021, where former President Donald Trump falsely claimed that the election was stolen from him through fraud. Theres no evidence for this claim. On this day, hundreds of people stormed the U.S. Capitol building in an effort to stop the U.S. Congress from certifying the presidential election that President Joe Biden won. Rioters assaulted 139 law-enforcement officers and caused $1.5 million in damages to the Capitol building, including broken windows. Federal prosecutors allege that the Spencers took their 14-year-old son into the Capitol and stayed there for more than 30 minutes, joining at least three different groups of people. Christopher Spencer, who faces similar pending charges, livestreamed himself in the Capitol on Facebook, and Virginia Spencer took selfies with her phone, prosecutors allege. The couple was part of a group that overwhelmed law-enforcement officers near the Crypt, a large circular room underneath the rotunda. Then they briefly entered the suite of offices belonging to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi before turning away, prosecutors said. In Statuary Hall, the Spencers joined another group of people outside the House Chambers as they tried to get inside. Members of Congress were inside at the time. Prosecutors said Virginia Spencer was not at the front and was not vocal, but the group of rioters chanted Stop the steal! and Break it down. Kollar-Kotelly said at the sentencing hearing on Jan. 7 that she could not comprehend why Virginia Spencer would bring her 14-year-old son to the U.S. Capitol where a violent confrontation was taking place. And she said there was nothing peaceful about what happened on Jan. 6, 2021. This was an insurrection, she said. A hearing on the motion has not yet been scheduled. Prosecutors have until Jan. 14 to file a written response to the motion. Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Winston-Salem officials say some 85% of city employees are now fully vaccinated against COVID-19, but the city council is poised to pass a new round of incentives in an effort to raise levels higher. And stiffer penalties for non-vaccinated employees who skip too many of the mandatory tests are also part of the package that the council could enact on Tuesday. Under the proposal, the city is extending a policy passed in October that gives full-time employees who get fully vaccinated a $500 pay incentive. Part-timers can collect $250. A new feature is a $200 payment for full-time employees who get a booster shot, with $100 for part-time employees. Employees who are not vaccinated will have to provide proof of a negative test each week in order to report to work. Thats a change from the former policy, which required only proof of testing. Last October, the city approved $1,000 payments to full-time employees who presented proof of full vaccination by Dec. 5 and $500 for employees who got vaccinated after that. At the time the incentive passed, less than 40% of employees had gotten their shots. When the citys former vaccination policy ended at the close of 2021, there were 383 employees who were unvaccinated, compared to 1,920 employees who had submitted proof that they were vaccinated. The new guidelines were endorsed this week by the city councils general government committee and will go before the council for action Tuesday night. The meeting is taking place a day later than normal because of the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday. If passed, unvaccinated employees face stiffer penalties for skipping their weekly testing requirements. Under the former policy, a fourth miss could result in a five-day suspension without pay. Under the proposed new policy, a fifth miss would result in a 10-day suspension without pay, and a sixth miss would result in an indefinite suspension. The city also is clarifying that when an employee submits a test after skipping one or more tests, it does not reset the count of missed tests to zero. During committee discussion, city council members learned that the testing done during the fall uncovered cases of COVID-19 that people didnt realize they had because they were not experiencing any symptoms. We have had 37 confirmed cases of employees who were not symptomatic and tested positive when they were tested, said Marquis Barnett, the citys human resources director. And we were able to keep them from coming into the workspace and possibly infecting other employees. Under the proposed policy, unvaccinated people who are not experiencing symptoms can still come to work while waiting for their test results to come back. Any employee who tests positive for COVID-19 has to stay away from work. City officials said previous exemptions for employees with medical or religious reasons for not getting vaccinated would remain, although those employees would still have to submit test results. The new policy authorizes comp time for unvaccinated employees to get tested. Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Its disappointing that the three-judge panel examining the redistricting maps drawn by the Republican-led legislature to guide North Carolina elections has decided to let them stand. This was the verdict Tuesday following a lawsuit filed by three good-government groups, the N.C. League of Conservation Voters, the National Redistricting Foundation and the North Carolina chapter of Common Cause. We respect the court, but must disagree with its decision, which leaves flawed district maps in place for yet another election cycle. The redistricting maps will likely cement a Republican advantage to fill a majority of U.S. House seats 10 out of 14 as well as state House and Senate majorities for the next decade. In a state in which roughly a third of registered voters are Democrats (with a slender majority), a third unaffiliated and a third Republican, this seems on its surface to be completely unfair. And below the surface maps purposely manipulated to divide the political leanings and racial composition of voters to Republican advantage also seems completely unfair. Its even worse when recognized as one small part of a larger, nationwide effort to disenfranchise a majority of American voters. If allowed to stand, these extreme gerrymanders would cause profound and lasting harm to the people of our state, especially hurting Black communities, by depriving voters of a voice in choosing their representatives, Bob Phillips, executive director of the North Carolina chapter of Common Cause, said following the ruling. The courts ruling is based, though, not on fairness, but on legalities. In their ruling, the judges wrote that even though the plaintiffs provided evidence of partisanship in the drawing of the maps, they could not declare that the mapmakers actions violated the state constitution. The judges added that the redistricting process is inherently political and that many of the plaintiffs claims fall outside the scope of legal redress. In other words, our state constitution allows partisan gerrymandering. This may be good for Republicans to keep in mind should Democrats ever regain an electoral advantage. In the meantime, the case has been appealed to the state Supreme Court, which may have a different view about what the state constitution allows. Lets repeat that the evidence of gerrymandering is not in question. As one witness, a Carnegie Mellon University mathematician, testified, the Republican mapmakers intentionally chose maps more carefully crafted for their advantage than at least 99.9% of all possible alternatives. That requires intent. On top of that, one of the mapmakers, Rep. Destin Hall (R-Caldwell), said during the trial that he drew the maps after referring to other concept maps a process that the legislature supposedly banned. The judges themselves condemned partisan gerrymandering, but said they had no power to interfere. Despite our disdain for having to deal with issues that potentially lead to results incompatible with democratic principles and subject our state to ridicule, this court must remind itself that these maps are the result of a democratic process, their order read. Its a little disturbing that these trials are being conducted, again, on a tight schedule, as candidates prepare to run for office in one district or another. A similar situation played out in December 2019, even after a three-judge panel concluded that the district maps drawn then by Republicans were flawed. As a practical matter, in the courts view there is simply not sufficient time to fully evaluate the factual record necessary to decide the constitutional challenges of the congressional districts without significantly delaying the primary elections, they concluded. It is time for the citizens to vote. Justice delayed is indeed justice denied. That this may be a flaw in our state constitution, and one that Republican legislators have no interest in repairing, lends support to the necessity of the voting rights bills being pushed by the Biden administration. If our state cant conduct fair elections, the federal government has every right to step in. The Journal has long advocated the creation of an independent commission to draw district lines. Whichever party is currently out of power tends to support such a commission, also. Democrats as well as Republicans have felt differently when in the majority. It may be too late to put one in place for this year, but its not too late to pass legislation that would apply to the next election. Republicans should consider doing so while they still have the standing to claim credit. This is why In response to the Jan. 9 letter Move on, the fact that former President Trump and so many of his followers refuse to move on from the Big Lie is the reason President Biden and others must continue to condemn the events of Jan. 6, 2021, so vociferously. The sooner believers in the Big Lie can move on from it themselves, the sooner our country can move forward in a spirit of bipartisan cooperation. Tim Farmer Clemmons Speaking the truth Thanks to the Journal for speaking the truth about the Jan. 6 insurrection (Democracy at risk, Jan. 9). It was just one part of a plan to overturn the results of the most secure election in American history. Unfortunately, a sizeable minority refuses to believe the truth. They have been duped by the most morally and politically corrupt president in American history and his cowardly Republican enablers in Congress and the media entertainers on Fox News, Newsmax, One America News and other far-right perpetrators of misinformation and outright lies. I remember hoping that the country would come together after that horrific attack. A week after the insurrection attempt, GOP Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy said on the House floor, The president bears responsibility for Wednesdays attack on Congress by mob rioters. I naively thought the Republican Party would rid itself of the stench Trump had spewed upon the GOP. Wrong! The stench was too strong. Only a handful of Republicans in Congress, notably Rep. Liz Cheney and Rep. Adam Kinzinger, had the courage to stand up to Trumps autocratic ways. Thankfully, our democracy survived the 2020 coup attempt. But we the democracy-loving majority must keep up our guard. Republican-controlled state legislatures are passing voter suppression laws and replacing local election officials with partisan hacks who can overthrow the votes of the people if they cry fraud even when there is none. When anti-Trump Republicans join Democrats and turn out our voters in record numbers in 2022, American democracy will survive. Rudy Diamond Lewisville No more wood pellets It was very encouraging to read the Jan. 8 article Cooper signs executive environmental justice order. The order addresses the ominous relationship between devastation caused by climate change and the increased vulnerability of underserved North Carolina communities. This step by the governor is certainly laudable and the praise that it received from James Johnson Jr., chairman of the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality Justice and Equity Board, is equally commendable. So, now its time to turn words into action. The permitting of companies in North Carolina to clear-cut acres upon acres of trees, turn them into wood pellets and then ship them overseas for fuel must stop. The companies that produce these wood pellets and their associated pollutants are all located in economically disadvantaged areas in our state that are designated as environmental justice communities. In compliance with the goals of this new executive order, an immediate moratorium should be imposed on the granting of any additional permits for the expansion of wood pellet production in the state of North Carolina and procedures should be initiated to eliminate this destructive and harmful practice. Joseph B. Jackson Winston-Salem Truth matters A woman is shot in the leg. Do the police investigate to find who did it or just move on? A small store is robbed at gunpoint of $100; do they say no one was hurt so well just move on? When one does not want to know the truth, find the truth or face the truth, its easy to move on. Truth in our history matters. Truth in the riot against the government of the U.S. matters. We will not just move on. To people who dont want to know the truth about the riot, then its time to get out of the way. Donald McClenny Winston-Salem The omicron variant now likely accounts for at least 3 of every 4 COVID-19 cases in Nebraska. State Epidemiologist Dr. Matthew Donahue said 73% of positive tests that have been sequenced in the state over the past two weeks have been omicron. That's up from 52% a week ago. "It is the predominant variant in Nebraska," Donahue said. The surge of omicron cases, which has led to record case numbers both in Lancaster County and statewide, has also led to an increase in hospitalizations. Statewide, the number of hospitalized COVID-19 patients hit 649 on Wednesday. That's up 200 patients since Christmas and is the highest daily total since December 2020. Hospitalizations in Lincoln hit 142 on Tuesday, which also was the highest number since December 2020, but that number declined to 132 on Wednesday. Lancaster County reported one death Wednesday, a man in his 90s who was not vaccinated. Dr. Gary Anthone, Nebraska's chief medical officer, said an average of 62 new COVID-19 patients are being hospitalized daily in the state, which is up from 52 last week and 42 the week before that. But hospital numbers are not going up nearly as fast as case numbers are, likely due to the fact that omicron causes milder disease in most people, especially those who are vaccinated or who have immunity from a prior infection. While omicron is causing lots of mild breakthrough infections in vaccinated people, even those who have been boosted, the vaccines are still providing strong protection against serious illness. Donahue said fully vaccinated Nebraskans are 11 times less likely to be hospitalized than unvaccinated people, while those who have had a booster shot are 46 times less likely to wind up in the hospital. Donahue also said modeling done by the state estimated that COVID-19 vaccines prevented 3,200 hospitalizations and 700 deaths just in December. Despite that, COVID-19 hospitalizations as of Wednesday made up 15% of all hospitalizations in the state. That is a threshold that could trigger additional restrictions on elective surgeries if it continues over the next week, Anthone said. Another issue with omicron is the huge demand it has created for testing, which has led to long lines, delays in getting results and shortages of testing supplies. Bryan Health said Wednesday on Twitter that it was temporarily suspending testing at its on-demand testing center for people who do not have symptoms. CHI Health also weighed in Wednesday, saying in an email that rapid COVID-19 tests and at-home tests produce reliable results and that employers should accept the results from their employees. "This will help limit people who are infected with COVID-19 from leaving their homes or breaking isolation to get a lab-based PCR test," the health system said in a statement. "It will also alleviate some strain on testing sites and clinics." Reach the writer at 402-473-2647 or molberding@journalstar.com. On Twitter @LincolnBizBuzz. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Build your health & fitness knowledge Sign up here to get the latest health & fitness updates in your inbox every week! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. 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 Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. 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 As the highly contagious omicron variant of the coronavirus continues to sweep across Maryland, the state plans to hand out 20 million of the often hard-to-find N95 and KN95 masks, Gov. Larry Hogan announced Thursday. Speaking outside a hospital in Easton where a testing site is being set up, Hogan stressed that wearing a well-fitted, high-quality mask is key component to slowing the spread of the virus. But he stopped short of restoring a statewide requirement to wear a mask indoors. Advertisement Next to getting vaccinated and getting a booster shot, wearing a mask is one of the best mitigation strategies that we have, and KN95 and N95 masks provide additional infection protection, compared to cloth and general-use face masks, the Republican governor said. Those type of masks have been difficult to find in retail stores and the websites that sell them have been overwhelmed with orders, leading to delays in fulfilling and shipping orders. Advertisement The state has nearly 6.2 million residents. The state will distribute the masks through multiple channels, Hogan said, including at state-run testing and vaccination sites, through local health departments and through community partners, such as the NAACP. Members of the Maryland National Guard undergo a N95 mask fit test. Four hundred soldiers and airmen are taking Maryland Department of Health training on properly using PPE and administering self-swab tests at the Dundalk Readiness Center in response to the rise in demand for COVID-19 testing. (Kim Hairston/The Baltimore Sun ) The states vaccine equity task force, which has been setting up vaccination clinics across the state, will be involved in the effort to distribute the masks to those who need them. Masks also will be sent to nursing homes and state agencies. We want to make it even easier for Marylanders to have that extra layer of protection, said Hogan, who wore a KN95 mask as he toured a testing site under construction in Easton and greeted local officials. He removed his mask to speak to reporters. State officials could not provide a cost for the 20 million masks Thursday afternoon or say where they were purchased from. The highly-contagious omicron variant is fueling the pandemic in Maryland, Hogan said, with 95% of recent cases that are sequenced in the lab being identified as omicron. As of Thursday, about one in four coronavirus test results reported to the state came back positive, and 3,428 people were being treated in the hospital for COVID-19. Hospital officials have said the vast majority of people hospitalized with COVID-19 have not been fully vaccinated. And while Hogan encouraged Marylanders to wear masks, particularly the higher-quality ones, he said its not necessary to return to requiring people to wear them indoors. Advertisement 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. > He said that Marylanders are very good about wearing masks, so I dont think we have any reason to change strategy. Some local governments have reinstituted mask requirements during this latest wave of the pandemic. In the Baltimore area, Baltimore City and Anne Arundel, Baltimore and Howard counties all require masks to be worn in indoor public settings. Hogan cited a Carnegie Mellon University tracking project that estimates mask-wearing by surveying people on Facebook about how often they wear a mask most or all of the time when they are in public. Marylands current rate is nearly 84%. Second from right, Cadet Joshua Brown and Cadet Jamia Pettus train on how to properly administer self-swab tests. They are among 400 Maryland National Guard soldiers and airmen undergoing Maryland Department of Health training at the Dundalk Readiness Center in response to the rise in demand for COVID-19 testing. (Kim Hairston/The Baltimore Sun ) In addition to the site at University of Maryland Medical System Shore Regional Health in Easton, the state plans to set up five more hospital testing sites in the coming days: TidalHealth in Wicomico County, Garrett Regional Medical Center in Oakland, Holy Cross Hospital in Germantown, Howard County General Hospital in Columbia and Baltimore Washington Medical Center in Glen Burnie. In the last few weeks, the state opened a dozen coronavirus testing sites adjacent to hospitals. Putting the testing sites adjacent to hospitals is designed to divert people from going to emergency rooms in search of a coronavirus test. The Maryland Department of Health also is requiring testing of nursing home staff and visitors, to tamp down the spread of the virus among staff and residents. Advertisement Nursing home workers, volunteers and vendors must test twice a week whenever community transmission of the virus is high, regardless of whether they are vaccinated or not, under the new order. And visitors will need to show a negative test or undergo a rapid test on-site before being allowed into nursing homes. Those requirements go into effect Jan. 21. It feels a bit like deja vu. The rapid surge in COVID-19 cases and a growing staffing crisis are forcing school administrators in Lincoln to once again make tough decisions reminiscent of March 2020, back when the pandemic forced classrooms to close completely. On Thursday, Lincoln Pius X High School announced it will institute a half-day schedule through Jan. 21 as the highly transmissible omicron variant spreads through the community. Classes at Pius X will dismiss at noon and school days will alternate between students attending periods 1-4 and periods 5-8. Teachers at Pius X are expected to work the full day to catch up on lesson plans and to help students in quarantine or those who have recently returned to school keep up with classmates. The move comes as COVID-19 cases in Lincoln reach unprecedented levels. At Pius X like other schools in the city more students than ever are missing school due to positive tests or contact tracing. Teachers are also bearing the brunt, forced to cover classes for absent colleagues due to a lack of available substitutes. And the situation is only expected to get worse, officials warn. "Basically, it's just our attempt to really manage the increased absenteeism we're expecting based on the (Lincoln-Lancaster County) Health Department's forecast," said Pius X Chief Administrative Officer Tom Korta. "They have expressed that the middle of January is when we're going to see it peak. ... We didn't want to be left scrambling last minute, so this was just a way for us to be proactive." So far this week, 45 students and four staff members at Pius X have reported positive tests, according to the school's coronavirus dashboard. While the school does not list numbers of quarantined students, Korta said they are much higher than in the past. At Lincoln Public Schools, where case counts, too, are surging, officials are bracing for the possibility that individual classrooms or schools may be forced to close in the coming weeks due to staff shortages. Eric Weber, associate superintendent of human resources, said there is no one metric the district uses when determining to close a classroom or school. But when over 10% of staff or students are absent, that's when officials grow concerned. If a classroom or school closes, students affected would attend classes remotely via Zoom, a policy that's been in place since last school year. District officials have briefed building administrators on preparing for that contingency and LPS was planning a "practice run" for teachers this week so staff and students are "not behind the eight ball" if they have to go remote, Weber said. While officials hope schools will not have to resort to that, LPS was forced to close two special-education programs this week because of staffing shortages a microcosm of the greater workforce crisis especially plaguing schools since the second semester began. There were 334 LPS staff members in quarantine as of Thursday and 87 have tested positive. But those figures could grow, officials said, merely because of the vast number of submissions being entered into the district's COVID reporting system. That in turn is creating a backlog slowing down the numbers being fed into LPS' online coronavirus dashboard. And there are not nearly enough substitutes filling those vacancies, making it challenging for schools to staff classrooms, kitchens, buses and more. A startling statistic paints the picture well: On Wednesday, nearly 40% of certificated staff vacancies in LPS went unfilled. That means teachers who are at work have to drop time they would typically use to plan lessons to cover classes for their absent colleagues. "They are covering left and right," said Deb Rasmussen, president of the Lincoln Education Association, the district's teachers union. "It's not good for kids." Just this week, a record 782 students have tested positive at LPS, and over 2,400 or over 5% of the student body are in quarantine. Matthew Hecker, chief administrative officer for schools in the Catholic Diocese of Lincoln, said principals of Lincoln's Catholic schools were to meet Thursday to discuss COVID mitigation strategies. Unlike at LPS, where masks are required for staff and students, the diocese including Pius X moved to an optional face-covering framework when the health department dropped its countywide mask mandate last month. But some individual Catholic schools in Lincoln have moved to mask mandates to prevent spread, Hecker said. Closing classrooms and schools because of staffing issues or surging case numbers is on the table, Hecker said, but those decisions would be made on a school-by-school basis. "At this point, you have to have all the tools in the tool chest, so to speak," he said. At Pius X, officials will decide whether to extend its half-day format beyond next week in consultation with the health department, Korta said, and hopes it will prevent the need to resort to more drastic measures. "We're doing our best to keep school in session to prevent that March 2020 phenomenon," he said. Contact the writer at zhammack@journalstar.com or 402-473-7225. On Twitter @zach_hammack Concerned about COVID-19? Sign up now to get the most recent coronavirus headlines and other important local and national news sent to your email inbox daily. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Senators who oppose giving a tax credit to Nebraskans who donate to scholarship-granting organizations mounted a successful filibuster of the bill Wednesday, blocking it from advancing for the second time in nine months. The Opportunity Scholarships Act (LB364) would have allowed taxpayers to receive a credit on up to half of their annual income tax liability if they donated to programs providing tuition and fees for low-income students attending a private school. How they voted A bill (LB364) to create tax credits for donations to private school scholarship funds failed to gain the 33 votes needed to invoke cloture Wednesday: Yes (28) Aguilar, Albrecht, Arch, Bostelman, Brewer, Briese, Clements, Dorn, Erdman, Flood, Geist, Gragert, Groene, Halloran, B. Hansen, Hilgers, Hughes, Kolterman, Lindstrom, Linehan, Lowe, McDonnell, McKinney, Moser, Murman, Sanders, Slama, Wayne. No (14) Blood, Bostar, J. Cavanaugh, M. Cavanaugh, Day, DeBoer, M. Hansen, Hilkemann, Hunt, Lathrop, McCollister, Morfeld, Williams, Wishart. Present, not voting (7) Brandt, Friesen, Pahls, Pansing Brooks, Stinner, Vargas, Walz. The total amount of tax credits would have been capped at $5 million annually. Sen. Lou Ann Linehan of Elkhorn who gave the bill a priority designation this year, allowing it to return for debate said the program would have allowed more than 1,000 families to find the right educational fit for their children. She was again backed by Omaha Sen. Justin Wayne, who argued the program could help students from his North Omaha legislative district afford a private school education instead of waiting for improvement in the public schools serving the area. We are not saying this is the silver bullet, Wayne said, but we are saying give this a chance. Wayne offered to introduce an amendment allowing the program to end after five years in an attempt to persuade senators to back the proposal, but no action was taken on the proposed amendment. Opponents, echoing debate on the same bill that took place last April, said creating tax benefits to incentivize philanthropy was unnecessary, and said the program would take away state funding designated for public schools. Sen. Wendy DeBoer of Bennington said nothing in the bill guaranteed the scholarships would reach students who needed them. What was certain, DeBoer said, is that a handful of wealthy donors would quickly collect the $5 million in tax credits each year. Other opponents, such as Sen. Matt Williams of Gothenburg, said the tax credit would not create opportunity in all areas of the state, particularly those where there are no private schools for families to send their children to. Opportunity and choice sound good, but it is not available in Legislative District 36, Williams said. Omaha Sen. Megan Hunt, who led the filibuster that began Tuesday afternoon and continued all day Wednesday, attacked Linehans bill as funding schools that are not bound to the same non-discrimination laws as state-funded schools. A Hunt-sponsored amendment prohibiting scholarship funds from going to private schools that discriminated on the basis of race, gender, sexual identity or disability failed with the support of only 17 senators. The filibuster continued Wednesday afternoon before Linehan filed a motion to shut off debate shortly after 4 p.m. The ensuing cloture vote was unsuccessful, however, and actually gained fewer votes than it received last year. While Omaha Sen. Terrell McKinney changed his position to supporting the bill, saying he was willing to give the program a chance, two senators who previously voted for LB364 changed their position this year. Omaha Sen. Tony Vargas and Sen. John Stinner of Gering, both previous supporters of the bill, were present, not voting Wednesday. The cloture vote fell five short of the 33 needed to break the filibuster. After the vote, which ended Day 6 of the 60-day session, Wayne said the failure by the Legislature to advance the bill was "a loss for many low-income children across the state, especially in areas like North Omaha. Linehan, who has sponsored similar legislation each year she has been in the Legislature, said shell reintroduce an Opportunity Scholarship Act yet this year and signaled she would work to push it from committee and back onto the floor. This is going to define at least my actions for the rest of the legislative session, she said. Senators can introduce new bills through Day 10. Reach the writer at 402-473-7120 or cdunker@journalstar.com. On Twitter @ChrisDunkerLJS Love 2 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 1 Want to see more like this? Get our local education coverage delivered directly to your inbox. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. 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. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 GRAND ISLAND Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol on Wednesday rescued a woman and arrested a man suspected of kidnapping her in Indiana. The patrol was alerted by law enforcement authorities in Indiana that a man and a woman he allegedly kidnapped were believed to be traveling west in Nebraska. Troopers were able to locate the vehicle, a Chevrolet Silverado, on Interstate 80 near Grand Island. A warrant had been issued for the drivers arrest, and Indiana officials believed him to be armed with several firearms. At approximately 8:20 p.m., troopers with the patrol's SWAT Team attempted to stop the vehicle at mile marker 314, near Grand Island. The suspect then drove through the median and began traveling east. Troopers immediately performed a tactical vehicle intervention to bring the vehicle to a stop. The suspect, William Brittingham, 52, of Demotte, Indiana, was arrested without further incident, according to the patrol, and the woman was rescued. The woman reported she had been handcuffed by Brittingham during the drive from Indiana to Nebraska. Numerous firearms were found inside the cab of the pickup, according to a release from the patrol. Brittingham is in the Hall County Jail, awaiting extradition to Indiana. Homeland Security Investigators, the Lincoln/Lancaster County Narcotics Task Force, and the Omaha Police Department assisted in this operation. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 For the second straight year, Omaha Sen. Justin Wayne accused the Legislatures Referencing Committee of assigning a bill he introduced to a committee where it doesnt stand a chance of getting out onto the floor. On Wednesday, Wayne asked lawmakers to reassign the Rural Municipal Broadband Access Act (LB916) from the Transportation and Telecommunications Committee to the Urban Affairs Committee, which he chairs. The bill would allow municipalities to provide broadband or internet services on a retail or wholesale basis to unserved or underserved areas inside their jurisdictions after conducting a feasibility study essentially allowing certain cities and towns to offer broadband as a utility. Wayne argued the legislation altered the powers granted to municipalities by the Legislature, which are typically heard by the Urban Affairs Committee despite the subject matter. Bills related to tax increment financing works or the use of a sales tax levied for economic development both issues dealing with revenue have historically been referred to Urban Affairs and not the Revenue Committee, Wayne said. Instead, LB916 was referenced to the committee responsible for hearing other legislation related to broadband expansion in Nebraska. I believe they clearly got it wrong, Wayne told the Legislature on Thursday. Cities do not have power unless it is statutorily given to them. Every bill that deals with the powers granted by us to a city goes to Urban Affairs. Sen. Curt Friesen of Henderson said the bill was better suited to the Transportation and Telecommunications Committee he chairs, where lawmakers have become increasingly focused on legislation dealing with the expansion of high-speed internet. Its important we have continuity in how we fund broadband expansion throughout the state, Friesen said. And Sen. Dan Hughes, chair of the Executive Board and a member of the Referencing Committee, defended the process, saying senators consider the bills subject matter as well as a recommendation from the office responsible for writing the bill before deciding where to assign it. In this instance, the Referencing Committee decided 9-0 to send Waynes bill to the Transportation and Telecommunications Committee, Hughes said. Every single member of the Referencing Committee agreed LB916 should be sent to (Transportation and Telecommunications) because the overarching issue was broadband, he said. Wayne said he believed his bill would be killed by the Transportation and Telecommunications Committee. Last year, a similar bill (LB656) lifting the states ban on municipalities providing broadband service was not sent to the floor. The Omaha lawmaker later tried to amend a watered-down version of that legislation onto Nebraska Broadband Bridge Act (LB388), which provides $20 million in state funds to the Public Service Commission for grants to expand broadband internet throughout the state. The amendment failed on a 20-24 vote, with senators from both urban and rural areas supporting it. The Nebraska Broadband Bridge Act later passed on final reading with the support of every state senator. On Thursday, Omaha Sen. Rich Pahls, who previously served on the Referencing Committee when he was last in the Legislature, said the committee sometimes assigns certain bills to committees where they know the bill doesnt have a chance of making it onto the floor. Sometimes bills get nowhere because its where we place them, he said. Think about that. Waynes attempt to move LB916 to the Urban Affairs Committee failed, receiving just 13 votes. No hearing date for the bill has been set. Other legislation introduced Thursday, the final day of the Legislatures work week, include: PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS: A bill (LB1016) from Fremont Sen. Lynne Walz would allow for public and private entities to partner on highway projects. MASCOTS: Schools that discontinue the use of Native mascots, names and symbols would eligible to receive a grant of up to $200,000 under a proposal (LB1027) from Omaha Sen. Megan Hunt. RENTAL FEES: Landlords would be prohibited from charging renters a fee for ordinary wear and tear of a rental property resulting from age or deterioration, under a bill (LB1038) from Lincoln Sen. Matt Hansen. Reach the writer at 402-473-7120 or cdunker@journalstar.com. On Twitter @ChrisDunkerLJS Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Gov. Pete Ricketts on Thursday unveiled an ambitious program of investments in Nebraska's future, including major development and protection of natural resources along with workforce development while targeting substantial additional tax relief phased in over the next five years. It was the final budget presentation of Ricketts' eight-year tenure as governor that will end next January and the spending changes were fueled by an infusion of federal pandemic recovery funding along with a healthy state budget surplus. A huge share of the budget, already dictated by major new local property tax reductions triggered by previous action taken by the governor and the Legislature, pumps approximately $2 billion of state revenue into property tax relief during the 2021-2023 biennium. Ricketts' budget highlights Tax relief. The governor proposes dropping the top individual income tax rate and corporate tax rate to 5.84% over five years. He wants to accelerate the phase-in of the elimination of state taxes on Social Security benefits over five years instead of 10. And he also proposed ensuring that property tax relief provided through income tax credits stays at least at its current level of $548 million annually. A new prison. Ricketts is requesting that the Legislature appropriate enough money, estimated at $270 million, to pay for a new prison to replace the Nebraska State Penitentiary in Lincoln. Water projects. The governor has proposed building a canal in Colorado along the South Platte River that would feed into a reservoir system in Nebraska under a 1923 compact, mostly using money out of the state's cash reserve fund along with some federal pandemic relief money. Spending federal pandemic relief. He proposes directing some of the states $1.04 billion toward 29 line items, including $199 million for items under the category "public health response"; $100 million for nonprofits' shovel-ready capital projects; $90 million for projects at community colleges with the goal to grow the workforce; and $60 million in direct assistance for low-income families to address learning loss. The governor's proposals, presented to the Legislature in his final State of the State address to lawmakers, include fully funding a new $155 million state prison to replace the aging State Penitentiary in Lincoln, funding previously announced construction of a $500 million canal to secure the state's future supply of water flowing from the Lower Platte River in Colorado across the border into western Nebraska. The budget plan also allocates $200 million in funding, including federal pandemic relief assistance, to the adventurously named STAR WARS fund, adopting water resource recommendations proposed by a legislative study committee headed by Speaker of the Legislature Mike Hilgers of Lincoln. Those recommendations include proposed construction of a new 4,000-acre lake between Lincoln and Omaha. Also included in a litany of new appropriations and projects is $100 million for shovel-ready economic development projects and $90 million for community colleges to help spur high-skill workforce development. Ricketts includes a number of major tax reduction proposals in his ambitious package. His plan would reduce the top state individual income tax rate by 1%, cutting the levy from 6.84% to 5.84% phased in over the next five years, while "achieving corporate tax parity" by reducing the 7.25% corporate rate to match the personal rate. A reduction in the top individual income tax rate would impact more than 400,000 Nebraskans, he said. Building on previous legislative action to phase in an exemption of Social Security income from the state income tax, the governor proposed completing the exemption in five years instead of the currently scheduled 10-year period. Ricketts said his tax reduction proposals would "deliver an additional $612.8 million in tax relief to hard-working Nebraskans" by fiscal 2024-25. The governor's 25-minute address was delivered in a more traditional setting than the empty galleries that greeted him during the height of the pandemic. Ricketts arrived masked as he walked down the center aisle of the legislative chamber where he was greeted by senators, most of whom were unmasked. Ricketts removed his mask for the speech, then reattached it for his journey back down the aisle following his address. "Through the years, the guiding light of my administration has remained the same: to grow Nebraska," the governor said in delivering his final State of the State address to the Legislature. "And, despite weathering floods, fires and a global pandemic, we have done just that," he said. "I was elected on the promise that I would bring tax relief to our state," Ricketts said. "And given our current financial situation, we must deliver." Speaking of the COVID-19 pandemic that has dramatically impacted his final term as governor and demanded his focus, the governor said "we have kept moving forward." And in a swipe at the continuing controversy over masking and vaccination mandates, Ricketts said: "Nebraskans don't need to be mandated to do the right thing. They just do it. "Without lockdowns or mandates, businesses were able to stay open. "Parents were able to return to work, and their children were able to return to school. "Where authoritarian states are struggling, we are thriving," Ricketts said. The governor saluted Sen. Lou Ann Linehan of Elkhorn, chairwoman of the Legislature's Revenue Committee, for her leadership in "ushering in a historic level of tax relief relief that will deliver $2 billion to Nebraskans over the next two years." Ricketts hailed economic development initiatives that are underway from North Omaha to North Platte, recognizing a number of those local leaders who attended his address in the legislative chamber. The governor also expressed his ongoing anti-abortion commitment, suggesting that "Nebraska continues to serve as a beacon for life." "We must also recognize all the doctors, nurses and health care professionals whose stalwart selflessness and excellent care has helped us weather this pandemic," Ricketts said. They, he said, are "health care heroes." The governor pointed to his priorities for his final year of working with the Legislature and said they are "starting with tax relief." But Ricketts also stressed his belief that senators need to "fully fund the replacement of the Nebraska State Penitentiary." "Its walls are crumbling, and its infrastructure is aged beyond simple repair," Ricketts said. "For those wishing to pursue criminal justice reform, this should be a no-brainer." A modern new prison would "give our inmates a better quality of life," he said, and "allow us to offer enhanced services and programming to prepare these men for life after time served." Ricketts stressed that he is "not asking anyone to choose between supporting a modern State Penitentiary and pursuing policies that aim to reduce crime and recidivism," suggesting that "these solutions are not at odds and there is room for both." His request for more than $500 million to assist "areas that experienced negative economic impacts from COVID-19" includes assistance for economic development projects in North Omaha and funding for beef processing supply chain issues in North Platte, Ricketts said. Reach the writer at 402-473-7248 or dwalton@journalstar.com. On Twitter @LJSdon Love 0 Funny 1 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 1 Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. The decision about whether and when to become a parent is a deeply personal and private choice and its a decision that belongs to Nebraskans, not the government. Most Nebraskans agree with that simple fact. Nevertheless, here we are. Just a few days into this session, some state senators have proposed banning abortion before many Nebraskans even know they are pregnant. A new bill, LB781, would bring one of the nations most restrictive abortion bans to Nebraska. Just like Texas extreme ban, LB781 would outlaw abortions at about six weeks of pregnancy but effectively act as a ban on all abortions since many people wouldnt even know theyre pregnant by that point, just two weeks after a missed period. Picture an alarm, a siren or flashing lights. Now imagine 10,000 going off at once. Thats the level of threat this poses to Nebraskans health, freedom and lives. Currently, abortion is safe and legal in Nebraska, and it must stay that way. Abortion is an extremely safe medical procedure and a fundamental right. And yet it has been extremely restricted and continuously debated by our elected officials. Nebraska already has significant barriers restricting access to care, including a ban on telehealth medication abortion that requires patients to take pills in the presence of a physician -- despite the Food and Drug Administrations recent decision to permanently allow medication abortion by mail -- and a restriction that requires Nebraskans with private insurance to purchase additional optional coverage to get any coverage for abortion care. Many Nebraskans dont know about these barriers until they or someone they love is dealing with a bill in the thousands of dollars or trying to desperately figure out childcare and work arrangements so that they can drive hours to get the care they need. Thanks to Sen. Megan Hunt, lawmakers will consider legislation that could remove those barriers as they simultaneously consider taking away Nebraskans freedom to make their own medical decisions by effectively banning abortion care altogether. No one who needs abortion care should be forced to delay care, travel to another state or carry a pregnancy against their will. That would be the universal reality for Nebraskans if LB781 passes. Its also already a reality for Nebraskans who cannot overcome the political barriers that anti-choice politicians have constructed year over year. These barriers fall hardest on those who are working to make ends meet, including young Nebraskans, Nebraskans of color and Nebraskans in rural communities. The end goal of these restrictions has always been clear. Politicians want to force their personal beliefs about abortion onto everyone else, taking away Nebraskans freedom to make the best decision for their lives and their families, stepping between medical providers and patients to tell them the government knows best. Reproductive justice has many components, but the fundamental principle at its core is that people should be able to make their own decisions about whether and when to become a parent, free from political, social and legislative interference. We have said time and again that Nebraska would become the next battleground in the fight to protect abortion access, and now that fight is here. We cannot walk in someone elses shoes. No one can know someone elses personal circumstances. Politicians need to stop shaming and judging Nebraskans who need abortion care. Once a Nebraskan has made that decision, they deserve support not barriers or stigma. The bottom line is that a patients health, not a politicians belief, should drive important medical decisions. We and thousands of Nebraskans are dedicated to protecting abortion access and advancing reproductive justice. We are ready for this fight, and it is far from over. Scout Richters lives in Lincoln and is legal and policy counsel for the ACLU of Nebraska. Love 4 Funny 0 Wow 1 Sad 0 Angry 1 RACINE The citys bus service has long been under the management of a private firm, but that may change in the near future as the city considers folding the organization into its governmental operations. The Finance and Personnel Committee voted on Monday to recommend the City Council transition the transit system from private management to a standalone department within the city. The City Council will take up the matter on Jan. 18 and may take a final vote then. The citys contract with First Transit, which has managed the RYDE Racine system since 2010, was about to expire. The company signaled last year it would not be renewing. Further, no company responded to the citys request for bids. Trevor Jung, the citys transit manager, said the proposal to move the transit system to the management of the city would keep the buses running. It is critical to the social health and the economic well-being of our community that we continue to provide reliable, sustainable, safe and affordable public transportation to our residents, Jung said. This proposal does just that. RYDE Racine is a public system, operated by the city, and as such was already included in the budget. That included $200,000 the city paid to have a private firm manage the system. Folding the operation into the citys operation is expected to be budget neutral and could represent some savings for the taxpayers. Jung told the Committee of the Whole on Monday that having an outside management firm made Racine something of an outlier as most of the public transit systems in the state are managed by the municipalities where they operate, with the exception of Waukesha. The RYDE system runs through the City of Racine as well as in Sturtevant, Caledonia, North Bay and Mount Pleasant. Employees unionized RYDE Racine, formerly The Belle Urban System, has 59 full-time employees, 32 part-time employees and a general manager. If the proposal is adopted, Human Resources would begin the process of transitioning the transit employees into the city system. That includes the general manager, Willie McDonald, who has indicated he would be leaving First Transit and joining the City of Racine. As with the Racine Police Department and Fire Department, RYDE Racine employees are unionized. The city will recognize both the current union-negotiated contract and the rights of the employees of the transit system to continue with union representation if they so choose. Alderman John Tate, president of the city council, said he sometimes sees in the news resistance to union organizing, but that would not be the case with the transit employees. What we have before us is the opportunity to say there is a unit before us that wants to collectively bargain, he said. As an employer, were not going to stand in the way of that process. He continued, Instead, were going to invite and embrace that process and say yes if thats what you want to do. Were not going to stand in the way. Tom Bennett, who is on the executive board of the Teamsters Local 200 which represents the RYDE Racine employees, praised the efforts of the city to keep the buses running and the many employees who make that possible. Transit workers are good people, hard-working people, he said. Bennett continued and noted that the transit system employees were a diverse group, local citizens, who know the city, and its citizens. He concluded by saying the union looked forward to the future relationship with the city. Contract The contract with First Transit is due to expire Jan. 31. According to Jung, the parent company of First Transit, which was located in the United Kingdom, was sold and the new company did not want to purchase some of its contracts. Racine was one of those contracts, which the city was aware of as early as last summer. The city both published a request for bids and reached out to management firms, to no avail. Jung said one of the primary issues was the concern about secondary pension liabilities. He noted the city held the first position of responsibility for pension liability. The market forces, Jung explained, dissuaded private sector firms from assuming the arrangement long practiced in Racine. In actuality, for the city to assume the responsibility of managing the transit system would really bring it in line with the other public transit systems in Wisconsin, such as Green Bay and Sheboygan. We have the wherewithal and capacity to operate a transit system by hiring the RYDE Racine staff including the general manager, Jung said. The proposal keeps the buses running, he later added. He said there may also be some savings to taxpayers over time due to the lower insurance costs for municipalities, which have caps in place that limit the amount of damages an entity could be subject to if there was an accident. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 1 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. A mobile vendor accused of mishandling hundreds of COVID-19 vaccine doses delivered a majority of the suspect shots at public clinics at a state park, courthouses, grocery stores and other community settings, according to a Baltimore Sun data analysis. TrueCare24, the San Francisco-based company, is the subject of a complaint filed last month by a Maryland Department of Health employee accusing the company of improperly storing and handling vaccines and not providing required records, potentially affecting the vaccines effectiveness. Advertisement TrueCare reported giving at least 1,455 doses of vaccine during a period spanning from late July to mid-September, according to documents obtained by The Baltimore Sun. Of those, the state health department said it validated, or cleared for use, about 500 of the doses given with the help of the vaccines clinical and medical support staff at manufacturers Pfizer, Moderna and Janssen, the Johnson & Johnson pharmaceutical arm. But of the nearly 1,000 shots that the department did not validate, about a quarter were given out at Sandy Point State Park in Annapolis, according to the records. TrueCare made at least eight trips to Sandy Point from Aug. 15 to Sept. 6 and administered some 230 doses in all. The next most common sites were courthouses followed by Compare Foods stores. Advertisement The largest portion of the vaccines TrueCare administered went to people at state detention centers, but most of those were among the doses cleared by the state health department. Health department officials said 135 doses TrueCare gave at detention centers were not validated by the department. The Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services declined to comment. Representatives from TrueCare, Moderna and Janssen have not responded to requests for comment. Representatives from Pfizer declined to comment, calling the situation a local matter. The health department began notifying those who may have received problematic doses of vaccine late last month, spokesman Andy Owen said, and the matter remains under internal review. On Thursday, state Health Secretary Dennis R. Schrader said during a virtual hearing with Maryland lawmakers that the department had notified 873 individuals of the situation and had offered each a supplemental dose of vaccine out of an abundance of caution. He said the individuals were contacted by email, phone, text message and letters, with Spanish language translation available. In her complaint, Jessicah Ray, a licensed clinician and former deputy director of a Maryland Department of Health coronavirus recovery program, said TrueCare improperly stored and handled vaccines and kept incomplete and problematic records. The three vaccines available to U.S. consumers have strict storage requirements. Most vaccines are to be kept at temperatures between 36 and 46 degrees in refrigerators. The vaccines are fragile, and may not work if they are stored at different temperatures, according to medical professionals and immunologists. Its possible, Ray said, that those who received mishandled doses could be less protected against COVID-19 than they think. As the new, more contagious omicron variant circulates, she said its important that those who received a questionable dose get revaccinated. Ray said she was comfortable that the validated doses met validity criteria, based on her assessments of the digital temperature logs and after cross-checking the storage requirements of the vaccines. Advertisement She said there were several procedural errors and other quality control blunders that made her question the integrity of TrueCares work. Company representatives failed, she said, to submit chain-of-custody forms that detail how the vaccine temperatures fared during transit to the department. They are necessary to ensure the full reliability of vaccines. Dr. Jinlene Chan, the states deputy secretary for public health services, told lawmakers Thursday that the agencys and federal regulators chief concern centered on the documentation problems. This, however, does not mean the vaccines themselves were spoiled, she said. The issue is not so much that we know that they were spoiled, just the documentation, Chan said. So, we are uncertain that the vaccines were held at the appropriate temperature. It does not mean that they were not, it just means that the documentation was not there. She said the department does not believe the vaccines had the potential to cause harm or other adverse effects to those who received them. We do not believe that would be the case, given the circumstances, Chan said. Thats why we are emphasizing, out of abundance of caution, were recommending based on CDC guidance, an additional dose. Ray also said TrueCares handwritten logs documenting the vaccine temperatures during site operations didnt always match the digital logs. When MDH pressed for more missing documents, TrueCare representatives did provide many, she said, though they did not always correspond with the original digital logs. Advertisement When there were excursion events, meaning when the temperatures were too high or too low, she alleges the company failed to complete required reports explaining what happened. Those reports help validate that the vaccines are safe and effective to use. Ray wasnt the only one asking questions. In emails obtained by The Sun, Kurt Seetoo, immunization program manager at the health department, said there were at least eight hours of temperature excursion events Sept. 2 that the company didnt provide an explanation for. There are alarms on the current logs for a total of more than 8 hours (7 hours too high 1 hour too low) on the 9/2 log, Seetoo wrote in a Sept. 9 email. What did the team do in response to these alarms? What is their protocol? According to Ray, the health department identified at least 75 excursion events during a preliminary review, and there was difficulty identifying the cause. Asked for advice, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended health officials notify and revaccinate hundreds of people, the health department said. The CDC has not replied to a request for comment. Advertisement Several Maryland lawmakers have called for more transparency into the mobile vaccination program run by the state health department, which has overseen the vaccination of millions of people statewide since the shots first became authorized for use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in December 2020. State Del. Heather Bagnall, an Anne Arundel County Democrat whose district includes Sandy Point State Park, said she has heard from a handful of constituents worried about the clinics they attended in her district. Some of them already have been contacted by the health department to advise them to get another shot, but its not clear what process health officials are following to reach patients, she said. We dont know what that process of notification is, which makes it hard to know if we are adequately notifying the people that might have been affected, she said. Thats my greatest concern. In addition to thinking the health department didnt act quickly enough to notify vaccine recipients about the potential problems with their shots, Bagnall said she also worries about Rays protection at work. Ray said she was removed from her position as a deputy director overseeing vaccine and testing compliance and put into a different program, where she was instructed not to communicate with her colleagues involved in assessing the compliance of clinical operations. 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. > We might need greater protections for whistleblowers so that if people see something, they can say something, Bagnall said. Advertisement Meanwhile, State Sen. Shelly Hettleman, a Democrat who represents Baltimore County, called the decision of the departments inspector general not to investigate really concerning. She said it illustrates why she proposed a bill that passed the legislature last year to establish an independent inspector general office for the agency. The law doesnt take effect until July. Currently, the inspector generals office is a division within the department that is empowered to investigate potential fraud, waste and abuse of state funds. Schrader said Thursday that the department takes the effectiveness of vaccines and patient safety seriously. Thats why the department stopped assigning TrueCare new clinics once the complaints surfaced, he said. He said he agrees that the notification process took too long. After the CDC advised the department Nov. 22 to reach out to the affected individuals, that didnt start happening until Dec. 30, Schrader said. I am not happy about how long it took MDH to determine clinical next steps and reach out to individuals, he said. What we were slow at was getting the advice from manufacturers and the CDC. And that shouldve been much faster. Schrader said the department is holding four supplemental vaccine clinics this week for the individuals vaccinated at detention centers all inmates. BURLINGTON A gun store is being allowed to set up shop near Karcher Middle School, despite concerns about circulating firearms close to the school and a child care center. A divided Burlington Plan Commission has given store operator Roy Christensen the green light to start selling guns in a former pharmacy at 300 S. Pine St. The location is about one block away from both Karcher Middle School and the Plymouth Childrens Center. Exemption makes store legal Two members of the plan commission, as well as a schoolteacher, voiced opposition to the new store, and they questioned how a firearms dealership could operate in a gun-free school zone. The law on gun-free school zones restricts carrying any firearm within 1,000 feet of a school. However, gun stores themselves are exempt. But, anyone purchasing a gun or bringing one in for repairs could be in violation of the law when they walk outside the store unless they take certain precautions. To be legal, every gun would have to be emptied of ammunition and locked inside a carrying case while it is carried in or out of the store. Plan Commission member Art Gardner said he has no confidence that Christensens customers would comply with the law every time. Gardner also said allowing gun sales near a school or child care center involves taking chances. Theres a risk, he said. And we all know that. Supporters of the gun store, however, said they see no danger in its proximity to Karcher Middle School, 300 Wainwright Ave., or Plymouth Childrens Center, 200 S. Pine St. One commission member, Alderman Tom Preusker, said if Karcher ever were targeted for a school shooting, having Christensens inventory of firearms and ammunition in the neighborhood could help in defending the school. Referring to the store owner, Preusker said, He could probably get there faster than any first responder. Burlington Police Chief Mark Anderson said the gun-free school zone law does not prohibit firearms dealers from doing business near schools. Anderson declined to say whether he supports the new gun store. Vote The commission voted 4-2 on Tuesday to approve a permit needed for the new store to open. The decision is not subject to review by the Burlington City Council. In addition to Preusker, the store was supported by commissioners Chad Redman, Andy Tully and John Ekes. Joining Gardner in voting no was Alderman Bob Grandi, another commission member. Fourth in community Christensen, who lives in Salem Lakes in Kenosha County, is the owner of Americas Gunsmith Shop LLC, which operates inside Camping World of Kenosha, 6802 118th Ave., Kenosha. Formerly known as Gander Mountain, Camping World opted to drop gun sales a few months ago. Stevenson, an employee since 2004, bought the gun business, and now is looking to relocate. Steve Spitzer founded his Racine County pharmacies to fight the drug industry. Now he's selling to Walgreens Pharmacy Station's founder fought to buck the system and to keep prescription prices down. But the rising cost of pharmaceuticals has made it seemingly impossible to protect consumers from being gouged. He is considering purchasing the retail space where Pharmacy Station once operated at 300 S. Pine St. The independent pharmacy shut down last year after selling its customer accounts to Walgreens. Christensen said he is attracted to Burlington because of its central location and because of the communitys general support for hunting and shooting sports. The new store, he said, probably could sell about 500 guns a year, and would draw just as much business with its gunsmithing repairs and service. Saying that he expected to hear concerns about the stores location, Christensen said he has been in the business almost 20 years without ever having a problem that required police involvement. Were sensitive to that, he said. Weve been a good steward of the community. Americas Gunsmith Shop LLC would join three other Burlington businesses that sell guns: Dunhams Sports, 1120 Milwaukee Ave.; R.P. Home & Harvest, 1058 Milwaukee Ave.; and Reinemans True Value, 417 Milwaukee Ave. Officials at the Burlington Area School District confirmed that Karcher Middle School is in a gun-free school zone. But they, too, declined to say whether they support the proposal. We trust the city to make a decision that is in the best interest of the community, district spokeswoman Julie Thomas said. Officials at Plymouth Childrens Center declined to comment. Teacher disapproves Melissa Statz, a teacher at Cooper Elementary School, posted her opposition on Facebook and urged Plan Commission members to reject the Pine Street location for firearms sales. Statz said gun violence at schools and elsewhere has become an epidemic. She said city officials should find a different location to accommodate Christensens business. Common sense would tell you that a gun-free zone exists for a reason, she said. At a public hearing on the matter, nobody spoke in support or opposition to the new gun store. Grandi, who is Statzs father, said that parents at both Karcher and Plymouth would feel unsafe about having a gun store near their children. Noting that Burlington school officials just spent $32 million building a new Karcher Middle School with added safety measures, Grandi said it does not make sense to permit gun sales just down the street. We do our best to keep our children safe, he said. To me, this proposed store is a contradiction to that. Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 1 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Remember when Horlick High School and Mitchell Middle School had gun ranges with live firearms in the building? You might not, since it was decades ago. But classes were offered. Years before the 1999 mass shooting at Columbine High School and the more than 225 school shootings since then, having a gun range built into a schools basement and real firearms used as teaching materials was not particularly abnormal. The late Walter Wally Stenavich, who died in 2016 at the age of 90, served much of his career as the principal of Mitchell School and also of Horlick High School. When interviewed by a Journal Times reporter in 2006, he spoke about being one of those who helped build the no-longer-active gun range in Mitchells basement. At the time, the U.S. Army was encouraging these things, and they supplied us with the rifles, he said, adding that students who learned at the gun range would often compete as part of rifle teams. Our main purpose was to teach gun safety, and hunting was a big thing during that time. Now, such a thing could make a comeback. High schools statewide would be able to offer a gun safety course under a Republican-written bill that came before an Assembly Education Committee for a public hearing Wednesday. Democratic Gov. Tony Evers, a former state superintendent and educator who has encouraged the Legislature to pass gun control legislation, would almost certainly veto the bill; his office did not immediately reply to a request for comment on this story. The bill would require the state superintendent to create a curriculum that includes information on the different types and mechanisms of firearms and ammunition, the principles of firearm safety, the location of safety devices, how to load and unload a gun, how to engage safety devices, and how to carry and transport a gun. Bill co-author Rep. Treig Pronschinske, R-Mondovi, said Wednesday the bill would lead to proper gun usage and fewer dangerous gun incidents. Critics of the bill have said that we should not educate kids on firearms because it could be dangerous, Pronschinske said. This is ridiculous. We educate youth on drugs and sex. We certainly dont want kids to try heroin or to have unintended pregnancies. Education is key to safety and is almost in every aspect of life. Under the federal Gun-Free Schools Act, guns on K-12 campuses are prohibited and punishable by at least a one-year expulsion. Pronschinske said Wednesday, however, the class would use replica guns, not real guns. In response, Rep. Dave Considine, D-Baraboo, said: The next thing Im going to hear is that we have to offer farm safety and have tractors be driven around in a course at school to make sure farmers are safe. Support, opposition Under the bill, schools would be able to avoid offering a gun course by adopting a resolution to opt out of it. That provision led the Wisconsin Association of School Boards to oppose the bill even though the group has supported similar bills without that provision. Several other school associations lobbied against the bill, including the Wisconsin Council for Administrators of Special Services and Wisconsin Association of School District Administrators, though no representatives from those organizations appeared or shared testimony at the hearing Wednesday. Wisconsin Gun Owners, the sole lobbying group supporting the bill, said, Educating our youth in the safe handling, storage, use of firearms, and historic right to bear arms is necessary for the cultivation of the proper culture and respect for firearms. A similar bill came up in 2017 when Republicans controlled the Legislature and governors office but did not pass. Unlike the current bill, the 2017 bill explicitly prohibited live ammunition and did not include the opt-out provision. Rep. Sondy Pope, D-Mount Horeb, questioned how the firearm course could be a semester long as the legislators suggested, and wondered why it would be a four-credit class. I just cant imagine how an entire semester is spent doing this for credit. It just seems kind of ridiculous to me, she said. Police etiquette course Another Republican-authored bill brought before the Assembly Education Committee Wednesday would require the state superintendent to create a fifth- through 12th-grade course on how to interact with law enforcement with mutual cooperation and respect. Bill co-author Rep. Andre Jacque, R-De Pere, argued Wednesday that many negative interactions between students and officers resulted from misunderstandings on proper etiquette. When things go wrong with an interaction between law enforcement and youth, the price that we pay for that, I mean, theres no theres no going back with some of the catastrophic things that can occur, Jacque said. The Wisconsin Rural Schools Alliance opposed the bill, writing that the organization saw it as an unfunded mandate. Several school associations also opposed the bill. The Wisconsin State Lodge Fraternal Order of Police and Wisconsin Chiefs of Police Association supported it. Democratic committee member LaKeshia Myers, D-Milwaukee, said the bill does not consider that compliance does not always mend situations people have with police, especially when it comes to black people. She said Wednesday: You can be compliant and you still may not make it home. In response, Jacque said, there shouldnt be racial stereotyping by law enforcement officers, just as I dont think that there should be a stereotyping of how (an officer) conducts his job. Wisconsin Fraternal Order of Police President Ryan Windorff said Wednesday that the class could mitigate the fear that citizens have toward police, which he said makes policing more difficult. Virtually every single recent high-profile incident of a bad encounter with law enforcement was exacerbated by a citizen unnecessarily escalating the situation, Windorff said.Like the gun education bill, school districts could opt out of the law enforcement etiquette course under a bill provision. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 WASHINGTON (AP) The first time Celeste Norris laid eyes on Ashli Babbitt, the future insurrectionist had just rammed her vehicle three times with an SUV and was pounding on the window, challenging her to a fight. Norris says the bad blood between them began in 2015, when Babbitt engaged in a monthslong extramarital affair with Norris' longtime live-in boyfriend. When she learned of the relationship, Norris called Babbitt's husband and told him she was cheating. "She pulls up yelling and screaming," Norris said in an exclusive interview with The Associated Press, recounting the July 29, 2016, road-rage incident in Prince Frederick, Maryland. "It took me a good 30 seconds to figure out who she was. Just all sorts of expletives, telling me to get out of the car, that she was going to beat my ass." Terrified and confused, Norris dialed 911 and waited for law enforcement. Babbitt was later charged with numerous misdemeanors. The attack on Norris is an example of erratic and sometimes threatening behavior by Babbitt, who was shot by a police officer while at the vanguard of the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol. Former President Donald Trump and his supporters have sought to portray her as a righteous martyr who was unjustly killed. Trump has called her "an incredible person" and he even taped a posthumous birthday greeting to her in October. Trump has also demanded the Justice Department reinvestigate Babbitt's death, though the officer who shot her was cleared of any wrongdoing by two prior federal investigations. But the life of the Air Force veteran from California, who died while wearing a Trump campaign flag wrapped around her shoulders like a cape, is far more complicated than the heroic portrait presented by Trump and his allies. In the months before her death, Babbitt had become consumed by pro-Trump conspiracy theories and posted angry screeds on social media. She also had a history of making violent threats. Babbitt, 35, was fatally shot while attempting to climb through the broken window of a barricaded door leading to the Speaker's Lobby inside the Capitol, where police officers were evacuating members of Congress from the mob supporting Trump's false claim that the 2020 presidential election was stolen. She was one of five people who died during or immediately after the riot, including a Capitol Police officer. On social media, Babbitt identified as a Libertarian and ardent supporter of the Second Amendment. Her posts included videos of profane rants against Democrats, COVID-19 mask mandates and illegal immigration. Her Twitter account, which was taken down after her death, was rife with references to the QAnon conspiracy theory, which centers on the baseless belief that Trump has secretly battled deep-state enemies and a cabal of Satan-worshiping cannibals that includes prominent Democrats who operate a child sex trafficking ring. "Nothing will stop us," Babbitt tweeted Jan. 5. "They can try and try and try but the storm is here and it is descending upon DC in less than 24 hours....dark to light!" Among Q followers, "The Storm" refers to the predicted day Trump would finally unmask the pedophile cabal, arrest and execute those deemed traitors and restore America to greatness. Trump has repeatedly insisted Babbitt was murdered, and she has achieved martyr status among Trump supporters. Her name and likeness now appear on T-shirts and flags at pro-Trump rallies. A Maryland personal injury lawyer representing Babbitt's husband, Aaron Babbitt, has raised $375,000 through a Christian crowdfunding site and has threatened to file a lawsuit against the Capitol Police. Key to that wrongful death claim is the contention that Babbitt, a former military police officer who was 5-foot-2 and weighed 115 pounds, would have peacefully surrendered had Capitol officers attempted to arrest her. Aaron Babbitt declined to comment in October when a reporter knocked on the door of the San Diego apartment he shared with Ashli and another woman. In a June interview with Tucker Carlson of Fox News, Babbitt said he has been sickened by some of what he has seen written about his deceased wife. "There's never been a person who Ashli ran across in her daily life that didn't love her," said Babbitt, 40. That is not how Norris felt about her. MORE JAN. 6 COVERAGE ONE YEAR LATER Court records involving the violent 2016 confrontation between Babbitt and Norris have previously been reported by media outlets, including the AP. But Norris, now 39, agreed to speak about it publicly for the first time in an interview with the AP and shared previously unreported details. She also provided documents and photos from the crash scene to support her account. Norris was in a six-year relationship with Aaron Babbitt when she said she learned he was cheating on her with a married co-worker from his job as a security guard at a nuclear power plant near the Chesapeake Bay. She eventually found out the other woman was Ashli McEntee, who at the time went by the last name of her then-husband. "He was telling me about this foulmouthed chick that's on his shift, blah, blah, blah," Norris recounted. "Come to find out a few months later ... they were basically having this relationship while they were at work." When she learned of the affair, she reached out to Babbitt's husband, Timothy McEntee. "You know, I was trying to keep my home life together," she said. Norris said she tried for a few months to salvage her relationship with Aaron Babbitt before finally deciding to move out of their house. Within days, Norris said, Ashli moved in. A few weeks later, Norris was waiting at a stop sign in Prince Frederick, about an hour southeast of Washington, D.C., when she says a white Ford Explorer passed her going the other direction. Norris saw the SUV pulling a U-turn before speeding up behind her. She recounts that the SUV's driver began swerving erratically, laying on the horn and attempting to pass a Chevrolet Suburban that was in between them on the narrow two-lane road. When the driver of the Chevy pulled over, Norris said the white Ford SUV accelerated and rammed into her rear bumper. She said the SUV rammed her a second time and then a third, all while the vehicles continued to roll down the road. After Norris dialed 911, an emergency dispatcher advised her to pull over to the shoulder and stop. As she waited for help, Babbitt got out of her vehicle and came up to Norris' driver's-side window, banging on the glass. Norris said the force of the impact caused her seatbelt to lock tight, preventing her from getting out of her car. Within minutes, deputies arrived. A case report from the Calvert County Sheriff's Office obtained by the AP shows Ashli Babbitt was issued a criminal summons on charges of reckless endangerment, a misdemeanor defined under Maryland law as engaging in conduct "that creates a substantial risk of death or serious physical injury to another" and punishable by up to five years in prison and a $5,000 fine. She was also charged with malicious destruction of property for the damage to Norris' vehicle. Court records show those charges were later updated to include traffic offenses reckless driving, negligent driving and failure to control a vehicle's speed to avoid a collision. Photos from the scene provided to the AP by Norris show Babbitt's white Ford Explorer with its front bumper smashed in. The SUV's grill is also pushed in and the hood dented. The rear bumper of Norris' Escape is pushed in on the passenger side, with the detached Maryland license plate from the front bumper of Babbitt's SUV wedged into it. Following the altercation, Norris and a friend went to the courthouse in neighboring St. Mary's County, where she lived at the time, and petitioned for a peace order, a type of restraining order, against Ashli Babbitt. The resulting judicial order barred Ashli Babbitt from attempting to contact Norris, committing further acts of violence against her and going to her home or workplace. A copy of the order, dated the same day as the altercation, contains Norris' contemporaneous account of what occurred, as written down by her friend. Norris' hands were still shaking so badly she couldn't write down what happened for herself, according to a note on the document. In the weeks after the incident, Norris said, Babbitt falsely claimed to authorities that the collisions had occurred when Norris repeatedly backed her vehicle into Babbitt's SUV. But when the case went to trial, Norris said, Babbitt changed her story, admitting under oath that she had collided with Norris' vehicle but portraying it as an accident. No transcript from the hearing was available, but Norris said the lawyer defending Babbitt made repeated references to her employment at the local nuclear power plant and years of military service, which included deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. Babbitt served on active duty with the U.S. Air Force, and then in the reserves and the Air National Guard until 2016. A judge acquitted Babbitt on the criminal charges. In February 2017, records show Norris asked for and received a second peace order against Ashli Babbitt, citing ongoing harassment and stalking. In a handwritten petition, Norris says that Babbitt had recently followed her home from work and that she had also received repeated calls in the middle of the night from an unlisted number. "I lived in fear because I didn't know what she was capable of," Norris told the AP. "I was constantly looking over my shoulder." In 2019, Norris filed a personal injury lawsuit against Ashli Babbitt, seeking $74,500 in damages, and she said she settled out of court with Babbitt's insurance carrier for an undisclosed sum. By then, Aaron and Ashli had moved to California, where she grew up and still had family. Timothy McEntee was granted a divorce in Maryland in May 2019. McEntee did not respond to voicemails and messages left at his home. Ashli posted on Facebook that she married Aaron Babbitt the following month. Records show the couple owned a pool cleaning service with Ashli's brother. When a reporter visited the business the day after her death, a large sign on the locked door declared the building to be "Mask Free Autonomous Zone Better Known as America." In the year since Babbitt's death, Trump and many Republicans in Congress have sought to recast the Jan. 6 insurrection as nonviolent a contention directly contradicted by hours of video footage and the public testimony of Capitol Police officers, 140 of whom were injured in the melee. In his video on Babbitt's birthday, Trump also said: "Together we grieve her terrible loss. There was no reason Ashli should have lost her life that day. We must all demand justice for Ashli and her family, so on this solemn occasion as we celebrate her life, we renew our call for a fair and nonpartisan investigation into the death of Ashli Babbitt." Aaron Babbitt's lawyer, Terrell Roberts III, did not respond to numerous phone messages and emails seeking comment. But in written statements to the media, he has said her shooting "was tantamount to an execution without trial." "Given her background as a 14-year veteran of the Air Force, it is likely that Ashli would have complied with simple verbal commands, thereby making the use of any force unnecessary," Roberts said. The Capitol Police officer who shot Babbitt, Lt. Michael Byrd, said in a televised interview in August that he fired as a "last resort." When he pulled the trigger, he said, he had no idea whether the person jumping through the window was armed. The U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia cleared Byrd of wrongdoing in April, concluding that he acted in self-defense and in the defense of members of Congress. The U.S. Capitol Police announced in August that they had also cleared Byrd. "I tried to wait as long as I could," Byrd said. "I hoped and prayed no one tried to enter through those doors. But their failure to comply required me to take the appropriate action to save the lives of members of Congress and myself and my fellow officers." *** Associated Press correspondent Elliot Spagat in San Diego contributed to this report. Follow AP Investigative Reporter Michael Biesecker at http://twitter.com/mbieseck Contact AP's global investigative team at Investigative@ap.org. Love 0 Funny 1 Wow 0 Sad 1 Angry 0 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 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. Because of the force of the crash, the Elantra overturned, and Flaherty died at the scene. Dimayuga-Alvarado's 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-Alvarado's 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-Alvarado's 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. La Crosse County Sheriff Jeff Wolf told the countys Judiciary & Law Committee Tuesday that hes open to ideas that would reduce the cost of inmate communication from the county jail. The mail and email policies at the jail recently came under scrutiny from the Wisconsin American Civil Liberties Union. The ACLU challenged the jails policy of refusing to let prisoners receive incoming letters and packages except for correspondence pertaining to their legal case. Wolf said he hasnt heard from the ACLU since it issued a Dec. 21 press release asking the jail to reconsider its ban. He said the jail remains committed to its existing policy and said its necessary to prevent contraband from entering the facility. He said inmates had received letters in which drugs were soaked into an envelope, which creates hazards for jail staff who screen the mail and overdose risks for inmates. Committee member Dawn Wacek asked if efforts were being made to reduce how much inmates are charged for electronic communication. The county contracts with a private vendor to provide the service and charges 50 cents per email. The sheriffs office receives a small percentage per email, netting $8,000 last year and $12,000 in 2020. Wolf said he would consider options to reduce the rate. He said 50 cents may seem like a lot for an email, but its the cost of a postage stamp. It has caught on and has been very popular (with inmates), Wolf said. At no time did we implement it to make a profit. Wolf also gave an update on gang activity in La Crosse County. He said most gang activity is driven by for-profit drug dealing and involves mostly people over 18. He said theres a perception by gang members that smaller communities will treat them more leniently in the criminal justice system than big cities. However, he said he wasnt aware of any data supporting that perception. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. La Crosse County experienced a 123% increase in COVID-19 cases this week, and the state is reporting up to 13,000+ new infections per day. For the seven-day period ending Jan. 8, the La Crosse County Health Department reported 2,189 COVID-19 infections, an average of 312 per day for a 28.3% positivity rate. In a post Wednesday, La Crosse County Health Department officials urged residents to get their vaccine, stay home if experiencing any symptoms, even mild, and masking. Consider rescheduling events and gatherings, or finding safer ways to do your daily activities, the Health Department added. In Wisconsin, the case burden for the two-week period ending Jan. 11 was 2,490.9 per 100,000, with a 36% increase in trajectory. La Crosse Countys burden was 3,212.6 per 100,000 with growth in trajectory. Every county is rated critically high as of Jan. 13. The state as of Thursday had a seven-day average of 9,915 new cases per day including a record of over 13,000 on Jan. 13 alone for a 27.4% positivity rate. A total of 10,434 deaths were confirmed as Thursday, including 141 in La Crosse County. Statewide, confirmed cases totaled 1,116,893, with 24,552 among La Crosse County residents. The Wisconsin Hospital Association reported 2,278 current COVID-19 hospitalizations as of Jan. 12, including 488 ICU patients. In the Western region, those numbers were 66 and 11, respectively, with no ICU beds immediately available. For the two-week period ending Jan. 11, DHS reported growth in overall hospitalizations but no significant change in Western Wisconsin. Statewide 95.1% of hospitals had their ICUS at peak capacity, and 28% of ventilators were in use. In Wisconsin, 58.6% of residents were fully vaccinated as of Jan. 12, as were 64.3% of La Crosse County residents. Mayo experts: Boost your protection During an online forum, The COVID-19 Pandemic: Where Do We Go From Here, Mayo Clinic Health System physicians discussed the importance of a booster dose of the vaccine in light of omicrons highly infectious nature. Dr. Abinash Virk shared data from studies out of the U.K., which found those with three doses of an mRNA vaccine had an 81% reduction in hospitalization risk due to omicron. For those with two doses, protection dropped to 65%. Another study, in the preprint stage, found two shots of the Pfizer vaccine provided 72.2% protection against infection from delta, but only 34% for omicron. Adding in a third dose increased protection to 92.6% for delta and 72.2% for omicron. Previous COVID infection does not offer effective neutralizing activity against omicron. Omircon, Virk says, has a shorter incubation period than delta three versus four days and in the UK hospitalizations for those with the omicron variant were around half of those for delta. Death rates also appear to be lower, but Virk notes data lags behind and the full picture (is) unclear yet. While a fourth dose of the Pfizer vaccine was shown to be safe in a study from Israel, and boosted antibody level five-fold, Virk says it is not yet know if a fourth shot will be recommended. Treatments for those with omicron include the monoclonal antibody sotrovimab and newly approved oral medications Paxlovid, which reduces hospitalization by 89% if started within five days of symptom onset, and molnupiravir, which lowers risk by 30%. The availability of these drugs is limited, and there is not enough supply at present to treat all those who qualify. Optimistically, some level of herd immunity could be reached by late spring, but Virk says it is difficult to predict if COVID will ever stop circulating entirely. We still have a lot of virus floating around and a large number of people who are susceptible to the illness, Virk says. Unfortunately the vaccines dont provide absolute protection. (And) recent data has suggested SARS-COV-2 has adapted to infections in animals that risk is there that there may be a non human reservoirs. In addition, Virk notes, new variants continue to form, and it is likely COVID will be comparable to influenza at some point, an endemic rather than pandemic. Get tested, stay home if symptomatic Virk says the new CDC guidelines which shorten isolation and quarantine periods are challenging and may ultimately need adjusting for factors like symptom type and vaccination status. Dr. Raj Palraj of Mayo says it is a balancing act that the CDC and public officials have to do, and is based on evidence that after five days the risk of transmission goes down dramatically. If we say you have to wait for 10 days, then we are looking at a lot of absences in the essential services and the hospital community and so on, Palraj says. It is imperative that individuals with symptoms follow the recommendations to stay home, including those who havent yet had a chance to be tested. COVID testing is in high demand and wait times should be anticipated. Local COVID testing sites include Mayo Clinic Health System, Gundersen Health System, COVID Clinic, Weber Health Logistics, La Crosse County Health Department events, UWL and Walgreens. Emily Pyrek can be reached at emily.pyrek@lee.net. Concerned about COVID-19? Sign up now to get the most recent coronavirus headlines and other important local and national news sent to your email inbox daily. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. One person was critically injured and two more were seriously injured after a car struck a telephone pole and crashed into a house in Perry Hall on Wednesday night, Baltimore County officials said. Baltimore County Police officers got a call around 7 p.m. of a motor vehicle crash in the 9000 block of Belair Road, said Sgt. Gladys Brown, a police spokeswoman. Advertisement Firefighters and EMS arrived on the scene, too, finding a crumpled car that had come to rest against a house. Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 9 Police officers and firefighters are at the scene where a vehicle slammed into a house on the southbound side of the 9100 block of Belair Road on January 12, 2022. (Amy Davis/Baltimore Sun) Capt. Leonard Stewart, a fire department spokesman, said the vehicle was traveling south on Belair Road, struck a telephone pole and then crashed into the corner of the home. Advertisement Firefighters had to extricate the three occupants from the car, Stewart said. One patient was taken to Johns Hopkins Bayview in critical condition while the two others were taken to Johns Hopkins Hospital with serious injuries. Belair Road was shut down between Joppa Road and Soth Avenue, as utility crews made repairs, Brown said. That segment of the road was expected to be closed for several hours. Brown said the police department is conducting an investigation into the incident. Police officers scanned the wreck with flashlights around 10 p.m. Baltimore Sun photographer Amy Davis contributed to this article. High schools would be able to offer a gun safety course statewide under a Republican-authored bill that came before an Assembly Education Committee for a public hearing Wednesday. Democratic Gov. Tony Evers, a former state superintendent and educator who has encouraged the Legislature to pass gun control legislation, would almost certainly veto the bill. The bill would require the state superintendent to create a curriculum that includes information on the different types and mechanisms of firearms and ammunition, the principles of firearm safety, the location of safety devices, how to load and unload a gun, how to engage safety devices and how to carry and transport a gun. Bill co-author Rep. Treig Pronschinske, R-Mondovi, said Wednesday the bill would lead to proper gun usage and fewer dangerous gun incidents. Critics of the bill have said that we should not educate kids on firearms because it could be dangerous, Pronschinske said. This is ridiculous. We educate youth on drugs and sex. We certainly dont want kids to try heroin or to have unintended pregnancies. Education is key to safety and is almost in every aspect of life. In response, Rep. Dave Considine, D-Baraboo, pointed to the potential dangers of farming. The next thing Im going to hear is that we have to offer farm safety and have tractors be driven around in a course at school to make sure farmers are safe, he said. Under the bill, schools would be able to avoid offering a gun course by adopting a resolution to opt out of it. That provision led the Wisconsin Association of School Boards to oppose the bill even though the group has supported similar bills without that provision. Several other school associations lobbied against the bill, including the Wisconsin Council for Administrators of Special Services and Wisconsin Association of School District Administrators, though no representatives from those organizations appeared or shared testimony at the hearing Wednesday. Wisconsin Gun Owners, the sole lobbying group supporting the bill, said, Educating our youth in the safe handling, storage, use of firearms, and historic right to bear arms is necessary for the cultivation of the proper culture and respect for firearms. A similar bill came up in 2017 when Republicans controlled the Legislature and governors office but did not pass. Unlike the current bill, the 2017 bill explicitly prohibited live ammunition and did not include the opt-out provision. Under the federal Gun-Free Schools Act, guns on K-12 campuses are prohibited and punishable by at least a one-year expulsion. Pronschinske said Wednesday, however, the class would use replica guns, not real guns. Committee member Rep. Sondy Pope, D-Mount Horeb, questioned how the firearm course could be a semester long as the legislators suggested, and wondered why it would be a four-credit class. I just cant imagine how an entire semester is spent doing this for credit. It just seems kind of ridiculous to me, she said. The governors office did not respond to a request for comment Wednesday. Requiring a police etiquette course Another Republican-authored bill brought before the Assembly Education Committee Wednesday would require the state superintendent to create a fifth- through 12th-grade course on how to interact with law enforcement with mutual cooperation and respect. Many negative interactions between students and officers resulted from misunderstandings on proper etiquette, bill co-author Rep. Andre Jacque, R-De Pere, said Wednesday. When things go wrong with an interaction between law enforcement and youth, the price that we pay for that, I mean, theres no theres no going back with some of the catastrophic things that can occur, Jacque said. The Wisconsin Rural Schools Alliance opposed the bill, writing that the organization saw it as an unfunded mandate. Several school associations also opposed the bill, while the Wisconsin State Lodge Fraternal Order of Police and Wisconsin Chiefs of Police Association supported it. Democratic committee member LaKeshia Myers, D-Milwaukee, said the bill does not consider that compliance does not always mend situations people have with police, especially when it comes to Black people. You can be compliant and you still may not make it home, she said Wednesday. In response, Jacque said, there shouldnt be racial stereotyping by law enforcement officers, just as I dont think that there should be a stereotyping of how (an officer) conducts his job. Wisconsin Fraternal Order of Police president Ryan Windorff said Wednesday that the class could mitigate the fear that citizens have toward police, which he said makes policing more difficult. Virtually every single recent high-profile incident of a bad encounter with law enforcement was exacerbated by a citizen unnecessarily escalating the situation, Windorff said. Like the gun education bill, school districts could opt out of the law enforcement etiquette course under a bill provision. Love 0 Funny 3 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 1 Madison biomedical giant Exact Sciences is expanding its Wisconsin presence by investing $350 million in its local campus, thereby creating 1,300 new jobs, the company said Thursday. Exact Sciences is adding a 266,000-square-foot research and development facility to its campus, as well as expanding existing lab and warehouse spaces, to accommodate its rapid growth mainly spurred by high demand for the Cologuard test, which allows patients to screen themselves for colon cancer at home, as well as general clinical testing efforts, CEO Kevin Conroy said. Construction crews will erect the research facility next to Exacts corporate headquarters on 5505 Endeavor Lane inside University Research Park on the West Side. The lab and warehouse are additions to Exacts Discovery Campus on 1 Exact Lane, which is located between Schroeder Road and the Beltline on the Southwest Side. Work is underway on the lab and warehouse, and on track to be finished by the end of the year, said Scott Larrivee, associate director of corporate affairs. The company expects to break ground on its research and development building in the second quarter of 2022, with construction to wrap up in 2024, he said. The research facility is meant to provide more space for Exact scientists not only to study how Cologuard can be improved, but also to develop products that detect several types of cancer early. An example of that is Exact Sciences blood-based cancer screening, which is currently undergoing clinical trials. In September 2020, preliminary data demonstrated that the test, also known as a liquid biopsy, could identify between 83% and 87% of liver, lung, ovarian, pancreatic or stomach cancer cases, with a false positive rate of 5%. The lab will feature new technology and automation to further support Cologuard product development. The warehouse would allow for storage at controlled temperatures, as well as for storing hazardous materials. The additions will allow Exact to hire more scientists, engineers, software development staff, clinical laboratory workers, business analysts and customer support employees, Conroy said, adding the company is bursting at the seams. The company currently has more than 6,500 employees. About 3,500 of those staff members are based in the Dane County area, Larrivee said. The exteriors of the new and expanded buildings include aesthetic elements similar to existing Exact structures, according to design renderings that show a gray color scheme, large windows and glass facades. To help the construction effort along, the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. recently authorized increasing the companys Enterprise Zone tax credits from $9 million to $27.5 million if Exact Sciences meets its job creation and investment goals in capital expenditures by 2025. Enterprise zone tax credits are incentives for businesses to expand, rehabilitate or improve buildings within designated areas. Exact Sciences is an example of a company with deep Wisconsin roots that, with this investment, is committing to its future in our state, WEDC Secretary Missy Hughes said in a statement Thursday. As the company has grown to add operations around the world, Exact Sciences could have chosen to expand in other states but chose Wisconsin because of our outstanding, well-educated workers, excellent community infrastructure and support for its research and health care missions. Earlier this week, Exact Sciences also announced its acquisition of Marshfield-based genetics lab PreventionGenetics for $190 million. The move represented Exacts entry into the hereditary cancer research market. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 MINNEAPOLIS Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz said Wednesday that he wants to use $40 million in federal funding to support emergency staffing at hospitals that are straining to cope with a surge in COVID-19 cases that is expected to get worse. Walz said he asked to use the money to fund the hiring of nurses to work 60 hours per week for 60 days at hospitals experiencing staffing shortages because of the virus. The money would be in addition to another $40 million Walz wants to put toward expanding testing both of which come out of $500 million in American Rescue Plan state funds for immediate COVID-19 response. The funding is expected to pay a staffing agency to bring in 350 health care workers that are mostly nurses, the Star Tribune reported. The move is in response to increasing case numbers statewide linked to the fast-spreading omicron variant of the virus as hospitalizations climbed back above 1,500 on Tuesday. The governor submitted the request to the Legislative COVID-19 Response Commission, a bipartisan group of legislative leaders from both chambers that reviews requests from the state's COVID-19 fund that top $1 million. The governor's office said the commission met on Wednesday and expects a decision by Saturday. Democratic House Speaker Melissa Hortman, of Brooklyn Park, has sent in her approval vote, according to her spokesman. Meanwhile, Republican Senate Majority Leader Jeremy Miller, of Winona, sent a letter to Walz and legislative leaders saying Senate Republicans are ready to pass two proposals that would approve a licensing agreement for out-of-state nurses and to streamline regulations for hiring at medical facilities, should the governor call a special session before the start of the regular legislative session on Jan. 31. The mayors of Minneapolis and St. Paul said Wednesday that customers will now be required to show proof of vaccination or a negative test to enter restaurants, bars and other venues in an effort to mitigate spread of COVID-19. The rule, which takes effect Jan. 19, applies to all businesses where food and drink are served for on-site consumption. Children under age 2 will be exempt from the policy, while children between the ages of 2 and 5, who are not yet eligible for the vaccine, will need to be tested. The move comes a week after both mayors reinstated indoor mask requirements. Early Edition is a guide to help you jumpstart your morning, get the news you need to know and catch up on what you missed. Its published Monday through Friday, between 6 and 7 a.m. Heres the Early Edition for Thursday, January 13, 2022. 40s today, snow in the forecast this weekend Today will be mostly cloudy with a high near 44. There's an air quality alert for Lancaster County in place until Friday. Temperatures will slowly drop back down into the 20s and 30s heading into the weekend after Friday, with a high near 21 expected on Saturday and snow back in the forecast on Sunday. Chances are increasing for a winter storm late Sun-early Mon. Heavy snow amounts are possible, but depend on the placement of the rain/mix line and the dry slot - both related to the storm's track. Ingredients for the storm now coming ashore in Pac NW. Keep checking back! #PAwx pic.twitter.com/3HqGW3gsgD NWS State College (@NWSStateCollege) January 13, 2022 As of this morning, there's a 50% chance of snow Sunday, during the day, increasing to a 90% chance of snow and sleet Sunday night. Click here for the seven day forecast. Brides speak out after Penn Township woman charged with defrauding them in wedding scheme A Penn Township woman was charged earlier this week after police say she defrauded more than a dozen brides-to-be out of thousands of dollars in a scheme where she offered hair and makeup services with no intentions of completing the work. She didnt feel that she had done anything wrong," Jeni Nulty, who was married in November and paid the woman $1,300 said of Holly Boyer, the woman behind the scheme. "She thought that she was protected by bankruptcy, and that she could take our money and not deliver services. I knew that that was not right. Boyer, who is currently free on unsecured bail, advertised her business, Extreme Beauty, on social media and bridal websites, where she found soon-to-be brides from New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Virginia and Maryland. In total, 18 women lost $15,590.25 in Boyer's scheme. Click here to read the full story. Court gives parents OK to pursue wrongful death lawsuit against Millersville University A federal appeals court will allow the parents of a murdered Millersville University student to pursue their wrongful death lawsuit against the university, the court ruled on Tuesday. The lawsuit dates back to January 2017, when it was initially filed by John and Jeannette Hall, who claimed their daughter's murder could have been prevented by the university. Their daughter, Karlie Hall, was a freshman at the university and was killed by her boyfriend, Gregorio Orrostieta, now 26. Click here to read the full story. Take a hike If you're looking for a place to get outside this winter and hike around Lancaster County, we've got a list for you. Pequea Trolley trail The Pequea Trolley trail, also known as the Martic Forge trail, is one of the top places to hike in the winter in Lancaster County. LNP | LancasterOnline spoke with three avid hikers to get their take on the best hiking trails around the county. From an easy 2.5-mile trek to a hard 3.8-mile trot in Holtwood, these hobbyists give an insight into the trails before you even need to tie your hiking shoes. Click here for a full list. Farm show foods There's only two days left to have a timely excuse to eat fried cheese, fried veggies, mushroom jerky and a milkshake all at once and deem it a "meal." The 106th Pennsylvania Farm Show, which opened last Friday and continues through tomorrow, is more than just sheep herding and chick sliding. There's also food. And lots of it. Take a look at some of the fan favorites in the photos below. A look through the archives: 50 years ago today Is there anything more Lancaster County then getting married at one of the many covered bridges that carry people over our streams and creeks? What about having that wedding interrupted by a tractor passing through? On the front page of the January 13, 1972, edition of the Lancaster New Era, that scene, exactly as stated, is shown in full on the front page. Click here to see more from the LNP | LancasterOnline archives (which hold more than 250 years of county history). Here's what other people are reading this morning on LancasterOnline: - Florida man ransacked Manheim Township homes, stole $53,000 worth of jewelry and other items: police - DUI driver goes airborne before crash; tractor trailer spills milk: Lancaster County police log, Jan. 13, 2022 - Ephrata man texted, tried to meet with undercover cop posing as teenage girl: police A federal appeals court ruling issued Tuesday allows the parents of a murdered Millersville University student to pursue their wrongful death lawsuit against the university. The Third Circuit Court of Appeals said in its opinion that a lower court judge was wrong to grant Millersvilles request for a dismissal on grounds that it didnt have notice that it could be liable under federal law for actions carried out by a non-student. The January 2017 lawsuit by John and Jeannette Hall claimed Millersville could have prevented the murder of their daughter, Karlie Hall, had officials taken action after previous incidents of violence by her boyfriend. This is a hugely important victory not just for Karlie and her family, but for survivors of intimate partner violence and sexual violence across the United States, Stew Ryan, an attorney for the family, said Wednesday. What the court did here was enforce Title IX as it is written, which is to say, schools have an obligation to protect their students when they know acts of abuse are occurring. Janet Kacskos, Millersvilles director of communication, wrote in an email, Millersville University continues to mourn the loss of Ms. Hall, and our deepest sympathies remain with her family and loved ones. At this time, we are thoroughly reviewing the Third Circuits opinion and consulting with our attorneys on this matter. According to Ryan, Millersville could appeal or allow the case to proceed in the U.S. Eastern District of Pennsylvania. Case background Gregorio Orrostieta, 26, strangled and beat Hall, a freshman, in her Bard Hall dorm room on Feb. 8, 2015. He is serving 20-40 years in prison the maximum for third-degree murder. A jury convicted him in May 2016. The couple were from Chester County and dated since high school. According to the Halls suit, Millersvilles policy requiring Hall to live on campus created a special environment and the school undertook a legal and constitutional responsibility to protect student-residents from dangers that were known or should have been known. The suit outlined instances where school officials were made aware of Orrostietas behavior. On Oct. 5, 2014, university police escorted Orrostieta, who was not a student at the school, away from Bard Hall after a fight with Hall. A resident assistant intervened and called police during the altercation. But police didn't interview Hall, conduct an investigation or report the incident to Hall's parents, according to the suit. A fractured orbital bone to Hall's face in January 2015 was not investigated either, according to the suit. Following the latter incident, Jeannette Hall contacted university police and asked if they kept files of prior assaults. While they confirmed they did, there were no files on record pertaining to Hall and Orrostieta. An officer was directed to make a report of the October 2014 escort incident four days after Halls murder. On the night of the murder, the suit claimed scuffling noises and cries of help from Hall's room were reported to the resident assistant, who knocked on the door and left when she did not get a response. Some of the facts of what was reported and what didnt happen thereafter are some of the most outrageous things I've ever seen, Ryan said. The mother of Halls roommate also made multiple reports to the school to no avail, Ryan said. The appeals court wrote, Certainly, Millersvilles inaction in response to these reports raises a genuine issue of fact best left for a jury. Appeals court findings The appeals court also found federal Judge Edward G. Smith erred in focusing on a section of Title IX guidance materials published by the Office for Civil Rights in his determination that Millersville wasnt responsible for a student guests conduct. The section gave as examples people who were not students or employees but were covered under Title IX liability, such as visiting speakers or a visiting teams athletes. The appeals court said those were illustrative examples, not an exhaustive list of all third parties whose harassment creates liability. The Halls suit also named Acacia fraternity and members as defendants. They were accused of providing Orrostieta and Hall with alcohol at a party the night of the murder. The claims against the fraternity have been resolved, but Ryan said he couldnt comment. Update: Francisco Cartagena was arrested outside his Collingdale residence, Manheim Township police said in a news release Jan. 25. Multiple stolen items were found inside his residence. Previously reported: A Florida man ransacked multiple homes in a Manheim Township neighborhood in the span of a few hours, stealing tens of thousands of dollars worth of property, according to Manheim Township police. Francisco Cartagena, 45, whose last known address was in Winter Haven, Florida, broke into at least five houses in the first block of Waverly Avenue, the 100 and 200 blocks of Cobblestone Lane and the 300 block of Darlington Court between around 8:20 a.m. and noon on Nov. 3, according to an affidavit of probable cause. Among the items stolen were about $53,000 worth of jewelry, including about 15 to 20 rings that were stolen from a single Darlington Court residence, police said. Cartagena also took cash, silverware, pocket watches and other items from the homes. Door frames and deadbolts were damaged as Cartagena forced his way into the homes. Investigators in multiple jurisdictions believe Cartagena and an accomplice, who has not been charged, may also be connected to numerous similar burglaries in Mount Joy and York, Berks, Bucks, Dauphin and Cumberland counties in October and early November. Jewelry and cash were taken in those burglaries, with an entire safe being removed from one West York residence in one instance. Residents began discovering the Manheim Township burglaries after returning to find their homes ransacked beginning just after noon. Police began investigating four of the break-ins within an hour of each other. Footage from a nearby doorbell camera showed a man matching Cartagenas description walking up to several of the houses just before 10:30 a.m. A neighborhood resident also told police she saw a Chevrolet Tahoe that was later determined to belong to Cartagenas accomplice parked in the 200 block of Cobblestone Lane around 11:30 a.m. or 11:45 a.m. that day, police said. Investigators used residential surveillance footage to track the Tahoe, which first pulled into the neighborhood just after 9 a.m. The same vehicle was seen on surveillance footage near multiple other burglaries across the region. Cellphone data also was used to determine that Cartegena and his accomplice were in the area when the burglaries took place, police said. Police stopped Cartagena, who has at least five previous arrests for burglaries in New York and Pennsylvania, in a traffic stop on Dec. 28 after spotting him driving the Tahoe. Cartagena appeared nervous throughout his interaction with police, who noticed a black ski mask inside the vehicle on the passenger seat, police said. Cartagena also provided police with a Floridas drivers license with a false name and date of birth during the traffic stop, police said. Cartegena was charged Wednesday with 10 counts of burglary, three counts of theft by unlawful taking and five counts of criminal mischief. He had not been arrested as of Wednesday evening, court records show. A preliminary hearing has not been scheduled. An attorney was not listed for Cartegena in court documents. Cartagena previously pleaded guilty to 22 counts of burglary, theft and related charges 14 of which were felony offenses in Berks County in 2008, to which he was sentenced to five to 12 years in prison, according to court records. He also was found guilty but mentally ill on charges of burglary, criminal trespass, theft by unlawful taking, receiving stolen property and criminal mischief in Berks County in 2012, being sentenced to 42 months to 20 years of confinement. The American Red Cross says it's facing its worst blood shortage ever, leading the organization to declare its first national crisis. This is the first time the supply has ever gotten this low. This is serious, its a big deal, said Lisa Landis, an American Red Cross Greater Pennsylvania Region spokesperson. We are very selective when we engage the words national crisis in emergency appeals. Red Cross officials cite several factors in the blood donation shortage including weather and pandemic-related cancellations of blood drives and staffing challenges. Its been a rollercoaster since March 2020, Landis said. We put out multiple calls for more donors throughout the pandemic because donor turnout was low. While Lancaster General Hospital is not rationing blood, Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health officials are evaluating their patients needs. A sufficient supply of available blood products is essential to care for our oncological, medical and trauma patient needs. Depending on the current inventory levels, we may administer half of a unit of product at a time and may reschedule elective surgeries if we cannot ensure our available blood supply will meet the transfusion needs of our patients, said Dr. Sarah R. Nassau, a pathologist at LG Health. While these mitigation strategies are necessary given the current circumstances, Nassau said, they are not a solution. We need more blood on the shelves everywhere, she said. Dr. Michelle Erickson, an affiliate of WellSpan Health who serves as director of the health systems Blood Donor Services in York, said the blood supply is low, especially O blood. We are very prudent with the blood supply and make sure that blood treatment is indeed the best thing for those who need it, but we are not rationing blood or denying care," she said. UPMC spokesperson Malini Mattler said the health system has the blood supply needed to care for its patients. We have a long-running patient blood management program across the health system, that includes a computerized physician order entry systems to guide evidence-based transfusions, promotes alternative blood transfusion methods and provides blood management education and auditing, Mattler said. Its scary The American Red Cross, which provides 40% of the nations blood supply, is experiencing a 66% drop in donations nationwide, according to Landis. We keep a minimum of five-day supplies at all times, but right now weve had less than a one-day supply in the last few weeks, Landis said. Its scary. We will have to make some ethical decisions with this short of a supply unless we get some donations soon. Jay Wimer, a Central Pennsylvania Blood Bank spokesperson, said blood donations tend to decline at this time of the year when wintry weather and seasonal illnesses lead to lower donor turnout. He also said the blood supply has dipped to levels the blood bank has not seen before. We have never been at levels this low for this long. When blood drives are canceled because of weather, it sends us to uncharted territory. But right now, we are at numbers we had never seen until the pandemic, and this has been our reality for the past two years, Wimer said. The Central Pennsylvania Blood Bank serves 11 counties across the region, including Lancaster. Its supply usually averages 930 units of O+ blood for the region. On Tuesday the blood bank had 471 units, Wimer said. Type O donors are considered universal donors because they can donate to people with type A, B, AB and O blood. Right now, all blood types are far below their average numbers, Wimer said. The nation is down to a three-day supply of O blood. (The Central Pennsylvania Blood Bank) works to keep a six-day supply in the region. We are currently at about a three-day supply. Wimer added that throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the blood bank has been able to keep the hospitals they serve at 80% to 90% of their normal levels. However, he said, this is the first time the blood bank has not been able to meet this goal during the pandemic and hospitals are currently being kept at less than 70% of their average supply. We are calling on past donors and new donors to come out and help by donating all blood types at our donor centers and blood drives, Wimer said. We are running as many drives and centers as we can with our limited staffing. Vaccinated can give blood Wimer and Landis both said people who have been vaccinated for COVID-19 can donate their blood. Being vaccinated for COVID does not preclude anyone from donating, Landis said. We just ask that the person has not been diagnosed with COVID in the previous two weeks. Wimer said vaccinated donors are immediately eligible to donate blood if they arent experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms. The virus cannot be transmitted through a blood transfusion, he said. Donors who had COVID-19 are eligible to donate blood 14 days after the onset of the virus if their symptoms are resolving and they have been fever-free for at least 48 hours. People interested in donating through the Central Pennsylvania Blood Bank can call 1-800-771-0059 or go to cpbb.org. To schedule an appointment to donate through the American Red Cross, call 1-800-733-2767 go to redcrossblood.org. Appointments to donate blood at the LG Health Blood Donor Center at the Suburban Outpatient Pavilion at 2104 Harrisburg Pike, Suite 202, in Lancaster city can be made by calling 717-544-0170 or at LGHealth.org/GiveBlood. Three weeks before her wedding, Jeni Nulty received a message no bride ever wants to get. It was from Holly Boyer, the Penn Township beautician whose business she had hired to do hair and makeup for herself and her bridesmaids on her special day. Boyer told Nulty she was filing for bankruptcy and wouldnt be able to do the job. To make matters worse, Nultys attempts to get a refund from Boyer were going nowhere, she said. She had paid Boyer an initial deposit back in February after finding her on a Facebook page for wedding vendors in central Pennsylvania, but Boyer later started repeatedly asking her in early October for the remainder of the nearly $1,300 contract they had agreed upon. Nulty ended up paying Boyer in full just a week before Boyer suddenly announced she couldnt do the job. Now Boyer was telling Nulty she would have to go through a bankruptcy attorney to get her money back. I of course freaked out, said Nulty, who got Boyers message on Oct. 15, less than a month before her Nov. 6 wedding. With little time left before her big day, Nulty had to scramble to find another hair and makeup stylist. And while the Lemoyne, Cumberland County, resident was able to get another beautician to do the job through a personal connection, there was one thing she couldnt get out of the back of her mind. I was thinking theres no way that this is legal, said Nulty, 42. I dont care if youre claiming bankruptcy or not, this cant be legal. As it turns out, Nulty wasnt the only bride who Northern Lancaster County Regional Police say Boyer backed out on after having already received money. Boyer, 37, was arrested Monday and charged with 36 offenses three of them felonies of defrauding 18 women in six states out of a combined $15,590. Court documents do not list an attorney for Boyer, who is free on $50,000 unsecured bail. Extreme Beauty Boyer, who also uses the last name Klein, advertised her business, Extreme Beauty, on social media and bridal websites, promising to offer hair and makeup to brides on their wedding days. But Boyer had no intention of actually doing the work, police said. She suddenly told customers and contractors she employed in October that she wouldnt be able to follow through with providing the services, even if they had already been paid for. Boyer then refused to offer customers refunds and blocked their numbers when they tried contacting her. Some brides were barely given a heads up, with at least some being told the day before their weddings that Boyer wouldnt be able to do the work, according to police. I was kind of lucky, to be honest, said Nulty, who had just a three-week window to find a new beautician. Nulty said she had a trial session with Boyer, who showed that shes definitely got skills. But still, Nulty knew she couldnt be the only woman to have had a bad experience with Boyer, considering the large reach wedding vendors can have on social media. And Nultys new husband, himself a retired police detective, told her the beauticians actions were likely not legal. Reaching out Thats when Nulty had the idea to reach out to others on social media to see if they had similar experiences with Boyer. Before I knew it, I had 20 other women who she had done this to as well, Nulty said. The women seemed to come from everywhere: New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Virginia, Maryland. Soon they started connecting with other brides, each with similar stories. They called their group the Brides of Justice and started gathering evidence from dozens of other women from multiple states. Some women just have a gift for research, Nulty said. We would all share what we did. One woman, 29-year-old Allison Schafer, had paid Boyer $635 to do makeup for herself and her bridesmaids, scheduling a trial run with Boyer in mid-November, just ahead of her wedding on the 27th of that month. But Boyer suddenly stopped responding to Schafers messages the day before they were supposed to meet, she said. After not hearing from her, Schafer discovered the morning of their scheduled trial run that Boyer had blocked her number and blocked her from seeing her Facebook page. My husband looked her up and he could still see her page, Schafer said, and thats when everything started to click. Schafer was completely left in the dark and blocked on all forms of communication with less than two weeks to go before her wedding, she said. After looking up Boyers name on Facebook, Schafer learned that Boyer had closed her business. She soon started connecting with other brides, including the Brides of Justice, who said Boyer had called them to say she was filing for bankruptcy and that they needed to call her bankruptcy attorney to be put on a list of creditors. I never got this call from her, said Schafer, of Emmaus, Lehigh County. Schafers husband quickly started contacting multiple district attorneys to inform them of what the women were doing. Law enforcement joins effort Law enforcement from multiple jurisdictions started becoming involved, later consolidating under Northern Lancaster County Regional Police, which patrols the region where Boyer lives. The women also started sharing tips as to who to go to in order to get back the money they paid Boyer. While Schafer and Nulty were able to get their money refunded through third-party payment services, women who paid by other means havent always been as fortunate, Nulty said. Stories like Schafers and Nultys are filed on the Brides of Justices Facebook page. Nulty said she believes there are other women out there who were defrauded by Boyer who have yet to come forward. People are afraid, even if theyve been victimized, she said. Theyre afraid to come forward, and theyre afraid to speak up. Theyre afraid of retaliation. Nulty claims Boyer even directly contacted her at one point, threatening her to take down social media posts. I dont respond to any of that, she said. Boyers arrest Monday was vindication, said Nulty, who noted that Boyer was still advertising her business on social media as recently as earlier this month. She didnt feel that she had done anything wrong. She thought that she was protected by bankruptcy, and that she could take our money and not deliver services, Nulty said. I knew that that was not right. We feel like justice is finally being served, Schafer said. We were met with so many roadblocks with the bankruptcy and with how spread out the women are, and it feels like she may finally have consequences for her actions. Boyer had been in business for more than a decade, something Nulty said was one of the reasons she felt comfortable paying her, and she knew how vulnerable we were (as brides). (Were) just people who want to put together this beautiful, magical day, and she took advantage of that, Nulty added. Shed been doing (her business) for at least a dozen years, and she knew how trusting we were, how focused we would be on just wanting to make that day special and perfect and to look beautiful. She took our money and she knew what she was doing. Columbia Borough police HARASSMENT COLUMBIA: Anthony B. Houghton, 35, of Columbia, was charged with strangulation, terroristic threats and simple assault after an incident in the 400 block of Locust Street at 1:53 p.m. on Dec. 30, police said. East Hempfield Township police ASSAULT EAST HEMPFIELD TWP.: A 16-year-old boy, of Columbia, was charged with simple assault following an unspecified incident at Hempfield High School at 200 Stanley Avenue on Dec. 16, police said. EAST HEMPFIELD TWP.: Joel D. Vazquez-Frias, 26, of Lancaster, was charged with aggravated assault, terroristic threats, two counts of criminal mischief, disorderly conduct and public drunkenness after a disturbance at the Red Carpet Inn at 2101 Columbia Avenue at 4:42 a.m. on Dec. 23, police said. CRIMINAL MISCHIEF EAST HEMPFIELD TWP.: The passenger side window of a vehicle was damaged by an unidentified vandal, causing $200 worth of repairs, in the parking lot of a UPS store at 1155 Enterprise Road sometime between 6 p.m. on Dec. 27 and 3:15 a.m. on Dec. 28, police said. DUI EAST HEMPFIELD TWP.: Joshue David McNamee, 30, of Mount Joy, was charged with two counts of driving under the influence and a summary traffic violation after crashing in the 400 block of South Chiques Road on Nov. 18, police said. EAST HEMPFIELD TWP.: Faith Lee Schumacher, 22, of Gap, was charged with two counts of driving under the influence and drug violation after crashing at South Colebrook and Landisville roads at 9:32 p.m. on Dec. 20, police said. HARASSMENT EAST HEMPFIELD TWP.: A 15-year-old boy, of Willow Street, and an 18-year-old boy, of Bainbridge, both of whom are students, were each charged with harassment after an altercation at River Rock Academy at 2125 Ambassador Circle on Dec. 16, police said. EAST HEMPFIELD TWP.: Catherine Gray, 49, of Lancaster, was charged with harassment following a domestic disturbance in the 2200 block of Marietta Avenue at 4:37 p.m. on Dec. 29, police said. TERRORISTIC THREATS EAST HEMPFIELD TWP.: Jared Adam Kieffer, 27, of Lancaster, was charged with terroristic threats, simple assault and harassment following a domestic disturbance in the 1300 block of Bryan Drive at 5:58 p.m. on Dec. 31, police said. THEFT EAST HEMPFIELD TWP.: A purse with $200 was stolen from a shopping cart at a Giant Food Store at 550 Centerville Road sometime between 9:20 a.m. and 10:05 a.m. on Dec. 22, police said. An American Express card inside the purse was later used to make $2,060 in CashApp withdrawals, police said. EAST HEMPFIELD TWP.: Two metal private drive signs valued at a combined $240 were stolen from the 2400 block of Chestnut Ridge Drive sometime between 9 p.m. on Dec. 19 and 6 a.m. on Dec. 20, police said. EAST HEMPFIELD TWP.: An unidentified thief broke the windows of two vehicles in the 200 block of Running Pump Road and stole purses from inside them sometime between noon and 3:45 p.m. on Jan. 1, police said. EAST HEMPFIELD TWP.: Three unidentified woman were seen on surveillance footage removing items from the shelves in the cosmetics aisle of a CVS store at 2110 Spring Valley Road at 2:31 p.m. on Jan. 6, police said. The woman hid the merchandise in their clothes and then left the store without paying for the items, police said. EAST HEMPFIELD TWP.: Javian Ivan Reyes, 18, of Lancaster, was charged with theft of services after taking his iPhone to be repaired at Batteries Plus at 3023 Columbia Avenue, then leaving the store without paying for the repairs on Dec. 8, police said. Lancaster city police TERRORISTIC THREATS LANCASTER: Imad Eddin Ghajar, 46, of Lancaster, was charged with terroristic threats after threatening to chop a woman and man and spill their blood on the floor during a domestic disturbance in the 500 block of North Franklin Street around 2:30 p.m. on Jan. 8, police said. Lititz Borough police CRASH LITITZ: Jeremy T. Knott, 40, of Lititz, was charged with accidents involving personal injury while not properly licensed as well as several summary traffic offenses after rear-ending another vehicle at South Broad and Sixth streets, injuring the other driver, at 12:47 p.m. on Dec. 22, police said. Knott then left the scene without providing any information to the other driver, police said. Northern Lancaster County Regional police THEFT PENN TWP.: Landon Matthew Watson, 18, of Lititz, was charged with retail theft and an alcohol violation after stealing merchandise from a Sheetz store at 1205 Lancaster Road at 4:09 a.m. on Jan. 2, police said. Pennsylvania State police CRASH SADSBURY TWP.: A 36-year-old man, of West Grove, lost control of the tractor trailer he was driving in the falling snow and rolled over, causing the tanker to rupture and spill milk, in the 400 block of Quaker Church Road at 3:48 a.m. on Jan. 7, police said. The driver was transported to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, police said. DUI SALISBURY TWP.: Robert Keene, 48, of Coatesville, was charged with driving under the influence after crashing a sedan into a tractor trailer at Old Philadelphia Pike at 4:36 p.m. on Dec. 26, seriously injuring himself and another person and resulting in both vehicles being towed, police said. Keene provided a blood sample to investigators, police said. STRASBURG TWP.: Marie Burton, 34, of Strasburg, was charged with driving under the influence after crashing into a PennDOT road sign, a residential mailbox and a utility pole the 1300 block Village Road at 2:39 a.m. on Jan. 1, then continuing without stopping, police said. Burton was later arrested at her home after police used parts of her vehicle found at the scene which provided her VIN, police said. STRASBURG TWP.: Craig G. Hardy, 25, of New Providence, was charged with driving under the influence after crashing into an embankment in the 1500 block of Beaver Valley Pike at 12:50 a.m. on Jan. 5, police said. Hardys vehicle briefly became airborne before crashing into several trees and landing in the front yard of a nearby residence, police said. Hardy suffered minor injuries in the crash, police said. HARASSMENT EAST LAMPETER TWP.: A 36-year-old man, of Lancaster, was charged with harassment, disorderly conduct and forgery after cursing at and threatening to assault examiners at the Lancaster East Drivers License Center on Lincoln Highway East following a driving test around noon on June 16, police said. The man then submitted forged documents to PennDOT for a drivers license update on Oct. 18, police said. THEFT BART TWP.: A Stihl chainsaw valued at $590 was stolen from Fishers Outdoor Power at 1272 Georgetown Road around 8 a.m. on Jan, 3, police said. Susquehanna Regional police DISORDERLY CONDUCT CONOY TWP.: Austin L. Charles, 33, address unknown, was charged with disorderly conduct, resisting arrest and escape after attempting to enter a home in the 2500 block of River Road, even after the homeowner told him to leave, around 10:15 a.m. on Jan. 9, police said. Charles then fled police on foot, leading officers on a chase through the woods in snowy, wet conditions before he was arrested, police said. An officer was injured during the chase and was transported to a hospital by ambulance, police said. DUI CONOY TWP.: Naomi Olivia Rhodes, 27, address unknown, was charged with two counts of driving under the influence and a summary traffic violation after veering off the road and striking a utility pole in the 2400 block of River Road at 11:45 p.m. on Dec. 16, police said. Rhodes was drunk at the time, police said. The Lancaster County commissioners approved the restart of a community COVID-19 testing operation as hospitalizations in the county have soared. The board on Wednesday approved an agreement with Lancaster General Health to conduct COVID-19 testing at the Lancaster County Public Safety Training Center on Champ Boulevard, off the Salunga exit of Route 283, in East Hempfield Township. The testing location is one of the few actions in recent months taken by the county government to address the increasing spread of COVID-19 in the community. The number of COVID-19 patients hospitalized in the county reached 228 on Monday. That was 18% higher than a week earlier, and three times the number of patients in November. Under the agreement with LGH, drive-through PCR testing will be conducted Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the East Hempfield Township training center. Appointments will be required, at least in the first few weeks of its operation, the health systems top physician said. Patients will not be required to obtain an order for a COVID-19 test from their primary care physician prior to scheduling a test, but they should only schedule a test if they are symptomatic. Anyone ages 3 and up is eligible for testing at this site. For those with health insurance, the cost of their test will be billed to their insurance. For those without health insurance, they may be eligible to have the cost of their test each of which costs $57.24 covered by federal COVID-19 relief. Appointments can be scheduled starting on Thursday via the MyLGHealth mobile app and website, or by calling centralized scheduling at 717-588-1515. Testing will begin on Friday. The site will have the capacity to conduct several hundred tests each day, said Dr. Michael Ripchinski, the chief clinical officer at Lancaster General Health. LGH operated a community testing facility at the same site in early 2021, and will be taking the playbook off the shelf to do so again for the next month and a half, Ripchinski said. The public safety training center has multiple garages for emergency vehicles. Because of the large space available, patients will be able to drive into a garage and receive a test without leaving their vehicle. The garages also allow staff to remain inside during the winter months. I cant put people out in (testing) tents in January. Were not doing it, Ripchinski said. The testing site will not be open Monday, the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday, nor will it be open on Presidents Day, Feb. 21. The agreement with the county calls for operating the center for six weeks and includes language to allow an extension if needed. LGH will work with TriStarr Staffing to work at the community testing site, as was done to staff the countys vaccination center at Park City Center last spring. LGH is partnering with the countys three other health systems: UPMC, Penn State and WellSpan Health. On average, of every two tests of symptomatic patients, one patient is testing positive in Lancaster County, Ripchinski said. Were seeing 1,100 cases per day, Ripchinski said after the commissioners work session on Tuesday. Its definitely increasing, and I worry about people having access to tests. Its something I hear quite often, quite frankly, from residents I cant get a test, county Commissioner Ray DAgostino said during Tuesdays meeting. As weve seen in the past, as state and federal governments fail, a public-private partnership steps up here in Lancaster County. A man being pursued by Howard County Police ran a red light in East Columbia and crashed into another vehicle in a collision that sent him and three other people, including a child, to the hospital on Wednesday, police said. The man and the three people in the vehicle his car crashed into were all taken to hospitals in serious condition, Howard County Police said in a news release. In an update on Thursday, police said the individuals did not have life-threatening injuries and are now in stable condition. Advertisement Officers checking a shopping center in the 6400 block of Dobbin Road around 5:50 p.m. saw a man attempting to break into vehicles, police said. The man fled in a car, ramming an unoccupied police car and another vehicle. Nobody was injured at that point. Advertisement Nearby, officers saw the mans car, a 2002 Chevrolet Impala, and began pursuing it, police said. Police said the man drove north on Snowden River Parkway at its intersection with Snowden Square Drive, running a red light and colliding with a 2020 Honda HR-V in the intersection. Howard County Times: Top stories Weekdays Daily highlights from Howard County's number one source for local news. > There were three people in the Honda two adults and a child according to police. All of them were taken to Johns Hopkins Hospital. The man who police described as a suspect was taken to the University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center. Snowden River Parkway was closed between Oakland Mills and McGaw roads for about 3 1/2 hours, according to police. Police spokeswoman Sherry Llewellyn said it is well within protocol for officers to have issued a lookout and then pursue the suspect because he endangered lives and property. The suspect rammed a police car multiple times and a second uninvolved vehicle as he tried to flee from police after being caught in the act of breaking into multiple cars, she said. Howard County Police said they are continuing to investigate the incident and that charges are pending for the man. Advertisement Baltimore Sun reporter McKenna Oxenden contributed to this article. Success! An email has been sent with a link to confirm list signup. What use would a carpenter have for biology? That was the question John Krill, a defense attorney representing the Republican-controlled Pennsylvania Legislature, asked of one school superintendent last month during the landmark school funding trial in state Commonwealth Court. Ironically, life sciences exemplify the long history of controversy over schools as potential engines of equality. Biology was introduced to schools about a century ago for the express purpose of closing the educational, health and economic gaps that persisted between urban and rural youth. But conflicts over whether it should be taught, and then over how it should be taught, saw the dreams of progressive education reformers disappear amid manufactured moral outrage that insisted that schools were corrupting young minds. This recent courtroom question reveals a deeper ideological conceit about the very purpose of education and who schools are for. No one is born a carpenter. But everyone is born needing food, clean and safe homes, and ways to coexist alongside other people, plants and animals. In the early 20th century, these needs were especially visible in Americas largest cities, which were experiencing diverse population growth driven by both the Great Migration from the rural South and immigration from overseas. Science educators in major U.S. cities began to develop a new way of teaching the life sciences that better matched the needs of their students. They replaced the standard curriculum of separate semesters of botany and zoology with a new way to teach about the living world. They organized biology classes that highlighted common features of plants, animals and people teaching concepts like cellular theory, the energy produced and consumed by metabolism, heredity and genes, and artificial and natural selection. This new biology didnt happen simply because it was more scientific. It had explicit public health and social reform goals. Many of the teachers who contributed to the new pedagogy were influenced by the educational philosophy of John Dewey, and from these idealists came the notion that schools educated not just a future laborer, but the entire citizen a person who would have a career, family, hobbies and a vote. But this wasnt just driven by ideology. The teachers who revamped biology were motivated by what they saw in the classroom every day: urban students, many the children of immigrants, undernourished and living in squalid conditions. They saw biology as a way to teach people to eat nutritiously, keep their homes and bodies clean, lift themselves up economically, and avoid the spread of disease, whether transmitted by air, food or sexual activity. Over time, people recognized that these goals also would benefit students who didnt live in big cities, especially as the country continued to grow and create new industrial jobs. The old botany-zoology curriculum still made some sense for people living and working on farms, but biology (and the new mode of science teaching more generally) gave students the freedom to seek out new places to live and new prospects for work. The parallels are clear. Fair educational funding gives all students an equal chance at that opportunity, and at both economic and cultural mobility. No one is born a carpenter, but with equitable education funding, the son of a carpenter can be anything. Witnesses in the ongoing Commonwealth Court school funding trial have testified about the painful experiences of seeing the students they teach suffer with too few resources underused, undernourished, underprotected. The political parallels are also clear. A century ago, rural conservatives came to deplore the vision of an ethnically diverse and more equitable society that public education represented. Some of these latched onto the new biology and started pressuring schools and states to outlaw evolution, cloaking their opposition to public schools in accusations that it undermined morality. A century later, the manufactured outrage over critical race theory looks remarkably similar. The real question isnt whether biology or history or any particular curriculum subject is immediately useful to a future worker. Whats at stake is whether schools will ever live up to an ideal that both biology and history suggest is possible: that our students can reach their potential and have more freedom to choose the course of their lives if structural barriers to educational equality are removed. Adam R. Shapiro, Ph.D., was educated in Philadelphia public schools and is now a historian based in Lancaster. Hes the author of the 2013 book Trying Biology: The Scopes Trial, Textbooks, and the Antievolution Movement in American Schools. THE ISSUE 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, Spotlight PA reported earlier this week. The redistricting overhaul, introduced by Rep. Seth Grove (a York County Republican), would eliminate the five-member Legislative Reapportionment Commission. That commission is charged with creating the state legislative maps. It consists of the state Senate Republican leader, the Senate Democratic leader, the House Republican leader, the House Democratic leader and a chairman selected by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court: Mark Nordenberg, University of Pittsburgh chancellor emeritus and current chair of Pitts Institute of Politics. We believe deeply in the importance of voting. We also believe that voters deserve to be given choices, in both primary and general elections. But what happened Monday in the Pennsylvania House State Government Committee, which is chaired by Grove, would not further the interests of voters. It only would advance the interests of Republican incumbents and discourage other candidates from vying for seats. As The Associated Press reported, that committee passed, on party lines, a plan to replace the existing Legislative Reapportionment Commission with an 11-member panel of appointees that would have a distinct Republican slant under the states existing political dynamic. At first glance, the proposed panel seems to mimic the kind of citizens commission that good-government advocates have fought for in Pennsylvania. But, significantly, under Groves proposal, the state House and Senate, both now controlled by Republicans, would get the final say on the legislative maps, the AP noted. The whole thing is a sham designed only to create the illusion of reform while transferring the real power over redistricting to the legislature itself, Patrick Beaty, legislative director of the nonpartisan Fair Districts PA, wrote in the Pennsylvania Capital-Star. Moreover, as The Philadelphia Inquirer pointed out, if the proposed constitutional amendment passes the Legislature this year and again early in 2023, it could be placed on next years primary election ballot. And, if successful, the House map that Republicans now are complaining about could be redrawn for the 2024 election. Khalif Ali, executive director of Common Cause Pennsylvania, a nonpartisan good-government group, told the Inquirer that Groves proposal clearly is intended to disrupt the maps being considered now. Thats a very, very troubling part, he said. We agree. Whichever party is in power already holds too much sway over the redistricting process. Which is why we continue to argue for a truly independent citizens commission, as most good-government advocates support. But Groves proposal is a particularly nervy power play. The issue of redistricting is very complex. Lawmakers count on our eyes glazing over so they can do what they want. Lets not let them. Contact Grove and your state House members to tell them that partisan lawmakers shouldnt have ultimate control over redistricting. Tell them that just because a state House legislative map has been drawn in a way that redresses past Republican gerrymandering, that doesnt make the map illegitimate. Tell them that the notion of Republican lawmakers being given the power to determine their own districts, so that they or their favored successors can remain in power is the epitome of gerrymandering. Giving the party in power an unfair advantage in elections is not supposed to happen in a democratic republic. The conflict The Legislative Reapportionment Commission approved its preliminary state Senate map in a 5-0 vote last month. The commission passed its state House map by a vote of 3-2. Because Nordenberg, the commissions chair, voted with the two Democrats on the panel to pass it, hes being blasted by Republicans in attacks decried by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Editorial Board as cynical and damaging. Among the maps opponents: Republican state House Speaker Bryan Cutler, of Drumore Township. As Sam Janesch, of The Caucus, an LNP Media Group watchdog publication, wrote last month, the new state legislative maps would likely mean safe reelection campaigns for local Republican incumbents and an additional seat in the state House for local Democrats. The proposed House map, Janesch explained, splits (Lancaster) city, the only Democratic stronghold in a Republican-heavy county, in half linking its northern precincts with most of Manheim Township and putting its southern precincts in a separate district with Lancaster Township, Millersville Borough and a bit of both Manheim and West Lampeter townships. Covering the whole city and its Democratic-trending suburbs, both seats would be considered locks for Democratic candidates in a general election. So, after decades, Lancaster County finally may send two Democrats to Harrisburg. But the county House delegation likely would remain overwhelmingly Republican. Nevertheless, Cutler has derided the proposed House map as a clear example of partisan gerrymandering. And he called it insulting to all voters to see one political party so blatantly try to skew the lines in an effort to silence the voice of the people. Irony dies yet again. As The Philadelphia Inquirer has reported, the new state House map favors Republicans, but significantly less so than the current one, according to a detailed data analysis conducted for The Inquirer by the nonpartisan Princeton Gerrymandering Project. Republicans dont want a map that favors them by just a bit. They want a map that favors them by a lot. Constitutional ploy Hence their desire to change the state constitution so they would have the power to draw the maps themselves. As Spotlight PA noted, Groves 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. Grove and his fellow Republican lawmakers know that if constitutional amendments are placed on the ballot in primary elections, voter participation will be low and many independents will stay away, because they cannot weigh in on the major-party nominees (though they can vote on ballot questions). Grove and company claim that by passing proposals via state constitutional amendment they are giving power to the people but what theyre really trying to do is to sneak something past the wider electorate. This isnt transparency. This is a savvy political ploy thats harmful to democracy. Changing electorate The reality is that the commonwealths demographics have changed in recent years. Pennsylvania is just one of four states Connecticut, Louisiana and Rhode Island are the others that would have lost population over the past decade if it werent for Hispanic population gains, according to census figures, the AP reported. In an op-ed published in LNP | LancasterOnline on Wednesday, Michael Jones-Correa, a University of Pennsylvania expert on Latino politics, noted that all population growth in Lancaster County, for example, was the result of increases in the numbers of communities of color, and today 11% of Lancaster County is Latino. Jones-Correa argues persuasively that the new Pennsylvania legislative maps must reflect this diversity. Not everyone is convinced that the Legislative Reapportionment Commission succeeded in this regard. As the AP reported, Spanish-language radio station owner Victor Martinez believes the commission created more districts that favor minority candidates generally, but not necessarily Latino candidates. Just four Latinos serve in the 253-seat state Legislature, Martinez pointed out. Thats under 2%, the AP noted. Proportional representation would be more like 29 seats. As proponents for Lancaster County, where Hispanics and other residents of color play a growing and valuable role in building our communities, we believe there needs to be greater diversity in the state Capitol. We also want to see all county voters have more choices at the polls. Neither of these goals would be accomplished by giving Republicans the ultimate say in determining their own legislative districts. Burned Out from Lingering Pandemic, Some on Front Lines Find Faith an Antidote When the Omicron variant started emerging around the country, Registered Nurse Currine Smith flashed back to the despair she felt at the beginning of the pandemic. Now entering the third year of COVID, she describes feeling a sense of dread and anxiety when walking into work. The scene is quite grim, she said of the Level I trauma hospital where she works in Delaware. People feel like the light at the end of the tunnel doesnt exist anymore. Many medical workers like her are exhausted from working through the pandemic. ADVERTISEMENT With variants straining short-staffed facilities across the country, some on the front lines are experiencing added physical, mental and emotional stress. Im feeling burnout, said Smith, who saw her medical floor skyrocket with COVID cases amid the current surge. The stress and anxiety I feel wears down on me mentally, emotionally and physically. What pulled her out of despair in the early phases of the pandemic continues to keep her afloat. She credits her faith as one of Jehovahs Witnesses for helping her and other health care workers in her religious community endure the ongoing toll of the pandemic. Remembering how my faith and relationship with God has sustained me thus far helps me to continue, Smith said. She also prays regularly and leans on fellow believers for support. I pray for you every single day, said one friend. Without hesitation, her family of faith mobilized with phone calls and texts, and even delivered food to her doorstep to help her get through the crises and not give up. ADVERTISEMENT Smith gets a weekly dose of that encouragement and support at her congregation meetings, held on a virtual platform since the pandemic started. Virtual association with those who love and support me helps me to cope and remain joyful through these challenges, she explained. American psychological and psychiatric associations, while not advocating or endorsing any specific religion, acknowledge the role spirituality and religious faith can play in coping with distress and trauma. Lawrence Onoda, Ph.D., a clinical psychologist in Mission Hills, California, noted some ways spirituality can help, including giving people a positive hope and meaning toward life, comfort by looking for answers and strength from a higher power, and a collective shared experience of support and community. Smith finds joy in passing along to others what has helped her. She joins friends online to write or call people in the community with a message of hope from the Scriptures. She recently participated in a special worldwide campaign to offer the article, A Better World is Near, from jw.org, the official website of Jehovahs Witnesses. Sharing that message was a constant reminder that the suffering I see in the hospital is only temporary. Jw.org offers a collection of practical articles like How to Beat Pandemic Fatigue and short comforting videos such as The Resurrection Soon a Reality. Its a free resource that Smith recommends to everyone. The information is always timely and the articles about how to handle stress have given me invaluable pointers on coping skills, she said. Its definitely been a source of comfort for me. Judge Tosses LAPD Officers Suit Over COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement A federal judge has tossed a lawsuit brought by 13 Los Angeles Police Department officers challenging the citys mandatory COVID-19 vaccination ordinance for its employees, according to court papers obtained today. The suit, filed in September in Los Angeles federal court, alleges theres no evidence that natural-acquired immunity isnt as effective as the jab, and that the mandate violates the plaintiffs civil rights. U.S. District Judge R. Gary Klausner granted the citys motion to dismiss late Friday, concluding that the plaintiffs failed to prove their case that the ordinance violates their right to privacy and due process. On Monday, City Attorney Mike Feuer applauded the ruling. ADVERTISEMENT With the Omicron variant raging, this victory for public health and safety the fourth my office has secured comes at an especially crucial time, Feuer said. With record numbers of COVID-19 cases each day, it is more important than ever that the first responders we trust to keep us safe comply with the vaccine mandate. I urge all eligible Angelenos to get vaccinated and boosted, for the good of all of us. According to the complaint against the city of Los Angeles, its police chief, mayor and administrative officer, the defendants cannot point to any evidence that vaccinated individuals have longer lasting or more complete immunity than those who have recovered from COVID. The ordinance requires city employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, unless they are granted an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Under the mandate, employees would be required to show proof of COVID- 19 vaccination or a weekly negative COVID-19 test. Among the plaintiffs are officers who have experienced and recovered from COVID-19, the suit states. Studies indicate that these plaintiffs natural antibodies and immunity are greater than their vaccinated peers, the lawsuit alleges. Martin Luther King, Jr. The Other America 2.0 What is it that America still fails to hear? In 1967, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., espoused that America literally existed as two Americas. In his depiction of the two Americas, Dr. King spoke of one America where the land overflowed with the milk of prosperity and the honey of opportunity. King implored Blacks to imagine experiencing the unencumbered pursuit of happiness. That idyllic America, however, was not the Americain Kings words, where Blacks dwelled. He made this statement just four short years after he stood on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in 1963 and eloquently spoke of a dream where the rough places of Black life would be made straight, and where character, rather than color, prevailed. King died; hewas assassinated longing for a more just America, asking what is it that America failed to hear? ADVERTISEMENT The other America, the one that Blacks inhabited, King said, was one that persistently struggled for genuine equality. King knew that despite some progress, racism was alive and could live for years in the deep crevices of a persons heart. If you closed your eyes and listened to his words from 1967, you would believe that he was perfectly describing the current condition of our nation. A prophetic voice, King would tell us, The whirlwinds of revolt will continue to shake the foundations of our nation until the bright day of justice emerges. Those words spoken 45 years ago, would find Black Americans today reminding a deaf America that Black lives did indeed matter. ADVERTISEMENT King warned of the dangers of one race believing, that they alone, were responsible for all the progress, while other minorities were totally depraved, innately impure, and inferior. He knew that such beliefs would almost certainly end in civil unrest. He had seen the destruction and the pain caused by this erroneous thinking. King saw it ignite a movement when Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat to a White man on a public bus. King would lead the Montgomery Bus Boycott and would hear the Supreme Court say that segregation of public buses was unconstitutional. Buoyed by the campaigns success, King would become one of the founders of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), an organization that would serve as the backbone of the Civil Rights Movement. Under his leadership, the country would see the passage of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, and the 1965 Voting Rights Act. Against the backdrop of those successes, King implored those in the fight for equality to face the reality that many still harbored the belief that Black people were inferior and did not belong in the land of their birth. These beliefs were held not only by those who spewed vitriolic words our way, but also from those who publicly supported the idea of equality, but struggled with the realization that inhabitants of the other America could become their neighbors, drink from the same fountains, and take a seat anywhere they pleased. Racism, King said, left unchecked, would ultimately result in its logical goal of genocide. The nation bore witness to the inhumane and insane treatment of Blacks during the 1963 Birmingham campaign, as police chief Bull Connor used high-pressured water jets and dogs as weapons of attack against unarmed Black men, women, and children. Why would America continually reject basic equality and humanitarian treatment for all? Despite these acts, King never veered from his belief that violence was not the answer we sought. Inspired by non-violent activism, he believed that if conditions of life for Black Americans persisted in daily ugliness, then riots and protests would persist. King would not live to see the continued struggles that Black people still face today, despite being more educated and having greater financial resources than those who marched with him. Because of Americas penchant for taking positive steps forward, while simultaneously taking equal if not more steps backwards, it probably would not surprise him,but leave him disheartened, that a young Black man could go for a jog and end up hunted like an animal, fighting for his life simplybecause of the color of his skin, or that a Black man could lay dying on a public street because a White police officer took an oath to protect him, yet, deemed his life worthless. So, he placed a knee on his neck, snuffing out his Black life. Dr. King would expect that after these injustices, thousands would take to the streets to cry out. King would be the first to tell us that only social justice and progress are the absolute guarantors of riot prevention. As America celebrates Dr. King, Nobel Peace Prize winner, Time Magazines first Black Man of the Year, beloved pastor, husband, father, brother, and son, we must remember his hope that America would do and be better. He refused to give into despair. The time is always right to do right, he said. If only America believed that there were no separate paths to fulfillment. Dr. King challenged us to rise to the majestic heights of being obedient to the unenforceable, the changing of the hearts of its people. Is that what America failed to hear, then and now? It was Dr. King who said, The law cannot make a man love me, but it can restrain him from lynching me. We cannot legislate the heart, but we can restrain the heartless. Metro Bus Fares Coming Back in January, Discounted Fares Through July Fare collection resumed today aboard Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority buses after being suspended as a COVID-19 precaution in March 2020. The fares were suspended to allow people to enter buses in the back, as well as in the front where fares are collected. Train fares were never suspended during the pandemic and collection will continue to be in effect. To assist with adjustment, Metro is offering half-price passes for six months and larger discounts for eligible low-income passengers. Discounted passes went on sale in December, and the following promotional fares will be available through July 2022: ADVERTISEMENT $3.50 for a Day Pass; $12.50 for a Weekly Pass; and $50 for a 30-Day Pass. Riders who enroll in a regional transportation assistance program called Low-Income Fare is Easy (LIFE) at https://bit.ly/3x6RYe5 will get 90 days of free rides and can then purchase even cheaper LIFE passes: $26 for a 30-day pass that normally costs $76; and $6.50 for a 7-Day pass that normally costs $19.50. Metro officials say the LIFE application process has been streamlined and that forms take only a few minutes to complete with basic information on applicants and other household members. Applicants can take photos of IDs with their phone, upload the images and email the information to Metro. Income can be self-certified if proof is unavailable. Riders who live in the Antelope Valley, Central Los Angeles, San Fernando Valley, Santa Clarita Valley, South Bay or Westside Cities can email their applications to [email protected] ADVERTISEMENT Riders who live in the Gateway Cities or San Gabriel Valley can email their applications to [email protected] Residents can also drop off applications to any Metro Customer CareCenter in Los Angeles County. Discounted fares will be available on Metro TAP vending machines, taptogo.net and at Metro Customer Centers. To obtain more information about all of Metros available discounted fare programs, people can visit www.metro.net/fares. Rejected Stone Hosts 3rd Annual MLK Award Breakfast For the third consecutive year, the members of Rejected Stone Christian Fellowship will host the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Service and Person of the Year Award Breakfast on Saturday, January 15, at 9:30 a.m. According to Pastor Walter Davis, the event salutes the birthday of the Rev. Dr. King and recognizes outstanding community members. The program will be held outdoors in a tented area on the churchs parking lot located at 4700 Avalon Blvd., in Los Angeles. Marie White-Fuqua and her sons, Ronald White and Ralph White will be honored with the 2022 Service and Person of the Year Award in recognition of their many years of contributions to the community, said the pastor. Mrs. White served physical and spiritual food to those in need, for decades, at her home church and her sons are also very active in the Anonymous Recovery community, noted Pastor Davis. ADVERTISEMENT Also, the breakfast also serves as a fundraiser for two RSCF ministries the annual youth educational trip and the Goshen, Kenya International Orphanage in Africa that the church supports with monthly donations. Proceeds from the breakfast will be distributed equally between the two programs. Explaining the importance of the outreach program, Pastor Davis said, Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, our congregation sponsored 30-to-50 young people and guardians on 13 annual youth education trips to instructional and cultural destinations across America and Mexico. If the pandemic subsides, we will resume in 2022 by traveling to Denver, Colorado. We consider it a great blessing to introduce our youth to colleges and universities and life beyond Los Angeles, he added. The public is invited to attend the 3rd Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Service and Person of the Year Award Breakfast. The ticket donation is $25. To learn more, call Rejected Stone Christian Fellowship at (323) 235-4319. A Baltimore County judge on Wednesday sentenced a Baltimore man to 40 years in prison for raping a woman in the parking lot of Loch Raven High School. Brandon Saunders, 31, of Northeast Baltimore, was convicted in November after a jury found him guilty of first- and second-degree rape, first- and second-degree assault, kidnapping and theft, according to online court records. Advertisement Circuit Judge Nancy Purpura handed down the 40-year prison sentence Wednesday, giving Saunders 30 years for the kidnapping to be served concurrent to the rape sentence. She highlighted the brutality of Saunders crime and his lack of remorse in her remarks at his sentencing, the Baltimore County States Attorneys Office said in a news release. In a statement, States Attorney Scott Shellenberger described the crime as reprehensible and praised his prosecutors and Purpura for protecting residents from Saunders. I particularly want to commend the victim of this crime for her strength and willingness to follow this case through to a just result, Shellenberger said. Advertisement But the judge opted for a sentence above the sentencing guidelines for Saunders, his attorney Tyler Mann said. Mann asked Purpura to sentence Saunders to 30 years of incarceration with all but 10 years suspended, while the state recommended life in prison. We are disappointed by the jurys verdict and even more disappointed by the judges sentence and we plan to appeal, Mann said. Shellenbergers office said Saunders picked up a woman in Baltimore on July 28, 2019. She needed a ride to go to her fathers house but Saunders took her to the back of Loch Raven High in Baltimore County, where he assaulted her, threatened to kill her and raped her. While Saunders went to retrieve a weapon from his trunk, prosecutors said, the woman escaped and fled barefoot through the woods to I-695 and flagged down a motorist for help. So began the investigation into Saunders, leading to his conviction in the county and pending charges in the city. 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. > Across the city line on Oct. 13, 2019, Baltimore Police were summoned to Harford Road after a woman flagged down a passing car. The woman said she had been raped, according to charging documents. She told police she was waiting for a bus at Dundalk and Holabird avenues when a man offered her a ride. When she told him that he was heading in the wrong direction, he pulled a knife and threatened her, according to the charging documents. The driver allegedly took her to Clifton Park, forced her to perform oral sex and then sexually assaulted her on the hood of his car, the documents detail. The woman told police she called for help and fled when her attacker took a break. Advertisement Detectives discovered a match between DNA recovered from the victim in Baltimore County and the woman allegedly assaulted in the city, Shellenbergers office said. After arresting Saunders, police matched his DNA to that recovered from the woman he raped in Baltimore County. In the city, Saunders is charged with rape, kidnapping, false imprisonment, using a deadly weapon and assault, according to online court records. Mann, who is also representing Saunders on the pending charges in the city, said he could not comment on the ongoing case. Saunders is scheduled to appear for a hearing in Baltimore City Circuit Court on March 1. Rereading King in Critical Times: Mapping and Making Our Way Forward This is a revisiting and rereading of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.s life, work and legacy, and another attempt to extract from the enduring relevance of his insight and experiences, lessons by which we can better live our lives, do our work and wage our righteous and relentless struggle for good in the world. It is a reaffirmation of our honored ancestors teaching that to do that which is of value is forever. A person called for by his work does not die, for his name and work are raised because of it. And so it is with Nana Martin Luther King, Jr. In these critical times, which unavoidably raise the pressing questions of mapping and making our way forward regardless, a thoughtful rereading of Dr. Martin Luther Kings historical speech, Where Do We Go From Here? offers us an excellent point of departure. ADVERTISEMENT Given in 1967 at the height of the Black Power period of the Black Freedom Movement, it reflects the tenor and tension of the times, a righteous rebellion of youth, a year we of Us designated as the Year of the Simba Wachanga the Year of the Young Lions of Us, and others similarly engaged in radical and revolutionary resistance to the established order. It is his last address as SCLC president and some argue his most radical. For he not only defends the integrity, dignity and ultimate worth of Black people, but also questions the very structure and functioning of U.S. society and calls for a radical critique and transformation of its capitalist, racist and militaristic character. He also wrote a book of the same title. Dr. King tells us in his address that if we, today, are to know where we should go from here in the troubled times, ice-cold climate, and cruel and mean-spirited spaces in which we live and struggle, We must first honestly recognize where we are now, i.e., at a persistent, deep disadvantage of wealth, power and conditions of life in relationship to Whites, those who dominate. He asserts that, Of the good things in life, [the Black person] has one half of those of Whites. King then cites a list of what we now call disparities in housing, income, employment, infant mortality, education, support for education, college enrollment, and other areas which disadvantage, disable and often dispirit us. And he concludes, When we view the negative experiences of life, the [Black person] has a double share. This is where we are, he states, in this system that still oppresses us in varied ways. And only by righteous and relentless struggle can we end what Malcolm called our nightmare and reconceive and achieve what King called our longed-for dream. So, the question becomes where do we go from here, what is to be done, how do we map out and make a way forward in our struggle for liberation, justice and other goods in this country and the world? ADVERTISEMENT The first step forward, King tells us, is a reaffirmation of our identity, dignity and worth as a people. Thus, Dr. King says, First we must stand up amidst a system that still oppresses us and develop an unassailable and majestic sense of values. We must no longer be ashamed of being Black, but embrace it in all its historical, ethical, spiritual, cultural and aesthetic meaning. King speaks of the language and treatment to inferiorize Black people, deny their contribution and strip them of their personhood and peoplehood. It is a process and practice, he says, of cultural homicide, a cultural killing of Black persons and people, which is as old as the earliest history books and as contemporary as the mornings paper and must be resisted. In the ugly and inferiorizing face of this deculturalization and dehumanization, Black people must resist and achieve a psychological freedom, standing up, declaring ourselves as we are a people of dignity and honor with a rich and noble history, second to none and certainly no less sacred. Thus, King says, Yes, we must stand up and say, Im Black and Im beautiful and this self-affirmation is Black (peoples) need, made compelling by the White mans crimes against (them). And he warns that this cultural grounding and self-affirmation is indispensable and that any movement for (Black) freedom that overlooks this necessity is only waiting to be buried. Secondly, Dr. King tells us that, Another basic challenge is to discover how to organize our strength in terms of economic and political power, for indeed one of the great problems that the (Black person) confronts is his (her) lack of power. Careful to define power in positive and compelling ways in the period of Black Power, King assures the timid and threatened that power properly understood is nothing but the ability to achieve purpose, and in the context of the Black Freedom Movement is an ethical goal and capacity. It is the strength needed to bring about social, political and economic changes directed toward freedom, justice and other good in the world. Here King is speaking of the need to join and build organizations and institutions, structures that house our aspirations and advance our interests as a people and then unite these structures into an overarching movement for freedom, justice, equity and power over our destiny and daily lives. Dr. King knows that if we are to claim respect for the humanity and dignity of a person, we must be concerned that they live lives of decency, which honor this dignity. Thus, he also stresses the need to struggle for our economic security, a context in which the dignity of the individual will flourish and people will be able to improve and push their lives forward in positive and productive ways. In this regard, he argues for a guaranteed annual income and full employment for economic security and as a protection against dislocations in the market, the prevalence of discrimination, and constant or frequent unemployment against our will. He also advocates for new forms of work that enhance the social good. Dr. King does not discuss political power here, but in his book, Where Do We Go From Here: Community or Chaos, develops his ideas about this. He rejects funded programs as power and calls for our diligent work to organize our strength into a compelling power so that government cannot elude our demands. This, he reminds us, requires not only our own organization and Movement, but also coalitions and alliances with other oppressed, progressive and struggling people. Finally, King having urged us to avoid hate and violence, tells us that in all our strivings and struggle, ultimately, we must honestly face the fact that the Movement must address itself to the question of restructuring the whole of American society. We must question the existence of millions in poverty in the midst of such riches, the inequitable distribution of wealth, the monopoly on resources, and the cold calculus of a capitalism that puts profit above human life and the well-being of the world. Furthermore, it is not only capitalism we must confront, but also two other interrelated evils, racism and militarism. For, he says, When I say question the whole society, it means ultimately coming to see that the problem of racism, the problem of economic exploitation and the problem of war are all tied together. He concludes calling us to battle, motivated by a commitment to freedom, love of justice, and the nurturing of a divine dissatisfaction until victory is won. It will be a divine dissatisfaction with and well-won victory over unfreedom, injustice, uncaring, hypocrisy in high and low places, poverty, economic insecurity, political non-participation and powerlessness, warmongering, police violence and racism in its raw and disguised forms. He confesses that the road ahead will not always be smooth. There will be rocks, twists and turns, frustration and fatigue, setbacks, shattered dreams and heartache. But no matter how difficult and painful the struggle is, we must continue to push and move forward with an audacious faith in the future, respecting the sacrifices of those before us and the demands of our history, as reflected in the Black National Anthem and realizing that the arc of the moral universe is long but it bends toward justice. Dr. Maulana Karenga, Professor and Chair of Africana Studies, California State University-Long Beach; Executive Director, African American Cultural Center (Us); Creator of Kwanzaa; and author of Kwanzaa: A Celebration of Family, Community and Culture; The Message and Meaning of Kwanzaa: Bringing Good Into the World and Essays on Struggle: Position and Analysis, www.AfricanAmericanCulturalCenter-LA.org; www.OfficialKwanzaaWebsite.org; www.MaulanaKarenga.org. Sen. Schumer Says Senate Will Vote on Changes to Filibuster by MLK Day The U.S. Senate will vote by January 17 on whether the chamber will adopt new rules to circumvent the filibuster to facilitate passing of upcoming voting rights and social justice bills, Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) announced on Monday, January 3. The Senate was designed to protect the political rights of the minority in the chamber, through the promise of debate and the opportunity to amend. But over the years, those rights have been warped and contorted to obstruct and embarrass the will of the majority something our Founders explicitly opposed, Sen. Schumer wrote in a letter to his colleagues. The Constitution specified what measures demanded a supermajority including impeachment or the ratification of treaties. But they explicitly rejected supermajority requirements for legislation, having learned firsthand of such a requirements defects under the Articles of Confederation, he continued. ADVERTISEMENT Although the Senate is evenly split with 50 Democrats and 50 Republicans, Sen. Schumers party controls the majority, with Vice President Kamala Harris positioned to cast any tie-breaking vote. Still, a significant hurdle remains in the senators own party. West Virginia Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin has remained steadfast in opposition to any changes to the filibuster, a centuries-old rule rooted in racism. Sen. Manchins opposition to several pieces of legislation has created a swath of defeat to several key pieces of legislation on his partys agenda, making it increasingly difficult for President Joe Biden and others to fulfill campaign promises to made to voters, particularly those in the African American community. Recent history shows that when Republicans controlled the Senate, they bent tradition and rules to push through their partys agenda, including two controversial Supreme Court nominations. With GOP-led voter suppression laws in states across the country and the continued police killings of unarmed African Americans, many have pushed for legislation like the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act and the George Floyd Justice and Policing bill. ADVERTISEMENT Both measures would supersede laws already on the books, make it easier for people of color to vote and hold law enforcement accountable for their actions. The weaponization of rules [means that rules] once meant to short-circuit obstruction have been hijacked to guarantee obstruction. We must ask ourselves: if the right to vote is the cornerstone of our democracy, then how can we in good conscience allow for a situation in which the Republican Party can debate and pass voter suppression laws at the State level with only a simple majority vote, but not allow the United States Senate to do the same? We must adapt, said Sen. Schumer. The Senate must evolve like it has many times before. The Senate was designed to evolve and has evolved many times in our history. Sen. Schumer continued: The fight for the ballot is as old as the Republic. Over the coming weeks, the Senate will once again consider how to perfect this union and confront the historic challenges facing our democracy. We hope our Republican colleagues change course and work with us. But if they do not, the Senate will debate and consider changes to Senate rules on or before January 17, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, to protect the foundation of our democracy: free and fair elections. The Kinsey African American Art and History Collection Premieres First Local Showing since 2007 Awareness of cultural history molds the future success of the collective community. On January 15, The Kinsey African American Art and History Collection will present historical moments pointing towards the advancement of the Black community. Pepperdine Universitys Frederick R. Weisman Museum of Art has partnered with the owners and curators of The Kinsey African American Art and History Collection, to showcase rare photographs, books, letters, and manuscripts in the upcoming exhibition, The Cultivators: Highlights from The Kinsey African American Art and History Collection. The premiere viewing is on January 15, 2022. The Los Angeles Sentinel had an exclusive interview with one of the pioneers responsible for The Kinsey African American Art and History Collection. Bernard Kinsey spoke about his experience in building this legacy with his wife, Shirley Kinsey, and the significance in sharing these works with the future generation. ADVERTISEMENT The mission behind this installment is to display tools forged in antiquity to motivate people of color towards future prosperity. The press release detailing the event stated, The Bernard and Shirley Kinsey Foundation for Art and Education assists educational/cultural institutions with educating underserved youth and increasing public awareness about African American history and ancestry by exposing and bridging cultural and societal gaps while addressing stereotypes and social ills. The collection holds contributions from African Americans dating back five centuries. Khalil Kinsey and Larry Earl curated the gallery. These pieces have inspired people across the world, traveling internationally in over 30 venues. However, the latest showing on January 15 will debut exclusive installations and will host an opening celebration. Kinsey shared the prosperity of the collection by stating, The Kinsey collection has been traveling for the past 15 years. Its been to 35 cities and been seen by over 15 million people. It has been translated into Spanish and into Chinese and we have two books out, one in its fifth edition. This showcase is reuniting The Kinsey African American Art and History Collection with its roots, making its first local showing since 2007. Attendees can enjoy the rarity found in this collection until March 27, 2022. The viewing of art, photographs, rare books, letters, and manuscripts work as a bridge between innovation and history that developed in the Black community. One of the pieces that changed Kinseys life was a bill of sale from 1832 of an 18-year-old African American man in Alabama who was sold for $500. Kinsey stated, I couldnt believe one, that people owned other people. Secondly, I couldnt believe that I was holding this young brother in my hand. He continued, It fundamentally changed me Kinsey shared at that moment he told his wife of his quest to find out how did America survive off of the imbalanced energy capsulated in racism. He described their adventures in seeking a truth as a love affair that he shares with his wife. ADVERTISEMENT The production hosted at the Frederick R. Weisman Museum of Art will emphasize the lives, challenges, and successes of African Americans, dating from the 16th century. The images, documents, and original pieces carry the narrative of the slave trade, the Civil War, the Harlem Renaissance, and many more benchmarks in American history, highlighted by the Black experience. One of the key pieces mentioned in the official press release are elements that are linked to the 1963 student protests at Florida A&M University. This is significant to the founders of the collection Bernard and Shirley Kinsey began their journey together at Florida A&M before moving to California to continue their education at Pepperdine University. Out of their union, their son, Khalil, was born. He developed into the chief operating officer and chief curator of The Kinsey African American Art and History Collection and Foundation. The press released captured a statement from Pepperdine University president Jim Gash: We are proud to be hosting the Kinsey Collection here at Pepperdine. He continued, Bernard and Shirley Kinsey rank among our most prestigious alumni and are venerated for their leadership in both business and education. We look forward to how this exhibition will facilitate greater understanding and appreciation for African American contributions and achievements to our nations history, as well as foster increased community between Pepperdine and the city of L.A. The gallery features art by celebrated figures, including Ernie Barnes, John Biggers, Bisa Butler, Elizabeth Catlett, Robert S. Duncanson, Sam Gilliam, Jacob Lawrence, Norman Lewis, Augusta Savage, Henry Ossawa Tanner, Alma Thomas and Charles White. In closing, Kinsey stated that the collection is looking to inspire everyone from all walks of life. He stated, As much as we have racism here in Los Angeles, we have nothing like what people had in the 18th and 19th century in terms of Jim Crow, slavery, and things like that. Kinsey continued, So, what were trying to do is to make this motivational for our young people fourth grade up, which is what we primarily focus on. What we want them to understand is that theyre limit is the sky, not a two-story building. If we dont push our young people and our not-so-young to think bigger about their lives, they are not going to be able to compete in this very competitive world called the United States. Book your visit and access information about Weisman Museum health and safety protocols at arts.pepperdine.edu/visit. Words of the Week: Epiphany, Ambiguity and the Quest for Beloved Community January 6th on the Christian liturgical calendar is Epiphany! It marks a holy day of invitation to shine the light on the essence of the Christmas message and the mission of Jesus. It is translated from Greek as the light shines forth or simply, the light shines. The coup attempt on January 6, 2021, introduced a dark and dangerous translation to this holy day. The treasonous and traumatic acts on that day were not just a threat to the ongoing emergence of a multi-racial democracy in the United States, but a public manifestation of an ongoing jihad fueled by religious nationalism and catalyzed by White supremacist theology. Banners accompanied a blasphemous open-air worship celebration headlined by several practitioners of White Anglo Saxon Protestantism and promoters of sectarianism at the Ellipse. Worshippers were sent forth to engage in acts that presented a clear and present danger to multi-racial democracy in the United States. ADVERTISEMENT Moreover, these patriotic jihadists continue to conquer Christianity with, and enslave Jesus through their White supremacist spirituality. January 6th will be historically remembered as a day when the light will always shine forth on the boldly blatant and viciously violent schemes of distortion and deception, denial and destruction. Schemes perniciously perpetuated by a brand of Christianity that is the antithesis to the essence of the Christmas message and the mission of Jesus. We must boldly shine a bright light on the moral glacier that continues to move the tip of a melting iceberg enveloped by dark clouds of deception, denial, and dehumanization! Robert Jones, CEO of the Public Religion Research Institute, calls this melting iceberg trifecta White-supremacy-induced amnesia. Truth be told, the big lie is inextricably connected to the big religious lie! In his book, White Too Long: The Legacy of White Supremacy in American Christianity, Jones argues that a White supremacist theology continues to inform the spirituality and identity, activity, and destiny of White conservative evangelicalism. Hence, the heightened sense of anxiety about historical truths and cultural fragility has been warped by convenient and callous amnesia. For Jones, White Christians from evangelicals in the South to mainline Protestants in the Midwest to Catholics in the Northeast were not just complacent spectators to political debates about conquering the lands and cultures of First Nations, enslavement, segregation, and discrimination. Since 1482, these practitioners of white supremacist theology were key players and torch bearers in shaping the American church from its beginning. Their infection with White supremacist spirituality influenced their worship and works. Their addiction to White privilege shaped their songs and societies. A collusion with White imperialism shaped their methods of evangelism and denominationalism. In 1619, the economic system of enslavement supported by racial capitalism takes an institutional trajectory that embodied a national identity undergirded by a distorted religious narrative. The long-term sustainable and most destructive impact of white supremacist theology has been on an understanding of salvation itself. Consequently, the trinity of Whiteness, individualism and racial capitalism were lauded as means to salvation! Until we accept the fact that White supremacist Christianity, religious nationalism and racial capitalism are bedfellows, a precarious and perilous cloud will always hover over any multi-racial democracy in the world, especially in the United States. Until we are willing to reckon with the aforementioned religious history of the United States, these patriotic jihadists will be an ongoing existential threat to the vitality, viability, and security of our emerging multi-racial democracy! ADVERTISEMENT Epiphany is about the revelation of Gods light of salvation for liberation through the cosmic Christ! It is an invitation for us to be and become light with others to realize a more just, fair, inclusive, and equitable beloved community for all to fully belong. Such authentic with-ness, incubated by an audacious spirituality of mutuality, charges us to stay woke with hands to the plow. Let those who have ears come closer and engage in deep heart listening. Proximity reveals ubuntu! Let those who have eyes see more clearly the humanity of our kin and the integrity of creation. Sawubona for real!! When we have the faith, fearlessness, and fortitude to do thisto be and become this, the integrity, intentions, and invitation of Epiphany will never elude us. Now more than ever, keep your lamps trimmed and burning! With heads lifted and eyes opened, dont stop prayinkeep right on prayin for our race is almost run. And when you pray, move your feet to resist voter suppression and re-imagine mobilization to the ballot box!! Thursday, January 13, 2022 Linda Mullenix has posted to SSRN Federal Courts: What Law Applies to Nazi-Appropriated Art Under the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act?. The abstract provides: On January 18, 2022, the Supreme Court will hear arguments in Cassirer v. Thyssen-Bornemisza Collection Foundation concerning the legal ownership of an impressionist painting by Camille Pissarro -- Rue Saint-Honore Afternoon, and Rain Effect -- that the Cassirer family originally purchased in the early twentieth-century. During the 1930s the Nazi regime appropriated the painting and the Jewish paintings owner fled to the United States. After World War II the painting subsequently changed ownership several times in the United States. Ultimately the painting came into the possession of the Baron Hans Heinrich von Thyssen-Borenmisza of Lugano, Switzerland, who subsequently sold it to the Thyssen-Bornemisza Collection Foundation (TBC) in the Kingdom of Spain. At the beginning of the twenty-first century several California Cassirer heirs became aware that the Pissarro painting was held in the Thyssen-Bornemisza Collection and was displayed in Madrid. In 2005 the heirs instituted legal proceedings in California federal court pleading California state claims, to recover the painting as the rightful owner. The district court and the Ninth Circuit applied federal common law to determine that the TBC was the rightful owner. After sixteen years of litigation and four appeals to the Ninth Circuit, the Supreme Court will address the appropriate law that federal courts should apply under the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act when plaintiffs assert state law claims for remediation because of Nazi-era appropriated art. The Court will consider whether federal courts should apply the forum states choice of law rules or federal common law. https://lawprofessors.typepad.com/tortsprof/2022/01/mullenix-on-conflict-of-laws-and-the-foreign-sovereign-immunities-act-1.html Some Dutch citizens have found new ways to release their anger about the continuing COVID-19 pandemic by shouting and smashing things. Twin brothers Steven and Brian Krijger showed a reporter from Reuters how enjoyable it can be to crush cars at a vehicle wreckage center in the town of Vijfhuizen, near Amsterdam. One used a sledgehammer and the other a crowbar to destroy a Peugeot 106 car. The exercise is part of a Dutch program called "CarSmash." It aims to give people living under new anti-virus restrictions ways to release their anger and frustrations. The feelings have built up during a pandemic that is now entering its third year. Dutch bars, restaurants and most stores have been closed since mid-December when the new measures took effect. The restrictions are set to remain in place until at least January 14. The government is seeking to contain record numbers of coronavirus cases. "There is nothing to do these days," Brian told Reuters. "We can't work because, we own a bar and we are closed. So, we thought we'd let some of that frustration go and smash a car." Merlijn Boshuizen runs the CarSmash program. He said people taking part are first asked to spray-paint "what's present in their lives" onto their chosen vehicle. Then, when they start wrecking a car, they are asked to close their eyes and feel their feet on the ground. Boshuizen says the goal is for the person to feel the power, every vein in your body, feel what you are doing, and in that way to try to get it out of your life." Nearby, in the Hague, voice trainer Julie Scott operates "Screech at the Beach." It is a program with similar aims as CarSmash. Scott told Reuters she developed the idea while looking for "something physical and something to release some of the tension" that has been building up in people. On a recent day, Julie joined Rozemarijn Kardijk on a windy beach near the shore. Kardijk jumped up and down shouting until she ran out of breath while trying not to laugh. "You can just - Whaa! Let yourself go," Kardijk said. She is a business secretary hoping to learn to speak with more confidence in her professional life. "You don't have to think about other things, it's the wideness of the beach and the sea ... Kardijk said. Your voice goes over the sea and it doesn't return to you. It's a sense of freedom. 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 sledgehammer n. a large, heavy hammer with a long handle used for breaking rocks or other heavy material crowbar n. a heavy iron bar with a bent end that is used to lift heavy objects of force things open frustration n. the feeling of being annoyed or upset because things are not happening the way you want them to bar n. an establishment that sells drinks and sometimes food screech v. to make an unpleasant, loud, high noise confidence n. a feeling of being sure that something will happen or that something is true The huge, American-based technology show CES has changed in recent years because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Last year, an online version of the event was held for the first time. This year, the physical show returned to Las Vegas, Nevada. But the number of attendees decreased by about 70 percent. In addition, several major technology companies suddenly decided to pull out, The Associated Press reported. CES is produced by the Consumer Technology Association. It is known as the place where many companies launch their latest technology offerings. Here is a look at some of the top products presented at CES 2022. Foldable laptop Taiwanese computer maker ASUS announced the launch of a foldable laptop computer. It is called the Zenbook 17 Fold. While several companies have already launched foldable versions of phones, the idea has not yet caught on with laptop computers. The company says its new device is a powerful personal computer, or PC, with a high-quality OLED display that is about 44 centimeters across. But it folds down to about 32 centimeters for easier transport. AirSelfie camera Electronics maker AirSelfie launched its latest self-flying camera designed to take selfie pictures. The new device, called Air Pix, is a small, light camera that flies through the air and captures high-quality photographs and video. A video on the companys website explains that Air Pix can fly, frame and take pictures all by itself before landing back on the users hand. All-in-one communication Technology company Anker announced the launch of an all-in-one device designed to improve communications for employees working from home. The AnkerWork B600 sits on top of the computer display like a traditional webcam. But it combines several elements of communication into one device that includes a camera, speaker, microphone and a light. Robotic Wi-Fi router TP-Link showed off a new Wi-Fi router that the company says uses robotic antennas to find and lock onto the best wireless signals to improve internet speeds and performance. Images of the Archer AXE200 Omni device show its motorized antennas rising, falling and changing positions in search of strong signals. Labradors assistive robot Robot maker Labrador announced the launch of its Retriever robot. CES has historically been known to present different kinds of robots, including many designed to look and act like people or animals. But Labrador says its Retriever robot was designed to be truly useful in helping those who need assistance at home. The small, self-driving machine is designed to hold things and, as its name suggests, also retrieve things. The robot can be controlled by voice commands or from an app on a phone. It can also be programmed based on an exact map of a users home. The company says the Retriever is designed to serve as an extra pair of hands and lighten the load of everyday tasks in the home. Samsung Odyssey Ark South Korean electronics maker Samsung is known for announcing major new products at CES. Many involve bigger television sets with new abilities. This year, the company presented several new computer displays meant to serve people who play video games, known as gamers. One of them, called the Odyssey Ark, has a curved design and measures nearly 140 centimeters. Samsung demonstrated how the huge display can also be turned on its side, to curve right above the users head for a more intense gaming experience. Self-driving tractor American-based farm equipment manufacturer John Deere presented a fully self-driving tractor. The company says the vehicle is equipped with six different cameras and a series of sensors to guide the tractor through the fields. Farmers can control the vehicle and see the tractors progress in real-time through a mobile device. John Deere says the idea is to help farmers do more work with less equipment and people. The company noted that such machines can help improve farming methods as the world's population grows and food demand is expected to rise 50 percent by 2050. Im Bryan Lynn. Bryan Lynn wrote this story for VOA Learning English, based on reports from CES, The Associated Press and other online sources. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments section, and visit our Facebook page. Quiz - Top Technology Products from CES 2022 Start the Quiz to find out Start Quiz ____________________________________________ Words in This Story fold v. to bend something so that one part of it lies flat on top of another part display n. a device that shows information from a computer frame v. to form an edge to something in a pleasing way router n. a piece of electronic equipment that connects computer networks to each other antenna n. a device used to send or receive communications signals retrieve v. to get something task n. a piece of work, especially something unpleasant or difficult curve n. a line that bends around like part of a circle tractor n. a strong vehicle with large back wheels used on farms The president of Turkmenistan is calling for an end to one of the countrys most notable sights: the burning crater widely known as the Gates of Hell. The desert crater is found about 260 kilometers north of the capital, Ashgabat. It sits near the village of Darvaza and its official name is Darvaza gas crater. The fire has burned in the Central Asian nation since the early 1970s. It is a popular place to visit for the small number of travelers who come to Turkmenistan. The country is difficult to enter and highly controlled. The Turkmen news site Turkmenportal said that a 1971 search for gas caused the ground to collapse, which formed the crater. At the time, Turkmenistan was under control of the former Soviet Union. The crater is about 60 meters across and 20 meters deep. Earth scientists set a fire to prevent the spread of gas. They expected the gas to burn off in a few weeks. But the fire is still burning 50 years later. In 2019, state television showed President Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov speeding around it in an off-road vehicle. But earlier this month, the state newspaper Neitralny Turkemistan reported that Berdymukhammedov has ordered his government to look for ways to put out the fire. It is causing ecological damage and affecting the health of people living in the area. Natural gas producer Turkmenistan has the worlds fifth-largest natural gas reserves. But life for most of the countrys 6 million people remains difficult. Berdymukhammedov has ruled his country by demanding obedience. He has isolated Turkmenistan during an economic crisis that has made many of its citizens poor, and shortages of simple goods and food are common. A 2021 Bloomberg report said that Turkmenistans state-controlled energy industry is one of the worlds worst creators of the greenhouse gas methane. Methane is 80 times more powerful than carbon dioxide as a planet-warming greenhouse gas. This means that controlling leaks in gas production is important in fighting climate change. In 2021, the International Energy Agency estimated Turkmenistans total methane creation was behind only Russia, the United States, Iran and Iraq. These countries are all major oil and gas producers. However, Turkmenistan had the second-highest methane creation intensity in the world. This number means how much methane is leaked into the environment in relation to natural gas that is produced. Turkmenistans leak rate was more than five times larger than the worlds top natural gas producer, the United States. Im Gregory Stachel. The Associated Press reported this story. Gregory Stachel adapted it for VOA Learning English with additional materials from Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. _____________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story crater n. a large round hole in the ground made by the explosion of a bomb or by something falling from the sky reserve n. a supply of something that is stored so that it can be used at a later time isolated adj. separate from others greenhouse gas phr. n. air pollution that is related to or cause the warming of the Earth's atmosphere carbon dioxide n. a gas that is produced when people and animals breathe out or when certain fuels are burned and that is used by plants for energy The number of pregnancies among girls and young women in Zimbabwe rose a lot during the pandemic. Zimbabwe has long struggled with youth pregnancies and child marriages because of weak enforcement of laws, poverty, and cultural and religious norms. COVID-19 has worsened the situation. The country of 15 million people had a strict lockdown to stop the spread of the virus. Many girls were left alone and unable to get contraceptives or visit health clinics. Virginia Mavhunga is a 13-year-old mother. She spends her days collecting water and selling fruits and vegetables. She also cooks, cleans, and washes clothes. She says she is too busy to give her 3-month-old son much support. Thats my life now, every day, she said. Virginia also helps prepare her family members for school and helps them with homework. It is these tasks that are hardest for Virginia, because at age 13 she would also rather be in school. Virginia is part of a large increase in pregnancies among girls and young women reported in Zimbabwe and other southern African countries during the pandemic. Before COVID-19, one of every three girls married before age 18, many with unplanned pregnancies. Many became victims of sexual abuse. Some looked to marriage and pregnancy as an escape from poverty, officials said. Before the pandemic, many such girls were considered a lost cause, said Taungana Ndoro, a Zimbabwe education official. Faced with the rising numbers, the government in August 2020 changed a law that banned pregnant students from attending school. Activists and officials said the move was good for the developing country. But so far, the new policy has largely failed. Most girls have not returned. Officials and families say poverty, cultural beliefs, and bullying are keeping the girls out of school. Virginia tried to return to school. But she was bullied in her community. Many people were not used to seeing a pregnant girl in a school uniform. She had hoped to marry the older man who was the father of her child. He refused. She and her family did not follow through with rape accusations. It is illegal to have sex with children under the age of 16 in Zimbabwe. People convicted of having sex with anyone younger than 16 can pay a fine or spend up to 10 years in jail. Most incidents, however, never go that far. Families and officials have long tried to ignore the cases or force the girls to marry, said a police spokesman. In 2018 and 2019, about 3,000 girls left school because of pregnancies. In 2020, 4,770 students left. And in 2021, 5,000 students got pregnant in the first two months of the year. Africa has one of the highest pregnancy rates among youths worldwide, reports the United Nations. Zimbabwe and a few other countries now have policies to protect pregnant girls' education. Zimbabwe's law change gave community workers a chance to persuade pregnant girls to return to school. Through a group that supports girls' rights, Tsitsi Chitongo held community meetings and met families in rural areas. Few were interested. By November, her group had persuaded only one girl to return to school in Murehwa, a poor town of mostly small farms. They prefer to have the child married, even if she is under the age of 18, Chitongo said. After Virginia gave birth, her father ignored pressure to make her leave home. Her mother wanted to protect her, and that included keeping her out of school and away from bullying. Virginia says she will return to school someday. She wants to get into a university, get a degree, and build her parents a bigger home. "They may laugh at me now, but I am dedicating all my spare time and weekends to reading and catching up, she said. Im Dan Novak. The Associated Press reported this story. Dan Novak adapted it for VOA Learning English. _______________________________________ Words in This Story strict adj. demanding that people obey rules or behave in a certain way contraceptive n. a drug or device such as birth control pills or a condom that is used to prevent a woman from becoming pregnant lost cause n. a person or thing that is certain to fail bully n. someone who frightens, hurts, or threatens smaller or weaker people dedicate v. to use time, money, energy, attention, etc. for something spare adj. kept as something extra that can be used if it is needed I dont know where he got it from his parents, his teachers, his rabbis, his wife but Steve Sachs had that thing called integrity in his bones. He was once a tough federal prosecutor in Baltimore and later Marylands hard-driving attorney general. All through those years, the Sachs I knew and the Sachs known to men and women who worked with him and against him had that thing called integrity. That means because these days integrity seems as rare as a Trump-defying Republican that Sachs was honest and fair, that he cherished truth and justice, that he could be counted upon to do the right thing. (For further enlightenment on integrity, refer to Scent of a Woman and the soliloquy of Al Pacinos Frank Slade as he defends Chris ODonnells Charlie.) Advertisement Sachs, who died Wednesday at age 87, was affable, charming, astute in legal matters, progressive in his politics and had a challenging intellect. He was well read and given to quoting philosophers and poets. He was an eager student of history and blessed with a prodigious memory for names, events, court cases and great phrases from literature. His quick wit could be withering, disarming or fully self-aware. Years ago, during an argument, a frustrated employee called him an egomaniac. Sachs smiled benignly and replied, Why deny the obvious? He came of age as a young attorney in the early 1960s, during the Kennedy administration, before the term best and brightest became associated ironically with the failed policies of the Vietnam War. Sachs served as an assistant U.S. Attorney in Baltimore, his hometown, then as the top federal prosecutor here. In addition to bank robbers, his office pursued corrupt politicians and labor leaders with ties to organized crime. Sachs became something of a legend in a relatively short period. Advertisement I met him years later, in 1978, when he emerged from private practice to run for office. At the time, Maryland voters were looking for leaders with integrity after a rash of corruption cases involving two county executives, a governor and a former governor. Sachs became attorney general and the honorable Harry Hughes became governor. In different ways Hughes with honest stewardship, Sachs with brilliant activism they helped build public trust in government. Sachs energized a sleepy office that had done little to root out the corruption in the state. He hired bright, equally dedicated attorneys to battle on behalf of Marylanders. There was an air of righteousness about Sachs; he saw himself as a defender of consumers against the greedy practices of credit card companies and banks. His office went after environmental polluters and the villains behind the 1985 savings and loan scandal. That should have set him up nicely for a run for governor in 1986. But the popular mayor of Baltimore, William Donald Schaefer, stepped into the race. He and his backers believed Sachs to be personally responsible for an anti-business climate in Maryland. Schaefer also criticized Sachs for his proposal to increase funding for public education by raising the state sales tax by a penny, to six cents. Imagine the audacity of that! Clearly, Sachs was up against a powerful political figure, though one who didnt seem to desire the governorship as much as he did. In fact, years later, Schaefer told me that he would have preferred to stay in City Hall. I wouldnt have run for governor except that it was my turn and it was time to go, he said. But that wasnt a happy day. He called Sachs a brilliant, brilliant man, so much smarter than I was. But timing is everything in comedy, love and politics, and Schaefer went on to dominate the Democratic primary and serve two terms as governor. Steve said that Schaefer was the unhappiest winner hed ever known, always complaining about what a terrible time hed had as governor, says Neil A. Grauer, the journalist and author who handled press relations for Sachs during his time as attorney general. Years after their primary contest, Schaefer would see Sachs and say, more or less, Youre so lucky you didnt win. Being governor was horrible. Schaefer loved being the do-it-now mayor. He didnt always get his way as governor. Sachs returned to private law practice, enjoying the high opinion of his peers in both the District of Columbia and Maryland. Steve Sachs was one of the most respected public servants in Marylands history and a personal mentor to me and many others, Erek Barron, the current U.S. Attorney in Baltimore, said this week. His commitment to the rule of law and passion for justice are legendary and continued to his passing. Advertisement In recent years, Sachs corresponded with me, often commenting on current events or telling humorous stories from his days as a trial attorney. I once asked him about his appearance as attorney general before the Supreme Court in 1979, in a case known as Smith v. Maryland. Opposing Sachs that day in arguments was Baltimore attorney Howard Cardin. Sachs parents, along with Cardins father, were in attendance. Yes, Sachs said, it was like a bar mitzvah. But Sachs was absolutely serious about the Constitution, the independence of prosecutors and the adversarial system of criminal justice. In our last meeting, he expressed outrage at the appalling politicization of the Department of Justice during the Trump administration. Sachs was a little unsteady on his feet that day, but his mind was still sharp, and integrity still in his bones. A former Sweet Home High School graduate and a current Millersburg resident were part of a team that helped Kentucky residents recover from the devastation of tornadoes that tore through the region in December. Will Chiaffino, 46, and Bill Blair, 71, were part of a Team Rubicon volunteer operation that mobilized hundreds of volunteers to assist local residents. Team Rubicon is an international non-government organization specializing in disaster response. After seeing images of the devastation there, I wanted to see if I could help out, said Chiaffino, who helped man chainsaws that cut through debris and trees to help clear out the area and make neighborhoods habitable again. Quality journalism doesn't happen without your help Support local news coverage and the people who report it by subscribing to the Albany Democrat-Herald. There are obviously a lot of hazards after tornadoes, he said. Large trees toppled over, broken and, you know, immediately behind neighborhoods. There were a lot of grateful people (and) we were there to assist them, make their properties safe. Other crews dug through debris in search of personal items, part of whats called a muck out operation. Blair was the incident commander, overseeing the organizational structure and deployment of personnel and resources. As someone whos been involved in several Team Rubicon operations, he described the destruction in Kentucky as some of the more severe hes seen. It was pretty devastating, he said of the tornado damage. It was a long tornado path. I heard that it was a couple hundred miles that it tore through. The effort was coordinated out of a forward operating base in Perdonia, Kentucky. The operation was dubbed Unbridled Spirit, which saw hundreds of grayshirts the nickname for the T-shirt-clad volunteers who work for Team Rubicon in Western Kentucky to assist with the recovery efforts. That military terminology is no accident, it reflects the history of the nonprofit. Team Rubicon was co-founded in 2010 by former U.S. Marine Corps sniper Jake Wood, who served in Iraq and Afghanistan. When he saw the devastation following the earthquake in Haiti, he decided to form a team to go and help out. From that initial effort, Team Rubicon was born. Since then, the organization has been responsible for 785 field operations, ranging from natural disasters to even COVID-19 response, according to the organizations website. While its not a requirement to join, Team Rubicon is geared toward veterans and first responders. Both Blair and Chiaffino served in the armed forces before joining Team Rubicon. Chiaffino was an air traffic controller for the Navy and Air Force, while Blair was in the Army from 1968 to 1972 and stationed in Korea during the Vietnam War. Though, Blair stressed, all kinds of people join in on the volunteer operations. We are about 65% veterans and the rest are first responders, law enforcement and just regular civilians. We call them kick-ass civilians, Blair said. It doesnt matter who you are or what your skillset is, there is something for everybody to do who wants to be a part of Team Rubicon. While the nonprofit has made a name for itself by responding to natural disasters and humanitarian crises including assisting with the relocation of Afghan refugees last year the organization also works locally. Blair estimated that there are around 600 grayshirts in the Pacific Northwest and even a branch in Salem, so local volunteers can quickly mobilize to help with things like COVID-19 vaccine distribution or other local events. We want to prepare that if things happened here, wed be able to respond here before sending outside grayshirts in, Blair said. Both Chiaffino and Blair described their deployments with Team Rubicon as fulfilling and eye-opening. Its the neatest organization that Ive ever worked for and been involved in, Blair said. Troy Shinn covers healthcare, natural resources and Linn County government. He can be reached at 541-812-6114 or troy.shinn@lee.net. He can be found on Twitter at @troydshinn. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 OKLAHOMA CITY Two Oklahoma death-row inmates facing executions in the coming months offered firing squad as a less problematic alternative to the states three-drug lethal injection, one of their attorneys told a federal judge Monday. The two inmates Donald Grant and Gilbert Postelle want U.S. District Judge Stephen Friot to grant them a temporary injunction that would delay their upcoming executions until a trial can be held over whether Oklahomas three-drug lethal injection method is constitutional. A trial is set to begin before Friot on Feb. 28, but Grant is scheduled to be put to death on Jan. 27, while Postelle is set for execution on Feb. 17. While it may be gruesome to look at, we all agree it will be quicker, attorney Jim Stronski told Friot after a daylong hearing in Oklahoma City. Friot did not issue a decision Monday on the inmates motion but said he hoped to release an order by the end of the week. Theres a lot for me to get my mind around, the judge said. Among the experts who testified was Dr. James Williams, an emergency medicine specialist from Texas who has more than 40,000 hours of emergency room experience and who has extensively studied the use of firing squads. Williams, himself a survivor of a gunshot wound to the chest area, testified that a firing squad involving shots from at least four high-powered rifles to the cardiac bundle of the heart would be so quick that an inmate wouldnt feel pain. He also said that unlike lethal injection, there is an extremely low likelihood that the execution would be botched. Oklahoma has never used firing squad as a method of executing prisoners since statehood, but current state law does allow for its use if other methods, such as lethal injection, were determined to be unconstitutional or otherwise unavailable. The Oklahoma Department of Corrections does not currently have execution protocols in place for any method other than lethal injection. Friot also heard testimony from Justin Farris, chief of operations at the Department of Corrections, about the recent lethal injections of death-row inmates John Marion Grant and Bigler Stouffer late last year. Farris, who was inside the death chamber for both executions, described the two lethal injections as being on opposite ends of the spectrum. Grant, who was declared dead after vomiting and convulsing on the gurney, was angry, hurling expletives and resisting the execution by trying to flex his arms and legs, Farris said. Stouffer, on the other hand, was just as polite as you can imagine under the circumstances, Farris said. He also testified that the doctor who inserts the intravenous lines and helps oversee the lethal injections is paid $15,000 for each execution he attends, as well as $1,000 for every day of training. DOC policy prohibits the release of the names of execution team members, and the doctor wore a mask during both Grants and Stouffers executions. The Lompoc Unified School board on Dec.13 voted in favor of constructing a total of eight new classrooms at four elementary schools over the next five years, in preparation for a universal rollout of transitional kindergarten programming to be offered to children under the age of 5 throughout California. Eight custody deputies and two police officers were treated as a precaution Wednesday after being exposed to fentanyl at the Santa Barbara County Main Jail, according to a spokeswoman. Stephen H. Sachs, who served as Maryland Attorney General from 1979-1987, speaks at the swearing in ceremony for Maryland Attorney General Brian E. Frosh in the House of Delegates chamber in Annapolis. File. (Amy Davis/Baltimore Sun). (Amy Davis, Baltimore Sun) As the nation mourns the loss of former U.S. Sen. Harry Reid, we here in Maryland are just beginning to mourn the loss of Stephen H. Sachs who passed away on Wednesday (Stephen H. Sachs, who prosecuted the Catonsville Nine and later was Maryland attorney general and law firm partner, dies, Jan. 12). While Steve was on the short side, he was truly a giant among men. His many successes as a lawyer in private practice first with his own firm and later with Wilmer Cutler & Pickering were overshadowed by his public service as U.S Attorney and Maryland Attorney General and in retirement as a tireless champion of the civil Gideon movement pressing for legal representation of the poor. Advertisement Steve was an inspiring advocate for the value of public service and at my invitation spoke movingly on that subject to a room full of 500 municipal lawyers from around the country and then to the entire Baltimore City Law Department. Yes, he was a terrific husband and father and loved his grandchildren. But most importantly, he made the world a better place and inspired many of us with his keen and unwavering ethical principles and dedication to public service. We will miss him. Advertisement George Nilson, Chestertown The writer is a former deputy attorney general and Baltimore city solicitor. Add your voice: Respond to this piece or other Sun content by submitting your own letter. 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. Globally, it was the sixth hottest year on record for surface temperatures, according to data released by NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in their annual global climate report on Jan. 13, 2022. But under the surface, ocean temperatures set new heat records in 2021. As climate scientist Kevin Trenberth explains, while the temperature at Earths surface is what people experience day to day, the temperature in the upper part of the ocean is a better indicator of how energy is accumulating on the planet. The Conversation spoke with Trenberth, coauthor of a study published on Jan. 11, 2022, by 23 researchers at 14 institutes that tracked warming in the worlds oceans. Your latest research shows ocean heat is at record highs. What does that tell us about global warming? The worlds oceans are hotter than ever recorded, and their heat has increased each decade since the 1960s. This relentless increase is a primary indicator of human-induced climate change. As oceans warm, their heat supercharges weather systems, creating more powerful storms and hurricanes, and more intense rainfall. That threatens human lives and livelihoods as well as marine life. The oceans take up about 93% of the extra energy trapped by the increasing greenhouse gases from human activities, particularly burning fossil fuels. Because water holds more heat than land does and the volumes involved are immense, the upper oceans are a primary memory of global warming. I explain this in more detail in my new book The Changing Flow of Energy Through the Climate System. Our study provided the first analysis of 2021s ocean warming, and we were able to attribute the warming to human activities. Global warming is alive and well, unfortunately. The global mean surface temperature was the fifth or sixth warmest on record in 2021 (the record depends on the dataset used), in part, because of the year-long La Nina conditions, in which cool conditions in the tropical Pacific influence weather patterns around the world. There is a lot more natural variability in surface air temperatures than in ocean temperatures because of El Nino/La Nina and weather events. That natural variability on top of a warming ocean creates hot spots, sometimes called marine heat waves, that vary from year to year. Those hot spots have profound influences on marine life, from tiny plankton to fish, marine mammals and birds. Other hot spots are responsible for more activity in the atmosphere, such as hurricanes. While surface temperatures are both a consequence and a cause, the main source of the phenomena causing extremes relates to ocean heat that energizes weather systems. We found that all oceans are warming, with the largest amounts of warming in the Atlantic Ocean and in the Southern Ocean surrounding Antarctica. Thats also a concern for Antarcticas ice and sea level rise heat in the Southern Ocean can creep under Antarcticas ice shelves, thinning them and resulting in calving off of huge icebergs. In what ways does extra ocean heat affect air temperature and moisture on land? The global heating increases evaporation and drying on land, as well as raising temperatures, increasing risk of heat waves and wildfires. Weve seen the impact in 2021, especially in western North America, but also amid heat waves in Russia, Greece, Italy and Turkey. The warmer oceans also supply atmospheric rivers of moisture to land areas, increasing the risk of flooding, like the U.S. West Coast has been experiencing. 2021 saw several destructive cyclones, including Hurricane Ida in the U.S. and Typhoon Rai in the Philippines. How does ocean temperature affect storms like those? Warmer oceans provide extra moisture to the atmosphere. That extra moisture fuels storms, especially hurricanes. The result can be prodigious rainfall, as the U.S. saw from Ida, and widespread flooding as occurred in many places over the past year. The storms may also become more intense, bigger and last longer. Several major flooding events have occurred in Australia this past year, and also in New Zealand. Bigger snowfalls can also occur in winter provided temperatures remain below about freezing because warmer air holds more moisture. If greenhouse gas emissions slowed, would the ocean cool down? In the oceans, warm water sits on top of cooler denser waters. However, the oceans warm from the top down, and consequently the ocean is becoming more stratified. This inhibits mixing between layers that otherwise allows the ocean to warm to deeper levels and to take up carbon dioxide and oxygen. Hence it impacts all marine life. We found that the top 500 meters of the ocean has clearly been warming since 1980; the 500-1,000 meter depths have been warming since about 1990; the 1,000-1,500 meter depths since 1998; and below 1,500 meters since about 2005. The slow penetration of heat downward means that oceans will continue to warm, and sea level will continue to rise even after greenhouse gases are stabilized. The final area to pay attention to is the need to expand scientists ability to monitor changes in the oceans. One way we do this is through the Argo array currently about 3,900 profiling floats that send back data on temperature and salinity from the surface to about 2,000 meters in depth, measured as they rise up and then sink back down, in ocean basins around the world. These robotic, diving and drifting instruments require constant replenishment and their observations are invaluable. [Understand new developments in science, health and technology, each week. Subscribe to The Conversations science newsletter.] Kevin Trenberth 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. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Historically long stretches of record-breaking ocean heat and loss of sea ice have fundamentally changed the North Pacific and Arctic ocean ecosystem: The e at the end of Baldwin Street Grille is used with a wink because this neighborhood tavern is about as unpretentious as it gets. The bar, on the corner of East Washington Avenue, is unassuming, inside and out, even though the building recently got a new paint job and some other updates. But it should not be overlooked. Its fish fry is one of the best around. It was owner Ryan Schultz, 40, I found out later, who took my order by phone and was as friendly a guy as youll find. Schultz said my food would be ready in 12 to 15 minutes, and when I stopped in at 5 p.m. on a Friday, he was working behind the bar solo. He asked how I was, and when I asked him in return, he said, above average. It would be easy to say the food at Baldwin Street Grille is, too, but much of it is well beyond that threshold, particularly the beer-battered cod ($12), which was so lightly breaded it almost didnt taste fried. The spices it was dusted with were fantastic. I was hooked. The coleslaw was also unusually good, made with red cabbage, onions and the perfect amount of dressing. The meal came with grilled rye bread and a large serving of excellent, homemade tartar sauce. The potato of the day, or a choice of fries, is an extra $2.50, but there was sadly no potato of the day when I ordered my takeout, so I got sweet potato fries. They were crinkle-cut and unsalted. I split them with my daughter and two friends, and they liked them as much as I did, so we were lucky it was a generous helping. Other fish fry choices are beer-battered lake perch and beer-battered or grilled shrimp, but neither was available when I ordered. Schultz, on the phone, asked the chef if they had gotten their supply of either, but they hadnt. Instead, my friends and I also split the Baldwin Street burger ($8.50) with a slice of Swiss ($1 extra) and perfectly ripe tomato slices, spring mix lettuce and red onion. On first blush, the patty seemed small, not stretching to the edges of the bun, but it was thick and of high quality, so first impressions were quickly erased. The grilled chicken sandwich ($9), also served on a soft, tender bun, had a choice of cheese (I went with pepper jack), and the same great toppings, plus mayo. The marinated chicken breast was plump and juicy; it was a great sandwich all around. My vegetarian daughter had the only option open to her, a grilled cheese ($6), with her choice of bread and cheese. She chose sourdough and cheddar, and the sandwich was thick with it. She added mustard at home, a trick I picked up from my dad and handed down to her. It just needed another flavor, she said. This is two steps up from what youd expect for bar food, said one of my friends. Its what youd expect from a good restaurant. Michael Cerv has worked for a year as the bars chef, and Schultz said Cerv has won many fish fry cook-offs and competitions. Paul Miner is the assistant chef and is also a chess grandmaster, Schultz said. Schultz bought the bar in 2011 and five years later bought the building with his father. Weve reached the 10-year mark, he said. Its amazing we made it. He said they just finished a five-year remodeling project that included new booths, mechanicals, roof repairs and electricity. We were blowing breakers all the time. And you dont want to do that during a Packers game, Schultz said. He said they did some concrete work in the back and are hoping to have patio space there this summer. This is a great location, a great neighborhood, Schultz said. We love Tenney-Lapham. We love this area. We love the people. We have the best clients. We have the best clientele. Before it was Baldwin Street Grille, the bar was called Pug Mahones, and before that, most famously, it was The Friendly Tavern. Schultz said hes been bartending and managing for almost 25 years, including at the former Old Towne Pub on Gammon Road, the Melting Pot and the old Scatz night club in Middleton. Baldwin Street Grille never closes, not even on major holidays, unless, of course, theres a pandemic. Were actually pretty busy on Thanksgiving and on Christmas Day and Christmas Eve, as well as New Years, Schultz said. Its like a second home. Its like a common area. If Tenney-Lapham was an apartment building, this would be the lobby common area, the eatery. Schultz said Baldwin Streets motto is where you are only a stranger once, and its prominently noted on the bars website. Ive always bartended with the mentality of Hey, everybody that walks in the door, Im going to make a new friend, he said. Diner's scorecard Restaurant: Baldwin Street Grille Location: 1304 E. Washington Ave. Phone: 608-442-8400 Website: baldwinstreetgrille.com Hours: Monday through Thursday 11 a.m. until 10 p.m.; Friday 11 a.m. until midnight; Saturday and Sunday the bar has brunch from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. (Saturday, the bar is open until midnight, and Sunday until 10 p.m.) Prices: Appetizers $5 to $9, sandwiches $6 to $9, burgers $8.50 to $14, Friday fish fry $12 to $15, brunch $6 to $10. Noise level: Medium Credit cards: Accepted Accessibility: Yes, through back Outdoor dining: In future Delivery: Through EatStreet Drinks: Full bar Gluten-free: GF buns Vegetarian offerings: In last week brought Mediterranean plate back Parking: Street parking Service: Excellent Bottom line: This unassuming neighborhood bar will surprise you with its fish fry. Read restaurant news at go.madison.com/restaurantnews Stay up-to-date on what's happening Receive the latest in local entertainment news in your inbox weekly! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. 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. Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Prosecutors added dozens of charges Wednesday against a man accused of driving his SUV through a Christmas parade in suburban Milwaukee last year, killing six people and injuring dozens. Investigators believe Darrell Brooks Jr. drove his Ford Escape into the parade in downtown Waukesha on Nov. 21. Prosecutors charged him two days later with six counts of first-degree intentional homicide. They added 71 additional counts Wednesday, including multiple counts of reckless endangerment, hit-and-run involving death, bail jumping and battery. They also attached a use-of-a-dangerous weapon modifier to the homicide and endangerment counts, which would increase each sentence by five years if he's convicted. Court records show Brooks was charged with endangerment in Milwaukee County in July 2020 but posted $500 bail in March. He was arrested in Milwaukee County again on Nov. 5 for allegedly running over the mother of his child with his SUV. He walked out of jail two days before the parade after posting $1,000 bail. Prosecutors alleged in an amended complaint filed Wednesday that he punched the woman the day before the parade and moments before he drove into it. Brooks attorney, Jeremy Perri, didnt immediately respond to a message seeking comment. Milwaukee County District Attorney John Chisholm has taken intense criticism for allowing his office to recommend Brooks' bail be set at $1,000 in the November case. Chisholm has said a young, overworked assistant prosecutor recommended that level of bail so she could move on to other cases. She never saw an evaluation of the dangers Brooks could pose to the community because the assessment was never entered into the district attorney's office's computer system, Chisholm told county officials in December. Shell casings were found after gunshots were reported Downtown early Thursday morning, Madison police reported. At about 2:40 a.m. Thursday, police were sent to the 10 block of North Franklin Street on reports of shots fired, Sgt. Christopher Keys said in a statement. Officers located multiple shell casings in the area, but found no damage and no injuries were reported, Keys said. Police ask that anyone with information on the incident contact them at 608-255-2345. Tipsters may remain anonymous by contacting Madison Area Crime Stoppers at 608-266-6014 or P3Tips.com. Individuals contacting Crime Stoppers can receive a reward of up to $1,000 for tips that lead to an arrest. Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. The Madison School District will reduce the required quarantine time for students, teachers and staff who test positive for COVID from 10 days to five days, in line with updated federal guidelines, according to a Wednesday announcement. The switch will take effect Tuesday, district spokesperson Tim LeMonds said in a statement. The announcement comes after a letter was sent Monday by Wisconsin chief medical officer Dr. Ryan Westergaard and state health officer Paula Tran to all district and school administrators in the state that addressed the current surge in COVID-19 cases and included updated quarantine guidelines for districts to follow. State Superintendent Jill Underly threw her support behind shortened quarantines in a Monday letter as well. The federal and state health agencies said those who test positive need to quarantine for just five days if they do not have any COVID-19 symptoms or symptoms have resolved or are improving after five days, followed by five days of wearing a well-fitting mask to minimize the risk of infecting others regardless of their vaccination status. Science shows that the majority of COVID transmission happens early in the illness, state health officials said in a letter to school districts on Monday. Other Dane County districts that have implemented five-day quarantine for positive COVID cases include Oregon, Middleton-Cross Plains, Verona, Monona Grove and Belleville. The Sun Prairie School District plans to implement shortened quarantine on Jan. 18. The Madison School District also plans to reduce its contact tracing for those connected to the district who test positive, to contacting only individuals who test positive and their high-risk household members, assuming there is adequate supply of COVID-19 tests, LeMonds said. As a part of this shift, schools will no longer be issuing emails, texts, or phone calls to close contacts, nor providing schoolwide notifications of positive cases, he said. Cases soar COVID cases more than doubled between Jan. 3 and Jan. 9 in the district, with 703 recorded on Wednesday, the highest since the start of the school year. The record number of cases in the last week makes up roughly one third of the districts 2,184 cumulative cases so far in the 2021-22 school year. Just last week the district recorded its second-highest case count of 297 cases in a seven-day period. Over the last 14 days, 328 staff members tested COVID positive, along with 626 students. The district, with an enrollment of roughly 26,000 students and 5,000 staff members, recorded 1,196 close contacts in the past 14 days, compared with 804 close contacts recorded in the previous two-week period. LeMonds pointed out that the increase in cases connected to Madison schools was recorded when students were out of the building during extended winter break for the first part of the week and online-learning for the second part of the week. There have been no school or classroom closures due to COVID-19 cases since in-person classes resumed on Monday, he said. Dane County, state records Dane County also set COVID-19 records again Wednesday, with health officials reporting a pandemic high of 202 patients hospitalized with the coronavirus, topping Tuesdays total of 197, and 2,257 new cases, up from the previous record Tuesday of 2,127. Among the patients in hospitals with COVID-19, 43 were in intensive care, up from 41 Tuesday and near the countys pandemic high of 49 in November 2020, before vaccines became available. Statewide, as of Wednesday, a record 2,278 patients were in hospitals with COVID-19, including a record 488 in intensive care, according to the Wisconsin Hospital Association. All counties had critically high levels of COVID-19 activity, said the state Department of Health Services, which reported 10,277 new cases. COVID-19 cases across Dane County have increased more than 43% during the past two weeks, while hospitalizations connected to the virus have increased more than 25%, according to data collected by Public Health Madison and Dane County. The county remains classified as a high transmission area for the virus, despite nearly 78% of residents having completed an initial vaccination series, and more than 58% of previously vaccinated eligible residents having received a booster. The infection rate among children in Dane County has surged, with about 253 cases per 100,000 children ages 5 to 7, 370 cases per 100,000 children ages 8 to 11 and 459 cases per 100,000 children ages 12-17. SSM Health and the Madison School District will again offer on-site vaccination clinics for students ages 5 to 11. The clinics, which provide scheduled vaccination times for students, will take place at the following sites: Lindbergh Elementary: Jan. 14 beginning at 9 a.m. Hawthorne Elementary: Jan. 20 beginning at 3 p.m. Kennedy Elementary: Feb. 1 beginning at 3 p.m. Lindbergh Elementary: Feb. 4 beginning at 9 a.m. Hawthorne Elementary: Feb. 10 beginning at 3 p.m. In Madison, COVID cases have risen steadily since the end of October. All Dane County school districts also saw significant increases in the number of cases and quarantines in the past two weeks. Around the county Here are the latest infection and quarantine figures for other area school districts: Mount Horeb (2,500 students): 83 cases during the past week. The Mount Horeb School Board voted on Nov. 27 to end required quarantines for those identified as close contact to a COVID-19 case. Waunakee (4,400): 124 cases and required 120 to quarantine during the past week. Middleton-Cross Plains (7,500): 115 cases and 104 close contacts among students and staff this past week. The Middleton-Cross Plains School District adopted the CDC and Wisconsin DHS five-day quarantine guidance. DeForest (3,800): 90 cases and 210 quarantined this week. Belleville (900): 25 cases and 65 close contacts last week. The Belleville School District adopted the CDC and Wisconsin DHS five-day quarantine guidance. Wisconsin Heights (700): 92 cases between the start of the school year and Wednesday. Monona Grove (3,600): 145 cases among students and staff last week. The Monona Grove School District adopted the CDC and Wisconsin DHS five-day quarantine guidance. Stoughton (2,900): 91 cases among students and staff and 181 students and staff members quarantined last week. Cambridge (900): 93 cases among students and staff between the start of the school year and Jan. 7. Verona (5,700): 254 cases among students and staff in the past seven days. The Verona Area School District adopted the CDC and Wisconsin DHS five-day quarantine guidance. Oregon (4,100): 76 cases last week. The Oregon School District adopted the CDC and Wisconsin DHS five-day quarantine guidance. McFarland (2,400): 58 active cases on Wednesday. Sun Prairie (8,300): 72 cases in the past seven days. The Sun Prairie Area School District plans to adopt the CDC and Wisconsin DHS five-day quarantine guidance on Jan. 18. Marshall (1,100): 111 cases between the start of the school year and Jan. 5. The Deerfield School District did not respond to a request for cumulative COVID case count. State Journal reporter David Wahlberg contributed to this report. Want to see more like this? Get our local education coverage delivered directly to your inbox. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. High schools would be able to offer a gun safety course statewide under a Republican-authored bill that came before an Assembly Education Committee for a public hearing Wednesday. Democratic Gov. Tony Evers, a former state superintendent and educator who has encouraged the Legislature to pass gun control legislation, would almost certainly veto the bill. The bill would require the state superintendent to create a curriculum that includes information on the different types and mechanisms of firearms and ammunition, the principles of firearm safety, the location of safety devices, how to load and unload a gun, how to engage safety devices and how to carry and transport a gun. Bill co-author Rep. Treig Pronschinske, R-Mondovi, said Wednesday the bill would lead to proper gun usage and fewer dangerous gun incidents. Critics of the bill have said that we should not educate kids on firearms because it could be dangerous, Pronschinske said. This is ridiculous. We educate youth on drugs and sex. We certainly dont want kids to try heroin or to have unintended pregnancies. Education is key to safety and is almost in every aspect of life. In response, Rep. Dave Considine, D-Baraboo, pointed to the potential dangers of farming. The next thing Im going to hear is that we have to offer farm safety and have tractors be driven around in a course at school to make sure farmers are safe, he said. Under the bill, schools would be able to avoid offering a gun course by adopting a resolution to opt out of it. That provision led the Wisconsin Association of School Boards to oppose the bill even though the group has supported similar bills without that provision. Several other school associations lobbied against the bill, including the Wisconsin Council for Administrators of Special Services and Wisconsin Association of School District Administrators, though no representatives from those organizations appeared or shared testimony at the hearing Wednesday. Wisconsin Gun Owners, the sole lobbying group supporting the bill, said, Educating our youth in the safe handling, storage, use of firearms, and historic right to bear arms is necessary for the cultivation of the proper culture and respect for firearms. A similar bill came up in 2017 when Republicans controlled the Legislature and governors office but did not pass. Unlike the current bill, the 2017 bill explicitly prohibited live ammunition and did not include the opt-out provision. Under the federal Gun-Free Schools Act, guns on K-12 campuses are prohibited and punishable by at least a one-year expulsion. Pronschinske said Wednesday, however, the class would use replica guns, not real guns. Committee member Rep. Sondy Pope, D-Mount Horeb, questioned how the firearm course could be a semester long as the legislators suggested, and wondered why it would be a four-credit class. I just cant imagine how an entire semester is spent doing this for credit. It just seems kind of ridiculous to me, she said. The governors office did not respond to a request for comment Wednesday. Requiring a police etiquette course Another Republican-authored bill brought before the Assembly Education Committee Wednesday would require the state superintendent to create a fifth- through 12th-grade course on how to interact with law enforcement with mutual cooperation and respect. Many negative interactions between students and officers resulted from misunderstandings on proper etiquette, bill co-author Rep. Andre Jacque, R-De Pere, said Wednesday. When things go wrong with an interaction between law enforcement and youth, the price that we pay for that, I mean, theres no theres no going back with some of the catastrophic things that can occur, Jacque said. The Wisconsin Rural Schools Alliance opposed the bill, writing that the organization saw it as an unfunded mandate. Several school associations also opposed the bill, while the Wisconsin State Lodge Fraternal Order of Police and Wisconsin Chiefs of Police Association supported it. Democratic committee member LaKeshia Myers, D-Milwaukee, said the bill does not consider that compliance does not always mend situations people have with police, especially when it comes to Black people. You can be compliant and you still may not make it home, she said Wednesday. In response, Jacque said, there shouldnt be racial stereotyping by law enforcement officers, just as I dont think that there should be a stereotyping of how (an officer) conducts his job. Wisconsin Fraternal Order of Police president Ryan Windorff said Wednesday that the class could mitigate the fear that citizens have toward police, which he said makes policing more difficult. Virtually every single recent high-profile incident of a bad encounter with law enforcement was exacerbated by a citizen unnecessarily escalating the situation, Windorff said. Like the gun education bill, school districts could opt out of the law enforcement etiquette course under a bill provision. Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. To address past injustices, Madisons Equal Opportunities Commission may launch an effort to explore and make recommendations on how to address and repair harms perpetuated on Black, Indigenous and people of color (BIPOC) and their communities. The commission is considering a draft resolution to establish a Truth and Reconciliation Implementation Workgroup that would be staffed by the citys Department of Civil Rights and include people representing BIPOC residents, communities and service organizations. It would prepare a report by Dec. 31 with detailed recommendations on how the city could address past wrongs. I want to take time to pause and acknowledge past injustices that have happened in the city of Madison to allow healing, said EOC member Ald. Brian Benford, 6th District. As a Black person who has been marginalized in this city, I personally would like the opportunity to begin healing. I want to create a safe environment where we can talk about past injustices. We dont have the opportunity to hear about the tale of two cities. The commission is scheduled to discuss the resolution at an online meeting Thursday evening. The proposal, however, is likely to be referred to a future meeting to refine language of the resolution. Ultimately, the commission must endorse the introduction of a resolution to the City Council, which would authorize any effort. Benford said he wants the EOC, an entity with the responsibility for ensuring equal opportunities, to name the work group, rather than the mayors office or City Council. I want to keep the politics out of it, he said. Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway declined comment. The draft resolution notes a series of historic wrongs, including the city being built upon the homelands of the Indigenous peoples of the region; the U.S. government forcibly removing members of the Ho-Chunk Nation across the city and the region from their land in the 1880s; the city not preventing the destruction of the ethnically diverse Greenbush neighborhood in South Madison in the mid-20th century; and housing discrimination. Upon that history, extreme disparities continue in many aspects of life here, it says. As of 2019, although Blacks make up 5.5% of the Dane County population, 45.9% of the individuals incarcerated in the Dane County Jail are Black; and according to a 2021 report by the JFA Institute, about 10% of all Blacks are arrested at least once a year in Dane County as opposed to 1% for all other racial and ethnic groups, the resolution says. There are also dramatic racial disparities in rates of income poverty in Madison, with 3.6% of the white population experiencing income poverty, in contrast to 22.8% of the Black population and 13.1% of the Hispanic population. And there are disparities in the rate of health insurance coverage by race and ethnicity, with 2.6 percent of white residents being uninsured, as compared to 19.7% of Indigenous, 9.3% of Black, 6% of Asian and 13.3% of Hispanics, it says. Race to Equity Benford cited the Race to Equity report of October 2013 by the Wisconsin Council on Children and Families, now called Kids Forward, that compared 40 indicators of well-being for Dane County residents, mostly between 2007 and 2011. In nearly every category, the study found, Blacks, who then made up 6.5% of the countys population, fare much worse than whites. How old is that now? Benford asked. How much have we moved the needle? Since 2014, the draft resolution notes, the City Council has approved resolutions related to racism, including ones recognizing the City Councils role in addressing institutionalized bias and proactively advancing racial equity; recognizing racism as a public health issue; proclaiming the second Monday in October to be Indigenous Peoples Day in Madison; designating May 5, 2021, as Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Awareness Day, and proclaiming Nov. 26, 2021, as Ho-Chunk Day. I believe this effort is intended to add to the collection of initiatives undertaken by the city to build trust and healing within and among our communities, city Department of Civil Rights director Norman Davis said. While the city continues in many ways to invest in responding to the needs of our residents, this initiative focuses on facilitating healing through listening. EOC Chairwoman Corinda Rainey-Moore and Byron Bishop, the EOC Division manager, could not be reached. Draft resolution Under the draft resolution, the Truth and Reconciliation Implementation Workgroup would meet at least bimonthly; design and facilitate the implementation of a truth and reconciliation process; host a community forum or forums to allow opportunities for BIPOC residents to voice their grievances around past injustices in the city; facilitate a community forum or forums with expert presenters on reconciliation and healing; and draft a report to submit to the EOC and then the City Council detailing policy recommendations that the city could implement to address past wrongs. If approved, it will be important for policymakers to consider how to create the capacity to carry out the work, Davis said. We have the most diverse City Council in the history of the city, Benford said. We should be keeping these issues on the front burner. Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. The city of Madison civil rights administrator tapped to be the citys first independent police monitor took himself out of consideration for the job after documents surfaced showing hed discriminated against a woman hed been having an affair with and violated state licensing requirements at his former company. Byron Bishop, currently Equal Opportunities Division manager in the citys Department of Civil Rights, was the only candidate left in the running Dec. 16 when the Police Civilian Oversight Board voted in closed session to offer him the job an offer that board member Ankita Bharadwaj said was rescinded in another closed session vote on Dec. 23. The other announced finalist, a university lecturer and assistant chief of staff at the District of Columbia Department of Corrections, dropped out of consideration in November. In response to learning there was a board vote to rescind their conditional offer of employment, Byron Bishop chose to withdraw his candidacy for the Independent Police Monitor position. Mr. Bishop sent his gratitude to the board for their time and efforts and wished the board nothing but success in their search to fill this important and needed role, said Harper Donahue, city human resources director. Had the offer stood, he would have still needed an OK from the City Council for the job that is expected to pay about $125,000. The decisions from the state Department of Workforce Developments Equal Rights Division and the former Department of Regulation and Licensing date back to 2007 and 2005, respectively, and were shared with Madisons Human Resources Department by a member of the public. The Wisconsin State Journal obtained them through a public records request. DWD found that Bishop had begun a relationship with a woman in 1998, then offered her a job at his former security company, APA of Madison, where she initially worked for free with the understanding that she would be given a stake in the company. Bishop fired her in 2003 after she continued to have a romantic relationship with another man while she was involved with Bishop. Among the agencys findings were that Bishop made threats against the woman when she refused his sexual advances, told her she was his slave for life and made clear that if she wasnt involved in a relationship with him, she would suffer professionally. The agency did not substantiate the womans sexual harassment claim against Bishop but did find he violated state law by firing her because of her sex. Bishop did not attend the hearing in 2006 when the allegations were considered. DWD ordered him to pay the woman about $146,000 in lost wages. In the Department of Regulation and Licensing case, the agency found Bishop had violated state law by employing security guards who didnt have the proper state permits and violated state administrative code by bouncing checks to the department, and suspended his and his companys licenses and ordered him to pay $10,000. Both cases stem from a time when Bishop appears to have been experiencing personal and business-related money problems, and he and APA were subject to an array of civil and small claims suits. In 2008, Bishop pleaded guilty to two counts of being party to the crime of issuing worthless checks after some APA employees were not paid. He had originally been charged with 16 counts. He was sentenced to probation and ordered to pay restitution. Bishop did not respond to requests from the State Journal Thursday for comment. He said in an email last week that his family was opposed to him taking the job and cited job neutrality and the politics associated as further reasons, but declined to elaborate. Private vote Board members who unlike the vast majority of the members of Madisons dozens of citizen boards are paid for their work have also refused to comment publicly about their decision-making in the search for an independent monitor and voted to hire Bishop in closed session before announcing it publicly the next day. While deliberating city hires in closed session is common among municipalities and legal under state open meetings law, voting on major hires often occurs in public, although private votes are allowed. City Attorney Mike Haas points to the state Department of Justices Open Meetings Law Compliance Guide, which refers to the uncertainty in case law about voting in closed session and notes: The Attorney General advises that a governmental body vote in open session, unless the vote is clearly an integral part of deliberations authorized to be conducted in closed session. Hiring matters are among the reasons governmental bodies can legally go into closed session. Haas pointed to the citys Police and Fire Commission and Public Library Board as examples of independent boards that hire department administrators, and could vote to do so out of the public eye. The 3-2 vote by the PFC to hire Police Chief Shon Barnes in December 2020, however, was done in open session. The 2012 vote by the Library Board to hire library director Greg Mickells does not appear to have been done in public, according to Mickells. Only one oversight board member responded to a request for comment on the boards decision to vote on the monitors hire in private. Bharadwaj said the board did what we were told was legal and that Bharadwaj is hardcore into public transparency and accountability. Hiring complaints The city also faces another challenge in hiring a monitor: Eric A. Hill, a white former military police officer who sought the monitor position, filed state and federal discrimination complaints in November, alleging that nearly 30 social media posts by board members disparaging white men and the military put him at an unfair disadvantage. Hill is seeking $625,000. Deputy City Attorney Patricia Lauten has pointed out that Bishop is a veteran as well, and we are confident that when the investigation is concluded it will show that Mr. Hills military service played no part in his failure to move on in the hiring process. The City Council voted to create the oversight board and the independent monitor position in September 2020, nearly three years after they were included among 146 recommendations in an exhaustive consultants report on the Madison Police Department that deemed the department far from a Department in crisis whose use of force was limited in volume and primarily minor in nature. But activists pointed to a string of seven fatal police shootings between 2012 and 2016 in which the officers involved were cleared of any wrongdoing, but the city or its insurer paid a total of $5.65 million in settlements in two of the killings, and a jury in 2017 determined officers had violated the civil rights of one of the victims, 26-year-old Ashley DiPiazza, and awarded the family $7 million. The monitor will be able to conduct investigations of police, but under state law, only the citys Police and Fire Commission hires, fires and disciplines officers. Official investigations of officer-involved deaths also must be conducted by outside law enforcement agencies, under state law. Editor's note: This story was updated on Jan. 14, 2022, to clarify that it was the city of Madison or its insurer that paid two settlements worth a total of $5.65 million in two police killings. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. The year was 2005, and I was a 20-something living in the Chelsea neighborhood of New York City. As such, feeling hip and somewhat subversive, my friends and I looked for hip and somewhat subversive things to do. (Key word: somewhat. We all had real jobs.) When wed heard that AMC theaters had banned a new movie, The Aristocrats, from its 3,500-plus theaters, seeing it went straight to the top of our to-do list. It was a new documentary from Penn Jillette and Paul Provenza, in which scores of all-star comedians told their version of the same joke about a new fictitious act, always ending with the punchline: Its called The Aristocrats! It featured the heaviest of comedy hitters: Whoopi Goldberg, George Carlin, Chris Rock, Robin Williams, Jon Stewart, Sarah Silverman and then there was Bob Saget. In 2005, remember, Saget had been out of the spotlight for some time. Hed been immortalized to all of America as the guy who played Danny Tanner, the dad from Full House, and then the squeaky clean host of Americas Funniest Home Videos, the quintessential non-offensive, wholesome presence in all of our living rooms. So Ill never forget watching him deliver seven of the most filthy, perverse, stomach-churning, indeed offensive minutes Id ever seen on film while presenting his take on The Aristocrats. We left the theater sore from laughter but also stunned by Sagets surprising star-turn. It was a whole new Saget, one we very much appreciated. It seemed as though his comedian friends were well aware of this odd dichotomy Saget lived in, where his TV roles utterly belied his raunchy blue stand-up roots and his dark humor. Later, perhaps because of his appearance in The Aristocrats, he was able to dabble in both worlds, playing a satirical version of himself on Entourage, writing the book Dirty Daddy, and taking the kind of sitcom roles that made him famous the voice on How I Met Your Mother, Surviving Suburbia and Fuller House. A decade after seeing Saget in The Aristocrats, I was asked to participate in a roast of famed political consultant James Carville at The Kennedy Center. Known for being a filthy joke teller himself, Carville was going to be affectionately pilloried by the likes of Jeff Ross, Jim Norton, Triumph the Insult Comic Dog, and several politicos like Paul Begala, Tucker Carlson, Carvilles wife Mary Matalin, and, unimaginably, me. The roastmaster was none other than Bob Saget. When the night arrived, I headed backstage, my husband John in tow, to go over the jokes I was to deliver with the writers, themselves an all-star cast of comedy writers who made me even more nervous than I already was. I winced at the off-color content they wanted me to perform jokes no one would expect from a young, female, conservative commentator. But I also knew it was genuinely funny stuff that, if I could get through it, would land some big laughs. I steeled my nerves, sighed in relief that I hadnt invited my parents or my boss, and prepared for the show. Who let you in here? I heard from the doorway of my dressing room. It was Saget. He warmly introduced himself to my husband and me, and could immediately sense my nervousness. Dont worry, nothing you say will be worse than what were going to say. He gave me a hearty pat on the back and a reassuring smile, and we were off. I delivered my lines unflinchingly, and took my share of off-color commentary as well. At one point, Saget joked that he would have hit on me before the show if my husband hadnt been such a ck block, a joke hed obviously come up with on the spot. The night was memorable, to say the least, not just because of the stars on that stage, but because I still cant believe how many filthy jokes were told at the Kennedy Center, home of the Washington National Opera and the National Symphony Orchestra. After the show, we all gathered backstage for drinks. Bob came over to John and me to make sure we were OK with his jokes. Of course we were, and then he gushed about his new girlfriend, a food blogger from Chicago named Kelly. He was utterly in love, he said. Hed go on to marry Kelly Rizzo in 2018. And now, Im heartbroken for Kelly, as well as the adult children he leaves behind after his unexpected death at just 65. Saget was full of surprises, and I cant help but think he had so many more to share with us. But Im lucky. Ill always have that strange and sort of wonderful hour or so on stage, where Saget and I told dirty jokes together. Talk about surprising. Cupp is host of S.E. Cupp Unfiltered on CNN. MILWAUKEE As I reach the end of my Ph.D. at the Medical College of Wisconsin, nostalgia made me search my school inbox from the very start. It begins with emails going back and forth with my designated school official a person who serves as a point of contact for international students. I was telling this person I had no idea if my visa would be approved, or if I would make it to the United States from Brazil before the semester started. QUOTE BOX A dual-intent visa is not new. Several employment visas already allow for it. Student visas do not. But I did make it to Milwaukee, a day before orientation. I arrived with no apartment lease, no friends or an American bank account. For my first few weeks, I stayed in a rental and failed at juggling school assignments, research and a new life as an international graduate student. Later that semester, I would be diagnosed with adjustment disorder with anxiety. Its hardly a secret that graduate school is difficult. Lesser known are the uncertainties associated with being in the U.S. on a student visa. Most of my stress came from searching for housing and figuring out my finances. Those challenges could have been better handled with a simpler and more transparent process of getting a visa approved. The key argument a student visa application needs to make is that the applicant has no plans to stay in the U.S. after graduating. In some cases, such as mine, that is a hard argument to make. I graduated with a bachelors degree from the University of South Florida in 2016 and now have a total of nine years of studies in the U.S. As a result, I have almost no significant ties to Brazil. In fact, the best document I could think of for my interview was my moms mortgage on our house back in Curitiba, Brazil. I believe students who want to move to the U.S. and stay afterward should be able to do so. That is called a dual-intent visa, and it is not new. Several employment visas already allow for it. Student visas do not. Opening up this avenue for students, as some drafts of the U.S. Citizenship Act of 2021 would do, could streamline and ease the life of hundreds of thousands of international students who either anxiously wait for their visas or get them denied every year simply because they want to move to the U.S. after they finish school. Arzua, from Curitiba, Brazil, is a Ph.D. candidate in neuroscience at the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee: www.thiagoarzua.com and @thiagoarzua. He wrote this for The Conversation. BOISE Far-right activist Kyle Based Stickman Chapman, who has a long criminal history and is most known for possessing a leaded stick during a Donald Trump rally in 2017, has been arrested for allegedly grabbing a Saint Alphonsus employee against their will. Chapman, 46, was arrested Tuesday by the U.S. Marshalls Greater Idaho Fugitive Task Force without incident for battery against health care workers, a felony, Boise Police spokesperson Haley Williams said. He was being held Wednesday on a $100,000 bail at the Ada County Jail. In addition, Ada County Judge Joanne Kibodeaux signed a no-contact order, at the request of the prosecutor, restricting Chapman from coming within 500 feet of the alleged victim or Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center. I know if you look at my record, it does seem bad, but Im not that person anymore, Chapman said during Wednesdays arraignment. In November 2021, Chapman was a patient at Saint Als for a life-threatening pneumonia case, Chapman said during a Wednesday arraignment. During his stay, he allegedly grabbed a hospital employee against their will when they went to help Chapman with a medical device, Ada County Deputy Prosecutor Whitney Welsh said during the virtual arraignment. The medical staffer was not seriously injured. The state does believe he poses a danger to the community given his criminal history, Whitney said Wednesday. Whitney said Chapman expressed discontent with his treatment over the course of several days and exhibit(ed) racial and sexist slurs against the hospital employees. Police were called to the hospital at 10:30 p.m. Nov. 11 regarding the incident, Williams told the Idaho Statesman. Police opened an investigation and connected Chapman to the incident, Williams said. The report was forwarded to the Ada County Prosecutors Office, which issued a warrant for Chapmans arrest. Whitney added that Chapman has allegedly contacted the victim at Saint Als since reporting the incident, which is why Whitney pushed for the no-contact order. Chapman said he has no contact with the witness, aside from one potential incident. It was unclear what incident he was referring to, because the public defender assigned to his case recommend he not speak further on the subject. The former Bay Area resident is now an Idaho local, Whitney said. Chapman is under probation until July 17 from a Texas case that was transferred to the Idaho Department of Correction in November 2020, IDOC spokesperson Jeff Ray told the Idaho Statesman in an email. Chapman became known within the alt-right movement after he was recorded on video beating counterprotesters with a stick weighted with lead during the March 2017 rally in Berkeley, California, that was part of nationwide protests in support of then-President Donald Trump. He later founded the Fraternal Order of the Alt-Knights, or FOAK, which the American Civil Liberties Union classifies as a hate group. FOAK was created as a paramilitary arm of the far-right Proud Boys. The Proud Boys are classified as a hate group by organizations like the Southern Poverty Law Center and Anti-Defamation League, which say the group espouses xenophobic views, including white nationalism and anti-Semitism. The group describes itself as Western chauvinists. Since FOAKs formation, Chapman has lost his leadership role, according to multiple media outlets. In November 2020, he attempted to take over the Proud Boys and make it an explicitly white supremacist and anti-Semitic organization, but the coup failed, according to multiple reports. Chapmans next court appearance was scheduled for 8:30 a.m. Jan. 20 in the Ada County Magistrate Court. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 POCATELLO A Twin Falls man was sentenced to 12 years in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. According to court records, in September 2019, Cody J. Moore, 50, of Twin Falls, traveled to Arizona with his co-conspirator, Brian E. Felt, 47, of Pocatello, to purchase methamphetamine they planned to traffic back to Idaho. On Sept. 15, 2019, officers stopped Moore, who was driving the vehicle, in Bannock County, along with Felt and two other passengers, returning from Arizona. A drug dog indicated for the presence of narcotics in Moores car and the vehicle was subsequently searched. Inside the car, officers recovered 1.88 kilograms of actual methamphetamine. Also present was a loaded 9mm Diamondback handgun and a loaded Glock .40 caliber Gen 4 handgun. Moore admitted at the time of his guilty plea that he possessed the methamphetamine to distribute it to others. Senior U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill also ordered Moore to serve five years of supervised release following his prison sentence. Moore pleaded guilty to the charges on Sept. 24. On Oct. 5, 2020, Judge Winmill sentenced Felt to 30 months in federal prison to be followed by three years of supervised release for his role in the offense. U.S. Attorney Rafael M. Gonzalez Jr., of the District of Idaho, made the announcement and credited the combined efforts of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Idaho State Police, and Pocatello Police Department. This sentence is the result of tremendous cooperation and teamwork between all levels of law enforcement in eastern Idaho, said U.S. Attorney Gonzalez. Im incredibly proud of these dedicated federal, state, and local officers and agents. The community must know that all hands are on deck as we continue to work together to defeat the scourge of illegal drugs that is devastating communities across this great state. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 IDAHO FALLS The superintendent of a school district in Eastern Idaho affirmed the district does not condone racism or discrimination after a student used racist language on a poster to invite a classmate to a school dance. The poster from Thunder Ridge High School had circulated on social media and garnered national attention after an EastIdahoNews.com report. It had read, If I was Black, Id be picking cotton but Im white, so Im picking you. In a letter to families and employees, Bonneville Joint School District 93 Superintendent Scott Woolstenhulme said he was distraught when he learned what happened. He said school administration had addressed the situation with the student and students parents. While I will never be able to personally understand how it feels to be a target of racist and bigoted language, I recognize how traumatic such language must be, he wrote. I am deeply sorry that such an awful remark was connected to our schools. I want to assure our students, families, and staff that the Bonneville Joint School District 93 does not condone or permit racism, intolerance, or discrimination in any form. In recent years, students in other states across the country, including Minnesota and Florida, have used similar phrases on invitations to school events, according to local news sources. Woolstenhulme said he was devastated to see that repeated in the Bonneville Joint School District 93. In his letter, Woolstenhulme also pointed to the debates that started during the last legislative session over critical race theory and unsubstantiated claims of indoctrination happening in Idaho schools. He said those conversations may have made some teachers understandably apprehensive about teaching certain lessons. This incident underscores the importance for us to continue to learn about the history of racism, the stories of those who tirelessly worked and sacrificed to help our country overcome its past, and why racist language should never be tolerated, the letter said. The student who made the poster, Woolstenhulme said, is extremely remorseful. The superintendent vowed to continue to take steps to make all students feel safe, and work toward a future that is finally free of racism. I hope we will all remember that none of us is perfect, and that we have all had opportunities to learn and grow from our own mistakes, Woolstenhulme said. The incident has also garnered national attention. The Council on American-Islamic Relations released a statement Tuesday that said authorities and religious and political leaders must take racial bias and threats against minority communities seriously. We urge educational institutions to offer an anti-racist curriculum to students and make clear that they will not tolerate hate and bigotry on their campuses, CAIR National Communications Coordinator Ismail Allison said in a statement. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 1 Sad 0 Angry 0 BOISE Idaho Democratic Party Chairman Fred Cornforth is resigning from his role with the party on Friday, citing a medical condition, according to an email sent to the Democratic State Central Committee obtained by the Idaho Capital Sun. Cornforth was elected to the position in March 2021, taking over the role after Van Beechlers term was completed. Cornforth is the founder and chief executive officer of Community Development Inc., a nonprofit organization that specializes in affordable housing developments and other community centers. I am full of gratitude for all weve done together, and Im frustrated that the fire burning inside of me to serve you and our fellow Idahoans, doesnt have a clear direction right now, Cornforth wrote in the email. I do know this: the momentum that many of us have observed or have been a part of the last few years is strong and growing in every part of Idaho. The people in the Idaho Democratic Party today are bringing leadership and a commitment to our values as Idahoans to a state where it is long overdue. Keep being a part of the dramatic changes we are bringing to our communities and our party and our state. A public Facebook post from Cornforth says he has been diagnosed with glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer. According to the party bylaws, a special election to fill Cornforths seat will be held March 12 at the regularly scheduled State Central Committee meeting. Twin Falls Deborah Silver, vice chair of the Idaho Democratic Party, will be acting chair until then, according to the email. The Idaho Democratic Party owes a tremendous debt of gratitude to Chair Cornforth for his incredible leadership and the energy he has brought to our party in the past year, Idaho Democratic Party Executive Director Jared DeLoof said in a statement. While he focuses on his health and his family, we will continue to work hard everyday to make Freds vision of a better Idaho for everyone a reality. Idahos primary election will take place May 17, 2022, if Idahos redistricting process isnt slowed by legal challenges, and the general election will be held on Nov. 8, 2022. The deadline for candidates to file for statewide office is March 11. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 2 Angry 0 BOISE Two Democratic lawmakers in the Idaho Legislature have tested positive for COVID-19, according to an emailed statement from the Idaho House and Senate Democrats. Rep. John Gannon, D-Boise, and Sen. Janie Ward-Engelking, D-Boise, learned they had tested positive on Wednesday and left the Idaho Capitol, according to the statement. Both wore masks during the past three days since the session began. Individuals who were in close contact have been notified and will get tested, the statement said. Olivia Heersink, communications director for the Idaho House and Senate Democrats, told the Idaho Capital Sun the Democratic legislators are regularly tested through Boise State University. Neither were experiencing symptoms, and both lawmakers were fully vaccinated and received booster shots, Heersink said. The disclosure comes three days after members of the Idaho House and Senate, the states constitutional officers and members of the Idaho Supreme Court crowded into the House chambers to listen to Gov. Brad Littles State of the State address. A large majority did not wear masks. The Idaho Legislature does not require any lawmaker to be tested for COVID, report symptoms or a positive test, or to report contact with someone who tested positive for the virus. There are also no requirements for legislators or staff to wear face coverings in the Statehouse building. In March 2021, the Idaho Legislature recessed for more than two weeks after several legislators and employees tested positive for the coronavirus. At least 20 people were infected between January and March. In all, 120,000 people of Japanese descent were ripped from their homes in California, Oregon and Washington after Japan bombed Pearl Harbor in 1941. About 60% of these people were U.S. citizens and 14% were children under the age of 10. Some 13,000 were imprisoned behind barbed wire at the Minidoka War Relocation Camp near Eden, one of 10 camps used to isolate these Japanese descendants who had been forcibly removed from the West Coast military exclusion zone and were considered a security risk by the U.S. government. Some of the incarcerated were put to work in southern Idaho fields, replacing the many local boys and men who were fighting in World War II; others proved themselves loyal Americans and were allowed to enlist in the U.S. Armed Forces. But certain individuals were allowed to leave the camp in order to resettle. On April 15, 1943, Minidoka Assistant Project Director R.S. Davidson signed James Watanabes Citizens Indefinite Leave card, allowing him to leave the camp known locally as the Hunt Camp for work or education. He was able to travel, but he wasnt allowed to enter certain prohibited areas in California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho Montana, Nevada, Utah, Arizona and Alaska. Watanabe was required to possess the card at all times in case others became suspicious, according to the Smithsonian Institution. His daughter Barbara is a museum specialist in the Anthropology Department of the Smithsonians National Museum of Natural History. Barbara Watanabe donated to the Smithsonian her fathers card and her grandmothers wicker suitcase the only thing her grandmother was allowed to take from her home before she and her son were put on a bus with other internees. Mychel Matthews is the senior reporter for the Times-News. The Hidden History feature runs every Thursday in the Times-News and at Magicvalley.com. If you have a question about something that may have historical significance, email Matthews at mmatthews@magicvalley.com or call her at 208-735-3233. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 HAILEY Over a two-day period, Idaho Department of Fish and Game officers responded to four reports of elk becoming entangled in various materials or trapped in window wells in the southern Wood River Valley. The first report came on the morning of Jan. 7 of a cow elk with some type of disk around its neck. Local Conservation Officer Brandyn Hurd located the elk but it moved into a large herd of elk, making it impossible to dart with anesthesia drugs. The elk will be monitored over the coming weeks. A second report came in just hours after the first of a bull elk with baling twine wrapped around its antlers. Since the twine was not a threat to the health of the bull and its antlers will fall off in the coming weeks, no action was taken on this bull. A third report came later that same day of a bull elk that had become entangled in a horse halter and lead rope. Wildlife biologists from the Magic Valley Region were able to successfully anesthetize the elk using a dart to safely remove the halter and lead from around its neck and antlers. The fourth incident involved a cow elk falling into a window well of a home in Hailey. Due to the depth of the window well, the elk was unable to get itself out. Three local conservation officers were called in to help remove her from the window well. After a significant amount of work by the officers and the homeowner the elk was safely removed from the well. These entanglement calls are a reminder to all Valley residents to make sure that they wildlife-proof their homes and barns so that wildlife doesnt get tangled in household or livestock equipment, and, homeowners should cover their window wells to help keep wildlife out of the deep wells, Hurd said. We get these calls every year, especially in the winter when elk are moving through yards and pastures. Wildlife can easily get entangled in this equipment which puts the animal at risk, but it also puts the Fish and Game team at risk when using drugs to anesthetize the animal and working to free them. During the winter of 2020-2021, there were two incidents of a bull elk becoming entangled in a backyard hammock and swing. In the first incident the bull almost drown in the Big Wood River due to the weight of the water saturated hammock on its antlers. Fish and Game biologists successfully anesthetized the bull to remove the hammock. Several weeks later a bull had to be anesthetized to remove several feet of rope and wood from around its head. Residents are encouraged to inspect their yards or barns for items that can ensnare wildlife and put everything away in their garage or other secure storage area. Big game animals like deer, elk and moose are especially susceptible to entanglement in ropes, swings, wires, cords and strings of lights because of their large antlers. Entangled wildlife can sometimes asphyxiate, die from exhaustion, or injure themselves in efforts to get free. Many homes in the Wood River Valley have large egress window wells which have trapped at least three elk and moose since 2015. In 2015 an elk fell into a Hailey basement game room and became trapped inside the house, and in 2017 a moose and elk fell into window wells, resulting in both animals being trapped inside the houses. Both elk were able to be walked out of the houses, while the moose had to be anesthetized and carried out of the house. Residents are encouraged to cover their window wells with either a metal fabricated cover, or even wooded planks. Clearing snow from around window wells will also provide a pathway around window wells since elk or moose will follow the path of least resistance under the eaves of a house, inadvertently leading them to the window wells. For more information about how to keep the area around your home safe for wildlife visit the Wood River Valley Wildlife Smart Communities website at wrvsmartcommunities.org or contact Fish and Games Magic Valley Regional Office at 208-324-4359. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 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. A McDowell County church, local businesses and law enforcement officers are teaming up to help people impacted by the historic and deadly tornados that struck Kentucky in December. Between Sunday, Jan. 16 and Thursday , Jan. 20, Grace Community Church, in partnership with Columbia Forest Products, McDowell County Sheriffs Office, Adkins Transportation and Pressley Made, will collect supplies to help the people of Graves County, Kentucky, whose homes were devastated by the tornadoes. The hours to bring items are between 2 and 6 p.m. The following items can be dropped off at Grace Community Church between, located on U.S. 70 West: Laundry Detergent Sugar-free food Items Dental care items Electric heaters Cooking oil Hygiene wipes. Items will be collected and delivered to Graves County, where Mayfield, one of the hardest hit towns, is located. According to the Lexington Herald-Leader, 77 people died in the most severe tornado event in Kentuckys history. Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said four likely tornadoes wreaked havoc on the state with one tracked for 227 miles in Western Kentucky, something we have never seen before. More than a dozen Kentucky counties reported damage from the storms, he said. McDowell County is preparing for a major winter storm that is predicted to bring snow and sleet to the foothills Saturday night and all day Sunday. McDowell Emergency Services began gearing up for this storm on Wednesday, said Director William Kehler on Thursday. Preparations included performing operational checks on emergency equipment including generators, communication towers, spare ambulances, and communicating with partner agencies, said Kehler. The forecast as of Thursday afternoon calls for a significant winter storm to affect the county starting late Saturday night and continuing through Sunday. Heavy snow with the potential for icing is currently in the forecast. Residents are encouraged to prepare for hazardous travel conditions and the potential for power outages, said Kehler. Wednesday evening, shoppers were busy getting their supplies at both Food Lion and Ingles in Marion. At Spencers Ace Hardware, customers are buying lots of sleds, gloves and propane heaters, said owner Nancy Spencer. People are a little concerned about the power going off and people are concerned about their kids having something to do, she said. Its been constant. But she added folks are getting excited because it has been a long time since we have had a big snowstorm. Dan Crawley with the Foothills Weather Network said Thursday he is getting pretty confident that the major winter storm will impact western North and South Carolina, starting early Sunday morning and going throughout the day Sunday. Crawley said Thursday afternoon he still doesnt have the first call on the amount of snow, which will be released later in the evening. I do think snow will accumulate to several inches and then mixing with sleet by Sunday afternoon, he said to The McDowell News. A little freezing drizzle cant be ruled out toward the end of the storm. Crawley said this will be a high impact event because of the amounts of precipitation expected along with the low temperatures, which will quickly drop on Sunday morning through the middle 20s. Im worried about power outages as well, said Crawley. Winds could become gusty Sunday afternoon. Gusts could exceed 20 mph. And after Sunday, the snow and sleet will hang around for a while. Post-storm, theres another shot of cold air coming down so we are not going to have a quick warm up, said Crawley. This could present travel impacts even beyond Martin Luther King Day. Other weather forecasters said we should be concerned about freezing rain. The biggest threat in the Southeast from this storm, however, will be from freezing rain, AccuWeather forecasters caution. While much is going to be said about the snow across much of the central and eastern part of the country with our latest winter storm, AccuWeather Chief Meteorologist Jonathan Porter said, I want to make sure we dont lose track of the significant ice storm risk. Porter pointed to parts of North and South Carolina as well as portions of Virginia where amounts could easily exceed half an inch of ice as places that could face the biggest threat from icy precipitation. The ice could also contribute to power outages and significant tree damage, Porter added. This situation is similar to a number of previous ice storms across the region, and for that reason, we at AccuWeather are increasingly concerned about a major ice storm from northern Georgia through the Carolinas and into central Virginia, AccuWeather Meteorologist Randy Adkins said. The area of greatest risk appears to be from upstate South Carolina through western Piedmont of North Carolina ... potentially including Charlotte. From 1 to 3 inches of snow and sleet is forecast to fall on the Queen City, and when combined with a thick glaze of ice from freezing rain, travel may become dangerous to impossible from Saturday night to Sunday. Other cities in the region are at risk for a significant build up of ice that may or may not be accompanied by accumulating snow. These include Atlanta; Greenville, Spartanburg and Columbia, South Carolina; Fayetteville; Winston-Salem and Raleigh and Danville and Richmond in Virginia. Extended power outages are possible in this region as tree limbs snap and power lines are weighed down by ice accumulation. People who live in this zone should prepare sooner rather than later for potential power outages that last at least into the start of next week. Should 0.50 of an inch to 1 inch of freezing rain accrue on trees and power lines in part of this zone, as feared, major infrastructure damage could occur and the power could be out for a week or more in some cases, AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Alex Sosnowski said, adding that a saving grace would be for more sleet or snow to fall rather than freezing rain. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Tunisia signed Wednesday a memorandum of understanding in the field of renewable energies with the aim of boosting their cooperation, Webdo Tunis reports. Inked by Saudi energy minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman Al Saud and Tunisias industry minister Neila Nouira, on the sideline of Future Minerals Forum held in the Gulf country, the agreement also seeks to exchange expertise, policies and legislation between the two countries on renewable energy and energy governance. Prince Abdulaziz also expressed the kingdoms keenness to cooperate more with Tunisia in clean energy. The Saudi top official also welcomed the North African countrys progress and human skills in the field of alternative energy, the online media notes. The German government Wednesday announced its forces in Iraq will stay in the Middle East country until October at the request of the Iraqi counterpart, reports say. The forces, 500, will remain in Iraq until the end of October, to continue supporting the Global Coalition against Daesh, take part in aerial surveillance, and provide training to the security forces of Iraq, the government said in a statement according to Anadolu news agency. The deployment is in response to Iraqs request for assistance and it will focus on the capacity building of Iraqi security forces, the statement said. The German parliament is yet to approve the prolongation. Tunisias national team attending the 2021 African Cup of Nations (AFCON), called off their training session Wednesday in the city of Limbe after they received tipoffs from Cameroonian authorities about terror threats. South-West region beach city hosts group F made of Tunisia, Mali, Mauritania and The Gambia. The region has been the theater of confrontation between separatist groups and the Cameroonian forces. Some local media Wednesday reported a fire exchange in the city Buea, located some few kilometers from Limbe. Tunisia, early in the day, lost to Mali in a controversial match 0-1. The Zambian referee of the match Janny Sikazwe blew the end of the tie two times too early without checking his watch. The North African country will take on Mauritania Sunday for their second match of the tournament. Twitter is back up and running in Nigeria after a seven-month suspension in Africas most populous country, where the U.S. social network had become a major tool of social protest. President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the lifting of the suspension of Twitter in Nigeria from midnight today, announced Wednesday night the director of the National Agency for Information Technology Development, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, quoted in a statement. At 07:00 (06:00 GMT) Thursday, the social network was again accessible from Lagos, the economic capital of Nigeria, a journalist noted. We are happy that Twitter has been restored for everyone in Nigeria, a spokesperson for the social network reacted. Our mission in Nigeria and around the world is to serve the public conversation. We are deeply committed to Nigeria, where Twitter is used by people for commerce, cultural engagement and civic participation, he added. Nigerian authorities say that after several months of negotiations, Twitter has finally agreed to all the conditions set by the federal government, including taxation and management of content that does not comply with Nigerian laws. Twitter has also committed to establishing a legal entity in Nigeria during the first quarter of 2022, the statement said. Given the influence of Twitter in our democracy, our economy () our priority is to adapt, not ban Twitter, the authorities added. Twitter did not comment Thursday on the conditions that allowed it to lift its suspension. Abuja had announced in early June 2021 the suspension of Twitter for an indefinite period after accusing the social network of having a suspicious mission against the Nigerian government, and to tolerate on its platform the messages of the leader of a separatist group inciting violence in southeast Nigeria. The suspension of Twitter came two days after the social network deleted a message from President Muhammadu Buhari. The head of state had threatened to treat with a language they understand those responsible for the violence in southeastern Nigeria attributed by the authorities to Igbo separatists -, reviving the terrible memories of the Biafran war that killed more than a million people in the 1960s At least 10 people were killed and nine others wounded Wednesday in a suicide car bombing targeting a government security convoy on a road leading to the airport in the Somali capital, Mogadishu, witnesses and officials said. A huge deafening explosion sent plumes of smoke into the sky and destroyed nearby buildings and cars parked along the road, eyewitness Aden Nur, driver of a three-wheeled motorized cab, told reporters at the scene. The shock of the blast hit the walls and roof of a nearby restaurant and I could see the dead bodies of at least five people, said Osman Salah, another witness. The blast occurred near a checkpoint leading to the heavily fortified airport perimeter. Mogadishu Deputy Mayor Ali Yare Ali said he survived Wednesdays attack, without giving further details. I survived the attack, and I can confirm that at least 10 people were killed. We will provide more details later, Ali said. Sources close to the government said the convoy belonged to a private security company, and it was not immediately clear who was with the convoy. Other witnesses at the scene said a passing U.N. convoy appeared to be the target of the suicide bombing. The founder of the Aamin ambulance service, Abdulkadir Adan, said his team carried the bodies of at least eight people and nine injured. The militant group al-Shabab claimed responsibility for the attack, saying it targeted a convoy escorting Somali government and foreign officials. A king of an indigenous community in South Africa was arrested Wednesday outside the presidency in Pretoria, where members of the Khoisan people have been planting cannabis and camping for three years in protest. A handful of them have been installed since 2018 under simple tarpaulin tents on the presidential lawn, at the foot of an imposing statue of Nelson Mandela. They are demanding official recognition of their languages and land. Dressed in a loincloth, one of their representatives who calls himself King Khoisan was arrested while clutching a cannabis plant more than a meter high: You have declared war, he shouted at the police who removed the plantation. The consumption and possession for private use of cannabis, called dagga in the country, has been tolerated since 2018. But its use in public and marketing remain punishable by law. About 20 police officers, some in riot gear, others on horseback, were mobilized. During the raid, another activist incredulously asked in Afrikaans, the language of the descendants of the first settlers derived from Dutch, if the whole operation was really aimed at the plants, calling the officers scum in uniform. Police confirmed in a statement Wednesday that four people aged 22 to 54 had been arrested: They are charged with drug trafficking, illegal planting and cultivation, and failing to wear a mask in a public place. Long referred to as Bushmen, the Khoisan were called Hottentots by Dutch settlers who arrived in South Africa in the 17th century, in reference to their clicky languages. The United Nations Personal Envoy for the Sahara, Staffan de Mistura, arrived on Wednesday in the Moroccan capital Rabat, first leg of his regional tour that will also lead him to Algeria, and Mauritania. The UN Envoy held a meeting Thursday with Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nasser Bourita. During the meeting that took place in the presence of Moroccos Permanent Representative to the UN, Omar Hilale, the Moroccan delegation reiterated the fundamentals of the Kingdoms position, as recalled in the speeches of King Mohammed VI on the 45th and 46th anniversaries of the Green March. Actually, the Sovereign had reaffirmed, in these speeches, Moroccos commitment to the resumption of the political process conducted under the exclusive auspices of the UN to achieve a political solution on the basis of the Moroccan Autonomy Initiative, within the framework of the process of the round tables, in the presence of the four participants. The regional visit of de Mistura is part of the implementation of Security Council resolution 2602, adopted on October 29, 2021, in which the UN Executive body reiterates its call to the parties to continue their commitment to the roundtable process, in a spirit of realism and compromise, to achieve a realistic, pragmatic, sustainable political solution based on compromise. This regional tour marks the first effort, under the auspices of the UN through its special envoy, to resume dialogue with all of the parties involved in the conflict, The UN-backed efforts to resolve the Sahara issue have been halted since the resignation of the previous special envoy Horst Kohler back in 2019. The UNs political process has been largely recognized as the only logical and feasible solution to the conflict, which aims to resolve the decades long struggle for Moroccan territorial integrity through round tables and talks, involving all four parties to the conflict. Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain Prostate cancer is the second deadliest cancer in men in the United States. The incidence of prostate cancer in Black men is nearly 60% greater than the incidence in white men. The mortality rate for prostate cancer in Black men is more than double that of other race/ethnic groups. It is the widest racial disparity of any cancer and extends to various stages of the prostate cancer care continuum. It reflects a confluence of multiple social, environmental and genetic factors. Dr. Charnita Zeigler-Johnson, Ph.D., MPH, a prostate cancer researcher at Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center-Jefferson Health (SKCC) and assistant professor of medical oncology at Thomas Jefferson University, says that lack of awareness around prostate cancer is a major contributor. "Through all the studies I've done and talking directly to individuals from the community or who were recently diagnosed, I've seen first-hand that there is a lack of knowledge about prostate cancer," she says. "So men, particularly Black men, may not even realize that they are in a high-risk category or know about screening and early detection. There is a dearth of basic information in some communities." This was the main motivation behind a recent study Dr. Zeigler-Johnson conducted with colleagues at SKCC and collaborators at the University of Pennsylvania to implement and evaluate an educational intervention for prostate cancer. They targeted this intervention to four areas in Philadelphia with the highest prostate cancer burden, which they had identified in a previous study. For that work, using data from the Pennsylvania Cancer Registry, the researchers were able to identify areas where men were being diagnosed with advanced disease and dying from prostate cancer at the highest rate. They then used geospatial software to pinpoint these areas on a map, which allowed them to visualize prostate cancer hotspots. The researchers then used this tool to focus their outreach to the four areas where they would have the biggest impact, and engage communities in these neighborhoods. In total, 239 men from the selected neighborhoods took part in the study, of which 118 from two of the neighborhoods were assigned to a control group. They received general education on men's health issues and leading a healthy lifestyle. Another 121 men from the other two neighborhoods were assigned to the intervention group, which received prostate cancer-specific educational sessions on prostate health, prostate cancer screening, symptoms, detection, staging and treatment. Consistent with the racial composition of their community, 95% of the control group and 89% of the intervention group were Black. To implement their outreach, the researchers partnered with trusted community members who lived in the selected neighborhoods and trained them to deliver the educational sessions to the control group and intervention group. Dr. Zeigler-Johnson says that having these trusted peer-educators was a critical component to building safe spaces where the men felt comfortable opening up and asking questions. This was also reflected in the physical accessibility of the spaces the researchers chose to hold the sessionsrecreation centers, churches and synagogues, transitional housing sites, public libraries and civic neighborhood organizations. "When we conducted focus groups in the target communities, it was clear that men didn't just want physicians or scientists telling them to 'do this and do that'", says Dr. Zeigler-Johnson. "They wanted to hear the real deal, from people who are a reflection of their community." Dr. Zeigler-Johnson was also intentional about including prostate cancer survivors as research team members; they helped recruit and train the peer educators to ensure transparency about the prostate-cancer information given to the intervention group. Their perspectives on how the disease affects physical and mental wellness, caregivers, and its long-term effects was vital to creating educational sessions that accurately reflected the lived experience of the disease. "They're also testaments to survivorship. It's important for men in these high-risk communities to see that there can be success on the other side of this ordeal," she adds. "Hopefully it diminishes some of that fear and apprehension that prevents some men from being proactive in their care." A survey was administered at baseline, immediately post-session, one month post-session and four months post-session, to assess three main measures1) knowledge about prostate cancer 2) concern/fear about prostate cancer and 3) a patient's intention to get screened for prostate cancer. At baseline, there were no differences in any of the measures between the control group and intervention group. Knowledge and intention to screen increased significantly post-session, and remained increased at one month and four months post-session for the intervention group that received prostate cancer-specific educationa result the researchers had hoped for. Strikingly, they observed a similar effect in the control group. "It speaks to the power of these spaces that enabled the men to learn from a trusted peer-educator but also from each other," says Dr. Zeigler-Johnson. "So even though men in the control group weren't directly talking about prostate cancer, there was clearly a beneficial effect of having these open conversations about health in general that many men, particularly Black men, may be reticent to have." Even though the researchers were surprised to see the effect in both groups, they feel encouraged that similar community-led educational programs could have broad effects on health behavior. The results were also a validation of their mapping tool that allowed them to focus their educational outreach in populations where they could have the biggest impact. Currently, collaborators at the University of Pennsylvania are conducting a study using the same tools and education materials to validate their approach. In the current study, researchers were unable to evaluate how the intervention motivated change in behavior, for instance, talking to a doctor about prostate cancer screening. The collaborators hope to conduct more studies to follow patients over longer periods of time to evaluate the long-term impact of the educational intervention. Dr. Zeigler-Johnson hopes that this combined approach of epidemiological mapping and community outreach will be an important model for disparities research. "If we want to reduce prostate cancer disparities or any other health disparity, we have to be on the ground and working with communities," she says. "But we also have to narrow in on the highest-risk individuals to be most impactful. We can't treat our communities as monoliths." The research was published in the Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities. Explore further New metric defines areas of highest prostate cancer burden More information: C. Zeigler-Johnson et al, Testing a Prostate Cancer Educational Intervention in High-Burden Neighborhoods, Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities (2021). C. Zeigler-Johnson et al, Testing a Prostate Cancer Educational Intervention in High-Burden Neighborhoods,(2021). DOI: 10.1007/s40615-021-01183-5 Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain During the first year or so of the COVID-19 pandemic, there were dramatic reductions in hospital admissions for common and severe childhood infections in England, most likely due to social distancing measures, school and workplace closures, and travel restrictions, finds a study published by The BMJ today. While many of these measures are unsustainable outside of the pandemic, the researchers call for further evaluation of interventions that could be continued, especially during winter months, to minimise the burden on health systems and protect vulnerable children. Worldwide, the indirect effects of COVID-19 on children's health appear to be substantial. For instance, childhood immunisation programmes have been disrupted and emergency department visits have been delayed, but the impact of such delays on patient outcomes is unclear. To address this, researchers from the University of Oxford assessed hospital admission rates and mortality outcomes for 19 common childhood respiratory infections, severe invasive infections, and vaccine preventable diseases before and after the onset of the pandemic in England. Their analysis included data for all children aged 0-14 years admitted to an NHS hospital in England with an infection from 1 March 2017 to 30 June 2021. Common respiratory infections included tonsilitis, influenza and bronchiolitis, while severe invasive infections included sepsis, meningitis and osteomyelitis (bone infection). Vaccine preventable diseases included measles, mumps and several bacterial causes of serious illnesses. Potentially influential factors including sex, age, ethnic group, geographical region, deprivation, and existing conditions (comorbidities) were taken into account. After 1 March 2020, substantial and sustained reductions in hospital admissions were found for all but one of the 19 infective conditions studied. Among the common respiratory infections, the greatest percentage reduction was for influenza where the number of hospital admissions decreased by 94% from 5,379 (annual mean from 1 March 2017 to 29 February 2020) to 304 in the 12 months after 1 March 2020. For bronchiolitis, admissions decreased by more than 80% from 51,655 (annual mean 2017-20) to 9,423 in 2020-21. Among the severe invasive infections, percentage reductions ranged from 26% for osteomyelitis to 50% for meningitis. And for the vaccine preventable infections, reductions ranged from 53% for mumps to 90% for measles, where admissions fell from 149 (annual mean 2017-20) to 15 in 2020-21. Reductions were similar across all geographical regions, deprivation and ethnic groups, as well as among children with existing conditions who are at greatest risk of severe illness and death from infection. Absolute numbers of deaths within 60 days of hospital admission for sepsis, meningitis, bronchiolitis, pneumonia, viral wheeze, and upper respiratory tract infections also decreased, although the researchers note that the proportion of children admitted for pneumonia who died within 60 days increased. The only infection that didn't show a reduction in hospital admissions was pyelonephritis (kidney infection). The researchers say this might be because non-drug interventions and social restrictions have no impact on this condition. More recent data also indicate that some respiratory infections increased to higher levels than usual after May 2021. These are observational findings, so can't establish cause, and they do not cover patients who did not attend hospital or were not admitted. Nevertheless, the study included all relevant hospital admissions for a range of infections among the entire child population of England over several years, suggesting that the results are robust. As such, the researchers conclude that a range of behavioural changes (adoption of non-drug interventions) and societal strategies (school closures, lockdowns, and restricted travel) used to reduce transmission of SARS-CoV-2, also reduced admissions for common and severe childhood infections in England. And while many of these measures are generally unsustainable outside of the pandemic because of their inherent negative financial and societal impact, they suggest some could be continued, especially during winter months, "to minimise the burden on health systems and protect vulnerable children." Updated results will be published every month here. These findings probably reflect a real decrease in non-COVID infections, but are likely to be temporary, say US researchers in a linked editorial. As populations derive increasing protection from COVID-19 through natural infections or vaccination, and measures such as lockdowns, mask mandates, and social distancing ease, "there will probably be an increase in the incidence of primarily, but not exclusively, viral infections," they write. Understanding which mitigation strategies were most effective is key to reopening safely, they say, and, as many measures are relaxed globally, they call for studies "to determine which interventions provide the greatest benefit for a wide range of infectious diseases." More information: Indirect effects of the covid-19 pandemic on childhood infection in England: population based observational study, BMJ (2022). DOI: 10.1136/ bmj-2021-067519 Journal information: British Medical Journal (BMJ) Indirect effects of the covid-19 pandemic on childhood infection in England: population based observational study,(2022). DOI: 10.1136/ bmj-2021-067519 Here's more evidence that marijuana may make driving more dangerous: As pot has been legalized in more countries and states, a greater number of people are driving intoxicated by the drug and crashing, researchers report. THC, the active ingredient in cannabis, has been detected in twice as many injured Canadian drivers since 2018, when cannabis was first legalized. The same effect is being seen in the United States, said lead researcher Dr. Jeffrey Brubacher, an associate professor in the department of emergency medicine at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver. One prominent U.S. addiction expert agreed. "This is an emerging and extremely important area of research," Dr. Nora Volkow, director of the U.S. National Institute on Drug Abuse, said in a statement. "One recent study found increased rates of motor vehicle crashes in the six months following medical cannabis authorization in Canada, and another study found relative increased risk of fatal motor vehicle collisions of 15% and a relative increase in associated deaths of 16% in U.S. jurisdictions where cannabis is legal," she noted. "As more and more states seek to legalize marijuana, it is crucial that we understand the impact of legalization on addiction and a range of other health outcomes, including driving accidents, to determine strategies for implementing legalization while minimizing the potential harms," Volkow added. Brubacher said how much pot is consumed before getting behind the wheel also matters. "The increased number of drivers using cannabis, especially drivers with high THC levels (5 nanograms/mL or more), is concerning," he said. "But we cannot conclude that all of these collisions were caused by cannabis." Previous research found no evidence that low THC levels (less than 5 ng/mL) are associated with an increased risk of causing a crash, Brubacher said. "However, acute cannabis use causes cognitive deficits and psychomotor impairment, and there is evidence that drivers with THC levels of 5 ng/mL or more are at higher risk of crashing," he said. Slowed reaction times These deficits lead to slow reaction time, lack of concentration and weaving down the road, Brubacher said. "We know that the risk of crashing is higher in drinking drivers than in drivers who use cannabis," he said. "Some previous researchers suggested that cannabis legalization may improve traffic safety if drivers used cannabis instead of alcohol. Unfortunately, we found no evidence of a decrease in the percentage of injured drivers who tested positive for alcohol." Volkow noted the effects of marijuana on driving ability are considerable. "Numerous studies have demonstrated that marijuana significantly impairs many of the skills needed for safe driving, including judgment, motor coordination and reaction time. Studies conducted in a laboratory setting have also found a direct relationship between the concentration of THC in the blood and impaired driving ability," she said. "However, this research must be interpreted with caution, as it can be extremely difficult to establish the causality for any given car crash. This is becauseunlike for alcoholthere is no roadside test to measure drug levels in the body," Volkow explained. "This means that tests used to detect THC levels in drivers are often conducted hours after the crash. Further, marijuana can be detected in bodily fluids for days or weeks after last use, and drivers often combine it with alcohol, making it difficult to know how significant a role cannabis alone may have played in a crash." For the study, Brubacher and his colleagues analyzed levels of THC in blood samples from more than 4,300 injured drivers who were treated at British Columbia trauma centers between 2013 and 2020. Before pot was legalized, about 4% of drivers had blood levels of THC above the Canadian legal driving limit of 2 ng/mL. That percentage rose to nearly 9% after legalization, the researchers found. The proportion of drivers with higher concentrations of THC also rose, from 1% before legalization to 4% after. The largest increase was seen among drivers over 50. No significant changes in drivers testing positive for alcohol, either alone or in combination with THC, was seen, the researchers noted. Delayed driving advised The percentage of those driving both drunk and high was about 2% before legalization and 3% after, the study authors found. Blood levels of THC usually peak at around 100 ng/mL within 15 minutes of smoking pot. The levels then drop rapidly, to less than 2 ng/mL within four hours of smoking. After ingesting edible THC, the levels drop to a similarly low concentration after eight hours, Brubacher said. Based on these data, he advises people not to drive for four hours after smoking pot and eight hours after ingesting it. Brubacher also cautioned that the combination of alcohol and pot can be especially deadly behind the wheel. "Even though these numbers are concerning, and I think there is some reason for concern, it's not the sky is falling," he said. "It's not as serious a problem as it would be if we saw a doubling in the number of drivers who were using alcohol, because the risk is less with THC than with alcohol." The same increase in marijuana use while driving has been seen in the United States in states where it has been legalized. According to Paul Armentano, deputy director of NORML, a group that advocates for the reform of marijuana laws in the United States, "Similar increased prevalence data has also been reported in some U.S. states, like Washington, without a statistically significant uptick in traffic fatalities." While testing for THC can be difficult, Armentano cautioned that people should not drive while feeling "high." "NORML has a long history of calling for targeted public education campaigns regarding the influence of acute cannabis consumption on driving performance, and we believe that such campaigns ought to be part and parcel with any adult-use legalization law," Armentano said. "We also have a long history of calling for providing law enforcement with additional and more accurate tools and methods to both identify and discourage DUI [driving under the influence] cannabis behavior." The report was published Jan. 13 in the New England Journal of Medicine. Explore further Low THC levels not linked to increased risk of car crashes: study Copyright 2021 HealthDay. All rights reserved. Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain An international metastudy led by researchers at Karolinska Institutet has identified a specific gene variant that protects against severe COVID-19 infection. The researchers managed to pinpoint the variant by studying people of different ancestries, a feat they say highlights the importance of conducting clinical trials that include people of diverse descents. The results are published in the journal Nature Genetics. In addition to old age and certain underlying diseases, genetics can influence whether we become severely affected or only suffer mild illness from COVID-19. Previous studies on mainly people of European ancestry have found that individuals carrying a particular segment of DNA have a 20 percent lower risk of developing a critical COVID-19 infection. This DNA segment encodes genes in the immune system and is inherited from Neanderthals in about half of all people outside Africa. This region of DNA is, however, packed with numerous genetic variants, which makes it challenging to disentangle the exact protective variant that could potentially serve as a target for medical treatment against severe COVID-19 infection. Studied people of different ancestries To identify this specific gene variant, researchers in the current study looked for individuals carrying only parts of this DNA segment. Since the Neandertal inheritance occurred after the ancient migration out of Africa, the researchers saw a potential in focusing on individuals with African ancestry who lack heritage from the Neanderthals and therefore also the majority of this DNA segment. A small piece of this DNA region is, however, the same in both people of African and European ancestries. The researchers found that individuals of predominantly African ancestry had the same protection as those of European ancestry, which allowed them to pinpoint a specific gene variant of particular interest. "The fact that individuals of African descent had the same protection allowed us to identify the unique variant in the DNA that actually protects from COVID-19 infection," says Jennifer Huffman, the first author of study and a researcher at the VA Boston Healthcare System in the U.S. The analysis included a total of 2,787 hospitalized COVID-19 patients of African ancestry and 130,997 people in a control group from six cohort studies. Eighty percent of individuals of African ancestry carried the protective variant. The outcome was compared with a previous, larger metastudy of individuals of European heritage. Key for COVID drug development According to the researchers, the protective gene variant (rs10774671-G) determines the length of the protein encoded by the gene OAS1. Prior studies have shown that the longer variant of the protein is more effective at breaking down SARS-CoV-2, the virus causing the disease COVID-19. "That we are beginning to understand the genetic risk factors in detail is key to developing new drugs against COVID-19," says co-author Brent Richards, senior investigator at the Lady Davis Institute of the Jewish General Hospital and professor at McGill University in Canada. Underscores need for diversity The COVID-19 pandemic has spurred considerable collaboration among researchers in different parts of the world, which has made it possible to study genetic risk factors in a wider diversity of individuals than in many previous studies. Even so, the majority of all clinical research is still being done on individuals of predominantly European descent. "This study shows how important it is to include individuals of different ancestries. If we had only studied one group, we would not have been successful in identifying the gene variant in this case," says the study's corresponding author Hugo Zeberg, assistant professor at the Department of Neuroscience at Karolinska Institutet. Explore further Neandertal gene variants both increase and decrease the risk for severe COVID-19 More information: Hugo Zeberg, Multi-ancestry fine mapping implicates OAS1 splicing in risk of severe COVID-19, Nature Genetics (2022). www.nature.com/articles/s41588-021-00996-8 Journal information: Nature Genetics Hugo Zeberg, Multi-ancestry fine mapping implicates OAS1 splicing in risk of severe COVID-19,(2022). DOI: 10.1038/s41588-021-00996-8 A uniform model of the mechanism of action (MOA) of remdesivir. The light blue oval represents a viral RNA polymerase. The priming strand and template are shown in white and green circles, respectively. 1. Residues of Motif F (dark blue) position the template for nucleotide incorporation. As an example, the incoming uridine triphosphate (UTP) binds the complementary adenosine (A) in the template. 2. The adenosine analog remdesivir (R) contains a bulky modification that clashes with motif F. As a consequence, UTP incorporation is inhibited. Credit: Matthias Gotte New research shows for the first time why the antiviral drug remdesivir works against some viruses but not othersa finding that improves our understanding of how antiviral drugs interact with viruses at a molecular level, which will be key to developing the broad-spectrum therapies needed to battle against the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and get ready to fight the next one. The paper, published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry, reveals the inner workings of the drug remdesivir against different families of viruses. Remdesivir has been given to more than nine million COVID-19 patients worldwide, and is so far the only small-molecule antiviral drug that has received Health Canada approval to treat the disease. Until now it was not understood why remdesivir works in lab tests against some viruses including coronaviruses, Ebola, hepatitis C and Nipah virus, but not against others such as influenza and Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus. Matthias Gotte, professor and chair of medical microbiology and immunology at the University of Alberta, noted that it all comes down to how well the drug tricks the polymerase, which is the replication engine of the virus and the target of remdesivir. "Remdesivir is very well incorporated by the polymerase of SARS-CoV-2 and not so well by other viruses where it does not work," he said, adding that once it is incorporated, the drug inhibits all viral polymerases tested in the study. Now that the interactions between remdesivir and several other viruses are better understood, the next step will be to modify the compound to be better accepted by the polymerase of a broader range of other viruses. "What we would like to have when the next pandemic strikesand it's not a question of if, it's a question of whenwhat we need to have on the first day is a broad-spectrum antiviral agent," Gotte said. Timing is everything Another key to successful antivirals is timing. Clinical trials have shown that remdesivir reduces the risk of hospitalization by 87 percent when it is given early in the course of illness, but because it is currently only available intravenously, it's sometimes given too late to have its full effect, Gotte explained. The United States and Europe recently recommended remdesivir for early use in outpatients with mild to moderate disease, and Gotte hopes Canada will follow suit. While vaccination remains the most important available tool against SARS-CoV-2, he said remdesivir continues to be effective against the Omicron variant and could play an important role in reducing the burden on our health system. Gotte said the new Pfizer oral antiviral drug that is awaiting Health Canada approval appears to be just as effective as remdesivir at preventing hospitalizations when given early. Another orally available antiviral drug, molnupiravir, has just been given FDA approval for use against COVID-19 in the United States, even though it appears to prevent only about 30 percent of hospitalizations. It also shows activity against other viruses, including influenza. For Gotte, the more antiviral options we have available, the better. If a new virus strikes, it will take time to develop a vaccine, and treatments will be needed around the world while we wait. The ideal situation would be to treat patients with more than one antiviral at a time, much like the "cocktails" used for HIV and hepatitis C. "When you combine antiviral drugs, it is more efficacious, more potent, and you reduce the likelihood of the virus developing resistance to any one drug," he said. Explore further Lab uncovers new mechanism of action against SARS-CoV-2 by antiviral drug remdesivir More information: Calvin J. Gordon et al, Efficient incorporation and template-dependent polymerase inhibition are major determinants for the broad-spectrum antiviral activity of remdesivir, Journal of Biological Chemistry (2021). Journal information: Journal of Biological Chemistry Calvin J. Gordon et al, Efficient incorporation and template-dependent polymerase inhibition are major determinants for the broad-spectrum antiviral activity of remdesivir,(2021). DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2021.101529 Credit: CC0 Public Domain People may find it difficult to discern the facts about vaccines with the extensive amount of health misinformation disseminated on websites and social media. Accuracy and truth, according to a new study involving three countries, including the United States, has been found by individuals who rely more on mainstream news. Meanwhile, people who depend on social media or less-established forms of "alternative" health media are more likely to subscribe to false beliefs about health. In a study published in Health Communication, experts from the University of Michigan, National University of Singapore and Koc University in Turkey said the findings shed light on the conditions under which digital media use can help or hinder the tendency to believe in health misinformation. "These findings also show that extensive reliance on social media and alternative health media for news mostly overwhelms the individual differences in predicting misinformation belief," said Scott Campbell, the Constance F. and Arnold C. Pohs Professor of Telecommunications in the U-M Department of Communication and Media. Campbell and colleagues also investigated how different thinking styles can support and suppress the links between media use and health misinformation belief. The findings show that in addition to social and alternative media use for health information, those most susceptible also tend to place a high degree of trust in their own intuition when encountering new information ("faith in intuition") and prefer to make sense of new information in elaborate and structured ways ("need for cognition"). These personal styles interact with media use to predict whether people are likely to believe false information about health and health care, the researchers say. More than 3,600 participants in Singapore, Turkey and the U.S. disclosed their beliefs about vaccines, genetically modified foods and alternative medicine. The information sources involved mainstream (or "legacy") media, social media and alternative health outlets, which advocate homeopathic remedies over conventional medicine. "This emergent pattern underscores the possibility that institutional news sources could better protect from the spread of misinformation than social media, perhaps because of editorial gatekeeping differences across news, social and alternative media," Campbell said. Study co-authors include Yuanyuan Wu and Ozan Kuru of National University and Lemi Baruh of Koc University. Explore further Fake news and fact-checking: Study examines social media use during the pandemic More information: Yuanyuan Wu et al, Explaining Health Misinformation Belief through News, Social, and Alternative Health Media Use: The Moderating Roles of Need for Cognition and Faith in Intuition, Health Communication (2022). Yuanyuan Wu et al, Explaining Health Misinformation Belief through News, Social, and Alternative Health Media Use: The Moderating Roles of Need for Cognition and Faith in Intuition,(2022). DOI: 10.1080/10410236.2021.2010891 A nurse examines a patient in the Covid-19 intensive care unit at the SRH Waldklinikum in Gera, Germany, Thursday, Jan. 13, 2022. Currently, 13 people suffering from Covid-19 are receiving intensive care here. Credit: Bodo Schackow/dpa via AP Most COVID-19 patients in intensive care in German hospitals aren't vaccinated, data published on Thursday indicates. The data from Germany's intensive care association DIVI showed that 62% of ICU patients whose vaccine status was known had received no protective shots against the coronavirus. Unvaccinated people make up about a quarter of the German population. Almost 10% were only partially vaccinated while 28% of ICU patients were fully inoculated, it said. About 72.3 % of the German population has received at least two jabs, while 45.1% have also had a booster shot. Germany's independent vaccine advisory panel on Thursday endorsed booster shots for children and adolescents aged 12 to 17. The expert committee said children in that age range should receive the mRNA shot made by Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech at least three months after their last vaccination. People walk in the city center of Essen, Germany, where most shops allow only recovered or vaccinated customers on Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2021. Germany registered a new record of more than 80,000 new infections with the coronavirus on Wednesday. Credit: AP Photo/Martin Meissner Germany has seen a steady rise in cases in recent weeks as the Omicron variant has started spreading throughout the country. The Robert Koch Institute, Germany's disease control agency, 81,417 newly confirmed infections in the past 24 hours, and 316 deaths. Health Minister Karl Lauterbach told lawmakers on Thursday that he believes compulsory vaccination for everyone is "the fastest and safest way out of the pandemic." People wait to make a corona test in the city center of Essen, Germany, Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2021. Germany registered a new record of more than 80,000 new infections with the coronavirus on Wednesday. Credit: AP Photo/Martin Meissner Explore further Germany vaccine panel OKs shots for children aged 5-11 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain 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. "It's so much more contagious," Maggie Coons, 52, of northwest suburban Palatine, told the Tribune last week. "I feel like there's nothing we can do to keep from getting it. I feel like it's inevitable. At this point it's 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-19's 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 we've 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 it's 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 shouldn't get the same infection againor if they did it should be very mild and should be cleared quicklybut 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 Northwestern's Feinberg School of Medicine. And even people who are vaccinated and boosted could infect a child under 5 who isn't eligible for vaccination, or a more vulnerable adult. "It's 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, we're 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 can't 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. "That's 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 Omicronas many people willyou shouldn't feel like you've failed, Carnethon said. How should vaccinated people be thinking about risk? Vaccinated people may feel as if they've entered a new, bewildering phase of the pandemic in which things they assumed were safe to do post-vaccine aren't 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. She's comfortable with having her kids play with others while masked in a bigger, open space with high ceilingseven indoorsbut would avoid crowded venues. If eating or drinking is a central feature of an activity, she'd skip it. For now, Lauderdale is avoiding restaurants and performances. She's 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 aren't 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, we're operating under the hope that things will be better within a few weeks," Lauderdale said. Explore further Why it's a bad idea to try to get COVID 2022 Chicago Tribune. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain Feeling a little unsure about what's safe to do during the omicron surge? If you're like many people, you may feel just as uncertain as you did at the start of the pandemic. We asked Michael Lin, MD, MPH, an infectious disease specialist and associate professor at Rush University Medical Center, to help us understand how risky some activities are now as the highly transmissible omicron variant surges through Chicago and the rest of the country. Is it safe to get together with friends now? "Any time people are gathering indoors, there's an inherent risk that the virus will spread," Lin says. That's why Lin encourages everyone to be sensible about their social activities and to consider what amount of risk they are willing to accept at a time when COVID-19 cases in Illinois are reaching record highs. Generally speaking, the more people who are involved in a gathering, the greater the risks. That's why Lin recommends avoiding large, indoor social gatherings that involve people outside of your household. You can reduce your risks for catching the coronavirus and developing severe COVID-19 by keeping gatherings small and making sure that everyone present is "up to date" on their vaccinations (fully vaccinated and boosted if they are eligible), Lin says. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, anyone 12 and older who received the Pfizer series at least five months ago should get boosted. Adults 18 and older who received the Moderna vaccines also should get boosted if they completed their shots at least five months ago, while adults who had the Johnson & Johnson vaccine should get a booster at least two months after their shot. For indoor gatherings, Lin recommends that anyone age 2 or older wear a well-fitted mask because the omicron variant causes breakthrough infections even among vaccinated individuals, he says. Wearing a mask is especially important if you have a weak immune system, even if you are vaccinated. "We know that if you are immunocompromised, you may not be fully protected even if you did get your shots," he says. Another step you can take: If you can find an at-home test, consider testing before your small get-together. "This can add another layer of protection," Lin says. And anyone who has symptoms like a cough or runny nose should opt out of social time. Still want to be social but don't want to take the risk? The CDC recommends having a virtual gathering. Although this may be a flashback to the early days of the pandemic for some, it is the safest way to go. Is it OK to dine out at a restaurant during this surge? One major consideration is whether you are able to stay at least six feet from others to reduce the risk of transmission, Lin says. Most of the risk comes not from diners at other tables necessarily, but from those who are sitting with you at your table if they are from other households. If you do dine out during the omicron surge, choose your venues carefully. Avoid packed, poorly ventilated places where you cannot practice social distancing, Lin advises. And choose times when it won't be crowded. If there are too many people, find another spot or opt for carryout. Two more helpful ways to reduce your risk: Wear a well-fitted mask when you are not eating and drinking, and wash your hands frequently or use hand sanitizer. Also, be sure to bring your vaccination card if you're dining in Chicago and suburban Cook County so you can adhere to the new requirements that went into effect on Jan. 3. Am I putting myself at risk if I travel now? Possibly, Lin cautions. One challenge with travel is staying at least six feet apart from strangers in airports, train stations, planes and trains. And much of the risk comes from the COVID-19 prevalence in the area you're traveling to and what activities you are doing while you are traveling. You can check the COVID-19 trends at your destination before you book a trip. The CDC makes this information available by county. Is it still OK to go to the grocery store and run errands? Grocery stores and shopping trips tend to be much lower risk than dining indoors or drinking at bars, Lin says. If you are someone who is at risk for severe illness, consider running errands when stores are the least busy, such as early morning. Whatever your activities are, the best protection during this surge is to get vaccinated and boosted, Lin says. But it's also important to remember that getting vaccinated won't make you invincible. "Vaccines are not 100 percent effective, which is why we are seeing some breakthrough infections, especially with the omicron variant," Lin says. "But in general, breakthrough infections are mild for those who are vaccinated, and vaccines do an excellent job of preventing severe infections and death." Credit: CC0 Public Domain The Red Cross is currently experiencing what it's calling "the worst blood shortage in over a decade." Always in need of blood, the nonprofit said that the combination of the relentless pandemic and an unusual flu season have exacerbated the preexisting shortage. Overall donations have dropped 10% since March 2020. Students once accounted for 25% of annual donors, but with most on-campus drives canceled, their contribution has fallen by 60%. Almost every two seconds, a patient in the United States needs a blood transfusion, according to Dr. Ross Herron, divisional chief medical officer for the American Red Cross. With COVID cases and hospitalization rates rising, blood donations are needed now more than ever. Blood and platelets can be used for a variety of treatments and can be the difference between life and death. Here's how you can help. What kind of blood is needed? The Red Cross is in need of all blood types year-round, Herron said, as well as platelets and plasma. Type O-negative, the so-called "universal" blood type, is always in high demand and often short supply, given that only about 7% of the population has it, he said. For plasma donations, people with type AB blood are highly encouraged to donate. Those who have types O, A-negative and B-negative are encouraged to make what's called a Power Red donation, where a concentrated dose of red blood cells is collected while most of the plasma and platelets are returned to the donor. How to donate Donating usually takes less than an hour, and you get to walk away knowing you helped someone. There are also usually free snacks offered afterwards. The process is fairly simple. Show up for your appointment and register your information, answer some questions about your medical and personal history, and then ready yourself for the needle. After that, you're on your way. To promote social distancing, donations are by appointment only. All donors must wear a mask when at the donation site, regardless of their vaccination status. The Red Cross says it implements social distancing practices at all points in the donation process, including the donor beds. You can schedule your appointment by visiting RedCrossBlood.org, downloading the Donor App or calling 1-800-RED CROSS. Or you can find your local center. Why should you donate? The Red Cross estimates that each blood donation saves the lives of three people. Blood can be used to treat a wide range of medical needs, such as reintroducing platelets into cancer patients' bodies or providing antibodies for those being hospitalized because of COVID-19. The shelf life of blood is short, so a constant stream of donations helps ensure there will be enough supply on hand. You can donate blood every eight weeks and make a Power Red donation every 16 weeks. Who's eligible to donate blood? The Red Cross says that to donate, you must: Weigh at least 110 pounds Be 17 years old (or 16 with custodial consent) If you are a student or a minor, be at least 5 feet tall if you're male or 5 feet 6 inches tall if you're female. Because blood volume is determined by height and weight, those who don't meet these requirements may not be able to deal with the loss of blood that comes with the collection. There is no upper weight limit as long as the donation space can accommodate you. There are many reasons why you may not be able to donate blood. Some include: You have a fever, are feeling ill or are taking antibiotics at the time of donation Your medication requires a waiting period after your last dose before donating You were just vaccinated for smallpox; mumps, measles and rubella; or hepatitis You've tested positive for COVID in the past 14 days or have COVID symptoms You've recently traveled outside of the U.S. or Canada You have medical conditions, such as hemophilia, certain types of cancer, HIV/AIDS or any other active infections You are a man who's had sex with another man within the past three months You are pregnant If you are unable to donate for any reason, the Red Cross encourages you to volunteer or host your own blood drive. Explore further Red Cross says U.S. blood supply at dangerously low level 2022 Los Angeles Times. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Credit: CC0 Public Domain JPMorgan Chase & Co.'s annual healthcare conference in San Francisco, which will wrap up on Thursday, has long been considered the industry's flagship event. Executives flock to outline priorities for the year ahead, or set plans in motion behind closed doors. It's a stage on which to announce deals or a setting for clinching them. However, after the omicron variant caused a surge in coronavirus cases, the event, now in its 40th year, was forced to go virtual for the second January in a row. While that meant less mingling over cocktails and more squinting at laptops, there's still plenty to be divined from the health sector's favorite crystal ball. Here are five takeaways: Rna is having a moment Those at the upper echelons of the drug industry constantly ask themselves: "How do you not miss the next big thing?" At this year's conference, executives set their sights on the messenger RNA technology behind Pfizer Inc. and Moderna Inc.'s Covid-19 vaccines. Pfizer announced a trio of small deals on Monday to bolster its development of mRNA products. The technology is likely to have uses in infectious disease, rare diseases and cancer, Chief Executive Officer Albert Bourla said in an interview. Other large pharmaceutical companies also signaled interest in drug candidates based on the information-carrying part of cells. Amgen Inc. could potentially pay billions to Arrakis Therapeutics Inc. through a new RNA collaboration, while Eli Lilly & Co. and Johnson & Johnson have said they're monitoring the emerging field for assets. Partnerships replace megamergers For yet another year, megadeals were absent from the conference. Instead, drug giants including Pfizer, Amgen and Bayer AG turned to partnerships. Such pacts give big companies a way to dabble in exciting but unproven technology without making a huge bet. "Partnerships will give us exactly what we want without dedicating the amount of capital that would be needed if we wanted to acquire the companies," Bourla said, noting Pfizer's success with vaccine partner BioNTech SE. While research, development and commercialization collaborations give small drugmakers needed cash, they might not provide immediate gratification to investors who want to see buzzy names scooped up at a premium. The pandemic remains the story As the conference kicked off Monday, the U.S. reported more than 1.4 million new virus infectionsthe highest daily count recorded by any country in the world. Hospitalizations and deaths are also rising. The jarring resurgence of Covid has left health-care companies scrambling to develop new tools. This week, Pfizer's Bourla described headway on a "hybrid" Covid vaccine that will target both omicron and the original virus, while Moderna said its clinched $18.5 billion in vaccine orders for this year. Later-to-market Novavax Inc. said it had shipped the first doses of its Covid-19 vaccine to Europe, where it was cleared last month. On the treatment front, Regeneron Inc. said it would move an omicron-fighting antibody treatment into trials this quarter, and Gilead Sciences Inc. said U.S. regulators may soon approve a shorter course of its Covid drug remdesivir for use among patients outside the hospital. Novartis AG is looking to bring forth its own treatment, and partners Vir Biotechnology Inc. and GlaxoSmithKline Plc on Wednesday said the U.S. government agreed to buy another 600,000 doses of its Covid treatment sotrovimab. For these drugmakers, business is not proceeding as usual. But investors continue to see opportunity in next-generation products to tackle omicron and future variants of concern. The patent cliff persists Merck & Co.'s cancer drug Keytruda, which brought in $14.4 billion in sales in 2020, is set to face cheaper competition starting in 2028. For Bristol Myers Squibb Co., multiple myeloma medication Revlimid and Abraxane, another profitable cancer drug, face new threats starting in 2022. Revlimid, which Bristol acquired when it bought drugmaker Celgene in 2019, became the company's top-selling drug the following year, bringing in $12 billion in sales. Termed "LOEs" in industry parlance, short for loss of exclusivity, these developments were a focus of both companies' presentations this week. Executives spoke about their plans to replace lost revenue with new medications in areas like cancer in the years ahead, and through business development. Merck "will continue to be science-led, unbounded by therapeutic area, but mindful of the need for a more balanced portfolio over time. All of this is with an eye to ensuring we can successfully navigate through the period of likely biosimilar competition to Keytruda late this decade," Chief Executive Rob Davis said in his opening remarks on Monday. Conferences have changed (maybe for good) Without the buzz in the halls of the Westin St. Francis and around San Francisco's Union Square, the JPMorgan Healthcare Conference feels like any other investor meeting these days. The pandemic has proven that deals can be done from anywhere, at any time. Investors can tune into presentations from home. When Covid relents, will people still be willing to shell out for a costly annual pilgrimage? Philip Gotwals, the global head of business development and licensing at the Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, thinks enthusiam for the conferenceand others like ithas waned. "The genie's out of the bottle now and it's going to be very hard to put back," he said in an interview. "People are going to change their approach." Perhaps the excitement of convening in person once again may energize the conference, whenever, and if ever, it returns. Explore further Pfizer expects Omicron vaccine to be ready in March 2022 Bloomberg L.P. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Workers transport a cargo shipment containing the first batches of Pfizer's antiviral COVID-19 pill, Paxlovid, at a cargo terminal at the Incheon International Airport, west of Seoul, South Korea, on Thursday, Jan. 13, 2022. Jung Yeon-je/Pool photo via AP) South Korea on Thursday received its first supply of Pfizer's antiviral COVID-19 pills to treat patients with mild or moderate symptoms. Health officials have described the Paxlovid pills as a potentially important tool to suppress hospitalizations and deaths, as the country braces for another possible surge in infections driven by the contagious omicron variant. South Korea's initial supply is enough to support the required five-day treatment courses for 21,000 people. Officials say another batch of pills, enough to provide the required five-day courses for 10,000 people, will come by the end of January. Workers were seen unloading containers of the pills from a plane at Incheon International Airport. The pills will be moved to a pharmaceutical warehouse in central South Korea before being administered to patients nationwide starting Friday. Because supplies of Paxlovid will be tight at the start amid global shortages, the pills will initially be available only to patients 65 years or older who are being treated at home or in shelters for mild or moderate symptoms. "In clinical trials, this drug has showed it could reduce the risk of hospitalizations or deaths by 88%, so we are hoping for a similar level of (real world) effectiveness," said Lim Sook-young, a senior official in the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency. Ground crew transport a shipment containing the first batches of Pfizer's antiviral COVID-19 pill, Paxlovid, at a cargo terminal at the Incheon International Airport, west of Seoul, South Korea, on Thursday, Jan. 13, 2022. Jung Yeon-je/Pool photo via AP) South Korea's Ministry of Food and Drug Safety is also reviewing whether to grant an emergency use authorization for Merck's antiviral COVID-19 pills, Molnupiravir. South Korea grappled in recent months with a devastating delta-driven surge that caused a spike in hospitalizations and deaths, but transmissions have slowed after officials imposed the country's strictest-ever virus restrictions in mid-December. The rules include a ban on private social gatherings of five or more people nationwide and a requirement that restaurants, coffee shops, gyms and karaoke venues close by 9 p.m. But officials say the virus could regain speed in the coming weeks due to the spread of the omicron variant, which is likely to become the country's dominant strain by the end of this month. Son Youngrae, a senior Health Ministry official, said around 12% of infections confirmed last week were of the omicron strain, which he said could account for more than 50% of cases within one or two weeks. Ground crew transport a shipment containing the first batches of Pfizer's antiviral COVID-19 pill, Paxlovid, at a cargo terminal at the Incheon International Airport, west of Seoul, South Korea, on Thursday, Jan. 13, 2022. Jung Yeon-je/Pool photo via AP) Workers transport a cargo shipment containing the first batches of Pfizer's antiviral COVID-19 pill, Paxlovid, at a cargo terminal at the Incheon International Airport, west of Seoul, South Korea on Thursday, Jan. 13, 2022. Credit: Jung Yeon-je/Pool photo via AP Workers unload a cargo shipment containing the first batches of Pfizer's antiviral COVID-19 pill, Paxlovid, at a cargo terminal at the Incheon International Airport, west of Seoul, South Korea on Thursday, Jan. 13, 2022. Credit: Jung Yeon-je/Pool photo via AP Experts say omicron, which has already become dominant in many countries, spreads more easily than other coronavirus strains. 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 delta variant, and that vaccination and booster shots still offer strong protection from serious illness, hospitalization and death. The KDCA reported 4,167 new cases of the virus on Thursday, including a record 391 cases linked to international passengers. Officials say nearly 90% of cases linked to international passengers were omicron cases. Explore further S. Korea marks deadliest day of pandemic as omicron looms 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. (HealthDay)President Joe Biden plans to announce Thursday that a "surge" of U.S. military medical personnel will soon be deployed to hospitals struggling with staff shortages amid soaring COVID-19 cases. More than 1,000 will begin arriving at hospitals nationwide starting next week, and that deployment will be in addition to other federal medical personnel who have already been sent to states to offset staff shortages, the Associated Press reported. Many hospitals are facing staffing crunches as infected workers stay home and COVID-19 cases skyrocket as the highly contagious Omicron variant takes over the country. Biden will announce that six more military medical teams will be deployed to Michigan, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio and Rhode Island, the AP reported. Those teams will support Henry Ford Hospital just outside Detroit, University Hospital in Newark, the University of New Mexico hospital in Albuquerque, Coney Island Hospital in Brooklyn, Cleveland Clinic in Ohio, and Rhode Island Hospital in Providence. Along with announcing the new deployments, Biden and other officials will note the efforts of the more than 800 military personnel who have been helping civilian hospitals since Thanksgiving, and the more than 14,000 National Guard members who've been assisting with vaccinations, testing and caring for patients with the support of the federal government. The highly transmissible Omicron variant is likely to infect "most people" and what "we need to do is make sure the hospitals can still functiontransportation, other essential services are not disrupted while this happens," Janet Woodcock, acting head of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, told Congress Tuesday, the AP reported. Explore further Health officials let COVID-infected staff stay on the job More information: Visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for more on Visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for more on COVID hospitalizations. Copyright 2021 HealthDay. All rights reserved. Research assistant Emily checks a flow cell before putting it into the sequencer at the Wellcome Sanger Institute, Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridgeshire, England, Friday, on Jan. 7, 2022. By sequencing as many positive cases as possible, researchers hope to identify variants of concern as quickly as possible, then track their spread to provide early warnings for health officials. Credit: AP Photo/Frank Augstein The air conditioners hum constantly in the lab at the Wellcome Sanger Institute, countering the heat thrown off by rows of high-tech sequencing machines that work seven days a week analyzing the genetic material of COVID-19 cases from throughout the U.K. The laboratory is one example of how British scientists have industrialized the process of genomic sequencing during the pandemic, cutting the time and cost needed to generate a unique genetic fingerprint for each coronavirus case analyzed. That made the U.K. a world leader in COVID-19 sequencing, helping public health authorities track the spread of new variants, develop vaccines and decide when to impose lockdowns. But now researchers at the Sanger Institute in Cambridge and labs around the U.K. have a new mission: sharing what they've learned with other scientists because COVID-19 has no regard for national borders. The omicron variant now fueling a new wave of infection around the world shows the need for global cooperation, said Ewan Harrison, a senior research fellow at Sanger. Omicron was first identified by scientists in southern Africa who quickly published their findings, giving public health authorities around the world time to prepare. Since dangerous mutations of the virus can occur anywhere, scientists must monitor its development everywhere to protect everyone, Harrison said, drawing a parallel to the need to speed up vaccinations in the developing world. Research assistants watch the sequencing machines analyzing the genetic material of COVID-19 cases at the Wellcome Sanger Institute, Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridgeshire, England, on Friday, Jan. 7, 2022. The laboratory is one example of how British scientists have industrialized the process of genomic sequencing during the pandemic, cutting the time and cost needed to generate a unique genetic fingerprint for each coronavirus case analyzed. Credit: AP Photo/Frank Augstein "We need to be prepared globally,'' he said. "We can't just kind of put a fence around an individual country or parts of the world, because that's just not going to cut it.'' Britain made sequencing a priority early in the pandemic after Cambridge University Professor Sharon Peacock identified the key role it could play in combating the virus and won government funding for a national network of scientists, laboratories and testing centers known as the COVID-19 Genomics UK Consortium. This allowed the U.K. to mobilize academic and scientific expertise built up since British researchers first identified the chemical structure of DNA in 1953. The consortium is now backing efforts to bolster global sequencing efforts with a training program focused on researchers in developing countries. With funding from the U.K. government, the consortium and Wellcome Connecting Science plan to offer online courses in sampling, data sharing and working with public health agencies to help researchers build national sampling programs. Research assistant Robert demonstrates how to prepare a sample for sequencing at the Wellcome Sanger Institute, Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridgeshire, England, Friday, on Jan. 7, 2022. The laboratory is one example of how British scientists have industrialized the process of genomic sequencing during the pandemic, cutting the time and cost needed to generate a unique genetic fingerprint for each coronavirus case analyzed. Credit: AP Photo/Frank Augstein "There is inequity in access to sequencing worldwide, and (the project) is committed to contributing toward efforts that close this gap, the group said, announcing plans to offer the first courses early this year. By sequencing as many positive cases as possible, researchers hope to identify variants of concern as quickly as possible, then track their spread to provide early warnings for health officials. The U.K. has supplied more COVID-19 sequences to the global clearinghouse than any country other than the U.S. and has sequenced a bigger percentage of its cases than any large nation worldwide. Researchers in the U.K. have submitted 1.68 million sequences, covering 11.7% of reported cases, according to data compiled by GISAID, which promotes rapid sharing of information about COVID-19 and the flu. The U.S. has supplied 2.22 million sequences, or 3.8% of its reported cases. Ewan Harrison, a senior research fellow at the Wellcome Sanger Institute, speaks to The Associated Press on the Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridgeshire, England, Friday, on Jan. 7, 2022. British scientists hunting down coronavirus variants have a new mission: sharing their expertise with others around the world. The omicron variant now fueling a new wave of infection around the world shows the need for global cooperation, Harrison said. Credit: AP Photo/Frank Augstein Most countries are doing some sequencing but the volume and speed varies greatly. While 205 jurisdictions have shared sequences with GSAID, more than half have sequenced and shared less than 1% of their total cases. Over the past two years, labs around the U.K. have refined the process of gathering and analyzing COVID-19 samples until it resembles just-in-time manufacturing strategies. Specific protocols cover each stepfrom swab to sequence to reportingincluding systems to ensure that supplies are in the right place at the right time to keep the work flowing. That has helped slash the cost of analyzing each genome by 50% while reducing the turnaround time from sample to sequence to five days from three weeks, according to Wellcome Sanger. Increasing sequencing capacity is like building a pipeline, according to Dr. Eric Topol, chair of innovative medicine at Scripps Research in San Diego, California. In addition to buying expensive sequencing machines, countries need supplies of chemical reagents, trained staff to carry out the work and interpret the sequences, and systems to ensure that data is shared quickly and transparently. A research assistant Robert demonstrates how to prepare a sample with a shaker for sequencing at the Wellcome Sanger Institute, Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridgeshire, England, Friday, on Jan. 7, 2022. By sequencing as many positive cases as possible, researchers hope to identify variants of concern as quickly as possible, then track their spread to provide early warnings for health officials. Credit: AP Photo/Frank Augstein Putting all those pieces in place has been a challenge for the U.S., let alone developing countries, Topol said. Genomic sequencing "as a surveillance tool worldwide is essential, because many of these low- and middle-income countries don't have the sequencing capabilities, particularly with any reasonable turnaround time," he said. "So the idea that there's a helping hand there from the Wellcome Center is terrific. We need that." At Wellcome Sanger's state-of-the-art lab, samples arrive constantly from around the country. Lab assistants carefully prepare the genetic material and load it onto plates that are inserted into the sequencing units that decipher each sample's unique DNA code. Scientists then analyze the data and compare it with previously identified genomes to track mutations and see if new trends are emerging. Research assistants work at sequencing machines analyzing the genetic material of COVID-19 cases at the Wellcome Sanger Institute, Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridgeshire, England, on Friday, Jan. 7, 2022. The laboratory is one example of how British scientists have industrialized the process of genomic sequencing during the pandemic, cutting the time and cost needed to generate a unique genetic fingerprint for each coronavirus case analyzed. Credit: AP Photo/Frank Augstein With COVID-19 constantly mutating, the priority is to check for new more dangerous variants, including those that may be resistant to vaccines, Harrison said. The information is critical in helping researchers modify existing vaccines or develop new ones to combat the ever-changing virus. Harrison praised South Africa for its work on the highly transmissible omicron variant and quickly sharing its research with international authorities. Unfortunately, many countries then restricted travel to South Africa, harming its economy. Harrison said developing nations must be encouraged to publish data on new variants without fear of economic repercussions because punishing countries like South Africa will only hamper information sharing that is needed to combat COVID-19 and future pandemics. "The key thing, obviously, is this constant routine surveillance," he said. "And I think the most important step now is increasing that globally.'' Research assistant Robert demonstrates how to prepare a sample for sequencing at the Wellcome Sanger Institute, Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridgeshire, England, Friday, on Jan. 7, 2022. By sequencing as many positive cases as possible, researchers hope to identify variants of concern as quickly as possible, then track their spread to provide early warnings for health officials. Credit: AP Photo/Frank Augstein A research assistant points at sample containers for sequencing at the Wellcome Sanger Institute, Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridgeshire, England, on Friday, Jan. 7, 2022. The laboratory is one example of how British scientists have industrialized the process of genomic sequencing during the pandemic, cutting the time and cost needed to generate a unique genetic fingerprint for each coronavirus case analyzed. Credit: AP Photo/Frank Augstein Research assistants watch the sequencing machines analyzing the genetic material of COVID-19 cases at the Wellcome Sanger Institute, Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridgeshire, England, Friday, on Jan. 7, 2022. By sequencing as many positive cases as possible, researchers hope to identify variants of concern as quickly as possible, then track their spread to provide early warnings for health officials. Credit: AP Photo/Frank Augstein For now, it also means lots of work, every day, to keep watch. But such vigilance has its benefits, said Tristram Bellerby, the lab's manager. "It's been good to see that our work has been valuable in finding these new variants,'' he said. "I hope at some point it could aid us in getting out of this situation we find ourselves in. Explore further From delta to omicron: How scientists know which variants are circulating in the US 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. It may be less stressful for mice when they are moved from one cage to another in this kind of plexiglass tube. The practicability of this method is currently being studied at ETH. Credit: ETH Zurich / Alessandro Della Bella ETH Zurich and the other Swiss universities are committed to reducing the stress and suffering experienced by laboratory animals. However, an outright ban on animal testingbeing put to the vote in a popular initiative this coming Februarywould put an end to progress in medical research. Johannes Bohacek is carefully attempting to nudge a mouse in a cage into a plexiglass tube. As a researcher into stress, the ETH professor uses mice in his work. In addition to his main research activity, he is participating in a small ETH study involving plexiglass tubes of the kind he is using. Normally, researchers conducting animal experiments pick up mice by the tail in order to transfer them from one cage to anotherbut, as is now known, this can easily induce high anxiety. That is why a small ETH study is exploring the practicability of lifting mice using tubes instead. This is just one example of the efforts that researchers are making to reduce the anxiety and distress to which laboratory animals are exposed. "The way in which we work with animals in research activities has changed significantly in recent decades," says Annamari Alitalo, the lead Animal Welfare Officer at ETH Zurich. When you look back at research projects from the 1980s, she says, many of them would no longer be approved today. Nowadays, experiments are planned with a greater deal of care, regulatory practices have become stricter, and laboratory animal science is a dedicated research field that has developed in leaps and bounds in recent years. We now have much greater knowledge about laboratory animals, and it is being used to their benefit. As Alitalo emphasizes, analgesia is one example of today's practices and is considered an important part of animal testing. If surgery is being performed as part of animal testing, the anesthesia process is professionally planned, and testing that involves pain or other sources of distress is subject from the outset to strict regulations with regard to the point at which an experiment needs to stop. Anyone conducting animal testing in Switzerland requires training and must take regular continuing professional development courses that cover subjects including how to recognize when a laboratory animal is in pain. New methods designed to replace animal testing Using the principle of the 3Rs (replace, reduce and refine), researchers at ETH and other institutions are developing new approaches that hope to replace animal testing with other methods, use fewer animals in the testing that does take place, or subject the animals involved to as little distress as possible. Wherever feasible, researchers find answers to their questions by using alternative methodssuch as cells or organoids, which are three-dimensional cell structures in petri dishes. In aging research at ETH, nematodes are used instead of mice whenever possible. As nematodes have a very primitive nervous system, working with them is not considered as animal testing in Switzerland. A common behavioural test: A mouse is placed in an enclosure with a closed and an open section. The less anxious the mouse is, the more likely it is to venture into the open section. Credit: ETH Zurich / Alessandro Della Bella Both Alitalo and Bohacek emphasize, however, that it is still difficult to find alternative methods that can replace animal testing. In many cases, researchers are still reliant on animals when investigating complex organs such as the brain or the way in which various organs interact. Many questions about metabolic disorders, infectious diseases or the body's relationship with intestinal flora, for example, need to be studied in a living organism. "I often hear the argument that it's possible to conduct neurological research on computers using brain models," says Bohacek. "We're still miles away from achieving that, however." The complexity inherent in the brain still far surpasses anything that a computer can do. "If it's not possible to answer vital research questions using alternative methods, then animal testing is our only option," agrees Detlef Gunther, Vice President for Research at ETH Zurich. His belief is that this is unlikely to change in the long term. Improving the quality and significance of experiments For Bohacek and Alitalo, the best way to reduce the number of animal experiments is to improve the quality and significance of each experiment. If a single experiment can provide more data and if measurements are more precise with a smaller range of variation, then fewer experiments need to be done on fewer animals. Bohacek is currently developing new computer-aided methods to carry out more precise analyses of classic behavioral tests on mice: he is analyzing the behavior of mice in an enclosure using image analysis and artificial intelligence. "This gives us more precise information on how anxious an animal is than when we do the analysis by hand based on observations done by eye," says the ETH professor. While today's research does everything feasible to reduce the number of animal experiments that are conducted and reduce suffering as much as possible, there are some cases in which this is unavoidable. "If I'm researching stress-related illnesses using animal models, then it's an unfortunate but inevitable fact that I have to subject the animals to stress," explains Bohacek. Animal testing is not an enjoyable part of the job for either Bohacek or any of the researchers he knows, but they believe it to be necessary. Researchers use this kind of test to measure a mouse's level of interest in its surroundings. The mouse sniffing at the holes in the floor panel is a sign of interest. Credit: ETH Zurich / Alessandro Della Bella 3.5 percent at maximum severity One example of the stress factors involved in Bohacek's work requires mice to swim in cold water for six minutes. The mice are able to do this, but do not enjoy it and release the same hormones and neurotransmitters as humans do in stressful situations. In Switzerland, animal experiments are categorized into four severity levels. Of the 30,000 or so animals used in testing every year at ETH (see table), 3.5 percent fall into the highest leveland these include the mice undergoing swim stress tests. As Bohacek is keen to emphasize, stress is a highly relevant subject in today's research. "Persistent stress is one of the key triggers of psychological disorders in people," he says. "It's essential that we understand the molecular mechanisms underpinning it." Biomedical research will also need to continue relying on animal testing if it is to make progress in understanding and treating illnesses such as depression, anxiety, Alzheimer's disease, cancer or cardiovascular diseases. Initiative for a ban on animal testing On 13 February 2022, Switzerland will vote on a popular initiative calling for a ban on animal and human testinga move that would thwart progress in biomedical research. The initiative would not only ban research involving animal testing and clinical studies with humans, but also the introduction of new products that have been developed using animal testing. This would prevent new drugs and vaccines from being imported into Switzerland. Explore further Animal testing illuminates Alzheimer's THURSDAY, Jan. 13, 2022 (HealthDay News) -- A drug used to treat several types of cancer is also an effective treatment for aggressive forms of endometrial cancer, the second most common cancer in women worldwide, a new clinical trial shows. The endometrium is the inner lining of the uterus. "These findings suggest a long-term benefit to patients," said lead researcher Dr. David O'Malley, a gynecologic oncologist at the Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, in Columbus. "Even the potential for curative intent is now possible in patients with recurrent or metastatic uterine cancer." Pembrolizumab, marketed as Keytruda, inhibits cellular receptors that prevent the immune system from recognizing and destroying cancer cells. It is already used to treat melanoma, lung, head/neck, cervical and stomach cancers. This mid-stage clinical trial included 90 women in 15 countries with recurrent or advanced endometrial cancer. Their cancers were MMR deficient (dMMR) or MSI-high tumors, meaning they behave abnormally. According to the new report, 48% of patients with advanced endometrial cancer experienced a complete or partial response to treatment. In two-thirds, the response lasted more than three years. Two-thirds of all patients in the study had a measurable response to treatment. The median follow-up was about 3.5 years meaning half were followed for a shorter time, half longer. The findings are timely because rates of endometrial cancer are on the rise. The cancer begins in the tissue lining the uterus. Platinum-based chemo drugs can be effective, but in many cases, cancer returns, the study authors noted in a university news release. Effective therapies for cancer that has returned or spread are limited, according to the study team. As a result, the five-year survival rate for women with advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer is 17%. Up to 31% of patients with endometrial cancer have changes in DNA known as microsatellite instability (MSI-H) and mismatch repair deficiency (dMMR). The change is usually present in the tumor and is not a genetic mutation, O'Malley noted. "By targeting this damaged pathway with this targeted drug, we can reset the cellular mechanisms and allow the immune system to reactivate and attack the cancer cells," O'Malley said. The researchers noted that before this study, there was no standard-of-care second-line therapy for endometrial cancer patients with MSI-H/dMMR-positive tumors. They said the response for this treatment is very strong overall when compared to the expected 10% to 15% response rate to the most often used second-line chemotherapy treatments. The findings were published online recently in the Journal of Clinical Oncology. Merck, which makes pembrolizumab, sponsored the study. More information The U.S. National Cancer Institute has more on endometrial cancer. SOURCE: Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, news release, Jan. 6, 2022 You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Originally published on consumer.healthday.com, part of the TownNews Content Exchange. THURSDAY, Jan. 13, 2022 (HealthDay News) -- Here's more evidence that marijuana may make driving more dangerous: As pot has been legalized in more countries and states, a greater number of people are driving intoxicated by the drug and crashing, researchers report. THC, the active ingredient in cannabis, has been detected in twice as many injured Canadian drivers since 2018, when cannabis was first legalized. The same effect is being seen in the United States, said lead researcher Dr. Jeffrey Brubacher, an associate professor in the department of emergency medicine at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver. One prominent U.S. addiction expert agreed. "This is an emerging and extremely important area of research," Dr. Nora Volkow, director of the U.S. National Institute on Drug Abuse, said in a statement. "One recent study found increased rates of motor vehicle crashes in the six months following medical cannabis authorization in Canada, and another study found relative increased risk of fatal motor vehicle collisions of 15% and a relative increase in associated deaths of 16% in U.S. jurisdictions where cannabis is legal," she noted. "As more and more states seek to legalize marijuana, it is crucial that we understand the impact of legalization on addiction and a range of other health outcomes, including driving accidents, to determine strategies for implementing legalization while minimizing the potential harms," Volkow added. Brubacher said how much pot is consumed before getting behind the wheel also matters. "The increased number of drivers using cannabis, especially drivers with high THC levels (5 nanograms/mL or more), is concerning," he said. "But we cannot conclude that all of these collisions were caused by cannabis." Previous research found no evidence that low THC levels (less than 5 ng/mL) are associated with an increased risk of causing a crash, Brubacher said. "However, acute cannabis use causes cognitive deficits and psychomotor impairment, and there is evidence that drivers with THC levels of 5 ng/mL or more are at higher risk of crashing," he said. Slowed reaction times These deficits lead to slow reaction time, lack of concentration and weaving down the road, Brubacher said. "We know that the risk of crashing is higher in drinking drivers than in drivers who use cannabis," he said. "Some previous researchers suggested that cannabis legalization may improve traffic safety if drivers used cannabis instead of alcohol. Unfortunately, we found no evidence of a decrease in the percentage of injured drivers who tested positive for alcohol." Volkow noted the effects of marijuana on driving ability are considerable. "Numerous studies have demonstrated that marijuana significantly impairs many of the skills needed for safe driving, including judgment, motor coordination and reaction time. Studies conducted in a laboratory setting have also found a direct relationship between the concentration of THC in the blood and impaired driving ability," she said. "However, this research must be interpreted with caution, as it can be extremely difficult to establish the causality for any given car crash. This is because unlike for alcohol there is no roadside test to measure drug levels in the body," Volkow explained. "This means that tests used to detect THC levels in drivers are often conducted hours after the crash. Further, marijuana can be detected in bodily fluids for days or weeks after last use, and drivers often combine it with alcohol, making it difficult to know how significant a role cannabis alone may have played in a crash." For the study, Brubacher and his colleagues analyzed levels of THC in blood samples from more than 4,300 injured drivers who were treated at British Columbia trauma centers between 2013 and 2020. Before pot was legalized, about 4% of drivers had blood levels of THC above the Canadian legal driving limit of 2 ng/mL. That percentage rose to nearly 9% after legalization, the researchers found. The proportion of drivers with higher concentrations of THC also rose, from 1% before legalization to 4% after. The largest increase was seen among drivers over 50. No significant changes in drivers testing positive for alcohol, either alone or in combination with THC, was seen, the researchers noted. Delayed driving advised The percentage of those driving both drunk and high was about 2% before legalization and 3% after, the study authors found. Blood levels of THC usually peak at around 100 ng/mL within 15 minutes of smoking pot. The levels then drop rapidly, to less than 2 ng/mL within four hours of smoking. After ingesting edible THC, the levels drop to a similarly low concentration after eight hours, Brubacher said. Based on these data, he advises people not to drive for four hours after smoking pot and eight hours after ingesting it. Brubacher also cautioned that the combination of alcohol and pot can be especially deadly behind the wheel. "Even though these numbers are concerning, and I think there is some reason for concern, it's not the sky is falling," he said. "It's not as serious a problem as it would be if we saw a doubling in the number of drivers who were using alcohol, because the risk is less with THC than with alcohol." The same increase in marijuana use while driving has been seen in the United States in states where it has been legalized. According to Paul Armentano, deputy director of NORML, a group that advocates for the reform of marijuana laws in the United States, "Similar increased prevalence data has also been reported in some U.S. states, like Washington, without a statistically significant uptick in traffic fatalities." While testing for THC can be difficult, Armentano cautioned that people should not drive while feeling "high." "NORML has a long history of calling for targeted public education campaigns regarding the influence of acute cannabis consumption on driving performance, and we believe that such campaigns ought to be part and parcel with any adult-use legalization law," Armentano said. "We also have a long history of calling for providing law enforcement with additional and more accurate tools and methods to both identify and discourage DUI [driving under the influence] cannabis behavior." The report was published Jan. 13 in the New England Journal of Medicine. More information For more on marijuana and driving, head to the U.S. National Institute on Drug Abuse. SOURCES: Jeffrey Brubacher, MD, associate professor, department of emergency medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada; Paul Armentano, deputy director, NORML, Washington, D.C.; New England Journal of Medicine, Jan. 13, 2022 You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Originally published on consumer.healthday.com, part of the TownNews Content Exchange. THURSDAY, Jan. 13, 2022 (HealthDay News) -- Hands-on learning can be fun, and new research suggests that it works as well as more traditional teaching methods. Known as "guided play," the technique involves educational activities that are gently steered by an adult but give kids the freedom to explore while learning. They include games that require children to read, write or use math. "The argument is sometimes made that play, while beneficial, adds little to children's education," said Paul Ramchandani, professor of play in education, development and learning at the University of Cambridge in England. "In fact, although there are still some big questions about how we should use guided play in classrooms, there is promising evidence that it actively enhances learning and development," he said in a university news release. The strategies are more common in a preschool setting, but can also work well in early elementary school, the researchers found. The study examined guided play for about 3,800 3- to 8-year-olds. The researchers unearthed 39 studies done between 1977 and 2020 that had some information about guided play in comparison with either free play or direct instruction, even though the studies were on broader subjects. They then calculated how much of an overall positive or negative effect guided play has on different aspects of learning. The takeaway: Guided play was as effective as traditional methods in developing literacy, the ability to work with numbers, social skills and essential thinking skills known as executive functions. Some of those skills -- like learning math -- may even be more successfully learned through guided play, the researchers said. "It's only recently that researchers have started to conceptualize learning through play as something that exists on a spectrum," said study co-author Elizabeth Byrne, from Cambridge's faculty of education. "At one end you have free play, where children decide what to do with minimal adult involvement; at the other is traditional, direct instruction, where an adult tells a child what to do and controls the learning activity." Guided play falls somewhere in between. "It describes playful activities which are scaffolded around a learning goal but allow children to try things out for themselves," Byrne explained in the release. "If children are given the freedom to explore, but with some gentle guidance, it can be very good for their education -- perhaps in some cases better than direct instruction." Researchers also found evidence that guided play better develops kids' ability to switch between tasks. They found no statistically significant evidence that guided play is less effective than direct instruction on any of the learning outcomes studied. They said it's possible that guided play helped kids learn how to work through the logical steps in math tasks. The fact that it involves hands-on learning may be important, they added. "Children often struggle with mathematical concepts because they are abstract," Byrne said. "They become easier to understand if you are actually using them in an imaginary game or playful context. One reason play matters may be because it supports mental visualization." This style of learning may also enhance motivation, persistence, creativity and confidence, the authors said, which could make a difference in schools. The study was published Jan. 12 in the journal Child Development. More information The American Academy of Pediatrics has more on the power of play. SOURCE: University of Cambridge, news release, Jan. 12, 2022 You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Originally published on consumer.healthday.com, part of the TownNews Content Exchange. THURSDAY, Jan. 13, 2022 (HealthDay News) -- A program to offer high-quality face masks to Americans is being weighed by the Biden administration as a way to help slow the spread of the highly transmissible Omicron variant. Were in the process right now of strongly considering options, White House Covid-19 response coordinator Jeffrey Zients said Wednesday a news briefing on the pandemic, The New York Times reported. Masks that offer the most protection are N95 and the K-N95, and both are approved by the U.S. government to block 95% of the new coronavirus. But they're in exceedingly short supply, and counterfeits are everywhere, experts warn. No details were provided about what type of masks might be distributed under any new federal program, how many would be offered, or when they would be provided. But he did say the government has a stockpile of more than 750 million N95 masks on hand for health care and emergency workers. One option being discussed is to distribute the masks at community sites, a person familiar with the planning told the Times. The mask distribution program is under consideration as virus cases and hospitalizations soar nationwide. Federal data released Tuesday show that more than 140,000 people were hospitalized with COVID-19 in the last week, a new record high. These hospitalizations also included people who tested positive for the virus after being admitted to the hospital for a different health condition. On Tuesday, Dawn OConnell, assistant secretary for preparedness and response at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, told senators that additional contracts for N95 masks could be finalized by February, the Times reported. O'Connell said potential contractors are being asked to produce 141 million of the masks a month at "surge capacity." Despite the unprecedented Omicron surge, Dr. Rochelle Walensky, director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said new health care data from Southern California shows that people infected with the Omicron variant were far less likely to become severely ill or die compared to those who were infected with its predecessor, the Delta variant, the Times reported. She pointed to a 53 percent lower risk of hospitalization with symptoms, a 74 percent lower risk of admission to intensive care and a 91 percent lower risk of death. I suspect the deaths we are seeing now are still from Delta, Walenksy said. She noted that data over the next couple weeks will reveal just how deadly the Omicron variant is. Walensky added that the CDC is updating its guidance on masks to address the differences in protection between various types. More information Visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for more on COVID masks. SOURCE: The New York Times You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Originally published on consumer.healthday.com, part of the TownNews Content Exchange.